#this time HIS OC Babylon

[stimperfect]

• ☆ x ☆ o ☆ x ☆ ★ o ★ x ★ o ★ ☆ x ☆ o ☆ x ☆ •

[l1ghtn1ngstr1kez]

haven't posted much today but i think at least some of y'all would appreciate a small update on the grand prix situation from yesterday

good news! i'm normal now. also i got my skates working again! i found some kinda chip stuck to one of the soles which is most likely what caused them to malfunction. dunno how the hell the babylon rogues stuck that there without me noticing but whatever. what's done is done. at least my skates still work. i don't know what i'd do with myself if they were actually broken

also it looks like the people running the whole thing caught wind of the cheating and are looking into it. they also sent all the racers that had to forfeit a consolation prize so that's nice i guess. doubt they'll be able to catch the rogues though. they probably already ran off with their prize and there's no way they're getting caught. but maybe they'll be barred from entering future races? who knows. i don't care as long as they leave me alone

[sugarhog-au]

The long awaited(?) 7th round of character profiles! We looking at the Babylon rogues this time cuz I love the birb fam

Jettison (Jet): Professional racer and part-time annoying little brother of the group, Jet is the more lively heart of his little flock. Still young and hot-headed, He is quick to anger and never backs down from a challenge. Even at the cost of his health, much to the other's dismay.

Wave: The only one Jet even sort of listens to, Wave is the brains of the group. She often cares for and trains Jet for his races as his personal coach but loves to tinker with machines in her free time. She's the calmest in messy situations but don't let that trick you into thinking she wont snap a neck if need be.

Storm: The protective eldest brother of the group. He speaks little and is on guard always after escaping their home city many years ago with his three siblings. Storm is often lost in thoughts and thus appears to never pay attention to many conversations, but he remembers them quite well. He's often the one carrying around Jet's things, being the strongest and all.

Ruin (oc): Storm's only blood sibling of the flock, Ruin is often in competition with Jet for whatever strikes her fancy in the moment. Crafty and mischievous, most problems for the group are often caused by her but with her quick wit, can eventually get the group out of it. Chaotic, she loves pranks and jokes, but will have to be reigned in when she inevitability goes too far.

[dcbbw]

Knock, Knock

Dearest Tumblrs,

I know I have been MIA for the longest of times, but I haven’t left y’all yet. My father died 46 days ago. I’m still processing that, still getting used to the presence of his absence. I have spent the majority of 2024 caring for two parents while holding down a full-time job; differentiating between sickness and illness, conditions and diseases, and watching a loved one fall into an invincible decline and eventually succumb to the inevitable.

I have never experienced profound loss before, and it is a hurt unlike any other I have ever experienced. I thought because I was there, I saw it unfolding in real time 24/7 that I would be prepared when the time came.

I was not. I never was.

I’m still grieving, still reeling from the sucker-punch that is death, still tiptoeing around a landmine of emotions, all while being a productive employee and dutiful daughter and caretaker to my remaining parent.

I don’t sleep well (and haven’t for over a year), listening for bumps and cries in the night and waiting to hear my name called because I’m needed. I don’t go out unless it’s to run errands: grocery store, car maintenance, pick up prescriptions. I spend 9 hours at a paid job (forgoing my lunch hour so I can come home and make beds, empty commodes, and fix lunch for my mom; before dad’s decline got too bad, I fed them both).

There’s laundry to wash, dry, fold; bathrooms to clean, floors to mop, rooms to sweep and vacuum, meals to cook. Mail and packages have to be both sent out and brought in. And since dad left, I have to take care of what is left of his business as well as get help with keeping the house standing. The furnace had to be replaced; there was a gas leak and piping had to be repaired and restored. The main sewer line was clogged and had to be cleared. I still need to find a reliable yard person to rake and bag the leaves.

 I’m strong because I have to be, not because I want to be.

During all of this, dealing with reality and life, all I wanted to do was write. To lose myself in worlds I create, to detach myself from transition and death and ever-mounting bills. My head is filled constantly with thoughts, ideas, and dialogue; perhaps now I may be able to find/make time and have more focus to get back to what calms me, what I feel I do well, and makes me happy.

I have so many stories to finish (my masterlist is a huge pile of incompletes) and start, but these are the stories and AUs in the works:

Babylon—Dolos: The Homeland AU dealing with international current events

Babylon—Belly of the Beast: The Homeland AU fictionalizing the 2024 election

 Watercoolers and Coffeepots—the DC AU gang’s take on the 2024 election within the workplace

Sex and the Middle-Aged Divorcee—what’s it like being a 54-year-old woman in the world of online dating

Single—UnRomance is back with a follow-up to this storyline

Tuesday’s Child—an OC-centric story about a family whose patriarch is dying (any similarities between my family (or yours) is purely coincidental

Hospital Lost—a medical drama AU drawn largely on St. Elsewhere, ER, and Grey’s Anatomy which will be a crossover cluster. Imagine Open Heart with focus on emergency room patients and a lot more staff

I feel it’s only fair to warn you that I’ve decided to give up creative writing for writing creatively; if my writing reads/feels differently, this is the reason why.

This is all I have for now, but hopefully I will be back soon. Since I have ZERO idea who’s left, tagging the few I know are still active in the TRR/TRH/TRF sub-fandom. Feel free to let me know if you want on or off the taglist.

Tagging: @angelasscribbles @kristinamae093 @kingliam2019 @indiacater @twinkleallnight @tessa-liam @bebepac

[beefscrap]

(Base by @thepoisonjackal)

Another OC + the gang request!!

His name is Cactus, and he is an animus Sandwing that created an entire city from a small oasis similar to the gardens of Babylon in the sand kingdom, with all sorts of plants growing around it, and different wells of clean water for dragons to drink from, as well as pools of water for the Seawing population, and a gift from an animus Icewing which was a large pillar of ice in the middle of the oasis that keeps the water cool, and is enchanted to never melt under the scorching desert sun.

Cactus himself is a very chill sort of guy, and is the only green Sandwing in the city, though he doesn’t really care how he looks. He likes to care for plants, and tends to the garden in the upper level of the city, the rose gold earring on his ear enchanted so that when he’s not using his magic, it “heals” him so that he doesn’t hurt other dragons. He also doesn’t kill scavengers, because he values all kinds of living things. He also likes to greet visitors that come to the city, and enjoys bonding with any fellow animus dragons.

Various different tribes live within the city, though it’s mostly Sandwings that live in the city, with places that are sanctuaries for nomadics that travel through the desert. Due to being created by an animus to be a safe place for dragonets to grow up in, there is very little discrimination against animus dragons.

Now I feel these are parts of the city the gang would go to (the most):

Whimsy:

Would probably just walk/fly around, bragging about how cool he is. There is an academy in the city, so there is plenty of frat boys for Whimsy to brag with.

Sheephead:

Straight to the library. Would comb through the different scrolls and books, and wears a pair of “reading gloves” so that the precious book pages don’t get shredded.

Insight:

Probably brooding in the shade and/or a pool because his scales absorb more heat.

Spongy:

Would walk around staring at the various mosaics, and would probably do some pottery simply so she could paint with the glaze, and would probably go home with a simply shaped pot with an elaborate landscape painted on it for her paintbrushes, and since most of the “art district” is just dragons that are focused on weaving/painting-pottery/art aside from the occasional small talk, she probably would have no problem doing activities.

X———X

You can write how the gang interacts with Cactus however you like.

Thank god Whimsy doesn’t go to a normal college with a frat. They’d never escape his wrath (crushes)

I woke up from a nightmare at 3:00 AM, saw this new inbox message, and immediately began drawing. I think I’ve just been really wanting to do OC interactions 😭 Good time to mention I do have all you peoples normal OC requests, too! Just don’t immediately get to them 👍

Anyways I loved the prompts for this. The oasis city idea is fabulous

[spnfanficpond]

Weekly Pond Newsletter

We are into August, and those of us in the Northern Hemisphere are just hot hot hot hot hot! We're tired of complaining about the heat and would like to complain about some cold, again. 🤣

Old Business:

Angel Fish Awards - The deadline to submit nominations and earn entries for July's raffle has been extended to tonight at midnight, EDT! (Honestly, Admin Michelle probably won't get to it until later than that, so there is some grace if you're still late.) It's a whole new list of prizes, so be sure to get your nominations in!

Giveaway in the Discord server - This weekend, we're giving away a copy of Self-Publishing Websites For Authors Who Want to Conquer the World by Will O'Shire. It's a funny and easy-to-read book on how to set up an author website and more! Drop a link in the giveaway channel to a fic featuring one of the main characters as a writer of any sort to earn an entry into the drawing! Deadline is midnight tonight EDT!

Fishing For Treasures - This weekend is FFT over at the @fanficocean! August's theme is Original Characters. Head over there to read fics with new characters and see how they interact with your old favorites! We will be celebrating FFT the 17th and 18th. The deadline to submit SPN fics with OC's to us will be midnight EDT on Friday the 16th. Submit links to the blog here or drop links in the #fishing-for-treasures channel in the Discord server!

Monthly Prompt for August - The prompt is up and it's Cat vs Dog!! Click here to see all the adorable fuzzies and get inspired!

New Member Spotlight - We got a ton of new members in July! So many, we needed to add a Keep Reading cut to the post! Click here to see the post and hopefully meet a new friend!

Last week's #TweetFicTues prompts -

New Business:

Manta Ray chat in the Discord server - Admin Marie will be hanging out to chat with everyone on Friday evening, 8pm EDT. Having trouble controlling your plot bunnies? Marie has a spray bottle for that! 🤣 Let her encourage you to finish your WIPs or distract you both from writing altogether by asking her what she's baking!

SPN Rewatch: FanFic Edition - On Saturday, we will chat at noon EDT about the next two episodes in our rewatch: 2.19 Folsom Prison Blues and 2.20 What Is and What Should Never Be. Why does Dean fit into prison life so well? Is it the same as how he became such a good PA in Hollywood Babylon or something else? In Dean's perfect life fantasy, why does his lawnmower have no blades? We'll ask these questions and more during our chat, so be sure to join us!

Competitive Writing Sprints - On Sunday next weekend, Manta Ray Arthur will be hosting a session of writing sprints at 2pm EDT in our Discord server. Add words to your WIP and win fabulous prizes!!

(Divider by @glygriffe!)

That's all for this week! To see all Pond events, and also other SPN-related things like conventions and online concerts, check out our Google calendar! Click here for a static view in Eastern US/Canada time (desktop only, no mobile app access, sadly), and click here to add our calendar to your own Google calendar! We try to keep it as up-to-date as possible. If there's something you want to see on the calendar that's not there (maybe a convention we missed, cast birthdays, or something similar), send us an ASK and let us know!

Hope you have a great week! - From your Admins and Manta Rays, @manawhaat, @mrswhozeewhatsis, @mariekoukie6661, @thoughtslikeaminefield, and @heavenssexiestangel!

[randomthefox]

So multiple people know Sonic was the phantom rider and agree with his decision

Including Jewel, who's meant to be the SMARTEST of the comic OCs. She even says it makes perfect sense.

So Lanolin is just a whiny idiot. Everyone in this comic keeps saying Sonic is right for being the phantom rider. The comic keeps showing us that Sonic is right for being the phantom rider.

The comic keeps HEAVILY implying that Lanolin is a moronic control freak and all the others are just putting up with her tantrums. There's no other way to interpret the information we've been given here.

What crimes did Sonic even commit as the phantom rider? He tried to win with aggressive methods? The last time I checked, that's the most common occurrence of sports competitions in Sonic's world. More proof that Lanolin is just a crybaby who can't handle the same basic things as everyone else.

If we're talking about when the road shattered and a bunch of people almost fell to their deaths that was caused by LANOLIN! And Sonic TRIED TELLING HER TO EASE UP! Sonic immediately helped the people who were falling btw. Almost like he's not a criminal or something.

What could Lanolin possibly accuse Sonic of? At best Lanolin will just cry about things that NO ONE ELSE is bothered by. At worst she'll somehow blame Sonic for when SHE nearly got a bunch of people killed.

She can't even use the card of "the world is in turmoil because Sonic keeps sparing Eggman" since every problem during clean sweep has had nothing to do with Eggman lol.

Btw

All these counters to Lanolin's stupidity are constructed around the assumption that Sonic and his friends will be inexplicably nerfed so the writers can force the story in whatever direction they want.

A properly written Sonic would go "What? Shut up!" and punt Lanolin five miles away the instant she tried doing anything to him.

But even while ignoring what a correct portrayal of Sonic would and should do, there's still no way for Lanolin to win this.

What can she possibly do? Other than bitching and moaning about the most frivolous things?

Literally EVERYBODY who found out about Sonic being the Phantom Rider basically went "oh, guess he's trying to do some Cool Guy shit."

INCLUDING Clutch and Mimic, INCLUDING the Babylon Rogues, INCLUDING the gay birds, and INCLUDING Jewel.

It's actually kind of hilarious that Lanolin is the odd man out with this reaction

LITERALLY everyone else who found out said "well, it's Sonic, so he must be doing the right thing." But when Lanolin finds out, AFTER CLUTCH HAS JUST BEEN EXPOSED AS A TERRORIST AND A CRIME BOSS AND JUST HAD A PUBLIC MELTDOWN WHICH SHE WITNESSED, she says Sonic is a "dangerous criminal" who needs to "face justice."

Like. Bruh. She is CLINICALLY INSANE. There is no other way to interpret this character.

And I still reject the suggestion that these are intentional character flaws that we as the audience are supposed to view as negative attributes about her character, because NOBODY IS CALLING HER OUT. Tangle and Whisper are desperately justifying their actions and pleading with her to not hurt Sonic. When they SHOULD be telling her "what the fuck is WRONG with you, it's SONIC, why don't you SHUT UP you stupid bitch." The fact that NO CHARACTER IN THE COMIC is telling Lanolin to blow it out her ass, when they have ZERO reason to like or fear her, makes it pretty clear to me that the character being a massive turbo cunt is not the intention of the writing.

[taffydragondraws]

Sonic OC Showdown Q&A!

Logo by @bunnymajo ! Thanks! :D @sonic-oc-showdown runs this show.

✨- How did you come up with the OC’s name?

My dad says "smidgeon" a lot, as well as "sukoshi" which means roughly the same thing. In my brain, only one word comes after "smidgeon", which is "pigeon", and one day I was actually in the right place and time and with the right energy levels to start doodling a pigeon OC named Smidgeon.

🌼 - How old are they? (Or approximate age range)

12 years old.

🌺- Do they have any love interest(s)?

He's not particularly interested in anyone, though he does keep a photo or two of Wave the Swallow on hand. He'll tell you he just likes her aesthetic.

🍕 - What is their favorite food?

If you're the type who loves pizza but hates the crust, you may soon find yourself with a new feathery best friend. He loves bread of all kinds.

💼 - What do they do for a living?

Too young to have a steady job. He's rather earn his rings from winning kart race competitions.

🎹 - Do they have any hobbies?

Kart racing! You can often find him down at the go-cart track in the park in Central City, rocking his custom build, the Smidge Special.

🎯 -What do they do best?

Besides kart racing, he's also quite adept at pre-race trash-talking.

🥊 -What do they love to do? What do they hate to do?

Smidgeon loves making and breaking his personal speed records. They hate having to stand and wait for any reason.

❤️ - What is one of your OC’s best memories?

Witnessing the Babylon Rogues winning their big Extreme Gear race. He was one of the spectators for the event.

✂️ - What is one of your OC’s worst memories?

He was once stranded alone on a high rooftop for several hours when he tried to fly in bad weather, having gotten hurt when he was caught in a strong gust and crashed. He hasn't flown higher than street level since.

🧊 - Is their current design the first one?

A few changes were made within the past couple of days, but his current design is roughly the same as his first, just a bit shorter and stockier.

🍀 - What originally inspired the OC?

Just hearing "smidgeon pigeon" in my head and wanting to design a Sonic OC around that.

🌂 - What genre do they belong in?

Smidgeon is a Sonic gameverse character.

💚 - What is your OC’s gender identity and sexuality?

He identifies as male and is heteroromantic demisexual.

🙌 - How many sibling does your OC have?

None, he's an only child.

🍎 - What is the OC’s relationship w/their parents like?

He still maintains a relationship with his parents, though he is very independent. He writes them on occasion.

🧠 - What do you like most about the OC?

He's a silly little bird with a silly name.

✏️ - How often do you draw/write about the OC?

Not as often as I should.

💎 - Do you ever see yourself killing off the OC?

No!

💀 - Does your OC have any phobias?

Getting stranded on a rooftop during a bad storm has left him with a fear of falling from high places.

🍩 -Who is your OC’s arch-nemesis or rival?

Everyone's his rival in a kart race!

🎓 - How long have you had the OC?

I really just created him last Tuesday or so.

🍥 - What age were you when you created the OC?

40.

[starkandthewaynes]

except from another fic that'll never see the light of day

So this is a hodgepodge of ads that my OCs from my book series are thrown into. For context sake its PJO, HP, DC and DP, essentially it's a fun thing for me that'll never be finished or published but this part is so funny to me I wanted to share it.

"Hey, Pandora." Danny says, as Anotonio and Morgana try to make themselves small. "My king, you have guests." Pandora says, as she enters. "Yes, I do." Danny says, as Antonio and Morgana are avoiding eye contact at all costs. "Allow me to introduce myself, I am Lady Pandora, keeper of hope." She says, as Onyx smiles. "Onyx Saint, son of Thanatos, watcher of the doors of death, prince of death." Onyx says, as her head spins to see him. "Your Thanatos' son?" She asks, as he nods. "Yep." Onyx says, as she looks around the table. "My king, I know you dispise weapons at meal times, however I implore you to make an admenment to that just this once." Pandora says, her hands shaking. "Dora?" Danny asks, as Antonio and Morgana finally face her. "Hello, Pandora." Antonio says quietly. "Hey prude." Morgana says loudly.

"I am not a prude, you husband stealer!" Pandora shouts flying over to be in Morgana's face. "Oi, you know you weren't in love with him, you just used him!" Morgana shouts back, as Antonio is getting very flustered. "Whats going on?" Danny asks, as Pandora turns to her king. "This, this priest made my husband Antonio Mari, king of Babylon, fall in love with him." Pandora says as Morgana rolls his eyes. "Honey if you would've been willing to fuck his little brains out like how he needed them to be then ya would've kept him." Morgagna says, picking his nails. "Why you cocky little bitch." Pandora says, as the whole room is tense, but Antonio looks bored. "Guys, can we not have a dick measuring contest in front of the da new king? I was tryin' ta make a good first impression." Antonio says, as the two having said pissing match start laughing. "You make a good first impression? Your idea of good impression is not cutting off someone's head." Pandora jokes, as Antonio huffs. "Ya cut off heads one time and ya never hear the end of it." He mutters. "Mood." Jason chimes in as Onyx snorts. 

"Can I get context?" Danny asks, as Opal nods. "Pandora and Antonio used to be married, back in acient mesopatamia times, before the whole box icident. However, Antonio and Morgana were using the secret passage ways of his castle to meet behind her back. One day, they became exerbitionists, and she caught them." Opal says, eating mashed potatoes. "What's an exerbitionist?" Casper asks her dads, and Onyx eyebrow twitches, as Opal doesn't even look ashamed. "Tell ya when your older." Puck says, as Spencer smirks. "They're people who like it when others watch them fuck." Spencer says, as Casper nods, and Onyx is about to loose his mind. "How did you learn that?" Onyx shouts at his son. "We're ten, now, dad, and we have cable tv." Spencer says, as Onyx slumps into his chair. 

[hyper-cryptic]

⟢ Heart of Chaos AU: The Masterpost!

❛❛ Oh, great Master Emerald, please, I wish for a brave hero who is the balance between Chaos and Peace. One who never backs down in the face of danger, who doesn't stop fighting for their friends and what is right! Might a brave equidna warrior be their fiercely loyal friend, let them fight alongside as if they were kin. Seal this evil away, amending the horrors done by my tribe...❜❜ — Tikal The Equidna.

Welcome to the HoC masterpost! Here I'll give the bullet points on each arc and get down the basics of this AU!

◊—› So, what's Heart of Chaos about? . . .

In a nutshell, what if Sonic was The Master Emerald? We get Dark Sonic back and also, I am obsessed with werehog, so we get a redo of that as well as every single arc rewritten, for the most part (there's some I don't have enough knowledge about some of the spin off games heheo). There's a lot of themes of generational trauma, self-worth, losing the sense of yourself and finding it again, etc.

↳ Basic navigation . . . Heart of Chaos Tag | Heart of Chaos Bsky tag | Toyhouse folder ↳ Cast's tags . . . Patch The Painted Dog | Maple The Sable | Oakley The Opposum And yes the canon cast don't have tags because I thought it would be redundant since its all I draw...just search their canon names in my blog!

Below are the arc bullet points.

Soon to be added: Illustrated timeline, trivia, and more!

"Origins" segment

Spikes Toodlerhood arc.

- Basically spikes being raised by Tikal and creatures of Angel Island. Tikal seals herself and Chaos in a pond next in Spikes' birthplace.

Enviromental terrorism arc.

- Basically the events of Origins. Spikes gets civilized by Miles and Ames. Spikes meets Knux and then Ignis.

House arrest arc.

- SA 1 happens and Spikes feels forced to stay in Angel Island after being revealed to him that Dark Spikes is a thing. He spends the time there training his ass off with Knux. Predictably so, Spikes doesnt like staying in one place, so he and Miles sneak off to mainland, which is where he meets the babylon rogues for the first time.

- SA2 happens. Shade <3

- Sonic heroes happens. Spikes is super excited to have Shade back, he tries to bond with him... Pretty succesfully so.

"Godhood" segment

Speeding ticket arc

- This is basically the Sonjet, or how I like to call em, Speeding Ticket arc. Funnily enough, this is also where Spikes begins to realize he's aroace but not yet. I havent changed a lot bc I rlly like the riders games.

Dimensional travels arc.

- This is where all the weird shit happens with Rings and Black Knight. And also Snoutman. Snoutman is canon to the Heart of Chaos universe. Black Knight is the most focused on, it's more of an open world game, but in the same way frontiers is.

S2HT arc.

- ShTH happens. Eclipse The Darkling is in ShTH events and is presumed dead by the end of it. Sonic 06 happens and we discover what happens when The Master Emerald itself dies. There is Sonalise, this is where Spikes fully realizes he's aroace and only experiences queerplatonic attraction.

Sonic Colors happens after Sonic 06 and is where Spikes has is birthday.

"Happy birthday" segment.

Werehog arc.

- This is A Lot, but basically this is the arc where Spikes is given a wake up call and slap down to his ego. This arc is pretty grim, but it has a lot of good moments too. It spans for more than a couple months while they try to fix Mobius again.

Generations arc.

- After losing Chip and going through the horrors, Spikes begins travelling a lot and finding comfort in his friendnship with Shade. Then crazy shit starts happening, there is no classic spikes or anything, but Mephiles does come back as the Time Eater. More Sonelise and Milkshake moments and actually also Shadlise, YEAH YOU DIDNT SEE THAT COMIN DID YA-

Forces arc.

- Oh god. Well, lets start at the beginning. This is where my oc Patch The Painted Dog, "Sky's Spark", gets introduced. With him there is oc x canon with Howlite (Silver). He's also childhood friends with Tangle and Jewel. We also half meet Whisper during this arc.

- Spikes gets kidnapped by Infinite to power Eggmans invasion with Spikes' chaos energy aka, his life source. Spike is kept chained and restrained without the abiity to move his arms and legs for the majority of his stay there, so much that he loses the ability to walk which he realizes once he's being rescued. This is also where the frienemy-eggdad situation completely breaks as we learn that Spikes is inmortal, because Eggman attempts to kill him when he realizes that he doesn't need his power anymore and he can just create more Phantom Rubies to power his war.

- Pretty much the whole tone switches. During the war, a lot of the characters are forced to grow up, like Ames and Miles. Miles has almost a complete 180 from the cheerful kid he was before as he takes an important role in the war as the one who arms The Resistance. Knux basically makes him man up.

"Humbled" segment.

Post-war arc.

- Basically physical therapy arc for Spikes, he had to rush this slow progress for the sake of the war.

- We meet Whisper fully. Spikes and Whisper ond over being traumatized by war so much so that they feel they are no longer themselves.

- Mr. Tinker is a thing and Spikes has to deal with that. He ends up leaving Shade and The Chaotix on charge of watching him.

- Metal kidnaps Spikes bc he wants his awful dad back. She ends up running off after she realizes Eggman is gone.

- Starline happens.

Zombot arc.

- Pain, pain and pain! Spikes is not coping with this well at all. This arc is grim as hell. Shade sacrifices himself to save the few refuges left + Team Dark, he's one of the first ones gone. Spikes doesnt have his emotional attack dog anymore and he's always so close to losing it.

Milkshake & Co arc.

- Shade is back and now Spikes is codependent /j, he finally gets properly taught how to use his chaos energy in a productive way as well as help manage it.

- We meet Maple The Sable and Oakley The Opposum. Maple has a oc x canon going on with Cream!

Surge arc.

- Spikes gets a break? Too bad, let's break his peace. Starline's back.

- I dont have a lot written but basically, Surge and Kit are around for about 4-5 months. Starline gets fried and drowned by Surge and Kit before escaping.

- Surge and Kit are out to get Spikes & Miles.

- Kit and Miles do get in a fight. Kit loses, miserably.

- Surge is pissed the fuck off about it bc they kidnapped drippy and she's alone...with her thoughts.

- She attacks Spikes at night after following him, planning to kill him. They get in a fight, Surge "kills" Spikes but he's able to finish her in his Shattered form. She's dead for a while before she wakes up again.

- She tries killing Miles and Spikes again, Shade is fed up with her shit for trying to kill his weirdo and atom bombs her pretty much. Now she's gone forever.

- Kit and Miles actually do bond.

"Moonlight" segment.

Eclipse arc.

- To be added

Milkshake 2.0 arc.

- To be added

Crown of Thorns arc.

- To be added

[the-cult-of-riley]

Sleeping With Ghosts (Act One: Chapter Five)

Simon 'Ghost' Riley x Female OC

[[Masterlist]]

A/N:

It’s so odd for me to write something other than a slow burn. Slow burns are what I’m known for and I’m demisexual so that's how I live my life lmaooo But with this story, it just worked out this way and Act Two is kinda a slow burn as they reconnect and shit? My other Ghost stories I’m working on are slow burns though. 

Placebo - I Feel You (Depeche Mode cover)

I feel you

Your sun, it shines

I feel you

Within my mind

You take me there

You take me where

The kingdom comes

You take me to

Lead me through

Babylon

This is the morning of our love

It's just the dawning of our love

I feel you

Your heart, it sings

I feel you

The joy it brings

Where heaven waits

These golden gates

And back again

You take me to

Lead me through

Oblivion

This is the morning of our love

It's just the dawning of our love

I feel you

Your precious soul

And I am whole

I feel you

Your rising sun

My kingdom comes

I feel you

Each move you make

I feel you

Each breath you take

Where angels sing

And spread their wings

My love's on high

You take me home

To glory's throne

By and by

This is the morning of our love

It's just the dawning of our love

This is the morning of our love

It's just the dawning of our love

I feel you

Your precious soul

And I am whole

I feel you

Your rising sun

My kingdom comes

It had been a Friday night when Simon had met Charlotte, Saturday when he’d gone to her place, threatened her ex and fucked her over the sink. They wound up spending the rest of Saturday in her bed, not being able to get enough of each other. The sensation was new to him, never one to even go back for seconds but he couldn’t get enough of her. He’d ended up staying Saturday night, waking on Sunday morning with her bundled in his arms. He found he liked it. 

He hadn't had nightmares once in her presence, something that confused him but he decided not to question. It was a relief and he’d never been so well rested, but now it was Sunday night and he knew he’d have to go soon. She'd casually mentioned earlier in the day that she had work the next day and he didn't think she’d want him loitering at her place when she wasn't even there. Wasn't like he was expecting to move in with her after knowing her for one weekend, but the idea of going back to his cold and lonely apartment made the beating lump of flesh in his chest turn to ice. 

The idea of sleeping without her warmth next to him, of waking alone. He felt like he'd been given a rare gift, something precious and now it was being torn from him. He knew he was being ridiculous but he couldn't help it. There was this weird level of uncertainty about what would happen when he left. Would he ever even see her again? He’d give her his number but would she use it? What if that was it? He’d given her what he promised to, what if she was bored? So many utterly depressing questions ran through his head as they sat side by side on the couch, the tv on. 

He wasn't paying attention though, too deep in his own mind to care about what bullshit they’d been watching to occupy time. It hadn’t felt awkward here with her at all, it all felt so normal, like they were meant to spend each waking moment with each other. It all felt so absurd and he wasn't really sure what to do with himself. He didn't want to leave, but he had to and if he was honest, he’d rather get it over and done with. The longer he dragged it out, the more likely it would be that he wouldn't leave and wind up making a right tit of himself. 

“I should get goin’,” he muttered, trying to sound unbothered as he glanced at her. He didn't miss how her brows furrowed when she looked at him, not even hiding her disappointment. It made the simmering pain in his chest dull a little. Maybe he wasn't the only one feeling this way. God he fucking hoped he wasn’t. She opened her mouth to say something but chose against it as she nodded, forcing a smile he didn't believe for one second as she stood up. Did she dread being away from him too?

“Will I… Will I see you again?” she asked quietly, her voice meeker than he’d ever heard it and it sent a shot of relief through him to know she wanted to see him again too. Poor thing looked at him like she was bracing herself for the worst. As if he’d tell her to go fuck herself or something. 

“Do you wanna see me again?” he asked, feeling like he knew the answer now but wanting confirmation. Her cheeks turned that pretty pink he was fond of as she glanced away, nibbling her lower lip. She looked so shy, timid, but then her bright eyes turned to him with resolve in them as she nodded. He couldn't help the smile that pulled at his lips. 

“Then you’ll see me again, love,” he murmured, tucking her hair behind her ear. She leaned into his touch and it made his heart beat all funny again. It did every time she responded to the smallest of touches he gave her. 

“I know it… it probably sounds really stupid ‘cause we met a few days ago but… I really like having you around,” she admitted, and his brows rose a little. He envied the balls she had on her to come out with that despite clearly feeling insecure, something he noticed seemed to run bone deep in her. He’d change that soon enough. But her words brought about a seering warmth that burned him from the inside out.

“I like havin’ you around too,” he confessed, eyeing her fondly as she smiled her pretty shy smile. Fuckin’ christ, she was the most beautiful thing he’d ever laid his fucking eyes on. He felt blessed just to look upon her, let alone touch her. 

She turned on her heel without a word and he watched curiously as she wandered over to the bedside table. She grabbed a phone he’d never seen her use, tapping on it for a moment before walking back over to him. She handed it to him with a sheepish smile and when he grabbed it, he noticed she had opened her contacts for him. He felt a pang of sadness in his chest when he saw the only contacts she had in her phone were Jessica, Ethan and her Boss Sylvie, who he only knew was her boss because it was in the contact name. She really had no one? She didn't have any of her family in her phone? 

His heart squeezed tightly as he tapped in his number and name. Deciding to take matters into his own hands and be a bit of a cheeky fucker, he went into her messages and opened a new message, sending himself a text of gibberish just so he had her number. That way he wouldn't have to wait for her to contact him first. It was bold but she just snorted, looking up at him with her bright blue eyes twinkling. 

“Don't trust that I’ll contact you?” she asked amused and he shrugged with a scoff.

“Not leavin’ anythin’ to chance,” he smirked and she laughed lightly. The sound filled up every empty crevice of his entire being and he soaked it in, wanting to memorise the sound before he left. He pocketed his phone, watching her chuck hers on the coffee table before he glanced toward the front door. It was already getting late and he knew he should leave her be so she could do whatever it was she needed to do for work the next day.

“Alright then, love,” he sighed, giving her a small smile. She nodded, walking to the front door and he followed. He lingered in the open doorway for a moment before he grabbed her hand and tugged her towards him. She yelped in surprise but it turned into a smile as she blinked up at him with those doe eyes. He leaned down, nuzzling her nose in that way he knew she liked before placing a soft kiss to her lips. 

He’d meant it to be tame, not wanting to start shit he couldn't finish before he had to leave, but then the minx slid her hands up his shirt, splaying them on his bare chest underneath as she deepened the kiss. He grabbed her face, plundering her mouth with his tongue as he tried to get every bit of her that he could like a greedy bastard. When he pulled away, she looked drunk almost and he loved that dazed look he could put on her face. 

“See you soon, yeah?” he rasped, voice hoarse as his eyes darted all over her face. 

“See you soon, Simon,” she smiled warmly at him, moving away from him and finally allowing him to tear himself away from her. He really, really didn't want to leave. He blew out a breath as he forced his legs to move, not able to look back at her as he descended the steps outside and into the alley way. 

As he made his way to the bus stop, he thought about the weekend he’d had. Hardly expected that, had he? A simple night at the pub with Tommy turned into something he wasn't quite prepared for. Charlotte had been a whirlwind that had torn through everything he thought he knew but he couldn't find himself bothered about it. It was a little scary, being so uncertain about things, feeling things he wasn't used to, but he wouldn't change anything. 

Was this what it was like to meet someone you cared about? Had Tommy felt this way when he’d met Beth? It all felt so surreal. God only knew how Tommy would react when he found out, Simon wasn't sure if he was ready to tell his brother yet. He was excited, wanting to gush about the crazy little brunette he’d met that had upended his entire world, but it still felt too soon. Still felt so fragile, like a small breeze would make it dissipate. He didn't want to get too invested, didn't want to tell his brother just yet because that meant it meant something. And if this didn't work out, if she got sick of him after a week which he wouldn't bloody blame her for, then he wasn't sure he could cope with other people knowing about it. She’d be his little secret for now and he’d see where the hell this thing went. 

When he got back to his place, the quiet grated on him and he clenched his jaw, huffing as he slammed his door shut. He could still smell her perfume lingering in the apartment and as he stomped to the bedroom, the bed was still unmade, rumpled from where they both got out of bed on Saturday morning. It was unfair to miss someone he hadn’t known that long and yet he felt the ache down to his fucking bone marrow. 

He set his phone on the nightstand, willing himself to not text so soon, lest he look like a desperate fool and probably scare her off. He settled on having a scalding hot shower to try and melt his tension away. It took him about half an hour before he got bored and felt no better. Padding out of the bathroom, he went back to his bedroom, grabbing some clean sweats and putting them on, not bothering with a top before he turned the tv on in his room. He never liked sleeping in the quiet and on bad nights, he’d put on the tv at a low volume just to have some noise in the background. He lay on the bed before he caved and grabbed his phone and he was surprised to see a message already waiting for him off Charlotte.

'Missing you already <3'

Before he knew what was happening, he realised he was smiling like a fucking idiot. It was such an odd sensation for him to smile so wide. He was never much of a smiler, nor a laugher. As he got older, beat the shit out of his dad and kicked him out, he found himself smiling more. Found himself a little more relaxed than he had been when he was younger and scared. Found himself laughing with Tommy, with Beth, even his mum. But nothing was quite the same as the level of warmth plaguing his chest right now looking at such a simple text. 

He felt… happy. Genuinely happy and not the fleeting kind that would happen when someone told a stupid joke or he watched something that amused him. It was a kind of happiness he’d never experienced before and he was helpless to stop it. How fucking terrifying was it, then? Getting so attached to someone you only knew for a few days. Was proper mental is what it was and he knew it. Happiness was a weakness. It allowed yourself to be open to get hurt, gave you a big gaping weak point that could be pressed and abused. Yet when he thought of the pretty girl with the dark hair and bright eyes, the fear was outshone by another feeling. A blooming excitement that made him tingle all the way down to his toes. Not the horny kind either, although he couldn't wait to get his hands on her again, but he was just excited to see her again. Was excited to hear her laugh, to see her beautiful smile, to hear her cheeky comments when she had a surge of confidence. There was just something about her that made him gravitate towards her, like she was a magnificent planet and he was her moon. He was pulled into her orbit and he couldn't get away even if he wanted to. 

He pursed his lips for a moment, eyes reading and rereading the message over and over as if he’d find the secrets of the universe in the letters. He realised then that she’d sent it over twenty minutes ago and he felt a jolt of guilt at making her wait. Hell, if he’d had the balls to text her first and had to wait that long he was pretty sure he’d be climbing the fucking walls. Part of him felt so unsure of himself in this new territory, he wasn't used to this. Fucking texting a girl, hoping to see her again. On one hand he was scared of putting her off, scaring her away if he was too much. But then what if he wasn't enough? She’d made her interest clear, been open and honest with him like the angel she was. She wasn't leaving him second guessing that she wanted to see him again and he decided to pull deep inside himself for some confidence. If she was brave enough to admit it, then he could fucking text her and be honest.

'Miss you too. Going to sleep without you isn't quite the same'

Before he could overthink it, he hit send, locking his phone and resting it face down on his bare chest. He blinked tiredly at the ceiling, the shadows cast from the TV dancing across the cream expanse. He always felt out of sorts when he was on leave, never really knew what to do with himself. He spent a lot of time working out, refusing to let his body go, needed to be in tip top condition for when he went back. But he didn't have a job when he was on leave, didn't really have anyone to spend it with. He’d see Tommy when he could, even popped around to see Beth sometimes when Tommy was working, or his mum. Other than that, his days were spent doing little else but wasting away alone in his apartment. 

He wondered how Charlotte would react if he turned up at her work one day for lunch. Wondered if she had a little uniform or not. Wondered if she’d treat him the same as all the other customers or give him a little extra treatment. He wondered when her days off were, if it was just the weekend or if it was some kind of rota. Wondered when he’d get to spend a whole day and night with her again. He was broken from his thoughts when his phone buzzed on his chest. He tried to temper down the excitement buzzing under his skin as he unlocked it. 

'I should have locked you in, then you'd have no choice to stay. I’d employ you as my own personal teddy bear but I could only pay you in bacon butties '

Something fluttered in his stomach as he read it, that smirk still pulling at his lips as if they'd been threaded with string and a puppet master was toying with him. She'd wanted him to stay. Should he have left? He could have just stayed again, maybe get up with her in the morning and gone home. He cursed himself for jumping the gun like he had, worried he'd be in her way and annoy her. 

If anyone else had called him a teddy bear, he might have wanted to deck them, but this was Charlotte and he found a pleasant warmth enveloping him. If she wanted him to be her teddy bear, he'd gladly do it. He'd be anything she fucking wanted him to be as long as she smiled at him like she did. As long as she made him feel like he mattered. That he meant something. 

'Wouldn't have protested too much if you wanted to keep me prisoner, love. Although payment in bacon butties doesn't sound bad, don't think it could count as payment if I've got to make them myself'

When he sent the message, he turned over on his side feeling his eyes getting heavy. He forced them to stay awake though, not wanting to miss a reply. His sleep schedule was usually pretty solid, wanting to keep it strict so it wasn't so jarring when he went back to work. He didn't really do late nights often since he was always up at 6am at the latest to start his morning workout. The routine has been disrupted this past weekend and he found tiredness settling deep in his bones. His phone buzzed in his hand and he blinked rapidly to clear the sleepiness out of his eyes.

'You can't offer to make bacon butties just to throw it in my face, sir. That's an incredibly unkind thing to do to a lady'

'You're a lady?'

' :o fine, maybe I'll just be really busy when you want to meet up. Maybe I should be someone's else's good girl instead…'

He knew she was pressing his buttons on purpose, bantering with him, but he still felt something run right through him that burned red hot in his veins. Before he could process what his tired brain was doing, he hit call. It only rang once before she picked up. 

“Hello, Simon,” he could hear the smile on her voice and she sounded adorably sleepy. He could just picture her wrapped up like a little burrito in bed, her cherubic face poking out the quilt. He longed to be there to witness it. 

“Tryin’ to wind me up, sweetheart?” He rasped, his tired voice sounding even lower than usual. She hummed softly down the phone and the noise soothed something in him. 

“Is it working?” She asked cheekily and he chuckled, moving to lay on his back. His eyes traced the ceiling, looking at the spot where the paint was peeling slightly. He hadn't cared enough to fix it. 

“What do you think?” He asked sarcastically and she snorted down the line. 

“Glad to know it's so easy to push your buttons. You shouldn't worry though, I'm you're good girl,” he could hear her fucking smirk through the phone and he groaned, throwing his spare arm over his eyes.

“You're evil, you know that? I'm too fuckin' tired to deal with a stiffy right now,” he huffed, willing his dick to calm itself before it got too excited. 

“Well… if I was there I could have dealt with it for you,” she replied easily and he almost whined. Almost. 

“You sound knackered, love. Don't think you'd be in any state to deal with anythin’,” he remarked dryly and her pretty little laugh floated through the phone and it didn't help his current situation. 

“Guess you're right. But I could just lay there and let you do all the work. Let you use my body, take what you want from me,” she seemed bolder when she was tired, or maybe this was just how she was. Shy one minute, a brazen minx the next. Either way, her words affected him more than he'd like to admit. Wasn't sure if that made him a bit sick in the head to get off on the idea. Of holding her down and using her pretty little body for his own pleasure. He did enjoy the thought though, very much so. But then again, she must have too or she wouldn't have said it with that silky soft tone. 

“You like that idea, sweetheart?” He drawled, his breathing heavy as he tried to ignore the heat stirring in his lower belly. Tired to ignore the ache of his cock that had been spoiled this weekend and now felt neglected. He really was too tired to deal with it. He heard her little sharp intake of breath, could picture her cheeks all pink and pretty for him. Her wide eyes, bright blue hidden by the black of her pupils as they overtook them. 

“Maybe…” she replied, now sounding shy again. Had she realised the dirty little secret she shared with him in her sleepy state? He stored that information away for another time. 

“You should get some rest, Lottie. You'll be dead on your feet in the mornin’,” he murmured softly. He didn't want her to be tired at work. She let out a little noise, a mix between a hum and a whine, telling him she didn't want to end the call as much as he didn't. It soothed something in him to know she was in the same boat as him. Made the whole experience a little less scary. 

“I guess,” was she pouting? Sounded like she was. 

“Get some good rest, yeah?” He sighed, not liking the painful tugging in his chest at the idea of hanging up. 

“I'll try, you too. Goodnight, Simon,” she said softly.

“Goodnight, love,” he replied before forcing himself to hang up. He didn't want to become one of those couples that did the whole ‘no you hang up’ bullshit, but he was starting to understand it. Starting to understand all the stupid shit he'd been forced to witness when Beth or his mum had a fucking romcom on. Not that he and Charlotte were a couple anyway, not yet at least. He'd never had a girlfriend before and the idea of having someone to call his own was a foreign concept. He'd never really desired it until now, but he wanted her, wanted her completely, wanted her to be his. 

She was driving him fucking mad. Like some kind of siren, luring him to a rocky death with her enticing call that he was powerless against. In a few short days she'd managed to worm her way through a crack in his walls, taking up residence in his hollow chest and warming it up in ways he didn't think possible. He was well and truly fucked. A realisation that was only solidified when he woke up the next morning to a mess in his bed after he'd rut against the mattress in his sleep. 

It was Wednesday. It had been three days since he’d seen Charlotte but the pair had established a routine. They text each other throughout the day, although Charlotte’s responses were a bit sparse and unpredictable. She wasn't allowed her phone at work so she snuck a text to him when she got the chance and he was grateful. When she’d get in bed, knackered from a hard day's work, she’d give him a call. He enjoyed their little chats as they got to know each other better. All surface level stuff really, but it kept it safe. 

He’d got to know quite a bit about her. Favourite colour was sage green and she loved earthy tones. She loved to read, her favourite being Grimm’s fairy tales. She’d briefly mentioned how she’d used it as an escape after stealing the book from the library when she was young. When he’d try to pry for more info, she’d clammed up and he realised her past was a sore spot. He knew that all too well. 

Found out she loved Italian food, bolognese being her favourite. She loved to make art in her spare time and had designed all her own tattoos herself. She told him she’d recently got a tablet and was doing digital art and she liked it better, was able to correct mistakes a lot easier and had every colour at her fingertips, she’d said. Her favourite bands were Placebo and Nine Inch Nails, the former being the ones to own the quote inked on the inside of her left arm. 

She loved plants but struggled to keep them alive, she’d called herself a well meaning plant killer and it had made him laugh. She said that's why she stuck to succulents, she was less likely to murder them. She had a thing for the weird and macabre, collecting oddities and curiosities like taxidermy shit. He felt like he was collecting little fragments of her, tiny puzzle pieces to make up the bigger picture of who she was. He adored hearing her ramble about the things she was passionate about. 

He’d been itching to see her again, but everytime he worked up the courage to ask about seeing her at work or after work one day, he wound up not saying anything when he heard how tired the poor girl was from work. He didn't want to bother her, yet waiting for weekend was dragging painfully slow. He only had until Sunday before his two week leave was over, then he’d be back on base. Usually he stayed there at the barracks since he didn't really have a reason not to. He only really used his apartment when he was on leave if he was honest, but now, feeling like he had something worth coming back for, he wondered if that would change. 

Fulwood Base was in Preston, 45 minutes away on the train from his place. It had never been worth the effort to come home when he was done at 5pm everyday or on weekends when he was off so he’d usually stay in his assigned room, just hang out on base. He couldn't imagine that now and he was just glad his base wasn't even further away. It wouldn't be hard to get the train back to Manchester when he wanted to see Charlotte and he knew he’d be staying home on the weekends now. Unless he was at hers.

He couldn’t stop thinking about her, couldn’t get her out of his fucking brain like a worm that had eaten its way through his grey matter to take residence in his skull. Three days was far too long for his liking so he decided to make an executive decision. He was going to visit her at work. Wasn't like he had anything else better to do anyway other than sit around and be bored and lonely. He figured mooching around town wouldn’t hurt him, look around the shops a bit since his mum's birthday was coming up and then grab a bite to eat at the Cafe where she worked. He was a little nervous about how she'd react to seeing him but he was a brave man, he was in the army for fuck sake, he could do this. 

He had a small bag in his hand from Warren James, got his mother a nice silver bracelet. He’d also ordered a cooking set, a bunch of pans and shit that she’d had her eye on from Argos. He wanted to get her more but the woman didn't really want for much. He eyed the door to the Cafe, watching some people eat and drink at the tables outside before he looked back at the door. He’d never been inside, wasn’t sure what to expect as he pushed open the door. It turned out a lot nicer than what he thought, nicer than the typical cafe he’d been to now and again. There was a small area on the level you walked in on with tables all full, then there were about six steps to take you up to the main area. Looked more like a restaurant than a cafe in his opinion. 

He trudged his way up the stairs, eyes darting around as he looked for Lottie, but he couldn’t see her as he moved to sit at a small table in the corner. He watched as other servers all bustled about, all dressed in black pants and a black button up shirt. he presumed it was the uniform. He fidgeted with the menu in his hands, not really paying attention as he desperately tried to find her. She came out the back then, a smile on her face as she expertly manoeuvred around the tables with two large plates balanced in her hands. She had the uniform on and her hair was in two plaits either side of her head with a few stray bits framing her face. She was fucking beautiful. 

She stopped at a table with an elderly couple on it, too far to hear what she said but close enough to see her pretty smile as she spoke to them. She looked up then, as if some gravitational pull was tugging at her, and when her eyes met his, she froze for a moment. Dread seized him, wondering if he’d made a mistake, wondering if he’d crossed a line, but then a blinding smile took over her face and she practically bounced her way over like a kid excited on christmas. 

“Hello there, sir. What can I get you today?” she asked brightly, a cheeky smile on her face that made him feel all hot from the inside out. 

“Not really sure, any recommendations?” he asked with a raised brow. He didn't think it possible but she seemed to smile harder as she leaned her hands on his table, lowering her head down to him a little.

“I hear the Charlotte’s pretty tasty,” she smirked and he almost choked on his own breath at her remark, chuckling as he tilted his head at her. Cheeky little thing she was, he loved it.

“Is that right?” he drawled and her eyes twinkled mischievously. She leaned in, surprising him with a kiss. He hadn't expected any PDA, was never really a fan of it but he didn't even know what they were. A one night stand that wouldn't end? Friends with benefits? It was all too soon to tell so he hadn’t expected her to kiss him in her work place like this. Like she wasn't embarrassed to be around a man like him. Like she wanted to show him off. And fuck, he didn’t mind one bit. 

He grabbed her face before she could pull away, kissing her deeply and allowing himself to taste her, explore her mouth as he’d missed her these past few days. When she pulled away, she looked dazed and cleared her throat with pink cheeks. Almost done him in when she bit down on her lower lip, looking at him through her lashes like some demure little bird. She was lucky he didn’t bend her over the fucking table and take her for everyone to see when she was playing coy like this. 

She moved to plonk on the seat in front of him then, giving him a little smile.

“In all seriousness, you’d like the steak if you're hungry. If not, the sandwiches are good for lunch. It's all pretty good,” she shrugged, resting her chin on her hand as she fluttered her lashes at him. She looked so happy to see him and it warmed his dead heart. 

“I’ll have the steak then, love. And a coke,” he nodded and she grinned, grabbing her pad from her breast pocket and scribbling the order down. 

“I’ll be back in a minute,” she smiled, jumping from her seat and hurrying into the back. 

He felt far more relaxed now, knowing she wanted him here, that she didn't have a problem with it. It made him feel better that he could drop in and see her when he wanted. The kiss had made it all well worth it. She came back out after a few minutes and he watched her flit around behind the counter, grabbing a can of coke out of the fridge and then pouring it into a glass with ice. She wandered over, glass in one hand, cutlery in the other and she set it all out in front of him. When she was done, she hovered next to him for a moment as she toyed with her hands.

“Do you wanna see a movie this Saturday?” she blurted and it caught him off guard. Was she asking him on a date? If she was, that was embarrassing, he was the one who was supposed to ask her. Seemed she had more balls than him once again. 

“What movie?” he asked, cringing internally. He had no idea why he’d fucking asked ‘cause it didn’t really matter, did it? She could ask him to watch a sickening romance movie with her and he’d do it with a smile on his face if it meant he got to spend time with her. She shifted on her feet and chewed on her lower lip.

“Final Destination 3 is coming out and I really wanna see it,” she shrugged, trying to act like she wasn't fussed but the blush on her cheeks told him otherwise. He’d never seen the movies but he knew about them. Shouldn't have been surprised she liked scary movies, although he was sure they wouldn't be his idea of scary.

“I’d uh… I‘d like that,” he admitted and instantly, her face lit up like the sun on a rainy day and he felt like he was free falling. 

“Great! I’ll check the times and stuff and let you know,” she beamed and he nodded, excitement curling low in his belly at the idea of going out with her.

“We could get food after… if you wanted,” he suggested and she nodded eagerly.

“Sounds like a plan to me,” she grinned.

“Charlotte!” The pair looked over as an older woman looked at her expectantly and Charlotte blew out a sigh, practically pouting at him.

“Gotta get back to work. I’ll bring your food out when it's done and don’t leave without saying bye, yeah?” she asked hopefully.

“Wouldn't dream of it, love,” he replied with an easy smile and she bit her lower lip with a smile before flitting off. He couldn’t help but watch every time she floated around the place, giving out food, taking orders, tidying tables. It didn't take too long before she made her way over to him with a large plate in her hands.

“Here you go, one steak,” she set it down in front of him. It looked fucking delicious and his mouth watered at the sight, his hunger making itself known tenfold. 

“Thanks, sweetheart,” he smiled up at her, making her smile back.

“You're very welcome,” she grinned before she was off again. 

He enjoyed his food, devouring it in a way that would put Charlotte to shame when she ate his bacon butties. Was one of the best steaks he’d ever fucking had and he made a note he needed to come here more often, not just for his girl. He was absolutely stuffed and leaned back in his chair, once again watching her easily move through the place. When she caught his eye, he gestured with his head and she hurried over to him.

“Take it you enjoyed it then?” she asked with a knowing smirk as she eyed his very empty plate.

“Was delicious. Compliments to the chef,” he murmured and she smiled to herself.

“I’ll let him know. He doesn’t get people bothering to thank him often so he’ll appreciate it. I’ll grab your bill for you,” she was off again with his plate and he watched her go behind the counter, grabbing his order ticket from where it was pinned up. She grabbed a pen from the counter and scribbled something onto it before making her way over. She set the receipt down on a tiny little plate and he picked it up, snorting a laugh as he read her little scribble.

‘Taste of Charlotte - £0 ;)’

Reading the total on the receipt, he grabbed the money from his wallet, making sure to leave her a tip as he put the money on the plate. He pocketed the receipt as he stood from his chair, grabbing the bag of jewellery that had been by his feet. Charlotte blinked up at him now he was towering over her and she gave him a pretty smile. He used his spare hand to cup her cheek and her eyes fluttered closed as he leaned down, his mouth brushing her ear.

“Hopefully I’ll get a better taste this Saturday, yeah?” he purred and smirked at her sharp intake of breath. He moved away just enough to eye her, watching how she flushed a deep pink, how her pupils dilated. Such a responsive little thing she was. 

He leaned in, capturing her lips without care for the audience. He couldn't help it, no one else mattered but her. She clutched his shirt, pressing herself closer to him as she kissed him back greedily and he had to hold back a moan, reminding himself they were in fact in public. At her place of work no less. He forced himself to pull away, didn't fancy having blue balls until this weekend. He had to wind his fucking neck in. She hummed softly, blinking those dazed eyes at him with a smile painted on her lips.

“Can I still call you later?” she asked and he tucked a stray piece of hair behind her ear.

“Be disappointed if you didn't, love,” he replied, stroking her cheek with his thumb before he reluctantly pulled away. 

“Talk to you later then,” she smiled and he nodded, pressing his lips to her forehead for good measure before he forced himself to leave. 

He felt an odd mix of feelings as he left the building. The same heaviness he felt the last time he’d left her, that crippling loneliness suddenly seizing him in a choke hold, but then there was excitement for what was to come. She wanted to see him again, asked him out. It felt like maybe it could go somewhere. that maybe it could be more than whatever this limbo was they were in currently. He felt like someone different, a wholly new man as he walked down the street with a stupid smile playing on his lips. He didn’t know who he was but he sure as shit didn’t feel like Simon fucking Riley.

[brawlite]

for the ask game (whichever ones you want to answer):

Top 5 vegetables

top 5 story ideas you wish you had time to write

top 5 places you’d like to visit

top 5 wtf moments your favorite OC got into

ugh i want to answer ALL of these, but the first is just so deeply compelling. i love veggies, so it's hard to pick, but i have done my best:

artichoke

gai lan

ramps

shishito peppers

lima beans

as for top 5 story ideas i wish i had some time to write, here are some longfic ideas i have floating around in my head. some i've had for over a real long time now. they're fun to toy with, to roll over in my mind until they're smooth like a river stone.

a babylon 5/mdzs crossover with telepaths and songxuexiao, with xue yang being a telepath who is on the run and song lan as a psi corps cop tasked with tracking him down.

a deeply intricate post ca:tws winterhawk story where clint is holed in in a safehouse somewhere and bucky hunts him down and asks for his help in exchange for information on phil coulson's whereabouts. loops in some early agents of shield stuff and is kind of an around-the-world casefic.

currently i'm toying with the idea of a x-files au where krycek runs into mulder in a bdsm club. some horrible things ensue.

a very strange omegaverse (i don't even really like omegaverse) fma:b au where roy is a late-presenting omega and edward is an alpha. i feel like this would mostly just be self-indulgent identity misery more than it would ever be porn.

i have a kylux scp!au partially written. i think about it sometimes, bc i love the vibe (no one is having a great time) and the universe (so spooky, so strange, so governmental) so much.

[ask me my top 5 anything]

[izayoizuki]

Mine To Keep Ch. 3

Pairing: Hangman x F!Mitchell!Reader

Because there is no uneventful night at the hard deck.

Warnings: small physical altercation, OC Villain is mean to reader, no specified race/physical descriptors for Reader, Reader can be read as 1/2 white because she is Mav's kid

Wordcount: ~3.7K

Previous Chapter || Masterlist || AO3 || The Receipts Universe

Mine To Keep Chapter 3: Homecoming

"Who was that?" Goose asked, a study in feigned nonchalance, as you slid into the front seat.

"An acquaintance? Honestly I'm not too sure, I just bumped into him, his callsign's Hangman." You fastened your seatbelt as the truck started up. "Anyway, what's got your knickers in a twist?" Thankfully the change in topic worked as his face twisted into a grimace. 

"It's about your Godmother..."

"What's wrong? Is everything ok?"

"It's fine it's fine, it's just, our anniversary is coming up, and you know...." You did know, your godfather was a romantic guy to begin with, absolutely crazy about his wife, and he felt extremely guilty about what his career choice had put her through - his words- that he went all out for every occasion that concerned her even remotely.

"Oh yeah... So what are you thinking?"

"Well, that's just it. I've been wracking my brain, but nothing is good enough. Well, that, or I've already done it. So I thought you could help me shop for a gift?" There was indecision in his voice that you rarely heard, and your heart went out to him. You laid a hand on his arm as he swung the truck into a parking lot.

"Of course we can do that! Did you have something particular in mind?" You asked as you both scanned for an empty parking space. It was then that a window display caught your eye. It had an around-the-world trip tableau set up, from the pyramids of egypt to the palaces of Japan and the hanging gardens of Babylon. It was tastefully, painstakingly done, likely by a fresh hire who still hadn't been crushed under the pressure of work, and it caused you to let out an involuntary, dreamy sigh.

"You say something?" Goose asked, still concentrating on circling for a space.

"Nah, it's nothing, just this window display of an around the world trip. I've always wanted to do that."

"You and Carole are two peas in a pod, you know that? She's spoken about those trips as well. In fact, I proposed to her in Florence, and we went to Grenoble for our honeymoon. Of course in those days the force was footing the bill..." he trailed off, reminiscing.

You let out another dreamy sigh. And then the most perfect idea struck you, and you grabbed his arm excitedly "Oh! Why don't you and Roro do the around the world trip?"

"Don't think we haven't considered it, kid," he chuckled light-heartedly, "but there's too many hoops to jump, with the whole work-leave thing and your Godmother's volunteering and-"

"Then what about just for a couple of weeks?" You countered, cutting him off in your excitement, "You could re-create your proposal and honeymoon! THAT could be your anniversary gift- I mean you should take her out to a nice dinner anyway- maybe a beach picnic? Me and rooster and dad could help arrange it of course!- but then the actual present could be the trip! And it'll be the off-season so you'll probably not face the huge crowds! Not to mention you'd save a bundle!"

Goose screeched to a stop in the middle of his nth circle, his eyes trained wide on you. A car honked behind him and it jolted him into response, but now he coasted without looking for a space, his gaze on you. "Could we? Do you think? But what about the dates? The time off work? Should I park in front of the travel agency?"

You shook your head decisively. "No. I can plan the trip better than the travel agent. About the dates..." You grabbed his little agenda book in the cupholder and thumbed through. Dutiful husband that he was, he had his wife's activities pencilled in too. "Roro has a couple of breather weeks, could you get your leave then?" You recited the dates to him and watched his face light up.

"Yeah, that's definitely doable!" He shot out of the parking lot from hell and onto the freeway, pulling the top down on his truck and putting his aviators on. "What do you say we have a pizza night?"

"I'd say it sounds perfect!" You grinned right back, and he pinched your cheek.

"What would I do without you punkin'? I know you won't believe me, but I'll tell you again, you're my kid. We just have you to Mav because he looked all lonely and miserable. And boy do I regret it."

"Oh, I do believe you Unca." you looked him dead in the eye. 

"Oh yeah?"

"Yeah! You're where I get my moustache from." You joked, waggling your eyebrows and crossing your eyes, and delighted in hearing his yowl of a laugh.

*****

As you loaded up the pizzas in the car, he spoke up. "How're you gonna book the trip? Should we hit an ATM?" He reached for his wallet.

“No,” You said as you hopped into shotgun. “I’ll put it on your Visa.”

Goose blinked. “Can you do that?”

You smiled at him serenely and focused on fastening your seatbelt.

“Hey, Punkin',” Goose shot you a glance. “If you ever turn to a life of crime, remember I was good to you. Punkin'?” But you just turned the dial up on the radio.

*****

"BULLSHIT!" Rooster cried out. The table had been cleared up and the slosh-click of the dishwasher could be heard throughout as you all sat, cards in one hand and coffee in the other, a half-eaten plate of cannolis sharing the centre with a stack of cards.

"Oh yeah?" Maverick asked, the picture of wounded indignation, as he upturned a pair of hearts on the table, "That's the tone you're gonna take with your Godfather? The one who fed you with his own two hands? The one who changed your diapers? The one who- no no, you gotta pick up 4, c'mon-" Rooster glared daggers as he picked the discarded cards up.

"Speaking of bullshit, Pumpkin over here- five diamonds- has been hanging out with Hangman." Goose informed helpfully, as he laid out his cards face down in the pile.

"I am not "hanging out"- five of- no Roo, it's not your turn! Caro look, Roo is bullying me! Five hearts!- I bumped into him."

"You were sharing a dessert." Goose replied, as he slapped Bradley upside the head.

"I was being nice!" Rooster snorted violently in response, rubbing his smarting skull, even as you indignantly continued, "I was! For heaven's sake, I don't even know the man's name!"

"And yet you were sharing a dessert with him." 

"It's Jake, sweetheart," Carole supplied helpfully, "Jake Seresin, I believe." She was met with an en masse stare. "What, you think I don't know all of my son's friends?" 

"He's not my friend." Bradley grumbled.

"He saved your life, sweetie," Carole petted Bradley's smarting head.

"He saved our lives." Rooster nudged his head into his mom's hand, amending his statement.

"Don't bring me into this." your dad replied, smartly slapping a couple of cards down.

"It's not your turn, old man! It's mom's!" Roo stuffed Mav's cards back at him. "And you say that as if you're not concerned."

"Listen, I am beyond concerned. But nothing I can say will do any good at this point. I'm just going to be ready with the Kleenex and Ben & Jerry's. You liked the one with that smug comedian's face, right?"

"Wow, your faith in me is astounding on so many levels." you rolled your eyes, kicking Rooster as he tried to peek at the ever-growing stack.

"It might be jubilant tears."

"It might be patricidal tears."

"Is that any way to talk to your father? The man who fruited you from his loins-" you gagged, "The man who put a roof over your head? Besides, why don't you get angry at Carole and Goose, they've been cheating this whole time!" Mav finished plaintively.

This time it was Carole's turn to slap someone upside the head, "Just play your cards, old man."

******

Rooster picked up his phone, hmming and ahhing as he ambled over to you, sticking the phone to your ear.

"Hi?"

"Hey, oh my god! I'm so glad I caught you in time!"

"Hey Natasha, I'm glad too! What's up?"

"Well we were having our girls' night tonight and we were hoping you could join us." Pleasure suffused you as you scrunched the phone between your cheek and shoulder, shooing Bradley away. They'd thought of you. You exercised admirable restraint in not climbing onto the kitchen counters and can-canning.

"Oh, are you sure?" Old reservations reared their head but you tamped them down.

"Of course we are! It'll be fun too! And Penny runs a tight ship at the hard deck so you can actually cut loose. Listen, I have to go, we'll meet up with you at seven?"

"Sounds good!" You said your goodbyes and let her go, mentally squealing with pure joy, even as you picked out what sundress you were going to wear.

"You going out with Phoenix and Halo?" Asked Rooster, who it turns out hadn't been shooed away far enough.

"Yeah, why?"

"Well, I know the way they order, so you may wanna go easy on the wrap." He grabbed a knife. "Here, I'll help you with that, I'll take half."

*****

Phoenix and Halo were even better company than you'd hoped. Phoenix turned out to be a big reader, and Halo and your music tastes aligned wonderfully, so the conversation came smooth and easy, and above all, it was fun. Bradley had also been right about the way the aviatrixes had ordered; you surveyed the very filled up table, and the massive dent in the portions, with no small amount of awe.

You'd been there a fair while when Bob, Fanboy, Coyote, Rooster and Hangman converged on your group. Hangman casually came to stand behind you as Rooster grabbed a stool and slid in between you and Halo, Bob doing the same on your other side, so that he was between you and Phoenix. Fanboy and Coyote had scooted in between Halo and Phoenix. The manoeuvre was so smooth it was like watching poetry in motion, but even more than that, it was the familiarity of it. As if they had been your friends all your life, as if this was routine, normal, casual, as if all these years, it wasn't just Bradley by your side with no time lost in the middle, but Hangman at your back just as he was now, close enough for his cologne to envelope you, his breath to fan ever so slightly at the top of your head, for his body heat to warm up the skin on your arms. It was homecoming. And you could have almost wept from the sheer comfort of it.

Even as you basked in the sudden wave of emotions, Halo groaned, bringing your zoning out to an end, "Why? One night guys, c'mon." 

"Not you Bob, you're fine." Phoenix said, pushing a plate towards him.

"Wow, favouritism much?" Hangman muttered, grabbing a fry over your shoulder, even as Rooster grumbled, and his arm outstretched by your face made your stomach drop, your skin overheat. You could feel downy arm hair- his downy arm hair- against your cheek, and you had tamp down a shiver from going through you- even as you wondered what the everloving hell was wrong with you, to go nuts over arm hair. This night was playing havoc with your emotions.

"Hey, I'd rather be over there myself." 

"Not like any of you to be shut out of a poker game this early." Natasha observed. Hangman shifted closer to your back to allow folks to pass by behind him and then stayed there. You could smell the starch in his shirt- lavender and laundry soap- and that pesky shiver was rearing its head again.

"The cards are a fickle mistress." Hangman's quip was directed at Phoenix, but he was looking straight down into your eyes, snake, meet charmer.

Bob snorted. "The cards have nothing to do with it. You have a tell, Bagman." 

"Oh yeah-" Jake's hand came to rest on your shoulder as he attempted to reach over with the other, a friendly feint, but Bob had dug into the proffered plate, cheeks chipmunking, and now spoke with his mouth half-full, cutting Jake off as he casually twisted out of his reach.

"So what were ya'll talking about?" he asked, directing the conversation back to you, and it struck you how gentlemanly Bob was. You wanted to adopt him. You compromised by giving him a big grin.

"We were just starting to tell her how we got our callsigns." Phoenix answered her backseater. 

"It was probably all lies," Fanboy ribbed.

"So what's your version of the story?" you asked.

"Well, Phoenix here managed to crash and burn every single time she went up during her first week-" Phoenix threw her napkin at him, "And Halo over here manages to be teacher's pet no matter what. That what they tell you?"

You subtly caught eyes with both women before turning back to Fanboy. "Well, they told it better, but yeah." you grinned, and you knew from the way Phoenix squeezed your hand that you'd answered right. "What about the rest of you all?"

Coyote started to answer, but was drowned out by an unwelcome voice.

"What do flying and my dick have in common?" Yeller called from across the far side of the tables, making his way to your group, and you stiffened under Jake's hand. Hangman clocked the change and moved even closer to you, a feat, giving your shoulder a squeeze. You breathed in the altered scent thanks to the fact that he was almost bent over you- now there was expensive perfume mixing in with the starch and soap- and sat ramrod straight.

"They're both hard for you." Yeller made eye-contact with Phoenix as he completed his both crude and demeaning punchline, trying to muscle his way into the circle of the group and failing. "What, no laughter? C'mon, I'm the funniest person I know."

"You must not know very many people then." The words flew out of your mouth before you could even think, a reflex, and the whole group cracked up at the unexpected comeback.

"Thought you weren't taking up the bet, Hangman." Yeller had venom in his voice as the laughter died down, "Didn't know you were into ugly bitches." You knew Hangman was going to move before he knew himself, somehow, though you shelved the thought to the back of your mind to examine later, and subtly pushed your shoulder back into him, grounding him, reminding him. Yeller wanted the reaction, and even though your time with him had been miniscule, you never ever wanted to give Yeller anything he wanted.

"Hey Yeller, what does it say about you that you can't even get those?" You called out instead. Once again, the words were out before you could really think, and you were faintly proud of being able to take care of yourself. Your pride came before a fall though, because that's when everything started to moved in slow motion. You saw Yeller go purple with rage, Yeller's friends push through the crowd, Penny reach for her bell, everyone at the table start to move, Yeller reach for an almost filled stein on a nearby table, Yeller arch out the liquid so that it drenched you from head to toe, Coyote and Fanboy forming a wall in front of Halo, Rooster and Hangman both reaching out to Yeller too late, far too late while Bob tried to push you and Phoenix behind him and you realised with a start that Bob wasn't as much of a puppy that he appeared at first glance, that he was built like a 6'1 stealth missile, even as Bob didn't realise you had caught hold of Rooster and Hangman's sleeves instinctively to hold them back because you knew the ramifications of infighting so that you were all a tangle of arms and heads, all of this like a collage of snapshots someone was searing onto your retinas. Your reaction was even slower. You sputtered, gasping from the cold of the stinking beer, the sticky, terrible feeling of your skin and clothes sticking, the public humiliation in the now-silent bar as your whole body heated up in embarrassment, and you looked up wild-eyed. You were going to cry very soon, but you held it in. You instead scanned till you found Yeller, who was bent over with an arm behind his back, courtesy of Hangman, and walked up to him, your steps measured, steady. You walked right up to him, and squaring your shoulders, knowing that this was probably not the best idea, but also knowing that if you didn't do this, you would regret it your whole life, you socked him on the jaw.

Apparently this had been the right move, because Yeller had a glass jaw and went down like a tonne of bricks, taking the stein in his hand with him. 

It was as if the shatter of the beer mug was a cue in a play, and everyone unfroze. Coyote, and Fanboy picked Yeller up and threw him out, Halo went up to Penny to settle group's tab, Phoenix came to you and draped her jacket over your shoulders and Rooster informed you he was bringing his bronco to the front, as Bob gathered your stuff and walked with Rooster, presumably to cool him off. You were glad for it, because you didn't know what exactly you should be doing now. So it was a mercy when Hangman's arm came around you, his hand gripping your farside arm, shepherding you out into the parking lot. You walked out the door and let it shut behind you, the noise cutting away instantaneously, now a muffled faraway made-up-for-tv seeming sound, and it was only you and Hangman and the night sky and the million stars and the still still cars.

It was Hangman who broke the silence.

"Sorry," he said, his arm leaving yours to scratch at the base of his skull, and you missed his heat immediately. You could tell that he was, oddly enough, taking responsibility for the whole scene, battling guilt.

"What for?" You asked, puzzled.

"Huh?" He seemed startled, as if he had expected you to blame him as well. "Well, for that-" he jerked his head in the direction of the bar, and you shook your head, trying to make sense.

"What part of that was your doing?" You asked him gently, and now it was his turn to shake his head. "I should thank you," you laughed softly, and his head jerked up, his eyes trained on your face, "For holding him so still."

"Wha- oh. Yeah." He hung his head, scratching the back of his head again, "Yeah, you pack quite a punch huh?" He laughed a small laugh, but you could tell his heart wasn't in it.

"Oh come onnnn, what's with the aw-shucks-i'm-just-a-humble-farmer routine? Where's my Hangman? I want him back!" You demanded, and that seemed to be the key, because his eyes caught yours and stayed caught, drilling into you, some kind of dark heat in them that had warmth blooming in your chest despite your physical state and you didn't know when the both of you had moved this close to each other but-

A large honk sounded from the Bronco and you both jumped, landing further apart than you initially were as headlights highlighted you in the pitch night.

"C'mon, I'm dropping you home, I've got all your stuff!" Rooster called out, dangling your purse from his fingertips like he was showing off a hostage.

"In a minute!" You called back, already starting to turn towards the truck.

"Hey, listen-" Hangman started to reach out, his fingertips to your arm, before jamming his hands into his pockets like he'd been singed. You had no time to read into the gesture because he started speaking again. "Listen, I know the evening didn't go the way-"

"You thought the evening was going to go a way?" You accidentally cut him off in your amusement, and he just shrugged good-naturedly, and you realised what you'd done and spoke up again. "I had a fun time," you assured him.

"Oh come off it," he scoffed.

"No, I'm serious, the whole evening was really nice and even the end it was kinda...", You were picking and choosing your words very carefully, "cool." You finished.

"Cool, huh?" His mouth tipped up in one corner and you felt yourself heat up.

"Listen, how about this," he said earnestly, "Come to beach tomorrow."

"The beach?"

"Yeah, we have this thing..." 

"Thing?"

"It's complicated, I'll explain the rules as we go. Just wear something you don't mind burning up."

"I don't like the sound of this."

"Just... Trust me, ok?" And the utter contriteness in his voice, his obvious need to make this better that he couldn't keep out, even though he'd done nothing to warrant it, had you nodding.

"Ok. But I better have fun."

"Bet on it." He grinned.

*****

The ride to the house had been silent, and you'd both trooped over to your house, or rather, Rooster had fun doing his frog-marchy bit with you. Sometimes you thought he'd rather like to put you in a duvet cover and fling you about again, but you weren't going to test your theory. Instead, you let yourself be shoved into the bathroom with a "You stink," as if Rooster hadn't made this amply clear with the way he'd spread out towels on the shotgun seat. When you came out though, warmed and lotioned and smelling exponentially better than when you'd gone in, and wearing your softest sleeping t-shirt, you were willing to forgive him, because on your bedside sat a big bowl of ice cream and the TV switched on and frozen on the opening shot of "You've Got Mail". You grinned to yourself as you slid between your sheets. You'd always had a special spot for the movie. You didn't know why.

***

tagging: @therebeccaw @imjess-themess @blue-aconite @dempy @bluboop

[mybodyisaflowerbed]

wip intro ; as said the whore of babylon

this wip is an absolute beloved of mine and is based on an rp between me and my bestie Ceejay. i will be introducing all of the OCs but will specify which ones are theirs bc they make some damn good characters that i cannot take credit for lol

about!

genre(s) •/ contemporary, romance, lgbt+, drama

setting •/ modern day, primarily in the united states

overall goal •/ at least one main story + various side stories

target age range •/ 18+, not at all intended for minors

content warnings •/ strong language, sexual and otherwise suggestive content, substance use, drug/alcohol abuse and addiction, past abuse, past sa, past miscarriage + infant death, potentially more.

summary!

As Said the Whore of Babylon (frequently abbreviated as AStWoB) is an American metalcore band from Los Angeles, California. Formed in 2019 by Rhiannon Wolfe and Jezebel Eiden-Desmond, its current lineup comprises Wolfe, Reed Meadows, Joel Talley, Poetry Dorian, and Corbin Kreery.

Omen Brokebone is one year out of a hellish marriage when she's contacted by Selene Mabins - talent manager for a band called As Said the Whore of Babylon - with an invitation to join their crew as a makeup artist. Working to make a new life and a name for herself, Omen accepts. She doesn't expect to meet Reed Meadows again. And she certainly doesn't expect to fall in love with him and his bandmates.

the babylons!

• Omen Brokebone (she/he/they) •/ Not a Babylon (yet), but as cherished as any of their crew members - and then some, as you'll learn. A self-taught makeup artist and a childhood friend of Reed's. Belongs to Ceejay.

• Rhiannon Wolfe (she/her) but you really should just call her Wolfe •/ The lead vocalist. First rose to fame with her last band at only 18 years old due to her remarkable skill.

• Reed Meadows (he/him) •/ The lead guitarist. Has never been in a band before AStWoB but still took to it like a fish to water. A childhood friend of Omen's, though he hasn't spoken to her in 8 years.

• Joel Talley (he/him) •/ The drummer, though he's skilled with guitar, bass, piano, keyboard, and vocals. Also a songwriter and self-taught producer. He is much more humble about his skills than one would assume.

• Poetry Dorian (he/she), or Poe •/ The bassist. Youngest child of a beautiful and famous Italian actress, but much less conventional than his family. Autistic and goth.

others you should know!

• Jessamine Meadows (she/her) •/ Reed's 11-year-old daughter, born when he was just 16. Feisty and a little mean, but adores her father and has easily accepted the rest of the band as her parents.

• Daxton "Dax" Coffin (he/him) •/ Wolfe's 9-year-old son, born when she was 17. Raised by his father. Has not met the band and only sees Wolfe a few times a month.

• Villanelle Dorian (she/her) •/ The 5-year-old daughter of Poe and her ex-wife, Aamirah Akmal Dorian. Currently living in Washington with her mother, but is due to live with Poe soon.

• Jezebel Eiden-Desmond (she/her) •/ Former guitarist for AStWoB (now the vocalist of The Womb That Devours) and best friend of Corbin. Considers the band to be her unbiological family. Randal's soulmate, though she doesn't know that yet.

• Randal Denvers (he/him) •/ Omen's cousin. A mechanic and for-fun bassist. Jezebel's soulmate, though he doesn't know that yet. Belongs to Ceejay.

+ everyone's families... let's just say; it's a lot of family.

[theramblingsofadork]

🍒🧣🐞for rivet?

🍒 (cherries) - Does your character have a best friend? How long have they known each other? What do they like most about each other? How did they meet?

Rivet’s best friend would probably be Cello or Rouge.

— Cello and Rivet go way back to their competition days, and despite their differences, have kept in touch over the years and talk regularly.

Cello knows how much Rivet cares about people, and wants to protect her from the vile ones who don’t deserve her time of day, while Rivet appreciates that she can always expect Cello to be honest.

After all, the firefly tends to see things as they are, and will always be straightforward to Rivet if she thinks she’s veering off course. Rivet may not always appreciate her brutal honesty, but she does listen.

— Rouge on the other hand, meets Rivet when she’s brought in to assist the Restoration by Sonic. She likes the cat’s spark and has fun talking to her, happy as well that she’s an older lady like herself.

Despite Rivet’s initial aloofness due to her going through some darkness at the time, Rouge didn’t let that deter her, and even joked that she’d ‘fit right in with another grumpy hedgehog’ she knows.

Rivet appreciates Rouge’s charm and sass, (Gotta love some good sass!) and her willingness to listen when she inevitably breaks down about everything that led her here.

She also often relies on her wellspring of knowledge about things she doesn’t have much experience with. (Like makeup and fancy gifts for dates!)

The two now meet up whenever time allows to sit down and gossip about life and guy troubles. ✨

—

🧣(scarf) - What comforts your oc? Is it an item? An action? A person? Whatever it is, how and why does it comfort them?

Although she can hold things together fairly well, when Rivet does need comfort, she tends to want to be close to/hug/snuggle a loved one. The warmth and presence of another being puts her right at ease and can calm her down from pretty much anything.

It’s a deeply rooted behavior that harkens allllll the way back to her earliest moments of childhood.

When Charge hugged her close, barely aware of his own existence as a wee kitten. Subconsciously sharing his energy with his struggling sister to help her live when their parents feared she wasn’t going to make it.

She doesn’t remember the event personally… but it left an imprint.

—

🐞 (ladybug) - What does a perfect day look like for your oc? What do they do? Who do they see?

Perfect day.. Hmm…

Rivet would say waking up with the sun coming in through the window, lying next to Starline would be a great start.

Maybe followed by a hearty breakfast and a day of racing where she can test and push her newly upgraded gear to it’s limits.

It’d be even better if she beats the Babylon Rogues in said race, before then going to have outside dinner with all her friends while watching the sunset.

…There are some days too though when lying in bed all day or working with Starline in the lab is perfect too. 💖

[coarsely]

❌💛🌀 from the jumbo oc asks, for whichever oc you want :)

❌ - What kind of things would end any relationship for them? Is there a history behind why these things bother them? Could they ever take someone back despite this? If so or if not, why?

answered over here, but I'll also answer it for Hendrix and Diomede, considering their document is open right now! Hendrix has few taboos, so it takes a lot to end things outright in that sense. He's also a fairly obsessive person with the people he loves and gets close to, which adds another layer to things, because he gets so involved emotionally he can ignore what some might consider red flags. He is however, strangely politically well-read for a man who lives in a slowly rotting tanker, so I suppose those perspectives would be a potential relationship ender. He takes a real issue with individualism as a political ideology and anything that surpresses people's right to democracy, etc etc. He's such a firm believer in community strength and values (I would describe him as politically Marxist, socially Hedonist) that individualist lines of thinking just aren't compatible, and that's something that could end a relationship. As with a lot of things with Hendrix though, it can also really depend on the mood you catch him in, because one day's unforgivable ethical difference is another day's interesting and invigorating debate. Diomede is complex. Historically, he's only been in a handful of relationships, and all of those were with members of the Vagor, the nomadic group of weaponsmiths he belongs to. In those there was always an understanding that their dedication to each other was secondary to their dedication to the rest of the Vagor and their community, as is part of their teachings. Now that he's been exiled, I think aside from like, basic moral stuff of "don't hurt children, don't abuse animals, don't torture people", he really doesn't have all that much he'd have major issues with because he's never been in a relationship without the guidelines of the Vagor's teachings as a general moral and ethical framework. He has to learn for himself what his personal boundaries are, now that the framework of the Vagor has been removed.

💛 In general, how in control of their emotions is your OC? Do they have a good hold on them or do their emotions control them, not the other way around? What do you think is the reason behind this and is your OC ever concerned about their lack of or good control?

Hendrix has untreated and undiagnosed (no medical services in Nod) bipolar disorder so his grasp is Poor, to say the least. Generally, his emotions control him, although that's not to say he can't be extremely calculating and logical at times, it's just that it really depends on the situation and mood. He's used to obeying most of his whims and impulses, and damn the consequences, because who is going to stop him? Not himself, that's for sure. He's vaguely aware of his own instability and recklessness, but he doesn't feel majorly inclined to change this, partially because it's all he's ever known, partially because so long as he's having fun, who really cares? Diomede works a lot to be in control of his emotions. Being the leader of the Vagor for so long, he couldn't let his feelings affect the good of the whole community, and even after his exile that is a mentality he has in the back of his mind. However, since being exiled and not having so many people relying on him, Diomede has found that his emotions feel stronger and are more difficult to resist, and certainly he has obeyed some more impulsive whims than he would have done with the Vagor, like seeking revenge or the like.

🌀 Where is your OC from? Where were they born? Do they still live there, if not why did they move? If they still live in the area how has it changed since their childhood? How many places has your OC lived in and where has been their favourite?

Hendrix has lived in Neo-Babylon all his life, and remembers life before the nuclear power plant blew up shortly after the time bomb was dropped on Rhapsody. He was born to a surprisingly wealthy family, but separated from them due to his general delinquent behaviour as a youth, and his anti-establishment inclinations. This cumulated when his family left to enter Prydam, a heavily protected enclosure built to separate the wealthy Neo-Babylonians from the poor, and destoryed the bridge connecting it to the rest of the city behind them. Over time as he lived there, his body began to mutate from radioactive exposure like many in Neo-Babylon. It was around this time when he started getting into pirate lore and stories, and when his body start to grow shells and coral and his skin became vaguely squid-like and his body changed to house tentacles, he took that as a sign, and moved with many other aquatic-themed mutated people into one of the giant old boats that was part of the Neo-Babylon shipping economy before society collapsed. He really likes it there, living his dream a pirate captain of the seas, even if he isn't actually going anywhere. Diomede was born in the wild, to his Vagor parents. The Vagor are nomadic, and travel all around Nod, so he never had a particular home in terms of place, but rather in terms of people. He's been essentially on the move all his life, and gets angsty if he starts staying in one place too long. He doesn't mind having familiar areas he comes back to, but one home? Forget it.