#will NOT get a clue that someone wants to team with him unless they say it directly to his face

[paziffic]

Etho is so neurodivergent coded

[motthe]

hi! omg I read one of your lumens au fics ages ago and loved it! I didn't expect to randomly find your blog lol. may I request something for vi that's angsty? like maybe the reader (I'm fine w/ gender neutral or fem, whatever you want) thinks that vi doesn't like them back? or if you don't like that, just..anything fluff/angst would be amazing. thanks :) totally get if you don't feel like doing this one though.

im glad you enjoyed whichever lumen au you read!! and thx for requesting!!

“Pick someone else.”

Sheriff Caitlyn paused from reading over her paperwork, slowly lowering it to raise a sharp eyebrow at you.

“Care to repeat that, officer?”

You cleared your throat, folding your arms behind your back and righting your stance. “Apologies, ma’am. I only mean to say, this pairing wouldn’t benefit the problem at hand. It would be better if you chose someone else for my position.”

“Yours?” she asked, tone flat. “Not Violet’s?”

“She’s an excellent officer,” you said. “She’ll get the job done.”

“And why wouldn’t you?” Your head officer set the papers down, intertwining her hands over them as she put her full attention forward.

“Well, it’s just that…” you fumbled, face twisting as your eyes fled to the corner of the room. “No, I mean, I would do my best on this job as well, but, uh—”

“Speak plainly, please,” she sighed back to the Caitlyn you knew in training, cement posture crumbling as she hunched over her desk. “I don’t have the energy for your rambling.”

“Hey, now,” you mumbled.

“Sorry.” She brought a hand to her temple, rubbing. “Long day. Why won’t you work with her?”

“It’s not that I won’t—” She snapped your name, patience idling on the edge. “She hates me.”

Caitlyn’s nose wrinkled, slender eyes narrowing as she muttered, “What?”

“She hates me,” you repeated. “It wouldn’t be good to pair us up on this mission.”

“You just started working with our team. Why would she hate you?” You waved your arms around, showing you clearly didn’t have the clue she was looking or. “She doesn’t hate you.”

“She does.”

“She does not!”

You brought a finger up. “She won’t speak to me unless it’s to poke fun or correct something, when I tried to invite her to a group dinner she flat out refused, she never trains with me…” you listed off. “She wants nothing to do with me. Please don’t pair us up.”

“I don’t have any other choice,” Caitlyn stated. “You’re the only two that can get this done, so I suggest you have a talk before you set out and come to a compromise.”

You wrapped your arms around yourself as she stood, patting your shoulder with a gentle smile.

“I really don’t think she hates you.”

“Yeah? Why?” you scoffed.

Caitlyn shrugged. “I’ve seen her hate people. Most of them are either behind bars, on the run, or dead.”

“Guess I better start running,” you sighed, thanking her as she held her office door open. It was late and all the desk lights were off, leaving the bullpen eerily empty. “Night, Sheriff.”

“Talk to her,” she called in farewell, shutting the door behind you.

The walk home was filled with the usual hangouts. Local cafe that sold the best pastries, couple of shops you frequented, a plant place with a sweet, young owner, and on the corner the closest bar to the police office that also stood opposite of your apartment. The neon sign burned your eyes. With tonight being a new moon, it was lit up like a beacon amongst the dark windows and closed signs.

You figured a nightcap couldn’t hurt and old Roger might lend an ear to your woes as he always did for his regulars who knew how to tip.

Entering the establishment, you chuckled as a few whistled and waved. You nodded, heading to the bar where more than a few seats were left open.

“Slow night?” you called as Roger set a clean pint glass on the shelves behind him. He was big enough to be the bouncer when he needed one, all broad shoulders and brooding face. Even with the age in his face, he was a handsome man and no doubt someone you’d crush on if you weren’t caught up another broad shouldered, brooding face.

“Oi,” he groaned, rolling his eyes as he spotted you, “turn the fuck around. You’ll make it go by even slower.”

“Aw, missed you too, old man,” you crooned, hopping up on the stool.

Resting your head in your hand, you watched him pour your usual, setting in front of you with a grumble before turning back to his shelving. “Been good?”

“What’s on your mind?”

“Huh?”

He leveled you with a glare. “I know you. Nights you come in this late, you’re looking for a distraction or an ear and it’s usually the latter. So which is it?”

You sipped your drink, avoiding his gaze. “Can’t I just check in on my favorite bartender?”

He grabbed a wet glass from a sink near the back wall, turning to rest against the counter as he grabbed the rag at his waist and got to work. He stared as you dipped into you drink again, the quiet hubbub of the handful of people and record player filling the space.

You sighed, head dropping onto your arm. “Sheriff wants me teaming up for a job.”

“There it is,” he groused.

“This coworker hates me. I don’t know how I’m supposed to work with her.”

“Which one?”

You didn’t fault him for not remembering everyone. Most enforcers came here after their shift, but you’d also just moved from the other office across the city. It was heaven. You’d been fighting to change since you moved into that apartment a year ago, and with Caitlyn being head honcho here you wanted to work under her. You’d always respected her from your time together in school. She was the best of the best.

“It’s Violet,” you sighed. “Specialized peacekeeper with the Hextech Gauntlets.”

“Ah,” nodded Roger, “Pinky.”

You snorted. “I’m sure she’d hate that nickname.”

“Oh, she does,” he chuckled, “just like you do, Ramble.”

“Hey,” you muttered as he shrugged. “Anyway, I’m supposed to talk to her and ‘compromise.’ I’m not sure how to do that when I don’t even know why she hates me.”

“Then ask,” he said as if it were the simplest thing in the world.

“Wow, thanks. Great advice.”

“Whatever the reason, I’m sure she’ll get over it. I did.”

“Gods, you’re lucky I like the drinks,” you muttered, taking another sip. “And that its Wednesday.”

“It ain’t.”

“Huh?” you yawned.

“It ain’t Wednesday,” he said. “It’s Thursday, ya dolt.”

“What?” You looked for a calendar. “I swore it was…”

“Can tell by the regulars most of the time,” he shrugged, “you’re Wednesdays.”

“Yeah, figures,” you huffed, pushing your empty glass forward. “Whose Thursdays?”

Roger grabbed your glass and smirked, nodding to your right.

“Pinky.”

You went stock still as someone sat next you, lowering your eyes towards your lap as Roger placed the two glasses in front of you.

“On my tab, Roger,” came that familiar overtone as a tattooed arm reached out for the pint. “Thanks.”

Roger grunted, heading off somewhere further down the bar. You slowly brought your hands up to your drink, bringing it over to sip at gingerly.

“So,” Violet began, that damn smugness coming out that always did when she was about to poke fun, “I hate you?”

You took a big gulp and hummed as it went down a little too slowly. “Yeah,” you breathed, “thanks for clarifying.”

She blew out a breath, raising the glass to her lips. “I don’t hate you.”

“Sure feels like it.”

“Listen, it’s been, what, two weeks since you joined our team?” she questioned, shrugging. “I’m not used to you, and I’m not a big fan of change.”

You turned in your seat, finally meeting her eyes. “Doesn’t mean you can’t be a bit more welcoming. I’ve been trying to, you know, meet you halfway.”

“I know,” she sighed, focus switching between your gaze. You never realized how close these bar seats were to each other until now. “You just…”

“What?” you mumbled.

“You’re too nice,” she sighed, pulling back and resting on the counter.

You rolled your eyes. And we’re back to square one.

“You want me to be mean?”

“I don’t think you have it in you,” she chuckled.

“You haven’t seen me in action,” you argued. “There’s a reason I was moved to this team, you know.”

“Yeah. You and Cupcake are friends.”

You couldn’t help it. That first drink had settled into your empty stomach making everything loose. You snorted.

“Oh my god, you think I’m a nepotism baby?” You ran a hand over your face, shoulders shaking. “No wonder you hate me.”

“I don’t hate you!” she groaned, rolling her neck.

“Caitlyn and I met in training, but we went to different stations. She didn’t bring me here, I fought to be a part of this squad. Also wanted to work closer to home.”

Violet raised an eyebrow at you.

“I live across the street,” you said, nodding over your shoulder at the door. “That’s why I always beat everyone to the station.”

“Thought you were just an early bird,” she scoffed, leaning back and regarding you with a new look. “You and Caitlyn are old friends, though?”

“Yeah, but nowhere as close as you two have been.” You wiggled your brow at her as she scowled.

“That’s history.”

You pursed your lips, squinting.

“It’s history,” she repeated, leaning closer. Your heart skipped as she entered your space. “Which you’re about to be if you keep teasing.”

“You’ve been teasing me since day one. I think I deserve to make you sweat a bit,” you murmured, tilting your head. “Honestly, I wish you’d given me a chance. I respect the shit out of you, y’know?”

“How many times do I have to say it? I don’t hate you,” she laughed. “I’m just getting used to you, Sweets.”

“Cupcake, Sweets. You have a sugar addiction I should worry about?”

She hummed, eyes flickering down for the swiftest second before she leaned back. You took another sip of your drink, your heart in your throat making it hard to swallow.

“Guess we’ll see.”

You smiled, cheeks hot.

Guess we will.

[reesespeanutbutterfuck]

love marks & battle scars

[rival! enemy! ken sato x baseball teammate! undercover KDF agent! reader]

part 1

drabble | part 2

pairing: kenji sato x reader

cw: sfw for now, rivals to lovers, enemies to lovers, hardcore!intimidating!reader, matsui’s daughter!reader, cursing, minimal details are changed to fit into the storyline, ken and reader will get kinda freaky eventually, spicy themes, allusions to sex, mdni u have been warned !!! don make me come for u D:< !!!, girldad!kenji, reader becomes emi’s mother figure, goofy ahhhh writing as usual

a/n: ch one takes place in ken's first game in the beginning btw

ken sato, your egotistical new teammate has been ticking you off and thinning your patience, being a threat to your place in yomiuri giants. 

ultraman, your nemesis who always gets in the way of your job in the kdf, that you only joined in hopes of finding leads and getting clues to track your parents.

and somehow you even ended up being a co-parenting his… kaiju daughter. something you never signed up for.

What beautiful, festive night with clear skies it is tonight. 

After lazily strolling through the back of the arena, Ken finally found his way to the open door leading to the bleachers, where he can already see the bright lights inside the dome and hear the cheers of the lively crowd. He elatedly took a deep breath before he entered the arena through the entrance that led him to his designated team, all in the middle of having an adrenaline rush. 

It was his first time playing as a member of the Yomiuri Giants. Very exciting. There really is nothing that gives his system a fulfilling rush than baseball.

Ah, what a nice night to–

“Oi, Sato!” 

Be nagged. Great way to prepare for a game.

“He-hey! Shimura!” with a smug smile, he merrily raised to greet Shimura like how an old friend would to another. “Nice team. Is the place for Captain open? Because I’d love to take you up on that.”

Shimura annoyedly narrowed his eyes at him. “Lucky you, it’s open, and also unlucky you, because that spot is good as reserved this season.”

Ken slightly tilted his head, “What’cha mean by reserved?”

“Technically, the Captain of last season would still be the unofficial Captain of this season until a new one gets decided. And I don’t plan to replace my current Captain anytime. Unless someone in the team can surpass them. Only the best players in my team are chosen as the Captain.”

He registered the information he heard. Just like an heir to a throne. A King. That sure sounds nice.

“So, this former Captain-current unofficial Captain of yours has been the team Captain for consecutive seasons? Then, that must’ve only meant he’s unbeatable. He better watch his back if he wants to maintain his streak.” now that he’s here, surely not.

Shimura failed to contain the slight smirk that plastered itself on one side of his lips. In the side of his face that is out of Ken’s line of vision, so Ken doesn’t see. He thinks, clearly he doesn’t know what he’s saying nor who he's dealing with. 

“I’ll introduce you to the acting Captain of this team as a formality.” he chose to play it cool and not push it further, it’d be better if he observes you himself.

“Where’s [L/N]?” Shimura asked the busy team, getting their attention to him and Ken because of the mention of the last name. He scanned the team, seemingly looking for someone yet guessing from his furrowed brows and craning of his neck, it seems that the acting Captain that he’s looking for isn’t here.

“Arrived not a while ago. Still at the back, Coach.” one of his teammates in the middle of tying their shoelaces answered and jerked their thumb towards the door trailing to the locker room.

“It'll have to wait later, then.” Shimura acknowledged, “By the way, about your little imaginary advertisement title during the PressCon. Just to remind you again, no place for your so-called Ken Sato Show in my team. So don't try me.” Shimura warned him while pointing his index finger on his chest.

Ken raises both of his hands defensively forcing laughter. “Okay, okay. Got it.”

Ken’s attention drifted to someone emerging straight to the team out of nowhere, wearing a dark tinted helmet and a motorcycle jacket.

“[L/N], about time.” Shimura turned his head to you in relief. In Ken’s point of view, it’s like your arrival meant the team was saved. Looks like even Shimura has his favorites. Too bad you’re going to be dethroned soon. “Did you forget your batting helmet so you wore a motorcycle helmet instead?” Shimura pointed out your outlandish attire.

You let out a muffled snicker under your helmet. You held the helmet with your hands to take it off. Ken waited to see the face of his newfound rival under the helmet, fully expecting a man, preparing to say something to assert dominance over you. His expectant smile dropped when after you removed your helmet and shook your head to free your hair, the moment your hair flowed and his eyes lay on your face, was also the moment he realized...

You were not a man.

The Captain of the Giants… is a woman?

What the f–

Well, he wasn’t trying to be sexist or anything. No, no, not at all. He knows a lot of strong women in his life—his mother is a solid proof one of many. He acknowledges women are just as capable as men. It’s just, it’s been so long since he was last updated with the Giants even before he got in. First reason is because he really doesn’t care about the identities of his future teammates. And second, because he—what’s the term?—Lost interest in them when he cut off everything associated with Japan, because it reminded him of his dad who traded him and his mother to the Ultraman gig. Gosh, how long has it been? 

“Where did you come from?” 

“Audience’s entrance. Your interviewers are camped in the corridor on the way to the locker rooms.” You tossed your helmet to the nearby bench. 

My god, not even your height or the way your physique looked under your baggy jacket gave away the fact that you were a woman.

Ken, after a moment of being taken aback by your appearance, straightened himself subtly when you glanced at him for a few seconds. He’s not nervous, is he? Of course not. No one ever makes him, the Ken Sato nervous. He fought the urge to hit his own head with his palm. For god’s sake, Kenji, snap out of it.

“Who’s this?” Your tired eyes shift from him to Shimura. You don't know him? Once again, you did it. The fact that you didn’t know him added to the damage you did to his ego.

He observed you closely. You had a stern expression, sharp eyes, a prim, somewhat almost restrained appearing composure and a low, sultry voice. He does admit, your intimidating aura really does reflect that of a leader. Oddly attractive.

Yet not enough to distract him from his goal.

“Your new teammate, Ken Sato.” Shimura answered with his hand gesturing toward Ken. “Sato, this is our consecutive Captain, [Y/N L/N].” Shimura introduces you to him. 

Shimura’s words echoed in Ken’s ear. “only the best players are chosen as the Captain”, You’re the best player of this team. You, in front of him, right now. 

“Nice to meet you, Captain.” Ken forced a smile, trying to pull himself together.

Your eyes went back to him after, he can tell you’re sizing him up. It didn't take long before Ken got lost in his thoughts again. You had a sharp gaze, one that if it were possible to kill, he would be down lying on the floor. Your gaze almost even looks like a glare already. 

He was snapped out of his thoughts when after moments of not moving, you walked towards his direction. He expectantly prepared himself mentally to converse with you, but he was beyond shocked when you walked past him.

What… 

What?

Did that really just happen? It did. The proof was the trail of your scent you left walking past him. Your perfume smelled musky, yet also sweet. Not painful to the nose. 

He’d lie if he said he wasn’t expecting you to interact with him, welcome him in your team or initiate anything, anything at all. But you just… didn’t care? Shouldn’t Team Captains, even acting ones greet new teammates? If he were the Captain he’d do it. Is this how they welcome teammates in Tokyo? He had never been this humbled in his whole life.

Shimura didn’t have any reaction, as if it was just what he had already expected from you. You sat at your team’s side of the bleachers to change your shoes and wear your face guard, not even looking back in their direction to even lay your eyes on him again. Ken still cannot believe what had just happened. He’s stupid for expecting, and you’re clearly not friendly, and it’s fine. He can take that. 

On the bench, you stifled a yawn. If you yawn freely, Shimura would notice it with his hawk eyes and nag you asking why’d you tire yourself out before a game and of course you cannot disclose why. You woke up on the wrong side of the bed today because of the aftermath of your discreet job outside baseball. Neronga was a resistant one, you’d say. If Ultraman hadn’t meddled with your mission, you would’ve finished the job sooner and you would’ve had enough rest.

“Yo, Captain.” one of your teammates, Otomo, approached you.

“Stop calling me that.”

“Why? You were the Captain last season, and surely you’ll still be in this one.”

You glared at him and diverted your attention to your shoelaces without replying.

“What’d you think about our new teammate?” Nothing but a show-off. “Heard a while ago Sato over there was also aiming for the same title.” Otomo gestured his head to Sato.

Your hands continued tying your laces. You’d like a healthy competition. Whatever he wants. You don’t care about the Captain title on its own, anyway. You only care about being Captain because it meant you were the best out of everyone in the team. While Sato was changing in the locker room, you stood up after you finished wearing and fixing your baseball gear.

You were fixing the soles of your shoes when your vision caught some of your teammates piling up while watching something on their mobile phones. Some of them seemed to be genuinely fanboying on Sato and some of them didn't like him. You? You're part of the latter, like these guys.

“[L/N], it’s Sato’s PressCon last night. Come watch with us. He claimed himself the greatest active player.” you overheard as they kept replaying that one part over and over and laughing. You were right. That Sato is conceited. And he’s not even subtle about it.

Greatest active player, huh. You’d like to see if he can walk his talk.

Before the game started, Shimura called you all to discuss the sequence. And you and Sato were accidentally placed beside each other.

“You lead.” Shimura points at your direction. You weren't sure who, because Sato was placed little more in front of you.

“Coach, do you mean, me?” You clarified.

“No, Sato.” he pointed at the new guy, Sato. “You’re first one up. Bat.”

Your narrow eyes focused on this Sato guy. You sized him up once again. Usual pretty boy, pretty face, but petty attitude. What’s special about him? First impressions, off. But, you do have to see how he plays first to judge him.

“He’s the best player in his former team. Let him lead.”

You wordlessly retreated and stepped back to give way to the players. You stared at his back containing his jersey number, Sato, number seven.

Meanwhile in front, Ken fights the urge to look at you. “Don’t worry guys, I’m about to change this team’s trajectory just tonight.” he confidently walked off with the same cocky smile.

Although it’s a bummer he won’t get the chance to watch you play first, he took the opportunity and stepped inside the court. He took his mind off of everything not inside the court. He has to focus. This is his time to prove himself. 

You do want to be the best, but you don’t always expect to be the best. There’s a fine line that differs between those two. Although, yes, your father would be displeased if he finds out you’re anything but the best. But if he's always a show-off, then you already have that advantage over him. He isn’t a formidable competition at all.

The crowd screeched when his face went all over the jumbotron's LED screen. While in the point of view of the audience, it’s very noticeable how he seemed uncomfortable with his left shoulder. Looks like it isn’t just you who has a skill issue today. He still had the strength to bicker with the catcher from the other team, though. He’ll be fine.

The game began, the pitcher pitched. He missed. The second pitch, he missed again.

Your face crumpled. You made a point once again. He, in fact, can’t walk his talk. You crossed your arms and sank your back against the backrest of the bench. You’ve lost interest in the game.

Disappointing.

For the third time, the pitcher pitches, and for the last chance that he had, he hit the ball. Oh, lucky is he. The crowd goes wild, the commentator announces the successful bat and the giant screen shows his face. Even if he batted successfully on the third, it didn’t reverse the disappointment you felt now that you can judge him. He then came running the bases.

You looked away and rested your chin against your palm with crossed legs, not paying attention to the game, but all of a sudden, your eyes caught something familiarly strange flying outside the dome. 

Is that…

You squinted to see clearly, and when you saw it again, your eyes widened. It vanished again for a while, but your sighting of KDF jets told you everything you needed to know to confirm what it was. You flinched in your seat when one of the KDF jets crashed and exploded near the dome, interrupting the game, also startling the people inside the dome who were now instinctively starting to evacuate the area. In the middle of the flames of the explosion, the creature emerged and showed itself clearly, just exactly as the one you suspected.

“Gigantron.” You and Ken mouthed at the same time, from different spots inside the dome.

The creature roars, frightening people even more. Everything was chaos, like that of a dystopia. People were pushing each other in the exits to get out of the dome as soon as possible. You stood up from your seat, picked your helmet up from the bottom bench, not turning your back on Gigantron, you pushed the door with your palm to the nearest exit. You pushed your way through the waves of people until you reached your motorcycle outside.

You revved the engine and sped up en route to the KDF headquarters. You need to get there before the last jet takes off.

—

In the dim-lit interior of the KDF Headquarters, Chief Officer Dr. Onda silently watches the monitor screen.

Aoshima, the KDF Captain hurriedly went to him after the difficult situation unfolded. “Sir, we have an emergency. Gigantron has ambushed our jets and taken it down. The package cannot be tracked, as of now.”

“Is Saturnine inside the headquarters right now?”

“Uh, Agent Saturnine is currently off-duty tonight, Sir.” Aoshima responded, wondering why out of everyone, he specifically asked about Saturnine.

Dr. Onda exhales and doesn't reply further. He maintained his stoned expression under his aviators. He focused on the monitor cameras showing the chaos the Gigantron made.

His forehead creases in distress. “Scramble all jets. Kill Gigantron. Do what you can to retrieve the package.” he orders his personnel.

“Yes, sir.”

***

© reesespeanutbutterfuck 2024, don forget to support your creators by reblogging !!!

incomp taglist (do comment if u wanna be added): @moonjellyfishie @aise-30 @lovingyeet @ririkacchi

[bloodyinkandquill]

Rocket and sibling Reader

ok it is a full week since i last worked on any of these, lets try and get like three done and post them all, we got rocket and singling reader first coolio, ok technically we have shuriken x knife reader then toxic yuri reader x scythe but i have no clue what to do for the shuriken x knife reader imma reach out to the requester if they didn’t request on anon and ill do the scythe after this because i kin rocket so i wanna do this first, even if i self ship with scythe

- Even if Pokémon doesn’t exist in the world of Phighting you and your brother are straight up Team Rocket Jessie and James, one of you spawned, hung around the spawn building for a little while when suddenly ‘you have a sibling here you go’

haven’t worked on this since the 21st it’s the 15th now, ok let’s do this shit i’ve got kesha playing for motivation it’s only 10:30 i got this… let me read his wiki real quick so this is as accurate as possible, alright let’s do this, chappell roan decided to play but im not complaining about good luck babe

- Even thought one of you is older by a few months, maybe a year at most, you just decide to say you’re twins, sharing a spawn day even if legally that is not your spawning day, while still in the spawn building’s care you get each other a small but heartfelt gift, either stolen, bought with stolen money, or hand made, you both kept every gift

- You both had explosive and dangerous gears, and with how violent Playground is you both end up angry and in a lot of fights, but the only demon either of you let your guard down around is each other, dressing the others knuckles with stolen gauze as they either boast about the fight they just won or grumble that they didn’t even try

- Since unless you’re both in private you don’t let your guards down if either of you wanna discretely say ‘I’m here’ you softly bump horns, almost in a pavlovian fashion both of you instantly calm down some

- You two only really had each other so you both were very clingy to each other, falling asleep in whatever shelter you could cuddling to conserve warmth, and it makes it easier to protect each other in case someone stumbles upon you two, usually thought you would take turns sleeping and the other would keep watch, Playground is fucking dangerous so neither of you felt too comfortable both sleeping at the same time, especially when you had no home, just abandoned buildings or dark forgotten alleyways

- Rocket is a bit more reckless than you, so you on probably four, maybe five separate occasions had to grab him and book it, a wrongly timed and placed rocket and people were chasing you wanting you dead, he’d laugh maniacally and you would join him, once you two were somewhere safe that is, but if you got hurt because of him he’d feel like shit, if it was bad he might even cry and beg for you to forgive him, but you could never stay mad at your brother, after all you only had each other

- When the incident happened that cost him an arm and a leg you weren’t spared, coming out with your own bad injuries too, you both knew, you had to get out of this place, it was too dangerous and you couldn’t loose each other, so you left once and for all, vowing to never come back

- -Skip to after Zuka adopts you i’ve wrote how i think that went down before for a creative writing assignment i don’t wanna do it again sue me

- You slowly began to relax, Zuka gaining your trusts slowly but steadily, giving you what you needed, space, a shoulder to lean on, a trip to a rage room, whatever, overtime you both calmed down more, redirecting your anger to pyromania, ok maybe not the best but fire and explosions were fun!

- One day Zuka called to you that you had guests, when you went to the living room the last thing you expected to see was a deity but his son was chill, the three of you got along great, slowly becoming amazing friends, when he recounted a time two years ago he dyed his horns green to match his dad it gave Rocket an idea

- From that day onwards Rocket had you or Sword help him carve his horns to look more like your adoptive father, you’d chat, gossip, smack talk, and bicker while shaving down the extra parts on your bother’s horns, it was during one of these monthly times that you jokingly suggested maybe you two could become phighters, fast forward two months later you were sneaking out to go sign up for the next phight, Zuka wouldn’t approve so it was easier to ask for forgiveness then to ask for permission

- Even as you two changed your relationship never really did, you two stayed incredibly close, still pretending you were twins and even if you were no longer alone you both knew you could rely on each other to hell and back

coolio hope this is good lemme work on the next one, it’s 11 if i keep up with this pace i’ll have the three finished before midnight then i can do the final request(s?) tomorrow morning since i’ve got classes

[anonymityisfunwriter]

I Don't Like You

Part of The Grumpy X Sunshine Series Anon's 1K Celebration

The first mistake you made was not paying attention during a team meeting, especially one that was dividing up assignments for the next month.

The second mistake you made was listening to Sam.

And if you listened to Bucky, arguably, the third mistake you made was being friends with Sam in the first place.

You don't have a clue what's going on until you hear your name being called. Your head snaps up to Tony, who seems acutely aware that no one is paying attention to him, "Huh?"

"Just say yes," Sam whispers from beside you.

"Uh, yes! That's fine!"

"Perfect! Thank you for volunteering!"

You quirk an eyebrow, "Volunteering?"

"To take Sam's place on the mission next week?"

The mission that no one wanted, the one Sam was desperately trying to get out of but couldn't unless someone volunteered. You turn to Sam with a glare that would most definitely make Bucky proud, "I do not like you right now."

Sam brightly smiles and pats you on the shoulder, "And I’m okay with that."

AnonymityIsFun Masterlist Grumpy Sunshine Series

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[lunarw0rks]

Through The Ashes | Chapter Six

Summary: You've been given an offer to join the 141 Task Force. Upon taking it, you find yourself ensnared with the mysterious masked man who won't take his eyes off you.

Warning(s): explicit content (18+), jealous!ghost, car sex, fingering, bite play kinda?, p in v sex, size kink??, themes of terrorism, canon-typical violence, depictions of death, PTSD themes

A/N: i hope you enjoy! | Word Count: 3.9k

꒦꒷ MAIN MASTERLIST ꒷꒦ GHOST MASTERLIST ⋆ ⚘ 🕊 ˚✧ ₊˚ʚ prev. chapter | next chapter // requests | ao3 | playlist

Do Not Negotiate

When you arrived in Chicago, the sounds of the busy city never stopped. The number of civilians walking around at any given moment made you sick to your stomach. They have no clue what kind of danger they’re in—the violence you’re witness to every day.

“Laswell says Hassan was picked up and brought somewhere Downtown. They smuggled the missile here, but the target location they’re after is still unknown.” Price’s voice rang over the burner phone. He ended the call before you could say another word.

You tossed the phone into a trashcan and kept walking, scoping out the district you’ll be hiding out in with your team.

A hand pops out of the dark alleyway and yanks you into it. You’re about to reach for your pistol, but stop when you see his eyes. “What the fuck is wrong with you? I almost shot you!” You exclaimed, looking around you in case someone was eyeing the two of you.

“You’re practically walking around with a target on your back, Sergeant,” His voice emerges more as a growl.

“I went out for some fresh air, the hideout is only a few blocks away.” You say in your defense, removing yourself from his grip. “You’re the one slithering around in the dark, Sir.”

Ever since he spilled his guts to you in Las Almas, there was an eerie serene feeling between the two of you. You had no choice but to stay professional. You heavily doubt he’ll make the mistake of being vulnerable around you again.

“I’ve been tailing you since you walked out the door. You need better ears.”

You scoffed at the audacity of him being anywhere near you. He wouldn’t be unless he was ordered to. “Price put you on this? I didn’t ask for a babysitter.”

He finally steps out of the darkness, continuing to follow behind each step you take. “Captain’s worried about you.” He’s taunting you.

“Yeah, I’m sure he is.” You keep your distance ahead of him, picking up the pace of your walk. The sooner you get back to the hideout, the sooner this conversation will end.

You finally approach the building, not bothering to hold the door open for him when you walk inside. He’s seconds behind you, instantly splitting off from beside you to go off on his own. The makeshift work area is more simply a room with a few chairs, some laptops, and a few bedrolls. You never thought you’d be missing the lodging in Las Almas, but this place made you do just that.

“You sure we can’t add some wallpaper, Cap?” Soap asks Price, who is less than impressed at the joke. You stifled a smirk and proceeded to your “bed”, hoping to finally catch up on the sleep you’d lost the past few weeks. Your body was exhausted by this point.

You were dragged out of your sleep by a boot nudging your rubs, making your lids snap open. You scowled at Soap, who seemed amused with himself.

“We’re going for drinks. Might do you some good to have fun once and a while.” His words are followed by a sneer.

There’s no point in going back to sleep now, you’re wide awake. At least this time there won’t be any suppressed feelings with Ghost—he’s made his feelings, or lack of them very clear—so why not?

You put on a pair of casual boots, pushing yourself to your feet. “Are you only asking me because Ghost didn’t want to come with you?” His reaction to that question answered it for you, making you roll your eyes sarcastically. That’s exactly why he asked you. At least you didn’t have to feel Ghost’s passionless eyes watching your every move for once.

You went over to the mirror in the corner, seeing the bruising on your face had reduced down to small bits of discoloration, no longer a deep shade of rusty violet.

You then slipped on some of the only civilian clothes you packed — a pair of black skinny jeans and a plain shirt paired with a khaki parka to shield you from the rain.

“You look fine.” Soap says, growing impatient at you nitpicking yourself. “Don’t worry about the scars, men find it sexy.” He guides you to the door as if he’s practically shoving you out the door to let loose. You know he’s just gassing you up so you don’t spend the entire evening a sourpuss.

—

You and Soap meet the rest of the team, except for Ghost—who’s out there doing God knows what. For the first time, you’re actually enjoying yourself with them, all in spite of the stressful work that brought you to the city.

You’re sat at the end of the table you were all sharing, merely listening to their conversations, which are complete nonsense by now.

Soap gets up from the seat next to you, leaving it open. “I’ll go get us another round.” You keep your eyes on the drink you’re holding, savoring the bitterness of it when you sip from it. You’d rather relax and laugh at them, instead of with them.

“Where’d you get the scars? They’re badass.” A random bellowed over the crowd, emerging from it. “You some kind of secret agent or something?” He slurs his words and looks as if he can barely keep himself upright.

Your team was still occupied in their drunk conversation, which would probably save you the embarrassment of being flirted with in front of them.

“She’d tell you, but then she’d have to kill you.” The man's eyes widened a bit in fear, and he stumbled away, disappearing into the crowd of patrons again.

You turned around, seeing Ghost standing behind you with a puffed chest. The others didn’t pay much mind to what happened if they even noticed at all. The music playing in the bar stifled almost everything, and you were at the end of the table. He follows the man with his eyes, making sure he was fully gone before he responded. 

He’s dressed the most casually you’ve seen him—a tight black tee with an Army green pair of cargo pants, and in place of the balaclava is a black face mask.

You tightened your brow and set your drink on the table. “Thought you weren’t coming.” You stayed detached with your tone, acting as if you didn’t care whether he was there or not.

“Changed my mind…” His words had a hidden undertone to them, as if he wanted to say more, but didn’t.

You almost retort, but it’s pointless. Once he’s made up his mind, there’s little chance of going back on it. You expect him to sit in the empty seat beside you, but he stays standing, looking like he wants out of the busy bar as soon as possible.

You look down at the time on your phone and leave enough cash to pay your tab. You then stand up from the stool and walk out of the bar, seeing the rental Simon had parked at the entrance.

“Mind giving me a lift?” He was kind enough to inhibit a flirty conversation, so the least he can do is drive you home. He remains silent and climbs inside, waiting for you to get in as well.

As he pulls out of the space, you can’t take it anymore. “I have to ask… How long were you watching us? You timed that cockblock surprisingly well.”

He almost steers off the road at the sudden vulgarity, but there was no sense in beating around the bush. You two have seen too much of each other for that. He turns his head to look at you, then returns his attention to the slick road ahead.

If he were to be honest, he was watching, just not the group. He was watching you.

“Way to keep it professional, Sergeant.” You can tell he’s trying to hide a smile, but the crinkle around his eyes tells you otherwise. “I wasn’t watching… I was—”

“—Watching, spying, the same thing, L.T.” You cut him off, resting your head against the window. “Besides, I thought you over anyone would’ve been in there having a drink.”

“Too bloody loud in there, not my scene.” He replied, reaching the street the hideout was on.

You sneer at him, “Oh, right, I forgot—you only drink alone without any lights on.” You recall the night you and him did just that when you were still new to the team.

He looks over at you, giving an offended glare through the mask, even though deep down he knew you were only playing with him.

That was the first night you looked at him that way. If you had known how things would turn out, you would’ve pushed the desires away the second they flooded you, which was easier said than done. 

You weren’t the master of suppressing feelings like he was; that stung a little to think about.

He parks beside the curb, shutting off the engine. You can tell he’s deep in thought again, almost near dissociation. He couldn’t for the life of him figure out why he wanted anything to do with you, and vice versa. After everything? The confusion he put you through?

“I should probably get to bed.” You reach for your bag, which is at your feet. Your hand is hovering over the handle, ready to push it open.

“That bloke in the bar,” he freezes you in your tracks, “why’d you give him the time of day?”

You took your hand off the table and looked at him with a baffled expression.

“Because there wouldn’t be baggage attached.” You reply facetiously, your mouth still slightly agape in shock. “Why are you so curious?”

“You need better judgment. He was pathetic.”

“You sure you didn’t have anything to drink, Sir?” You asked teasingly. You were wondering where this sudden vigilance came from since he showed up behind you at the bar.

“Painfully sober, Sergeant…”

Your faces were only inches apart now, both staring at one another over the center console. It was the same look he gave you before he kissed you weeks ago—a look of appetite. This time, you initiated the ravenous kiss before he had time to rethink it. You pulled down his mask and pushed your lips toward his.

His hands were gripping your shoulders, and you were climbing into the driver’s seat without a hitch. You break away for air, resting your forehead against his as you look into his eyes for any sign of hesitation. There is none, but you can tell he’s holding himself back.

“I’m sorry.” He whispered into your mouth as if that was going to stop you now.

You trace your thumb along his Adam’s apple, giving it a little pressure. “There’s no rule saying we have to like each other.” His eyes flash a deeper look of arousal at your words as if that’s what he was waiting to hear.

He keeps one hand on your waist, and the other pulls your shirt and jacket off, allowing him to run his tongue down your cleavage. He nibbles on the skin of your breast while you let out a gasp. Last time, he barely did anything to serve you, so it was a new palette of sensations to experience.

He bites down on the cup of your bra, then lets it go, letting it harshly snap against your breast. Your breathing hitches, feeling the sting of it afterward.

He forces his fingers down your waistband, running his fingers over your clothed clit. You shakily gasped, feeling his cock begin to harden through his pants. Not long after, you slipped them off, careful not to elbow the horn behind you. Now you’re in your panties, straddling his clothed length.

You’re stomach to stomach with him. He lifts you up briefly to slide his pants down to his mid-thighs, now exposing his cock to you. You’re more focused on seeing his face, instead of just his eyes—or like last time, only his mouth.

This time it’s his whole face right there in front of you, a sight you never thought you’d have the privilege of seeing. His chiseled jaw, small scars riddling his face; and most of all the chestnut-brown eyes eye-fucking you.

You begin to tremor your hips against him, feeling your wetness soak through the fabric so much you could see it seeping on his manhood already.

He grunts and shoves you off of it, instead pulling the tongue of your panties to the side, inserting his middle and ring finger inside your moistened walls, curling them into an arch, which only heightened the feeling of pleasure.

He slowly inserted his lengthy fingers into you over and over again, making you grind against them for more. You could finish from his skilled hands alone. He flicked his from his own fingers, up to your face, noticing your eagerness for more of him. He took that as his sign to continue.

When he removes his digits, you guide yourself onto him, sinking slowly to make sure you’re adjusted to his size first.

“Fuck, you feel good around me…” He trembles, his eyes rolling back against the headrest of the seat.

It took a few moments, but eventually, the feeling of him inside of you made you whimper, getting quicker as you panted into his mouth. You leaned into the crook of his neck as he gripped onto your hips, guiding your movements when you grew too sensitive to keep consistent. You clenched around him tightly in response, causing him to shutter in anticipation for more.

“You can take more than that, Love.” He whispered into your ear, gripping your hips tighter before forcing them all the way down on his length with one rough shove. A sharp cry escaped your lips at the sudden change in the amount of length you were taking.

He seemed more than amused at your reaction, continuing to harshly put you down on him, and all you could do was sit there. He secretly loved the way you let him manhandle you, making you take him however he pleased.

Your hand pressed against the frosted window, the warmth of your hand causing a visible print to show on the outside.

Your thighs burned as the motion worked their muscles, sure to make you sore in the morning. In the moment, you didn’t feel the fatigue, only the feeling of his tip deep inside of you, brushing against your cervix. His size bulged through your stomach if you looked closely at it.

You expected him to get sloppy as he was nearing his climax, but he kept his stamina the entire time, using every bit of his strength to keep guiding your body. Hushed, low grunts escaped his lips, most muffled by his mouth against your neck as he rode out his high.

He placed the heel of his hand against your bud, lightly pressing down, so with each thrust you got some friction on it. When your moans got more out of control, he continued thrusting upwards into you, covering your mouth with the other hand to ensure no one nearby could hear.

With a few slamming thrusts that became more spaced out, he released inside of you, coating your entrance as he pulled himself out. You’re slumped against him as you catch your breath, finally relaxing your exhausted muscles.

He traces his fingers over your shoulder blades, then down the curve of your spine, as if to soothe the weakness he knows you’re experiencing.

He kissed your neck tenderly as you peeled yourself off his lap, back into the passenger side. You tongued your bottom lip, still running off the euphoric high you just experienced. He reached down and grabbed your bottoms, allowing you to get redressed.

It was ironic. Even after him being deep inside of you, practically exploring every inch of you, you still couldn’t say a word to him. Nor could he, still feeling like he was using you in some way—like he was repeating old mistakes.

You opened the car door, clenching your wallet in your fist. You catch a glimpse of your reflection in the windshield; your cheeks are flushed, hair a mess, lips still puffy from his bites.

He remains in the car, watching you as you return to the inside of the safehouse.

When you arrive inside, a sense of relief washes over you, seeing that none of the boys are back yet. Thank God for you—there would be few ways to explain your appearance away.

Surely, them seeing you leave the bar so abruptly was going to be suspicious enough, you didn’t need more.

You take a lengthy shower, using the steam to soothe the tension you’re carrying. When you exit the bathroom, everyone is back from the bar. Price is working somewhere in the shadows, Gaz is typing away on his laptop.

You overhear Soap’s prying through the paper thin walls.

“Something you’re not telling me, Ghost?”

“Like what, Johnny?”

“Don’t act coy, L.T. The handprint… you took someone on a joyride.”

Your cheeks heat up in humiliation, praying that Ghost will explain it away somehow. If a loudmouth like Soap finds out, you’ll never hear the end of it. Not to mention Price. Oh God, Price…

“You’d get the chance if you focused on yourself, Johnny. I ain’t telling you the details.”

You give a hefty sigh of relief, moving away from your eavesdropping position when the two men emerge from the kitchen. You pretend to be flipping through the pages of the book you bought, laying on your back on the bedroll. In reality, you’re using the book as a prop to hide your facial expression.

“Goodnight.” Soap says as he slips inside of his bedroll, which of course has to be parallel to yours—and he’s senselessly unaware of the stages of grief his gossiping just put you through. You mutter a goodnight in return, gazing at the cracks in the ceiling above you.

—

“Did you hear what I said, Private?” Price’s stern voice snaps you out of your blank stare.

“Right,” You start, examining the eyes on you from each member of your team. “We’re going to find Hassan somewhere downtown, and redirect the missiles.” You repeat what he briefed, only getting a squint in response.

You were right, technically, so there’s no proof you weren’t listening. In reality, you’re combing over everything that happened yesterday.

Fucking each other was better than being at one another’s throats—but you were somehow stuck in the purgatory between the two. You’ll just keep doing what you’ve been forcing yourself to do for months—shut everything off, and get the damn job done.

Why was this so hard to keep up? Maybe he was right, and you really weren’t meant to be with someone like him, otherwise you’re plagued by a debate of being honest or changing the way you feel completely. 

You risk losing any semblance of trust or losing yourself.

—

“Laswell will be completing our overwatch. Hassan is surrounded by loyal, heavily-trained AQ reinforcements. I want all of you to stick together, and keep civilian casualties to a minimum. Everyone got it?”

Everyone is laser focused as your vans speed through the streets of Chicago, swerving through rush hour traffic as you race for the downtown. You grip your weapon tightly, keeping your eyes peeled for anyone who seems out of place. You need to find the missile control before Hassan is tipped off on your team’s presence and decides to detonate.

The brakes jerk everyone in the seats as fast as their feet are at hitting the pavement. You’ve reached one of the target buildings—a shell company owned by the Las Almas Cartel.

“You have authority to execute any hostiles. Find that missile control and shut it down.” Price booms through the comms. You do just that, following in formation as you sweep the building.

These AQ soldiers weren’t just following orders like the Shadows—no, they were here to cause chaos among innocents—you didn’t have any doubt as you dropped any you faced.

“Finish evac on the civilians, Garrick. We’re heading toward the Control Room.” You follow behind Soap and Ghost, finally reaching your destination. Ghost hovers in front of the control panel, Laswell in his ear instructing him on how to disarm the missile.

You’re on your toes as you guard the room, looking outside at the city bustling in the distance, no clue what kind of danger they’re in.

“Copy. Entering disarm code now, Laswell.” With a few beeps, he succeeds in disarming it. You resume your position behind them as you retreat back down the levels.

Now, you needed to find Hassan. He’s still out there, still just as dangerous without the missile as he was with it.

When you reach the outside, you hear distant gunshots from a few blocks away, making your squad scramble back inside the vehicle. As you race even faster than before, you hear the emerging screams of civillians.

You don’t remember getting out of the car, just that you’re now in cover behind a stone fountain, hearing gunfire ricochet around you. You peek out and open fire at the targets—each one you drop is a breadcrumb to Hassan.

“Parkway is clear. Moving on to the shopping plaza on Main Street. Multiple civilian casualties along the way, Sir.” You speak into your radio, tiptoeing along the streets as your forced to listen to the misery around you.

“Alleyways are clear.” Gaz emerges from them, meeting in the middle with Ghost, Soap, and you.

You eventually reach the middle of the Plaza, where Hassan is hidden somewhere. By now, he’ll be more reckless, and with even less to live for. You felt the anger bubble in your stomach when you saw innocents injured, or crying out as they held their dead loved ones. It made you sick to your stomach, no matter how many times you have seen it.

“I would rather die than surrender!” Hassan’s voice is heard from somewhere above, making your team stop in their tracks. You spot him, standing above on one of the apartment complexes, holding a grenade in his fist.

You aim your sights at him. “Visual on target, Captain. He’s on top of the apartment complex by the market.”

He responds to your call quickly and firmly. “Do not negotiate. Execute the target before more people are blown to bits.”

“You don’t get to surrender, Hassan. Look around you. Look at the innocents you’ve killed.” Soap thunders up at him, his lips pressed into a tight line of disgust.

“My message will always carry. My men will always fight, even after I’m gone.” He reaches for the pin of the grenade and loops his finger through it. Your scope doesn’t leave his head, even at the prospect of being blown apart.

You don’t think. You don’t breathe. You shoot—instantly watching as he tumbles over the railing of the balcony, causing a gruesome scene that painted the street below.

You should be relieved that no one else got hurt, but you’re not. The feeling of numbness is quick to stifle any appreciation you’re receiving. You wince at the sight of his corpse, forcing yourself to advert your eyes.

“Good shots.” Soap pats your shoulder, but you have no reaction to the praise. You didn’t deserve any of it. It felt wrong. All you could picture were the innocents that lost their lives today, the ones who are going home without a loved one tonight, those who will have no visitors in the hospital.

“Target is down, Sir.” You affirm into the radio, staring vacuously at the people you couldn’t save in time.

TAGLIST: @neoarchipelago @ghostlythots @gothgirl6-6-6 @cloudyyjanee @ladyelissarose @almightywdm @glitterypirateduck @brokenghostgirl1

[acutecoral]

I really want to vod Foolish so much and catch up to what he's been up to

Mostly because there's something about the way he roleplays that I became very aware with, especially after OPQ

He is extremely conscious and deliberate when it comes to his roleplay of his characters.

Every choice, every act, everything he says and doesn't say? That's all him playing to his character, and oh boy is his character is so subtle and nuanced beneath the silly goofy side that most people know him by on the server

He's amazing at roleplay! It kind of blew me away when he played in OPQ!

He did things that he as a person would probably likely not do, but his character definitely would! And he stuck to them! That's not easy! I mean I personally had trouble doing that when I was first starting out playing ttrpgs. It's hard to stick to a character choice when you know it's not the smart thing to do as the player. It’s hard to detach yourself from your personal motivations and fully immerse yourself in your character's, but he does it so well! He's absolutely underrated!

Ever since I realised that, I've been keeping a closer eye to Foolish recently and what he's saying, not saying, and subtly hinting...and maybe not so subtly hinting

Like the exchange between him and Cellbit yesterday

Like!!! I don’t know how every Foolish mains feel, but THIS MANS IS TRYING SO HARD TO CLUE CELLBIT IN THAT THEY’RE ON THE SAME TEAM, BUT!!! CELLBIT JUST DOESN'T GET IT!!! I'M SO!!!! RHRHEGRH

Like I get it from Cellbit perspective, because there was always the intention of taking down the Federation completely, there's that rage and anger and vengeance to destroy an establishment that's hurt you and countless others, but from the conversations Bad and Foolish were having before with aquariums and fish, Foolish seeks to reform the Federation from the inside and become the head of it even if he knows it's unlikely, but I find his steady climb to the top absolutely fascinating, and I'm excited!!! Because this ties in so well with what we've been getting about how federation workers ARE PEOPLE. They have feelings and families and friends and hopes and dreams and desires!!! Not that I'm saying that he's doing it for them, but! I just find his approach extremely interesting and just plays to those themes we've been getting really well.

His character motivations are so subtle because unless you let go of your perception of him being a silly goofy chaotic guy, and pull back what says and pick on what he doesn't say, or here where he's absolutely directly telling someone his deal, then you won't catch it what he's trying to tell you. He hides it so well that not even the Feds or Resistance or everyone else besides Bad and Jaiden know what to make of him.

For me, he's definitely playing to the character archetype of Crouching Moron, Hidden Badass and just!!!! Foolish is so good guys, I need to watch him and catch up on his streams, he has been COOKING for a while and I'm so ready for what else will happen to him going forward!!!

[shit-talker]

I'm gonna go through the "confirmed storylines" from the lone start wiki because I have thoughts;

1. Owen's brother - literally don't care, they added the character that they could have fleshed out way more before they killed him off, the only slightly intreasting thing that could come out of this is if Tyler (Owen's dead brother) becomes something of a plot point - does TK know about Tyler? Does he know where his name comes from? Is TK nicknamed TK because Owne found it hard to call him Tyler?

2. It's giving the main 911 show, which I love. Btw, I'm telling you, the 126 member who "might get injured" is either going to be Tommy, or TK. I'm willing to bet my life. I'm leaning more towards Tommy but this show has a habit of putting TK in damger soooo

3. That's an interesting one. I know that it's gonna be between Paul and Marjan, but honestly, Paul should get it. He's more experienced, and Marjan is known for making reckless decisions. Though, I think it'd be funny if Mateo is somehow pulled into the chaos because of his stint as lieutenant.

4. Yeah, is this is just referring to Wyatt becoming a dispatcher? Unless they introduce a whole new character? See below.

5. I take this as a clue that Tommy is going to be out of commission for a bit, which makes me think she'll be the one hurt with the train stuff. It will be cool, especially because TK is her partner and has historically challenged Nancy in the past. I want them to be the bestest of friends, give me more of their friendship. Also, if Tommy is not there for a bit, and Nancy takes over as captain, that means they'll probably need a new paramedic, which could be the new member of the 126 that we'll apparently love? I mean, I feel like it needs to be someone we already know because introducing a brand new character seems risky, especially if Tommy is going to come back as captain and they'll have to get rid of said character. The only character I can think of is Pearce, though. Which, considering his character in S3 could be a possibility.

6. I'm hoping to God this has something to do with Nancy. I know that Tim wasn't killed by an asteroid, but if we could touch back on the impact it had on Nancy, especially if she's a captain in charge now. Maybe TK or the new paramedic (?) gets injured or close to being injuried in this and she freaks out. I want a bonding moment between Tommy and Nancy. I want the med team to be a little family.

7. I have a lot of feelings on this, but for the most part, I love it. It was sort of obvious that was the direction they wanted to go after Wyatt got hurt, and I love it. I love the dispatchers in the 911 universe, and having the first main dispatcher be a guy for the first time is fun. I do wonder how they'll deal with Grace no longer being in the show, especially because her character won't be in it at all. Also, it'll be a fun dynamic when Judd returns to the 126 (which he will, unless Judd's character is also leaving this season, which I doubt (please don't take him away from me))

Also, gotta talk about tarlos because I have THOUGHTS.

The person from TK's past will be interesting, I know a lot of people think it'll be Alex, but at the same time, what would the point be? Why would he? I don't think it'll be Alex. I also saw a lot of people saying it'll be Enzo and Jonah, which I can see but "from his past" kind of inplies it's someone he hasn't talked to or thought about for a while, and we know he keeps in contact with his brother and Enzo. Though, It would be really REALLY fun to actually meet Enzo (come on, it's time to meet him, he's been mentioned so many times). I'm really hoping it's either an old friend from his addict days or someone he used to work with in New York.

Also, Carlos solving his father's murder will be fun. I'm hoping we get to see more of the Reyes family. I want the Reyes sisters, and I want them now. TK will also totally be freaking out, and I'm hoping for a bonding moment between him and a member of the 126 that ISN'T Owen. I want either Tommy or Judd, saying they've both been married and also can you imagine TK going to them for relationship advice? Adorable.

[doublemyheight]

Ethory day 4: Free day

Summary: Remember Ethans dad offering Ethan hockey tickets when he thought Ethan was gay? Well here he knows Ethans dating Rory and thus offers hockey tickets once again!

“Hey Ethan?”

“Yeah?” Ethan called back to his dad from the living room, him and Jane were watching a movie while their parents made dinner together.

“Can you come here?”

Ethan stood and furrowed his eyebrows, had he done something? Had Jane? Had Benny?

He had no clue.

His dad was setting up the table for dinner and there were two hockey tickets on the table.

“Woah, nice! You got hockey tickets for us? When?” He picked up the tickets and looked at them. “Front row too?”

Smiling, he looked back up at his dad, who was also smiling. But he looked a bit nervous.

“So, I know that I tried to do this before, but you turned the tickets down. But well, now that you are, dating someone. I thought you could take ‘em to a game and have some fun.”

“Oh.”

The tickets were for him and Rory. That was sweet of his dad? Kinda? It was a little weird that his dad basically paid for a date for him and Rory but his dad was being supportive of it. So.

“Thanks.”

He smiled at his dad and saw the relief spread across his face.

“Okay, great. So, it's for 2 weeks from now. Enough time to get his parents permission and organize everything. Um, which I'm totally up for helping you out, unless you want to do that on your own that is.”

“Dad, thanks. I'm uh, gonna go put these in my room, okay?”

“Yeah, yeah of course. But come right back down, dinners done.”

“I will.”

He turned around and ignored that Jane had been listening in, he rolled his eyes at her and she stuck her tongue back out. Nosy little sister as ever.

—

It wasn't hard at all to get Rory's parents to allow him to go to a hockey game in another town on a weekday. Surprisingly easy in fact.

Rory said it was because when his parents heard that he was invited to a hockey game and wanted to go they were excited about it.

He was pretty sure his parents would be the same level of excitement about him wanting to do an improve dance competition.

Ethan's mom was driving them to the game and back, she was meeting with a friend for some shopping while they were at the game. The plan worked out and now they just had to go and have fun.

“And you remember I'm not a hockey expert?”

Ethan laughed and rolled his eyes, “yeah I remember. I'll be the hockey expert for the two of us.”

“Good.”

They couldn't hold hands in the line but they had their shoulders pressed against each other and it was enough.

“Didn’t you almost die because of that?”

“Oh yeah, Coach Steiner, that was very not good.”

“How did he know that you know all about hockey?”

“Rory I was on the hockey team, he knew.”

“I would hope he knew he was the coach!”

“No that’s-” Laughing at his boyfriend Ethan kept them moving forward in the line. “I told him that I knew all about hockey when I was at try outs. He needed 2 other people to be benchwarmers and me and Benny got it because of my hockey knowledge.”

“Why did Benny even want to be on the hockey team? I didn’t get it.”

“So girls would like him.”

“Ohhhh, maybe I should have been a benchwarmer too!” Rory winked at Ethan.

Ethan rolled his eyes, “I don’t think you're warm enough to be a benchwarmer. You’re always so cold.”

“Perks of being the Ror-ster! But I so could of warmed a bench!” He leaned forward to Ethan and whispered almost too quietly for Ethan to make out. “I’d just flirt with you and you’d warm the bench plenty.”

Embarrassed Ethan stuttered and blushed.

“Rory!”

Rory grinned at him and took a few steps forward with the line, Ethan followed.

“You can’t just say that!”

“And why not dear Ethan?”

“You-you just can’t!”

“Your complaint has been noted, I’ll file it with the council.”

“The council? Which council?”

“Why the best council to have ever counseled of course! Yoda, Thor, Kirk and Spock, Ironman, and Wonder Woman!”

“I could hear the lack of comment you know.”

“No clue what you’re talking about!” Rory started to whistle innocence, it was always very comedic when he did that.

“It’s Kirk, and Spock! Not Kirk and Spock! They are separate people!”

“Would you say their “people”, they aren’t human.”

“Okay, you’re fucking with me, Kirk is actually human so it definitely applies to at least him. But! But! Aliens can definitely have the word “people” apply to them in certain contexts.”

“Well I think neither of them are to be classified “people” that’d be uhm. Stupid, no, what’s that other word?”

“Bizarre?”

“No.”

“Insane?”

“No, hey do they sell food?”

“They do, I have some money my dad gave me for some don’t worry. Wait, are you, hungry?”

“Nope, just wanted to make sure you weren’t.”

“Oh, okay. Was the word preposterous?”

“Ga-zoom-tight.”

���Absurd?”

“Yes! That one! It would be Absurd to classify them as “people”, you just simply can’t do that!”

“No you can-”

“Tickets.”

“Oh, uh.” Ethan blinked and realized they were at the front of the line. A grumpy looking 20 year old dude with a very bad haircut stared at him.

“You two do have tickets already, don’t you? We don’t sell them here, you were in the wrong line.”

“No, hold on, here.” Handing the tickets over the attendee checked them.

Then he realized.

“Hey hold on when I said preposterous what did you say?”

“What, uhm. Oh! Ga-zoom-tight.”

“Why are you adding an m?”

The ticket stub was handed to him and they were waved through to the entrance. He knew exactly where to go for seats, his dad had favorite ones.

“Cause that's how it's said, duh!”

“Okay, spell it out.”

“No! It's not one of the words you spell, it's like, like special comic book words but for the ears.”

“Okay no, it's a real word and it has an actual spelling.”

“Well then you spell it!”

“I don't know how, and anyways-”

Ethan could feel Rorys hand brush against right before the vision swam his mind.

Rory cheering and screaming and jumping back as someone was slammed against the barrier

Rory buying him a hotdog

A puck being tossed over the barrier and Rory missing catching and it landing right on his nose

Ethan came back to Rory looking concerningly at him. He had grabbed Ethans shoulder and there was a concerned lady looking at the two of them.

“Ethan?”

“Uh, sorry. The, the thing.”

“A Bad thing?”

Was it bad?

No, it wasn't. It just showed a fun time.

“No, c'mon let's go sit down.” He smiled at his boyfriend reassuringly.

“Okay!” Rory smiled back, accepting the truth and ready to have fun.

[inchidentally]

(not gonna post the link you sent bc I don't wanna tread on other people's stuff since we're all out here in the tumblr wild to talk about these rich men and their problematic silly sport in any way we want to. I'll reply with my thoughts but remember that they're my own and I am NOT telling someone else how to feel)

okay so fully removing the ship lenses and assuming they're not wishing any hostility towards Oscar or any future teammate of Lando's at McLaren: holy SHIT no. fuckballs NOOOO.

ok from a purely practical/realism standpoint Carlos will not be taking any steps backward. based purely on Ferrari's overall performance and the fact that Charles is a damn good match as a teammate (hi Singapore) Carlos is exactly where he should be for WDC contention. McLaren are out there competing hard with them and with the Mercs but to see them outpacing those cars would be solely down to the youth and combined competitiveness of Lando and Oscar they've invested in - so still no dice for Carlos in the foreseeable. I'm not F1 smart enough to know how likely it would be that he'd go to RBR but even there I'm not sure how he and Max would work together again with Max's dominance and ummmm Carlos' least favorite thing being following team orders to concede to his teammate. followed by what would become Carlos' first least favorite thing which would be to drive Max's car since development only works one way at RBR. and that's all assuming that Lando stays with McLaren and that Oscar chooses to leave. the first being reasonably likely and the second is too soon to tell. then there's the fact that by that point Lando would not be considered McLaren youth anymore and they'd be highly unlikely to bring on someone even older to partner him. ((add to that the fact that Carlos will never be an Alonso and will definitely get married early in his thirties and move on to different types of racing or maybe even a different field in racing)) Lando will be a Lewis and stick with F1 competitively chasing wins and WDCs (especially if he can outlast Max's boredom threshold) and he won't be interested in nostalgia hires unless they can help him with that goal.

but moving on to the more parasocial fandom side of it…

honestly the biggest surprise to me is seeing people think that they were equals ??? during their season together?? Lando was a tiny baby who has talked about how being partnered with Carlos fed his anxieties and insecurities! he saw this seasoned driver learning the car faster than him, knowing the circuits better than him and speaking to the team with more confidence than him. lbr when his "trophy" was Carlos' champagne while Carlos celebrated his podium, Lando did NOT look completely happy being forced into that celebration (and I seem to recall later on him even ruefully saying "it wasn't my celebration but anyway"). Carlos literally saw Lando as a baby brother and treated him as such but he also had no clue what to do with Lando's darker moods besides try to cheer him up (and sometimes fail).

I am someone who likes to keep the streams of real life and rpf totally crystal clear and separate and I also like to keep the reality of who these drivers are free of anything I imagine about them for fantasy. when Carlos isn't winning or at least happy with his result, he isn't remotely a team player (and with a team like Ferrari it's hard to blame him sometimes lol). I guess for some people? it's easy to think that Carlos would become a totally different driver when on a team with Lando from ~the power of love~… but that would also have to hand-wave when he actually was Lando's teammate. (it would also hand-wave that Carlos and Charles are also good friends and much more flirty and lovey dovey but Carlos still fights against Charles like a beast when he's in the car)

this man is in it to win it. if you called him soft for a teammate or said that the foremost reason he gave Lando DRS in Singapore was for Lando's benefit he would laugh in your face. at no point in the incredibly stressful final laps was Carlos going "aw shucks I hope my lil buddy can be up there with me let me rig this to make it happen" bc by that point in a race they are thinking in nothing but driving binary and /how do I cement my win against all the bastards behind me/. Carlos does NOT revolve even a small part of his racing career around Lando or any other driver. he doesn't even regard much of his team's input (again, probably for the best with Ferrari). even when he gets direct help from Charles following Ferrari strategy (see Singapore) I still can't really recall that he was overly effusive in acknowledging that fact. he's modeled himself much more on the F1 generations of more like two generations back. and why shouldn't he? so I do not get how people can still think that drivers - especially Carlos' type - are remotely friendly with anyone when they're on the circuit. sure they might get even more pissed off at a driver they aren't keen on but literally /everyone/ is their enemy and their own result is their one goal. that's literally their job.

and as Lando says himself, no one in F1 including him wants to beat anyone more than their own teammate. again. how do people think that Lando would take this entire career he's worked so incredibly hard for and make it about a guy he golfs with (in groups, folks) and occasionally goes to dinner with (which he also does with Daniel) and talks to during the drivers parade (he also consistently seeks out Max, George and Yuki) but has a thriving professional and social life that has nothing to do with Carlos? yuk|erre, maxie| and ga|ex are out there doing far more shippy type things than car|ando all the damn time but when have they ever let that affect their desire to win or beat each other??

nothing about little unseasoned raw lamb cutlet Lando with hairy alpha Carlos at McLaren at all resembles what their dynamic would be as teammates. and the fact that Lando is really liking this new feeling of being the superior favored driver bodes horribly for how he'd react to Carlos swinging his huge sexy cojones back into McLaren expecting to be the number one again by age and experience. folks should enjoy getting to see them during the drivers parade and out golfing as non teammates bc the adorable content of 2019 would curdle into something grotesque if they now had to do goofy challenges while slowly learning to hate the sight of each other during briefings as they sought to supplant the other in the standings.

in no way on this or any other earthly planes can I be convinced that having them compete on the same team again would be anything other than a trainwreck and result in them not even speaking for the next 10-15 years.

[elisysd]

52. Where there is a flame, someone's bound to get burned

Masterlist - Previously - Next

Chapter soundtrack: Try - P!nk

She contemplated the usb stick one last time before taking a deep breath and plugged it on her laptop. It was not cheating. It was not cheating. It was not cheating. It was just a little push forward to try to save a car that was not on the right track of development. That was it. Nothing less, nothing more. She had to stop overthinking the situation. As usual, she had come earlier to the hospitality, to work in peace, before it was going to get crowded in terms of the media day. She didn’t know for how long she had been there, preparing documents and graphics to send to the team in the factory.

“Working hard over there?”

She looked up from her screen to see her mom smiling at her and sitting down to face her.

“Take a break with me?”

“I’m going to make myself some tea, do you want a cup?” Julia asked, standing up.

“Please, darling.”

She went to pour herself a lemon one for her and a mint one for her mom. When she came back, she saw Lyanna on her side of the table, looking at her screen.

“If you want me to explain to you the aerodynamics concept I’m working on, I believe the weekend wouldn’t be enough.” Julia laughed as her mom turned to her, a dark look on her face.

“I might not be able to understand them, but I can clearly recognise a Lamborghini car when I see one. So unless, Ferrari decided to drop the red to introduce the white, care to explain why you have pictures of the Lamborghini car on your screen?”

“I can explain.” Julia panicked as she felt herself paling.

“I sure hope you can. Because from the outside, it looks like you’re copying their concept.”

“I’m not copying it! I’m getting inspiration, that’s it…” Julia tried to defend herself.

“Are you, though? Because there is a difference between heavily inspired and copied from. And you are crossing the very thin line, Julia.”

“I’m not! I’m exploiting the gray areas of the regulations…”

“The gray areas of the regulations…” Lyanna chuckled in disbelief. “ Do you hear yourself? How did you even get those pictures?”

“I… it’s…” Julia stuttered.

“Don’t tell me, they come from Ethan…” her mom sighed, sitting down on a chair. “Don’t tell me that it was what he gave you for you to accept setting a Pr relationship. Don’t tell me you stoop that low.”

Julia couldn’t say anything. Whatever she would say to try to defend herself would turn out to be a lie and she didn’t have it in herself to keep on lying to her mom.

“I can’t believe it. That’s not how your dad and I raised you. Did you even tell your dad about the PR stunt?”

“I… I couldn’t find the right time…”

“As if there would have been a right time to tell him you lied. Tell me you haven’t sent anything that you’re working on to the factory, Julia.”

In front of the deafening silence, Lyanna drew her own conclusions.

“I’ll have to tell your dad.”

“Please don’t!”

“Will you come clean on your own?”

“I can’t do that! It’s going to crush him! I don’t want to disappoint him.”

“You don’t give me the choice, Julia. I can’t trust you on this.”

“Mom, please!”

But Lyanna had already left.

Far from having a clue of what was going to happen to him, Charles was happily chatting with other team principals as they were getting ready for the press conference. As he took place on the sofa, he saw Carlos talking to one of the Spanish journalists, giving him a piece of paper. He gulped, worried. He knew Carlos wanted nothing more than to see him fail as a Team Principal, since he had been announced a few years ago. The Spaniard had always hoped that the place would be his, when the time was done. Since then, he had always tried to make Charles’ job harder than necessary but the team principal hoped he wouldn’t resort to dirty ways to get what he wanted.

Much to his relief, the press conference went through without issues. He happily answered questions about the car, the strategy and Elijah's departure, saying his replacement would be announced soon without giving details.

“Juan Hernandez for ESPN Spain, a question regarding the presence of your daughter, Julia, in Ferrari. I have a source claiming that she had been working for you longer than what has been previously announced. It is said that she worked on the upgrades you brought to Brazil. Which would be against the rules, considering she was under gardening period. Can you confirm that no unauthorized work has been done in Ferrari on this side?”

Charles gulped. How did the journalist even come across this information? And then he saw Carlos’ proud smile and had his answer.

Julia's breathing stopped when she heard the question. And the snarky smile from the journalist after he tricked her dad wasn’t very reassuring. But her dad’s answer made her a little better.

“Julia is a very talented person and she had already proven to us that she would be a key element in the future car development. She has been closely working with us ever since her joining announcement and a little before since summer only on documentation to familiarize herself with her new environment. That’s all.”

“So what you are saying is that the new concept you brought to Brazil is yours only.”

“What are you implying?”

“See, Mister Leclerc, my source who is very reliable is stating that your daughter has been heavily involved in the amazing results you are getting since Brazil. If we go even further, some might say that there are similarities with Lamborghini’s car concept. Then again, coincidence or underlying cheating from your side?” the journalist asked again, leaving Charles speechless.

“If there are really any coincidences, then I’m truly sorry because it was not on purpose.”

“And your daughter? Are you insisting that she hasn’t worked for you prior to the official announcement?”

“I do.” Charles stated.

“Then , I can’t wait to have your opinion on my paper which is going to be released tomorrow. One last question? How did you feel when your daughter told you that she wanted to study in Zurich by using her mother’s maiden name?”

“She what?” Charles almost screamed, caught by surprise.

Julia couldn’t breathe anymore. Her vision started to get blurry as her ears started to ring. It couldn’t happen, not today and not like that. How did they even come across that information? And suddenly her interaction with Carlos in Zandvoort took a whole new meaning. What she had perceived as silent threats were ones indeed. She felt like everyone was watching her and as she thought she was about to pass out, a steady hand was put on her shoulder to stabilize her. She looked up to find two green orbs, looking at her, worriedly.

“I got you.” Martin simply said, as he guided her outside so she could breathe and so she could be away from prying eyes.

“I have to find my dad. I have to explain. I have…”

“Julia! Oh my gosh, I’ve just watched the press conference. Are you okay?” Romy asked as she ran into the arms of her best friend who let out her distraught take the best of her.

“I want to hide. I want to leave and never come back again.”

“You’re better than that, Joolsie, you’re better than all of them! You can’t let them win without fighting, that’s not you.” she looked up to find Ethan coming towards them, Kyle and Ludwig behind him.

“And you’re not alone. We are all here for you, I mean… we are kind of responsible… we did provide you with technical information about our car.” Kyle said, scratching the back of his head.

“Yeah, you are our friend. We will get through it together. Like a family. Because that’s what you are.”

“You know Ludwig, that’s actually the first time I hear you saying something that beautiful.” Romy commented.

“Hey! I can be nice when I want to! And she is crying, I don’t want to say something stupid that will make her cry even more!”

“Joolsie, look at me. Don’t let this belittled all the hard work you put into your dream. You deserve to be where you are and even more than that. Your dad knows it, Ferrari knows it, and deep down you do too.” Ethan whispered, kneeling in front of her.

She looked at him straight in the eyes and felt instantly calmer. It would be fine. As long as he was there, as long as her friends were there, it would all be okay. But now, she had to find her dad. As they were all on their way to the Ferrari garage, where she hoped he would be, they crossed paths with the last person she wanted to see.

“Julia… I hope you liked my little welcome in the team gift.” smiled Carlos and as he took a step towards her, Ethan, Martin and Ludwig shielded Julia, silently providing her with a security she didn’t really need and want.

“I’m good, guys. I’m not scared of him.”

“Oh how your dad must feel… knowing you were ashamed of being his daughter… it surely would break my heart.”

“At least, he can’t question my loyalty. I can’t say the same about you.Betraying the team that offered you your biggest success, that’s a low I’ve never thought you would reach.”

“My biggest success is to see your dad crumbling in front of thousands of people. The sadness in his eyes, the betrayal, the anger… that was a pleasant sight.”

“Was it worth it? What did it bring you?”

“Pleasure. pride. A feeling of justice. After all this time, the little Ferrari king is getting what he deserved. You were just a means to an end, Julia. Don’t take it personally.”

“Don’t take it personally? You might just have destroyed her career, you bastard!” Ethan lost his temper.

“It’s fine. She can still work for the team, in the kitchen or warming a driver’s bed, am I right Martin?”

“Okay that’s enough! Let go of me Kyle, I’m going to kill him, I’m serious!” screamed Ethan as Kyle was trying to push him away, helped by Ludwig.

“It won’t do any good, Ethan! It won’t help her case and even less yours! You’re still under the FIA’s radar!”

“How cute. Failed mini Verstappen coming to rescue failed little Leclerc. That’s something I’ve never thought I would see.”

Julia was about to reply when Martin left the group side to punch Carlos so hard that he stumbled and fell to the ground.

“Ethan might be closely watched but I’m not and if I’m honest, it’s been a while since I’ve wanted to do this.” he said, looking at Carlos.

“I’ll make you pay, don’t forget that I’m part of the Ferrari board.”

“Not for long. you’re not the only one gathering information on possible threats Carlos. I’ve done it too and I’m not sure the board will be happy to learn about how you are under investigation in Spain for tax evasion.” Charles came out from the garage. “Or about how you corrupted Elijah and threatened his career if he wasn’t giving you the information you wanted. I would advise you to leave. And to never come back.”

Carlos got up, ironed out his suit and with one last look of hatred to the group of young adults and to Charles, left. Charles’ sad gaze fell on his daughter and he quickly diverted it and began to walk away.

“Dad! Wait! I can explain!”

“Explain what? The PR stunt? The lie about your identity in Zurich? Or about cheating? And yes, I saw your mom before arriving at the garage.”

She didn’t let him go away and decided to follow him to his office. And when he shut the door behind her, he finally looked at her, a hard look on his face that had never been addressed to her.

“Have you got the slightest idea of what you’ve just done, Julia?” It wasn’t Ju anymore. Her dad never had never called her Julia unless he was really mad which had never happened. “Is it true? And don’t try to lie your way out of it.”

“I’m…”

“Yes or no.”

“So, not only did you put Ferrari’s name at risk, but also the career of hundreds of people and that’s without mentioning the wave of disappointment from Tifosi all over the world. Rightfully so. Not only that, but your actions have repercussions on my job as well, our reputation. Your reputation. I raised you to be a driven, loyal, honest, hard worker and ambitious woman. I always taught you that you could do everything your mind was set on. That nothing could stop you. And what did you do? You betrayed me. I don’t recognise you, anymore. This job changed my daughter. Ethan changed you. This world changed you. And I’m not sure I like this version of you.”

“I just want to say that Ethan and I started as PR but it became real along the way. He did give me information about Lamborghini… I have a whole usb stick with everything on it that I can give you. Can we talk about Zurich?”

“I need time to process that my own daughter was so ashamed of me that she decided to change her name.”

“Dad… please let me explain…”

“I don’t want to hear your excuses. Not now, at least. For now, I think it’s best if we postpone your role in the team to next year. So we can clear all suspicions and I have time to investigate everything.”

And that was the final blow for Julia. She looked at her badge and removed it, handing it to her dad.

“I guess I won’t need it anymore.”

Through the tears, she passed through the door without a second glance to her friends who watched her exiting the garage, in disbelief. By trying to make everyone happy, she had lost everything and only had herself to blame. She could see it all now. She had lost Ethan, she had lost her job, twice now, but most of all, she had lost herself. Her dad was right, she couldn’t recognize who she had become. And it was time for her to stop living in a perpetual state of denial and to face reality and her mistakes, but one thing was for sure, she was determined to make it right. She owed it to herself.

Ethan contemplated Julia precipitatingly leaving and wanted to follow her only to get dragged back by Kyle, telling him that she probably needed to be alone. When he saw her dad, getting out of his office he called him out, waving at him with everything he could until he finally acknowledged their presence and decided to come to them.

“Charles, I swear we can explain. I can explain! If you want to blame someone, blame me! I was the one who gave her the information, I was the one who dragged my friend with me into this mess, please get mad at me. Not at her. She went through enough, she needs her dad, not her team principal…”

“You might have been the one to give her the usb stick, she was the one who decided to use it.” Charles simply answered.

“But you don’t know the reasons! If you did, you would hate me!”

“Don’t you think I’m not aware of the PR stunt? I’m very disappointed. In both of you.”

“She loves you… she just wanted to help. And I kinda blackmailed her into all of this… I just didn’t think it would go this far.” Ethan tried to explain.

“What were you thinking of? Of course it could only lead to a disaster.”

“Yeah… well that’s the thing, I wasn’t thinking a lot back then.”

“I love my daughter more than anything else and I truly believed that I knew her inside and out. That she would never lie to me, that she would always trust me and talk to me if something was bothering her. Turns out I was wrong.” Ethan could see the tears in the team principal’s eyes and it made his heart wrenched. He had never seen him that way.

“I’m sorry. I truly am. I would understand if you didn’t want me near her and…”

“Don’t be stupid. You changed her Ethan for better and for worse, but I also know that there would be no way you would be able or want to stay away from her. You love her too much.”

“I… I mean…I do? Love her.” Ethan stuttered, feeling himself blushing.

Charles sighed.

“Excuse me, I have to do some damage control.”

Ethan sighed as well, not knowing what to do. He was done for the day and didn’t have anything else to do. He watched his friends telling him how sorry they were to have to leave him but Romy had a team meeting and Kyle and Ludwig a promotional video clip to shoot. It was now only him and Martin.

“You have a nice right hook.” Ethan said to break the awkward silence between them.

“One one hand, it feels so fucking good, you have no idea how long I’ve wanted to do that. On the other hand, it hurts so bad. I should go to the medical center. But I couldn’t let him speak about Julia like that, it’s not right.”

“I’m glad she has you… she will need you. And don’t force me to repeat it.”

“You don’t know?” Martin replied, surprised.

“I don’t know what?”

“Julia and I. It’s over.”

“Fuck. You already fucked up? How come Saint Martin already lost the girl?”

“By calling her my ex’s name,” he grimaced.

“Wow. Even I wouldn’t have stepped that low.”

“We all have our issues, Ethan.” Martin sadly said and as he was about to leave added, “Room 324. Just in case you want to see her.”

He knew he shouldn’t, for all he knew it could have been a trap set up by Martin but he still decided to trust him and to go knock on the door. He waited for a long time before it opened to reveal Julia, her hair in a messy bun, eyes red and puffy. He noticed her winnie the pooh pajama that she always wore when she was feeling really down and that’s when he understood how bad she was. It didn’t surprise him, he had seen the way she had left the garage and how tough the day had been for her.

“I don’t want to complicate things for us. If you want me to leave…”

“It’s already complicated, Eth.” she simply said, opening her door widely.

“Eth? That’s new.”

“It’s about damn time I find you an annoying nickname.”

“I don’t dislike it. It’s quite the opposite actually.” he smiled.

“Why are you here?” she asked.

“I don’t know. I wanted to make sure you were doing okay. I mean… as okay as you can be.”

“This day is a nightmare, I just want to sleep and forget it ever happened. My dad hates me, I lost my job, I’m alone… how worse can it get.”

“Well first of all, your dad could never hate you. He is hurt but you’re his princess. You’ve always been. Talk to him, explain your side of things. He’ll understand. He loves you too much to not understand. Then, your job… okay. That I can’t say anything. But I can say that you’re not alone. Ludwig is right. We’re family. And family means nobody gets left behind…”

“Did you just quote Lilo and Stitch?” she cut him, almost laughing.

“Hey! It’s a nice movie, okay! But that’s not the point. Romy considers you like her sister, I know Kyle likes you even if he won’t say it and Ludwig thinks you are fun to be around. Chloe has a lot of respect for you as well and I’m sure you would like her a lot if you were hanging out together a bit more. And then, there is me. My feelings for you haven’t changed. I’m still in your corner, I’m way too deep in love with you to not be. Not sure you’ve been deserving of it lately… but that’s not the point. I can’t control what I feel. My point is, you have a lot of people who believe in you and are here for you no matter what. Don’t push us away. We want to be by your side and I know one thing, this is just a little incident on your road, Joolsie. Not the end. You’ll come back stronger. And the world is not ready for what you will become.” he calmly said, taking her hands in his and looking her in the eyes.

“How can you still have so much faith in me after what I’ve done to you? After what I put you through?” she let a tear fall on her cheek, quickly caught by Ethan.

“Because I know you better than you know yourself. You’re a fighter. You’re made to do great things and to shine, Joolsie. Don’t let anyone take away your light.”

“When have you learned to talk like this? When did you become so wise?”

“Therapy. You don’t even know how much I pay Sofia to make me less of an asshole.”

“Don’t change too much please.. I love the asshole in you. It makes you, you.”

He chuckled and saw a twinkle in her eye. It made him proud that even after everything, he was still able to make her at least a little bit happy.

Author's note: Welcome to the climax of Gold Rush: Spa. A lot is going to happen in the next chapters, I hope you're ready.

What do you think will happen next? Let me know your theories, I love to read them.

Don't hesitate to leave a comment or an ask, as well as reblogging and leaving a like. Besides the fact that I absolutely love to read you, it helps a lot for the story to find its audience. I also have a taglist for this story, so if you want to be added so you never miss a chapter, let me know.

Taglist:

@herondalism @aundercover @musingsbyshreya @karmabyfernando @reengard @mycenterfold @smoooothoperator

[birubilirubin]

Thanks to someone I rechecked the dialog in Conan

付き合うことになった

You are going out with her.

彼女を潜入するために付き合うんでしょう？

Aren't you going out with her to infiltrate?

二人の女は同時に愛せるほど器用な性分じゃないでね。

I'm not dexterous enough to love two women at the same time.

The plot goes like this:

Akai approaches Akemi – Approached her to gain her trust or to make her fall in love with him and began dating - Akemi introduces him to Shiho as a lover - Became close friends with Shiho- Infiltrated the organization through Shiho’s connections

In the dialogue above, we can know the timeline was that he has not infiltrated the organization, and he wasn't dating Akemi at that time, he just met her and there was a love bombing process to gain her trust or to make her fall in love for a few days or months. It was not that he just met her and then suddenly asked her out, unless she's really a love brain and crazy about him.

器用な性分じゃない =不器用/ 無器用

不器用 (Not very dexterous / Bad at doing things)

It means that he is not good at communicating, not good at socializing, not good at getting along like a couple.

So 愛せる doesn't refer to the literal meaning of "Love", but it refers to the contextual meaning of "Doing all the things that couples do", and he's not good at handling it. So, the indication is that he was not in 2 boats at the same time.

So the 2 women are still referring to Akemi and Jodie.

Because it's hard to find the original text. So, I only heard from the animation. So maybe there are wrong words.

84さい、嘘、本当は.....

I'm 84 years old, kidding, actually I....

Interrupted by Ai's hat falling off

....ますます興味ぶかい魅力的...

You're getting more and more interesting and fascinating (because Conan can figure out the bomber from just a few clues).

８４歳バアバに言われたかねよ

I don't want to be praised by an 84-year-old grandmother

あなたの似合い18歳よ、なんてね。

I'm 18 years old just like you, I'm kidding.

えっ??

Huh??

The full sentence becomes like this

84歳、嘘、本当はあなたの似合い１８歳よ、なんてね。

I'm 84 years old, it's a lie, I'm actually 18 like you, Just kidding.

Huh?? (You're really 18 years old??)

(So it's not ambiguous right)

まだ糸は切れていない

The thread has not been cut (Their destiny has not been cut)

糸= 運命  (thread = Destiny / Bond)

Title of this chapter 運命の人 (The destined person)

This chapter tells a lot about Akai Shuichi, from the appearance of the fake Akai, Jodie and Akai’s past, and Subaru also appears. So, the destined person refers to Akai Shuichi.

Shiratori is the one destined for Kobayashi.

Aoyama also used Ayumi's mouth to explicitly say 放っとけない人は、好きな人です (The person you worry about is the person you like).

Who is the person who worries about Haibara the most, installing bugs everywhere, having his subordinates guard her or tap her when he has to leave Kudo’s house, forbidding her from going to the crime scene, picking her up when she didn’t come home?.

Akemi said "The only thing to worry about is you, Shiho", and Akemi loved Shiho.

The title of this chapter is ‘白い雪黒い影’ (White Snow Black Shadow). All chapter titles are clues, it applies in Conan.

When Shiho first appeared the chapter was titled 白い世界 (The White World).

Thanks to Gin, we know shiho is White Snow 白い雪, and she likes Scarlet 緋色

The kanji is the same as the kanji in the chapter "The emergence of scarlet". 緋色

白い雪 White Snow refers to Shiho. It was because Shiho still has her own sense of justice although she's been in the dark world since she was a baby.

黒い影 The black shadow refers to Akai. At that time, Akai was still suspected of being black.

So the narrative trick played out like this:

Akai saw Ran, and he thought of a stupid woman (×)

Haibara saw Ran, and she thought of Akemi (×)

So X = Stupid woman = Akemi.

The animation/movie team and the most fans’ logic are like that.

"I knew it was the wrong person"

Akai probably heard that a brown-haired girl (Sonoko) was following the doctor (He already knew the doctor was Vermouth)

When Subaru met Ran and Sonoko, he immediately noticed Sonoko first. "You, browned-haired girl", he said it to Sonoko.

It can be seen that the buildings marked in both pictures are very similar, and there is no fence on the street. So it was the same place where Miyano Shiho first appeared and was shot by Gin.

The most important point is that there is a phone booth in that place. Akai also came out of the phone booth.

Then, in Vermouth's apartment there was a Shiho photo, but during the full moon chapter, Akai met Haibara, but he still said "The person I was waiting for didn't show up".

So, I assume Akai has two different targets from the FBI, I.e:

1. Finding Shiho

2. Confronting Gin

He probably thought he could find those two people with him following Vermouth, but the FBI knew nothing about them.

So his revenge on Gin was not for Akemi.

The only witness to Akemi's murder was Vodka. How could Akai know the person who shot Akemi was Gin?. It could have been another member.

That's why Akai's actions towards Gin were all related to Shiho not Akemi. These three people have a story, and only they know about it.

Then, I look at the vocabulary he used was complex and romantic, and have many implied expressions, and comparing his dialog with Ayumi's, his dialog was rarely used in daily conversation (Well, although it's an Oresama character's dialog, and don't use this grammar in daily conversation, or you will get slapped by others). Every dialog box of every character is always carefully thought out, right. So I think Aoyama designed Akai's character as a character who is quite dark, deep and has hidden feelings (deep affection).

For example:

愛しい愛しい宿敵(こいびと) 愛しい and 恋人 can not only be interpreted as dearest love, but can also be interpreted as the person he misses. So it can be interpreted as (Gin who I miss).

So 恋人(こいびと) is not referring to Akemi.

Aoyama is traditional Japanese. The use of these words is often found in classical Japanese literature (Osamu Dazai, Akutagawa, etc)

The shadow is very deep, right.

File 874

From what Bourbon said, "I met your mother and your sister".

Then Shiho (Kid) said, "You are the rival of my sister's boyfriend, Moroboshi Dai. I heard from my sister that you don't get along."

"My sister's boyfriend" in Ai's mind this misunderstanding is still not resolved. Ai didn't know it was just a fake relationship. So it wasn't Shu-Ake's official CP hammer.

"I heard from my sister" We all clearly knew Akemi is just an outsider, she wouldn't know the problem with Rye and Bourbon. Based on Rye's character he wouldn't tell her about it either. Then based on Aoyama's interview, he said "Akemi didn't remember Bourbon". It is a contradiction.

It can be inferred that "I met your mother and your sister" was when he was a child, and Akemi has forgotten about him.

So this "I heard from my sister" is Aoyama's narrative trick. Because Aoyama wanted to hide Shuichi-Shiho's close relationship. He used a patch sentence (I heard from my sister) to cover up the original information.

Then, I saw some theories from Chinese fans who argued, the dialog probably like this because I also forgot it, "Like two sisters (姉妹), I know your action".

Actually, there is no need to use complex logic to analyze the dialogue in Conan, just use simple logic. "Sisters" still refers to Shiho and Akemi not Vermouth and Yukiko. "Your action is just like two sisters" This action doesn't refer to Haibara's action of crying silently, but Haibara's action of sacrificing herself for others just like Akemi sacrificed herself for Shiho, and Akai clearly knew it. So this dialog doesn't describe Akai knowing Akemi well (because cring silently). So, the girl who cries silently still refers to Shiho (Haibara). Akai only knew Akemi sacrificed herself for Shiho (from the message she sent).

Then, In Conan, the information we get from each character is not synchronized. It happens in the case of Subaru and Wakasa's identities, so you can't line them up linearly, but you have to look at each character's perspective.

Some of Ran's behaviors can refer to several characters depending on the perspective of each character describing Ran, so Ran doesn't just seems like Akemi because they both have long black hair.

For example, in one of the daily cases. A murderer saw Ran and he saw his girlfriend's shadow because Ran's voice was similiar to his girlfriend.

In Ai's mind, Ran's characteristics, bright, kind-hearted, protect her, was the same as Akemi.

Ran wanted to go home because she was worried about Conan. But Ai suddenly shouted at her to stop her, seeing her sister's shadow. This is Ai's guilt for Akemi because she couldn't stop her at that time.

But for Akai who only always saw Ran crying alone was similar to Shiho.

And in Ai's mind Ran's behavior of always holding back her crying, pretending to smile was just like herself. So that's why Ai understands Ran's feelings because they have the same behavior like pretending to be strong.

It's in chapter 335 A Gift from The Wife, sorry I don't have a picture.

This chocolate is smiling, but its face is sad.

A face torn with pain and tears, she pushed herself too hard

Mistranslation in the English version

It should be a dialogue box for Yamamura

The dialog should be like this

"If you get in contact with Hiro-chan again. You'll talk to him about me..."

Look at the angle when Shinichi said to Ai. It has the same angle, and it's a lens language where the conversation doesn't use subject and object if there are only two of them there.

In the English version the object becomes "Her"

"I will protect her......"

If he loved her, Akai should have gone to save her when he knew Akemi was in danger, or he can spend 1000 episodes taking care of her grave. But instead he appeared to meet her younger sister with a smiling face every day.

Haibara said 守ってくれるんでしょう to Conan

....んです is an emphasis sentence.

She's emphasizing that Conan will protect her right?. Because there was someone who wanted to protect her, but he didn't keep his promise.

Spoiler M26

Many of the character settings are very OOC and slightly out of the manga. First, Akai's reaction when he found out Ai was kidnapped was calm, while in the manga he was looking for her all over the city with a sad face. Second, How could he miss it, so all those bugs are useless. Third, Ai heard Akai's voice through the intercom of the diving goggles, but she didn't respond at all, and after Conan started answering the call, but her attention was only on Conan, and she only responded with "Kudo-kun", it is not Ai-chan who will think of Moroboshi Dai when she hears that someone likes to drink black coffee. Fourth, Conan said "そんな颜してんじゃねーよ" (Don't make faces like that) to Ai-chan. The production team seemed to run out of ideas and just Ctrl+C - Ctrl+V another CP's phrase and pasted it on the popular CP, although the structure is slightly different from Akai's "そんな颜するな". Fifth, the Conan-Ai kiss that seems like a copy-paste of the Conan-Ran kiss in M2. My first reaction after reading it was that there were a lot of character setups that didn't make sense and didn't match the plot of the original manga, and it was again a recycling of the previous plot.

[dr-spencer-reids-queen]

Tabula Rasa: Final Part

Pairing: Spencer Reid x Female!Reader

Word Count: ~1.5k

Warnings: canon violence, canon language, canon talk of death, methods of kill

Author’s Note: I do not own anything from Criminal Minds. All credit goes to their respective owners. If there is any warnings that exceed the normal death/kills from the show, I will list them. If you’ve seen the show, then it’s the same level of angst unless otherwise stated

Brian gets up, but he can't stop staring at Nina. He is very pissed at her, and you know he remembers exactly who he is and what he did. If he ever were to go free, you know he'd kill again. You get up and approach Hotch who gathers his things. He pauses when he sees the notepad in front of Brian that he could have used to take notes.

There is a single tear stained into the paper.

Hotch looks up, and you know he sees it too.

"Hotch, he's starting to remember. The anger that I felt when he saw his mother is only present in someone who would remember. That tear stain only confirms this theory."

"Come on."

You and Hotch leave the courtroom to find Cece on the phone with a smile on her face. She believes she will win this case, and her expression shows that.

"Cece, I need to talk to you."

"Listen, I don't want to jinx this, but something tells me I'm going to be buying your team a round of drinks when this is over," she chuckles.

"I think he's getting his memory back. He was crying in there when his mother was on the stand. You don't have that kind of reaction unless you're connected."

"Maybe you're right, but the fact is it doesn't really matter anymore."

"Doesn't it? I mean, don't you want to know who you're putting away?"

She doesn't get the chance to answer because every radio on every officer in the vicinity goes off. Something happened, and you know Brian is in the center of it. You, Cece, and Hotch rush to the center of attention, and the officer who was in charge of transporting Brian is injured.

"What's going on?" Cece demands.

"Are you okay? What happened?" you ask her gently.

"He ambushed me and escaped. He has my gun."

You and Hotch rush out of the courthouse with Spencer right behind you. He saw you two running outside, and he knew he needed to be part of this. However, Brian is gone, and he might kill someone because of it.

There are officers outside tending to a woman who got injured because of Brian. He stole her keys and her car after he hurt her.

"Who is she?" you ask an officer on the scene.

"She's a law clerk. Matloff stuck a gun in her face and pulled her out of her car. It's a late model Nissan."

"Did you put out an APB?"

"Statewide. We'll block every road out of town."

"Don't forget service roads. He knows them all."

"You know this guy, right? Any idea where he might be headed?"

"It all depends on who he is," Spencer answers.

Lester, Brian's lawyer, steps out of the courthouse towards his car, and Hotch stops him from going to it.

"Did you know?"

"Know what?"

"You talked to Matloff every day. Did you know that his memory was coming back?"

"I don't have any idea what you're talking about," Lester scoffs.

"He can't help us. Matloff has a paranoid personality. Even if he was aware he wouldn't have told anyone," Spencer says.

"Get over to the jail and into his cell. Just look for any clue that might tell us where he's headed."

Spencer leaves without you, and Hotch takes out his phone to inform the rest of the team what's happening, though, you know they might have a clue if they're watching the news. Once done, he places them on speakerphone so you can hear them too.

"Assuming his memory is coming back, where's he headed?"

"Simple answer is his birth mother. His victims were brunettes. Typology suggests that he was projecting rage at her," Derek says.

"He can't. She's with us, protected."

"If he doesn't have a specific target, he'll either run or go on a spree."

"Did we do this? With the brain test? Reintroducing all those memories? Is it possible that it could have acted as a cognitive rehabilitation?" Emily asks.

"Emily, killing is in his nature. Whether he remembers or not, he's still a killer. That has nothing to do with us."

Spencer calls as soon as he finds something, and it's something concrete. Darci was found in a clearing in the woods next to a waterfall, and since Darci's father is the only one who showed up at court, and that Darci was Brian's last victim, you believe that he is going there.

Hotch doesn't want to go in this blind, so he takes every available agent and officer to the woods just in case Brian decides to shoot his way out of this one. This wooded area is thousands of acres, so Brian could be anywhere, and the wind isn't helping the energy stay in one place.

Spencer believes he is at the waterfall where Darci was found, so you check there first before anywhere else.

"I figured this guy would have headed straight out of town. Why'd he come back here?" an officer asks.

"He's looking for himself. He just got his memories back, and he's confused about who he is."

Everyone heads towards the waterfall, and in the tall grass off in the distance, you see Brian sitting on the ground with something in his arms... someone. You can see the back of her brunette head, but you can't see anything else.

"That's him. He's got a girl with him and she's not moving."

"Alright, let's move in," the officer eagerly says.

"No, wait. If we rush him, he might try to kill her and himself," Spencer says.

"She's dead," you say and look at Hotch. "She's been dead for a while. He's holding a skeleton. Still, he has a gun, and he could kill himself or one of us if he feels pressured."

"How do you want to do this?"

"I want to go in there myself. Y/N, you need to be a shooter. I want your guys high and wide, but I need you close. Can you do that?"

"With this tall grass? Easy," you shrug and take out your gun.

"You think he's gonna shoot his way out?" Spencer asks.

"I don't want to be the only gun in there if he does."

You leave the ground and maneuver throughout the trees until you're in front of Brian. You can clearly see the skeleton face of the dead woman who has been there for years. He must have put a wig on her because that's the only explanation as to why she has a full head of hair on her.

You get low to the ground and practically slither your way through the grass until you get a clear shot of Brian. He doesn't see you, but then again, he's not really paying attention to you.

"I got a shot," you mutter so that everyone who has an earpiece can hear you. "Let me know when."

"Brian. I want you to show me your hands. Hands, Brian!" Hotch yells when he doesn't listen.

"Stop! Stop there, please," Brian says emotionally.

"Who is she?"

"She was my first. The minute my feet hit the ground, I knew right where to find her. I killed them. I killed them all."

Brian does remember, but he doesn't want to be that person anymore. Still, he needs to pay for what he's done whether he likes it or not.

"You remember."

"I remember everything. Every moment. Every tiny detail, but it's still not real. It's like the memories belong to someone else."

"Well, maybe in a way they do. But you still have to pay for what's been done."

"If I'm gonna be put to death, I might as well die right here," he says without moving.

"Brian. The court may show you mercy, but you have to earn it. If you believe you're a different person, then prove it and do the right thing."

Brian doesn't want to be this person, so instead of shooting his way out as you're sure he's thought about, he tosses the stolen gun off to the side so he's unarmed. He's not going to be a threat, even as Hotch moves in on him, so you stand up and put your gun back in its holster.

Cece is more than happy about the outcome of the trial, and she is all smiles when she enters the police station. You're still in Virginia, but you're on the other side of it from where the BAU is located.

"It's over. Matloff is pleading out."

"Congratulations."

"I couldn't have done it without you. First round's on me."

"No, we're gonna take a rain check. We've got a long drive."

"Of course. Lock up when you leave."

Cece leaves, and that just leaves you, Hotch, and Spencer.

"Darci's father brought a gun to the courthouse today," Spencer spills.

You gave the gun to the lead detective on the case knowing he'd know what to do with it.

"You're kidding. You think he was serious about using it?"

"Yes," you answer. "He was looking for closure."

"Do you think he'll get some now?"

"No. I mean, people's emotional lives aren't linear like that. To say that a killer's conviction can just suddenly bring peace to a man, isn't possible, in my opinion."

"Well, I guess he has to try. I mean, when it comes right down to it, what choice does he have?"

"I'd like to get Darci's watch out of evidence. I think her father deserves to have it back."

"Okay."

After Spencer gets it from evidence, and you and Hotch finish packing up the office, Hotch drives by Darci's house where her father still lives. You watch as Spencer talks with Mr. Corbett, and gives him back her watch.

You just hope he's going to be alright.

"What though the radiance that was once so bright, be now forever taken from my sight. Though nothing can bring back the hour of splendor in the grass, of glory in the flower; We will grieve not, rather find strength in what remains behind." - William Wordsworth

x

Follow my library blog @aqueenslibrary​​​​​​​​​​ where I reblog all my stories, so you can put notifications on there without the extra stuff :)

[sacredglitch]

i have eeped, woken up and cried

I have some thoughts. MW3 spoilers below.

Major thing out of the way; everyone is gonna experience the campaign at different lengths depending on skill and difficulty they choose. I started around 9/10pm and finished at 5am, so it took me quite some time, predominantly with issues in the Weapons Free missions and the Ally AI just never backing me up? Felt a lil like Rudy in the Ghost Team mission yknow?

But it was a fun experience in gameplay standpoint. There was elements of both MW and MWII alongside some new things that I still gotta get used to once MP drops. But story wise?

Something felt weird. Like it wasn't as consise as MWII with its storytelling. All that took, what? A few days? Maybe even weeks to come to completion. With this game, bar the flashback mission, I never knew how closely related each mission was unless it was explicitly clear, like Passenger and the mission with Farah inspecting the debris. You know that was only hours apart from one another.

Characters also felt a little odd. Like there was moments where it felt like yeah, these are the crew I know and others where it's like....who am I listening to right now? There was just an air of tension with it all, and yes with who they were dealing with ofc there's tension...but idk again the flow wasn't there like the other two games.

Okay elephant in the room; Soap and Makarov. The amount of times Soap was on the verge of whipping out his pistol or knife and just ending it and no one letting him? If Makarov was such a major threat; sometimes the information he may or may not have had just isn't worth it. Thousands would be alive if Johnny was just let loose and take out the trash. But because he wasn't he's now dead.

And Makarov lives. What the fuck, Activision? Infinity Ward? Fucking Sledgehammer?! What was the point of killing off someone who they know damn well is beloved in the fandom (yes, he died in the OG but hear me out) as is his actor, let the baddie get away, and then just....end it with the 141 spreading his ashes. No revenge for Soap, no honouring what he wanted from the beGINNING, no nothing. Just somewhat dull words from the team, his ashes spread and roll credits.

It's giving rushed story for no fucking reason. I wouldn't be so mad if they just did something after that. Sure, one could say this is them building up to MWIV but it also could have been dealt with one more mission. It truly feels like a slap to the face for the fans, cause we know OG Soap's death was agonising but it had its resolution with Price honouring his men.

If this was the second game then it would also make more sense, build up to the conclusion. But no, this was what most of us expected to be the big finale of Makarov and this current story of Modern Warfare, and it wasn't. Just more prolonged waiting that they're probably going to rush to get out next year. It's truly a shame on the big trio working on this game, but also towards the new fans and in my eyes, Neil too. This was his big break in sorts and it's clear by fan interaction he loves being Soap. I'm glad he seems to be the main protagonist of Zombies which makes me hope he'll be in more things or some pre campaign things but damn. Imagine getting the role of a beloved character, giving them an incredible performance just to be shot point blank and given a dull ending. That would make me feel betrayed but ofc I won't speak for Neil, I have 0 clue how he feels on all this. Hell he could be all for it. Just...truly sucks from a fans perspective.

One final thing is the questions and confusion that ig are open ended because whoop de doo another game, more cash for Activision. For starters; who was the 'Shadow' giving Makarov intel? Was it supposed to be Shepard? Considering he was kidnapped and all that would make sense, but Makarov specifically said Shadow. In my eyes if he had meant Shepard, he would have said US Official or something.

Speaking of Shadows; why did Graves sell him out? What's he gonna gain from that? A redemption arc? Fuck that shit I didn't spend almost two hours fighting the tank for him to come back and be all "am sowwy"

Was Urzikstan truly cleared of any wrong doing or is it one of those things where it's like "Welp it's one General's word against our opinions". Also not to get into irl things but seeing some of the stuff during the Passenger mission had me thinking of how the world is currently with certain ongoing fights. Sometimes COD gets the realism down.

Maybe it was because of the situation they were in and how big the threat was, but there wasn't much of a dynamic going on with the teams. At most, there was some Soap and Ghost banter, and then Graves with his Shadows but that was kinda it. No idle chatter just head in the game type of deal. Does make sense ofc but maybe that's why the characters really felt off at times.

One that's just a personal thing; since it's confirmed that at least in 2019, Price, Soap and Ghost knew one another, makes sense cause the trio were SAS, but it's got me thinking why is Ghost the only one allowed to call him Johnny? It was teased in MWII with the interaction in Prison Break but...it's not been elaborated on. Even Price, when Soap was losing his shit over Makarov in the Heli, called him John.

What did Ghost do or say that Soap decided he could allow him to call him Johnny? This isn't anyway me asking "OooOO, are they fruity???" no I'm curious. If it was a thing he allowed his superiors that he was friendly with to say, then Price would be included that. Alejandro and Rudy would be included. What makes Ghost so special?

The last thing that my grief riddled mind can think of is where is Soap's family? I don't think I can truly believe he doesn't have one. It's canon he joined because of his cousin so...why was the 141 the ones to spread his ashes? Again it could have been his wish and all...shit just also adds to the rushed story feeling. I ain't asking for the MacTavishs to make an appearance or be canon or whatever but as someone who has a loved ones ashes, the small urn you get would have made more sense. That they decided with the ashes his family gave them to throw them off the cliffside in what I assume is Scotland.

If he didn't have family then holy shit it makes his death even more hurtful but no way impactful.

I'm just rambling angrly now so I'll stop my thoughts. Overall the game was fun, interesting concept with the Weapons Free missions but the story was lackluster compared to the previous games, as well as a slap to the face for Soap's character. It was just there for the sake of sadness.

I wasn't expecting a happy ending, I was just hoping for a honourable conclusion.

[thoughtfulreviewprincess]

Was it weird to have a crush on two people? In Sasuke’s mind, it was. Because when Naruto forces him to socialise in their group get-togethers and the topic of relationships and crushes pop up, everyone only thinks about one person. 

Sure, you can find multiple people attractive but that wasn’t what the Uchiha was referring to.

How was he going to explain that when he thought of the ‘special someone’ two faces popped up in his mind? Of bright emerald innocent eyes and cunning purple ones. 

Defiantly not the combination you would think would go well together.

Sakura and Suigetsu were total opposites.

One was a healer and the other thrived off killing.

How could he be interested in them both?

He didn’t know when this happened or could really put a label on it. 

Did he just find them both physically attractive? That would make more sense yes?

“So Sasuke-Kun,” the blonde pulled him out of his thoughts and he knew the exact question she was going to ask. They do this every time and Sasuke would give them the same answer.

Silence. 

“Anyone special in your life?” Ino winked and Sasuke tsked downing his sake.

“Always so boring,” she pouted and then elbowed Sakura. “How do you get him to talk?”

“You think I have a clue? He doesn’t tell me anything.” She gave him a mocking pout, why were they talking about him like he wasn't in the room when Sakura was sitting on the opposite side of him.

‘Always so oblivious,’ Sasuke thought amused.

“Oi, Princess, pass me the sauce.”

“Stop calling me Princess!” Yet the kunoichi still reached out asking Shikamaru for the sauce to pass to Suigetsu.

“You responded.” Sakura didn’t say another word feeling her face heat up at the remark. It’s not like he referred that name to anyone else. So what was she supposed to make of it?

“And I don’t know why you're getting so angry at me anyway, at least I don’t call you ugly. Like some here…” His eyes narrowed in on the other teammate who just blinked innocently before smiling.

“Sai is an exception, leave him alone.”

It was almost humorous how well and not so well they got along, of course, that was to be expected from Sakura and Naruto. Even if in the past team taka were once criminals they were also his close friends.

Neither of the two was going to turn them away knowing how much they meant to Sasuke. This new team was… chaotic to say the least and Tsunade would usually pair them as much as she could.

The three of them would also go on missions alone as a team, much too often recently. Could that be when he started seeing them differently? Suigetsu would always flirt with Sakura and if he didn’t know any better was also flirting with him too. Or was he imagining things? Sakura would go along with it, not really looking further into it and as for them… well there was still the history they shared.

Still, with Suigetsu around it was much easier to ease the tension and make them forget.

“You wound me, I thought we were special.” 

“In your dreams.” The white-haired male turned to him.

“Sasuke, tell your teammate to stop being mean to me.”

“He’s not the boss of me.” He wasn’t, so why did Suigetsu make such a remark? Unless… at the sly smirk the man threw his way Sasuke’s fears came true. That smug bastard knew… he had to have known.

It wasn’t exactly like Sasuke was subtle at times with the way he was watching them, yet just because Sakura didn’t pick up on it didn’t mean his other teammate wouldn’t either. 

He could just about hear Ino’s ‘you go girl!’ to Sakura but that was the least of his problems.

Still keeping his eyes glued onto Sasuke’s Suigetsu sat closer to Sakura. If he wanted a show, he’ll gladly give one.

“Hey, Princess.” 

“Hmm,” Sakura didn’t pay too much attention so when she felt his fingers hook under her chin to bring her face closer to his, so close.

Her first thought was that was he going to kiss her, and her cheeks turned pink. Was it all because of the sake they’ve been having? Even the rest of the room grew quiet and she could feel Sasuke’s heavy gaze on them but then his fingers swiped over her cheek.

“You’ve had some rice on your face.” Was all that he said smirking and pulling himself away.

“Oh…”

So that was why... 

Complete utter silence, until Naruto stood up furiously.

“Oi, oi, you leave Sakura-Chan alone!” Naruto knew he should have never trusted him alone with Sakura.

The bickering continued with Naruto shouting at Suigetsu and him acting unbothered whilst Ino and the girls teased poor flustered Sakura.

Sasuke was just grateful no one else saw his reaction.

~END~ 

[aeoki]

SS Finals - Epilogue 8

Location: SS Finals Live Stage Characters: Touri, Eichi, Hiyori & Nagisa

Touri: …Thank you, Hiyori-sama.

Hiyori: Heheh. I haven’t done anything warranting a thank-you, though.

Touri: No matter what the reason was, it doesn’t change the fact that you still saved me when I collapsed. You protected me and gave me strength to stand up on my own two feet once more.

No. You inspired me and gave me a dream. Did you know? I wanted to be an idol after I saw your performance as part of “fine”.

Hiyori: So I’ve heard. Well, it’s an honour.

…I didn’t really want to be an idol in the beginning.

But Nagisa-kun kept saying how he wanted to be one, so maybe he influenced me…

I didn’t enrol into Yumenosaki because I wanted to be an idol – I did so because I wanted to walk beside Nagisa-kun. It’s not a very nice motive, huh.

Afterwards, a lot of awful things happened and I actually started hating it all. 

The practices are always hard, and there are times where you can never be rewarded no matter how hard you try…

But I feel alive when I’m on stage.

Ahh, I’m right here! I’m alive! I love this job because it makes me feel that way! I’m really glad I chose this path!

It doesn’t matter what started it! Doesn’t matter if it was for money or fame!

But even so, if we’re able to stand on stage as fellow idols, then we should share these feelings of happiness and euphoria, right?

Let’s make it shine even more! We’ll do it all together!

Let’s smile and shower everyone with a joy that’s strong enough to blow away all of their sorrows and darkness!

Touri: Yeah…☆

(That’s fine for now – for when we’re on stage.)

(Right now, I’ll just be a part of this radiance.)

(I did collapse from the weight of the hardships and worries of it all.)

(But I wanted to look better! I wanted to be someone exceptional without having to feel ashamed!)

(But I still have so far to go in order to be the ideal me…)

(That’s really frustrating.)

(But tomorrow, I’ll be an even better version of myself. I’ll believe in that and I’ll fight against the cruel reality once I’m off stage.)

(I’ll resolve my issues one at a time and grow into someone strong and amazing.)

(I’ll be someone I’m proud of and I’ll shine even brighter on stage!)

(Just like Hiyori-sama, Eichi-sama and the other idols I respect! If I fall down, I’ll get up over and over again, and I’ll soar through the sky!)

(I’ll brighten up the world! Just like the sun!)

“♪~♪~♪”

Hiyori: “~......”

Nagisa: …What a happy ending.

Eichi: Do you really think so?

Nagisa: …Of course not. The pressing matter has been taken care of – that’s all there is to it.

…I committed a crime. I eliminated a human being due to my negative emotions.

…That sin cannot disappear. It won’t be allowed to.

…I think I’ve understood your feelings a bit, Eichi-kun.

Eichi: Really, now? I still have no clue what you could possibly be feeling, though.

It seems you’re able to deceive others with those pretty words you utter like a holy saint. But you can’t fool me, Nagisa-kun.

Nagisa: …………

Eichi: You should have obtained a great power this time.

You must have gotten a reward for teaming up with “Gatekeeper” to subjugate his arch-enemy, “Priest”.

That’s the sort of man “Gatekeeper” is. He’s rather upright – his nature and position won’t allow him to move unless he has calculated all of his losses and gains.

That’s a truth I confirmed when I negotiated with him during “SANCTUARY”.

“Gatekeeper” left satisfied.

“Priest” may have been his arch-enemy, but was defeating him after leaving him alone all that time really meaningful for him?

No. He also obtained something else he wanted.

He obtained the legitimate successor of the God he loved.

Nagisa: …………

Eichi: Subaru-kun’s father didn’t want that. “Priest” was just a substitute and was lacking in ability and everything else.

But you’d be the perfect person to inherit that position and status.

That was proven with how you twisted everything around your finger and led all these events to unfold in the way they did – You have the skills for it.

You’ll become the next god. A new god. “Gatekeeper” must have interrogated “Priest” and gotten information about all the vested interests that exist in this industry.

But “Gatekeeper” doesn’t have an interest in idols. He already learnt that he'd only burn his hand if he touched this industry carelessly.

So he can’t use the thing he went through so much trouble to obtain.

That’s why he’ll leave all those things to the legitimate successor of the god he loved. There was someone else that god loved apart from Subaru-kun’s father.

That’s you. You’ll rule over the industry as the new king of darkness who will inherit everything from “Priest’s” assets to his personal connections and influential power.

You’ll control it all from this idol industry – from the world we all love.

Nagisa: …………

Eichi: Money is still money no matter how dirty it is.

The clean power that was purified in a ceremony called “SS” as well as everything “Priest” had in his possession will be yours.

You act like the sore loser when in fact you’re the real winner in all of this. You pretend to be a pious martyr but in reality, you became the new god.

An entity so great that it could even become an object of belief.

The next, latest god.

What do you intend on doing with that power?

Nagisa: …Nothing currently.

…I won’t say it’s not as though I wished to become god. But everything I gained this time was a reward I did not expect.

…I’ll take my time to think about how I’ll use it all once the new year is here.

…But I’ll say just one thing, Eichi-kun.

…You bear a human vessel but you’ll continue to distort the world like a god.

…You’ll continue to warp this reality according to your dream.

…If you end up going mad or become filled with malice and turn into a calamity that will destroy everything…

…Then, this time, I will stop you before everything comes to an end.

…I won’t pretend I never saw anything ever again.

…Surely, ”divine punishment” awaits the foolish humans who trespass God's dominion.

Eichi: I’ll bear that in mind.

Oh, but, hehe ♪ I shouldn’t be delighted but I can’t help but stifle a laugh. It seems an interesting story will continue to unfold in the future.

My relationship with Touri, you – a new threat, the idol industry that continues to decay despite the source of its corruption being eradicated… There is a huge pile of issues and the causes for my headaches are never-ending.

But it seems that’s precisely why I cannot kick the bucket just yet.

No. It would be a waste for it to come to a fine (end) right here ♪

Nagisa: …I feel the same way, old friend.

…I cannot stop here because of the weight of my sins.

Nagisa: …There is a vast world in front of us.

…Let’s turn it into an Eden where the people I love can live there happily with a smile.

…In order to make that happen, we’ll move forwards while shouldering our sins – one step at a time.

Eichi: Together, we will, Nagisa-kun.

Nagisa: …Right, Eichi-kun.

…I won’t let anything go this time.

“♪~♪~♪”

Eichi: “♪~♪~♪”

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