#she picks up how to use new tech pretty quickly

[tender-rosiey]

hii, hope im not bothering uu!!

my brain is obsessed with ur daddy gojo ficsss!! 🤭🤭 just a thought though. what if gojo brought his kid to work since reader couldnt hire a babysitter and had work to do!! 😱😱 kid can be a baby or like, 7-10?? or something? (idrc i jus need to feed my head with more dad gojo fics 😔😔, kid can be a girl or boy!!) hopee u have a nice dayyy!! ❤❤

missing – gojo satoru x f!reader

a/n: I wrote the kid being around 5 or 6 max, I think?? hope you like this as well! <3

you are standing at the door, checking over everything with your husband, "satoru, you got the toys?"

like the proud and confident dad he is, he replies with ease, "yep."

"the snacks?"

“of course,” he grins, pulling up the bag of snacks and toys to show you.

but you’re still stressing, "what about—“

"wifey, relax!” he starts rubbing your shoulders soothingly; “I got everything she needs. you have nothing to worry about,” he presses a loud kiss to your cheek.

"last time you said that, you teleported with d/n to the maldives."

he laughs loudly, before pulling you into a big hug, "aww, babe; I said I am sorry,” he is swaying the both of you, “you know I wanted you to be with us."

"that's not the point!"

"oh wowie, look at the time!” he looks at his fake watch and starts gently pushing you towards the car, “you’re gonna be late sweetheart."

"oh god!" you gasp, quickly giving satoru his goodbye kiss, and running to your daughter to give her own goodbye peck on the cheek as well, “I will miss you; take care of dada, okay?”

“aren’t I the one who is supposed to do that taking care part?!”

“bye ‘toru; bye d/n! love you!”

“love you too!” they both reply in unison before looking each other in the eye. satoru grins at her, “do you want to see uncle nanami?”

“nanamin!” she squeals then runs to god knows where.

soon, they finally get to jujutsu tech.

it took longer than usual because the little missy ran off and decided to play hide and seek. in addition to that, since the madlives incident, you banned satoru from teleporting with d/n because it gets her really dizzy and she starts puking.

so like the common people, he takes a car and has to wait till they arrive there. he wants to grumble, but, at least, his princess is there to play with him and make conversations.

they are finally in class when nobara coos, crouching down in front of d/n, “oh, you’re so cute!”

the little girl grins, “thank you!”

“also, I love your dress!”

“oh; thank you!” d/n gasps and starts twirling around, “mommy picked it for me! It’s so pretty, right?” nobara nods eagerly at her and it makes d/n giggle.

d/n pauses for a moment, a pout on her face and eyes get teary, and looks at satoru, “mommy…”

satoru pats her head, “we will see her soon; don’t worry.”

“wow; I am surprised you’re acting like a proper dad,” megumi comments, waving at d/n who grins back at him.

swiftly, yuuji defends his teacher’s pride, “hey! sensei is a great dad!”

d/n starts swinging her arms around and running in place like she is preparing for something. soon. it is revealed what she is waiting for. the door opens and she launches herself at the new guest, “nanamin!”

nanami effortlessly catches her and secures his hold on her, “d/n, that was dangerous; what if you got hurt?”

she looks down with yet another pout, “I know…’am sorry. just missed you.”

nanami sighs before patting her head, “it’s alright,” a tiny smile creeps up, “are you having fun so far?”

she nods happily and starts rambling about how cool nobara is or how much fun yuuji is to be around. meanwhile, satoru is standing in a corner with his arms crossed and grumbling, “that’s my daughter, you know.”

“imagine losing your daughter’s affection to someone else,” megumi pops up from behind satoru.

he retorts with no hesitation, “imagine not having a father.”

satoru looks petrified at megumi who is so very offended. satoru starts mini-panicking, “wait—megumi, I was kidding!”

“divine dogs.”

satoru shrieks and d/n squeals, pointing at him, “minmin, daddy’s playing with ‘gumi’s dogs!”

nanami averts his attention to gojo playing (read: being attacked). he nods slowly at the suffering man, “he is having so much fun; isn’t he?”

 “yay!” she throws her arms in the air.

nobara snaps a picture of d/n, “she’s adorable!”

yuuji sobs beside her, “I know right?!”

that was at the beginning of the day, but, right now, satoru has to attend a meeting for some reason with the higher-ups, including yaga. though, it hardly counts as a proper one considering that satoru laid out d/n toys so she can play with him.

“daddy, you’re not supposed to give him the green shirt; he needs the blue one.”

satoru quickly obeys, “yes ma’am,” and he changes the doll into his fabulous blue outfit. d/n giggles and holds his face to kiss his cheek.

one of the higher-ups clears his throat, “refrain from such disrespectful behavior during the meeting, gojo.”

satoru smiles humorlessly at the elder, “last time I checked, my daughter’s happiness is a lot more important than the nonsense you spout every single time.”

d/n carefully makes her way down the table and pulls on satoru’s pants, “daddy, toilet, please.”

“this was a fun meeting!” he beams, collecting d/n’s toys in her bag, “I have more urgent matters to attend to so adieu!” he mock bows, before bending to pick his daughter up, “let’s go princess.”

the door closes after satoru and d/n leave, and everyone looks at yaga. he takes a deep breath, “listen, that's his daughter. asking him not to pamper her is like asking a cat to let go of her kittens. you will get bit.”

time passes and satoru is chilling with d/n in the common room. she is laying on his lap and curled around herself. she groggily looks up to him, “when are we going to see mommy?”

he starts stroking her hair, “soon; I promise,” he takes out a candid picture he took of you and hands it to her, “how about you take this until we go back home and see mommy?”

she nods slowly and hugs the photo close. satoru smiles softly and presses a kiss to her forehead. not much after, d/n falls asleep with your photo secure in her hold.

it makes satoru chuckle. it reminds him of how he can never sleep without you either.

that’s why when he goes on mission, he scrolls endlessly through your photos until sleep takes over him or he listens to any voice message you sent. it helps him with the dilemma of missing you, and he is glad it helps his daughter the same way.

taglist: @magenta-cat-drawingss @pompompurin1028 @scul-pted @requiem626k @nameless-shrimp @sonder-paradise @jessbeinme15s-notebook @todorokichills @ginneko @missrown @shrynkk @simplyxsinned @beautiful-is-boring @starlostlaiba @izukus-gf @irethepotato @thekaylahub @dazaisbloodybandages @aeanya @sweetcloudsimp @moon-catto @the-midnightskies@pianopuppygirl @gojosblackqueen @kryscent @kunikida-simp @whoami-72 @mx-0-child @fiona782 @kisakitwister @imjustasimpxd @psychopotatomeme @dreamcastgirl99 @watyousayin @doobiebochana @laylasbunbunny @hojicha-expresso @4sat0ruu @nineooooo @chuuyasboots @alekssashka7 @rieejjyubi02 @satoryaa @nothisispatrick300 @fallencrescentmoon @etheviese @ho34gojo @the-mom-friend-dot-com @the-weeping-author @stray-npc @libbyistired @anon1412 @anakalana @maehemthemisfit @satorustar @b4nka1

copyright © tender-rosiey

do not copy or plagiarize or you will be reported

[starry-crossing-zone]

Nail Polish - Hunter (TBB)

Summary: After Omega shows an interest in some nail polish, you steal some for her. Hunter pretends to be annoyed. Length: 1816 words Warnings: Female Reader; Former Bounty Hunter Reader; No Physical Description of Reader; No Y/N Used; Pickpocketing; Mentions of Dark Pasts (Reader)

Walking through the busy streets of a Mid Rim planet, you kept a close eye on Omega as you made your way back to the Marauder. The Bad Batch had split up to gather supplies and you and Omega had been sent to get a new water purification filter, which was securely strapped to your chest.

“Come on, Meg, this way,” you directed, resting a hand on Omega’s shoulder.

“Wait, what’s that?” Omega asked, pointing at a stand to the side.

You glanced over before slowly leading Omega over to the small stand. A group of merchants greeted you as you approached, and you quickly sized them up. Glancing down at what Omega was curiously examining, you bent down to Omega’s height.

“That’s nail polish.”

“What’s its purpose?” Omega questioned, turning to you.

“You paint your fingernails or your toenails with it. It’s pretty to look at,” you explained to her.

“Is it permanent?”

“No, just temporary. It’ll last longer if you add more layers of it,” you continued, glancing over the various colors at the stall.

“And can you only pick one color?”

“No. You can pick as many as you want. In the Inner Rim, there’re artists that spend their whole day painting people’s nails.”

“Really?” Omega gasped, causing you to nod.

“Where are you two from?” the vender asked, eyeing the two of you.

“Outer Rim. Just passing through,” you replied, shrugging your shoulders nonchalantly. You stared down at Omega, who was still curiously studying the vials of nail polish. You paused for a moment before nudging Omega in the side. “Come on, Meg. Let’s get going. The boys will worry if we’re late.”

“Alright,” Omega agreed, setting the vial of nail polish back.

Bidding the venders goodbye, Omega and you turned to head back to where the Marauder was docked. You waited until you were a few streets over before sliding two vials of nail polish out of the hidden compartment in your vambrace.

“I thought that you liked these colors the best,” you stated quietly.

Omega’s eyes widened in surprise when she spotted the two vials of nail polish in your hand. She quickly grabbed them, smiling giddily, before she quickly connected the dots. Turning back to you, Omega frowned.

“When did you pay for these?”

“That’s not for you to worry about, Meg,” you dismissed, pushing Omega forward to stay on schedule. Omega hissed your name, looking around nervously.

“We can’t do that," she insisted.

“Why not?”

“It’s illegal.”

“Well, I can think of quite a few other illegal things that we’ve done,” you replied evenly, leading Omega into the docking bay. “We’ll just add it to the list.”

“How did you do it?” Omega asked curiously.

“That’s far from the most impressive move that I can pull off,” you stated, shooting Omega a smirk. “Come on, Meg, give me more credit than that.”

“Can you show me?”

“I don’t think that Hunter would approve of that,” you mused. After a moment, you added, “We can start tomorrow.”

Omega grinned, but you shot her a look to keep a low profile. Omega stowed the nail polish into her pockets as the two of you walked towards the Marauder. Tech looked up from his datapad and perked up when he spotted the water filter.

“Ah, just what I was waiting for.”

“Sorry, got a little sidetracked,” you replied, tossing it over to Tech.

“What kind of sidetracked?” Hunter asked, stepping off of the ship. “Imperial trouble?”

“Just some window shopping,” you spoke evenly, folding your arms over your chest. “Don’t get your bandana all in a twist.”

“We now possess all of the items that we needed to acquire on this pitstop. We should depart shortly, if we want to return to Ord Mantell for a new mission,” Tech announced, causing the Bad Batch to make their way onto the Marauder.

You were about to take your seat in front of the computer when Omega gestured for you to follow her to the back of the ship. Smiling, you headed back, missing the way that Hunter turned in his seat to look back at you. He heard the clinking of glass earlier when Omega and you approached, but now he was certain that it was coming from the two of you.

“Can you show me?” Omega asked quietly, holding out the vials.

“Give me your hand,” you instructed, sitting across from Omega.

Opening the nail polish bottle, you gently grabbed Omega’s right hand and started to apply the dark gray nail polish. Omega watched, fascinated, as you worked to carefully paint her nails.

“Where did you learn how to do this?”

“I used to paint nails. When I was about your age,” you explained elusively.

“For who?”

“A lady.”

“Did she paint her nails like this too?” Omega asked, causing you to shake your head as you switched to Omega’s thumb.

“No, she preferred this weird green color. It looked horrible but apparently it complimented her eyes.”

“Can I paint yours next?” Omega questioned, causing you to look up.

“Course you can. Maybe if you ask nicely, you can paint the boys’ nails too,” you mused, dipping the brush back into the polish.

“They didn’t have nail polish on Kamino,” Omega continued, causing you to nod.

“I wouldn’t expect the Kaminoans to have much need for it. Do they even have fingernails?” you snorted, working on Omega’s left hand. “But a lot of species use this stuff. And there’s other types of polish or things that people put on their nails. But you have to be really rich to get those.”

“Like what?”

“Some people get gems and other valuables embedded into their nails,” you explained, causing Omega to frown.

“Why?”

“The same reason that why rich people do most things. Because they can,” you stated a bit blunter than you intended.

“Did you ever get your nails painted?” Omega asked, causing you to shake your head. “The lady whose nails you painted, she never painted yours?”

“No,” you replied, placing the brush back into the vial and screwing the bottle shut.

“Why not?”

“She wasn’t as nice as I am,” you responded, not meeting Omega’s confused gaze. “Now, keep your fingers apart and don’t touch anything. You have to let the paint dry first. It could take some time, but I didn’t put too thick of a layer on it.”

“And then what?” Omega asked, looking at her newly painted nails.

“Then we can put another layer on, or I can start with the red,” you explained kindly. “Your choice, Meg.”

“What did you do when you painted nails before?”

“I would put another layer of the gray first,” you stated, causing Omega to nod. “It could make the polish a little more durable.”

“What do we have here?” Hunter drawled, leaning against the doorframe with his arms folded across his chest. He noted the nail polish bottles on the floor and paint on Omega’s nails. And even if she hid them, he would have smelled it. “I didn’t realize that we had a salon back here.”

Hunter’s gaze drifted over to you, and you stared back at him with some measure of defiance, knowing that the edge in his tone was directed at you. But Omega got in between the two of you.

“Look at my nails, Hunter!” she called, causing Hunter to turn to her. He bent down to her height and reached out to grab one of her hands, but Omega quickly drew them towards her chest. “Careful! The polish is still drying!”

“I’ll be careful,” Hunter assured Omega before looking down at her nails. “Dark gray, huh?”

“To match your armor,” Omega explained, causing Hunter to nod. “We got red too. She said that she’s going to do designs on my nails once the layers dry.”

 “Anything specific picked out?”

Omega turned to you with a questioning look, but you simply smiled and casually leaned back against your hands.

“It’s whatever you want, Meg. You get to pick,” you assured her.

After the top layers of the nail polish dried, you got to work on the red nail art that you promised Omega. You did a horizontal stripe to represent Hunter’s bandana, two adjacent dots to represent Tech’s goggles, an ‘H’ to represent Wreaker’s lula, and a ‘V’ to represent Echo’s kama. And then a '99' symbol too.

“They should be all set now,” you stated, causing Omega to smile and get to her feet.

You watched with an amused smile as Omega ran around and showed off her nails to every member of the Bad Batch. Wrecker seemed most excited for Omega, though the others offered her their praise in their own ways. And it wasn’t long before Omega was going around and painting all of their nails.

You walked over to where Hunter was sitting in front of the computer, watching as Echo offered Omega his hand. Wrecker was blowing on his nails, not wanting to disappoint Omega by ruining her hard work. You folded your arms over your chest, as Hunter had done earlier.

“You going to give me a lecture on pickpocketing again?” you asked him, not taking your eyes off of Omega.

“I’ll make an exception. This time,” Hunter replied, slowly turning to look at you. “I still don’t like it though.”

“Yes, I’m aware,” you stated, pushing off the computer table.

“Then why do you keep doing it?” Hunter asked, causing you to raise a playful eyebrow.

“Well, someone has to teach her how to have fun,” you responded, brushing past Hunter. He turned slowly in his chair, watching as you kneeled down beside Omega. You smiled at her work and offered some praise. “You’re getting the hang of it, Meg.”

“You think so? It’s still sloppy compared to yours,” Omega replied, glancing down at her own nails.

“With practice, comes perfection, as with everything else,” you assured her before standing up.

Walking past Hunter once again, you could feel his eyes on you, but kept walking. Hunter shook his head and turned around to find Wrecker staring at him with a grin. Nudging Hunter in the arm with his elbow, Wrecker let out a teasing laugh.

“Did you want her to do your nails, Hunter, huh?” he teased, causing Omega to pick her head up.

“She’s the best at it,” Omega vouched innocently.

“I’ll just wait for you, Omega,” Hunter replied awkwardly, sinking in his seat.

[yoitsjay]

Bestie when I tell you your fast and for what Tech got me feelin some kind of way 😳🫣🤤 like girl please the Tech community is T H I R S T Y!!!! Anyway love your work 💕💗💘 if your not doing anything could I request a Crosshair x y/n who is a former Jedi experiencing love for the first time? Hope you have a good day or night 👋🏼

Omg thank you! So nice to hear good feedback on the fics I write 🤭 I absolutely love your idea, so here we go! Hopefully I did ok, this one kind of stumped me

Yeah?... Good

Pairings: Crosshair x gn jedi! Reader

Summary: you had left the order when you realized how corrupt it became. But your past keeps chasing you and now you find yourself feeling things you've never felt before for a certain clone who doesn't even know you were a jedi... or does he?

Warnings: crosshair kinda loves u right away cuz your so awesome. Yoda is your previous master, white lightsaber, crystal cleansing, italics is a flashback

Word count: 2099

“The Jedi had become so corrupt! We used to be peacekeepers! Now all we do is fight in wars and lead good men to their deaths! I will not be a part of an order that partakes in such violence!”

Those were the last words you had said to the jedi council, before leaving. You left your whole life behind, and had to pick up a new life and build it from scraps.

You tried many things, regular jobs in the city, mechanical work, ship maintenance. Eventually you had saved up enough credits to leave Coruscant and you did, and you had hoped you would never return but you had picked up bounty work, as much as you hated it, and it was bringing you back to Coruscant.

The bounty was actually put up by the republic, a call for extra aid. You were to meet a small batch of elite clones, complete a retrieval mission in separatist space, and return to Coruscant. Returning to this dreaded planet, but as long as nobody recognized you, you would be fine.

You were wearing a decent amount of armor, and a helmet that covered your entire head. It had a voice modulator so if you needed to speak your voice would be distorted. But your end goal was to say as little words as possible.

When you arrived in front of the GAR, you noticed several different ships but one really stood out. It was an omicron class attack shuttle but it looked modified. It was interesting since you had never seen a ship like that before when you were a jedi.

You continued analyzing the exterior of the ship, keeping a decent distance as you were still waiting on a pickup or for someone to come greet you.

“Ain’t she pretty?” A voice called out, and you turned your head slightly. You noticed this man was a clone, but with several different cybernetics, and a scomp on his left arm. You nodded, turning away from the ship to face the man, realizing that more people, helmeted and in clone armor, were standing behind him.

This must have been the elite clone squad.

“You must be the bounty-”

“mercenary.” You cut off, your modulator transforming your voice as it spoke, making it deeper, and more crackly. The cyber man nodded, turning to look at his brothers. “This is the rest of clone force 99, our leader is Sergeant Hunter, and beside him are Tech, Crosshair and Wrecker.” He introduced, pointing to each individual as he said their names.

You nodded again. stepping forward to extend your hand. The men had removed their helmets, and you could see their brief surprise before Hunter shook your hand. And then you extended your hand to Crosshair, who stared at you before scoffing.

You rolled your eyes but lowered your hand. “Y- Spectre.” You spoke up, almost using your name instead of your codename, which you had quickly corrected.

You had picked the name specter since as a mercenary or bounty hunter, you tended to disappear in plain sight, and stir chaos without being seen.

It was probably because of the modifications in your armor, you had a device built into your suit that allowed you to camoflauge no matter where you went,so you basically became invisible when you needed too

“Alright Spectre… We’ll brief you on the mission on the Marauder.” Hunter spoke up and you nodded, staying behind for only a few seconds as they walked forward. Crosshair roughly shoulder checked you as he walked past, but you only glared, giving him no satisfaction of seeing a reaction.

The ship was smaller than any ship you’ve been on, but it seemed to hold five people nicely enough. Once the ship lifted off, Echo had informed the council that they picked up the aid. Yoda was on the transmission, and he stared at you, despite not seeing you… like he could sense your presence.

“Sense something familiar I do… trust the operative, i suggest.” Ypda stated, looking back at Echo. “May the force be with you. Echo.” Yoda finished before the transmission ended. A sigh escaped your lips, but was not heard by the others.

Soon everyone was called into the cockpit, and Hunter pulled up a hologram of… your planet?

You were born on an outer rim separatist planet, your family knew how strong with the force you were, so they had smuggled you off world and basically shipped you to Coruscant and to the Jedi temple. You were only a child, but you always remembered where you came from… But at the time you didn’t understand why they just gave you up. Until you saw the war first hand with your master.

Yoda.

Of course he could sense you, even through a damn hologram. And now you were returning home, to a planet under heavy siege.

You clenched your fists, but zoned into the briefing, not knowing that Crosshair was examining you, seeing you tense up, and breathe a little heavier before clenching your hands and calming down.

There was something about you, something that he couldn’t place.

“So our mission is to destroy the droid factories to limit their creation so Yoda’s battalion can swoop in and take Rystone for the republic. Specter, we’ve been told you can camouflage, and you're highly trained in stealth. So you and Crosshair will be a team and will sneak inside the factory to plant charges along the main support columns.” Hunter explained, and you nodded briefly.

He then went on to task the others, and soon you were readying your weapons. You carried a blaster, and a longer vibroblade that wasn't quite a sword, but wasn’t a standard knife either. You also placed several throwing knives on different points of your armor, having mini knife holsters strapped pretty much between every armor plate.

Crosshair watched you while cleaning his rifle. He couldn’t tell if you were male, or female. Not like it mattered he liked both. But the way your aura had been drawing him in, he almost felt bad shoulder checking you earlier.

Almost.

Once you were done you turned to look at him, tilting your head. “Will you take that helmet off?” He asked, and you shook your head. “No.” You replied swiftly, and Crosshair hummed. “You like knives?” He then asked, and you nodded. “Easier to use than a blaster.” You huffed.

In truth you would much rather use lightsabers. But that was a luxury you couldn’t have any longer.

Soon the Marauder landed on Rystone, and you all made your way to the city, splitting up into groups once you breached the wall. Crosshair led the way to the droid factory, and you did your best to ignore the surroundings of your home planet. But it felt like the force was trying to pull you in a specific direction.

You pushed it away, focusing on the mission as a grunt left your lips. Now comes your part in the mission. You grabbed several charges, leaving the rest with crosshair as your armor and weapons camouflaged and blended in with your surroundings.

You ran, slightly crouched, placing a charge and setting it at every column like you were instructed to Crosshair did what he needed too, and eventually you ran into him again. You disabled the camo and followed him up to a safe vantage point.

Crosshair commed Hunter and told him the charges were set before he turned to look at you, crouched and studying the area. “Why’d you become a mercenary?” He drawled out, and you glanced at him before mulling over your answers.

“Money.” You settled, it was a typical answer, not entirely a lie but not a full truth either. And even with the modulator-

“Hey! intruders!” A droid suddenly shouted, breaking you and Crosshair from what you could assume was a conversation. You grabbed a throwing knife, jumping to avoid blaster fire as you twisted in the air, throwing your knife towards the droid, subtly using the force to direct the blade which landed right into the droid's head. But the alarms were already pulled.

You ran towards the other droids,picking up the knife from the dead droid as you started slicing the other ones. Crosshair laid cover fire if you needed it, but the way you were cutting the droids like butter?

He was kind of in awe of your skill.

Until a droid had grabbed you by your neck, its punch knocking your helmet off your head and onto the ground. Crosshair was too occupied shooting at the droids advancing towards him, but you managed to get out of the droid's grip, slicing its wiring with a secret blade on your wrist.

You fell to the ground, gasping for air as you gripped your throat. The explosions then went off and you winced, But Crosshair was by your side and he was gently helping you to your feet. “I’m okay.” You choked out, ignoring the look he gave you. “yeah?... good.” He muttered, keeping his hand on the small of your back just for a moment before he pulled away.

Hunter then came over the coms and told Crosshair and you to meet at the rondevu point. So from there Crosshair led you out of the droid factory, taking out whatever droids remained from the explosions.

You had tried looking for your helmet but it was knocked over the edge when you were fighting that bigger droid. Crosshair had been… admiring? no, but he was definitely staring at you, analyzing your features that had now been revealed to him.

He thought you were gorgeous. You had a few scars littered across your face but he liked that, he prefered people who weren't afraid to take hits and then wore their scars without being ashamed.

Soon you reached the rondevu point, and the other clones’ eyes widened when they saw you without your helmet, but what was most surprising was that Yoda was standing beside them, a smile on his face almost.

“Ah, I had a feeling it was you, I did… Young one.” Yoda spoke up. You glanced around nervously before allowing yourself to one knee. “Master…” You trailed off, but his tiny hand reached out, and rested on yours. He comforted you, with such a simple gesture. “Strong with the force, you still are. Practicing, have you?” He asked, and you chuckled, nodding with a smile.

Hearing this, Crosshair and the rest of the bad batch were flabbergasted. You were once a jedi, let alone Yoda’s padawan?

regardless they didn’t interrupt, just staring, waiting.

Just then, Yoda pulled out your lightsaber, a dual saber which was your preferred stance. But something was wrong…

“So much anger, you had for the council. Your saber, connected to you it was. For years, it fed on your hate.” Today explained, opening the saber to reveal a red Kyber crystal.

“No longer a jedi, perhaps. But a peacekeeper, you are.” He stated, and you used the force to hold the lightsaber. You closed your eyes, and sighed.

The red of your once vibrant blue crystal started fading, as you let go… of all that sadness and frustration that you held. You cleansed the crystal, until it was white. You then closed up the saber, and it landed in your hands.

“Right you were, always… young padawan.”Yoda spoke up, looking around. “Sense something evil, i do. Trust in the force, and in your new friends, yes?” Yoda asked, and you nodded, standing up to your feet before looking at Crosshair, who had a light smirk playing on his face.

“hell yeah! Do we get a jedi?!” Wrecker exclaimed, pumping his fists in the air with a grin. You looked down at Yoda, who chuckled. You spoke up. “Not quite, but if you’ll have me… i would love to stay.” You stated, and Hunter nodded slowly. “With the way Crosshair looks at you like a piece of candy that should be no problem.” He teased his brother, and you smiled, nodding to Yoda.

“Take back your home, we will.” he stated, and walked away. You sighed, staring down at the lightsaber before you ignited it. one blade at a time.

The white blades hummed with emotion, emotion you channeled and let go as needed.

Not a jedi, not anymore… But a protector of the light. A lover, a fighter, a person.

With a family…

and boy did Crosshair ever make your life exciting.

Even as he tried to kill you on Kaller, now that was fun.

➺

Tag list:

Crosshair:

@nyctophobiart

Tbb:

@moomoog017 @only-my-unexistent-fiances

[madude21]

Over time

Suzanne loved being pregnant with her bosses baby. Not only was he a good lover but also a great boss. When she started at a tech company she never imagined she would have it so easy.

At first she was just a regular secatatary, taking calls, scheduling meetings, and all the boring paper work no one wanted to do. After awhile she was sick of it and went to her boss ,Jack, to ask for a more important position.

She never really thought anything of him until she saw how dirty he really was. One day, as she approached his corner office she saw that it was locked and started to head back to her desk. Bit before that she heard a muffled "AAAHHH" sound.

Fearing her boss was in trouble she unlocked the door to help him. When the door was opened she saw Jack rubbingone out to his computer."GET THE HELL OUT" he yelled.

She quickly shut the door and stated back to her desk. So many thoughts were going through her head as she tried to forget about what she saw. Not 5 minutes had passed before Jack called her back into his office.

"I'm sorry you had to see that Suzanne, I know it was wrong and I'll think twice before trying that again. But please can we keep this between us, my dad would kill me if he found out what I did at his company" he explained

"I think we should get you a new lock. I got into your office with just a paper clip" Suzanne said in a calm voice. "What, why are you thinking about the door Suzanne"

"You can call me Suzie, and I think you're dad is the least of your worries". He gulped "I'm done for ain't I?" He asked with fear in his voice. "Now ever since I started here you've treated me fair and I think we can reach a fair agreement"

Jack thought the worst as he started to worry about what Suzie was planning. "what did you have in mind?"he asked in a shaky voice. "I know there a new branch management position open, I would like to have it" Suzie said smirking. "Done, it's yours" Jack said hoping that it was all. "There is one other thing". Susie got up and walk towards Jack with malicious intent.

"I want you put a baby's in me" Susie demanded. "What did you say?" Jack wanted to make sure that this was real. "With all this work I've been doing I haven't been able to really live a social life and I want to become a mother before it's too late". Jack was astonished, he didn't really have a social life either because he grew up rich and was basically raised by tutors. "I... uh... don't know what to say". "Don't say anything, just sit there and look pretty" Suzie bent over and took her panties off and dropped on the floor infront of him. Jack's heart raced as he couldn't believe what was happening right now. "Are we really doing this, right here, right now?". Susie ignored his words and started to unbuckle his pants. Jack was in shock, he knew that this was wrong but he was afraid of what she might do if he stopped her.

"just relax and try to be quiet this time" she put her leg over his chair, as her wet pussy hovered over his cock, she guided his dick inside her. "mmnng" she moned softly as to not draw any attention. Jack was enjoying himself until "hnnng" he didn't last long. Susie felt his worm cum inside her "that's ok boss, I got what I wanted". She got off him, turned around and bent over to pick he panties up.

"I'm not done yet" jack grabbed her wrist, his cock was still hard and his confidence had grown. "I don't mind making sure I'm pregnant" she leaned on his desk and presented her cum filled pussy. "I'm gonna enjoy this" he whispered in her ear as he started ramming his hips against her ass. His dick reaching deep inside her. They didn't care how loud they were, they fucked each other all morning that day.

That was 9 months ago and now Suzie sat in her own office with her beautifully round belly. Jack had her office custom made so that their coworkers were deaf to the sounds of their "one on one meetings". Jack entered her office and locked the door "thought we could have some fun before the meeting. How's my son doing". "he has been causing some trouble in there, I think he wants his daddy". Suzie bent over on here chair, awaiting Jack's dick. "You shouldn't even be working being a week overdue, but I can't deny that ass" Jack began fucking her. Wrapping his hands around her plump baby bump and feeling and his son kicking much more than usual "he's really fussy today huh?". Jack turned Suzie so that he could get a better grip of her belly "not so rough today" Suzie begged."I'll try" Jack responded as he pulled her belly aggenst his hips.

They made love for 20 minutes before the pains began. "Aaagh" " are you alright?" "Yes it's nothing, just don't stop". Jack continued, he couldn't resist her jucy pussy as it was extra wet today. " oh god, unnnggg" Suzie's water broke and soked her carpet floor. "Was that the baby" jack asked, worried. "No I just camed" she lied.

"Are you sure, that's a lot of juice" "yeah I've been drinking a lot of liquids" Susie didn't want to miss this meeting, she had to be present not because she needed to but she wanted to see Jack get his promotion. "I'll be fine I can last an hour before the baby comes" she thought. " you go get ready for the meeting, I'm going to clean up this mess and" she was interrupted by a painful contraction. "Are you ok" jack asked "just Braxton hics, nothing to worry about. You go I'll see you at the meeting" she said rushing him out the door. "Please, I want to see Jack inherent the company, just stay in there for a little while"

At the meeting, she was lucky to be seated at the far side, away from Jack. The CEO and Jack's dad, the owner and founder, sat at the other end of the table. As the meeting began the time between her contractions grew smaller. "It's only an hour, I can make it" she said as she felt her baby pushing against her cervix. The meaning was like any other boring corporate meeting. They started by sharing quarterly reports and future contracts. She couldn't focus on anything they were saying as she tried so hard to stay silent.

"Finally it was time for Jack to receive his promotion. Jack's father got up to address the room "now on to more exciting news, I think it's time to welcome our new CFO Jack" everyone in the room started clapping and as they did Suzie was able to let out a small whimper of pain as she felt like pushing. As the noise died down Jack started to speak "I am very honored to have this position and I would like to thank my branch manager, this could have happened without you Suzanne and I would like to thank you for all your hard work". She stood up trying very hard not to scream "thank you all for supporting me... I know times been tough but together we can-mnngg-get through it". She sat down quick, and as she did another contraction hit her.

When the meeting was overly quickly waddled to her office. She knew that she wasn't going to make it to the hospital and laid on the floor to push. A couple of minutes I'd pass and she could feel her baby halfway up the birth canal. Suddenly Jack swung the door opened " I knew it, why didn't you tell me?". "Just shut up and help me deliver this baby,I'm so close" she said pushing her baby. "No son of mine is being born in an office" Jack stuff cheese fingers inside Suzie and started to push their son back. "NNOOO, STOP" Suzie cried out in vain. "now I'm going to carry you and you're going to keep your legs shut until we get to the hospital, understood? " Suzie nodded.

The trip to the hospital was excruciating. Jack would constantly stick his fingers inside Suzie to make sure his baby stayed inside. Every time Suzie pushed he pushed back. But right as they got into the parking lot Suzie was able to push her babies head out. "PLEASE JUST LET ME FINNISH" "NO, YOU BETTER START WAIT TILL THE DELIVERY ROOM" Jack pulled her up. It was hard to walk when there was a baby in between her legs. Jack manage to find a wheelchair and sat her down. When they got to the lobby Jack yelled for the doctor's help but in vain because with one final push his son was born.

[reina-tries-2-write]

The Space Between Sounds

Chapter 4: Finding A Place

SYNOPSIS: After a silent week at Tokyo Jujutsu Tech, someone finally reaches out and invites you to participate with everyone. Are they just being pitying or are you really going to find your place?

WC: 2.8K

PREV - MASTERLIST - NEXT

You were sitting alone at lunch today, as usual, and you had noticed that Tired Guy was observing you. You had no idea why, he was probably just being judgmental or something but you couldn’t quite convince yourself that was the case. He looked almost sad for you so you assumed he was just pitying you.

But your assumptions were quickly proved wrong today.

A few bites into your meal, he came over and sat down across from you with a small smile in greeting. He pulled out a yellow notepad and pencil before writing something down and turning it around for you to see.

—Hey! You know you don’t have to sit alone. You’re always welcome to come join us if you want to. Just tell us how you need to communicate and we can do that. We did it with Toge so that’s not a problem at all. Want you to feel like you fit in and everything. And if it’s any consolation, I struggled to fit in at first but they’re all really good people/panda—

You looked at the message a little shocked. You were not used to people taking the time figure out how to communicate with you, let alone inviting you to participate with them. You picked up the pencil and wrote back, hand a little shaky in shock.

—Thank you. I really appreciate that. Kinda used to not fitting in anywhere tbh. Thing is, I can speak, I just don’t sound normal and hate talking—

—We don’t care if you think you sound weird. Toge only talks in onigiri ingredients so you definitely won’t be alone in the unique communication situation—

—I’ll manage. But thank you for including me. I kinda don’t know anyone’s name still since I struggle with new words—

—I’m Yuta. Panda is pretty self explanatory. I told you about Toge and then that’s Maki. She’s a bit intimidating but nice once you get to know her—

—It’s nice to officially meet you. Sorry it took so long. I’ll come sit with you guys—

He nods and smiles at you before leading you over to the table everyone else was sitting at. He gestures for you to take a seat and you end up between him and Blond Guy— Toge, that’s his name.

Picking up on the fact that you knew nothing about anyone, Yuta says something to the group that you don’t quite catch before he hands the notepad to Panda.

He takes a second and writes something down before handing you the notepad back. In his, interesting, handwriting is a proper introduction and an explanation of his cursed technique. Rather the fact he’s a cursed corpse.

After you read, Toge gestures for you to hand him the notepad and does the same. Cursed speech is his technique and it makes sense as to why he covers his mouth. You hadn’t noticed before since you sat alone during meals but he has cursed speech marks, a snake and fangs seal as he explained, on his cheeks and tongue along with having actual fangs which you found pretty cool.

Maki goes next and explains she can’t use cursed energy which you find interesting. Could you potentially give her some and teach her to use it? You had tried with Mari but it didn’t work so you weren’t too hopeful and didn’t bring it up.

Yuta went last and explained his curse, Rika, and his newfound technique— copy. He rambled a bit on the paper and you figured you might be able to help him control cursed energy if he wanted your help that is. He seems pretty damn competent with it already.

He requests you introduce yourself as well since Gojo had apparently not done a good introduction for you and they also had no idea what your cursed technique was. You figured this would be a good time to explain that, while you were touched by the gesture of using the notepad, you could get by without it. So needless to say, you wrote for quite a bit.

—Hey, I’m Y/N. Obvs I’m deaf but I actually can hear cursed energy. Sounds like how electricity feels if that makes sense. My technique is called Energy Flux and along with hearing cursed energy, I can manipulate it. Give it, take it, move it around, stuff like that. But there’s some stuff that’s important about me you should know. I can usually hear you guys coming up behind me because of your energy and stuff but it’s really loud around here and I’m still getting used to it so you’re welcome to tap my shoulder to get my attention if you need. You all sound different so I’m figuring it out. We don’t have to use the notepad the whole time since I can read lips but new terms and names are hard for me at first. So that’s why I had no idea who you guys were until now. But let me know if you have any questions about me and being deaf and stuff. I don’t get offended about it so you’re welcome to ask anything.—

Everyone reads your message and nods, letting you know they understand and will ask when they need. Toge notes the two of you will probably need to keep writing or typing since you don’t know his onigiri language and that he prefers it anyway since his language doesn’t exactly convey much.

***************************************************

Today at lunch, Y/N was sitting alone again, as she had done all week, and I watched Yuta’s mind race. I knew what he was thinking so I nudged him and nodded my head toward Y/N.

He gave me an appreciative smile before digging through his bag for a notepad and pencil. I heard him take a deep breath before going over and sitting down across from Y/N.

Obviously I wasn’t privy to their written conversation but a few minutes later, to my delight, Y/N followed him over to our table. I scooted over on the bench so she could sit between Yuta and I. She was clearly comfortable with him so I hoped she’d be okay with me too.

Yuta explained that she didn’t even catch our names during introductions last week and that we should do a proper introduction. We all took turns writing on the notepad and passing it around.

Y/N’s turn to introduce herself came around and I was actually a bit excited to get to know her. Figure out how she talked in a sense— what she was like.

She handed me the notepad after writing down a good bit of information and I scanned the page. The first thing I noticed was her handwriting. I really liked it and it was a nice personification of how she would sound if she spoke. It gave her tone and emotion that normally wasn’t present with written words.

She explained her technique which I thought was really cool. She could hear cursed energy? That was, well, unheard of. Not only could she hear it but she could manipulate it too. I wondered what exactly she could do with that.

She said we were welcome to ask any questions and after a few basics about how to communicate with her that Panda and Yuta asked, I scribbled down a question.

—What do I sound like?—

She smiles and takes the notepad back, writing down her answer.

—Like a humming noise. It’s not low like a bass speaker but more like a machine. Soft and not annoying. Kinda nice actually. You’re not as loud as Yuta but you’re louder than Panda. He sounds like a cat purring. Yuta sounds like a storm. Crackly, buzzy, the most like electricity. Maki is a quiet buzz but when she gets angry she sounds like electricity too.—

I chuckled at her response and was honestly happy that I didn’t sound annoying to her. I liked that she seemingly liked how I sounded the most. Based on her description, everyone else sounded kinda annoying except maybe Panda. I loved that he sounded like a purring cat— I was definitely going to give him shit for that.

I loved finally getting a little glimpse into who Y/N was and I really liked her personality and seeming resilience. She was doing her best to make the most of her situation and while clearly frustrating, she was still upbeat and kind to us.

****************************************************

You have a good time with everyone at lunch and after going back to the dorms to change into your training outfit, meet up with them in the arena. They’re all talking together when you arrive and you walk up to join, your notes app pulled up on your phone so you can communicate with Toge.

They all greet you and Maki indicates to you that she has a question for you.

“So, theoretically, can you give someone or a weapon cursed energy?” She asks, placing a hand on her hip.

You nod and smile, not expecting someone to be that interested in your technique.

“Show me.” She requests simply, brows raised.

You give her a thumbs up and everyone takes a few steps back, not knowing what to expect. To take or give cursed energy, you have to make contact with the target entity. You can still repel, amplify and manipulate the energy otherwise without physical contact. It’s just that the transfer process is much faster and safe for you this way.

That being said, you simply extend you hand out to her and she gives you an odd expression. You glance from her, to your open palm and back to indicate to her to hold your hand.

She furrows her brows a bit as if she was skeptical of the experience but places her palm face down on top of yours.

You already know she can’t use cursed energy, you can hear her or rather, she’s almost silent, so you channel a very small amount into her hand. To you, cursed energy feels and sounds like electricity, buzzing and slightly tingly and you don’t want to freak her out.

She flinches a bit at the new feeling, her eyes widening as she feels it move through her per your direction. You donate a small amount of your energy to her and once completely transferred, you drop your hand out from underneath hers.

She looks down at her hand, turning her palm up and making fist a couple times before she gives you a genuinely grateful smile. You then point to her polearm lying in the grass next to her and raise your brows. She picks it up and hands it to you, and upon touching it, you feel the energy flowing through it. It is already extremely powerful on it’s own, clearly compensating for her lack of cursed energy so you don’t tamper with it and quickly hand it back.

Training goes by faster than you could have thought and on your way back to the dorms, you reflect on your interactions earlier.

Sure everyone was nice to you which was surprising but welcome but were they just doing it out of obligation? Were they just being nice out of pity? It didn’t quite seem like it, Toge and Yuta being the most genuine with you. Maki was a little more closed off and Panda was hard to understand but was clearly trying to cheer you up and lighten the mood.

Maybe they weren’t being fake.

****************************************************

Y/N seemingly had a good time at lunch and didn’t struggle as much during training today so I figured it would be a good time to invite her to hang out with us again. Dinner would probably be a good, casual, no pressure opportunity for her to join.

I wanted her to continue to feel included and not like lunch was a one time thing. Plus I liked hanging out with her so I pulled out my phone and typed up a message to her.

Toge walks up next to you, snapping you out of your thoughts, and hands you his phone with a message typed up in his notes app.

—Wanna have dinner with us at 7?—

You smile and nod as you hand him his phone back and he accepts, smiling back.

****************************************************

You showered, changed, and hung out in your room until seven rolled around. You walked down the hallway to the kitchen to discover everyone already there, Toge and Yuta cooking something that smelled really good while Panda and Maki sat at the table, chatting.

They all greeted you in some form, smiles and waves once more, and Panda gestured for you to join him and Maki at the table. You sat across from the pair and Panda said something that was clearly directed at you. But you still couldn’t read his lips yet, or snout rather, so you furrowed your brows and pointed to your mouth as you shook your head.

“You can’t read his words?” Maki asks, picking up on your confusion.

You nod, happy someone understood. You pulled out your phone and typed to the pair.

—I’ll pick it up eventually so don’t worry. I’ve just never exactly talked to a panda before—

You watch the pair chuckle at your message and Panda nodded to acknowledge you. He said something again and you picked up on an ‘okay’ assuming he was telling you it was okay and that he’d be patient.

Maki looked up over your shoulder as you heard someone come up behind you. You turned to see Toge sit down next to you, setting a plate of yakitori in front of you. You flashed him a grateful smile that he reciprocated and, after Yuta served Panda, Maki and himself, the five of you dug in.

The food was absolutely delicious and you tapped the table between you and Toge to get his attention. He looks over at you and you point to the plate before giving him a thumbs up. He gives you a thumbs up back and elbows Yuta who is on the other side of him, pointing to you, his plate and giving him a thumbs up.

Yuta peers around him. “Glad you like it.”

Everyone diligently includes you in the conversation and as delighted as you were to be accepted, you knew you were only slowing it down. Toge noticed your change in demeanor and typed to you.

—What’s wrong?—

—I appreciate being included but I know I’m just hindering the conversation—

He vigorously shakes his head no before typing back.

—You’re definitely not. Promise. We want you to participate so we can get to know you and learn your gestures and stuff—

You smile, a bit sadly, but accept and continue answering questions and typing to everyone until you finished eating. After you cleaned up dinner the five of you migrated into the living room to continue your conversation.

****************************************************

In the middle of dinner, Y/N’s expression and body language suddenly changed. She looked sad and upset with something I couldn’t quite tell. No one else seemed to notice so I did what I would have wanted and typed up a quick message to ask if she was okay. For all I knew she could just be lost in thought but I got the feeling something else was wrong.

I tried to hide my sad expression after she answered my question.

She felt like she was being a burden. And I knew exactly how that felt. The two of us have unique communication needs and while I knew everyone here didn’t mind adapting, I understood why she felt that way.

I made sure she knew she wasn’t hindering the conversation in the slightest. She was actually contributing quite a lot to it and everyone was having a particularly good time tonight. Maki was more involved, Panda was a bit crazier and Yuta was more relaxed. She was helping for sure.

****************************************************

In the living room, Toge sat next to you on the smaller couch and you were more comfortable with his presence than you thought you would be. He seemed to understand you in a different way. Quietly. Intently.

Whatever it was about his presence was comforting in a way and you found yourself relaxing into the couch and social situation more fluidly and easily than you had ever done before.

Usually you were pretty guarded when it came to sharing details about yourself aside from surface level explanations about your deafness and the like. But the group had really put in an effort to include you and you could tell they were being genuine. Not pitying.

As you all settled into the living room, the conversation drifted to topics like favorite movies and embarrassing childhood stories. You found yourself laughing more than you had in weeks, and when it came time to share something about yourself, you hesitated for a second before revealing a small detail about your life before Jujutsu Tech. The group listened intently, their reactions kind and encouraging, and for the first time, you felt a glimmer of belonging.

You slowly opened up to them some, still a bit guarded because of past experiences but you could tell they all meant well so you revealed a few little pieces of yourself. Maybe you had found another little band of misfits.

[simslegacy5083]

NSB (Straud Legacy) Gen 9

Today's (7/31/2024) Episode: The Birthday Girl

The household was grieving Peachy’s departure for the afterlife, but time refused to stand still  for those left behind.

The very next day was Noemi’s birthday. Fielding condolence calls and messages from friends and family wasn’t how they wanted to start her special day, but with Peachy having been opposed to “some fancy memorial shindig”, it was the best closure they could offer his loved ones.

Luigi’s baby made him miss his dada even more. Peachy had been so excited to help Skye try new activities and foods, but never got the chance. When Luigi found Noemi and Valentina in the nursery, celebrating his son sitting up for the first time, he had to work to suppress a strong wave of resentment.

Just a day earlier Peachy would have been able to enjoy the milestone with the rest of them… that boy of his couldn’t pick the right time for anything!

The unfortunate ending to Luigi’s birthday party had prevented Noemi from giving him the special gift she’d arranged.

Her old robotics club friend Kenzie had become a Computer Engineer, with access to computer glasses that only those in her field could craft. Gaming and computer enthusiast Luigi had been trying to find some for awhile and was overjoyed upon opening his fiancées cheerfully wrapped present.

“Happy belated birthday love,” she said as he excitedly slipped them on. Luigi gave his girl a warm thank you kiss, exclaiming:

 “I’ve always loved how you just “get” me. Hopefully the big day and BIG gift I have planned for you will make you just as happy!”

The couples first stop on Noemi’s “party train” was a meetup with their island friends. The group had intended to take all the kids to enjoy “Family Funday” but as they were leaving Luigi got a text from Rhys telling him they’d discovered the event was geared towards older sims.

Deciding to skip the festival this time around the household met their friends at a nearby beach cabana instead, where the always unfiltered Beau saw Luigi and blurted out “You look ridiculous!” before a mortified Breanne could stop him. She quickly elbowed his mirth into a halfhearted apology.

Luigi knew the tech glasses looked odd but refused to show how the tactless comment had stung his pride and instantly tainted his joy. “Envy doesn’t look good on you friend.” he smirked instead before turning his emerald gaze pointedly to Isra and Rhys in greeting.

After shyly accepting everyone's happy birthday wishes Noemi settled in a quiet corner with a sleepy Skye while Luigi kept the conversation going.

Isra was happy to report that her 3rd trimester was progressing smoothly. When she asked if anyone else was planning to join her in having a second child, both Luigi and Noemi shook their heads. “Skye is quite enough for us. Besides, with your brood he won’t lack for playmates!”

Overall, Luigi was glad his and Isra’s relationship had worked out like it did. He was quite happy with one child and, clearly, she wouldn’t have been.

Beau spoke up then “well his highness might be one and done, but if all goes well Bruce will be getting a little brother or sister soon”, explaining that he had an appointment scheduled for another insemination attempt. As everyone wished them luck Luigi glanced at his friend's elder wife with concern. He hated to imagine any kids going through what he had losing his papa, but he couldn’t think of anything to say that wouldn’t offend Beau.

When they finished up at the beach the pair made a quick stop at the house to drop Skye off with his grandma before grabbing a teleport to Chestnut Ridge. It was finally time to get his birthday girl that extra “BIG” gift, the horse he’d promised her the evening they got engaged.

Amaya met them at the park just outside the exhibition center, wrapping Noemi in a big hug and exclaiming “Happy, Happy Birthday pretty momma! Are your ready to go pick out your new best friend!?” At her enthusiastic “let’s do this!” the girls headed inside the center while Luigi hung back to play with his new toy while he waited, telling them “I know nothing about horses, so I’ll leave this to you two experts.”

A surprisingly long time later the ladies finally emerged, although the horse trailing behind them wasn’t quite as large as he’d imagined.

Noemi introduced the tiny foal: “This little guy is Roach – I thought you’d appreciate the name”. Luigi chuckled “You thought right.”

“Are you going to grow up to be as faithful and sturdy as your namesake?” he asked the soft nosed creature as he gently stroked it, mimicking the animation from one of his favorite videogames. “Look” he grinned, turning to Noemi “gaming skills DO translate to the real world sometimes!”

Amaya took Roach back to her ranch to wait on his new parents while Luigi and the birthday girl enjoyed a nice romantic walk. The teleporter wasn’t far, but taking a less direct route gave them more time to enjoy each other’s company and the lovely summer evening.

Finally arriving at Amaya’s ranch, they were met by Valentina and Skye. While oohing and aahing over each others tiny offspring Luigi convinced Miguel that his little Greyson simply must have a kitty companion, and he just happened to have the perfect kitten for the job….!

Finally, Valentina pulled out the uneaten cake crafted by Peachy with love the day before and lit fresh candles. Noemi wished to stay healthy, FINALLY start her new career, and get back in shape as she blew them out and spun her way into the next life stage in front of her friends and family.

It had been a wonderful day and she looked forward to many more with her two favorite boys by her side.

For anyone not familiar with the reference, Roach is named after the faithful steed of the main character in The Witcher videogame series.

View The Full Story of My Not So Berry Challenge Here

[p-artsypants]

Paint it Black (19) Defaulting

Ao3 | FF.net

Everyone, Bruce included, had expected Robin to continue to improve after the antidote was administered. No one thought he’d be right back up and ready to go, but they hoped there would be an improvement. 

Instead, there was a sharp decline. 

Within a few days, Robin went from optimistic about his new future, to nearly bedridden and quiet.

“Robin?” Starfire checked on him for the fourth time that day, hoping this time he’d get up and eat dinner with them. 

“Star…” he croaked. 

She sat at his bedside and pet his hair. “Are you the same or worse from earlier today?” 

“Worse,” he cringed. “It’s like my blood is on fire.” 

“I am to ask if you have a headache or weakness.” 

“Yes, both. And nausea. Could you bring me some water?” 

“Absolutely,” she leaned in and kissed his forehead. 

“Sorry, I was looking forward to spending time with you.” 

“Your apologies are not necessary. You are still recovering, and we have plenty of time to catch up.” 

Robin closed his eyes and let out a long sigh. “I suppose you’re right.” 

“I shall return momentarily with your water.” She patted his leg and returned to the common room. 

“So?” Batman asked, immediately. 

“It is as you have said. He appeared to be sweating quite fiercely, though he has several layers of blankets on. And he said he has a headache and muscle weakness, as well as nausea.” 

“I could pretty confidently diagnose him with opioid withdrawal,” Bruce frowned. “It’s not surprising since he’s been taking some everyday for a few months. You can’t quit that crap cold turkey.” 

“Is poultry also addictive?” Starfire asked. 

“It means quitting without weaning off. I can get about a month’s supply of medical fentanyl from some contacts at the local Wayne Tech branch. Robin’s not going to like having to take it, but if we time it right, we should be able to wean him off gradually. Then he won’t need it.” 

“That is an excellent plan! I shall be the one to explain it to him. He should accept it better from me.” 

“That’s what I thought too.” 

—

Beast Boy couldn’t sleep. He was tired, yes, but there was a tingling in the back of his head he couldn’t ignore. A feeling or an instinct that something was wrong. It had to be his animalistic sense. Then again, that little alarm had gone off a few times since Batman and Alfred came to visit. They were both up and about at night and made just enough noise that his advanced hearing could pick it up, even in sleep. 

But that instinct had settled down in the last week, finally getting used to their scents and sounds. 

But this was different. Something new, but somehow familiar. 

Would it hurt to check? If the coast was clear, he could very well pass it off as an effect of the upcoming full moon and go back to sleep. 

He got out of bed and moved into the hall, careful to be quiet and not awake the others. No reason to bother them over nothing. 

Last thing he needed was Raven making fun of him for literally crying wolf. 

His floor was clear, and was the floor below, where the gym was. But the floor after that, where Cyborg’s room was, was where the feeling intensified. 

Beast Boy morphed into a dog to sniff around in the dark. Something smelled like BO and pizza grease, but not like his room. 

As he rounded the corner, he was suddenly engulfed by a glowing orange orb, suspending him off the ground. He quickly morphed into a gorilla, and then attempted an elephant, but couldn’t actually become big enough. The material of the orb was solid. 

“What’d I tell ya?” Gizmo smirked, while holding a strange looking weapon, presumably what shot the orb. “Green Bean would smell your toe jam and pull the alarm on us.” 

“Fine, remind me to pay up when we’re done,” said Mammoth. 

“The Hive?! What—? How?!” Beast Boy yelled, but his voice was severely muted in his prison. 

Gizmo, Mammoth, See-More, Kyd Wykkyd, and Private Hive were all just casually standing in the hall, like they owned the place. 

“I promised to behave the first time I came to visit,” said Gizmo. “I didn’t make any promises the second time. Tin Man might be busy in the upcoming weeks writing some new passcodes…since I stole them all.” 

Beast Boy banged his fists on his cage. It felt like electrified jelly, and absorbed every hit he gave it. 

Gizmo then turned to his team, laser focused. “Alright, Raven’s going to be our next problem. She might be able to sense auras or souls or whatever, so we need to get her next. Kyd Wykkyd, you have that binding spell?” 

He nodded. 

“Good. Get her to the Ops room on the top floor, and we’ll get her bubbled.” 

Again, he nodded, and phased through the floor. 

“Mammoth, you’ve got Starfire. Mad Mod was able to hold her for a while with these Xenothium cuffs. Bring her upstairs when you’ve got her.” 

He cracked his knuckles. “I’m on it.” 

“See-More, you’re going to take Barf Boy up to the ops room while I take care of Cyborg.” He held up a flash drive. “This code will give us control over him until his battery drains.” 

See-More engulfed the already trapped Beast Boy in his beams. 

“Private, you’re responsible for crazy Robin.” 

“What do I capture him with, sir?” 

Gizmo shrugged. “If you can lure him up to us, I’ll bubble him, but he’s mostly not going to be a problem. He’s totally banana pants loony.” 

Beast Boy bit his lip. Robin was back, but as of bedtime, he was still resting in his room. No doubt, they’d find out soon enough. 

But, even at a quarter of his strength, surely Robin could defeat Private Hive…right? 

And if Robin couldn’t handle them, there was always Plan B. 

Batman. 

That is, assuming they didn’t get the drop on him as well. 

At the moment, Beast Boy didn’t really have any options except to wait and watch and wish he had been smart enough to grab his communicator when he went to investigate. 

He should really think about gluing that thing to his hand or something. 

See-More brought him up to the ops room, and released the ball to float about a foot off the ground. No running or pushing would move it. 

“Cool place. Never seen it from the inside,” he wandered around the still darkened room to find a light and helped himself to some snacks. 

“What are you creeps planning?” Beast Boy asked, nostrils flaring. 

See-More scoffed. “Like you could begin to understand.” 

Only a moment later, the Ops room door opened and Gizmo entered with Cyborg in tow. Cyborg’s steps were more robotic and clunky, and his human eye was closed in sleep. 

“Cy! Hey Cy! Wake up man!” 

“Don’t bother, Barf Brains. He’s trapped in his sleep cycle. As far as he knows, he’s dreaming of his stupid car and eating disgusting food.” 

A black portal opened from the ceiling before Raven fell, bound by the wrists and ankles with a white aura to the floor. The white aura also appeared as a mask over her nose and lips. Kyd Wykkyd appeared, giving Gizmo a thumbs up. 

“That’s three down,” Gizmo smirked as he shot his containment orb at Raven. “Just waiting on the alien…and technically crazy Robin, but I’m not worried about him.”

Raven, just wearing her leotard, rolled around to sit up and look at Beast Boy. 

“Yeah, they got me first. Are you okay? Can you breathe?”

She nodded. 

“Gizmo hacked Cyborg somehow, and has him under control. Let’s hope Starfire’s a light sleeper.” 

Raven gestured her head, silently asking about the others in the tower. 

“Not a clue. I’m calling it Plan B. If you know what I mean.” 

She rolled her eyes, but ultimately nodded in understanding. 

Then there came a boom from somewhere below, shaking the tower. 

“And…that would be Star,” Beast Boy smirked. 

“Kyd Wykkyd, See-More, go back him up,” Gizmo demanded, throwing See-More the strange gun. “I’ll watch these bozos. Not that they’re going anywhere.” 

“This is going to hurt, isn’t it?” See-More asked as they left. 

“I’ll ask again,” Beast Boy snarled. “What are you creeps up to?” 

“Nunya business, Butts for Brains.” 

“I think it is our business, considering you broke into our house!” 

“Big talk from you dweebs. I hear someone in this tower is actually a thief. Some heroes you are.” 

Beast Boy didn’t have an answer for that. He simply looked over to Raven again.  

She shrugged back. 

“Thief of what?” 

“Not sayin’, just something that doesn’t belong to you.” 

Beast Boy remembered the strange white doll again, though he couldn’t believe that was what Gizmo was talking about. 

After all, that wasn’t stolen, it was abandoned. 

Or maybe not. 

“Sir, Gizmo, Sir!” Private Hive arrived, a body clad in plaid pajamas over his shoulder. “There was no one in Robin’s designated room, but I found this old man in the room next door.” 

“Unhand me, you brute!” Alfred shouted from his awkward position. 

Beast Boy gasped and shouted, “Let go of our grandpa!” 

“Your grandpa?” Gizmo smirked. “I would have thought that any family of yours would also be green.” 

As Private Hive brought Alfred over to where Raven and Beast Boy were being held, Gizmo looted through the drawers in the kitchen until he found a roll of duct tape. “Here. Tie him up with this. Doubt the old man is any kind of threat.” 

Private Hive taped his wrists and ankles and left him on the floor between Raven and Beast Boy. 

“You okay, Alfred?” 

“I’m mostly fine. A little more bruised than I would like.”  

“They’re trying to catch Starfire right now. No sign of Robin, it sounds like.” 

“Miss Starfire is quite strong. They have their work cut out for them.” 

They waited more time in silence, anxiously waiting for any sign of a battle, while Gizmo impatiently rooted around the ops room. 

Maybe ten minutes later, the other Hive members returned with Starfire bubbled. Mammoth was bleeding from the nose and a cut above his eye. Starfire wore a tank top and shorts, though one strap on her tank was ripped. She was dazed and sprawled out in the bubble as they plopped her down by Beast Boy. 

“Star?” He asked, concerned. 

She clenched her eyes shut a few times, trying to focus. “Beast…Boy…?” 

“You’re okay. They’ve got us captured in these bubbles. Raven’s gagged and they infected Cyborg with a virus, so he’s out of commission. And they found Alfred.” 

Starfire just laid on her stomach, and pounded a cuffed fist against the orange surface. “I should have fought harder.” 

“Please, Miss Starfire, don’t be so hard on yourself. This was a surprise attack.”

“And I went easy on ya,” Mammoth mocked, wiping his face with a dish towel. “Next time, you won’t be getting up.” 

Starfire leapt to her feet and began wailing on the orb. Her attacks made the bubble shake violently, but it didn’t break. “THUS VAR Y’KEEM!” She shouted in her native tongue. 

“Ohh I’m so scared.” Mammoth rolled his eyes. “What’s next, Pipsqueak?” 

Gizmo gave him an annoyed look, but ignored the nickname. “We find the target. We have 24 hours before these bubbles wear down. I wanna be long gone before then. Crazy Robin is in the tower somewhere, but we outnumber, outpower, and out-sanity him. Call for backup if you see him.” 

Mammoth stuck a finger in his ear. “What are we looking for again? Some weird doll?”

Gizmo scoffed. “Nice work, Fart Face. Whatever. Yeah, all white doll, made of cloth.” 

Beast Boy let out a squeak that was muted by the prison. 

“Alright, spread out!” 

Kyd Wykkyd disappeared through the floor, but before the others could leave, the lights went out. The Hive members went still. 

“He’s here,” said Gizmo, converting his backpack into its spider form. “Get ready for something weird and stupid.” 

Instead, the main doors opened, and a cloud of smoke rolled in, making them all cough and choke. 

“What the—?” Gizmo exclaimed, but before he could finish, a grapple line wrapped around him and yanked him off his feet. 

A Batarang cut through the air and hit See-More right in the eye, making him fall to his knees and cry out in pain. 

Private Hive took out his shield and ran into the smoke, ready to fight. 

While the sounds of Private Hive getting the crap beaten out of him filled the silence, Mammoth ran at Alfred, swept him off the ground and put him into a painful headlock. “Give up now, or I snap the old man like a twig!” 

Private Hive gave a final ‘oof!’ as the wind was knocked out of him. 

Mammoth squeezed, and Alfred let out a painful gasp. 

There was silence, and then Batman flourished his cape and cleared the smoke. He stood in the doorway, watching intensely. 

“One more move, and Grandpa’s toast.”  

Batman noticed the bead of sweat that traveled down Mammoth’s forehead, but more importantly, the color draining from Alfred’s face. 

It just wasn’t a risk he was willing to take. 

Batman sighed and put his hands up. 

“Stand over by the others.” 

Batman did as directed, never showing what he was thinking. 

With Alfred still in a headlock, Mammoth recovered the bubble gun from the floor, and shot Batman. Then he dropped Alfred harshly on the ground. “You came in handy, gramps.” 

Alfred coughed and choked. “I hope you rot, you thug.” 

Mammoth kicked him once before going over to Gizmo and attempting to untangle him. 

Private Hive got his wind back and pathetically barked. “You never said Batman was involved! I never signed up to deal with Batman!” 

“Aw shut up, I didn’t know he was in town.” Gizmo finished untangling himself and dusted his arms off. “See-More, you good?”

The teen in question just sniveled, presumably not ‘good’. 

“Fine. Mammoth, Private, join Wykydd in the search. I’ll look in here and keep an eye on the hostages and See-More. You all have your radios?”

“Hostages?” Beast Boy barked. 

“Oh, did I offend you? What would you prefer? Prisoners? Captives? Losers?” 

 As the team split up, Batman opened the computer on his gauntlet. “Alright, what do you know?” 

“Oh, um…Gizmo’s kind of a returning pain in the neck. We actually…recruited him to help on the case. He’s the one that recovered the files from the SD card from Robin. Sounds like he hacked our system the last time he was here.” 

“Hm.” 

“Mammoth let it slip that they’re looking for some white doll that was allegedly stolen.” He shouted over to where Gizmo was. “Even though we don’t steal!” 

“Not according to our sources!” Gizmo chirped back. 

“And who are these sources?” Batman demanded. 

“Not telling, Bat Barf!” 

“Charming child, isn’t he?” Alfred quipped. 

Batman scanned the bubble prison, trying to find a weakness. “These cages are made out of an electrified aerogel, composed of silicon and amber. We could dissolve it if we had turpentine and toluene.” 

“Oh good. I assume you have those in your utility belt?” Alfred asked, sarcastically. 

“Gizmo said they’ll weaken in 24 hours. So we won’t die here at least…” 

“And no one has mentioned Robin?”

“Private Hive said he wasn’t in his room.” 

Batman shifted his jaw. “Then we might not be totally out of luck.”

“But he could not possibly take out the Hive on his own. He is far too weak right now!” Starfire protested. 

“He probably couldn’t win if they teamed up, but if he picked them off one by one…” 

Gizmo seemed to overhear that much from his spot across the room, and called out on his radio. “Keep on your toes for Robin. Don’t let him pick you off!” 

“I’m in his room right now, sir. Someone was here not too long ago.” 

Before Gizmo could respond, there was a long beep that was emitted from the ceiling. Then, music started playing, an acoustic guitar. 

“Intercom system activated.” Cyborg said, in an emotionless voice. 

“Intercom? Since when did we have an intercom?”   

When you were here before…couldn’t look you in the eye…

“Alright, who’s messing with the radio, huh?” Gizmo yelled into his com. 

You’re just like an angel…your skin makes me cry.

Beast Boy shuttered. “This is ‘Creep’ by Radiohead.” 

“Could that mean…?” Starfire whimpered. 

You float like a feather…in this beautiful world.

“That antidote didn’t work.” 

I wish I was special…yes so very special.

“Mayday! Mayday!” Private Hive’s panicked whisper over the com. “Crazy Robin spotted! He’s pissed! And I think he has a gun!” 

“Where are you?” Gizmo asked. 

“I’m in the trophy room. I’m hiding behind a corner.” 

“Why the heck are you hiding!? Get out there soldier! He doesn’t have superpowers! And don’t let his weird intimidation tactic get to you.” 

But I’m a creep…I’m a weirdo…what the hell am I doing here? I don’t belong here…

There was silence on the other end for a while, before Private Hive came back on, screaming. “Help me! He’s going to kill me! Ahh! Make it stop!!” 

Mammoth responded. “Private, I’m coming to back you up!” 

Gizmo scoffed at the radio. “You can’t find good help these days. Maybe we’ll go with the Hive Four until Billy’s out of jail.” 

I don’t care if it hurts…I wanna have control…I want a perfect body. I want a perfect soul.

“Did Private say he had a gun?” Beast Boy asked. “Where did he get a gun?”

“I hope he’s mistaken,” Batman sneered. “Or else this is going to get messy.” 

I want you to notice…when I’m not around…you’re so very special…

It was faint, because the tower walls were so insulated, but there was a definitive ‘pop pop’ somewhere in the tower. 

“Shit.” 

I wish I was special.

“Private! Status!” Gizmo shouted. 

There was no answer. 

“I’m closing in on his location,” said Mammoth. “There’s no one here but—-ough!” 

“I’m making the call, get out of there!” 

Mammoth’s radio must have fallen while being turned on, as the sounds from the room were clearly heard. Fists connecting, Mammoth’s cries of pain, and someone singing along with the radio. 

But I’m a creep…I’m a weirdo…what the hell am I doing here? I don’t belong here.

“Hold…still…you little…!” 

“Uh oh! Sounds like someone’s full of regretti, upsetti, and spaghetti!” 

“You…crazy son of a…” 

“Hey! There will be no goddamn swearing!” 

She’s…running out the door.

There was another loud ‘pop pop’ before silence. 

“Kyd Wykkyd? You still out there?” Gizmo asked with palpable fear in his voice. 

“If you let us out of here, we might be able to call him off,” Batman offered. “We might be able to save your friends.” 

“Like I believe you!” 

She’s run…run…run…

Gizmo sank to his knees in the common room, as there was nothing but silence over the radio, and only a warning over the speakers. 

Run! Run!

“Screw this! I’m getting out of here! Sorry See-More!” And Gizmo booked it out of the room. 

Whatever makes you happy…whatever you want…you’re so very special…

No one knew what to say. Was this considered a win? At what cost? 

Batman hung his head, shaking it in disgust. 

I wish I was special.

Starfire sobbed. “Why didn’t it work?” 

“What?” Asked Beast Boy. 

“The antidote! It was supposed to cure him!” 

“I’d like to know too,” Batman growled. “Because either the antidote was faulty, or he got dosed with his poison somehow.” 

“But he hasn’t left the tower in days,” said Beast Boy. 

“So…who got in?” 

But I’m a creep…I’m a weirdo…what the hell am I doing here? I don’t belong here…

The door to the ops room opened once again, and Black, wearing his ratty jeans and trench coat, stood in the doorway, gun in hand. “I don’t belong here!” He sang with the radio. “Sorry guys, looks like I made a widdle mess!” 

“Get us out of here, now!” Batman roared. 

“Damn, okay.” Black grumbled. “God forbid there’s any gratitude around here.” He left the room, and when he returned, he had Gizmo by the collar, his arms bound to his body by a grapple line. 

“Scuzz munching, brain barfing psycho.” 

“Turn off the orbs,” Black demanded. 

“I ain’t doing squat!” 

Black pointed his gun at his head. “I really think you ought to,” he sang.

“Okay okay!” Gizmo relented. “Jesus Christ.” 

Once he had a hand free, Gizmo simply tapped a button on his suit and the orbs popped. 

Beast Boy worked on setting Raven free from her binding spell while Batman picked the locks to Starfire’s cuffs. 

Once Raven was free, she disappeared into the floor, off in search of the injured villains. 

“You better fix Cy too!” Beast Boy shouted at Gizmo. 

“Ugh yeah yeah. Man, this is turning out to be a major failure.” 

While Starfire was free to help Alfred, Batman went to Black and held out his hand. “You really shouldn’t have that. Why don’t you give it to me?” 

Black screwed up his lips. “What if I need it?” 

“You don’t.” 

Cyborg let out a yawn and a stretch. “Good morn—hold up. Gizmo?” 

“The twerp hacked you, my man!” Beast Boy shouted.

“Several of our adversaries intruded upon our home,” Starfire elaborated. 

“Aww man…and I slept through all that? And now I bet I have to reset all the codes, huh?” 

Gizmo shrugged. “Don’t know. Don’t care. I’m all done. You gonna take me to the police or what?” 

Batman begrudgingly allowed Black to keep the weapon, for now, and approached Gizmo. “We’ll take a little ride in the Batmobile in a minute, but first, I want a word.” He grabbed Gizmo by the shirt and dragged him out of the room. 

“I can walk you know!” 

Soon after, Raven returned. “I couldn’t find Kyd Wykkyd. Private Hive is stable, but injured. Mammoth was in the worst condition, but if he gets to a hospital soon, he’ll survive.” 

The group collectively looked at Black. 

“Uh, you’re welcome?!” He sassed. 

Mostly, they were just wondering how he was here and not Robin, but no one was sure how to ask the question. Black wasn’t supposed to know that they tried to get rid of him. 

Distantly, the group could hear Gizmo screaming as he fell off the tower, but no one minded much. 

“What did those knuckleheads break in here for?” Cyborg asked, playing catch up. 

“It’s the D-O-L-L again,” said Beast Boy. “I think that’s why Batman is interrogating Gizmo.” 

See-More still laid on the floor, in pain due to his broken eye. He spoke up, sniveling. “Joker offered a position as his apprentice if someone brought that thing to him.” He worked on taking his helmet off. “Jynx and I had weird vibes about the situation. It's one thing to be a big time villain, but that guy is not stable.” 

“So why did you join the mission?” Raven asked, kneeling to look at his eye. 

“Curiosity. I wasn’t going to accept the position, but I thought it’d be a good experience.” 

“Yeah, I bet ‘I ran a job for the Joker’ looks great on a villain resumé,” Beast Boy chuckled. 

“You joke, but we literally had lessons on it from the guidance counselor at the Hive Academy.” 

“That’s wild.” 

“As it is, I doubt I’ll be doing anything evil for a while, if I haven’t gone blind from this.”

“Well, make sure you make an appointment with your evil optometrist, and you’ll probably be fine,” Raven concluded her exam. “As it stands, we’ll probably need a few ambulances.” 

“My question still stands,” said Beast Boy, walking up to Black. “Where did you get the gun?” 

He tucked it away in his waistband. “I’ve had it the whole time.” 

“Bull shit!” 

“I’m serious. If you go back, it’s mentioned in chapter 6.” 

“What are you talking about?!” Beast Boy became frustrated. “You almost killed people today! Robin never used guns, and knew exactly where to hit people to knock them out without killing them. You—…” He shook his head and walked over to the couch. “I thought this was over.” 

“Wow,” said Black. “You all are nothing but a bunch of ungrateful brats. Here I thought I’d get a bunch of ‘atta boy’s for rescuing all of you. But nnnoooOOOOoooOoooo. You’re all like ‘people could have died’ and ‘I’m scared for my own life because you have a gun and you’re crazy’.” 

Frightening how no one had said the second part aloud. 

“Black,” Starfire began, resting her hands on his shoulders. “We are grateful that you saved us. We knew you could do it, and knew you were our only chance. We’re just…concerned about your methods.” 

Black looked at Starfire, tilting his head to the side. He glanced away, furrowing his brows, like he was listening to something. 

Then he backed away from her. “Glad to know one person is grateful.” 

A moment later, Batman returned with a pale and shaking Gizmo. “I have a location.” 

“Good,” stated Cyborg, from the computer. “Where are we headed?”

“Tomorrow night,” Batman clarified. “They have a meeting. I’m going to be there instead. The rest of you are going to watch Black.” 

“Uh…tomorrow is Halloween,” Beast Boy piped up. “With all the kids trick or treating, Robin likes to have us all on patrol.”

Black perked up.

“Right,” Batman sighed, forgetting the date. 

“Sir, could we not put him in the containment unit for the night? I would be more than capable to look after him.” 

“That will have to work. In the meantime, we should clean this mess up.” 

—-

After all of that, Beast Boy returned to his room, totally pooped. He hadn’t even done any fighting, but the adrenaline of it all kept him wired. 

But as soon as he laid down, he got a whiff of an unfamiliar smell. He morphed into a bloodhound and started sniffing around. Someone had been in his room. 

When it all clicked, he transformed back into a boy and ran to tell the others. 

The doll was gone.

[devastator1775]

Hope, Love & V - Chapter 3: Confessions

Summary: The days leading up to V's surgery are filled with all sorts of confessions.

It had been a week since V had made her decision about the surgery, and those days which were mostly filled with going through a lot of meeting and talking with the tech-surgeons who were going to perform her operation. A lot of it involved taking measurements, getting to look through some of the designs that would potentially be used, aftercare and the amounts of mandatory therapy – both physical and psychological - she would have to do afterwards.

Uzi visited every day, often having N with her. The goofball was so happy to see V the first time he walked through that door that he pretty much lunged at her to give her a hug and knocked her almost out of bed. At least the amusing sight of Uzi reprimanding her boyfriend made up for it.

And then …there was Lizzy. She hadn’t been acting the same since their …moment together. Despite what she had said, they never had, uh …picked up where they left off. V wouldn’t say things had been tense between them, but the whole event just didn’t get mentioned by neither of them. V figured that Lizzy was having the same problem as her and just didn’t know how to bring it up. Luckily, nothing about that seemed to deter Lizzy from visiting every day – one time even sneaking in after visiting hours had already ended.

Somewhat unexpected, it seemed that word about V’s ‘noble sacrifice’ had gotten around the Colony. Thad once came in with a ‘Get Well’ card, signed by Uzi’s classmates – some adding a lot of hearts next to their names, much to Lizzy chagrin and V’s amusement. Not only her, but N seemed to reap some of the rewards as well. Since being ‘released from the rogue AI’s influence’ meant neither of them would be hunting down Worker Drones anymore, the good people of Colony Outpost 3 seemed it only fair that they could live there. N was given his own home and he had assured V that there was a room waiting for her when she’d get better.

All in all, V felt things looking up for her.

***

One afternoon, when all her friends were visiting and sharing stories of their week, V’s doctor came in with good news. They had made the finishing touches on V’s new legs and had come to show V and give some explanations around their use. Only, one thing …

“They are …a lot more, uh …” V struggled to find the words as she looked at what’s supposed to be her new legs.

“Clunkier than expected?” N suggested.

“Yeah, that.” V tilted her head, as if a different angle would improve how they looked. The two legs were indeed a lot more robust than those of the average Worker Drone – which meant all of them.

“Yes, but you have to understand that your situation and the operation we’re going to perform are quite …experimental. A lot of things needed to be accounted for in the design.” Doctor Steen explained to her. “A wider surface for better grip, sturdier design to help you keep your balance, things like that. And even with these, you will need to use crutches as extra aid.”

V bit on the inside of her cheek. “I see…”

“I do also recommend that you use a wheelchair for the first 6 months after your surgery for most of the time, as not to overexert your legs.” He smiled sympathetically when he noticed how V’s face fell. “But keep in mind that these modifications are just the first version. An improved version is already being designed and what we will learn from you usage of these will only help make your replacements being more user-friendly.”

That bit perked V up, if only even a little. “So …how is this gonna work? You just gonna slap those puppies on me?”

“Don’t use the word ‘puppies’ like that, V.” N whispered, being quickly silenced by Uzi pinching him in the rear.

“Miss V, you must understand that these are essentially prosthetics.” Steen began. “Your surgery involves removing the damaged parts and grafting connectors in their place. These connectors will, as their name implies, connect you to the prosthetics and thus will allow you to remove them more easily.”

“Uh-huh ….” V muttered, her eyes fixated on the two heavyset legs.

“Obviously, it’s a simplified explanation, but we can get into details after you’ve recovered from the surgery.” Steen said, as he took out a clipboard. “Speaking of which, I’ve got a few dates here for you to consider. When would you-?”

“whichever is the first one!.” V quickly decided. She huffed when everyone in the room gave her a dumbfounded expression. “I am done being in this room, I need to get this over with as soon as possible, can we make that happen?”

The doctor blinked a few times, his mouth still open from being interrupted. He shook his head and smiled. “I’ll let you know when we are ready.”

V just nodded as the doctor left the room, letting out a heavy sigh as the door closed and left her alone with her friends. A hand on her shoulder made her look up.

Lizzy, who had been sitting right next to her the entire time, gave her shoulder a soft squeeze. “You okay, V?” The concern on her face spoke volumes. “You seem …out of it.”

“Y-yeah, I’m …” V smiled sheepishly. She hadn’t realized how expressive she must’ve been. It used to be easier to hide away her feelings and true motivations in order to protect those she considered close to her – even though she never admitted it to them before. Nowadays …letting out het feelings and concerns seemed …laughable natural, almost. And why not? It’s not like she has anything to hide …anymore. She sighed. “I’m just nervous, I guess?”

“Scared of the operation?”

“Pssh, what? Nah.” V scoffed, waving away the accusation but ...that soft look in Lizzy’s eyes broke through the cracks in her defensive wall. She let out a heavy breath, flopping down on her pillow. “Okay, fine. Maybe …I am …just a little?”

“Why?” Uzi piped up. “You seemed so certain of it before.”

“It’s just ….” V took a deep breath as she collected her thoughts. “I’m banking pretty much every remaining shred of hope on this operation.”

“What do you mean?” N asked as Uzi, who had been sitting comfortable on his lap, hopped off.

“What if none of this works out?” V asked, more to herself than anyone else in the room. “What if I just wake up again and nothing changed? What if I still can’t walk? What if it gets worse instead? What if-?”

Lizzy grabbed V’s hand and gave it a hard squeeze, jolting the panicking drone out of her rambling. “V, calm down. You’re going to blow a fuse!”

V muttered a ‘sorry’, before she buried her face in her hands to let out a groan. “I’m being ridiculous.”

“Hey, it’s a big operation, you’re obliged to feel scared about it.” Uzi remarked.

“Still …what if it doesn’t work out like we hope it would?” V asked.

“Would it stop you?” Lizzy asked. “Let it hold you back?”

“Our V?” N questioned with a grin. “Doesn’t seem like her.”

“Yeah, who is this whiney crybaby that has taken her place?” Uzi added with an evil grin with an added playful wink.

“You know, at first I figured that this was going somewhere wholesome, but then you had to open your noise-hole and ruin the entire thing, Doorman.” V remarked dryly, making everyone – including herself – laugh. She took a deep breath and gave Uzi a genuine smile. “But thank you.” She turned to Lizzy. “All of you. I know I’m being dramatic.”

“You’ve always been dramatic.” Lizzy stated as her expression softened. “That’s one of the things I love about you.”

“’One of the things’, huh?” V asked with a soft smile, as she reached out to grab Lizzy’s hand.

Lizzy’s fingers closed around V’s hand. “Yeah…”

A silence fell over the room, which Uzi broke after a few moments when she cleared her throat. She grabbed N’s hand and started to usher him towards the door. “Uh, N, I just remembered that we’re going to be late for that thing with the person.”

“Huh, we don’t-“ A light bulb appeared on N’s visor. “Oh! You want to-“

“Oh, for f-“ Uzi, done with being gently, just started to push her boyfriend out the door. “Bye! We’re going and leaving you two alone now!”

“Bye V!” N called out. “Bye Lizzy! We’ll visit-”

The door slammed shut, cutting of the rest of what N was going to say and leaving the two Drones alone in the room.

Lizzy eventually chuckled. “Wow, those two aren’t exactly subtle, aren’t they?”

V snorted amusedly. “N is just too much of a goof and Uzi never knew how to, so why start now, huh?”

A muffled ‘Bite me’ sounded from behind the door, making the two Drones erupt in laughter for a few moments, with Lizzy burying her face in V’s chest. After their laughter died down, Lizzy looked up from her ‘headrest’ and smiled softly at V, who started to let her fingers caress through the former’s hair.

“Hi.”

“Hey.”

They paused for a few moments. Neither of them knew how to start. This had been hanging between them for the entire week and now that they had the opportunity and time to discuss this …both of them were at a loss for words. Eventually, V felt it was time to speak up.

“I …I think it’s time we address the elephant in the room, huh?” V asked, a little nervous.

Lizzy sat up with a heavy sigh, folding her hands in her lap and twiddling her thumbs. “Yeah, about time, I’d say.”

“You wanna start?”

“Do you?”

“I’m asking you.”

“I’m asking you.”

V chuckled. “This is going nowhere.” She took a long, deep breath and smiled. “So I guess I’ll start. So …Lizzy, about what, uh, happened last week?”

“Yeah?”

“We kinda got interrupted.”

“Yeah, we did.” Lizzy bit her lower lip, seemingly contemplating whether or not to ask the following question. “Did you like it?”

V smirked teasingly. “Getting interrupted?”

Lizzy rolled her eyes with an amused chuckle. “Before that, dummy.”

Blush lines formed on V’s visor as a small smile tugged on her lips. “I did.”

Even brighter blush lines formed on Lizzy’s visor. “I did too …very much.”

“Honestly, it was hot.”

“So hot.”

“And we never really picked up where we left off.”

“No, we didn’t.”

“You still wanna?”

“Yes!” Lizzy blushed when she blurted out – petty much shouted – her reply and shrunk into herself, grinning sheepishly. “I mean …if you…”

V gulped. Why was this getting more difficult all of the sudden? “Y-yes.”

Lizzie’s expression blanked out, her blush glowing more and more brightly every second. “Okay…” She fiddled nervously with the seam of her dress. “Uh, V?”

“Yeah?”

“Before we do, uh, that, I just want to say…” Lizzy took a deep breath, as a progress bar with the words [FORMULATING CONFESSION (syntax error)] underneath it formed. It wasn’t loading very quickly. She blinked the snitching message away and tried again. “I just wanna say …I…I…”

V rolled her eyes, grabbed Lizzy by her shoulder and pulled her in, leaving only a little space between their visors. “You talk too much.”

And then she kissed Lizzy. After a surprised squeak, Lizzy’s hands landed on V’s cheeks, letting out a soft moan as she and V melted into the kiss. V ran her hands through Lizzy’s hair while Lizzy’s hands seemed not able to decide where they’d rather be holding V. Time seemed to stretch out into infinity as they kept kissing. Thank Robo-God that Drones don’t need oxygen, making these types of prolonged make-outs very fun. Eventually, they did need to pull themselves away from one another, albeit very reluctantly.

“Wowzers…” V whispered softly as she caressed Lizzy’s cheek.

Lizzy giggled. “Did you really said ‘wowzers’?”

“I did.” V admitted as she softly tickled under Lizzy’s chin. “What about it?”

“N-nothing.” Lizzy cooed as she blushed brightly. “Ab-so-lu-te-ly nothing at all.”

V chuckled, gazing deeply in Lizzy’s eyes. “I love you, Lizzy Casio.”

Lizzy’s mouth fell agape as a loading wheel appeared on her screen.

“You okay, Liz?” V asked, not able to stop herself from smirking.

Lizzy answered, but it was a series of sounds, not unlike those made by old human internet dial-up modems. V couldn’t help herself and bursted out in laughter, which brought a flustered Lizzy out of her bootloop. “S-stop laughing. I-I just wasn’t ready for that!” She reprimanded, blushing fiercely. “You can’t just throw out such a big thing all casual like.”

“You want me to take it ba-OOMPH!” The air got knocked out of her proverbial lungs when Lizzy suddenly threw herself on top of her. “Easy, or else I’m going to need more surgery.”

“Don’t you dare take that back, V. And …sorry, I guess.” Lizzy mumbled as she made herself comfortable, nuzzling her face in the nook of V’s neck. As V wrapped her arms around her girlfriend and pulled her closer, Lizzy let out a heavy sigh before quietly adding: “I love you too, V.”

V’s core started buzzing and she could feel her own circuits heating up all across her body. Okay, maybe Lizzy had a point about blurting out something big like that all willy-nilly. She was so glad that Lizzy had her face buried in her hair right now, so she couldn’t see the big, goofy grin that was forming on V’s face. “I …I am happy you are here …with me” She whispered. “I …I know I’m putting on a brave face, but …”

“I know, I know …” Lizzy quietly acknowledged. “I’m here, V. And whatever happens, I’ll still be here. Whatever the outcome, I will be by your side to help you while you go through this. I promise you that.”

“Quite the promise.” V stated as she gently pushed Lizzy away from here, so she could gaze into those neon pink eyes and caress her cheek. “You sure you are up for it?”

“Honestly, no.” Lizzy admitted truthfully. “I have never done something like this before, I’m certain that I’m gonna mess up, but …I’m willing to try and learn along the way.”

“All I’m asking for.” V chuckled as she pulled in Lizzy for another kiss. They were just about to really get into it, when:

“Hey, if you guys ae gonna keep acting all mushy and gross-“ Uzi’s voiced called out from behind the door, with N sounding like he was trying to drag her away in the background. “-can you at least toss my bag out the room? I left it under my chair!”

V and Lizzy turned to each other with a big grin, before they turned their attention to the door and shouted in unison: “Bite me!”

***

Well, V had asked that they’d schedule her for her operation as soon as possible, but she hadn’t expected it to be this fast. So, here she was, in an operating room only a few days after she and Lizzy officially got together. She nervously looked around her. The room was filled with machinery, tech-surgeons and nurses. On her right, she could see a table filled with various tools. As a former Disassembly Drone, she could appreciate good cutting equipment, but today the sight of them made her feel queasy.

“Okay, we’re ready to begin.” Doctor Steen appeared in her view, giving her a sympatric smile. “How are you feeling?”

“Nervous. A bit scared.” V figured putting on a brave façade wasn’t gonna do her much good.

“Don’t worry, Miss V. You are in capable hands.” He reassured her. “Now, relax while I insert the anaesthesia-cable.” 

She felt something brush against the back of her head and she had to keep herself from flinching when she felt something being put inside her data port at the back of her neck.

“Now, count from 10, please.”

“Fine, 10, 9, 8,7-“

…

Wait, when and why did she stop counting?

“Guys, I think she’s waking up?”

N? What was that goofball doing in the operating room?

“Well, seeing how she scowled at hearing your voice, I think she is.”

Uzi too? Were they here to watch?

“Stop it, guys.” Now she heard Lizzy’s voice. “V, can you hear me?”

V groaned as she opened her eyes, squeezing them shut immediately as the bright light of the room was an offence to her and only made her head feel like it was going to split open. She waited a few moments more before she opened them more slowly, her interface slowly loading up as her vision became more clearer. First thing she saw was Lizzy, her expression a mixture of concern and relief.

“Hey baby, how you feelin’?” she asked,.

“Thirsty …” V’s voice was raspy. She took grateful sips of the bottle of oil that Lizzy brought to her lips. She cleared her throat, feeling relieved that the thick liquid had eased it a little. “But otherwise …tired. My head feels like they’ve hammered some extra screws on them.”

She felt her bed creak as Uzi leaned down on her legs. “I’m sad to say that they didn’t do that.” The purple-haired drone grinned. “Too bad, it could have been an improvement.”

Before she could throw back a snarky comment, N interjected – a bit too enthusiastically loud, making her wince.

“Ooh, can I tell her a-“ He began, but a look from Uzi made him shut up.

Hang on, why was his visor cracked?

“Tell about wh- Doorman, get off me.” V was getting annoyed at how Uzi was drumming her hands on her body like she was some sort of drum set..

“And what if I don’t?” Uzi asked with a grin.

V kicked Uzi’s hand off her. “I’m gonna-“

She suddenly realized what she had done. She looked at the blanket that was covering her legs, tried to move one …and lifted one up. A soft gasp escaped open mouth, as tingles ran through her entire body. She tried to lift her other leg ….and up it went. Slowly and it definitely felt like it took a lot of effort, but …

“I can move my legs again!” V exclaimed, looking around at her friends and girlfriend, as if to ask them for confirmation that she wasn’t dreaming. . “I’m not imagining it, aren’t I?”

“No, you’re not!” N happily confirmed. He rubbed his cracked visor. “In fact, I was the first one who saw it up close …when I got close because I thought I saw your legs twitch when you were sleeping. Turns out I was right when you accidentally kicked me right in the face.”

Oh, so that’s how he got his injury. V gave N a sheepishly apologetic grin. “Uh, …oops, sorry?”

N waved away her apology. “Ah, nothing that a little TLC from Uzi – and a trip to the mechanic – can fix.”

V turned her attention back to her legs, trying to move them again. Yeah, her legs felt heavy and moving them did require some effort, but she figured that was to be expected. She tried to force them up, when something jolted through her entire body. She suddenly saw the message <ALERT! Power Surge imminent> on her interface and it made her core jump as she prepared herself for another violent seizure. She did feel her body cramp up, but much to her surprise, it wasn’t as bad as before her operation. It didn’t hurt as much either, as it was more like a dull pain all over her body. Still sucked, but it was at least bearable. As her body slowly relaxed again, she noticed the concerned expressions on her friends’ faces. She must have shown more discomfort than she realized. Oh, or maybe because she had gripped the railing of her bed so much that she left an impression of her hands in it. Whoops.

“Did …did you get another seizure?” Lizzy asked carefully.

“I’m getting the doc.” Uzi stated as she turned towards the door.

“No, don’t.” V called out. “I’m fine. It wasn’t so bad this time.”

“You sure?”

“I’m fine, Lizzy.” V assured, giving her girlfriend a loving smile as she entwined their fingers together. “I’m okay.”

“Ugh, barf…” Uzi gagged, but the teasing grin on her face said otherwise. She giggled as N wrapped his arms around her and pulled her in for a hug. “Okay, okay, I’ll behave.”

“Okay, let’s see how they ended up.” V stated as she reached over to her blanket to pull them off. Suddenly, Lizzy’s hand grabbed her arm and held it in place. V looked over in confusion.

“Sorry, just …be prepared.” Lizzy warned softly. “It’s going to be a lot to take in.”

V scoffed and started to tear away the blanket. “Oh, how bad can it -oh…” A cold feeling travelled all over her body as she saw the results of the surgery. Both her legs were completely removed and were replaced by two sockets that ended in a long connector pylon. She had known what the outcome would have been, of course. She had extensive consultations with her primary doctor, but to see it in the metallic flesh. Lizzy was right, it was still shocking to see.

“V?”

V shook her head and slowly turned her head towards Lizzy. She let out a heavy breath. She suddenly felt so drained and it was like her entire body had become numb. She took a deep breath and slowly exhaled. “I’m okay. It’s just… yeah, it’s a lot….” She was surprised how small her voice sounded.

Lizzy’s arms suddenly wrapped around V and hugged her tightly. V instantly repeated the action, burying her face in the nook of Lizzy’s neck. Her core was beating so hard and her head was spinning. Her breath hitched in her throat and she was trembling. Everything that had happened, everything that she had endured, the realization about the hardships that this change would bring …it all suddenly hit her all at once and she it made her feel so small, so weak.

She felt two hands rest on each of her shoulders, making her break up the embrace and look up. Uzi and N were standing by her side, giving her a sympathetic smile.

“It’s going to be okay, V.” Uzi stated softly.

“We are here for you.” N reassured.

Lizzy reached out and held V by her face, a look of loving determination in her eyes. “You are not alone in this.”

A warm feeling swelled up deep inside V’s core – for a moment, she thought she was overheating again – and she allowed herself to act extremely sappy for once and she pulled them all into an embrace – inwardly relishing in the embarrassed sounds Uzi was making as she struggled in vain to wriggle herself free from the constricting hug. She was at a loss for words.

For the first time since she had woken up from her coma, she felt like everything was finally going her way, and she’d happily take the coming struggles she certainly had to face with it.

[lemonisntreal]

Do you have a Tone Deaf version of Clay Calloway?

(Perfectly fine if you don't. I was just curious, plus I love all your redesigns) 🦁🎸

SORRY THIS TOOK FUCKING FOREVER LMAO [been sitting in my inbox since FEBRUARY THIRTEENTH, HOLY SHIT :D]. YEAH, here he is :pppp a solid draft for you

Lowkey [highkey] gave up on the clothing wrinkles on the arms, but I still like how it turned out I think. I don't have much on him in terms of rewrite, but I do have some, so I'll dump it all here under the cut.

I swear I love asks, please feel free to say/ask whatever, I'm just horrible at answering in a reasonable time-frame because I always want to make it this beautiful masterpiece and end up turning all of them into full-on posts- or, at least I want to ~_~

Headcanonssss-

Ash gave him that button off her jacket [probably needs to be resized I'm realizing lol] [also I totally adopted this headcanon from someone elses post- might've been yours. Whoever came up with it I love it <3]

Born during the reformation that happened after the war- basically, nobody was really fighting anymore during this time, but some big people in power were still being stupid [aka: not letting their prisoners go]

So that would be somewhere around 1947? Which would put his age at 61 in my universe [which is in 2008- the times are pretty much random, nothing really lines up irl. Ignore how they use tech and other things that shouldn't have been invented yet lol]

He grew up when the Skunk Dolls were new and popular and stuff. And he loved them- so much that the band actually kinda inspired his music career

[Skunk Dolls also made loads of protest songs btw. War stuff]

Takes a ridiculous amount of care with his mane, and if he lets you touch it, that's a true sign of trust

So the Piglets always like to play with it, and Ash has given him braids a few times

He's had that scruffy red jacket since his early days

I should draw patches on it-

Ash probably'll give him a quill or two to put in it too with all the patches and repair stitches

He wears a lot of plaid, I just didn't wanna draw it <3

Rough and torn up clothes too

Everything he owns has some sort of smudge or tear in it from motorbiking and/or just being himself <3

His ears are pierced in almost every way imaginable, and when Ash found out, she went CRAZY

Cue her getting him to try on a bunch of stuff

He likes wrought iron jewelry and has never been a fan of anything with gemstones in it

Buster is terrified of him, but Clay is just kinda a blunt person and it doesn't mix well with Buster sometimes. They get along eventually tho. There was also some really bad timing with the circumstances of how they even met in the first place too lol-

Johnny is also. Super terrified.

Buster and him are like "Ahhh.... that guy scares the living daylights out of me." "Ohh, thank god it's not just me-"

He has a strange out-of-pocket interest in astrology.

And in herbology and plants in general, but he picked that up from Ruby. Astrology was all his, and it is the one thing he will "nerd out" over

Also the kind of guy to make fun of you for nerding out too

Making fun of people is his love language

So is giving people food

He's not great with his words and can find it hard to express love by just telling someone. Back to the bluntness thing, you can often find him accidentally offending someone and he doesn't even realize it

The troupe very quickly learned this and it's more of an endearing trait of his to them [and to most people who know him]

REALLY good cook. Fantastic, in fact. Probably one of the best chefs out of any of the characters.

Learned the hard way that enlisting Buster's help in the kitchen is a bad idea. Also Ash isn't great either, but he actually tries to teach her some of his recipes. And she's quickly improving

Buster was just being an idiot and forgot you shouldn't microwave tinfoil

Clay travels a lot, but spends most of his time in Calatonia [he technically still lives at his and Ruby's house, but he's super scared of accidentally closing himself off again, so he only visits to check up on the flowers and maintain the property pretty much]

He's like Ash's second [and very cool] dad. Which- also intimidates Buster quite a bit :D

I feel like their dynamic could be a sitcom. Clay is Ash's awesome dad and Buster is Ash's lame [endearing] and oddly unhinged and anxious dad who feels like he has to be as cool as Clay [and always fails heehee]

Clay is more entertained by Buster's ridiculous criminal record than horrified and I don't know if that's worrying or just a classic Calloway W

He's a very nonchalant person

Ruby's death is the only time I can really think he had a legitimate emotional break that wasn't just him being snappy [which is also pretty rare]

Clay's also like an uncle to the Piglets

He's kinda just taken up the role of "super awesome miscellaneous family member" for everyone at this point

He's back performing again after Sing 2- just not frequently or putting out any new songs [on his own at least- he might do a collaboration or two with Ash]

[kikiiswashere]

Today, I picked you up at the vet. A somber affair with Auntie Al behind the wheel, me in the passenger seat, and your Dad out in Wisconsin helping his Dad with a house project.

We parked in a space, and Al turned the car off. She asked if I needed a minute. I didn’t know if I did. But it’s late-June in New England, so the car heated up quickly and climate change chased us out.

The vet’s reception has never been too busy, and today was no different. Three receptionists behind the counter, one dog with one owner in front of it. They sat together like we used to, waiting. Although, the reception area never felt slow or empty when you were there. You’d ba-roo, and counter surf, and mooch love and treats from the receptionists. No, you filled up the space quite nicely.

We approached the desk and the receptionist asked what I needed. I said I’m picking up remains. That’s when the tears started. Aggrieved compassion draped over the woman’s face like a mourning shroud. She turned to her computer and asked your name. I choked it out. She asked mine. I murmured it through a tear-tight mouth. My last name. I could not get the word out, and Ali offered it. The receptionist nodded and gave her condolences before quietly lifting from her seat and disappearing behind one of those doors you were always so keen to investigate.

Ali kept an arm around my shoulders and stood sturdy as the oak her family is named for. She’s good like that.

Then the receptionist returned with you.

You were in a bag. A pretty, deep satin blue thing with silky braided handles. But a bag, nonetheless.

It felt so surreal. That this woman should be handing you over like a purchase from a high-end boutique. That you and everything you were would even fit in a bag!

She handed you over to me, and now you feel square and rigid and papery. Not soft, warm, and floppy. I sobbed at how wrong it was. This isn’t how you pick your pet up from the vet.

I mean.

It is, in this circumstance. But how quick we get used to and expect a wriggly, snuffling, happy body dragging a vet tech down the hall to get back to you. That should be what picking you up was.

But now I have a bag in my arms, and I’m listening to the receptionist give me instructions on what to do with the mold of your paw print. It’s tucked in a little blue velvet pouch in the bag.

She gives her condolences again and goes in to hug me. I was holding you so I just leaned in awkwardly, accidentally stabbing her with my keys.

Ali’s arm tucked me back in and we walked out into the pointed heat of a summer sun. I stopped and cried, and the receptionist appeared with an unmanageable amount of tissues. We shuffled back to the car in a mist of kleenex particles.

We sat in the car for a while, you in my lap. In your wrong new shape. I opened the letter slid against the side of your bag. A certificate of where and when you were cremated. It was odd, but I cried anyway. I thought about what I had been doing on that day. And how you had not been there. Because you were at this place. Becoming what made so you could fit inside this pretty bag.

I couldn’t open anything else after that. Ali and I stayed in the car for a while, talking about you. How soft you were, your demanding snuggling tactics. How I had lost my spoon.

Eventually, we drove home. I carried you into the house and Max met me at the door. Together, he and I sat in the living room and slowly opened you up.

Your paw print is a soft clay mold in a frame. I have to let it cure for 24-48 hours. That’s what the receptionist said. I put you on the toaster for now.

There is a comically small vial of your fur. With a witchy cork stopper and everything. It reminds me of the clumps I’d scoop from the tub during your baths.

And then. . . there you are. A sturdy looking box with a frame I’ll put your picture in. Your name was lasered to the top, something I didn’t know to expect and made me smile.

So. You’re home again, and that bag is sitting on the coffee table right now. I haven’t thrown it away because I am still baffled that you fit inside of it. That that’s how I picked you up from the vet one final time.

It’s fucking weird. And fucking unfair.

Max is at my side, lying over the top of the sofa (on the side closest to you, by the way) doing the neighborhood watch. You’re there, too, now. On the window ledge, observing the street, houses, and yards. Because that’s what you did.

I picked you up from the vet today. In a bag. Now you’re in a box by the window. And the house is quiet. It’s so strange.

[moodymisty]

✗ ERROR 158 ✗

Author's Note: Some fluff between the smuts and what is more than likely going to be the first part of an ongoing series of loosely tied together Echo one shots because I love him and have zero self control. The planet in this is loosely inspired by the CCSD footage for season 2.

Summary: Omega decides to play matchmaker.

Relationships: Tbb!Echo/Fem!Reader

Warnings: None really, other than Omega being a little devil and some fluff

Word count: 2227

Echo had spent time on planets of pretty much every common climate one could think of. Though out of them all, tropical planets would have to be his personal favorite. He never had the time to enjoy it when he was part of GAR, but now that he did...

The sound of water hitting against the beach, rustling of tropical plants in the wind, and that fresh smell of seawater. It was pleasant, unlike the constant pouring rain and storming he’d gotten so used to on Kamino. Part of him had considered taking a dip in the ocean, though he wasn’t quite sure how exactly his menagerie of cybernetics would react to the salinity in the water.

They also had far more important things to do than trot around like this was some sort of vacation, even though he’d caught both you and Omega dipping your feet in the water twice already. Tech had scolded the two of you saying there was multiple carnivorous creatures in the water of the planet and to get out, though you were both pretty sure he was just upset you were just taking a break.

Echo had actually just spotted the two of you quickly drying off your legs and admiring some shells you’d both picked up, and Echo decided to keep quiet and help you avoid Tech’s ire. Hunter is fixing one of their blasters while Wrecker is attempting to bench increasingly heavier and heavier crates. Meanwhile Tech is working on a personal project, while also looking over whatever study material he’d given Omega awhile back.

Overall things just feel, nice.

For at least five minutes it doesn’t feel like everyone is hot on their heels, trying to gun them down the minute they have the chance. Echo is just relishing in the time to just breathe.

At least until you’re no longer the one keeping Omega entertained, and she wanders her way to him while he’s halfway underneath the Marauder’s control panel in the cockpit. She peers around attempting to see what he’s doing, and Echo takes a glance to see her standing there. The bottoms of her trousers are wet, from where the waves lapped higher than expected.

“Has the ‘carnivorous wildlife’ decided to take a chunk out of either of you yet?” Omega rolls her eyes, remembering when Tech had said that not long ago.

“We didn’t see anything, I don’t get what he’s so worried about.” Echo adjusts underneath the control panel.

“You two better hope there’s nothing, or that’ll be one awful ‘I told you so’.” Echo can’t help but laugh at his own little joke, before watching the way Omega shows off one of the shells she’d found on the beach. She pulls out another you’d found and given to her, admiring the way the opalescence shines on the inside of the shell. Omega had lived pretty much every moment of her life stuck in a lab on Kamino, and still found so many things exciting and brand new. You enjoy doing those things with her, and Echo finds it endearing.

“That’s what she said, but I don’t really think she believes Tech either.” Omega puts the shells back in her pockets and watches the way Echo had quite visibly perked at your mention. If he was interested before, he very much was now that you were part of the conversation. It’s hard for him to help himself from doing, even as he attempts to busy himself with working on this mess of wires.

“You know,”

Omega’s rocking back and forth on her heels, hands behind her back while wearing a curious and hopeful expression. Echo hums in acknowledgment of her, but she doesn’t have his full attention yet.

“She really likes you...”

Echo crooks his torso to the side and looks out from underneath the control panel and gives Omega an almost sympathetic look.

“Yeah, she’s nice.”

The sentence is short, but he means no snide undertone to it. You were nice; Nice to all of them, all the clones before everything happened, to him. Even after Skako Minor when he’d scared the life out of you with the way he looked so different. Nice to all of them after they’d dragged you into this mess, someone who wasn’t even part of GAR to begin with. Omega however seems displeased anyways, and her knowing smile goes away replaced with a furrowed brow.

“No, not like that,” Echo turned away to work on the ship, though he does give her a glance from the corner of his eyes that reads unimpressed and a bit suspicious.

“I mean, she likes you.”

Omega emphasizes and leans in closer, though once again fails to get Echo to give her anything but yet another shake of his head.

“She’s just nice, you’re reading too deep into it.” She’s a kid, Echo just figures she’d managed to watch a cringey holodrama for teens on the net in their few moments of downtime and now has all these silly ideas in her head. Meanwhile Omega crosses her arms and looks over her shoulder. You’re talking to Wrecker, and with him being so loud you’re completely distracted.

“I know that she draws a lot of art when we’re in hyperspace,” Omega takes a cautious step closer so she can be quieter, meanwhile Echo adjusts to try and get a better angle on whatever he’s fixing. There’s a cord deep inside the control panel he needs to get to, but it requires him to really reach inside...

“I saw what she’s been making; Most of them are of you.”

WHAM!

Finally, now she has Echo’s interest. Almost too much of it however, as Echo suddenly knocks his head into the underside of the control panel with a grunt of pain. Omega looks almost concerned for a moment, before Echo asks:

“She does?”

The pain hasn’t even faded from his forehead, but he’s far more interested in this. He can’t help it; Can’t help the weak spot he has for you, and the way his heart slammed against his chest at the idea that you’d been watching and drawing him when he hadn’t been paying attention. How you found anything inspirational about him he had nary a guess, but in a way that is so hopelessly love struck he can’t say he minds in the slightest.

“Yeah, when we were walking on the beach yesterday she was talking about how she really likes you and that-” Echo turns to try and look at her more face on, even if he’s still on his back. He just hopes that his face doesn’t visibly show how surprisingly warm it feels on his cheeks.

“Omega… If she told you something in confidence-” She quickly moves her hands to shush him. He feels he makes the right choice in telling her to not gossip, but Echo can’t help but really want to know what you’d said.

“I didn’t say anything! I was just, telling you that she makes a lot of nice art.” She’s clearly hiding a smile, even if she’s attempting to hold a stoic face.

And while Echo thinks he probably shouldn’t be, he can’t help but feel his heart race a little faster a the idea that you might maybe like him. But that’s something he’s thought for awhile, long before they’d ended up here.

Omega seems to use his silence as the perfect time to leave, trying to find something to maintain her curiosity now that she’s dropped this heavy tidbit of information onto him.

Echo silently gets back to work, letting out a long but quiet sigh. There’s so many things to get done, and he hasn’t the time to think about silly things. As he does so he takes note of the peaceful quiet in the ship, though there is sound not long after.

There’s footsteps coming closer, and he can tell by the pattern that it’s more than likely you. Your voice speaking up affirms the suspicion, and also increases his heart rate dramatically.

“You two have a good chat?” Echo reaches for another tool with his good hand and hums, seeing your legs standing beside his own. You soon decide to sit down, cross-legged beside his knees now more at face level for him.

“Yeah, just told her to watch out for the carnivorous wildlife.” If he was anticipating the sentence to get a reaction out of you he succeeded; Watching your face and seeing the way you sigh and rub your hands against your face and groan.

“Ok, if one more person mentions this I swear I will actually go insane. The one in a million chance of getting wounded by a rogue carnivorous fish has become the hot topic of this ship for far too long.”

He laughs at the way you clearly seem to be at your wits end when it comes to that whole thing, and you both stop talking for a moment until Echo does finally speak back up. It takes him a moment to find the way he wants to word this, and hoping it doesn’t come out completely love struck.

“She uh, did tell me something.”

You hum, perking up a little as you look at him. He stops working on what he’d been doing for a moment, pulling out from underneath the control panel to sit up and look you more head on. There’s a little bit of something, probably lubricant, on the side of his cheek that he hadn’t noticed yet.

“She said that you, were making art of me.” he says, and your face instantly starts feeling boiling hot.

Echo was never supposed to find out about that! It was just some dumb thing you’d been doing to pass the tons of boring time in hyperspace, and that you’d probably delete and pretend never existed. They were a sign of your hopelessly bleeding heart and feelings, and not something that Echo was ever supposed to hear. Though the absolute embarrassment you let out a tense breath of air through your nose.

“I swear, that little-” You cover your mouth with your hand, feeling more than a little bit embarrassed. Part of you wants to just run, but you’d have to come back here anyways, you couldn’t just become one with the wilds.

You’d just, casually mentioned it to Omega, and in that moment had completely forgotten that she might end up telling him. The way Echo had said it sounded like you were a creep staring at the back of his head non-stop, which was exactly the opposite of what you wanted to be to him. You’re so stuck reeling in your own embarrassment you almost don’t hear Echo speak again.

“That was stupid I really shouldn’t have said that-” You’re shaking your head and hands, squeezing your eyes shut and sighing.

“No no it’s fine just, Maker now you probably think I’m creepy or somethin-”

“No!” His sudden outburst startles you, enough so that he quickly backtracks.

“I mean, no. I don’t find it creepy. I think it’s kind of flattering, actually. Didn’t think I was anything worth doing art of.” It’s nice to hear that he doesn’t think you’re weird, but his self-deprecating attitude is a little concerning.

“I think you are.” You say, voice quieter than it had been earlier. Echo laughs, rubbing the area when his skin meets his scomp link attachment.

“Well, you’re the first then.”

He’s smiling at you, and you can’t help but smile back even as your face grows hot. You’ve always had a bit of a crush on Echo, ever since you first met him, so you can’t help but feel your heart flip in your chest.

Interrupting your moment is the distant sound of Omega’s voice, demanding someone to ‘keep out’. Her plea seems to go largely unanswered however, as both Hunter and Tech push by her anyways, and see you and Echo sitting on the floor in the cockpit. Tech is just here to grab something and leave, meanwhile Hunter lingers.

“Up to something in here? Omega was really keen on keeping us all out.” You were going to scold that girl for sure, but also sneak her a high five for letting you get this moment alone with Echo.

“Oh, us? Nah we’re not up to anything.”

Hunter doesn’t seem to be entirely convinced, but lets the topic drop. You turn back to Echo and smile, covering your mouth as you try not to let out a laugh. Once Hunter leaves you both alone again, you move to get onto your knees but not leave quite yet.

“I’ll go help them and leave you with, whatever you’re working on down there.” Echo partly doesn’t even remember what he had been doing; Most of the time he’d been too distracted by the thought of you.

Before you move to get back to your feet you lean inward, putting one hand on Echo’s shoulder and leaning in to give him a kiss on the cheek. It’s afterward you quickly get up and scurry away, leaving Echo alone again.

Echo swears he can still feel your soft lips on his cheek, even know he logically knows it isn’t the case. His throat his tight and he swallows, laying back down to try and get back to work.

Echo was already having enough trouble trying to keep his head on straight but now? Knowing that you felt the same as him?

[freeuselandonorris]

15 questions 15 friends

i was tagged by i thinkkk @bright-and-burning and @481boxboxbaby absolutely ages ago, sorry it's taken me so long to get to this!

Are you named after anyone? no! my mum liked the name sophie because it means ‘wisdom’ in greek and she’d lived in greece for a while.

When was the last you cried? i had a little sob watching the ‘life and death of lily savage’ documentary on itv the other week because i am still so, so sad about paul o’grady dying, i adored him. as a kid, my favourite comedians (who i saw on tv) were julian clary and lily savage. half their jokes flew over my head but that dog was always in me!! anyway, as for real sobbing crying… i’m actually not sure? it was a while ago for sure. may it stay that way 🙏

Do you have kids? nope, and i won’t be having them. people used to tell me i’d change my mind once i got older and now i’m 35 and still have not experienced a single maternal twinge.

What sports do you play/have you played? i don’t play any kind of competitive sports and have avoided them for most of my life (i have extremely poor hand-eye coordination, hypermobile limbs and rubbish lungs. i’m not built for speed) but i do pole fitness and have done for about three years now, i’m not great at it (see above) but i loooove it and it’s gotten me way more hench than i was.

Do you use sarcasm? i used to use it constantly as a defence thing but less so these days. i do still use it though yeah.

What is the first thing you notice about people? sometimes i have this thing where the first second i meet someone i have this weird shine effect where i know they’re going to be a very important part of my life (good or bad). it’s only happened about three or four times but it’s always been right. on a more prosaic level: eyes, smile, body language.

What is your eye color? blue. it’s quite bright.

Scary movies or happy endings? scary movies!! love a good horror. i don’t like jumpscares or found footage/haunted doll whatever ones, but i love the nasty shit: video nasties, torture porn, french extreme, pinky horror, faux snuff, that kinda thing. i don’t want them so much these days but i was pretty obsessed for a while.

Any talents? i’m good at writing and drawing/painting, and i’m quite practical in the sense that i can fix things and build things, like i LOVE building flatpack furniture. i think my main ‘talent’ though is just that i can pick things up quickly. if i’m shown how to do something, generally i can do it pretty well quite quickly and i don’t need to be shown lots of times, and i’m good at being given a starting point and figuring things out from there. i think that’s the ‘talent’ i use most in life, certainly in work anyway.

Where were you born? north-west england.

What are your hobbies? writing! painting, drawing, reading, gaming, pole, strength training. i also have the classic ADHD thing of picking a new thing to be obsessed with for a month and spending a fortune on it three times a year.

Do you have any pets? no :( my mum has a lovely big useless fat cat called bandit though who i have shared custody of, she just can’t live at my flat.

How tall are you? 5’8’’ or 172cm

Favorite subject at school? art and english. i also quite liked what we called ‘tech’ which was like woodwork, metalwork, product design type stuff.

Dream job? i do not dream of labour. fr though i don’t really have one and never have, apart from maybe writer or artist but realistically i think i’d end up hating them if i had to rely on them to pay my bills. i thought about trying to get into motorsport jobs for a while but the hours look long, the pay is terrible, the atmosphere for femme people is…mixed, and i’d have to move halfway across the country. so yeah idk. universal basic income now!

not tagging anyone bc i'm so late to the party on this lol, but if you haven't been tagged and want to be, lmk and i'll tag you!

[twinsunstars]

Howdy! @stars-n-spice here for the Bad Batch tag game :D For asks: 4, 10, 16, 20, & 37! 🩵💫

hi!!

4. What's your least favorite episode? Why?

Ummm.... I'm not sure because I find all of them really good. But I think I would say "Plan 99" bc Tech is gone and Omega is taken in that one and it hurts really bad (even though that episode is so good 😭)

10. If you could write an episode for the show, what would it be about?

I would definitely write a cadet episode for the show. I remember actually starting a script for fun but I never got time to work on it during my freshman year of college and haven't gone back to it since. Might pick it up one day and turn it into a fic or a series of tales surrounding the Batch as cadets.

16. What are some headcanons you have about Echo?

Loved spicy food but after the Citadel incident and how his body changed, he has a hard time eating any

Has gathered a collection of tools that can become useful in many situations

20. What are some headcanons you have about Omega?

Gets brain freeze whenever she eats ice cones on Pabu too fast

She shares stories about her brothers and the clones with others after she joined the Rebellion

Spent time with Hera while Hera was pregnant with Jacen (is his Aunt Omega)

Sends her brothers holo-pictures through a secure comm channel while away

37. What was your initial reaction to seeing the Bad Batch for the first time in TCW?

When I first saw the Bad Batch in TCW, I found them to be very intriguing and an enjoyable group to watch since they were new and different clones, and I loved learning more about them. They had always made me laugh and aside from Rex, Cody, Kix, and Jesse, they were the first bunch of clones I got to see when I became a Star Wars fan in 2020 during the pandemic and while Season 7 of TCW was going on (yes I started watching TCW backwards lol but I caught up with all the seasons pretty quickly). They have a big special place in my heart for that reason.

[blood-and-pizza]

Time for Fazbear Estate lore!

Melissa Pomene has a very important reason for wanting to work at Fazbear Estate. It's not the money, though it's definitely a bonus. It was actually her dream to work there since she was a child, because she wanted to reunite with an old friend.

When Melissa was nine years old, she had a birthday party at the original Freddy Fazbear's Pizza. Her mother made her invite her entire school class as guests, even the students who bullied her regularly. Her father was picking fights with her class crush and his mom. Also, her parents were divorced at the time, and things had ended quite badly between them, Melissa having gotten caught in the fallout. Needless to say, it was almost a disaster of a birthday. If it hadn't been for Classic Freddy consoling her while he directed his bandmates to do damage control, Melissa could have easily had the worst day of her young life.

Instead, it was the best birthday she ever had. And it left a huge impression on her young mind. Unfortunately, Freddy Fazbear's Pizza closed later that year, and Classic Freddy and his band were shipped off to Fazbear Estate for their second retirement. Melissa got wind of Fazbear Estate through a surprising source... her grandmother, Francine Cantor, who used to work for William Afton and Henry when she was younger, as a song writer and creative consultant, but now holds a bitter attitude against Fazbear Entertainment as a corporate entity. She's tried to keep her family away from Fazbear Entertainment and its characters, but after learning how happy Freddy had made her granddaughter, she knew she'd lost that battle.

So, in order to reunite with Classic Freddy, young Melissa began studying robotics and artificial intelligence in the hopes that one day, she would be allowed to see him again. In the meantime, her mother Dorothy bought her a Lonely Freddy, who quickly became Melissa's new best friend, and the key to her understanding (at least at a basic level) what kind of goofy-ass coding language Henry concocted to make the animatronics as lifelike as they are.

When Melissa was thirty years old, she began programming a singing AI named Melody. She was eventually joined by Harmony, a harmonizing AI. She treated both of them like her daughters, with as much kindness and love as she would have given a human child. As their awareness increased, Melissa watched them grow and learn, and took careful yet eager notes.

Eight years later, Melissa applied for an interview at Fazbear Entertainment. She introduced Michael Afton (Creative Director at Fazbear Entertainment as well as the current owner of Fazbear Estate) to Melody and Harmony - stored on one of Melissa's laptops - and explained that she wants to build bodies for them, and knows that Fazbear Entertainment's robotics are the the best in the business. If she had a chance to learn about Fazbear tech up close and learn how to perform proper maintenance, she could give her daughters the bodies they deserve, and she could keep them in good shape for as long as she was alive. She also told Michael about her ninth birthday party, and how she really missed Classic Freddy.

Michael honestly thought Melissa was a little kooky... but you honestly NEEDED to be a bit kooky to work at Fazbear Estate. Plus, he really liked Melody and Harmony. Maybe they were a little on the cutesy side for his tastes, but he was genuinely interested in helping Melissa give them proper bodies. And so, Melissa was hired.

Seeing Classic Freddy again the day she arrived at the Estate put Melissa through a whirlwind of emotions. She was pretty sure he wouldn't remember her after all these years... but apparently she had nothing to worry about. Not only did Classic Freddy remember her, he remembers every single birthday kid he's ever met, something that was carried on in every generation of Freddy's.

Melissa may have sobbed like a baby upon learning this and needed Classic Freddy to give her a warm bear hug to help her calm down. She's very sensitive...

[isconnormcdavidok]

Happy Holidays @twopeoplecanchange !

Christmas in New [Jersey] York

It’s been two years since Nico asked you to move to the States with him and honestly you’re pretty glad he’s playing on the east coast, it’s hard to imagine the Christmas season without snow, sure New Jersey doesn’t get quite as pretty as back home, at least not in Newark. But that doesn’t mean you don’t love it.

There’s a home game that night so you’ve got your favourite custom hoodie picked out, even if it’s probably gonna be under a coat, it’s more for you and Nico than the fans, though you’re used to that as well. Nico’s one of the most popular guys on his team and you’ve bonded with Jack’s girlfriend about what the attention feels like.

Coming from Switzerland, where you’d been pretty anonymous it felt sort of weird when you and Nico first got serious and you realized that people really cared what you were doing. It took a while to get used to it and you don’t know if you really are yet.

But you’re with the other girls and family members, drinking a beer when Nola slides up beside you and picks up your hand. “You should get your nails done.”

You just laugh, you usually do your own nails, as a break from the correspondence courses you’re doing. You do want to get a degree after all, even if you’re not really able to work right now.

You’re glad that the Devils organization offers a lot of volunteering opportunities and Nola brushes off your laugh, “Veronica recommended this great place in the city. I’m gonna make appointments for us. Girl’s day.”

And well, you don’t really mind that much, it sounds fun and pretty soon you’re being ushered back towards the game as the intermission comes to an end.

You almost forget about the plan until Nola texts you an Instagram link and the date and time of the appointment. You kind of laugh, the Russian manicure she’s booked sounds fancy and honestly the more you think about it, the more fun it sounds as you scroll through their instagram.

You don’t dress up for the appointment per se but it’s a high end place so you’re wearing your nice lounge wear, an off shoulder sweatshirt and black leggings with a designer parka.

Nola meets you with sugar cookie lattes for both of you and you’re starting to feel like something is up, not that Nola isn’t always nice but it’s starting to feel like it’s your birthday or something. But also you’re not gonna argue with it. The nail tech explains that the Russian manicures are very long lasting and you laugh, you’re always hard on your nails, so you’re at least intrigued as you stand at the nail wall.

There’s probably every colour in the rainbow and every colour and texture in between. And maybe it’s the Swiss in you but you’ve never been flashy so you end up picking this mauve-y grey gel that’s at least a very interesting neutral, not too boring. And Nola nods approvingly, “What about like a chrome or something?”

You grin, thinking that sounds like fun. “What are you doing?” Nola grins, plucking a bottle of champagne shimmer off the wall and wiggles her nails at you with a grin. “Love it.”, you say laughing.

You both get champagne and that’s when Nola tells you you’re gonna head over to the Rockefeller Centre rink after. You’ve been a few times with Nico before and you remind her that you’ve got dinner plans with Nico and she nods, of course you’ll make it.

You notice the nail tech has a bit of a smile and you quickly learn just how intensive the nail process is, nails buffed and shaped to perfection before you even get the nail polish on.

Despite the long process, it’s easy to settle into chatting with Nola, sometimes it’s exhausting to be speaking English all the time, unless it’s just you and Nico or you and Nico and Nola and Jonas. Not to throw Timo under the bus but he’s more Nico’s friend than yours.

You can’t help but smile when you see your nails, sparkling under the light, the chrome was a great idea.

From there it’s an Uber to the Rockefeller Centre and Nola takes you over to get some skates when you hear a voice behind you, “Hey babe.”, Nico teases and Nola laughs.

“Enjoy!”, she calls as she walks back to the road and you look at Nico in confusion. He just smiles.

“I wanted to do something special.”, you’ve never gotten over how handsome he is, it’s hard to remember that you both used to be scrawny teenagers messaging between Halifax and Switzerland and now you’re here. And Nico leads you over to the skate rental.

He’s wearing a beanie and you can see that a few people are glancing your way, like maybe they recognize him, but no one approaches you as you and Nico do a couple of slow steady laps, pretty soon you’ve settled back into your skates, laughing as you skate around Nico, who’s filming on his cell. “Do it for the gram.”, you say with a wink.

As darkness falls, Nico leads you to pick up some hot chocolate and you’re starting to worry about your dinner reservation as you stare up at the tree when suddenly you hear a few people around you fall quiet. And you look around you quickly, wondering if something’s wrong when you see Nico down on one knee, a box in his hand.

And your eyes go wide. “Nico?”

“I’ve worked on this speech for weeks now but I still don’t have the words, I feel like I have loved you as long as I have known what love is. And I want to spend the rest of my life loving you. Will you marry me?”

All you can do is gasp as the words sink in and then you respond in a rush, “Of course.”

It’s the most beautiful ring you’ve ever seen and your hands are shaking as Nico slips it on to your ring finger, you can feel the tears in your eyes and you catch your new manicure in the light of the tree and quickly snap a photo to text to Nola.

“Now we have dinner reservations.”, Nico reminds you.

Dinner is at your favourite restaurant but you’re not led to a table instead you’re led to one of the private rooms where the whole team is waiting with a couple of huge engagement ring shaped balloons. Then it’s just a whirlwind of photos, congratulations, “he did well” and more than one “nice nails” and you catch Nola’s eye and she just grins at you.

[therese-lokidottir]

The Avengers: Earth Mightiest Heroes & X-Men Evolution series watch

Starting of with EMH Episode 1

Iron Man Is Born written by Brandon Auman

So the series starts with Tony Stark already established as Iron Man. The story doesn't get delve into Tony's backstory only that he was weapons developer but no longer is and now is Iron Man fights crime. Giants robots have been attacking majors cities and they are revealed to be made by Hydra using Stark tech. During Iron Man battle with one of the giant robots Nick Fury SHIELD intervene and try to convince Tony Stark to stop being Iron Man and go back to developing weapons. It's reveal they have use tech that Tony has previously sold to them to make "Mandroids" This almost starts a fight because Tony because upset that shield is appropriating his tech this way and he makes a point how Hydra is using the exact same tech SHIELD is Fury lets Tony walk because this means there's been a leak and that takes priority.

Last part of the episode focuses on SHIELD taken in the Hydra agents from the robot fight into custody into one of the super prison. It turns out is was a setup as Hydra member Grim Reaper attempts to breakout Hydra Baron Stucker. He pretty terrifying sucks the life out someone presumably killing them. Strucker and Grim nearly escapes but are stopped and taken back in to prison by Nick Fury.

So this episode is a lot of set-up with Tony Stark as a character, SHIELD and the overarching Hydra. Tony here is clearly heavily modeled after RDJ from, both in attitude and appearance. What interesting is this version it's SHIELD directly that does want Tony being Iron Man as they feel he is more of use to them if he continued building weapons. It's clear Fury feels it should be SHIELD facing the growing threats of monsters, super villains and other threats and not super heroes.

Nick Fury: We need Tony Stark more than some armored vigilante. You can't do this alone. You're only one man!

Tony: One of me is more than enough.

The fight scenes and storyboards are all really well done. It is mostly action based for this episode But it still does a pretty good job as setting up the characters. Tony very quickly establishing as his arrogant but well intentioned self. His conflict that he is clearly going to have with Fury. Pepper and Rhodey friendship and concern for Tony. It all good stuff.

Also say it here and now that stupid theme song is going to stuck in my head for the next month.

Next with X-Men Evolution episode 1

Strategy X Written by Bob Forward, Avi Arad and Rick Ungar

At a high school football game we're interduce to high school students Scott Summers and Jean Grey. Scot sees delinquent Toad pick pocketing people in the crowd and when he catches up to him Toad he is about to be beat up by some of the football players. Scott tries to intervene and get the players to let Toad go but there's a scuffle and Scott's glasses get knocked off and his eye beams ended up hitting a propane tank and causing explosion. Police come in to investigate but Xavier is able to use is powers to compel them from looking to into it. Next day Storm and Xavier pick up a new student at the train station. Toad has a meeting with the school principal has she's pieced together that Scott and wants Toad to recruit Scott and find Xavier Institute. Xavier interduces the new student to Scott and Jean. It's Nightcrawler, they show him around the mansion and give him a hologram watch so he can blend in and go to the local school. Later that day Toad reveals to Scott that he's a mutant and that he figured out that so is Scott and suggest getting to know each other better. Scott tells Xavier about Toad, Xavier says he just found about toad through Cerebro and that that maybe that Toad could also join them.

Later that night Toad has found the mansion there ends up being a confrontation, Toad and Night Crawler fight a bit end up in the danger room end up setting it off and almost get killed. They get out fine, Wolverine shows up scares off toad, Xaviar decides he's not suited to be a X-men right now. Toad gets chewed out by the principal and for failing to recruit and Scott and also apparently Xaviar erased Toad memories of where the mansion was so he can't find it again. The principal is revealed to be Mistique and that the one person who she's talking orders from is Magento.

This show is already aggressively as 00's as I remember

So contrast to EMH Evolution is far less action focused and more about setting up the premise introducing the characters and their powers. It establishes that Wolverine is already part of the group and considers the place. But out of all the characters Scott probably get the strongest characterization in the first episode as he shown to be a do gooder and someone who is against bullying even when the target is a less the virtuous person. Kurt is really cute in this as his perky personality is on full display. They do a good job at making all the characters likeable and I'm ready to watch more.

The animation in this series is nice. It's very good with character expressions and it's good at angles and framing shots to look interesting. The action scene is okay, it's more there to show off what each character can do then it is to be a dynamic.

So as far as the first episode of both goes I'd say there both and enjoyable and easy watch I would recommend