#we won’t survive this lads

[mediumtires]

oh my god it’s happening guys. it’s happening

[cultivating-wildflowers]

🎧

[pretending-ican-write]

Cowboy Up - Pt.8

Enjoy, touch angsty. I'm also opening up to requests for drabbles/headcanons of moments pre-show/outside show canon for this pairing because quite frankly i'm obsessed with them (and Ian Bohen i'm in love with that man).

Pairing: Ryan (Yellowstone) x Dutton!reader

WC: 1483

Previous part - Next part

---

Y/n exited the house with coffee in hand to see the small army John had amassed to deal with the cattle.  From the porch steps, she watched as who she assumed was a new hand talked to Rip who clearly didn’t think much of him.  Poor lad clearly didn’t have a clue what he was supposed to be doing on a ranch.  Y/n decided he was going to need her help to survive at the Yellowstone.

John approached her, “you’re gonna go with Rip up the mountain.”

“The fuck I am.  I’m going to the reservation,” she argued.

He shook his head, “I’m not about to let you be that close to it all y/n.  This is the compromise.  You help with the river or you stay here.  This is one thing that isn’t up for discussion.”

“Fine.”

She turned on her heel to one of the horse trailers where she took the rope of a horse from Colby to load up.  As she turned to leave, she was faced by Ryan who had bought his horse on.  Y/n let out a deep sigh upon seeing him, the reality of the potential danger to them in front of her in the form of his ‘livestock agent’ vest.  

Y/n leant against the metal, “I fuckin’ hate this Ry.”

“I know you do sweetheart,” he whispered.

They spent a quiet moment just existing in each others’ presence.  Ryan wrapped his arms around her middle, pulling her body against hers and pressed a small kiss to the top of her head.  Y/n allowed herself to melt into his chest, and inhale the smell of his cologne mixed in with that of the horses surrounding them. 

“You gotta promise to be fuckin’ careful out there.  I need you to come back to me when today is done,” she said.

Ryan nodded, “I promise to be careful, sweetheart.  You’re all the motivation I need to be safe.”

“I love you,” y/n whispered into the trailer.

Before he got a chance to reply, Lee interrupted them, “come on lovebirds we’ve got cattle to take back and a mountain to blow up.”

“You’ve got shit timing,” she whisper-shouted at her brother as they left, “we were having a moment.”

Lee laughed, “life is full of moments y/n, if you spend too long in one another will pass you by.”

Y/n walked past the line of trucks the hands were climbing into and headed towards where Rip had Comanche waiting for her.  She took her horse and gracefully swung up into the saddle, settling in for the long ride ahead of them.  They started off down the drive and y/n observed how uncomfortable the new hand looked on his horse.  Yeah he was gonna need all the help she could give him.  The convoy departed past them and y/n waved to her brothers in the first truck.  As the last truck drove past, Ryan looked out the window to see her blow him a kiss to which he smiled back.

-/-/-

Half an hour into their trek, y/n felt like the nerves were going to eat her alive.  Rip was leading them up the trail with no indication he wanted to talk and the hand looked far too scared to say anything so she took it upon herself to fill the silence.

“What’s your name?” Y/n asked.

The hand startled at her voice, “uh it’s Jimmy.”

“Nice to meet you Jimmy.  I’m y/n and I reckon you’re gonna need my help here,” she explained, “Rip’s a stubborn son of a bitch who thinks affection’ll kill ya and most of the others stopped maturing when they were 10 so I’m your best chance.”

“Thanks I guess?” He wasn’t sure what to make of the girl behind him.

Rip stopped her from rambling on, “what she’s conveniently missing out of her introduction is that she’s a Dutton so you’d do well to keep away from her.”

“Call off the threats Rip I know you won’t do anything to him,” y/n countered, “guy that uncomfortable on a horse didn’t apply for the job.”

Jimmy turned red at her statement, “listen I ain’t proud of what I done but-”

“Relax I don’t care what you did nor do I care to understand the decisions my father makes.  I’m just here to cowboy and ensure the place doesn’t go to shit before I get a chance to inherit it,” she explained.

Silence elapsed around the group and Rip took the opportunity to check on the youngest Dutton.  He turned around to see that she was clearly off in her own world, reins loose allowing Comanche to just follow the horse in front of him.  Her fingers were tapping out a rhythm on her saddle’s horn and Rip got the feeling her leg would be bouncing if she had her feet on the ground.

When they reached the top of the mountain they got to work setting up the charges to change the course of the river and fuck over the development next door.  Rip headed over to where Lucy was busy connecting up the wires.

“They’re gonna be safe y’know,” he stated, “on both sides of the fence.”

Jimmy looked up from the river, “is this legal?”

“You’re a criminal, what do you care?” Rip questioned.

The hand sighed, “thought the Yellowstone was gonna keep me out of trouble.”

“Getting in trouble’s the only skill you got,” Rip pointed out.

Y/n added, “difference is now you ain’t gonna get caught.”

Once everything had been set, they mounted up and headed back down the mountain.  This time y/n took the lead in an attempt to keep her mind off what would be going down on the reservation at that time.  

-/-/-

Nobody on the ranch had slept since they had returned from the reservation without Lee.  Her father had turned the house into some sort of command centre trying to locate her brother and y/n was sat on the porch steps watching the commotion having lost count of the amount of coffee she’d drank since coming back.  John and Jamie were talking around her but the words weren’t sinking into her brain.  Suddenly her father took off from the house.  Y/n shot up from the step and followed Jamie’s line of sight to where Kayce was walking Lee’s horse towards the ranch with a body slung in front of the saddle.

She gasped and felt the fear that had been keeping her going leave her body.  Her legs buckled, falling to her knees next the steps.  Jamie rushed to wrap his arms around his sister, letting her cry into his chest.  They waited in silence for Kayce to dismount the horse before Jamie let go of her to launch herself into her twin’s arms.  Y/n kept herself attached at the hip with Kayce whilst Jamie tried to get out of him what had happened but he wasn’t willing to give up any information.

At some point sat on the sofa she finally spoke, “someone needs to call Monica.”

“I’ll take Kayce back in the helicopter now.  No use rehashing this on no sleep,” John explained, “stop running on coffee and sleep.”

After the helicopter had departed, y/n made her way down the drive towards the bunkhouse.  The door banged open and the hands looked up.  The place was quiet, there was no insults being thrown around, and they were all there which was unusual for that time of day meaning Rip had given them the day off.  Ryan and Colby were on one of the sofas half-heartedly playing solitaire and Lloyd was sat reading at the table.  

Wordlessly, Ryan put down his cards and opened his arms for his girlfriend.  She made a beeline for him before burying herself in the hoodie he was wearing.  He wrapped his arms tightly around her, kissing her hair safely.  

“I love you,” Ryan whispered to her.

None of the hands made comment about the situation and Lucy fell asleep like that with tears drying on her cheeks.

-/-/-

After the funeral, y/n split from the rest of the group heading to the main house and instead made her way down to the barn in need of some emotional support from Comanche.  She found her father in one of the stalls with the stallion Kayce had been working with.

“What’s he doing here?” She asked.

John looked up at her, “think it’s your brother’s way of apologising.”

“How did it all go so wrong dad?” Y/n pondered.

He sighed, “I have no idea but this isn’t the end of it.”

“I’m still not being part of some fucked up power game dad and you don’t get to use me in some twisted politics but whatever it takes to get justice for Lee I’m onboard with,” she explained, “when we’ve got that we’ll talk again.”

John smiled at his daughter, “that’s good enough for me.”

[ruiniel]

What You Choose

Fandom: Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba

Pairing: Rengoku Kyojuro x f!reader

Count: 2K

Rating: T (M later)

Part I

Summary: Rengoku survives the fight with Akaza, but some battles are not so straightforward.

Tags & Warnings: Rengoku lives AU, blood, injury, death, pining, angst, second person POV, demon slayer!reader, tsuguko!reader, Rengoku POV, eventual smut

Author Note: I am not OK and will never be OK about *waves hands* all that, so this is now a multichapter story.

II.

“Once again, you’re a guest in my healing ward.”

Kocho Shinobu speaks softly, as is her manner. She's seated by his bed with the afternoon sun shining gently on her features, highlighting the amethyst in her hair and eyes.

“I seem to be the only one,” Rengoku replies, looking at the empty infirmary. He’s still bedbound and can barely move his limbs. It hurts to breathe more often than not, and there’s a dull ache where his left eye used to be.

Her kind smile never falters as Kocho looks at the liquid in the syringe she’s preparing. Rengoku always admired her decision to honor her late sister this way, by holding on to that smile Kanae loved so much. After all, everyone has a keepsake of their loved ones in their heart, driving them forward. Memories, moments, words that hone one’s spirit and meld with determination, acting as a guiding light in the darkest places. He knows this all too well. 

“At least you won’t be lonely during your convalescence, those three have been coming here every day, even before you’d awoken.” She giggles, seeking a vein in his arm. 

Oh, of course… young Kamado… the boar lad, the yellow-haired boy. All of them gifted, resilient, and unwavering. He’d promised to train them, but…

That was… before. 

Another image appears before his mind’s eye, drenched in fog—you, running towards him. He, ordering you not to interfere. “Kocho. Tell me, please. How long before I can leave this bed? What is lost, what can I regain?” 

She sets the used syringe aside on a tray, then places her hands on her knees. “My, my, impatient already?” 

Rengoku tries a smile of his own, though it hurts the muscles in his face. If not for the strong sedatives and painkillers administered to him since he regained consciousness, he imagines he’d be squirming in pain. “I want to self-assess myself. Besides…I have promises to keep.” 

She understands. He knows she does. The Insect Hashira gazes out the window, and a small sigh leaves her chest. “Your fatal injuries have been healed by the peculiar blood demon art of young Kamado’s sister.”

He nods. Remarkable. He thought that would be his last battle, and he’d have passed without regret into the land of Yomi. Nevertheless, his gratitude is boundless.

“... your muscle and organ tissue has regenerated and there was no internal bleeding. However, there is still some damage to several vertebrae in your spine, severe trauma to your head I’ve not fully assessed yet, and you have eight fractured ribs.”

“Hah, I can feel them, too! I miscalculated by one, I thought there were seven.”

She looks his way, with that odd expression people sometimes have when he sounds unreasonably high-spirited. He supposes not everyone shares the same outlook, and that’s all well. But what use is there to bow down in dismay and accept the worst life throws my way? 

“Your left eye was smashed, and irrecoverable,” Kocho goes on. “We removed it with surgery and placed an implant inside to fill the empty eye socket. The recovery period in these cases is typically a year, as now you must adapt to your monocular status. But this also depends on the individual, and… this might mean alterations to your fighting style, of course.” She rises and picks up the tray. “I’m convinced that with time, you can return to a state allowing you to perform your duties. For now, please rest, that is a foremost priority.”

My friend, you know all too well that time is never on a demon slayer’s side. “Thank you, Kocho.”  She is right, though: he does feel exhausted, as though he’d climbed a mountain without rest or ever reaching the summit. Expected, though bothersome.

“We’ll do our best to help your recovery. Aoi will return later to change your bandages,” Kocho adds.

Rengoku turns his head as Kocho greets someone on her way out, and sees you, standing in the doorway. “Hello.”

“Hello.”

“You heard?”

You nod, nearing the bed. “Ms. Kocho told me of it all while you were asleep.”

“I’m sorry.”

You tilt your head in bemusement. “What ever for?”

“Because, I won’t be able to help with your training for a while.”

You’ve been at his side often. While in a coma, even if he couldn’t react, even if his body wouldn’t listen, he knew you were there. The thought is a warm one, a foreign sensation: different from the heat bursting in his body during a fight. He’d be lying if he said he didn’t look forward to your visits even now, to see how you’re faring, to hear the latest news on the Corps.

“No,” your voice brings him out of his thoughts, “but that does mean I can help you. When you’re ready, that is,” you add quickly. “With rehabilitation training.” 

“Of course!” The fatigue in his body is stubborn, clinging to him like heavy wet wool. “And… I don’t believe I’ve told you this yet: I’m happy you returned safely.”

You look away, appearing utterly miserable. It confuses him. Rengoku’s seen that shadow in his father’s eyes countless times, so often he can’t stand it: self-loathing.

“Forgive me, Master. I should have been able to do more, after all you strived to teach me. I… I could barely be of any use.”

But you were there, you helped protect all those people. You did your part. “You were unflinching, fast, and aided those who needed it precisely like I taught you. You are rank Kinoe, and what's your demon kill count?”

“Thirty-two.”

“There… now that I think about it, even without further guidance from me or anyone else, you’ll make Hashira soon! Our numbers are dwindling while demon activity increases. You’ve seen it. This is a struggle that needs all of us.” Rengoku pauses. The word ‘need’ felt odd coming from his mouth. But the statement is true. Why does it feel incomplete when he says it to your face?

You look down at your hands. “How can you do it?”

He blinks, frowning. “Do what?”

“Be so supportive and encouraging even when you’re lying broken in an infirmary bed. Sometimes… sometimes you are so very strange, Master.”

You do say that to him often, though less so than before. A smile trembles on your lips—it took you a long time to smile again, he recalls. 

“I merely speak the truth…” He can barely stay awake. The slow drip of liquid in the IV infusion is magnified, drowning out all other sounds, and your face becomes hazy as he drifts away.

Three years prior

The path of blood leads straight into the farmhouse, looking as though someone had been dragged inside by force.

His eyes narrow, and he centers his breaths as he walks forward with his blade drawn. The silence of the glade is eerie, the reek of decay nauseating in the heat of this humid summer.

Soon, he stands on the threshold. Two, there might be two of them. Near the farmhouse is a toolshed, he’ll look there next. Rengoku covers his mouth with his sleeve, eyes closing in pain.

The bodies lie there, some with scattered limbs. This was a family, no doubt about it. The brutality of the mutilation makes his stomach turn, but Rengoku steels his resolve, extending his senses for any hint of the entity’s presence: there is none. He sheathes his katana and enters the space proper. Three hours until dawn.

He descends to one knee, finding the fireplace in the middle is out, but the ashes are still warm. The tatami mats are sticky and stained dark. This all transpired recently. He reaches out a hand, touches an inert arm: not yet cold. Too late, I am too late. But I’ll find you, wherever you are, you damn beasts. 

It’s only due to his reflexes, honed with endless hours of training, that he turns around fast enough, leaping backward before the descending attack.

At first, he thinks it’s the demon, his katana at the ready.

“Don’t you dare touch them!” 

He pauses, nearly too late in avoiding the second strike. A girl’s voice, a human’s heartbeat. His arm shoots out, catching the wooden staff in a strong grip. 

You’re panting, eyes wild and glimmering in the moonlit night. “Let—go!”

“Wait, I’m not an enemy!” he says, taking a better look at you, still holding your makeshift weapon even as you try to wrest it from his hand. 

“How do I know that! Demon!” Your voice is hoarse. Half your face is caked in drying blood, and there must be multiple injuries on your body judging by the torn clothing and the widening dark stains. 

“I’m not a demon,” he speaks calmly but urgently. “I hunt them. Please, they may still be close.”

You jerk your chin towards a corner of the room. “I had him… I don’t need you. Get out of my home!” you yell, more desperate with each word. “Get out, get out, get out!”

Another body lies there in the dark, slitted pupils dark against its milky eyes. The head had been nearly completely crushed. Rengoku freezes in disbelief. You did this? Alone? “Wait, you don’t understand, there’s another—”

A loud crash severs his words as the ceiling collapses, and he barely has time to leap forward, catch you in his arms, and throw himself outside. He rolls onto the ground, pain erupting in his left shoulder with the impact. When he opens his eyes you’re there, safely held against him, face tearstained and body rigid with shock.

But there’s no time to explain further—he feels it. The gurgle of inhuman hunger as a figure emerges from the wreckage of the farmhouse, eyes fixed on them. It does not speak, but growls in hunger; it must be of the feral kind, no reasoning left as the transformation rotted its memories. 

Rengoku rises, changing his stance. “Stand back,” he urges, looking over his shoulder at you as you struggle with your own body. He looks back ahead, grinds his teeth, his breathing attuned to his thought. 

First Form: Unknowing Fire.

It doesn’t last long. He’s been running from mission to mission, dispensing with different kinds of fiends, and this was yet another run in a long chain that will only end with his own life. 

Once the head is removed, the battle is over. Sometimes there is someone left to check on after the fact; often, there isn’t. But now, Rengoku hurries towards you, descending and slipping a hand under your back, aiding you to sit. “Where are you hurt?”

“Thank you,” you say instead, eyes glazing over. He hopes the Kakushi will get here soon. You point towards your ruined home. “Set it ablaze… please.” 

“Hey, hey, stay awake!” Rengoku urges even as your body turns heavier and your eyes roll back. 

He expected this to come. Kneeling and with his forehead pressed to the ground he sits still, prostrated before the leader of the Demon Slayer Corps. 

A voice like the lull of spring reaches him, setting his worries aside. In his heart, he thinks he’s done what is right.

“Rank Kinoe Rengoku Kyojuro, you are summoned to explain why you have brought a non-combatant to headquarters, instead of having the Kakushi transport them to a civilian hospital.”

“Master, the girl shows extraordinary potential. Her family has been murdered by demons, and yet she managed to fell one before I arrived, alone, despite grievous wounds and bloodloss. Forgive me if I overstepped, but I believe…” 

“Go on.”

“I believe once her body heals and her focus returns, she will join the fight. I believe she will want to. If I'm wrong, I accept all consequences.”

“You sound fairly convinced of this, young Rengoku,” says Ubuyashiki Kagaya. “Though there is no reason to know for certain one way or the other.”

He stays quiet, his heart raging in his chest. It will all depend on you, of course. You may want to have nothing to do with this. 

“But… you’ve not failed us thus far. I will allow it.”

“Gratitude, Master.” And then, almost in the same breath, “If she chooses this, I will guide her myself.”

TBC

[ratboyy-withtheexistentialdread]

Nevermore Chapter 97

Spoilers ahead, lads. Skedaddle if you don't fast pass. EDIT I guess I’ve said too much in this post and need to pull it back a little. So imma gonna edit it so it doesn’t say too much about this chapter.

Alright, first my reaction cause HOLY HELL those last few panels really got me like

I really had to put my phone down and talk myself through them. Now, lets talk about what I gained from this chapter and the infamous Annabel Lee. I've noticed, at least in the comment section, the fandom really doesn't care for Annabel's character and its difficult to know where the animosity has come from. Tumblr obviously loves her but us heathens support women's rights and wrongs (Don't we gents?) Many call her a sociopath or what’s happens in the last few panels. Annabel is indeed ruthless, calculating and stone cold but she obviously cares. She cares for Lenore above everything. It can be easy to see this as obsession as we really haven't seen her care about much else or even herself. But one comment on the Webtoon brought up a very valid point which I've also picked up on.

Annabel and Lenore in life were very isolated and broken people when they met one another. Annabel, broken and then rebuilt into a prim and proper lady. Lenore, broken physically and mentally and closed off from the world.

Meeting each other saved them. They were no longer alone. There was an understanding between them at least that we know of.

Their differences though is what divides them in death.

Annabel played games, and masked her true self around her father and family connections. She now makes games of situations to retain what little control she had in life over a society she knew she could never break the rules of. A Game that was always rigged against her.

Lenore rebelled against society. She fled the estate to escape a suitor, was bound to the attic and ostracized by her family, she then faked her death and posed as man to court Annabel, the one person who cared for her.

Lenore wants to break the rules of the deans Death Game. Annabel wants to follow them.

It’s all they’ve ever known.

Before it was only them that mattered. Now Lenore has so much more to fight for and Annabel still only has Lenore. Both are right in their own way of playing the game but it pains the other to witness.

Annabel, I’m sure is aware that the Deans are not all they seem to be and won’t simply allow the students to turn the tables on them if they played how Lenore wants to.

And playing Annabel’s way means the callous death of many many people that do deserve another chance at life.

Now. I do have to agree with Annabel in the sense that Lenore forgets

This is a Death Game

Right now the “villainous” characters show their true face with pride and the “hero’s” are charming and true but as we get down to the wire, it’s going to get grey. There are no good or bad at the end of these games, only survival.

Could Annabel show some restraint and more tact when speaking strategy and making plans with Lenore? Absolutely. She’s little too giddy about sweeping some pieces off the board.

Lenore also needs to stop being so naive. She saw first hand what exactly the Deans are capable of in Dreamland, it put the fear of god in her.

In fairness to both characters though they and we are still missing big pieces of what happened between them and what their causes of death were. Which could hold big aspects of their characterization.

Maybe Lenore was originally very callous about others. In life, aside from Theo and Annabel, we’ve never really seen her interact with others. Perhaps this is the Lenore Annabel speaks of.

Anyway, I’m rambling. In conclusion, I’m a bit disappointed in Nevermores comment section. I enjoy Annabel’s character although some parts do worry me a bit but I have hope Red and Flynn have plans to curve this to a satisfying reason and conclusion.

That cliffhanger, boy howdy, what the fuck is Lenore gonna do…

[annerly-san]

Love and Deep Deadlines | A LaDS Corporate AU - Chapter 7

Summary:

Amidst the cut throat culture of Onyxion Enterprises where cutting-edge innovation is overshadowed by corporate chaos, no one talks about how hard it is to be an intern.

Alongside Caleb, the sales department smooth-talker; Zayne, the cold and unflappable CTO; Xavier, a director who might as well be an intern himself; and Rafayel, the overly dramatic Creative Director who brings his own flair to every meltdown, our intern is just trying to survive the workday. Oh, and don’t forget Onyxion’s very own CEO, Sylus, a walking HR violation who gets off on terrorizing his employees.

In this company, will love bloom before the deadlines run deep, or will the company go under first?

Chapter Navigation: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | ?

Alternative AO3 link:

I couldn’t sleep much that night.

My heart was hammering as Caleb drove the both of us to work again, picking up coffee from the drive thru just like how he did on my first day. He made his best attempts to tease and jest in order to lighten up the mood, but with the massive restructuring and the major task of presenting falling on me yesterday, even Caleb didn’t sound as assured and confident as he usually was.

We both stewed in mutual anxiety as we watched the floor count rise on the elevator’s display. I ended on the 22nd- where the marketing department lives. Or lived I supposed since only Xavier and I were under marketing now.

Like clockwork, Caleb and I both bid our farewells- a habitual routine.

“All right, have a good day, pipsqueak-”

“See you, Caleb-”

Before I managed to step out of the elevator, Caleb’s arm reached out to grab mine. We both blinked at each other before he shot me a toothy grin, eyes twinkling with excitement.

“Wait, don’t you report to me now? Should you be on this floor then, or do we move you up next to me in Sales?”

My eyes widened as the realization dawned on me.

“Ooooh, you’re right-! You better be a good boss, Caleb! Or I’ll report you to HR!” I shot him a smile, stepping back into the elevator

“Is there even an HR left to report me to, pipsqueak?” Caleb let out a chuckle and pressed the button to head up one more floor. “It’s only me and you in Sales now, so we can take our time to pick our spots and rearrange desks then. Won’t that be fun?”

I laughed and nodded along to him.

But just as the doors were about to close, a hand shot out and barred it from closing: Xavier.

“...Where are you taking her, Caleb?”

“Up to the Sales department?” he responded casually with a shrug. Caleb’s tone was playful, clearly teasing Xavier while holding down the close door button firmly. “Sorry, Xav, but she’s my intern now! Ahahaha!”

Xavier clearly didn’t like that answer. He stood in between the doors, barring it from closing as the sensors detected his presence.

“...Her monitor and things are still here though. She’s a sales and marketing intern. So there’s no reason for her to move from here.”

“She’s reporting to me now, though. As for the belonging, we can come back later once she picks a spot on my floor .”

As the two stood bantering in the elevator lobby, Xavier refusing to let the door close while Caleb was trying to shut the door on him, a ding rang out from the elevator that was across from us.

Moments later, Rafayel appeared from behind the parting doors with crossed arms and a pout on his face.

“There you are! I was wondering where my employees went! You bunch of slackers!”

 He shoved Xavier into the elevator with Caleb and I before stepping in and firmly pressing the button for the sixth floor where his office was.  “Do you know what time it is? It’s been 5 whole business days. The legal department is on its last legs. The CTO is eating carrots. Sylus has actually opened his harassment training, and finally- FINALLY, my employees are getting to work!”

The elevator went up one floor before it began to descend down to the sixth. The four of us stood in the cart, each one of us in our own little world. Rafayel had his hands crossed with a pout on his face. Xavier looked confused and sleepy. Caleb was grinning ear to ear, and I was just tense and on edge.

“So, we’re working on your floor then?” Caleb grinned.

“But don’t the C-suite executives work on their own dedicated floors?” Xavier interjected. “Should the three of us be on your floor, Rafayel. I think that Sales and Marketing is on our own, right?”

“Yea, boss. Sales and marketing got combined, so do we sit in sales? Marketing?” Caleb shrugged and leaned back against the handrail of the elevator. “If we’re going to your office and just rooming with you C-suite executives, we might as well all roll up and just dog pile in Sylus’s office, huh? I’m sure that’ll be cozy. Really improve the corporate culture, right?”

Rafayel shot Caleb a glare, letting out a huff of annoyance right as the elevator decelerated and a resounding ‘ding’ harkened our arrival to the sixth floor.

“Hmph, you’re all lucky that you get to be working on my floor. It’s waaaay better than that broody disgrace of interior decoration that Sylus calls his office,” he waved, walking through the open doors of the elevator as we all got to our destination. “I’ve already issued an order for your desks and belongings to get transferred over.” He waved to the movers who were already arranging our belongings on a few desks that were placed around the vibrant office space.

“Wow, throwing around that C-suite power already, huh?” Caleb whistled, walking over to a desk with different airplane models decorated on it. “Oh, they really brought everything over, huh?” He grinned, looking through his desk before shooting me a wink as he held up a little bobblehead figurine that looks uncannily like our very own Onyxion CEO. Its head and arms bent at strange angles as Caleb waved it around with a smile.

“Oh, so that’s why my desk was gone,” Xavier commented, taking a seat at the desk across from Caleb’s with a sleep mask hung on the edge of the monitor.

“...You didn’t think to question why your desk was gone to begin with?” Rafayel groaned, settling into his private office as the door closed behind him. “Alright, get to work, minions. Let’s make Sylus happy so he doesn’t fire us, yea?”

“Alright, c’mon, pipsqueak,” Caleb patted me on the shoulder. “Let’s get you settled in.”

After the better half of the hour, we all got situated and I finally got around to opening my laptop.

The email notification icon on my task bar made my heart race as I hesitantly opened the program and saw an email from none other than Sylus himself.

_______________________________________

Subject:   Quarterly Presentation Draft Feedback

Good morning.

Nice work on the structure. I’ve added notes for Slide 3—include the projected Q3 metrics. It’ll drive the point home. Find the attached file.

Also, add a closing note about “synergy” between departments; people love buzzwords, even when they don’t understand them.

You’re impressing me. I’m looking forward to Friday.

-Sylus

_______________________________________

My hand was shaking as I read the message. The mouse cursor was flickering violently back and forth on the screen from how much I was trembling.

My eyes were fixated on the words, reading it over and over again. My heart and mind were a whirlwind of emotions: fear, anxiety… and pride?

Caleb peered over curiously at my screen, jaw dropping as he stood up and waved over Xavier and Rafayel.

The three of them gathered around my screen, exclaiming in astonishment like this was some circus.

It kind of was at this point.

“Damn, ‘You’re impressing me?’ Does someone have the harassment training to send to Sylus real quick?”

“This is actually C-suite power being thrown around here, so don’t come after me on something like moving my employee’s desks around, yea?”

“Sylus is really hard to impress, so I guess that’s good?”

“Well, I guess you got some ‘synergy’ to put into this presentation today, pipsqueak.”

I clenched my jaws, face warm with embarrassment, as I started to open the presentation, incorporating the feedback that Sylus gave to me.

After getting one more check through from the team, I sent out the latest to Sylus with the exact feedback he provided. As the hours stretched on to days and the horizon on Friday drew closer, I didn’t hear anything back from him.

The team helped me to rehearse and practice what we had to the point where I was having dreams about presenting even in my sleep- lines and figures etched into the depths of my mind.

And before long, the day of reckoning was upon us. The four of us piled into an elevator to hitch a ride up to the Sylus’s conference room where the all-hands meeting was being hosted. Caleb patted my back in assurance, giving me a wide grin as his shaky hand pressed the button to the 149th floor.

“You’re going to do great, pipsqueak. You’ll knock all of their socks off! We know how hard you worked on this, don’t be nervous-!”

“Says you, you’re shaking like a little puppy-”

“It’s the caffeine!” Caleb protested, shooting a glare at Rafayel. “I drank like two energy drinks and an espresso this morning, ok?”

“Sales guys are always such professional liars-”

“But I guess that’s why Caleb’s Onyxion’s top sales guy.”

On the bright side, the bickering in the elevator in this one ride up helped to alleviate my nerves as the ding of the elevator sounded out, denoting our arrival to the 149th floor.

It was different from the other floors of Onyxion. The walls were painted a matte black, soft lights with red hues illuminated the tall walls. Unlike the pastel colors and bright light of Rafayel’s sixth floor or even the beige and neutrals of the 22nd, the 149th was dark and tense.

As the doors opened, and we entered into the red and black conference room, I could feel my heart drop to the pits of my stomach- my blood freezing in my veins and barring me from moving forward. Nearly a hundred employees sat in the crowd, their heads turning around to stare at us, but only one man had no need to turn.

His crimson eyes bore into mine with burning intensity as he sat in a lone chair that faced the crowd rather than the projected screen behind him: Sylus.

“There you are, my little presenter.” He crossed his arms, leaning back into his seat as the presentation I put together pulled up behind him. “I’ve been waiting for you, sweetie. And I know you won’t disappoint.”

My heart skipped a beat, and I could feel my face heat up with mortification. My legs were like jelly as I walked towards him, drawn in like I was under a hypnotic spell despite the fear eating at all my nerves and senses in my mind.

Sylus gave me a lazy smile, not having taken his eyes off of me for a moment since I entered the room. His hand held out towards me, a small clicker to move the click through the slides in the palm of his hand. I reached out, hand trembling as I took it from him. The skin of his palm felt scorching hot as I brushed against it. As my fingers wrapped around the device, my hand grasping it and picking it up, his fingers curled up to touch mine. The air felt like it was being punched out of my chest at the gesture, my breath hitching in my throat as his crimson eyes bore into mine.

The clicker was shaking in my hands as I went up to the front of the room. I saw Caleb’s concerned gaze for a brief moment before he shot me a charismatic smile and gave me a thumbs up. Xavier and Rafayel also gave me looks of encouragement as I scanned the room and locked eyes with Zayne who was sitting in the front row. His eyes were wide as we looked at each other. Perhaps he was shocked that I was the one that was supposed to be presenting today, but he masked it well and gave me a soft smile.

The nerves calmed a bit as I saw them cheer me on quietly, but the crowd and amount of people watching in on this presentation as well as the cameras streaming this to many others who weren’t in the room was still making me nervous. My ears were ringing as I felt lightheaded with the pressure of delivering with so many people staring at me.

A deep voice shook me of my stupor, my ears honing in towards the source as the world faded to the point where I could only hear his voice: the man that tasked me to do this in the first place. “You got this, sweetie. Just keep your eyes on me.”

The lights started to fade, plunging the room into darkness before the presentation began.

It was like a fever dream.

The hours spent rehearsing and the script and the literal dreams I had about this moment carried me through the slides. I could feel the hundreds of eyes on me as I clicked through each part, but it felt like there was only one pair staring at me throughout the whole thing. And slowly, it felt like I was only giving this entire presentation for one person alone. The tension eased up as I got into the flow of it, going through the slides with practiced ease.

It was over before I knew it.

When the lights came back on again, I was shaken from my trance.

Echos of applause came from the room as the ‘Q&A’ slide came up and someone raised their hand to pose a question.

Instinctively, like how Caleb, Rafayel, and Xavier practiced with me, my hand raised to gesture to the person to let them ask their inquiry. But before I was able to muster up a response, a single resounding clap rang out in the conference room.

“Nicely done,” Sylus says, his voice cutting through the quiet room. I blinked in surprise, already trying to prepare answers for whatever questions the audience had. But Sylus stood up, turning to me with a smile playing on his lips—a cold glimmer and sparkle of amusement dancing in his eyes.

“Don’t worry about answering their questions. Your job was just to put the slides together and present them for me, and you did just that.” He pauses, and I could feel every eye in the room on me as he added, almost too softly, “You can just stand there and look cute, sweetie.”

The blood drained from my face. Cute?

“And I’m the one posing questions, not them. The people who sent you the content—those are the ones answering my questions now.” His gaze flicked lazily to a corner of the table. “Director Qian. What measures are being implemented to address the shortcomings of the second half of this year?”

The room froze over as everyone’s eyes were wide at Sylus’s sudden question. The man in question shakily stood up, voice trembling as he attempted to answer on the spot.

“W-Well, Sylus, we’re still… um, collating the necessary data to—”

“Collating data?” Sylus repeats slowly, voice dripping with disdain. “Interesting. And here I thought your unit provided me with that data to begin with. Otherwise, how would it be in this presentation?”

The room goes cold as Sylus’s gaze shifts to the director. He’s unimpressed, and the silence stretches.

Caleb or Rafayel might exchange uneasy looks, knowing what’s coming.

“I wonder where all of you are getting your sense of job security from,” he mused, slowly tapping the oak table with his finger.  A smirk pulled at the corner of his lips as his eyes lazily moved around the table across all of the directors, team leads and C-suite executives.  “Perhaps I’ve been too lenient with this previous round of layoffs.”  Sylus let out a low chuckle, basking in the heightened anxiety of the room.  “Don’t get too complacent. Just because I’ve laid off 80% of the workforce, doesn’t mean I need to keep the remaining 20% either,” he stood up, chair screeching in the silent room, as he walked over to me - a heavy hand was placed on my shoulder.  It felt like the weight of the world was pressing on my neck. Wide-eyed stares from around the room sent ripples of fear down every nerve in my body.  Cold sweat broke upon my neck and hot flashes of dread and embarrassment boiled up in my cheeks.  I bit the bottom of my lip to keep myself from shaking at his sudden and close proximity as I could feel his stare pierce through my entire being.

I stared with intense fixation on the floor, unable and unwilling to bring my gaze up to look back at the hundreds of eyes on me. Sylus’s hand on me felt like I was Atlas being crushed by the weight of the world. Focusing on the ground was the only way to keep myself from fainting now; I was so lightheaded and dizzy with everything that was transpiring. The floor was an interesting pattern.  The carpet was red and black in crashing and colliding sprays of mist and organic curves that seemed to be at odds with one another, yet perfectly in harmony at the same time. The chaotic red and black swirls felt like they were swallowing me whole, like I was standing on a void painted to look civilized. I could tell that even in the smallest of details, Sylus had total dictation over everything in his organization.  This carpet was a reminder of whose building you were standing in.  Who you worked for.  Who you belonged to.

My keen interest in the floor was broken sharply as I felt a cold finger trace the outline of my jaw, tucking a stray strand of hair back against my ear.  I couldn’t suppress the small squeak of surprise at the feeling and the darkening flush that was burning at my skin.

I heard a piercing screech grate at my ears and a loud crash at the back corner of the room and looked up to see a very flustered Caleb standing straight up with a torn expression between anger and embarrassment.

I felt Sylus’s gaze leave my face and peered up to see him focus on Caleb with a raised brow.

Caleb stared straight back at him, his clenched and shaking fist was a testament to his anger and fraying patience at the situation.

“Are you volunteering to get laid off first, Director Xia? And here I thought I just promoted you. Eager to declare unemployment so soon?” Sylus chuckled, shaking his head with amusement.

I looked up to Sylus in shock and back to Caleb as panic hit me like a truck.  My breath hitched in my throat as I sent a pleading look to Caleb in an attempt to convince him to calm down.  I watched as Caleb bit his lip in an effort to keep his temper and not quip back at Sylus for asking him that question, but I knew that Caleb’s temper would get the better of him if something didn’t intervene soon.

The tension in the room was dense; it weighed down like a suffocating fog, crushing the breath of every occupant within it.

Moments passed in what felt like eons.

“I would advise against firing him,” a cool and composed voice cut across the rising tension between them.  I let out a breath of relief as Sylus’s wrath was redirected from Caleb elsewhere.  I looked towards the direction of the speaker and locked eyes with Zayne who looked on coldly at the situation in front of him.  “I don’t think there’s merit to further staff reductions, especially in our sales force that has met and surpassed their metrics for this quarter already.”

Sylus let out a long, drawn out chuckle.  The deep timbre sent shivers of danger running down my back as Zayne became the sole recipient of Sylus’s volatile wrath.

“I believe that I’ve hired you as the chief technology officer, not the chief financial officer.”  Sylus stepped away from me and started walking towards Zayne.  My muscles tensed up as Sylus towered over a seated Zayne, who held his arms crossed all while maintaining the cool composure he always had ever since we were children.

“Yes. But since you fired the CFO yesterday morning alongside the entire finance department, I was assigned to the dual temporary role of both Chief Technology Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as stated in your org change announcement.  I would say that this is an insight within my jurisdiction to present.”

The air in the room dropped a few degrees and I shivered in the face of such a bold retort.

Sylus was staring at Zayne to the point where I thought that he was trying to kill him from it.  I wouldn’t have survived had I been in Zayne’s seat.  I doubt anyone other than Zayne would have.

Everyone was on the edge of their seat, wondering if there was a tomorrow to wake up to in the post of this ensuing chaos.

And then Sylus laughed.

It was a maddening laugh.

He laughed in the way in which each tone and breath was punctuated with a snide and callous tone- befitting of his control and power over each and every one of us in his building.

“Fine,” he smirked, his intense gaze fixated on Zayne. Even though he said that, everyone could tell that it wasn’t fine. “You’ve made a fair point.” Everyone could tell that there was no truth to his words.  Sylus might have said that to concede for now, but there was surely something else that he would do to retaliate at Zayne’s defiance. I was fearing for him in the back of my mind, my heart rate skyrocketing to the point where I felt that cardiac arrest was soon upon me.

But instead of fearing for Zayne, perhaps I should have been more concerned for myself.

Any lingering doubts I had once about why we needed to do the mandatory HR training on workplace harassment and retaliation had disintegrated in my mind.  I had once laughed at the notion that retaliation and harassment could exist in such ridiculous scenarios in real life, but here it was.  Manifested right into reality right before my very eyes.

My screams of terror were stuck in my throat as I stood rooted in place- completely paralyzed. My once pure perception of working at Onyxion shattered before me. 

I couldn’t believe I was so naive to have admired the Onyxion CEO in the way that I did when I first came to this company.

Sylus’ hand gripped my chin and tilted my head to look straight up at him. I was petrified; my neck was starting to cramp at the intense angle that I had to stare up at him with- his tall frame towered over mine like a giant’s.

He stared into me with those intense eyes of his, and I felt each thread and fiber of my existence and sanity unraveling from my material mind and body, every ounce of control and autonomy I believe I once had working where, slipping from my grasp.

“I heard we haven’t sent out the intern return offers yet,” his fingers crept up my face and traced the shell of my ear.

Alarms blared in my mind. My skin crawled as his fingers brushed against my ear, stiffening me in place.  ‘This is harassment,’ I thought aloud to myself.  ‘This is the workplace harassment that I saw in the training video last month. Is this for real? It can’t be. It really can’t be.’

The corners of Sylus’s lips turned further upwards, visceral enjoyment clear on his face.

“If I could fire the talent acquisition team more than once, I would have done so already,” he mused, face drawing closer to mine.  I held my breath, not daring to breathe with him so close.  “So I guess the task of sending out the return offers can fall on me.”

Sylus stared into my eyes with his intense crimson ones before turning away to leave the dumbfounded room. “Congratulations on your promotion to full-time employee.”

The doors slammed shut behind him, and I felt like all the strings were cut from my body as I collapsed to my knees and fainted.

[mageknight14]

The Dangers and Flaws of Idolization: A NEO TWEWY analysis post

Transplanting and expanding on a thread I made on Twitter to fit within a Tumblr format.

One of the most interesting aspects I see in NEO TWEWY that I don’t see many people touch upon is the commonality between Rindo, Fret, and Shoka in how they look up to others as role models while simultaneously being blind to their flaws/who they actually are up to the end and how the game's themes are reflected in those relationships and today, I'd like to showcase why.

First, we have Rindo and Motoi. With that relationship, the game makes it pretty clear that Rindo looked up to Motoi as An0ther and used his words as encouragement to get through his own daily life and anxiety. The kid could barely decide what he could even eat for dinner before he had come across the account, so if you thought his current indecisiveness nature was bad, he was even worse before the events of the game.

However, what I find interesting is that even though he constantly spouts An0ther's sayings in an attempt to try and steel himself for the challenges he faces, he thoughtlessly does so and only lives by the sayings half-heartedly, since his indecisive nature and fear of responsibility prevent him from committing all the way. I think it's telling that despite claiming that "don't miss your chance to make a friend" is one of his favorite quotes, he's constantly at odds with the idea of bringing potentially new players on board the team even before he gets the chance to properly know/meet them and grimaces at the thought of the structure of the old Reaper's Game in the original.

Keep in mind that Beat saved Rindo's life at the hands of Susukichi at least two whole days ago before this occurrence.

Nagi’s Dive into his head on W1D3 actually does a LOT to reveal aspects of his character: he puts other people at arm’s length (besides Swallow due to their online anonymity) because he’s afraid of the fallout of what would to happen if he got involved with them.

"What if I end up taking on more than I can handle? What if other people end up dragging me down with them? If I just stay at the sidelines and shift the blame onto others, I won’t get into trouble for this."

"I'm in a group project; everybody is contributing and making decisions about how we should go about doing things. I keep my mouth shut and refrain from pitching in despite maybe thinking some of their ideas misses the point of the assignment, because God forbid my ideas could be helpful (or maybe they won't; that's life, but I won't know unless i speak up). We end up handing in our project and whoops, we got a C-. I guess I'm not responsible for receiving that grade because I never made a decision, therefore I shouldn't be accountable for my lack of contribution. It just makes sense."

If you've known/are a person that have had similar thoughts to this mindset, then congrats; you know/are a Rindo Kanade in real life.

This culminates into him latching onto others he finds capable and taking the relationships around him for granted, tying other people's worth to their prowess in might or influence. After all, why bother relying on yourself and others when you can just rely on someone else for you to solve your problems? Especially since it means that if everything goes south, YOU won’t take the fallout for it. After all, they’re clearly much more capable than you are.

To get back to his dynamic with Motoi, Rindo looks up to him immensely after finding out that he was his idol an0ther and came to value his input regarding matters within the Game. So when he eventually finds out the truth and is forced to confront the fact that his hero was nothing more than a content thief and a schemer who would trample over others just to survive, he’s understandably heartbroken.

However, instead of just leaving it there, the game decides to flip the script and have Motoi legitimately apologize to Rindo for his actions, leading to the lad in question learning to recognize that Motoi is ultimately an incredibly flawed human being instead of just writing him off entirely, (even giving him another chance!) and is, in many ways, a mirror to Rindo. Like Rindo, Motoi was deathly afraid of responsibility and the fallout of letting other people down, leading to him copying and pasting other people's quotes so that he wouldn't have to face that possibility. This aspect of himself only got worse when he got trapped in the Reaper's Game for multiple loops on end, forcing him to become a worse version of himself, lying, cheating, and backstabbing just to survive and even looking towards becoming part of the Reapers, the same group that trapped him there in the first place, just so he wouldn't have to be Erased, un a manner that's eerily reminiscent to how Rindo would took towards overly relying on others so that he would make it out okay. In that sense, Motoi is a look at what a grown-up Rindo would look like if he didn't take the lessons he learned within the Game to heart, which is part of why the latter decides to take Motoi’s copypasted quotes and apply them to his life in a positive way, deriving his own meaning from them so that in a way that contrasts him following them in a shallow manner from before.

Next up, we have Fret and Kanon, who form a interesting parallel to Rindo and Motoi's dynamic. Whereas Motoi is a look at one of the worst possible paths that Rindo could take if he didn't learn how to properly deal with his flaws, Kanon actually tries to coach Fret into becoming more true to and genuine with his actual self. She also shows herself to be a genuinely affable and honorable person even in spite of the bad first impression that she had given at the beginning of the game by stealing Rindo and Fret's pin for herself.

However, that's only the surface level stuff, as the game actually goes deeper with her character. While Kanon at first seems to be true to herself and genuine at her core in a way that Fret isn’t, we can see from the Dive into her head on W3D3 that she’s holding back a LOT underneath the surface.

"You always did have a way of destroying things" tends to get glossed over by some and for those who do look at the words, they seemingly come out of nowhere and can be seemingly brushed off as her just being under the influence of the Plague Noise. However , when you look back at some of Kanon’s actions and her words towards the Twisters (accusing the Twisters of sabotaging Fuya and making Motoi drop out of the Scramble Slam against his will, her mood changing when she finds out about Fuya challenging the Ruinbringers in one timeline as opposed to her more cheerful attitude towards Fret when she didn't find that out just yet, her acting suspicious towards the Twisters regarding their prowess as a team, etc), the implication is that she doesn’t just resent the game as a whole but also secretly the Twisters as well.

The thing about the Player teams is that they have formed an unspoken agreement where the top 3 teams (sans Ruinbringers of course) keep their footing by sending new players and other teams to last place, which the Wicked Twisters screw up just by existing. Their synergy and impressive Imagination powers (well, Fret, Nagi, and Sho’s at least) threaten the balance the teams have struggled to keep up for so long, hence why Kanon initially just sees them as another team to point snipe before she changes her mind on them. And while the Twisters do almost bring about change by beating the Ruinbringers, it ultimately doesn’t even matter in the long-run due to how incredibly rigged the Shinjuku game is and as a result, the DRS are eliminated, getting rid of Kanon’s and Motoi’s safety net.

Imagine this from the players’ perspective: you’re stuck in essentially what is a never-ending death game but you’ve got a system going where you can at least stave off your deaths for a bit longer. Then a couple of kids come around and throw that whole system entirely out of whack. And you think, "well, at least they can take out the top team and give us a fighting chance, right?" Only for those hopes to also get dashed because the rules are just that rigged. Like Kubo said, life ain’t fair and the afterlife sure as hell ain’t either. W1D5 and W2D4 are excellent explorations of this kind of mindset as it showcases the player teams falling victim to their desires and abusing their powers as a result of being stuck in an endless loop of playing the Game over and over again with no hope of escaping, as well as highlights paints certain comments made by the leaders in an even darker light.

With all of this in mind, it’s honestly no wonder that Kanon resents the Twisters but what’s interesting is that she tries to keep this resentment under wraps because she knows that it isn’t fair to them. They’re just kids after all who would have no idea about all of that. Hence why she admonishes herself in her Dive for wishing that they had just wipe out the Reapers altogether and why Fret is shown to be hurt hearing her inner thoughts about the Twisters in a way that’s pretty reminiscent of Rindo’s reaction when he found out about Motoi.

And finally, we have Shoka and Ayano. While it’s pretty clear that the two do genuinely care for one another, it’s a relationship that’s been tragically scarred by the events surrounding Shinjuku and the Reapers in general, resulting in a mutually unhealthy dynamic. 

What I find interesting about the relationship is that while Shoka gets pissed whenever Rindo insinuates that Ayano must’ve treated her badly, she sadly realizes in another convo that she doesn’t know much about Ayano on a personal level or what her interests even are.

In spite of how close they are and how much they mean to each other, Ayano still put up emotional walls and closed herself off, never allowing herself to be on equal footing to Shoka and instead just be someone who guides and mentors her over the 4 years they were together.

This is due to her feeling betrayed by Shiba/others while simultaneously using Shoka as her one stable point in life regardless because everything is going up into chaos surrounding the Shinjuku Reapers and she finds herself unable to trust anyone around her anymore. And Shoka herself doesn't even realize this until the end when it’s too late because she was just happy to simply have Ayano by her side without thinking deeper about her and their relationship as a whole due to her own emotional issues and troubled past.

When it comes to children from broken homes, they are prone to imprinting on any adult figure that interacts positively with them and in Shoka's case, this is exactly what she did with the Shinjuku Reapers, especially Ayano.

A running theme throughout all of these instances is how they all involve the younger generation looking up to the adults in their lives as idols as opposed to just role models and thus fail to see them for who they are as actual human beings. And by the time they that finally do, it's too late for the adults.

You also see nods towards this theme via the Shinjuku Reapers and their relationship with Shiba or Shiba’s (who himself is parallel to Rindo if his tendency to subconsciously take on the values of others and mistake his as his own was twisted into the worst possible outcome) relationship with Kubo, with Hishima even flat out stating as such. "You fell at the feet of an idol like an utter fool", indeed.

And this all fits, as well, into NEO's larger theme that even as a 'follower', you have to question the 'leader'. Role models aren't bad -- but idols and failing to recognize their limits/flaws/toxicity are and will end up screwing you over in the long run if you aren’t careful. And I think NEO did an excellent job at exploring the little nuances that come with that, from Kanon’s internal resentment she knew wasn’t fair to the unseen distance between Ayano and Shoka to Motoi being a complete deconstruction of it all. It shows the good and the bad of idolizing someone too much. It shows how you can see the real them and turn the image you liked into something more with Rindo, or how to hold them in your heart while moving on like Shoka. It's okay to acknowledge the flaws and shortcomings of the people you look up to. Hell, it’s probably healthy to do that in some ways. As long as they’re still a good person or even helped you grow, you can still celebrate the good they brought

[zuppizup]

Callum being immensely distressed whenever rayla is uncomfortable or in pain, God forbid she ever gives birth the poor lad won’t survive the experience

Callum: How’s this? We get Stella to teleport the baby out!

Rayla: For the love of… No, Callum! I’ll be fine.

[louisisalarrie]

Calm before the storm? Are we sitting in our cave waiting for this year’s Christmas show? A little bit, aren’t we? But we’ll survive, the sisters will get their likes, the image is straight back up and all dad&lad fans will have something new to fantasize about. Same procedure. Nevertheless I hope we won’t see it for the next ten years, but who knows?

god these folks are insufferable though whenever there is a “family” photo at Christmas. If there’s any of that content, I expect my inbox will be bombarded with them ugh

[nocturius8015ficore]

Fanfiction #7: Wounded

Nocturius: 7th Republic Commando fanfiction! **All my stories are readable independently**

That story is about Omega Squad during their second year in the Clone War, Niner is down from an injury and Fi is fixing him. Or is he? Because the war begin to let invisible scars in the heart of those young men...

Also on Ao3 -> click HERE

Title: Wounded

Fandom: Star Wars Republic Commando books by Karen Traviss

Characters: RC-8015 ''Fi'' and RC-1309 ''Niner'' from Omega squad. Also Darman and Atin

Rating: Teens and up.

Topic: Hurt/comfort, brotherhood, the Clone Wars

Pitch: Niner is hurt and Fi is taking care of him. Niner try to talk with Fi about his more and more visible depression.

📖📖📖📖📖📖📖

Wounded by Fi-Core/Nocturius Somewhere between in True Color, before Gaftikar Fi and Niner, on an undescribed planet

‘’You will hate me when the painkillers stop. Better do some procedures when you still don’t feel osik…‘’

After making sure there was nothing wrong with the neck and spine, Fi took off the armor of his brother and his undersuit. He gave him some water, cleaned and treated the wounds with bacta spray. When he felt satisfied with his craft, he covered him cozily with a thermal plastifoil survival blanket. Katarn-Class Armor was hard to pass through but no one was immune to a bad landing and a broken knee.

‘’ You don’t have to do all that Fi… I’ll be fine. I can continue on my own. Take some rest.’’ ‘’ Not until I’m sure you are stabilized, ner vod. Let me do my job. You might be our Sarge, but I’m your medic. I take over. ’’ Fi began to take care of his squad mate kit. He scanned and washed all the different armor plates and put them in a neat pile under a shed. He also inspected Niner’s bodysuit extra carefully for any blood and holes. Twice. He knew Niner would have not done less. ‘’ You know… I trust you Fi. You should trust me too.’’ ‘’ As you should! Glad to know you recognize my talents. For Force’s sake, you lads really think I’m only there to saturated the comlinks with my nonsense, do you? ‘’ ���’ You didn’t answer me.’’ ‘’ About what?’’‘’ Fi. You are not well. You can talk to me. It’s just you and me here.’’ Fi sighed and took a sip of water for himself. ‘’ I’m always fine. I don’t know what you are talking about. Why do you ask? You are not happy that I shut up for once? ’’ ‘’ Dar and Atin are not physically with us now. I know you won’t open if they are there. I know you. You try to hide it, but I know, and they know too.’’ The field medic sat and changed his position a couple of times before answering in a lower tone. ‘’ There is nothing to say. Nothing happened to me. All ‘my head.‘’ ‘’ There is something in it for a change.’’ Niner said, half-smiling.’’ ‘’ Not the best at being the funny one, are you? ’’ ‘’ Look, what I mean is if your keep all that pain inside you, you will explode on day and it will be too late, for what’s left of that brain.’’

‘’Yeah, nasty. Blood everywhere. What am I supposed to do? Want me to tell you I'm shabla jealous of our vode getting girlfriends? It’s not that. Or the fact we will never leave the GAR alive. No retirement plan, no living on a luxury boat in our old days, fishing and getting fat. We are stuck there, vod.’’ ‘’ You don’t know about that, I’m sure they have a plan for our future…’’ ‘’ Ordo told me there was no such thing.‘’ ‘’ Spent a lot of time talking with the ARCs, hm?’’ Niner clicked his teeth in disapprobation, ‘’ I’ve heard they read books and get smart with philosophical ideals. Not good for a soldier and that’s what we are.’’ ‘’ That’s why I shouldn't talk with you about those things. Drop it, Niner. I’ll take a look at our perimeter. ‘’ Fi put his helmet on and gave Niner his own in case he needed to call. 20 minutes later he came back munching on some food he found in an abandoned house. ‘’ Want some? ’’ ‘’ Hey vod… I’m sorry. I don’t know how to help you. I wish Kal Skirata was there but I don’t think he got the answer either.’’ ‘’ ‘Told you so.’’ ‘’ It doesn’t mean I don’t care about you and I agree, things are not fair … I too would like to meet someone outside the GAR, being loved and such, but i’m not even sure we're allowed too.’’

‘’If it is not, then the law is wrong. We all deserve to be loved. It’s our right as living beings. ‘’ ‘’ I guess you are right.’’ ‘’ You ok? ’’ ‘’ Yeah, and you? ’’ ‘’ No? ‘’ ‘’Take off you armor.’’ ‘’ What? ’’ ‘’ Let me give you a proper hug.’’ Fi looked at Niner with dead eyes. Then he proceeded to remove his plates and the top of his bodysuit. He sat next to his wounded brother nervously and breathed loudly. Niner took him by his shoulder and pressed him close to his chest with hesitation, not sure what to do next.

At first, both of them said nothing, but Niner felt some tremor in his brother. Fi was silently in tears. The sergeant passed his fingers through his brother's hair in a soothing way, holding him tight for several minutes.

‘’ Look at us. Is this the only thing we ever live for? Dying for some abstract aruetyc cause, there is no glory, no Kote for us in that fierfek war. We are not even supposed to exist.’’ ‘’ There is maybe no Kote, but there is Vode An, I’m here for you, ner vod.’’ ‘’ ‘Till you die, like our pod squads?’’ ‘’ Our brothers from our pod squads are in the Manda and in us as long as we remember them. I miss them too, you know, but Omega squad is our family now. ’’ ‘’ Who will remember us if we all die? I wish we had someone at home caring for us. A real family. And a home too. What will happen to us, Nin’ika? ‘’ The two brothers stayed entwined together, crying like they never had before. Letting the oxytocin from the skin on skin cuddle run their feelings. Alone, in the ruins of some battlefield they had no takes in.

‘’ I don’t have the answer Fi’ika. But I will always love you.’’ ‘’ I love you too Nin’ika.’’

When the sun rose and the grass was beaded by morning dew, Darman and Atin came back from their part of the mission. They found the two men snuggled under the emergency blanket, deeply asleep from exhaustion. ‘’ Vode. Are you naked under that?’’ said Darman, one eyebrow raised.

‘’ Hope we are not disturbing something.’’ said Atin with a smirk. Niner sat up straight, suddenly aware and embarrassed of what it looked like from their perspective. Fi though, was way more relaxed and answered them cheerfully. ‘’ Healing Niner’s knee. Look how easy he can sit now? I’m such a good field medic! ’’ That was true, Niner’s knee was mostly fixed. It worked better than his estimation.

‘’ Thanks Fi.’’

‘’ My duty sir! … And thank you too.’’ he added, almost whispering.

End

📖📖📖📖📖📖📖

[koolkat9]

Royal Red Bros Week - Day 5

@royalredbrosweek

Prompt: Badly Injured/Verge of Death || Bonding

Rating: T

Relationship: England + Canada

Word Count: 1015

Read on AO3

Author's Note: So while working on this fic I was reading All Quiet on the Western Front for school so a lot of this fic was inspired by scenes in chapter 4 with some of the descriptions in this fic being descriptions in the novel.

Your Sword and Shield

Arthur hadn’t heard the first ‘take cover.' Instead, it was Matthew hurtling towards him and knocking him into the mud, followed by the first whistling then an explosion erupting that gave it away. Clumps of dirt rained down on them, though with Matthew practically on top of him, they never hit him.

The darkened sky popped with white, red, green. Like fireworks, but far more deadly. For a moment, he wondered if Alfred managed to get to safety or at least shield himself with something.

Before him, Arthur spotted a sinkhole made by a recent explosion.

“Matthew?”

There was no reply.

“Come on lad,” Arthur shouted, figuring Matthew couldn’t hear him above the heavy fire. “We need to get into the hole. We’re going to die out here if we…”

When Arthur managed to turn around he found his son limp on top of him, crimson trickling out of his mouth.

“Matthew…MATTHEW!” Arthur shouted again, shaking Matthew’s arm. “You need to open your eyes lad before–”

He was cut off by a shell exploding right next to them, tossing the both of them across the field. At least Arthur was finally free, but now he had to get himself and his giant of a son somewhere safe. Luckily they were tossed near a hole. Dragging Matthew with him, he jumped in.

As safe as they could possibly be, Arthur began to inspect the damage to Matthew’s body. The boy had already grown pale, his breath shallow, skin growing colder. His back was bloody from the barrage of fire, his side had a nasty gash from getting too close to an explosion. Grabbing his and Matthew’s field dressings, he attempted to wrap up the wounds.

Minutes later, when the gunfire and explosions finally died away, Alfred came to find them.

“Take your brother,” Arthur commanded, trying his best to carefully lift Matthew for Alfred to reach.

“What hap–”

“You know him. My sword and now my shield.”

Alfred went to say something else but pressed his lips together again. With Matthew out, Alfred reached for Arthur. Arthur batted his hand away and climbed out himself.

“God, what did you do this time Matt?” Alfred reprimanded, picking his brother up.

Arthur was already heading back towards the truck.

“Hey slow down,” Alfred barked.

“We need to get him medical attention if he’s going to survive.”

“Arthur.”

“We need to go.”

“You’re going to get him killed,” Alfred barked. “He thinks about you before himself every time.”

“He’s an adult,” Arthur snapped back, whirling around to face his other son. “He makes his choices. And he does the same for you. For Alastair. Even for Francis, though he won’t admit it.”

“Well…You–”

“We need to move. Or else he really will die. And you and I both know the pain of regeneration.”

— — —

When Matthew began to stir, he could tell he was in the hospital before he even managed to open his eyes. The stench of death and sick mixed with that distinct hospital smell. He let out a slight groan, the pain of his back and side catching up to him.

Instinctively, he went to push himself up having been laid on his stomach only for someone to gently hold him down.

“Relax love,” A gentle voice whispered. A voice he hadn’t heard since he was a little boy.

“Dad?”

“Shhh. Just lay down. Are you in pain?”

“Mhm…”

“Okay. I’ll see if the orderly can get you anything for it.”

Matthew heard shuffling, footsteps. A pained ‘no’ ripped from his throat.

“It will only be a moment,” Arthur murmured.

“Please…stay…”

For a moment, Matthew could picture himself, no more than six standing in the hallway as Arthur was about to set off for England. So many moments like that throughout his childhood. And as much as he wanted to cry out ‘stay,’ he never did. Not that it would have probably made a difference. But now…

“I…I don’t want…” Matthew trailed off.

“Okay…Okay, I’ll stay.”

Arthur took a seat beside him once more.

They were quiet for a moment, only the hurried steps of medical staff and the occasional screaming of a patient filling the room.

“You’re okay right?” Matthew finally asked.

Arthur’s face looked unfazed, but his eyes sparked with something Matthew couldn’t quite place. It made him shutter.

“I’m not the one in the hospital bed,” Arthur answered shortly.

“True…”

Silence again. Or as silent as you could get in a field hospital.

“Am I going to make it?’ Matthew asked.

Arthur was quiet for a moment. Closed his eyes and took a breath. “I don’t know. The orderlies don’t seem to think so, but they don’t quite get how our bodies work. But either way, I’m going to get you out of here and back home as soon as possible.”

“No. No. I’ll heal. It doesn’t take too long, so I’ll be back out there–”

“You’re going home to recover. Especially if you really are going to die. I don’t want you to have to go through the reset in this place.”

“But I have to–”

“You don’t have to do anything. You’ve done more than enough. I’m standing here because of you. But I can’t have you out there in a weak state.”

“Dad I–”

“That is an order. You will be going home in a week if I can help it.”

Matthew paused for a moment, simmering in the command he was given. “Can I at least go stay with Auntie Niamh? That way I’m not making a long trek across the ocean like this.”

“I suppose… that would be best,” Arthur said slowly. He coughed awkwardly. “I’ll figure out the details. Just…rest for now.”

“Okay…B-But you’ll stay right?”

Arthur’s unreadable eyes finally softened ever so slightly. “Of course.”

As sleep crept in, Matthew felt Arthur brush his bangs out of his face. Just before he nodded off again, Arthur pressed a kiss to his forehead. And for a moment, Matthew felt no different than that six-year-old boy, but now his father would stay.

[finniestoncrane]

2.5k Event Request - Maximus x Fem!Reader word count: 750 a/n: you dare maximus to try a bit of roleplay, trying to get him to push past the awkwardness that often precedes sex. i tried to make this just smut, but i am so obsessed with his silly almost innocence so it's actually little bit of goofy flirting cw: dares, roleplay, awkward flirting, suggestive stuff, goofy fluff 🔞minors dni🔞 • masterlist • kofi link • tag: finnie2.5k (to follow or to block)

“It’ll do, right? I mean, it’s not as glamorous as some other places, but at least it’s safe. And it has a roof. Prime real estate out here.”

Maximus turned to you, offering a sweet, charming smile as he tried to convince you both that this abandoned Red Rocket was going to be the best place to hide out. And it didn’t take much convincing. It felt like you had been travelling around the Wasteland for weeks, but it was only days since you had last managed to find some shelter with at least three walls and some kind of roof. Things were finally looking up now, although running from the Brotherhood of Steel hadn’t been all bad. Yes, the lingering threat was constantly on your heels, but it had also given you plenty of time to get to know Maximus, and as it stood, your relationship with him had blossomed, only becoming stronger as you survived with him.

Rushing ahead of you, Maximus declared a race, claiming any leftover colas in the long-broken refrigerators as the prize for the victor. And once inside, and three warm, expired sodas later, you and Maximus were sitting in an awkward silence, struggling to think of how to shift the mood, or event he conversation, to what you both wanted. Mindless flirting, a little bit of physical touch, but you were both stuck on how to take it any further. That was until you had a stroke of what you could only describe as genius.

“Oh! Maximus!”

He looked to you with wide eyes, raising an eyebrow when you spoke.

“Truth or dare?”

“Truth… or dare?”

“Yeah, it’s a game! We take it in turns to ask the other ‘truth or dare’ and then, when they choose their option, you either ask them a question that they have to answer with the truth, or you give them a dare that they have to do!”

He raised his eyebrows, considering it for a moment, eventually realising, quite innocently, that he could get you to confess to stealing his last fancy lad snack cake. And then, with a twinge of excitement, that he could dare you to just kiss him already. But you had chosen first, so to get what he wanted, he had to play along.

“Sounds… fun, I guess. Uh… I guess I’ll take a dare. They can be… they can be like, sexy, right?”

You giggled a little, blushing at how quickly his mind had gone to the dirtier possibilities. So you changed the dare you had planned and smiled wide as you spoke.

“Ok… I dare you to… have you heard of roleplay?”

“Roleplay?”

“Yeah! Like… we act out a little fantasy… maybe it makes it easier to push past the awkwardness?”

“Hm, that sounds… interesting.”

He was smiling at you, trying to pretend that he wasn’t as excited as he was. But there was a twinge of electricity that coursed through him, knowing that he might be able to finally have sex with you, after you’d explained to him a week ago that there really was no danger in that act at all.

“Ok then, I dare you to try some roleplay with me. What do you think?”

“Yeah, I could get into that. If, uh… if you want to. And you promise my cock-”

“I promise your cock won’t explode!”

You giggled a little, watching him shift on the bedroll to hide his growing erection.

“So. What kind of roleplay do you want me to try?”

“I think you should act like a Paladin. And I can be your Squire.”

“And I boss you around?”

“Mhm, I’ll do whatever you want me to. I’m at your command, Paladin Max.”

He swallowed the lump in his throat, fingers twitching as he considered the opportunity in front of him. His nerves were quieting him, so you took the lead and leaned into him.

“Gosh, Paladin, it must be so stressful doing the work you do. Would you like me to… relieve some of that pressure?”

Your palm slid up his thigh, fingers grazing over the growing bulge. He stuttered something unintelligible, mumbling as he tried to find the words to describe what he wanted from you.

“What is it, Paladin? What’s my first task as your faithful and willing Squire?”

“I… maybe, uh… maybe I would like you to make my cock explode. Sounds like it might be kind of fun.”

You licked your lips, lowering your head into his lap as he leaned back, smiling wide.

[ninapi]

●・○・●・○・●・○・●・○・● ●・○・●・○・●

*＊✿❀ Bewitched ❀✿＊*

Premise: Prince Keisuke was known to be a troublesome lad, often bringing problems to the queen herself. In an attempt to tame the wild prince, the queen calls for a powerful witch to aid him with his cause, hoping to put an end to this quest sooner. What she didn't count on was love being what he needed most.

Word Count: 2875

Chapter 4: The Witch and the King

The definition of a steamy night would depend on who lived it.

A soft heartwarming hug while sharing a hot beverage was an accurate definition of one for a wounded soul like Kazutora, a walk under the moonlight holding hands, one for Draken, as for Baji Keisuke, a steamy night involved a lot of kissing, his favorite blanket, hair pulling and less clothing.

But to be fair, he was in no shape to do such a thing. “My prince, you were stabbed less than half an hour ago, we shouldn’t be mghfff…” he just wouldn’t let you even talk, his thirst for those juicy lips of yours have been growing wild since the moment you tried to turn his enemy into a rat. “Shhh (Y/N) just kiss me….that’s an order…” while his tone wasn’t commanding at all, it was clear he was trying to abuse of his power to get what he wanted, which of course would not work with you.

“Keisuke.” that made him shiver, your sweet voice had never taken that tone with him, but he somehow liked it, how improper that sounded, to you he was not the prince, he was just a man, a man that loved you, your man? Or so he wishes to think.

“What…?” he mumbled while keeping your lower lip in between his teeth, his scowl being almost comical.

“I said, not now.” the whine that left his lips could be heard all the way down the hall where Draken guarded Kazutora’s room. He’s never been known as a whiny guy, but you made the real him shine, to an embarrassing degree.

“You dare defy your prince?” while his words were harsh, a rather naughty smirk adorned his handsome face. “No, I worry for my prince’s health, you need to rest and get better soon and I need to go and brew a potion for that to happen. We can continue….this…” you motioned to the mess of limbs and sheets you were currently in while sighing “…when you’re in top condition. Agreed?” 

While he was pouting heavily, he had no choice but to nod at your words, they weren’t a request, and he knew it. Not a single person would survive using such a tone with the crown prince, safe for yourself.

“You are to come to my chambers as soon as the potion is ready, without stopping at the queen’s chambers, nor Kazutora’s. Agreed?” you were already getting yourself detangled from his strong grip, it amazed you how he still had such strength regardless all that went down just now. “Agreed. It won’t be long.” you bent down just a bit before leaving to place a gentle kiss to his forehead, your fingers threading his long hair. “Rest, my beloved prince.”

Saying he was a mess was an understatement, he didn’t know a human being could melt down to a puddle if given enough love. He didn’t even know someone could feel so much out of a simple act as a gentle touch of his hair. Everything you did to him felt like magic, like only you’d be able to achieve such a thing with him. It was inexplicable and utterly intoxicating. He wanted more, more kisses, more of your soft warmth, your delicious natural scent mixed in with some random herbs, more of that soft look you give him. He wanted more, and that was something he never experienced before. He’s always had it all and didn’t even want half of what he had, but this was the first time he really wanted something, someone.

And that was you.

─── ⋆⋅☼⋅⋆ ───

The prince didn’t take long to regain his strength, your potion did wonders to heal his inner wounds and thanks to the rapid treatment of your healing magic nothing major happened with his health.

The quest was now over, even if Hanma Shuji was still on the run, nobody really cared about him anymore. The mastermind had been captured and sent to exile guarded by ancient spells and highly trained military buffs, Pah-chin and Peh-yan renowned members of the elite were tasked as head of this operation.

And most importantly, Kazutora had been retrieved.

While the prince’s physical wounds had been healed, there was very little you could do to heal those wounds of the heart. He had been betrayed by one of his best friends, not once, but twice. He wanted him dead, wanted his woman to himself, wanted to make the past his present, yet he wanted him out of said picture.

That hurts.

Seeing someone you trust and love wanting you out of their life completely, thinking of you as a disposable part of their life is just…painful…

It took time, but having your support made wonders to his mood though, he was brighter when you were by his side, his friends always making sure he had enough moral support from them as well.

However, they were as torn as he was, specially Mikey.

While Mikey refused to meet Kazutora, Keisuke wanted nothing more than to clear the air as soon as possible. Once he was ready to let go of his grief he decided to visit him, taking you along.

“Kazutora…” he was sitting by the window looking over some sheep in the distance. Even if he was technically being held prisoner, truth is he was very comfortable and had never felt as safe.

“Baji?” his mind was clearer lately, his emotional outbursts more stable. While you were no mind doctor, you did a good job trying to get him back to reality in the softest and most gentle of ways. “Are you sure you should be here?” to this he just nodded, sitting beside him to contemplate the sheep.

By the door Draken and you remained quiet, you both knew your presence might be necessary at some point yet you did want them to have a moment of their own.

“The past won’t come back no matter what we do. We must take ownership of our own decisions and move on supporting those we love and care for in their life choices.” Kazutora remained still, he didn’t like where this was going yet he promised you he’d do his best when the prince finally did come talk to him. “We never pushed you away, you could have been part of the military or could take on a different roll like Mitsuya did, we would have supported you, we would have make you a part of our lives like we did back then. But we can’t run away from change, things can’t stay the same forever. That doesn’t mean we have to part ways, if you want to be a part of what we do, all you had to do is tell us.” 

You were holding onto the door frame for support, Kazutora was doing a fantastic job listening carefully, he didn’t seem to be agitated, but you were on edge, he could lash out at any moment, while the prince wasn’t worried for his own well being, you were for both.

“Are you and (Y/N) a thing?” his question was more unexpected for you than for him, he was certain he’d touch the subject sooner rather than later.

“Why does it matter to you?”

“I’m not the only one who isn’t living in the current timeline, Baji. You are to be king, seems to me you keep forgetting that. Like you said, change can’t be avoided, you will be king soon, you do know what that means right?” while he was saying this with a selfish interest, he was also worried about you getting hurt like he was in the process, you were so kind and selfless, you didn’t belong in this world, very much like he didn’t.

“Means I’ll need a queen.” the gasp that came out of your lips matched Darken’s and Kazutora’s in unison.

“Don’t act so surprised. I’ve never done unnecessary things and I’m not about to start at this age. I am indeed courting her, if that’s your question, and with a serious intent of making her my woman, my queen, to be the mother of the offspring that will carry our legacy to future generations. And I hope you, my friend, will support our union.”

Kazutora was speechless, while he was expecting a fight, he wasn’t expecting it to be this deep and full of raw love. He did care for you, liked you even, he dreamed of living in a small cottage in your forest and visit you daily; but he had never gone as far as to think of marriage or the prospect of bringing offspring to this world. 

“Is that what she wants? To be tied to the implications of having royal blood? Because to me she looks like a free spirit who would hate fancy parties and socializing.” that made Baji chuckle, this conversation was turning softer and to a more familiar tone as time went by.

“Oh she’ll hate it for sure. But I treat my girl right. She has her greenhouse here in the castle and she can have all she wants, she’s very good at demanding things. Why do you think she kept coming to see you after all that happened? I had to hear her yell at me for about an hour saying all the good things she could accomplish regarding your overall health if she was allowed in your chambers…I had to say yes, she was driving me insane.” both chuckled together like the good old friends they were.

Seemed like no fight would come, seemed like everything would be just fine.

─── ⋆⋅☼⋅⋆ ───

A few weeks after the altercation, the queen had summoned the royal clothier without the prince’s consent, a rare occurrence to say the least.

“Mitsuya? What are you doing here?” the grin gracing the prince’s features was one you haven’t seen before, it was so warm and full of longing, it made you smile just by seeing it.

“Oh Baji! Hey, your mother requested I brought some gowns and matching outfits for you. How do you feel about a purple cape? I had this idea that’s been eating my brain all morning-

Oh, who’s this?” Mitsuya’s eyes suddenly lit up with your presence, a face he’s never seen before.

“Wait…” his face was suddenly almost pressed to your waist, one of his hands wrapping around your wrist as he examined your body up close.”

“Mitsuya, what the hell are you doing? Get your hands off my girl right this instant-” snarling, Keisuke was pulling Mitsuya away from you as if he was a dangerous wolf.

“Those sizes…” Mitsuya’s mumbling made Keisuke’s cheeks turn bright red, “Just what were you looking at man?” 

“The gowns your mother ordered…I thought it was a bit off, her chest size is quite small compared to what she ordered…The gowns are for her aren’t they?” 

Before anyone could answer the queen herself entered the room, her grandiose aura causing you to bow your head down immediately.

“Of course they are, dear. But aren’t you a rude one? You should never compare girl’s chest sizes, our pride could shatter easily.” 

“Your majesty…” Mitsuya fell to his knees, bowing his head low.

“Get up, silly boy. I shall be queen no more starting tomorrow.”

“What are you talking about, mother?”

“You’re a man now Keisuke. You have what you need to be king, your friends have shown their loyalty to the crown as well as the witch of the forest has shown unconditional love and devotion towards you, the king of this realm. There’s no need for a queen regent anymore.”

There was nothing but silence filling the air as the queen strolled through the multitude of outfits she had requested.

The gowns were fit for a queen and they matched the king’s outfits to perfection, just as she ordered, golden embroidery, rhinestones, silk ribbons.

While you haven’t been formally asked to take on this role, the fact that you continued supporting Keisuke, his decisions and his people, made you a really strong candidate for queen consort. A better option than the far away kingdom princess who just turned seven last spring, that is for sure.

And just like the former king had wished for, his son would take his place the moment he’d become a man, the moment he’d understand what love is and the responsibilities that come with it, he’d be ready to take the crown.

“It’s time for me to retire to the side palace and stop wearing dresses every day. Do it for your mother if nothing else…” even if she was half joking, he could see how tired his mother looked, her fine lines accentuated by the lack of sleep, her features growing old as days went by. He was not a baby anymore, it was his turn to take over, to let his mother get her much desired rest, she was never meant to take on such a load, it was time to lift it from her shoulders.

“My dear witch of the forest. I shall not ask you to stop what you’re best at, on the contrary, I ask you to continue supporting my son, your king, not just as the powerful magic wielder of our kingdom but as woman taking care of her man.” her words were honest and heartfelt, words of a caring loving mother, and they made your face light up like a Christmas tree, bright and red.

“I-I will do my best, your highness.”

“Of course you will. The coronation ceremony will take place as soon as the sun graces our highest hill. Make sure to be there on time, both of you.” and with that she left the room to a speechless bunch.

“Does that mean you’re getting married?” Mitsuya, who was still there was left in awe at the news, “I did not get a wedding dress request. I will need at least a week.”

With boisterous laughter Baji patted Mitsuya’s back, his eyes never leaving yours across the room. “Don’t worry buddy, we still have time for that…I haven’t even asked her out yet…”

─── ⋆⋅☼⋅⋆ ───

[Time Skip]

The king ordered every remaining Valhalla member to join the army, first handedly trained by the best of the best, Ryuguji Ken, right hand of the head of the army himself in charge of turning them all into men of duty.

Kazutora, instead of joining them, decided to help his majesty the queen consort and tend to her green house. 

Having a queen that was also the most powerful witch in the real made the kingdom the strongest amongst all since now they weren’t just a military powerhouse but an ancestral magic one as well. So the requests for potions and magical objects was in high demand and a source of income for the kingdom, the queen being pregnant with twins was having a hard time fulfilling all the requests and good old Kazutora remained in the castle to take good care of his dear friend and help her with the arts of brewing potions.

“Keisuke…would you please go to work? We have to provide your entire army a crate of healing potions by noon, stop hogging my assistant!” 

“Babe…before he was your assistant, he was my friend, you know that don't you, beautiful?”

“Are you fighting over Kazutora-san again? My king…we must go now…” Chifuyu was trying to drag Baji out of your greenhouse, his horse ready outside the castle for him to ride it towards the neighboring kingdom.

“Chifuyu just take him please, I might end up having the royal babies right now out of stress…”

“WHAT? You feeling sick, baby? I don’t have to go to this thing…I’ll just stay here and make sure you and my children are fine…”

“You don’t have to go to this thing? It’s a banquet in your honor, Keisuke! Get your ass on that horse right now…” your hands were glowing red and he knew well what that meant, without saying anything else he gave your cheek and swollen belly a soft kiss before being escorted out by Chifuyu.

“He’s such a pain, you sure you don’t prefer me? I know how to brew potions now and all~” he was joking but the longing in his tone of voice still tugged at your heartstrings. “Trust me, you don’t wanna deal with him if that were to happen…” giggling together, you spent your day pretty much like any other, brewing potions with Kazutora, tending to your garden, playfully fighting with your husband and listening to Chifuyu nag all day about your swollen ankles and how much you needed to rest.

Being a queen wasn’t easy, being a king wasn’t either. But being a friend, a husband and a wife, a mother and a father, those were more important titles to the two of you.

The Baji dynasty was far from over, a new bright future for the kingdom just began.

●・○・●・○・●・○・●・○・● ●・○・●・○・●

Note: And that's it for this series! 🫧Thank you to all who took time to read it all, I appreciate you 😊❤️ Chifuyu is coming next so hope you stick around!👀

Masterlist Previous Chapter

[razorblade180]

Mind at work

[teapot]

Aether:*stares at Abyss Domain list*…

Kokomi:Trying to figure out a strategy? We did manage to reach the bottom, though I’ll admit are performance was somewhat lacking.

Aether:It’s no one’s fault. You did exactly what you were supposed to. It’s just weird. Our group is pretty big and aren’t exactly slackers. I feel like I’m overlooking something.

Kokomi:For the most part, foes want to get personal so grouping isn’t a problem. I do feel as if something is amiss. *stares at second half* Is there really no team naturally fitted for this.

Aether and Kokomi:Hmmm….!?

Kokomi:Aether?

Aether:Yeah I see it.

xxxxx

Bennett:It’s been awhile since the for of us hung out. I missed you guys!

Xingqui:The feeling is mutual. Though I wish it was for calmer circumstances.

Xiangling:I’m just glad it’s finally over. Never thought I’d be this rusty. *slouches* how many did we get?

Chongyun:*sitting on boss* if I counted correctly, thirty two. That’s progress.

Bennett:Free cheers for a good run. Hip hip-

CXXB:Hooray!

xxxxxx

Aether:I can live in peace now.

Kokomi:I can’t. We’re one star short of another bonus.

Aether:Let it go~ *lays down* this is already better than I hoped.

Kokomi:*looking at list* Technically speaking…do we really need to send a crowd controller when the majority of the foes want to run at people? What if for the first half we asked someone who’s just really strong and willing to face immense danger the majority of the run.

Aether:(I should really help Itto’s development more often. Only other person who might fit that description is-) *sits up* I can call some people. It won’t matter though if second half is too slow. Too bad electro teams aren’t that good on that half.

Kokomi:*scratches head* What a weird group of enemies. Me helping Miko would’ve been perfect along side Nahida and Dehya. We could ask Yoimiya again?

Aether:Do you think she’ll survive?

Kokomi:*sighs* I’m good but I’m not good. The group falls apart with consistent power, but lots of our heavy hitters bruise easily or aren’t suited well enough for a full manageable run. We need balance.

Aether:Who doesn’t care at all about the Thunder Manifestation besides Yoi-….*zips down the hall*

Kokomi:I guess he found the answer.

Aether:*opens door* Hey, wanna go to floor 12?

Yanfei:Where’s Yoimiya!?

Aether:You have a shield and are all pyro attacks.

Yanfei:…Is Kokomi coming?

Kokomi:*yells* Yes!

Yanfei:I’ll do my best.

xxxxx

Consecrated beasts: *unconscious*

Scara:*sitting on one*….

Zhongli:What’s he doing?

Diona:Judging if this went well or not. It’s kinda his way criticizing.

Faruzan:Hmph, the lad is just incapable of actually giving a decent compliment; even after doing so much for him! At best he’ll say “well it looks like you actually can do something.” Ugh, it drives me mad.

Scara:*turns around* ….. *thumbs up*

Zhongli:Looks like he’s satisfied.

FD: (Genuine praise!? What’s gotten into him!?)

Scara, secretly stressed: (That’s it, just play it cool and act like I didn’t almost get mauled to death.)

Meanwhile on the other half…

Baptist: *full nelson* LET ME GO!

Dehya:Don’t feel like. Yanfei!

Yanfei:You sure? *holds fireball*

Kokomi:It’ll be fine. *makes fish*

Nahida:She can take it. *closes one eye* Ready…aim….

Baptist:Nooooooooo!

xxxxx

34 stars

Kokomi:…Y’know-

Everyone:We can’t!

Kokomi:Alright, hit the showers.

[sylvienerevarine]

Sophrine Aulette's Skyrim Encyclopedia (Part 2)

ok i guess i'm not done with this series yet. it may take a while. i keep thinking of new jokes.

Part 1 is here.

--

Blades

If you’ve ever met a Blade, no you haven’t (that was a joke, because they’re secretive). The Blades were originally founded as a dragon-slaying organization, but eventually expanded into other areas like bodyguarding and espionage. They got their name from using swords, which generally have blades.

Some notable Blades include:

Caius Cosades, who according to my Nana Sylvie’s memoirs never wore a shirt and drank a lot of skooma

Baurus, a fellow from the end of the 3rd Era who impressively survived the entire Oblivion Crisis

My distant great-aunt Sacha Llervu, Martin Septim’s best friend, who had a knack for closing Oblivion Gates and committing petty crimes

Delphine Fitzhubert, who is sort of my friend, except she’s still cross with me for being polite to some dragons. She’ll come around eventually.

Draugr

A draugr is a person who was alive at some point, but is now an undead sort of thing with a terrible complexion. There are a few different stories about how draugr came to be–many of them worked for dragon priests and became undead so they could keep doing their old jobs forever, and apparently some on Solstheim were cursed because they ate other people. Nasty stuff. Unless you’re Bosmer, I guess.

The good news about draugr is that they’re not terribly bright, as is proven by the fact that they can’t solve the puzzles in Nordic ruins. If you know the voice-projecting Shout like I do, you can just call “Who wants free mead?” from somewhere else in the room, and then sneak by while they’re trying to find the free mead.

Palace of Kings

I’m not allowed in here anymore (see Stormcloaks).

Stormcloaks

The Stormcloaks are a political movement based out of Windhelm, and are led by Ulfric Stormcloak (which is how they got their name). They have some pretty good ideas (make Skyrim independent, stop religious persecution, annoy the Thalmor) and some very bad ones (being horrible to Dunmer and Argonians and anyone who isn’t a Nord, really).

I once met Jarl Ulfric and pointed out some of these bad ideas to him, and he banned me from his palace. There’s gratitude for you.

Talos

You probably know about Talos from the park in Whiterun, where that fellow Heimskr is always shouting about what a good lad he was. There are two main theories about where Talos came from: either he was born in Atmora and moved to Skyrim as a young man to take Dragonborn lessons, or he was born in High Rock and did a lot of complicated political things. My grandparents favor the second explanation, since they’re very patriotic.

Wherever he came from, we know that Talos later went around conquering and uniting any piece of land he came across, and set up what we now know as the Third Empire. Somewhere along the way he changed his name to Tiber Septim, in order to match what the money was called.

Many people believe that after Talos died, he was promoted to a member of the Divines. Just in case any of the Thalmor are reading this, I’m legally required to state that this did not happen and humans can’t become gods, because we simply don’t have the intelligence for it. Unlike the average Thalmor officer.

The Throat of the World

The Throat of the World is the tallest mountain in Skyrim and by extension Tamriel. They might have higher mountains in places like Akavir or Atmora, but no one really bothers about those places. It’s unclear how the TotW got its name, since people’s throats aren’t typically very pointy or covered in snow. My guess is that someone from the Bards’ College thought it up. The only place on the Throat to get a bite to eat is High Hrothgar, the home of the Greybeards. While the monks don’t offer much in the way of conversation, they’re very kindly old men, and won’t shout at you for accidentally falling asleep in their library and drooling on their copy of Songs of the Return.

[annerly-san]

Love and Deep Deadlines | A LaDS Corporate AU - Chapter 6

Summary:

Amidst the cut throat culture of Onyxion Enterprises where cutting-edge innovation is overshadowed by corporate chaos, no one talks about how hard it is to be an intern.

Alongside Caleb, the sales department smooth-talker; Zayne, the cold and unflappable CTO; Xavier, a director who might as well be an intern himself; and Rafayel, the overly dramatic Creative Director who brings his own flair to every meltdown, our intern is just trying to survive the workday. Oh, and don’t forget Onyxion’s very own CEO, Sylus, a walking HR violation who gets off on terrorizing his employees.

In this company, will love bloom before the deadlines run deep, or will the company go under first?

Chapter Navigation: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | ?

Alternative AO3 link:

The next morning, I arrived at the office still riding the high of the successful presentation. The inbox notification chimed as soon as I logged into my computer, and my eyes widened as I saw the subject line: Bonus Allocation for Sales Presentation. My heart skipped a beat as I opened the email.

_________________________________________

Subject:   Bonus Allocation for Sales Presentation

You have been awarded a bonus for your contribution to the recent sales presentation. Your exemplary work has been recognized. Congratulations!

Regards,

Onyxion Management

DO NOT REPLY TO THIS EMAIL.

_________________________________________

I sat back in my chair, staring at the screen in disbelief.  A bonus?  I glanced around the office, feeling a rush of excitement, but quickly composed myself. No need to broadcast it.

Just as I was about to get back to work, a message popped up on my screen from Caleb.

[Caleb]:  Did u get a bonus email too?  I saw you cc’d on mine!  Let’s talk and celebrate over lunch!

At lunch, I met Caleb in the cafeteria. We both sat down with our trays, but the conversation went straight to the bonus.

“I can’t believe it,” I said, still in mild shock. “A bonus already? I didn’t expect that.”

Caleb leaned back in his chair, his grin as wide as ever. “Told you! You nailed that presentation. Plus, this might help with your full-time offer.” He waggled his eyebrows, clearly hinting at something more.

I blushed, feeling a mix of excitement and nervousness. “Yeah... maybe.”

“So, how’s our presentation queen doing?”  I heard a voice call out beside me.  The scraping of chair legs against the cafeteria floor accompanied the man’s voice as I looked over to see a certain purple-haired director slide in the seat next to mine.  Rafayel dropped into the chair beside me, giving me a playful grin as he rested his chin on his hand. “Heard you and Caleb wowed the room yesterday.”

On the opposite side of us, I saw Xavier slide into the seat next to Caleb - our table now filled with the four of us.

Caleb nodded with a smirk, grinning through a mouthful of food. “It’s all thanks to her.  Those slides were fire!”

Rafayel grimaced as he watched Caleb continue to take large bites of his food.  “Finish chewing before you talk, won’t you?”

Xavier, always the more quiet one, gave Caleb a pat on the back.  “You both did great.  Rafayel and I were just talking about it and wanted to say good job in person.”

I looked abash as the two directors stared at me intently, and I looked at Caleb for guidance on how to respond.

The small nod and gesture of his head towards the two of them hinted at me to say my own piece.

I smiled up at both of them. “Thank you!  It was a really awesome learning experience for me,” I thanked them.  “And special thanks to you, Rafayel!  Your feedback on my slides really helped me to bring it all together cohesively!”

Rafayel leaned in closer. “Just so you know, darling, I’m free for creative consultation anytime you need it.  And if you’re low on work, you could just come over and work in my department, I’m more than happy to take you in for a full-time role.”

I laughed nervously, appreciating his offer but also a little overwhelmed by the attention. “Thanks, Rafayel. I’ll keep that in mind.”

Caleb stopped midway through chewing his food from across the table-- expression half torn between shock and anger, and Xavier shot a stern glare at the Creative Director before interrupting.

“She’s working in the marketing department,” he stated to Rafayel firmly.  “Isn’t it rude to just poach another’s department employee right in front of their superior?”

Rafayel laughed as he twirled up the noodles on his plate with a fork.

“Hey, I’m just offering!  Isn’t the intern season ending soon?” he gave me a playful glance.  “Did they give you an offer yet, or are they holding out?”  Rafayel sent a snide glance at Xavier, who was chewing on his lunch.  “If Xavier here hasn’t drafted up a full-time offer by now, I’m more than happy to take you under my wing.”

Caleb choked on his food; Xavier muttered something under his breath.

I gave Rafayel the best smile I could muster and laughed politely-- trying to hide how awkward things were starting to feel with Xavier and Caleb sending glares at him. “Thanks, Rafayel.”

After lunch, we parted ways, and I headed back to my desk.

But as I entered the office, something felt… off.

The usually bustling atmosphere of collaborative chatter and keyboards clacking away was replaced with silence and hushed whispers.

As soon as I approached my team’s space, the atmosphere was suffocating, crushing with how heavy the tension was.  My coworkers were dispersed all over the space: some clustered up in small groups, some alone at their desks with their heads down, and others just pacing back and forth and periodically glancing at their monitor in fear.

Somber whispers and the faint sounds of some people crying were heard in the room, and I anxiously walked towards my desk-- mind whirling with thoughts and anxiety as I met Tara’s tearful gaze, walking hastily over to her to see what was wrong.

“T-tara-!”  I quickly made my way over to her.  “W-what happened?  What’s wrong?  Why is everyone so-?”

She didn’t answer at first, biting her quivering lip as she took a few deep breaths to compose herself.  “I-It’s-”

She let out a shaky breath, voice trembling as she was on the verge of tears.  Tara rolled aside in her chair, gesturing to her monitor that had an email pulled up on it.

I cautiously peered over her desk to read the contents:

_________________________________________

Subject:  Termination

Employee,

I am conducting a thorough reorganization of Onyxion, effective immediately.

You have been impacted.

Unfortunately for you, your position has been eliminated by this restructuring.

As per the fine print drafted in your employment contract, there is no severance and legal actions from your end will be met with legal action from mine.

If you have questions, security can answer them.

Cheers,

Sylus

_________________________________________

My heart sank.  “No…  What?!”

It can’t be.

How could this happen?

Tara nodded, as her voice crackled in response. “The termination emails are getting sent out in rounds,” she finally broke out sobbing.  “It’s just a waiting game at this point, but t-the entire team is pretty much let go it seems.”

My stomach twisted painfully.  I looked around the office, seeing more people packing up their things, eyes red with tears, faces etched with disbelief.  The reality of what was happening hit me like a freight train.

The day started off so well.  I recalled how elated I was at the bonus I received this morning.

Was it a consolation for what was to come?

I could feel my hands shaking, terrified of what I’d find in my own inbox.  But instead of checking, I shoved the thought aside and focused on helping my team.  If I was going to be let go anyways, I could come together with my team while they were still here with me-- the comradery that we shared during this short work span meant more to me than waiting helplessly on an email that would deliver the news of my end here at Onyxion.  I spent the next hour assisting them in gathering their belongings, offering quiet words of support, feeling a deep sense of helplessness as everyone around me packed up their work life.

Finally, I couldn’t avoid it any longer.  As the last one in the office, I finally cracked open my laptop screen, pressing the refresh icon at the top.

‘No unread emails.’

Confused, I stared at the screen.  It had been quite some time since those email rounds went out.  Did my email get missed?  Why hadn’t I been let go like the others?  Before I could process it, my messaging app buzzed — a notification from Caleb.

[Caleb]:  Stay where you are. I’m coming to your department.

My confusion deepened, but before I could even respond, an email notification appeared on my screen.

_________________________________________

Subject:   Notice of Department Reorganization

As part of Onyxion’s restructuring, departments have been consolidated.

You will now report to Caleb Xia (Sales Director) under the new strategic alignment as a sales/marketing intern.

Your team includes: 

Caleb Xia (Sales Director)

Xavier Shen (Marketing Director)

Your group falls under:  Rafayel Qi (Chief Marketing Officer - CMO).

You will be expected to work collaboratively on high-priority initiatives.

More information to follow.

Regards,

Onyxion Management

DO NOT REPLY TO THIS EMAIL.

_________________________________________

I could only sit at my desk, dumbfounded, as I stared around at the empty and silent cubicles around me.

I wasn’t fired.

I wasn’t fired.

My heart was racing and I could hear it thundering loudly as it pulsed in my ears.  The high strung emotions of fear and anxiety from earlier numbed me to feeling anything else.

I was so deep in my stupor that I failed to notice the hand tapping on my shoulder and waving in front of my eyes.

“Earth to pipsqueak! Earth to pipsqueak! You alright?”

My eyes blinked in quick succession before I gazed up to see Caleb’s concerned face looking down at me.

“C-Caleb-”

My vision was blurry. Tears that I didn’t realize had formed were trailing down my cheeks. Whether it was from the sadness of my peers and coworkers that I’ve met along the way being laid off so coldly or the relief that my own position was untouched, I was not sure.

I took Caleb’s hand as he helped me up and I trailed behind him. My hands wiped at the salty tears.

I didn’t realize that Caleb pulled us both into a conference room until I heard two familiar voices call out to me: Xavier and Rafayel.

“I guess this is our new team now, huh?” Caleb chuckled nervously, forcing a grin. But even I could tell that it was a pained smile.

In the conference room, Rafayel stretched lazily, a dramatic sigh escaping his lips. “Well, isn’t this just a delightful turn of events?” He twirled a pen between his fingers. “Sylus likes a... leaner operation, it seems.”

“Well, on the bright side you and Caleb did get a promotion,” Xavier commented.

“Looks like someone’s jealous now that I’m their boss, yea?” Rafayel teased back. “Don’t worry, I’m a good boss. I won’t let anyone get laid off under my watch!”

I looked back and forth between the banter with a tense smile. Feeling Caleb’s reassuring pat on my back as I came to sit down at the table made the situation seem less bad than it was.

“Hey, despite everything I’m kind of glad that we’re now formally all working together?” Caleb grinned. “Sorry to snatch your intern from you, Xavier, but I guess she’s reporting to me now!” Caleb leaned in close and whispered to me. “I’m definitely a better boss than Xavier, pipsqueak. Trust me.”

I couldn’t help but laugh at the comment, tension dispersing.

“You mind plugging in your laptop to the screen and pulling up the new org chart and email since you’re more familiar with how this conference room is set up, pip?”

I huffed at Caleb’s nickname, shaking my head but doing as he said to pull up the HR organizational chart now that the reporting order has changed.

But before I was able to start scrolling through the interactive graphic for everyone, an email notification popped up in the bottom right of my screen.

My heart dropped to my stomach and my blood froze.

[Sylus Qin]: Subject:   Quarterly All-Hand Meeting Presentation

“...Did…Did you just get an email from Sylus-?”

I stared dumbfounded at the email, unsure of what to do.

“Ain’t no way! Open it!” Rafayel exclaimed, standing up in shock.

Xavier scrunched his eyebrows as he scrolled through his own laptop. “I didn’t get an email from him. Is it a group one? Do you mind pulling it up for us?”

Nodding shakily, I clicked on the notification and the email popped open on the widescreen for everyone to read:

_________________________________________

Subject:   Quarterly All-Hand Meeting Presentation

Hi sweetie,

Make me a presentation for the quarterly all-hands meeting update on Friday, won’t you?

You’ll present it for me and the other idiots I haven’t fired yet in this company. I want the draft in my inbox by tomorrow morning.

-Sylus

_________________________________________

A chair or two fell over.

Someone screamed. I wasn’t sure if it was Caleb or Rafayel. Perhaps both. Maybe also me.

“SWEETIE?!?!?”

“Is he calling us the idiots he hasn’t fired yet?”

“WHAT?!?”

“ASSHOLE!!”

“Why would he say that?”

“AAAGHHGHGH THE BASTARD!!!”

“Should we forward this email to HR? I think this violates the rules-” “IT’S VIOLATING EVERY RULE. I TOLD YOU THAT HE’S A WALKING HR VIOLATION, PIPSQUEAK!”

“Hey, pull up the org chart! We’re screenshotting this email and sending it to the big boss of HR!”

I felt the world spin around me as I shakily navigated through the org chart in search of the HR team under Rafayel’s comments. But the position of CHRO was blank and no one was under that branch of the organization.

“DID HE FIRE THE ENTIRE HR DEPARTMENT?!?!”

“BASTARD!!”

“Oh darn, they were nice-”

“Damn, Sylus really just cleaning house here, huh? Whole departments are gone-”

“...Wait, is Zayne fired too-?”

“No, he’s still the CTO.” “...Lame-”

“ALRIGHT LET’S FOCUS GUYS!!”

“What are you the boss?”

“I AM THE BOSS!”

“Oh yea.”

“That’s right, we do report to Rafayel now, don’t we?”

“Damn right you all do!”

I felt nauseous. Queasy.

The bickering and hysteria in the conference room was echoing in my ears into a strange blur.

My stomach churned as I stared at Sylus’s email, the words practically seared into my vision.

“..What’s going on-?” I muttered, my voice trembling. I wanted to laugh, cry, scream—maybe all three at once. Instead, I gripped the edges of the table, feeling the faint tremble in my hands.

Caleb growled, snapping me out of my stupor. His fists clenching and unclenching as I could see his temper flare up. “That fucking asshat of a CEO thinks he can just ‘sweetie’ you into pulling a miracle out of thin air for that stupid ass meeting. The nerve of this guy… I’ll beat his ass for you, pipsqueak. I can take him.”

“You can’t.”

“He boxes.”

“Yeaaa, isn’t he like the king of some illegal underground fight club?”

“Oh you heard that too?”

“Yea, you’re screwed, Caleb.”

“You can’t take him.”

“He’s gonna beat your ass.”

“Shut up guys.”

I must have dislocated my jaw from how hard it dropped from hearing such absurdities.

My mind was reeling from all the events of today. The image of Sylus that I had in my head was long since shattered now, the remnants were being dragged through the mud.

I slumped back against my chair, weak, while I counted the spiraling ceiling lights in hopes that they’ll stop moving around in my vision and merge back into one.

“Careful, Caleb,” Rafayel chimed in, leaning back in his chair with his signature lazy grin. “You’re scaring the intern! Not that I blame you. Sylus is a menace.” He swiveled toward me, his voice dropping to something almost sympathetic—almost. “You alright? You look like you’re about to faint. Don’t faint. I can’t have an employee fainting on me for my first day as a C-Suite exec!”

“I’m fine,” I croaked, though I was far from it. “It’s just… an all hands presentation? I-Isn’t that for the whole company? T-that’s big, isn’t it? What if I can’t do this? What if I mess it up?”

“You won’t. With how well you and Caleb both did in the presentation of the Aethercore, this must be Sylus trusting you to do this.” Xavier’s calm, steady voice cut through the chaos. He’d been watching quietly from the corner of the room, arms crossed and brows furrowed as he absorbed everything. “We’re not letting you go at this alone. Caleb’s right—it’s unfair. But between the four of us, we’ll get it done. Right?”

“Damn right,” Caleb said, stopping mid-pace to point at me. “Pipsqueak, you’re not tackling this disaster solo. We’re making these slides together, and they’re gonna be so perfect, Sylus will cry real tears when he sees them. Xavier will do the structure, Rafayel’s got visuals, and I’ll help with the flow and speaking points.”

“Hey, I’m the boss now! I should be the one saying that!” Rafayel huffed, flicking a pen in Caleb’s direction. “Plus, I’m a CMO. I’m not in charge of visuals anymore despite my amazing artistic and design talents.”

“Focus,” Xavier interjected sharply, though I caught the faintest twitch of a smile. He turned to me. “Start with what you know. What’s Sylus asking for? Structure the key points, and we’ll build it up from there.”

Caleb dragged a whiteboard to the center of the room while Rafayel commandeered my laptop with a dramatic sigh. “Alright, darling. Title slide. Let’s make it sing.”

“It’s a quarterly presentation, Rafayel. Keep it clean and professional,” Xavier said, his voice stern as ever.

“Clean is boring,” Rafayel shot back, flicking through fonts with purpose. “But fine. We’ll save the pizzazz for the visuals.”

Meanwhile, Caleb uncapped a marker and scrawled across the board: Overview. Introduction. Data. Impact. Close.

“See this?” Caleb pointed at the breakdown proudly. “Boom. A pretty easy structure, right pip?”

“Easy, my ass. I think we need to address the new strategy that he announced-”

The two of them started to bicker as Xavier intervened on occasion with notes and comments. The slide was being created in real time by all four of us as ideas and notes were tossed around. Hours flew by in a blink of an eye.

Despite their antics, I started to feel less overwhelmed. With Xavier calmly outlining the bullet points, Rafayel making tweaks to the slides, and Caleb offering bits of encouragement, the once daunting task didn’t seem impossible anymore.

“Don’t forget to breathe, pipsqueak,” Caleb reminded me as I took notes furiously.

I smiled faintly. Breathe. Right.

“Alright, presentation queen,” Rafayel drawled, stretching his arms over his head. “Let’s see what you’ve got. Take us from the top.”

“Like present to you? Now?” I squeaked, looking at them wide-eyed.

“Better to mess up in front of us than Sylus,” Xavier said matter-of-factly, setting his laptop aside. “Go on. We’ll give you notes.”

Taking a deep breath, I stood up and pulled the presentation onto the screen. My hands were clammy, and my voice wavered on the first slide, but as I moved forward, I could hear Caleb murmuring “You’ve got this” under his breath.

With a deep breath, I went through the slides that we all created together. With the notes and flow of how things were laid out, it was intuitive for me to go through.

By the time I hit the closing slide, I looked up to see them all watching me—Caleb beaming proudly, Xavier nodding in quiet approval, and Rafayel clapping lazily, his grin as smug as ever.

“Not bad,” Rafayel said. “That heartless bastard of a CEO might actually shed a tear with how good this is.”

“That’s because he’ll know he didn’t deserve you,” Caleb added with a grin.

I let out a shaky laugh, the tension finally starting to release from my shoulders. Maybe I could do this. Maybe I wasn’t drowning after all.

As we packed up for the day, I glanced at the completed presentation one last time. The task that had once felt insurmountable now looked manageable—even good. But as I logged off my laptop, I couldn’t shake the thought lingering at the back of my mind.

What does Sylus really want from this?