#this game came out swinging lemme tell ya.

[gabbiarts]

Ohhh my gosh, echoes of wisdom is SO GOOD. Loovvedd this scene so much, I had to do a little drawing--and then the shading happened and. Yeh. More rambles in the tags!!

[Image description: a bust of my version of Princess Zelda from Echoes of Wisdom, standing in a dark prison cell. Sunlight shines through a window, illuminating only some of her sad face.]

[marshmellowfluff221]

"Can I kiss you?"

Tsukishima, Yamaguchi, Oikawa, Iwaizumi, Kuroo, Kenma, Tendou, Bokuto, Akaashi

Warning: Fluff, too much of it

Tsukki is a minimalist when it comes to affection in public

He avoids it if he can

But sometimes he tolerates holding your hand

Sometimes he even brings your intwined hands into his jacket pocket

He's lowkey touch starved

like this boy wants you to be clingy so he can act like he hates it

when in reality he loves it

anywho

occasionally you'll meet him after his practice to walk home

it's late so he insists you guys walk home together

your extracurricular activities keep you late anyways, so it's convenient

sometimes he's still cleaning up the gym so naturally you go to help him

when the two of you get into the storage room to put away the supplies you stop him before he can walk back out

"Can I kiss you?"

he just stares at you

on the inside he's melting because lowkey the way you said it was so cute

he just goes "tsk fine"

and leans down for you

"Can I get one more?" :))))

"No." He'd leave that room so quick

but his face is so red after that

he'd ask you this question before he'd kiss you every time

Yamaguchi is so cute- I can't

sosbdkdnsajks

Before a game-

"Can I get a kiss?" "Of course you can"

After a game-

"Y/n can I kiss you?" "You don't need to ask."

While cuddling-

"Can I get a kiss?" "Yams you can always have a kiss."

literally so cute

your heart just explodes when he asks you

he asks so much so that you started asking him-

"Yams can I get a kiss?"

He'd get so flustered like- sbosbdodbsns

ofc he'd say yes

You two are just adorABLE

so like one game Yamaguchi was doin his thing and bam, scores a few points in a row

He looks so happy that when you guys meet after the game neither of you ask before locking lips

then he'd pull away and apologize and be like

"I'm sorry I didn't ask-"

literally acts like a baby

he'll whine for kisses

"Y/nnn pwease? Just one kiss?" "No."

Iwa would be so annoyed because Oikawa would do this every time you would walk him to practice

and you never gave in-

like he'd stand in the doorway of the gym and wait there like 😗

and Iwa would tell you to duck as he threw a ball at Oikawa

As time went on Oikawa got smarter about it and tried to use reverse psychology

he'd walk in the gym with you and sigh loudly and just be like

"Bye Y/n I don't want a kiss today."

He'd peek over his shoulder to see your reaction and you'd just be like

k

and walk out

another method he tried was a cockier attitude

"I know you wanna kiss me, you were saying so last night." wink "I think you're talking about yourself."

after a month of Oikawa trying to get a kiss, one faithful day, it happened

the two of you walked into the gym

Iwa had a ball ready to throw

you turned around and said, "Can I get a kiss?"

This boy was shocked

"Wait that's my line." "I mean if you don't want a kiss..." "Nononono I do."

And you'd give him a peck on the lips- but oh no that's not enough

He grabs your waist and pulls you close to him as he reconnects your lips for a PROPER kiss

and then it went back to rejecting his kisses

This dude is incapable of kissing you on the spot

Like he wants to kiss you so badly sometimes but he doesn't wanna just go for it

ya know

he's lowkey insecure like he doesn't know if its the right time for it

Sometimes he just goes for it and you're like

"Iwa~ didn't know you had it in you"

and he'd get all flustered after that

anyways

so hes playing in a game right

and you're there supporting him, screaming his name

The game finishes, they win ofc

and you run down there to hug him even tho he's all sweaty and sticky

He has like no hesitation wrapping his arms around you right there and then

His head is in the crook of your neck, his hot breath on your skin as he calms down

and then you just whisper

"Can I kiss you?"

This dude perks up and looks at you with a slight smirk and he's like

"Can I kiss YOU?"

You laugh and nod as the two of you lock lips

He pulls back and buried his face back into your neck and just sighs

"I never know when to do that."

Honestly, when he wants a kiss he just goes for it

when you started dating tho that was a whole different story

he'd tease you and act like he's gonna go in for a kiss but actually is just reaching for something behind you

it'd get so annoying that you just grabbed his face one day and planted one on him right there and then

and every day after that he'd never tease you, he'd actually go for it

so one day you decide

hey, lemme bring some snacks for the team cause they do be working hard

so you called up the team manager and asked what you should bring

You got all the food together and went to the practice right on time

Everyone was literally so thankful

as they dug into the food Kuroo pulled you aside and said thanks and stuff and at that moment he looked so cute-

you just

"Can I kiss you Kuroo?"

You honestly weren't sure because you'd never kissed him in front of the team before like they knew you guys were dating but ya know

He smirked and a hint of blush spread across his cheeks as he nodded and leaned down to kiss you

On the outside this dude was all smug but on the inside he was abouta burst from how cute you looked when you asked him

he literally started asking you if he could kiss you because he found it so cute

Kenma honestly doesn't initiate kisses- on the lips

he'll kiss your cheek, your forehead, the top of your head

but rarely on the lips

he sees it as really intimate and he cherishes the moments you two kiss

You don't mind honestly

You love his small kisses on the cheek

in return you'd normally pepper his face with kisses and he'd blush like a mad man

so anyways

you two are hanging out

just enjoying each other's company when he goes

"Would you be opposed if I kissed you?"

You blink at him like

that was so cute your heart couldn't take it

You throw your arms around his neck and begin peppering his face with kisses- but not on the lips yet

when you pull back you smile like a dork

he's blushing furiously as he glances away

"so is that a yes?" "Of course it is."

and so he looks back at you and your lips connect

now when I said he cherishes the rare moments you guys kiss

i mean he CHERISHES them

like his hands go to your waist as your lips move against each other's

it's like a mini makeout session until one of you needs to breathe, then it's over

but still

it's cute

im a simp for tendou

This dude L O V E S kissing you

he can't get enough of you

when you first started dating he was so antsy about your guys first kiss that he just went for it and missed your lips completely

You found it cute tho- because it was

anyways after that he kissed you properly

every day to be exact

morning?

kiss

walking to class?

kiss

walking to practice?

kiss

walking home?

kiss

Just lookin cute?

kiss

so when you came to his practice guess what he did?

that's right, he asked if he could kiss you

Honestly that was the cutest thing he's ever said you were abouta jump his bones right there and then

Instead you just smiled and nodded

He pulled you close and kissed you with a little more passion than the other every day kisses

you pulled back- nah nvm you kissed him again

then he pulled back and gave you one final peck before running back to his team

ushijima was just there like "when did he get a girlfriend??????"

bokuto bokuto bokuto

This guy is so in love with you

but like Kenma, he savors kisses

Bokuto is more of a hugs and cuddles type of guy

Like he's always on you

His arm is either lazily draped over your shoulder or around your waist

Somtimes he just leans against you and he's content

anyways enough about cuddling

you guys are together one day, relaxing

Bokuto's head is in your lap as you sit on the sofa

Your hand rests on his chest and his hands cover yours

Your other hand occasionally runs through his hair

he's very content right now

but all of a sudden he's like

"Can I kiss you?"

and then goes 😙

And you're like absoLUtely and lean down and kiss him

the position is a lil awkward so he slowly gets up- he doesn't wanna accidentally pull away

and eventually you end up in his lap, his hands resting on your thighs and your arms around his neck and hands in his hair

when you finally pull away he gives you one last peck and then buries his face in your neck

and may or may not leave a kiss there too

Akaashi lowkey acts annoyed all the time so you're kinda scared to just spontaneously kiss him

You're not afraid to hold his hand or anything but kissing was different

usually after practice he comes out complaining about Bokuto having another mood swing

and thats when he really needs a kiss

but in your head you're like nah he's prob too annoyed rn

So you just link arms with him and listen to his story as you walk home

he takes note of this- like he's lowkey hurt

You can tell cause he doesn't text you that night

so the next day when you meet him after practice you just pop the question

"Can I kiss you?"

and he's lowkey like huh?

"Did you hear me or is that a no-"

But he cuts you off as he kisses you

When he pulls back he shrugs as he's like

"You don't have to ask."

[madtype]

Cabaret Club Czar Training - YUKI (Part 2)

continuing her training, yuki and majima talk about dating, dreams, and princes!

highlights: - yuki being concerned that majima’s unwell because he was nice to her - majima’s accidental double entendres featuring chafing and crotches - yuki, on the potential of feeling some attraction to majima: “oh... i don’t know how i could ever forgive myself...”

full transcript under the cut!

---

MAJIMA: Alright, let's do some more training.

YUKI: Y-Yes, thank you for taking the time!

M: What's up, Yuki-chan? You nervous again?

Y: N-Not at all! It's battle butterflies again!

Y: Okay! Let's get started! I want to get better at talking to my customers!

M: That's the spirit, Yuki-chan! Alright, I'm gonna be your customer, and we're just gonna talk. Are ya ready?

Y: Y-Yes!

Y: Hello! I-I'm Yuki! Thank you please for coming in toda-- tonight, um, have a good...

M: ......

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M: Alright, let's get to know each other a little better, Yuki. Not that I care, but why don't ya tell me about what kinda guy you like?

Y: Wh-Why do you have to put it like that!? When you say it that way, it really doesn't inspire the most creative of answers, Majima-san...

M: Yeah, yeah, my bad. So tell me about your type already.

Y: Let me think... I... I like a guy who can be my prince!

M: Uh. A prince?

Y: He should be kind, tall and handsome, with flowing hair! He'd really respect me, and he would look good riding a white horse, y'know!?

> Sounds just like me.

M: You talkin' about me, Yuki-chan?

Y: Huh? What do you mean? Majima-san, are you saying you're a prince!?

M: Sorry, Yuki-chan. I may be your ideal man, but I can't be your prince.

Y: Ahaha! Majima-san, you say the funniest things!

Y: Majima-san, you're not exactly a prince... Oh, I know, you'd be the evil chancellor who betrays the kingdom!

M: An evil chancellor!? It's the eyepatch, isn't it!?

> I think I get you.

M: I can see that. If I were lookin' for a lady, I'd want a princess, too.

Y: Huh? Wow Majima-san, you actually see eye to eye with me on something? No way!

M: Hey, if you're gonna hold onto dreams or ideals, ya better swing for the fences.

Y: Exactly. I'd prefer to chase the ideal of my perfect man. But, he might not actually exist... Maybe my standards are too high.

M: Lemme ask you, Yuki. How old are you anyway?

Y: I'm 23.

M: Hmmm... I see, I see...

Y: Uhhh, what's with the sudden pause?

> That doesn't exist!

M: A guy like that doesn't exist! That's on the same crypto level as a tsuchinoko, a unicorn, and a yeti!

Y: H-How do you know that for sure? The tsuchinoko could be out there...

M: Look, there ain't no such thing as a tsuchinoko. Someone probably just looked at a fat snake the wrong way.

Y: Awww, Majima-san, you're just a sad man who's lost all his imagination and dreams!

M: Yeah, and you're an adult now yourself, so maybe it's time you grew up a little... What were we talking about again?

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M: ...Anyway, I'm surprised you're such a dreamer, Yuki-chan.

Y: I'm allowed to dream, aren't I? I went to an all-girls middle school, high school, and university, so I've been dreaming about my prince charming for a long time now.

M: Ah, so you grew up surrounded by girls at your schools. I'm startin' to see why it's tough bein' around men.

Y: Oh, I... I'm sorry.

Y: So, I guess what you're saying is... my customer service skills are lacking because of that... right?

M: What's all this then?

Y: Well, since it came up, I've been wondering if my issues talking to customers might be holding everyone else back, and I wouldn't want that...

> A club needs variety.

M: A good club needs a wide variety of girls, actually.

Y: Huh?

M: I mean, sure, it'd be nice to have someone who could actually talk to the customers...

M: But some guys prefer girls who come off like they don't buy into the whole “nightlife” business.

Y: Hm, I wonder...

M: See, a girl like you adds appeal to the club as a whole, Yuki-chan. We can cater to all walks of life that way.

Y: Wh-Why are you so nice all of a sudden? Majima-san, do you have a fever or something?

M: What? What're you talking about?

Y: No, I just thought you were going to give me a hard time like you always do... I was just a little shocked, is all. So thank you.

M: Hmmmm, what kinda guy do you take me for?

> Don't worry about it.

M: Don't even sweat it. With me at the helm, a problem here and there ain't nothin' I can't deal with.

Y: I knew it. I am causing problems. I'm really sorry...

M: Ah, no, no. That's not what I meant. I was only tryin' to cheer you up, Yuki-chan.

Y: *sigh*

M: (Wow, she's really down in the dumps, now.)

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M: Hey, I know it's probably a ways off, but I wonder what you'll be like when ya do get yourself a boyfriend, Yuki-chan.

Y: Y-You never know! My prince might ride in on his white horse and sweep me off my feet tomorrow!

M: Riiiiight. Cape, sword, and the whole nine yards.

Y: That didn't sound sincere at all!

Y: But, a boyfriend... When I think about dating, all I can think about is how much of a hassle it is.

M: A hassle? Even if it was your equestrian princeling?

Y: If my boyfriend really were a prince on a white horse, it'd probably be even more of a hassle than dating a normal guy!

Y: Every date would be a struggle for the right clothes and make-up, and even then, I can't begin to imagine what I'd be able to talk about with him.

> You'd figure it out.

M: If you liked him, you'd make the effort, though.

Y: Really? Majima-san, you're the last person I expected to hear that from.

M: Really? What's up with that?

Y: Oh, it's just that you suddenly sounded so encouraging and supportive, and it took me by surprise. Are you sure you're feeling okay?

M: Of course I'm okay! I do say positive things every now and then, y'know.

Y: My heart skipped a beat there... Oh, I don't know how I could ever forgive myself...

M: Say what?

> That's this job though...

M: You donkey! You gotta do all that at work here every day. Gettin' dolled up and talkin' to guys is your job, remember?

Y: Ohhh. That's true... If I have trouble with that on the job, I'd probably be bad at it in my private time too...

M: Hey, none of that, now. If ya got time to feel sorry for yourself, you should channel that into uppin' your game.

Y: Upping my game... Yes, you're right. I can't always be a burden to this club. I'm... I feel more motivated now!

Y: Majima-san, can you tell me the number one thing that I've been missing? I really want to know!

M: Uh, lemme think about that one. Hmmm.

M: Thinking big picture... I'd say you're missing everything.

Y: *sigh*

M: Oh! No no, I take it back! Nevermind, Yuki-chan!

> Do a horseback date.

M: Well if he picks you up on a horse, I say ride with it.

Y: Ah, that would be great. So romantic!

Y: We'd ride together on his white horse, into the wind... I would grasp him tightly behind his back, our thoughts as one without exchanging words...

M: Don't get too ahead of yourself, Yuki-chan. Remember, riding a horse'll chafe your thighs.

Y: Ch-Chafed thighs? What!?

M: Yeah, ridin' a horse is a real pain in the crotch till ya get used to it. Ya don't wanna be a whimperin' mess in front of your prince, eh?

Y: Hey, Majima-san! Can you please not bring up crotches and chafing when I'm trying to talk about romantic things? Try to be delicate for once!

Y: But... Now that I think about it, I should learn to ride a horse. Wonder where I could practice...

M: Hmmm. Beats me.

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M: You know, you're an odd girl, Yuki-chan.

Y: Odd? What's weird about me?

M: Well, in one breath you're sayin' you'd wanna date a prince, and in the next, you're sayin' it'd be a hassle.

M: You're like a grumpy old man in the body of a romantic young lady.

Y: What do you mean!? A grumpy old man? At least make it a grumpy, middle-aged woman!

M: So grumpy and middle-aged is fine, long as you're a woman?

Y: I'm just not starved for love. There are more important things in life than romance!

M: Well, maybe this is a bad time to bring it up, but have you ever actually gone out with someone, Yuki-chan? I get the feeling you've never dated...

Y: I-I-I've gone out with plenty of guys! Of course! Th-There's Sato-kun, Suzuki-kun, and... Tanaka-kun!

> Those are last names...

M: Ya know, if you're gonna lie about ex-boyfriends, you should probably use their first names, Yuki-chan.

Y: Oh!

Y: That's true! If you're dating someone, you'd call them by their first name, wouldn't you? I've learned something today. Majima-san, you're great!

M: That's all it takes to impress ya? Whatever. Anywho, lots of club-goers like an inexperienced girl like that, so it ain't exactly a bad thing.

Y: Uhh... You're right, I guess. I'll keep doing my best.

> I yield!

M: Ah, well you sure proved me wrong. You've got quite a bit of dating experience, Yuki-chan.

Y: Y-Yes, that's right. Haha... Ha... Oh...

M: What's the matter?

Y: I got so tangled up in my own lie, it made me kinda sad.

M: I kinda figured. But y'know, it ain't all bad. Some of our guests actually like inexperienced girls better. Cheer up.

Y: Right... I'll keep it positive and do my best.

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M: Okay, I think that'll do it.

Y: Th-Thank you for the lesson.

M: Sure thing. Good job.

[3hobbitsinatrenchcoat]

Wip Snippet Game

@avi17 tagged in this and I cannot help myself The game is simple: post a snippet of one of your WIPs, if you feel comfortable doing so.

I couldn’t pick just one so have a few snippets across my current open wip documents

under a cut because LONG

Who wants to go? Tagging... @funkingrunkles and @fallen-gravity and @pinesbrosfalls Have you got the goods? OWO

-----

[From my current Original Work]

“UNCLE BILL, DAN, COME QUICK. UNCLE BILL! DAN! WHERE ARE YOU!?”

You don’t see Hunter and your blood runs cold. Minna came from the direction of the cove, anything could have happened… you shove back your chair, nearly knocking over your empty coffee mug in your haste to get out to the yard. You slam through the front door and fall to your knees in front of the child, checking her over for injury.

“Are you hurt? What happened? Where’s your brother?” You can’t help the rapidfire string of questions falling from your lips. She seems fine on a cursory once-over, maybe a little out of breath and smeared with dirt… but she’s a child who’s been playing in the woods. You just wish you could tell general grime from potential indication of something gone horribly wrong.

She shrugs off your hands, but continues near vibrating in place. It dawns on you that what you took for fear is barely contained excitement. “We found something down there, Dan. Hunter sent me back up to get you, I’m the faster runner after all!” Minna puffs out her chest proudly and relief douses over you, as warm as the fear had been cold.

-----

[from an AU where Caryn leaves Filbrick]

Caryn could do nothing, nothing, as she watched her baby, her youngest, her pride and joy, drive away. Nothing but sit in the shadow of the window, dandling her grandchild on her knee while she tried not to scream. She could hear stomping and crashing coming from the twin’s room – Ford’s room – and her eyes flicked over to where Filbrick had gone back to reading the newspaper.

How could he act like nothing had happened? Like he hadn’t just tossed their son out into the cold dark night. Like he hadn’t just ripped apart their family.

She knew better than to open her mouth and challenge him, but something in her was close to snapping.

-----

[from an AU where Ford actually shoots Stan]

Fiddleford frowns at Ford’s stiff back. “Lemme get this straight. For some gosh-darn reason your twin showed the fuck up after a fucking decade and you what… shot them? With a bow of some kind?”

“Crossbow,” says Ford, almost distantly. “I almost didn’t recognize them, Fidds. I… I don’t know what I’m gonna do if they die.” They’ve reached the front door and Ford pushes it open to find his twin right where he left them. “Oh, thank Tesla. They’re still breathing.”

Ford kneels down beside the figure on the floor and even from the open doorway Fiddleford can see his hands shaking as he reaches out to push matted hair out of his twin’s eyes. Despite barely matching any description Fidds has ever been given of Lee, he can see the resemblance in the stubborn set of their jaw and the subtle curl of their hair. This is undoubtedly Stanford’s twin.

“Alright,” Fiddleford hangs his coat on the hook by the door and rolls up his sleeves. “Lets get them someplace more comfortable than the floor.”

-----

[From an arranged marriage Gigolas AU :3]

If the wizard walked like a dwarrow of 300, he looked like a wraith from beyond the grave. His face was drawn, as if deep in unpleasant thought, and his eyes were sunken and bruised. When he saw Gimli, his expression grew even more grave, if such a thing were possible, before he let his lips twitch into a fond smile.

It did not reach his eyes.

“Ah, young Gimli. I was hoping I would run into someone familiar.” He leaned heavily on his staff, reins held loosely in one hand. “Would you mind telling a tired old man where I could find Princess Dis?”

Gimli spared a second to peer around to the road behind Gandalf, hoping perhaps to see his da’s familiar figure in the distance, favorite walking axe swinging jauntily along, or perhaps Fili and Kili’s more energetic pace…

But the road was empty, save for the wizard’s dutiful and laden-down horse, and when Gimli looked back at Gandalf he dared not meet the wizard’s eyes for fear of what he might see.

-----

[and last but not least... a Gloin/Bombur one-shot because I am garbage]

“I miss them,” Bombur said at last, staring at the dying embers of the fire. His words were quiet in the deepening night. “I miss the laughter and bustle of our house full of children. I miss turning to Hepti in the kitchen, the dance around the flour barrels. I miss rubbing salve into Abarâl's sore fingers after that last archery tournament.” A cool breeze washed over the camp and Glóin slipped closer, laying down and slipping one arm across Bombur’s barrel chest. “I miss… I miss their comfort and their warmth as they bracket us in the winter.”

“Aye, I miss them, too. Our family. Our many bright children… The forge-warmth of our wives in our marriage-bed.” Glóin tucked his chin into Bombur’s shoulder, curling around him in their shared bedroll, only to whisper into his husband’s ear. “But do you know what else I miss, kurduê?”

Bombur shivered as Glóin’s hand slid down to curl around his hip, dipping forward just enough to tease. Well. This was one way to banish homesickness. “What else do ya miss?” His tongue felt thick in his mouth, the words syrupy.

[orangeoctopi7]

A Turning Point

Part 1 : Part 2 : Part 3 : Part 4 : Part 5 : Part 6 : Part 7 :  Part 8 :  Part 9 : Part 10

The morning broke clear and bright. Stan had plenty of experience sleeping on the ground, so he was actually well-rested. When the first piercing birdsongs woke him, he sat up, stretched, and looked around at his compatriots. Of course, they were both still sound asleep. That wasn't surprising. McGucket had really worn himself out yesterday, and Ford had apparently learned to appreciate sleep over the past decade or so, given how grumpy he was every time Stan woke him. 

Actually, this was probably Stan's best opportunity to talk to McGucket about what had happened to Ford yesterday. He hated to wake the guy after he'd obviously been working so hard, but it wasn't like they'd be able to talk about it in the car later, and frankly, Stan wanted to have this conversation sooner rather than later. He leaned over and poked the inventor's sleeping bag.

"Hey, hey Fidds, wake up!" He whispered.

Fiddleford poked his head out and blinked awake blearily.

"Whoa! What happened to your face!?" Stan yelped in surprise, forgetting to keep his voice down.

"Wha? What's wrong wi'my face!?" McGucket panicked into full wakefulness and started patting his cheeks.

"You grew a full beard overnight!"

"Oh." The inventor calmed down immediately. "That's normal. I got a genetic condition, makes my facial hair grow three times faster'n average. Is that all you woke me up for?"

"No, the beard just caught me off-guard. I wanted to talk about what happened with Ford yesterday in the UFO."

Fiddleford glanced over at Stanford. Luckily Stanley's outburst hadn't woken him. "Alright. Lemme grab my shaving kit, we'll talk outside of camp."

They found a low-hanging branch a few meters outside of camp where McGucket could hang his mirror and a small bucket of water.

"It jus' didn't seem like the sorta thing Ford would do." He explained as he lathered up some shaving cream. "When we was in University together, he never put much stock in that metaphysical, in-tune-with-the-universe type stuff, despite the fact that he was subscribed to every cryptid publication in the country."

"Yeah, he didn't believe in that stuff when we were kids either. I mean, our mom was a phony psychic, we knew all that stuff was crap."

"Well, apparently not. Somethin' led him to that engine room, and given what all I've seen here, I ain't even that surprised anymore."

"Oh, something led him there alright, but I don't think it was the universe or whatever. I think he was actually communicating with something."

Fiddleford turned pale and almost nicked himself with his razor. "Ford mentioned ghosts. Y'don't reckon those aliens are still… y'know, still around?"

"What? No." Stan explained how a strange new version of his spider-sense had been bothering him since he first arrived in Gravity Falls. How it always seemed to be centered around Ford. How he'd used the light filtration goggles to try and figure out what it was, and seen the little one-eyed yellow triangle depicted all over the house come out of Ford's head.

"So you think Ford's been in contact with that creepy cryptid?" 

"Yeah, isn't it obvious? I've seen the thing twice now!"

"Hmm, it'd certainly explain a few things… but any two points make a line."

"You can't seriously think it's just a coincidence!"

"Now calm down, I ain't saying I don't believe ya. There's certainly some kinda correlation. I'm just sayin' we need more data."

Stan pinched the bridge of his nose. "I tried to ask Ford about it while you were gone. All I got outta him was that it's some sorta knowledge-giver. Then that twingey sense came back and he clammed up. I think that thing showed up and told him not to spill the beans."

"I'm afraid I don't know much about it myself." Fiddleford frowned, carefully shaving all the hairs off his upper lip. "It's a symbol that's been found all over the world. I do know it's been found on a lotta Native American artefacts here in the valley. Maybe if you spoke to an expert like a tribal elder or historian, they'd be able to tell you what it is."

"Yeah, well, whatever it is, I don't think it's a new development. You remember what he said back there about a little help from a friend? He said the same thing before about getting around a roadblock in his studies after he first found the UFO. And while you were on vacation, he kinda implied he wasn't up here alone before you moved in. I think this has been going on for a while. Maybe even years. Did you ever notice anything weird right after you moved in?"

"Other than that creepy triangle symbol everywhere? Not really…"

"What are you two doing out here?" Ford asked behind them. They both jumped; they'd been so deep in their conversation, they hadn't noticed him coming their way.

"Jehosaphat, Ford!" McGucket pressed his thumb over where he'd nicked his cheek. "Don't sneak up on us like that!"

"Well maybe you two shouldn't sneak off without telling me!" Ford shot back.

"What? Heh, we didn't sneak off." Stan assured him with a nervous chuckle. "I was just, uh, watching Fidds here shave. Wow, you really have to shave that much every day?"

"Heh, yep, either that or I'll have a beard as long as a necktie by the end of the month." 

Ford looked at them both skeptically. "You're sure you weren't discussing anything behind my back?"

"PCH, no!" Stan scoffed forcefully.

Ford didn't look convinced. "Stan, I need your help gathering all our equipment back up. Fiddleford, once you're done, I expect you to come help too."

* * *

Once they were all packed up, Ford suggested taking a short-cut back to the truck, following some sort of game trail. The others went along with him, if only because they felt bad about talking behind his back earlier. 

It was a peaceful morning, until Stan heard a strange rumbling sound coming from further down the trail. He halted in his tracks.

"What is it?" Ford asked.

"Sounds like something's on the trail that way." Stan explained. "Maybe we should go around."

"I'll go check it out." Ford took another step forward.

"Uh, Ford, maybe you should let the guy with super strength go check it out." McGucket suggested.

"You really think I'm going to let Stanley have all the fun just because he has super powers?" Ford scoffed and forged ahead.

The two of them waited about five minutes before Ford returned, an eager grin on his face and his Journal out, ready to take notes. 

“You two have to see this! Come on!” He whispered excitedly, waving them down the path.

A few meters down the path, around a clump of trees, Ford stopped, pointing at what first appeared to be a pile of fungus-encrusted boulders. When it moved up and down slowly, they realized it was a sleeping creature, and a closer look revealed long tusks, sharp claws, and huge pointed ears.

“I can’t believe we actually found a Gremloblin!” The scientist continued giddily. “This is one of the most rare creatures in all of Gravity Falls, I’ve only ever heard tales of them from the gnomes, it’s much uglier than I expected! Supposedly, if you look into its eyes, you’ll see your worst fear.”

Fiddleford gulped. “How about we leave it be, then.”

Ford scoffed. “Don’t worry, it’s fast asleep. I may never get another opportunity to study this creature up close!” He sat down and began sketching.

“Hey, y’know what’d be faster? Just take a picture and let’s get out of here.” Stan suggested.

“I didn’t bring a camera.” Ford said simply.

“Are you kidding me? We practically packed everything but the kitchen sink, and you didn’t bring a camera!?” Stan hissed.

“I don’t want any photographic record of Crash Site Omega. And besides, I like to sketch.”

“Well I like to not be attacked by a hulking beast that’ll show your worst fear. Let’s go before it wakes up!”

Ford rolled his eyes. “It’s not going to wake up! They’re supposed to be very heavy sleepers, it should be fine as long as none of us disturb it.”

“P-please, Ford, let’s just move along and not tempt fate.” Fiddleford pleaded, cowering behind a large tree.

“We can go as soon as I finish this sketch.” Ford assured them.

And so they sat there for a few minutes; the only sounds were the scratching of Ford’s pen and the Gremloblin’s rumbling snores. Just as the researcher was taking note of the grooved claws, and theorizing about their function, a high-pitched whistle pierced the air. Fiddleford, who had been carrying the hyperdrive, had been clutching the device so tightly in his anxiety, that he'd set off some sort of alarm. He banged his fist against the machine, trying to stop the noise, but it was too late.

The Gremloblin awoke with a snarl and pounced at McGucket, immediately scooping him up in its claws and staring into his eyes. Both the monster and the inventor's eyes took on a pale yellow glow.

"I told you. I told you this would happen!" Stan yelled at his brother.

"Not the time, Stanley!" Ford snapped back. The first thing he could think to do was throw the nearest object at the beast to distract it. The nearest object just so happened to be his canteen, as he'd just been drinking from it. The lid hadn't been screwed on tight, and water splashed all over the creature as the container bonked off its head.

The Gremloblin was distracted enough that it looked away from McGucket, but it didn't let him go. Instead, the creature flexed as it grew enormous spines, quills, and wings out of its back. With a mighty flap, it was airborne, a still whimpering McGucket in its claws.

"Way to go, genius." Stan snarked, strapping on his web shooters and swinging after the monster through the trees.

"Stan, wait, you don't know what this thing is capable of!" Ford shouted after him.

"Obviously you don't either!" Stan shouted over his shoulder.

Ford grit his teeth as he sprinted after them, branches and thorns tearing at his clothes and skin. Stan couldn't wait just thirty seconds for him to explain that the monster's claws were probably poisonous, or that its head was relatively unprotected. He couldn't even slow down to let his brother explain these things as they ran. No. He had to swing ahead with no plan and no idea of what he was up against.

Ford was about to lose sight of the Gremloblin, when Stan webbed up the monster's wings. It plummeted to the ground with a screech, crashing to the ground at the top of a nearby cliff. The researcher picked up the pace as he watched his brother tackle the creature. In the scuffle, it dropped McGucket and the hyperdrive, but the two combatants also careened over the edge.

"Stanley!!" Ford cried, rushing through the trees to the foot of the cliff. When he finally broke through the underbrush, he found his brother fighting hand-to-hand with the Gremloblin. Stan had already sustained a few scrapes across his forearms, and it looked like he was trying to box the creature into submission. It wasn't going well. 

Stan's movements and superhuman reflexes seemed to be slowing, and the monster got another swing in at him, raking its claws across his chest. 

Ford cast his eyes about frantically, searching for some way he could help. A glint of light at the top of the cliff caught his eye. It was the hyperdrive! It was sitting just near the edge of the cliff, right above the Gremloblin's head. He pulled out his magnet gun and took aim.

"Stanley, step back!" Ford warned his brother as he pulled the trigger. The hyperdrive zipped off the cliff face and collided with the Gremloblin's head, narrowly avoiding Stan. The Gremloblin fell to the ground with a thud, knocked out-cold.

"Are you ok?" The researcher asked as he rushed up to his brother in concern. 

"Fine, fine." Stan waved him off with one hand, holding the other arm to the scrape across his chest.

"Good." Ford smacked him upside the head. "What were you thinking, knucklehead? You could've gotten yourself or Fiddleford killed!"

"There wasn't time to think, genius, I had to do something before that monster flew off with Fidds!"

"Yes, the fact that you weren't thinking is obvious." Ford growled. "Come on, we need to make sure Fiddleford is alright."

They were able to scale the cliff in a matter of seconds with the web shooters. McGucket was curled up in the fetal position, quivering with fear and babbling frantically to no one in particular.

"Fiddleford!" Stanford rushed to his friend's side.

"D-don't take 'em away, I ain't h-hurt n-nobody…  I ain't… I ain't like that… n-no don't! ... he's jus' a boy… n-needs his daddy…"

"It's ok, you're safe now." Ford tried to hold his friend's hand reassuringly, but McGucket didn't seem able to grasp it. He didn't even seem to notice his friends were there. He just continued muttering like he was in the midst of a nightmare.

Ford frowned and gently took his friend's arm, carefully feeling for injuries. 

"It's broken." He shot a glare over his shoulder at Stan.

"What's that look for!?" Stan asked.

"He wouldn't have been injured if you hadn't forced the Gremloblin to crash land!"

Stan gave an exasperated snort. "Look, I had to act fast or that thing was gonna get away with Fidds, so I took a risk. I'd like to see you do any better in the same position!"

"Well I didn't get a chance to do any better because you rushed off without me!"

"Again, no time! And news flash, genius, this wouldn't've happened if you had just moved on and left the giant monster alone like we told you to!"

Ford scoffed and carefully lifted McGucket off the ground. "How was I supposed to know the alarm was still active? It would have been fine, otherwise."

"You're unbelievable." Stan rolled his eyes and leaned down to pick up the hyperdrive, but instead he… missed.

"...Huh…" Stan rubbed his eyes and tried to pick up the machine again. Once again, he just grabbed the air beside it.

"Stanley, did you hit your head in the fight?"

"No, mom, I didn't hit my head! I just got a headache, it's makin' my vision a little blurry is all."

Ford looked him over in concern, noting that many of the claw marks the Gremloblin had given Stan had broken the skin.

"I believe the Gremloblin's claws may be poisonous. You're probably suffering the side effects of some sort of toxin. Come on, we need to get you both back to the lab for treatment as soon as possible. Here, hold out your arms."

Stan held out his arms uncertainly. Ford carefully transferred McGucket into them. "I'll carry the hyperdrive for now. Let me know if you feel like you're going to drop him."

"What about the rest of our gear?" Stan asked. "We left it back in the clearing where you found that thing."

"We'll have to come back for it later." Ford assured him. "It'll only slow us down now, and besides, the hyperdrive is the only thing I'd be really worried about leaving out in the open."

As they made their way down the mountain, Ford found he needed to steer Stanley out of the way of trees or rocks with increasing frequency. At least he could still walk. Fiddleford remained catatonic, and the researcher doubted he could carry both his brother and his friend.

* * *

In the end, they managed to get home before Stan passed out. After doing his best to treat McGucket for shock, Ford took a blood sample to try and determine what kind of toxin the Gremloblin had in its claws. It was a neurotoxin, but thankfully, it seemed that Stan's spider powers had already developed an antitoxin to combat it. He'd be fine after a good night's rest.

It took another hour or so to treat both their wounds, and by the time he finished they were both fast asleep. He was quite eager to join them. He fell asleep almost as soon as his head hit the pillow.

"SHEESH, WHAT A DAY, AM I RIGHT?" Ford was too tired to even be surprised by Bill's visit. “ALL THE WORK TO GET THE HYPERDRIVE, AND THEN YOU HAVE TO DROP THE THING ON A GREMLOBLIN’S HEAD.”

"An unqualified disaster, yes." Ford agreed. "But at least no lasting damage was done, and we got the hyperdrive back in one piece."

"TRUE, BUT ALL OF THIS COULD HAVE BEEN AVOIDED."

Ford felt his temper flare. It was bad enough that Stanley was blaming him for all of this, now Bill had to lay on the guilt too?

"It is my job to study the anomalies in this valley! Excuse me for trying to do it!"

"OH, THAT'S NOT WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT!" Bill laughed. "YOU WERE RIGHT EARLIER. YOU COULD HAVE DONE BETTER, IF YOU'D HAD THE CHANCE. IT'S LIKE I'VE BEEN TELLING YOU, STANFORD. YOU'D MAKE A MUCH BETTER HERO THAN YOUR BROTHER. YOU WOULD HAVE STOPPED AND THOUGHT ABOUT YOUR OPTIONS. YOU WOULD HAVE KNOWN TO LOOK OUT FOR THE GREMLOBLIN'S CLAWS. YOU WOULD HAVE KNOWN BETTER THAN TO ATTACK ITS WINGS WHILE IT WAS FLYING. YOU WOULDN'T HAVE GOTTEN YOUR ASSISTANT'S ARM BROKEN."

"Well, maybe so." Ford nodded in agreement. "But I'm still not sure if I want that kind of responsibility…. I'm not sure I want to change like that." 

"I GET IT, YOU DON'T WANT TO BE EVEN MORE OF A FREAK THAN YOU ALREADY ARE. UNDERSTANDABLE." Bill patted him on the head like someone might pet a dog. "DON'T WORRY, I'VE BEEN WORKING ON THAT. IT SHOULD BE ARRIVING IN THE NEXT COUPLE OF DAYS."

"You… ordered something for me in the mail?" Ford asked in confusion.

"HAHAH, NOT EXACTLY, BUT I GUESS THAT'S THE CLOSEST APPROXIMATION YOU FLESH BAGS HAVE."

“Bill, I appreciate that you’re trying to help, but I really don’t know--”

“OH COME ON, SIXER, AFTER I WENT THROUGH THE TROUBLE TO FIND THIS THING AND SEND IT YOUR WAY, THE LEAST YOU COULD DO IS TRY IT OUT! AND YOU’VE GOT THE NEXT COUPLE OF DAYS TO DECIDE IF YOU REALLY WANT IT.”

“Well, I suppose that’s alright… and if it’s something that doesn’t cause a physical change in me, I don’t see why I couldn’t at least give it a try.”

"THAT'S THE SPIRIT, SIXER! TRUST ME, YOU'RE GONNA WANT IT! YOU'LL BE THE KIND OF HERO THIS WORLD DESERVES!"

GI GUGFOVUC PPNTZY, SHB V’BX BVNZQ OM WRA PNBX MFZM JKBLU CALIAICBOVITF JVLR KYZVPBF. SHLV NOTXXMJVDR HXBRIQBX, EYJF ARRY WFABEUE, U KRVQKGWP GW QU ZIFSG QGGWVF QA VNVCVK… V���S LOIR QG’Y GIKUQAM LNRANBXW HVRLF ZH EEBE NHHOK.

[the-mic-drop]

Shonen Jump Rap Cypher by Rustage

Lyrics below the cut

If anyone wants to break down some lines that you think not everyone will get, please feel free!

Monkey D. Luffy- One Piece (Performed by Rustage)

Starting with the number one, hey

How’d a pirate get this long, hey

‘Cause I eat the gum-gum, see them run run

when I hit that gun, hey

Sailin’ I’m taking no breaks when my crew’s on the move as we pillage the grand line

Looting the treasure we can find

I’m blowing up like a landmine

Going gear second, I reckon that I’m a weapon

I’m wrecking up those who threaten in messing with my own brethren

Stay reppin’ look where I’m headin’

No question the Yonkos sweatin’

I’m bettin’ in words I’m yellin’

I’m the king and there’s no forgettin’, UH

Gon Freecss- Hunter x Hunter (Performed by Fabvl)

I’ll jump the competition, really there’s no contest

Channeled future Nen and most of y’all ain’t even bomb yet

It’s nonsense

Pro exams completed as a child

Hisoka, I think these clowns are living in denial

So don’t make me power up, I’ll call the thunder at my right hand

If you want the strongest Shonen, then you called the right man

They might stan

Treat you all like Pitou, it won’t take long

Name is Gon and this time, I’mma make sure that you stay gone

Naruto Uzumaki- Naruto (Performed by None Like Joshua)

Oh, better believe it’s Naruto

Who’s the best hero? All of you know

My legacy is happening, I got a type of running named after me

while you’re slow

Can’t keep up with my chakra flow

Except Hinata, I’m her Ho

Kage

All I did was call her and I told her to come over ‘cause my parents are not home

Out of these ninjas, you can watch my dub

Even all my filler is so far above

When it comes to Boruto, why y’all givin’ up

like I did with simpin’ on Sakura?

Killer B’s rapping, but I get the encore

With the power that I bring, I don’t really want yours

‘Cause I came from the swing, everybody shunned more

Now you’re looking at the king of this Jump Force

Yami Yugi- Yu-Gi-Oh! (Performed by Connor Quest!)

I’mma master, you be

practice newbies

That’s a doozy

for Yami Yugi

Puzzle did something like a hadron tunnel

‘cause now I got Atem through me

Champ of the match see fans fawn, no matter what hand’s drawn

I’m kicking up dust, metal tanks in land form

When we d-d-d-d-duel there’s sandstorms

Cards are flippin’ I need an answer quick

and I might find my Dark Magician

If I wish, and believe hard enough in the heart that’s in ‘em

(Heart of the cards)

I see Seto’s fear

Pull the fifth part of Exodia

Guess it’s all came to a head, so clear

that your deck’s gonna get X’d, oh dear!

Asta- Black Clover (Performed by Eddie Rath)

Welcome to the magic

It’s a tale that’s tragic

Filled with a pain that’s harder than plastic

especially when you discover you don’t have it

When I started I was less than amazing

But now that I’ve been chosen by the Grimoir, I’m rising to the occasion in a blazing flame of

Magic

Ain’t no Hocus Pocus and Abracadabra

Not a wizard you joke with

This is not Gandalf the Grey, but you shall not pass hopeless

Better be ferocious

Was the poorest orphan living in darkness

but now that I’m focused, I be thanking all my hardships

Ichigo Kurosaki- Bleach (Performed by IBDL)

Uh, hittin’ back with that Bankai

Got that power like I came out of the Dangai

Pops passed the torch; now I’m the fam’s Don guy

Think you Aizen, but you lookin’ like that Don guy

Y’all like Soifon, your raps barely sting

My bars are Getsuga Tensho, got that masterful swing

They say, it ain’t over til the fat lady sings

But you’ll know it’s really over when that black lady sings

Koro-sensei- Assassination Classrom (Performed by CDawgVA)

Mach speed

Blow up the moon and now I’m making these children write essays

Comin with tentacles teach you a lesson in why you don’t mess with the sensei

I amaze

Used to be the Reaper, now I run this class

I can turn a loser to assassin, do it real fast

Light Yagami- Death Note (Performed by Zach Boucher)

I think I’ve been out of my head

Gift was given, made some poor decisions, that I wish I didn’t, but I’d do it again

Feeling different, I was on a mission to achieve my vision with a page and a pen

Sit and listen to the words I’ve written

I ain’t even finished ‘til I see that they’re dead

Don’t even try to pretend

There’s no malicious intent

Stay in my thoughts, stick to the morals I’ve got,

and kill everyone who is not

Just never get caught, ‘til every criminal rots

They’ll consider me as a god

At whatever cost, that’s how I excel

Cannot be stopped, even if I fell

I’m taking them off if you couldn’t tell

I gave up a lot to give you this L

Shoyo Hinata- Haikyuu!! (Performed by Shwabadi)

Yah, here comes Hinata

When I’m on the court the enemy has got their guard up

Never gonna fall off, bet I’m gonna pop off

Way short, but I’m packing punches like a sawnoff

Hot like a sauna, this ball of fire don’t know nada

but I’m gonna chase desire to go farther

every jump will take me higher

They put walls up, so I had to learn to fly

Putting up points, spiking it, or clearing the way

Best decoy, got a little something to say

to anyone that doubts that I’m here to stay

Only got one goal, that’s to play the game

Underestimated, I’m the ace, you just wait

when I spike it past the net, you might take it to the face

Izuku “Deku” Midoriya- My Hero Academia (Performed by Divide Music)

Coming in with 100% of me

I got you all trembling

Oh just with a flick of a finger

put you back where you’re supposed to be

I’m not, holding back

I got you so calculated. I’m

one step ahead, One for All gon’ be demonstrated

Get it? Got it? Good.

Nothing better and you should know

Started at the bottom

but I made it to the top so

Step aside, I’m climbing to great heights

with All-Might by my side

Reppin’ U.A. with pride, oh

Yusuke Urameshi- Yu Yu Hakusho (Performed by GameBoyJones)

Giving you the finger, Spirit Gun

Send you off with Botan, then you done

Hit you with the stick, and I didn’t need a grip when I’m pulling from the hip, then click!

Because I’m, locked loaded, the clip is ready to go

Got a, shotgun in my hand that’s ‘bout to blow

Cause I’m hittin’ you quick fast

givin’ you whiplash

wearing these Spirit Cuffs

You could be human or demon, cause honestly, I just don’t give a fuck

If you’re looking for the best, just know there’s no other

‘cause I’m flexing out here like I’m the youngest Toguro brother

Gintoki Sakata- Gintama (Perfomed by Shao Dao)

They call me, Gintoki, slim not stocky

Lemme Shonen Jump on your leg and your body

Odd Job Gin, don’t mess with my possee

If you touch my hair, then you will be sorry

Ne, boge (Hey, bloke)

Nanikore, uruseena (what is this? Not good.)

Cause you’re way too sloppy

Got a silver soul, Shiroyasha

Swing my sword and Amanto scatter

Gintama, not Kintama

Tell Shinpachi we need money

If Kagura or Katsura bring more trouble, we keep running

Pay rent? That’s a waste of time

That weather girl, I will make her mine

You can beat me up and that’s fair and fine

But if you hurt my friends, then prepare to die

Tanjiro Kamado- Demon Slayer (Performed by DizzyEight)

Look, slayin’ demons that’s what we do

If you filled with evil, then my blade is highly lethal

If you comin’ at my people, pray to god I never meet you

Ever mess with Nez, you KO’d when I see you

I’ve grown stronger from that fateful day they found me

I trained hard to hone the skill, the progression so astounding

My style like breathing water, that mean you can never drown me

Whirlpool, that mean I’m slicin’ everything around me

Emma- The Promised Neverland (Performed by FrivolousShara)

E-M-M-A 63194

Listen to what I’ve gotta say

The others walked, seems now we’ve gotta run away

Don’t you talk, adults are the enemy

You can break every bone in my body, I won’t falter

and if the plan fails, the idea simply alters

Ah, these demons scheming, but they ain’t the only monsters

Our combined IQ breaks the safe, strength in numbers

Now we’ve woken from the slumber

Never ending perfect Summers

Across the farm, you can’t help but wonder

Soma Yukihira- Food Wars! (Performed by DiggzDaProphecy)

See I’m the anime Raekwon

The chef baby, stay calm

You can’t stand the heat

Stay out the kitchen, get a day job

Word, and the finale’s superb

I take a sec, put on my band, an’ I’ll be happy to serve, uh

So ma, tell me what you like and I can hook it up

Ya boy’s got them recipes the best couldn’t cook it up

And she gon’ bust from the taste of my meat

Chef, boy are these boys always cookin’ up heat

Jotaro Kujo- Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure (Performed by Dreaded Yasuke)

It’s my go, they call me Jotaro

Don’t get me mad, I’mma go fat only with jabs you go through silos

Got that drip from Cairo, girls will simp my silhouette

I know think it’s a typo fighting with a platinum psycho

None of y’all is a threat

What you gotta say in your breath

Better speak with a bigger chest

Now you lyin’ down with my pet,

while Iggy piss on your neck

All types of disrespect, what you expect?

Go against a vet, better get your techs

wanna get swept through the complex,

now who is next?

Bobobo- Bobobo-bo Bo-bobo (Performed by BassedOlaf w/ ThighHighSenpai)

Bobobo making the foes stare

Call me the master of nose hair

Look at the hair on the heads of these anime characters,

brother, it’s no fair

But I’m better than these guys, don’t you understand?

I came second place at screaming face-to-face with desk fans

Afro is full of surprises, look at my power’s immense

Leaving beauty screaming-

(Bobobo, that makes no sense!)

Hunting hair hunters, Saitama, I’m coming for you

Don Patch a better Super Saiyan God than Goku

Son Goku- Dragon Ball (Performed by DaddyPhatSnaps)

Oh they went and called Kakarot

had to be danger

Leave em flat-footed like they in the gravity chamber

I’m just looking for a challenge, can you battle me stranger?

Shonen legend in the saddle and the power is major

Level up on the track, flow Ultra Instinct

Bye bye bye fusion dance is always in sync

Wink

And they wonder why I’m last on the song

‘Cause when all of y’all were talking

I just formed a Spirit Bomb

[icannott]

Like That (Stanley Uris x Reader)

Requested: yes!! by anon “Hey!! if requests are still open, can I have one like that scene in new girl where they want Jess and Nick to kiss and then she’s like just do it and Nick’s like “Not like this!!!” <3″

Pairings: Stan Uris x Reader, Reddie (Richie Tozier x Eddie Kaspbrak)

Warnings: its a little longer than most of my stuff but its worth the read i promise

a/n: i literally loved writing this omg

gif cred belongs to @the-losers-clubs​

Seven minutes in heaven had been your idea. You and the rest of the losers had been trying for weeks to get Richie and Eddie to confess to each other before either of them exploded. You had tried everything: making plans and everyone but them cancelling last minute, “accidentally” locking them into a room together, and all but shoving them to each other at any given opportunity. But none of it was working. So you had suggested that lovely game.

“We rig it!” you grinned when Ben questioned you. “We make sure they draw the other’s object. Like we all know that Eddie would put in his inhaler, so we make all the other objects significantly smaller, because we know Richie’s ambitious and would go straight for the big prize!” They laughed and nodded along. “But to make it more believable as a totally random quirky idea of mine, we should also play a few rounds in total.”

“Throw them off the scent,” Mike nodded.

“Exactly, my boy!” you grinned. The determined look on your face was absolutely adorable to Stan.

Though Stan had a major crush on you, he prayed you two wouldn’t end up in the closet together. While it could be a dream come true, he had a plan. And that plan involved sweeping you off your feet, not being pressured to kiss in some dinky old closet.

At the hangout the next day, you tried to mention it as casually as you could. You kept the hang out lowkey, just some funny truth games, and when Richie finally piped up that he was bored, you tried to act as if the idea were brand new.

“Let’s spice it up!” Richie exclaimed. “Something fun!”

They all considered their different ideas, before you said, “Truth or dare? Actually, never mind. I think we’re all tired of truths...” They chuckled and agreed. 

“20 questions?” Ben piped.

“What did I just say?” You all laughed again. Then you grinned, “Oh, I got it! Seven minutes in heaven!”

“Now that’s what I’m talkin’ about!” Richie exclaimed, jumping to his feet. You giggled.

“Lemme go get a hat. Pick out your items, fellas.”

When you returned, everyone put in their pieces secretly, no one allowed to look at anyone’s. But you snuck a little peek, and nodded to the knowing losers after Eddie had plopped in his inhaler. They grinned.

“Alright, who first?” you hummed, shaking the hat in your hand, hearing rattling. They stayed silent. “Aw, come on guys.”

When Mike caught Eddie about to pipe up, he said, “Me! I’ll take this one for the team!” You all laughed at his enthusiasm as he jogged up. He made a show of shuffling his hand through, pulling out and raising high a walkman. “Oh, Benny boy...”

You all laughed and whooped teasingly as they entered the closet. You set your watch timer. “Don’t have too much fun, boys.”

You all chittered and laughed for the seven minutes they were in there, and occasionally you’d hear them bark with laughter or make some kind of suggestive noise or phrase. It was extremely entertaining.

“Alright lovebirds, it’s time to put the clothes back on,” you hummed, swinging the closet open. Mike pretended to be slipping his shirt back on. You all laughed as they walked out.

“Who’s next?” you hummed.

“Oh, I think Miss Idea Master should have some fun,” Beverly winked. You raised your eyebrows.

“You just want a piece of this, Marsh, don’t deny it,” you sighed dramatically, making them laugh and Richie whistle as you shuffled through the hat. You whipped out a necklace of the Star of David and Stan’s hand immediately went to where it usually resided in his pocket.

Richie whooped louder than the others. “Get it, Stan the Man!” He ambitiously nudged him toward you and the closet while you giggled. Stan immediately regretted all the choices he had made that night and before. Coming to the hang out, putting in his charm, and telling Richie about his feelings in the first place. He never more wanted to disappear from your presence.

“After you,” you hummed charmingly, opening the door to the closet. He chuckled, trying to mask his anxiety as he walked in. You tossed Bill your watch before you closed the door. “I trust you, Billy boy!”

“Wh-Why?” he asked, making them all burst into laughter. You swung the door shut without answering. You slid down the door and he slid down the wall next to you.

“How’s it going, Stan?” you asked casually.

“Good as ever,” he sighed and you giggled. He smiled, leaning his head back against the wall. “How are you?”

“My blood hasn’t felt this rush since Richie dared me to smoke that one time,” you laughed and he joined. “I just wanna see them, happy, ya know?”

“Yeah,” he nodded. “Richie’s a dickhead, but Eddie balances that out.”

“Exactly,” you grinned. 

You both kept chattering for a few minutes, and he thought to himself, Why was I so worried?

Then he heard Richie’s voice and remembered why.

“One minute, lovebirds!” You laughed as another series of whoops followed. “If you guys didn’t kiss, it wasn’t worth it!”

“What?” you laughed out.

“Kiss! Kiss! Kiss!” Richie chanted, and Stan noted that Beverly and Mike joined. He added those names to his list. 

They kept their chanting up, and you pretended not to be incredibly flustered as you yelled out, “Shouldn’t that minute be up?” Your voice warbled as you talked, but Stan barely noticed in his annoyance.

“We’re not letting you out until you kiss!” 

Stan never more wanted to punch wall. 

You turned your head to him. “Get it over with?” He shook his head immediately. You raised your eyebrows at him. “Gee.”

“No, no, no,” he added quickly. “It’s not that- You don’t- I just, uh, I-”

“What?” you cut in as his mind raced.

“Not like this,” he blurted. And though there was still chattering outside of the closet, the silence in there was prominent. And then the door swung open and you fell on your back with an ‘oof’.

Eddie was standing in the doorway over you. “We figured you’d suffered enough.”

Stan stood up and offered you a hand. You took it and allowed him to pull you up, muttering a quick ‘thanks’ before putting a grin back onto your face and grabbing the hat.

“Okay,” you hummed, back to your cheery hosting self, though your cheeks were tinted an incredible pink. “Who’s next?”

.

Eddie and Richie spent nine minutes in the closet. Neither of them complained about the overtime, and they both came out blushing. But for once, you didn’t pay attention to the results. Everyone else was nonchalant and teasing as ever about it, waiting to see what would develop in coming days.

You wished everyone good bye and good night when the hang out was over, as your house was in a separate direction from everyone else’s. Except for one.

“Can I walk you home?” 

And there was the man on your mind. You nodded. You both walked in a mostly comfortable silence until he made some joke about Eddie and Richie, which sparked you back into your previous mood. If he wasn’t making a big deal out of it, why should you?

When you finally got to your house, he walked you to the front door, finishing, “All I’m saying is I think we should keep a watch on the janitor’s closet on Monday.”

You laughed. “You think we started a closet fetish?”

He put his hands up in mock surrender. “Your words, not mine.” You laughed and he grinned. You unlocked the door.

“Night, Stan,” you smiled.

“Night, [name],” he sighed, stepping off the small porch. Then before you could open the door, he stepped back up, turning you to him and connected your lips with his. One of his hands went in your hair, the other on your waist as he messily poured all of his fluster from that night into that deep kiss. You wrapped your arms around his shoulders quickly, standing on your tip-toes for better leverage as you relieved yourself with that kiss, pouring out what you had hid from him in that closet. 

Though it was hasty and inexperienced, the kiss was deep and meaningful, and he only pulled away a minute later when he ran out of breath. And even after that, he went back in for a shorter one, sliding the hand in your hair down to your waist. When you were finally apart, you rested your forehead against his, eyes closed as you tried to catch your breath. You only opened them again when he spoke to you.

“I meant like that.”

[one-twisted-sister]

Purple shenanigans

Canndi was hunched over her book reading it was one from back in the day when she would go to church every chance she got, hey didn't hurt to brush up in some religion from time to time, she was so caught into it that she didn't hear the quiet snickers just beyond the church benches or the little whispers. The purpleblood finally did pause her reading to sit up a bit looking around, everything seemed as is the windows shaking a little front the wind that blew by though couldn't help feeling like she wasn't the only troll there.

Canndi closed the book she had, had her nose buried in before standing getting a blade from her specibus thumb pressing on on a small button that was on the handle making the sharp blade pop free from the handle. The candlelight danced on the face of the weapon as the clown inched from her seated spot. "Okay who's there?!." The clown yelled her knife held out. " I got a blade and I'm not afraid to use it!". Canndi looked left then right however the problem was that she was to focused on what was in front of her that she didn't see the figure sneaking up behind her until it was to late, arms wrapped around her middle lifting the clown from the floor. Canndi gave a squeal swinging her arms.

"Candy girl!!." Came the excited voice of Astrid, a fellow clown and followed by that was the laughter of Domini the youngest clown holding her middle. YOUR FUCKING FACE!!!." Domini yelled through her laughter having fallen back into one of the churches benches jer hand resting upon her forehead. Canndi huffed as she closed the knife and tucked it in her pocket, the other behind her was laughing as well all that dyed hair bouncing  swaying the smaller girl back and forth. " Damn it you guys that could have ended badly!". Canndi yelled at bother of them, Domini sat forward sticking the tip of her tongue out at Canndi as Astrid set her down running to take a seat beside Domini on the bench leaning back. " Could have yes bit it didn't." Astrid spoke holding up her index finger to which Canndi only huffed at before pausing. "Oh-oh wait I think- I think i hear the messiahs they're saying." Paused for a moment acting as if she were trying really hard to hear. " They're saying that you both are-.

 Are..., Are dicks!." The clown laughed watching the girls faces Astrid being the second to start laughing as she moved to sit cross legged on 5he bench. "What are you guys doing here anyway?".

Canndi asked moving to take a seat pulling a bag of fruit gummies from her pocket taking one out popping it into her mouth before the bag was tilted towards her big haired firend who gave a gleeful squee taking a couple of the chewy sugary treats popping une into her own maw. "Just cause." Domini answered getting up to grab a couple of those chewy sugar balls Canndi squinted at her. "Just cause?." The purpleblood echoed in question. " Okay, okay fine we're here to check up on you and how your recovery is going." Canndi face relaxed into a small smile.

"It's going good."

"Have you eaten correctly in the past week?." Astrid asked to that Canndi was silent to as the two other purples sighed Astrid being the first to speak.

"Canndi girl you need to start eating more that just these." The singer tapped at the bag. "It's not only unhealthy you don't get all the vitamins and shit you need."

"I don't eat that many sweets Ast."

"Then that tells me you're not eating at all." Canndi sighed and stood from the bench. "Just- leave me alone okay guys?, I'm doing fine I haven made anymore  pops, haven't touched the slime or the pixie dust I'm f I n e."

Astrid and Domini looked at their friend in worry then at each other they knew she wasn't fine, not as fine as she thought she was bit they knew they couldn't just force her well if things got to bad again Domini would definately grab that funnel again she didn't want to loose her friend, perhaps a softer approach. "Hey Canndi girl." Astrid spoke up.

"We know ya doin' fine and you really are not asking to much but maybe at least another meal or two even if it's just little bits and pieces hey the leaning monolith wasn't built in a day, stuff like this takes time and is part of the recovery process since your doing really good on this part let's climb the next step okay?." Astrid spoke softly, kindly and sweetly to the other whom looked at her friend before giving a small snort. "The next step huh?." There were still so many to climb and she was still at the bottom well maybe not the bottom, bottom. Camndi's thought were interrupted but a hand on her arm looking down she was met with Domini's purple hues.

"Yeah- hey you know what we were about to head out for lunch come with us Cancan." Domini spoke giving the girls arm a gentle shake Astrid doing the same to her opposite arm making the female laugh louder. "Resistance is futile." Astrid snickered out making Canndi laugh a little harder. "Alright, alright I'll come with you guys just lemme put the book back I don't need Misccu on my ass again about leaving the books out."

"That guy is a creepy fuck." Domini spoke stopping to look around expecting the male to pop from the shadows or something  she didn't trust him even if he was a man of the church... then again did she trust any Western purples besides Astrid and Canndi?.

"Oh come on now he's not that bad". Canndi chuckled in the males defense as she gathered the book up from where she had left it. "I'll be out in a minute you two go a head."

"Alright we'll see ya outside." Astrid got up from her spot tugging at her shorts a bit before heading to the huge set of doors Domini standing to follow. " Hold it." The younger purple spoke as she walked over to Canndi moving to pluck the bag of gummies from the older purple. "I'm stealing these." Domini announced as she turned on a heel to head out leaving Canndi chuckling. "And you say I'm the sweets junky."  Domini stuffed some of them gummies into her mouth before giving the other the one finger salute on the way out.

A few minutes passed as the two females waited for their friend .

"Where the hell is she?."

"Maybe she ran into Mis and he hypnotized her and drained her of her blood." Domini spoke before stuffing another gummie into her maw, Astrid arching a brow.

"Dom, I highly doubt that Mis is a fucking rainbowdrinker ."

"He looks like one ."

"How do you know what a rainbowdrinker looks like?."

".....Movies." Astrid rolled her eyes how did she not see an answer like that coming.

"Hey brat give me one of those."

"No way these are mine"

"Damn it Dom". Before long the two were playing a half assed game of keep away Doming throwing one of the treats at Astrid only for her to throw it back both laughing.

"You're gonna get fat if you eat them all!."

"I'm already fat!."

"Oh my lord no you're not child."  Being called a child made Domini stop long enough for Astrid to nab the bag from her.

Finally Canndi came out of the church to join up with the two. "Hey sorry I took so long Mis wanted to go over a few things about next weeks meeting  with me, Saelcu and Macacu."

"Did he also ask you to strip and bite your neck?." Domini spoke in monotone making Astrid choke on of the treats the woman smacking her chest to help dislodge the thing.

"DOM!."

"AST."

"You both are weird no he didn't, c'mon let's go."    Canndi laughed the three heading off to the nearby cafe. "After this you guys wanna come over and watch a movie or something?." Domini asked walking in between the two.

"Yea I'm game."

"Me to." Both agreeing. "But what to watch?." Canndi tapped at her bottom lip trying to think of a movie or something she had in her movie box.

"Maybe something Eastern they'er entertaining". Domini suggested only to hear Astrid laugh. "Dom we all know the only reason you'd want to watch an Eastern movie is so you can eye fuck the actors". Dominis entire face went almost as dark as her blood color. "ASTRID!!." The young purple damn near hissed  while the others were laughing up a storm. "And your one to talk! I see how you stare at the music and concert videos!." Domini spoke pointing at her Astrid giving a fake offended look and gasp. " I am only doing research on stage performance."

"Does that also include trying to guess which one has the biggest d-mmphh!?." Domini was cut off by a hand that was rested over her mouth.

"Alrighty!, since the perigee of spirits is close how about a horror movie! Like Spiritsnight? Everyone loves Martell Mayers or Dusk of the Dead?." Canndi pulled her hand from Dominis face finally giving her the 'be good' look which she made a face at bit decided to do so handed off what was left of the gummy bag back to Canndi whom stuck it into her pocket.

As they walked to the cafe the bell above the door jingling as they walked in the male behind the counter waving to them.

"Hey girls!."

"Hey Sidney!."

"Yo Sid!."

"Sup!."

Domini bumped fists with the fellow purpleblood as the three took a seat on the stools at the front table. "Hey Sid, have you heard from Yoshio?." Domini asked while playing with a few packets of jam, plucking one sending it flying only to be caught by the troll behind the counter and placed back down onto the rack. “Nah I haven’t yet should soon though you how the service is in these parts.”

“Yeah true it sucks more than Canndi -.”  Said troll choked while she was in mid conversation with another troll whom turned bright blue. “Astrid Sabiha!.” “I was gonna say ‘does on lollipops you perv!.” “Me the perv?!.” Domini watched the two looking back and forth between them. “You would swear they were really related.” For once she wasn’t being the crazy one as she turned around placing an order for tea. “Make that three Din and Gus will want some I’m sure.” 

[obeymeaskme]

Man Eating Orchids Leviathan x Reader (SFW) (Long)

A/N: Welcome to our (Noelle’s and Espie’s) Very first Obey Me: One Master To Rule Them All boyfriend Scenario! You’ve been going to the school for a while now, and you’ve been given the chance to be with Levi! Perhaps too much of a chance! What devilish plan has Asmodeus cooked up for the two of you?

Rolling over out of bed, you had started your daily morning ritual. Still slightly trying to get used to having to wake up in the morning with no sunlight from the constant moon hanging in the Devildom skies. The noise of a couple demon brothers was the sound that aroused you from sleep. As usual they were being rowdy, there was never a dull moment in the House of Lamentation. Usually there was a seat open next to Mammon but then you noticed there was an empty seat next to Levi for once. As you walked closer to the table you noticed Levi waving toward you to come over. “You can sit here if you want, although I won’t really care if you do or don’t.” He said while glancing to the side. Deciding to sit next to Levi who looked happy to see that you chose to sit next to him. “Be grateful for this opportunity to sit next to...mwah, I usually don’t let normies sit near me.” He said while smiling slightly. “Oh? And what makes MC any different?” Asked Lucifer teasingly. “Yea If MC iS SuCh A NoRmIe?” Mammon asked mockingly, with a slight crack in his voice. “Shut- Shut up! At least I’m not poor!” Levi replied glaring at him. “There was an empty seat and I thought it’d be a once and a lifetime offer for MC to sit next to the one and only, Leviathan! The greatest gamer on the Interwebs!” Said Levi. “Hmmm….That’s all there is to it?” Questioned Lucifer obviously trying to tease him. “Of course!” He said, not sounding too sure of himself. And in true 'saved by the Bell fashion' everyone's phone either buzzed or dinged, except Satan and Asmodeus'. Looking down at your DDD you saw a text message from the RAD newspaper club.

For one day, and one day only, the human world decides to celebrate their affection towards each other on a holiday called 'Valentines day'! In support of our exchange students from said world, we shall be selling Poisoned dart frogs covered in chocolate, white chocolate covered tarantulas, Weasel snout charms, and moonlight grown Man eating Orchids! Make sure to stop by the main lobby and get your special Incubus or Succubus that delectable treat or tool to sacrifice humans!

Ding

A quick update: the man eating Orchids are actually made of plastic, so they will not be useful for human sacrifices!

 Everyone at the table turned their heads toward Asmodeus staring at him. “What? I know I’m beautiful and all but all these gazes are over stimulating~” He said innocently. “Asmodeus…..why do you think we’re staring at you?” Asked Lucifer giving a downcasted gaze. “Isn’t it obvious, because I’m the most beautiful thing you’ve laid your eyes upon~” he replied confidently. Lucifer looked fed up. “What he is trying to say is that you planned this, didn’t you Asmodeus?” Replied Satan. “Maybe~” Said Asmodeus while everyone continued to stare at him. “I thought it would be fun! Think about it, a whole day dedicated to me, Basically~ I am the avatar of lust after all~” Levi face palmed while the rest of the brothers looked unamused. 

Everyone all went back to eating breakfast in moderate silence apart from the occasional comment or two and the clinking of silverware. After that it was off to school. That in itself wasn't anything out of the ordinary. No one seemed all too happy about the Valentine's day "merchandise". You even saw a slouching Asmodeus dragging himself through the halls, probably disappointed over the fact he wasn't getting any food or flowers. You felt kind of bad for him but couldn’t do anything about it anyways. As you walked through the halls on your way to class one of the items in the Valentine’s cart caught your eye. It was the man eating orchid and the chocolate poison dart frogs that was mentioned in the school notification from earlier. You thought back to the kindness Levi showed you this morning and were considering repaying the favor. He was picked on quite often from his brothers after all….maybe this would cheer him up? You decided to purchase the two items and made your way to class. It excited you to think about what reaction he would have towards the gifts. As you entered the classroom you saw Mammon already sitting in his seat behind you. Levi still wasn’t there yet, lucky for you as you wanted it to be a surprise. You took your seat and Mammon began bombarding you with questions. “Who’d ya’ get that for?” He asked. “Lemme guess, you wanna repay the great Mammon for all the kindness I’ve shown you? Well in that case I’ll gladly take it!” He said while smiling. “Um...sorry but it’s for Levi.” You replied trying not to sound rude. His mood immediately dropped and became gloomy. “Oh I see….” He said looking disappointed while looking down. “I’ll make it up to you later and buy you that limited edition keychain you wanted.” You said trying to cheer him up. “If you think that’s gonna work…well ok fine.” He replied while trying to hide his smile. You saw Levi enter the classroom and beamed in excitement. His gaze was cast down and he looked upset as usual. Probably didn’t want to be at school, I don’t blame him. As soon as he took his seat beside MC he looked at the gifts on the desk. “What’s all this for?!” He asked in curiosity. “For you!” You said while handing him both items. “Woooah seriously?! You're the best!!!” He said while smiling at you with a slight blush. His mood immediately improved. “I wanted to return the favor this morning, and cheer you up as well. so…” You replied while smiling at him. “For what? Oh! Letting you sit next to me! That was nothin’! You even got me the man eating orchids, seriously so cool!!! I would share with you but….seeing as the frog is poisonous and all, you’d probably die LoL!” He blabbered on excitedly while his eyes lit up. “What’s going on in here~?” Questioned Asmodeus while entering the classroom. “Oooo Levi has a secret admirer? Who is it, tell me, tell me, tell me!” He said excitedly. “It’s nothin like that.” Replied Levi. “MC just wanted to return the favor from earlier this morning and cheer up Levi.” Said Mammon. “Hmmm, it doesn’t look like that to me~” Replied Asmodeus. “What do you mean?” you had asked. “Oh poor, innocent MC, there’s so much you don’t know. But don’t worry, allow the expert Asmo-chan to help you~” He replied while pulling something from behind his back. Uh oh...not good. The next moment you found yourself handcuffed to Levi. “Hey Asmo, what the hell is this…what do you think you're doing???”  Asked Levi angrily. “I’m just helping~” He replied while smiling innocently. “This is a joke right?”You hollered. The bell rang indicating class had begun. “Oops gotta sit down, have fun~” said Asmodeus waving before sitting in his chair. How would the two of you deal with class handcuffed like this? 

         Throughout the entire class lesson it was getting increasingly difficult to write and concentrate. It made it even harder for you since Asmodeus had handcuffed your dominant hand. Turns out Levi was ambidextrous. Probably due to all the games he played, or something. Thankfully the teacher eventually noticed, and after embarrassing the two of you in front of everyone in class, had asked Asmodeus to unlock the cuffs…

“Uh…”

That statement in itself made it obvious that the two of you were gonna be stuck together until he found a key to unlock the handcuffs...

The rest of the school day passed fairly quickly with no other encounters from Asmodeus luckily… Thankfully. Although Levi looked quite embarrassed after what happened, blushing the whole time which you thought was cute. After finding the right rhythm to swing your connected (and now sweaty) hands too whilst walking, you managed to make it back to the House of Lamentation. From there on everyone went in their rooms, or in Beelzebub case, to the fridge. You and Levi hunted down Asmo demanding him to free the both of you. Eventually he had pulled out a spare set of cuffs, and thankfully all the keys where the same, and you two were set free. On your way upstairs to your room, you stopped when you heard Levi call out for you. “Hey um….MC can you meet me at the observatory later? You better be there ok?! I mean it...it’s not like I’m asking to spend time with you or anything. Whatever, just be there ok!” He said looking flustered. He walked away while blushing, shutting his door quickly behind him. So you passed time in your room doing your homework like the good student you were, didn’t want to disappoint ‘LoRd DiAvOlO’ now did we? Time passed and it soon became night time. A little bit later on, You got up to head to the observatory like Levi asked wondering why he asked to meet there. You made your way into the observatory seeing Levi already there looking like he was waiting for you. “You came! Ahem….I mean it’s not like I was waiting for you or anything.” He said while looking away from you. “So...why did you wanna meet up here?” You asked out of curiosity, walking over to where he was. “Listen, I don’t tell normies this so you better appreciate it! Thanks for the gifts earlier, it was nice of you….” He mumbled the last part covering his face to try and hide his blush. “Also…..I think you're pretty cool…..so...so...will you be my Valentine?” He asked hesitantly while handing you an orange rose. “Wow, how’d you get this, I thought they didn’t grow here!” You asked in amazement. “You like it?! Well you better be grateful because I looked everywhere for one of these.” He said. “Thank you, it’s beautiful.” You said, expressing your gratitude. “And of course I will!” you replied while smiling at Levi engulfing him in a hug. “Hey what do you think you’re- fine only this once is ok, I guess.” He said while hugging you back. “I also have one more gift for you MC.” Levi said while looking at you. “Hm what is it?” MC asked. Giving MC a peck on the cheek Levi quickly turned away in embarrassment. “There….it’s not like I like you or anything! I just think you are better than normies and slightly better than Ruri-chan.” Levi said while his face went red. “But- But Levi.” You stated flirtatiously “-Tsunderes are out of style” You winked at him and walked away, hearing him call after you.

“WAIT! I’M NOT A TSUNDEREEEEE!!!!”

[buns-with-a-book]

Beginner's Luck

Teeechnically a Bayonetta/DMC crossover, only because it’s based on concept art from Bayonetta of Enzo and Dante gambling...and Dante losing because of his bad luck. And a little bit of his Diesel costume from DMC2 (which actually isn’t that bad?)

Fandoms: Bayonetta, DMC Characters: OC (DMC), Rodin (Bayonetta), Enzo (Bayonetta) Tags: @furyeclipse @synchronmurmurs @harlot-of-oblivion @queenmuzz 

Summary: Cassandra takes up poker against an old friend of Dante’s to retake the hunter’s beloved guns: Ebony and Ivory. Of course, grabbing that signature red coat was a plus. 

Cassandra hummed as she walked down the grimy streets, bobbing her head to a song only in her head. Despite her chipper attitude, she had a place to be: a bar that Dante visited and came out with nothing. Literally, given his change of clothes from the iconic red to muted green. It didn’t look good, hence why she was walking down the street, finding the very bar he had been in the night before: The Gates of Hell.  

Cassandra really had only one concern: Did he have to head to the nastiest place in the city? The Dump was a perfectly appropriate name for this shithole corner of the city. Not even Morrison, as far as she knew, came to this stretch of the city.

But here she was, walking through the darkness like a lonely star in an abyss-black sky. She stood out of place, that she knew well enough, but ignored it to focus on where she was going. She could fend for herself, she wasn’t exactly unarmed despite all appearances.

She pulled out a flyer, a garish purple scrap of paper, and glanced at the building to her left. Just like it said, the Gates of Hell was here. She shoved the paper back into her bag, the bag being full of hard-earned cash to gamble with. If Dante had gambled away his prized guns, then she’d have to gamble it back (and have enough to pay for their tab, depending on how much of a drinker this mysterious man was).

Did it make her a target? Yes. Yes it did.

Was it worth it to make Dante happy? Yes. Yes it was.

With a soft sigh, she opened the door. Much to her surprise, it was empty. The only music in the bar was from the gramophone, the worn record playing a jazz piece that sounded like it'd come from a film noir. Her green eyes glanced around the empty establishment before she walked over to the bar, eyes focused on the black bartender.

“Hm.” The bartender hummed. She could feel his eyes focused on her, analyzing her every movement. It was almost supernatural...but she ignored that gut feeling for now. “Haven’t seen you ‘round here before, lightspark.” She squinted at the name, something that only Dante called her.

“I’m looking for a man. He was here last night gambling with my...employer, Dante.” She said. “Perhaps you know him?” The bartender was silent for a moment, mulling over her inquiry as he lazily cleaned a glass.

“What’s it to you?” He asked.

“...because that idiot gambled something precious to him and I’m here to gamble it back.”

“Sounds risky.” The bartender hummed. Cassandra shrugged.

“Perhaps. But I guess I’m feeling lucky tonight.” She said, tilting her head just a little. The bartender smirked.

“Better keep an eye on your back. Luck doesn’t like being pushed.” Cassandra glanced back behind her before back to the bartender.

“Duly noted-”

“Rodin!” The doors flung open, causing her to wince at the sound. “Fuck me sideways, I’m beat!” She glanced back, watching as a portly Italian waddle to the bar. “Hit me up with a martini!” She looked to the now-named bartender, who subtly nodded to her, before returning his gaze to the portly Italian.

“No can do Enzo. Not until you pay your tab.” Rodin said as he turned around. The Italian, now named Enzo, let out a whine.

“Aw come oooonn! You haven’t yelled at me for it before!” Cassandra slid a hand into her bag and pulled out a crisp $20 bill. Rodin paused as the bill hit the polished counter.

“You payin’ for him?”

“Yep.” Rodin shrugged before finishing the drink, setting it in front of Enzo. Enzo’s eyes widened.

“For me?”

“I mean, I just said I’d pay for you.” Cassandra said with a shrug as Rodin took the bill. “A second martini for me, please. Strawberry flavor.” Enzo laughed as he took a swing of the martini.

“Well, you have my attention. What cha want?”

“Well, you have something I want. Ebony and Ivory.” Enzo’s eyes went wide.

“Ooooh, you want those lovely ladies.” He laughed, walking to an empty table. Cassandra watched the martini rest on the counter before taking it. She took a sip, watching Enzo as Rodin counted out change. “Look, I ain’t gonna give those guns to anyone-”

“Not even back to Dante, where they belong?” She asked.

“You know Dante?” Enzo asked, flopping down in the chair. “How is he?”

“Miserable without his ladies.” She said, taking the change Rodin laid down. She quickly thanked him before walking over to Enzo. “But I get the feeling you won’t let them up without a fight. Or a good ole fashioned game of poker.” She sat down across from him, who had burst out laughing.

“Lemme guess, Dante taught ya! That man has HORRIBLE luck!” He howled. Cassandra rolled her eyes.

“You don’t need luck to explain the rules.” Cassandra pointed out patiently. Enzo set his martini on the table and pulled out a deck of cards.

“Tell ya what, let’s play a quick game and if you win, I’ll give ya the coat.” Enzo set the cards down and took a sip of the martini. “I’ll even go easy on ya for the martini!” He threw out some cards, to which she took with a smirk.

‘You think I’m a push-over?’ She thought as the game began. ‘You’ll find that I’m no pushover.’

“So.” Enzo began. “How long have you known Dante?”

“Oh, about eleven years. He’s like a brother to me.” She replied, occasionally glancing up to him. She noticed she could see his cards in his sunglasses but kept her mouth shut. If he was helping her win, then she would take that as long as she could have that boon.

“Eleven years? Cute. So you ain’t doing this because you wanna fuck him, right?”

“Hardly. I like him but, as I’ve said, he’s a brother to me. And he’s been looking like shit without his coat and his ladies.” She said. “It’s a good thing he’s not going off to do some big job because if he went out without those things, I don’t think anyone would recognize him as Dante. That coat is his brand.”

“It’s also expensive to repair.” Enzo rolled his eyes. “But I’m not dealing with that anymore. That’s someone else’s job.”

“Mine, actually.”

“Ha! I don’t blame you for trying to get the coat back! Replacing that’s expensive!” Enzo said, throwing down his cards. “Alright, let’s see what you got!” Cassandra did the same, looking at his cards. Enzo quietly swore: she had gotten three of a kind. Enzo had gotten two pair. She had won.

“Huh. Guess I won this round.” She said as Enzo took back the cards.

“Ok, that was just a freebie because I wanted to see how good you were.” He clarified, retaking the cards. “I’m gonna be harder on you for the guns. And that means real money!” He opened up his coat and pulled out a wad of cash. “For Ivory, $250 dollars!”

“I can match that.” Cassandra said, mirroring his actions. Enzo grinned wide as he began to deal the cards.

“I like a gal who ain’t afraid to gamble.”

“These are Dante’s ladies, of course I’m gambling for them to come back home.” She pointed out, taking the cards dealt to her. Enzo took a sip of his martini.

“Ah, reminds me of my brats.” Cassandra raised an eyebrow and looked to his fingers, seeing a golden wedding ring on his finger.

“You’re a family man?”

“Yeah, two little monsters of my own. They’re cute as fuck though.” He chuckled fondly at the thought. Cassandra felt a twinge of sadness at that. Despite his profession, it still seemed as if he loved them dearly. It was something she wished her own father had done with her in her adult years.

“Cards?” Enzo’s inquisitive voice roused her from her thoughts. Cassandra laid down her cards, a Flush. Enzo swore under his breath as he laid down the Straight he had accrued. “Beginner’s luck…”

“Well, how about we raise the stakes a little? $500 for Ebony.”

“$700!” Enzo snapped. Cassandra let out a humorous huff.

“A bit of a sore loser, aren’t we?” She teased as she pulled out $1000 and set it on the table. “Let’s make it $1000.”  

“Do play nice with the lady.” Rodin rumbled from behind the bar. Enzo grinned and leaned forward, taking back the cards and reshuffling them.

“You got yourself a game...aw shit, I just realized I didn’t get your name. What kinda player am I?”

“It’s Cassandra.” She pulled back a strand of hair.

“Cassandra...ok, nice to get a name to a face. Dante was talking up a storm about you.” Enzo chuckled. Cassandra raised an eyebrow.

“Has he now?”

“Oh yeah!” Enzo nodded. “Went on and on about this chick that’s been rooming with him. It ain’t the bazooka gal so it’s gotta be you.”

“If he calls me lightspark, then I’m the one.” She hummed, playing a card. Enzo laughed.

“It’s nice to meet ya. I know Dante’s got a new broker now and that means getting you is off the table.” He shrugged. “Oh well. It’s nice to play cards with him-”

“Because you can win.” Cassandra interrupted dryly. Enzo snorted.

“Fuck yeah I can win.” He smirked at that before throwing down his cards. “Four of a kind, haha!” Enzo laughed. Cassandra glanced to the cards, to her hand, and then back to the cards before chuckling, laying them to rest.

“Straight flush. I believe I win.”

“WHAAAAAAAAAT!?” He howled, staring at the cards. “Oh come fucking oonnn!” He whined. Cassandra finished off her martini and set it on the table.

“I won fair and square, Enzo.” She gently pointed out. Enzo groaned before getting up with a grumble.

“Ok ok ok, I’ll go get them.” He waddled out of the bar. Cassandra took her rightfully won cash, frowning.

“I thought I’d gamble away more money.” She said quietly. Rodin merely laughed from behind the bar.

“I never heard someone wishing they were unlucky.”

“It’s not that.” She corrected him. “I didn’t think I’d actually win back the guns.”

“I believe it’s called beginner’s luck.” He said with a shrug as Enzo reentered the bar. In his hands were Dante’s red coat and the handguns of note: Ebony and Ivory. They looked pristine, not a scratch on them since she last saw them. Cassandra swung the red coat over her shoulders.

“Ah, I hate beginner’s luck…” Enzo grumbled as Cassandra made sure the two were empty before placing them in her bag.

“At the very least, I’ll pay for the tab tonight. And only tonight, before you get any ideas.” Cassandra said, walking to the bar. She pulled out five $20 bills and set them on the counter. “Au revoir.”

“Jeez, you better tell Dante he’s lucky to have someone as nice as you!” Enzo yelled as she stepped out of the bar, walking her way down the streets away from the bar and back to Devil May Cry.

One long walk later, Cassandra pushed open the door. While she was heading back home, she picked up a pizza along the way, just for Dante.

“Dante!” She called. “I’m home!”

“I’m awake.” He grumbled. “No need to yell-” He perked up at the box in her hands. “For me?”

“Yeah, you dummy. But don’t get your hands all greasy yet. I got more than pizza for you.” She lowered the pizza on the desk and opened up her bag, producing the handguns and setting them on the table. Dante stared at them, eyes wide before she whipped off his coat and threw it back at him.

“You got them back?”

“Fuck yeah I did. These two.” She pointed to Ebony and Ivory. “Are your ladies. And your ladies should stay in your hands, not in some alcoholic Italian in a grimy fucking bar in The Dump.”

“...thanks.” Dante took the handguns and put them away. “Did you lose anything?”

“Only a hundred and twenty dollars for drinks.” She shrugged. “Mostly to make sure said Italian’s tab was covered for the night.”

“You’re spoiling him.” Dante shrugged, opening the box and taking a slice. “He’ll want to be your broker next.”

“Pfft, nah. I’m taken by Morrison and he knows it.” She sat down on the edge of the desk, setting the bag on the ground. She reached over and took a slice. “You know, you should keep the scarf. It’s not that bad.” She said casually. Dante just shrugged.

“Thanks for...everything, by the way.”

“You’re welcome, Dante.”

[slasherscream]

Oh lord that last ask with the horror movie actress was so good, is it possible to ask for a continuation, if not thats all good. Also huge fan of your work!

A/N: thank you!! if it’s a continuation you want it’s a continuation you’ll get (glad you liked it enough to ask tbh cause it’s a fun one to write). here’s a link back to part one if you missed it.

     billy loomis x reader x stu macher ft. fem!reader who is a horror movie star …. part two

                                                     ——————– 

The very first thing Billy and Stu do once they leave school that day is go and do some research on you. How did they not know who you are? They know Randy wasn’t joking because of #1. your intense reaction and #2. they bullied him for a little more information.

Billy’s first assumption since he (the self-proclaimed master of the horror genre) doesn’t know anything about you is to assume you’re either a very shitty actress or been in really shitty movies. He’s mean so he’s leaning more towards you being a really shitty actress.

Stu’s kinda just excited to have met a “super hot babe” who is famous. Although the horror movie part of that is what double peaked his interest. 

They stop by the video store and Randy’s on shift. Sure enough there are a couple of your movies in stock and he obviously hands them over (even though he wanted to binge them all tonight… #Poor Randy).

They get their snacks and head to Stu’s house ready to be judgmental assholes of course. Billy’s probably already imagining killing you because one of the movie covers is super lame and if this is a total waste of his time someone is gonna pay for it. Stu is the type to watch crappy movies on purpose, however, so he’s fucking ready for anything.

They. Are. So. Fucking. Shocked.

Billy eat your fucking heart out. 

The first movie they pick is super shitty. It’s the very first one where you’re not a kid actually (yeah you’re a regular pro and have been in the game that long) but you        you’re a shining fucking star in it. Everything else about it is shit. The aesthetic. The score. The other actors. The villain. But you’re incredible. Its one saving grace.

If it had been anyone else’s debut movie it would’ve ended their career before it began. Instead it made you shine even brighter.

Every movie they watch after that gets better and better. You’re clearly now able to pick and choose your projects and you’re picking the cream of the fucking crop. 

In almost every movie you’re the final girl, the star of the show, and they absolutely think you deserve it. They’ve never been so into a movie marathon in their fucking lives. Excited screams. Cheering! Actually rooting for you and not whatever monster or deranged killer is after you. 

Then they get to the very last movie you made. It’s recent. Came out within the year, actually, and they both realize the reason they missed it coming out (and all its stellar reviews as it’s your most popular one yet) is because they’d just begun plotting the ghostface killings at the time. They were busy okay!

And yes they did have a small, totally pointless argument over whose fault it is that they missed out on all your fucking movies.

stu: how did you not see these, man? i thought you watched cult classics too!billy: shut the fuck up she’s baCK ON SCREEN - 

They lose their fucking minds when they read the summary for this movie. Because this time Hollywood’s favorite “fresh-blood sweetheart of horror” isn’t playing the helpless heroine. This time she’s the fucking killer. 

Stu physically screams out loud because he knows it’s about to go down and Billy is playing it cool even though “I’m the only other person here, Billy who the fuck are you pretending for?”

Stu won’t stop fucking hitting Billy’s shoulder like an excited teenage girl watching Twilight for the first time. You’re his fucking Edward Cullen and Jacob Black combined. He’s going to pass out if he gets any more excited and if Billy has a bruise on his arm he’s gonna “beat the shit out of you, Stu, swear to god-”

The look on your face during the movie sometimes when you’re covered in the blood of your victims from head-to-toe? Billy has fucking chills. He’s never been more in love or turned on in his life. He’s not ever gonna get scared by a horror movie at this point but if he was         yours would be the one to scare him. Holy fUCK he’s in love.

Every-time you get a brutal kill in Stu starts screaming, “That’s our girl! That’s our fucking girl!” He has already made up his mind on this subject, clearly.

There’s popcorn everywhere because Stu keeps spilling the bowl but Billy isn’t making him make anymore because neither of them are fucking eating at this point let’s get real. They’re fucking transfixed. 

When it’s all over           and that includes watching behind the scenes shit and the gag reels for every fucking movie           they turn to each other and they just start grinning.

Killing the horror movie actress that just moved to town? Ugh, that would be so predictable! Cliche, really! Do they look unoriginal to you? 

hONESTLY they and by that I mean Billy can’t even lie to themselves about why they’re not gonna kill or hurt you. This is love at first fucking scream, baby!

If there was a song playing during this fucking moment it’d be “One Way Or Another” because they’re definitely gonna fucking get ya’. 

The next day you walk into school and it’s a fucking circus. Someone heard Randy of course and now everyone wants to get close to the Hollywood Actress among them. You can see your dreams of a little normalcy slipping down the drain and even though everyone is being oooooh so nice to you (including people who before the reveal had been acting like you hadn’t existed or even been mean to you) you feel close to tears with frustration.

Then you’re yanked into an empty classroom by two sets of hands. You’re about to lose your fucking mind honestly and you turn around swinging your heavy ass math book without a second thought. You’re out for blood.

“Whoa! Put down the weapon of mass destruction, babe!” Stu, you recognize him and do stop swinging because you know these two are friends of Tatum and Sidney. 

As soon as you stop swinging the anger fades too and you’re left with nothing but that bitter feeling of disappointment. You start crying right then and there and it’s a special kind of humiliation. At least you can experience the shame of crying at school like a normal girl.

Both the boys are panicking although Billy is better at hiding it. He’s not even putting on a sympathetic face when he puts an arm around you, he’s actually very upset that you’re upset,  “What’s wrong?”

“It’s nothing! It’s dumb! I’m dumb!” Your attempted brush off does not make them go away like you wanted.

In fact now Stu is pulling your hands away from your face and staring down at you like a kicked puppy. He doesn’t let go of your hands and you don’t pull them away. As much as he’s a stranger you don’t have many friends and you do actually want comfort, “You’re not dumb. Why are you crying? If you’re crying over something it can’t be dumb!”

“I’m gonna sound like such a spoiled brat.”

“Try us.” Goes Billy wearing the most intense stare he’s ever had in his life (and that’s saying something).

“It’s just that …. It’s just that I moved all the way out here to get away from all the bullshit! I just wanted to try being normal for awhile! Go to school! Have normal friends! Be a normal teen! And now because of one dumb kid that’s all gone down the drain!" 

More waterworks are happening even as Stu’s trying frantically to wipe them away while absolutely refusing to let go of your hands.

They both kinda wanna kill Randy now since he’s kinda the reason you’re crying. But if he hadn’t been such a spaz they wouldn’t know how fucking incredible you are so they kinda owe him at the moment. The dork lives to see another day, they guess.

What’s really important to them right now is you, and making you feel better as soon as possible. You’re really breaking their hearts here. 

"Why don’t we get out of here?” Billy suggests smoothly, never one to waste time or a good opportunity. 

“What?” The tears come to a slow and it’s only now you start taking note of just how much these two strange boys are touching you. Billy is behind you, one arm around your waist and the other wrapped around your shoulders. Stu is leaning all the way over you both like some sort of benevolent, concerned giant with his hands still holding onto yours tightly. 

“Why don’t we get out of here! Great idea, Billy!” Stu crows with excitement. 

“Oh I see — lemme guess, the two of you want to spend some ’alone time’ with the big shot Hollywood actress, huh?” Your tone is harsh enough that it’d make weaker men cower. Billy and Stu are the type to rise to a challenge. 

“More like you seem to be good friends of Sidney and Tatum      ” Billy starts,

“      and any friend of theirs is a friend of ours!” Stu finishes, “They’d kill us if they knew we let you run around school crying your pretty, little eyes out.”

“It’s really not because I’m famous     ?” Your voice is so small and insecure it makes them frown. 

“What’s your name again? I forgot it.” Billy jokes and it actually startles a snort out of you even as you slide your way out of their arms.

You take a breath and wipe your face, hoping to make yourself a little bit presentable at least. Finally you turn to them and nod, “You know what? Yeah      yeah then, let’s get the hell out of here.”

You don’t have to tell them twice. They each grab a hand and practically drag you out of the building, you go along easily, laughing your head off all the way. Just the fact that he’s hearing your laughter without it being filtered through a television screen is enough to make Stu laugh too. Billy’s joy is more reserved but the smile on his face is undeniable and much softer than usual. 

This is gonna be the start of something beautiful. They’ll make sure of it.

                                                     ——————–

[antics-pedantic]

RALLY CO. #4: THE GATE TO WITHIN, PART 2

“It’s not unlike the one we saw the Golden Shadow’s puppet body use some time ago.”

          Solomon tapped at the gate with his cane once more, before taking a greater analysis of the stone arch. It had recently been donated to the Century University archaeological department, with special instructions to allow for a space and equipment, only to be utilized by Solomon himself as well as his approved charges. And it helped that Solomon had collected the spare stone arch pieces from Morocco that were intact, adding them to this gate.

          “But of course, old friend.”

          There stood a construct of rounded form and malleable clay. Humblest among ancients was the kindly Blockhouse, as children came to call him. Born from the dawn time magicks that filled the volatile, young Earth. Though by no means a magician, Blockhouse saw fit to aid his longtime friend in understanding this occult mechanism.

          “Yes… it could still work. Lead us to where that cad departed in Morocco, Solomon. I can feel it still working, if a bit muddled by the action…”

          Solomon snapped his fingers.

          “Splendid! Help me to organize it proper, chum. I’ve a feeling it’ll be needed soon enough. Have you a guess as to the realm it might take us to?”

          The clay construct shrugged.

          “There is more than one realm to be had. Modern science has not explored this frontier. It may be too perilous to properly chart.”

          “For now, Blockhouse. For now. Until then, let us make the most of what the university has been gracious enough to loan us, eh?”

          “Aye. And any thoughts as to our anonymous benefactor?”

          Solomon took a moment to turn away and wipe the smudges from his glasses lenses with a cloth.

          “None welcomed. Not right now at least.”

          And as the two set to work, the rest of Rally Co. set about town in the meantime, leaving behind the campus, and the roadster parked by the science building. No shortage of familiar art deco architecture in this city: More than anywhere else Arcadia, Maryland had boasted more than just a trend. The whole city was stylized carefully as per the wish of some dreamy-minded visionary.

          Katrina had insisted on picking up fresh groceries: They hadn’t been to Morocco for too long, but the psychic girl was wary of the produce back at Solomon’s place. A fine excuse for Solomon to grant them some pocket change to stop by a new pharmacy: Mostly since it boasted a soda shoppe.

          “Oi, jerk.” said Tycho. “Gimme a tall glass with a few scoops!”

          “Tycho! That is most rude.” gasped Katrina.

          “Eh?! They’re all called soda jerks.”

          “Still. Perhaps say the ‘soda’ part so as to… to differentiate? Yes?”

          “I gotcher, dear! Now c’mon and try one o’ these. Nectar, it is, I tells ya!”

          Ez picked up a few things from the actual pharmacy, that she would need later for her lab work, before joining Felix outside.

          “Any errands you’ve got there, private eye?”

          “Mmm?”

          Felix turned to face the other woman.

          “Ah, none come to mind. I should really make a list… Katrina tells me all the time that it would help me remember things.”

          Ez however, rolled her eyes.

          “Confound the lists, I’ve no need for such things.”

          “Really? Then what’s that sticking out of your side pocket?”

          “Oh! An arrangement of the names of items on paper.”

          “So a list? To remind you of the important things?”

          “Getting smart, are we?! And what science are you going into, hm? How’s about I introduce you to the sweet science?”

          Ez playfully punched Felix in the arm before the two laughed it off. That is, until a man in a long coat and hat, with a greying handlebar mustache bumped into Esmerelda.

          “Ach! Verzeihung!” apologized the fellow. “Esmerelda darling, I’ve not seen you on campus in some time. We are missing our favorite bio-chemist extraordinaire.”

          “Mueller, wasn’t it?” said Ez. “Felix, this is Mr. Mueller. Ruprecht Mueller. He’s volunteered to accompany some of our foreign exchange students around town. I’ve been reporting to him as a promise the science majors from his university in Sweden are all in good health.”

          “Charmed.” said Felix. But when she offered a hand to shake, she noticed something, and instead fixed her ponytail.

          “Apologies! I am buying some night medicines to help sleep properly. I tell you both, the shifting seasons… they are a nightmare upon allergies! Haw haw!!”

          With that, Mueller bid his farewell and Ez turned to glance at Felix.

          “What’s wrong? Scrunching your nose at his cologne?”

          “No, strong as it was—along with that loud laugh of his, I noticed one of his purchases went beyond personal medicines and included chloroform. For those students you mentioned both looking out for? Some experiment of theirs?”

          “Ruprecht isn’t on the approved faculty to handle restocking.” said Ez, starting to get suspicious as well.

          “What’s say you and I take guard duty at the university tonight?”

          “I don’t imagine the security guards will object to having Rally Co. take over some of their duties.”

X

          Later that night, the whole group was on the university campus. Tycho and Blockhouse were in the roadster with the hood up, playing some card games to pass the time. It had been a dull stakeout thus far, but the two were determined to see it through.

          “Got any kings?” said Blockhouse. Tycho might have said ‘go fish,’ but found himself startled when there was a sound from the car’s portable radio set.

          “Felix here. Tycho? Blockhouse?”

          Blockhouse took up the radio microphone and offered it over, giggling as Tycho snatched it from the construct’s hand and spoke.

          “Ye ye, we’re ‘ere.” grumbled Tycho, fishing for a pair of binoculars. “Gimme a sec here, the last few sweeps haven’t turned much up—eh?!”

          “What is it, Tycho?”

          “I see yer lad now. Not on the sidewalk, but the light’s gone on in the gate room! He’s damn near evaded us I’ll bet he has.”

          “Alright, we’re going in. See you there.”

          Tycho shut off the radio for the time being, scrambling out of the roadster. Blockhouse shifted his shape slightly on the way out, as the two entered the building.

          “When will Solomon take my advice about a new car?” said Blockhouse.

          “We’d have to total his current ride, and for that we’d get some new wheels—and surer deaths.”

          “Oh bother.”

          They reunited with Felix, Ez, and Katrina, the three of whom had reached the room and found no trace of anyone. The gate had not been tampered with either.

          “Still begs the question of who turned on the lights.” said Felix. Just then, as she was about to search more of the room, she had moved out of the way of a stray stapler: On the ground, scurrying away on all fours was none other than that boastful mercenary, Duke Luke!

          “Lemme at that blight!” exclaimed Tycho. “We can figure how he got back here afterwards.”

          “Wait hold on—” said Ez. “This fink’s real shaken. Blockhouse, grab him!”

          “I should be so delighted, to make him ready for questioning.” responded Blockhouse, taking up Duke Luke by the back of his jacket like a kitten by the scruff after the mercenary started swinging a yardstick at him. But before any questioning could occur, the door into the room opened and a piece of metal gleamed under the light.

          “Ruprecht Mueller!” gasped Ez.

          “Midnight tidings.” Said Ruprecht, leveling his pistol. “I don’t know about your clay guardian, but if the rest of this motley bunch are meant to survive, you’ll not make a move against me until I’ve given you each a ‘bedtime wishing’ with my handkerchief. Ah, and thank you for bringing Mr. Luke ahead of schedule: he’ll be joining me through the gate momentarily as my guide.”

          “You’re aware he’s gone through?” asked Felix. She noticed Duke Luke starting to get antsy in Blockhouse’s grasp.

          “Our agents are always watching, miss. Keeping tabs on the most particular of interests.”

          With his other hand, Ruprecht moved to a table to soak a rag with the chloroform he’d bought earlier. Felix nodded to Katrina, who nodded back in response and began to focus her telekinesis so that the bottle would slip from Ruprecht’s grasp. Just in that moment, Duke Luke slipped out of his jacket, and ran for the door.

          “You can’t make me go back!” cried Duke Luke. “I won’t! Not to that hell!”

          Ruprecht fired his pistol off. Duke Luke had stumbled, the bullet shooting a gas valve at one of the tables. In a mad bid to escape before any of Rally Co. could catch him, Ruprecht produced an amulet from his coat pocket, quickly activating the stone gate. Once he felt he was in a safe enough distance, he tore off part of his handkerchief and stuck it into a bottle—not the chloroform, but rather something more flammable.

          “He’s gonna toss towards the broken valve!” screamed Duke Luke. “We’ll be blown to smithereens!”

          As the bottle flew through the air, Ez grabbed Katrina and dived for the gate. Felix and Tycho were not far off. Blockhouse took special care to toss Duke Luke in with them, before shielding the open gate with his own enchanted form.

          “BLOCKHOUSE!!—”

          But before Blockhouse could speak, the explosion went off. It tore into his back, causing him to cry out in pain. And then the gate ceased its portal, separating them at last.

X

          “Blockhouse!”

          The clay construct was in a daze. The room around himself was charred and blasted. Solomon had made it into the room alongside a handful of firefighters. The two made it back to the roadster where Solomon kept some extra enchanted clay in the trunk. Just enough for the construct to absorb if he had taken sufficient damage.

          “Are you well, old friend?”

          “Yes… of course Solomon. I have weathered worse.” sobbed Blockhouse.

          “What is it? The others—they went through the gate didn’t they? Safe from the explosion?”

          “Aye… But I fear we have lost them a great and terrible distance Solomon. If only I’d stopped those mad fools Luke and Mueller. We’d all be safe here, and the university science building intact.”

          Solomon looked to the window of the room his charges had just been in not so long ago. He trusted them to fend for themselves if need be, but he hated to leave them without guidance.

          “I’ll keep trying to reach Katrina with my telepathy if I can. Let’s see if we can salvage the gate and go after them.”

          “Stow it, old man. You’re not the only one on this trail.”

          Solomon and Blockhouse were astonished by who they saw before them now: Descending from a perch atop some street lamp came The Junker!

          “I believe I’ve found… just the thing. But listen well or I’ll set about this alone.”

          Solomon wanted to say a million things. Pertaining to other things, to the matter at hand. To argue that Junker wouldn’t have come here if he could handle this by himself, to apologize for some secret dealings in their shared past.

But for the sake of the others, that had to wait.

“… Hello again, Blockhouse.” said Junker. Somewhat more warmly, fonder than he was used to.

“I am glad you are well, my friend.” said Blockhouse, as he stood up once more, hoping to mediate for the two before him. “Lead on once again.”

X

          Tycho had never quite seen anything like this. After some trudging around through various tight tunnels, Rally Co. had happened upon more of a valley area with some sections of lush greenery that felt not unlike a tropical locale. And right now he was behind cover with his friends, as Mueller—an agent to some unknown party, be it an organization or an agency of some nation, was shooting at them, and dragging the panicking Duke Luke away. He loaded up his impellet gun, and rose from his cover with a battle cry, offering returning fire. Once Felix and Ez had drawn theirs they could outgun the older man, not just skirmish with him.

          But then came a responding roar. An ear-splitting bellow that announced the arrival of the terrible lizard: Like the tyrannosaurus rex, but unlike it. Perhaps a little larger, some features different. Rather, this was the T-Rex’s mutated descendant. An inhabitant of the subterranean world. And it was currently barreling right for the group!

          “Cheese it, gang!” exclaimed Ez. She pushed Katrina and Tycho forward first. She and Felix pelted the beast with a barrage of impellets. The force of the rounds was a nuisance to it. And while the tranquilizer chemical was taking effect, it was occurring too slowly for an adventurer’s taste. At least, an adventurer that had some greater value for their own continued existence.

          A mortifying sort of miracle occurred at least then: As a giant centipede emerged from above, scaling a side of the stony Earth before extending outwards to begin using its dreaded crushing parts of the mouth: The mandibles!

          “Ply my trade, I says.” huffed Tycho. “Follow in dear old dad’s footsteps me says. I don’t think anybody outta the cryptozoology department anywhere’s got any entries on those horrors!”

          Felix was out of her league, to say the least. Even in their first adventures thus far Rally Co. had the advantage of operating within Arcadia or Morocco, Paris once (to help pick up some things and sell off Katrina’s old apartment). This was more the explorer’s game, less the investigator. But Duke Luke was out there with knowledge on the Golden Shadow’s business. And she was still designated leader without Solomon’s expertise to defer to. Everyone was counting on her—and she’d start slowly by giving Katrina a pat on the back. Ez and Tycho still kept their cool for the most part…

X

          Dieter Leistung had been running for as long as he could remember. He could have sworn he’d ran into a mirage some time ago. After all: What kind of name was Duke Luke? It was almost enough to distract him from this subterranean world that might just have been hell itself, the likes of which no mortal could thrive.

          “Halt, damn you!”

          Dieter heard that before the click of the pistol’s firing hammer. He turned to look at Ruprecht, who had Duke Luke standing just a step in front of him. And the strangest thing happened.

          “… Ha! Hahaha, ha!” cackled Ruprecht. “Of course you found another gate and used it! I’d expect nothing less from one of Arkavalia’s sharpest minds.”

          But where Ruprecht knew him, Dieter did not. In fact, he was afraid of this fanatical appreciation. This recognition of service.

          “I do not believe we’ve met, Herr?...”

          “I’m Agent Mueller, brother Leistung. We will have need of your mind… to make sense of this place. Its secrets, and to form the network that will give our country the world!”

[somedayonbroadway]

Initiation

Jack sighed, watching Higgins walk off one way and DaSilva storm off in another. They were the closest friends that he’d seen in a long time and he knew how friends got sometimes. They fought.

But this seemed to be different. Too different in a way that Jack understood all too well.

They were pushing each other away.

Glancing around the hall that was supposed to be empty, the young teacher’s eyes landed on the three powerhouse bullies of the school. And he approached them easily. “Hey, Conlon! Ya got a minute?” he asked calmly, crossing his arms over his chest and sticking his chin up at the three boys.

The kid only glanced at him with an all too confident smirk on his face. “Nah, sorry, I’m fresh out,” he responded, turning back to his conversation.

Nodding and smiling, like he’d found that amusing, Jack spoke again. “Find one.”

This seemed to get the boy’s attention. Conlon turned to him, seeming to realize who he was for the first time. And then he looked down at his watch, pointing to it and turning to face him fully. “Oh! Yeah, there’s one now.” Though this kid might think he was tough, he wasn’t an idiot. Word had already spread around school.

Don’t mess with the new teacher.

“Yeah, I thought ya might,” Jack smirked, leaning against the railing of the stairs beside them. “Hey, listen... I been noticin’ Tony Higgins hangin’ around with you n’ your boys,” he explained.

The bully jumped in quick, always a smart mouth. “Oh, sorry! We’ll all filled up. We’d be happy ta put you on the waitin’ list though,” he joked.

This was a sensitive matter to Jack. He knew it shouldn’t be. He knew he shouldn’t be getting involved. But it was almost personal. “Conlon, cut the kid a break, will ya?”

A scoff escaped the teenager. “I think I did by lettin’ him hang out with me,” he informed smugly.

Jack couldn’t get angry. He was the teacher. He had to stay calm. “Wow... what a guy you are...” he congratulated sarcastically. “But, ya know, I don’t think hangin’ with you is what the kid needs right now,” he tried simply.

Raising up his eyebrows and letting out more of a laugh, Conlon turned to him. “Oh wow, am I getting the speech?”

Only slightly nodding and setting his jaw for a moment, Jack stared down all three of the boys that sat in the empty hallway. “You’ll get more than that if Higgins isn’t back in my class...”

And with that, he walked away, leaving the three bullies alone to get detention from someone else.

But Spot Conlon was not one to take kindly to being threatened.

“What’s a’ matta’ with ya?” Hot Shot asked. “Ya just stood there n’ took that fr’m a teacher?”

“How come ya didn’t say nothin’?” Fangs joined in, looking up at the other boy.

Conlon shook his head, staring off in the direction of Mr. Jack Kelly. “Because, gentlemen... actions speak louder than words... I just came up with the perfect initiation f’r Higgins...”

———————————————

Race watched nervously as Conlon sat all too confidently on a bike that wasn’t his. The other were laughing. The kid was too anxious to join in. “Kelly’s bike...” Spot smirked, running his hands over the handle of the prized possession. Mr. Kelly loved his bike. It was no secret. “Looks like he takes real good care of it... shame what’s about ta happen to it...”

Unable to help himself, Race shrugged. “What’s about ta happen to it?”

Fangs laughed, wrapping an arm around his shoulders. The younger boy wasn’t sure whether it was to encourage him or hold him still. He had to assume it was the latter. “You are, kid...” he stated.

Suddenly, there was a bat in Race’s hands. And his eyes widened just a little. Conlon pat his shoulder. “Don’t go for the home run on the first swing. Just try ta make contact...”

Hot Shot gave him a wink and walked around to the front of the bike. “I recommend goin’ for the headlights first. Nice sound a’ breakin’ glass is always an incentive ta keep goin’...”

Nodding along, afraid of what might happen if he didn’t, he walked up next to Hot Shot. He lifted up the weapon in his hands and he glared at the right headlight. He tried not to imagine Mr. Kelly’s disappointed gaze when he found out. Mr. Kelly was one of the only adults that had ever been nice to him right from the start. No questions asked. But he lifted the thing up. And he swung hard.

It went right over the vehicle.

“What the hell was that?” Fangs seemed irritated. Race shrugged.

“I... I j’st wanna get in a few practice swings first... ya know?” he tried, taking a single step away from the group.

But the two goons stepped up closer to him, looking him up and down. “What d’ya think we got here, Fangs?” Hot Shot asked threateningly.

“I think we got ourselves a chicken.”

The kid tried not to let the words bother him. He looked up to Conlon to see what he was doing. All he saw was a smirk. “C’mon, Higgins. Show us what ya got,” he ordered calmly.

This was who he was. Trailer trash. Son of a drunk. Nobody. So he lifted up the bat again.

“Hey, guys, what’s goin’ on?”

Albert. Dammit.

“What’re ya doin’ here, Al?” Race asked, glaring up at him. “You shouldn’t be here.”

“Well neither should you...” Albert argued. He took a glance around and let out a small laugh. “Looks like you’re holdin’ a bat above Kelly’s bike.”

Scoffing and rolling his eyes, Race responded, “Congratulations, you have eyes. Now get lost.”

But his best friend shook his head and continued to walk closer to him. “Nah, this looks like fun. C’mon... lemme go first...” he suggested, grabbing for the weapon in Race’s hands. But Race’s grip only tightened.

“Give it up, Albert! Ya don’t belong here!”

“If you belong here, then so do I!” Albert spat out at him, shoving the bat back towards his friend.

The big bad Brooklyn boy put a hand on Albert’s shoulder. “C’mon, Baboon, ya don’t wanna get caught in the middle a’ this...” Conlon warned, shoving the redhead in between him and his bully friends.

But Albert was having none of it. “No! You don’t wanna come in between me and my best friend! So I suggest ya take your bat and your ratfaced thugs and get outta here!”

It was only after he said it that he realized what he’d just done. These boys were big. Much bigger than him. They had years, feet and muscle on him and he’d just insulted all of them.

Wanting to take it back, the kid’s lips curled into a nervous smile. He let out an anxious laugh. And Spot laughed with him. But stepped closer anyways. So Albert surrendered. “Okay, Spot, ya get one punch... but make it good... cause it might kill me...”

He squeezed his eyes shut and braces himself for impact.

But a door swung open. And suddenly, the whole bad boy routine went out the window.

“Oh my God, hey!” Jack Kelly called, rushing towards them, anger and rage clear in his walk but absent from his voice. “Hey, thank you so much for lookin’ out for my bike! From my window up there it looked like some morons were gonna bash it, which they should know is an offense that can lead to jail time,” he rushed out, pretending to be completely clueless.

But the second his eyes turned on Conlon, the boy’s eyes widened in fear. “Yeah, I mean, I’s just glad we got here in time!” he played along, giving Kelly a nod before glancing at his goons. “C’mon boys, we got other appointments t’day...”

Jack watched them go, a scowl on his face, before he looked back down at his own students, glaring at each other from either side of him. “You two wanna tell me what the hell’s goin’ on here?” he demanded.

Albert shook his head. “No problem...”

Plastering on a smile, Race looking up at the man. “Everything’s great.”

But Jack had played this game before. Only now, he was on the other side. “Who’re you kiddin’?! What is with you, Higgins? Why d’ya wanna hang out with these lowlives?!”

Shaking his head, Race looked down at his shoes. “Maybe I’m a lowlife too, alright?”

Scoffing, Kelly placed his hands on his hips. “Is that what you think?”

“It’s what everyone thinks-“

“I wanna know what you think!” Jack knew he was supposed to be calm with these kids. It was how it was supposed to work. But he wasn’t Mr. Kelly right now. Right now, he was Jack. And sometimes Jack had more to offer than Mr. Kelly did.

“I think I’m done bein’ everybody’s charity case!” Race cried. Jack ripped the bat from his hands.

“Is that what you think this is?!” Albert demanded, stepping closer to him and their teacher. “Race, you’re my best friend! We take care of each other! What else is there ta know?!”

“What the hell is gonna happen ta me, that’s what!”

It was a lot. A lot to realize. Jack’s heart broke for the kid. It really did. “Kid, listen ta me right now... you are gonna be alright. You’re smarter than this. Lowlifes don’t have friends. They don’t got nobody,” Jack stated, knowing what he was talking about. “You got people. Maybe not the ones ya thought ya would, but you got people... now get your ass outta here, into school tomorrow mornin’.”

Race shook his head. “Ya really think I’m gonna be alright?” he asked.

Jack shrugged. “Do you?”

The question was heavy. Jack knew it was. But he’d asked it anyways. And, without giving him an answer, the kid stepped away from him and walked out of the small space.

“Mr. Kelly...” Albert called, watching his friend leave. “Is he really gonna be okay?”

Jack looked down at the bat in his hands. He let out a sigh and nodded. “I turned out alright, didn’t I?” he responded vaguely, turning to go.

He glanced back at the redhead for only a moment. But it was in the kid’s eyes. He understood.

And they left it at that.

A/N: I love writing Jack as Mr. Turner. What do you guys think?

[killuzumakii]

Life Goes On

Endgame Spoilers, if you haven’t seen the movie do not read this.

Summary: You are an avenger and this is your pov of endgame. You and Peter had also been dating before the snap. Obviously you aged but he hadn’t so when he came back. he didn’t understand why you two had to break up.

Warning: Angst and major character deaths

Authors Note: If there is any mistakes, I’m sorry. I wrote this on my phone. And I know this is probably really bad but I just had this idea and wanted to write it. And it’s a lot longer than I meant for it to be, sorry. I will take any criticism, I wanna get better at writing so lemme know how you feel!:)

You had lost Peter when you were 16. Your mother always told you that you were one of the “lucky” ones. You didn’t believe that, you just wanted Ned, MJ, Peter, hell even Flash back. You and Peter met when you were just kids. You became good friends very soon. You stayed friends til high school. Then Sophomore year came around and you two started dating. Y’all did everything together, practically unseparable. Y’all went on so many dates and adventures. You guys fought crime together, those was some of the best days. You still remember the first time he web swinged with you. You were so scared that he was going to drop you but he did as he promised and you guys got there safely.

**Flashback**

“Peter wait up” you said as you ran after him. “Did you forget I can’t swing from building to building!” You yelled up at him. “Oh your right, sorry I forgot.” He said as he dropped down and waited on you. “I’m just saying but this would be a lot easier if you would just let me hold you and swing.” He said crossing his arms and his eyes squinted a little. It was cool how the eyes on his mask can change shape when his eyes do. “So you drop me and I die???” You said completely exaggerating. “I’m not gonna drop you, I promise.” He said as you caught up with him “We would get there faster, ugh fine but I swear if you drop me and I don’t die. I’m gonna kill you.” You said as you wrapped your arms around him. “You couldn’t hurt me if you tried.” He knew you so well. He wrapped one arm around you and got ready to web swing with the other. “Hold on tight and whatever you do don’t look down.” He said as he took off.

**End of Flashback**

You still remember your first date.

**Flashback**

“So where are you and Peter going?” You mom asked as she helped you with your hair. “I don’t know, he wouldn’t tell me.” You pouted a little, you wanted to make this the best date ever. But you had no cool where you were going so you didn’t know what to wear. If it would be cold or hot. Fancy or casual. But you calmed yourself down and finished getting ready. “Y/N Peters here.” Your father said from downstairs. “I’ll be right down” you said as you slipped on your jacket and went downstairs. “Hey Pete, you look nice.” You complemented him. “Thank you but you look beautiful tonight. Uh n-not saying you don’t usually look beautiful. Y-you always look beautiful.” He was adorable when he got flustered “Thank you.” You giggled and thanked him. He took you to a museum, it sounds lame but you loved it. It was a museum you had been dying to go too. And you to also had a nice dinner. Then he walked you home. “Okay so if you could have the power of invisibility or super strength, which one would you choose?” You asked him “hmm I’d say super strength, maybe that would get Flash to leave me alone.” He answered “What about you?” He asked “if definitely choose invisibility, think of all the pranks you could pull.” You answered “the pranks are tempting to think about but I’m gonna have to stick with super strength.” He said as you two walked up your stairs. “Well thank you for tonight, I had a lot of fun. And if you’re free next weekend I’d like to take you out.” You said with a smile on your face. “I’d actually love that and I had a lot of fun too.” He said with an even bigger smile on his face. “Good, I’ll see you at school tomorrow. Be care ful and goodnight Pete.” You said and just before you went in you kissed his cheek. He got so red, it was adorable. “G-goodnight Y/N. See ya tomorrow”

**End of Flashback**

Your first kiss

**Flashback**

You and Peter was out and about. Just walking and enjoying each other’s company. Asking crazy and weird question about anything. Playing little games like ispy. “Ispy with my little eye the prettiest girl, I’ve ever met.” He said as he looked at you “ohhh that’s a hard one, is it that old women crossing the street.” You answered “yes actually, I was just about to leave you for her.” He said with a little laugh at the end. “Oh good, then I can ask Thor out.” You said. “I don’t blame you, Thor is so beautiful. He may be the prettiest man I’ve ever seen.” He said grabbing your hand and pulling you close. “No, he doesn’t hold a flame to you.” You said as you hugged him. Sadly you was at your house again so it was time to part ways. “Thank you for another wonderful date. I had a great time. And I’ll see you at school tomorrow.” You said as you turned to go inside. “Wait can I try something?” He said “uhh sure, as long as ya don’t kill me.” You both just kinda stood there for a second. You didn’t really know why he was taking so long but it was cold out and you needed to go lay down. “Pete are you gonna do anything?” You asked. Before you could say anything else he grabbed your face and kissed you. It was a small kiss but it was still a kiss. “Um I-I”ll see you at school tomorrow.” He panicked and ran off before you could say anything.

**End of Flashback**

But 5 years had passed since he died and you moved on. But you hadn’t forgotten. You had got a bf/gf and was happy again. Then one day Tony Stark showed up at your door. It was bizarre because you haven’t seen him in 5 years. It was a lazy and warm Sunday afternoon, when he came.

“Hey kid.” A smiling Tony Stark said as you opened the door. You could tell it was a fake smile. He was obviously still affected by the snap. He’d lost so many people that meant so much to him. You know that he blamed himself for what happened, but it was no ones fault. But just like you, he had also moved on, he had a family now. He had a little girl. Morgan, you’d only met her once. It was when she was first born, she was so small and beautiful but you knew she would be just as great as her father.

“Hey Mr.Stark, I don’t mean to be rude but what are you doin here? I haven’t seen you in years.” You asked him as you opened the door to let him in. “Oh uhh come in.” You invited him in. “Thank you, I thought you were going to make me stand outside” he said with a slight smile. He walked in and looked around. “Don’t forget to take off your shoes” he looked back and laughed a little “my apologies, but how have you been?” He asked while removing his shoes. “I have been good, thank you for asking. How have you been? But before you answer would you like some coffee, tea, water, bourbon?” You asked while walking to the kitchen. “I’ll take some water but you might want some bourbon for this conversation” he said with a little humor behind it but you could sense the seriousness behind it.

“So what you’re tellin me is that, you are going to create a “time machine” to go back in time and stop all of this. Listen Mr.Stark I love ya but that doesn’t seem possible.” You said, completely doubting the genius. “I know it sounds crazy but we’ve tested it out and it’s gonna work. We can bring everyone back” he said, hoping you’d agree. “Don’t give me hope. I have finally moved on and I’m happy. Sure the world is in shambles but maybe this is how it’s supposed to be.” You said avoiding Tony’s eyes. “Are you really giving up? Don’t you want them all back. We can make this right. I just need your help. Please y/n.” He pleaded. You sighed and agreed. “Okay I’ll help but please don’t let me down.”

This whole “time machine” didn’t take as long as you thought it would. You didn’t know if it would work and you didn’t have much faith in it but you hoped it would. “Alright let’s get started” Bruce said as everyone walked up the ramp. You were going with Thor and Rocket. “Remember we only have enough for a trip there and back for each of us, let’s make it count.” Steve said and right after you all were tiny and going through time.

“Okay so we got one chance at this, let’s not mess this up you guys.” You said as you all touched down in Asgard. You felt for Thor, not only was he back on his home planet long before it was destroyed, Loki was still alive, so was his father, and his mother. You knew this would be hard for Thor. But you had faith in him and hoped he wouldn’t mess this up. “You don’t have to worry about me. I am fine.” Thor said even though you didn’t believe him you didn’t say anything . But rocket on the other hand was quick to say something. It went in for a few minutes him trying to talk to Thor, thor having a panic attack, then rocket slapping him. Unlike Rocket you actually tried to help Thor. “Listen Thor, I know you miss them. I know how bad you want to talk to her again. But doing so could mess everything up.” You said rubbing his arm “you’re right, I will get the stone and leave.” He said nodding. You three started to walk away, discussing the plan. But when Rocket asked Thor a question and you got no response you knew he had went to go see his mother. “Shit, I swea-“you cut Rocket off “leave him be, it’ll take us to long to find him. Let’s go find Jane and get the stone.”

Thankfully you three got back safe with the stone. Clint came back but Natasha did not. You were upset, you got along with Natasha. She taught you how to fight and use weapons. She didn’t deserve to die. You just hoped that no one else would die. But just like before, you all had to move on. Tony built a gauntlet for the stones. Thor wanted to wear it but we all agreed god or not, he wasn’t strong enough. So Bruce did it, you hid behind Thor for protecting. Unbeknownst to you all, the Nebula that you all brought back wasn’t the right Nebula. It was 2013, evil Nebula. And she was getting Thanos to you all. Bruce snapped his fingers and restored everything but Thanos was there with his army and he wanted a fight. You heard Sam “on your left.” “Oh my god, we did you.” You said as you looked back and seen everyone coming back. For a second you forgot it was a fight and almost got stabbed but Thor saved you. It was time to get serious. You fought long and hard along side everyone else. For a second you thought Thanos one when he snapped but nothing happened. Somehow Tony got the stones and was able to snap. The last thing he said was “I am Iron Man”. You knew he wasn’t going to live, it wasn’t humanly possible. You watched as Peter and Pepper spoke to him. Peter was a mess. It was sad, after 5 years they had finally seen each other just for Tony to die. But at least he died a hero and doing something he worked so hard to do.

It was a little after the funeral. A lot had happened. Steve went back in time to give the stones back but stayed and lived his life out. And when he came back, he gave Sam his shield and made him Captain America. Thor went with the Guardians, you don’t think he’ll be back. Pepper was holding up okay, Morgan was sad but she didn’t really understand. Peter was a mess. But life had to go on. You hadn’t spoken to much to peter but you had too. It was important.

“Hey Pete. Um how are you?” You asked as you handed him a cup of water. “I’m okay, it’s just hard. Everywhere I go I see his face. I just miss him so much.” He said and you saw his eyes water a little bit and his voice quivered. “Hey it’s okay, I understand. You’re allowed to be upset and cry. It’s better to let it out then hold it in.” You soothed as you rubbed his back “thank you Y/N. You have no idea how much I’ve missed you. You haven’t spoken to me much or came around.” He said as he looked at you “well Peter I’ve been trying to think of how I do this. I’ve been trying to give you enough time to grieve but I’m just holding off at this point. Listen okay, I missed you so much Peter and I’m so happy you’re back. But we have to break up.” You told him, sadness lacing your voice. “What? Why?” He asked in a panic. “Peter I’m 21, you’re 16. I aged, you didn’t. If I stay with you 1. I’d be cheating and 2. I should go to jail. I’m sorry and I know this is a bad time but I’ve got to do it.” You said, trying to comfort him. “I understand, I can’t believe I forgot you aged. It hurts but it’s the right thing to do. We can still be friends right? I can’t lose you as a friend.” He said looking at you “of course we can still be friends. Don’t forget, I’ll always be here for you Peter.”

@blackreaders-assemble

[irwintry]

Birthday Baby

Warnings: swearing, mention of alcohol, mention of sickness

Author’s Note: by request lol

Word Count: 4.2k

Luke felt his heart beating heavy in his chest as he rounded the corner. Of course, you would be there. Out of all the people in the fucking world, you would be there. He didn’t care about how or why you were there because he couldn’t get over the fact that you were there.

He tried to avoid his problems with the nearest bottle of booze that would intoxicate his brain. Every time he made a break for it, he’d catch a glimpse of your shirt or your hair and he’d run away from it all. If he had wanted you there, he would have asked you himself. But, that was the problem – he hadn’t talked to you in a year.

-

Eight-year-old Luke wanted a pool party for his ninth birthday. He wanted all of his friends and classmates invited, including the ones he never had the confidence to talk to on the playground. Those were the cool kids, and he figured they’d jump at the chance of going to a pool party. Everyone was doing those nowadays.

His parents went all out for him. The cake was two-tiered, and the balloons and decorations were an assortment of blues and yellows. They had even purchased a new swimsuit for him. When the day came, Luke had received no RSVPs, but he tried not to let it bother him much as they arrived an hour early at the pool they reserved. He was most excited about the gift bags he made (with the help of his mother Liz) for his friends.

At 2:02 in the afternoon, he was straining his neck to look for people with gifts coming through the front entrance. The rest of the pool was crowded with strangers enjoying the nice warm day while Luke was stressing over a party he’d forget about a few years later. That would not be the case, unfortunately.

He spotted a fellow classmate after fifteen minutes. He had nearly started to cry when you joined him on a picnic bench, a big blue gift back in your left hand. Your swimsuit had flowers all over it, which Luke thought was kind of tacky. Sure, you were one of his classmates, but you were never one he cared to get to know. You were quiet, albeit nice.

Luke realized later that he should have invited more people and that he should have given them more of a heads up about the party. Nevertheless, he couldn’t stop crying in front of you. After forty minutes of waiting, you had been the only guest to arrive. This crushed his parents, and it even made you sad as well. You jumped in the pool while he was busy throwing a minor tantrum, and after you pleaded with him to join you, he finally slid into the chlorinated water.

Maybe he liked being around you. Being around you made him happy, and even though he liked his other friends enough, none of them had set out to make his birthday party better like you had. He invited you over to his house the next weekend for a playdate. After that, playdates between the two of you were more common than those with his old friends.

Plus, you had gotten him LEGOs for his birthday, and Luke loved LEGOs.

-

He squeezed through the mass crowds of people in his best mate’s living room. The tequila shot running through his system could only burn through his surface level thoughts. He had gathered enough courage to find your face, but no amount of alcohol could save him from the guilt he felt when looking at you. He had bitten a hole through his red solo cup just thinking about you.

The watch on his wrist read half past midnight. Everyone was wide-eyed and alert as they drunkenly ground against friends and soon-to-be lovers. Luke, on the other hand, could not keep himself awake despite the bass bouncing in his chest. He wondered about you, what you liked, what you disliked, the people you liked and disliked... all of the above. No matter how many times he shut his eyes tight, he couldn’t erase the expression on your face the day he told you the truth. He couldn’t shake the feeling of his stomach rolling every time the silence grew too thick. He couldn’t imagine the emptiness you must have felt once you left and never came back.

That was why Luke was throwing up in the upstairs bathroom at one in the morning. He wasn’t nearly drunk enough to be getting sick, but your random appearance had made him this way. If he had been expecting you, he was confident his reaction would be the same. You made him nervous, and he absolutely hated it.

He challenged his stomach to make it through another hour. Though he wasn’t sure of his plan, he knew he couldn’t let you leave without him saying something. Luke let out a sigh as he backed away from the all-too-expensive toilet. He took the wad of toilet paper in his hand and rubbed it along his mouth before tossing it into the toilet before him. He wanted to believe you didn’t hate him. He wanted to know for sure that you were doing okay, but nausea returned every time he thought of you happy without him.

That part sucked most of all. He wanted you to be happy with or without him. Luke knew he was selfish. He hadn’t been most of his life, and you got to witness it develop firsthand.

He hardly had enough energy to stand back up. The silk shirt that clung to the hairs on his chest was drenched with vodka, soda, water, and sweat, but he couldn’t take it upon himself to peel it off of his clammy body. If things had been different one year prior, he wouldn’t be in this situation. You wouldn’t be in the living room of Ashton’s home, trying to celebrate the birthday of your former best friend while he was upstairs puking because he saw you.

None of this would have happened if Luke had decided that maintaining his friendship with you was more important than his greed.

“Whatever you did up here,” a voice boomed over the music reverberating through the tiles of the bathroom, “I hope you cleaned it up.”

Luke let out a muffled groan as he nuzzled his face into the arms situated on his knees. He felt so awful, he couldn’t even say a word.

“Mate, lemme in,” the person – Ashton – said again. “It’s just me.”

“’s open,” Luke mumbled in response.

A few seconds later, Ashton was closing the door behind him and kneeling to Luke’s level on the cool tiled flooring. Sometimes Luke wished that his friend had laminate flooring for moments like these. He found himself in sickly situations more often than he would like to admit.

“Y’okay, Luke?” Ashton asked while propping his back against the tub beside his friend.

Luke shook his head. He didn’t even want to look up.

“Look, we’re doing a few lame party games in the basement if ya wanna join,” offered Ash. “I’m placing bets on whether or not Jack passes out first. Wanna wager anything?”

Once again, Luke shook his head. “’m not feeling well.”

“Sorry ‘bout that, man,” Ashton replied, his tone calm and understanding. “But, hey, when you are feelin’ better, the basement is where the party will be.”

Luke managed a tight smile as his friend stood from his spot.

“See ya soon,” said Ashton as he rotated the doorknob.

“Who invited her?”

His hand fell. It took him a moment to take a breath and come up with an answer to the question. “I don’t know. If I did, I’d tell ya right away. Try to have fun, okay? You’ve both changed since then.”

Luke nodded, and after another few seconds said, “see you soon.”

“Feel better, man,” Ashton replied before closing the bathroom door behind him.

Luke sighed, the knotting in his stomach returning but only momentarily. He had to collect himself whether he wanted to or not. So, he brushed his hair off of his forehead, stood up way too quickly, shut the light off, and walked out to face the party meant for him all along.

-

On the eve of his fifteenth birthday, Luke had wandered to the park at a quarter to ten at night to meet you. His ankle was still swollen from having previously tripped over a sewer grate earlier that afternoon, but he was braving the pain just to see you. The pain in his ankle mattered little as compared to the pain settling in his chest. He couldn’t believe what he had done, and he had never been this scared to tell you anything.

His parents raised him to tell the truth whenever it mattered the most, and in this case, the truth made him seem like the weeniest best friend on the planet. He lost the bracelet you made him last spring – the one you worked two months on to get it to match yours perfectly. And now, he had to tell you that all of your hard work was gone forever.

“Accidents happen,” you told him after his word vomit ensued. Your feet were dangling off of the boulder beside the creek. This was the exact boulder the two of you always met at after the park was “closed”. One of these days, you were bound to get caught. “I’m bummed, but I can’t be mad.”

“Don’t say that,” he sputtered. “I was being careless, and you don’t deserve to have a friend who is careless. I should have made sure that– “

“Lukey,” you giggled, swinging your body around to face him. “You ass. I’m not mad.”

He frowned. “Since when did you swear?”

“Since my friends dared me,” you replied with a shrug.

Luke felt his stomach fold, but it didn’t last long before the blood rushed to his cheeks. What was he feeling? “Maggie and Jenny? Didn’t they hang out without you like, last weekend?”

You brought your knees to your chest at the sound of your best friend’s words. “They... it doesn’t matter. I like talking to them, and they like having me around.”

“Sometimes they like having you around.”

“Luke!”

He cowered back, realizing how all of this must have felt for you. What Luke never understood about you was the way you handled other relationships. Things appeared different when he looked at it from a larger perspective. The way you acted around others never amounted to the way you acted around him. Plus, he simply didn’t understand why you put up with people’s shit. He was right when he said that you deserved a friend who wasn’t careless.

The only sounds between the two of you now where the chirping of cicadas and crickets and the rushing of the water below you.

“You have a zit,” you muttered after a moment, your finger reaching up to poke his inflamed cheek. “Want me to pop it?”

“No,” Luke whined and swatted your hand away. “Disgusting freak.”

You laughed lightly. “I think I like someone,” you said to him, your hands deep in the pockets of your jacket. You had popped a Tic Tac in your mouth only a second ago.

Luke felt that feeling in his stomach again, only this time, his heart beat faster than usual. “Y-yeah? Who’s the unlucky dude?” Even though it was dark out, he could still see you roll your eyes.

“That guy Tyler from our gym class,” you responded hesitantly. “I played him in tennis the other day, and I think he was flirting with me.”

“You already think you like him?”

“Well, I think he might like me, too.”

Maybe Luke had digestive issues. He felt like he was about to get sick right then and there.

“You can’t be serious,” he stated with a frown. “Tyler? The guy who just dated Anna Parks, the junior?”

“Why are you acting like this?” You seemed to be in disbelief.

Luke didn’t understand your question, nor did he want to. He felt as though he was acting logistical with his questions. Little did he know, all you wanted was support. Little did you know, he was talking through distant feelings.

“You can do so much better, Y/N,” he said. He tried to slide up farther on the rock so he could be closer to you, and amid transition, his sandal began slipping from his foot. As fast as he could try to catch it, it fell off completely and plummeted into the water below. “My shoe!”

“I can do so much better?” You stood, balancing yourself up on the rock so you could tower over him. “What do you even know about me? He’s a nice guy, and he actually likes talking to me in school unlike you.”

“I just lost my fucking shoe!”

“Yeah, well, you deserve it. Happy fucking birthday,” you said and walked away.

-

Luke’s mind was a broken record. Every time he figured out a new thing to say to you, he repeated it over and over until he grew sick of it. Now, he was standing on the bottom step of Ashton’s basement, an ice pack to his head as he peered around the room. Nobody had noticed him just yet, something Luke wasn’t necessarily used to.

The group before him was playing a fucked-up version of drunk Jenga. He never imagined finding you first thing, your back against the coffee table as some dude he met a few years ago was doing body shots off of you. You were laughing, even when the whole ordeal was over. Suddenly, Luke was missing the sensation of the cool tile under his ass as you stood, your body facing his direction. When your eyes met, he panicked and threw up a peace sign. A fucking peace sign.

The frigid ice against his head was starting to hurt as you neared him. Your shirt was slung over your shoulder, so you clearly did not mind being this exposed around a bunch of strangers that Luke knew a little too well. Not only was he missing the cold tile, but he honestly preferred vomiting up his dinner to seeing you like this. He needed to find a distraction before his mind began to wander in an undesired direction.

“You have a zit,” you said with a smirk. “Want me to pop it?”

Luke shook his head. The running gag never got old, even after all of these years. However, the words were unsettling as of late, especially since he hadn’t heard them since June of last year.

Your smile fell after that, your eyes darting around his figure to take in every little thing he was offering tonight. The dark circles and cracked lips said enough.

“Someone told me about this great twenty-four diner just a few blocks away,” you started, taking your shirt from off of your shoulder so you could pull it over your head. You tucked it into your pants while you continued talking. “And, I’m kinda in the mood for waffles. My treat?”

Luke nodded slowly as he brought the ice pack down from his forehead. He looked down, whispering out a meek “okay” while nodding once more. “Just lemme brush my teeth.”

You raised your eyebrow but smiled again nevertheless. “Okay, freak.”

-

Luke had gotten used to being away from home for years, and you had gotten used to never seeing him. Somehow, the two of you managed to stay in contact. You’d occasionally visit him while he was on tour, and he’d come to visit you for a bit just for a slumber party of sorts. Before he left for good many years ago, he never imagined the pain of leaving you and his family. He always dreamed of a life like the one he was given, but missing people made it hard to enjoy the finer things.

Talk of his 21st came up faster than he realized. You planned to stay with him for a month by that point considering his band’s hiatus. He wanted to treat you to everything LA had to offer. You were his best friend, his roots, and he needed a little taste of home every once in a while. He needed a little taste of you.

Sometimes, he believed he needed more of you than he was aware of.

Luke had the issue of letting romantic relationships get out of hand. He struggled to maintain them while keeping a focused head, and most times, he let them go on a little too long. He compared his dates to you all too often, and he never quite grasped the reason why.

On one late June evening, he had gotten too drunk with you. He was acting as though the two of you had just met in some slimy bar with beer-gut drunks that wore beards down to their belly buttons. His lips were all over your exposed shoulders, and he kept fumbling with the straps on your tank top until you pushed him away. While he couldn’t stop apologizing, he couldn’t get away from you either. He still remembered how you smelled after all of those months without you. He had never wanted someone as badly as he had wanted you.

After that, the air between the two of you was thick. The conversations shared resembled small talk more than anything and thinking about that made Luke queasy. He needed a wakeup call similar to this; boundaries were something he hardly had to worry about when it came to his life. He had been certain that the two of you wouldn’t have any, but sitting on the kitchen stool next to you in silence on a Monday morning, he was proved wrong.

The two of you used to hold hands whenever something was wrong. Any deep conversation at two am on a school night called for it. You would lie next to each other in bed and talk about anything that came to mind. Now, it was more talk about him and less of you. He hardly knew a thing about your career, and the more time passed, the more he strayed from asking.

Luke hadn’t meant to deliver any confessions. In all actuality, he hadn’t been aware that he had confessions. The energy had shifted dramatically since your first day with him in LA, and he couldn’t bear it any longer. All of this was his fault.

But, he would never acknowledge that aloud. Not in front of anyone, especially you.

He had never been selfish until these past few years, so when he hammered you with every single feeling in his soul, he had no idea you would react the way you did. Your anger was justified by this point. The drunken thoughts being spewed back and forth only fueled the flame that burned in your guts. The tears falling down his cheeks weren’t because he was sad. He wanted you to feel what he was feeling, but he had already ruined everything good about the relationship the two of you had.

The two of you unloaded every single emotion on each other that night. Any thought one of you had about the other was told through spiteful words that shattered the heart like glass. He wanted to take it all back at the time, but he didn’t have the strength to make you feel better. He only knew what he felt, and he was frustrated you couldn’t see his point of view.

Your friendship had never been as tricky as it had been that night. Luke wanted more than a friendship, and from his understanding, you no longer felt wanted by him in the first place.

The crying had subsided, and all that was left between the two of you was that familiar tense feeling in the air. Your lip trembled, and Luke tried to resist reaching out to touch it. He had never imagined his feelings this heightened before.

“I’m going,” you whispered.

“Okay.”

“Leaving you.”

“Okay.”

“Leaving LA.”

“Fucking okay,” Luke spat, but he wasn’t okay. He didn’t know how to beg you to stay.

Your eyes widened at his sudden volume. All you could do in return was nod as you bumped his shoulder to pass him. He winced, and he almost considered reaching out for your arm to stop you. He wished he could change a million things about the night he told you he loved you, but you left before his brain could catch up with his heart.

-

“I haven’t had a waffle like this since I went home last winter,” you said, pure lust in your eyes as you gazed down at the syrup-drenched golden delight.

Luke didn’t order anything. He simply couldn’t. He couldn’t fathom the idea of food after that hour of getting sick because your face haunted his body. And, he couldn’t believe you were sitting here with him after that whole year of silence. You were merely strangers now.

“Remember when I had a waffle party when I was like, thirteen, and– “

“Can I pay you back for the Uber?”

You looked up from cutting your waffle. “What?”

“Can I pay you back for the Uber?” Luke asked again, his tone as deadpan as it had been a second ago. He felt dizzy and incapable of speaking to you as if nothing had happened.

Slowly, you took a bite of the syrup-soaked piece, nearly moaning at the taste. You nodded at him a moment later.

Luke appreciated the fact that you were trying to avoid awkwardness. You wanted to continue things the way they had been, but it was impossible for him. His mind hadn’t changed, yet all he could think about was your reaction that night.

“I was thinking since I’m in LA for the weekend, that we should– “

“Why are you in LA?” he questioned.

“When will you stop interrupting me?” you mocked in return. You waited patiently for his expression to change and continued speaking when it didn’t. “For your birthday, of course.”

Luke shook his head. “Bullshit.”

“What do you want me to say?” You placed your silverware down onto the scratched plate before you.

“Donno.” He shrugged. “We haven’t spoken in a fucking year. Excuse me for being cynical.”

“Okay, and whose fault is that?”

Luke frowned. He hadn’t meant for any of this to happen.

You sighed. “I just wanted to see you. Is that a crime? I missed my best friend. Thirteen years is a long time to be friends.”

“Twelve.”

“Thirteen.”

“We stopped talking last year,” he said. “Twelve.”

You rolled your eyes and proceeded to take another bite of your waffle. “Whatever. I wanted to see you. I don’t care about last year.”

Luke tensed, his jaw clenching as he fought back words.

“It doesn’t mean anything now.”

His hands balled into fists on his lap, and he had to shut his eyes and breathe through his nose to keep calm.

“Besides, I’m sure we’ve both forgotten most of what happened anyway, so I think– “

“You expect me to just forget that I told you I was head over heels in love with you?” he asked, a somewhat-devilish laugh coming out unannounced. “Babe, you’re fuckin’ kidding me.” Luke rapped his knuckles down onto the tabletop.

“I just– I just hoped we would be okay.”

Luke’s smile faltered, and soon, his gaze was falling back to his hands. “You have no idea,” he said breathily, “how much I want to be more than okay.”

You nodded. “I know.”

“I’ve been replaying that night in my head every single damn d– “

“You never asked how I felt.”

Luke scratched at his pants. “Huh?”

You pulled your wallet out, dropping a bunch of uncounted cash before escaping the confines of the booth. Luke stared at you, his eyes slightly wide as you pulled him up by his wrist. You led him to a dark corner outside of the diner, a place Luke knew you wouldn’t feel safe being in unless you felt safe with the person you were with.

“If you want to tell me nothing has changed,” you started, “now’s your chance. If you regret the things you said, now’s the time to fucking tell me. If you still have feelings for me, then you’ll just fucking kiss me.”

He repeated your words twice over in his head, making sure he heard every little thing correctly. Your hand was still tight on his wrist, but he wriggled out of your grip so he could wrap his arm around your waist. His pressed his lips onto yours roughly, taking no extra time to slip his tongue into your mouth so he could tell you how badly he’s wanted you after all of this time.

Your hands wound themselves into his hair, your fingers tugging at his roots so he could groan and whine against you. His chest heaved as he pulled away, and all thoughts about what happened within the past year were drowned out by the taste of your lips.

“You have a zit,” he mumbled, a lazy smirk playing on his own lips. “Want me to pop it?”

You smiled in return. “Freak.”

[prompreg17]

Stubbornness and Pride

Warnings: mpreg (trans male pregnancy), vaginal birth, graphic depiction of birth, high stress environment

Pairings: None!

Notes: Pregnant Gladio was bound to happen after the convo I had with an anon about it, but then I got an ask specifically requesting it and figured I might as well write it sooner than later! I didn’t spend as much time editing this one but I hope you enjoy!

New: AO3 link!

==

There was very little about Gladio that was useful now. He couldn’t cook, couldn’t drive, couldn’t run for long distances, couldn’t exercise like he used to, couldn’t carry anything heavier than 25 pounds, couldn’t swing his sword (which was heavier than 25 pounds). He was still fit, of course, but nine months of pregnancy, and consequently nine months without testosterone, had softened him out considerably.

It was hard to stomach, especially with their lifestyle being what it was. He couldn’t so much as set up the tent anymore without someone weaseling it out of his hands and telling him to sit down. He’d never felt so restless, especially watching a fight go on from the car as if they could afford to bench him.

When Noct was impaled by a Yojimbo’s sword when Gladio was in his fourth month, he put his foot down and traded in the broadsword for something a little slimmer to stave off the harshest of the protests.

It had worked well enough, at least, until month eight reared its head and Iris got involved. He could easily tune out Ignis’ 50th lecture, but Iris’ particular combination of pure worry and terrifying demeanor had finally gotten through.

It was still hard to watch his friends put themselves in danger, of course. Harder still knowing it was his duty to lay his life down for one of them. Each wound Noct returned with felt like a personal failure even more than it did before.

Month nine was the hardest. Nevermind that his feet hurt all the time, that his back ached from the added weight, that he couldn’t stomach even the smell of ramen because worse than all of those things was the restless energy that came from pure boredom.

“Lemme get that for ya, Big Guy,” Prompto said as he ducked under the arm Gladio had been reaching out to grab the bag he’d been reaching for.

“That’s not even 20 pounds,” Gladio groused, reaching for it again in annoyance. Prompto easily avoided the swipe of his arm, laughing as if it was a game.

“I don’t mind anyway, dude! Want some help to the caravan?”

“I can still walk,” Gladio protested, and shoved the blond away when he got too close, “go bug someone else.”

The chair was already set up for him, the single bed wordlessly given. Gladio sighed as he laid down and tucked a hand under his swollen stomach and willed it all to be over soon.

Miraculously, he held on past his 37 week goal despite all the stressors the doctor had warned him to keep an eye on.

The 37th week had felt like a pipedream with their lifestyle what it was. But it came and left, with weeks 38 and 39 not long behind.

If Gladio thought the rest of his pregnancy was bad, week 40 was on a tier all its own. He was so big it felt ridiculous and the desert heat was excruciating. He was allowed to move around more, but tired too easily to actually enjoy it. Worst of all, the guys were treating him like he was made of delicate porcelain and there was always at least one pair of eyes on him at all times. He knew his friends’ concern was born from a place of love, but it was damn annoying when he was already stressed out and restless.

“I’m going for a walk,” He announced, just days into the start of the week from hell after all three of the guys had annoyed him to the point of snapping at least twice.

“Is that wise?”

“Are you serious?”

“I’ll go with you!”

Gladio ignored the chaotic overlap of their voices and pinned Prompto with a pointed look when he practically knocked his chair over in his haste to scamper over.

“I’m going alone. I can still handle myself for half an hour.”

“Dude, what if you, y’know?” Prompto asked, helpfully gesturing at Gladio’s stomach. Gladio took a breath in through his nose and let it out audibly through his mouth.

“If a little walking is all it takes to finally get this kid out of me then I should have gone on a hike two weeks ago. Labor takes hours, Prompto. I’ll make it back even if it does start.” He held his phone up, already moving away from the caravan. “I’ll call if anything happens. Don’t follow me.”

They didn’t follow him, though every time Gladio looked over his shoulder Prompto was still watching him walk away like a puppy through a window. It was only once the caravan was completely out of sight that Gladio felt himself relax, as guilty as that made him feel.

The walk was nice, both for the exercise and the blissful silence. The heat was still unbearable, especially with the shirt sticking to his skin in the sweltering desert sun, but he relished in every moment to himself. At least he was able to rest without feeling someone’s worried eyes on him as he collapsed onto a random bench and pulled a water bottle from the armiger.

He was just finishing the water off when the commotion started; loud voices and then the unmistakable roar of a coeurl. He was on his feet and brandishing his sword before he’d even consciously decided what to do. The weight of the broadsword was familiar and yet foreign and he stumbled briefly with it before he remembered he was supposed to be using something thinner and lighter. Cursing quietly under his breath, he traded the broadsword out for the one-handed blade he’d adopted just as a frazzled teen barrelled into view, the coeurl hot on his heels.

“Fuck, help!” The teen didn’t have a weapon on him and Gladio widened his stance to account for the unevenly distributed weight in his abdomen and brandished his sword.

“Call for a hunter, kid, I’m gonna need a hand.”

The battle was harder than it had any right being but Gladio was 40 weeks pregnant, and he’d just used up a good chunk of his energy. As much practice as he’d had swinging a sword, even doing it pregnant for all those early months hadn’t prepared him for a one-on-one fight at 9 months. He was massive and maneuvering was impossible around his stomach, especially with how fast the coeurl moved. He could barely keep up with it, and took more hits than he was comfortable with.

In the end, when the kid was finally far enough away, Gladio was forced to pull one of Prompto’s revolvers from the armiger, line up a less than clean shot, and use the brief window without the beast on him to make a break for it.

Running wasn’t impossible, but his stomach slowed him down considerably. He wasn’t able to get very far before he was cornered again by the same beast, whose anger was now much more pointed now that it was missing one of its powerful whiskers.

Gladio cursed quietly under his breath and backed up as slowly as he could as he watched the mighty beast approach, slow and purposeful. It was just as the coeurl began to charge its remaining whisker, electricity building like a threat, that he finally noticed the mounting cramp in his abdomen as it gave way to a sudden rush of liquid between his legs.

The realization hit him like a brick wall, just as a loud gunshot tore his attention as quickly as the bullet that tore through the coeurl’s flank. As one, Gladio and the beast whipped around to the newcomer and Gladio felt his heart skip at the sight of Prompto, brandishing a smoking gun.

“I thought you were gonna call!” Prompto said as he fired off another shot. The coeurl lunged passed Gladio for Prompto and was rewarded with a third shot for its trouble.

“Iggy and Noct?” Gladio called back, hand snaking out to support his stomach as another cramp started up.

“Out looking for you! Some kid came running into town screaming about this guy so we split up for time.” Prompto popped off another shot, cursed when it missed, and dove away from a worrying swipe of the coeurl’s claws. All Gladio could do was watch, teeth gritted against the pain and inaction. He would just get in Prompto’s way now.

“On your 3--”

“I know, I know!”

Prompto moved like he was dancing, keeping up with the wounded coeurl’s quick movements much better than Gladio had. In no time at all, Prompto was firing off a final shot into the beast’s head and stepping back with a long breath.

“Yikes, that thing was scary,” Prompto said as he jogged over, adrenalin apparent in the pop of his step and the quick way he looked Gladio over. “You okay?”

“Scratches,” Gladio replied as Prompto pushed a potion into his hand.

“Down it, I’m calling the guys.”

Prompto had only just clicked on Ignis’ speed dial when they both heard a familiar growl, low and predatory, that clued them in to their real problem. Coeurls typically moved in packs, and apparently they’d just pissed one off.

“Prompto?” Ignis asked over the phone just as Prompto grabbed Gladio’s hand and ran.

“Have the big guy. Coeurls on our tail, at least three. ‘Find my friends’ us ASAP.” Prompto panted into the receiver before pocketing his phone and replacing it with his gun. Running was hardly a good option against coeurls, who thrilled over the chase, and they both knew it. But a single revolver against three coeurls was a similar suicide mission and they both knew that, too.

So run they did, as fast as Gladio’s legs and 9-months swollen stomach would allow. When he stumbled or lost speed, Prompto would whip around and unload a clip into the nearest coeurl until they got their bearings back. It almost seemed to be working, or at least letting them gain some amount of ground, but Gladio was running out of energy fast and the pains of early labor weren’t helping.

“Fuck, Prompto,” He growled as a bullet whipped just passed him, piercing a coeurl that had been boldly gunning for him. “Just run for help alone.”

“And leave you behind? As if, dude!”

“I’m slowing you down,” Gladio protested, feeling as useless and awful as ever. If he hadn’t insisted on going out alone, if he’d just sucked shit up a few more days, if he’d been a little more mindful 9 months ago, maybe he wouldn’t have his friends’ blood on his hands. Some shield he was, running from beasts and literally pulling a friend down with him.

“Fuck that!” Prompto snapped. It was so surprising and seemingly out of character it forced Gladio silent. “I’m not leaving you behind.” It was more than he deserved, but for once Gladio didn’t protest.

Ultimately, they were both forced to stop when the ground became more uneven, dotted with rocks and boulders that made running hazardous. Prompto fumbled with his gun for a moment, swapping the shells, and when Gladio realized what he was doing he closed his eyes before Prompto could even warn him to.

“Starshell!” Prompto called just before firing. The light of a starshell was blinding, so much so it was all Gladio could see behind his eyelids. There was a moment of disorientation before he was being tugged forward again, and Gladio stumbled with eyes only slightly open as the two of them fumbled toward the boulders together.

The coeurls were yowling in pain, most likely from the light, and as they moved forward Gladio noticed they were no longer being pursued.

“Gotta hide,” Prompto whispered to him as they ducked behind boulders, attempting to put as much distance between them and their pursuers as they could. A starshell wouldn’t keep them down for long and coeurls were fast.

There weren’t many places to hide, especially not with Gladio so big, but they found a large enough bolder and crouched behind it.

A particularly bad contraction forced Gladio to his knees with less grace than he had intended,and he had to stifle his noise of pain into the skin of his knuckle. Prompto pinned him with a concerned look that quickly gave way to mounting panic.

“Are you..?” He asked, wide eyes trailing down to his swollen stomach.

Gladio nodded his head, unable to trust his voice. He watched Prompto’s eyes as they flew to his face, somehow widening even more with mounting horror. A coeurl’s shriek drew them both up short and Gladio didn’t miss the way Prompto moved closer, as if he could somehow shield Gladio with his much smaller body. It was an admirable quality, further proof that Noct had chosen his guard wisely despite the crown’s initial doubts.

The faint buzz of a phone drew Gladio’s hand to his pocket.

Noct: ditching car too rocky

Noct: where tf r u guys???

Noct: fuck answer me we dont see u

Gladio: coeurls closing in

Gladio: draw their attention

The noise was faint and far away, but enough for the coeurl’s ears to catch. Gladio held his breath as the beast that had been approaching paused and didn’t release it until he could hear the noticeable sound of the coeurl’s paws as it ran the opposite way. It was only once he was sure they were out of earshot that he let slip a small noise of pain. Prompto was on him at once, wide eyes frightened but determined.

“How long has it been? Is it coming? Do you need to lie down? Can you make it back to the car?”

Gladio grit his teeth against another contraction and swatted at Prompto’s reaching hands.

“Slow down,” Gladio said when he could relax again, “I can probably make it.”

“Probably?” Prompto asked, voice too loud and pitched high with panic, and then placed his own hand over his mouth. “Sorry,” he added in a whisper, and when Gladio squeezed his eyes shut against a contraction he moved to the edge of the boulder and peered around it.

“We’ll have to go around,” he said as he rejoined Gladio, “It’s probably gonna take them a while to finish up and...”

“And I’m a liability. Yeah, I fucking know.” Gladio grit his teeth, placed a hand under his stomach and the other against the boulder, and lifted himself to his feet. Prompto was worrying beside him, lip caught between his teeth and wide eyes pinned to him, but Gladio ignored him as he caught his breath.

“I can walk,” he said when Prompto stepped just a little closer. “Just keep your eyes out for any stragglers.”

Moving was slow going, Gladio’s contractions strong enough that he had to stop frequently for breaks. The sounds of fighting were far away, but Gladio could see them in the distance and every little noise had him jerking his head over towards his friends. Prompto seemed similarly worried about them, but he kept his gun drawn and his eyes peeled as they moved, giving a wide berth around the perimeter of the fighting.

The sun was just starting to set, casting an ominous glow. The knowledge that demons would be out, even in a few hours, made moving a necessity.

But demons weren’t the only things to be wary of. They hadn’t made it very far before Prompto was jogging closer and halting Gladio with a hand, pointing out the wandering voretooth they’d been about to stumble across.

Gladio bit his lip to stiffle his noise of frustration as Prompto ushered him another way.

A voretooth pack was nothing to sneeze at, and the one they’d encountered was dispersed in the most annoying way. It seemed every time they’d moved around one another appeared, throwing off their pace and their path.

The sun dipped lower.

“How you holding up?” Prompto asked as they changed directions again, eyes still full of worry.

“Tired of fucking walking,” Gladio replied. In truth, he wasn’t doing so well. He was running on empty and his contractions were getting closer together and stronger. Moving at all wouldn’t be an option for much longer.

“If we get away from these boulders, maybe the guys can pick us up in the car,” Prompto offered, eyes peering around for some sort of obvious path they could take.

“Whatever we do, it’s gotta be fast. Sun’s sinking,” Gladio added, teeth worrying his lip in more than just pain.

“Hey, do you see that?” Prompto asked, squinting and straining at something in the distance. “That house-shape over there?”

Sure enough, there was something that seemed out of place. Gladio grunted an affirmative.

“Maybe it’s a hunter HQ or something!” Prompto said, increasing his pace and then slowing down. “We should check it out, maybe someone there has a car or something.”

“Better than nothing,” Gladio said, and changed course again.

The house-shape in the distance was not a hunter HQ, though it did look it from outside. Maybe it had been, once, but the inhabitants had clearly packed up shop and left. All they found inside was some abandoned furniture and maps, but shelter was shelter and Gladio was exhausted. He had to lean heavily against the wall the moment they made it inside and needed Prompto’s help to one of the chairs strewn across the room.

He practically collapsed into it, trying and failing to catch his breath.

Prompto, amazingly, still had enough energy to run through each room and then single-handedly push a desk in front of the door.

“Just in case,” he said as he stepped away from it, finally breathing heavily himself but recovering fast. “It’s not what we wanted but at least the voretooth and coeurls are gone.”

It was just like Prompto to look on the bright side even as things were collapsing around them.

“Not what we wanted?” Gladio asked, definitely not looking on the bright side, “the one good thing about this is that a HQ probably means a dirt road somewhere around here so it’s possible the car could get in. But the sun’s still setting and we still haven’t heard from Noct and I’m definitely still in labor.”

Prompto had his phone in his hand, fingers furiously tapping away.

“What?” He asked, clearly distracted. Gladio made a noise of frustration that quickly turned to pain as another contraction hit. They were so strong now he could hardly hold himself back, even with all his training in pain tolerance.

“Fuck, I don’t think I’m gonna make it,” Gladio said, breathing heavily as the contraction finally ended. The pressure between his legs was starting to get bad, his urge to push mounting. As much as he’d been trying to deny it, early labor was done.

“You’re not gonna die!” Prompto replied immediately, whipping his head up from his phone. “I told them where we are. We just have to sit tight and wait.”

“The baby’s not waiting,” Gladio replied. Another contraction hit at that moment as if to prove his point and Gladio had to squeeze the arm of the chair to ride through it. “Fuck, it’s coming.”

“It’s..?” Prompto’s wide eyes roved from his belly down to his lap. “Oh, fuck. Okay, okay. Don’t panic.” Prompto was clearly talking more to himself than Gladio as he paced the room, hand on his mouth.

“There was a couch upstairs! And… blankets in the armiger. Water…” Gladio couldn’t hear everything Prompto was mumbling to himself, but he did catch the way Prompto whipped around to face him.

“I’ll be right back, dude. Sit tight!” He said before disappearing. Gladio let him go, in far too much pain to even think of following.

He returned almost immediately, anxiety clear in the way he obviously couldn’t sit still.

“There’s a couch upstairs. It’s just one flight! I can help you up? And if you need to…” Prompto swallowed audibly, “If you need to push, it’s probably easier there, right?”

Gladio looked to the stairs in question and almost considered telling Prompto he wouldn’t make it up them, but the chair he was in was so far from comfortable and the desk in front of the door wouldn’t actually keep anything determined out for long. He took a deep breath to steel himself and stood.

They walked up the stairs together, Gladio stooping awkwardly to lean heavily against Prompto for support and stopping every few steps to catch his breath or ride out a contraction. By the time they were at the top, he felt about ready to collapse with the weight, the fatigue and the urge to drop into a squat and push.

“It’s coming, Prom, I gotta.. Fuck.” Prompto held him as steady as he could as Gladio dropped his weight on him through a particularly bad contraction and gasped as he felt something nudge the ring of his lips. He clutched Prompto’s arm in surprise, probably too tightly, and tried to steady himself on shaky legs.

“I have to push,” He said heart beating too fast with adrenaline. “Fuck, I can’t stop it.”

They didn’t make it to the couch. Gladio tried to brace himself as best he could but ended up practically dragging Prompto down with him as he fell into a squat, groaning loudly with effort as he finally pushed with a contraction. His pants weren’t even off but he couldn’t hold back any longer, and as the head slid the slightest bit through him he couldn’t hold back the loud noise of pain either.

When the contraction was finally over he stood still for a moment, Prompto barely holding him up, and breathed.

“Can you make it to the couch?” Prompto asked, voice slightly strained, and Gladio tried to stand as much as he could.

“Quick,” he breathed, and together they stumbled and dragged themselves over the final steps. As soon as they made it Gladio collapsed into it, weakly fumbling with the waistband of his pants.

“P-pants,” he stuttered and Prompto stooped down immediately, quickly taking over the awkward fumbling with the waistband.

Another contraction hit before they could get them off completely and Gladio desperately tried to help Prompto pull them off, the urge to push so strong it was impossible to ignore.

When they were finally off Gladio could have sobbed with relief as he spread his legs so wide one fell off the couch. It was too narrow to be particularly comfortable, but Prompto helped by easing one thigh over the back and holding open the other.

Gladio strained with effort as he pushed, practically holding his breath through the entire powerful contraction. When it was done he released, collapsing back against the couch until the next one.

Each contraction was powerful, and helped the baby along despite his lack of energy, but before long he was flagging; barely even able to catch his breath.

“You can do it,” Prompto encouraged, still spooked but holding up better than Gladio could have expected. “Guys texted, they’re on their way. And the head’s almost out, dude!”

Even if Gladio wanted to give up, he knew he couldn’t. He’d been training his whole life to keep going and push himself beyond his limits. So when it felt like he couldn’t keep going, he took a deep breath and gathered as much strength he could and put it all into a strong push, shouting with the effort of it.

The head popped free with a gush of liquid but Gladio continued, pushing as hard as he could until he felt the baby continue, turning of its own accord to free first one shoulder and then the other. Gladio was still shouting with effort as at last the infant slid free completely with a final rush of liquid.

Completely exhausted, Gladio collapsed back against the couch, eyes closed as he focused solely on breathing. He was hardly aware of Prompto placing the baby on his chest, of the infant’s cries or the blanket that was draped over him as he finally, blissfully, was allowed to rest.