#then another time I defended myself cos some guy got annoyed I ran off .. cos yall stole all the loot I was going for!?!

[rosiegames]

wish my brain was studied whenever I play multiplayers

[just-some-random-blogger]

Secrets Of A Maknae

Super Junior Kim Heechul x SuJuMaknae!Reader Characters: Knowing Brothers Cast, Choi Minho, Jay Park Summary: You are the youngest, and only female member of Super Junior, and throughout the span your groups hiatus, became a popular drama star. Today, you, along with Choi Minho and Jay Park, were invited to guest on Knowing Brothers, much to the surprise of Heechul. Word Count: almost 3k Warnings: Teasing, fluff, etc.

A/N: I just love knowing brothers and heechul so much okay. Also I skipped the spellproofing because I reaaaaly just want to post this

GIF IS NOT MINE

 "Aneoyong," Minho spoke confidently, placing his hands in his front pockets, after ripping the door open, stepping into the set like it was nobody's business.

"Ya!" Heechul said in a scolding tone. "Are you a thug?"

Suddenly, Jay entered with small and amused smirk on his face. Immediately, Heechul scoffed and went Ahhhhh, "Now that's a thug." making everyone in the room, his co-hosts especially, burst into laughter.

Minho chuckled as he made his way to the desk in front of the classroom with Jay. Meanwhile, in the background, the set door that was wide open was hastily closed by a staff member. "Hyung, I have a surprise for you."

"Mwo?" Heechul cocked his head to the side, "are you two going to recruit me?" he turned away and sucked in his breath, "No thanks."

Hodong laughed loudly at that as the rest gave out an amused sound.

That was my cue to knock.

With one final huff, I pulled the door open and hopped into the room with a small, nervous giggle as a greeting. "Yeobosayo."

The moment I stepped in, Heechul shot off his seat, brows high, mouth O-shaped. "JAGIYAAAA!!!" he shouted and ran towards me.

As quickly as he had sprang off, he sealed me in his arms. With a joyful laugh, I reciprocated and cooed, "Aigoo, aga. Did you miss me?" He did not reply and only pulled me even closer, stroking my hair.

It was nice to be in this man's arms again, and though I knew this was kind of over-kill since we were still recording, I couldn't really blame him for hugging me as long as he was, because I have been away from Super Junior for quite a while now.

For most part, everyone on set let us have our moment, until that long moment passed, and the hosts and guests started to stir again.

"Ya, hyung," Minho called with a soft chuckle, "let her go, she has to breathe!" he pointed and placed a hand on Heechul's shoulder, only to get side kicked away.

This caused a loud roar of laughter to ensue.

With the constricted view I had, and the knowledge of Minho's quick reflexes, it didn't really surprise me that the SHINee member dodged his sunbae’s sloppy kick.

"Yah, this is too much," Minho noted, cocking his head to the side and pouting in disapproval.

"Ya, Heechul is really going for it," Jang-hoon said to Sangmin beside him, making Soogeun laugh out a "Ya!" in hopes we two broke away.

 After a few more moments, I was the one who broke the embrace, knowing full well this was not going to end if I didn't. Before completely doing so, however, I cupped his face and gave him a peck on the cheek before rubbing his skin with my thumbs.

To all but the three of us from SM Entertainment, the display was extremely controversial.

“Ya... isn’t this supposed to be Korea?“ Jay spoke in surprise, eyes wide.

"YA MWO YA!?" Hodong shouted at the top of his lungs "Ya! Is this your public debut?" Soogeun asked with a slackened jaw before turning between all those gaping along with him.

Though Heechul was holding back a laugh and turned fairly pink as he went off to his chair, I knit my brows and walked towards Minho and Jay, "Have I really been gone that long?" I turned to the men in their seats, "I've always been like this."

To prove a point, I turned to first Minho, slapped my hands on either of his cheeks, then got to tips of my toes as I pulled his forehead to my lips. I then proceeded to do the same to Jay, minus the tip-toeing because, well, he wasn't really that tall.

Jay then pulled away, lips pursed in disbelief, looking at the camera for an explanation of sorts. Eventually, he just burst out laughing.

“Mwo ya, oppa?“ I scowled at Jay, “why are you making such a big deal out of this.

 "Ya! Don't tell them you do this with everyone, because I won't feel special if you do!" Heechul pointed and slightly scoffed as the rest of the hosts sat surprised at my actions.

“Ani, ani. It’s just that we haven’t hung out in a while and I though you’ve outgrown that habit.” Jay defended and waved his hand side to side.

“Alright, I’ll stop being sweet to you then.” I pushed out, flipping the hair on my shoulder that was by his side to my back.

Jay looked deflated and the rest gave a laugh.

Hodong called my name loudly, “Are you really like this to everyone?”

I hummed, “Well, not to everyone per se, just to those I am close with.”

There was then a chorus of ahhhs.

“How close do you have to be?“ Yeong-cheol asked.

“Uhh, I have to be familiar with them, like...” I trailed off.

“You have to have seen them in their underwear,” Minho offered. As the rest of them burst into laughter, I snapped at him and hit him on the shoulder.

I nodded in disapproval, “I don’t know, I guess it’ll just feel normal, y’know.”

“Okay, so if it were me, how long would it take before you kiss me on the--” SMACK. Heechul cut Yeong-cheol off before he could finish. “GAESAEKKI-YA!” son-of-bitch

The rest of the room burst in to laughter.

“Araso, araso,” Minho waved off, “let’s move on and start shall we?“

It was Jay’s last question and so far, we didn’t have much of an answer to it.

Jay called my name and chuckled, “Ya, you should know this one, you do this a lot.”

“Neaga?” I pointed to myself in confusion.

Heechul, who I was sitting next to, then sprang up the chair and blurted, “AH! ALL WOMEN LIKE PUNCHING THEIR BOYFRIENDS!”

Jay pointed the toy hammer at him, “Correct.”

“Ya! What rubbish!” I shouted in protest as all the men in the room broke into laughter.

Jay laughed, “Well, based on my experience, no matter where the girl is from, Korea or America, they like to affectionately hit their partner.”

I scoffed, “Ani, girls just like hitting you.”

Kang Hodong laughed the loudest out of all after Jay reacted the way he did at my cold remark. I bubbled into a fit of giggles.

“Okay, let’s give Jay a round of applause,” Heechul spoke, clapping his hands, “for enduring the sass of our SUJU’s maknae.”

Then it was my turn.

I knowingly threw Heechul a look, immediately making him shrink into his chair. “Shiro!” he yelled, covering his ears, making me laugh.

Minho laughed from his seat in front, “Ya hyung, you’re in trouble.”

“Okay. As I am the only female in Super Junior, my oppas treat me a little differently than the other members. For the most part, they treat me like one of the guys, but there are certain things I can make them do that they won’t ever do for the other members. With that being said, everyone in Super Junior is actually really sweet, and believe it or not, Heechul is one of the sweetest.”

There was an eruption of gasps at my introduction.

“Kim Heehcul?“ Kyung-hoon pointed at the man in front of him and I agreed with a loud yes.

Heechul now burried his face in his hands as the rest bickered amongst themselves, in a debate as if all that I’ve said was a lie.

“YA!” I shouted, hitting the hammer on the desk several times. “My question for you is, what was the sweetest thing Heehcul did to me?“

Minho sprang out of his seat, “I got it,” he said with confidence, “this is a trick question.”

I groaned out a laugh and charged at the man, hitting him on the shoulder with the hammer.

“He introduced you to a rich guy.” Soogeun said, making me give off an annoyed sound, “Ani!”

Heechul turned to Soogeun with a look of disbelief, making him laugh. “Ya, look at his reaction.”

“Ya, this is really hard because Heechul is a psycho.” Jang-hoon muttered, making the rest laugh.

I knit my brows deeply, “I refuse to believe you haven’t once seen Heechul’s soft side.”

Heehcul held back a laugh, “Waaahh, I have never been so embarrassed.”

Jay laughed, “Look at how red his ears are.”

“I DON’T HAVE A SOFT SIDE!” Heechul resorted to screaming.

I chuckled, “I’ll give you a hint, it happened just after we debuted.”

“Hyung, do you even know what it is?“ MInho asked, making Heechul burst into a fit, “NO! THAT’S WHY I’M SWEATING SO MUCH!”

The entire room exploded into laughter.

Yeong-cheol stood from the back, “He used to walk you to your dorm every night.”

I cocked my head a that, “Hmmm, he did do that, but so did the others.”

“I GOT IT!” Sang-min shouted, “He used to buy you food at night.”

I pointed the hammer, “It’s close to that but no. Whenever I craved something, I’d go out with Siwon oppa.”

“YOU GO SHOPPING TOGETHER!” Jang-hoon shouted.

“Ani!” I nodded profusely in disagreement, “He’s really picky and impatient, especially when he’s not buying for himself.”

Heehcul broke into a loud laugh.

“He bought you underwear.” Jay chuckled out, making me double down into heavy laughter. Heehcul scream profanities at him.

“You know what, one time my mother sent me a package, and because she usually sent food, Yesung oppa and Sungmin oppa opened the box immediately after it arrived without me knowing. And there was all sorts of food inside, but my eomma also sent me some clothes and underwear.

“Sungmin oppa was wearing one bra as a helmet, and was trying another on while Yesung oppa was flinging a bright red one around like a cowboy and laughing at Sungmin oppa for not knowing how to put a bra on. I caught them by the time Yesung oppa tried to help Sungmin oppa put the bra on.”

Heechul was already cracking up at the memory and Minho was cracking up because of him.

I rubbed my nape and make a crunching sound, “Ya, seeing them made me really angry, but it only lasted five seconds because the look on their faces were priceless.”

Heechul pointed at me and agreed with a big smile. We then proceeded to copy them like it was nobody’s business, painting a vivid picture of how surprised a double bra clad Sungmin was, and how caught of guard Yesung was at the shrillness of my scream.

“When I heard her scream, I thought there was a thief, so I ran out with a two hangers. I was so shocked to see her on the floor--- laughing.”

I laughed in recollection, hands falling on my knees.

“Honestly,” Heechul raised a hand, trying to stop me from further laughing, “it was a really scary moment. I thought something happened to you.”

Through tears of joy and a chorus of ahhs, mixed with some surprised violent reactions, I stood up and sighed. “I know.” I then slammed the hammer on the table, “Take note of this--” I motioned to Heechul who was sat back in his chair, “sweet Kim Heechul is a hint to my question.”

Janghoon stood up, “I got it, he saved you from a bad date.”

With a gasp, I pointed the toy hammer his way, “Close, close.”

“Ah,” Minho blurted, “He saved you from a fight.”

I jumped up and down, “YOU ARE SO CLOSE!” I squealed, “Who did he save me from?”

“Ya! This is probably made up! Look at Heechul’s face.” Soogeun laughed, pointing a finger at the clueless boy sitting in front.

Jay snuck a look and cocked his head to the side, “Mwo ya? How could you not know?”

“Heechul actually has a great memory,” Yeong-cheol added, making me chuckle.

“He has a knack for remembering rubbish.”

Minho lost his mind at my statement.

“But it really did happen?“ Sangmin asked. 

I immediately nodded. “I won’t ever lie to make anyone look good, even if they’re my sunbae.”

With that, everyone nodded firmly.

“Answer!” Kyung-hoon raised his hand and stood. “He--” he chuckled, “--he saved you from one of his ex-girlfriends.”

I pursed my lips and hit the table with a squeak, “Correct.”

There was a quite ruckus after that.

“WAH CHINCHA?” Heechul spoke, seemingly the most surprised.

I nodded, waited for them to quiet down, and then explained.

“Okay, so it was Heechul’s birthday at the time, and he made himself single for his birthday bash,” I snickered, making Heechul break down in laughter with a red face. “I always make time when it’s one of the member’s birthdays, so I can make them cake.”

Heechul and Minho nodded. “That’s true. She even made me a cake on my birthday.” the latter spoke.

“She made me a cupcake once“ Jay muttered, making Hodong who was next to him, slap his arm and shush him. “Clearly she doesn’t like you that much.”

Everyone on set burst into laughter as Jay hid his face in his arms, rested on the desk. 

“Ya!” I protested, “You know what, if you’re in town on your birthday, I’ll make you a two layered cake. I always end up making you cupcakes because our schedules always conflict and it’s easier to send a cupcake.”

“Now I perfectly understand why people like you so much.” Hodong spoke, crossing his arms.

I giggled, “If you want me to bake you a cake on your birthday too, just say so.”

Soogeon threw his head back in laughter, then stood up, walking towards me to shake my hand. “I respect anyone who can put Hodong in their place.”

“Anyway,” I cleared off. “At the time, Heechul had just broken up with his older girlfriend, and she came by at SM on his birthday.”

“How much older was she?“ Yeong-cheol asked.

“Uhhh, honestly, she looked ten years older than him.”

The room broke in laughter.

“Hyung, is this jogging your memory?“ Minho asked, making his hyung-nim nod is disapproval. “No, I just want to jump off a building now.”

I waved in disagreement, “YA! This story makes you look cool.”

Hodong agreed, “Yes, it’s no easy task to date someone ten years older than you.”

I wiped the tears of pure amusement out of the corner of my eyes. “OKAY! So at the time, I thought they were still dating and dared to greet her. I thought it would be proper to lead her off, since I was bringing Heechul the cake I made for him, and she was obviously here to see him.

‘Annyeonghasayeo,’” I bowed, “‘aren’t you Heechul oppa’s girlfriend?‘

Suddenly, she grunt like a bull then pushed my shoulder.

‘YA, ARE YOU THAT WENCH HE KEEPS CHOOSING OVER ME?‘” 

“CHAKAMAN, CHAKAMAN,” Soogeun blurted, “why did she say that?“ 

“Ahh, it was probably because whenever I called Heechul to hangout with me or help me with something,he’s always with his girlfriend, and he ends up ditiching her for me.” 

“Waaaah!”  Janghoon breathed out with a soft chuckle of disbelief. 

Heechul hid his face in his arms and I defended, “At that time, I was too scared to hangout with anyone else other than my members, and I was trying to be closer to him because he was who I was least close to during that time.” 

“Ahhh,” Sangmin nodded.

“I didn’t want us to be awkward, so I was really trying to put an effort.”

I continued, “So, at this point I’m walking back, and just scared because, “ I started counting on my fingers, “she looked like she was old as my mom,  she looked absolutely angry, and I felt that my cake was endanger.

Suddenly, she was all over me, shouting and pushing. I was hoping security would come, but someone better did instead.

‘YA! WHAT THE BLEEP!’” I spoke with an actual bleep sound, making everyone laugh. “Immediately, I just know it’s Heechul, but she doesn’t stop even after hearing that. She then pushes me so hard, that I fall back and drop the cake all over me.”

There are sighs all around, and it seems at this point, it seems, Heechul slightly remembers my story.

“After that, she mouths me off, and Heechul is running towards us.

‘Ya, who do you think you are? You’re no one to me now!’ Heechul screams at her, making my eyes pop out of my head. The woman is just as shocked. I was too stunned to move so Heehcul helped me up. Then SMACK, Heechul gets slapped so hard it actually bruised.”

Everyone’s jaws were hung low, and yet all Heechul could do was snicker and sigh in his chair.

“‘Ka. I know you’re seeing some other guy anyway.’  Heechul said to the woman, as he wiped the icing off my face.”

“Ya jjinja?“ Minho gasped.

I only laughed, “After that he was like, ‘don’t you dare lay a finger on her again,’ then pulled me away.”

As the rest gave off their own versions of a surprised sound, Heechul broke out in an obnoxious laugh, roasting himself by saying, “This is what I get for watching so many dramas.”

I chuckled, “After that he bought me to the bathroom and gave me the button up shirt he was wearing like a jacket. And can I just say, seeing it on me made me 100% sure he bought it at the women’s section.”

Everyone laughed at that..

“Waaaah, I never knew Heechul had a side like that.”  Hodong noted making me nod.

I nodded, “Yeah, he makes himself look like a psycho, but he’s actually all fluff underneath that.”

“Ugh! This is why I hate it when members come to the show,” Heehcul half laughed, half groaned, “My image is ruined now.”

[dragongirl642]

Breakdown x reader x Wheeljack - Wheeljack ending

Another week of school had passed. The bots going off to investigate Decepticon sightings, scouting for energon, the usual. Except it wasn't just the usual. The kids had ended up on the Decepticon warship, the Nemesis. I'd been out of town for 2 weeks. I'd taken a risk and driven to New York to gather some Intel off an old friend, visit a few acquaintances, clean up some loose ends, that kind of thing.

It had been several weeks since Wheeljack visited and I had formed an unlikely friendship with Ratchet; like Raf. We were both useful when it came to tech and in return, I had asked Ratchet for help with my car. He'd begrudgingly given it; after some very complex flattery.

The gory video game I was playing provided a nice, mind-numbing distraction from the buzzing and hot flashes of heat that kept travelling up and down my spine. Shorts and a fandom t-shirt completing the bored gamer look.

'I know something bad is going to happen...but what?'

Most of the Autobots were out hunting down the Iacon relics, at the locations they'd snatched off of the Decepticon database. 'I'm away for one week and they get into trouble...on the NEMESIS no less.'

In retrospect...I'm not angry, just annoyed that I missed all the fun.

Feeling hungry, I quit the game and stood up; not forgetting to pick up my guitar case. Jack threw me a questioning look and I waved my phone at him. "I'm gonna go have lunch...call or text if you need me."

He nodded and I turned to stroll along to my trailer. Walking leisurely down the halls, I tried to block out the buzzing. Muttering to myself the whole way to my trailer. "I know something bad is gonna happen, why won't this infernal buzzing stop...and now I'm really hungry............HOLY GUACAMOLE I've got (FAVOURITE FOOD) back at the trailer!"

I broke into a light jog; the promise of food spurring me on.

--------------------------------------Time skip------------------------------------------

I'd eaten lunch and washed up. I finished my cup of (hot beverage) and quickly washed and dried it, putting it back in the little cupboard. The joins in my shoulders and back popped as I stretched. 'Oh...that felt good.' I was just about to reach for my phone on the counter when a painful, searing hot flash ran down my spine; I froze and curled inwards. A small, pained grunt escaping clenched teeth. My phone screen lit up; the call ringtone loud in the silence of the trailer.

The pain passed as quickly as it came. I stood and fled the trailer; intending to sprint back to the main room. Phone and guitar case, abandoned back in the trailer.

Thump, Thump, Thump.

The pounding of my feet on the floor mirroring the pounding of my heart. Flashes of heat continually travelling up and down my spine. 'It's bad, it's bad, it's very bad.' My internal mantra doing nothing to improve my mood.

The sight that greeted me in the main room was not a good one. Bulkhead looked...well, not good. I heard snatches of conversation about something called tox-en. What alarmed me even more then the horrifying state of Bulkhead was Wheeljack swearing revenge and leaving...followed by Miko.

I studied Bulkhead quickly to try and tell myself he'll live, before running to my car. 'Wheeljack and Miko went for his ship...I can catch them. That idiot wrecker is going to get Miko killed!'

I opened the front door and practically dove into the driver's seat. Engine started and gunning the engine before I'd even closed the door. Driving one-handed, while doing up my seatbelt, 'safety first'; I sped out of base.

Sunlight bounced off my wing mirrors and I shielded my eyes as I searched the skies. They narrowed when they spotted the low flying shape of Wheeljack's ship, gaining altitude as it went. I shifted into turbo and sped after them.

---------------------------Time skip----------------------------

The ship had disappeared over a rocky range. From the angle it had briefly halted at, I knew it had landed just beyond the rocks. I craned over the steering wheel trying to glimpse a path...road...something!...I could use to drive to the other side. I finally spotted a promising gap between two walls of rock, just wide enough for my car and leading into a canyon of sorts. The sudden boom of an explosion and the huge fire ball cloud that emerged over the tops of the rocks only urging me on faster. I almost reached the gap when I saw the darting shape of Wheeljack's ship fly up away from the cloud, then back down to land.

'What are they doing?'

I slowed quickly to carefully inch through the gap, before shooting forward again. The twists in the canyon providing lots of tight corners; meaning I had to slow down quite frequently to avoid skidding into the wall.

'Getting stranded out here is not something I want to do!'

A shadow passed overhead and I finally saw a straight stretch; the end opening up to the right. I frowned and hit turbo. Shooting forward and skidding around the corner in an impressive manoeuvre, pulling a 360 before driving past Wheeljack's parked ship to see the mech fighting an Insecticon.

'Time to try out those upgrades.'

I pulled a lever on top of the dashboard and grabbed the rising joystick. Thumb hovering over the button on top as the sound of metallic scraping. The sides of my car opened to reveal two revolving energon machine guns. A see-through HUD appearing on the windscreen. I drove for the fight, angling to get the Insecticon within my targeting sights. Wheeljack, noticing me, leapt backwards out of the Insecticon's vicinity. Just as I opened fire.

Zhi-Zhi-Zhi-Zhi.

The combo guns, utilising both energon rounds and laser bolts, fired off a revolving stream of doom at the insecticon. Denting armour and scorching protoform. It screeched and launched its own attack at me. My eyes widened as it jumped up, wings unfurling and charged at me form above. Above the range of my weapons. I turned the wheel and yanked the handbrake. Sending me into a skid to the side. We narrowly missed a head-on collision, the screech as it scraped along the hood of the challenger grating on my ears; I winced.

A thrill of exhilaration and fear ran through me as the wheel suddenly lost all resistance and the car entered into an uncontrollable spin.

"Whe-eljack-an-any-help-h-he-ere!"

My voice wobbled along with the juddering of my car, as I tried to call for some form of backup. The form of the insecticon advancing on me, entering my vision for brief moments as I spun; turning into a sickening kaleidoscope of colour when Wheeljack tackled the Insecticon. My car finally slowing to a stop, I had a wonderful view of the two fighting once more.

I blinked rapidly, trying to stop the spinning. Once my vision settled, I almost jumped when Wheeljack landed next to my car. Eyes narrowed, I faced forward and gunned the engine. Firing once again and bearing down on the Insecticon. It looked ready to leap into the air again. I punched the turbo button and my head slammed into the headrest and as I sped forward rapidly. Smashing into the Insecticon, which was flipped up and over the car. Wheeljack's ship was ahead of me; seeing Miko waving from the window I drove round it, narrowly missing the rocket that sped past my speeding car, and up the lowering ramp to enter the ship.

I parked the car in an empty space behind one of the pilot seats, activating the new magnetised wheel option and got out.

The interior is lit up by the sunlight streaming through the huge windscreen. I run and begin to clamber up one of the giant seats; eventually making it up to the cybertronian dash.

Symbols light up and scroll along one window rapidly. I watch mesmerised for a moment before turning my attention to the fight. Parts of the Insecticon are scattered across the ground, energon pooled about them; a pile of rubble near the cliff-face paints a clear picture as to its fate.

I frown and look for Wheeljack, before hasty pedesteps signal his arrival in the cockpit; just as a swarm of Insecticons fly over the top of the cliff.

I grab onto a ridge on the dash with one hand, the other grabbing the back of Miko's top as she stumbled.

"Floor it!"

We zoomed into the air. Wheeljack guiding the Jackhammer this way and that, in an attempt to dodge the bolts fired by the Insecticons. Miko yelled something at Wheeljack and he looked over his shoulderplate...at the box of grenades behind him. He smirked.

'If we weren't about to die...'

I shook my head slightly to get rid of any forming...distractions. 'Geez (y/n) you only previously met the guy once.'

Miko escaped my clutches and leapt into the co-pilot's chair. It was a good move so I made to follow. Unfortunately, as Wheeljack enacted his plan, a violent jolt sent me flying. I tucked as I fell; landing hard, but the impact was lessened by the roll entered into. Coming to a stop when my hand grabbed the edge of Wheeljack's pede. The grenades went off, destroying the swarm and creating an explosive energon cloud; wisps entered the Jackhammer, one such wisp flowed over the open skin on my neck and legs. I hissed in pain. I don't know how Wheeljack heard me over the explosion, but he quickly swooped down to pick me up and headed back to the pilot seat. Cupped within his servo I was held to his chassis as he settled into the pilot seat; pressing a symbol to close the bay door and disengaging the autopilot. I shifted, trying to twist to look at my wounds. Hissing softly when my neck burned. The skin was bubbling, angry red welts growing as I watched; strips of skin had begun to peel. Small light blue streaks fading as the skin split and blood welled to the surface. 'Perfect.'

Wheeljack sent a cautious glance at me before stretching out his servo and carefully depositing me next to Miko on the other seat.

I settled next to Miko and glared at the girl. "What were you thinking?" My voice remained level as I stared at the girl. Horror evident on her face, both at my burns and the calm tone of my voice.

She recovers herself and launches into a speech to defend herself. "I was helping get revenge for what that con did to Bulkhead! Wheeljack was here and you saw what I did!...I helped!"

"WHAT DID IT DO!" She froze at my outburst. I continued, forcing my voice to remain calm. "You went looking for revenge. Do you feel better now? Or do you just feel that empty hole inside? It will never be filled, it'll grow and fester until it consumes you. But only if...you" I poked her chest, "Let", and again, "It!" and one more poke for luck.

I threw a glance at the mech beside us. "And YOU had no right to bring Miko along!"

Wheeljack looks over. "Leave the kid alone...she did great. She's an honorary wrecker now! Best of the best."

I slumped, energy sapped by my outburst. "Hmph...bloody dead is what she should be." I mumbled.

Silence descended on the cockpit. I closed my eyes. 'I'll just rest until we get back.'

------------------------Time skip-----------------------

I lay on the small medical gurney, Situated in plain view of Bulkhead's. Bandages covered my burns and I fought the urge to itch under them. 'The cream Mrs Darby gave me really itches, maybe I'm allergic...oh well, too late to take it off.' I'd refused going to hospital, I didn't have proper ID and I did not want to set off any flags in the system.

I wearily raised my head, when a small hand gingerly touched my arm. Miko stood there looking at me sorrowfully, eyes glistening with unshed tears.

'Oh sh*t...I was too harsh wasn't I.'

I was about to speak before Miko cut me off. "I know, you were right and I'm sorry...it doesn't help."

She moved to leave but I grabbed her hand. "Look...I'm sorry too Miko, I was too harsh on you. You're young and can learn from your mistakes. I guess I just forgot..." I sighed, "Bulkhead would want you to be careful, I was angry cuz I care, and I know he would be too. You are just as important Miko. Bulkhead will recover, have faith."

My last words sounded wooden and rehearsed to me; but Miko perked up slightly, new hope just glimmering in her eyes. She wiped away her tears before gingerly hugging me and walking away.

I laid back and stared at the ceiling. Thinking about this strange alien war...how similar it was to others I had known, the secrecy, the vendettas, and also how different it was.

Schik.

The small sound drew my attention. I turned to see Wheeljack shift minutely; watching me. I groaned, "If you're gonna berate me go ahead."

Wheeljack rubbed the back of his helm with a servo. "I just wanted to say...you would have made a heck of a wrecker too. But you were pretty harsh."

I nodded, "Yes...I was just worried for you both."

Wheeljack did a double take. "Us both?"

I rolled my eyes. "Yes both of you."

He stared at me, optics widening slightly; before they narrowed in suspicion. "I get the kid but...why would you care about me?"

I tried to shrug but gave up, wincing at the pain. "I honestly don't know."

He studies me intently for a moment before leaving. I slump back onto the gurney. 'Why did Jack's mum say I have to stay still...ugh.'

Third Person pov:

Ratchet watched Wheeljack walk away with a frown on his faceplate. A scan of his vitals revealed several inconsistencies. Elevated Sparkbeat and unusually high processor activity, well for Wheeljack that is. Ratchet made a mental note to monitor him.

Whilst Ratchet returned to his work, Wheeljack had gone back out to his ship. He entered and walked forward to sit in the pilot's chair. He paused momentarily, looking at the space where (Y/n)'s car had been; also looking at the small streak where (she/he) had sat on the co-pilot chair. He shook his helm. "Idiot."

Pressing the dash, the ship rumbled to life. The mech was about to close the ship and take off when he stopped. Turned the ship off and settled back into his chair. Thinking.

Wheeljack was a mech of action, of battle, this was a strange occurrence. His processor churned, dredging up memories both old and new. All shadowed by the image of a pained (girl/boy) trying to shrug, fighting through the pain. He could hear their words. "I was just worried for you both." "I honestly don't know."

He saw the similarities between those words...and ones he had heard, a long time ago.

He turned and stood, leaving the prospect of flight behind for now. 'I think I'll stay awhile longer' he thought.

-----------------------Long Time skip-------------------------------

Your pov:

About a month had passed. I'd had a full recovery; just with a few scars to add to my ever growing collection. I'd taken to wearing high collar jumpers or scarves at school to hide my neck and I didn't wear shorts anymore. There'd been several more battles with the Decepticons...retrieving Iacon relics...that kinda thing.

The shots rang out in the training room as I systematically went down the line of targets I had set up at the other end, firing through the centre of each of them; the sniper rifle giving barely any kick in my trained hands. I could only faintly hear an echo through the old ear defenders I wore. 'Really need to get new ones.'

As I fired, I thought. About my friends, the Autobots, the Decepticons, M.E.C.H and Wheeljack.

I had had quite a few conversations with the wrecker the past few weeks. After Bulkhead recovered we were all overjoyed. I don't know how...but I managed to persuade Wheeljack to stay and encourage him, at least for a little while. He'd confessed that it felt painful watching his friend struggle. I'd told him to suck it up, at least he's alive and that it would help Bulkhead. He'd chuckled at that.

'I have to confess, he has a nice laugh...kinda cute.' I froze. 'Oh no (y/n), you are not thinking THAT again.'

I shook my head and removed my defenders. Emptying the rifle and cleaning it. Once I was done I put it down and jogged the length of the room to collect the targets. I was off centre on quite a few, from when I'd swung too fast, but otherwise I'd hit dead centre on all the others. I stacked them and carried them back across the room to collect my rifle before leaving the room for my car.

I strolled along the high-ceiling corridor. Humming softly under my breath. Pede-steps, accompanied by a soft, steady clanking noise, sounded from behind me. I threw a look over my shoulder to see Wheeljack turn the corner; chucking a grenade in the air and catching it with his servo, repeatedly. His steps stalled momentarily when he saw me before resuming their steady pace. As he passed my smaller form he passed the grenade over his helm from behind his back, catching it in one servo, while his helm was turned towards me slightly; a smirk evident on his faceplate. He then continued on around the corner to the main room. 'What was that about?'

I frowned and took a turn off to the room where I keep my car; my 'garage' so to speak.

--------------------------Time skip--------------------------------

I sat on the steps next to Raf and Miko as we waited for the bots to come pick them up. The bespeckled boy was trying unsuccessfully to calm me down.

"My car is GONE! How do you expect me to calm down?!"

He sighed and looked at Miko imploringly, who just shrugged in response. Shaking, silently I seethed. 'If that brat Vince f*@&ing got it towed...I'll kill'im!'

He'd had a bone to pick with me from day 1...'don't know why!' I laughed with no emotion, a dead kind of laugh. Raf looked at me alarmed, his glasses slipping on his nose.

"Um (y/n), I'm sure there's a...uh, reasonable explanation."

His words were cut off by the sounds of an impatient horn. We looked up to see Bulkhead, Bumblebee...and Wheeljack?...parked on the sidewalk. Miko rushed to Bulkhead while I walked up to Bee with Raf. We stopped before him and I looked over at Wheeljack.

"Why are you here?"

His alt-mode shuddered as he chuckled. "Picking you up since you haven't got your car."

I waved at Raf and moved to climb in Wheeljack's altmode.

It took a second before it clicked.

"You took...where is my car?" I growled. The insignia on the steering wheel flashed in time with his chuckles.

"I needed an excuse to get out the base...you seemed perfect." He paused. "You're pretty when you're angry."

I raised an eyebrow at that. "Mind repeating that."

He stalled. "Forget I said that."

It was my turn to laugh. We had left the town behind and ventured onto the open road. Once I calmed myself it was silent for a few moments before I piped up. "I think you're not so bad looking yourself.'

I collapsed with laughter, as I clutched the seat when Wheeljack momentarily froze up and skidded off the road.

[rueitae]

The Secrets of Beasts

Completely unplanned and the fastest 2000 words I’ve ever written. Much fluff and sap inspired by some talk on the Pidgance Positivity Server about show epilogues/time skips/general Paladin futures. And also this post.

Plance as usual, set at an undetermined amount of time post series.

The team is investigating a mysterious nebula, but the Green Lion is obstinate about Pidge joining them.

Although I’m almost 100% sure someone has done something very similar, here’s my humble take.

~~~~~

Pidge yawned, cupping a hand over her mouth, exhausted from near constant research. She should call it a night, it was near two in the morning. Anything for a mission, she supposed.

She had the sleeves of her Coalition uniform rolled up to her elbows and shirt unbuttoned, exposing the black flight suit. A bright green stain on it nearly matched her uniform, but it was only the remains of hastily cleaned up food goo, spilled earlier while her mind had been focused on the mission.

“Where did the time go,” she wondered, rubbing her eyes. At least she was finished with her studies to the point of personal satisfaction. Looking at the data any further wouldn’t be productive. Hunk would double check things for her anyway.

The Green Lion rumbled, expressing a concern for her Paladin.

Pidge grinned, feeling less tired with her closest companion in her mind. “I know I have to take care of myself, Girl. I’ll go to bed as soon as I report what I have to the team.”

It took only a few steps to walk over to her communications station, one that she had retrofitted to her specifications. Her father’s design for the Atlas left little to be desired, but the comfort of having a workstation in the Green Lion’s hanger reminded her of their time on the Castle, and it meant a lot to her.

She called up the Black Lion and Keith answered immediately. He smiled warmly and Kosmo joined him, nearly pushing Keith over to sniff the screen.

“Hey Pidge, any good news?” he asked while pushing the cosmic wolf gently to the side.

“Somewhat,” Pidge responded. “The nebula seems to be harmless at least, and there’s no evidence of the Rift Creatures that I can tell. You guys should be good to proceed.”

A second screen popped on to her monitor and Allura joined the conversation from the Blue Lion. “I have not sensed the Creatures either. Although, I would feel much better if we had the means to form Voltron.”

“I second that,” Hunk chimed in, creating a third screen on Pidge’s monitor. “I do not like poking at a complete unknown, even with all of us. It just seems like a bad idea.”

Pidge offered a condoling smile and a shrug. “Sorry I couldn’t be there. Green was pretty adamant about staying on the Atlas while Dad and Shiro run the system reboot.”

Pidge couldn’t help a grin as Lance finally rounded out the team on her monitor. His face read of angst and displeasure.

“You know listening to the Lions is for the best Lance, they know what they’re doing,” she told him. “Blue took us to the Castle remember? Stop pouting.”

“I’m not pouting,” he protested. His frown deepened. He was definitely pouting. Pidge found it adorable and endearing. “I’m a little annoyed that I haven’t seen my wife in a week and when I do, she calls Keith before me! Don’t I get any kind of marriage privileges?” he finished dramatically.

“Oh my gosh,” Hunk said. He tried to groan and feign equal annoyance, but the delight on his face told a different story. “Can you two not have a couples spat on the Voltron mind link?”

“Do not answer that question, Pidge,” Allura said firmly. “Lance has been a Goybeenian Monkling all movement because of your absence. He deserves it.”

“I am not!” Lance defended. Although wearing his helmet, Pidge could easily imagine his hairs standing on end.

“I think Green would have said something if the sample I have was truly dangerous. If Allura isn’t sensing anything, Keith isn’t sensing anything, and I haven’t found anything scientifically dangerous, then you’re good to proceed.” She yawned, unable to help it after her long winded answer. “Although if you wouldn’t mind waiting another six varga I'd like to be awake to watch.”

“Yes, I think that is a fantastic idea,” Lance agreed firmly, huffing and crossing his arms.

“Sounds good, Pidge. We’ll see you in six varga,” Keith confirmed. Kosmo hogged the right side of the screen, and despite Keith’s soothing pets, continued to whine and whimper.

“Everything alright with Kosmo? He usually isn’t this vocal.” Pidge worried.

Keith frowned, and didn’t answer right away. “He just misses you,” he finally said with a genuine smile. “Congratulations, by the way.”

“What are we congratulating?” Allura asked, confusion written on her face, and everyone else’s save Keith.

“Uh, Pidge is having a baby,” Keith said, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.

The video link went dead silent, but the chatter in their minds ran a mile a minute.

“I’m sorry, I’m what?” Pidge exclaimed.

Keith blinked. “You didn’t know? Kosmo says he’s been smelling it on you the week before we left.”

The unmistakable sound of Green standing on all fours took Pidge’s attention away from her team momentarily. The Lion’s eyes lit up bright yellow and unleashed a proud roar.

Allura gasped in delight. “This is wonderful news. And it now makes sense why the Green Lion refuses to leave the Atlas. She wanted Pidge to find out first.”

“Oh man, this is amazing!” Hunk said. “We are totally throwing a party. Lance, dude, buddy, you’re gonna be a dad!”

Lance’s screen wobbled slightly, a sign Hunk had steered the Yellow Lion to give the Red Lion a congratulatory bump. The Red Paladin himself hadn’t yet spoken, his jaw hanging open slightly.

Pidge sympathized, she wasn’t sure what to say either. She cleared her throat. “Well… I guess I can’t argue with a cosmic wolf and a ten thousand year old sentient mechanical lion that lives in my head.” Her heart swelled and she couldn’t help but smile. “So, hey Lance, I’m pregnant.” The words sounded so foreign, but none had ever felt better to say.

That finally broke Lance’s silence. Tears welled up in his eyes behind his helmet. “I’m gonna be a dad,” he said. “I’m gonna be a dad!” he said once more, animated and bouncing up from his chair.

“Okay, let’s let Pidge rest,” Keith said, still smiling. “We’ve got a mission to complete later. We should all do the same.”

Green lowered herself and opened the ramp through the mouth, beckoning Pidge to climb in and pilot.

Pidge couldn’t stop smiling. “Looks like I’ll be joining you guys after I get some sleep.”

“Sounds good, ‘night Pidge.” Keith ended the communication.

“Congratulations, Pidge, Lance. We look forward to seeing you soon,” Allura said before also dismissing herself.

“Okay I just need to know, what kind of cake are we talking?” Hunk asked. “Regular Earth flavors or are we thinking something a little more exotic?”

“We’ll talk about that later, Hunk,” Lance said, tinged with a bit of annoyance. “Can I just talk to Pidge for a second? Alone?”

Hunk slumped. “Yeah okay. Just consider Hovian chocolate. In the back of your minds.”

Pidge crossed her arms and smirked. “You and Matt are going to be co-godfathers. Go prepare yourself for that.”

“Pidge that’s not fair!” Hunk protested, tears streaming down his face. “You can’t pull something that important on me when I can’t hug you!”

“And now you know how I feel,” Lance pointed out dryly.

“Okay, okay I get it. I’m off!” He paused. “I love you guys.”

“Love you too, bud,” Lance said affectionately, sniffling to dry up his tears.

Hunk removed himself from the group conversation.

“He’s right you know,” Lance started. “I want to be with you right now, holding you and our kid.”

“I know,” Pidge agreed. “I’m still trying to wrap this around my head. It doesn’t feel real.”

“You’re the smartest person I know,” Lance said warmly. “It’ll come to you before me.”

Pidge fiddled her thumbs, bringing her abdomen in her field of vision. She brought her hand to rest where she knew months from now the pregnancy would be obvious. “It’ll be a new challenge,” she said. “But less stressful than saving the universe I think.”

Lance laughed. “Ask Lisa or my mom and they’ll probably tell us otherwise.” His smile changed to one radiating confidence and compassion. “We’re gonna do it as a team though, just like we do with Voltron. And it’s going to be great.”

His eyes were filled with nothing but love. It made her feel comfortable and warm.

“I know. I love you, Lance. I’ll see you in person soon. After I sleep I need to get the sample loaded. We can tell our families the good news when we get back - together.”

“Sounds like a plan. I love you too, Pidge. Send my kisses to our peanut.” With exaggeration, he blew a kiss and placed it on his monitor.

Pidge humored him and caught it dramatically, placing it on her belly. “You’re going to need a better nickname for the kid,” she chided. “You know I hate peanuts.”

Lance rolled his eyes. “I’ll have one by the time you and Green get here. Get some sleep, Pidge.”

“Night, Lance,” she responded.

He ended the group chat and Pidge stood for a solid minute just staring at the blank screens, mouth curved into a frown and missing him already.

She turned to Green with a wry grin. “You’re pretty good at keeping secrets, Girl. Anything else you got for me?”

A low, playful rumble was the only answer she received.

“Fine then. I guess millennia old beings can have their secrets,” she teased. Pidge walked up to Green, who closed her mouth to allow Pidge to pet her snout.

She received a purr in response.

Pidge wrapped her arms around Green’s nose as much as she physically could, smiling the whole time. She figured maybe it was the pregnancy, but all of a sudden Pidge was in a very affectionate mood. “I love you, Girl. You’re the best Lion, don’t let the others tell you any different.”

The Green Lion sent a wave of images through her mind; her bed, pillow, pajamas.

“Okay, okay, I get it. I’m exhausted,” Pidge said, pulling away. “I’ll see you later.”

As Pidge exited the hanger, Green sat up in its default mode, effortlessly looking proud and dignified.

Pidge made it as far as her pajamas and getting under the covers, but sleep eluded her. The excitement of discovery and a new personal mission kept her mind buzzing.

Eventually, she focused on the wall of photographs she and Lance used in decoration for their room. Many of them were of the whole Voltron team, a good number of them on some of their more memorable dates, but the one her eyes wandered to was their wedding photo.

Pidge could still feel the comfort of her dress, and how happy the white chiffon and green sash had made her, given to her as a gift from some of Matt’s close Coalition friends. She’d been expecting to wear her uniform, as Lance did, since wedding dresses hadn’t been on the forefront of minds while rebuilding Earth’s infrastructure and economy.

She’d missed having a good reason to wear a dress. The thoughtfulness still made her tear up to this day.

Now she’d have more reason. Even her baggiest clothes wouldn’t fit her eventually.

The thought made her curl up and close her eyes with a smile. The coming months would have their downsides, but all she cared about right now was how good and warm she felt. Lance beside her was the only thing that would have possibly made her happier.

It would only get better when she woke and joined her Voltron family.

Pidge decided the first thing she would do though, is EVA over to the Red Lion and hold her husband for all he was worth.

It would be a very long hug.

[raflovestuffs]

That is who you are: Chapter 8

First l Previous l Next

Hey there! My dear translator @whosthatgal just finished the translation of a new chapter of mine! I hope you’ll enjoy it! It’s getting a little darker...

Please tell me in the comments if you like this turn of events!

What did they want from him? My question stayed unanswered. I fought with all my strength to free myself from the grasp of these men that separated me from the man I loved. I had to get back to Hiccup—I couldn’t leave him in Drago’s hands.

“Let me go!” I pleaded.

“Out of the question!” one of them replied, holding me even tighter.

“Please, I’m begging you—Hiccup is in danger! You have to let me go!”

I was close to panic. I had to get a hold of myself, but how? How could I possibly put things into perspective when the person I loved the most in the world was in the talons of the most dangerous madman the world had ever known?

Come on, Astrid, calm down…You’re stronger than this.

Yes, I was stronger than this, and I was going to prove it.

The men steered me out of the castle, and we followed the paved alleys of the town until we finally arrived at the port of Göteborg. Where were they taking me? What did they want to do with me? We stopped momentarily in front of one of the moored ships, and the leader of the group left with three of his men to take care of some business, leaving me alone with just one guard.

I didn’t have much time to act. The man had me with my hands behind my back, and didn’t have any means of defending himself.  Seizing my chance, I kicked him violently in the crotch.

He lost his grip and I took advantage immediately, knocking him out with two quick punches. I wasted no time in taking back my axe—which the men had brought along with their own weapons—and took off, in the hopes of finding a rowboat. I ran the entire length of the harbour before I finally found one, and jumped inside, setting off in the direction of Berk. It wouldn’t do any good to get back to Hiccup all alone—I’d need to bring everyone, especially our dragons.

The further I got from the harbour, though, the more I felt like I was abandoning Hiccup. I was willingly leaving him alone there, with Drago Bludvist as a jailor. Oh, gods, I was a monster! How could I do this to him?

But I’d have to do it if I wanted to save him… I kept rowing out to open sea, and once I figured I was far enough from the Göteborg harbour, I started calling for my dragon. I was much more at ease on her back than in this boat…but I had no idea where she’d be at this time! I absolutely had to find her.

At that moment, I heard voices shouting, getting dangerously close to where I was—I’d taken too much time to stop and think. I turned and discovered that what looked like Drago’s entire armada was on my heels, and if they caught me that’d be the end of it. I tried my best to pick up speed, but time wasn’t on my side—they caught up to me with no trouble and took possession of the boat.

“What, so you decided to leave without saying goodbye?” the leader of the guards asked me.

He grabbed my arm, holding on with brutal force, then leaned closer.

“The Master isn’t going to be happy when he hears about this…”

“Funny,” I said. “The way I see it, he’s going to be pretty mad at you guys.”

He frowned, throwing me a dirty look. He must not have been used to dealing with a woman who wields an axe as well as me.

“Tie her up!” he shouted. He was annoyed.

I smiled at him, letting the men tie up my hands. They then tied me to the mast of the ship, hands tied behind my back. Then the ship set sail again, but they didn’t head back towards the harbour—in fact, the entire armada was steering towards one single spot: another ship up ahead.

We finally drew level with the other ship, and I was frozen above the scene before me: the vessel ahead of us was, in fact, that of a familiar tribe. Everyone was there: Gobber, Valka, Snotlout, Fishlegs, the twins, Eret…I couldn’t believe it, they had all come to save us.

Then they recognized me.

“Astrid!” Valka cried.

I didn’t want her to worry about me—she had enough going on down on deck. The leader was walking towards them.

“Who are you?” he asked them.

“We’re friends of Hiccup and Astrid and we’re here to bring them home, if it’s not too much trouble,” Gobber said coldly.

“That’s really too bad, because actually we will find that a little too much trouble,” the leader answered.

“We’re not leaving without them!” Valka said.

“You know what? We’ll make a trade. We’ll give you the girl, on the condition that you never come back here. So?”

Gobber paused to think, and Valka approached him.

“It might be our only chance,” she murmured.

Gobber lifted his head and held out his hand to the man.

“It’s a deal.”

Some of the other men freed me from the ropes and led me down to Valka and Gobber. The leader addressed us with a satisfied smile.

“Goodbye…”

We reboarded the dragon riders’ ship, and everyone welcomed me with relief on their faces. I turned back to the leader and his men on the ship—they were still glaring at me.

I was alone.

I was alone with Drago, crazier than ever, while I was tied to a chair with no way out—absolutely none. Despite my own situation, I couldn’t stop thinking about Astrid. Where did they take her? Was she still in Göteborg? It was all too much.

“Where did they take her?” I called out.

“Hmmm…I’m really not sure—I just told them to take care of her,” Drago said.

“If they touch a single hair on her head…”

“Calm down, I’m not sure that’s what they had in mind…Although, who knows?” he said with a deceptive laugh.

“How can you joke about people’s suffering like that?” I asked.

He kept laughing, then finally turned towards me.

“Ah! You’re a real family man, aren’t you? I was one once too…Before. Before the dragons took me!” he growled, grabbing me by the shoulders.

I was petrified, but he calmed down quickly enough, then continued.

“But you have plenty of other qualities, don’t you? Especially with these exotic creatures? Answer me, O Dragon Master!”

I nodded, my heart pounding.

“You really impressed me with your dragon last time, you know that? What was his name again? ‘Toothless’, that’s it. Yes, a night fury, if I’m not mistaken? The breed of your dragon says a lot about you—just like the dragonskin I’m wearing now.”

I hadn’t paid any attention last time, but I looked at him more closely now, horrified at not having realized it before:

“That’s…that’s a night fury skin…”

“It is. I killed it myself when I arrived on the Isle of Night Furies to scare your uncle! And it worked quite well, too, since he’s been wrapped around my finger ever since,” Drago gloated.

“Wait…what? My uncle? The guardian of the island?” I asked, disconcerted.

“What? You didn’t know your mother had a brother?” he said, laughing madly.

This Erik Vemund was my mom’s brother? How could that be possible? This news had me floored, but he kept going.

“In fact, we weren’t there to talk about your family, but to talk about your talent, Hiccup. Because it’s true that you have it—you have a real gift with the dragons. Succeeding at recuperating your dragon like you did, I admit that I didn’t think you had it in you, but you proved me wrong, Dragon Master.”

“I’m not a Dragon Master…”

“So what are you?”

“I’m the chief of Berk.”

“Ah, of course—you became chief after the death of your poor father…”

He went too far.

I struggled furiously against the chair, powerless. He broke out in a sadistic smile.

“After all, it would be a shame to waste such a gift….”

“What are you getting at, Drago?”

“I’m saying that you’re going to train dragons for me.”

“For what?”

“They’ll be the dragons I’ll be using to destroy Berk,” he said, dead serious.

“You know full well I’m not going to do it.”

“Of course not, but you’re not exactly going to be there to help with the destruction,” he said.

“Well, you might as well just kill me now,” I said carefully, “but I guess you wouldn’t have brought me here if you didn’t need me for something, right?”

He seemed a little disconcerted, but carried on.

“I’ve always said you were clever. Yes, there’s another option available to you in this case. Renounce your life with the dragons, and join me! And your people will be saved!”

“Never! We’ll never surrender to you!” I spat.

“But you’ll see that whether you want it or not, one day I’ll bring an end to the tyranny of these demons, and I’ll exterminate every dragon that infects this earth!” he exclaimed.

This man was really off the rails, much crazier than I had imagined. Exterminate all the dragons? I guess that was his ultimate goal? He hadn’t even tried to understand them—I hated people who chose the path of least resistance, who jumped straight to aggression without stopping to think. That’s the kind of person Drago was, and I couldn’t let him get away with this. I could never train his dragons.

“You don’t understand anything…” I said, breaking a long silence.

“The way I see it, it’s you who doesn’t understand. I am your master, you are my prisoner—and you’ll train my dragons, whether you want to or not.”

“No—you don’t understand: I won’t train these dragons because you’re going to use them to destroy my island and kill the dragons that live there—the ones you haven’t even tried to understand,” I said.

“Why should I try to understand the creatures that ripped me from my family? This is nothing but vengeance,” Drago said, addressing me, then he turned to the men in the next room: “Guards! Take him to his cell—maybe he’ll be more co-operative after spending some time in there.”

They pulled me roughly from my chair and dragged me out of the dining room while Drago laughed, his madness clearer than ever.

 “Astrid, tell us what happened,” Valka asked me, a benevolent hand on my shoulder.

I had barely recovered from what had just gone on, but I knew I definitely had some explaining to do. I took a deep breath before beginning.

“Well, I had gone looking for Hiccup, and I found myself on this Isle of Night Furies, trying to escape from its guardian, somebody named Erik. When he finally caught me, Hiccup arrived—and then this Erik guy locked us both in a dungeon!”

“Well, well, I’m sure some things went on in this dungeon,” Snotlout interjected.

“Oh yeah. Those two can’t stay still for two seconds,” Ruffnut agreed.

The whole gang, with the exception of Valka and Gobber, burst out laughing.

“Mind your own business, okay?” I replied coldly.

They all fell silent.

“As I was saying, Erik had us locked up, but then some men came and let us out. Then we tried to escape, because we knew something was wrong, and for good reason. They brought us aboard a ship going to Göteborg, and I’m sure the guardian knew… Oh, if I could get my hands on him!”

Valka looked at me, confused. What did I say?

“Astrid, we need to tell you something, but…don’t get upset…”

She turned and knocked on a trap door in the deck.

“It’s okay, you can come out, Erik.”

Then, the man in the wolfskin came out of the trapdoor. I didn’t understand. What was he doing here?

“I…but…what?” I stuttered.

“Astrid, Erik is my brother. He was under contract to work for Drago. What he did to you and Hiccup was inexcusable, but he’s on our side now.”

Valka had a brother? Amazing, you really did learn something new every day…I knew I should trust Valka, so this guy must have been respectable after all… I needed to know more, but that wasn’t important right now. I needed to finish telling my story.

“Alright, I trust you,” I said, smiling. “Now, where was I? Right: we arrived at Göteborg. So the men brought us to this huge castle, apparently owned by the person they kept calling ‘Master’. And they told us it was totally at our disposal until further notice.”

“Oh man, you must’ve been having a good time these last few days!” Ruffnut said.

You have no idea, I thought to myself—but I definitely couldn’t say that in front of everyone. I grabbed her by the neck and looked her straight in the eyes.

“One more crack like that and I swear to you I’ll throw you overboard!” I hissed.

She shut up then, but she still had a smile at the corners of her lips.

“And this morning when I woke up, Hiccup wasn’t there…so I went downstairs to see where he’d gone, but when I went into the dining room, Hiccup was there, but so was Drago.”

They turned and exchanged strange looks—they didn’t seem shocked by my news. But how could they have already known? I lifted my head towards Erik—of course.

“But I guess you already knew that…Anyway, Hiccup stayed there, to protect me. Drago said that he had to obey him or else he’d hurt me, so Hiccup didn’t hesitate for a second, and Drago’s guards seized me, and now I’m here…He saved me,” I said, my voice barely above a murmur.

“But what does he want with Hiccup?” Gobber asked.

“I have no idea, he just kept talking about how he needed Hiccup’s talents for some ‘personal project’.”

“His talents…with dragons? Oh no…” Valka said.

“What could this nutcase possibly have in mind?” Gobber asked.

“We absolutely need to get him free from Drago,” Valka said.

“Yeah, but before that, we’re going to need to get back to Berk and get our dragons,” I said. “It will work out,” I said, putting a reassuring hand on Valka’s shoulder. “Everything’s going to be okay.”

I wanted to believe what I was saying, but I was so scared for him. How could I imagine a life without him? He was everything to me, my world revolved around him… It was with a heavy heart that I waited for the end of the voyage home, so that I could finally come up with a plan to save him. Hang on, Hiccup.