#tai bloody answers

[teacup-tai]

wtf would you write a marriage law panmsione fic? the whole point is to breed half-blood children... sounds pointless.

Hi anon. I really tried not to take this question personally, but I guess I'm too much of a pro-wlw plots to let this pass.

Why would I write this plot? Because I want to. Because I enjoy the idea of this two characters going through a terrible law that forces them to get married and have babies together as an excuse to make them fall in love.

I guess your point is How can they impregnate each other? Well, you tell me, we are in a fandom in which Mpreg with cis-male characters exists, we have fests about it and all. So I guess I'm going to write Fpreg.

HOW are they going to get pregnant? Well, I believe I can also choose a bunch of ways. Let's start simple: hello, MAGIC? I guess they could also try some very intense multiorgasmic sex? They could have cauldron babies, for all I care.

Honestly, I just feel very offended that, when it comes to femslash, people are a bit offensive and even aggressive to plots that are a bit different. I'll write all the women who loves women plots I bloody well want. BECAUSE WLW DESERVE TO GET OUR STORIES WRITTEN.

Also: don't like, don't read.

[bunnys-kisses]

Hello, I would like to order a blueberry bars, fried dough and a honey cruller with an mocha coffee, mai tai and naked & famous. It's a big order but could you please do it?

(could be the reader innocent, soft and adorable and Carlos would be the opposite, please)

I send good wishes!💓

bakery menu!!

want to submit your own order? then hit up the menu!! there are a ton of items to check out! i love writing these and thank you so much for those who have sent me things! i've grown so soft for carlos lately and been having a ball writing for him!

blueberry bars: “gonna make you a mamma and you're gonna make me a daddy.” + fried dough: "i know virginity is a stupid concept... but i want to take yours." + honey cruller: "i forget how small you are sometimes." + mocha coffee: breeding kink + naked & famous: bimbo/ditzy!reader served by carlos sainz jr (formula one)!!

cw: smut/pwp, virgin!reader, ditzy!reader, breeding kink, size difference & kink, missionary position

"so, how do you know where to go?" you asked as you practically skipped alongside your boyfriend of the last few months. the practice for monza ended a few hours earlier and now you were headed back to the ferrari motor-home, where you'd be staying for the weekend.

"go where?"

you tapped your chin, "on the track. like, how do you know to go one way instead of the other? nothing on the track is really labeled, what if you drove the entire thing backwards!"

carlos knew you were a bit... ditzy. not in a bad way, you were curious and always willing to learn. it was just that you were so painfully sweet and innocent, even down to having your virginity in tact.

he felt the need to protect you.

he wrapped a strong arm around you and kissed you on the cheek, "don't worry, i have a whole team to make sure i get where i need to go as fast as i can." he laughed a little bit before he kissed you, "i forget how small you are sometimes." his voice tinged with a certain affection.

back at the hotel room, you shrugged off carlos' jacket that he kept over your shoulders most of the evening after practice and the interviews. he seemed to be going strong for the upcoming race, which excited you greatly. when he won, you both won! you were carlos' number one fan (he agreed)!

while you were both curled up in the bedroom, you were playing with carlos' hand while he used his phone with the other. occasionally he turned the screen to you to show you a funny post on the internet. you giggled and leaned up to kiss him. it only took a few kisses before the phone was placed on the nightstand and he was crowded in your space on the bed.

he was very blunt when he asked you, "i know virginity is a stupid concept... but i want to take yours." you were transparent about being a virgin, and while carlos would take no as an answer. he wanted to take it, not out of some pride. but because he loved you. he linked his fingers with yours and leaned in to your face, "and tonight, i'm gonna make you a mamma and you're gonna make me a daddy.”

your cheeks went warm, "carlos..." you wanted to hide your face but he grasped your face to look at him. you stared into his dark eyes and you swallowed. you asked him, "you want my virginity?"

carlos replied as he leaned in, "screw that. i want you. i want to enjoy your body and feel close to you. i don't care if you're a virgin. i just want you however i can have you." he got on top of you, "what do you say? a night of good luck before the grand prix." he smiled at you in the low light of the bedroom.

"what about charles next door." you tilted your head to the shared wall of the bedrooms and almost yelped when carlos got closer once more.

"he is out tonight, visiting his friend." he chuckled as he brushed his nose up against the sensitive part of your neck, "as long as you don't yell bloody murder, no one will bother us." his hand grazed between your legs and your pulse jumped.

he smiled once more as he lips trailed your neck. you wrapped your arms around him and tried to pull his t-shirt up by the shoulders. you felt bathed in warm, a blush that was felt in your entire body.

you helped him out of his clothes and he helped you out of yours. he kissed at your heated skin and whispered small words of praise. he wanted to make sure you knew how loved you were by him.

even with your ditzy personality, how innocent you were. like the time you got shocked by how loud the car was, or when he explained to you three different times how the cars worked and each time you said the wheel looked like a wii u controller. a comment that made him laugh each time.

you laid out on the soft bed, most would kill for a bed this comfortable. you looked up at your lover, the soft light highlighted his best features. those dark eyes pulled you in as he took you by the hips and rubbed his achy cock up against your pussy.

"are you going to get me pregnant tonight, carlos?"

he chuckled and leaned forward, "not tonight. but, you like the idea? the idea of having a family with me? me getting you pregnant?" he rubbed his cock up against you. you tensed up and he coaxed, "relax, relax."

you swallowed and held onto the pillow under your head. you were stark naked and felt so vulnerable, "i do like it... the idea of you getting me pregnant." it spoke to a core instinct you had in your head. the need to be with the one you loved. the thought made your core grow hotter.

"want me to make you a mother?" he said as he rubbed up against you some more before he sank his cock into you slowly. something ran through him at the idea that he was the first person you had been with sexually. at least this capacity of sexually.

"carlos. i love you." you said softly as you felt the stretch of his cock inside of you. it made your back arch a little from the feeling, but you tried to keep your noises down. the slight pain was soon replaced with pleasure as carlos started to move his hips.

the pace was steady, not too fast, but also not painfully slow. carlos made you feel protective and cared for, even now while you were under him. the bed shifted a little under your movements and your noises were sweet.

"are you feeling alright?" he asked, he leaned closer to you. he yearned for your warmth as he made you feel good.

you nodded, "of course. i feel great." you scratched your nails across the hair on the back of his neck. he looked at you, those brown eyes held so much love.

carlos wanted to make a family with you. to call it a breeding kink felt so dirty, more dirty than it had to be. he wanted to create a family with you. not built from the product of lust, but from love and kindness. he wanted to show love to you and the child or children you had. he wanted to fill your days with love and nights with passion. he wanted you in every way he could have you. to love and protect you for the rest of his days. you had captured his heart with your genuine kindness.

he wanted you pregnant, living together. you being his beautiful, lovely wife who he adored more than anything. you gave him purpose beyond racing. you kept his heart beating. you were innocent in such a way that carlos felt protective over you. you brought love into his life and he adored every second together. even if he performed at his worst on the track, he would find comfort in your arms. and now in your pussy. he moved against you, he marginally picked up. it was a good steady pace that brought pleasure into your blood. it made your head feel a little fuzzy, but in a great way.

"carlos." you moaned, "honey."

"how does it feel?" carlos asked as he continued to move against his. he was feeling his own pleasure and knew he wasn't going to last much longer. he could feel the throb in his body.

you nodded, "feels really good, almost as good as when i do it on my own." you moaned a little bit when the pleasure zapped through your body once more. you clung to your lover and felt a sea of pleasure in your gut. you held onto him tightly and felt the pleasure hit its peak. your moan caught in your throat when you felt the climax.

"beautiful." he said softly as he continued to rut against you. his pace picked up, but was mindful about hurting you. his hips met yours as he smothered your face in kisses.

the post-orgasmic bliss felt amazing as you clung to your lover. you heard his short noises as he moved against you. he held onto your hips a bit tighter as he felt climax on the tip of his tongue. he was on a knife's edge and he pulled you into a heated kiss when he finished inside of you.

"please,please give me a baby." he panted.

you nodded dumbly, "anything you want." your eyes were half-closed from the pleasure and it only turned carlos on further. he took your virginity, "i love you."

he smiled down at you and held you in his arms. his cock still snug in your pussy. he was still painfully hard. you really have done a number to him and as he started to move for the second round. he felt an immense love for you.

"i love you too, my future wife." <3

[arc-misadventures]

The Sorcerer’s Dark Magic

Bruised, battered, and bloody.

This was the sorry state of, Cinder Fall.

A member of, Salem’s inner circle had been identified whilst she was in, Vale. Beacon sent several of its highly trained, Hunter’s, and Atlas had also sent in members of its elite team of, Specialists to bring her in.

They had found her, and her cronies in the midst of a pack of, White Fang members lead by the murderous zealot, Adam Taurus.

The fight had been long, and bloody, costing the lives of several Hunters, Specialist, and many members of, Cinder’s entourage, along with scores of members of the, White Fang. Even the murderous zealot, Adam Taurus’s life was taken in the fight.

But, they won, and they had taken, Cinder Fall in alive. And, now it was time for her interrogation to begin.

An event that would scar many who whiteness the horrors about to be unleashed.

~~~

The door opened to reveal a trio standing before a one way mirror, they all turned, and nodded their greetings at the duo as they entered the room. Within the room there was the headmaster of, Beacon Academy, Ozpin. The deputy headmistress, Glynda Goodwitch. And, lastly there was a seasoned huntsman, and a drunkard named, Qrow Branwen.

Entering the room was, Headmaster of Atlas Academy, and General of the Atlas Military, James Ironwood, followed closely by his aide, Specialist, Winter Schnee. They joined the trio at the mirror to stare at the bloody, and bruised body of, Cinder Fall.

Ironwood: So, what’s the plan?

Ozpin; Hello to you too, James. Right now the plan is to wait.

Ironwood: Wait, wait for what?

Qrow: The Sorcerer is finishing up his treatment of the wounded.

Ironwood: The Sorcerer? You have a magic user; why didn’t you notify me that you found a maiden?

Ozpin shook his head as he watched, Cinder pull at her aura suppressing restrains that binded her hands in a vain attempt to escape.

Ozpin: I would have if we did, but no. The Sorcerer is just a nickname he picked up.

Ironwood: He? So it’s a male. Hmmm… Who is this, Sorcerer you’re talking about?

Glynda: His name is, Jaune Arc; He is an experienced, Hunter who is a teacher here at, Beacon Academy, and he doubles as an assistant school nurse when the need arises.

Glynda’s brief rundown gave, Ironwood a simple understanding of who he was, and considering how normal he sounded, he understood why, Ozpin never brought him up before. But, why would he need someone so plain to interrogate her?

Winter: Arc…? Does he have blond hair, and blue eyes?

Glynda: Yes.

Winter: I believe I met him. He seems like a kind, and caring individual who cares deeply for the wellbeing of his students. Why are you having him interrogate the prisoner?

Ozpin: We need her to talk; We need to know what, Salem’s plans are, and who is working with her. If we try doing so ourselves we will get nowhere. But, if we let, Mr. Arc do it himself, we will get all the answers, and more that we are looking for.

Ironwood: Are you sure about this, Ozpin?

Ozpin: Honestly, James if I was being ‘interrogated’ by, Mr. Arc. I’m not sure what secrets I wouldn’t spill to get him to stop.

Ozpin shuddered as he remember the last time he sat on, Jaune interrogating someone. It was effective, but disturbing.

Qrow: Wait, you made that sound like he wasn’t going to talk with her, but more like he’s going to ‘talk’ with her.

Ozpin: …

Ozpin: It must be done…

Qrow: Seriously?! You’re gonna make, Tai 2.0 go in there, and torture her?

Ironwood: What?!

James looked to, Ozpin as he held his head in defeat. He had no other options left. And, considering what, Cinder, and her associates were planning, and how they barely caught it, and just managed to stop it. They needed her to talk to prevent anything else from coming.

Ironwood: You can’t possibly have forced him to do this?!

Glynda: Jaune agreed to do it! He lost several of his friends in the raid to get her, this is his own way of avenging them. And, you know how effect his methods are, we both have seen what he can, and will do to someone.

Qrow looked away before taking another drink from his flask. He knew what, Jaune could do, he knew exactly what he could do. That didn’t mean he liked what he saw.

Qrow: Fuck…

Qrow took a swig from his flask as he turned back to look at the girl in cuffs. Ironwood gave the drunk one fleeting glance before turning to face his friend.

Ironwood: How will this, Arc fellow make her talk?

Ozpin: He will no doubt try, and talk to her at first. But, when that inevitably fails, he will use his semblance instead.

Ironwood: And, what is his semblance?

Ozpin: It’s… Oh, he’s here.

~~~

The door opened, and closed with a heavy click of steel. A blond haired man entered the room. Cinder eyes him warningly as he walked over to the table, and took the seat across from her. He put down a notebook, and a pen, before brushing some unseen dust from the desk before he turned to face her.

: Hello, Ms. Cinder Fall. My name is, Jaune Arc. May I call you, Cinder?

Cinder said nothing, and just stared him down. They stared each other down for a while before, Jaune shrugged his shoulders, and opened his notebook to start taking notes.

Jaune: Not much of a talker, eh? No matter, we’ll get you talking soon enough.

Jaune: Now then, Ms. Fall, let’s summarize the past days events: A team of, Beacon students stumbled upon your little operation going on in, Mount Glenn. A team of veteran, Hunters from, Vale, as well as a team of, Atlasian Specialists came in to prevent you from colliding a train into the old train house in downtown, Vale thus releasing a horde of, Grimm into the city. Did I make a mistake in any of that, Ms. Fall?

Cinder: …

Jaune: Still not talking, eh? No matter, I’ll get you talking sooner, or later. So, pray tell what were you planning to do?

Cinder glared daggers at the man who radiated golden retriever energy, but said nothing.

Jaune: Twas a rhetorical question, since you won’t answer me after all. So, let us speculate then shall we?

Jaune: Hmm… you wanted to launch a horde of, Grimm into the city… but, why?

Jaune: Since the White Fang were involved was it to act as a protest against the mistreatment of faunas?

Cinder: …

Jaune: I expect that was the, White Fang’s plan, at least what they thought the plan was. So logically they would do this to kill people, both human, and faunas as a means of retribution for past, and future wrongs.

Cinder continued to glare at him, but within those burning eyes, Jaune could see her asking him a simple question.

Jaune: What the hell am I talking about? That’s what you’re thinking, I can see it in your eyes. But, well, extremists all ways take the simplest things, that often have the simplest solutions to the extreme. Hence the name: extremists. But, what’s your angle in all of this?

Jaune leaned closer, and stared, Cinder down. Their eyes locked on one another in a staring contest that made, Cinder’s blood burn. And, yet this feeling in her blood wasn’t from rage.

Jaune: We asked your associates what you game in all of this was… And, what were their names again…?

Jaune flipped through his notebook, before pulling out two photos, attached to slips of paper.

Jaune: Ahh yes… Mercury Black, and… Emerald Sustrai, that’s their names. The didn’t snitch on you, they never would. But, as they say… ‘Dead man tells no tale~!’

Jaune could see her eyes flash wider for the briefest of moments. She seemed to not care about her associates, at least, she seemingly didn’t care that much.

Jaune: But, your pal, Roman Torchwik. He sung like a song bird, and told me all of your dastardly deeds, after receiving some proper… motivation~!

~~~

Ironwood watched carefully as he listened to, Mr. Arc as he interrogate the prisoner.

Ironwood: Did you also ‘interrogate’ this, Torchwik fellow?

Ozpin: There was no need to, we offered him a plea deal for all the information he had on her, and he was rather forthcoming coming. Although his information as to what, Ms. Fall’s plans are, were rather limited.

Ironwood: I see, hopefully this, Arc fellow can make use of it. Now, I don’t mean to sound… disturbed. But, when is this supposed… ‘interrogation’ meant to begin.

Glynda: It already begun. As soon as, Jaune entered the room the ‘interrogation’ started.

Winter: How can you be sure of that? All they’ve done is talk, nothing that hints towards torture has started.

Glynda: She’s sweating…

Everyone looked over to see a bead if sweat drip down, Cinder’s forehead as cold air escaped her lips.

Ironwood: What? That rooms kept cold to stop her from using her fire semblance, why is she sweating?

Ozpin: Good question…

~~~

Jaune: Now… Roman told us all about your evil plans. Well… that of which he was privy to that is…

Jaune put on a show, Cinder could tell he was trying to put her off guard, and it wasn’t working. The sweat falling down her head was getting on her nerves though, the room was freezing cold, and yet she was sweating. She could help, but wonder why.

Jaune: You hired him to steal large quantities of, Dust. Though he says you threatened him. Now, I am curious as to why you needed that much, Dust? You weren’t selling it, and you did make several bombs on that train, but the quantity of, Dust that was used in those bombs is no where near the amount that was stolen. Are you trying to artificially inflate the price of, Dust?

Cinder glared daggers at the man, hoping to burn a hole through this golden retriever of a human being. But, still refused to answer.

Jaune: That would mean you’re working for, Jacques Schnee! I knew you were a heartless bitch, but I couldn’t believe you were that heartless to work with that Grimm spawn bastard son of a bitch!

Cinder: I don’t work for that, Dust whore… Ahh?!

Jaune relished the sound of her little outburst as a vicious grin crept from the corner of his mouth as he stared down the prisoner as she pulled back from him.

Jaune: You spoke~! Ah-hahahaaa~!

~~~

Winter: Calling my sperm donour a, ‘Dust whore;’ I best remember that.

Qrow: Oh, you’re not upset that people are making fun of daddy?

Winter: The majority of the people of, Atlas, and Mantle despise my father, I among the top three individuals that despise the man. I’ve been using photos of the mans face for target practice for the new recruits.

Ozpin: Really now? And, how is that going, Specialist Schnee?

Winter: Better than I expected; Atlas’s military personnel’s average accuracy when handling firearms has gone up by 27%, and is still climbing.

Ironwood: Oh really? I was wondering how that increased happened. Well done, Specialist Schnee. Start implementing that in, Atlas Academy, I’m curious to see how the students will improve if we implement such a… policy.

Winter: I will see it done, Sir.

Ozpin: Should we implement such a policy here as well, Glynda?

Glynda: We shall discuss that later, Ozpin. The Sorcerer is at work.

~~~

Jaune: So tell me… what was your plan…?

Jaune’s smile sent shivers down, Cinder’s; it was a calculated smile, its intent was to unnerve, and put one’s foe on the backfoot.

Cinder: …

Jaune: …

Cinder: …

Jaune: Hmm?

Jaune: Still no talky?

Cinder: …

Jaune: Okay then… So you don’t work for that dust whore. You obviously don’t work with the, White Fang, you’re obviously not a faunas. Unless…?

Jaune was giving her the once over, as if to find some hidden faunas trait that was hidden behind her clothes.

Cinder: I am not a faunas…

Jaune: No…?

(Tap, tap, tap.)

Jaune: I would have guessed you were some sort of snake faunas; Hidden fangs in your mouth, elongated tongue those kind of things. Nothing?

Cinder: No…

Jaune: Well, then you’re obviously working for some sort of hidden secret organization that’s bent on the total, and complete destruction of the world!

Cinder: …

(Tap, tap, tap.)

Jaune: Hmm… you’re quite good at hiding your emotions, but your eyes keep giving things away.

Cinder’s eyes flashed for a moment before she looked away. She cursed herself for letting her emotions escape her harsh grasp. She had done plenty of research on the staff at, Beacon Academy, but, Jaune Arc was one she couldn’t find much information on. At most it was common knowledge that if you asked anyone anything about him they would tell you the same thing. Jaune tended to keep his personal life like that, personal. At most it was know that he was single, and the only son if his family.

Well, as secretive as he may be, it was no where near as…?!

Jaune: Why does the witch want to destroy the world?

~~~

Ironwood: Wait, what?! Ozpin, how does he know about, Salem?

Ozpin: One of, Mr. Arc’s greatest skills is his observational awareness. I thought I was being subtle with any information retaining to, Salem, but he picked up on my… unsaid words. And, forced me to talk…

Ironwood: Forced? Did he use his semblance on you?

Ozpin: Possibly…? I am not sure.

Ironwood: Can’t you tell when he’s using his semblance?

Glynda: It depends on how, Jaune’s using it. It can be very subtle, subtle enough that you don’t even realize he’s using it. Subtle enough that even he doesn’t realize he’s using it at times.

Ozpin: But, when it’s obvious he’s using his semblance you become painfully aware that he’s using it. To say it’s blood curdling in its usage is an understatement of the extreme of extremes.

Qrow: Ughh… I remember when I saw him use it to its fullest extent; Can’t say the guy didn’t have it coming, but throwing up my lunch wasn’t what I had in mind that day…

Ironwood: …?

Winter: What the hell is his semblance?

~~~

Cinder: What witch?

(Tap, tap, tap.)

Jaune: Oh come on now… I know all about, Salem, and Ozpin’s stupid little shadow war going on behind the scenes. So if you plan on playing dumb well…

(Tap, tap, tap)

Jaune: Let’s just say it won’t work well for you.

Cinder could feel sweat dripping down her head in a freezing cold room, his words caused dread to slowly build up in her heart.

Cinder knew that playing dumb wouldn’t work any longer. At best she could deflect, and feed him bread crumps to cause him to look away from her true objective.

Cinder: I was trying to… trying to cause a, Grimm stampede in the hopes of destroying, Vale.

Jaune: To what end?

Cinder: Spread the seeds of chaos, and show, Ozpin, and his allies that his precious little cities are not as safe as they think they are.

Jaune: To what end?

Cinder: I just told you; To destroy, Vale.

Jaune: Don’t play dumb with me my dear, I’m not an idiot like, Ozpin, or General Ironwood. They would take you words at face value, but I can tell you’re hiding something…

Cinder: What is there to hide; you already know everything I planned to do, you’re just trying to confirm what happened for you reports, aren’t you?

Jaune: Well…

(Tap, tap, tap.)

Jaune: You could say that… but, your goal wasn’t to destroy, Vale… No, no, no. Your goal may be quite well thought out, but you don’t care if, Vale fell. No, no, I recon your plan wasn’t to destroy, Vale… A definitive bonus if your plan succeed, but no. Your true goal was to distract, Ozpin… but, to distract him from what tis the question…

Cinder’s heart was beating erratically as this interrogation continued on. She had read, Mercury’s, and Emerald’s reports on the man; they read of a kind, and caring man who would lay his life down for his students without a moment’s hesitation. But, the man currently before her, was not that man.

He exuded an aura of cold, calculating indifference, and a predatory smile that sent shivers down her spine, the exact same smile he was giving her right now. There was a sparkle in his eyes as he came to a simple conclusion; the an answer to a riddle that answers everything he wanted to know, and more.

Jaune: You’re after the, Fall Maiden, aren’t you…?

~~~

Ozpin: The Fall Maiden…?

The answer to a question unasked escaped, Ozpin’s throat in a ragged whisper. It made sense, too much sense that this was, Cinder’s goal, she was after the, Maiden’s powers, and she was willing to destroy, Vale to get it.

Qrow: So it was her, and her cronies that attacked, Amber! Why didn’t I see that…?

Ironwood: She never did finish off, Amber because, Qrow came to the rescue, this is all an elaborate plot to get the, Fall Maiden’s power… I amazed that, Mr. Arc was able to come to such a conclusion.

Glynda: But, to go to such extents to acquire the, Fall Maidens powers seems a bit over the top.

Winter: Couldn’t she have just killed her when she first had the chance, and acquired her powers that way? Why did she plan to destroy, Vale in the process?

~~~

Jaune: Oh? Now isn’t that an interesting reaction!

An involuntary, sharp gasp escaped, Cinder’s lips as he effortlessly hit the nail on the head. Arc, knew about the, Maiden’s, in the case what else did he know! She looked away from him, daring to hope he would not find anymore clues in her broken mask.

Jaune: Excuse me, we’re talking; tis quite rude to look away from someone while we’re talking.

Cinder couldn’t look at this man, there was something off about him…

(Tap, tap, tap)

Jaune: Excuse me, don’t turn awaywe’re still talking here.

Something that could make the skin crawl…

Jaune: Oi, look at me.

Something that was deemed unnatural…

Jaune: We’re not done speaking, Cinder.

Something that was indescribable to the senses…

Jaune: Cinder… Look at me.

But, it was something completely explainable.

Jaune: Haaa…

Something so obvious, and simple, that it was often overlooked as an item of irrelevance.

Jaune: I said…

A semblance.

Jaune: Look at me.

Cinder could feel her entire body being wrenched forward, her muscles screaming in pain as they were forced to move in what felt like an unnatural, but completely natural manner. Her body was set straight in her chair, her head forced to stare at, Jaune face, making her stare into those calm, uncaring cerulean eyes of his. She tried to turn her body, to squirm in defiance as he stared her down, but she could not move her body by a hairs breath.

Jaune: Now, shall we continue our discussion?

Cinder: A-A semblance…

Jaune: Hmm…?

Cinder: A semblance! Y-You’ve been using your semblance on me this whole time! From the moment you entered this room, you’ve been using a semblance on me to make me talk, haven’t you!

Jaune: CorrrrecT!

~~~

Ironwood: Ahh, telekinesis!

Winter: He’s a telepath? That would most certainly explain how he was able to get, Miss Fall to talk.

Qrow: Nope.

Ironwood: What?

Qrow: The kids not telepathic.

Ironwood: He isn’t?

Winter: But, the way he forced her body to move, that’s clearly a telekinesis based semblance.

Qrow: It may look that way, but his semblance is nothing like that. If it was, I would be better at holding my stomachs contents when he decides to… let loose.

Glynda: I’d doubt that.

Qrow: Well… it wouldn’t be as bad… hopefully?

Ironwood: Then what is it?

Ozpin: It would be best to let, Mr. Arc explain it…

~~~

Cinder: Y-You’ve been using your semblance to extract information from me! Haven’t you!

Jaune: Mmmm… In a manner of speaking… I’ve mostly been connecting dots, and what not from what clues you’ve given me. That, and reading your facial expressions, any little bodily ticks you are showing off. I’ve mostly been using my semblance to make you feel a sense of unease. It’s been quite effective if I do say so.

Cinder: What is it; Telekinesis?! Are you some sort of psychic?! What is your semblance?

Jaune: Oh, nothing so… civilized as those…

(Tap, tap, tap.)

Jaune: Nothing like that…

Cinder: That tapping! You’ve been doing that ever since you came here… why?!

Jaune: As I said, ‘To make you feel unease.’

(Tap, tap, tap.)

Jaune: I take it that it has been working.

Cinder: How does tapping your fingers make me feel unease?! Do you have some sort of telekinesis based semblance?! I demand to know!

Jaune: As I said: It may seem liked that, but no. I don’t have a physic, telekinesis, and sort of moving stuff with my mind based semblance.

Cinder: THEN WHAT THE HELL IS IT!!!

Jaune calmly stared at, Cinder as her rugged gasps of breath slowly tapered out. Before he calmly responded to her question.

Jaune: I’ll answer your question: How is that I am making you feel unease, why the tapping, how I forced your body to turn to face me. I’ll explain it all. But, in exchange you have to answer something for me.

Cinder: And, what is that?!

Jaune: What does, Salem want with the keys to the vault, and what does she intend to do with its contents when they are emptied?

Cinder: W-What…? H-How did you figure it out…?

Cinder’s rage, the blazing inferno that burned within her body was suddenly snuffed out as if it was a match struck in the midst of a typhoon. What was replaced was stunned fear. She hadn’t mentioned a single thing, no clues, no hints, but this freak had managed to put together every piece of her plan, and managed to figure out what her true goal really was!

And, all he did was calmly look at her with a cocky smirk forming from the bottom of his lip.

Jaune: Oh I just managed to connect the dots that others leave unseen. Four kingdoms. Four Academies. Four Maidens, and lastly, Four Relics. My educated guess tells me that one of the four relics is hidden in one of the four kingdoms academies. And, that they are kept behind in a secret, hidden vault that requires a key to unlock them. And, that key, is a maiden. Am, I wrong?

Cinder: …

Cinder: You’re correct…

Jaune: Am I know~?

~~~

The group all stood back as, Jaune turned to give them a dark smile as he managed to make, Cinder spill all her information on why she was going to attack, Beacon Academy.

And, it had only been ten minutes.

Glynda: Salem’s after the, Relics? I can only imagine the destruction she could wrought across, Remnant if she had even one of those…

Ironwood: We need to tighten security back in, Atlas. And, in all the other academies at that! In all the kingdoms! We cannot allow her to gain access to any, Relics!

Qrow: What is she even planning to do with those things? They aren’t all that dangerous no are they?

Ozpin: She not after any one, Relic for its individual capabilities… she wants all four of them.

Ironwood: What is the difference is she has one, Relic, or all of them? The destruction she could wreak across, Remnant could be unimaginable!

Ozpin: Not if those two came back…

Ironwood: What?

~~~

Jaune: Excellent! Now that we have all the speculation as to why you are doing this out of the way. Now I must ask who your other accomplices are, and what they are doing, and we can finish everything up once, and for all. Alright?

Cinder: No…

Jaune: No…?

Cinder: You said you would tell me what your semblance was… I answered your question… But, unless you tell me the truth… I won’t tell you anything! It doesn’t matter if you torture me… I will never talk!

Jaune: No, that’s fair… You answered my question, tis only fair that I answer yours in kind. Tell me… I assume you’ve done your research on all of the staff at, Beacon, myself included. So, I can assume you heard about my nickname?

Cinder: Yes… The staff here call you, ‘The Sorcerer.’ But, none of the students know why.

Jaune: That’s because, ‘The Sorcerer,’ isn’t really what my nickname is all about. And, I can assure you, a few students know what the story behind my nickname is, and my semblance is as a result of that. And, the reason why no one knows that start is simply because they just don’t like talking about it.

Jaune: You see… I can use magic…

Cinder: Impossible… Only five people in the world can use magic, and they all happen to be female… which you clearly are not.

Jaune: True… I just like to referring my semblance as magic, helps others… comprehend my semblance, and its abilities.

Cinder: Then what is your semblance…?

Cinder leaned in and scowled at, Jaune as he returned her scowl with a devious and, all knowing smirk as he softly replied.

Jaune: Blood Magic~!

Cinder: What…?

Jaune: Blood Magic! That’s what my semblance is! I can freely manipulate the blood of any living being! Making them my puppet…

Cinder could feel her eyes darting to the right, and lefr, then back to, Jaune, and yet she had no intention in her mind to move her eyes.

Cinder: M-M-My eyes?! You’re moving my eyes?!

Jaune: I can also regulate your heart beat! Why do you think I kept on tapping my finger?

(Tap, tap, tap, tap, tap, tap…)

Cinder focused on her body, slowly she started to feel the controlled beating of her heart as, Jaune tapped his finger to a steady beat.

Cinder: You made my heart race at an unnatural beat… causing my body to go into shock because of my blood wasn’t flowing properly, causing me to…

Jaune: Panic. Yes, tis a very effective way at making people nervous. I have to tap the beat though… I could hold out my hand, and flex my fingers inward, like so…

Jaune held his hand before, Cinder, and simply made a closed fist that lasted, but a hairs breath. However…

Cinder: AHHHHHHH?!!?!

It caused, Cinder to collapse in pain as her breath came in hard, and laboured gasps like a drowning man struggling for air as water filled their lunga. Her eyes widened in horror at the stunning realization of what he had just done to her.

Cinder: You… Y-You… haaahaha… you were crushing my heart?!

Jaune: Correct… My semblance is no doubt among the most powerful there is. I can tell precisely where a person is based upon feeling a persons circulatory systems. I can even tell people apart to some extent.

Jaune turned behind him to look at the one way mirror, and pointed at it.

Jaune: Right there is, Qrow Branwen. I can feel the alcohol in his veins, don’t ask me how, I can’t explain it. Next to, Qrow right there should be, Glynda Goodwitch. I can tell it’s her because the blood flows differently in woman than it does in men.

Jaune: I can also tell it’s her because I can sense more blood in the… front.

Jaune turned back to look at, Cinder; his face etched into a look filled with self loathing, and disscontempt.

Jaune: There are many things I despise about my semblance.

He shook his head in disgust as he pointed back at the mirror.

Jaune: Ahem… right next to her is, Ozpin; I can tell because I can feel his body posture that indicates he is resting on a cane, and that he is holding a bug in his hand. And, all the caffeine in his veins. Guy seriously needs to cut back on the joe…

Jaune: Next to, Ozpin is another woman. I have no idea who she is, but I know she’s there.

Jaune: And, right there is, General James Ironwood. I can only sense half a man partly floating in the air… such a perverse feeling… I can feel the blood flowing to his toes on one leg, but on the other it stops when it reaches his hip. The same on his arms; I can feel it reach his finger tips one one hand, and yet on the other I feel it stop at the shoulder joint… Such a ghastly feeling…

~~~

Winter: B-Blood magic?! That’s his semblance: Blood Magic?!

Ozpin: It is as he says… he can sense, and manipulate the blood in a persons body. To say it’s ghastly is a understatement of a lifetime.

Qrow: He can tell it’s me based on my blood alcohol levels? I better cut back a bit…

Glynda: He knew it was me because of my bust…?

Winter: At least he takes no pleasure in knowing that.

Glynda: Haaa… A gentleman to the end…

Ozpin: James? Are you alright?

James Ironwood gaze was dead stead at staring at his right hand, his robotic hand. It was a terrifying thought, that, Mr. Arc could feel precisely where his body ended, and where his cybernetics began without even touching at him. He understood the pains wrought upon his body in ways no others could, not even the victim of such mutilations could feel.

Ironwood: I can… speculate why I haven’t seen, Mr. Arc until now… Such a semblance must bare heavily on its user…

Ozpin: Jaune tends to keep to himself out of necessity, rather than a desire to be left alone. To many people around is like listening to a thousand voices all at once. Simply put; it’s overwhelming to the senses.

Ironwood: I take it then that, Mr. Arc is done with the interrogations? At least…using his semblance?

Ozpin stared at, Cinder as she managed to regain her breathing, and steadied her heart beat as she stared defiantly at, Jaune. Ozpin shook his head at the notion.

Ozpin: I’m afraid, James… the worse is about to begin…

~~~

Cinder: Haa haaa… Hahahaha!

Jaune: What’s so funny?

Cinder: You told me what your semblance is… I now know what you can do with that semblance of yours… it doesn’t matter what you do now! It doesn’t matter what! I will not tell you anything! You’ll crush my heart before I let anything spill! Come on, Arc! Do your worst!

Jaune: Pfff! Haha… hahaha… Aaaahahahahahaha!

Terror filled, Cinder veins as, Jaune let loose a laugh that found everything, down to most minute of details, in, Cinder’s attempt to show her bravado, her arrogant pride absolutely, unequivocally hilarious.

Jaune: Haha-ha-haaaa…

Jaune: My worst? You think me grasping your heart is the worst I can do…? My dear sweet summers child… I can do so much worser things than that, that honestly; I’m not sure what my worst is!

Jaune: I can bend every bone in your body till it shatters, then put them back together! I can stop your heart, kill you, and then bring you back to life! I can cause a brain aneurysm, and kill you on the spot! Cure you, and again I could bring you back to life! I could crush your entire body, turn every muscle in your body in on yourself until your body is nothing more than a meat cube! And, I know I can do this, because I’ve already done it before, and I will do it again!

Jaune: So tell me, Cinder Fall… Do you want to just tell me who else you are working with, and what are your other plans. Or, shall I torment you with pain unimaginable that I may break your mind from the pain?

Cinder could understand that he was just saying this to scare her, that he wouldn’t got that far to break her. But, she knew deep in her heart, that he could do it. But, she knew he couldn’t kill her, he needed her alive, otherwise all her secrets would go with her to her grave. She resolved her, and she would grin, and bare what was to come.

Cinder: Do your worst asshole! Hak-sptoo!

And, with that she spat on, Jaune’s who merely rubbed it off, and shook his head in disappointment.

Jaune: Haa… very well… I did warn you…

Jaune leaned back in his chair, and held his hand up, before he turned to gaze at, Cinder one last time.

Jaune: You know… They say there are different ways one gains their semblance; Personality, or circumstances… I believe the later one is applicable for me. Cause you see… everyone thinks I’m an only child. When in reality, I’m the only son in my family, when I actually have seven sisters. So, I think I developed my semblance, just to shut them up, because I swear…

Jaune leaned forward, and gave, Cinder one more predatory smile.

Jaune: That seemed to happen at least once a week!

Cinder pondered for a moment what he meant by, ‘once a week.’ Until it dawned on her, and a terrifying thought appeared across her mind. If he knew how to deal with that, then he knew how it was cause, and if he knew how it was cause…?!

“Snap~!”

Cinder:

AAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHH!!!

Then she would know what true pain felt like.

~~~

Haaa…

To think I went through all of that just for that last bit…

[florencetypemaniacs]

How would the Ro’s react if they accidentally hurt Mc physically or emotionally in like a heated argument, and how would they react after this all blows over? (wait till Mc approach them or goes to them)

Thank you so much for the ask! I do want to say that the ROs would never phsyically or mentally abuse the MC in a relationship. 

I also answered an ASK if the MC & the RO got into a joke fight right here

💛 Marcel

Marcel's eyes widened as he stared at you, your eyes downcast as the words that left his mouth settled.

He was usually the voice of reason, the one that reminded his friends not to fight, so how could this have happened? He didn't mean it; hell, he didn't even know why he said it. 

But the look on your face was so intense that Marcel almost had to look away so he wouldn't empty his stomach. 

Marcel was just left standing there, the shock not leaving him even after you already left yourself, tears in your eyes making Marcel's words leave a bad taste in his mouth as he runs after you. 

He caught up to you, telling you how sorry he was, until his voice was raw. 

🧡 Margaret

Frustrated tears flowed from Margaret's eyes the moment the betrayal in your eyes was shown. 

"Well, if that is how you feel, then I think I should just leave." You said your voice was monotone, which made Margaret wipe her eyes again, trying not to let the water fall. 

She watched as Your whole body shook as you left.

Then she simply stood there. She had never been in a fight before, let alone one with a romantic partner, so she had no idea what to do.

After a few seconds, the guilt started seeping through, and the words she said struck her hard, and she collapsed to the ground in a sobbing heap.

How could she have said that to you? What a horrible person does that to someone they love, and gosh, she loves you so much. What was she supposed to do? You probably hate her now. 

In the end, Margaret would run after you, trying to apologize, and would be quiet after everyone settled down, too scared to ruin it again until you talked to her about it. 

❤️ Owen

Owen's jaw almost snapped as he clenched his teeth together. The words were already out of his mouth, and it felt good to let the anger go until he saw the look on your face, the shock of his words settling over the room until you turned to leave. 

The pride and relief he was feeling at his cutting words turned to dust. A pit opened in his stomach, and his mouth turned dry before you even walked out the door. He grabbed your hand and brought you to him in a bear hug. 

"Shit..... I'm so sorry, lass/duck/lad. I'm so bloody sorry."

Owen's voice raspy and muffled, hiding his face in your neck.

💙 Rosemary

Rosemary tried not to let her resolve crumble as you left the room, tears in your eyes. 

She won. 

Why did it not feel good?

Rosemary doesn't like being the one in the wrong, and she knew exactly what buttons to push with one glance. 

She tried to forget about it and bask in the glory. She trusted you that you were coming back because you loved her. 

Didn't you? You still loved her, right? 

The thoughts would creep in, filling her with anxiety as she would come to you, hoping to make amends. 

🩵 Tai

Stubbornness is what keeps Tai from going after you. Tai believed he was right, and nothing was going to change his mind. 

Not the way his stomach knotted when he thought about you. 

Or how he laid awake at night wanting to hold you, but being so scared you hated him now. 

Tai wouldn't go after you, but he would punish himself until the whole fight blew over and you came back to settle things, and the following week, after you two talked, you could tell that he was afraid that you were still mad at him, his touches being a little more constant, from hand holding to his foot touching yours under the table. 

💚 Zane

Zane wouldn't go after you, no matter how much he wanted to. 

Every thought he had would turn back to you and how he completely screwed up. You probably hated him now. 

Anything would tick him off until the fight ended, to the point that everyone stayed away from him like he was a bomb about to go off. 

That was until you finally came to him and the anger would completely disappear, and while he might bring it up once or twice to brag about you coming back to him after the fight is long forgotten about. 

In that moment, he would feel such relief and hope that it would completely turn into him wanting to take you to bed. 

[yooniesim]

So, I may be a day late, but I still want to make a little post for Simblr Gratitude Day 💜

To start off, my memory is pretty bad, so I just know I'm gonna miss tagging people... and honestly, there's way more people on here I'm grateful for than tumblr's limit of 50! So I'm starting out addressing everyone.

To everybody that likes or reblogs my posts, sends comments or asks, shares their sims with me, or uses my cc: I love you. Yes, you! I may be bad at answering back sometimes, but I cherish every interaction I get- a lot of the times they have me kicking my feet and giggling, or sometimes I'm barking and scaring my cat. Asks really make my day and even when I don't reply so fast, they warm my heart. Asks I've gotten on here have genuinely helped me in my dark times, and renewed my faith in this community as a whole, because some of you are just so freaking amazing and kind. Especially now with everything I've been going through, sims and being here has remained a comfort for me because of you all. Even if there's speed bumps from time to time, I truly believe there's more good here than bad, and y'all should be proud of yourselves and your capacity for endless kindness. Thank you!

Now, I'm going to address a few specific precious people I'm grateful for.

@wastelandwhisperer - Moon, my precious mom friend, I adore you. The joy, comfort, and hilarious memories you give me can't be understated. You deserve all the love and light in the world.

@neverheresims - God's eepiest soldier, what would I do without you? Thank you for always being genuine, reliable, and a true friend.

Vi - Thank you my sheriff, my paggro detector, my master of copypastas, my right hand catboy. Even though you're untraceable, I couldn't leave you out. I love you!

@divinedionym - Thanks for always being straight with me and taking NO shit. I truly admire you and your attitude, friend.

@dyoreos - We may not both be active at the same time anymore, but I still think of you, friend! You've always had my back and I'll always have yours.

@nucrests - I'm so grateful to be your friend, and every time you share your beautiful content and gorgeous sims with me, it really makes my day. I adore you.

@cinamun - You probably don't know this, but in certain times when I was feeling low, your comments and kindness really lifted my spirits and made me feel like I belong. You're a lovely person and deserve all the love you receive, friend.

@woosteru - You won't see this bc you're retired so I can be sappy as I want, so there!!! I adore you, your sweet personality, and your sense of humor that matches just right with mine. (Nobody tell them)

@superflare - Lulu, you're an incredibly creative and intelligent person. I can tell you're going to go far in life and do great for the world. Be proud of yourself, always!

@fiftymilehighclub - Thank you for always being yourself, Manda! You're such a hardworking person that's kind but firm with your opinions and what matters to you. You're amazing.

@nicatnite88 - Tay, you're someone that's always empathetic, understanding and kind, yet hilarious at the same time. I look up to you as a person and admire your skills as a parent.

@pluto-sims - What do I say about Eli? Despite being unfortunately bri*ish, you've exceeded expectations in all other areas as a friend. I genuinely appreciate your presence and kindness in my life.

@bloody-soda - As one of my longest and dearest mutuals, peachy, my love for you can't be understated! I think of you whenever I see cute meme pics lol and you're so lovely as a person.

@wubblesgonefishin - Beautiful wubs, you're such a wonderful person with so much love to give! My day brightens every time I speak with you and I'm so glad you're back.

@toastie-sim - Meg! One of my few brain cells, I don't know what I'd do without you! You're so helpful all the time and unbelievably patient. I appreciate you.

...Phewph. Now that that's o- wait. You thought I was done??? Nuh uh, the king of long ass texts posts is not done that fast. Here's some more beautiful people I'm grateful for and love seeing grace my dash 💜

@simandy @void-imp @therichantsim @adelarsims @marsosims @shysimblr @1-800-cuupid @xldkx @xiuminuwu @hexcodesims @cassymblr @lotusplum @rebelangelsims @denzellion @strawberrylattesims @anachrosims @cowplant-snacks @fierce-trait @simanin @ghostwoohoo @llama-head @aghilasims @janjumjam @jellyfish-tea @bbdoll @puppycheesecake @mwvwv-sims

[callsigndragon]

The Christmas Date | Chapter 12: Merry Christmas (I don't wanna fight tonight)

Pairing: Bradley “Rooster” Bradshaw x Fem!Kerner!Reader

(Ron Kerner is Slider, Iceman’s backseater)

Wordcount: 2.8k

Summary: Y/n “Athena” Kerner and Bradley “Rooster” Bradshaw hate each other. Everybody knows. What happens when they have to fake date for a whole week to avoid Iceman and Slider’s matchmaking plans?

(there won’t be smut in this series)

Warnings: fluff, angst. mentions of rape and abuse. solo appears in this chapter, y'all. BLOOD. physical violence. fluff in the end to make it up for the rest

A/N: okay so this chapter got bloody but it's what we all wanted, let's be real. we all want to be rooster on this one. I just wanted to give y'all a small christmas gift with a new chapter.

Taglist: @ducks118 @milestellerwife @craftymoonchaos @littlebadariell @xoxabs88xox @alexxavicry @tayrae515  @shrimping-for-all   @mak-32 @my-soulmate-is-mycroft @harper1666 @purplevortexx @abaker74 @ssprayberrythings @melllinaa @loveless-simp @k-k0129 @mygyn @castle-bookworms-world @chaoticversion @one-sweet-gubler  @loveforaugust

@taytaylala12 @benhardysdrumstick @green-intervention @waatermelon-sugaar @smells-like-perfect-senses @interstellarloneliness @tay-bluey @diggorycullen @dhwanishah09 @inky-sun @luckyladycreator2 @nograce-nomercy @witchybabel @omfg-its-tay @macysorbit @little-wiseone

(Tag list is closed, y'all. There's a lot of you and it's giving me so many problems lately...)

Previous | Next | Masterlist

Thena falls asleep after managing to eat a warm waffle that Sarah prepares for her. She was scared to close her eyes, afraid that the monster would follow her in her dreams. Jesse offered his Marshall plushie and even said he would sleep with her, because he wanted to protect her auntie. 

Now they’re both napping on the sofa in front of the fireplace. 

The rest of the family is in the kitchen, looking at each other with several questions in their minds and pain in their hearts. 

“You mean to tell me,” mumbles Slider, an exhausted expression in his eyes, “that you knew what my little girl went through and you didn’t share it with me? Her fucking father? Rooster, I expected more of you” 

“Ron, I learned about this a few days ago. Iceman was the one who knew.” Rooster argues, not wanting to be the object of Slider’s fury. 

“We shouldn’t be focusing on that, guys. We need to do something.” Nick sits down next to Becca, who’s been painfully quiet since she saw Thena in the shower. 

“She doesn’t want to report him” 

“What?” Sarah yells, rolling her eyes when her husband shushes her. 

“Thena’s not gonna be able to sit down and tell the story to the officers” Rooster clarifies, looking down. 

“That doesn’t mean we can allow that horrible man to get away with it” Sarah states. 

“We can go to the shop and ask for the security footage. If I remember correctly, there’s one in the corridor” Becca offers, breaking her silence. 

“That’s a good idea” Mav concedes. 

“I know where he lives” 

Iceman’s words make everyone in the kitchen turn in his direction. There’s a meaning behind his words. It doesn’t take a genius to understand what he’s implying. Go to his house, beat the shit out of him, make him pay for all the pain that he’s caused to a beautiful soul like Thena’s. 

“Tell me where,” urges Rooster, darting to the door to grab his car keys. 

“Bradley,” Maverick goes after him, grabbing his arm to stop him, “you can’t do that” 

“Mav, that man tried to,” Rooster winces, the word feels like a bullet to the heart, “rape her. Twice. I’m not letting Solo walk out of this without a scratch.” 

“I’m going with you,” Slider says, patting Rooster’s back. “I’m not letting you get in trouble.” 

Rooster turns, keys in hand, a determined expression on his face. “I’m gonna teach him a lesson, Slider. Nobody messes with my girl and gets away with it.” 

“Just answer to one question, son” 

“Ask away.” 

“What are your plans with my daughter?” 

Rooster looks at Thena’s sleeping form on the sofa, a soft smile on her face. That’s how he wants to see her. Relaxed, calm, happy. “I want to spend my life with her, Ron.” 

“Is that true?” 

Bradley pats his jacket, looking for a tiny box he has been carrying around since yesterday because he doesn’t know where to hide it. He finally finds the small black velvet box and opens it. 

“Is that my mother’s ring? Where did you find it?” Slider asks, grabbing the box with shaky hands. 

"Thena had been looking at every pawn show and antique shop in the vicinity for ten years. Somewhere along the way, I started doing the same. I found it yesterday, and I thought it would be an excellent gift for her." 

"You pulled her name," Rooster nods, remembering how nervous and excited he was to see Thena's name in the little paper at the Secret Santa sorting. Lucky for him, he found the perfect present. 

"I'm not asking her to marry me. Not now, Slider. It's too soon, and she needs time and help to overcome this. There's so much I can do to help." Rooster confesses, knowing that his words made his intentions clear. He wants the whole package. Marriage, house, kids. Everything. 

Slider hugs him, patting his back. "I always knew that your old man was right."

"About what?" 

"Not important now. I'm gonna ask Ice where this piece of shit lives and then we're leaving." Slider disappears in the kitchen, leaving a 6 ft man standing in the door, confused and curious. 

Shaking his head, Rooster walks slowly to the sofa. He hates having to wake her up, but leaving without an explanation could scare her when she wakes up. He kneels down in front of the black sofa, kissing her forehead and softly running his fingers through her hair. 

She stirs in her sleep, blinking a few times before her eyes focus on him, then she smiles. Gosh, that smile. He could burn the whole word to make you smile like that. 

"Hey" he whispers, caressing your cheek. 

"Did I sleep too much?" 

"Oh, no. I'm going to buy some things with your father and didn't want you to wake up not knowing why I was gone." 

"You're too sweet, Roos." 

"Don't tell anyone. I have a reputation" she giggles, his heart warming up at the sound. "Try to sleep a bit more. I'll be here soon." 

"Kiss?" She puckers her lips and closes her eyes, waiting for him to lean in. 

"You're a spoiled girl, you know?" He says, but he kisses her with all he has, he wants to prove that he loves her with every kiss. "I love you." 

"I know." 

"Quoting Star Wars, Fanboy is disappointed with you." He mocks, her eyes growing bigger. 

"Don't tell him, Mickey will cut my fingers and feed them to his dog." 

"What do I get in exchange for my silence?" 

She puckers her lips again, making him chuckle. "You're planning on winning every argument with kisses?" 

"Are you gonna argue with me?" 

They look at each other for a few seconds, and Bradley sighs in defeat. "Like I could argue with you anymore." 

"That's my pretty boy." 

Rooster can feel his entire face heating up. He's been called many things. Handsome. Attractive. Hot. Sexy. Pretty boy, however, is a new one. And he likes it. He really likes it.  

"S-say what again?" 

"Pretty boy." She smirks, looking at him. "You're blushing." 

"Shut up." 

"Make me." 

He shakes his head, kisses her slowly and gets up. "Sleep a bit more" 

She nods, closing her eyes and kissing Jesse's head, who had been there, not moving an inch. He's a heavy sleeper. 

Rooster is ready to walk away when the image in front of him sinks into his soul, and he almost has to lean against something to not fall. That scene is his future. Thena sleeping with a kid in his arms. His kid. 

That's his new dream. 

And he's going to make sure that no one interferes in it. 

Solo lives in a small white house on the outskirts of town, with a broken fence that has seen better days. The car is parked outside; it's a black sports car that looks quite new. Rooster sees Slider walking up to him with a folding knife in his hand. 

"Easy, son. It's for you to get that car a new set of flat tires," Slider explains, handing the knife to Rooster. 

He looks around, carefully checking that there are no neighbors peeping from their windows. He circles the car, stabbing the tires one at a time. Once he's finished, he throws the knife inside his own car, not trusting himself enough to enter that house with such a dangerous weapon in his pocket. 

The two men go to the door, listening for a few seconds. They can hear two muffled voices, one male and one female. Fuck, Mandy’s here? 

"There's a girl." 

"I think it's my ex." Rooster explains, looking around to see if there's a spare key. Maybe under the doormat.

"He's fucking your ex and obsessed with your girlfriend? Son, is he trying to be you?" 

The key almost falls from his hand when Slider's words register in his brain. Bradley had been trying to understand why Solo was so obsessed with Thena. He recalls that when they first met, Solo said that she was "an average girl," but here he is, doing the absolute worst to her. Why? 

And then he remembers a conversation at a bar, many years ago—innocent words soaked in alcohol that Bradley would have never thought he’d reminisce about again. 

You’re so cool, Rooster. I wish I was more like you

One month later, he attacked Thena for the first time. When he couldn’t get what he wanted, and Thena was deployed while he stayed behind for his disgusting behavior, he went after the only thing Bradley had left behind: Mandy. 

The answer had been there the whole time. He wasn’t obsessed with Thena just because. He was obsessed with her because Solo knew how important she was to Bradley. 

Bradley takes the key from under the doormat and opens the door. 

Turns out Mandy isn’t in the house; it’s just an old video recorded when Rooster, Thena, and Solo were in the same station that the monster likes to keep playing over and over again, analyzing every movement Rooster made. How he spoke, how he smiled. Bradley didn’t have a stache, he decided to grow one out two years ago. Bradley notices the shadow of a mustache growing in Solo's upper lip when he enters the house and sees him sitting on his sofa, looking at the video on the screen. 

It was the next step in his attempt to look like him. 

Rooster’s reaction when Solo notices his presence is the one that anyone could have expected. In an instant, his fist collides with the other man's face, sending Solo back into the sofa with a bleeding nose. 

“What the fuck are you doing?!” he yells, pinching his nose between two fingers to stop the bleeding. 

“I'm making you pay for all the fucking things you’ve done to my girl.” Rooster spits, his fury and anger burning his skin. 

“I’ve done nothing,” the man retorts with a smirk, standing up and walking to the kitchen. He seems not to have noticed Slider’s figure at the door of the living room, preventing him from escaping. “Who the fuck are you?” 

“The father of the girl you tried to hurt. Slider explains calmly, crashing his knuckles one at a time. 

“I told you, I’ve done-” Slider grabs his face and smashes it against the wall, blood staining the white paint. 

Solo falls to the floor, grabbing his face while agonizing howls leave his body. He sounds like an animal. 

“So you’ve been trying to be like me all these years, Solo?” Rooster says as he grabs a chair and sits in front of him, arms resting on his knees and leaning forward in a commanding posture. 

“You’re so full of yourself that you think everyone wants to be like you?” Solo chuckles before coughing, choking with his own blood. “I need to go to the hospital” 

“Oh, you need to go to the hospital? Poor little thing. You know Thena could never go to the hospital? Because she didn’t have any physical wound” 

“Because I didn’t touch her!” 

“You don’t need to touch someone to hurt them! You watched her run around the house while she cried and screamed, asking for help because she didn’t want to have sex with you.” Rooster grabs Solo by the hair, forcing his head to move back so he can look him in the eye. “You’re lucky I can’t kill you” 

“Like you would do that,” Solo mocks. 

“You’re walkin’ on thin ice, asshole,” Slider singsongs. 

“Hurt my girl once, and I will break your face. Hurt her twice, and you’re dead.” 

“I didn’t touch her this time” 

“You have a short memory, buddy. Allow me to remember you what you did” 

With the powerful strength of the adrenaline and the rage in his body, Rooster grabs Solo by the neck, and navigates the house until he finds the bedroom, leaving a trail of blood under his feet. He enters, and Solo stumbles with his feet and falls down. Slider is quickly pulling him up, and that’s when he notices the small built-in closet. 

The same size as the changing room. 

“No. No, please don’t do that. I don’t like closed spaces.” Solo whimpers, trying to free himself from Slider’s grip. 

“It’s not so funny when you’re on the receiving end, right?” Slider whispers in Solo’s ear, handing him to Rooster. 

He pushes the man inside the closet, closing the door. And as if the world wanted Rooster to follow this plan, he notices a small lock on the handle. He flips it around, leaving the man inside. 

“So, this is the deal. You're in the same situation as Thena was yesterday. It took me three minutes to reach the shop, and then you left before I even got the chance to get in.” Rooster explains, taking his phone out of his pocket and setting an alarm. “Now you’re gonna be in there for three minutes, hoping that the door stays closed, because if this door falls down, the next thing I’m breaking are your legs.”

“LET ME OUT, CRAZY PSYCHOPATH,” 

“Oh, am I the psychopath now? I’m not the one going around trying to abuse a girl because I need to be just like his fucking boyfriend!” 

“You got everything you wanted; I just wanted the same things you had.” 

"You thought abusing her would make her love you?" 

“I just wanted to be one step ahead of you and have a taste of something you’ve never had” 

Rooster presses the button that starts the countdown and takes a deep breath before letting his rage take the worst of him. He punches the door, kicks it, and tries to open it by force. Just like he did with Thena. 

He prays for the door to endure the three minutes. The thought of this monster touching her makes him sick. Bradley knows that if this door breaks from its hinges, he will cause him so much pain. 

A tiny, dangerous part of him wants the door to fall like a leaf. 

Lucky for Solo, the three minutes pass and the door remains in place. Rooster unlocks the door, opening it to see the man curled up the floor like a scared kid, face covered in tears and blood smudged in his hands. 

Rooster kneels down, jaw clenched, and shaky hands grab him by the throat. “Listen to me, buddy. My family is going down to the shop to get the security footage. You’re not getting out of this one. The sheriff is an old friend, and he’s not gonna ask when he sees your face like that. You better stay here and don’t run away because I swear on my mother’s grave that I will find you and I won’t be so nice the next time.” 

Solo doesn’t say anything, and Rooster applies more pressure, his hand closing dangerously against Solo’s throat. “Is that clear?” 

“Yes, sir.” 

“Let’s get out of here,” Slider says, giving Rooster a towel from the bathroom so he can clean his hands. “I don’t want to be around this piece of shit.” 

Both men leave the house, with Slider grabbing the keys from Rooster’s jacket because he knows that the younger one shouldn't be driving. Slider speaks up as they near Iceman's house. 

“Thank you, Rooster.” 

“For what?” 

“For always loving and protecting my girl when her father didn’t.” Slider’s voice breaks a bit. Rooster looks out the window, allowing the man some privacy in such a small place. 

“You’re there for her now, Ron. That’s what matters.” 

“I hope she knows that.” 

“She knows. She’s understanding now that she doesn’t need to be brave all the time. She can be scared, she can be sad, and she can be tired of the world. But she’ll always have a hand ready to help her.” 

“Bradley, you know she’s gonna be scared and traumatized after this, right?” 

Bradley sighs, looking at Slider. “I know. And I also know how to handle it. I’ve had my share of panic attacks. I know how to stop them” 

“I couldn’t wish for anyone better to be with my daughter” 

Bradley lets a small smile appear on his face. 

“You can call me dad from now on” 

And those words make Bradley cry like he did when he lost his mother. Thena gave him a reason to fight. Now she’s giving him a family. 

He’s glad he decided to stay all those years ago. He gets to love her—his true love. He gets a father, the one who raised him when his own couldn’t. 

A family. With Thena. 

That’s more than he could ever have asked for. 

[itsouttherenow]

Snippet 2

Another Snipper for y'all to read. Enjoy.

TICK TICK TICK TICK

The sounds of the clock and turning gears filled her head. That and the soft even breathing of the small girl she was currently holding close to her chest. Some might say a bit possessively. 

“Ms.Belladonna?” asked the old man in front of her.

“OH, um yes headmaster?” asked Blake.

“I asked, why?”

Yes, why. A simple question, one that she couldn’t answer. Why, well she didn’t know.

Like why did she leave Adam and the White Fang?

Why did she think that becoming a huntress would help human faunus relations?

Why didn’t she change her name if she wanted to stay low?

Why…

Why did she refuse to give up the girl?

She had no obligation to keep her. She could have just taken her to Vale, where she was going to anyways, and drop her off at the nearest orphanage. But she didn’t. Why?

“Well?” inquired the headmaster again.

“I-I I don’t know.” she finally said.

“Well, then let me ask you this, why become a huntress?”

Easy.

“To help better relations between human and faunus.”

“And do you still think that?”

No, no she didn’t.

“No.”

“Then why keep her.” he pointed to the girl she was currently holding. A bit defensively.

She thought back to the night where she was given a girl.

It was a stormy night, lighting flashed violently across the sky. The winds blowing stronger than wind dust, hallowing louder than a beowulf.

“Take her and run as far as you can in the other direction. I’ll keep him away.” said a bloody muscular blonde man.

“BU-but I don’t know you. How can you trust me with her?” Blake asked frantically. It's not everyday that you get dumped with a child into your hands.

“Ruby.”

“What?”

“Her name is Ruby.”

“But I can’t, there has to be another way.”

A maniac laughter rang through the woods, louder than the screaming winds. Guess there was no other choice.

“But how can you trust me?” She repeated her question to the man.

“Because I see a girl who wants to change. You could have stayed hidden, but you didn’t. Hell, you could have just killed me and Ruby. But you didn’t. You have a heart. One that wants to change the world. So please, take her. Save her.”

Conflict filled her mind. She could run and pretend this never happened. She could stay and help the man fight. She co-

“OK give her to me.”

Or she could just take the kid.

“Thank you.”

“I’m sorry.” Blake said in an attempt to console the man.

“Tai.” said the man.

“What?”

“My name’s Taiyang Xiao-Long. Her father. Her mother’s name is Summer Rose. Her’s” Tai pointed to the girl who had a red blanket wrapped around her. “Is Ruby Rose.”

“I promise that I’ll let nothing harm her.” stated Blake.

“Thank you. Don’t let her forget about us.”

“I won’t.” Blake promised

With that, Tai ran in the opposite direction. Drawing the attention of whoever was chasing him.

And that was the last she ever saw of Tai.

“Because,” she started, “because me being a huntress now doesn’t change much. Sure I can help people as a faunus and change their opinions. But that won’t stop the hate.” She looked down at Ruby, softly breathing.

“Because societal change doesn’t happen with the current generation. It starts with the new one. The young. We can make them tolerant, make them see the errors in their parents' ways. Make them want to be better. Make them…want to change the world.”

The headmaster of Beacon smiled at Blake.

“Well Miss Belladonna, I would be happy to have the both of you attending Beacon Academy.”

‘And because I promised that I will keep her safe. That nothing would harm her.’ she thought.

‘Nothing will harm Ruby Rose, my precious gem.’

Wait. What did she just say?

[lamonnaie]

GMMTV 2024 Part 1 roundup :)

it's been a day, i've had some time to gather my thoughts, so i wanted to get them all down in one spot. (Only really gonna be talking about the shows I plan on watching, in order that they were announced!)

1. We Are the series

aka ALL my favourite couples in one show ahhh 😭😭 i was so happy when the trailer started, you mean i get winnysatang marcpawin pondphuwin AND aouboom all in one??? i wanna be a bit cautious seeing it's directed by p'new and i'm not a huge fan of his work, but i'm super excited for this regardless :] looks like a cute romcom à la futs, which i rlly loved <3 i WILL be hyping this up no matter how it turns out :D

2. Only Boo!

rookie leads !!! strong msp vibes with this one (which i'm not opposed to at all, and i'm pretty sure is what they're trying to emulate) it looks rlly cute?? i know keen is from proj alpha so at least i'm not worried about the singing/dancing for once 😅😅 and we get aun in the side cp!! and louis dance role!! honestly this could turn out rlly good and i'm gonna tune in to at least the first few eps :)

3. Peaceful Property

The second tay slapped new in the face with the sandwich and jan instantly had her camera out, i was 100% sold. but fr, i love horror comedy and ghost stuff, and we get it with taynew + mook and jan!! all the dynamics look like so much fun and i already know i'm gonna enjoy this a lot

4. My Golden Blood

OH MY GOD THIS SHOW i went for a dinner break during the performances, then came back and was planning on just quickly skimming through the livestream to catch up. well, the first 20 seconds of the trailer played, and once i realised what was happening (JOSSGAWIN BL HELLOOOO????) i had to pause and faceplant on my bed for a solid 5 minutes to process it. vampire series would have already had me hooked, but jossgawin??? looking super gritty?? mond evil vampire moment?? neo with a baseball bat (in his sand era🤨)?? gawin my fav in another lead role??? Also the bloody kiss !!!!! guys i'm dead i'm literally writing this from the grave (hoping to meet my own hot vampire guy) Basically i dont care if the cgi's a bit questionable or if the story's cliche, i WILL be eating this up, be ready for it to be my whole personality

5. Kidnap the series

OHM!!! my day one!!! 😭😭 so he was hanging out with leng a couple months ago and i was wondering ahaha what if...? AND NOW !!! WE ACTUALLY GOT OHMLENG !!! i'm rlly happy to see him back to bl, and i like how he stars opposite lots of different ppl (just like gawin). The concept actually seems rlly interesting + more mature, leng is gorgeous and seems like a good actor, and the tied hands sleeping scene totally had me sold on the pairing <33 also ohm squared siblings !!! i rlly like ohm tpk :) and PAPANG WITH A GUN WOOOHHH i said i needed more papang on my screens and my wishes have been answered 🙏🙏 i'm gonna be so annoying about this show as well once it airs ahjskdjfh

[5.5. special mention: Summer Night]

gmm knew Exactly what they were doing with those first 30 seconds 😭😭 i was rlly getting hyped up for a dunkphuwin show but ofc it was too good to be true <//3 not gonna be watching this, but i'm still holding out for a joylada poly show at some point... pls gmm 🙏🥺🥺

6. Wandee Goodday

Okay so I saw the GreatInn lore a couple months ago (guys pls read it here it's insane), and i didn't think too much of it because it did seem kinda random, BUT HERE WE ARE WOOOHHHH this show looks so good??? Great with braids <3 ployphach <3 podd homewrecker era <3 mature bl with adult characters <3 directed by golf tanwarin <3 and even more good things!! also i have no idea what the song in the trailer is but it goes so hard, rlly suits the show. i'm all for this pairing and the whole show looks like so much fun Also thorfluke!!! (thor out here collecting all the flukes - thorgawin for 2025??) loved the situp scene and i'm rlly vibing with this pair <3 another show that will be all i talk about once it airs

7. High School Frenemy

God what is that name 💀💀 definitely one where just a literal translation of the thai name would have probably been better names aside, sky and nani !!!! i rlly liked sky in some other shows, and i'm loving the tension between the two. lol i had ohmsky and ohmnani on my gmm24 bingo, i guess we just got it without the middle man 😂😂 also i see they're pulling a double savage with the bromance toeing the fine line of bl hajskdj honestly i don't mind that at all, i think sky and nani have good chemistry and it doesn't seem like there's a random female side wedged in for drama. also so many of my favs as side characters, i'm happy to see them <3 overall, i'll probably watch it if i'm not too busy when it's airing (or just bingewatch it after)

8. My Love Mix-Up!

Gem4th series announced last, who's surprised lmao. this looks very cute!! i know nothing about the source material, but gemini and fourth are great actors, and i trust p'au's directing. i was hoping for something a bit more mature for them (like heartliming was) because i think they're so good in those heavier scenes, but i rlly don't mind this either !! i've been on a kick for less high school bls lately though, but i had the same thought for msp and that ended up being one of my fav shows of all time, so i'm not gonna go into this with any preconceived notions :) gonna tune in for this, no doubt gem4th will serve like they always do

Overall, i was rlly pleased with the lineup this time around. Lots of shows i'm rlly excited for !! a bunch of my favs didn't show up even once which... yeah, but i'm holding out for part 2 🤞🤞 :)

[blackdagger456]

Let’s Talk About: The Summer & Raven Scene

This entire fucking scene has validated so many fanfics and theories both lewd and sfw that i had to fucking talk about it!

There is so much and so little they gave us to unpack here and it was perfect. The exact right amount to get our brains going and excited and more invested into Summer and Raven specifically.

Firstly, we all knew that Summer went on a mission that no one knew about. But I don’t think anyone assumed she just straight up LIED to them all as well which brings us to the scene of her meeting up with Raven which is just---damn!

Even after everything that happened, Raven leaving Tai and Yang these two still trust each other. Summer didn’t tell Tai or Qrow or Glynda or even fucking Ozpin but she told and trusted Raven with what she was going to do.

At the same time we see Raven seem relaxed when meeting and talking to Summer. TBH I think this is the first genuine smile we’ve ever seen from the woman.

This both answers and brings up a lot of questions. Firstly that it disproves that Raven hated Summer, I have no doubt that they might not have gotten along at first but for Raven to hate Summer through Beacon and under Oz’s service is a bit farfetched. Want more proof?

The woman is actively worried about Summer in their conversation.

She asks if she’s really okay leaving Ruby, Yang and Tai like that stating that Summer was always better at the whole family stuff that she was. This also reveals that Raven left before she knew the truth about Salem, meaning that going to the tribe was most likely an excuse to hide the fact that she maybe felt she couldn’t fit in when it came to raising a child?

That she wasn’t qualified or felt that she wasn’t?

So may answers and so many avenues open up and that’s before the actual end of the conversation. We see that Raven is still actively worried about Summer even after the woman gets annoyed/upset at the Tribe Leader for bringing up leaving people when she did that already.

Despite that she asks Raven to trust her and Raven does as the two of them walk off into the portal to who knows where.

Out of everyone she could have gone too she went to RAVEN and that says A LOT.

My own theory is that whatever happened Raven saw Summers death and the woman told her to run and Raven hasn’t been able to STOP running due to trauma. Either way, this scene was bloody gorgeous and the rest of the finale for V9 held up just as well.

[howlingday]

Vernal: (Sighs) I don't know. So he's like, can you move these skulls to the basement? Because I've got these drapes. I... I don't even get that. I tell him, "Baby, this is work."

Raven: Are you serious?

Vernal: Yeah, so I try to tell him, "No, I'm not going to put them in the fucking basement."

Raven: That'syour skull collection, too.

Vernal: I know it's my skull collection! I worked hard to match them to the Grimm I've killed! (Sighs) But he has to have his way, so I start moving them to the basement, one by one, you know, because you know how it's going to go.

Raven: Mhm, of course.

Vernal: So then he says, "While you're at it, could you put a tarp over them, too?" And I'm like, "No! Dammit! I'm not gonna put a fucking tarp over these things!"

Raven: Vernal, that's your skull collection!

Vernal: I know it's my skull collection! I worked hard to craft and carve these into the perfect match! I refurbish and repaint them, but fine! Fine! So I put them in the basement. But why cover them?! What's the point of covering them if I'm going to display them?! I've hung them on the walls, all this time, and I'll hang them in the basement if I have to. But hang a fucking tarp over them? No fucking way!

Raven: Of course.

Vernal: Absolutely fucking not! (Groans) Don't even get me started on fucking yesterday. Yesterday, we were talking about the ceiling, because he's been on me for months about the ceiling because it is... absolutely disgusting! So I offered to cover it with some deer hide-

Raven: Oh, good idea.

Vernal: And he says, "No! Are you crazy?!" And I told him, "No. It's a solution. Here's the problem, this is my answer." I just want to get some deer hide and fucking... get it over with, you know?

Raven: If it's not one thing, then it's the next thing, and believe me, I know what you're going through. My man is the exact same way, and it's even worse with a kid.

Vernal: Yeah, that's something else. A whole new set of bullshit, I'm sure.

Raven: Mhm. So, Tai puts Yang's bed in the same room as my raid stash, because just like you, I have my collection.

Vernal: Mhm.

Raven: And he wants me to move them because he thinks they're a safety hazard for Yang, who's getting old enough to get her own room. Because there's a few weapons, and rusty armor sets, and a few bloodied ornaments, but they're all on their own shelves that I built.

Vernal: Right, because it's solid and it's sturdy, but it's not their way, so they don't want to hear it.

Raven: So here's what I said. We should put her room upstairs where the linen closet is, and we just keep the linen by the laundry machines.

Raven: No, because there's no light in the linen closet, and Yang needs light. Well, that's exactly why I have my raid stash in here. Because this room gets the right amount of light. So I said, "Okay, we'll move the bed and shelves around." "No! Because we're not swapping things around like that."

Vernal: What's really annoying about that is how there's no appreciation for the effort put in to get the lighting just right on all those raiding trophies-

Raven: Oh, you've seen it?

Vernal: Yeah, I saw it when you were setting it up. And I thought, "Wow, this is a nice stash room."

Raven: Absolutely ridiculous.

Vernal: Yeah, it's... Wait, isn't that that guy?

Adam: You're the one with the bone toilet seat, right?

Raven: (Draws omen) Oh, what the-?!

Adam: (Runs away) Raven! No! We're cool!

[florencetypemaniacs]

TnT, is there a possibility that there can be a happy ending for that one ask where it was true, loves kiss, and the MC didn't wake? Please? Lol

The MC didn't wake up when the RO kissed them right here. I think I broke a few people. Lol. So here it is—if the RO's wake the MC up. 

💛 Marcel

Marcel couldn't help but feel the relief that flowed through him when you opened your eyes. 

"Oh, thank the gods!" Marcel kissed your cheek, forehead, and nose and then leaned back, looking into your eyes as if memorizing every single detail.

"I thought I lost you." 

Marcel then brought you in for a deep kiss.

🧡 Margaret

Margaret cried happy tears as she jumped on top of you, ignoring your bewildered look as you wrapped your arms around her just in the nick of time.

"I love you. I love you. I love you."

Margaret repeated, too scared to let you go as if you would go back to sleep any minute.

❤️ Owen

Owen felt his heartbeat in his chest. You were awake, and he couldn't believe it. He let you have an almost hysterical laugh as he picked you up and spun you around.

"Bloody hell, lass/duck/lad, never do that again!"

He loved you, and, according to fate, you loved him just as much, and it felt right. He almost forgot the feeling of being whole.

💙 Rosemary

Tears pricked her eyes when your own opened, and she sighed in relief, it almost coming out in a heave as she pressed her lips to your own, not letting you go until you needed to come up for air. 

Rosemary was in love, and golly did it feel good to let herself be loved. 

🩵 Tai

Tai felt like he couldn't breathe again when you opened your eyes, gently caressing your cheek.

"Welcome back, Oleander." He said his voice was not his usual monotone but rather scratchy like he had been crying.

"Don't ever do this to me again, please." He whispered, holding you close and putting a gentle kiss on your forehead.

💚 Zane

On the outside, there was a cocky smile as he let out a small, strained chuckle. "Well, hello, little lion, did you have a good nap?" He said his eyes were brighter than you had ever seen before.

Before You can even answer that he kissed you as if his life depended on it. Zane's mind was racing, not even wanting to think about what would happen if he didn't wake you up. If you weren't with him anymore, he couldn't imagine you leaving, the loneliness, and the hurt. He didn't want to. So Zane focused on your lips, never wanting to let you go again.

[spidertgirl]

Spider-Gwen and the Case of the Monday Blues

Part One- Monday Morning, So Forlorning

TW: This is just a little pre-Spider-Verse, ITSV Spider-Gwen transromance fic with Peter Parker (AFAB, before coming out). As the story takes through Gwen’s perspective, Patricia is dealt in prose as a woman. This is a plot point. Let me WRITE!!

This is also supposed to be cushy as shit so don’t take this too seriously. I literally finished writing it and immediately copy and pasted it here without any edits so its a bit rough. I just like posting.

Gwen hated Mondays.

Well, more than most. Sundays she tended to stay up all night, either catching up on schoolwork she missed catching criminals, or criminals she missed catching up on schoolwork.

Either way, loud blaring music kept her up far into the night. Last Night’s flavor was a local Hardcore band, mixed with some Beastie Boys, and a bit of Shoegaze.

Her ears were screaming bloody valentines like the worst hangover imaginable, and the wind rushing past them as she swung between skyscrapers did nothing to help. She had to stop and fall onto a nearby taxi just to get some relief.

Which was odd, she would have noticed if she had time to think. Her Sunday routine had long included ear-breaking decibels before and she thought nothing of it. A part wondered if she had just left her earphones in overnight, or taken a few too many hits, but the whole of her was somewhere else.

Something about this morning just drove her Spidey Sense wild. She barely felt it unless danger was right before her. Gwen looked everywhere- no danger. Well, a few dangers. She cautiously stopped a falling passerby, slowed a speeding car, tied a stranger's shoes, and a great deal more simple but thoughtful gestures. It did nothing to heal head, ear, or sense.

But her fears came and past, her school almost came and past before she realized it, and she was quickly distracted by another fear.

“Guess what day it is today?” Patricia asked. Gwen shook her head.

“No, I give up.”

“You didn’t even try! C’mon, one guess.”

“Mmm… the day Mr. Peterson is finally gonna commit to his alopecia and just go bald?” Her friend laughed, and gave her a light push on the shoulder.

“I’m serious!”

“So am I, there are only so many hats in the world that can cover up that sunk cost fallacy.”

“So you have no clue?”

“As clueless as Scooby Doo. Or Cher. Can I change my answer to Cher?”

“Honey, if you’re Cher I’ll get to be Tai.”

“Why Tai? Oh that rhymes!”

“Why Tai, why I always related to her untamable mass of curly hair, my Cheri.”

Gwen realized it was halfway through English and she still didn’t know what Patricia was talking about.

“I’m lost.”

“It’s not that hard Gwen, Mr. Morton is the subject of the sentence because-”

“No, what’s today?”

“One month.”

“Seriously?”

“Yeah.”

“Still nothing.”

“Babe, I love you but you really are clueless.”

“What’re you gonna do with me?”

“Maybe throw you out in a box like a cat. Or, I guess a Jar would be more fitting.”

“Wha- oh. Haha, very funny.” She thought for a moment.

“Do the cat’s really get thrown out with a box? I thought they found it. Like a hermit crab.”

“Of course, otherwise it’s just a cruel thing to do, throwing out a cat.”

“Yeah, but they have a bad habit of getting back in. We used to have-”

“This cat named Mary who used to sneak into your house and-”

“We could never quite throw out- what don’t you know about me?”

“Nothing, now think.”

Gwen could only think of Patty throwing her out the window in a glass cup.

Maybe the shock would get her feeling right. She didn’t know if it was sleep deprivation, embarrassment, or some secret third thing that was keeping her from focusing, but it was driving her insane.

She loved Patricia, and she really wanted to do right by her and their relationship. But she knew they had been dating for almost a year at this point, so ‘one month’ didn’t quite make sense. If only this damn fog would leave her head!

And that creepy feeling down her spine, if she could help it. It’s terribly unhelpful to have a spider sense that’s always turned on. Like radar at a metal concert- useless. Absolutely and positively useless.

She took a hit of the dog that bit her between classes, a smooth, poppier song. It almost did the thing, but a tug on her shoulder stopped her and took her headphones before she had the chance.

“What, you avoiding me now?”

“W- No, never! I’m just… kinda out of it.”

“I’m busting your literal and proverbial balls babe. Go to the nurse, see if she can help. And keep thinking!”

Gwen was gonna refuse- super healing and all- but remembered an especially bad hit to the side of her head that knocked her vision out for a few seconds. And apparently some memory too- not good. That’s concussion territory, she thought.

Or not, she didn’t have a super good grasp on medical sciences, but she watched enough scary news stories with her dad about sports medicine to know concussions are common and quick killers.

Still nothing on the date front though. She thought about everything she did a month ago, everything she said. Only the foggiest came through, the rest a mystery.

“What seems to be the problem?”

“I, uh… fell pretty hard and I think I might have a concussion. So… could you check it out?”

The nurse laughed.

“Sure, Bren- is that right?” the nurse eyed her up and down, with a wary eye.

“Gwen, ma’am.”

“Well, Gwen, why do you think you have a concussion?” she said, pulling out a small flashlight.

“Follow my finger.”

“I just feel sorta odd,” she said, eye clinging to finger for dear life.

“Headache?”

“Yeah.”

“Nausea?”

“A little.”

“Confusion?”

“A lot- I mean, huh?”

“Funny girl- loss of consciousness?”

“Uh, when I first… fell?”

“For how long?”

“Oh, a few seconds.” Barely two, by her guess. Not enough for her to lose her footing in the fight, but just enough to distract her, let them get the slightest upper hand.

It was a big job, with some fancy weapons. Not street level crime, this was something bigger. She kept one for questioning, but…

Wait, what happened to him? Gwen was half convinced she let him sit there forever while she went home in a fugue state, but that didn’t seem to likely.

“Ringing in the ears?”

“No, but they’re sensitive.”

“Blurry vision?”

“No? I mean, I wear contacts.”

“Blurrier vision?” Gwen squinted.

“No.”

“Ok, anything else? You can quit following my finger now.” Gwen didn’t realize she followed it right into her coat pocket.

“Oh, sorry. I feel… on edge, I guess.”

“On edge?”

“Yeah. Tingly, frightful.”

“Anxious?”

“Yeah, that’s the word! Anxious- more anxious.”

The nurse walked back to her computer.

“Ok, you probably have a concussion.”

“Shit- I mean-”

“It’s fine. Did you drive here?”

“No, I’m a freshman.”

“Good. Call your dad and have him take you to the hospital.”

“Cool- can I go outside to make the call?”

“No, I don’t think you should honestly be doing any extraneous physical activity.”

Gwen made her phone call in complete view of the nurse, much to her chagrin. The Nurse didn’t even make an effort to turn away- in fact, it seemed like she was watching the detail with great detail!

Gwen did not like this Nurse.

Gwen almost toppled over Patricia.

“Oh, watch where- oh hey. Did you just swing into me? Do you have a concussion?”

“No time to explain- I need makeup wipes.”

Patricia did not look happy.

“I’d actually kind of like to know my if my girlfriend’s got a concussion, actually.” Gwen was taken aback.

“I- shit, I’m sorry, I’m just really in a rush and I’m in a hurry-”

“Spider-Woman shit?”

“Life shit! I finally have life shit again- P, I just need you to start rummaging for your makeup wipes and I’ll explain.”

“Fine,” Patricia said, swinging her bag around and digging through it.

“I totally do have a concussion and I’m super sorry that I don’t remember what day it is but I just snuck out of the nurse’s bathroom to find you because my dad’s about to pick me up and she made me take the phonecall in front of her, and-”

“Here-”

“I thought that would take longer-” Gwen said, grabbing them, before Patricia holds them back.

“And?”

“And? Oh, I love you?”

“Sure, hon. Love you too.”

They both ran to the bathroom and started taking the make up off, four sinks running to hide their chat.

“So what actually is it?”

“It’s your one month transiversary, hun! Or, one month of being out at school.”

“Wait, really? Shit, I had no idea. Do you keep like a… handbook on me at home or something?”

“Wouldn’t you like to know?”

“No, I actually kinda would. That’s sorta weird.”

“More of a scrapbook?”

“That’s sorta cute- how do I look?”

“Ready for a Proud Boys rally. Well, drop the wig. And the skirt. And the thigh highs. And the-”

“I get it, I need to change. I’ll be back.”

“Can I watch?” Patty joked from outside the stall.

“I’ll have to charge you!” Gwen said, rummaging through her purse, past her Spiderwoman costume from her morning swing, and pulling out her slacks and sneakers.

“How long do you have?”

“I don’t know, probably a good ten, fifteen minutes. I used a youtube compilation called Ten Hours of People Shititng Farting And Groaning.”

“Weird and gross.”

“Even weirder thing is I had it saved.”

“Ew, gross.”

“Yeah, but pretty clever. Bet you're proud of your ol gir-” when Gwen opened the door, Patty was holding a small colorful parcel, wrapped with ribbon.

“I- is this a gift?”

“Yeah. I was gonna do blue and pink but I figured that’s a lil sus, so it’s red and blue. Basically the same thing. I had to cut up an american flag wrapping paper to make it, so the lace has a few holes that were once stars.”

“Aww, I love a little rebellious flag code violation! This is so sweet Pats, you didn’t have to. Can I open it in the hospital.”

“Oh, not… here?”

“Well it’s been ten minutes so far, and I need time to swing back and find the right window. And honestly I think I probably shouldn’t even swing. Besides, it'll cheer me up, I hate hotel rooms. Sorry, is that not fine?”

“Uh, no. No, it’s totally cool, babe, I get it. I don’t want you to be depressed if you’re there for a while. Call me if you’re there past six and I’ll visit you.”

“Ok- thank you, for everything. I really mean it. I… I don’t know. I owe you something. A lot, really babe. I’m sorry this Spider-Woman thing is such a problem.”

“I get it. Great Power means Great Responsibility.”

“That’s beautiful. Is that from one of your poems?”

“A comic book I read.”

“Figures. See you. Love you,” she added at the end and ran away.

She wondered if she shouldn’t have said anything at all. She always had a bad habit of never knowing when to keep her damn mouth shut, and Spider-Woman only galvanized her wit and ego to dramatic parts. She rarely felt like herself, save for when she was Gwen. When she was with Patty. When she was happy.

She wanted to say all these things, run back into her and find her… but it was probably too late. She’d call her, at least. That’s the least that she could do.

Finding the window was quicker and easier than the run- Gwen’s head just did not let up. She wondered why her supposedly super healing wasn’t helping any. But the door was locked. She stumbled through the window, and sat for a moment composing herself upon the toilet, letting her head settle in the dark room.

But when Gwen stood and walked to the door, where the phone was so perfectly placed…

“Shit, I could’ve sworn I put it there.”

The door creaked open. The Nurse and Gwen’s dad were standing there. Gwen’s dad was holding her phone.

“And you just did, young lady. What’s that- fifteen dollars now?”

“I hate your swear jar.”

“And your hate is expressed in gentle and thought out ways. Why did you leave the room? Actually, how did you even get down?”

“Why did you guys even open the door? I was on the toilet!”

“Usually I make it a habit to respond when my students with brain trauma stop responding and start groaning. Also I didn’t understand why you were so obsessed with selling me Raid Shadow Legends.”

Curse that Autoplay.

To be continued

Chapter Two coming soon!

A Stunning Preview of this Story’s Action Packed Finale!

“What’s that?” Gwen had almost gone to sleep before Patricia’s voice woke her up.

“What?”

“That… blinking red thing?”

“Pat, it’s a hospital, there are a lot of blinking red things.”

“Not really. It’s like, a laser. I mean not really, but it’s super bright. See look, there’s a dot there on the wall.”

Sure enough, Gwen stared on the darkness past her girlfriend… and there was the red light. Blinking. Unmoving.

Gwen was just as paralyzed. She looked to Patricia and Patricia looked back, more frightened.

“What is that

“I don’t know, but whatever it is Gwen… it’s coming from you.”

[limitlessscion]

Tai shives his bloody clothes into a trash bag, the sleeves of his new shirt slipping down loosely over his forearms. Everything about Shuichi is so _irritating_. Including whatever freakish growth spurt he had in his teenage years that made his borrowed clothes so much bigger on Tai.

“So we’re not telling anyone about this right?”

Shuichi's mind still tingled with the excitement of today, when mere conjecture and educated conclusions finally had a chance to be confirmed as reality. He'd never had doubts before, confident of his own genius— but to be able to put it in practise and to see the world follow his perfect logic was a kind of satisfying that could rarely be reproduced. He turned a knot of reversed curse energy in his fingers while he'd waited for Tai to change, reliving the sensation of healing outside his own body, committing it to memory every new sensation and understanding of the functioning of cursed energy.

It'd always failed in the past due to a simple reason of incompatibility; that he'd confirmed now with how easily and smoothly Tai's body had accepted the process. It got his gears turning knowing for sure that he had the technique down properly— so then the issue came down to the nature of the cursed energy itself. If he could change it, perhaps by controlling the emotions that created the output, or manipulating to become softer and more palatable for the average person...

He didn't look up from his phone as Tai came out of the shower room, the unsalvageable remnants of bloody rags tossed away. Shuichi's clothes sat oddly on the younger's frame, matching the lankiness but lacking a few inches and bulk. It was kind of uncanny seeing the mismatch between his own clothes with his own face and steeped in his own familiar aura; a feeling of wrongness draped over Tai like a heavy cloak.

Shuichi paused at that appraisal for a second; was that strong eeriness solely because of some dumb clothes?

His attention snapped back to Tai's question about if they should keep this to themselves, and Shuichi immediately answered with a simple shrug.

"Your call. What, embarrassed for others to find out?" He snorted as he tapped away at his phone's on-screen keyboard, already regaling Hiei of today's new discoveries with an avalanche of texts. "Well you should be. Not even guarding with basic cursed energy manipulation! What are you? A freshly scouted noob?"

[wewerecore]

CORE Pro presents The Co-Op 2023 Masakatsu Funaki's The Quest 03/30/23 Pico Union Project - Los Angeles, California Attendance: 500+ Super No Vacancy

Match #1

Mike "The Truth" Jackson vs. Bobby "Bobby Fish" Fish - Bobby Fish shot for a takedown on Mike Jackson, but Jackson blocked it and muscled Bobby to his back and mounted Fish. Fish tried to cover up, but the open palm strikes of Jackson took their toll leaving Fish bloodied before the referee stepped in and called for the bell. Winner: Mike "The Truth" Jackson

Match #2

Cinta de Oro vs. Blake Troop - Blake Troop used size and strength to his advantage, but Cinta de Oro fought off a belly-to-belly suplex attempt with kicks to the shins and calf. Cinta de Oro escaped the grasp and connected flush with a palm thrust that sent Troop to the mat. Troop tried to get back to his feet, but could not answer the ten count. Winner: Cinta de Oro

Match #3

Tay Melo vs. Tomoka Inaba - Tomoka Inaba had the better of Tay Melo and went for a PK, but Melo grabbed Inaba by her tights and tossed her out to the floor. Outside of the ring Tay Melo's second Anna Jay began to put the boots to Inaba as the referee called for the bell.   Winner: Tomoka Inaba

- Inaba's second Yuu Yamagata came to her aid and Tay Melo and Anna Jay backed off. Tay Melo got on the microphone and informed everyone that she isn't a hybrid wrestler, she's a sports entertainer.

Match #4

TAKA Michinoku vs. Little Guido - Little Guido applied the Wigan Grovit front facelock on TAKA Michinoku. TAKA tried to relieve some of the pressure by dropping to his stomach on the mat. TAKA stayed on his toes, popped his hips, and countered into the Just Facelock. Guido looked for the ropes but soon tapped out. Winner: TAKA Michinoku

Match #5

Jake Hager vs. Josh Woods - Josh Woods had Jake Hager in the clinch and connected with a series of knee strikes until Hager caught one of Woods' knees and countered with a leg capture suplex. Hager floated over as Woods scrambled to his stomach, Hager locked in the rear naked choke until Woods tapped out. Winner: Jake Hager

- Before the main event, Pancrase legend Ken Shamrock was introduced as the special guest referee.

Match #6

Masakatsu Funaki vs. Jeff Cobb (special guest referee Ken Shamrock) - Jeff Cobb was knocked to the mat after a high kick from Masakatsu Funaki. Cobb was able to answer the ten count but lost his third of five points. Jeff Cobb took Funaki to the mat with a gut wrench suplex. Cobb mounted Funaki and tried to pound away on him with palm strikes. Funaki avoided a right, but when Cobb pulled his own arm back he struck Funaki right about the eye with the point of his elbow which split Funaki open. Referee Ken Shamrock pulled Cobb off of Funaki and deducted Cobb's fourth point for an elbow strike. Jeff Cobb argued the blow was unintentional, but Shamrock disagreed which left Cobb with one point. Funaki shot for a takedown on Cobb, but Cobb blocked it and ended up in top referee position on Funaki. Cobb tried to force Funaki flat to the mat, but Funaki countered out and into a heel hook on Cobb. Cobb was in a lot of paint but refused to tap out and instead grabbed the rope to break the hold, but that was his final point and the match was awarded to Funaki via TKO. Winner: Masakatsu Funaki

- After the match Jeff Cobb got on the microphone to congratulate Masakatsu Funaki, but also pointed out that if this match hadn't been competed under Pancrase rules that he would have escaped that hold and defeated Funaki. Ken Shamrock raised Masakatsu Funaki's hand to close out the event.

[craftercat]

Gao Huan or Yuwen Tai?

It's a difficult question to answer. Both were capable warlords in their own right.

The main positives of Yuwen Tai would be his reforms which would eventually allow Northern Zhou to conquer Northern Qi which remained stagnant. He was also able to resist the then stronger Eastern Wei's many invasion attempts.

His main negative was his attack on Jiangling where he made many civilians in Jiangling into slaves, escorting them to Chang'an, many people froze to death, and killing all the young and weak people (this is from the Zizhi Tongjian Volume 165), and many women became essentially sex slaves (Li Ezi, Emperor Wu of Northern Zhou's concubine, was 'awarded' to him as a spoil of war), and I can't just overlook this. Overall Yuwen Tai was very bloody but also very talented leader.

Gao Huan rose up from essentially nothing, and he grew up poor. His success was that he was able to rise from being poor to being the emperor in all but name. He was a talented warlord who was able to give the Eastern Wei stability after repeated incursions by the south and various rebellions.

His biggest failure is probably the fact that he did not push for reformation like Yuwen Tai did, letting the country remain stagnant, and his descendants got even worse. Gao Yang started out competent but became mentally ill, Gao Yin suffered from mental health problems due to Gao Yang's abuse, Gao Yan died before he could do much, Gao Zhan tortured his nephews and was overall corrupt, and Gao Wei murdered the generals who were the only people keeping Northern Qi from being taken over by Northern Zhou. And the fact that despite being stronger than Western Wei he couldn't make significant invasions of it is a stain on his military abilities (though Yuwen Tai was very capable)

Overall they both had their good points and their bad points, but I'm leaning towards Yuwen Tai despite his atrocities in Jiangling because he managed to put down reforms that led to Northern Zhou conquering Northern Qi.

Historical trivia: Yuwen Tai's daughter Princess Xiangyang married a man called Dou Yi. They had a daughter Duchess Dou, who married the nephew of Sui's Empress Dugu, a young man named Li Yuan who was the Duke of Tang. They had four sons and a daughter. After Duchess Dou died, Li Yuan rebelled against the Sui dynasty, and founded the Tang Dynasty. Their second son Li Shimin became the second Tang emperor.

[thetalltranstiefling]

remember how i said i was done? yeah i lied. (tw: stab scene but for comedy purposes)

Christmas is in a few weeks. And Nicky will be spending it by himself. Glenn and Morgan will go out drinking, Jodie will be moping in the corner and will consistently pretend he doesn’t want to do anything even if he does. But it’s not like that’s anything new. That’s not what he’s bummed about currently.

Today is the first day of Hanukkah, which he used to celebrate with Cassandra and Taylor. But they haven’t done that since Taylor was like 7. Which is fine, again nothing new. 

It’s been almost a decade and a half…

His phone rings and he fumbles not to drop it, it startled him while he was spacing out staring at the calendar. It’s Cass. He’s not going to get hopeful, she’s probably just calling to be polite. As she does, a few times a week. Every week since their first conversation. Even after all this time he still doesn’t know how to answer. “Hi Cass, how are you?” Do I bring up that it’s Hanukkah? I’d like to wish her a happy one but maybe I’m gonna sound sad or she’ll think I’m trying to guilt her into letting me come over oh god why am I still so bad at this-

“Hi honey, I’m doing great, thank you! I’m doing some cooking right now and all. How’re you?”

“Uh, hold on one second sorry-“ Nicky puts the phone down and rushes a distance away. Then he stabs himself. Ow ow fuck ow okay this is real this is real she did say that. He wipes the blood off his hands quickly before picking the phone back up. “Yeah I’m good- okay- yeah, thanks for asking.” 

He hears her laugh. Oh no she knows- “Did that surprise you, honey? You always did like it when I called you that, huh?-”

Luckily Nicky is saved from any further teasing by the faint yell of another voice. “MOM WHO ARE YOU TALKING TO!!”

“Your father, Tay-“

“WHAT?!” Taylor gets much closer and, “Hey!” Now he has control of the phone. “Why are you talking to my mom, you loser?! You better stop wasting her time and hang up-“

Nicky gets so excited, he hasn’t talked to Taylor directly in a few years because he always refuses the phone. “Taylor!! Hi Taylor!! Happy Hanukkah! I hope you have a nice time!”

Silence. Nicky’s disappointed, because even though Taylor dislikes him he still likes hearing his voice. But then Nicky hears that signature “tch,” like an anime character’s scoff, and it makes him smile. “I won’t hang up on you this time, Dad, but only because it’s a holiday. You get off easy today. Happy Hanukkah.”

Nicky’s tail smacks the ground behind him repeatedly. “Thank you Taylor! I love you! Have a good day!” This is the best Hanukkah ever actually fuck you depression.

“Yeah whatever.” There’s some shuffling and the sound of Cassandra scolding Taylor about how he’s an adult now and he can’t just take people’s phones out of their hands, but the next thing actually addressed to Nicky is Cass saying, “So, I’m going to be honest with you here. I have a lot of food to make, and Taylor can’t help because he’s spent most of his time today on call with some college friends working on a group project or something, and as much as I’m sure he’d love to put it on hold for me I don’t want to bother him and I know he’d tired enough as it is.”

There’s a pause. Nicky waits. 

“So, could you please come over and help me?”

“Like- like as in to your house.”

“Yes, Nicky. It’ll be fun, like old times.”

Nicky’s mouth goes dry. “But what about Taylor?”

“It’s the holidays, he can’t tell you to leave. Besides, you’re coming here to help me. And have dinner with us of course because I can’t make you cook without letting you eat some of the food at least, right?” She laughs a bit. “So would you? Pleaseeeee?”

It’s her turn to hear silence on the line, and for a moment she’s worried he’ll say no. She gets thrown back to that day, him standing in the doorway, with a rag covering the bloody space where his left arm used to be, a glint of terror still caught in his eyes, ‘I have to leave.’

“Yeah…yeah I- I’d love to…”

A wave of relief hits her. She can hear it in his voice, he just was trying not to cry. “Great! So I’ll see you-“

A portal opens up next to her in the kitchen, and his head pokes out, the remnants of tears rolling down his cheeks making his smile no less genuine. 

“Soon.”

And that was how it started.

I WROTE A THING POST-S2 ENDING BYE

(tw: brief self-harm, severed limb mention, death mention)

“Fuck off.”

The words Taylor said to Nicky when it was all over. “You’re a loser. Go away. You’re not a part of this family.”

And those are the words Nicky hears in his head as he’s kneeling in the flaming pit of Hell, watching his mage hand cut off his remaining arm over, and over, and over again before it regrows no problem. 

Another voice rings out, of a much younger child wishing to please his father. “Y’know what would fix this, man? Some weed, dawg. That always makes Dad feel better, right?”

It’s accompanied by a third, flat and perfectly consonated. “Have you no sense? That won’t solve anything. Listen to me instead, my Dad says-“

“BOTH OF YOU SHUT THE FUCK UP!!” Nicky slams the flat of the sword into his own head, hard. Enough to knock him over into the ashes of his discarded limbs, all parts of him, but broken and disconnected. The ringing in his ears drowns all the voices out, letting him think for a bit. Kind of. 

He realizes at a certain point, lying with all these shattered pieces of the past he once was, that the ringing is no longer coming from his ears, but instead from his pocket. His phone. He pulls it out and clears his throat before answering, not even bothering to check who it is because 90 percent of the time it’s Glenn butt-dialing him. But instead of the drunken slurring and usual crashing sounds he’s expecting, he hears the voice of someone who knows him all too well.

“Hey…it’s Cass…” is all she says.

Nicky wants to cry and start rambling on about how good it is to hear her voice and how much he misses her but he chokes it down and just responds, “Hi Cass…it’s Nicky.” God she knows that you sound so dumb she’ll think you’re drunk and hang up!

“Can we just talk?”

She didn’t hang up. Nicky sits up, “yeah, we can talk…” He climbs out of the pit of severed arms to sit on the edge, looking down into it. “…what do you wanna talk about..?”

Cassandra sighs, watching through the window of her house as Taylor leaves for Norm’s house, where they’re having tapas to celebrate the win. She promised to join up with him, but… “I just… You never really told me why exactly you left. -I mean I kind of have a general idea. It’s not because you didn’t love me or Taylor, or anything like that. I know that… I guess, ‘for your safety,’ isn’t really a good enough answer for me. I think I have a right to know the full story.”

“Of course, yeah, of course you do… Well I… Uh,” Nicky doesn’t even really know where to begin. “Well… Long story short, I’m a tiefling from Hell- you know that-“ he has a brief flashback from their first meeting, swords flying, “yeah, and, the guys wanted to do the whole Code Purple thing on Hell, and I told them no, and Terry shot my arm off, and it didn’t come back ever-“

“Yeah, severed limbs don’t tend to,” Cassandra flexes the robotic hand she recently got calibrated. 

“Yeah…”

“Okay, but that doesn’t answer the question.”

“Sorry, sorry, I’m getting there, I didn’t mean to end there- fuck I’m messing this up, I’m sorry-“

“Nicky.”

His voice cracks a little and he hates it, “yeah?..”

“It’s okay. Just slow down. Take some deep breaths.”

“Okay.”

“Do you need me to count?”

“No…”

She knows he’s lying. “Breathe in. One, two, three. Breathe out.”

She hears him exhale on the other side. “Good. Again.” They do this a few more times before she says, “now I’m assuming after that fight with your friends was when you came home.”

“Right…” Nicky remembers standing there in the doorway, Cass coming from the other room holding little Taylor, big grey eyes looking at him, oblivious to what was happening. “Not you, loser.”

“Why didn’t you stay?” Cassandra’s voice pulls him from his thoughts again.

“Why didn’t I stay,” he repeats to himself. Why didn’t I? Why didn’t I? I could’ve chosen to stay and protect them. I could’ve fought for us. I could’ve changed. So why didn’t I..? 

…

“Because I didn’t want to be for you and Taylor, what my mom was, to my dad, and me…” Nicky only realizes what this means as he says it. “Cass, I- I was worried that there was a chance that I couldn’t protect you, that I’d die trying. And then I’d be gone and that’d be it- not that I’m scared of dying, I just- I saw firsthand what a death in the family can do, the rift it creates. I experienced it. What it did to me, and what it did to my dad. That is what made me who I am-“

Part of you, Nicholas’ voice says. Never whole, only part.

“Shut up, I’m talking,” Nicky hisses back, then panics, “oh god, Cass, sorry I didn’t mean you-“

“I know. It’s okay.” Nicky remembers with a wince the time he told her about the voices. “Please, continue.”

“…I’d rather that you have a deadbeat husband who was horrible and who left you than a good one who you miss. And I’d rather that you be angry at me than grieve the loss of a love-“

“But I did grieve over you!” She shouts suddenly, and it breaks Nicky’s heart how upset she sounds. “Every single day I did, for a long long time! Because you were my husband, and Taylor’s father, and I loved you more than anything! And every day I hoped you’d come back! And that’s your problem, you have no sense of your own worth! You think you’re worth more to me dead than alive?! Really? Are you fucking serious?!”

“Cass-“ Nicky can’t hold in the tears anymore, he holds the phone away from his head so she won’t hear him sob, only to pull it back to his ear as soon as he hears any sound from the other end.

“Nicky, I trusted you to come back. And you didn’t. But that’s not even what I’m upset at you for anymore, I’ve had plenty of time to be upset at you for that. The reason I yelled- which I’m sorry for- is because I am frustrated that even after all this time you’re still so focused on your hate for yourself and this whole complex you have about ‘always screwing things up,’ that you can’t pay attention to the things around you that would fix that. You know you can talk to me about anything, and in this case some communication about how you were feeling would’ve really been helpful-“

“But I didn’t know.”

“You would’ve figured it out a lot sooner.”

Nicky goes silent, he can’t argue with that.

“Listen, if you’re going to be a part of this family still, you need to start working on how you think about yourself.”

“What- what?” Nicky’s tail slaps the ground behind him repeatedly in surprise. “But Taylor said-“

“Taylor, well, you know how he is.”

“I kind of still don’t…” Nicky admits, defeated.

“Well, he’s not the kind of person to always say exactly what he means. He’s a little ‘delulu,’ as he likes to say.”

“‘Delulu’..?”

“It just means he’s in his own little world, an anime world. And I’m sure you know animes are..?”

“Very dramatic?”

“Yes. That’s Tay for you. Very dramatic. He gets it from me I think.”

“You’re not that dramatic.”

“Well I’m an actor, so, I certainly can be.” Cass laughs a bit, and Nicky’s glad she’s not there to see him melt at the sound. “My point is, he’ll come around, if you make an effort to change.”

“…And what about you?”

“Why do you think I called, dummy? We wouldn’t be having this conversation if I didn’t love you anymore.”

“Ah…that makes sense…How badly did I freak you out when I showed up at your door that one time?”

“Well I was startled considering you were banging on the window frantically, but if I’m being honest I almost let you in.”

Nicky laughs, “at least I’ve still got some rizz left.”

“It had nothing to do with rizz! I wanted to smack you!” 

They continue talking about this or that, nothing all that important. But it’s thanks to Cassandra jamming her foot into the crack, that the slammed door does not stand completely closed.