#stop the match let's all kill ourselves

[saltedcoffeee]

noel noa voice i don't fucking care about your fucking divorce ness pass me the fucking ball

[tiredofthehumanlife]

Damn you Brisket Five

Barbie dolls:five hargreeves x gn! Reader

Word: 4.1k

Summary: you and five (also Diego) get into an argument and he leaves you in the subway to cool off ha makes you promise not to get in the train what happens next will shock you

Warnings: mentions of killing, set in s4 minus the cheating, you're in the wrong but are extremely hard headed and kinda mean to Five and Diego, you try to punch Diego, you're picked up by Luther, brisket Five is a flirty dick, you eat a sandwich that reminds you of your grandmas and I described a slight "memory" so it might not match with anything you've experienced, one or two sex jokes I think but I idk, it's unclear where you are in the plot but it's not all that important, one mention of vomiting and stomach uneasy, Five's a little jelly

Inspired by: this and this

You groaned, throwing your head back in frustration. Allison pointed at you in agreement, looking around your circle as you all argued.

“This is stupid; why can’t we go back in time and kill Jennifer? I’m sure she’s a sweet girl but we’re talking about the universe right now,” you said, looking around at the faces staring at you. Luther shook his head at you. Diego made a grimace, looking away from you entirely. Allison scrunched her nose. Lila flashed her teeth like an upset dog, staring down at her hands. Klaus snorted, somehow finding a joke in this. You look over at Five to find him pinching his brow.

“We are not doing that because that’s what the Commission would do. That’s not who we are.” Five said, agitation scaping at the sound of his words. You hummed.

”Well what’s your idea, genius?” You asked, getting tired of them pretending like they were picking out an ice cream flavor. Five looked up at you with furrowed brows.

“Don’t talk to me like that.” He said, rubbing his lips together like it left a sour taste in his mouth. You rolled your eyes at him, looking around the group. Viktor held his finger up.

“I have an idea.” Everyone's eyes turned to him. “What if I just absorb all the marigold into my body and then get absorbed by The Durango?” You shook your head.

“No absolutely not.” You said, staring at Viktor to make sure he felt the sincerity in your voice. Luther scoffed.

“So you’re down to kill Jennifer but not Viktor?” Diego said, crossing his arms over his chest. You reeled back, looking at him to see if that really came from his mouth.

“Are you for real?” Diego gave a short nod. “Man fuck you.” You said before lunging at him. Diego pulled back, shocked at your sudden movement. Luther pulled you away, flinging you over his shoulder. He took three steps away from Diego so you couldn’t reach him even if you wanted to. You smacked Luther on his back while trying to wiggle out of his arms.

“Five control your partner,” Diego muttered. It sparked a few mummers of disagreement. Klaus grimaced at Diego. Allison reached over and smacked the back of Diego's head while Viktor whispered an ew. Five scoffed.

“Luther, put me down. Let me at him.” You whispered to Luther. Luther patted the back of your calf.

“No can do; you’re staying up there until you calm down.” You sighed at Luther’s words, giving up on getting out of shoulder jail anytime soon.

“Guys, what if we just all sacrifice ourselves to the Durango thingie?” Klaus asked, earning a unanimous no. You slumped against Luther, wishing he would just put you down already.

"Luther, turn around so I’m facing the group, would you?” Luther nodded, turning around so his back was facing the circle. You pressed your arms into his back, holding yourself up so you could make eye contact.

“What if we go back to where we had dinner all those days ago, use Five’s funky train? We go back to before Ben did his shenanigans; stop him; we don’t have this problem anymore.” You said, looking around the group to gain their reactions. Viktor raised an eyebrow, looking at Allison. Allison bit into her knuckle, staring at the floor to think it over. Five squinted his eyes at you. Diego started whispering to Lila. Klaus looked over to Five.

“That’s a possibility,” Diego said. Five shrugged.

“If Lila mimicked my power, we could most definitely get you all down there.” Five muttered. Luther gently set you down, turning back around to face the group. You straightened your clothes. You stood next to Five instead of Luther, still upset he basically put you in time out.

“Is that our plan?” Viktor asked. The group murmured different versions of yes. You glared at Diego.

“We have to stop home first, we can’t miss dinner with my family,” Lila said, glancing at Diego. You nodded, following after the rest of the group. You stopped by Diego, glaring at him.

“I really wanted to deck you. Still do.” You whispered. Five appeared next to you, grabbing your shoulder and steering you away.

“Remember who drives you around!” Diego yelled after you as Five directed you out of the house. You watched as he pulled you away from the group heading to the van, off to the side. You squinted at him.

“Just because I supported your idea does not mean I’m not still upset with you.” Five said, keeping his tone low. You furrowed your eyebrows. You crossed your arms over your chest, glancing over at the van to see most of his family pressed to the window watching you two intently.

“Why are you upset?” You asked not understanding where this was coming from. Five sighed, reaching out towards you. His hands hovered over your elbows in an attempt to soothe you.

“It hurt me when you spoke to me like that. You were talking like we aren’t equals. I didn’t like that you suggested that we kill Jennifer. I didn’t like how you treated Diego back there. I understand you’re annoyed and frustrated, a little hard-headed, but I still think you should be respectful to the people around you.” Five said, holding up a finger after each item he listed. You pulled back.

“I’m sorry, aren’t you the man who is regularly calling people names, and making insults? You’re the sarcastic pain in the ass.” You pointed at him. Five glanced at Diego and Lila joining the others in the car, pausing your conversation-argument so they didn’t hear.

“That’s different. I’m not blatanly trying to punch them.” Five pointed at Diego in the car like he was worried you’d forget. You scoffed.

“Oh, that’s rich.” You muttered. Five flung his hands out.

“How, tell me. How.” Five asked, getting more and more annoyed.

“You’re acting like I’m the worst person ever to swing on someone but need I remind you of your past job?” Five’s face fell before pulling into a grimace. He pointed his finger at you.

“I told you I didn’t enjoy the killing. Need I also remind you that you worked there as well?” Five asked, raising an eyebrow at you. You felt your heart beat faster as your anger grew.

“I never picked up a gun, you dickhead. I did paperwork.” You said, leaning closer, so he could feel the anger vibrating off your body. Five scoffed.

“You’re acting like you’re so much better than me, you ordered who got killed. You didn’t pull the trigger but you aimed. You’re just as much of a lowlife as I am.” Five held his arms out in a T-pose like he was saying, ‘This is it.’ You uncrossed your arms, holding them out to your sides. Five turned his back to you, facing the sky instead.

“That’s not what I said; this is just like what happened on the Kanas case.” You said, pointing in the direction of the van even though you weren’t sure if Kansas was that way. Five spun back around towards you, his jaw slack.

“You did not just bring up Kansas.” Five said in disbelief, staring at you. You nodded.

“I brought up Kansas.”

“Oh my- You and I both know that was not my fault. I thought we were past this?” Five said, grimacing at you. You shook your head, throwing your hands up.

“You never apologized.” You said, rolling your eyes. Five scoffed.

“Why would I apologize? It. Wasn’t. My. Fault.” You shook your head at Five. He huffed, spinning around again. You scoffed at him.

“You did the same thing there; you were acting like I was a horrible person. You started the argument. You almost got us killed, how is that not your fault?” Five groaned.

“Hey.. uh... you guys coming or what?” You heard Viktor yell from the van’s window. You and Five’s heads spun towards the van.

“Not now.” You both yelled at the same time, making Viktor turn the handle on the door as fast as he could to roll up the window. You and Five watched in silence as Viktor tried harder and harder to go faster. By the time it was closed, you two had taken a few breaths. You felt less radioactive but still pissed. Five sighed, looking up at you from staring at the ground.

“I think we both need to cool down.” Five muttered, reaching out for your hand. You grumbled before dropping your hand in his. It was seconds before you felt the sickness that came with Five’s jumps. You pulled away from him, finding yourself in his stupid subway.

“Damnit, Five. You know I hate that. I going to hurl.” You doubled over, supporting yourself with your hands on your knees. You took deep breaths while staring at the floor. You shrugged off Five’s hand when he tried to comfort you with a light back rub. You stood up straight when you felt your stomach settle. Five let out a sigh of relief.

“We both need to cool off, separate from each other. An hour or two tops. You can stay here, break shit. I really don’t care just do not get on the train. Okay? You have to promise me you won’t get on the train.” Five said, staring at you. You glanced over at where the train would be. “promise?” Five added when you were silent.

“Yeah, I won’t go on the train.” Five nodded before he blinked out again. You sighed, slumping onto the bench nearby. Maybe you should break shit. That vending machine was looking a little appetizing right now. You looked up at the loud sounds of the train screeching into your station. The train doors slid open, showing the very inviting subway seats that definitely wouldn’t hurt at all. You glanced over at where Five was standing. He technically wasn’t here. He did say it would be a few hours before he got back. Nothing was really stopping you from going inside. You didn’t even say ‘I promise’. So, does it count? You stood up from the bench, stepped onto the train, and settled into the seat across from the door.

The train lurched forward, making you glance around. You expected the train ride to be very short, only a few minutes, but you couldn’t fully get a feel for how long it had been. You got bored after a while deciding to find something to climb on. After failing to hang upside down four times, you got bored of that too. You laid across the seats on your back, closing your eyes to take a nap. Then the train stopped. You peeked an eye open, glancing around for monsters before sitting up. You stared at the door as it slid open.

Then, what you least expected, you saw Five. In his suit too. He walked past the open door before stopping at the window next to it. He backpeddled, staring at you with a confused face. Just as you were about to defend your case, he started running. away. His fancy shoes clicked on the floor as he ran. You stood up, chasing after him.

“Hey, man. I know the argument was kinda rough, but it wasn’t that bad.” You yelled after him. Five glanced over his shoulder, picking up his pace. He skidded around the corner, almost tripping on the way. You reached the same corner after a few seconds, stopping in the middle of the hallway. In the middle of the subway station was a diner. ‘Max’s Delicatessen’ over the door in big bold letters.

You picked up your pace, walking to the door and swinging it open. You stepped inside, ignoring the bell on the door. You stopped when you saw what was inside. There was one Five, out of breath and leaning on one of the tables. Probably the one you chased. Then every other customer and worker here was Five. They all turned around, pausing what they were doing to stare harder. You held your breath before spinning back around for the door.

“Oh no. Stay. Please?” You heard Five’s voice. It had already said no to him. You turned back around, not sure which Five spoke to you. One of them stood up from his seat, almost knocking over his coffee.

“How did you get here without your Five?” The standing one asked. You pointed behind you.

“Train.” You heard a few Fives snort, which you thought was odd because FIve liked to pretend he hated your pain-in-the-ass-ness. The Five you chased after, turned around to face you.

“Where’s your Five? Did he die?” He asked. You heard the Five next to him mutter something about being gentle.

“No, well, not right now. He hasn’t. He’s probably pouting in the car right now.” You said, stepping further into the restaurant. A Five sitting in the booth closest to the door gestured for you to join him. You sat down in the booth, still looking around at all the Fives.

“Pouting?” the runner Five asked. You nodded.

“We go into a fight, a stupid one might I add. He told me to cool off here in the subway. So he’s probably pouting right now.” The closest Fives around you hummed.

“Did you bring up Kansas?” The Five across from you asked. You rolled your eyes.

“Listen, he was being all picky about how I had to talk to people while arguing over how we should stop the world from ending. It’s ridiculous.” The Five across from you sighed. He reached across the table, holding onto your hand. He stared into your eyes.

“I have really bad news for you, you were a little out of line. Most of us have had the same or similar argument, and every version of you was just a little out of line. It’s nothing against you.” The Five across from you said. Runner Five slid into the seat next to the one holding your hand.

“When we figure out what to do with our apocalypse, we have to be respectful to everyone else. If we hurt any of our bonds it could cost us the world.” The runner Five said. You nodded, staring down at the table.

“Diego told my Five to ‘get me under control’ and he was all like judging me because I said we should just kill Jennifer-“ You heard the Fives around you hiss, covering their mouths with their hands. “Which isn’t the best idea but we don’t have a lot of options here.”

“That probably freaked out your Five. We want to have entirely different morals than the Commission did. Diego was out of line with those comments but I don’t know if you should’ve swung on him.” The Five holding your hand said.

“Well, I don’t know how to get back and apologize. I fully went on the train to spite Five.” You said, slumping in your seat. The Five holding your hand, ran his thumb over the top, comforting you just slightly.

“You don’t need to worry about getting back. Anytime now, your Five will come through that door and whisk you away back home.” The Five across from you said, before dropping your hand to pick up his coffee instead.

“In the meantime, Brisket Five here will make you a sandwich.” The Runner Five said, pointing at the Five standing behind the counter with an apron on. Brisket Five waved at you, before sending a wink in your direction. You felt your face warm, looking away from him to instead look at the table. A few minutes later, of you making small talk about different aspects of your life with the two Fives in front of you, Brisket Five came to stand next to you with a plate. He set it down on the table before leaning over the table to smile at you.

“It’s your favorite.” He muttered, making the other two Fives groan. You glanced down at it. It just looked like a regular sandwich with toasted bread to you.

“My favorite from where?” You asked, keeping your hands in your lap. Brisket FIve grinned at you, pushing the plate just a smidge closer to you.

“From your childhood. The sandwich your grandma made for you after a long day of playing in the sprinklers.” He said. You stared down at the sandwich, wondering if he was fucking with you. ”Try it.” You glared up Brisket FIve. He should know that you hate taking any orders from Five. He tilted his head down, staring up at you with blown-wide puppy eyes. ”Please.” he whispered.

Even the Fives from other universes knew you were weak for the puppy eyes. You sighed before picking up the sandwich. You held it steady in front of your face, still not so sure about it. You glanced at Brisket Five once more before taking a bite. You paused when you truly felt yourself transported back to your Grandma’s house.

You could feel her warm blue towel wrapped around your shoulders while your wet swimsuit was still sticking to you. You could hear her muttering about your grandfather leaving food in the oven. You could feel how the table was just a little too big for you, having to lean forward to reach over the edge. You could hear the ticking of her clock.

“I thought you were messing with me.” You muttered, looking up at Brisket Five. He puffed his chest out just a little more. He stood up straight, brushing off his apron.

“You should trust me more often, my love. I’m more than just a pretty face.” Brisket five said, placing his hands on his hips and shrugging. You glanced over at the other two Fives at your table, both glaring at Brisket Five.

“Fuck you, Brisket Five.” The runner FIve said.

“You should know their Five is still alive, you should cut back on the flirting.” The Five across from you said. You glanced at Brisket Five out of the corner of your eye before looking back to the other two.

“Off topic but who’s Max?” You asked before taking another bite of the sandwich.

“I am!” Someone yelled back behind the counter. You glanced over to see another Five raising his hand. You looked back at the Fives you had already met, confused more than when you found out there were more than two Fives.

“We are. Dickhead.” Brisket Five yelled back. Max frowned at Brisket Five.

“Get back to work, Brisket Five,” Five-Max said, before moving back behind the counter. Brisket FIve turned back around to face you. He winked at you again. He reached out and tapped your cheek with his pointer knuckle, giving you an odd sense of deja vu.

“Talk to you later.” He muttered before walking away to the counter. You shrugged, looking back at your sandwich.

“What. A. Dick.” Runner Five said. You hummed. Across-from-you Five grumbled while staring at Brisket Five’s back.

���Makes a damn good sandwich, though.” You added, sinking your teeth in again. You groaned at how good it tasted. You tossed your head back, staring at the ceiling. You heard the bell above the door ring. You turned around, looking at the door to see who it was.

In all his glory, was yet another Five. You squinted at him, raising an eyebrow. He caught eyes with you; he pressed his lips together and tilted his head in a ‘you really did this’ manner. You gasped, setting your sandwich down. You threw your arms up in the air.

“Five! Darling, I missed you.” You said, smiling brightly at him. A few heads turned back to see which Five you were talking to. Your Five walked over towards your table, sliding into the seat next to you. His hand inched for yours, intertwining your fingers.

“Thought you promised not to use the subway?” He asked, giving you a knowing smile. You tutted, shaking your head.

“I never said ‘I promise’. I just said I wouldn't which makes it a fib and not a broken promise.” You said, defending your case perfectly. Five nodded, and he leaned forward. He pecked your lips. Five lingered for a few seconds, his apology pressed between each other's lips. He pulled back and sighed.

“I’m sorry for being so dickhead-ish.” He muttered, knocking his nose against yours. You pulled back, shaking your head.

“No, you don't have anything to apologize for; I was the one being all dickhead-ish. I shouldn't have called you that anyway. I'm sorry. I should've treated you better.” You said, grabbing his other hand to hold as well. Five hummed.

“And Diego?” You scrunched your nose. Five raised an eyebrow at you.

“Yeah, I guess him, too. I’ll apologize later.” You turned back to your sandwich, taking another bite.

“And what about Kansas?” Five asked. You made a sad face, making quick work of the bite in your mouth.

“I shouldn't have brought up Kansas because we both know it's a sore spot for the both of us.” You said with a monotone voice, sounding like a tired robot.

“That was nice to hear.” Five said before knocking your cheek with his knuckle. You got flashbacks to seconds before when Brisket Five left back towards the counter.

“Oh, by the way, Brisket Five was flirting with me.” You said before taking another bite. Your Five stared at the side of your face in shock. He glanced over at the other two Fives at your table. They both nodded while you kept your focus on your sandwich. Five leaned over the edge of the seat to look over your head at Brisket Five.

“What. A. Dick.” Five muttered. You nodded.

“That's what I said.” Runner Five said, pointing at Your Five. You set down your sandwich, looking over at Five.

“Do we have to go now?” You asked, giving him your best version of his puppy eyes. Five shook his head.

“You can finish your sandwich and then we can worry about the end of the world.” Five said, kissing your cheek. Yousmiled and focused on your sandwich again. Five rubbed your knee and started a conversation with the other two Fives. By the time you had finished, Brisket Five came back to take the plate away. He sent you a grin and wink. Five reached over and covered your eyes with his hands.

“Go away, Brisket Five.” Runner Five said. After that you said goodbye to all the other Fives, telling them you'll be back real soon. Your Five held your hand, gently tugging you towards the door. Just as you were about to get out the door, Brisket Five appeared next to you. He held out a ball of foil that looked suspiciously similar to a sandwich.

“It’s another sandwich, cause I know you loved it so much.” Brisket Five said. You took it out of his hands, cradling it to your chest.

“Thank you, Brisket Five.” You whispered. Your Five stood behind you, pressing his hands into your back, and gently pushing you towards the door.

“Yeah. Thanks, Brisket Five.” Five repeated from behind you. You two were out the door in no time, Five leading you towards the train by your hand. As you waited for the train to pull in, you hooked your elbow with Five’s. You leaned up to his ear, kissing the apple of his cheek. You pulled back at the screeching of the train pulling in. You walked into the train car with Five, sitting down next to each other. He dropped his head onto your shoulder as the train pulled away. You rested your chin on top of his head.

“I love you.” He whispered under his breath. You weren’t entirely positive that he wouldn’t fall asleep on the ride home. You dropped a kiss to the top of his head.

“I love you.” You hummed against his hair in response.

“More than Brisket Five?” Five asked. You glanced down at the sandwich in your lap.

“Have you thought about making sandwiches before?” You muttered. Five scoffed, reaching for the sandwich. You held it away from him, tapping his nose in a reprimanding manner. Five humphed.

“I’m going to kill Brisket Five.” Five whispered into your shoulder. You almost laughed at the feeling.

“Just keep his apron, it was kind of hot.” Five grumbled at your words. You gave him another kiss on his head so he was reminded that you were just joking. You thought about how you were going to apologize to Diego with words on the ride home. Diego apologized as well, bringing you a large plate of Lila’s family’s delicious food as an apology. Which you took very happily.

[queenariesofnarnia]

finally found you

gif not mine!

tech x f! reader

wc: 910

warnings: faked death and hidden pregnancy, that should be it.

takes place after s2 e13

tech x f!reader

~after the sea surge~

Every citizen on Pabu was safe. Among those citizens was you and your twins. You helped out the best you could while carrying them. You heard Phee returned so you were looking for her while assisting everyone. You heard your name being called, turning to see Phee.

“I’ve been looking for you all night sugar” She says grabbing your face before kissing the twins on their heads. “Give me one and come meet my friends” she grabs your daughter Selene from you. As you walk with her chatting. Selene babbled along. You look up to see a face you’d never expect to see again.

“Tiny is that you? or am I going crazy?” Wrecker asks leaning down to hug you tightly. You had to stop him, so he didn’t crush Apollo.

“I would love a hug Wreck, but little guy back here isn’t ready for one of your hugs” you say showing him your son who was sleeping on your shoulder.

“You have a kid?!” He asked shocked. You point to Selene in Phee’s hands.

“I have two. It’s why I left actually” you admit sheepishly. He hollers for Hunter and Tech. Hunter immediately recognizes you as does Tech.

“Sarad? There’s no way, you’re supposed to be dead” Hunter gets ready to scold you lovingly before noticing Apollo. Phee hands Selene back to you, telling you she’s going to help Shep.

“Surprise” You say cradling Selene close to you.

“You have kids?” Tech asks raising his brows. Selene’s wild curls were the same color as Tech’s hair. Apollo’s curls matched your hair. Hunter quickly figured it out just waiting for his brother to figure it out.

“Yeah, I do. Well, it was lovely seeing you boys, but I must get going” You started to walk away until you heard your name again. Turning to see Omega. You hand Selene to Hunter quickly before pulling the blonde girl into your arms.

“I have missed you so much” her eyes begin to tear up. “I was so worried when you stopped showing up to the lab. Especially after the last time” She said before burying your face in your shirt.

“I have missed you too. Please meet Selene and Apollo” you say gesturing to your twins. As you let her go from the hug, her hand remained in yours. “Would you like to hold one of them?” you ask, and she nods. You let her grab Apollo who was now showing his brown eyes off to the world. Hunter seemed to be enjoying holding Selene as she giggles toying with his hair. Tech pulled you away for a moment, making sure you could still see the twins.

“How old are they?” he asked, not wanting his voice to betray him.

“They’ll be two next week” you answer not looking at him. His gloved hands reach for yours giving them a squeeze. It was what he used to do to get your attention.

“Is there a reason you did not tell me?” his voice cracking. Emotions were hard for him, this was the moment that he let them win.

“You were a soldier Tech. The Kaminoans would have taken them from me. Nala Se and Omega protected me by getting me off Kamino. I couldn’t say goodbye, I couldn’t let anyone know who the father was. You were not going to get decommissioned because of me.” you answer him finally meeting his eyes. “Master Plo was able to help me leave the order we told the council I was killed in action to make it easy” you added on.

“We mourned you. We hated ourselves because you ‘died’ in action without us by your side” he was expressing his anger, and you weren’t going to stop him. He deserved this moment. “You went through your pregnancy and motherhood alone during the last two years. I appreciate that you chose to consider my feelings. I would have done whatever to be there for you” he finished.

“I’m sorry Tech. I didn’t want to hurt you or the others. I sorry that I made this choice without talking to you. I’m not asking you to forgive me, at least let me introduce you to them properly. You can decide if you want to stay after” your voice was desperate. You had no right to ask him to do anything, but it would make you feel better if he met them properly.

“I would love nothing more” He took your hand leading you through the crowd back to his brothers and sister.

“Tech this is Apollo” you grab your son from Wrecker handing him to Tech. “And this is Selene” Omega hands her to you. The smile on Tech’s face made your heart swell. The way he held Apollo with care made you smile. He wrapped his free arm around you pulling you into his side.

“Dada” Apollo babbled touching Tech’s face. The others watched in awe as their normally logical brother melt into a puddle.

“Dada” Selene mimics her brother reaching for Tech also.

“Looks like were staying on Pabu” Hunter says cracking a smile.

“I have enough room in my home” you tell them. Omega’s arms went around your waist talking about her excitement that they get to stay. You place a kiss on Tech’s cheek causing him to get flustered.

“I believe I deserve a real kiss.” Tech says leaning down kissing your lips like it was the first time all over again.

[missmarveledsblog]

Flumpy part 2 ( jake seresin x reader)

SUMMARY : Y/N is settling well in miramar , even more so with the dagger squad bar one although after hearing a potential date taking shit  jake rushed to defend her while y/n rushes out the door  only to head into a worse state which bids the question is it too late .  

warning : this is an angsty chapter  mentions of character death as well as some violence and our girl gets into an accident , the some violence is only in defence  though and its fictional so let keep our hands to ourselves but also jake hitting someone for us 🥵🔥 

@harrysgothicbitch as promised 😎🖤

@djs8891 😊

First official day wasn't so nerve wrecking giving she spent her weekend with her new could she call them coworkers . She liked how got along with them well nearly all of them one she really couldn't stand one of them . hangman , at first she was going to tease him for the flumpy comment it wasn't that deep til she heard him talking at the food table on the beach and well that just killed any sort of base for a friendship . throwing on her overalls and her hair in a ponytail as grabbing her helmet she and set on her way not wanting to be late for her first official day . only to see a bronco parked outside her driveway .

" i got my ride roo or did daddy dearest send you" she batted her lashes only to see a blonde head of hair in the passenger seat. " well roo my dear boy get out of my dad's ass and follow me" she laughed lifting the garage door .

" i tell him same thing darling doesn't listen" jake flashed her a dazzling smiles only for her to not even pay attention .

" i got you a coffee" rooster offered .

" we got you a coffee" jake yelled .

" i'll grab it when we get there" she laughed closing the garage and driving off on the bike.

" why are you in my car again thought your truck was way better than my... then my what did you call it flintstone mobile" rooster walked to the driver side .

" i thought i'd give the flintstone mobile a go you know i'm doing this whole don't judge a book by it's cover" he smirked. " i judged it right this time" he added looking around missing his baby.

" you wanted to try get on y/n good side , bagman that woman will chew you up and spit you out before you even know it" .

" no woman could do that and you know it" jake scoffed.

" you taking a ride to base with me and getting her coffee" .

" yeah because i like being liked" .

" oh bagman you met your match" rooster chuckled as two set off .

She pulled up in the car park taking the helmet off her head , fixing her hair as phoenix walked up to her.

" you ride a motorcycle god can you get any hotter" .

" wanna be my backpack" she winked . " i don't know what that mean but i will" the woman laughed .

" well i'll explain it at lunch lets see if any more repairs are needed plus the hornet which i can tell is roo's well i need to look it over as well as the one behind it which i know is seresins" .

" please don't kill bagman i need you around" nat fake pouted.

" even if he's a dick well i can be professional at work plus i don't look good in orange" she sighed sadly.

" hey kid thought rooster was giving you a lift you know it being your first day...." .

" or you trying to get me not to ride my baby which is ironic cause who got me into them?" she arched her brow.

" yeah well you didn't join the navy" he countered thinking he was getting somewhere .

" whats my degree" she smirked. " thought so old man now stop your sexism is showing and not good in this day and age" .

" it's not sexism" he scoffed .

" so if rooster wanted to drive the bike you would be same right" she asked.

" of course not you know why i don't want you on it" he looked at her pointedly .

" well if that's the case then you can't fly in planes ,check mate mister , where are the locker rooms" she turned to nat who was standing slightly awkward at the exchange.

" this way you need to get your keys at the front first" .

" well discuss it later young lady" he called after them. " in your dreams old man" .

" hey shit guys wait up" rooster ran after trying to avoid looking Mav in the eyes after hearing some of their discussion .

" what was that about" jake asked.

" probably one of the worse time in our lives and not my story tell hangman" .

First day was done then the first week then the first month it went by in a flash . she found she really like the dagger squad could understand her father and rooster could like them , she liked wednesdays because her and fanboy played video games after work or working out with javy on thursday , tuesday she help payback with cooking so he could wow his wife and sunday were girls day with halo and phoenix saturdays were beach days and due to rent issue most nights where spent with bradley her new roommate also saturdays the torture before the beach a hike with rooster and hangman although they still weren't on speaking term hell she pretended he didn't exist and unless it was work related she didn't acknowledge him at all and it was driving jake seresin beyond mad . He watched how she would be with the squad , the smiles and affection that he secretly yearned for , the laugh of hers that drove him crazy .

he stopped with even taking girls home because last couple of times he did they left mad as bulls when he realised that he called them y/n . one woman who turned up and derailed his life and now he was stuck like a lovestruck wimp with a girl that wanted nothing to do with him and that was all completely new. But he never showed that , no he would put on the same old charm or pull her pigtails like they were kids on the playground . He would say something ,first she would well ignore him but he kept saying things til he eventually would get a response with even though wasn't good it was better then ignoring him .

" well if it ain't my favourite little handy woman" he called as she was taking inventory of what parts would be needed already done with the day.

" what can i do for you" she eyes checking over each tray.

" jet making weird noise again , starting to think you aren't looking after my jet properly darling" .

" oh bite me i take care of it like i do all the jets you just aren't careful with the flying machine all action and no finesse" she shot back tying the top part of her overalls around her waist knowing there was nothing damn wrong with the jet this was just one hangman's ways of torturing her .

" where is the location of the weird noise or is it you brain trying to work" she asked climbing up the ladder ready check over the engine and to see it was in tip top shape.

" my dear you wound me so i heard it promise cross my heart"he winked making her bite her tongue not wanting to sink to his level . she checked it over knowing she wasn't going find anything wrong with the jet , she check it only a couple of days ago when he said same thing . she check the wheel well only to see what exactly was the problem and one that hated her job .

" problem here is you got a dead bird in here and it's not my job to clean that out have fun"she smiled happily leaving him speechless looking up as feather fell out floated to the ground .

"hey y/n you got a minute" bob called out.

" course i do" she skipped as jake wished he ignore the weird sound . she as well as the other squad members watched as hangman began clearing the jet watching as the carcass felled down onto the ground as he gagged loudly . " least there will be no more weird noise huh bagman" she cackled.

He may of washed himself three or four times after the whole bird incident wanting to make sure he got the reminisce of it off his skin even though it didn't touch his skin knowing . he probably should of got a recruit to do it but nope he done it all himself. In his cleaning he didn't noticed the door open or the pitter patter of the sounds of feet on the cold tiled floors . it was when the sound of the shower and humming started , he knew who knew it was wondering why the hell she was using the base showers . " princess is lowering herself to using the peasant bathrooms huh" he called making the humming stop completely.

" peasant bathrooms really also i thought you were gone" she sighed .

" nope still getting bird off of me".

" well i need to get the grease and oil off me i meeting up with a friend after work" she almost sang.

" yeah i know we're all meeting at hard deck later" he rolled his eyes .

" different kind of friend but enjoy" he could almost hear the smile in her voice which annoyed him but another feeling was rising one he's never had when it came to women , almost new as turned the shower off leaving promptly . what was it about this one that had him so well fucked .

" yeah i got her to agree to go on date with me" the voice laughed .

" man you are one lucky son of a bitch" . it was like the world was against him now having to listen so prick to brag about getting the girl, getting his girl .

" yeah all i had to do was pretend to like the shit she did and boom eating out the palm of my hand , i don't know whether to hit it and quit it or do i carry it on i mean her dad's maverick so maybe i can get something out of" the sniffling little shit was about to say more but the rage that built up as he spoke well he didn't get a chance to speak when he found himself slammed against the wall with a seething hangman staring at him .

" woah hangman let him go" rooster rushed up .

" little prick you think you can use her" he growled pushing the man harder.

" wait what you talking about man" the mans voice shook .

" i heard it all hit and quit or use her for her daddy now we both know she too smart to fall for that , she probably didn't even fall for your crap , she probably felt bad for you but that still doesn't mean i shouldn't beat you into these tiles right here" .

" because he's not worth it just let him go jake" her voice sounded so broken behind him yet he did, he let the man go even though he wanted to beat the shit out of him .

" leave now while you have teeth"rooster snapped as they ran out of there .

" pretty girl?" rooster said but she quickly rushed off to get dressed and leave the base before they could get to her she was driving off clearly upset .

She felt stupid , she thought he actually liked her , she couldn't believe she felt for his shit . " idiot you fell for the easiest line in the book because ugh" she grumbled to herself feeling the tears start to build . " great now i crying" she laughed although muffled through her helmet .

checking around only seeing one car she nodded to pull over and he waved indicating for her to go ahead . she moved almost there and then she wasn't it was all so fast she was almost there. She was catapulted off the bike at first is was all in slow motion like time was moving at snail pace then the impact she hit the ground hard setting time back into motion . she could hear her bike scrapping along the gravel as well as her skin where her suit was ripped open . everything hurt no hurt was probably too minor to describe it , everything burned intensely as she looked up through the now cracked visor of her helmet and yet she couldn't move it was like something was holding her down in place.

" miss can you hear me , she not responding" a voice called . " she still breathing although it looks like she struggling , no i didn't touch her , she bleeding bad" the voice frantically called like he was talking to someone she couldn't hear.

" he just came out of no where at full speed , hit her off the bike please are they close ". she felt warm liquid coating her skin and burning was starting to dull . " yeah there's a visor on her helmet there i got it off , miss can you hear me , her eyes are open" . " her eyes are closing miss stay with me , god he came out of nowhere please hurry miss,miss" was the last thing she heard before it went quiet and everything went black.

They stood quiet , standing their usual spot waiting for a text or call she was ok .

" she isn't at home i checked already" rooster sighed something in his gut told him something bad was going on same one he got the day his dad died or when his mom got her diagnosis.

" maybe she needs time" nat said softly although she was itching to go out and look for her .

" she needs her friend and i've a bad feeling" rooster began pacing . Jake seresin well he was quiet , almost too quiet as he replayed it all from her face to the fact she called him jake . usually it wouldn't of meant so much if it wasn't her. She never used his name not even his surname it was always bagman or hangman maybe even cowboy but never jake.

" fuck it i'm going looking for her" rooster snapped the man from his own thought and instantly he was on his feet.

" i'll come with you" was all he said. Usually rooster would tease him , taunt that they would be using the bronco but no for some reason the look on jake seresins face was reason enough to keep it quiet and all he did was nod . they all walked out , standing talking about who was going with who til they heard it .

" fucking bitch had to be there man i was so close could of been balls deep now and buttering up captain mitchell " that pricks voice from across the car park . Not a second thought or the voice of reason from his friends to ignore it cause he saw red , full blown rage that had him barrelling across and punching the man square in the jaw . it was almost satisfying when his fist connected or when the prick hit the ground .

" what is your fucking problem asshole" .

" my problem is you , ya had the perfect woman and all you wanted was what she could give you , what she could benefit you not realising you had the best thing on this earth and you fucking took advantage of it , i hear you call her one more thing or they hear you in there well son a punch is gonna be last of you worries" he spat .

" she a chick man get over it acting like a crazy person over maverick bitch" he laughed the fucker laughed as jake went to dive on him only his friends pulled him back.

" she a force of fucking nature , smart and beautiful fucking woman , you lucky she even gave you time of day

. " hangman" rooster called.

" you don't hear what he's saying what he's calling her man" jake growled pushing out of his friends arms only for rooster to pulling back turning him around.

" hangman come on" he said again more almost gentle or something he couldn't quite place.

" nat no" was all they heard before the female pilot hit the man again only he went to hit back this time .

" not now rooster" jake gritte only for rooster took a hold the mans fist as the fucker actually looked scared.

" you get out of here not in there, he's right you say one bad thing about y/n in there you gonna get your ass beat " rooster pulled the men away sending them off with black eyes and bruised cheek .

" what the hell , did you hear them" jake snapped.

" jake we need to go hospital , there's been an accident . y/n hurt real bad" .

" come on lets go" he said leading him , nat and bob to his car . all again quiet once more.

The ride to the hospital was silent all wondering what bad truly was and all afraid to ask . in the space so short as a month she'd managed to worm her way into their hearts and now they hoped it wasn't end of what was going to be a beautiful friendship . jake felt ill hell he felt everything all in once but now more so fear and worry . it was all so much in so little time but one feeling he felt one he more , one he feared of feeling all these years and it could be too late.

" oh my" nat gasped turning their attention to the side of the rode . they saw it all the glass everywhere , blood pooled on the ground it didn't take a genius to connect the dots they knew . her bike still on the ground as the cops had the area closed off and her helmet thrown on the ground half haphazardly. " stop i'll meet you there" nat yelled already getting out of the car. " that bike is her baby i need to" was all she said .

" i'll go with her and get guys to bring us" bob said running after her.

" she right , that bike is here baby , she been driving them since she was sixteen , think that's her second one , the other one is in our garage she still cleans it takes it out. My mom was freaked when she got the first one i mean scared to death on it but mav would say she was go driver" he chuckled as they drove down the highway.

" thought he hated her on them".

"wasn't always that way ... shit mav probably freaked thinking history's repeating , look i said it wasn't my story to tell but fuck it , you know charlie blackwood her mom well she died when y/n was seventeen hit her hard during the whole thing well she needed space. sick of people giving their well wishes which i agree it's only so much of if you need me .. anyways she went on drive although that night it was raining from what we know she lost control on the road was real bad she ended up in a coma for couple months , they said she slim to none chance of full recovery and she beat those odd woke up all ok first thing she asked was her bike ok" he laughed as tears gathered in his eyes .

" she stubborn one huh but she fighter too so determined you know well of course you know your like her brother , she never lets anything go even when the guys talked down to her she showed them what was what probably how she had half the base on her side in matter of weeks, she's so smart too like brains for miles , it's cute to when you see her concentrating hard on something her little tongue poking out or that laugh not the fake one she gives cyclone to boost his ego but the real one that makes you wanna do more to keep it going" was like he couldn't stop talking it all falling out his mouth on it own free will as bradley smiled listening.

" sounds like a man in love to me , i mean i know i was young but reminds me of the way my dad would talk about my mom" .

" you hit your head chicken boy you sound crazy" jake quickly covered his track albeit not well .

" oh shut up man you know i'm right and me crazy you attack the same man twice for merely talking bad about her" rooster shook his head.

" that was hypocritical i mean come on i said same sort of shit first time with met i called her flumpy like she should of clocked my ass".

" well you do make shit first impression, i'll give you that is true but i've noticed a change in you since you met her , woman of hard deck are safe from your chat up lines , your not sleeping around like a dog and you've been trying to make it up to her since the beach. Yeah you tease her but thats your love language or what ever amelia says . all i'm saying is you got time to turn it around" rooster explained all so easily like he knew something more then he was letting on and maybe he did .

" do i though?" jake ask crashing them back to reality knowing it might not be a chance. He hope rooster was right , he hoped he could make things right and he hoped it wasn't too late . 

Part three

[howi99]

Le légionnaire part 1

Vacuo's frontline, 5 year of the war

Jean: *looking at his ration for the day* Nothing. *Sigh* Frédéric, is this some kind of joke?

Frédéric: Non caporale, those cock-sucker of Mantle destroyed our kitchen. Nothing was left.

Jean: Et merde.

Frédéric: B-but ze reinforcement from Vale are coming caporale. With food and boisson for us!

Jean: *looking at the no man's land* All of zhis because those sheep think we shall all become slaves without emotions. What kind of life is that?

Frédéric: Honnêtement? I have no idea. That's why i left la colonie to serve in ze Légion. Zhat and the salary.

Jean: *laughing* You still believe we are going to get it? Be serious mon brave! The only payment we are going to get is a pat on zhe back and a medal if we are lucky. And seeing as we are only a douzaine sur zhis front, the next assault will probably be our last.

Frédéric: *shaking his head* Maybe... Hey, did you hear about zhe new law zhe king wants to implement? With zhe stupid name la.

Jean: A oui, zhe colors and all that, right? Something about "individuality" or something. What's wrong with having a name like Ferdinand? Ou Jérémi?

Frédéric: *sigh* I don't even want to know what kind of name zhey going to let me have.

Jean: Well, at least i don't have that problem. I was assigned Jaune as a new name.

Frédéric: Really? Jaune? They just looked at your hair and saw your name and ta da?

Jean: *shrug* Seems like it.

Frédéric: *mumbling* Fils de pute...

Jean: Aw, jealous that my name almost didn't change?

Frédéric: Well your name is at least still in Valois! I have to change it to Pyrus!

Jean: ... It matches your hair?

Frédéric: Bâtard.

Wilfred: *approaching the two* Caporal, there's a man approaching us with a white flag. He said he wants to talk with whoever was left in command.

Jean: *looking at him weird* Then go fetch zhe sergent!

Wilfried: I did, he killed himself. He took the last bottle of wine with him in his death.

Jean: Tsk, fucking coward. Can't even let us keep the wine to warm ourselves...

Wilfried: ...

Jean: ... *Sigh* I'm guessing the captain-

Wilfried: Also killed himself, sir.

Jean: *turn to Frédéric* Well, i guess i got the quickest promotion in history?

Frédéric: We are fucked.

Jean: *turn back to Wilfried* Well, what are you Waiting for? Show me to the man!

Wilfried: Yes sir!

__________

???: Ah! You must der sergeant-

Jean: No, he killed himself. The best you are getting is a caporal field medic.

???: ... Vell, das is not what i was expecting.

Jean: *sigh* Did you come for your reddition?

???: ... Vat?

Jean: Are you surrendering?

???: Oh! Nein. Or well, technically we are looking for a truce. Wir saw a bunch of Grimms approaching, and we probably will all sterben if we don't work together.

Jean: ... Sterben?

Wilfried: It means dying, caporal.

Jean: Ah, yes... *Sigh* we need food. If you have some to spare, we will gladly accept this truce... Monsieur?

Nicholas: Ah, you can call me Nicholas, or just Nick if you prefer!

Jean: So, are you fine with this?

Nicholas: hm... We are in need of medical supplies. *Looking at Jean reaction* Nothing too bad! We only need a saw for an amputation and something to uh... Keep the soldier from bleeding out.

Jean: I see. By chance, the artillery didn't touch our medical bay. I could take a look at your soldier.

Nicholas: Ah! Vielen Dank! I'll be in your debt! Sie ist ein gutes Mädchen!

Jean: Uh yeah, of course...

Nicholas: ...

Jean: uh... Dismiss?

Nicholas: Oh, sorry! *Start leaving* I'll be back!

Jean: *seeing the man leaving* You think i made the good move?

Wilfried: Honestly, what other "move" was there to do? We can't fight the grimm on an empty stomach and all they ask is a medic... No offense.

Jean: *looking at Wilfried* Wil, i stopped taking offense the day i started patching everyone up. I know you didn't mean i was less important.

[ultralightpoe]

Ouuuu so excited could I get an Aemond imagine based on the summoning by sleep token song specifically the last minute and 35 seconds (it’s the best part lol) if that doesn’t strike your fancy any chase Atlantic song haha…thanks I can’t wait to read it 🥰

The Summoning - Aemond Targaryen

Authors Note: Would you be mad if I admitted to never hearing this song before? Cause shit......it's a good song...... and I think I'm about to absolutely butcher it for you

Warnings: Smut..... There is definitely some smut in this one. 18+ please

Word Count: 1706

Description: Aemond is no match for the witch he loves

If you want to make a character and song request look HERE

Enjoy!

I've got a river running right into you

I've got a blood trail, red in the blue

Something you say or something you do

A taste of the divine

You lead him through the woods, one hand dragging him while the other carries a small satchel of the necessities needed for whatever spell you wanted to perform that day. 

The mischievous gleam in your eye was twice as intense as normal, and it set Aemonds blood on fire as he let you lead him far away. You could be planning on killing him and he would let you, so long as you kept looking at him with those eyes. 

His foot snags on a branch and he stutters in steps, you allow him to fall into you, both leaning against a tree allowing him to trap you in. Like a sailor trapped by a siren he lunges for a kiss, which you happily allow. 

He devours you, hands coming up to hold your jaw as you moan lightly before he leans to lick the salty sweat off your neck, groaning to himself when you reach to tear off the eyepatch. 

“Not here-” You gasp, rubbing into him. There is something so intoxicating about your that has Aemond clinging to your every word, allowing him to dissolve into your taste. “Just a few more steps, my prince, into the clearing.”

“Lead the way witchling.” He whispers, stepping off to let you lead him through the dark again.

You've got my body, flesh and bone, yeah

The sky above, the Earth below

He lands on the dirt under him, groaning out as you snag at his leather vest, trying to tear it off. 

Around him is an entire set up of candles, goblets of blood and painted stones encircling where he was laying down with you grinding down into him from where you currently straddled him. 

“Are….Are we sacrificing ourselves tonight?” He teases, biting back a groan as his hands reach to stop your hips. “Will my witch bleed for me?”

“So long as you do it hard.” You gasp out, finally removing his vest. He is too busy staring at the stars above him as you grab the knife and tear it across the front of his shirt to expose his chest to the night air. 

Before he can make a sarcastic comment you move off him to slice his leather riding pants and with a small amount of his help remove them from his body before shoving him back to lay down, untying your own corset as he watches, a possessive look gleaming in his eyes while you strip bare. 

Then you straddle him once more, smirking when he seethes from the touch. “Are you ready?”

“Always.” With his answer you sink down onto him while slicing a small cut down his chest.

Raise me up again

Take me past the edge

I want to see the other side

See the other side

He’s cumming before he even has a chance to catch his breath, eyes searing shut as you grind into him, thighs tightening as he groans out. 

You don’t seem to mind, too busy cutting the symbol needed into his flesh as you ride him, murmuring the chant over and over. Your voice is coming out in pants, the man below you filling you to the brim before you are even ready for it, not that it mattered. You would be doing this to him all night if it was needed. 

His head throws back in bliss as you make the final cut on his chest, blood pouring from the wounds. “FUCK-”

He catches your eye right as you swipe a finger along the blood, dragging it to your lips and sucking it clean. Something flashes in him and he finds himself thrusting up into you, already hard again. 

“No.” You snap, pushing his hips down with your own that has him moaning out. “It’s your turn to do it.”

Before he can process what you mean you are handing him the knife and dipping your fingers in his blood before lifting them up to your own chest and tracing a symbol. He nearly falls apart at the sight when you squeeze around him. 

You've got my body, flesh and bone

The sky above, the Earth below

“Are you….” His mouth is dry as he licks his lips, trying to catch his breath under you. “Are you sure?”

You answer by grinding down and leaning over him until your hands were in the dirt on either side of his head, breast against his chest as you lick some of his blood. This snaps something in him and he flips you both around so you are on the earth and thrusts harshly. 

“You’re a fu- shit- fucking tease.” He moans, wrapping your legs around his hips as his thrusts speed up until you squeeze around him and moan out loudly as you cum. 

He doesn’t waste time, taking the knife and carving it into the flesh of your chest, leaning down to catch a nipple in his mouth as he does so. 

“You own me-” You moan out, hands flying to grasp at his skin. “Body flesh and bone, my prince.”

“Body flesh and bone.” He whispers back before biting down on your breast.

Raise me up again

Take me past the edge

I want to see the other side

His skin heats up instantly as he finishes the symbol, his entire body on fire as he pulses with need. Gasping for air as he lays his forehead on your chest, snapping his hips into yours, desperate to cause friction. 

You must be feeling the same way under him, mewling out as you thrust up in an attempt to make him go faster.  “It hurts.”

It did, a searing addicting kind of pain that made him light up at your every touch. The wind around the both of you seemed to nip at your skin as he shut his eyes in attempt to ease himself. 

He was so close-

Won't you show me what it's like?

Won't you show me what it's like?

You flip yourselves back over before he can finish, not that he is complaining because once he looks at you it was heaven sent. 

You were looking back down at him, eyes black from whatever magic you were possessing as you lifted yourself off of him. “Do you want to feel the power?”

Yes yes yes yes yes. He doesn’t know if he is actually responding or just a moaning mess as you sink down onto him before taking a bit of your blood and swiping it across his mouth. 

The iron taste of it has his cock leaking pre cum, biting down on your thumb before you can pull it away when the spell fully takes him. He can see stars, not the ones in the sky but rather the ones you provide, his entire body tensing up under you. 

Oh, and my love

Did I mistake you for a sign from God?

Or are you really here to cut me off?

Or maybe just to turn me on

“Goddess ruin me!” He yells as his head throws back, hands snapping to your hips as you bounce on him, a moaning mess yourself. “That’s what you are? Is it not?��

“What’s that?” You pant out, dragging one of his hands to your breast.

“A goddess.” He groans out, biting at his own lip as pleasure overtakes him once more. “FUCK!”

You laugh, closing your eyes as you let yourself fall apart, gripping him like he was the last thing on this earth to cling to. Just as you both finish the heat that had consumed you eases itself and you both breathe out, pulsing with the other. 

“Goddess..” He whispers, staring up at you as he rubs your thigh and pinches your nipple. You groan out, head throwing back as he starts the next round. 

'Cause these days

I would be lying if I told you that

I didn't wish that I could be your man

Or maybe make a good girl bad

He takes control once more, flipping you both over and thrusting into you at an unnatural speed that has you screaming out, snatching his hair and pulling. 

“Scream all you fucking want-” He sneers, hand running up to cover your throat and squeeze. “No one can hear you out here goddess.”

Your eyes roll back as he cuts off circulation, coming undone over him once more. 

“That’s it. That’s. Fucking. Right.” He snaps, leaning to bite at your shoulder blade as he works you like his own little toy, your thighs shaking as you continue to cum around him. 

“Mine.” He grunts after he marks your shoulder. “Mine. Mine. MINE.”

The flames around you burn bright, turning red to deep black and back to red as the spell finishes, both of you shaking as you finish one more time. 

I've got a river running right into you

I've got a blood trail, red in the blue

Something you say or something you do

The taste of the divine

He licks you clean between your thighs, moaning at the taste as you still try to come down from your orgasm. Then he carries you to the river not far off and holds you as he sinks into the water, taking you once more right there before washing you clean and kissing along your marks, both your chests clear of any marks from the knife. 

“Witchling.” He bites out as he finishes in you once more, leaning to bite your lip while you moan out. “Goddess.”

You've got my body, flesh and bone

The sky above, the Earth below

Nothing to say and nowhere to go

A taste of the divine

He carries you back to the small clearing of the spell, laying with you until he falls asleep holding you. 

When he awakes there is nothing. No sight of you, no sight of any of the essentials from last night. His hand flies to his chest to find it clean, pure, nothing there. 

A tense desperation fills him, pumping under his skin as he closes his eyes. “Witchling.”

(sorry if that was hella cringey)

[jumpywhumpywriter]

A Life in the Hands of the Enemy -- Villain reluctantly saves Hero's Life part 22

Warnings: captivity whump, cruel Villain whumper, forced living weapon, captive Hero whumpee, shock collars

"These can generate almost as much heat as you can, upwards of 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit. So I have you to thank for the inspiration.”

Amber shivered uneasily, mind wandering to all the damage Zack could do with those after they beat Supervillain.

Her train of thought was interrupted when he handed her a leather mask that matched the suit she was wearing. "For your oh-so-secret identity," he teased.

Amber scowled as she fitted it on her face, and Zack put a matching one on his own, before walking over and opening the front door. He stopped Amber when she tried to walk out, expression more serious than she was used to seeing.

"Listen carefully. Don't use my real name in the field, and I won't use yours either. From this point onward, you are Hero, and I am Villain. Understood?"

Amber nodded grimly, and Zack stepped aside to let her out. He led her to a sleek black car that looked just like so many others, nothing about it screaming 'I belong to an evil crime lord'. Amber didn't know what she'd been expecting, but it wasn't this.

"Fancy ride, isn’t it," Zack joked as he hopped in the driver's seat. Amber got into the passenger side with an exasperated eye roll. The instant she shut the door Zack hit the gas, tires squealing as the vehicle lurched into motion, speeding down the street.

"Pretty sure you're going double the speed limit right now," Amber harped angrily, struggling to get her seat belt on.

"I'm a villain. Laws don't apply to me," Zack answered flippantly.

"Ugh, you're so annoying," Amber groaned inwardly. "Do you even know where we're headed?"

"Yes. I was watching the news live and Supervillain is currently making a stand against authorities at that giant museum downtown. They're working on evacuating the surrounding areas of civilians because of how dangerous it's getting. And apparently Supervillain brought some friends with him. It's pure chaos, we're walking into a literal war zone between SWAT teams and Supervillain's goons."

"Great, as if the odds couldn't get any worse," Amber grumbled, bracing herself against the door of the car as Zack took a particularly sharp turn.

And when they arrived, Amber realized that Zack hadn't been exaggerating. The scene was hectic. Fleeing bystanders and civilians were running like mice away from the museum, screaming in terror. And the whole front of the museum itself was in shambles, collapsed from what looked like explosives judging from the damage. Armored SWAT vehicles were positioned outside the entrance, people in military gear taking cover behind them.

Zack jumped out of the car and Amber followed, shocked at the extent of the damage. Even some of the buildings surrounding the museum were partially or completely destroyed and collapsed.

"Here's what's going to happen," Zack said urgently. "You need to go and talk to the SWAT teams, get them to back off so we can go in and take control of the situation -- go clear a way for us to reach and fight Supervillain. I'll work on blasting a hole to get inside, it looks like Supervillain's barricaded himself inside the museum to buy time for whatever his plan is."

"I don't take orders from you!" Amber snapped.

"You will if you want to win this," Zack growled confidently. "SWAT will listen to you because you're a familiar hero. They won't trust me."

"Gee, I wonder why?" Amber drawled pointedly.

"Cut the snark. We need to have each other's backs here, even if we're rivals. Can you trust me, if I'm willing to trust you, just this once? We can go back to being enemies after the fight’s over. But we need to work together for this to work, or we'll both get ourselves killed. Can you do that?" He held out a hand, waiting for her to accept.

Amber searched his face for a lie, for any hint or trace of familiar manipulation, but all she could see was genuine sincerity for once, brutal honesty from him. She hesitated, the sounds of terrified screams piercing the background... before she shook Zacks hand with grim resolve and determination. "I'll trust you... once, only because I have to. After this, no more," she growled.

"Understood." Zack broke away and took off at a dead sprint toward the side of the museum, while Amber ran toward the SWAT teams.

⏪️ Back Next ⏩️

Masterlist

@scoundrelwithboba @lumpofsand @isikedmyself878 @iamheretohurt @fleur-a-whump

@ay5ksal @otterfrost @sausages-things @i-don't-know-sal @togzy

@whump-till-ya-jump @cravesunconditionallove @whumpwritinglover222

[middleearthpixie]

Something in the Night ~ Chapter Five

A/N: I'd like to apologize for the delay in updates, but not only has the semester started up again, but I am also knee-deep in writing my thesis in the hopes of being able to graduate this spring. So, until that's done, updates are probably going to be a bit on the sporadic side. Thank you so much for your patience! 💜

Summary: Following the Battle of the Five Armies, a seriously wounded Thorin Oakenshield returns to Erebor to recuperate and eventually ascend the throne as king. With the deaths of Azog the Defiler and his son, Bolg, Thorin no longer has to worry about the bounty the Defiler placed on his head and can instead concentrate on restoring Erebor to its former glory. 

Nina Carren of Esgaroth has one goal—to make Thorin Oakenshield pay for unleashing Smaug the dragon unto her home—where he destroyed the town and killed her family. The Defiler might be gone, but his bounty remains very much in place, and she fully intends to collect on it. 

Finally, the opportunity shows itself for her to do just that, only to have it go horribly awry. Wounded and now at his mercy, neither Nina nor Thorin stopped to think what might happen, should things not go quite according to plan…

Pairings: Thorin Oakenshield x ofc Nina Carren

Warnings: None

Rating: T

Word Count: 3.1k

Tag List: @mrsdurin @i-did-not-mean-to @fizzyxcustard @xxbyimm @lathalea @legolasbadass @kibleedibleedoo @arrthurpendragon @exhausted-humxn-being @knittastically @notlostgnome @myselfandfantasy @medusas-hairband @guardianofrivendell @jotink78 @ruthoakenshield @frosticenow @quiall321 @dianakc @msjava1972 @glassgulls @evenstaredits @heilith @asgardianhobbit98 @way-too-addicted-to-fandoms @sazzlep

If you’d like to be added (or removed) to the tag list, please just let me know!

Previous chapters can be found here. 

After they finished eating, Thorin looked over at Dwalin. “A word, if you don’t mind?”

Dwalin looked as if he very much minded, but still followed Thorin to the far side of the room, where they would be out of earshot of Elrond, Lindir, and Nina. “What is it?”

“I might ask you the same thing,” Thorin replied, folding his arms as he leveled a long look at Dwalin. He'd served as Thorin’s right hand for as long as Thorin could remember, and he held Dwalin’s opinion in high regard. So, if something troubled him where Nina was concerned, he wanted to know it and why. “You’d rather she not accompany us?”

Dwalin glanced over his shoulder at the table, where the three were deep in conversation, then looked back. “I would rather that, yes,” he said with a nod. “I don’t trust her.”

“Nor do I, simply because we know nothing about her. But, there are two of us and one of her and I think the numbers are in our favor.”

“They are, or they should be,” Dwalin replied, his voice lower than usual and a nod accompanied his words, “but she is no typical girl. We saw that for ourselves last eve, didn’t we?”

“We did. And she came to our aid.”

“Thorin, just because she fought off Orcs doesn’t make her automatically trustworthy or on our side. Ye know this.”

“I do. And I’m not suggesting she is. But, she had no cause to step between that arrow and me, so that weighs in her favor.” Thorin glanced over at Nina. In the light of dawn, it was a wonder he hadn’t noticed she was a girl instead of a boy. She was small, and compact, but her hair alone should’ve given her away, as it was a bushy mess of coppery curls that spilled halfway down her back. 

“Just take care. Ye don’t know her, don’t know why she stepped in the path of that arrow.”

He nodded. He understood that, of course. And he was just as curious as Dwalin as to why she’d done as she had.

“You’re right, I don’t know. Nor am I foolish enough to think if I ask, she will tell me the truth. But, she is only a girl. She would be no match for you and I together.”

Dwalin didn’t look all too convinced even as he nodded. “I suppose.”

“She won’t be. So, worry not. We will keep a close eye on her, and make certain she does not put a foot wrong.” He slapped a hand against Dwalin’s back. “So, let’s gather up what we need to take back to Erebor with us and think about being on our way. We have a bit of a journey ahead of us.”

Dwalin rolled his eyes. “Just a bit. Remember how long it took the last time we left here to go to to Erebor?”

“Ah, but this time around, we will not be being pursued by anyone—hopefully—and if Thranduíl is alerted ahead of time that we will be arriving, we shouldn’t have the same trouble we did the last time.”

“No, instead he’s dealing with the fact that yer nephew wishes to marry the captain of his guard.”

Thorin grinned at that. “Well, we will cross that bridge when we reach it. As of right now, Kíli remains in Erebor, Tauriel in Mirkwood and Thrandy isn’t at all aware of their plans.”

Dwalin chuckled. “How are those plans coming?”

Thorin rolled his eyes. “Make no mention of it, please. Dís was driving me mad with trying to come up with a way to convince Kíli he really should marry someone a bit less elvish and a lot more dwarvish. But to do so in such a way as to keep him from figuring out she’s doing so.”

“And how is that going?”

They took their leave of the Great Hall before he answered with a soft sigh. “About as well as you’d imagine. Kíli feels he owes his life to Tauriel and I find it difficult to argue with him. She did save his life with her quick thinking. She’s done so twice. So, Dís is angry with me as well.”

“For you won’t step in and convince him?”

“Exactly. I see no need to convince him of anything. I think he knows his own mind better than any one of us does.”

Dwalin whistled softly as they strolled along the promenade. It was a glorious day in Rivendell, with plenty of sunshine and soft breezes, and it radiated peace and serenity. Thorin remembered it being the same the previous time the Company was in residence, but he couldn’t really appreciate it then, he’d had far too much on his mind with the quest of Erebor underway and the need to be there prior to the last light of Durin’s Day.

And now? Now he was under no time constraints at all. He could linger at Rivendell if he so chose and Elrond had no objections. But at the same time, he just wanted to return to Erebor as quickly as possible. There was so much work to be done, and he wasn’t thrilled with being away for any longer than absolutely necessary.

He sighed softly. “I told Kíli I would have a word with Thranduíl about Tauriel, so I have an ulterior motive for venturing there as well. That Elrond offered us use of the Southeast Passage is merely a happy coincidence.”

Dwalin narrowed his eyes. “I thought you didn't believe in happy coincidences?”

“No, it’s luck I don’t believe in.” Thorin managed a grin. “Now, if you will excuse me, there are few things I need take care of before we go.”

They parted ways then and Thorin sighed as he stepped into his own chambers. They were small, but like most of Rivendell, open air so it gave the illusion of being larger. He leaned back against the door, the slight twinge in his lower stomach stronger than it had been earlier. 

He didn't have to lift his tunic to know what it was. All he had to do was close his eyes and he was transported back to the very moment when Azog the Defiler ran him through with the blade that took the place of his left forearm. 

There were two scars, one above the other, with the top one paining him far more greatly than the other at the moment. Although the wounds had healed several months earlier, the scars still pained him from time to time. More often than not, he’d lurch awake in the middle of the night, sweat pouring from him, his gut burning and cramping, the same cry of pain on his lips that lingered on since the day it happened. 

He tried not to think about that day at Ravenhill, tried not to think about how he’d watched Azog so very calmly run Fíli through, how his son, Bolg, did the same to Kíli. But when he slept, he had no control over what his mind conjured. He could still hear his now gasp of disbelief as he watched, helpless to prevent any of it simply because he was too far away and he’d sent his nephews to their fates.

It was nothing short of a miracle that both boys survived. Nothing short of a miracle that he himself survived. Had it not been for Amara and her expertise and Narnerra’s gifts as well, none of the Durin boys would have lived to tell the tale.

He lifted the bottom of his rough-hewn gray henley and ran a hand over the scars. They were still raised, and mostly pink, and he flinched as his fingertips brushed them. Still sensitive. Amara had told him they might be for some time to come, but he tried not think about it. He tried not to think about that day at all, if he could help it. Why linger in the past? It did no good to look anywhere but forward and now, he just wanted to return home, hopefully with good news for Kíli, and try to put all of it behind him. 

He crossed the room to his rucksack. They both traveled light, borne of a lifetime of moving from place to place and never really having a home. After Smaug sacked Erebor, they’d made something of a home in Ered Luin, but it still wasn’t their true home, and their return to Erebor meant a return to what actually was their true home. Over the last nearly two years, Thorin and his company had been on the move— from the Iron Hills, to the Shire, to Rivendell, to Mirkwood, to Esgaroth and Dale, and finally, to Erebor.

“And when I return, I will not leave again,” he said softly, letting his henley fall back into placed before he pulled the leather ties on the sack to tighten it. “And if Dís wishes to find a way to keep Kíli and Tauriel apart, she is welcome to do it herself.”

He would not try to interfere other than to get Thranduíl to offer his blessing. All he wanted was to see Kíli happy and he knew Tauriel would make his nephew happy. 

And perhaps once that was done, he’d see about finding a wife as well. He’d considered the idea before leaving Erebor, and thought perhaps the time had finally come. He’d long fought the idea of marrying and having a family of his own, but now, he’d begun to wonder if it was time. 

But that would wait until he returned to Erebor and that was still quite the ways off. The journey would take nearly five weeks, and that only if they ran into no trouble. 

Trouble in the form of, say, an orc pack.

Why were they near Rivendell, though? That made no sense to him. The Gundabad orcs were  now leaderless, rudderless, scattered about Middle Earth the way the dwarves had been so many years earlier when Smaug the Terrible sacked Erebor. Their leader, Azog and his heir, Bolg were gone. The filth wiped clean by his blade, and by the blade belonging to a Wood-Elf called Legolas, the son of the Woodland King. 

He sank onto the edge of his bed, the sack forgotten. He owed his life to that same elf and the captain of the Mirkwood guard, for Legolas’ arrival along with Tauriel’s quick thinking and elf magic, saved his life, saved the lives of his nephews. He might not get on with Thranduíl at all, but he owed so much to the other two.

Just as he owed Nina. 

He wondered where she’d come from, where she called home, and most importantly, why had she been where she was. It made no sense, as she was neither elf nor orc, obviously, but of Man. He’d known it the moment he saw her in the Healing Room. She did not bear the pointed ears or height of an elf, although she was every bit as pretty as one. That much, he had noticed. He had little trust in Man, but he certainly could appreciate a pretty woman when he saw her. 

But why was she on the Great East Road? It was widely traveled, but rarely by lone women. It simply wasn’t safe, as the road wound through the Wilderlands and Dunland and Bree—all towns that were home to ruffians, thugs, and all other unseemly walks of life. And Nina did not strike him as the least bit unseemly. 

A gentle knock came at the door and he rose to cross, calling, “Who goes?”

“It’s Kenia, Your Highness.”

He tugged open the door and looked up at the elf. “Is something the matter?”

“No,” she gestured to the room, “may I?”

“Of course.” He stepped back to allow her room to pass, but made certain to keep the door open. Just in case. “What can I do for you?”

“I understand Miss Nina will be accompanying you to Mirkwood.”

He nodded. “It would appear that way, yes. Why?”

“I know I said she would be all right to travel, but I’d be lying if I didn’t add I was a bit concerned. I don’t think the shaft that struck her was morgul, but at the same time, it can sometimes be difficult to tell at first.”

“So, do you think she should remain here?”

“I would love her to do just that.” Kenia offered up a slight smile. “But, I have the feeling she will fight me on it and will bolt as soon as she gets the chance. I obviously cannot force her to remain here, but I am worried.”

“And you think I might be of help?”

“In a way, yes. I think that, should the symptoms strike while you are somewhere between here and Mirkwood, you would need to treat her.”

He shook his head. “I am no healer, Miss Kenia. That would be Óin and he is back in Erebor, working alongside Narnerra.”

“I understand, but you would be able to offer basic aid. If nothing else, it would give you the time you’d need to reach Mirkwood, where Thranduíl’s healers would be able to take over.”

“And how would I do this?”

“I will give you an emergency kit—kingsfoil, water charged by the light of a full moon, valerian root, lavender, and chamomile.”

“And I am to do what with them?”

“I’ve written out instructions, in the Common Speech, so anyone might be able to help. Valerian and chamomile have calming properties, the kingsfoil is an antiseptic, and I’ll include linen bandages for binding as well.”

As she spoke, she held out a small, black velvet bag. “Everything you would need, including the instructions, are in this. Keep it with you at all times. The kingsfoil alone is almost priceless. It is very near a miracle cure for most ailments, including morgul poisoning.”

He nodded. “My nephew spoke of being treated with it when he was struck by an orc’s morgul arrow the last time we ventured to Mirkwood.” 

Kenia’s hazel eyes widened. “Which nephew?”

“Kíli.”

“Oh, the dark-haired one. We all were convinced he was your son.”

Thorin chuckled. “I have heard that many times over the year. He is my sister-son and Dís and I strongly resemble one another.”

She smiled. “I must confess, the others were a bit disappointed he was not in your company this time.”

“I’ll be certain to let Kíli know he’s been missed.” Thorin cleared his throat. “So, is there anything else I need keep in mind where Miss Carren is concerned?”

“Do you know the symptoms of morgul poisoning?”

“No, but I assume it would be obvious something was wrong. Kíli went gray when he’d been struck with a morgul shaft.”

Kenia nodded slowly. “Gray is definitely one of the signs. But, before that, Miss Carren would complain of fever and muscle fatigue and overall pain, so should she mention any of those, you would need to treat the wounds immediately or as soon as you possibly could.”

“I will keep an eye on her if her health appears to be deteriorating.”

“Perhaps I might speak to His Lordship about accompanying you, just in case.”

He smiled. Elves and dwarves might not have always had the best of relationships, but since the Battle of the Five Armies, the elves of Rivendell had proven to be rather stalwart allies. “I appreciate the thought, Kenia. But, I think we will be fine. Should we run into trouble, we hopefully will be close enough to Mirkwood and their healers.”

“Well, they would be competent enough,” Kenia hedged, looking from him to his rucksack and back, “but…”

“I know. And I will not make you say it aloud,” he told her as he reached for his leather and fur great coat to shrug into. “And I agree, their healers are only competent, but several of the Guard’s captains would fit in here beautifully.”

“Captains of the Guard?” Kenia’s forehead wrinkled along with her nose to let him know what she thought of that notion.

“Trust me.”

“Well, I cannot speak to that, as I’ve no experience working with them. But, if you trust them…”

“It’s not so much I trust any wood elf,” he hedged, shaking his head, “but that I’ve seen for myself what this one particular elf can do.”

“Then if you’d rather I not ask my Lord Elrond, I won’t.”

“I don't think it necessary.”

She smiled. “Very well.”

As she turned to leave, Thorin said, “Kenia?”

She paused. “Aye?”

“Thank you. For everything.”

She gazed at him over her shoulder. “Of course. I’m rather fond of you, you know. I look forward to your visits.”

He bobbed his head. “As do I. But now, it’s time for me to head back to where I belong.”

“Well, safe travels and hopefully we will meet again. Under happy circumstances.”

“You’ll get no argument from me on that.”

She swept from his chambers and with a soft sigh, he moved out to the wide terrace off the back of the room. Rivendell was so very peaceful and he knew that, if he wished, Kenia would be more than happy to have him settle there with her. Theirs was a special relationship, born of a trust he did not share with many. She’d seen him at his worst, had seen him through his worst, and in some ways, he wished he felt for her the way she seemed to feel for him.

But, it hardly mattered one way or another, for she was unwilling to leave Rivendell and he was equally unwilling to leave Erebor now that it was finally theirs once again. Which left them at an impasse of sorts even if theirs had been a passionate, fiery love for one another instead of a deep and treasured friendship. 

He gazed out across the rolling lush lawns of Rivendell, at the waterfall in the distance, the one that spilled into an elegant gold and marble fountain that the Company had played about in during their previous visit. A smile tugged at his lips as he wondered how Elrond felt about having thirteen naked dwarves splashing about in that fountain. 

There was no more time to dwell. Despite Dwalin’s misgivings, Thorin felt no such hesitation at having Nina accompany them. He would, of course, keep a watchful eye upon her as they made their way toward Mirkwood, but until she actually gave them reason to doubt her, he would be grateful for the extra eyes and extra blade. So, with that in mind, he hefted his pack from the floor, slung it over his shoulder, and left his chambers to meet Dwalin and Nina and begin the trek home. 

[mayhemscorner]

Sage

Itachi x f!reader

Summary: a sage master is rare. Even more rare, is a master of sage mode at such a young age. It was almost unheard of. So how was she capable to use it so effortlessly. (This is sad. I wrote this to help cope with loss recently. To heal, we must first feel pain.)

The flowers were blooming. I couldn’t see it, but I could feel them over my shoulder as my meditation deepens. I could feel the pulse of the leaves slowly unfolding, invisible to the naked eye. The forest was serene and moving, the grass even swayed lazily against the dull breeze. Complete concentration.

The white snake flashes across my vision, striking at my arm venomously. My eyes flash open, revealing a starkly different snake before me. My personal summon, Obake stares intently with his bright orange slitted eyes and flicks his tongue against the mossy green hue of his skin in wonder,” tell me about your time with the white snake.”

“I’m trying to concentrate, sage mode is kind of a tricky thing for us humans, y’know?” I mutter out, breaking focus and all natural energy becomes void.

“Listen, I’m still young compared to the others at Ryuchi cave. You’re my first ever contract, and I’m curious.” He slithers out, almost showing human emotions on his scaly face. When I was young, I never figured I’d be talking to a snake like I would a friend. I never figured I’d get bitten and learn the tedious path of learning sage mode, let alone I didn’t even know what it was.

“I was ten. I was on a mission as a Genin and lost my team. The white snake found me and offered to test my strength. If her venom killed me or weakened me, i’d be her next meal. If I survived, she would teach me the way of being an unstoppable kunoichi. That’s about it. The rest was up to me. I returned to my village two years later after being presumed dead, and now here we are, many years later.” I huff out, returning to a state of complete stillness, once again quickly interrupted,” so you have special powers because you didn’t die?”

I nod, feeling as the chakra flows to my face and Obake slithering closer,” why does the area around your eyes turn green when you become silent? That’s never happened before.”

“I’m not sure. I can’t say I notice things about my face without a mirror, Obake.” I state blankly, feeling an unsettling chakra move within our area.

“Someone powerful is near. Should we hide?” Obake whimpers out, becoming more puppy like than snake like.

“Obake, aren’t snakes supposed to be villainous and intimidating?” I laugh out, standing to climb around his neck and settle on his large head.

“Manda maybe. That Orochimaru guy and him gave us a bad name. Nobody in the cave really accepts either of them, they have too though. But they live in fear of them.” He slips out, stretching his head above the tree canopy to get a better view. A nature walk just outside the village always turns to trouble, but I choose to ease his worried mind,” Obake, Manda may be the boss, but neither of us have seen him in a while. You’re still growing and look how big you already are. Manda will be nothing but an easy obstacle for us in a few years time, if he hasn’t already met his match.”

The air whips my hair around, obstructing my view for only mere seconds. Apparently it was enough time for a black and red cloak to meld against the tree line and become dangerously close to us. I stand wobbly against Obake’s head and watch the erratic pattern they create.

“Should we get ready for conflict?” He asks. I sit down, conjuring a clone to gather chakra and energy in preparation,” I wouldn’t get too ahead of ourselves yet. It’s Akatsuki, but they may just be passing through. I highly doubt they want anything to do with us… but I am curious.”

I can’t help but to cup my hands around my mouth and shout down,” hey, just letting you know you’re trespassing.”

The figure stops in a tree adjacent to our view, looking up and down before sighing,” I assumed you were someone else, my apologies.”

“If you’re looking for that Orochimaru guy, I’d advise against it.” I laugh back, sitting down next to my comatose clone as the man comes even closer. He lands gently against Obake’s head, leaning down to let his dark eyes meet mine,”My brother. I’m looking for my brother. He’s younger than you, but I’ve heard he’s signed a contract much like yours.”

“I haven’t been to the cave in years. I honestly can’t be much help unfortunately. What’s his name? Obake can always ask around, can’t you?” I question, leaning down to meet one of Obake’s eyes.

“S-sure.” He stutters out, flicking his tail in nervousness. Obake was usually on high alert, but the man in front of us must be powerful to make a giant snake with deadly fangs question his own abilities.

“Sasuke. I must find him soon as my time here is short.” The man replies, coughing gently and leaning forward in exhaustion. I pull him down to sit next to me and raise an eyebrow,” by a short time, you just mean in this area right?”

“Unfortunately, no. Every power must come with a curse. I’m sure you understand. This contract of yours must have some downsides, am I correct?” He asks back. My body stills, thinking of the possibility of turning to stone. Or even the possibility of being stuck in a snake like form forever. I lean back, resting my head against my outstretched arms to look up at the sky,” turning to stone isn’t really an upside. Neither is becoming a snake… no offense Obake. What’s your name anyways?”

“It seems you’ve accepted fate pretty quickly. It’s nice to converse with someone in neutral territory instead of fighting for once. Itachi.” He groans out, leaning down lower and outstretching his hand. I take it begrudgingly, taking in his pale skin, and the smallest drop of blood tinting the side of his lip. His name was highlighted ten times over in the bingo book. We could have enough money to retire early and enjoy life, but seeing his current state, maybe it’s best he live the rest of his days in peace.

“I’m Y/N, this is Obake. The big question is, why are you trusting a stranger that could easily turn you in with your current state, Itachi?” I question, turning to him, seeing he too was watching the clouds,” trust is something you learn to look out for. And a fight with someone your level wouldn’t be worth fighting.”

“Someone my level? I’m not a god.” I chuckle, seeing his head tilt in amusement.

“Do you not realize sage mode is a powerful and dangerous thing to other shinobi? You’ve surely heard of the legendary Sannin of the leaf and their capabilities. You’ve obviously heard of Orochimaru at the least.” He utters out, almost baffled.

“Yeah, but gods are only immortal until they are overpowered. It only takes one wrong move to prove it’s been luck the whole time.” I huff. He tightens his lips in thought,” perfecting sage mode is not mere luck. It’s discipline and hard work. A sage is deserving of the title they’re given. The fact you’ve held a clone this long gathering chakra in fear of conflict, without even breaking a sweat or losing breath, proves the immense chakra you hold. A god is considered a god because of the immense power they were gifted.”

“Like I said, it’s all dumb luck. Not everyone can say they accidentally stumbled in to a cave, received a contract, and stuck with the whole insane idea of it. Let alone be born with enough chakra to power a whole village. It’s almost the same probability of becoming a tailed beast.” I reply blatantly, watching the next question form.

“Do you wish for normalcy? Like the life of a civilian?” Itachi fires back. I think for a moment. It would be an easy and quiet life. Maybe work in a bakery, closing down before evening, coming home every night. It sure would be easy. So easy it would be utterly boring. I shake my head,” no. Maybe be an average shinobi. Receiving simple missions that only last a few days. Escorting visitors of the village, or training academy students. Not dealing with high threat level targets such as the likes of you.”

“You really are quite a complex individual, Y/N. I’m almost appreciative our paths crossed.” He chuckles, finally regaining some strength. Surely it was the natural energy flowing through us from my clone and Obake. It was almost as if we sat atop a giant chakra charging pad. But it was almost time to cut the energy off. I tap his chest with my ring and middle finger just above his heart, something my mother would do when I was younger,” almost is a fine line. I’m sure that comes with the unfortunate curse of not being able to become attached to anyone or anything with your line of work.”

“I wouldn’t really call it work. But you’re right… What are you doing?” Itachi asks, reaching for my hand as I quickly pull it away.

My cheeks flush and I clear my throat, “Force of habit. My mom would do it, saying it connected us during heart to heart conversations like this.”

“I had a similar thing I would do to my brother. It was more so an act of love and adoration. I have weeks left at best, Y/N. Consider it a dying wish… a need, to find my brother.” He sighs, examining my wrist he clutched gently in his two hands, eyes trailing to the scarred over fang punctures. One hand rubs over the two deep divets,” you faced the option of death. I’m guessing at such a young age with these aged scars. I’m sure there was one last thing you wanted to do with the possibility of death looming over you, Y/N.”

“I face the possibility of death every breathing moment of my life. So I do what I want with the exception of assigned missions. Being this powerful, it was thankfully rare until recently. Your organization has been quiet as of recently though… It’s almost concerning. But I at least have a few days to rest with Obake. I do have to say, my last thought before being bit was how good some dango would taste. Then again, I was ten. There wasn’t much I’d experienced at that age to crave something one last time.” I yawn, finally removing my clone before continuing,”If it were now, I would’ve wished to love more, to eat more. Maybe make sure my mother was taken care of. But no one in my life is worth traversing the world in my final days.”

“It’s almost comical. Those of us who have nothing, want nothing but for others to feel loved. Those who have everything only want more. If all you wish for is love, why not seek it?” Itachi yawns contently, eyelashes fluttering slowly against the sunshine before revealing deep crimson eyes.

“I figured you’d be too weak to pull the sharingan on me. But I must say, you had me fooled, Itachi. I take it I’m already under a genjutsu, and you’re moments from killing me.” I sigh defeatedly. He shakes his head with a faint smile,” I am still too weak, Y/N. My sharingan may be strong and feared, but even I know not to start a fight I wouldn’t come close to winning. I am near my limit… I was going to offer a short vision of a life of love, as a thank you for our conversation.”

“It’s not worth your energy to show me something I can find on my own.” I smile back, secretly applying pressure against my palm to make sure he wasn’t lying. In turn, he grabs my hands,” I may be perceived as a merciless killer, but I was never a backstabber. Everything I’ve done has come with reason. It’s up to you to believe me.”

I grip against his hands, finally having the courage to stare intently in to his unblinking eyes,” i apologize if this is too forward. Instead of a vision, would you save your energy and just kiss me instead?”

“You are very forward, I can appreciate that… an odd request, but if that is truly what you wish.” He mumbles out, almost shy.

“I don’t want to be the reason you die before finding your brother. And I believe that even those that are dying… good or bad, deserve one last act of love.” I breathe out, noticing his now very close proximity. He tucks a strand of loose hair behind my ear,” I truly wish I had time to learn more of your wisdom. In another life, I feel we would’ve been great friends, possibly even more. Alas, our paths have crossed at the wrong time. But I suppose a kiss will suffice, though a vision of us together could’ve been interesting for both parties.”

“Don’t tempt me, I’m trying to be nice here so you can have a family reunion before croaking.” I smugly reply, offering a soft clasp against his shoulder. He leans in, bringing the scent of fresh pine and campfire smoke. The true smell of a rugged nomad. A complex one at that. Today revealed he might not be the bad guy I see in the bingo book, but an unfortunate soul possibly forced to do another’s bidding. Cursed to face the effects of using a gift some god bestowed unto his clan. Gifts were starting to seem more and more like curses that have been sugar coated to me. Even Obake and I realize the struggle. Sure we accepted it, but one day we will do something about the corruption in Ryuchi cave. If not for us, for people similar to Itachi… Itachi himself. Even if it kills us.

My eyes dare to close against my will, denying me the satisfaction of letting the view of Itachi’s eyes fluttering closed. His hair frames against my cheeks as his lips brush smoothly against mine, waiting for the perfect moment. They finally connect, sealing our meeting and ingraining it permanently in my memories. The feeling of his lips pressing against mine causes anger to settle inside me. The poor luck of the worst timing. The stupidity of kissing one of the most wanted men in the nation, and liking it. My eyes remain closed and my head down as he pulls away, leaving a kiss against my forehead. I finally force them open, watching as Itachi leans backwards and raises a hand. My own hand raises, finding the area just above his heart. As my ring and middle finger taps against his chest, his middle and index finger make contact against the center of my forehead,” in another life, I will find you again, Y/N. A promise I will cherish this moment in the afterlife until we meet again.”

“Until we meet again, Itachi. I hope you find your brother… and peace. If I find you, I’ll make sure you have a proper burial. Even those who are misunderstood deserve to rest in peace.”

“Follow the crows. They’ll lead you to your desire.” He states, dropping his hand and melding away to black feathers in the wind dropping from flapping wings. Another thing I dreamed of had flown from my grasp in a heartbeat. And with every heart beat, I was one step closer to meeting the mysterious man in another life.

“Obake, why don’t you return home for the day. I think we’ve had enough training and adrenaline for today.” I mutter, laying on my stomach against his head, seeking comfort in the giant snake and the thing I trusted most.

“Y/N, do you think we’ll meet in another life as well?” He asks, dropping his head slowly to the ground. I giggle slightly,” of course, Obake. Now that I got you, I couldn’t live without you. But you will one day have to live without me. My life span is incredibly short compared to yours, but I’ll happily wait for you.”

“We’ll always be heroes, you and me. Unlike that guy, we still have time on our side. Right, Y/N?” He questions again with a concerned tone. I drop down to the ground and turn to place a hand between the slits of his nose, watching his eyes close in content,” always. We’ll start with small changes. But I promise that we will better Ryuchi cave and the shinobi lands soon. For now, we both need rest.”

He finally nods, disappearing with a cloud of smoke and a tired yawn with his tongue flicking high in the air.

It was a few hours until I returned home. The soft glow from the living room window reveals the sleeping figure of my mother, and I couldn’t wait to be in that state myself. My head hits the pillow, and it was the quickest sleep has claimed me since I was born.

Several days later, I find myself strolling the streets and stopping at multiple vendors. I find food for the next few days, preparing for a daunting mission at the end of the week. A flicker of movement to my left sets me on guard. Scanning the building ledges, I find a single black crow staring at me intently with familiar red eyes. My heart sinks, yet I feel at peace knowing Itachi held his promise. It’s wings take off against the wind and I’m quick to follow, beginning to sprint down the street and dropping my bags at the entrance of my house. Until I reach the treeline, I lose the crow several times, waiting for it to loop back around. Several minutes in the forest, I finally stop to summon Obake.

“Y/N! Is there danger? I thought your mission wasn’t until this weekend?” Obake yelps out, quickly dropping his head and letting me climb on.

“Follow the crow, Obake. It’s Itachi.” I pant out, kneeling down and keeping my eye on the bird floating gracefully ahead. Obake is silent for several moments, quickly slithering with precision through the forest,” so he was serious.”

“And so was I.” I choke out as the tears catch up with my thinking, pouring hotly down my cheeks.

We end at a desecrated battle field. Blood was splattered in multiple areas and rubble lay recklessly around. The crow perches against an old and decrepit stone foundation. It lets out a guttural caw before flapping away as I approach it. Itachi’s body lay still and cold, looking as if he were just resting like the other day.

“Obake, let’s take him to the forest. No one deserves to be left in deserted land. He deserves to be surrounded with life.” I mumble out, trying to lift him with a struggle. Obake finally comes close, using his tail to gently wrap around Itachi and setting him gently above his face. We both continue in in silence. My puffy eyes dart to his body every few seconds, hoping to find any sign of life and still knowing it wouldn’t be there. When we reach a clearing surrounded by a perfect circle of trees, I tap my hand against Obake,” What about here?”

“I think it’s perfect.” He replies, once again dropping down and lifting his tail to grab Itachis still form. Before i begin the daunting task, i take a moment to extend my to fingers to drop over his still heart, taking several seconds before pulling away. Digging a hole was hard knowing you would have an even harder time filling it. But it’s exactly what I do, pulling the excess dirt at the end to set a large stone down with Obake’s help. My kunai scratches against it noisily, carving words that hold meaning.

In another life. A trial of time stands between being reunited. A brother, a shinobi, a hero.

Anyone who happens to wander by, didn’t need to know he was ever seen as bad. Everyone deserves to be viewed as a hero, even if it is in death. I finally drive my kunai down in to the very top of the stone and stalk off to pick flowers at the edge of the clearing. When I return, Obake was coiled up and a fang missing from his mouth and now placed below the stone. As I arrange the flowers in a blanket like pattern, I laugh,” why did you suffer the pain of losing a tooth for a man we just met?”

“Same as you suffering the pain of a broken heart for a man we just met. I think we need to feel pain to heal, right? And now, there will always be a piece of us by his side.” Obake chirps out, resting his head against his curled body. I stifle another laugh, knowing the young snake knew very little of human emotion, yet tried so hard to understand.

“It’s a different kind of pain. It’s like the feeling of being drained after a hard fight knowing you still have to somehow make it home.” I explain, standing to make my way to the green serpent. I lay in the center if his tight circular form, relaxing as his body wraps protectively inwards.

“When you put it that way, then I suppose the only way to heal internal pain is rest.” He says, closing his eyes and flicking his tail to finish wrapping around me.

“I suppose you’re right.” I trail off in to a yawn before continuing,” if your other fang happen to fall out in the near future, can we make one in to a sword?”

Obake laughs in reply,” of course. But for now, we shall rest.”

And rest we shall, knowing Itachi was at peace, and somewhere waiting to uphold his promise. I made a personal promise to myself in that moment to make sure Itachi would never be forgotten, he was out there and prepared to watch us make the world a better place… starting with Ryuchi cave. It was useless to count how many heart beats it took until we finally meet again, but I would make the most of every beat, and every second it took… until we meet again.

[dreaminginthedeepsouth]

Gail Godwin is one of our finest writers. Godwin's latest book "Getting to Know Death," will be published this month by Bloomsbury U.S..

This excerpt appears in Harper's Magazine.

>>>>>

DARK KNIGHTS OF THE SOUL

I have been close to people who one day found themselves in the desperate place and didn’t make it out.

I remember struggling to write a letter to a young man whose father had just hanged himself. The father had been the builder of our house. He was charming and talented and proud of his son. I wrote these things to the son and then came the point in the letter where I was supposed to write something hopeful for the future. All I could think of to convey was No, you’ll never get over it, but the time will come when you will be glad you can’t get over it because the loved one remains alive in your heart as you continue to engage with the who and the why of him.

Two people in my family didn’t make it out of their desperate place: my father and my brother.

Though I had seen my father only twice when I was a child, I sent him an invitation to my high school graduation. Mother said not to expect him to show up, but he did. He, his new wife, and his brother drove from Smithfield, North Carolina, to Portsmouth, Virginia, for the ceremony. In the early-summer weeks that followed, we wrote letters to each other. He had elegant handwriting and prose to match. He wrote that he would like more than anything to get to know me better. Could I—would it be possible for me to spend a few weeks with them at the beach this summer? I was in my first desperate place at that time and decided to tell him about it—though not all of it. I ended up going to the beach and returning with them to Smithfield and entering Peace College in the fall, paid for by my father.

My father had been doing some personal bookkeeping of his own. At the age of fifty, he had at last achieved a measure of stability. Finally, after thirty years of intemperate living, he had managed to stop drinking, had married a new widow in town with a prosperous brother-in-law, and was manager of sales at the brother-in-law’s car dealership. My father confided to me during the weeks we spent at his brother-in-law’s beach cottage that he regretted not having made more of himself. “You mustn’t let it happen to you,” he said. “Nobody is prepared for how quickly time passes, and you don’t want to be one of those people who wakes up in the late afternoon with nothing to show for it.” But later, in a radiant moment while we were lying on the beach working on our tans, he told me that I had come along at just the right time, and if he continued to win his battle against depression and alcohol, and if automobile sales continued like this, well, the future didn’t look so hopeless after all.

As we lay side by side, congratulating ourselves for finding each other, I had no idea that old disappointments were biding their time, stealthily building like waves, which in less than three years would drown him.

One winter afternoon when I was a junior at Chapel Hill, he phoned his brother at his office. “Just felt like saying hello, old son,” he said. “Son” was what the brothers called each other. After he hung up, he lay down on the floor of his bedroom in Smithfield and shot himself in the head.

Losing ground. Was that the thing that ultimately killed him? In his twenties, he began losing jobs, losing status, but always got back on his feet. A charming, handsome man, he did not need to keep a steady job as long as his mother was alive. And after her death, there would be other admirers waiting in line for whom his looks and charm were enough. By the time he met my mother, he was an alcoholic. After that came the mental disorders, given different psychiatric names as the years went by.

When they were driving back to Smithfield after my high school graduation, he came with a raging toothache. They found a dentist along the road who pulled the tooth. But the pain continued, and when they got home, the dentist told him it had been the wrong tooth. “I should have known,” he would finish this story, laughing. “I should have known when we drove into the parking lot and his shingle read: doctor payne.” He still had the charm but the looks were going.

This is from a June 16, 2018, New York Times op-ed, “What Kept Me from Killing Myself,” by the Iraq War veteran Kevin Powers. “Throughout that summer and into the fall . . . just below the surface of my semiconsciousness, was the constant thought: Maybe I won’t wake up this time.” Powers continues:

I doubt much needs to be said about the kind of despair that would make such an idea a source of comfort, despair that came not from accepting that things were as bad as they were going to get but, worse, that they might go on like that forever. The next step felt both logical and inevitable.

This sounds along the lines of what my twenty-eight-year-old brother might have been thinking in the hours that led up to his death.

In the last week of his life, Tommy was working on a long poem. He left behind two drafts. He titled one “Why Not Just Leave It Alone?” and the other “Why Change the World?” One line is the same in both drafts: “My pride is broken since my lover’s gone.” Both drafts end with the same image of the poet being laid to rest in his wooden home, “With my trooper hat on my chest bone.”

It was October 2, 1983. What happened, what we know happened, as opposed to all that we can never know, was that on the Sunday afternoon after Mother’s birthday, Tommy ironed a shirt at his parents’ house, where he had been living with his three-year-old son. He told Mother he was going over to see J., the woman he loved, a nurse who also had a three-year-old son. They had planned to marry; they had even made out a budget. Then J. suddenly broke it off. Tommy told Mother he was going over to ask J. to reconsider. “I’m going to settle it one way or another before the afternoon is out,” he said, and drove off alone.

COUPLE FOUND SHOT was the headline in the newspaper the next morning.

The day before, on Mother’s birthday, I knew Tommy was unhappy. But Tommy was always unhappy. He “felt things more than most” was the family euphemism for his troubled nature. He most took to heart the family’s fractures as well as the world’s. Drawing you in with his shy, closemouthed smile, he would offer his latest tale of woe. But always, always in his stories, there had been a quality of suspense, of entertainment. He starred in them as the knight-errant, complete with pratfalls and setbacks, but a knight-errant who picked himself up, dusted himself off, and set out on his next mission. Tommy was a modern Samaritan who carried a first-aid kit and a blue emergency beacon in his car in case he came across an accident.

We were in the kitchen and he told me the story of J. suddenly breaking up with him. But this time something was different. I was not, as usual, deriving the usual listener’s satisfaction from his story. Many years later, when remembering that kitchen scene, I realized what had spooked me about it: Not only was there not a trace of the shy, closemouthed smile, there was no knight-errant starring in my brother’s story. The tone was new: one of bafflement and resignation. There was no sense of any future missions. There was no tug of suspense. It was like a story that had already ended.

Tommy would be sixty-three now. He was born the same summer that my father drove from Smithfield to Glen Burnie, Maryland, and rescued me from my desperate place. If on that October afternoon twenty-eight years later there had not been a pistol handy in the glove compartment of J.’s car, would Tommy have remarried somebody else and raised his son and reconciled himself to a fallen world, as long as he had a firstaid kit and a job that gave him the satisfaction that he was rescuing people from injustice?

But now I do hear his voice, the old Tommy voice, just as it was in life, chiding me as he defends the position of his beloved National Rifle Association with its singsong refrain: “Gail, guns don’t kill people. People do.” I continue to engage with the who and why of my father and my brother.

During my life, I have found myself in the desperate place four times. But that first time, at age eighteen, was by far the worst.

Summer 1955 in Glen Burnie, Maryland. Everybody seemed to have a future but me. I had received a letter from Mother Winters, my mentor from ninth grade. She congratulated me on being salutatorian, asked about my plans for college, and brought me news of some of my classmates. “Pat has won the four-year Angier Duke scholarship to Duke, Carolyn will be going to Radcliffe, Stuart and Lee to St. Mary’s in Raleigh . . . ” Here I stopped reading and felt . . . what? A dry mouth, a pang in the chest, a sense of going down, of losing myself. All I knew to do was mark my position.

My position. At the time, I couldn’t hold all of it in my mind. If I had tried, I might have despaired, or lashed out and hurt myself or somebody else. I had so little experience to draw from and there was no escape.

Since my early teens, I had been building my life on false premises. I was creating a persona that was more extroverted than I really was. She pretended to more confidence and security than I felt. I became a pro at embellishing and editing my history. When I entered a new school, I “went out” for things I was good at that would bring me attention. The school paper, the drama club, painting posters and scenery, entering competitions—and, of course, getting high grades. I dated lots of boys, made it a point to be cagey and hard to get until each got fed up and moved on, usually just as I had begun to appreciate him.

That was the outside of things. At home, other dramas were playing out. We were not free people. Our embattled breadwinner, who was angry much of the time, sometimes knocked one of us to the floor for challenging him. There was no money for us except what he doled out and no going anywhere he didn’t drive us. As I entered my teens, the bread winner, who was only twelve years older than me, often spoke of how he “loved” me. His voice trembled. At night I would wake to find him kneeling in the dark beside my bed, his hand taking liberties.

My mother had shed her former confident self. As a child, I knew a mother who arrived home on the 10:00 pm bus after her wartime job on the newspaper, a woman who taught college and on weekends typed up love stories that earned one hundred dollars apiece. This powerless woman seemed more like someone I was visiting in prison. Only I was in prison with her. She suffered because there was no money to send me to college. She made phone calls to a private college in Baltimore to see if I could go as a day student. The registrar said a partial scholarship might be arranged, given my academic record, but where was the rest of the money to come from? There was no “rest of the money,” my stepfather reminded us, as though we were dim-witted. He suggested I take a year off and find a job, “maybe in sales work,” and save up for college next year. He added magnanimously that I could continue to live under his roof for the time being without paying rent.

That’s the way the ground lay that June 1955 morning in Glen Burnie, when the girl sat cross-legged on her bed, the letter from her old teacher clutched in her fist. “Pat to Duke, Carolyn to Radcliffe, Stuart and Lee to St. Mary’s.”

This is my life, but I may not get to do what I want in it.

I can’t see a way out of this.

Things will not necessarily get better.

In my novel Unfinished Desires, about life at a girls’ school, two old nuns are being driven back to their retirement home from a doctor’s visit, and one says to the other, “There was a sentence this morning in that Prayer for Holy Women: ‘In our weakness Your power reaches perfection.’ What do you think it means, Sister Paula?” Sister Paula thinks for a minute and then replies, “I think it means you have to admit you can’t save yourself before you’re fully available to God.”

That morning in Glen Burnie, God was undergoing some very slippery changes in my psyche. He had ceased being the attentive Heavenly Father who was always aware of me. All I could be certain of that long-ago summer morning was that I could not save myself.

But something else did, something already embedded in the tissue of my particular circumstances: the earthly father who had been the absent father. In a mood of defiant resignation, I decided to send him an invitation to my graduation. Of course he wouldn’t come.

But he did come. And when we were lying beside each other on the beach, he said, “When I opened your invitation, after I got over being pleasantly surprised, I thought to myself, Well, this is one thing I did that came to fruition. And then, after we began to write letters to each other, it struck me that I might be the rescuer you needed.”

Art Work: "When Day Touches Night," a painting by Michael Ho, whose work was on view last month with Gallery Vacancy at the art fair Independent New York.

(Follies of God)

[aerodaltonimperial]

(y’all lack imagination this is so easy to rationalize. PLATONIC JungleHook)

“Okay, what was that,” Hook says, as he pushes open the door to Jack’s room. He’ll never understand why the guy keeps his room so damn warm. It’s like walking into a sauna. Is this a jungle thing again? Ugh, he’s already sweating.

“What was what?” Jack asks. He’s playing nonchalant at looking down at his phone, but does an absolutely terrible job at faking the keyboard mashing. As if Hook is going to really believe he just sent a text that says IIIILLLLL9999991113FFFJS.

Hook wants to smack him. “The hugs.”

“It’s normal for tag partners to hug when they are friends, Hook,” Jack says, with the most obnoxious preschool teacher voice Hook has ever heard.

“One hug is normal, Jack. That was three.”

Jack shrugs. “I just wanted to make sure they got the footage. For television. In case they missed it.”

“In case they...” Hook stops. Narrows his eyes. “Oh. Oh, I see. This is about earlier in the show. This is about the end of Orange’s match.”

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

“God dammit, Jack, don’t put me in the middle of this.” Hook sighs.

“Don’t put you in the middle?” Jack repeats, eyebrows hiked. His voice goes high, that thing it does when he’s starting up into one of his rants. “Don’t put you in the middle, Hook? Are you serious right now?”

“Oh my god.”

Jack waves his phone in the air. “I’ve been getting death threats for months, Hook. Months.”

“You’re being dramatic, those aren’t death threats.”

Jack stares at him, and then opens his phone with exaggerated flourishes. While glaring. It would be a little impressive if Hook wasn’t annoyed by the whole thing. “May 24: Remember when you were mute? Good times.”

“Not a threat,” Hook says. “Plus, it’s nice that he remembers so much about your past.”

“May 15,” Jack continues reading. “Have you tried the blowfish in catering? Supposedly they can kill you. You should eat one. Or ten.”

“Trying to expand your culinary palette. That’s friendly.”

One of Jack’s eyes twitches. “May 2: Self-driving cars are having terrible accidents. One just drove off a cliff! Danhausen will buy you one as a gift.”

“Look at that, he remembered your birthday.”

“My birthday is in two weeks,” Jack says.

Hook waves a hand in the air. “Better early than late, right?”

“Hook.” Jack’s got that tone.

Hook groans. “Oh my god, okay. Maybe...maybe I’ve been doing the same thing to you.”

“Yeah, since January.”

“Well, then let’s just hope your hugs were visible to the right people, because I gotta feeling you’re gonna have to turn your phone off tonight with all the messages you’ve invited.”

Jack rolls his eyes. “Fine, fine. Look, I’m turning it off, see? Hurry up so we can finish season 3 of Grey’s Anatomy.”

“There are like 18 seasons of this. I told you we should have started with the West Wing.”

“Oh, you wanna switch now?” Jack asks.

“No, I’m invested,” Hook snips, tugging the unpopped popcorn package out of his bag. At least these hotel rooms have microwaves. They’d had to bribe Adam Page with like twenty bucks worth of vending machine food to use the one he bought at Target in Vegas. “And I hate you for this.”

“No, you don’t.” Jack settles onto the mattress, clicking on his laptop to cast it over onto the hotel’s smart TV. “We’re learning valuable things here.”

“I don’t think any of these medical procedures are correct,” Hook says.

“About ourselves, not surgical practices.”

“Whatever. Don’t you dare start it until this is done, I don’t wanna miss half the dialogue again when the popcorn goes.”

[misscammiedawn]

Hello! more questions for y'all! (If you want)

38: Is this year the best year of your life?

64: Would it be hard to kiss the last person you kissed?

From this ask list

38: Is this year the best year of your life?

I'm not entirely sure. It ranks high on the list. Our mental health is improving and we're making some fair strides in healing. The fact we're starting to go outside again and we're thinking about tabletop again is a big deal. We're even visiting the movie theatre next week to see a 35mm projection of Don Hertzfeld's It's Such A Beautiful Day. Surgery is fully healed. We're comfortable enough with our facial hair situation that we've taken a break from electrolysis.

Our relationships are all stable and we have gotten some amazing little moments with Daja as well as having a full year of plans for next year arranged. We're making friendships outside of our relationships and have stopped flinching at the fear that it's somehow "emotionally cheating" to have friendships that do not in any way involve our loves.

We're finding a new niche of blogging and despite deleting and thus losing our thousands of hypnokink followers from Twitter, we feel pretty happy with our Tumblr sphere. Like we're getting to just exist as ourselves.

We have a new camera.

Got to go to a resort for a little while.

We'll likely do a write-up at the end of the year but it's been a really good one...

But COVID.

COVID is always going to make any year worse than the ones prior to it. I've done once in a lifetime things back in the day. Nothing I do in my professional life is ever going to match marching in a NOLA parade and having attending a private event on the field of the Superdome or having the entirety of Universal Studios Florida booked out for a company event.

I won't get to experience the highs of my team of 40 having a 15 hour victory lap celebration in a locked off movie theatre screen for winning "People Development Award" for the best staff in the country for 2018.

and I can't do the silly little things like have a date in a Denny's that lasts 4 hours and 3 decanthers of coffee. Not while the virus is around. Not when it can and has hospitalized the people I love. I'm too terrified of killing someone by infecting them.

(Knock on wood but I have never shown symptoms of an infection and our house has only caught it once-- which I managed to avoid by wearing my mask indoors for 3 weeks)

I'll start inviting things in again. Movie theatres, concerts, musicals and conventions are things I've indulged in with my guard up. I'd love to be able to enjoy those things without the fear. Travel again. Enjoy my city a lot more than I currently am. Maybe (let Cammie/Craig/Dawn) see a sporting event with Daja.

Guess what I'm saying is "It's a very good year. But it's a year of healing and growth. The best is yet to come"

There are so many more things I am more excited to see and do.

64: Would it be hard to kiss the last person you kissed?

She's not home this weekend but I can wait a few days <3

[dayfaresthenight]

Forged in the Flames [Part 2]

TWs: Moderate Gore, general spooky eldritch horror stuff:

"This should be the place, Kriston."

"Are you certain, H? It seems rather... Damp, and run down."

We had made it to the old water filtration plant. It hadn't been active for around a decade, replaced by the much fancier and "hi-tech" water treatment plant made by the Asmond Corporation. Despite my reservations, though, my dear friend insisted:

"If we are to trace the cases we have seen so far, it is but elementary to assume that they come from this central location. Surely, if a theoretical hivemother exists, it shall rest here. Do hand me that Crowbar, if you shall?"

A sense of looming dread came over me as I handed him the instrument. The previous creature we had contained had been so... vile and wretched. What would the beast at its apex look like if that was merely the larva? Perhaps it would be wise to just call it in and leave the case to those far more well-prepared than ourselves.

CLICK!

...Too late. He was already inside.

"H, wait for me!!!" As we entered the complex, it seemed as if he had been wrong. The place looked to be about as one would expect—the machinery long since stopped and the two giant filtration tanks sitting sealed and untouched.

"See? There's nothing here. I told you that it must've been the new place that it got into."

"Hrm... perhaps you are correct. But, to be certain..." He took out his walking cane and tapped on the leftmost filtration unit. A hollow clang echoed out, indicating it was empty. Walking over, he did the same for the rightmost one—yet... no such noise was made...?

'What... is Water still doing in this place?"

"Not water, my dear friend. Thousands of them, all sealed off in that container—getting in through the pipes. The Hivemother in question is likely somewhere amongst that cluster."

"And... you theorize killing off this... hivemother will stop it?"

"Like an Ant Queen, they appear to communicate through pheromones and a traditional monarchial system akin to an ant. As for how I intend to solve it... Why, that's simple!"

When he took the match out, a very small part of me died inside.

"We can't just burn down this entire place! Have you've gone mad?!"

"HA! You thought I was going to become an arsonist so soon?" He couldn't help but toy with the matchbox, borderline hauntingly. However, he reassured me as he moved it up to what appeared to be some kind of ignition lighter.

"This is what I intend to say. From my studies, the creatures respond rather poorly to boiling temperatures, and they should as such be melted away within the flames."

"And if that doesn't work?"

"Hrm... we'll figure that out when we get there." He flicked the match to life with a swift motion of the wrist across the matchbox before using it to whirl the machine to life.

Mtttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttw sjw lwuhicw sjw lwuhicw sjw lwuhicw sjw lwuhicw mmmhrmnwkeewktdbw" came bubbling out of the chamber as a terrible, inhuman SCREECH came from it. If a demon would have a voice, this surely would be it!

Soon enough, the top of the container was kicked off, and a terrible beast emerged from it. It appeared to look vaguely humanoid in features, with two arms, a chest, and an oval head. However, its form appeared to be more that of a gel, and its legs were replaced by a singular, long tail-like appendage protruding out of its back.

I couldn't help but to immediately lose my cool as I let out an admittingly embarrassing and shrill screech of terror, leaping back as the creature jumped down. This was still only my first year, so sights like this... unsettled me.

Immediately, the two of us began to both draw our weapons, shooting at the boiling beast as it thrashed and charged towards us. Each BANG echoed throughout the old facility, yet the beast seemed to be barely affected by our weaponry.

However, my friend did something that, to this day, I thought was foolish—but... impressive. He leaped in front of the still-boiling tank and yelled, "COME AT ME, HELLBEAST!"

As it leaped towards him for what would've been surely a lethal blow, he leaped out of the way, causing the monster to crash directly into the tank, causing the very floor to rumble.

As the both of us got to our feet and breathed heavily, we watched as the contents of the tank—a mixture of bone, a blackish substance, and the boiling water—all collapsed onto the creature.

As the beast gurgled and gagged, it desperately tried to desperately put itself out. It was a terrifying and ghastly sight, as... I suppose the human in me simply could not stand seeing another creature suffer.

Yet its movements slowed, and soon enough... it stood still in the water.

"..."

"..."

As the two of us breathlessly stared at the now-deceased monstrosity that had once desired but to only slay us, we couldn't help but to just begin... laughing. Perhaps it was the insanity claiming us, or just the sheer absurdity of the creature's plan. However, we laughed, and we laughed until finally I said:

"So, guess we're not doing the sushi place tonight?"

"Haaa... I'm afraid not, Kriston. I'm afraid not."

//END OF PT 2//

[clairethecutepup]

Chaotic Quintet: Turkey Troubles (Ch. 2)

Episode Synopsis:

Seve and Alexis ruin Jimmy’s Thanksgiving turkey, thus they try replacing it before Sarah kills them on his behalf. Jimmy realizes he needs a last-minute item, so he and Sarah must brave the chaos of the store. Claire assists Rolf in saving his family from the turkeys they tried raising for some holiday profit.

Alternative sites to read, if preferred:

[Chapter Title: What’s in Store (and the Store)...?]

Claire didn't know if she'd ever find sanctuary nor how long until Sarah came after her next, she only knew to run. She eventually skids to a stop after hearing someone: Rolf's voice overlays the sounds of... turkey gobbles? Whatever it is, it sounded bad...

"She-Of-Wolfish-Blood!" he cries, "Assist Rolf!!"

The man tried pulling himself over the fence, but not even his muscular physique seemed a match for whatever tried pulling him back. Claire wouldn't let a few side-eyes seal Rolf's fate, thus she grabs his arms and pulls. They eventually succeed between their combined strength, and Rolf falls on top of her.

"Quickly," he picks her up, "we must flee!"

He relocates them both within the safety of the nearby and lasting treehouse of the Cul-De-Sac. He looks out the windows and underneath the trap door.

"We have not been followed..." he turns to Claire, "Or, the foul beasts anticipate Rolf's return... They know he must, as he cannot leave his family to their fates," he taps Claire's head, "Rolf would assume you are curious, yes, as to what tragedy has plagued Rolf's home?"

Claire nods.

"Very well then..." Rolf begins, "It all began, back when Rolf's family had become aware of the vast profit awaiting those who sell the large, Thanksgiving fowls during their festive season. So, they had added the birds to their livestock--" he leans over her, arms extended, "but they had unknowingly brought the turkey's wrath upon themselves! The accursed fowls had wised onto the fate that awaited them, seeking to make Rolf's family the planned feast instead! The turkeys were too wise and had been raised too well, allowing them to overpower most of Rolf's household-- especially with the ever sly element of surprise..." he retracts, "Rolf may have underestimated the vengeful birds, but he does not underestimate the havoc the fiendish wolf can bring to one's livestock... Without any other choice, Rolf asks that you lend your teeth and nails to his cause; although, Rolf would also imagine you could get the additional help of She-Who-Is-Arguably-Of-Wolverine’s-Blood..."

Claire isn't sure Sarah would be more willing to slaughter turkeys, rather than the pup herself for failing to keep Seve and Alexis from ruining things. Then again, maybe Rolf could offer one of the birds to replace their ruined one...? Claire's not sure how effectively it'll appease Sarah and Jimmy, but it's better than nothing. But first, she needs to help a man save his family!

"Rolf is grateful for your help," he continues, "but we must tread wisely... The birds will have time to prepare for Rolf's inevitable return, so we must prepare ourselves for their own preparation. Shall we start by having the rest of your fellow companions of chaos join Rolf, as well?"

Claire wonders if Seve and Alexis could be any help, as Sarah and Jimmy are currently traveling to the store. Claire imagines the possibility... 

In her little thought bubble, Seve and Alexis stand with their respective birds: Alexis hand-feeds hers with the giant surrounding sacks of corn, while Seve grips his turkey's throat and repeatedly punches it in the face. "Die, turkey, die!" escapes with each blow. Then, the turkey's friends all swarm the buck, while another kicks Alexis onto her face and others swarm her. Nothing is left of the two, save for Seve's headband and the sacks that once held corn. Afterward, two turkeys run back and fight over the red headwear, their thirst for blood still unquenched. Okay, perhaps Claire should just text Sarah and Jimmy about this being an "emergency"? After all, calling features are useless for the speech-challenged and she doesn’t think to have Rolf do it instead. Then again, they may not see the text, and Rolf's family likely couldn't wait for help. Claire shakes her head, giving Rolf her most apologetic gaze.

"Rolf sees..." the man strokes his beard, "Very well then, it is up to us to brave the menaces of holiday feasts. Follow Rolf, we must prepare to teach the birds what happens whenever the son-of-a-shepherd-turned-shepherd is crossed..."

****

Sarah and Jimmy eventually arrive at the store, but the sedan can't seem to find a good parking space... nor any. Sarah finally escalates her fury beyond simple glaring and arm-folding, when they drive around the lot a fifth time.

"THERE'S NO PARKING SPACES, JIMMY!!"

The wide-eyed man slams the breaks, before snapping his head toward her.

"Sarah, don't do that...!! You could cause an accident..."

"You're causing me to get annoyed; realize that there aren't any available spaces already!"

"But Sarah, wherever will we park then?"

"... Get out."

"Sarah, I need to drive--"

Sarah opens her door and steps out, walks over to Jimmy's side and pulls him out, then she lifts the car and pushes it into a nearby hedge.

"There," she dusts her hands off, "it's parked... You don't have to worry about any tickets, either."

"Well, I suppose you can't argue with results..."

"You better not... I'm sick of this stupid parking area; let's just go inside already."

The doors didn't need to open, for two vying shoppers kept the automatic feature from shutting. Sarah steps over them, while Jimmy walks around them.

"Let's get your stupid cranberries and get out of here..." Sarah scans the area, "Jeez, why do people get even stupider during the holidays...?"

Jimmy was always curious about Black Friday sales, but if people behaved this way over food... Perhaps he'll keep any such shopping online now, no matter which part of the holiday season it is. He's just going to pretend all this red content strewn about is the effect of broken jam jars and crushed ketchup bottles...

"I believe it should be this way," Jimmy leads, then hurriedly jumps into Sarah's arms, "... Carry me...?"

He almost found himself crushed by a crashing shopping cart... A flaming shopping cart. Sarah rolls her eyes but obliges in carrying the man: she keeps one arm under and around him, while her other fist punches away anything that gets too close-- person or item. 

Unfortunately, not even Sarah's terrifying strength made store travels too easy: the spots with larger crowding increased their risk of injury and blocked paths, fallen aisle shelves forced the two to climb and crawl about, and Jimmy kept wanting to eye every listed sale for other food items of interest. Sarah becomes fed up with the last aspect, not caring for the "While we're here..." excuse, so she jammed nearby tongs around his head as blinders.

"Focus, Jimmy," she growls, "I'm not spending any longer in this hellhole than we have to!"

"But Sarah, they almost never discount cream of chicken like this!"

"The only bird you should worry about is the turkey, with the cranberries as the only other thing!" Sarah then furrows her brow, eyes shifting to the side, "I swear, Seve better have listened to me, for once in his life... At the very least, Alexis better not be helping him screw things up this time."

Speak of the devil, and he shall appear. ... Or, his symbols shall. The young goats finally reach the supermarket themselves: Seve does his usual nonchalant strut, while Alexis keeps glancing around and whistling.

"Here, Claire..." she whistles again, "Here, Claire..."

"For the last time, Lex," Seve rolls his eyes, "she ain't an actual dog..."

"But Seve, I still haven't seen her anywhere! We've been walking long enough to probably spot her..."

"Just focus on spotting a turkey instead. It's gonna be rough in there if the parking lot looks this bad..."

People physically fight over parking spaces for their last-minute items, while some people are chased by those who want what they just purchased. Not even the full-fledged animals are spared any conflict, as seagulls vie over dropped food items.

"Aww, Seve," Alexis grins, "do we have any snacks we can give them? I'm able to get them to eat straight from my hoof sometimes!"

"Focus, Lex!" Seve points at the store, "Turkey, nothing else... Claire's not gonna come back as long as Sarah's got a reason to kill us, after all."

"But where is she...?"

"Probably all the way in Mexico by now, so just forget about her already 'cause we aint gonna find her..."

"Hmmm, note to self: learn Spanish, so I can put up 'Missing' posters in Mexico..."

Alexis looks back at the fighting seagulls, her frown growing and eyes concerned. Seve watches her separate from him.

“Wha-- Where are ya goin’?!”

“Sorry, Seve…” Alexis picks up the fallen food, “But I can’t just let these poor things possibly hurt each other when they only need help sharing…” she starts holding out food, “Okay, you can have this, you can have that…” she recoils a little from a bird, “Ah, noooo… You already had some of that…”

Seve facepalms and slowly drags his hoof down, stretching his face and letting it snap back into place.

“Aw, forget it!” he storms off, “Gotta do everythin’ myself…”

“Wait for me, Seve! … Uh, I guess I mean us… Come on, seagull friends!”

Miraculously, the birds are fine with Alexis’ brand of food communism and refrain from swarming her. Seve kicks aside the vying people in between the store’s doors, while Alexis finishes evenly distributing her “seagull feed.” She then waves them all goodbye and skips after Seve into the building.

[End Chapter]

-------------------

Well, Rolf may hate wolves and wolfmen (or wolf-people), but a man's gotta get his priorities straight: family must come first! Also, have YOU ever experienced any chaotic shopping like Sarah and Jimmy are? Have you also ever fed seagulls in a parking lot? I always wondered how the birds manage to get there, despite them typically being away from large bodies of water...

[mentallyrecovering]

Choose Your Own Adventure

(links to previous posts at the end)

I almost wrote myself into a corner but managed to get out of it! I hope you enjoy this next chapter! Everything Is happening at the same time as last chapter where they decided to make a base camp and Sam meets Bobby

I put reminders in the post to to help!

so if you have any plot ideas/feedback feel free to send asks/messages!

(Remember Sam went with Bobby, Rowan and Hazel found each other)

Taylor was breathing hard, looking with horror at what was two feet away. The monster with its giant Human legs, hooves for feet, red skin, and a torso that was freakishly long stared deep into Taylors’ eyes. On top of its head were black horns. Its face, eyes, and mouth were twisted in an ungodly horrifying way. The monster let out a roar that shook everything around it. 

Shrieking loudly, running for life,Taylor was making quick turns here and there to get away from the monster but it was matching pace. ‘There is no way I can escape,’ Taylors’ mind raced, ‘it’s huge, fast, knows every twist and turn in this maze.’ With a heart beating, almost feeling like it was going to explode, Taylor kept running. The monster never waivered, it could have caught up quickly, but it stayed behind waiting for its victim to tire out.

And, that is exactly what happened.Tripping over a broken trellis and falling to the ground, Taylor reached down feeling the pain of a sprained ankle. Terrified, looking at the monster, its’ black eyes seemed to pierce the soul. The monster reached out with razor sharp claws on its hand and grabbed Taylor. All that came out was a scream, but of course nothing could stop this monster. With its prey in its hands it walked away to an unknown location in the maze. 

(Sam and Bobby are walking to find the others while…)

A scream so loud it caused vibrations in the air and made the hair on  Bobby and Sams’ arm stand up. What could have happened to cause a person to scream that loudly, sounding as if they are going to die? Sam came to a horrible realization, it was Taylor screaming. What was happening to Taylor! “Oh my god! Bobby! That’s Taylor. We have to find out where the scream is coming from.” Bobby just looked at Sam with an intense expression and shook his head.

“Your friend is probably going to die. I’m not exactly sure what happens in this place but I do know the monster is here and we need to find the center of this maze. There will be a plaque with a symbol on it, the same one the man that brought you here was wearing.” Bobby looked at Sam who was frozen in fear, or guilt, or anger, probably a mix of all three. “Look, this town survives off this monster. As long as they feed it and trap people in this maze they will stay alive.” Bobby looked at Sam with an uncertain look in his eyes, “The restaurant is there, a five star place, to lure people in. If the monster doesnt get fed it’ll ruin the town and kill everyone in it. We need to get to the symbol and break it. That's the only way we can get out.”

Sam stared at Bobby with tears flowing out of their eyes, “What about Taylor? We need to help her!”

Bobby shook his head, “We need to break the seal first. We need to free ourselves from this maze..”

Their choices are,

Find Taylor

Go to the middle of the maze (where they don't know Hazel and Rowan are there already)

https://www.tumblr.com/mentallyrecovering/716212039957315584/i-have-to-add-that-there-will-be-reading-in-the?source=share (starting post)

https://www.tumblr.com/mentallyrecovering/716334914436497408/choose-your-own-adventure?source=share (1st post)

https://www.tumblr.com/mentallyrecovering/716427608586321920/choose-your-own-adventure?source=share (2nd post)

https://www.tumblr.com/mentallyrecovering/716427608586321920/choose-your-own-adventure?source=share (3rd post)

https://www.tumblr.com/mentallyrecovering/716521280771424256/choose-your-own-adventure?source=share (4th post)

https://www.tumblr.com/mentallyrecovering/716612292854382592/choose-your-own-adventure?source=share (5th post)

https://www.tumblr.com/mentallyrecovering/716702987461050368/choose-your-own-adventure?source=share (6th post)https://www.tumblr.com/mentallyrecovering/716793684698480640/choose-your-own-adventure?source=share (7th post)

[empressofthesunwriter]

Kill La Hero: 08

In the lottery of Quirk’s Michi got on really special and annoying one. A living, sarcastic ribbon named Ares, who puts her into superpowered revealing outfits. But this won't stop the girl from fulfilling her dream of being a hero! Just watch her!

(But not too closely please!)

MHA MEETS KILL LA KILL!

Chapter 8: Villainous Michi

In the end, the hero team out of Izuku and Uraraka…won!

But what a battle it had been!

More often than not Michi wanted to run out of the Monitor Room to help Izuku and Uraraka, thankful Ares stopped her.

He reminded her that Izuku and also Uraraka needed this.

They would never grow as heroes if someone came to their rescue.

Also if she interfered in the battle exercise she would probably be disqualified for her own.

However, seeing Izuku being knocked out from his last manoeuvre and brought to Recovery Girl, Michi felt bad that she didn’t help.

Even poor Uraraka had fainted.

The hero team had won, yet how Fumikage said they won the battle but not the war.

All Might picked up the three left standing because now it was time for a review of how anyone feared in the exercise.

 “Well, even if I say that the MVP for this battle was young Iida!”, told them All Might.

This surprised nearly everyone.

“It's not either of the winners, Ochako or Midoriya?”, asked Tsuyu a loud.

“Hmm, well...Why is that? Does anyone know?!”

It was Momo who raised her hand.

“Yes, Mr. All Might. That is because Iida adapted the most to the context of the training. From watching the match, it appears Bakugou acted on his own because of an obviously personal grudge. And as Mr. All Might said earlier it is foolish to launch a large-scale attack indoors. In the same way, taking into consideration the damage he received Midoriya's plan was also rash. As for Uraraka, she let her guard down mid-battle and her final attack was too reckless. If she treated the papier-mache as a real weapon she would not have been able to do something so dangerous. Iida had prepared for his opponent's arrival and assumed it would be a fight over the weapon which made him late in responding to the final attack. The hero team only won because they took advantage of the fact that this was training. They were practically breaking the rules.”

Everyone, even All Might, where astonished by Momo's precise and well-thought explanation.

“W-Well, young Iida also has parts of him that could be more relaxed but well that was correct!”, confirmed All Might with a thumbs up.

“We should always start with the basics to develop depth of learning. We must strive to devote ourselves wholeheartedly.”, lectured Momo everyone. “Otherwise, we cannot become top heroes.”

Ares whispers to Michi: “If we have to fight her, we need to be smart. Smarter than we are.”

“Yeah, you are-?! Hey! Are you saying we, me is stupid?!”

Time to start a fight Ares and Michi didn’t have since All Might continued with the next fight.

Well, Michi and Are were fascinated by all the cool Quirks their classmates had.

Like Todoroki Shoto, who got the win for his team by freezing the whole villain hideout and the villains with it.

Also, Fumikage Tokoyami with his Quirk Dark Shadow, was interesting. It was a bit similar to Michi's own Quirk, the Dark Shadow was also an entity like Ares, just bonded on the birdheaded boy and worked perfectly as an attack and shield in one.

Cool was also Momo with her creation Quirk.

What an incredible power!

To create anything from your body!

Then it was time.

All Might draws Michi and Koji as the villains and Aoyama, the Frenchie and Mina, the alien-looking girl, as heroes.

Okay, this was nothing they couldn’t handle.

So Michi explained to Koji her plan.

Everyone knows she is strong, so logically she should protect the bomb.

This is what everyone would expect, however, Michi had another idea.

Koji looked surprised at how she ripped the ruffle on one of her long boots, to get a long thread.

She walked around the room the thread creating a trap for the heroes.

Then she asked Koji to please ask his animal friends to scare Aoyama and Mina.

To make them freak out.

They heard Aoyama's scream because of the hairy spiders that crawled all over him without problem.

Even Mina loud out shouts because of the bats and centipede, who crawled all over her.

The heroes felt like they were in a horror house.

And still no sight of the villains.

After they shook off the creepy crawlers…they found the room with the bomb.

Empty.

“I don’t like it.”, shudder Mina. “Where are Michi and Koji?”

“Maybe they are searching for us mon ami, that’s why they send these disgusting insects after us, so they could both hunt us down.”, suspected Aoyama, walking towards the bomb. “Let’s  grab it before they return.”

Unsure Mina followed him.

Something wasn’t right.

And she was proven right, as she noted how threads, dark red threads like the ruffles on Michi Ares's supersuit, fall all over her and Aoyama.

Before they could react the threads captured them and Michi and Koji sprung down from the rafters, holding the threads.

“I would say you lose, heroes.”, told them Michi smug.

“Oh yeah, don’t think so girl!”, shouted Mina and tried with her acid to melt the threads, but nothing. “What the?! How is this possible?!”

“Let me try!”, said Aoyama, however even his naval laser did nothing to the threads.

Michi made a perfect villain laugh, which made Koji and Ares sweatdrop as she explained: “Ares isn’t made out of normal threads. He was born from my DNA, from my blood and bones. When we fuse he becomes indestructible. No one ever managed to cut or melt him!”

“Team Villain, wins!”, proclaimed All Might.

After they freed the heroes from the threads and Ares sucks them back into him, they return to the Monitor Room.

All Might complimented the Villain Team for their psychological warfare with the creepy crawlers and for thinking outside the box.

All had expected that Michi would attack and protect the bomb since she was so strong, and tricking the heroes like this was amazing.

Since they had been the last teams the hour was over.

They all left the Monitor Room.

On the ingress of Ground Beta All Might told them: “Good work everyone! We didn't have any major injuries other than young Midoriya, either! You guys took this on seriously! You all did a good job for your first training!”

“To have such a proper class after Mr. Aizawa's class…”, began Tsuyu “...it's kind of anticlimactic…”

Nearly every one of the students nodded in agreement.

“We're free to have proper classes, as well! Well then, I must review the results with young Midoriya! Change and return...to the classroom!”

And with that, All Might run away.

While her classmates wonder why All Might left them so fast, Michi knows why.

He is probably out of time…

Nothing more wanted Michi to follow after All Might to look how Izuku was fearing, but she needed to go to the afternoon classes.

She would take notes for her best friend/crush too.

With a sign, she followed after the other girls to the changing room.

***

As Michi packed her school bag, the door to their classroom opened.

It was Izuku!

“Izu-Chan!”, she shouted happily. Oh God, he had broken arms?! She ran over to him and hugged him softly. “I was so worried!”

“Michi-Kun.”, he answered back and rubbed his cheek against hers since he couldn’t hug.

“You were incredible against Bakugo-Bastard but I had like 10000000 heart attacks because of you?!”

“I’m sorry!”

“Oh, Midoriya's here!”, shouted Kirishima Eijiro, as Michi let go of Izuku. “Good work!”

Both turned to their classmates.

Mina, Kirishima and Sero stepped to them.

“Man, I don't know what you were saying during the match, but you were fired up!”, told him Kirishima.

“I can't believe you fought evenly with Bakugou, who was second in the entrance exam!”, added Hanta Sero.

“You did a good job dodging!”, praised him, Mina.

Aoyama joined them saying: “You were far from elegant, but—”

Only to get interrupted by Mina, who praised Izuku again.

Izuku looked nervous from one student to another, before he looked at Michi.

His best friend smiled and gave him a thumbs up.

“You deserve some hero worship.”

This made Izuku blush.

“I'm Kirishima Eijirou!”, gave the red-haired boy his name. “We're all going over the training together right now.”

“I'm Sero Hanta.”

“I'm Aoyama Yu—”

“I'm Ashido Mina! You did a good job dodging!”

“I'm Asui Tsuyu. Call me Tsu.”

Then the little perv jumped in front of them.

“I'm Mineta!”

“Okay, okay, guys let him breathe!”, said Michi making a shu-shu move. 

Then they heard how Iida was chesting Tokoyami by sitting on a desk, only for Ojiro and Jiro to tell him to calm down.

Iida never wavers, does he? thought Michi and Izuku together.

Then Denki with Uraraka enter the classroom.

Of course, she asked her teammate why Recory Girl didn’t heal him fully, but then he saw how Bakugo was missing.

And off was Izuku to catch Bakugo.

Michi groaned made a facepalm and grabbed her and Izuku's stuff.

“We see us tomorrow guys! Bye!”

And she ran after her best friend aka. crush.

The other teens thought only one thing: Whipped…

Michi stayed silent listener as Izuku tried to explain Bakugo-Bastard why he now had a Quirk, how he didn’t trick him.

She was surprised when Bakugo cried, never thought the asshole had such emotions before he declared he would become number one, he was just getting started.

Before Michi could say to Izuku that he should just let it go with Bakugo, All MIght ran past them to talk with the blond.

Just he didn’t want to listen and left.

After this, All Might wanted to know from Izuku what he had told Bakugo.

Uh-Oh!

Yeah kinda short chapter, but I didn’t want to begin one another Episode in it.

I hope its all right or all might XD

Tell me what you think ^^