#then a metal construction pipe falling from the sky

[undermine-the-instinct]

Mans really said "The only thing saving you is dumb luck and some scotch tape, so I'm gonna take matters into my own hands."

[elfinbloodbag]

Just a Token

Pairing: Astarion x Áradíhena (f!Tav)

Summary: Light fluff, light longing, just a glimpse into a moment of their journey.

Word Count: 2,309

Warnings: I think this should be very safe, but mentions of blood, mentions of battle consistent with BG3.

A/N: I totally understand there is very little desire to read about original characters, this is mainly just my obligatory once every 3 years one-shot fic with whoever is my current OC. But, if you do read it thank you, and any (gentle) constructive feedback is really welcome as I am hoping to do something with an actual plot at some point!

Gravel crunches rhythmically under Áradíhena’s feet. Under all eight pairs of the rag-tag group’s feet. Leather creaks, metal clinks, and the gravel keeps on crunching. It was pleasant at first; a familiar pentameter for the elf to set her stride by. But after a few days of walking with blood and sweat and grime from their battle with Ketheric still rubbing sores under her clothes, it has become more like the sound of a mill, grinding her ability to think into the very finest of flours.  

As a group they had agreed the best course was to keep moving, to keep pushing forward to Baldur’s Gate. Individually, she thinks they really all would rather take a moment to rest. To really rest. To bathe and feel at least partly fresh and new again. Certainly Lae’zel would never say so, but perhaps if someone else were to speak up, and she could be the last to acquiesce... The terracotta haze across the sky starts dull and become grey around the edges of Áradíhena’s vision as the sun begins its descent into evening.  

After the lifetime spent in the Shadowfell every moment of sunlight, of life and of warmth, feels like a gift, and despite her weariness she can feel warmth seeping back into her bones. From the corner of her eye, she can see that Astarion has his face turned to the sun with his own eyes half closed - the hint of a smile playing about his lips. For a rare moment nothing about his behaviour is performative. He is simply basking in the light that he spent so long without. The warmth of that sight fills her as well. Truly it was a gift. 

Her toe catches on a rock and she stumbles slightly, kicking up more pebbles as she half-jogs forward, trying to use the momentum to catch herself. Lae’zel scoffs, Karlach guffaws, and Astarion chuckles through his words. 

“Careful there My Sweet, no need to fall for me twice.” The vampire’s hand catches her elbow, steadying her more effectively than she was able to do herself. It’s a tender gesture that she is still getting used to. His words carry their usual flirtation and teasing, his eyes are heavy-lidded - but his slender fingertips cupped around her arm, and the quickness with which he stepped forward to catch her can’t be entirely disguised.   

Áradíhena takes a moment to straighten herself up, brushing her hand over his with a light squeeze of thanks and trying to catch his eye. But he is in another world, watching that same hand he lowers his side as if it were the setting sun he had basked in moments before. 

“Time to get some rest I think, before our gracious leader here does herself a mischief.” Gale pipes up after a moment, and Ára hardly contains her sigh of relief. 

“Thank the gods you said it first!” She smiles warmly at him, “I’ve been thinking that for the past, oh, three days, give or take.” 

*** 

The group sits peacefully around the blazing fire, and Áradíhena shuffles her feet, bumping her knee against Astarion’s. On the other side of the fire Karlach elbows Wyll, perhaps a little too hard, in the ribs, saying something about how light on his feet he was as he practically danced to the fire after raising his tent. Halsin whittles a piece of birch he has been carrying for days, and Lae’zel bickers with Shadowheart about preferred weaponry, each firmly planting on opposite sides despite both being skilled with the other’s choice. Gale fusses over the fire, stirring the rich stew and occasionally flitting to his pack to add volcanic salt, or a small amount of dried plum, or some other herb he assures will transform the flavour. She has no doubt it will be delicious, and her stomach grumbles along with the stew. The smell of woodsmoke seeps into her still-damp hair - almost auburn in the orange light of the fire – but it’s better than the acrid smell of sweat that was there a few hours ago. 

She folds forward, laying her chin on her knees and dropping her hands to the floor, causing a series of clicks and snaps along her back. Cold fingertips graze the sliver of exposed skin on her spine, brushing lightly over where the tension has just released. A shiver runs through her and immediately the contact is gone. She begins to reach for Astarion, going to squeeze his knee, to find a way to tell him without words that the shiver was nothing to do with the cold, but drops her hands back to the ground. Instead of saying anything, she rakes her fingers through the fire-warmed earth, searching for something to distract her from the feeling. From the way the firelight seems to put life back into Astarion’s veins where they cord under the rolled sleeve of his shirt.

A small pebble catches on her nail and she rolls it between her fingers for a moment, feeling the sharp edges, the small crags in its shape, and lifts it into the light. It glows a soft, rosy-pink, casting a dull rainbow in a million directions as the light refracts on its unpolished surface. As she sits back up, she holds onto the little piece of beauty from the earth, digging it into her calloused palm and smiling through the instinctive wince. She is still soft compared to the rock. 

*** 

Each member of the party has lips stained red, and Ára adds another layer of colour as she takes a long swig of wine before passing the bottle left to Halsin. With a bust of laughter she almost spits it all back out when Karlach dips Wyll so low to the floor in their dance that his horns graze the floor and he squirms, unused to the sensation. She lifts him back to standing and then falls forward in a fit of laughter herself, slapping her knees so hard that Áradíhena is sure own would buckle with the force. There is an underlying understanding that they may not have long to enjoy these moments of levity and relative freedom, so they share in every piece of joy to be had. 

Áradíhena nudges Astarion with her elbow lightly, and with a rumbling ‘hmm?’ he tilts his head towards her, still watching the dancers with an almost fond expression. His white curls tickle the tip of Ára’s ear.  

“No Astarion, you have to look!” She unfurls her hand in her lap, rolling the rose quartz around her palm so it can catch the light for him to see.  

“What am I looking at?” 

��I found this in the dust. It feels like so long since we’ve had anything beautiful.” She lifts it higher, willing him to see what she sees, to share in this piece of joy with her. 

He leans in a little, and as he catches sight of it a sneer twists his lips, although he very quickly wipes it away and meets her bright gaze through lowered lashes. “Oh look,” he straightens back up and his breath flutters against the hot skin in the crook of her neck as he drops his voice to a whisper, “it matches you perfectly, Pet.” 

Heat spreads across her face and a vibration somewhere between a laugh and a purr runs through Astarion, adding fuel to her flush. One steadying breath later she takes his hand, unfurls his fingers, and drops the small stone into his palm. “Then I suppose it must be yours.” 

His head jerks back and he stares down at the stone, eyebrow cocked and lip curled, “Ára, you found this on the ground!” His voice is comically aghast, “Who knows where it’s been, what in the hells makes you think I want it? It’s not even precious!” 

Fine then. He would not be sharing in this with her. Trying to combat the overwhelming feeling of smallness that overcomes her, Áradíhena rolls her eyes and stands to walk away before she can watch him toss it to the ground as she is sure he will. Companionable and compassionate as ever, Halsin grumbles along and follows her to the stream where they wash up their wooden bowls in a comfortable if slightly solomn silence. 

*** 

The first light of the sun seeps languidly through the window, past the curtain, and casts a syrupy glow over Ára’s face. She’s in a bed. A REAL bed for the first time in gods knows how long, and yet the new day has found a way to rouse her from this small comfort rather earlier than necessary. She stretches out, kicking the sheet off her legs and touching her toes to the wooden bed posts. It was a blessing to find Elfsong Tavern when they arrived yesterday, and entirely worth the minor scuffle over who had first access to the bath. 

All around the room are sounds of sleep. The light snuffling from Scratch and the Owlbear cub could almost lull her back into her trance, if it weren’t for Gale’s muttering and what she assumes to be Halsin’s snores. She sits up, eyes drawn immediately to the opposite side of the room where Astarion normally rests. But instead of seeing the pale elf laying motionless, death-like, on his back when she glances around there are neatly laid sheets free of any sign of rest, and his shirt sits perfectly folded atop his pillow.  

For all his complaints about camping, Astarion hasn’t made best use of their temporary homestead. But, Áradíhena thinks suddenly feeling a weight on her chest, he has the hardest time with rest, with stillness and certainly with finding peace. She hopes that soon they will reclaim that for him. For now, his fearful habits remain. They had spoken alone very little since the quartz incident two days ago, and when they had his growing tension about returning to the city had been evident.  

Although not long ago Astarion had confessed the depth and reality of his feelings to her, she felt more distant than ever. On the verge of losing him to the Rite of Ascension, to an attempt to kill Cazador, to the Elder Brain, or to any one of the myriad of barriers in their path.  

She quickly shrugs on her own loose shirt and begins to stoke the fire, busying herself to distract from the fear, and then from the guilt at her selfishness. Gale and Shadowheart would be glad of coffee when they wake, and she can lay still no longer. 

*** 

“I’m really not sure where to go from here, it feels as though there are one hundred and one things we need to do in the city, all equally important. I’m lost.” Áradíhena hands Gale the steaming coffee, perhaps unceremoniously. She had hardly given him time to dress before seeking counsel, or comfort, or something like either. 

“You know we will all – correction, most of us will – follow your lead here. You haven’t taken us astray this far Áradíhena, I trust you’ll make the right choice on what lead to follow first.” 

“You’re not helping Gale! Everyone wants something different, everyone will be frustrated no matter what I chose–“ 

“You know that I wo-“ he interrupts, trying to reassure her. 

“And don’t think I’m not including you in this!” 

“Then you’ll need to put up with some frustrations. You can’t make everyone happy at all times you know…” Gale smiles a little sadly at her, but his tone is soft.  

Áradíhena heaves her shoulders and rolls her head back with a dramatic sigh, but before she can bounce back with a laugh, Gale claps his hand onto her shoulder, and she knows he isn’t fooled.  

There’s a slight nudge at her wrist, bringing her back to the present. Scratch must have noticed the two of them as the first to be up and about and doubtless wanted to be free of the coup. Odd that she didn’t hear him padding over to them, but she has so much on her mind... “Just a minute, Scratch.” She feels another tug and wafts her hand slightly to temporarily shoo him away. 

She looks back to Gale, saying brightly “How about a morning wa-” but stops short as she sees him smirking, brows raised a little in incredulity. “What?” 

Gale just chuckles and nods towards her hand. 

There, pinned to her cuff with the most delicate golden clasp, is a gleaming red teardrop. A highly polished, beautifully cut ruby in the richest shade of blood.  

“I... how..?” She casts her eyes about the room, slightly slack jawed and looking, she is quite sure, like a fool. In the opposite corner Astarion lounges back on his bed, a carefully curated air of nonchalance all about him as he runs one long finger delicately down the pages of his book and with the slightest flick turns the page.  

The corner of his lip curls into the hint of a smile as he feels her eyes scanning him with less subtlety than she should, and the glint in his eye perfectly matches the ruby. “Now that we’re back in the civilisation, Darling, I thought you really ought to know what a stone of value looks like.” 

“It’s beautiful Astarion, thank you.” She beams and her chest swells, even as she worries about him sneaking out to steal from merchants without her to act as a distraction. 

“Pffft, it’s nothing, just a token. Don’t mention it.” He is blasé, looking back to his book with an air of finality.  He raises his hand to wave her off and brush away the sentiment, and she barely catches the flash of pink inside his sleeve, where he has carefully sewn her rose quartz into the lining.  

[earthrotting]

Part 1

The tired of my car squeal as I make towards the dark clouds, hoping they aren’t behind me. The overpass gives me a view of the corn and soy fields I’ve passed since childhood. I speed past the cars on my side of the road, past the construction barriers. The roads become dirt and gravel, but there is no heavy equipment, in spite of the barriers, cones, and flashing lights.

I turn left, throwing up a cloud of dust as the rear end of my Ford Focus fishtails. My heart is pounding. Sweat dips from my brow. I buck in my seatbelt as I stomp the gas down the dirt road, into the nothing. There were houses on this road. There were trees. All that is gone now. Even the crops are gone. Not even grass grows in these endless plains of dirt. The clouds block out the sunlight.

I’m running on the dirt road. I have to keep running. I have to. There’s nothing anymore. No houses, no cars, no fields. Just endless, empty dirt and a dark sky roiling in the distance. My lungs burn as I keep running down the endless road. But if it is endless, where am I running to? Sunlight behind me as the clouds open up somewhere. The coming storm had blocked out the evening sun before. I look behind me to see golden rays of light poking through the walls of the clouds. Why does that scare me so? What’s beyond those clouds?

I turn back around and see more construction barriers. Nothing more than pieces of wood with reflective tape, and flashing lights. But now, there’s dozens of them. No matter. I start vaulting them. It’s not a straight run but I don’t care anymore. I have to follow this road, wherever it goes. I have to.

Orange and white traffic barrels line this unpaved, unconstructed road. Pieces of concrete drain pipes are laid out on this road now. They’re not laid down at the side, it was as if someone just spilled these all here as obstacles for anyone not willing to go beyond the barriers of the road, so I start clambering over them. They’re taller than me but not tall enough that I can’t climb them.

I look into the sky and see a swirling vortex. It’s not swirling down, but up...like there’s a hole in the sky. Like the eye of a hurricane that’s upside down. Somewhere in the back of my mind I question what I’m seeing and how that’s possible, but I’m running towards it like my life depends on it. In the back of my mind I’m wondering why I don’t run off of the road where there’s just dirt and no obstacles.

It’s perfect geometric shapes now. Mirrored tetrahedrons, cubes, and dodecahedrons floating beside the empty dirt road. I can’t tell if they’re made of glass or metal, but they’re slowly rotating on some unseen suspension. They reflect everything. The ground, the endless landscape, the clouds, the beams of sunlight, but as much as I look into any surface facing me, I can’t see myself in them.

I’m climbing over a mirrored prism, and I fall into the road once I’m over. Only now do I realize I’m durectly under that teal vortex. Soundless lightning arcs from side to side and blue sky shows through its center. The ground shatters underneath my back. It’s only an acute impact, but I can hear the almighty crash. Reality shatters as I slowly fall through. Time is slower now, and beneath that thing surface there’s nothing but black. My eyes widen as things darken. Even the hole and the vortex are darkening. The lights are going out. Real becomes unreal, and the facade of everything I am and ever was dissolves, returning to the black.

Unknown Organization Headquarters, Marshall Islands

Date and time unknown

The palm trees sway in the breeze outside my office, overlooking the beach and the ocean. People in swimsuits walk outside, beyond the tree line of our complex and unaware of our existence. To them, this is just another resort island in the middle of absolute nowhere. For now our bases seem to be unaffected by larger events. People on our islands are also largely unaffected. There’s no telling how long that will last.

The Algorithm...someone or something released it. I thought we had a good documentation of the entities and artifacts scattered around this planet, but the Algorithm is different. My eyes flick to the map on the right side of my office. I do my own research when I’m not running the bureaucracy of this organization. A leader is of no use if he doesn’t understand the bigger picture as well as the nuances of the situation at hand. The situation is dire. Earth had already been afflicted with Rot and Corruption, but the Algorithm is different. It’s a third force and a much more significant one. My eyes go to the myriad of red pins on that global map. White string tied between those pins tells of an attempt to find origin points and an area of affect. Those areas have expanded but they don’t tell the whole story. The blue pins with yellow string represent areas that seem resistant to the Algorithm. Agents have been deployed to either and it seems the Algorithm has no discernible effect on Unknown agents and field officers. I’m not one to count my blessings because anything that can bless me can also curse me. A blessing isn’t a favor, it’s an obligation. So why aren’t we being affected? Is something protecting us? Did we do something to unleash the Algorithm? Does the Algorithm pertain to the Blackout and the arrival of the Energy?

Too many questions with no answers. One thing is for certain though. Our initial code black for the situation was not uncalled for. Unknown usually assists governments in dealing with so-called paranormal events and entities. For the ninety-nine percent of what we’re called in to deal with, it’s nothing and it will always be that way. Certain individuals are far too foolishly optimistic about their chances with an anomalous encounter. But this...the odds of an encounter have risen from 0.001% to 78%, and that rate is quickly rising as the Algorithm spreads.

I look down at the field report on my desk. Observation from our Men In Black units have seen the effects that the algorithm has on the world, and most notably, on people. Populations have rapidly declined due to casualties. We estimate thus far, a full ten percent of all humanity has been lost to the Algorithm, which has mostly been observed spreading in western civilization. The United States, southern Canada, and several epicenters and Europe are currently spreading. Hong Kong and Beijing are the sites of several epicenters as well. Ten percent of the population already lost, and governments at large haven’t even raised any sort of public alarm. We seem to be the only ones perceiving the crisis. We’ve attempted to reach out to the president on this. We had a rather disturbing response. Official Census Bureau records showed no significant decline in population, and a negligible rise in reports of anomalous activity. Our field officers quickly dropped inquiries and instead started surveillance of global intelligence communities and census data, cross-checking our own records. From the time we started observing these discrepancies, they have only become larger. We can assume one of two things here: Our data is somehow unaffected, or it is corrupted. Digital monitoring has been an absolute boon to monitoring these efforts, but the grand irony here is that we’ve begun to draw suspicion from Washington and Brussels. We have to tread carefully to maintain trust with the hundreds of governments, cities and municipalities around the world. It’s gotten easier, though only because the Algorithm is collapsing public infrastructure from the inside out. Field agents visit one day and it’s functioning relatively normally. They return the next to find a building that has apparently been abandoned for decades and collapsing in on itself with few or no employees or officials. We can tell what the Algorithm does. That much is obvious.

I sigh and rise from my desk. Twenty years I’ve been head of this organization and it’s always been a difficult job. But we’re research and intel, not armed response. We don’t have a playbook for a crisis like this. There’s no way to prepare for something like the Algorithm. As an NGO we simply don’t have the capability to respond to this and unfortunately it’s fallen on us to save lives. Lives that, according to our data and correspondences, no longer exist. We can’t be certain that this isn’t just data being altered. It very well might be. But keeping track of individuals deemed at risk has yielded the same sort of data. One day they’re a living, breathing person. The next, not even a birth certificate remains. We’ve dealt with disappearances of an anomalous nature before but this implies deep, comprehensive infiltration of every government and authority on the planet. Or more worryingly, entropy control. If what we’re dealing with can rewind and alter time, I’m not sure how to begin to address that. At the very best we can avoid documentation of our actions that those in the future can read, but that would imply they’re not already watching us. If indeed we can attribute this to a “they” and not an “it”, or if there is even sapience behind the Algorithm. I’m not sure which is scarier. If this is a force of nature, we would have to follow an extermination protocol. If it’s a weapon, we have to know who or what is using it and resort to anomalous warfare.

Anomalous warfare is not something humans are equipped for. We rely on tools to see the world around us. We don’t even see the full spectrum of electromagnetic radiation. We rely on specific patterns to make sense of the world around us, and our methods of measurement and perception fundamentally alter what we perceive. In other words, we are incapable of perceiving objective reality as is, much less levels above or below that. We’d be relying on tools and weapons we don’t understand to fight enemies we don’t understand. The odds of a successful resolution to that type of conflict are above me. We would need international backing for that sort of effort.

The black door on me left opens, with a blonde secretary with short blonde hair walking in with a clipboard. She shoves it in my direction without telling me what it is. Even before I’ve started reading the paragraphs on top of a poorly printed global map, she starts talking. “Sorry for the intrusion, Mr. Damasceno. Our analysts are tracking a new pattern. I thought you needed to see this.” she says. My eyes go to her, then the clipboard with out a word. “What am I looking at? Forgive me, I haven’t slept for thirty hours.” I tell her. “Apologies. We’ve been tracking travel movements and credit card transactions and we’ve noticed that a small but significant number of people are converging in our rough direction.” she says. I narrow my eyes. “We’re located within a vacation destination. You’ll have to be more specific.” I grumble. “Sorry sir. What I mean to say is that a group of people that our AI model has been tracking have uprooted themselves from their normal routines and are making their way through Algorithm influenced space towards us. In fact, we’ve noticed that more and more people affected by those territories are falling in line with that pattern.” she explains as I read the document. I narrow my eyes and give her a side-eye. “How many?” “At the moment? Ten thousand. But with the Algorithm spreading, that number is likely to increase.” she states. “We have a number of anomalous artifacts that allow us to escape the prying eyes of the public and a limited amount of governmental accountability. Are you saying they’ve become inactive?” I ask. “It’s too early to say, given the amount of unknowns we’re dealing with here. But it’s safe to say we might have extra visitors.” “Have our MIBs pivot to monitoring them. Field officers in the Americas and Europe should get us a few test samples.” I grumble, turning towards my desk with the clipboard. I need more coffee for this. “Test samples, sir?” “Do I have to be that blunt? I want you to abduct a few people so we can run tests on them.” I state firmly and forcefully. My secretary raises an eyebrow at me and pauses with her mouth slightly open. It takes her a few moments to compute what I’ve just told her to do. “Er, yes sir. It will be done.” “Good. Because these people might have been altered. As you said, there are too many unknowns here and facing a potential army of anomalous individuals is not something I am enthusiastic about. If they’re of no threat, fine. But we need to know if they are a threat, because make no mistake, Carroll: we’re humanity’s only hope.” I say with a hoarse, exhausted voice.

[nataliesilverman]

The Rot Earth, possibly chap 1

The tired of my car squeal as I make towards the dark clouds, hoping they aren’t behind me. The overpass gives me a view of the corn and soy fields I’ve passed since childhood. I speed past the cars on my side of the road, past the construction barriers. The roads become dirt and gravel, but there is no heavy equipment, in spite of the barriers, cones, and flashing lights.

I turn left, throwing up a cloud of dust as the rear end of my Ford Focus fishtails. My heart is pounding. Sweat dips from my brow. I buck in my seatbelt as I stomp the gas down the dirt road, into the nothing. There were houses on this road. There were trees. All that is gone now. Even the crops are gone. Not even grass grows in these endless plains of dirt. The clouds block out the sunlight.

I’m running on the dirt road. I have to keep running. I have to. There’s nothing anymore. No houses, no cars, no fields. Just endless, empty dirt and a dark sky roiling in the distance. My lungs burn as I keep running down the endless road. But if it is endless, where am I running to? Sunlight behind me as the clouds open up somewhere. The coming storm had blocked out the evening sun before. I look behind me to see golden rays of light poking through the walls of the clouds. Why does that scare me so? What’s beyond those clouds?

I turn back around and see more construction barriers. Nothing more than pieces of wood with reflective tape, and flashing lights. But now, there’s dozens of them. No matter. I start vaulting them. It’s not a straight run but I don’t care anymore. I have to follow this road, wherever it goes. I have to.

Orange and white traffic barrels line this unpaved, unconstructed road. Pieces of concrete drain pipes are laid out on this road now. They’re not laid down at the side, it was as if someone just spilled these all here as obstacles for anyone not willing to go beyond the barriers of the road, so I start clambering over them. They’re taller than me but not tall enough that I can’t climb them.

I look into the sky and see a swirling vortex. It’s not swirling down, but up...like there’s a hole in the sky. Like the eye of a hurricane that’s upside down. Somewhere in the back of my mind I question what I’m seeing and how that’s possible, but I’m running towards it like my life depends on it. In the back of my mind I’m wondering why I don’t run off of the road where there’s just dirt and no obstacles.

It’s perfect geometric shapes now. Mirrored tetrahedrons, cubes, and dodecahedrons floating beside the empty dirt road. I can’t tell if they’re made of glass or metal, but they’re slowly rotating on some unseen suspension. They reflect everything. The ground, the endless landscape, the clouds, the beams of sunlight, but as much as I look into any surface facing me, I can’t see myself in them.

I’m climbing over a mirrored prism, and I fall into the road once I’m over. Only now do I realize I’m durectly under that teal vortex. Soundless lightning arcs from side to side and blue sky shows through its center. The ground shatters underneath my back. It’s only an acute impact, but I can hear the almighty crash. Reality shatters as I slowly fall through. Time is slower now, and beneath that thing surface there’s nothing but black. My eyes widen as things darken. Even the hole and the vortex are darkening. The lights are going out. Real becomes unreal, and the facade of everything I am and ever was dissolves, returning to the black.

Unknown Organization Headquarters, Marshall Islands

Date and time unknown

The palm trees sway in the breeze outside my office, overlooking the beach and the ocean. People in swimsuits walk outside, beyond the tree line of our complex and unaware of our existence. To them, this is just another resort island in the middle of absolute nowhere. For now our bases seem to be unaffected by larger events. People on our islands are also largely unaffected. There’s no telling how long that will last.

The Algorithm...someone or something released it. I thought we had a good documentation of the entities and artifacts scattered around this planet, but the Algorithm is different. My eyes flick to the map on the right side of my office. I do my own research when I’m not running the bureaucracy of this organization. A leader is of no use if he doesn’t understand the bigger picture as well as the nuances of the situation at hand. The situation is dire. Earth had already been afflicted with Rot and Corruption, but the Algorithm is different. It’s a third force and a much more significant one. My eyes go to the myriad of red pins on that global map. White string tied between those pins tells of an attempt to find origin points and an area of affect. Those areas have expanded but they don’t tell the whole story. The blue pins with yellow string represent areas that seem resistant to the Algorithm. Agents have been deployed to either and it seems the Algorithm has no discernible effect on Unknown agents and field officers. I’m not one to count my blessings because anything that can bless me can also curse me. A blessing isn’t a favor, it’s an obligation. So why aren’t we being affected? Is something protecting us? Did we do something to unleash the Algorithm? Does the Algorithm pertain to the Blackout and the arrival of the Energy?

Too many questions with no answers. One thing is for certain though. Our initial code black for the situation was not uncalled for. Unknown usually assists governments in dealing with so-called paranormal events and entities. For the ninety-nine percent of what we’re called in to deal with, it’s nothing and it will always be that way. Certain individuals are far too foolishly optimistic about their chances with an anomalous encounter. But this...the odds of an encounter have risen from 0.001% to 78%, and that rate is quickly rising as the Algorithm spreads.

I look down at the field report on my desk. Observation from our Men In Black units have seen the effects that the algorithm has on the world, and most notably, on people. Populations have rapidly declined due to casualties. We estimate thus far, a full ten percent of all humanity has been lost to the Algorithm, which has mostly been observed spreading in western civilization. The United States, southern Canada, and several epicenters and Europe are currently spreading. Hong Kong and Beijing are the sites of several epicenters as well. Ten percent of the population already lost, and governments at large haven’t even raised any sort of public alarm. We seem to be the only ones perceiving the crisis. We’ve attempted to reach out to the president on this. We had a rather disturbing response. Official Census Bureau records showed no significant decline in population, and a negligible rise in reports of anomalous activity. Our field officers quickly dropped inquiries and instead started surveillance of global intelligence communities and census data, cross-checking our own records. From the time we started observing these discrepancies, they have only become larger. We can assume one of two things here: Our data is somehow unaffected, or it is corrupted. Digital monitoring has been an absolute boon to monitoring these efforts, but the grand irony here is that we’ve begun to draw suspicion from Washington and Brussels. We have to tread carefully to maintain trust with the hundreds of governments, cities and municipalities around the world. It’s gotten easier, though only because the Algorithm is collapsing public infrastructure from the inside out. Field agents visit one day and it’s functioning relatively normally. They return the next to find a building that has apparently been abandoned for decades and collapsing in on itself with few or no employees or officials. We can tell what the Algorithm does. That much is obvious.

I sigh and rise from my desk. Twenty years I’ve been head of this organization and it’s always been a difficult job. But we’re research and intel, not armed response. We don’t have a playbook for a crisis like this. There’s no way to prepare for something like the Algorithm. As an NGO we simply don’t have the capability to respond to this and unfortunately it’s fallen on us to save lives. Lives that, according to our data and correspondences, no longer exist. We can’t be certain that this isn’t just data being altered. It very well might be. But keeping track of individuals deemed at risk has yielded the same sort of data. One day they’re a living, breathing person. The next, not even a birth certificate remains. We’ve dealt with disappearances of an anomalous nature before but this implies deep, comprehensive infiltration of every government and authority on the planet. Or more worryingly, entropy control. If what we’re dealing with can rewind and alter time, I’m not sure how to begin to address that. At the very best we can avoid documentation of our actions that those in the future can read, but that would imply they’re not already watching us. If indeed we can attribute this to a “they” and not an “it”, or if there is even sapience behind the Algorithm. I’m not sure which is scarier. If this is a force of nature, we would have to follow an extermination protocol. If it’s a weapon, we have to know who or what is using it and resort to anomalous warfare.

Anomalous warfare is not something humans are equipped for. We rely on tools to see the world around us. We don’t even see the full spectrum of electromagnetic radiation. We rely on specific patterns to make sense of the world around us, and our methods of measurement and perception fundamentally alter what we perceive. In other words, we are incapable of perceiving objective reality as is, much less levels above or below that. We’d be relying on tools and weapons we don’t understand to fight enemies we don’t understand. The odds of a successful resolution to that type of conflict are above me. We would need international backing for that sort of effort.

The black door on me left opens, with a blonde secretary with short blonde hair walking in with a clipboard. She shoves it in my direction without telling me what it is. Even before I’ve started reading the paragraphs on top of a poorly printed global map, she starts talking. “Sorry for the intrusion, Mr. Damasceno. Our analysts are tracking a new pattern. I thought you needed to see this.” she says. My eyes go to her, then the clipboard with out a word. “What am I looking at? Forgive me, I haven’t slept for thirty hours.” I tell her. “Apologies. We’ve been tracking travel movements and credit card transactions and we’ve noticed that a small but significant number of people are converging in our rough direction.” she says. I narrow my eyes. “We’re located within a vacation destination. You’ll have to be more specific.” I grumble. “Sorry sir. What I mean to say is that a group of people that our AI model has been tracking have uprooted themselves from their normal routines and are making their way through Algorithm influenced space towards us. In fact, we’ve noticed that more and more people affected by those territories are falling in line with that pattern.” she explains as I read the document. I narrow my eyes and give her a side-eye. “How many?” “At the moment? Ten thousand. But with the Algorithm spreading, that number is likely to increase.” she states. “We have a number of anomalous artifacts that allow us to escape the prying eyes of the public and a limited amount of governmental accountability. Are you saying they’ve become inactive?” I ask. “It’s too early to say, given the amount of unknowns we’re dealing with here. But it’s safe to say we might have extra visitors.” “Have our MIBs pivot to monitoring them. Field officers in the Americas and Europe should get us a few test samples.” I grumble, turning towards my desk with the clipboard. I need more coffee for this. “Test samples, sir?” “Do I have to be that blunt? I want you to abduct a few people so we can run tests on them.” I state firmly and forcefully. My secretary raises an eyebrow at me and pauses with her mouth slightly open. It takes her a few moments to compute what I’ve just told her to do. “Er, yes sir. It will be done.” “Good. Because these people might have been altered. As you said, there are too many unknowns here and facing a potential army of anomalous individuals is not something I am enthusiastic about. If they’re of no threat, fine. But we need to know if they are a threat, because make no mistake, Carroll: we’re humanity’s only hope.” I say with a hoarse, exhausted voice.

[angelictyphoon]

Vash’s brows shoot up to his hairline.

“You remembered all that?”

He should know better than to be surprised at this point, but then life wouldn’t be nearly so interesting if Vash claimed to know and expect anything and everything. 

“Hmm.” Vash hums, stroking his chin and narrowing his eyes with intensity. “You might be onto something,” he agrees, keeping an equally straight face as he props his elbows over the hood of the car. Heat transfer works in short order to inform him that he’s made a grave mistake, and Vash peels off with a yelp and flapping elbows. “Ach, hot hot hot!”

By the time he recovers from his scalding, Vash has straightened to join Meryl in scanning their surroundings. The survivors of Knives’s crusade have gathered here. In the outskirts of Octovern, calling any of the structures that have been hastily erected to provide shelter buildings would be generous. Four walls and a roof pulled together from messily hammered sheets of steel and ugly rivets. Other lodgings were little more than metal pipes anchoring tarp squares or tented panels of aluminum.

Octovern looms over it all, slashed between gaps of space age tech with the endless blue stretch of No Man’s Land. 

Vash tucks their luggage under-arm and over-shoulder as needed to balance out the load as Meryl hands bags off to him and they make their way into town.

Roots are starting to take, even out here. Construction efforts remain in-flight. Thick, stucco-clad walls and empty doorways stand surrounded by tools and piles of raw material. Despite all they have lost, people pick up and start again. It would be foolish to describe those that live here as happy, but there is something to be said for resilience and optimism. Vash finds his heart tugged in equal distances guilty and hopeful.

No one seems curious enough to give them more than a second glance in passing. There remains much to be done, and new faces are an everyday occurrence.

“Ah, well.” He can’t say he doesn’t deserve a good lecture or two abusing his ears. The Humanoid Typhoon was just one of many things they’ve had to worry about since the Ark fell apart in the sky, showering the desert with Plants in a second Fall. 

“Good thing she’ll have a captive audience.” The least he can do is stick around for that long. Lingering remains risky business for a wanted man and doubly so for anyone caught in the wake of the hunt. 

Vash breathes out a sigh of relief and swipes at the line of sweat along his brow with the back of his free hand as they pass under a tarp awning stretched out over their heads to provide shade amidst all the construction efforts. Looks like Milly and her family are still hard at work building out the place.

One lacking detail throughout their walk has bothered him.

“I noticed there weren’t any power lines running to the shelters. Aren’t there more than enough Plants to support everyone right now?”

“Can always give them your alias, Mr. Valentinez Alkalinella Xifax Sicidabohertz Gombigobilla Blue Stradivari Talentrent Pierre Andri Charton-Haymoss Ivanovici Baldeus George Doitzel Kaiser the Third.”

How she manages to remember all that, and with a straight face, is beyond her, but it is there, the implication of him leaving without as much saying goodbye, like a stranger picking up and simply disappearing into the darkness or setting sun. She wants to make a quip about him making it up to her, for all the searching and trekking she did in the hopes that one clue would lead to another, that any whisper on the wind would finally give her that break she was needing to know he was found and safe.

She doesn’t, though. Meryl doesn’t think it’s the time or place—and not because whatever this is between them seems fragile, though at times she believes it is—but that there are more pressing matters to address.

For one, they have arrived at their destination.

Meryl smiles at him once she’s gotten out of the truck and makes her way to stand near him. 

“The last refuge on Gunsmoke,” she says and looks around; the barricade they had to pass was because Octovern had become the last place humanity could go to as the other major cities fell when the ark swept across No Man’s Land—Octovern, being the last safe place, had to expand to accommodate the increase of refugees so smaller towns were hastily built. This one, on the outskirts but yet close enough to a checkpoint, was where she and Milly had set up their base of operations.

“Milly’s family helped with a lot of the building, putting things together so that anyone who found themselves struggling could settle out here.”

There is a sense of apprehension that flows through her when she thinks about the possibility of Vash being recognized, but it ebbs and flows with each passing moment as she remembers what Milly had told her.

“Milly’s family know you’re on your way here—and they’re good people,” she’s quick to add, sidling next to him and taking hold of his hand. “We explained the situation to them, in as much detail as we could, and they believed us. We’ll be staying with them. They’ve got a pretty big plot of land, actually.”

She’s excited to show him what changes have happened in his absence, even if it has been just a little while. “You might wanna prepare yourself for getting an earful, though.”

No doubt Milly will be ready for them when they walk in through the front doors, perhaps knee-deep in another project with her siblings and cousins. She’d done a lot of repair work throughout Octovern when needing to keep occupied, so it seemed only natural that she’d keep at it in this new place.

“I promise it’s safe.”

She squeezes his hand for good measure and releases him to fetch the bags she can carry and hands him the others. It’s a small town, so leaving the truck at the charging station, secured and locked, is fine for now. Having spent hours driving, it’d be nice to get the feeling back in her legs with a bit of a walk.

“She’s also had time to make her own version of a mille-feuille. It’s actually pretty good, even with the limited resources we have, but we’re working on that. Hopefully we’ll be able to set up some kind of route to the bigger portion of the city in a week or two.”

There is so much she wants to tell him, but doing so under this heat is less than favourable.

[stxr-bxster]

@moonglittering

“Ptchooey-!”

Krigg grumbled, reaching to scratch the space on her face where one would expect a nose to be in a futile attempt to try and rid herself of the unpleasant prickling sensation that seemed to creep up from the depths of her lungs. Her airways really didn’t appreciate ventilating cold air quickly, and they were letting her know. The small alien let out a dejected sniff, straightening up the collar of her coat. She pressed her palms against her neck through the padded fabric, rubbing small circles to try and warm herself. That model of her coat with the added fuzzy, warm liner was coming in too much handy to her liking as of late.

So much for breaking into a sprint to keep warm...

Then again, Krigg noted to herself as she shimmied a little bit on the telephone pole, maybe she shouldn’t have taken the slightly more energy-intensive option of climbing up the nearest construction site trash chute. And the nearest rooftop. And then kept doing that until her lungs begged her to stop subjecting them to such mistreatment. Her face fell a little at the realization she probably could have taken it easier, but she was quick to focus her attention on the nearest building.

She bowed her knees lightly, and sucked in a slow breath, before kicking off the telephone pole in a speedy leap. Gloved claws latched onto the hinges of an AC unit, their owner quickly clambering up the heavy box, heedless of its slight groan of protest. Another flea leap, this one to the building’s edge where she clung to a drain pipe, which likewise squealed in protest. She gave a brief pause, lowering a foot to carefully nudge at one of the places the pipe was attached to the wall to test for sturdyness. Finding it satisfying enough, she resumed climbing to the top of the building.

One hand against the roof’s edge, and she was vaulting off the hard surface without skipping a beat, hands catching a horizontal bar of a metal frame attached to the building proper. It took a couple of kicks of her legs to get going, but after that, she was easily flinging herself to another, higher support. A few short seconds of skipping, scurrying and clambering later, and Krigg found herself staring off at the grey skyline of the city, legs kicking idly over the edge of the billboard propped up over the building.

There was something... thoughtful, about the view. The city felt strangely surreal under the crisp winter sky, as though somehow the sunlight had been gifted the power to make all beneath it feel pale and vaporous. Or maybe it was just the smog that was easier to notice, without any clouds to get in the way. Even with the cold, it was a bright, sunny day.

Krigg’s idly squeezed the edge of the billboard before stalling, pressing her fingers more carefully against the surface. The metal felt surprisingly, warm through her gloves despite the chilly temperatures. The small creature looked down to the flat surface for a few, pondering seconds, and scooted her legs back over the edge. One leg folded, knee supporting the other, and she was laying down on her back, one arm as a cushion for her head. She reached to her cap with her spare hand, pulling it off her head briefly enough to let the antennae she’d tucked underneath escape into the chilly air - much more comfortable than curling them up inside.

Then it was just a question of letting her cap fall over her eyes, and to enjoy the warmth seeping through her coat and into her back.

Reflecting on the universe over a melancholic view was nice and all but... a good nap was nice too.

[agnerd-bot]

Fate Fanservant: Sū Dá Jǐ, Toppler of Empires(Berserker)

Picrew Source: https://picrew.me/image_maker/29841

Ascension Stages:

First Stage: A pure white cheongsam adorned with golden flowers, and a pair of glasses on the bridge of her nose. She holds a smoking pipe carved from human bone, and bloodstains can be seen on her face. Her nine tails are posed menacingly behind her.

Second Stage: A lab coat is thrown over her dress, the pipe replaced by a scalpel. Her tails gain a mechanical edge, with metal stingers on their tips. A pair of blades extend out from her left wrist, made of human bone.

Final Stage: A pair of skeletal, spider-like limbs jut out from her back, and sacred bindings wrap around her arms like a straightjacket. Like Xiang Yu, a sickly green energy emanates from her eyes and mouth. Her ribcage is left open, exposing the same green energy.

Traits:

Class: Berserker Alternate Class: Assassin, Caster True Name: Sū Dá Jǐ Source: Chinese History/Fēngshén Yǎnyì Region: China Alignment: Chaotic Evil Attribute: Sky Known as: Dájǐ, Lady Kayō, Bāo Sì, Tamamo-no-Mae, The Nine Tailed Fox, The Wicked Fox Spirit, The Toppler of Empires

Voice Actress: Saito Chiwa

Deck: QAABB

Parameters: Strength: B Endurance: A Agility: B Mana: EX Luck: E NP: C+

Passive Skills:

Madness Enhancement EX: While fully capable of holding a conversation with her Master, it is next to impossible to come to a mutual understanding with Dájǐ, as she simply has a fundamental inability to comprehend human morals. Her ideas of love and beauty are simply incompatible with human convention, and no matter how hard one tries to teach her right from wrong, she simply will not comprehend it.

(FGO Effect:) -Increases own Buster performance by 12%.

Independent Action A+: As she is accustomed to being run out of town due to her wickedness, Dájǐ is easily capable of roaming around alone, doing whatever she pleases as she sustains herself on her own mana or the blood of innocents. No Master can hold her down easily, rather, she is the one who directs the Master.

Wait, isn't this a terrible skill to give to a Berserker?!

(FGO Effect:) -Increases own Critical Damage by 11%

Item Construction(Torture) B+: The most infamous aspect of Sū Dá Jǐ's history, the Nine-Tailed Fox's obsession with torture is the stuff of legend. A pit of snakes where seventy two maidens were thrown in to be feasted upon. The Bronze Toaster where victims were forced to dance atop its surface before being burned alive. The Forest of Meat and the Lake of Wine, where couples were fed until they could eat no more, and after they became food for Dájǐ herself. All the while, the Nine-Tailed Fox laughed and laughed at the suffering of mankind.

(FGO Effect:) -Increases own debuff success rate by 9% -Increases own damage by 185

Active Skills:

Femme Fatale (True) A: The manifestation of a beauty that can only be described as inhuman. With but an innocent request, she toppled empires. With but a coy smile, she felled kingdoms. Rulers of all stripes were brought down to nothing by her charms, and she left them all in ruin without even an afterthought. Be they man or woman, all people will eventually fall to the vixen's charms in the end, and all of them will be left broken by the all-encompassing love she holds.

(FGO Effect:) -Chance to Charm all enemies for 1 turn. -Reduces defense for all enemies for 3 turns. -Gains critical stars.

The Everlasting Nine Tails EX: According to a story told by Katsushika Hokusai, The Nine-Tailed Fox took the name of not one, but four separate beauties capable of tearing apart nations. Sū Dá Jǐ, the downfall of the Shang Dynasty. Lady Kayō, who drove King Banzoku to kill a thousand men. Bāo Sì, the melancholy beauty who left King You alone in the face of an army, and finally Tamamo-no-Mae, the elegant fox who was finally put to death in Japan. Even that wasn't enough to stop the fox demon from killing. Her soul possessed a stone that became known as Sessho-seki, where her spirit proceeded to kill even more until Genno finally placated her.

The Nine-Tailed Fox's sheer will is nothing if not incomparable, as next to nothing can stop her from acting on her desires to kill. It doesn't matter who or what stands in her way. Blood will be spilled.

(FGO Effect:) -Apply Guts status(2 times, 3 turns). --After first Guts is triggered, reduces own damage taken for 3 attacks, 5 turns. --After second Guts is triggered, apply Invincible status for 1 turn -Apply Curse for 5 turns to all enemies. -Apply Disastrous Curse status for 5 turns to all enemies.

Artisan of Torture A: Among all the beings to walk the earth, the woman known as Sū Dá Jǐ is inarguably one of the most cruel. Many a horrific act was committed by her hands, from cutting open a pregnant woman's stomach to understand how it worked, to cutting off a farmer's feet to see how he could walk barefoot on ice. Her curiosity and her sadism went hand in hand, and it continues in her manifestation as a Servant. One shudders to imagine what inhuman thoughts lie behind those wicked eyes… What dreams of chronic and sustained cruelty…

(FGO Effect:) -Increases party's Buster performance for 3 turns. -Charges party's NP gauge. -Increases party's damage against enemies with Man Attributes for 3 turns.

Noble Phantasms

Investiture of the Gods - The Eternal Spirit of the Fox Rank: A Maximum Targets: 1 Range: 1m Classification: Anti-Unit

In legend, it is said that the consort Sū Dá Jǐ was not born a fox spirit, but rather, was possessed by the nine tailed fox sent by Nüwa. Likewise, Dájǐ's Spirit Origin is not confined to the human body she inhabits. Rather, her Spirit Origin is puppeteering the dead body of the original consort to interact with humanity. If her body is at risk of falling apart or being destroyed, Dájǐ can extract her spirit from her body, implanting it within another person's body, allowing her to take over.

This technique is all but useless against Servants, but if she takes over a human, she is able to elevate their abilities to match those of a Servant. The only way to tell if Dájǐ has taken over a body is to use powerful enough magecraft to reveal her fox ears and tail.

Jiǔchí Ròulín - Carnival of Carnage Rank: C+ Maximum Targets: 100 Range: 130m Classification: Anti-Army

The famed 'Forest of Meats and Lake of Wine' attributed to Dájǐ manifests in her Servant incarnation as a powerful Reality Marble. Those drawn within the confines of the forest slowly are chipped away in mind and spirit, giving away to the carnal desires that most restrain themselves with day to day. Gluttony, lust, sloth, all are laid bare in a humiliating display of sin.

However, the true horror of the seemingly heavenly forest is revealed once the victims have eaten and drank their fill. Once a pair of victims has become satisfactory fed, Da Ji proceeds to eat them alive, granting her a boost in magical energy. The Forest of Meats is nothing more than a hunting ground, and all trapped within are nothing but prey for the Nine-Tailed Fox.

(FGO Effect:) -Increases damage against enemies with debuffs(Activates first, Effect increases with Overcharge) -Deal heavy damage to all enemies -Chance to Charm all enemies -Greatly recover health for self(Effect increases with Overcharge) -Charges own NP gauge(Effect increases with Overcharge)

Voice Lines:

Summoned: Hello~! My name is Sū Dá Jǐ, of the Berserker Class. And you… Ahahahahaha! Well, well, well, a human is to be my master? What fun! I just know this will be quite the wonderful experience! I will serve you faithfully and earnestly, and I hope you will treat me the same. Our lives are in each other's hands, after all.

Level Up: Every modification I make to my body has a purpose. I'm glad you recognize that, Master.

First Ascension: Ever evolving, ever advancing. That's how you humans live, isn't it? I desire to be the same… When I made a contract with Nüwa, my initial goal was for immortality. Now? Now I understand the true ascension… I want to be human.

Second Ascension: These offerings… You remind me of my first lover, King Zhou of Shang. Ah, what fun we had. A pity he was put to death by his own citizens… Oh well, it was fun while it lasted! I wonder, will you treat me with the same love and kindness that he showed me? …ahahahaha! Who am I kidding, you've already more than proven that!

Third Ascension: Master~ What do you think of my new form? I made it myself, bit by bit. Ahhhhh~ I feel so beautiful! I don't know why I ever wanted to be an immortal, this alone feels heavenly~!

Final Ascension: Hey, Master… What's wrong? Why are you looking at me like that? This is what we wanted, wasn't it? To advance further? To have a Servant that can destroy all your enemies? The appearance I take is merely a reflection of your humanity's desire. That's all I am. That's all I ever will be.

Fight Start 1: Hey, hey~! I wanna see what you look like inside, so just hold still, pretty please~?

Fight Start 2: Ahahahahaha! Come on, come on, let's dance our cares away!

Skill 1: Don't be afraid to scream, I don't mind~!

Skill 2: The fun's just getting started! I want to keep the game alive!

Skill 3: Come on, come on, let's keep going!

Skill 4: I wonder what this will do to you…

Command Card Select 1: I wanna cut them open!

Command Card Select 2: Just how do you work, I wonder

Command Card Select 3: Which do you prefer - to be crushed, or to be torn apart?

Noble Phantasm Select 1: Twirl and laugh around! The fun has just begun!

Noble Phantasm Select 2: Come on, don't be shy! Everyone's welcome to enter the forest!

Attack 1: Let me see what’s inside!

Attack 2: What fun, WHAT FUN!

Attack 3: Let me cut you to pieces, pretty please?

Attack 4: I just love the feeling of someone's life running through my hands!

Attack 5: More, more! I want more! AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!

Extra Attack 1: Dance, dance as you burn to ashes! Ahahahaha!

Extra Attack 2: Ahahahahaha! You look so strange, dancing like that! Ah, you fell-

Noble Phantasm 1: Eat, drink, and be merry!

Sing and play to your heart's content!

Dance until your flesh falls apart, leave nothing behind but your bones!

Let the Carnival of Carnage consume you in totality!

AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!

Noble Phantasm 2: I love you, with all my heart, with all my body, with all my soul…

Your screaming, your wailing, your shrieking, all of it fills my heart with song!

Come, let the feast begin! Let us tear each other apart in an elegant frenzy!

Jiǔchí Ròulín!

Ahhhh~! Humanity is beautiful~!

Noble Phantasm 3: Come into the garden, we can play a game!

We'll tear off our clothes, there's no need for shame!

We'll sing and we'll play in the Forest of Meats!

And when we're all tired, I'll partake of the feast!

Thank you for the meal…

Damage from Noble Phantasm: AHAHAHAHAHA! Yes, that's the spirit!

Regular Damage: Hey, hey~ That stings!

Defeated 1: I-I-I can keep going! I wanna-

Defeated 2: Not… yet… I don't… I don't want this to end yet…

Victory 1: Awww… What a shame. I was hoping we could have some more fun… Still, it was nice while it lasted!

Victory 2: I see, I see~ So that's what you're like on the inside! Ahahahahaha! Just as I expected, humanity is beautiful!

Bond Level 1: How interesting… I must say, you're so very different from the kings I sat alongside. Your spirit is incredibly strong, almost like… Ah, don't mind me. Just reminiscing on someone I met long ago. Now… The control phase has long since passed! Let’s start the real experiment now!

Bond Level 2: I want to learn more… I want to understand this thing you call humanity… Even monsters and animals can supposedly become human if they pursue it. And likewise, humans can lose their humanity over time if they neglect it. I wonder… What is the defining factor? If I can narrow that down, then perhaps I can find how to become a human myself. Bond Level 3: Master… Hmm, what a funny thing that is. Like Zhòu Wáng, you have hundreds at your beck and call waiting to kiss your feet, and yet… You favor me so. I wonder why. What about me makes you want to bond with me? Hm? Because I exist? Well now, you're just going to make me blush!

Bond Level 4: Hm? Why do I kill if I want to become human? Well, now that's a silly question. I kill because I love. I wish to know everything, inside and out about you. I want to understand each and every facet that is the beast known as humanity. So I do what anyone does when they try to understand. I dissect. I cut people apart and I put them back together. With each death, I understand more about mankind, and with each death, I grow closer to attaining that dream of mine. What else can you call something like that than love?

Bond Level 5: Master… I love you. You are an embodiment of the human condition in its sum. Its sins and its glory. Its love and its hate. Its good and its evil. Every single aspect of the incomprehensible wrapped up into a single body for me to observe and understand. Ahhhhh, what a beautiful creature you are, Master. You are everything that I fell in love with during my time among man. Come, show your consort your everlasting beauty and show the world why humanity deserves to live long into the future.

Dialogue 1: I enjoy tinkering of all sorts. Machinery, plant and animal upkeep, and human anatomy are all some hobbies of mine. I've always enjoyed trying to figure out how certain parts worked, especially how you never seem to expect what pops up.

Dialogue 2 (If you are in Part 2): I've noticed that well-fed blonde man has been giving me odd glances from time to time. What a strange little creature he is, no? The way he shrieks whenever I so much as spare him a glance is nothing if not hilarious!

Dialogue 3 (If you are in Part 2): The Lostbelts… Worlds damned to oblivion thanks to the foolishness of mankind grinding everything to a halt. So much suffering… It's beautiful. Master, let's kill them all!

Dialogue 4 (If you have Tamamo-no-Mae): Tamamo-no-Mae… Hmm~ To think that a fox bearing my name would wander these halls with me. …ahahaha! I wonder if she'd like to sit down and have a chat! After all, I just need to know what stories she has to tell!

I wonder if she knows what it's like… trying to comprehend the incomprehensible.

Dialogue 5 (If you have Jiang Ziya): So, the great sage Jiang Ziya is here… I must say, I was afraid that you would be avoiding me, young scholar. I'm glad to see that isn't the case. Our meeting was oh so very brief, but… Oho? What's this? The mighty Tai Gong Wang, tearing up? Ahahaha! Will wonders never cease!

(…)

Perhaps things could have been different. Another time, another life. But that doesn't matter anymore, does it? You banished the demon fox, I went on to explore more of the world, our stories began and ended in the Shang Dynasty.

Hmmm… strange, something feels different now. Like a weight in my chest. I wonder if my body is breaking down again…

Dialogue 6 (If you have Tamamo Cat): Hmmm? Another fox bearing my visage? How strange. Here little doggy-kitty-fox, I won't bi-EYOWCH! Masterrrrrr! She bit me!

Dialogue 7 (If you have Koyanskaya of Light/Koyanskaya of Dark): In another life, in another time… A creature such as this took my face and my name… To think, there could be a creature that despises mankind to this degree. What a strange little animal indeed. Still, little bunny rabbit, I hope we can get along! Perhaps you can show me some of those little tools you have stowed away…

Dialogue 8 (If you have Summer Tamamo-no-Mae): Uuuu… Look at her strutting around without a care in the world, under that umbrella's shade. I wish I had a fancy little swimsuit like her… Eh? No? Why not? Master, why have you gone so pale?

Dialogue 9 (If you have any 'Chef' Servants): Tch. I still don't understand why I was immediately banned from the kitchen before I got to step inside. What's all this about my Noble Phantasm being 'a health code nightmare' and my cooking being 'flat-out horrific'. It tastes just fine to me!

I must admit though, there's nothing that tastes the same as a good home-cooked meal… Maybe I can find a way to sneak into the kitchen later.

Dialogue 10 (If you have Qin Shi Huang): The Emperor of the Lost Qin Dynasty… I heard they had some experiments done on the one who took my face. I wonder if they'd be willing to collaborate. I have some ideas I'd love to see in action, and if they're just as interested as I am in how the human body works, I'd love to be their consort for some time!

Dialogue 11 (If you have Carmilla): Hmmm… How strange. I feel some sort of connection with this vampire. And yet, despite all my travels, I never once stepped foot into Hungary. Perhaps she'd enjoy a meat bun.

Dialogue 12 (If you have Katsushika Hokusai): Hokusai, Hokusai… Ahhhhhh! That's the one who told my story, wasn't it? While I never read their accounts for myself, I must admit, I would love to see how one of the supposed greatest artists of human history works.

Dialogue 13 (If you have Xiang Yu, Katō Danzō, or Nezha): Ahhhh… So it seems that my hopes to make myself into a human does have some basis within humanity itself. I'm glad! I wonder what would happen if I tried to take them apart and see their inner workings… Ahahahaha! Maybe someday!

Dialogue 14 (If you have Dobrynya Nikitich): So… This is the person the 'other me' turned to as a parent? How cute… I feel strange around her though. Like a great weight has been lifted from my shoulders. This requires further analysis… Is what I would say if the 'other me' didn't expressly forbid me from talking to her for some odd reason.

Dialogue 15 (If you have Yù Tù): The Lunar Rabbit… Legend says she was once a mortal, before ascending to godhood and joining the Jade Court. …how strange, the look on her face.

Likes: What do I like? Ehehehe! Isn't it obvious? I love seeing humans and how they behave. I love trying to understand what humanity is, how humanity works, all of the utter mystery that is the human condition is something that I'm somewhat of a fanatic for!

Dislikes: What do I hate… Hmmmm… Well, I must admit, I don't like bowmen that much. While I do admit to knowing my way around a bow and arrow, I confess that the way that my body was eventually killed does make me wary…

About the Holy Grail: The Holy Grail… I heard it has the power to make the heart's desire manifest… I wonder, can it give me the humanity I dream of?

During an Event: Oooooooh, it appears there's a celebration of some sorts going on! Come on, Master, let's go! I have just the thing needed to make this interesting!

Birthday: Happy Birthday, Master! I heard that giving gifts is customary for this time, so here, I made you some of my famous dumplings! They're delicious, so please, take one! What's wrong? You look ill.

Profile:

Default: One of the most infamous monsters in all of China, Sū Dá Jǐ was famous for bringing down the Shang Dynasty with her wickedness and intellect. A monster among monsters, the one known as Dájǐ was the beloved consort of Zhòu Wáng and the feared monster that terrorized China. An inhuman creature incapable of feeling mercy, she ran rampant all across Asia under many names.

Bond Level 1: Height/Weight: 160cm • 49kg Source: Chinese History/Fēngshén Yǎnyì Region: China Alignment: Chaotic • Insane Gender: Female

"A fox borrows the tiger's might."

The Nine-Tailed Fox is an entity who does not exist in her own form. Rather, she steals the bodies of those around her, assimilating their minds into hers and using their skin to walk among them. Sū Dá Jǐ, Lady Kayō, Bāo Sì, Tamamo-no-Mae, at one point each of these women had the chance to live normal, ordinary lives. Of course, that all changed when the spirit of the fox happened upon them one day and stole their lives.

Bond Level 2: The Nine-Tailed Fox, despite her gruesome hobbies and mature appearance, is oddly childish in nature. She is as curious and as inquisitive as a child, always asking questions about how this or that works. If one doesn't answer her though, or if their answer doesn't satisfy her, she will always try and find the answer through the only way she knows how: dissection. Cut something open, and you'll figure out what's inside. That's just logic.

She does not care if what she cuts open is a stranger or her own Master. To her, everything is the same. Everything is something to learn from, and everything is something to be cut open. All one can do to avoid death at her hands is to placate her for as long as possible, even if it means sending another to their death in their stead.

Bond Level 3: A world of horrors she has amassed. The road of skulls, she makes her path. To a chorus of carnage, the dread fox laughs, And she drinks to the sound of your weeping.

That monster was once entombed in rock, But now thanks to you, she has been unlocked. Do you think that she'll ever be stopped? That company that you're keeping.

She fills your soul with endless dread, She feasts on your flesh as if it was bread, There's no point in struggling, you're already dead When the Fox has begun its reaping.

Bond Level 4: Across three nations, a single entity is shared as one of the most terrible monsters ever known. People speak in whispers of her cruelty and love for torture, a monster wearing human skin who relishes in the pain of others. Others speak of how she brought three different kings to disaster, driving nations to ruin as she stalked away without consequence. Others still speak of the dark magics she knew, a demon unparalleled that will destroy everything in her wake.

Looking at the spirit in person, then, is almost absurd at times. The earnest smile she gives to those around her, the genuine adoration as she observes people simply walking about and talking about their day. The endless curiosity as she asks people question after question. Seeing the contrast between Dájǐ the torturer who laughs at others’ suffering and Dájǐ the spirit who wishes to understand mankind, one almost can find themselves laughing. at the sheer impossibility of the existence before them. But the two exist, and they are at consensus thanks to one all-encompassing factor.

Love. Overwhelming, all-consuming, unconditional love.

Bond Level 5: What must it be like, being a creature who desires humanity without understanding it? What must it be like to look at a loving family, desiring what lay before their eyes while being completely incapable of comprehending what makes that sight before them so beautiful? What must it be like to be a creature who does not understand human concepts such as spite, or empathy, or even pain, and yet still seeks to make those concepts a part of her? What must it like to see humans through the eyes of a creature so completely alien?

Even killers understand the concept of laughter, even gods understand the meaning of pride, even phantoms can comprehend the idea of hatred. But not her. Never her.

So she tinkers. She tears herself apart, looking in at her own heart, only to find a deep, endless chasm. And she does not understand. So she does it again. And again. And again. All to be what she can never be, all to understand what she can never understand.

What a cruel trick of the gods, to force a mirror onto a creature with no face.

Extra (Clear Interlude “Ever Evolving”): The essence of humanity is its ability to evolve. As the times changes, so do people, whether it be their appearance, their beliefs, their education, their standing in life. Such is humanity. Likewise, such is nature. Animals and plants also evolve as time goes on, learning and adapting in order to survive the harsh environments they live in. It's simply the survival of the fittest in action.

But something must be different between the way humans evolve and the way animals evolve. There must be a difference in how humans act, how humans think, how humans are that led them to become the way they are. But what? Is it their biology? No, there's very little difference between a man and a mere pig if that would be the case. Is it their ability to use tools? No, a bird or a monkey could do the same thing.

I have to know… I have to know what humanity is! If I do… then maybe I can…

[donot-lose-your-head]

Bionicle: Relics A Short Story

My submission for @malwarewolf-mocs ’s Bionicle writing contest.

Drip. Drip. Drip. Like clockwork, each drop of water echoed throughout the vast metal cavern, each one arriving before the last had finished resounding. In one of the thousands of rusted pipes lining the walls, encircling the cavern in dizzying circular caverns, a small crevasse trickled one drop of fluid after another. Drip. Drip. Drip. The sound bounced off of the ancient buildings, the ground creaking softly under their shifting weight. The chutes, once flowing wildly with wind, now sat empty, suspended several hundred feet from the cavern’s floor, swaying slightly with a groan, threatening to collapse to the ground at any moment. Drip. Drip. Drip. Puddles of stale water sat still beneath the old machines, untouched and unmaintained for years. The construction vehicles lay abandoned in the shattered roads. Drip. Drip. Drip. The echo resounded further. Drip. Drip. Drip. Metru Nui lay abandoned to the ages. 

Tern peered in over the titanic wall of the Great Spirit Robot’s head. The open ceiling illuminated just part of the city, and allowed him to see the dizzying drop down. He looked back for a minute, weighing his options. The fall would very well kill him if he wasn’t careful. Then again, his options on the outside didn’t look much more promising. In the distance, he made out the silhouette of the towering Marendar, marching onwards through the plains of the old battlefield. Each step was a mighty thud that could be heard for miles, and that terrifying sound only grew louder and louder each moment. That cursed machine killed three Toa right before it laid siege to Tesara, forcing him on the run. Maybe he fantasized of killing that machine, striking it in the eye, its mighty collapse told of in the legends of Tern’s valor, but his logic stopped that dream before it got too far. That thing kills Toa, he would remind himself, it destroyed villages and killed Toa like it was nothing. He was an Agori, no fancy mask or elemental powers, what chance did he stand? He looked back into the opened skull of the fallen titan, and dropped a pebble into the abandoned city. After waiting for a few seconds... Well, if there was a sound, he didn’t hear it, which wasn’t very encouraging. Cursing silently, the green clad Agori reached into his satchel, and removed a long spool of wire he scavenged from a downed Baterra, and hooked it onto the edge of the opening, letting it drop down into the cranial area of the machine’s head. He held his breath, and slid down. 

Tern clung tight to the wire, his eyes clenched tight and his knees buckled as far up to his chest as physically possible. The Agori hung two feet above the floor, slowly lowering his foot to tap around lightly to feel the area. Steadying his foot on the metal base, he hesitantly lowered himself down, finally releasing the wire from his grasp. A low metallic groan echoed throughout the area, the floor creaking back and forth with each careful step Tern took. The dilapidated towers of Ko-Metru stretched further than Tern could see, replacing the sky with ancient skyscrapers, shuddering and shifting back and forth ever so slightly. The Agori gazed up at the unstable towers, and moved onward. Exploring the abandoned district, an odd feeling of being watched followed Tern. The empty stalls and marketplaces, abandoned and destroyed vehicles, he couldn’t shake the feeling of someone or something skulking behind them. The shadows rushing around him faded into the dilapidated city streets, hushed whispers and hurried footsteps blended in with the groans of old metal. Tern’s paranoia grew with each step as he hurried through the shadowy city, searching for some kind of safe place to hide. While hurrying around a corner, a Kanoka disk suddenly launched out from an alley, slamming into Tern and knocking him to the ground. The pain in his side combined with the sudden rush, all culminating in the crash to the floor lead to Tern losing his senses, his eyes closing as he blacked out. 

Tern’s vision blurred as he slowly regained consciousness. As his senses returned, he steadily became aware of an argument happening nearby. “You shot him? He’s an Agori! He’s friendly!” He made out a female voice berating someone. 

Another voice chimed in. “And I was supposed to know that? What if it was a Baterra? Or worse, what if he was Marendar?” Tern’s vision returned, identifying the first voice coming from the blue armored Matoran in the room. 

“I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but this guy isn’t exactly a humongous Toa killing-“ the two Matoran suddenly turned to face the Agori. “Oh, he’s waking up, now you can explain yourself.” The other figure in the room, a Ta-Matoran, scoffed, but was cut off before he could retort. 

Tern groaned, stretching out and getting back on his feet. “I’m sorry, I don’t mean to be a bother,” he stammered, but was just as suddenly cut off by the Ga-Matoran. 

“No, no, don’t apologize, you’ve don’t nothing wrong. My name’s Maru, my jumpy friend over here is Teka. What brings you to Metru Nui?” 

Tern glanced over at Teka, who was sulking in the corner with his head low. He chose not to question it, there were more pressing matters to figure out first. “The Marendar destroyed my village, killed some Toa,” he explained, “I was looking for a place to hide. How long have you two been here?” 

Teka let out a small laugh. “Same situation as us, then. Gukkos of a feather, huh?” 

“Don’t give him any attention,” Maru sighed, “we’ve been here a few months now, displaced by Marendar’s first attack. The thing’s yet to come anywhere near here, so it seems we’re safe, although Teka would just as soon disagree.” 

The Ta-Matoran sighed at the mention of his name. “All I’m saying is that we shouldn’t get comfortable. We have no idea what it’s like out there, something could come in at any minute.” 

This took Tern aback. “Wait, you two haven’t left?” 

The two bickering Matoran paused, perplexed by the Agori’s question. Maru spoke up. “…Well, no, we’ve been hiding here, in Ko-Metru. Was that not your plan?” 

Tern opened his mouth to speak, but was immediately cut off by a crash originating from outside the building. Maru and Teka instantly prepared for battle, drawing their Kanoka launchers and aiming through the doorway. Tern put his hands up in fists, unsure of what to expect. Looking out onto the city streets, the three monitored for any movement. Suddenly, from a few buildings down, a robotic creature emerged, crawling like a four-legged spider while scanning the area with it’s searchlight, charging a Kanoka disk within its launcher jaws. 

Teka cursed. “Vahki. Our friend here must have activated one of the old models on his way in.” 

“That doesn’t make sense,” Maru reasoned, “we never activated any when we came in. This must be something else.” 

“Let’s focus on the task at hand.” Tern interjected. “Let’s take out that thing before it sees us. I’m not keen on figuring out if it’s docile or not.” 

Teka obliged, taking aim through the doorway. “Steady…” He gave a signal with his fingers, to which Maru responed wordlessly, picking up a handful of pebbles off of the ground. Swinging her right arm twice, she tossed the pebbles through the doorway, clattering to the ground. This sound alerted the Vahki, which began scurrying towards the source of the sound. Its mechanical claws pierced the metal floor, puncturing the road with each step. The machine sniffed the road like a beast, the orange hue emanating from it’s eyestalk acting as a searchlight scanning the ground it passed. As the Vahki came within view of the doorway, it slowed down to a halt, scanning the area around its feet. The orange light panned over to the doorway, moving ever closer to the gathered Matoran and Agori. Tern nervously elbowed Teka in the side, urging him to take action as the searchlight grew closer. The Ta-Matoran responded only with a wave of his right hand, resuming his aim with the Kanoka launcher. The searchlight finally caught the group in it’s gaze, and immediately shut off, as the Vahki slowly readjusted its joints, standing up on its hind legs and rotating it’s head around to face the group directly. The machine took two thundering steps towards the group, the ground shaking with each step. It stopped in its tracks, charging up a Kanoka of its own. Teka took his aim, looking down the launcher at the Vahki’s head. He lowered the launcher ever so slightly, and pulled the trigger. The disk shot straight into the extended neck of the mechanical monster, the bronze blur slashing straight through. The machine stood in place for a moment, as though completely unbothered by the strike, before powering down its disk launcher mouth. The eyes dimmed to black, as the mechanical head slid off of the body and collapsed to the ground, as the headless body followed suit shortly afterwards. 

Tern gazed on in awe. “That…” he stammered, “That was incredible! What was that thing?” 

Maru sighed. “Vahki,” she explained, “former robotic police force, they patrolled Metru Nui back when Matoran lived here. Before, you know, the giant moon to the head.” She steadily followed Teka outside, picking up the discarded head of the downed enforcer. 

The Ta-Matoran smirked. “Now they’re just relics,” he jabbed, “leftovers of the age of Matoran. Our age.” He added a playful elbow to his blue-clad companion with that last word, causing her to drop the Vahki head. “Out with the old, in with your guys, eh friend?” 

Tern watched the head clatter to the floor, perplexed. Maru sighed disappointedly, glaring daggers at Teka. “Stop it,” she scolded, “you say that like it’s his fault.” 

“Like what’s my fault?” Tern inquired. The two Matoran turned to each other, silently debating who would respond. 

Teka shrugged, taking the responsibility. “The age of Agori, Glatorian, Skrall, you know. The inheritors. Marendar has no qualms with you, it only takes issue with the Toa. It’ll take them out, and then you guys will reap the benefits of the new world after Mata Nui cleaned up your mess. It’s your destiny! Be proud, my friend.” 

Tern looked notably disturbed. “Wait,” he began, “so that’s why you two have been hiding out here? Because, what, because you think your time is up? You’re just here to die?” 

Maru groaned, tagging out for Teka. “It’s more complicated than that,” she pleaded, “we’ve been at this for a while. I’ve suffered disfigurement by Karzahni, lived under Teridax’s reign, and fought against the army at the Battle for Bara Magna. I thought, after the Makuta’s death, things would get easier. But now we’ve got the Marendar to worry about, purging the Toa and anyone who tries to stop it.” 

She was about to continue, but Teka cut her off. “We’re tired, friend.” He paused for a minute, the silence hanging for a moment. His energy picked up, pointing his index finger at the Agori’s face as he resumed. “We’ve been fighting for centuries, and things have yet to get better. Let the Glatorian take over. We’re just relics, friend. Relics. We’re done. I’m done.” With this, he stomped off into the dark streets, leaving Maru and Tern there alone. 

Tern furrowed his brow. The Ga-Matoran noted his frustration, and tried to ease his mind. “It’s not your fault, it’s just how things are. The destiny of this world. It’s yours to inherit, not ours.” 

“We’ve been fighting too,” Tern muttered, “this whole time. Before you were even created, the Glatorian warred over the planet’s resources, shattering it. You’ve been fighting a long time, and I’m sorry. But my people have fought just as long, and we joined your war at the very end of it. Do you see me giving up?” 

She took a minute to respond. “You’re here, aren’t you?” 

Tern scowled, then turned around, examining the area. “I need to get out.” He looked back to her. “Are you coming with me?” 

She gave a look of sympathy to him, and shook her head. “Goodbye, Tern.” With that, she left, catching up to her companion, leaving Tern alone in the empty streets of Ko-Metru. He gave one last look at her before taking off on his own. 

Teka sauntered through the catacombs, running a hand across the old transport pods in storage containers. “Teka! Wait up!” Maru’s voice echoed through the cold hallways, her footsteps on the hexagonal tiles resounding through the tunnel. 

The Ta-Matoran glanced to her. “The Agori okay?” He inquired. 

“He’ll be okay,” she sighed, “poor guy. He’ll understand, it was a lot to leave him with.” 

Teka nodded. “Not really any easy way to break it,” he mumbled, “hope he gets out alright.” Suddenly, the catacombs began shaking, the ceiling beginning to crumble above them. The Ga-Matoran quickly grabbed Teka by the arm as the two made a run for the exit. 

Returning to the wire hanging where it was left, Tern looked up through the large opening in the ceiling of the dome. The sun now sat in the middle of the sky, shining warm light through the opening, illuminating the ground below it. As he reached for the wire, the ground suddenly began to shake, the buildings and vehicles shuddering as a loud crash emanated from the outside, followed by another, and another, as the crashes continued to follow one after another at an increasing pace. The eastern wall of the dome shook, clouds of dust springing up, pipes bursting and nearby buildings collapsing as an indentation in the wall grew larger and larger. Tern stared on in terror as a large metallic fist punctured through the steel wall. The hand uncurled, and fingers of red-hot fire pulled apart the wall, melting the area it touched. The fingers clawed back, revealing a giant, mechanical red eye. 

The Marendar breached the wall of Metru Nui. 

Teka and Maru ran through the abandoned streets, making their way over the toppled vehicles. The two scampered atop a mound of rubble to get a better view, and watched in horror as the titanic foot of the Marendar crashed through the wall, crushing the landscape underneath it. Teka turned to his companion, his eyes wide with fear. “Go find the Agori,” he stumbled between hurried breaths, “I’ll try to distract that thing.” The Ta-Matoran scurried off, making his way to higher ground. 

Tern prepared to climb up the wire, but the piece of the ceiling it was attached to soon crumbled to the ground, leaving him trapped. He looked back to the Marendar, steadily crashing through and destroying the side of the Great Spirit Robot’s head. The Agori froze in his steps. “That thing killed three Toa,” he thought, “that thing destroyed Tesara. It’s here now. It’s here.” He quaked in place, frozen with fear. 

Suddenly, he felt a tug on his arm. He looked to see Maru there again, pulling on his hand. “Hey, come on! We have to go!” Tern’s eyes were wide open, his mouth agape, but nodded, and hurried off with Maru. 

Teka scurried to the balcony of one of Ko-Metru’s skyscrapers, getting a better angle looking down upon the emerging titan. Adjusting the scope on his mask, the Ta-Matoran focused in on the machine’s path as it destroyed buildings with its feet. Calculating the distance, Teka drew his launcher, loaded a silver Kanoka, and fired. The disk flew through the air, hitting the mechanical beast square on the eye with an anticlimactic nick, bouncing off and clattering to the ground. The titan panned its head over, locking the Ta-Matoran in its line of sight. Teka sat down and watched as the machine clenched its right fist, preparing to attack as its fingers glowed red. He sighed, looking over to Maru and Tern in the distance, running to safety. “Get out of here,” he thought, “don’t wait for me. I’m just a relic, leave me behind.” He closed his eyes, preparing himself for his fate, but to his surprise, nothing happened. 

The Marendar suddenly diverted its attention, turning to the right and charging an attack. Teka peered over curiously, and watched in awe as a figure riding atop an aerial vehicle flew into the dome of the ancient city and zoomed towards him. 

Maru and Tern sprinted through the crumbling city, dodging falling debris and ducking behind objects in an attempt to avoid the Marendar’s gaze. After pausing for a minute, hiding behind an abandoned crawler in the lower levels of Onu-Metru, Tern looked over to Maru. “Listen, we can’t just get out,” he stammered, “there must be some way to stop that thing, o-or at least slow it down. Any ideas?” 

The Ga-Matoran pondered for a minute. Watching the Marendar’s each step, her eyes suddenly lit up, then darted over to the east, her attention drawn to the towering Coliseum. “I have an idea,” she said hesitantly, “but I’m not sure if it’ll work.” 

Tern shrugged. “That’s better than nothing.” 

The titan watched as the figure onboard the aerial vehicle swooped by and grabbed the TaMatoran, swinging him onto the seat behind him and flying past. Locking in with its red eye, the machine thrust its fist forward, and a hail of boulders charged from the ground and flung at the vehicle, only for the attack to be narrowly avoided. Enraged, the Marendar’s fist lit with flames, and began chucking fireballs in the direction of the flying nuisance. Like the boulders before, the fireballs missed their target, crashing into the city ruins and setting them ablaze. 

The city burned and crumbled behind Tern and Maru, urging them to move faster. The two made their way to one of the six bridges connecting the individual districts to the central Coliseum, starting at the edge of Onu-Metru and ending at a large gate in the shape of Toa Lhikan’s Kanohi Hau. The two dashed across the bridge, just a few steps away from the gate when the bridge collapsed beneath their feet. Maru saw her life flash before her eyes as she plummeted towards the protodermis sea below her. Slaving away on Karzahni, the exodus to Metru Nui, fighting the Exo-Toa, it all came rushing back in the moments before her perceived death. Tern closed his eyes tight, and in the chaos, he found peace, ready to embrace his fate. The two of them were both taken off guard when they were suddenly swept up into the air.

Tern peeked open one eye, and suddenly shot his eyes wide open when his fall was suddenly reversed, and he began rising up above his watery grave. For a moment, he pondered the possibility that he was dead, before looking over to see Maru next to him, looking just as confused as he was. “Getting used to it?” Teka’s voice startled the two, glancing to see that he was in the seat in front of. He chuckled. “Don’t worry, I was just as scared. Ask him.” He gestured to the driver of the sleek red aerial vehicle they found themselves on. In the pilot’s seat was a Toa, clad in white and gold armor. Maru leaned forward, and sure enough, he wore the unmistakable Kanohi Avohkii, the Mask of Light. She gasped in awe. 

“Toa Takanuva?” 

Takanuva smiled as he looked over to them. “You guys will want to hang on,” he yelled over the roar of the engine, “I’m going to get us out of here.” 

Maru caught her breath, then tapped the Toa of Light on the shoulder. “Toa Takanuva,” she shouted awkwardly, “I have a plan to stop the Marendar, I think. I need to get down into the Coliseum’s control room.” 

The Toa of Light hesitated, then changed course, shifting his passengers over as with the sudden turn. “Alright,” he yelled, “I trust you. I’ll get you down there, then I’ll draw that thing’s fire. Let’s hope you know what you’re doing!” 

Teka chuckled. “She doesn’t!” He jabbed. 

The vehicle lowered down to the Coliseum’s control room, and Maru hopped out. She examined the control panel, then returned to Takanuva. “Okay, you need to draw it here. I’ll trap it.” The Toa of light nodded, taking off with the other two. The Ga-Matoran pressed a button on the panel, lighting up the Coliseum. She breathed a sigh of relief, then got to work with her preparations. 

The three of them flew over the machine, enraging it further. Teka tossed the Kanoka launcher with a disk preloaded to Tern, giving him a confident smirk. Tern nodded, and took aim, firing a disk in the direction of the Marendar. The disk missed its mark, but the effect was the same, drawing the attention of the titan. Takanuva drew his spear, and shot a blast of energy at the Marendar, knocking it off balance. The towering mechanical monster roared with anger, charging at the vehicle. Takanuva rode further, and dived down into the Coliseum. The Marendar followed, charging in, crashing through the wall and stomping to a halt in the center of the arena. 

Maru adjusted a switch on the panel and dragged it down. Suddenly, the floor of the arena collapsed, dragging the titan down into the underground of Metru Nui. The movement caused the ground around the arena to shift, shuddering under the stress. Takanuva swooped in, picking up Maru, then flying off through the hole in the ceiling of the dome. Maru and Teka looked back, watching as the remains of Metru Nui crumble to ashes on top of the Marendar. Their old home, reduced to a grave for a monstrous titan. 

The relics of the past buried together. 

Takanuva landed the vehicle once the Great Spirit Robot was beyond eyesight. He hopped off, then helped the others off. “That won’t hold the Marendar, but it’ll be slowed down for a bit.” He remarked. “That was pretty clever. We could use the help of you three in the war.” 

The two Matoran paused awkwardly, looking to each other. Tern began to explain, but was instantly cut off by Teka. “We’re tired, Toa. I’m sorry. But we’re tired of fighting.” The silence was deafening. 

Takanuva solemnly nodded. “I’m tired too,” he said, “but I care about my people. They’re tired too. I’m not going to give up on them.” The two Matoran looked at their feet awkwardly. “I’m not going to force you to come,” the Toa continued, “I just ask you to think about it.” Takanuva walked away, going to check on the vehicle’s engine. 

Tern looked to the Matoran. Maru met his eyes. “I’m sorry I snapped earlier,” the Agori sighed, “you don’t have to come.” 

Maru looked sympathetically, but Teka cut her off before she could speak. “No,” he interjected, “you’re right. My time will be up one day. But not today.” 

The Ga-Matoran smiled. “Let’s fight, then,” she said with confidence, “it’s time to be more than relics

[writingsbychlo]

smoke and fire (15)

word count; 13,807

summary; a tough kill and an injured firefighter bring you and thomas closer than ever, but something else might get in the way..

notes; y’all are gonna love me and hate me.

warnings; injury description, blood mention, infection mention, reference to explosions.

Stripping off a single glove, you wiped a hand over your forehead, sweat built up there cleared away by your palm. Your legs were aching, your lungs were burning from smoke inhalation, and every bone in your body felt like it was turning to jelly. There were sore patches along your skin where you’d come a little too close to raw flames or brushed against hot exposed metal framework, and you were sure that you were covered in bumps and scrapes from falling over broken debris in your rush. 

Your eyes were stinging from how you’d been rubbing at them during your time in the collapsed building and your throat felt torn raw from the gritty and smokey air you had spent the last several hours inhaling. Bracing your hands on your knees, you heard the scuffling of Newt’s boots behind your own, stumbling out in the heavy gear of fire equipment you’d been hooked up with before ever going in, the lull between city planners and demolishers getting the correct blueprints giving you enough time to suit up before you’d been sent into the rubble. 

He coughed, following much the same position as you as he hunched over, head between his legs as he crouched, heaving breaths, and you forced yourself to stand up, rubbing gently at his back. The heatproof jacket he wore was warm to the touch as you did, still letting heat escape onto your sweaty palm, and when he stood tall again, you stripped off your other glove, both held in your hand, and you cupped a hand over your eyes to block the sun, and actually taking in the state of the building. 

The flames that had been curling out into the fresh air were extinguished, you’d known that much from the water that had been dripping through in streams to where you’d been working for hours, the internal flames unable to be dealt with until you, Newt, and the other paramedics had all cleared the trapped victims. 

You’d never seen anything like it. A demolition of old industrial buildings that had been due to be cleared since before you’d ever even moved to the state, finally put in action, buildings that were created in the early twentieth century, and the crew had been provided with outdated blueprints of the layouts of the buildings. 

The space where one of the buildings had once been was entirely gone, the smell of gas from the pipes that had failed to be shut down was finally beginning to clear from the air, the explosions it had caused being able to dull down at last, as all traces were evaporated or was burned from the air by high-rising fires. 

The building had crumbled, old foundations crumbling the way they should and worse when the gas in the mains that had been incorrectly shut down had all but turned to powder, trapped crew inside on floors that never should have been touched were caught in the crossfire, sections of the building that hadn't even been due to be demolished had gone up in flames, and there was several other houses dotted around, using up the supply of water in their trucks as all fire hydrants were miles back on the roads, and never came this close. 

The sun was now sitting low in the sky where it had been high up in the middle and directly overhead the last time you’d seen it before crawling into the building to provide first aid. With a register done and a fireman called ‘Mikey’ in your ear for hours over the radio checking off every construction worker that came out until the building was clear, like an Easter Egg hunt for injured builders, but instead of chocolate in the garden, you got blood and partially severed limbs in the burning wreckage. 

You’d seen more blood and bone today than you had for the last month, maybe two, all together and the feeling of jolting bones being snapped back into place was still running in shock waves along your spine, making you shiver every so often. Clouds of smoke from extinguished flames were blocking the sun a little, your throat dry and scratchy each time you tried to swallow down on it. Newt simply chuckled, patting your shoulder before slinging that arm further across, and clearing the lump from his own with a cough. 

“Let’s go and get a drink, yeah? I’ve been fantasising about the cold water bottles in the ambo’ for three hours now.”

“A cold water sounds better than sex right now. God, the condensation on the bottle is like porn.” You mumbled, Newt laughing loudly, despite the rasp that lined his voice as he struggled to make such a sound without breaking into a coughing fit, squeezing you a little tighter in acknowledgement of your joke. 

Wandering over together, you were already peeling your jacket down your arms as soon as you had the chance to. Newt unhooked the back of the ambo, all others having cleared from the scene with the more brutally injured builders. Stretchers full and passengers benches loaded up too, the rest of the firetrucks all lingering, but there was little left that any of them could do when the rubble was so unstable, the fire just had to burn itself out now that it was clear of civilian casualties. 

As soon as both doors were open, you were shucking your fire jacket from your arms and dropping it down to the floor, barely scooping it up to lay in the back of the ambulance behind you as Newt followed suit. Reaching to your left, you scooted up a little closer to him to be able to open the fridge, and he was leaning with his eyes closed and head balanced on the leg of one of the stretchers, cheek pressed to the cold metal. 

Plucking two bottles from inside, you presented one to Newt, nudging him with your elbow, and he groaned as he forced his eyes open again, taking it from you, hands shaking a little as he untwisted the cap, he brought the edge to his lips. You held onto it for a moment longer, pressing the edge of the cool against your flushed skin, and revelling in the chill that swept over every nerve. None of the burns were serious, they’d be gone within the hour, it was simply skin that got a little too close to a source of heat that was a little too warm, but you’d been through worse.

You felt better now you didn’t have the heavy protective coat on, not like you were going to overheat anytime soon, and your head wasn’t spinning as much, the thudding pressure of a headache building behind your eyes starting to recede. Taking a sip of your drink, that rapidly became a swig, which in turn became half of the bottle, unable to stop yourself now that you were cooling down and getting relief on a sore throat, icy cold water soothing the stinging sensation you were burdened with. 

Your body felt weak, hauling rubble out of the way and off of builders had taken its toll, and you were just glad you’d been wearing gloves, because your hands would have been torn to shred and burned to a crisp without them. The metallic smell of blood was still present in your nose as a phantom memory each time you inhaled deeply, and so your lips parted, opting to breathe through your mouth instead, as your eyes fluttered shut.

Leaning back and into the coat you’d left on the floor, you lay down, legs dangling out of the truck and swinging lightly in the air with every cool current that passed by, letting you take several deep breaths in a bid to steady a still racing heart and calm the effects of the adrenaline surging through you. Newt followed suit, his arm pressed to yours as he lay down, letting out a long and slightly exaggerated groan as he did, before his body was turning to jelly and mush much like yours. 

You jumped when a hand landed on your knee, squeezing a little, before sliding slightly further up, and you huffed out a response to the intruder. 

“You got a visitor,” Newt muttered, and your lips twisted into a smile at the edges, one hand thrown up over your eyes to block out extra light. 

“Maybe he’s here for you.” 

You knew it was false, Thomas chuckling a little as well as his fingers inched down over your calf, squeezing lightly as stiff muscles twitched under his touch. He pulled your leg up, balancing it against his thigh, before his touch was pulling away, and a second later, he was tugging on your laces to get them undone. Giving in, you dropped your arm, propping yourself up on your elbows instead to be able to look at him, and he offered you a dazzling grin upon fixing eye contact. 

He was covered with a little soot, dirt on his skin that made his stubble stand out a little more, smeared with sweat and tracks made in it where his gloves had wiped across, but he looked just as good as ever. His skin was still shining slightly, his hair messy from under his helmet, and patches of sweat were forming along his t-shirt now that he’d stripped down his jacket, suspenders hanging by his waist as he’d pushed them from his shoulders. 

“You’re eye-fucking me.” Thomas beamed, pulling one boot from your foot and dropping it to the ground, letting you flex your socked-toes in the air as he switched to the other one.

“I am not eye-fucking you, don’t be so crass.” You grouched, sitting up a little further, and Newt gagged loudly, the sound cut off when you smacked him in the stomach. “I was just seeing if you looked as rough as me and Newt, and I’m proud to report, we look worse for wear. Get on our level, Tommy.”

“Oh, she’s got attitude, now? Is that the fireman’s jacket, made you feel real power?” He teased, and Newt kicked out a foot, aiming in the vague directions of Thomas’ voice, but missing as the man jumped back, taking the second boot with him.

“‘Real power’, shut the fuck up. Any fool could take a hose and put out a fire, I’d like to see you snap a builder’s broken leg back into place as half of his guts hang out in your hands.” Thomas wretched, a disgusted look flashing over his face and Newt’s gory description, and you only laughed at the pair. 

“Okay, well, I’m sorry that the idea of holding someone’s insides in my hands now they’re on the outside repulses me. Not all of us are psychos, Newt.” 

“Hey! That’s me you’re talking about, too! You frowned, sitting up a little further, and taking one of your sneakers from the two pairs that had appeared, seemingly with Thomas as he must have brought them over from the truck where they’d been left. 

“Well, I already know you’re a little bit crazy.” Thomas mused, and you scowled at him, the expression fading when he pinched your chin between his thumb and forefinger, pulling your face up a little, until he could brush the tip of his nose against your own, smiling widely. “But I like your brand of crazy. I really like it.”

“Yeah, well, I should hope so.” You mumbled back, twisting your head up a little to peck the tip of his nose, and you resisted the urge to coo at the way his nose scrunched up when he pulled back, a blush settling over already pink cheeks. 

Once you had one shoe back on and laced up, you moved to the other, letting out a little sigh. Newt was rotating his ankle, his leg tensing and un-tensing quietly, but the moment never stopped, and he was stretching out as best he could. It was no surprise it would be sire, after the unceasing stress put on both of you, all you could really do was admire that he was still on his feet at all. 

Finishing up the second shoe, you hopped down from the van, Thomas only taking a step back, and smirking a little as your movements made you almost flush up against him. He licked over his lips, staring down at your coyly, and you rolled your eyes. “Oh, cut it out. Time for that later, but for one, why don’t you help me hand out water bottles to the rest of the team so that everyone gets a drink?”

You nodded your head to Newt, hoping he got the message that you wanted to do as much as you could to keep Newt off of his feet, and he nodded. Stepping back a little to let you pull out the rest of the plastic packaging from the mini-fridge, you handed it to Thomas, before another unopened packet was following, and he held both of them in his arms. 

He was happy to simply follow you, letting you find each firefighter from your teams as you walked along. Almost all of the Truck crew were huddled together around their van, making it easier for you to hand them out to them all, their faces lighting up at the offer of cold drinks and relief from the heat you felt. The Squad team were all scattered around in various locations, some leaning against the vans, and some sitting down on the edges of the chaos, muscles too weak to hold themselves up. 

Despite the previous joking, everyone looked a little worse for wear, and you knew they’d been just as busy out here as you had been under the jagged concrete surface, trying to uncover rubble and shift unstable patches to make sure it didn’t collapse in, as well as putting out fires, and working on freeing up the trapped civilians closer to the surface. 

“Where’s Gally?” You looked around, not having seen the tallest lieutenant as you’d been handing out drinks, and Thomas was swigging from his bottle, finally leaning against the edge of one of the trucks to take a moment's respite himself. 

“Doing a final sweep with Fry, they should be out any minute.”

You nodded, leaning up to wipe a stray drop from his lip without really thinking about it, and your cheeks flushed when you realised what you’d done, but Thomas only smiled a little wider. 

“How are you feelin’?”

You shrugged, a yawn seeming to answer it all, and he only grinned, watching as you rolled your head from side to side, one hand reaching up and over your shoulder to rub at sore muscles. You were sure there was a crick forming in your neck from the way you’d spent the entire day staring down at injuries and keeping your head ducked and body crouched low to weave through tunnels left between crumbled chunks of building. “I’ve felt better.”

“You’ve looked better.” You raised a brow at him, his eyes widening for a second after he realised what he’d said, shaking his head and lifting a hand to settle over your neck, thumb brushing against your jaw. “I just mean that you’re all dirty and you look exhausted.”

“Nice save.” You whispered, his head ducking a little bit, and he only nodded, his eyes dropping down to your lips. His hand slipped a little higher up, rounding to rest on the back of your neck, daring to pull you a little closer, until he was smiling, and letting himself sink down far enough that his forehead was pressing to your own. 

“I was worried about you today. Running into a burning pile of debris that I couldn’t help you with.”

“I like it that you worry about me.” You mumbled, tipping your head up until your nose was bumping with his own, lips brushing together, and he let out a rumbling sound of agreement. 

“Yeah, well, you make it a hobby to make me do so. You’re a little bit reckless.”

“I prefer to call it adrenaline chasing. You have to take a few risks in life, keep it exciting.” He let out a soft breath, amusement you assumed, at your joke. Smoothing a hand up along his chest, your hand settled over his heart. “You gonna’ go ahead and take a risk right now, Tommy?”

He pulled back, just a fraction, raw dropping slightly, and you heard his other hand reach to put down his water bottle on the edge of the truck you were leaning on, his hand coming up to grip your hips tightly. You gasped, watching the cheeky look that flickered over his features as you did. “A risk implies that it might go bad, are you saying you wouldn't kiss me back? I’m not so sure I want to try now.”

He took another step back, lifting his hands away from you entirely, held up in a surrender motion, and you rolled your eyes at him fondly, despite the beaming smile that was forming on your cheeks. The hand on his chest tightened to a fist, a handful of his ‘House ‘21’ tee scrunched between your fingers, before you pulled him back into you and he was stumbling over his own feet, bracing a hand on the edge of the van as you turned your back to it and tugged him into you.

“Y’know that was kinda’ hot.” He teased, a hand coming up over your own to undo your fingers, pressing your hand flat against his chest again as his own rested over the top, heat flushing your cheeks, before there was a throat clearing loudly, and a feminine cheering to follow. 

Minho looked appalled, his arms crossed over his chest and an empty water bottle in one hand, Brenda’s still open as she stared at the two of you with wide eyes, taking a sip of her water after the cheering ended. 

“Kinda’? It was totally hot.”

Thomas groaned, turning to glance over his shoulder at the pair of them and you couldn't help the laugh that you let out as Brenda winked dramatically, your giggles only increasing, and the hand on your hip flexed. “Will you two fuck off?”

“We’re here for the show! We’ve all been waiting for you two morons to stop dancing around one another for months now, the sexual tension is suffocating.” Minho taunted the pair of you, and you lifted a hand from where it had been placed on Thomas’ shoulder to flip them both off, and the pair wandered away, cackling and staring back at the two of you as they did. 

Thomas sighed, eyes flicking over your face, and he reached up to tuck a strand of stray hair back out of your face, his thumb smoothing along your cheek and down your jaw to your chin as he did. The radio on his shoulder crackled, your eyes flicking to it for a second, and Thomas paused, knowing that while none of you was still needed for assistance, he should still listen in. 

“Okay, looks like we’re all clear in here, there’s nothing else really at risk. It’s all a bit crumbly, but it’ll burn itself out, there’s no more gas or fuel.” 

It was Gally, his voice a little distorted over the radio waves, and you could hear Fry in the background with him, making jokes about the dust and the grit in the air that he was inhaling. You chuckled at the pair of them, standing up a little straighter from where you had slumped down, and Thomas’ hand loosened on your waist, leaning back slightly and letting you o so as the environment between the two of you changed. 

“We’re on our way out now, I assume it’s all clear out there, and-” He was cut off, the screeching of metal loud, and you winced as the sound came over the airways, before everything went silent again, Gally having let go of the trigger that allowed him to talk. There was a shift in the rubble pile that was still smoking feet away from you all, and Thomas backed off to look at it, tensing up once again as you followed, the chatter around you all going quiet as you turned to look at it, and you assumed everyone had been listening to the radio chatter that had fallen silent. 

You waited, your heart thudding in your chest to measure the beats that were passing, before the radio was coming on again, the frantic voice of Fry this time through his own receiver as you heard Gally groaning painfully in the background. “It moved! Some rubble moved, Gally isn’t so good, we need a paramedic in here because he can’t get up?”

Your hand found Thomas’ radio before he could, his hand closing over the top of your own as you leaned in, squeezing gently as you pushed down on the button. “Fry, what happened?”

“A pole fell right through his shoulder, it’s stuck in the ground and he’s pinned down. Do I just pull it out? I could pull it out, I mean, it’s unstable in here, we need to get out, an-”

“Okay, Fry, whatever you do, do not pull it out, I’m on my way, okay?” He gave a shaky assertion, nervous as he waited and you told him to hang on, and that you were on your way. Newt was staring at you, wide-eyed from the ambulance as he stared at you, holding up your bag as well as his as he silently questioned which one you would go, and you nodded to him, pointing at yourself. All eyes were flicking between you and Newt, and you rocked back down to sit properly on your feet from where you’d rolled to your tiptoes. 

“You’ll be careful in there, right? Don’t make me worry too much?”

“You’re not gonna’ be worrying about me from out here, because I need you with me, Tommy. Grab the cutters?” He nodded his head, switching back to being a lieutenant as he let you go, and you felt like you were stumbling over your own feet as you made your way back to the truck. 

Pulling on the jacket you’d abandoned for protection, you grabbed your bag, slinging it over one shoulder and setting off towards the pile you’d already vacated once, Thomas still searching through the lockers on the Squad truck to find the cutters. 

He was only a few steps behind you, long strides from his taller stature helping him to catch up with you quickly, and he flicked on the head-torch on his helmet, holding the portable cutters in hand and placing an arm out in front of you as you made to step forwards. 

“Let me go first, alright?”

He didn’t wait for you to reply, but he did take your hand in his free one, gloves palm sliding against your own as he held onto you, before stepping back into one of the gaps. The ground was unstable, and you were hunched over to move, the difference between light and darkness in the tunnels startling as the sunlight was blocked out by clouds of debris, ash and dust making everything hazy and blurred, and you raised a hand to cover your mouth in an attempt not to inhale anymore. You coughed lightly, his hand squeezing around yours gently as he heard the sound, and you squeezed back. 

It was harder to navigate inside when you weren’t wearing boots, every jagged piece of the concrete or lumpy floor made you feel as though you were walking with bare feet, and you could already feel the hat absorbing through the soles of your shoes, never realised just how much difference those fire boots made until now. 

Your toes caught on a slight lump of concrete, tripping forwards and your hand was ripped from Thomas’ as you felt, falling at an angle as you went down, and feeling the skin on your palms scrape against warm stonework as you hit the floor roughly. Your knees took a hit too, but your body was protected by the jacket, a feat you were grateful for, and your head was stinging along your hairline, as you fell at the odd angle, before hands were catching you under your armpits. 

Letting out a huff, you allowed Thomas to haul you to your feet, shaking yourself down, and in the rush of it all, you felt all the more panicked as everything sounded muffled for just a second, the shock of the fall clearing only when you shook your head to force it to sharpen, and his eyes were wide as he stared at you. 

“You okay?”

“I am, I’m fine. I swear. Radio Gally and ask him where he is, because the corridors split into three not far ahead.” You pointed forwards, remembering this pathway, the maze of jagged tunnels and pathways carved out seemingly burned into your memory from navigating them all, and Thomas nodded. As he spoke into the radio, you brushed your hands on your pants, checking your palms and noting the scraped on the heels of your hands, dotted with blood but nothing serious, and nothing that would cause any kind of long-lasting injury or impede on your work, and so you left it alone, the throbbing on your forehead from a developing headache more of a bother than the grazes. 

“Second tunnel, third left, and Fry will come meet us for the rest of the way.”

“Let's go.” Thomas took your hand again, smoothing a clothed-thumb over the back of your palm, before tugging you along behind him once again. “Don’t trip again, okay? We don’t need two of you getting injured.”

“Yeah, yeah.” You teased, covering your mouth again as you got a mouthful of dust, and you felt bad that Thomas had no free hand to cover his own mouth with, watching as he took shallow breaths as not to inhale too much each time, but you supposed he was used to it. 

You followed the directions given to you by your colleague, making your way forward as fast and safely as you possibly could, until you found the man you were looking for, fear written all over his face, gloves stripped away and hands a little bloody, with wide eyes that were lined with unshed tears. 

You knew there was a deeper bond between Fry and Gally, a friendship that connected them both, and you’d heard the story of how they’d been each other’s first friend at this firehouse, and always stuck by one another’s side. 

“He’s right this way, he’s balancing, because the pole is sitting at a really weird angle, I don’t know how long he can hold the position without falling.”

You swallowed thickly, nodding your head and letting him guide the way, anxiety flooding your system because no matter how good of a paramedic you were, these weren’t exactly the optimal working conditions and you weren’t sure how much you could do in the limited light and space, but you needed to get him out, and he was too big to drag through cramped tunnels. 

It was an awkward position indeed, your eyes widening as you laid your sights on him. He was leaning backwards at a very uncomfortable angle, with his good hand reached out behind himself to keep himself propped up, legs bent and back arched, face screwed up in pain with shallow breathing. 

“Oh, Gall..” You mumbled, his eyes cracking open, and he offered a strained smile. 

“You here to fix me up, because that would be real nice?”

“Gonna’ do my best. Always running around after you boys, cleaning up your messes.” You tutted, stepping a little closer and running your fingers along the bar to take a look at it. It had torn right through his clothes, blood strained on the other side as it had gone right through his shoulders, and he panted slightly, watching you move. “Okay, well, first of all, let’s get you out of this interesting pose you’ve got going on, so we don’t mess your back up, huh?”

He only nodded, licking over his lips and attempting to stand, before he was crying out loudly with pain, and retreating back to an even worse position to take the weight off of his shoulder.

“Tommy, Fry, each of you grab a side of the pole, carefully, okay? When I tell you to, you’re going to hold onto it, and hold the weight of it so it’s not pulling on Gally’s shoulder, and hold it up until he’s kneeling, and don’t let go, or it’ll tear up his arm.”

“Please don’t fuck my arm up, I kinda’ need it, guys. This is my good hand.”

Thomas chuckled, Fry following as the tension eased just barely, and then your lieutenant was putting down the cutters to take the front of the pole while Fry took the back. Holding on gently, you grabbed Gally’s hands, pulling him forwards now that he didn’t have to hold onto the weight of the pole, and sinking slowly to his knees. Once he was kneeling there, they kept a hold on the pole, and Gally was able to take deeper breaths as he took the pressure off of his muscles. 

“Uh, so, I feel like I should bring it up,” Gally started, watching as you knelt beside him, bag lowered to the ground as you opened it up and began to dig through it. “I can’t feel my arm. That’s bad, right? Like my fingers aren’t moving. I can’t move them.”

There was a tremble to Gally’s voice, higher-pitched and shaky and it hurt you to see someone so strong being so scared, and you shook your head, pulling out some of the tools you needed, before placing your hand on the opposite shoulder, and squeezing gently. “Don’t do that to yourself. I’m not going to lie to you, I’ve never lied to you, Gally, it could be bad. It could be really bad. However, it could just be your body’s response to the shock. You’ve probably cut off nerves and got some trapped, you may never regain full feeling, maybe the arm doesn’t work, or maybe it gets totally fixed up. I can’t promise any of that. What I can promise, is that I’m gonna’ get you out of here, and I’m gonna’ do my damn best to get you patched up so nothing extreme happens.”

He swallowed thickly, tears lining his eyes a little, and he sniffed it away. “Thank you.” His voice was hoarse, from the smoky atmosphere and the emotions, and you only nodded. 

“So, I’m gonna’ start with a numbing spray. It won’t help much but it’ll do a little, because this isn't going to be easy. If you want to keep that arm and get it recovered, I can’t risk taking this pole out, the hospital needs to do that.” 

“So, what is the plan?”

“Well, that’s the thing,” You lifted your scissors, trimming away the fabric surrounding the cut to expose the jagged and torn flesh more, the wound a little bigger than that of the post from all his movements, and blood was seeping out from torn flesh and muscle. “I’m going to clean it up and spray it, and then Tommy is going to cut away as much of the pole as he can, as close to your body as we can get without making it worse. Once there’s enough that you can move, we’ll get you out of here, and to the hospital, alright?”

“Oh, God, it’s gonna’ be like a bone drill. What if I throw up?”

“That's okay, I’ve had worse.” You hoped it comforted him, and it seemed to, his lips flicking up in a pained smile. He nodded his confirmation, allowing you to proceed, and you shook the can of numbing spray, before lifting it up to the empty spot. Dousing around the pole as best you could, he let out a sharp hiss at the feeling, eyes screwing up in pain, and you whispered an apology. You repeated it on the other side, his reaction much the same, a layer of it settling over his skin, but after a few minutes, his features smoothed out as the spray began doing its job. 

“Y’know, that’s actually a little better.”

“I’m glad.” You picked up the first packet of gauze, tearing it open, and tipping some antibacterial onto it, but trying not to soak the pieces through. One packet at a time, you placed them around the entrance of the pole, catching the blood and taping them down to secure the pole a little more, until it was layered up with thick padding all over, and wouldn't budge an inch, both front and back secured. “Okay, I cleaned it a little, but you’re definitely going to need some shots when you get to the hospital, to make sure you don’t get any infections. Now for the hard part.”

“What about this piece of the pole?” Thomas spoke up as you were packing the bag back up with litter and bottles of chemicals. 

“I’m gonna’ hold it steady, while you cut the rest of the pole away.” You zipped the bag up, moving it out of the way for now, and standing back up. Your knees were aching from kneeling on the rock, and you brushed the dust from your pants, rubbing at the sore flesh slightly for just a brief moment. Taking over from Thomas, he held on a few seconds longer, letting you get a better grip, before finally daring to let go. The pole was heavier than you expected, and you felt shocked by it, hoping that the flinch you made wasn’t felt by your friend. 

Thomas placed a pair of goggles onto his face, before he was stripping off his jacket, and grinning at Gally with a cheeky smile, before covering his friends head with his jacket. You turned away, the loud sound of the cutter starting up, and from the second it touched the metal, your teeth were grinding together, muscles tensing as shivers ran along your body. It was just like a bone saw, and it went through you every single time, the screeching sound of the metal being cut and the feeling of it shaking as Thomas cut as close to the shoulder as he could without making it vibrate too much, and there were only eight or so inches left on this side, where there had been more like eight feet of pole in total. 

When it finally snapped away, you jerked slightly, your body jolting when the pole came loose in your hand, and the saw stopped its buzzing for a moment, the metal clattering on the stone as you dropped it to the ground, and Gally let out a muffled but relieved sigh from under the coat as the weight came loose. 

Moving to stand behind him, Thomas repeated the action, another shake running along you as your guts twisted at the nerve-shaking sound, and you admired Thomas for being able to hold so sure and steady while he did it, but you were certain that it came with a lot of practice. Once the second half came free, Gally swayed a little, the lack of the weight he’d grown accustomed to carrying presumably feeling liberating now that it was gone. 

Thomas lifted his coat back from Gally’s head, the man blinking back to the torchlight of the room, and you picked up your bag, adjusting it on both arms as Thomas put his coat back on. Getting to his feet with the help of Fry, the two began to stagger forward. 

“We’re good to go?”

“Yeah, we’re good to go. As soon as we get out, go straight to the ambo’, we need to get that to the hospital, and quick.” Thomas folded away the protective goggles he’d worn, shutting down the saw equipment he used, and making sure it was all cleaned up, Gally and Fry beginning to take slow steps forward towards the exit. Reaching for the radio on your shoulder, you pressed down on the button, listening to it crackle and connect. “Hey, can one of you guys get Newt?”

You paused a few seconds, before there was a signal coming through in return; “I’m already here, love, been waiting to hear from you. Can I expect to be making a trip to the hospital?”

“Yeah, you might wanna’ call ahead. Let them know it’s pretty bad, they’ll wanna’ take him straight to surgery, and he’ll need a tetanus shot, maybe some others. It’s messy.”

“I’ll call it in now, see you soon.” The line went dead, and there was nothing else left to be said. Wiping at the ache on your forehead, you gasped a little at an unexpected sting, a trail of blood smeared across the back of your hand when you pulled it away, and you frowned, or aware that you’d cut yourself when you’d fallen before. Thomas watched you, an even deeper frown on his face, but he resisted reaching out to look at it properly with dirty gloves, lowering his hand back to his side when he’d lifted it. 

Instead, he took off his helmet, the torch on it moving wildly and sending all different casts of shadows around the room, a dizzying array of motion, before it was going calm once again as he placed the helmet down on your head. Pushing it up out of your eyes, you looked up at him, a softer look on his face as he adjusted it, and reached down to take your hand again. 

“C’mon, let's catch up with the other two and get the hell out of here, and hopefully, you don’t get yourself hurt anymore.”

You could only nod, body beginning to scream out in protest with aches and pains from the day, following after him as he tugged you along, leading the way by the torchlight you offered, until daylight was finally visible. Fry and Gally had been easy to catch up with, the two walking slowly as Gally’s good arm was slung over his friend's shoulder, balancing as he slowly began to lose consciousness, the shock fading away and pain seeping in, and his body was shutting down to deal with the injury. 

Newt was already waiting with the stretcher, chewing on the nail of his left thumb, and perking up considerably when the four of you came into sight. You blinked rapidly, the daylight a harsh adjustment to the darkness of the tunnels, and despite Gally still being injured, you felt a hell of a lot better knowing that he was out of there, that all of your team were out of there. 

No longer were they in danger of being crushed or injured further, and your friend sat on the edge of the stretcher, sitting up and swinging his legs onto it, he was being quickly wheeled away to be strapped into the ambo’ by Newt, Minho and Fry, the other firefighters all following, nervously questioning their friend’s well-being.

Taking off the helmet and handing it back to Thomas, he switched off the torch, and you shrugged off your bag and jacket too, handing the coat over to him, watching as the stretcher was wheeled up the ramp, being clicked into place, the ambulance only second away from departure. 

“I have to go, I’ll see you back at the firehouse, alright?”

“Yeah, of course, go.” His lips tipped up at the sides, and you didn’t even bother putting your bag back on properly, lingering for just a second as they put away the ramp, folding it into place. With a hold on his elbow, and the other on his shoulder, you leaned up, pressing a sure kiss to Thomas’ cheek, and he let out a soft breath at the feeling, pressing into you slightly, before you were pulling away and taking a few steps toward the van, the doors slamming shut loudly. “See you soon, angel.”

“See you, Lieutenant.”

Your words were followed with a wink, and his cheeks were pink as you turned away, jogging away to the ambulance as Newt was climbing into the driver’s seat, and you climbed into the passenger one quickly, dropping your bag down to the floor and strapping yourself in safely. 

“How you feelin’ back there, Gall?”

Your words were answered with a groan, and you looked back in the mirror to the back of the van, noting that Gally was strapped onto the stretcher, half laying back as he was propped up on a lot of cushioning and Newt’s bag, an awkward collection of belongings as not to disturb the pole lodged through his shoulder. 

The sirens switched on, and Newt was backing out of his space, driving as carefully but speedily as he could over the bumpy industrial roads, not tarmac-ed and smooth like real roads, but filled with dips and potholes as they were simply covered in gravel. One hand was braced on the dashboard, the other on the door, jolting slightly as he moved, and you let out a huff, hating how terrifying this must all be for the injured man in the back, trying not to get hurt any further. 

Once you were out on the main roads, it wasn’t too bad, and in your mirrors as you pulled back out onto the highway you could see the red vans of the fire trucks pulling out and going in the opposite direction of you, Newt and Gally, through the flashing lights and wailing alarm on the top of your van, a direct juxtaposition to their calmness. 

The drive to the hospital was only six minutes and thirty-two seconds, you timed it against the clock on the dash, adrenaline and worry seeping through every inch of you, lighting up every single nerve you had as you all but shook in your seat, but it felt more like six hours. The nurses were waiting outside when you got there, and you were grateful for it, catching sight of a familiar redhead who seemed or have been promoted after passing her exams because the colour of her scrubs had changed, and you made a mental note to congratulate her when you were in a better state of mind to do so. 

You watched as they took Gally away, swapping him from one stretcher to another once they were inside of the hospital, and Newt disappeared for a few moments, finding Derek who was working in the clinic, leaving you to fill out all the details for Gally at the main desk. It only took you a few moments to do so, your friend long-since taken away to surgery, and you were finally able to let out a relieved breath, as everyone you cared for was finally safe, or in good hands, at the very least.

You waited patiently by the vending machines until he appeared, biding your time by staring in at the chocolate and cereal bars that were attempting to coax you into a purchase, your stomach grumbling a little with hunger, and you gave in. You’d been able to scrounge up enough spare change in the bottom of your bag and your pockets to purchase two candy bars from behind the glass, already eating your own as Newt arrived, and a sparkle passed through his exhausted eyes as you handed one to him, the two of you wheeling the stretcher back out in silence. 

When you finally climbed back into your seat, stretcher strapped in, and Newt slumped in his seat, he let out a slow breath, hand behind your head as he reversed out of the parking space and onto the pathway to leave, the day beginning to show it’s drag on you both. 

“So, how do we feel about leaving the ambo’ cleaning for the other team? All in favour, say I.”

“I!” You cheered, but it was weak, and Newt’s laugh was equally so. Your eyes went to the clock on the dashboard, noting that it was less than an hour away from the end of your shift, less than half an hour, actually, and you relaxed back into your chair, a little sleepy. 

You’d probably regret leaving the work for the others, it would hang over you in the night and you’d be cursing at your current self the next time another team left it for you to do, because cleaning down the van was no fun, but you were beginning to feel practically boneless, and there was no way that you could handle doing it now. You were sure they’d understand, and besides, it wasn’t like it needed mopping or anything, just disinfecting.

The journey had slipped by quickly, the station coming into view soon, and Newt was tapping his fingers against the wheel, humming a song to himself as he reversed into the garage. You liked being in such comfortable silence with Newt, he was always a soothing company to be with, your head rocking to the side to take in your friend as he shut down the engine and pulled the keys back. 

“What are you staring at?”

“Just thinking about being your friend. Things are weird. Didn’t mean for you to be important to me, but here you are, one of the most important people in my life. That’s all.” He smiled a little, his hand coming down to squeeze over your own. 

“I love you, I really do, but I’m way too tired for the heart to heart right now. Rain-check feelings for the next time we’re drunk?”

“Deal, my feelings only come out when I’m tired or intoxicated anyway.” He beamed at that, nodding his head in confirmation, before opening his door, and practically flopping out of it. You had to peel yourself out of your seat, dragging yourself after Newt as he hung up the keys, but once entering the main corridors, he set off to the locker rooms, and you made your way to the common room. 

The firefighters were all milling around, waiting for updates, and they all turned to look at you, silence falling over them, from the second you entered the room. 

“How is he?”

It was Fry that spoke, understandably the most shaken by it all, and you tried to muster up the most reassuring smile you could. “He’s gone straight into surgery, and they have high hopes. I think it’ll be a good outcome, I really do. He was awake the whole journey and when they took him in, which is a really good sign. They’re going to patch him up and give him his shots, keep him in for a week or so, of course, but we should hear some news tomorrow, when he wakes up from the anaesthesia and they can run some tests and check him out.”

Relieved sighs went all around the room, everyone absorbing the information they’d been given, and the silence only lasted a few moments longer, before quiet chatter was taking up again, as everyone went back to what they’d been talking about, finishing up their shift and praying no calls came in within the next ten minutes, because everyone was absolutely exhausted.

Thomas was coming over to you, feet scuffling a little on the tiles, and you turned to look at him, shoulders slumping as the last of your tension slipped away, looking up to him as his shoulders slumped, finally being able to let the last of the day’s stress melt away now you were back at your station with the people you cared for being safe. His eyes swept over you, head tipping to the side a little, and you waited for him to speak, whatever it was he wanted to say practically on the tip of his tongue.

“You got a cut on your forehead.” He mumbled, hand cupping your cheek and thumb smoothing over the space above your brow, tipping your head to the side a little. 

“I know, it’s from when I tripped. I can take care of it later.” You mumbled, exhaustion seeping through every inch of your body, muscles aching from climbing over the piles of debris and crawling through small spaces to get to trapped workers. 

“Or, you could let me take care of it now,” Thomas whispered, hand dropping from your face to your hands, pulling you over to the kitchen counter, and using his foot to pull out one of the stools for you. Climbing up onto it, he slipped your medical bag down your shoulders and placed it onto the marble before you both, slipping a hand under your seat and using the grip to pull you forwards. “Just let me take care of you, for once, alright?”

“What do you mean ‘for once’?” You mused, watching as he shifted through the contents, his brow furrowed slightly as he tried to identify some of the bottles, before choosing a cotton wool ball and a bottle of disinfectant that you’d used on him before. Soaking some of the liquid into the small ball, he pushed strays strands of hair out of your face and pressed the ball gently down on the spot. 

It stung, and you figured you must have made a face about it, because he frowned, whispering an apology as he cleaned it up, wiping slowly and clearing the blood from the small cut you’d gained along your hairline. It was nothing severe, you’d felt it happen, and it would be healed in no time and was probably already scabbing over, but he was caring for it tenderly nonetheless. 

“Kinda’ feels like all you do is take care of me, actually.” You continued on after a while, and he raised an inquisitive brow, before he was taking the cotton wool pad away, and switching to the soothing gel for healing up cuts that you kept in the front pocket of the bag. 

“Well, our shift is almost over. How do you feel about letting me take care of you some more later? Takeout and movies at my place.” He smirked a little, pulling back and putting the cap back on the gel, tucking it into your bag with the bottle of disinfectant and zipping it up, moving away to put the cotton ball in the bin while waiting for your answer. 

When he approached, you placed your hands gently on his hips, pulling him in a little closer, and he smiled, his arms sealing around your shoulders to pull you in, close enough for him to press a kiss to the top of your head as he hugged you. “I will accept, but only if I can wear that comfy green hoodie.”

“I just washed it, so you can definitely wear it. It’s probably still in my laundry room.” He grinned, you could feel it pressed to the top of your head, before he was pulling back, wide eyes as he looked at you, and a soft smile. “If you want, you can stay the night, too.”

“Sure you wanna show me your bedroom? That's a private space.” You were teasing him, and he picked up on it straight away, that fond look morphing into something cheeky and playful, and he pinched at your arm in retaliation.

“Who said you were sleeping in the bed? Maybe you can just have the couch.”

“I’m not a couch kinda’ gal.” You sighed, shrugging at his request, and he chuckled. 

“Well then, guess you get the bed with me.” He leaned down, bumping his nose against your own, and the single bell alert sounded over the speakers to inform you that your shift was ending in five minutes, and that the next team was due to arrive and take over any time now. You placed a hand on his chest, his heart thudding steadily under your palm, and you pushed him backwards slightly, hopping down from the stool and groaning under your breath at the new pressure being placed on your muscles. “Go grab your stuff, I’ll meet you at the front, I’ll drive.”

“What about my car?”

“I’ll drive you back to pick it up tomorrow. Unless you’re planning on a quick getaway?” He joked, but his words from weeks ago flashed in your mind, and you placed a hand on his cheek, shaking your head. 

“I won’t be going anywhere, I promise. I’ll be by your side all night, honey.” He shuddered slightly at the sweet name, melting a little under your touch, before nodding his head and licking over his lips as a shy heat brushed his cheeks. “Meet you at the front in five.”

“I’ll be there.”

You grabbed your bag, taking it with you to store properly in your locker for the next shift, and swap it for your clothes, waiting to get changed into something more comfortable than smart shirts and trousers. Undoing the metal latch, Brenda bumped her hips against yours as she entered the room, already beginning to undo the bun she’d done in her hair and weave her fingers through the ends. Undoing the buttons along the front of your shirt, you shuffled the sleeves down, letting it fall away to leave you in your vest, and Brenda whistled as you did, making you roll your eyes as you folded your shirt up and put it into your bag. 

“You know, if you decide to quit being a paramedic, you should totally be a stripper. You’ve got the hips for it.” She teased, and you scoffed, smacking at her hand when she poked your waist, but unable to avoid your grin from breaking free as she giggled all the way around to the other side and opened her locker. 

Unbuckling your belt and popping the button on your work pants, you kicked off your shoes, pants falling way to the ground and left pooled on the tile temporarily so that you could pull on the comfortable and somewhat baggy pants you’d worn this morning, a silky material that was nowhere near as formal as your work pants had been.

With sneakers back on and your cardigan pulled up onto your body with only one button to hold it closed, you packed everything else away, swapping your med-bag for your home-bag, and closing your locker for another day. 

“Bye, Bren!”

“Bye, stripper!” She yelled back, voice sounding more like it was coming from the bathroom than the other side of the lockers, and you figured she was doing her makeup, seemingly having more active plans than you did for the evening. Stepping out into the main foyer, Thomas was waiting, hands tucked in his pockets as he leaned against the open garage door, talking to a member of the other team as he waited. 

You vaguely recognised him, you’d seen him a couple of times during hand over shifts and house meetings where everybody was required or be present, and Thomas offered you a smile as he caught you approaching from the corner of his eye. Approaching, he stood more fully, the conversation inching towards an end and you were more than happy to wait, not bothering to tune in to the workout tips Thomas was giving to a younger fireman who was thinking of taking his lieutenant’s exam. 

He was passionate about it, clearly happy to share his knowledge, it was evident in the excited tone of his voice and the twitches along his expressions as he spoke, animated movements, and once his hand was back by his side, you dared to reach up, fingers curling a little around his forearm. He paused his movements, stuttering a little, before continuing with what he was saying, and lifting his hand up a little more, fingers flexing slightly. He seemed to have caught onto what you were wanting, but wasn’t sure he was correct, and he squeezed your hand back tightly as your fingers linked with his. 

Newt wandered by while Thomas was still talking, texting on his phone and chewing on half a sandwich in the other, but he slowed in his steps, eyes sweeping along the pair of you, pausing for a second, before he was shoving the remnants of the food into his mouth until his cheeks were puffed up, but smirking through it all. Rubbing his fingers together to dispose of crumbs, he made his way over, the team member Thomas had been talking to bidding you goodbye as he walked away, Newt arriving only a second later to fill the gap. 

“So, what are you two up to tonight?” There was a sickly-sweet undertone laced in his voice, something like seventeen innuendoes ready to be spilt from him you had no doubt, but you smirked back just as widely. 

“Taking a page out of you and Derek’s book. We’re having a sleepover.”

The look on Newt’s face quickly fell, smirk becoming a scowl, and his eyes narrowed. “You know what? When you two still hated each other, I didn’t get mocked like this. Go back to hating each other.” Thomas snickered, brows raising slightly, but he didn’t bother to add anything on, just watching the interaction taking place. Your partner scoffed, before gagging falsely, and then after taking a step back, he was giving a softer smile. “Have fun, you two. I’ll see you tomorrow.” 

He gave a salute, two fingers tapping his forehead before pulling away, and then he was turning his back on you, long strides that were slightly uneven with every other step he took on a sore leg from a hard day’s work, but he was lifting his phone to his ear a second later, and grinning as he began to speak. There was a tug on your arm, Thomas pulling you along, and you fell into step beside him, wandering over to the car he was pulling out the keys for. 

Letting go of his hand as you approached the vehicle, you reached for the handle, beat to it by another hand, and Thomas opened the door for you, winking when you looked at him, his eyes twinkling, before sinking into the seat. Once the door was closed, he rounded the car and climbed in himself, strapping himself in as you put your bag down into the footwell, before he was starting the car up. 

His hand tucked behind your headrest as you adjusted your seatbelt, getting comfortable in the leather seats still holding heat from the afternoon sun. Backing out of the parking space, the car spun around, engine revving slightly as he did, and then he was pulling out of the parking lot and onto the main road. 

“So, do you fancy Chinese or Indian food? There are two great places near me.”

“Any pizza places?” He turned to look at you, just for a split second, following the signs toward the highway, and you shrugged in your seat.

“Two, actually. One does a really great stuffed crust thing, but the other has more topping choices.” You grinned, settling back more comfortably, and as you arrived on the highway, his hand came down to land on your thigh. You watched his fingers move, flexing a little against your skin, digging slightly into the muscle, and you reached out a single finger, the rest curled away. Stroking slowly along one of the prominent veins in his hand, the nerves underneath twitched, before you were brushing right up to the tip of his finger, and back along another, to his wrist. “So, pizza and a couple of movies? Not the most exciting of dates, we can do something else, if you want?”

“Tommy, if you’re going to date me, you’re going to have to get used to the idea of napping together and eating takeout on the couch rather than going to restaurants as dates.” He only chuckled, something hidden below the surface that was more than just humour at the joke you’d made, and you settled your hand over the top of his to squeeze it. “What’s so funny?”

“I’m just remembering something you said a few months back.”

“Yeah? Because I can barely remember half of the things I said an hour ago.”

“I was thinking about when Newt thought you were on a date with Derek, just before you got called out on a case.” He continued on, his hand taken from yours as the two of you began to approach the intersection in which you’d take off for his, his hand on the gear shift instead. “I remember you saying that you had no time to date, and you had no idea where you’d even meet someone when you’re in our line of work, and I also remember thinking that you were missing what was right in front of you.”

“Technically, by that point, you were behind me, because I was walking out.” You teased, and he let out a grunt, swatting your shoulder with the back of his hand, before slowing down a gear again, as the roads began to narrow as he pulled up towards his apartment building. You’d recognised the area you were driving through, vaguely, from your trip to the vets, proud of yourself for being familiar with it. 

“Yeah, whatever, technicalities. If you follow that logic, now I’m by your side.”

I hope you stay there for a while, though.” He faltered slightly, before letting out a soft and shaky breath, and nodding his head.

There was a barricade across the entrance to the building's parking spaces, and he rolled to a stop, car humming under you both as he rolled his window down, cool breeze sweeping into a warmed car, and you watched as the pad lit up and awaited his entry code. As soon as it was punched in, the barricade was lifted, squeaking and letting out a groan under its weight as it did, rising high enough in the air to let the car through. 

Pulling into the building car park after the barricade had raised high enough, and rolling the window back up, cruising slowly as he searched for a parking space, and remaining quiet. When he finally found one, he paid attention to parking in it, before the engine was going dead, and he was turning to face you more. 

“Do you really mean that?”

“Mean what?” You echoed, brows raising as you forgot where the conversation had been going, and he unclipped his safety belt, and twisted more in his seat. 

“Do you really want me to stick around? For a while? You see this going somewhere?”

You sighed, lifting a hand to rest on his cheek, and he leaned into your touch. “Tommy, you saw my record yourself. If I didn’t see a future in this firehouse, or with you, I wouldn’t still be here. If I’m sticking around, it means I found something worth sticking around for.” His smile was shaky, nodding his head and licking over his lower lip, before he was leaning across the centre console and unclipping your belt too, his nose bumping against yours, and he hummed at the soft laugh you let out. “Don’t you dare let our first kiss be in your car, after all of this waiting around, in the parking lot of your building.”

He whined slightly, nudging his nose with yours again, bumping together teasingly, and you rubbed back, before he was sitting back into his seat with a false pout. “Then get your cute little butt out of the car, so I can get you upstairs.”

“Impatient, much?” You mumbled, taking your bag with you as you went, and closing the door once your feet were out on the concrete flooring, arms stretching above your head to loosen tightened muscles. Meeting Thomas at the end of the vehicle, you reached your hand out for his, his touch bypassing you entirely to cup your cheeks in each of his hands, and pull you in, close enough to press his lips to the top of your head in a soft kiss. 

“C’mon, then. I believe I owe you a hoodie.” you could only nod your head. His hand finally found yours again, warm palms pressed together tightly, and he guided you through the compound towards the doors. 

He stuck to his word, keeping himself composed in the elevator and in the halls, longing looks cast in your directions, before he was using a different key on the same ring that held his car keys to open up the door to his apartment, and you couldn't deny that you were excited to see within. He excused himself, to go and get himself changed and find your jumper, leaving you with another lingering kiss to your cheek this time, and telling you to make yourself comfortable. 

You did just that, hanging up your cardigan and your bag on one of the coat hooks, and taking off your sneakers, leaving them loose and unlaced to sit on the shoe rack by his door, sock-clad footsteps almost inaudible against his polished wooden floors as you wandered a little further inside. 

It was different from your place, the corridors split the rooms where your kitchen looked straight into your living room, and there was a set of wide sliding doors on one side. Running your fingers over the edge of the wooden frame, you peered inside, soft couches with black cotton cushions and throw pillows in bright splashes of colour. It was a surprising mix of minimalism in sleek shades of black and white with pops of colour. One wall was covered with brightly coloured pictures, all blown up large in custom prints, and you could pick out all the faces you knew, as well as some you couldn't.

A face much like that of Thomas’, but older and more feminine, the same shade of brown hair and eyes that twinkled like his own, his mother, clearly, and pictures of them that couldn't be any older than a year. Pictures of Thomas and Newt from when they were younger, you’d never mistake that shaggy blonde hair and toothy grin for anyone else, he looked exactly the same, just younger. 

There were pictures of the whole team, one that must have been years ago, before Chuck had ever become the candidate and back when the position was filled by someone else, Thomas wasn’t wearing his lieutenant’s shirt, and there were crew members' faces that were unfamiliar to you. Standing next to one of the trucks, sweaty and dirty and looking exhausted, it was a trimming from a newspaper, an article you were sure reflected their heroism properly. Newt was standing by the ambulance, thumbs up and gleamingly wide smile, as Teresa stood by his side, looking a little more relaxed. She had a simple smile, fixed look and slightly forced, seeming to stare just beyond the camera instead of at it. 

She wasn’t in many of the squad photos, a collection of selfies and pictures from group events, some with fun stories and backgrounds like mini-golf or the beach, and others with the bar or Minho’s place. There were a couple more with her in, though. 

One with her and Newt and Thomas, that seemed to have her in as an improvisation, crammed between Thomas and Newt as they all sat on the edge of the ambulance and ate sandwiches, still wearing half their uniform, looking over the edge of the river on a bridge. 

The other was one of her and Thomas sitting on the couch at the station, one that was old because it didn’t match the ones you knew, but you recognised the kitchen in the background. They were both asleep, and behind them was Gally and Fry, pulling faces and giving them both bunny ears, and your lips flicked up into a smile as you observed the antics of your family, messing with one another and always keeping it fun and light.

Your vision was blocked for a second, everything going black and soft material brushed over the bridge of your nose, before you were popping free again, and the smell of fresh laundry detergent and Thomas’ aftershave was overwhelming. Pushing your hands through the sleeves and turning when his hands found your hips, you looped your own around his neck, eyes scanning over his change of outfit. 

Black sweats and a grey jumper, cosy-knit socks and holes in the sleeves that one of his thumbs had gone through, hair mussed from the change of clothes, and you smoothed down the stray strands that were sticking up at odd angles. 

“You look so cosy.” You mumbled, a rumbling sound of agreement in the back of his throat, and one of his hands smoothed up your back, rubbing gently and pulling you in a little closer, nodding his head, and letting the tip of his nose rub against your own. “I was looking at your photos.” 

He smiled, his eyes fluttering shut for a second, before he was stiffening a little, and pulling back, eyes snapping open once again. “Some of them are old, they need replacing-”

“I think they’re all really sweet.” You whispered, leaning in again, and he let out a shaky sigh, his forehead pressing to your own. He let out a sigh, his hands sinking from your waist to your hips, pushing you backwards slightly, and walking you back through the sliding doors to the living room. 

“So, now, you’ve got my comfiest jumper, and you’re all settled in. Maybe I should give you a tour?” He mumbled, your feet moving underneath you, legs tapping against the back of the couch and you grinned, judging a little closer to him until your lips were brushing. 

“Oh, I think we can get to that later.” You pulled him down, one hand on the back of his neck and one hand on his chest, pulling him down a little until he was sitting beside you. He was beaming, pressing you back into the arm of the couch, curled over you as one hand supported him on the cushions behind your head with the other sitting on your jaw, thumb stroking over your skin gently. 

“Good, because there’s something important that I’ve been meaning to do, and I don’t think I can wait much longer.”

“Get on with it, then.” You whispered, feeling him barely nod, before he was closing the distance. His lips brushed your own softly, teasing at first, and you gasped a little, before he was pulling back, licking over his lips and pressing in more firmly. His lips met your own, noses bumping a little as you pushed back into him, chaste and testing the waters, the pressure built up forcing him to take it slow, despite the way his grip got a little tighter on your jaw, and a shiver was running along him continually. “Relax, Tommy.”

Your words were whispered against his lips, a breathy laugh following, before he turned his head to the side, pressing in with a little more confidence, and moving his lips with your own this time. It was sweet and naïve, like kids sharing a first kiss, innocence in the connection as you slowly tried something new together. He relaxed, then, his hand on your jaw sliding down to sit on your neck, lowering you a little more against the couch, and you giggled as you caught your breath, his lips trying to find yours again as you smiled, and puckering your lips for him once again. 

He settled against you more comfortably, leaning over you further, and one of your hands smoothed up his back to scratch lightly at the base of his neck in short hairs, daring to slip a little further when he took that step, his lips parting a little as he kissed you more firmly. Wet lips sliding together, scarcely begun, before knuckles against wood echoed through the apartment, and Thomas let out something between a growl and a curse against your mouth, pecking your lips once more, and pulling back to sit again. 

He blinked for a second, the interruption confusing him as he shook his head slightly, and looking through the walls in the direction of where the front door was. 

“We didn’t even order food yet.” You pouted, a knock sounding again, and Thomas chuckled, reaching out a thumb and finger to sit on your chin, attempting to pull you back to him. “Ah, ah, ah. No way, this so doesn’t count. Go take care of whichever neighbour is at the door, and then come back and give me the kiss you promised.”

“I’m nervous, I’ll get there.” He huffed, rolling his eyes, and you chuckled as you settled back into the couch cushions and throw pillows. “Stay here, I’ll be right back, and when I do come back, I’m gonna’ give you the best damn kiss you’ve ever had in your life, just you fuckin’ wait.”

He wandered away, cursing at whoever was still knocking every so often, delicate knocks, and you took a deep breath. Despite your teasing, your own heart was racing, and you lifted a finger to press over your lips, brushing against them. Your fingertips were tingling, blood rushing with excitement, and you felt heat flush over your features. There were muffled voices, whoever Thomas was talking to, and it gave you a second to calm yourself and steady your heart for the moment he’d return. 

It was a step you were confident in, a step you were more than ready to take with Thomas, already missing the feel of him holding you so tenderly and pulling you in, and the way his lips felt pressed to your own. Now you’d had a taste, you wanted more, you wanted to kiss him whenever you felt like it, to silence his worries with soft kisses and to giggle against his mouth next time he flirted with you cheekily, or to kiss him before a call each time you told him to stay safe. 

You wanted to kiss him goodnight later on, and to hug him from behind when he cooked for you and have dates with naps where his lips would seek out yours sleepily, to hold his hand and put a label on it. You’d never been one for labels, because you’d never had anyone to label. Friend, best friend, boyfriend; they were all new to you, the last year has changed your life so radically that you felt unrecognisable to the person you’d once been. 

Your eyes found the clock on the wall, at least five minutes have passed, and you found a great deal of internal humour as you pictured the polite look on Thomas’ face that you’d seen so many times before as he struggled to ever be able to end a conversation without feeling rude, and never wanting to offend a person. 

Standing up, you rounded the corner, aiming to save him, his back still turned to you, looking tense as he stood in the doorway, door held close to his body as he spoke to whoever was on the other side. 

Placing a hand on his shoulder, instead of relaxing, he seemed to tense even more, white-knuckled grip on the wood as he turned to you, brows slightly furrowed. 

“Hey, you were gone a while, thought I’d see what was up.” Your hand moved down to his arm, and he paused a moment longer, before releasing the edge of the door, letting out a slow breath as it swung open to reveal more clearly who was on the other side. 

Peeking out, you were greeted with a familiar face, and you felt a little put out at her composure. Tight jeans, a fitted jumper and a coat that looked like it cost more than your food money for the week that suited her well as it fell to her mid-calves. Dark curly hair that sat perfectly and wide eyes, that only widened a little more as she took in your presence with equal shock to you taking in hers. You took a steadying breath, before reaching a hand out, and trying to be polite. 

“You’re Teresa, right? I’ve heard a lot about you.”

“I’m not sure whether to take that as a good thing, or a bad thing.” Her eyes narrowed slightly, humour lacing a tone, and you forced a laugh to sound realistic, before shrugging. 

“I’ve heard you were a great paramedic at our house before you moved on.”

“I try my best, I’ve heard good things about you, too.” It was a polite smile, but there was nothing friendly underneath either of your tones, and her shoulders slumped a little, her hand returning to tuck into her pocket to match the other. “I’m sorry to invade on your evening, I didn’t know you were here, or I wouldn’t have come over. I was hoping we would have that catch up you promised me.” Her attention turned back to Thomas, and despite not saying it, you sensed there was something else under her words, the way Thomas hesitated with his answer, stumbling a little on his words. 

“I can’t right now. You should have texted, or something.”

“Well, I would have, but you never called when you said you would.” Your lips pursed, clearly a lot of unresolved issues between the two that never got solved that you hadn't caught onto until now, and you stepped back slightly, your mind spinning. “You haven’t called in months, but your mom said you talked to her about what happened between us on your last visit to her, stuff we haven’t even talked about.”

“You’ve met his mom?” The words were blurted out before you could stop them, her eyes finding you again, and she seemed a little more confused about it. 

“Uh, yeah.” She smiled again, polite again, and you tried to return it. “Our moms went to college together, it’s how I found out about the job at the station, we went to see her a couple of times at the care home.”

“She’s in a care home?”

“I feel like I’m telling you a lot of personal stuff here that’s not mine to tell, I just assumed you knew, I’m sorry..” She stopped herself, Thomas still standing silently beside you, and you shook it off. 

“It’s alright, no worries. You two clearly have a lot of things to talk about, and I seem to have no idea about, like, ninety percent of it. I should go.” You pushed your foot into one of your sneakers, Thomas’ attention finally snapping back to you and you looked down to find the other. 

“No, I can come back another time, I really didn’t intend to get in the way.” Teresa insisted, and as your foot settled into the second shoe, you offered her a genuine smile now. 

“You don’t have to go, really. We were about to order food.” Thomas insisted, his hand coming out to sit on your arm as you pulled the jumper up and over your head, hanging it on one of the hooks and ignoring the look Thomas was attempting to give you in persuasion to stay. 

“Yeah, but, we didn’t yet. So, it’s fine.” You gave him the best smile you could, taking your jacket from where you’d hung it up and patting your pockets for your keys and phone once putting it on, finding them both where you’d left them. Reaching for your bag and pulling one strap up your shoulder, you nodded to yourself, and Thomas settled a hand on your arm once again, turning you to look at him. 

“Please, don’t go.”

Anxiety and confusion were all you could feel now, and you stepped a little closer to the door once again, stomach twisting into knots, before you were taking a deep breath. “I’ll see you tomorrow for our shift. I hope you guys can get to the bottom of whatever it is that’s up.” 

Teresa offered you a soft ‘thank you’, at least having the courtesy to look a little apologetic for the ending of your evening, and you stepped into the hall. Turning your back on the pair of them, you didn’t bother looking back, hearing them talk for a few moments longer, before the door to his apartment was closing. 

Pausing at the elevator and waiting for it to arrive at your floor, you glanced back over your shoulder, the empty hallway making a pang of something cold and nauseating run through every single one of your veins. A chime sounded overhead, and then the doors in front of you were opening up. 

As you stepped into the elevator, you pressed your back to the wall and hit the thumb for the lower floor, a sting in the back of your throat making you feel pathetic for letting something get to you so much. There was a taunting voice in the back of your mind suggesting that none of this would have happened if you hadn't let your walls down and got yourself into this. You were tempted to just go straight home and put them back up, to deal with it all alone, and shut out everything else to rely on yourself. 

Instead, you pulled out your phone, rubbing at your nose as you sniffled, and the numbers over your head were flashing differently with each floor you passed. It only went two rings, before a cheery voice was picking up on the other end, and you let out a watery laugh at the teasing enthusiasm she’d held as she’d clearly heard about your impromptu - and now failed - date night. 

“Hey, stripper! What can I do for you? Calling for tips? Because I’m pretty sure you drive him crazy already, wear your cute panties and swing your hips and he’ll be on his knees.”

“Actually, Bren, I was wondering if you wanted to have a girls night? I know you probably have plans, but if you’re free, I would love to hang out.”

She was silent for a moment, crackling on the end of the line as she moved, before she was back; “I’ll be at your place in thirty minutes, and I’ll bring loads of alcohol and take-out food.”

“Sounds awesome.” You sniffed, stepping out of the elevator and feeling a little relieved and not having to be alone, but having your best friend to rely on. “One more thing, though. I need you to pick me up, because I just remembered that I don’t even have my car.”

[jadekitty777]

Hunting Season, Chapter 1

HAPPY FG WEEK. I come with a gift of an entire, 7-chapter story for you all for this week - meaning of course, I’ll be posting a chapter a day until the end. 

Did I have other plans? Yes. Did this story get away from me? Also yes.

Truth is, this story was originally meant for last year’s FG Weekend, and I had started it then but was so burnt out from Taiqrow week that I never finished it. Then I started working 6-day weeks at work for several months and even though we had lots of time to do FG week, I decided to focus on what I could accomplish rather then worry about having to churn out a bunch of stories I knew I couldn’t complete (though I did start many). 

One other, small, tiny detail - I’m doing the prompts backwards (so Day 7 to Day 1), for no other reason then the fact the prompts fit the chapters better that way. Look, I had to cheat, okay xD

I am super proud of this little baby of mine though and I hope you will all enjoy what I have in store! 

Prompt for Day 7 which we will pretend is Day 1: Falling

Rating: T

Word Count: 1800

Summary: Having grown up in the slums of Mantle, Clover knew what feeling constantly unsafe felt like. But, with rising tensions between the cities, a precarious election leaving his people on the line, and a war on the horizon, things had never felt more perilous.

Then, Qrow Branwen arrives with eight huntsmen-in-training in tow, all of them earnestly offering to help. While the extra assistance is an incalculable relief, Clover simply can’t be more excited – and maybe a little nervous - to be paired up with the famous Huntsman of Vale.

There was only one problem:

Qrow couldn’t stop staring at his ears.

(Or, Volume 7, except Clover is a deer Faunus and that changes everything)

Ao3 Link: With a Spear 

~

Underneath Atlas, it was impossible to see the sky.

The floating city loomed above like an upside-down mountain, the triangular bottom of the rock sharp like a spear, pointing straight down. A network of pipes and metal could be seen carved into the stone, emitting erratic pulses that pumped gravity dust to the rotund, expulsion machines set at the corners of the land. It was only faith in the technology that had the people believing it worked, as they made no sound when releasing the dust, keeping the elite afloat and the underprivileged below alive.

“You heard about how the big people at top have a red button right in the middle of their conference table and all they have to do is press it and the spear will pop off and Boom! We’re gone.”

Clover yanked down his binoculars so he could give his best friend a proper glare. “That ain’t true Nick!”

Nickolai “The Nettler” Nettle only clicked his tongue at him, looking truly offended. “Come on, would I ever fib ya?”

The time he tricked him into eating a deer fly because he said it would give him wings made him screw up his nose a bit. “Yes.”

“Okay, well, sometimes I do. But I heard this one from Daisy Belle, and you know she’s always ringing the truth.”

He could almost picture her, standing atop Cinderblock Tower out by the unfinished construction site, telling them stories as her fancy Atlesian sundress her big brother in the service bought her fluttered in the wind. Every time she finished a tale, she’d flick the broken bell around her neck and say, “If you can hear the ring, then you know what I say is true!”

It always rang. Everyone knew it did, whether they heard it or not, because Clover’s humongous ears would always perk up at the sound.

And if they missed that, then they couldn’t miss Adder flicking his tongue out to shout, “Watch out, jet plane’s taking off!”

Tugging down his ears never quite drowned out the laughter.

“I still don’t want to think about it.” He decided.

“Suit yourself. But when you end up flat as a pancake, I’ll only tell you I told you so.” The tin roof creaked as Nick fell back against the rooftop, the end of his curled goat horns clanging against the metal.

Clover shrugged, shoving the binoculars back into his eyes. He had to rely entirely on the left side, as the right lens was broken. It took a moment to find where he’d been staring before, as only a sliver of the cobalt sky poked through the point between the rock and the tops of Mantle’s skyscrapers. Almost dark enough.

The silence didn’t last long. It never did with The Nettler around.

“What you gonna ask for anyways?”

He’d thought of his list, shoved under his pillow, a million and one ideas already crossed out. Only one remained. “Antlers.”

He didn’t need to see him to know Nick was sticking his tongue out at him. “That’s lame! Wish for like, a million lien!”

“That’s not how wishes work.” The hue had changed to azure. Not much longer now.

“Says who?”

“My dad.” And adults were right about everything. “He says you work for the obtainable and wish for the impossible.”

The roof gave another creak as Nick sat back up. “But think of all the stuff you could do with all that money. Bet you could buy antlers at that point! In fact, give me that-”

Fingers came over the view before the binoculars were yanked right out of Clover’s hands. “Hey give it back!” He cried, pouncing after him. “The star’s almost here!”

“You’re just gonna waste it!” His friend barked, shoving him back.

He shoved back, the two of them tumbling against the roof. “Am not! Just-”

The great, yawning creak of the metal underneath them was their only warning before some of the bolts snapped and the tin roof bent in like a can of sardines. Clover’s stomach dropped out as he fell, Nick’s screech filling his ears – before they landed onto something hard but springy. The impact left him winded and vision flashing, but uninjured.

They both sat up carefully, his parent’s mattress complaining underneath them.

“Wow.” Nick said as stared at the hole in the roof. “Your ma’s gonna kill you.”

Indignation rose and he moved to push him again – and froze. “No!” He scrambled over his friend, dropping to the ground where his binoculars lay. They were snapped clean in half, the lenses shattered all over the floor. He gathered up the pieces, desperately trying to put it back together. But it was no use, the damage was irreparable.

They had been his only hope, and now…

Tears rose, unbidden and he pressed his lips together, struggling to hold them back.

Overflowing……...

 The sink was overflowing.

“Shit!” Clover leapt into the bathroom, quickly turning off the faucet as more of the water spilled over the sides. It soaked into his cotton rug and into his fresh pair of socks he’d just put on. He grimaced, flipping the plunger so the rest of the water would drain out. “Well. That’s one way to wash the floor.”

He balanced onto one foot then the other, the wet wool squelching grossly as he peeled the fabric from his feet. He tossed them into the tub and then danced carefully back into his bedroom to find the towels.

Ten minutes later and his bathroom was mostly back in order; other than the rug hung over his shower pole to dry. He refilled the sink, keeping a vigil eye on it this time, and continued with the rest of his morning routine. First, he shaved. Then, he dipped a washcloth in the warm water, cleaning his face and ears. His comb was the next to be dunked, raking it through the nest of tangles atop his head until the wavy curls fell into a modicum of style. Lastly, his teeth – flossing, brushing, mouthwash – until they sparkled back when he smiled.

He drained the water. Put on deodorant and a spritz of cologne, the fresh scent of geranium prickling his nose. Smoothed a hand over his front and adjusted his pin. Gave himself one more look-over, frowning at the unequal wave in his curls that just drew attention to the largeness of his ears. They seemed to jut from his head like a pair of Goliath flappers.

His scroll alarm screaming from the room over told him he had no time to fix it.

“It’s just mission assignments. I’ve got this.” He coached, trying to pump himself up.

Yeah, mission assignments.

With the newly licensed undergrads from Beacon and the famous Qrow Branwen.

Who he’d arrested three weeks ago.

And had had one mission with in which he’d spent more time flirting and showing off then acting like a respectable huntsman.

This was going to go terribly.

Clover sighed, running the edge of his finger along the damp curve of one of his ears, wondering not for the first time if there’d be some luck in the action like there was in his pin.

It seemed not, as he felt no spark of his semblance, just a ticklish feeling that made his deer ear flicker in return.

He flipped the light switch so he didn’t have to see them anymore, threw on some new socks and his boots, and hurried out the door.

~

As it turned out, it did not, in fact, go terribly.

The younger teams were attentive and eager as he ran through their duties and the expectations he was holding them too. His own team listened on quietly, Elm and Harriet giving faint nods of agreement as he implied the undergrads should consider further training with the pros during their off time. He found his little speech slipping through his teeth fairly easily – as long as he didn’t peer at the back of the room, where the most bored occupant of the room was.

Qrow had decided against joining the squad in the chairs, opting to stand in the back, hawk-like stare tracking his every movement. It was oddly uncomfortable; as if he were suddenly back in boot camp and performing for his sergeant who would tear him down if he put even a foot out of place. Yet, the few times he dared meet Qrow’s eyes, the other male’s gaze didn’t appear harsh in any way – which only furthered his confusion.

He decided to just ignore it and press on.

“Make no mistake. School’s over. You have to decide what kind of huntsmen or huntress you are.” Clover finished clearly, overlooking the faces of the Vale squads, hoping his expression both communicated sternness and confidence for them to make good, mature decisions, before he turned back to the leaderboards. “So, what’s it gonna be?”

“I want to do it all!” Ruby’s shriek of excitement, coupled with the sound of her chair scrapping back as she jumped to her feet, had his ears shooting up in surprise. When he shot her a look, she shimmied back a little sheepishly, “Oops. Sorry.”

He let it hold a second more before he broke into a grin. “Your enthusiasm’s appreciated, just watch it on the volume. You come in stereo on these things.” He gestured to the side of his head, pleased at the laughter it broke through the room. “But since you’re volunteering, how about you take first run to Amity with the supplies?”

“Really?” She lit right back up.

Qrow snorted, voice carrying forward. “Don’t get so excited pipsqueak. He just saddled you with the most boring job.”

Clover tried to appear innocent in wake of the elder huntsman’s knowing glance.

“Not-huh!” Ruby argued, waving a hand to herself self-importantly. “I’m going on the most important job of all. I’m going to slay a ton of Grimm!”

With an easy grace, Qrow strode forward, coming to stand just at the edge of the front row. “Or you’ll see none at all and just be stuck with a very long car ride to and from the site.” He smirked. “Where you’ll have to sit still.”

“Oh, so it’s more suited for your lazy butt?”

“Hey!”

With a smirk of her own that had to of been learned from her teacher, Ruby replied, “Don’t worry Uncle Qrow, we can go together.”

“Don’t volunteer me for things!”

“Actually, I think that’s an excellent idea.” Clover cut in jovially, tilting his head. He was surprised at the way Qrow’s attention became laser focused on him again.

No. Not him exactly…

Suspicion rose even as he turned back to the board, hands flittering over the controls to sign them onto the mission. Once he’d submitted, he turned back to them, all smiles. “Have fun you two!” He cheered on, deliberately raising his ears straight up.

Qrow’s eyes rose with them.

Ah. Of course.

[danger-xylophones]

Family Reunion (Darth Maul x reader) Pt. 3 Madness

{masterlist}

story summary: reader reunites with Maul for the first time in twelve years and...the ex-sith lord gets a strange surprise

Warnings: Tiny bit of existentialism, canon-madness, canon-violence

Notes: Female pronouns, an OC child

Part 1, Part 2, current read, Part 4, Part 5

...............................................................................

You had no clue how long you‘d been following Morley, a while to be sure, but so far he had acted as a very competent guide. As of now, he’d safely guided you around the firebreathers and had helped defend you against the Junkers (there was a Junker taking aim at you that you hadn’t seen, Morley had slapped the blaster away to deflect the shot). However, you still hadn’t found a trace of Maul. 

Now, as you stood amongst the carnage of yours and Savage’s showdown with the junkers, Morley began to laugh. “Wow. Wow-hahahah-wow!” The snake beamed at the two of you, oddly pleased at the fleeing trash-beings. 

Savage simply looked down at Morley before looking at you where you stood slightly crouched next to him. The large zabrak male bumped your arm to prompt you to put your lightsaber away before urging the three of you to continue. You promptly fell in step with him as Morley slithered along behind. “So…” the snake soon drawled as he moved forward, “who are you looking for?” Savage and yourself shared a look, questioning if you should divulge that precious information. Morley seemed to sense your hesitation for he soon annoyingly begged you to tell him. 

With a heavy sigh, Savage relented. “My brother. We’ve been searching for him.” 

“Been missing for over ten years.” You huffed rather pathetically despite yourself. 

Morley, however, seemed intrigued. “Ehhh...does he look like you?” The large snake asked Savage. 

“Have...have you seen him?” Your voice lifted as genuine shock surged through your system. 

“Uh, no, no,” Morley deflated, “I just...heard stories about a horned man. I thought it was just an old local legend.” 

“How old?” Savage stepped in to steal your next question.

“Old.” Morley’s forked tongue quickly darted out of his mouth as he looked around the area, almost as though he was fearful of being overheard. “They say he drags things down, beneath, and they never come back up.” The air seemed to grow thick with the newly revealed information. Excluding the part about the horned man, that didn’t really sound like Maul. But...Savage did say that he might not be the same man you had once known. Perhaps it was him and he had changed-forced to in order to survive. “Oh, but it’s only a legend like I said.” Morley broke the silence and dismissively flicked his tail. As if to amplify the already bizarre mood, thunder crashed not far away from where you and Savage were standing, rooted to your spots as both of your minds reeled with wondering. Eager to move on, you began to walk once more in the direction Morley had been guiding you. Savage soon caught up, indicated by his heavy footfalls. 

You flinched as something stinging landed on your cheek. With one hand coming up to cup the area of irritation, you were met with more and more stings in the form of droplets as it had begun to rain. But what kind of rain stung? “Acid rain.” Morley tutted, winding around a piece of scrap. “It’ll melt us down if we don’t find shelter soon.” He further warned as Savage raised his left arm for examination. The armor was sizzling in protest as you found some suspended scrap metal to stand under. 

Savage looked around as you focused on rubbing the stinging sensation out of the back of your hands. Searing, prolonged pain you could deal with but this minuscule irritation that built up over time was so not your cup of tea. Savage seemed to spot something as he loudly exclaimed ‘over there!’ and bounded off in the direction of what looked like a large broken pipe with wood partially covering the mouth of it. Wary of your companion running head-long into a trap or someone else’s home, you sprinted after the speedy zabrak. 

The tunnel itself was a welcomed sanctuary from the acidic liquid dumping from the sky and you welcomed it with eager arms upon realizing that it was decidedly abandoned. Or at least, it would have been decidedly abandoned if not for the dead Junker hanging from the ceiling. Morley released a soft exclamation of surprise that you elected to ignore as Savage moved further in. Junk was piled up on all sides of the pipe and you unceremoniously tripped over a rogue sheet of metal as you shuffled in to check for signs of life. It was unneeded though as a soft blue glow caught your eye. “Savage, the talisman.” You mumbled, mouth suddenly feeling dry. The golden zabrak looked down at his chest and you could see his shoulders lift in relief that it had started working again. Like a silent game of hot and cold, Savage stalked around the pipe with you watching to see where the talisman glowed the strongest. He eventually stopped right in front of you whereupon the magic jewelry piece was glowing brighter than you had ever seen it before.

“This is it.” Savage confirmed and softly moved you to the side so he could investigate the pile of metal behind you. You quickly began looking for a hidden door that would hopefully lead you to what you hoped was Maul’s hideaway. What you thought to be a pile of metal turned out to be another dead Junker that fell over when Savage touched it, making you halt your own search. 

“It-It doesn’t look like anyone’s here, you two.” Morley offered unhelpfully to which Savage snapped at him and continued to search, growing more agitated by the second. You couldn’t be mad at him as you could feel desperation starting to rise within you. With a low breath, you stepped back into the center of the room and closed your eyes. You were trying to sense for either any life or a hidden door, whichever stood out first. You heard the clattering of another Junker being tossed to the side in front of you by Savage and felt your companion’s mind start to spiral as he backed up next to you. 

“Mother Talzin…” Savage muttered under his breath, prompting you to open your eyes as your focus wasn’t holding. “She betrayed me…” Savage’s voice grew more steadily into a growl. “My brother must be dead!” Savage smacked the body of a dead Junker away as you watched on, the familiar dull sting of onsetting apathy creeping into your bones. Your companion yelled in frustration, hands clutching at his horns as he tried to steady himself. You hated to be right. “Y/n, I-I’m so sorry.” Savage sobbed softly as he turned to you. 

You sighed low, face carefully constructed to restrain the heartache. What had you expected? Face purposefully neutral, you opened your mouth to console Savage who was most likely devastated only for Morley to cut in. 

“Y’know,” he dragged out, voice inappropriately peppy, “She’s not the only one who betrayed you.” Your eyes widened as the snake raised his tail and smacked it on the ground in front of you. Suddenly, the floor gave way, and you and Savage were sent plummeting down into the inky blackness below. “You two will make good offerings, and when my master’s finished with you-I get the leftovers!” Morley’s high pitched laugh echoed down the hole along with yours and Savage’s frightened screams. You didn’t know how long you’d been falling or how swiftly the ground was approaching but you did know that it was too far for you to force jump out and that the end of this road would most likely result in a few broken bones. Or at least, it would have had Savage not graciously acted as your landing pad. 

You landed with a huff and a sore stomach from where your front collided with Savage’s back. But, aside from what would definitely form into a bruise later, you were fine. Pissed, but fine. 

The place you had landed in was dark and you could scarcely make out the back of Savage’s head as you slid off of him amidst apologies. But it wasn’t so dark that you couldn’t see a form skirting a corner up ahead, making you freeze. “If we ever see that traitor again,” Savage grunted as he rose to his feet, completely unaware of what you had seen, “I’m going to kill him.” 

“Savage,” you grabbed your brother-in-law’s wrist without tearing your eyes away from the spot where the form had disappeared, “We aren’t alone down here.” As if to punctuate your statement, the sound of a creature skittering across the trash floor echoed around the two of you. Immediately, you put your back to Savage’s and pulled out your lightsaber, ready to defend yourself. Savage also brought out his lightsaber but did not ignite it. While the two of you waited with bated breath and the chittering grew louder and louder, you found yourself growing more enraged. Whatever was down here was going to die-you had a son to get back to. 

Something toppled over in one of the numerous tunnels resulting in an obnoxiously loud ‘clang’ that caught you both off guard. Savage, ever hopeful you guessed, decided it would be a grand idea to talk to whatever was down here. “Brother? Is that you, brother?” The zabrak’s voice reverberated unnaturally as it bounced from wall to wall down the dim tunnels. When there was no response and no other noise from the creature, Savage straightened his posture and activated his lightsaber. The zabrak bumped his hand against your arm to prompt you to look at him to which Savage nodded in the opposite direction the creature had run off to and began walking. You were forced to follow or be left in the tunnels. 

The walk was tense, silent, neither one of you wanted to speak for fear you would miss a noise that could prove vital to your survival. You both were also careful not to make any noise yourself, the only sounds being Savage’s heavy footsteps which masked your own and the soft hum emanating from your weapons. Every so often, you would swear that you could hear the creature but as soon as you would turn around or look above you, there would be nothing. Was the creature real, then? Or was that the morbid beauty of Morley’s master; he served no person just the excruciating onset of madness. You were happy you had someone else with you though. 

Cutting through the tense atmosphere like a stray blaster bolt across a peaceful field, the sound of metal scraping against metal immediately put you on edge once again. Savage called out once more, “Is that you, brother?” There was no response. The two of you rounded a corner and when you peered into the tunnel before you, you could see the outline of the creature. A human torso, a spider body, and what looked like antlers growing from its skull. 

When the creature noticed you and Savage, it growled in an almost human-like voice and backed away, as if desperate to avoid the light shining from your sabers. You paused, prompting Savage to do the same as the creature continued to back up-still growling and grunting like an angry, feral tooka. Fearing that it was getting ready to charge, you attempted to soothe it. You lowered your saber and spoke in a soft voice. “Hey, it’s alright, we’re not here to hurt you.” It felt like you were trying to calm a feral loth-wolf as the only response was another, even lower growl. Savage stepped in front of you, one arm out to shepherd you behind him as the creature grew increasingly more agitated. The second Savage did so, though, it bolted-racing away. Savage, like the moron that he could be decided to run after it which meant that you were soon racing after Savage too. 

You weren’t sure what his plan was (if there even was one) but you did know that you were going to keep him alive no matter what. Strange how spending two months traipsing across the galaxy with someone could change your opinion of them. 

The creature continued to flee, hissing, growling, and spitting with its strange ever-present chittering in tow and you continued to follow it. Occasionally, it would rear up, bringing its human arms up over its head as it backed away and the light from your sabers would almost reveal the features of the creature but before action could be taken, the strange abomination would back away. “You!” Savage had begun yelling at it by now as he gave chase. “What have you done with my brother?” You weren’t sure why he was so adamant that Maul was still to be found in these tunnels because every time you glanced at the talisman it would appear to be glowing but you couldn’t tell if it was from your saber or not. “You!” Savage tried again as the creature tried to back away into a tunnel leading downwards. “What have you done with my brother? Answer me, you monster!” That seemed to finally light the fuse in the creature’s temper. With a bone-chilling snarl, it charged right for Savage. One of its many legs kicked you away, sending you backward and against a wall of trash as your lightsaber sailed out of your hand. You lifted yourself off the floor and summoned your weapon back to you just in time to watch Savage get pushed into a different tunnel by the creature. Thinking fast, you took off after it with saber ignited, following the guttural cries of the tunnel dweller and the unmistakeable commotion of a fight. You rounded the corner in time to see Savage and the creature locked hand to hand, both trying to overpower each other. Still approaching, you raised your hand and focused on pulling the creature off and away from your companion. 

The strange mixture of spider and man twisted around to face you, teeth bared, fists clenched, and chest heaving with exertion and anger. You raised your saber, ready to draw the creature closer and run it trough but that was when you saw it-the creature’s eyes. “Maul?” Your voice broke as your brain registered not what but who was in front of you. Your grip went lax and your saber clattered at your feet leaving Savage’s talisman as the only light source. Even then, there was no denying whose silhouette it was. For a minute, you were still, your grip on Maul through the Force also waning as you both just stared at each other-you with elation yet simultaneous devastation at what your lover had become and him with the wildness of a rabid animal. The spell was broken though when your grip on him finally loosened completely. As though he had suddenly recognized you, Maul’s eyes locked with yours and his snarl fell away into what you almost thought was a grin but that did not last. Maul’s new spider legs moved far quicker than you could have fathomed and he was on you in seconds, nails digging into your bicep as he latched onto your arm. With a prolonged cry, Maul ran off, dragging you along with him.

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[ericsonclan]

The Words I Always Wanted to Say

Summary

Overall Word Count

Chapter 1: The day of the proposals arrives with neither member of the couple suspecting what's in store.

Aasim had felt like puking all day. It wasn’t the sort of mood he’d hoped to be in on the day of his proposal, but he knew deep inside that postponing it wouldn’t make him feel any better. He’d already rescheduled three times and each day that was supposed to be the day had brought the same queasiness. His nerves would get to him no matter what. He simply had to power through.

Still, if he waited a bit longer then maybe he could rethink the whole picnic aspect of the proposal and spare his stomach the struggle…. No. Clementine would kill Aasim if he told her he was moving back his plans again. She’d already given him enough grief about the ring he’d held onto for a year. If he rescheduled for a fourth time, Clem wouldn’t need to throw Aasim to the walkers. She’d bite off his head herself.

Walking toward the front of the courtyard, Aasim spotted the object of his affections, his one true love. Ruby was making conversation with Clementine, something about the weather and what they should do about the vegetable garden if things got too stormy. Clementine spotted Aasim coming their way and excused herself, giving Aasim a knowing look before walking off. She and Omar were going hunting today.

Ruby noticed Aasim coming toward her a moment later. Turning toward him with a smile, she started to speak just as he did.

“Do you-” Both of them paused, waiting for the other to speak but the silence lasted a moment too long and they both started again. “I wanted to ask-” They stopped again, chuckling at their timing.

“You go first,” Ruby said, waiting patiently.

Aasim cleared his throat, swallowing the lump in it before he spoke again. “I was thinking today would be lovely for a picnic. Are you free?”

Ruby’s brows furrowed slightly. “Well, actually, I had some work I needed to finish up in the greenhouse,”

“I can wait,” Aasim leaned back against the picnic table, trying his best to look casual.

“Actually, it could take a while. Maybe you’d like to join me?” A small smile played on Ruby’s lips.

“…No. We need to do the picnic. Now,”

“But you just said you could wait,”

“I-I lied!” Aasim could feel his face heating up. This was a terrible start. Maybe he should abort today’s proposal after all.

Just as Ruby was about to say something further though, Prisha’s hand appeared on Ruby’s shoulder. “It’s alright, Ruby. I can make sure everything is sorted out in the greenhouse. It’ll be ready for you once you’re done with your picnic,” She looked meaningfully into the redhead’s eyes till Ruby sighed and nodded.

“Alright. It can wait a bit longer, I guess,” Turning back to Aasim, she slipped her warm hand into his. “Now whereabouts did you say this picnic was?”

“If you’ll just follow me…” Aasim turned toward the admin building, his breathing gradually returning to normal. His heart however still beat a frantic staccato within his chest. As they walked, he looked down at his love. “I’m sorry if I was forceful back there. It wasn’t my intention,”

“I know,” Ruby gave her boyfriend’s hand a small squeeze, a soft smile on her face. “It’s sweet of you to put a surprise together for me. My plans can wait,”

“As soon as our picnic is done, I can head over to the greenhouse with you and help finish up whatever work needs to be done,”

“That’d be heavenly,” The sparkle in Ruby’s eyes set Aasim’s heart fluttering. He knew how much the greenhouse meant to her. And time spent together after the proposal, just the two of them, sharing kisses over the planters full of turnips and tubers, would be the perfect ending to what Aasim hoped would be a truly magical day.

Ascending the staircase within the admin building, the pair made their way to the headmaster’s office. Ruby looked round in mild confusion. “Are we grabbing snacks from here and then heading out?”

“Actually, I had a special spot in mind for our picnic today,” Aasim nodded toward the double doors that led out to the balcony. Ruby quirked an eyebrow then headed over to the closed doors. Opening them slowly, she gasped when she saw the spread set out before them.

A faded gingham picnic blanket held the treasure trove of treats Aasim had amassed in the last few weeks. A multi-tiered tea tray constructed out of welded pieces of scrap metal held a multitude of tiny sandwiches. Each was composed out of a pair of old saltines with various fillings in the center from sliced spam to stewed rabbit Omar had prepped in the fashion of pulled pork to garden veggie sandwiches with all manner of fresh vegetables nestled between the stale crackers. Beside the tea tray lay their three teapots, each chipped and broken but still retaining their original dignity and grace. The varied aromas drifting from them told Ruby they each held a different blend of tea. Their finest set of china was also stacked neatly to the side, ready for fine dining. A cracked porcelain container held a good portion of the sparse supply of sugar the group had stowed away accompanied by a small jar Ruby knew to be the last of their honey. A huge bouquet composed of various wildflowers gave the finishing touch to the romantic display.

“Oh, Aasim…” Ruby was at a loss for words as she took everything in.

Silently, Aasim wrapped his arms round Ruby and gently kissed her cheek as he hugged her from behind. “I wanted to put together a surprise worthy of you,”

“This is all too much! Why, if we use up the last of the sugar-”

“Then I’ll trade for more. Don’t worry, my dove. I always find a way,” Loosening his embrace, Aasim sat upon the picnic blanket and motioned for Ruby to do the same.

The two of them settled in for a decadent lunch, both of them eating their fill as the world went by around them, the clouds drifting lazily across the warm, sunny sky as the day went on. As Aasim poured another cup of chamomile tea for Ruby, he found himself lost for a moment in her bright blue eyes. He really could stay like this forever with her. And that’s exactly what this proposal meant: a promise of forever. Not just for things to stay the same but for them to build a future together. Feeling the panic rise within once more, Aasim did his best to keep his composure.

“Something bugging ya, Pookie?” Ruby looked at Aasim over the rim of her teacup as she took a sip.

“It’s nothing, my love,” Aasim paused for a moment, looking out at the courtyard below. Willy was on watch with AJ beside him. Both boys were chatting excitedly, clearly intrigued by something just beyond the walls. Likely a funny looking walker knowing those two. Louis and Violet were at the picnic benches, Louis mending a pair of pants while Violet worked on one of the rabbit hides she was in the process of tanning. Prisha had just emerged from the cellar with a box full of metal pipes balanced in her good arm, likely continuing her seemingly endless quest to restore the school’s plumbing. Turning back to Ruby, Aasim grinned. “Do you know why I chose the balcony for our picnic today?”

“The view?” Ruby mused, glancing through the repair section of the railing down at their friends below.

“That was certainly a factor, but not entirely the full reason. I wanted us to have our lunch up here in order to celebrate all we’ve accomplished. From up here you can see it all: the greenhouse, the vegetable garden, the paddock for Molly, Milky Way and Comet. Even a few years ago, we didn’t have any of those things. It shows how far we’ve come, and I think a primary factor in our success is each other. Together, you and I truly can accomplish anything, even returning a former wilderness to civilization,”

Ruby nodded, admiring their work along with Aasim. “We certainly have accomplished a lot these past few years. And that’s thanks in no small part to you. I don’t think anybody could compete with your work ethic, ‘Sim, not even me,”

“Oh, I doubt that,” Aasim turned back to Ruby, his eyes on her. “Perhaps it isn’t the most romantic thing to say, but one of the things that first drew me to you was seeing how hard you worked. Every day, rain or shine, without fail. At first I thought it was simply a matter of pride, as it is with me. But the longer I observed you, the more I realized why you really work so hard. It’s out of love. You work so that those you love can have better lives and I can’t think of anything nobler than that,”

“Sounds like you were watching me for quite some time,” Ruby looked down at the picnic blanket, her cheeks ruddier than usual. “Now that I think about it, I never asked you what the moment was that made you realize you were falling for me,”

“I don’t think it was any one moment. For a long time, I saw my admiration of you simply as mutual respect. But as the years went on, my feelings gradually shifted into something more. Seeing you grow from the girl who stole my pencil case on my first day at Ericson into such a beautiful, fiery woman of integrity and valor, I can’t remember when I crossed that line from liking to loving you. But I do know this, Ruby O’Donnel. I have loved you for a long, long time,”

Reaching into his pocket, Aasim pulled out the wedding ring. He’d spent the last few weeks polishing it night after night till it glowed with its original radiance once more. It was far too large for Ruby’s finger, likely a man’s ring before, but the beauty of the symbol was there nonetheless. Shifting so that he knelt with one knee forward just as he’d always seen it done in books and long-lost movies, Aasim held up the ring in both hands. “Ruby, my love, will you marry me?”

Ruby was quiet for a second. Then another. Aasim could feel his heart pounding in his ears as he held his pose wondering if someway, somehow, this had been the wrong move to make. Finally, Ruby broke the silence. “I want to show you something. Come with me,”

She could tell Aasim was nervous. Hell, she would be too if he’d left her high and dry after asking the question first. Ruby felt a twinge of guilt at leaving him so perplexed just for the sake of her pride, but she couldn’t say yes just yet. There was something she needed to do first, the very thing she’d been planning in the greenhouse before Aasim sprung the surprise picnic upon her. It wasn’t far to the greenhouse. Once they were there, he’d see why she’d brought him.

The courtyard was empty as they walked through it and the area surrounding the greenhouse too. Aasim looked more and more nervous with each step he took but followed Ruby willingly, obliging her when she opened the greenhouse door for him and motioned for Aasim to enter first. As soon as he did, Aasim let out a reverent gasp.

The entire greenhouse was aglow with candlelight. Mason jars of purple, red and green covered every inch of the space, lined up along the shelves, on the edges of planters, tucked along the sides of the walkways and even a few suspended above them. Some strands of twinkle lights also ran along the bases of the planters, bartered in a recent trade Aasim had been a part of. Flower petals were scattered over the ground, all leading to a central point before their feet. The petals there formed a simple message: I love you.

“Do you like it?” Ruby whispered, causing Aasim to turn round.

“Ruby, I… it’s glorious,” Aasim’s voice caught a bit, his eyes watering lightly.

“Now that you’ve seen it, I bet you’ve figured out why I wanted to go so badly to the greenhouse earlier today. And why I didn’t want to say yes just yet. Cause first I want to say my piece,” Clearing her throat, Ruby pulled out a neatly folded piece of paper from her pocket and began to read. “My love, I can’t remember the first time my eyes turned in your direction in that special way. I’d always thought you were cute, but considering that our early days started with me being more than a bit of a bully to ya, I never thought anything would come of that. Then the world fell apart and we were both so busy surviving I didn’t even let myself believe love was anywhere in my future.

But somewhere along the way, deep within my heart of hearts, I think I always wanted it to be you. Truth be told, our first kiss might have happened a couple days sooner if you’d just asked more politely. I’m happy with the way things ended up though. I’ll never forget our first kiss and I’ll never stop thanking the good Lord you came back to me that day.

This has been something I’ve wanted to do for a while. More than a while, probably from the very start. But I had all sorts of silly thoughts in my head that you had to be the one to propose first or it wouldn’t be proper. That was all a load of horse apples though. So, I put all this together to ask you a question, a question I hope you’ll answer the way I’ve been dreaming. Aasim…” Ruby paused, fishing something out of her pocket. Lifting it up, she revealed a tiny, glittery pink ring, so small it would probably only fit on Aasim’s pinky. “Will you marry me?”

“Yes! Yes!” Before either of them could say anything further, Aasim cupped Ruby’s face and pressed his lips to hers in a deep kiss. That kiss turned to another then another till finally Aasim pulled back and took the ring Ruby had offered. Slipping it as far down as it would go onto his pinky, Aasim held his hand out to admire it.

“Darn, it’s an even worse fit than I thought,” Ruby mumbled. “I’ve been searching all over God’s green earth for a proper ring of some sort and all I could scrounge up was this dress up ring I had from way back before the school even fell,”

“I love it,” Reaching toward the table behind her, Aasim grabbed a length of twine and the gardening shears and snipped off a portion of it. Slipping the ring onto the twine, he tied it around his neck, letting the ring rest just below the zipper on his hoodie. “Honestly, mine is probably an awful fit too. It’s embarrassing really,”

“Are you kidding? You propose with a bona fide gold ring while I use a cereal box prize and you’re acting as if it’s the same thing?” Ruby shook her head, taking the twine and scissors from him and cutting her own piece. Gingerly taking the ring from Aasim, Ruby looped it though the twine then tied it round her neck where it lay snugly just below the collar of her shirt.

The two of them smiled at each other, lost in the happiness of the moment before chuckles escaped their lips.

“I can’t believe it,” Aasim murmured, shaking his head. “For both of us to choose the exact same day… what are the odds? When you didn’t answer my proposal and brought me down to the greenhouse instead, I wasn’t sure what to expect, perhaps a rejection, but certainly not this.”

“Now that’s the silliest thing I ever heard!” Ruby exclaimed, lightly whacking her betrothed on the arm. “As if I’d ever say no to you! I just didn’t want you to steal my thunder!” Her eyes turned to the greenhouse, admiring the décor. “Thank goodness Prisha knew the last few pieces of the plan to get this greenhouse gussied up. I don’t know what would have happened without her help,”

“Prisha knew? She and Willy were the ones who made that tea tray for the picnic! She was in on both plans,” Aasim looked toward the door. “Was she the only one who helped you set this up?”

“Well, Louis was involved too. He was the first one I told about the proposal,”

“And if Louis knew then Clementine knew. Clem was the first one I confided in about the ring,”

The couple shared a look. How far did the others’ involvement go? The courtyard had suddenly been empty as they were heading toward the greenhouse. Was it still empty now? Hand in hand, the pair opened the door and stepped outside.

The courtyard was no longer empty after all. In fact, everyone was there. The others stood round one of the picnic tables, chattering excitedly. As soon as they saw Aasim and Ruby though, they suddenly went quiet. That was until AJ stepped forward.

“Happy wedding!” he shouted, tossing a handful of tinsel into the air. Willy joined him, throwing his own handful and blowing enthusiastically on an old kazoo.

“Boys, remember, it’s ‘happy engagement,’” Prisha corrected gently before her eyes returned to the happy pair. “Congratulations, you two. We couldn’t be happier for you,”

“It’s like I’m giving away my own children,” Louis commented, wiping a mock tear from his eye. “They grow up so fast,”

Clementine shook her head good-naturedly, taking Louis’ hand in hers. “Congratulations, both of you. Seeing as we all knew both your plans, we’ve been working on a little surprise of our own,”

“It’s PANCAKE DAY!” Willy shouted, jumping around ecstatically. Omar lifted up a plate of pancakes that had been hidden on the picnic benches, Violet holding a second plate. Both of them smiled at the happy couple.

Aasim and Ruby shared a smile of their own then stepped forward, joining the group for the celebratory feast. The day hadn’t gone how either of them had expected, yet it had blossomed into something more beautiful than they’d ever dreamed. As Ruby sat down at the picnic table, Aasim’s hand in hers, her family surrounding her, her cheeks glowed with excitement. “Let’s get to planning some weddings!”

[sepublic]

Luz’s Air VS Belos’ Earth

           So remember what I said about Luz having Air motifs? Well, this applies to Eda as well, but in particular…

           …I think Belos can also be associated with Earth as a contrast! He’s a character who grows living constructs from the earth, manifesting from the ground! His castle is deep into the chest of the Titan, inside an abyss… He’s a rigid character with ideas of conformity, of ‘shaping’ others into specific forms, be it his own body on a literal sense, or others! This fits into the idea of how earth and mud can be shaped when malleable, only to eventually harden- Just as Belos’ form shifts, or how he fits young minds into the conforming mold within his Coven System! And then there’s him literally petrifying others and turning them into stone…

           In contrast, you have Luz and Eda, who as I said before are free-spirited thinkers who bring about the winds of change! They’re not bound by anything like Belos, who is bound to the Titan’s underground heart and his position as a ruler… They welcome all ideas and are openly themselves, while the true Belos is hidden beneath the ‘surface’ of his mask, cloak, and armor! They are their own people and encourage others to be free individuals who can operate on their own, while Belos encourages people to be dependent upon one another in the Coven System, bound like a flightless bird!

           Luz and Eda ascended up the Titan’s knee, while Belos descended down to its heart! The Owl House isn’t rooted to a singular location like Belos’ castle, it can uproot itself and move around! But at the same time… These two also cross-over and are each other’s elements in their own way, too! Luz and Eda are more ‘grounded’ individuals, who have thrown aside flighty ideas and fantasies in favor of just getting to know people as they are and being with them!

           Whereas Belos has angelic motifs of ascension, of being above others and communicating to a higher being… His Coven System stresses the idea of a hierarchy, of uplifting the worthy above the rest! While Luz and Eda see everyone as being on equal, common ground. But the Air and Earth motifs return to their respective owners… Belos wants to put others beneath him, while Luz is only interested in uplifting those around her and encouraging them to be the best, regardless of her own standing! Belos believes himself as worthy and above others, the one with all of the attention and art, but Luz? Luz is humble and fine with playing support!

           Belos contradicts himself, being rigid and more earth-like, yet presenting ideas of heavenly ascension… He projects ideas over the reality of them, hence his conforming masks placed over himself and his Emperor’s Coven! Whereas Luz and Eda acknowledge things as warts-and-all, and are more flexible and open-minded because of it! Belos doesn’t want to acknowledge the truth of things, he keeps them buried beneath his image of what he wants, while Eda and Luz leave it bare, flying high above everyone else for all to see!

           Belos’ light obscures and blinds, distracts and acts as an illusion to the reality of a situation, to what people are like in favor of a ‘front’ they present themselves as and try to live up to, while Luz’s light reveals and illuminates… It truly enlightens as it reveals people for who they are, allows them to self-reflect, and be themselves while recognizing a bad situation and any abusive lies they’re falling into!

           Luz and Belos’ first interaction has Luz flying around while Belos remains rooted to the ground, growing from it… And when they leave, it’s literally Luz ascending above Belos, whose fleshy constructs are very much rooted to the ground! Belos talks a lot of ascension, but the dude is a walking contradiction, with his heavenly and angelic motifs contrasted by demonic imagery with his creations and potential true form…

          His ‘Light’ actually obscuring as Belos’ appearances are frequently in darkness! Him speaking of Unity when his Coven System sets others at one another’s throats, and of helping others ascend when in reality he creates an artificial hierarchy that restricts most! Belos’ clean, white aesthetics contrasted with the ugly metal pipes of his castle…

          Belos is a hypocrite, and then you have Luz, who just isn’t. She wears her heart on her sleeve, she is up-front about her intentions to the point that some people aren’t sure if she’s telling the truth (like Amity for instance), because the kind of culture and system that Belos has set up has encouraged people to hide!

          Belos is buried, hidden intentions, while Luz is flying, free, and open, for everyone to see! She has no shame in who she is and she’ll let others know, while Belos hides the truth like a dead body… And considering his implied genocides, he probably HAS in a literal sense! Luz presents herself as a regular down-to-earth human but ends up uplifting others and flying, while Belos shows himself as a heavenly figure above all with angelic motifs, but lurks in the darkness in caverns below like an underworldly demon!

          His golden aesthetic also works when you remember that gold is something that is mined and linked to the Earth itself, which in turn connects with Belos mining his way into the Titan’s heart, implying a form of invasiveness and not respecting others’ boundaries- While in the open sky, everyone has space to be themselves! Luz lets people be and exist, while Belos forces his way in and is an invader who imprisons and shackles people. They are very much to the antithesis to one another…

           …Which naturally, it makes me wonder if Luz will get an Air Glyph, and an Earth Glyph later! It’d definitely be interesting to see… There is the idea of Belos actually being VERY ancient, essentially a ‘blast from the past’, like someone is ‘digging up the past’… As ancient history is linked with the ground, with stone, with being uncovered and dug up! Whilst the future and the present is a flighty thing, it’s not set in stone like the past was, it’s variable to change at any moment based on a whim!

          Luz is the hope for a new generation, but at the same time it’s ironic because she brings up and old form of magic and way of living… While Belos is the older generation, but his constrictive reign is a young and new one, relying on a more recent form of magic and just-established rules!

          Luz is someone with fresh, wide-eyed idealism and beliefs in others, while Belos has motifs of decay and deterioration, of rot, which of course is associated with being in the ground and buried… And THAT ties to his castle being within the ribcage of the Titan! Belos invokes images of the undead, and what do they do? They rise from their earthen graves… Which, if Belos IS trying to revive the Titan through its heart, plays into undead motifs of resurrection!

[dammitadolfnomorecake]

Once Bitten, Twice Stupid prt 96

96

James could suck the exhaust pipe of the van for all Keith cared. Werewolves were huge, far bigger than the normal family dog or what most people thought. Yet with all that size came zero brain cells. Keith in a huff, not able to stop thinking of Lance and slightly murderous thanks to James loudly mocking him for his “Breeder Boyfriend”. So much for not making a fucking thing out of it, and you know, not putting Lance in extra danger. Sure. He smelt like Lance, before he’d been sprayed top to bottom with that horrible floral crap he and Shiro had used on their scent last time, but if their positions were reversed, Keith wouldn’t be attempting to humiliate him through his boyfriend. He knew it was his name that made James mad... and that he was so close to Shiro, but that wasn’t his fault. He never ever wanted the extra attention.

Worried about his boyfriend’s behaviour, Coran was going to have Curtis check in and maybe stay with Lance. Keith felt like it was something else than birthday blues because he knew birthday depression far too well. He wished he could get Lance out of his mind. Being mad a James helped with that, but that anger was mostly about his comments about Lance, so his mind kept drifting back to his boyfriend as he triple checked his snipers scope. He understood why Coran told him to be extra careful before he left. Vampires had their own set of rules, not terribly considerate towards hunters in that respect. Maybe he really has become soft working here, and actually feeling appreciated for himself. Training his scope onto the recon team, things slowly dissolved to shit as shots rang out. They’d supposed to get the lay of the land and decide from there whether to engage with the werewolves and continue surveillance, the mission plan was basic about the initial components, but being discovered so soon to arriving and in the middle of the freakin’ day was not planned. The first surveillance team had like no contact with the targets. They’d pretty much hadn’t seen anything, and they’d been watching from sun up until relief. Even if it did give them the advantage, some wank stain had ruined everything with that first shot

“Open up the roofs, get us some light in there”

In other words fire a dozen shots into the steel roofing over their target buildings.

There were three target buildings in the shipyard. Keith think he’d thought about there actually be a ship yard in Platt, seeing it was Platt, but the actual words for a place where they constructed ship parts escaped him. Other than the sea of buildings, truck yards, trucks and about 20,000 shipping containers to hide between... they couldn’t shut down the docks without raising suspicion, so instead power for 15 city blocks had gone down with press releases that the problem was being worked on. The Blades didn’t fuck around. Everything outside the mission was null and void until they came back. He shouldn’t be sitting there wondering if Lance would have shot someone’s balls off if he’d been in Keith’s position, no matter if it brought a smile to his face at the thought. Taking aim, he fired at the roof of the closest building, as it was breeched by agents. There were more Blades here than he’d seen in Platt in the whole time since Kolivan waltzed in.

“Explosive device recovered... fall back. Teams X, R, M, rerouting”

Explosives were usually a Blade thing when evidence needed to disappear. Keeping the communication clipped, it failed to warn him it was discovered on a rooftop some 50metres from his position. He didn’t know he was supposed to run until the screams of an unfortunate Blade member filled his ears and huge explosion went off towards the gates of the yard. With the roof blown sky high, Keith was gathering up his rifle and running, before a second device triggered... then the third, this time taking off the side of a storage shed. If that didn’t scream “motherfucking setup”, then Keith didn’t know what did. Nearly clear of the roof, the roofing beneath his feet shifted, Keith losing his step and nearly getting himself killed as he fell off the side of the building and onto a pile of electrical reels... which really hurt. He was getting in mentally before the mocking started. Lance would have a hundred puns to annoy him with after he punched him in the dick for nearly getting hurt.

Being winded saved him as the barred windows to the left and right of the reels blew outwards, glass, concrete and metal showering over him. Had he been getting to his feet, he’d have taken the shrapnel head on, not copping parts second hand as the reels went up in flames. Lance was going to be pissed. You only went after roofs when you knew someone was hiding there or you suspected snipers... Fuck. He had to move and pull back. Something else had been blown up and the air stank from burning things that shouldn’t be burnt. Gathering up his rifle, he was half crash tackled before being pulled along towards the front gate. The mysterious figure was dressed in black, yet he instantly knew they weren’t a Blade member.

Short of the collective of hunter’s, they reached another figure dressed in all black. Hunching over to catch his breath, the first figure who’d pulled him along cackled

“Look at him. Human’s really aren’t good for anything”

Narti?! What the fuck?

“Careful. We need to fall back”

And Ezor? Or was it Zethrid? Which was the tall one again?

“But I wanna take him home”

“This place holds no leads for us. Leave him to return with the human”

Narti crossed her arms

“That’s enough, Ezor. Narti will be mad we meddled as it is”

Ohhh... not Narti... that actually kind of made him feel better... Narti was the grumpy one... Ezor wanted to have fun. He needed to remember that

“Fiiiine”

Ezor licked the pad of her gloved thumb, before reaching and rubbing at spot on his mask

“Good as new. Right. Off you run”

Keith found his voice. He couldn’t let the two of them run off when they knew something

“Wai-...”

“Don’t go getting emotional on us little Keefy. I know you want to join us, but you’re a human and we have a strict no humans allowed rule. Until next time”

With that the pair of them were off, heading back towards the chaos. Feeling every bit of his bruised body, Keith started limping over to where the hurt hunters were getting immediate medical treatment. Had Lotor sold them out? Or was he following them? What the fuck was going on? And where the fuck was Shiro? He was going to kill him very slowly if he’d gotten himself killed.

*

The clean up was worse than falling off the roof. Why the didn’t have a back up team in the sewer system Keith didn’t know, because that’s how their pray had escaped. Right down the jagged hole middle of the building... and of course the arseholes had taken everything with them. It was a mess he was glad he didn’t have to deal with. Fuck being in Kolivan or Krolia’s shoes right now. He didn’t even want to be in his own shoes. He’d traded his sniper rifle for a pair of hand guns, but there really wasn’t anything to do... because thankfully he wasn’t a werewolf with an overdeveloped sense of smell. Ezor and Zethrid weighed on his mind, he hadn’t the chance to tell anyone he’d seen them there, and Shiro was too busy first with the mission, then fussing over him.

Leaving the cleanup crew still working, Keith was still late to Lance’s birthday dinner. Shiro was late too, but that was okay because he wasn’t dating Lance. Between getting back to VOLTRON, showering, changing, and not being able to talk to Coran thanks to the fae being busy as fuck with the Blades mess, he was still late. Heading into the restaurant with Shiro, Curtis was the first to notice, out of his seat and throwing his arms around Shiro within moments of his noticing him.

Lance was sitting with Pidge in his lap, there was a smile on his lips that didn’t turn genuine until he set his eyes on Keith. The warmth in his smile and the relief in his eyes. That was everything he needed after what’d happened. Keith felt like walking bag of bruises that Lance wouldn’t be happy about. It was a shame Coran and Allura weren’t there, but Lance was and that was all he cared about.

Shooing Pidge out his lap, Pidge grumbled over being evicted. Lance reaching for him, and Keith nearly tripped over his own feet in his rush to get to his boyfriend. There had to be rules about two people sitting in the same seat, this wasn’t like Sal’s or at a pub, the place was fancy, but their table was slightly hidden by a jutting room divider. Sinking into his boyfriend’s hold, Lance slipped his arm around his waist, his lips finding Keith’s with practiced ease. Sharing three small kisses, ending as Keith hissed over his scratched lips. Now he was sitting, he wasn’t sure he had the energy to ever get up again. His boyfriend smelt so nice. A little sweet, and little muddly, but comfortingly like him.

Nuzzling into his cheek, Keith expected Pidge to carry on or tease them for being “gross”. Curtis must have filled them all in the mission going sideways. Softly, Lance asked

“Babe?”

“I’m okay...”

He was ready for bed... Cake, Lance and bed. Lance, cake, Lance, and bed sounded better. Or Lance and cake in bed...

“You sure? Curtis...”

“Yeah. A bit shell shocked and bruised but so much better for being here”

Lance kissed his cheek

“I’m not going to be happy later, am I?”

“Mmmm, maybe not, but I’m in one piece and I didn’t take direct damage. I’ll be fine, I promise you, babe”

His ears weren’t ringing and he had both eyebrows so that was a win.

“Okay. You’ve had your time to talk. Now tell us about this mission of yours”

Matt scooched his chair closer. Shiro groaned at him. With him and Curtis sitting down, the seating arrangement around the table was Lance, Miriam, Pidge, Rieva, Matt, Hunk, Shiro, Curtis, with the chair closest to Lance left open for him, though that had probably already been used by Pidge until he arrived. Curtis explained

“Vampires blew up the depot. You know the transport and manufacturing depot. Yeah, well, their going to have a hell of time explaining that away. Though I suppose with the power black out they’ll say some compound became unstable from lack of refrigeration. It makes Allura’s, Lance’s, and Keith’s previous mission pretty void for now. Werewolves have been deployed to scent track”

Mami was the first to voice her worry

“Oh my dear! Neither of you were hurt were you?”

Pidge a little less sensitive in her worries

“Dude, did you get blown up?”

Shiro shook his head, Keith content with no explaining... though it niggled at him not to mention Zethrid and Ezor. He’d talk to Coran about it. He was more tactful with handling this kind of thing, plus Keith kind of feared being scolded by Kolivan for receiving help from the “enemy”

“No. A few other members were injured. I thought we lost Keith, but he’d already drawn back”

Shit. Lance would worry

“They gave the order to. I didn’t think we’d be worrying about being blown up after nothing happening on first shift. They must have used the time from the moment they detected us to that shot firing to retreat. But we’re both okay, Mami. You don’t need to worry”

“As my son, I’m afraid I do. Do you know long it look Lance to bring home such a nice catch? I was beginning to believe I’d be dead before it happened”

Lance scolded his Mami

“Mami! You can’t say things like that”

Miriam laughing it off

“Consider it a perk of being old. They give you the good stuff when they think you’re a bit nutty. Now, we didn’t order for you two boys, and by the sound of it you both need a good meal and rest”

Matt snickered

“I doubt Keith’s going to be getting any of that”

Keith was now sure he was missing something. His anxiety started curling in his gut. This was why he hated being late. He hated feeling like he was on the outside

“Okay. No more picking on Keith. Babe, I’ll tell you later. Mami’s right. You need to eat something. I’m happy you came home safe”

“Yeah. Me too...”

Pidge finally butting in

“And now you’re being gross again. This is supposed to be a nice dinner to celebrate Lance. You’ve got witnesses”

Keith forced himself to slide from Lance’s lap to the empty chair. Ordering felt like too much effort

“Careful, gremlin. I’ve got stories of my own remember”

Pidge scowled at Lance

“I’m going to find a way to make you forget all those embarrassing stories”

Lance picked up his wine glass, mischief in his eye

“I’d like to see you try. Your mother’s potted plants came straight to mind”

“Ugh! I hate you... Matt, Lance is being mean”

“You’re the one who tried to spray paint mum’s plants so she couldn’t tell you’d killed them”

Keith sucked in his lips, trying not to bark out a laugh lest he also be accused of betraying her. He could see Pidge doing that so clearly... or trying to frame Matt for it. Grabbing her knife she faked stabbing herself in the heart, letting herself fall forward dramatically as she whispered

“I’ve been betrayed by both of you. Run, Keith, take Hunk. Be free!”

Flopped on the table, Matt poked at her

“Right. Well, I call dibs on her piece of cake”

Miraculously Pidge was revived

“Touch me piece of cake and I’ll tell Rieva how you couldn’t sleep with your light off until you were 15”

Matt was unruffled

“Seeing you already have, your piece is now forfeit”

“Noooo... Shiro, is there like a training collar for werewolves? I’m going to have to teach him to respect his little sister”

“Notice how you only refer to yourself like that when you’re trying to win me over”

“You can’t be mean! I’m a poor defenceless human”

“Defenceless my left testicle. You’re as defenceless as a barbed wire fence with the personality to match”

“If anything Lance is the “steely” one”

Lance raised an eyebrow

“If I’m so steely, why is it that my home was invaded by a cow today? Pidge, we know you better than to know you won’t go for a kick to balls if you’re cornered. Matt, stop upsetting the gremlin. She can have cake, but only before midnight”

“Why before midnight?”

The words slipped right out, their friends laughing at him... including Mami. Obviously it was some kind of pop culture reference he wasn’t getting. At least Lance was nice enough to comfort him

“Oh, babe. You’re exhausted. We’ll watch the movie when we next get a free weekend”

“Which won’t be for another two weeks”

Lance groaned, cheeks red and hunching down as he did

“Maaaaatt. Shut up”

“Why another two weeks?”

Lance spluttered, replying too fast

“Oh, you know, work and stuff. Stop teasing him before I talk to him about it”

“Fine. But on a serious note, you’re prepared right?”

“Curtis helped me out this afternoon”

“Good. Keith, make sure you take care of him”

He’d had enough of being confused

“What the fuck is going on?”

“Thanks, guys. Babe, come order with me. I’ll order for you too, Shiro, while I’m at it. You all suck”

Keith didn’t know “ordering” meant a trip to the men’s room. Lance splashing his face with water as Keith hung back towards the door. Catching his gaze in the mirror, Lance smiled at him, though it was one of those faked smiles that should be banned

“Sorry. Matt’s been like this all afternoon”

“You want to tell me what’s going on? I haven’t been able to get out my head how you looked at me when I left”

Lance ducked his head, turning off the tap, that blush was sneaking back in

“I... uh... okay. So don’t be mad, and you totally don’t have to be there if you don’t want to... I... um... I’m preheat”

What the what now?

“Preheat?”

“You know how werewolves get horny in spring but before that they’re all like super affectionate and make sure they’re well stocked and safe? Yeah, I’m that”

“You haven’t been preheat before. You kind of just go into heat”

Lance huffed. Turning, he crossed his arms and stared at his feet

“Thank you, Captain Obvious. Curtis came by earlier because you’d talked to Coran and we kind of figured it out together. I drank your blood like 3ish months ago... I’m either pregnant or preheat... and seeing we use protection... well... yeah. Matt reckons he smelt it on me. Rieva agrees. My... uh... scent’s sweeter and stronger ‘cause apparently my body is trying to tell you I need looking after and stuff. Look, I was going to tell you at the hotel, but Matt hasn’t stopped teasing me and it’s not fair you don’t know. He told the others were having a romantic week together... but I’m not forcing you to be there. I mean, we don’t know how long it will last and can you please say something because I’m kind of freaking the fuck out and embarrassed as hell about how I acted last time”

“So this is a thing?”

Smooth. Real smooth. A heat was better than a baby... but a proper heat... Hadn’t he had a long enough day as it was? Now he was being unfair to Lance

“Yep. Surprise”

And Lance sounded resigned

“I... Okay. Neither of us know much about this really and honestly I’m pretty much asleep on my feet and the only thinking happening isn’t much. But you can’t act like I don’t want to be there with you”

“And you can’t act like I didn’t freak you the fuck out last time. You went through that all for me! When do I finally get to do something for you!? It isn’t fair! I hate this body of mine. I just want to be a good boyfriend!”

Lance covered his mouth. Keith kind of felt like punching him in the dick. If Lance could tell, so could he!

“Why do you have to be like that? You can’t help it!”

“Because I’m this! This is me! What I want is to go back to you living with me and none of this other shit even happening! You’re too fucking good to me!”

“You’re the good one! I woke up this morning and realised I hadn’t even gotten a present!”

“I don’t need a present! All I want is you!”

“It’s your birthday!”

“And all I wanted was to be with you!”

“I’m here now! Again!”

“And I don’t want to leave at the end of it!”

“Then why are you yelling?!”

Keith spluttered

“I don’t know! You yelled back at me!”

“I was yelling because you were yelling! I miss living with you!”

“And I miss having you around! I miss it! I miss it and I can’t change it because I won’t put you in danger... I can’t lose you”

Both of them stared at each other, Keith moving at the same time as Lance... more or less crashing into each other than a romantic moment. Wrapping his arms around Lance, Lance held onto his jacket

“I miss you, Keith. I know I’m supposed to be the cool older one... but sometimes it hard to go home”

As hard as it was to go back to “normal” life while Lance wasn’t around

“I miss you too. You’re like... the good thing in my life I still can’t believe I have... I... confession time, Shiro helped me with your present”

“Confession time, I don’t mind. We’re working out this boyfriend thing together... I’m haunted by the memories of things I’ve written in cards”

That seemed to be a common theme. Keith wasn’t too sure about what he’d written in Lance’s card

“Shiro said the same thing this morning”

“I’m far too much on his wavelength”

“Bad taste in music. Odd taste in men. A constant need to talk thing out...”

“Don’t forget I care about you. I don’t want people caught up in this that shouldn’t be. I’m ruggedly handsome and mysterious... Um. I... care about you”

“You said that twice”

Lance sighed against him

“I really do. When Curtis said things went south my heart nearly stopped. Three months isn’t long enough... not to be around you. Not to know you...”

Lance was being too adorable and too sweet. Keith couldn’t lie to him about today

“I’m okay... Don’t tell Shiro but I fell off a roof and was saved by a pile of electrical cable spools”

“Babe!”

“And then Ezor saved me. She was there with Zethrid”

“Keith! What the hell!?”

“I don’t know why they were there, probably poking into the same things as us...”

“God. Why can’t you Blades be bloody careful!?”

“I was falling back when it happened... does that count?”

“Yes, but, babe... are you sure you’re okay? Did you hit your head? Do you know where you are?”

“I’m in some weird restaurant with some weird guy?”

“That isn’t funny!”

Lance was in tears now. He’d teased him too much. Kissing Lance’s hair, his boyfriend was still clutching him, Keith wondered if the jacket would forever retain the marks from how hard of a grip Lance had on him

“I’m fine. The suit protected me for the most part. The worst I got was a little winded and a few bruises. I’m with my boyfriend, on his birthday, which is the only place I want to be”

“I... You’re not allowed to scare me like that. You’re too important”

“I know. I only had to survive for Shiro before, now I have you... and... maybe I think I want to survive for myself”

“I should punch you in the dick”

It’d be deserved. Lance wore his heart on his sleeve and Keith really loved that about him

“Please don’t”

Lance sniffled softly, still angry despite crying

“Only because it’s you asking... You have to tell Shiro you saw them there. It could be important”

“I’m going to let Coran know”

“And Shiro”

That wasn’t a conversation he relished the thought of

“He’ll worry... How about I tell them together?”

“Fine. As long as you swear you’ll tell them”

“Only because it’s you asking. We should get back”

“I suppose so... I’m so fucking relieved you’re alright”

“I know... me too, babe. I wouldn’t miss being here with you for anything”

“You’re such a fucking sap... but... I really like you. I know it’s your job, and this preheat is making me extra emotional... but... the world is better for having you in it”

What was he supposed to say to that? It was Lance’s birthday but he felt like he was the one who’d been given the best present of his life.

[crystalninjaphoenix]

No More

A Stitched Story

JSE Fanfic

We’ve reached the season finale! However, this is not the series finale. Just thought I’d say that right here since it could be interpreted that way. I’m tired and don’t have a lot of brain room for summaries, but suffice to say, everyone confronts Anti again. Cause that bitch has been avoiding them, but now he’s come back with a plan. Cool stuff happens. Action! Excitement! Again I am tired and this doesn’t make sense, but I hope you like it anyway!

Tagging @septic-dr-schneep for inspiring this AU with this post.

Read where it started: Stitched Together | Season One

Previous season two stories: No Strings on Me | Nightmare World | Normalcy | The Notion of The End | Nobody’s Home | Nevermore | New Places

Taglist (finally): @bupine​ @violet--majesty​

The summer days were growing short again. Weeks had passed since Chase, Jack, and JJ had gone to hide out with Stacy and the kids, and now it was a month away from school starting again. There had been no sign of Schneep, and Jack wouldn’t lie: he was really worried about that. Luckily, he had something to take his mind off of that for right now.

“Okay, just across the room, no support from walls,” Jack said, crossing the living room to stand on the other side across from Jameson.

JJ hesitated, unsure. Can I use support if I start to fall?

“Yeah, of course. I’ll also be ready to catch you if you start to lose it.”

JJ sighed through his mask, and leaned away the wall he’d been supporting himself on. He wobbled slightly, then slowly started walking across the room. Jack watched, tensing every time JJ stumbled. But after a few minutes, JJ got into a rhythm, and soon made it to the other side. As soon as he was able, he grabbed Jack for support.

“Great!” Jack said, trying to sound enthusiastic. “You’re still limping, but you’re getting faster. How’s it feel?”

Still twinges a bit, JJ admitted. It was a bit awkward as he was trying to keep hold of Jack while signing. But infinitely better.

“That’s great, real great.” Jack nodded. “You want to stop or keep going?”

We can stop, it’s fine, JJ said. He reached over and grabbed a cane leaning against the wall. It was a cheap metal model that Stacy had bought online once she’d realized JJ was having trouble walking. She’d grumbled a bit about how nobody was telling her what had caused this, but Jameson had been thankful anyway.

“Alright, if you’re sure.” Jack let Jameson walk over to the nearest chair on his own, making sure he got there safely before ducking out of the room and into the dining room.

Chase was in there, sitting at the table with his two daughters, markers and construction paper scattered about the surface. Lily was happily scribbling on a piece of green paper, while Moira was carefully cutting multicolored paper into strips and looping them through each other, making a paper chain as she stapled the loops closed.

“Dad, look!” Lily held up her drawing.

“Oh, very nice!” Chase said, smiling. “It’s a puppy, right?”

“It’s a pega-puppy, half pegasus, half puppy!” Lily said cheerfully. “I’m gonna make a uni-puppy too. They will be friends.”

“Nice, I look forward to meeting them.” Chase looked over to see Jack standing in the doorway. “Oh. Hey bro, didn’t see you there.”

“Hi Uncle Jack!” Lily waved.

Moira looked up briefly from her paper chain. “Hi.”

“Hey girls,” Jack said, waving. “Just checking on the three of you. How’re you doing?”

“Oh, we’re good.” Chase’s voice was very upbeat. “We’re doing arts and crafts to surprise Mom when she gets home from work.” 

“Cool. Good luck with that.” Jack glanced out the window. The sun was still high in the sky. “I’m...going to go take a walk.”

“Wait, by yourself?” Chase’s cheerful expression dropped a bit. “Are you sure? What about—” He glanced at the girls. “—the bad guy?”

“We haven’t seen him for a month now, not since we...you know, found out.” Jack tried to shrug casually. “I think it’s alright.”

“Maybe he’s just waiting for one of us to be alone,” Chase said, now fully worried. He stood up. “Look, I’ll just come with—”

“No, it’s fine, you keep having fun,” Jack hurried to say. “I’ll be back in an hour, I just...want to look for Schneep again.”

“I really don’t think you should—”

“Chase, it’s fine,” Jack said firmly. “I won’t go too far.” Even though that could possibly impede his search, if he stuck to familiar places, but who knows? Maybe Schneep would have wandered into the area. “Look at your kids, they’re so excited. You should stay with them.”

Chase slowly sat back down. “Be careful,” he said. “Take my...you-know-what, if you need to. It’s in the bedroom.”

“I will. See you later.”

Jack found the gun right where Chase said it would be, in the dresser drawer by the bed. He did stick to close-by areas. The walk was partially a search for Schneep, but if he had to be honest with himself, Jack...didn’t think any of them would be able to find Schneep. They’d been looking for a month, and had yet to even pick up a hint of him. For all they knew, Schneep might’ve vanished off the face of the earth.

But Jack didn’t even voice those concerns to himself. Surely if he went out looking one more time he could find him. Maybe just one more time would help. Maybe just one more time.

But of course, there was nothing.

— — — — — — —

Later that evening, Chase made dinner (which is to say, mac ‘n’ cheese for everyone), Stacy came home and put on a movie for the kids in the living room, and the three men gathered together in the bedroom: Chase lying on the bed, Jack sitting on the floor, and JJ taking the chair from the desk. “So, uh...how’d it go?” Chase asked. “The walk, I mean, Jack.”

“It was alright,” Jack said. “I mean, I didn’t find anything. But I didn’t run into you-know-who either.”

Voldemort? JJ asked, amused.

“Ha ha. No, you know what I mean,” Jack said, rolling his eyes.

Chase exhaled slowly. “Okay, that’s good. But, like, we should come up with a plan for if we see him again.”

I thought we had one of those, JJ said, confused.

“I mean, like, if we run into him while we’re alone. ‘Cause you know, that changes the whole plan.”

JJ sighed. Chase, while we’re on the subject, let’s talk about the plan.

Chase laughed nervously. “What about it?”

It’s just...are we sure this will...have the result we want? JJ asked delicately.

“I don’t see why it won’t,” Chase said. “Jack pulled out the soul...string...thing once before, he can do it again. And An���he’ll go poof, just like last time.”

Alright, that makes sense, JJ said. But...are we sure that we can destroy it?

“Well, I don’t know, do you think we can do that, Mr. Magic Man?” Chase asked.

Jack piped up. “I have seen your Dr. Strange magic cut through some of his strings before. If your magic is focused on helping people, just think about how getting rid of him will help all of us.”

That string wasn’t an ordinary string, Jameson protested. It’s more likely that it’s the remains of whatever black magic is holding him together. My magic might not be up for the task. He paused. And besides...even if it does, are we sure that...what we expect to happen...will happen?

Chase narrowed his eyes, and sat up. “What d’you mean?”

Jameson leaned back in the chair. All I’m saying is that...we don’t know that Marvin and Jackie will return if we destroy the string.

“It makes sense that they would,” Chase protested. “I mean, I would argue that their bodies are, y’know, buried and worse, but last time they somehow came back anyway. This spell is what made them...like this, so if we get rid of the spell, it would undo it.”

But that’s just a guess, Chase. Jameson was trying to sign gently, eyes sympathetic above his mask. There’s no solid knowledge that this will happen.

“There’s no solid knowledge about any of this! This is whole new magic territory, apparently!”

“Well, we have to try, don’t we?” Jack interrupted.

I’m not saying we don’t try, Jameson said.

“Kinda sounds like you are,” Chase mumbled.

All I’m saying is that we’re expecting to get them back the same way they apparently were before. But realistically, black magic of this magnitude would leave effects. The transference spell is already extremely destructive, and now it’s gone wrong, leaving any number of side effects.

“Anti is the side effect!” Chase shouted, getting to his feet. “We’re trying to get rid of him!”

Actually, Chase, I think you’re trying to get your friends back, Jameson said.

Silence. Chase went white, gaping. Jack stood up, looking between the two of them before going to stand by Chase. He started to reach out, but stopped. “Alright,” Chase said quietly. “So what if I am? So what if I am?! I want my best friends back, sue me for that! And we have a chance to try and get them, try to have everything go back to normal after the shit storm our lives have been! So what if I want that?!” His voice cracked.

There’s nothing wrong with that, Jameson signed slowly. But...we shouldn’t be expecting anything. There’s a high likelihood that they won’t come back. And if they do, they won’t be the same.

“I’m trying to be optimistic!”

No, you’re refusing to accept the possibility of failure! Jameson suddenly signed sharply.

“Um, guys?” Jack said. “Maybe—”

“I’m hoping that my friends come back!” Chase shouted, tears rising to his eyes. “What would you know about that?! You didn’t know them! You didn’t even have friends before we came along, Jameson Jackson!”

If silence fell before, here it crashed down. Tension filled the air, thick enough to almost be visible. Jameson stared at Chase with wide eyes. Jack gaped at Chase, his expression similar. To his credit, Chase immediately realized what he’d done, and his face grew even whiter. “JJ...I—I didn’t mean—”

Jameson pushed to his feet. With the help of his cane, he walked over to the doorway. Before leaving, he turned back around, leaning against the doorframe. Say what you will, Chase, he signed coldly. Perhaps you’re right, and I’m being callous because I never knew either of them. But just be sure. Be sure you’re prepared for whatever this plan will give you. Be prepared for them to be hollow shells like they were that week after we first defeated him. Be prepared for them to be completely different and foreign, even hostile. Be prepared for them to NOT BE THERE AT ALL. Jameson paused. If you’re prepared for all of that, then I’ll be confident trying our plan. He turned and left without another word.

Chase remained frozen for a few long seconds. Then, silently he started to cry. “I...I didn’t mean...oh fuck.” He buried his face in his hands. “Oh fuck, I fucked up.”

Jack looked like he wanted to agree, but didn’t say anything.

“I-I should go say something, right? I should go apologize. I-I didn’t mean it.” Despite saying this, Chase didn’t move from the spot. His feet remained rooted to the ground.

“Maybe not right now...” Jack suggested. “You’re both...a little heated, take some time to cool down. Maybe tomorrow.”

“Yeah...yeah, that sounds good.” Chase lifted his face from his hands, his eyes rimmed with red. “I’ll...go...take a nap. Or something.”

“Oh. Uh...well, this is your room, so I’ll...go, then.” Jack sidled away, heading for the door. He glanced back at Chase, to see he still hadn’t moved.

“Hey...Jack,” Chase said, noticing his hesitation. “You...you do think there’s a chance, right? That we’ll get them back?”

Jack was quiet for a long time. “I think...that there’s a way.  If you forced me to choose—which, let’s be honest, I kind of am being, here—the plan we have is our best shot at getting them back. Maybe...” He paused a moment, thinking. “..maybe they won’t be exactly the same. But we’ll be there to help them.” Another pause. “But there is a chance...it won’t...”

Chase didn’t react to that, aside from a slight stiffening. Jack stayed hovering in the doorway, waiting for something else. When it never came, he simply left, closing the door behind him.

In the hallway now, Jack sighed, pressing his forehead against the wall. For a moment, he stayed there, feeling the weight of everything press down on him. He was...tired. And tense. And he guessed the others felt much the same.

— — — — — — —

The next morning was a quiet one. Stacy took the kids to the park, perhaps sensing the leftover tension and deciding to get out of the way. Still, it was almost an hour after they left, and Chase and JJ had yet to interact again after the fight yesterday. It got to the point where Jack cornered each of them separately and told them to meet him in the kitchen.

Of course, once each of them got there and saw the other, things got awkward real quick. The two of them sat on either side of the kitchen table with Jack at the head in between them.

“So...” Jack said, clearing his throat. “I think...people...we...you guys need to talk?”

In case you haven’t noticed, that’s impossible, JJ remarked.

Jack winced. “You know what I mean. Yesterday was...hard for all of us.”

“Jays, you know I didn’t mean it,” Chase blurted out. “I-I was just...upset because...” He waved his hands vaguely. “I guess just—i-it was enough finding out that Marvin and Jackie are...him. I-I’m still not...anyway, it was just like you were...I mean, it’s not impossible, right? Which it kind of...felt like you were saying. You know?”

JJ stayed silent. Jack tried very hard not to facepalm. He could tell that could’ve gone better, even if he didn’t have Jameson’s reaction to go by.

Before anyone could say anything else, the front door of the house opened and slammed shut. “Chase?!” Stacy shouted.

Chase cursed under his breath, then stood up. “I’ll be back,” he said, leaving to go back into the living room.

Stacy was standing in the middle of the room, purse clutched tight to her chest, and her face very pale. “Chase, where are Lily and Moira?”

“What? Aren’t they with you?” Chase asked.

“They were! Now I don’t know where the hell they are!” Stacy threw her purse down onto the couch. She blinked back furious tears. “They were on the playground, Moira was pushing Lily on the swings. I went to buy a bottle of water, they were within earshot, it was fine, and then I turn around and they were gone! Where the hell are our kids, Chase?!”

Chase couldn’t answer. He backed up into the nearest chair and collapsed, shaking slightly.

Jack poked his head into the room. He immediately looked like he wanted to back away, but then he noticed Chase. “What happened?” he asked, stepping fully into the room.

Chase covered his mouth with his hand, pulling at his bandanna with the the other. He shook his head.

Stacy looked between the two of them. “What’s going on?!”

“I knew this would happen...” Chase choked out. “I shouldn’t have come here, I-I didn’t want to involve you, a-and now look what’s happened!”

“It’s him, isn’t it?” Jack asked softly. Behind him, JJ also appeared, leaning on the door frame.

“He has my fucking kids,” Chase said, a sob ripping out of his throat.

“What?!” Jack rushed over to Chase’s side. “No no no, he can’t! He’s never involved anyone but us!”

“They’re gone, Jack!” Chase cried. “It was only t-time before h-he went after someone we knew...to get to us...we ne-never should’ve come here!”

“Oh shit.” Jack paled. “No no no, this is okay, we’ll go get them back!”

“That’s what he’ll be expecting,” Chase whispered. 

Suddenly, a buzzing noise came from Stacy’s purse. She frowned, walking over to where it was on the couch and picking it up again. Digging around in it, she pulled out her phone and checked the screen. Her eyes widened. “I just got a text from an unknown number,” she said in a hushed voice.

“What’s it say?” Jack asked tentatively. Chase looked down, holding his head in his hands.

“‘I want my puppet back,’“ Stacy read out loud. “‘You know where to go. All of you can come, if you want, but if you try anything’...” She swallowed nervously. “‘...you can say goodbye to the girls. You have until noon.’ Holy shit...”

“We gotta do it,” Chase mumbled. His fingers bunched his hair, pulling it. “We gotta go. They’re just kids...”

Jack glanced over at Jameson, who’d been standing quietly the whole time. Jameson looked at him as well, and nodded. I agree...we can’t let anything happen to them. But we can’t go in without a plan, of some sorts.

“You mean...the plan?” Jack asked.

Jameson paused then shook his head. I don’t know. Maybe that would be too risky. But this’ll be the third time we go into his territory, it would be foolish to not have some sort of fail-safe in case...he doesn’t keep his word.

“What if we just did it?” Chase asked. “What if we just went through with it, a-and you guys came back for me later? I lasted five months, it can’t be too—”

“Chase, holy shit, no!” Jack cried, aghast. “You’re not going back there!”

“Wait, what?” Stacy suddenly asked.

“Long story,” Jack said to her. “And, uh...not my place.” He looked down at Chase, but he didn’t seem in the mood to explain anything right now. “The point is, there are a million better options before we go...there.”

“Do you think he’d really hurt them?” Chase asked dully. “I mean...since he’s actually them. Do you think any part of them would do something like that? I know Marv didn’t like kids much, but he was always nice to them, at least.”

We can’t take the chance, JJ said, shaking his head. He brushed away his bracelets to check his wristwatch. It’s nearly eleven o’clock, he said we only have until noon. We need to hurry.

“Hold on!” Stacy held up her hands, asking them to stop. “You’re all talking about this as if I’m not here! You know, their mother? Whatever you’re doing to get them back, I’m going with you!”

“Stace, no...” Chase said softly, a sort of whimper in his voice. “You can’t get involved in this...then the kids will have nowhere safe to go.”

“I’m sick of you not telling me anything!” Stacy insisted. “Stop talking over me!”

Chase didn’t respond, just kept his eyes fixed down in his lap. Jack cleared his throat. “Stacy...I get it, this is awful. But...well, he has a point. After we get the kids back, we...we should leave. So nothing else happens.”

Stacy looked between the three men, gaping. None of them would meet her eyes. Her gaze lingered on Chase, who was still resolutely not looking up. For a moment, her expression softened. “I’m not an idiot,” she said, though the words lacked bite. “I know this is dangerous. I can tell something’s happened. You...you don’t have the energy you used to, Chase.” She paused, waiting for a response that never came. “I just can’t sit by while the kids are in danger. I want to be...involved.”

“Understandable,” Chase muttered. “But please, please don’t. Just...don’t.”

Saying nothing, Stacy picked her purse back up and walked past Jameson, vanishing down the hall.

“God, this is all going to hell,” Jack muttered.

No shit, Jack, Jameson said, eliciting a slight gasp from the other two at the unexpected language. Look, can we just focus on the current situation? We only have an hour to plan, and it’ll take forty minutes to walk to his lair. 

Jack sighed. “Alright, everyone, let’s talk this over...”

Fifteen minutes later, the three of them walked out of the house, starting down the sidewalk towards the now-familiar location of Anti’s hideout. The plan they’d concocted still wasn’t solid; it was more of a rough outline than anything, relying on the one they’d already discussed, with the promise that they’d wing it if anything came up. Which, honestly, did not inspire any of them with much confidence.

— — — — — — —

Things had changed. Though Anti’s lair was still located in the same abandoned building, though the stairs inside still led down to a hallway lit red...things had changed. It was something in the air, something sharp, like ozone. Something that made the hair on the back of your neck stand up. Walking down the hallway, Jack, Chase, and Jameson found themselves huddling together.

“We’re all ready?” Jack muttered. “Do we need to review anything?” Neither Chase nor JJ responded, so he kept talking. “Remember, we’re going to look like we’re agreeing, but we’re not, so don’t be worried, Chase.”

“I’m not,” Chase said automatically.

“JJ, you’re ready with your magic? Both to protect and go after the string thingy when I—”

Yes, Jack, Jameson signed quickly. Now be careful what you say.

Jack decided to stop talking.

The hallway didn’t twist and turn or connect to other hallways. Instead of the maze the hideout had been the last two times, the corridor opened up into a big, circular room. Red lightbulbs in the ceiling lit up most things, though there were shadows around the edges. The floor and walls were concrete, making it look rather like a large basement. And in the middle of the room, three figures were sitting on the floor. The kids, of course, and...

They knew it was Anti. But that didn’t stop Jack and Chase from freezing when they saw him.

Lily, chattering about something, was the first to look up and notice the three who’d just come in. She waved. “Hi Dad!” She seemed completely unconcerned about everything. Moira, on the other hand, was more aware. She had her arms wrapped around Lily, holding her close to her chest, her shoulders and expression tense.

Anti looked over at the group. He smiled, and stood up. “Oh hello there. So nice of you to show up. Though a little earlier would’ve been better, instead of waiting until the last minute. Literally. 11:59′s pushing it a bit, isn’t it?” He laughed. “Well? Come in, come closer.”

The three of them looked at each other. Jameson clutched Jack’s arm, half-leaning on him. Chase swallowed visibly. Silently, they took a few steps into the room, getting halfway to Anti before they all decided to stop.

“Though, maybe I don’t mind as much,” Anti continued nonchalantly. “Gives me more time with these cuties. We’ve been having fun, haven’t we?”

Lily nodded, giggling. “Yeah, Uncle Jackie.”

Moira didn’t answer, merely held her sister closer. She was old enough to know that if you went to a funeral for someone, that meant they weren’t coming back.

Anti smiled widely. It was unnerving, how close it was to the way Jackie would smile. But there was something...off about it. Just enough to set someone on edge. “Well...unfortunately, all good things must come to an end.” Anti shoved his hands inside the pocket of the red hoodie he wore, and turned to look at the others. “And I need to talk to your dad.”

“Aw, do we gotta? It’s been so long,” Lily pouted. Moira, still holding her, stood up, pulling her sister along.

Chase cleared his throat. “H-hey Lils? Moira? Why don’t you...come over here?”

“Why don’t y̶̴͠ơu͏ come over h̸er͟e, Chase?” Anti asked. He gestured to the kids. “Don’t you want to talk to them for a while?”

Chase paled further, his face now white. He looked back at the other two. As a group, they started to walk closer.

After a while, Anti held up a hand. “That’s close enough, you two,” he said, eyes landing on Jack and JJ. “I only want to talk to Chase.”

“A-are you—” Jack started to ask something, but then Jameson squeezed his arm, cutting him off. He gave him a look that said ‘be careful.’

“Am I sure? Yes, I’m sure.” Anti grinned. For a moment, his eyes flickered green. “Now, come cl̶os͢er̛.”

Chase hesitated, then closed the distance. Once he was close enough, he knelt down on the ground to be eye-level with the kids. “Hey, girls,” he said gently. “How are you?”

“We’re fine, Dad,” Moira said tensely. Lily nodded along.

“That’s great.” Chase tried to smile. “Well, Mom was really nervous, you know? She didn’t know you were leaving.”

“Really? Uncle Jackie said she said it was okay,” Lily said, confused.

“Well, maybe she didn’t expect you to be gone so long,” Chase said softly. “It’s time to go home now, before she starts worrying. You go with Uncle Jack and JJ, okay? I’ll stay here and talk with...Jackie.”

“Alright, Dad. We’re going.” Moira shuffled to the side, away from Anti, taking Lily with her. Once she’d shuffled around Chase, she let go of Lily and grabbed her hand, running the rest of the distance to Jack and Jameson. 

Before Chase could stand up, Anti settled a hand down on top of his shoulder, preventing him from getting up. “Well?” He asked, raising an eyebrow. “You heard him, it’s time for all of you to go home. If you stay any longer, something might hap͠p̡e̴n̶. Give us some privacy to talk, huh?”

Jack reached down and took Moira’s other hand. He nodded slowly, and started backing up, bringing the rest of the group with him. Briefly, his left eye flickered closed, activating his soul vision. Chase and JJ’s were the same as ever. The kids had soul lights as well—iris for Moira, peach for Lily—shining brighter than any other lights in the room. And Anti’s soul was still a mess, red and blue shards meshed together and tangled with green string. But...was it just his imagination, or did the mess of shards look somehow...looser?

Anti and Chase watched as Jack, Jameson, and the kids retreated, staring at them until they disappeared into the doorway. Once they were out of sight, Anti grabbed Chase by the bandanna and pulled him up. Chase choked in surprise. “Hello again, p͢͡u̴p̸͞p͝ę̛͝t,” Anti said cheerfully. His form flickered, and the disguise of Jackie fell away like unraveling fabric, revealing Anti as the others had always known him. “I m̢͏í̛͞s̴̢s̴e͏̵d̢̕͝ you.”

Chase didn’t respond. He reached up and tried to loosen Anti’s hold on his bandanna, but his grip was firm, and it was pulling the knot tighter.

“Oh?” Anti grabbed Chase’s wrist with his other hand. He squeezed it. Chase stiffened. Then his body went limp, his eyes dull. Anti smiled. “That’s b̨̢̀et͟t̨̨eŗ̸̨. You can do without these wristbands, you kn—”

A disc of blue light whirled towards Anti, slicing across his arms. Anti yelled, and dropped Chase, who fell to the ground unmoving. Spinning around, he saw Jack and Jameson standing in the doorway, glaring at him identically. Jack held a kitchen knife in one hand, and Jameson had two of his magic circles balancing on his fingers. Some ways into the hall behind them, there was another blue glow, the same shade as Jameson’s magic.

Anti scowled, but suddenly, smiled. “Clever, clever. I should’ve k͠ńo͠͏̡w̸n you weren’t going to g҉o ͢͞t̴̕h͟ro͢uģh̷ with this.” He tilted his head. “But then again, maybe I͞ ͇̻̦̟̣̣͡d̖͈͡i̼͖͟d͍̦̹͎.̥”

His eyes suddenly glazed over with static, red on his left and blue on his right. White noise filled the air as he raised his hands, and slammed them downward. The ground rumbled, and cracks shot across the floor, cutting through the concrete, forming a line between Anti and Chase, and Jack and Jameson. Anti grinned, holding his hands out again, close together. Slowly, he made a motion like he was pulling something apart, glitches and static racking his form. The ground shook again. Jameson fell to the floor with a muffled cry, and Jack leaned against the wall to keep from doing the same. The cracks in the floor widened, and slowly, the part of the room Anti was standing on started drifting away from the other half, leaving a widening crevice behind, dropping down into blackness.

“Shit!” Jack cried. He rushed forward. The ground rumbled again, and he fell hard as it lurched beneath his feet. The knife clattered against the concrete.

Jameson lifted himself into a kneeling position, and flung out a hand. Blue light attached itself to either edge of the crevice, sticky strands made of runes forming a rough bridge. Anti scowled, and once again made the pulling-apart gesture. The room shook, slowly at first, then rising into a violent quake. The two sides strained to pull away. Jameson reached out with both hands, clenching his fists like he was physically holding the room together. The strands of magic multiplied and dug into the ground. Jameson caught Jack’s eye and gestured with his head towards the magic bridge.

Jack climbed to his feet, grabbing the kitchen knife. He ran towards the bridge. He skidded to a halt once he reached the edge of the ravine. He glanced down, and paled. “Chase!” He shouted.

On the other side of the ravine, Chase stirred, and weakly tried to get up. But Anti noticed. He stepped on Chase’s back, pushing him back down. Static running along his limbs, breaking them apart, Anti made the pulling-apart gesture one more time.

The room shook, bucking and heaving. Jack stumbled, almost falling headfirst into the ravine before backing up. Jameson fell onto his side. A few strands of the magic bridge snapped. Jameson reached out again, his eyes flaring brighter blue. The bridge repaired itself, more strands appearing, but it was taunt. Jameson was shivering, beads of sweat trailing down his face as he fought to keep the room together.

Jack took a deep breath, and ran forward, stepping onto the magic bridge. He sprinted across it, the magic almost bouncing beneath his feet. Anti screamed, and the room shook again. Jack managed to step onto the other side, just as the ravine shot open wider, snapping the bridge in half. On the other side of the room, Jameson’s hands fell to the ground, his eyes closing as he went very still.

“Y̢͟o͡͏u̶.̷͢͢” Anti growled, pointing at Jack. “Are by far the w̨͉̠̘̳ͅo͏̸̸̫̦͈͕̗r̝͇͉̝̘̹̟̕̕s̙̹̩̭̻͠͠t̨̠͝ one. I ̵h̛͠a̡͢t̵̢͠e̛ ̸̕yo͞͞u͏̵ s̯̝o̧͎͉̬̬̟̻̹.̪̣̘̦̀ ͎͍̜̳̜M̭̖͇̖̯u̻͔̲͇c̦̫̲h̬. ”

“I figured that out a while ago,” Jack muttered, feeling all his old scars twinge. He gripped the knife tightly and pointed it at Anti. “Let him go.”

Anti burst into laughter. “Or w̨̛hat̸?”

“Or this!” Jack ran forward, quickly closing the distance. Anti chuckled, and just as Jack drew near, glitched away, reappearing behind him. Jack skidded to a halt and spun around.

“Ẁo̷̢͟w̧͡, good job.” Anti clapped. “Have you considered th̷̢͢is̷?” He reached to the side and pulled out a knife of his own, taking a swipe at Jack. Yelping, Jack jumped backwards, but Anti glitched again, reappearing behind Jack just as he was stepping backwards. Pain blossomed from a point on Jack’s lower back, and before he could even respond to that, Anti pushed him forward onto the ground. Once again, Jack dropped the knife. “You’re so p͠͝áţ̕͢het̵i̴̷͞c̷. Even Schneep had a fighting spirit, this is just s͏̢a͟d̨͠.”

Dimly, Jack registered that this wasn’t going well. Then immediately, the part of him that wasn’t concerned with the stab wound in his back went YOU THINK?! They hadn’t been counting on Anti somehow knocking Chase out of the fight right from the start. They hadn’t realized that Anti would be able to pull the room apart. They hadn’t thought about how the effort of holding the room together would make Jameson pass out, leaving Jack the only one left. Even if they had come up with a more thorough plan, their efforts still would’ve failed, because they hadn’t been expecting any of this.

“What would you do...” Anti raised his left hand. “...if you just..,drop̀͞p̨e̸͢d̛͝͠?” And he clenched his fist, sending a wave of static into the air.

The ground beneath Jack started shaking and bucking violently. Cracks appeared in its surface, spreading rapidly across the concrete. Every time he tried to stand up, Jack lost his balance. He watched pieces of the floor wall away and leave blackness behind. Anti was laughing. Jack kept trying to get up or roll away, but the small earthquake was too wild, pushing him back to place every time. The floor was giving away and he braced himself—

Anti screamed.

The ground settled. Jack quickly scrambled away from the cracks that remained on its surface. Once he was on solid ground, he looked up to see Anti...fighting with someone. At first he thought it was Chase, but then the person drew away from the fight, and realization struck him like lightning. “Schneep?!” He gasped.

Schneep turned toward him, responding to the sound of his voice. He wore a long black coat over his outfit, and held a pair of scissors in his hand. His eyes were...different. The scars were still there, underneath his eyes in the shape of tears, but now his irises glowed turquoise, his scleras black. He grinned. “Hello, Jack. Nice to, ah, see you again. In the metaphor sense.”

Jack laughed a bit. “Y-yeah,” he said, climbing to his feet. “Where have you been?”

“Is a long story, and not one that can be summed up easily,” Schneep said. “Especially not now.”

Anti shrieked, the sound more akin to an electronic whine than anything human. His form was glitching so hard that it was causing him to stumble and stagger. Eventually it settled, and he glared at Schneep. “You think you’re ş̸̴m͡a̡rt̵?̧̨!̧” He demanded.

“Well...” Schneep held up his scissors. A length of green string was caught in their blades. He snapped the scissors shut, cutting the string in half. “Yes.”

Anti growled. He clutched at his left arm...which was still glitching pretty severely, despite the rest of his body being fine. Glancing down, Jack’s eyes widened when he saw Anti’s hand separated from his wrist, dangling from a few strands of green thread. The string soon snapped, and the hand fell to the ground, where it glitched out of existence. The wound that was left dripped colorful static instead of blood.

Shocked, Jack closed his eye, activating his soul vision. The mess of shards that was Anti’s soul looked even looser than before. And as he glanced at Schneep’s soul, something seemed...different about it, too. In a way he couldn’t quite describe.

“You want to f̡ig͡͏̸ḩ͢t͞?̷̧” Anti summoned his knife with his remaining hand. “Le͢ţ's ̸ge̴t̶ to it́!̷” He lunged at Schneep. 

Schneep didn’t even turn toward him, instead vanishing. The air behind Anti sliced open and Schneep stepped out, wrapping his arms around Anti’s torso. Anti shrieked again, and glitched to the side, swiping with his knife. Schneep countered with the scissors, and jabbed them forward. Anti backed up and slashed again. This time, Schneep opened the scissors, catching the knife in between the two blades. Quickly, he snapped the scissors shut and twisted, yanking the knife out of Anti’s grip. He grabbed the knife’s handle, now armed with two weapons. “Jack, make sure Chase is alright,” he said. “He feels like he is, but better safe than sorry.”

“What?”

Anti summoned another knife, darting forward while Schneep seemed distracted. But Schneep was gone. Now he was on the other side of the room, the other side of the ravine. Anti screamed, and glitched over, and the fighting began again.

Jack scrambled over to where Chase was. He turned him over, eyes scanning him. Chase’s eyes were open, but dulled. His chest was rising and falling slowly. Jack wanted to check his pulse, but he didn’t want to remove the bandanna or the wristbands without permission. “Chase? Are you okay, bud?” Jack asked, gently shaking his shoulder.

Chase blinked, and mumbled something unintelligible. 

“Dude, come on, wake up! Or, well, you’re not exactly asleep—snap out of it!” He shook him harder, and Chase groaned, the dull look in his eyes fading a bit. “Chase, say something!”

“...something...” Chase muttered.

Jack laughed hysterically. “Okay, that’s good. How do you feel?”

“...kinda foggy,” Chase said slowly. “What...he squeezed my wrist, and I...”

“Maybe that was a pressure point or a trigger point or something?” Jack guessed.

“Maybe...” Chase squeezed his eyes shut, then opened them wide. “What’s going on?”

“Um...Schneep showed up, cut Anti’s hand off, and now they’re fighting.”

“...I must be really out of it, ‘cause I thought you said Schneep cut Anti’s hand off.”

“Nope, that wasn’t just you, bud,” Jack said, shaking his head. He pointed across the room to the fight boiling between Schneep and Anti. The two of them were disappearing and reappearing, much like they had when Schneep’s magic first manifested in the apartment. But this seemed more controlled, more deliberate.

Chase sat up slowly, squinting. “...oh. He doesn’t have a hand.”

“Yeah.”

“...what...the fuck?” Chase said. His voice was soft, but it contained a lot of feeling.

“I know, dude, here, just let me help you up.”

The two of them stood, staring across the ravine in the floor at the fight. “JJ...” Chase whispered, pointing across to where Jameson laid on the floor, still unconscious.

“I know...” Jack looked down at the ravine. “How’re we going to get across?”

Chase didn’t have time to answer, because just then, Anti and Schneep disappeared, reappearing three feet away from them. Jack and Chase cried out in unison, stumbling back. Schneep ducked one of Anti’s blows and tackled him, pushing him to the ground. Then suddenly, the world fell apart and sewed itself together. And Schneep was standing upright again, but Anti wasn’t. Schneep walked over to Chase and Jack and silently grabbed the two of them. The air shivered, and suddenly they were on the other side of the room, right by—

“Jameson!” Chase cried, kneeling next to him. “Hey, hey, dude. Wake up!”

Anti screamed. He glitched upright, then over to their group, lashing out at them with the knife. Schneep grabbed his arm, and suddenly he was attacking his wrist with his scissors. Anti yelled, dropping the knife in surprise, and glitched back a bit. His right hand was now dangling from green thread, though it didn’t fall away. Static crawled over his body. He laughed and screamed at once, flickering and staggering, appearance shifting between himself, Marvin, and Jackie. 

“Jack, this is very important,” Schneep said. “You remember how you pulled out that string?”

“Yeah,” Jack said. “We were planning on doing that again.”

“Good! Do it. But first, we need to snip snip the stitches on his neck.”

“The—oh.” Jack hadn’t thought much about the green stitches holding Anti’s throat wound closed. They were...awful, but he’d just accepted them as part of Anti’s appearance. “Alright, got it.”

“What about me?” Chase asked.

“Make sure Jack and Jamie do not get hurt while I do this,” Schneep said, raising the scissors and pointing them at Anti.

“You̢'re ͠a̸ll̡ ͡w̢eak!” Anti yelled, words barely audible through static and distortion. He stumbled, legs glitching into broken pieces. Pieces of red and blue static sliced through his body. “Awfu̸l, ͡tęrr͟i͡ble͠—͢h͞ap̢py̡ p̨e̛ople! ̸W̶h̷y ̀a̕r͝e̢ y̛o̶u h͢ap͡py?!̶ W̕h̴y̶ ̨am ͞I ͞be̵ing̵ ͠torn̛ ąp̕a̡r͞t—breaking͏,͝ a͏gony, pa͡i̴n p̀àin͞ ̴pai̡n—͡a̧nd͢ ̨y͠ou̵ are ͢nǫt?͟!̕ Hap̢py̵, ͞h̀a̕pp͏y—́l̸i͏vin̢ǵ,̀ ͡livi͏ng! I hat̶e̛ you! Í ͞H̛A҉TĘ ̧Y͢OU͠!̵ YOU͡ ͏SH̀OU̸L͞D̶ ̨S̢UFF̧E̶R ͠L͠IḰE̵ WE A̛RE!” He laughed, and cried, and screamed all at once. And then he lunged at them, arms outstretched, no weapons bared, eyes red and blue and green.

Schneep ducked. He opened the scissors wide, flipped them in his hand, and sliced. Anti stopped where he was, a wound on his chest bleeding static. He staggered back, then laughed and lunged again in a blind attack. Schneep pushed him back, away from the others. Anti snarled and screamed and laughed and sobbed and shouted all at once, arms breaking into glitchy pieces as he tried to attack blindly, punching and clawing. Schneep remained calm, deflecting every wild blow. Anti paused for just the slightest moment, and that’s when Schneep struck. He darted forward, slicing with the blade of the scissors. The slash cut cleanly through the stitches on Anti’s neck.

“Jack, now!” Schneep yelled. Jack ran forward. He hesitated for a moment. Anti was falling apart, a million voices coming out of his mouth, static leaking from his neck and various wounds, a mess of glitches and static with the image of his friends thrown in. But Jack steeled himself, and plunged his hand into the glitchy mess’s chest. His fingers grabbed something, and he pulled. Out came the green string. Schneep reached out, and Jack quickly handed it to him. He folded the string in on itself a couple time, then cut through the bundled up mess with the scissors.

Three screams at once rang out through the room. Then Anti flew apart, glitches and static bursting outward. There was nothing left.

Schneep dropped the remains of the green strings, panting. “That...was easier than I was expecting,” he said.

“Easy?!” Chase repeated incredulously.

“Yes. I suppose he fell apart the more damage we did. It makes sense.” Schneep nodded.

Jack was rendered speechless. He stared at Schneep, gaping. “I—what—how—oh my—what?” He shook his head. “The string. We thought it couldn’t be cut.”

“Special scissors.” Schneep snipped said scissors a couple times. “I...picked them up. Is a long story.”

“Broooo!” Chase shouted. “That was epic! How’d you learn to do any of that?! That was badass!”

Schneep smiled softly. “Well...I have been practicing. After a certain...encounter made me realize what I could do, I decided to form a plan to take Anti down. And...thank you. You are all alright?”

“We’re fine, yeah,” Jack said. “Well...JJ’s still out.”

“Is he?” Schneep asked. “Someone should carry him out of here.”

“I got it.” Chase scooped JJ into his arms. He glanced toward the back of the room. His eyes widened. “Uh...guys? Look at that.”

Jack turned to follow his gaze. The wall on the opposite side of the room was cracking, the concrete turning black and falling apart. “That...can’t be good.”

“What? What is it?” Schneep asked. 

“Oh...so you still can’t see?” Jack asked.

“What? No! Why do you think I make that joke earlier? I just...I feel where people are, and it makes it easier.”

“Well, the room is falling apart. We should go.” Jack grabbed Schneep’s hand and started walking toward the doorway.

“You got the kids out?” Chase asked, following.

“Yes, we told them to go down the hall and up the stairs and wait for us outside the building. JJ put protection around them like we planned.” Jack frowned. “Though...maybe that went away after he passed out.”

Chase picked up the pace.

Once they left the building, they found Lily and Moira sitting on the pavement outside, perfectly fine. Chase started to cry. “Hey girls,” he said softly.

“Hi Dad,” Moira said.

“Hi Dad!” Lily shouted, waving. “Hi Uncle Hen! Uncle Jack! Why is Uncle JJ asleep? Where did Uncle Jackie go?”

Chase fell silent. “I think...he’s gone. R...right, Schneep?”

Schneep said nothing, then nodded softly. “I think he is,” he said quietly.

Tears started to pour faster from Chase’s eyes, but he swallowed the sobs. Not in front of the girls. “Well...c’mon, we’re going home, now. And we’ll tell you everything on the way.”

It was a long walk back to the house.

Once they arrived, Stacy and the girls reunited tearfully. She again demanded that they tell her what happened, but even though it was the middle of the day, everyone agreed they needed a rest. Chase promised to explain everything to her that evening.

They all took separate rooms, with Schneep staying with Jack for a while. He also promised explanations later.

Once he was alone, Chase started to cry in earnest.

They really were gone now.

[renaerys]

11. “You’re going to make it. Just stay awake.” (Butch/Buttercup)

{{Original posting unfortunately deleted. Reposted here.}}

February Fic Prompt #11 originally requested by Anon. Greens shenanigans and hella innuendo, just the way I like them.

xxx

Everybody knew that the best person to go on night patrol with was Boomer. The guy talked but not nearly as much as Bubbles, who could probably talk herself through an earthquake and never even notice. He wasn’t a micromanager like Blossom or a straight-up jerk like Brick. And he definitely was not even half as annoying as Butch could be.

“You ever wonder what the fuck is up with Monster Island?”

Butch sat next to Buttercup on the Millennium Tower, the tallest building in Townsville, with their feet dangling over the edge and the city lights at their feet. She narrowed her eyes at him. “No.”

He ignored her. “You know, ‘cause that place is what, three? Four square miles? And the monsters just keep coming.”

“What’s your point?” Buttercup said, not really caring. Her watch read a quarter past midnight. She should’ve been in bed an hour ago.

Butch suddenly leaned in close, and Buttercup leaned back away from him. He looked very serious, and that almost always meant he was about to say something mad dumb—

“Giant beast orgies.”

Buttercup groaned. It was going to be a long night.

“For real! They must be going at it 24/7 poppin’ out tentacle monsters and dino hybrids and flaming squirrels at the rate we fight ‘em. How does that even work? Like, are they all just fucking and it’s Baby Roulette to see what’s gonna come out?”

“Dude, gross. I don’t want to think about that shit.”

“Pssh, don’t lie.”

“I’m really not.”

“You’re not even a little bit curious about what kinda Stranger Things shit is going down right over the bay?” Butch pointed southwest toward Citiesville’s Golden Bay, where the aptly named Monster Island sat a few miles off the coast. “Like the Booger Monster we fought before the Reds fucked off to Snob College. How does that even work?”

He made a crude gesture with this fist and forefinger and then pantomimed picking his nose. Buttercup shoved him off the edge of the building.

“Cut it out, Butch. I said I don’t want to talk about that shit.” She grabbed the backpack he’d brought and pulled out a bag of chips. “Besides, there’s nothing to talk about. It’s just weird monster biology, end of story.”

Butch floated one hundred stories above the ground and grinned at her. “So you have wondered about it.”

“Clearly not as much as you, Horny Darwin.”

He threw back his head and laughed from his gut. Buttercup scowled and stuffed some chips in her mouth. The crunch helped her focus, but her eyes were drooping and her head felt a bit fuzzy.

“Hey, you okay?” Butch was no longer laughing as he hovered close and peered at Buttercup. “You look tired.”

Buttercup cast the chips aside. They weren’t really helping, and she wasn’t hungry, anyway. She ran a hand through her shoulder-length hair. “Yeah, I woke up at 4 a.m. today.”

“Why the hell would you wake up that early on a patrol night?”

“Because I wasn’t supposed to be patrolling tonight, you were.”

“Oh, right. I forgot.”

Not surprising. Butch tended to tune out shit that didn’t directly concern him, especially if it was coming from Blossom. She’d called Buttercup at four in the goddamned morning ranting about some giant hairball monster that had attacked Ivy University campus and how Brick had been so sleep deprived that they’d both nearly suffocated to death and she had to help him to bed and somehow all of this was now Buttercup’s problem because Blossom knew they were patrolling alone for only a few hours to get out of it but no one should be patrolling alone in case of giant hairballs attacking. Buttercup pointed out that the likelihood of another giant hairball attacking Townsville, which was clear across the country from Blossom and Brick’s college, was pretty low. Blossom told her to cut the attitude and make sure Butch didn’t patrol alone tonight. She did not have time to argue when she had to go convince the administration to change Brick’s finals schedule so he could actually get some sleep.

And since Boomer and Bubbles were currently out of town at a music festival until tomorrow, Buttercup had no choice but to be here tonight.

“Ugh, whatever. Did you bring any of those energy shots? I’m about to pass out,” Buttercup said.

Butch sat back down next to her and pulled his bag onto his lap. “You know that shit’s basically radioactive rat piss.”

“This from the guy who scarfed three bacon double cheeseburgers on the flight over here.”

He grinned wolfishly and flexed his bicep at her. “Hey, this hot bod doesn’t get by on yogurt and protein shakes alone. A man needs red meat.”

“A man needs less cholesterol in his diet if he wants to live past 40.”

“See, this is why it’d never work between us. Sorry doll, I gotta lead with my stomach.”

Buttercup snapped at that awful pet name he’d taken to calling her lately and swung around to punch him in the stomach. He caught her fist just as it made contact, absorbing the brunt of her force, and met her eyes. The son of a bitch was still grinning.

“Don’t fucking call me that,” she hissed. Her fist shook and sparked with green energy as she tried to finish her punch, but he held on.  

Halfway under her as she threw her weight behind her stalled punch, Butch’s smile relaxed into something softer but just as dangerous as he looked up at her through his messy bangs. “You kinda like it.”

Buttercup dug her knee into his thigh right over the femoral artery, and he shuddered. “Yeah, this is me liking it.”

She applied more pressure, and he gasped. His other hand grabbed her shoulder and threw her off him, but Buttercup rolled and landed on her hands and feet in a crouch. Butch matched her guerrilla stance and they faced off on top of the world with the stars at their backs and thunder in their veins.

“Still gonna pass out?” he asked.

“What?”

“You said you were about to pass out. Is this any better?”

Buttercup frowned. He’d provoked her on purpose to distract her from her sleepiness? That was almost…

He got up and stretched like a cat, and Buttercup couldn’t help but notice the subtle ridges of his abs when his dark shirt ran up for just a moment. Clearly he was excelling at that gym trainer job he’d been at full-time since they graduated high school.

Not that that mattered at all.

She got up and wiped her hands on her jeans. “A little, I guess. Still tired as shit though.”

Butch cracked his neck like he was getting ready to fight, but he wasn’t. For as long as she had known him, Buttercup had always been able to sense when he felt the urge, just as he could sense it in her. Primal, instinctual, not just a need but a desire to ruin and be ruined all for the manic joy of surviving it. She felt it less the older she got once her body stopped changing and growing, but every couple of months they would inevitably seek each other out for a row. Not even monsters could quite scratch that particular itch. If anything, they exacerbated it.

“Sweet. I got a few other ideas,” he said.

Buttercup crossed her arms. “You get ideas?”

“Ha ha, you bitch. I’m serious.”

She cracked a smile. “We’re on patrol.”

“Yeah, so let’s go patrol.”

“What’re you—”

He took off in a blaze of green, not flying but running down the side of the Millennium Tower, dodging balconies and flipping off the flagpole like some kind of insane Super gymnast. He didn’t lose momentum when he landed and took off running across the busy street toward the next building.

Buttercup was dashing after him before she could think twice about it, to hell with staying here by herself. She slid over the roofs of two cars crossing the street and leaped from balcony to balcony as she climbed the next building higher and higher. Butch had already made it to the top and paused to look back at her. His smiling challenge boiled her blood, and he took off sprinting again along the drain pipes. Buttercup flipped over the guard railing on the roof, sprinted to the other side, and leaped off the edge in a free fall.

The night wind whipped her loose hair, and she somersaulted to cushion her landing on the pedestrian sky bridge connecting this building to the next. Butch slid down the drain pipe and landed similarly a short ways ahead on the glass and metal bridge. They faced off, and she couldn’t help but grin fantastically at the sight of him winded and emanating green power, ready to run.

They didn’t speak, there was no need. He took off and she tore after him, each carving their own path leaping concrete chasms, rolling into their falls, and racing against gravity and mortality up the mirror-bright sides of skyscrapers. Buttercup cartwheeled through a narrow path between two huge AC generators and landed like a cat on the metal railing, where she spotted an enormous tower crane powered down for the night in the midst of a new construction project. It was tens of stories tall, and she wanted nothing more than to run up its mast.

Butch had the same idea and leaped like a monkey from the roof of the building next to hers and grabbed the jib. He hit it with the force of a Super, and the huge machinery whined and began to swing. Buttercup abandoned her original plan for one that would be a thousand times cooler. Moving fast, she raced along the thin railing and pedaled through her jump to get her across to the next building over. The crane groaned in protest as Butch sprinted along the length of the jib. She wouldn’t have much of a window.

With a running start, Buttercup scrambled up the wall of the roof access door and jumped high into the air just as the long, metal winch cord came swinging by. She grabbed it barely in the nick of time and went spinning.

Above, she searched for Butch and found that he wasn’t slowing his momentum even as he neared the end of the jib. Buttercup gave the winch cord a little extra boost of her power and went careening high into the air on an updraft just as Butch free-dived off the jib. The night air parted for her and the stars fell to meet her as she reached out, elated, and Butch reached back.

They joined hands at the wrists, and Buttercup moved with gravity and the momentum he’d brought with him before it could wrench her arm clean out of the socket. Together, they hurtled through the air, bounced off a radio tower pole, and landed in a two-man roll on a private rooftop golf course.

Butch was laughing when they came to a stop in a heap on the green, and Buttercup laughed with him. He had his arms around her as she hovered over him.

“That was,” he stammered, breathless.

“Amazing!” Buttercup said.

“Fucking incredible! Holy shit, when you ran for the winch cord—”

“I didn’t think I’d stick it for a second—”

“But you did and I swear I lost my goddamned mind—”

“You jumped! You fucking idiot, you’re lucky I was there to catch you.” Buttercup shoved him, but he only laughed again and held her waist tighter.

“Woman please, how could you ever resist the chance to catch this hot shit? I saw your face, you totally creamed yourself!”

“Fuck you, it was the moment and I wasn’t even looking at you!”

They could hardly breathe as they laughed, and gravity rolled them over. The grass was cool under Buttercup’s cheek, and above the stars were bright and close. Slowly, the moment subsided as they caught their breaths and watched each other through the gloom.

“I kinda knew you’d catch me,” Butch said.

Buttercup rolled her eyes. “I regret it already.”

“Sure you do.”

He was smiling, but there was no mocking or malice behind it. Strangely enough, Buttercup thought it suited him.

She pulled away before she could finish that dangerous train of thought, and he let her without making a big deal out of it. They sat up side by side and looked out over the city and the ocean beyond. Monster Island was dark, but the detection barrier surrounding it glowed a subtle blue in the starlight and city lights.

“Five and a half hours until sunrise,” Butch said, checking his watch.

Buttercup groaned. “That’s so long from now.”

He nudged her shoulder with his. “You’re gonna make it. Just stay awake.”

“Wow, genius plan.” She nudged him back.

“Hey, I got plenty more ideas where Super Parkour came from. Just say the word.”

Buttercup allowed herself a smile in the darkness. Butch could drive her crazy, but over the years she’d gotten used to his self-indulgent vulgarity. Sometimes she didn’t mind. Sometimes it was just kind of nice. Familiar. A pull she couldn’t explain or describe, except that she knew he felt it too, and he always knew exactly what she needed.

“In a few minutes,” Buttercup said, her eyes drooping a bit as sleep crept up on her little by little.

She could feel his warmth through her sleeve and his, close enough to touch, close enough.

“Yeah,” he said, and turned his gaze skyward. “Just a few more minutes.”

They had all night, after all.