#the time in which i went fishing also coincides with the time i would not eat fish in any way shape or form (extremely picky child)

[yoonbroom]

SEVENTEEN FIC RECS

a list of seventeen fics I really enjoyed! pls go and show these amazing authors some love <3 also if there wasn't a summary on the fic I just included a little paragraph or the request! now onto the recs ↓

CHOI SEUNGCHEOL

HELLO TUTORIAL - @97-liners

oneshot, fluff, college au, frat au

it’s your final year of college, and you’ve been elected president of your sorority. this is all great and fine, but as the semester goes on, you find yourself having repeated run-ins with the president of the fraternity next door in a series of unfortunate coincidences (that might not actually be coincidences, as you come to discover). or: in which you’re trying to deal with your crush on seungcheol in a normal way, but the meddling kids are making it harder than it needs to be.

FRACTURED PARENTING, PT.2 - @berriesandjunnie

oneshot angst, fluff, idol au, separated parents au, enemies to lovers

parenting can be an emotional rollercoaster when you’re far from divorced and the flames are far from dying.

YOON JEONGHAN

UNTITLED - @userjuyo

drabble, fluff, est relationship

"i just know than jeonghan would tease his s/o a lot, but whenever they went “hannie :(“ he would literally MELT like he’d just be like “okay sweetheart i’m sorry 🥺” and the members would be like ????? BC HE WON’T LET THEM LIVE but it’s his baby so &lt;;3"

UNTITLED - @wqnwoos

drabble, fluff, est relationship

“what if crabs think that fish can fly?” your question is whispered into the darkness of your bedroom — you gazing at the ceiling thoughtfully, while jeonghan curls up beside you.

OF RAINY NIGHTS AND ROSES - @chenfleur

oneshot, angst, fluff, idol au, est relationship

In the heat of the moment, Jeonghan grows careless with his words. Now, he has to bear the weight of saying things he didn't mean.

DAISIES - @viastro

oneshot, angst, fluff, strangers to lovers

the best type of revenge is to hurt the person that means the most to them. aka, in which jeonghan is in charge of making you fall in love with him, just to break your heart. 

JOSHUA HONG

BEST FRIENDS BROTHER - @chocosvt

oneshot, fluff, angst, smut, best friends brother

joshua happens to be your best friend’s older brother. he’s pretty, and he’s got a lot of cool details about him that you pay a concerning amount of attention to, but he’s just a friend (if you could even call it that). still, what does he think of you, anyway? that is—if he thinks of you.

IT TAKES TWO - @/berriesandjunnie

oneshot, fluff, idol au, parent au, est relationship

a family is a little scary when your partner has over millions of fans.

UNTITLED - @/wqnwoos

drabble, fluff, est relationship

"it feels like the sky has only just welcomed the sun when joshua tries to get up to leave."

WEN JUNHUI

HEAVEN COULDN'T WAIT FOR YOU - @/berriesandjunnie

oneshot, angst, idol au

i just couldn’t stand to see you leaving but heaven couldn’t wait for you.

HAPPY ENDING - @junkissed

one shot, angst, fluff, marriage, est relationship

a pointless argument escalates until both of you need some space, but it couldn't come at a worse time.

KWON SOONYOUNG

LET ME TRY AGAIN - @papermatisse

oneshot, angst, fluff, exes to lovers, parent au

Soonyoung had never wanted to live a restrained capitalistic life, forced to work a tiresome 9 to 5, paying taxes until the day he dies. Though in exchange to pursue the other option, that being devotion to a career, he had to pay an unfathomably large price—he had to abandon everything and everyone he's ever loved. can he fit himself back into his former life? one that's changed more than he can possibly imagine? could the ones he loved forgive him for his wrongdoings? could he get the second chance he wants so desperately?

(UN)TRADITIONAL - @neonun-au

oneshot, fluff, wedding au, est relationship

"The digital clock on the hotel night stand flashes the next minute as it passes. A re-run of Law & Order: SVU drones on in the background as you sit at the edge of the bed, staring sleeplessly at your wedding dress hanging on the back of the closet door. "

VOWELS AND VERACITY - @hansolmates

oneshot, fluff, angst, smut, teacher au, single parent

after a blind date that makes you feel like a giddy teenager all over again, you’re forced to grow up and take a chance when you realize that special someone is your daughter’s kindergarten teacher.

BE SWEET - @heartkyeom

oneshot, fluff, angst, smut, royalty, arranged marriage, enemies to lovers

“Why are you here?” Your tone is resolute, not allowing for even an inch of resistance. “That’s what we need to talk about. We’re getting married,” He lifts the corner of his mouth. You let out a laugh that is nowhere near polite, in fact, you’re nearly cackling at the prospect of this idea. It’s simply so outlandish, so fantastical that every time you look at his face it seems more unfathomable.

JEON WONWOO

FOR THE BOOKS - @trblsvt

oneshot, fluff, teacher au, est relationship

wonwoo's students seemed intent on matching him up with a fellow teacher. he didn't really want to stop them, it was too funny for him to break up their fun. plus, he didn't mind the certain someone he was being "set up" with.

HOW TO FALL - @because-of-a-friend

oneshot, fluff, angst, idol au

"hi!! <3 i love ur acc and i was wondering if you'd be able to write an imagine where you're besties with joshua and he invites you to meet the rest of seventeen for the first time and you instantly fall for wonwoo? maybe some angst but overall fluff? thank you!! no rush!! i love your work!!!"

UNTITLED - @/97-liners

oneshot, fluff, royalty au, friends to lovers, childhood friends

"a royalty au where you’re the heir to the throne and wonwoo is your shy (and lowkey bumbling) royal advisor…. he’s smart and always has his head stuck in a book but he’s also painfully awkward and clueless to how deeply in love with him you are. until your parents decide it’s time for you to get married. and suddenly you’re inundated by suitor after suitor, and wonwoo is quizzing them on their credentials and doubting their suitability for you, this one makes brash political decisions, this one spends too freely, this one has no tact for diplomacy. until one day, you turn to him and ask, “you’ve hated every single one of them. who, then, do you think i should marry?” and wonwoo blushes red and presses his lips together."

SCANDAL, PT.2, PT.3, PT.4- @fantasyescapes17

series, angst, fluff, enemies to lovers, regency au

this is part of an extensive series that includes other members! you can check it out ⤳ here

The Viscount's sister with an enormous dowry, beauty and unmistakable talent- you began the London season as the most desired woman in any room. But Jeon Wonwoo (a man who would rather hide in the library than dance at a ball) is beyond your comprehension. Curiosity might have killed the cat, but it embroiled you into a scandal with a man you could never love.

MEET CUTE OF THE CENTURY - @lovelyhan

oneshot, fluff, angst, smut, idol au, strangers to lovers

the last thing you expected when you volunteered at your city’s local animal shelter is to meet the hottest cat person in the world. now if only he’d just adopt one of them so you’d stop ogling him every time he drops by.

MARRIAGE - @yikesmary

drabble, fluff, parent au, est relationship

where wonwoo’s nightmare is coming true.

BIRTHDAY SURPRISE - @/yikesmary

oneshot, fluff, parent au, est relationship

where you and nari try to make breakfast and a cake before wonwoo wakes up… if only your daughter knew what the word “surprise” meant.

LEE JIHOON

GUITAR STRING - @leejungchans

oneshot, fluff, angst, royalty au

"“Take me away.” Jihoon’s elegant fingers, previously plucking at his guitar strings, freeze at your words. The soothing, lullaby-like chords he had been playing echo into the inky darkness, carried away by the chilly night breeze."

WE'LL BE OK - @atinykidult

drabble, angst, fluff, idol au, est relationship

“I’m sorry I didn’t tell you” for hurt!Jihoon

LIVE - @wondernus

oneshot, fluff, idol au, est relationship

having just finished composing a song a few hours ago, jihoon starts a live on his phone to sing to those who are feeling a little lonely at night. little does he know, your sleeping figure could be seen in the corner of his little livestream, causing his fans to go crazy.

MWHA - @cheolism

oneshot, fluff, est relationship

three times you said "mwah" at the end of a kiss and one time jihoon said it back

IM DATING WOOZI - @jihoonotes

oneshot, fluff, smau, est relationship, idol au

y/n is in a public relationship w/ woozi of SVTZ and decides to make a twitter acc to support jihoon, but SVTZ fans seem to think they're delusional.

JIHOON'S PUPPY - @rubyreduji

oneshot, angst, fluff, college au

jihoon can’t seem to shake the puppy dog who keeps following him around or the teasing he gets for it

HEARTSTRINGS - @wavelikewhat

oneshot, fluff, strangers to lovers, idol au

You help Jihoon meet an unexpected deadline for a song and he wonders why he can’t stop thinking about you. Luckily his members nudge him toward the answer.

LEE SEOKMIN

WARM ME UP ! - @ponkwan

drabble, fluff, est relationship

the one where you’re on your third date with seokmin.

KIM MNGYU

HOT OR COLD? - @jjuniehao

oneshot, fluff, est relationship

when looking for something on his phone, you find an email you didn’t expect…

BOYFRIEND PHOTOS - @babyleostuff

oneshot, fluff, est relationship, idol au

a sunny date spent with your precious boyfriend

XU MINGHAO

THE LETTER - @toruro

oneshot, fluff, angst, smut, brothers best friend, childhood friends to lovers, idol au

in which you’re jun's little sister and have been pining for a man so close yet so out of reach for ages. now, years later, when you see minghao all grown up, famous, and still making your heart flutter, you're not so sure what to do about your not-so-little crush.

BOO SEUNGKWAN

A BEAUTIFUL LIFE - @sungbeam

oneshot, fluff, childhood friends, est relationship

Boo Seungkwan asked you to marry him beneath the shade of an orange tree.

CHWE VERNON

ACCIDENTALLY IN LOVE - @suhnshinehaos

series, fluff, angst, childhood friends to lovers, arranged marriage, smau

the one where you get into an arranged marriage with your childhood best friend vernon, but neither of you seem to mind that much

UNTITLED - @/wqnwoos

drabble, fluff, est relationship, idol au

“vernon, we need to talk.”

OR, WOULD YOU RATHER IT BE ME? - @thepixelelf

oneshot, fluff, childhood friends to lovers, college au, soulmate au

A detested soulmark, a friendship over a decade in the making, and an unexpected proposal from one friend to another… what could possibly go wrong?

LEE CHAN

SOME THINGS NEVER CHANGE - @/berriesandjunnie

oneshot, fluff, est relationship, parent au, idol au

no matter what stage in life you’re at, or after all these years, you can count on his hyungs to still treat him the same.

08:23 AM - @wheeboo

drabble, fluff, est relationship, idol au

in which chan is late to dance practice.

want recs for other groups? check out my navigation → here!

[reality-detective]

It's going to be biblical 👇

The only conclusion here is: AMERICA....REPENT!

Think the coming eclipse is nothing? I did, too, until I discovered all these FACTS!

I don't claim to know what all of this means, exactly, but I believe it's important enough for all of us to be aware that this is happening and pray for wisdom.

On April 8th, 2024, there will be an eclipse. One eclipse is already amazing but this one is actually the last in a 3-part series that has SO much meaning behind it. It is important that we recognize that God said that He would use the sun, moon and stars to communicate with us:

Genesis 1:14- "Then God said, 'Let there be lights in the expanse of the heavens to separate the day from the night, and let them be for signs and for seasons and for days and years..."

Luke 21:25 - "There will be signs in the sun, moon and stars. On the earth, nations will be in anguish and perplexity at the roaring and tossing of the sea."

So now we know that God said that He would use the sun, moon and stars to communicate with us, so let's break down this 3-part eclipse series:

1) With the path of this last eclipse, combined with the first 2 eclipses (one in 2017 and the other in 2023), it will create the Hebrew letter over America that is "Aleph Tav" and in Greek it is the "Alpha and Omega" - both means "The beginning and the end." God said in Revelation 21:6 that He is the beginning and the end and this Aleph Tav is like His signature. Why would He use an eclipse to put His signature over America? Let's dig deeper:

2) God has used eclipses to warn nations of coming judgement so that the nation can repent of their sinful ways and come back to Him. This happened with the story of Ninevah. God told Jonah to go to the wicked nation of Ninevah and warn them about coming judgement. Jonah ran away from the assignment and while out at sea got swallowed up by a huge fish and was in its belly for 3 days. Jonah repented of running away so the whale spit him up. He then went to Ninevah and warned the people but there was something that also happened while he was warning the people...an eclipse came over the land.

In the 19th century, ancient tablets were discovered that described an eclipse called the Bur-Sagale eclipse where the totality of the eclipse landed right over Ninevah while Jonah was there preaching of the 40 day warning before the coming destruction. Because of this, the people realized that this was a sign from God that what Jonah was saying was true and they repented and God spared their nation.

It is amazing how much America mirrors Ninevah. (If you don't see it, you may be part of the problem.) To make this even more clear, this last eclipse on April 8th will be going over 7 cities here in America called - yep you guessed it - NINEVAH! I honestly didn't even know that we had any city here in the U.S. named that but here we are - with this eclipse going over these cities (and there will be an 8th one that it goes over also called Ninevah in Canada.)

Here are the cities: 👇

Nineveh, Texas

Nineveh, Missouri

Nineveh, Indiana (this will be the highest magnitude of eclipse Mag 1.023, the local time predicted for it to occur is at 3:07 PM)

Nineveh, Ohio

Nineveh, Pennsylvania

Nineveh, Virginia

Nineveh, New York

Nineveh, Nova Scotia (Not in the US)

Could this be that God is warning us just as He warned Ninevah? There have been many "Jonahs" in the past few years warning the nation that we need to repent and add in this sign above our heads - we can't turn away from the fact that it is not a coincidence. But if you need more proof, let's keep going...

The first part of this 3 part eclipse series was in 2017. The path of that eclipse went over 7 cities named Salem, which is short for Jerusalem (Ps. 76).

Salem, Oregon

Salem, Idaho

Salem, Wyoming

Salem, Nebraska

Salem, Missouri

Salem, Kentucky

Salem, South Carolina

The mathematical "chances" of there being 7 Salem's with the first eclipse and then 7 Ninevah's for the 3rd eclipse is unthinkable. But what about the 2nd part of the eclipse?

4) Perhaps the most striking piece of the 2nd eclipse is that the precise center-line of eclipse path exits the USA directly over Corpus Christi. Corpus Christi means the "Body of Christ" and is one of the only towns named that in the world!

But let's go back to this upcoming eclipse and dig even deeper...

4) Jonah was giving a 40 day warning to Ninevah during the eclipse. If you look at our April 8th eclipse and fast forward 40 days then you will get to May 18, 2024 - the day before Pentecost. The history of Pentecost is that is the last Spring Feast that the Lord has given us (there are 4 in the Spring and 3 in the Fall). This is the day that the Lord sent the Holy Spirit down to all those who have accepted Christ. We are told that the "Restrainer" (many believe this is the Holy Spirit) will be removed before the Tribulation could it be that this is a warning for that? I'm not sure as that is a worldwide event and this eclipse will be just over North America but it is something definitely to think and pray about for more clarity and wisdom. No matter what, there are too many things lining up for it to not be nothing and so my job is to get the information out to you all so that you can at least be aware of these signs that God is giving us so that you can pray about it.

But let's keep going...

5) From the start of this 3 part eclipse to the end, it will be 7 years. God uses numbers a lot to communicate with us, and 7 has a ton of meaning. A few examples are - He created the world in 7 days, there will be a 7 year tribulation, 7 is used for completion, etc.

) Going back to how this correlates with Jonah & Ninevah's story -at the time of this eclipse, there will be another sign in the sky...it will take place under the constellation, Cetus, which is the whale constellation! And not only will it pass through the 8 cities in North America named Ninevah, it will also pass through Jonah, Texas! Speaking of other towns that it will pass through, these are some of the other city names that it will go right over:

Rapture, Indiana

Williamston, Kentucky - this is where the Ark Encounter is located. The Ark Encounter is a full size replica of Noah's Ark.

Eagle Pass, Texas - where we are having so many border issues.

And the point where it crosses the 2017 eclipse to mark the center of the X is an area in southern Illinois called Little Egypt. What is even more fascinating about this is that Little Egypt is sandwiched in between 2 other cities called Alpha, Kentucky and Omega, Illinois - both having the 2017 eclipse come over their cities. Furthermore, the intersection of the 2017 and 2024 solar eclipses occurs directly over the New Madrid Fault Line, a major seismic zone. An earthquake along this fault line could potentially destroy the U.S., making it one of the most perilous fault lines in the country. I have no idea if this will happen or not, but there are too many things here that are all literally lining up to not share with everyone.

7) One more interesting fact is that there are 2,422 days in between the 2017 eclipse and the 2024 eclipse. If you look up 2422 in Strong's Concordance, an Bible concordance that has every word of the KJV, takes us to Exodus 1:19 which says,

"The midwives answered Pharaoh, "Hebrew women are not like Egyptian women; they are vigorous and give birth before the midwives arrive."

Why would this be of any significance? Well, to me, it reminds me of how Jesus said that His return would be like a woman in labor with the signs of His coming growing stronger and closer together. We are at a point in history where we are seeing all of the signs that He gave us happening before our eyes. In fact, we are even seeing things that will happen during the tribulation get setup now. If we are seeing those things being setup now, that must mean that we are super close to it actually happening. Going back to God saying that He uses the sun, moon and stars to show us signs - and then Jesus saying that the signs of His coming will be like a woman in labor, well this information leading us back to Exodus 1:19 explaining that the Hebrew women have labor fast is so interesting to me! Could we be on the brink of the rapture and tribulation!? I don't know exactly when it will happen but Jesus did tell us that we would know the season and I do believe that we have been in that season for the past few years and are pushing closer and closer to it!

It is no secret that this world has gone mad and everyone knows that there is something happening behind the scenes that feels really uncomfortable. If you have that feeling, you are right! There is a major push for things to happen that were predicted to happen over 2,000 years ago. Most people seek their understanding in the wrong place though. They look to the news and the world to guide them; however, these sources will only bring more questions, not answers. It causes people to live in fear, anxiety and depression. However, Jesus didn't want us to live that way. He gave us the information so that we would know what is happening when we see these things. The first piece of living in His knowledge is accepting that God sent His son, Jesus, to die for our sins and on the 3rd day, Jesus rose from the grave and conquered death. The second piece is to repent to God of your sins and turn away from your sins. Most churches only teach how God loves you but don't teach repentance anymore and that is a HUGE part of your faith. Jesus said that there will be many who come to Him and say, "Lord, Lord, I knew you." But because they didn't repent of their sins and seek Jesus' ways instead of their own, He will reply, "Get away from me, I never knew you." We cannot just live however we want without any consequences. Even little children understand this concept, but it has been lost on most adults. This is why Ninevah was going to see destruction - because they were a self- serving, sinful nation - just like America is today. You can't change the heart of this nation, but you can change your heart and lead your homes to do the same. Third, pray for wisdom in these areas.

I know this has been incredibly deep but just like Proverbs 25:2 says, "It is the glory of God to conceal a thing, but the honor of kings is to search out a matter." This sign in the sky will be right over your head in just a few weeks - will you have the eyes to see what it really means?"

You Decide 🤔

[backmuscles21]

Masterlist

Warnings in the respective stories – Dead Dove Do Not Eat

Last Edited: 08/21/24

Avatar

Tonowari x Reader x Ronal

Finally Found You - X

Summary: Jake and Tonowari find your body washed up on the shore, it's a forest Na'vi's body. Once Jake sees your face, he remembers you and it scares him. You were blue but you never had a Na'vi body. Ronal nurses you back to health and Tonowari shows you around. You told Jake about all of Ardmore's plans and what had happened, only you didn't know how you ended up on the Metkayina shore beaten to a pulp. Tonowari and Ronal end up falling for you, and once you mate with them, you'll do anything to protect your family, even kill again. (Smut)

Going For a Swim - X

Summary: You came to help Jake's daughter, Kiri. The Metkayina people noticed you were the only human without an oxygen mask. They would soon find out from some kids playing around with water what was truly up with you. Tonowari noticed you staring and once he knew you were special, he told his mate and they couldn't resist your fish-like persona. They fell in love more when you saved their daughter from the sky people.

Eywa Has Her Reasonings - X

Summary: You're Jake and Neytiri's eldest child, even in the forest it was hard to find a mate. Coming with your family to the Metkayina people was the best decision ever made. It would be here that you found not one but two mates and they plagued your mind until they asked you to mate with them. (Smut)

Curls - X

Summary: A short little fic about your mates finding out about your curly hair and Ronal braiding it in traditional Metkayina fashion. Thought of this while oiling my own hair.

Too Much - X

Summary: You have just come back from a hunting trip and you're exhausted. Your mates knew exactly how to cheer you up but you were just too exhausted. (Smut)

Let Them Stay -  X

Summary: You would've never thought that you'd see more Omatikaya on the shores of the reef, but before you stood Jake and his family. They sought refuge from your mates, you assured your mates about him. Now, you and Jake talk about how you disappeared and what had been going on before you were taken hostage by the one person you told Jake to protect you from.

Punishment - X

Summary: I think the title speaks volumes. Tonowari gets angry at you for getting hurt and so he punishes you for it and Ronal happens upon you two. (Smut)

Eywa’s Will - X

Summary: You were passed out on the shore when they found you, now they found out you were to be their new mate. It's all Eywa's will, this was supposed to teach them to be better people. (Smut)

I Was Scared - X

Summary: If you know me you know we have to have our obligatory eating disorder fic. If you know me you know I need to work on my crippling ED by writing about it.

Tsaheylu - X

Summary: You wanted to mate with the two people meant for you, of course, first, you had to ask permission from your parents, Jake and Neytiri. When you don't and it just piles more lies on top of each other it's only going to make things worse and now you have to answer for yourself. (Smut)

Can I Stay? - X

Summary: You have a Ph.D. in Psychology, which comes in handy for helping out Jake's daughter, Kiri. It also helps you find the two people that would mean most to you in your life. It just took some convincing eye contact for them to never want to get rid of you. (Smut)

The Big Visit - X

Summary: Tonowari and Ronal go to visit their third mate, who is with the Omaticaya people. However, when they come down to visit, they find out you're sick. Coincidently, this is the first time they will see your human body.

Lo’ak x Reader x Tsireya

First To Kiss Her, Wins -  X

Summary: You and Lo'ak mated and went to the Metkayina people with his family. There you saw the most beautiful girl, and both of you agreed and knew you needed to have her, together. (Smut)

Tsu’tey

Where Is She? - x

Summary: You didn't get a chance to leave with Jake when they left Hell's Gate, Quaritch ensured that you'd be stuck in his room not that glass cell. Jake led the clan to victory, Tsu'tey still wondered where you were and if you were okay. When they raid Hell's Gate for supplies, they'll find out if you really are okay or not. This is fucked up, so be ready for that. (a little bit of Quaritch x Reader)

What Is True Love? - X

Summary: You hated your father for forcing you into the Avatar Program, you resented him so much you didn't see anything but the hatred for him. Blindsided by hating him, you didn't realize he'd find other ways to control you. However, it led you to the best part of your life, regardless of all the bumps it took to live a long happy life. (Smut) (Brief Quaritch x Reader)

Watching You - X

Summary: He loves you, but he doesn't know if you like him back. When he sees you sneaking off, he just wants to ensure your safety. He comes across something that would hurt him way more than it would hurt you.

Past Lives - X

Summary: You are now full Na'vi and mated with the best warrior around, Tsu'tey. However, going out with Jake's kids could put that into jeopardy when someone from your past comes back to make you confront it. (Past Quaritch x Reader)

Recoms (Poly)

Problems - X

Summary: You scared the recoms when the few times you had rough sex with them recently, you had some medical problems causing you to need to be brought to the infirmary. Once everything was better, the recoms did not like the new set amount of times you could have sex. - Mostly Quaritch at the end. (Smut)

You’re Supposed To Be Ours - X

Summary: You are an RDA chemist, you have caught the eyes of all the recoms. They can be a little possessive. So, when they see you talking with someone else, they need to teach you your place and where you belong. (Smut)

Moments With You - X

Summary: Some of your favourite fluffy moments with your recom lovers.

As Long As You Can Share - X

Summary: You're the only recom doctor, once you met your patients you knew you were in for it. You wanted all of them, it just took one bold soldier for you to not be able to hold back. All the recoms had to share you and they were okay with that, even more okay with it when you told them what you ultimately wanted which they knew one day, they'd give you. (Smut)

We Want You - X

Summary: You're the only doctor set aside for the recom soldiers, as you start to work with them, they fall in love. Now they want you in on their secret arrangement. More of how things started, or how I'd imagine they'd start.

Rebirth - X

Summary: Being reborn in a Na'vi body allows you to be with your lovers again, but then you have to watch them leave you all over again. (Smut)

In The Open - X

Summary: Literally a few small blurbs of the different times your lovers have caught you being fucked by your other lovers. (Smut)

Ao’nung

Redemption Process - X

Summary: Ao'nung comes up with the best idea, but it turns out it really isn't. He is now paying for his mistake; he has to repent for the pain and suffering he has caused you. Especially when step one is talking to your parents. This is fucked up so be ready.

Lyle Wainfleet

Nighttime Visits - X

Summary: You and Lyle are now recom soldiers, the problem is, you aren't supposed to be together. Doesn't keep you apart for long, you and him still find ways to sneak around. (Smut)

I’m Right Here - X

Summary: Waking up as a recom wasn't the hardest thing you'd be doing that day. I did a little extra bonus for this boy; I had an idea but she was short. She's at the end. (Smut)

Zdog

Dead To Me - X

Summary: You couldn't be happier with your girlfriend; you never wanted to be apart from her, but then you had a choice: fight for the humans or the Na'vi.

Neteyam x Reader x Ao’nung

Proposition - X

Part 2 - X

Summary: Neteyam comes with his family to the reef people, there he finds you. You are the prettiest thing he's ever seen, but you're already mated to the boy that he and his siblings can't stand. However, it works out in the end as Ao'nung decides to play along a little. (Smut)

[vintagestarlight]

Couple's Trip

Summary: you and John take a trip for your anniversary and John has a very special question to ask

Pairing: John Price x gf!reader

Words:~ 2.0k

Warnings: fluff, tiny bit of angst(?), smut, p in v sex, unprotected sex(wrap it before you tap it folks :3), MDNI!!

A/N: so this has been sitting in my drafts for months and I finally finished it! Probably the longest fic I’ve written and I’m not sure how I feel about it(I feel like I’m better at writing fluff pieces rather than spicy ones maybe?)but let me know what yall think! I’m working on another Price fic and a Soap fic so stay tuned! :)

A/N: As always likes, reblogs, comments, and feedback of all types are welcome and my inbox is always open! Hope you guys enjoy!!

***beware of typos lol

Your mind wandered as you zipped your suitcase shut. John announced you were taking a trip for your anniversary and refused to tell you where. "You'll find out when we get there love," he said with a laugh after you pestered him to tell you. You walked downstairs and set your suitcase by the front door.

Through no fault of his own John wasn't always around for your anniversary. He always tried his best to to have his leave coincide but it didn't always happen. Usually you just had a nice dinner at home or John would surprise you with flowers; both of which you enjoyed. Needless to say you were shocked but excited when John told you he had a few weeks leave and had something big planned.

"Hey hon, remember to pack your toothbrush this time," you said, doublechecking to make sure you had everything. "You forget it every time," you mused. "I'm not going to forget my toothbrush dove. And I don't forget it every time," Price argued; he checked his suitcase and realized he forgot. He went to the bathroom and grabbed his toothbrush to pack it away without telling you.

"Are you ready love?" Price asked. "I want to get going," You noticed your boyfriend seemed to be acting weird. He was very fidgety and it wasn't like him at all.

"You okay?" You asked. "You seem anxious to get going,"

"Yeah I'm fine love I just want to get there before dark," Price replied, taking the luggage outside. He loaded the suitcases into the back of the car and slipped his hand in his pocket. His fingers brushed against the velvet box resting in his pocket. "Well if we want to get there before dark we should get going," you called out and shut the door behind you, locking up the house.

You noticed the scenery started to change from hilly landscapes to dense woods. You started to get excited about what was at the end of your little road trip. The car turned on to a cobblestone stone driveway that led to a beautiful cabin overlooking a private lake surrounded by trees. "Oh John this is beautiful!" You said, looking out the window. "How did you know about this?" You asked. "An old mate of mine offered to let us use it for the week," he smiled watching you try and take it all in.

"This whole place is for us?" You asked, wondering if you could possibly see everything in just a few days. Price squeezed your thigh. "Just us," he said, parking the car. "Here love," Price stated. He fished in his pocket pulling out a set of keys. "Here's the keys to the cabin. Why don't you go take a look around, while I unload the car" he suggested.

You smiled and took the keys from him walking up to the front steps. You unlocked the front door and stepped inside. The living room was decorated in a way you would expect a cabin to be decorated. A large sofa facing a tv mounted on the wall, a large red rug in the middle of the floor, an end table with a lamp beside the couch, a tv stand, large fireplace, and a chandelier made from antlers adorned the living room. There was also a full kitchen to your right when you walked in.

You made your way to the stairs and found the master bedroom. A king size bed was the centerpiece of the room with a wool blanket draped over the end. The curtains were drawn and a soft light emanated from a lamp sitting on a bedside table.

Your footsteps were hushed by the soft carpet as you walked to the bathroom. The master bathroom was beautifully decorated in finished wood and white accents with a big claw foot tub; definitely big enough for both you and John. A window that faced the lake and woods let in a nice breeze and you couldn't help smiling, the fact it was yours for a few days finally setting in.

You came down the stairs just as John set down the last of your luggage. "So? What do you think?" Price asked, smiling as you wrapped your arms around him. "It's perfect John!” you smiled. "It's so beautiful," you planted a kiss on his lips.

Over the next few days the ring Price carried around burned a hole in his pocket. He tried finding the right time to ask you but everytime he tried he got nervous. He was the Captain of the most elite special forces team in the world and he couldn't even ask you to marry him. He sat at the edge of the dock, his fishing pole in his hands. He looked at the water waiting for a fish to bite and thinking about how much he wanted to spend the rest of his life with you. If only I could just ask her. With a frustrated sigh, he got up to stretch his legs still holding the fishing pole.

These few days seemed like a dream to you. Getting to spend this time with John was something you didn't always get to have. You noticed your boyfriend's behavior was somewhat off. He was anxious and fidgety when he's normally the calm and self-assured one in the relationship. You saw him sitting at the dock fishing and you smiled to yourself. His behavior may have changed but him fishing certainly hadn't.

You opened the front door and started walking down the cobblestone path the sweet air warming your skin. You saw little firefly's glowing in the garden flying around. "Have you caught anything yet?" You asked, siting down in a lawn chair with him standing holding his fishing pole. John glanced over and saw you wearing one of his army green t shirts and a pair of sleep shorts; he felt his heart skip a beat and his cock swell embarassingly hard despite the spirited romp in the sheets a mere few hours prior. For some strange reason, it made his thoughts drift back to the little box still tucked away in his pocket; he carried it with him everywhere since they got here. He still couldn’t believe he had trouble asking you a simple four-worded question. It was almost laughable that something so simple had the Captain racked with anxiety. The man who was feared just as much as he was respected in the field. What if you said no? What if you didn’t actually love him and this was the push you needed to leave him? He grimaced as his thoughts got more and more out of control.

“No I think I missed most of them,” he muttered and turned his attention back to the water. You furrowed your eyebrows; something was up with your boyfriend. Not much fazed the 6’2” Brit so to see him so lost in thought worried you. You got to your feet and wrapped your arms around your lover; your hands dipped underneath the shirt he was wearing and felt the dusting of wiry chest hair. You ran your fingers down the strong expanse of his chest and abdomen following the happy trail that disappears into his waistband. “What’s wrong hon?” You asked. “Nothing is wrong I’m fine love,” He grumbled. “You’ve been acting strange for the past few days and that isn’t like you,” You persisted. "I want to know what’s bothering you. You know you can tell me anything right?” You reassured him. John shifted his attention from the still water to you and tried to think of what to say.

“Do you…still love me?” He asked with uncertainty. “Would I have let you put me in those positions if I didn’t?” You teased, referencing the previous bedroom escapades. Seeing his face didn’t change, you realized he was serious. “Of course I do. Why would you think I don’t?” You asked. “Well…sometimes I can’t help but think you’ll wake up one day and come to your senses and leave me for someone who actually deserves you,” He sighed. It felt foreign to him to talk about his feelings but you made him feel safe enough that he could. You always brought out the best of him and it was one of the many reasons he wanted to marry you. “John Price, I am never going to leave you,” You told him, placing your hands on his muttonchops, framing his face. You hated it when he talked so badly about himself. “I love you so much and you deserve everything,” You said, gazing up at him. “Even if I am a grumpy old man?” He asked. “Yes even though you’re a grumpy old man,” you teased. “Hey! Easy now,” He said in mock annoyance. You placed your lips on his, capturing him in a heated kiss. You felt him kiss you back and the tension from his shoulders melted away. He groaned and pressed your bodies together, reaching down to grab a handful of your ass. He chuckled quietly when you whined as he pulled away. “In that case, there’s something I need to ask you,” He slipped his hand into his pocket while dropping down onto one knee. It’s now or never Price. He told himself. Your eyes went wide and filled with tears as you realized what was happening. “Y/N, will you marry me?” He asked, hoping, no silently begging, for you to say yes. “Yes! Yes I’ll marry you John Price,” you cried.

******

“FUCK!” You screamed. The headboard practically hit the wall with each harsh thrust from John. The room was filled with obscene yet erotic sound of panting and skin slapping against skin. “Fuck you’re taking me so well love,” John panted out, taking a glance down to where your cunt practically swallowed his cock. The sight drove him mad and he let out sounds he didn’t know he had in him. Those sounds he was making, the breathy groans and whimpers almost made you come then and there. “Fuck John!” You panted, feeling yourself get closer with every snap of John’s hips that hit perfectly inside you. John could feel you squeezing him like a vice and he knew you were close to coming. He grabbed the head board and pushed your legs to your chest to better plow into you and get as deep as he could into your pulsing cunt. “That’s it love,” He breathed out, his pace unrelenting. “Come for me love, come for me,”. John’s voice sounded strained as he focused on making you come before he did. You keened as you felt yourself go over the edge, coming on John’s cock. You squeezed him so tightly he swore he saw stars and came deep inside you, thick ropes of white staining the inside of your cunt. John rested his forehead against yours, strands of his hair sticking to the sweaty skin. You felt the sheer sheen of perspiration that had covered your own body begin to dry and cool off the longer the two of you stayed in each other’s embrace. "You okay love?” He asked, still out of breath as you both waited for your heart rates to slow. “More than okay,” you smiled lazily. Price gingerly pulled out his softened cock and walked to the bathroom, you admiring his bare ass as he walked away. John used a warm wash cloth to gently clean you up before grabbing a celebratory cigar and lighting it. You watched and admired his naked body as he poured himself a glass of scotch from the decanter sitting on the small table in the room before sliding back into bed with you.

You and John lay slightly tangled in the sheets with your head resting on his chest and his arm around you, relishing in that wonderful, hazy post sex daze. You couldn’t help but stare at the ring on your finger and smile; John was your fiancée and you could hardly believe it. “Careful now or I’ll think you love the ring more than me,” John’s deep baritone voice reverberating in his chest. “Well the ring is pretty great. And all I have is an old man,” you teased, looking up at him knowing he just proved himself to be anything but an old man. Your remark earned you a playful pinch on your ass. You squealed and laughed, swatting his chest playfully.

“Don’t worry Mr. Price I only have eyes for you my love,” You said, planting a kiss on his lips. "I love you,"

“I love you too soon-to-be Mrs. Price,”

[satureja13]

Saiwa's Therapy Game - Part 3 It starts -> here

'It′s of a brave and a gallant ship With a fair an' a fav′ring breeze, And a goodly crew and a captain too, For to carry me over the seas. For to carry me over the seas, my boys, To my true love far away; I'm taking a trip on a Government ship Ten thousand miles away!'

10.000 Miles Away

Captain Duath sailed 10.000 miles (more or less ^^') until he found a decent remote island.

'And sing blow the winds high-o, a-roving I will go. I'll stay no more on England′s shore or to hear the music play, For I'm off on the morning train and I won′t be back again. For I'm taking a trip on a Government ship Ten thousand miles away.'

An island all for himself! THAT was his dream! Living all by himself and caring only for himself! This is a place where he can fully concentrate on his healing.

Captain Duath moored his dinghy thing and unloaded his few belongings before he explored the small island. Until he found a mailbox - and a flamingo. The label on the mailbox read: Flamingo Island... He always loved flamingos...

(TMI: I created Saiwa in November 2014 as Giga Byte for a career special where she lived as a hacker above the 'Flamin to Go' takeaway.) There also was a flamingo poster in the trailer of the StrangeTrailer Park in Strangerville which later hung in Sai and Jack's apartment at Belgraves Institute.

But a flamingo also is a bird and will remind him of their unfinished business with his damn fake relationship with Kiyoshi. Saiwa is sure that this is no coincidence. Tiny Can won't let him off the hook this easily as it seems. No matter how far he runs away from his problems.

He'll think about that later. Here ingame, he has any time in the world. First he needs a shelter and the buildmode in the Therapy Game was a joy! (Did the flamingo turn towards Sai? He seems to watch him ö.Ö')

Soon he built a little shack out of some thriftwood and stuff he found in the ocean (which was also good for the environment ^^).

To show Tiny Can that he's not just lazing around and to show his goodwill to change, he went with the Flamingo Island theme and built a flamingo patterned armchair. He even found a flamingo towel and shorts...

Saiwa was very dirty after cleaning up the ocean and he urgently needed to take a shower. He thought it's ok that he put the shower outside. The shack is already too small and no one will see him out here anyway.

'No one' was really surprised by the unexpected sight ^^'

Saiwa was hungry after all the work and so he went to catch some fresh fish. He couldn't be happier. He can eat when he wants and what he wants (as long as it's fish ^^') and no one is disturbing him here! (But maybe this island is abandoned because of the fuming vulcano that might 'disturb' him sooner or later ö.Ö')

And while he was grilling his fish, butterflies surrounded him. Just like paradise! (Can you spot all four butterflies? Minus the flying fish ^^')

Saiwa's 'bathroom' :3

While he ate and looked over the calm ocean, he thought about all the things that are stirring him up inside and keeping him from his calm and that he needs to tackle in his therapy. The leadership of the Boys, his relationship with Jeb and his friendship with Kiyoshi. A lot of 'ships'. Maybe therefore Tiny Can made him a captain ^^' And maybe the flamingo bird means he should work on his friendship with Kiyoshi and Jeb first. So they can finally go back home and try to have a halfway normal life together again.

Before he leaves the game, he laid in the sun for a while and let his thoughts flow. Will it be possible to stay the leader or will he have to give it up for his relationship with Jeb? Or will he have to give up Jeb for the Boys?There will always be situations where he will have to put the Boys over Jeb. Is it fair to keep Jeb by his side if he can't be his top priority? He hates to hurt Jeb, but it will happen again. Will there be a way to deal with it? Or would it be better if they kept their distance and Jeb found someone other than him? Who would love him like he deserves it? Jeb is too stubborn and loves Saiwa too much to break up. Even if he were unhappy.

And how are they even supposed to go back to normal? Kiyoshi, Jeb and him. After all that had happened? He had that damn fake relationship with Kiyoshi to get him out of that tree because they thought Saiwa was Kiyoshi's fated mate and now Jeb and Kiyoshi live together. And there are still all the other problems he has as their leader. That they have to stay together or armageddon, Ji Ho's lost feelings, Jack's pain because he left Kiyoshi, his real fated mate. The Council. And the sword of damokles over their heads that Ji Ho's grandfather did something that let put Ji Ho a spell on Vlad to seduce him to obtain his powers for the Council... OMG! They might be safe in the Otherworld from their enemies for now but their problems are following them whereever they go. Is it even possible to go back to the real world? (Yep, that flamingo is definitely moving! ö.ö)

'Oh, my true love she was beautiful, My true love she was young; Her eyes were like the diamonds bright And silvery was her tongue. And silvery was her tongue, my boys, As the big ship left the bay She said, will you remember me Ten thousand miles away?'

Outtakes This is so annoying that there are abandoned boats on the ocean -.-You can't put them in your inventory so I let Saiwa move it behind a rock when we started this session and now it's back again!

The Therapy Game Master Post with the sessions and places so far is -> here

From the Beginning  ~  Underwater Love ~  Latest Current Chapter: 🕹️ 'The One' from the beginning ▶️ here 📚 Previous Chapters: Chapters: 1-6 ~ 7-12 ~ 13-16 ~ 17-22 ~ 23-28

[roryelijah02]

Hey, wondering if you'd like to do a scene analysis for Carol and Daryl's argument in Find Me (10x18)?

When carol says "is it possible she just left?" and daryl says "WHAT" and then Carol says "it's not an accusation", I'm never sure what's happening there. What is the 'accusation'? There are a lot of parallels between leah and carol. And daryl says that he should have been there for leah while carol says she doesn't need a saviour etc. I wondered whether daryl is so sensitive about the idea that leah just left bc that's something carol has done to him which hurt him? Or maybe it means something else.

And there's also when daryl says to carol "you never know when to stop" which parallels carol saying to him during his years in the woods "I don't want to lose you out here because you don't know when to stop".

And when he says "I know where I'm supposed to be" as well as him writing to Leah "I belong with you". What are your thoughts about those things?

I also spotted that after Carol leaves the argument saying that she's going to fix the door, in the closing moment, you can hear her with a hammer presumably fixing the door while Daryl is still looking out the window. To me, this symbolises how she's trying to fix things while Daryl is still looking for what he thinks he needs to find. I haven't heard anyone else talk about the symbolism of this bit, so would love to hear if you have any thoughts?

Would love to hear your general thoughts and opinions about the scene too :)

Ooo, this is such a good ask, thank you! Season 10 Episode 18, Find Me, is such a heart-wrenching episode and I'm so excited to do an analysis for this scene. It's a very difficult scene for a lot of Carol/Caryl fans especially to get through but there's a lot of interesting details to unpick within it so let's get started.

Before I get onto the analysis of the fight scene between Daryl and Carol, I want to mention how previous to this scene happening, it's Carol who finds the note that Daryl initially left for Leah "we belong together - find me" and that's the catalyst for this whole upcoming conversation. It's no coincidence that Carol was actually the person to find the note and as she's now on her way to find him in France, I find this detail very interesting.

Now, onto the analysis. For me, a lot of this scene can be understood by thinking about Daryl's hero/guilt complex, made up of pieces of trauma that he's really struggled with as early as season 3. It started with Merle, then Beth, then Glenn, then Connie and now Leah, whom he has no idea where she is or if she's even alive. This is a big reason why the conversation starts with Daryl saying "I should've been there - I could've helped her" because he feels guilty, for multiple reasons: Daryl began his relationship with Leah during the time when Carol went to marry Ezekiel. Whilst Daryl had given Carol his blessing to marry Ezekiel, it's clear to see how disappointed and sad he is whilst doing it and it was confirmed through Angela Kang's script notes that Daryl was jealous of Ezekiel during this scene but ultimately, Daryl being Daryl and how much he cares about Carol, wants to put her happiness first and if that means giving her his blessing to marry someone else, he's going to do that. Now obviously, the main reason why Daryl was out in the woods during the 6 year time jump in season 9 was to look for Rick, I believe another reason he chooses to stay out in the woods is because he can't bare to see Carol and Ezekiel together every day and this is why he refuses their offers to stay at the Kingdom during the time jump. There are some very noticeable parallels between Carol and Leah. Firstly, there are some parallels of the scenes Daryl shares with Carol during Find Me and those he shares with Leah in the flashbacks of the same episode, one of these being the most noticeable is the fishing scene. Moreover, there are quite a few similarities and parallels between Leah and Carol as people, the most noticeable being that both women have lost a child and consequently decided to isolate themselves in a cabin away from everyone else. The theory is that Daryl, seeing all of these similarities between Leah and Carol, took comfort in Leah who almost put a plaster, if you like, over the hole in Daryl's heart that Carol had left when she went to marry Ezekiel. This is just one of the reasons why Daryl feels guilty because he was never in love with her and Leah knew this because she admits it to Pope in Season 11 Episode 4, Rendition - that's because Daryl's heart was already with somebody else, she'd just temporarily covered the hole in his heart that they'd left. Daryl probably also felt guilty because he didn't give his full commitment to Leah and only decided to go to the cabin to be with her properly once Carol told him that she wouldn't be able to come and visit him at his camp anymore due to her commitments at the Kingdom. I believe this is because Daryl finally realised that he'd lost Carol for good because before, with her continuing to visit him at his camp and even offering to come and stay out in the woods with him, his heart probably still held a little bit of hope in it. The other thing that probably makes Daryl feel guilty is that when he finally did go to the cabin to be with her, she'd already gone and from what we could tell, he didn't spend much time actively looking for her, as he had other people who'd gone missing. I think, with him saying this at the beginning of the conversation, Daryl worries that something could've happened to Leah and he thinks that maybe, if he'd been there when it happened, he could've prevented it or stopped her from getting hurt.

Carol suggests that maybe Leah left of her own accord. I believe that Daryl says "what?!" here because he doesn't want to believe that Leah would've done that after telling him she would wait for him to make a decision about what he wants and where he wants to be. I also believe this is why Carol responds with "it's not an accusation" because she doesn't want Daryl to think she's accusing Leah of just fleeing and abandoning him, especially when neither of them know the full story or what actually happened.

It's moments after this that it becomes clear Carol is, however, fully aware of Daryl's hero/guilt complex and I think she fully believes this is why he's so caught up about Leah as she says "stop thinking that every time you lose someone it's your fault, because of something you've done". This is her gentle way of trying to tell him that if Leah just left or decided she didn't want to be with him any more of her own free will, then that's Leah's choice and Leah's loss - it's not on him.

However, this is where some of Daryl's feelings about everything start to come out and there are deeper meanings under the surface that come with everything he's saying. Carol begins by listing some of the people who she believes Daryl feels like he's had a part to play in or blames himself completely for their dissapearence and/or demise: Leah, Rick and Connie. I believe that Carol in no way, shape or form blames Daryl for what happened to Connie and that she instead fully blames herself. However, knowing him as well as she does, especially as she knows of his hero/guilt complex, I think she thinks there may be even a small part of him that blames himself for Connie. She's very quickly proven wrong though because Daryl turns around and tells her he thinks what happened to Connie is on her and that she never knows when to stop. As previously mentioned, I think Carol already believes she's fully to blame for Connie but I think hearing it coming from the mouth of the person who's closest to her is a bit like a kick in the teeth. Daryl telling Carol she doesn't know when to stop is a parallel to when she told him, in one of the flashbacks during Find Me, that she doesn't want to lose him outside in the woods because he doesn't know when to stop looking for Rick. Therefore, it's like Daryl is pointing out that she told him he needs to learn when to stop but she also needs to learn the same thing. It's also him starting to let out his hurt and frustration about how, no matter what he did or said to her to try and help and comfort her, she wouldn't stop hurting herself and she broke her promise that she would stop trying to hurt herself in Season 10 Episode 9, Squeeze, whilst they were in the cave.

Carol goes on to say that whilst she's sorry for what happened to Connie, she's not sorry for going after the horde and for getting justice for Henry's death. When she says that she was right, I believe she's refering to being right about Alpha and her behaviour and her predictions for how the Whisperer war would go. This upsets Daryl more because to him, her saying that she's not sorry about going after the horde could also mean she's not sorry for the consequences that brought but more importantly to him, she's also not sorry for risking her life in the process, something he desperately tried to prevent for weeks as he was trying to get the message through to her that it would crush him if anything happened to her, but that message kept falling on deaf ears. This is why Daryl turns around and says "and that's all that matters, you being right". To me, this is a callback to Season 10 Episode 8, The World Before, when Daryl tells her "you want her dead so badly, you don't even care what happens to you." Daryl is saying this to her because he's hurt that she's willing to put the people she cares about's lives but most importantly her life on the line just so she could defeat Alpha and prove she was right about the Whisperers, when he believes that she's fully aware what the impact on him would be if she got hurt or worse, died.

It's now that Carol realises that this whole conversation they're having isn't even about Leah, or Connie or anybody else. She realises it's about her. She asks Daryl to tell her what he really wants to say. She asks him to open up to her and be honest with her. Daryl responds with "you shouldn't have come". This is him using a deflection tactic - he doesn't want to say what he really wants to her. I believe this is because of a mixture of him not wanting to open up right now because of how hurt and frustrated he is and him not wanting to snap at her and saying something he'll end up regretting. I also think there's a part of him that regrets starting this conversation and he's a bit mad that they came across the cabin which became the catalyst for the conversation and that's also why he tells her she shouldn't have come.

When Carol says that she wanted to come to help, I believe her. I believe that by the time we get to 10C, especially the latter half of 10C, Carol has realised the consequences of some of her actions earlier in the season and it's clear she's thought a lot about the mistakes she's made and is now ready to start fixing them and building bridges with people. Therefore, I definitely don't think she's lying when she says this. Daryl, however, as the person who knows her the best, knows that there's more to it than just that and that's why he responds with "no, you wanted to run." It's not that he didn't believe what she said but that he knew there was another, maybe bigger reason behind her wanting to come with him. He says he believes she's running from her guilt but I believe another part of the reason why he thinks she's running and why he's upset and worried about is because she's not happy being around Team Family, but more specifically him. He knows he would do anything to make her happy but as she keeps running, that puts doubts in his mind about whether he'll ever be able to make her happy and that hurts him (more on this later).

When he says that she made it his problem, she says his only problem is feeling like he needs to save everybody - another reminder that she's fully aware of his hero/guilt complex, because if there's anybody he can't save, he will never be able to forgive himself for what happens to them. This hurts Daryl though, even more so when Carol says she doesn't need a saviour because if there's anybody he wants to protect and save at anytime, it's her. From the very early days, he's been saving her, protecting her and looking after her just as she's done him and he's enjoyed doing this because he wants to do it for her so hearing her say that she doesn't need that is really hard for him, especially because he couldn't bare to see her in any danger.

When Carol tells him she just needs a friend, Daryl responds with "friends don't have the same conversations over and over again." Again, this feeds into Daryl's frustration about the fact that he was desperately trying to be there for Carol and get through to her and guide her through her grief and all the trauma she was going through, but all his messages were falling on deaf ears. On a deeper note, I also believe part of this frustration, however small, is about how stuck he is in terms of having feelings for Carol but feeling unable to say them aloud to anyone, but especially to her. Daryl has kind of gone in a constant cycle in terms of his feelings for Carol. He thinks he's lost her, realises how short life is - especially during the apocalypse, decides that he'll tell her how he feels and then something or someone gets in the way (I can make a whole separate analysis on the 'cycle of feelings' if you'd like). Consequently, Daryl is now at a stage where he wants to admit it to her so much that it's becoming frustrating for him because he still can't tell her because she's grieving, they've had the Whisperer War to deal with and she keeps trying to run away. The notion that Daryl's messages have been falling on deaf ears is emphasised when Carol says that this type of conversation is new to her and it only frustrates Daryl more, who once again tries to tell her that this is what he's been trying to tell her and help her with all along and because she's not been listening for so long, he's now at a point where he feels like his message will never get through to her.

Carol, evidently annoyed now, tells Daryl that if he'd wanted to prevent all of this from happening, he should've just let her get back on the boat and he confirms that yes, he should've done that - that he stopped her from running and he shouldn't have. A lot of fans are confused as to why Daryl says this but I do believe there's a reason behind it and it's not because he wanted her to go back on the boat. We all saw how hard Daryl tried to get Carol to stay, he even offered her to run away to New Mexico multiple times if she would've be happier doing that. However, things got in the way of them going to New Mexico and Daryl firmly believes that Carol hasn't been the same since she got off the boat, something in which he mentions to Michonne during season 10 episode 3, Ghosts. Therefore, I believe the reason Daryl says that he should've let Carol go back on the boat is because he's come to believe that she would've been happier there. That, like he told Michonne, he believes that she'd found happiness out at sea but he begged her to stay and since then, she hasn't been the same Carol that he's always known. I believe there is a note of guilt from Daryl there because he feels like he's taken away her peace and happiness.

Now comes one of the most difficult lines to hear from Daryl in the whole scene and seeing the hurt on Carol's face as he says these things is heartbreaking but I do understand and have ideas of why he says it. "You wanna run, run. I know where I'm supposed to be. I won't stop you this time." Let's break this down into parts. So firstly, Daryl tells her she should run if she wants to. I believe that this is Daryl putting everythig he's thinking and feeling aside and is willing to let her go, if that's what will be best for her. The reason he says it in the tone he does is because he's already had to let her go once, when she went to marry Ezekiel and that aleeady caused him enough heartache. The thought of losing Carol has always crushed Daryl but as previously mentioned, especially after seeing how happy and at peace it made her to be at sea on the boat, I think he's come to realise that he needs to let her go and be happy, even if that's somewhere else and with someone other than him, even if it breaks his heart - because just like he felt when he gave her his blessing to marry Ezekeil, he is always going to put her happiness first no matter what. That's why he says that if she wants to run, he won't stop her this time because no matter what it will do to him, if it will make her happy to be elsewhere and with other people, that's all that matters to him. When he says he knows where he's supposed to be, I don't think this is about Leah, or about being with Team Family or even being at any of the communities we know about, as a lot of people think. I think that's Daryl's way of saying - "I know you're my person and I know I'm meant to be with you. Now you need to figure out where you're supposed to be and if that's not with me, if it's someplace else or with other people, then I'll let you go, because i want you to be happy." That's what I feel like is hidden underneath the words he says there but he can't say that whole thing aloud because it's crushing his heart just by saying the things he is.

The conversation ends by Carol saying "I was right - our luck's ran out, you and me." This is interesting because Carol saying "I was right" refers back to when she said it during this conversation before and it makes me question whether it was this notion that she meant all along. When she talks about their luck running out, I think she's referring to the fact that they've always been so lucky to have such a close and special bond, but now, it's crumbling apart and if she thought that they had the worst falling out they'd ever had after the cave incident in Squeeze, then she was heavily mistaken, because it has gotten worse and now, it feels like their luck has run out, it feels like their bond is broken and that they've both lost each other. Quite a few fans compared this scene to being like a break up and I can certainly see where they're coming from.

I love what you said about Carol fixing the door at the end and Daryl looking out into the open. I'd never thought about that before. However, it does make sense with how Carol tries to fix and make up for her mistakes in season 11. I think the symbolism for that part would've been more noticeable and stronger if Caryl had had a chance to talk about this argument and build bridges from it in season 11 and I think, for a time, that was the plan, but unfortunately, Melissa then dropped out of the spinoff (for a time) and the main show received its end date before anybody expected so that resulted in a lot of things they wanted to achieve in season 11 not being able to be completed.

Hopefully, in the spinoff, where the focus will be completely on Daryl and Carol, they can have deep, meaningful conversations that they need to have and begin to work through their trauma and build bridges for things that remain unresolved from the flagship show ❤️🤞

[wxnheart]

would you ever do a soap/ghost/reader fic where reader is the touch starved one? like maybe ghost and soap were together first and want to help reader get more comfortable in the relationship after they realize that you keep basically third wheeling yourself?

𝐆𝐡𝐨𝐚𝐩 𝐱 𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫, 𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐫𝐝 𝐖𝐡𝐞𝐞𝐥'𝐬 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐦 𝐄𝐝𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧

note: I took some liberties with this, anon, so it could coincide with the beginnings of Ghoapbusters. wanna read some more ghoap x reader?

Remember when it was mentioned that the transition to a full-fledged relationship was uneventful? It most definitely was. That doesn't mean it was smooth sailing at the start, though.

Because not only is Simon being Simon, you, despite the apparent attraction, already started doubting your place in this... thing—RELATIONSHIP. Wonderful shit, huh?

And Ghost, for all of his self-doubt, trusts his instinct when it comes to your presence in their lives. Fuck yes, you belong. How else could he keep Johnny grounded? Or something like that. You belong. You three made this choice together. Accept the consequences, baby. You ain't getting rid of them that easily.

Easier said than done, though, because the first time you three went out together—yes, gorgeous, in an official RELATIONSHIP—you pretty much turned yourself into the third wheel. You couldn't help but feel self-conscious about the chemistry between Simon and Johnny, the ease with which they could be themselves around each other.

It's ironic considering Simon absolutely feels like a fish out of water with all this and if it was possible, Johnny's eyes would roll out of his sockets with the number of times he's rolled them in exasperation because you guys (meaning you and Simon) are so busy reassuring the other and not practicing what you preach. It's so ironic he could laugh. And he does, which helps ease the tension for the most part.

You were also much more comfortable doling out physical affection to Johnny than you are to Simon because as much as you want to bury your face in his chest and grab fistfuls of ass as you hug him even though your arms should ideally be around his waist, you wonder if he (and Johnny) would think you weird for doing so, hell, for even thinking it. When you finally did it for the first time, after what seemed like eons of tentative touches between you two, it went... about as much as you expected. He stiffened, those buns tightened in your hands, and you felt the deep rumble of his groan. "'S not my damn waist," he said, and it didn't carry the fire of agitation that you thought it would. Johnny was proud.

And when they do things for you, you know, that people in RELATIONSHIPS do for each other because they care, you either try your best to convince them not to (what the fuck?) or you giggle. Nervously. To the point that it actually gets awkward. Because why would they do this for you?

It finally comes to a head when they have to sit you down. Simon takes the initiative with this one and fuck, you love it when he takes charge. ❤️

You three talk, or, er, well, they had to pry answers out of you because you were a little anxious about the conversation but really, the outcome managed to soothe your fears for the time being. They do, however, make you promise to talk to them when you start to feel this way again. Sure thing, guys.

In the end, you and Johnny wound up piling up on Simon. Simon who's still getting used to all this and doubts be damned, wraps his arms around you both. It's awkward. It's adorable. It's awkwardly adorable, two words that you NEVER thought you'd use to describe him but here you are.

And that's how Ghost became Simon in the Middle.

[ntls-24722]

Unnamed bald guy is no longer unnamed. would you like to know his name? would you like to know his boyfriend's name, too?

it's UNAMED. because I'm a fucking GENIUS

Also his bf's name is just fish. I was thinking something like "fishbones" at first but he looks like he was named fish after an embarassing experience in some boot camp that his parents forced him in. I have no idea how alien naming conventions work, i am not making a conlang, fuck no, I don't know how. However it WOULD be funny that, by pure coincidence, the word for fish in zebrapersonish ("paurok") and english is the exact same.

Unamed has this CRAZY high nose bridge for a zebraman, it kind of covers up the sloped look of a snout from the side and makes him look like a human with an overly long face. He also has this resting scowl everytime he's outside because I realized that zebrapeople, and probably most Bolur vertebrates, have eyelashes, and he wouldn't. Constantly squinting because it's So Damn Bright out

That and his lack of hair makes him appear very monotone, since raising hairs are seen as an exaggerator of emotion, and he just gets a little bumpy instead.

Fish is an interesting one to breakdown particularities because he's actually a zebragnome, a hybrid of a zebraman and a zebraelf! He's only a quarter zebraelf, though, maybe that makes him just a zebradwarf/j

He has a cockatoo-crest look due to his fur being longer, which also greatly exaggerates his expressions and oftentimes gives off the look that he's scared. His spinnerets are slightly longer than usual and he has a couple Extra Long hairs at the ends of them, and his toes are longer, with two of them naturally being more splayed out. It's because of this weird configuration that Fish doesn't bother with shoes most of the time, as cobblers struggle to get them right and he finds them uncomfortable in the first place. Everything concerning his feet is uncomfortable, though. His weird transitional "to walk on tippy toes or to not walk on tippy toes" hybrid status has it where his feet are always a little uncomfortable no matter how he stands.

There's actually the homo mousike version of the Kengis Khan genetic event that actually screwed with a lot of mousi-anthropological data because just about every zebraman native or living on this one particular continent were more related to zebraelves than usual. Originally, this genetic data was interpeted to be that that continent was the origin of zebramen But as more genetic analyzation was done, it turns out that that "extra" zebraelf portion was the entire genome of this one stupid sexy zebraelf drone.

This was none other than Korzu Nusei, the platonic ideal of a zebraelf drone, who every government hated and women of all species (including debu and simmons!) loved, who in the technological equivalent of the early 14th century, went around every trade route on the continent on his cloe and laid pipe to everything that moved so much that his entire genome can still be found in all of his descendants of the Bolur modern era. Ahh, the evolutionary advantages of haploid males, where they pass on not only half, but all of their genetic material...

Tangentially, due to their slight hybrid status, every one of his descendants have a slight genetic predisposition to develop arthritis. Good job Nusei, you still make people's knees weak hundreds of years later

[shinjisdone]

I saw you're doing requests and I do not request often but- Take this if you want?

Yandere! Link (Twilight Princess) (Romantic as I think he's an adult in the game? Sorry if not, been awhile. Platonic works too) with Female! Reader Scenario? (One of my fav games, lol)

Do what you want with it... idk what prompts to ask for :/

If you don't want to do this please tell me! I read the rules and picked something simple :) Take your time! 🐈‍⬛

😳 THE yandere-galore panther taking requests from me? Usually its the other way around haha

Prompts are not a must if you really don't know what you want, though I gotta admit I had to ponder a bit since the request has no specifications. Things are pretty general therefore but I had to add a few things to get creative. This turned out longer since I like to develop Yandereness especially - it's always interesting to see from where the sprout stems from and how it'll grow. Otherwise it feels too forced and sudden to me. Have been following for quite a while, hope you like this!

TW: Yandere behaviour, obsession, long pining, idolization, one-sided feelings, obliviousness, stalking, aggression, blood and killing

Yandere! Twilight Princess! Link Scenario with Female!Reader (Romantic)

All your good deeds turned into sin, it seems.

Or at least some form of karma, but you didn't know enough about that to truly tell. It was just a gut feeling.

You are nothing but a wandering traveller. Knowledge of self-defense goes without saying, especially since the land of Hyrule turned so hostile over time. According to old legend a calamity is soon to approach, which only makes you yearn for serenity even more.

Ordon village sounds so tempting. Small and humble, the entire village feels nothing like the rest of the outside. The people certainly looked at you weird for deciding to stay here for a while - the most exciting thing to happen after all are raging goats!

Thus you were saved from one by a quick-witted, local fellow seemingly grappling with the animal before it calmed down and he offered you his hand. His light brown hair and deep blue eyes were welcoming and you took the offer.

"Thank you."

He said his name was Link.

»»————-　　————-««»»————-　　————-«

The children weren't as relaxed as the adults though. Even as their parents called out for them to help in the shop or with the goats, all four of them would stick close to you, each jumping to your side as they asked questions upon questions about 'the traveler lady!' The rest of Hyrule wasn't something they'd see or even hear from often. It was deemed as exciting to be able to go to the castle town to deliver some milk.

How is the town? Have you ever crossed that big bridge? Were you ever up at that Death Mountain? Can you catch bigger fish in that giant lake? Have you met the knights, soldiers and their princess?

All of these things were also asked by Link.

He bashfully admitted to being a regular country pumpkin as you sat beside each other by the river, fishing. He managed to please the kids with a promise to play as they finally left you alone. Rubbing the back of his neck, he couldn't hide the excitement on his face nor the stammer in his voice as you told him of your stories.

"The most exciting thing I'll ever do in my life is probably deliver that milk. Can't lie, I am lookin' forward to it..." He chuckled sheepishly. Shaking your head, you offered a smile.

"You should go out of the village more often. You're old enough now, I'm sure you'll grow to like everything you'll see and meet."

You smiled at him. It cheered him up, admittedly. You looking at him like that felt special too, perhaps because you weren't from here and encouraged him to go, even if it meant leaving the village and his goat-herding duties behind for a while.

»»————-　　————-««»»————-　　————-«

If only he never left.

Though for whatever reason that thing called it a lucky coincidence, a deal.

He ran back towards the forest, rushing by the familiar lake where the children went missing. It happened too fast and even though they adored him, looked up to him, he could barely realize what was happening before the world went dark and darker and darker.

His heart pounded against his ribcage, the shadow tailing after him in high speed which only made his panic grow more. How could this have happened? Where is everyone and are they still well?

His pants turned and echoed in a yelp - then a growl. He couldn't control it, it sank into his brain as he saw the glimmer of a blade shooting up this close to his face.

Gritting his teeth, his blue eyes shot up big. Frozen in place he looked up as the weapon was slowly withdrawn.

"...You don't have to be scared."

Link did not notice he was shaking.

Quickly he realized it was you, the 'traveler lady', as you kneeled down and took a good look at him. The young man was confused on how you kept calm as your hands gingerly grazed his fur. Your hands went down to his chained paw and a frown graced your face. "You poor thing. No wonder you are so terrified."

Link was hesitant but could not deny your guess.

Eagerly you tried to remove the chain, even if it did not affect him. Adamently working on it you suceeded even if it costed you time and tools...your gentle hands soothed the irritated skin with your own oilments that you carried.

"It's best if you don't go into the village. The children went missing...and the parents are distraught. You better go home to your own family, little one."

You gave one last pet and smiled as you returned to Ordon Village.

»»————-　　————-««»»————-　　————-«

You thought this would be last time you saw the curious wolf. Yet here he is, having trouble as he carried a wooden shield and hauling it through the dark. As the villagers investigated the strange sounds coming from him, you were quick to distract them. Swiftly hiding him behind a house, you ducked him down.

You ask him what he is doing here, take away the shield - which he fights against almost pleadingly - and shush him from the worried parents.

"Everyone's drowning in worry." You pet him up and down, whispering, "...I really hoped I could stay here for a while, get away from all this chaos outside. But even such a sweet village like this one gets attacked...kidnapping kids...and the Link fella is gone, too..." You trail off but try to smile as the wolf whimpers. Inhaling deeply and forcing a grin you drown him in pats and cuddles. "But don't worry...! I promised them to get the children back! I don't know where they are or where to start...but I'll get them back. I swear, Wolfie!" You laughed as you petted him more, which only made the animal grin. He had long sat down and listenend to your words.

Link was unsure if you were even real when he first saw you that night. The twilight blinded him as that Midna thing mockingly told him of the possible fate of his friends. The people, the spirits - they all whimpered as his sight, smell, touch and hearing changed. All that he knew was different and he might never turn back into the real Link.

You, this new and mysterious woman, were the only thing that seemed real to him. The blade you shoved into his snout, the paw you healed and your hands that combed through his fur - all of this were the only things that felt warm and familiar in this twilight. He hoped you'd be fine. If only he could turn back to his real self and help you. He'd feel better if he had you as a companion and not that shadow imp.

»»————-　　————-««»»————-　　————-«

Lake Hylia is grand, Death Mountain steep, and the castle town empty. It's strange to think that he is right here, seeing all the things you saw and encouraged him to. Though the circumstances turned out to be much more meaningful than a simple country pumpkin such as him could have ever imagined.

Midna was right, Hyrule is so close to its doom. All he wanted was to get back to the children and maybe meet you again as you were looking for them too. Though still as a wolf you left for your quest. And now here he is at Kakariko Village. Here to save the kids but to also have to climb Death Mountain first. It's what he as a 'chosen hero' has to do.

Still, he ignored Midna's request as his blue eyes wandered the dry and sandy place. Link found the children quickly and as they pointed to the an opening door, his face lit up. A familiar woman stepped out and he could see you squint your eyes in confusion while he ran up to you. Holding firmly on your arms you were first startled before the young man explained himself.

"Link? Oh, Link! I didn't recognize you, you're so green now!" You pointed out and he couldn't help but laugh. He told you of what happened and what he had to do.

"Are you sure you must? You went missing too, I mean you must be as confused as the kids. You don't have to force yourself if you were hurt as well." There was your concern again, the same one on that night. Even as he assured you, you offered to help but both of you decided that you stay with the children...even if he would have loved to have your company and spend some time together. He was sure you would be of great help and support.

"Well, Death Mountain is hot and dangerous but if you made it so far, you'll be fine. Might as well finally get to see it." You chuckled sheepishly, trying to lift the mood.

»»————-　　————-««»»————-　　————-«

He thought he'd be free from his curse already, the spirit said so. Promised him so but here he is back on all four paws with Midna dying on his back. His pants grew rapid, panicking as the shadow imp almost fell off when he acted to quickly and too carelessly.

What to do? Where to go? Midna is dying...and he is just some animal again! Stuck in this lake, in this desert! The night grows darker and the people more hollow. With a pounding heart he tried to sneak out of the Kakariko's cave first -

"Wolfie...?"

If it weren't for you again.

You knelt down to him as he anxiously turned his snout to his back. Carefully you took Midna, for who you mistook for some kind of baby. As you nervously tried to make sense of the situation, the wolf jumped at you, his eyes wide and bright with his paws on your shoulders as he barked and barked and barked. Please, please, please, do something as you did in Ordon. You have to, you must.

Link is useless like this.

"...Hey," Gingerly you cupped his cheek and wondered how a wolf could be getting misty-eyed. You wiped the fresh tears away. "Wolfie, Wolfie..." Whispering you lean his head against yours and onto your shoulder. You shush him as Midna lays on your lap, caressing his back as he ceased to shake. "You poor thing." Again, you said that again. Adjusting the creature on your lap, you wrapped your arms around the animal and nuzzled his fur. Your lips met his cheek and lingered there as you whispered; "You'll be fine. Everything's gonna be fine again, I promise you."

Link felt like crying again. You were the only one.

»»————-　　————-««»»————-　　————-«

Again, you were the only thing that seemed real as his existance as a wild animal.

Midna was the only one to talk to and her personality and motivation left a lot to be desired. She proved her heart was noble but that wouldn't deter her from her jabs. Link could only show his unrest through growls and yips, which she only brushed off with a roll of her eye and taps to his back to hurry up instead.

Even as he ran through the swamps and forest, the dead castle town and plateus, he could often sniff you from afar. Often you found yourself meeting up with the mysterious wolf and it was delightful after he got better. It was even more delightful for Link.

Whatever happened to the 'baby' was left as an enigma to you.

With a groan Midna would retreat into his shadow, mumbling how much time they are wasting again on his little, favorite human, as the wolf appraoched you with a wagging tail. Small recaps of your own adventures and a round of pats were always included.

You could be focused on a task at hand, fight off against monsters or ride through the meadow but the moment you noticed him you'd turn around and your lovely face would lit up. 'Wolfie!' You'd yell out and Link has grown to love no word more than this one. It felt a bit demeaning at the beginning but that just meant you always liked him from the start, right?

Liked him even while he is stuck in this hideous form. He didn't know how long he'd be stuck in there and if he will ever get his human form back, no matter how much Midna promised him, but at least, at least you were here. This wonderful woman with a smile that could rival the sun.

"You be careul on your way now, okay, Wolfie?" You chuckle as he barked in response, turned in a circle and jumped up on you again. His snout searched for your lips.

»»————-　　————-««»»————-　　————-«

You inhaled deeply. This must be...the third time now, if you aren't mistaken.

Castle town seemed dimmer and more hollow the last time you were here and while it was a firm reminder of how much you wanted to leave in the first place, something more sinister has entered this place recently and you can't shake it off. The town square is brimming with a hopeless crowd but you reckon you always hear a cheerful voice calling out to you. Often you find yourself turning around and seeing the image of a hand waving as green ghosts around and between the merchants. The calls seem to drown between the mumbles and even the bar, the one place still full of superficial but pleasant talks felt suffocating. As if entering the wide space was walking into a pair of arms squeezing you from both sides.

The woman behind the counter often raised her brow when you entered until one day she finally spoke up. Apparently somebody's been looking for their good friend, a beautiful gal and you fit the regular's description perfectly. From head to toe. With a worried tone that you couldn't hide, you told the barkeeper that you travel alone.

»»————-　　————-««»»————-　　————-«

Castle town became too asphyxiating, your gut feeling telling you to escape in a hurry to Kakariko village, to familiar faces. You still owed the Ordon elders the promise of returning their children unharmed, after all.

And so you did, pushing Colin out of the way and losing sight of the world as a monstrous goblin took ahold of you with the last thing you heard being aggressive galloping and your name screamed out.

Eyes shot awake as you tumbled to the ground, rolling away from the Elden bridge, coughing. Your arms were too weak as you shakily tried to sit up - the rest of the world blurry and dipped in twilight as more screams echoed about. Squinting, you turned around to see something akin to a giant boar falling down right after Link pulled his sword out of its abdomen. With a squishing sound the blinding blade was torn out of it, creating a bigger hole in its flesh. The cry was cut short as it fell to the ground and a pool of blood quickly tainted the rest of its body.

You let out a gasp and at the slightest sound, Link's ear twitched and he swiftly turned around, his face immediately morphing from a glare to a grin. Swinging the blood off his weapon, he rushed over to you and putting his sword back. He unwittingly created a small trail of blood after him. His bloodied arms shot out for you, supporting you as he sat you up. The young man started talking and gushing while you stared up at him, helplessly leaning on him while still beside yourself.

"...Link...?" "You're safe now." He instantly countered with a smile that was meant to reassure you. You swore his eyes were cold as he gave the final blow but now they are the softest you've ever seen. "I saw what you did, you saved Colin. That was so...amazing of you but you gave me a heart attack." Finally, you were able to slowly go back to your senses. "What? You weren't there..."

"Didn't you hear me call you?" You blinked and again, asked him what he meant. 'At Castle town', he grinned and said he saw you. You didn't hear him though. And when he arrived at Kakariko also you did not hear him.

"W-What...?" You let out but were shushed as your head was put on his shoulder. Closing his eyes as he combed through your hair and pressed you further into his body. "You'll be fine. Everything's gonna be fine again, I promise you." He shushed you again as you attempted to speak up and just nuzzled you.

It felt good to repay a favor, be the one who saved you this time. It felt just as good, if not a bit different, to have you in his arms, with him being your hero.

Not the other way around. Though he does not mind that.

»»————-　　————-««»»————-　　————-«

Colin's face soured as you explained yourself.

How could he not? A child that you promised to bring home watching you leave for an 'extended period of time' leaving all of Eldin to go to Ranelle. Far, far away.

The little tent you built yourself in the corner of Lake Hylia should be safe and hidden enough. Close enough for fish and far away from monsters. Yet just as you were about to lay down, you heard unusual bickering and turned around, only to once again meet green.

Letting out a yelp, you dropped your weapon in shock only for Link to bring his finger to his lips and shush you. He pointed to himself again and again that he was indeed Link. "What are you doing here?" You manage to let out as you calmed down, "I have to be here." He answered quickly yet you doubted that. "Why are you here? You just left and," He licked his lips, "I was worried about you!" He took a step closer before you could reply.

"It's dangerous to be alone out here. Especially for you, yer..." He couldn't help the grin, "You...you're a beautiful gal and it's best if you aren't alone...say, since we both are here, why don't we stick together? You offered me your help once and I always would have loved to have you with me for a bit..."

"How did you find me?" You took a step back and eyed your weapon on the ground. Link only looked confused. "I...saw you here on the way to the lake. It's easy to spot you." He chuckled sheepishly but you only shook your head and crossed your arms. "...No, thank you. I came here to...relax a bit. The recent events were...frightening."

"I can imagine," Once again his blue eyes softened and he neared you again, putting a hand on your cheek. He missed the way you twitched. "None of this is your responsibilty...yet you choose to help anyway. You're kind...and sweet as honey. That's so amazing of you." Link almost seemed mesmerized as his eyes narrowed. "But you'll have me...I can look out for you, I can protect you-"

"I won't go." You take his hand off your cheek and distance yourself again, finally having the courage to glare at him - in turn, he only looked more confused. "But why? You love Wolfie but when it comes to me, you vanish. Are you shyer around a human than an animal?" He tried to laugh it off even as he saw your face morphing into shock. Quickly you ask him with a stammering voice how he knows that but he seems to ignore it. "I am no different...you saved me a dozens of times! And I," He hesitates but lets it all go as he takes ahold of your shoulders, "I...I think I fancy you and I have been waitin' for so long to at least spend time with you! The only other times we see each other is when you don't understand me, when I'm just some wild beast!"

"But even then you seem like the only one who understood me, the only real one between all these ghosts! So, as payback, at least let me protect you...let me help you. We could be doin' this together."

Link wastes no time to shove you into his chest, into an embrace. He nuzzles your head and his lips met your temple. "I'll defeat the darkness and then we can see the rest of the world together, okay?"

[charlidos]

Lost but together

(In glorious HD!)

I keep thinking of how Viggo said in that interview about being lost in the woods: "I just want to show you where you've never been. I just want to show you this beautiful rainforest". Doesn't that sound terribly romantic? It's like he wanted to give Orlando this precious gift. Viggo had obviously been to this amazing spot before, immediately thought of Orlando, wanting to share this gem with him. Viggo has said a lot how he liked getting away on his own while filming, to get some Viggo-time. But apparently, this time, being alone wasn't enough. There's something so awfully lovely about this sentiment.

And here are some new-for-me tidbits from Viggo concerning this "lost in the rainforest with I-don't-know-who/alone/a friend/oh turns out he was with Orlando" story.

I liked especially getting lost on the west coast (south island) rainforest and stumbling through/fishing/sleeping and swimming in parts of Mt Aspiring, Fiordland, the mountains of Canterbury, the northland coast etc… Sometimes, particularly on the south island, I was reminded of Argentina and Patagonia in particular, and Chile. --- I took pictures of this incredible land. I once got lost in the forest - it was getting darker and darker, I thought I knew where the path to the coast was, but with no daylight I got lost and wandered around for two days. Of course I was stupid enough not to take a torch with me. The only light I had was the flash on my camera. I used it as a lamp and inadvertently took some excellent, unusual photos.

First, seems getting lost in the rainforest with Orlando was one of Viggo's favourite moments in NZ. A beautiful place, beautiful company, what's not to love? It really turned into a magical moment for them.

I love that he also particularly mentions "Canterbury". Of course, NZ is riddled with places named after British towns etc, but it's just one of those "coincidences" that Viggo just happens to mention a place with the same name as Orlando's birthplace.

And in the 2nd quote, Viggo claims he was lost (all alone this time, poor chap) for TWO DAYS! Good lord. Well, fine, if they went out on their seemingly impromptu hike at lunchtime one day and were back at lunch the next, I guess that could be maybe counted as two days? Nevermind that it was only 14 hours... Two days should be perhaps at least more than 24 hours, you'd think. Still, they were out there for a LONG time. Just the two of them. Lost, but together.

Oh, how I love this fairytale. I wish someone would ask Orlando about his experience one day. We should prepare a carefully worded question which he could answer without forcing him to mention Viggo, unless he want to. Obviously, it made a lasting impression on Viggo, an experienced guy. So I can imagine it must have been the same for Orlando. Life changing, terrifying, romantic and just... wonderful.

(I'm trying to find the magazine where it was revealed that it was Orlando who was Viggo's companion on this adventure. I've been looking everywhere, but can't find a scan, all old sources are gone. Does anyone reading this have it? It's from the Austrian mag Skip das kinomagazin, April 2005.)

[spaghetticat3899]

Enjoying some Webfishing when my game decided to make me experience what felt like a creepypasta plot without warning. Things were going as normal, or at least what I could assume was normal. I’d had a lobby open for a few hours and had zero traffic apart from an invited friend that had already left. A few people suddenly started trickling in, and they seemed a friendly sort, luckily.

Slowly, but surely, the player count rose, and my computer wasn’t really having it. I tried seeing if tampering with the graphics or closing discord would help, but it didn’t seem to. I kinda shrugged it off and just decided to mess around with props for the first time, making a little cozy scene on the beach. I look up at the lighthouse while down there and see an island flag, which made me guess a decent chunk of players went there. The lag stopped almost immediately after plugging in my computer, and in that moment I realized how quiet the chat was in the moment. I trotted up next to someone I was speaking with earlier, and fished not too far from them. As I fished, I noticed they never reeled in, or moved quite right, instead slightly twitching repeatably. I looked over and asked someone who’d been floating since they’d gotten there if they were alright… no response. I walked to the lake, also unresponsive, just staring at the bobber. I spoke out, wondering if my game was bugged or if this was just an odd coincidence… no response.

I was getting really confused, thinking maybe someone had a poor connection and it caused an issue, but the list said there were no players, not even me. My username was replaced with “null”, yet I kept the title I had. I went toward the lighthouse, in the process seeing one of the first joiners stuck in the reeling animation endlessly. Going to the private island revealed absolutely no one was there. Returned to the mainland, everyone was still stuck, unresponsive, I had no idea if it was just me experiencing this, or if they were kicked long ago. Could they hear me? Likely not, but I still typed to them like they could.

I swear to god I was there running around thinking this is exactly how I’d imagine a creepypasta thing would start for this game. I’m unsure what caused it, a connection glitch? Something suddenly going wrong? My computer hating everything? Anyways, I thought to share this experience, maybe someone else had this happen, or might know what caused it.

[quietwingsinthesky]

oh goddd now I'm thinking abt vampires in the context of doctor who (not the vampire-fish things from Vampires in Venice but what you think of when people say vampire) and Time Lords being vampires/having vampiric tendencies. I think regular Gallifreyans would have the tendencies to a lesser degree.

Which also leads me to thinking about Vampire!Doctor and how that impacts the relationship they have with their companions. Do they need to drink blood? Or is it just the iron they need? If they Do drink blood why is that? And fangs! I love the hc of Time Lords having fangs so this just goes hand in hand with that.

Do they have the whole "if bitten by a vampire you turn into one" thing going on or is it just like a food source or smthing? Or!!! Would a person have to be bitten a certain amount to turn? Would Vampire!Doctor be able to consciously control if they can turn people?

Gods.... this just proves that Doctor Who is always on my mind, I wasn't even thinking about it but then I saw your post and my brain went straight to Doctor Who.

-🌺 Anon

alsjkfjgksk yeah <3

no no no see ive thought about this before i have, because the easiest way to sexy blood drinking scenarios is through the route of ‘make them a vampire’ and its sooo. ouguh. the Doctor feeding on his companions 😵‍💫😵‍💫😵‍💫 the way trust transforms harm into intimacy. and it’s the doctor, so you just Know there’s got to be times he won’t let himself partake, that he’ll starve himself out rather than give in, but that’s just gonna make him need More when he eventually has to.

and. and. 🥴 thinks about a companion dizzy with blood loss and the doctor, finally full, licking at the fang wounds as an apology for taking so much.

i imagine interspecies vampirism might not be an easy transfer to make but maybe if you get fed on long enough, you do pick up some traits. ough companions leaving the tardis with sharper teeth and worse sleep schedules and all new blood kinks. total coincidence! probably!

[angelmelon]

What were your inspirations for the names of all the GAP characters? I'm really interested in learning about name origins!

hmmmm let’s see

Ginger’s surname Saab means “difficult” in Arabic, meant to show Ginger as a struggling character. Getting the brunt of the assault at Younique, having to hide parts of herself from people, and having the toughest relationship with her family out of the main 3. It’s also a common Maronite surname, which works because I envision Ginger’s parents to be Christian.

Cherish and Kaia?? Cherish just kinda sounded nice… I originally wanted to name her Cherry or Cerise, Cherish felt like it could have more of a story behind it. Kaia though was one I found on a transfem names list lol. Happy coincidence that Kaia is also a Hawaiian name!! I changed their names because I didn’t realize they had canon ones when I originally redesigned them.

I’m gonna be changing Cherish’s surname after advice from an Indian Leasecord member, but the Khatri surname, like quite a few I give my characters in general, was taken from a celebrity 😭😭 after the advice I was given, I am planning to change her surname to Shikandhi. Typically not a surname, but it was already canon that Cher’s grandmother Indira chose her surname after a divorce… so whatever!! Shikandhi is a character from a Hindu epic, Mahabharata. The original epic shows them as a trans man, though modern retelling often show them as a trans woman. During a past life, they were screwed over by a guy called Bhishma who abducted them. In their next life, they were able to brutally defeat him in a war. It both had a pretty good connotation for Indira to choose it (I mean… what divorced woman wouldn’t find it badass to name themselves after a character who got vengeance on a shitty man) and also serves as foreshadowing for Cher’s arc… let’s just say standing up to asshole significant others runs in her family.

Theodosia was originally stolen from Fluffy’s Babygirl redesign before I started leaning more towards the name Trinity as Trinity became more butch in my iterations of her. Her surname, Harper-Cohen, was my work around for her original surname being Hecox 💔 I couldn’t find any surnames that had H and C in them at once that didn’t sound transphobic to give a trans character, so I just hyphenated an H and a C surname LOL… Cohen was stolen from Cora Cohen (abstract artist), and I liked how Harper also sounded like a unisex first name. I like to think Trinity went by Harper in highschool for egg purposes.

I named Brick’s bio mom Tasnim, so the addition of Tasnim to their surname is meant to be their connection to their bio family!! They have a close relationship with their bio mom :3

Ennui was just vaguely meant to sound goth I didn’t think about his at ALL. I just didn’t like that his name was stereotypical. Stereotypical trans names are stereotypical for a reason but yk, the intention in Leasebound wasn’t good and I wanted to change it

I legitimately mistook Jasper’s name to be Jupiter when redesigning him so I didn’t think I was changing it until I read over their bio again and kept it anyway. Galilee was meant to evoke Galileo. Space vibes

Darren is a fun one!! His name is a shoutout to my history teacher that was nice to me. The surname Riverside was meant to allude to him being a chill guy, peaceful like water.

Kai felt too stereotypical a transmasc name so I stole a name from the class of 09 character Kylar.

I wanted Noaline to have a “vintage” sounding name, and Noaline came up a few times on vintage name lists and it sounded nice. And the surname Burkins sounded a lot like a surname a female fish out of water protagonist would have, which is fitting since while she’s obviously not the protagonist (duh), tidbit about her character for the future is, as a young new hire, she’s obviously trying to figure out her way around things… very fish out of water, I felt like a basic protagonist ass surname fit her.

OHOHOHOHO NOW THE TERFS. THE TERFS WERE FUN.

Changing Ruth to be Ruth’s middle name and not her first name was just a tiny dig at Rusty for giving all the Yonique workers with more femme names short unisex nicknames and then proceeding to still deadname trans characters. I removed the extra e from her surname to make it just Green because Greene sounds fucking pretentious. Why do you need the extra e?? Fuck you

This is gonna be a pattern for the Younique workers, Dana’s surname Bloomerson was meant to be an immature and unfortunate surname (bloomers, like old people underwear LOL). Dana and Reese were just a combination of 2 older unisex names

Rebekah…. Okay so I have beef with Riley’s name. Her congregation is supposed to be like. A representation of a hella conservative JW congregation. Do y’all know how STRANGE it was back in the day at JW congregations to find a kid with a non-Christian name?? Like you’d find them but those kids got eyebrow raises. Also by the time Riley is born Riley had JUUUUST become an acceptable name to give a girl. That’s a conservative religious family, that’s not gonna fly. RUSTY WAS EVEN ORIGINALLY PLANNING TO NAME HER BRODY OR DALE. BRODY OR DALE. IT DOES NOT SOUND LIKE HER BACKSTORY WAS PLANNED VERY AHEAD. Anyway yeah I went with Rebekah cause it’s a biblical name + it’s the spelling douchey doomsday christian school people usually go with. Personal experience, I knew a Rebekah at catholic school

Morowa is just a lovely name. It means queen. When looking for names for Jaden, I wanted to give her a really pretty name that the Younique ladies completely butcher, being classist American (mostly) white women who have never had to say anything in their lives. I did not like how “Morowa Anderson” sounded so I just went with a just as basic surname lol. Government assigned butch nickname is Maury. Poor lady.

I do not think I have to explain Ivory Gwenyth White. You have eyes. Haha funny white woman joke. Also since Ivory is also the closest in appearance to Rusty…. iykyk

Prudence something something unfortunate name that sounds like virgin. The surname Showman was meant to evoke what an overdramatic performative douche she is. Government assigned butch nickname is Prudie. Even worse.

Regina Knipple something something Vagina Nipple. Her government assigned butch nickname is Reggie.

Alexandra was just a nice name, idk. Pedowitz… again you have eyes. Government assigned nickname is Alex.

I liked the sound alliteration with Hana Pohan. Her government assigned nickname is Han-Han.

Vivian is a totally original character who’s name is not at all derivative of the character Violet.

Francis is a totally original character who’s name is not at all derivative of the character Faith.

I decided to give Tori a name that starts with the same letter as Kylar’s deadname (it’s not Tiffany… even if he no longer goes by it Rusty is fucking weird) to show that she kind of projects onto her kid, like a lot of unsupportive transphobic parents.

[angelspigeon]

Mama to Mama

At the instant Tartaglia, the 11th Harbinger, was dispatched in Fontaine, the Nation of croissants and Justice, he knew what he would do!

Going to fight a Dragon like he used to do in Liyue?

Of course not!

He bought a little boat and rowed it until he would reach a nice little area over the sea. If it had been Liyue or Snezhnaya, which he knew a lot, he would probably have jumped in the water and try to wrestle any fish he might found. He had so much fun fighting some Dragon–it always came back to it–fishes in Liyue or catch with his own hand Goliath creature be it fishes or crabs. But he didn’t know Fontaine and if he loved a challenge, he also knew it would be stupid to jump right into the waves without a second thought.

On his boat, his fishing-rod dangling in the water and lot of baits in different container that he gathered himself, Tartaglia could enjoy some leisure time. He could look at the fishes and by extent the water fauna and analyse their way to live. He spotted jellyfishes waltzing in group and even an octopus! That made him drool when thinking about making his speciality and then even laugh as he remembered himself the face Zhongli did the one time he served some to him. It was before he knew about Zhongli’s phobias! How could he even know? Zhongli always brought him at the seafood restaurant to make him happy. After that, Tartaglia surely put even more effort to cook for him.

He stroked his belly with a smile at the thought of Liyue.

Of Zhongli.

He went there back for his birthday. It was his little pleasure: going to Liyue to see the man who dared to steal his heart. And as it was his birthday he received a delicious present. Zhongli loved him too much and he felt like he couldn’t give enough love in return. Here was a challenge he could try to hold back.

Loving this God as much as he loved him.

Zhongli cheated, though! He had so many years to learn to love this much.

Lost in his thoughts, Tartaglia stopped to look at the fairy of water. Until he heard a squeak. A deep sound of despair.

He snapped himself back to reality only to see a long creature climb into his boat.

“Well, hello you?”

The creature hummed at him, that long sound of despair adding itself every now and then. The animal came to the edge of the ship and pointed its pink nose to a direction then came back to Tartaglia and this too many time in a row for it to be a simple coincidence.

“What is happening?” Tartaglia asked. “You want something? Food?”

The creature redid the same following of movement, squeaking to the distance, pawing at the ground with haste.

“You want to go there?”

The animal squeaked.

“And I have to row, uh?” he teased.

Tartaglia pulled out his rod from the water and installed himself in the boat, rowing towards the direction the creature was looking at.

He thought they looked like those stoats, ferrets and other weasels there were in Liyue. He remembered sawing some with Yoimiya in Inazuma, but mostly in Liyue. There was this long and elegant appearance to them. Except this one was huge. And it kept squeaking with an evident distress.

“You tell me if I go to the wrong direction, yes?”

The creature looked at him.

Did they even understand him? Or was Tartaglia simply weird?

As he kept rowing, they slowly approached some reefs. He had to pull away from there. It was mostly coral but he didn’t plan to crash his ship right away.

But at the instant he started to change direction, the creature became excited again, looking at the reef.

What?

Was it a creature of death who wanted to end him?!

But Tartaglia grasped something. A sound. A long meep. Panicked.

Tartaglia frowned.

He rowed back to the reef, more cautious. The creature pawed again, the tail bristled.

Tartaglia rowed faster.

And then… he saw it.

Them.

A tiny creature alike the first one, between two rocks and some corals. It meeped panicked and happy at once, spotting them.

The big one jumped in the waves and swum to the little one, grabbing them in their… her probably big arms and brought them over their fluffy belly. They started to chip, happily, pressing their head against each other.

Tartaglia approached enough to see if everything was going alright. No blood in the waves? No wounds…

“You lost your baby, uh? Your baby decided to play a big adventure and lost himself?”

He smiled but he could only think about Teucer. He would have been like this as well if ever he had learned from Tonia Teucer went missing before finding him in Liyue.

“I have the same at…” He hesitated. “…home.” Tartaglia smiled. “Anyway! I’m so happy you found each other back! Do you want me to bring you somewhere?”

The creature must have some understanding of what he was saying because she put her baby in the boat and jumped in it as well. Installed in the boat, she started to lick her baby, giving him a nice bath. Tartaglia laughed and pressed his hand over his belly once again, stroking it gently.

[photogirl894]

"Sun and Rain Part 2: Age of the Empire"

Chapter 15

"You've got this"

A "Bad Batch" fanfic!

Pairing: Hunter x fem OC, Echo (more best friend pairing)

A/N: I will give a heads up that this one does switch between two simultaneous events later on in the chapter, hopefully it doesn't get too confusing. This one's gonna be a little heavy 😅 but it's also a longer chapter to make up for the wait!

Also a huge thanks to @l-lend for her help with some things in this chapter, especially involving Rina! You're the best!! 🥰

Taglist: @the-sad-batch , @nimata-beroya , @intrepidmare , @cole-kenxbi , @tech-aficionado , @ladykatakuri , @d1n0-dan , @sammi9498 , @darthzero22 , @scarlettrose9901 , @tech-deck , @thebadbatchscyare , @chxpsi , @ilikemymendarkandfictional , @4pplecider , @locitapurplepink , @l-lend , @nekotaetae , @eternalwaffle , @merkitty49 , @avathebestx

《 Chapter 14

》 Chapter 16

All chapters (Part 2) (Part 1)

Explanation: Hunter offers some advice to Rina and Echo discovers one of the Koriena Force ladies has a secret.

Inside the Aurora, Kida insisted that Kimber get into a bath, which surprised Kimber since she was so used to being on a small shuttle all the time that the idea of there being a bathtub on a ship was a shock at first. Then she remembered this technically was a leisure transport, so then it made sense. Kida said she had something that would help with her bodily pains and it would only work in a hot bath, so Kimber listened to the expert and started getting undressed behind a screen, feeling glad she had chosen to wear her civvie clothes. As the tub filled up, Kida also handed her a long silk robe to put on when she was done.

“Be careful, Kida, she might get pregnant if you see her naked,” she heard Rina say, snickering.

Kimber laughed herself and she heard Kida laugh, too. “Poor Wrecker and Omega…,” she said as she pulled her dress off. “I’ll be surprised if Hunter or even Tech do explain all of that to them.”

“Honestly, the way they thought pregnancy works was the funniest thing I’ve heard in a long time. If that’s how it worked, I would have several children by now,” commented Kida.

“I would call you a name right now, but I’m gonna be nice,” said Rina.

Kimber walked out from behind the screen garbed in the robe right then.

“What name?” Kida asked Rina.

Rina took a drag of sweetblossom from her mod and then replied, “Starts with a ‘W’ and rhymes with ‘bore’.”

The Pantoran’s jaw dropped in mock offense. “You little wretch!” she cried through a chuckle, giving Rina a shove.

“Wrong word, but nice try,” Rina teased her, earning her a jab in the side from Kida.

Kimber was standing by the side of the big tub, laughing at their playfulness. While they continued their shoving match and were distracted, she took the opportunity to disrobe and climb into the tub, sinking herself into the hot water. It slightly burned at first, but then it felt soothing to her aching muscles.

Once Kida saw Kimber was in the tub, she switched the water off and then went over to a nearby cupboard. “I’m going to introduce something to you of my own invention,” she declared, moving things around in the cupboard.

“For someone who prides herself as an expert in fashion, some of the inventions you’ve shown me haven’t exactly coincided with your area of expertise,” Kimber commented.

“The eye color discs certainly could pass as fashion,” Kida retorted, “but I also pride myself as an expert in leisure…and that’s where this comes in.” She fished out a small jar full of what appeared to be small, clear, light blue rocks. She came over to the tub and gave the jar a shake. “These…are bacta salts,” she said. “Bacta that’s been refined into a solid salt form that dissolve in warm water and help soothe aches and pains rather than helping heal full injuries.”

“Are you serious?” Kimber asked, bemused. “You actually created that?”

“I’ve got a more scientific mind than I let on,” Kida admitted as she started pouring some of the salts into the water, making the water turn a faint blue.

A few seconds passed and Kimber started feeling a cool, soothing sensation throughout almost her entire body, dulling the aches she had felt not that long ago. “It’s very fast-acting!” she exclaimed.

“That’s the power of bacta,” said Rina. Then she sat down on a chair nearby and asked Kimber, “So who gave you the beating? Did you and lover boy go at it too hard?”

“Rina Caska!” Kimber cried out, mortified. Naturally, Kida was giggling next to her and Kimber lightly splashed her with water, making her squeal in surprise. “That is not what happened. We had a run-in with some Zygerrians.” Kimber decided to downplay the story a little bit so she didn’t worry the girls.

“Ugh, those creatures are terrible,” spat Kida.

Right then, Irys came into the room, carrying little Kori in one arm and holding a bottle in the baby’s mouth with the other, saying as she entered, “Didn’t you mention once that a Zygerrian tried to buy you?”

Kimber let her head fall back against the back of the tub. “Yes…and somehow, we ran into that very same one in Old Ord Mantell City.”

“You're kidding. What, was he following you or something?” inquired Rina.

“No, it was pure coincidence,” Kimber answered, relaxing a bit more as the bacta salts really started taking effect on her aching muscles.

Then Kida told her, “I would say soak in the bath for a little while and let the salts do their work. You’ll feel back to normal in no time.”

“Much appreciated, Kida,” said Kimber.

Then Kida pointed at Rina and declared, “By the way, once Irys is finished with him, you’re putting Kori down for his nap.”

Rina grumbled quietly for a second before relenting with a shrug and saying, “That’s fair.”

After that, Kida brought up that, since their time together with Kimber had been cut short back on Pantora, they hadn’t heard about any of Kimber’s adventures with the Bad Batch from before then. Humoring them, Kimber regaled them with stories of her many missions with the Clones from the months prior to Order 66 while she laid in the tub and even afterwards when she was feeling physically better and back in her clothes. It was a nice distraction to keep her from worrying too much about her boys on their current mission.

One rotation had passed until the Bad Batch returned to Ord Mantell. It was nighttime on the planet when they landed, so they figured that Kimber and the girls would most likely be resting. Hunter at least thought they should head to Cid’s and see if she was there to at least inform her of the outcome of their mission…which sadly they had failed. Thanks to a pair of rude and meddling sisters who happened to be at the facility and after the same target as them. He and Echo would go and talk to Cid and he told Wrecker, Tech and Omega that they should just stay on the ship and get some rest. As Hunter and Echo walked off the ship and made their way to Cid’s, Hunter couldn’t help but look off in the direction of the Aurora, knowing Kimber was on the ship, and he couldn’t help but hope that she was doing better.

Cid was indeed in her office at the parlor and the meeting with her wasn’t exactly pleasant. She wasn’t happy that they’d botched the job and even went so far as to scold them for “not being better than two regular girls” when it came to getting the intel she’d sent them to get. While she was displeased with them, she was gracious enough to say they could make it up to her with another job eventually, but she was tired and didn’t have anything for them at the current moment. Shortly after that, she abruptly ushered them from her office.

“Do we really want to keep working for her, Hunter?” Echo asked, annoyed, with a roll of his eyes.

Hunter sighed. “Believe me, I’m not keen on it either, but it’s the best option we’ve got,” he replied.

Echo shook his head, not entirely content with that answer, but also not in the mood to argue.

As the two of them came out from the back hallway, they were surprised to see a familiar violet-haired woman sitting at the bar with a cup and a bottle in front of her. She hadn’t been there when they first came to the parlor a few minutes prior.

She gave them a half-hearted grin. “Well, look who it is. Thought I sensed you two here,” she stated, seemingly feigning gladness at seeing them.

Right away, Hunter could sense that something was troubling her. Not only just from his enhanced senses, but just from the look on her face and the fact that she had an alcoholic drink in front of her. Something wasn’t right.

“Echo, why don’t you go on back to the ship?” he said to his companion.

Echo gave him a nod and walked away towards the door, giving Rina a light touch on the shoulder as he passed by.

Once Echo was gone, Rina asked Hunter as she poured another drink into the glass, “You up for a drink, Sarge?”

Taking a seat next to her, he answered, “Why not?”

Using the Force, Rina summoned a second cup from one of the back shelves and placed it on the bar in front of the Sergeant before pouring a drink from the bottle into it.

“What are you doing here so late?” he asked her before taking a sip of the drink.

Rina downed her glass in one gulp and told him, “I needed a drink…and despite the Aurora being a leisure ship, it wasn’t stocked with any of the good booze, so I came here.” Then she flashed him another half grin. "Boss Lady’s doing much better, by the way. Kida had some stuff that helped with her pain."

“I’m glad,” he said.

“She told us about some of your guys’ missions you went on after we left you on Toydaria months ago,” she went on. “You guys sure got into some crazy shenanigans.”

“I wouldn’t call them that, but yeah, we got some interesting missions from time to time,” he replied. There was still something uneasy in the air between him and Rina. He got the feeling she was trying to hide something, given the more stoic than normal expression on her face and her quickness to talk about something other than herself. He watched her casually pour herself another drink and then down it as quickly as the last, shaking her head afterwards and gasping lightly from the burn of the alcohol. “Rina...why are you really here?” he then asked her.

“Can’t a girl just have a drink without having a reason?” she asked, already pouring more alcohol in her cup.

As she threw her head back and swallowed another glass of the drink, he commented, “When that girl has downed three full drinks in only a couple minutes, it gives the impression there is a reason and she’s got something on her mind.”

He heard her heart rate pick up a touch as she responded, “I just like to drink, okay? I’ve got a problem, I know.” That alone indicated that he was onto her and she was trying to cover herself in a panic.

“What don’t you want to tell me?” he inquired calmly.

She threw back yet another drink and slammed the cup down on the bar. “Nothing, I’m fine!” she blurted out.

Hunter, though slightly taken aback, wanted to keep pressing her, knowing she was hiding something, but then he stopped himself. He knew he had a bad habit of doing this sometimes when he wanted to help someone. This had happened when they’d gotten Kimber back after she’d been captured on Alderaan and he could tell she wasn’t telling all of them the whole truth. He had kept pressing her and eventually, she did tell him the truth…but then Crosshair had chastised him about pressuring Kimber when she wanted him to leave well enough alone. The guilt from that was something he still carried with him, even if he never talked about it.

Instead, he finished his drink, set the cup down and stood up from his chair. "All right," he told her. Then he laid a hand on her shoulder. "Just know this, Rina: whatever it is that's bothering you, you don't have to go through it alone. If you can't tell me, then at least talk to Kimber. I know she'll help you." With that being said, he started walking away.

"I can't tell her."

He stopped in his tracks.

"I…I messed up…and I let her down, Hunter."

She didn't call him "Sarge" or "lover boy"...which meant whatever she was about to tell him was possibly worse than what he thought. He turned around to look at her, but she kept her gaze on the cup in front of her. He moved to her other side and sat in the other seat beside her. For a moment, he said nothing, waiting for her to speak, but she seemed to be battling herself on whether or not she should say anything.

“What happened?” he asked gently.

Rina heaved a heavy, dejected sigh and hung her head. “She left me in charge of the girls while she’s been with you guys…and I royally screwed up. We thought we’d be safer off Pantora, but as we were about to leave, the Imperial troopers caught up to us. They went after Lex because the police recognized her from the chase with Fennec Shand. They grabbed us and tried to take her…and that was when everything went south.”

Meanwhile, Echo continued on through Ord Mantell cautiously, since he was out in the middle of a seedy city at night. He wouldn’t have been surprised if there were some questionable characters out and about at that time lurking in the alleyways and such. His good hand hovered above his blaster just in case he had to be ready.

Luckily, he made it to the spaceport without any trouble. He was just about to get to the ship when he heard a faint sound not too far away. It sounded like a woman…crying. Concerned as well as curious, he walked in the direction of the crying. Whoever it was sounded like they were in pain. The crying seemed to be coming from the direction of the Aurora, which made Echo even more worried. Soon, he came around a corner and could hear the crying more clearly. The Aurora was docked and it seemed like the lights inside were off. He peeked around some cargo crates that were in the port and he saw the form of Lex on her knees, doubled over and sobbing. His panic spiked upon seeing her, fearing something terrible had happened.

“Lex, what’s wrong?” he asked urgently, stepping forward.

Lex’s head shot up and she gasped, having not heard Echo approach. She locked eyes with him for but a couple seconds before suddenly jumping to her feet and running away from him, startling him.

“Hey, wait!” he called out, going after her and wondering why she was running away.

Luckily, he was fast and was quick to catch up with her. Though, it wasn’t entirely easy because she herself was pretty fast, too. He managed to get right behind her in another lit alleyway.

“Lex, wait, stop!” he cried, reaching out and grabbing her gloved left hand.

As his hand grasped hers and he went to pull back to stop her, the full arm glove she wore slid down and slipped right off of her arm. She halted in her tracks, whipping around with a gasp and a terrified look in her eyes.

“No!” she cried, but it was already too late.

Echo held the leather glove loosely in his hand and his jaw fell at what he now saw. “Lex…!” he gasped.

Her arm that had been previously covered by the glove…was made of metal.

She clutched her now cybernetic arm against her chest and turned her back on him. “Karabast! You weren't supposed to see that,” she stated, her voice quivering, before moving like she was going to dart off again.

“Please, don’t run from me,” he pleaded, taking her hand.

Lex stopped and didn’t try to fight against him, her will too weakened in her despaired state. Her head dropped and her teeth clenched hard, trying to keep herself from weeping again. She couldn’t believe she’d been caught and by Echo, of all people….

Cautiously, he released his grip on her and moved around in front of her, taking in the new sight of her with a mechanical arm. His own metal arm very slightly twitched, painfully remembering how he’d come to get his. He now feared what he was about to hear from her on how she suddenly came to have one, too.

“Lex...what happened to you?” he asked, his voice soft yet full of worry.

She knew there was no getting out of this. Echo had seen her arm already and learned her secret. Plus, she knew he was a good and decent man. She supposed he could be trusted with the truth.

“It was my fault,” she said sadly.

Echo carefully led her over to a nearby bench in the alley and urged her to sit down, taking a place next to her. He said nothing, but silently indicated to her with his expression that he was willing to patiently listen to her.

Then she went on to explain, “The Empire was coming after us on Pantora, specifically me because of my involvement in the police chase, and they had us pinned down. I thought I’d found a way to get us away from them. I had been experimenting with an explosive some time before; one of my own design and I thought I could use it. I had suggested using it against the Imperials before we fled the Firestar estate, but Rina thought it was a bad idea to use it without properly testing it. I was...overconfident and assured her it would be fine. She tried to warn me and I didn't listen. When we couldn’t get away from the soldiers, I got desperate. I went to activate it...and the countdown short-circuited, making it go off before I could even lob it.”

Echo’s breath hitched in shock, imagining the pain she had to have experienced in such a situation and knowing full well what it felt like to be caught in an explosion.

She inhaled shakily. "I'm lucky to even be alive," she said. "Irys happened to know of someone in another nearby system who could help me and they gave me a new mechanical arm." She looked down at her robotic hand contemplatively, flexing the fingers in and out. "I didn't want Kimber or any of you guys to know because I didn't want anyone to worry or judge me," she then told him. After that, Lex curled her metal fingers into a fist and slammed it down onto the bench beside her, making the pain in her shoulder from it flare up, and she sharply sucked in through gritted teeth. "I'm such an idiot! I’m the weapons specialist, for stars’ sake! I should’ve known better!" she exclaimed in angry frustration.

"You're not an idiot," Echo countered, "and no one's going to judge you. You made a mistake. We all do."

"But this mistake could've cost me my life and it put my friends...my family in danger. I even endangered Kida's son! The girls and the baby are all I have," she said back.

Calmly, he tried assuring her, "They're all okay and that's what matters. Though, sometimes that's what happens when you take risks."

In reply, she just sighed and put her head in her hands. "I was stupid...and I hate this thing!" she cried, pulling back and making a fist with her metal hand again.

Echo knew all too well the aggravation Lex was experiencing and he couldn't help but glance down at his scomp arm, as well. "That happened to me, too, you know," he said as he then held up his scomp, hoping to maybe help her feel better somewhat. "I lost my limbs in an explosion, as well."

Her head turned to look at him. "You...you did?" she asked.

He nodded before looking back down at his arm. "I was reckless and tried to get to a shuttle on a rescue mission at the Citadel, a turret blew it up and I was caught in the middle of it," he explained, the faintest memory of the explosion in the back of his mind. "Even though all my cybernetic parts were given to me by the Techno Union who captured me afterwards, I've been able to manage with them." Then he returned his steadfast gaze to her and stated, "This is something you can bounce back from, trust me."

However, she surprised him by frowning, turning away and responding, discouraged, "That's easy for you to say. You're a Clone soldier. You're supposed to be able to bounce back from things easier than other people."

Though, he didn't seem too put off by what she said and just said back "I didn't, though...I just hide it well."

Having expected him to snap back at her, Lex faced Echo again with a perplexed look, a bit surprised by his gentle and honest reply.

"Just because we Clones are bred solely to be soldiers doesn't mean we're not still human," he told her.

She swallowed a little, now feeling guilty about what she'd said to him. "I'm sorry, Echo. I didn't mean…," she started to apologize.

"I know you didn't," he kindly said before she could finish. "This is a new and frustrating change for you. Believe me, I understand completely."

Lex just stared at him for a moment, a light wave of relief overtaking her at knowing someone actually understood her and her predicament. Now, she just had so many questions she wanted to ask and things she wanted to say…and maybe Echo could give her what she needed.

Back at Cid's, Rina took another gulp of her drink, trying to keep herself together as she continued telling her tale to Hunter, "Lex had a bomb she'd been working on; an explosive of her own design that she had hoped to use. She told me she would use it on the Imps if they came after us, I told her that wasn't a good plan and she should test it before using it. She told me it would be fine and, since she's our demolitions girl, I trusted her judgment." She sighed and hung her head. "I should've fought harder against it. I should've done more."

When she reached out to take another drink, the Sergeant, however, placed his hand on her wrist and gently stopped her. "You don't need anymore," he calmly told her.

She wanted to argue with him or say something sassy back, but decided against it, not feeling like going through with it in the moment. That was probably the alcohol working. Without a word, she withdrew her hand back.

"Go on," he said.

"Like I said, the Imps got to us and tried to pin Lex down. She fought against them, but they were overpowering her as well as the rest of us," she went on. "I thought I could use the Force to get the troopers off of her, but…I couldn't do it." Her hands clenched tightly into fists. "I thought if I did that, I would expose myself as a Force user and the soldiers would've killed me. I was selfish and I panicked. I couldn't do it." Her voice then choked a little as her emotions began to well and bubble up inside her, failing her battle against them. "Because of my failure to act, Lex decided to use her explosive…which short-circuited and went off prematurely, taking Lex's left arm with it."

Hunter's eyes went wide and he reared back just a bit, shocked at this revelation. He hadn't expected her story to take such a turn.

"Seeing that happen…and then Lex lying motionless on the ground with an arm gone...I snapped," Rina stated, her voice quivering though with a touch of anger to it. "In a rage, I used the Force against the troopers that held all of us, pushing them off and away from us. We broke free and, with the rest of them dazed and distracted by the explosion, we grabbed Lex and dashed, barely making it to our ship. We were lucky Irys knew someone who was able to save Lex in time and get her a cybernetic arm." The heel of her hand made contact with the area between her eyes as she then said, "That's why Lex now has that full glove on her arm, to hide her new one. If I had just acted sooner and been a better leader; the one Kimber sees in me, I could've saved Lex…but I didn't and I failed."

Then she finally lost the fight and, to Hunter's greater astonishment, she broke down crying, burying her face in her arms on the counter.

Lex decided to ask her first question to Echo and inquired timidly as she shifted herself to fully face him, "How did you...how did you do it? Figure out how to live with your cybernetic arm?"

Echo just casually shrugged and answered her, "It wasn't easy by any means. It definitely took time, but...knowing I was stuck with it, I just had to retrain my mind to see it as just like my normal arm...only new and improved." He lifted his scomp arm and looked at it, moving it around as if carefully inspecting it. "It's now a part of me and I have to think of it as such or else I'm going to be at war with my own body and that's not going to benefit anyone." Then he looked back to her and told her, "The same goes for you, Lex. I know you hate it right now, but you can't view your arm as a hindrance or a separate piece of equipment you wear. It's a part of your physical body now; an extension of yourself. The more you reject it, the harder it's going to be for you to get used to it."

Her eyes drifted back down to her own cybernetic arm. "How can I when it's a daily reminder of my mistake; my failure?" she asked sadly. Her mind drifted back to the moment just before the explosive had gone off and how confident she had been in her abilities. She really thought she'd had it…and she couldn't have been more wrong. Now, she had a replacement arm and was in a continual state of pain, especially in her left shoulder, and she only had herself to blame.

Though, her reminiscing was interrupted as she saw Echo's hand take her own. It wasn't her flesh hand, however. He had taken hold of her metal one and her sorrowful eyes lifted to meet his caring ones.

"My arm is a daily reminder of the things I went through, too. I understand," he said to her. "You'll learn to see past your mistakes in time. You will."

Her eyes were welling up with tears, both from the physical pain in her body acting up and from being overwhelmed at Echo's kindness. Choking up, she confided in him, "It hurts...it hurts, Echo. I'm in constant pain and I can't...!" Her words cut off and they were replaced with a sob as she couldn't stop herself from crying again.

"I know...I know," he soothed her softly.

Driven by his compassion for her, he removed his good hand from her metal one and brushed away some of her tears with great tenderness and laid his hand on her cheek, slightly surprising her even more. Their eyes met for a moment and they both said nothing, the two of them experiencing a light stirring within themselves that they couldn't explain.

Then, gazing directly into her violet eyes, he stated to her with gentle intensity, "I see you, Lex. I do. I've been through what you're experiencing now. The agony will go away, I promise you."

Instinctively, Lex leaned into his hand and continued to cry quietly. Whether it was her influx of emotions or just how vulnerable she was feeling in the moment which wasn't always like her, something about Echo made her feel safe right then and his comforting touch was unknowingly what she needed.

All too soon, though, his hand left her cheek as he then said, "Let me get you something for the pain."

"No, you don't have to do that," she protested as he stood up.

"It's too late. I'm already up and I'm taking you with me," he stated, holding out a hand to her. "I'm not leaving you out here alone and I want to help you. Come with me back to the Marauder and I'll get something to relieve your pain."

Still taken aback by his genuine charity, Lex simply stared at him, her jaw hanging open just a touch. She hadn't known such kindness from a man before, not like this. Any other men she'd known were shady, untrustworthy and ofttimes had unsavory intentions. Echo was a whole different kind of man unlike any she'd ever met. Even though she'd spoken to him before during their brief downtime on Toydaria months prior, she hadn't seen this side of him. Was it because they were alone this time? Or was it that he was opening up more because of their shared trauma? She couldn't quite place how she'd never noticed him like this before…but she was noticing him now.

After a few seconds, she took his hand and allowed him to pull her up to her feet before the two of them walked together to the Marauder.

"Rina, you're not a failure," Hunter told the crying woman, placing a hand between her shoulder blades.

"Yes, I am," came her muffled reply. "Boss Lady left me in charge of the girls and expected me to protect them. I had one job and I made an absolute mess of it. She's never going to trust me again."

"I know Kimber and I know she won't blame you for any of it. That's not in her nature."

"Even so, I'm sure Lex blames me. She's barely spoken to me since it happened."

He leaned in a little closer to her ear and said in a gentle tone, "I honestly doubt Lex holds you responsible either and more than likely, she just feels embarrassed. Yes, you're the acting leader of the Koriena Force, but that doesn't mean all of their actions fall onto you. You can't hold yourself responsible for everything that happens to them, especially when they do end up suffering the consequences of their own actions."

Rina turned her head on her folded arms and looked up at him, her crying ceasing and her eyes turning red and puffy.

He continued, pulling his hand back, "Yes, what happened to Lex was terrible, but she made her choice and sometimes, for those of us who lead our own squads, we can't always protect them from everything. That's something I've had to learn the hard way, too." Then he averted his eyes down to his lap and heaved a heavy sigh. "I couldn't protect Kimber from the Zygerrians on our last mission together and she got hurt. I…I couldn't protect Crosshair…and now he's with the Empire," he said, his voice catching as he recalled when the Empire took Crosshair from them in the brig on Kamino. "I didn't fight hard enough either when they took him from us and I carry that guilt with me every day. However, he also still made his choice and I can't blame myself for that. Neither should you blame yourself for what happened to Lex."

Her head shifted slightly back into her arms and her gaze drifted, contemplating on his words.

Then he said, "Besides, if you had done what you wanted to do and used the Force on the Imperials, you would've been gunned down and then where would your squad be? You weren't acting selfishly. You kept yourself alive for your friends and for Kimber. Isn't that what matters? And how do you think Wrecker would've taken the news if that had happened to you?"

That last question was what made Rina almost burst into tears again, the thought of her big guy being sad at hearing she had been killed. She didn't want to picture his usual smiling, happy face being twisted with pain and grief.

"He's crazy about you and he would've been heartbroken if he'd lost you," Hunter said to her. "Kimber would've been devastated, too, and so would the rest of the girls and us. What you chose to do wasn't selfish. It was for the better. What Lex chose to do wasn't selfish either and, while it had awful consequences, she's alive and she'll learn from them. Both of you will learn from this. That's how you grow and improve as a leader: learn from mistakes and always strive to do better." He put a comforting hand on her shoulder. "You hear me, Rina? You're gonna be okay."

Rina ran the back of her hand across her cheeks, wiping away the tear trails on her face. "You really think so, Sarge?" she questioned in a strained voice.

He offered an encouraging smile and replied, "I do. You're one of the toughest women I know."

She let out a small scoff. "I'm pretty sure I'm one of the only women you know."

"Fair point, but that doesn't change the fact that you're strong," he said. He grasped her shoulder a little tighter. "Don't beat yourself up, okay? What happened wasn't your fault and if Lex thinks otherwise, then you can send her to me."

That got a tiny laugh out of her as she brushed away the last of her tears from her eyes. Strangely, venting to Hunter and listening to his advice was starting to make her feel a bit better, even though she didn't imagine the night would turn out that way. Given that he was a leader, too, he knew exactly how she was feeling and what to say to help her. She figured she wouldn't feel completely better about the situation until she talked it out with Lex, but given the fact Lex hadn't really spoken to her, Rina figured she'd give her time.

"Never thought I would've sat in this bar baring my soul to you, of all people," she said.

Hunter chuckled. "I'm sure," he replied, moving his hand away.

She looked at the glass on the bar and pushed it away. "This is why I don't drink a lot," she commented. "It gets me all emotional and weepy. Not my style."

"Ah, it's nothing to be ashamed of," he said.

"It is for me. I got a reputation," she wittily replied. When he simply snickered back, she mustered up a small smile for him. "Thanks...for listening and for the things you said. I guess you're not too bad after all."

He smirked and raised an eyebrow. "You're just now seeing that?" he teased back.

"Hey, don't push your luck, lover boy," she warned him, grinning as she gave him a light shove in the arm. "You know I can still mess you up."

"I haven't forgotten," he assured her. "Besides, you helped me when I needed it. I'm glad to return the favor." Then he playfully punched her shoulder. "You've got this, Rina. Kimber would be proud of you."

Rina grinned shyly at that comment, but it faded as quickly as it appeared. "Don't…don't tell her what happened to Lex," she requested. "I want it to come from me or one of the other girls and we haven't gotten around to telling her."

Hunter bowed his head and promised, "You have my word." He gestured with his head to the door of the parlor and got up from his seat. "Come on, let's get you back to the Aurora. You need to sleep off everything you drank tonight."

With a sigh, she hopped off her barstool and added, coming up next to him as they exited the building, "Yeah and hope I don't wake up with a hangover."

Echo and Lex shortly reached the Marauder and he told her to wait outside while he ran in to get the proper supplies. It didn't take long for him to return with a stim and a canister which he secured inside.

"This might hurt just a little. Keep still," he told her as he approached.

She nodded in understanding and then he injected the stim into her shoulder. She winced from the slight piercing pain of the needle, but the injection was done in a flash. In seconds, she started to feel the pain relief taking effect.

As she pulled her full glove back over her cybernetic arm, she said to him, "Echo, I...I want to thank you."

After putting the stim into a pouch, he gave her a curious look. "For what?" he inquired.

With a small, indifferent shrug, she answered, "For talking to me and for your advice. I guess I should've known you would know what I'm going through and that I could've come to you."

He grinned pleasantly. "It's okay. You can talk to me anytime and I'll help in any way I can," he said. Then he laid a hand on her shoulder. "You're not an idiot for doing what you did. You're a bright, strong and brave woman and this doesn't change that," he then reassured her. "You just got caught up in your hubris, which can happen to anyone, but you can learn from this and become stronger. I have and I know you can, too."

For a moment, Lex just found herself caught up in his words that she couldn't find anything to say back. Instead, she just nodded to him.

"You've got this. Remember that. Okay?" he said.

"Thanks," she said sweetly.

Removing his hand from her shoulder, he took a step back and stated, "I'll leave you be now and let you get some rest. See you tomorrow maybe?"

She smiled back. "Yeah...see you tomorrow."

Echo then flashed a genuine smile at Lex before making his way to his ship and to her surprise, her heart seemed to skip a beat upon seeing it and he seemed…even more handsome in that moment than she initially thought. She couldn't figure out why that was. Though, she was more than grateful for his help and comfort. It was encouraging to know there was someone who understood what she was going though and could offer the aid she needed that no one else could. Echo was a good soldier and an even better man.

"Lex?"

Hearing her name, she turned in the direction it came from and saw Rina standing a few feet away, staring at her, with Hunter right behind her.

"Rina," Lex said aloud, seeing her friend and unsure how to react.

Rina slowly approached Lex and stopped just a few steps short of her, her mouth wavering slightly as she seemed to want to say something.

The awkward silence was then broken by Lex saying, "I’m sorry."

Startled, Rina's eyebrows furrowed.

Lex went on to say to her, "You were right, I never should've used that explosive. I should’ve listened to you. I was overconfident and more than that, I was desperate. And I’m sorry I’ve been distant. My actions put us, Irys, Kida and Kori all at risk…and I thought you were mad and disappointed in me."

Rina was too stunned to speak at first. All that time, she'd really thought Lex blamed her and she couldn't believe she was hearing otherwise. Once she finally found the ability to speak again, she responded, astonished, "What? Lex, I thought you were mad at me...and blamed me for what happened."

Now it was Lex's turn to be shocked. "What are you talking about? Why would I blame you?"

Timidly, Rina told her, "Because I couldn’t protect you…and I thought I was being selfish. I thought about using the Force to get the troopers off of you when they tried to grab us, but I was afraid that I would expose myself and I hesitated. If I had just done that, you wouldn’t have had to use that explosive."

Lex's eyes widened in disbelief and she strode over to Rina, stopping just in front of her. "Rina Caska, if you had done that, they would’ve thought you were a Jedi and you would’ve been killed for sure!" she exclaimed, stunned that Rina had blamed herself.

Uncertain of what to say back, Rina just looked away.

Placing her hands on Rina's shoulders, Lex then declared firmly, giving her a light shake, "I would rather lose my arm than lose you. You hear me?"

Behind Rina, Hunter stole a hopeful look over to Echo, who had stopped and stayed in the entryway to the Marauder when he'd heard Rina call out. They both exchanged pleased grins at what Lex had said to Rina, knowing that one statement alone would help heal the rift between the two women.

All Rina could do was stare, dumbfounded, back at Lex with eyes that were starting to well up with tears again that she quickly blinked away so Lex wouldn't know she was about to cry. The reprieve of knowing Lex didn't actually blame her for everything that happened and was never mad at her lifted such a great burden from her shoulders.

Then Lex added in a softer voice, "I was able to replace my arm…but I can’t replace you. I know I've got a long road ahead of me, but I'll get through this. I've got you, the girls…and now, I've got more help here, too." She pulled her hands back and looked over her shoulder back at Echo, who bowed his head reverently. Then she turned back to Rina. "I'm gonna be okay."

"That…makes me glad to hear," Rina replied, trying to keep from getting choked up. Then she held a hand out to Lex. "So we're good?"

"Yeah, we're good," said Lex, grasping Rina's forearm in return, the two of them exchanging caring looks between them before leaving Hunter and Echo alone to return to their ship.

Hunter made his way over to the ramp where Echo was waiting for him at the top.

"I guess we arrived back at a good time. Looks like you got everything worked out with Rina," said Echo.

"I did. She was struggling with her confidence as a leader and I had a talk with her. I take it you talked to Lex?" Hunter asked, stepping onto the stairs.

With a nod, Echo explained, "I found her crying not far from the Aurora and accidentally learned her secret, but she did end up confiding in me. I did what I could for her and promised that I would continue to whenever she needs."

As he came up to the steps near the top, Hunter stated, "Well, if anyone here can help her, it's you."

"I'll do my best," said Echo.

Then Hunter grinned at him. "I saw the way she looked at you," he pointed out. "I think she likes you."

Though, Echo shook his head. "I doubt that. I think she's just happy to know someone who actually sees her and understands her."

Hunter wasn't necessarily convinced of that, but he wasn't going to press it for now. "If you say so. Let's get some rest."

With that being said, the two Clones retreated back into their ship for a good night's sleep after a surprising night of revelations for both of them.

[steveezekiel]

GOD DOES NOT LEAD BACKWARD

3 SIMON PETER SAID TO THEM, “I AM GOING FISHING.” They said to him, “We will go with you.” They went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing.

4 Just as day was breaking, Jesus stood on the shore; yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus.

5 JESUS SAID TO THEM, “Children, DO YOU HAVE ANY FISH?” THEY ANSWERED HIM, “NO.”

6 HE SAID TO THEM, “CAST THE NET ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE BOAT, AND YOU WILL FIND SOME.” So they cast it, and NOW THEY WERE NOT ABLE TO HAUL IT IN, BECAUSE OF THE QUANTITY OF FISH.

7 That disciple whom Jesus loved therefore said to Peter, “IT IS THE LORD!” When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his outer garment, for he was stripped for work, and threw himself into the sea."

John 21:3–7 (ESV)

• When Simon Peter decided to go back into fishing work, other disciples said they would also go with him (John 21:3).

I. This shows that If someone who is being looked up to as a leader made any decision or policy or choice, those who are under him or her tend to follow suit, or in agreement, because of his or her influence; even If the decision made by the leader was wrong.

- The fishing business that Simon Peter had left for three years plus, he suddenly decided to go back into it. And when he was initially called out of it, Jesus told him, he would be a Fisher of Men (Mark 1:16,17).

- Know that God does not lead backward. God will not tell you to go back into the secular work which you left for the ministry work after you had been in the work for a number of years. I have seen some who left the ministry work after being in it for a couple of years. God would never lead backward!

II. Another Important thing is, the fact that they did not catch anything shows that God was not with them in the fishing trip (John 21:3).

- It was in the morning time when Jesus showed up and asked If they had anything and they said, No. Then He told them to cast their net at the right side of their boat, and they were able to catch a lot and were not able to draw their net in because of the multitude or quantity of fish (John 21:4-6).

- Lessons:

a. This shows us that without Jesus' help we can but do nothing (John 15:5). Also, If you embarked on the journey not sent by Him, you would toil without any results.

b. Their eyes were strained they could not see or know it was Jesus Christ when He told them to cast their net At the right side of their boat (John 21:4,6). But, John was able to perceive or discern It was Jesus Christ when they caught a multitude of fish (John 21:7).

c. A believer should be discerning, able to see or discover God's hand in whatever is happening in his or her life. Others in the boat with John were yet to discern that this stranger who told them to cast their net and they caught a multitude of fish could not have been an ordinary person.

GOD at times would be doing a great thing in the lives of some believers, they would not be able to see Him in it. They either trivialized it or presumed It as a mere coincidence.

BUT John was able to see that God, Jesus Christ, was in it, they could not have toiled throughout the night without any catch, now in the morning, they caught a multitude at the instruction of one strange Man at the shore (John 21:6).

A BELIEVER should be spiritually sound and be able to read the handwriting on the wall (Daniel 5:5,8). A lot of believers are not spiritually inclined, they are too disposed towards the natural side of life. They do not have any Bible sense; they are dull of hearing or they are spiritually indiscernible (Hebrews 5:11).

III. God usually does not communicate straight. He communicates nonverbally mostly. One could see the mode, a form or manner of expression or style, in Jesus' earthly Ministry; most of His Teachings are done through the sharing of parables.

- God wanted to get Simon Peter's attention but wanted to be dramatic about it—He wanted it to be striking in effect. In other words, He wanted to do it in a way that his attention would be deeply enmeshed or catched in a special way.

a. Jesus wanted him, Simon Peter, to know that the ministry work should be his first and the main priority and nothing else.

b. Jesus also wanted to show and tell him that He was able to take care of him and the ministry work.

- Why did Peter go back into fishing business? It is quite clear or obvious that the basic needs of life was the cause, being a family man.

- Thus, Jesus provided the fish and the bread to show or prove to him that If he concentrated on His work, Kingdom assignment or ministry work, his needs would definitely be taken care of.

- Jesus asked him, Peter, three times; "DO YOU LOVE ME MORE THAN THESE [the fish and the bread]" (John 21:15-17).

- If I may ask you, as you read this piece, Have you not forsaken your first love? (Revelation 2:4).

a. Where is your faithfulness? Have you not gone back into those things you forsook or sacrificed not to do again because of His work?

b. Are you faithful and loyal in the work you are assigned to do in His Kingdom?

- Whatever may be the need in your life, do not forsake God's work, especially If you are sure and certain of His call on your life.

• God is enough, He is able to take care of His work, you and your family in addition. There is no economic downturn in His Kingdom. He is able to do all things, all He needs is your Faithfulness. He says: “BEHOLD, I AM THE LORD, THE GOD OF ALL FLESH. IS THERE ANYTHING TOO HARD FOR ME?" (Jeremiah 32:27 NKJV).

• You will not fail in Jesus' name.

- Should there be any ailment in your body, receive your healing now in the mighty name of Jesus Christ.

- Whatever is not planted in your body, working against your health and wellness, such is rebuked and completely uprooted in the mighty name of Jesus Christ.

Peace!

STEPS TO SALVATION

• Take notice of this:

IF you are yet to take the step of salvation, that is, yet to be born-again, do it now, tomorrow might be too late (2 Corinthians 6:1,2; Hebrews 3:7,8,15).

a. Acknowledge that you are a sinner and confess your Sins (1 John 1:9); And ask Jesus Christ to come into your life (Revelation 3:20).

b. Confess that you believe in your heart that Jesus Christ is Lord, and that you confess it with your mouth, Thus, you accept Him As your Lord and Saviour (Romans 10:9,10).

c. Ask that He will write your name in the Book of Life (Philippians 4:3; Revelation 3:8).

- If you took the steps As highlighted above, It means you are saved—born-again. Join a Word based church in your area and Town or city, and be part of whatever they are doing there. Peace!