#one of my New Year’s resolutions is to get around to answering asks and replying to comments and DMs

[eclairfair98]

“I lost my father to a war, Tom,” he whispers, heat pressing down on his shoulders, burning the inside of his ribs, slamming into the pit of his roiling stomach. “I know flying’s dangerous. Better than most people, I’d think.”

And he sees it then. The purple sun rising across the horizon. Its faint light glancing across the slope of Dad’s brow, catching in his close-cropped hair, bouncing off his wide grin. Sees Dad’s face every time he got a perfect score on a test. Won a prize at the science fair. Outran every single one of his classmates.

Sees the warmth of pride, of happiness that lit up his eyes. Made them shine. Made Pete think that he could shine, too.

“Why do you want to be a naval aviator?”

Despite himself, he reaches out a tentative hand and touches Tom’s cool cheek. Brushes his fingertips down the slope of his strong jaw, wishing he could banish the stress from his expression.

Tom’s hands still, then crumple into tight fists as his eyes harden into pools of ice.

“I want to serve my country. Be a part of something bigger than myself. Honor my family—” Tom says, and that’s it, isn’t it? It’s that simple.

“Then why is it that I can’t do the same for my country? For my family?” he interrupts, knowing that Tom has to see reason now. That it’s all so very simple when you put your mind to it. “Don’t you see, Tom? If my father was here today. If he was alive… he would’ve been so proud of me.”

Pete hastily wipes the wetness rolling down his cheeks. Tastes the saltwater on his lips.

If he was here today. If Dad was alive. I wouldn’t even be here.

There’s stars dancing in front of his eyes, and he can make out each individual pin-prick of light. A dazzling, blistering white. Like Magnesium burning in the air with a brilliant, luminous flame.

Tom’s silent for several seconds, his eyes dark, almost black in the dim light of their bedroom. “I think if your father was here today, he wouldn’t want his only child to fly in active combat. To risk getting shot down, or captured, or killed.”

The rings on his left hand feel a lot heavier than they did an hour ago, like they weigh a thousand tons each. Like they’re rusted metal chains shackling him to the cold, lifeless ground.

“You keep talking as though we’re actually at war,” Pete says. You’ve no idea what Dad would’ve wanted for me, Pete thinks. You didn’t know him. You don’t even know me. Not really. “The Cold War’s practically over.”

“I guess we should write Brezhnev, then. Wonder how long it’ll take them to tear down the Iron Curtain now that you’ve declared the War’s over.” Tom deadpans, his voice flatter than Pete’s ever heard it. Unwavering gaze flickering down to his belly before settling on his tear-stained face. “You know this isn’t just about the Cold War, Pete. As long as we’ve had history, there has been combat. We aren’t going to enter an era of world peace just because our military has started commissioning omegas.”

“You’re being a hypocrite. You do realize that, don’t you?” Nausea burns the pit of his stomach. Punishing and hot. His chest aches like someone’s taken a sledgehammer to it, ragged breaths rapidly burning his insides. “You stand there and talk about the dangers and unpredictability of war when you’re fully prepared to serve in one, if and when duty calls. I’m supposed to live with the knowledge of not knowing when you might be sent off to combat. Deal with it as a part and parcel of my life. But God forbid, I ask you to do the same for me—”

“I shouldn't have to be the one to tell you that alphas and omegas would be taking on a very different set of risks going into active combat duty,” Tom bites out. His expression’s a mask but Pete can see the carefully-restrained fear in his eyes. An emotion so out of place on Tom’s face, it almost stuns him speechless. “Say you get shot down over enemy lines one day. Say you don’t go out in a blaze of glory as you might imagine… What then, Pete? Do you know what the prisoners of war lived through at Hanoi? Do you have any idea how bad it got for them? Imagine how much worse it could get for an omega…”

“What are you saying?”

Pain sparks through the base of his skull, making him drop his head down and press his clammy fingers to his brow. It feels as though he’s slowly being ground into dust. These days, it always feels that way.

How much worse could it get?

“Please, don’t make me spell it out for you,” Tom whispers, somehow instinctively knowing that Pete doesn’t understand. That he hasn’t thought about getting shot down. About getting captured. Getting killed.

“Everyone’s gotta die someday, right?” His throat hurts from the effort it takes not to cry. He closes his eyes. Thinks about his life. The seemingly endless hours spent at home alone. Doing laundry. Washing dishes. Dusting shelves. Throwing up until he’s sobbing from the relentless pain in his head. Thinks about the second line on his test. Bright pink and impossible to ignore.

About how maybe, there are worse things than death. Than being eighteen and feeling like your life’s over already. Than not being where you want to be.

Even if it doesn’t feel that way.

“I could die five months from now. Or in five years. Or fifty. That’s not upto me, Tom. Some things are just… out of our control. But what I can do is make my life matter. Make it worth something. I want to learn. I want to grow…”

I want all of the same things you do.

“And I want all of those things for you. I want you to study. I don’t care about how much it costs us, as long as you get to learn. I want to do things your way. When we got married, I promised myself we’d do everything your way—” Tom pauses for a moment. Weighs what he’s about to say next. Seems like he doesn’t want to say it but soldiers on anyway, jaw set in a tense line. “But you need to stop chasing ghosts, Pete.”

Something cold and heavy swoops up from Pete’s belly. Settles on his chest. Presses hard against his ribs.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

The heavy feeling worsens. Squeezes his lungs. Sharp and unkind. Almost like he’s cracked a rib.

“I think you do.” Tom’s mouth twitches, and he looks away. Runs a hand across his tired face, looking much older than his twenty-one years. His Annapolis ring glints a caustic blue in the dim light. A potent reminder of all the things in the world that just aren’t meant for Pete. “You don’t need to join the Navy to make your life matter. You don’t need to seek validation in what you think your father would’ve wanted for you—”

“Fuck you.” His stomach wrenches and he presses his hands over his abdomen, struggling not to vomit. It takes him a moment to realize that he’s angry. To recognize the raw, painful thing lurking under his sternum. To give it a name. Tom takes a step towards him, concern flickering across his face, bleeding into his ice-cold eyes. And Pete leans away. Lets the tepid air rush in between them. “Fuck you, Tom.”

Because that’s his father. That’s his life. His dreams Tom’s talking about so callously. Dismissing like Pete’s just a lost little child who doesn’t know right from wrong. Doesn’t know what he wants. Who doesn’t know himself.

“Yeah, fuck me.” Tom sucks in a breath. His next exhale a little bit sharper. A lot less steady. He stares down at Pete’s bloodless fingers still clutching the flat of his belly, before looking up and meeting his eyes. Wistful and angry and resigned. “But that’s how we got ourselves into this situation. Didn’t we, Pete?”

[pintsizemama]

Resolutions

Day 31

Summary: You and your husbands discuss your goals for the new year.

Pairings: Rhys, Cassian, & Azriel x You (Reader)

Fandom: ACOTAR (AU)

Rating: Mature

Warnings: language, references to sex, pregnancy, alcohol

Word Count: 336

Day 30 Christmas Masterlist Main Masterlist AO3 Join my taglist

You stretched out lazily on the couch. The kids were all in bed, and the four of you were waiting to ring in the new year.

“What’s everyone’s resolution this year?” You asked your guys.

“I’d like to work less and spend more time at home,” Rhys answered immediately. You smiled proudly at him. He had been moving things around for months to make it possible to be home more. He missed you and the kids so much, and he wanted to enjoy watching them grow.

“How about you Az?” You turned to him.

“I want to run a marathon this year,” he replied.

“Oh, I know you’ll nail that!” You said with encouragement. Azriel was so disciplined, there was no way he’d fail. “Maybe I’ll join you on some of your runs. My resolution is to be more active.”

“That’d be great,” he said with a warm smile.

“How about you, Cass?” You looked at Cassian who was lounging on the opposite couch.

“My resolution is to put it in your ass more,” he answered.

“Cassian!” You scolded him.

“What?” He said with a shrug. “I love your ass.” When you continued to scowl at him he sighed. “I’m kidding. I want to build a treehouse for the kids.”

“Really?” You asked. Cassian was very handy, but he rarely had time for large projects.

“Yeah,” he replied. “I took some time off in the Spring to get it done.”

“Oh my god! The kids will love that!” You gushed.

“I’m hoping to have it done by Easter,” he said.

“Can we help?” Rhys asked.

“Hell yeah!” Cassian agreed.

“Oh! It’s almost midnight,” you realized. “I’ll grab the champagne.” You hustled into the kitchen to pour four glasses of bubbly…well three glasses of champagne and one sparkling juice. You made sure none of the guys were looking when you swapped your drink. You weren’t quite ready to let them know about the little surprise nestled in your belly. Next year was going to be epic.

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[siancore]

One World, One People

Samtember Day 5 - Canon Divergence

@samsseptember

Everything after Sam's feet touched the asphalt was a blur. Sharon being hit. Karli’s young life being taken from her. The sounds of sirens and the crowds that had gathered. The flashing lights and the people rushing toward him looking for answers.

Who had made him Captain America? Was the threat over? Gratitude for saving the hostages. For doing his part for dealing with so-called terrorists. He paid no mind to the people looking for answers; he needed some answers of his own.  

“Are you still going forward with resetting the borders?” asked Sam; his voice came out tired and sad.  

All he heard was that the ‘terrorists’ only set their efforts back marginally. Soon, the haze lifted, and righteous indignation replaced it.  

“You have to stop calling them terrorists,” said Sam.  

“What else would you have us call them?”  

“Your peacekeeping troops, carrying weapons, are forcing millions of people into settlements around the world, right? What d’you think those people are gonna call you?”  

No one answered, so Sam continued speaking to the two senators.  

“These labels: Terrorist; refugee; thug. They’re often used to get around the question: Why?”  

“Those settlements that happened five years ago,” one of the senators spoke up. “Do you think it is fair for governments to have to support them?”  

“Yes,” said Sam, firm and strong and resolute.  

“And the people who reappeared, only to find someone else living in their family home, they just end up homeless?”  

Sam sighed as the senator continued.  

“Look I get it, but you have no idea how complicated this situation is,” he said before walking away.  

“You know what?” Sam questioned, causing the other man to stop. “You’re right. And that’s a good thing.”  

He turned to face Sam as the police held journalists back.  

“We finally have a common struggle now. Think about that. For once, all the people who’ve been begging, and I mean literally begging for you to feel how hard any given day is – now you know.”  

Bucky’s heart swelled at Sam’s words. All of Sam’s compassion, empathy, and love for his fellow man poured out of him then.  

“How did it feel to be helpless? If you could remember what it felt like to be helpless, and face a force so powerful it could erase half the planet, you would know that you’re about to have the exact same impact. This isn’t about easy decisions, Senator.”  

“You just don’t understand,” the senator replied, almost stuttering.  

Sam scoffed and said, “I’m a gay Black man carrying the stars and stripes. What don’t I understand about making tough decisions? About decisions being made about me and my life. Every time I pick this thing up, I know there are millions of people out there who are gonna hate me for it. Even now, here, I feel it: The stares. The judgment. And there’s nothin’ I can do to change it. Yet, I’m still here. No super serum. No blond hair or blue eyes. The only power I have is that I believe we can do better. We can’t demand that people step up if we don’t meet them halfway. You control the banks. Shit, you can move borders. You can knock down a forest with an email; you can feed a million people with a phone call. But the question is: Who’s in the room with you when you’re makin’ those decisions, hmm? Is it the people you’re gonna impact? Or is it just more people like you?”  

The rest of the evening went by in a flash. Sam helped with clean-up while Bucky made sure Sharon got the care that she needed. The media was buzzing with reports of what had transpired. A terrorist attack. A new Cap. Sam Wilson coming out to the world. Sam Wilson supporting terrorists. Gossip around whether or not Captain America and the former Winter Soldier were more than just partners. It was a lot.  

By the time Sam was ready to lay his head down, it was late, or early, depending on how one looked at it. Rhodey had already contacted him and wanted to meet. Sam had told him he would speak to him later in the day. Sarah was concerned for her brother’s welfare, and he assured her he was fine. Sam’s phone buzzed one more time. It was Bucky.  

“Where are you?” he asked, his voice laced with equal parts worry and exhaustion. 

“Sitting on the roof of a building,” said Sam, sounding just as tired as Bucky. “Is Sharon okay?” 

“She’s fine. Are you okay?” 

“Yeah.” 

“What do you need?” asked Bucky.  

“A shower and a bed wouldn’t be so bad,” Sam replied with a little laugh.  

“I’m comin’ to get you,” said Bucky. “You can come back to my place.” 

“Buck, you don’t need to offer your space. I can get a hotel.” 

“Don’t fight me on this, Sam,” said a resolute Bucky. “You’re comin’ with me for a shower and to get some sleep. Away from all the cameras and questions. Come with me. Where it’s quiet and safe. Let me take care of you. I wanna take care of you.” 

“Okay,” said Sam with a smile. “Okay.” 

[readyforthegarden]

Andante, Andante

Pairing: Sam Kiszka x Reader

Warnings: None, just some mutual pining, some flirting and kissing.

WC: 1457

A/N: This came to me while I was driving around the other day and the song came on. I immediately drifted off into a maladaptive daydream with Sam, so please enjoy!

You liked to keep your home peaceful, tranquil, and calm. Little noise if possible. But this afternoon, it was filled with the sounds of learning. A keyboard you bought secondhand at a garage sale propped up on a stand in front of you, you and your friend Sam sharing the small bench as best as possible. Your fingers plunked down on the plastic keys, a few sour notes and a groan from you echoing in the house.

“You’re doing good, don’t worry.” Sam gave you a supportive smile.

“I hate this.” was all you replied, removing your hands from the instrument and pouting. “Why did I even want to do this?”

You knew why. At the beginning of the year, you’d softly mentioned to Sam you wanted to learn to read music, and play an instrument, as a New Year’s resolution. You were tired of being the only person in your friend group without a lick of musical talent, and feeling left out of conversation.

Sam took off running with the idea, of course. While finishing up tour, he had sent you package after package of books on music theory, reading music for dummies, and songbooks and a few pedals for your keyboard.

“Hey, I was just as bad when I started learning.” Sam tried to soothe you, running his large, warm hand up and down your back gently.

“You had the advantage of being a kid and having a brain ripe for molding. I’m old, Sam. Ancient. My mid-twenties brain is fully formed and refuses.”

“You are never too old to learn something new.” Sam chided with a click of his tongue behind his teeth. “Why don’t we try vocabulary? You’ve always been good with words.”

“I guess.” You muttered. Sam picked up one of the books by his feet, flipping through it.

“Ah, here’s an easy one. Forte?”

“Forte means loud.” you answered. Sam grinned, nodding.

“Good, good. Can you use it in a sentence for me?” Sam asked. You sighed through your nose, trying to put together something on the fly.

“Your brother Josh enters the room in a forte manner.” you giggled, remembering the last time you saw the elder Kiszka, how he burst into the room with a bottle of wine in his hand for the dinner party.

“Valid.” Sam hummed. “Piano?”

“Soft. When we talk shit about people, our voices are very piano.” you gently tapped a key, letting the soft sound vibrate out of the speaker. “Also your hair looks very piano today.” Sam blushed, clearing his throat at your compliment.

“Thanks.”

“I mean it, your hair looks good. I like it long.” you continued. You had always had a crush on Sam. He was the funny smart guy, who looked like a 70s dreamboat. You had been devastated, secretly of course, when he cut his hair a few years ago, but now that it had grown out, you were going to make sure to remind him of how good it looked any chance you got.

“I missed it being long.” Sam replied quietly, twirling his ends around his finger. Unbeknownst to you, Sam had found out through your sometimes-confidant, Jake, that you preferred his longer hair shortly after the cut, and vowed to himself grow it back. For you. He had only gotten his hair cut short to change it up, and maybe to try and get you to notice him. He thought that if he did something drastic it would be like the movies, you’d suddenly notice he was right in front of you all along. And yet, neither of you had made a single move.

“I did too.” you admitted, reaching up and running your hands through his hair, pushing it back out of his face. “I missed braiding it during movie nights.” Sam closed his eyes at the push of your fingertips through his hair, the gentle scratch of your nails against his scalp. The sound of Rosie somewhere in the house, shaking and clattering her tags broke the moment, and Sam shifted in his seat, looking back down at the book.

"Um okay, uh...how about leggiero?" Sam glanced up at you, a slight, pink blush creeping across his cheeks. You paused, your eyes scanning through an invisible book in the air in front of you as you racked your brain for the correct answer.

"Oh! Light and graceful, something I am definitely not." you chuckled under your breath. Sam felt a sudden surge through his chest. In his eyes, everything you did was graceful. You sipped your drinks with grace, walked down the street with grace, even when he was following close behind when you were tipsy and walking to the car. Hell, you even tripped, slipped and fell gracefully.

"You don't see yourself how others do." Sam's eyes widened as he realized he said it out loud, and your head whipped around to face him.

"What do you mean, Sam?" you asked softly, gazing up at him. He could pretend he didn't say it, try and move on and quiz you on more musical directions, but something in his gut told him to double down. Finally tell you how he felt about you.

"I mean, you're amazing. You keep saying you're not good at things or you're clumsy, but you don't see all the ways you dance through life. Your laugh is one of my favorite sounds ever, and when you walk into a room, the vibe changes, it becomes lighter, more vibrant. I fall in love with you over and over again every time I see you."

"You-you what?" throat feeling tight, you thought you'd misheard Sam. Surely the man who'd been the object of you affections for the past few years didn't just admit he had feelings for you.

"I-um, I..." Sam's cheeks were on fire now, he licked his lips nervously as he tried to gauge your reaction through your shock. Before he could speak again, your lips were on his. Both of you froze for a moment, but once his hands cupped your face, you felt yourself melt into him, the awkward twist of you bodies on the small bench not mattering as the two of you lost yourselves.

When the heat of the moment waned and the two of you finally pulled apart, you rested your forehead against his.

"Well, that was very espressivo." Sam chuckled, swiping his thumb across the apple of your cheek as you giggled. You gave him another peck.

"It's hard not to be expressive when your crush tells you how much they like you." you replied.

"Maybe this is how we should practice more often." Sam suggested.

"Hmm? Making out?" you hummed with another giggle.

"In a way. I'll ask you a direction, and you show me with a kiss." Sam smirked. "Like this. Staccato." you bit your bottom lip as you thought, not being able to figure out the word. You frowned, shaking your head and Sam just smiled, leaning over and pressing short, quick kisses all over your face making you laugh while his facial hair tickled your soft skin.

"Ooh I like it better when you show me." you told him. "Can you jog my memory on andante?" Sam's smirk grew as he cupped your face, bringing you in for a slow, passionate kiss. He let his fingers tangle in your hair as one of your hands rested on his thigh, fingers digging into the jean-clad limb as his tongue softly lapped with yours.

"Now," he sighed when he finally pulled away. "That was a gimmie, because I happen to know one of your favorite songs is Andante, Andante by Abba." you gave him an innocent shrug, batting your eyes.

"Get used to it, Sam." you whispered, still not have having enough of his lips as you kissed him again. "I'm gonna use every excuse in the book to kiss you from now on."

"You don't ever need an excuse again." he mumbled against your lips. "I'll kiss you from sun up til sun down, and as long as the moon is in the sky."

"We should invest in some lip balm and mouthwash then, huh?" Sam laughed and agreed. Scratching his chin, he thought for a moment.

"You know, it's getting close to dinner time, what do you say we go out for a bite?" you found yourself nodding instantly, letting him help you up from the bench.

"Then after, we can come back and practice piano? You can teach me some more?" you asked as you followed Sam towards your front door and the shoe rack. He turned suddenly and wrapped his arms around you, swaying you.

"Oh sweet thing, I plan on teaching you piano all night."

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[keelt9]

Chapter 7

Masterlist

“You look…” Pam scanned my face before sitting on the chair. “Great?” She didn’t even sound convinced of her own words. 

It’s my first day in the office, finally my endless vacations are finished and I'm back to work full of energy. I see my meetings schedule for the week, a few with writers but most of them to put me at the day with my daily activities.

“What happened with the cute QB that came the other day?” I knew it, I scoff after sending to print a few things she came to pick.

After coming back from our trip Joe got a call the next day, he must leave right away, avoiding us forced moments of faking that our decision was easy to take. The remaining week I spent changing things in the apartment and even painting the wall where my photos are from a different color, the green mint color is already gone now I have a white wall, just keeping my mind busy.

I gave Pam the papers. “We’re just friends Pam.” She took them, maybe it’s the tone of my voice or the expression on my face that make her nod and don’t say anything else.

The phone of my office rings, interrupting us. “Stratton?” I replied; Claire needs me in her office. “Ok, thanks.” 

Pam is fighting to say something. “It’s ok Pam, we will always be friends.” Like she did months ago, I make her stand as we walk to the door. “Now, get out of here, the boss is looking for me.”

Claire is waiting, sitting reading a manuscript which she interrupts as I perk at her door.

“Y/N, please, come in and sit.” She has a wide open smile. “Do you remember that at the beginning of the year I had to present a book to the big bosses? You know, marketing things, covers of the editorial and all those stuffs”

I nod but I don’t get what this has to be with me. “Well, I suggest the book of Lucy.” 

Lucy is the author of the kids book I work on all my vacations, the strange drawing and the mysterious story.

“They love it.” 

Claire explained one of the many duties about coming out with the pick of the book is a tour for promoting and winning investors for new ones. Lucy already agreed, fascinated but with one condition, she wants I be with her all the time, in her words. <Y/N made to adjust and improve all my story without changing my essence.>

It’s 3 months of traveling around the country and 2 months in Europe and Asia. 

“It’s almost half of a year, I know, but I couldn’t agree more.” I’m perplexed, not even in my wildest dreams this comes to my mind. “Think about it, ok? But hey, it’s a good opportunity and you've been working hard for this.” 

“I’ll go.” I didn’t even think twice. “Count me in.” 

“OMG! Honey! This is great!” Mom pulled me for an asphyxiating hug. “I’m so proud of you.” 

After a long meeting with Lucy, Clare and all that will be involved, we decided to begin right away with the intention that by the time we conclude the tour it's the beginning of autumn, perfect occasion for kids who look for a book with that kind of illustration. 

We only have one week to set the things we need and start the tour in Osaka. I decided to go with Pete and my parents to give them the news in person. Archie said he will miss me but he asked me one single favor.

“Please bring a postcard from everywhere you’ll be.” He is standing next to Nora with a cute smile on his face.

When I was about to leave his home the next day, Archie hugged me tight and kissed my cheek. “Call every night aunt, I’ll be answering all the time.” 

“Take care of your parents all right?” Archie nods and my brother and Nora just chuckle with the resolute nod of their son.

At home my parents were jumping of happiness, it’s a big opportunity and all knew that, so they decided to improvise in a small dinner just the three of us and Leah. 

“I know you take care of yourself but could you give your old man the pleasure to hear those words?” Dad said, grabbing my hand across the table.

I giggle and grab his hand. “Dad, I’ll promise you I'll take care of myself.” Mom laughs. “Besides, I’ll bring Pam with me, I’m not going alone.”

“Find a good looking European boy.” Dad cleared his throat and sat straight holding my hand. “Don’t look at me like that Mr. Stratton, not for her, for me.” Leah took a bite of the cheesecake my mother made smiling.

Talking about boys, friends say goodbye, right?

“Bro, this is…” Chase opened the door, his sight at his back until he saw me. “I know you.” He has a side smile, thinking for a second. “Oh, I definitely know you.” I laugh at his eyes wide open. 

Joe appears at the door with a pink hoodie. “Who…?” A side to side smile on his face. “Hi.” Chase looks at us with a mischievous smirk, when Joe looks at him and understands his friend is still at the door and he is behind him and me.

Joe fakes a cough, but Chase doesn’t move. “Do you mind?” 

“Oh, yeah, sorry, sorry, I just…Can I give you a hug? It’s really a pleasure to meet you.” He slowly comes closer and gives a hug softly. 

“Ok, ok, this is more than enough.” Joe pat Chase back, making us laugh before he definitely goes inside the house. “Come in, please.” 

I shake my head. “You have an amazing garden, do you mind if we talk here?” 

“Am I in trouble?” I scoff as he closes the door and sits on the steps.

“I'm leaving.” I’m not picture Joe turning around so quickly to face me but he can’t even talk. “Don’t look at me like that, it’s just a couple of months.”

I explain everything to him, and he listens carefully. “So, I thought it would be nice to say goodbye.” My eyes were stuck on the flowers of his garden, until I turned around. “Are you even listening?”

Joe is so immersed typing something in his phone. “You speak too fast, could you repeat one more time after NYC?” 

“What?” Joe showed me his phone, and his calendar was marked with green dots.

“I miss some dates.” I cover my face, feeling shy. “You probably won’t come to the kick off, right?” 

“Joe.” I feel moved for all his attention. “You don’t have to do that.” I point to his phone but my mouth doesn't shut up after that. “I mean, it’s not like I won’t text you…” That came so fast.

“Great! I mean…” He scratched his chin after a high pitched voice. “A <Have a good game> It’s well received.” 

“I have to go.” I stand. “I still have to pack for leaving tomorrow.” 

“You’re welcome to come in, we are just preparing something for lunch.” He pointed to this house.

“Thanks but Leah’s parents invited me already.” He put his hand around my arm and pulled me to lock me in his arms, my heart started to beat like crazy. 

“Have a good trip and take care.” I patted his back and split. “Send me a photo wherever you are, all right?”

I nod before walking to the entrance where I park my father’s car, but every step goes slower and slower every time.

“Hey Joe.” He raised his eyebrows as he kept listening to me. “Take care. I want to be back and see you winning games.”

Joe scoffs with a smile on his face; a contagious one, I wave my hand before entering the car, driving out of his house, still smiling.

The first month and half was crazy, I never was in charge of something this big and Pam and I have weeks of stress just learning how to do it and not die in the try. By the end of the first month we have things under control.

The book received good acceptance in every place we set an autograph signing and we closed some important negotiations with foreign editorials on the way.

“Here.” Lucy put in front of me a bag. “I was traveling around and I saw a boutique, and for your recent searches, I think this is something you'll buy.”

I pull it out and it’s a black hoodie with small embroidered red tulips at the sleeves. Just perfect. 

We have just two weeks here in Europe before coming back and not counting the huge amount of postcards Archie asked me for and souvenirs for my family and friends. I didn’t find something I like for Joe.

“Oh, thanks.” I search for the size and it’s actually Joe sixes. “Who do you know the size of?”

Lucy giggles and orders her coffee. “I asked Pam, and she said, <Do you know Joe Burrow?> I almost faint.”

I opened and closed my mouth multiple times, making her giggle. “Don’t worry she specified you are just friends. Relax. Still, powerful friends I must say.” 

The last two weeks we spent in Italy, then we took a flight to California, setting the beginning of our tour at home.

“Are you joking?” I entered my hotel room, exhausted after 10 hours of flight. “That’s great, right?” 

I just told Leah we have a few days off next week for recharging batteries and going back to the rest of the tour book.

“Yeah, it’s just, I’ll lose the rhythm of work.” Leah bluffs and I picture her rolling her eyes.

“Sorry, I forgot I’m talking with my workaholic friend.” I laughed and laid in bed. “Are you planning to come or are you going to your home?

“I have a few souvenirs to deliver.” I observed a bag full of things for them.

Mom received with a lovely surprise a Saturday morning, Peter and family were there too anxious to see me.

“This is great, have you seen this daddy?” Archie keeps showing all the postcards I brought for him, holding one candy of the insane amounts of boxes I bought for him, sparkles in his eyes. 

We are sitting in the backyard enjoying a sunny afternoon as I told them how those months have been going.

“How many days off do you have?” Peter asked taking a sip of his water. 

“4 days, then I must be in NYC for the next part.” Archie ran to his dad showing another one, this time Beijing.

Mom entered with more snacks. “Joe died seeing but we hardly saw him either.” 

I narrowed my eyes but dad clarified for mom. “Oh, the training camp begins this week and last one he traveled for all his check ups.” 

Joe takes the training camps very seriously, after the first ones didn’t come out as he expected my parents told me he set a strict routine around the weeks of training camps, his health is his priority.

“Joe invited me but mom said we couldn’t go.” Archie say taking another chip. “Work stuff.” All giggle and Peter toss his hair.

That night I met Leah in her home, she parepare a sleepover like the old time, a lot of food, horror movies and now we're grown up women, a few drinks.

After a few rounds and a lot of junk food, I started to feel a funny bubble sensation all over my body.

“You should go.” Leah said serve me another margarita. “And yes, I got it, I mean, you should go, as a friend.”

“Leah.” She smiles, let's be honest my tone didn't express the right amount of warning.

“Listen, you bring that nice hoodie from across the world and I know you.” Leah sits across the night table in her living room. “That endless texting, quick calls and random pictures along all day, scream, <I miss you>” 

In fact I do, but I also know he's always been clear; full focus on his annual goal and a new ring on his hand.

“He doesn't have to know you are there.” I scoff but she continues. “Go, see the practice from far away, at the end give him the hoodie and leave, any harm for both of you.”

I throw a pillow at her. “You make it sound so easy.”

“It's my gift. Think about it at least, preferably, go.” The doorbell announced our pizzas are here. “All right?” 

Leah stands staggering as she walks to her door and screams. “Your silence is an affirmative answer!”

By Monday morning, I had one day off, which I think I will use to go home, do some duties and fly right to NYC.

“Hey you.” I enter Leah's studio with a coffee in my hand. “Oh my hero.” Leah takes a sip, her favorite one and closes her eyes to enjoy the moment.

“It's early for you, are you leaving?” She put it aside and go back to her work 

“Yes.” I take the last sip of mine. “I don't want to be late.”

She giggles. “Believe Y/N your house is waiting for you right where you left it.”

“I don't going home right now.” Leah choked with her drink and put attention to my black cap and white shirt with a huge black number.

“Oh my fucking god.” She pointed to the bag. “You bring the hoodie! This is crazy.”

“You right, I miss him, what can I do?” Leah jumps from her chair faking a scream running to press me next to her.

“Bless the cameras around this place because I have an on video.” She squeezed my cheeks. “But get out of here!” 

“Wait, wait, wait.” I grab her by her shoulders. “Do you think I should..” 

Leah shakes her head. “Y/N, you don’t have to answer but think on this.” She takes a deep breath and a serious face appears in her face. “Things are difficult and could turn more difficult but, do you really believe trying is not worth it?” 

It’s hard to say the answer because it's the same question I have been asking myself all these months.

“Don’t, don’t put on that stress face, go, maybe, just maybe, the answer is there.” 

The sound of the door opening distracts us, a couple enters with their baby in a stroller. 

“Oh, hi, just a minute and I will be with you, all right?” The couple smile and walk back to Leah's studio.

But she gasps for the cute little girl who has a beautiful white dress. “Hi, little girl, are you ready?”  The baby smiles at her and giggles softly. 

She walks with me and we stop at the door. “Relax, have fun and call me if you need something, ok?” 

I nod, and she smiles at me. “Good luck could be helpful.” Leah laughs and grabs my hand.

“For who? You or him?”

[nani-nonny]

Between You and Me and Him - short version 1

I’m too lazy to format this to look nice or organized, I want to answer the question!!!!

Starting off simple and easy with something your readers wanted to know, DMD. They think you’re hot.

DMD:

He pauses where he sits, an uncertain expression on his face that shows he doesn’t know what to do with this comment. He doesn’t deny it or make any notion to show he dislikes it, but he doesn’t seem to claim it with an utmost confidence like he would when he was younger. He smiles nonetheless, “Thanks, I haven’t heard that in a while. I got used to being called Old by the kids.”

Now that that’s out of the way, here’s a question for everyone. This one’s a little similar to a previous question, but different overall. What’s the first thing you would do if you switched bodies with the peepaw who came before you?

DMD:

He cocks his head to the side as he crosses his arms over his chest as he thinks for a moment. When he finishes his thought, he asks, “Is there anyone who came before me? From what I know, I’m the first, aren’t I?”

Yeah… doesn’t work for you.

Reunion:

He taps his chin for a moment before replying, “Do I get to change the warrior outfit? I’ve seen it in passing, and honestly? Not our best work.”

No.

“Then why bother? Big Mama when she was young was tricky to work with. I’d rather stick with my situation.”

That’s not the question.

He slams his hand on his fist and counters, “Then the first thing I’d do is change the damn outfit, have you seen the outfit? He looks like he’s still in the apocalypse!”

LCD?

LCD:

He nods silently for a few seconds before it shifts to a shake of the head indicating disagreement. “I don’t know,” he grumbles under his breath, “Look around, scan what he’s been doing and search for anything he might be hiding. He’s a secretive guy, I’d like to get my hands on anything that explains why he’s so reserved.”

WDS:

“Kill myself.”

AJSJAAJA—wait, At least think for a moment—

He raises his hand to silence any further comments, “Fuck no. Are you kidding? I have my kids, I have my siblings, I have my family. Why would I give it up for some asshole who couldn’t keep himself in line? Seriously? I already hate the idea of everything he has done—why would I put myself in that situation? Death is a better option than being stuck in that guy’s body.”

DisMir:

“WHERE AM I?”

Cut the cameras.

(A)PAF?

(A)PAF:

He looks around cautiously, a furrow of the brow forming as he tries to make some more sense. “There are others? Like me? What are they like?”

The one before you is in his late 20s.

He snorts and quickly slaps his hand over his mouth. Behind his hand he asks, “He’s still a baby?”

Well, what would you do?

(A)PAF shrugs, “I’m not sure… do a few flips and be grateful I don’t feel the usual back or knee pain.”

What do you imagine yourself doing after 5 to 10 years? Like, did you imagine yourself keep doing what you're already doing or get to do something new?

DMD:

He hums to himself before answering softly, “I don’t know…” He doesn’t look defeated, but rather, hopeful. As if the uncertainty of the future is something to look forward to. “Maybe watch the kids grow? Retire as the champion? I honestly don’t know.”

Reunion:

He sighs and counts on his fingers before answering, “Hopefully get the town running without having to hold everyone’s hand.”

LCD:

He swallows. “In the Hidden City, helping the town. Even if they have forgotten my name.”

WDS:

He smiles softly, “Send the kids off elsewhere, watch them grow. Travel the world with Case. The possibilities are endless.”

DisMir:

His eyes are determined, his expression resolute. He knows what he wants and answers in the clearest voice, “Won the war.”

(A)PAF:

Unlike his predecessor, he’s uncertain. He’s anxious and worried and confused, he looks a loss for words. He shakes his head, “I don’t know. There’s this… baby, and I—I really don’t know.”

Big ouch… moving on!

Don’t think I forgot about you this time, DisMir. A reader thought your entrance was badass when you returned to the future. Why didn’t you have that same energy when you fell into the present timeline?

DisMir:

He’s holding the chair like a weapon, ready to strike anything that might move. He frowns and mumbles, “How do you…?” He sets the chair down and refutes, “Wait a minute, it’s not like I planned on time traveling on a random afternoon. It’s not my fault Mikey somehow managed to link our portals together and switched me and the little guy. At least when I returned, I had a warning. That was predictable, but what wasn’t predictable was the first time traveling.”

Nice excuse. Thanks anyways. See you next time!

[council-of-beetroot]

Hello!

New year, New introduction post!

Links

My AO3 | My Fic Recs | Dreamwidth | Pronouns Page | Available in English, Spanish, and Polish | Roomstyler |

My Sideblogs

@hetaliablogdirectory | @polpruweek | @hws-ask-poland | @barszcz-czerwony-i-biali

Table of contents

About

What's Here?

My Fanfiction

Requests

My tags

Discord servers

Some Additional Notes

About

Name's Beetroot!

She/her

They/them

20

I speak English and Spanish

I am actively learning Polish

✡

What's Here?

My main focus as a Hetalia blog is on Eastern Europe. This is the region of the world I am most familiar with both in Hetalia and IRL. I particularly focus on HWS Poland and HWS Lithuania.

My main ships are any pairings deriving from my OT4 or Rus|Pru|Liet|Pol

I will tag my original posts as #mine (if I remember)

My Fanfiction

Olam Chesed Yibaneh - FFVII Sefikura

Весна - Rusliet

A Night Unlike All Others - Austria and Poland

Better than Gold - Lietpru

Return to Normal - Rusliet

Jedenastego Listopada - Poland

Poland's Cleaning of the Storage AO3 - Polpru

Jars of Flowers AO3 - Rusliet

Polpru Potpourri AO3 - Polpru

Sea of Shooting Stars AO3 - Estpol

Brāļi, Grāmatas un Slēptuves AO3 - Latvia

To Remember, To Forget AO3 - Rusliet

What is a Home Without a Cat AO3 - Lietpol

Employees of the Month AO3 - Lietpru

Game night AO3 - Baltics and Poland

Gwiazdka AO3 - Lietpol

My Tags

#rusprulietpol - OT4

#hetalia

#ffvii - final fantasy stuff

#polska tag - misc polish stuff

#felidae - cats

#j - Jewish stuff

#asks and replies - asks

#council rants - random nonsene

#wfsn -the nsfwish stuff

#beetroot in the wild - nature shit

#beetroot designs - interior design

Requests

I do take fic prompt requests for small one shots usually around 1k or less. Send one in and I can see what I can do although I can't 100% guarantee I'll get to it or get to it immediately

My Discord Server

HWS Poland Server DM for invite

Some Additional Notes

Please keep things civil. I like to keep this blog as drama free as possible since I am here to have a good time.

I am the freak in your dni. I ship unconventional ships so if that makes you uncomfortable feel free to always jump ship, unfollow or block I don't mind. Enjoy! Have fun! I am always up to hear your thoughts or answer questions as well!

My new year's resolution is to keep this blog pretty much drama free and I'm writing this so I remember to adhere to it

Profile image by @anartificialsatellite

Kiss the mezuzah ↓

𓆝 𓆟 𓆞 𓆝 𓆟

[cwritesforfun]

NYE Kiss with the Danger Squad

Do you know it’s unlucky not to kiss anyone at midnight? Featuring Bob, Hangman, Phoenix, and Rooster Y/N = Your Name You’re a part of the Danger Squad too. 

Bob’s POV

Y/N just sat next to me and seems happy. We talk off and on for the night.

I hear our names being called and Phoenix is bringing lots of champagne flutes over. She hands them to us and says “Come on, we’re going to watch the fireworks outside.” I reply “I thought alcohol wasn’t allowed outside?” Phoenix says “Live a little, Bob. Penny is the one passing it out. It’s okay.”

We all walk outside. Hangman walks up and says “So Bob, is Y/N your new year’s kiss?” I ask “What are you talking about?” Y/N says “I think you’re drunk, Hangman. Goodbye.” Hangman slumps his shoulders and walks away.

I ask “So you don’t want to kiss me or is your boyfriend here to kiss you at midnight?” She answers “I do want to kiss you at midnight. I don’t have a boyfriend.” I reply “Cool cool. I want to kiss you too.” The countdown starts... 

We slam our champagne and she wraps her arms around my neck. I put my arms around her waist and kiss her. 

Fireworks happen both in my heart and by us.

Hangman’s POV

I want Y/N to be my New Year’s kiss tonight. I have a feeling she will try to leave the party early tonight. She always does. I miss her when she leaves. But the question is, am I enough to make her stay?

I find her at the bar and slide into the seat next to her. She looks over, smiles over her drink, and says “Hi.” I reply “Hi Y/N. I have something to ask you.” She replies “Okay. Sure, go ahead.” I ask “Will you stay tonight until midnight? I know you leave early and I know crowds aren’t your favorite. But... I ... uh... I want you to be my new year’s kiss because I really like you. If we kiss, I’ll already have gotten my New Year's resolution.” She smiles widely and answers “Sure I’ll stay to kiss you at midnight. I can’t wait... I suppose now that I’m staying I cannot say no to that dart game you’ve been trying to get me to play with you.” I smirk, stand up, bow, and say “Well then mi lady, after you.” She laughs and stands up.

We play a game of darts and I catch Javy’s eyes at one point. He makes kissy faces at me and winks a lot causing me to laugh. Y/N asks “What’s so funny?” I answer “Javy is just crazy.”  When she looks over at Javy, he is still making kissy faces at us. He sees her looking and quickly pretends to be talking to someone else. Y/N cracks up laughing. I could listen to her laugh forever.

We all walk to the beach to watch the fireworks as it gets closer to midnight. I grab the champagne and cups from the backseat of my car. 

I walk to join everyone and pour everyone a cup of champagne. We all sip it and talk. 

Phoenix starts jumping around counting down until midnight. Y/N makes her way over to me and smiles up at me. I’m whipped and we’re not even dating.

As the last 10 seconds start, Y/N reaches her arms around my neck and I slip my arms around her waist. I say “I truly am so happy you agreed to kiss me. I’m like buzzing with excitement right now.” She asks “Are you sure it’s not the alcohol you had so far?” I answer, “I actually wanted to be sober when we first kissed. I’ve only had one small cup of champagne tonight.”

We kiss as the words “It’s MIDNIGHT!!” are screamed.

Phoenix’s POV

I walk over to Y/N sitting at the bar and slump in the seat next to her.

Y/N asks “Why are you in a sad move?” I answer “I just don’t know if I should ask my crush to kiss me at midnight.” She replies “Do it! Omg! You have to! Make your new resolution to start making the first move and go ask them out.” I nod and smile.

Later, after 2 beers and a Bob pep talk, I make my way back to Y/N. I ask “Do you know it’s unlucky not to kiss anyone at midnight?” She asks “Is that right? I guess I’m unlucky.” I ask “Will you kiss me at midnight?” She asks “Am I your crush?” I answer “Yes you are.” She answers “Yes I will kiss you at midnight.”

Phoenix and I spend the rest of the night together hanging out until it’s nearly midnight. We walk to the beach and she counts us down until midnight.

We kiss at midnight:-)

Rooster’s POV

Today has been so long. We’ve been at the Hard Deck for 2 hours and Y/N hasn’t arrived yet. Damn it. I was hoping she would show up earlier so I could ask her to be my kiss at midnight. I want to kiss her :(

I keep drinking and playing pool. I notice Y/N arrive and Phoenix snags her. They go off drinking champagne together. 

I get up to find her later and find her sitting with Phoenix. I slide into the seat next to Y/N and Phoenix says “Oh sure, join us Rooster.” I reply “Thanks. It was getting too much out there.” I glance over at Y/N to see her watching me carefully. I never know what she is thinking. She is a danger in the skies because of her ability to either mask all of her emotions or show them all. I’m entranced by her mind and her beauty.

I look to see Phoenix leave. I turn to Y/N and ask “Why’d she leave?” Y/N answers “She said she was uncomfortable with how you were staring at me. You didn’t hear her?” I shake my head and answer “Sorry, I was staring at you and only focused on you.” She turns away and I notice she’s blushing. 

I ask “Have you had enough champagne to think I’m cute yet?” Y/N asks “Why do I have to be tipsy to appreciate how attractive you are?” I answer “I ... you don’t need to be. I was trying out a pickup line I heard earlier.” She smiles and asks “Was it from Hangman?” I answer “Yeah. I shouldn’t have tried it. I probably ruined my chances with you with that stupid line.” She puts her hand on mine and says “No you didn’t ruin your chances with me with that. Would you like to be my kiss at midnight?” I answer “Yes. I thought you’d never ask.” She replies “I thought you’d never make your way over here. I was waiting for you.” I reply “Darling, I’ve been waiting for you my entire life.” She smiles and laughs as she turns away.

I hear the countdown start and we face each other. I lean in as “MIDNIGHT” is yelled.

[sunshinerapmonster]

Shawdo of Blue ☁︎ chapter two - Deigo

"Antonio, I got him!" Chapter Two: Diego Season 1 Episode 2: Wrong Side of the Bars *Trigger Warning*

Olivia ascended the steps to Jules's apartment, Erin at her side. As they reached the door, they couldn't help but notice the chaos that the kids had left in the living room. Elaina took a deep breath and pressed the doorbell.

Emmy and Liam dashed towards the door. "Hi, Olivia and Erin!" Emmy beamed, with Liam peeking out from behind her.

"Hey, guys. Is your dad home?" Erin inquired.

Emmy spun around and hollered, "Dad! Erin and Olivia are here!"

Alec appeared at the top of the stairs. "Yeah?"

"Alec?" Olivia whispered, her voice trembling. "Um..."

"Hey, want to come inside?" Alec interrupted, noticing the kids darting past him into the apartment. He turned his attention back to Olivia and Erin.

"Jules..." Olivia began, tears streaming down her face. Alec's eyes filled with tears as he stepped out and quietly shut the door. Olivia rushed forward, embracing him tightly. "I'm so sorry, Alec," she sobbed, and they stood together, finding solace in each other's tears.

✧˖°ʚ🍓ɞ♡

"They took Antonio's son, and they took one of my own too. As far as I'm concerned," Hank declared, standing resolutely in the center of the room, "Nothing else matters until we get Diego back. Nothing."

Jay turned away from Hank and addressed Olivia, who was seated across from him at her desk.

"Sarge, this whole thing started with Rev and Coop getting their heads chopped off," Jay began, pointing emphatically. "Both were handling mid-level distribution for pulp, right? We know Pulpo's cleaning house. And what do you do when you clear out old furniture? You bring in something new." He grabbed a photograph from his desk and held it up. "This guy stood out. Ernesto Milpas. Ran 15 corners between 22nd and Kedzie until CPD nabbed him in '09," he said, handing the photo to Antonio.

"Yeah, I remember that bust with Jules," Antonio nodded, examining the picture.

"Released last year," Jay continued.

"He was ambitious," Antonio added, passing the photo to Hank.

"Maybe he's looking to climb the ladder," Olivia remarked, her gaze shifting between Hank and Antonio.

"He's the best of some pretty bad options."

"What do we have on him now?" Hank asked Jay.

Jay glanced down at the file in his hands. "POs have an address that's a year old."

✧˖°ʚ🍓ɞ♡

"I don't know how Antonio's handling all of this," Olivia said, turning the corner as she drove. "If my kid were snatched up, I'd be incoherent. I used to think cops under Voight were invincible, and then Jules died. I was holding her hand. You don't have to answer this question if you don't want to, but as a soldier who served, how did you ever deal with it?"

Jay looked away, his gaze dropping. "Generally took it out on those who didn't deserve it," he mumbled as Olivia parked the car.

"I guess we all deal with things differently," she said, switching off the engine.

"There's our guy," Hank's voice came over the radio.

"Everybody, go, go!"

Jay exited the car and sprinted into the building, Olivia close behind. They entered and cleared both sides. Jay directed Olivia to the left while he took the right.

"Suspect on foot, southwest side of the warehouse," Olivia reported into her radio.

Jay cleared a room and hurried toward an exit. He opened the door cautiously, gun drawn, scanning both directions. Finding nothing, he closed the door and surveyed the area. 

Jay leaned against the bridge railing, Al seated across from him. Erin stood next to Elaina, rubbing her elbow.

"Hey, you okay, kid?" Hank asked, approaching Olivia.

"Yeah, I'm fine. I'm an idiot, but I'm fine," she replied, as Erin comforted her.

"Hey, it wasn't your fault. Trust me."

"No sign of Diego, not a trace!" Antonio yelled, throwing his hands up as he approached the team. "We had him! What the hell was that?" he demanded, charging toward Adam, but Hank intervened.

"Hey, I made a move!"

"A stupid one!"

"Take it easy, take it easy."

"Let's not forget who let herself get jumped!" Antonio pointed at Olivia.

"Hey, I—" Olivia began, but Hank's glare silenced her.

"Detective Dawson, Burgess. You need to see this," Kim called out over the radio.

Antonio led the team down into the basement of the building, each step echoing as they followed closely behind.

"Tell me you got something?" Antonio asked Jin, who was hunched over his laptop. Jin turned the screen toward them.

It displayed a video of Diego tied to a chair, with tape over his mouth. A man spoke in rapid Spanish.

"Translate," Hank demanded.

"Scream, and we cut out your tongue," Olivia interpreted.

The man removed the tape. "Daddy. They say they're gonna kill me, Daddy."

Jay leaned in, pointing at the screen. "Check out the paneled wall. That's not here."

✧˖°ʚ🍓ɞ♡

"Go through these ones by one and see if anyone crosses paths with Pulpo or Ernesto," Hank instructed, handing Jay a stack of files. "These are mine."

"Okay, remember, the red-tabbed files are the CIs who've been paid out, got it? And no, those don't go in that pile," Jin admonished Adam. "You need to keep them separate or you'll mix them up, and you—"

"Jin! Focus," Hank interjected.

"Yeah?"

"What do you have so far on the video?"

Jay sifted through the files on Olivia's desk as she sat nearby. He picked up one file labeled with Erin's name and reviewed her list of arrests.

Misdemeanor Theft

Simple Battery

Retail Theft

Solicitation

Unlawful Possession of Cannabis

Glancing at Erin, who sat to Olivia's left, Jay focused back on Hank's call.

"Halstead, Cheng, come over here a sec," Hank called them over.

Jay closed the file and walked to Hank. "If we're considering a trade, I want you to scout these locations. Sightlines, sniper spots, everything," Hank whispered discreetly.

"Are we really negotiating?" Jay queried.

"Just do it," Hank urged.

"Okay."

Jay handled the camera, snapping photos, while Olivia took notes or made sketches in her notebook.

"Alright, place snipers there and there," Jay directed, pointing at buildings ahead. He turned to the adjacent warehouse. "And two more snipers in those windows."

"Yeah, okay," Olivia muttered, absorbed in her task.

Jay glanced at Olivia, who continued to sketch in her notebook before resuming his photography. "What's on your mind?" he asked her.

"Do you know what percentage of kidnappings end with a successful swap?" Olivia looked up at him. "Just 1%."

"It's just a precaution," Jay replied, lowering the camera.

"Hmm."

Jay hesitated, then broached a sensitive topic. "I have to ask you something."

"Go ahead."

"I saw Erin's file among Voight's CIs," Jay began.

Olivia nodded in confirmation. "He didn't turn her. She volunteered because he saved her life," she explained, handing Jay her notebook before heading towards her car.

✧˖°ʚ🍓ɞ♡

The team gathered around Jin as he listened intently to a phone call.

"Tienen a Pulpo y Ernesto," 

"He's on the move. No mention of Diego," Olivia reported, standing beside Jin with Jay next to her.

"I've pinged his cell to the West Adams tower, triangulating with the city center," Jin continued.

"I want units deployed to all major transportation routes out of the city—Midway, O'Hare, including all expressways," Hank ordered.

"He's at Union Station."

The team arrived at Union Station and split up to search for the suspect. Olivia descended the steps and scanned the area for any sign of Diego or the suspect.

"I see him boarding a bus for Indianapolis," Olivia relayed over her radio, watching them join the line.

"Wait for us," Hank's voice came through the radio.

"MID-AMERICA BUS NUMBER 949 IS NOW BOARDING FOR INDIANAPOLIS."

Olivia glanced back towards the entrance, waiting for her team, but seeing no one, she jogged towards the bus. She approached the female driver, pulling back her sweater to reveal her detective badge. With a nod from the driver, Olivia boarded.

Walking slowly down the aisle, Olivia located Diego and Matteo, then took a seat at the back, on the same side as them.

As the bus began moving, Olivia glanced around and took a deep breath. She could see the suspect, likely armed, amidst the other passengers. She pulled out her phone to text Hank, informing him of the situation and the bus number. A message from Voight confirmed his imminent arrival in 10 minutes.

Soon, the bus pulled over, and the driver announced engine trouble. Olivia spotted Hank's car speeding past them.

"I've called for a backup bus. It should be here in a minute or two. Don't worry," the driver assured the passengers.

Alvin stepped onto the bus, directing passengers to disembark for the replacement bus.

"Alright, folks. Apologies for the delay. Please grab your belongings and move to the next bus," Alvin announced, prompting the passengers to start exiting. Matteo looked around nervously, and Olivia watched out the window.

Once everyone else had left, it was just Olivia, Matteo, and Diego on the bus. Olivia stood, taking a deep breath, and began walking down the aisle. She noticed Matteo's hand moving under his shirt.

As she reached the driver, Matteo stood and started moving towards the front with Diego in tow.

"Policía," he announced, pulling out his gun and aiming it at Diego's head.

Olivia drew her own weapon. "Drop it!" she ordered.

"I swear I'll kill him!"

"Put the gun down!"

"Shoot! Come on, shoot!"

"Drop the gun!"

"Come on, shoot! I'm going to kill him! You gonna shoot?" Matteo taunted, shaking his head. "Nah, I don't think so."

"Cheng, hold on!" Adam's voice crackled over the radio.

Olivia hesitated, then lowered her weapon and grabbed onto a chair. The bus suddenly jerked as it was hit, causing Matteo to fall back into a seat and releasing Diego, who stumbled towards Olivia. She grabbed him and pushed him into a seat just as a shot rang out.

Antonio stormed onto the bus with his gun drawn. "Antonio, I've got him! I've got Diego!" Olivia exclaimed.

She guided Diego towards Antonio, shielding him from seeing the fallen suspect.

Exiting the bus behind Antonio and Diego, Olivia saw Hank approaching.

"Good job, kid," Hank congratulated her.

✧˖°ʚ🍓ɞ♡ Intro Act One 1 2 Like Comment <3

[stunnedstarker]

Here’s a preview of a chapter fic I’m very excited about! This is my fill for “Jealous!Tony” on my @starkerfestivals bingo card.

“Unlabeled Project File #91628, Restricted Access, Status: Ongoing” – Chapter 5

Tony hadn't wanted to let them back in. In fact, he'd relished the idea of slamming the door in their stupid, arrogant faces.

Yes, Nat did absolutely refuse to acknowledge Rhodey's losses, despite having hung back during his emergency surgeries (multiple, at that). But Tony had always wondered, cared, racked his brain over and over on the long, sleepless nights, about her motive. Where was it? Why had she let Steve go?

So when she finally comes knocking, he lets her in. He sits her down. He crosses his legs, folds his hands, clears his throat. Then, asks. “Why’d you let him go?”

In all the years he’d studied her expressions, he had never seen her startled. But the way her inner brow lifts, the quiet scoff and her long look to the side all tell him she still wishes he had more tact.

Unyielding, he presses his thumbs together, taps them, waits.

She returns her gaze, seeming to have prepared an answer beforehand.

"Because of you."

Of the explanations he’d imagined, it isn’t one.

He blinks. Twice. Calmly, he asks, "What?"

"Do you remember the press conference?"

She doesn't have to tell him which one. He knows, because of course he remembers. He looks away, doesn't answer.

"You knew that the entire world believed you to be one thing."

Lips folded sideways, he glances up at her in reluctant agreement.

"And you wanted to prove them wrong. I let them go-"

Softly, he shakes his head to the side, averts his eyes. "It's not the same," he mutters, but she's resolute, as always.

"I let them go because Bucky deserved that chance too."

Tony sucks in what little air is left in the room, then sighs.

“Which room do you want?”

“Rooms.”

“Excuse me?”

He stares into her eyes, watches the subtle lift of a smile.

“No.”

“Tony-“

“No. I’m giving you a pass, but he is not staying here. You know what he did to my air vents! And the-“

“I’m not coming back without him.”

“Filtration costs and-“

“He’d make a great trainer for the kid, y’know.”

“Don’t even get me started on the- wait, train– the training program?” Tony catches, surprised.

Before, the only children Clint had been interested in were his own. He clocked in, did his job, and clocked out. Tony had tried many times to sign him up as a mentor, to no avail. The thought of it now, with Peter in the program…

“Barton wants in on the New Avengers?”

“He’s coming around,” she replies, cheeky.

“I’ll… I’ll think about it,” is all Tony gives back.

It takes Tony longer than it probably should to concede. It isn’t that he minds having Clint around. Sure, he’d broken Wanda out of the NAF and then helped her drop a car on the suit, but whatever. Nothing a little body-modifying super-tech and a significant few years of corrective therapy can't fix, broken spirit notwithstanding.

It’s just the thought of him, of Nat, of anyone training Peter. Rhodey has instilled expert tactical knowledge, Peter has studied every one of Bruce’s old notes on everything from biochem to alien tech analysis, and Tony has gradually taught Peter as much mechanical engineering as one kid can take.

So, really, he does need something new. And yet, with the opportunity presented, Tony still feels so reluctant to let him go. He isn’t sure why, until Peter rolls his desk chair over one afternoon, smiling from behind a pair of lab goggles.

“Hey, I finished re-tracing the wiring on the inner arm so the circuits connect more smoothly, but I’m still having trouble with the voice commands, and I think the problem is-“

And suddenly, Tony gets it.

He stands there, watching Peter gesture toward the bench, bandaged fingers moving gently as he enumerates his theories. He watches the light refracted in Peter’s wide, brown eyes, traces the pattern of his lips over each word. Slowly, fear begins to swirl in his belly, because he gets it.

He doesn’t want Peter to train with anyone else. He doesn’t want Peter around anyone else. He doesn’t even want Peter to talk with anyone else, because he wants Peter just like this. Here, in the lab, at his feet, all to himself.

“Mister Stark?”

Tony blinks, and the large, clear goggles on Peter’s face look even more ridiculous and adorable than before. All Tony can think about is how it would feel to hold those cheeks in both hands and kiss that stupid mouth until Peter forgets how to speak, let alone with such competence. That, and that he needs to leave, immediately, if not sooner.

“Uhh, y-yeah. Try restarting the voice activation system and- and I’ll check back with you later, okay? I’ve just gotta- um,” he presses the back of his hand to his brow, rubs away the sweat in tired fashion. “Grab some coffee. I’ll- I’ll be back,” he says, tossing his grease-stained towel aside and heading for the stairs.

“Uh, o-ok-ayyy,” Peter gets out, broken and confused, before Tony is gone.

Upstairs, Tony stumbles into the kitchen, thanking the stars that Rhodey is away for the week. He gets his hands under cold running water, doesn’t allow himself to watch their subtle shaking. He presses them to his face, feeling the cool against his cheeks, on his temples. He sighs.

With a step back and a shift to the side, he tears off a paper towel, dries his hands, and presses his pointed shoe against the pedal of the trash can. As the lid lifts and he discards the towel, he reaches for his phone. The line opens before the end of the second ring.

“Tell Barton he’s gonna need some new arrows.”

[sipthattea212]

Chapter One: The Cadets

Rex woke up with a start and immediately knew something was wrong. He screwed his eyes shut and thought back to the night before. All he had done was sign some reports and pass out onto his bunk after feeling lightheaded. Nothing was wrong then. Something sure felt wrong now. He sat up, yawning and looked to the mirror at the other side of his quarters. And screamed. Jumping up, now wide awake, he stumbled over to the mirror and stared in terrified awe. The cadet in the mirror stared back. His blacks were now about 6 sizes too big and his short blond hair was now sitting around his shoulders. Just like he had it when he was a cadet. “No, no, no, no, no!” He cried, unable to tear his gaze away from his new reflection.

The door to his quarters opened with a small whoosh and the General stood in the doorway, looking around worriedly.

“Rex, are you okay-“ Skywalker stared at Rex who was now very slightly panicking. “Cadet, what are you doing in Captain Rex’s quarters, wait, no, what are you doing on the ship?”

Rex had to say something. He turned to the doorway hesitantly.

“Sir, I’m Rex.” He said, startled at how young his voice sounded. The General stared at the little blond child that was standing in oversized blacks in Rex’s quarters. Rex couldn’t tell if the General believed him or not.

“Wait, wha- how, that’s-“ Skywalker stuttered, visibly confused at the situation. “Rex?!”

“Yes, sir.” He replied, attempting to stand at attention, but only managing to look like he was trying to fix his posture. This is a dream, right? He thought furiously, staring at his now small hands. He looked in the mirror again. He looked eleven years old. He looked his physical age.

The General’s comlink started to aggressively beep at him. Not breaking eye contact with Rex, he answered the call. “Skywalker here.” 

“Anakin, something has happened to my troops.” General Kenobi’s voice came through urgently. “I need you to come to the Negotiator and bring Rex."

"Why?" General Skywalker asked, curiously. General Kenobi cleared his throat and said:

"It appears they have.....turned into children, somehow."

Skywalker looked at his comlink in a mixture of horror and panic. Rex sat down. So it’s not just me. He thought. Then immediately regretted it when Fives, fully grown, came sprinting down the hall, almost crashing into General Skywalker. 

“Sir, I can’t find Echo or Rex!” He doubled over, panting. It was obvious he had run halfway across the Resolute looking for Skywalker when he couldn’t get ahold of Rex. Looking into Rex’s quarters Fives froze, staring at him. Skywalker rolled his eyes and walked over to the end of the corridor, so he could take his call in peace. Fives barely noticed him. 

“Ca-Captain?” He asked cautiously.  Rex sighed.

“Yes, Fives.”

Fives looked like he was going to pass out. Then he doubled over laughing.

"Fives!"

"S-sorry-" Fives gasped between cackles. Rex's comm started to aggressively beep from the other side of the room. He got up and immediately tripped on his oversized blacks, which caused Fives to fall to the ground wheezing. Rex rolled his eyes and answered the call.

"Captain!" A young voice yelled from the comlink, "Sir, you have to get to the barracks!” 

Fives stopped laughing. “Echo?!” He called crawling over to Rex and the comlink. 

“Fives! I’m stuck in the vent!” Echo replied, panic growing. Rex sighed as Fives collapsed in a new fit of giggles.

“How did you get in the vent?” 

“Well, I woke up as a cadet and panicked, so I climbed into the vent.”

“But the vents are small enough for a cadet to fit into.” Rex replied, confused.

“Yeah, but not for a fully grown clone!” Mumbled another voice. 

“Don’t tell me Hardcase got stuck in the vent again?” Rex asked already done with day, even though he only just woke up. Fives was now suffocating with the force of his own laughter. Rex ignored him.

“Hardcase got stuck in the vent again.” Echo confirmed, “Please help us.” 

“Yep, Rex out.”

He turned to Fives, who was practically dying on the floor. “Fives, stop laughing and go help your brothers.” He attempted to use his usually commanding tone, but that made Fives laugh harder. Sighing, Rex went over to his small closet, and pulled out a spare cadet uniform. It was regulation to keep at least one cadet uniform in the barracks, just in case a kid got on the ship. Again. Rex shoved Fives out of his quarters and changed.

It had been years since he had worn this uniform and he felt nostalgic, standing in the soft fabric. Grabbing one of his DC-17 blaster pistols, he opened the door and started to walk towards the barracks.

“Oh, hell no.” Fives said, plucking the pistol from Rex’s grasp. 

“Hey!” He protested attempting to seize the blaster that Fives was holding above his head. “Give me the blaster, Fives!” He yelled, now trying to kick the other in the shin.

“Uh uh uh, cadets can’t have blasters.” Fives sung at him, obviously absolutely delighted at being able to tease his Captain with no real consequences. Well, not no consequences.

“Fives,” Rex breathed in his most dangerous voice, “give me the blaster, or you’ll get so many demerits it’ll seperate you from Echo.” It still worked.

“Yes, sir.” Fives replied, handing it over. 

The second they got to the barracks, Rex really wished he was fully grown and not for the first time today. Half the men were running around screaming, and the other half were kriffing cadets. This is really bad. Rex thought as he yelled, “Everyone calm down!”

The commotion stopped. Everyone was looking at Fives, like he was the one who yelled. Rex rolled his eyes and crossed his arms. “What is going on here? I take a break for, what five minutes, and all of you are screaming and running around like headless nunas!” 

All eyes were on him now as the men processed what was going on. 

“Captain, is, is that you?” Jesse whispered, uncertainly. Rex sighed again.

“Yes, Jesse, it is me. Now what have you idiots done about Hardcase and Echo being stuck in the vent?”

“Oh, absolutely nothing, sir.” Kosi piped up happily. “We were just laughing our shebs off at him while he struggled.” 

You have got to be kidding me. Of course it was Kosi of all people who said that confidently. Rex could give him 100 demerits and he still would refuse to let it be a big deal.

“So where are they.” Rex sighed. Kosi pointed over to the far corner where a pair of armoured legs could be seen, kicking around pointlessly.

“Oh, great.” Rex muttered as Fives dissolved in laughter once more. “Banjo, Jesse, grab Hardcase's legs and see if you can manage to pull him out."

Banjo nodded and walked over to the vent instantly, while Jesse, still laughing, had to peel himself off of the floor. Rex rolled his eyes again and looked around. "Wait, where's Kix?"

And of the cadets put up his hand from the top of one of the bunks. 

"I'm here, sir." He called, climbing down. Rex stared. He still had that intricate buzzcut, even as a cadet. The Kaminoans probably hated that.

"Kix, shouldn't you be in the medbay?" 

Kix shrugged. I felt really lightheaded and couldn't concentrate, so Overflow said he could cover my shift." Overflow was the new medic that came in with Banjo, Clancy, Kosi and Vibe, and already he showed an impressive knack for knowing when troopers were tired.

"Any other cadets, follow me. We're going to the medbay to get this sorted out." Rex yelled over the laughter that had kicked up again.

About 40 cadets awkwardly waddled over, some had attempted to make their oversized blacks fit, but to no avail. Fives was still suffocating on the ground, Kix looked at him worriedly. 

"Yo, you good?” One of the cadets asked, poking Fives.  

"He won't be if you keep poking him, look,” another cadet said, kicking the suffering ARC.

"Cut it out, Clancy!" Banjo commanded from the vent.

***     ***    ***

Rex would never live this down. Ever. The second him and the rest of the cadets filed into the medbay, Overflow was doubled over laughing. After a couple of stern looks and half a cantina of water, he managed to regain some composure. 

"What happened?" He asked, completely in awe, as yet another cadet in oversized blacks stumbled into the room. 

"I got no clue, mate." Clancy yelled over Rex's head. Overflow laughed, walking over to his batchmate. He shook his head, still chuckling, he said: 

"Alright, first things first. We need to get you idiots some actual clothes."

Clancy's smile got even wider as he stared in awe at his older brother.

"You don't mean-" he started but was cut off by Overflow's comm. 

"Overflow, why you got, like, 300 cadets in the medbay?" Rex knew that voice anywhere. His youngest batchmate.

"Those 300 cadets are troopers who got....shrunk."  Overflow said, haltingly. Rex could practically hear the smile in his voice as he replied:

“Custom hoodies?”

“Custom hoodies.” 

Tax cheered and disconnected the call. Clancy was jumping and running around yelling: 

“CUSTOM HOODIES!” 

Rex rolled his eyes. This was going to take a while.

*******

This fic is FILLED with OC’s, sorry 😃. I’m not gonna update this if it doesn’t get attention, so yeah.

Edit: just some spelling and grammatical errors

[shidouryusm]

sami!! i am dropping by with some good music and new year wishes! 🎶🎉 thank you so much for being part of my 2023 🥹 you are so incredibly sweet and supportive all the time!!! i appreciate you sm!!!

if i may ask!! 🥺 (pls feel free not to answer if uncomfy!!) how was 2023 for you? what’s a favourite thing (anything) you discovered this year? do you have any reflections from the past year? any resolutions for the next? 🥹

Selbelll Thank you soo much for the new year wishes and omg I appreciate you so much and am really the luckiest to have you as my friend while I step into new year. Kisses and hugs for you LOVE YAAA will always be your supportive bestie cus you deserve e every bit of it🫶🏼🫶🏼

soo to answer your question, 2023 was a great year I’d say. it had its ups and downs but Im lucky this year was also something I can definitely look back on with memories and lessons. It was another year of self growth with some real bad months and some amazing months. Im really lucky to be around friends who genuinely want the best of me so having them around just makes my year honestly. Adding on top of that whenever Im at home or alone- I log in here and find you all being the absolute sweethearts. To have everyone here as another dimension of my life is just so special to me. like a sweet lil secret hahaha. I ended the year and started ‘24 with my family so Id say it’s a great end and start.

I discovered my love and need for having alone time which is contrasting because Im pretty extroverted everytime so the moments of aloneness are really peaceful and comfortable to live into. my favorite is the feeling that I indeed did choose the right major to study for and this is something so many people miss so Im really lucky to be the ones who don’t have to feel like that. the feeling of “I was born to study and work in this” and actually getting to fulfill that brings a satisfaction which is unexplainable so this was a great experience of my year.

this year was also a year of self healing too cause just the end of 2022 I had a breakup so first half of ‘23 had went on healing and self recovery. My next year’s resolution is to exercise more and be fit, walk everyday, look for university for masters program cause I graduate next year (WHAT), get good grades, good skin and write more and more because writing, reading and painting is a the therapeutic trifecta, oh and also be a lil more active in messaging apps cause next people will personally come to my home with pitchforks cos I don’t reply LMAO

how was your new year selbell? Id love to hear you resolutions and reflections on last year. I love sharing such things THANK YOU SOO MUCHH LOVES

[dcviated]

GET TO KNOW YOUR ADMIN !!

name — Bear/Will.

pronouns — he/him.

preferred comms — Checking in and quick chats over tumblr im are fine. But if we're going to get into plotting I'd much much much prefer to talk over discord. Because then I can refer back to the posts. Going through tumblr ims should be classified as a form of torture. Pour one out for all the stuff I've lost in there over the years.

name of muse — Which one?? I've got several. Some are 'mains' others are 'testing'. The big three as I see it are Wylan Rechtur- shitlord assassin. Raguna Glen- Farm sim protag. And Eira Kestrova- Bossy mom friend tsundere.

experience in RP — Coming up on 17 or 18 years I think? From starting out on forums to avatar games to MMOs, and now I'm primarily writing here on tumblr though there's a bit of forum and tiny amounts of discord tossed in. But the latter feels off to me. I always prefer more public venues with opportunities for sharing and prompting random questions and meeting new people.

best experiences — Here on tumblr, I'd say. I've met some great people and have come through with probably the best characterization some of these muses have ever seen. Won't get into anything too specific, but suffice to say I've kept some people around for yeeeeears for a reason!!

pet peeves / dealbreakers — I've got so many I'm worried for myself. But aside from the obvious lack of response or enthusiasm, unanswered memes and starters, it would be this: People that come to you for writing (repeatedly) while contributing nothing to the plotting or selection process. Anytime someone looks at you and waits for you to paint a picture of an interaction through a roster of muses and genres and then set it up while going "I dunno" to any question asked?

Guhhhh!!! Give me a break!!! RP is a two person activity. Especially when I barely know your characters. Try and sell something to me!

Another thing that's gotten to me in recent years is an over-use of meta commentary and referential humor. I do this sparingly with Wylan, but too much and you feel like you're on an episode of family guy instead of writing a scene or interaction.

muse preference ( fluff, angst, smut ) — I am... an adventure and action and banter kind of guy. Which doesn't really fall under any of these categories. However, the preference would be fluff. Feel good stuff or anything that makes you smile. Angst, I'm not great at, and I've realized I don't care for it when it's sad or angsty for the sake of being sad. Give it purpose, give it a resolution of some kind. I don't much care for bad ends.

As for smut... I'm mixed. I like writing it but after giving it a shot again have accepted I don't much care for things after foreplay if it's in a thread. Headcanons that are lewd? Yes. Answering lewd/nsfw asks? Yes. But the back and forth is kind of eh.

I deleted my sideblog for a reason. </3

plot or memes — I like adlibbing. And I like improv now and then. There's a pitfall depending on the writing partner with plotting- and it's that you just talk about the plot and the end instead of letting it develop and having things happen. There should be some room for surprises and twists that nobody was expecting. Laying out the whole timeline piece by piece can remove the enthusiasm to.... write it!

Memes are a great way to get started with everyone, especially the situation prompts since it's a little more flexible. I find myself less enthused with contextless sentence prompts lately. And I may start reblogging less of those and letting the more fun ones get a spotlight.

long or short replies — Mixed. I can't novella on command anymore, but depending on the interaction my fingers do get away from me on lengths and what have you. Overall I prefer something in the middle. 400ish words feels comfortable, and conveys enough information without conversations stacking on top of each other. The longer a post goes the more often that seems to happen. And you can get into temporal errors where situations change on past conversations that happened in the same post and.!??!?!? Yeah.

I also do enjoy the occasional banter of one liners and shitposting. But it'll never be the focus of this blog. And is almost guaranteed to get longer over time to the point that it becomes a multi-para thread.

best time to write — When I'm not busy at the office. Quiet space with less things to distract me. I can get into a good productive mindset really fast and knock out multiple drafts in an hour. Feels great. Otherwise I think it's early mornings where I do the best on days off. Evenings are times of distraction, so much distraction.

are you like your muse — I put a little bit of myself in all my muses, otherwise I probably wouldn't be able to relate and make a convincing portrayal or conflict. Wylan used to have a lot more of my traits in the past. But he is far and above his own problematic beast now and I'm glad I don't have as much in common anymore jfc.

Tagged by: @more-than-a-princess (thanks B) a chance for me to look scary) Tagging: whoever is inclined to do it :V

[anchanted-one]

Legend of Lightning 37: Galen’s Request

https://archiveofourown.org/works/43208574/chapters/111032971

Agent Galen woke with a groan. For a second there was a blank sense of confusion, before memories came pouring back. His cybernetics came online, pouring a deluge of information into his beleaguered mind, but Sadic’s transmissions had stopped. That alone was a small relief. “Wha—” he asked, but broke into a coughing fit. “Where am I?”

“Easy, easy,” came a familiar, soft voice from his right. He was handed a glass of water, which he thirstily emptied at once. He looked around, and saw just who had been by his bedside.

“Jonas?”

“The one and only!” Jonas Balkar grinned. “How are you holding up, old buddy?”

“Terrible,” Galen answered. “Just look at what’s happened to me! Look at what I’ve become!”

“I’m sorry, old pal,” Balkar patted his hand. “I can’t even imagine what you’re going through—”

“Of course you can’t!” Galen snapped. “Look at me! Can you imagine what I’ve just been through? Can you imagine all this being done, without even the mercy of putting me under? Worse, they pumped me full of drugs that stopped me passing out! I felt every moment of it! I could feel it when they ripped out my eyeballs, when they replaced the few bones and muscles I have left! I could feel every chip and sensor they stuck me with! I screamed and screamed, but there was no salvation in those dark hours! Only the sound of that evil man laughing!” Dry sobs heaved through his chest. “He delighted in torturing me! Delighted in it! And I could do nothing. I just gave in.”

“You did better than anyone else could have in your situation,” Jonas said consolingly. “And I’m so, so sorry for what happened.”

“It’s not your fault,” Galen grumbled. “What happened to Sadic, anyway?”

Jonas chuckled darkly. “He’s… had karma bite him in the ass, The Jedi chose to wipe his mind, the way Sadic wiped the others’. He made him lead a mass breakout from Shadow Town. Imperial High Command is at a total loss, since they can’t pin it on anyone!”

Galen’s interest rose. “Where’s Sadic now?”

Jonas shrugged. “That’s classified, though I believe he’s going to be our little bitch for years to come. Republic can’t let him go, given what he knows. He had enough time to go over the Power Guard designs, enough to turn himself into one. If he walks, the Empire gets an infinitely large batch of super soldiers.”

“I wish I could meet that sonofabitch again,” Galen said hatefully. “I want to return some of the pain he caused me. Unfortunately…”

“I don’t like where this is going…”

“I request euthanasia. Put me out of my misery.”

Jonas flinched, but was spared answering. “Agent Galen—”

“Ah. Jedi Vajra and Padawan Kira.” Galen greeted the two youths. “The nice people who saved my ass. Thank you very much for stopping the torture. But my nightmare isn’t over yet. Please kill me. There is no point in keeping me alive. I’m just a tool now, not a person.”

The Jedi didn’t reply for a while. “Please, Agent. Do you think you might reconsider? Please?”

“No,” Galen said with even-toned resolution. “And it’s not just this infernal new body. You can’t begin to imagine what I’ve been through.”

“Actually, he can,” Kira said. Her voice was a mixture between shock, awe, pity, and horror. “Sadic recorded the process, and the boss watched all fourteen hours of it.”

Galen sat up so sharply he knocked away the tray on his lap. “What?!”

“It’s true! I had to get him checked out by a doc droid. We even considered putting him under observation for a few days.”

Galen stared into the boy’s eyes, and registered the hollow daze that he’d seen in agents who’d seen something horrible. Dark circles which bespoke sleeplessness. There were furrows on his brows and lips, like those which fingernails might leave. And tremors rocked his body from hair to toenails every so often. “Of all the crazy—why?!” he had to quash the impulse to grab the youth by his shoulders and shake him hard. “What possessed you to do something so reckless?!”

“Because I knew what you were going to ask of me,” Jedi Vajra replied weakly. “And… I thought… that I shouldn’t say ‘no’ without at least knowing where you’re coming from. What you’ve endured.”

Gallen considered that. “That’s stupid. The stupidest, most ridiculous thing I’ve ever heard.”

Padawan Kira snorted. “Tell me about it! He wouldn’t take no for an answer! Wouldn’t budge even when I tried getting Master Satele to intervene.”

“Tell me his state when he was done,” Galen asked flatly. “Tell me!”

Padawan Kira struggled for words.

“He was shaking so hard, you could almost hear his bones clacking together,” Jonas offered. “He was a pale blue. He was whimpering softly, mumbling incoherently. Swatting imaginary Sadics aside. He screamed when he saw lights and needles. Padawan Kira had to calm him down so he could be sedated.”

Galen fixed the young Jedi with another stare. “Like I said. Absolutely stupid. And for what, so you could imagine what I’d gone through? Why!? Why subject yourself to such nightmares for such pitiful gains?”

“Because this is the only way I know what you’ve been through,” the Jedi answered.

Galen had to snort. “I guess that’s me outwitted then! You think I’m gonna feel so moved I’ll change my mind now, just cuz you did this?” Almost. Almost. But not quite.

“No, I just… didn’t want to try convincing you without knowing first.” He shivered again. He wiped an eye. “You don’t have to do anything...”

“Damn right, I don’t! Look at what they did to me!” Galen said again. “They tore out my body, bit by bit, and replaced it like it was a used ship in some cheap makeover program!”

“I know,” Jedi Vajra replied in a small voice. “Sadic is a monster. Please don’t give up, Agent Galen! Please live on! I know things might seem bleak right now, but they can get better, I promise! You have to go on! You can’t let Sadic win!”

Galen snorted again. This was weirder than he’d thought it would be. Still, a thought occurred to him. “If you watched all fourteen hours, and then got checked up and sedated—how long was I out?”

The Jedi looked at each other, then Jonas. “We lost track,” Padawan Kira said.

“Thirty hours,” Jonas replied. “It’s been thirty hours since the raid on Shadow Town.”

“Damn! I guess I managed to sleep well after all.” Galen was honestly surprised. “Guess peace is not completely out of my reach.”

The Jedi had a strange look on his face. “I have something for you.” He rummaged in his pouch for something and pulled it out, and Galen sat up straight.

“What’s that music?” he asked.

The Jedi looked surprised. “I—I’m surprised you can hear it already.” He spread out his palm to reveal a small green gemstone about as long as his little fingernail. “It’s a Lightsaber crystal.”

“It sounds so… peaceful…” Galen stared at the crystal. Small though it was, it seemed to grow with every passing millisecond, until it seemed to be the only thing in the universe his mind could see. He could not identify the instruments, for there were a multitude of them. They all had differing sounds and tones, but their tune was in perfect harmony. It brought to mind images of his village on Alderaan, with the bubbling brooks and lush fields. He thought he could hear the calls of Thrantas and banthas too.

The longer he listened, the music shifted, and more details were added. He heard the pipes and drums playing during the harvest festivals. He heard the choir singing his favorite songs while he danced with his friends and family. His old dog, which had grown immobile from arthritis, had attempted to bound around and join in the festivities, accepting his aid in order to do so. He could feel the tail swishing against his knee. He could feel his father’s kiss on his cheek.

“You are my son,” he said. “And I will always love you.”

“I love you too…” Galen whispered.

“Always wanted to hear that!” Jonas answered cheerfully. “Can we get married now?”

But Galen ignored him. Jedi Vajra had come closer, his hand outstretched.

“I want you to have this,” he said. “Maybe… maybe it will help you find peace. Even if it doesn’t, you can take it with you. Or pass it on to anyone who you think needs it.”

“Thank you,” Galen said, still entranced by the purest peace he’d ever heard. It was fading now, but it was still there. Reflexively, he tried to wipe his eyes, only to remember that his eyes didn’t do that anymore.

The Jedi gave him a hug, or tried to—Galen was too big now for most hands to cover him. He still appreciated it. In the background, his sensors picked up Padawan Kira and Jonas sniffing softly, even though his ears could not.

They stayed a while longer before leaving, by which time Galen was feeling a bit better about himself.

“So, what do you think?” Jonas asked.

“I think I’m gonna hold off on the request for now,” Galen answered. “But it’s not off the table.”

“That’s not what I meant.”

“Oh, you mean the Jedi?” Galen grimaced. He bounced the crystal in his hand, felt its warm music uplift his soul once again. “They’re good kids. Vajra especially. I can’t imagine the guts it would take to sit through that entire recording just so that he feels better about not asking me to put in a final mercy request. And… it is sweet, in a weird way. Naïve too. I suppose it’s nice that his rosy glasses haven’t been knocked off his face yet.”

“That’s not what I meant, either!”

“Eh?”

“I meant… what do you think about us getting married?”

Galen forgot he didn’t have eyes to roll, for a second. “You know that I don’t swing either way, don’t you?”

“Well, yes, but—”

“I hope you find yourself a good lover, Jonas. Someone with a cock or pussy. Someone who can keep you happy. I can’t, in any way. Not like this. I’ll be in for a long recovery period. Even if I choose to live on, I mean,” he added quickly.

“That’s one of the many reasons I’m offering,” Jonas patted his prosthetic knee. “You need someone to help you get through this. Let me in. Let me help you.”

Galen couldn’t answer immediately. Why does everyone want me to live on like this, he thought miserably. Why is everyone going to such lengths? I can’t even refuse these guys without feeling like a complete bastard. Damn you, Jedi. I’m grateful for your kind heart, but you’ve still used to trap me!

He nodded wordlessly, and Jonas gave a whoop of triumph. “I’m going to make some calls,” he said excitedly. “Var Suthra will be thrilled to hear your decision, as will Jedi Vajra. Then, I’m gonna find you the best therapy money can buy. Lots of people owe me favors, including a few Senators. Oh, and Briar Willason! Remember her? Her dad’s a multi-billionaire! She’d be happy to help us, since we did save her brother from Imperial ransomers! And then there’s…”

Galen tuned him out, glad that his implants didn’t have a record function. He didn’t want this. He wanted to forget his past, horrible month. He wanted the beep-beeps of his sensors to stop. He wanted his torment to end.

But unfortunately…

The crystal! He remembered.

He squeezed the gemstone again, and felt its peaceful chorus ward off the despair. He sighed. Fine. He would play this game for now. But when therapy failed, he would demand his right to mercy.

*

[meredithhk8702]

Food for the a¡ scrapers. Humans beware.

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[notebookmusical]

Hi! I hope you had a very merry Christmas! I think you said you celebrate it. Did you do anything for the holidays or get presents? don't worry..it wasn't late or anything. I just couldn't reply until now. Oh that sucks..I hope you recover in time for the new year.🩷

I think it's already happened with some songs on Fearless cuz she didn't have her accent as much. I agree with Hey Stephen and a few other songs. I realized that I never asked you how you felt about the changes in the Better than Revenge rerecording. Overall I understand the change, and the new lyrics make sense, but still prefer the original lyrics lol. I love her accent too but I never could really tell if it was completely fake or not but her baby voice is cute.

I think if the cuts make sense, I won't really mind but it's not like it's my favorite musical either. The trailer came on yesterday and I told them it was a musical and they said it as a musical will ruin it so I do wonder how regular non theater people will feel about it overall. They always hate or make fun of musicals though and it will make it cheesy or something since my family quotes the original movie all the time. So I feel like the quotes don't translate in the musical as much, and even if Legally Blonde was a little different, the changes made sense of improved it in some way. I listened to the Megan song too and just felt it didn't add much either. I don't know if i will watch it yet, but I've already missed Wonka and Color Purple for this week so I will see if I can watch it this next week. I will probably watch Dicks at some point too, so I'm glad your friend liked it.

I love White Christmas even if it doesn't feel as Christmasy as other Christmas movies. I just finally watched the movie version of Holiday Inn last night, but was familiar with the musical. I also love both! I also count Rent for musicals lol. But mostly I prefer ones where the family is getting ready for or around Christmas like Elf, National Lampoons, and A Christmas Story, and Surviving Christmas. I also have a few new ones I still wanna watch for this year. I was going to send you an ask saying December 24th 9PM Eastern standard time...but then I remembered you've never seen Rent! My sister and I were trying to think of New Year's resolutions in song lyrics and my sister said that from here on in, I shoot without a script..instead of my old shit..would be a good one for me lol. We always try to do a Taylor one too so I'm thinking either Karma or You're on your own kid..make friendship bracelets, take the moment and taste it..you've got no reason to be afraid and I'm gonna try to remember that throughout the year and try new things maybe. I remember I used I got harder smarter in the nick of time..I rose up from the dead..I do all the time as one when rep came out. I mostly just think it's fun, so if you wanna try to think of one, you can.

I finally listened to the Fruitcake EP and I agree..it was so good! All of the songs were mostly different, which is kinda fun. I think it would be hard to think of different types of Christmas songs, but she did such a good job. New years yet might be my favorite or at least the one I can remember the most. What do you think your version of a Christmas song would be? I guess I never asked you if you are musical at all or if you play any instruments. I don't actually, but I do like to sing and sometimes make up songs. That question is just for fun though so no pressure, and I don't really have an answer either.

I think I only read 3 or 4 full books this year. One was the stepping off place that I finished back in January, and that was definitely my favorite. I know I've talked about it already, but I really loved it so much. The other was Mistakes were made which was fine. I just found out the same author has another book out soon and I think I would be interested in reading it, cuz I enjoyed her writing. What about you? The last one was The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes. Do you still plan on reading or watching the movie? I'm still in the middle of a few including Business or Pleasure I hoped to finish by the end of year but I still have like 50 pages. I also skimmed most of Our Year of Maybes. I enjoyed parts of all these but didn't love them. I hope to change my reading habits for next year and definitely finish more..we will see my progress by the end of January. There were a lot of months I didn't read at all, so I'm hoping to change that too. Omg I wish you would have told me you were continuing your Night Circus reread! I could have tried to read a bit more. I just assumed you were taking a break like me lol. I want you to know if you don't finish your Les Mis reread it's also okay..don't stress.

Oh I didn't know you haven't seen them but I actually didn't watch the Office until like 5 years ago. I grew up watching Friends and quote it all the time though! Idk if you mean you just never watched the whole show or that you didn't know it at all. Parks and Recreation is another one of my favs..similar to the Office. I also love Schitt's Creek! But the humor is just different from back then, cuz it's newer. and New Girl is another newer one which is kinda more similar to Friends. Of course How I met your mother is the most similar to Friends...but I prefer Friends the most. I got a Friends calendar for Christmas actually, and also a Taylor one. Cristin Miloti was the mother in that show and was also played the original Girl from Once on Broadway, and I guess I forgot to mention that in my last ask. I knew the Guy actor from another show too, which is Shameless. I think Once was before the shows technically, but I knew them from it by the time I got into Broadway. That version of Falling Slowly just seems different from the movie somehow but I still like it. I would recommend Begin Again cuz I liked some songs.

I loved that dream cuz she gave me some earrings. I only remember three or four titles. But it seemed like the length of a full album cuz a group of four of us were reading off the titles and it was like three each or something. Name someone I love, something to take, watch me, kiss some other person. Possibly fireworks but idk. Some of the titles made me think of a new album but some make me think of rep lol. I wish I remembered more. But it is almost impossible to envision her new album and like I said, I'm sure the titles are way off anyway. I always like knowing song titles and wondering or guessing what a song will be like though. Anyway I hope you feel better! Try to rest as much as you can and hopefully relax the next few days. Sending well wishes for your Wednesday and the rest of your week!

hello friend!! hope you had a lovely holiday + a wonderful new year, if i don't talk to you before then! i do celebrate it! it was a very quiet, lowkey christmas, since i still have the plague but it was very lovely! how was your christmas? do you have any fun new year plans?

my favorite present that i got is a pink scarf that my mom got me — it's super cozy and just so cute!! which, i think by now, is no surprise, since i am A Pink Girl at my core! one of my friends got me a raccoon themed christmas gift, which i also loved — including a raccoon oodie, a raccoon jellycat, and of course, toto got his own raccoon animal too!

with better than revenge, i definitely understand why she changed the lyrics, and i'm glad she was able to create a version of better than revenge she was proud of! i definitely still on instinct sing the old lyrics, but i don't think i particularly prefer one over the other, just that i'm more used to the old ones!

one of my family friends hates musicals and she got tricked into taking her kid (the 15 year old who i affectionately call my younger sister) to wonka and didn't realize wonka was a musical, which was funny! the text i got when she realized did make me chuckle, i'm not going to lie. i haven't watched any of those movies — nor have i watched the eras tour from home! i have it rented, but i just haven't been feeling well enough to sit through a three hour movie unfortunately. but i'm starting to feel a little better so hopefully i'll have time to watch that soon!

i love the holiday inn musical — i think it's so fun! fun fact, the first time i watched the holiday inn movie was at a holiday inn. i went to florida on a work trip in 2019, and my flight home got cancelled and the airlines put me in a holiday inn for the night so i figured it'd be the perfect time to watch holiday inn (even though it was summer) because i liked the musical! i definitely know the rent december 24 9pm reference and usually participate in it on twitter but forgot this year :( it made me feel like a bad theatre kid haha!

i love the idea of doing resolutions in song! i finally wrote out my reading goals for my book blog earlier, but haven't completely finalized my personal resolutions yet. i think the YOYOK one is so good! some other ones i thought of:

innocent — minds change like the weather/ i hope you remember today is never too late to be brand new

starlight — look at you, worrying too much about things you can’t change / you’ll spend your whole life singing the blues if you keep thinking that way

august — to live for the hope of it all

they're not as good as you're on your own kid though, and i'm sure i'm missing something super obvious!

i think fruitcake's EP is so fun and different! like upbeat and a bit sexy and just so fun! it's something i can see myself listening to year-round. i played the piano as a kid (i don't remember a thing now) and took a semester of guitar in high school (was not good at it), but am not musical anymore! sometimes i think about picking something up again, just for fun, but i think i prefer being arts and crafty over being musical. i think if i had to do a christmas song though, it'd probably be something a little more melancholy and slower — kind of how phoebe bridgers' christmas songs sound, i think. what about you?

i still plan on reading tbosas and watching it! but i did not get to reading the hunger games at all this month. but at some point i will do that and then we can discuss 🤍 i did end up finishing the night circus (the original plan was that i'd mail it out this week for book club, but given the plague, i'm pushing it off to next week), and also les mis (although i would not recommend reading the first 50% over the span of 3 months and then reading the last half of it in the span of a week). i think i'm done reading for the rest of the year and am excited for a little bit of a break! and then i think i'll go back to the starless sea in january!

i did watch parks and rec! i've only seen it once, but i watched it in college with one of my friends who said i was very leslie in terms of drive/organization/etc. it's funny you brought once up, because i was listening to once on vinyl today — it's such a good show. i love it so much! there are a lot of shows (friends, HIMYM, gilmore girls) that i think i would've loved if i had watched it when it was first airing, but i've been spoiled on every platform for so many things that i don't think i'd find it fun now! also i am so much worse at watching tv now than i was when i was in school, for some reason!!

that sounds like such a fun dream! i don't usually remember my dreams (but i also have a hard time sleeping so there's that)! do you think ts11 will have a more pop sound? or do you think it'll be something else? i keep seeing clown theories on twitter about new year's day (taylor's version) or a rep announcement on new year's day ... what do you think?

also!! i got your other ask about music! i think i need to do another listen through of the albums before i can pick favorites, so i will save the ask for when i get a chance to do that and then get back to you!!

hope you're doing well, my friend!! 🤍