#updates will be on a03 but i don't mind talking about things here

[justoneday-namjoonii]

hi! if you like fantasy/action/adventure/romance, my original story For Blood to Flame is up on a03 ~

[fertilize-my-eggs]

Craving for your love ch.2

Last night.

A03 ch.1

A/n: this one just what happened last night but with tomura's pov, I apologize to everyone that have been waiting for me to update my fanfic's chapters don't worry, I'll work on it. It's take a bit longer for me since I tend to get busy and struggle with my mental health. I hope y'all enjoy this chapter.

tw: tomura shigaraki lick your foot when you step on glass so you can skip this chapter.

Shigaraki’s pov.

“ ugh why are we coming here for again? ” I cross my arms as toga and dabi drag me into an area that wasn't vampire but for humans.

“ aww tomura-kun don't you wanna taste some blood, it'll be good for you!! ” I rolled my eyes at her as we had casual clothes.

“ wouldn't they care about our outfits since it's not model.. ”

Dabi puffed out smoke as he chuckled at my question.

“ relax mophead, they won't care about it, they'll think we're goth people as long as you don't cost a scene. ” I groan out as we're heading to the bar.

“ I hope there cute boys in this bar, I wanna drink their blood~! ” 

Dabi shakes her shoulder.” don't wander off crazy, you don't want people to go hunt us down. ” toga sticks her tongue out as she growls at him.

“ don't call me that, I'll murder you bitch… ” I sigh softly from their petty argument as we reach the bar, there were a good handful of people waiting in line, it is a good thing that dabi can use his magic to manipulate them into letting us in.

We don't need ID as humans do, the inside definitely… smell… bad but there was a scent.. it's smell irresistible, I felt like my mind wanted to find it look for it…

I bit my lips as toga went off to who knows what as dabi chuckled as he decided to get a random girl that he saw, I felt awkward.

I don't know what to do in a club filled with humans but the scent is definitely calling for me.

I follow the scent as it gets stronger each time and I finally spotted a woman.. She was dancing freely with a drink in her hand as she danced with her friend.

I don't know this feeling, it's odd.. I remember father was talking about this could this be..

My eyes widened as I felt this dread as I grip my cloak, this can't be… it's too soon. I felt like my knees were weak, I felt like my body was somehow getting hot by the minute.

Yes… father talked about this, it was a mating scent, those who experience this will be mates for life and it's rare for a vampire to find love these days but falling in love with a human?!? It's impossible.. I can't help this feeling like I'm drawn to her, I want to feel you.

Your scent, the smell of your blood is intoxicating, it is luring, I crave you... I crave your attention, I need to sink my fangs into your flesh and make you mine.

No one can have you, my sweet darling.

My mind is made up, I crave you, need you right now.

I watch from a distance as I see you dancing with the people.

How can I be love?! Father talks about how he met mother at royal ball but this is how I'll meet my lover? At a cheap nasty bar filled with disgusting human beings but you're different, you're special.

You're not like other human beings.. maybe it's the scent that drives me crazy, I want to mate you, give you all of my love to you.. put my cock deep inside of you until you're full and round…

Shit… I can't be thinking that while there are people around, relax tomura relax. I need to calm down and wait for the right moment.

I sat on the table that isn't far but close by, you look…. A bit sad judging by you, the facial expression says it all. You were heading back to the table when your friends were hanging out and drinking their hearts away.

I want to puke from the smell of human beings. Why did they drag me into this… but then again I wouldn't be able to see you again and have that… interesting smell of yours.

I sigh dreamily as I watch a group of guys coming up to your group one by one, you were the last one left and look lonely by yourself.

Should I… ask you to dance, I feel nervous in my core and want to so badly.

But suddenly you were getting up and getting ready to leave, I see you had a chat with your friends as you head out.

This is my que to follow you, I need to know where you're going.

I was a bit far away but I was definitely close to you out of curiosity, fully interested in you.

Then I saw you fell clumsy by you taking your heels off and landing on your butt, I want to chuckle out, you're actually adorable like this.

“ ouch…. I should of called a taxi.. ” I hear you mumble softly as you rubbed the lower area, I couldn't help but get turned on by this and want to take you already.

So I spoke softly. “ What are you doing sitting alone darling? ”  this spooked you as you were looking around as if you didn't see me, are you trying to look for me? How cute.

I climbed onto the building and stood on the roof above to see you getting uncomfortable by no one around at night time.

I want to chuckle at you, you're too cute like this. It's kinda hot stalking you as prey.

I lick my lips as I watch you head into the alleyway.

You were scared and looking around, aww you are looking for me how cute.

Then I hear you scream out in pain as I got concerned about you, you had your foot step on glass. 

I spoke again.“ aww you poor thing. Do you need help? ”  The smell was getting stronger by you losing blood as I lick my lips.

“ you're losing blood… mhmm you smell so sweet. "Then I couldn't take it anymore as I jumped down in front of you as my bright growing red eyes stared at you, you're so beautiful up close.

The fear and the smell is so intoxicating, I can't control myself any minute.

“ what? Cat got your tongue darling~ …..” I chuckle lowly as I come towards you, you look like a frightened deer and unable to move as I grab your chin to pull you closer to me as I whisper softly.

“ Let me drink your blood sweet girl~.” I used my magic to cause you to fall asleep as I'm ready to sink my fangs into your skin.

But… I can't mate with you right now, biting the neck is a mating ritual for vampires so I have to wait until you're fully awake and ready to accept me as your mate for life.

But… there is a problem… you're a human, you wouldn't be living eternity like myself, I was thinking about the things. I remember my father was talking about how some vampires can turn humans into a vampire like them by a ritual or something like that.

I sigh heavily as I pull you closer to smell your scent, you smell so good.

I just want to take you and make you mine.

Your body limps as I am careful putting you on the wall as I pull your blooding foot towards me, this will do for now.

I begin to blush as I look at your sleepy form, so cute and innocent.

I lick the foot softly as I groan out, you taste good too. The blood tastes just how I imagine you would be. Sweet and tasty.

Once I finished cleaning your foot, the cut disappeared as I licked my lips.

Now where do you live since I need to drop you off safely so no creepy take you.

I look for anything that is interesting as I found your ID card in your small bag.

I read it as I found where you live, I picked you up and put you over my shoulder as I looked for the address. 

I found the address, it was a small house that looked cozy and warm.

“ Is this where you live sweetie? ” I tilt my head as I hear your soft snoring, I'll take that as a yes.

I opened the window that was actually your living room, I'm being careful not to hurt you while inside the home.

It looks so nice and peaceful here, the quiet silence in the house as I look for your room.

Once I found your room, I put your body down as I put my fingers on my mouth.

Should I leave you like this or put fresh clothes on you, you probably would be uncomfortable with a tight dress like that.

I looked for your clothes as I found some baggy shirts and shorts.

I quickly removed your clothes but keeping your underwear for later, I need this…

I started to feel my cheeks getting hot just by removing your underwear and fully naked in front of me, so… beautiful.

I can't… I can't be alone with you, my animal instinct wants you so bad. I sigh heavily as I leave you with comfortable clothes on.

I need to leave immediately, I can't be near you.

“ I'll come back soon, any minute I'll take you away and make you my wife and queen.. ” I caressed your cheek as I had a soft smile.

I lean in to give you a light hearted kiss as I sigh softly.

I'll miss you but I'll be coming back once it gets dark again.

I left through the window as I transformed into a bat flying away from your house to my home land.

Hopefully both toga and dabi come back home like they always do, I'm pretty sure they can handle themselves in the wild.

[velmashaircut]

Here is a list of subreddits I don't like because this week is my six year anniversary on reddit. I should say I don't mind the subreddit itself, but I don't like it's members. Also I would like to say I'm not adding subreddits to this list out of spite due to being banned or because I lost an argument to someone on there.

opmfolk: most people on this subreddit dislike the changes made in the manga, which is fine. I agree with a lot of things they say. I dislike the sub because of the awful attitude they have; they act like Murata killed their kids because of the changes to the plot that began to appear in the MA arc. I don't know if ONE is also behind the changes, but if he is, no one on that sub thinks he should be blamed for it.

It's ironic the people on that sub hate the long breaks in between the releases of the manga chapters because it delays the plot, but seldom complain about the lack of updates in the webcomic, how many years has it been since the current webcomic arc began? They say Murata has gotten lazy and checked out of the series, but by their own logic, they should be saying that about ONE (I don't think either of them have).

I think too many of the members of the sub are bias and throw around childish insults, so that's why they're on the list. The concept of the subreddit is fine. I bet a lot of them will change their minds when the chapters they talk about hating get animated.

ao3: I like to start off by saying I read and write fanfiction. I think people on this subreddit are hypocrites, they love to preach 'don't like, don't read' but cannot keep the same energy themselves. Many posts in this sub consist of users screenshotting sections of fanfictions or fanfic blurbs or whatever just to complain about how they hate how it was written or when authors do this particular thing in their writing and so on. Going out of your way to take a screenshot of someone else's work to go complain about it in an echo chamber doesn't sound like 'don't like, don't read' to me. The users would go batshit insane if someone did that to them.

The sub also have a prevalent us vs them mentality, mostly towards tiktok fanfiction readers. They say they're more cliquey and rude, but I don't think the subreddit is any better in that regard, they love to dogpile just as much as tiktok ff readers. The A03 subreddit love to say 'I'm too old for drama!' yet there are always posts about them being caught up in drama in their respective fandoms.

They are also easily offended or seem to assume the worst out of comments. It’s so bad, some users post the comments they want to send to the author so the people of the subreddit can approve if it’s suitable or not, and they are often told to bulk up the praise. And if the writers of the sub themselves do receive a hate comment or a comment that isn’t overly positive, they feel the need to make a post to discuss it too. You can just block and move on if you're that upset. If you're not grovelling, their whole world falls apart. A lot of writers don't want interaction, but endless praise. I feel like many of them forget that readers do not owe them kudos, comments/ save. Writers can choose whether or not they want to publish their works, but readers can also choose whether or not they want to comment or kudos their fanfic.

They also humble brag by asking questions like ‘my fic has been up an hour and has 200 kudos, is that good??’ Like come onnn.

BridgertonNetflix: This applies to the smaller subreddits are created for the main couples. The Para social relationships on these subs are outrageous. So many of these people don't realise acting is a job, the way people reacted to Simon's actor leaving the show was wild, the actor still gets flack for it years later. I don't see what the issue is - his season was over, and he wouldn't have had a prominent enough role in future seasons to stick around. Loads of fans were upset because they blamed him for the lack of Daphne's appearances in S2 and her no show in S3, but you should get more mad at the writers if anything for not being able to write scenes where Daphne makes appearances without Simon, it shouldn't be that hard to do since the Bridgerton's are her family, not his. The hatred towards Simons actor is so unnecessary, and the snarky comments fans make about Anthony's actor being able to still appear despite his various projects are stupid as well. Anthony is head of the family, and the show is about his siblings, its expected that he's in every season. The same does not apply to Simon, it's not hard to understand.

Other weird para social relationships include the protagonists of Queen Charlotte - like stop shipping real people who are in their own relationships together. Beyond disrespectful and the fans made it seem like it was appropriate?

However, what I hate most about this subreddit are the Kate and Kantony stans, which sadly, most people in the subreddit are. You can make a post about how, despite all the excuses the show throws at you, Kanthony were still in the wrong for having an affair under Edwina's nose, or god forbid, point out that Kate is not perfect, and people in the comments will call you racist, sexist, trying to create discourse, having a vendetta against the actress...and multiple posts pop up to defend Kate. I wish I was joking but I've seen this happen multiple times, it happened today actually. A line her stans love to use is 'here we go again' when someone makes a post about disliking Kate, but if someone said that about the endless Kate appreciation posts they would accuse of creating a hate brigade. There's a reason why only so many posts about Kanthony get locked...their fans are crazy.

Any UK subreddits: So xenophobic and racist. This could political UK subreddits or casual ones - all are influenced by politics in some way which is annoying. I dread reading the comments on these subreddits but I still end up doing it. These subreddits usually have articles attached to the posts, but everyone in comments they're dumbass opinions based on the rage bait title instead of reading the articles contents. The jokes are so unfunny too.

Unpopular opinions: I've said this before but they just hate women, so many posts are like 'women are superficial' 'women online are awful' but one post making the same generalisation towards men and suddenly its 'not all men are like this' and ''sexist'.

Most unpopular opinions are not unpopular either, or are just factually incorrect. People use the upvoting system wrong here too, you're meant to upvote unpopular opinions, but basic and tame popular opinions tend to mostly be the most upvoted.

Sixth form and uni subreddits: I find the people on these subs annoying because many of these people worship STEM and look down on humanities subjects. Many people on these subreddits also believe any uni which isn't Oxbridge or a Russel group uni is awful. And I'm saying that as someone who does stem at a Russel group. For the uni subreddit especially, everyday there's a post where someone is upset they failed a year of university or got caught cheating and want a way to get out of trouble, but upon reading the post, you realise its 100% their own fault they failed. Like come on bro. I don't like other uni students at my university so I think I project my hatred and insecurities onto the subreddit.

[sirdeath41412]

important ♡

important also DRINK WATER AND EAT FOOD PLEASE LOVE ALL OF YOU DEARLY AND THIS WORLD NEEDS YOU I PROMISE ASKS ARE OPEN READ WHAT I WILL WRITE Send Asks to my inbox so i can tell you if I do that Fandom

ok so uh this is just an update post/information post

Names I go by SirDeath, Death, or Toby

what pronouns do I use? He/him or they/them GO FOLLOW @thevioletcobra SHE WRITES AND DRAWS AMAZING ^_^

Who am I? I am a writer I sometimes do art(don't have any rn), and I don't mind giving rec fics uh and I do take fic recs you may want me to write

whos like family to me on this site: @the-ethereal-grave-doctor, @ghostlypest,(more will be added please go follow them tho)

So i will write characters: Sun/Moon, Ticci Toby, Laughing Jack, BEN Drowned, Jeff The Killer, Willliam Afton, Springtrap, Billy Loomis, Stu Macher Michael Myers, Jason Voorhees, Ghost Rider(Johnny Blaze), Seto Kaiba, Remus Sanders, Virgil Sanders, Patton Sanders(more will be added)

pairings: i can write any just if i cannot i will tell you up front.

i do not write incest, piss or scat kink, under age characters, i will not write a fem!Reader

will I write with others? yes I would love to have friends who would listen to me go crazy over my ocs and stories, I do have friends like that on here just a few, if you want to write with me ask and give details then I will dm you or give an answer in the ask

A03 name: SirDeath41412

Link for Daycare Attendant's Caretaker: https://www.tumblr.com/sirdeath41412/709652155997519872/ask-me-anything-please-im-bored-spam-me-with?source=share

my blog is about helping others and whatever I feel like reblogging this is just me being me.

What's the point of this blog you may ask or wonder well, I like to help others and I like to help talk people through things the best I can I'm still learning but of course, I'm here to help.

what do I do with my free time? I rp and chat with friends if you wanna chat or rp I'm here just ask first then tell me what ya wanna rp in the ask please so I can see if I can

I have a character I play who is not a snotty a dude just here, haha, he's very formal while the writer is well C H A O S

[ticcitoby7666]

important ♡

important also DRINK WATER AND EAT FOOD PLEASE LOVE ALL OF YOU DEARLY AND THIS WORLD NEEDS YOU I PROMISE ASKS ARE OPEN READ WHAT I WILL WRITE Send Asks to my inbox so i can tell you if I do that Fandom

ok so uh this is just an update post/information post

Names I go by SirDeath, Death, or Toby

what pronouns do I use? He/him or they/them GO FOLLOW @thevioletcobra SHE WRITES AND DRAWS AMAZING ^_^

Who am I? I am a writer I sometimes do art(don't have any rn), and I don't mind giving rec fics uh and I do take fic recs you may want me to write

whos like family to me on this site: @the-ethereal-grave-doctor, @ghostlypest,(more will be added please go follow them tho)

So i will write characters: Sun/Moon, Ticci Toby, Laughing Jack, BEN Drowned, Jeff The Killer, Willliam Afton, Springtrap, Billy Loomis, Stu Macher Michael Myers, Jason Voorhees, Ghost Rider(Johnny Blaze), Seto Kaiba, Remus Sanders, Virgil Sanders, Patton Sanders, Alastor, Vox(kinda), Lucifer(Hazbin Hotel), (more will be added)

pairings: i can write any just if i cannot i will tell you up front.

i do not write incest, piss or scat kink, under age characters, i will not write a fem!Reader

will I write with others? yes I would love to have friends who would listen to me go crazy over my ocs and stories, I do have friends like that on here just a few, if you want to write with me ask and give details then I will dm you or give an answer in the ask

A03 name: SirDeath41412

Link for Daycare Attendant's Caretaker: https://www.tumblr.com/sirdeath41412/709652155997519872/ask-me-anything-please-im-bored-spam-me-with?source=share

my blog is about helping others and whatever I feel like reblogging this is just me being me.

What's the point of this blog you may ask or wonder well, I like to help others and I like to help talk people through things the best I can I'm still learning but of course, I'm here to help.

what do I do with my free time? I rp and chat with friends if you wanna chat or rp I'm here just ask first then tell me what ya wanna rp in the ask please so I can see if I can

I have a character I play who is not a snotty a dude just here, haha, he's very formal while the writer is well C H A O S

[rose-red-ink]

Intro Post

Hi there, I'm rose-red-ink, but you can call me Inky! I'm a writer, and a lover of all things nerdy. I'm also an elementary teacher, so I reblog education stuff occasionally. Feel free to drop into my dms or asks if you want to chat about fandom, fic, or anything else!

This is a writing blog where I write lots of things including anime and Star Wars fic, as well as original projects. I'll be dropping links to them and dropping a short summary below. Enjoy your stay, and again, I always enjoy asks and engagement! Come talk to me (I don't bite I promise)

Original Works

My Original WIP is tagged with #theartemiscovenant or #theartemisproject or just #TAC. I don't have a lot of it posted, but I'm happy to chat about it whenever.

It's an urban fantasy thriller about faith, trauma, familial love, and working through your mental illness to become a better person. The protagonist is the holder of the Artemis Covenant, Riley, and there are other "god" characters such as Hades, Persephone, Apollo, Hermes and Demeter, as well as other supernatural creatures like werewolves.

Fanfiction

Everything under here can be found on my A03

If you send in an ask for anything I write, I'd happily drop you a drabble. Just ask!

Star Wars

Force Mandated Bottle Episode (Sequels Rewrite, including Reylo) Ongoing, updated every Saturday

Related Web Weaving

When Finn and Poe escape from the First Order ship, Kylo Ren takes off after them. When both ships are damaged, they crash on Jakku, right into the Star Destroyer that Rey is scavenging from.

Finn is longing for freedom while unable to escape the thoughts of those he left behind. Poe is determined to be the most annoying hostage possible to his old surrogate brother. Kylo is trying to survive Poe while being plagued with curiosity; who is the woman he keeps hearing at the edges of his mind? And new powers are awakening in Rey, powers that seem to be the source of the visions of a strange man in black, exploring the same wreckage, just out of her reach.

Choices will be made, loyalties tested, and bonds forged. Where will they go when they emerge from the wreckage?

One Piece

Featherflower (Dracule Mihawk X OC) Completed

A Kuja named Teria is forced to leave Amazon Lily, and finds herself a home aboard the Red Force, working under the Red Haired Shanks. This puts her face to face with a mysterious swordsman several times. The two form a connection, and eventually, love blooms.

This one is done, but I still write mini fics for them as the inspo strikes.

The Punk and the Surgeon: Lawka (Trafalgar D. Water Law x OC) Ongoing

Law's ship needs repairs, and the only place to do so is said to be haunted. Instead of a ghost or spirit, he meets Aika; a stubborn, kind young woman who's doing her best to keep her family safe. Through a series of tragic circumstances, she finds her way onto his crew, and into his heart.

Cards and Pieces: Freyce (Portgas D. Ace x OC) Ongoing

In his time as captain of the Spade Pirates, Ace drunkenly stumbles across a young woman with a strong spirit, a need for connection, and a loyalty that burns brighter than the sun. She becomes his first mate, and stands by his side through everything.

Jujitsu Kaisen

Candy and Catastrophes (Bluebird) (Satoru Gojo x OC) Ongoing

Natori is wildly thrown into the world of jujitsu sorcery when her cursed technique manifests, leaving her confused and scared. Satoru Gojo steps in, promising to hide her identity from her clan and to give her a job at Jujitsu High, masquerading as a window. He gets more than he bargained for when attraction begins to stir between the two.

(This fic is focused on character development, fluff, and hurt/comfort. It will go off the course of canon for these reasons)

[honeybummer]

I'm slowly, but surely, updating my Mandalorian fic. Mando <> fem oc "Beauty and the Bounty Hunter" on A03 Chapter 5 "Under Fire" Lil snippet below:

Mando navigated the speeder through the dim, winding streets of Chandrila's less frequented district. The buildings loomed tall and narrow, their facades a patchwork of grime and faded colors. Beside him, Delilah sat tensely, her eyes darting nervously out the window, scanning the surroundings with a sharp, wary gaze.

Grogu perched in a pouch on Mando's hip, his wide eyes eagerly taking in the sights. He occasionally glanced over at Delilah, his curiosity obvious as he studied her with innocent fascination. Mando couldn't help but notice the way Grogu's eyes lingered on her as if even the little one was drawn to her presence.

Like father, like son.

Delilah was heavily disguised in a thick cloak, a scarf wrapped tightly around her neck, and a mask that concealed most of her face. Only her striking ocean-blue eyes peeked out from beneath the layers.

"Stealing a speeder," Delilah muttered, her voice muffled by the scarf. "As if that'll help us blend in." She crossed her arms over her chest, clearly unimpressed with their plan.

Her very distracting chest. 

What was wrong with him? She was covered in his oversized cloak. Yet, he knew what lay beneath. 

His mind was racing with thoughts of her body beneath his. 

Mando clenched the controls tighter, trying to focus on the road ahead. What was wrong with him? 

She was covered head to toe in his oversized cloak, yet his mind drifted to what lay beneath. He had tried to suggest a quick, no-strings-attached fuck, thinking it might quell this relentless desire. Maybe if he had her, even just once, he could rid himself of these thoughts.

But it was useless. He'd never been so drawn to someone—so desperate to have them, to taste them. The mere thought of her was enough to set his pulse racing.

"I didn't steal it," he said. "Just borrowed."

She snorted. "Is that so?"

Maker, he wanted to pull this speeder over and have her right in the streets. She was begging for it. 

They pulled up to a seemingly abandoned warehouse at the end of a narrow alleyway. The structure's windows were darkened, and the entrance was partially concealed by a tattered tarp and a few stacked crates. It looked every bit the part of a place long forgotten by the city's bustling life.

Mando cut the engine and turned to Delilah, who was nervously fidgeting with the strap of her bag. "We're here. This is where your contact is, right?"

Delilah took a deep breath, trying to steady herself. "Yes. I've been here before."

Mando noticed her hesitation, sensing she was on edge like she might bolt at any moment. He reached out, gripping her cloak firmly to draw her attention.

"What's wrong?" His voice, metallic and cold through the helmet, carried a hint of impatience.

"This isn't a good idea," she muttered, her voice wavering.

"And why not? Aren't you rebels supposed to be the good guys?"

She shook her head, and he could tell she was biting her lip beneath the mask. "I'm an ally, yes, but they're still rebels. I don't know all of them. They fight for a better world, but some just want a better world for themselves. Someone might turn me in for the credits."

Mando's expression remained hidden behind his visor, but her words caught him off guard. "Rebels care about their cause, don't they? They care about their numbers."

It surprised him that she had such little faith in her own people. Every rebel he had encountered had been fiercely devoted, ready to die for the cause. The idea of one of them betraying her seemed almost unthinkable.

"They care about a lot of things," Delilah muttered under her breath.

"Made some enemies, have you? Talked back to the wrong people?" Mando's tone was cool, detached, strictly business.

She gave him a sidelong glance, irritation simmering just beneath the surface. "Something like that."

"Or is it more personal? Should I expect an ex-lover to cause trouble?" His voice remained flat as if it were just another piece of information he needed.

Her body tensed, and Mando didn't miss the subtle reaction. He filed it away as useful intel.

"If we're doing this, we need to move," she said, her tone sharp as she gestured toward a stack of crates. "The entrance is hidden behind those. Just follow my lead."

Without waiting for a response, she exited the speeder, her steps quick and purposeful. Mando followed at a measured pace, his gaze sweeping the area for potential threats. As they approached the crates, Delilah threw a quick look over her shoulder. "Keep your eyes and ears open. This place isn't just for meetings."

"Delilah," Mando said, his voice cold and matter-of-fact through the modulator. She stopped and turned, waiting for him to continue. "If anyone tries to take you, I'll handle it. You're my bounty."

"Great."

[starboybutler]

Poor Boy ( CH.2 )

summary: the morning after jess takes in an injured young man, he tries to find out what happened to him. the boy doesn't want to say.

word count: 5240

warnings: violence, allusions to sexual assault, night terrors

notes: chapter two! like i said on the previous post, im already three chapters deep on a03, but i wanted to post things here. i'll post chapter three tomorrow, and then i'll post as i update on a03. also, happy love me tender day!

chapter 1

chapter 2 (you are here)

chapter 3 (coming soon)

jess awoke the next morning, having slept surprisingly soundly considering yesterday's events. jess never really let things bother him too much, no matter the circumstance. he told himself that everything was temporary and would be solved eventually, no matter what. that often soothed his racing mind.

he smoothed his shirt down and stepped out of his room and into the living area, where his eyes scanned the room for his unexpected houseguest.

clint was sat up on the couch, staring out of the window with a somber look on his face.

some of the dirt from his body had rubbed off onto the sleep dress, making it look dirty and more run down than it was before. the gown was slightly big on him, hanging off of his collarbones and revealing the pale skin of his chest. if jess had a funny bone left in his body, he'd joke about the boy looking like a ghost.

“you're up.” jess said simply, slipping his hat onto his head.

clint’s head snapped towards him at the sound of his voice. he blinked owlishly at jess, stuttering back.

“o-oh, yeah…i’m up.” the blonde muttered, his eyes fixed on the ground as he spoke.

silence fell between the both of them, neither man sure of how to carry on the conversation. they didn't know each other, and their introduction to one another was less than conventional.

“you sleep good?” jess asked.

the boy blinked but nodded in response, fidgeting with his hands.

“yeah. just..” he paused, shifting on the couch. “didn’t expect you to be up this early,” he murmured, hands wringing together. “hardly slept, actually.”

“wounds botherin’ ya?” he asks, looking clint up and down curiously, and clint shakes his head, sighing softly as he goes back to staring solemnly out of the window.

the sun gave him a little bit of life. under the golden rays, he didn't look so sickly and pale, and his bruises disappeared under the bright light. his hair was practically glowing in the light, giving him almost an angelic look. what was a boy like this doing all the way out here? he looked so fragile– like the slightest bit of wind would break or bruise him– he wasn't made for life outside of the city.

“how'd you get way out here?”

the boy sat up, his golden look quickly stripped from him as he was bathed in shadows from jess’s dim house. his eyes were wide– scared and vulnerable as his throat bobbed, lips parted as he took small, cautious breaths.

“don't wanna talk about it,” he says, pulling his knees to his chest and curling in on himself. jess hummed, wandering over to the couch where the boy sat, small and scared. he looked like a kitten. jess tried to look sympathetic– but he wasn't sure if he did– he was never good at expressing these types of things.

if he pressed the boy on, there's no telling how he would react. thanks to him being shaken up from whatever he went through, his behavior was off. jess couldn't gage his temperament– so he just decided to back off so that the boy didn't lash out at him. he couldn't just let him sit and mope on the couch, however, so he needed to get some conversation going. jess wasn't good at conversation either.

the older man padded over to the sink, filling an old pot he had with water and heading over to start a small fire in the fireplace and setting the pot on top. he can feel clint’s eyes on him, wide and curious while he makes his way to the cabinet and grabs some shoddily ground up coffee beans, grabbing the water once it’s boiling.

“you drink coffee?”

“uh, a little,” clint mutters.

jess hums, stirring the beans in and pouring them both a glass. jess walks over and hands the mug to clint, who takes it gently and mutters a small ‘thank you’ in response.

the boy takes a sip and his face immediately screws up in disgust as he tastes the bitter fluid. jess hums, slightly amused as clint grimaces and sets the mug in his lap.

“you alright?”

“ugh,” he groans, swirling the contents of his mug around. “you don't use any sugar or anything? almost killed me,”

jess huffs out, a ghost of a laugh. this boy obviously had a fiery spirit to him. “it ain't that bad,” he mutters, turning towards the kitchen and wandering towards the cabinet where he kept his small stash of spices. he didn't have many, as he didn't really use them much. he had little things of salt and pepper, some sugar, but he really didn't see a need for it.

he pulled out a small container of sugar and walked back over to the boy, setting it down beside him. the boy grabbed it eagerly, pouring almost half of it into his coffee and swirling it around. he took a sip and sighed.

“much better.”

jess grabbed his own mug and sat on the opposite end of the couch, taking a swig from his mug. it was bitter and hot, just how he drank it every morning.

the two men sat there, silent as they drank. clint would take a sip of his coffee, and steal a glance or two at jess, who was looking at him intently.

jess was curious about him. there wasn't many people around here– especially people this pretty. clint was obviously someone of some kind of importance– otherwise he would have just stayed where he was. people around these parts don't kidnap randoms, they kidnap people that are worth a damn, usually for ransom. it's what he and vince mainly did.

he thought of the boy’s name. clinton reno. it sounded awfully familiar, but he couldn't put his finger on it. there were so many important families and outlaw names that jess had to be wary of that he was starting to lose count of them. jess tried his hardest to think of where he’s heard that name before. was it something vince had told him before they parted ways?

‘you just be careful jess…them boys…’

“you just gonna stare me down until i leave?” clint asked, voice cutting through his thoughts. jess sat up and blinked, coming back to his senses. he must've zoned out– and the poor boy must have mistaken his thinking face for a scornful one.

“nah,” jess hummed, sitting back and taking another sip from hus mug. “i don't plan on letting you leave too soon,” he says.

the boy looks horrified when jess says that. jess waves him off, rolling his eyes.

“you're still injured, and someone's out there for you. your blood ain't gonna be on my hands.”

clint sighs deeply, his eyes flashing with an unreadable emotion as he stares down into his coffee mug. his hands fidget with the glass, turning it in his hands restlessly as he speaks lowly.

“ma is probably worried sick about me,” he murmurs, eyes fixed on his lap as he sets the mug onto the rickety table. “vance too,”

“vance?” jess hums, swirling his mug.

“oh, ‘s my brother.” clint says, fidgeting with his hands restlessly. “he's the oldest. then it's brett. then ray. then me. and ma, of course. ‘m dad died in the war,”

“ah,” jess hummed, setting his jaw stiffly. he remembered now. vince was making a fuss about this family a while ago before he left– and he had completely forgotten about it. he was saying something about them causing a stir, especially the oldest one, vance. he had went to war, and when he came back, something went down that jess wasn't all too sure about.

the reno family was well known. they weren't extremely wealthy, but they did have an influence. vance especially. jess still wasn't too sure what the whole situation was, but he knew that keeping the younger brother of a well known– possibly well liked man in his home, did pose a threat. he didn't know if he should keep clint and nurse him back to health, or just let him go back to his family before things got complicated.

“so, what about you?” clint asks, eyes fixed on jess curiously.

“what about me?”

“what's your deal?” he hums, pulling his knees to his chest. “you haven't said a word about yourself. i don't even know your name,”

“do you need to?” jess mutters into his mug, drinking another sip of coffee. “y’ain’t gonna be here that long,”

the boy huffs, rolling his shoulders back. “well, for the time i am here i wanna know who i’m staying with,” he huffs, furrowing his brow at jess. “unless you're hidin’ somethin’ from me, mister.

jess sighed deeply, adjusting his hat and finishing off his coffee in one gulp. “jess,”

“jess what?”

“wade.”

clint thinks for a moment, soaking in the information before perking up and snapping his fingers. “i’ve heard of you.”

“have you now,” jess murmured, running the tip of his finger around the rim of his mug lazily, looking at the boy as he nodded.

“you're that outlaw, with the hackett gang,” he began, sitting up. he seemed so full of life now. “you did all kinds of stuff. stole that canon, ransacked towns–”

“i don't do that no more.” he said hastily, his teeth gritted. “vince hackett ain’t nothin’ but a thorn in my side now,” he huffed, standing and taking his mug over to the kitchen. “i’m done with him.”

clint watched him owlishly as he stared out the window, rubbing at the bridge of his nose tiredly. he turned around, facing the boy once more, sighing deeply.

“look, enough about me,” jess uttered flatly. “we need to talk about what happened to you.”

clint stiffened again, his feisty demeanor gone. he looked away, his eyes darkening as he lowered his head and spoke.

“i said i don't wanna talk about it.”

“well, we have to.” jess demanded, crossing his arms. “i told you about me, now i need to know how you got here.”

“i don't wanna fucking talk about it!” clint yelled, eyes squeezed shut as he gripped the sleep dress, fists shaking at the white-knuckle force. jess was taken aback by the boy’s yelling. he had seemed so pathetic before– like a porcelain doll that would shatter if the wind blew the wrong way. but now, he was angry, his body trembling and eyes burning with resentment, but also fear as he stared down at the floor.

jess stared at him, setting his jaw as he grabbed the boy's half full coffee mug. “fine.”

jess walked into the kitchen and poured the coffee into the sink, glancing over his shoulder as he heard rustling from the couch. the boy had buried himself under the blankets, trembling and sniffling slightly. jess sighed deeply, resting his hands on the counter and letting his head fall forward. he didn't know how to deal with this shit– he never did. he needed to know how clint got here, but he didn't have all the time in the world. someone somehow was going to figure out he was here, and then jess would be caught up in a problem he had no business in.

he understood you couldn't rush these kinds of things, especially because there was clearly some kind of traumatizing event involved– but he didn't have time for this. he took one more glance back at the boy, who was still under the covers, and huffed lowly. he walked towards the door and grabbed his boots, heading outside. they both needed time to clear their head.

jess must've have walked for hours.

it's easy to get lost around his house, because there's nothing around him for miles. for a brief moment he thought of visiting the sheriff, but he ultimately decided against it. he loved sheriff ramsey, but he really wasn't in the mood for helping out right now. he had enough on his mind with the reno boy at his house, refusing to tell him how he had gotten to his house in the first place.

jess sighed deeply, approaching his cabin and stopping as he heard the faint sounds of a guitar. he paused, stopping in his tracks to listen to the faint singing he heard.

they call me poor boy, poor boy, poor boy

but i ain't lonesome, i ain't blue,

the voice was soft, sweet and melancholy as it sang to the deep orange of the afternoon sky. jess slowly approached the steps of the cabin, eyes trained on the blonde boy as he continued to sing, seemingly lost in his own world. he had changed from the sleep dress and into the slightly tattered button up and pants he was in when jess found him.

‘cause i could never he a poor boy

as long as i’ve got a dolly like you.

jess felt a smile wanting to appear on his lips, but he kept his face straight as he leaned against the rickety wooden railing of the porch, making clint’s head snap up as it creaked. his face flushed soft pink as he stopped strumming the guitar, a shy smile coming to his face.

“oh, you're back.”

“where'd you find that?” jess asks, gesturing to the guitar in clint’s hands. the boy clears his throat, shrugging nonchalantly despite the flush high on his cheekbones.

“just…layin’ around,” he murmurs, plucking at one of the strings nervously. jess hums, sitting in one of the rundown and creaky chairs, looking at clint as he fidgets with the old guitar. the boy looks flustered– embarrassed almost, as he looks up at jess and speaks once more.

“you play?”

“used to.” jess says flatly. “stopped after i got involved with the hackett gang. been sittin’ gatherin’ dust ever since.”

clint looked like he wanted to ask another question, but refrained as he went back to strumming the guitar. jess watched, slightly interested.

“heard you singin’,” jess hummed, crossing his arms. “you like to sing?”

clint chuckled shyly. “yeah. uhm,” he paused, swallowing and moving to set the guitar down gently. “i wanna say i’m sorry for earlier,” he murmured. “i didn't mean to yell.”

“don't worry about it.”

“no, i–”

“it's fine,” jess said firmly, waving him off. “i shouldn't have tried to get all in your business like that– it was wrong of me. you stood your ground.” he hums, the faintest smile tugging at his lips.

clint flushed pink, smiling boyishly as jess spoke. “thanks.”

they sat in silence for a few seconds.

“what were you doin’ out here?” jess asks.

clint chewed at his lip, his fingers laced together as he averted his gaze. “i don't like bein’ alone.” he admits. “just needed a way to soothe myself, so…saw the guitar gathering dust and decided to have a go.”

“didn't mean to leave you all by your lonesome.” jess says, setting his jaw. “you could have told me you didn't like to be left alone.”

“didn't wanna sound like a little girl,” clint mutters, embarrassed.

jess stares at the boy for a second. he was truly intriguing. his spirit was so fiery– but he was so shy and vulnerable at the same time. he stood his ground, but didn't like to be alone, and would crumble if you caught onto him.

“c’mon,” jess said suddenly, standing and gesturing for the boy to do the same.

“huh?”

“i said c’mon,” jess hums, rolling up his sleeves a bit. “i got some work to do– and since you don't like being left behind, you're comin’ with me.”

clint stands dumbly, his eyes wide and owlish as he follows jess to the stable. without wasting a second, jess tossed a heavy bag of grain into the boy’s arms, almost knocking him over.

“first things first, feed my ol’ horse here,” jess says, gently patting at the steed’s side. “poor thing is hungry.”

clint huffed as he lifted the hefty bag, glaring at jess as he walked to fill the horse’s trough.

“coulda gave me some warning before you threw it,” he murmured. jess huffed out a chuckle, watching as clint set down the bag and groaned, stretching out his back. “jesus,”

“sorry,” jess hummed, walking over to grab a broom that was leaned against the wall. he grabbed it and walked it over to clint, who took it and internally looked grateful that jess didn't throw this at him as well.

“just need you to sweep for now, if i need help with anything else i’ll holler.”

“okay,”

jess left the boy to sweep out any debris that had blown in while he grabbed his horses water trough and dumped it out into the dry terrain outside. he bought it back in and filled it with water from the hose. it wasn't the best water, but it was about the only water they had around.

clint was was humming to himself as he swept the sand and stray pieces of hay outside, tsking when a rouge gust of wind blows and bring it all back inside. he seemed calm overall, his demeanor relaxed and confident as he fought to keep the sand outside.

jess remembers being like him. young and feisty.

the reminiscing stops as clint yelps, dropping the broom and looking at his thumb. “ow, damn it!”

jess walked over and gently grabbed his hand, inspecting it. “what's the matter?”

“i got a splinter,” clint muttered, showing jess his thumb. “you don't sand your tools or nothin’?” he grumbles, letting jess inspect his hand.

“i don't get splinters,” jess mutters, stopping as he spots the piece of wood embedded in clint’s thumb. “i got tough skin.”

“well i don't– ow!”

“hold still.” jess scolds, trying to keep clint’s wriggling to a minimum as he tries to press around the splinter, urging the wood out. “you're gonna make it worse,”

“that hurts– cut it out!”

jess grabs clint wrist roughly, making the boy freeze as jess leaned down to come face to face with his hand. “stay. still.”

clint obeyed and stood still, fingers still twitching as jess added pressure to them. the piece of wood was coming out, but not all the way. he gently tried grabbing it with two fingers– but his hands were big and a little clumsy when it came to grabbing such a small thing. he sighed, frustrated.

“are you done?” clint muttered, bouncing impatiently.

“hold on,”

jess leans down, lifting clint’s thumb to his lips and humming as he very gently used his teeth to pull the splinter free from the boy’s skin. clint jumped, but didn't move, and watched as jess spit off to the side. “now let's go clean that,” he hummed. “don't want my spit infectin’ it.”

jess watched as the boy nodded, swallowing hard and following him. he pretended not to notice the blush on his cheeks.

when they entered the cabin, clint quickly ran his thumb under some water, and jess walked around in the kitchen to look for something to eat. well, now that he had a guest, maybe he should cook some dinner for the both of them.

“you hungry?” he asks, looking at the boy curiously.

“huh?”

“i asked if you’re hungry,” jess says again, scratching at his beard. “i can whip something up.”

“oh, i can help,” clint offers, drying off his hand. “i can cook real good, ma said so.” he brags, straightening his posture.

“is that so,” jess hums, crossing his arms and leaning on the counter. “well, what’re you in the mood for then? i got meat and vegetables, and some seasoning– but not an awful lot.” he hums, nodding towards the cabinet. “i got bread too.”

“hmm…maybe just some sandwiches then?” clint offers. “or if that's too boring i can do a stew.”

“hell, they both sound good.” jess admits, stretching out. “if you wanna do a stew, i got some rice, too.” he hums, reaching for a cabinet just above him abd grabbing an older container with rice inside.

“stew it is then,” clint says, taking the container and setting it aside.

jess set out a few vegetables from his garden. he picked out the best looking ones, the ones that had actually managed to grow in the dry, humid environment he was in, and bought them in so clint could wash them and cut them up. hess was in charge of the meat. he used one of the sharper knives he had, slicing it into cubes and placing it where clint told him to.

jess had never been a large cook. he would usually just heat up his meat and eat it with no seasoning or anything to go with it, except maybe some bread. clint was obviously very different– if it wasn't evident with the coffee fiasco this morning. the way he was chopping up the vegetables and seasoning everything and tossing them into the boiling water– which was also seasoned– was intriguing to jess. he’s never seen something like this before.

“you're handy with that knife,” he observed as clint chopped up a carrot with ease, sliding the slices from the chopping board to the pot seamlessly. “next time i’m in trouble, i’ll make sure to call you,”

clint chuckled, a faint blush rising to his cheeks at the praise. “i mean, it's just somethin’ i’ve been doin’ for a while. i’ve cooked since i was young.”

“you're still young.” jess muttered.

clint rolled his eyes. “younger, i mean.” he sighs, moving to grab the last potato and beginning to cut it up. “it was just somethin’ i did with ma to pass the time. she always hated when i would use the knife, but i was always good at it. the one time i did cut myself, i wasn't allowed to touch knives for months.” he chuckles, sighing fondly.

jess looks at him as he continues chopping up the potato, a small smile still on his lips.

“you miss her, huh?”

“of course.” clint sighs, pushing the slices into the pot. “i miss all of ‘em– brett, ray…vance,” he sighs, setting down the knife. “i know they're all worried sick. but i…i’m scared to go back. especially after…”

the boy paused, staring at his hands as his eyes flashed with that familiar look from earlier. jess set his jaw, unsure if he should urge him on or tell him he didn't have to talk about it. he was conflicted– so he just looked at the boy steadily.

“...promise you won't laugh.” clint says solemnly, looking at jess with heavy eyes. “please.”

jess wanted to ask, ‘why on earth would i laugh?’, but he felt like it would be inappropriate– so he just nodded.

clint took a deep breath, closing his eyes and speaking lowly, his voice shaking as he spoke.

“i…i was outside doin’ work, and…i dunno, someone came up an’ grabbed me,” he said, sighing deeply. “took me on their horse and…took me out where no one could hear and…”

tears were falling from the boy’s eyes, but his voice remained steady. “there was a lot of em. maybe four or five– and they took me off the horse and started hitting me and…ripped off my clothes–”

“you don't have to keep going.” jess said quickly as the boy began to tremble. he knew what he was going to say next. the boy whimpered softly, his hand coming up to his hair and grazing the bandages around one of the wounds from the struggle.

“it was horrible. i was so scared, i-i saw that one of them had a gun in their holster and i grabbed it, and– i shot one of em.”

that was the gunshot jess heard that lead him to clint. the older man nodded, watching as tears fell down his cheeks in a steady stream. he pawed at his eyes frantically, sniffling as he exhaled shakily.

“i think i killed him, jess.” he hiccups, hands trembling. “i’m a murderer– i can't go home anymore,”

jess bit his lip, walking towards the boy and hesitantly placing a hand on his shoulder. the boy relaxed slightly, and the older man sighed inwardly, relieved that he had done the right thing.

“we’ll cross that bridge when we get to it, alright?” he says, patting him firmly and gesturing towards the pot over the fire. “c’mon, let’s eat.”

clint wiped at his eyes one final time and nodded, taking the bowl jess handed him shakily and giving a weak half smile.

clint served the both of them, and they moved to the dinner table. there was only one chair, and clint paused.

“oh, i can sit on the couch,” he offered, and jess held up a hand.

“you cooked, you have the chair.” he hums, scooting the chair over. “i can stand.”

“you sure?” clint asks softly, shuffling.

“go ahead.”

clint sat down and muttered a ‘thank you’, grabbing a spoon and digging in to his stew. jess hummed as he ate, slowly beginning to calm down as he enjoyed his meal. the older man grabbed a utensil and did the same, humming at the taste.

“mm, this is real good,” jess says, licking his lips. “might have to keep you around as my personal cook.”

“oh c’mon,” clint murmurs, looking away. “i’m sure you've had better.”

“not really. maybe it's all that seasoning you used.”

“i didn't use that much,” clint chuckles, looking up at jess. “you really need to use your seasonings more– you’ve got some good stuff in there.”

“all from the sheriff.” jess hums, stirring the stew around in his bowl. “his wife loves giving me things– and i never have the heart to turn ‘em down.”

“you have a thing for her?” clint asks.

“hell no.” jess says flatly. “not the type of man to go for a taken woman.” he said. he wanted to add ‘or women in general,’ but clint didn't really need to know all that. “she's just real friendly, that's all.”

“mm.” clint hums. “maybe i can go meet her one day.”

“maybe,” jess hums, sipping from his bowl. “you'd be a good help in town.” he mutters, setting down his now empty bowl. “you look fast, you can help me wrangle up some criminals.”

clint giggles a little at that, standing and wiping his lips. “i’m no officer.”

jess takes his bowl, placing it in the sink and shrugging. “i think you got what it takes.”

clint waves him off, before yawning loudly and rubbing at his eyes. “ugh, i’m tired.” he murmured, blinking slowly.

“have you been sleeping?” jess asks, tilting his head as clint averts his eyes.

“no,” he says, clearing his throat. “told you i don't like bein’ alone.” he mutters, scratching the back of his neck. “i just lay awake a lot of the time.”

“you should really say somethin’,” jess mutters, sighing. “you want me to sit out here with you? hust until you fall asleep?”

clint blushed, abashed as he scratched at the back of his neck. “you don't have to. don't wanna be bothersome.”

“you're not being bothersome,” jess says firmly, standing. “i’ll go let you change, and i’ll be back out to sit with ya, alright?” he hums, and clint just nods shyly, walking to the couch and grabbing the sleep dress. jess disappears into his room, leaving the boy to change.

jess exhaled and took his hat off briefly, removing his jacket and unbuttoning his shirt, shrugging it off and throwing it to the side. he slips on a plain white shirt, moving to unbuckle his belt and shimmy off his pants, replacing them with looser ones. he placed his hat back on and walked back into the living room.

clint was already laying back on the couch, fidgeting with his hands as he perked up when he saw jess emerge from the room.

jess sat on the floor next to the couch, looking up at clint, who was looking out the window once again. his hair was shining in the pale moonlight, making him look boyishly handsome in a way jess couldn't put into words. just looking at him, he suddenly felt protective over the boy.

“uhm,” clint started, blushing softly as he looked at jess. “thanks for doing this, jess,” he says, looking down at the older man with a sheepish smile on his lips. “means a lot.”

jess shrugs, leaning his head back against the faded edge of the cushion. “i’ve done plenty of bad, figured i could do something good for once.” he mutters.

clint hums softly, settling his head on the pillow. “i don't think you're a bad guy,” clint says softly, blinking owlishly at him.

“you don't think,” jess says, scratching at his jaw. “but i’ve done things in my lifetime kiddo– things i ain’t proud of.”

“that doesn't define you.” clint frowns, turning to face jess fully. “i mean– you coulda left me to die, but you took me in. i don't think a bad guy would do that.”

jess shrugs, looking away. “i think that's just basic humanity, honestly.”

“still humanity.”

jess sighs, rolling his eyes. “look– we here to sleep or to talk about me?”

clint giggles. “sorry.”

the boy yawns and settles into the couch, closing his eyes and humming lowly. “i still don't think you're bad, though.” he says sleepily, his voice slightly slurred. “i think you're alright.”

jess gave a hum of acknowledgment, listening as the boy’s breath evened out. he sighed softly, relieved that he was finally getting some rest. jess felt his eyes getting heavy just listening to the sound of the boys breathing. he hadn't experienced something like this in a long, long time. it was comforting, but scary. very scary. he didn't know how to feel about it.

as he was drifting off to sleep, he noticed clint’s breathing change. he sat up, looking at the boy. he was beginning to tremble, his eyes squeezed shut as his breath picked up.

“no, stop–”

jess instinctively reached for the boy, but pulled his hand back as his body jerked, his hand grabbing at the blankets tightly as he whimpered.

“please–! i’m sorry–”

“clint,” jess said softly, slowly placing his hand on his side. “wake up,”

the boy didn't budge, the dream still shaking him to the core as he trembled hard, tears coming to his eyes. “stop–”

“clint!” jess yelled, and the boy jumped awake, sitting up at attention and panting heavily. he looked at jess with wide, glassy eyes, his chest heaving.

“wha–?”

“you were havin’ a nightmare.” he said bluntly, squeezing his shoulder. “you were screaming and trembling.”

clint sniffled, blinking away the tears in his eyes, looking embarrassed. “sorry,”

“don't be,” jess mutters, sitting up and facing him. “anything i can do?”

clint stared down at his lap silently for a moment, blinking before he spoke. “can we just…talk?” he asks. “i-if you don't mind.”

that wave of protectiveness came over jess again. he nodded and hummed, looking up at clint patiently. “we can talk.”

clint went on about his family and his mom, and how his dad used to be. he told jess almost everything about his family, and jess hung onto every single word until clint finally fell asleep, face illuminated by the moonlight.

jess truly didn't know what to make of this boy.

[sirdeath1412-2]

important ♡

important also DRINK WATER AND EAT FOOD PLEASE LOVE ALL OF YOU DEARLY AND THIS WORLD NEEDS YOU I PROMISE

ok so uh this is just an update post/information post

Names I go by SirDeath, Death, or Toby(it's an off and on kinda thing, I like how it sounds)

what pronouns do I use? He/him or they/them

Who am I? I am a writer I sometimes do art(don't have any rn), and I don't mind giving rec fics uh and I do take fic recs you may want me to write

whos like family to me on this site: @the-ethereal-grave-doctor, @ghostlypest,(more will be added please go follow them tho)

will I write with others? yes I would love to have friends who would listen to me go crazy over my ocs and stories, I do have friends like that on here just a few, if you want to write with me ask and give details then I will dm you or give an answer in the ask

A03 name: SirDeath41412

my blog is about helping others and whatever I feel like reblogging this is just me being me.

What's the point of this blog you may ask or wonder well, I like to help others and I like to help talk people through things the best I can I'm still learning but of course, I'm here to help.

what do I do with my free time? I rp and chat with friends if you wanna chat or rp I'm here just ask first then tell me what ya wanna rp in the ask please so I can see if I can

I have a character I play who is not a snotty a dude just here, haha, he's very formal while the writer is well C H A O S

[the-final-sif]

FAQ

“Who are you?”

I’m Sif (she/her/they/them)! I’m a writer, an artist, and I will literally never stop talking. I have an African gray named Cecil, and I love him very much.

“Where can I find you?”

Here on Tumblr, On A03 as Rosae or Sif  - Or on the dreblr discord server

Discord is the fastest way to get in contact with me, asks on tumblr can get eaten and DMs on tumblr are weird for me. I'm not active on any other platforms

“When will x/y/z update?”

I don’t know. Don’t ask me or leave comments pestering me about updating things. I have adhd, and fanfiction is a hobby that I do for myself, so I work on things as I’m able to. My focus is fickle and I tend to jump from project to project, because that’s how I have fun. When it comes to my hobbies, me having fun is the whole reason I do them. Pestering me just makes me want to do it even less. Seriously.

“Can I send you asks about x/y/z? Do you mind talking about x/y/z?”

I'm not going to be upset about any ask sent in as long as it's in good faith, but that doesn't mean I'll answer every ask I get. If I don't answer an ask, it means that I wasn't sure on an answer, I'd answered the question before, or I just didn't feel like it. Odds are it's nothing personal, if I have an issue with someone or something, then I block.

That all being said, I don't answer questions asking for personal information of any kind unless it's something I've publicly discussed. I also prefer that people do not use tone indicators in asks, or if you must, please use full words and not acronyms. I'm pretty good at reading tone in text to begin with, and I run under the assumption most asks are in good faith.

“Can I use your idea/headcanon/etc in my fic/art/etc?”

Yes! People are always welcome to use my ideas/headcanons/etc with credit. You can create stuff set in my AU/make your own takes on them. All I ask is that you don’t copy my stuff word for word (ie reposting), and give credit if heavily referencing my works. You do not need to ask my permission to use my stuff as inspiration, but if you do create something 100% feel free to tag me/send it to me! I love seeing this stuff!

“Can I repost your fic/artwork/headcanon/etc?”

Probably not. I’m okay with my chat posts and non-fictional PSAs/advice posts being reposted to other platforms (with credit). For anything else, I do not allow reposting unless you ask me first (that being said, I do sometimes give permission when asked, it just depends on the post and platform you want to repost on). Translations and Podfics are absolutely fine though!

“Will you tag (specific trigger) or (spoilers)”

Probably not, sorry! I’d like to say that I could, and I try to tag major triggers & spoilers when I remember to, but again, ADHD means I tend to be pretty scattered brained and my tagging is pretty inconsistent as a result. I don’t want to promise to tag stuff when I know I’ll probably forget at some point.

“Do you take requests/commissions/art trades/do collabs/have a ko-fi?”

I do not take formal requests or requests for unrelated fandoms/characters/etc. I love talking with people and discussing ideas, but that’s entirely on my own terms. You can still always ask me about my AUs or offer specific ideas, but if I decide to write anything for it is all up to me.

I am not currently taking commissions, but I do take them every so often when the mood strikes. I already work to support myself, and as I’ve said before, fandom is a hobby for me, so I prefer to spend that time creating things at my own pace. Since I get people asking about it, I do have a ko-fi but please don’t feel obligated to send me anything.

Art/fic trades and/or collabs are a solid maybe at any given time, depending on what I have on my plate. Hit me up on discord if you want to talk about it.

[ghouligancentral]

The Bandit- Chapter 1

Arthur Morgan X reader

Summary- The reader is the daughter of two notorious outlaws who used to be a part of the Van der Linde gang. She grew up with the gang but had to leave when tragedy struck. Now that life comes back to find her in the form of an outlaw named Arthur Morgan. After accepting a job from the gang the reader wonders if she will face the same fate as her parents. Will she be the one to pay for there past sins? Or will she end up gaining more that she ever thought she could?

A/N- Feedback is greatly appreciated. Please ignore any spelling mistakes, I wrote and posted this within 2 hours. There will be a little bit of spice coming later, but there will be warnings on any chapters that have it. The tags will be updated.

Chapter warnings: Language, mature themes

Crossposted on A03

Arthur watches the red dust swirl as it is kicked up by the horses and ignores the ramblings of Sean as they ride. His mind is far too occupied by the mission that Hosea had sent them on.

—- A little under a week ago Hosea waved Arthur over as he was sitting by the fire.

“Arthur! Come here. I’ve been wanting to talk to ya about something.” Arthur signed as he walked over. “ This better not be about that game of cards last week,” he thought to himself.

As soon as Arther had taken a seat by Hosea, he noticed Hosea took a quick glance around them as if he was avoiding someone. “Listen, you know this train job we got coming up? Well I think we are gonna need some help” Hosea explained. “Dutch don't think we do,” he signs, “ but it’s getting harder these days. Between the law, the Pinkertons, and the O’Driscolls, we are barely hanging on as it is.”

Arthur nods in agreement as he turns his eyes to watch the fire as it crackles. “Well this man I used to know, Raymond Winters, has this kid. Best shot I’d ever seen, even at 14 the kid could hit a crow 6 miles off, not to mention has the quickest hands this side of the Mississippi. Could steal ya blind without even known’ they was in the room.” Hosea smiled as he recalled the kid.

“So,” Hosea continued,”I need you to bring the kid, well suppose they ain’t no kid anymore seeing that was 9 years back. Just get the kid back here for the job. We really need a good gun on this and we can’t risk getting caught.”

“So where am I supposed to find this kid?”

“ Last I heard Raymond and the kids was in Valentine. If the man is anything like I remember, I’d bet you’d find him hanging out at Kate’s cathouse. Just go askin’ for Winters and you’re bound to find em. Tell em’ Hosea sent ya.” Hosea replied, “ Oh and take Sean with ya. He needs something to do other than bother me.”

“So what you’re sayin’ is that you want me to go find the kid of some bastard you used to run with?” Arthur asked as cocked his head to the side.

“Raymond may be a bastard, but he is the best theiven’ bastard there is. He taught his kid well. Plus if the kid is anything like her father she should be able to keep quiet about this,” Hosea responded.

“She?” Arthur questioned,”I ain’t got nothin’ against a woman working this job with us, but are you sure about this?”

“Arthur you gotta trust me on this,” Hosea stated as he patted Arthur’s shoulder. “Now don’t you go tellin’ Dutch nothin’ about this. He doesn’t need to know till later.”

Arthur nodded in agreement. He’d leave first thing in the morning. As Arthur walked away, Hosea called out once more,” Oh and if she’s anything like I remember, you’re about to have a firecracker on your hands.”

—---

“Clara! Where’s that whiskey? We have customers out here waiting for their drinks.” You hear Kate call from the bar. “Hold your horses! I’m coming!” You shout back.

You worked for Kate for around nine years now. She was stern looking middle-aged women who stood no taller than 5 feet tall. Her favorite retort was always,” If God had wanted me to be the bigger person, he would have made me taller.”

Her cold gaze could clear a room faster than any fire or hail of bullets could, but under her seemingly hard shell, there was a woman with a heart of gold. Once your mother had died, your father had taken to drinking and spending most of time gambling and whoring here at Kate’s place. She had taken you in and treated you like her own daughter.

She never expected you to become one of her working girls. From the moment she met you she knew she’d have an easier time putting a girdle on a cat than keeping you from punching half her customers in the gut. It's not that you thought poorly of the girls who used their bodies as their means of work. You just couldn’t stand the thought of men like your father having their way with you.

So you worked around the place, doing things such as cleaning, tending the bar and a few other odd jobs here and there.

“Clara! Get out here now!” Katy hollers. You rush out of the back carrying a new bottle of whiskey.

“The little bastard was hiding from me,” you exclaim as you handed the bottle to Kate.

“They always are my dear,” Kate replies with a smile. She pours two glasses and turns to hand them to men standing beside the bar. One, a handsome blonde and the other a red head. You take a closer look at the blonde, you feel like you know his face from somewhere. His face was rough but no less handsome. His shoulders were broad and he appeared to be in decent shape, indicating his work consisted of some form of physical labor. If he was endowed with anything remotely proportional to the rest of his large form, one of the girls was gonna really be earning her money today.

While working here you’d taken to trying to guess little things about the customers who came in, and you had gotten quite good at reading people. Rosie, your best friend here at Kate’s, keeps insisting you have a gift. You could tell the bankers from the shop owners just by the way they walked into the place. You’d even began to guess the more “intimint” characteristics of the men. You could tell which men would spend in the first three minutes and which ones would be pounding into the poor girl for the entirety of their stay, always confirming your suspicion by talking to the girls afterwards. This man, you thought, looking upon the blonde was the latter of the two options.

The red headed one was already flirting with Rosie. You chuckled as you turned to face the alcohol bottles lining the back shelf and begin to clean some glasses. Your attention was taken away from drying mugs when you heard the blonde one speaking to Kate.

“ I’m lookin’ for a Winters. You happen to know of anyone around here with that name?” the man asked while looking down at his whisky.

Both Kate and you stiffen at the mention of the name.

“ Why ya lookin’ for this Winters? ” Kate inquired as she squinted her eyes at the man.

But before the man can respond Kate continues, “ But it don’t matter none. You’re too late anyway. The bugger up and died of consumption three winters back.”

“Well I’m actually for his kid.”

This causes Kate to grip the whiskey bottle even tighter. “You never answered my question. Why ya lookin’ for em?” Kate interrogates. . “Hosea Matthews sent me to find em’ for a job”

“Well I don’t know nothin’ ab—” Kate began to reply.

“It’s okay. I trust Hosea.” You interject as you turn to face the man.

“ I’m Clara Winters, my dad was Raymond Winters. And who might you be?” you asked.

Arthur feels a flutter as he meets your gaze. When Hosea sent him to find you, he was expecting to come across some gangly teen, not a beautiful woman such as yourself.

“ I’m Arthur Morgan ma’am,” Arthur replied as he tipped his hat, trying to hide the blush that was creeping up on his face,”and that there is Sean MacGuire” Arthur says as he points to the redhead whose lap Rosie is sitting in.

“So what did Hosea tell you about me?” You ask leaning over the bar getting closer to the man.

“ Only that you were the best shot he’d ever seen. And that you could steal just about anything as a child”

“ Oh he did?” you laugh,” Well he ain’t wrong. And I’m assuming that you need my skills in this “job” of yours?”

“Well yes,” Arthur nods.

“ When’s this job goin’ down?”

“You really trust Hosea enough to just leave with two strangers who just mentioned his name?” Arthur asks with a puzzled face.

“Well Mister Morgan, you and your friend are certainly strange I’ll give you that,” you say with a wink making the man blush,”but when Hosea was working with my father I got to know him pretty well. And sending two men to whisk me away for some mystery job sounds a lot like something he’d do.”

Arthur nods in understanding. “It’s a four days ride from here to where we meet up with Hosea and the rest of the gang. From there it will only be another week or so,” Arthur explains.

“I’ll get my things together and we will head out in the morning. There’s a hotel across the street where you can stay the night,” you said motioning towards the building,”oh and just to let you know, the girl in your friend’s lap has probably stolen most of his money by now.”

Arthur looks over at Sean, who now has his tongue in the mouth of the girl as his hands begin to roam under her dress.

“Well she’s earned it, if she had to kiss that face.” Arthur replies with a smile.

And with that he stands and hands Kate the money for their drinks. He grabs Sean by the arm as he leaves causing Rosie to hop off his lap. After the two men had gone through the door Rosie saunters up to you with a sly grin.

“Look what I got.” she says in a sing-song voice as she holds up a wad of cash, ”and I didn’t even have to take off my clothes for this.”

“ You know you’re just awful,” you tease with a smile.

“ Oh honey you’re one to talk, given that you taught me that little trick.” Rosie teased back.

The smile fell from Rosie’s face as she took a serious tone, “Are you sure you can trust those two? And Hosea for that matter. Now you know that is the Arthur Morgan? The one from the posters in the sheriff's office.”

That’s it! That’s where you know his face from. You took Rosie’s hands and looked her in the eyes as you replied, “I’ll be fine Rosie. You of all people should know that I can take care of myself. Both my parents had their own wanted posters hangin’ up in the sheriff’s office back in the day.”

With this Rosie relaxed and said, “You know, I think that the big guy has taken a liken’ to you. A grown man don’t blush like that if he ain’t taken a liken’ to a woman.”

You blushed in response, “Rosie stop. You’re just makin’ things up now.” You turn to walk up the stairs to your room above the bar.

That night you can’t stop thinking about this mystery job Hosea has asked you to be a part of. How much would it pay? Would it be enough for you to finally get out of this town, and maybe even take Rosie with you. And you can’t stop thinking about Arthur and what Rosie had said.

“Was that blush really because of you?” you thought to yourself.

But little did you know that across the street Arthur was thinking about you.

-------------------

Go to chapter 2

[thefairyletters]

NaruSaku Fanfics

I wouldn't say much – I love NaruSaku and I hate to see great works shadowed behind the piles of popular NS stories that I never have liked as much except for a few, which also I'll drop below in the list.

I'll update this list whenever I come across a story that I particularly enjoy or finds worth spreading word across. So be sure to like and reblog this post so you can revisit it to add new story in your reading pile later.

Also, genres vary and are not mentioned, but does it make any difference as long as the story is good?

Warning: super long post featuring beautiful, beautiful stories that you wouldn't regret reading. I swear. I'm positive. Contains SNS and other side pairings.

Without further ado;

How I fell in love with my best friend: Krapo || ff.net || M || complete

How the little blond boy Sakura had always known had changed, changing as well her feelings. The unfolding of their life, while Naruto worked to become the best Hokage and she faced her own emotions. Growing Love.

(I have nothing but upmost reverence for this story. This author writes one of the nest NS and I have loved all. NS is beautiful and Sakura is badass. Everything we already know is here and more.)

.

Dangerous infiltration mission: Krapo || ff.net || M || complete

Naruto and Sakura are send by the Hokage for a difficult infiltration mission. They will have to face more than just the danger itself as they will have to keep their cover to be fake husband and wife credible. how it will impact the relationship between the two ninja. Growing Love. Misunderstanding.

(If you loved the aforementioned story, you'll love this one too. Mutual pining.)

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All over again: Krapo || ff.net || M || post-war || complete

Sasuke come back, Team seven is reunited. But Sakura has lost Naruto. How will she make him fall in love with her again? What other difficulties lies ahead of them?

(Naruto loses memory. SasuSaku angst but not in romantic sense and I loved it all. Misunderstanding and more mutual pining. And I'm in love with this story too.)

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Hit the floor running: Sakurablossom009 || A03 || M (but unnecessary) || Modern Hitman/Robbers AU || complete

Life was going great, Sakura thought. She was penniless, stranded in Europe without a way home, her fiancee had just dumped her for another woman AND her new companion was quite possibly a thief. How could things get any worse? Wait...was that guy pointing a gun at her?

(Now, personally, I don't prefer modern AU, but this story really had interesting characterisation and more character depth. NaruSaku is pretty spot on. It also features SasuHina and bamf!Hinata)

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The greatest pretenders: snowyseas || ff.net || M || Borutoverse || ongoing

Fifteen years is a long time to not talk to someone you consider your best friend, and is made even more difficult when they (and you) are married. The things Sakura should have confronted Naruto about never came to fruition, but as an old saying goes, "the truth will always be revealed".

(Your typical I-made-a-wrong-choice-but-now-can-be-done story but unlike many other stories in this they don't admit their love for each chapter at the first chapter itself. In fact, it feels so canon and you can almost superimpose it upon the canon. Sakura is mentally strong and knows what's right. )

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He was the sun: SavageTrickster || ff.net || T || Canonverse || ongoing

He had come a long way - from a lonely orphan ostracized by everyone to a loved hero. He deserved all these. His Hokage dream to come true. All the ramen he could eat. - Her eyes fell on a certain Hyuuga seated close enough for accidental touches. Her heart sank a little at a harsh whisper of reminder - And a deserving girl...who could give him all her love.

(So far so good. It's ongoing, and is at chapter 3. Sakura leaves Konoha much like how Naruto did, to explore the world aka seeing my headcanon in writing.)

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Wilderness: Kanji no Sakka || M || canondivergent || ongoing

As the war screeches to a temporary halt, Naruto leaves the battlefield on a unique mission only he can complete. Sakura is ordered to go with him. In the days that follow their bond is changed forever.

(Although I hate any explicit stories that involve characters below age 17, I give this a pass because of the uniqueness of plot and characterisation. It has fine lemons that comes with a good plot.)

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How It Should Have Been: OfPaintAndOil || ff.net || T || canon divergent || oneshot

It wasn't supposed to be this way. Sasuke was supposed to be the dark one, the unredeemable one. Naruto was the bright one, the good one. It wasn't supposed to be like this, with blood on his hands and glowing red eyes and a grin. Naruto was supposed to make everything better, and maybe he did, in the end, but Sakura had never expected the end to look quite like this.

(Featuring Yandere!Naruto. It leaves you wanting for more and is a fascinating read. It's dark themed so proceed with caution as your favorite character might or might not be dead.)

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The Best Dates are the Cheap Ones: Shivakashi || ff.net || T || post!Timeskip || Oneshot

The whole point was to get the best date; that meant the richest and classiest guy, right? Sakura realizes what she has taken for granted and Ino learns a lesson in value.

(Sakura learns her lesson and snatches her boy. InoNaru is worth noting. Not the best characterisation of Sakura but bear with her jealousy for that is the reason why NS fluff exists. Story itself is very light and entertaining.)

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mangoes and strawberries: ohthelinsanity || ff.net || T || postwar || oneshot

Sakura Haruno was elbow deep in Naruto Uzumaki's guts when he asked her to marry him. It was so not the right time. But she still said yes.

(This story just screams NS upon every single line. Diabetes warning. Too cute for this world. One of the best NS fluff I've read thus far. It kinda sticks to you forever!)

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18 minutes, 23 seconds: ohthelinsanity || ff.net || T || postwar || oneshot

in which Naruto asks Sakura about that time she literally reached into his chest and grabbed his heart with her bare hand.

(Heartwarming. We all know how Sakura held Naruto's heart on her palms and how we love that moment. This is memory of that moment reminisced by our cutie pies.)

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One Big Uzumaki Family: John Smith || ff.net || T || postwar || Complete

A set of drabbles revolving around Naruto, Sakura, and their children. It turns out that, when the war ends, these two get busy. Real busy.

(IF YOU DON'T READ THIS MASTERPIECE HOW DARE YOU CALL YOURSELF NS FAN?!!! READ!!! This story should be on the top of your reading list.

UNDERRATED AF!

R e a d t h i s s t o r y and cry with me for this should have been canon. 100%)

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My Life Would Suck Without You: peanutbutter126 || ff.net || T || oneshot collection

Sometimes it's the smallest things that matter the most.

(Read this and then One big Uzumaki family. You'll feel super satisfied. I promise.)

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Colors and Carousels: Folle Sakura || ff.net || T || oneshot

She couldn't count the number of times she'd been mistaken for Naruto's girlfriend. Not that she minded. But Naruto acted like it was so… so… offensive.

(No words for this one. Just read and enjoy the confusion.)

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Let's Get Married: luvtoshi || ff.net || M || postwar || complete

It was supposed to be a simple solution to their immediate problems. But maybe they took more than they can chew?

(This is one of my few favorites that is also popular. Spot on characterization and beautiful relationship growth. This is one of the few stories that always stuck to me.)

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Chasing Smoke with Bare Hands: soulaire || ff.net || T || oneshot

"I could have loved her," Sasuke says flatly. "If she'd just given me the chance—" "Sakura gave you all the chances in the world," Kakashi cuts in, stern. "You underestimated her. And you underestimated her ability to walk away from you. At the core of it all, that's where things went wrong."

(This story is for those who loves both SS and NS but thinks Sakura deserves happier life than what she got in canon. Features NS and slight SS.)

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Touch: ohthelinsanity || ff.net || T || oneshot

Kakashi watches as his student grow to be more physically comfortable with one another. He finds it kinda ridiculous.

(Fluff. Feelings. Kakashi's fed up and might have diabetes from all the observation.)

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Moonlight shadows: luvtoshi || ff.net || T || oneshot

Sometimes, the moon brings out hidden feelings to the surface.

(Beautiful literature. NS feels. You can almost mistake it for canon with the way characters are written.)

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Seriously Serious: Damsel in Shining Armor || ff.net || T || modern AU || oneshot

He confessed to her when they first met. He confessed to her years after. He confessed to her almost everyday. Her response was almost always positive... So why the heck was he still single? "I love you." "Love you too. So is Sasuke-kun taken or not?"

(The only reason why I even picked this story is that it is a oneshot. I have very little interest in modern AU. But this one makes another exception. Pining. Love at first sight.)

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It was always you: luvtoshi || ff.net || M || postwar || complete

The war is long over. They have both grown. Now it's time to conclude their story. Naruto and Sakura.

(You know what, all stories from this author are just, Chef's kiss. )

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A Safe Pair of Hands: Kanji no Sakka || ff.net || T || oneshot

Sakura heeds a stern warning to make it clear how she feels about Naruto.

(Feels. You'll love this if you like first person pov. This story told from Sakura's pov.)

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Other Dreams: tricksie || ff.net || M || oneshot

"Naruto, you shouldn't endanger yourself—" "Stop it," he snapped. Dropping his arm to hook under her seat, Naruto pulled her firmly onto his hip, locking her to him. Sakura gasped, suddenly aware of just how very close they were.

(Sexual tension. Romance. Leaves you wanting. Also, high on feels and lust on equal measure.)

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Heaven Unexpected: Folle || ff.net || M || oneshot

Because nothing can happen; it's Naruto. He always comes back. He's practically indestructible.

(Heavy on feels. There are chances that it might rain. Actually there are high chances. But oh well, it's beautiful and one of my favourites so here it goes.)

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Shade of the Leaf: Ravyn || ff.net || T || canon divergent || complete

Sasuke is back. Naruto has joined ANBU. Sakura is spending more time in the hospital than in the field. Team 7 struggles to redefine itself, because sometimes you don't know what you really want after all.

(Featuring Mature but still in-character!Naruto, Badass!Sakura, (Bit)Supportive!Sasuke along with Team 7 friendship. Mutual pining. Ending but with a lot loose ends.)

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Breaking Up Isn't that Hard to Do: Narf-for-the-Garthoc || ff.net || T || oneshot

This is not an epic tale of action, suspense and true love. Yeah, I'm disappointed, too.

(This is pure comedy. With a dash of romance. And insanity.)

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Steamy Encounters: Narf-for-the-Garthoc || ff.net || T || oneshot

A flurry of coincidences and fateful machinations bring Naruto and Sakura together at the local baths. Can they rein in their animal passions? And do you really think that's the kind of story I write?

(Just r e a d. Please.)

.

Garden of Sanctuary: Nes Mikel || ff.net || T || Canon divergent || oneshot

An alternate ending to Naruto. The Heavens describe the Garden a peaceful paradise. The Hells describe the Garden a baneful prison. In here... which is it?

(This is part of a series which you can follow from the author's profile. This is the second part, but can be read exclusively. As far as the AU goes, this story and settings is brilliant and heartbreaking. This is told from Naruto's pov. To look at things from Sakura's, read the first part. It is multi-chaptered.)

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Complications: Geno Calamari || ff.net || T || canon divergent || oneshot

While capturing the Kyuubi, Uchiha Itachi finds true adversaries in the form of Haruno Sakura and Uzumaki Naruto.

(Wanna see NaruSaku teamwork? This is it! You wouldn't find it anywhere better. Strong!Naruto, Strong!Sakura versus Itachi Uchiha)

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Life is a waving feather: jusrecht || AO3 || T || AU || oneshot

Everyone thought they were inevitable.

(There's beauty in subtlety and this is that. Also, mentions of character death.)

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Home: kirabook || AO3 || T || AU || complete

Shinachiku finds himself in a strange place with little to no explanation. Everyone he knows is there, but why are they acting so strangely? Why do they seem so different? And where is his home? 

(Cute and heartwrenching at the same time. Cameo Stalker. Read this for NS family feels pre-marriage.)

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Things we never say: thekatthatbarks || AO3 || T || oneshot

She wished she knew how to hold things lightly. There were some things she was terrified of breaking. Whether it be from an honest misstep or simply because she could.

(Reminds you why we love NS so much.)

.

Open seasons: sazzafraz || AO3 || T || SNS || postwar || oneshot

The way Sasuke comes home is less myth and more devastatingly embarrassing happenstance.

(Featuring badass!Sakura, obedient!Naruto and normal!Sasuke, as well as Sakura's commentary on her life)

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Five things Sakura will never tell Naruto: sowell || AO3 || T || AU || oneshot

Kunoichi know how to keep their secrets.

(NS relationship analysis story.)

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Artistic purposes: StormyInk || AO3 || M || AU || Oneshot

Sai finds his favorite drawing subjects a bit lacking of late, and he sets a plan into motion to draw his team mates together. Simply for the sake of his art, of course.

(Aka Sai is fed up from seeing his teammates dancing around each other and decides to help them get laid–the story. You gotta admit Sai is the best wingman.)

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I collect my tears (so I can drown you in them): amako || AO3 || T || AU || complete

The hardest thing is letting go. Or Sakura sees Naruto falling in love with Shikamaru a little more every day, and she does the only thing she can think of. Then it's only a matter of learning how to stop loving Naruto.

(Sakura and Angst that has nothing to do with Sasuke. Featuring Sakura-sensei. And Shikamaru. It's a great story if you know when to let go of canon)

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Stranger than the wild: kiddattwell || AO3 || M || SNS || postwar || Ongoing

The war is over and Sasuke is home for good, but Sakura can't choose between the boys she loves. Sasuke still has his demons and Naruto still fights them and Sakura still follows them both, but this time down a path that none of them expected.

(This is canon. It is the best SNS story I've ever read. Story told in SNS POV in rotation. Slow burn, pining and relationship complication. YOU GOTTA READ THIS, I INSIST!!!! Also features SaiIno and InoShika.)

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Bringing Back Sasuke: Blue Jeans || ff.net || T || post war || oneshot

Naruto brings Sasuke back to Sakura. Many, many times over. Sasuke does not appreciate; not the blood and definitely not the angst.

(I've read this story multiple times and it gets funnier and makes your heart hurt and swell simultaneously each time. NaruSaku wouldn't be blissfully happy together without Sasuke thrown somewhere in the mix, that's exactly why I love SNS. This story perfectly represents the dynamic of team 7.)

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Yurei: Kanji no Sakka || ff.net || T || AU || oneshot

The past should stay dead and buried, but it won't if Naruto can't let go.

(Not exactly my favourite story, but I liked the concept. We all know how stubborn Naruto is once decides on something. If he wants to become Hokage, he will become Hokage. If he believes in Sasuke, he will believe in him forever. If he loves Sakura, he will marry her – uh, or should have, very OCC of him that he didn't.)

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Tag NS fan you know so they don't miss any of this!

[tngrace]

Firey Situation

TK & Carlos's apartment complex catches on fire trapping Carlos inside.

Pt 3 of my Tarlos College AU Series. Thanks as always to @moviegeek03 & @justkillingtimewhileiwait for their constant support on my writing. It means the world. 

Tarlos/911 LS Masterlist; Read on A03

TK had been on shift for the last twenty-four hours. The calls hadn't been too terrible, but he was exhausted and missed his boyfriend. Carlos had sent him a couple of selfies in their texts throughout the last twenty-fours hours, but it wasn't the same as seeing him in person. He knew Carlos was at home asleep even though it was only eight pm. He'd had a long day of classes and he'd text TK that practice had been brutal. TK thought Carlos’s allergies were acting up and he just didn't want to admit it, so he was hoping his boyfriend was getting some much needed rest.

When B shift arrived, TK slung his bag on his shoulder and headed out. He was very much looking forward to crashing alongside Carlos once home. What he wasn't expecting was to pull into their complex to see fire and smoke. Adrenaline kicked in faster than he thought possible, and he was out of the car heading for the crowds of people searching for Carlos. He was single-minded in his desire to find him. When he couldn't, when he didn't see those curls and brown eyes he loved so much, he ran for their apartment.

It was a challenge getting through the crowds, but non-ems personnel didn't even try to stop him. When he saw the front door already engulfed, he did his best to bite back a sob. He looked around one more time to make sure he hadn't just missed Carlos, but he still didn't see him. He ran around the back of the building; they had a back door and a window, and when both were still closed, TK felt his heart sinking. "Carlos," he screamed, the smoke outside already starting to get to him without proper equipment. He screamed his boyfriend's name again, but was once again only met with the sounds of the fire eating the building, the smoke alarms, and the sirens.

He knew all the firefighters would be out front working on putting out the fire and making sure all the apartments were empty. He knew no one would notice him on the backside of the apartments. He did his best to look through the window, not able to get in the backdoor having left his keys in his car. He banged on the window screaming Carlos’s name but nothing. He had to stop a few times to cough, but then he saw it. Carlos was laying in the hallway floor not moving.

TK's heart kicked into overdrive; he couldn't lose him. He just couldn't. He finds the largest rock he can and throws it through the window. His heart is racing, and the little smoke he is breathing in is almost too much. He takes his hoodie off and wraps his hand clearing away as much glass as possible. He grips the edges heaving himself up into the window. He just barely fits but he makes it. The living area is totally engulfed and creeping closer to his unconscious boyfriend.

He screams Carlos’s name as he rights himself in the back hallway, but Carlos never moves. There's no telling how much smoke he's inhaled. He scrambles to Carlos’s side once he's on his feet; he checks for a pulse first thing, relieved to find one, even if it's faint. He maneuvers Carlos over his shoulder and then he's headed for the back door. He throws it open just as the fire reaches where they just were. He gets Carlos outside breathing in his own fresh air. He's not sure how he got from their back door to the front of the complex so quickly, but the next thing he knows he's yelling for a gurney.

The next little bit passes in a blur for TK. They’re both loaded into an ambulance and taken to the hospital. TK tries to stay with Carlos, but they get seperated when TK needs to be checked out himself. He has some minor cuts from the window on his arms, and they put him on a little oxygen to help clear up the smoke he inhaled. He tries to get updates on Carlos, but he’s not his boyfriend’s emergency contact. That would be Carlos’s parents, and TK doesn’t know them. They’d never thought to change their contacts, never thinking they would have a need for it. TK is released in a couple of hours, and he moves to the waiting room unable to leave. He needs to see Carlos, needs to know he’s ok. He's been sitting there about an hour when Judd and Grace appear in front of him. TK gives him a confused look before Grace is pulling him up into a hug. TK is still getting used to relying on his fire fam, but he loves Grace and Judd treats him just like a brother.

"How?" He manages to get out when Grace passes him off for a hug from Judd.

"I took the call earlier, and we've known the Reyes family a while," she says when they sit down with TK between them.

"Of course," he murmurs as he runs his hands up and down his thighs. "I don't…. I haven't… we…"

"It's ok. Just take a breath," Judd tells him as he rubs a hand up TK's back to calm him.

TK gulps in a big breath and slowly let's it out. "I haven't heard how he is. He was… he was unconscious when I got him out. We haven't, we never changed our contacts so I can't get any information on him." His voice is almost a wounded whimper making Judd and Grace share a look.

Grace pats TK's arm and then she's up and moving. "You got him out?" Judd questions softly.

TK nods. "Yea I got home from shift, and the whole place was in flames. I couldn't… I couldn't find him so I went in."

"Without gear?! TK have you been checked out?!"

"Yea. Yes.. I was released about an hour ago. They cleaned the cuts I got from climbing in the window and made me stay on oxygen for an hour."

"Why didn't you call one of us?!"

TK looks at him like he's grown a second head. "We just got off a twenty-four. I wasn't bothering any of you."

"TK," Judd groans, running a hand down his face.

TK huffs and turns his attention back to trying to find Grace.

"Family calls family no matter what. You haven't slept either. Next time call ok?"

TK just stares at Judd for the longest as the reality of finally having a real family sinks into his exhausted worried brain. "Ok," he whispers with a nod. Judd ruffles his hair and TK is too tired to stop him. They sit in silence til Grace returns. "Come on," she says motioning for them to follow.

"Where are we going?" TK asks nervously, but he jumps up to follow her.

"You are going to see your boy," she tells him in that nonsense way only Grace can perfect.

TK stops dead making Judd run into him with an oooff. "TK," he grunts managing to keep them both upright. Grace turns around giving them both an unimpressed look. "Is there a problem boys?"

"I don't think they know Carlos and I are together. I mean… I don't… we haven't talked in detail… but he just… I can't."

"You can and you are," Grace counters, grabbing his hand. She's careful with his injuries, but she tugs him on. "You're his roommate right? If nothing else roommates check on roommates."

She leads him to Carlos’s room. Carlos is on oxygen and ivs, luckily he escaped without any burns. His parents are on one side of the bed, his dad's arm around his mom's shoulders keeping her close. TK can tell she's been crying. "Gabriel, Andrea, this is TK. He's Carlos’s roommate, and the one who got him out," Grace says quietly as Judd props up in the doorway as Grace drags TK further into the room. He's staring at her like she's crazy that she offered up that little tidbit, but she just shrugs and pushes him closer to Carlos’s parents before stepping back by Judd's side.

Andrea pulls him into a tight hug and repeatedly thanks him. "No thanks needed," TK tells her quietly. "Your son is amazing and means a lot to me. He'd do it for me."

Before they can say anymore, Carlos makes a whining noise catching all their attention. TK goes to step towards him before remembering he's just a friend in this instance. He let's Gabriel and Andrea surround him, and he barely holds in a gasp when Carlos’s first wheezy breath is TK's name. TK freezes as all eyes turn to him. Carlos wheezes TK's name again; "Shhh hijo, él está aquí*," Andrea murmurs as she runs a hand through his hair. His eyes are searching for him as Andrea replaces his oxygen mask. "I'll get the doctor," Gabriel says as he heads out the door. Andrea holds out her hand to TK to come closer so Carlos can see him.

"I'm here," TK says softly coming up on the other side of the bed opposite Andrea. "You're ok Carlos." He gives him a watery smile and grabs his hand before Carlos can connect with his face. He gives it a pat and then lays it back on the bed as Carlos scrunches his forehead at him in confusion.

"You rest. I'm gonna…. I'll go see if anything was salvageable from the apartment and let you know."

Before Carlos can say anymore TK is out the door. He doubles over in the hallway panting for air as tears stream down his cheeks. "Ok. Come on you're going to get some sleep," Judd says as he rubs TK's back. He knows it's hard only being Carlos’s friend that moment, and they've both been through a lot. "We'll sort the apartment later." He doesn't give TK a chance to protest, just leads him out to their truck with Grace following. Judd stops by the apartment complex and gets TK's duffle and keys from the jeep. It's hard seeing their home in ruins, but at this point he's too exhausted. He dozes off in the truck and only wakes when Judd shakes him awake. He takes his bag with a thanks, and follows Grace to the spare bedroom. He kicks his shoes off and falls face first into the bed. He let's the tears fall until he falls asleep.

The doctor checks Carlos over after Gabriel informed them he was awake. His eyes kept straying towards the door hoping TK would come back. They want to leave him on oxygen for a while longer and tell him he needs to rest and let his body heal. Carlos is too tired to question his parents on where TK went, and he falls back into a fitful sleep. The next time he wakes his parents are murmuring quietly over food. He still doesn't see TK, and it's really stressing him out. He doesn't know if TK was injured as well. He doesn't know where he's staying. He needs TK. He does his best to push himself up, but his body still feels exhausted. "hijo fácil. Qué ocurre?" Gabriel asks, having seen Carlos trying to move.

"TK?" Where's TK?" He asks before Andrea is putting the oxygen mask back over his face. Gabriel and Andrea share a knowing look. They had gathered from the brief visit with TK that he was more than just a friend to their son. "He's at the Ryders. He's resting. Judd said he was exhausted."

Carlos keeps looking between them; he knows what they're saying is true, TK had worked a twenty-four, but he needs to see him. "I'll call Judd," Gabriel says reading his son so easily. Andrea continuously strokes her hand through his curls to help relax him. A nurse and doctor cycle through to check on him. They step him down to a cannula and are hopeful they'll be able to release him tomorrow.

Once the doctor and nurse are gone, Andrea sits on the edge of the bed and resumes her hand stroking through his hair. "Carlitos you know you can tell us anything right?" She asks so softly. The look of panic on her son's face breaks her heart. "Baby. We love you, so much."

"I… I know." He won't meet her eyes as he fiddles with the blanket. "What…" he clears his throat and she holds some water for him to sip. "Gracias, mamà."

She gives him a nod and squeezes his hand for him to continue. "What do you think I have to tell you?"

Andrea let's out a soft sigh and before she can answer Gabriel returns. "Judd says TK is sleeping. Says he hasn't moved since he hit the bed. He'll wake him if you want, or as soon as TK's awake they'll go get his jeep and he can come down."

"It's fine," Carlos says shaking his head and clearing his throat once more. He inhaled quite a bit of smoke and it's taking some getting used to the hoarseness and scratchiness of his voice. Andrea gets him to drink more water as she shares another look with Gabriel. Carlos is too tired to deal right now, so after thanking his mother once more, he drifts back off. He wakes a couple of hours later, and his parents are still there. Andrea checks to make sure he’s feeling ok, and he gives her a nod. He can still feel the tension from their previous conversation, and he knows they're going to have to discuss it before TK gets there. “Mama? What were you thinking I had to tell you earlier?”

Andrea and Gabriel move closer, one on each side of his bed. Andrea runs her hand through his hair; it’s always calmed him, and she hates seeing this tension her son is carrying. “TK’s more than a friend, si?” Gabriel says just as soft Andrea had been talking earlier.

Carlos stares at his dad wide eyed; his body unconsciously tensed, panic flowing through him. He should’ve known though that his dad would be the one to figure it out. “It’s ok Carlitos. It’s ok,” Andrea says trying to help him relax.

“Si,” he barely whispers. “He’s… he’s my b…. B.. boyfriend. We met at ACC. He’s a dual certified EMT and firefighter. He works at the 126 with Judd.” He won’t look at them the whole time he’s rambling. He knows they love him, that’s never changed, but after he came out, they never said another word about it. He’s never brought anyone home to meet them, not that there’s been many to bring home, but he can’t lie to them about TK. Not when he knows they figured it out.

“Are you happy? Does he make you happy?” Andrea asks, picking up on her son’s nerves.

“So very much,” he doesn’t hesitate.

“That’s all we’ve ever wanted hijo. We just want you happy,” this coming from Gabriel.

Carlos finally looks up at them, tears swimming in his eyes. “You… you never said anything,” he hiccups, his breath catching on a sob. Andrea gives him some more water and then she pulls him into a hug to try and calm him. His breathing still isn’t the best, but the oxygen helps; she just doesn’t want him to stress himself out too much.

“We thought you would want things to go on like normal. Nothing changed for us. We didn’t realize that by not talking about it, we were hurting you,” Andrea said softly wiping at her own eyes.

“I’m sorry,” Carlos whispers to which both his parents shush him. He hates seeing his mom upset though.

“You’ve nothing to be sorry for son. Nothing at all,” Gabriel reassures. “How do we make this better?” he asks Carlos as Andrea wipes her eyes.

“Just be here, talk to me, love me,” Carlos says with a soft smile.

“Done,” they say at the same time.

They let Carlos rest for a few more hours before TK shows up. Carlos properly introduces TK to his parents, and he manages to catch his boyfriend when TK falls into his arms in tears. The last forty-eight hours had been really stressful on him, and he’s so glad to be back in his arms. Andrea and Gabriel leave for the night with the promise to return with breakfast. They also offered to let the boys stay at the ranch until they decide what they’re going to do for housing. Carlos feels like he’s living in a dream, but he couldn’t be happier. He and TK talk about everything that happened after his parents leave. He kisses TK in thanks for saving him, before softly lecturing him about coming in without gear. “I couldn’t leave you. You mean too much to me. I can’t live without you Carlos.”

“I can’t live without you either TK.”

Carlos is discharged the next day with an inhaler just in case. The doctor is almost positive his lungs are clear enough not to need it, but he’d rather be safe than sorry. TK promises to keep an eye on him, and Carlos gives him an affection eye roll knowing TK will be hovering for a little bit. They take his parents up on their offer to stay at the ranch just until they figure out their next move. Things aren’t perfect with his parents but it's a start, and with TK by his side, he knows they can tackle anything that comes their way.

*shhh son he's here

**easy son. What's wrong

[nightwingfangirl]

So, I'm going to try writing one of my actual stories here. It will be updated after this as separate parts, so look out for it. You can also find it on Wattpad, A03 and Fanfiction.net

Bloodlines

Dick Grayson, it turns out, was adopted by the Graysons as a baby. That leaves a few questions; Who are his real parents? And how will he react when he discovers their identities?

*I own nothing but the plot! All images used are not mine. *

Part 1

Bruce Wayne stared at his computer screen, scanning the document before him for any sign of it being fake. For all his effort, he couldn't see any.

He had begun his search into Dick's background due to the many remarks made by guests and friends at Dick's likeness to both himself and his father, Thomas Wayne. He himself had noticed a few things, but had waved them off as coincidences. There was no way that he and Dick were blood relatives, although he had adopted the 15 year old recently, 7 years after taking him in.

Still, he had been curious, so he looked up Dick's records and, most importantly, his birth certificate.

As it turns out, Dick's parents weren't actually the Graysons. He had been adopted on the day he was born by the pair. His real birth certificate read that his birth mother's name was Enlisa Kley. He had been born in France, as expected and his father was listed as "Unknown", but, judging by his real mother's unscrambled name and the time of his birth, Bruce had some suspicions as to who it could be. He just needed to run some tests first.

…::-::...

The results came back positive, just as Bruce had expected. The only problem was telling Dick, but he needed to speak to Dick’s biological mother first.

…::-::...

“Selina,” Bruce said, as she entered her apartment that night.

Selina jumped slightly in surprise, “Bruce, what a pleasant surprise. What are you doing here?”

“16 June 2004? Does that ring a bell?”

Catwoman’s eyes widened, “What about it?”

“Why didn’t you tell me?”

“I couldn’t keep him.”

“So you gave him up for adoption?”

“Not exactly. I met the Graysons at the hospital. Mary had just suffered a miscarriage and lost her child. I had just had a child that I couldn’t keep, so I let them adopt him.”

“But you still didn’t think to tell me? Even after I took him in myself.”

“It was too late by then.”

“Don’t you think it’s too late now?”

There was a pause in their conversation.

“Are you going to tell him?”

“We can’t not tell him. He has to know. It’s only fair. I’m certain that he won’t like it at first, but he will accept it eventually.”

Selina sighed, “Alright, when are we going to do it?”

“Now.”

Part 2:

“Master Dick, Master Bruce wishes to see you in his study.”

Dick looked up from his algebra homework as Alfred spoke.

“Alright, Alfred. I’ll come now.”

The immortal butler gave a slight nod before vacating the doorway. Dick finished off his equation before heading to the study.

He entered through the open doorway, and was surprised to find Selina Kyle there as well.

“Alfred said you wanted to see me?”

“Yes,” Bruce said, vaguely, “I have something important to tell you, that I’m not sure you’ll like.”

Dick stiffened slightly. What was Bruce talking about? What wouldn't he like? And what did Catwoman have to do with it?

“I was looking into your background,” Bruce explained, “and I found out that the Graysons weren’t actually your parents. You were adopted by them as a baby.”

Dick’s blood ran cold. The Graysons weren’t his parents? He was adopted? But then…

“Who - who are my real parents then?”

Bruce took a deep breath, and told him.

Dick’s eyes widened with every word in both surprise and shock. Bruce was his father. Selina was his mother. The Graysons weren’t his parents. He hadn’t watched his parents die. His whole life was a lie.

Bruce finally stopped talking and waited for Dick’s reaction.

Dick didn’t speak, couldn’t speak. He stood in shock, slowly shaking his head in denial. It wasn’t that he didn’t want Bruce to be his father, he just couldn’t believe it.

He slowly backed out of the study, which neither Bruce nor Selina noticed until it was too late.

Dick bolted.

He ran from the study, flew out the doors, and away from the manor. Grasping his cellphone in his hands shakily, he dialed a very familiar number as the tears began to stream down his face.

“Hello?”

“Babs?”

“Dick? Where are you? What’s wrong?”

“W-would your dad mind if I come to stay the night?”

“I’ll ask him, hang on.”

Barbara could be heard talking to her dad in the background.

She soon came back to the phone.

“He says that’s fine. But what’s wrong?”

“I- I’ll tell you when I get there, thanks Babs.”

…::-::...

“So, Dick,” Barbara said as they sat down on her bed, “What caused you to leave the manor in such a rush? And what’s got you so upset?”

Dick explained everything to her. She did, of course, know about Bruce, Dick and Selina’s secrets. She was a vigilante herself.

When Dick had finished, she lay back on her bed and sighed deeply.

“I see,” she said, “Why you were so upset.”

…::-::...

Meanwhile, back at the manor, Batman and Catwoman were suiting up to go and look for their son. They had been unable to find him on the manor’s grounds, and even though they knew that he was well trained, they were worried for his safety. It was late at night, at a time when Gotham rogues were usually about. He did, luckily, have his belt with him, as he had been told to have it on him at all times, so he wasn’t completely weaponless.

The pair climbed into the Batmobile and drove out into the night.

Part 3:

Bruce wasn’t sure why he hadn’t thought of looking there before. Of course that’s where Dick would go.

Barbara’s house.

Barbara had been Dick’s closest friend since they’d met when they were eight years old. The pair had been inseparable ever since.So, naturally, that’s where Dick would go if he was feeling vulnerable.

It was Bruce Wayne who rang the Gordons’ doorbell, not Batman. Commissioner Gordon answered and seemed to not be surprised by the billionaire’s appearance.

“He’s in Barbara’s room,” he simply said.

Bruce went and stood outside the closed door, listening to the sounds from inside. It seemed as though the teens were playing cards, as faint cries of frustration and intermittent laughter could be heard. Taking a deep breath and feeling bad about interrupting their game, Bruce opened the door

…::-::...

Barbara looked up as the door opened, not at all surprised to see Bruce there. Both she and Dick knew that it would only be a matter of time before he thought of looking there. He was the Batman after all.

As Barbara looked at him, and now knowing his connection to Dick, she began to see the similarities between them. She wondered why she hadn’t noticed it before, although she supposed she hadn’t really had a reason to think about it.

Dick also looked up at Bruce’s entrance, and Bruce noticed that he wasn’t as tense or hesitant as the night before, more worried or scared. Bruce could understand that. It wasn’t everyone who had their whole life turned upside down like that.

…::-::..

Dick couldn’t help himself. When he saw Bruce in the doorway, he smiled. It was good to know that Bruce was his father.

Part 4:

It was about a year later, a few months after Jason had been adopted, that the thing that became known as "The Argument" happened.

The end result was Dick quitting as Robin, storming out of the cave, packing up his things and leaving the Manor while Jason could do nothing but watch helplessly.

He and Dick had become close in the few months since they'd met, and he did, at least, have the decency to say goodbye, but Jason was going to miss his big brother.

…::-::...

It was about half an hour after Dick had left the Manor that Barbara got a knock on her front door.

She had only recently got back from her own patrol, and was slightly surprised to see Dick there.

"I just came to say goodbye," Dick explained solemnly, "I'm leaving for a while, I don't know where to, but Bruce doesn't want me anymore."

"What? Dick, why?"

"You know things have been pretty tense between the two of us for a while now, and tonight was the final straw. We both lost it and ended up shouting at each other, and then he tried to fire me, so I quit before he could, packed my things, said goodbye to Jay and Alfred before coming here"

"Oh, Dick," Babs sighed, wrapping him in a hug, "I understand, but, I'll miss you."

"I'll miss you too, Babs. I promise I'll keep in touch, okay?"

…::-::...

After Dick said his, very emotional, goodbye to Barbara, he wandered the Gotham streets until he got to a particular apartment building.

Leaving his bags in a very well hidden alcove, he scaled the side until he got to a certain balcony and climbed inside.

He found Selina on her sofa watching television. She looked up at his entrance.

"Dick! What are you doing here so late?"

Dick sighed and explained to her the same story he had told Barbara previously. His mother looked just as upset.

"I understand why you're going," she said sadly, "Bruce shouldn't have spoken to you like that. And, don't worry, I'll keep an eye out for Jason."

"Thanks, S," he said, "I'll keep in touch, okay."

"Alright, kitten," she replied.

Before exiting the way he had come, Dick gave her a two-fingered salute before climbing down over the balcony. Selina simply shook her head at her son's antics.

…::-::...

It was about 3 months later that both women realized where Dick had gone. He had messaged the pair simply with a "Watch the news tonight - N" and they had no idea what "N" stood for, but it soon became clear.

They did as he'd asked, finding nothing of interest until a report on a new vigilante in Bludhaven known as Nightwing. Both women smirked. That was definitely Dick.

Part 5:

3 years later, a 19 year old Dick Grayson sat on his sofa in his Bludhaven apartment watching the news. He had it turned to a Gotham channel, feeling nostalgic for the city he had grown up in. It was then that he heard of the tragedy.

"It has been confirmed," the news woman said, "that the second adopted son of Bruce Wayne has been killed."

Dick swore his heart stopped beating.

"The 16 year old was kidnapped by the Joker while on an overseas trip, and was beaten before the warehouse he was being held in blew up. Bruce Wayne, who had been unable to get there in time, is heartbroken over this tragic loss. Our condolences to the family."

Dick switched off the TV. It couldn't be true. Jason couldn't be dead. Not him. Not Dick's little brother. He had to see for himself. He had been away for too long.

…::-::...

There was a loud knocking on her apartment door that woke Barbara up. She checked the time wearily. Who would it be at 04:20 in the morning?

Putting on a top and slippers, she lumbered to and opened the door. She nearly had the fright of her life when a 19 year old Dick Grayson stood worriedly on her doorstep.

"Babs," he said urgently, "Please tell me it isn't true, that Jason isn't…"

"Oh, Dick," Babs cried, all signs of tiredness fading instantly, "I'm sorry, but…"

Dick, realizing what that meant, grasped her tightly in his arms as the both of them cried, cried for the loss of their little brother.

…::-::...

The next morning, Dick awoke bleary-eyed on Barbara's sofa. It took him a moment to realise where he was and why, and, as soon as he did, a huge wave of sadness overcame him.

He got up, changed into a clean set of clothes from the suitcase he had brought with him, and went to check on Barbara.

Seeing that she was still asleep, he decided to let her be as she needed the rest.

Leaving a note beside her bed, he left the apartment quietly, locking the door behind him.

…::-::...

Climbing back into his car, he drove in the direction of the apartment he had last visited three years previously.

Deciding that, while he was there, he might as well make his presence in Gotham a surprise, he left his things in the car and scaled the side of the building once again, climbing over the balcony to enter the apartment.

Selina, this time, was not seated on the sofa, but rather preparing herself some breakfast in the kitchen. She got quite a shock when Dick suddenly appeared in the doorway, probably because she didn't recognise him at first.

Seeing him there again, she was stunned at how much he really did look like Bruce; with the same raven hair and bright blue eyes.

"Dick," she said, walking immediately forwards and embracing her son in a hug, "What are you doing here? When did you get back?"

"I got here last night," he replied, "drove from Bludhaven immediately after I heard about Jason. Spent the night on Babs' sofa, and here we are now."

"He was only 16," Selina uttered, quietly, "far too young to die."

"We all know what we're getting into when we start," Dick agreed, "We just don't really believe it's going to happen."

…::-::...

Dick and Selina spent a good portion of that morning catching up, Dick explaining about his job as a Bludhaven police detective. She listened with interest, but they both knew that it was just an excuse not to talk about Jason.

Soon, Dick said that he needed to leave, knowing that if he was going to talk to Bruce again, it would be better if it was sooner rather than later.

…::-::...

It felt strange, Dick thought, driving up to the familiar iron gates after three years.

He drove up the drive, got out of the car, and stood for a moment before the large mahogany doors, taking a second to build up his courage before knocking.

The doors were opened almost immediately by Alfred, who took one look at the man on the doorstep and gave him a small smile.

"Master Dick," he said, "Welcome back."

Part 6:

"Master Bruce is in his study, with Master Tim," Alfred informed

"Okay, thanks, Alfie."

Tim, Dick knew, was Bruce's latest adopted son, his youngest brother.

Dick walked reluctantly up the stairs to where he knew the study was situated. Knocking briefly on the door, he opened it and went inside.

Both occupants looked up at his entrance, one of surprise and the younger of confusion. Bruce and Tim.

"Dick?" Bruce uttered, "You're back."

"I'm sorry I stayed away for so long."

"It's my fault."

"Not entirely."

"Truce then?"

"Truce."

Apparently, I have almost reached the maximum length, so the rest will be a separate post. I have, however, only written up to part 7, so the parts after that will follow on separately.

Please let me know what you think 😊

[jamesnovakwinchester]

(1) idk what u think about this from a writer's perspective but don't u think there's an oversaturation of bangs that may contribute to authors feeling overwhelmed by their schedule & not being able to do the work they want to do bc they're so worried about how much they have yet to do?? it's something i've noticed in this fandom in particular?? there's so many bangs coming out and they're all back to back that no one gets a chance to rest & breathe & live their lives without a schedule

(2) of bangs looming over their heads and thus fostering a sense of despair as authors feel guilty and immense pressure bc they feel like they have to write even tho their plate may already be too full,,, idk it just seems like there’s constant demand for new content that may be leaving authors wrung out especially since no one pays them for their free content (commissions not included obvs) it’s not a criticism just something i’ve seen in my time in the spn fandom

So I’m gonna answer this in two parts because I think there are a couple things being hinted at in this ask and I have a lot of thoughts about these topics.

So, one, do I think there is an oversaturation of bangs in the fandom and do I think that leads to author despair? Kinda yes but also kinda no.

There are a buttload of bangs in the spn fandom, that’s for sure. And, there have only been more in the past year. I can name at least four that were brand new this year and three of them are starting today. But I think these bangs exist for a very specific reason. I know the mods of the DCJ bang and I know a big motivation behind that bang was to get more art for Dean/Cas/Jimmy (there was literally one art work before the bang) and to get more fics that weren’t all written by the same few people. Seriously, prior to the DCJ BB announcement, there were maybe 100 works for that ship on A03 and most of those that had been written post Pitchers and Catchers and by people who all knew each other on tumblr. The Saileen BB, which I’m co-moding, was created as a retaliation to canon. It was a “fuck you, we’ll keep the love alive”, kind of thing. Other bangs like the Crowley BB and the BMoL BB were created out of love for those characters and fans who just weren’t done with them yet. In many ways, that’s what fandom is all about! And it encourages other writers who might be on the fence about writing their idea or don’t think anyone will care because it’s not one of the Two Big Ships to write and for readers to find authors who write something they’re interested it. It’s really awesome in that respect.

The issue, I think, comes when a person is a multishipper or a shipper in one of the ships that has an assload of challenges. Destiel has, currently, the BB, the reverse bang, the tropefest, the harlequin challenge, another BB (because there were issues with last year’s BB and some people got really pissed) and probably a few mini bangs, too. I know Wincest also has a BB and reverse bang, but I don’t know if they have challenges to the extent that Destiel does. If you’re a Destiel shipper, but particularly a writer, you know the issue with oversaturation that ship has. (But I will save that for the second part of the answer.) As a multishipper, I want to write for all the bangs. I want people who love the same ships as I do to have new content, and I want to read new content, too. I want long fics with character depth instead of just one-shots all the time (not that there’s anything wrong with one-shots or the people who stick to those, I just tend to be a long fic reader). For people like me, who want to read and write it all, the fact that a million and one bangs all at once can be stressful, and it does make me feel a little sad when I can’t participate in all of them. But I think the fact that there are a lot of specific bangs that deal with specific characters or ships is a good thing. Those of us who do ship obscure things and those who prefer genfic have a place to explore characters, make friends, and find new readers. And, not every writer is going to care about every bang. A strict Wincest shipper probably doesn’t care about the Crowley BB, and a genfic writer probably doesn’t care about ship focused bangs either. The people who are going to have the biggest issue with overextending themselves are going to be the people who write for a lot of ships and/or characters. In general, I think it’s a good thing that we have a lot of bangs. It’s a little strange, sure, but SPN’s fandom is wild. We want to see our favorite characters live on after the story is done, and I think that’s cool. I can definitely see how it’s stressful for some people, and I myself have stressed myself out trying to write multiple bangs at once, but it’s a learning curve and it is dependent on each author. Some can manage three or four projects at a time and others just can’t. I know a few authors (myself included) who stress out about bangs and feel there just isn’t enough time in the year to do everything they want. But bang participation is voluntary. I also know several writers who’ve never written in bang and are still stressed about the pressure to produce. Which leads me to part two…

…. it just seems like there’s constant demand for new content that may be leaving authors wrung out especially since no one pays them for their free content…

Yes. Yes, there is a lot of pressure for authors to produce new content but it has little to do with bangs, imo. I personally feel that bangs, in addition to being about celebrating characters that we lost too soon or rarer ships, are an opportunity for writers of The Two Big Ships to get attention. I’m gonna pick on Destiel a bit, but just because I think the prime example of what I’m talking about. The ship is a behemoth. Currently, (at least last I checked) it is the most written ship on Ao3.  Hundreds of thousands of words a cranked out yearly for this ship and because of that, smaller authors or new fics are lost. It doesn’t help, of course, that so many of the rec lists look exactly the same with the same few fics and authors populating them. In order to get noticed, the best chance a smaller author has is to participate in a bang or challenge and hopefully be interesting enough that bang readers will give them a shot. It sounds a little cynical, but I do think it plays a part in why there are so many challenges for that ship in particular. Authors are hungry for interaction, so we’re more likely to throw ourselves into challenges if we think we’ll get attention and interaction. It may sound a little vapid, but that’s how we’re paid. I don’t get paid in money to write, but I do get paid in kind words, so the more of that I get the better I feel and the more likely I am to continue to write. It’s kind of sucky thing, honestly.

Rather than being a main source of author despair, I think bangs and challenges are a response to it. We need to feel like we’re not just screaming into the void, here. Fanfic is an oversaturated market, but I don’t think it would be as much of an issue if readers were just a little more kind with their kudos and comments. I know that it’s different because 10% of readers leaving a “like” is actually pretty good but it still can sting and leave authors to feel that if they just produced more or better work or longer work or whatever they’d get more attention. (Or fewer “more!!” “update soon!” comments.)  It’s a strange thing, too, that most people who write for fun do so to make themselves feel better so we do tend to write other projects if one we’re doing is leaving us unsatisfied. (And then we feel more stressed because we’ve got a million things we’re working on and none of them are done and we start circling the drain in our minds.)

The demand for new content is definitely something that leaves authors feeling wrung out and unappreciated, but I think it’s separate from bangs. It may occur in bangs, too, but it happens independently of them as well. I think the stress surrounding having a lot of projects going can and does come from bangs, but I don’t think it’s the only thing that causes the stress. I think, by and large, authors feel the pressure to create lest they are regarded as unimportant. That’s, of course, not true, but that’s how a lot of us feel at times.

That’s my opinion, though. If anyone else wants to weigh in they’re more than welcome.