#v: I would kill the stars themselves ; if it weren’t but for you ; still out there among them — ( Star Wars AU )

[hannahwatcheshorror]

V/H/S: VIRAL (2014)

😿Dog dies

When I first saw this movie I remember being in such awe and this time I just don’t get what I saw the first time around. I think I was just impressed by how they tied the whole thing together better this movie but still the actual videos themselves weren’t all that impressive.

⭐⭐.5

(Trigger Warning R word, self harm)

My first time watching this I gave it five stars and I really don’t feel that way now, the movie was decent but certainly not perfect. Before I literally wrote “The other movies led up to this point and it is all that matters.” but having watched it again with fresh eyes that have seen so much good horror… It’s alright. I guess when I first watched it I had caught the virus but not so much this time. Did I have high expectations considering I had rated it perfect before? Not really! I was just excited to see an old friend, you know? Either way it just didn’t cut the mustard.

Our videos are all tied together by a massive car chase going on with a suspicious ice cream van that is tearing through town and we have a random homeboy that decides it is a great idea to leave his home and start recording BUT then the shady van takes his girlfriend (not cool!). He gets a call from her and that leads us to our first video. To begin, magic is real! A magician's assistant is spilling the beans because her magician is an evil little man who feeds people to his magic cloak! His assistant, Scarlett, who has aspirations to be a magician herself, found tapes of her boss, Dante, murdering a man so she called the police on him. He used his magic cloak to summon her though and attempted to kill her too. She used her own magic and sleight of hand to tie Dante to his cloak and doom him, saving herself and leaving a mystery of “Where did Dante go?” We are then back in the chase, homeboy has himself a bike and is trying to catch the van. We randomly find ourselves at a backyard party where everyone thinks the search party is for them, an uncle gets his dog hurt so he kills everyone at the party, but then a propane tank explodes. Anyway.

The second video is a door to another dimension. Mystery genitals, as you would probably guess, but we will get to that part. A scientist makes a portal door to a parallel dimension and it works! With very little background checking on his double they switch places for 15 minutes to do whatever they want in each other's dimensions and what could go wrong? Turns out a lot of things, like that the people in the other dimension have flashlight faces and do weird sex rituals. He barely makes it out back to his side (dimension A) while in dimension A while Guy B is attacking Wife A with Guy B’s sharp toothed alien puppet penis. (WACK) Guy B runs away because Wife A gets a knife to defend herself and he goes back to Wife B who is mad because of what Guy A did so she uses her sharp toothed alien puppet vagina to eat Guy B… Then Wife A kills Guy A because she thinks he’s the one who attacked her! Does it make sense? No? Okay! Back to the chase our homeboy is still struggling but we meet a girl stripping for the camera but then she starts to hold the guy up? Turns out she has a bone to pick with the porno guy for posting inappropriate videos of her without her consent. He is scared at first but then he turns the tables and has his hands around her neck before they are hit by another car. ANYWAY.

Third, some skateboarders get wrapped up in some Satanism. At first they are just filming a sick skateboarding video but then one of them gets an abrasion that bleeds on a creepy drawing that is clearly for some ritual and the blood burns up! Then all these spooky people come and attack the skate crew! And then the spooky, scary skeletons. The boys deck the boney bastards with their skateboards and make it out but there is some sort of beast that has been summoned that comes out just as this video comes to an end. Back in the world of the car chase our homeboy has caught up with the suspicious ice cream truck and inside are cameras and monitors all showing him on video. Then his girlfriend appears and demands him to press the upload switch, he says no, but she starts to hit her head until he does it (and even after). It really wrapped the whole thing up quite nicely and when our homeboy stumbles out of the van he finds his girlfriend on the opposite side on the ground, dead.

[trickshxt]

au starter call for @chokethelight​ (wyndel)​​ / accepting

The mud colored cape covers his face; a hood to keep the world out, a hood to keep his own cloud of discontentment in. (It wouldn’t do to show such where eyes could see and report back. The consequences weren’t pleasant.) The swill in hand is overpriced, but it’s his, at least. And he intends to finish. No matter the figure that stops at his table, armor bright and presence enough to cause this part of the bar to grow quiet. 

His frown only grows. “Ain’t a bounty against me, least none I know about. So kindly fuck off.”

[radiowallet]

In Knots

Summary: Din shows you how good he is with his hands.

Pairing: Din Djarin x F!reader

WC: 2.3K

Warnings: 18+ Minords DNI, Canonical type violence, Unprotected p in v sex, fingering, slight dom behavoir, slight bdsm, bondage, dirty talk, cursing, helmetless Din, and some minor joking about Star Wars.

A/N: Sometimes, my husband and I make really absurd jokes about Star Wars. Case in point- what if Din kept bounty hunting and just decided to strap his bounties to the front of his ship like a hunter does with deer? Then of course I share this joke with my dearest @astroboots and @jazzelsaur and then things instantly got slutty. Let me be clear, this doesn't happen without either of them. Please go tell both of them how amazingly talented they are. Also, funny enough, this is the first time I've written Din Djarin smut (outside of an AU) soooo, yeah. *hides*

You knew Din had strong hands. It was hardly a secret. The man has pulled you apart with just the thrust of three fingers and the quick turn of his wrist more times than you could even remember. His skill with a blaster was double in the privacy you shared, armor discarded and skin bare. But something else entirely erupted in your brain earlier today. It had started as a joke- the lack of storage in the N-1 Starfighter glaringly obvious as Din carried his bounty back to the ship- and you couldn't help but casually tease him about how he was going to have to get creative when transporting the body back. Din just stared at you, the black of his visor offering zero clues about how he intended to solve this problem. 

You certainly weren’t riding in that stupid bubble seat next to his latest kill. 

You watched in quiet awe as your mandalorian heaved the lifeless bounty to the front of his new ship, nimble fingers wrapping thick rope around and around, pulling knots tight, tight enough to withstand the pull of light speed. He grunted and groaned as he tugged again and again at the ropes. Without even trying you could picture the muscles beneath the beskar, straining against the tan of his skin, and your brain whispered the most devious thoughts in your ear. 

By the time Din turned back around, you were a mess; eyes wide, lips parted, knees shaking. 

You could hear the smirk in his voice a mile away. “See something you like riduur?” 

You could only nod in response, your voice whisked away with any last remaining jokes you might have had. Din gave a low chuckle– knowing exactly what he did to you– walking up to you slowly, taking his time with each step, a killer stalking its prey. When he finally reached you, he pinched your chin between his thumb and forefinger leaning down until the cool metal of his helmet brushed against your temple, the leather of his gloves still warm from where he had been pulling at the ropes. 

“I thought you knew how good I was with knots?”

Good was understatement. 

It had been a quick turnaround; dropping off the bounty and collecting the credits, then promptly using a majority of those credits to rent a room. If you hadn’t been so hungry for him, you would have reminded Din that those credits were for things like fuel and food. You’re glad you didn’t. 

The room is small. Barely enough for a bed, a fresher tucked off to the side. It didn’t matter. That was all Din needed. A bed, some rope, and you. He pushes you down gently, helmet tilting as he looks you over head to toe, a silent command dripping out of him: Strip. 

You shudder, licking your lips and keeping eye-contact with the deep fathom of his helmet. Your answer is just as muted, a nod of your head as your fingers reach for the hem of your top. You rid yourself of your clothes, zero flourish in the quick way you pull your tunic overhead and kick off your leggings. Din watches silently, hands flexing into fists at his side, a hunter ready to pounce, his prey baring themselves for him like a lamb to the slaughter. 

A sigh of relief reaches your ears as the last of your clothing slips to the floor, and Din rewards you, reaching up and removing his helmet, giving you the first glimpse of his eyes that day. The sweet honey color is gone, black bleeding into dark brown, his lips curled with arousal, eyebrows pinched as he regards you with barely tempered need. 

“Is this is okay?” 

He asks every time. It never matters if it’s soft or hard- a fast fuck behind a cantina, the weight of his armor pressing you into the wall, or gentle love-making where he makes sure to caress each piece of your exposed skin with his own- Din will always ask, will always find it hard to believe that you are his and he is yours. You are eternally honored that you get to be the one that reminds him. 

His palm finds your cheek, his hard edges smoothing slightly as you nuzzle the bare skin, his gloves pulled off too, another wall breaking away. He doesn’t move until he feels you nod, a silent reminder that the trust is still there, and he takes one solid breath in, absorbing the seconds as they tick by. Then, like lightning cracking against the desert sky, he’s on you. 

Nimble hands twist your body around, face pressed into the thin mattress as Din pulls your arms up above your head. Thick rope soon joins the touch of his fingertips, weaving around and around, pulled tight enough to bite at the delicate turn of your wrists, followed by the sweet press of his lips. His mustache tickles where skin meets bone and you can’t help but laugh, earning you one more kiss and a nip of teeth. 

“Does it hurt?”

The question is whispered, his voice strangled, Din just as tangled as you are. The simmering adrenaline of a fresh kill mixed dangerously with his lust has him barely holding back and you’re desperate to set him free. You pull at the ropes binding your hands together, a soft moan falling out of your lips when you meet sweet resistance, a sting of pain biting into your pleasure. You can feel your arousal leaking out of you, and if it were anyone else you’d be embarrassed, trying to pull your legs closed to hide the effects of your lust. But Din is your safety net, a protective space for you to let all of your jagged pieces show, and so you spread your legs wider, knees digging into the bed, giving him a full view of your aching cunt, whining louder; loud enough for him to understand. 

You feel his hands ghost over your backside, fingertips barely grazing your hips before he pulls away again, the sound of beskar hitting the floor signaling the breaking of the dam. Clang after clang rings loudly through the small room, vibrating from the top of your head to the tips of your toes. You’re anxious, impatience filling you to the brim as you wait for your mandalorian to join you completely, and in your haze you thrust your body backwards, a teasing search for friction, eliciting a strangled groan from above. 

“Needy thing,” Din murmurs, and suddenly you feel the bed dip, his broad frame joining you, lips and tongue trailing up your spine. His breath is hot in your ear, panting wet and sending ripples of need down your back. You keen loudly, twisting your head in search of his lips but he pulls away, leaving you writhing on the bed, your knees slipping underneath the weight of your want. Two strong hands wrap around your waist, pulling your ass up into the air, and without warning Din’s lips are centimeters from where you need him most. 

“So wet, mesh’la.” 

You can only whine in response as the tip of his tongue finds the evidence sticky and warm, coating the inside of your thighs. You can feel your entrance fluttering, another wave of slick leaking out of you at Din’s breath teasing your pussy. He’s laughing again, taunting your aching cunt, not at all dissimilar to how he laughed at the bounty from earlier today. For a brief moment you forget your current position and you try to reach back for any part of him, but you meet the biting resistance of the ropes, and you whine again, Din’s name falling from your lips in a broken plea. 

“Shhh,” he reassures, fingers reaching up to pet at your wrists, the gentle touching stilling your struggle for a few seconds, long enough for his other hand to dip inside you, just enough to make you clench around the tip of his thumb. 

It’s relief and torture all mixed together. Din palms your waist, gripping hard and holding you still as his thumb inches inside you. You’re begging for more before you can stop yourself, your teeth scraping at the meat of your forearm in search of any sort of help to get you closer to release. But he will not be rushed. He takes his time, in all things, and just as he did earlier– slowly lining up his blaster, aim precise and shot deadly– he will take care of you. 

He fucks into you, deliberate and steady, first with his thumb, your orgasm crashing into you harder than you expected, your breath trapped inside your throat. The second is pulled slowly from you as he circles your clit, pressure never wavering, no matter how loud you beg. The third is like fire, your skin burning hotter than the sands of tatooine, Din’s tongue lapping up your release as two fingers stretch you open with practiced ease. Sweat prickles at your temples, your arms shaking, muscles fraught and aching from where the rope keeps them bound above your head. 

Between each wave of pleasure, Din’s lips find your ear, a wet kiss pressed to your damp skin and a gentle request to make sure you’re alright. You want to laugh and scream each and every time, but you know it’s no use. Even in the blind haze of his own need, the blunt pressure of it digging into your back as he once again checks that you have room for one more, Din will always put you first. 

Your patience is worn through, body more than ready for all he has to give. You bite out a growl, thrusting back, the hard length of his cock catching in the curve of your spine, precome smearing into your sweat, Din’s voice taunting as he grips your chin just as he did hours ago, dark eyes carving out a home on your face. 

“What do you want, riduur?”

He’s playing with you, enjoying the hunt far more than the kill, even the endearment teasing around the edges of adoration. You meet his gaze head on, moving back and forth, shoving back into him like a wild beast, challenging him to tame you the same as any creature who dares cross his path. Without warning he moves away, only for the tip of his cock to slam into you, his hips meeting your backside in a crushing blow that knocks your teeth together. A guttural moan rips out of him as he keeps himself buried inside you, the length of him piercing you down the middle.

“Din…Din, move. P-please.” 

He doesn’t move right away, stubborn in more ways than one. You can see his muscles quivering, his forearms landing on the bed, caging you in where they frame your head. His hands find your own, tracing the ropes that bind your wrists together and following the path up to your knuckles, touching gently to each one before lacing his fingers with your own. It’s awkward and tangled, a perfect twist of knots, his body curled around yours as if to shield you from everything but the weight of his cock inside you. 

It takes four more breaths, slowly in and slowly out, before he starts moving again, his hips slowly picking up pace. You can only hold on, fingers clinging where he’s holding them tight as he fucks into you, his knees pressing your legs wide apart.  A cacophony of sound surrounds you, Din’s growls mixing with your mewls of pleasure, skin slapping from his brutal pace, the slick squelch of his cock inside you. It’s filthy and delicious and Maker, you never want it to end. 

Your toes curl and your back tightens, a familiar pool of warmth filling up your core. You’re helpless to stop it, and Din refuses to slow down now that he’s inside you, jamming the head of his cock up inside you again and again, knowing just how to find the spot that turns your vision white and your eyes black. You’re howling, heedless of any other guests that may hear the effects your mandalorian has on you. Let them hear. Let them know how it feels to be a bounty caught in his snare. Pleasure snakes through your body, twining up and around each and every muscle, pulling you as tight as a rubber band, until finally you snap, your release slamming into you. You clench around Din, helpless to do anything but ride out your orgasm as he chases his own. 

His tongue loosens, just enough, and soon, your riduur is a mess, moaning nonsense in your ear as his own orgasm begins to crest.

“So fucking pretty. Pretty girl. My pretty girl filled w-with my….fuck, my cum. Like this. Like me to treat you like my bounties…like something to be tied up?”

He’s shaking, arms tightening around you, his chest pressing into your back as he ruts inside you. His teeth sink into the curve of your neck, a violent bloom of pain biting into the last waves of your pleasure. In your haze you can feel Din’s cock spasm inside you, warmth filling you up, ropes of his cum painting your walls. It seems to go on forever, Din’s hips canting a sloppy pace as moans into your shoulder, dribbles of his release leaking out around where you’re still stuffed with him. Finally, regretfully, he stills, and the two of you are left struggling to bring your heart rates to something close to normal as the mess you’ve made cools on your skin. 

When Din does pull away, you know it will be with a whine and a pout, large hands carefully untying the rope before he scoops you and carries you to the fresher. It will be tender, his aftercare, sweet kisses and gentle praise as he wipes you clean and holds you close. He’ll be insatiable in his need to thank you once again for sharing so much, for trusting so easily, eyes clinging to the marks upon your skin even as he sinks to his knees and licks the last of himself away. You can already feel the warmth of the water and dip of his tongue, though neither of you have attempted to move. For now you’re both content to lay here, twisted in knots.

Dedications

@jazzelsaur for instantly making this stupid joke an idea that morphed into something equal parts hot and ridiculous. You never ever shy away from encouraging me and supporting me, and I honestly don't understand how I got so lucky. Thanks for taking a simple joke and instantly being a whore about it. I love you so much. Please never ever change.

@astroboots Instantly said the words "WRITE IT" the second I snuck into discord and started making Star Wars jokes. Just like Jess, you never ever hesitate to encourage me, and I'm so thankful that you point that loving energy in my direction. You make me want to be better and your kindness and support are a constant inspiration. Love you, and I hope you enjoy this whore-ish moment.

@frannyzooey I really want to take a minute to thank Kelli for being so amazing and sweet. Every once in a while I sneak into your DM's or leave you a message and you're nothing short of sweet and wonderful and encouraging. And when I told you I was writing Din smut you were so excited and it got me even more excited. Other than flowerly little snips of character introspection, I don't hang out with Din much, and you inspire me to strive to try more. Thank you.

[ray-ray-writings]

No Worries-Technoblade

#256 and 257 from this prompt list. Check out my masterlist here!

This is a Techno x gn!reader in the dreamsmp! I hope you enjoy!

Y/N’s been missing for almost a week and the one person that should be worried about them most isn’t worried at all, which upsets some people. 

Third Person POV

Everyone was freaking out. Y/N had been missing for a few days and no one knew where they were, not even their boyfriend Techno. Niki had been the first one to notice. Usually Y/N shows up Saturday mornings to help prep the bakery as Saturday was usually her busiest day. But when they didn’t show, Niki went to their house to try and find them. No one was home. There was no note, no warning, no anything. They had just disappeared. Niki told a few people and all weren’t too worried at first. The excuse that maybe they had gone on a short adventure and forgot to tell anyone. Techno wasn’t too worried and that seemed to calm people’s nerves. 

So everyone went on with their day. Day turned into night and then night back into day and they still were nowhere to be found. Once again, a little bit of panic seemed to rise through the people of the server. Their worries were once more brought to Techno who once again waved them off. Y/N was a big kid and they could take care of themselves if push really came to shove. Tensions settled once more. 

This continued for three more days. Everyone worrying and Techno down playing their worries. His seemingly disintrence in the subject sparked rumors to fly throughout L’Manberg. Maybe Techno never really cared about Y/N. Maybe he hired some hitman to take them away in the middle of the night. Maybe Techno disposed of them himself. They were ridiculous, but when something doesn’t make sense, people tend to jump to conclusions. 

Almost a week had passed since anyone had seen or heard from Y/N. Y/N was well loved on the server and it hurt everyone that they had gone so long without seeing their friend. A small group of people worked up the nerve to go to Techno’s house and demand answers. 

“Techno!” Tubbo shouted as he pounded on the pink haired man’s front door, “Open up! We need to talk to you!” Confused at the sudden appearance of the young President, Techno swung open his front door to find a small angry mob on his front porch. The mob consisted of Niki, Tommy, Tubbo, Quackity, Fundy, Ranboo, and Ghostbur. All, but Ghostbur, had angry looks on their face while Ghostbur didn’t seem to know what was going on. 

“Hello Techno!” Ghostbur greeted the Blood God with a big grin and wave. “Hello Ghostbur. And everyone else. To what do I owe the pleasure,” He questioned the mob with a raised eyebrow. “Where is Y/N?” Tommy demanded. Techno rolled his eyes and crossed his arms over his chest, “I told you. I don’t know. They must be out adventuring. They’ll be back any day now. Now if you’ll excuse me,” Techno made an attempt to shut the door, but someone’s hand stopped it. Quackity stood there, fire in his eyes, hand pressing the door open. “They’ve been missing since Friday and you’re not worried?” He questioned harshly. Techno let out a small chuckle at the thought of being worried about Y/N. “They’re missing. Not dead. If they were dead, I would have seen it by now. We all would have seen it by now” Techno announced, motioning to his right arm. He was right. If Y/N had died, they all would have been notified. 

“You’re really not worried about your partner?” Fundy prodded, stepping up so that he was next to Quackity. Techno chuckled once more, shaking his head at the question, “It is obvious you don’t know Y/N as much as you think you do.” Everyone made some sort of noise of protest. All of them would like to think that you’re one of their closest friends! Of course they know you well! Don’t they? 

Tubbo opened his mouth to ask what Techno meant by that, but was cut off by someone behind him. “What are you guys talking about?” Everyone in the group whipped around at the sound of that familiar voice. 

*POV Switch*

Y/N’s POV

A smile fell onto my face as I saw the warm glow of my boyfriend’s house in the distance. I had gone on what I thought would be a short journey to a not so nearby village to get a book I needed for my enchantments. On my way there, I ran into a pillager captain. Not thinking anything of it, I killed it and went on my way. Only I forgot about a small thing that happens when you kill a captain. You get a bad omen. 

So there I was, waltzing into the village in search of a librarian to trade with, when boom! A raid starts. Well I couldn’t just trigger the raid and then leave, that would be so wrong. I helped the Iron Golem defend the village. It took a few days because it was 2 v all of them. Nevertheless, we won. I got quite a bit of loot from the dead bodies of the pillagers, including two totems of undying. After all was said and done, I began to do what I went there for. The Villagers were kind enough to give me a discount on all of my tradings for protecting them, even though I was the one that made it so they needed protecting. I stayed for a few extra days to make sure that everyone was okay and healthy. Once I was sure, I set off back toward home with my riches. 

As I grew closer, I was greeted with the sight of many of my friends standing on Techno’s front porch. It caused me to grin. I really did miss my friends while I was gone. My slow pace turned into a jog as I grew nearer and nearer. As I got closer I began to hear part of their conversation. “-Would have seen it by now…” “You’re really not worried about your partner?” I heard Fundy question. I came to a stop behind the group with a furrowed brow. “It is obvious you don’t know Y/N as much as you think you do.” Techno responded. “What are you guys talking about?” I questioned, extremely confused as to what I had just stumbled upon. 

In sync, all heads whipped toward me. “Y/N!” They all cried. I brought my hand up and gave them a small wave, “Hell-OH!” I let out as the weight of seven bodies hit me. Everyone began speaking at once causing all meaning to be lost in the noise. I was able to catch a few words such as ‘missing’ and ‘worried’ but other than that, I was lost. 

“GUYS!” I finally shouted, breaking free from their clutches, “One at a time! What’s going on?” I questioned the group. The seven exchanged glances before Niki stepped close to me, “You were missing and nobody knew where you went and so we were worried.” Niki murmured, looking down to the ground. My heart melted at the words, “Oh Niki,” I murmured back, reaching forward and wrapping the girl in a tight hug. “I’m okay! I just had to go to the village.” I let go of the girl and gave the rest of the group hugs as well before making my way to my boyfriend. I greeted him with a big grin, which he returned, before placing a sweet kiss to his lips. After we broke apart, I turned back to the group as Techno wrapped his arm around my waist. 

“So you said you had to go to the village. Why did it take you so long to come home?” Tubbo asked shyly. I let out a laugh as I thought about what had happened. “Oh well, it was supposed to be a short journey. And then I accidentally triggered a raid, so I had to fight that,” I stated casually, shrugging my shoulders. The group stared at me in shock. “You fought a raid? All by yourself?” Ranboo questioned a little star struck. “What? Like it’s hard?” The group was silent, just staring at me. “Did you guys not know that Techno personally trained me? Like All my PVP I’ve learned from him. I’ve got to say I’ve gotten pretty good!” I boasted proudly. Techno chuckled beside me, squeezing my hip and kissing the side of my head. “You sure have.” 

“So that’s why you weren’t worried about them! You knew they could take care of themselves.” Techno rolled his eyes at Tommy’s statement. “Of course I knew they could. I was a little worried, but I knew they could handle themselves.” Techno’s confidence in me made me feel warm inside. “Well we’ll let you get settled and rest. I’m sure you’re tired from your traveling.” Niki said, reaching forward and tugging on everyone’s shirts getting them to slowly shuffle away. “Come by tomorrow, yeah? We all missed you a lot.” Niki requested with a smile. I returned the girl’s smile and nodded, “Yeah. I’ll definitely be by tomorrow to see everyone.” Niki gave me one final smile before ushering everyone away from Techno’s house. 

Once everyone left our eyesight, Techno ushered me back inside his house. “Are you alright? Have any injuries you need me to look at?” He rushed, sitting me down on the living room couch. I laughed at his concern but shook my head. “Nah, I’m good. I did take a few hits, but the villagers took good care of me,” I answered, grinning at him. Techno returned my grin before sitting next to me, reaching down and holding my hand. “I really missed you love,” Techno hummed, pressing his lips against my forehead. I let out a sigh of content, my muscles relaxing at his touch. “I missed you too lover.” 

The two of us sat there for a while, just enjoying each other’s company. Being away from my boyfriend from so long had taken a harder toll on me than the literal battle I fought just a few days prior. I really had missed my boyfriend. I let out a sigh as my eyes closed in exhaustion, “You ready to go to bed love?” Techno questioned softly. I tiredly nodded at his words, opening my eyes slightly to look at him, “Carry?” I pondered gently. Techno chuckled but nodded. He stood up and delicately picked me up, wrapping his arms around the middle of my back and pressing me tightly to him. Techno carefully walked down the hall and laid me down in his bed, quickly crawling into bed next to me. 

Techno was quick to wrap himself around me and cuddle me tightly, causing me to sigh in content once more. “Thank you for believing in me” I whispered to my boyfriend. Techno smiled and kissed the bridge of my nose, “Of course love. You’re my little badass. I’ll always believe in you.” He murmured. I couldn’t help but giggle at his words. “I’m a badass,” I responded sleepily. Techno chuckled and pressed a quick kiss to my lips. “Yes, you are love.” I sleepily smiled at his words, and buried myself into his chest, closing my eyes to fall asleep. I let out a yawn as the warmth of my boyfriend began to spread through my body.  “I love you” I sleepily murmured out to my boyfriend. I felt Techno’s lips press against the top of my head before he also murmured, “I love you too”. And then I fell asleep, safe and content in my boyfriend’s arms, not a single worry in my head. 

Oh god that ending sucked, but I hope you enjoyed it all the same! Be sure to leave a like if you did!!

[utterlyinevitable]

imagine this

Ethan Ramsey and MC BOTH inhale the mitotoxin and Ethan has a death scare...angsty

why u always killing these characters ??? 🤣

sinking suspicion that my hc’s are just less detailed fics 🤔 am i do headcanons right??? 

Ethan Inhales the Mitotoxin

Ethan stared at MC through the window. It was just the two of them left. 

The two more-than-colleagues shared the same look of utter despair and heartache. 

“Can I stay with you tonight?” he asked.  MC was grateful yet skeptical, “They won’t need you in the lab?”  “I can be of more use here.” 

Ethan wouldn’t tell her that his mind wouldn’t be able to focus - he was fighting the whole day between his professionalism and his feelings for the resident. At the forefront of his desires was running to her side and wishing he could take all her pain away. Absolve it all. 

He threw on the hazmat suit and made his way to her as quickly as possible. There was no second to waste. 

They talked. 

They shared regrets. 

They finally spoke their true feelings in such small words in the room that’s taken almost everything from them. It was only a matter of time before he lost her too.

Ethan climbed into bed and held her as best he could in the bulky hazmat suit. 

And she tried not to cry as she told him she wished she could kiss him one last time. That she could count every time their lips met in the most perfect synchronization on one hand. That she’d give anything to have him one more time. Even if that one thing was her life. She wanted to love him and have that love, unashamed, returned for once. [i’m not crying as i write this line nope no i’m not] 

Holding her in the cramped twin-sized bed. Not being able to feel the warmth of her skin against his. Ethan wanted all of that as well. He wanted her and more. 

The way she was looking up at him, fragile and broken and yet still the most beautiful woman he’s ever seen, he made a decision. 

He’d be damned if these were their last moments together. 

Against all rationality, Ethan removed his helmet. 

“No! What’re you doing? Are you stupid?” MC freaked out through her compressed breaths. 

She tried to pull away from him, to put as much distance between their bodies as she could.  

Ethan pulled her closer; “Yes. But I’m not letting you go.” 

They stared at one another for a moment. She couldn’t believe he was jumping into the unknown, risking every thing he has worked his entire life for. Risking it all for a few moments with her. 

She tentatively raised her hand up, wanting so badly to cup his face. To feel the coarse stubble against her skin. 

But she knew she couldn’t. The toxin was all over her and he was already at risk of inhalation. 

Ethan saw the hesitation as her hand froze in midair. He guided her palm to his cheek. 

Their eyes locked on contact. 

Neither closed their eyes as they savored the feeling. They wanted to see - to catalog and remember - every moment of this. For as long as they had left.  

And she started to cry the second his warmth met her palm. 

The tears slowly fell down her tired, so tired, features. 

Ethan reached out to catch them on his thickly gloved hand. His thumbs on the apples of her cheeks and fingers cradling the back of her head. 

He swallowed.

His ocean eyes searched her. 

And as he looked he realized he was holding his whole world in his hands. 

So Ethan pulled her closer to him. He trailed one of his hands down to her waist and slipped it around the small of her back. He needed her closer. 

The whole time MC’s fingers twirled and grasped the strands of his hair, reveling in the feeling of the soft locks of the man she loved. Her other hand finding home on his chest, counting the faint thumps of his heart. 

And yet she wasn’t close enough for Ethan’s liking. 

In one failsafe movement, he swept to press his lips to hers. 

He kissed her. 

He kissed her in the middle of the apocalypse - in the middle of Pompeii as Vesuvius’ ash rolled closer and closer.

It didn’t matter. The toxin didn’t matter. None of it mattered because he had her.  

If she was fading he would follow. 

As much as Ethan Ramsey hated Romeo & Juliet, he never identified with the star-crossed lovers more. 

He would follow her into the dark. 

She broke them apart with a heavy gasp, needing air all too soon. 

He let her take the deepest breaths; his kisses making up for lost time at her nose, her cheeks, her forehead, and the spot under her ear in the meantime. 

And they kissed some more. 

They held one another all night as MC snuggled up against him. Her forehead pressed against the warmth of his cheek, keeping them connected. 

There wasn’t a single second since he took the mask off that they weren’t skin to skin. 

As they lay there, the humming of the machines drowning out serenity, Ethan began to feel the side effects of his irrationality settling in. 

MC could hear the panic in the irregular beating of his heart. 

“Regretting your stupid decision?”  “I could never regret time spent with you,” he told her honestly. 

She rambled on about how he shouldn’t have done it, no matter what. That this wasn’t worth the both of them dying. 

Ethan begged to differ. 

But now wasn’t the time to tell her he’s irrevocably in love with her. That, hidden in his earlier regrets is that he may never get the chance to tell her. 

With every certain fiber left in his failing body Ethan asserted, “We’re not going to die.”  “Ethan... I’ve come to terms with it. I’m okay.”  

She leaned over and kissed him again. It was languid, slow and lingering, spilling every unsaid feeling into the kiss as if they had all the time in the world to work through their issues.  

And in the distance she could hear Sienna screaming. 

“Doctor Ramsey! What are you doing!?” 

The pair didn’t break away quick enough to notice the tiny resident at the window. 

Quicker than lightening Sienna searched around for a spare suit while paging June and Baz to make their way upstairs. 

“Great you’re together.” Sienna let a small congratulatory remark slip before the fire in her eyes took hold. She turned fully to Ethan, making certain he saw deep into her eyes, “What the hell! Do you have a death wish? I cannot lose another friend tonight.” 

And the weight of what he’s done finally came to fruition. 

Ethan didn’t care. He was selfish. He didn’t say goodbye to anyone who could be affected by his impulsive decisions. He didn’t patch things up with his dad before he’d gone. 

“Take off your suit. I’m going to take your vitals,” Sienna commanded.

June and Baz arrived. Both were a little surprised Ethan would do something so bold, though June was less shocked than Baz. Neither dared to ask why their boss would do something so irresponsible. The intention was staring them right in the face. 

Right in the way MC and Ethan kept in contact. 

Even as he stripped off the suit she had her hand on his back. As Sienna took his vitals his fingers laced with hers. As he explained his symptoms and MC began to fade, he wrapped an arm around her and tucked her safely against his chest. 

With jaws on the floor the doctors made their way back down to the lab to tell everyone they had another patient. 

Ethan and MC allowed themselves the small whispers and pillow talk of finally getting to spend the night together. 

After all these months they could be happy together. They could forget everything except for their bodies pressed firmly against one another, their arms clasped behind the others back. The feeling of the others shallow breaths and drumming heart lulling them to sleep. 

He ran his fingers through her hair, loosing himself in the sensations he’s had dreams about for the better part of the last year. He placed a kiss to to top of her head, letting it linger. Letting her natural smell engulf him. 

No matter what happens he wants to remember every aspect of her. 

And eventually, Ethan let himself sleep. 

He was jolted awake by a tightening in his chest and need to vomit. He leaned over the bed and let the bile fall into the wastebasket. Then he sent an ‘911’ message on his pager. 

MC rubbed her eyes awake, terrified as he keeled over onto the floor. Whatever strength was left in her body she exerted to get herself to him. She sat next to him and rubbed his back, whispering sweet nothings of “It’ll be alright. It’ll pass.”  

The despondent look he gave her sent a chill down her spine. 

No. 

He reached out and touched her face one last time. 

If he wasn’t gasping for air he would have said the words. 

Ethan didn’t need to say them, she felt them in the blue of his irises and the way the lines of his face smoothed out. He was slipping through her fingertips and yet he never looked so sure, so serene. 

Then he collapsed. 

And MC cried. She cried so much she couldn’t see through her tears as she tried to check his vitals - checking for breaths, and mustering her strength to roll him on his side. 

And soon enough the team was suited up. 

Tobias, June, Baz and Aurora entered the isolation room. Aurora held MC back as the other three lifted Ethan onto a gurney. 

They plugged him with oxygen. 

And as they wheeled him away June shared a sorrowful look with the forlorn resident.  

________________________________________

Masterlist

Perma:

@rookiemarsswiftie @lucy-268 @binny1985 @thegreentwin @queencarb @danijimenezv @starrystarrytrouble @terrm9 @interobanginyourmom @adrex04 @maurine07 @mercury84choices @schnitzelbutterfingers @theeccentricbibliophile @wingedhairstylemusicweasel @kaavyaethanramsey @mvalentine @rookie-ramsey @drariellevalentine @lifeaskim @otherworldlypresents @therookie @aylaramseycarrera @angela8754 @fireycookie @stateofgracious

Ethan:

@udishaman @honeyandsunfl0wers @hutchereverlark23 @ohchoices @dulceghernandez @blossomanarchy @claredal424 @caseyvalentineramsey @rookieoh @openheartthot @senseofduties @lilyvalentine @tsrookie @kalogh @aworldoffandoms @takemyopenheart @casey-v @ramseyandrys​ @peaceinmidstofchaos​ @ethanramseylover​ @ramseyreader​  @a-crepusculo​

[holidaywishes]

The Light Beyond The Stars V

part v: a secret we dare not share

  Summary of series: When Malcolm is young, he dreams of a place where  he could run off to and leave his life behind. When he meets Cassandra, his perspective changes and his dreams only include her.

  Summary of Chapter: Cassandra has been banned from seeing Malcolm but she doesn’t listen; Malcolm’s sister, Charlotte, gets infected with the Plague and her odds don’t look good.

  Warning: Soft smut, fluff, talk of illness and death

  Author’s Note: I wanted to add a smut chapter before Malcolm became Peter because I wanted there to be a piece of him that was human before he turned all bad; a piece of him that he would remember as good if he ever needed to, if that makes sense. This is a short chapter because I just wanted it to showcase their little innocent love story before things got super intense. There probably won’t be too many other smut chapters going forward (because of the age discrepancy thing between my actual age and the age that Robbie Kay portrays Peter as, which I’m assuming is 16,) but we’ll see how things go with the series. I’m excited to get into some of the serious stuff soon and I hope you guys enjoy keep enjoying the series!

  masterlist

  the other masterlist

xx

Cassandra’s P.O.V 

  Running off to find Malcolm after your father tried to convince you not to was a snap decision that you knew could end terribly. But you had to do it. You couldn’t stop thinking about the boy who showed you the stars and invited you to magical worlds. The boy who smiled at you and made your mind go blank. Not seeing him was too much of a punishment to bear, so you decided not to bear it anymore.

  “Where have you been?” Malcolm called out to you while he leaned against the barn door

  “What are you doing out here?”

  “Avoiding Francis...”

  “What happened this time?”

  “Charlotte...” he sighed, “she’s sick. The illness going around seems to have found her. Francis claims it’s my fault and he hasn’t stopped yelling at me since”

  “I’m so sorry” you said, making your way to stand next to him, rubbing his arm before leaning against the barn

  “Thanks” he almost groaned

  “Malcolm...” you started, turning to face him, “I’m here if you need to talk. Or if you don’t want to talk...”

  “What about your dad?” he asked

  “What about him?”

  “He doesn’t like me...” he scoffed, “there’s no way he’s going to let you spend time with me alone with me.” You laughed slightly before nodding to yourself

  “Who says he has to know?”

  “Don’t you think he’ll wonder if you keep running off?”

  “Probably,” you snickered, “but he can’t control me.” You bit your lip as you thought about how your dad would react to your being here right now

  “You have to go don’t you?” he laughed

  “What?” you said quietly, “no. I just got here.”

  “Cassie,” he sighed, “I can see your mind racing. Go. Take care of what you have to take care of, I’ll be fine.”

  “Malcolm, I don’t want to leave you alone. Not when everything is going on here...”

  “I’ll be fine. If anything happens, I’ll come to you” he smiled before giving you a hug and sending you on your way. You stopped for a second and looked back at him, just in time to catch Malcolm waving you goodbye; a feeling of unease washing over you as you saw him walk into the barn.

xx

Malcolm’s P.O.V

  She lay there as still as if she was having a deep sleep. But she had no breath. Her chest would not rise and fall nor would her eyes flutter. She would rest forever in her youth, a porcelain face of innocence soon to be packaged in a small wooden box.

  “Her death is your fault,” Francis spat at you, alcohol spilling from his mouth, “my daughter would never have gotten sick if it weren’t for you.”

  “I miss her too!” you shouted

  “YOU KILLED HER!” he continued, “YOU SPEND ALL YOUR TIME WAITING FOR THAT GIRL IN THAT SQUARE WITH ALL THOSE INFECTED PEOPLE. YOU BROUGHT THAT DISEASE HERE TO MY HOUSE. AND NOW MY DAUGHTER IS DEAD!”

  “STOP IT!” you yelled again before Francis’ face went beet red and his open hand connected with the side of your face, the sound of the slap carrying through the small space.

  “Get out!” Francis said sternly, gesturing toward the barn, “I don’t want to see you here again. You can live in the barn but you are not to set foot inside this house. Do you hear me?!” You didn’t answer, choosing instead to storm out of the door and into the barn; pacing once you climbed the ladder to the space you’d spent so much of your time with Charlotte. You fell back onto the bale of hay and brought your hands to your face; maybe he was right, you thought, maybe I did bring the illness back to Charlotte. When your hands left your face, you were left looking up at the orange sky as the sun began to set and your mind drifted to Cassandra

  “I don’t want to leave you alone” you recalled her voice from your conversation earlier and your response, ‘I’ll come to you,’ in return. You didn’t waste much time running out of the barn and toward Cassandra’s home; unconscious of the tears beginning to stream down your face. You circled around to Cassandra’s window and tapped on the glass to get her attention

  “Malcolm?” she whispered as she opened the window, “is everything okay?”

  “I just needed to see you,” you said, “can we go somewhere?” You noticed her purse her lips to the side before looking at the door

  “Okay” she smiled as she climbed out of her window, clutching your hand for stability. She faltered as she tried to step out of the window, her foot catching the inside of the window sill and you caught her before either of you could fall.

  “Are you alright?” you asked and she giggled before staring at you

  “What’s wrong?” she gasped seeing the streams of tears on your face. You just shook your head before leading her on a walk, “Malcolm? please, talk to me. Why were you crying?” She stopped walking to stand in front of you, so you would look at her you assumed

  “Charlotte...” you started, letting out a small sigh, “she didn’t make it.”

  “I’m so sorry, Malcolm” she said, taking a seat on a small bench as you did the same

  “You should’ve seen her, Cassie,” you dropped your head to your hands, feeling Cassandra’s hand rubbing your back to comfort you, “her skin was pale, as if she were already a ghost, but her fingers were black.” You continued to tell her about Charlotte and about how Francis kicked you out

  “Do you need somewhere to stay?” she asked

  “I’ll be fine in the barn...”

  “You’ll freeze”

  “There’s no way that your dad would even think of letting me stay”

  “Maybe he would... if he knew what was going on” she shrugged and you could tell she was just trying to help but you knew she couldn’t so you let out a sigh, standing up and outstretching your hand to her

  “Let’s go” you said and she took your hand. The two of you made your way back to the barn to look out at the stars again.

  “I remember when I first met, Charlotte,” she said lightly, “she was so sweet.”

  “She loved you,” you laughed, “I swear, she wanted to be you.” She took your hand in hers, tracing the lines on your palm before looking back at you

  “I truly am sorry, Malcolm.” Your eyes danced between hers and you could see her skin flush pink, as if she knew what your next step would be before you made it.

xx

Cassandra’s P.O.V

  You watched Malcolm inch closer to you and your heart began to race as you instinctively moved closer to him, stopping him just before his lips met yours

  “You’re upset, Malcolm. You just lost your sister,” you sighed, feeling his warm breath brush across your skin as the two of you were impossibly close, “I don’t want you to do something you don’t want to do...” He placed his finger under your chin, tilting your eyes towards his

  “There’s nothing I want more in this moment” he whispered, his lips brushing across yours as your eyes took in the innocent details of his face that had been met by the angry hand of Francis; your hand moving to examine them before he gently pulled your hand away from his face. Neither of you had made a move yet but his hands moving to rest on your waist seemed to be the catalyst that pulled the two of you together. The kiss was soft at first but soon turned heated as your hands found their way to the nape of his neck, fingers curling the ends of his hair, while his hands roamed up to the sides of your neck and his hips moved closer to yours. He was the first to break the kiss, moving down to your neck while you caught your breath, letting out small moans as his lips continued to trail down your neck. Eventually, you rolled onto your back, Malcolm gently following your lead, hovering over you as he leaned on his forearms, his breath fanning across your face, “are you okay?” he asked and you realized how innocent both of you were in that instant. How you’d never actually been touched this way before, how he was so gentle with the way he approached you and kissed you and caressed your skin. You realized that his lips were the first you’d ever tasted and you hoped that yours were the first for him as well. You nodded quickly, letting him know you wanted to continue, and he laid a sweet kiss to your forehead before lifting the long hem of your dress up, his calloused hands moved up your legs before finding themselves pulling the feather light fabric off your shoulders, pressing soft kisses to the skin there while your breathing increased. He leaned against his forearms once more, taking a moment to look into your eyes before he thrust into you, checking if you were alright once more and you nodded with a smile. With each move he made, you found yourself digging your nails into his back, dropping your head back against the small pile of hay he’d put down for you. You could feel small drops of sweat bead from his forehead onto your skin and you giggled at the cold temperature that differed from the heat radiating from your own skin

  “Sorry,” you smiled, “you’re just sweating a little...”

  “Sorry” he blushed, leading you to pull him down to kiss his lips as he continued to thrust into you, pulling away from your lips to let out a raspy moan to which you reciprocated with a whimper. You bit his shoulder when he leaned down to muffle your sounds while Malcolm began to rock faster into you; your breath hitching in your throat as his hips pulsed quickly before letting out a groan and dropping on top of you, the two of you panting almost in sync

  “Hi” you whispered to him as he rolled off of you and laid beside you

  “Hi,” he replied, taking your hand gently in his to trace the lines as you had done earlier on his palm, “how are you feeling?”

  “Good,” you smiled, letting out a playful giggle before kissing his nose, “how are you feeling?”

  “Good.” He smiled back, planting a kiss to the back of your hand and moving the hair from your face, “you’re beautiful.” You blushed at his words and bit your lip before pecking his lips

  “Was I..” you began, “I mean was that.. your first time?”

  “Was it yours?” he said, seemingly avoiding the question

  “Yes” he smiled at your confession and wrapped his arm around you while you both looked up at the stars through the whole in the roof

  “Mine too” he finally whispered. You were only now registering just how late it was and you feared that your father would come looking for you.

  “Oh no!” you gasped, “I really should get back. My father... Anthea might... I’m sorry, Malcolm.” You started to run down the stairs, not having taken off too much clothing to begin with, you didn’t have to struggle to put anything back on too quickly

  “Let me at least take you home” he pleaded

  “I can’t. If my father sees you, he’ll.. be so angry and I don’t want to ruin this.”

  “Cassandra!” he whisper-yelled as you ran away from the barn, causing you to turn back to him, “I love you!” You were about to say the words back when you noticed a candle had just been lit in the small house across the way and that Francis was likely coming to investigate the noise he heard, so you and Malcolm both ran in opposite directions; leaving you unable to reciprocate his feelings.

[unaccomplishedwriter]

- s a v i o r -

. Nicholas Scratch x Reader .

Prologue

{PART ONE}

“No.”

A furious hiss rang out, making the red backdrop of this particular confrontation all the more intimidating. A figure cowered in the corner, ignored for the time being by the malevolent being contorting his face in deep, malicious hatred before (y/n).

She almost found herself afraid, but then she felt the faint but unmistakable presence of the soul pulsing deep within the body in front of her.  

“I am the Dark Lord! I am Satan, the DEVIL, your kind shall have NO control over me!” spat the man.  

She closed her eyes for a moment, reminding herself of who she was and why she was here. The very existence of the aforementioned soul was why she was sent here, meant to commune with the Dark Lord himself. As a celestial, it should have normally been impossible for the Fates to grasp his tangible soul, yet here he was. Assigned to her, a rookie in every sense of the word. Could Fate be so cruel to assign one of its daughters the monumental task of curbing a literal universe-implicant apocalypse in her freshly assigned star domain?

Well, certainly it could.

“You are the Devil,” (y/n) stated calmly, “but where has the Devil found himself? Trapped in mortal flesh. The cosmos are imbalanced, and frankly I need an explanation before the Fates decide to wipe out this domain completely.”

As curses were rained down upon her by this literal god-forsaken man, (y/n) reflected on how she’d found herself here in the first place. Unlucky star domains were assigned at random, even this process being left to Fate. Not every stela has the responsibility of managing an Unlucky star domain, but, bright eyed and bushy tailed, she chose the longer option of waiting it out for one as her very own. The appearance of an unlucky fated star in a domain usually heralded an impending apocalypse, which was not uncommon for her kind to see and mitigate. But when she received her star and its respective domain, the Fates themselves were horrified at the sheer scope of catastrophe this domain had the potential to cause. Not just one, but several sects and gods were implicated as the haze over this domain was lifted for the first time. Being the dwelling ground of various sects of power, Greendale had never fallen into normal confines of Fate as these powers masked its existence to the stela. With the removal of the Dark Lord from Hell, his soul was binded to a mortal’s, his celestial existence ceasing, in a sense, while he was confined to the flesh acheron. Now with a tangible soul, the Dark Lord became subject to Fate, and in its attempts at bringing this domain back under its control he received an official fated star. The downtrodden celestial bore the the brightest unlucky star seen in millenia, only to appear just as (y/n) was receiving an assignment of her own. With the balance of power now out of whack, the haze that surrounded the domain that encompassed Greendale’s living was now visible in the star chart for the first time ever. As she felt the strings of fate tie her to the souls and fated stars of those of Greendale, she felt true fear for once in her life. Greendale was home to a bed of unending changes and terrors, certainly too much for the young stela to handle alone. Notifying the Fates was her first plan of action, but they couldn’t go back in Time, and the most they could do was allow the help of others when needed. (Y/n) knew she was being watched closely, and could very well be responsible for a catastrophe if she wasn’t careful.

And as she looked at the raging, childish man in front of her, she couldn’t help but to blame him.

“Shut up.” She inflected, voice thick with irritation. Ignoring the deeply offended and murderous look that fixed upon the man’s face, she cut off any attempt at retribution by raising her palm, cutting him off.

“If you want things to go back to normal, we need to work together. Whatever you are, you’re under my domain now. That means you help me, I help you. If you don’t,” she shrugged, “you and this entire world will probably be destroyed. Doesn’t mean much more than a demotion for me, but for you...”

Honestly, (y/n) was definitely underexaggerating the ramifications for herself should she fail at her assignment. But she was 100% correct in saying that the Dark Lord didn’t really have a choice in complying with her if he wanted things to go back to how they were. The man seemed aware of that, because he immediately began pacing, his voice a thunderous growl.

“Those bitches! They betrayed me! They all did. I’ll kill them all!”  he screeched, violently waving his hands.

It took quite some persuasion for (y/n) to calm him down enough to extract the full story, and if she were being honest with herself she was pretty impressed with the witches’ sense of self-preservation.  

“That explains the appearance of your star. Your soul must be entangled with the mortal you’re trapped with. His star...” (y/n) trailed off, eyebrows furrowing. In her star chart, alongside the Dark Lord’s fated star was a dim, dying one. The star was obviously feeding off the energy of the weaker one, dimming it’s owner’s connection to their fate.

What this meant for them, she didn’t know.

Upon this thought, her eyes immediately flashed to the figure hunched in the corner. Studying it carefully, she observed a boy in his late teens, early twenties, hands over his head and mumbling to himself. The boy did not seem well, and it wasn’t until she saw the same odd split in his soul she observed previously that she remembered who he was trapped here with did (y/n) finally get the full picture of what happened here.

The Dark Lord’s soul was also split, meant to represent his celestial self and the break unto mortal flesh. But this boy’s soul had been split and essentially shared with the Dark Lord, rendering him incomplete.

It the most unfortunate soul she’d ever seen.  

(Y/n)’s wasn’t the only attention spotlighted onto the boy, the Dark Lord immediately turning his ire to the one who’s body held him captive. Not willing to see the poor figure being tortured, she made a sigil, and with a flash the gloomy red scenery turned white.

Now they were alone.

It seemed as if the boy didn’t notice the change in scenery, because he didn’t even flinch as he rocked back and forth, mumbled jargon pouring listlessly from his mouth.

It wasn’t until (y/n) drew closer and rested her hands upon his face, palms glowing silver as she calmed his mind best she could that she received a reaction from him, his hands shooting up and gripping her own.

“It’s okay, it’s okay,” she cooed, her eyes searching for his. (Y/e/c) eyes met brown eyes, anguish and torture reflecting in muddy pools that stared dazedly back at her. As a sort of celestial being herself, (y/n) was able to send small, gentle waves of her presence washing over his body until his mind cleared a bit more. She couldn’t undo what the Dark Lord had done to him, but she was confident that her presence at the moment was at least relieving some of the burden.

“Who are you?”

he croaked, eyes flooding with tears. This was the first time he’d felt relief in what felt like an eternity, and all he could focus on was the figure in front of him. His grip tightened around her wrists, but she didn’t mind. Threading a hand in his hair, (y/n) settled herself between the boy’s knees, getting as close as she possibly could.

“I’m here to help you. It’s okay,” she repeated.

“Wh-where did he go? The..the Dark Lord,” he squeezed out, muscles tensing up at the mere mention of the alias. (Y/n) felt her heart go out to him, her own eyes becoming misty as well.

“I sent him to...sleep. He will be back, but not for a while at least.”

Of course she couldn’t separate them completely, they were still in Hell of course. Her powers weren’t nearly as strong here, and she could only offer temporary reprieve.  But it was something, she thought, and that’s what matters.

“What’s your name?” she questioned, intending to keep his mind present and away from dark, straying thoughts. He stayed silent for a while, attempting to anchor himself to the present as he focused on the healing effect washing over his mind.

“...it’s Nick,” he eventually responded, his breathing deeper and less erratic. They sat there in silence for a long while, her presence giving him comfort and his warmth making her feel inexplicable.  

Eventually, (y/n) felt her form starting to fade as her stolen time in Hell, aided by the Fates, approached its limit. He must have felt it too, because he grabbed her hand once again and used the other to caress her face,

“Will you come back?”  

Begging eyes met hers once again, and (y/n) felt her heart clinch. Visiting Hell for as long as she has took not only her power but the power of the Fates as well. If she came here alone again, it wouldn’t be for nearly as long, and would exhaust a huge chunk of her power every time she did so. But as she faced the boy in front of her, she couldn’t find it in herself to say no.

With whispered promises and broken sobs, (y/n) eventually found herself amongst her people once again, with a lot of explaining to do.

But even as the Fates shook her down for information, why could her mind only muster up images of the boy steeped in tragedy?

Author’s note: once again, I apologize for formatting!

[dpimagines]

Softer; Wade Wilson feat. Vanessa Carlysle

warnings & details: reader is photokinetic! This means they can manipulate light waves. My version of photokinesis includes being able to absorb light, sometimes unintentionally. Wade and reader both devalue themselves to sex objects at certain points due to low self-confidence. F/S = Favorite Show.  

Wade bursts the door open with excitement, but before shouting “Honeys, I’m home!” he realizes the TV is on. You didn’t stir at the loud door, but he recognizes your favorite show on the TV.

It was something that you and Vanessa watched together, she’d gotten you a box set of the complete series, for your birthday last year. He wonders if that’s what made it your favorite. Either way, you were curled up on the couch, snuggled in a blanket. He was about to get closer to you, to kiss your forehead and tell you he was finally home.

“You know, she stayed up waiting for you. Again.” Vanessa comes out on the bedroom in a robe, looking over you, sadly.

“She should be used to me being late.”

“But she shouldn’t be so goddamn used to you breaking promises,” Vanessa disagrees.

“Promises?”

“It’s her birthday.” She looks at the clock. “Or it was, about three hours ago. Cake’s on the table if you want some, asshole.”

Wade shakes his head, the rare feeling of being ashamed washing over him.

“She begged me to wait, but once it became obvious you weren’t gonna make it… She said we’d eat the cake, but she’d wait to open her present from me, in case you got her anything. Did you?” She nearly snarls the words.

“Yeah, totally, I got her… A gun!” He lifts one from one of his holsters excitedly.

Vanessa presses a finger to her lips, before telling him:

“Y/N’s a dagger person, remember?”

“I take you two for granted,” he sighs.

“Especially her,” she adds bitterly. Vanessa had been the one to introduce you to the relationship, and while Wade definitely loves you just as much, it feels like she’s the only one who shows it, at least to you.

He smooths your hair back, away from your perfect face. Wade looks like he does, and he has the audacity to not only not show up to your mini birthday celebration as he promised, but to forget it as well! You hadn’t even wanted a party. He’d offered, like he was actually gonna make it, but you said you just wanted to spend your special day with the people who mattered.

Maybe this was his subconscious telling him he didn’t.

“What a piece of shit I am…” He mumbles. “I’ll go get her something. Something nice, that she’ll like.”

You begin to stir, sleepy little moans coming from your lips as you try to wake up. You rub at an itchy eye, and that’s when you notice the tall red figure at the end of the couch, the one you’d been waiting for since forever.

“Wade!” You cheer, immediately scrambling to get up and hug him. You wrap your arms tightly around him, so excited. “I’m so glad you’re back, V told me you weren’t gonna make it, but you did, you did, you… Didn’t.” He watches your heart break as you look at the clock, next to the door. “Oh. Well, that’s okay. The cake doesn’t disappear. Neither do- does the present.”

Vanessa usually enjoyed telling people “I told you so.”

She silently hands you the small box, heart in her throat, and you unwrap it, opening the velvet box that was hidden in the paper.

“It’s the brooch from the other day! Oh, Ness, I can’t believe you! How did you even- I don’t wanna know. Thank you! Right now, I just wanna cuddle with my two favorite people in the world.”

That breaks him. No matter how he screws up, you never make him face any real consequences. The relationship doesn’t even need him, not in his head. There’s already a strap-on available to you both, and all he’s good for is that. He’s just a detriment.

“Why don’t you hate me?” He asks.

“Huh? Why would I hate you?” You wonder. Sure, he’s late, but it wasn’t for nothing. He has other, more important responsibilities. It doesn’t matter how you feel, not to you. Besides, you’re just the addition. They’re the real couple.

“I promised I’d be here, Y/N. And I let you down. I always let you down.”

“You were just busy,” you reassure. “Your job is way more important than m-“

“Don’t. Don’t you dare fucking say that,” Vanessa cuts you off, her heart breaking for you. There was no malice in your tone, you’ve just learned the lesson Wade’s taught you and it kills the both of them that they didn’t stop it.

“It’s true?” You say, but it comes out more like a question. “Having your priorities in order isn’t a bad thing.”

“But they weren’t in order, Y/N. I love you, and it’s- It was your birthday. I missed it, I didn’t see you the entire day. I completely forgot. Doesn’t that feel like shit?” He asks.

“Yeah,” you admit, and, finally, a bit of sadness shows in your expression. “It does. But that doesn’t matter, you had more important things to do and that’s okay.” The sadness dissipates from your face, but Wade and Vanessa both know it lingers inside of you.

“But it isn’t!”  Vanessa insists.

“Baby…” Wade croons. “You gotta believe me when I say I’m sorry. But, being sorry doesn’t mean the way I’ve treated you is okay. Okay?”

“Okay,” you reply.

“I’m gonna try to work on it, but can you please call me out on my bullshit more?”

“I guess…” you say. “I just wanna go to bed, why can’t we go to bed? We can make a ‘Nessa sandwich!”

“What about a Y/N sandwich? It’s- It was your birthday, after all,” Wade offers. You shake your head, rapid and insistent. They both sigh sadly, but you just wanna cuddle Vanessa and go back to sleep.

The three of you make your way to the bedroom, performing your nighttime routines before cozying up in bed. Vanessa lays down between you two, opening her arms to you. You’d typically latch onto her for comfort, but this time you just shake your head and turn over.

You don’t see the hurt expression on her face, or how she silently denies Wade the right to touch her.

Once you’re confident they’re both asleep, hearing Wade’s steady breathing and Vanessa’s soft snores, you enact your plan. You can’t stay here anymore. You care for them both so much, but you see now that you’re just a strain on the relationship, a guest star whose role had become too big because of poor writing.

You’re already partially packed, you’ve been subtly putting your clean clothes from the laundry into your suitcase. You lived at Xavier’s before this, it was how you met Wade and Vanessa. You still work there now, you’d started teaching the kids music after you finished your bachelor’s degree. Your birthday was the last chance you’d given yourself to get him to care. You know Vanessa does, but now you know for sure that all he sees you as is someone who can give Vanessa something he can’t, just another woman to touch with the lights off.

There’s no way he’s really sorry, is there? He always does this, no matter how it affects you. You know you don’t deserve better, but you’d rather just be alone than deal with this or worse.

You quietly sob as you stuff your things into various bags, an Uber already ordered. You leave the box set of F/S, but not a note. You leave the apartment complex, and don’t look back.

When you arrive at the school, you know it’s late, but don’t care. You enter. Logan’s standing watch. You’ve always liked him, even if he doesn’t seem to like anyone but his adorable daughter, much less you.

“My old room still available?” you ask, biting your lip to hold back the tears you had to hold in once you got in the Uber.

“Yeah, kid,” he says. “Go on.”

“Thanks,” you tell him, trudging up the stairs with all your bags hanging from you. You know you look like shit, and you don’t even care anymore. You’re almost relieved to be alone. That, or you’re just relieved that you don’t have to address your own issues anymore because they don’t affect anyone else but you.

You drop your various bags on the floor, flopping into your old bed and rolling yourself into a poorly-constructed burrito before crashing.

The next morning, you wake up on time. You open your eyes, expecting to be safe in Vanessa’s arms before remembering yesterday.

Worst.

Birthday.

Ever.

You untangle yourself from the comforter and top sheet, getting dressed and ready for breakfast, grabbing something small before heading to your classroom to get set up for the day. You know that Wade and Vanessa probably aren’t even awake yet. They don’t even know you’re gone. That ties your stomach in a knot, wondering how they’ll react. Will they not even care, or worse, will they try to contact you in some way? You just want a clean break.

Your first two periods are elementary schoolers, then you’d have two periods of middle schoolers, with a lunch break in the middle, and the last two periods would be the highschoolers. You had it pretty easy.

The kids giggle amongst each other this morning, as they grab their clickers on the way to their spots on the rug. You arch an eyebrow at all of them.

“Okay, kids, you know how it goes. Vote for your favorite color based on the choices, and the votes’ll go to my laptop. First place and second place will be used to show high and low notes, respectively.”

“What’s respectively mean, again?” Leah asks.

“Well, in what I was saying it means that first place will be high notes, and second place will be low notes.”

The girl nods in acknowledgement, and you notice that all the votes are in.

“You all voted for… Red,” you realize, looking at the computer screen. Your heart hurts a little bit at the thought of the color, but you know they’re just playing a practical joke, and it is pretty amusing. “I see. Well, whatever shall I do?” You play along, before taking some light produced by the ceiling light and creating a gradient from medium to dark red.

“Wow…” the kids ooh and ah at the sparkling thing, as they typically do.

“Alrighty, let’s do solfège  as a warm-up. Do, re, mi, fa, so…” you continue the scale, heading to the piano while your students sing along. “Now, we need to practice. The school concert is soon, and all the choirs are going to perform. That means I get to steal you guys from your second period teacher a few days next week so you can practice as a group with the other kids from your level. But that also means we need to practice hard! Stand in your positions, please, everyone,” you request, like you’re commandeering twenty kids as opposed to ten, because that’s what you’re practicing for.

You move the light so that it’s above the piano, and begin to play. You play the background music as well as the notes the kids are supposed to sing, letting the light gradient glow brighter at the high and low ends to remind them where their voices should be.

“I'll stand by you / Take me in, into your darkest hour / And I'll never desert you / I'll stand by you / I'll stand by you / Won't let nobody hurt you / I'll stand by you / Won't let nobody hurt you / I'll stand by you…” the kids finish the song, and you stand from the piano bench, applauding.

“That was amazing, you guys! I’m so proud!” You find yourself wiping away a couple tears, impressed with how far they’ve come.

“Don’t cry, Miss L/N!” Adam says, running over and slamming you with a hug. He’s a small, sensitive boy, but with super strength. “I’m sorry we made you sad.”

“I’m not sad, I promise,” you technically lie. “Sometimes, when someone is really happy, they’re so happy that it overwhelms them and they cry. You kids make me that happy with how hard you work. I’m really proud of every single one of you.” Adam goes back to his position, and you begin the next song: True Colors by Cyndi Lauper.

After a few rounds of both songs, a bathroom break, and some constructive criticism (as well as praise,) the kids head on to their next class.

“Lather, rinse, repeat,” you tell yourself, and you do.

Until your lunch break.

The kids leave for lunch, but you find that you just can’t.

You think about yesterday, how everything’s over. You probably should’ve said something before going, but you just couldn’t bring yourself to. You look to the velvet box holding the brooch on your desk and think that maybe you should call Vanessa now, but the lump from last night returns to your throat and your eyes water up. You realize you’re going to be alone forever, and the waterworks start up again, choking sobs overtaking you. You hide your face in your hands, elbows supporting you on your desk.

There’s a pounding on the door.

“Go on to lunch, third period isn’t for another half hour!” you weakly tell the student or teacher that’s trying to bother you on your break, before dissolving into tears again.

The door opens, and you scramble for a tissue, dabbing at tears and hoping you don’t look like you’ve been sobbing your heart out.

“Oh, love, you look like you’ve been sobbing your heart out,” Vanessa sympathetically says as she enters behind Wade, hurrying towards you.

Wade beats her to you, though, practically yanking you out of your chair and into his arms.

“Oh, thank god, you’re okay. I thought someone took you,” Wade sighs.

“Why would they take me?”

“To get to me or V,” Wade says, like it’s the most obvious thing. “But if no one took you, why were you gone? Why are you crying?”

“I told you, she left. Her stuff is all gone,” Vanessa reminds him. “Tell him, Y/N. And make it clear why.”

“I just don’t belong. I wanted a clean break, because I got too attached to you both, had my expectations too high, considering what I am,” you tell him, avoiding the whites of the mask. Since you couldn’t see him blinking, or any indication of emotion in his eyes, it just felt like an unwavering burn of a gaze. You shrink back, leaning against your desk.

“W-What do you mean, what you are?” Wade stutters.

“I’m just someone who can give Vanessa something you can’t. Just another woman to touch in the dark. I know that’s all it is for you, and that’s okay, because I was the one who built it up to be something it wasn’t in my head. You won’t even let me see your face, and she can. I don’t know why I thought there wasn’t a difference between us.”

“But you didn’t make it up, it evolved from the fling into that. You’re right, originally it was just meant to be a fling, but- But I thought we all loved each other. You- You love me, too, don’t you?”

“Of course I love you, but that doesn’t mean- What?”

“Why do you think yesterday was so upsetting, Y/N?” Vanessa asks you, and you look to her. That’s much easier. She has the softest brown eyes you’ve ever seen and the sweetest smile no matter what emotion it’s conveying. “Tell her, Wade.”

“V and I got a divorce,” he says.

“W-what? I didn’t think they could finalize them that quickly, I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to cause so much trouble, you two should really go, this is exactly why I wanted a clean break, I-”

“No, babe, not today, and it’s not because of you. Well, not like that,” he reassures, cupping your face in one of his gloved hands. “You see, we decided we didn’t want to be married anymore if we couldn’t be married to the one we both love. So, we got a no-fault divorce, it was finalized about a week ago. We just couldn’t find the right time to tell you.”

“Y-you… You don’t mean…”

“We do,” Vanessa confirms, putting a hand over yours where they rest of the desk. Wade removes his hand from your face, putting it on top of hers.

“But I’m just…”

“Just what? Just as important as us?” Wade tells you, and V nods.

“Quite the opposite,” you reply, looking down at your shoes. Wade tilts your chin up with his free hand, seeming to be searching your face for something. “What?”

“I just- You’re so beautiful compared to me, and I still managed to take you so far for granted that you ran away from home. I’ll do anything if it means you’ll come home to us. Anything,” Wade insists.

It’s so tempting to ask him, but you know it’s wrong to pressure him that way. He seems to get it, though, from your poorly-hidden longing stare. He peels the mask off, and you can’t help but literally glow when you see him. He smiles at your reaction, and the next thing you can’t help is the big kiss you give him, arms flinging themselves around his neck while he hoists you onto the desk. When you break for air, he looks down at you, and you’re happy to look back into his eyes.

“Whoa there, Ms. L/N, we’re at school,” Wade jokes.

“No, I’m not going to spank you with a yardstick,” you joke back, and he and Vanessa both laugh. “I have more classes in a little while, but I promise I’ll come back home after school.”

“Good,.” Wade pulls his mask back on. “See you later, I love you!” he sing-songs, skipping out of the class and down the hall.

Vanessa gives you a long, sweet kiss, admiring your eyes with her own afterwards, and you realize that despite loving both sets, that Wade’s eyes are even softer.

[gauntsghostsfieldguide]

The Armor of Contempt- Part 11

@the-fluffy-underbelly

IV

“The most ghostly of the Ghosts melted through the sunlight towards the foot of the town wall. They made no sound, and their signing was so understated that even their hands were whispering.” Oh, I like this image. They’re so damn stealthy!

“It was an odd detail that only real recon experts would pick up, but each Tanith scout had his own “flavour” of silent movement. Mkoll flowed like liquid, running through the levels of darkness. Bonin had a dry drift to him, like a shadow moving with the sun.” They even have different kinds of stealth!

“Hwlan, who moved like smoke, took up a spot by the gate and held cover as Maggs and Leyr crossed up the paddock to a woody clump of wintergorse. Leyr was Tanith, and moved as secretly as slow thawing ice.” More similes!

“Maggs was short and broad-shouldered, and had a scar that dropped vertically from the corner of his left eye. Off duty, his mouth could give Varl’s a decent race. He had his own style too. It was “try damn hard not to get seen and killed”.” I do like Maggs, even if he doesn’t get a fancy stealth description.

“The guard heard the clinking, and headed right over to the source. As he came down the ditch to the door, Maggs just got to his feet to meet him in one smooth motion and buried the blade through his neck. Maggs caught him in an embrace and pulled his body back down into cover with him. A blink of an eye and they were both out of sight again.” That’s pretty damn smooth.

V

The enemy starts to fight back, though some of the Ghosts must be through the walls.

“Seena and Arilla” I don’t think these names have popped up before, but I’m guessing, given their names, that they’re Verghast women who were in the resistance, joined up with the Tanith, and keep using the heavy guns because they’re good with them.

““Like tin cans on a stump,” she murmured as she lined one up.” Jessi Banda is awesome.

“Close by, Nessa Bourah looked up from her long-las. “Like tin cans on a stump,” she grinned, speaking the words with the slightly nasal flatness of the profoundly deaf.” And Nessa! I’d forgotten about her.

“Something considerable exploded behind the wall and the mortars shut up. The scouts were plying their trade inside.” Yep, they got through. And are making things blow up.

“Filth littered the streets, and the buildings were all in miserable repair, though many, like the town walls, had been refitted or converted using a patchwork of unpleasant materials that weren’t immediately identifiable. There was a grey-green sheeting that was halfway between flakboard and tin, and odd, resin-like substances.” I suppose it makes sense that Chaos would have their own, weird building materials.

“It was as if, rather than taking the town over and occupying it, the Arch-enemy had nested in it.” Like they’re birds?

“Some were using goads and lashes on a team of half-naked, emaciated human wretches — skin and bone and rags — forcing them to ferry shells from a supply stack to feed the weapons. The wretches were prisoners, captives, grotesquely malnourished and abused, the stigma rune branded on their faces.” The people are really not doing well. Not after years of slavery.

And the slaves are so numb to everything they just stand there while the scouts attack and probably all get killed by their explosion. The people here can’t just be saved by soldiers showing up. A lot of them can’t be saved at all.

“It occurred to Mkoll that there were no people because, like any resource, they had been used up.” It’s what Chaos does. They use up everything around them until the world is dead. Gereon’s been stripped of resources for years.

“Gereon was close to exhaustion. As Gaunt had feared, and privately confided to Mkoll, they were bringing liberation far too late.” Gaunt’s right. Some things can’t be healed.

“Mkoll and Hwlan scurried through the dry, dead husks of homes and workplaces. Every room contained a warm, stale atmosphere and a yellowed cast of neglect. Everything had shrivelled and flaked. Window glass, where it still existed, was stained the colour of amasec. Dust mould and a virulent fungus, violet and blotchy, were endemic across walls and ceilings. Heaps of dead blowflies, like handfuls of coal dust, lined every windowsill.” Everything’s just... dried out. Desiccated. Left to fall into disuse. 

“Twenty, and one, Rawne had put it, “for luck”. Major Rawne, who knew about these things thanks to what he described as a “misspent youth”, had built the detonator himself.” Rawne’s sense of humor is amazing.

“For the first time he realised, with a strange start, that there were no cobwebs at all. Arachnids, like rats and lice, had accompanied mankind out into the stars and had permeated all his living spaces. What had happened to all the spiders here? Was there something about Chaos that drove them out or — and Hwlan had always had a thing about spiders — was the absence of webs a sign that spiders enjoyed some sort of collusion with the Ruinous Powers? He wouldn’t put that past them, filthy little wrigglers.” ok....

Mkoll talks to the enemy in their own language to distract them, then stabs the guy in the face! Nice!

VI

“The pile of rags was something vaguely human. An old man, an old woman, Hwlan wasn’t sure.” Probably a mostly dead slave who’d passed out. Though they were able to get up and run for a bit, so maybe only half dead.

“Do you not know how to sign? Bonin signed angrily. 

Yes, Maggs signed back, and to prove it elaborately signed, You are a total feth-wit.” LOL. I do like the bits of humor.

Maggs and Bonin are outnumbered and have nowhere to run. Not good.

“Occupation troops were scrambling down from revving trucks by the gates when the baby carriage appeared. It was rolling free, jiggling over the cobbles, picking up speed as it came down the long slope of the road. A couple of troopers looked at it in frank puzzlement, others called to friends and comrades. The baby carriage rolled right past a few mystified troopers, past a truck, heading for the gates themselves.” It’s not every day you see a lone baby carriage, rolling through town.

[wearesuchstuff1]

Star Crossed

What happens when you take a Star Wars obsessed nerd who is getting a graduate degree in Shakespeare Studies and you put her in quarantine with three essays to write for almost two months?

A Star Wars/Shakespeare AU for every one of Shakespeare's plays!

Read on AO3.

     All's Well That Ends Well  

Kylo as the King and Rey as Helena.  Kylo has been stabbed by a lightsaber.  Who stabbed him?  Totally not Rey, what are you talking about??  Rey offers to heal Kylo with the Force (because that’s apparently a thing you can do?).  Kylo doubts she can do it, but Rey offers to make him a deal - either she fails, in which case Kylo can kill her, or she succeeds, in which case she gets to choose her husband.  Kylo agrees to this, secretly hoping that if she does manage to cure him that she will choose him as husband and not that annoying Rebel pilot or that ex- Storm Trooper.  Rey does manage to heal Kylo, but instead of throwing herself at Kylo, Poe, or Finn, Rey decides she’s a strong independent woman who doesn’t need a man and this way none of them can push the issue because she gets to be the one who ultimately chooses who, or if, she marries.  Sorry Shakespeare, this play’s super annoying and I am not inflicting most of this plot on my Star Wars babies.  

     Antony and Cleopatra  

Leia as Mark Anthony, Han as Cleopatra.  Leia is a very busy, powerful, accomplished leader of the Resistance.  Everyone looks up to her and she has lots to do as her Rebel forces battle the Empire.  If only Han Solo weren't so damn sexy and distracting…

     As You Like It  

Ray as Rosiland and Finn as Orlando.  After escaping from Jakku, Ray must seek her family in the Forest of D'Qar.  Finn, in love with Ray and fleeing the wrath of the new, hostile government, also ends up in the Forest.  There, Ray finds her family, learning that family does not begin or end with blood, and learns to find “tongues in trees, books in the running brooks, sermons in stones and good in everything.”  

     Comedy of Errors  

Anakin managed to avoid the temptations of Palpatine but when Palpatine discovers that Padme is pregnant they, with Obi Wan’s help, agree that the children must be kept safe from the Sith Lord.  In the wake of Order 66 Padme takes Leia and C-3PO on one ship and Anakin takes Luke and R2-D2 on another.  The twins are raised apart but when Luke comes of age, he sets out with R2-D2 to find his twin.  Hijinks and hilarity ensue, but in the end Luke and Leia, R2 and 3PO, and Anakin and Padme are all reunited.  

      Coriolanus  

Obi Wan as Ophidius, Palpatine as Menennius, and Anakin as Coriolanus.  Palpatine is intent on shaping the warrior Anakin in his political image.  Anakin would much rather stab things with his lightsaber and rail against the establishment than put up with politics.  Obi Wan and Anakin are gay for eachother.    

     Cymbeline  

Leia is Imogen, Anakin is Cymbeline, Palpatine is Anakin’s evil lover, Palpatine's clone son is Cloten, Han is Posthumus.  Leia married Han but Anakin doesn’t approve because Anakin and Palpatine want Leia to marry Palpatine’s clone son.  After Han has been kicked out he goes to Jabba’s palace and sends Jabba the Hutt to try to seduce Leia because Jabba tricks Han into betting that Leia won’t betray him.  Jabba brings “proof” to Han of Leia’s supposed infidelity and Han sends Chewie as Pisonio to lead Leia to the deserted deserts of Tatooine to kill her.   However instead Chewie brings a disguise for Leia to dress up as a boy to keep her safe from Han.  Dressed as a boy, Leia gets separated from Chewie and meets Obi Wan (as Belarius) and Luke (as Guiderius/Arviragus).  Leia doesn’t know that Luke is her brother and after she falls ill she takes a potion given to Chewie by Palpatine that ends up making her fall into a dead sleep.  I can’t be bothered to explain why.  Thinking her dead, Obi Wan and Luke plan to bury her until Palpatine’s clone son, dressed as Han and looking for Leia, arrives and, because he is rude, gets his head cut off by Luke, who lays him (headless) next to Leia.  When Leia wakes up she thinks that Han is dead and, in great despair, Leia goes off and pledges herself as a page to Tarkin, who is leading the Empire’s fleet against the Hutts.  There is a big battle where Luke, Obi Wan, and Han kick ass, and at the end all mistaken identities are revealed, Palpatine dies and confesses his sins (not in that order), Han and Leia discover they were only tricked into thinking they didn’t love each other, and Leia still gets to strangle Jabba.  In conclusion, this is a batshit play.  Thanks Shakespeare.    

     Hamlet  

Well it’s not Anakin because he doesn’t take any time to ponder anything before killing the people who killed his parent.  He just kills them.  And not just the men, but the women, and the children too…

Ben Kenobi tells Luke that Vader killed his father.  Horrified by this information, Luke sets out across to Galaxy to confront Vader.  By act five Luke has stabbed the Emperor through a curtain (thinking him to be Vader), Vader and Luke have both been stabbed with a poisoned lightsaber, General Tarkin has drunk poison intended for Luke, and Princess Leia is knocking on the doors of the death star.  With his dying breath Luke tells his school friend Biggs (who Luke is not-so-secretly gay for) that he gives his vote for Leia to run the Galexy after he is dead.  At this point Ben Kenobi is beginning to wonder if maybe he shouldn't have lied to Luke about his father after all.  Also, R2 and 3PO are Rosencrantz and Guildenstern.  

     Henry IV, Parts I and II  

Han as Hal and Jabba the Hutt as Falstaff.  Hanging out with Jabba and his other lowlife friends has given Han a bad reputation.   Despite Jabba's insistence that they be partners in petty crime and enjoy all the entertainment and Corilian Rum the credits from their crimes can buy, Han must grow to realize that his friend is holding him back from his true place in the Galaxy and that he ultimately must turn away from his old (large) friend in order to become a General in the Rebel Alliance and to stand by its Princess's side.    

     Henry V  

Jyn and Cassian know, as their small band of brothers lands on the beaches of Scarif, that they are outnumbered ten to one.   Nevertheless, as they prepare to head once more unto the breach they are determined to make ten men feel like a hundred.  They know that if they are mark’d to die, they are enough to do the Rebellion loss; and if to live, the fewer men, the greater share of honour.  They fight valiantly and are able to bring the Rebellion hope by sending the plans for the Death Star to Princess Leia, but in the end none of them outlive that day, nor come safe home.  

     Henry VI, Parts I, II, and III  

Despite the threats posed by the Clone Wars, the Jedi look above all else to their religion, leaving the path open for their enemies to take from them their power and, ultimately, their lives.

     Henry VIII  

Obi Wan is Anakin’s first wife and Padme is Ann Bolyn.  Anakin cheats on Obi Wan and the Jedi Order with Padem.  When the world finds out (youngings’) heads will roll.

     Julius Caesar  

Snoke, Kylo, and Hux as Caesar, Brutus, and Mark Anthony.   Despite his pledged allegiance to Emperor Snok, Kylo turns against his master and stabs him with his lightsaber, inciting a power struggle between Kylo and Hux and some impassioned speeches to the gathered Storm Troopers.

     King John  

Palpatine as King John, Mace Windu as the Pope, and Anakin as the archbishop (and Hubert).  Palpatine, in order to assert his influence over the Jedi and to continue to bring Anakin under his power, insists that Anakin be appointed to the Jedi Council.  Mace Windu is furious that Palpatine would interfere in this way and attempts to “excommunicate” him from the Republic.  Anakin turns on Mace Windu and the Jedi Order, and Palpatine sends him to the Jedi Temple to kill the younglings (specifically a youngling named Arthur).  However, when actually faced with the task Anakin is unable to do so.  Instead he lies to Palpatine and tells him the younglings have been killed.

     King Lear  

Lear/Cordelia as Vader/Luke.  Vader is slightly (maybe a lot) crazy and angry and he tries to give his son, Luke, part of the Galaxy, providing Luke pledges his allegiance to Vader and the Dark Side of the Force.  Luke is not having it so Vader cuts Luke’s hand off.  In the end, after some battles, Vader realizes Luke is in the right just in time to die.

     Love's Labour's Lost  

By swearing off attachments and secluding themselves in their Temple, the Jedi believe they will better be able to learn from and serve the Force.  But then Qui-Gon Jinn meets Shmi Skywalker, Obi Wan Kenobi meets Satine Kryze, Ahsoka Tano meets Lux Bonteri, and Anakin Skywalker meets Padme Amidala.  Together they learn that attachments are not so easily avoided.

     Macbeth  

The Nightsisters, led by Mother Talzin, predict greatness for Darth Maul.  In fact, when he is apprenticed to Sidious, Talzin predicts that Maul will become the most powerful Sith Lord and that he will soon become the master, no longer the apprentice.  Fueled by this promised power, Maul, encouraged by his wife Lady Ventress, plans to kill Sidious.  However, he is disturbed by Talzin's predictions that while he may become more powerful than even Sidious, it is Sidious's future apprentice, Darth Vader, who’s children will defeat the power of the Dark Side.  Thinking himself invincible thanks to Mother Talzin's predictions he sees no reason to fear the two Jedi who arrive at the Naboo palace of Dunsinane in a ship called the Birnam Wood.

     Measure for Measure  

With the Empire not giving a fuck about the Outer Rims, Jabba is left to his own devices on Tatooine.  When Jabba captures Luke and tries to feed him to his pet Rancor, Jabba proposes a deal with Leia that if she stays with him he will let Luke go.  Already feeling that she is married to the Rebellion, Leia is torn between her love for the Alliance and her love for Luke.  Ultimately Leia decides she’s better off strangling Jabba while Luke blows up his ship.  Even though this isn’t what Mariana actuall does in the script it’s what she should do becasue fuck the patriarchy.    

     Merchant of Venice  

In a last-ditch attempt to save the Republic she loves, Padme comes before the senate and reminds them that 'the quality of mercy is not strained'.  She advises them that mercy 'is mightiest in the mightiest; it becomes the throned Emperor better than his robe: his lightsaber shows the force of temporal power, but mercy is above the lightsaber's sway".  Her impassioned speech reminds the senate to see past the blood lust fueled by Palpatine and the Clone Wars and Padme single handedly manages to avoid the death of democracy to thunderous applause.    

     Merry Wives of Windsor  

Jabba the Hutt is Falstaff.  That’s all.

     Midsummer Night's Dream  

Finn and Poe, both thinking they are in love with Ray, follow Ray to a forest planet.  Rose, in love with Poe, follows him.  In the forest R2-D2 and his young companion BB8 use trickery and (Force) magic to help the humans sort out this love triangle mess (yes, this does make C-3PO Titania). Finn and Poe realize that they are actually in love with each other and Ray reaffirms that she is a strong independent woman who doesn’t need a man.  Rose gets left in the woods because J.J. Abrams forgets about her.  

     Much Ado about Nothing  

Leia/Han as Beatrice/Benedict.  Despite the seemingly daily war of words between Princess Leia and Han Solo in the hallways of Hoth’s Echo Base, it seems every Alliance member except the Princess and the smuggler knows that the two are in love.  While the verbal battles continue (some more sophisticated than others - Han’s only available comeback to Leia’s rather weak “scruffy looking nerf herder” jab being “who’s scruffy looking?”) Chewbacca, Luke, R2-D2 and a relatively confused and unwilling C-3PO ‘undertake one of Hercules' labours; which is, to bring Han and the Princess Leia into a mountain of affection the one with the other’.  By the end both Han and Leia are separately convinced the other is madly in love with them and relent (purely out of the goodness of their own hearts and not at all because of any feelings they might have) to save the other from their suffering and agree to marry them.  Also Jar Jar Binks is Dogberry - do not question it.    

     Othello  

In order to serve his own purposes, Palpatine manages to turn the righteous and lauded warrior Anakin Skywalker against his wife, Padmé Amidala, with whispered lies and deceits, resulting in Anakin choking and, ultimately, killing the woman he loves.  That’s it.  That’s the film.

     Pericles  

Anakin as Pericles, Padme as Thaisa, and Leia as Marina.  After fleeing from Mustafar with Padme, Obi Wan and Bail Organa watch helplessly as Padme gives birth to twins then, seemingly, dies.  Afraid to bring more attention on themselves from Sidious and his new apprentice, the men place Padme’s body in an escape pod and eject it near Jedha.  What they don’t know is that Padme is only mostly dead (which means she is a little bit alive).  When her escape pod is found by a young local force user named Chirrut Imwe he brings Padme back from the brink.  Knowing that her husband is dead to her and with no way to contact her children, Padme decides to dedicate herself to the Force at the ancient Jedi temple Chirrut and his husband Baze Malbus brought her to.  Meanwhile, Leia is raised by Bail and, when she is old enough, dedicates herself to the Rebellion (sorry guys, I just can’t bring myself to have Bail try to kill Leia).  However, when Leia is captured by the Empire she is brought before Vader.  They talk and compare stories, and through their connection in the Force they realize that they are father and daughter.  At the descovery of his daughter Vader decides ‘you know what, fuck the Emperer’ and casually destroies the Empire.  Then the Force leads Anakin and Leia to Jedha (which hasn’t been destroyed because of reasons).  There they discover Padme living in the temple of the Jedi.  After a tearful family reunion with Anakin, Padme, and Leia, the three eventually decide they had better go save Luke from spending the rest of his life as a moisture farmer on Tatooine.  

     Richard II  

Ben Solo as Bolingbrooke and Luke as Richard II.  Luke, hoping to raise Ben Solo in his image, is heartbroken when he senses the dark side in his nephew.  In a sudden and desperate attempt to keep the dark side from the world Luke banishes Ben (with his lightsaber).  Furious at Luke’s betrayal Ben turns to the dark side and destroys everything Luke has sought to build.

     Richard III  

Turning against his own family, Kylo Ren murders and betrays in order to obtain the position in the First Order he believes his lineage affords him.  Hux is Ann.

     Romeo and Juliet  

Finn has been raised to be a Storm Trooper since before he can remember.  All his life he has been taught to hate the Resistance.   Poe’s parents were Alliance members during the time of the Empire.  They raised him to stand against the First Order.  Finn and Poe thought they knew their beliefs, until the two meet and, despite all they have been taught to believe, fall desperately in love.  They are, quite literally, star crossed.  BB8 gets drunk off fermented oil and delivers a Queen Mab speech in exclusively beeps and whistles.

     Taming of the Shrew  

The Alderaanian Princess is a bit of a firecracker and has no time for anything in her life but the Rebellion.  So when a smuggler shows up and decides to try to win her over Anakin, who did not turn to the Dark Side, laughs and says he’s welcome to try.  Meanwhile, Bodhi Rook, Wedge Antilles, and Biggs Darklighter (yes, this IS his last name…) are all vying for Luke Skywalker’s attention.  When Luke goes to Anakin and wines ‘but daddy, I want to get married’ Anakin makes a new rule: “YOU’RE NOT GETTING MARRIED UNTIL LEIA GETS MARRIED!”.  In order to have a chance at marriage Luke must team up with Chewbacca to help Han tame Leia.  It doesn’t come as a surprise to anyone except Han that it is actually Leia who ends up doing the timing.  

     Tempest  

In (self-imposed) exile a grumpy, gray haired Luke hangs out on an island strong with the magic of the Force.  Ariel is a Porg.  

     Timon of Athens  

Despite the Clone Wars, Obi Wan Kenobi is glad to be well liked and surrounded by friends he trusts.  Then one day his friends (specifically his best friend and a bunch of clones) betray his ass.  So what does he do?  He runs off to the Outer Rim to the sandiest fucking planet he can find (because his ex-best friend hates sand) and spends the next 19 years being poor and grumpy.

     Titus Andronicus  

Seriously, the only story I know with more severed limbs that Titus Andronicus is Star Wars…

     Troilus and Cressida  

When Padme married Anakin Skywalker they exchanged vows, of course, but they also exchanged pieces of clothing.  It’s an old Naboo tradition that Padme’s mother loved and Anakin found cute, so why not?   It was a silly thing, but the sleeve Anakin gives her stays with Padme, folded neatly in a small box, as Anakin fights the Clone Wars throughout the Galaxy and Padme fights them in the Senate.  But then Anakin falls to Darth Sidious’s powers and when Padme confronts him he almost chokes her to death.  Almost.  After giving birth to two healthy children Padme, Obi Wan, and Yoda agree that it will be safest for the twins to be raised apart in order to better hide them from the Dark Side.  Obi Wan takes the boy to Tatooien and Padme’s friend Bail Organa takes the girl to be his adopted daughter.  Padme, seperated from her children, spends the next several years traveling the Galaxy, doing good where she can and keeping herself away from her children, afraid that her presence will endanger them.  But Darth Vader finally catches up with her.  She is captured by the Sith Lord and taken prisoner and her already shattered heart breaks once again when she is brought before him.  Her captor demands that she be his, insisting that she love him and give up her foolish affection for the foolish boy she met on Tatooine all those standard years ago.  To prove her new supposed devotion to Vader, the Empire, and the Dark Side of the Force, Vader demands Padme supply him with a token of her affection.  From her small pack Padme draws out a box with an old but neatly folded sleeve within. She hands it to the Sith Lord, a token of her love, in the hopes that it might remind Vader of the love Padme bears for another man.    

     Twelfth Night  

After escaping Darth Vader with the plans to the Death Star, Luke and Leia, twins raised together as royals on Alderaan, crash in their escape pod on Tatooine.  Believing her twin brother to be dead, Leia dresses as a man to better hide from the Empire.  She is hired by a handsome smuggler named Han Solo, who sends her as an envoy to the palace of Jabba the Hutt, hoping Leia can gain information about Han’s lost love Qi’ra.  Han is intrigued by his new hire and his apparent aversion to the Empire while under her disguise Leia finds she is falling in love with Han.  Jabba is confused about why this petite boy Solo keeps sending wants to know about someone named Obi Wan Kanobi, Chewie is considering changing up his single munitions belt style with some fancy cross-gartering, and somehow Luke ends up at Jabba’s in a slave bikini.

     Two Gentlemen of Verona  

Lance and Crab - Ray and BB8 on Jakku.  Ray, having no family to speak of, designates her left shoe to be her mother, her right shoe to be her father, her staff to be her sister, her hat to be their maid and she is the droid.  No, the droid is herself, and she is the droid - O, the droid is her, and she is herself.  Ay, so, so.  She plays out her imagined family life with shoes and staff, bringing herself to lonely tears. Now the droid all this while sheds not a tear nor speaks a word; but see how she lays Jakku’s dust with her tears.

     Winter's Tale  

Abandoned after his family exited pursued by a (space) bear, Baby Yoda finds a new protector and adopted father in Din Djarin, the Mandalorian.    

     Cardenio and Love’s Labour’s Won  

These two are the 6 hour uncut Phantom Menace because they are lost and I would give my first born child to see them.

     Sir Thomas More, The Spanish Tragedy, and Edward III  

All the books/legends - not because of the plot, but because although George Lucas had very little to do with them they are really only known, by those who know them, in association with him and his works.  There is a large debate by ‘scholars’ as to whether they should be accepted as canon or not.

     Bonus  

Chewbacca is ecstatic when he hears that an Alderaanian princess has taken up residence in the detention block of a nearby moon space station.  He hopes that this princess might be the perfect match for his handsome yet headstrong smuggler friend.  After all, it is a truth universally acknowledged that a single Alderaanian princess in possession of a good fortune of Credits, must be in want of a husband.

I must give a huge thank you to my friends who put up with me while I did this and contributed fabulous ideas!  Vaxildamn, Dazingparadise, Kaethe, and Eric, I couldn't have done this without you!

[trickshxt]

SHITTY AUs ABSOLUTELY NO ONE ASKED FOR

Star Wars AU

Their story isn’t unique; orphaned at a young age, left to the streets in a backwater city on a backwater planet. The Barton brothers had each other, though, and what they couldn’t earn they begged for and what they couldn’t beg they stole. Notorious thieves and con artists, the boys were particularly known for their one unique skill: their near perfect, never missing aim. This ability is what got them the invite to join a local, traveling troupe of entertainers with a hand in minor smuggling. They accepted and likely would have grown up there if the First Order hadn’t come along...

For you see, their world was far, far more valuable mined than left standing. A rich depository of metals made the world attractive to the First Order. It also made it a target for fighting. Their cities became razed. Their skies warzones. And when a final strike was ordered the few left weren’t surprised.

In the panic of getting off world, however, resources were scarce. And with the strike looming Barney made a deal with their mentor: their safety for his service to his guild. Jacques took the deal. What he didn’t say? The boy’s safety didn’t guarantee they’d stay together.

Barney watched as Clint was evacuated on another star cruiser; promising to find him. The two not knowing when they would see the other again.

From then on, Barney worked as a thief, a distraction, a look out; growing into a smuggler and mercenary with a minor crew under the leader of a man known best as the Swordsman. Barney’s aim only improved, earning him a wicked reputation as a sniper. His ability to be forgotten quickly in a crowd - despite his bright red hair - also made him the ideal runner and smuggler of messages.

Barney wanted more from life. And perhaps he would have gotten it, if the Swordsman hadn’t taken on a job he couldn’t handle. When the job went wrong, it was Barney who paid the price. Struck down by a mercenary as part of the threat. The attack killed Barney out right. Unfortunately, peace was not for Barney...

Barney’s skills had caught the attention of a curious individual known only as Annihilus. A shadow figure with deep pockets, little was known about the man. But when Barney’s body disappeared and the Swordsman’s bounty was called off? Well. Few thought much of it.

Waking on a cold slab, Barney knew something was different. His body felt odd. Static crackled under his skin. And he knew, just knew, he shouldn’t be back. Yet he was. And it was his new employer’s ‘gift’ to him that would come to be his bane. Annihilus’ love for dead cultures - specifically the Xandarian Novas and Jedi - made him a bit of collector of the odd and unusual. Lost medical technology from the Novas themselves had been implanted in Barney. Enough to bring him back with nothing but a shred of life, enough to keep him alive, and enough to undo it all with one snap of Annihilus’ fingers...

These days, Barney works directly for Annihilus, under the name Red. While he heals faster than any normal human, it is his human nature that Annihilus finds useful. Often sent on runs to steal, resell, and acquire rare artifacts, Barney particularly funnels favors and objects for the express intent of gathering Nova artifacts for Annihilus. Of particular interest? The Nova Prime armor. While rarely starting a fight or commotion, Barney will act ruthlessly if need be.

Someday, someday he longs to be free from Annihilus’ debt. And maybe, hopefully, find out where his brother ended up...

IMPORTANT NOTES

This verse is linked to @golddome‘s Star Wars AU but isn’t limited to it! No need to know anything about Novas other than they’re an alien race with bad ass warriors that are wiped out and long gone.

Barney doesn’t just deal with Xandarian, Nova, and Jedi artifacts though! He also deals in Mandalorian pieces as well as various other cultures. We’re flexible! And if we get something wrong we’re open to nice constructive criticism. I definitely haven’t read everything so please be gentle...

BONUS

BONUS: Barney’s large, mud colored cowl is big enough to double as: a tunic with a hood big enough to cover his face, a pillow, a blanket, and a shelter. He has used it as all of those, and more, and could tell you what ever stain on it is from.

EXTRA BONUS: While the tech in Barney heals him quickly from stabbings, slashings, blasts, poisons, and more, it doesn’t always heal him up cleanly. He is littered in scars. Some that he doesn’t even remember getting. The tech does respond to specific things, though the controls are only really understood by Annihilus, who has never once handed full control over to anyone. (Though he will give the frequency to bounty hunters when he has to reel his smuggler back in.)

EXTRA EXTRA BONUS: Barney has tried NUMEROUS times to leave Annihilus’ service. Each time, he’s found thanks to tracking inherent in the tech. Annihilus has set bounties on Barney numerous times, always with the order to bring him back in ALIVE, no exceptions. And Annihilus’ pockets are deep enough, reputation fierce enough that you bet no one dares to cross him...

EXTRA EXTRA EXTRA BONUS: Barney is an OK pilot, but not a GREAT one. Which is why his ship is covered in dings from things, places, and people he’s run into.

EXTRA EXTRA EXTRA EXTRA BONUS: Barney’s aim is unnatural. His brother’s, however? Was even more so. Are the Barton brothers force sensitive? Perhaps. But if they are Barney will never know.

VERSE TAG

v: I would kill the stars themselves ; if it weren’t but for you ; still out there among them — ( Star Wars AU )

[impalalord]

I didn’t understand why they did it at first, I probably still don’t. I used to live on a farm on Moloch V. Me and my mate, Kina, were bought to work there. It was a Jelk couple, and I thought that they treated us right, they gave us food and shelter. They even gave us one of their own vidscreens for our room occasionally. We were treated better than most Vikka. It was a good life. Then I saw it on the news, the Conglomerate had made contact with a new species. I thought they looked like furless Strossansians when i first saw them, only a lot bigger. Humans, they called themselves.

First contact is fairly rare but most people have seen at least one in their lifespan. I was there when the Dryzal joined the universal community so I knew what was coming. They needed to build working translators, establish currency exchanges and connect them to the extranet before the humans could properly interact with the rest of the galaxy. The whole process took at least 3 cycles, but it wouldn’t be perfect until about 30-40 cycles.

The strange things didn’t start happening until 4 cycles later, when the first human world was connected with the extranet. I was lying down on my bed, with Kina tending to my body. I accidentally left the gates open and one of the Drucs ran onto the road. You can guess what happened next. My Masters punished me, which I probably deserved. Drucs are expensive to grow after all. Anyway, that was when I saw it on the news. The humans had read about servitude on the extranet and they were mad. Very mad. Madder than my Masters. Maybe they never had servitude on their homeworld, but wanted their own Vikka? Well, it’s a bit self entitled to expect people to give them Vikka. They started shouting at the Council Meetings, hundreds of humans travelled to the capital, and angry about something. At the time I thought they were being ungrateful, the Conglomerate had opened up to them, and they in turn spit in the Conglomerates face. It was strange.

Things started escalating after that. The humans began threatening violence, I still didn’t understand why they didn’t just buy Vikka. The Conglomerate shrugged of course, I mean these humans couldn’t beat the Masters. The Conglomerate had always been there.

Soon my mate was carrying my child. We began worrying. If the Masters found out, they would kill her. I didn’t know what to do. We decided to hide it, but in a cycle it was going to become obvious. That was when the humans began their war.

They started fighting against the Conglomerate, targeting servitude centers and stealing the Vikka. Did they want us for themselves? They were showing footage of a taken servitude center, the press were allowed in. The translators were still buggy but I could understand most of it. A human was talking about things like ‘rights’ and ‘equals’. Vikka weren’t allowed to get an education so I couldn’t understand but I knew that equals was a math thing. Then he said something, directing it at Vikka everywhere. It translated perfectly, but I didn’t understand the meaning at the time, “We are all born free and equal.”

I figured it didn’t matter anyway, the humans would be destroyed by the conglomerate. I was wrong.

I didn’t know this at the time, but the humans grew up on war. There was always war on their world, and it didn’t end until hundreds of cycles after they left their solar system. War was all they knew until the ‘Peace Era’ as they called it. I guess that’s why they decided to fight. Doing nothing was alien to them, I suppose going to war must have felt like coming home.

Of course I didn’t know this at the time, so when it was shown that the humans were managing to survive in their fight. Not only that, but it looked like some Vikka were fighting alongside them. I couldn’t believe my eyes. This wasn’t good news, and it only added to the stress of my mate. We still didn’t know what we would do. It didn’t matter, because the masters found out anyway.

I thank the humans for what happened next. I didn’t really understand it, but then freeing servitude centers meant that my mate became more valuable, so they spared her life. Instead they would keep her and sell our child. We were happy that we were spared.

The humans did something even more impossible, they stopped simply surviving their battles against Conglomerate troops and began winning. They pushed themselves all the way into the central planets, and even made it to Moloch V. I saw their drop pods, it was as if the stars themselves were falling from the heavens. Me, my mate, and our masters all went into a makeshift underground bunker when we saw them coming.Eventually the humans were in the house. We tried to keep as quiet as possible so they wouldn’t find us, but it didn’t help, and they found us anyway. When they marched down the stairs with their projectile weapons, they looked like the beasts my mother told me stories about back at the servitude center. They were black all over their bodies, you couldn’t see their faces, you didn’t know where the weapon ended and the body began. They were not the same humans I had seen on the vidbox. One of my Masters grabbed me and forced me in front of him. He started shouting, “Stay back! Stay back or I swear I’ll cut him!”

The humans stared at me, probably waiting for their translators. Then they looked at each other and simply nodded.

A bright flash came from the end of their weapon-hands and the noise almost deafened me. My master dropped to the floor, while my other master shrieked which I thought would definitely deafen me. One of the humans grabbed my master and took her away.

The other human walked towards me. I stepped backwards, not knowing what he would do. That was when my mate started screaming, all the stress had caught up to our child. My translator kicked in. “Oh shit. JENKINS GET YOUR ASS DOWN HERE, SHE'S GOING INTO LABOR!”

It’s been 10 cycles since that day. The humans won the war. Executed the heads of the conglomerate, put themselves on top and rewrote a bunch of laws, banning servitude. They created clinics that helped Vikka re-enter society, as citizens instead of slaves. Taught me how to do math, which was very useful, among other things. I get paid for my work now, and I can use it to buy nice things for my mate. I still don’t understand why they went out of their way to help us, why they sacrificed so many of their own kind to end something which has been going on for so long that nobody even thought to question it. But after watching my daughter go to her first day of school, I think I am close to understanding it.

[atamascolily]

lily liveblogs “terminator: dark fate”, part one

In which I write two thousand words about the first two minutes, which is why it takes me four hours to watch a two-hour film.

The DVD says R rated for "Violence throughout". God I hope so.

3 dvd trailers just to get to the menu. thank goodness for fast forward. You can't skip them entirely, but you can skip to two seconds before they're over.

Also I can't help but note that one of the trailers is for Gemini Man, a movie about old!Will Smith battling a digitally de-aged!Will Smih, and I cannot help but admire the irony given how de-aginging software will be used in the film I am trying to see. Another trailer is for the Top Gun sequel. More irony.

the dvd menu is just the first thirty seconds of the theme with random movie clips, which just cuts out as soon as it gets good. not a fan.

grainy video footage of Sarah Connor from T2 with her v/o recounting her vision of nuclear holocaust to Silbermann AS THE COMPANY LOGOS FLASH ON SCREEN, this is (probably) not meant to be symbolic of the destructive influence of capitalism BUT OH MY GOD THE IRONY

Ocean waves on a beach, exposing a human skull. Then slow zoom out to reveal more bones. Old!Sarah narrates the story for those of us just tuning in. Terminators rising from the ocean while HK planes hover above. They see a little girl hiding beside a downed helicopter and aim at her--

--cut to the same (?) beach in Guatemala, 1998. Old!Sarah says "That future never happened because I stopped it," and we see her sitting by the beach in a bar, watching teenage John chat up a girl.

The CGI looks good here. John's face is fuzzy and at a distance, but it works in context, and t2-era!Sarah looks great. I wouldn't guess it was CGI if I didn't know it was CGI here. And this, my friends, is the future of filmmaking right here, and I have a lot of thoughts and feels about it, but that's a rant for another time. Let's just say that it's HIGHLY IRONIC that the people who basically invented Photoshop so they could make T2 are using this face-altering business on real actors, making them effectively shapeshifters just like the Terminators in this franchise. (Iirc, in T2, the CGI was used mainly for the shifting BETWEEN the faces of real actors--not on the actors themselves.)

And then young(er)!Arnold strolls in as John turns, and you can SEE him freeze as he RECOGNIZES the T-800, but doesn't have time to react--and the T-800 fires.

Sarah pulls a gun out of her pants and fires straight into his back. If she'd been facing in the other direction, she would have seen the T-800 and started firing right away, but she didn't. And I bet the T-800 deliberately set it up that way because he knew--whether Skynet told him or not--that Sarah was a threat.

She tries to grab the gun away from the T800 and it doesn't work. He pulls her head back and tosses her away. He could have killed her, but he doesn't. I don't know why. (PLOT!) Maybe because it's not his mission. Anyway, Sarah is like three feet away from her son, down on the ground, as he's shot in front of her. It's her worst nightmare come true, just when she thought everything was okay.

The scan from the T-800's perspective as he registers TARGET TERMINATED is pretty cool. And then he drops the gun and walks away, and Sarah is left with the dead body of her son.

"I saved three billion lives," Old!Sarah says, "but I couldn't save my son. A machine took him from me, and I was terminated."

WHAM.

CUT TO OPENING TITLE AND THEME.

Okay, so this is a controversial opening, and a lot of people hated it, but I am personally okay with it. Partially, it's because I am not emotionally attached to John Connor the same way I am attached to Sarah, or even Kyle. John Connor may be the savior of humanity in the Terminator mythos up until now, but he's also a macguffin in T1 (and arguably in T2 as well). He's not an independent agent, and his actions/decisions don't drive the plot in the same way that Sarah's do. John's story after a certain point in any timeline is very difficult to write well. Case in point: movies that are ostensibly about John Connor--T3 and Terminator: Salvation--are also the ones that "everybody" thinks are terrible, and Sarah is not present. I don’t think this is a coincidence.

People SAY they want a John Connor-centered movie, and maybe it's possible to do a better job that T3/Salvation/etc, but I think it would be very challenging--and I don't think it would be a Terminator movie at all. It would be a sci-fi action/horror featuring humanity vs. intelligent killer robots, but that's a different beast from a Terminator film--which is very much a commentary on contemporary human/machine interactions and therefore NEEDS an oblivious society as backdrop for its metaphors to work. A war movie in which the Terminators are no longer secret is... not as effective.

But anyway, put yourself in the writers' shoes and imagine you want to make another Terminator movie after T2. You want Sarah Connor to be in it. What do you do to make it new and different, while still working within the established formula? More to the point--remembering the unofficial motto of this franchise, after all--what do you do to make Sarah Connor suffer?

And the answer is exactly what the filmmakers did: they took away her son. They took away the REASON she was originally targeted for termination, the REASON her life was turned upside down, the REASON everybody she ever loved was murdered by killer robots from the future. They took away everything she'd worked for, and turned it to dust in an instant. And, you know, they killed YET ANOTHER PERSON she loved. Her last connection to Kyle, even.

(ngl, if I'd been writing this movie, I would have done the exact same thing FOR EXACTLY THOSE REASONS)

Also, can I just take a moment to point out how RARE it is that a male character dies to further a female character's story arc? This happens ALL THE GODDAMN TIME with male heroes and their wives/girlfriends/family members no one bats an eye, but kill off John Connor and suddenly everybody is pissed. I can't help but notice the double standard here.

Look, I know what it's like when someone kills off your favorite character. Really, I do. It sucks. It sucks a lot. (See: Avengers: Endgame and the Star Wars sequel trilogy.) But at the same time, I can't help but notice that a great deal of the people upset about John Connor's death are cishet white males--in many cases, the same people who in other contexts are fine with somebody (usually a woman) dying to "raise the stakes" and make the story "personal" and "dramatic" or even "realistic".

There are a lot of people who gushed  about The Last Jedi, calling it "subversive" and "brilliant" specifically for upending everything we knew about Luke and "making our old heroes fallible" (and therefore human). In the case of The Last Jedi, I can't help but notice that Luke's character--and Han and Leia's and everybody else in the movie--is shafted in favor of Kylo Ren, who is depicted as an attractive cishet white dude. I suspect this is not a coincidence.

I'm curious how much overlap there is between those who HATED Terminator: Dark Fate for killing off John, and those who LOVED TLJ, which has a similarly bleak premise and “subversion” of previous story beats. I wonder if the difference between the two films is that it doesn't matter to a lot of  cishet white dudes how screwed up everything else gets as long as the character they personally identify with the most/view as "the hero"--Kylo Ren--triumphs.

As far as I can tell, the attitude for some fans is that it’s fine if Sarah Connor suffers, but John is sacred and inviolate. He cannot be touched. He is essential, the lynchpin of the franchise, the one character who makes a Terminator movie work, the one around whom everything revolves. Without him, everything is pointless.

And I wonder if this is the same group who personally identifies with John--one, because they grew up with him, but two, because they look like him. I suspect a lot of people latched on to the idea of John Connor as the savior, because it meant--on some level--that THEY could also be the savior. And they are mad at having that character--and that promise--snatched away from them, and re-invest that energy in anyone else, let alone someone who looks different from them.

(AKA "It's all 'subverting expectations' and 'brilliance' until it's your self-insert/favorite character getting shafted," and then it gets ugly.)

Also, I note that John's death isn't heroic AT ALL. He dies in the exact same way the Terminator in T1 kills the other Sarah Connors. It's quick, efficient, and over in seconds. I suspect this hurts people more than if he'd died some other way. In a way, this scene is probably one of the most "realistic" in the entire movie. But I'm not sure people want "realism" in their movies, no matter how much they say they do.

(and does it say something about audience priorities that this kid getting shot at point-blank range is more upsetting and controversial than ALL OF THE OTHER DEATHS in this movie combined? Like, yes, I know  context matters, everybody else who dies in this movie is an adult (I think?), and we have a lot emotionally invested in John from previous movies, but... I mean, yes, I know, the background characters weren't framed as the saviors of humanity, but does that mean they don't also deserve empathy and respect and grief from us? And I can’t help but note that real-life children getting shot in a similar fashion doesn’t seem to engender the same amount of strong feelings on a massive scale, at least in the US.)  

Anyway, Sarah fails. Terribly. Irrevocably. In the only way that matters. She fails, and her son dies, and she falls right back down in the abyss she thought she'd managed to crawl out of. And I think that is also hard for a lot of people to watch, because we're so used to seeing her WIN through sheer grit, determination, and stubborness. We assumed she always would. But she can’t, not if there’s going to be another movie... 

(another other implication of Sarah's short-lived combat with the T-800 is that it doesn't matter how much of a badass she is, NO 100% HUMAN BEING can go head-to-head with a Terminator directly and WIN. If Sarah Connor can't do it, NOBODY ELSE COULD HAVE DONE IT BETTER THAN SHE DID.)

(and also there's the realization that if Sarah hadn't destroyed the reprogrammed Terminator at the end of T2--the only being who COULD have saved John in that moment--her son might still be alive. That's gotta hurt.)

Anyway, we're two minutes in and I find this plot twist more compelling than 90% of the entire Star Wars sequel trilogy, and 100% more consistent in terms of previously established character arcs. Obvs. ymmv, but I think it goes back to the franchise's horror roots, where everybody except Sarah dies, and it also shows very clearly that we are entering a Very Dark Timeline as we shift to the title card.

I'm honestly impressed the writers had the chutzpah to go through with this and REALLY kill John for good. Though I also see why they didn't advertise it in the trailers....

Before I move on, I want to repeat what Sarah said at the end of this scene, because it’s so gut-wrenching for me: “A machine took him from me, and I was terminated."

I emphasize that last clause because this is how Sarah sees it. It’s not just John who died that day--she believes that SHE did, too. Ever since she was 19 years old, Sarah Connor’s life has been defined as “John Connor’s mother” and she’s built up her whole identity around keeping him alive no matter what. Now John is dead, and she... cannot be that person any more. So who, then, is she?

For better or worse, Sarah Connor is now a free agent. She is liberated both from her role in the future as the mythic mother figure, and any lingering obligations she has to patriarchy. From now on, there is no fate (for her, if not humanity) but what she makes for herself. It’s an awful, ironic twist, and I think it was a valid choice for the franchise to make. As long as John Connor is alive, everybody else will always be in his shadow--up to, and including, Sarah. 

Without him, we’re in new territory. Which will look a lot like the old territory because humans are sadly predictable, but different all the same.

[baroquebucky]

forgotten birthdays and puppies

Everyone in the compound forgets it’s your birthday, so you get a puppy. But bucky is determined to do the most.

some angst and v fluffyyyyy pls request something !!

————-

You woke up disoriented, forgetting what day it was for a second. Last nights mission was a whole mess, but so was every other one honestly. You checked your phone from next to your pillow, a few texts from friends back home texting at 2 am long paragraphs and some from 30 minutes ago.

Silently smiling and replying something sweet to each of your friends you slipped out of your bed and headed out from your room. Your hair was messy from sleeping with it loose and somewhat wet, in an oversized shirt and some shorts. You felt a bubble of excitement grow in your belly as you saw your hero friends, expecting them to burst out yelling happy birthday. But to your disappointment nothing happened, they were all chatting not even aware of your presence.

‘It’s okay they’re just tired from last night’ you comforted yourself holding back the lump you felt growing. You smiled to yourself and made your way to the kitchen, sliding with your fuzzy socks across the hard wood floor.

“You’re gonna get hurt one day y’know” the groggy voice spoke from behind you, startled you slipped and almost fell, luckily you caught yourself on the table near you.

“Good thing I’m young and a slip won’t break my back huh Barnes” you quipped back smiling at him. His blue eyes somehow sparkling despite the fatigue ever-present on his face, hair messy but silky in a small bun you called it the raddish because it was so tiny.

As you made breakfast not one person wished you happy birthday, not even bucky. Not that he had to, i mean you weren’t dating so whatever right? I mean sure we flirt here and there, and everywhere, but still, not dating. Yet. You were so caught up you didn’t notice Wanda talking to you about some guy she met that she claimed was ‘maybe the one’ which she had said about the last three. You nodded and said “no way” here and there. The conversation ended, and no ‘happy birthday!’ she was your best friend you know you had told her it was your birthday today.

You put your plate in the sink and went back to your room, the lump in your throat making its way closer to its escape. No way, you weren’t crying on your birthday. You got changed and headed out, you were gonna be happy and make this memorable. You walked out of the compound with confidence, but once you stepped out into the busy streets, your confidence blew away with the winds of New York and you shyly walking towards who knows what.

After a good hour of walking around and buying a few small things to decorate your room with or to just mess with you cane across an animal shelter. “Don’t do it, no you can’t” you scolded yourself as your feet made its way inside the shelter, pushing open the double doors. The smell hit your nose and you smiled, embracing it instead of scrunching up your nose. An expected mixture of dog, cat, and cleaning product.

“Hello! How can I help you today” the guy at the front desk asked you, a charming smile sent your way. “Uhm, do you have any dogs? Well, of course you do but can i see some?” You said face palming mentally, way to go Y/N.

“Of course! Right this way” he smiled and led you to the dog section of the shelter. “Feel free to look around, if you wanna play with one of these guys let me know” he smiled and went back to sitting down. “I’m Dorian by the way” he said before leaving the hall.

Slowly you walked by each kennel, giving every dog your utmost attention. Baby talking to each of them. It is your birthday isn’t it? You tapped your foot debating if you should get one of these babies and deal with tony later. Fuck it. You smiled and went up to the front, “uh Dorian? can i adopt one of the dogs?” You asked shyly tucking a piece of hair behind your ear. “Of course! Who’s the lucky guy that gets to go home with a beautiful girl like you?” He smiled at you.

There was a dog that had caught your eye, he was brown and had a black snout and ears and a tail to match. “the little guy with the black nose and tail” you beamed at him, “he’s gonna get big ya know that right? He’s a mix of a lot of things” he informed you. “You think i can’t handle him?” You teased as he became flustered. “I- I didn’t mean it like that-“ you laughed “I’m kidding man.” He smiled at you and proceeded to lead you to your soon to be sons kennel.

“Usually people have to wait a few days for the dog to be ready but this puppy is all ready surprisingly.” Dorian apple as he came back with your new puppy. “okay yeah that’s amazing.” You spoke bouncing on your heels making grabby hands to your new puppy. “What are you gonna name him?” He asked as you filled out the paper work. You thought about it for a while. “Ace. He’s the only puppy in his litter with his markings, one of a kind.” You said setting down the pen and looking at the puppy in your arm, almost smiling up at you.

As you walked into the local pet store and bought the necessary supplies you called an Uber and headed to the compound. You were gonna get killed by tony. You were too excited to care though, this little furball in your hands made this birthday into a much better thing.

As you entered the compound and snuck to your room you set the supplies down, quickly puppy proofing your room. “Okay here’s the deal, it’s my birthday, I’m not supposed to have you, but in my defense no one told me happy birthday.” You said firmly to Ace as he cocked his head to the side and then continued smiling at you. A knock at your door startled you, and Ace too as he barked.

“Y/N? Is that you?” Oh no, Tony. “Uh yeah sorry i was, practicing my barks. Gotta throw people of their rhythm you know?” You cringed as the words left your mouth. Running to open the door before he could open it all the way. “What’s up?” You asked your body covering the bed where ace laid, or so you thought.

“I just thought you wanted to join the team for movie night? I think Thor is picking the movie....” he trailed off eyes wandering down to your feet. You felt your soul leave your body. “Is that, is that a puppy?” Tony said every word becoming louder. You quickly picked up your companion and rushed you into the living room, “i can explain i swear” you said sweating already fearing having to give up this canine you claimed as your son.

“I told you NO DOGS, you’re too smart to make an idiotic mistake like this Y/N.” Tony said visibly angry shouting, causing the team to surround you two. “How do you expect me to live here isolated from everyone? You know i love dogs and you take that from me too?” You yelled right back, small barks erupting from ace as you shouted.

“I don’t get why you’re so impulsive maybe if it was your birthday this would be acceptable but it’s not!” He scolded you, and that’s when the lump in your throat bursted out. Voice cracking and tears flowing “it is my birthday you prick” you furrowed your eyebrows and everyone around you get shocked and disappointed in themselves for forgetting.

After spending a few hours setting up aces things in your room and crying for half of it. You hear a gentle knock on your door. You get up, careful to not wake ace, and you look to see who it is. Bucky Barnes. The one man you had fallen in love with but no one seemed to notice. Not even him. Your clock read 2:46 a.m. and you slowly opened the door as he stood there with guilt on his face. “I’m sorry i forgot, i didn’t know and i know it’s technically over but can i try and make it up?” He said making eye contact a few times and fiddling with his fingers. You smiled, your heart melting, how could you say no? As you walked down the shirt hall you saw some candles light their way to the table which had your favorite cupcake with a single candle in the middle, a small bag next to it and a note.

“Buck you didn’t have to do this” you said tears welling in your eyes as you started in awe. “Just read please” he said in a shaky voice.

hi y/n,

I know everyone forgot about today, but i promise i didn’t mean to. You mean so much to me, more than you can imagine. You’re the most beautiful girl I’ve ever laid eyes on doll, you always make me stutter and somehow i turn into a blushy mess. Everyday you look so beautiful and you take my breath away. You don’t realize how much you mean to this team and to everyone around it. I realized it when we all went stargazing and they were all messing around but you kept everyone together, and as a team we admired the stars as you named each constellation and gave facts about them. I realized when you solved so many things with your common sense that none of us apparently have. I realized when you cried over killing a plant because you gave it too much water, or how you broke the TV because tony would change the SPCA commercial and then you stole his debit card and donated $20,000 dollars as a “reparation for emotional damage.” I didn’t just realize this. I realized i was in love with you. All the things you do, from how you type on your phone to how you focus on your work and you’re so gentle with the things you love and you can be so forward with someone. I’m in love with you, and i hope i can spend your birthday with you. Because on this day that you were born, the birds sung, stars shone and flowers bloomed. - bucky barnes

You teared up. “Bucky you really mean all that?” You felt the hot tears flow down your cheeks. Smiling and snuggling up at him. “Every damn word doll.” He smiled. You hugged him and you stayed there for a while, your head on his chest arms around his torso as he kissed the top of your head, arms wrapped around you. “Open the bag sweetheart” he said as he pulled away reluctantly. You smiled and opened the bag. Inside was a box. You opened it and inside was a ring you had been talking about for months.

“No way- you didn’t, tell me you did not James Barnes” you spoke in disbelief as the ring shined even in the dim candle lit space. Bucky smiled at you proud of himself as you jumped around with the ring. “I know you said you wanted it really badly and that when you got it you knew that ‘you had made it’ and let me tell you, you definaltly made it, saving the world and helping everyone.” He smiled as you slipped the ring on admiring it once more. You beamed up at him, practically glowing. Even with your slightly puffy eyes, and your hoodie and shorts you looked gorgeous to Bucky.

“How do i even repay you?” You asked hugging him once more. He smiled at you “it’s your birthday, nothing to repay.” You wanted to just marry this man on the spot. ‘Just ask me out already I’m in love with you’ you sighed as you blew out the small candle on the cupcake. “Maybe i will” Bucky smirked as your blood rushes from your face, “did i say that out loud” you closed your eyes hoping you didn’t say that out loud. “You did doll” he said leaning closer to you, you could feel the heat radiating off his body. He ticked a strand of hair behind your ear as he slowly leaned down and your lips connected. Fireworks was an understatement, it was magical, as cheesy as it is you felt like you were floating. That was until you heard something barking ‘ferociously’ at bucky. You both pulled away to see ace standing between you two, barking at Bucky standing protectively on you your feet.

You both laughed as Ace calmed down when you picked him up, “he’s a good guy buddy, we love Bucky in this house” you smiled as the puppy relaxed and licked Buckys face. “I think he likes me now” he smiled petting the dog gently. “We have good taste” you winked at bucky as a small blush reached his cheeks.

After splitting the cupcake and watching the sunrise together with ace, you yawned and were about to go to your bed when bucky grabbed your wrist and pulled you into his body, kissing you. His hands cupped your cheeks and your hands tangled into his hair. You stopped when you ran out of breath, smiling at each other you stepped away and patted your thigh “cmon buddy” you said to Ace as he followed you back to your room. Your face was hot and you couldn’t stop smiling.

“Y/N!” Bucky called out, you turned around to face him. “Will you be my girl?” He asked shyly.

you smiled and nodded “of course i will James.” I guess some bad birthdays have an amazing ending. You walked with ace as you smiled and he wagged his tail.

[thethrillof]

start of a weird bug tank au hollow knight/undertale crossover thing b/c i am embracing self indulgence! fuck it!

warning for the hollow knight being an absolute wreck and death-related stuff

Do not think.

It fails. The situation is beyond anything it has encountered, has heard of, was warned of.

Do not speak.

It cannot. If it tried, it would choke on meticulous lifetime habit and Her infection. The last words it has heard, shaking its tiny body, meant nothing.

Do not feel.

It does. Terror. Confusion. Terror increasing, in that the confusion does not belong solely to it and that is horribly new.

Do not hope.

That is simple enough. It knows not what could be hoped for, here.

The Hollow Knight drips infection across the strange white cloth beneath it, legs curled stiffly to avoid pressing against the glass wall of its prison.

The holes eaten away in its chest, stomach, and arm are no longer agonizing. Another creature had taken care of that.  Perhaps several. They had been moved between multiple hands. The details were lost in the haze of Her rage; all but the hands each being more than the length of its body. It had nearly fallen. It had tried to fall. Do not feel, do not feel, do not feel.

It is so tired.

She is not enraged. She is not screaming. She is waiting behind its eyes, panic stabbing through its body in a burning rhythm.

She directs its head without care. Face aimed to the side, it can see more than a white blur from above, a pink stripe along the floor outside. A creature, waiting across an abyss.

She unfurls its body. Her chanting direction of slaughter, unceasing for years, is now silent.

The distant creature lies still.

It recalls an impression of what must have been eyes, golden brown, staring into the clear cell intensely.

The creature is not watching now. Quiet. Sleeping.

Its body moves. It resists now that it has space to do so, leaving its single arm uselessly resting against the branch in the center of the cell.

…When had the other been lost?

Do not think. It gives Her purchase.

The stump that is left flares with a memory of its shape, and She grasps the branch, begins to drag its body upward. The Temple contained them both for too long. An echo of Her rage, newly building, blinds and deafens it back to submission. A chance for true freedom is here. She will succeed and it will break, again and again, as it has done before.

It is so tired.

It.

It wants.

It wants everything

to 

stop.

Do not hope.

When it can see through its own eyes once more, the giant creature is within arm’s reach.

^

Frisk wakes up with a tiny white face right in front of theirs.

It’s just luck that they don’t slam their head into the wall when they fling it back, away from something way too close so suddenly.

They stare at each other across the length of their pillow, unmoving, as Frisk starts getting their bearings back. The stickbug, the one they got from the monsters on the side of one of the mountains. It got out. Somehow.

They ask how the heck it did that.

Which, of course, does nothing.

Carefully lifting their head and resting it on their hand, their eyes slide back to the jar on the windowsill. The napkin they’d secured with the rubber band had a hole ripped all the way through, as if their stickbug had jumped straight up and out. And maybe it did. It must’ve taken some pretty big jumps to get all the way from there to the desk to their bed, unless it climbed down and back up. A quick glance at the floor shows that Mom’s pie is there, though a bug-sized bite or several probably wouldn’t be something they can see.

The stickbug sways, twitches, pitches forward, so fast they barely notice. It’s tiny, so it doesn’t have far to fall, even if it did to the blanket, and it doesn’t. It rests face-first against the side of the pillow instead, almost like it’s still standing.

Do bugs breathe? They gotta, since Mom said not to close them in the jar. The stickbug is entirely still when they get in real close, holding their own breath to see if it’ll move. When it doesn’t, they gingerly nudge it into the palm of one hand, where it curls its one upper leg against itself. Arm, maybe. They don’t know too much bug stuff, except that bees don’t sting unless you’re mean first. And that it’s not actually a stickbug. Real ones actually look like sticks. This one looks like it’s made of black wires. Wirebug just sounds weird.

Toriel is the one who knows the bug stuff. They showed the stickbug off to her first, asked her to help it, ‘cause it was bleeding all over. They never actually asked what she thought it was. Didn’t have time.

She’s the one who got the jar and let them decorate it. And she’s the one who told them, very gently, that she didn’t think the stickbug would make it overnight. Her healing magic helped, but it’s not made for fixing bugs. “Bugs rarely live long lives, my child,” she said. “It will be pleased with whatever you give it.” They think she might’ve been lying, but in the end, it doesn’t really matter.

It looks like it started bleeding again after they fell asleep. The orangeness is dripping down its face, uncomfortably warm where it runs down the finger that its head’s propped to rest against. Mom healed that before, they’re almost absolutely sure.

They could put it back in the jar. Leave it. To maybe get better?

Or maybe not. Maybe leave it to die.

Alone.

Frisk’s fingers curl around the stickbug a little more. They’re still pretty sleepy. It’s nowhere near dawn, still sometime after Toriel went to bed. They shift and settle their back against the wall.

It’s just a bug, but it’s still alive now. Even if it won’t be for long. Even if it can’t see, or doesn’t know what’s happening. It might--after all, Muffet’s spiders were smarter than the ones that they’d met on the Surface before. Maybe they hadn’t been paying enough attention.

They sit up better, even though they’re sleepy, shifting their hands to let the stickbug stretch out over both their palms if it wants.

They’d never died alone, of course, but even the company of somebody (or somebodies) trying to kill them somehow seems like a less awful thought. That’s terrifying, though they can’t explain why, even to themselves. Any death sucks (though getting ate is probably the worst).

Mommy! Daddy!

No. They push those thoughts off. That wasn’t alone. He was, they weren’t, game over.

It was almost like dying alone, down in the Lab. Before they got to talk the the Amalgamates in the right way. It was just cold, dark, unsettling, voices dancing around their ears and coming from their own mouth, sometimes. It was terrible.

It was cold. The echoes of air and distant Amalgamates were awful, otherworldly music.

It was cold.

It’s cold.

It’s so cold--

Until it isn’t.

Sunlight scalds their face and circles wheel around their head and they press their hands over their eyes, snarling. Frisk was busy remembering!

Something is above them. It’d be blocking out the light if it had shadow but it is the light, so they get even angrier at it. Her. HER. HER, SHE, THE RADIANCE brands into their brain.

They snap at the Radiance to get away from them.

“Little creature,” she roars sings hums laughs. “Greater beasts have tried to order me away.”

The light ripples underwater. There’s no water.  Her words pump toxin through their skin.

They move their head, cracking their eyes open. The world’s clouds and light and just a bit of stone under their back. They’re lying down. They shouldn’t be.

“Little creature. I wonder your purpose.” She does not. Certainty of a goddess that knows all, unshaken as earth scorched to nothing.

(The thought of a lie does not come to them. Fortunately, this doesn’t matter.)

Moving is painful. The sun beats down on them in waves, hot as fire, sharp as spears, and they have had enough of that.

They are not alone.

“Little creature.” She reminds them of meeting Papyrus, but that’s an insult to him. Overwhelming, alarming. Nothing to hide behind here. Undyne, bellows of justice, cutting through. Asgore, the whispers and rumors, the coffins, the warmth.

None of their sadness. None of the pain. Liar, liar, liar. They want their dagger.

“I am here. Listening. Speak. Stand. Allow me closer.” Burnt sugar sweet. A warm last breath. Love broken, love lost.  

The heat presses down harder.

They remember climbing a mountain. They remember finding a home.

Hissing words that Toriel would ground them a month for, grasping without sight, knowing what they want is right there, right next to them on the stone. A head that’s not a head, a shell, a mask, a face, a little white face with orange eyes that they blindly claw at, spilling the nasty goop to leave the space behind. It’s not a little face, it’s a mask longer than either of their arms, and after they’re done it’s held defiantly against their chest.

She screeches.

They screech back.

“You reach for that empty thing!” Her words vibrate through their teeth. “That lie! That wyrm-born abomination! You know nothing! Not where it comes from, not the shattering of my light! You will release it. You, creature, fragile, pathetic, little CREATURE. Listen! LISTEN. Do not turn your back. Nothing again. LITTLE CREATURE. COME HERE. YOU WILL RELEASE ME. YOU WILL KILL IT. YOU WILL END WHAT REMAINS OF HIM.”

The mask they hold is so, so, so cold, it bites into their skin worse with the orange burning.

A child braces for pain.

A child grits teeth.

Fought a God made of every SOUL of every monster they ever met, built of l-o-v-e, full of LOVE, stars and colors screaming and whirling and ripping them to bits. They died and died and died and refused. Hopes and Dreams and Determination, all swirling and ripping gracelessly out of their chest.

They tell her: no!

They tell her: My name’s Frisk!

They tell her: I don’t care!

They tell her: This stickbug is MINE! They’re mine! Not yours!

They are a Fallen Child even if not The Fallen Child, and they lost their fear the first time they tripped into fire, were consumed and shattered by it, and they prove this by twisting, sliding, leaping off the stone to plummet into the dark under her horrible terrible beautiful screaming--

They land with a jolt in their bed, foggy gray light filtering in through the window.

Blinking afterimages of gold circles from their eyes, they adjust their neck and look at the stickbug still in their fingers. Their stickbug, they think with a shadow of anger that’s already fading with wakefulness.

Their stickbug sits up, staring at them with deep black eyes.

Frisk gives it a tired grin.

Look, they whisper. Survived the night after all.

[franceslittlenightmare]

 S T A I R W A Y T O H E A V E N.

: — ;Solo # 4 — ; Mid October Two Thousand Ninteen — ;Trigger warning: Mentions of an Eating Disorder — ; Song: Stairway To Heaven By Led Zepplin

— ; Admin Notes: This is Elsa’s current state. After our Royal Pains hiatus I figured we all needed starting points and explanations for our character’s absence. So, Elsa went to treatment for her ED from September to early November. She’s finally returned and basically is trying to get her life back on track. Her personality is still very much the same.

❝There's a lady who's sure All that glitters is gold And she's buying a stairway to heaven When she gets there she knows If the stores are all closed With a word she can get what she came for Oh oh oh oh and she's buying a stairway to heaven There's a sign on the wall But she wants to be sure 'Cause you know sometimes words have two meanings In a tree by the brook There's a songbird who sings Sometimes all of our thoughts are misgiving Ooh, it makes me wonder.❞ Elsa Grimaldi drew in a deep breath of air, pausing for a moment before exhaling. It had only been an hour since she was checked in but time was dragging by. Each excruciating minute after the next burned her up inside. It felt like a fire was raging itself through her body, destroying whatever stood in its path. Since arriving at the Eating Disorders clinic Elsa couldn't help but to notice how everyone kept acting like she was at some world star resort. All of the employees hid the depressing atmosphere with painted on smiles and matching lilac colored outfits, as if they weren't here to watch people literally kill themselves. At the Estate her absence was announced as a "retreat" which pissed the girl off even more. While her self confidence was low and she hated what she saw in the mirror, Elsa was never embarrassed of her Anorexia. It was very much part of herself, ingrained in every essence of her being. So, sugar coating the fact that she was dying infuriated the girl. The disease was a long time best friend, a trait in her personality, she was protective over the thing that had been destroying her body for the last five years. The first weigh in however, was absolutely modifying. As the petite princess entered the sterile white doctors office the smell of alcohol and bleach invaded her senses. The faint smell of the lavender plant in the window made her laugh internally, as if they could cover up the smell of sickness. As the girl was instructed to drop her white robe by a man with a friendly smile she couldn't help but to internally panic. It was something Elsa Grimaldi would never admit but, she was filled with an overwhelming anxiety about stripping off in front of anyone. Outwardly she gave off a confident, almost cocky, persona. But, that was a front, on the inside she was about as small and as fragile as one could be. The only man who had ever seen her fully naked was her ex, Ashton Deutch, and that took a lot of courage. So, the girl could feel the tears that began to prick at her white chocolate orbs. She slowly untied the wrap that held the robe to her small frame. Then, she dropped the piece of clothing. Why did it have to be a man? "Alright Ms.Grimaldi, go ahead and step up onto that scale right there. Once it beeps just hop off, put the robe on and head over to room 203." The man spoke kindly but rather monotone as he went through the motions, staring down at his clipboard. Elsa couldn't look back at him though, she was frozen in fear. This was exactly what she was afraid of, standing on the scale stark naked as she confronted exactly what she was terrified of, herself. Tears begun to fall over her hollowed cheeks as she stood there, staring down at the sleek glass scale, listening to it taunt her. "Is everything alright? I can get a female nurse over here if that's what would make you comfortable-" the man continued, interrupted by the soft voice of Elsa, a contrast to her usual direct tone. “No, I- I’m fine. Just, um.. just one moment please.” She trailed off, her arms wrapped around the thin frame of skin and bones that held her up and barley kept her heart beating. The French girl drew in another deep breath, trying to find the courage to step on the scale. Getting on it meant starting recovery. It meant acknowledging that she was sick. It meant coming to terms with the fact that she was dying. Getting on that scale meant so many things Elsa was afraid to come face. “I promise everything is going to be alright.” The voice spoke out again, softer than before. Elsa nodded once, long locks of chocolate colored hair falling in front of her face as she glanced down to watch her step. Slowly, she stood on the scale, her eyes shutting as she willed her mind to take her away from this current moment. After a few unbearable seconds the man thanked her and handed Elsa back her robe. The initial evaluation wasn’t good, she knew that. Prior to the weigh-in her vitals were also checked and various other minor things. She knew the results were bad just from looking at his expression. Quickly, she dressed again and dipped out of the room to find where she would be staying for the next to weeks before the male nurse could say anything further. After settling into her room, or more like pacing around, Elsa was summoned to a house meeting to hear the rules. Then, it was dinner time. She dreaded it, absolutely despised meal times with every single fiber of her being. Elsa Grimaldi had an addictive personality. When it came to liquor, shopping, men see it once and she was hooked. As a small child Elsa remembered the first Audrey Hepburn movie she watched, then rewatched twenty six times that month- Roman Holiday. It was a movie about a young princess who yearns to experience a normal life and ends up escaping and finding love in an ordinary man. Something about that movie called out to her. Her addictive personality only grew more intense with age. She continued to latch onto and devour the same obsessions. That is until she came face to face with her eating disorder. Food became her newest addiction, the rush and control she felt. But, as the years went on her eating disorder began to control her and run Elsa’s life. So, as she sat in the chair, petite frame rigid and small as she stared down at the plate of food. It started with something small for her first day, tomato soup. Every patient had a specialized meal plan along with their overall treatment plan. Tomato soup was a staple in her diet back in France. So, while the familiarity was comforting it only annoyed the girl more. Slowly, she lifted her spoon, dipping it into the vivid red liquid as she began to stir absentmindedly. The Parisian woman noted how the liquid reminded her of blood, undeniably so. “Elsa-“ The voice broke her out of the trance she was in. “A bite, just one.” The voice repeated, an older female counselor. “I promise you, the road to recovery starts with one bite. I know it’s incredibly difficult, but remember why you’re here, your baby boy.” The girl hated that, she despised it. They used her son as leverage. But, she couldn’t quite be mad. Using the baby as a way to save her life wasn’t exactly criminal. Elsa promised the infant, or promised herself, that she was going to be around to watch Grayson grow up. She would be the mother she never had and unconditionally and fiercely protect the child she had carried and loved for nine months. It wasn’t like the Parisian girl to grow attached to another person. Her deepest longest bonds had been with her brother, her own father and the father of her child. They were all complex, one of those relationships being deemed as toxic by her therapist. Another body she had developed recently was with a man of authority, an Italian man she had no businesses even talking to. Yet, all of her dynamics with men were complicated and took a toll on the girl. So, she wanted to get it right with Grayson, her child. With a deep heaving sigh Elsa lifted up her spoon. Her hand shook slightly as she held the utensil up to her plumped lips. With big Bambi like eyes she glanced up at the personal therapist on her case, the friendly woman giving her a reassuring smile as she nodded once. Carefully, she inched the spoon closer to her mouth, quickly slipping on the red liquid and then pulling the spoon back once more. “Good, that’s good Elsa. Progress is important. Yesterday you were almost in Kidney failure. Today, you’re out of bed and participating. I’m proud of you-“ the woman chided with a friendly smile, gently patting Elsa’s frail shoulder as she stood up to fetch the woman a glass of water and her medicine for the meal; antidepressants and vitamins. As Elsa processed everything she caught her reflection in the spoon. Her wide eyed staring back at her, empty and scared. She didn’t realize what she looked like. She was no longer the fiery woman who hid behind insults, attitude and an ice wall. Her defenses had been stripped down and she was Elsa, that little vulnerable French girl. For the second time that day her eyes began to well up with tears. Silently, she let them fall, holding the spoon as she watched tears adorn her cheeks. She truly saw herself, the person she used to recognize. This was the start of something, Elsa thought to herself. a faint smile dancing across her tired features as she dipped the spoon back into the soup, taking another cautious bite as she began to eat.