#she got her reaper set too but she looks so beautiful in this

[shroudkeeper]

𝓵𝓪𝓭𝔂 𝓽𝓪𝓴𝓪𝓱𝓪𝓼𝓱𝓲

[daryl-dixon-daydreams]

Words: 4,942 Pairing: Daryl Dixon x Female!Reader Reader pronouns: she/her Era: S10, The Reapers Warnings: language, violence, gore, angst A/N: This is Part 4 of a series! Find all the parts on my pinned post, the Master List Summary: Daryl helps Y/N and DJ get settled in Alexandria.

Part 3

You walked beside Daryl, a teary smile on your face as you looked ahead at Judith and RJ running and playing with Dog. “It seems impossible that this little girl is the same chubby baby I fed pureed carrots to,” you laughed. “And RJ... They’re beautiful, Daryl.”

“Yeah. They are.” The softness on Daryl’s face was threatening to melt you into a puddle. His eyes turned to DJ next, and that softness remained.

You met his blue eyes again and your lips were drawn down in a soft pout. Tears brimmed in your eyes. “I’m so sorry,” you said. “About Rick. And now Michonne’s gone off… Maggie told me.”

“Yeah,” Daryl drawled, ducking his head and fighting the tidal wave of anxiety and grief and hopelessness that always crested in his chest when he thought of his lost brother. “‘M sorry too. Mostly for them,” he said, nudging his head toward the kids again. “But it’s been hard on everybody…”

“Including you, I’m sure.” Tears burned in your eyes again and you did your best to blink them away. Rick and Michonne were family, and you had hoped to reunite with them again too as soon as you’d found Maggie. The news about much of your old family had been hard to take, especially after losing everyone else at your community so recently. But you knew how deep and unhealing that wound must be for Daryl, losing a true brother…

Daryl hummed a response but you let the topic drop for now.

Alexandria was certainly left worse for wear since the Whisperers had briefly occupied it with their horde. Daryl cast a sideways glance at you as if worried about your reaction to the destruction and mess you were now walking through.

“Ain’t usually like this… ya just arrived at the end of a full-on war,” he said.

Far from seeing concern or judgement on your face, Daryl noted that you seemed to be seeing it with eyes that picked out the potential. He felt another swell of warmth for you. “If it’s home for you, then it’ll be home for us too,” you said. “And I’ll be more than happy to help however I can with the rebuilding.”

Home. It was true that Alexandria was home, and he would die to defend it and the people in it, but there was another home that he’d lost a long time ago, and it was now walking beside him… Then, he suddenly remembered what Carol had said to him at the wall. “Please tell me you aren’t going to stick them in some random empty apartment or house.” His feet must have faltered because you turned and glanced over at him immediately.

“Everything okay?”

“Uhh—yeah… I just—” he chewed anxiously on his bottom lip for a moment, and you nearly smiled. It was the same nervous habit he’d always had. “I was thinkin’, if you and DJ wanted to… I mean, ya could stay at my place. I’ve got a spare bedroom—s’where Jude and RJ usually sleep when I’ve got ‘em, but that ain’t no big deal. I can make ‘em up bedrolls on the floor in my room if they’re stayin’ or—” he was rambling nervously, “—if ya ain’t comfortable with that, I mean, stayin’ at my place, we’ve got plenty of other apartments and houses. We could set ya up somewhere else—I just thought, with DJ, might be easier—and maybe would be, I dunno, would be—"

“Daryl—” You stopped him with a hand gentle on his arm. “Of course we’d love to stay with you, if you’re okay with the extra trouble.”

He gulped. The last fucking thing he wanted now was to be parted from you and DJ, even if it was just by half a block. “Ain’t no extra trouble,” he drawled quietly, slightly transfixed from the touch of your hand on his arm.

You laughed. “You say that now… but you may have forgotten over the last decade, I can be a handful,” you joked. “And DJ? He takes after his dad in some ways.”

Daryl let out an amused exhale and shook his head. “Poor kid,” he joked, but you shot him a look.

“Lucky kid,” you corrected him. God, he’d missed that. You had always been so affirming to him. You had unwavering confidence in him and you told him and showed him every damn day. His internal monologue was often so dark, especially lately with things all seeming to go wrong. But you had always shown a light on him, always told him so earnestly that he was good and loved even when he didn’t believe it or didn’t feel he deserved it himself. He felt a swell of gratitude and emotion and fought against what felt like a huge bubble in his chest that was getting ready to burst. Your voice interrupted him.

“So. Which way is home?” You were looking at him expectantly.

“Uhh, this way,” he murmured, tilting his head toward the next street over. He let out a loud whistle and Dog turned and came rushing back. “Hey—Jude, RJ. Let’s go! We’re gonna help Y/N and DJ get settled, alright?”

“Uncle Daryl?” RJ said when he had trotted over, looking up with shining brown eyes.

“Yeah, bud?”

“I’m hungry,” he said.

Daryl ruffled a hand through his own hair a little anxiously. “Yeah… yeah, we’ll have to see ‘bout that in a bit. Let’s head home first and then I’ll figure that out, okay?”

You and Daryl exchanged a knowing glance. Keeping growing kids nourished was a constant worry.

“Mom?” DJ asked you softly. You looked down at him with a questioning look. He dug into his small bag and pulled out an apple. It was slightly bruised on one side, but shone bright red in the sun and seemed just as crisp as when you’d picked it for him a few days back. “Can I?” he asked. Your heart swelled and you nodded as you ran your fingers down one of the wavy strands of his brown hair.

“Of course. That’s a very kind thing to do,” you said proudly.

DJ trotted a few paces to catch up to RJ and then nudged him gently with his elbow, holding out the apple to him. RJ took it excitedly and thanked him with a broad smile. He took a huge bite and then offered it to Judith, who also happily shared it. Pretty soon the three of them were sharing it like old pals.

Daryl was smiling as he watched the exchanged. “That’s some kid ya’ve got,” he said softly.

“You mean that we’ve got,” you corrected him. “He’s your son, Daryl.”

Daryl gulped and looked down at you, his eyes still a little wide with disbelief. We. You’d said we. He wanted so desperately to read into that and allow his mind to run on with all his foolish hopes… He nudged his nose up in a shy nod and chewed on his bottom lip a moment. A son. He had a son.

The kids ran ahead, chasing after Dog and throwing a stick for him time and time again, until finally Daryl cleared his throat and nodded toward the nearest condo on the end of a small row. “This is me,” he said. He rubbed a hand over the back of his neck nervously. “Yer place now too, if ya think it’ll work okay. And ya don’t mind a bit’a dog hair.” It was as if he needed to give you every opportunity to change your mind.

“DJ and I have been sleeping wherever I could find the smallest bit of shelter or safety for quite a while now. We moved every day. This is going to be a huge change for the better. Thank you.” You studied his expression again. “And I don’t mind the dog hair,” you laughed. Dog seemed to have heard you because he came and slipped through the space between your legs, stopping and leaning to one side, rubbing his body against your leg, looking up at you. You laughed and bent to give him neck scratches and he was soon licking your face.

“He likes ya,” Daryl said. There was a smile in his voice. He took that moment and allowed himself to take in the way the afternoon light was illuminating the hues in your eyes as you glanced back up at him and the shine in your hair. He felt like he’d been transported to some alternate dimension—he was so used to struggling to live every day without you and suddenly… here you were. Dog finally darted to the garage door, prancing anxiously on his front paws, and Daryl collected himself enough to go over and push it up. RJ and Judith raced in after Dog, but DJ waited back.

Your eyes went immediately to the bike parked there. “Oh my God,” you said, grinning. The light in your eyes now seemed to be sparking on his behalf as you strode over to it. You shot him a brilliant look and Daryl’s heart skipped a beat and then sped up. “This is amazing. Did you build this?” you asked, touching it here and there.

Daryl brushed a hand back through his hair and shrugged. “Yeah. Aaron, you’ll meet Aaron, he had been collectin’ parts for years before he brought our group in. He didn’t really know what to do with them. First damn thing I did after I was sure Alexandria was gonna be real, safe, was put ‘em to good use.”

DJ was looking at the bike with eager interest and excitement. “You built it? From scrap?” he asked again.

Daryl nudged his nose up in a nod. “Yep.”

“Can I have a ride?” he asked excitedly.

Daryl smiled. “Yeah. ‘Course. Uhh—as long as that’s okay with yer mom,” Daryl said, glancing your direction, resting a hand on the handlebar.

“Nobody safer to ride with,” you said, nodding. “As long as you wear a helmet, DJ. But not today. Maybe tomorrow, if the weather is good, alright?” DJ seemed satisfied with that and ran ahead into the condo after Judith and RJ. You glanced over at Daryl again and his eyes were already on you. He was wringing his hands a little anxiously. “Well, when do I get a ride from you again? It’s been a while. Maybe tonight?” Daryl’s mouth dropped slightly open and you laughed nervously when you realized the obvious innuendo. You felt your cheeks flushing. “The bike!” you said in a hurry. “I meant on—” you pressed a hand up to your face and ducked his gaze. Daryl was gulping nervously. “Jesus—I meant on the—” You sighed and laughed again, quite sure that your face was still bright red.

Daryl rubbed a hand over the back of his neck awkwardly, but he was also feeling a heat in his chest like you’d just struck flint and steel to tinder and he too let out a small, awkward laugh. Not to mention that intimate scenes he held dearly deep in his mind were suddenly rushing into the forefront like they’d been called. He could still feel the shape of your hip under his hand like it was just yesterday, or the softness of you as his fingertips dimpled into your skin… He could see the water cascading down your body as he pressed you back against the wall of the shower. He could hear your hurried breathing, the breathy way you used to say his name… The noises of pleasure he’d been able to pull from you. When he couldn’t sleep or when things were just too dark, he’d let his mind wander over those memories, but he had to limit himself. Otherwise, he would have run the risk of living entirely there in that daydream, forgetting the now, and then how would he have kept going, knowing it may be lost forever? And then suddenly you were made real in front of him again. Here. You were right here. Shit. Get it together, man. He refocused his attention on the expectant look on your face. “Uhh—lemme show ya inside,” he drawled.

You bit your bottom lip and followed him in. The kids were all piled on the couch, Dog in front of them, and your heart lifted to see DJ interacting with Jude and RJ so easily. There must have been a smile on your face because Daryl was looking at you with the corners of his eyes crinkled in one too.

“It’s been a long time since he’s been able to be around any other kids, before Hershel, I mean,” you said. The smile faded again and Daryl thought you looked suddenly veiled in sadness briefly.

“C’mon,” he said, tilting his head toward the small hallway. “Bathroom in there,” he said, passing the small room on the right. “Here’s the spare room,” he said. Out of habit he tried to flick on the light and then remembered that the Whisperers had trashed the solar panels and he flicked it back off. “Uhh… sorry. No power back up yet.”

“Haven’t had power in years,” you said. “Won’t even miss it.”

Daryl ruffled his fingers back through his hair again. “We’ll get it back up,” he said with certainty. “‘Til then I got plenty of candles and lanterns and stuff. Remind me before it gets dark. My room is just—” he pointed down the hall to the next door, “right there.”

You leaned on the doorframe next to him and looked in at the little room. A bed. A real bed. “Thanks for this.”

He ducked his head and nodded, shifting nervously beside you. “Yeah. S’nothin’. Dun need to thank me.”

There was a loud squeal from one of the kids and you both moved back to the main room. Dog had jumped on the couch with the three of them and was now laying fully across their laps. You hadn’t seen such a grin on DJ’s face in what felt like a lifetime. You glanced around the room, taking in the space and what Daryl had done to make it his. There were various antlers and pelts around, and the coffee table had a few old books on it, the top one about piracy. “Hmm,” you hummed.

“What?” he asked.

“Nice place you have here. It’s very Daryl,” you said, a small smile curving your lips. “It suits you. Though maybe a cabin in the woods would still suit you better.”

Daryl’s stomach suddenly clenched. A cabin in the woods. Fuck. He had to tell you. He had to figure out how the fuck to tell you…

“What do you think?” you asked him, and Daryl suddenly realized you must have been talking to him.

“Sorry, what?”

“Think the kids would be okay here on their own for a while so we can go try and find some food for everyone?”

He nodded quickly. “Yeah. Yeah, and we can ask Rosita and Gabe to look in on ‘em.”

Your face brightened. “Please, let’s go see Rosita.”

Daryl nodded. “Yeah, course. And—Gabriel ain’t the same anymore,” Daryl said. “He’s turned out to be real good to have around.”

You shook your head and let out a laugh of disbelief. “You remember what I said when he finally got down off that rock?”

Daryl snorted out a laugh and nodded. “Yeah. Ya asked if we could put him back.” You laughed again more earnestly.

“And—him and Rosita? Really? I mean, Maggie told me but it’s still hard to wrap my brain around…”

Daryl laughed again, fiddling anxiously with a rock on the side table. “I think that took all of us by surprise at first,” Daryl drawled. “But—” he shrugged. “They do seem to be doin’ good together. C’mon. Let’s get goin’ while we still got daylight.” He stepped farther into the room and managed to grab the kids’ attention. “Hey—Jude. Yer the oldest, so yer in charge, alrigh’? We’re just gonna go see about some dinner, okay? If we ain’t back when it’s startin’ to get dark, ya go to Aunt Rosita’s or find Uncle Jerry and Aunt Nabila at their place, okay? And keep away from that part of the wall tha’s down. I mean it. Ya can show DJ around, but I don’t want ya over there.”

Jude nodded and agreed. “Okay.”

“Dog, get down,” Daryl said, and the Malinois jumped back onto the rug. Daryl hugged Jude and ruffled RJ’s hair. Then he held a fist out to DJ, who eagerly bumped it with his own and grinned. Daryl knelt down so he was at their eye level again. “We’ll be back just as soon as we can, alrigh’? Ya’ll be good and stay safe. Jude, ya got yer sword? Good. You and DJ, watch out for RJ.”

Your heart felt like it grew three sizes just watching him reassuring the kids and making sure that everyone was alright for you both to leave. “We’ll try not to be too long,” you said, and you went and grabbed each of them in a hug, leaving a kiss on the top of DJ’s head too. “Keep your bow with you,” you told him. “Good. See you soon, hopefully with some dinner.”

The reunion with Rosita was emotional, and you cooed over baby Coco with her and lamented the loss of Siddiq when she told you what had happened in brief. By the time you were heading back to Daryl’s to grab his bike and head out, you agreed that Gabriel was an entirely different person than he had been when you’d known him. “Gotta admit… the eye and still wearing the stuffy outfit—it’s definitely a look,” you said, walking back beside Daryl.

He let out a small laugh and glanced over at you. “Like I said, he ain’t the same.” He strapped his crossbow onto the bike and slung his leg over, standing up so you could slip on behind him. Nervous flutters were already rising before you even climbed on, and when your hands finally settled lightly on his sides, he felt like his body temp rose a hundred degrees. He did his best not to stiffen with nerves and settled down on the seat. “Ain’t sure what we’ll find out there,” he said. “Those assholes brought a horde through ‘round here. Scared off most of the game.”

Your arms looped around him more fully and he gulped again. “Fish probably didn’t run away. Neither did the plants and fungi. We’ll find something,” you said ardently. “We always find something.”

Daryl started his bike and, for a brief moment, thought he felt your cheek press to the back of his shoulder. “Ya ready?”

“Hell yeah!” you yelled over the engine, and he could hear the smile in your voice.

_ _ _ _ _ _

“Having any luck?” you asked Daryl as you approached from out of the woods nearby again, a canvas bag that now seemed rather full clutched in your hand.

“Mhm… Carp. Gonna taste like mud,” he said, nodding to the huge fish lying on the grass beside him. “But they’re definitely better than nothin’. You?”

“Yeah. Found a good haul of mushrooms—chantarelles, oyster mushrooms, chicken of the woods. And a bunch of edible plants. Ramps?” you held up a clump of something from your bag.

“Uhhh—am I s’posed to know what the hell yer talkin’ about?”

You laughed heartily and Daryl’s heart skipped a beat, as it seemed to do damn near every time you did anything. “Ramps!” you said again. “They’re a wild onion. Taste kind of like a cross between garlic and scallions.”

“Hmm,” Daryl nod, turning his attention back to the river and shooting an arrow into the now writhing form of a dark fish. “Learn somethin’ new ev’ry day. I think I always just called them wild onions. No need to be fancy about it,” he teased you, grabbing his arrow and the impaled fish with it.

You gave him a look and then turned your eyes back to the pile of large fish on the bank. “I think we have enough here for quite a bit soup. We’ll be able to feed some hungry kids tonight.”

Daryl retrieved his arrow and grabbed a bag for the fish from his pack. “Tha’s what it’s all about,” he said.

You spun around as you heard a twig snap somewhere behind you in the trees. Daryl stood and grabbed his bow again, immediately on edge, and paced several steps forward in the soft grass until he was slightly in front of you. It was a protective instinct he’d always had… even now it came back like old muscle memory.

The snap of the dry wood was soon followed by a growing growl sound and the two of you both breathed sighs of relief. “Goddamn walker. Tha’s all,” he drawled.

“Yeah,” you agreed, though the worry didn’t leave your face completely. Daryl was again sharply aware that you’d been through some very serious shit very recently, shit he didn’t yet know the full extent of. “We should get back. It’s going to start getting dark soon.”

“Yeah. I was just thinkin’ the same thing.” Daryl unsheathed his knife and advanced on the scrawny and emaciated looking rotter ambling toward the two of you. He lunged with a perfectly placed strike and sunk his blade into its head. It crumpled to the leaf litter and laid still.

The two of you strode back toward his bike, side by side, and you glanced over at him when you felt his eyes on you. “Hmm?” you prompted him, adjusting your hold on the foraging bag stuffed full of ingredients over your shoulder.

He shrugged and looked back down toward where he was placing his boots. “Will ya tell me—uhh… ‘bout when he was born? I mean—where were ya and—guess I just wanna know ‘bout it all,” he said.

Your expression was soft as you looked back at him and Daryl relaxed some. “Yeah, of course. Daryl, you can ask me anything you want to about DJ. Really about anything. Ask me anything about anything,” you laughed. “I’ll do my best to answer. Oh—and remind me to show you the book when the kids are in bed tonight.”

“The book?”

You nodded. “Yeah. The book.”

He nodded, intrigued. “Alrigh’.”

You sighed, looking ahead and taking in the way the light was filtering through the leaves still clinging to the craggy oak branches. “When DJ was born, I was still in Georgia. You remember how I said people just were finding me or I was finding them?” Daryl nodded. “I had been trying to scavenge supplies from this huge department store, get ready for the baby and find some more vitamins and stuff. I thought there was a good chance there were supplies left inside because the parking area had been some kind of military checkpoint or something and the whole thing had these huge fences chain link fences topped with razor wire. I hadn’t seen any walkers in there… I found some fence cutters and made a way inside. Pried a door open and got into the building. I was right. There were supplies in there,” you laughed dryly. “But the reason I hadn’t seen any walkers was because there were people living inside.”

Daryl’s brow furrowed heavily.

“I was lucky—very lucky. They turned out to be good people, just a small group of survivors. A found family. They saw, immediately of course, that I was pregnant and one of them happened to be a midwife. They were all with me when I went into labor. We had left the store by then. There were getting to be too many dead in the suburbs and we’d headed away from the populated areas. We took a Jeep and a truck full of supplies and found this farmhouse and set up there for the winter. It reminded a little of Hershel’s farm. We had a decent stock of supplies and I had everything I needed for the baby but I was still terrified of course… especially after what happened to Lori. But everything went smoothly and after an excruciating 14 hours of labor, I delivered a healthy baby boy and named him Daryl as soon as I saw him.” Tears brimmed in your eyes as you looked over at him again. Your voice was soft and breathy when you spoke again and you’d had to fight to get the words out. “I wish you were there,” you said. “I wished that more than anything at the time and still. He was just this tiny little thing, all wiry arms and legs.” You sniffled and tried to pull yourself back together. “For a birth in the apocalypse, I was very lucky,” you said with a dry laugh.

You walked in silence for a while, each of you sinking into your own thoughts, but Daryl finally broke it again. “Those people—were any of ‘em still with ya when—were any of them with ya when yer community was attacked?”

The weight of it settled back over you and you nodded. “Yeah. Two of them were.” The only sound was the soft noise of the damp earth and leaf litter beneath your boots.

“‘M sorry,” Daryl drawled. “We’ve all lost a lotta people over the years, but I ain’t never lost everybody all at once like ya have. Not really. I mean, it felt that way when the prison fell, but I knew there were more of us out there. I knew you were out there, somehow.”

The muscle in your jaw tensed and you nodded, looking up again at the last bit of afternoon light waning against the tops of the trees. In a moment, the tension on your face seemed to pass and you glanced back over at him. “We’ve all lost people. Who’s to say what’s better or worse?”

On the ride back to Alexandria, Daryl swore you held on even more tightly to him than you had on the way out, and he knew he wasn’t imagining that you were leaning into him.

_ _ _ _ _ _

The fish and foraged ingredients had made a huge pot of soup, enough to feed all the kids in Alexandria and a good many adults too. Everyone’s mood was jovial with a full stomach as you sat around the little table with Daryl and the kids. It wasn’t lost on you that DJ and Daryl ate exactly the same; ravenously, unabashedly, and frequently using their sleeves as napkins. It had you smiling through most of the meal. Daryl had caught you staring at him once.

“What?” he prompted you, hurriedly wiping a sleeve across his mouth as if he thought he had food stuck there.

You smiled and shook your head. “Nothing.”

You’d tried to convince Carol to come for dinner but she’d insisted she didn’t want to intrude on your first night back. She gladly accepted some of the soup though, and you’d made her promise to come find you the next day. Now, you and Daryl were telling Judith, RJ, and DJ old stories and regularly cracking them up into fits of giggles. Dog was happily chewing a scavenged deer bone on the rug.

“Hey, what ‘bout that time,” Daryl had to pause and let out a gruff laugh, pointing at you. “‘Member, ya flipped the bird at that squatter? And then—”

“Alright!” you said standing up hurriedly, and cutting him off on purpose. “I think they can hear the rest of that story when they’re all older! Kids, help me clear the table please,” you said, grabbing Daryl’s plate and shooting him a look. His blue eyes were smiling and they followed you all the way into the kitchen as he leaned back in his chair.

Judith and RJ wanted to stay the night since they hadn’t seen their Uncle Daryl in so long (and you were definitely an added bonus) so you helped him set up bed rolls for them on the floor in his room before tucking DJ in in your own bed down the hall. You stroked his hair away from his face and kissed his forehead.

“Mom,” he started, yawning and sinking more deeply into his pillow.

“Mhm?”

“I think I really like this place. And… it’s nice to be around other kids again. This feels like a family,” he said and you nodded in agreement, smiling serenely.

“It does, doesn’t it?”

“So… can we stay?” he asked.

“What do I always say?”

“‘We can stay as long as we can stay’,” he recited.

“Right. But, if it makes you feel better, I think and I hope that will be a long time.”

[voidwritesstuff]

New Beginings In The Golden Hour

Cw:angst,strife has an anxiety attack.

Summary:Death must deal with the consequences of his millennia long awful behavior.

>Hurt/Comfort girlies.

>Part 2 of "Final Moments in the blue hour"

A/N: @darkdemeter hey Deeeem look what I've got. Also, I wrote the lil lullaby and enchantment depicted in the fic (I love making stuff rhyme)

--I'm sorry

The words still didn't registre in Strife's mind. He pulled from the hug a little startled,eyes widening as he turns to Fury for any sort of confirmation that she's just as confused as he is.

But his sister doesn't meet his gaze. She hangs her head low with a reverence for the eldest that is so unlike her. He began to feel something prickle at the back of his head. Something just didnt feel right.

Death didnt fight him when the hug was broken, he simply pressed his face to the hair of the female nephilim. Then the eldest cleared his throat and pulled back,turning to meet Strife's eyes.

--Alright...thats New-- The gunslinger didnt have his characteristical bite to his witt. He coughs a little and his eyes struggle to meet his brother's. -- we should go uh...find War.

Fury nodded,wiping what seems to be tears from the corner of her eyes. She Gave the reaper a look,a bit complicit And like they're having an unspoken conversation.

Yep,hes defenetly was missing something.

--I..I think I know where to find him-- The she-horseman said, nodding towards the spire that ominously hovers in the Sky as a dark and reddened shaped of shattered evil.

--Thats...defenetly a good start-- The gunslinger breathed out-- May! -- the earth shook, kicking up like a jittery whirlwind that sucks in debrie and dust around.

Followed by the spectral neigh of the mare that brings with her a show of beautiful dancing purple flames that pulls the Grass in a well of gravity. The air grows thick with tension that would bring the heart of any non-rider to their throat, making them feel an adrenaline so pure that they would simply become a trembling,feral mess.

As she jumps from the very boughs of the earth,Mayhem the white horse of frenzy tears through the fabric of reality. She runs past her rider and slowly lowers her speed so she can safely trot Back to her master's side.

Mayhem shakes her snout,inspecting Death with an odd tilt of her head as she blinks slowly at the pale rider with confusion. But she doesnt linger, she then turns to Fury and lets out a pitiful neigh.

Within her, Fury feels Rampage squirm at the sadness of his kin. The she-horseman reaches to pat the snout of Mayhem and Gently shooshes her-- He's still too weak to ride. But he Will be fine-- she said softly,the mare closing her eyes and pressing her ears flat to her head.

--He'll be fine-- strife tried not to linger his gaze on the face of the eldest. Its been so long since his actual features could be seen, up until now his face was but a fuzzy memory from childhood. -- C'mon up, Fury. I'll lend you my ride.

With ease he hops on Mayhem's saddle, patting the neck of the mare as a brief comfort. He then offers his hand to his sister,who takes it and gets on behind him.

Strife chuckled to himself and said--Hey whens the last time I gave you a ride? Werent you like...ten? I piggyback carried you to the kitchen didnt I?

--You did-- Fury mused,sniffing Back some of the emotions that still clung to her eyes and soul-- If I recall correctly,I called you squire.

The gunslinger scoffed-- wouldnt be the first time-- he half joked-- Wish I still had my Abyssal armor though,thats such a perfect set up for a knight joke.

With a barked out laugh,the she-Horseman says-- Hm,you've always been a knight to me. I dont see why you would hold back a joke,so unlike you.

Strife eyed Death who watched on with something akin to amusement and subsided endearment. He needs to re-learn how to read him. But still,his unhidden gaze tempers his wit and he just shrugs-- Ah,forget it. The moments passed anyway.

Faintly both hear the eldest snicker before whistling lowly. A sound so puposely horrible that it sets their teeth on edge, even as quiet as it was it remains shrill And withered like a screech from a mournful banshee.

Both wondered what it would happen if he whistled at the top of his lungs.

Yet their thoughts are cut short as theres a loud espectral neigh, behind the pale rider a Mass of blue flames emanates as Despair makes himself known. His Fire Withers the Grass in its path,sucking the life out of them and leaving the vegetation riddled with something akin to frostbite.

Unforgiving winter in his cold flames, he emanates from the ground,bringing with him the smell of sweet Decay yet so glacier cold that it burns the breath of the two younger nephilim.

Despair's hoove pads at the ground and nuzzles the chest of his rider with surrender and relief. Death Gently pats the stallion's head and hops on.

--Shall we?--The eldest asked.

Strife nodded and clicked his tongue at his Mare who begins to trot towards the spire beyond. Silence settles, yet it doesnt dampen the odd tangle of secrets and unspoken information in the air- the gunslinger is defenetly missing something.

Whatever it is, its eating at him already. First, the hug. Whatever the hell has gotten into the eldest?. His mask is gone, that stupid piece of bone is gone and now the white rider can stare with dread and fear at the face of the eldest. Its been so long, he cant reconcile the sweet memories of his brother's face to the bitter ones that were carried by the mask thats Now seemingly lost somewhere.

Neither of the three comment on the lack of spoken word, clearly each of their individual journeys has taken a toll on them. Who gets to speak first? Whats the most important thing to be said? Theres no way to decide,no way to gauge who has had it worst.

Yet if the gunslinger had to guess, Death would be the one to talk first. There has always been an air of mystery to the reaper in his cold detachment, but now he feels more like a myth than a Man.

A sigh leaves strife,louder than he intended to. He flinches as the attention is now on him.

--Something on your mind,Brother?--Death asked,seeing his Real lips say those words makes the white rider freak out internally.

His brother,his guide and lighthouse. The reaper,kinslayer and butcher with his cold,hard shoulder and dismissive attitute. The dichotomy was going to kill him.

--Nuthin' that Will help us-- he said,shrugging-- Y'know me,always thinkin' about silly shit.

The eldest Snickers with genuine warmth,hes conciously slipping up and it only confused the gunslinger further-- While it is true that you're known for your lack of sense,you never hesitated to share. Whats the difference does it make now?

Strife tried so hard to get angry at his brother,before it came so naturally to him but now...he had to conciously find a reason to get angry-- Jus' forget it,okay?-- his voice sounded filled with ire, but its all hollow. Theres no Real intent to bite,theres barely any intent to bark. -- I told you,nuthin' that Will help us.

Behind him,Fury stirrs. Hes so bad at hiding his turbulence from his siblings and specially Fury who knows what to look for. Yet she doesnt say anything and simply pats his arm, telling him quietly to simmer down.

Death let the matter rest, and with yet another dreadful whistle he sent Dust to scan ahead. Were there still demons and angels in the barren earth? This world is nothing but overgrown ruin and forgotten civilizations sundered.

Its a miracle theres still birds to sing and chirp like they've always done. Filling the sunny day with life even if humanity was not there anymore,Wether by the hand of Demise or the saving of maker and she-horseman.

--I...met Angie and Gabrielle-- Fury added a few minutes into their ride-- You sung her our lullaby?

Strife tensed up,ready to feel the scrutinizing gaze of the eldest. What he gets instead is a smug,curious look that still doesnt ease his mind.

--Well uh...its always worked-- He excused, voice a little shaky-- I dont see the issue in it.

--theres none-- she admitted,a little amused at how on edge he was-- Just curious,brother.

--Had to put her to sleep somehow. She has more energy than War when he tried sugar for the first time-- Strife dismissed,trying to shift the attention from him. He doesnt want his vulnerability to be judged by Death's words like hes grown so used to.

Hes quite surprised the pale rider hasnt said anything yet.

--Oh by creator,dont remind me-- Fury said with disdain-- Didnt we knock him out with the Hilt of a maze?

Strife chuckled--We did! I still think that was overkill,though.

--It worked,didnt it?--his sister replied with a laugh to her tone-- He slept for a week afterwards.

--And thank god for that,I couldnt handle so much energy-- the gunslinger answered.

--So much for the spirit of eternal unrest. --She teased

--Ooookay!--He raised a finger-- Lissen' that was waaaay before we became horsemen. I wont let you make me responsible for a title I didnt even have back then!-- his voice cracks just a tiny bit-- And besides! Im the spirit of eternal unrest, not the spirit of eternal sugar rush!

The comment makes his sister burst into loud laughter. She throws her head back and holds her ribs. Something in Strife calms at the sound,always happy to make his sister laugh. Its such a beautiful sound.

--I wonder if he still has that same intolerance!--exclaimed the black rider.

Death snarled-- I am not dealing with that.

--Me neither-- strife agreed-- its your bull to wrangle.

Fury shrugged--My own personal show,then.

--Your funeral-- the gunslinger corrected under his breath. A sugar rushed,grown War sounds like the stuff of nightmares right about now.

--Last time he lost control he almost cleaved you in half-- Death prodded with unhidden amusement.

The black rider shrugged-- he already apologized for It. The past is the past

Strife Turned in utter confusion-- Excuse me? I know he didn' do it on purpose but d'you know how unhinged you sound sayin' you'll forgive a near decapitation?

Fury snickered-- Ive grown a sense of humor,brother. Get used to it. Or are you begining to lose yours?

--Oh fuck right off!--He chided,turning Back to face the road-- 'm just sayin' it sounds crazy.

--You've said crazier-- she bickered back, unaware of the fondness that held the gaze of the eldest rider.

Death has missed this so much. Hes almost inclined to snicker,but he didnt want to Interrupt this very amusing battle of Witts. Ah,hes only missing the popcorn.

The gunslinger scoffed with a bit of annoyance,feeling more pressed than a panini-- Yeah,like what?

Fury thought for a few seconds,trying to remember a concrete example. --When you were at Belials dam in hell. You told war "we need you just shy of raging uncontrollable chaos or you might lose another arm"

--I...fine. ill give you that one.

Death couldnt help himself and let out a few chuckles. He gains an odd look from his siblings and says-- You two truly havent changed. I still remember you two bickered like this when we got our horses.

The she-horseman narrowed her eyes at the reaper like a discontent cat-- Then you proceeded to jump into the raging stampede. You have no place to talk.

--Hm...perhaps-- Him? Admitting defeat?. Strife was going to lose his shit.

Yet the gunslinger doesnt comment on it, he allows the moment to pass and he looks down at the ground with confusion and grief. Hes been worrying, gruellingly so. And now he shows up,face uncovered and acting so..cheerful.

Death.Cheerful...those are two words he would never think of stringing together in one sentence. Until now, that is.

It eats at him, he recalls all his sleepless nights wondering if he would lose the eldest to his mourning. He doesnt feel strong enough to ask,hes grown so accustomed to the reaper's cutting Words that now he cant concede the idea of actually talking to him.

Hes paralyzed by fear. An instinct telling him he Will be mocked and dismissed like Many times before. He wonders what must have happened for him to change so suddenly. Did he even want to know?

And what was he missing with Fury and Death? Theres a certain sadness in her eyes yet relief when she stares at the eldest of their kin. Did she reach out to him like she did with him? What did they talk about?

The gunslinger horseman wished War was here with them. The youngest had a knack for observation and insight. With his cool mind he would be able to tell,hes sure of it.

Until the red rider showed up,he would have to live with the tension in the air. An unspoken issue that still needed to be tackled, an issue that made Strife linger his gaze on the pale rider.

Beside wanting to memorize his face in case that mask comes back on,he also wanted to see how much hes changed. Death never said anything if he noticed. And his firey gaze had mellowed out into a dancing flame like the one in a fireplace.

The reaper "mellowed out" . It really is the end times,isnt it?. At least so it felt to the second oldest horseman,he picked at the situation day in and day out.

He saw his brother act in a way hes never seen before...

No. Thats a lie. Hes seen this behavior before,in the pale rider's youth when he only upheld the title of brother.

What had his journey shown him?

And what was Fury not telling him?

Strife pondered all this as night began to settle. They were in the middle of a barren city,taking refuge within one of the broken down appartment buildings. Around the first floor for easy escape and a good vantage point.

He lays there on an old,probably moldy sofa that he doesnt fit in. His legs hang and rest unconfrotably against the old stone floor thats overgrown by greenery.

Beside him a small fireplace burnt,one that Fury had set up and was currently allowing a kettle to simmer. He figured that after a hundred Years of living with humanity,she had grown attached to their customs. And honestly, the Four had always a bit of a fondness for such drinks.

Yet his ears keenly listen to a hushed conversation that Death and Fury are having outside of this run down appartment.

--I..havent told him-- came the voice of the she-horseman-- I dont think he felt you...

Death sighed and he could hear the shake of his head-- no matter. I dont believe he Will take it well. Neither Will War.

--I didnt feel you either. Not until I reached out-- She sounded confused,mournful. Its such an odd thing to be witness to- shes usually headstrong and sure of herself.

--I dont believe the Council wouldve liked us finding out about those kinds of things. They must have meddled somehow.

--How dare they?--Theres such a primal anger to her growl-- not even the decency to let us know...

--It wouldve raised alarms,sister-- the reaper answered,patting her shoulder-- No matter now. -- then he made a brief pause--...are you alright?

Fury scoffed-- No. --she then sighed,sounding Like she was deinflating as she calmed down-- How do you want me to be? After everything...-- she trailed off-- the pain just never ends for us,does it?

Death let out a low breath-- by our hand,it Will. Nevertheless,sister, I Will not expect you to be your usual self. I dont believe neither of us four are of clear mind at this moment.

--You'll find us all changed,brother.

Theres no hesitation in the reaper's voice as he says-- changed or not,we're still four horsemen united. Still we remain kin. Perhaps thats the only thing that wont change.

Strife heard the clink of armor against armor,he guessed Death hugged Fury. Or the other way around- he couldnt really tell.

Then his siblings returned to their camping spot. The she-horseman tended to the tea and Death stood there with his arms crossed and looking at the gunslinger with an actual amused smile(small, but still there).

--I pity the state of your spinal column.-- he tapped his index finger against his bicep expectantly.

--Psht, its a social construct-- he half joked,hoping that his lack of enthusiasm doesnt slip through.

Its been like this since the begining,Strife is devoid of witt and bite. Hes never quiet,unless something is bothering Him. Like when he found that dagger in Mammon's hoard.

He would rather not think about It, hed has enough of a bitter taste in his mouth. He centers on the faint chittering of cicadas And grasshoppers that begin to sing to the night Sky that remains unchanged with the moon shining bright.

The gunslinger's gaze gets lost in the dancing Fire,trying to make sense of his feelings. He is relieved that Death is alright,hes been worrying for milennia. Theres a joke in the situation that the reaper didnt give any signs of life but he really isnt in the mood for humor right now.

He cant pretend nothing has changed,and still his stupid face stares back at him. The strong features and now kind eyes remind the white rider of the nicer memories with the eldest,he hates it.

Enough was enough and he wasnt ready to reconcile the image of the perfect,protecting brother to the merciless kinslayer. It reminds him that a lot of the pain hes felt after the massacre was thanks to the hands of Death.

Yet anger cant seem to get a grasp on him,a part of him does understand that neither were the same after the siege of Eden. But why was he so cruel? So needlessly cutting.

No,he cant come back to play house without an apology.

Will he even get an apology?

--Strife...--Comes the firm voice of Fury as she hands him a Cup.

--Wha..?--He muttered,looking up to see the mug with steaming tea. He sighs and sits up,taking the cup in his hands and realizing soon he recognizes the craftmanship-- these are Gabrielles...

--Yes. She let me take them with me--The female nephilim answered-- Angie was specially happy to lend them after I told her i'd be seeing Jones too.

The white rider looked impressed-- Wait,does she know...?

--I had to tell her eventually-- Fury noted how...coy he looked. It was an adorable sight-- she really likes you.

Strife felt his face redden. Death didnt need to know about all this.

--Who is this Angie you speak of?--smug,smug old bag of bones and dust...

Fury scoffed and sent a malicious look to the second eldest who sinks against the couch and begins to dissociate as his face burns with shame. He is never living this down.

Death looks amused, wondering If some of his older brother habits rubbed off on the second eldest. He chuckled and said-- I see the resemblance with War...or is it William?

The gunslinger sets the mug on his lap and puts his hands on the eye part of his mask. He sighs loudly and says-- fury...I hate you...so much...

A laugh is the answer he gets-- Its adorable, brother--Fury takes a sip of her tea,just about to combust from how funny the image of his brother being flustered is. --She only says good things about you.

Death chuckled lowly,looking at his brother-- You've got a fan,strife. -- he teased.

Strife pointed at his eldest and said-- You. Zip. It.

The sound that comes Next stuns both of the younger riders. Its a sound that they've seldomed, something that they might have heard in a dream or a childhood memory- the origin is uncertain, which only floors them further.

From deep within the pale rider's gut, reverberating against his narrow diaphragma and his sinewy throat...Death laughs quite loudly and bares a fanged smile at his younger sibling.

Both siblings exchange a look of...surprise? Horror? Neither know but Fury just joins in the laughter out of either sheer desbelief or unbridaled joy. She throws her head back,her laughter growing a little deeper and scratching her throat at the shift in position of her traquea.

Yet Strife's hands begin to shake,his breath is uneven and his world began to swirl. He hurriedly sets down the cup and all but runs out of the appartment in a huff.

His eyes Sting with tears ,and he has to go to the floor underneath their camping spot and find a dark corner to curl into himself. His helmet gets torn off and he begins to heave in his breath.

Light does his chest begin to feel,pressure lowering and his eyes Rolling back into his head, yet he still cries. His whole body shakes like an unstable earthquake,and his throat feels like its scratched by a feral,scared animal trying to get out.

Water streaks down his cheeks and chiseled jaw, his lightly scarred lips quivering and his nostrills flare with each breath that burns his lungs as he cries.

The disconnect between both faces of his brother was breaking his mind in two. How could the same brother that was his lighthouse be the responsible for his pain all those milennia back?.

He cries, realizing now that his child self is begining to catch up to all the trauma and pain that Death has caused. His whole world is about to just fall and shatter as conciousness wavers between abandoning Him and staying.

Memories begin to mix,old and New,good and bad. His brother,the kinslayer,his role model,the butcher. Its all so,so much.

Strife put his hands on his face,clawing at his scalp to try and ground himself. He cries and tries to Keep silent and yet the beast within him,that wounded Child,wants nothing more than to scream and growl.

He spent the night Cooped up in that dark corner crying. Hes seldomed his siblings and the cup of tea that his sister has so kindly brewed for him.

Meanwhile at their camp,Fury begins to settle and see that her brother is not there. She tilts her head and asks-- was he..that angry?

Death narrows his eyes at the spilt cup of tea on the sofa and sighs-- not..angry. -- he raised a hand as his sister tried to stand up-- leave him alone. I dont think its wise to go out looking for him...you know how unstable his emotions are

Fury huffed,sitting down-- I just...I dont understand what is up with him.

The eldest rubbed his face with exhaustion. He underestimated how closed off Strife would be--I dont think he can move on,nor do I blame him. Ive been...awful,to say the least-- he gave his sister a reassuring look-- we'll find him in the morning. Neither of us can handle this right now.

With a sad nodd,the she-horseman went to a quiet corner herself and hoped that her gun-slinging sibling didnt do anything stupid. Death simply stared at the flame,knowing theres a lot of hard work ahead of him. And he knows hes going to hate it,mainly because he Will have to actually show emotions.

But he wanted that second chance and he got it,so he better do good on his word.

He did tell his sister to not meddle,but he does want to make sure that Strife is okay. Dust seems to pick up on this because the rebel corvid flies down to the hiding spot.

The gunslinger tries to Gently shove the bird back,but the crow is quite insistent and cuddles on the horseman's shoulder. He sighs and relents, at least he has this anchor.

Morning came soon.And when Strife appeared outside already on mayhem, Fury went to hop on the Mare and lean on her brother reassuringly. A brief touch but a show that she had worried.

He shook his head dismissively--Im fine.

--Youre not-- she said lowly,decisively and firmly. But she doesnt pry further.

Death sees his brother avoid his gaze, and this time he doesnt whistle to call for his steed. Simply he does a hand gesture and hops on the saddle quickly, sending Dust ahead to scout.

Yet before he obeys the commands of his master, the corvid settles on the white rider's shoulder and begins to preen off a few hairs with gentle care.

Strife snorts loudly and doesnt shrug off the bird. Hes also glad that his eldest of kin doesnt comment on it, Fury does though.

--thats how he shows he cares-- she said lowly for her saddle companion to hear.

--He can come and talk to me like an adult--The gunslinger ignored the hypocrisi in his statement. He could go and talk to him too.

After that,he Gently kicks the side of his steed and both stallions begin to ride forward to that accursed spire looming over earth.

This unrest he feels lingers for days. Strife wasnt sure what he was feeling, was it relief? Horror? Fear?. He didnt know what his emotions were doing,he was scared shitless and for the first time in his life he is unable to put his brother on a place that feels right.

First he could say that he admired and loved his brother,then that he couldnt stand him and yet still he worried. Now he didnt even know if he should talk to him,or talk back.

--Dust has seen some tracks that look like Ruins-- Commented Death,trying to prod his brother to talk-- Do either of you know what happened to War?

--He was casted to the abyss--Fury seemed to know,strife doesnt even react. He had his ways of knowing but still the idea of his baby sibling suffering such fate stabbed his heart.

Not that he would let it show.

--Only that?-- Asked the eldest,disturbed at how his once witty brother now seems lost with his gaze on the floor. Hes almost allowing Mayhem to set the path and route,at least the mare does try to follow along with their plan.

--Sadly,yes. I could try and reach out again-- the sister proposed-- Easier to find him if we just ask...

Death began to see the golden hour set in. He nodds and says-- We'll find a place for you to safely reach out to War. -- he then tried to Gently nudge the calf of his brother with his foot. Emphasis on the gentle part-- Is that okay with you,Strife?

The gunslinger seemed to blink out of his stupor. Unaware of the pained look of his sister behind him,what a horrible state to see him in.-- huh?wha- Sure. Whatever-- He murmured,breathing sharply and trying to save face.

Death flinched a little and drifted his gaze to the dark spot that was dust against the Pink and purple Sky. The colors swirl together and like melted honey they mingle. Its been beautiful day so far.

As planned they find a safe enough spot. An old greenhouse thats been largely overgrown by now. And near a park with a recornizable enough statue, woman with a fruit basket.

They hope the easily recognizable landmark helps the youngest rider to find their camp spot.

Fury goes to a quiet spot but as she passed the eldest she gripped his forearm hard,strong enough to dig her taloned gauntlets on the metal armor of her sibling.

--talk. To. Him. Now. -- she growled- no,demanded. -- I wont spend one more day with him like this.-- her hair flares a bright yellow,he recognizes the power of the Fire hollow. And he sees a few glimmers of purple in her hair as the force hollow allows her to sink her nails into his armor further only to prove and solidify her Point.

With a silent sigh he nodded and felt himself shoved a little with anger.

He goes to find his brother who stands before an overgrown pond. Hes looking down at his own reflection,the helmet Next to his pistols a few meters back. The golden hour makes his spiky hair look like a jagged eclipse with a ring of Orange lines.

Silent steps approach the gunslinger and he then says--Strife...we must talk.

--What is there to talk about?-- His brother answered,voice flat.

--The matter of why Ive been behaving the way that Ive been-- he stands beside his brother,looking at the face of his younger of kin. Hes also missed being able to see his face.

Perhaps without their masks,they can finally talk.

--I need you to understand that what I did, I did for War-- He began, his hands tightening into fists and then relaxing like hes a jittery cat. -- I visited the crowfather, and fought him. The amulet shattered and embedded itself in me.-- the recalling of those memories isnt pleaseant,but he must Keep going-- to resurrect humanity, to erase the crime,I had to make a sacrifice. I...threw myself into the well of souls. To exchange the nephilim for humanity.

--...so you died?-- his voice carries no life,no witt,no snark,no rebellious undernote or teasing remark.

--yes--death tries to be soft in the way he speaks,he recalls the way he used to Lower his voice and quieten his pronounciation. With a bit of ease,he slips into his old role as brother-- and before I did,I remembered our childhood. And I realize now that i...-- he hisses out a sigh-- Ive done Many things wrong..

He sees strife blink back into conciousness-- Yeah?

Okay, hes defenetly not hearing the end of this. Ever. But he is no stranger to making sacrifices for his siblings.

--Indeed,and I have hurt you all in ways my younger self would be horrified to know about. -- he sighed loudly and put a hand on his sibling's shoulder--And for all the titles ive beared,the only one I cared for, the only one I havent been able to uphold has been the title of Brother. I....am sorry. For all the pain I've put you through.

Strife Turned to face his brother. Expression confused and eyes widened to the point they might pop out of their sockets.

--You...are such an asshole!--he chided.

Death snickered and nodded--Indeed. Ive..been nothing short of awful. But I wish not to lose another brother,and yet another part of my soul.

The gunslinger snorted.Begining to cry and having to bite back a fanged grin that ultimately,hes unable to restrain. His tears look like Fire in the golden hour glow,and his eldest of kin Gently wipes them away.

--Would you throw yourself into a well for me?--He asked,showing a bit of his humor.

With a snicker,the reaper says-- of course -- he keeps wiping away the tears-- remember when you came back home late?

--You...wiped off the dirt on ma face--Strife recalled,feeling himself slowly return to his usual self. Thats all he needed to hear-- n tended to my wounds.

--I never felt...--He struggled to hold the eye contact,but managed to do so if only because he knows the gunslinger Will never forgive him if he chickened out now.

--C'mon,asshole,spit it out.

--So...scared of losing you-- he finally finished,feeling a bit of annoyance at the disrespectful remark. But he was in no spot to be picky-- The same way I...made sure we all returned from Eden. And having...died, showed me a lot of things.

A scoff left the white rider,he nodded along and his grin never wavered-- was that so hard?

Death snorted and shook his head-- you absolute blight...-- he said with fondness.

--Hey! You deserve it.

--I do.--Strife roughly hit the side of his brother and snickered at how he flinches.--i bear my heart to you and thats how im repaid?--The reaper teased.

--Now you know how I feel.

--Fair enough

Both stand there in the overgrown garden,a Tiny oasis in this abandoned world. Reminds them both of the forests they would train in,the places they would forage. Returning to their old selves perhaps wasnt so bad.

In the golden hour,Death finally can take in the face of his brother. He missed seeing it, its good to know neither have changed much in appereance.

The eldest sighed loudly and pulled his brother for a tight hug. And this time,Strife didnt fight back and melted into his brother's embrace. The eldest begins to sing a lullaby in nephilim tongue.

Hes never forgotten the words either.

--the sun's gone to rest. The moon above begins to show.

In the clouds lay your head,and hold tight to your Cowl.

And if the cold comes to bite you,nuzzle close to my heart right beside you.

Strife picked up where his brother left off-- night sweet night,of slumber and repair.

Pair with your loved one,as the shadows lumber again.

Safe against my ribs,holding you close to my heart.

And youll find nightmares to be scarce.

When morning comes,and the sun shines bright.

Open the door and play, ever spry.

The light of the sun begins to set,the hug tightens and neither feel the need to pull away. Not anymore.

Meanwhile,Fury sits on the inner part of the greenhouse. The Windows are overgrown and the whole room is dark and its the perfect place for her to zone out and reach for her brother. She worries still that Death Will mess this up,but theres little she can do to fix her eldest's problems.

Its not her responsability to fix it.

She does worry, she finds herself doing that a lot these days. And by now shes just bitten the bullet that she has a tender heart, and always had It.

With a shake of her head she sits on the mossy Grass and puts her hands on her knees as she is currently crosslegged. She has been practicing meditation with the humans,and shes found a few magical uses for it.

A deep breath fills her air with lungs finding the thread that connects the four that they are. A bond that felt like running horses,burning flames, coldest bite, frenzied,bloody and unmoving. But kind,growing and healing.

Its a hectic Line to walk,but Fury has grown accostumed to it and knows where to step now. She holds her breath,hearing the rustle of the wind that moves the vegetation around her.

Lowly,she sings a little lullaby of her own. Like the Cantrip of a spell to focus on a certain horseman,needing not of memories but rather calling to their very Essence.

Shes perfected it along the past months where her yearning for her family has grown exponentially since shes last reached out. she'd never admit to how tailored each verse became,and she would never admit she would read what human poetry was scavenged And saved before creating New Haven as inspiration for rhyme And reason.

Clearing her throat, she allows the words to flow. The Fire hollow ignites and spreads her warmth to the Flora,its Like the magic travels across the mycelium networks. Nature in itself carried an arcane connection like few things in life.

As Death had told her, Life was quite entwined with the ending of all things. Just like she was forever tangled in the thread of her brothers.

--Beyond the smoke,beyond the brimstone.

Hulking does your form become.

Pale red in the thin storm.

Of Fire and desolation thrown. --she can see her brother walking Among an Ashen field,perhaps it was during the battle of eden or one of their countless missions.-- I becon you red rider.

I becon you,my Kin.

My red cladded brother.

Sweet as you've always been.

She breathes out,sending the call out into the world. She finds It grip the mind and attention of War and she finds herself glowing like flame,still using her hollow power. She thought the Fire would help to center her magic, she knew flame was tangled deep within the red rider.

He stands there confused,magic has always escaped him-- sister...hello?

Around them is An ashen battlefield with dark clouds and faint Fire crackling over a storm that threatens to break anytime soon. Corpses around them are blurry,overlapping in details like mixed memories.

The air smells of ash,decay and smoke. Neither seemed to mind,the smell just a part of their lives by now.

--Dont sound so surprised-- She laughed,crossing her arms and tapping her index finger on her bicep. Little thing she got from Death.

--Your magic escapes me-- he chided,a little embarassed at sounding so caught off guard-- But its good to see you. You heeded my call?.

--Always...-- she said softly with a fond smile-- We are in a greenhouse. I Belive we're near an old plaza,grand. Broken statue of a woman with a basket of fruits.

War remained silent,the cogs clearly turning in his head as he slowly finds the place and the route to get there. --I believe I know the place. Shant take long,a days ride away.

--Dont overwork your horse,Will you brother?--she asked teasingly.

The youngest rider laughed--Will try not to-- He snickered and then returned to his serious demeanor. A little soft,and concerned-- How is Rampage faring?

Fury's smile Turned silken and gentle-- He's...reccuperating well. I feel him grow stronger every day.

--Perseverent and enduring. Much like you, sister.

She giggled-- Thank you,brother. How is Ruin?

--Hes doing well, the time with the demons still haunt his mind. But not as often,hes returning to his self.

--Good to hear--Fury Turned behind her,hearing a soft windchime that ends with the Roaring of a flame-- Ill dissapear soon. Come find us.

War nodded and pressed a gentle kiss to the forehead of his sister's apparition before both are pulled from this pocket dimention back to their bodies.

Fury does laugh at the gentle gesture,endeared at the unlikely softness of War. She stretches and takes a few minutes to shake off the strain this spell usually caused,and to give her brothers more time to reconcile.

She lingers for ten more minutes before standing up and walking to the garden. She finds the brothers hugging and just pulling back when she fully reaches the entrance to the place they are in.

Death pats the shoulder of his sibling,purpousely tripping Him into the pond,its easily 6 foot deep. He then turns to Fury,unbothered-- well?

--He'll be here tomorrow night,probably-- She answered-- if he takes longer,Its my fault. I dont want Ruin to be overworked.

--Good enough-- he nodded approvingly,crossing his arms over his chest and Gently tapping his index finger on his bicep--You seem tir-- his sentence is cut short when Strife yanks him by the back of his crusty,dusty,stinky purple cowl into the pond.

The pale rider stumbles into the cool water,letting out a curse in nephilim tongue and goes to fight his brother in the water. His black hair sticks to his face and he bites on It a little in the rustle And toussle of the fight.

And to add insult to injury,Fury calls upon her stasis hollow and throws a ball of freezing ice into the makeshift water feature. It freezes them in spot and she laughs loudly as shes deathglared by her kin.

--You two are like dogs-- she justified with no convincing tone that what she did was fair. She walks past them,sticks her tongue out and goes to find a patch of beautiful orchids to gaze at and take just a few blooms for herself. She freezes a few of the seeds and flowers,setting them in her bag for humanity when she eventually returns.

And they stay the night,there. The brothers do break from their icy Bonds and chase after their shit stirrer sister. For the first time in milennia,they feel like children again in their little chasing game and harmless sparring.

It ends with Fury in the pond,as Strife laughs loudly and Death watches on in smug content.

-♡-

The day waiting for War is spent in quiet storytelling. Drinking tea, and finally telling eachother about their journeys across realms and even...Time.

--Of course you get time jumping shit!--Strife chided,thoroughly offended. His voice cracks and he drinks what has to be his third cup of tea.

--Jealous much,brother?-- Death asked,nursing his fourth cup of tea as the afternoon settles above them. They rest in the cool shadow of the overgrown,dark greenhouse.

--Piss off!-- He chided again, pointing accusatorily at him-- gimme! Hand it the fuck over!

--In your wildest dreams,brother-- the eldest answered,smug as always and his face not hiding the utter contentment because of his kin's dismay.

--And you get hollows?!--He asked to fury. Shes also not exempt from his jealousy-- C'mon!!! Its not fair.

The she horseman snickered,seeing his brother In the lowlight of their campfire reminds her of the times they would spend the nights in candelight and tell eachother stories back when both were young.

--You mustve gotten something fun,im sure-- his sister said.

Strife sniffed, looking at the Fire and losing his train of thought in the process-- Last cool thing I got was the Void Bomb,An Aether Spark too. But I left it hidden. That power is not good in my hands

Death raised a brow-- And then you complain about having nothing...fun.

--If the creator ever decides t'send me on a fun lil' adventure of my own through time n' space ill let you know-- He snickered,a joke only to himself. He turns to something the others cannot see,and winks.

Fury rolled her milky white eyes and smacks her brother out of his otherworldly stupor-- idiot...--She bit with a smile--I'm telling you right Now this tea had nothing special.

--Y'know I do have one cool gift but I wont tell you-- He snickered,setting the empty cup on the Grass and he laying down-- 'nyway. Shut up. 'M takin' a nap.

He puts his helmet over his eyes like an ill-feeting cowboy hat and uses his arms as pillows. His back pressed against the soft moss.

The she-Horseman checked his cup just for good measure and shrugged at her brother who does a dismissive hand gesture. They resume their conversation

in a low tone as to not disturb Strife who got really bitchy if hes interrupted in his rest.

-♡-

When night comes,they Hear the clobbering of heavy hooves and meet their hooded brother out on the street. War seems a bit on edge,wondering how much do his siblings know. And if they believe him a traitor.

No animosity has been detected in his brief interactions with Fury though, which eases his nerves.

--Brothers...sister--He called out,not hopping off of Ruin just yet-- Theres much to talk about.

As if able to sense his worry,Strife says-- The council sucks ass. Whats New? --He has his helmet tucked between his forearm and rib. He smiles a fanged grin and adds-- Death here threw himself into a well of souls for you and to bring back humanity. Fury convinced Ulthane to help you and I never doubted you. -- he scoffed-- you? Breaking the rules? Pluh-ease.

War sighed with relief,hopping down from his horse. He pats the stallion's neck and dismisses the equine steed back to rest in his pocket dimention.

Death becons his brother closer and Gently dusts off his shoulder pauldron. A habit hes always carried,always a mother hen.--We'll talk in the morning-- the eldest decided,giving a complicit look to the other two siblings.--I believe we all had enoug bad news for a lifetime.

In their heads they get the faintest hint of an idea. And so they bring their sibling within the green house,to the pond that in hindsight it really is 6 foot deep, he'll fit just fine. And with their strength combined (and a bit of Force Hollow shenanigans) they throw their behemoth of a brother into the water.

He screeches at the sudden coolness before he looks at the three with the eyes of a kicked,betrayed puppy. His white eyes just widen and his lips part,and then prank clicks instantly. Their laughter wont last long.

And thats how they know they have messed up,as his eyes fill with determination.

War yanks his siblings by grabbing the three in a waist hug and throwing them into the pond with him. Laughing along at their dismay

The night is filled with the joyful laughter of the horsemen. And when theyre done horsing around, they all huddle in the darkened interior of the greenhouse and sit around the Fire with warm tea and content looks in their faces.

Death keeps watch for the night as his siblings rest with their weapons nearby. He sighs and with a smile In his face he feels like hes finally fulfilling his Word.

Kinslayer no more,Brother from now on.

[going-to-ikea-for-the-fries]

Bonded Pair (Pt.2) - OCxGhost Backstory.

|| [<- Part One] || [Part Three ->] ||

pairing: COD OC!Victoria "Whiskey" Callahan x Simon "Ghost" Riley words: 0.9K~ cw: canon Ghost backstory (torture, injuries), OC backstory (injury)

Soap got airlifted out in the middle of the night, after having walked a few miles in pitch darkness until the exfil location.

And although Ghost didn't hear it, he knows Laswell reamed out Whiskey for sending Soap packing.

Without Soap around, however, it meant they could get better sleeping shifts working.

As she woke up at 0200 on Day 5, she turned on her PTT. “I'm up…” She announced while rubbing her eyes.

Ghost had had nothing but time to think while she slept. 

When she wasn't dealing with Soap, Whiskey seemed like a good soldier. Smart, observant, professional, her head was always cool, her words calm and collected.

She was a strange one. He got some type of feeling of deja vu as they worked. Like looking in a mirror.

He had even called out to Laswell and asked for a bit more info on her, when, normally, he never would for anyone else.

“Morning, Sleepin’ Beauty.” He greeted.

“It's not morning yet. And don't call me Sleeping Beauty, or else I'll call you Grim Reaper.” She replied. Her voice was a bit raspy now that she had just woken up.

“It's morning enough…” Ghost retorted. He moved his binoculars in the direction of her camp, noticing her moving about in the dark through the night vision settings.

“Any movement?”

“Neg. Been peaceful.”

“Okay… Well, let me know when you want to sleep.”

“Rog.” There was a pause. Then, Ghost spoke again. “You seem much more relaxed without Soap here.” 

“I'm not a talker.”

“I've noticed.”

“You aren't either.”

“No, I'm not.”

“Then, this will make this mission easier. We can just stay quiet for the next two and a half weeks.”

“That we can.”

-

Day 5: 1800

Other than what they had to, to do their jobs, they stayed true to their word. They didn't speak again… 

.

.

.

For a total of 12 hours.

But then there was some type of… itch in Simon. He wanted to talk. He wanted to hear her.

“So what are you eating?” Ghost found himself asking while his plastic fork stirred his MRE.

“It's a… Mexican-style MRE. Has beans and cheddar cheese or something.” Whiskey replied. “It's the only one I actually don't mind eating. The others are disgusting.”

Through his binoculars, he could see her. And she could see him, if she peeked through hers He wondered if she was looking at him too or still focused on the job.

“You don't eat them for the taste-”

“I know you don't. I'm just saying.”

“Sounds better than mine, though.”

“What’s yours?”

“Some type of pasta thing.”

“Not bad.”

-

Day 5: 2000

“So, you and Johnny's girl…”

“Yep.”

“How long have you been friends?”

“Five years now.”

“Not bad.”

“That feels like a dig at my social skills.”

“It was. But I'm the same way. No offence.”

“None taken.”

“So, you didn't meet Johnny until now?”

“Nope. But heard plenty about him.”

“So what did he do?”

“Can't tell you.”

-

Day 6: 1300

“How long have you served?”

“9 years now. You?”

“15.”

“15? How fucking old are you?”

“31.”

“You joined at………. 16?”

“Affirm.”

“Interesting. Didn't know the UK let kids do that.”

“With parental permission.”

“I figured as much.”

“How old are you?”

“28, 29 this year.”

-

Day 8: 0200

“How was your sleep?”

“Decent.”

“As in… bad?”

“Yup.”

“Good to know.”

“Any changes?”

“None so far.”

“I don't like how quiet it is.”

“Neither do I.”

-

Day 11: 1200

“How'd you meet Laswell?”

“Being the only female Navy SEAL brings a lot of attention to me. You?”

“My Captain.”

“Right. Price?”

“You met him?”

“Worked with him last year.”

“What’d you think of him?”

“Eh… He was efficient. All in all have worked with less capable officers.”

“Don't trust him?”

“Don't distrust him. But that means nothing to me.”

“Same here.”

“He's your Captain, though.”

“And? People you know can hurt you the most.”

-

Day 14: 1630

“Where are you from?”

“North of England.”

“More specific?”

“Manchester. You?”

“Tennessee.”

“Explains the accent.”

-

Day 15: 0930

“Why the Navy?”

“It was either that or the Marines… and didn't get accepted into the Marines.”

“Why not?”

“My father was one. Pulled strings.”

“Trying to protect you?”

“Probably. Either way, I've been swimming since I was a girl. Navy made sense too.”

“I see.”

“Why the Army?”

“It was either that or construction.”

“Ah… not a lot of prospects.”

-

Day 17: 0045

“Why the mask?”

“Same as you. Bad job, bad people. Don't want to bare it out.”

“Yeah, but a skull? A real one at that?”

“You know it's real?”

“Of course I do.”

“Memory of a past life.”

“I see. Well, it looks terrifying.”

“Thank you. ‘s what I was going for.”

-

Day 19: 0350

“What's the worse scar I've got? I don't know. Have ‘em all over.”

“Gotta have a particularly nasty one, c'mon.”

“On my ribs, then. Big ugly fucker.”

“That's what I'm talking about. I’ve got a bad scar across the face. But my legs are worse.”

“Your legs?”

“Took a napalm bath.”

“Fuckin’ hell. And I thought mine were bad.”

“Yours?”

“Hung from a meat hook by the ribs.”

“Ouch. Are your organs okay?”

“They are now. Are your legs okay?”

“They are now.”

-

It was on Day 23, that stuff picked up the pace. The target was suddenly on the move and Ghost's voice rang out through the PTT to wake Whiskey up.

They contacted Watcher, packed up their nests and took off on foot to the helo to trail the HVT and intercept him.

Then, they split ways. Ghost reconvened with TF141 for the next part of the mission, and Whiskey took off to Algeria for her next assignment.

They parted ways with a look, the first of many to come, and a light fist bump.

[revserrayyu]

2.2 Penacony thoughts [part 5]

**Major story spoilers** as we’re finished the main story here. Going to be chatting even more about Acheron and our time in the Horizon of Existence, the real final boss, as well as all cutscenes that follow, so if you haven’t finished the whole story yet, I encourage you to come back and read this all later if you wish to do so after you experience everything for yourself first.

I gotta start off by saying that I absolutely love how this scene looks. Yeah it’s upsetting to learn that Acheron’s companion here is actually dead, but all the rain falling upon that red glow is just really nice to look at. Of course Acheron is slaying as usual too. I even dig the shadowy look of this man despite his circumstances.

Is Acheron kinda of like a grim reaper of sorts? At least that’s the feeling I’m getting when she says she’s guiding lost souls. And correct me if I’m wrong, but he is the one who wanted flowers on his grave, right? He just doesn’t remember I assume? It also seems that “Acheron” is just a river and I vaguely remember Acheron mentioning one during her conversation with the “Dreammaster” inside the park.

So I guess this is what all that red text meant? It wasn’t something we should have feared but a way to guide us forward, onto the right path? That’s how I’m interpreting it. Anyways, name drop reveals that this man was actually one of the Nameless buried at Dream Flux Reef.

Soon enough we arrived at the Horizon of Existence with Acheron and I’m like 99% sure this set of questions she asks us are close to the same exact ones she spoke of when we met her inside that first dream. I wish I remembered my choices to her questions from back then, because with the game only giving us one option to choose for each question, I wonder if it’s giving us the same option we picked when we first answered her because that would be amazing.

SHE. SAID. THE. THING!!! Acheron real name confirmed!!! Even though it’s pretty much what we all expected from the very beginning, it’s great for it to finally be true and not be a total secret.

A big ol’ cutscene begins and it reminds me of how little we actually received about Boothill, like yeah he shoots that fancy relic bullet up into the sky because he’s the only Galaxy Ranger around who can do so, but he didn’t do much else? I mean I absolutely enjoyed seeing him interact with Dan Heng and everyone else but to not even get the chance to fight a battle with him seems weird after 2.1 gave us the chance to really use both Acheron and Aventurine and test our their gameplay whenever we switched to their perspectives. Same thing happened with Robin too. We walked around as her and Boothill for brief moments but that was pretty much it, making the switch seem kinda pointless to me.

I got no words for this. It’s just an incredibly beautiful screenshot of her. I’ll never get tired of seeing all that red whenever this monochrome world takes over. Makes me regret skipping her every day but next time I’ll pull her for sure.

Yet another line she told us during our first encounter with her. Also, if this is the last time we see her in the story, I’m gonna be sad.

The crew!!!! I’ll admit it does look a little silly that we’re only armed with a hat while everyone else has a reasonable weapon, but I love each one of us so much!! It felt perfect for me to have Himeko in my team during the upcoming fight too.

While I figured we were gonna be blessed with Robin’s appearance and one of her songs during the fight, can I just say that I was not expecting the assist mechanic to be the mother-forking Express?? I had joked somewhere sometime ago that if Pom-Pom were to ever become playable, that their ultimate would be running the enemy over with the train and color me surprised, because that’s pretty much what happens!!

So the final battle itself went pretty well. Took a bit more damage than before but still an easier fight overall than how Aventurine’s went for me. I knew I didn’t have to bring in our dear gambler in since the fight itself granted us shields, but his helped me just fine along with all those follow up attacks.

I think my Trailblazer managed to do pretty well too? I stressed so hard to break that 145 on speed to access that secondary buff of the Talia planar ornaments, so that’s why other stats may be a bit lacking. At least I have break effect at 197%.. is that reasonable?

Anyways, as much as I adore Serval, I had to use the train to deliver the final hit.

Pfft, ain’t no way. Sunday is really over.

Look at us protecting March, aww!

Trailblazer pulls off some last minute talk-no-jutsu to get through to Sunday’s head and with a heartfelt embrace from Robin, I think it’s time to start crying.

C’mon, look at how gorgeous this is!! Such a beautiful sunrise to witness after all the chaos is over.

Surprisingly, the credits roll again only this time it actually feels like a proper ending to the story. It even lists Acheron’s true name, yet March still remains a mystery. When will we ever learn? Who knows.

Final cutscene of the patch begins and what do you mean Argenti saved Aventurine??? When and how and why didn’t we get to witness such a moment with two of Star Rail’s most beautiful men!

Aventurine betting his own life once again.. oh dear, you never learn. Then again, it seems you never lose either so, go ahead sweetie. Go get that promotion you so rightfully deserve!

This scene also bums me out a little because I was really hoping we would actually get to see Jade arrive in game this time around, but it seems we’ll have to wait even longer. Cutting it a bit close to her release with it being in the same patch but at least she’s phase two. I’m pulling for her day one though. I don’t care what happens in the story, it won’t change my mind about her! (to be fair, I’ve seen some leaks about her gameplay and, oh my god..)

Boothill unexpectedly enters the room after knocking out the two IPC guards outside the door and we’re left with yet another cliffhanger. Definitely not as strong as a final scene as the previous two versions but no way a random name drop could match a sudden surprise death either.

And finally, that’s all for now. Penacony remains to be a story full of mysterious twists and there’s plenty more to see.. hopefully. We still have no clear idea what happened to Firefly, then there’s all those bombs Sparkle was handing out to everyone, we still have to officially meet Jade and see what she and Topaz have planned. Sunday and Robin were last seen falling from the sky so they gotta land safely and I haven’t a clue if we’ll even see Acheron again. Here’s hoping 2.3 ties up all loose ends and gives Penacony the finale it deserves!

[ladyelissarose]

‘A Mother’s Revenge’

Chapter 11 - ‘Ghosts’

Warmings; nothing too serious… call of duty stuff yk.. enjoy :)

Alejandro’s POV

After Price had saved us, he took us back to my other hideout, where I had the rest of my team and soldiers working around that needed shelter and backup. I still couldn’t believe we were saved, I had doubts on how we were going to get out, but I’m glad that we’re now safe and landing on my land.

‘Home sweet home… now we’re on to the next-‘

“We’re here boys, let’s head down- Colonel?”

Price had turned to me ushering me to lead the way, so I did confidently,

“Alright hermanos, Meli… let’s go inside… follow me.”

Attentively they did, though I saw how Ghost eyed every corner and place his eyes could reach, he was the ever so vigilant and untrusting of every place.

‘Que fatasma.. quite the character Ghost.’

Couldn’t blame him though, he’s had it tough with everyone, always being betrayed and falling into the cracks of everyone’s mistakes and taking the hit for it. I now understood how he felt, after Graves pulled his stunt with us.

It still angered me, the problems he had caused and how we are set back a bit from schedule and plans. As I approached the door I prepared myself mentally to here the plan Price and I had made, I hoped a lot of them men agreed to this, and cooperated.

Though most of us were sick of the traps and needed a trusting team to get the good done without any betrayers and mishaps. Time was running thin and Hassan had it in his wicked hands for now, meaning we needed to take it back before he set the clock off. With a grunt I pushed the heavy wooden doors opened, I didn’t waste another second before I growled to my men after a whistle, calling for their attention,

“Hey Vaqueros!! Ponen atención!!”

This shit was about to get real.

‘Y me cansé de la mierda... hagámoslo bien.’

Let’s do this right or go to hell..

Ghost’s POV

Price began to speak loud and clear what our plans were, which was taking back our HQ and killing Graves, I felt it was the right thing to do… he screwed us all up and our plan anyways. He had commented to me what was up next for us to move on, and I was damn ready to proceed.

I didn’t feel exhausted or angry, needing to rest and take a day- no no… I felt hungry for revenge and was ready to take what was ours. Speaking of revenge, it reminded me of Meli, who stood right next to my hip at the sight of all these men around us, she looked hesitant but her chin was held up high after I told her to not look down.

Back in the heli I had asked her about what she thought about getting Graves then Hassan, I was nervous that’s she might not want that as she had been targeting Hassan mostly. But thankfully she confirmed that taking Graves down was her main interest as of now… sense he hurt her and us. It made me warm at the thought of her caring for us, when at first we were the last interest on her mind.

‘How people change huh?’

My attention was then averted to Price when he added,

“We are not 141 and Los Vaqueros on this… we’re a team-“

I then grabbed the bag I had handed to Meli to hold and I dispensed what I had in it onto the table as Price ended with,

“Ghost team.”

I took a deep breath as I was ready for the next… I have been preparing my entire life for this moment… taking off my mask. It exposes everything of me, but it’s who I am, and the people that truly protect and save me, should know the face of who it is they’re saving every time. I sucked in a breath as I got the bottom of my balaclava and slid it off completely, revealing me.

‘Here goes nothing..’

Meli’s POV

‘What’s he- oh my god...’

Who would’ve ever thought that the cold killer behind a Grim Reaper mask was actually the whitest and most beautiful jewel ever? He was definitely a diamond in the rough, scars and all.. edges that could cut deep and yet… he shined so bright.

A purple bruise decorated his left eye, but it didn’t hold me back from admiring his hazel eyes, behind his blondish lashes.. it didn’t take much for me to admit.. that Simon Riley was a beautiful man.

But my heart ached at the dry bloody nose he had and the other bruises that rested along his sharp jawline. And it broke me even more to know I did that to him, when we fought back in Las Almas. I didn’t deserve to see him, after sorta betraying and hurting him… Simon deserved much more and better than me for sure.

I know he’s lived a tough life, the scars and his harsh ways speak it clearly. My eyes no longer looked at him as I averted my gaze to the floor, not wanting to see the damage I caused him as he had tried to save me.

‘I’m sorry for making your already hurt face more hurt… I didn’t mean to-‘

“It’s alright Meli… we’re a team now.”

A soft gasp escaped my lips as I felt a warm shock, Simon’s uncovered hand had enveloped mine tightly, while he spoke those words to me lowly. He tugged on my hand and I took a quick glance at him, but his small, genuine smile of assurance had me locking my sight on him, as he added,

“Ghost team.”

I felt confident to squeeze his hand back as Price spoke out to him,

“Good to see you again Simon.”

Simon let his eyes rest on Price for a moment as he nodded slowly, he seemed to be very pleased with himself as well as his gaze had softened. I turned to look at all the masks that laid out before us, and before I could assume what they were for, Price informed,

“If you’re in, take a mask.. if you’re not- don’t.”

‘Fuck yeah I’m in.’

I didn’t waste another second before reaching for one, I was in 100%.

‘This is what I came for..’

Soap’s POV

‘Guess the Brit is pretty after all.’

A smirk made it onto my lips as I gazed at Simon for the short while he had his face uncovered. He was quite the sight to behold, I never doubted it, but I couldn’t picture it right… but now I can. I felt brave and noble as I pulled a mask towards me to slip it on. Pride swarmed in me at the thought that these were Simon Riley’s masks… Ghost’s masks.

‘Mmmm… now I’m a Ghost.’

Once I had slipped it on, I instinctively looked at Ghost for approval, at first his eyes were on Meli as she fit hers on, he stared at her intently as she fixed her hair to be inside it, he even extended a hand to help her fix it right at her eyes when he saw she wasn’t getting it right on the spot.

It made me giggle to see this killer be so gentle with a woman, especially Meli when he wasn’t so fond of her at first.

‘How people change huh Simon? Now when is it my turn?’

I guess he felt me starin’ at him and perhaps hearing my jealous thoughts of wanting his attention. He suddenly turned to me, giving a wink my way and nodding.

Approval. I’ve never felt more better than now, my dude points were back at a high level now, getting shot back there was long forgotten as I wore the mask of a legend.. and had a new team name.. Ghost Team.

Now we all awaited in place, for Ale to give us our next orders as he went on to say,

“We will lie in wait till we hear news on where he might possibly be. It won’t take longer than a few hours hermanos, I know we want to take him down as fast as possible. But for now, take shelter and rest here, you’re going to need it.”

Price agreed as he lastly said,

“Please boys, get what you need, rest or hydrate- check your amo and wounds.”

We all replied in sync and began to go our separate ways. I knew I wanted a good shower and a clean tending to my arm, so I quickly went to Ghost as I put forth,

“I’ll be at showers mate, let me know if they get a trace and are ready to head out.”

Simon patted my shoulder,

“I will Johnny, go on… mask fits ya Scot.”

He pointed to my face with bright eyes and I was grateful my blushed face was covered, I could only muster out,

“Thanks LT..”

He sent me a last nod and I pat Meli’s cheek before walking off. I was hoping to get a good refreshment in and rest… cause Ale was right.. we were going to need it.

Meli’s POV

I knew I needed a shower, but I wanted to rest my head for a bit.. I was feeling emotional for some reason all of a sudden.

The back of my eyes burned and my lungs felt like they were trembling with every breath I took. A heavy weight rested on my shoulders and a cold shudder came onto me, spreading all over and making me feel sick. My mind tried to fight what I felt,

‘Just take a deep breath… you’re ok. You’re safe and getting closer to the end of it.. it’s ok… just breathe..’

I don’t know how long I had been standing still after I said goodbye to Soap when I felt Ghost tug on my arm and ask,

“Hey? You alright Meli?”

I shook a bit and blinked twice before replying to the floor, as I refused to look at him, knowing that if I did, I’d cry.

“y-yeah… I’m fine-“

“Melione. Look at me.”

He tried to reach for my chin but I pulled away, the air constricting in my throat as the dam of emotions in me was starting to break in me. I felt emotional about everything but couldn’t pin point it specifically, and I didn’t want to break in front of him.

So I darted to the doors without saying another word, I could hear him calling out after me, but it was silenced once I was outside the doors. My sudden anguish suffocated me and I was desperate for air,

‘I want to cry so bad… scream and fight.. just lose it… I want to be held.’

Ghost’s POV

“Meli!! Melione!? Wait-“

‘What happened?!?’

Had it been any other time in my past, or any other person… I would’ve let them run away.. let them deal with their emotions on their own, like I always did. But with Meli? I couldn’t… I wanted to be by her side, through good and all, and I refused to let her sit in her own pain. And I was a strong man, I could take whatever she wanted to give. So out the door I went, regardless of who she was on the other side of it, broken or whole, angry or happy… I didn’t care anymore.

‘I’m coming Meli..’

I pushed the doors wide and walked out, feeling the soft rain of the evening hit my mask and it’s fresh scent embrace me fully. I had missed days like these, they were sometimes the only good thing in my life at the time, as this weather was my favorite. My eyes darted everywhere, as I searched- but it didn’t take long to see the figure ahead of me, looking so small as they embraced themselves. My heart clenched as I could see their shoulders shake a bit, I knew they were crying… I knew Melione was crying.

‘Aw Meli… I know. But.. what do I say? Are you ok- no… do you need something- no noo… fuck. I’ve never done this before. But I want to.. for her. I’ll just-‘

She was quite a good 6 feet away from me, getting slowly soaked in the rain, I took a deep breath and called out to her loudly, but trying to hold a nice tone to it, to not scare her.

“Melione?”

I clearly heard her let out a low sob of words,

“S-Simon?”

I sighed in relief of who knows what- maybe that she answered back? I called out again, as I didn’t know what to say again,

“Melione-“

“I’m so sad.. I-I don’t know wh-why. I-I was just fine in the heli but n-now?”

‘Because it’s been a lot Meli… this is all new and traumatizing for you… you let your anger out already.. now it’s the sadness of it all Meli…’

I could’ve said those words to her, but it would’ve been gibberish instead, because I’ve never spoken my heart out. So instead, I extended my arms out? That’s how a big works right?

‘Why do I feel so scared? Just.. go on with it.’

“I know Meli… c’mere.”

It took a few silence seconds before her head turned to the side, then her body followed until she was facing me, still hugging her body tightly. Her mask was in her hand and her hair covered her face, sticking to it cause of the rain, but I could make out her red eyes and pink cheeks.

I extended my hands further to her, closing and opening my hands, signaling her to come closer. Her face scrunched up a bit as she let out a soft sob and wiped her eyes, she was tired.. of everything. I waited patiently, not wanting to move until she gave the go for me or moved herself, and I knew I’d wait all night for her, in the rain, dark and all.

Slowly, she lifted on foot and stepped forward, that was enough for me to praise and entice her,

“Good.. come on… I got you.”

Her foot stayed in place, and she turned her head to the side, like shying away, her arms curled tighter around her waist as if she was in pain. And I knew she was, when I’d be desperate for release of all my feelings, I’d get pain in my gut and stomach, breathing was even painful. But in an instant, I could hear her boots slam on the wet pavement, before I could catch on, her face collided into my chest as she threw herself onto me.

Her hands were around my waist as her faced buried closely to me, she let out a deep breath before beginning to cry softly. My arms secured her on me, and I stroked her back slowly. It was as if she was a little kid, a little girl, who was at her wits end crying and wasted. Her body felt limp against mine, she was giving up her strength as she broke apart. She was like a broken vase, holding all the water together but finally chipping apart and letting it out.

I knew she was very exhausted in every aspect, I could feel it when her knees finally buckled under her weight of all of this sense the beginning.

But she never met the ground again when I picked her up from it, she didn’t have to cry alone anymore. Her arms wrapped around my neck as she buried her face into my neck and then let out full sobs. Her feet were off the ground, as she was obviously shorter than me, and I used my strength to hold her up and closer to me, giving her the embrace she needed.

I leaned my head onto hers as I whispered,

“It’ll be ok Melione… let it go.”

Her sobs sounded so deep and broken, but like if she was releasing something as well, finally letting go. My hand snaked onto her hip as I held it tightly, and my other hand caressed her head softly, her legs soon wrapped around me, tightening her hold as well. The rain happened to start falling harder, the heavens were crying with her, but I refused for her to get sick and her stitches to get soaked, so I carefully began to walk back to base, but she grabbed onto the back of my neck and pleaded against my neck,

“Don’t let me go Simon… please.”

I shook my head as I promised,

“I won’t dove.. it’s ok.”

I was being honest.. I never letting her go.

Meli’s POV

We walked- Simon walked us into what looked like a separate bedroom, given to him sense he was of a higher ranking. It gave me the peace to cry on until I ran out of everything.

I felt more exhausted after crying for at least two hours, and Simon never let me go the entire time, I knew he had cried at some point, his tears had ran down my temple where he laid his face. We comforted each other in the silence, reliving ourselves from what had been eating at us this whole time.

But now as we had calmed down and sat next to each other, we felt sleepy and hungry. Simon suggested I’d shower while he went to find something, so he helped me cover my stitches so I could shower, and once I was out he kindly asked me to drink a warm tea and eat what he had found for us.

After eating the little empanadas and sipping the tea he had made (which was delicious as ever) I dried my hair and got my things, ready to walk out so he could sleep for a bit, he had just gotten out of the shower. He looked more relaxed in just a black Henley and black cargo pants as he walked out, slipping his mask on. I took the chance to ask him right away,

“Umm.. Where’s my bag Simon?”

Simon was quick to let his eyes set under his bed, letting me know it was there as he questioned,

“Why Meli?”

I didn’t know how to tell him but honesty was the best answer, so I replied,

“So… so I can go to the barracks… let you sleep?”

He grunted lowly and pointed to his bed,

“It’s comfier here dove, there’s too many other men we don’t know, and you’re the only woman around.”

Was he suggesting I stay with him? I mean it made sense and it honestly would make me feel more safe, as I know Soap, Rudy and Gaz were sharing barrack rooms, and Ale had his own as well as Price.. so meaning I would technically be on my own.

I then looked at his bed, seeing it was a good size and had the most soft looking blanket on it made me even more sleepy. A rough hand then gently grabbed my own and led me to the bed, as Simon softly ushered,

“Get in Meli.. go on.”

Without thoughts I let my exhaustion lead me and place me under the soft blanket, I cuddled into it and sighed with content. My eyes then landed on Simon who tried to get comfortable on the little sofa next to me, I felt a little bad as I watched how he tried to fit his abnormally large body onto the little sofa. I still can’t believe how big he was, it was crazy yet good on his part- well sometimes.

‘Oh Simon.. you barely fit!’

“Simon… we can trade-“

He groaned as he stretched his back onto the cushions, his large size on the tiny sofa made him look larger, like a giant teddy bear. But he let his words come out like honey as he sighed,

“No Meli… sleep.”

“But-“

“Sleep Meli.. you need it dove..”

I then bit back the offer to switch as I knew he wouldn’t change his mind, so I proposed,

“We can share the bed… we fit.”

His face faced the ceiling with closed eyes, but he slowly lifted his hand and with a pointer finger he signaled to me ‘no’ along with some words,

“No Meli… you need plenty of room for good sleep, you’re shot up and stabbed, you need space. But thank you.”

I nodded though he couldn’t see, but I responded,

“You’re welcome… you’re still welcome on here anyway if you change your mind.. the blanket is soft and the bed is comfy.”

‘You need good sleep too Simon, regardless of what it is.’

Ghost’s POV

‘Ahhh Meli. I’d kill to say yes.. but I need to respect you…’

God only knows how bad I want to be on that bed, it looked comfortable and the the blanket … it appeared so soft and heavy. I liked sleeping with that combination, something soft and heavy on me… but I wanted to give Meli her space, tho she insisted kindly. Anyways, I told her again,

“I’ll think on it. Now sleep.”

“ok… night Simon.”

She sounded defeated. So I had to reassure her I wasn’t rejecting her, and myself that I wasn’t, her voice let me know she thought so, so I lastly bid more kindly as possible,

“Goodnight Meli.. sleep well.”

I could imagine her smile of comfort as she replied differently, happily almost,

“Goodnight Simon.. sleep well too.”

[cyborg-franky]

Happy Halloween/X-mas!

I got a Halloween prompt in for my Secret Santa so I jumped at the chance <3 I hope they like it [they don't have a tumblr but posting it here also @op-secret-santa

Sabo and Ace throw an awesome Halloween party for the people they care the most about. PLATONIC Word Count: 965

“Think this is the year we tell Luffy he’s getting way too old for Trick or Treating?” Ace asked as he climbed up on the chair, hands full of fake cobwebs and a roll of sticky tape, the intention of sticking the webs across the ceiling of their apartment.

“I mean, he seems happy enough to keep going and he’s not dragged us out in a minute so, I don’t think it’ll be the end of the world if he puts on a cape and goes screaming through the streets for candy, right? Keeps him out of trouble and eating everything we put out for the party.” Sabo replied and picked up the scattered magazines from the table.

“I guess your right,”

Ace shrugged his shoulders as he focused on his task, pulling the tape taut and using his teeth to cut it, a wad of cobwebs in the other hand, sticking it across the ceiling. Sabo watched for a moment making sure his brother didn’t fall off the chair, again.

“How many people are we expecting this year?” Sabo asked as he retrieved his phone from his pocket, looking at all the notifications, seeing messages from those he’d invited to their yearly Halloween party.

“Oh shit, now your asking.” He sighed and finished sticking the last string of white nylon covered in tiny fake black spiders in place. “Marco, Thatch, Izou… Kiku… Yam’s… I think all of Luffy’s friends are coming over when he finishes up…” Ace paused, thinking of the guest invites in his head as Sabo flopped on the couch.

“Koala is my only confirmed guest..” Sabo sighed and tapped his foot on the plush carpet, looking over in time to see Ace almost fall off the chair as he climbed down. “Eh, she’s the only fun one anyway so it doesn’t matter right?” Ace offered with a grin.

“That’s true, the rest are busy working, and no one seems as into Halloween as me.”

“Man, no one is as into Halloween as me you, and Luffy though, most people are normal about it.” Ace grinned, his freckled cheeks rounding as he could tell he was making his brother’s mood change, the frown melting away into a matching grin.

“Yeah, that’s a good point.”

–

Ace and Sabo spent the rest f the afternoon rushing around, decorating, and carving pumpkins to set around the apartment. It was a lot of effort and work but was something they both loved, it helped them feel closer as brothers, something they could always agree on.

Sabo was in the kitchen looking at how many beers they’d stuffed in the fridge along the shelves that didn’t have food. People always thought the brothers brought in help when it came to hosting their Halloween parties but no one really knew how put together and handy around the kitchen Ace was.

Both had headed into their respective rooms, rushing to get dressed for the party. Ace wore his cheesy werewolf costume, fake ears, paws, ripped jeans, and his chest on display. Sabo had gone for something fancier, and something that covered more of himself. A grim reaper in a vintage-looking cloak, gloves on his hands, and some dark makeup.

The doorbell rang and alerted them of their first guest, they made bets on who it was as Ace walked down the hall, opened the door, and saw his three best friends standing there. Thatch dressed as a pirate, Marco as a bat, and Izou as the bride of Frankenstein. Ace grinned and stepped back, letting them all in.

Koala didn’t take long to arrive with the other girls, Nami and Robin, Kiku. All dressed in matching outfits, looking beautiful. Ace was about to compliment Kiku when he felt an aura emitting from Izou in the corner and simply welcomed her to his home.

The rest of their guests came in one big group,  Luffy letting himself in with everyone piled behind him. Usopp, Brook, Franky, Sanji, Zoro and Yamato. The party suddenly got very, very loud, and even more life was injected into the get-together.

Everyone dressed up, milling around their apartment, catching up with friends, having drinks, and eating snacks before Ace, Sabo, and Luffy got to them all first. Marco sat with Ace on the sofa as people chatted and swayed to the cheesy music.

“You did great everyone's having a good time,” Marco said sipping his beer and watching Ace stretch out his legs, the beaming look of pride on his face. “Yeah, we didn’t do too bad huh?” Ace sighed, happy as Sabo suggested spooky-themed games to which there was a collective cheer.

The night grew longer as games were played. Sabo was in charge of the first few games before Ace picked himself off the sofa to join in. At some point the music was turned from songs to spooky sound effects, someone had dimmed the lights, and Ace and Sabo had helped usher everyone into a circle around the room.

“Ghost story time!” Thatch proclaimed as Ace got comfy on the floor, Sabo sat next to him cross-legged as Luffy draped himself across his brothers with a loud giggle.

Everyone took it in turns to tell spooky stories, Thatch always the king of them, making everyone (well, not Robin) sit on the edge of their seats, biting their nails and gripping the cushions as he told his.

Ace leaned in, intently listening before Thatch shouted, a jumpscare, he jumped and elbowed Sabo who was laughing at him, Luffy in fits of giggles and was rolled off of their laps until he was in the center of the room. Everyone now laughing at their friend's outburst.

The party was so full of life and joy as friends and found family all enjoyed the night.  

[broiderie]

Lost Princessa: Meet the Reaper 23

It's finally here guys. SO sorry. This had been a hell of a summer. Not to get too into detail, but I've been dealing with heart trouble all summer. Recovery just isn't as swift as I'd like it to be - especially with me still working full time and sometimes a lot more.

I'm not getting a lot written every day so I'm behind. Very behind. I am still writing. It's just behind as hell.

Without further ado - here we go.

As always, please do not repost, translate, or otherwise reuse my work.

Warnings: none as far as I know. I don't think I even curse in this one. As always let me know if I missed something. This is a fluffy daddy-daughter day.

Hank chuckled as Megan broke down into a fit of giggles at her godfather and aunt’s play. She snuggled back into his lap and lifted her face to his for a kiss. He kissed her gently and smiled again.

“So… what do we do until the meeting?” she asked. 

“Well… You are going to take it easy, Poquito. You’ve been going nonstop for days,” Bishop said, sipping his coffee.

“But Tío…”

“Don’t ‘but Tío’ me in that cute voice. I know you’re healing just fine, but even so - a day of rest won’t hurt you.” He smiled softly. “Don���t make me assign you a babysitter. Your prima would be happy to oblige, I’m sure.”

Taza laughed at the pout Megan was giving the Mayan president. “How about a compromise, Chica?”

She perked up a little. “Like what, Papa?”

“If you promise to take it easy, we’ll go to the tack shop and find you a saddle, hmm? One with stirrups short enough for you to ride.”

Megan’s face brightened considerably. “I promise not to overdo it, Papa,” she assured him.

He looked to Bishop. “Fair enough?”

Bishop nodded. “Fair enough. But it’ll have to be without Hank.” He looked at the large Mayan who was cradling her still. “I need you with me today. Need to start planning the next shipment for Galindo.”

Hank sighed and nodded. “Alright.” He glanced down to meet Megan’s big brown eyes. “You’ll be okay with Taza, right?”

She smiled a little and nodded. “I’ll be fine.”

He pressed a kiss to her lips and smiled. “Any chance I could talk you into taking my bank card with you?”

She rolled her eyes. “Not in the least.”

Diana laughed as Hank made a face. She looked to Marcus with a small smile. “And you, mi rey?”

Marcus affectionately tugged her off the arm of his chair and into his lap. “I am spending the day with my girls before they have to head back.”

Tessa peeked around the kitchen doorway. “Really, Papa? The whole day?”

He smiled and waved her in to sit her on his other knee. “Until I have my meeting this evening - yes. The whole day.”

As the dishes were finished, both clubs split up to take care of day to day tasks. Marcus took Diana and Tessa to the movies for family time. Bishop, Creeper, Riz and Hank split for the clubhouse to begin discussing routes for the next heroin  protection run. And the others all split off to do their own things leaving Taza and Megan home alone.

Megan quickly went to get her boots on - cowboy boots today - and slipped her back up gun into her ankle holster. She used the waist holster today for her 9mm to better conceal it under her hoody.

Taza rapped at the door gently. “Want your hair done, Chica?”

“Please, Papa? It should be dry enough now.”

He grinned and moved to stand behind her at her dressing table. “How do you want it today?”

“Can we just do one braid today? I’m going to wear my hat.”

“Of course.” He quickly french braided her hair into one long braid, fastening it with the hair tie she handed him. He reached and got her cowboy hat from where it hung on the corner of her dresser mirror and handed it to her to settle. “Beautiful, Sweetheart. Let’s go get our kuttes on so we can head out.”

Megan settled the off white hat on her head with her good hand and smiled. “Alright, Papa.”

Megan picked up Rex’s leash from the hook by the door, but left his harness. His collar would be enough for the feed store.

Taza loaded Rex with a smile and settled into the driver's seat of Megan’s Mustang. He’s already helped Megan to buckle up and now it was time to fulfill the promise he’d made her on her second day of knowing him. They were going to get her a saddle.

The tack and feed store was on the other side of town from the ranch, but neither of them minded the short drive. They spent the time talking about what kind of tack Megan preferred. 

Taza was surprised when Megan admitted that she’d owned two different kinds - a roping saddle and an Australian saddle.

“I figured you had a roping saddle. I saw the videos of you doing goat tying. I just figured that’s what you always rode,” he said smiling at her when they stopped at a red light.

“Well - I loved my roping saddle, but it wasn’t practical for cutting competitions. I couldn’t grip the saddle horn well enough to stay on. My Aussie had breakaway stirrups and a much taller horn. Besides, it was so much larger than my roping saddle. That meant I could ride the bigger cattle horses.”

Taza shook his head, amazed at how she could break down the sports that she spent her teenage years doing. “Well Chica, we can probably find you a roper today. We can ask about the Australian though. I don’t think that’s a common saddle here.”

She laughed. “I’ll ride anything that I can reach the stirrups on, Papa. I’m not picky.”

It wasn’t long before Taza parked the Mustang in front of a small, rundown store outside town. Megan could see silos behind the building and a peeling sign that stated that it was the “Feed Store”. Taza quickly came around to help Megan out of the car and unload Rex. 

“Alright, Chica, c’mon. I want to introduce you to Evan. He does barn chores for me when I need him to. He’s also the one who will be delivering the feed, so we should probably introduce him to Rex so he doesn’t get eaten next delivery.” He grinned as Megan settled her hat better and adjusted Rex’s leash so that she’d have better control over the big dog.

“Lead the way, Papa.”

After introducing Megan and Rex to the teenager who Taza paid to take care of his hoofstock, Taza led the way to the back room of the store. There were racks of saddles there, new and used.

Megan took a deep breath and smelled saddle soap and leather. She smiled and felt the smile grow as she moved to examine the saddles closer. 

Taza chuckled and tugged Rex’s leash out of her hand. “Go on Chica. See what you can find.”

Megan never stopped smiling as she went to work. She kept coming back to a black saddle with minimal tooling on it though. It was a Mexican Roping saddle which meant the saddle horn was larger than the one she’d had in Tennessee, but the stirrup length was highly adjustable. There was very little decoration on it. Just a few stars tooled into the skirting in black on black along with a single star on the saddle horn. She finally looked up at Taza. “Papa?”

“Sí, Chica. Is that the one you want?” he asked. 

“If you don’t mind…”

Taza chuckled. “I wouldn’t mind any of them, Sweet Chica.” He called Evan over. “Do you have a breast band and bridle that match that one?”

Evan checked the item number. “We do. The bridle has star conchos on it in silver.”

“We’ll take them then. And a saddle pad,” Taza said. He grinned at Megan. “I tend to double blanket, so the saddle pad can just go under the blanket you pick.”

She laughed. “Alright. But I don’t know if this one will fit Trucker. He’s huge.”

Evan checked the size. “You won’t be able to double blanket him, but it should fit well enough for trails. Shouldn’t be a problem with Rocket and Sugar though.”

Megan breathed a sigh of relief. 

Taza grinned. “She’ll probably be on Rocket the most. She was a barrel racer,” he explained to the boy.

“Ah yeah. That one will fit Rocket real well. It’ll look real pretty against his coat too,” Evan said. “I’ve got that new snaffle in for you too, Taza, and I’ll find a black tie-down to add to this for the ranch trails. Need anything else?”

Taza looked to Megan who shook her head. “I think that’s it Ev. Just add it all to my bill this month, will you? And can you deliver the saddle this evening?”

“Sure. No problem. You want me to ring you up now or…” the teen asked.

“Just charge it, please. Megan doesn’t do well when she knows the prices of things.” Taza chuckled as Megan stuck her tongue out at him playfully.

Even grinned. “Yes, sir. I’ll bring it by when I come to muck out this evening.”

“Good.”

After a little more polite chit chat, Taza excused them from Evan and they loaded back up in Megan’s Mustang. He grinned as he settled into the driver’s seat. “Ready, Chica?”

Megan looked puzzled. “For what, Papa?”

“Well - I’ve got you all to myself until this evening so I thought we’d do something fun.” He slid his round sunglasses on and handed Megan gers. 

That made her giggle as she slid on her own. “Alright. So where are we going?”

“You’ll see.”

Megan smiled and settled down into her seat as Taza drove. Every once in a while, Rex would nudge her good arm with his enormous head for scritches.

They weren’t driving very long when Megan caught sight of a ferris wheel in the distance. “Papa. Are we going to a carnival?” She looked at him excitedly. 

He laughed. “Your tíos saw a poster for it. They’ve got a rodeo going today too.”

Her eyes lit up even more. “Seriously?”

Taza nodded. “Probably just the minor and pre-events. The big stuff like bull riding and the finals will be tonight while we’re in Mexico. I thought maybe we’d have some fun on the midway and watch a few events.”

Megan bounced in her seat. “That sounds awesome!”

Taza chuckled and shifted gears to turn down the gravel road. He paid for them to park in the field across from the midway. After helping Megan out of the car, he put the top up to keep the dust out.

A few minutes later they were walking through the gates to the middle of the carnival.

With Megan’s arm still injured, rides were out of the question, but the games were still an option. Taza bought Megan some cotton candy and won her a stuffed duck throwing baseballs at milk bottles. When it came to the shooting games though, Megan beat his score every time. He had great aim, but Megan was still better even one handed.

As it approached lunch time, Taza convinced Megan to eat from one of the local charity booths. He ordered them both ribeye sandwiches with cokes. Once they’d claimed their food, he led the way to the arena in the back. Megan chose seats halfway up the metal bleachers in the center of the stands. As they situated themselves, the announcer came over the loudspeaker.

“Ladies and gentlemen - it is now time for our junior girls speed competition. These beautiful young ladies will compete for the best time as they dodge in and out, weaving between these poles on their horses. May the best lady win!”

“Ooh! This is a fun event,” Megan said, sharing a bite of her sandwich with Rex. 

“Yeah? Did you ever compete in it?” Taza asked smiling as he watched her sit forward to see.

“Once or twice before I was really old enough to ride barrels. It takes a different skill set than barrels does. Your horse can’t be just fast. They need to be able to change direction really quickly too.” She pointed at the horse and rider entering the arena. “Oh - these are the littles too. They’re so cute.”

Taza chuckled at the girl who was lining up to run. She was probably a pre-teen, but her shirt and tack shone with rhinestones. “I kinda wish I had pictures of you from your first rodeo day.”

Megan laughed. “I wasn’t nearly as sparkly and shiny, I assure you. I think when I rode my first time, I’d just been thrown while exercising one of the ropers' horses and was covered in red clay dirt and manure.” She thought about it. “It probably wouldn’t hurt to contact my old coach though. We might be able to find some.”

Taza smiled. “Yeah? You think?”

“Maybe -” Megan sat up straight. “Oooh - here she goes!”

Taza laughed as Megan cheered each little girl at the top of her lungs. He had to remind her to eat between competitions. 

Two events later, the loud speaker crackled to life. “Ladies and gentlemen, we will now release a group of calves into our arena. You will notice that each animal has a number. For our next competition, these young people will be cutting a specific animal from the herd and keeping it separated for a set amount of time. It’s now time for our junior cutting competition.”

Megan grinned at him and bounced in her seat a little.

Taza smiled back. “That was your event, right?”

“Mmmhmm. These are the juniors though, so if it’s like back home they’ll probably be like eleven to fifteen. I started in the seniors when I was sixteen. Some of the ones at home had been doing it their entire lives though so they could have easily taken on older competitors.” She shifted excitedly on the hard bleacher seat and absently scratched Rex’s ears. 

“So- what’s key here? What should I watch for?” he asked curiously. He loved how animated she got when she talked about it. 

“Well - we’d draw a number and separate the matching steer or calf from the herd. We had to keep it separate for a certain amount of time depending on what level we were competing at.”

“Sounds pretty self explanatory…” he prompted. 

Megan grinned. “Except you have to do it without appearing to move at all with the perfect form while your horse turns on two feet.”

While they were talking the arena workers had released about twenty older calves into the ring. The calves all milled around nervously. The first competitor was announced and a young girl entered on a horse that almost looked too big for her. 

Megan grinned again. “Watch. She’s trying to find her target.”

Taza watched as the girl slowly moved the horse into the herd. Once she’d spotted the number 99 on the side of a calf, she managed to quickly separate it from the herd. 

“Oh! She’s got it! Now the fun part…”

Taza watched as the girl gripped her saddle horn with one hand and appeared to lay her other hand down and not move the reins. The horse wheeled and spun on its back feet to cut the calf off as it tried to dart back to the herd. It didn’t look physically possible for the tiny girl to stay in the saddle. He winced as the horse ran full out to block the calf again before spinning to cut it back off when it changed direction. The entire time the little girl on its back held tight and didn’t move the reins from the horse’s neck. 

“Is she in control or is the horse just that well trained?” he asked Megan in an awestruck tone without taking his eyes off the arena.

Megan chuckled. “Probably a bit of both. She’s using micro movements and weight shifts mostly. We just can’t see them from up here. Either she was raised in that particular horse’s saddle or that’s a beautifully trained animal. She’ll probably take the competition.” She smiled as the buzzer sounded and the girl picked up the reins to tell the horse to release the calf. 

Taza took a deep breath. “How old were you when you started to do this competition again?” He turned back to her with wonder on his face. 

“Seriously? About fourteen. I dabbled the year before that, but never had my own horse to actually get very far. Honestly the politics of it is insane off the circuit. When you only ride shows and not rodeos like this - you usually end up burned out from the damn politics and not the riding. Rodeo is better. There’s no ‘girls vs. boys’.” Megan shrugged as best she could.

“Damn Chica. Did you ever get really injured?” Taza’s forehead creased in worry.

“Mostly dislocated shoulders. Had a mare fall with me once. I got caught in the stirrup and couldn’t bail. I got lucky though. Broken arm, ankle and ribs. After that, I always rode breakaway stirrups.” Megan turned back to the arena as a boy in his early teens started his run. “Nope - too sloppy,” she muttered.

Taza watched the kid as his thoughts raced. His daughter had ridden this competition. This dangerous sport. She’d been injured - seriously, from the sound of it - but thought nothing of it. He watched Megan out of the corner of his eye as she continued to enjoy the event. 

A few kids later, the arena M.C. asked them to clear the arena. Taza glanced down at his watch. It was getting late. 

Megan caught the movement and smiled. She knew Taza didn’t want to drag her away from the rodeo. “Papa?”

“Yes, Chica?” he asked, meeting her eyes.

“Can we get a caramel apple before we go? They’re my favorite,” she said, standing to stretch a bit. “I’m getting stiff sitting on these bleachers.”

Taza chuckled and stood as well. “Of course. Let’s go find you one. Maybe some more cotton candy too.”

Back at the car, Taza loaded Rex and then helped Megan back into her seat. She was contentedly munching on a corn dog. Taza sat the bag with the other treats in it in the Mustang’s center console. They’d gotten Megan’s caramel apples in a few different flavors as well as kettle corn and more cotton candy for home. A giant cup of fresh lemonade was in the cup holder between them. He started the engine and they pulled out of the field where they’d parked and back out onto the gravel road. 

“Thank you, Papa. That was a lot of fun,” Megan said as she leaned her head back in her seat. 

“You’re welcome, Sweet Chica. The rodeo was eye opening. I never really paid that much attention to the little events.” He patted her knee. “I’d like to see you compete one day.”

Megan smiled softly. “It would be fun, but cutting horses are expensive. We’d have to find one already trained. I don’t have the skills to train one on my own.”

Taza turned onto the main road and headed back towards the clubhouse. “We could ask Evan to keep a look out for one though. I think I will. I’ve got plenty of room for another horse even if you decide not to compete.”

She laughed. 

At the clubhouse, Hank met them as Taza parked the car. The ignition wasn’t even off before he had Megan’s door open and he was helping her unbuckle. Megan giggled as he guided her out of the passenger seat and straight into a deep kiss. 

Taza laughed and let Rex out on his side. 

“Damn bro - let the Princessa breathe. She wasn’t gone that long!” Angel called from the clubhouse porch.

Megan wrapped her good arm around Hank’s neck and flipped Angel off with a giggle.

“Oh - I see how it is, Shorty. See if I save your ass from him again,” Angel grumbled loudly.

Hank finally broke the kiss with a chuckle. “Welcome back, mi amore. Did you find a saddle?”

Taza shook his head exasperatedly but grinned at Bishop. “We weren’t gone THAT long.”

Bishop grinned. “Long enough for Hank to realize that he left without giving you her pain pills. He’s been worried sick all damn day.”

Taza started as he realized Bishop was right. He hadn’t had her pills which meant that she’d been without pain relief all day. “Shit! Why didn’t he call or text? We’d have come and got them.” He turned to watch Hank murmuring a question to Megan. 

Bishop shrugged. “I told him you’d call if she needed them.” He nodded at where Megan was shaking her head and popping up on her tiptoes to press a kiss to el pacificador’s mouth. “Looks like she is just fine to me, Hermano.”

Taza sighed and rubbed the back of his head. 

“Did you end up taking her to that carnival?” Bishop asked as Taza climbed the stairs and accepted the beer Bishop held out to him. 

That made him grin. “We did and we watched some events at the rodeo too. Even caught the cutting competition.” He shook his head. “Brother - it brings a whole new appreciation for her tenacity watching that event with her.”

Bishop grinned. “Maybe we all need to go sometime.”

“Megan would probably love that.” Taza went back to the car to pull out one of the caramel apples. “C’mon Chica. Let’s go cut up your apple,” he said with a grin. “Much easier to eat that way.”

Once everyone was back in the bar and Megan’s apple had been cut, they settled in to wait for Marcus and Chibs. It was time to go meet Adelita. 

taglist:

@jemmakates

@msjava1972

@drabbles-mc

@delightfulheroshoeflap

@xeniarocks

@iamthegraham

@oureternalbond

@lyly00

@camelia35

@anaeve

@tallrock35

[simminginmysleep]

Mother May I? #sims3Challenge

Sims Challenge: Mother May I?

I created this challenge 5 years ago and it never really got much attention. It is a super fun challenge for people who are a lil twisted.

Original Post Warning: This challenge is MEAN to Sims. If you enjoy doing mean things to your Sims, keep reading. If not, click here. I designed this challenge to work for Sims 3 or Sims 4, as I play both. Works verhy well in 3.

Mother: Your Main Sim  Must be a Young Adult Female alone to begin.  Name is up to you.  Traits must include Erratic/Insane  No cheats or game mods to turn off jealousy.  She must always make the big family decisions. (Moving, Vacations, Paying Bills, Kid Activities, Discipline, etc.)  Her job can be anything but law enforcement, politics, or detective/secret agent.

The Rules After building the house, money should be set to no more than $20,000.  YOU CANNOT CONTROL THE MALES UNLESS THEY ARE CLOSE TO DEATH! You may assign males to garden by choosing tend garden. You may assign a male to cook a group meal.  If he has the kleptomaniac trait, you may send him out stealing for mother with a female escort. Escorts can be any age, Toddler to Elder, as long as they are female. Escort does not have to be related or household member, but Mother must know them well.  Your main female is to have a large beautiful bedroom with all of the modern amenities. Television, stereo, computer, video game, etc. Only she is allowed in the bedroom. All others will share the male or female quarters and be locked out of Mother’s quarters. While she is romancing a new man , they are allowed in Mother’s bedroom. Once she is pregnant, he gets sent to the male quarters immediately.  Remember, the main female is the leader. All other Sims in the home must defer to her.  Males in the home are not allowed to work outside of the home. No computer, television or tablet for males unless being rewarded. They may do anything for fun that is not electronic.  Female children may use Mother's computer to improve skills or complete work assignments only!  Males must do all the housework. (Dishes, laundry, cooking, caring for children.) You cannot make them do it though. If it sits too long, the closest male is punished.  No maids, nannies, or butlers. We don’t want the outside to know how we live.  Males are not allowed to leave the home lot without a female escort unless it is school. If they leave on their own, they must be punished when they return.  Male children must be kicked out when they reach young adult.  Female children may stay and work freely (as you wish).  The male children are to be left on their own. They must pass or fail in school as they will. Do only what you must to keep them alive. Do not direct them to do homework or eat. If they are taken away or die, so be it. Our focus is the girl children. LOL

 If a male dies, their sisters and mother are the only ones allowed to plead for his life when the Grim Reaper arrives. (Your choice to plead for life)

Objectives  No relationship cheats. No mods to choose traits.  Start making friends right away!  You will need to convince someone to move in with your Sim as soon as possible.  Try to get pregnant quickly after first person moves in.  While pregnant, convince 2nd person to move in.  Be discreet in the beginning.  Mother must have at least 4 children by 4 different people but you may have as many as you like to make it interesting.  All fathers must live in the home before she gets pregnant by them.  Build 3 large bedrooms. One for males. One for females. One huge room for Mother.  Activities room is optional, but suggested.

Punishments Room Build a small 4x4 room. No decoration. No wall coverings and bare floor. This room can be put in the backyard and will look like a small shed. You may paint the outside as you wish, but no windows. You may need 2 cots in the room if more than one male needs to be punished.  If a male breaks a rule, he is to go to the punishment room for 2 days.  Toddlers are not punished as they cannot do chores.  He is allowed only one meal and 2 pes of fruit or veggies a day. One skill book. One uncomfortable single bed. One toilet. One small sink. Nothing else!  Door is to be locked or removed until punishment is over. He is allowed no social interaction with family.  If he breaks a rule while in isolation, he gets another day. He must keep his cell clean!  Trash can is optional.

Things to Be Punished For  Using electronics  Being mean to a female (yelling, scolding, arguing, hitting, pranks)  Not cleaning.  Garden plant dying.  Poorly made meal or drinks.  Burning a meal.  Setting a fire.  Breaking an object.  Not making it to the bathroom in time.  Romantic interaction when Mother is not “dating” them  Being smelly near Mother.  Dropping a grade in school.  Inviting Sims over that Mother does not know.  Be creative. If you have suggestions on new offenses please comment.

Rewards Room/Mother's Room  Once a week, she may choose a man to “date”. She can take him out; he can sleep in her bed for the day.  Male children who do well in school may go to a community lot once a week, but only with a female escort.  Male children who do well in school may enjoy electronics time in Mother's room once a week.

“Winning”  Your goal is to have at least one daughter with the insane/erratic trait. She and Mother must be enemies before she reaches young adult.  The insane/erratic daughter must fight Mother at her young adult birthday party. She is the only child allowed to have a party.  If she loses, her father will be executed. If he is not alive, then her closest sibling or friend.  She must fight mother until she wins, unless she has a younger sister close to young adult with the insane/erratic trait.  If more than one daughter has the trait, the order is oldest to youngest.  If she wins the fight, Mother must move out and the new “Mother” can free her fathers and brothers from the cult or start a new generation of her own.

Download a copy of the rules HERE.

[lalunanymph]

the recent ask that u got about btu got me in a yapping mood 😩 i really love btu and i think about that series at least twice a day lol

i've always thought that shuji was such a coward with the way he acted around y/n when they first got together and i honestly applaud y/n's patience for dealing with shuji's shitty treatment 😭 idk how y/n was able to put up with all of that and it really seemed like she wanted to try and make the marriage work or at least just get along with shuji but he's just not cooperating and straight up being an asshole towards her 😪 i also have a few questions and if u don't feel like answering any or all of them then it's totally fine!! but here are my questions:

1. is shuji y/n's first time? bc if he is, then i wonder how it went like did it happen on their honeymoon? actually, did they even have a honeymoon or shuji didn't even bother to give her that 😭

2. did any of the other bonten members and rival gangs find y/n really attractive? and were there any rival gangs who were also asking y/n's hand for marriage?

3. if ichika and shuji were together for quite a while, why didn't shuji marry her already or even made their relationship public? was it bc shuji's been long aware that kisaki will set him up for an arranged marriage?

4. my last question and also my roman empire!!! i've always thought about an alternative scenario wherein y/n and chifuyu's relationship actually went well bc chifuyu's feelings for y/n always seemed genuine 😌 like what if they're living together in hiding and y/n's feelings for shuji are completely gone, and when shuji finds out about all of that i wonder how he will react 🤭

again i apologize for having a lot of questions, im just into btu like that 😭 thank u for giving us btu and i am looking forward to reading ur future works, i hope that u'll have a great day 💙

nonnie im so sorry for the late reply, i was marinating the reply and didnt want to give a half-assed response so im firing up my yapgine for you !! i lovee how you love this series sm and im so grateful to always receive asks for it <3

honestly, youre so valid. y/n really did want to work things out with shuji even after her memory loss because that was her default intentions even before she encountered the accident </3 but shuji wasn't cooperative because to him, y/n didn't really matter :(

oooo i loveeee questions !!! i'll do my best to answer them !!!

1. due to her strict upbringing, y/n is in fact a virgin and yes, shuji was her first time. its alluded in the first chapter that they didnt have a honeymoon because shuji went on a holiday with bitchika instead and left her stranded

2. y/n's beauty is more understated and shes not as showy as the other girls hanging around toman (because of her upbringing). the one person who did find her quite charming is our second man chifuyu ofc

3. actually 🤓☝️ it was ichika who wasnt ready for marriage with him. it's hinted in chap 4 or 5 that shuji did want to marry her, but because of the trauma she endured from her parents (i didnt state it but they're actually dead so she and her sister were raised by grandma harumi) and her perception of how dangerous shuji was as the reaper, she was reluctant to consider commitment with him

4. OHHH i love this scenario !! i think if y/n's feelings for shuji were gone, she would 110% be with chifuyu! he's respectful and sweet (plus kinda hot too if we're being honest hfhfh) and she would have no problem falling in love with him after working through her trauma ..... as to how shuji would react, it would honestly be the most soul crushing thing to him and he would try his damndest to break them up using shusei as ammo to repair their marriage back

[motheatenscarf]

I've been working my way to getting all classes leveled up for Talia because... I'm insane and love to set impossible goals for myself. I haven't been talking about too many of them bcs I have nothing to say about most of them, but since I've played through 9 now

Here is a quick summation of my thoughts, ranked from least to strongest reactions I've had;

Paladin: This is boring. I'm bored. I don't care about any of these people or their dumb problems, let me kill class enemy lalafell.

Astrologian: I don't care about these people or their problems, I already know from MSQ and better job stories that Ishgard sucks. These outfits DO rule tho.

Dancer: Huh, that dance to cure people of the morbs turned out surprisingly relevant... too bad it didn't matter! Oh well. Who are these people? What are their problems? Nevermind, I don't care. Dancing scenes are pretty at least.

Red Mage: These outfits rule. But wow, I don't care about these people. I actually weirdly hate this amnesia girl? Not for GOOD reasons, just for like. Trope reasons. Not her fault, but still, I hate when she's here.

Samurai: I don't care until suddenly for 2 minutes at level 60 it stops just being fun Samurai movie homages and tropes and gets REAL with Musosai trying to suicide by WoL. A momentarily beautiful moment that reincorporates and recontextualizes a silly moment from earlier in the story, describing atonement through having to LIVE and make amends, arguing that remorse is what separates good from evil, and wow! This was great! I legit loved- oh, they immediately ruined it with the Stormblood quest to uphold the status quo of a corrupt regime and made Musosai's student morally in the right thus making his death and guilt meaningless.... well, I hate this! Least favorite class story now.

Reaper: I love a mean old battleaxe so Drusilla is rad as fuck and this is some fun lore on Emet and Garlemald in general. I choose to care about this because I headcanon that my own WoL is from Garlemald and this is relevant.

Ninja: This is boring and kinda sucks, but Karasu is here and I love him. An eccentric theatrical weirdo here to test the hero and cause problems for drama? Yes, I DO love trickster figures, thank you. Oh wait, he's not a villain, just a decent dude trying to get out of a bad situation and being cagey to cover his own ass and help you so you can get him out of this jam? Rad. But why can he control bats as his Children of the Night if he's not evil? ... Don't worry about it! I don't know if he's a GOOD character, but my god is he a FUN character. That's all I care about. Look at how much I love Zenos; I DON'T need depth to have a good time. That said;

Dark Knight: I am WEEPING inconsolably over Fray and Myste, chortling over Moogles and Sid, and Rielle is but one of my many, MANY adopted kids from this game. It is perfect. I could talk about Dark Knight for hours, I lost an entire day of progressing through story just having to be insane about the reveal that Emet Selch was a Dark Knight, perhaps the FIRST Dark Knight, because OF COURSE HE WAS. Dark Knights are about LOVE and grief manifesting tangibly, and oh my god, everything ties in together as a coherent whole. I'm not normal about Dark Knight. I'll never be normal about Dark Knight. It invades my brain and gives words to the Things I'm Trying To Say about characters and what I want out of stories. Finding out that the woman who wrote Dark Knight took over as lead writer got me through the worst of how much I HATED base Stormblood and thank god it did because it meant I stuck with this game long enough to play Shadowbringers and Endwalker and didn't consider Heavensward just a fluke. Dark Knight saved this game for me. Dark Knight is incredible. Dark Knight has more to say about storytelling, motivation, and a player's role in and relationship to a story than anything I've ever seen from a SINGLE PLAYER RPG, let alone an mmo. Dark Knight is fucking transcendent.

Fishing: This is the dumbest story so far and I fucking love it. I love traveling the world with this lunatic who took up work as an ASSASSIN to fund her fishing hobby. She has her priorities in order, she is the most correct about the point of this game and I love her.

[artemiseamoon]

Preview: A casino on Valentine’s Day

William Tell x Lola (ofc)

An: I just finished it and I’m too tired to edit. So that will happen another day. Once it’s ready, I’ll preview here and post in full on a03. For now, here are two parts from the one shot. Overall it’s about 5,000+ words.

Warning: Set in a casino so drinking, mention of some injuries sustained (William) and the recovery, brief mention of torture and killing (not detailed) , mentions of a ‘cleaner’ (p character), depression on Valentines day, romantically jaded, sexual longing.

Part of my whump challenge (heavy on comfort and fluff)

William

Coins hitting metal, slot machines, sounds of defeat and victory; all if this is familiar and comforting in its own way. That’s why he’s here instead of resting. To William, he’s been on bedrest long enough, he was getting antsy, sick of his own company and the busyness of his mind.

Most of his wounds have healed by now, he has some scares and if he over exerts himself, he can still feel the nasty bruise on his side.

Taking a seat at the bar, he orders his usual drink. He’s usually not in a place this long, but this one is an exception. He came here a few times, once again before his personal mission, then decided to recover in a rented apartment about 40 minutes away. He was usually indifferent to most places, but he didn’t mind this town so much.

Because he’s been here a while, the employees are familiar with him, which he likes. They don’t try to engage him in conversation and they know his drink.

Once the drink is ready, the bartender leaves him for other patrons and he wraps his fingers around the glass. The shift change happens in 10 minutes and the person he wanted to see will be here.

After taking his first drink, he turns in the chair and eyes the scene before him. Many of the employees are dressed in red and black, and the servers have little red heart aprons on.

A Casino on valentines day

The scene isn’t much different than it usually is; men, women, elders. People from all walks of life spending their money, hoping to get lucky. People at various levels of desperation and chasing a thrill.

Beautiful women in their prime on the arms of older men. All things he’s seen a hundred times. The only difference, the heart aprons and whatever that pink drink in a martini glass is the servers have on trays.

William turns back to the bar. It’s a bit set back from this smaller game room, he prefers this to the larger room. He eyes his drink and his mind goes back to the reasons he’s all banged up in the first place.

He tried to let it go, to move on, to never use those deadly skills of his again but the hunger for revenge got the best of him. When he showed up at the man's house, all he saw was red. William was equally matched and if he did die that night, he would have been fine with it, as long as he killed the man first.

Violence is too deeply ingrained in him to escape it, so is darkness. He does have guilt, mountains of it, but he’s long decided there’s nothing he can do about it except carry it around and lock it away. Redemption and being anything other than he is - that's not in the cards for him.

Williams not sure what's the most disturbing, that he was able to easily flip the switch to torture and kill mode, or, the fact that he was willing to die himself, that his need for revenge was that all consuming, even after 10 years. When William looks in the mirror, he sees a hardened man, a dangerous man; a soldier, a fighter, a survivor. He’s the grim reaper.

...

Lola

She catches a glimpse of herself in one of the mirrors, then a man ogling her in the distance.

“Wow baby.” He shakes his head with a smile and nearly drops his drink. “You're the hottest woman in here. I love a lady in red.”

She chuckled and kept going. “Thanks. There’s a lot of ladies in red here tonight, I don’t know if you noticed.”

She turned the corner and headed to the smaller room, which wasn’t really that small, just in compassion to the main room its left. She preferred working in this one, nothing about a casino/ hotel was chill, but this room is as close as it gets.

She waves and greets some familiar faces before her eyes zone in on a man in black at the bar. His silver touched black hair perfectly combed back, the width of his shoulder and fine black clothes. She knows him from anywhere, William.

Even though Lola knew his first name, William was still a stranger. Handsome, brooding in a way, and intense; everything about him piqued her interest and made her mind run wild with theories and observations.

William has a quiet, contemplative nature; never ending mystery and depth in his eyes, accompanied by high walls around him like steel gates. He's impenetrable, inaccessible - and the fact that he’s let his guard down just a bit for her, is endearing and makes him even more attractive to her.

He’s mostly non verbal, but when he does talk, it’s mostly to her. Lola wouldn’t call them friends, but they have some kind of connection and she enjoyed his company. After each interaction, she never knows much more about him and is left with more questions; her curiosity ever growing.

More soon!

No tags

@artemiseamoon-updates

Ao3: artemiseamoon

[masakia]

Okay yeah I haven't posted anything about sims in a while but I need to freak out about somewhere alright?

This here is my babygirl Jocelyn, I made her for a legacy and had been playing her for a few weeks now. I started the save with her and her sister as teens since it would've give me more time to get to know them and get attached.

Alright everything was fun, she had a cute highschool boyfriend and she was top of her class!

BUT THEN! THE BOYFRIEND CHEATED ON HER WITH HER SISTER! RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF PROM. Of course they had a huge fight (still in their prom makeup and dress in Jocelyn's case (her sister's name is Louise in case anyone wants to know btw)).

She and the boyfriend broke up and she went to graduate top of her class, her sister moved out right after graduation (with Jocelyn's ex btw) and they didn't spoke to each other fow a few months. Now it's important to know that their mom is very traditional and wanted to arrange Jocelyn's marriage to someone she approved of, enter Troy the most boring men on earth, and her mom's coworker. (The nice pictures end here, I lost patience and began to just take them on my phone to send to my friends.)

Despite that they got along and quickly got engaged, Jocelyn had a bachelorette party like two days before her wedding at... her ex boyfriend's nightclub (his family is rich ajd they own it, he takes care of it sometimes) she wasn't expecting him to be there and them between some drinks here and there, they hooked up and she got pregnant, which was an issue cause you know she was set to marry Troy!

The wedding day arrived and she was looking beautiful of course (took me a long time to dress her up so please appreciate my efforts) and everything went well, they got married, renovated the house and then she found out she was pregnant.

She wanted to be a mom since she was a teen, but not this way without knowing who the father is, so because of all the stress she did end up having a rough pregnancy and was bed ridden a lot, to the point where she had to have a c section because a natural labor was too dangerous for her and the baby. Everything seemed to go well with her and the baby (Cassandra) coming gome safe, she was feeling a bit weak but the doctors told her if she got enough bed rest she would be fine (good pictures return now cause I have my game open like right now)

Everything was going well, Jocelyn was resting and passing time with her daughter and she did a paternity test behind her husband’s back to finally know who was little Cassie’s father (it was her ex, but not important). So one morning Jocelyn wakes up and goes to make breakfast as normal when all of a sudden I get a notification “Jocelyn is bleeding ans she needs to go to the hospital now!” So I send her and Troy over there, thinking everything was going to be okay, since I never lost a sim to one of my mods, BUT NOT THIS TIME BABY!

She died bacause of bleeding so much and not even her husband could plead woth the grim reaper so she officially died... And the first thing her ghost did was come back and hold her daughter! Literally the most heartbreaking thing to ever happen to me in all those years playing this game.

(btw nothing in this was planned, just the boyfriend cheating cause this was part of the challenge rules I’m following, the rest was all my mods deciding to fuck with me)

Anyway I’m still considering if I should leave without saving or just move on and play with the story, cause I like when my game throws this kind of stuff at me but, I still had so much stuff to do with her! Literally none of her gen rules has been finished. Yeah I’m insane about this game sometimes.

[haechanhues]

ATEEZ October

Why did your bias become your bias?

Well as an OT8 stan I do have to say I can never choose a bias like 5 years later because I just keep going 'oh what about that one' 'no but he's too funny' etc

because he looks like he could kill you but he's really so fucking kind

the absolute beauty this man beholds is crazy

i'm in love everytime he picks up that sword or the gun for their wonderland performance like c'mon demon

i like that he's just kind of gone crazy these past few years allowing us to see more of his personality and that unhingedness

he's so emotional and i love that and he speaks so softly most of the time

i actually really fucking love his humour and just the subtle 'i'm gonna kill you' whenever someone even remotely crosses that line like yes that's a parent

he's so talented and his ambition is crazy like how he became a trainee and his musical origins are insane

love that pitch of voice when he raps - very melodic

i love his hobbies and how openly interested he is in them like i love the fact he doesn't hide his interest in fashion and etc

his little laugh and the power behind him when he performs is crazy

he's such a ray of sunshine and puppy like and i know that's no secret but he's generally someone you need around to have a good time and i think that's such a nice quality in a person

he's really competitive which i'm surprised by how pouty and etc he gets whenever he loses which is rare but when he does he's so cute about it

he's just such a well mannered guy like how the fuck does he exist and he's so shy when he puts his hand over his mouth

such a hardworker and i just know he never puts anyone down for their own troubles but just makes sure it's easier for them

such a good performer and just balances out the whole group for me

his humour again, like there's always something cooking up there and he doesn't waste it nor the opportunity to just blurt out something crazy

he's so unpredictable in the most gentle way

i always love the quote that wooyoung had to look after him otherwise he would've been a victim of some sort of scam and the world needs more gentle men like him

his dance is crazy like always so nimble and quick on his feet, his ground and footwork is probably the most admirable of them all

his vocals i need to hear more of it

I'm sorry but i couldn't mention yeosang's gentleness without mentioning san because he protects that side of yeosang the most and i love that he's such a calm and steady protector and comforter

such a righteous guy too like i've never been overly attracted to that until later in life but he's just so 'i have my roles set in place by my father and i'm going to abide by them' and when he was babysitting JUST...AHHHHH

the way he just understands each of their songs like his own little narrative and adapts to what the song needs on stage is crazy and i just love seeing him put the wow on everyone's faces

i love when he sulks like what a baby

he's such a good guy and we love to see it - when he got mad at this fan (i'm not sure she was an atiny) but the husband chucked out all her merch and he got mad mad

how this guy is known as princess always astounds me he's never afraid to just...be the baby or the 'smaller' one that needs looking after

i also like how candid he is with most stuff especially seeing him in his solo schedules this week he's just very candid and speaks honestly but politely and never once acting like he's superior

he's got such a fluid waist i didn't think he'd do it but i was proven wrong and he's got such a slutty stage presence bruh i'm surprised i labelled him as like 'grim reaper' energy and i don't know what that means but like so powerful and i can't get over it

trained 't' galore - i can see how he tries to understand others and their feelings and although he may not get the point he still tries to display that understanding of others and avoid trying to hurt their feelings

so shamelessly confident too like how attractive can you get

honestly probably the bias if not one of them but let's ignore me for now but he's so ruthlessly loyal and protective like when seonghwa was getting all that hate - stood up for him and was VIOLENT about it too (love it). when yeosang moved to kq - followed him 'we succeed together or lose together'. the biting motion during his free dance in 'the real'. i just know he will step on toes to get his point across.

SUCH A FLIRTY PERFORMER my fave - especially in 'the real' i think it's his time to shine.

such an energetic presence amongst his friends and people and just giving everyone some life or like the confidence to show their personality

really smart and he doesn't get enough credit for it

needs a kick up the bum most times but we love him for it

more than likely the other bias but his performance and vocal skills outshine every time and when he's relaxed you'd never know until you see him at a concert or around atiny and just the lungs on this man so clear and powerful

i love that he's so huge and yet he just talks with the softest tone and his hands are so gentle i know it like he's cradling a baby bird in them

he's so fucking funny and he knows it - like yes i wanna hear it and i wanna hear the other members laugh

so candid as well but like on the more quieter level and tries to be polite and soft at all times even though he's built like he could wreck your shit absolutely

i love when he's forced to give hugs or get a kiss and he just lets it happen and he's so cute i could hear him be cute all my life and i'll never get tired of it

[rrorritam]

I'm not choosing one, fuck that, all of the above.

Missa wakes up and finds his family has fallen into a possibly eternal sleep. He blames himself and vows to protect them for as long as his immortal life will allow to.

One day on his work carrying souls to the after life, three very familiar people hop into his boat and ask for a ride. Missa cries the whole way, apologizing while his kids hug him and his 'platonic' husband lovingly laughs at him at him and reassures him "It's all good mate." It makes driving the boat across the river of souls very difficult but no one complained about the trip taking a bit longer.

Once at their destination, Missa is ready to leave his family behind once again (wet cat energy intensifies), not only feeling undeserving of staying by their side but also aware he still has job to do for Lady Death.

His family says "Fuck That."

They basically kidnap him and drag him to a place unknown, his partner promises him that he and the kids will love it, that it has something for everyone and they'll definitely be safe there unlike the cursed island they just left behind. Missa has no choice but to surrender to his beloved families' wishes.

On the way there, they notice the world shift. Suddenly, they are walking on air with the endless void surrounding them. The blond with stripped hat doesn't falter in his step, quite the opposite, hurrying them along through the ominous darkness. Even their kids have somehow relaxed, yet they keep close to their parents and stick to each other.

Missa recognizes the place a second too late, the presence starting to loom in the distance, making him become a nervous, jittery mess.

He can't remember the last time he saw Lady Death in person, and now at the worst possible time the reaper has the startling realization that he has been kinda, sorta, maybe, probably married to his boss's husband for a bit over a year.

Please, someone kill him..... again.

However, he is not smited the moment the enormous figure of a beautiful woman known as the Goddess of Death sets her gaze on him. On the contrary, he is scooped in her hands, along with his family, and gushed about for a solid few minutes.

She says that she has been doing her best to keep up with them, to try and help, but whatever was on that island kept her from actually reaching them to offer some help. The only exception being during the first Purgatory, where she was able to give her angel his wings back (if only temporarily) and to the reaper's surprise she was also the reason he was able to avoid that particular hell entirely by bringing him back to the Underworld.

"Speaking of." With wave of her giant delicate hand, the blue-eyed father of the family momentarily disappeared in a cloud of what Missa could only describe as stardust. Once he reappeared, magnificent void black wings spread behind the Angel of Death, now completely healed and back to their full glory. His smile was blinding, and the reaper couldn't help but smile back.

Their kids gush over the shiny, healthy feathers, and the avian let's them with pride evident in his face. Missa holds back, but he makes sure to compliment them and relay how happy he was as well that he got them back.

Then, just as suddenly as they were in the void, they were transported to a different location (still within the void if the stars and darkness were anything to go by), this one had actual structures that looked an awful lot like an altar.

"Kristin?"

"I'm done watching you dance around each other, and I don't know when I'll get the chance to do this again, so I'll be damned if you don't get married right here right now."

"Pwahahah-What!?"

"Cómo?!" Missa must have fallen asleep on his boat. There's no way this was happening right now.

Their kids were jumping and squealing, signing happily at lightning speed as they very obviously agreed with the plan of death's deity. He had to stop this ridiculousness.

Missa turned to the man in front of him, ready to apologize and propose they forget about everything, but the moment his eyes locked onto him, the words got caught in his throat. Because his wonderful partner had gotten on one knee and had a gentle, hopeful smile on his face.

"Not really how I planned to do this, but it seems as good a time as any." Philza holds out his hand, a simple gesture that has Missa on the verge of tears once again.

"Are you sure? Am I allowed?" The words escape the black haired man. Gaze shifting to the beautiful goddess that nodded at him reassuringly with an expectant gaze.

"I wouldn't choose anyone else to give my dear husband to, for him to have in the overworld where I can't join him, you're perfect for him Missa." Her words washed over him and relieved him of the invisible weight that had settled on his shoulders ever since that first day on the adoption center. "Oh! And don't worry about Mafer. She said she's fine with it as long as she gets to propose to me as well." She giggles at her husband's perplexed squawk.

Missa can't help but laugh as well. He thinks he's okay with that. It feels right in a way that the ocean could find some kind of bond with the only thing that could rival its vastness.

"Pos', si mi señorita novia lo dice, then who am I to argue." He focuses back to kneeling man in front of him.

He gazes back. Through their eyes, a thousand unsaid words, a myriad of held back feelings are conveyed with both of them understanding all of them and everything in between.

"So?" Missa thinks he imagined the slightly nervous tone in the angel's voice, but the slightly trembling hand holding his tell him otherwise.

"Get up here, Felipe Minecraft." In a sudden burst of bravery, the reaper pulls the avian up to his feet before gently but surely holding the blond, dipping him and kissing him like he always wanted to.

He is overjoyed when Philza kisses him back, feeling his taloned hands finding his neck and shoulders for stability and to hold him even closer.

He is only a little embarrassed when he pulls back to loud cheering and hollering from his children and his... wife-in-law?

They spend the next hours (or days, time in the void is finicky at best) talking, Philza and Kristin catching up as much as they can before they have to inevitably part ways again. The Goddess of Death makes every second count, listening to her husband's stories, talking to Chayanne and Lullah, and even whispering a few tips to Missa's ear on how to ruffle their husband's feathers in the best ways. (Missa makes note to remember every single one of them, even the ones that make his undead skin flush furiously).

But all good things must come to an end. They aren't meant to stay in this place for long, so regrettably, they must leave the realm and it's Goddess behind. They say their goodbyes, some taking longer than others before Kristin points them in a specific direction.

The family of 4 walks along the darkness for a while with nothing to really guide their way. Until it's not so dark anymore.

Blaze rods appear seemingly out of nowhere, and under their warm light, they are now able to see a path of roses leading them further along (when they take a deep breath they can smell a hint of the ocean in the air). The family smiles at the familiar sight and follows.

From one moment to the next, they are out of the endless void, and they lay dazedly on soft grass. Missa and the kids take a moment to regain their bearings, trying to recognize the bright world around them.

There are floating islands, giant trees, different biomes, and a shore right along them, as well as a few structures dotting the horizon and the land they stand on.

The reaper and the two dragonlings are startled from their thoughts by the sound of wings, big ones.

"Well? Welcome to my Hardcore World!"

Philza looks perfect, black wings spread to their fullest, surrounded by sunlight and the air ruffling his hair and clothes. He is finally surfing the sky like he's meant to.

Missa smiles widely, hurrying towards his beloved husband along with their beloved children.

Death family is home.

-

Okay! So I don't know what took over me there, but here u go! This is entirely self indulgent so do with it as u please.

I'll probably write some more stuff for pissa and death family because I genuinely fell in love with them and I don't think I'll get over them soon. But I'm not used to posting my stuff here or... anywhere really so I won't make any promises.

Anywaays, hope u enjoyed reading this and please keep supporting the pissa, deathduo, death family tags! Have a great one everybody!!

[topguncortez]

Day 25: Silence is Golden ➢prompt: "You Better Start Talking" ➢Character: Beau 'Cyclone' Simpson ➢warnings: TOPGUN shit, plane crash, mentions of "burning in", ejection, cursing, violence. ➢Masterlist || whumptober || library

It was one of the rare days he had out of the office. Usually his days were spent looking over flight and instructions plans for the upcoming days, or scheduling fly times for the various classes going on at TOPGUN. Admiral Simpson hardly had time to even eat lunch, let alone leave the office. But when it came to the love of his life, he made time. 

It was not ideal for someone of Beau’s rank and age to date someone so much younger than him, but no one lived in an ideal world. He had first met Y/N when she came to TOPGUN the first time. She was 25 then, and he was 40, and working on a divorce. She was witty, smart, and beautiful, and she could fly like none other. He wasn’t surprised when she won top of her class, it was destined to be hers from the moment she walked in the room.

They had started a relationship when she became an instructor, keeping everything on the DL, as neither one wanted to deal with the glares and stares of judgmental peers. But Beau would keep tabs on her when it came to sitting in on her teaching a class, or listening to a dogfight. When the Uranium Plant Mission came across his desk, he knew whose name was going to be attached to the list of 12 pilots who were all the best of the best. He could remember most of them from her class, especially one, Hangman. 

Hangman was also one of the best, but had lost to Y/N in the final week of class. He had slipped up during a dogfight, leaving himself open for interception, and Y/N took the shot. He had always seemed to hold a grudge for that, knowing that he could’ve been number one, had a good job, if it wasn’t for one dumb mistake. Y/N had brushed off his anger towards her, and summed it up to be jealousy, friendly competition to keep themselves in check. 

Beau had been half listening to the dogfight on the radio in his office, when Hangman called out mayday. Beau set his pen down, and turned facing the radio, his heart beating rapidly. 

“I can’t control it! I’m going down!” 

“Eject, Reaper! Eject!” Hangman yelled frantically, and Beau stood up quickly, “You can’t save it! You’re dropping too low! Reaper, pull the goddamn handles!” 

“I can’t reach them!” She cried, and Beau felt his knees go weak, as there was a loud crash. He ran to his window and could see the billow of black smoke starting to rise. He thought he was going to throw up as his office door opened up. 

“Sir,” Warlock said, as Beau turned to look at him. It took less than a second for Beau’s mind and body to start working again, as he ran towards the door. He ran down the hallway, Warlock following behind him. Medical crew were already in movement as Beau got down to the hangar. 

“She didn’t eject,” Maverick whispered to Hondo as Beau walked by, “I never saw a chute.” 

“She burned in?” Hondo asked and Maverick nodded, looking down at his boots. 

“I want a full rescue team out there, now! Every part of the training course needs to be searched,” Beau demanded. 

“Sir, we’ve been instructed that this is a recovery-” 

“It’s a fucking rescue!” Beau yelled, his eyes wet with tears, “You find her. I don’t care how long it takes or how many goddamn miles you gotta walk, you find her!” The rescue team just shared looks amongst themselves at Cyclone’s outburst. 

“Go!” Warlock demanded and the team moved out to the helicopters waiting for them. Beau let out a shaky sigh as his brown eyes looked at the billow of black smoke from the desert, “They’ll find her, Simpson. She’s tough. She’ll be okay.” 

Cyclone clenched his jaw and looked down at his shoes, “You and I both know she didn’t survive that crash. . . .” He looked back up and then at his second in command, “I’ll be at the hospital.” 

— — — 

Cyclone wasn’t sure how long he sat in the lobby of the hospital. He didn’t even bother to check himself in, the medical staff knew why he was here. They had gotten the call from Hondo telling them there had been a training accident, and they stocked up to be prepared for it. But as time ticked on, the staff as well as Cyclone lost hope that there were going to have someone to save. 

It was nearly one in the morning when Warlock came to the hospital to tell Beau that the search had been called off, and they were starting to search the actual crash site for remains. Beau felt like he had been punched in the gut when Warlock spoke to him, all he could was nod and stood up from his seat. His legs wobbled slightly, and Warlock had to steady him before Cyclone pushed his friends hands away and walked out the doors. Cyclone didn’t go home that night, he couldn’t knowing that somewhere out there laid the body of his lover. Instead, he went to his office, sat in his chair facing the window, and watched the searchlights from a distance. 

The dagger squad was called in the next morning, trying to get them to stay on track with training. Cyclone had emerged from his office, looking worse for wear as he stood on deck and listened to Warlock give the morning brief. Usually it was Beau’s job, but he knew his voice would fail him the second that he started speaking. His brown eyes looked around at the group of pilots, finding two empty spots. He furrowed his eyebrows and looked around, as the doors opened in the back of the room. He felt anger rush through his body at the blonde pilot. 

His body moved on its own as he walked towards the blonde pilot. Jake looked up at Cyclone, opening his mouth to say something but was cut off by his first meeting his jaw. 

“Simpson!” Warlock yelled. Maverick and Hondo moved quickly to separate Cyclone and Hangman. 

“What the fuck!?” Jake yelled, holding his jaw. 

“You better start fucking talking,” Simpson growled out, pointing at the young aviator.  

“What is going on?” Warlock yelled, “Sir, Lieutenant, one or both of you need to talk.” 

“If he wasn’t so fucking stuck up and overly cocky, Reaper would’ve never flown through your jet wash,” Cyclone said. 

Jake could hear his heart beat in his ears at the words Beau said. He had been playing over the past twenty four hours in his head, over and over like a broken record. Trying to figure out what he did wrong, what did he do to cause the accident. Maverick had spent hours last night telling Jake that it was an accident, a truly, horrible accident. An accident that felt like deja vu for Maverick, having gone through the same exact thing with his RIO nearly thirty years ago. 

“He didn’t do it on purpose and you know that,” Maverick sneered at Cyclone. 

“Enough! We will not be discussing private matters like this,” Warlock looked between both Cyclone and Jake, whose head was hung low. Warlock looked around at the pilots and inhaled sharply, “Everyone is grounded today. I can’t risk putting people in the air like this.” 

“It’s not your call,” Cyclone said. 

“Do you want to be sending out more rescue crews?” Warlock questioned and Cyclone clenched his jaw, “You’re all dismissed.”

Note: I am sorry for this.