#the deck works out of the box like any old switch but one of the appeals of it is its a pc straight up and so to fully take advantage of it

[uinferno]

Me trying to figure out what people were expecting from Nintendo beyond "the Switch with hardware improvements"

Maybe they can get funky with it, but their handheld market has always surpassed their home console market, to the point that their sales figures for every home console was worse than their predecessor save for two exceptions, the Wii, which was a flash in the pan, and the original Switch. The Hybird functionality has been proven, and most people over the years adore the concept with the largest criticism being a pile of minor tweaks, namely the uphill battle modern devs fought against power wise and flaws like joycon drift. Not everything thing needs to be revolutionary.

The only thing I personally would have wanted was the introduction of reverse grip buttons like the Steam Deck, Steam Controller, and XBox Elite controller, but that's hardly anywhere near required. Maybe better Bluetooth functionality as well, but once again, that's minor hardware tweaks rather than the revolutionary new console some were clamoring for.

As for the naming, they got burned badly with the Wii U, and I can't even remember the name of the newest XBox. Numbering is tried and tested and less likely to confuse parents. 2 is a new one. Pretty simple.

[whatdoeseverybodywant]

You're the Only Girl for Me - Chapter 25

I do NOT give permission for my work to be translated or reposted on here or any other site, even if you give me credit. DO NOT REPOST MY FICS

❤ Reblogs, comments, likes, and feedback ALWAYS appreciated ❤ 

All OC Characters belong to me

Main Masterlist

Series Masterlist

Authors Note: I changed Airielle's younger brother's name to Benjamin, it was Elijah but... that name is TAINTED now lmao.

August 25th 2021 - Pensacola Fl

Airielle let out a groan and threw her pillow over her head to block out the glaring rays on the sun. After trying and failing to fall back to sleep, she threw the pillow off of her head and sat up in her bed. She let out a yawn as she looked at all of the boxes and totes scattered around one of her parent’s guest rooms. 

Here she was 30 years old and back living with her parents.. What had her life turned into? After coming back home from Turks, she discovered her apartment trashed and her car completely totaled. Christopher hadn’t even tried to hide the fact that he was behind the vandalism. He had left behind a note on her bed that was surrounded by pink roses and white lilies, her favorite bouquet, telling how he was never going to let her go and that her apartment being wrecked was a punishment because of her trip out of the country with Josh. 

Speaking of Josh, she hadn’t seen or talked to Josh since their flight left Turks. After their argument he had stormed back into the villa and pretty much ignored her for the rest of their vacation. Which made things extremely awkward given they still had 2 days left on the island. It also made the sleeping arrangement weird because he didn’t want to intrude on Trin and Jon and he also didn’t want to be in the same room as Airielle so he opted for the couch that was situated on the deck. It wasn’t good for his back, but it beats being around someone who broke his heart 3 times in one year. 

But the most childish thing that he had done so far was switch seats with Trinity on the flight so he wouldn't have to sit next to her. She wasn’t going to lie, it stung but she couldn’t exactly blame him. If the roles were reversed, she wouldn’t want to sit next to him on a 6 hour fight either.  

Deciding that it was time for her to get on with her day, she let out another yawn and made her way to her ensuite bathroom to brush her teeth before making her way downstairs to the kitchen. She frowned at her parents who immediately stopped talking when she walked into the room. 

“Way to be subtle.” She muttered, placing a kiss on her fathers cheek as she slid past him to grab a plate out of the cabinet. Isaac and Tamia Jones shared a look before turning to face their only daughter.

“Have you spoken to the police yet?” Airielle let out a groan as she stacked three pancakes on her plate. 

“Solèy ?” (sunshine) Isaac called out to her when she didn’t answer and Airiele sighed, keeping her focus on her plate. 

“No.” She mumbled. “I haven’t talked to them yet.” Issac kissed his teeth 

“Solèy, you can’t keep letting him get off easy. He destroyed your home.”  Airielle stopped buttering her pancakes and looked up at her dad. 

“Dad, I filed the police report, there is nothing left to do. You and I both know once they find and arrest him, his dad will bail him out.”  Isaac opened his mouth, to most definitely yell at his daughter, but Tamia placed a hand on his shoulder, stopping him. 

“Honey, you’re gonna be late for work.” Issac cursed and looked at his watched, seeing that his wife was right. 

“This conversation ain’t over Airielle.” He said, glaring at his daughter, before softening his features, sighing and walking over to place a kiss on her forehead. “I just want you to be safe solèy, You’re my only daughter -” 

“And favorite.” Airielle cut him off. Isaac paused and looked around the kitchen, making sure his youngest, Benjamin, hadn't walked into the kitchen. 

“And my favorite.” He agreed, making Airielle and Tamia laugh. “I just want you to be safe and away from that psychopath. And if he comes here you know imma protect you.” He winked, patting his waistband before placing a kiss on his wife’s lips and leaving the house. Airielle ate her pancakes in silence, even though she could feel her step-mother staring a hole through the side of her face. Airielle sighed before setting her fork down and turning her head to look at Tamia. 

“C’mon let's go to our spot and talk.” Airielle sighed and poured herself a glass of orange juice and grabbed her plate, following Tamia to the sunroom. 

Tamia watched Airielle as she ate and looked out into the backyard. Even though Airielle and her older brothers weren’t her biological kids, she loved them like they were her own. She practically raised Airielle, having met her father when Airielle was only 4 months old. And to see Airielle with so much pain and hurt in her eyes broke her heart.  

“I know you don’t wanna talk about what's going on with Christopher, so we won't” 

“Thank you.” Airielle breathed out, sending Tamia a grateful smile. 

“But, we will talk about you and Josh.” Airielle’s smile dropped and she let out a groan, throwing her head back so it hit the back of the sofa. “Color me surprised when I open up instagram this past weekend and see y’all all cuddled up on some island in Turks? Are y’all back together?” 

“No.” Airielle shook her head vigorously. “I been bought the tickets and I wasn’t gonna go - I actually gave the tickets to Trin & Jon, but the situation happened and.. Six hours later, we were on a beach in Turks.”  Tamia rolled her eyes. “I mean, we had a talk about why we can’t be together.”

“Hold on,” Tamia cut her off. “Why can’t y’all be together?” Airielle blew out a long, exporated breath, before telling Tamia her reasonings for not wanting to get back with Josh. Airielle watched as Tamia’s eyes narrowed into slits when she started to tell her what about Josh and Yara.  “Where the fuck did this Yara bitch come from? And why in the hell would Josh sleep with her? Y’all seemed so into each other last time I seen y’all.”  

Airielle sucked in a deep breath and took her phone out of her robe pocket to check the time. “I have to get ready, I want to go to the dealership and try to get a new car.” Tamia rolled her eyes at her daughter's way of dismissing the question. 

“Airielle..” she chided and  Airielle shrugged and gathered up her plate and cup.

 “Mom, what do you want me to say? We broke up and we’re not getting back together.” Airielle said as she walked out of the sunroom without waiting for Tamia to respond. 

AirielleJones posted on their story!

“Thank you.” Airielle called out to the uber driver as she stepped out of the car and closed the door behind her. She bit her lip as she walked in the dealership. 

"Hey, how can I help you?" A smooth, deep voice called out to her. Airielle couldn’t help but notice how attractive he was—from his intense brown eyes fixed on her to his bright smile that seemed to light up any room he entered.  She quickly cleared her throat and offered him a smile back. 

“Yeah, I’m looking to buy a car.” ‘Well duh’ The voice in her head mocked. ‘Why else would you be in a car dealership?’

Instead of calling her out and further embarrassing her, the guy just held out his hand for her to shake. “I can definitely help you with that. I’m Clifford.” 

She hesitated for a moment, then tentatively placed her hand in his. “Airielle.” 

“Beautiful name for a beautiful woman.” 

“Oh, thank you.” She replied back. ‘Do not flirt with this man Airielle!’ The voice chided her. ‘You got enough boy drama to last a lifetime!’  

He bit his lip as he took in her appearance before snapping his eyes back up to hers. “What type of car you looking for?” He asked as he motioned for Airielle to follow him outside to the lot.

Clifford had Airielle out of the dealership in no time. She had left the lot with a brand new 2022 Audi A3 and his phone number programmed into her phone. Did she feel bad about getting another's man number, yes. But Josh had made it perfectly clear in Turks that he was done with her. So she did what any self-respecting woman would do… Move on.  

HEYY.. Hopefully this chapter isn't complete ass.

THANKS TO MY GOOD SIS @paigereeder this chapter actually got done and is not sitting in my docs for the next couple of weeks.

So.. what do y'all think of Clifford? 👀. Think he's here to stay?

🏷️: @christinabae @southerngirl41 @reci1996 @jeyusos-girl @empressdede

@harmshake @paigereeder @li-da-savage @nbanenefrmdao @alyyaanna

@theninthwonder @raya-hunter01 @abadbitchblogs @qveenmikaelson @black-yn

@mzv11 @shantinextdoor @sheydnni @zillasvilla @thatone-girly

@xmonetsworld @bebesobrielo @kill-the-artiste @wrestlingprincess80 @yana3sworld

@bookuce @that-one-anxious-mango @mersers-moonypadfoot-prongs @sageispunk @amandairene88

@rianasixx @vebner37 @mindairy @trashbin-nie @saintaquarius

@adoreesun @shayaaaaaaa @sayyestoheav3nn @xbriexx

[autolenaphilia]

I got a Steam Deck last year, and it’s such a great machine. It’s obviously inspired by Nintendo Switch, but it’s a lot better than a Switch.

The most important part is that it runs PC games. It’s fundamentally a Linux gaming PC in the form of a handheld console. There are a lot more games available than any console and and PC games both on Steam and GOG are a lot cheaper than console ones. You can get old or indie games for as cheap as 1-3 euro during sales. It’s a tremendous advantage for the deck over its console competitors.

And while the obvious intent of the deck is to get more people to buy games from Steam, it isn’t a walled garden at all. The deck launches into Steam when you boot it up, but you can go into desktop mode, and then it functions as a normal PC running a Linux distro. From there you can install Lutris or Heroic Games Launcher, and use it to easily install games you bought from GOG and Itch.io.

You can also do things like use the official dock or an unofficial usb-c hub to hook the deck up to a monitor, mouse and keyboard to use it as a desktop PC. Or you can hook it up to a tv to use it as home console.

The hardware is also a lot more powerful than a switch, the demanding triple-a games it can play is actually impressive. Although this comes with the natural disadvantage that it’s bulkier too. Putting more powerful PC parts demands more space for them. The deck is not something I bring with me outside. But then again I didn’t even do that with the 3DS, which was actually of a practical size to do that. The deck is portable enough that I can comfortably play lying in bed, which is how I always used my handheld consoles. So it’s perfect for me, but maybe not if you want to play it on the bus or something. It can probably be a fun addition to your luggage on longer trips though.

Of course, as mentioned, the Steam Deck uses Linux. This has both advantages and disadvantages. The main advantage is that it allows Valve to customize the operating system to make it fit with the machine it’s running on. The Deck’s SteamOS feels really well-integrated into the hardware, like how a proper console OS should be like. It’s not that dissimilar to how Sony used FreeBSD to make Playstation’s OS. Windows would not allow for this amount of customization and would not integrate as well.

And the open source nature of most Linux development allows Valve and the user to use existing open-source Linux software to their advantage. For example, the desktop mode is largely not a Valve creation, it’s an existing desktop environment for Linux, KDE Plasma. Yet it extends what the user can do with the deck to a great extent, like for installing non-steam games.

The main disadvantage to the Deck using Linux is that most PC games are built for Windows and don’t run natively under Linux. To run games built for Windows, the Deck has to run it through Proton, a compatibility layer which is Valve’s own gaming-focused version of Wine. Wine/Proton is far from perfect, sometimes games require extensive tinkering to work, or only run with serious issues, or don’t run at all, no matter what you do. Sometimes a game not working with Wine due to some random but serious issue that comes naturally from running a Windows executable on a Linux system via a compatibility layer. Sometimes it’s due to things like a multiplayer’s game anti-cheat system requiring access to the Windows kernel, and it will block a Linux pc from running the game because it has no Windows kernel.

This is however not as big a problem as it might otherwise be. Most games work, more or less. Valve has put a lot of work and money into both their own Proton and the Wine project as a whole, and they work a lot better than they did 10 years ago. Many run perfectly out of the box, because they are native, or play nice with Proton. Some require mere minor tinkering, like using a different version of Proton. And I generally don’t play multiplayer games, or if I do they don’t have draconian anti-cheats, so the games that are blocked because of anti-cheat are no big loss to me. The Steam Deck not running Fortnite is a plus in my book.

And we shouldn’t forget the Steam Deck verified system. Basically Valve employees check if the game runs out of the box with no issues on the Deck. They get a verified rating if they work with no issue, including both proton compatibility but also things like the controls working nice and the text being legible on the deck’s small screen. They also get a “playable” rating if the game runs to an acceptable standard but with tinkering required or other minor issues.

This is a good system. If you dislike tinkering, you can just buy and play games on steam with a verified rating, and the deck will work like a normal console for you, but with a lot cheaper games. It’s a good way to get people used to consoles into PC gaming, which is probably the point of the Deck.

And if you want more than deck verified games from Steam on the Deck, you are given the freedom to do it. I’ve gotten officially non-supported steam games to run on the deck by installing and using proton-GE and I’ve installed and played games from GOG.

The Steam Deck is really how a Linux PC for the common people should work. An easy and slick experience for casual users, but freedom and customization given to those that want it.

[enby-wrights]

an old billy&stu unfinished piece, sharing for shits and giggles

“Hey.” said Billy, sharply.

Stu made a little noise and peeked half his face out from under his arms.

“Why d’ya- why’re you always, like, all over me, when we’re killin’?”

He made a stupid little expression, scrunching up his lips and staring up at the wall. He shrugged, and made another vague, noncommittal noise. 

“Y’don’t know?” Billy asked, incredulously. “You’re not- you’re- whatever.” He sighed and settled back down against the mattress. 

Stu stuck his head out and chuckled. “What, d’ya think I’m fuckin’ gay?”

Billy huffed awkwardly. That’s exactly what he'd meant. “Well, are you?” he asked, a tad too shaky to pass as the insincere joke he’d hoped it would be.

Stu shrugged.

What the fuck.

Billy was shocked. “Whaddya mean, you don’t know?! You fuck all kinds’a girls, you should know whether you’re a fuckin’ queer!”

Stu laughed again. He stuck his jaw out and did a voice. “Well, that’s not comparable.”

“-Not comparable?”

“You know I don’t give a shit about any of ‘em! I mean, they’re fun to be around, but they’re not, like- well, they’re not-”

“Me?”

“You.” It was hard to hear him through the sleeves of his jacket. Something, something, “different,” Billy had heard.

“Well. I mean- do ya think I’m fun to be around? Like they are?” Billy asked. 

Stu gave him a stupid, wide-eyed grin and elbowed him hard in the side. “Are you askin’ to be my girlfriend, William?”

“No!! I’m askin’ if you-” 

“-Cause there’s an excruciating application process you gotta go through if you want m-”

“No, Stu, you just-! I dunno, like- you don’t wanna, wanna fuck me, or anything, right?” 

“...Hadn’t thought about it.”

“The fuck? Sex is all you think about.”

“Yeah, nice! Ya got me there! Pound it!” Stu held out his fist at Billy.

Billy wasn’t the type to get distracted. “But I’m different?”

Stu rolled over and threw his hands above him. “God, yeah, you fuckin’ buzzkill.”

Once Stu’s melodramatic sigh had run out, the room was quiet. Billy immediately realized that the Marcy Playground cassette that had been playing in the background had to have ended at least five minutes ago. The quiet was obnoxious, Billy decided.

He lifted himself up and off the dirty twin-size mattress to go switch out the tape in the deck. There were few things in life he loved more than his cassette deck– it was a pretty old thing, beige and brown with big, chunky buttons and dials. It was nothing like the sleek, shiny ones he would see at the electronics store down the road, but it was his, and he had kept it pristine despite twelve years of using it constantly. He rewound the tape, ejected it from the deck, and precisely slipped it back into it’s little plastic case, before putting it in its place among the 53 other tapes in the slowly disintegrating cardboard box his collection called home. He ran his finger along the cases for a few moments before pulling the latest Soundgarden album and holding it up to Stu for his approval. Stu, of course, was not paying attention, so Billy chose to forget about it, and instead put the tape in and hit play.

“Well, do you wanna…” he started, walking back over to the bed but not quite knowing where the sentence was going, “I dunno, like- nah, d- whatever.” He stood, all hunched and awkward, right next to where Stu was lying.

“Christ, Billy,” Stu laughed, “you gotta stop doing that!”

“Doin’ what?” “You keep makin’ these wild implications and then acting like they go away when you say ‘nevermind’, you know it doesn’t work like that!”

Perfect. Now that Billy was sure that he and Stu were on the same page, he could slip back into the confidence he was used to. He leaned over Stu and placed one hand next to his head.

“What implications do you think I’m makin’, Stu?” 

Stu cackled and reached up to grab Billy’s shirt collar with one hand. “Don’t get all sexy at me, dude.”

that's all bye

[jpitha]

Blockade Runner (redux)

I decided to edit and combine my old story Blockade Runner into a single (longish) one shot. I'm still working on ideas for my next long story in addition to posting some cool stuff to /r/HFY if you want to check me out and offer kudos there too.

The small group of K'laxi stood before the Captain.

Their fur was puffed out and their eyes were wide. They were trying to hide their fear, but the Human Captain saw through it. They had escaped from the Xenni attack on their starbase with only their lives. They were the lucky ones.

"W-what did you say?" the leader of the group, Tingmell, was trying his best to stand up to the tall human who frankly towered over them, but it was a losing battle.

"We're going to run the blockade and get you home." The Captain explained things- to Ting at least -entirely too matter-of-factly. "I put it to a vote with the crew and Dawnbreaker they were all in agreement. It's not right that you got caught up in the war, and we know what happens to K'laxi who get captured by the Xenni."

K'laxi who get captured by the Xenni get killed and turned into coats the Xenni wear, but only after they're tortured and any useful information is extracted.

It's not pleasant. It's not meant to be.

"Please don't misunderstand Captain Bennigan, we're very grateful, but we can't ask you to do this, it's too dangerous"

"Good thing you didn't ask then!" Captain Bennigan laughed at his own joke. "Now, we're going to be operating at the ragged edge of what's survivable for Humans. Dawnbreaker says that so long as you stay in the acceleration couches you'll survive too. Turns out K'kaxi are more durable than you let on, eh" He closed one eyelid quickly in a gesture that Tingmell's translator explained was 'complicated but like a joke. he's trying to set your mind at ease.'

Captain Bennigan turned to Ting and spoke to him directly. "If you want, you can sit up here with us, but everyone else should get into the couches now."

"Y-yes, okay, I'll stay up here." He turned to the group. He was the only one wearing a translator, so nobody could follow the conversation. He switched to Cali'mak, a northern K'laxi language that most everyone in the group understood. "Captain Bennigan is going to take us home-" There were gasps and noises of surprise "-but it's going to be a dangerous ride. Everyone into the acceleration couches now please. I'll stay up here and tell you how it goes." Wide eyed, but understanding, the K'laxi left the command deck and went down to the cargo deck, which was set up with K'laxi sized acceleration couches.

****

Ting had never worn a support frame before. It was - at the same time - clunky and awkward, but also powerful and fluid feeling. According to Dawnbreaker, it would enable him to survive the punishing gee forces that they were expecting while out of an acceleration couch.

It was extremely overbuilt like most things of Human design. Dawnbreaker interrupted his marveling at the support frame. "The K'laxi are secured in their couches and are waiting comfortably." Ting knew most starships were run by AI, but only the Humans gave theirs so much agency and let them give opinions on how things should be run. It was odd to hear the AI speak so... casually to him and everyone.

"Excellent." The captain adjusted his position in his command chair. When he did so, the vegan leather in the chair squeaked and rumbled. "Dawnbreaker, have our gifts to the Xenni finished printing?"

"Two more minutes Captain, and the missiles will be complete; we can proceed now."

"Good." Bennigan pressed a button and there was a two tone whistle that was heard all over the ship. "Crew, it's time to set off. I apologize, but as we are taking off near the end of the evening shift, please take your stimulant pill now." While Ting watched and tried to make sense of what was happening, everyone took out a small box from their pocket and swallowed a small green capsule. He caught the Captains eye but didn't say anything. "Going to be a long day, Tingmell. You're about to see some things that the Humans don't prefer the other races - especially the Xenni - know about us, so uh, keep it quiet, okay?" Wide eyed, Ting nodded.

With that acknowledgment, his seat molded around him and his support frame, and straps came across his chest which locked him tightly in the seat. He looked around and everyone was strapped into their seats too. The straps tightened automatically just to the point when they were too tight, and backed off just a bit. Ting had a moment wondering how they knew how tightly to strap him in.

"Dawnbreaker? As Captain on board, I authorize you to unleash War Emergency Power, and in the case I am incapacitated you are free to make your own decisions to continue the mission, save the crew and save your own life in that order. Acknowledge."

"Acknowledged Captain Bennigan. War Emergency Power authorized. All fuses and limiters removed. Operating time at WEP is estimated to be sixty three minutes before permanent damage occurs."

At that, the low thrumming of the ship that Ting felt at all times aboard a human starship changed. It became a steady roar of power, straining to be released.

Captain Bennigan turned and faced the crew on the command deck. " Lieutenant Richards? Proceed ahead, War Power. Commander Penn? Launch countermeasures, missiles, and drones. Lieutenant Commander Harrison? Prepare for wormhole generation." Everyone immediately busied themselves to complete the Captain's orders.

As the ship streaked towards the Xenni blockade Ting was able to notice the flashes of the Xenni firing at them. Most seemed to miss, but the roar of the ship was punctuated with hollow thumps of shots hitting the thick Human armor. Dawnbreaker seemed to shrug it all off without worry. While they were on the run, Ting's superior sense of balance was getting all turned around as Dawnbreaker dove and spun and turned, dodging the Xenni and trying to foil their systems from picking up a missile lock.

After a few minutes, Lieutenant Commander Harrison looked up from his console in the rear of the deck and shouted "Navigation solution found. K'lax coordinates locked in."

A different human at a front console called out. "Power output at 280 percent. Wormhole generation in 183 seconds."

"What?" Ting was utterly lost as to what was going on. "Captain Bennigan, what about the warp gate?"

"Oh, we're not going through the warp gate" Captain Bennigan turned to face Ting and he had a wicked grin. "I told you, you're going to see some stuff."

Ting could barely follow what was going on. The noise, the smells, the changes in orientation in his seat were all playing havoc with his perception of the scene. It seemed they were diving towards the Xenni blockade but also avoiding the warp gate - the main method of (non-human) transit between systems. It seems like the humans were buying time for something.

"Power output at 420 percent, nice!" cried the human at the front console. Even during this high stress environment, a few humans around Ting who heard the number chuckled, thought he had no idea why. Some Human thing.

Dawnbreaker called out, "Captain Bennigan, power output is sufficient for wormhole generation, and the navigation solution has been found. At your command."

"Thank you, Dawnbreaker." Captain Bennigan was calm and collected even with all the noise and stress and action around him. He signaled the ship. "Attention, Attention, Attention. Wormhole generation shall commence once this message has completed. Those of you who-" he paused a fleeting moment. "-have trouble with the process, please make sure you are secured. See you on the other side."

"Link us to K'lax."

Ting felt, rather than heard the change. It was a whole body vibration that started in his lower extremities and worked it way up until his whole body was vibrating. It was as if he was a bell that had been struck. The vibration grew in intensity and made even his fur vibrate. It felt like he was going to vibrate apart and then...

****

Tingmell awoke.

He was lying on soft moss, and the dappled orange-yellow light of home was shining down on him. With a start, he sat up and found himself in a forest at home. The very type of forest his kind came from.

About 3 meters away, were a small group of K'laxi, all wearing very old and traditional clothes. Some in the back had fashions that predated Contact even! The one closest to him tipped his head back and made the barking cough of K'laxi laughter.

"You did it! You actually did it!" He stopped to laugh again. "I have a wager with Himelli over there." He pointed to a K'laxi in the back in an exceedingly ancient garb. "Did they tell you what was going to happen, or did they just buckle you in and say something like - he affected a surprisingly good human impression - "This is gonna be so cool! Just wait and see!"

"W-what? No, they didn't tell me." Ting saw Himelli make a sour face and give a small satchel of what he assumed were coins to the elder he was speaking with. "They said they were going to generate a wormhole. What actually happened?"

"Oh, that happened. They did it. They actually learned how to do it before Contact, so they used it as their sole method of transit for a while before we showed them the warp gates. Most of the other sapient races know about it too, they're just not crazy enough to do it. This happens to about 1 in 100 of all sapients who try. The humans just decide that it's fine."

"But, please, honored elder, what happened?"

"Oh, you're dead."

"Dead?"

Ting must have misheard. He couldn't be dead. There was much too much to do!

"Oh yes, very." The eldest K'laxi flicked his tail, a nod. "Though," he continued. "Not for very long. Once the human ship leaves the wormhole and enters space again you'll go back to your body and 'be alive' again. Whole thing is a mess really." He scoffed. "And the humans think this is normal!." He laughed.

****

Ting came to in his support frame, belted to the seat on the command deck of Dawnbreaker. He glared at Captain Bennigan who was watching him carefully. The Captain locked eyes with Tingmell, nodded with a small grunt and said "We'll talk about it later." He turned forward. "Status!" he barked to the room.

"We've exited the wormhole in atmosphere of K'lax!" The human who shouted the update sounded like he was trying not to panic.

Dawnbreaker spoke right after. "Captain Bennigan, we have exited the wormhole much closer to the K'laxi homeworld than anticipated. We are deep in the atmosphere, tumbling towards the surface from a height of approximately seventy five kilometers."

When Ting heard Dawnbreaker's report, he was confused. When he saw Captain Bennigan's surprise he was terrified. It was then that Ting noticed the noise. In addition to the buzzing hum of the reatctors at WEP, he heard the howl.

The howl of air rushing around the hull.

Bennigan regained control over his features immediately and started barking orders. "Direct emergency power to the engines. We need to boost into a safe orbit. Fire the juke-charges to arrest our spin and orient us towards orbit"

Even Dawnbreaker sounded worried. "Aye Captain, firing juke charges. All-hands prepare for shock."

In space, there is no real way to change your direction quickly. Early human ships experimented with huge, heavy, fast spinning gyroscopes so that they could spin around quickly, but this only changed their orientation, not their direction of travel. Later, it was decided that since everyone was chained to the same laws of physics, space battles weren't going to be like air battles. Instead, the humans concentrated on thick armor to withstand attack.

In the case of a missile attack, human ships could launch small shaped charges which would detonate near the thick hull, and the shockwave of the explosion would cause the ship to slide or 'juke' out of the way of the incoming missile without changing their direction of flight. In atmosphere, tumbling towards the surface with no control surfaces, Dawnbreaker was using the juke charges to arrest the ships spin, and orient it back towards space.

Ting didn't know this. What he did know was suddenly there was a cacophony of double booms as the charges were launched and almost immediately detonated, the force of the explosion pushing against the ship, causing it to move.

The noise was incredible.

Ting could only describe it like being in a hailstorm inside a metal box. Mercifully, it only lasted a few seconds. After the spin was stopped and the ship was pointed back to space, Dawnbreaker's main drive fired. At war emergency power, everyone onboard was subjected to punishing gee forces to boost the ship back into orbit. Ting thought that his bones were going to snap from the weight, but Dawnbreaker knew the limits of his passengers and kept the thrust right at the edge of what he could take.

After a few minutes, the thrust eased and Dawnbreaker spoke. "Attention. We have entered a safe - though low - orbit around K'lax. I apologize for any discomfort you may have experienced. I report no Xenni presence. So as to maintain preservation of my systems, I request War Emergency Power be suspended."

Captain Bennigan nodded. "I concur. Suspend War Emergency Power, set systems to standard power."

The howl of this ship quieted to the low thrum Ting was more familiar with. Captain Bennigan sighed heavily and looked at Ting. "Well, we made it. How was your first trip through a wormhole?"

Now that the emergency was over, Ting could afford to be angry. "Captain Bennigan, it was fine except for the part where I died."

The captain looked at Ting with a soft, weary expression. "It happens to me too and I hate it every time. It may be a small consolation, but our philosophers keep arguing about whether it's actually death or just a hallucination as a side effect of cutting a hole through spacetime."

"That doesn't help."

"Yeah. Didn't help me first time I heard it too."

[theoriginaleppieblack-blog]

Photo - Confiscated photo from the set of The Rosie O'Dell Christmas Special (1976)

Interviewer: There's always been a rumor that you both reinjured yourselves on the set of the Christmas special. Is that one true or false?

Tristam Lindsey and Alex Logan Simultaneously: False

Tristam Lindsey: Alex had a sort of...setback. He had a harder time getting off the floor than expected. Of course, we could of rewritten the scene.

Alexander Logan: But I wanted to do it as written. And I'd cleared the whole script with the doctor and physical therapist. But when I go to get up...I lost control a bit just like someone turned off a switch and then back on. I'm struggling to catch my balance and land on Duffy's poofy chair and this guy <laughing fondly> runs over like a knight in shining armor. And offers me his fret hand to steady myself with.

Tristam Lindsey: My bad hand! But I caught myself right quick and switched hands. It's even in the photo. Mick got that one off an ABC employee. He thought he was going to make a second career as a paparazzo.

Interviewer: Do you want to talk anymore about the release? Or any last thoughts about the production?

Photo: production still, The Rosie O'Dell Christmas Special

Tristam Lindsey: There was more joy in the making of this than I remembered. It was a hard time but we had friends and we had hope.

Alex Logan: That's really why we've finally brought it out. As a holiday present. To the fans that have been waiting for so long to get a look at it. To our newer fans that have maybe not even heard of it. To the world, really. Happy Christmas, Happy New Years, Happy everything. From Paradox.

Tristam Lindsey: On Christmas Eve we will be releasing a lot of related content on the YouTube channel. Um...it's taken a lot of time and work but all the copyrights have been worked out to put our archive tape of the KBTV broadcast of the special on youtube. So people can see the original context of the thing. The EP will be available for pre-order on Boxing Day with pick-up on Record Store Day, April 19, 2024.

Alex Logan: Our all-organic legacy band, Heirs of the Storm are opening for our old loves, The L.A. Queenz, at the Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle on New Years Eve. It's sold out but there will be a broadcast of the concert on the channel.

Tristam Lindsey: Say yes to live music.

Alex Logan: Peace, It's still a good idea.

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

Extra:

Tracklist to the EP

A1 Deck the Halls Medley 3:50

A2 Lonely This Christmas 3:05

A3 Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas 3:15

A4 Gaudete 2:55

B1 Little Drummer Boy 5:54

B2 Oh Little Town of Bethlehem 4:10

B3 Organ Outro 2:09

[lexstellaris]

Daily Draw - 17/5/23 - Clive Barrett’s Ancient Egyptian Tarot

Seven of Wands

After yesterday's entry, I thought it might be time to switch up my deck lol and decided to hit up my old faithful, Clive Barrett's Ancient Egyptian Tarot, which I've owned since 2001. It's also the only ancient Egyptian deck I own, bc none of the others I've seen since have ever resonated with me like this one does. I feel very lucky to have secured a second deck and book (sans box) about a decade ago for $50, bc this deck is out of print, and can go for hundreds of dollars.

As for the card itself, I know what this is about lol. I know. XD It's going to help me target my protection magic a little better, so it will be more effective. But that's work for tomorrow. And yes, I am being a little unhelpfully vague here, but as soon as I saw Mars and Leo associations with this card I knew, man. I knew. XD

Look. I did a year-long tarot draw a while back and Leo season's gonna be A Lot, so. >_> This will help me draw on the right energies to make my spellwork effective and help me protect the things that need protecting, as well as allowing me to focus on being proactive in working on those things that need working on and growing so there's a buffer in case shit hits the fan.

Anyway. That's enough about that lol. I've never been one to be explicit about my spellwork anyway, but that gives you enough of an idea of the work I'm doing.

In other news, I did finally decide to buy the big black grimoire that's been sitting in my local new age shop near work for months now. I've been looking for something to put my planetary rites in, but none of my current working grimoires felt like the right ones to use. Too small, not the right energy, all that stuff. I couldn't find anything I liked. But I've looked at this grimoire ever since it arrived in the shop, and given it has seven jewels on the cover, and there are seven classical planets, well. It's perfect. And big enough to feel grandiose for the kind of magic I want to do with my rites.

Planetary magic is Big Feeling to me. It's not like my regular spellwork which can go in any old book. Calling on planetary energies to me is drawing on much bigger energies. Much deeper energies. Energies that don't come from Earth. It's tapping into something very, very old. And that requires the right kind of book. And I have finally found it. I'll pick it up next week and show it off then, but I feel good, knowing I have that coming. My rites will have a home. :D

[anonymousewrites]

Logos and Pathos (Book 1) Chapter Nine

Chapter Nine: Above the Asylum

            Captain’s Log: Exchanged cargo with penal colony on Tantalus V. Have departed without going ashore.

            “I would like to have met Dr. Adams,” said Kirk ruefully. “Have you ever been to a penal colony since they started following his theories?”

            “A cage is a cage, Jim,” said Bones.

            “I find his theories awfully presumptuous,” said (Y/N). “They rely too heavily on the old Freudian theories from Earth, many of which have been disproven. He believes unconscious factors are the only thing affecting criminals and that rewriting those brain patterns alone will solve everything.” They frowned. “I worry he may begin to prescribe drugs for that, which could become a problem.”

            Kirk shook his head. “You’re behind the times, (L/N). The penal colonies are like resorts now.”

            “They should be focused on rehabilitation and education so that reformed criminals can reinter society and find a comfortable life,” said (Y/N).

            Kirk waved a hand. “They’ve created lives for themselves in the colonies; I’ve seen it myself.”

            “Message, Captain,” said Uhura. “Switching to speaker.”

            “Tantalus Colony to Enterprise. Dr. Adams here,” said Adams. “We are unable to locate one of our inmates. This is a potentially violent case. Possibly hidden in the box we beamed up to you. Repeat—unable to locate one of our inmates. This is a potentially violent case.”

            “Enterprise acknowledging. Stand by,” said Uhura.

            “Security Alert Three,” announced Kirk, sending the alert out to the ship.

            “Captain, Section C, Deck Fourteen reporting trouble,” reported Uhura. “Someone in Engineering uniform.”

            “I have them, Captain,” said Spock. “Closing off Deck 14, search in progress.”

            “Transporter crewman found unconscious, sir,” announced Uhura.

            “Terribly sorry, Captain. I take all the blame,” said Adams. “He’s clever as well as extremely violent. Take all possible precautions.”

            “We’ll keep you posted,” said Captain.

            “Interesting,” observed Spock thoughtfully. “Earth people glorify violence for forty centuries, but you imprison those who employ it privately.”

            “And of course, your people found an answer,” muttered Bones.

            “We disposed of emotion, Doctor,” said Spock. “Where’s there no emotion, there’s no motive for violence.”

            Bones groaned and looked at (Y/N). “Tell me Celians did something a little more humane.”

            They smiled. “The Vulcans found peace one way, Celians found another. We embraced and learned to be empathetic to work through issues while the Vulcans used logic.”

            Bones was about to answer when the Turbolift doors opened, and a panicked man in an engineering uniform jumped out, knocked down the security guard, and took his phaser.

            “Where’s the captain?!” he cried. “Which one of you is the captain?!”

            “I’m Captain Kirk.”

            The man stumbled towards him. (Y/N) watched him carefully for any signs of anger, which would indicate he was going to attack Kirk, but so far it was only large amounts of fear coming from him.

            “My name is…” He gasped in pain suddenly. “…Van Gelder!” he managed to get the worst out through the apparent agony. “I want asylum!”

            “At gunpoint?” questioned Kirk, glancing at (Y/N) to see their reading. They gave a subtle shake of her head to indicate an attack wasn’t that likely.

            “I want you to promise first,” stammered Van Gelder. “That you won’t take me back to Tantalus.” He shuddered.

            (Y/N) narrowed their eyes, a thousand questions about his fear bouncing around their head. “We can’t promise you that in good faith. Not with a weapon in your hand. Give to us.” They avoided looking at Spock as he circled calmly behind Van Gelder so they wouldn’t tip him off.

            “No!” he cried. “No, I’m not going back!” A crazed, desperate look entered his eyes again. “I’ll disable your vessel first. You choose, Captain. I’ll destroy your control panel!”

            Spock moved quickly behind Van Gelder, and with a single, fluid, efficient movement, he used the Vulcan Nerve Pinch on the inmate. Van Gelder collapsed to the ground, and (Y/N) grabbed the phaser as it skittered across the floor and gave it back to the security officer.

            “Take him to Sickbay,” ordered Kirk. “Reverse course. Head back for Tantalus Colony.”

l

            “Estimated arrival at Tantalus?” asked Kirk, looking quite pensive after his visit to the infirmary. To tell the truth, (Y/N) was as well since they saw the pure fear in Van Gelder, not the anger or rapidly changing temperament they would see in patients who posed a danger. They wanted to figure out what was going on.

            “Fifty-seven minutes, thirty seconds, Captain,” reported Spock, still intently looking at his screen with (Y/N).

            “There just so happens to be an identification tape of one ‘Dr. Simon Van Gelder.’ ” (Y/N) looked at Kirk. “And it just so happens that he was assigned to Tantalus Colony six months ago, not committed. He was Dr. Adams’s associated.”

            “I’d suggest you ask Dr. Adams for an explanation,” said Spock.

            “If there is one,” added (Y/N).

            “Ship to surface,” said Kirk to Uhura.

            “Tantalus Colony,” said Uhura, paging the surface. “Hailing frequency’s open, sir.”

            “U.S.S. Enterprise to Tantalus Colony.” Kirk sat down in his chair.

            “Tantalus,” replied a communications officer from down below.

            “This is Captain Kirk. I’d like to speak to Dr. Adams,” requested Kirk.

            “Here, Captain,” said Adams.

            “Doctor, regarding your escaped man—”

            “Is Dr. Van Gelder alright?” asked Adams.

            (Y/N) raised an eyebrow and leaned back in their chair. Weird…He only said he was a dangerous patient earlier. It’s like he’s changing his story to fit with facts as we discover them. They shook their head. But it’s just one time, so I can’t be certain. Still…I don’t think I trust Dr. Adams.

            “And your people, no injuries?” continued Adams.

            “No casualties, sir,” replied Kirk. “This man is Dr. Simon Van Gelder?” He was disconcerted, slightly confused, and not a little unbelieving.

            “Yes, of course,” confirmed Adams. “You’re certain he’s alright? We’ve been very concerned. In the violent state he’s in…”

            “No harm to him, sir,” assured Kirk. “We thought you might enlighten us as to his condition.”

            “He’s been doing some experimental work. An experimental beam we’d hoped might rehabilitate incorrigibles,” explained Adams.

            (Y/N) grimaced. As I thought, he’s doing the whole “I will change their actual brains!” routine. And it proved dangerous, too. Just what is he doing down there? Can he really be trusted?

            “Van Gelder felt he hadn’t the moral right to expose another man to something he hadn’t tried on his own person,” said Adams ruefully.

            “Tragic, Doctor,” said Kirk, standing up, satisfied with the answer.

            “Jim…” murmured Bones quietly, walking down next to him. “That doesn’t quite ring true.”

            Kirk furrowed his brow in confusion but nodded to his surgeon nonetheless. “Dr. Adams, please stand by.” He switched off the comms. “Explain.”

            “I don’t believe him,” said Bones. “I can’t explain it, but the more I study that patient—”

            “You don’t believe him, and you can’t explain it. Bones, you are aware that in the last twenty years Dr. Adams has done more to revolutionize, to humanize prisons and the treatment of prisoners than all the rest of humanity has done in forty centuries?” questioned Kirk. “I’ve been to those penal colonies since they’ve begun following his methods, and they’re not cages anymore. They’re clean, decent hospitals for sick minds.”

            “Captain, I feel the same as Bones,” said (Y/N). They tapped their lip pensively as they stared at the screen which displayed Tantalus far below. “His work is too perfect. Van Gelder is the first person anything’s gone wrong on, and he just so happens to be an associate? He just so happens to be more afraid than deranged? It’s too much of coincidence as Adams’s first outlier. For that matter, he should have more of these cases. It’s like if you trained a hundred people to walk a tightrope. It’s nearly impossible for none of them to ever fall, but Adams’s penal colonies seem to do just that.” They shrugged. “There’s just too much that is strange in Tantalus. I’d suggest we see if anything else is happening or if this really is a medical miracle before proceeding.”

            “Exactly!” affirmed Bones. “Jim, I just don’t tru—”

            Spock cleared his throat, and the three looked at him. “While I agree there are variables to be considered, the first course of action must be to ask if Dr. Adams wants Van Gelder returned.”

            Kirk cleared his throat before turning the comms back on. “Dr. Adams, regarding Van Gelder—”

            “Yes, Captain. May I inquire about your patrol destinations? Are you passing near any hospital facilities superior to ours? I’d like Van Gelder to have the best possible treatment, of course.” Adams interrupted with the perfect, assuring words.

            “Thank you, Doctor,” said Kirk. “I’ll inquire with the ship’s surgeon. Stand by.” He switched the mic off again. “Well, Bones, you’ve got the call. You care to recommend a better place?” It was a clear challenge.

            “There are no superior facilities. He knows that.” But Bones wouldn’t back down for anyone. “But that’s not the question. If something unusual is going on down there—”

            “An assumption, Doctor,” reminded Kirk.

            “I’m entitled to enter any reasonable doubts into my medical log,” said Bones. “That requires you to answer in your log.” Kirk nearly smiled at Bones’s clever decision, and (Y/N) did outright. “Sorry, Jim.” Kirk glanced at Spock, who raised his eyebrows, almost questioning his Captain on whether or not he would step up to the challenge.

            Kirk sighed and turned on his mic. “Dr. Adams. This is rather embarrassing. By strict interpretation of our starship regulation, I’m required to initiate an investigation of this so that a proper report—”

            “No need to apologize, Captain Kirk. In fact, I’d take it as a personal favor if you’d beam down and look into it yourself. I’m sure you realize we don’t get too many visitors here.” Again, Adams interjected his own calm, comforting words. “Oh, I, uh, Captain, I would appreciate it if you could come down with a minimum staff. We’re forced to limit outside contact as much as possible.”

            That just so happens to be the perfect way to outnumber a threat, as well, thought (Y/N) darkly.

            But Kirk was nothing was affable, smiling broadly at the invitation. “Affirmative, Doctor. I’ve visited rehab colonies before. Enterprise out.” The comms switched off, and Kirk looked at (Y/N). “(L/N), as someone versed in psychology and our Negotiations specialist, you’ll accompany me to the surface.”

            “Yes, sir,” said (Y/N), standing up and smiling. Alright, Dr. Adams. Let’s see what you’re hiding behind your tightrope-walking miracles.

[iamvegorott]

Veggie Ink Month Day 6: Passageway

Anti, JJ, Phantom, and Mare were crouching together on the dock; Anti and Mare on crates while Phantom and JJ were on the ground. All straining to hold themselves back; eyes black, horns protruding from their heads, tails lashing and claws digging into the wood. The Demon Realm's take on seawater was red and cold enough to instantly kill a Human. And the ship they stared at was holding four very important ones. Bing, Google, Chase, and Marvin were at the port while Edward, Henrik, Yancy, and Illinois waited back at the Human Realm, prepared for any potential injuries. 

“How could you!?” Marvin’s voice rang out, cueing them that their distraction had begun. Demons can’t resist watching a good catfight and Marvin and Bing were great at improvising with each other while Chase and Google reacted. 

“Let’s go,” Mare growled and the four of them took off, leaping from their spots and heading straight for the ship, using the crates to help get them higher and higher into the air. 

Eventually, they made it on the ship, all of them slowly standing as they were greeted by a group of Demons, their scents telling them that they were low and middle-rank ones. Nothing that four high-ranks couldn’t handle. Especially when they were The Twins, The Glitch, and the Puppeteer. But, Demons could get cocky when the numbers appear in their favor. 

At the first sign of aggressive movement from the other Demons, Mare and Phantom lashed out first. Mare and Phantom rushed for a middle-rank together, Phantom, the faster of the two, went forward and around the middle-rank Demon. Phantom stopped himself and spun back around, leaping up with his hands held together and swung them up while Mare went low for the Demon’s legs. The middle-rank moved to duck and catch Mare but in a blink Mare and Phantom switched spots, making it so Phantom knocked his fists into the Demon’s chin, making him crack his teeth together and Mare tackled him from behind, sending him flying back and cracking the back of his head on the deck of the ship. Likely not dead, but the Demon was out. Mare and Phantom barely needed a second before going and pulling the same trick on another Demon and then mixing it up for a third. They were having a little much fun with this, knowing they didn’t need to play tricks, but they haven’t been able to in so long.

Anti, right after Mare and Phantom took off, rolled his head and cracked his neck, little sparks coming out of his hands with each little pop of bone. He let out a laugh and threw his hands forward, sending lightning towards two low-ranks, both of the Demons screaming out in pain. Anti cut the attack short and the low-ranks, knowing the danger, ran off the ship. Anti clicked his tongue in disappointment. He heard the heavy steps and had the scent of a middle-rank coming close from behind. Anti clenched his hand into a fist and twisted it, getting sparks to come from it and he quickly spun, swinging his fist and loving the feeling of slamming it right into the middle-rank’s jaw, watching them immediately fall from impact. 

“How I’ve missed this!” Anti said with a loud laugh. “JJ how are-” Anti didn’t bother finishing his question, finding JJ surrounded by five low-rank and a middle-rank, all of them curled up on the ground and crying, pleading for it to stop. 

“Where. Is. He.” JJ’s question rang out, the pitch would have been painful for Human ears. 

“Are you quite done?” A Demon asked from the door that lead to the inside of the ship. A quick scent check told them that he was a high-rank, but one without a nickname yet. A young one but old enough to be cocky. “Those Humans are yours are locked up with two middle-ranks, keep doing this and I’ll tell them to attack.” 

“Only two?” Phantom chuckled while Mare and Anti fully laughed and JJ smiled. 

“What?”

x~x~x

“Do you hear that?” One of the four middle-rank Demons the other.

“Please tell me I have the scents wrong.” A second one whimpered. 

“And you thought we were joking.” Dark chuckled. He, Wilford, Mad, and Jackie had their hands tied behind their backs and they were sat in a line along a wall. 

“You really thought we could fake Claim Marks?” Wilford let out a scoff. 

“Not even Mad’s that good.” Jackie laughed. 

“You fucked up.” Mad giggled and got to his feet, the middle-rank Demons taking a step back, unsure of what was going through the Human’s head. He had been silent till now. “You’ve also forgotten that we’re all Hunters.” Jackie, Dark, and Wilford were able to see Mad’s back and they saw how he managed to get his hands out of the ropes and he was now pulling out a rod from the back of his pants. “And we get just as pissed!” Mad flicked his hand and the rod suddenly grew in size, the top popping out to make the head of a large hammer. Mad grabbed the weapon with his other hand as well and swung, bashing it to the side of the Demon’s head. Mad jabbed the head of the hammer down into the ground, holding him up as he vaulted himself towards the other Demon, slamming both feet into his chest. Mad kept his hold on the hammer and when he landed he followed through his movement and slammed the hammer down right in the same place he had kicked, hearing the cracking of bones from that. “Stay down!” Mad snapped at the first Demon who had started to get up, going back around with his hammer and hitting the Demon on the other side of his head, ensuring he was down for the count. 

“When could you have done that?” Jackie asked, a bright and excited smile on his face. 

“Ten minutes.” Mad casually answered, having his hammer go back into rod form. “But I needed to wait for our Demons to show first before acting.” Mad went over to Jackie and helped him get the ropes off. Mad’s leaner body being an advantage in their situation.  

“I can see why Mare likes you.” Wilford chuckled while Mad worked on his ropes and Jackie was with Dark. 

“Let’s get out of here, I want to burn this ship down.” Mad walked away from Wilford and went into his front pocket, pulling out a box of matches. 

“Oh, he means literally.” Jackie blinked. 

“Let’s-” Dark was cut off by all four Human’s names being shouted at once. Mare, Phantom, Anti, and JJ rushed into the little room, going to the Humans and hugging them, their purrs loud and clear. 

“The fire might have to wait.” Wilford laughed, scooping up JJ into a bigger hug. 

“I mean, we should go and I can light-” Mad was stopped by Mare giving him a kiss. 

“Why is Mare covered in blood?” Jackie asked Phantom, who was happily nuzzling himself into Jackie’s neck. 

“Some dumb high-ranked called Mad a name and Mare tore him apart,” Phantom answered casually. 

“Perfect match,” Dark smirked to himself, running a hand through Anti’s hair and hearing his purrs get even louder. 

[deberiaestarescribiendo]

Of Bad Beer and Summer Nights. #Writer Wednesday 04/28/21 Javier Peña x f!reader

Summary: it’s just another summer day at the pool. Sunbathing before your shift starts, the day changes drastically when you cannot take your eyes off a handsome stranger.

Warning: mention of alcohol and swearing. NSFW +18 SMUT (oral and p in v sex)

Paring: Javier Peña x F! reader

A/N: Another take on the #Writer Wednesday challenge by @autumnleaves1991-blog !!

Not me basing all this on the label of the beer that’s shown on the cans and my obsession with Javier Peña and his ridiculous fashion choices. This is the first thing I write with a little spice on it and I’m still not that comfortable but we’re getting there. Not beta’d and my eyes are burning so I have read it just once so if they’re any mistakes, misspellings and bad grammar I’m really sorry.

Of bad beer and summer nights

The kids’ screams from the pool muffles the tunes of some old ranchera blasting from the bar’s stereo. The old guard of retire men gather around the plastic white tables drinking cold beer and playing dominoes and you lower your book, sunbathing under this blazing sun, and smile; this is your childhood, your home and even that you had convinced yourself that you were done with this, that you wanted to run away, this speaks to your nostalgia and the fondest memories you own.

The heat makes you lazy and your stretch your body feeling your bones as if they were made of jelly. You drop the book on your stomach; you were not actually paying too much attention to it anyway and look around the pool: kids running around with water guns, angry mothers trying to control them and the men on the bar. Usually they’re around 70 or plus on average, they occupy their usual spot under the parasols early in the morning and spend their time doing their retirement routine: newspaper, same old conversation and complain about the world, beer and dominoes, until it’s time to eat or to switch their drink to coffee. But today a tall, lean, brown haired man is breaking the age median. He’s younger and stands out not only for his strong physic but because he wears a bright pink shirt and some yellow aviators and the tightest jeans you’ve seen on a man. You’re sure you’d question anybody else’s fashion choice if they were wearing that, but surprisingly, it fits him, probably because he exudes confidence, maybe it’s his broad shoulders, maybe it’s his golden skin revealed by the way–too-much-unbuttoned shirt he wears, maybe it’s his dark hair or his striking features or maybe it’s because of his dark coffee brown eyes that are fixed on you. His eyes. Shit.

You were so absorbed looking at him that you didn’t realize he had taken off his glasses and it’s now seated facing the pool and you from the bar. He smirks when you try, ungracefully, to grab your book back, the paper is stuck to your skin since you had spread it generously with tanning oil. The pages are ruined but you actually don’t care, you just open it before your eyes and try to conceal that you were looking at him like a creep. After a few minutes, you raise the novel just enough to see if he's looking but he's gone. Disappointed, you turn to the other side and let the sun bronze your skin and achieve that serene state that you had before he arrived at the pool.

"Hey, you, burnt sloth, it's time" somebody pokes on your shoulder

"Burnt sloth, seriously?" You say, you feel your mouth is dry and your brain is slowly coming back to life "it's my shift already?"

"Yep, actually you're two minutes late" Marisa grabs the elastic of your bikini bottom and pulls it and lets it go until it slaps your skin

"Ouch! I'm coming" you finally get up

"C'mon, Mr. Garcia has joined the party at the bar, and you'll be late for his speech on the loss of traditional family values" she announces. You glance at the other side of the pool, the old man walks with difficulty towards his retired friends table

"Shit, you do it on purpose" you say and Marisa smirks "my shift always starts when there's one of the annoying customers time to arrive, that's not fair"

"Is there anybody attending the bar?!" You both turn to see Mr. Garcia raising his cane and screaming at you

"I'm coming" you answer, grabbing your jean shorts and the white shirt with staffwritten on it. You toss your clothes on over your bikini and run towards the bar.

"Sorry, Mr. Garcia, the usual?" You ask while tying up your apron

"Yes, please. This is what's wrong with this country now the youth has lost the will to work hard to really make an effort…"

Even his friends roll their eyes, but you know it will be a minute until he finishes the list of bad things he wants to rant about.

Marisa has occupied your deck chair and winks at you while she spreads her sun cream. Bitch you mutter towards her and she smiles and lays back.

The rest of your shift consists in ignoring Mr. Garcia and looking at Marisa with jealousy. When the sun is almost gone she joins you on the counter.

"I'll have until Jack comes to pick me up, I thought you needed some company" she says bending herself over the bar to grab a glass

"Yeah, now that they're about to leave, how convenient" you point to the old men table "what do you want?"

"Beer please"

You take two ice cold cans and serve hers on her glass while you keep yours under the wood counter

“Tomorrow you will take my shift by the way" you say leaning on the fridge

"Nope" she says having a sip of her drink

"You wanna bet?" You counter knowing that she likes to play. She thinks about it for a second but when you open the cards box and leave the deck in front of her she nods

"Just for tomorrow though" Marisa shakes your hand and you distribute the cards between you two.

You try to focus on the game, she's better than you and you really don't want to take another shift like this. But all your concentration leaves your body once you see out of the corner of your eyes, a pink bright shirt and a tall figure.

"Hi, are you ready Pops?" He says, his voice is deep while he gently taps on one of the old men at the table

"No, give me a minute, I'm actually winning for once" he says laying one of the domino pieces on the table

"Right" he smiles warmly at him and you think he couldn't be more handsome but he actually approach the counter and now, looking at him closer he’s even more attractive

“Can I have a beer please?” he asks taking a seat on a stool. You nod and grab one from the fridge.

He examines the golden can with an arched eyebrow “Don’t you have a bud?”

“No, we only have calidad (quality) and let me warn you that the title is actually ironic” you answer, for a second you hope he doesn’t actually get mad at your little joke but he smiles widely “I trust you then, I won’t take my chances with this so... can I have a whiskey then?” he pass you the can and you turn to put it back on the fridge and glance over the bottles you have. All of them are the cheapest labels on the market, but you know your boss reserves some good old Jack Daniels well hidden and you crouch down to get it from the back of the utilities cupboard.

“I don’t know if I want that drink either if you took it from where you keep the cleaning stuff” he laughs

“Don’t worry, it’s legit, it’s my boss’s. He doesn’t want to expend one cent on the clients but for himself...that’s another thing” you pour him the amber liquor and you cannot help but notice that he’s looking at you intently

“You don’t serve whiskey often, right?” he gets closer and almost whispers it in your ear

“Why?” you ask and raise your head suddenly realizing that you’re really close. His scent is intoxicating, some fresh body wash and the musk of his cologne mixed with the whiskey you’re serving him

“Normally you will serve just two or three fingers” he explains putting two of his fingers on the glass so you can see what he means, the glass is half full.

“Shit” you stop pouring and leave the bottle on the counter while he chuckles

“Either that or you’re really generous or I’m and excellent costumer” he jests

“You are!” you respond right away and you clear your throat once you realize how stupid it sounded “or I’m a terrible waitress, I think that’s more probable”

“Agreed!” Marisa claims, you actually forgot about her

“I don’t think so” he shakes his head “You were really honest about the quality of the beer, you could have just gave me that trash and say nothing”

“Well, I’m drinking one while working, I keep it hidden under the counter and I’m gambling with my friend to see if I can change my shift for hers tomorrow” you confess, he looks amused at you

“What shift is that?” he asks

“Morning, there’s none” Marisa answers

“You actually cannot take that shift” he looks at you now

“Why?” you say puzzled

“Because you’re busy tonight, probably will arrive late and you should sleep” he sips his whiskey and you still observe him not understanding

“I’m not...”

Marisa smack her lips “she’s clueless”

“I see” he smiles again, that damn smile “at what time do you close?”

“She’ll be off at seven” Marisa answers and you turn your head from one to the other like you’re watching a tennis game you don’t really understand

“What are you...”

“He’s asking you out, dummie” Marisa rolls her eyes at you with a frustrated grunt

“Oh!”

“If it’s alright for you unless you really want that early morning shift” he looks at you from under his lashes and you don’t know how a man like that can be smoldering hot one minute and this cute the next

“She’s going!” Marisa answers before you could make your mind

“Wait, I have nothing to wear and I have to...”

“There’s a dress on my locker, the code is 6754 and I don’t trade my shift anyway, you don’t have excuses” a car horns from the door “That’s Jack, don’t take no for an answer!” she points to the man running towards her boyfriend’s car.

“There’s no pressure, if you don’t want to...”

“No, I want to, really” you say focusing on the stains on your apron

“I’m Javi by the way” he smiles fondly and raises his hand, you respond with your name and shake it

“Really nice to meet you” you say softly

“Let’s go, son, this damned dominoes are jinxed!” his father walks out from the table gathering a few laughs and jokes from his friends

Javi reaches from his wallet when Mr. Garcia raises his cane again “Don’t let him pay, anything he had it’s on me”

You look at him confused and Javier, for the first time in your brief acquaintance looks shy and actually uncomfortable. He thanks the man and walks to his father about to leave the place

“I’ll pick you up at seven” he says, winking at you

“Can we have the check young lady or do we have to do it ourselves” Mr. Garcia gets you out of your daydreaming and you rush to clean up and say goodbye to the old loyal customers before they leave you alone to close.

You don’t actually have time to do much, just shower and look inside Marisa’s locker hoping for the best. You find a white summer dress and some flat sandals that fit you, you try your best with your hair and the little make up you have in your bag. And you wait for Javi to arrive.

He’s punctual, arriving just on time on his pick up car.

“Hi”

“Hi” he has changed for another bright shirt, this time blue that matches his skin perfectly. He wears those yellow sunglasses and the same tight jeans and you cannot believe that you actually think it’s the most gorgeous a man has look ever. You staring more that you should again, how the muscles on his forearm tense and relax while driving

“We’re going outside Laredo, if you don’t mind” he says eventually

“It’s fine by me, unless you’re planning to kill me and leave me in the middle of nowhere” you shot

“No, I’m not planning to do that” he chuckles

He takes you to one of those big restaurants outside the city with live music and the best BBQ you’ve ever tasted. The conversation flows nicely even if you have to slap yourself sometimes because you continue to stare in a very obvious way.

“So, why did Mr. Garcia pay for your drink?” you ask after while “He never does one kind thing for nobody, are you a celebrity or something?” you joke

“You actually don’t know?” he drinks from his beer and he has a curious look on him

“No, are you famous?”

He makes a gesture with his hand “Mmm more or less”

“I go every weekend to the movies so it’s certainly not movies” you guess and you place your hand on your chin “Singing? Do you sing rancheras? it’s the only thing he likes so... c’mon sing!”

“You don’t want to hear that”

“Okay, so it’s not singing” you bite your lip trying to come up with something “are you one of those dude’s that do that thing with the lasso” and you mimic the gesture

“A professional cowboy?” he laughs out loud “No, nothing really artistic about my fame”

“Okay” you reflect on what he said and after a few minutes you slap the table “I got it! You’re actually a very famous mobster and Mr. Garcia owes you money, always thought he had some shady business going on”

“Do I look like a mobster?” he laughs

“No! I don’t mean it like that”

“But you thought about it”

“It’s just...” you stutter

“What?”

“You exude confidence, you look cocky and very sure of yourself kinda like you own the place when you walk in and people do what you say” you explain blushing “dangerous and sexy” the beer is kicking in harder than you thought and you lean on his shoulder “like you can kill somebody” his amused expression fades and a dark and timid veil covers his face

“Oh shit” you answer “ H-have you?” you murmur, he nods softly and averts his eyes

“Well, if you’re not in jail I guess you are...law enforcement? army?”

“DEA” he responds with a deep breath

“How...how does a DEA agent become famous?”

“I was part of the team that hunted Pablo Escobar” he answers, his arms are crossed on the table and he’s looking down

“Are you kidding?” you gasp “Did you meet him? Are you the one that shot him?”

“I was not even there when it happened and never actually met him”

You can see his eyes glowing and how tense he looks now, all confidence and bravado is gone and he finishes his beer leaving your date in an uncomfortable point

“I’m sorry I brought that up” you brush your hand over his, yours looking small against his “I was joking, I’m obviously clueless about dates and have a big mouth, I’m sorry again”

“No, no” he holds your hand between his warm palms “I really thought you’d heard, that’s why I wanted to take you out from Laredo where everybody brings that up”

You hold your head on your hands “I’m an idiot, I’m sorry”

“Hey, hey!” he takes your hands and brushes his fingers on your chin until you look at him in the eye “It’s not your fault, let’s move on, okay?” his thumb is closer now to your lower lip and you see his eyes lowering until he’s looking at your mouth for a second before he points to the dance floor “Do you dance?”

“Not well”

“Me neither”

“Do we give it a go and make a fool of ourselves?” he asks holding your hand and you nod enthusiastically

The people on the dance floor judge you when you actually don’t know the moves that goes with this type of music, but you’re laughing like little kids and you see how he tries to hold you every time he gets the chance, his big hands on your waist, and arm on your lower back that burns like the sun and when finally they change to a slow song, he presses you against his chest and you moan softly when he locks you there with his hands on your back. You reach for his neck and tangle your fingers on his nape.

“I have a confession to make, agent” you whisper on his ear

“Hm?”

“I was looking at you at the pool and hoped that you came back when you left and actually ruined my novel in the process”

“And I was looking back at you and came back to pick up my father when he actually didn’t need it” he responds, his warm breath over your temple, you smile openly and you think your heart could leave your chest in that very moment

“and another thing...”

“Yes?”

“I never actually liked guys with mustache and now all I can think about is how does it feel when you kiss” you hide your face from him feeling his laughter resonate on his chest

“Wanna try?”

You raise your head even though your cheeks burn and your rational brain in screaming that you barely know the guy but then his lips brush over your softly and they’re as soft as they looked, you let him lead you mainly because the sensation is overwhelming and when he gently touches your mouth with his tongue you let him in, you let him taste you and you moan, Javi smiles briefly over your soft expression of pleasure and becomes more eager, hardening the kiss. You don’t know how long you’ve been there but when you break the kiss your head is spinning and you have to hold onto his shoulders

“So?” he says with a cocky smile

“Nice, really nice”

You don’t want this night to end, you park alongside the riverbank in Laredo, he has put down a big blanket on his pickup truck so you’re comfortable seating on it and Javier bought some cold beer at the gas station. The summer night is clear; the moon and stars shine and are reflected on the black waters of the river and you can only hear the soft sounds of the insects and the breeze moving the grass.

“Can I ask you something?” you’re both seated next to each other, swinging your legs until you touch him

“Yes”

“Why did you choose the DEA?”

“I just wanted to get away from here” he shrugs

“You caused too much trouble? Broke too many hearts?” you jest tapping his arm with your elbow

“Why do you say that?” he turns to face you

“You look like someone who could do that” you murmur “Are you going to break my heart?” Now you adjust your position so now you’re both face to face

“I hope not”

You think over his answer, it’s actually pretty honest. You had had promises of eternal love and “never ever going to hurt you” before and then they left you with your heart bleeding and your confidence undermined. So you prefer this, the truth. Neither of you know what’s going to happen, there’s only tonight and that you don’t want to get back to real world. The river, the moon and the two of you on his car are the only thing real, they only thing that exists right now.

You arise on your knees and save the distance between you holding his head on your hand. It’s you who lead the kiss this time and he lets you savor him. He holds your hips and gently pushes you on his lap. You lower your kisses to his jaw and then his neck tasting his perfume mixed with his sweat that it’s the only thing you’ve been thinking about doing since this morning, he emits a guttural moan and you feel your arousal between your thighs. Your hands act faster that you can think and unbuttons his shirt. In the moonlight his skin is soft and it’s splattered in small freckles that you kiss trying to count each one with a touch of your lips.

He doesn’t stay still for much longer and raises your summer dress kneading the skin of your legs, up to your butt and your hips. He separates you from him and you’re about to complain when you feel he’s pushing you softly to the blanket. You lay down taking a deep breath while your gaze at the night sky full of tiny bright dots that reminds you of his skin and how you crave to have him on your lips again.

You raise your head once you feel him touching your calf, his fingers softly trailing over you until he take off your sandals, and when it’s done, he grabs your legs and roam his hands up and down on them until he pulls your legs apart. Javier gets in the space between your legs and without breaking his burning look at your eyes, he takes off his shirt and unbuckles his belt.

“Please” you whisper and reach your hand towards him; he takes it and kisses your palm before bending over you. The hunger you have for his lips is finally over when he kisses you again deep and moaning against your lips.

He mimics what you did earlier and bites your jaw and your neck, scattering kisses over your clavicles. He gets up an instant just to take off your dress and admires you for a second before continuing his kisses where he had left them. You bend your back when your breasts are exposed to the fresh summer air but are immediately cover by his big warm hands and then his mouth graze each one with the most delicious attention kissing and licking your nipples until biting your lip can’t contain your whimpers

“You don’t have to be quite, there’s none” he says liberating your lower lip from your bite with his thumb “Your moans will be only for my ears and I want to listen to every single one of them” he says and leaves a kiss on your sternum before grabbing your waist pressing his face on your stomach and again repeats the action of spattering kisses and soft bites to your skin.

Once he reaches the elastic of your panties he looks at you intently. You’re a moaning mess, squirming under his touch and feeling your flesh ablaze even if the night is actually quite fresh

“Please” you whisper again and he softly raises your hips rolling the lace over your thighs. The midnight air makes you shiver. He kisses again your belly over the tan marks biting gently your hip bones before parting your legs widely.

He softly tortures you avoiding your core. His mouth licking and brushing his teeth on each thigh deeper and deeper and before arriving to the center he changes his position to the other leg

“Javi” you moan

“You’re so beautiful” he murmurs, lying on his side he leans his head on your inner right thigh. He’s as gentle as first as he was before leaving tempting kisses on your mount and folds before opening your lips to drink of you eagerly. His moans resonate through your body as an electric current and your nails scratch the blanket bellow. You call his name like a prayer, the pleasure is uncontrollable while you hope for release, he slides his fingers inside you and pumps them upwards and then you are lost in his presence and in the night above you. You hear yourself scream, your conscience is far away.

He hushes you and holds you in his arm and you waste no time in kissing him again, a deep hard kisses in which you pour all your passion and your lust. Your hands act on their own and you reach for his jeans and force them down enough until your palming his cock.

Javi understand your needs and takes down his jeans and underwear rapidly coming back to the position between your thighs. Your eyes are locked on his body admiring how he touches himself and you raise your upper body to caress his chest

“Please Javi I need you”

“Lay down” he orders, his voice is lower now and you quiver “Impatient girl” he smirks

You obey and Javier grabs your hips and he adjusts himself towards your entrance. You open your mouth once he penetrates you but there’s no sound coming out of your lips. He mutters praises for you and bends over to kiss you again. Your tongues intertwine as he’s deep inside of you, burying himself inside and getting out again and again until you’re panting looking for that ecstatic pleasure.

You cover his moans with a deep kiss once he reaches his orgasm and you hold him there. Breathing the scent of the surroundings, your sweat and his combined, you stay there until you’re calm, relaxed, and exhausted in the sweetest way.

“Thank you for not letting me change my shift” you say after a few minutes

[herpronuonsarefemslash]

Back Against the Wall - TEASER

Recent poll winner for the prompt: - Kara forgets to button the last button at CatCo event, gets swarmed by omegas.

Includes the following items in every box: * Cat Grant returns * Nia is flustered by Cat Grant * Andrea is thirsty * Lena is slightly devious * Kara doesn't "get" Earth taboos

https://www.patreon.com/posts/54179252

=====

"Well, well, well...aren't you all grown up, Kiera?"

Kara spins so fast that it has Nia coughing in a way that sounds suspiciously like 'secret identity'.

"Cat," she mumbles.

Elegant as ever, her old boss lifts her flute of champagne to her lips, her trademark platinum bracelet twinkling in the low lighting. Behind Cat is a strawberry blonde omega clad in a shimmering drape of green silk seemingly modeled after the chitons so popular on statues of Greek goddesses. It bares her legs to mid-thigh and the silver-plated clasps leave tantalizing glimpses of milky flesh between hips and ribs. The collar is turtleneck-high and crushed velvet, leading to a gold chain. The outline is tempting without being glued to her bust and her butt, and so like something at the National City University sculpture garden that no one would dare call it racy. Perhaps it's an in-joke between them about her very classical figure: all curves and heft in tribute to the ancient feminine from ages before anyone heard of 'thigh gap'. The omega's scent screams admiration and her hand never leaves the small of Cat's back. Kara spots a tiny scar on Cat's braceleted wrist. It's a better place for a businesswoman to have a bite, Kara supposes. Easier to conceal. Never let them know what the rules are, Cat once told her.

"Right," Kara finally manages. "Good point."

"Naturally," Cat retorts. "I made it. This is Vania."

Rao's mercy. The Amazon? Aella and Melanippe's daughter?

"Lovely to meet you, sister," Vania drawls. "For you it's Van, or just V."

"You haven't introduced me to your date, Kiera."

"This is Nia. Ah...a friend."

"My..." Nia pauses. "...partner is having a rough patch. We're trying to keep it low key for him. So when I go out, it's with Kara."

"Nia Nal."

"I'm Cat Grant. Obviously."

The handshake is brief and jerky and meant to show a burst of strength but also respect. Nia is making Kara's alpha feel foolish and inadequate tonight.

"The pieces on fashion, expression, and gender," Cat recalls, tapping a long finger against her wine glass. "And the op-ed on status-body divergence. I'm guessing those were yours?"

"Yes, ma'am."

"Ma'am," Cat huffs. "Ma'am is my mother. An association you do not want me to make. Those articles were tolerable. I thought you seemed familiar."

Nia shivers. Cat turns her all-seeing gaze back on Kara. Pale blue, almost green. Knife-sharp and intense enough to spear Kara to the spot, bracing for a verbal beat-down.

"I recommended to Ms. Luthor that she assign Nia to you, Kara."

"You did? You personally?" Nia all but squeals.

"Mmm. But I wanted you to teach her how to show some spine, Kara. Not donate yours," she teases.

Van slides her arm in Cat's and gestures towards the banquet table.

"Let Kara be, my heart."

She turns her ocean-blue eyes on Nia and waves a hand idly at the food.

"Come, little oracle. I do love a good story of Cat's handpicked proteges," she purrs.

As the trio passes by, Kara feels blunt nails scrape across her abs.

"Missed a button," one of her tormentors hisses.

=====

The 'crisis' turns out to be Lena and Andrea next door in the omega's ladies, still dressed to the nines, with the alpha waiter that they'd hijacked held between them. Andrea's long fingers are curled around the waiter's cock. Each pump is slow. Deliberate. Controlling. Lena's tongue traces the poor woman's ear--pink, puffy, and perfect--dragging strangled sounds from deep in her ribs. Andrea's bending over more than she needs to, making sure Kara has a good view of her golden skin. Up and down she strokes, up and down goes the mind-melting glimpse of her cleavage.

"Nice of you to join us," Lena purrs. "I knew I could count on Supergirl."

There's something about the waiter, too. Something familiar.

"You're the vigilante that I had to save six months ago."

The woman was good, and obviously had excellent training. Batman-level moves but no Batsuit. Bruce won't admit it, but the fifty million dollars of bulletproof armor matters.

"Answer her, love."

=====

Kara's too hasty in setting them down on Lena's balcony, making Andrea tumble out of her grip into a heap. Thankfully, she landed on one of Lena's chairs for sunbathing.

"Whatcha think?" Kara whispers to Stephanie, nodding at the tangle of golden skin, ruined designer silk and embarrassed slash horny scent. One of Andrea's Givenchy heels is dangling on snapped straps and the other probably went over the edge of the balcony. A quick glance with X-Ray vision finds it embedded in a planter. Since the falling stiletto didn't smash anyone's brains, she decides it's not Supergirl's problem.

"I think you should fuck her."

Kara nearly jumps back into the sky at the sound of Lena's voice.

Lena toes off her own shoes and walks over to the deck chair. She gathers Andrea's silky mane into a fist and yanks.

"Lee," Andrea moans. "Please."

"Please what, Andrea? Please, Lena! Protect me from a pair of alphas? Please, Lena! Let you pay me back for the way I betrayed you by letting them fuck me sore? Please, Lena! Let me earn your trust by taking their knots?"

"All of it," Andrea mumbles. "Except the first bit."

=====

Lena claps appreciatively and disappears inside, soon returning with baby wipes, paper towels and an energy drink for Andrea. Someone's phone goes off and the three of them--Andrea is working hard just to keep track of a straw--hunt through the pile of clothes until they find it.

"Fuck," Stephanie hisses. "I have to go."

Lena glances over her shoulder.

"He does not call it the Bat-ification. Does he?"

"I tried to trick him into calling the alerts 'bush', for Bat-push, but Batwoman caught me."

Andrea wheeze-laughs.

"Kate Kane knows her way around a bush, I'll give her that."

=====

Kara is not a fan of capitalism in general.

But having Lena's fridge restocked to abundance in tidy rows by some white-gloved person every day makes a case for some aspects of it.

Lena on tiptoes in a loosely tied kimono of queenly purple, straining her pretty little fingers for the switch for the stove's exhaust fan? That can excuse any injustice.

"Little help?" her best friend whines, using her scent in a way Kara doesn't remember Nia ever using to make Kara reach something in the supply closet at work. Nia's probably just not as crafty. Who is, really?

Kara walks around the breakfast counter and curls her fingers around the omega's hips, thumbs pushing in just a bit so she can stroke the delicate arch that frames Lena's pelvis.

"You could just reach up and do it," Lena reminds her, but she's short of breath.

"Gotta teach billionaires to be self-sufficient," Kara teases before she lifts her up.

"Fuck," Lena pants, bracing her hand against the exhaust hood and scrambling madly for a switch with fingers shaking so hard she can barely work it.

[kaiowut99]

Yu-Gi-Oh! Duel Monsters GX Episodes 65 and 66 Subbed (Finalized)

(Check out my Subbed!GX Stream Masterpost!)

Hell Kaiser Ryou! Chimeratech Overdragon

Since his defeat to Ed in the Pro Leagues, the life in Kaiser Ryou has faded.  But at the invitation of a suspicious promoter, he participates in an underground duel--duels in which, crucially, one risks their life to treat their savage audience to a show.  As Acidic Last Machine Virus causes his Machine-Types like Cyber Dragon to rust, the Kaiser is not only cut off from summoning any Monsters, but it causes him to take damage.  With each drop in his LP, an electric current flows through his body, exciting the spectators...

Judai’s First Dream Duel!

Lost in the forest, Judai’s consciousness starts to fade from hunger, causing him to reminisce about his duels thus far--taking down Instructor Chronos’s Ancient Gear Golem with Flame Wingman during his Entrance Exam, battling the then-Blue elite Manjoume and his V-to-Z Dragon Catapult Cannon shortly after his enrollment, battling Misawa’s seventh deck with the right to represent the Academia on the line, and his first loss in the face of Kaiser Ryou’s Cyber End Dragon...

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

*crashes onto your TL months late with non-corporate coffee*

And these two are finally up and finalized! Sorry for the wait, if you were looking forward to ‘em--as I mentioned in my post on Sunday, they were pushed back a bit while I did one final lookover on 1-64′s scripts and hardsubs so I could actually call them “finalized.” I’d started to get them out of the way while waiting for some potential editing help, then just decided to finish it after scrapping the last little thing I hoped to work on (I planned to break briefly after 66 to do these re-finalizations anyway, but the timing happened to work out).  More details there.

But leaving that aside, here we have a pretty popular episode in Hell Kaiser Ryou’s debut, as he’s pushed to the brink by Mad Dog Inukai after Monkey Monkey Mountain Saruyama invites him to his first underground duel. They do a really good job of portraying Ryou as having lost his mojo post-Ed, showing a realistic view of what the big leagues in sports are like when that happens to you and you lose out on sponsorships/etc, and so when he gets cornered and Saruyama drills into him how he never once thought of winning since that duel, wanting to just stick with his respectful dueling, a spark lights up in him and... well, RIP Mad Dog. (Also, s/o to Takeshi Maeda for really selling Ryou’s shift in mindset by the end, and to his dub VA for sounding similarly good, imo.)

66 is probably less popular in comparison, treating us to our first clipshow of the series, though 66 episodes in isn’t a bad time (could be worse, VRAINS jk).  It’s endearing enough, though--kinda nice seeing SAL again; Judai’s hunger-induced visions give us Chronos, Misawa, and Manjoume making monkey noises; and the duels featured were important for Judai early on.  I also like the bit of new animation as vision!Ryou follows up with Judai about respecting his opponents; goes with what I’d noticed before about Judai adding his Fusion Undone/De-Fusion strategy to his own dueling after losing to him. (also Judai making a signpost sweatdrop from his aloofness pls)

Part of the initial delay with these were the footage fixes I wanted to work on, as well as a couple visual translations here/there which were fun to work on.  Really want to thank @paradoxi-kay for their great work as always in helping to translate the cover of the copy of Duel Magazine that Judai comes across early in 65, and starting the one on Shou’s copy that I finished up.  List of everything worked on below the cut, as usual, if you’re curious.

Enjoy, folks! I’ve gotten some work started on 67 already, and my plan is to try and work on some double releases to make up a bit of time, lol.  I’ll be posting these two on NAC in the next couple of days along with the re-finalized hardsubs and scripts/DVDRips; while I work on getting 67 and 68 done, I’ll also start some work on prepping softsub MKVs (also to go up on NAC) for everything I’ve fully finalized, since it’s been a while on that front.

Fixes/Edits! (65)

As Judai wanders in the forest early in the episode, he comes across a stack of old Duel Magazines; the front cover shows Ryou and is an issue from his winning streak days before his more recent loss to Ed.  Thanks to @paradoxi-kay​‘s great work in typesetting my translation onto the cover I blanked (which I detailed here), you’ll see it in English in the hardsub above.  The translation was first applied to the close-up of the cover that comes after #2 below, and then I took the translated cover and made it its own image that I put into the earlier shot as Judai approaches it while they’re all still tied up (detailed here).  The text reads, “Exclusive!! Kaiser Ryou Marufuji / Breaking down his Cyber Dragon deck!!! / In this issue: / -Duelists Du Jour / -Pro League Battle Data! / -Reader-Submitted Best Duels! / -Strategic Attack Decks by Type!” (Really appreciated Kay’s input on “Du Jour” because my original translation for that, “Duelists Who Are All the Rage,” wasn’t as catchy, lol.)

As Judai picks up one of the older Duel Magazines and flips it open, we see on the back cover an ad featuring the three Phantasms--it’s actually an in-show ad for Shadows of Infinity (since the episode aired around the time the pack came out in Japan); I detailed the process in blanking and translating it here (shared above).  The ad reads, "The Three Phantasms Descend!" featuring Uria and Raviel’s names on their images.

As we go to the Red dorm as Shou narrates about the Kaiser’s slump, we see a magazine page describing what happened to him since his loss to Ed; I covered my blanking/translating this in the link shared in #2.

We then see that it’s Shou reading the page from his own copy of Duel Magazine, this one more recent than Judai’s featuring Ed on the cover, though it features the same SOI/Phantasms ad on its back cover (now showing Hamon and its name as well).  Like with Judai’s issue, I used the Japanese cover and the dub’s edit as reference to just redraw Ed and Diamondguy enough to remove Ed’s name; Kay had started the translation placement and I finished it up.  For the SOI ad, like with #2, I added in the dub’s edit in pieces, tweaking it to match the original image more (since they again oddly edited the text out or redrew Uria/et al weirdly to do so).  We do now see more of the ad which shows that the trio’s names are on each of them, the English of which I added.

As Asuka snatches the magazine from Shou to work on cheering him up, to be consistent, I also worked in these cover translations to the magazine as she lifts then curls it up, using the dub’s blanked Phantasms edit as a base that I touched up a bit while adding back the Japanese cards.  Detailed more in #2′s link.  (We now also see that the ad reads on, “New! Shadow of Infinity - On Sale November 11th [2005]!”; the IRL booster pack came out in Japan on Nov. 17th, 2005, a few weeks before 65 aired.)

Asuka then lifts the curled-up magazine into view in a close-up, with the SOI/Phantasms ad visible which I also applied my translations above to as needed, using the dub’s blank edit as a base that I redrew parts of to touch up and match the Japanese image more.  Detailed more in #2′s link.

As Ryou meets Monkey Saruyama, he introduces himself by handing out his business card reading, "Saruyama Promotion - Representative Monkey Saruyama;" as detailed in #2′s link, I cleaned it up using Photoshop’s Clone Tool, then slapped the translation on using Calibri as the font.

As Ryou contemplates attacking Acid Slime with his Cyber Dragon and Mad Dog Inukai taunts him, as Mad Dog then slides in on a split-screen to “clear his doubts,” there’s a quick frame as Inukai takes over the screen where there’s a gap between his pecs and the split-screen edge.  I fixed it by just drawing in the rest of his chest in Photoshop to fill his side of the split-screen.

As Inukai starts his turn and activates his Contingency Fee Magic Card, there’s a frame where, as he’s sliding his hand with the card into the shot, the card itself slides ahead in his hand before his hand does; as a result, you can see a bit of the background just under the card before his hand catches up to the card in the next frame.  I fixed this by just duplicating the first frame here over it in Vegas.

Two here--first, after Ryou has his Proto Cyber Dragon attack Clone Slime, as Inukai begins to explain its effect, there’s a quick frame before the shot goes from a close-up to a slow zoom as he moves where his neck vanishes (new meme format go); I fixed this by just duplicating the previous frame in Vegas, while also correcting one of his looping lip-flap frames so that the scar on his chin is above the shading under his lip.  Then, as Inukai goes into Clone Slime’s effect and the shot slowly zooms out, we see Clone Slime on his Disk in Attack Mode when it’s in Defense Mode right now; fixed it by placing a proxy in Defense in AfterEffects for a frame, then re-keyframing that frame to the zoom-out in Vegas to put it in place.

After Acid Slime slips out of Inukai’s Cemetery as Clone Slime’s effect activates, Inukai moves to grab it before the two Slimes switch out, but Clone Slime’s still in Attack Mode on his Disk; fixed by placing the Defense-Mode proxy over it in AE, then moving it as he moves his Disk and applying a brief brightness increase as the light from Clone Slime being replaced with Acid Slime grazes it.

As Proto Cyber Dragon’s attack approaches Acid Slime in a quick shot, the card under it in Defense Mode is reversed (the name box should face to the left to match how it’s placed on his Disk); fixed by first applying the correctly-facing proxy in AfterEffects and moving it as the shot moves, then masking Acid Slime back in over it, along with the light coming from the attack as it starts to shine over its card.

As Ryou explains Overload Fusion’s effect, just before it starts to zoom out as he then chooses the six Monsters he’ll fuse, there are a few frames I noticed where Ryou’s whooshing hair throughout this shot suddenly stops whooshing; I fixed it by just masking in his whooshing hair from the previous frames for a few.

As Ryou taunts Inukai about how his Acidic Last Machine Virus will bother him no more, Inukai starts to slide in on a split-screen, but until his split-screen has fully slid in, there’s no border on its edge; I fixed it in Vegas by first masking out the border once it’s fully slid in, then moving it in another video layer with his split-screen for those nine frames.

As Ryou explains Chimeratech Overdragon’s multiple attacks, we see it reversed on his Disk; fixed by slapping on the correctly-facing proxy in AfterEffects, then re-keyframing it to the slow zoom in Vegas for the 94 frames it zooms out in (phew).

One error that I hoped to fix but scrapped happens as Chimeratech Overdragon’s first attack closes in on Inukai’s Multiple Slime, where we see a Defense-Mode card under it despite it being in Attack Mode the way Inukai summoned it (and since he then takes damage from the attack); couldn’t quite figure out how to light up the floor I’d redrawn under it with the ensuing explosion, and had sought a bit of help to get it right but ultimately that fell through. (Incidentally, not only did the dub not catch this as they dubified its card, but they reversed the card, at that, lol.)

Fixes/Edits! (66)

(Note: These are all flashback-related, and I detailed most of them [including a few new ones] in my post from Sunday that I linked just under the summaries; I went on to apply the fixes I’d applied in 66 to the respective episodes, so I’ll be brief here.  Reinserted fixes from a while back are in italics.)

(Episode 1 Flashback) I reinserted the fix I did to replace the blank Normal Monster on Judai’s Disk in Flame Wingman’s spot with its card as Antique Gear Golem crashes onto Chronos.  [Ep. 1 Flashback End]

(Episode 22 Flashback) As Misawa attacks with Litmus Death Swordsman to start his flashback, I reinserted the fix I did to detail the blank cards on his Disk with Diamond Dragon and Litmus Death.

As Misawa finishes explaining Wingbeat of Giant Dragon’s effect and it zooms out to Litmus Death, I reinserted my fix to his reversed card on Misawa’s Disk to flip it right-side-up.

Reinserted my fix to the repeat of #3 as Skyscraper fades.

Reinserted my fix to another repeat as Misawa explains Spirit Barrier’s effect.

R-R-Reinserted my fix to the r-r-repeat again as we see Misawa’s Disk while Judai explains Cyclone Boomerang’s effect (gotta love reused animation!) [Ep. 22 Flashback End]

(Episode 4 Flashback) As Judai prods Manjoume into choosing a card from his hand for A Hero Appears’s effect, I fixed Manjoume’s blazer looking semi-faded for a frame on his split-screen.

As Judai’s LP take a hit from V-to-Z destroying Burstlady, I fixed the four frames where the upper part of his Disk is missing the little bottom part that extends out a bit and Judai’s vanishing Disk wrist grip.

A bit complex, but I fixed Judai’s briefly-still-missing-then-vanishing-again wrist grip, the shading near his Cemetery slot, Judai’s arm becoming part of his Disk, and his wrist grip suddenly consuming his whole wrist. (Detailed in that Sunday post)

Reinserted my fix to the Attack-Mode Winged Kuriboh on Judai’s Disk to put it in Defense Mode as he discards two to activate Evolutionary/Transcendent Wings.

As Judai swings his arm around telling Winged Kuriboh LV10 to “send [V-to-Z’s] energy right back” at Manjoume, I reinserted my fix to put its Defense-Mode card in the spot on his Disk colored like the Monster Zone it’s on for a few frames.

A bit complex again recycling the Judai shot in #9, but I fixed his again-vanishing Disk wrist grip and half-Disk arm, his wrist grip suddenly consuming his whole wrist again, and his yet-again-vanished wrist grip, miscolored undershirt, and his half-Disk elbow while restoring some previous detail to his Disk. (Detailed in that Sunday post)

As Judai summons Featherman–to Shou and Chronos’s surprise–and has him lunge at Manjoume for the finisher, I reinserted my fix to keep the black faraway box that is Featherman on his Disk both as those two slide in on split-screens and as they slide back out. [Ep. 4 Flashback End]

(Episode 8 Flashback) I reinserted my fix to remove Featherman from Judai’s Disk as his LP drop from Cyber Dragon destroying it.

Reinserted my fix to a repeat of #14 as Judai’s excited about Ryou’s Time Capsule.

As Judai draws for his turn, I added a Fusion card over the dark-orange rectangle briefly in his hand as he draws it.

After Judai’s first hit on him, I fixed the error as Ryou Special-Summons another Cyber Dragon as a Monster in face-down Defense Mode on his second Monster Zone (detailed in that Sunday post).

Reinserted my fix adding Cyber Twin Dragon to Ryou’s Disk over a yellow rectangle.

As the screen zooms in on Judai after Ryou declares Cyber Twin’s attack, I added Thunder Giant to Judai’s third Monster Zone, then reinserted my previous fix adding it as it zooms back out while Judai uses A Hero Appears.

Reinserted my fix adding a few quick lip flaps to Judai as he says, “Partner,” out loud.

As Judai thinks about how Evolutionary Wings would evolve his Winged Kuriboh and we then see Bubbleman on his field, I added a missing Bubbleman card to his Disk.

Right after #21, I revised my previous fix to replace the Defense-Mode Mudballman on his Disk with an Attack-Mode Bubbleman, after I accidentally put it in Defense Mode before.

As Ryou grabs Power Bond from his hand before activating it, I reinserted my fix adding Ryou’s two missing Cyber Dragons to his Disk and then one over the blank Normal Monster card in his left hand.

As Ryou slips Power Bond into his Disk, I reinserted my fix adding those two missing Cyber Dragons onto his Disk.  [Ep. 8 Flashback End]

For the Ep. 67 preview, I added my translation of the notice left on the Red dorm by Napoleon which I’ll be using in the episode proper.

[maturemenoftvandfilms]

The King Of Character Actors

CHAPTER SEVEN: Poker Night: Part One

Featuring Charles Durning, Ed Asner, Rod Steiger, George Segal and Norby Walters.

I was invited to a weekly game held at the Hollywood home of the former sports agent Norby Walters by Charles Durning after we became friends while filming Home for the Holidays in 1995. As he was explaining to me, "it’s a diverse group of every actor in Hollywood” for low-limit stud poker. The minimum bet is just $1 and some of the regulars might consist of Alec Baldwin, Robert Downey Jr., Angie Dickinson, Sid Caesar or Sharon Stone. They all played until 10:45 before spending the next 15 minutes telling Frank Sinatra stories with everything ending by 11:00 pm.

Each Wednesday night, the veteran music agent welcomed nine boldface names to his Wilshire corridor high rise for three hours of poker. But tonight, thanks to some last minute cancellations, only a total of five men besides Charlie and me sat around the table. The lure of poker was stronger for these guys. Football, baseball, boxing and the business were popular topics of conversation. I was introduced to each and was greeted with a strong handshake from each man. I sat down among the members and started to study those who were already studying me.

Starting with our host Norby Walters, a short, nerdy fellow with nary a thing to say. He sat sipping his drink and worrying about the time. He was barefoot and wearing slacks with a short-sleeved cabana shirt, the top buttons unfastened to reveal a scar from heart surgery.

Charles Durning (72) was the elder statesman of the group. Short with a roly-poly build, his chest seemed to strain the limits of his shirt buttons. When he speaks, his voice is that of a Marine drill sergeant - people listen and obey. Self-educated, he’s been working since he was in knee pants; what he knows, he learned the hard way. He was my sure bet of the night. The one I was going to have sex with.

To Charlie's right was actor, George Segal (61). He was in his early sixties, my guess, around maybe six foot with a strong, but receding hairline. His dark hair was almost transparent on top. He was wearing shorts and a tank top. Chest hairs poked enticingly out from the top of the sleeveless top.

Next, was actor, Rod Steiger (70). At seventy something, Steiger was a stocky, shaved-headed, bull-necked man with piercing eyes, a brooding presence, but funny as hell. He wore long pants, a black button up shirt and an old style roadster beret topping his bald head. He smiled as our eyes met, then returned to his conversation with the man to his right.

Last was Ed Asner (66). Beautiful features, great build and incredibly handsome. His chest hairs nearly exploded from the top of his shirt. His fur lined forearms stuck out of the rolled up sleeves like carpeted appendages of some nineteen fifties goon. As a young adult, no one turned me on more than this man. My first impression was that Ed was funny, nice and sort of a big lush. He had three drinks and got sort of loud, but not in a bad way, it was after all a party.  

These were Charlie's poker pals. I’ll admit I was a little nervous playing against these guys. Each talked to the other while I darted in and out of their conversations. All except Ed. He was different. I couldn't put my finger on it, but I knew he was different. I lost the first few hands. Badly. But then my luck changed and I won every hand for the next hour.  

“Read ‘em and weep boys, read and weep. I win again.” I said in a taunting voice.  

“Keep it up kid. You’ll get yours.” Ed said.

“Come on Mr. Asner. None of you have won in an hour. Hell, I’ll suck your dick if you win just one of the next five hands. I’m so confident, if any of you win in the next five hands. I’ll suck all of your cocks.” I boasted.

“Ok boys, let’s keep it clean.” Norby said.

“No. He’s been running his mouth all night. OK you’re on. I win one of the next five hands and you’ll suck all of our cock.”

“Deal.” I readily answered.

It was my turn to deal again, I had learned a lot from other card players about hiding cards and dealing from the bottom of the deck. Norby, Ed, Rod and George were unaware that they were being set up. Mr. Durning however, was somewhat aware of my intentions since I was sucking his cock since Home for the Holidays wrapped up months ago. After shuffling the cards, I made sure Ed got the best hand.  

“Aces and deuces. Full house. Can you beat that kid?” He said.  

“No.” Was all I had to say.

"That didn’t take long, you lost on the first hand.”

“Then it looks like you have to suck everyone’s cock.”

“Come on guys, you’re not going through with that bet are you?” Norby questioned.  

“Hey, the kid made the bet. It’s up to him if he is going to live up to it.”  

“I never go back on a bet.” I said as I got up, found an empty bedroom and waited for my first client.

Our host, Norby wasted little time joining me in the bedroom, telling me that I didn't need to do this. I could tell that despite his outward chivalry, the bulge in the front of his pants signaled his true feelings. Seeing my determination, he allowed me to unclasp the top of his pants and unbuttoned his shirt. As I slipped the shorts down past his knees, his cock was peeking out of the front of his boxer shorts. I tugged on his boxers, slowly, teasing him before they finally passed his cock, springing out freely away from his body.

I excitedly leaned over to grasp his firm uncut cock. I love to peel the protective skin back with my tongue and lips, exposing the sensitive head. My actions were greeted with the usual response as Norby moaned audibly. Not wanting to remain standing, he sat down on the edge of the bed and then fell back, legs splayed apart for my easy access. I attacked his groin with the fervor of a long neglected lover. My cock was pressing against the edge of the bed in a vain attempt to attract some attention for itself.

Norby grasped the bed covers tightly as my head bobbed rapidly on his tool. Grunting and groaning, Norby writhed beneath my attack. His entire body seemed to tense and then with an upward thrust of his hips, he climaxed. Manly fluids flowed into my hungry mouth. As I squeezed the last of his cum from his cock, his whole body relaxed as his breathing started to slow and his eyes slowly opened.

"Thank you." Norby said as I slumped back into the small chair next to the bed and watched him get dressed before rejoining the card game.

I didn't have to wait long as I heard someone getting up from the table and heading down the hall. I thought it would be Charlie, but to my surprise, it was George. Without speaking, he opened his pants to reveal his cock. As if responding to his inaudible command, I leaned forward and took his tool offered and placed it in my mouth. It easily fit. The nicely cut cock quickly hardened between my lips.

As the turgor pressure reached the maximum within his five inch cock, I felt his hands firmly grasp my head. His hips began to rhythmically thrust in synchrony with my lips. As quickly as it started, it ended. I heard a couple grunts, tasted something slightly salty on my tongue and the next I knew, he was withdrawing his cock. I finally looked up at my guest face. He quietly mouthed 'Thank you' and then shuffled back to the table.

The others at the table said nothing and acted as if he was there all along. George picked up his cards and continued on playing as if nothing had occurred. It wasn't long before I heard someone politely excused himself from the table, ostensibly to use the john, I was soon confronted with Rod standing in front of me, unzipping his pants.

He unbuttoned his pants, pulled the waistband of his underwear down to allow his already half hard cock to flop out. Using both his hands to hold his pants and underwear, Rod thrust his hips forward causing his manhood to lightly tap my lips. I quickly opened my mouth to let his cock slide in. As his tool grew, I knew that unlike my last visitor, I'd have a problem accommodating this man's growing cock.

On a couple of occasions I had to limit his thrusts because I was nearly choking. I wrapped my hand around his shaft, allowing his shaft to slide in and out of my mouth through my moistened palm as Rod became more vocal. His grunts and my slurping noises were loud enough that everyone in the house could hear. It didn't matter to me and obviously didn't matter to Rod.

"Oh my God!" Rod said as he began to let loose.

As the first spurt hit my tongue, Rod grabbed his dick with his right hand and started to almost violently jack his cock. His knees slightly bent, the moans and grunts continued as he rapidly jacked the rest of his man fluid into my waiting mouth. I relaxed and allowed Rod to finish his release as his right hand switched from a rapid jacking motion to a careful milking motion. Each drop of his cum was carefully deposited upon my tongue.

As Rod's breathing slowly returned to normal, he slowly pulled his pants and underwear back up to their proper position. He smiled down at me as I exercised my stretched jaw muscles. Rod beamed with pride recognizing that it was his endowment that caused my minor discomfort. With a tip of his hat, Rod turned and moved back to the table. He sat quietly next to the other players. Picking up his hand of cards, he smiled as if he got dealt an inside straight.

George wasted little time joining me in the bedroom, standing proudly in front of me. The bulge in the front of his shorts signal his readiness as I unclasp the top of his shorts. As I slipped his shorts down past his knees, his cock sprang out from his body. I excitedly grasp his firm cock as he sat down on the edge of the bed and the fell back, legs splayed apart for easy access. I attacked his groin with the fervor of a long neglected lover. With active hands, tongue and lips I worked on his perfect pink tool. I was enjoying it almost as much as George. My cock was pressing against the edge of the bed in a vain attempt to attract some attention for itself.

George grasped the bed covers tightly as I worked. He move further up on the bed, finding ourselves in plain view of the other occupants in the other room. My head bobbed rapidly on his tool, as George grunted and groan, writhing beneath my attack.

Out of the corner of my eye, I could see the guys watching, especially Charlie. He watched over the top of this cards, not concerned about who was winning the current hand. Next to him, Ed tried not act nonchalant, but his intent gaze was not focused on the cards. Suddenly George tensed up and then with an upward thrust of his hips, he came. Manly fluids flowed into my hungry mouth.

As I squeezed the last of his energy from his cock, his whole body relaxed. Slumping back into the small chair next to the bed, I watched George slipped his shorts back on. Sipping on a glass of scotch he brought in, I watched as he rejoined the card game. I wondered who would be next. Ed or Charlie? It wasn't long before I got my answer.

[TO BE CONTINUED]

[somarsword]

Sleep on the Floor - Part 3

ROGER TAYLOR X READER

Hi!! Hello again. Okay, first of all I am so so sorry for how long it took me to upload part 3. There's several reasons for that, a few being 1.) I've been pretty busy on school works, 2.) I'm an undecided bitch, and 3.) I have no idea which direction I want to steer this story towards. I've written this part like at least 4 times. Anyways, sorry for the delay. (Ps. I'm uploading on my phone so I'm sorry there's no cut and it appears as one long ass post. I'll probs edit this soon though to be under a cut)

I hope you enjoy the read!

picture uploaded by "wattpad" on pinterest (link https://pin.it/5NtW4Fg)

WARNING: blood, mentions of abuse (well the damage), cursing?

word count: 1.7k words

𝐅𝐞𝐛𝐫𝐮𝐚𝐫𝐲 9, 1976 - (𝐫𝐨𝐚𝐝 𝐭𝐨) 𝐃𝐞𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐢𝐭 

An hour after your conversation Freddie heads back to bed, leaving you to your own thoughts. Which definitely was not ideal. There was too much to think of, so much you wanted to just ignore.

𝑊ℎ𝑎𝑡 𝑡ℎ𝑒 ℎ𝑒𝑙𝑙 𝑖𝑠 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑝𝑙𝑎𝑛 ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒 𝑌/𝑛? 𝑌𝑜𝑢 𝑑𝑜𝑛'𝑡 𝑒𝑣𝑒𝑛 𝑘𝑛𝑜𝑤 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑖𝑟 𝑟𝑜𝑢𝑡𝑒.

Breathing in deeply you head towards the front. There was only one person still up, possibly he could answer where the hell all of you were headed. 

"Hi" you say softly as you peak through the curtains which separated the driver's area from the rest of the vehicle. The man's head whips towards you, slightly startled, before quickly training his eyes back on the road. 

"Uh... hey?" his greeting comes out as more confused than welcoming. His eyes fleet back to you, his expression quite comical. It was as if he were making sure he wasn't hallucinating. 

"Mind if I sit up here with you?" you question him. He nods before looking at the road once more. You both seat silently for a few minutes, awkwardness filling the air. You clear your throat. 

"Uh, I was wondering actually if you could answer my question" you say. 

"I mean sure I guess, can't promise I've got the answer for that though" He replies

"Well I surely hope you can, you are driving us there after all." you tell him, this causes him to laugh

"Oh, if your question is where we're going, it's Detroit" he tells you, a smile still plastered on his face. You nod, murmuring out a short thanks, ready to head back.

Before you can stand, however, he speaks up. 

"If you don't mind me asking, who exactly are you?" there's no ill-intent behind his voice, rather it's just filled with curiousity.

"Oh um... I'm not so sure yet. I think I'm the financer though" you tell him. Amused, he shakes his head and laughs

"Girlie, you get more and more interesting." He says, laughing heartily. This causes you to smile as well.

"Well, I try" you shrug but can't suppress the giggle that erupts from you.

"I'm Y/n by the way" you say, finally introducing yourself properly.

"Bill" he says nodding. 

••• -•- •• •--•

By the time you reach Detroit, you and Bill have shared a year's worth of stories. Each story shared wasn't really important, more of small snippets of each of your lives. Like the time you tripped and spilt the contents of your bag on the road, or the time Bill thought he ran over a cat, only for it to be an old sock. 

You nearly forget the fact that you had a giant gash on your stomach until Bill suddenly steps on the breaks as he parks, sending you flying forward and causing the seatbelt strap to push against it. 

"Oh shit, sorry" Bill apologizes quickly.

You hiss loudly, slouching over as you see black spots dance around your vision. At this, he looks over at you worriedly.  

"Hey, you okay?" his attention is divided between you and parking the bus. You wave one hand dismissively but you can feel the wound throb painfully.

𝑆ℎ𝑖𝑡. 𝐼𝑠 𝑡ℎ𝑎𝑡 𝑏𝑙𝑜𝑜𝑑?

You feel your shirt begin to dampen, the crimson red liquid seeping through the piece of cloth. 

Switching the engine off, he turns towards you. His eyes quickly widening at the sight.

"Holy fuck. You're bleeding! Shit. Wait, uh-" he frantically unbuckles both of your seatbelts before careening you towards a van parked adjacent to the bus. He yanks the van door open, causing the person inside to groan and cover their eyes.

"Tom. Tom get up" Bill's voice getting increasingly agitated. Tom groans, rolling over to his side. 

"Bill it's too early, I'm not in the mood. Please let me rest." At this Bill huffs and shakes the sleeping man. 

"Bitch, get up. I'm not looking for morning sex. This girl's bleeding out, get up." This causes the sleeping figure to quickly shoot up, reaching one arm behind him in search for (what you can only assume to be) his medkit. 

"Fucking hell. Maybe say that first next time?" he mumbles grumpily. Bill helps you unto the van, hoisting you up. 

"Can you lift up your shirt?" Tom asks gently, holding out a dampened cloth. Deliriously, you yank it up. 

You hear them both mutter curses under their breath as they see the damage. Neither asks what happened as Tom aids you, but you're sure they've got ideas. 

After nearly 20 minutes of excruciating pain as Tom stitched up your gash, you hear the tour bus doors open once more. You're not sure who it is as your eyes are closed but you know that you're in perfect view of whoever steps out the bus; and soon enough you hear hasty footsteps approaching. 

"Bleeding Christ, what the hell happened to her?" You hear the unmistakable sound of Roger's raspy voice. You hear no response from the other two.

You force your eyes open. This immediately catches Roger's attention.

"You alright there love?" He asks gently.

Moving towards the exit, you dangle you legs out limply.

"I'm fine" you murmur out, attempting to stand up. This only results in you collapsing. Roger catches you before you hit the ground. 

"Mhm, sure seems like it" he comments. "C'mon, let's get you rested" 

Too weak to protest, you nod. You hear him say a quick thanks to Tom.

Bill assists Roger in holding you up as you allow them to guide you back to the bus. Once inside you expect to be set on the couch, but they head directly to the back, laying you down on Roger's bed. Bill excuses himself, checking on you one last time before leaving. 

Almost immediately your eyes shut from exhaustion, but you remain awake for a while, listening to the hushed voices. 

They must've woken up from the commotion of Bill and Roger dragging you into the room as the first thing you hear from them is complains on Roger to keep it the 𝐟𝐮𝐜𝐤 down, but the tone is quickly replaced by concern once their gaze lands on you

𝑌𝑒𝑎ℎ, 𝑖𝑓 𝐼 𝑠𝑎𝑤 𝑠𝑜𝑚𝑒𝑜𝑛𝑒 𝑖𝑛 𝑎 𝑏𝑙𝑜𝑜𝑑𝑦 𝑠ℎ𝑖𝑟𝑡, 𝐼'𝑑 𝑏𝑒 𝑝𝑟𝑒𝑡𝑡𝑦 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑐𝑒𝑟𝑛𝑒𝑑 𝑡𝑜𝑜.

••• -•- •• •--•

Drowsily, you lift yourself up. Confused by your surroundings. 

"Oh hey! You're up." their bassist says, quickly rushing to your side holding a bottle of water out. You grab it gratefully, chugging down the contents. 

Once finished, you wipe your mouth with the back of your hand, turning towards the man sat on the bed across you.

"Thanks..." you begin, but trail off as you try to recall his name. He just chuckles, his eyes wrinkling at the sides.

"John. -or Deaky. Whichever you prefer" he says. You nod gratefully. 

"What time is it?" you ask, rubbing your eyes with the back of your hands. 

"Around 3:30pm. The rest just headed out to get food, they'll be back in a few" he explains as you look around at the empty beds. You nod.

Standing, he offers an outstretched hand for you  to take. You stare up at him in confusion.

"Well I'm assuming you'd rather not spend all day trapped inside. We can wait for them outside. There's a table and a few chairs set up" Reluctantly you take his hand and he pulls you up.

Feeling a lot better, you follow after him, refusing his offer of helping you. 

"Do you know how to play any card games?" he asks as you both take a seat outside.

"A few? Poker, Rummy, Black Jack" You list. He nods and shuffles the deck. 

"Let's go rummy" he says as he distributes the cards.

It's silent for the first few rounds, a few side comments said, but not much more.

"He's an idiot" Deaky suddenly blurts out suddenly causing you to look at him in confusion.

"Who?" you ask him, eyebrows furrowed.

"Your fiancé" he says matter-of-factly. This catches you off guard. You stare at him, eyes wide.

"I- He- What do you- How'd you know?" you sputter out. He shrugs.

"You're the girl from the Ritz right?" 

𝑊ℎ𝑦 𝑑𝑜𝑒𝑠 𝑚𝑦 𝑡𝑟𝑎𝑑𝑒𝑚𝑎𝑟𝑘 ℎ𝑎𝑣𝑒 𝑡𝑜 𝑏𝑒 𝑡ℎ𝑎𝑡?

You nod solemnly.

"So I'm guessing you all know about-" you gesture towards your stomach which was shielded by your bloody shirt. He nods. You sigh, thinking of how to explain it all properly. 

Deaky notices your distress and sets his cards down before turning all his attention on you.

"Don't worry about it. We won't ask. You don't have to tell us anything" Sincerity oozing from his voice. You give him a small, grateful smile. 

"It's ex fiancé, by the way" You clarify.

Just as you both start another round, the others arrive, holding bags of food and... shopping bags?

"Ah! Glad to see you up lovie" Freddie says, pulling you into a hug. You giggle and hug him back. 

"Here, we got you some pancakes and sausage." Brian says as he sets a small takeout box in front of you. "It may not be breakfast anymore, but pancakes are delicious at all hours of the day" Freddie comments , causing you to smile and shake your head at the singer's energy.

Roger approaches you, handing  you a small shopping bag. You look towards it then up at him.

"What's this?" you ask him, confused. 

"Just thought you might want some change of clothes. You only packed an extra jacket and a few pants so I got you a few shirts." he says scratching the back of his neck. Before you can respond he quickly add, "Sorry for going through your bag, I was looking for something for you to change into a while back"

"It's fine. Thanks Roger" You beam at him, happily grabbing a shirt and excusing yourself to change inside the bus.

Once done, you emerge from the bus to find all four boys and Jim seated around the table, eating their meals. You take a seat next to Jim. 

"Sorry about not being able to help out this morning. I can-" you begin to explain but he holds his hand up to cut you off.

"Don't worry about it. You can start later." he says, smiling gently. You nod appreciatively before opening the takeaway box and digging in.

[nataliedanovelist]

GF - All Star

Summary: A deep, dark secret about Ford is slowly revealed to his family, and he’s not ready.

For Skaleigh, wherever she may be...

~~~~~~~~~~

A few days after Weirdmegeddon, Ford was exiting the basement, taking a break from cleaning it out today. Stan had been recovering from his memory loss beautifully and so Ford decided to get a certain chore done on this rainy day. He could hear something, however, that made him freeze as a shiver ran down his spine and his race turned as red as his sweater.

“... start coming and they don't stop coming,

Fed to the rules and I hit the ground running.

Didn't make sense not to live for fun.

Your brain gets smart but your head gets dumb.”

Recognizing who’s voice that was, Ford began to relax. The sweet smell of vanilla and sugar graced his schnoz and he followed the music to the kitchen. There, Mabel was in her little pink apron over her sprinkle-sweater, dancing around the kitchen as she mixed icing with food coloring in little bowls. The radio was playing on the kitchen table, a little dirty with flour, and the whole kitchen was a mess, but Ford couldn't help but smile at his beautiful niece as her hair flew everywhere as she danced and sang her heart out. When the chorus came, she banged her head and put the bowl of light-blue icing on the counter to dance more freely.

“Hey now, you're an all-star, get your game on, go play!

Hey now, you're a rock star, get the show on, get paid!

And all that glitters is gold!

Only shooting stars break the mold.”

At the words “shooting stars”, Mabel attempted a flip and fell on her face, just like she did at the dance party at the beginning of summer. Ford winced and made a move towards her, slightly emerging from his hiding spot at the doorway, but stopped when Mabel sprung up, unhurt, and declared to herself and the kitchen, “I’m okay!” Her eyes landed on her uncle and she grinned. “Grunkle Ford! Whatcha doin’?”

“I thought I would take a break from cleaning.” Ford explained casually with a shrug while Mabel turned down the radio a little so they could talk better. “Having fun?”

“Yeah!” Mabel pointed to the twelve cupcakes that were cooling on the stove and said, “I’m making everyone a snack. Want one?”

“I would love one, my dear. Thank you.”

“Ah, ah.” Mabel wiggled a finger at him. “You have to do something for it, first.”

Ford raised an eyebrow at her and held his cleft chin. “Oh?”

Mabel opened the drawer she knew Ford kept his apron in and pulled out his old My Other Oven is a Bunsen apron. “You have to decorate the cupcakes with me.”

Ford grinned and happily accepted the protective clothing against stains. “Well, I suppose it’s only fair that I help you if I’m going to have one. Do we have to share with Stanley and Dipper?”

“Nope!” Mabel giggled. “We can eat them all ourselves! Six each!”

Ford laughed alongside her and she gave him a small bowl of white icing to color however he wanted. He carefully added a few drops of green, seeing how Mabel had already made blue and red and was working on yellow, and she began to dance a little again and she jumped into song.

“Somebody once asked could I spare some change for gas?

I need to get myself away from this place.

I said ‘Yep what a concept,

I could use a little fuel myself,

And we could all use a little change.’”

Ford chuckled, mixing the icing, and he couldn’t help himself; he made himself jump in.

“Well, the years start coming and they don't stop coming,

Fed to the rules and I hit the ground running.

Didn't make sense not to live for fun.

Your brain gets smart but your head gets dumb.”

Mabel gasped in shock for a number of reasons. A) She had never heard Grunkle Ford sing before. 2) She didn’t think he would know this song, let alone the words. And D) His voice was actually very pretty. Mabel grinned and they happily sang together until the song changed to a commercial for Cam’s Camshafts and they began to decorate the cupcakes.

~~~~~~~~~~

Stan yawned as he stretched his tired limbs. He had been sitting out on the deck of the Stan O’ War II, watching the sun set, and he was now in a sleepy trance. Time to put on some warm, fuzzy pajamas and turn on the little TV in the kitchen.

Stan went into his shared bedroom and stopped when he accidentally walked in on Ford in a towel, his back to the entrance and unaware of the intruder as he dug through his drawer for new clothes. Stan was careful to be quiet and give his jumpy brother some space, planning on leaving him alone, but something caught his eye.

During the Stanswitch, Ford insisted on Stan turning away, uncomfortable with what his twin might see. Despite Stan’s insistence that it wasn’t anything he hadn’t seen before, Ford practically begged him not to look, so Stan went along with it until he had shed his suit, leaving only his dark pants and undershirt, and he turned to switch clothes, but he found Ford bent over, his back littered with dozens of ugly cars, trophies for surviving out in the Multiverse for thirty years. Stan had thought that this was the reason for Ford’s modesty and thick sweaters (and okay, sure, the guy had always been a little chilly), but maybe there was another reason.

Stan grinned. No. Way. He slipped away, deciding he would enjoy making fun of Ford when he would least expect it, and he immediately left for the kitchen silently and quickly texted Dipper and Mabel.

A few weeks past since Stan knew Ford’s secret and he had pocketed it away as his “secret weapon”; of course, Dipper and Mabel knew and Stan wished he could have seen the looks on their faces or heard them laugh, but oh well. The kids swore to keep it between the two of them, but Stan wouldn’t be surprised if all of Gravity Falls kenw at this point. Something to look forward to this summer.

Stan had half-forgotten about Ford’s secret until they were at a small shop in Liverpool, England and something jogged the old conman’s memory. A CD was sitting in a 50% off bucket and Stan could have sworn a beam of light from Heaven was shining on the little box. Stan snatched it and hid it in his jacket for later.

The next day Stan couldn’t wait any longer. They were gently coasting on the Irish Sea, the spring weather being warm and calm and pleasant. Ford was out on the deck, reading a map, and Stan sat their radio down, the disc already in place. “Hey Sixer,” It took everything in Stan to hide his snicker. “Mind if I play some music?”

Ford hardly looked up from the map. “Huh? Oh sure, Stanley. Go ahead.”

With the biggest grin Stan had probably ever made in his life, he pressed play.

SomeBODY once told me the world is gonna roll me,

I ain't the sharpest tool in the shed.

Ford’s polydactyl hands clenched the map so tightly it nearly destroyed the papered material. He lowered it as his face blushed so furiously it matched his maroon sweater perfectly. Sweat was dripping from his forehead profoundly, his eyebrows were nearly hidden in his fluffy hair, they were so high, and his eyes were as wide as dinner plates.

Stan snorted, trying to contain his laughter just a little bit longer. “You like this song, don't you? Oh man, here comes my FAVORITE part!” And to make sure he could embarrass his brother as much as he could, Stan sang along.

“Hey now, you're an all-star, get your game on, go play!

Hey now, you're a rock star, get the show on, get paid!

And all that glitters is gold! (I like gold.)

Only shooting stars break the mold.”

And then Stan couldn’t hold it any longer. He busted into a huge fit of laughter, holding his ribs and wheezing as Ford sheepishly lowered his head into the map and hid in shame. When the song was over and Stan was slowing down in his laughing, Ford snapped and spun around, crumpling the map down and scowling.

“How did you find out?!” He demanded, still incredibly red in the face, even his ears were pink.

“I’m your twin, Genius,” Stan huffed, whipping his eyes dry of tears. “I’m bound to notice a couple of things when stuck on a boat with you. I gotta ask, though, why in Moses’ name…”

“It wasn’t intentional, I can assure you of that.” Ford said to try to preserve his dignity. “I had fought a battle alongside a tribe of octopus-armed warrior piglets since they shared their food and water with me. They were quite friendly, unlike the gang of penguin-finned lizards we encountered. It is customary for their tribe to have a grand party after a battle is won in which they all get tattoos. I had misjudged how… erm, intoxicated their drinks would make me, and when it was my turn to get a tattoo of my choosing, I had a certain song stuck in my head and sung it out loud, so the artist delivered my drunken request."

Stan burst into another fit of laughter, one that oddly sounded friendlier than the last one. Like, Ford was supposed to laugh with him. Ford, despite still being very red and embarrassed, couldn’t help but smile. “Oh, man! That’s gotta be your best story from out in the Multiverse yet!”

Ford saw that as a challenge and sat in one of the chairs to get comfortable. “I can think of at least five better stories.”

Stan quickly sat in the other chair like an excited child for a new movie and Ford dove into telling of some of the more fun-filled adventures he had experienced.

~~~~~~~~~~

Summer of 2014 was upon them and the Pines couldn’t be happier. The kids were joyous to be where they felt at home, and even though the old sailors were living the dream, it would be nice to take a three-month break and see their favorite pair of twins.

About two weeks after an emotional reunion, the kids were gently reminded of something they had on their Summer bucket-list.

Much like Stan, they planned their little attack carefully so they may truly enjoy their uncle’s misery. The gift shop was open, but slow. Wendy was behind the counter, Soos was reading a comic book and sitting on a closed barrel, and Dipper and Mabel were grinning like crazy on the porch, the screen door wide open. Mabel popped the CD in the radio and turned up the volume.

SomeBODY once told me the world is gonna roll me,

I ain't the sharpest tool in the shed.

She was looking kind of dumb with her finger and her thumb

In the shape of an "L" on her forehead.

Mabel immediately jumped into rap-like singing, dancing around the porch. Dipper chuckled, hands in his pocket and tapping his foot, but Soos laughed, put down the comic, and took Mabel’s hands to dance. They giggled as they tried to sing along, and at the chorus they stopped dancing so they could sing the lyrics as loud as they could.

“Hey now, you're an all-star, get your game on, go play!

Hey now, you're a rock star, get the show on, get paid!

And all that glitters is gold! 

Only shooting stars break the mold.”

Wendy was banging her head, red hair flying everywhere. Stan suddenly showed up in his boxers and slippers, grinning, and said over the music, “I was awoken by the sound of mockery through pop music! I want in!” He bumped his hips against Dipper to make him move and he danced obnoxiously, making his nephew laugh and dance a little more enthusiastically. 

A little later, at the halfway point of the song, Ford stood at the screen door with a puzzled look. “What’s going on…?”

“Hey now, you're an all-star, get your game on, go play!

Hey now, you're a rock star, get the show on, get paid!

And all that glitters is gold! (I like gold.)

Only shooting stars…”

Ford looked like he had a sunburn on his entire face. He swallowed, making his Adam’s Apple bobble, and his jaw was tight. Stan laughed at his face and hollered, “THERE’S the man of the hour!”

“Come on, Stan Two, you love this song, right?” Wendy teased.

“Oh no…”

“C’mon, Dr. Pines, wanna dance?” Soos asked, still dancing with Mabel.

“Oh, here comes my favorite part…” Mabel chimed in.

“Hey now, you're an all-star, get your game on, go play!

Hey now, you're a rock star, get the show on, get paid!

And all that glitters is gold!

Only shooting stars break the mold.”

Ford slammed the door shut. The five were as still as statues, wincing a little. “Did we take it too far?” Dipper asked.

“Ah, let the big baby be mad for a minute if he wants to.” Stan said, ruffing up his hat. “I’ll go talk to him in a minute…”

But then the door was kicked open by Ford’s boot and his friends and family were startled to find him heavily armed with water guns. “ONLY SHOOTING STARS BREAK THE MOLD!” He sang, and then shot everyone with water.

Everyone broke into hefty laughter and ran for it. The old scientist was hot on their tails, but Mabel managed to slip away to the closet filled with emergency water-guns and balloons. She hurried back to the battle and tossed everyone some weapons, and soon it was a confused mess of soaked clothes, loud laughter, and exploding balloons.

At one point during the fun fight, he paused to take off his glasses and wipe the water from them. Mabel accidentally bumped into his leg and smiled sheepishly at him, expecting to be sprayed without mercy, but Ford hoisted her up in his shoulders and they worked together. Up three feet higher than she was used to being, Mabel could see things she normally couldn’t. Like a certain tattoo barely poking out of the turtleneck, only visible because Mabel’s weight was pulling the sweater down enough. 

She smiled at it, finding it very pretty, and in the midst of the chaos, considered the idea of one day getting one herself.

[jaysworlds]

i wrote a mermay fic :)

i wrote a fic! for mermay! because i love mermaids!

it’s freddie/alexei, who are my ocs who i adore but you don’t actually need to know anything about them to read it (course if you read it and then WANT to know more my ask box is always open :)

Word count: 6365

Content Warnings:

-hallucinations

-near death experience

-a lot of ocean shenanigans

-like one mention of a dead body

Alexei loves the sea, always has. It’s always been a refuge when everything gets too much. He knows it could kill him, but he’s never felt safer than when he’s sitting underwater, getting washed back and forth by the waves.

It kind of makes sense that he goes into diving. He doesn’t think he’d survive a job in an office for hours every day, unable to get outside. He hates being trapped.

He loves diving. It suits him perfectly, really, getting to spend every spare moment in the water.

He doesn’t spend a lot of time with his co-workers outside of work, though he should. It’s always safer to have a diving buddy, he just … like diving alone, if he has the option.

It’s not the safest, but he accepted long ago that it probably wouldn’t be old age that killed him, and drowning is better than the alternatives.

They say it’s rather pleasant.

He’s good at it, anyway. All the money he can spare goes into keeping his gear in good condition, and he’s not in the habit of being reckless.

But it’s not skill that saves you, down there. It’s luck, and everyone’s luck runs out eventually.

Alexei’s runs out on a cold weekend at the beginning of October. The diving season is over, and so he’s not working, just diving for fun, and he’s alone.

There’s a ship (or what’s left of it) about a hundred and eighty-five feet below the surface. He’s been there before, and he loves it, just drifting through the empty corridors. It’s a little deeper than the recommended dive limit of a hundred and thirty feet, but he’s done much deeper dives, and he doesn’t worry too much.

It’s cold as he’s driving down the beach, sky overcast, but the sea is perfectly calm. It’s a good day for diving.

The beach is almost empty. It’s not surprising, on a day this cold, but it’s nice not to have to manoeuvre his car past a thousand people who’ve parked on the ramp clearly marked access required at all hours – do not obstruct.

There are only a couple of other people on the pier, and they wave to him as he parks and starts unloading his things. He knows everyone who works here, and everyone who dives regularly, and they know him.

He’s got a boat, a tiny thing that just about fits him and his gear, and he loads it up, humming to himself. The wind picks up a little, blowing his hair into his eyes, and he pauses for a moment to tie it back, looking out at the grey sea. He likes days like this.

There aren’t many other ships about. Not many people still dive at this time of year, and those that do mostly stick to shallower waters.

He leaves a slip of paper with where he’s going scribbled on it, just as good practice, and then heads out onto the sea, the wind playing with the strands of hair too short to make it into his ponytail.

The wreck isn’t far, but it’s too deep to see and so he has to rely on his instruments to tell him when he’s made it.

His instruments aren’t the best, but they do the job, and his life doesn’t depend on them working.

It’s about forty minutes from the docks, he knows that, and the time is about right when the GPS tells him he’s arrived. The boat bobs gently as he cuts the engine and starts collecting together his gear.

The sea is grey and opaque, and he stares down into it for a moment. Some days it’s almost clear enough to see down to the wreck, but not today. Today he can see barely ten feet.

It’s alright, though. He doesn’t need to see.

It starts raining as he’s pulling on his gear, and he shoves the bag with his dry clothes under a seat. The rain isn’t heavy, just pattering quietly on the surface of the sea, and for a moment he stops to listen. It’s comforting.

He didn’t come all the way out here to listen to the rain, though. He checks his gear twice, just to be sure, and then tips back off the edge of the boat.

The first few seconds of being underwater are always his favourite. The cool water pressing in around him makes him feel safe.

His weights start pulling him down immediately, towards the wreck nearly two hundred feet below him, and it’s not long before the surface is completely out of sight and he’s surrounded by dark water on all sides.

He has a flashlight, but it’s not much use here. He could see a few more fish, maybe, but the fish come up to him anyway, curious. They’re only small, nothing big around here, and they scatter when he reaches towards them. He laughs softly, waving his hand back and forth and watching them flee.

He pauses to check his equipment at fifty feet and a hundred feet, but everything’s fine. Better than fine, really, though he fumbles with pressure gauge and nearly drops it. It’s fine, though, everything’s attached to him, so he couldn’t lose it anyway.

He doesn’t bother at a hundred and fifty feet. He’s nearly there and everything’s going so well that he doesn’t think he even needs to.

It’s not long before the wreck is in sight, a huge, hulking shadow looming out of the darkness. He watches it get bigger until he’s standing on the deck, looking around at the rusted metal jutting out of the dark. He’s been here before, several times, but looking around at the ship he can’t remember the route he used to get in. The first door he tries is rusted shut and won’t budge, as is the second, so he drifts over the edge of the ship, looking for a hole big enough to get in.

There is one, the edges sharp and ragged, and he drifts through it and into the belly of the ship.

It’s a big place, the metal walls covered in algae, and small fish dart out of his way if he disturbs anything.

It’s still too murky to see far, and after a few minutes of wandering aimlessly, squinting to see, he remembers his torch and fumbles with it, trying to switch it on. He’s struggling with the switch, though he never usually struggles, but his gloves seem to be getting in the way and he drops the torch to take them off, forgetting that the strap isn’t around his wrist. The torch sinks slowly, disappearing into a tear in the metal of the ship’s floor. Alexei watches it disappear, almost confused, and then realises he needs that.

The hole isn’t big enough to fit him, so he reaches into it, hoping his torch hasn’t fallen far. The metal is sharper than he expects, and after a moment of trying to find it he feels a rush of cold water against his bare skin and tears his arm out of the hole, confused.

His wetsuit’s torn all down the arm, blood oozing from a shallow cut and being carried away by the water, but he can’t feel it, so it can’t be that bad.

It’s cold, though, without the protection of his wetsuit. The water drifts in and out of the tear, cold against his skin, and he shivers, trying to hold the rip closed. It doesn’t work, of course, and he can’t swim like that anyway, so he lets it go and resigns himself to being cold.

The cut on his arm is still bleeding, but he isn’t worried about it. It doesn’t hurt, and there are no sharks around here anyway. He’s unlikely to get eaten.

His torch is probably a lost cause, but it’s fine. He should probably start heading up soon, as soon as he’s found his way out of the ship.

He has time, though. It’s not a pressing matter.

The ship creaks as he moves through it, swaying a little in the currents around it. It’s at an odd angle, and it’s a little disorientating to manoeuvre through. More than once Alexei manages to swim into the walls of the ship, or a doorframe he’s trying to get through. He’s not moving fast enough for it to really hurt, though, just drifting aimlessly through the dark water.

He’s just started looking for a way out in earnest when he hears someone call his name and hesitates, looking around. No one came down here with him, and he didn’t think anyone had planned to dive here today.

The sound comes again, but he shouldn’t be able to hear anything, not underwater like this. Even if there is someone down here, how would they be speaking?

He checks his radio, but it’s silent, the light off. It wouldn’t work this far down anyway and he drops it, forgetting the strap isn’t around his wrist.

Whoever it is calls again and he forgets about the radio drifting towards the ground, trying to head towards them. Sound carries strangely underwater, but it sounds clear enough.

It sounds like his father.

“Hello?” he calls, or tries to, but his voice is lost in a rush of bubbles.

They call out again, more urgently this time, and he kicks his feet, trying to move faster through the wreck. He doesn’t know why, but he needs to find them.

And find them he does.

He’s seen bodies underwater before. The way they drift back and forth, buffeted by the currents and staring unnaturally.

That doesn’t make it any easier though, not this time.

It’s his father. He doesn’t know how; his father has been dead for years, but somehow…

“Alexei.”

Alexei sobs. It’s lost in a rush of bubbles past his head.

His father smiles, and it looks so wrong.

“It’s okay,” he says, and reaches out, towards Alexei. It should be comforting, but it’s not. “Come here.”

Alexei hesitates, not sure what to do. He wants to reach out, misses his father so badly it hurts, but this … this isn’t right.

“I don’t…” he starts, and then stops. He can barely speak through the regulator, and he reaches up to pull at it. It’s tight, and his fingers faulter with the straps.

“Alexei,” his father says, with more urgency, and Alexei gives up trying to take it of carefully, tearing it away from his face hard enough that the tube snaps. His remaining air disappears in seconds, and without the added buoyancy he sinks towards the floor of the ship.

“Alexei,” his father says again, and Alexei finally reaches towards him, not caring about much else.

His father smiles once more, and Alexei just manages to brush his fingers before he disappears, melting into water.

“No!” Alexei cries, and suddenly he’s choking, lungs filling with water.

It’s at this point, of course, a little too late, that his mind catches up to what’s going on.

He’s fucked up. He’s fucked up, and he’s going to die.

He’s not as upset about it as he should be. Lux will miss him, he knows that, but there are worse ways to die.

Maybe if he’s lucky they’ll even find his body.

His lungs are already burning, and his vision is beginning to blur and fade.

It’s going to be over soon. It’s going to be over soon.

Except … it isn’t.

It’s dark, when he wakes up, and he aches all over, but he’s alive. He feels alive, at least. Not that he really knows what that should feel like.

He feels around for his torch, but he dropped it back in the ship, and so he has no chance of looking around. The floor is damp, though, cold stone, and it feels like an underwater cave.

How did he get here? He doesn’t remember any cave systems around the ship, and it would have taken a miracle for him to somehow make it here himself, but who else could have dragged him into a cave like this, especially as they would have had hardly any time before he drowned.

Things are starting to come back to him, and he’s starting to realise how stupid he was. He can recognise the symptoms of nitrogen narcosis, though he’s never had to actually experience it before.

He kind of understands why you’re not supposed to dive alone, now. He hadn’t done anything wrong, it had just been … bad luck.

He should be dead, really. He doesn’t understand why he’s not.

He’s been sitting there for a few minutes, anxious, when he hears something moving about in the darkness. He reaches for his knife this time again, which he doesn’t remember dropping, but that’s gone too.

It goes silent again as soon as he moves, and he exhales slowly, nervous.

Nothing happens for a moment, and then the sound comes again, slower this time.

“Hello?” he calls, squinting into the darkness as if he has any chance of seeing what’s going on.

There’s a long silence, and then…

“You’re awake.”

Alexei exhales slowly. So it’s a person. That’s good, at least.

“Seems that way.”

“Good,” the person says, after a pause. “I thought maybe you were dead.”

Alexei huffs a faint laugh. “I nearly was. I guess I have you to thank for that?”

“I guess so,” they say. They sound kind of nervous. “I’m glad I could help.”

Alexei nods, though he knows they can’t see him. “Where … am I? Did you take my knife?”

“A cave,” the person tells him. “And … yeah.”

“Why?”

“I didn’t want you hurting yourself. Or me.”

That’s fair, Alexei supposes. He was somewhat manic earlier, and he could have lashed out.

“Fine. How deep are we?”

“How deep?”

“Yeah. How many feet?”

“How many…” the person laughs softly. “I don’t know.”

“You don’t know?”

“Sorry.”

Alexei sighs, feeling around for his gauge. It’s still attached to him, thank goodness, but he can’t see it in the darkness. He should’ve gotten one of the ones with the light-up faces.

“I can check my gauge,” he says. “But I don’t have a torch.”

“Oh,” the person says. “You can’t see.”

“No,” Alexei says, a little confused. “Can you?”

The person doesn’t answer. “I’ll get you a light,” they tell him, and he hears a quiet splash.

“Okay,” he says, although he thinks they’re gone.

They’re back a few minutes later, and he hears the faint clink of metal on stone.

“There,” they say, and something touches his leg.

He picks it up, cautious, and finds that it’s a torch. Not his, it’s heavier than his, an older model, he thinks, but when he pushes the switch it still lights up, though it’s dim.

He checks his depth gauge before anything else, and finds that he’s nearly two hundred and fifty feet down. Nearly sixty feet lower than he’d been in the ship.

How did he get here? He’s sure he didn’t sink that far in his narcosis induced haze. He’d still been in the wreck when he lost his oxygen.

He sighs, turning the torch towards the person on the other side of the cave.

It’s hard to make them out properly in the dim light, but they’re not quite what he expected. They’re still half in the water, just their head and shoulders visible above the dark water, but they’re definitely no one he knows, no one he even recognises from the dive school.

They’re not wearing any kind of gear, as far as he can tell, not even a wetsuit, and that … that’s stupider than what he was doing. It’s not safe to free-dive around here, especially not at this time of year, and especially not if you’re going to be exploring.

“How did you get down here?” he asks, kind of amazed.

They shrug, as though it doesn’t matter. “I live not far from here.”

“I mean … how did you get this far down with no equipment?”

He’d hoped they’d have something, perhaps a spare regulator, because he’s no free-diver and he won’t make it to the surface from here without something.

They laugh a little, surprised. “Why would I need equipment?”

“So you don’t drown?”

They laugh again. “I won’t.”

Alexei shakes his head, rubbing his hand over his face. “It’s your funeral, I suppose.”

“You’re the one who nearly died.”

“I guess,” Alexei says, though he’s not convinced. “Thanks, by the way.”

They smile. “You’re welcome.”

“I’m Alexei.”

They smile again, a little brighter. “I’m Freddie. Hi.”

“Hi,” Alexei echoes. “You planning on getting out of the water?”

Freddie shrugs. “Not really. It’s comfortable.”

“It’s freezing.”

“To you, maybe.”

Alexei sighs, looking up for a moment at the roof of the cave. “I don’t understand you.”

“I don’t understand you either. Why did you pull the mask off your suit?”

“Nitrogen narcosis,” Alexei admits. “I wasn’t thinking straight.”

“What’s that?”

“What’s…” Alexei trails off, confused. It would take an incredibly skilled diver to free-dive this deep, but this guy doesn’t even know what nitrogen narcosis is? “Drunkenness of the deep, you know.”

“I know what drunkenness is.”

Alexei shines the light back at him, watching him squint, and studies him for a moment. He’s got dark skin, hair pulled into a messy bun, and he’s resting his head on his arms, looking sideways at Alexei. Something about him seems … off, but Alexei can’t tell what it is, and he’s starting to suspect that maybe the nitrogen narcosis hasn’t worn off as much as he’d thought it had.

“Can you get out of the water?” he asks, cautious.

Freddie eyes him for a moment and then sits up a little. “Alright. If it’ll make you feel better.”

He pulls himself out of the water with apparent ease, and Alexei shines the torch down his body, not really caring if it’s kind of weird.

The light glints off scales, deep red as far as Alexei can tell, and he switches the torch off, angry with himself.

There’s a silence.

“Are you okay?”

“Go away,” Alexei says, a little petulantly. Telling what’s almost certainly a figment of his imagination to go away probably won’t do any good, but maybe it will make him feel a little better.

“Did I do something wrong?”

That throws him off a little. Freddie sounds … anxious, a little concerned, and real or not Alexei feels a little guilty for snapping at him.

“No, it’s just … I’d rather be alone right now.”

“Oh.”

There’s a long, drawn-out silence. Alexei would like to believe Freddie’s left, but he can still hear breathing, soft and low.

Maybe that’s his own.

He picks the torch up again, cautious, and flicks it on. Freddie’s still sitting in the cave, tail wrapped around his body, and he jumps when the beam hits him.

“I’m sorry,” he says. “I just … can I help?”

Alexei sighs and turns the torch off again. “No.”

“Are you sure?”

Alexei puts the torch down, though he’s careful not to let it roll away, and pulls his knees up to his chest. “Yes.”

“What are you upset about?”

“I’m going to die down here.”

“No,” Freddie says, and he sounds very sure about it. “You’ll be okay.”

Alexei just snorts, not bothering to respond, and hears Freddie sigh.

“You’ll be okay,” he says, again. “I can bring you food, if you need, and…”

“You’re not even real.”

There’s a long silence. Alexei kind of hopes saying it out loud snaps the hallucination, though maybe a hallucination is better than being alone.

“I’m real,” Freddie says. He sounds a little confused.

“Sure,” Alexei says. He’s pretty sure arguing won’t help, and he doesn’t really have the energy.

“I am,” Freddie insists, and Alexei feels him shuffling around in the dark. “I promise.”

“Sure,” Alexei says, again, and hears Freddie sigh.

“Really,” he says, and something cool brushes Alexei’s wrist.

It takes him a moment to realise that Freddie’s touching him, and he snatches his arm away, shuffling away and picking the torch up, shining it in Freddie’s eyes.

He seems almost frozen, hand hovering in mid-air.

“Don’t touch me,” Alexei says, a little too harshly. Real or not, Freddie’s a stranger, and he didn’t ask.

“I’m sorry,” Freddie says, withdrawing his hand.

Alexei shrugs, leaning against the cave wall and leaving the torch on. He doesn’t want to be taken off guard again.

He doesn’t really know what to think, honestly. He doesn’t know if it’s normal to be able to feel a hallucination, but if Freddie’s not a hallucination then…

Well.

“Maybe I should go,” Freddie says, after a few minutes of silence. “I … I can bring you some food, if you want?”

“Alright,” Alexei says, and he thinks he’s kind of relieved.

“Okay,” Freddie says, nodding to himself. “I just, um… what do you eat?”

Alexei thinks about that for a moment. “I don’t suppose you cook your food?”

Freddie shrugs. “I … don’t know?”

“Fine,” Alexei says. “I can eat most fish, just … bring my knife back, please.”

“Okay,” Freddie says, though he sounds a little nervous. “Please don’t use it on me.”

“I won’t,” Alexei tells him, and leans against the wall.

Freddie nods and wriggles over to the entrance to the cave, dropping himself through the hole and disappearing into the dark water.

Alexei keeps the torch trained on the hole for a moment, to make sure he’s actually gone, and then switches it off. He doubts there are any spare batteries around here.

If Freddie comes back, he tells himself, then he’ll have to seriously consider the possibility that he’s actually real, somehow, and not a symptom of the nitrogen narcosis that hasn’t completely worn off.

He’s not sure which outcome he hopes for. If he is real then at least Alexei isn’t alone down here, at least he has a chance of survival, but mermaids being real is kind of a lot to process, really.

Maybe they’re just very good at hiding.

He doesn’t mean to fall asleep, but it’s very dark, and the only sounds are his own breathing and the soft back and forth of the ocean lapping at the mouth of the cave, and they lull him to sleep after a few minutes.

When he wakes it’s to someone calling his name gently, and he sits up. Sleeping on the floor of a cave hasn’t done wonders for his back, and he aches, but he fumbles around for the torch.

Freddie’s back, still half in the water, and he waves when the beam of the torch hits him.

Maybe he is real.

“Hi,” he says, and pulls himself out of the water, offering Alexei his diving knife and a dead fish.

“Thanks,” he mumbles, taking them both. The fish is a large salmon, and he spends a minute trying to set up the torch so he can gut it.

Freddie’s watching him, but he tries to ignore him, carefully descaling and gutting the fish, leaving the offcuts in a small pile.

The knife isn’t ideal for the job, and he makes a bit of a mess, but food is food, even if he has to eat it raw in a cave in the dark. At least he won’t starve.

Water is probably going to be more of an issue, but he doesn’t ask about that right now.

“Can I have those bits?” Freddie asks, pointing at the pile of offcuts, and Alexei nods, curious.

He drops the scales and bones out of the cave and eats the guts, humming to himself, and Alexei huffs a faint laugh, chopping his part up into neat slices, or as neat as he can manage with the knife he has.

“Why don’t you eat those bits?” Freddie asks, when he’s finished and watching Alexei eat.

“Taste bad,” Alexei tells him.

Freddie wrinkles his nose. “That’s not true. They’re good.”

“If you say so,” Alexei says, a little amused. “I don’t like them, though.”

“Weird,” Freddie says, thoughtful. “There were a lot of people in the ship, just now.”

Alexei frowns. “The ship you found me in?”

Freddie nods. “They were collecting your stuff, I think.”

“Right,” Alexei says. They must be friends of his, who’ve realised he never went home and come looking.

He must have been here longer than he’d thought.

“Yeah,” Freddie says. “They were upset, I think.”

“They must think I’m dead,” Alexei says, and buries his head in his hands.

Poor Lux. He wants to find her, tell her he’s okay, but he would never survive leaving the cave without equipment.

“Are you okay?” Freddie asks, quiet, and Alexei glances up at him. He reaches out and then pulls his hand back, apparently remembering how Alexei reacted last time.

“I need to get home,” Alexei says, although he has no idea how. “My friends will miss me.”

“Oh,” Freddie says, and he sounds almost disappointed.

“Was Lux there?” he asks. “She’s … tall, white hair?”

Freddie considers for a moment. “I think so.”

Alexei nods. She doesn’t dive very often, but she would’ve come down if they thought he was in trouble.

He’s glad he didn’t die there. He would hate for her to find his body.

“How will you get back?” Freddie asks.

“I don’t know,” Alexei admits.

Freddie considers for a moment, opening his mouth as though to say something, and then apparently changes his mind. “Oh,” he says, finally. “Okay.”

Alexei closes his eyes, painfully close to tears, though it’s stupid. He’s lucky to be alive.

“Do you know if there’s fresh water around here?” he asks, just kind of hoping that Freddie will leave.

“Yeah,” Freddie says. “Why?”

“To drink?”

“I can probably get you some,” Freddie says, although Alexei can tell he doesn’t get it.

“Please,” Alexei says, and he nods, slipping back into the water.

Alexei turns the torch off and puts a hand over his mouth, trying to silence himself, though there’s not one to hear him.

He can’t help crying, really. He misses the triplets and his friends from the dive school, and he just wants to go home. He can’t live down here.

He doesn’t know how long Freddie will be gone, and he stifles the tears as soon as he can, taking deep, shaky breaths. He’s going to be okay. He has to be.

Freddie comes back a while later with what looks like a bucket, though an odd one, full of water.

“Here,” he says, and offers it to Alexei.

It’s fresh, despite being carried through the salt water, and that’s kind of impressive, honestly.

Alexei drinks a little of it and then puts it aside, careful not to spill it.

“Why do you need fresh water?” Freddie asks, curious, and Alexei shrugs.

“Humans need water to survive.”

“But there’s salt water everywhere. Is that not good enough?”

Alexei shakes his head. “If I drank too much of that I’d go crazy and then die.”

“Weird,” Freddie says, thoughtfully. “Humans seem kind of fragile. No offence.”

Alexei shrugs. “I guess so,” he says. “We’re pretty hardy in some situations, though.”

“Like what?”

Alexei doesn’t really want to sit here talking, but it’s not like he has much else to do, and Freddie’s so curious. It’s kind of sweet.

“Sometimes people survive huge falls,” he says, humouring him. “And there’s this thing called hysterical strength, that helps people do crazy stuff like lift cars in emergencies.”

Freddie considers that. He looks a little sceptical, and honestly Alexei doesn’t blame him. “Really?”

“Yeah,” Alexei says. “It’s pretty cool.”

“Can you do that?”

“I assume I would, in the right situation. Never happened, though.”

“Huh,” Freddie says. His tail is twitching, just a little, where it’s laying on the stone, and Alexei wonders if it’s just a nervous tic. “That is pretty cool.”

“Have you talked to humans before?” Alexei asks, and Freddie shakes his head.

“No. We’re not … really allowed. Kind of dangerous, you know?”

Alexei nods, a faint smile pulling at his lips. “Makes sense. Humans can be kind of … shoot first, ask questions later.”

“Yeah,” Freddie says. “I probably shouldn’t have rescued you, honestly, but it felt unfair to let you die.”

“Thanks,” Alexei says, kind of touched. “I appreciate it.”

Freddie’s really nice, honestly. It takes a few days for it to really sink in that he is real, but Alexei knows well enough that the nitrogen narcosis has worn off by now, and anyway, he thinks he actually likes Freddie.

He’s very chatty, full of questions, and Alexei tells him about his life, about Cas and Lux and Gem and his friends from the dive school, about life on land. Freddie tells him things in return, about his friends and the city he grew up in, and it’s honestly fascinating.

It’s nice enough, living in the little cave, but Alexei’s still pining to go home. He likes Freddie, really he does, but he misses the sun, and he misses his friends, and he just wants to go home.

Freddie doesn’t want him to leave. He never says it outright, but Alexei can tell from the way he reacts when he talks about.

He kind of gets it, that Freddie likes him around, but he can’t help it, and he just wants to see Lux again.

Freddie must realise eventually that he’s unhappy, because he asks one day.

“Do you really want to go home?”

Alexei glances up at him. “Yeah.”

Freddie sighs, tail flicking back and forth in the water. “Is it … because of me?”

“No,” Alexei says, rolling the torch back and forth across the ground. “You’ve been really kind to me, but I just … miss it.”

“I’m sorry,” Freddie says. “I could … I could take you home?”

Alexei stares at him for a minute. “You could?”

Freddie nods, biting at his bottom lip.

“Could you have done that this whole time?”

“I … kind of,” Freddie says, not looking directly at him. “But I … didn’t think you’d like it.”

Alexei exhales slowly. “Why not?”

“It’s kind of … invasive?”

“What do you mean?” Alexei asks, cautious. He wants to get out of here, but he’s not sure how far he’d go.

Freddie glances up at him for a moment. He looks almost shy. “I … breathe out the kind of air you need, you see? I could get you back to shore.”

Alexei thinks about that for a moment, letting it sink in. He thinks he could deal with that. He trusts Freddie.

“Is that what you did to get me here?” he asks, and Freddie nods.

It’s like … CPR, kind of. He’s done a couple of first aid courses, he’s fine with CPR.

“Okay,” he says, and exhales. “Okay.”

“Okay,” Freddie echoes. “You’d, um. You’d have to let me touch you.”

Because they haven’t. Not since Alexei pushed him off and said don’t touch me, because Freddie’s good like that. He hasn’t pressed.

“That’s fine,” Alexei says. “I don’t … mind being touched, exactly. I just don’t like it when it’s without warning.”

“Okay,” Freddie says, nodding, and Alexei can see him thinking about asking, but he doesn’t. Not now.

“When can we go?” Alexei asks, after a moment’s silence, and Freddie shrugs.

“We should go at night.”

“Okay,” Alexei says. “When is that?”

“Soon,” Freddie tells him, and he nods.

“Just … tell me when, I guess. I can’t really go anywhere.”

“Yeah,” Freddie says. “I should … go tell someone where I’m going. I’ll be back soon.”

“Okay,” Alexei says, and watches him disappear out of the cave.

It’s a while before he comes back, and Alexei is half asleep when he hears the familiar splash and feels around for the torch.

“Hi,” Freddie says, waving a little when he switches it on.

“Hi,” Alexei tells him. “Are we going?”

“Yeah,” Freddie says, a little sadly. “It probably won’t take too long.”

Alexei nods, casting around for his mask and pulling it on, then standing up and walking over to sit by the edge of the cave. Freddie hesitates for a moment and then offers him a hand, cautious.

Alexei gives him a tiny smile and takes his hand. His skin is cool, kind of damp, and he smiles back, squeezing Alexei’s hand gently.

“Come on,” he says, and pulls Alexei out of the cave and into the ocean.

It’s just a good as ever, and Alexei closes his eyes for a moment as Freddie starts towing him. He’s surprisingly strong, stronger than he looks, and Alexei opens his eyes again just to watch him moving, fascinated.

They swim for a few minutes and then Freddie stops, waving his tail lazily back and forth to keep them in place. Alexei thinks he says something, inaudible through the water, and then he cautiously leans in to press their lips together.

It is kind of like a kiss, no matter what Alexei tries to tell himself, though it’s not like he’s ever kissed anyone but Lux. Still, it means he can breathe.

He thinks he probably wouldn’t mind kissing Freddie even if not for the oxygen.

They can only move for a few minutes at a time before Alexei’s lungs start to burn, but they cover a surprising amount of distance in that time. Alexei barely has to do any work at all.

It’s only about half an hour before the ground beneath them starts sloping upwards towards the surface, and maybe five minutes from there before they break the surface and Alexei gets his first breath of fresh air in weeks. It’s dark, the moon casting a little light over the waves, and the beach is abandoned.

He can see the dock from here, easily close enough to swim to.

“I guess this is it,” Freddie says, and Alexei turns to face him. He hasn’t let go of Alexei yet, but he doesn’t mind so much.

“Yeah,” he says. “Thank you for looking after me.”

“It’s okay,” Freddie says, earnest. “I’d do it again.”

“I hope you don’t have to.”

Freddie smiles a little. “Yeah. Me too. Still, I’d like to see you again?”

“I’ll visit,” Alexei offers, and Freddie smiles.

“I can come up to the dock, if you’d like.”

Alexei nods. “I work there,” he says, “I’ll be there most days.”

“Okay,” Freddie says, pulling him a little closer to press their foreheads together. “I’ll see you then.”

“See you,” Alexei says, and Freddie finally lets him go, letting him find his own feet.

It’s only a short swim back to the beach, and he stumbles out onto the sand, looking out at the sea one last time. Freddie is still floating there, and he waves when he sees Alexei looking.

Alexei waves back and then turns towards the road, pulling his mask off and letting it hang around his neck.

It’ll be a miracle if his car is still on the dock and even if it were he left the keys in his boat, so no chance of getting home that way. He’s not sure what the time is, but hopefully the buses are still running, because walking all the way home isn’t an appealing prospect.

It’s not until he’s actually getting on the bus that he realises he has no money, and the driver raises an eyebrow at him.

“I’m sorry,” he says, running a hand over his face. “I’ve had … one hell of a week.”

The driver laughs. “I can see that. Just get on, I’m not making you walk.”

“Thank you,” Alexei says, genuine. “I’ll make it up to you.”

The man just waves a hand and lets Alexei walk into the back.

He doesn’t sit down, not wanting to get salt water on the seats, just stands and clings to the pole as the bus bumps along the country roads.

He’s so tired, and he can’t wait to see Lux again.

It’s about a ten-minute walk from his stope, and he feels dead on his feet when he gets to the peeling yellow front door. The bell’s been broken for years, and he knocks harshly. Someone will still be up, he’s sure.

It’s Gem who opens the door, in their pyjamas, and for a moment they just stare at him.

“Surprise,” he says, and does half-hearted jazz hands at them. “Not dead.”

“Holy shit,” they say, and beckon him in. “Cas!”

“What!” Cas yells, down the stairs. “I’m busy!”

Gem rolls their eyes. “Tell Lux to come down!”

Alexei can imagine the expression Cas is making, but a couple of minutes later Lux jogs down the stairs and Alexei gives her a little wave.

She just stares at him in the same way Gem did, as though she can’t believe he’s here. Not that he blames her, really.

What she signs, finally, and then fuck.

Surprise! Alexei signs, and gives her a tired half-smile. Not dead.

She narrows her eyes and runs over to stand in front of him. Idiot. Hug?

He nods and she wraps her arms around him, soft and familiar. He buries his nose in her shoulder and hugs her back.

What happened? she asks, when she pulls away, and he just shrugs.

Explain later, he offers. Sleep now, please.

She sighs and shakes her head. Shower first. Then bed.

That’s reasonable enough, and he lets her push him into the shower before she disappears, presumably to tell Cas what’s going on.

A shower does him a world of good, washing the salt from his hair after days, but he’s even sleepier by the time he stumbles out and dries himself off.

Cas is waiting for him when he gets out, but he doesn’t ask questions.

“Good to have you back,” is all he says, and then he lets Alexei wander down the hallway to his room and collapse into bed.

He has no idea how he’s going to explain in the morning, but he’ll find a way. For now he just falls asleep, so glad to be home.