#that’s actually how he got more comfortable around Amy is when they started looking at baby books and seeing past photos

[nympippi]

Necromancer Finney AU: You said that Bruce has the worst memory issues out of the ghost boys. With that in mind, what was his reaction to his parents and sister greeting him for the first time?

When Bruce was first brought home he immediately knew who his mother was, he didn’t know her exact name but he knew it was her based on the vague memories he had of her. But when it came to the man beside her it was muddier, he knew the man was significant but didn’t know if he was his dad, or an uncle, but with his mother seeing his confusion she told him that the man was his father.

With his mother and father, Bruce had memories of them granted they were muddy and were hard to place but ultimately they were still familiar people to him.

His sister Amy however, he had little to no recollection of his youngest sister. He had to relearn things about her and has to slowly remember what it was like being an older brother. Granted he has a lot of trouble remembering her name, he does try and understand word association like A is for Amy.

[0vergrowngraveyard]

The day had started pretty average all things considered.

Eggman had decided to attack yet another poor, defenseless village but at this point, that was pretty common (as depressing as it was to admit).

It was a peaceful little spot. The village was pretty small and had its own little beach a few miles away. Why the doctor had decided to attack this place out of any village on Mobius was beyond Sonic but hey, why question the bad doctor’s plans when he can just wreck them?

Which is exactly what he and his team, Tails, Knuckles, and Amy, were doing. Knuckles had decided to get off his island and pay everyone a visit for once in his life so when word got out about Eggman’s attack, Sonic had to bring him along.

Y’know, just for some fun.

The gang had managed to drive Eggman’s attention away from the village and solely onto them. Sonic, Knuckles, and Amy took care of the badniks on the ground while Tails handled a few of the larger flying ones in the Tornado.

At this point, they were just fighting on the beach. It wasn’t ideal for the hedgehog, but it was away from the village at least, and that’s all that mattered. He could begrudgingly sacrifice a bit of comfort in order to keep the people safe.

Didn’t mean he wouldn’t audibly complain about it though.

“Why’d you have to choose a beach to fight at, Eggy? D’you know how hard it is to get good traction on sand?” He charge up a homing attack and shot through three buzzbombers, “Actually, now that I think about it, you probably wouldn’t!”

“Aren’t you the one who led us over here?” Knuckles asked, punching a hole straight through a badnik and tossing it into another one which exploded on impact.

“Maybe, but Eggman’s the one who attacked the village so it’s ultimately his fault!” Sonic responded. Knuckles couldn’t argue with that.

Amy slammed her hammer into the ground, a shockwave taking out at least six of the robots. “Is it just me, or are there a lot more badniks?”

Sonic paused and looked around.

Yeah, there were definitely more than usual, but it was nothing they couldn’t handle!

He pulled up his communicator, “Yo Tails! How’s it going up there?” He asked his brother. The Tornado was flying over the ocean, keeping a lot of the flying badniks away from the ground fight.

“Not too bad!” He pulled on the yoke, driving the plane upwards as two bots crashed into each other. “What about down there?”

“Easy peasy!” He pulled his hand away to spindash through a bot before continuing, “Though it doesn’t exactly reach lemon squeezy criteria.” He held back a snort as he heard the kit groan.

“You sound stupid, I hope you know that.” the fox said.

“I second that,” Knuckles added, “though I’m not entirely sure what this fight being simple has to do with peas or lemons.”

This time, Sonic did laugh, to which Amy spoke up about, “Leave him alone, Sonic. It’s just a saying, Knuckles!”

“Once again, your figures of speech make little sense. Why do they all involve food items?”

Sonic opened his mouth to quip back at the echidna when an explosion rang out, echoed in the communicator.

“As much as I’d love to participate in explaining Mobian phrases to Knuckles, things are getting a little dicey up here! I’ll talk later!” Tails said, performing some tricky maneuvering around a few bots as they exploded.

The Tornado had been getting further and further away from the shore.

“Alright bud! Be careful!” Sonic said, taking notice of how far the biplane had suddenly gotten.

“You too, guys!”

“Don’t know the meaning of the word, lil’ bro!” The hedgehog responded as he lowered his communicator, bringing his attention back to the fight at hand. He could almost hear the kit lecturing him about his hypocrisy from the biplane.

The fight on the ground went on for about 10 more minutes. The three had started making a game out of it. Who could throw/smack Sonic into the most badniks in a row? Amy ended up winning when she sent him flying through five badniks in a row croquette style. Her reward was bragging rights, of course.

As Sonic was recovering from being tossed around like a ball for the past few minutes, he decided to have a chat with the old doctor.

“Ayo, doc! You’ve been a little quiet!” He yelled out, “Is this a defeat silence or a disappointed silence or-“

“Quiet rodent. I’m waiting for the finale.” The doctor said, pressing a few buttons on his control panel and muttering something under his breath.

Sonic laughed as Knuckles and Amy walked up behind him, the former keeping his eyes on the Tornado as it was still fighting off a few of the bots.

Were they getting more aggressive?

“Finale? You mean when I knock you on your butt and—!”

(It all happened so fast.)

There was an explosion, a big explosion. It was loud enough to echo through the entire area (or had it just been amplified in his mind?).

He didn’t register Knuckles cry out and bolt towards the shoreline. He didn’t register Amy pulling up her communicator and screaming at the person on the other end to respond. He didn’t even register Eggman’s triumphant laugh as he said words the hedgehog couldn’t hear.

The world moved in slow motion as he turned his head towards the water just in time to see the flaming body of the Tornado crash into the ocean, sinking to its depths.

Time froze. The world around him muted. He stared at the spot the biplane had crashed.

(It happened too fast. Everything just needed to slow down.)

He couldn’t breathe. A suffocating sense of dread blindsided him, smothering him alive and he didn't have the strength to fight back. His heartbeat pounded in his ear and his legs itched to run.

To run away from the entire scene. To run and not look back because maybe, just maybe, if he didn’t look back, that would mean it never happened. That everything was fine. They would go back to the workshop later and bicker and have movie nights and play fights. They’d complain about one another’s habits and laugh together.

He’d lecture the kit about his sleep schedule (or lack thereof) and drag him to his bed. He’d tuck him in and the kit would later wander into his room after having a nightmare and the two brothers would snuggle up together, fighting off the bad dreams that tormented the little fox in his sleep.

That would all happen. It would. It had to.

It had to because if it didn’t, that would mean Tails was really…

Tails was…

(He just needed the world to slow down. Just this once. He wasn’t ready to catch up yet.)

He didn’t realize he had walked waist deep into the ocean with Amy having to hold him back. Knuckles had tried to swim to the wreckage but soon realized it was a fruitless endeavor.

The crash had been too far out.

There was no way to get to Tails.

All Sonic could do was stare out across the body of water he feared so intensely. It was a fear that was ingrained in him.

The ocean didn’t care about who or what was in its depths. If it wanted to keep you there, it would, and there wasn’t much you could do about it. Especially someone like him who sank instead of floated.

The dark depths were always out for him, wrapping its hands around him and tugging him further and further down whenever the opportunity made itself known. It was like the ocean was determined to make itself his final resting place. It joyfully filled his lungs with water and never allowed him up for air.

There was one person he could rely on to get to him before the water did. One person he knew that could fight off the thing keeping him down.

But that one person had just had his small body grabbed and dragged under by whatever malevolent force lived in those waters. Never to resurface.

It was as if the ocean was laughing at him. Annoyingly tapping at his waist with waves as if to say, “Hey, look what I just did. Did you see that?”

Of course he saw, how could he have missed it?

How could he miss the sight of the biplane he took with him from Christmas Island, the plane that allowed him to meet the kit in the first place, crashing in a flaming wreck and sinking to the bottom of the ocean, taking his little brother along with it?

The waters laughed at him.

They bragged about how they were the ones holding the kit instead of him. That their hands were running throughout the fox’s soft, golden fur, surrounding him in his final moments.

They teased him about how he’d never be able to hold him again. His hands itched with the feeling of his kit’s fur beneath them. He wanted to find him, to rescue him from his captor. Even if he was taking his final breaths, he wanted them to be in the arms of someone the fox trusted more than life itself. To tell his kid how much he loves him and how much he meant to all of them. That he would be missed.

But the kit was alone.

And that’s exactly how the ocean wanted it.

…

Knuckles didn’t know how much time had passed and frankly, he didn’t care.

He didn’t want to think about it because if the kit hadn’t gone quickly in the initial explosion, then the alternative would’ve taken time. Minutes he could’ve spent swimming to get to him. He should’ve been able to get to him. He was an incredibly fast swimmer, he should’ve been able to get out there.

As the seconds went by, the already cavernous pit in his stomach grew tenfold. He tried not to think about the fox kit who was alone in the cockpit of his beloved biplane, possibly conscious and just waiting for his time to come.

He didn’t want to think about the youngest — one of his first friends, someone he had grown to consider to be a younger brother just as the hedgehog had — in that scenario. It wasn’t right, not after all the kit had done for them.

He had managed to pull Sonic a little closer to the shore. The blue hedgehog had fallen to his knees, no longer being able to carry the weight of what just happened. It was haunting, the way he just stared at the horizon. Never in his life did he think he’d see the hedgehog in such a state of despair and defeat.

Then again, he never even began to imagine something like this happening. Not to Tails.

He pried his eyes off of the grief stricken big brother and looked beside him.

Amy wasn’t doing much better, her head was in her knees, fist clenched and body tense as she cried. She was sobbing her heart out. He could only imagine the thoughts going through her mind.

He looked at the sand in front of him and closed his eyes out of respect for the kit, a few tears he didn’t even know had formed slipped down his cheek. His mind flashed with memories of the fox kit, from the one of him first arriving to Angel Island with his hyperactive yet silent blue brother all the way to the call just a few moments ago.

It wasn’t right, they (Sonic) had just been teasing the echidna about his lack of knowledge for common Mobians phrases. How could this have happened? Why did this happen? Why was there no heads up or warning? It was all so sudden and they didn’t even have time to process anything.

Knuckles knew it was foolish to question why people died, he was the last of his kind for crying out loud, he should be used to this.

Except he wasn’t. The kid may not have been an echidna, but he was still part of his tribe. His family. They all were.

And their tribe had just lost their youngest. Their little golden ball of sunshine. The kid who could brighten an entire area with his laughter and knock someone’s ego down several pegs at the same time. The kid he for the longest time just assumed was magical because of how skillful he was with machines, creating their communicators out of seemingly nothing just so they could stay in contact with each other. He created incredible defensive mechanisms and weapons just to keep people safe. He was only 8 years old.

He had done so much for them, and this was how they repaid him? How the world repaid him?

How dishonorable.

[dreamcubed]

back to black | regulus black x reader

song; back to black [amy winehouse] pairing; regulus black x fem!gryffindor!half-blood!reader genre; s2l, angst, hurt comfort word count; 6,3k timeline; marauders' era warnings; swearing, implied child abuse, discrimination (of muggles and muggle-borns), references to war, references to death(s) summary; autumn was your favourite season of all time, and not even your lack of mother or friendships could ruin it for you. but, maybe a brooding boy in your year could

this took me fucking forever but here it is!! and a merry christmas to all who celebrate <33

masterlist

"you went back to what you knew."

————————————

Back to black.

Well, technically, as the first time you had only had black hair for a matter of hours before your mother scolded you for dyeing it and made you change it back. But, she was dead now, and you were about to enter the year of OWL exams at Hogwarts, so a change was well overdue.

You gazed down at your black-stained hands: the muggle way of hair dyeing had been the most spiteful way to do it. After all, your mother hated anything muggle, even though she was merely half-blood herself. Part of you suspected it was because your father was a muggle and broke her heart, but you would never be able to confirm that, since you knew nothing about the man.

With a sigh, you glanced into the mirror and observed the wet black mess on your head. It was certainly going to stain your forehead and neck.

"Fuckin' Azkaban," you murmured, noticing the stains all over the sink and floor. Maybe you should have just done it the magic way.

Well, the stains were nothing a little magic couldn't fix: you didn't care that you weren't seventeen yet, after all.

***

Quite honestly, you adored the fact that school started in Autumn, your absolute favourite season. Nothing hit the spot like a Jack O'Lantern spice latte, fresh from the kitchens of Hogwarts. You had discovered the secret entrance to it a few years back, and come by to make requests frequently.

You tightly held the warm drink as you hurried back to the Gryffindor common room before curfew hit, where no friends were waiting for you. You had always felt out of place in the red house, and had never successfully made a friend in it, let alone the other houses. They all had their distinctive groups, while you were simply an outcast. Nonetheless, you did love how Autumnal the Gryffindor colour scheme was.

Ignoring everyone who was still downstairs, you headed up to the dormitories, where you sat down on your bed and chewed on your lip for a few moments. You weren't sure what to do with yourself.

***

Regulus Black was the quiet and brooding boy in your potions, defence against the dark arts, transfiguration - and actually every class apart from divination. That didn't surprise you, as even though you had never spoken to him, he didn't strike you as a particularly spiritual man. All you really knew about him was that his older brother, the renowned Sirius Black, was in your house - and they did not get along.

He was the only person who you shared so many classes with, and that was the solitary reason that you had noticed him. Well, that and his strikingly powerful presence.

You wondered if he realised you shared so many classes together.

Probably not, though. To make up for your lack of friendships, you intensely observed the people around you, trying to pretend as if you knew them and could predict how a conversation would go with them. It was a fun game for someone so deprived as yourself, even more so when you somehow ended up in conversation with someone and got to find out how accurate in your predictions you were.

But you also loved when you were completely wrong about a person.

"A new hair colour, I see, Miss L/N," Professor McGonagall said to you as you entered the first transfiguration lesson of the year.

You nodded, "Felt I needed a change."

The witch gave you a pitiful look that made you sick to your stomach: you hated the fact that people felt the need to tread on egg shells around you because of your mother's death. You weren't upset about it - you hated the woman.

"Black suits you," she said simply, the very same second Regulus Black entered the room.

He looked up, clearly thinking his name had been called.

"Not you, Mr Black," McGonagall waved her hand dismissively, "I was referring to Miss L/N's new hair colour."

For the first time ever, you were pretty sure, Regulus Black looked in your direction and made eye contact with you. His cold grey eyes pierced through you, as if he suddenly knew every secret about you - which he didn't, you had read about legilimency and it didn't feel like that. Just as quickly as he looked at you, he looked away again, and took a seat at the back of the classroom.

You felt a shiver run up your spine - an itching, chilly sensation, that made you feel positively thrilled.

"Everyone, please take your seats," McGonagall said as the class filled up.

You looked around, noticing a few empty spots, but most prominently the space next to Regulus Black at the back of the room. Your feet were taking you towards it before your mind could kick into action, and even though you were convinced that he was glaring at you, you kept your eyes trained on to the professor as you sat down.

"This year in transfiguration, we will cover..."

McGonagall's voice faded into background noise as you became hyper aware of the boy's presence next you, whilst simultaneously doing everything in your power to make it seem like your attention was not on him but instead the lesson.

What had become of you?

***

Smudged eyeliner and a maroon knitted jumper, cold peppermint tea and torn parchment; your mind felt frantic yet empty, gazing out the window of the Gryffindor common room. Starless nights and rain against glass, blazing fire and crackling flames; you couldn't see anything outside, so you couldn't quite piece together why your eyes remained fixed on the blackness.

A sigh pushed through your lips, picking up the tea to take a sip - only for it to go down reluctantly, due to its chilly temperature. Had it really been that long since you zoned out?

Another sigh escaped you as you rose to your feet. You were the only person who remained in the Gryffindor common room, so you estimated that it was at least midnight. Definitely way too late to venture into the rest of the castle: if you cared about punishment, that was.

Pulling out your wand from your dark-washed jeans, you pushed open the portrait of the Fat Lady and muttered a soft, "Lumos," into the corridor. You anticipated the scream of the painted woman asking where you were headed at such an hour, but at the lack of you turned around and saw that she was presently vacated from her usual spot. Hopefully she would have returned by the time you got back.

You knew the way to the kitchens like the back of your hand, but you rarely took it so late, way past curfew. You were, of course, cautious. It would be insane not to be in an enchanted castle such as Hogwarts, which also happened to be haunted.

Your gut sensed another presence before any of your typical five senses did: lurching as it indicated that you were not alone. You quickly whispered, "Nox," and ducked into an alcove, focusing all your energy into your sense of hearing. Delicate - very delicate - footsteps. So faint you almost thought that you were hallucinating.

They stopped right by you, and you heard a soft breath.

Why did it sound so achingly familiar, yet not like any professor's?

"Who's there?"

Regulus Black.

You stepped out from the alcove and into the light of his wand, crossing your arms in the process. Regulus took one look at you and sighed.

"What do you want, Gryffindor?"

"I have a name," you muttered, "And I would like to think you know it."

He raised an eyebrow at you, and you scowled.

"I want nothing from you, Black, I merely thought you were a teacher."

He seemed to mull over your words for a few seconds, ultimately deciding that there was no way it was anything but the truth before saying, "Very well."

The question itched on your tongue. "What are you doing?"

In the dimmed light, you could only just make out the way he pressed his tongue into his cheek, a bit more aggressively than you would hope for.

"That's none of your concern."

You narrowed your eyes, "I'm pretty sure the last time someone said that, a girl ended up dead in the toilets."

"You-" Regulus cut himself off at the sound of loud, purposeful footsteps echoing down the hallway. He muttered, "Shit," before dimming his wand light and pulling you back into the alcove with him.

You held your breath as the footsteps increased in volume, almost unaware of your hand pressed against Regulus' abdomen, and his arm wrapped around your waist.

"Are you sure he was headed this way, Mrs Norris?" the unfortunate voice of Filch asked, followed by a scratchy meow.

You pursed your lips as the footsteps got quieter, only letting yourself breathe once there was complete silence again. Still, you and Regulus remained in position for a few more seconds.

"I think the coast is clear," you murmured.

"Hm? Oh, yeah," Regulus replied distractedly, slipping out of the alcove and letting his arm drop from your waist. You hadn't noticed the warmth that much, but you definitely noticed the lack of it.

"Guess Filch is on to you," you said, to fill the silence more than anything else - which was weird, as you had never been bothered by lack of conversation before.

"Bastard," Regulus replied. Maybe it wasn't a reply, but an unrelated yet relevant comment.

You lit your wand again, and turned to continue on your journey, "I'm going to the kitchens, in case you were wondering," you had hoped it would prompt him to admit to his activities, but he simply remained silent, "You can come if you want."

You had no explanation for adding that last part.

It was obvious that Regulus' first instinct had been to say no, but he must have come to the conclusion that there was really nowhere else to go while Filch was headed off on a rampage towards his original destination. So, he sighed instead, and began trailing behind you towards the fruit bowl portrait.

"Peppermint tea, Miss L/N?" the house elf nearest to you asked after you entered the magnificent kitchens, which were remarkably similar to the Great Hall.

"Actually, I think I'll take a hot chocolate, thank you," you replied, sitting down at the end of one of the four long tables. It was too late for your preferred latte, after all.

"And you, Mr Black?" another house elf asked.

It was evident that Regulus was startled that the creature knew his name, "Americano. Black, no sugar."

You weren't surprised at his request.

"Do you have a house elf?" you asked, as you knew that the Black family was pure-blooded and wealthy.

He gave a curt nod, which you took as a hint that he wasn't interested in conversation. Luckily, the house elves quickly whipped up the hot drinks and placed them in two forest green mugs in front of you.

To your surprise, he asked a question.

"How do you know about this place?"

You shrugged, "I followed the Marauders here one night."

Regulus drew back, and you realised then what a mistake mentioning the infamous quartet was: Sirius Black was clearly a sour topic.

Regardless, you still mumbled, "I think they knew I was there."

He chuckled dryly, "Probably."

"How are you gonna sleep?" you changed the subject, gesturing towards his steaming coffee.

"I won't."

You didn't press that matter further, either. But it was then that you noticed the dark circles under his eyes, sallow and zombie-like. Yet they suited him, enhanced his eery yet attractive looks, which was probably why you hadn't registered them before. They didn't appear out of place.

"Why don't you have a red mug?" Regulus asked, taking you by surprise. He was gazing at the wall display of mugs, sorted into the four house colours.

"Miss L/N doesn't like the red mugs," a house elf piped up, placing a tray of cookies in between the two of you.

"But it's your house colour."

You sipped slowly on your hot chocolate, stewing over the words you could potentially say. "I... don't like being a Gryffindor. I've never felt like I belonged."

"I don't like Gryffindors."

You scoffed, "Never would've guessed."

He raised an eyebrow.

"All Slytherins hate us."

"Yeah, because you're Dumbledore's favourite."

You shrugged.

"That and you allow mudbloods."

You paused in your movements, "So do Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff, yet you don't go on a rampage against them."

"Point taken."

The school hot chocolate was delicious, you decided, and you should really have it more.

"What's your blood status?"

You shrugged, "Half-blood."

"I'm-"

"Pure-blood, I know," you sighed, "Even if the Black family weren't a so-called noble house, I would've guessed from your comments earlier."

He stared at you: a piercing, icy glare that almost made a shiver run up your spine. Almost.

"Do you really enjoy leading such a hateful life?"

His mouth parted, before he carefully swallowed and avoided eye contact, "It's not about hatred, it's about what's right."

"And what's right is abusing muggle-borns, even though they were born wizards and witches just like us?"

Regulus said nothing.

"I think that you need to stop taking Mummy and Daddy's word for what it is," you said mockingly, "You have your own brain, form your own opinions with it."

You watched his jaw clench.

"With that, I will bid you adieu," you said, picking up your hot chocolate and a few cookies, "See you tomorrow."

He didn't say goodbye to you as you left, and you didn't wait for him to.

***

Regulus watched you as you entered transfiguration the next day: you felt it before you saw his eyes glued on to you. You ignored his attentions, still sitting next to him but making no effort to engage in conversation. He made no effort either, eventually peeling his eyes away from you when McGonagall arrived to begin the lesson.

In fact, no words were exchanged between the two of you until the very end of the hour.

"I think you're wrong," he muttered.

You looked down at your parchment, furrowing your eyebrows at the answer that you were pretty sure was correct. "It's not animagi?"

"Not about that," he clarified, "About mudbloods."

You exhaled sharply through your nose.

"They aren't worthy."

"You're insufferable," you said quietly, "The existence of muggle-borns doesn't affect you, leave them alone."

"It affects the culture of wizards and witches, which affects me."

"Maybe the culture needs changing," you spat back, "Godric knows you do."

Regulus didn't reply, and you made no further attempt to talk to him.

Not for the rest of your time at Hogwarts.

***

APPROXIMATELY THREE YEARS LATER: 1979.

***

"I can't seem to face up to the facts..." you sung quietly along to the song as you gazed into the mirror of your bathroom.

"I'm tense and nervous and I can't relax..." it was playing from your record player in your bedroom, just through the open door to your right. Your graduation gift (to yourself) had been a record player, a very pleasant addition to the house that you had inherited from your mother. Especially as she hated all muggle items.

"I can't sleep 'cause my bed's on fire..." It was only three bedrooms, the third being so small it could hardly fit a twin bed in, but the master bedroom was decently sized and had an en suite. And, officially being the master of the house, that bedroom was now yours.

"Don't touch me, I'm a real live wire..." You were dyeing your hair black for the third time in your life.

After dyeing it before fifth year, you had maintained the roots up until Christmas before you went back to your natural colour, and had remained that way up until now. But, you decided that you wanted your raven locks back, and so had stopped by a muggle pharmacy for some black hair dye. There was something therapeutic in doing it manually.

"Psycho killer, qu'est-ce que c'est?" you continued to mumble, finishing up the touches of your hair, just when you heard a heavy knock on your door.

You stilled: nobody came knocking on your door. Your solitary existence remained very solitary.

Grabbing your wand off the counter, you moved into your bedroom and delicately removed the needle from the vinyl, before silently padding downstairs. You crept up to the maroon door and peered through the peephole, fully prepared to yell "stupefy" should you require.

It was the last person you expected - and considering you expected no one, that really said something.

Despite recognising the individual, you were hesitant to open the door, as you knew that said person was a renowned death eater: one of the Dark Lord's loyal followers.

"L/N, please, I know you're there," he croaked, his voice ragged and scratched.

Against your better judgement, you opened the door, only to catch sight of his ripped clothes and dripping wounds. There were bags under his eyes and his hair was longer and messy, and you had absolutely no idea what to do.

"Please, I didn't know where else to go."

You sighed, lowering your wand and stepping back to open the door wide. Godric knows that you would go to hell for helping a death eater like this.

"What happened to you?" you murmured, leading him through to your small galley kitchen. You dug through your cupboards until you found your first aid kit, and then grabbed a flannel and ran it under the hot tap.

Regulus watched you silently.

"Take off your clothes," you muttered, then added, "Except your underwear."

He obliged, and your breath hitched at the gory visuals in front of you.

"Fuckin' Azkaban."

You began cleaning him up, applying a healing potion as you went.

"I should've listened to you."

"Hm?"

"What you said about mud- muggle-borns," his eyes crinkled together, "You-Know-Who- he's... he's..."

"Batshit?" you raised an eyebrow, noting how Regulus avoided his name.

A scratched chuckle came out his throat, "Yeah."

"Did you challenge him to a duel or something?" you asked as you paused your care of him to fetch a glass of water for his throat.

"I'd be dead if I'd done that - no, I've been trying to find his Horcruxes."

"His what?"

Regulus gulped down all of the water before he replied. "There's a reason he's so fearless."

And then came his explanation and story, of how he found out about Voldemort's secret of immortality after realising that he was in the wrong, and had begun hunting down the pieces of his soul in order to destroy him for good. That led on to his explanation of how he ended up in the state he was currently in.

"The locket," he explained, "I went with Kreacher - my house elf - to this cave. I had to drink water that dehydrates you to get to the locket, and the only other water around was in this lake kind of thing. But, of course, it wasn't a normal lake. It was full of inferni."

You mindlessly continued tending to his wounds as you took all of this in.

"They started clawing at me and dragging me in - so I ordered Kreacher to leave with the locket, thinking I wouldn't survive," his voice faltered as he relived the memory, "I don't even know how I did - it's all a blur. But I couldn't go back home, or anywhere I normally go. You-Know-Who knows by now."

"So you came here?" you finally spoke.

"I- yes."

"Even though we hardly know each other."

He stared at you with darkened sorrow in his eyes, and you realised that this was far from the Regulus you knew in Hogwarts.

You sighed, pulling away from him as you finished up with the last of the injuries.

"You're the first person that came to mind," he murmured.

Your eyes flicked to the snake twisting on Regulus' wrist, the permanent sign of devotion to the Dark Lord.

"He's trying to reach me," he muttered, "Is your house well protected?"

You shook your head, "There's no reason they'd come here."

Regulus cursed under his breath, "I'm really sorry to put you in danger, please let me put some protective charms around the place."

You gestured for him to be your guest.

"Am I-"

"Yes, you can stay," you replied. You wouldn't have let him through your door if you hadn't seen the difference in his once cold eyes.

He said nothing, but gave you a look that screamed his thanks as he left through your kitchen door.

***

"He might think you're dead, you know," you said as he came back inside, while you were in the process of laying the table. He had been outside for so long that you had washed out the hair dye from your hair, which was now wet and a bit of a mess.

He didn't reply, so you looked up at his skinny and fatigued figure.

"He probably doesn't think anyone can escape his protective measures."

"Can't take any chances," he eventually murmured, taking a seat, "Thank you for the food."

You gave a small smile, sitting down opposite him. The two of you ate in a companionable silence until Regulus finally said something.

"I won't be here long. I have to continue my search."

You scowled, "No."

He paused, arching an eyebrow, "No?"

"You're in no state to do anything, Black," you said simply, "You'd be fucking useless out there right now."

You watched as Regulus digested your words, "But I can't do nothing."

You shrugged, "You haven't done nothing. I have."

"Yes, but you don't have mistakes to make up for."

The conversation once again flattened to nothing, the odd hint of tension in the air weighing down ever so slightly.

"Why did you do it the muggle way?"

"Hm?"

"Your hair."

"Oh," your eyes widened as you thought carefully, "Mainly to spite my mother."

He tilted his head in confusion.

"She wasn't a very nice woman," you explained, "Shit mother, and she also hated anything muggle. She's dead now, but I do a lot of muggle things to remind myself I'm nothing like her."

"Did she hate muggle-borns?"

You pursed your lips, "Not really, I don't think. Depends how muggle they acted. I've always theorised that my dad was a muggle and broke her heart."

"My parents were awful," Regulus murmured, "When Sirius got sorted into Gryffindor, they gave up on him. But in a way that also made things worse for me, because I was their last chance at the perfect Black heir."

You nodded.

"That's why I resent him so much."

"Maybe one day you two can get along."

He chuckled dryly, "When muggles can do magic."

***

The once sallowed dark aura around Regulus Black had morphed since Hogwarts. It wasn't brighter, that was for sure, you would describe it as a cloudy navy blue - rainy, but not thunderous. Something about him had been replaced and changed, something hard and uncaring, now softer and sympathetic. It wasn't until you were laying in your bed that night with the wind blowing against your window did you realise exactly what it was - he had been traumatised, and thus matured.

Guilt also crept into you from your darkest corners: you had stayed out of the brewing conflict from the death eaters, even though you disagreed with their values. Your cowardice had led you to self-isolate and refuse to fight, bathing in the safety of your half-blood status. Regulus Black showing up on your doorstep was karma if nothing else.

You pulled your maroon quilt further over you and nestled your head into your pillows, trying to crush the lingering sense that your life was only just beginning.

***

The whistle from your kettle blew, filling the kitchen with steam. You let out a yawn as you entered through the archway, and almost jumped when you saw Regulus stood there with two mugs before him. Living alone had been your situation for far too long.

"Good morning," he spoke, but by the strangled way he said it, it was clear that those two words had never left his mouth before, at least not as a pair.

"Morning," you raised an eyebrow, watching as he wandlessly guided the kettle through the air to pour water.

"Milk? Sugar?" he said in question.

"Milk, two sugars."

He hummed in reply, the black shirt that you had lent him clinging to his lean figure. He was skinnier than he should be, that much was obvious, but there was still muscle definition that made your stomach swarm with butterflies. You knew that you had fancied him briefly back in Hogwarts, but you had squandered those feelings when you learned of his political views.

Now he was a changed man, and he was even more attractive than he used to be, and it felt like every butterfly you had crushed had been resurrected all at once. It was overwhelming, and yet the most satisfying experience you had been a part of since the beginning of your dull adulthood.

"Here," he handed you a golden-yellow mug, "I hope it's to your satisfaction."

"Only time will tell," you replied, moving through to the living room.

You sat in a companionable quiet for a while, sipping on your tea and soaking in the ambiance of the morning.

It was when there was almost no liquid left in your mug, and your limbs were growing fidgety, that you felt words race out your mouth before you could think about them. A rushed, perhaps crossing-the-line, statement of, "Stay for a while."

You didn't know whether you meant hours or months.

***

Regulus took a turn for the worse the next day, overcome with vicious fever-like symptoms and ugly coughing fits. The mid-war conditions that you were in made it way too risky to seek professional help, especially as Regulus was a wanted death eater. So, you had no choice but to take care of him to the best of your ability: between herbal teas, homemade soups, leftover cough medicines and cold cloths pressed to his forehead, he seemed to be slowly improving. At least, he wasn't getting worse. But his body was already weakened, so his chances were worse than an average person dealing with whatever he was.

With your hair tied and sleeves pulled up, you ran the white flannel you had been using for Regulus under the cold tap, letting out an exhausted exhale. It had been approximately sixty hours since your guest was bedridden, and you had hardly slept in that time. It was quite difficult to when he would start screaming in the middle of the night during his fever dream episodes.

The pale moonlight slipped through the gaps in your vertical slit blinds, gently illuminating the white china of your bathroom sink, and probably the bags under your eyes as well. Just as you turned off the tap, you heard more screaming from your guest bedroom, so you quickly wrung out the flannel and ran back to Regulus.

"You're okay, you're okay," you murmured, pressing the cloth to his forehead, "You're safe."

His screaming stopped, and you could've sworn his eyes were slightly opened and staring at you through the darkness. "Y/N," he mumbled.

"Yes, Regulus, it's me, Y/N."

You felt his hand grip around the wrist of your hand that held the flannel in place.

"Don't leave me."

"I'm not going anywhere," you spoke gently.

"In sickness and in health..." he muttered, making you chuckle slightly.

Not forgetting the butterflies, of course.

"Yes, Regulus, in sickness and in health."

"You're... amazing..." he sighed, drifting off again into a lax slumber, his hand falling from your wrist.

You softly stroked his cheek, "Get well soon."

***

You had lost track of the days, but you knew that many suns had set and risen by the time Regulus stumbled downstairs one morning, shirtless and still evidently delirious.

"Good morning," you said, observing the man fumbling to sit down in a chair, "Would you like a cup of tea?"

He grunted.

"Feeling better then?" you asked, moving through the archway into the kitchen and setting out two mugs on the counter.

Regulus raked his hands through his hair, grunting again.

"At least you're conscious," you said half to yourself, half to him.

"Date," he said in a scratchy voice, locking his shiny eyes on to yours.

"What's the date?"

He nodded.

You gazed over at the calendar on your wall, only to realise you hadn't been crossing off the days like you typically did ever since Regulus had fallen ill. Sheepishly, you shrugged, "I don't know."

Regulus sighed.

"Sorry, I've hardly slept."

He shook his head, "Don't apologise, it's not your fault."

You didn't bother refuting that. "On the bright side, I know it's been a good few days. I think You-Know-Who would've found you by now if he was looking for you," you said, adding a, "Touch wood," and touching one of your wooden cabinets afterward.

Regulus seemed to ponder that for a moment, "I guess. Thank you for taking care of me."

"I didn't really have a choice," you replied, placing a mug of steamy tea in front of him, "But I'd do it again."

He smiled at you - a tired, but genuine, smile.

"I need to take a long shower, if you don't mind," you sighed, holding your own warm mug, "I feel gross."

"Yeah, you kinda look it."

You went to whack him, "You're one to talk."

He started laughing, which quickly turned into a coughing fit.

"Whoa, whoa, be careful," you said through laughter, "Your lungs can't take much right now."

"I'm fine," he said through splutters, "I swear."

"You should shower after me," you said when he had calmed down, "In the nicest possible way, you need it."

He didn't argue.

***

Rain pounding against the window seemed almost symbolic of the state of the wizarding world as it was: pathetic fallacy, if you will. But, you must admit, your cowardly approach to the war had led you to lead quite a cosy lifestyle in your little cottage, tucked up by fires with hot cups of tea.

At times, you considered joining the resistance, and fighting for what was right. Realistically, though, you couldn't contribute much. Your duelling skills had always been subpar and despite your alleged Gryffindor identity, you lacked courage. Surely the Sorting Hat had made a mistake all those years ago, back when you were a nervous eleven-year-old stood in front of an audience full of older kids.

Never the matter - the past was the past, and as you didn't possess a timeturner, it would have to remain the way it was.

"Something doesn't feel right," Regulus' voice made you jump out of your skin.

Ignoring your surprise, he sat next to you on the sofa.

"You don't think?"

"No," he shook his head. It had been a couple months since he showed up at your door, and these days he came and went from your home. He was currently in search of his brother, Sirius, who he knew to be a part of the resistance. Regulus had explained to you how even though they had never gotten along, he would be more likely to listen to anything he had to say than other resistance members, who would probably arrest him on the spot.

You had crafted a port key for him - something that you were in fact good at - to access your house without revealing your location. This had led to him frequently jump scaring you by appearing in your living room out of nowhere, especially since he never showed up at the same time.

"Any news on Sirius?"

Regulus shook his head, leaning back into the plush pillows, "He's as good at hiding as I am."

"At least you have something in common."

He chuckled dryly, "I just can't escape the feeling that something is brewing tonight."

"Bad or good?" you furrowed your eyebrows, but secretly you knew what he meant. A new paranoia had been itching at you all day.

Regulus shrugged, "Both. Neither. Who knows?"

You followed his gaze to the thundering sky through the window.

"What day is it?" he asked.

You thought for a moment, "Halloween."

A thunderous boom echoed outside.

Regulus grimaced, "I'll source a newspaper tomorrow. Need to find out if I'm just being paranoid."

It was right then at that moment, as lightning flashed in the sky and lit up the whole room, that you knew he wasn't just being paranoid. A historical moment was taking place as you spoke: tragic, yet hopeful.

You felt a head drop on to your shoulder, and looked down in surprise to see that Regulus had drifted off quite peacefully next to you. Smiling to yourself, you adjusted your position so he could lie on you, unable to stop yourself from indulging in affection that filled your starving appetite for touch. He nuzzled his head into you, making a light and happy sound.

Sighing softly, you let your eyes drift shut.

***

He was gone when you woke up, as often was the case. While he slept at yours almost every night, he was prone to getting back late and leaving early, desperately searching for his elder brother.

Therefore, it was quite a surprise to see him burst through the dining room door at eleven o'clock in the morning, while you were frying eggs.

"Y/N," he said breathlessly as he approached the kitchen archway, a rolled newspaper crushed in one of his hands.

"What?"

"He's gone," he said, and if it wasn't for the smile on his face, you would have thought he was talking about his brother.

You barely had time to put the frying pan down before he continued.

"You-Know-Who," he said, throwing the paper on your kitchen counter, "They're saying he's dead - but I don't believe that - either way he's gone."

You moved to look at the newspaper of moving images and writing.

"He killed James and Lily Potter," he explained, "They were friends of my brother, but apparently he couldn't kill their son. Their one-year-old son."

Eyebrows furrowed, you ran your finger over the front page.

"I hope to Merlin that he never returns, wherever he is."

You chuckled.

"Salazar, I'm so happy I could kiss you," he said quite suddenly, making your head snap up.

Silence lingered between the two of you as you stared at each other with widened eyes, becoming hyper aware of your breathing. Then, his lips were on yours, and while it was a chaste kiss, it was passionate and intimate.

When you parted, Regulus rested his forehead against yours and wrapped his arms around your figure, pulling you flush against him.

"I've wanted to do that for so long," he panted.

"Me too."

***

The second time you were gathered around a newspaper together was not too long later, after the arrest of Sirius Black for the murder of Peter Pettigrew and being a suspected death eater.

"At least you managed to find and talk to him before this."

Regulus sighed, "Yeah. I guess."

You said nothing.

"He was the only one who could vouch for me. I can never earn people's trust now."

"I think you'll just need to stay on the down-low."

Regulus sighed again, taking your hand into his, "Can I stay here for that long?"

You chuckled, pulling him into your embrace, "You can stay here forever."

He smiled, kissing your head.

***

APPROXIMATELY SEVENTEEN YEARS LATER: 1998.

***

"The verdict of the state versus Regulus Black is as follows..." the judge sat in the courtroom at the Ministry of Magic announced, making your breath hitch as you crossed your fingers behind your back.

You locked eyes with your long-time fiancé who was stood in the centre of the room within a mini-cell, and saw the way his Adam's apple moved in a gulp.

"Regulus Black is found guilty of serving You-Know-Who and the anti-muggle-born terrorist movement..."

You threw your hand over your mouth, tears pricking at your eyes.

"...but is hereby pardoned from punishment due to his immense aid in defeating You-Know-Who thereafter."

Never had such a large amount of air rushed out of your lungs, as your son hugged you from the side, likely not understanding the words the judge used, but understanding the look of elation on his father's face.

You didn't stop Sirius from detaching from your side and running down to the cell as they unlocked it: in fact, you ran after him, eager to hold your fiancé in your arms. You watched as Regulus picked up his son and hugged him tightly, before dropping him to take you into his arms.

Pecking his lips, you beamed up at him with joyful tears streaming down your cheeks.

"We can finally get married," he said, kissing you again.

You giggled, "Hopefully before my bump gets too big."

Regulus' eyes widened as he moved his hand to your abdomen, his smile somehow growing even wider than it was before.

"I love you," he said breathlessly.

——————————————

masterlist

written; 02/10/2023 —> 20/12/2023 published; 21/12/2023 edited; —/—/——

[theexaltedbride]

Dead Island 2 Slayers X Reader Headcanons.

Amy:

-Always tries to make sure you eat right for a day of surviving the undead. Amy also likes to take the time to show you how to properly limber up and run so you don’t pull a muscle during an attack or a retreat from the undead.

-Amy isn’t afraid to let you touch her prosthetic leg, so long as you ask nicely and don’t tug on it.

-When things get tough, Amy has a thousand little pick-me-up phrases and feel good mottos she can give you that she’s said to herself many times.

-When fighting he undead Amy likes to hit and run, picking the zombies down one by one (Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee). But she will go all out if she spots you being cornered or pushed too hard by the swarm.

Bruno:

-Will always compliment your music choices even if he doesn’t actually like them, and is always the first one to suggest blaring music loudly when you find a working car and can drive around the zombies. His main choice seems to be some song called “Stay Alive’ which he was playing on his phone before the plane crash.

-Phone is now full of selfies with you, but only the ones that make you look good and got the right filters on, so everyone can see you as he sees you.

-Bruno is not the most gun savvy person and tends to shoot it gangsta style, if you can teach him the right way to use one (especially proper gun-safety) he will appreciate it, especially after the two of you start stacking Zeds left and right.

-Promises that once this is all over, you and him are gonna hit it big on the internet. He’s gonna make a song about you.

Carla:

-After swearing so much at the undead, or at dickish survivors, she decided to teach you Spanish, starting with every swear she knows and even some new ones. But when you are alone together, she will also teach you by whispering sweet (or even dirty) things in Spanish to you and telling you to translate it.

-Once punched out another survivor for getting too handsy with you, and afterwards will start teaching you how to properly fight with someone.

-Will always offer a comforting touch, even if she can be a little rough around the edges. Gives the best hugs out of the group, but don’t tell anyone.

-Is going to teach you to ride a motorcycle, so you can get the same rush as she does from her bike, but also so you can get away quickly if things go bad.

Dani:

-Will teach you how to drink like you mean it, but is willing to start with the weaksauce stuff if you are hesitant to drink during the apocalypse.

-Can play up her accent if you want, but it tends to happen when she gets very angry, to the point even she doesn’t know what she said.

-Is constantly trying to decide what kind of tattoos would look good on you, and promising you it doesn’t hurt.

-Promises you that if you both survive this, she’s gonna make you part of the Blood Faeries.

Jacob:

-Normally doesn’t like to put his cigars out for anyone, but will do so for you. If only because he wants to make a good impression.

-Loves clearing out, fancy, mansions in LA of zombies and turning them into a safehouse where you and him can have a great time together just eating the food, watching the movies and raiding anything there for some fun. Its important to keep a happy mindset during the apocalypse.

-When raiding for supplies, he will go out of his way to find things he knows you like and bring them back, which is slowly turning the both of you into loot goblins and packrats. You’re gonna need a bigger bag or storehouse for all the stuff you’ve picked up.

- Even when he’s feeling down, he forces himself to smile through it, but the smile becomes much more genuine when you are around.

Ryan:

-Genuinely afraid of all the undead overwhelming LA, but will put on a brave face so that you aren’t scared. Eventually he won’t have to fake it, and will genuinely be brave, especially with you around.

-You genuinely thought he was a real firefighter, until you noticed his helmet was a toy. He loves going over that story and sometimes sharing his craziest stories from his career as a male stripper.

-Wants to survive the apocalypse and show you off to his brother and boast about how badass you are for having survived alongside him.

-Will only pull out his old stripper dance moves when in a safezone, and only if he’s 110% sure no one will barge in.

All purpose Headcannons:

-They will love you regardless of if you are ‘Immune’/a ‘Numen’, or not. They care about you for who you are, not what you are. And if the other group of (evil?) Numen try to step between them and you, then those bastards have another thing coming.

-They tend to let you handle the radio calls when it involves civilians in danger, or them trying to sell their ‘Hero Services’ out to any survivors in LA.

-Movie Night back at Emma’s mansion is the highlight of the week now, with everyone voting over what movie to watch. There tends to be a trend of the longer movies being chosen, so that the group can forget about the chaos outside a little longer.

-The excitement you sometimes show when you nerd out over something is also a welcome distraction and has led to in depth nerdy debates even in the middle of fighting against swarms.

-The group is slowly turning Patton’s bunker into a second home/safehouse for survivors.

-None of them can decide on a group name for themselves.

-If the group encounters other survivors they feel are dangerous, they might start closing ranks around you subconciously to keep you safe.

-If you have loved ones outside of the Quarantine Zone, they will do their best to make sure they know you are okay and will be taking care of you.

-Someone is gonna make a scrapbook of all the selfies you’ve collectively taken around famous landmarks or memorable moments.

-They totally stopped to check in to see if your favorite actor/actress is still alive/safe.

-Sometimes you all just sit and watch the stars from the roof of Emma’s mansion, and its in these moments, together, safe, and united as a group, that you all truly feel alive.

[salty-croissants]

Hi!!!! Can I request pre relationship hc for bullfrog. Like when you first meet and stuff? (^^)

Thank you for the request !

I wanted to try and make a bit of a prequel to the events of the series with this one by imagining the reader meeting Bullfrog in the past to then eventually see him again in the Warden’s prison , it just sounded like a cool concept :)👍

Hope this turned out okay ! 

Details : use of gender neutral reader ; 

strangers to lovers ; 

presence of mature themes , including swearing , blood and an attempted assault ( reader gets saved in the end , dw !! )

It all begun during one very rainy night …

It was late , and due to the fact that it had been a very long day at work and that you didn’t have your umbrella with you to offer some shelter from the unforgiving weather you had ended up trying to head for a shortcut passing through a more repaired alleyway …

You’ve never liked that road , but at that point you were soaking wet , freezing and just longed for the warmth and comfort of your home … 

You just had to be fast and not draw attention and everything was going to be just fine like usual . 

… or at least , that’s what you thought . 

After some more walking you were starting to see the lights outside the alleyway , which meant you were very close to leave that unsettling darkness and get closer to your apartment , but right before you could let out a sigh of relief and think about how silly you were to always worry so much about things you heard them : 

heavy footsteps behind you … and they were rapidly approaching . 

< Well hello , beautiful … out late , ay ? > 

Your heart started pounding in your chest , as four ominous looking strangers surrounded you , blocking every chance of escape … 

It seemed like things had taken a very , very bad turn . 

  < Come on babe , there’s no need to be afraid … we aren’t gonna hurt you , are we boys ? > 

< Damn , they’re even more cute up close … > 

You found yourself completely frozen in place , as the four cornered you more and more , and immediately jolted back when one of them tried to touch your shoulder …

< G-get away from me !! > 

< Aw , don’t think you got much of a choice here , sweetheart … better make things easier for yourself and just go with it . 

Wouldn’t wanna get in trouble now , would you … ? > 

You could feel your body shake , both for the cold of the rain and your sheer , paralyzing fear … 

You could only close your eyes praying to whoever might be listening that someone was going to see what was happening and get you out of that horrible mess …

… that’s when you heard the man behind you let out a scream , followed by the sound of a blade slashing through his neck .

< What - what the fuck !? > 

< Dammit - I can’t see shit , where did that bastard g - > 

Another scream , followed by a thud told you that another one of those creeps had been dealt with … 

After taking a deep breath , you slowly opened your eyes to get a clue as to what the hell was actually happening , and what you saw made your eyes widen : the two remaining men were furiously fighting against a frog with a white hoodie , without being able to land a single hit on him …

< Stay still you little - > 

He moved so quickly , your brain barely even registered the moment when his blades landed the final hits , leaving a pool of blood mixing with the puddles on the ground .

When he turned around to look at you , you couldn’t help but take one step back , still shaken by everything that had happened …

< Everything is all right now , mon ami … I’m not going to hurt you . > 

His voice was very calm and reassuring , with a bit of a French accent . 

< I , uh … I’m very sorry you had to see all of this … if you wish I could accompany you home to make sure that nobody else tries to harm you .

… actually wait , that might sound like a creepy thing to say - je suis désolé , I — > 

< Pfft … it’s okay … I’d like that . > 

You couldn’t help but chuckle in front of just how unexpectedly kind and … honestly adorable that strange frog was …

As you slowly got up , you realized just how tired you were after the scare you just experienced , but before you could lose balance and fall back down he immediately rushed to support you .

< Attention - >

< Ah … thanks … sorry about that . > 

< No need to apologize … just take it easy , I got you . > 

The journey back home didn’t encounter any more complications , and the two of you had quite a nice time just talking to each other : 

you discovered that the name of your savior was Bullfrog , and that he was an assassin … he didn’t really tell you a lot about himself other than that , but frankly that was all you needed to know . 

< Well , thanks for walking me home Bullfrog … I really appreciate it . >

< Ne le mentionne pas y/n , it was my pleasure . Though I’m afraid I will need to get going soon … there is another important task I need to get done tonight . > 

You nodded in response , while taking out the keys to your apartment from your pocket . 

< Say … I hope this isn’t a bit too forward , but you know , if you ever need a safe place to stay you can always come here . It’s the least I could do , you saved me after all … > 

< Merci , I’ll keep that in mind . > 

Bullfrog smiled at you , before disappearing in the shadows of the night like he had never been there in the first place … 

As you finally entered inside your home , promising to yourself to never enter a dark alleyway late at night ever again , part of you was hoping that one day you would see him again … 

… who knows , maybe that was going to happen … possibly in some maximum security cell … 

[2309analysis]

What do you think would happen if Tails Sails Mangey and Nine all interacted with each other?

See, I was thinking about this all week. Mainly due to my theory, and just the pure nature of Tails’ the Fox. His character remotely resembles a child; in both psychological, and emotional aspects. While he is physically a child, his brain and maturity level is not. Its far exceeds the average intellect and ability to comprehend. Making Tails’ far more complex than most people realize. So, I’m basically going to explain how he would really only be on his wavelength. Literally all will but the communication will be tad different with each counterpart of Tails’.

Starting with Nine:

─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─

Tails’:

To me, he’ll be the easiest communication-wise. I think the two Foxes’ would be wary of each other; mainly due to Nine’s hard drive on not being compatible with Tails’s personality and his viewpoint of the world. Nine wouldn’t really want to get into Tails’s character, or really understand his tinkering. While, he has similar habits, and thought-process, I honestly think his openness and willingness/over-friendliness would honestly frighten Nine.

Moving onto the actual interaction between the two. I honestly think Tails’ just be nervous, Nine’s got a pretty judgmental attitude and defensive personality. Making it very hard to really understand his thoughts, which Tails’ usually doesn’t have problems with. ‘Cause everyone in his head is statutory, but himself? With another version of himself? Oh, boy, where does he even begin? He’d be the first initiator, due to anxiety eating him up. “Um… so, you’re supposed to be a counterpart of me? Heh, well, you do look a lot like me—“ “Just stop talking.” Nine would quickly shut him down at first. Mainly due, to the frustration of Sonic forcing them to do this.

“Err… do you at least want something to eat?” Nine just slowly turns his head, and looks Tails’ deadbeat in the eyes. “Nah, I’m good with this bark of wood. Thanks for asking.” I think Nine has a sarcastic defense mechanism around others’, (Sonic’s circumstances are diffrent) especially over people who try to know him. Which is hard for anime, it’s extremely out of his comfort zone; he doesn’t like interactions. Knowing this, he’s especially reluctant towards Tails’.

I think Tails’ will catch onto this extremely quickly; and back off. For a couple of weeks, it’s awkward, and very difficult to really know how the two feel about each other. Nine does soften up once he starts to catch Tails’ mind explore and invent endless amount of things in his meantime. I think this is where Nine is the first initiator. To Nine’s surprise, they get along well, especially when it comes to analyzing; making Sonic pretty relieved. 

─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─

Sails’:

Honestly, I would think they’d kinda ignore each other. Both well-aware and about how the other feels about each other, making it kinda hard for them to open up. Awkward, and tense when around each other. I’m talking about, a what if, this was all happening after the events of Prime. It’d still be this way, due to Nine’s lack of social awareness.

I still think Sails’ give Nine a chance. Like actively trying to hang out with him, ask him some small questions on how he invests or makes things. Small little interactions, at first, but I honestly don’t think they’ll become nearly as close as Nine and Tails’. Which isn’t much of a bummer, because Saul’s’ prefers other characters, like Amy, Tails’ himself, Sonic, and his captain, Dread.

They’d team up with each other, and fight alongside each other if they had to. They won’t be their first choice; but a reliable duo. They would trust each other with weapon-making, and temporary cooperations. Extra points, if they wink at each other to take initiatives, and smile about winning.

─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─

Mangey:

The poor Foxes would never have a coherent conversation. Genuinely would not know how to interact with each other. Mangey is too savage and nervous to ever really properly calm down and actually sit with Nine. Nine’s too way and paranoid something bad is going to happen if they tried forcing him. The two are too mentally unstable to be able to handle each other’s emotions.

It’s like asking a baby to walk without falling. It’s a lot of trail and error. It’d take at least a month or two or them to even be on the same emotional wavelength. Mangey’s broken English and bad sense of social order makes Nine extremely uncomfortable. They try not to get angry or overwhelmed by each other; because they both understand that the other is trying. (Keeping in mind about the after events)

“M-me like y-ou.” “Huh… you’re improving. That’s excellent.” They will warm up with each other over communicating and improving speeches. Nine would basically become Mangey’s language arts teacher. Teaching him all the basics about talking, writing, and reading. Sonic will help by holding up pictures of simple things.

Next is Sails’:

─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─

Tails’:

He’s by far, going to be the most mentally stable and simple out of the three counterparts. Easily, because he’s pretty much mostly like Tails’ himself. Making things communication-wise a whole lot less stressful for Tails’. The only downside is the pirate talk. Tails’ might hinder with the new communication system; making it slightly harder for him to properly respond. Which won’t be much a of a problem, as it quickly gets solved, because Tails’ easily adapts.

Also, I think Tails’ would find it super interesting and unique. Making them probably the fastest to become friends. They’re buddies, they’re improving each other’s inventions, making sure the other isn’t lost. They’re practically brothers. They’d both keep each other company and joke around a lot. Making Dread kinda annoyed, because most jokes are inside jokes about highly complex things.

They’d keep each other’s back covered, if they would ever get into a fight. They would never abandon each other, and make sure they’re both are safe. They’d boost each other up and uplift themselves. Alongside of double teaming with Sonic and Nine! They’re unbeatable. Tails’ would also dork out about his helper hand. Finding it effective and extremely cool. Tails’ now has one he can use! Occasionally, though.

─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─

Mangey:

Honestly, same way as Tails’. It’d basically be like having a kid brother. Sails’ already took care on Mangey in season 3, but more normalized. Sails’ keeps Mangey out of trouble, and calms down his nerves. I would feel like Sails’ honestly follows Mangey around out of curiosity about his behaviorism. Constantly noting it, and the improvements, habits, etc.

Tails’ would definitely join in. Not making a habit of it, like Sails, would, though. It’s merely out of keeping him protected and innocent. As in, he’s never, ever, stepping foot inside Eggman’s factory or laboratory. Not unless it was extremely important, and Mangey’s friends were in danger. Also, it’d feel like belittlement after a while, and if Mangey showed enough attention-improvement, he could be sent on special missions.

─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─

Nine:

I think he’d be pretty indifferent about Sails’. Like Tails’. Like I said, it’d take a large while for them to warm up with each other. It’s not they actually don’t like each other; but they’re a tad suspicious of each other. Both tensed, awkward socially distant foxes. Nice combo… but Sonic turned things around telling them both to just take it slow.

They’re the slowest and subtler find than all of the other three. They just don’t notice each other, and it’s not a bad thing; but they have less appeal towards each other. They will work together, and share mostly the same opinions; and make sure that the other is okay, but that’s all.

Next is Mangey:

─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─

Tails’:

Tails’ would give him a lot of snacks. Plus, a bunch of stolen Chili Dogs from Sonic. The two would be usually spotted eating and going over simplistic ways to teach Mangey real communication with Nine. Both Nine and Tails’ would take turns with Mangey helping his improvement of social and personal development.

Sails’ helps with the emotional department, making sure he doesn’t get too overwhelmed. Tails’ acts like character for Mangey to see scenarios of conversations and situations. I feel like Mangey is a visual learner, so it’s ultimately easier for him to comprehend after seeing what happens. That also includes spying on others’, but mainly Sonic, and their friends.

─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─

Nine:

He would leave Mangey alone at first. Kinda steering clear, because he doesn’t really like unwanted attention or company. Knowing Mangey would give so much of that, he tries to keep off of his track, and kinda cower away. Not to be offensive; but because he’s not entirely used to having friends.

Not until he decided to give him the opportunity to grow. Once Mangey starts to show signs of large improvement of social skills, emotional maturity and development, Nine doesn’t entirely mind when he’s around. Since, by this point, Mangey sees Nine as a bigger brother.

─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─

Sails’:

He would voluntarily help Nine and Tails’ out making improvements with Mangey’s abilities and growth. Especially with the language and emotional support. Making sure that Mangey doesn’t get too overwhelmed by anything; he’ll also be the supplier of treats.

He would also help Nine come up with a series of quizzes for Mangey. Making sure all of the studying is actually sticking with him. Nine would create the question, Sails’ would make the answer. Tails’ help out giving small hints, and Mangey would get a treat if he doesn’t need any hints. He would get a whole snack, if he gets a 100 for the quiz.

Next is Tails’:

─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─

Nine:

The two would be awkward at first, but the more they found in common about each other’s habits, they became more comfortable around each other. I think Nine would be emotionally tired, and deprived of any sort of intimacy with love; and Tails’ deeply understood this. Instead of Sonic being Nine’s only friend and well, savior, Tails’ basically became his newest friend.

─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─

Mangey:

As I have said this over and over again, (lmao) Nine would advise, commit to Mangey’s growth. Finding some joy out of seeing his counterpart grow, and improving. It makes him feel like he means something more rather than something of nothing. Tails’ sorta feels the same way; and it makes them more comfortable and less anxious around Mangey. Mainly due to the wavy their shatter verses are; it’s hard for all four of them to collectively get along at the same time.

─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─

Sails’:

They would love each other. From intelligence to little quirks about certain things. Tails’ would indefinitely make little gadgets for all four; but mainly Sails’. They would have the most in common with each other. They’re little collaborations with each other to make each other’s lives in their own verses easier. Especially for Nine. Like, face-timing each other, occasionally, send each other a bunch of letters.

─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─

I’ll whiff up headcanons later over them. They’re such a cute couple of interactions; but I wouldn’t mind adding some angst to it next time. Those will most likely appear in a few headcanons. Thanks for this question; it was really fun writing this out, especially individually! (I love making myself suffer)

This is them.

[mags-writes]

Sunlight || Part VII

Summary: frank gets some insight

Series Warnings: canon typical violence, canon typical swearing, first time writing x reader, no use of y/n, no beta readers we die like ray nadeem

Pairing: frank castle x fem!reader

Authors Note: a short one so I can properly finish the last chapter

PROLOGUE/MASTERLIST || PART I || PART II || PART III || PART IV || PART V || PART VI || PART VII || PART VIII

You blankly stared out at the fatherly love pouring from John Pilgrim as he held his sons to him in a hug that you knew was the most comforting thing those boys would ever feel.

The phantom itch of your own father's arms wrapping around you made your skin crawl knowing that it wasn't real and that you'd never feel that again. And not because of the John Pilgrim that was hugging his children in front of you, but a different, more deranged John Pilgrim that was still running around back in your dimension. A man with the same face and same voice.

"She refused any pain meds that would actually get rid of the pain so she's got a little relief and she's a bit loose-lipped." You heard distantly.

Amy sat down in front of you, blocking your view of John and you smiled warmly at her.

"Hey, baby." You said.

"Hey. How are you feeling?" She asked.

"Better, now that I've got some more fluids in me." You look at the IV and blood bag sitting next to one another that was hooked up to you. "How about you? You okay?"

"Yeah, I'm fine." You knew she was rattled but you also knew that she was a tough kid and that she needed a few night's sleep before she felt more at ease. "Frank's worried about you though. He's like a kicked puppy-"

"Hey." Frank interrupted, sitting down next to you and kicking Amy's legs. "It's rude to lie."

"Yeah, sure thing Pete." She retorted with a smirk.

She got up leaning down to give your arm a squeeze before walking away again.

"Are you saying you're not worried for me?" You teased, nudging him with your shoulder.

"As if you'd want me to be." He replied, nudging you back. "Can I ask you somethin'?"

"You saw me shove a knife into a man's throat, Frankie," You laugh, looking at him with that sweet smile. "You don't have to ask that anymore."

"Okay, fair enough." He chuckles before setting you with his own smile. "That thing you did. The Mississippi countin'. What was that?"

"Oh, that." You teeter back a little before settling with a small smile. "Jack Murdock, Matt's dad, taught me how to throw a proper punch when I was six when he saw what my older brothers were like. It wasn't his fault but it just encouraged me to get angry. Then when the accident with Matt happened, and I started having to look out for my younger brothers as well as my older brothers, I just got so goddamn angry." You paused, going to show him your right hand but forgetting about the bandages. "You can't see it but there's a small scar from where I knocked out the two front teeth of this kid that was picking on Matt. I was sick of being the one keeping my brothers safe for their sake and then getting in trouble, being told I should mind my own business."

"Yeah, that's bullshit." Frank said, bringing his arm to rest across your shoulders and bringing you into his side.

"Jack talked to my parents and convinced them to let him train me in boxing." You laid your head on his shoulder and closed your eyes.

"That's where those light feet come from." Frank joked, making you smile bashfully and turn your face into his neck briefly.

"Yeah. Before he died, he taught me to put a pin in my anger." You open your eyes again, looking down at the bandages on your hands. "Take as long as I need to count to three but I better have a lid on it by three Mississippi's or I'd get my head rung in."

"Was he ever wrong?"

"Nope."

"Hey." You jumped at Dinah sneaking up on you again. "Sorry."

"Nope, gotta get used to it." You said and she took the seat across from you that Amy had. "You good?"

"I should be asking you that." She replied, nodding down to your hands. "They say it's gonna be a few weeks before you can actually use your hands."

"Yeah, don't know how I'm gonna cook anything." You brought your bandaged hands up in front of your face, frowning at them and wincing when you tried to move them.

"Karen and I have been talking," She leaned forward on her elbows on her thighs, giving you a serious look. "We're all going to help you move in with me."

You drop your hands, eyes widening a fraction. "Dinah, no, you don't have to do that for me."

"You're not going to be able to take care of yourself during the day with Frank and Matt off at their jobs." She said, reaching out and taking a hold of your wrist.

"What, and you can?"

"I got a promotion recently so I can take some time and transfer it all to work from home and maybe have an odd office day." She squeezed your wrist slightly. "That way I can help you recover."

"Dinah, you don't know me."

"I know that those boys would still be in danger if it weren't for you." She said earnestly. "I'm not going to let you sleep on a couch while you're in recovery."

"But..." You stuttered, looking at Frank for a second before looking back at her. "I make them lunches. And Dinners."

Dinah pauses, giving you a look like she can't believe what just came out of your mouth.

"Why the hell are you making lunch and dinner for two grown men?"

"I'm Italian!" You whined, bringing your hands up. "It's what I do!"

"Hey," Frank squeezed you to his side and brought his mouth to your ear making you shiver. "Quit bein' so stubborn."

You sigh, finally relenting. "Fine."

"I'm also hiring you." She adds, standing up and smirking.

"Pardon?"

\\\\

Tagged: @danzer8705 (sorry for forgetting to tag you in the last chapter!)

[neaxsfiction]

Falling asleep next to Dabi (fluff)

Sitting next to Dabi in the LOV van has been a rather unique experience.

Man I'm so tired

Dabi and I were never close. Basically we barely even spoke. I mean yeah, we have interacted a bit but nothing more that could engage a friendship. I would sit on the van with Toga, but today Twice was sad and she wanted to comfort him.

My eyes slowly close and my vision goes black.

"Get up" a raspy voice says

I yawn a bit and stay on the uncomfortable pillow I seemed to have been resting my head on for quite some time now. My eyes slowly open and meet with the turquoise eyes of the cremation villain. He was very close.

"We have arrived" he says in a softer tone.

As the flashback of some moments earlier hits me, I realise what has happened and I feel extremely embarassed about it.

I quickly raise my head and apologize to him. I don't wanna make him think of me as an annoying person who crosses his boundaries. Plus I generally don't wanna mess with him. No matter how strong my quirk is.

"S' okay" he huffs and turns around to leave, avoiding amy type of eye contact.

The truth you don't know though, is that nobody has ever trusted him this much. He's used to people fearing him, which he didn't care about it at all, or calling him a monster. Deep inside though, he carved human interaction.

At the beginning of the ride, he was just staring at the window not caring about anything actually. He didn't try to interact with you as that ride would only last 30 minutes. At some point he felt a sharp pain on his shoulder.

When he was about to confront you about this, thinking you're trying to annoy him, he turns his head and realises the pain only came because of your head falling on his shoulder while you were asleep.

You trusted him enough to sleep next to him and rest your head on his shoulder. Maybe you were just too tired, but he doesn't know that. He was caught off guard with this. In his eyes you're a powerful villain and gives you a fair amount of respect when you two have to interact. He has no experience of trusting people or being trusted so he doesn't know what to do with this new feeling, that makes his ice surrounded heart melt when he realises he can be trusted.

He couldn't betray that trust. But he couldn't do anything else so he just stayed still. His mind was a mess. He was trying to comprehend what was happening thinking fast. What should he do? Should he cover you with his jacket while sleeping, like he's seen on TV? Nah that would make things weird between you two. In the end he just decided to do his best and not move. He just let you rest your head for as long you needed.

If it was only you two, and you were in deeper sleep, he'd even get brave enough to rest his head on yours for a bit. No person in the LOV has made his heart go soft like this.

When you arrived to your destination with the van, he couldn't do anything other than waking you up. He didnt want that ride to end, like at all. He whispered your name a few times until you started moving and opening your eyes.

His eyes locked with yours when you stared at him. He held on the eye contact until you broke it and started to apologize, in order to save this memory in his head, and never forget it. To be honest, he loved that expression you had, not only because he found cute how clueless you were after your little nap, but also he got a chance to stare at your beautiful eyes up close.

The look you gave him that day, only sent shivers down his spine. The look in your eyes was soft and, in his eyes, you looked vulnerable and in need of protection

Typically he never bothered to care about anybody else, other than himself. But man, that was about to change. His ice-cold heart melted right on spot, his usual glare became a soft look of appreciation and, trust me, he'd never be the same after that.

Only if you knew what you did to him that day

~

Dabi pic credits

Date uploaded; 03/07/2023

[pccyouthleader]

Hedgehog Hodgepodge: A Story of Espionage, Confusion, and an Evil Plan Gone Haywire

~Intermission~

Little by little, Aurora packed her things and slowly moved them to the apartment next door to Shadow’s. Sonic had begrudgingly agreed to the arrangement as long as the two promised to behave and stay in their separate “corners.” 

Aurora wanted to leave her room at home in much the same condition, as it was comforting to know that she could come and stay whenever she wanted. She decided to take her solar dancing figurines, bobble head collection, taco-themed joke book, and Kit-Cat clock, but decided to leave her posters. She could swoon over “Bran Baker and the Beefcakes” and “The Phantom of the Rock Opera” whenever she came to visit.

Much to Shadow’s frustration, the evidence trail from the trophy and orb had grown cold. Knuckles and Rouge couldn’t tell him anything more about the orb. And Tails was so preoccupied with prepping his old plane for the antique iron show that he had all but forgotten about the trophy. 

Everyone’s lives had pretty much returned to normal since the disappearance of the two items. However, some of Shadow’s contacts had started receiving strange communication signals. The contacts could neither pinpoint the location of the transmissions nor decipher them. 

Amy was overjoyed at the development of a small baby bump on her abdomen. After finding some cute maternity wear, she enjoyed standing in front of her full-length mirror admiring her new look. She still couldn’t believe she was experiencing the miracle of new life all over again!

The nursery - one side of Amy’s in-home office - was coming along nicely. Aurora had worked closely with her mother to pick the perfect light yellow paint and soft materials to suit a brand new baby hedgehog. Amy’s morning sickness was finally tapering off, and so the mother-daughter duo could often be found going through Amy’s design portfolios looking for ideas.

It wasn’t long before the whole village was abuzz with the news that Sonic and Amy were having a “surprise” bundle of joy. Soon their friends were happily showering them with all sorts of baby-related items.

“I am bushed!” Amy said as she walked in the door one day with a double armload of gift bags.

“Geez, Ames!” Sonic exclaimed, jumping off the sofa. He had been enjoying an afternoon siesta. “Let me get that stuff!” He took the armload of presents and ran them up the stairs. Amy had taken his place on the sofa when he came back down.

“There’re about five more loads where that came from,” she said when Sonic returned.

“From what?!” he asked. Had Amy hijacked a delivery truck?

“My coworkers gave me a surprise baby shower at work today. I forgot just how much stuff you need to take care of a baby.” She propped her aching feet on the coffee table. 

“Be right back,” came Sonic’s reply as he zipped out the door. He returned a few minutes later with a staggering load and a shocked expression on his face. “What are we gonna do with all this stuff?!” he asked when he came back downstairs.

“Worry about it later!” Amy said. She didn’t have the energy to deal with it right now. But she did stand up and move over to place a kiss on Sonic’s cheek. “Thank you for getting everything.”

“No problem, Babe,” he replied, pulling her into a much-needed embrace. Amy relaxed, almost melting into her happy place.

When he released her, Amy grimaced as she remembered an earlier conversation. “If one more person finds out about the baby and asks, ‘You know what causes that, right?’ I just might pound them in the ground with my hammer.”

A devilish grin played across Sonic’s lips. He just had to do it. Placing a hand gently on her ever-growing tummy, he gave her a sly look and said, “Hey Ames, you know what causes this, right?”

But instead of bashing him to bits, Amy got a romantic look in her eyes. She moved a little closer, put her arms around his neck, and raised a brow. “Hmm… actually I do know what causes this. Would you like me to demonstrate?”

“EWWW! MOM! GROSS!!” came a voice from the top of the stairs.

“Crap!” Sonic whispered. “I forgot Tiny was upstairs!” He and Amy dissolved into hushed laughter.

Meanwhile, Aurora had run back into her bedroom with her hands over her ears. Shadow, unbeknownst to the couple downstairs, was sitting in her windowsill, convinced he had just thrown up in his mouth.

[idiotwithanipad]

Humphrey and Robin headcanons with Amy:

⚔️🖤🌕

Humphrey

General HC's:

・Was the first ghost to meet Amy, being that his head was under her bed at the time of her death and had been there for the week she stayed at Button House

・Despite being a decapitated head, he scared her the least because of how sweet and laid back he was

・Their first moment of 'bonding' was when Amy sat alone on a staircase hiding from everyone, until a fully intact Humphrey stumbled across her and started talking to her about her shoes (he's never seen boots like her's before and how interesting they look)

・Whenever Humphrey's head fell from his body Amy always caught it before it hit the floor, he appreciated that a lot

・He grew attatched to her fast, especially when she started sitting around him more than the others and letting him ramble about anything

・She wasn't a big talker at first but soon started to really open up to him

・Amy sometimes places his head in the hood of her hoodie and carries him around in it; it's more comfortable to the both of them

・Humphrey's body has a sixth sense as to Amy's whereabouts, similar to how it can sometimes locate it's head without being prompted or guided towards it

・Humphrey gets very paternal over Amy for unknown reasons. While he's very greatful for her company and help, he likes to think it's more than that. Especially considering she CHOOSES to seek him out every day and talk to him about anything... And also because whenever another ghost would walk through a wall towards them, Amy, without thinking nor hesitating would jump behind Humphrey to hide

・His nickname for Amy is 'Poppet'

・If he doesn't see her every single day, he panics, thinking that she's moved on

Robin

General HC's:

・The second ghost to meet Amy after she died, but the first ghost to notice her when she was still alive and when she got the Button House

・Got easily fascinated by the fact her hoodie has stars on it

・Acts like an alarm clock and wakes Amy up at the crack of dawn... "MORNIES!"

・Robin has successfully taught Amy how to play chess, Julian had to whisper the actual names of the pieces in her ear to clear up any confusion

・If Amy is emotional, she prefers to go to Robin for help; she loves Humphrey dearly but she feels like it's her duty to make sure Humphrey is happy rather than burden him even more with HER problems

・He once heard Fanny and The Captain rudely discussing the way Amy is dressed and Robin scowled them down for hours

・Robin sometimes gets possessive of Amy but quickly stops when he remembers a sacred rule from his tribe: person who find lost child first must raise lost child like blood... And technically he and Humphrey are split two ways evenly

・Robin's nickname for Amy is 'Stompy' because of her thick heeled boots

[whisper-and-tangle]

STH AU - New Beginnings - Blazamy Fanfic

Eggman's retired. Sonic's in the city. The Master Emerald is safe. Blaze is visiting. Shadow's got a crush on Sonic. This tries to focus on blazamy, but it includes sonadow at part 6 and onward. Work In Progress.

Character rundowns below!

Knuckles: Has more time to see the world around him, but isn't entirely sure what to do with this time- he mainly just follows Sonic around and tries to help people whenever he can. Still looking for something to protect now that the Master Emerald and Angel Island are in good hands, without need of a protector, Knuckles lives in his own apartment not too far away from Sonic and Tails's. His apartment is filled with gym equipment, books, and a sleeping bag he considers his bed. He still says he preferred life on Angel Island- he had a purpose then, atleast, but he's clearly beginning to like the world around him. Knuckles has his usual attire, occasionally with a hat.

Sonic: With Eggman defeated and retired, and no major threats except from the occasional rogue Badniks, Sonic lives a fun-filled life in the city, having sharing an apartment with Tails. Sonic & Tail's apartment includes a metal bunk bed made by Tails, Tail's logo carved into it, Sonic having top bunk 'Because he's older', according to himself. The place is relatively messy, having cans and packets of food left around occasionally- but Tails usually keeps the place clean, and Sonic tries his best to aswell- he just doesn't have the best memory and forgets to do so. They've got multiple video game consoles Sonic either found for a cheap price, or that Tails made, along with some video games Sonic would buy whenever he gets the money, Sonic being thoroughly invested in some of the games, and Tails enjoying a few of the more sandbox/creative games, yet still a master at most games he plays. Sonic wears his special grey jacket he found in a dumpster years ago, having sewn on a blue circle with a mimicry of his shoes on it for a kind of 'symbol' to have on his jacket. The hood, however, is covered in stitches- usually from where Sonic's quills pierced it, but it's in decent condition and isn't as dirty or torn as it was when Sonic first found it.

Tails: Spends most of his time with Sonic, at the apartment playing video games, or at his new workshop- the old one having, unfortunately, been destroyed by Eggman before he retired,- tinkering and working on new gear or gadgets, and trying to fix up the remnants of the Tornado, hoping one day it'll fly again. He wears hoodies most of the time, finding them warm and comfortable, most of his hoodies being orange or blue.

Amy: The only one with an actual house- albeit a very small one, but a house. A tidy house adorned with framed pictures of her friends and or adventures, Amy's been relatively happy in the city, getting bored now and then however. She has a small shelf of boxing trophies, and has made carvings as a hobby once, to pass the time, and has became quite great at it, although she abandoned the hobby long ago. She still enjoys adventuring and frequently accompanies Sonic and friends whenever Badniks are spotted. She's also starting to form a relationship with Blaze- and yes, this is a blazamy fic. Amy just wears her regular clothes pretty much.

Badniks, what's the situation?: Eggman was defeated, and Badniks were not all defeated. They run rogue causing chaos until stopped, usually by Sonic and his friends. Might appear sometimes, but I'll try to make their appearances rare.

Blaze: Not much has changed here! She's still in her dimension and visits sometimes, having a crush on Amy.

Shadow & Team Dark: Shadow has gained a like for leather jackets, which, although they frequently get torn, he loves. Rouge has learned how to fix them, however, Shadow appreciating the help greatly. Shadow's learned to become more open about his emotions, but he's only really open to Team Dark and he still prefers to keep to himself at times. Rouge travels alot, going on heists and treasure hunts- Omega has been trying to track down Eggman after he retired and fled off the face off the earth, nowhere to be found, having a large board set up on the wall of his room in Team Dark's apartment, which they place their theories on where Eggman might be on. He's also put up missing posters, but they got removed very quickly. Team Dark lives in a large apartment, each of them having their own room- Rouge's room being decorated with jewelry and extensive gems, alongside a comfortable, expensive bed, Shadow's messy room being covered in posters for metal bands and his bed- which has a metal frame- is never made, although it always has black or red sheets. Yes, he painted his room black. Yes, he needed Rouge to help him reach the top of the walls. It was hilariously embarrassing for him, although Rouge didn't mind helping. Shadow has a black and red guitar on his wall, which he plays occasionally, alongside a large drawer filled with 'edgy' t-shirts and leather jackets. His room always has a couple soda cans scattered in it. He usually wears a leather jacket with an edgy shirt underneath, Omega's room is slightly dusty but tidy enough, and it's rather empty excluding some weapons Omega keeps around in case they're needed. Rouge and Omega just wear their regular outfits. They're all eager to fight rogue Badniks, and are still searching for Eggman- but Shadow and Omega don't travel that much. Oh, and Shadow and Sonic do have crushes on eachother, but both believe the other would never have one, and neither of them want to admit theirs, but Sonic has considered admitting his- and told Amy about his crush, who encourages his frequently to tell Shadow. 'The worst he can say is no.' She tells him, and Rouge tells Shadow. Team Dark also know's about Shadow's crush.

Kit & Surge: After Eggman's defeat and retirement, Tails managed to become closer with Kit and even convinced him to move to the city- and get away from Surge. Kit is now in a private therapy session working through his issues and abuse, and teaching him to be independent and not entirely dependent on an abusive figure, and him learning how to be his own person again. However, Kit isn't alone in his trauma- He's got Tails as a close friend now, and Sonic has told Kit that he's welcome at their apartment if he ever needs someone to be there for him. Occasionally, Kit will visit Tails at the apartment whenever he's sad, feeling lonely, had an encounter with Surge (more on that later), or just needs a shoulder to cry on. Tails became more of an emotional support for Kit, and it helps Kit greatly to know that he's got someone he can count on, if he's ever feeling down, having a net to fall on if he ever does fall. But other than that Kit resides with Vanilla and Cream, although he would like to have his own apartment ,he doesn't mind having a kind parental figure, and likely needs one before he can fully move on. Plus, he can't afford one. Surge is furious at Kit for leaving, and they had to have a court case against Surge to have her leave him alone- but they won, eventually, and Surge, although still mad, leaves him alone mostly. However, they do have some encounters. Surge didn't change much with Eggman's defeat; she moved to the city, much like Sonic and Tails and Kit, but she didn't stop bullying people. She'd rob people, smash cars- Cause chaos for the sake of chaos, and is usually stopped by Sonic and friends, or by Kit, who she desperately tries to avoid- she doesn't want to see him anymore, and hates him deeply, because he once helped her- and is now getting better, and she believes she can't get better herself. She's envious of him, but doesn't realize it- and despite Kit's numerous attempts to get her to atleast try therapy, she refuses, and even tries to hurt Kit (although rarely) when she sees him. Kit, although he doesn't want to feel it, still feels like Surge is his sister- he can't let go of her, and is struggling to. But he's got friends, therapy, and help, and is much happier now.

OTHER CHARACTERS!: They may or may not be mentioned, but they're doing they're own thing in the city and having a good time too or whatever. Whisper and Tangle got married, Vanilla moved into the city w/Cream, and Team Chaotix became a bigger detective agency in the city, being incredibly effective at solving crimes.

Manic & Sonia: Yes, they do exist, and Sonic didn't know they existed until not too long before Eggman was defeated. They don't talk much, Manic joined a band, but they're all friends despite the little interaction they have with eachother. Sonic's happy to hear he's got siblings, and Manic and Sonia are happy to see their brother again. They probably won't appear much, but may be mentioned.

PART 1

Blaze put her hands on her royal robes, brushing off dust and ash which came from burning leaves- a test of her abilities during her training, that she easily succeeded. "Well," She spoke as the flames that once stood on the fallen leaves flickered out. "I suppose it is time for me to visit.", She turned to the sun as she prepared to leave her realm. Meanwhile, Sonic sat at a small coffee shop in a light, sunny area of town. The roads were all but empty as cars were on every corner, except, somehow, the coffee shop. It was serene and felt like a heaven of sorts; Sonic and his friends, alongside the workers, considered themselves the only ones there, at the mysterious coffee shop. Knuckles dubbed the shop 'The Myth', due to it's unusual calmness and lack of employees or customers, whilst Tails thought there must be an explanation for the absence of everyone. Sonic, however? He was still waiting for his coffee, and didn't entirely care for the mystery- legend,- whatever you'd like to call it, of the shop. He was tapping his foot against the floor impatiently, sitting at a table alongside Tails and Knuckles, who were discussing the odd circumstances of the shop. Tap. Tap. Tap. That's all Sonic was focused on. The tapping of his feet against the wooden floor. Tap, Tap, Ta- Coffee's ready. Sonic was at the counter, waiting for the employee to hand him his coffee before they even went to speak. "Oh- Uh, Coffee for a Mr.Hedgehog?…Is that you?" The employee said with an awkward smile. "That'dbemeyep. Thanks!" Sonic said as he was passed his coffee, speeding back to his table and spilling a few drops whilst he ran, Tails and Knuckles having finished their discussion; coming to a pointless conclusion of, maybe, it's better left a mystery. Gives the shop some charm.

"Hey! Y'guys ready to order now?" Sonic asked them as he sat his coffee down onto the table, waiting for a response. "Oh- Huh? I'll just have the same as you, Sonic." Tails said as he put his furry hands in the pockets of his orange hoodie, laying back against the comfortable chair he sat on. "Mmm. Not sure if that'd be the best choice for you, buddy. This stuff's strooooonggg. You'd be bouncing off the walls!" Sonic said as he took a sip of his coffee, wiping his mouth on his arm shortly afterwards. "Okay…Let me have a think." Tails responded, grabbing the menu as Sonic turned to Knuckles. "What?" Knuckles asked, crossing his arms. Sonic raised an eyebrow and they stared at eachother for a mere moment. "Fine." Knuckles sighed, "I'll order. Do they have any food?" Knuckles asked as he picked up the last menu, Sonic shrugging in reply. Sonic raised the hoodie of his light grey jacket as a burning light appeared not so far outside the shop, Blaze entering soon after. "Hello." Blaze greeted them as she went to sit at the table, grabbing herself a chair from a different, empty table. "This place is awfully quiet." Blaze said, in an almost confused tone. "Yeah. That's what Tails has been trying to figure out- decided to let mysteries be mysteries now though, s'pose." Sonic replied. "Hm. The silence is nice, atleast. Maybe I'll visit here more often." Blaze said as she stared through the windows of the shop at the empty streets. "That'd be cool! Maybe we could head over to this old landfill Tail's has been scavenging. He built a little barn-workshop thing there already, didn't you, pal!" Sonic said happily as he turned to Tails. "Yeah- um, it's still a work in progress, though. Need to remove some of the garbage around it. It's pretty good at the moment now, though. It's a barn made of scrap metal that I painted yellow- the roofs are grey and metal, obviously, but the walls are all yellow, and the floor is wooden. I also built my own logo- It's at the front of the barn, near the roof, a giant metal circle with two tails in the middle. Cuz, y'know…Tails." Tails said as he pointed to his Tails, smiling slightly. "He's also figured out how to boost our gear! I've been wearing some different sneakers, 'cause Tails is working on improving mine at his workshop! He's gonna add these booster things, right? They'll gather up energy around me when I need it and provide me with extra speed- He's even working on Amy's hammer, giving it heavier hits and easier targeting! He could probably even do something to help you with your fire powers, Blaze!" Sonic spoke encouragingly as he rested a hand on Tail's shoulder, removing it as Blaze replied, "….Amy's going to be there?" She said quietly. "Uh, probably. Her Hammer's sorta there, so-" Sonic replied, confused. There was silence for a minute as Blaze stared at the windows again. "Okay. That'd be nice- Uhm, going there I mean. Not Amy being there." Blaze continued, slightly embarrassed at the end of her sentence. "Alright, sweet! We could head there tomorrow, maybe, if you're up for it!" Sonic said as Tails finally decided his order, and Knuckles shortly after. Both of them decided on getting coffee cakes, which Sonic sped over and ordered with some cash he found on the sidewalk a few weeks back. Blaze left as Knuckles and Tails finished eating their coffee cakes, heading off to explore the town a bit more before she leaves. "That was cool." Sonic says to Tails and Knuckles, smiling as they all leave the coffee shop and head back to their apartments.

PART 2

As the next day dawned, Blaze quickly left her chambers and prepared for the day ahead; She headed to her training grounds, where she sat in wait, making a domino-line-esque trail of leaves which she then lit on fire, until she finally reached the correct time; Sonic had likely arrived- or started traveling to- the coffee shop by now, and therefore she must aswell, it being the agreed meeting place. As Blaze opens the portal, Sonic, Tails, and Amy stand outside the coffee shop, talking to eachother as they wait. Sonic tapped his feet against the pavement impatiently, waiting for Blaze to arrive- "Hey, guys- Do you know where Knuckles went? Isn't he supposed to be here?" Amy queried. "Ah! Right, Knuckles. Yeah he decided to stay home today. Maybe something was wrong with his cake." Sonic replied, Tails raising the hood of his, er, hoodie, leaning back against the coffee shop wall. "Isn't this considered loitering?" He asked. "Mm. Good question, actua-" Sonic was cut off by a spark of flame and an entry of another. Blaze. "Oh, hey Blaze!" Sonic waved as Blaze walked over towards them. "Hello, Sonic, Tails- and, uhm, Amy." Blaze said, "So, where's this landfill?" She continued. "It's just a few blocks away from here. C'mon, follow me!" Amy said, reaching her hand out to Blaze- who stood, awkwardly, for a moment- before grabbing Amy's hand, who began to run to the landfill- Sonic has gone in a blink of the eye, and Tails was hovering above. It was…peaceful. Happy. The streets may have seemed empty, but they were full of friendship that day- minus Knuckles, of course, who's currently puking up his guts in a broken toilet. Don't ask why. Blaze gazed into Amy's eyes as she was dragged along to the landfill, her glare only being interrupted by a sudden "We're here!" from Amy and an overwhelming stench of rusted metal and garbage. Although, as someone who was used to the smell of ash, Blaze wasn't entirely bothered. Nor was Tails, or Sonic, who both had spent time in the landfill before. Amy seemed indifferent aswell. "Okay- let's go! Oh, and, Amy? Tails finished work on your hammer yesterday. It's good to go!" Sonic spoke as he dashed into the landfill, just fast enough so that the others can keep up with him until they reached the workshop.

Eventually, they arrived at the workshop- it was quite impressive, for a shack made of scrap. It was free of rust and actually quite clean, excluding tiny pieces of dust that littered it. It was all Sonic described- just a bit more smelly. "Your hammer's in here, Amy." Tails said happily as he opened the large, garage-gate-like door, which had two cameras outside it to guard the workshop. Sonic zoomed into the workshop the moment the doors opened, standing in a friendly pose next to a workbench. Tails gleefully rushed over to a counter which Amy's hammer laid on,- the hammer had been modified slightly, with little change in appearance- but a great increase in power. "Here you go!" Tails said as he tried to pass Amy the surprisingly heavy hammer, Blaze standing behind her. "Thanks, Tails!" Amy said as she effortlessly lifted it and gave it a spin- literally, span it around in her hands before finally placing it back onto the counter. "I'll bring it back to my place in a bit." She said, "Speaking of my place- Hey Blaze, do you wanna head there later? We could have a movie night- the four of us!" Amy continued. "Sounds good- if Blaze and Tails are up for it." Sonic said as he rushed over, Tails nodding as a 'yes' whilst he focused on sorting his tools, and Amy finally turning to Blaze. Her face went red for a brief second, "Huh?- Oh, Uh, That'd be wonderful, Amy." Blaze stated, awkwardly and somewhat surprised. She wasn't entirely sure if she could be in this dimension for that long, but it's worth a shot- as long as she doesn't fall asleep halfway through the movies, she should be able to get back home in time. "I may have to be careful about the time, though." Blaze continued. "Alright, then! We can head over there in a minute- I can bring my hammer over there, too, then." Amy said, gesturing towards her hammer. She picked it up and threw it over her shoulder, Blaze walking alongside her as Sonic ran to Amy's house, Tails flying above him.

PART 3

Blaze turned round the corner, stopping as she arrived at the doorstep of the house. Tails sat in the front garden and drew sketches of the plants Amy had in her garden, drawing them in his orange notebook he kept inside his hoodie. Sonic sat next to him, watching him draw- According to Sonic, it's good for him to stop running and look at the world around him for awhile. He started doing that a few months ago, in the form of watching Tails draw. Amy grabbed a key from her dress pocket, unlocking her door and inviting everyone inside; "Guys- door's open!" She called out to Sonic and Tails, who rushed over when they realized Amy and Blaze had already walked inside the house by now. Blaze sat on Amy's sofa with her arms folded slightly, Sonic jumping onto the sofa soon after, with Tails curling up next to him, using his tails as a blanket of sorts. Sonic sat excitedly on the sofa with his knees raised, Amy sitting between Blaze and Sonic seconds later. "Right!" Amy stated happily. "So, movie time. What'd you guys wanna watch?" Amy said as she picked up the tv remote, turning on the television and going onto the movie channel. "We could rent one or just watch one on here." She said, turning to the others. Sonic looked at the movies ready to watch, squinting at the tv. "Hmmmm." He spoke in thought, attempting to decide. "Any's fine by me" He continues, turning to Tails, who shrugged slightly in response. "Have you got any ideas, Blaze?" Amy said, turning to her. "Hm?- Oh, uhm… I- What's your favorite, Amy?" Blaze said, briefly surprised by the question. "My favorite? Huh." Amy sat quietly, thinking for a moment. "Well- there was this one movie that I thought was pretty neat!" Amy said, smiling and heading to the rent a movie section. She chose one she'd bought before- Blaze turning to the screen with a sweet smile as Amy put on her favorite movie. It was 2 or so hours long, but the time past quickly for Blaze, who thoroughly enjoyed the movie despite it's noticeable flaws. Blaze held her head in her hands as she watched the movie, credits rolling mere minutes later. She folded her arms again, leaning back into her seat.

Amy glared over to her kitchen, "Anyone hungry? I could make some cupcakes in a half an hour or so." She spoke, turning to the others. Blaze nodded slowly, Sonic exclaiming "Sure, I could go for some cupcakes!" and Tails giving Amy a thumbs up. "Do you need some help? Haven't cooked anything in awhile, don't wanna get rusty-" Sonic asked, before being cut off by a polite "Thanks, but no." from Amy, who looked like she was remembering a horrible cooking accident which may or may not have been the time Sonic tried to bake cookies using a 'supercharged' oven Tails made and almost burned down Amy's entire house. Amy went into the kitchen, making the cupcake batter and eventually placing it in the tray and putting on her oven mitts, putting the cupcakes in the oven for 25 minutes, having taken 5 minutes to make the batter. The cupcakes were much bigger than regular ones, though, Amy having used too many ingredients- but she'd just cook them for longer to make up for it. She put her oven mitts back where they were, leaving the kitchen and heading back to the others. "Right," She said, "Those'll take 25 minutes, I'm pretty sure." She continued. "Cool," Sonic responded, "What're we gonna do in the meantime?" He asked awkwardly. "Oh- Hadn't actually thought about that…" Amy replied. Tails thought of an idea, "We could head out into the back garden- I could study some more flowers and Sonic'd have lots of room to run." He said, getting up from the sofa. "Yeah- that sounds good." Amy spoke, "C'mon!" She continued, walking over to the backdoor and unlocking it, going into the garden. Sonic ran through the door, Tails following soon after as Sonic runs in circles around the garden, Tails sitting quietly as he sketches more flowers into his notebook.

It was dark out by the time they entered the garden, although Sonic and Tails weren't bothered, Blaze entered the garden soon after Amy and sat on a bench near the backdoor, looking at the stars and wondering if she should truly be out here for so long. Amy, who stood in the middle of the garden, turned to Blaze who sat- somewhat worried- staring at the stars alone. Amy looked concerned, and walked over to Blaze, sitting next to her. "Hey, Blaze." Amy said to her, Blaze not noticing her presence on the bench until now. "Oh- Hi, Amy." Blaze responded in a sombre tone, barely averting her gaze from the stars to greet Amy. "Worried about home, huh?" Amy said in a comforting voice, moving her hand across the bench slightly, almost to reach Blaze's hand. Blaze was surprised, and frankly embarrassed by Amy's concern- she didn't want her friends to feel down, and she didn't want to worry them as much as she was. So she decided to sit alone. "I…Yes, I'm worried about my home. I'm just…worried I'm staying away for too long. I didn't want to worry you all about it, but that seems to have gone awry." Blaze said, sighing afterwards. "Blaze." Amy said, "You don't have to hide your sadness from us. We're your friends. You can tell us anything- we don't want you to be sad. If you're really worried about home, you can make a portal back. We don't mind- we just want you to feel happy." Amy continued reassuringly. Blaze blushed slightly, turning to Amy. They sat in silence together, for awhile. "…Thank you, Amy. You're a very nice person." Blaze said as she gazed into Amy's eyes, moving to hold Amy's hand as Amy replied. "You're a very nice person, too, Blaze. Don't ever forget that." She said as they both turned to the stars, watching them together- now with not a sombre expression, but two smiling ones.

Amy let go of Blaze's hand as a loud beeping noise came from the kitchen and Sonic ran into it, Tails following behind. "Oh,- the cupcakes must be ready! So, Blaze, do you want to stay for a bit longer? Remember- any choice is fine." Amy said as she got up from the bench and turned to Blaze, waiting to turn off the oven. "I…" Blaze spoke. "Think I'll stay a little longer." She said, smiling, grabbing Amy's hand and heading to the kitchen with her, where Amy released her hand and put on the oven mitts. Sonic stood excitedly, tapping his foot against the floor as he waited. Amy brought the cookies out of the oven, turning it off and placing the tray on the counter, removing the oven mitts once again. "Ohhh boy." She said to herself in an awkward tone. "They sorta got burnt." Amy said, turning to show the thoroughly burnt cupcakes to the others. "I mean- they could still be alright." Sonic said as he reached for one- burning his hand in the process- "Ow- yeah- they're definitely burnt." He said with an embarrassed smile as he pulled his hand away from the cupcakes. Amy giggled slightly and Tails smiled, Tails heading back to the living room and sitting on the sofa. "We could watch another movie." Tails said. "Couldn't hurt- unlike those cupcakes." Sonic said as he went and sat next to Tails. "Blaze? What do you think? Got time for a movie?" Amy said quietly to Blaze. "Yes," Blaze replied, "That'd be nice." She spoke as she walked over to the sofa, Amy sitting next to her. They put on a random movie- it was mediocre, but the bad parts ended up being inadvertently funny. By the end of the movie, they had all fallen asleep- Blaze woke up soon after the credits, surprised at how long they've all slept for. When did everyone even doze off? Tails was curled up on Sonic's lap, and Sonic was fast asleep leaning back against the sofa.- And Amy was leaning against Blaze, who quickly noticed this, blushing for a moment before she carefully got off the sofa. She decided she should probably head back to her dimension now- she looked at Amy and her friends sleeping as she began to open a portal, and left a note to them before she entered the portal telling them that she's gone and had a nice time with them. When Blaze arrived at her dimension, she promptly headed to her room and collapsed onto her bed, and slept until the next morning.

PART 4

Blaze awoke, sitting on the end of her bed, last night being all on her mind. She tried to ignore the feelings she had for Amy- keep it hidden from them, but now? There's no way she could even try. "But how will I tell her? Was she just trying to be nice last night?" Blaze speaks to herself, resting her head in her hands as she thinks about what to do next. "Who can I even tell this? Who would keep this a secret?" She says, Amy being the one she would tell- the one she could trust with anything, but this time? Amy is the one she needs to keep the secret from. "…Does she know I've got feelings for her? Was it that obvious? Should I not have left the note? What if I go back and she doesn't feel the same way? That entire encounter could've been platonic- Ugh, I'm overthinking this." Blaze says to herself, taking a deep breath and leaving her quarters. "I…should simply try and visit them again. Amy will- hopefully- tell me if she has feeling for me…I hope." Blaze continues, heading to the palace gardens and admiring the flowers. She sits down on the stone pathway, and plucks a single flower from the inbetween the grass. "Oh, sweet flower." Blaze spoke, "You are so free. You shine your colours brightly, without fear or worry. You…" Blaze stops for a moment, lying the flower back onto the ground. She stands and sighs, "You remind me so much of her." Blaze gathers her courage and begins to form a portal- she can't hide her feelings, so she may aswell try and face them.

Meanwhile, Amy had just woken up. She rubs her eyes and turns to where Blaze once was; "…Huh?…Blaze?" She says as her vision begins to adjust, turning her head down towards the note Blaze left behind. Amy yawns and reaches for it, reading it to herself. "Amy. It seems we all fell asleep- likely during the movie- and I was the only one to awake. I have headed back to my dimension, but I had a lovely time here. I hope to see you all again. Love, Blaze." Amy says quietly. "Oh.", She says, heading over to the kitchen and placing it on the counter. "I had a lovely time too, Blaze." Amy speaks, leaning over the kitchen counter and staring through the window at the dawning sun, a unique kind of flaming beauty unlike any other. It reminds her of Blaze. Amy raises her arms, stretching, and then walks back towards Sonic and Tails. She taps Sonic on the shoulder. "Uhm, Sonic?" She says politely. No response. "Oh, great." Amy states in a tired voice. "Sooonicc! C'mon, wake up!" She yells, shaking Sonic until his eyes begin to open. "Phew. You're up! Okay, so, we kinda all slept in. We completely fell asleep during the movie- Blaze went home a few hours ago." Amy explains to Sonic, who groans as he gets up from the sofa. He runs around in a small circle a few times, becoming refreshed and energetic as ever afterwards. Tails climbed off the sofa soon after, yawning quietly and heading over to Sonic.

"Huh. Guess me and Tails should get going, then- I think he's still a little tired." Sonic says, turning to a sleepy and wobbling Tails who looks on the verge of falling asleep. "Yeah. He's definitely still a bit tired." Sonic says in a joking tone, placing Tails on his back and opening the door to leave. "Bye, Sonic! See you later!" Amy yells as she stands at the door, waving as Sonic runs back to his apartment. Amy closes her door and heads back to her kitchen to make breakfast- Meanwhile, a spark of flame flutters in the air and turns into an inferno as a portal appears, Blaze entering this dimension through it. She awkwardly stands next to a flower shop, walking in and looking through their selection calmly. "I…suppose roses would work well. I wonder- is there any pink ones here?" Blaze sorts through the flowers, until she eventually reaches the 'valentine' section. "Oh dear…" She says, sighing as she sees the only pink roses in the valentine section, with a heart attached to the bouquet. "…This may be a bit too obvious." Blaze continues, walking over to the valentine section and quietly grabbing a bouquet of pink roses. She brings them over to the counter, slightly embarrassed. "Could I have the heart removed? It seems a little…on the nose, I suppose." She asks, the cashier replying "Sure." as they remove the heart with a pair of scissors, but adding "However, if you wanna be discreet, I wouldn't recommend going for a bouquet of pink roses. Kinda obvious in itself." the cashier says jokingly. Blaze simply nods and takes her bouquet, making her way over to Amy's house.

Eventually, she arrives at the door. She sits there for a minute straight (or not so straight), trying to gather her courage. "The worst she can say is no. The worst she can say is n-" Blaze had been repeating to herself, until the door cut her off as it opened, Amy standing behind it. "Hi, Blaze! Saw you standing there for awhile, you alright?" Amy asks. Blaze's face turns red as she turns away, embarrassed. "Uhm, Yes. I'm alright. I was going to ask…If you'd like to maybe, if you have the time, come with me to the coffee shop not too far away from here? You don't have to, bu-" Blaze replies awkwardly, being interrupted yet again, this time by Amy, "Blaze, that'd be great! It's a date, then." Amy states, overjoyed. Blaze blushes and turns to Amy, presenting her the flowers she bought. "I…yes, a date. That'd be great. I brought you these. Some flowers that reminded me of you." Blaze spoke, shyly handing Amy the bouquet. "This is wonderful, Blaze. Thank you!" Amy continues, placing the bouquet in a nearby vase and walking out her door, grabbing both of Blaze's hands and asking her, "So, when are we going?". Blaze stuttered for a moment, as if she was trying to process everything that had just happened. "…Now?" Blaze says with a red face. "Great!" Amy replies, "I think I know the coffee shop you meant, aswell. 'The Myth', right?" Amy continues as she runs down the street towards the shop while holding Blaze's hand, Blaze nodding in reply. They walked into the shop, no longer holding hands as they sit down at a small table in the corner of the shop. "…What would you like to order?" Blaze asks, looking through the menu that was left on the table. "Hm…could get some coffee? I'll go for a caramel frappuccino. What about you?" Amy replies, moving over to sit next to Blaze, looking at the menu with her. "Uhm…a frappuccino, aswell?" Blaze asks, confused at coffee terminology. "Okay! Should we get a frappucino to share, then? It's just, pretty much, a large frappucino with two straws." Amy says in response, Blaze awkwardly nodding in reply. "Sweet! I'll go order, then." Amy says as walks over to go and order, Blaze covers her face with the menu, thinking to herself. "This is really happening. This is actually happening." She says to herself, panicking slightly. She takes a deep breath and sighs as Amy comes back to the table, lying her menu back down on the table. "Frappuccino's gonna be ready in a minute. So, what's it like in your dimension, Blaze?" Amy asks. Blaze is briefly surprised at the question, but then answers; "It's…alright. I do prefer it here, at times, with you- In, um, this dimension. But my dimension does have it's beauty, and that I cherish. Why do you ask?" Blaze says, Amy replying soon after, "Because I like hearing about you. I like you." She says calmly, "Frappuccino's ready!" Amy continues as she walks over to the counter, the employee having yelled that the order is ready a moment ago. Blaze sits in thought while Amy gets the frappuccino, but she quickly returns and sits on the opposite side of the table, this time, placing the frappuccino on the table as she sits. Amy starts drinking the frappuccino, Blaze staring at her for a moment before she starts drinking it aswell. The day passes in a blink of the eye, and sooner than later, Blaze is walking Amy home from the coffee shop. They arrive at her house, and Blaze waves goodbye to Amy as she begins to make a portal home. "Goodbye! Love you!" Amy says as Blaze walks through the portal, Blaze heading to her chambers. Amy heads to her house and goes to bed, Blaze thinking about the words Amy said as she left- the entire day, she thinks about. They went on a date. An actual date. Amy even called it a date. "Wow. I think I'm in love with her." Blaze says to herself as she collapses onto her bed, falling asleep soon after.

PART 5

Blaze woke up, climbing out of bed and preparing for her day- tending to the gardens, training to help master her powers, and then, heading back to her chambers, where she began to form a portal. This time, however, she was not anxious or worried, but completely ecstatic. Nearly overwhelmed with joy, lovestruck and still processing everything that happened last time she visited, Blaze headed through the portal, meanwhile Amy was in a small shop not too far from her house, a jewelry store, to be exact. Amy walked up to the cashier, and spoke, "Hi, I'm here to pick up my locket? I sent the emerald here to get it made awhile ago." Amy said as the cashier replied, "Oh- yeah, I'll go get it for you." as they went further into the store and brought out a locket necklace, which they then gave to Amy. "Thank you!" Amy said as she walked out of the jewelry store, holding the necklace tightly in her hands and heading back to her house. Sooner than later, Amy was in her house watering a bouquet of flowers she had placed in a vase very recently, the flowers being roses of a pink hue- a gift from a very good friend. Amy then headed to her kitchen where she had a plate of sandwiches and fruits, alongside a picnic basket on the counter. "Everything here?…" Amy said to herself as she sorted through the basket, revealing a picnic blanket, what seems to be a necklace, but too covered up by the other items to be entirely visible, napkins, and small paper plates. "Okay, everything's here." She said in a relieved tone, placing the sandwiches and fruit in the basket moments after. Amy then closes the picnic basket and heads over to her window, where she sees a blazing inferno spark into existence, Blaze emerging from it as she walks down the street next to Amy's house. Amy rushed over to her door, leaving her house and rushing over to Blaze- "Hey, Blaze!" Amy yelled as she ran over to her, waving. Blaze was surprised at first, jumping back slightly, but quickly realized it was Amy. She walked over to Amy, who grabbed her hands and asked her, "Blaze! Would you like to go on a picnic? I thought since you took me out yesterday, I could take you out for a picnic today.- If you have the time, of course." Amy spoke, Blaze blushing slightly and nodding her head awkwardly in response. "That'd be, uhm, wonderful, thank you." Blaze said in reply, "Cool! There's this field not too far away we could head to- it actually kinda reminds me of Green Hills!" Amy continued as she gestured Blaze to follow her, walking throughout the city and eventually arriving at a large field past it. Amy found a small tree to sit under, setting down the picnic basket and placing the picnic blanket on the floor.

"So," Amy spoke, "This is the field! I visit here sometimes, I find it really relaxing and nice. So I brought you here!" She continued. Blaze muttered a shy "Thank you" and smiled as she gazed into Amy's eyes as Amy brought out the sandwiches, fruit, and paper plates she would place them on, but then paused for a moment, staring at the scenery before talking again. "Hey, Blaze, is it alright if I tell you some stories of Green Hills? This place just always… brings back some memories." Amy said somewhat sheepishly. "Sure," Blaze replied quietly, holding her head in her hands, watching Amy as she begins to tell tales of their adventures in Green Hills. Blaze sits there thoroughly enjoying the stories for what seemed to be minutes for her, but was hours as she listened to Amy, completely invested in the stories. Eventually, they came to a halt as the sky darkened and stars revealed themselves. "Blaze," Amy began to speak. "It's been really nice having you around. I wish you could've been there with us. You- I, would've loved it." Amy continues sweetly as she gazes off into the night sky, a smile on her face. "I wish I could've been there too." Blaze replies as she sits next to Amy, leaning on her and holding her hand as they both gaze off into the stars. "Hey, Blaze?" Amy asked as she took something from the picnic basket. "Yes?" Blaze replied. "I love you." Amy spoke as she revealed a golden chain necklace with a heart locket containing a red emerald in the shape of a flame, alongside a hammer carved from the same gem on the other side of the locket. "The gem…I found it with Sonic and Tails when we were going on some adventures. Apparently it's really rare. So, I thought, uhm, that something this beautiful and unique should go to someone beautiful and unique, so I'm giving it to you. I love you, Blaze. Will you…will you be my girlfriend?" Amy continued, moving her hand as if to give Blaze the necklace. Blaze's face turned red almost instantly as Amy asked her, Blaze frozen for a moment before answering. "I…yes. I'd like that." Blaze answered, taking the necklace and placing it around her neck. They gazed off into the stars one last time before packing away the picnic, Blaze holding Amy's hand as she walked alongside her back to her house. Amy opened her door and stood at the doorway as Blaze walked away from the house and began to form a portal. Blaze glared at Amy as she formed the portal, a smile on her face as Amy waved. "I love you! Goodbye!" Amy said to her as Blaze went to enter the portal, Blaze replying, "I love you too." quietly as she walked through and went back to her dimension. "I love you too." Blaze repeated as she arrived in her dimension, taking a deep breath then going to sleep. The last few days had been very different for Blaze- and she hopes they stay that way.

PART 6

The next morning, Blaze awoke to awoke to a phone call from a contact listed as 'Love 💜', answering the phone in a confused tone as she began to speak, "Amy?…Why- It's…I just woke up? Is something wrong?" Blaze said, while Amy sits on her sofa next to a pacing Sonic, who is incoherently rambling about his crush on a certain hedgehog. "No, Blaze, nothing's wrong. It's just…Sonic. And Shadow. He won't stop talking about him. He's got a crush on him, and he doesn't know how to tell anyone, so he came to me. He wants me to tell Shadow for him," Amy says in a tired voice, "BUT IT'S ALWAYS BETTER TO TELL THEM YOURSELF, BECAUSE IT SEEMS MORE GENUINE!" She yells, as if trying to tell Sonic something, who ignores it as he paces around a coffee table. "Okay. Well, what's Sonic doing? Other than talking about Shadow, I mean." Blaze asks, still somewhat confused at what to do here. "Pacing. And ignoring me." Amy replies, Blaze responding soon after, "Hm. Uhm, why don't you give Team Dark a call? Maybe you could tell the-" Blaze was cut off as Sonic zipped over to Amy's phone, yelling, "NO! No no no no no. If they hear it, then they'll tell Shadow- and, and Shadow'll think I don't have the guts to tell him myself- and he wouldn't be wrong either- maybe he'll think I didn't actually like him- or, or maybe he'd think I was just playing a prank an-" Sonic's voice quickly faded into incoherence, however, at the apartment of Team Dark, a similar conversation ensued. Rouge sat tired on the sofa, holding her head in her hands while Omega stood beside her. "Shadow, honey- Just tell him." Rouge tells Shadow in a drowsy tone, Shadow quickly replying as he turned to face her, halting his pacing, "NO! I am NOT telling that poor excuse for a hedgehog my- my feelings for him! I am the ULTIMATE LIFEFORM! What is he? Hm? WHAT IS HE, ROUGE?! He's pathetic, he's careless, and he's- " Shadow yelled angrily, but then suddenly paused for a brief moment. "He's…" Shadow's voice turned quieter. "He's free. He runs with the wind wherever it takes him, guarding any fortunate enough to cross his path- he has warned me of a coming doom so many times, and when have I ever listened? I was infected in mere minutes by the metal virus. Who am I to call myself…the ultimate lifeform?" He continues in a sombre tone. Omega awkwardly goes to sit on the sofa, and Rouge raises her head and forms a concerned and sympathetic expression. "Shadow The Hedgehog." Rouge says as she gather's Shadow's attention, as if a parent yelling their child's full name. "You have saved the world. You have rejected every evil being that tried to take you in. You persevered even when the world was against you. You are so much more than just an 'ultimate lifeform'. You're a hero, because a hero never stops fighting for freedom. And you've always wanted to be free. Don't ever put yourself down like that." She said reassuringly, putting her hand on Shadow's shoulder. Shadow sighed deeply and spoke, "Thank you, Rouge.", "But…I…how do I tell him? I love him, Rouge. I know that. I have no qualms about it. But, actually telling him? It's…a daunting task, to say the least." Omega gestured for Shadow to sit next to him, patting the sofa. Shadow walked over and sat, Omega slowly turning to him. "I will tell the hedgehog." Omega said bluntly. Shadow was certainly worried about telling Sonic, but it seemed Omega wasn't- Shadow's face turned bright red as he grabbed Omega, Omega already ringing Sonic. "PUT DOWN THE DAMN PHONE!" Shadow yelled as Rouge facepalmed, a voice then coming from the phone. "Uhm…Shadow?" An awkward Sonic had replied, who had just been pacing for the last however long, now in his own apartment. "SONIC!? Omega, get off me!" Shadow said as he pushed Omega away and held the phone close to himself.

"Sonic- I, you see-" Shadow was cut off as Omega leaned over and spoke into the phone, making Sonic very clearly embarrassed- "Do you want a date." Omega asked. "…Was that Omega!?" Sonic yelled into the phone, Shadow finally deciding that he has no way out of this conversation but one path; "HE WAS ASKING FOR ME! You stupid, idiotic, fool! I! was the one asking you on a date. ME!" Shadow didn't mean to say all of that, but he wasn't entirely sure what to say in it's place. "I…Yeah, uhm, that'd be great. How…how about we meet up at the coffee shop later?" Sonic said with a red face, "Oh." Shadow blushed and faked a cough. "Yes- uhm. Sure. I'll…be there. Bye." Shadow responded awkwardly as he hang up the phone. "Well done. That's sorted!" Rouge said as she went to head in her room, Shadow stopping her in her tracks. "SORTED!? I- NOW I AM GOING ON A DATE WITH HIM! How on any earth is that sorted!?!" He yells, furious. "Oh boo hoo. You're going on a date with your crush. Think about it for a moment, Shadow." Rouge replies jokingly, entering her room. Shadow does, infact, stop for a moment and think. Maybe it wasn't as bad as he thought- but he'd still have preferred to not have a confession forced out of him. He covered his face as he blushed, heading into his room and opening his closet, filled with leather jackets, turning on his music as he opens it. As heavy metal music boomed in the background, Shadow selected one of his jackets- one of his nicer ones, and put it on carefully enough that his quills don't tear it. He opens his drawers and takes out some red makeup Rouge gifted him, applying his red highlights aswell. "Okay." Shadow said as he stared in his mirror. He sighed deeply and then left his room, leaving the apartment and yelling goodbye as he left. He walked to the coffee shop, awkwardly waiting at the entrance, leaning against the walls and tapping his feet with arms crossed. "C'mon…is he not gonna show? Is he pranking me? Was this all a tri-" Shadow thinks to himself, before Sonic arrives in the blink of an eye next to him, wearing a grey jacket covered in patches of mismatched cloth, likely from shoddy repairs after Sonic's quills broke it.

Shadow stared at him for a moment as Sonic awkwardly held a miniature replica of the green chaos emerald, twirling his quills as he stood embarrassed infront of Shadow. Shadow was stunned, until Sonic began to speak, "So…", "This is for you. I always thought that the green one was your favorite- you've always got it,- so I made you this. Uhm, Knuckles made me this for me to give to you, I mean. I hope you like it." He said as he passed the replica to Shadow, who held it gently in his hands and gave Sonic a surprised stare. "It's…perfect. Thank you. The green one is my favorite." Shadow said as he began to smile, before turning away and heading into the coffee shop. Shadow sat on a small table, Sonic sitting beside him. "How's your life been in the city?" Shadow asks with a near-blank expression. "Oh, yeah, it's been pretty great- Tails is setting up a new workshop since the last one got destroyed when Eggman left, and Knuckles is actually adjusting pretty well to the city, with the master emerald being safe and all. Whisper and Tangle got married! Did you hear about that? There's a couple of rogue badniks here and there, but we're all pretty safe." Sonic spoke as Shadow rested his arms on the table, staring at Sonic with what would usually seem to be an intimidating gaze, but Shadow was merely completely invested in Sonic's tales. As Sonic finished recounting some of his adventures, he sighed and said, "Yeah. They were some pretty great times. Kinda miss them, sometimes, but the city's not so bad. Anyway, we should probably order now." Sonic said, chuckling at the end of his sentence. "Hm." Shadow replied as he grabbed one of the menus, looking through the different options. "A…regular coffee." Shadow said as he placed the menu down, "Cool! I'll, uh, have the same as you then!" Sonic spoke as he ran over to the counter, Shadow sitting at the table whilst Sonic orders. Sooner than later, Sonic brings the two coffees back to the table, drinking his on the way over. He sits down and passes Shadow his coffee, who takes it as Sonic passes it. Sonic finishes his coffee in a few seconds, placing it back down and resuming conversation with Shadow. "So, Shads, why do you ask about my adventures anyway? I didn't think they'd be that interesting to you-" Sonic is cut off by Shadow, "You like talking about them. I like seeing you happy." He says quietly, blushing. Sonic is stunned for a moment, "It's getting late. I should head back to my apartment." Shadow says as he leaves the coffee shop abruptly, Sonic waving goodbye to him as he leaves. "He likes seeing me happy. Well, how about that." Sonic says to himself as he leaves the shop aswell, night quickly arriving at the city, with both hedgehogs soon asleep. Deep down, Shadow hopes they'll meet again, like this. He hopes he can be more open about his feelings towards Sonic.

PART 7

When Shadow awakes in his apartment, he rubs his eyes and prepares for the day- pushing Omega out of the way as heads to the bathroom to brush his teeth and quills, leaving it soonafter. As he went to go back into his own room, Rouge called out to him, "Hey, hon, how'd your date with Sonic go?" she asks as she brews herself a coffee. " Shadow gave her a blank, tired stare, her shrugging in response , Shadow heading back into his room. "Y'know, maybe if it went well, he could come over here! Or do you not want your boyfriend to meet your family yet?" She continues jokingly. Shadow swung his door open and ran over to Rouge. "You called him already, didn't you?" He said, facepalming. "…No? I'm shocked you'd accuse me of such a thing. I respect your boundaries, Shadow." Rouge replied, placing a hand on Shadow's shoulder before quickly removing it as she finished her sentence, "That's why Omega called him. He'll be here soon, running around at the speed of sound and all that. I'll be going on a heist, so I won't be there to bother you too much." As Rouge said this, Shadow immediately lost any reassurance the start of her sentence gave him, and proceeded to state calmly, "Ah. Okay." and then walked over to the sofa, raising a pillow towards his face and screaming into it at the top of his lungs. "Can you respect my boundaries for once, bat?" He said as he placed the pillow back down, glaring at Rouge angrily. "…Shadow. We're your friends- you can cancel anything at any time, or I can for you- Either way, we wouldn't push something on that we know you wouldn't be comfortable with. But this Sonic thing has gone on long enough- you desperately needed an intervention. And you both seem to like eachother." Rouge replied sincerely, Shadow sighing afterwards.

"I suppose you're right.- The first part, I mean, I don't exactly require an intervention. I won't cancel this just yet. I'll…see how it goes." Shadow speaks as Rouge leaves the apartment, "Right- Well, I'm heading off on a heist. Call me if you need anything! Or don't," She says as she leaves, "You can handle yourself just fine, if I'm not mistaken." She continues. She waves as she leaves, Shadow taking a deep breath before collapsing onto the sofa. Omega walked over behind him as they headed to the kitchen, Shadow rubbing his eyes as someone knocked on the apartment's door. "Uh, Shadow?…" Sonic asked quietly. Shadow ran to his room, leaving a trail of dust in his wake, quickly applying his makeup and tidying himself up before letting Sonic into the apartment. "Sonic." He stated firmly as Sonic entered, Sonic looking around the apartment as Shadow brings him in. "This is my-" Omega walked into the room. "Our apartment. Rouge's usually here too, but she's left on a heist. "Huh, that's funny- could've sworn Knuckles got a call from Tikal saying something about a heist, too. Do you think Rouge went after the master emerald again?" Sonic asked as he waved at Omega. "I wouldn't be surprised." Shadow replied as he went to the kitchen and began to prepare a seemingly fantastic and complicated breakfast. "Well, I'm sure Knuckles would be happy about it this time. Gives him an excuse to head back to Angel Island for awhile!" Sonic said, chuckling as followed Shadow into the kitchen. "Impressive breakfast! I just usually have a chili dog." Sonic spoke as he watched Shadow cook, Shadow's head darting towards Sonic as he turned, speaking, "I can get you a chili dog instead." Shadow said in a serious tone, Sonic replying, "Uh, No thanks, I'm good. I can scavenge some food up on my way home-" He said, before Shadow cut him off. "I will not allow you to starve." Shadow spoke as he began to make a duplicate of the breakfast, finishing both of them in a matter of minutes. "There." Shadow spoke as he handed Sonic the breakfast that was clearly made to impress- multiple stacked pancakes drizzled with honey, adorned with strawberries and whipped cream, then finally a slice of butter atop the tower of pancakes. "Thanks, Shads!" Sonic said as he began to eat the pancakes, Shadow stating, "It was nothing. I make these all the time.- I don't even like them that much anyway." before Omega yelled from the kitchen, "No, that is incorrect. Rouge makes them. You begged her to show you how to make them because you loved them." Sonic giggled slightly as Shadow was unamused by Omega's addition. Shadow, of course, begrudgingly ate the pancakes anyway. Meanwhile, on Angel Island, Tikal sat next to the master emerald on a small garden chair, playing chess against a standing Chaos on plastic table taken from the ruins of Tails' old workshop. Tikal sat in thought, hand against her chin as she wondered what her next move could be. Then, finally, she spoke, "There." and moved one of her pieces. Her thoughts then quickly shifted from chess to a more serious matter- the bat-thief trying to steal the emerald once again. "I wonder when the thief'll show up again. I mean, I'm hoping she'll be gone with Knuckles here, but I should probably keep an eye out." Tikal said, Chaos nodding as Tikal got up from her chair and began to pace around the master emerald, keeping an eye on the nearby forests and sky. Soon, Tikal saw a red echidna gliding from the treetops.

He looked absolutely ecstatic. "Knuckles!" Tikal cried out, waving as Knuckles landed next to the emerald. "So, I think your friend Rouge came back here." Tikal said to Knuckles, Knuckles looking confused in response. "Why would she?…I thought Rouge was done with the emerald." Knuckles wonders why Rouge had arrived for a moment, but as Rouge emerged from the forest they had no choice but to stop her from reaching the emerald- Tikal slammed her fist into the ground, creating a small earthquake around Rouge, who manages to glide out the way- Knuckles goes to rush towards her, but she gestured for him to stop- Knuckles stops in his tracks, and Rouge presents a bouquet of flowers to him. Although they were very clearly just picked from the forest, Knuckles accepts them anyway. He blushes, before questioning her intentions; "Uh…thanks?- Why are you here, Rouge? You know you can't get your hands on the master emerald. You can't bamboozle me, Rouge!" He said as he raised his fist. Rouge looked at him with a completely puzzled glare, "Knuckles. I'm asking you out on a date. I don't know where you live, so I came here. Knuckles. Knuckles it was really obvious." She says, Knuckles lowering his fists and quietly stating "Oh.". "Oh, uh. Do you still want to go on the date? We could just have a date here,- If, uh, Tikal doesn't mind." He spoke blushing, Tikal awkwardly waving from over near the master emerald, yelling, "Yeah, that's fine! You guys can date here!" as she went back to her chess game, Knuckles telling Rouge to wait as he ran off into the forest. Rouge stood confused for a moment, before Knuckles returned with a table and chairs he had just made from a fallen tree, crafting them by breaking the tree apart into the shape of tables and chairs.

Rouge sat down, Knuckles sitting opposite to her soon after, resting his hands on the table. As Rouge continued her date, and Tikal continues her chess game, Shadow and Sonic had began to watch a movie; the moon rising, the two sitting on the sofa with a blanket over them, and Omega sitting on a chair next to the sofa. Sonic leaned against Shadow as the movie was reaching it's end, Omega still thoroughly invested in it despite the awful quality, Shadow mainly focused on Sonic instead. He sighed deeply, worried that he had made a bad impression, and that it was a mistake introducing him to Omega, and showing him their messy apartment- but Shadow tried to focus on the good things that happened during their time together at the apartment. All the times Sonic laughed, and was filled with joy. It happened a lot more than Shadow remembered, as he looked back on it. Maybe the whole thing wasn't so bad after all. Rouge was returning soon, and Knuckles drifted off to sleep as rain began to form on Angel Island, and night began to fall. She stared at him sweetly as he slept, Tikal grabbing a beach umbrella and placing it near the chess table. Tikal waved to Rouge, asking, "Uhm, Bat-girl? Do you want me to send Knuckles home? He seems pretty tired, I just don't actually remember where he lives. I don't actually think he told me." Tikal said as Rouge turned towards her, then back to Knuckles, who slept happily. "No, let him rest here for awhile. He deserves it." Rouge speaks in a caring tone, leaving the island soon after. She opened the apartment door to a cheerful Sonic and smiling Shadow, walking past them and waving hi to Sonic as she walked past, although Sonic too focused on the movie to notice. Sonic looks at the time in the corner of the tv, getting up from the sofa moments after. "Aw, sorry Shads, I've gotta head home. Getting late. I'd love to see you, again, though!" Sonic says to Shadow as he walks over to the door, Shadow following him. Shadow unlocks the door, speaking as Sonic walks out, "Apologies…about Omega and Rouge. They can be irritating, sometimes." Shadow says as he escorts Sonic out. Sonic smiles and replies, "Nah, they're great! Family's important, and you seem to know that well enough. They're always they for you, no matter what. Appreciate them for that. Anywayseeyoulaterbye!" Sonic replied as he gave Shadow a kiss on the cheek, blushing as he then ran back to his apartment. Shadow stood, smiling and completely frozen for 30 seconds straight. He touched his cheek, and then closed the apartment door as Rouge walked over to him. "So, did you boys have a nice time?" She asked. Shadow took a moment to form a sentence and remove his surprised expression, but he manages to do so. "I…Yes, I suppose I did." He said, walking over to his own room. He collapsed on his bed, "I really did." and fell asleep not long after.

PART 8

Amy, after visiting a flower shop with Blaze, had heard of rogue badniks nearby- Her and Blaze walked down the street, looking for where they were spotted last. Eventually, they found them as the two of them saw an unconscious Surge lying next to multiple shattered badniks, which were barely recognizable and broken beyond repair.- the badniks couldn't have possibly been the reason of Surge's injury, but she was injured either way. "Surge!" Amy cried out as she ran over to the unconscious tenrec, lifting her up and Blaze walking over aswell. "We need to get her to a hospital.- She's unconscious and could have serious wounds. I could try and cauterize any wounds- but I think it's best we get her to a professional." Blaze said as she stared at a near-lifeless Surge, Amy nodding and carefully picking up Surge's body, Blaze helping her. "Let's get her back to my house, call an ambulance there. I should have some medical supplies in the kitchen. Surge should be fine- But I don't know how she even got knocked unconscious in the first place. She's fought badniks before- this doesn't make any sense." Amy spoke as they rushed back to her house, running up to her door and bringing Surge into the house whilst Blaze goes into the kitchen to search for medical gear. Amy lays Surge down on the sofa, examining her for any wounds- however, a spark of lightning flies as Surge's eyes glow brightly, the lights of Amy's house flickering as Surge begins to open her eyes.

"Blaze, she's waking up!" Amy yells, Blaze entering the room with a box of medical supplies. Surge stares at her surroundings, confused for a moment as she opens her eyes before screaming as she realizes her location. She yells at the top of her lungs, and swings at Amy- too tired to actually strike her, however, Surge completely missing, being, somehow, incredibly tired from her fight with the badniks and in desperate need of rest. Despite this, Blaze drops the medical supplies and dashes infront of Amy, putting her arm infront of her as if to guard her. Amy puts her hand on Blaze's shoulder, trying to move her out the way as she speaks, "Blaze- we can't fight her! She's clearly hurt, we need to help!" Amy said as Blaze looks at her, then back at Surge with a worried gaze. She confessed to Amy what felt like yesterday- she won't lose her today. "Blaze. Please." Amy says, Blaze sighing and moving out the way, picking up the medical supplies and handing them to Amy. "I hope you know what you're doing. But she's dangerous, Amy. I've heard of her before- what she did to Whisper, what she did to Sonic, what she did to everyone back when Eggman was alive- it was horrible. I…just don't want that happening again. And I don't want you to get hurt." Blaze speaks as she hands Amy the supplies, turning away from Surge and gazing across the room at nothing. "Blaze…I'll be fine. Trust me,- I was the one who confessed to you, remember? If I've got the courage to ask an awesome magical fire princess from another dimension to be my girlfriend, I've got the courage to help an injured foe." Amy replies in a caring tone, attempting to comfort Blaze. Blaze turns back to Amy, smiling slightly. Surge tries to push away Amy, who was trying to check on Surge- but is ultimately too weak at the moment to do so, although that doesn't stop her from trying.

"She…I think she should be fine. Her enhanced durability should be helping her- but who did this to her? I…I mean, I saw Tangle talking to Whisper not too long ago- she didn't seem happy, and I didn't want to be intrusive so I didn't listen to them, but do you think, that…" Amy went to finish her sentence, but ultimately decided to stop. "Nevermind. Let's just focusing on keeping Surge up." Amy spoke, stepping away from Surge slowly and heading into the kitchen. "I'll get her some water- give her some extra energy." She said as she made a glass of water, Blaze staring at Surge visibly nervous, Surge trying to get up. As Amy entered the room again, she stopped and turned to Blaze. She put a hand on her shoulder, and said in a calm, reassuring tone, "Blaze. Please, trust me. I know you're nervous, and I know you're worried- but everything'll be fine. I'd do anything to keep you safe, Blaze, you know that, and I know you'd do the same for me. We're not going to get hurt. Nobody is." Blaze took a deep breath and nodded, Amy walking back over to Surge and handing her a glass of water. "Surge- here, you need to keep your strength up. Someone…someone really hurt you." Amy spoke, Surge taking the glass and drinking it. Surge 's eyes became brighter, and her fur was slowly beginning to turn back to it's normal green hue, instead of a pale variant. Surge began to speak, "F…Fuck off…I…I'll.." She said, trying to get up from the sofa- "Kill…you.." She continues, before collapsing back onto the sofa. Blaze glares at Surge angrily, crossing her arms shortly after. Amy looks at the both of them, walking over to Surge as a concerned look- not just for Surge, but for Blaze- forms on her face. Amy lifts Surge up slightly, holding her. "Surge, you really need to listen. We found you injured, and brought you here- we're trying to help you. Sonic isn't here, okay? Neither is Tails. It's just me and Blaze." Amy speaks, Surge giving her a furious look- or atleast the most furious look Surge could give in this state. "Look, you can go back to doing anything anywhere once you're better- but you're hurt, and you need to stay with me and Blaze until you're safe- I can't allow you to try and just walk this off." Amy continues, Surge looking slightly less angry afterwards. Amy walks back over to Blaze, Blaze blushing as Amy unexpectedly hugs her, Amy saying "You look like you need this." as she hugs her. As Amy stops hugging Blaze, Blaze asks her a question; "What'll we do about Surge? She's a clear threat- And not just to us." Blaze says, worried. "Well, we can't bring her into the hospital- if Eggman's still alive, then he'll come looking for a new minion- or, even worse, someone new finds Surge and she starts fighting for them. Keeping her here- even if it's just for the night- Is our best option, I'm thinking." Amy replied, worried aswell, but attempting to hide it to help comfort Blaze. "It's…getting dark. You should probably head back to your dimension- come back the moment it's morning, incase Surge has recovered by then." Amy continues, Blaze nodding in response, creating a portal. Amy kisses Blaze on the cheek before she leaves, "Love you, Blaze!" Amy says as Blaze leaves, Blaze replying, "Love you too, Amy." as she enters the portal. The portal then closes, Amy turning to look at Surge. She stared with a worried face, wanting make sure that Surge couldn't hurt Blaze or anyone she cares about- It's happened before, like Blaze said. Amy didn't want it to happen again either- but she can't just leave Surge to die. "I'd do anything to protect you, Blaze. I just hope I can protect you." She speaks as she walks up to her bedroom, leaving Surge asleep on the sofa, Amy falling asleep half an hour later- her worry that Surge would hurt Blaze and she couldn't be there to protect Blaze kept her up for awhile, but she eventually managed to fall asleep not long after.

PART 9

Amy woke up, rubbing her eyes and getting ready for the day- it's only as she walked down the stairs, she remembered. Surge. The monster on her sofa. She took a deep breath, keeping her hammer close by as she entered the living room. "…Surge?" She said, walking slowly and talking in a cautious tone. "Surge, are you-" She stopped. On her sofa, the lightning-wielding, violence-hungry, speed-demon was completely and utterly asleep. Amy was taken aback, and would've even described it as cute, for a mere moment- but that moment had passed, and Amy sighed in relief that Surge was asleep- atleast she couldn't do any harm now. As Amy turned to her windows, she saw a flaming inferno from afar; it faded swiftly, and Blaze entered the house soon after. "Amy," Blaze spoke as she walked over to Surge. "Is she better yet?" She continued with a disgruntled look on her face. "I…I'm not sure yet. She's sleeping, which is probably good- but we'll have to wait for her to wake up." Amy replied nervously, keeping an eye on Surge as they waited for her to wake. Blaze was clearly unhappy, but Amy wasn't sure of what to do. It's not like she was exactly fine with having Surge stay at her house either, really. She doesn't feel like she's got a choice in the matter.- Surge then slowly opens her eyes, groaning as she gets up from the sofa. "Eh? What?" She grumbles as she begins to wake, soon remembering her location. "Oh." "Fuckin' right." She looks increasingly annoyed as she realizes her location once again- "Couldn't you just, I don't know, throw me in a hospital?" Surge states as she falls back onto Amy's sofa. Amy goes to talk to her, but then Blaze pushes her back as she approaches Surge. "That can be arranged." Blaze says, her eyes seeming more akin to a blazing inferno than eyes themselves.

Blaze wasn't afraid to fight lightning with fire, and she certainly wasn't afraid to fight for Amy. "Blaze, wait-" Amy spoke, trying to defuse the situation, watching her every step like she's walking on ice, before Surge snaps back at Blaze. "C'mon, princess. Show me what you've got." Surge speaks, attempting to taunt Blaze into a fight. The lights flickered, only for sparks of flame to illuminate the darkness. "Do not test me." Blaze spoke firmly, Surge going to swing at her before a loud, thundering noise echoed throughout the house, knocking Surge off balance. It was Amy, who had just smashed her hammer against the floor. "STOP! Just stop it! What are you doing!?- Blaze, I told you that we don't need to fight her- And Surge, do you have a death wish!? Attacking my girlfriend in my own home!?!" Amy yelled angrily, the shockwave from her hammer launching Surge to the corner of the room, and pushing Blaze back slightly. Blaze looked nervous, as if somewhat sad- and Surge was in either awe or anger, and she yelled "Wow! Holy shit." in response, a toothy smile on her face, which quickly faded after Blaze glared at her, still showing a willingness to fight. Amy gritted her teeth, then stopped- she was no longer angry, her outburst having left quickly as it arrived- she was now looking on the verge of tears, holding her hammer tightly as she stared at Surge and Blaze. "Can't you all just listen to me for once!" Amy yelled as she dropped her hammer, wiping away tears. Blaze felt horribly guilty, and walked over to Amy in attempts to comfort her- Surge, somewhere deep down, felt somewhat bad. Begrudgingly, in attempts to remove this horrible feeling, Surge got up and turned away, muttering something under her breath. As Blaze comforted and apologized to Amy, they both turned to Surge- and both looked slightly puzzled. "What was that?" Amy asked, her voice still an upset tone. "…I'm sorry." Surge muttered slightly louder, crossing her arms and avoiding eye contact with either of the two. "…Say that again?" Blaze said as she laughed slightly. "I SAID, I'M FUCKING SORRY, OKAY!?" Surge barked loudly, turning towards them and grunting. "Huh…Uh…Thanks, Surge…Apology accepted." Amy wasn't entirely sure is she had forgiven Surge at all,- and it was more likely than not that she didn't forgive her, but she was at a complete loss for words, and said the first thing that came to mind. Surge had actually apologized to her, even if Surge wasn't happy about it, it was an apology. Blaze turning away from Surge and towards Amy, giving her a caring gaze- "Would you like to head to The Myth? That usually cheers you up." Blaze asked as she grabbed Amy's hands gently. "The Myth? That's stupid." Surge muttered as Amy looked at Blaze, "Yeah, that'd be nice." Amy replied. "Oh, and Surge? Your powers are definitely better now- considering what you and Blaze did to my house, I'd say you can go back out on your own- if you really want to." Amy added as she glared at Surge, a smile on Amy's face. "Finally. Now I can get away from you losers." Surge spoke arrogantly as she pushed past Blaze and Amy, walking through the door and leaving the house, her only goodbye being a far-off yell; "See you later, nerds!" Blaze rolled her eyes at Surge's comment, leaving the house alongside Amy as they walked towards the nearby coffee shop.

As they walked along, the wonderful calming breeze flying through their hair- the calmness, and serenity was completely disturbed by a loud, booming voice from where they were once walking. "WAIT FOR ME!" Surge cried out as she ran towards Blaze and Amy, who stopped and watched Surge rapidly approach. "Surge? I thought you didn't want to come with us?" Blaze asked, questioning the tired tenrec. "Yeah- well, you see-" Surge tried to think of a response, but ended up standing awkwardly in thought, clearly getting nervous, but quickly regaining her usual posture as Amy spoke, "Uhm, would you like to come to the coffee shop with us?", Surge replying quickly, "Pfft. That loser shop? I guess, since you're both practically begging me to go with you." Surge spoke as Blaze glared at her completely unamused, Surge changing her sentence soonafter- "Uh. Yeah, sure." Surge said, faking a cough and walking past Amy and Blaze towards the coffee shop. Blaze and Amy followed Surge into the coffee shop, the three of them taking a seat at a table. "So, what are you two getting?" Amy asked, looking at Surge and Blaze, who gazed at eachother for a moment, neither of them knowing what to order. "I'll just have the same as you." Blaze said, smiling at Amy. Surge, copying Blaze due to a lack of actual ideas on what to get, said the exact same. "Okay! Hm…you guys got any allergies? No? Okay. I'll think I'll just go for a coffee cake. Be back in a minute, then!" Amy spoke as she walked away from the table to go and order, returning minutes later with three coffee cakes. "Alright, here!" Amy said, placing down the cakes on the table- then sitting at the table aswell.

Amy and Blaze ate their cakes soon after- Surge complaining about it's quality as she ate it, "This is garbage. How much did you pay for this crap?" Surge asked, turning to Amy and raising an eyebrow. "…Surge, if it's horrible, then why are you eating it?" Blaze said in reply, her and Amy laughing slightly. Surge, who had just finished eating her cake, muttered "…shut up." before talking at regular volume- for Surge, atleast- again, saying, "This is getting boring, anyway. Why don't we do something else-" Surge stopped as she saw a group of rogue badniks aimlessly wandering the streets. "Badniks!" She cried out happily, charging through the coffee shop door and preparing to fight them. Blaze and Amy followed soon after, Amy yelling "Wait!" as Surge ran, Amy getting her hammer and charging at one of the badniks, swinging and launching it miles away. Surge dashed through 3, before turning to Blaze, who was about to engulf a charging badnik in a flaming tornado- before Surge jumped infront of her, yelling "Outta the way, princess!" as she tackled the badnik. Blaze, having frozen for a second- was blushing slightly. She certainly wasn't fond of Surge before- and Surge could certainly drop that nickname, but it was nice seeing Surge care about her. Blaze quickly brushed off the feeling and continued turning the badniks to ash, alongside Amy and Surge- and, in mere minutes, the badniks had all been felled. "Fuckin' sweet! Good job." Surge yelled with a smile as she raised her hands in the air victoriously, Blaze- and Amy gazing at her, as if she was the only thing that was there- other than eachother, of course. "It's getting dark," Amy said as she yawned, putting her hammer away. "I'm heading back to my house. You've, uh, got a place to stay, right Surge?" Amy continues. Surge looks at her nervously, going to nod but ultimately deciding not to- "No." Surge replied, having not had a place to stay for awhile now- "Oh. I'm sorry to hear that, Surge." Blaze says sincerely as Amy comes up with an idea, "We could have a sleepover!- if you've got the time, Blaze." Amy asked, Blaze and Surge nodding in response- sooner than later, they were walking back towards Amy's house, where Surge crashed on the sofa again, and Blaze having bought a sleeping bag on their way there. Amy and Blaze had a very different day, but ultimately it wasn't that bad- but Blaze felt guilty, due to the feelings she had for Surge- and Amy felt guilty aswell, having a need to confess these feelings to Blaze. They both hope to sort it out the next day, as the sky darkens and they fall asleep.

PART 10

As Blaze climbed out of bed, Amy walked down her stairway into her living room. "Surge?" She asked in a cautious tone. "You awake?" Amy continued, Surge rubbing her eyes as she rolls off the sofa and onto the wooden floorboards beneath it. "Ow." Surge mutters as her head collides with the floorboards. "I'm fucking tired. Where's breakfast." Surge spoke in an irritated way, clearly still exhausted. "Surge. This is my house. You may be a guest, but you'll have to get up if you want your own breakfast." Amy replied as she nudged Surge with her foot. "Ughhhh." Surge groaned as she raised her head from the floorboards. "Amy I'm so fucking tired. I NEED breakfast to wake me up. It's science, moron." Surge continued before slamming her head against the floorboards once again. "Amy. I'm SICK. I got hurt, remember? I'm in no condition to make breakfast." Surge yelled, her voice slightly muffled from where her head was lying against the floor. "You're sick, but in perfect condition to take down a group of badniks? Yeah, right." Amy said sarcastically, crossing her arms and raising an eyebrow at Surge. "I was pushing myself to protect you and your girlfriend. " Surge spoke, trying to muster an excuse. Amy looked surprised for a split second, blushing before shaking her head and realizing the nature of the sentence; it was clearly, without a doubt a terrible excuse.

"You'll need to do better than that, Surge." Amy replied, recognizing the excuse. "Pleaseeee. Get me breakfast." Surge demanded, before a roaring flame was heard outside; Blaze soon waited patiently at the door, ringing the doorbell. "Oh- wait a second, Surge, Blaze is here." Amy said as she wandered to the door, letting Blaze in. "Hey, Blaze. Surge is on the floor and won't get up." Amy said in a defeated, tired and annoyed tone. "She's been like this since I woke up." Amy said as her and Blaze walked into the living room, gesturing towards Surge. "Hey, Fire-lady. Get me breakfast." Surge asked as Blaze stared at her, raising a hand to wave at Blaze. "Surge, we aren't going to make you breakfast until you get up. Infact, you should be making your own breakfast, considering you're a guest in Amy's house." Blaze replied, Surge lowering her arm. "C'mon, Surge. Don't be lazy." Amy continued, nudging Surge again. "Fiiinee. Help me up." Surge said, sighing and raising her hand towards Blaze. Blaze grabbed Surge's hand, trying to lift her up, Surge then throwing herself towards Blaze- Blaze grabbing her, almost in a hugging motion. Blaze's face turned red, surprised at the sudden event- then promptly threw Surge onto the sofa. "There. Now you're up." Blaze spoke as Surge was thrown against the sofa cushion, eventually sitting comfortably on the sofa, a tired and disgruntled look on her face. "Can I have breakfast now? " Surge asked, yawning. Amy replied seconds later, "No, Surge. You can make your own breakfast now, I think." Amy said as she walked off into the kitchen, ignoring Surge. Surge, annoyed beyond belief, yelled, "What!? Aw, c'mon! I did all the crap you guys asked me to do! I got up! Do I get NO appreciation around here!?", waving her hands in the air as she yelled. Surge groaned and calmed down slightly, lowering her hands. "You're all a bunch of misogynists. Expected better from you guys, really." Surge said, crossing her arms as Amy makes waffles over in the kitchen.

Blaze laughed slightly as she looked at Surge, replying, "Surge, how do I hate women? I'm literally gay." in a cheerful tone. "Well," Surge spoke, trying to think of a comeback, "You're not dating me. So you clearly don't love all women." Surge continued, a smug grin on her face as if she just won an argument. Blaze laughed in response, utterly confused at Surge's vision of misogyny. "You have to be joking." Blaze said as she giggled, shaking her head at Surge. "No offense, Surge, but I think you've got a flawed imagination of who a misogynist actually is." Amy spoke from the kitchen, laughing slightly. Surge did, infact, know what a misogynist was- she was just trying to insult Blaze and Amy. "Yeah,- Well I think your face is flawed!" Surge quickly yelled back, much to the amusement of Amy and Blaze. "Yeah, okay, sure." Amy replied in a gleeful tone. Amy then returned to the living room, waffles in hand; she then placed them on the coffee table not so far from the sofa, sitting on the sofa next to Surge, taking a waffle with her. "Finally! Some food around here." Surge stated as she grabbed a waffle from the table, Blaze sitting on the sofa beside her. As Amy & Surge ate their waffles, Blaze grabbed the tv remote from the table and asked, "Anyone up for watching a movie? I heard they released a sequel to the one me and Amy watched with Sonic and Tails." quietly. Surge, still chewing her food, replied, "Yeah, shure.", Amy responding soon after, "Surge, that's absolutely disgusting. Never do that again. But yeah, I'd be up for watching a movie.". With everyone in agreement, Blaze put on the movie; it certainly wasn't as interesting as the first, nor was the robots as good- they were cgi, instead of props, puppets, and costumes like the original.

Still, Amy enjoyed it despite it's flaws- saying what they could fix and how they could've done it, whilst Surge laughs and points out all the mistakes they made, mocking the directors. Blaze sat quietly, for the most part, invested in the movie- gazing into Amy's eyes every now and then. Eventually, the movie finished, Blaze yawning and absentmindedly leaning against Surge before sitting up again. "So, what'd everyone think?" Amy asked with an awkward smile, all of them knowing the quality was way below even low expectations. "It was…certainly a movie. Your criticisms probably should've been taken into account before they made it, Amy." Blaze replied, rubbing her neck as she responds. Surge then replies, laughing and agreeing with Blaze, "Haha, yeah! It was total crap! Worst thing I've ever watched!" She yelled, Blaze and Amy turning towards her. "It wasn't the best, but I wouldn't exactly call it that." Blaze replied, chuckling. "Yeah- It wasn't actually that bad, Surge. They just should've read the books beforehand- the creator literally had an entire book series before this! It had so much lore on the world, that they completely ignored!" Amy spoke, smiling. Surge then replied, "Pfft. Shut up- whenever you guys argue with me it just looks like you wanna kiss me so bad." laughing before a silence dawned, Amy and Blaze staring at eachother- blushing for a moment before turning away. It was awkward to talk about,- but they didn't exactly have a choice. They wanted to be honest with eachother, so they had to talk. "Amy, I think we need-" "Blaze, there's something-" Both Amy and Blaze spoke at the same time as they turned towards eachother again, Surge giving both of them a confused stare as she raised an eyebrow.

"What? What'd I say?" She asked, confused. "Uhm, Surge- I think we and Blaze should go talk in the kitchen for a moment." Amy replied, looking at Blaze before the two of them walk into the kitchen. "Amy, I- I think I may have feelings for Surge. I don't love her more than you, obviously- you're my girlfriend, I love you with all my heart- I just- can't shake my feelings for her, and I didn't want to keep it a secret from you- you've always wanted me to be honest about my emotions, so I thought you should know this." Blaze stated, embarrassed and worried to tell Amy this- Amy stood surprised fora moment, still smiling- before responding, grabbing Blaze's hands. "Blaze. I…was going to tell you the same thing. I love you too, and I have feelings for Surge too- and it's wonderful that you feel able to tell me this- because it means we can sort something out about it. We could both ask Surge to date us- Only if you're comfortable with that. I'd be fine with it, but I just, ultimately, want you to be happy." Amy responded, Blaze then smiling and hugging her tightly. "Thank you. That'd be wonderful, Amy." Blaze spoke, both of them entering the living room soon after, where Surge sat confused, Amy and Blaze heading back onto the sofa. "Geez, finally. Took you guys long enough." Surge said when Blaze and Amy entered the room, the two staring at eachother for a moment- both deciding that right now might not be the best time to tell Surge about their feelings. "What were you guys doing, anyway?- Nevermind, doesn't matter. All I know is that it's gonna get dark soon and I'm super fucking tired. Can I crash on your sofa again?" Surge asked, Amy looking at Blaze, as if to ask her if she's alright with it- Blaze nodding in reply. "Yeah, sure." Amy said soon after. The day passed quickly, Blaze leaving to her dimension not much later. Her and Amy slept comfortably that night, knowing that they confessed their feelings about Surge to eachother- now they just need to confess to Surge, and hope for a yes.

Please note that I don't usually write fanfic, and I'm not the best writer. So, uh, take everything I write with a grain of salt, I guess? What I'm saying is it's mostly bad. Also let me know if there's any typos! Don't proofread much.

[aaronstveit]

hello i would love to hear about i used to live alone before i knew ya and/or vampire au 🤲

hiiii okay i love talking so you can hear about both <33

vampire au (sigh) is more conceptual than anything at this point and only exists because SOMEBODY said "exr vampire au so you can use i'm alive lyrics" and i love vampires so naturally this invaded my brain like a parasite. i love the idea of a vampire enjolras who turns people that he finds dying bc he can't stand suffering and that's how les amis started, and then he makes the mistake of turning grantaire.... oh the arguments they would have about the ethics of turning people into vampires without consent, the responsibilities & obligations you have toward the person who saved you/the person you saved, etc.... my opening line is:

Fuck Grantaire’s life. Death. Afterlife? Undeath? He doesn’t know what to call it, but whatever it is, fuck it.

and i used to live alone before i knew ya!!! my roommates au <3 this one has absolutely no set plot, i'm just writing and seeing where it goes! despite the hallelujah lyric as the title it is supposed to be (mostly) silly. so far it has just been an excuse to explore grantaire as a character because i think it's easy to fall into the trap of him being a general drunk mess but i want to focus more on how he is actually generally good with people in brick canon (enjolras notwithstanding), so just for you here is a long passage that i'm actually really happy with <3

So they Uber. Their driver is an overly-friendly middle aged man who asks a lot of questions about where Grantaire is moving to and why he’s moving and where he works and if he likes his job. Grantaire is too polite to give single-syllable responses like Éponine, so he ends up answering all their driver’s questions and then some. He’s not moving too far, still on the same metro line. His old building had a partial collapse last month and was condemned, oh, you heard about that? Well, he’s been crashing on Éponine’s couch since then because she’s a saint, but now he’s found an apartment that is surprisingly within his budget and less likely to literally fall down around him while he eats his dinner, hopefully. He works in the design department of a greeting card company, which is not as cute as it sounds, it is actually endlessly soul-sucking but he can’t afford to quit and anyway the routine is, tragically, good for him. And in return he hears all about the driver’s life, how he used to drive a bus for the city but got laid off, how he works three jobs now and his wife works two just so they can pay the rent and keep their daughter in dance classes, how he does like driving for Uber because he gets to meet interesting people but he also would just like to get a full night’s sleep for once. And Grantaire, well, he’s never been accused of being a bleeding heart, but. There is something about working-class suffering that just. Gets to him. The specificity of it, the humiliation and the exploitation, the way everyone else looks away because it makes them uncomfortable to know that you are paying the price for their comfort. He thinks of this kind man and all the hours he is missing with his daughter the dancer. He thinks of his parents and all the hours they missed with Grantaire, just to put food on the table. So he tells their driver about an opening in the mailroom at the greeting card company, which Grantaire knows pays decently (well, livably, anyway) because he started out in there. They exchange contact information and Grantaire promises to put in a good word for the guy, and he actually means it, and then Éponine is hauling him out of the car and they’re trying to figure out how they’re going to get all of Grantaire’s stuff up the stairs in one trip when suddenly Enjolras is there, holding the door open for them.

also i want you to know i literally reread suckerpunch literally like an hour ago and i am still blown away by how good it is! the way that you wrote grantaire is everything to me. he IS talented and good with people in canon and you put it through so well! genuinely my favorite les mis fic i've read ♡

[thescrump]

Through It All: A Sonamy Story - Chapter 11: “First Date (Part 1)”

Sonic woke up early on the day of his date with Amy, feeling a mix of excitement and nerves. Despite his countless adventures, this felt different, and he wanted everything to be perfect for Amy. He stood in front of his closet, carefully considering his outfit. He wanted to look good, but not too formal. After a few minutes of searching, he settled on a simple, yet stylish outfit. He put on a white button-up shirt, blue jacket, and his signature red sneakers. He looked in the mirror and smoothed out his quills, making sure they looked their best. He recited to himself one of the many lessons his family taught him all those years ago on Christmas Island. One of those lessons that lingered in his head for many years. “Never let a girl cry.” He felt it had never been more applicable to his life. He may never need that advice more in his life. “You got this, Sonic,” he whispered to his reflection, a determined glint in his eyes. “Today's the day to let her know.” Satisfied with his appearance and confident, he grabbed his phone and sent a message to Amy. "Hey, Ames! Ready for our date?" He put his phone away and headed out the door, ready to meet Amy and start their adventure together.

Meanwhile, Amy couldn't believe she was actually on a date with Sonic. They had been friends for so long, but this was the first time they were out together in a romantic context. She couldn't believe it was really happening. They met up at a street corner near the small bookstore Amy frequently shopped at. As they walked through the bustling streets of Emerald City, Amy felt a sense of nervous excitement. Sonic, as always, was cool and collected, but Amy couldn't help but feel like her heart was about to burst out of her chest. Amy felt comfortable around Sonic, as she always did, but this time there was something different. It was as if they were seeing each other in a new light, and everything felt more significant. She tried to keep her cool and maintain her composure, but every time Sonic flashed her a smile, she felt a jolt of electricity run through her body.

As they walked, they passed by several shops and stores, each one with its own unique character. The lively sounds made everything feel magical. It was as if the city itself was celebrating their newfound connection. They chatted about everything and nothing as they walked. Sonic pointed towards a building. "I know what that is.", he said with a smile. "Star Light Tower!" Amy responded, her excitement showing through her words. "You know, I once went to the top of there. Of course, it was during a battle with Eggman." Sonic chuckled. "Typical Eggman." He looked at Amy with a playful glint in his eye. "But maybe we should go up there again sometime, without any robots chasing us." Amy blushed at the suggestion, feeling her heart race faster. "That sounds like fun." Amy's cheeks flushed as Sonic mentioned revisiting Star Light Tower. She playfully nudged him. “Only if you promise not to let Eggman crash the date and rope you into a battle.” Sonic grinned mischievously. “Deal, as long as you're up for the adventure.” The spark in their eyes ignited a shared sense of excitement and daring. They continued walking, admiring the sights and sounds of the city. "It's so beautiful whenever the day doesn't need to be saved." Sonic said in a more honest tone. "Maybe I should slow down more." "Whatever's best for you." Amy smiled at Sonic's words, appreciating his honesty. She knew how important it was for Sonic to keep his fast-paced lifestyle, but she also knew how exhausting it could be for him. They walked in silence for a moment, both lost in thought.

Eventually, they came across a small park, and Sonic suggested they sit down for a bit. They found a bench near a fountain, and Sonic went to buy some food while Amy sat and watched the people passing by. When Sonic returned with their lunch, they began talking about their interests and passions. "So, what do you do in your free time, Sonic?" "Go on a run. Listen to music. Mostly Crush 40. Hang out with Tails. Prepare for the inevitable next Eggman attack. Gets a bit dreary sometimes, always worrying about when it’ll happen." "That’s sad. But it's clear that you just drift around wherever your ambitions pull you." "I'm just living by my own feelings." "I know what song lyric that is!" Sonic raised an eyebrow. "Really? Which one?" Amy grinned. "It's from 'It Doesn't Matter', isn't it?" Sonic's eyes widened in surprise. "Wow, you really do know your stuff!" Amy giggled, feeling a sense of pride at impressing Sonic. They continued talking, and Amy shared her own interests with Sonic. "I love reading books, going on walks, practicing my hammer skills, and hanging out with my friends. And of course, I always make time for trying to be heroic." Sonic smiled. "You're heroic, Ames." Amy felt a warmth spread through her body at Sonic's words. It was as if he understood her in a different way than others, and it made her feel validated. “You’ve grown up a lot, and it’s nice to know Amy Rose now, not just Sonic’s fangirl.” They finished their lunch and Sonic stood up, stretching. Amy couldn't help but feel grateful for this moment. She was on a date with Sonic, the person she admired and cared for deeply. They were sharing their passions and dreams, and it felt like nothing else mattered in the world. She felt truly content. "So, wanna go on a run? I know a great spot." Sonic said with a smirk. "Of course." Amy said while smirking back.

[jinkieswouldyoulookatthis]

Southern Comfort (8x06)

Soooooo much to unpack in this episode. Settle in, this could be a long one...

Ok so the brothers have a brief but heated conversation about Benny that amounts to

Sam: He's a vampire, why is he still "alive"?

Dean: He's my friend, idk.

Sam: What about Amy? Remember MY friend that YOU killed?

Dean: Character growth? 🤷🏼‍♂️

Not a great conversation for resolving anything, but it dragged some things out into the light of day, so it's a start. And it showed that Dean is working on developing some layers to his worldview, slowly, painfully, but he is working at it.

And then there's Garth. Gotta love the scrawny little weirdo. In his fringed jacket, joyful enthusiasm seeing Sam & Dean, ridiculous ringtones, and doing his best to fill the gap in the hunter community left when Bobby died. But Garth is always a good touchstone for the brothers, oddly astute and more aware of them than they are, and he gives them something to align on, namely, their shared reaction to him. And even though Garth was getting all Bobby's idiosyncrasies wrong, he did make a damn good point...

Garth: Bobby belonged to all of us, Dean – not just you and Sam. 

Because while Bobby was second dad to Sam & Dean, they aren't actually the only people in the world, a fact that Dean frequently forgets. It's not Dean's fault that even in his mid-30's he still lacks emotional maturity, he had a shitty childhood that set him way behind the curve on developing that way. He's working on it.

Then an Amelia flashback scene that finally shows us something sympathetic about her character. Of course it's a parallel to Sam & Dean, because of course it is. Her husband went and joined the military, without consulting her first and then got shipped off and died. Oof, that sucks. So she was adrift, exactly like Sam was, and they just happened to drift across each other's paths. No wonder they gravitated towards one another, they were licking the same wounds. The difference was that Sam's lost loved one comes back. Oh and her husband was named Don, similar enough to Dean for ya?

Sidenote: I love all the digs at the confederacy bs, because, yeah, they lost the war. I do not care who is offended by my thoughts on this either. Unfollow me.

Garth: Hey, uh, Sam. If you ever need to talk, I just want to let you know that I'm here. About anything – you know, life, uh, Dean, you.

Sam: I'm okay. Thanks.

Garth: I mean, it just seems like you and Dean are talking but nobody's listening to each other.

Garth gets it, he sees it. Oh boy, 'nother Amelia flashback. Yep, matching sets of issues.

And now Dean is possessed. There is a whole lot in the conversation, so I'm just going to compile the highlights...

Dean: You should have looked for me when I was in Purgatory. You never even wanted this life. Always blamed me for pulling you back into it. Everything you've ever done since you climbed into my ride has been to deceive me. Drinking demon blood, check. Being in cahoots with Ruby. Not telling me that you lost your soul. Or how about running around with Samuel for a whole year, letting me think that you were dead while you're doing all kinds of crazy. Those aren't mistakes, Sam. Those are choices! I might have lied, but I never once betrayed you. I never once left you to die. And for what, a girl? You left me to die for a girl? Benny has been more of a brother to me this past year than you've ever been! That's right. Cas let me down. You let me down. The only person that hasn't let me down is Benny.

Sam actually didn't have much to say, he admitted that he's made mistakes, but he doesn't push back too hard against Dean. Two very good reasons for this.

Dean has a gun aimed at him and is currently possessed by a nasty spectre who is out for blood.

Sam actually feels guilty for exactly what Dean is upset with him for after all, to his credit, he doesn't argue about it that much. This is not to say that Sam doesn't have valid beef with Dean, but in this case, Sam's conscience agrees with Dean. Sam's just still processing all of it.

And then, of course, Garth saves the day by punching Dean (ballsy move for our scrappy little hunter) and he pinpoints precisely wtf is up between the brothers.

Garth: You can't change the past, amigo. Stop being a idjit! With Bobby dead, you and Sam are all each other has. And that's not so bad, man.

Ugh, another flashback. I always forget how many flashbacks there are in this season. Like, yes, a well-timed flashback is a great narrative tool, but they are way over used here. I love the show, but at a certain point I wish they'd just give us the whole story and move on. Whatever, that's a me problem.

[sofiiel]

There & Back Again : xreader addition (fem/afab)

𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐒𝐈𝐗𝐓𝐄𝐄𝐍: 8k words: (CW: angst. slight gore. canon level violence. Dialogue heavy. This chapter is more centered around the original characters.)

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You sat in Eddie's van, hunched down low so as not to be seen, "Are they taking the bait?" you asked.

Eddie watched as Amy walked up the street, looking about uneasily at her surroundings. Only, she didn't look like herself, but rather a copy of you.

"This is making me nauseous, I have to keep reminding myself you're in here with us," Eddie murmured.

Angel shook his head, "poor small-minded Eddie, can't tell a knockoff from the real thing." Angel mused.

"Really, not now, man." Scott shot.

"Up there, you see it!" Gareth gasped, pointing to a black car lingering in the distance.

"That them?" Jeff asked, looking back at you.

You crept to the front seat and risked peeping your head above the dash. 

"Careful" Eddie urged, laying a hand on your shoulder to keep you low.

"Yeah, that should be them, looks like the ones that followed me around Hawkins," you confirmed with a nod.

"Good now get down, get down." Eddie said quickly as the car started to follow Amy.

You ducked down fast, and bit your lip, "hopefully all goes well," you thought.

Amy kept her eyes on the car, as it started to follow her.

"Ok, guys now," Rick uttered into the walkie.

"Got you," Kali replied.

She handed her walkie to Axel as she and Doris exited an alley and walked to join Amy.

The three girls stopped under the shade of a tree reaching its limbs across the sidewalk and waited for the black car to come to a stop. The window rolled down, revealing a man in dark sunglasses.

"So you thought you could just nab her, huh?" Doris asked, hands on her hips.

"You broke the arrangements of the initial trade," He said in a light, monotone voice.

"Yeah, well, emotions run high when you're cattle prodding people, don't they?" Doris asked.

"Look, you've got Gail, we want her back. If you can show us she's ok, take us to her - we might be able to talk again about this trade. This time without the boy ruining shit." Doris said, acting as hard as she could.

"But you still won't get this one," Doris said, pointing to Kali.

Amy tried her best to look frightened, as if she had no say. She only hoped that Kali's illusion was making her a fairly good ____.

Eddie's heart raced as he let his arm drop to the side of his seat. He twinkled his fingers near where you sat crouched on the floor of the van.

You could see his wiggling fingers from the corner of your eyes and laughed quietly.

"Eddie," you whispered in amusement, quietly taking his hand.

Eddie's shoulder relaxed, "it's a good illusion, ok, and you're so quiet - this helps me remember you're actually in here." Eddie muttered, his cheeks faintly turning pink.

"Look, wait - wait, they got in the car! W-were they supposed to do that?" Jeff asked.

"I don't think so...." Angel said, his eyes going to the others, Rick and Funshine in Rick's truck.

"Rick doesn't seem worried," he murmured adding, "Just make sure to tail them, but stay behind Mick and Axel's van. It will hide us from them."

"Yeah, I remember that half of the plan, thank you," Eddie stated sharply.

You shook your head, "how long are they going to be like this, and why?" you thought, eyes wandering to Angel.

He offered you a smile and brushed a bit of hair out of your face with the back of his hand. 

"Worried?" he asked. 

"Uh, yeah, I guess. Amy's kinda sticking her neck out for us. She isn't like you or Doris." you said.

"I won't let anything happen." Angel promised.

Amy looked between Doris and Kali from the back seat of the car, The only comfort was that it was the three of them against the two men. She liked those odds with what was said about Doris' abilities.

Meanwhile, back in Hawkins, Chrissy stood nervously in front of the McKinney house.

"She should have been back by now." she thought, walking up to the door. 

Chrissy lightly pressed the doorbell and a strong chime sounded on the other side of the door.

"Just a moment!" a voice called.

Chrissy tried to wash away the worry from her face and placed on a smile.

"Hi, Miss McKinney!" Chrissy called brightly.

"Oh, you're that Cunningham girl, is ____ behaving herself?" your mother said.

The plastic smile across the woman's face made Chrissy feel uneasy, she knew that kind of smile well.

"Um yeah, totally, it's just... ____'s a bit sick to the stomach, but my Mom insisted she stay a few more days, and she really needs a change of clothes, so I figured I'd come down, so we wouldn't have to bother you to drive all the way over." Chrissy said.

Her sweet smile diffused your mother instantly.

"Oh, sure, her room is right at the top of the stairs. Sorry if ____ is causing you any trouble." your mother said.

"Oh no, not at all! I'll be out of your hair soon, Miss McKinney! Thank you." Chrissy chirped, rushing up the stairs.

Quietly, Chrissy slipped into your room.

"So she isn't back yet?" Chrissy thought, "I can't keep covering, eventually someone will know." Chrissy thought with a sigh.

Wandering over to your closet, she picked through the clothes to find something that would fit the lie she just told.

Her fingers took hold of a dress in a dry-clean bag.

"That's odd..." Chrissy thought, peering closer at the tattered dress inside.

"Why is this ruined thing in here?" Chrissy murmured quietly.

Quickly grabbing a few items, Chrissy fled the closet and headed back downstairs.

"Chrissy?" Patrick asked as he exited his room.

"Oh, hi, Patrick - I was just picking up some things for ____." Chrissy said.

Patrick's scowl was hard to hide as it diminished the hint of worry that once lingered there, and Chrissy found herself concerned by the angry look in his eyes.

"So she has been staying over at your place?" Patrick asked.

"Um yeah! We became friends recently, she's helping me learn a few Ballet tips to help with cheer, so..." Chrissy tried to keep the brightness on her face, but she couldn't fight the awkwardness she felt.

"Why isn't he happy about this?" Chrissy thought.

"I really got to go, good seeing you Pat" she said rushing down the stairs.

"This whole house feels wrong." Chrissy thought.

"Take care now, Chrissy!" your mother called as the girl hurried to the door.

"Thank you! Sorry if I took too long!" Chrissy called back before closing the door behind her.

"Oh!" She gasped, nearly bumping into a girl heading up the steps to the home. 

Robin tilted her head and squinted in disbelief, "Chrissy Cunningham?" she asked.

"Robin Buckley?" Chrissy questioned.

"What are you...why are you in that?" Chrissy asked, looking over Robin's vividly sky-blue outfit.

Something resembling a very fancy prep school uniform.

"It.." Robin rolled her eyes, she wasn't expecting to run into any outside people.

"It's the costume for the Band, just came back from Band Camp, the competition kinda went south when a drum stick went down this guy's tuba, snapped, and he swallowed a few splinters...and...." Robin stopped her ranting.

"You don't care about that...." she sighed.

"Ok, not to be rude but...why are you here. At ____ McKinney's house?" Robin asked.

"Holding her clothes..." she murmured. 

"God, don't tell me I miss my shot and somehow Chrissy freakin Cunnigham snuck in  and -" Robin's mind was running away with itself, a prickly feeling inching through her skin.

"Oh, ____ was staying at my house and -"

"Excuse me?" Robin questioned. 

"____ doesn't stay at anyone's house, she barely stays at mine and we've been friends for like three years now," Robin said flying off the handle.

"Oh no." Chrissy thought, "Can't lie to her, can I?" Chrissy thought. 

Robin watched as Chrissy's face twisted with various worrying expressions. Sighing, Chrissy took Robin's arm and lead her away toward her car.

"____ went to Pittsburgh to go to a concert," Chrissy started to explain quietly.

"Wait, wait, wait. What?" Robin asked, leaning forward wide-eyed.

"_____, 'bout yea high" Rombin gestured with her hand, "kinda looks like she's brooding or scared she's got a kick me sign on her back half the time, can't say two words to most people - McKinney?" Robin said in one belong breath.

Chrissy flashed a nervous smile, "yeah." she said with a nod.

"With who! Where the heck is Amy?" Robin asked.

"You know Amy too?" Chrissy asked.

Robin shrugged, "A bit yeah, she's just some new friend of ____'s," Robin said.

"Which apparently she's making a lot of," Robin whispered.

"Did she go with Amy? ...To the Concert?" Robin asked quietly, looking at her shoes.

"No," Chrissy said, and Robin exhaled.

"She went with some guy that she's pretty into a guess and his friends," Chrissy said.

Robin exhaled again and looked about confused, "some guy?" she asked, "They didn't say who!?" she nearly shouted tossing out her arms.

"Um, no...but both Amy and ____ seemed pretty confident about his character? ____ doesn't strike me as the kind of girl to do something too risky." Chrissy reasoned.

Robin gripped her hair, "yes...yes, you're right...." She said, trying to calm down her panic.

"When was she supposed to be back?" asked Robin.

Chrissy bit her thumbnail and winced away from Robin, "four days ago now." she murmured timidly.

"Four days!" Robin nearly shouted.

Robin paced about, "ok, has she contacted you or anybody?" she asked Chrissy.

Chrissy drew in her lips and slowly shook her head no, "not that I know of. Not me at least, and her parents don't know. I was covering for her so. I'd be the one she'd call." Chrissy explained.

"Have you asked Amy?" Robin asked.

Chrissy gave a strained smile, "I haven't seen Amy in a few days now, either." Chrissy said apologetically.

Robin stood blinking, "ooooh ok....don't panic not yet." Robin murmured to herself, continuing her pacing.

Robin thought for a moment, and stopped snapping her fingers.

"There's one other person she may have called or maybe Amy is with. I'll let you know...." Robin said, hopping into her mother's car and driving away.

Chrissy sighed and climbed into Jason's car leaving as well.

You hid behind Eddie's car seat, peeking around it and him to look at the storage facility in the distance.

"That's not ominous at all." Gareth murmured.

Everyone's eyes were fixed on the pristine building.

"Nobody's come in or out of that place, it's clearly a front." Angel said, leaning over your shoulder. 

"Look, they're taking them inside...." Scott muttered.

Eddie's eyes wandered to Rick's truck on the left side of the building. Mick and the others to the right.

"Well, we've got them pretty much surrounded," said Eddie.

"Everywhere but the back..." Jeff said.

"Can't be helped," Angel shrugged.

Gail watched the security screens from a small room in the back of the building, Franchesca at her side, and the Riddler.

"This is stupid, I was just coming back, I didn't want to trap her," Gail spoke in a low tone.

"They won't give her up, you guys know that, right?" Gail asked pointedly, looking back at the two from over her shoulder.

"Looks like they've had a change of heart." Franchesca hummed, watching as Doris, Kali and 'you' were escorted into the building.

Gail turned quickly to look at the screen, "no way." She whispered, leaning for a closer look.

"It's just Doris and Kali...." Gail muttered, she clenched her teeth.

"What if Eddie and the guys don't know what they're doing?" Gail thought.

"You shouldn't care." her mind told her, "But you do..." she thought.

Franchesca pressed a button on a long control panel, and in an instant metal shutters closed over the windows and exits.

"You won't hurt them?" Gail asked fretfully, her eyes stuck to the screen.

Franchesca took Gail by the shoulder and pushed her toward the door, "come on," she ordered.

Amy looked around, the building was stark white and felt cold, ventilation systems hummed faintly in the background but otherwise, it was unnervingly still.

A door in front of the unusually large lobby opened up and out came Gail and Franchesca.

"Why the sudden change of heart? And after going through so much trouble?" Franchesca asked, a displeased smile on her face.

Doris shrugged, "Oh, what else. Need." she answered with a shrug.

"We can't go home without an alibi now. And ____ could snitch and that would out me for what I am, let alone you and who you work for." Doris reasoned.

"At least this way we aren't stuck in this city, and your people will provide the means for a cover story so that none of us get into any real trouble," Kali explained.

"Smart girls." Franchesca sighed, "if only you could see so clearly before - but oh to be young and stupid." she shot.

Amy grimaced. Gail stood still as she was pushed forward, Amy moved forward as well as Doris pulled her by the arm.

"I also want my pay." Doris added. 

"You will have it sent to you once we have safely returned ____ to the Loxion test site." Franchesca stated.

Doris gave a nod, and shoved Amy forward lightly, "then take her," she said.

As Gail went to walk to Doris, Amy rushed forward, latching her arms around Gail. "I've got you." She whispered.

"____?" Gail asked.

Amy smirked, "no."

"Yo Pete! Try to tether, now!"

Doris shouted into Angel's mind. 

Angel shut his eyes quickly and concentrated.

Kali dropped the illusion as Doris aimed her palms at the wall. A funnel of wispy venom coated it, burning quickly through to the outside.

"Amy phase now!" Kali called, running towards the newly formed hole, Doris behind her.

"Please work!" Amy gasped, eyes closed tight, she pictured the inside of Rick's truck.

Doris shot a laying of venom over the ground behind them, cutting off the possibility for the guards to follow.

"Shit!" Amy shouted, looking about the back seat of Rick's truck.

Rick watched wide-eyed and hurried to reach for his Walkie.

"It didn't work! The tether failed!" He called.

"Damn it!" Axel cursed starting the engine of the van and driving towards Kali and Doris.

Mick threw open the doors and they hopped in. Doris lingered, watching the doors.

"Fuck." Angel growled, glaring at the building through the window, "It didn't work." He said, going to the back of Eddie's van, he pushed open the doors.

"What?" you stammered with eyes wide.

"They know it was a trap, and Gail is still inside, you stay here," Angel said, pointing a finger at you. 

"But -" you called.

Angel smirked at you, his eyes sliding over to Doris, who made a run for him.

"Come on, Pete!" she called.

Angel turned his back to the Van and ran with her towards the gaping hole.

Both held out their hands, lifting the guards into the air.

"Release her, or they'll rain onto the ground!" Angel called out. His eyes focused on Franchesca, who stood smirking.

"They are expendable for the cause." she said simply.

Gail took the chance to kick her in the shin, and as the woman doubled over, Gail made a run toward the hole. 

In an instant, more Guards ran out in a pack of protective gear and guns.

"Shit" Doris exhaled.

"Fine," Angel whispered, flexing his fingers, rather than splitting the guards up the center as normal they ruptured in a burst of red.

Blood, bone, and flesh scattered about the asphalt.

Doris shuddered, her eyes large, they hadn't had time to so much as scream.

Angel's leg trembled, that act had taken more of his strength than he'd imagined it would, he wiped the blood from his nose and panted.

"Are you good?" Doris asked him.

"I will be." he groaned reaching his hands out for the remaining guards who stood around Gail with guns aimed. 

Doris tried to disarm as many as she could with blasts of venom.

A gun fired, and strange blue light shot from it. Doris hit the ground writhing, clutching her neck.

Flying from her mouth, a scream that caused everyone to shudder as she clawed at the flickering blue thing lodged in the side of her neck.

"What the fuck is that?" Angel asked, focusing, he snatched a few of the strange guns away from the guards.

"A tweak to some old tech," Franchesca called out.

Angel subconsciously touched the device beneath his own skin, hand pressed to his neck. 

"Doris!" Kali yelled.

Mick kept her in the van as she tried to get to the screaming woman.

You hopped out of Eddie's van and made a run for it.

"No, no, ____! Come back h-" Eddie called to you, unhooking himself from the seat belt and making chase.

"Damn it!" He cursed, hopping out of the van.

You jumped up and down waving your arms, "H-hey bitch! Over here! The real deal - right here!" you shouted, eyes burning with tears as Doris' screams were wrenching.

Franchesca looked your way.

"You want me, right? I'm right here - Let Gail go. Let them all go!" you shouted.

"____ stop!" Angel ordered, reaching out his hand towards you, you flew backward. A force like a gust of wind knocking you back.

Eddie held out his arms, breaking your fall he held you up, wrapping his arms around you.

"Eddie, let me go!" you shouted.

"Not this time," Eddie spoke breathlessly.

Angel glared at Franchesca and she started to levitate.

"Angel!" Gail warned after noticing the calm on the woman's face, she followed Franchesca's gaze which was fixed past her friends to the neighboring building.

Angel hissed as his shoulder jolted forward, a tiny blue object sparking as it nestled into his skin, and a hole seared through his sweater.

He tried to reach the intensely burning item, but it was lodged in. 

Angel held back from screaming, he didn't want to give the woman the satisfaction as he lost control over his hold on her.

Franchesca fell to the ground, her guards helping her back to her feet.

Rolling onto his back, Angel cursed. With his voice straining he called out, "Get out of here!"

Amy growled to herself, and in a blink phased out of the truck. Rick hopped out quickly with his gun aimed and fired at the guards. 

Amy, popping up behind one of them, snatched his gun and jammed the butt of it into his cheek.

"Take that bitch." She shouted, before pulling the trigger on the fallen man, she loaded him with the electric rounds and watched him flop about the floor.

The sky filled with thick clouds sporting a furious gray. Lighting flickered through the dark curtain, and thunder rolled.

Your eyes didn't know where to look as you struggled against Eddie. 

Eddie looked up at the sky, the hair on his head raised with static, and the skin on his face tingled.

"____?" he questioned, holding you tighter.

Resting his head near your ear, Eddie's eyes shifted to Franchesca.

"Focus," he whispered to you.

"Focus on her." He repeated.

Though that was easier said than done with the screams of your companions echoing around you. Tears slipped down your face unable to make anything happen, but still the storm above grew angrier.

Axel loaded and fired a gun with Rick, while Mick now held Kali to the ground as she struggled.

"Kali stop it!" Mick growled. But she wasn't listening.

Angel rolled onto his stomach, crawling to face Doris, he fought to keep his arms steady reaching out towards her.

He clenched his palm into a fist and the device that was causing her so much pain ripped out, falling to the ground between them.

Doris let out a gasp of air and lay still, panting as tears rolled from the corner of her eyes.

Angel curled into a ball, yelling at the top of his lungs as he no longer had the strength or resolve to hold it back.

The sound caused Eddie to tremble, his eyes filling with water as he gritted his teeth.

Letting go of you, Eddie ran for him. Taking hold of Angel's shoulders, he tried to drag him away.

"Stop." Angel ordered.

"Fuck that man." Eddie spat, lugging him towards the Van.

Amy fired the last round in the gun at a guard sneaking behind you. He dropped to the ground in agony.

"This thing's pretty cool." she said, pleased.

"No! No!" Gail cried out, trying her best to struggle.

"Hey!" Amy barked, noticing Franchesca trying to retreat with her.

Gail kicked and failed desperately. Your eyes snapped to them, tearing away from Eddie and Angel.

The sky opened with a loud crack. A blazing lightning bolt the color of fire struck, zapping through the building, and crashing between Franchesca and Gail.

Robin entered the Lobby of the Nuclear Power plant, she walked to the front desk, looking down at the confused receptionist.

"Can we help you?" the woman asked, clearly taken back by seeing a random teen enter.

"Um, yeah, I'm looking for Mr.Munson? It's kind of a mild emergency." Robin said.

"Kind of a mild Emergency?" The receptionist asked.

"Yeah, can you just ask him for me where his nephew usually hangs out? A friend of ours is kinda MIA and I need to find him to see if he's seen her....but I can't find him, so...Mr.Munson?" Robin explained, offering a smile.

The woman gave her a flat stare, "If you leave a callback number, we can let him know to give you a call. But he is currently on the clock and this is no place for you, for your safety miss -"

"Robin Buckley," Robbin spoke dejectedly.

The Receptionist slipped her a piece of paper and Robin quickly wrote down her information.

"YES!" Gareth cheered as the bolt of lightning forced Franchesca away from Gail.

People across the city watched the turbulent skies with worry, there had been no forecast warning.

You rushed forward, running through the hole in the wall, "Gail!"

The frightened girl scrambled to her feet and ran to you, taking your hand and holding it tight. You offered a strained smile, eyes glowing like a pyre, bright orange.

"Let's get out of here," you spoke to Gail.

"Amy!" you called out. 

"Behind you!" Amy reassured, hopping over the guard writhing on the floor and following the other two girls out.

Kali and Mick worked together to get Doris off the ground and into the white van with Funshine's help.

"Here," Jeff said, joining Eddie in trying to get Angel to his feet.

"Hold on man," Gareth comforted Angel, opening the Van doors, while Scott hopped behind the wheel.

"Get him in" Eddie urged, releasing Angel, he turned back to the girls who made a run for it.

Rick and Axel where still firing rounds, providing as much cover as they could.

Eddie reached out for you, and your fingers grazed against his when a blue spark flew toward the two of you. Both barely managing to leap out of the way. 

Your eyes went to the sniper on the building in the distance. You tried to focus once more, hoping, however, You weren't going to get lucky again. 

"Stop. Forget him, let's just go!" Amy urged.

No sooner had the words left her mouth, was she taken to the ground, shouting and clawing at the blue spark in her side.

"AMY!" you cried out, dropping to the ground, you tried to help pull free the tiny metal thing in Amy's skin.

"Get it out!" Amy cried, her back arching in pain.

Gail drew in a sharp breath as she watched Amy with horrified eyes that slowly filled with tears. Memories shot through in rapid flashes, Gail gripped her head and shut her eyes tight as a headache took over.

Two girls played on the playground, the smaller one pushing the older girl on the swing set, their faces were blurred, but their laughter was happy. "This is the last time, and then it's my turn, you're heavy!" the smaller one said in mock anger. 

Slowly through the memory, the girl's face sharpened, the blur fading away.

Gail's eyes shot open, and they fell on the two of you on the ground, "Amy?" Gail breathed, her voice cracking.

Amy turned her head to look at Gail, Her voice had changed drastically. Sounding, higher, lighter - not her own. 

But it was a voice Amy could never forget.

"S-Susan?" Amy managed through the pain. Gail smiled for a moment before collapsing to the ground.

"What?" you gasped, shocked.

"I got her," Eddie said, gathering Gail off the ground.

You nodded and plucked the tiny device from Amy's skin, with a painful yowl as the radiating, overwhelming pain shot through your fingers.

You quickly tossed it to the ground. 

"Come on Amy, we're out of here," You said, pulling Amy to her feet, you tried your best to carry her to Eddie's Van.

"Go, go!" Funshine said to Rick, the two of them running for Rick's truck.

In a blaze of smoke and burned rubber, the three vehicles tore up the road, fleeing. 

Axel could hear bullets from the sniper grazing the van.

It was cramped in the back of Eddie's van. He checked on Gail, and Gareth on Amy, as you sat looking over the three incapacitated people. 

"Amy?" you asked carefully.

"I-I'm ok...." Amy panted.

You gave a nod and hugged her lightly before turning to Angel.

He looked at you with a hazy gaze.

"Are you ok?" you asked him, It was a stupid question, "o-of course you're not." you said, shaking your head.

Angel laughed hoarsely though his hand still clawed trying to reach the device and flicked your nose playfully.

"It's just a scrape." He groaned.

"Here, lean forward," you offered gently.

Eddie helped Angel lean and you took hold of the small device. Biting your lip to the point of drawing blood to stop a scream, you pulled the sparking thing from Angel's shoulder. Tossing it to the floor of the Van.

Angel sighed at the relief of having it gone, and Eddie smashed the device with the stolen guitar. You held Angel letting him rest his head on your shoulder.

"Thank you," you said to him quietly.

He looked up at you, reaching his neck up he laid a single kiss on her neck and passed out as exhaustion took hold.

Eddie watched them bewildered, He wasn't going to be mad, he couldn't be. 

The van fell into silence as Scott followed Rick and Axel up the road. You watched over Amy, Gail, and Angel silently. Each was now resting.

"I wonder if Doris is doing any better." you thought.

You frowned slightly, "Maybe I can't go back home if this is how things will be." You thought, eyes scanning over their worn faces.

"Will they keep hunting me? I can't keep putting people in danger."

"Hey," Eddie whispered quietly, cutting between your worries.

His hand lightly rubbed your shoulder.  He looked you up and down with concern.

"What's wrong?" He asked.

You looked back at him, "Everything," you whispered for fear of waking the others.

You turned your eyes to your friends.

"They didn't ask for this, everyone was lured here for my sake." you said quietly.

Shaking your head you tried to will away the tears, "And I don't even know why." 

"Ok so there's something they want me to power, and we can guess it's related to the gate. But that's not a real answer, is it?" you said

You took at look at Jeff and Gareth who were each gazing out a window as if processing everything they'd just seen.

Then you turned to Eddie distraught, "They shouldn't be wrapped up in any of this. None of you should. It'd be different if it was just Amy and Angel. We're connected with Doris and Kali and it makes sense that they're here." you rambled.

"Average ass rangers and halflings travel about with wizards and elves all the time." Eddie said.

"In fact, a very wise wizard once said, Many are the strange chances of the world, and help oft shall come from the hands of the weak when the wise falter." He added.

You leaned your head onto Eddie's shoulder.

"I don't want to be anyone's problem. I'm tired of that. It's only getting worse as I fight it." you whispered.

"Wait...a minute." Eddie muttered, glancing down at you, he arched a brow.

"Whoever told you, you were a problem?" He asked.

You side glanced.

"Who told you, you were a problem?" He repeated, his tone slightly angered, but not towards you.

When Eddie didn't get a reply, he wrapped his arms around you to hold you closer.

"Maybe I shouldn't take her home. If that's what she can even call it." Eddie thought.

"Why won't you open up to me." his mind sighed.

Eddie gave you a tender squeeze.

"One day you'll tell me everything you lock away in that pretty little head of yours." He whispered deeply to you, resting his head atop yours.

You stayed nestled in his arms, watching over your friends. "I'm not going back." you thought to yourself, "I can't."

Your mind flooded with the faces of those she'd  cared for back home, Robin, Patrick, Keith, Max, your mother, Chrissy, and even your father. 

"Just...after last night, how do I tell you..." you thought to Eddie.

In the meantime, accepting the warmth of his arms.

And as if he could hear you, he held on even tighter.

Deborah sat in her office digging through a small file, her desk littered with newspaper clippings and a Hawkins Middle School yearbook.

"It's not just a coincidence, it has to mean something." Deborah thought.

"You're in here on an off day...again?" Hopper asked as he entered the police station.

Deborah looked up from her messy desk and gave a feeble smile, "Um...I've taken up a Hobby?" she said, shrugging her shoulders high. 

"You used to be a nightmare in high school...with all your fixations." Hopper sighed, walking to the desk.

"So, what's your newest obsession?" He asked her.

Deborah bit her upper lip and glanced down at her research.

"____ McKinney?" Hopper asked, he looked up at Deborah, "do I need to be worried about this?" He asked slowly.

Deborah opened her mouth wide, prepared to explain, when Hopper threw up his hand.

"Don't tell me you're back to looking." He said.

Deborah's face solidified into a stone gaze, "I will not stop until I find out what happened, Hopper." she said.

Snatching up a picture of you from Middle school, she pulled a worn photo from the pocket of her uniform.

"Look at them, Hopper." Deborah said placing her photo next to your face in the yearbook.

Hopper peered down at the identical faces, the old worn photo of a little girl anywhere between seven and nine years old. 

"Yes, they look strikingly alike but-"

"They look *exactly* alike, and what are the odds that my sister and this McKinney share the same first name, Hopper." Deborah pushed.

Hopper closed his eyes and sighed heavily, "Deb" he said with a careful sternness.

As Hopper opened his eyes, he was faced with dark eyes daring him to defy her.

Hopper pointed at the pictures with his hand, "That girl can't be your sister. That was probably well before she was even born." He reasoned.

"I'm not stupid, I know that," said Deborah.

Hopper let out a sigh of relief.

"I'm simply saying that...well she was just found right? She could be my sister's child." Deborah said, "My sister could have named her ____ in hopes that I or someone would put things together, maybe she even helped the girl escape from the men that took her in the first place." she explained.

Hopper watched her with a blank stare. "You're a cop, Deb. You know the likelihood that your ____ is alive is-"

"Slim, yeah I know. But even you, have to admit. It's strange." Deborah said, pointing to the photos.

"They're virtually twins." she stated.

Hopper gazed at the photos and shook his head. Yes, she had a point, but at the same time, Deborah was known to reach far in her attempts to solve the old town mystery of what happened to little ____ Sinclair well over 30 years ago.

"So, what do you plan to do?" Hopper asked, looking down at Deborah.

"Have this random teenage girl DNA tested?" He asked.

"I could," she replied quickly.

"If I explained things to her, I mean she was orphaned. She might be interested in finding her real family too." Deborah reasoned.

"Or you get the poor kid's hopes up over nothing." Hopper said.

Deborah fell silent. "Just think about what this could do to the kid and her family before rushing in." Hopper warned.

Deborah sighed heavily, "I will." she promised.

"Good, now come on. I need you to flirt with that guy at the coffee shop and get me a discount." Hopper said with a grin.

Deborah rolled her eyes and grabbed her hat, "You should be ashamed." she teased.

"Isn't that the whole point of being a best friend of the former prom queen?" He said, following after her.

The panicked caravan pulled to a stop in what you would only describe as the middle of nowhere.

"Are we even still in the city?" you asked, peeking out the window.

"Doesn't look like it, outskirts of Pennsylvania looks like." Jeff said.

You looked to find Eddie fast asleep in the seat, head tilted back and mouth wide open. You suppressed a giggle.

"Are we the only ones up?" you asked Scott.

"Yeah, you, me and Jeff makes three." He said.

"Four!" Gareth called out, waking with a start.

He hastily fiddled with his seat belt, freeing himself and trying to step around the others in a rush for the back doors.

"I gotta piss!" he yelped, exiting the van and making a B-line for the side of the road, wading into the tall grass.

You and the two remaining boys looked at each other and laughed.

"I'm going to miss the guys too." you thought while unhooking yourself from the seatbelt.

"You too?" Scott snickered.

You shook your head, "Ha, no. I'm going to check on Kali and the others, see how Doris is doing."

"I also need to stretch my legs, we've been driving for hours," you added, hopping out of the Van.

The midday sun of summer felt good against your arms, even through the mild humidity.  You stopped halfway to Kali's van to look around.

"Wow we really are in the middle of nowhere." you thought, the place looked more sparse than Hawkins.

Not far off, surrounded by houses gifted with large be it lazily kept yards, was a small lemonade stand by the sidewalk. It had been left abandoned as a group of children ran around the front yard to the back of the house.

The calm scene around you, almost made your reality feel like a bad dream.

Kali opened the doors to the white van, "____?" she questioned.

Her voice drew you back down to where you stood, where you really stood. Your world was a mess.

"Yeah, how're you guys holding up?" you asked, making your way over.

"We're fine," Kali said moving so that you might climb into the vehicle.

Axel exited the van ruffling through his pockets for a lighter.

"Here," Mick called, tossing him her matchbook. 

You looked at Kali, "His nerves are bad." Kali explained.

"All of our nerves are." sighed Mick. 

Kali closed the van doors behind you and the two of you turned your eyes to Doris, who was resting quietly with a deep frown on her face. A red splotch was left on her skin where the tiny weapon burned her.

"She's ok...." Kali whispered, "That thing just drained her, a lot."

"She was subjected to it longer than anyone else. It makes sense." you spoke with a pained expression.

You could hear and feel each one of your friends drop to the ground because of those tiny little things, and the phantom feeling was making your stomach twist into a knot.

Kali studied your expression, "You," she started slowly, weighing the air around you.

"You didn't come here just to check on us, did you?" she asked.

You gave a feeble shake of your head, "No," you sighed, turning to Kali.

"I want to accept your offer to stay with you," you stated.

"You're sure?" Kali asked.

"Yes and No. It's funny, I've got so many friends now, that I should want to return home. But -"

"You'd only end up getting them hurt." Kali said.

You gave a nod.

"Look what they did to Doris," you spoke softly, "And Angel, I've known neither long, but I know they are strong, and both were brought right to their knees. In seconds."

Your eyes welled slightly with salty water,  "What could they do to the others?"

Kali nodded, "You aren't wrong to worry, but I will say they can still be of help. Mick, Funshine, and Axel aren't like us. But here they are." Kali reasoned.

You looked at Mick, "They aren't. But they're tough, I can tell. They're fighters - each of them looks like they've been fighting all their life." she said.

Mick smiled, "not wrong there, kid."

"We were just, small-town teens. They can't be like this, it's not on them." you sighed.

You then laughed slightly, voice gently breaking, "but they're oddly loyal."

"Are you going to tell them or just slip away?" Mick asked.

You looked up, "Oh," you said breathlessly, fiddling nervously with your fingers.

"I didn't think about that." you looked down at your hands.

"How do I do it? They'd throw a fit if I told them. Not that I blame them, if this was always going to be the case, they could have left me to start with." you pondered inwardly.

"But I don't want to not say goodbye." This thought rang the loudest through your reasoning.

"I don't know what would be easier." you sighed.

"Neither, if they are your friends, they will suffer either way. You'll have to cut all ties if you truly want to keep them safe," said Kali.

Her words came out cold, but her eyes were kind and held much sympathy.

You shut your eyes tight and nodded, "I won't be telling them. I just need to figure out how to just...slip away."

"We can help you with that," said Mick.

"Do you think it will be hard to get Amy and Angel to join you? We'd be something to reckon with them along." Kali asked.

"Not at all, Amy's been looking for answers about her sister involving Loxion and if they are tied with the Lab that held you and Angel. She'll be all for it, I'm sure." you stated.

"And Angel?" Kali asked.

You sighed, "I don't know him well, but I know - He's gonna be pissed off when he wakes up. Something tells me he'll want revenge of his own. We'll help you take down those involved with the Lab if you can help us find out more about Loxion and put an end to them."

Kali smirked at the determination in your eyes. Kali held out her hand, and you took it.

"We'll turn you into something to be feared." Kali boasted, giving your hand a shake.

"And we will tear down Loxion and the Lab someday together," she added. 

you struggled to smile.

"I'd better be in on this path of vengeance" Doris croaked through a dry throat as she opened her eyes.

"Sorry, did we wake you?" you asked quickly.

"I heard interesting things, that's what woke me. I'd better be in on it." Doris said, she sat up and rubbed her neck.

"That hurt like a bitch." she hissed, she turned to Kali and craned her neck, "Is the scar sexy?" she asked her.

Kali chuckled, "Hardly, it looks like a giant freshly popped zit." 

Doris shrugged into a simper, "Too bad, I needed another impressive scar for the collection." she sighed.

You giggled, "You're really taking this in stride."

Doris arched a brow, "It wasn't fun, but I've faced worse, and I am sure worse will be coming for me one day soon." She shrugged with her arms raised.

"No use in letting it keep me down, I won't get anything done." Doris sighed.

"The real question is...do you think that bitch is still held up in that storage facility?" Doris asked.

"Doubt it, you guys busted that place pretty good. I'm sure the police have investigated it by now. Closed the area down." Axel said, getting back into the passenger seat. 

"Damn," Doris whispered.

"It'll take us a long time to track them down again." she sighed, "Even with ____ with us, they won't make the same mistake."

You shrugged stating, "That's perfectly fine, I'd rather not have to face them again until I know I can. So yeah, in no hurry."

"But taking her out now would mean getting back to your life sooner, to your friends sooner." Doris reasoned.

"Or it could mean I die a very painful, untimely death. I'd rather be alive when I go back to my friends, not in a casket or an urn." Myrtle replied.

Axel laughed loudly, "Whoa wait-" he said, "She's leaving them?" He asked.

"You missed a lot while out on that smoke break," Mick said simply.

Axel leaned back to look at you from his seat, "Welcome to the teeaaam, sugarplum!" he sang playfully. 

Your smile was faint, "And to think I thought you were mean at first."

"Oh, I am, I just make exceptions." He said.

Axel's eyes fell on Kali, "One day you could be for them what she is for us. And Kal? Kal's the only one who can turn you into that." He said.

You looked to Kali, who tilted her head and rolled her eyes.

"He's putting a little too much on it, Axel is the dramatic type." She said.

"I can tell by the hair." you chuckled.

"I can hear you." Axel muttered.

"How do you even fit in here without messing it up?" you asked.

Axel grinned, "Half a can of hair spray." he said.

Gail stood with her ear to the glass of the white van, where the windows had been coated with white paint for cover.

"Leaving?" Gail thought.

She looked back to Eddie's van, where the others rested. Scott and Jeff had gone to stretch their legs, heading for the abandoned Lemonade stand in hopes of luring the seller back, so they could purchase some.

It would be easier to let you go, but Gail couldn't unsee how Eddie looked at you, or forget the way he spoke of you.

Gail took in a deep breath.

"Should it even bother me if I'm not..." her thoughts wandered as she recalled the fuzzy memory and Amy's face.

"Who is Susan?" Gail asked herself.

"Never mind it you have to tell Eddie and the guys," Gail whispered, backing away and heading to the green van.

But as she ran around to the back doors, Angel stepped groggily out of them, letting them fall shut lightly on their own.

"Why are you in such a hurry? Don't tell me you're planning on running again." He spat at Gail.

She rolled her eyes and scowled, "No. Ok, believe it or not, I'm not that stupid. I need to warn the guys." said Gail, trying to push past Angel.

However, he refused to move, "Warn them about?" he asked skeptically, clear eyes narrowing dangerously.

"____'s going to leave." Gail huffed, "I need to tell Eddie, so he can talk her out of it. She's going to leave, and she's going to do it without saying goodbye." Gail explained.

Angel's brow rose high on his face as he moved to block Gail's attempt to step around him.

"Continue." He ordered.

Gail growled under her breath, "She's going to stay with Kali and Doris. She wants to go after Loxion."

"I didn't hear much else, but...they want you to go with them. I missed some bits." Gail murmured.

"So for all you know, she told them no? And you'd be panicking everyone for nothing." Angel reasoned.

Gail looked into his eyes for a long time in silence.

"Y-you're trying to stop me from telling him." Gail stammered.

A thin smile slipped across Angel's lips. "It'd be better for the both of us," he hummed.

"Eddie would hate you for it." Gail shot.

With a hard roll of his eyes, Angel scoffed, "Eddie already hates me enough to where it wouldn't matter." he said.

Gail shook her head, "You're awful." she hissed.

"And you're not? You don't even know who you are." Angel whispered.

Taking deliberate steps forward, he slowly backed Gail away from the van doors.

"Your current existence is a lie, so what's it to tell another one?" He asked her, earning a furious glare.

"What the hell are you talking about?" She asked him.

Angel smirked, "So you've already lost a great deal of awareness about your original self." he spoke amused.

"Ok then 'Gail' think of it this way, you let the fairy and I leave, and you get your chance to start over." He bargained with a silver tongue, turning to look back at the van.

"He will need a shoulder to blubber on about it," said Angel.

Gail fell silent, "but if he found out..." she murmured.

"Oh, he'd hate you. Almost as much as he hated me. It's up to you to decide the worth of the risk." said Angel. 

"Though one thing remains. If ____ wants to go, He may not be able to stop her. She's going to do it because she cares about them, and they aren't built for the world we live in." He added.

Angel left her with those words as he made his way toward Rick's truck, where the man stood smoking a short blunt.

Gail stood in a humid breeze watching the door to the Van.

"You're going to tell him." she told herself, but her feet no longer wanted to move. 

Amy groggily popped her head out of the Van, "____?" she asked Gail.

Gail watched Amy with wide eyes, and Amy arched a brow.

"Okay, you're obviously still freaking out." Amy muttered, hopping out and wandering off around the Van.

Gail's eyes followed her, "Why do I know you?" Gail's thoughts questioned.

"She seems to have forgotten she called me Susan..." Gail sighed.

"Hey, weirdo," Amy called, spotting Angel as he was walking away from Rick.

Angel coughed lightly and drew in a deep breath to expand his lungs.

"What do you want?" He asked her, his usual edge seeming more passive.

"I um, have you seen ____?" Amy asked, her face scrunched up, "You reek of Ganja" she muttered pinching her nose.

Angel sighed, "I do, and you should go ask Rick for a puff of it as well. It does wonders for numbing that pain from those fucking little zappers."  he said.

"I'm good, I'd rather have the clarity, thanks," Amy muttered. 

Angel rotated his shoulder a few times, to loosen the muscles that knotted together, seized from the pain hours before.

"____'s visiting Doris, looks like we're headed to the same place," Angel said, reaching out for the Van doors he held one door open.

"Oh, perfect timing." Doris greeted them with a wide mischievous smile.

"Hurry get in." she called, beckoning them with a wave of her curling fingers.

Amy looked at Angel confused as he seemed to know exactly what was going on but followed him inside nonetheless.

"What's going on?" Amy asked.

You turned around to look at them and gave a strained smile.

"We're leaving," Angel said.

"Leaving? Where?" Amy asked quickly.

"To whoever the road to Loxion and the Lab workers takes us to." Kali said.

"You're going to hunt them down?" Amy asked.

"We wanted answers, didn't we?" You asked her.

Amy smiled, "I mean hell yeah but...." Amy glanced out the window to the green van a small distance away. 

"They can't know, it's too dangerous. They aren't like us." Doris explained.

Amy gave a nod and looked at you, "If you're good, I'm good," she said to you.

You smiled gratefully at Amy and turned to Angel.

As you went to open your mouth to speak he tilted his head.

"I'm with you, fairy. You don't need to ask." He said, eyes glinting with the same sharpness of his smirk.

"I owe them a kick in the teeth too." He murmured as if annoyed.

Doris laughed, "I knew that zappy shit would make you mad." she hummed.

"So when do we leave?" Amy asked.

"As soon as Axel returns with Funshine, he just left to get him." Mick explained.

You exhaled a nervous breath and shook out your hands.

"It'll be ok," Kali said calmly.

"Will it?" you thought.

The back doors opened again and in climbed Funshine as Axel got into the front passenger seat.

"Soon is here, then let's hit the road." Axel chimed excitedly.

You could feel the acid burning in your gut, and Angel quietly took your hand.

"It will be alright, It's scary at first, and then it gets easier." He whispered.

You nodded, "Let's go."

Amy watched you with concern, "You're sure? Like..."

"I'm so sure, this is the only way they'll be kept safe," you cut in with a firm nod.

"It's the right path, ____, you won't regret it long." Kali said with a smile, she rested a comforting hand on your arm.

"And you're not alone." she added.

"Step on it, Mick!" Doris called.

Mick started the Van and Kali quickly cloaked it with her powers, they'd all but vanished to the world around them. 

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[little-girl-big-world]

im useless at this writing thing

hello. not to start this on a negative note but I have been meaning to write for soooo long and it's taken me far too long. But honestly, I think it is actually a good sign because I feel like my life is currently fulfilled and I feel pretty consistent at the same time which is honestly the dream. it is something I have been craving for so long and it is so easy to take for granted once it happens but it is so important to reflect and give myself a tap on the back.

So lets take a look at Emily's world currently. I am feeling really happy in the apartment, I want to be home and I make the place look nice, how good is that. it almost feels like the standard now but when I think back and think ruby and I were nearly homeless living out of tote bags at the beginning of 2022, I have come far. and omg I am so much more settled. Ella and Ruby are immaculate house mates, I am so comfortable and having Rory around is nice to have a man living here, also great for bills.

Work. Work is fine. I am learning to accept that I am not going to be in my dream job right now and that is okay. I am moving forward in my career and that is all that matters. I am still learning and getting experience so I cannot complain. I do however feel I want to shift into something slightly different at some point in the future, I want to use my brain more and do more writing because that will definitely fulfil me more. at the moment I feel very operational but it is paying the bills and working in a big advertising agency on a big account like Myer is cool for now. I have definitely noticed the increase in my money with the increased salary so that is always nice.

I have a lover. I finally have a lover. Wow I never thought I would see this day. its even crazy to write this and how much pressure I put on myself to find someone and its one of those things once you have it, you wonder why you worried about it and realise yes it is great but I could also definitely survive without it. and I always will. I think I almost just got obsessed with the idea and obviously the comparing around me as well. but Dan is great, he treats me like an absolute queen, he is a very attractive man and although his jokes aren't always fun, I enjoy his company and the things we do together. It is has been about 2.5 months which is wild because it feels about that but also longer. We have been out for many lovely dinners and drinks, he has taken me surfing down the coast, he came camping to Wilsons Prom with my friends last weekend, I've met his friends as well and it is a sweet little thing we have growing. so I am just trying to enjoy it for now and navigate the idea of dating and learning what I like and don't like and it is fun! We are extremely sexually attracted to each other and we have a lot of sex which is always fun but he still hasn't made me orgasam but we will get there. We have had sex on the beach and in an alley way in Collingwood so hey that is some bucket list items ticked off. Dreams like that are so funny because you want them for so long and then once you get it, it often is not as amazing as you think, which is funny how life is like that because the 'looking forward to something' is more exciting than the event itself. But yeah who knows where things will go with Dan but it is nice to just focus on it for now and not look too far into the future and it will pan out how it is meant to.

Apart from that, I go to Europe in about 2 months which is pretty wild!! It will come around so quickly. Isabel and I have booked a lot of things and it has been pretty cheap which is good and I think we will have a blast so that will be cool!! 5 weeks of travel will be sooo nice.

Tomorrow morning, Ruby and I are going to Pitch festival which is exciting, even though we are a little nervous for a camping big music festival, it will be fun to let off some steam and be young wild and free. And then next weekend Poppy, Amy and Brooke are coming to visit which will be fun!! March has been crazy but hey living in the fast lane is fun. and why bloody not.

So that is all from me but I feel good to have written, never something I regret xx