#so sorry this took so long but hopefully it works

[peachhcs]

will taking care of Samy on a sick day

let’s say this takes place at some point during their freshman year of college like on a break or something

au masterlist

the first three times samy coughed will didn’t pay much mind to it. it was cold, the days were long, and work was piling up with finals rapidly approaching. the whole semester was taking a toll on everyone.

the couple was in the blonde’s bedroom finishing up some studying even though it was thanksgiving break and will knew samy wasn’t feeling her best. there were heavy bags under her eyes and she kept sniffling, but will didn’t mention it because he knew she hated when he pointed it out. so he didn’t.

until the brunette coughed for a fourth time that sounded like she was hacking up her lungs, will finally said something.

“are you okay?” the blonde wondered, eyeing his girlfriend across from him.

“oh, yeah. i’m fine,” she coughed again and they both knew that was a lie.

“baby, you sound like you’re like dying,” will chuckled a bit, hand on her knee.

“it’s just a stupid cold. it’s been going around at michigan. i’ll be fine,” samy shook her head. she couldn’t afford to be sick with finals coming up and the off-season just around the corner.

“you know it’s okay to rest right? it’s break. you don’t have to be doing work right now,” the blonde was testing his luck telling her that, but he didn’t want her overworking herself when she didn’t even really need to be.

“but i kind of do. finals week is like two weeks away,” samy rolled her eyes a bit, another cough slipping through her lips.

although, this time it turned more into a hack and before the younger smith could even blink, samy was off his bed and running into the bathroom. sounds of puking could be heard as will quickly followed after her. he immediately pulled her hair back as she threw up some more.

“hey, it’s okay. get it all out,” he rubbed her back as he reached over to flush the toilet and check her temperature.

“you’re burning up. let’s get you to bed.”

will helped her back up. he moved all of their things to his desk before helping her into his bed and bringing the trash can around to the side.

“so maybe you were right,” the brunette admitted weakly while her boyfriend frowned.

“i’m gonna get you some water and medicine. do you want anything else?” he wondered, brushing her hair away from her eyes.

samy shook her head. will gently kissed her forehead before disappearing from his room. his mom and sister were downstairs when he came into the kitchen, the two of them smiling.

“hi will, what’s up?” colleen asked.

“samy is sick. do we have anything we can give her?” the younger boy wondered.

“oh no. is she okay?” mrs. smith’s mother instincts kicked in, straightening up and rummaging through the cupboards.

“she just threw up and she’s kind of burning up. she said it was just a cold, but it might be something else like the flu,” will explained.

“i did hear from ellen that something was going around over there. i have some pepto bismol, tylenol, and water. have her take some of this and take her temperature,” colleen placed everything on the counter.

“thanks, mom,” will grabbed all of it in his arms and headed back upstairs to do as told.

“hey, i’m back. i have some stuff for you to take,” will popped his head back into his room. samy rolled to her side, sitting up a little.

“thanks. sorry i threw up in your bathroom,” the brunette frowned.

“why are you apologizing? it’s okay,” he rubbed her arm.

he helped her take the pepto for her stomach and then she took two tylenol’s to hopefully help with the developing headache. will sat at her side rubbing the side of her head in circular motions while they waited for the thermometer to report her temperature.

it beeped a second later and will snatched it before samy could see. “100 flat already. we’ll have to keep an eye on it,” the blonde hummed.

“is that bad?” the girl worried.

“no, it’s pretty normal, but if you go above 104 then we’ll be worried, but i don’t think you will. just rest and keep drinking water,” will reassured with a soft smile.

“sorry i got sick. i know we were looking forward to hanging out and stuff,” samy frowned a bit.

“baby, you don’t have to apologize. we can still hang out. i can lay with you,” will offered.

“no, i don’t wanna get you sick. you have a game in like two days,” the brunette quickly shook her head, scooting away from her boyfriend.

he laughed, “you won’t, i promise. and if you do, i don’t really care.”

“if you get sick you won’t get to play in the game,” she knew how important these games coming up were for boston and she would not let them lose their more valuable player.

“you know i’d take getting sick with you over anything, right?” will raised his eyebrow, another smile poking his lips.

“you’re crazy,” she rolled her eyes.

“maybe i am,” the blonde smiled to himself as he laid down, wrapping his arms around the girl. she snuggled into him, enjoying the warmth radiating off his body even though he was in a t-shirt and it was cold outside.

the next 24 hours will spent all of his time helping samy to the bathroom, feeding her more medicine, and checking her temperature every few hours. luckily, she only went up two more degrees. it was hard for her to relax and shut her brain off knowing all of the things she needed to get done before going back to school, but she let will take care of her.

he massaged her head, cuddled with her, helped her eat something, made her food—he was perfect and she loved him for it because she would do the exact same thing if he was the one sick.

and surprise, surprise. three days later after the big game against providence, will came down with a fever.

[madibyrd]

[ @yazziem ]

It was easy for Madi to get sucked right into her work, and what was easier more than anything was getting lost in work at the apiary. She needed to move several hives that day and, probably thankfully, she was very late in the process when she noticed an unknown person walking around, getting closer to her and the hives.

“Hey, be careful, especially if you’re allergic to bees,” Madi called out, just to alert the guy - he looked more lost than anything else, really, and Madi placed the hive cover back in its place and moved over to him. “You’re-- you’re new around here, right? Well, new to the beach. Or, well-- new to the beach currently. Have you-- you know, just arrived to the island? Or gotten out of the jungle or the cave or some other part of the island? It’s sometimes hard to tell.”

[damnation-if]

hey!! can i ask for a color palatte description for the ro's? like what their hair/eye colors are?

hope you're having a good week 💙💙💙

Hi!

I spent a long time putting together a graphic for this before I realised that you asked for just a description haha... oops. well. here is the graphic anyway XD

If you're looking for a link to the page with more general descriptions, there are some on the RO's page.

Very sorry for the delay in replying! My life is. hectic. smdnfgbsfgf

[seyaryminamoto]

Fic-to-Art #38: Ozai carries Azula to the physicians' wing

This has been done for A WHILE now, but I didn't post it because the past days have been chaotic and not just on a personal level. For one thing, I really wasn't eager to drop this when people were losing their shit massively over the liveaction and its recontextualization of Azula and Ozai's dynamics, I didn't look forward to releasing this just to be told that whatever I've done in my story is somehow wrong, sooooooooo... that held me back, for a few days.

Then? The AI-Tumblr deal started to be talked about and I may or may not have freaked out about that too. Sooo... this is the first glazed and nightshaded piece of my creation, as consequence. The original, clean and proper version is available in my Patreon. Is this me being a dick to Tumblr-only people? Unfortunately, it very much isn't, I'm not trying to say that if you want the best iterations of my art, you should pay me for it... this is squarely, entirely, at staff/the CEO's feet. Obviously, there's the insecure side of me that goes "what makes you think they'd steal YOUR art when there are so many better artists out there!" but ultimately? AI is about taking everything en masse. It isn't a matter of developing a criteria about who makes the better art... it's just taking EVERYTHING and trying to repurpose it in whatever twisted way it needs to. Therefore? I think my choice is more of a matter of caution than anything else. Once AI bullshit dies out (and I really hope it does), we may just return to the same level of quality across all my accounts. For now, it is what it is.

ANYWAY! Point is this artwork is very much what my Patrons happened to vote for this month, a very shocking scene where Ozai reacted in the least foreseen way to Azula being attacked. Azula's confusion/terror comes from a place of not knowing what to do and being powerless to stop her father even if she doesn't feel comfortable with his help... but for once, Ozai isn't making a dreadful choice that will only devastate his daughter. He's actually worried about her health... and feeling genuine guilt over what landed her in the situation where she was in danger in the first place. Yes. I like me my complex Ozai who finally learned actions have consequences. He bores me to death otherwise :') if anyone STILL doesn't know that this whole situation is Gladiator-specific, then I shall clarify fully: this is artwork based on my fic. It's about a story that has been developing these characters for ALMOST ELEVEN YEARS now. It has nothing to do with whatever's going on in canon or in the liveaction, the scene in question was written almost two years ago and the artwork proposed and voted for several days before the liveaction aired. Ergo: there is no connection between this and that. Nor am I saying through this piece that Ozai is a good father. He is not. He can still be an interesting character to work with on a narrative level anyway :')

Alright. With that out of the way, hope you guys like this piece! The big one I haven't posted is ALSO finished, also glazed and nightshaded, but I think I might just end up posting it on the 26th if I don't have time to do anything big for our eleventh anniversary... yep, I'm so busy I don't even have a huge project in mind this time. Also? I have a lot to write and I'm finally happily writing it, and I would like to continue doing that...

Anyway! If you would like to be part of the creative process behind this piece, as well as see it in its proper, OG, less color-bleeding clunky version? A $1 Patreon pledge gives you the chance to join in suggesting prompts, voting for them and reading Gladiator snippets 6 days before a new chapter is released!

[analogwriting]

The Other Side of Paradise

Chapter 6: Season 2 Episode 3

Killer x gn!reader word count: 3.1k first|next a/n: i swear that's a song title

As the party began to wind down, you found yourself on the couch in the garage. Dive was sleeping with her head in your lap. Killer was next to you with his arm around you. You were fully leaning into him, trying not to fall asleep yourself. 

“Killer, come do one last shot with us! Close the night out.” There were people scattered about, passed out in various places already. Some people were keeping the party alive and going.

He looked at your half sleeping form, shaking his head. “I think I'm good.”

“You should do it, babe,” you mumbled, sitting up and pulling away from him. “This is gonna be the last time you see some of them for a while.”

“But I'm also leaving you, too. I want to-”

You kissed him softly, smiling. “Yeah, but you still have all of tomorrow and Monday morning with me. Go. Have fun with your friends.”

He looked at you for a long moment with fondness in his eyes but otherwise an unreadable expression. “God, I love you. I don't know what I did to deserve you,” he mumbled, kissing you again before getting up. 

“You were born. Now go. I'll be fine.” You waved him off before settling back into the couch and falling asleep. 

--

The next morning, you wake up pretty early despite being up so late. It was always like this. No matter when you go to bed, you always wake up early. A blessing and a curse.

You yawned, moving a bit before realizing that Dive was still in your lap. You wiggled out from under her, trying not to wake her up and celebrating quietly when you succeeded. You do a few stretches, yawning. Your body feels stiff, probably from falling asleep on the couch in a weird position with someone in your lap.

People were passed out all over the place. You moved strategically, trying not to step on anyone or bump into them, picking up some trash as you went. You knew you had a whole morning of cleaning ahead of you. As people woke up, you’d probably have them help if they didn’t have anywhere to be immediately.

“What are you doing?” You jumped, turning to see Killer standing in the doorway to the kitchen. 

“Cleaning up a little bit.”

The two of you were always the first ones up - as always. 

“You should be resting.” You rolled your eyes at his words, waving him off. “Oh hush. I'm just fine.” You threw away everything you had in your arms before grabbing an empty trash bag. 

Killer came over, pulling the bag out of your hands. You looked up to protest but his lips found yours immediately. You had gasped slightly, giving him a chance to deepen the kiss. You couldn't help but moan into him as your arms found their way around his neck. He pressed you into the counter slightly. 

Before it could get too far, you pulled away from him. “Hold on, babe. People could wake up at any moment,” you mumbled against him. 

“It's still early. We're fine. Besides, I still need to punish you for telling Hop and Bubblegum the news beforehand.”

You couldn't help but giggle a little as a shiver ran down your spine the lower his voice dropped. “But that's not my faaaault.” You fake pouted, unable to suppress a grin.

He kissed you one more time before finally letting you go. 

“Fine. I'll get you once everyone leaves.” You bit your lip, unable to contain your grin. “Promise?”

Then you took the trash bag back from him. “Promise.” He shook his head, letting you go start picking things up. 

As the morning progressed, people slowly woke up, helping you clean up the massive mess that was left over. You’d probably do some deep cleaning after everyone left - if your boyfriend let you, that is. Might have to wait until he leaves. After all, you’re going to need to give yourself something to do to distract yourself.

 Killer was already working on making a huge breakfast for everyone. He knew that everyone would be awake by the time he finished cooking. His food could honestly wake the dead just from their aroma.

Once you have enough people picking up trash and the house, you head outside to get the tables all set up once more. Hop joined your side, helping you. The two of you made idle chit chat as you did so.

It wasn't long before everyone was outside once more and dining off delicious food. It was noisy, which isn't a hard feat; not when there were so many of you. There were so many different conversations going on. 

Slowly, people made their way out. Some of them right after breakfast, some stuck around to mingle. Your boyfriend was mostly busy saying goodbyes. He had tried to stick with you again but you'd waved him off. 

You two would have plenty of time for goodbyes later. 

--

Finally, most people are gone. Heat and Wire head out as well, both needing to start packing their things. You were cleaning up breakfast when you felt Killer lift you up into his arms. You yelped, falling into laughter. 

“Now we have some alone time.”

“Not completely. Don't be gross and loud,” Kid shouted from the living room. 

The two of you laughed. “We're just going to rest. Don't worry.” Killer headed up the stairs with you, Kid just grumbling something neither of you could understand. Probably calling a bluff or something along those lines.

Killer tosses you onto the bed and you fall into fits of laughter as he crawls in after you, kissing you before collapsing next to you, pulling you in close. 

“Now we're alone,” you mused, turning to him and kissing him softly before resting your heads together. 

“I'm going to miss you,” he mumbled. 

Your heart hurt a bit, but you let out a pained smile. “I'm going to miss you too, love,” you said, voice low. 

The two of you laid like that for a moment, just enjoying each other's company. Who knew when you’d be able to just…coexist together again.

“I'm going to fly you out as soon as I'm able.”

You look up at him, chuckling. “Don't worry about me. I'll be fine. I gotta finish up my degree anyway.”

“I can provide for us. You don't have to worry.” He frowned. 

“Well, even when we get to that point, I'm going to get bored just doing nothing. I might as well get a job. Give myself something to do when you're touring and stuff.”

“You'd come with us at that point.”

“You don't ha-”

“But I want to.” 

You looked at him for a long moment, observing the determination in his eyes. Your own expression softened.  “Well, someone has to take care of the house, especially if it’s a mansion like Kid wants.. And you need time with your buds. And I think Kid wouldn't allow it anyway.” You snorted, listing off the reasons on your fingers.

“He cares about you more than you think. He was also incredibly bummed he couldn't bring you along initially.” 

Your face warmed up. You knew your own cousin cared about you, that was a given. It was still weird to hear aloud though. It was also nice, knowing that you were cared for.

“You're our honorary fifth band member, after all. And Kid still wants you to sing for us.”

You snorted, rolling your eyes. “In his dreams.” You just couldn't stand the idea of being on stage in front of thousands of people. 

“Maybe one day,” he mused, rolling over and pulling you on top of him. 

You sighed, yawning. Killer said something else but you couldn't make it out as everything caught up with you and you immediately fell asleep. 

-

You woke up some time later, seeing that several hours had passed. You noticed Killer wasn’t in bed and you grumbled for a moment, feeling the bed for him as you processed that he was missing. You were also struggling to properly wake up - still mostly asleep.

You heard movements, looking over to see Killer at the closet. Ah, he must be packing. You slowly sat up, stretching. You didn’t realize just how hard you had slept; you were pretty sure you even drooled a little. 

“Have a nice nap?” Killer’s voice made you jump as you were wiping up the dried drool from your face. You looked over to him as he was folding up a shirt, setting it in his suitcase. You stared at him for a moment, processing once more. 

“I should probably check everyone’s luggage,” you mumbled.

“Huh?”

You scrambled out of bed, tangling yourself in the blankets and started tumbling to the floor. Your boyfriend caught you with ease. “Slowdown there, partner. What’s the big rush? You’re not even awake fully yet.”

You mumbled something that you weren’t sure of and with the look on his face - he wasn’t either. You took a moment, just sitting there in his arms as you adjusted. Waking up and immediately going after napping that hard was apparently a bad idea.

“I…” You looked up at him, smiling. “Am going to double check everyone’s suitcases. Just to make sure they have all the essentials. I don’t trust any of them as far as I can throw them.” 

Killer stared at you for a moment before laughing. He nodded. “Alright. Sounds good.” He kissed your forehead, letting you bound out of the room.

You stopped at your cousin’s room, seeing his suitcase opened and things haphazardly tossed in, but he wasn’t anywhere to be found. “Tungsten?” You called - no answer. Huh.

Curiosity had the best of you, making you walk in to check his suitcase. “Hey, the fuck are you doing?” You nearly jumped out of your skin as Kid came into his bedroom, pulling his headphones off. 

“Making sure you’re packing decently.”

“I’m not a child.”

“The last time I let you pack your own bag, you didn’t pack any underwear or a toothbrush.”

“I was younger then!”

“Tungsten, that was literally last month.”

He went quiet, narrowing his eyes at you. “Who needs underwear,” he mumbled.

You rolled your eyes, looking through his clothes. “Fair point, but you still need to brush your teeth at least.” 

He walked over to you, watching over your shoulder as you went through his things. Everything was dumped out, for starters.

“Hey-”

“Don’t backseat pack. If you’re gonna hover - zip it.”

Kid grumbled, folding his arms and pouting like a child; living up to his name. As he did so frequently, but so did you. Truly related.

You resumed what you were doing, folding things and putting them in the bag neatly so more could fit inside of it. “You need to make sure you’re folding things nicely. You’ll fit more that way.”

“Now, go grab your toiletries, I see you have forgotten them again.”

“I can just get new-”

“Go get them.”

“Alright, alright. Fine.” Kid grumbled, mumbling things under his breath as he left the room once again. You continued to pack his suitcase, making sure he had plenty of outfit combos, his important accessories, and once Kid came back, his toiletries.

Kid looked at the bag once you finished opening his mouth when you held up a hand. “Use the smaller suitcase I have for your tools, alright?” He immediately closed his mouth, pouting slightly because you beat him to the point. You knew he wanted to take his tools as he loved tinkering and building things in his downtime. Whether it was his car or their instruments, it didn’t matter. That’s why it was important he took his tools.

They’d be able to get more things once they get settled in, but you weren’t sure how long it would take for them to be able to do that. That’s why you were determined to make sure they had adequate packing. You knew Killer would be fine, but it was mostly just Kid you worried about. Maybe Heat a little bit, but he’d survive.

Now that you thought about it, last time the four of you went on vacation, Wire had only brought his knitting things. Maybe you should just check everyone’s - just in case. Haha…like suitcase.

“What are you grinning at?” You looked over at your cousin, shaking your head. “Nothing.”

You closed everything up, looking at him. “Well, it’s all good to go. Guess I’ll double check and make sure you have everything in the morning.”

Kid looked at you for a moment, his expression softening slightly. “You sure you don’t wanna join the band, Bigs? You’d be able to go with us.”

Your own face softened at his sudden change of mood. “I’m positive. Stagelife isn’t for me, Tungsten.” You put your hands on your hips to face him. “You just work hard and get that big house and then I’ll move in and we’ll be one big happy fa-”

You were cut off as he suddenly hugged you tightly. You patted his back awkwardly for a moment before returning the sentiment once you fully processed what was going on. He wasn’t exactly one to show affection like this, but you weren’t about to embarrass him about it. This kind of thing could be hard.

He pulled away, sniffling and turning from you. “I’m gonna go back to cleaning out the van. Don’t bother me.” With that, he put his headphones back on and headed out of the room.

--

Heat and Wire came over a little later with their things. You checked their luggage as well, scolding them and sending them back to properly pack. Heat had barely brought anything at all and Wire had forgotten to include pants of any kind.

How they were going to survive without you - you had no idea.

You were in the garage, double checking that the equipment was properly packed up when you felt Killer slide his arms around you, pulling you into his chest. “Everything checking out, manager?” 

You rolled your eyes, grinning at his little joke. You turned around, wrapping your arms around his neck and kissing him softly. “I’d say so,” you mused. 

“I checked everyone’s luggage, the equipment, and made sure that Kid will actually have the van cleaned out by morning. Everything is going as scheduled.”

“Good. That means-” He stopped, picking you up and carrying you inside. “It’s time for bed.”

Once more, you fell into fits of laughter as he picked you up and carried you to the bedroom. It wasn’t long before the two of you settled down.

“I almost don’t want to go to sleep. I don’t want to miss a moment with you.” He looked at you as the two of you laid in bed, brushing his knuckle on your cheek. You smiled at him, taking his hand and kissing his palm.

“You’re always so sweet, Killi.” You shook your head. “But, you need to get plenty of rest. The lot of you have a lot of driving to do. I know Kid is taking first shift, but someone has to make sure no one gets lost.” Kid would take way too many detours and it would take them a week to get there if someone didn’t keep him focused.

“I know, I know. We’re going to try to do it all in one go. With the four of us taking turns driving, it should be relatively easy.”

“Call me as soon as you get there?”

“I’ll probably call you as soon as we leave the driveway.”

You laughed, flattered by his response. “As much as I would love that, I know it would annoy the boys. And you’re driving through plenty of dead zones, so I doubt your service will be reliable in the least.” 

He sighed, frowning deeply. “That’s true. But I’m going to text you every chance I get.”

You smiled up at him. “And I’ll answer whenever they come in, okay?”

After a few more reassurances that everything would be fine, the two of you fell asleep together for the last time.

--

The next morning, everyone was up just as the sun was peeking over the horizon. It was early. Killer was already making breakfast, you were helping everyone else pack everything into the van. It was like tetris, which you were amazing at. Everything fit like a glove when you took charge of it.

“Breakfast is ready!”

All of you headed inside, eating the hearty breakfast killer made. They needed their energy for their trip and you were just hungry.

After breakfast, you did one last check, making sure everyone had everything and everything was packed. It wasn’t like when they did shows an hour or two away and you could run something to them and they could do without. They were going to be across the damn country.

Everything was packed, loaded and ready to go. As you all walked outside, Bubblegum and Hop pulled up. They knew everyone was leaving and you were about to be alone in a large house for the first time ever so they were there for support. 

You were at the passenger side window where Killer sat, doing one last verbal checklist. “Alright, Bigs. We got everything. If you check one more time, something will end up missing on purpose.”

You held up your hands. “Fine, fine.” You looked at them, smiling. “I’m so proud of you boys, don’t forget that.” Killer smiled, gently taking your face in his hands and pulling you in for one of the most passionate kisses the two of you had ever shared. Probably the best, honestly. 

You pulled away, breathless and everything was spinning. “Make sure you call,” you mumbled against him before pressing another kiss to his lips. You felt the car begin to move, jumping back, startled.

“Tungsten!”

“Sorry, but if I let you two keep going - it’ll never end!”

You rolled your eyes, waving goodbye to them. “Drive safe! Love you! And good luck!”

Killer was leaning out of the passenger side window, looking back at you and waving as the van headed down the street. The two of you waved at each other as Bubblegum and Hop joined your side, shouting until they were out of sight.

NEXT

[that-was-anticlimactic]

"can you stay?" + atsushi & kyouka

"can you stay?"

atsushi's voice trembles as they speak, and kyouka freezes.

"nevermind."

atsushi laughs almost immediately, blinking away the impending tears and wavng their hands in front of them. "sorry. you don't... that was stupid of me to say. i'm-"

"stop apologizing."

kyouka slides beside them, curling up against their side. she head plops on their shoulder.

they're warm and shakey, and kyouka feels soft on atsushi's neck.

"i don't mind staying."

honestly, she wanted to stay. no matter how many times she watches atsushi - her sibling by everything but blood - get stabbed, the more she fears for them.

it's a little foolish, she knows; she's been familiar with blood and death and gore since her parents died. limbs being torn off and blood slowly oozing out of the body doesn't scare her.

but it does when she sees it happening to atsushi.

(and she doesn't say anything, but atsushi isn't the only one who gets nightmares - she's just better at keeping them quiet)

"you're just a kid..." atsushi mumbles, breaths shaky and uneven. "you shouldn't have to-to comfort me."

even so, kyouka soon feels the cool pads of their compression gloves rubbing her wrist.

"doesn't matter," she says, because she knows you're still a kid, too only upsets them more.

"okay."

they whisper it so quietly the only reasons kyouka hears it is because of her assassin training.

good.

she snuggles closer still and listens to their heartbeat. it starts off quick, but gradually falls until it's steady.

and kyouka is able to fall asleep with the reminder that her sibling is still alive.

(send me a sentence (+ a ship/character) and i'll write the next five sentences)

[majouartings]

PLAYABLE ZELDA PLAYABLE ZELDA PLAYABLE ZELDA PLAYABLE ZELDA PLAYABLE ZELDA PLAYABLE ZELDA PLAYABLE ZELDA *inhale* PLAYABLE ZELDA PLAYABLE Z

[usermoon]

beginning / previous / next

[fallinglikemagic]

hoppin on the redraw bandwagon

[astarkey]

Spotify Wrapped Meme: Free choice + 4. Black Nurse // Glassjaw for @musicrunsthroughmysoul

[ashmcgivern]

My last two artfights from a while back! Totally forgot to post them, sorry about that lads.

Cascis belongs to ApparentlyCascis on Artfight and Ingway belongs to @shinkoscribbles!

[floral-hex]

wowwy wawawa. was worried about seeing a new psychiatrist, but any doc that gives me a month of ativan is okay in my book.

so anyway, I got that and also starting something called remeron after the weekend is over (going out of town for my brother’s 2 day chess tournament and don’t want to deal with side effects during it). Let’s be hopeful.

[oswaldthatendswald]

Hello! I have been enjoying your Cora lives au a lot and wanted to ask a question about it. Feel free to ignore this if it's a bother.

In a recent chapter Shachi thinks about what drowning must be like as a devil fruit user and resolves to never eat one. I was wondering if you subscribed to the belief that he and Penguin are part fishmen, and if that affected his thought process. Or perhaps he was just being particularly empathetic as he seems prone to. :) Just curious!

Damn, this ask totally sent me on a spiral! Thank you very much for sending it. I ended up having a whole discussion about this headcanon with my partner, but I'll spare you the ramblings and cut to my answer.

The short answer is no, I don't subscribe to that belief. I think it's an interesting concept for AUs and I've certainly seen it written well in fics, but it's not a headcanon I find compelling for myself. More on my thoughts below the cut.

I don't want to bash that headcanon at all, and I certainly don't want to discourage anyone else from enjoying it or believing it, so I will add the disclaimer that all this is just my personal thoughts on the matter.

The long answer is that I've never really felt like that headcanon makes sense, both in the world and themes of One Piece. There doesn't seem to be much of a fishmen diaspora-- other than the Sun Pirates and Tom, most fishmen seem to be living on Fishman Island. Those who we do see seem to stick to warmer environments, while Swallow Island is cold and snowy. I find it somewhat implausible that a couple of part-fishmen kids could end up in the cold part of the North Blue, let alone survive.

But on a more thematic level, I don't find that the part-fishmen headcanon does justice to Penguin and Shachi's characters. A major theme in One Piece is that no one is immune to hardship, especially not kids, and the original Heart Pirates are a great microcosm of that theme. There's Law, who has lived through an atrocity and also carries a Devil Fruit people would literally kill for, and Bepo, who is both a Mink and Very Lost, but then we have Penguin and Shachi. They're just a couple of guys, but the world hasn't been any kinder to them. There's no grand reason to their suffering: no government plot or superpowers. But they're suffering is just as genuine as Law and Bepo's. For me, if they are part-fishmen, that really powerful thematic resonance is lost.

The reason for Shachi's bit about Devil Fruits and drowning is actually a lot less profound, I'm afraid. I'm definitely in the camp of thinking that Devil Fruits are super cool and not being able to swim is absolutely a fair trade, but my partner is on the total opposite side. Shachi's take on the loss of swimming is taken from her thoughts on the matter (in her own words: "There is literally no power that would be worth it to me").

I hope this answer wasn't too disappointing. Thank you very much for the ask, it was very thought-provoking!

[dangerous-advantage]

If you want, a disaster twins hurt/comfort drabble? Maybe even cuddles? You don't have to if you don't want to.

(cws: heights/references to falling from heights, discussion of canon-typical trauma, cursing)

Lightning flashed through the cover of clouds, exposing their rain-swollen underbellies. Leo counted the seconds between the latest strike and its corresponding rumble of thunder.

One, two, three...

He kicked his legs to the rhythm of his thoughts, concrete bruising his heels. The sting was grounding. Up here, above the city lights and conversation, Leo could use all the grounding he could get.

A fat droplet of rain smacked wetly on his arm. He looked up, just as the sky growled warning and unleashed it's downpour.

Leo closed his eyes and pretended not to breathe.

The rain had been worse this year. The last three days had seen scattered showers and an endless, overcast sky.

Leo liked the rain. God knows the city needed it. It made him feel cleaner than he had in a long time. Like New York was finally washing its hands of the events earlier that summer.

If he let himself, he could almost pretend everything was back to normal. That it had never been un-normal.

But the rain also brought new and unfortunate side effects. His time in the prison dimension left him scarred. Several months removed, he was still recovering.

The rain ignited his deepest aches. He'd lay in bed, clenching his jaw to stifle his whines of pain as the muscles in his legs cramped and spasmed. His shell ached, too, the cracks in his carapace lit up like a live wire. He'd popped three ibuprofen the day before, but this time, it didn't save him.

He'd hoped fresh air would do him some good, but his thoughts were as raw as ever.

If he had the energy for it, or maybe someone to tell, Leo would've joked about it. But his dramatics were never entertaining in his own head, and they weren't meant for him, anyway.

He tipped his head down and sighed out a breath. Cold rivulets cascaded down his face, tracing his jawline. They fell to his lap in scattered droplets, refracting the city lights as they rebounded.

He was starting to get a bit too cold for comfort. They weren't fully cold-blooded, seeing as they were part human, but they were still susceptible to temperature changes, especially Leo.

He didn't want to deal with a cold on top of everything else.

Leo gathered himself, shifting into a crouch. His body protested as he came to a standing position, retrieving his katanas from where he'd set them.

His bandana was soaked, say nothing of his bandages. He'd need to change them before his brothers awoke. He'd better dry off his katanas, too-- he didn't know if mystic weapons could rust, but he'd rather not find out.

Retreating away from the edge of the roof, Leo could feel his heartbeat start to settle. Heights didn't bother him, exactly. It was more about potential. Sitting on a precipice, seconds away from what could be your last breath.

It was the ultimate test of arrogance. Would you really test your luck, lean over the edge to catch a glimpse of what lay below? Just a cursory misstep and you would be sent plummeting, with only moments to contemplate before you were crushed against concrete.

Adrenaline was an effective tool for alleviating the worst of the pain. It probably wasn't a healthy practice, but what worked, worked.

Summoning his ninpō, Leo slashed a katana through the air, flinging rainwater with the sweep of his blade. The air rippled, a pool of blue reflecting in the puddle beneath him.

With barely so much as a thought to serve as a directive, the connection stabilized, pulling at his gut. Leo stepped through, shutting the gate behind him.

He emerged in their bathroom, water dripping off his disheveled form to the floor. Glancing up at the clock, he frowned. Had it really been three hours?

Leo set his katanas on the counter and foraged through the cabinet for a towel. He discarded the first two he grabbed on account of their worn texture, tossing them to the ground behind him.

His fingers closed around plush, white material, and Leo pulled out a newer-looking towel. It would do nicely.

He set to work drying his katanas with fastidious motions, guiding the towel into the crevasses where excess rainwater might accumulate. He dried his first katana once, and then a second time, before doing the same to the other.

When he was satisfied, he turned back to the cabinet and rifled through it, looking for a first aid kit. He'd had Casey restock recently, given how much of their supply had been damaged in the Kraang invasion. He didn't remember if anyone had put them away-- they might still be on the kitchen counter, for all he knew.

Leo gave up, nudging the cabinet shut, and carried his katanas to his room. His body was really starting to hurt again. He perched on the edge of his bed, tensing the muscles in his body.

He let his eyes flutter shut. His body felt washed out and faded like an old t-shirt, washed one too many times. Maybe he should just try and rest while he could, before the pain returned in full.

But the medic in him eschewed the idea. Not to mention, his brothers would kill him if he risked infection by something so careless.

Heaving a sigh, Leo abandoned his bedroom, making his way to the train car that housed their kitchen. To his surprise (and wariness), the lights were on, curtains drawn.

Had Mikey forgotten to turn off the light? That wasn't like him.

(Which meant he probably hadn't.)

Leo procrastinated by the entrance, killing time locked in an internal dialogue. Somebody else was up, or had been. Most likely scenario, it was Casey, being a light sleeper.

He was also the only person that knew about Leo's midnight escapades. He'd confessed that knowing Leo was gone set him on edge. Often, Leo would return to find him sitting in his room, eyes on a distant memory.

Shaking off his indecision, Leo pulled himself up into the car, grimacing at the jolt of pain that ran up his shell. He stepped inside and froze, stomach dropping to his knees.

Donnie sat on a stool at the counter, thumbs flicking over his phone screen. An empty bowl and spoon sat in front of him on the otherwise clean surface, evidence of a midnight meal. There was a cutting board in the sink and a stockpot on the cooktop.

Donnie looked up from his phone, eyebrows slightly smudged. They knit together in confusion as he took in Leo's waterlogged state.

Leo shifted his weight. "I didn't know you were up."

Donnie raised an eyebrow. "Went for a midnight swim?" he deadpanned.

Leo moved past him, toward the opposite counter. "Something like that," he mumbled. He withdrew one of the first aid kits from a plastic grocery bag stowed on top of the fridge.

His thigh dissented, muscles contracting, and he gasped. He bent over, resting his forehead on the fridge, eyes squeezed shut.

A stool creaked, sliding back. "Leo?"

Leo gritted his teeth. A bead of water slid down his face and fell from his chin like a teardrop.

"Just sore," he groaned. "I'm fine."

He could feel Donnie's presence as he approached. He stopped a few feet behind where Leo was standing, back bowed.

"You don't look fine," he pointed out.

Leo hadn't "looked fine" since the prison dimension. He choked on a laugh at the thought, unable to smother it. He couldn't see Donnie's face, but he could imagine the expression it displayed with ease.

The tension between them grew. When was the last time Leo had talked one-on-one with his twin? He didn't remember it ever being this awkward.

The cramp in his leg let up a little. Leo gingerly placed it on the ground, testing his weight. The sooner he could get out of this situation, the better.

"I should go," Leo said finally, straightening. He turned. Donnie's arms were crossed over his plastron, examining him with narrowed eyes. Leo stepped around him, gaze avoidant.

He got halfway across the kitchen before Donnie spoke.

"How long were you out?" Donnie asked. "Your bandages are soaked."

Leo recognized the trap laid out in his brothers' casual demeanor.

"Not long," he replied, matching Donnie's tone. "Just needed some air."

"Hm, is that so? Because I've been up since midnight, and it's now--" He checked his com band. "--two thirteen, so unless you magically gained the ability to be quiet, I'm not sure your story holds water."

Leo resisted the urge to make a pun. "Hey, I can be quiet!" he protested.

His brothers (somehow) hadn't realized just how accurate Leo's ninpō had gotten in the previous months. He would prefer it stayed that way. (Raph definitely wouldn't be too happy to find out how much time Leo spent overlooking foreign cityscapes instead of sleeping.)

"Don't change the subject, Leo, I know what you're doing." Donnie placed his hands on his hips. (Did mutant turtles have hips?)

Leo held his hands up in mock surrender. "Okay, okay. Fine." Prime example of a battle he refused to pick. "I lost track of time, sue me."

Donnie blew out a breath, and Leo knew they were entering safer waters. Works every time, he thought.

"Just tell me you didn't go far?" Donnie asked wearily. "Raph would freak."

"I didn't," Leo assured him. It wasn't a lie-- compared to his usual destinations, his trip to downtown New York was a novelty. "You aren't going to tell him, are you?"

Donnie hesitated. Leo's expression grew shuttered.

"No," he sighed. "Just-- next time you go out, could you at least leave a note or something? That way, if you get kidnapped by pirates again, we'll know where to look?"

"That was one time," Leo argued. Donnie sent him The Look™. "...Okay, two times, but can you really blame me?"

"Yes." Donnie stated the word without hesitation.

Leo hid a smile. It was easy, falling back into their familiar banter. He had missed this.

His legs gave a throb of pain and he winced. "I should go," he said reluctantly.

Donnie blinked, caught off guard. His gaze took on a hint of concern. "Oh. Uh. Right." He shifted uncomfortably. "Here. Do you... I can carry that for you." He gestured at the first aid kit.

Leo wanted to refuse, but he'd officially run out of luck. At that moment, his legs gave out beneath him. He crumpled, carapace smarting at the sudden movement.

"Leo!" Donnie knelt next to him, eyes dark with worry. "Are you okay? What's happening?"

"It's nothing, I'm fine," he groaned out. His leg gave a traitorous pulse, and he yelped.

Donnie stood. "I'm getting Raph," he decided.

"No!" Leo cried. "Honestly, Tello, I'm fine."

"Is that why you're laying on the kitchen floor?"

Leo swatted weakly at Donnie's calf. "No," he groaned. "It's just... the rain. Makes all my scars ache, and stuff."

"Oh," Donnie said. He returned to a kneel. "I... didn't think of that."

"'S fine," Leo grumbled. "Just need to re-wrap my bandages." Something he was not looking forward to.

His muscles slowly untensed, leaving a dull ache of pain in their wake. He let out a miserable sigh, closing his eyes.

In a moment, he'd need to get up and make his way to the bathroom. Though, he could probably get away with a few more minutes on the floor. Donnie had seen him through worse.

To his surprise, he could feel an arm slipping under his shoulders, helping him up. He cracked open an eye to see Donnie on his left side, bracing his arm on the wall as he helped pull Leo to his feet.

"Okay, come on," he groaned. "Let's get you to the bathroom before you forget how to walk again."

"Ugh, rude," Leo said, accepting his support. "You'd say that to an injured man? I'm on the cusp of death here, Dee."

"I'd say that to a dead man."

"What, was that a threat?"

"No, but it can be."

Leo snorted, then winced as they made their way down the steps. Donnie was careful, but not smothering, letting Leo lead. They limped their way to the bathroom, where Donnie set him down on a stool, flicking on the light.

"Thanks for leaving fucking puddles everywhere," Donnie said, lifting up his foot and shaking it. "Did you really not dry yourself off at all?"

"I dried my off my katanas," Leo defended. Donnie rolled his eyes and mumbled something beneath his breath. He turned and began rifling through the cabinet for a towel.

"Just use one off the floor," Leo said, kicking at the towels he'd discarded earlier.

"Those ones are shit," Donnie said, emerging triumphant with a fluffy, dark purple towel he must have hidden somewhere in the back. "Do you really want a sad, dirty floor rag? Not that it wouldn't fit you, but..."

Leo snorted, hiding a grin in the back of his hand. Donnie leaned over and swaddled him in the towel, wiping off his plastron with quick motions.

"What are you, some kind of towel elitist?" He leaned away, grabbing the towel for himself and pulling over his carapace. "smh, can't believe you were holding out on me." He rubbed his hand over the plush fabric. "I might be stealing this."

"Did you just say 'smh' out loud?" Donnie asked. "And absolutely not, I will destroy you."

"Then you gotta tell me who your dealer is, at least." Leo buried his face in the cushy material. When he spoke again, his voice was muffled. "This is exactly the kind of wasteful bullshit I need in my life."

"Frivolous luxury would suit you," Donnie mused.

Leo simpered up at him. "I'll take that as a compliment."

"Do you even know what that word means? And don't fucking simper at me."

Leo simpered even harder.

Donnie grabbed one of the towels from the floor and threw it at him. Leo raised his hands with a laugh, shielding his face.

Donnie snatched his purple towel back. "Shh! You're gonna wake the others."

"I'm not the one who decided to commit a hate crime." Leo took off his mask and placed it on the sink.

"I threw a towel at you," Donnie deadpanned. "How is that a hate crime?"

"Because you were being mean to me." Leo wore his best pout.

"That's not a hate crime."

"It is if you hate me."

"I don't think you know what that word means, either." Donnie opened the first aid kit, setting it on the sink. "Okay, sit tight."

Leo stuck his tongue out, but kept quiet as Donnie leaned over him, inspecting his bandages. Neither of them spoke as Donnie took one in hand and carefully began to peel it off. He grimaced as it exposed the puckered scar beneath, gently dabbing it with a clean pad of gauze.

Leo didn't bother to wince at the soft prick of pain. It was so minuscule compared to everything else he'd gone through.

The thought was a depressing one, draining the small amount of humor he'd managed to recover out of his chest. He slumped a little, studying the floor.

Donnie seemed to notice the change. He paused for a minute, thinking. Leo could nearly hear the gears in his brain turning as he puzzled out what to say.

"...I hope the rain stops soon," he finally settled on, cautious.

"Yeah," Leo sighed. He glanced at the wall, his jaw working. "I used to like the rain."

"Yeah? Oh, that's right," Donnie remembered. "You would always beg papa to take you up to the surface when it rained. And then Raph."

Leo nodded mutely, turning his thoughts over in his head.

"Its... I just..." Leo glared at the wall. "It makes me angry."

Donnie replaced one of his bandages with a new one and started re-wrapping his shoulder. "The rain?"

A sudden wave of emotion rose in him, and Leo's hands clenched. "No. The Kraang. That they-- that they took that from me." He glared at the floor willing his mouth to not wobble. Damn it.

Donnie didn't speak, but he rested his free hand on Leo's shoulder.

"It's just-- it's so stupid." Leo tried for a bitter laugh, but it came out wetter than he'd intended. He sniffed, trying to get a hold of himself.

"It's just fucking rain. But it's like-- every time it rains, I'm not gonna be thinking about how much I like it, or drag you guys out to stand in it. 'Cuz all I'm gonna be thinking about it the stupid fucking Kraang."

Donnie had gone still, but his hand remained on Leo's shoulder, a silent show of support.

Leo swiped a hand over his face. "And it's stupid, because-- we got rid of them! The Kraang are supposed to be gone, or whatever." His voice broke on the word 'gone,' but he persisted.

"But they're still here. Everywhere I go in the city, I'm reminded of them. They're like... a shadow, or something, looming over me. All the things I like, they've infected." He barked out a wet laugh.

"I mean, did you know the reason I gifted all my Jupiter Jim comics to Mikey is that I can't read them without thinking about the Kraang? And it's-- so stupid because I love Jupiter Jim. But now I can't even watch our favorite movies, because every time it feels like a punch to the throat!"

Leo was about to cry, something he really didn't want to do right now. He took a tremulous breath. "I mean-- isn't that stupid? I know it's stupid." He let out a shaky laugh.

"...I don't think it's stupid," Donnie offered quietly. He returned to his previous task of changing Leo's bandages. "I think it makes perfect logical sense. We went through something traumatic. Of course it's going to affect us negatively."

Leo laughed, sharp and bitter. "Yeah." He glared at the floor.

It was quiet for a long moment.

"I get it."

Leo looked up, confused. "What?"

Donnie worried at the edge of his mouth, intent on his task. "Do you remember when I took control of the Technodrome?"

Leo swiped a hand across his face. Guilt twinged in his abdomen. "Mhm."

"In order to create a connection, it had to--" Donnie cut himself off. "Um. It had to. Physically connect to me."

Leo froze. "Like... how?"

Donnie tapped a repeating pattern on the edge of his shell, before reaching for the medical tape. "It was... through my shell."

"Oh." Leo said. Then, "Oh."

"Yeah," Donnie sighed.

Leo scuffed his feet on the floor. "Shit, Dee, I'm s--"

Donnie flicked him firmly on the forehead. "Don't."

"Hey!" Leo cried, rubbing at the spot.

"If you're gonna apologize, apologize for something that was actually your fault." The words were spoken with the tone of one who is used to speaking them. "And anyway, it was my choice."

"You wouldn't have needed to choose it if--"

"Nardo, oh my god, I will smack you." Donnie pulled back. "I am trying to empathize with you here, why are you making this so hard?"

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry," Leo mumbled.

Donnie sighed. "It's-- well, it's not fine, but. It's a topic for another time."

Leo nodded.

"As I was saying," Donnie continued, "It was not the most pleasant experience, going into it. And-- well, I didn't particularly enjoy the hasty removal, either.

"But... I didn't mind it, being in there. It's just... it made me realize how much I'm missing. How weak I am, with my shell." Donnie rubbed an absentminded hand over the strap of his battle shell. "Sometimes I'll wake up, and I'll..." His voice dipped into a whisper. "I'll miss it."

He paused as if waiting for Leo to react. Perhaps with disgust, or anger. Leo did neither, covering Donnie's hand on his shell with his own.

"I know it's not a perfect correlation, but. It makes me... feel. Emotions. Things I don't like." Donnie rummaged around in the kit for another piece of gauze. "And I just. It's. Ugh."

"'Ugh.'" Leo agreed. "That's a pretty good word for it."

Donnie scowled at him.

"I'm being serious!"

"Ok, enough being nice to you," Donnie announced. "I'm leaving. Suffer."

"But Dee," Leo whined, dragging out the 'e'. "You didn't finish wrapping my shell."

"Urgh, fine." Donnie rolled his eyes. Leo resisted a smile, secure in the knowledge that he wouldn't have actually left.

They lapsed into silence again. Far above, Leo could hear the rain slowing, the downpour giving way.

Donnie finished wrapping his shell. He pulled back, considering. There was an edge of hesitation to his expression. Leo knew that look.

“What’re you—”

Donnie leaned down and pulled him into a hug.

Leo tensed for a moment, caught off guard.

Donnie was very particular about touch. He didn’t like casual touch, unless he was the one to initiate it. That, plus with the invasion, had made him even touchier about it than usual. Well, less touchier.

When was the last time they’d just. Hung out? Slung an arm over the others’s shoulder?

Leo closed his eyes and let out a shuddery sigh. He melted into the embrace. God, he was tired.

Donnie pulled back. He placed a hand on the back of his neck, mouth hanging open as if he’d had something to say, but had forgotten it.

“You’re bandages are done,” he said finally.

Leo glanced down. “Oh. Thank you.”

Donnie nodded stiffly, and backed off. “We should turn the lights off before anybody else wakes up.”

Leo nodded in agreement. He was surprised Casey hadn’t woken yet. He made to stand, the full-body ache in his limbs intensifying. His feet landed in a puddle of water.

"Hold on, I have to clean the water off the floor," Leo said, reaching for a towel. Donnie intercepted him.

"I will clean it up," he contended. "It's time for you to get to bed."

"Don't act like your sleep schedule is any better than mine," Leo returned, but silently, he was grateful.

Donnie switched the lights off behind them and walked with Leo to his train car. It wasn't necessary by any means, but Leo didn't mind. The sick, weary feeling in his gut had been replaced by something warm and safe.

He paused at the steps to his train car, turning back. "I think I can go to bed by myself," he joked.

"After tonight, I truly doubt that," Donnie said drily, but Leo could hear a hint of fatigue in his voice. No doubt he was bone-tired.

Leo shuffled his feet. "Um, sorry. I didn't mean to keep you up."

Donnie stared at him, letting the silence stagnate long enough for Leo to remember their earlier conversation.

"Please go to bed," he said finally, exasperated.

"If I must," Leo sighed, putting on an air of melodrama.

"You must," Donnie deadpanned. Leo stuck his tongue at him again.

With little fanfare, Donnie turned and began to walk away. Leo watched him go, mentally preparing himself for the strain of getting up the steps into his train car.

“Oh, hey, and Leo?” Donnie looked back.

Leo frowned in confusion. “What?”

Donnie smirked at him. “I changed my mind. I’m not cleaning the floor.”

Leo gasped, adopting a scandalized expression. “Liar! How could you?”

Donnie smiled evilly and disappeared up the steps into his train car.

Leo went to bed smiling.

In the morning, he checked the bathroom floor and found that it was clean.

[lovecoredeity]

I lied: I probably will be posting a proper commission sheet sometime in the coming week, maybe this weekend, it all depends on what like I’ve got going on (as I’ve said June is a really busy month so if anything it may be late June before I’m like opening commissions) sorry in advance for that!!

[signs-of-the-moon]

Moon High: Chapter 18

The moon was nearly at its peak in the sky by the time Treeclan reached the Gathering Clearing. At the front of the chosen cats, Blazestar stood, with a stern expression fixed on his face. Clearly he had something on his mind, something he'd soon come to make everyone else's problem too. Moonpaw wasn't too far from him, seeing the anger blazing in his eyes as the orange tom turned to dismiss his clan. Moonpaw crouched a little as she passed him, not wanting to be caught in his path and bother him. She followed the tail of her elder friend, Badgerface, moving up to his side to match pace with him as he mixed into the crowd. 

"So what happened to the Moon after the argument with the ocean? I have to know!" Moonpaw insisted, wanting Badgerface to continue a story he'd been telling on the way to the Gathering. 

“Ah. Well, you see…” the elder started as they walked. 

Moonpaw nodded along to the old tom's words, searching the clearing with her eyes as they padded along. Slowly, Badgerface's fable faded into background noise. Soon, Moonpaw realized she'd drowned it out entirely. She was too occupied looking for Hazepaw to focus. She was eager for the white tom to pop out and surprise her–like he'd done at the last full moon meeting. Though many white pelts mingled through the clearing, none belonged to her dear friend. Disappointment began to worm its way into Moonpaw's chest. It must have shown on her face, too, as Badgerface gave pause.

“Moon, I think you should go mingle with some cats your own age now," he meowed, resting his tail on her back. 

A pang of guilt suddenly gripped Moonpaw. She parted her jaws, ready to apologize for losing interest in the elder's story. Then the crackly mrrrp of another cat split through the air. A trio of old warriors appeared a bear-length ahead. Oh, perhaps it wasn't her sullen expression that had made Badgerface stop speaking. Instead, the arrival of his friends must have prompted him to set the task aside, for now. A golden tom, a long haired spotted molly, and a white mangled faced tom trotted up to Badgerface. Moonpaw looked at them in awe as they greeted her elder friend. Their pelts were littered with scars, which spoke of battles Moonpaw would love to hear tales of.

Badgerface laughed with sarcasm as one of the elders quipped at him. Something about bothering young apprentices with helping him get around in his old age. Then Badgerface moved to cuff the old she-cat over the ears. Afterwards, he pushed the golden tom to the ground playfully, displaying how capable and strong he still was as a counter-argument. The scarred white tom simply shook his head with a smile at the display.

Moonpaw mrrowed with laughter as she watched the old cats tussling as though they were kits. It made her heart feel warm to see them so lively, even at their age. But it was clear Moonpaw wouldn't fit in with this group, so she allowed Badgerface to go on ahead without her.

Moonpaw's gaze flitted over the throng of cats, still looking for that familiar pelt. One did emerge, but it didn't belong to Hazepaw. Instead it was Deerpaw, Tigerpaw's brother. He looked a little skittish with enemy warriors pressed around him on all sides. 

Despite being a moon older than Moonpaw, this was Deerpaw's first Gathering. He'd been too nervous to attend his first few. But he swore he could handle going this time around. Moonpaw could practically smell his fear. Clearly, Deerpaw had lied. It was sad to see him in such a state. So Moonpaw made her presence known to him, gently pressing her flank to his. Though he jolted a little, the tom instantly relaxed, realizing a clanmate had come to his aid. Moonpaw urged him to follow her to a less crowded part of the clearing, where he could feel more secure. Upon receiving the space he so desperately craved, Deerpaw heaved a sigh. He sat back on his haunches, then looked to Moonpaw almost teary eyed.

"Thanks," he murmured before wrapping his fluffy tail around himself. 

"It's no trouble." Moonpaw twitched her ears. "Are you sure you were ready to be here tonight, chipmunk? You know you could always go home."

Deerpaw lowered his ears. "Don't want to..." 

Moonpaw tilted her head curiously. Deerpaw looked as though he were ready to pass out with so many strangers around. Why did he push himself to deal with such anxiety?

"I'm too grown to be scared of Gatherings. That's what Tinypaw said. I want to be braver, to make her proud," Deerpaw elaborated.

Moonpaw nodded, understanding his choice now. Tinypaw was his favorite littermate. It made sense he'd want to face his fear for her. Especially so they could enjoy Gatherings together, like tonight.

"Deerpaw!" 

Moonpaw swung around when she heard the high pitched mew of the pale tortoiseshell molly. Tinypaw came bounding over to them. Relief washed over her features when she saw her brother safe. Her tail raised in greetings as she got closer.

"There you are! I was starting to worry about you." Tinypaw rubbed her muzzle against Deerpaw's. Then she turned to Moonpaw. "Thanks for guiding him from the crowd. I'm sure the stupid furball was getting overwhelmed by the amount of cats around."

"...don't like strangers..." Deerpaw pouted and slumped his shoulders. Tinypaw moved closer to him, licking the tom over the ears. She was exactly his height, when he was sitting. 

“It really was no trouble,” Moonpaw assured with a tail sway, left ignored as Tinypaw fussed over her brother. Though she wished to carry on a conversation with her denmates–perhaps to distract herself from looking for Hazepaw more–it was clear she wouldn't get much out of the pair. After trying and failing again to catch Tinypaw's attention, Moonpaw padded back into the crowd. 

She mewed small "hellos” to cats she passed as she went back to searching for Hazepaw. Along the way she walked by Nightpaw, who was standing beside Wolfheart. Moonpaw's father was boasting about the apprentice to some of his friends, praising her quick wit and skills. Nightpaw was practically glowing with pride as her mentor spoke of her accomplishments. She looked up to him, it seemed, as she added in how good Wolfheart was as a teacher. Moonpaw had never seen the she-cat so happy before. 

Not far away, Nightpaw's mother, Darkfire, was standing beside two other tough looking warriors. Her claws were unsheathed as she told them about a recent Oceanclan skirmish she'd helped win. A close by sand speckled warrior had his eyes narrowed at her, clearly agitated by her recount of the event. 

There were others from Moonpaw's clan nearby as well, and cats she recognized from patrols and the previous Gathering. But none of them were Hazepaw. For a short while more, Moonpaw continued looking for him. But it did not seem like he was present tonight. Defeat weighed down Moonpaw's heart like a heavy stone. He promised he'd make it to the Gathering. Has something happened? She wondered. 

Moonpaw paused to look at Split Rock. Four of the five leaders were present atop the ancient cracked boulder. They'd be calling the gathered cats together soon, for sure. It looked like they were waiting for Brightstar to arrive. Moonpaw supposed she could wait in her place alone until the announcements began. It was a good spot to listen and be out of everyone's way. Then, someone called out to her;

"Hi, Moonpaw!"

For a heartbeat she perked up, turning around to see who'd called. Yet disappointment greeted her again as Sunpaw stood in front of her. 

"Oh, Hi Sunny.” Moonpaw deflated.

"You look a little down." Sunpaw blinked. Moonpaw gave a shrug. "Is it because you're lonely? I could keep you company, if you'd like?" 

Moonpaw thought for a heartbeat. Though she'd like to stay where she was, in case Hazepaw finally decided to show his face, she had to admit she was feeling lonesome. Perhaps spending time with Sunpaw could cheer her up. 

"I would like that, actually," she admitted. 

Sunpaw lit up. "Great!" He made a small hop. "Come with me!" Before Moonpaw could say anything about going elsewhere, Sunpaw was leading her through the crowd. 

Near a fallen branch, a few other cats appeared to be waiting for them. Moonpaw glanced at Sunpaw, confused. He seemed excited to meet with these other cats, his tail held high as he led her towards them.

"Hi everyone!" He chirped. 

“There you are, Sunpaw!” Purred a longhaired tabby with the scent of the mountains on her pelt. Beside her sat two Oceanclan mollies, sand dusted fur. Sitting opposite of them was a young muddy Marshclan warrior. And next to her were two slender Grassclan she-cats. They all mewed various greetings to Sunpaw, a couple stepping up to touch noses with him. Gee, Sunpaw's really popular with she-cats, Moonpaw discovered as she observed his group of friends. 

“‘Bout time you showed up,” grunted the only tom of the group, sitting off to the sidelines. Moonpaw couldn't pull her gaze from him once she looked over. Something about the tom seemed familiar to her. When she sniffed, his scent brought her an odd sense of nostalgia; the same way thinking about Skunkpaw or Rainkit did. But that was silly! How could she feel that way about a cat she'd never met? Was it a crush? Certainly not! But Moonpaw's head felt fuzzy the more she stared at the stranger. It was as if she'd met him before; like the tom had come from a dream. But Moonpaw was sure she'd never seen him until now. 

“I found my clanmate sitting by herself. Otherwise I would have been here sooner.” Sunpaw's voice drew Moonpaw out of her thoughts. Then his head tilted in her direction. “Everyone, this is Moonpaw. Moonpaw, this is Pinepaw of Mountainclan, Stemflower of Marshclan, Otterpaw and Whisperpaw of Oceanclan, and Heatherpaw, Quailpaw, and Rabbitpaw of Grassclan,” he introduced, pointing his muzzle to each named cat. 

Moonpaw nodded her head respectfully to them. “It's nice to meet you all.”

“So you are the fated moon spoken of so often.” Whisperpaw stared, her voice hushed and monotone. It was almost eerie, the way that she spoke.

“Does Sunpaw talk about me..?” Moonpaw blinked curiously, the fur on the back of her neck rising slightly.

“Sometimes he doesn't shut up about you,” Rabbitpaw snorted. Sunpaw's pelt bristled at the lynx point tom's comment. While Heatherpaw jabbed her denmate in the side with her elbow to be quiet. Moonpaw looked to Sunpaw, seeking an explanation. But he refused to give one, instead opting to lick down his chest fur. It was if he were trying to wash away the flustered feelings he was experiencing. Moonpaw resisted the urge to giggle. 

"Anyways! Uhm, last time we met up, Stemflower was telling us about what it's like to be a warrior," Sunpaw mentioned, trying to change the subject. 

"That's right." Stemflower flicked an ear, motioning to Rabbitpaw. "Rabbitpaw said he was interested in the duties I've taken up. I chose to be a Spy and a Gardener."

"What's a Gardener?" Quailpaw, a light brown tabby molly asked. 

"They grow plants on the dry land Mountainclan gave to Marshclan, in the pine tree forest," Pinepaw explained.

"I've never heard of such a job." Rabbitpaw swayed his tail.

"Us either," Moonpaw added while Sunpaw nodded in agreement. 

"I don't think the other clans are taught what Gardeners are. Considering they aren't needed out on the meadow, or in the forest," Stemflower told Pinepaw. 

"Why do Gardeners grow plants?" Sunpaw wondered. 

"For our medicine cats, mostly," the dark gray tabby she-cat responded. "Some herbs have a difficult time growing in the marsh. So we need to cultivate them ourselves. We also like to have plants for our dens; for construction and decoration. And we occasionally like to mix herbs in with our prey." 

"Mixing herbs with prey?" Otterpaw wrinkled her nose. 

Nasty! Moonpaw stuck out her tongue. She could almost taste the bitterness of the plants as she thought about having to eat them with her meals.

"Herbs can have nutritional value, besides those for healing," Rabbitpaw spoke up, "or so my sister, Mistypaw, says. So I guess cats are told to eat them to help make Marshclan's warriors stronger, right?"

Stemflower purred, looking amused. "Something like that. The plants we eat also happen to taste good with the prey we catch. Brightstar isn't ordering us to take herbs so we can be stronger than normal warriors, in case that's what you're implying."

Speaking of the Marshclan leader, Moonpaw began to scent the strong odor of mud and saltwater beside her, as the flame point she-cat walked passed. Her shoulder brushed against Moonpaw's accidentally, catching the Treeclan apprentice's attention. Brightstar turned for a heartbeat and flashed an apologetic smile.

"Sorry, 'Paw, didn't mean to bother you. Just have to get past to start the meeting!" 

Moonpaw smiled and stepped aside. "It's alright! I understand." It was almost awe-striking to interact with a clan leader besides her own. Most leaders would not mingle among the crowd for long after arriving at the Gathering clearing. But Brightstar seemed different. Though her clan was usually on time, she was almost always late to join her peers on Split Rock, it seemed. Moonpaw supposed she liked to spend time with her outer clan friends first. Or perhaps she liked meeting random cats, the way she was right now.

"It's an honor to meet you, Brightstar!" Moonpaw couldn't help but blurt out. 

Brightstar blinked, then let out a small mrrow of laughter. She flicked her tail with good nature, receiving a respectful head dip from Moonpaw in return. The other apprentices with her mimicked her motion. Moonpaw noticed her new friends looking just as excited as she felt when meeting Brightstar. 

Stemflower, on the other paw, nodded curtly to her leader, who brushed her tail along the warrior's shoulder. Then the Marshclan leader scurried off, taking her place beside Blazestar and the others.

"Let the Gathering begin!" Fogstar declared, looking down at the cats who gathered beneath Split Rock. Moonpaw made herself comfortable in a spot beside her new companions, tilting her head back to listen to the news of the evening. Sunpaw settled himself at her side, pressing their flanks together while they listened for news. 

Fogstar glanced between the other leaders seated beside him. They nodded, granting him the opportunity to speak first, once the crowd settled. 

"Welcome, everyone," he greeted, sounding as though he were in a better mood this moon than the last. "I come with much to report from Mountainclan. Firstly, my son, Darkpaw, has been accepted by Starclan, and will be training under Hawkfern as a medicine cat. Meanwhile our Code Keeper, Rockfall, has taken on Skypaw as his successor. Mountainclan welcomes these new apprentices, and hope Starclan will guide their paws on their journeys to become high ranking members of society." A pause was given so cats may call out the names of Darkpaw and Skypaw in celebration. Then, as silence returned, Fogstar continued; "Secondly, one of our warriors, Briarleaf, will be moving into the nursery after tonight. Her kits should come as Greenleaf arrives, and we are thrilled to welcome them into our ranks. Finally, Talonstrike has chosen to retire. He has served Mountainclan as a warrior for many years, and we are honored to care for him now, as he has cared for us. That is all I have to share this evening. Brightstar?"

Next, Brightstar stepped up to speak. "Marshclan also has big news to share, although not as joyus as yours, Fogstar. Coyotes have been spotted on the marsh. They're usually careful around clan cats. But this new bunch seems to be more tenacious than other families we've seen." Brightstar gave a moment of pause to allow cats to quiet down their murmurs of concern. "They also appear to be seeking territory to claim. My warriors have been doing their best to drive them out, so they will not stake claim on our land. But I believe this may push these beasts onto other territories in the Land's Star. So I urge you all to be cautious." Then Brightstar turned to the other leaders. Her expression shone with regret. But none of her peers seemed too upset by what she'd determined best for her clan.

"Which clan are they headed towards?" Blazestar decided to ask, his expression calmer than the other leaders'. Treeclan was the furthest from Marshclan. Moonpaw was certain that Blazestar was unbothered by the news of these unusual predators. Still, he seemed to care enough about the wellbeing of others to ask that question anyways.

"They'll likely turn to Mountainclan territory. With the upcoming warm weather, they'll probaby enjoy the cool air the higher altitude provides," the flame point she-cat answered

Fogstar grunted. "In that case, Mountainclan will increase it's border patrols." 

Another murmur broke out among the crowd. Moonpaw glanced between all the cats around her, gauging their reactions. Not too far off she saw Nightpaw. Her eyes were narrowed with interest, ears pricked and eager to hear more about the coyotes. Moonpaw then looked beside her to Sunpaw, who seemed to also have noticed their clanmate. He looked concerned for a heartbeat. Then he blinked and his expression settled. Moonpaw decided she'd ask him his thoughts later. 

Brightstar nodded. "Beyond that startling news, Marshclan has fared well this moon. Prey has increased, our clan is strong, and we look forward to Greenleaf. That's all I have to report." 

Following her, Blazestar stepped up to share whatever had been bothering him all night. "Treeclan is strong and continues to thrive as Greenleaf makes it approach. Though last moon we lost Skunkpaw, one of our apprentices. Twolegs kitnapped him. Our efforts to bring him home have yielded no results, but Treeclan remains hardy in the face of this tragedy. We've also been handling the pressures at our borders with diligence, and will continue to do so as long as Grassclan and Oceanclan keep pushing."

"What do you mean by that?" Oceanclan's leader, Wavestar, challenged. Whitestar of Grassclan nodded along. 

With a tail lash, the blazing orange leader continued; "Grassclan and Oceanclan scents have been caught beyond our borders. The stench of Grassclan has come particularly far into the forest. While Oceanclan remains close enough to the edge that they seem to be trying to act sneaky, still. But rest assured, my warriors are aware of your trespassing."

Dread struck through Moonpaw like lightning. Had some of her clanmates caught Hazepaw's scent on the Rubble Path from their meetings? Had they noticed hers there as well? Moonpaw's heartbeat quickened. She looked up to Blazestar, checking if he was eyeing her. But his focus was being held up by the enemy leaders instead. We'll have to be more careful from now on, she decided. Sunpaw pressed into her more, sensing her discomfort. 

"It's rich of you to accuse my cats of trespassing." Whitestar's ears narrowed. "Have you seen any of my warriors on your land? No? Because we've certainly seen yours on our territory! A warrior caught a Treeclan apprentice prowling around the Forest Patch without cause, just today!"

Gasping, Moonpaw whipped her head, looking around for her denmates. Sunpaw was of course the first apprentice she saw. His pelt was bristled and he shook his head at her, silently swearing he was not the guilty cat. Next, Moonpaw looked over at Nightpaw. The black she-cat appeared unbothered, busying herself whispering with Wolfheart. Then, Moonpaw spotted Tinypaw and Deerpaw in the distance--right where she'd left them earlier. Tinypaw was standing protectively in front of her brother; her body too small to act as a proper shield. Closer-by was Magpiepaw, who sat with some of her own cross clan friends. She was crouched, ears lowered a little. She looked frightened, guilty even. Was it her? Moonpaw wondered, finally returning her attention back to the leaders.

"There were other Treeclan cats with her," Whitestar continued, "all fully grown warriors. What do you have to say about that, Blazestar?"

Fury burned in Blazestar orange eyes. He grit his teeth, clearly holding back a growl. Then he shut his eyes, lowering his head a little with a slow shake. When he looked up again, he seemed calmer. "My warriors were only carrying out their duty to mark the border, nothing more. I will speak with all of Treeclan's apprentices, to ensure no border crossing occurs again. But I will not correct the cats who knew what they were doing."

"So you admit that you sent your cats to mark further into the Forest Patch than they should?" Though Whitestar's voice was calm, it held sharp accusation. 

"I've said no such thing!" Blazestar snarled. "My warriors know where Treeclan's territory is!”

With an indignant hrrumph, Grassclan's leader lifted a paw to lick. "See to it that they know what land rightfully belongs to Grassclan, as well. Or we will be forced to remind them ourselves." After glaring at Blazestar a heartbeat more, Whitestar faced the crowd. "Grassclan is and will remain strong despite the adversity. We have Cricketsong's newly named kits, who are quickly growing each day. We also have many strong apprentices; two of which will soon join us as full warriors. That is all I have to say this Gathering. Unless you've something else to accuse my clan of, Blazestar?"

Blazestar bared his teeth but bit back his tongue. He forced himself to sit further back onto his piece on Split Rock. Then he tucked his paws beneath his waggling tail. "No," he finally growled. 

Wavestar stepped forward. "Then I suppose I should speak my news," he decided. "Oceanclan is doing better, now that the Newleaf storms are subsiding. We've begun venturing back to the beach. We are also reconstructing our original camp, which was wrecked by the waves in the bad weather. I believe within the next moon, Oceanclan should be moving back to the Twoleg Settlement Bridge. That should bring you some peace of mind, Blazestar."

"I'll have peace of mind when your clan stops fighting for the Rubble Path," the ginger tom hissed. 

"I won't promise anything," Wavestar grunted. 

Blazestar snarled at him in turn, moving to get in the silver and white tabby's face. But Brightstar butted in, piping;

"It seems that's everything that needs to be said at this Gathering!"

"Yes," Fogstar agreed, "let's end this now, before you lot break the full moon truce."

Though the two toms appeared ready to continue their quarrel, they agreed. With a nod, the leaders went their separate ways, weaving through the crowd to gather their warriors. 

Sunpaw and Moonpaw took a short while to say farewell to their friends group before following each other to the edge of the clearing, seating themselves at Blazestar's side. Blazestar paused for a moment to rub against his son before calling to his gathered cats. He led them out of the Gathering Clearing and into the forest, but not before shooting a challenging glare over his shoulder towards Oceanclan. Moonpaw knew that tensions were high. But she hoped that things settled soon.