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sunnyville36 · 4 years ago

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Mamihlapinatapai {part 5}

I am so excited to share the last part of this story with you. It means so much to me to be able to share my work and have people enjoy it, so thank you to everyone who has read this little fic. Huge shout out to the extremely talented @fizzydrink698 for being an inspiration to my writing and an all-around sweet and supportive human. And the biggest thank you of all to my beta reader, @harry-on-broadway, for being the most encouraging and wonderful friend, without whom I never would have had the confidence to write this, let alone put it out into the world. 💜

Hope you enjoy the finale of Mamihlapinatapai.

Need to catch up? {overview} {part 1} {part 2} {part 3} {part 4}

Pairing: Bang Chan x Female Reader

Themes: royal au, medieval au, court intrigue, arranged marriage, original characters, mutual pining, slow burn

Warnings: smut, emotionally abusive parents, usage of degrading names

Rating: Mature

Word count: 6k

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As Soft As Petals | Kingdom of Gu, present day

It was late into the evening, maybe even so late it was actually early, and you were standing outside the prince’s door, frantically knocking on it.

“Y/n, what’s happened?! Is everything alright?”

You walked straight into the room, not even bothering to wait for Chan to invite you in.

“It’s my mother. I can’t find her anywhere. I assumed she went with a separate wagon party the way she came when we left Lajor, but everyone in the servants’ quarters says they haven’t seen her in hours and I’ve looked everywhere I can think of and - “

“Shh, shh, Y/n calm down, it’s alright,” Chan said, taking your hands in his. You were full on hyperventilating at this point, your body starting to physically shake with worry.

“I-I just… these past few weeks I almost lost you and then we almost went to war and I can’t handle not knowing where she is. I just can’t imagine what I’d do if she - ” your voice caught in your throat, unable to bring yourself to say your worst fear.

“I know, I know, but it’s going to be alright,” Chan soothed. “I’m sure she’s fine and we’ll find her, but you are in no state now to continue looking for her. Why don’t I ask a few of the guards to keep searching the palace grounds, and I’ll send a rider to Lajor to make sure she would have made it back with us?”

You looked up at him. “You would do that?”

“Of course, Y/n, this is your mother we’re talking about. We’ll do everything we need to until you know she’s safe,” he said, guiding you gently with him towards the door, knowing you wouldn’t want to let go of his hand based on the vice-like grip you currently had on it. He leaned his head out into the hallway, calling for one of the guards stationed at the end and relaying what he wanted done to continue the search for your mother. All the while you were watching him with an expression of awe and gratitude. It still surprised you, how he seemed to know exactly what you needed, and even more so that he was willing to do whatever it took to do it for you. He walked you back into the room, taking the both of you to sit on the edge of the bed.

“Thank you,” you breathed out, still catching your breath from your moment of distress.

“You don’t need to thank me,” he said gently, leaning down, his lips ever so slightly grazing the crown of your head.

You felt a shiver run through you.

“Your Highness,” you lifted your head to say something, hoping to avoid talking about what he had just done, but were stopped in your tracks by the look on his face.

“I was actually hoping to see you tonight. I need to tell you something, Y/n. And you might not like what I have to say, but I can’t keep denying it for the rest of my life. These last few weeks have shown me that I can’t take anything for granted, so I intend to stop right now.” He paused and stood up, giving you room to stop him if you wanted, but when you remained silent he took that as permission to keep going.

“I’m in love with you. I think I always have been. I’m in love with the way you hum that same silly tune to yourself when you’re doing chores. How you can read a map of any terrain, how you’re not afraid to correct me when I make a mistake while drilling our sword fighting techniques. I’m in love with the smile you get on your face when you ride through the woods and the way your hair looks when the light shines on it through the trees.”

You were aware your mouth was slightly open, your eyes staring at Chan like a dumbstruck deer, but you couldn’t quite wrap your head around the words he was saying. You’d always known you still had feelings for him, and could only dream he reciprocated those same feelings. But hearing him say all the little things you didn’t even notice about yourself, hearing him say he loved you for those things, your mind was at a loss for what to do.

“I love how you care for our people, how you always have their best interests at heart. How you would be willing to never speak about these feelings I know we both share so as to not jeopardize your ability to serve me, to serve them. But most of all I love that you see me. Not the statesman or the fighter or the ruler, just me.”

You made up your mind then. To hell with the king’s threats, with the questions your mother had asked you about responsibilities and sacrifices. You had been making the greatest sacrifice of all for the last sixteen years, but no more.

You launched yourself at him, his arms wrapping around you immediately and your lips meeting his.

It was somehow exactly like that night five years ago and nothing like it at all. You’d both grown in experience since then, having had other partners over the years. Your lips moved smoother against one another’s, and it was more passionate than it was gentle. But you felt that same feeling of euphoria glowing inside you, knowing that you were here with him and he was here with you and you were both finally admitting to what you’d always felt but never dared to acknowledge. You felt yourself sinking into him, willing to let the tide of his love carry you away if it meant you could stay in this moment forever. Your lips parted from his, Chan titling your head up to look at him.

“I need to hear you say it. I need to know that you love me, too.”

You took his face in your hands, willing your voice to convey how sincere you were.

“I love you Chris. I love the way your hair is always ruffled in the morning and that you sing to yourself when you think no one can hear. I love how you take three cubes of sugar with your tea instead of two. I love your determination to better yourself and your dedication to better your people. I love that you have always treated me as an equal. I love your dimples and your eyes and the way you make me feel safe when my hand is in yours.” You brought your thumb up to wipe away a single tear that was sliding down his cheek, his eyes shining as he listened to your words. “It has always been you, Chris. It will always be you.”

He smiled then, that same blinding smile that had bound you to him from the day you met. He kissed you again, then began moving his lips down the side of your neck, your head tilting back to allow him more skin. His hand reached back and in a few quick motions the laces of your bodice were loose enough for your dress to fall off your shoulders. He kissed downwards over your chest, and your breath hitched as the dress moved lower and lower, eventually dropping to the floor, leaving you almost bare for him.

Your hands came up to thread through his hair as you mocked, “You are entirely too clothed for my liking, Your Highness.”

At that, Chan whipped his shirt over his head, exposing his soft skin and toned abs, then pulled you to him, tone light but face serious. “I never want to have to hear you call me that ever again.”

“Chan,” you laughed, lightly smacking his chest, “what we’re doing right now is staying confined to this room; I’ll still have to call you that in front of everyone else.”

“Fine,” he all but growled, “I will settle for never hearing it in this room. For now.” His lips returned to pressing featherlight kisses to your jaw and found your sweet spot below your ear. A sigh escaped your lips as Chan lifted you up and placed you under him on the bed, your hands roaming over his shoulders and back as he shed the rest of his clothes and removed the final layer separating you from him. You could feel his hardness against your dripping core and you looked down, holding in a moan when you saw how big he was.

“Ah ah ah,” the prince purred, “I don’t want you to hold anything back tonight. I have waited so long to have you like this, and I want to hear every sound that falls from your lips. I want to know how good I make you feel, Y/n.”

Even if you’d wanted to, you couldn't hold back the sinful sound that left you as he brought his mouth to suckle and nip at your breast, his hand reaching down to rub the pads of his first two fingers against your heat. Slowly, he increased the pace and the pressure as he kissed down your body, bringing his head between your thighs. You moaned when you felt his tongue lick a long, languid stripe up your core, then brought your hands to tangle in his hair as he stroked small circles against your sensitive bud. Desperate for him, you pulled his head back up to meet yours, back arching as you whimpered, “Please Chris.”

He lined himself up with your entrance and slowly pushed in, the feeling of him against your walls far better than you’d ever imagined. Being this close to him, feeling his cock reach places inside you you hadn’t known could feel this good, the intimacy was almost overwhelming, so you clung to him, reveling in the feeling of being with the man you loved.

“How did I get so lucky?” Chan was whispering, praises falling from his lips. “Fuck Y/n, you’re so beautiful, an angel, my perfect girl. Taking me so well, like you were made for me.”

“I was,” you breathed out, “all of me is yours Chris, only yours.”

His thrusts increased then, both of you teetering on the edge of your highs. You captured his lips in another burning kiss, sealing your love as the ecstasy coursed through you both. You laid there for a few moments, relishing the weight of his body on yours and the quiet sound of his heartbeat. Then Chan rose and fetched a cloth to clean you both, your body already starting to succumb to the pleasant exhaustion.

When he returned to the bed you heard his voice whisper one last I love you before you drifted off in his arms.

Runaway | Kingdom of Miroh, 28 years ago

The girl had been running for two days.

She’d prepared her knights and her attendant, told them the story she’d fabricated for them to repeat, and paid them handsomely for the trouble she was surely causing them. Her parents would be frantic, but eventually they would mourn her and move on. The kingdom would survive without her; in fact, it had to, because she knew nothing would ever make her return, force her to take on a responsibility she never asked for nor wanted.

Only five more miles to the border, she thought. Then I can start over, be whoever I want to be.

By the time she reached the marker for Gu, she could barely stay upright, having taken as little rations with her as she dared. She wandered across, hoping some small border town would be close by where she could eat, maybe get some rest. After another few miles some buildings started to pop up, small cottages and what looked like a market and an inn. The girl squinted at the prices on the inn’s sign, trying to remember the conversion rate of the currency she’d brought with her.

“Hey! I saw you come in to town; you look a little lost. Can I help you find anything?”

The girl realized the voice was talking to her, and turned to see a boy about her age, maybe seventeen, tall with shaggy brown hair, looking at her curiously.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to startle you,” the boy said. “It’s just… you seem to be having a little trouble reading the sign and I-I’m uhh... pretty good with numbers; I could help you, if you’d like?”

“Oh umm… yes… p-please… thank you.”

The boy walked closer, the girl showing him the money she had so he could count out the equivalent of the price. “So, is your family visiting from Miroh?”

The girl balked at his perceptiveness. Despite all her planning, she hadn’t thought about what she would tell anyone when they asked for her story. She tried to come up with something quickly, stumbling over her words. “Umm no, m-my parents are… they’re uhh… they died.”

“Oh, I-I’m sorry to hear that,” the boy said, looking at her sympathetically, and the girl felt like he really meant it.

“Well, umm, here’s what you’ll need for a night’s stay here,” he continued, handing her back the money. “If you want I can show you a good place to eat that’s close by; you look like you could use a hearty meal.”

Despite knowing him for all of two minutes, the boy seemed trustworthy. And he was right, she could definitely use some nourishment.

“That sounds nice,” she answered.

“Great!” the boy said, stepping down from the inn’s doorstep and walking towards the village center, the girl following. “I’m Minhyuk, by the way. What’s your name?”

“My name’s Julietta.”

Revelations | Kingdom of Gu, present day

You awoke, startling for a moment at the unfamiliar surroundings until you remembered what had happened the previous night. Smiling to yourself, you turned in the sheets, expecting to see Chan laying beside you, but you were met with emptiness on his side of the bed. You frowned, scooting over and feeling the spot still warm from his body.

He must have only just left, you thought.

You glanced over and noticed a small note sitting on his bedside table, letters written in his artful penmanship. You picked it up, eyes running over the words.

Good morning my love. How I wished to have you wake up in my arms, but I’ll only be gone for a few minutes. I’ve gone to speak with my father about something, and when I return, the whole kingdom will be able to hear my name spoken by your beautiful voice.

A wave of dread washed over your entire body, threatening to pin you to the spot where you sat.

Chan knew his father could be cold, knew he was a callous man who cared for little more than his own self-interest and what he deemed acceptable. But you knew he’d always believed maybe he could change the king, could open his heart to the same degree Chan and his mother had shared. You, however, never saw the man through such rose-colored glasses, having been the recipient of his threats and intimidation too many times to believe he could be redeemed. And your beloved prince was about to find out the true depths of his father’s loathing towards the relationship you shared.

You sprung into action, body moving without thinking as you dressed in last night’s clothes and ran from his chambers, heading to the throne room. Maybe you could reach him in time, spare him the pain of hearing his father’s rejection. You’d have to convince him you didn’t want to bring your relationship public, and he’d be hurt, devastated, but it would be nothing compared to the anguish of what he was about to bring on himself. Or the punishment he was about to unknowingly inflict on you.

Chan was nowhere to be seen in any of the hallways leading to the throne room. Your feet moved faster, desperately trying to prevent what was about to happen. But when you burst through the thick oak doors, you saw Chan kneeling at his father’s feet. Both men looked up to face you, Chan’s expression one of blissful optimism, his father’s one of knowing anticipation.

You were too late.

“Hello, Y/n,” the king said darkly, mouth morphing into a sneer. “You already know what he’s asked me, don’t you?”

“Your Majesty… please...”

You shuddered at the sound of your own voice, tone betraying your agony, your fear.

“You never told him, did you?” he questioned, the trace of pity in his voice making you all the more uneasy.

“How could I?” you sighed.

The king nodded contentedly, then motioned for the guards on either side of you. You felt their hands capture your arms, body going all but slack in their hold. You couldn’t find the strength to fight anymore.

Chan had stood up and was now looking frantically between you and his father. “What is the meaning of this?!” he asked, tone laced with bewilderment and shock.

“I’m sorry Chris,” you murmured, heart breaking at the look on his face.

“Christopher,” King Bang said, standing and approaching his son, “do not fear. I will take care of this disobedient whore and then you will be free of her influence. I should have never let her remain for as long as I did, look what it has done to you, my ingenuous boy.”

You felt it, the moment Chan realized what his father was implying. His whole body shifted, backing away from Geun as he spoke, voice void of emotion.

“What did you just say?”

For once the king seemed genuinely surprised, eyebrows raising and voice the tiniest bit unsteady as he answered, “I-I mean, certainly that’s the only reason you would ever come to me with this request. Clearly this woman has convinced you to denounce what I’ve taught you about tradition, about knowing one’s place, through what means I dare not say; but I don’t blame you Chris, this is my fault.”

Chan stopped moving then, having almost reached your side. His face contorted into an expression of dismay, of grief, as he shouted.

“Are you really so ignorant, so far removed from reality, that you think my actions are a sign of disloyalty?! Of neglecting my responsibilities?! Because they are nothing of the sort. And even if they were, Y/n would not be responsible for convincing me to do anything. Your outdated principles and misguided sense of your own virtuosity could have done that on their own! You were blind to a plot happening in your own palace because of your desire to have me bend to your will, but I won’t let you do it anymore.”

He turned, ordering the guards, “Release her, now!”

“You will do no such thing,” the king’s enraged voice rang out. “Christopher, you will never get my permission for this.”

He turned back to Geun, eyes furious but voice calm.

“I was not asking, father. I will marry her. And I am not betraying you, or our kingdom, or our traditions. And I’m not doing it because she seduced me. I’m doing this because I love her. Because she supports me, and cares for me, and knows our people intimately, probably better than I do. And because, for my whole life, she has been the only person besides Mother who has ever truly loved me for who I am. So you’ll have to throw me in prison too if you intend to stop me, because I refuse to be here without her.”

“No!” you yelled, straining against your captors, energy rushing back to your body at his words. “No, Chris please, you have to let me go! I’m so grateful we had last night; it was the best night of my life and always will be. I knew the consequences I might face, and getting to tell you how much I love you was worth every one, but you were never supposed to suffer because of me. I can’t let you do this.”

Your pleas were interrupted by a herald entering the room.

“Your Majesty - “

‘WHAT?!” King Bang whirled on him, outrage blatantly evident on his face.

While the king was distracted, Chan shoved the guards away from you and took your shaking form into his arms, cradling your head against his chest. “Y/n, you’ve protected me and sacrificed for me my entire life. Let me be the one who takes care of you now.”

His whispers stopped when you heard the announcement of the herald.

“His Majesty King Peter Soleil of Miroh is here with his wife, Queen Margaery, as well as one of our palace servants, Julietta, Your Majesty. They are insisting on an audience with you.”

“Your mother?” Chan questioned, meeting your equally confused face with his own.

The king glanced to where the pair of you stood, rolling his eyes obnoxiously. “Fine, bring them in. Let these two have their last embrace before I rid us of her presence.”

The herald opened the doors, and there stood your mother, dressed in a beautiful gown you could tell was made for royalty. She entered, followed closely by the king and queen of Miroh. You’d seen them a few times over the years at various palace functions. They seemed like steadfast and benevolent leaders, reflected in their small kingdom’s reputation for nonviolence and generosity. In fact, the only turmoil you could remember them being involved in was the disappearance of the crown princess, several years before you were even born. Not much was known about the circumstances of the disappearance, but it was said the king and queen had never given up hope of finding her.

They came to a stop in the middle of the room, the sovereigns flanking your mother. Looking at the three of them, you couldn’t deny the resemblance of your mother to the elder two people, and a memory stirred in the back of your mind.

“King Peter, Queen Margaery,” King Bang addressed them tersely, “I would say I am pleased to see you but I am at this moment engaged in a personal matter and would like very much to return to it. If you could please explain why you have one of my palace servants here with you playing dress up, I would appreciate your cooperation.”

“Certainly,” came King Soleil’s placid reply. “We are here on a personal matter as well, one that Julietta, and indeed Y/n, are involved in.”

Chan’s arms tensed around you, preparing to defend you against any allegation, any harm or threat or danger to your wellbeing. But, as had happened once before in that very room, no one was prepared for what the Mirohan king said.

“You see, Julietta is our daughter. Almost thirty years ago, she left our kingdom, because she felt trapped in a life we had not prepared her for. Her mother and I should have supported her, should have taught her to confide in us, but we were very different people then, and different rulers too. We would have done what you are attempting to do to your son, forced her to betray her own self to mold to our will. However, when she left, we saw how wrong we were, and vowed to do better. Now, Julietta has come back into our lives for the sake of her daughter, our granddaughter, Y/n.”

Every set of eyes in the room was trained on you, your own frozen wide in disbelief at what was happening. King Bang seemed to be at a loss for words, having fallen back into his seat on the throne. Your mother left her parents’ side and walked to you, smiling tentatively. Chan reluctantly released his hold on you as she took your hand and brought you to stand with her away from the others.

“My dear, I know how much of a shock this must be to you, and I am sorry, so very truly sorry for never telling you,” she said quietly. “But I was ashamed… When I ran away, I did what I thought I needed to do at the time. Looking back it may have been reckless, irresponsible and selfish even. But most importantly, it had been my choice. And I took that from you, the ability to choose what path you wanted in life. I thought we would be better off away from the life I grew up in, and for a while we were, with your father. But when he died, I was adrift and had no idea what to do and somehow we ended up back in a palace and at the whim of an arrogant king, but this time without even an inkling of the power I once held. I thought about returning with you to my parents then, but how could I be sure you wouldn’t resent me for forcing you into the life I had tried so desperately to escape? I struggled with my choice for years, until eventually I saw that you were happy with your training with the prince, getting to do all the things you used to do with your father that would have been scorned had you been the one in the boy’s position. But then I saw the signs of your feelings for him, your realization of the insurmountable barriers that would prevent you from being together, the way you resigned yourself to unhappiness. I knew I could do something about it, but I had to be sure you were ready to accept the responsibilities that would come with having the ability to be with the man you loved.”

You looked up at her, recalling your conversation at the coronation, and she nodded. “I am sure now. Which is why I went back to Miroh, back to my parents and the position I despised a lifetime ago. Because if I can give you the ability to make this one choice, maybe I can make up for all the other mistakes in my life.”

“Mother... “ you started, wanting to tell her you understood her choices, that you didn’t think they were all a mistake, but were quieted by her hand on your cheek.

“I know you are quick to forgive, just like your father, but let me take responsibility for this.”

You looked back at your grandparents.

“They won’t force you to accept,” Julietta said. “That was my one condition.”

Your head was spinning with the onslaught of new information. Searching the room, your gaze locked with Chan’s, reading the utter adoration in his eyes that you knew mirrored your own. You knew his father would never accept your relationship at your current status. And despite feeling confident you wanted a chance to make an impact as a ruler, you didn’t know everything about what it would mean to take on this responsibility. But there was one thing you were absolutely certain of.

You turned back to your mother, squeezing her hand. “Thank you.”

She led you back to the group, your hand linking with Chan’s as you came to stand beside him and your grandparents.

“We are aware of the young people’s affection for each other…” King Soleil began, but King Bang seemed to have recovered himself enough to realize what the other was about to say.

“That girl will NOT marry my son!”

“Geun,” your grandfather warned, “that girl is my granddaughter, a Mirohan princess. I strongly suggest you watch your tone when you speak about her in front of me, or anywhere for that matter. Now, it was already quite unreasonable to want to prevent your son from marrying a woman he loves, but it would be wholly irrational of you to deny a match for the prince to the heir apparent to the throne of Miroh, wouldn’t you say?”

You stood up straighter, feeling Chan’s hand tighten around yours.

The king was silent for a while, but finally gave an acquiescent sigh. “Very well.”

The two of you smiled but kept your composure, bowing to the king and turning to your grandparents. They pulled you both in for a hug as you thanked them, saying they were eager to get to know their new grandchildren, and your heart skipped a beat at those words. You didn’t hear anything else after that, your focus entirely mesmerized by Chan who was pulling you towards the door, your pace quickening before breaking into a run as you left the castle, heading for the stables. You rounded the building first, then felt him reach around your waist as he gathered you in his arms and spun you around, laughing his brilliant laugh and pulling you close to him as he placed you back on the ground by the pond.

“Does this mean I have to call you “Your Highness” now?” he asked, giggling at your stunned face from the use of the term.

You playfully put your hands up to shove him, but he captured them in his own, kissing your knuckles and bringing your palms to rest on his chest. You could feel his heart beating as you knelt your head to meet his and heard his soft voice ask.

“Y/n, will you marry me?”

You had never been happier to say yes.

Epilogue | Kingdom of Gu, 1 year later

You were standing in front of the mirror, your mother behind you pinning your hair into an extravagant twist when a joking voice came from the door.

“I’m not interrupting anything, am I?” You turned to see the smiling face of the queen of Lajor.

“Korenna!” you exclaimed, dancing happily in place, too afraid to move while your mother continued her styling as your friend came to sit next to you.

“You look stunning, Y/n, truly. Chris is going to lose it when he sees you.”

Chris, your mind echoed lovingly. You’re marrying Chris today.

“And how come I don’t get a hello from my favorite little princess?” you teased.

“Paige is a bit preoccupied practicing her petal tossing abilities with her Uncle Felix,” her sister responded. “She definitely has the upper hand in technique, but I’m not sure who looked cuter in the flower crown.”

“Speaking of flower crowns,” your mother said, turning you to face her, “Chris left this for you.”

You looked down at her hands where she held a sealed letter, on top of which rested a single wildflower.

Your mother saw the tears prick in your eyes and started to gather up her things, motioning to Korenna. “Let’s give Y/n a moment before the ceremony while we - Oh! Your Majesty, my apologies, I didn’t see you there.”

You turned to see King Bang milling awkwardly at the entrance of the room. Putting the gift from Chan down, you ushered your mother and Korenna out then came to sit in front of his father.

The two of you had avoided each other as much as possible over the last year, which hadn’t exactly been hard since you had moved with your mother to Miroh to catch up on all the instruction you’d missed these past twenty-three years. You’d seen him at the Four Kingdom Competition and at various dinners and balls, but Chan always made it a point to keep you as far away from him as possible. You weren’t going to complain about it to your fiance, but you’d almost wished he’d let the two of you talk, tension clearly still lingering between you. And though this visit was unexpected, considering you were going to be family after today, now seemed just as good a time as any.

“What can I do for you, Your Majesty?”

“Actually, Y/n, I-I came here to apologize,” the king said, his voice sounding almost as taken aback as you felt. “I have spent my whole life avoiding saying that phrase, but I realize now you are one of the few people I feel I really must say it to.” He took a deep breath before he continued. “I’m sorry for the death of your father, I’m sorry for my insults and threats over the years, and I’m sorry for trying to keep you and Christopher from being together. I had no right to try to do that, whether you were noble-born or not.” He paused, and you could tell it was getting harder for him to keep his voice steady. “After my wife died… I had this blind rage I felt towards everyone, but especially towards you, and when I finally took the time to analyze it, I realized I had been jealous. Jealous of your skill and your talent, but mostly jealous of my son’s devotion to you. This year has shown me that I was wrong to think his love for you would turn him away from me or his responsibilities; in fact, his happiness at being with you has only strengthened our relationship and made him a more present, more thoughtful ruler. So I came to apologize, and to thank you for bringing the light back to my son’s eyes.”

You were stunned, but grateful, and the king seemed to read that in the expression on your face. “You don’t need to say anything,” he said, standing up and heading for the door, “I just wanted you to know.”

You stopped him before he could leave, placing a hand on his arm. “Thank you.”

He nodded and shut the door, leaving you alone. You turned your attention back to the envelope on the desk and gently opened it, unfolding the paper in one hand and holding the blossom in the other.

Y/n,

Since the beginning, my love for you has grown like the roots of a flower. Even on this day, we are but tiny buds, only just beginning to sprout. I look forward to every day we’ll spend in the garden, tending to our love until we reach full bloom. And just as flowers slowly fade, may we grow old together, enjoying the memories of those sunny days when we used to ride through the meadows we planted. Know that my love for you will remain long after our petals are reclaimed by the earth, my beautiful wildflower.

Yours forever,

Chris

You held back the tears threatening to spill down your cheeks, placed the flower in your hair behind your ear with trembling hands, and walked out to meet your mother standing at the entrance to the courtyard.

She took your arm in hers as you made your way to the aisle. You saw Minho and Felix on the right, both grinning from ear to ear, and Korenna and Paige on the left, the younger’s sparkling dress and tiny braid matching the elder’s. And in the center you saw Chan, looking to be on the verge of tears, but his blinding smile on full display. Your mother walked you to him, your gown glinting in the light of the setting sun. He took your hand in his and held it while the priest recited the hymns and blessed your marriage, pronouncing you husband and wife.

Later, while the celebration was in full swing inside the ballroom, the two of you made your way out to the balcony. He took you into his arms, both of you swaying to the music floating out on the breeze.

“You look breathtaking tonight,” Chan whispered.

“You told me that earlier, Your Highness,” you responded, wiggling your eyebrows at the term he used to hate, recalling the conversation you’d had the first time you shared a dance on the balcony.

“I know,” he said smiling, catching on to your words. “I wanted to tell you again.”

You pulled his lips to yours, kissing him before whispering, “We’re married.”

“I know that too,” he responded, the two of you giggling and bringing your foreheads together. He reached up to tuck your hair that had come loose behind your ear, revealing the flower, and you let the feeling of peace wash over you, knowing you had a lifetime together.

“I love you, Chris.”

“I love you too, Y/n.”

{end}

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fromthedeskofelizabeththird · 4 years ago

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Habanero

You're a good girl, well behaved.

Absolutely not the type to rail random guys in nightclubs.

Until you are.

Fandom: BNHA

Pairing: Aizawa x Reader, eventual polyamorous Erasermic x Reader

Rating: Gen

Trigger Warnings: None in this chapter except for like, the word orgasm

AO3: Here | Want to support me? I have a Kofi

Chapter: 8/16 (all chapters)

The sports festival was over before you knew it. You left the school grounds on a high, proud of being even slightly involved in such an impressive event.

You knew that the next few days were going to be frantic, so made a point to stop off at the store to pick up some last minute groceries while you had the chance to do so. They were having a sale on seasonal produce and you ended up buying more than you meant to, struggling under the weight of your numerous bags as you arrived at your house.

You lifted your bags to reach for your keys, only to catch your ankle on something and fall face first onto your own doorstep, vegetables flying everywhere in your wake. Somehow you avoided smashing your face against the concrete and escaped with only minor grazes on your knees and palms. You rolled over onto your back with a hiss of pain, wondering what the hell you’d tripped over.

You got your answer soon enough, though you didn’t like it. Shouta was sitting on the ground beside you, pointedly looking away. You realised in horror that you had almost certainly flashed your underwear on the way down. Heck, you were flashing him then.

“Oops,” you said, quickly rearranging yourself and clapping a hand in your lap for good measure. “Were you...waiting for me?”

It was a stupid question and you knew it. Why else would he be sitting at your door?

He’d got the food containers that you’d given him in his lap and you felt more than a passing pang of joy at the knowledge that he must have eaten everything you had made for him, even if you were still more than a little miffed that he’d gone back to work without rest.

“Come on in,” you said, getting up to gather the vegetables you’d dropped everywhere. Thankfully you hadn’t bought anything particularly fragile. “I’ll make some-

He reached out to take the bags from you and you glanced from his casts to his blank expression and back again. He wanted to help, that much was clear, but there was no way you were going to push all of your groceries into his injured arms. Instead you lifted a single bright red tomato from your bag and set it down on top of the food containers he already had.

He was far from impressed by the gesture, but said little of it as he followed you into your home. You headed to the sink to wash your hands and hissed with pain when the water hit your grazes.

“What is it?”

Shouta peered over your shoulder, standing so close that you could feel his breath against the back of your neck. It was more than a little distracting, all things considered.

“You really are an idiot,” he sighed.

For a second, and only one, you agreed with him.

“Wait. Me?? I’m the idiot?! Why were you sitting at my door in the first place?”

“You should pay more attention to your surroundings.”

“And you shouldn’t sit in such a prime tripping position,” you said. “I could have broken my nose!”

You turned towards him, ready to make a comment about how he was exactly like a cat, running between your legs and trying to trip you over onto your ass, but you fell silent at the realisation that you were at kissing level.

“Oh,” you said. “Hello.”

He glanced at your lips, however briefly.

“Sorry,” he said. “I came to talk about...I came to talk about 1-A.”

“Okay,” you said, “um...where would you like to start?”

He stood there, eying you from head to toe as if you were a battle scene and he needed to devise a strategy. You might not have known it, but in many respects you were.

“I didn’t come to talk about 1-A.”

“No.”

Truth be told, you already knew. You had both dreaded and looked forward to this moment; the discussion about the kiss. You were both adults and couldn’t dance around the topic forever, no matter how much you might have wanted to.

“I’m sorry,” you said. “I took advantage of you and I shouldn’t have, I-”

“Stop it with that. If I didn’t want to kiss you, I wouldn’t have.”

He was so close...so warm. He was close enough to touch and you couldn’t distract yourself from it. The students weren’t the only ones you hoped your feelings reached. You wanted him to know how much you had feared for him the day of the accident; the feelings deep within you that you didn’t want to leave behind.

You didn’t want him to leave you behind.

“I…”

“Hizashi,” he said.

It was perhaps the last thing you expected him to say and you weren’t sure how to respond.

“Uh...I’m (Name).”

He laughed at that under his breath, so quietly that you wouldn’t have noticed if he wasn’t standing so extraordinarily close.

“Fried chicken,” he continued, and you couldn’t help but wonder if he was having a stroke. “Black nail polish, green candies.”

“Shouta…”

You planted a hand on his forehead to feel his temperature, wondering if you should call an ambulance. Maybe it wasn’t only his orbital cavity that had been damaged.

“Purple socks, studded leather, zombie movies, horror games, candles that smell like desserts, cheap sunglasses, expensive shampoo, eighties rock and dubstep mashups, light beer…” he skimmed your hairline. “(HC) hair.”

“Shouta, what are you…”

He took a step back and crossed his arms as much as one could with two casts.

“Those are the things Mic likes,” he said, as politely as if you were strangers. “Bear them in mind.”

“Uh...okay,” you said, wondering if his birthday was coming up. “I will.”

Shouta nodded and you couldn’t help but wonder. If it was just Hizashi’s birthday, why did he look so sad?

“I’m rooting for you,” he said, giving you a polite bow.

You stared at your front door for a long time after he left, going over everything he had said. You couldn’t understand why he had looked so upset, however briefly.

What had any of it got to do with Hizashi? Why did it matter if you knew the kind of movies he liked?

Why would he-

Realisation hit you like an ice cold bath as you considered recent events: Hizashi’s immediate invitation for beers the day that you met; his insistence that you called him by his first name within a matter of hours of meeting. Hizashi, who seemed incapable of going a single conversation without calling you ‘cute’. Hizashi, who nudged you with his elbow the last time you had recorded Support Mic and told you with a wink that the walls were soundproof.

You moved towards your cupboards and began to pack your groceries away, too many thoughts circling your mind for you to settle on a single one.

This was, to say the least, an interesting development.

~~~~~~

Aizawa Shouta had suffered many misfortunes in his life. He had lost friends, family and students alike, had slept in the cold with nothing but a cigarette for dinner.

He had almost always accepted his misfortunes with grace; it was easier to dodge punches when you saw them coming.

Even so, he left your home slowly, thinking of Shinohara.

Hizashi and Nemuri had him wrong; since high school, they had believed he was oblivious to her advances and discarded her love notes by mistake. As a matter of fact, he had done so deliberately.

What was it you had said the night of the reset? That you had never done such a thing before and didn’t know what came next?

Shouta knew as much about relationships as you did casual flings.

He had read each one of Shinohara’s notes. He had seen the way she behaved like a deer in headlights and concluded that he didn’t understand any of it. She spoke of him in such abstract and illogical terms that he wondered if she knew him at all.

It was easier to believe she didn’t. When she spoke of kind eyes and wisdom, she meant someone else. She offered up a piece of her heart with every letter and he was doing her a favour by not taking them. That person she liked didn’t exist.

Casual lovers didn’t expect anything from him other than an orgasm, which was easy enough to provide with practise. Longer term partners, though, that was something else entirely. He didn’t know the first thing about being someone’s boyfriend, but he did know that Hizashi would make the perfect one. In the long run, you would be better off with him.

It was easier to dodge punches when you saw them coming; easier to avoid disappointments when you didn’t hope for things in the first place.

Even so, he caught himself thinking back to the day of the reset.

You chased after him then and, if he was completely honest, he wanted you to now.

~~~~

While you cooked dinner and Shouta returned home, Hizashi sat at the bar in Ego , sipping at his drink with a depressed expression that completely contrasted the upbeat music playing over the speakers.

He had gone to Ego straight from work, meaning to ask about the mystery woman. He’d gotten distracted, though, watching the video over and over instead of showing it to the staff. He couldn’t stop thinking about the way Shouta held the woman’s hand in his.

He’d held Shouta’s hand before, during training exercises or to find him in crowds, but it had never had the same feel to it that he saw in the video. Shouta had always been reluctant about it, never once taking the lead and Hizashi felt oddly jealous, wondering why he had never received the same level of tenderness as the woman at Ego .

For the briefest of moments, he was tempted to delete the video and erase the mystery woman from their lives. He didn’t like what she represented, no matter how wonderful she might have been.

He downed his drink in one with a grimace, catching the attention of the bartender.

“Can I get you a refill?”

Hizashi sighed, twirling his glass and spinning the ice cubes within.

“Yeah, maybe something harder.”

“Mic, you’re going to scare away the customers at this rate. What’s the matter with you?”

Hizashi set aside his glass with a sigh.

“I’m looking for a woman,” he said.

“Aren’t we all?”

“Not like that. She was here about six months ago. Had drinks with Eraser. I was hoping you’d remember her.”

The bartender laughed as he reached for a bottle of rum.

“Listen,” he said, grabbing a glass and setting it down on the bar with a flourish. “I have a better memory than most, but even I can’t remember that far back.”

“Don’t you have CCTV or something? It’s pretty important that we find her.”

“Oh? She do something illegal?”

“No, I just want to talk to her.”

The bartender poured rum into the glass, flinching at his answer.

“I’ll be honest,” he said. “The boss man handles all of that stuff and I doubt he’d part with that kind of information without a formal subpoena. Do you have any idea how many creepy guys come to us looking for girl’s numbers?”

Hizashi reached for his newly filled drink.

“Not even for me?”

“ Especially not for you. If anything went south it would be even more of a scandal.”

Hizashi hadn’t expected to hit a dead end so early on and didn’t know how to feel about it. He wondered if he should have followed his instincts and deleted the video after all.

He wondered about it on the train ride home, as he combed his hair, as he sat down in his studio. He played the video on silent and scrolled through it as he loaded up each track.

Finally, at minutes past midnight, he leaned into his microphone.

“Now, listeners,” he said, “here’s a song for the lovers.”

There and then he played a song of unrequited love, of strangers on trains and secret words and crossed paths, a song that bled with emotion and longing. A song that you sang along to as it played through your earphones. A song that Shouta nodded his head along to on his balcony, Sushi curled up on his lap.

Hizashi closed his eyes as he listened to the song, the video from Ego loaded and his finger hovering over ‘delete’.

One tap and the mystery woman would be gone forever. One tap and this feeling of dejectedness would leave him. He wouldn’t have to think anymore about what she represented, the realisations she had forced upon him without ever introducing herself.

One tap and he wouldn’t be the Shinohara.

He locked his phone instead and set it aside, the video safe for another day.

He told himself the same thing you told yourself as you stared at your bedroom ceiling, thinking of the way Shouta had backed away.

He told himself the same thing Shouta told himself as he thought of your lips and bewildered expression.

I shouldn’t be selfish. This is the way it should be.

#aizawa shouta #hizashi yamada #present mic #aizawa x reader #aizawa shouta x reader #habanero

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ragingbookdragon · 4 years ago

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Just Say The Word And I'll Be Yours, You Know I Never Forgot. PT. 3

Asra x M!Apprentice

Word Count: 1.7K Warnings: Explicit Language

Author’s Note: You know what’s a problem for me? Not ending stories in 00. Like I cannot finish a story with a WC like 1342. That shit drives me up the wall. So my dumbass decided to write until I got a nice neat, divisible by 5 WC. More work for me, more fic for you. Enjoy! -Thorne

He watched the boy shift his weight between his feet, eyes darting around far too fast to be a simple scope of his surroundings. Both actions were tell-tale signs that of nervousness, and that anxiety multiplied when Master Dralis laid a hand on his shoulder, shoving him just enough for him to stumble in front of the group of mercenaries. A couple of them snickered, he and the others merely stared at him as he righted himself, a smudge of pink dusted across his pale cheeks.

“Everyone,” Master Dralis started, silencing the laughter. “This is Avisarion, he’s come from Vesuvia and he’ll be training with us from now on.” He eyed the group leaders in the crowd. “Who wants to take him?”

For a moment, no one said a word, everyone seeming to avert their gazes from the boy. He knew why. No one wanted fresh blood. That required training and hours’ worth of schooling to be competent enough to fit in with a squad, and no one had that time—especially not the leaders of the squads. So, when Master Dralis met his eyes, he offered a silent nod, watching as the older man pushed Avisarion towards him.

“(Y/N)’s group will take you for now, boy.” He glanced at the large group. “Dismissed.”

The mercenaries filed out of the room, some of them giving Avisarion harsh glares that made him frown.

“Don’t mind them,” (Y/N) muttered as he stepped forward, holding out his hand to shake. “They’re just a bit standoffish.”

The words were the first kind ones the boy had heard since he came to the castle, other than Master Dralis, and he almost burst into tears as he shook (Y/N)’s hand.

“How old are you?” (Y/N) asked with a scrutinizing look.

“Fifteen,” Avisarion murmured. “I just turned fifteen last week.”

“We’re the same age then.” He looked at Master Dralis. “Permission to take him to the blacksmith for fitting, sir?”

Master Dralis nodded. “Granted. And make sure you report to Marisa for your next assignment, (Y/N). You’ve sat on your ass long enough.”

He grinned and with a glance to the boy, he said, “Follow me.”

Avisarion was quick to obey, and as fast as (Y/N) was moving, he was glad he did. He noted the way the mercenaries in the hallway glared at him, and risking the noting, he stated, “The others around here don’t seem to like me.”

“Do you have family back in Vesuvia?”

“I—yes, yes I do,” he answered in confusion. “An aunt who runs an apothecary.”

(Y/N) nodded. “There’s your reason.”

“I…don’t follow?”

He held the door for Avisarion and tipped his head, urging him inside. “Fourth-fifths of the mercenaries in this castle are orphans, taken from the streets of various cities.” Closing the door after him, he added, “When we get a recruit that has family, it tends to make them bitter when they remember they don’t have one themselves.”

“Oh.” Avisarion murmured, standing near one of the tables that had leather armor on it. “I didn’t know.”

(Y/N) shrugged. “You learn.” He looked around the room for the blacksmith. “Perrian, we’ve got a new recruit to fit armor with.”

The man waved him off and he met Avisarion’s eyes. “I’m going to report to Marisa for my assignment, then I’ll come back to show you around.” He nodded at the old man coming over. “Perrian will take care of you. Answer his questions honestly and with the best skill you can.”

(Y/N) could tell he was scared, and he remembered his own beginning at the castle. He placed a hand on Avisarion’s shoulder and though he smiled, he opted to give him the words truthfully.

“Life isn’t going to be easy from here on out. I’ve no doubt the others will try to hark on you because your new blood.” Avisarion’s face fell, and he squeezed his shoulder. “But you’re on my squad.” He smiled. “We take care of our own, so don’t worry so much.”

Avisarion gave him a relived look and he pulled away and headed for the door. “Welcome to the Shadowguards.”

***

Coldness startled (Y/N) awake; he jerked his head up, eyes snapping open, gaze darting wildly around his surroundings. Tall, dark trees stood silent around him, and the ground was covered in a thick blanket of snow. He had no idea where he was, but that wasn’t the most concerning thing; it was absolutely freezing. As if he’d suddenly realized so, (Y/N) clambered to his feet, pulling his duffle bag back over his shoulder. He was glad that he’d taken his heavy coat with him though as he shoved his hands in his pockets for warmth.

He glanced in another direction, but it was still the same sight—stillness in snow. No birds singing, no small critters hunting for grubs, not even a deer or an elk scavenging for food in the dirt. It was just (Y/N), alone in this vast expanse of snowfield.

His breath came in puffs of white clouds and reached up, rubbing at his eyes. Whatever he’d been dreaming about still lingered in his mind, but he couldn’t make out what it was. His best guess was probably a memory and while he was happy to start the journey, he didn’t even know what the supposed Shadowguards were, or who Avisarion was. (Y/N) hadn’t heard of either name, even after coming back to life, and Asra had never mentioned them neither. Whoever they were, they were only known to him.

A sudden grumbling echoed in his ears and he cursed, placing a hand to his stomach. For a brief moment he considered giving in to his hunger, but he ignored it. I need to find shelter first. He spun in a circle. But I don’t even know which way to go. Sighing, he shut his eyes and held out his hand, ignoring how his fingers seemed to numb when exposed to the frigid air. (Y/N) took a deep breath and relaxed, letting his magic ebb out. He wasn’t searching for anything specific, just a small enough twitch in the web so that he would know which way to head. Just his luck, when he opened his eyes a few moments later, he’d hit nothing.

“Shit,” he grunted and took one last look around before resigning himself to his fate of wandering around a frozen wasteland until he froze like an ice-cube. His first step almost made him fall on his ass when his foot sunk into a foot and a half of snow. (Y/N) took a calming breath to avoid yelling in frustration, but he did grumble as he freed himself and kept moving.

He wandered through the snow for almost two whole hours before he came to the edge of the tree line, but his relief was short-lived as the expanse shifted before him, and suddenly he was staring at another forest of dead trees.

(Y/N) looked up at the darkened sky above him. “Seriously!” he shouted, throwing his hands in the air. “C’mon! Gimme a break!”

A twinkling sounded behind him and he spun, hand reaching for the dirk at his side, but his heart leapt into his throat at the sight before him. A creature, almost as big as the lodestones back in Vesuvia stood just a few feet away, a sharp scythe in its grasp. Its body was elongated and skeletal, the color of the starless night sky, but the thing that sent shivers up his spine, other than the giant blade it wielded, were the glowing auburn eyes that peered at him from the ivory skull, that of a horse.

Adrenaline soared through (Y/N) fought viciously with the urge to keep his feet below him and not collapse on weak knees. His fingers curled around the hilt of the dirk and he took a half step back, steadying himself in case the creature attacked. He had to play this carefully. He had no idea what magic it had and the scythe it carried was almost as big as it was. If he wasn’t cautious, he was either going to be blown away by some eldritch blast or bisected. Maybe if he could get behind it, he could daze it with a blast? Maybe try a faint from the front? Maybe go to—

“You think quite a lot about battle strategy, (Y/N).” He blinked, jaw dropping in shock. The creature cocked its head. “Are you well?”

His mouth snapped open and shut until he blurted out, “You know me?”

The creature laughed, and (Y/N) ignored the fact that it didn’t have any vocal cords to make such a noise.

“We’ve spoken many times, (Y/N). Past and present,” it explained, and (Y/N)’s eyes went wide.

“You’re Death.”

Death tipped its head down. “It has been some time since you travelled to my realm, (Y/N). The last time you did was many, many years ago.” Its glowing eyes narrowed in something he recognized as kindness, “Shall we go someplace warmer? It’s been so long since I interacted with humans. I do remember that your fleshy sacks get cold so easily.”

(Y/N) could only nod in stunned silence as Death waved a hand, and the scenery changed around them. He was pleasantly surprised to see the features of the back room from shop come into view, but even more so that it was no longer freezing. Warmth seeped into his bones and he sunk into one of the plush cushions, dropping the duffle bag behind him.

“Make yourself at home, (Y/N),” Death suggested. “This place is assuring to you, is it not?”

(Y/N) sighed with content. “It is.”

He watched as the Arcana took a seat across from him, the scythe disappearing in a whisp of smoke. They placed their hands on the table, dark boney fingers clacking as they interlocked in a neat hold. Their auburn eyes stared into his, as if gazing deep into his soul, and though he felt like he should feel unnerved, he didn’t. In fact, he felt…comfortable.

(Y/N) looked at them. “Why didn’t you come earlier?”

Death merely stared. “I was observing. Learning. Remembering you.”

“You know me well then?”

Death hummed. “Very.”

#asra x reader #asra x reader imagines #asra x reader imagine #asra imagines #asra imagine #asra #asra alnazar #asra x mc #asra x apprentice #asra x apprentice imagines #asra x apprentice imagine #the arcana #the arcana imagines #the arcana imagine #arcana #arcana imagines #arcana imagine

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concussed-to-pieces · 4 years ago

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Whether It Works Out Or Not: Summer’s Warmth, Part One

Fandom: Red Dead Redemption 2

Pairing: High Honor!Arthur Morgan/Named OFC

Rating: Holy shit T.

AN: Thank you all so much for continuing to read! Enjoy!

EDIT 4/18/21: Attempting to fix the formatting now, forgive me! It shows up fine before posting, but I believe I have it squared away! ;-;

[Spoiler warning for the epilogue!]

Tag List: @huliabitch @cookiethewriter @pedrosbigdorkenergy @thirstworldproblemss @anonymouscosmos @culturalrebel @karmezii @teaofpeach @crookedmoonsaultpunk @wrestlingfae @zombiexbody @nelba @scribblenotes76 @toxiicpop @mstgsmy @misty-possum @gallowsjoker @midnightbeauty35 @lackofhonor @renegademustelid @missfronkensteen @newplanetshine

Part One: Strangers

Part Two: Friends

Part Three: More

Bonus One: A Brief Diversion

Bonus Two: Back In The Cage

Winter’s Cold, Part One

Winter’s Cold, Part Two

[!TRIGGER WARNING!: This installment contains emotional distress, vivid recollections and self-loathing. Stay safe!]

Arthur dreamed of the vigil he had stood beside Kieran's grave, Chase's large head resting on his shoulder. Bitter, sorrowful words had twisted up in his throat until he just shoved his face into the horse's mane so he could unleash a body-rattling sob. He had left a handful of bulrushes crisscrossed over the grave. Kieran had always plied the horses with whatever treats he could scrounge up, mushrooms or bulrushes or the rare luxury of sugar cubes.

Kieran O'Driscoll, Kieran Van Der Linde, but in the end he had died Kieran Duffy. Just one more hideous taunt sent to the Van Der Linde camp from the O'Driscolls, one more life lost in the feud of two proud men who had wronged each other.

Arthur dreamed of the nightmare of Guarma, the way his body was wracked with feverish chills on that godforsaken island, blistering sun beating down on him and he had just forced himself onwards, ignoring it.

Micah mocking him, Dutch's merciless slaughter of that elderly woman.

Stumbling across Hosea and Lenny's graves on his long, slow trek back to Shady Belle from Van Horn and it just hitting him like a bullet to the gut that they were gone, truly gone. Like Kieran, like Sean.

When he and Charles had found that young woman in the Murfree hellhole, Arthur had sworn for several long, panic-stricken seconds that it had been Irene. The fear he had felt, the agony, he had nearly been sick with guilty relief when she stepped into the light and her eyes were blue. The enforcer would never say how dangerously close he had come to pitching himself at her feet and begging her forgiveness for being grateful that she wasn't who he had thought she was.

And the girl's mother in Annesburg trying to pay him, like he had done something incredible. Like he wasn't a monster himself, jaded with loss and becoming more and more certain that Dutch was hellbent on reaching their collective doom. Tahiti and mangoes had never sounded so unappealing.

Molly, struck down with no mercy, 'she knew the rules', they all knew the damn rules.

Collapsing out of the blue in the streets of Saint Denis on his way to meet up with Sadie so they could rescue that fool Marston, coming back around with a kindly stranger directing him to the doctor, the sterile reek that permeated the office as the learned man dropped the bad news on him with all the grace of a boulder on his chest.

Tuberculosis, and the noose that had been around his neck since Blackwater finally snapped taut to strangle him.

His slow, shambling walk down the street as whatever that doctor had given him to take the edge off made him hallucinate that the damned deer was back, the majestic creature sauntering through the crossroads in front of him like some kind of divine herald.

Or hellish omen.

After that was just the long, torturous slog as Dutch did his best to drag them all down into the fiery abyss with him.

Strauss, Strauss, preying on fools, on desperate men with pregnant wives, on folk he knew damn well couldn't pay him back! When Arthur had finally had enough of being the bastard's lackey he roared at the man to get the hell out!, every ounce the commanding king of legend that Sean had mockingly likened him to.

Hearts are so rarely pure. But then again, they are also rarely impure, that sister had said. Her wise words had given Arthur pause, the man speechless beside her on the bench. He wasn't used to such ambiguity from religious folk. Normally it was either saccharine-sweet pandering about how he could still be saved, or self-righteous wrath as he was told that his perdition would last eternity for every rotten thing he had done.

Rightly so, too! He was a terrible man.

The imagery of the deer kept haunting him. Arthur didn't understand it, he couldn't manage to wrap his head around why he kept dreaming about the deer. The deer or Irene, her violin music lilting fae-like through the twilight of his consciousness nearly every night as he struggled to stifle his coughing.

Black lung, black lung, Micah mocked and sneered.

When Ms. Grimshaw's end came, it was the final signature on the decree of his damnation. Violence begot violence begot violence and Arthur could scarce imagine how grisly his own demise would be.

Pinkertons flushing them out of the cave like hounds after quail, he and John fleeing--

The sound of Micah's labored breathing, blows landing over and over, the two of them circling one another on the edge of Purgatory itself until Arthur's broken body had finally given out.

In the final act of his life, Dutch had met his eyes and then departed wordlessly with Micah in tow. The sting was a far-off sensation, dulled by inevitability.

I gave you everything I had.

Arthur had thought he was dead; had thought the fight was well and truly kicked out of him. That incorrigible, stubborn spirit of his, the spite and loyalty and grit flickered and faded like a candle in a draft. He barely remembered the sunrise, his last rambling thoughts before consciousness deserted him fixated on the fact that he could feel the deer from his dreams, pacing just outside his field of vision...

But of course, he couldn't forget the price on his head. He was still worth something to someone, even if he was hovering at Death's door.

…

Irene didn't sleep a wink, tossing and turning until the wee hours of the morning. Finally, when she checked her old pocket watch for the sixth time and saw that it was four o'clock, she gave up.

Irene got out of bed, got dressed, and went to Anna's room to wake her. "You're coming fishing with Mama, little fawn." She whispered while the child yawned. "You can even go back to sleep on the shore, alright?"

"Mmhm." Clearly still half-asleep, Anna nodded, rubbing her eyes.

Irene gathered up her fishing gear and her daughter, leaving a note in case she wasn't back by the time Arthur managed to rouse himself. For his sake (and perhaps a bit for her own as well), she hoped he slept in.

It wasn't until she reached the riverbank that the lunacy of the whole situation really hit her. He was the father of her child, she had nursed him back from the brink of death itself, and yet she feared what the reveal might bring! Hadn't she done enough worrying over the last few months?

Maybe she was more worried about whether he would stay simply out of believing it was his duty to do so.

If nothing came of it, if he...wanted nothing to do with her now that the two of them had inadvertently brought a new life into the world, it wouldn't change anything in her existence. She would live out her days in peace, far from society. Arthur Morgan would no doubt carry on in the same manner that he always had, though perhaps just a touch more cautiously.

She didn't let herself think of the alternative. It was best that she not get her hopes up. After all, he had been the one to put their meetings to an end. Knowing what she knew now, further clarified by what Trelawny had mentioned, it seemed as though Morgan was trying to protect her from the grisly fate the rest of their band was barreling towards. She could not fault him for cutting her loose, no doubt he had thought he was doing the best thing for her.

In a way, it had been.

Irene hooked several fish as she pondered, reeling the small offerings in absently. Anna was young. Young enough that should Arthur decide to leave, she probably wouldn't even recall him given enough time. So it was Irene's own selfishness that she was hung up on, her own silly feelings and emotions.

Somewhere along the way, during their free and easy couplings, she had fallen in love. With Arthur Morgan, a man she could readily admit to knowing precious little about. It seemed so foolish now, what had she been thinking?

The woman smiled wistfully as the sun rose.

She hadn't been thinking at all, there was the truth of it. She had enjoyed herself for the first time in her life, consequences be damned.

Besides, when it all comes down to it, Irene mused as she glanced over at the sleeping form of her child, I would trade a thousand Arthurs for one sweet little Anna.

Anna woke up again around eight, clamoring for her breakfast. The two of them walked hand-in-hand back to Irene's stead, Anna swinging her arms and singing some tuneless ditty only she knew the words to.

Arthur was awake and upright on their return, the man supporting his weight with the rough-hewn posts of the paddock. Chase looked for all the world like she was listening to him as he muttered to himself, the mare's ears pricked to catch his voice.

Clearly Irene wasn't the only one who had missed him.

Anna bolted forward, crowing in triumph. Normally Chase tended to keep to the far side of the paddock, where it was more shady. "Up, up! Wanna' pet!" The little girl demanded, straining to reach Chase's nose.

Arthur, frail and pale as he was, certainly gave it a good effort. He got the child nearly two inches off the ground before he failed, visibly panicking as he dropped her. Mercifully she didn't seem to notice, the little girl just thinking they were playing a game.

She was laughing, "again again!", waving her arms and Arthur shot Irene a look so terrified she was barely able to restrain her mirth.

"Annie, how do we ask?" Irene prompted her daughter, then propped her boot up on the lower cross-beam of the fence and patted her thigh. "Come along, up you get!" Anna threw herself over her mother's knee, grappling Irene's skirts before managing to reach Chase's nose from her new vantage point perched on her mother's thigh.

"Mister Art'ur no lift me?" The little girl queried after a time, giving the tall man a quizzical look.

"It's gonna' be a while before I'm liftin' much of anythin', Miss Anna." Arthur answered her ruefully.

"But Mama can lift?" The child continued curiously.

"Your mama is the strongest person I know. She can lift you, me, that horse, the barn…" Arthur rattled on, listing more and more outlandish things as Anna giggled. "I once saw her lift a whole riverboat with her pinky!" Arthur claimed. "Weren't even breathin' hard neither!"

"Mama can do all that?" Anna asked, those blue eyes wide as she tilted her head back to stare up at Irene.

"Absolutely!" The woman replied firmly, then smiled. "I'd do even more for you, my little fawn."

"She's a real strong woman, Miss Anna, real strong. You'll be just like her someday." Arthur murmured, his gaze gone melancholy again.

In response, Anna seized Arthur's hand and bunched up her tiny fist to make a 'muscle' in her arm for him to feel. "Strong!" She insisted, her expression fierce.

"You shoah are, what you need me for around here?" Arthur humored her with a grin. "I'd just get in your way at this point." Irene realized that he wasn't talking to the child anymore, for all that his eyes were on Anna.

"We are more than happy to have you, isn't that right Annie?" The woman stated, making Arthur glance up at her. The raw look in his gaze caught her off-guard.

"Mmhm," Anna agreed with a decisive nod. "Make you better!"

"S'pose if I had to pick a place to convalesce, I couldn't find a nicer sanatorium even out east."

…

Oh Jesus, Mary and Joseph.

Was this little baby girl his? Did he even deserve that sort of joy? She was two already, he had missed her first steps, her first words…God, it always seemed like he was too late. From his first child Isaac with that sweet girl Eliza, to Mary, and now this.

He and Irene sat on the porch of her little cabin, the woman having made a delicious fish fry for breakfast. It smelled amazing, but Arthur's stomach was too knotted to eat. He fumbled with his fork a few times, casting about for an opening to ask Irene the all-important question on his mind.

Anna unwittingly offered him his opportunity, the child scarfing her breakfast and then begging to be permitted to play in the puddles in the yard. Irene nodded after a moment, collecting the child's plate and then instructing her to don her mess trousers.

The little girl tore off to do so and her mother chuckled quietly. "She is such a menace. Always rummaging, stomping, finding new things to squish or examine." Irene remarked.

Arthur couldn't wait a second longer, abandoning his plate as he turned to look at her. "Irene," he said her name sharply, trying to keep his voice low. "Is that girl my child?"

Irene took her sweet time replying to him, chewing a mouthful of flaky fish. "What happens if I say yes, Arthur?" She asked, her own words soft.

"I...I want you to know that I did my damnedest to not--I mean, when we...hell, I didn't want you pinned down like that bastard Carson wanted." Arthur swore grimly. "I didn't want to saddle you with somethin' you ain't asked for, Irene."

"Will you leave? If she's yours?" Irene was picking at her food now, refusing to look at him. Anna carried on stomping in the puddles across the yard, her giggles punctuating the silence.

Arthur inhaled to respond and accidentally sent himself into a coughing fit, hacking and snorting in the least glamorous way possible. "It ain't fair that you've had to put up with me for so long, with the...shadow of me, even. I'm barely a fraction of the feller I once was. Can't even lift the little one," he mumbled after he managed to get the spasm under control. "But...but even if she ain't mine, even if you've been uh, knowin' other men, it doesn't matter to me, okay? I got no business commentin' on your personal affairs."

Arthur felt like he would burst into flames from how hard he was flushing; he usually wasn't this nervous when it came to speaking what was on his mind.

"Feels like I've gotten a second wind here, and I just...I never stopped thinkin' about you," he confessed. "Dreamin' that I would come out the other side of this and that I'd still have a damn chance to see you again."

Irene was merely listening to him ramble, her face neutral. Meanwhile, Arthur was floundering. He had no idea what the right answer might be. Did she want to be left alone? Should he entirely abandon these thoughts, these selfish wishes of his?

"I spent most of my younger years tryin' to put on a respectable front so a specific woman and her family would deem me worthy." He vaguely recalled being strung out on drink in Valentine, crying against Irene's stomach as she stroked the back of his head to soothe him. "It was never enough, and I thought that was it. That was the end for any of those dreams I had. Then I...I met you." Arthur took her hand, rubbing his thumb over the pulse that beat in her wrist. "As much as it killed me, I had to...I didn't want you to be trapped in my mess. I felt--I-I mean, I..."

I love you, I love you, say it, you cowardly fool!

"If I do this, if I let you stay...you can't go gallivanting off into the wilds, understand?" The woman informed him sternly, her back ramrod straight. "I will not have my daughter getting attached to a man who cannot be there for her, Arthur."

His heart twisted uncertainly in his chest and Arthur hesitated, teetering on the precipice. "She is mine, isn't she?" He finally asked, his voice faltering. At her hesitant nod, the man's throat closed up. "Jesus." Arthur rasped, trying and failing to blink the tears away before they could fall. "A daughter. A li'l baby girl. I never thought I'd...Christ almighty Irene, I n-never--"

And in an incredibly masculine display of self control, he dissolved into hiccupping sobs.

…

Irene had tried to steel herself for his reaction, fearing the worst. This however, was...manageable.

"Hush, Arthur." She chided him, feeling her own lower lip quiver. He caught her up in an embrace, his once-powerful frame fragile and trembling with every gasp for air. His fingers clutched at her sides and he buried his face in her shoulder, his hat tumbling to the ground. "Arthur, it's alright." Irene's arms slipped beneath his own and she tentatively hugged him back, just letting him weep and sniffle into her neck. "There's no need to cry."

He stifled a cough in the crook of his elbow, pulling away after several moments. "'Course, a'course. M' fine." He choked out, mopping at his face with his bandanna.

"Art'ur, Mama!" Anna called from the paddock, her tiny hands cupped together around...something. "Art'ur see!" She stumbled to the steps, where she opened her hands just the tiniest bit.

A wee toad sat in her palm, the creature looking a bit put-out over their current situation.

"Caught yerself a prince there, Miss Annie?" Arthur asked, rattled by another coughing fit when she stuck her tongue out at him.

"Nuh Art'ur, a toad. Not a frog." Anna corrected, giving him a fierce scowl. "No kisses for toads."

"Little miss," Irene interjected sharply, raising an eyebrow. "Mind your manners. I know you're not that rude."

"B-But...is a toad!" Anna protested, waving the aforementioned critter around.

"I know that, Annie, but you need to be polite when you talk to folks. Now, what do we say?"

"M'sorry, Art'ur." Anna mumbled, depositing the shaken toad into her mother's waiting hands and then scuffing her boot on the ground.

"Oh don't worry about it, li'l Miss Annie. No harm done. You were right, after all." Arthur assured her with a tight smile, his eyes clouded with emotion. "Guess I got a lot to learn about that sort of thing, I ain't much in the habit of readin' fairytales."

Irene seized the moment of distraction to usher the toad into the shelter of the shade beneath the steps. Then, she brushed her hands off on her apron and got to her feet. "Well Anna, you know what day it is. Come along, little fawn." To Arthur, she continued, "it's Monday, which is also wash day. Be a dear and strip your bed, would you?"

…

Arthur hated that he was absolutely drenched in sweat over something so mundane! He recalled enviously the sheer amount of times he would trek back and forth across whatever camp they had set up, lugging sacks of maize or a fresh kill over one shoulder with the greatest of ease.

He had nearly been bested by sheets and bedding, of all things. This boded poorly.

He laid on his back for several long minutes after he had managed to finish remaking the tick up in the hayloft, doing his best to catch his breath again. He knew he should be grateful for surviving the consumption in the first place, but there was a nagging fear in the back of his mind that threatened to fester.

What if this was as good as he got? What if he never really...recovered? His clothes fairly hung off of him; his entire body had become so frail. He was winded from making his blasted pallet! He would be a dependent, a sponge on Irene, a leech.

That thought had him cringing, and he forced himself to sit back up. Everything ached. He had pushed himself too hard, that was all. Arthur knew in a logical sense that he couldn't just...expect to leap out of bed ready to wrestle a grizzly so soon after a five-month stint of nothing. It just pricked at his pride.

"Arthur?" Irene's head appeared at the top of the ladder, the woman giving him a quizzical look as she took in his rumpled state. "Would you like to bathe? Water's still hot."

Bathe. Lord, a bath sounded heavenly right about now. His sore muscles practically screamed for it. "Depends on how much I'd have to pay to get you as my bath girl." He replied without hesitation.

"I'm a luxury, Mister Morgan." That would have driven a knife into his belly, had she not punctuated it with a saucy wink. "I'm afraid you'll have to do a bit extra to earn a helping hand in your washtub."

Arthur grinned ruefully, shaking his head. "Forgive me ma'am, my mouth ran away from me."

"Oh I'm certain!" Irene laughed, reaching up to swat his knee. "Come along now, before the water cools."

Stripping down in the privacy of her bedroom was...interesting. Arthur studiously avoided looking at the mirror she had as he shed his clothing, folding everything and leaving it by the door like she had asked. The woman already had clean clothes waiting for him on the chair beside the tub. He wouldn't get better service in a Saint Denis hotel!

Lowering his body down into the still-warm water was absolutely heavenly, for all that he nearly scalded himself. Irene must have topped off the tub before he came in, bless her for it.

A lump of soap sat primly atop a wash rag on the mat next to the tub, and Arthur knew he ought to get started before the water grew too tepid to be comfortable. But there was no harm in taking a moment or two to relax, right?

He lolled his head back against the lip of the tub, his eyes wandering lazily to the mirror beside the door. It was safe to look at now, as it was tilted in such a way that he wouldn't see himself. The last rays of the day's sunlight reflected off the looking glass, the beams warming the rough-hewn floorboards from their usual pale gold to a rich, honeyed brown.

Arthur wondered idly if Irene had built this place by herself. He didn't doubt it; she was a resourceful woman.

There was still the question of how she had managed to get ahold of him. Oh certainly, she had mentioned Josiah. But there had been an omission of further details involving his rescue that he found odd. He would have to ask her after he was done with his wash. Maybe over supper.

He groaned, straightening his back and scooping up the soap. He'd best get to scrubbing if he wanted to be presentable for the mealtime.

…

"Arthur?" Irene knocked on the door to her room, a touch worried when she received no answer. "Arthur, it's nearly time for dinner." Still nothing. She took a gamble and turned the handle, easing the door open a hair.

Arthur appeared to have fallen asleep in the tub, and Irene barely managed to stifle her chuckle. She closed the door behind her gently, tiptoeing to the side of the tub.

He didn't look so worn when he was sleeping, she decided. The furrows smoothed from his brow and the lines around his eyes eased a bit, his mind temporarily free of the burdens that plagued him during his waking hours. Irene settled onto the floor beside the tub, stroking her fingers through his damp hair. "Arthur," she called softly.

He hummed low in his chest, those blue eyes blinking open as she continued to comb through his thick locks. "Well, ain't you a sight for sore eyes." The man drawled, a lazy grin on his face. "Prettiest bath gal I've ever seen." Arthur slotted his fingers through her own, pressing a kiss to her raw-washed knuckles. "These poor hands of yours...Irene, you'll work yourself to the bone." He chided. "Once I get back up to full strength, I promise you'll want for nothin'."

Nothing at all, his gaze continued, the heated stare sending those old but oh so familiar waves of delight through her body.

"Arthur…" Irene was at a loss, biting her lower lip and breaking his stare by dropping her eyes to the floor. "We will have to wait and see. Once you're back on your feet." She allowed finally.

"It's a deal, Miss Craft." Arthur swore, his jaw set in a determined line.

Once you're truly well again, I doubt I'll be able to hold on to you, Irene thought sadly as she rose to stand once more. "Supper is nearly ready. Don't take too long, otherwise Annie will polish off your helping!" She teased, her heart not really in it.

Arthur cocked his head, appearing like he was about to question her further, so Irene seized the moment to slip back through the door and close it behind her.

She leaned back against the door, staring up at the ceiling while exhaling hard. Her throat felt suspiciously tight and Irene shook her head at herself, annoyed. I'll be alright. Annie and I have been fine, and we can carry on just fine even without Arthur.

If only she believed it!

Summer’s Warmth, Part Two

#red dead redemption 2 #red dead redemption 2 epilogue #arthur morgan #arthur morgan x original female character #high honor arthur #arthur morgan imagine #rdr2 #rdr2 fandom #rdr2 fanfic #rdr2 spoilers #slow burn #rdr2 epilogue #back at it again

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contemplativepancakes · 4 years ago

Text

stay lost in this moment forever

nearly 11k of pure, unadulterated horse girl geralt fluff. read on ao3 here.

in which they head to the coast, and get away for a while.

Geralt’s not quite sure what to do with himself, here. There are no monsters, just a rocky stretch of a beach that’s all theirs. At least, that’s what Jaskier had said, his mouth hot near Geralt’s ear as he took him in hand beneath the stars. Geralt hadn’t had the will to question him.

He looks at Jaskier, scribbling furiously in his notebook, the quill Geralt gifted him flying across the page. Geralt stretches languidly, but Jaskier doesn’t look up at him. “Jask,” he says, and no, he doesn’t whine.

Jaskier hums in acknowledgement, and Geralt fights the urge to throw a pillow at him.

“I’m bored.”

“What happened to the whole no emotions schtick?” Jaskier asks instantly, not turning his attention away from the page.

This time, Geralt does throw the pillow, and finally, Jaskier looks at him. “Needy this morning, are we?” Jaskier asks, the scent of satisfaction drifting off of him unbearably.

Geralt grunts in protest. He’d never be anything as undignified as that.

“Sure,” Jaskier says skeptically. He looks back down at his writing, and Geralt huffs and gets out of bed.

He takes his time getting dressed, and he definitely does not stretch to reach the top shelf, knowing the way it makes his back muscles ripple. There’s not even a rustle from behind him.

Geralt gets dressed and wanders out of their little shack. If Geralt was in a more generous mood, he’d call it a cottage, but alas. Geralt tries to walk as quietly across the stones as he can, the habit to be light footed ingrained in him even if there’s nothing that he is trying to hide his presence from.

Geralt makes his way down the beach, to where the rocks finally give way to grass. He walks a bit farther still, until trees start to sprout on the horizon, and he sees Roach. He walks up to where she’s grazing, in a pasture he fenced off.

Jaskier had been interested in him that day, at least. “Do you know what a sight you make, all sweaty and good with your hands?” Jaskier had whispered into his ear.

Geralt hummed. “I think you had better show me.”

And Jaskier did. Repeatedly.

He’s jerked out of his reverie by Roach nudging him with a snort. Geralt combs his fingers through her mane and leans on the post he had driven into the ground. Jaskier hadn’t been able to hold in his comments on that particular action.

Geralt huffs. He wishes Jaskier was here, that he wasn’t too busy composing to pay attention to Geralt. He’s distracted by a horse’s scream somewhere to his right. He wrenches back from Roach, who has her ears laid back flat.

Geralt looks toward the tree line, but nothing seems out of place. It’s not like he can ignore a call for help, though, so he unsheathes his sword and makes his way into the woods just beyond Roach’s pasture. He almost hopes he finds something amiss, just so he can tell Jaskier that keeping his swords on him wasn’t overkill. He’s a witcher, he can’t just walk around unarmed, no matter how many times Jaskier insists they’re on vacation. Witchers don’t just take vacations, he protested, but Jaskier paid him no heed.

He scans the woods as he walks farther in, but in the end, he almost steps right on it. There’s a horse lying in a copse, panting shallow breaths, his belly slick with blood.

Geralt’s face pinches, and he crouches down. The horse whinnies in agitation, but he’s not exactly in a position to refuse Geralt’s help. Something’s torn the horse’s stomach open and left it here for dead. Geralt’s stomach turns. He hates seeing needless suffering. He probes the wound with his fingers, biting his lip and trying to decide if the horse has a chance to make it, or if Geralt should put an end to the misery. The horse hasn’t stopped nickering since Geralt got there, so Geralt’s not going to take the choice away from him. Geralt sits down next to him and pets the horse’s snout, reaching into his satchel and pulling out a sugar cube that he keeps for Roach. The horse’s lips close around it, and Geralt convinces himself that the horse is going to be okay.

Geralt pulls out a flask, just a standard disinfectant, and pours it over the wound. The last thing they need is an infection, and Geralt thanks his paranoia for keeping him prepared. The horse neighs in pain, and Geralt runs two fingers over his soft nose. “It’s okay,” he croons. “You’re doing so good.”

Geralt looks at the wound, thinking. There’s really nothing left but to stitch it up. Stitching wounds is bad enough on humans who understand what’s going on, much less on an animal that doesn’t understand he’s trying to help it. He smooths a hand down the horse’s flank, murmuring nonsense and hoping it’s soothing.

The horse turns his head to nuzzle Geralt’s hand.

“Geralt? Geralt!” comes a call from out of Geralt’s view.

He doesn’t want to startle the horse, but he can hear the worry in Jaskier’s voice, so he replies, “Over here!” trying to be just loud enough for Jaskier to hear.

He hears Jaskier grumbling, then there’s a crashing through the underbrush. “Seriously, Geralt? What are you—oh. Oh.”

Geralt looks up at Jaskier, who looks down at all the blood before he looks back at Geralt, his eyes wide.

“I‘m glad you’re here,” Geralt says, “I could use your help.”

“Oh, joy.”

“What’s his name?” Jaskier asks finally, after a week, when it’s starting to look like the gelding is staying.

“Roach.”

“Geralt, you can’t just name all your horses Roach. That’s ridiculous.”

Geralt shrugs. “It’s worked out so far.”

“Yes, but two at once? They’ll be confused.”

“They’re smart,” is all Geralt says.

Jaskier throws his hands up and walks away, but Geralt coaxes him back soon afterwards. Jaskier gives him a begrudging kiss and smiles against his lips.

“Geralt,” Jaskier whines, “Pay attention to me.”

Geralt doesn’t glance up from he’s brushing Roach down, with the other Roach nosing against his arm. Roach has been standoffish ever since Geralt introduced her to the second Roach, and he’s starting to think Jaskier might have had a point about the names, but Geralt’s not going to admit that to him.

“Geralt,” Jaskier says again, drawing it out.

There’s a smile playing at Geralt’s lips, but he finally looks up, Jaskier himself winning out over Geralt’s desire to give him a taste of his own medicine.

Jaskier is right there beside him, and when Geralt looks at him, he wraps an arm around Geralt’s waist. “Having fun?”

“Never,” Geralt deadpans.

“Never? Really? Never? Have you forgotten last night already?”

“I think I need a reminder.”

“I can probably arrange that.”

Jaskier mouths at Geralt’s neck, but Geralt pushes him away.

“In front of Roach?”

Jaskier rolls his eyes and pulls him back in anyway. Geralt doesn’t offer any more protests.

“Geralt, stay here,” Jaskier says plaintively, tugging on his arm.

Geralt shrugs away from him, lacing up his pants. Jaskier wraps his hand around Geralt’s wrist from his spot on the bed. Geralt looks down at him and almost gives in, but he needs to check on Roach. His stitches have been healing well, but he has a troublesome habit of trying to chew them out if Geralt doesn’t change his bandages often enough.

He’s already had to restitch some of them, and Roach made Geralt plenty aware of his dislike of that situation, so Geralt would like to avoid a repeat.

Jaskier huffs and lets go of his arm. “Fine. I’ll just...wait here, then.”

A smile tugs at Geralt’s lips. “Insatiable, hmm?”

Jaskier leans back against the pillows and sighs, looking at his lap pitably.

“I’ll be back soon,” Geralt promises.

Jaskier throws an arm over his eyes and turns over, making a rather uncalled for dramatic noise, if you ask Geralt. Geralt rolls his eyes fondly, trying not to let them catch on the planes of Jaskier’s back or the way the blanket drapes over him just so…

Geralt shakes his head and makes his way out the door, blinking his eyes against the cool early morning air. He walks along the rocky beach until the paddock comes into sight. He squints to see both Roaches leaning against each other as they sleep, and he smiles to himself. Roach had neighed and nipped at the intruder when Geralt had first introduced them, so he’s glad to see they’re getting along now. Jaskier would probably say it’s his fault they didn’t get along for rubbing his surly nature off on his horses, and Geralt would be inclined to agree.

As Geralt gets closer, he notices the sound of snapping twigs coming from the woods on the other side of the pasture. He stops and scans the tree line, but he doesn’t notice anything amiss. Probably a deer. He swings open the gate and latches it shut behind him as both Roaches blink at him sleepily.

“Good morning,” Geralt greets as he gets closer, stooping down to tug up a patch of clover to offer in his outstretched hands.

Roach gets to her feet instantly, snuffling into his left hand, and the other Roach follows her lead, sniffing at Geralt’s right hand tentatively. He starts to nibble at the purple flowers. When they’re done, Geralt examines the scraps of cloth, pulling it back so he can look at the stitches. It looks like everything is healing cleanly, and Geralt hums in satisfaction.

He stays with his horses for a little while longer, watching them navigate each other and making sure neither is being too ornery to the other. He huffs a soft laugh when the gelding prances around Roach in circles, until she headbutts past him to continue grazing without disturbance.

The sun is just breaking over the horizon when he starts to make the short trek back to the cottage, looking forward to waking Jaskier up properly.

Jaskier groans and blinks awake again at a banging on the door. He squints his eyes, trying to avoid the early morning light as he grabs his robe and stumbles toward the door, figuring Geralt has his hands too full to open it. He’s probably bringing home a fawn to nurse back to health, if the pattern holds. Jaskier snorts to himself at the thought. He wonders if Geralt could be talked into stew instead, but he imagines the pleading eyes Geralt would aim at him and already finds himself softening.

He swings the door open and is met not with Geralt and a deer, but a man with a scar and a rather portly goat.

The man scowls at him. “Where’s Geralt?”

Jaskier pulls his robe tighter around himself as his hackles raise. “Who’s asking?”

“That’s none of your concern. What is your concern is what I’m going to do to you if you don’t tell me. This place reeks of him.”

Jaskier raises his eyebrows. “You’re a witcher?” he asks. He looks at the man’s scar more carefully, then back down at the goat, munching contentedly on a stray dandelion growing through the stones. “Eskel?” he guesses.

He opens the door wider, gesturing for Eskel to come in. He does, hesitantly, and Jaskier waves a hand at the table, telling him to take a seat. Jaskier frowns at the goat that’s trailed in after them. “Geralt’s checking on his horses, but he should be back soon,” Jaskier says.

“And who are you?”

“Geralt’s…friend.”

Eskel looks him up and down skeptically. “Right. I’m sure Geralt tells all his friends about me.”

Jaskier’s cheeks burn, so he turns around and pulls a pot down from a cabinet before picking up the fire iron and poking at the embers. He throws a handful of wood chips onto the hot spot, and blows a gentle breath on them. They light, and Jaskier piles on some larger twigs. Once there’s a happy blaze crackling, he throws on a large log (that Geralt looked very handsome while chopping) and looks back to Eskel, who’s watching him carefully and petting the spot between the goat’s horns.

“Breakfast?” he asks weakly, willing Geralt to hurry up.

Eskel nods his assent, so Jaskier cracks some eggs into a bowl and slices some bread to toast.

“So. What are you looking for Geralt for?” Jaskier asks conversationally.

Eskel shrugs. “Haven’t seen him in a while. He didn’t come to Kaer Morhen last winter.” Eskel looks at Jaskier accusingly, and the tips of his ears turn red to match his face. “I heard he was shacking up somewhere around here, and I need help with a contract, anyway.”

Jaskier stirs the eggs more vigorously. “Oh?”

“Pack of drowners; more than I’d like to face alone. Besides, it’s perfect that you’re here, actually, you can watch Li’l Bleater for me.”

“Li’l—excuse me?”

“Li’l Bleater. She’s pregnant, so I don’t exactly want her in the thick of things.”

Jaskier looks at the goat’s rounded stomach more carefully, noting the way she’s starting to bag up. He scratches his neck. “Well, Geralt’s really the one who’s better with animals. I don’t think—”

“Nonsense. You won’t even notice she’s here.”

“Not until she gets placenta all over my floor, I imagine.”

Eskel scoffs. “She’s not due for another couple weeks at least. She’s not nearly wide enough.”

Jaskier can’t see how she could still walk around if she gets wider, but he’ll take Eskel’s words at face value.

“Besides,” Eskel continues, “she eats the placenta.”

Jaskier feels faint at the idea. He turns around and pokes at the eggs, deciding they’re done. He scrapes them onto three plates and puts toast beside them, feeling proud he didn’t burn anything for once.

He’s just setting the plates on the table when Geralt bursts in. His face immediately twists into delight at the sight of Eskel, and that dashes any hopes Jaskier had of them not gallivanting off together..

Ah, well. He supposes it will be good for Geralt to get out; he avoids the tiny village and its market like the plague, and Jaskier can’t say he doesn’t know why.

Even when Jaskier goes by himself, he’s still greeted with whispers and drawn faces, so he can see why Geralt prefers to skip it altogether. If Geralt did go with him and anyone dared to say anything to their faces, Jaskier would be forced to make a scene, and he doesn’t think Geralt would appreciate that very much.

He jerks his attention back to Geralt and Eskel, where Geralt is leaning down to give Li’l Bleater a hearty scratch, because of course he is. Jaskier plunks himself down in the wooden chair and sullenly eats his eggs, mollified when Geralt’s hand lands on his thigh and starts to rub circles into it with his thumb.

“—Shouldn’t be gone more than three days,” Geralt is saying as Jaskier bites into his dry toast.

It tastes like dust. “When are you leaving, then?”

Geralt looks to Eskel. “As soon as possible,” Eskel answers.

Jaskier wipes his hands on his pants and stands up, sighing. Geralt shoots him a concerned look, full of questions, and Jaskier is sure he’s two seconds away from saying he doesn’t have to go. Jaskier knows the itch under Geralt’s skin has been intensifying, knows that for all Geralt isn’t meant to stomp from contract to contract, never taking a break, he’s not built for being just a farm hand, either.

Jaskier shoots him a reassuring smile and tentatively pats Li’l Bleater on the head. “I’m sure we’ll be able to manage without you for a few days.”

Geralt and Eskel stand up, too, and Geralt closes his hand around Jaskier’s wrist. “Don’t burn the place down,” he says.

A smile twitches at Jaskier’s lips, because that’s proof Geralt is coming back. He’s not going to go out and get the wanderlust from his younger years, he’s going to return to Jaskier. Good thing, too; Jaskier can barely take care of himself, much less the animals Geralt is amassing. Now they’re up to three for sure, and Jaskier is fairly certain he’s seen a dog trailing around behind Geralt. As long as it doesn’t end up at the foot of their bed, Jaskier is content for Geralt to do whatever makes him happy.

Jaskier glances at Eskel, who’s staring at them both, but he’s not going to let Geralt run off without a kiss. To his surprise, it’s Geralt that leans in to press his lips against Jaskier’s. Geralt pulls back, tugging at his hair and giving Jaskier a bashful grin.

Jaskier pushes playfully against his chest. “Be safe, you sap.”

Geralt grunts, the tip of his ears turning red, before he drags Eskel out the door. The door slams shut behind them, but not before Jaskier hears Eskel teasing Geralt. “Is that your boyfriend?” he sings.

There’s a solid thwack sound, and a, “I’m just jerking your chain, Geralt,” before they’re out of earshot, and Jaskier turns to Li’l Bleater.

They stare at each other until she creeps forward to nibble on the edge of Jaskier’s doublet.

He sighs. He can deal with a chew-happy goats. As long as she keeps her kids inside of her until Eskel returns, they’ll be fine.

read the rest on ao3 here!

#the witcher #geralt of rivia #jaskier #eskel #lil bleater #geralt is a horse girl at his core #fanfiction #fluff

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socialmediasocrates · 5 years ago

Text

a pound of sugar

Summary: If nobody else will give us a sorcerer saucily flirting with a knight, then by god I will.

Words: 1,043

Tagging: @friendlybomber @ramblinganthropologist since youse two expressed interest in the WIP it’s attached to, Caramel and Mallow

Daidala had so many books about sweets that Marche had thought for sure he’d be impressed by sugar cubes.

Not just any, either. They were, apparently, lilac-infused. A delicate purple color, pleasantly floral in smell. Marche had no idea if lilacs had a particular taste to them, but the little purple sugar cubes had reminded him of gems. And things that reminded him of gems, inevitably, reminded him of the heavy amethyst on Daidala’s finger as it turned and caught the light. This was the real reason that Marche had bought the sugar cubes, but he’d also thought they would impress Daidala.

If the way he was holding one up to the light and turning it over and over was an indicator, they didn’t.

“Do you know how many peasants’ bellies the cost of a pound of sugar could fill, Ser Marche?” he asked like he was asking for the weather.

“I don’t think so,” Marche admitted, his ears already burning. “But I can’t exactly fill peasants’ bellies by thinking of you, and I did when I saw those.”

“Oh, you did, did you?”

Mirth like lightning danced in Daidala’s storm cloud eyes when he looked at Marche. Was it possible for a man to burn to death from blushing? Marche would gladly be the first if it meant seeing the sorcerer’s eyes light up, the ghost of a smile tugging at the corner of his lips. Watching that sugar cube vanish between those lips was like the sun bursting through the clouds on a winter day; Daidala’s thoughtful hum sweeter than any hymn. It was not, exactly, knightly to watch someone eat something so closely. But few of Marche’s thoughts about the sorcerer called Daidala were ever, exactly, knightly.

“I don’t know how many peasants’ bellies you could fill with the cost of a pound of sugar, either.” Daidala shrugged and plucked another sugar cube from the little cloth sack. “At least one, I would think.”

“Wait. Were you making fun of me?!”

“I don’t know if I would call it making fun...I was teasing you. It’s cute when you get flustered. Your ears turn red.”

“They don’t!” Marche protested, painfully aware of how badly his ears were burning.

“You’re not a very good liar, Ser Marche, your body betrays you.”

As Daidala propped himself up against a wall and another sugar cube vanished into that cruel mouth, Marche found himself very, very aware of the sorcerer’s eyes on him. He felt Daidala’s gaze running over the planes of his chest and stomach as keenly as any hands. Was it magic? No. He’d been told a million times that Daidala’s magic didn’t work like that, and he’d felt it. That hum, that pull in the pit of his gut. It was similar but not the same as the pull he was feeling right then. Like the whole world had collapsed in on a single point, and Daidala was that point.

“I suppose you wouldn’t need to worry about how many people you could feed with the cost of a pound of sugar,” Daidala said thoughtfully, “with all those fat Crownsland rabbits running around. An empty belly would be a foreign problem.”

The phrase “rabbit starvation” was the first one that came to mind. Rabbit meat might keep a person alive through a particularly lean time, but it didn’t have nearly enough fat to sustain. Deer were better, and boar better than both, but to hunt a boar was a massive investment of time and men. Marche remembered his father and a hunting party of twenty men vanishing into the woodlands for a month, when he was a boy, and returning with a monster nearly the size of a small house in tow. He also remembered the angry red scars across his father’s chest from the beast’s tusks. Someone had probably been gored by a buck, out there in the woods, but he’d heard of more men killed by boars.

“You’ll still have an empty belly if rabbits are all you eat.” He turned the rest of what the sorcerer had said over in his head, and felt the violence of the flush that crept up his neck. “Are you calling me fat, Daidala?”

“What? No, of course not! Never.” His eyes lit up with laughter as he reached over to poke Marche’s stomach. “You’ve a little fat, but you ought to, or else all those muscles would twist right out of you.”

“You are calling me fat! I’ll have you know that I am a knight of the kingdom, and I keep to my training with rigor, sir!”

“What else do you keep to with rigor, I wonder?”

Daidala’s eyes were fixed on Marche’s lips, now, his head tilted a little to the side. It had to be magic that made his gaze feel as heavy as a hand. Nothing else came to mind that had that sort of gravity.

“Do you kiss with the same rigor as you train with swords and shields, Ser Marche?”

He could, he wanted to say. He stumbled a step closer to the sorcerer, a hand reaching for the dangling sleeve of Daidala’s shirt. He could kiss with just as much rigor. He could learn. Perhaps it was some sort of spell the sorcerer had cast; he didn’t really care. He could kiss that cruel, mocking mouth with however much rigor Daidala wanted from him.

“You shouldn’t tease me,” he managed to rasp. “It’s cruel.”

“Magic makes men cruel, sir knight.”

Daidala let him grab his sleeve. He stepped into the circle of Marche’s arms, and he was unbearably soft pressed up against his chest, and the short little kiss he pressed to his mouth was nearly as unbearable in its gentleness. But he stepped away as quickly, and Marche lurched back a little like a marionette with cut strings. The sorcerer swept out of the room in a swirl of fabric, the smell of cooking sugar trailing after him, but he paused at the door to glance over his shoulder at Marche.

“You will have to work on keeping things besides training with rigor, sir knight, or you’ll never be well-rounded.”

Marche would think about the stupid, teasing grin on his face for decades after.

#writeblr #short story #fantasy writeblr #ocxoc #arye writes #two old men #when they weren't quite grey yet lol #caramel and mallow

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avengerscompound · 6 years ago

Text

Making Sense - 5. Sound

Making Sense: A Hulkeye Fanfic

Series Masterlist Previous //

Buy me a ☕ Character Pairing: Bruce Banner x Clint Barton x F!Reader

Word Count: 2170

Rating: E

Warnings: Angst, Smut (Bi MMF threesome, oral sex, handjobs, anal sex, vaginal sex, Dom/Sub, switching, bondage, praise kink, rough sex, gentle sex, anal play, kinbaku, come play, ice play, erotic massage, sensory deprivation, mutual masturbation).

Synopsis: When Hulk starts making it difficult for Bruce to live his day to day life, Bruce starts pulling away from everyone. You and Clint take it upon yourselves to help the two of them to work more together better and Bruce to become more comfortable in his own skin.

5. Sound

“Thank you for giving him space last night.” You said rubbing your palm in a slow random pattern over the top of the Hulk’s large hand.

You, Clint and the Hulk sat together in the sun. Bruce had only just let him take control for the day and you wanted to get the talk out of the way first thing. That way the Hulk could spend the rest of the day just enjoying his last bit of freedom before returning to the tower.

Hulk huffed and nodded his head. “Hulk said he’d give Banner space.”

“Bruce has said he’ll agree to your terms.” You said. “If you can let him have room to be Bruce and not push on him, he agreed that once a month we can come out here and have at least a weekend. And if you both find it’s working like that, he’ll start letting you out back at the compound too.”

Hulk grunted. “Not always smash.”

“No. Just time to find out who you really are.” You agreed. “Does that sound good?”

“What about dog?” Hulk asked.

Clint laughed and patted Hulk on the arm. “Don’t worry. We’ll get a dog.”

The grin on Hulks face was huge and he clapped his hands.

“Alright. Enough talk. Let’s enjoy this last day.” Clint said jumping up, he tapped Hulk on the elbow. “Tag. You’re it.”

Hulk clambered to his feet as Clint shot up a tree and disappeared into the canopy of the forest. Hulk scooped you up and put you on his shoulders before taking after Clint. The rest of the day was spent doing most of the things you had already done. Clint and Hulk played their hunting/tag game for an hour or so before you all made your way to the waterfall and swam for a few hours. You had then gone back to the cabin and lit a big fire and cooked over it together. Hulk had really enjoyed burying potatoes wrapped in foil in the coals and was completely delighted to make smores. You had painted together and play fought.

By the end of the day, you were worn out but happy and sat under the tree watching the deer return to the field to graze.

“Hulk liked this week.” Hulk rumbled as he sat between you and Clint.

“Thanks, buddy. So did we.” Clint said, patting Hulk on the forearm.

Hulk made a deep contented rumbling sound deep in his chest. “Hulk love little bird and bossy girl.” He said, making the sign for I love you at the same time.

“Aww, buddy we love you too,” Clint said hugging Hulk.

You hugged him too and he placed a large hand on your back. “Yeah, love you too, Big Guy.”

Hulk hummed. “See you soon.” He said and shifted back into Bruce so you and Clint were hugging him as he took control again.

He hummed and nuzzled into you both. “I wish that’s how it happened every time.”

You and Clint both hummed in agreement, running your hands over him. “Definitely have to do it like this more often.”

Over dinner you, Bruce and Clint talked about how well the week went. How he’d been feeling more and more relaxed. How you and Clint now had zero doubts that the Hulk would ever hurt either of you. How Bruce was getting more and more comfortable and adventurous with his sex life even in the five days you’d spent here. You’d talked about other things he might want to try and had been too scared of. Things he wasn’t willing to do yet, and things he was willing to attempt given how calm and settled his mind was.

That’s how you ended up with Bruce naked on the bed while you and Clint carefully bound him using hemp rope. You were pretty good with a rope. Clint actually really liked being bound. He felt secure with the pressure of it against his skin. Safe. But while you were decent with bondage Clint was next level. He had a lot of hidden talents and knotwork was apparently one of them. Where yours was practical his also had an art too it. So when Bruce was fully bound, knees propped up, arms crossed over his chest, he looked beautiful.

The two of you ran your hands over him, creating pressure against him as you checked the ropes weren’t too tight or too loose. Unlike Clint, Bruce normally balked at being bound. It was something he was curious about but normally when you went to actually do it he freaked out about the Hulk and you’d have to abandon the entire thing and just go straight into aftercare. Not that you minded, cuddling and drinking tea together was nice too. It just meant that the fact you had already gotten to this stage was a testament to how much he trusted himself.

“How’s it feeling? Not rubbing?” You asked as you rubbed his chest in a deep deliberate motion. He moaned and flexed against the cords, his eyes already hooded in that sleepy, blissed out way he got as the endorphins began to kick in.

“No. Feels good.” He hummed.

“You’re positive you want to do this?” You asked.

“Mmm yeah… yes.” He replied.

“And you remember your safe words?” You asked.

“Amber to get you to back off but not stop. Red is to stop the whole thing.” He answered.

“You make sure you use them, B. You’re safe here with us.” You said.

“Yes, ma’am.” He said and you slipped on his blindfold. Clint grabbed the noise canceling headphones and you gave him a small nod and he slipped them over Bruce’s ears so that all he could hear was the sound of classical music.

You leaned over Bruce and kissed Clint deeply. He hummed happily as your lips moved with yours. You pulled away and nodded again and he smirked and began ghosting his fingers over Bruce’s body just so he tickled the hairs.

As Clint did that you picked up the cool steel buttplug from the collection of items you had planned to use tonight and began coating it in lube. It was medium sized. Big enough that it would stretch him but not so much he needed a lot of prep to take it. You moved between his legs and the soft whimpers he was making as Clint teased him turned into a long, deep moan as you coated his asshole in lube. He tried to raise his hips, pulling against the ropes and his cock jumped and leaked precome. You ran your hand down his hips and used the ropes to tug him into place. Seeing him like this was a huge turn on. It was unlikely you were going to come tonight but your arousal was enough. It dripped from you, soaking through your panties.

You pressed the plug against his asshole and slowly eased it into place. Bruce gasped and jerked up again. You rubbed his hips in soothing circles until he relaxed back down as best he could, continuing to whimper at Clint’s touch.

Clint moaned softly and you looked over at him and smirked. “Sounds good, huh?” You said picking up a feather and beginning to run it up the inside of Bruce’s thigh.

Clint hummed. “Is this what you get out of it? Getting to hear us like this?”

You nodded as you watched Bruce’s muscles twitch under the feather. You ran it up under his balls and they tensed and his cock jumped. “Oh god, please.” Bruce whimpered straining against the bonds.

“Pretty much. I’m not a sadist. That’s why I don’t use pain. Neither of you would enjoy that. But this… this fucking does it for me. The fact you trust me. Getting to see you enjoy it.” You explained as you ran the feather up Bruce’s stomach and teased his nipples with it. “You should feel how wet I am right now.”

Clint smirked and reached over pushing his hands between your legs and stroking his fingers along your pussy. He hummed and pulled his fingers away sticking them in his mouth. He picked up an ice cube from a bowl on the counter and teased it over Bruce’s lips. Bruce moan and his lips parted. “You ever want to be on the receiving end.”

You ran the feather up Bruce’s throat and watched as his nipples hardened. Clint ran the ice down Bruce’s throat and down his sternum. “Maybe,” You said eventually. “I’m not against it. But not if you and Bruce get put into a position you don’t like.”

Clint ran the ice over Bruce’s nipple and Bruce made a deep guttural moan. His hands opened and closed against him, each time making his muscles strain a little against his bonds. You put the feather down and ran your hands over him getting him to relax again as Clint continued to tease him with the ice. Clint moaned again and his hand went to his own cock stroking it to give himself some slight relief. Bruce’s cock was throbbing. A sticky smear of precum clumped the hair of his stomach together. “Please. Oh god, please.” He whimpered, rutting his hips as much as he could in their bonds.

You poured lube onto your palm and you began to stroke his cock. Bruce jerked violently on his bonds and groaned loudly his head falling back. Clint put his hands on Bruce’s shoulders moaning himself. “Oh fuck.” Clint hissed as he tried to soothe Bruce with his hands.

“Wait until you’re fucking him.” You teased. “You’ll be glad we are in a cabin in the middle of nowhere.” Clint made an impatient whine. “We’ll get there, little bird. Don’t worry. He’s already looking really close now.”

You teased your hand between Bruce’s legs, dancing them over his perineum to the end of the plug. You wriggled it inside him and started gently fucking him with it.

“Fuck! Oh god! God!” Bruce cried out bucking up again.

You hummed and leaned down, licking the head of his cock, the salty taste of his precome coating your taste buds. “I think you might be up, Barton.” You said pulling the plug free. You moved up beside them both as Clint moved between Bruce’s legs. You leaned over Bruce and began kissing along his collarbone and neck, placing each kiss between the ropes. You sucked on his throat as Clint grabbed hold of the ropes at Bruce’s chest and teased the head of his cock over Bruce’s asshole as he slicked it with lube.

“Please. Please. Clint. I need it. Please.” Bruce pleaded, twisting as much as the ropes allowed.

You kissed up along Bruce’s jaw and he tilted his head, lips parted, silently pleading for your lips on his. You kissed him, slowly and deeply and as Clint enter him he moaned and then pulled back groaning loudly. You kept kissing and running your hands over him, going between just ghosting your fingers and pressing hard with the palms of your hands.

Bruce got louder and louder. Clint’s moans joined them. Neither man holding back in expressing the pleasure they were experiencing. You reached between your legs, running your thumb over your clit and shoving two fingers inside of you to try and relieve the pressure you were feeling in your cunt. Their sounds were cutting right through you and it was like you were getting high on it.

Bruce jerked suddenly, his whole body seizing up and he came in ribbons on his stomach. Clint made a deep groan as he watched him and with a snap of his hips he came too, filling Bruce. You sat up and pulled your hand from your cunt. You ran your hands up up Bruce’s chest and along his neck before you removed his headset.

“Hey, B. You did so well. How are you doing, baby?” You said softly.

He hummed in that high far away way that let you know he was high on adrenaline and endorphins. “Yeah…”

You slipped the blindfold off and he blinked up at you slowly, his eyelids heavy. “You need anything? You asked.

“Mmm… thirsty.” You grabbed the carton of juice you had ready on the bedside table and offered it to him. He drank and you looked down at Clint who was wiping Bruce down and undoing knots.

“You okay, Clint?” You asked.

He nodded. “Yeah. Kinda weird being on this end.”

You rubbed his hip. “Alright, how about we get Bruce untied and get in the bath?”

He smiled. “Yeah. I’d like that.”

You looked back at Bruce. “Still you, B.”

He nodded. “Mm… all me. This was good. Feel safe.”

You hummed and began untying his bonds rubbing his muscles as you did so they wouldn’t seize up. You knew Bruce was always going to struggle with the Hulk, but for now, at least you knew you had him back with you.

~ END ~

#clint barton #bruce banner #clint barton x reader #bruce banner x reader #hulkeye #hawkeye #hulk #hawkeye fanfic #hulk fanfic #bruce banner x clint barton #bruce banner x clint barton x reader #hulkeye x reader #fanfic #fanfiction #reader insert #smut #making sense #sound

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maevesdarling · 6 years ago

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Strong

I heard you people liked Arthur and Charles together? Mhm liked Charles taking care of injured animals in camp? Worry no more, I got you covered.

Pairing: Arthur Morgan/Charles Smith

Words: 1155

- - -

Arthur squinted his eyes against the rising sun. It was a sunny morning on Horseshoe Overlook. Tilly and Mary Beth were laughing in the distance, both woman busy washing some of the gangs dirty clothes in a washbasin. Dutch was smoking one of his cigars in front of his tent, watching the rest of the gang getting on with their day.

"Morning Arthur." Hosea said, a mug of coffee in his hand. "You heading out today?" The conman raised one of his eyebrows and crooked his head slightly. Arthur rubbed the back of his neck. " 'M not sure yet." He had just returned to camp after a successful hunt in the Grizzlies so he was looking forward to spend at least half a day resting before he'd head out again. "Alright then. Well if you do, keep an eye out for Charles, he's been gone for some time. I wonder what's holding him up." The older man sat down on the old, shabby table that stood close to the camps entrance and opened a book.

Arthur kicked his feet in the dirty, unsure what to do next. He decided to do some chores and began with cutting some wood. Ever since the O'Driscoll boy was set free he had taken over carrying for the horses so Arthur spend less time looking after them, knowing that someone else was already doing that job. He still went over to his own horse to feed her a sugar cube while stroking her soft mane. "Good girl." He praised the horse as she happily munched away.

A noise from the bushes behind him startled Arthur. Somebody was walking towards the camp.

"Who's there?" Bill shouted, raising his shotgun. "It's Charles." The half native american said in a tired voice. He walked right past Bill and Arthur, he was holding something in his arms and he was wearing a look of concentration on his face. Arthur was curious on what the man was holding so he decided to follow him.

Charles walked towards Pearson's wagon before making a sharp turn that led him behind the wagon to the big barrels full of water. "Charles? You okay?" Arthur started slowly. At first he wasn't sure if the other man had heard him. He lowered his hands towards the barrel than stopped. "Mhm. Oh. Arthur, come here a minute." Arthur complied without hesitation. "Here, hold this for a second while I get a mug." Charles said and put a small bird into Arthur's palms.

The outlaw almost flinched away when soft feathers brushed his skin. "I uh- what?" He stammered looking down at the bird. It was a little sparrow. Some of its feathers were ruffled and stood in into the wrong direction. His heart was beating fast in Arthur's hands, he could feel it beating against his skin. "What happened? I thought you were supposed to hunt?" Charles nodded. He had grabbed a mug from somewhere and began to fill it with some water. "I was. Hunted some deer just outside Valentine when this little guy fell right out of the sky. I saw a hawk circling the woods, he probably attacked the sparrow." Charles dipped his fingers into the water and held them towards the bird who still didn't moved. "Come let's sit down in the shade over there." Charles took hold of Arthur's shoulder and manoeuverd them into the cool gras behind them. The two men leaned against the trunk of a tree and proceed to try and get the bird to drink.

Fortunately the bird started drinking after another failed try. He was still in shock and allowed Charles to brush it's feathers. The gentle outlaw took the bird from Arthur with a smile and inspected the wings. "Looks fine to me. He was probably just in shock from the attack." He let his head fall back against the tree and lowered the bird into his lap.

"You plan on keeping that thing, Smith?" The native american shook his head. "It's not meant to be held in captivity, Arthur." His finger gently caressed the birds head, who chirped quietly. "When I was a child, I brought a bird home to my dad." Charles began without looking up from the bird. "I thought he was happy I saved the bird, but he did absolutely nothing. Just took another sip from his whiskey." There was the hint of disgust in Charles voice as he said those words and Arthur nodded his head slowly. "I nursed it back to health. Took me a whole week but by the end he was able to fly again. I knew I had to let him go but it was hard. The bird was the only thing that seemed interested in me." Arthur had to swallow the urge to reach out to touch the other man. "I let it free a few days later. I don't think my dad even noticed I still had it, he was passed out drunk for most of the week and when he wasn't, he was out making a mess, getting into fights all that." A smile creeped up on Charles face when the bird in his hands turned it's head and chirped louder. "It's alright, Hotah." Arthur raised an eyebrow.

"What's that word? Sparrow? Bird?"

Charles huffed, the smile got even bigger. "No, it's a name. I- I thought we should give the little one a name. It means 'strong'." Arthur made an understanding humm and reached out to touch the bird. It was warm and soft.

"Hotah huh? I like it. Didn't take you for the type of guy who names animals he found in the wild."

"Well, there's a lot you still don't know about me, Arthur." Charles said amused and Arthur nodded. "Right and I'm looking forward to know you even better." A second after he said that, the outlaw realized how wrong his words sounded. "I mean, uh-"

He scratched the back of his head. "Ah shit, you know what I mean." He said with a frown.

The bird moved it's wings and jumped a bit in Charles hands. "Oh, I think our little friend is ready to get moving again." He got up from the ground and walked a couple of feet until they were standing near the cliffs edge, overlooking the Dakota River and West Elizabeth.

"Good luck, Hotah, stay away from hawks." Charles raised the bird higher before he opened his palms. The bird flew off with a happy chirp and soon disappeared into the blue, cloudless sky. Arthur stared after him in awe. "It was nice of you to save that bird." He said, not meeting Charles face. They were standing so close to each other, their shoulders touched. "Let's get back to the rest of the camp." Charles proposed, nudging Arthur's shoulder. "Alright." He said and hoped the native american wouldn't notice his cheeks heating up at the touch.

#red dead redemption 2 #arthur/charles #arthur morgan #charles smith #red dead redemption #rdr2

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1stunseeliefaelass · 6 years ago

Text

Darksiders: Arthurian Tales

Chapter 5: Encounters Part 1

Morgen led Death on a path to the forest after getting ready for their midnight ride. Course, all the while Death was wondering how Morgen tamed a Unicorn, a female no less. Unicorns were always timid by nature, and the females especially so. He knew of the stories of Unicorns approaching maidens under various circumstances, but ultimately viewed them as just that. Stories. That and male Unicorns were the ones that said to approach maidens anyway. He'd not heard a story involving a female one. He stopped his musing when feeling Morgen's arm on his chest.

"Hold on a moment. They're in this clearing up ahead. We need to approach slowly. The males can be a bit territorial sometimes." Morgen says quietly.

"You sure they're not just going to bolt anyway? I am the Reaper after all." Death whispers back.

"I've been around this herd many times now. They've gotten used to me, so even with you around they should be fine." Morgen says before heading into the clearing carefully.

Death followed her closely, still skeptical that they'd sit still while he was there. He'd been around Unicorns before, usually by pure coincidence. For some reason babies were fine with approaching him, mainly due to Despair, who usually would try to ignore them. While adults were cautious and kept their distance. Though he's had a few males get brave and try to shove him with their horns. So he wasn't entirely hopeful about this encounter going well.

Once in the clearing, Death glanced around at the small herd. There were a few babies, with Mothers that were grabbing their tails and dragging them back closer. He heard a few protective sounds coming from one of the males as well. The sounds were a mix of a horse and elk. He heard Morgen's voice ahead of him and continued following her. Eventually Morgen found the female Unicorn she was looking for. Death noticed this female looked a little different. She still looked like the others, with the legs and head of deer, body of a horse, tail of lion, and more. Course most females were a bit on the spindly side, this female had more muscle tone to her. He was even more surprised when she approached him. Her horn glowed a bit as it's tip touched his chest. After that she lifted her head up and gave a call, presumably to the other Unicorns. Upon hearing it, they all seemed to go back to their own business. Death then felt something bump his leg. Looking down he found a tiny Unicorn trying to tackle his leg. It didn't last long as the female gently nudged it away.

Morgen then began stroking her neck as she told Death, "Her name is Ataraxy, and she's very docile as you see."

Death approached carefully before stroking her, "I see. She's a bit muscular for a female."

"I've ridden her many times, and given her some food based on books I've read. Speaking of which..." Morgen says before reaching into a pouch.

Ataraxy made an excited sound as Morgen pulled a few sugar coated marigolds from the pouch. Eagerly she ate them up and nudged Morgen happily.

"For instance, I once read that marigolds were a popular treat for their sugary petals. So I'll give Ataraxy a few when I visit her. As you can see, she certainly loves them." Morgen says.

"Intriguing. Despair can eat what most horses do, but he's not a fan of sugar cubes or even apples. One day I actually spotted him kicking at the bones of a long dead animal. I watched him a bit longer and eventually he did manage to break the bone somewhat. After that he started licking at something inside the bone. When I came closer I realized it was the bone marrow." Death says.

"Your horse likes bone marrow?" Morgen asked him with a raised eyebrow.

"He does, and I have no idea why. Eventually I started making bone marrow cubes for him. A mix of marrow with some bone meal in there so that it has some nutritional value at least."

"I see..." Morgen says a bit weirded out.

"I don't blame you for the reaction. I still find it weird myself."

Morgen eventually shook her head and then led Ataraxy to Vortigen's stables where her saddle was. Death summoned Despair in the meantime as he waited for Morgen to finish readying Ataraxy. Despair in the meantime nudged Death for attention. Chuckling, Death gave it to him. Course they then heard little high pitched barks. Death looked behind him and noticed one of Despair's saddlebags was moving. He chuckled again and lifted the flap, finding a jealous, little, white Limt inside there.

"Fuzzball, what are you doing in there? You're supposed to stay home you know that." Death says petting him a little.

Fuzzball only barked more, wanting to be held like the big baby he was.

"Ok ok jeez, you are so needy. Just quiet down already." Death says finally scooping the critter up.

Once he did so Fuzzball was calm and panting happily. Death then heard Morgen gush from behind him,

"Dawwwwwww. What a cutie?" Morgen says seeing Fuzzball.

"Yeah he's pretty cute, when he's not being a baby."

Death got an annoyed 'merph' noise from Fuzzball. He snickered before setting Fuzzball back into the saddlebag.

"I know you have Despair and that crow of yours, but I didn't know you had a Limt." Morgen says.

"Yeah. I only have him because he can be useful at times. More often than not he stays home though, as he can't really defend himself. Not that he doesn't try. Even Dust picks on him."

"Your crow?"

"Yes. I've had to break apart several fights over the years, luckily they are rare nowadays. Usually it's because Dust, being a crow, decided to be to annoy Fuzzball too much." Death says.

"Hehehehe I see. How did you end up with Fuzzball exactly? I can't imagine you picked him up and randomly decided to keep the little rodent."

"It was not my finest moment. Perhaps a conversation for the ride?" Death asks as Morgen mounts Ataraxy finally.

"Sounds good to me."

The two then rode off together down the road. Death then began to regale Morgen with the tale of how he met Fuzzball. Death had known about Limts before meeting Fuzzball. Usually they were seen as nuisances and pests since like most other rodents, they'd eat just about anything. But with Limts, that was all too true. Limts can and will eat anything they can take a bite out of. Even if sometimes what they eat isn't edible. They were also known for access amount of fur, and for healing powers that very few people could explain. Death met Fuzzball on a realm with an eternal winter, he couldn't recall which one exactly. However he did remember a battle taking place and how in the middle of it, Mother Nature seemingly decided to smite everybody there. An avalanche came about and sucked in just about everybody in it's wake. The avalanche had also knocked a few boulders loose, with one landing on Death. It had pinned his arm and despite his efforts he couldn't free himself in time. While buried under the snow, Death tried digging himself out with his free hand. Only for more snow to fall on him with each hole he dug. Eventually he dug one final hole, but he was running low on air. That's when he heard a high pitched bark and looked up to see Fuzzball. Fuzzball then without any prompting or insensitive, began to eat the snow surrounding Death. Granted the little rodent had to stop every few circles to puke up water. It took some time, but Fuzzball eventually dug Death up enough for him to breathe properly. Course he was still pinned under the rock. Fuzzball however once again jumped into action. He began to bite off rock chunks and chew them up before spitting them out. The chewed bits flew pretty far and fast from what Death recalls. Fuzzball kept it up for a good while, but eventually just didn't have it in him to eat anymore rock pieces. So he called for backup and more Limts came by. Pitching together, they chewed the rock into a more sizable boulder that Death could move. Once Death was free at last he thanked the little creatures and began to head home. Course Fuzzball in particular stayed behind and even followed Death. At that point Death decided he may as well take the little Limt with him. Fuzzball even surprised him more by gumming him broken arm, which is how they trigger their healing ability.

"Wow, that's quite the story. I'm guessing he's ever the loyal critter then?" Morgen asks amazed.

"He is loyal for sure, much like Despair and Dust. He's just also very needy and acts more like a lapdog than the rodent he is. He even figured out how to use puppy eyes."

"Oh really? I'm guessing you've caved in once or twice." Morgen asks teasingly.

"Yeah you may find it funny now, just wait til he does it to you. Then you'll see for yourself why his puppy eyes annoy me. Only War and Fury can resist him everytime. I can only resist him sometimes and Strife, nada." Death says.

From there the two decided to take a break. Despair and Ataraxy got a bit playful with each other once their riders were off the saddles. Fuzzball jumped from the saddlebag he was in and scurried over to Morgen as she sat down. Hoping into her lap and making a sort of purring sound. Death chuckled as she gushed and petted him. They then heard a little growl and Death sighed before searching Despair's saddlebags for food. Morgen herself was a little tired and decided to lay down for a spell. Falling asleep pretty easily soon after. Morgen then woke with a start sometime later.

She looked around and saw no sign of Death, Ataraxy, Despair, or Fuzzball. Already on edge, she stood up and called out for them. Getting no response, she went down the path to look for them. Only to find herself at that river. The same river, where her deed had been done. She looked onto the river in a stunned silence of sorts, then began to hear distorted, harsh sounding crying. Looking around, she saw some brush nearby moving about. Gingerly she moved it to the side and saw a fetus crying on the ground. Morgen began to back away in shock and horror, only for the thing to become bigger. With spindly limbs and a disjointed body. It snarled at her as more fetuses began to come from the shadows. Their cries filling her ears as Morgen began to scream apologies over and over again. However, she felt something grab the back of her clothes and pull her into the lake. As she tried to free herself, she saw the green eyes of Kelpie. Behind it were more eyes in the murky water. The eyes then charged at her.

Morgen awoke, this time for real, with a scream of terror. Death was already next to her, having overheard her whimpering and muttering in her sleep. Death nearly asked if she was alright, but her sobs answered that for him. Fuzzball snuggled Morgen as she curled up, hiding her face in her legs and hugging herself. Death decided to let her be for now, only giving the occasional strokes on her back. After some time Morgen finally calmed down. When Death asked if she wanted to return to Vortigen's home, she only nodded silently. Death helped her onto Ataraxy before getting on Despair. Fuzzball hopped onto Morgen's leg and did his best to crawl up into her lap. Morgen eventually helped him achieve that as they rode on. Placing Fuzzball in her lap and gently petting him.

#Darksiders #Darksiders Fandom #Darksiders Fanfic #Darksiders Arthurian Tales #Death #Strife

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verdigrisprowl · 6 years ago

Text

Jan 11 Library Movie Night - BLoSC ep 2-6

Prowl’s alternate’s alternate showed up for the first time, sparkling in tow. Said sparkling immediately became the star of the night. Starscream spent the whole night glued to it.

Nobody is fond of the brain-squeezing scenes.

Today verdigrisprowl 7:40 pm *well hello Soundwave, early arriver.* ... Were you waiting for me to get here? NoodlesAtNight 7:42 pm [[Good evening.]] *Soundwave lowers his datapad and offers Prowl a small smile.* [[He was. He intended to steal a moment before the crowd arrives.]] MedicalMurdersaurus 7:43 pm *ARRIVES* thebestdecepticonleader 7:43 pm ((Hi everyone)) verdigrisprowl 7:43 pm I think you're a little late for that. But you can help set up the snack table. NoodlesAtNight 7:43 pm [[And there's the crowd.]] *Gestures.* [[Oh well. He'll do that, happily.]] thebestdecepticonleader 7:43 pm I can look away if you want privacy NoodlesAtNight 7:43 pm *Gets up and starts doing exactly as suggested.* MedicalMurdersaurus 7:43 pm Bird?? opatoes 7:44 pm /He's here early for once! And he brought along a few games this time, even./ Good evening. verdigrisprowl 7:45 pm Evening. MedicalMurdersaurus 7:45 pm *kartwheels up to Soundwave* NoodlesAtNight 7:45 pm [[Swoop! Do not do that. We are in a library. That is a place for quiet voices and physical restraint.]] verdigrisprowl 7:45 pm Alternate. verdigrisprowl 7:46 pm *right! Got the episodes lined up, he can finish moving chairs into place.* MedicalMurdersaurus 7:46 pm *has never been briefed on library manners and only vaguely seen them on TV ebfore his visits here* Pff! Where Bird? Me Swoop have snack for Her Bird : > Lieutenant10 7:46 pm *is here entirely for the library aspect* NoodlesAtNight 7:46 pm [[Not here today. She does not come to these particular movie nights.]] SCProwl 7:46 pm Captain. NoodlesAtNight 7:46 pm [[Try Monday.]] MedicalMurdersaurus 7:47 pm But. Me Swoop have goodie for Bird. : < verdigrisprowl 7:47 pm ... And /other/ alternate. You made it. NoodlesAtNight 7:47 pm *And that's the snack table worked out.*

[[Then eat it yourself and don't tell her. She has plenty.]] *Suddenly, deer in the headlights - specifically of two Prowls he ISN'T dating. Uh-oh. Better be on best behavior tonight.* MedicalMurdersaurus 7:47 pm Kehehhh! Her Bird get MAD if Her hear that! Too many! Pah! rulesandprotocol 7:47 pm Well I did say I would try and make it, Hunters fussy tonight so I dont know how long I'll be able to stay SCProwl 7:47 pm *oh there's another alternate here, that's... something* Swervester 7:48 pm [slides in] thebestdecepticonleader 7:48 pm Why are there so many Prowls? I feel outnumbered. Lieutenant10 7:48 pm *There are so many Prowl's. It's the best night* verdigrisprowl 7:48 pm Imagine that, a show that's hosted by a Prowl is popular with Prowls. SCProwl 7:48 pm *pings Soundwave a greeting anyway* Swervester 7:48 pm Amazing thebestdecepticonleader 7:48 pm 😕 yeah but... Swervester 7:48 pm Hi Prowl. Prowl. Prowl. opatoes 7:49 pm ... Wait, Is my vision fragged? verdigrisprowl 7:49 pm Swoop, if you get rambunctious tonight, you're getting bridged outside without warning. *there is a sparkling here and he's told they're delicate, he's not risking anything.* SCProwl 7:49 pm Hello. Swerve, correct? thebestdecepticonleader 7:49 pm I feel like you are going to get people to gang up on me with the three of you Lieutenant10 7:49 pm ((dangit gotta leave)) verdigrisprowl 7:49 pm If you're nervous, you can leave. Lieutenant10 7:49 pm ((why)) MedicalMurdersaurus 7:49 pm RamBUNKchus! Keheheh! thebestdecepticonleader 7:49 pm no opatoes 7:49 pm /He's glaring at all the prowls, trying to see if any of them will disappear if he does so./ NoodlesAtNight 7:50 pm *Soundwave perks at the mention of Hunter. The sparkling is here? He'll wind a feeler between various bots to get a peek with the claw optics.* SCProwl 7:50 pm *still here, blissfully unaware of the fact that she's being glared at by anyone* verdigrisprowl 7:50 pm Then keep it to yourself. I'm interested in watching a cop show, not irrationally ganging up on a guest who volunteered to come. Swervester 7:50 pm Yup I'm Swerve. thebestdecepticonleader 7:50 pm Can you sit together so that I can sit on the other side of the room? rulesandprotocol 7:50 pm Hunter: squeaks Swervester 7:50 pm [sparkling? hello let him see the baby???] Aw. rulesandprotocol 7:51 pm Hunter * makes grabby hand toward feeler* thebestdecepticonleader 7:51 pm *gasps* baby NoodlesAtNight 7:51 pm [[This is very different than the-- oof.]] *He'll allow that. Just don't drool on him, youngling.* [[The protoforms in your materials, Swerve.]] opatoes 7:52 pm /Finally decides one of the Prowls is probably Cerebros after all, and stops glaring./ So- how much have I missed of this show? What type of police work do they do? Swervester 7:52 pm Oh yeah. To be fair, the materials I sent were specifically for forged hot spot sparklings. The ones who are adults within a week, like our plague babies. verdigrisprowl 7:52 pm Sorry, Starscream, the baby's with a Prowl. Guess you've got to stay across the room from it. MedicalMurdersaurus 7:52 pm *notices everyone paying attention to a thing and wanders closer to see what is up* thebestdecepticonleader 7:52 pm aw 😕 rulesandprotocol 7:52 pm Starscream can meet him if he wants. thebestdecepticonleader 7:53 pm Can I? verdigrisprowl 7:53 pm Hey, he was the one who said he was uncomfortable. *shrugs* rulesandprotocol 7:53 pm Yeah if you want to. verdigrisprowl 7:53 pm *he watches Swoop like a hawk.* NoodlesAtNight 7:53 pm *Gently wiggles the claw in Hunter's grabbing hands to and fro, amused.* Swervester 7:53 pm [leans in for a better look] Hi kiddo. thebestdecepticonleader 7:53 pm Babies are more important than my safety verdigrisprowl 7:53 pm *huffs* rulesandprotocol 7:53 pm Hunter: *clicks giggles loving attention* MedicalMurdersaurus 7:53 pm *is a hawk (sort of) circling the adults entranced by the baby* MedicalMurdersaurus 7:54 pm *is actually walking and not flying (for now)* NoodlesAtNight 7:54 pm *Doesn't think Starscream is wrong, per se, but knows better than to say that. He can only get away with that when he is the host himself.* Swervester 7:54 pm [beeps quietly at baby] SCProwl 7:54 pm *if the chairs have been moved into place, this Prowl is going to find the chair nearest the door and take that* thebestdecepticonleader 7:54 pm *Kneels next to the sparkling* Hello little one MedicalMurdersaurus 7:54 pm *stands behind Swerve to look at the sparkling* rulesandprotocol 7:55 pm Hunter: puh -click- verdigrisprowl 7:55 pm *to the guy that definitely isn't Smokescreen* I haven't picked up any speciality. They seem to do /all/ police work, as long as it's out on the field. And occasionally fight evil emperors. NoodlesAtNight 7:55 pm *Now getting worried about overwhelming them with all the others; carefully withdraws the claw and pats the hand before reeling his feeler in and moving to the other side of the room. That's probably better for it.* verdigrisprowl 7:55 pm *well, he WANTED to go greet his alternate with the sparkling, but he seems a little swarmed right now.* Sorry, alternate. I didn't realize Hunter would be such a popular attraction. *he'll just stay across the room.* thebestdecepticonleader 7:55 pm Babies always are verdigrisprowl 7:55 pm Now I know. Swervester 7:56 pm Babies are great. [sidles back to his chosen chair tho bc that's a lot of people] rulesandprotocol 7:56 pm I didn't think he'd be that popular either honestly. opatoes 7:56 pm Evil emperors? Hm. Seems engaging. Thank you. I will have to catch up with the previous episodes later. NoodlesAtNight 7:56 pm *Hovers next to amica-Prowl, and pings his own timeline's. Good evening. Then all the other mechs in turn, if he hasn't already greeted them.* MedicalMurdersaurus 7:56 pm *glances at the baby, down at Swerve and back at the baby* PFFF! That a LAME baby. Me Swoop can take Him. thebestdecepticonleader 7:56 pm Just remember, if you need any help with them, I will do anything to protect them Swervester 7:56 pm There will be no taking, Swoop. NoodlesAtNight 7:56 pm *ALARM* [[Do NOT fight the newbuild.]] opatoes 7:57 pm /For now, Smokescreen's going up towards the table which usually has drinks, hoping to grab a few cubes before setting down towards the front of the screen./ thebestdecepticonleader 7:57 pm *moving back a bit but still nearby* rulesandprotocol 7:57 pm Hunter: *smiles* babbling nonsense verdigrisprowl 7:57 pm *Prowl's pretty sure that if he tells Swoop not to, he'll immediately try to do so. So watches silently and gets ready with a bridge.* NoodlesAtNight 7:57 pm *...Whoops.* rulesandprotocol 7:58 pm Hunter: *whines* MedicalMurdersaurus 7:58 pm Not much of a FIGHT! Keheh! Him suck. Me Swoop WAY tougher. thebestdecepticonleader 7:58 pm Do they need anything, blankets, energon, anything? rulesandprotocol 7:58 pm No he should be good, I fed him before we left, I have the poncho for him thebestdecepticonleader 7:58 pm Let me know though, okay? verdigrisprowl 7:59 pm *oh good, he doesn't seem to be taking it as a challenge.* rulesandprotocol 7:59 pm sure verdigrisprowl 7:59 pm I've got snacks on a table to the side if you or he need anything. ... Do sparklings drink high grade? MedicalMurdersaurus 7:59 pm *totally stares the sparkling down* NoodlesAtNight 7:59 pm @P: [[We have discovered the key to a Starscream's generosity: tiny Cybertronians.]] rulesandprotocol 7:59 pm no they dont but thanks for the offer MedicalMurdersaurus 7:59 pm *come AT him bro* verdigrisprowl 7:59 pm *has learned one (1) new fact about sparklings* rulesandprotocol 7:59 pm *watches swoopcarefully* Swervester 8:00 pm Swoop come sit with me, I got snacks ypou can have for Bird. verdigrisprowl 8:01 pm @S «Who would have guessed? NoodlesAtNight 8:01 pm *Strangely, that sounds like the key to his OWN sense of generosity - but in his defense, he's mostly programmed that way. Starscream just has a weakness.* verdigrisprowl 8:01 pm *Prowl was just thinking that sounded more like Soundwave.* MedicalMurdersaurus 8:01 pm *glances at Swerve* Bird? : > SCProwl 8:01 pm *has learned that many people, including Soundwave and Starscream, fall all over themselves in response to sparklings. is it a signal they're giving off? something else? we just don't know* Swervester 8:02 pm Yeah. SCProwl 8:02 pm *in Soundwave's case it might have something to do with carrier coding and minicons. sparklings do tend to be rather small don't they?* NoodlesAtNight 8:02 pm *IT'S A TINY PERSON, OKAY? IT'S HIS JOB.* rulesandprotocol 8:02 pm Hunter *suddenly cranky* thebestdecepticonleader 8:02 pm So what is their name? rulesandprotocol 8:02 pm Hunter, Hold on one minute I'll be right back NoodlesAtNight 8:02 pm [[Ah - is he all right?]] thebestdecepticonleader 8:03 pm Cool name Can I help? verdigrisprowl 8:03 pm We'll be here. MedicalMurdersaurus 8:03 pm Yah, snacks for Bird! *starts to go with Swerve, then pauses to look at the sparkling one last time* MedicalMurdersaurus 8:04 pm *smacks both of his palms on his chest, holds up his hands and grins .... before walking away* thebestdecepticonleader 8:04 pm *Starscream has a sparkling, but he left them with the Autobots, that's why he's going like this* Swervester 8:04 pm [snorts] MedicalMurdersaurus 8:05 pm *is clearly the most badass baby in the room and immediately grabs onto Swerve* Snacks for Bird! NoodlesAtNight 8:05 pm *Soundwave shakes his head at Swoop. A mighty victory, bananabeak. Which reminds him. He turns to amica-Prowl.*

@P: [[...Perhaps we should get one.]] Swervester 8:05 pm [amused. he allows the hanging] Yes, snacks for Bird. verdigrisprowl 8:05 pm @S «... Come again?» *where would they keep it.* MedicalMurdersaurus 8:06 pm Where? Swervester 8:06 pm Here. [pulls out bag from subspace] rulesandprotocol 8:06 pm *returns with Hunter in arms.* we should be all set now sorry thebestdecepticonleader 8:06 pm Why are sparklings so precious? Swervester 8:07 pm //i'm laughing three prowls i really should have come as roller he'd be dying rulesandprotocol 8:07 pm Because Ithey done let their Carriers sleep for months and if they weren't precious most people wouldn't tolerate them MedicalMurdersaurus 8:07 pm *grins and makes grabby hands* Him Sideswipe give Me Swoop snack for Her Bird too! Him being gross with Thundercracker. Me Swoop going to have lots lots of snacks for Her Bird! NoodlesAtNight 8:07 pm @P: [[A sparkling. A newbuild? He thinks we should look into this.]] verdigrisprowl 8:08 pm @S «... Why??» thebestdecepticonleader 8:08 pm True, you know, if he ever needs a babysitter Swervester 8:08 pm [amused noise] Was he? Here. Have the whole bag. verdigrisprowl 8:08 pm *aren't there professionals who can take care of them* MedicalMurdersaurus 8:08 pm Yay : > rulesandprotocol 8:08 pm Thanks but Ive got almost 10 on retainer and 5 of them I dont even know their names Swervester 8:08 pm I'm sure she'll enjoy the snacks. thebestdecepticonleader 8:08 pm Oh, that's good NoodlesAtNight 8:08 pm *Soundwave tilts his helm. Does Prowl really need that explained to him?*

@P: [[Your timeline is taking in many refugees. Someone who would like to see Starscream behave like a better leader is bound to create one of these some time. If they were willing to cooperate, we could test his susceptibility to their presence.]] Swervester 8:08 pm //im crying soundwave MedicalMurdersaurus 8:09 pm Sometimes Her too many snack for tiny flying kehehheheheh Swervester 8:09 pm Does she MedicalMurdersaurus 8:09 pm It funniest thing EVER verdigrisprowl 8:10 pm @S «Ahhh. That IS a vulnerability we ought to look into.» *HE THOUGHT SOUNDWAVE MEANT TO KEEP* cerebrosurgeon 8:10 pm [He's here and going straight for Swerve as usual. Everyone he recognises gets their waves. He's fascinated by the baby in passing; everyone figured out where to find sparklings except the mechs sitting on a hot spot, huh?] Hey, hey. NoodlesAtNight 8:10 pm *THAT'S A VERY DIFFERENT THING* verdigrisprowl 8:10 pm @S «... Can you bug a sparkling?» NoodlesAtNight 8:10 pm [[Greetings, Cerebros.]] Swervester 8:10 pm Hey Cere. NoodlesAtNight 8:10 pm @P: [[...He doesn't know. He could try.]] verdigrisprowl 8:10 pm Right. We should get started now. verdigrisprowl 8:11 pm Everyone ready? thebestdecepticonleader 8:11 pm yeah cerebrosurgeon 8:11 pm Hey! Hi. I'm good. opatoes 8:11 pm Indeed. SCProwl 8:11 pm I am. Swervester 8:11 pm Yup NoodlesAtNight 8:11 pm [[Oh, yes. Apologies.]] *He'll get himself seated, like a normal person who's totally not secretly scheming.* opatoes 8:11 pm ... /Wait, Cerebros is here? But he thought he was already here. Now he is glaring at all the Prowls and Cerebros./ rulesandprotocol 8:11 pm *sits on floor lays Lockdowns poncho out and placed Hunter on his stomach so he can watch the show* Hunter *calm and happy* verdigrisprowl 8:12 pm ((i haven't pre-watched any of these so absolutely no content warnings and I apologize ahead of time if anything is cringy)) thebestdecepticonleader 8:12 pm *sitting on floor near Hunter* cerebrosurgeon 8:12 pm [He is definitely here /now/. He knows he's normally earlier. Sorry, Smokescreen.] Swervester 8:12 pm //for a second i thought those were tfa bees thebestdecepticonleader 8:13 pm That's not... how black holes work MedicalMurdersaurus 8:13 pm *wanders over to find a seat by the screen, which brings him closer to Hunter* Swervester 8:13 pm Science verdigrisprowl 8:13 pm They might be a little misinformed. rulesandprotocol 8:14 pm Hunter * flutters door wings puts toy he's been holding into mouth* MedicalMurdersaurus 8:14 pm *sits down criss cross apple sauce* NoodlesAtNight 8:14 pm *Huh. He thought that was a toy, not a food item. He really should spend more time learning about alternate universe newbuilds.* verdigrisprowl 8:15 pm Why would you go into stasis in the middle of a dangerous maneuver? rulesandprotocol 8:15 pm Toxic gas possibly? thebestdecepticonleader 8:15 pm Maybe it was unintentional NoodlesAtNight 8:15 pm [[Now is a time.]] verdigrisprowl 8:15 pm He initiated the procedure, and he had a space suit on to protect him from gases—or the lack thereof, in this case. Swervester 8:16 pm [squints] NoodlesAtNight 8:17 pm [[...This must be a lie.]] verdigrisprowl 8:17 pm ... That seems improbable. Maybe they mean large, systematic evils? Swervester 8:17 pm That's weirdly insistent. verdigrisprowl 8:18 pm It could've been reduced to the sort of threats that can be addressed by planet-by-planet police forces rather than an overarching galactic police system. MedicalMurdersaurus 8:18 pm *stretches his wings out* NoodlesAtNight 8:19 pm [[They did seem insistent that it was all crime - such as the would be mugger that gave flowers.]] verdigrisprowl 8:19 pm Indeed. Hm. verdigrisprowl 8:20 pm ... All right. I'm skeptical. Swervester 8:20 pm [frowny face] I feel like it's a Zurg plot except why would Zurg have everyone celebrate Buzz opatoes 8:20 pm There is, without a doubt, something wrong with this universe. Swervester 8:20 pm Oh. opatoes 8:20 pm Ah. MedicalMurdersaurus 8:20 pm Kehheehhh Boob verdigrisprowl 8:20 pm A lotus-eater machine? Swervester 8:20 pm Wow that was not something I expected opatoes 8:21 pm ... Hm. Zerg is... Familiar. verdigrisprowl 8:21 pm As long as he thinks the galaxy is at peace, he has no urge to run out to fight crime? ... Ahhh. Intel. Swervester 8:21 pm Yeah, I guess tho he seems pretty uncontent with it so--Oh. NoodlesAtNight 8:21 pm [[...He saw an ancient film about a perfect town on Earth. The lack of crime, disagreement, and imperfection was due to a young outlier human with reality warping abilities. He would punish anyone who displeased him. He wonders if that is the case h-- oh. Zurg. He supposes not.]] Swervester 8:22 pm And now I see. He schedules his gloating? NoodlesAtNight 8:22 pm [[It's so efficient.]] *Slight admiring tone.* verdigrisprowl 8:22 pm Efficient. Swervester 8:22 pm .... Actually maybe that's smart, if he has it scheduled for a specific time it doesn't interfere with plotting NoodlesAtNight 8:22 pm *Soft huff.* verdigrisprowl 8:22 pm *huff* opatoes 8:22 pm ... Magnetic forces? Hm. verdigrisprowl 8:23 pm Ooh. That looks fun. opatoes 8:23 pm It does, doesn't it? thebestdecepticonleader 8:23 pm It seems like an unnecessarily long time for gloating though MedicalMurdersaurus 8:23 pm :V Me Swoop want to bounce! Swervester 8:23 pm That's not working as planned. opatoes 8:23 pm ... Zerg is even as incompetent as. Hm. NoodlesAtNight 8:24 pm ((oh my god they slipped that past the radar didn't they)) MedicalMurdersaurus 8:24 pm *snickers* opatoes 8:24 pm ((wait what'd they say NoodlesAtNight 8:24 pm ((the robot went "ooh, lower, lower")) cerebrosurgeon 8:24 pm For someone who spends a lot of time after these guys, he's not great at this. verdigrisprowl 8:24 pm ((i was picturing a back massage)) thebestdecepticonleader 8:24 pm ((oh gosh)) MedicalMurdersaurus 8:24 pm POOF! opatoes 8:25 pm ((OH adsvcxb NoodlesAtNight 8:25 pm [[A refuse hat?]] Swervester 8:25 pm //is that a fuckin star wars ref verdigrisprowl 8:25 pm Hatch. ((u know it)) NoodlesAtNight 8:25 pm [[Oh. That does make more sense.]] verdigrisprowl 8:25 pm The torture might not be working, but he DID just get the weakness to Star Command. Swervester 8:25 pm //god how did i ever forget how funny yhis show was Swervester 8:25 pm Why didn't he use this on everyone? It was obviouly a good plot. cerebrosurgeon 8:25 pm His simulation's not bad- Yeah! Swervester 8:26 pm Oh. cerebrosurgeon 8:26 pm ... Little more manual than a simulation, I see. verdigrisprowl 8:26 pm Because Buzz was the only one who was slungshot through space and would have a reason to think he was teleported into the future. Swervester 8:26 pm Wow, it'd be better if he hadn't found the trap. MedicalMurdersaurus 8:26 pm Kehehhe! Them RIIIIP face! NoodlesAtNight 8:26 pm *Mildly disturbed by the sight of fleshlings peeling apart to be robots.* verdigrisprowl 8:26 pm *could be worse. could be the other way around.* NoodlesAtNight 8:27 pm [[...The controls are a keyboard.]] verdigrisprowl 8:27 pm ((man, the animation in this episode is top notch. check out those faces.)) MedicalMurdersaurus 8:27 pm *ERUPTS in laughter* verdigrisprowl 8:27 pm ((mira and xr in particular looked great)) opatoes 8:27 pm ((I know right rulesandprotocol 8:27 pm Hunter * giggles cause others laugh* Swervester 8:28 pm She not used to leading I guess? cerebrosurgeon 8:28 pm 〈I'm constantly distracted by the art in this show〉 opatoes 8:28 pm . . . thebestdecepticonleader 8:28 pm That's why every group needs at least two capable of leading NoodlesAtNight 8:28 pm *Quietly wonders how much the sparkling can comprehend. They all seem to have differing levels from timeline to timeline...* thebestdecepticonleader 8:28 pm *pouting* MedicalMurdersaurus 8:28 pm Leader stuff is for leaders *nods and thinks of all the Grimlock noogies* NoodlesAtNight 8:28 pm [[Ergh.]] *Shudder.* Swervester 8:29 pm Oh. verdigrisprowl 8:29 pm It's the fake. rulesandprotocol 8:29 pm is he being fooled by the dummy? thebestdecepticonleader 8:29 pm think so? Lieutenant10 8:30 pm Suitable. Dummy for a dummy verdigrisprowl 8:30 pm He's too stiff. rulesandprotocol 8:30 pm Its probably what I would have done in his situation/ Swervester 8:30 pm Wait is star command just right next door to the Zurg base thebestdecepticonleader 8:30 pm apparently verdigrisprowl 8:30 pm Zurg has ships. He gets around. rulesandprotocol 8:30 pm thats just poor planning MedicalMurdersaurus 8:30 pm KEHEHEHEHHHH opatoes 8:30 pm ... He could have done that this whole time opatoes 8:31 pm Hm. thebestdecepticonleader 8:31 pm that's not how physics works verdigrisprowl 8:31 pm They're on a ship. They undoubtedly flew close just for this specific attack. NoodlesAtNight 8:31 pm [[Perhaps it is encased in rubber.]] Swervester 8:31 pm I think physics in this universe is a bit more flexib;e. MedicalMurdersaurus 8:31 pm *is just delighted every time Zerg is a snarky asshole* SCProwl 8:31 pm Not in this universe anyway. thebestdecepticonleader 8:32 pm ((wow, kiss our refuse hatch goodbye opatoes 8:32 pm Heh. verdigrisprowl 8:32 pm *HUFF* NoodlesAtNight 8:32 pm *HUFFS* Swervester 8:32 pm [chokes] MedicalMurdersaurus 8:32 pm ((O M F G)) NoodlesAtNight 8:32 pm [[He thinks XR has that out of order.]] SCProwl 8:32 pm Well. opatoes 8:32 pm Indeed, the order seems a bit off. ... Why is he 3d in this MedicalMurdersaurus 8:32 pm *snickers because the adults are reacting* verdigrisprowl 8:33 pm *XR, space hero.* opatoes 8:33 pm Oh. Oh, it's simply someone dressed as Buzz Lightyear. verdigrisprowl 8:33 pm Oh... *waves vaguely* They advertise a tie-in toy in the intro sometimes. NoodlesAtNight 8:33 pm (("I need a debriefing and I need it now" is a good pickup line for a spy/soldier.)) rulesandprotocol 8:33 pm Hunter *coos and toy falls out of his mouth a rolls away* NoodlesAtNight 8:33 pm *Absently reaches out with feeler to pick up the toy.* MedicalMurdersaurus 8:33 pm *glances down at the rolling toy* NoodlesAtNight 8:33 pm *Sets it back on the Prowl's belly and reels in.* MedicalMurdersaurus 8:34 pm Arson : > verdigrisprowl 8:34 pm No arson in here. Lieutenant10 8:34 pm Unpaid parking tickets rulesandprotocol 8:34 pm Thanks SOundwave * pick it up and places in subspace* MedicalMurdersaurus 8:34 pm Me Swoop like arson : V NoodlesAtNight 8:34 pm [[No unpaid parking tickets in here either.]] *Amused.* [[You are welcome.]] Swervester 8:35 pm Wow. verdigrisprowl 8:35 pm /He/ took the time to soak the atmosphere. thebestdecepticonleader 8:36 pm Not enough apparently verdigrisprowl 8:36 pm But, you'd think they would've checked how many arms his species has before attempting to arrest him. That seems like basic info. MedicalMurdersaurus 8:36 pm Are wings limbs? thebestdecepticonleader 8:36 pm Yes verdigrisprowl 8:36 pm If they're prehensile. Lieutenant10 8:36 pm Yes MedicalMurdersaurus 8:36 pm *waggles his* thebestdecepticonleader 8:36 pm *Wiggle, wiggle* NoodlesAtNight 8:36 pm *Idly imagines Prowl with arms like his. The long arm of the law. Hm.* Lieutenant10 8:36 pm *flick flicks* rulesandprotocol 8:36 pm Hunter *tries to copy Swoops wing waggles with his doors* verdigrisprowl 8:37 pm ... So that applies to everyone here. MedicalMurdersaurus 8:37 pm *glances over at Starscream and flairs his wings a bit wider* NoodlesAtNight 8:37 pm *...Nah. They wouldn't look good.* [[Hm? What applies to everyone here? Parking tickets?]] SCProwl 8:37 pm Wings? thebestdecepticonleader 8:37 pm Oh... were you not using wing speech? verdigrisprowl 8:37 pm *DID HE REMEMBER TO PING HIS ALTERNATE A VIDEO STREAM* *PINGS and apologizes* MedicalMurdersaurus 8:37 pm Wing speech? SCProwl 8:38 pm *the mun may have forgotten, whoops* thebestdecepticonleader 8:38 pm When you move your wings to add meaning verdigrisprowl 8:38 pm *the other mun may have as well* SCProwl 8:38 pm *retcon, it was there the whole time!* thebestdecepticonleader 8:38 pm For example "hello" *wing wiggles* MedicalMurdersaurus 8:38 pm Oh! *thinks Screamer means "body language" and bobbles his head* verdigrisprowl 8:38 pm Prehensile wings. verdigrisprowl 8:39 pm Parking tickets don't apply to anyone here. opatoes 8:39 pm ....... Hm. Lieutenant10 8:39 pm Ah It is the Frizzle bus opatoes 8:39 pm Parking tickets? ... What are parking tickets NoodlesAtNight 8:39 pm *Eyes his arms. Turns his head to one side, and then the other. ... Lifts his hands.* [][][]Prehensile wings.[][][] thebestdecepticonleader 8:39 pm Considering all of my crimes, parking tickets are the least of my worries verdigrisprowl 8:39 pm Sure, but they're not separate on you, so they don't count as additional limbs. MedicalMurdersaurus 8:40 pm *assumes a parking ticket is like a ticket to a show or theme park, which is really confusing this discussion for him and it shows on his face* NoodlesAtNight 8:40 pm [[Perhaps if he'd been sparked with his feelers first and acquired his arms in a contest.]] verdigrisprowl 8:40 pm In species that drive separate vehicles, many cultures have laws about where you can leave behind the vehicles when you're not using them. thebestdecepticonleader 8:41 pm My Cybertron actually gives out parking tickets 😕 rulesandprotocol 8:41 pm My universe give tickets for indecent Transformation, so basically transforming in places not allowed such as walk ways or in the middle of the road MedicalMurdersaurus 8:41 pm *is now imagining people dropping corpses in places in getting in trouble for the location, which is lame* rulesandprotocol 8:42 pm you have to find a transformation spot, similar to earths parking lots or spaces and transform there NoodlesAtNight 8:42 pm *Suddenly very glad to be a flight model these days.* Swervester 8:42 pm We had a whole lane on my Cybertron; transformation lanes against the sidewalk so that if you needed to drive you just transformed on the side of the road to avoid accidents. verdigrisprowl 8:42 pm Mine gives tickets for obstruction of traffic, but otherwise you can leave your vehicle anywhere. MedicalMurdersaurus 8:42 pm Driving sound BORING SCProwl 8:43 pm Says someone that's never driven before. Swervester 8:44 pm Do you trust him to drive. MedicalMurdersaurus 8:44 pm Flying better. Dinobots better! Us go wherever, DO WHATEVER us want : > rulesandprotocol 8:44 pm Drivings fun NoodlesAtNight 8:44 pm [[It isn't so bad. There are some things that cannot be easily done in the air.]] Lieutenant10 8:44 pm Flying is certainly better opatoes 8:44 pm ... Wait, is that what those pieces of paper are for? verdigrisprowl 8:44 pm Flying didn't do much for me. opatoes 8:44 pm I simply assumed humans were littering. rulesandprotocol 8:44 pm only way I've flown is via the Death's Head or the Arclight. NoodlesAtNight 8:44 pm [[And it is much, much easier to travel und--]] *Pause. Twist to look at Prowl.* [[When were you an aerial mech?]] SCProwl 8:45 pm I'd rather keep my wheels on the ground. opatoes 8:45 pm ... Relatable, Zerg. rulesandprotocol 8:45 pm same verdigrisprowl 8:45 pm The, uh. Er. Banana. MedicalMurdersaurus 8:45 pm BLOP! New guy! Lieutenant10 8:45 pm ((Thank you guys for this bc I'm now IN LOVE with this show)) NoodlesAtNight 8:45 pm [[Oh. Oh, yes.]] *Shudder.* [[Let's not speak of that.]] verdigrisprowl 8:45 pm ((IT'S A GREAT SHOW)) NoodlesAtNight 8:45 pm ((same! i've never seen any, it's so good)) opatoes 8:45 pm ((IT IS verdigrisprowl 8:45 pm ((i recommend watching the intro movie)) Lieutenant10 8:45 pm ((Zurg is my new love, and the animation is just SO REFRESHING)) opatoes 8:46 pm ((OH YEAH i saw that like... a couple years ago Lieutenant10 8:46 pm (( I watched the intro movie when I was like 8 )) verdigrisprowl 8:46 pm ((Zurg is SO great)) SCProwl 8:46 pm ((it's delightful Lieutenant10 8:46 pm (( Going to need to watch it again now)) thebestdecepticonleader 8:47 pm ((there's a movie?)) verdigrisprowl 8:47 pm ((yep! it explains how the team got together)) NoodlesAtNight 8:47 pm @P: [[He takes it there won't be any root mode repeats of the time you sat on him while he was flying, then? Intentional or otherwise.]] thebestdecepticonleader 8:47 pm ((cool I'll have to find it)) verdigrisprowl 8:47 pm *side-eyeing the guest who came in late that he didn't greet. is that Lieutenant? It looks like Lieutenant. He can't ask in case he's right and Lieutenant is still, for some reason, undercover.* Osmond 8:47 pm *Jazz slips in * verdigrisprowl 8:47 pm ((just search for Buzz Lightyear Of Star Command: The Adventure Begins. it's up on youtube.)) thebestdecepticonleader 8:48 pm ((cool verdigrisprowl 8:48 pm @S «Why, do you want there to be?» Swervester 8:48 pm Why didn't she do that at the start MedicalMurdersaurus 8:48 pm Shake shake shake! verdigrisprowl 8:49 pm *oh! other amica! that'll distract him from lieutenant. waves* NoodlesAtNight 8:49 pm @P: [[One never knows what may become necessary some day.]] Osmond 8:49 pm *smiles and waves, is there room from him to sit nearby? * NoodlesAtNight 8:49 pm *Like side-eyeing the latest of Prowl's guests. Which mostly looks like he's just watching the screen. Half visor. Still.* Lieutenant10 8:49 pm *sees Prowl look at him and gives him a nod and goes back to hoarding library books* rulesandprotocol 8:49 pm Hunter: *coos sleepily* verdigrisprowl 8:49 pm *sure, sit on his other side* *he got a nod! that's lieutenant.* MedicalMurdersaurus 8:50 pm *glances over at the cooing baby, what a loser, they should arm wrestle* thebestdecepticonleader 8:50 pm *coos back* adorable Swervester 8:50 pm [tweaks Swoop's wing lightly and offers another treat for distraction] MedicalMurdersaurus 8:50 pm :V *was tweaked* Osmond 8:50 pm *comes to sit with Prowl * sorry I'm late verdigrisprowl 8:51 pm It's fine. You only missed a couple of episodes. NoodlesAtNight 8:52 pm *Has to be nice and not say "You could've been later." Is trying to keep to that whole Not Being Nasty To Prowl's Other Amica thing. Do some of that Mild Respect business. Yep.* verdigrisprowl 8:52 pm We're watching a cop show. rulesandprotocol 8:52 pm *wraps Hunter in poncho so he's warm when he falls asleep* Osmond 8:52 pm Well I'm a fast study *smiles * so I'll try to catch up *nods to Soundwave as a gesture of mild respect * verdigrisprowl 8:52 pm It's episodic, you figure things out fast. cerebrosurgeon 8:52 pm [Oh, is that a Jazz? He doesn't know this Jazz, but he'll wave at him anyway. He's very absorbed in watching and missed anyone coming in.] rulesandprotocol 8:52 pm Hunter *puts entire hand into mouth as Prowl holds him so he can fall into recharge* opatoes 8:53 pm ... A group discount? MedicalMurdersaurus 8:53 pm Why you tie up baby? *grins* It a bad baby? NoodlesAtNight 8:53 pm *Damn. He nodded. Now he HAS to be nice.* rulesandprotocol 8:53 pm Nope he just needs to be warm MedicalMurdersaurus 8:53 pm *grins audio to audio* Me Swoop can WARM Osmond 8:53 pm *waves back but quickly notices other Prowl and a bundle * NoodlesAtNight 8:53 pm [[Ah. Does he require more warmth or will that be sufficient?]] thebestdecepticonleader 8:53 pm *whispering* Do you need someone to hold him while he sleeps? NoodlesAtNight 8:53 pm *Will break Swoop's beak off and feed it to him if he so much as hiccups smoke.* Swervester 8:54 pm [shoves a treat into Swoop's hand] Swoop tell me about Bird. rulesandprotocol 8:54 pm This should be fine, thanks for the offer thebestdecepticonleader 8:54 pm Because I do know how to look after babies If you need help MedicalMurdersaurus 8:55 pm *takes teh treat because it's there* UM! Uh. What about Bird? : > rulesandprotocol 8:55 pm If you want to hold him you can. thebestdecepticonleader 8:55 pm Really? Swervester 8:55 pm Tell me about Bird flying. Lieutenant10 8:55 pm Cosmos has his own stop it seems ((ASFHUIDSHFDS)) MedicalMurdersaurus 8:55 pm ((OH MY FUCKING GOD)) rulesandprotocol 8:56 pm Yeah you can hold him while he sleeps. Lieutenant10 8:56 pm (( SO SMOOTH )) Swervester 8:56 pm //lmao thebestdecepticonleader 8:56 pm *arms out* rulesandprotocol 8:56 pm *hands Hunter over to Starscream* Lieutenant10 8:56 pm ((She so cute )) rulesandprotocol 8:56 pm Hunter: *mutters lightly, removing hand from mouth* thebestdecepticonleader 8:57 pm *perfect hold for a baby* MedicalMurdersaurus 8:57 pm Oh! Her Bird really really maneuvering. Maneuverable. Her FAST and turn REALLY REALLY sharp! Keheh. Because little and LIGHT! *squeezes the treat a little and snickers* Except after BIG eating kehehhehehhh verdigrisprowl 8:57 pm I think there's probably a safer way to deal with large space debris than blowing it up. rulesandprotocol 8:57 pm Hunter *whines turns away from noise* thebestdecepticonleader 8:57 pm Like... moving the ship? NoodlesAtNight 8:57 pm [[Yes. Push it into someone else's sector and let them deal with it.]] thebestdecepticonleader 8:58 pm *gentle rocking* Swervester 8:58 pm //i enjoy that buzz is apparently a Good Customer verdigrisprowl 8:58 pm Or put it in an orbit around a star or planet where it isn't going to run into anything. Lieutenant10 8:58 pm Officer Lightyear is good verdigrisprowl 8:58 pm ... Well THAT didn't look natural. Swervester 8:58 pm Yeah? You fly with Bird, Swoop? verdigrisprowl 8:58 pm ((I CAN'T BELIEVE THEY GOT THAT IN)) Lieutenant10 8:58 pm ((ASSTEROID)) NoodlesAtNight 8:58 pm ((i missed it what was it)) thebestdecepticonleader 8:58 pm ((kick assteroid lol)) verdigrisprowl 8:59 pm (("kick some asteroid")) MedicalMurdersaurus 8:59 pm YAH! Lots of time. After movie sometime. There canyon by Dancitron. Us ZIP in there. It fun because FAST and dangerous. Swervester 8:59 pm Sounds fun. MedicalMurdersaurus 9:00 pm Yup. Me Swoop like CHASING buuuuuuuuuuuttttt Her a scardy bird Swervester 9:00 pm Why's that? MedicalMurdersaurus 9:00 pm Dunno. Her a scardy Bird always. NoodlesAtNight 9:00 pm *Slow look at Swoop.* MedicalMurdersaurus 9:00 pm *doesn't notice* Swervester 9:00 pm [squints] NoodlesAtNight 9:00 pm [[She is a courageous mech and you will say nothing to the contrary - or he will inform her of your opinion.]] Swervester 9:00 pm Ouch,. verdigrisprowl 9:00 pm See, this is why they shouldn't have blown them up. Osmond 9:01 pm More to deal with rulesandprotocol 9:02 pm Hunter * sneezes* MedicalMurdersaurus 9:02 pm *looks at Soundwave with big confused optics* But...... Her Bird IS a scardy Bird. Lieutenant10 9:02 pm Salude verdigrisprowl 9:02 pm Oh. This is an XR and Buzz episode. *pleased. his two favorites.* thebestdecepticonleader 9:02 pm This message has been removed. MedicalMurdersaurus 9:02 pm ((OMFG)) Swervester 9:02 pm Wow that head. NoodlesAtNight 9:02 pm [[She throws herself into battles when asked despite her misgivings. This makes her courageous. That is the end of the discussion.]] rulesandprotocol 9:03 pm It is probably a good thing she can float NoodlesAtNight 9:03 pm [[...Is the organic all right.]] Osmond 9:03 pm * briefly distracted by baby hunter noises. So cute* thebestdecepticonleader 9:03 pm Cute baby *cleans face in case of contaminants* MedicalMurdersaurus 9:03 pm *stares at Soundwave, completely caught off guard and confused about what is going on* verdigrisprowl 9:03 pm She seems to be fine with it. NoodlesAtNight 9:04 pm *...He supposes her powers would allow her to support a head that size on a neck that thin, so yes. He'll nod.* Lieutenant10 9:04 pm ((SNRK)) Osmond 9:04 pm Yikes... evidently she doesn't like mecha NoodlesAtNight 9:04 pm [[A good dungeon can be quite useful.]] verdigrisprowl 9:04 pm Evidently. MedicalMurdersaurus 9:04 pm *staaaaaaaaaaare* Lieutenant10 9:05 pm ((GIUWAD:SFUADHUSFD)) verdigrisprowl 9:05 pm ... Either that, or the organic prisoners rotted. Swervester 9:05 pm [nudges Swoop lightly] MedicalMurdersaurus 9:05 pm *nudges back but keeps staring at Soundwave* Osmond 9:05 pm Ah, good point. They do decay a lot faster than us thebestdecepticonleader 9:06 pm Organics can rot? Ew. NoodlesAtNight 9:06 pm [[Organics are in a constant state of rotting.]] verdigrisprowl 9:06 pm *shrugs* It just makes them softer. Swervester 9:06 pm Wow NoodlesAtNight 9:07 pm *Soundwave is no longer staring at Swoop* MedicalMurdersaurus 9:08 pm ((OH LORD)) opatoes 9:08 pm Hm. thebestdecepticonleader 9:08 pm But if they rot, then how do they still look whole? NoodlesAtNight 9:08 pm [[They rot in layers. The external ones die and flake away.]] thebestdecepticonleader 9:08 pm oh MedicalMurdersaurus 9:08 pm *keeps on staring because he doesn't understand what Soundwave's problem is* verdigrisprowl 9:08 pm *points at the screen* See that. Buzz's whole—complete failure to play along for the sake of this mission. cerebrosurgeon 9:08 pm [Wince.] It's not a pretty proces- Skeletal frameworks are more solid. thebestdecepticonleader 9:09 pm that's almost worse NoodlesAtNight 9:09 pm *Looking where Prowl is pointing.* [[Hm?]] verdigrisprowl 9:09 pm For anyone who's ever wondered—this is why I wasn't a field agent. Osmond 9:09 pm Yeah... he didn't do that all too well NoodlesAtNight 9:09 pm [[Ohh.]] SCProwl 9:09 pm He wouldn't be very good at undercover work. Swervester 9:09 pm I wouldn't be either. Lieutenant10 9:09 pm It is best left to more charismatic mechs Swervester 9:09 pm I'm a bad liar under pressure. Osmond 9:10 pm *was good at undercover * SCProwl 9:10 pm *was as well* verdigrisprowl 9:10 pm *and prowl appreciated it* rulesandprotocol 9:10 pm I never would have been good at UC work tried it once to help Wheelie with a target, it didn't end well. NoodlesAtNight 9:10 pm *At least he never has to worry about Prowl being the one to do that to him. ... Maybe the mech next to him.* MedicalMurdersaurus 9:11 pm *eventually can't handle focusing on one thing for so long and breaks his one sided staring contest with Soundwave* verdigrisprowl 9:11 pm *mumbles* Imagine an organic pet biting your hardline cable and hauling it all around a building. Awful. Swervester 9:12 pm [huffs] Osmond 9:12 pm Ah... yea, no thanks. NoodlesAtNight 9:12 pm *CRINGES LIKE HELL* *Maybe sorta. Pulls his arm in closer. Over the panel on his side. Yep.* Swervester 9:13 pm I'm concerned for her neck when they break her power. rulesandprotocol 9:13 pm as am I MedicalMurdersaurus 9:13 pm *has no idea what happened while he was staring* What her mad for? verdigrisprowl 9:13 pm I expect that she's got more than enough power to support herself—just not enough to take out Star Command alone. thebestdecepticonleader 9:13 pm ew MedicalMurdersaurus 9:13 pm Ew Lieutenant10 9:14 pm *heavy sighing* Primes, never let a mission turn out to be like this Osmond 9:14 pm Wait wait if she is fighting with pillows is it a pillow fight? MedicalMurdersaurus 9:14 pm ((OH MY GOD this isn't even subtle)) thebestdecepticonleader 9:14 pm I guess, bit one sided though Swervester 9:15 pm Was he even that shy earlier tho verdigrisprowl 9:15 pm He tripped all over his own name. thebestdecepticonleader 9:15 pm everyone gets shy around people they like though MedicalMurdersaurus 9:16 pm Us Dinobots NEVER shy! Lieutenant10 9:16 pm Duly noted thebestdecepticonleader 9:16 pm You will be one day, when you find someone you like verdigrisprowl 9:17 pm He has. He's not shy. opatoes 9:17 pm ((DSAXVC was that zim's va i zoned out and i swear i heard him NoodlesAtNight 9:17 pm [[Trust him. Swoop is not shy about that.]] MedicalMurdersaurus 9:17 pm *is weirdly proud of having people backign up how right he is* verdigrisprowl 9:17 pm ((... kinda sounds like him, don't it?)) rulesandprotocol 9:17 pm Some people just arent shy thebestdecepticonleader 9:17 pm Oh really, someone teach me how to not be shy Swervester 9:17 pm You do'nt look shy NoodlesAtNight 9:17 pm [[It is simple. Step one: Think of something you want to say or do. Step two: Do it.]] opatoes 9:17 pm ((there was one line that just. sounded exactly like him and it startled me thebestdecepticonleader 9:18 pm Romance is hard verdigrisprowl 9:18 pm *huff* Lieutenant10 9:18 pm Be extremely stubborn and deny any feelings you think you might have rulesandprotocol 9:18 pm It really is. Romance is a long complicated game. MedicalMurdersaurus 9:18 pm Be a Dinobot : > Lieutenant10 9:18 pm Or be a Dinobot SCProwl 9:19 pm Don't tell people you're shy. thebestdecepticonleader 9:19 pm I can lead an army with no trouble, but once I have to speak to the person I like... MedicalMurdersaurus 9:19 pm You suck kehehehh Swervester 9:19 pm I like how he emphasizes that he's evil emperor and not just a regular one. verdigrisprowl 9:19 pm No rubble left behind. thebestdecepticonleader 9:19 pm Probably would have been easier if my first target of affection wasn't Megatron verdigrisprowl 9:19 pm I bet they're teleported. Lieutenant10 9:20 pm Likely MedicalMurdersaurus 9:20 pm Gross! verdigrisprowl 9:20 pm *disgusted look* Swervester 9:20 pm Probably. cerebrosurgeon 9:20 pm Well, there's your problem. SCProwl 9:20 pm Oh. The problem isn't that you're shy, Starscream. It's that you have no taste. thebestdecepticonleader 9:20 pm He's not any more NoodlesAtNight 9:20 pm [[Consider this instead, then: Find a companion who likes getting orders. Discuss the possibility with them. If they agree, lead them.]] Swervester 9:20 pm [holds face] thebestdecepticonleader 9:20 pm I have other... interests now NoodlesAtNight 9:20 pm *Turns his head away so nobody can see him trying not to be amused by his timeline's Prowl* MedicalMurdersaurus 9:21 pm Me Swoop love Her Bird! Her the best! verdigrisprowl 9:21 pm *mumbles at Soundwave* Well, worked for you. Swervester 9:21 pm .... Hm. NoodlesAtNight 9:21 pm *P O K E R F A C E* rulesandprotocol 9:22 pm Hunter *sighs and starts sucking thumb digit doors laying flat against his back optics off* thebestdecepticonleader 9:23 pm ew NoodlesAtNight 9:23 pm @P: [[A /metonymy/ worked for him - but feel free to swap positions next time if you would like a change of pace.]] verdigrisprowl 9:24 pm @S «... Oh, right, I did talk about the metonymy when I was drunk.» MedicalMurdersaurus 9:25 pm mAAAAAAAAAARvalous kehehhehhehh Swervester 9:25 pm Do we ever get a backstory for his evil? Does he have a reason or is he jusdt evil for evil sake NoodlesAtNight 9:26 pm @P: [[You did.]] *Light nudge. He's entertained, not upset.* [[He is thankful for that documentary's existence.]] thebestdecepticonleader 9:26 pm Because it's fun MedicalMurdersaurus 9:26 pm Him Zerg awesome verdigrisprowl 9:26 pm He suggests it's a family job. Swervester 9:26 pm Oh. Osmond 9:26 pm A family job to be evil? Interesting career choice thebestdecepticonleader 9:26 pm Better than Megatron's reason at least MedicalMurdersaurus 9:26 pm KAHAHHAH nice Swervester 9:26 pm I still can't tell if he's a robot or an organicv in armor. verdigrisprowl 9:26 pm The emperor thing, I meant. He talks about the legacy left by his ancestors. Planet Z has probably been ruled by Zurgs for a long time. Swervester 9:26 pm Ah MedicalMurdersaurus 9:27 pm "Any means necessary" is FUN : > verdigrisprowl 9:29 pm ... Is her species telepathic, too? cerebrosurgeon 9:29 pm [Ah. Hm. Swerve's getting leaned on, that's a little close to home.] rulesandprotocol 9:29 pm must be only reason that type of thinking would work. Swervester 9:29 pm [leans back] Lieutenant10 9:29 pm That would impressive cerebrosurgeon 9:30 pm [Excellent. This is some prime leaning content.] verdigrisprowl 9:30 pm ... For the record, a 167-hour workweek gives them a single hour off a week. thebestdecepticonleader 9:30 pm wow rulesandprotocol 9:30 pm organics need sleep right? usually a lot of it an hour isn't nearly enough. Lieutenant10 9:30 pm Well. That is, thoughtful... verdigrisprowl 9:30 pm What did I say. Teleporter. thebestdecepticonleader 9:31 pm Unless they have a different time system verdigrisprowl 9:31 pm This is translated. rulesandprotocol 9:31 pm but I guess they could be on duty all the time - even when they are sleeping. thebestdecepticonleader 9:31 pm But then why leave out the one hour Lieutenant10 9:32 pm Those planets should not be that close together rulesandprotocol 9:32 pm mandatory possibly? thebestdecepticonleader 9:32 pm That is... weird but I guess rulesandprotocol 9:32 pm like they have to have one hour where they aren't on call? opatoes 9:32 pm ... Did she swear verdigrisprowl 9:33 pm Torture's less effective if there isn't a hope for a temporary reprieve? MedicalMurdersaurus 9:33 pm *rolls onto his back* verdigrisprowl 9:34 pm Good job, there, shooting their own equipment. thebestdecepticonleader 9:34 pm I don't know, I've had both temporary and unending torture and... temporary gives you too much hope verdigrisprowl 9:34 pm *ugh, Prowl sees where this is going.* *leans toward Soundwave* thebestdecepticonleader 9:34 pm *turns away* NoodlesAtNight 9:35 pm *Leans against. He's here.* Lieutenant10 9:35 pm .... Did Did he just preform mnemosurgery? On an organic? MedicalMurdersaurus 9:35 pm *puts his hands over hsi helm and pushes up to be a bridge* NoodlesAtNight 9:35 pm [[It would appear so.]] verdigrisprowl 9:35 pm Mhm. Osmond 9:35 pm *glances at Prowl with a flicker of concern * thebestdecepticonleader 9:35 pm Is it over? verdigrisprowl 9:35 pm It's over. Swervester 9:35 pm [sighs] Lieutenant10 9:35 pm *rubs his face* thebestdecepticonleader 9:36 pm *turns around* verdigrisprowl 9:36 pm ... Never mind. NoodlesAtNight 9:36 pm [[Yes. One is your hand.]] thebestdecepticonleader 9:36 pm 😕 verdigrisprowl 9:37 pm Last one for the night. NoodlesAtNight 9:37 pm *He liked her better when she just phase shifted through things.* MedicalMurdersaurus 9:37 pm *walks his feet closer to his hands until he can juuuuust sort of roll up into being standing up* verdigrisprowl 9:37 pm *he likes her better when she does that too* NoodlesAtNight 9:37 pm *Non-brain things.* Swervester 9:38 pm At least they're not altering memories I guess? [not much of a consolation, probably] verdigrisprowl 9:38 pm *stiffly* Not much better. thebestdecepticonleader 9:38 pm Do we know for certain that it didn't? Swervester 9:39 pm Is that the brother? verdigrisprowl 9:39 pm That's the brother. MedicalMurdersaurus 9:39 pm *faces the group* This boring sit blahblah talk time movie. Us go *throws his arms up* DO STUFF! verdigrisprowl 9:39 pm No. rulesandprotocol 9:39 pm Hunter *jumps started by nosie cries* MedicalMurdersaurus 9:39 pm *snaps his head around to look at the crying* thebestdecepticonleader 9:40 pm *more rocking and cooing* verdigrisprowl 9:40 pm *Swoop made a baby cry, he is THIS close to getting bridged out.* NoodlesAtNight 9:40 pm *Facepalms.* MedicalMurdersaurus 9:40 pm *walks over to look at the source of all this noise* thebestdecepticonleader 9:40 pm No little one, it's okay rulesandprotocol 9:40 pm *digs through subspace pulls out random sparkling items until finding pacifire and places into Hunter mouth* Osmond 9:41 pm *lightly glares a Swoop, and checks time * oops, got a late night gig. I'll catch y'all later? (( I'm going to call it a night y'all! Sorry for being late, and everyone take care!! Lieutenant10 9:41 pm (( Night night )) NoodlesAtNight 9:41 pm ((aaaaa goodnight!)) verdigrisprowl 9:41 pm Later, Jazz. thebestdecepticonleader 9:41 pm Do you want Hunter back? verdigrisprowl 9:41 pm ... Where is the gig? thebestdecepticonleader 9:41 pm ((night rulesandprotocol 9:41 pm Yeah I'll take him back. NoodlesAtNight 9:41 pm [[...Why are you gagging the sparkling? It is not his fault he is crying.]] rulesandprotocol 9:41 pm //Night Jazz cerebrosurgeon 9:41 pm 〈Night!〉 thebestdecepticonleader 9:42 pm *gently places them in his arms* MedicalMurdersaurus 9:42 pm *has no sense of personal space and all the sense of entitled curiosity so he attempts to stick his face right up next to Hunter* Osmond 9:42 pm Hm? Just Mirage's place. Familiar ground to start *smiles * catch ya around. thebestdecepticonleader 9:42 pm Thank you for letting me hold them, it was wondeful Osmond 9:42 pm *salutes and leaves * verdigrisprowl 9:42 pm ... Maybe I'll come by after this. NoodlesAtNight 9:42 pm *Takes note of where Jazz's gig is in the back of his mind* rulesandprotocol 9:42 pm It's a pacifier, *moves crying Hunter away from Swoop attempting to keep the pacifire in his mouth* rulesandprotocol 9:43 pm its supposed to be healthier for him than sucking on his hand, its a comfort thing I guess. MedicalMurdersaurus 9:43 pm *walks around to try to keep looking at the baby* Why him a cry baby? rulesandprotocol 9:43 pm Because its the only way he can communicate his dsipleasure right now thebestdecepticonleader 9:43 pm Because all babies cry MedicalMurdersaurus 9:43 pm Why NoodlesAtNight 9:43 pm *Hmm. As long as it's comforting and not a cruelty. He'll settle down.* rulesandprotocol 9:43 pm and your welcome starscream. thank you for holding him for a whiel. verdigrisprowl 9:43 pm Because you were loud. thebestdecepticonleader 9:43 pm It tells you that they need something thebestdecepticonleader 9:44 pm In this case, that they were being scared and needed comfort MedicalMurdersaurus 9:44 pm Me Swoop not being LOUD Lieutenant10 9:44 pm Oh no NoodlesAtNight 9:44 pm [[Again?]] opatoes 9:44 pm Uh. verdigrisprowl 9:44 pm *winces* Swervester 9:44 pm Jeez thebestdecepticonleader 9:44 pm *looking away* verdigrisprowl 9:44 pm *winces harder* cerebrosurgeon 9:44 pm /Yikes./ rulesandprotocol 9:44 pm *shutters* Swervester 9:45 pm Her hands are suddenly ten times more threatening. rulesandprotocol 9:45 pm *pats Hunters back* Hunter*calms to sniffles* MedicalMurdersaurus 9:45 pm *doesn't notice the show at all and tries to touch Hunter's face* verdigrisprowl 9:45 pm *guess who's getting bridged?* *it's Swoop* Lieutenant10 9:45 pm That was unnecessary and a violation rulesandprotocol 9:45 pm Hunter *scrunches face whines* NoodlesAtNight 9:45 pm *Leans harder into Prowl's shoulder. He'll be any kind of support that's needed.*

[[Thank you for protecting the newbuild.]] MedicalMurdersaurus 9:45 pm *WHOOP no more swoop* Swervester 9:45 pm //wait didn't they meet him before thebestdecepticonleader 9:45 pm Let me know if he needs anything that I can get him, anything at all verdigrisprowl 9:45 pm ((we skipped around to watch all the Nos-4-A2 shows)) Swervester 9:45 pm //oh opkay lmao. that explains it verdigrisprowl 9:46 pm ((this is XL's first chronological appearance)) cerebrosurgeon 9:46 pm 〈Wheezes〉 verdigrisprowl 9:46 pm ((from here on out we'll be watching them in order, I just wanted to watch the Nos ones first lol)) thebestdecepticonleader 9:46 pm Especially to help him stay calm Swervester 9:46 pm //lmao makes sense rulesandprotocol 9:47 pm We'll be okay *pats runs digits over Hunters door wings* verdigrisprowl 9:47 pm ... It's unfortunate that he's so determined to win the approval of someone so mechaphobic. thebestdecepticonleader 9:47 pm To be honest, I see why he's upset rulesandprotocol 9:47 pm Hunter *calms more to mostly hiccups* opatoes 9:47 pm Indeed. It's upsetting. Swervester 9:48 pm That poor desk. verdigrisprowl 9:48 pm "Lousy robots," he says, while one robot is trying to defend him from another. NoodlesAtNight 9:48 pm [[What fool does not change the security codes when someone who has them goes rogue?]] verdigrisprowl 9:48 pm That desk took on a giant war machine. He has NO gratitude. rulesandprotocol 9:48 pm that shoud be a criminal offense not changing the codes NoodlesAtNight 9:48 pm [[And that is a brave, brave desk.]] verdigrisprowl 9:48 pm Maybe the security codes auto-shuffle but the bots know the auto-shuffle algorithm. rulesandprotocol 9:49 pm possibly, but then change the algorithm opatoes 9:49 pm ... thebestdecepticonleader 9:49 pm Maybe people go rogue too often for them to reasonably do that? Lieutenant10 9:49 pm Days behind his paperwork! How could he Swervester 9:49 pm I'd like to rescue that desk. verdigrisprowl 9:49 pm Disgraceful. NoodlesAtNight 9:50 pm [[As would he. It would be a valuable employee in any office environment.]] Swervester 9:50 pm I think Magnus would appreciate it way more than this guy verdigrisprowl 9:50 pm *I'd* appreciate it. Swervester 9:50 pm True. NoodlesAtNight 9:50 pm [[Agreed.]] Swervester 9:51 pm //do u think anyone's ever rped the desk verdigrisprowl 9:51 pm ((I BET THEY HAVEN'T)) NoodlesAtNight 9:51 pm ((omg)) Swervester 9:51 pm //someone should verdigrisprowl 9:51 pm He just.... constantly insults him. For being mechanical. It's vile. cerebrosurgeon 9:52 pm 〈Tempting muse-〉 Swervester 9:52 pm //i mean yes lmao thebestdecepticonleader 9:52 pm I would totally rebel against this guy, at least he isn't as bad as Megatron, but he's pretty bad verdigrisprowl 9:52 pm He shouldn't be in charge of a law enforcement agency. There are so many mechanical citizens in this galaxy, how can he be trusted to adequately serve them? He won't even HIRE them. NoodlesAtNight 9:52 pm *Hm. Nice maneuver, there.* rulesandprotocol 9:53 pm thats a good point Lieutenant10 9:53 pm Talk about glass ceilings with that Commander. Swervester 9:53 pm I guess he's dedicated enough to his job that he'll serve them fairly regardless of feelings? I can't imagine any other reason that isn't favoritism verdigrisprowl 9:53 pm No, I doubt it. Swervester 9:53 pm He could stand to be less phobic regardless. thebestdecepticonleader 9:54 pm Absolutely NoodlesAtNight 9:54 pm [[Perhaps they should try knocking.]] Swervester 9:54 pm Please XR verdigrisprowl 9:54 pm Looks too bouncy to knock on. verdigrisprowl 9:55 pm Ooh. /Nice/ cables. NoodlesAtNight 9:55 pm [[Rather.]] thebestdecepticonleader 9:55 pm Honestly this guy is me Swervester 9:55 pm I question why they didn't just fix his program errors that sent him rogue instead of offlining him. Or trying to offline. Swervester 9:56 pm ll of it. verdigrisprowl 9:56 pm Mechaphobia. Lieutenant10 9:56 pm *siiiiighs* Swervester 9:56 pm Low bar, XR. verdigrisprowl 9:57 pm He's so desperate for acknowledgment of any kind. Swervester 9:57 pm Oof. verdigrisprowl 9:57 pm ... Both of them are. thebestdecepticonleader 9:58 pm That's gross opatoes 9:58 pm ... He doesn't have a heart, though. Lieutenant10 9:58 pm He does not deserve that kind of treatment *but understands that immensely* rulesandprotocol 9:58 pm that was a fun movie well show verdigrisprowl 9:58 pm We'll be watching more next time. thebestdecepticonleader 9:58 pm mhm NoodlesAtNight 9:58 pm [[Good! He enjoys most of it.]] Lieutenant10 9:59 pm ((The show was made when I was 4yrs old)) (( Damn)) NoodlesAtNight 9:59 pm [[It is a fascinating look into organic enforcing work.]] rulesandprotocol 9:59 pm it really is. NoodlesAtNight 9:59 pm ((y'all makin me feel old now)) opatoes 9:59 pm Thank you for showing this, Prowl. ((wait what year is this show SCProwl 9:59 pm It is nice to see something with slightly less police corruption than the Gotham show. *slightly* Lieutenant10 9:59 pm (( 2000 rulesandprotocol 9:59 pm //I was like 7 Swervester 9:59 pm //iirc i was old enough to watch toy story's debut verdigrisprowl 10:00 pm And especially on the cusp of letting mechanicals into the force. They don't touch on the implications much directly, but it's an historic occasion and you can feel the implications. opatoes 10:00 pm ((... oh, i was like 5 i think?)) verdigrisprowl 10:00 pm ((i was 9 or 10)) thebestdecepticonleader 10:00 pm ((oh wow, now I feel old, I was 8)) NoodlesAtNight 10:00 pm ((i was almost out of high school at the cartoon's premiere... ahaha)) Swervester 10:00 pm //same Swervester 10:00 pm //i left highschool 7 years later lmao Lieutenant10 10:00 pm (( Damn, I wasn't EVEN 4, I was 3 when the show aired)) verdigrisprowl 10:00 pm ((this was my thing in 4th grade)) NoodlesAtNight 10:00 pm ((y'all young'ns! get off my apartment complex's lawn *shakes a cane* )) cerebrosurgeon 10:01 pm [Now that he's not distracted, he can actually take stock of who all is arou- Are there two of that guy. Is the holomatter thing happening again. Swerve's being prodded about this.] Swervester 10:01 pm //i was 11 when it aired first thebestdecepticonleader 10:01 pm ((the show didn't air here for a long time though, I was almost in high school)) Lieutenant10 10:01 pm (( Pfffft )) Swervester 10:01 pm [leans at Cerebros questioningly] opatoes 10:01 pm ((i dont think i ever watched disney channel at that time though, i only knew the numbers for cartoon network and nick at the time asdxcv NoodlesAtNight 10:01 pm [[He cannot help that Gotham's police force is mostly corrupted. That is one of the main reasons the Batman becomes necessary.]] thebestdecepticonleader 10:01 pm ((Australia gets all tv shows really late, especially back then)) cerebrosurgeon 10:01 pm The- [Oh. It's gone.] Never mind. cerebrosurgeon 10:02 pm 〈We can't go one stream without something weird happening, can we〉 opatoes 10:02 pm ((oh! and animal planet. mostly because they were right next to each other SCProwl 10:02 pm ((legit trying to remember if Prowl's seen anything with Batman in it suddenly thebestdecepticonleader 10:02 pm ((Okay I have to go, night everyone)) Swervester 10:02 pm //i'm debating airing batman animated series on thursdays since i can't find a working version of extinct or alive that works on rabbit rulesandprotocol 10:03 pm *stands with a somewhat cranky Hunter* We should probably get going. NoodlesAtNight 10:03 pm ((goodnight! and AAAAAAAAH i would be there with bells on)) cerebrosurgeon 10:03 pm 〈Night!〉 rulesandprotocol 10:03 pm //bye guys opatoes 10:03 pm ((i was thinking of maybe doing batman beyond asdxcvnmbv we all do batman Lieutenant10 10:03 pm Farewell thebestdecepticonleader 10:03 pm Okay, comm me if he needs any help though verdigrisprowl 10:03 pm Evening, alternate. Good to see you. cerebrosurgeon 10:03 pm 〈I have a boxset of Beyond I should stream somet- Hello〉 verdigrisprowl 10:03 pm ((every stream running a different batman show at the same time.)) Swervester 10:03 pm //i'll have to find a working youtube copy of it and i can start next week lmao NoodlesAtNight 10:03 pm *ooc vibrating through floor in delight*)) opatoes 10:03 pm ((that would be hilarious adsxcb Swervester 10:03 pm /'/lmao SCProwl 10:03 pm ((i approve opatoes 10:04 pm ((wait youtube? i know watchcartoononline works on rabbit- is it not on there Swervester 10:04 pm //oh is it opatoes 10:04 pm ((i've never had problems with it? Swervester 10:04 pm //if it is then i can stream it from there. i haven't watched tas in ages that was always my fav batman opatoes 10:04 pm ((YEAH SAME it's good!! opatoes 10:05 pm ((i kinda wanna do batman beyond just because i like the concept and i think it just celebrated like... it's 10th or 20th birthday recently? Swervester 10:05 pm //i'll bookmark the page tonight so i can pull it up next thursday cerebrosurgeon 10:05 pm 〈Animated is Very Good. Beyond's my personal favourite. Twentieth!!〉 verdigrisprowl 10:05 pm ((20th birthday)) cerebrosurgeon 10:05 pm 〈Happy Birthday Terry Mcginnis, my favourite boy〉 opatoes 10:05 pm ((man i can't believe it aired in 1998 ((wati 1999 Swervester 10:05 pm //i never watched all of it bc it tended to air while i was still on my way home fro school and i'd only get home in time for the ending NoodlesAtNight 10:06 pm ((animated, gotham, both tim burtons, and then the one with the long haired riddler voiced by robert englund. everything else shares all the space right behind that)) cerebrosurgeon 10:06 pm 〈And it's /still/ gorgeous- You need to! You should read the original comics.〉 opatoes 10:06 pm ((the only show i have vivid memories of watching as a kid as much as possible was hamtaro and no one will ever want me to marathon that 😔 NoodlesAtNight 10:06 pm ((man it's your stream do what u want)) Swervester 10:06 pm //tbf i would lao cerebrosurgeon 10:06 pm 〈Every BBeyond comic after New 52 is... A trainwreck. Hamtaro Good〉 Swervester 10:06 pm //i liked hamtaro as a kid but i've never gone looking for it SCProwl 10:06 pm ((tempted to stream Avengers Assemble just to be contrary opatoes 10:07 pm ((adsxcvbvn maybe one day then,, i wouldn't mind watching at least all the english dubbed episodes NoodlesAtNight 10:07 pm ((PFFF)) *Soundwave's going to sneak clean while everyone's doing what they do.* verdigrisprowl 10:07 pm ... All right. Every time we stay late, weird things start happening in here. So we're not staying late tonight. opatoes 10:07 pm ((but there's like 296 episodes so i know i could never show all of it cerebrosurgeon 10:07 pm [Nodding.] Good plan. verdigrisprowl 10:07 pm I'm not tempting fate. opatoes 10:07 pm ... May I take a few drinks, Prowl? Swervester 10:07 pm //we can try anyway lmao SCProwl 10:07 pm *Prowl's going to leave because mun can't focus for shit tonight. appropriate goodbyes were probably made* Swervester 10:07 pm OH good point. verdigrisprowl 10:08 pm Sure. Just don't take the green stuff. It has to be specially transported. opatoes 10:08 pm ... What is the green stuff? Swervester 10:08 pm See y'all next movie nights then. Lieutenant10 10:08 pm *Is just going to borrow a few books and* */book/ it* verdigrisprowl 10:08 pm Mixmaster's. NoodlesAtNight 10:08 pm *...Now wants to take the green stuff to find out what it does.* verdigrisprowl 10:08 pm ((*rimshot*)) opatoes 10:08 pm ... Mixmasters? Is it safe to drink? NoodlesAtNight 10:08 pm ((lmao the books)) cerebrosurgeon 10:08 pm Thanks for hosting, Prowl. Night everyone. verdigrisprowl 10:08 pm Yes, but it has to be specially transported. verdigrisprowl 10:09 pm Evening. Lieutenant10 10:09 pm (( I have to get in at least one pun per movie night attended)) opatoes 10:09 pm ... How so? Swervester 10:09 pm Night! /sidles out after putting his chair neatly where it should go opatoes 10:09 pm I assume I shouldn't take a sip, though? NoodlesAtNight 10:09 pm *Nods goodnight to everyone. He heard Prowl say he was going to Jazz's gig, and he suspects that's supposed to be their own time - he'll finish cleaning, get a quick bunt-kiss, and move on, unless told otherwise.* verdigrisprowl 10:09 pm It's got a shock-absorbing cooler. *points at the cooler under the desk.* Sure, you can take a sip. Just don't transport it. opatoes 10:09 pm ... I suppose my tanks are fine for the transportation process, then. opatoes 10:10 pm /Smokescreen's taking a chug of the drink, before getting ready to head off./ verdigrisprowl 10:11 pm *collects up the drinks that need to be taken back, bridges the chairs back into place, and returns the bunt-kiss* verdigrisprowl 10:13 pm ... You wanted to catch me before the show. For something particular, or just to see me? NoodlesAtNight 10:14 pm *Pauses just in front of the bridge that would lead him out.* [[...A little of both - but he does not want to keep you from your appointment. He will tell you Monday.]] verdigrisprowl 10:14 pm I don't have an appointment, I have an idle speculation. What is it? NoodlesAtNight 10:16 pm *Considers snapping the bridge closed - but the dragon left more snacks than usual this time. They can afford to burn a little extra energon, just once.*

[[...He was thinking of fully finishing his return to how he looked before. Red instead of indigo.]] verdigrisprowl 10:17 pm *considers this* ... Your teeth will match my paint job better. NoodlesAtNight 10:21 pm *His mouth drops into a tiny o shape before breaking into a very wide and open grin*

[[That settles it, then, doesn't it.]] *Nodding.* [[It will take a while to heal. The protometal must be treated a certain way to prevent it from hardening where it is welded. He thought that might be important to know, given our respective lines of work.]] verdigrisprowl 10:22 pm *huff* That wasn't supposed to be an argument in favor of it. But all right. And, noted. Let me know when you'll be vulnerable. NoodlesAtNight 10:23 pm [[He will see favorable arguments where he does. And - very well. He shall.]] *Another pause, longer than the other.* [[...Thank you.]] *For a lot of things.* verdigrisprowl 10:25 pm *for what, exactly? Prowl's best guess is the implicit offer to watch over him while he's vulnerable.* Of course. NoodlesAtNight 10:27 pm *For not treating the paint job changes like a huge deal or throwing a fit about the colors, for not scolding him for putting himself in danger to do this, for the offer, for a dozen other things there isn't time or space to write.*

[[All right. He will return home now. Appointments to set. Enjoy your evening, Prowl.]] verdigrisprowl 10:27 pm I will. *... after leaning in for another brief kiss.* NoodlesAtNight 10:28 pm *Which he is more than happy to return. Extra nibble. Just to remind him of something he can look forward to in the future.*

*And then he's on his way.* verdigrisprowl 10:29 pm *this new half visor is very convenient.* *and Prowl's on his way as well.*

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