#yes more money immediately would be helpful for everyone obviously

[stirdrawsandreblaws]

was just told I'm only delaying the inevitable (covid infection) by being willing to work long hours for pennies online instead of working in-person retail for minimum wage bc it would pay more

not killing myself is also functionally delaying the inevitable (death) but there is value in that, isn't there? fuck.

[save-the-villainous-cat]

"Okay, I know you are just here to annoy me and to antagonise me but I really have a problem and I need your help," the hero said through clenched teeth. Their grip on the villain's elbow was tight. Tight enough to make the villain actually believe that something was wrong for a second.

Admittedly, the hero was right about the first part - the villain only attended the gala to annoy the hero. No one would ever believe that the kind billionaire who donated to good causes regularly was fighting the city's favourite hero at night. No one knew, except for the hero and it was by now the villain's special liking to tease their poor nemesis and to let them know the person they were fighting against could get away with most things.

It was more like a hobby. The villain enjoyed watching the hero's little attempts at changing politics or fighting for justice that was clearly manipulated by money. Money which the villain had enough of.

"Oh, really?" the villain asked. "You really want to make a scene? In front of this lovely audience?"

The villain set their hand on the hero's waist and leaned in.

"Don't you think our relationship is more intimate than that?" they whispered into the hero's ear. Messing with the hero excited them more than it should have. The hero was so naive that it was almost funny how they saw the world.

What they believed in and how they presented themselves was admirable but it was a little fantasy world they tried to live in. The hero's faith in humanity was set in stone but the villain had seen how cruel this world could be. In their opinion, the only truly kind person on this planet was the hero themselves - a saint amongst sinners. Someone who tried so hard, yet they were doomed to fail.

Not because they weren't good enough but because everyone around them was too rotten.

"Please," the hero said. They looked a little pale. "You like business, don't you? So how about you help me and I help you in return? Excluding murder or torture or something like that, alright?"

The villain sighed.

"What? Did you rescue a kitten or something and don't know how to bring it home?"

"No, I...just please." The hero's wide eyes were almost unbearable to look at. The villain could feel the hero's hand on their elbow, holding onto them as if they were going to fall over any second.

Those goddamn puppy eyes.

The villain cursed internally. Yes, they had wanted the hero's attention but they hadn't anticipated to turn on their morality and help them.

"Ugh. Fine. What is it?"

"Come with me, please."

The hero dragged the villain through the room full of politicians and celebrities hastily. It must have looked a little strange, almost as if the hero was going to scold them. For a second, the villain really believed the hero was going to betray their trust and simply kick their ass outside.

Those thoughts were discarded quickly, though. After all, this was the hero with their stupid kindness.

It didn't take long for the villain to realise that they were heading for the restrooms.

The hero nearly threw their nemesis into one of the little bathrooms of the hotel and locked the door behind the both of them. Without wasting another second, the hero started to undress themselves in front of the villain which - obviously involuntary - made the villain's heart skip a few beats. They tried to look unbothered but they had never seen the hero like this.

The fancy clothes they'd been wearing all evening came off and for the first time, the villain was aware how vulnerable the hero was right now.

And how much they seemed to trust the villain.

Annoyed at those thoughts, the villain scoffed.

"Christ, next time just tell me if you want to make ou- oh my god?!" Immediately, the villain looked away and stared at the tiles of the bathroom instead of the horror cut into the hero's stomach. There was a giant fleshy wound, something so disgusting, the villain was going to throw up any second now.

"I thought my bandages would be enough but I bled right through them and I really need someone to-"

"And you're asking me to help you?!" The villain covered their mouth with their hand and tried desperately not to vomit. "You know I can't - urgh-"

They couldn't see blood. Their own blood was alright but someone else's? That was a completely different story. Everything inside the villain contracted and they felt a shiver run down their spine. It was such a repulsive feeling they nearly saw this as a punishment.

"Please, I...I was planning on convincing the mayor to invest in more bike roads to lower traffic accidents. I really need to-"

"Oh, fuck off. You are unbelievable. You're going to a gala? With that wound? To convince the mayor to build more roads for fucking bikers?"

"Please," the hero begged. The villain didn't look at them. It was ridiculous enough for the hero to be here, let alone beg them for their help.

The villain felt sick to their stomach. Personally, they didn't use any weapons that could cut through skin. It was way too disgusting for them to even consider it. Whoever had done this to the hero, was sick to their core. The villain swallowed.

And yet...They could hear the hero's quick breathing and their sniffles. Fuck, they were probably holding back tears.

"I really fucked up," the hero said. "You are right about a lot of things, you know? Sometimes, I just want to give up because I feel so dumb for believing I could change anything. But this is really important to me and I really need you to save me this time."

The villain closed their eyes.

I really need you to save me this time.

"Shit. Lay down." They managed to look into the hero's eyes but in their periphery, they saw the blood running down their body, running down their leg. Thank god they were next to a toilet.

The hero did as they'd been told and the villain concentrated on their eyes instead of anything else. That was easy, it always had been. It was more intimate than any situation they had been in together. The villain sat down next to them and kept looking into their enemy's eyes.

"Tell me what to do."

"Can you use a clean towel to stop the bleeding?"

"Yes, yeah. Yes." The villain found one and pressed it against the hero's stomach. Their nemesis made a horrible sound. "One thing, though."

"Yeah?"

"You go home after this," the villain said. "I do this and you go home."

"No, I-"

"That's the one thing I want in return. You'll go home after this. Fuck, I'll drive you or whatever." The villain rolled their eyes, pretending to be annoyed once again. With an injury this big, the hero wouldn't make it through the night without rest. It was true that the hero was very hard to kill. But that didn't make the situation any less critical.

"Did you know over 30% of people in this city die because of road accidents? And over 20% of those include bikes, I've been trying for months to-"

"Okay. I will get those stupid roads for you," the villain hissed. "Just...let me bring you home after."

They didn't expect the hero to take their hand and smile softly.

[katxxgrace]

Niko Omilana ~ £10 Date VS £10,000 Date ~ Beta Squad video.

Niko Omilana but references a date with both Niko and Chunkz orchestrated for entertainment purposes.

Summary: As the only female member of the Beta Squad, you are the chosen date for the £10 Date VS £10,000 Date video on the Beta Squad channel. Obviously the aim of the video is to see whether money or personality matters more on a date, so Chunkz's is being a good date, person and overall caring, but having the low budget of £10, while Niko had a high budget of £10,000 but had to be arrogant and rude. Nobody knows you would die for a real rate with Niko.

Warnings: Planned and Orchestrated Relationships for entertainment, Language, Kissing, Smut/Sexual Themes, Descriptive Smut, Unsafe Sex.

This takes place a few years ago on original Beta Squad. Go watch the video it's mad funny.

It takes ages to get to the smut but it does get there - I wouldn't lie to you bae xx.

Niko is so fine bro

2nd Person - past tense

"Hi Guys, Welcome to the Beta Squad channel, and today we are going to do a £10 VS £10,000 date challenge, in which two people go on a date with one girl. The aim is to see whether money or personality matter more."

Everyone has been introduced and is going out to find a girl. Once they have discovered this is a no-go, they go back to the Beta House to think.

Aj sat on a bean bag, everyone else on the couch. Out of no-where, (definitely scripted), Chunkz said:

"Guys, the 6th Beta Squad member is upstairs and we didn't even think about her. Why can't she be the date?"

Niko insisted against the idea, "Nah, nah. Wouldn't that be weird?"

Aj looked straight into the camera:

"Well, we're gonna do it anyway, we have a tight budget," He said and laughed.

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

A knock on your door was heard and Niko, Chunkz and Aj came in. Kenny and Sharky waited outside. Chunkz looked at you, you were sitting in your chair editing when you heard them and turned around:

"Uhm, hello?" You said, acting confused for the sake of the video.

Niko spoke: "We would like you to help us film a Beta video."

"Okay... what do I have to do?"

Aj said: "You have to go on a date..."

You got up, "Yes, well needed."

He continued, "With two of us..."

"What... why?" You said, feigning confusion.

"Content?" Aj said into the camera with a smile on his face.

"Whatever let's go," you laughed.

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

"After careful consideration, Chunkz has been chosen for the £10 date, and Niko was elected for the £10,000 date," Sharky said into the camera.

"Oh, this is gonna be horror," Chunkz said, half-laughing, half-despairing.

The camera panned towards Niko, his face seemed filled with glee for the £ 10,000 budget but somehow worried.

You internally freaked out in the corner of the room, staring at Niko before burying your face into your phone, acting unbothered.

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

The next scene showed you entering the Beta House as if for the first time. You knocked on the door and waited for what felt like hours before a smiling Aj appeared before you.

"Welcome! Sorry for the wait beautiful," he winked. "Come in, come in."

He took you through the house and into the backyard, where a piece of cardboard and Chunkz awaited on the floor.

"Oh." The camera panned towards your concerned face.

Chunkz noticed you, "Hey darling, take a seat, my apologies for the current... situation."

He smiled sweetly.

Immediately you thought about how it's weird to be on a date with Chunkz, not only because he was your friend, but because he wasn't really your type and you usually wouldn't go for him.

Despite this, you could see that he was trying his best to make the date a little more enjoyable for you.

Sat on the other side of the cardboard (uncomfortably, due to the grass being a little damp), you watched Aj walk over and offer the both of you some drinks.

You piped up, "Do you have any champagne?"

"No," Aj replied.

Chunkz looked like he wanted to die.

It cut to his interview:

"We have a 10-pound budget... and this gyal thinks we got champagne? Mad ting."

"What do you have?" You asked.

Aj hesitated, "Water... I think?"

You smiled awkwardly and accepted anything you could get. The date continued to be an absolute shambles. It was awkward, the budget was not ideal and you walked away with wet legs. However, Chunkz was really trying for you and ended up being really nice, showing you that he too wanted to have a more ideal situation and a better date.

Cameras went off before you left for your dreaded second location.

Chunkz hugged and thanked you, saying, "Don't have too much fun on your date."

He winked and you said your final goodbyes.

Niko's POV - past tense

At this point, we had gathered all of our supplies and were waiting in the restaurant for Y/n to arrive. Tired of waiting in the uncomfortable booth, I sighed and decided to go outside.

As I opened the front door, I was taken by surprise - Y/n appearing right in front of me. I jumped.

She laughed, "Such a gentleman and the date hasn't even started yet?"

She smiled and walked over to George, getting orders on what to do. She went back outside for a walk-in shot and sat down opposite me. As she sat down, she noticed flowers splayed out on the table, spelling her name so incorrectly it made her laugh. You genuinely would've thought a child spelt it.

"That's sweet but it's spelt wrong."

I laughed and then dropped my face dramatically, "No that's right."

She smiled awkwardly for a second before I randomly leaned forward, to "kiss" her as the boys had "advised". I could've sworn for a second her face went red before creasing her eyebrows and looking around.

"Did you just dodge my kiss?" I asked, mock-offended.

"Yes... why would you kiss me thirty seconds into a date?" She laughed awkwardly.

"Are you a lesbian or something?" I said, 'seriously'.

She bursted out laughing before profusely apologising. We got told we were going to have to re-take the whole scene. She spent another ten minutes apologising again and again, which I was grateful for as it stalled the almost-kiss for a little longer.

When it came, our faces were inches apart for a few seconds, and my face was heated, wishing I could've stayed like that for just a second longer. I've never wanted to lean forward and let go as much as I did then.

I pushed through the rest of the date acting arrogant and entitled before we finally finished recording and the camera went off.

Y/n burst out laughing, she looked at me and I swear a blush formed on her cheeks but I figured it was heated from filming so long on this hot set and ignored it.

"Nikolas Omilana," she laughed. I smiled - hearing her say my full name always gave me butterflies, "I never thought you could be such an obnoxious prick."

I joked around, saying: "Could I get that kiss now though?"

I laughed, obviously kidding but wishing she really would do it.

She giggled and reached up onto her toes, grabbing the back of my neck with one hand and my jaw with the other, kissing me softly.

She pulled away laughing, Sharky and Kenny as shocked as I was.

In all honesty, I didn't think she actually would do it, it was just a stupid fantasy. In reality, I had no clue what to say or do if it would happen and still had no clue what to say or do when it did happen.

"I...," I stuttered, utterly speechless, "You know I was joking right?". I lie through my teeth, knowing I wanted that so badly.

"I know," She giggled.

I looked down at her and my heart warmed up. I leaned down and kissed her again more passionately, my hands in her hair and her arms around my neck.

Sharky and Kenny jokingly cheered in the background, laughing and applauding me on my "good work".

I pulled away and smiled at her lovingly.

"I think the date went brilliantly," I laughed.

She smiled, "I can't believe I just kissed someone after a date like that."

"How about I take you on a better one to make up for it?" I prayed she didn't think I was cringe, or maybe she didn't even like me at all like that.

Sharky and Kenny whispered their 'smooth's and 'cold's and she smiled and stuck her tongue out from between her teeth slightly. She hugged me, her head immediately cuddled into my chest.

'God, I could bend her over right now." I randomly thought, immediately feeling creepy and grossed out in my head.

Her breasts were pushed into my chest, my heartbeat got faster and I slowly felt an erection forming until I pushed her away "calmly", I smiled innocently as if I couldn't and hadn't been imagining her in every position under me I could physically think of.

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

Kenny drove and Sharky took the front seat before I could, forcing me awkwardly in the back with Y/n.

The whole journey I rested my hand on her thigh, hoping she felt the same internal screaming as I did then.

Y/n's POV - past tense

I had zoned out for the rest of the car journey and 45 minutes went by faster than I could imagine. The endless kisses I wanted from him and Niko's hand on my thigh were the only things running through my head.

The car stopped suddenly and I awoke to Niko picking me up out of the seat and closing the door.

I rubbed my eyes slowly, really feeling Niko's hands around me.

I must have fallen asleep again because I woke up in Niko's bed, half-lay half-sat uncomfortably. My neck ached and I was thirsty.

The only sounds I could hear were Chunkz editing something - presumably the video we have just filmed, and Niko's electric toothbrush vibrating from his bathroom.

Niko walked in wearing an NDL hoodie and plain grey joggers.

"Oh, you're awake!" he exclaimed.

I hummed softly and sat up, stretching.

I swung my legs over and got out of his bed. I was about to walk out when I heard Niko say my name.

I turned around, eyebrow raised.

"Would you wanna watch a movie?" he smiled sweetly.

I nodded, yawning.

"I'm gonna get dressed first," I said, still wearing my dress (thankfully my heels had been taken off).

"You can just wear my clothes," he hesitated, then added, "If you want."

I nodded and he gave me his t-shirt and a pair of his boxers. I go into his bathroom to change.

I started being nosy in his bathroom, looking at his shower and in his cupboards. I held his shirt to my nose, inhaling and closing my eyes. I slipped out of my dress and my bra, feeling grateful to have free breasts for a while after having a push-up on all day.

Putting his clothes on, I saw his cologne and sprayed some, basking in his scent.

When I walked into the room Niko was searching for a movie to play, looking half-asleep cuddled up in his bed. I got in beside him, resting my head on his shoulder, not getting too close cuddly just in case he didn't want that.

Clearly I was mistaken because I felt a much larger hand wrap around my waist, pulling me closer before moving it down my lower back and holding me tightly to him.

He played the movie but seemed to be much more interested in looking at me than watching it.

I looked up at him and he smiled sleepily. He almost looked drunk from there and for some reason that made me want to kiss him, so I did.

My heart pounded, butterflies erupted in my stomach and my breath flutters as he pulled me infinitely closer to him.

He deepened the kiss, slipping his tongue into my mouth and pulling me onto his lap, so I was straddling him. I moaned softly into the kiss, immediately embarrassed. He smiled, wrapping his large hands around my waist and moving them, holding my hips.

He guided me so that I was grinding on him slowly and I felt him twitch underneath me.

He soon got hard, pushing his hips up into mine. He sat up, breaking the kiss only to slip his hoodie and t-shirt over his head.

"Can I take off yours too?" he asked, lust in his eyes.

I nodded and he pulls it up over my head, groaning and the sight. I giggle and go in for another kiss, pushing my bare chest against his and wrapping my hands in his hair.

I slipped my tongue into his mouth, making him groan into the kiss.

"Get up," he said, gently but still showing his dominance over me. I did and he stripped down to his underwear.

I couldn't help but stare at his erection through his boxers. Larger than I had expected, and I had expected it to be large.

He smirked. I lay down on the bed on my back and he leant over me, biting his lip before re-connecting our lips. He held my face in his hands, which seemed overly romantic. I appreciated the intimate gesture.

He kissed down my neck and moved his way up to my jaw, nipping and sucking, creating love-bites all over my skin.

My breathing sped up and he chuckled against my skin.

I slipped out of my underwear and he groaned from above me. He kissed down my chest and stomach. He completely skipped the area I most wanted him, kissing down my inner thighs. He smiled up at me from between my legs before licking up my thigh.

I moaned out his name softly, pleading for him to touch me.

Niko smirked up at me, gazing into my eyes as if they were the stars and he was merely an admirer of my beauty.

"Can I?" he whispered.

"Please," I nodded. He bit his lip and suddenly I felt his middle finger on my clit, rubbing gently and slowly.

I called out, moaning his name. He smiled hearing me whimper, entering a finger inside of me and moving it slowly.

He added another finger, moving faster inside of me but still incredibly gentle, taking care of me.

Just when I told him I was close he pulled him fingers from me, licks them off and leans back over me, kissing me once again in a swift motion.

He pulled away, staring into my eyes.

"You're so beautiful," he smiled, and I felt a warming in my heart.

I leant up and kissed him. I felt emotionally attached to him, a connection so much deeper than sexual chemistry.

I pulled away slowly and we smiled at each other almost politely, so we both started laughing at the irony of smiling at each other so friendly.

Niko cut both of us off, kissing me passionately, leaning down onto me.

The skin-to-skin contact of our bare chests together was intense.

He asked for permission and lined himself up with my entrance, eyes focused on mine at all costs. he slowly entered me, asking every two seconds if everything was okay and if he was doing anything wrong, if I was in pain.

I gave him my approval and he stared to move gently, groaning a little.

"Niko," I moaned out, hearing his own whines made everything ten times more pleasurable.

He moved faster, but still gently, not wanting to hurt me. All you could hear in the room was our moans in harmony like a sensual melody only to be heard by us.

The room smelt of sex and Niko's cologne. I like to imagine he could smell my perfume as intoxicatingly as his fragrance was for me.

He uttered words of praise, constantly reminding me that:

"You're doing so well.", and:

"You feel so good."

I moaned out his name, signaling I was close and he sped up, pressing his finger back to my clit and rubbing me softly.

"I'm coming," he called out.

He groaned and released inside of me before panicking a little.

"I'm so sorry... are you on the pill?"

I nodded and he looked relieved. We hadn't even thought of that beforehand.

I closed my eyes, not minding much but a little annoyed I didn't get to finish, before I felt Niko's breath on my thigh, making me jump a little.

He licked up my inner thigh, cleaning up his own mess and wrapping his hands around each thigh before connecting his tongue with my clit, pulling on it a little with his teeth softly.

He entered his tongue inside me, making me gasp, and he laughed, vibrations circling around my body. He entered two long fingers inside me once again, sucking on my clit slightly.

"I'm gonna come," I warned, and he sped up a little.

I felt myself go over the edge and shake slightly, feeling an orgasm wash over me completely and rest in my core. He helped me ride out my high and stopped once I had completely finished, licking up the remains.

He looked so unbelievably hot doing so that I didn't even mind the overstimulation he was creating.

Once he was happy he came up behind me, holding me in his arms and kissing my head.

I sighed, "I need a shower."

I got up, stumbling a little when I tried to walk.

I turned around hearing him laugh, "Shush."

"I didn't say anything!" He held his hands up in defence.

I rolled my eyes, "You coming?" He nodded and stood up, towering over me.

Niko's POV - past tense

I followed her into the bathroom and turned on the shower for her. I noticed that she turned the heat up substantially.

I got in after her, hugging her waist from behind, and placed chaste kisses on her neck, proud of the bruises I had previously left on the skin. I opened my body wash, squeezed some into my hand and rubbed it into her neck and back. I liked the idea that she would smell like me the next day.

I did her shampoo and she did mine, we giggled together as she stood on her tip-toes, leaning up into my hair in an attempt to wash it. I ended up helping her and she did her conditioner, and we finished up and dressed into clean clothes. I put on boxers and joggers, still far too hot for a t-shirt.

She wore an NDL T-shirt of mine and my boxers. We got back into bed, I lay on my back and she lay on her front with her face cuddled into my chest, her arms around my neck.

15 minutes later, I saw she had drifted off and felt I could finally rest.

I felt myself doze off not much later.

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

I woke up with a weight on my chest and arms wrapped lazily around my neck. I opened my eyes to see Y/n sleeping peacefully in my arms. I smiled, feeling unmatched love and appreciation for the girl in my arms.

I slid out from underneath her, placing her gently onto my pillow and throwing on a T-shirt and socks.

Heading downstairs, I saw everyone in the kitchen eating breakfast. The clock read 12:32 AM, which was unsurprising, as everyone in the house had just woken up.

I sat down, and everyone muttered their 'mornings' before Aj, the only person in the world with 100% energy all the time turned around to me and said:

"Your gyal was mad loud moaning last night, I swear to god I could not sleep."

Sharky let out a laugh, Chunkz and Kenny looking like they wanted to die. I was utterly speechless just staring at Aj, not really knowing how to reply. He looked at me puzzled.

"Shut her up next time?" he raised an eyebrow.

Chunkz started laughing then, muttering 'How's he gonna do that?' before I started laughing a little too.

A second later Y/n came into the room wearing my clothes. She smelled like she had used my deodorant too.

"Something funny?" She smiled, making her way to the toaster before putting two slices of bread into it. I gave Aj a glare and he ignored my warning look, saying in a high-pitched voice:

"Ohh Niko, please, I'm gonna cum." He laughed.

She leaned, holding her head in her hands as everyone was giggling around her.

Kenny decided to join in, "Yes Niko, right there," he said mockingly before making the most graphic moaning noise possible.

I groaned and walked over to her, holding her waist from behind and leaning down to kiss her head. Aj wooed behind us and I gave him a strange look.

Y/n put together cheese on toast and set it in front of me before grabbing one of her monster cans and walking out. I followed her, plate in hand, furrowing my brow.

I walked in, and she was sitting on the sofa drinking her can.

"Hello?" I said, confused.

"What?" she looked completely innocent, an image of beauty.

"Is this for me... or?"

She nodded as if to say 'obviously'.

"You didn't have to do that," I smiled, seeing how giving she could be, but she passed it off as everyday behaviour. King treatment.

"I know," she said, almost matter-of-factly. It was no big deal for her, but meant everything to me.

I smiled, thanked her and sat down next to her, eating. I wasn't hungry, but ate to show my appreciation for the gift.

Y/n's POV - past tense

30 minutes later me and Niko were watching some random movie he found and cuddling in his bed. All I could think about was what our relationship even was at this point. I really wanted to be with him, call him mine, be loved by him, but I had no clue what he wanted or how he was feeling. if he would just talk to me so I could get the slightest inclination to how he felt.

I was still overthinking when I felt his hand shift on my thigh, startling me - so I jumped.

He chuckled, "Sorry."

I giggled for a second before we sat in silence, aware of each other's presence and skin-to-skin contact driving us crazy. I felt his hand on my jaw, lifting my face to the side. He gazed into my eyes as if he was drawn to them. He kissed me softly and I kissed him back, feeling genuine love for him from the bottom of my heart.

He pulled away slowly and I felt his heart rate fast on my back.

"I love you," he blurts out suddenly, I just looked at him, shocked. My mouth was open slightly and I didn't know what to say or do.

He looked worried, biting his lip, "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to put pressure on you or anything. You don't have to say it back of course... I'm sorry-"

I cut him off by kissing him. He smiled into the kiss and I pulled away slowly, scared but overjoyed.

"I love you too," I muttered, but I knew he could hear.

I rested my head back on his chest and smiled to myself. I felt a surge of love for him all at once, washing over me like a wave of affection. I breathed in his scent, never feeling happier than I did then.

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Okay it's finally done after like 3 weeks - I hope it's worth it.

Loved making this but it was hard work.

Let me know if you enjoyed it <3.

Don't know how many words.

[moosesarecute]

Part 14: The Shadows Sing

Part 13 Part 15

“I thought we had an agreement,” Master Raven told you. You could almost feel his patience slipping away.

“We did,” you said confidently. “We did, before you decided to make a deal with the people I despise the most in this world. Before you betrayed my trust.”

Master Raven let out a sigh.

“You’ll never pay your debt if this is all you hunt for. You’ve only gotten me three animals these two weeks!”

You were almost shaking with disbelief.

“You only have three things a week that I can hunt for. The rest is for the Illyrians! The Illyrians need this, the Illyrian needs that! What do you expect me to do?”

“I expect you to grow up, stop your childish tantrums and help the rest of your community!”

“Just give me my money.”

He handed you the small bag of money and you made your way out of his cabin. You tried to walk away fast, even though your prosthetic still was dragging against the ground.

“What happened to your prosthetic?”

You stopped.

“Your new friends jumped me.” You answered facing the door and not him.

“What did you do?”

Of course he immediately thought you did something.

You left, shaking your head as you walked out the door without closing it.

“Letter from master!” You had to hold in front of your ears as your shadows screamed at you.

“You delivered my letter to him right?” You immediately asked them.

“Yes! But Master’s shadows also had a letter!”

You let out a relieved sigh. You sat down at the table with the letter in your hand.

Your heart felt heavy. What if he told you he never wanted to see you again? He had been nothing but nice to you and to sent him away. Perhaps you ruined it.

“Open it! His shadows seemed happy!”

Probably happy to get rid of you.

You felt a hit to the back of your head.

“Hey!”

“They love you!”

Still hesitant about believing them, you opened the letter and started reading your illyrian’s beautiful handwriting.

My Huntress,

I’m sorry for reaching out. I know you wanted me to leave, but I just can’t stay away. If you tell me to leave again, I will listen. I crossed a line and I know that, but it won’t happen again. I promise.

My shadows would come give me updates on you and I can’t live with myself without helping you.

They told me you still have problems with your prosthetic, so I reached out to a master tinker from the Day Court. Turns out she gifted you the leg in the first place.

The screw that my shadows gave to yours will help with the mobility.

Please don’t hesitate writing back to me, I’m here if you need me.

x A

“You have the screw?” You asked your shadows.

When they didn’t answer you turned to look at them. All of them were frozen behind your shoulders, obviously having a peak at the content of the letter.

“What?”

“Read it again, Mistress,” they answered.

You did as they said, but you still didn’t get it.

“Again, Mistress.”

They told me you still have problems with your prosthetic, so I reached out to a master tinker from the Day Court. Turns out she gifted you the leg in the first place.

Turns out she gifted you the leg in the first place.

Gifted

Azriel stood leaning against the wall, listening to Devlon’s third excuse for why 15 of his illyrian warriors had disappeared.

Every time the male explained himself, the explanation was a little different then the last one.

“So you’re saying you know nothing about the rogue warriors that ambushed my brothers,” Rhys asked him. He looked extremely calm, but Azriel knew he wasn’t. “You don’t know how many they are?”

Devlon shook his head.

Feyre let out a sigh.

The meeting had been going on for almost two hours, without getting anywhere.

In two weeks they almost didn’t have any more information about the illyrians. Azriel had told his High Lady and Lord what you had told him, but it wasn’t much.

They wanted power, but how would they get it? Azriel hoped that you would know something and that his apology would help him get closer to you again.

Everyone turned their heads towards the door as Azriel’s shadows abruptly stormed into the room.

Rhys stood up, having come to the same conclusion as Azriel: something had to be seriously wrong.

His shadows were well behaved and knew when to not interrupt.

They rushed towards him and basically threw a paper bag at him.

He froze as he saw your rushed handwriting.

The illyrians are going to kidnap the High Lord and Lady’s son. They just left from here. They winnowed.

Please let me know he’s okay.

Azriel met Rhys’ concerned eyes as he bolted out the door. He immediately flew towards the cabin where he had lived with Rhys’ mother, Rhys and Cassian growing up.

The cabin where Nyx and Sonja currently were playing.

“Gone, dead.” His shadows told him, but he refused to believe them.

The door was open.

He landed on the ground and sprinted into the cabin.

“Blood, terror.”

“Pain, dead.”

He stopped as he entered the living room.

There Sonja laid on the floor. She was covered in blood and wasn’t breathing.

The rest of his family came storming into the living room where Azriel stood frozen.

“Where is he?” Feyre asked. “Where? Azriel, where is he?”

“The illyrians have him,” Azriel responded.

Feyre’s scream, Azriel was sure, could be heard throughout all seven courts.

For the first time in weeks you dared to shadow walk outside of your cabin.

You were simply too distressed to care.

He had lied to you, for over 50 years! You had paid back your debt for your training ages ago! He only told you half a year ago, but you had paid it was over five years ago!

You could have been free five years ago!

You had to force your shadows to stay behind as you stormed into Master Raven’s house. You had left everything behind and were still dragging your prosthetic against the ground.

“What the hell do you mean you lost him? How?” You heard Adrian’s muffled voice.

“He just disappeared in front of our eyes!”

You opened the doors.

“Get out,” you yelled at the illyrians.

“The bastard has come to play,” Adrian taunted you, but you didn’t care anymore. Your entire life was a lie.

You turned to Adrian.

“Get the fuck out!” You yelled and then turned your gaze to Master Raven. “Except for you.”

“You can’t just burst in here-“

“I know you’ve lied about my debt, so I think that means I can do whatever the fuck I want.”

You had silenced him. He rushed the illyrians out the cabin.

“So what is it you think you know?” Master Raven asked. His eyes were almost black with anger.

“My prosthetic was a gift. The money you have made me pay back hasn’t been used. You owe me money.”

“And tell me girl, how do you know this?” He asked tilting his head.

You’re not letting him intimidate you, not today.

“So you’re admitting that you lied.”

He let out a forced laugh.

“What would you have done? Where would you have gone? There’s no one here that wants to be with you.”

“You don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“So you have been talking to outsiders?” It was more like a statement rather than a question.

“Yes, I have.”

“That’s against the rules and you know it. I’m sure you know what happens to traitors.”

“I met him half a year ago, my debt was paid five years ago. You can’t hold me back for disobeying rules for the last five years.”

“You think I care?” Master Raven asked as The Raven lifted off the ground. “You, Y/N, are a traitor. And you know what we do with traitors.”

As The Raven got closer and closer to you, you realized you no longer had a choice. You had to get away and that fast.

You used all the power in your body and called your shadows. Luckily for you, they had been lingering in the shadows of the room the entire conversation.

It only took a couple of seconds and you were back in your cabin.

“Thank you,” you said holding back tears. “Thank you for everything. You’re the best thing that have ever happened to me.”

Your shadows embraced your entire body, but after a while they let go.

“We might have done something as you were gone.”

You felt dread fill your body. This can’t be good. It reminded you of the time you let them try out a new hunting technique and the almost burned down the entire forest.

You were ready to question them, but you soon realized you didn’t need to.

On your bed sat a small winged child and played with two of your shadows, the two you often called ‘the parents’. He couldn’t be older than two or three. He looked up at you with big blue eyes.

“Uncle Azzy!”

You felt your heart freeze as you realized that before you sat the heir of the Night Court.

“Fuck,” you muttered under your breath.

“Fuck!” Nyx repeated.

“No, shit, don’t say that!” You said rushing towards him.

“Shit!”

You felt a shadow hitting the back of your head.

“Are you hurt?” You carefully asked him.

He shook his head and continued to play with your shadows.

“Go get Azriel! Right now. As fast as you can. You have an hour at most. I’m going to pack.”

You sent away almost all your shadows, leaving only the two that played with Nyx behind. You knew that they travel the fastest in bigger groups.

Nyx jumped up from your bed and begun chasing your shadows around the cabin.

A different day and with different circumstances you could have enjoyed the sight, today however, it only made you annoyed.

Imagine having so little understanding about the dangers he was currently facing.

He ran around and you noticed his wings drooping and sometimes hitting the floor.

“You have to pick up your wings, you’ll hurt them if you drag them against the ground,” you said.

“Daddy always says the same thing!” He exclaimed. “Are you like Daddy? He can hide his wings.”

You only shook your head at his curiosity.

“No, I lost my wings many years ago.”

“But your illyrian?” He asked, pronouncing illyrian in the most adorable way.

“I was, but not anymore.”

“Do you miss it?”

That made you think. You missed flying. In the rare nights you had dreams instead of nightmares, you would be flying. Lately you were flying together with a certain illyrian, in your favorite dreams.

You also missed belonging to a place. In the Middle you felt quite lonely. You’d meet up with your group, but other than that, you were alone.

On the other side, you hated the way you were treated and would rather spend your life running than having to stay at one of the camps again.

“Mommy always says I can be whatever I want, so if you want to be an illyrian again, I think you could.”

His childish behavior made you smile.

Nyx continued playing with your shadows as you packed. It wasn’t a lot you needed, but you packed your letters from Azriel, the little food you had left and strapped all your weapons onto your body.

You were about to get Nyx and start leaving the forest when you heard a knock on your door.

You immediately turned to Nyx, you saw him open his mouth, but before he could speak, your shadows covered his mouth.

“Hide him in the closet! Don’t let anyone that isn’t me or Azriel come get him. You two stay here.”

You walked with heavy steps towards the door, so that they would hear you, but also to give yourself a little more time.

You opened the door to your cabin.

“Hello, traitor,” Adrian said. “Bastard, traitor, you really like the nicknames, don’t you?”

“What do you want?” You answered, sounding annoyed. You wouldn’t let him scare you. You had to stay strong, for Nyx.

Adrian shrugged and faster than you could react, smashed his fist into your jaw.

You immediately felt dizzy, but you knew you had to get you two away from your cabin. Away from Nyx.

“Too weak to fight back are we?”

You straightened your back and without actually seeing what you were doing jumped directly onto Adrian. The earth was spinning as you hit the ground.

“You bitch!”

The next thing you knew, was a fist crashing directly into your left eye and you fell into darkness.

“Who’s going in?” Cassian asked. “We know there’s at least 50 of them! We need many people.”

“We can’t send illyrians, that too risky. Some of them could turn against us mid fight.” Rhys argued.

“Why don’t we just show up and kill everyone in our way to get to him. I’m not sitting here waiting! It’s my son!” Feyre yelled.

“He’s my son too! They’ll kill him if we do that!”

Azriel just stood in the corner, brooding. How did he know the Illyrians were coming? It’s his fault, the entire thing!

“Mistress’ shadows are coming,” his shadows informed him.

Not even seconds later, he was tackled to the ground by your shadows. In a distance, Azriel could hear his family’s confused banter. Your shadows were swirling around him, he was certain he could see their mouths opening and closing. They were screaming at him.

“Calm down! It’s okay! Calm down,” he said and tried to pry them of him.

“What are they saying?” He asked his own shadows.

He patiently waited for them to communicate. They danced around each other as they spoke. Azriel could almost see the fondness between them.

“The leader betrayed Mistress, shadows rescued Nyx.”

“Where is Nyx now?”

“In Mistress’ cabin.”

“Thank the gods,” Azriel said in a sigh.

“What’s going on?” Feyre asked him.

“I know where Nyx is,” Azriel said.

“Take me to him,” Feyre said.

“But-“

“NOW!”

Azriel gave his High Lady a nod and shadow walked them, together with your shadows, into The Middle.

Unfortunately, it was also directly into the Illyrian’s trap.

@i-have-a-thing-for-the-dark @saltedcoffeescotch @rcarbo1 @mrsjna @kitsunetori @thecraziestcrayon @blessthepizzaman @mybestfriendmademe @scatteredstardustt @lilah-asteria @aaahhh0127 @topaz125 @miadialila

[dreamofbecoming]

more stobin nonsense from your resident trash goblin. feat. shitty harrington parents, lavender marriage, full party found family shenanigans, steddie flirting, steve&will bonding, and a severe lack of dialogue tags

rating: t wc: 5k ao3

“I knew it!”

Steve sighs. Listen, he knew the minute he opened his mouth that this was coming. There was always a zero percent chance Dustin was ever gonna let him get out the whole thing before bursting in with this exact interruption, but that doesn’t make it less annoying. If the little shithead would just let him finish--

"I knew you were perfect together, I can't believe you didn't tell us you were dating! How long have you been a thing? I have money to collect! Can I be your best man? Never mind, obviously I'm gonna be your best man. You so owe me for not telling me sooner! I cannot believe-"

"Henderson!"

"What?"

"We're not together like that."

In fairness, Dustin is not the only one to give them an incredulous look for that one.

"Steve. You literally just announced you and Robin are getting married. What is even the point of pretending you're not in love anymore? What are you still trying to prove? Just admit I was right the whole time!"

Steve pinches the bridge of his nose and forces himself to take a deep breath, instead of wringing Dustin's weird little boneless neck. It's not his fault, he reminds himself. They haven't gotten to the second part of the announcement, so his assumptions are natural.

Now, it is Henderson's fault that they haven't managed to say the rest of what they came here to say, so maybe he can keep blaming him after all.

"Do you remember when we sat down and we asked you guys to let us say everything we were gonna say without interrupting?"

"Uh, yeah dude, it was like ten minutes ago. We're not stupid."

"Has it occurred to you that maybe we weren't done saying everything we were gonna say, considering I was halfway through a sentence when you jumped in?"

"I mean, I guess, but like, it's pretty obvious where you're going with this, Steve. You're not a complicated guy, no offense. Now, where did we land on the best man issue?"

Nancy must see the offense very much taken on his face, because before he can open his mouth and say something probably horrifically rude that would feel amazing in the moment and which he would immediately regret, she jumps to his rescue.

"Dustin, you're being very rude. Steve and Robin came here to talk to us, and we promised to listen. Let them finish."

It's nice of her to back Steve up, considering how weird this conversation must be for her. Hopefully it gets less awkward soon.

Henderson grumbles mutinously, but years of dealing with first Mike and then the rest of the little dickheads have left Nancy's control ironclad, and he waves sarcastically for Steve to continue.

This kid is spending too much time with Eddie, the attitude is getting out of hand.

"Right. Thanks, Nance. As I was saying, Robin and I are getting married, yes. But not because we're in love. I mean, I love her, obviously, but as a friend. Only a friend. Or, well, I guess a friend and soon a...friend...wife? Frife? Wend? You guys get it."

"We very much don't." Alright, well, fine, add Max to the shitlist.

He looks over at Robin, hoping for help, but she's stiff as a board and trembling all over.

He doesn't want to be the one to say the words for her. They agreed together to tell everyone the truth, it was her idea even, but the last thing he wants to do is steal that moment from her.

Maybe he can just…talk around it, until she feels up to it. And if not, he’ll just tell them his part of it and call it good.

“We’re getting lavender married.”

Okay, so that’s probably not like. A normal way to say that or whatever. Robin just used that term like fifty times last night, alright? She was really excited about the article she just read about it, something about how it was a thing in, like, olden times or whatever, and now it’s coming back because Reagan is a fucking tool, Steve’s not sure, he was only kind of listening. Regardless, now it’s stuck in his head. Sue him or whatever, geez.

Anyway, he isn’t sure how many people in this room will actually understand what that means, but Nancy’s mouth drops open in a perfect little O the way it only does when she’s genuinely surprised by something, and there’s a tiny gasp from over by the table that he thinks might have come from Will, and Max mutters to herself “Oh shit, that explains so much,” so it’s not none of them, which helps. No pitchforks yet, at least.

Jonathan is eyeing him speculatively, and Argyle is offering him an enthusiastic thumbs up, which is nice.

Unfortunately, the other boys and El are giving him blank, expectant stares, and Erica is eyeing him with both confusion and annoyance, so it looks like he still has some explaining to do.

“What the hell does your color scheme have to do with this? I’m not helping plan the wedding, dude, I don’t care that much.”

Steve mumbles a “Language,” on reflex, but his heart isn’t in it. This is somehow more nerve-wracking than evil Russians.

“Mike, that’s not what it means. Now shut up and listen, or I’ll tell Mom how that red sock ended up in her load of white delicates.”

“Oh come on, she’ll kill me!” When all he gets in return is a single raised eyebrow, he groans and slumps further into his seat, glaring at Steve.

“Right. Okay. So basically, last night, my parents--”

“I’m a lesbian!”

There’s a beat of dead silence, which in this group is more unsettling than just about anything else.

Steve keeps his eyes on Robin, who looks just about as shocked at her own outburst as everyone else in the room. He takes her hand, squeezing gently until she unfreezes a little and looks back over at him. She looks terrified, and it breaks his heart a little.

“You okay, babe?” He keeps his voice low, murmuring just loud enough for her to hear. He knows this moment is the opposite of private, but she needs him to pretend for a second, so that’s what he’s gonna do.

She nods, a little jerkily, but she grips his hand back and intentionally evens out her breathing. She’s so fucking brave. He would burn the world down for Robin Buckley, and he doesn’t care who knows it.

He can’t believe she’s willing to do this for him, but he’s so grateful he feels like he’s choking on it.

“Henderdork will literally never shut up and let you live it down if we do this and he doesn’t know the truth. Not even for a single second for the rest of forever, and I, for one, am not putting up with that shit until death or legal marriage reforms do us part, Dingus.”

It was a solid point last night when they came up with the plan, curled on her bed while she stroked his hair and generously pretended he hadn’t soaked the shoulder of her shirt with his sobs, all his worldly possessions packed into a duffel on her bedroom floor, but he knows her insistence was more about knowing how much he hates lying to the kids than it was about protecting herself from irritating teenagers.

He doesn’t think there’s enough room on the whole planet to hold all the love he feels for her, even if you count the Upside Down and any other weirdo dimensions floating around out there waiting to ruin his day.

“I’m okay, bubba. Don’t let go?” Her hand is shaking in his, but he just squeezes harder.

“Never.” He turns back to the room, eyes hard as he scans the faces of their family for any hostility. He wouldn’t have agreed to this part of the plan if he thought any of them would be a problem, but he’s not taking anything for granted with Robbie’s safety. Not now, not ever. "Everyone's gonna be cool about that, right?"

"Of course we are, right, guys?" From the pained grunt that follows her words, Steve assumes Max has dug her elbow into Mike's ribs.

"Yeah, sure, whatever."

"I suppose this makes you slightly less lame, Buckley. It's definitely better than when I thought you liked this loser." Wow, okay, thank you Erica.

"Yeah totally! Thanks for trusting us, Robin." Lucas is a sweetheart, he really is. He's also glancing surreptitiously at Will while he nods enthusiastically, who is still staring open-mouthed at Robin with wide, shiny eyes.

"Yes, thank you for trusting us, Robin." Nancy is smiling kindly, but she's got that glint in her eye that Steve knows means she just came up with more questions and is waiting for the right moment to strike. Fair enough, at least she's letting Robs have her moment first.

He finally drags his eyes back to Dustin, who he doesn't really want to admit, even to himself, he's a little worried about. Not that he'll be shitty about it, necessarily, but there's nothing that brings out Henderson's bitchy side like being wrong, and he's been so fucking wrong this entire time. It's bound to upset him.

And maybe Steve will never say this out loud where the other kids might hear, but the truth is that Dustin's opinion matters to him more than just about everyone else's. Dustin was the first person in the whole world who saw Steve, the real Steve, and decided he was worth keeping around. If Henderson can't accept this part of Robin, it means he can't accept this part of Steve, and if that happens...if that happens Steve isn't sure he'll be able to come back from it.

So he's...not worried, okay? Worried is not the right word. Anxious, maybe. Concerned.

Okay fine fuck off he's worried.

Dustin...looks like he's about to cry. Shit.

"Did you think you couldn't trust me?" His voice is so small. Steve doesn't think he's ever heard it so small. It feels wrong. Henderson's voice should fill every room he's in, always. "You didn't have to lie. You could have told me the truth."

Aw, fuck.

"Buddy,--"

"It's not that simple, little man."

Steve whips back around to look at Robin. Are you sure you’re up for this? She purses her lips and narrows her eyes. Yeah, Dingus, this is my mess. Let me clean it up. Put the lance down, White Knight. Well, alright then. He waves for her to continue, ignoring the looks the others always shoot them when they do their silent conversation thing. Not his fault they can’t read each other as well, it’s not like it’s hard.

"Before today, Steve was the only person in the world who knew about me. And honestly, I don't know if I would have told him if we weren't both coming off torture and truth serum. I've worked hard to hide it my whole life, baby Dingus, that's not an easy thing to stop doing. It's scary."

"But we're your friends. We're your family! We saved the world together! You should trust your family, right?"

Aw, jeez. Steve forgets, sometimes, how young they are. They've been through horrific supernatural trauma, but they're still the kind of kids who think life is a story with a happy ending, like their little dragon game.

"Yeah, bud, you should, but it's not always that easy. There can be really serious consequences for telling the wrong person. Like, last night my parents found out I'm bisexual by accident and now I...well. Now I don't have parents anymore." Oof, okay, little blunter than he meant to be, but Robbie's getting anxious again so he has to take the focus back.

There's an eruption of sound, as every voice in the Party starts shouting all at once, turning the Wheeler's basement into Steve's own personal migraine generator.

"Did they kick you out?"

"You're bisexual?!"

"What's bisexual?"

"They can't just do that!"

"Does this mean we have to find somewhere else for Hellfire nights?"

That last one earns Erica several Looks, but she doesn't flinch. "What? I'm just being practical."

He wishes Eddie was here. The gremlins actually listen to him, unlike Steve, on account of as their Hellfire DM, he has leverage they care about to threaten them with. Well, most of them, but it's definitely a help when he's around.

Sadly he and Wayne are at some kind of Munson family reunion down in West Virginia this week, so Steve is gonna have to do this whole spiel over again when he gets back. He and Robin thought about waiting until he got back and the whole Party could be together, but the kids would definitely notice him not living in Loch Nora anymore pretty much immediately. And Steve hates the idea of telling him over the phone, so double coming out/engagement announcement it is.

"Alright, Jesus Christ, enough! One at a goddamn time, you animals."

He looks back at Dustin, who's definitely crying now. "Yeah, buddy, they kicked me out, but I'm okay. I'm staying with the Buckleys for now, and Rob and I have been saving up to move in together soon anyway, so all this did is move up our timeline. I'm safe and I'm fine, okay? I promise."

Dustin plasters himself to Steve's front, squeezing like he's worried Steve is going to shatter into pieces and he can hold him together by sheer force of will. It's very sweet, even if it's crushing his lungs a little.

"I'm sorry you felt like you couldn't tell me." The words are muffled in Steve's chest, he's not sure anyone else heard him.

"Aw, kid, it's okay. I trust you, alright? Always. You die, I die, remember? I was just...figuring my shit out, that's all."

"Your parents are mouthbreathers." Steve chuckles a little at the mutinous glare on El's face, not pausing his hand where he's stroking Dustin's hair.

"You're not wrong, Supergirl. But it's fine, honestly. They've always been dicks, I've been planning to move out for a long time. They just...gave me the final push, is all." He's definitely leaving out the part where he broke down sobbing in Robbie's bed last night, asking her over and over why he was so broken that his own parents couldn't love him, but the kids don't need to hear that part of the story.

"Does this have something to do with your whirlwind engagement?" There she is, ace reporter Nancy Wheeler. Observant as always.

"Yeah, pretty much. They disinherited me, but they're still legally my next of kin."

"And Dingus has had far too much head trauma for me to trust he's not gonna end up back in the hospital for something at some point, and the last thing we need is Mr. and Mrs. von Child Neglect getting that call. And I was just reading about gay men and women who are marrying each other so they can have someone allowed in to see in them in the hospital, because of the virus, you know? And I thought, hey that's not a half bad idea! We're gonna be living together anyway, and it's not like I'm marrying anyone else, and it'll be good for both of us to have someone who knows about, y'know, monsters and all that jazz, to do our power of attorney stuff, so, voila! Mr. and Mrs. Bucklington!"

"We are not changing our name to Bucklington."

"Well Harringley is worse, so suck it up, buttercup."

"I'm not interested in keeping the Harrington name, Bobs, I'd rather just be a Buckley."

"Aw, bubba, you're gonna make me cry!"

"You should both become Hendersons! Then we'd really be brothers!"

Steve erupts into laughter, the tension effectively broken by Dustin's wide, toothy grin. "What d'ya say, Bobbie? Steve and Robin Henderson?"

"Would we get access to Claudia's lasagna recipe? Because if so, I'm behind this plan one hundred percent.”

"By 'we' you do mean me, right? Because I love you more than life, Bobs, but I'm not letting you anywhere near a casserole dish. I've learned that lesson."

"It was one time!"

"It took me three days to get all the cheese off the ceiling! There's still a stain!"

"Well good! Ceiling grease stains can be the Harrington's problem now, anyway. They deserve it!"

Argyle is nodding sagely from on top of the incredibly deflated bean bag he's sharing with Jonathan. "I do like Bucklington, it makes you sound like a fancy butler. But family is important, brochachos, and so is lasagna. I vote Henderson."

This spurs impassioned arguments from all corners, which Steve is more than happy to relax into the couch cushions and let wash over him.

There's a light, bubbly feeling in his chest. For the first time since his dad walked in unannounced yesterday, interrupting his phone call with Robin at the worst possible moment, the knot of fear and grief in his stomach starts to loosen.

Robin smiles at him, and he grins helplessly back. Who needs parents when he's got a soulmate? They're together, they're safe, they're surrounded by their family. Steve holds Dustin tighter to his side and lets himself feel loved.

He takes advantage of a lull in the Last Name Wars to get out the last of the speech he'd planned. "Anyway, we decided to tell all of you the truth when we came up with this plan last night, because we do trust you and we didn't want to lie to you, and also because we knew you shitheads would never shut up about us being in love if we didn't and that sounded awful."

He laughs delightedly at the chorus of indignant outbursts this gets him before continuing.

"It's really important that you don't tell anyone outside the Party the truth, alright? We're gonna tell Eddie when he gets back, and we might tell Joyce and Hop eventually, but that needs to be our choice to do. You can't do it for us, and you absolutely can't tell anyone else. The whole point of this is to keep us safe by keeping people from finding out the truth, okay?"

El looks vaguely uncomfortable, but not upset. "Will you tell my Dad soon?"

Steve glances at Robbie, who's looking anxious again, and then over at Will. His shoulders are tense, hunched up around his ears, and he's staring intently at the table in front of him.

Steve isn't sure if anyone else knows what he thinks he knows about Will, but he's pretty sure he recognizes the specific flavor of isolation he can see Will struggling with sometimes, and he's definitely sure he recognizes the looks Will shoots at Mike whenever Wheeler isn't looking. Tommy used to look at him like that.

Either way, he knows the kind of fear the kid must be suffering, just like he knows how terrifying today was for Robin. For Steve, the worst case scenario has already happened, so he has a lot less left to lose. He can afford to smooth the way a little, to test the waters and make sure they're safe for everyone else.

It's not that different from his normal role in this group anyway, just a different kind of monster. He's always been good at taking hits so the others don't have to-- this is just another threat to step in front of.

"Tell you what, Ellie, I'll talk to Hop and Joyce this weekend, that way you won't have to keep secrets from him for too long. I'll just tell him about me, though, at first, okay? That way we'll know if it's safe for Robbie." Or anyone else, he doesn't say.

Jonathan hears it, at the very least, and shoots him a look that's equal parts surprised and grateful. Maybe Will has someone else in his corner after all, then.

El nods happily, satisfied with that.

Before anyone else can jump in, there's a clattering on the basement stairs. None of them have time to tense up too badly before the door bursts open and Eddie comes tumbling through it in a flurry of dark curls and frayed denim.

"Fear not, my wayward wastrels, for I have returned from far off lands, bearing tidings and the promise of libations!"

Steve only recognizes, like, four of those words, but seeing Eddie gives him the same happy, fizzy feeling in his gut that it always does these days, so he grins.

"You're back early, Eds, everything ok?"

Eddie blinks at him, then around the room, looking surprised to see it so packed.

"Yeah, my cousin Clarence accidentally broke my MeeMaw's pasture fencing and set all the goats loose in the hills, and if we stuck around we were gonna have to help round them back up, so Wayne and I snuck out early. I was coming to invite the gremlins out for pizza to tell you all about it, but this is more people than I was expecting. Y'all having a family meeting? Without little old moi?"

Steve valiantly suppresses the shiver that the twang in Eddie's voice triggers. Steve's not sure if Eddie notices the way his accent gets stronger when he's been talking to family, but he's had to work very hard to make sure he doesn't notice the way it affects Steve.

Steve has barely tested the flirting waters with Eddie since admitting his crush to Robin, he's definitely not jumping right in with 'It makes me tingly all over when you start talking with a drawl, wanna call me darlin' and see what happens?'

Luckily Bobbie notices his inner struggle and comes to his rescue.

"It was kind of a time sensitive issue- not a life or death one! Or like. Not a monster one, anyway. But shit went down last night and we needed to brief everyone before the geek squad figured out something was funky and came beating down the door. Steve wanted to tell you in person so we were gonna wait til you got back, but here you are!"

Eddie's looking at Robin with an amused smile on his face, one eyebrow raised and his lips quirked in a lopsided grin that is, frankly, unreasonably attractive. "Here I am indeed, my fair Lady of Feathers. So what's the scoop?"

He plops down next to Jonathan and Argyle on the beanbags, nearly sending them all toppling before Argyle hooks both of them around the waists and drags them practically into his lap.

Steve is not seething with jealousy. He's not.

A half a dozen voices chime out all at once.

"Robin's gay!"

"Steve's homeless."

"Robin and Steve are getting married!"

“Purple married.”

“It’s lavender, dummy.”

“Lavender’s a kind of purple!”

"They're gonna be Hendersons!"

"No they aren't, weirdo, they're gonna be Buckleys."

"Bucklington is clearly the superior choice, even if Argyle was right about the butler thing."

“Bucklington my ass, y’all dumb as hell if you think Mom and Dad aren’t gonna try and make him a Sinclair after this.”

"Mama and Papa Harrington didn't like that Stevie boy has double the love to give. Totally bogus. Bi bros for life, man."

"I still call Steve's best man!"

Eddie blinks a little when everyone quiets down, looking vaguely shellshocked. "That was. A lot of information to get in thirty seconds."

And, listen, Steve is like, 97% sure Eddie's cool. More than cool, even. He moves that bandana to the same pocket every time he changes his jeans, no matter what outfit he's wearing. There's no way that's an accident. But if Steve is being totally honest, which he's trying to do more these days, at least inside his own brain, this is maybe not the way he'd have chosen to come out to his crush. It's somehow way more nerve-wracking when he didn't even get to say it himself.

Oh well, it's out there now. It's fine, probably.

Still, there’s a definite feeling of relief when Eddie turns that megawatt grin on him again.

"Man, I wish I'd known there were other queers in Hawkins, I might have listened sooner when Henderson told me how cool you guys were!"

Steve laughs, only a little hysterically. "Dude, if you thought you were the only one, what the hell have you been wearing that hanky for? Who are you hoping will see it?"

It's a little gratifying to see Eddie go flaming tomato red in seconds. "I am not talking about that in mixed company, Steven. There are children here!"

"Ugh, we're literally teenagers."

"Tiny baby infants! If you're so curious, you can ask me again later."

"Promise?" Steve can't stop himself from grinning wolfishly.

Eddie tugs his hair in front of his face to hide, and the frantic little giggle and the quiet "Oh my god," he lets out both sound more than a little strangled. Steve's having the time of his life right now.

"Gross." Ugh, rude. He glares at Robin for ruining his fun. She sticks her tongue out at him.

Before they can devolve into the inevitable slapfight, Nancy cuts in again.

"Alright, unless anyone else has anything to share in private, I think we should take Eddie's suggestion and get something to eat." Good thinking, Nance. "To celebrate the happy couple, of course," she adds with a smirk. Yeah, that makes more sense.

"Onward then, my noble companions, to pizza and to paradise!" Eddie vaults off the beanbag, sending Jonathan and Argyle tumbling. Argyle laughs and accepts Eddie's hand up, while Jonathan just rolls his eyes good-naturedly.

Eddie slings an arm around Robin's shoulders as they head for the basement door. "So, Birdie, what's this I hear about a wedding? I need context."

As the kids go thundering up the stairs, arguing about who gets to drive in which car, Steve lingers. He noticed Will hanging back from the others, and now they're the last ones left, Will still slowly packing up the pens and notebooks he seems to carry around with him everywhere. Jonathan is hovering anxiously in the doorway, so Steve sends him a nod and waves him off. He's got this.

"You ready to go, kid?"

Will fidgets with the zipper on his bag for another few seconds before looking up at Steve through his, frankly tragic, fringe. "I'm sorry your parents suck."

"Yeah, man, me too." Steve shoots him a wry little smile. "It's alright though, sometimes we're better off without them. I've got plenty of family here that love me, I'll survive without Richard and Diane."

Will studies him for a minute. Steve's not sure what he's looking for, but he hopes he finds it.

"That's what Jonathan says about Lonnie." Steve nods, trying not to wince at the memory of the things he spat at Jonathan that day in '83 when everything changed. "I used to think it was my fault he left, but Jonathan says he was just a bastard, and it's better he's gone anyway."

"I didn't know Lonnie," he's careful not to say your dad, "but from what I've heard, Jonathan's probably right. And he's definitely right that it's not your fault."

"Like it's not your fault your parents kicked you out?"

"Yeah, exactly like that. If it was my fault, that would mean I did something wrong. The only thing I did was exist, and be different than they thought I would be. If they can't love the kid they had, then they shouldn't have had a kid at all. That's their problem, not mine. There's nothing wrong with me."

It doesn't matter if he heard all of these things from Robin first, if he's still trying to learn to believe them. Will needs to hear them like they're true, the same way Steve does.

"Are you sure?" Will's voice is trembling now. He's looking at the floor, but Steve can tell there are tears coming. "How can you be sure this is how you're supposed to be? Wouldn't you rather be normal?"

Oh, kid. "I mean, yeah, maybe it would be easier if I only liked girls, but I don't. I tried for a long time to pretend that I did, but it didn't make it true. And yeah, part of me wants to hate myself, because that's what they taught me to think, and I still kinda wish doing that would make them love me, but it won't. But honestly, you wanna know the biggest thing?" Will nods.

"I can't hate that part of myself without hating Robin, and there's no universe where I could hate Robin. Robin's perfect. She's the best person in the world, and she's gay, so being gay can't be bad. It's impossible. So whenever that voice in my head starts saying shitty things to me, I just think about how much I love Robin and tell it to shut up."

There's a beat where Will seems to be absorbing this.

"How did you know it would be safe? To tell us the truth?"

"I didn't."

Will stares at him in shock.

"Not a hundred percent, anyway. I was pretty sure, but it's never a guarantee with stuff like this, you know? But the other option was never telling anyone, and that...it gets tiring, you know? Always having to hide. Always having to check yourself. Lying when people ask the wrong questions. It wears you down. And I've fought monsters with you guys. I've been tortured by spies with you guys. If I can't trust this group to have my back, I can't trust anyone, can I? And I didn't want to live a life of not trusting anyone. I didn't want Bobbie to live a life like that. So, we took a chance. And it paid off, because all of you are the people we thought you were, and we were right to trust you. But it was a leap of faith, dude. It always is."

"What if I'm not ready?" Fucking shit, this kid. He's been through more than any of them, except maybe El, and he's still so goddamn brave. Steve would have crumpled like a tin can in his place.

"Then you're not ready. It's not a test, Will. There's no right or wrong answers. But I will say that every single person out there loves you, and they'll keep loving you no matter what you do. They're not like my parents, or Lonnie. Our friends aren't broken inside the way they are. Their love isn't conditional. You won't chase them away. You couldn't if you tried."

Will lets out a shaky breath, clearly fighting back tears. Steve leans against the table and keeps his head down, offering the kid the illusion of privacy while he pulls himself together. After a few minutes he speaks up again.

"You ready to go, you think?"

Will nods. He goes to walk past Steve to the stairs before hesitating and, to Steve's surprise, wrapping his gangly arms around him in an awkward hug.

"Thanks, Steve," he mumbles into Steve's shoulder.

Steve runs a hand down his back uncertainly. "Anytime, kid."

He keeps his arm around Will's shoulders tentative, but when the kid doesn't shrug him off or move away, he lets it settle more firmly, tugging him closer.

“Come on Baby Byers, let's go get some pizza. You think I can milk the disownment thing to get Eddie to pay for extra toppings?"

Will snorts. "I think Eddie would pay for as many toppings as you want as long as you do that little eyelash thing at him again."

Steve throws his head back and laughs, long and loud from his belly. Yeah, it's gonna be a good night.

my head hurts too much to keep writing this but please know that the pizza parlor engagement party involves plenty of arguing about roles in the wedding party, resulting in MOH erica/best man dustin (scoops troop babeyy), flower girl team lumax (max demanded the role bc her wheelchair means she can carry extra baskets of petals, and lucas will be pushing the chair so her hands are free. he's just excited to be there.) nancy/el bridesmaids and byler groomsmen (mike grumbles and groans but he's secretly thrilled). jonathan does the pictures and it turns out argyle got ordained back in cali as a joke so he officiates. eddie plays crimson and clover for robin’s wedding march. there’s a bit of a kerfuffle when claudia and the sinclairs both try to claim steve as their son, but after someone makes the argument that charles and sue have two kids to carry their name while claudia only has one, they end up hyphenating and becoming the buckley-hendersons. yes, claudia cries. yes, they get the lasagna recipe.

(at the pizza place, eddie asks what his role will be and steve says he doesn't know yet, but he'll save him a dance regardless. eddie has to hide in the bathroom to stop blushing.)

[hotchfiles]

Hello! 15 and/or 17 from prompt list + Isaac please 🥺

send me one of my boys + a prompt

isaac + reader ⋆ finding someone flirting with your crush, but all they have is eyes for you, and on you + almost kissing. but somebody walks in. "HOLY FUCK, ABOUT TIME THIS HAPPENS! I'M SO SORRY, PLEASE CONTINUE—"

parties are fun. everyone loves parties. every high schooler loves a good fucking party. you get to drink, maybe even get a little high if you know the right people. listen to good music, dance with your friends. always a good time.

well not for you.

for you it meant drinking, yes, which meant a goddamn headache the next day, dancing, having fun, yes, all of that, and on top of that, it meant watching the boy of your dreams being, for lack of a better word, chased around, by girls your age. and younger. and older. sometimes it was amusing, you could see the panic in his eyes. sometimes the girl was so gorgeous you couldn't help but look away, go somewhere else. get some fresh air, so you wouldn't have to watch anything hurtful.

you were in lov—interested in isaac for... a while, ever since he officially joined the pack, you've been playing it cool, maintaining his glance when he looked at you for a few seconds before turning away so it wouldn't be obvious, making your best not to smell his beautiful curly hair every time he hugged you... but you were only human, and he wasn't. you couldn't always control your heartbeat, so you were sure he knew it. he had to. he just wasn't interested. hurtful, but you'd live. eventually.

by 1am you're more than tipsy, and apparently so is the stunningly beautiful girl who very much on purpose tripped in front of isaac, forcing him to hold her by the waist so she wouldn't fall face first. she's charming thanking him, flirty, you know the routine by now, it's time to turn around and get some air, and you would have if stiles didn't appear out of nowhere in front of you talking about one hundred words per second. he really shouldn't drink.

while stiles asks you if his clothes are okay, if there's too much gel in his hair, if he smells nice and if he's annoying (right now he is) because every girl he tried to flirt with ignored him, you were—ignoring him. because you were forced to stay and you couldn't not look at isaac.

and his piercing blue eyes were looking right back at you, it didn't matter how many times the beautiful girl touched his arms, or laughed at him, his eyes were still on you. you selfishly wonder if the girl was just too much of a bore or... if he did that when you weren't looking, like you did when he wasn't looking. the thought makes your heart beat twice as fast, your cheeks flush and isaac notices it, obviously, smirking at you in a mischievous way you had never seen before.

that literally took your breath away, you had to leave. you finished your drink in one mouthful, handing your red cup to the still talking boy in front of you, "sure stiles, you're totally right." he looks confused, but you don't care. you turn in a rush to find the nearest unlocked door.

a room. not a good decision for whoever this house belonged to (you had no idea anymore), but you were so glad. you closed the door behind you in a swift motion and immediately start pacing around, your hands going to your face, through your hair and to your face again as you tried to take a deep breath but could only achieve a few not so deep ones.

"we don't have the money to pay for new floors if you drill a hole on these, gorgeous." your feet freeze on the spot as you hear his voice, sweet, humorous, flirty? you didn't even need to look at him to know he had that grin stamped on his lips.

"isa... what're you doing here?" your lips might as well be gone by how much you're nibbling on them, your hands gripping so hard on your own waist your nails might cut flash any time soon.

"chasing after you, obviously." god, could he not be so straight to the point for once? you nod your head countless times after he shrugs that reply out at you.

"sure... sure sure sure sure... why?" and he's grinning again, getting closer to you.

"well, this is the first time it actually looked like you wanted me and not to die." you keep nodding, and you feel like you're sweating more than normal, "so we're gonna make out, and hopefully i'm right about this." your eyes widen but you don’t move as he moves your arms from your waist to his, his hands holding your neck and he’s so close now you’re the one hearing his heartbeat. just as fast as yours.

so maybe when he looked at you there was reason to it, and maybe his hugs did linger and it wasn’t you holding on too long. maybe the times he told you to wear one of his jerseys to lacrosse matches were because he wanted to see you in his clothes, cheering for him, and not because he was friendly.

"i—i kinda wanted to die—i thought you didn't even look at me." you confessed in a murmur, he chuckled, leaning in, lips terribly close, virtually touching yours—but the door opened abruptly and the noise from the party flooded the otherwise quiet room.

stiles.

STILES.

"HOLY FUCK, ABOUT TIME THIS HAPPENS! I'M SO SORRY, PLEASE CONTINUE—" he doesn't have to say twice, you were still stunned by his interruption when isaac pulled you completely to him, kissing you passionately, hoping stiles would get a clue and leave (he did).

his hands were firm, but oh so gentle as he deepened the kiss, it sends shivers down your spine, it was intense, maybe it was the alcohol, or the fact he had wanted to do that for a really long time now.

every brush of his lips to yours was like putting more fire to a flame and you gripped to his shirt with both your hands as you moved together in perfect rhythm. it felt like a second and an eternity at the same time, you could feel isaac's body heat mixed to yours, having to part to breathe was torture.

isaac looked at you and his eyes shared the same hunger as yours, he quickly took one of your hands to his, leaving the room in quick steps as he pulled you behind with him, "so i was right, and we're leaving the party, is that okay?" he looks at you, still walking, and you can only nod, after all, parties are fun, and one with him alone is definitely more your taste.

[urlocalnonbinarybastardwrites]

Please do the gang+Tim and curly with like a waitress (p.s I love your writing)

Omllll thank you so much! 😭🫶And yessssssssssssss I’d love to do that for you pookie!

The Gang + Shepard boys x F!Waitress reader (you can insert waiter/they to make it gn!)

Ponyboy Curtis

-hot damn

-you’re a fine waitress if he ever saw one

-he’s kinda shy tbh

-over time will get more comfortable flirting with you

-he overtips you with what little money he has

-he finds out when all your shifts are and when they end

-and always seems to come “by coincidence” whenever your shifts are

-he starts learning small things about you, asking about you to your co workers so much that literally everyone knows he likes you

-except for you, apparently

-“Well if it isn’t my favorite waitress, y/n.” Is what he always greets you with

-one day he finally asks you out

-you guys are so cute together

Johnny Cade

-he’s even more shy than pony

-he looks at you and is like internally going crazy

-when you ask him for his order he says it so quietly you need to ask him to repeat several times

-and he gets red in the face, and you patiently wait with your notepad and a smile

-“It’s ok sir, please, take your time.”

-he finally says his order loud enough for you to hear and you smile, writing on your sketchpad

-over a few weeks, he comes to the restaurant more

-and you eventually ask him out, writing down the question on your notepad, ripping it out and giving it to him

-Reading: Johnny, would you do me the honor of going on a date with me?

-whenever you get back he has the biggest grin on his face, and is nodding yes eagerly

-what takes you by surprise is when he stands up, grabs your waist, and kisses you in front of everyone in the restaurant

-earning a few cheers and whoops

Sodapop Curtis

-he gets being in the service industry

-and he especially gets being attractive in the service industry

-which is why he tries not to immediately hit on you

-tries

-he’s definitely the type to call you “sweetheart”

-does subtle things like winking at you whenever you take his order

-he starts coming to that restaurant far more often and notices when you start coming to his gas station more often

-doing the same things to him, calling him sweetheart and winking whenever you check out

-it’s a mutual thing, a flirty joke between the two of you

-but one day, he decides to ask you out, and it becomes less than a joke

-you two start dating and are very cute together

-you both rant about customers being rude and kind of mutually understand the power dynamic in a way not many people do

Darry Curtis

-he’s out in the resturant with Sodapop and Ponyboy

-when he sees youre the waiter he instantly feels embarrassed of ponyboy and soda

-“You guys… stop actin’ like damn fools!”

-“Darry, why? You never act like this at restaurants.” Pony would ask

-“Just…. Stop. There’s someone I want to look good in front of.”

-“OoOoOOh someone has a crushhhhhhh.” Sodapop would tease

-as you walked over to the table, Darry was arguing with them

-“Can I help you?” You spoke up with a giggle

-Darry is red in the face as he orders for everyone

Dallas Winston

-bro

-you saw how this man treats waitresses

-he would give you no respect lol

-absolutely takes advantage of the power dynamic because he would be one of those assholes

-he calls you “sweetheart” “sweetie” “princess” and other more vulgar names

-he very obviously checks you out to even the point where your oblivious ass notices

-he probably shoots straws at you (like that one deleted scene)

-to tease flirt

-he always comes to the restaurant and it’s like ooop Dallas Winston’s coming I need coffeee this morning

-he comes to you outside of the restaurant one day

-the usual harassment

-and you turn to him and give him a nice hard slap

-and then lean up and give give a nice hard kiss

-he’s shocked, but before long blinks twice and then smirks, kissing you back

-he’s protective over you and any other guy who even winks at you at the restaurant will have Dally on their doorstep the next day

Two Bit Mathews

-he definitely tease flirts with you

-also calls you his favorite waitress like pony

-orders the most childish shit 💀

-like chocolate cake with chicken nuggies or something like that

-and he probably asks you out the soonest

-flirts with you, not as aggressive or vulgar as dally but still quite obvious

-“That’s the pretty lady who gives me discounts on Dino nuggets!” When talking about you to the gang

-you guys are cute and have inside jokes about Dino nuggies

Steve Randle

-he knows you from whenever you’ve come to get your car fixed before

-he’s always believed that you were pretty and given you discounts 

-and you do the same thing for him at your restaurant

-it’s a mutual kind of cute thing that you guys both do to each other

-even if he hadn’t already been giving you discounts for cars, you would’ve probably given him a restaurant discount too

-You are probably friends for the longest out of the gang

-one day he’s talking to soda pop about you, which is when soda pop realizes how down bad he is for you

-Sodapop makes him ask you out 

-you guys are really cute together and always do favors for each other 

Tim Shepard

-he got a booth at your restaurant

-he saw you and immediately thought you were cute 

- he acts kind of neutral around you, I mean, he still obviously flirts a bit and checks you out

- but not enough that you think you’re he’s going to do what he does 

-what he does is wait until your shift is done and meet you outside the restaurant

-and starts heavily, flirting, offering you a cigarette

-when you explain that you don’t smoke and start walking home, he follows you

-you turned to him in anger because you don’t like that he’s following you home and he surprisingly listens to you

-but he does show up the next day at your restaurant

-Eventually, he ask you out

-you say yes and every night after your shift, he walks home with you to make sure you get there safely

-and even comes back to your apartment with you sometimes 😏😏😏

Curly Shapard

-this little shit is just as obnoxious as Dally

-he checks you out very obviously

-also absolutely takes advantage of the power dynamic

-he annoys you put you put up with him because well

-he tips you pretty well

-he keeps coming at the same time and day and eventually he gets onto the usual customer chart

-where you can say “The regular?”

-and one day there’s a male costumer being particularly sleazy

-trying to grab you

-and Curly punches him hard “You don’t touch her again, asswipe.” And spits on him

-you chuckle and grin at him “Take it outside, Curly.”

-and he comes back in and this time, you ask him out

-he’s pretty protective once you two are dating and everyone’s astonished to how he pulled you

[sky4cherry]

ELABORATE ON THE LAST POST PLSSSSS

HEHEHEHE I LOVE YOU HOLD ON ANON

obviously,, johnny dally and bob aren’t making it out 🧍 let’s clear that up immediately

darry worked too hard to keep the house for me to see him giving it up and moving away, but i also think that the greasers are doomed to stay in tulsa regardless of other circumstances, because it’s all they know and at least they know for sure what they have to do to survive in tulsa specifically

soda (other than his heartbreak over sandy) is generally pretty happy go lucky so i don’t really think he wants anything more than to stay near his friends and family, and keep a steady job so he can have at least a little money to support the family he wants to make, all of which is doable if he stays in tulsa

two-bit mathews you will not get far in life if you keep refusing to get a job 🫶

i feel like, based off of the new ace lore, she’s pretty engrained in tulsa. she’s experienced so much there, and really i don’t think she’s leaving if the gang aren’t, especially two-bit (who will probably live with his mother for the rest of his life like bro 🧍 GET A JOB)

steve randle we all know you’re doomed to fail in general and i’m sorry for that because you hold a special place in my heart fr king

pony is the only one (out of everyone) i can see who would leave. he has his plans he made with johnny, and i think he probably spends the rest of his teenage years promising to make it real, even if johnny won’t be there to see it. he also has the intelligence to get into a decent college, which could be far away from tulsa (that was an accident LMAO), or which could lead him to getting a job that could have him moving away (darry and soda are not letting him go without a fight even though they want him to succeed)

PAUL HOLDEN. my paul lore is so deep and complex we don’t have time to unpack it all amidst this rn,, let’s just say i think paul’s dad is a piece of shit which means paul is really close with his mom, and he didn’t want to leave her alone (while his dad is constantly away for work) so in my head he goes to the best college within driving distance, even if it’s a few hours away. something about darry being content with his life in tulsa and paul being the one to stay by family circumstances,, anyway i’m SICK

chet,, you got your own post pookie

brill my long list of hcs for you goes insanely hard,, he’s got the picture perfect family fr i love you king 🫶 he is not going anywhere if his boys aren’t and is definitely not going anywhere without beverly

beverly my pookie with troubling hcs,, yea she is not getting out at ALL. in my mind she’s living with her aunt and uncle who make it very obvious they don’t view her the same way they view their sons, and her mom is m.i.a, while her dad is too focused with his new gf. brill and bev are getting married asap and finding a nice little house with a guest room for chet idc it’s canon to ME

marcia i want you to succeed sooo bad but you aren’t going anywhere if you’re that anxious 🙏 fr i do think both trip and marcia have a shot, but i feel like bob’s death leaves the socs wanting to stay together 24/7 which isn’t gonna happen if these two head off to college

CHERRY 🫶🫶🫶 cherry is staying in tulsa i actually don’t care. YES she could leave if she wanted to but she doesn’t want to!!! she’s seen and experienced what the divide within tulsa does, and she is spending the rest of her days helping greasers and socs alike at the hospital!! and i strongly believe she IS the one who puts the divide to its end!!!

[blockgamepirate]

Here are some suggestions I have for QSMP, that nobody asked for and that nobody involved with the server is going to actually see anyway (but I can't stop thinking about this so I have to write something down)

This is me trying to be constructive instead of just critical, because I do love this server and I want it to be sustainable

I guess this is vaguely addressed to either Quackity and/or to whoever is leading the team, idk, like I said they aren't gonna read a random tumblr post so who cares

And yes, obviously I'm sure some of the things in this post are already being improved on, I just think it's still worth listing them

1: Better communication all around

Especially within the admin team obviously, including the actors and builders and everyone, but also between the admin team and the streamers! And between the admin team and the audience as well!

I promise more communication almost always helps things work out more smoothly than keeping people out of the loop or not talking to each other, or worse; actively banning people from talking to each other

This includes being more open and reconsidering which things actually need to be kept secret and from whom, because if people don't know what to expect, they're not going to know how to prepare either! And they also won't be able to let you know about potential problems ahead of time!

The streamers and the actors and other team members as well should at the very least know about stuff that's going to affect their schedule and to have some idea of the kinds of things they're gonna be expected to do. If you just suddenly throw stuff at them and expect them to be immediately ready to cooperate or play along, that's just gonna cause frustration and burnout

I would also worry less about spoilers than about backlash when people expect one thing and get something completely different; you can in fact give a bit more hints so people don't get the wrong idea and end up disappointed

(And on the other hand if you have secrets that you can't talk about because they would lead to a big controversy if they were revealed uh.... maybe don't do the thing? Maybe simply don't do the controversial thing that you can't let people know about, consider it. If you feel like something you're doing would make people mad if they knew, that thing might in fact be a problem)

2: Show your respect for everyone involved in the project

Respect people's time, respect their ability to cooperate (AS LONG AS YOU TELL THEM WHAT'S GOING ON), listen to their ideas and concerns, etc. This is honestly also part of communicating better but it's an important part

Respecting and also demonstrating your respect for your team is so crucial as a leader, and it genuinely goes a long way even when you have very little else to give them

In fact I think often people would even appreciate respect more than they would appreciate money (although it has to be genuine respect, not just empty words; hence why I say you need to demonstrate your respect with your actions)

3: Have a more collaborative mindset

Think of all the members of the team and the streamers as partners rather than as employees or as customers; this is a collaborative creative project, not a business

As much as this started out as one man's passion project, there's no way to do something this ambitious other than as a team effort, including the actors, including the streamers, so it's just much healthier for everyone to think of it as such

Also it's just better for the stated goals of the server as well, because it's all about bringing people together and what better way to bring everyone together than to make them feel like they're part of a team?

4: That said, you don't actually need to drop all the admin driven lore, that's not what I'm saying orz

Just because I want the streamers to be more involved doesn't mean I think they should also be planning all the lore, that's just not necessary

pls do get a proper gamemaster on the team, though, someone who has experience running a LARP type of thing or at least a TTRPG campaign. That would help so much, and I bet you could ask Cellbit or Bagi or Charlie if they could recommend anyone

Honestly I could probably make a whole post just about how to run the admin driven lore better, but getting yourself an experienced gamemaster would be so much better than any specific advice I could give

5: If you're gonna have volunteers, you need to treat them like volunteers, not like employees

You have to respect the fact that volunteers are not subordinates, they're here to help you, not to be ordered around, banned from talking to people, judged for their availability, or made to sign weird NDAs

They're offering their labour for free because they care about the project or because they enjoy what they do, and they deserve to be appreciated for it, not policed and bossed around (not that you should treat actual employees with that kind of hostility either tbh)

Having volunteers is not necessarily the problem (at least as long as you're not using them to make a profit), it's treating volunteers as unpaid employees, because then you pretty much do just have unpaid employees instead of volunteers

Okay, finally the big one:

6: Consider running QSMP as a cooperative

I know this is Quackity's baby and a Quackity Studios' project, but the thing is, I don't think this model is sustainable

I mean, we already know it isn't sustainable, that's why we're in this mess

As far as I can tell, Quackity Studios is not making any profit from the server, there's no way the revenue from the admin streams and the QSMP Info channel would be enough to cover all the costs if people were paid decently (in fact I don't think it's even enough to cover the costs without paying everyone decently)

This sort of arrangement, with one party running the whole thing out of pocket, makes sense if it's either a very low maintenance server which doesn't cost much and doesn't require much work to keep running, or a very short-term one, more like an event type of thing

QSMP is neither of those, QSMP is both very high maintenance and has been running for almost a full year

I think there's absolutely value in having an ambitious long term project like this, it's very cool, it's very hype, but this is not a good way to run it

And it's especially bizarre considering that people do make money out of it, but the people making money are the streamers

So I would suggest taking some tips from the Hermitcraft SMP server which is run as a collective. Obviously Hermitcraft is much lower maintenance but their model is also much more robust, because there isn't just one person who has to take responsibility for everything, or pay for everything

It would also encourage the spirit of international cooperation to have the streamers literally be part of the server, not just as guests but as partners, so they could have a say in how the server is run and be more invested in the project

(At least those streamers who want to be involved, of course I realise some of them might choose not to)

This would require regular meetings, but I think that's also a good thing, and an opportunity to also talk things through off-camera whenever any issues come up (better communication again!)

AND it would mean that the streamers should actually contribute to the server costs and paying the admins and other behind the scenes people. Probably based on their stream revenue from QSMP streams because obviously some of these streamers make more money than others (I would suggest a progressive membership fee (like progressive taxation style) to make sure that it's not more taxing for the smaller streamers than the bigger ones, but obviously it should all be agreed on between the members)

And IMO the admins, including the actors, the builders, the devs, the translators, etc. should also be considered partners, but since they don't make money directly, the way the streamers do, they should be the ones who are getting compensated for their contributions so they're better able to commit to the project, by which I mean yes you should pay them, but not as employees but as creative partners

Of course this is just one idea, I'm not saying it's necessarily the only good model by any means, it's just a suggestion, all of these are just suggestions

[f0point5]

controversial: Antonelli is overrated and nowhere near as good as Max is. everyone keeps sayin "yo, he's Verstappen re-born"... guys. this boy was held by hand by Toto Wolff since karting and his way to Formulas was cleaned from any stick or stone so he wouldn't God forbid stumble. Max had to fight it hard way, plus his dad obviously didn't make it any easier (not saying I hate Jos for that, I just don't agree with his parenting style). if Antonelli comes the next year to Merc because TW is so desperate to show everyone that he no longer cares he lost Max cause he made his own, the performance expectations from Antonelli will be so high that him being freshly eighteen, growing up in the pressure of social media... it will destroy him. this is the example of not rushing things otherwise you can damage them before they could show their full potential.

Well. WELL.

He is obviously nowhere near the level Max is now, but when Max entered F1? Idk, probably not, but also, you don’t have to drive like Max to be a phenom. Max was 1 in a million and maybe this kid isn’t as immediately polished, but that doesn’t mean he doesn’t have the stuff to be an incredible driver.

I don’t know about Kimi’s karting record but by all accounts is extraordinary. No, he’s not setting the world alight in f2 but having watched some f2 this year I’m not about to base all my opinions on that.

It depends what you mean by Max didn’t have it easy. He didn’t have barriers to entry to the sport, he didn’t have parents who wanted anything different for him, he didn’t have parents who weren’t committed enough to drive him around Europe. He had a team of people around him from day 1 who grafted like hell for him and made sure he was not a victim of snake oil salesmen and people who wanted to make money off him or would have pushed him around. So no I’m not saying he had it easy from a personal development side but he did get to make racing his whole life from a very young age, and he had people around him who only had his best interests at heart. Not everyone has that. I can only hope Kimi has the same strong unit around him.

From what I understand, Max advanced as quickly as he did because however much he needed to do to win, Jos was pushing him ten steps further. Max learnt to ignore the noise because Jos was making most of it. It seems that Kimi has grown up differently. But let’s not forget that Kimi’s dad is also a racer, it’s not like he’s just been catapulted into the sport straight from Toto’s laboratory.

I don’t think having had Toto’s support and not having been forged in hellfire means his success or talent isn’t valid.

That being said, I do hope he has a good support network and they insulate him from the media chatter as much as possible. Because yes that will ruin him very quickly.

I think more than anything what will ruin him is not going to F1 too early, but going to the wrong team. I think those with talent will swim, because at the end of the day with enough testing you can learn how to drive the car and if you’re talented and you’re fast you’ll be fine. But what you don’t want is an 18 year old kid being pushed and pulled from pillar to post by a TP who expects a well rounded driver from day 1, and who will allow the kid to be brow beat by overzealous stewards and bullied by other drivers in track. Imo Toto will not stand up for a young driver in the way he will need to and that is what will damage a kid’s confidence and career prospects. So yeah, there’s an argument for leaving him in F2 until he’s had long enough to not make the mistakes that come with being an inexperienced driver. But I’m not sure if any amount of F2 can really prepare you, look at Logan (I could go on because my beef with f2 is REAL).

All this to say, I don’t know if he’s overrated. I think the comparison to Max is not helping him but it also doesn’t invalidate his potential. Max has really fucked the curve for young drivers I think. But I do think that the worry about ruining him is a bit uncharitable the way it’s often presented, especially in a climate where the fear around young drivers is really causing a bottleneck getting into F1. I think the right team wouldn’t ruin a real talent. I don’t think Merc is the right team but that’s just me.

[beelzebuddy-catan]

I firmly believe that Satan and MC would be a dual income no kids couple. They'd be an amazing aunt and uncle to their nieces, nephews, and niblings. The famous couple that everyone knows and the kids idolize. They travel around the three realms (well two in Satan's case) and work as ambassadors to strengthen relationships. They spoil their niblings with gifts and stories from the three realms.

But that got me thinking about Satan as an uncle, and how amazing he'd be.

Yes, he's still the avatar of wrath and strikes fear in demons hearts.

Yes, one look at him and kids are usually terrified.

Yes, he has a habit of saying too many swear words.

But he absolutely adores his niblings. He'd destroy the three realms for them. And he loves them the way the brothers need to be loved.

Lucifer's daughter - he shows her she's not alone. That she never has to shoulder any burden by herself.

He was prepared to hate Lucifer's daughter. Any offspring of Lucifer's had to be awful. No MC, that is not an invitation to discuss his internalized problems.

Then he met her and she giggled at him. This small creature giggled at him. Beings of all ages, from all places, shrunk in fear of him. But this baby giggled at him. The only other beings who hadn't immediately cowered from him were cats and MC. Just like that, she thawed a part of his heart.

Her first words were definitely some variation of "tan-tan" and the vein in Lucifer's forehead almost popped.

She spends as much time with Satan as she can. To the point she starts acting like Satan. She got in trouble at school after yelling "well bless you" at the teacher. Obviously she learned it from Satan.

Lucifer's so proud of her. Why wouldn't he be? She's so much like Satan and he's proud of Satan. Not that he'd be able to tell him. That pride gets in the way and makes it hard for him to tell his daughter how proud he is. How much he loves her. How he's sorry when they fight.

But Satan is there. He reminds her of those things. He's not defending Lucifer, don't be stupid, he's just telling her all the things he needed to hear from Lucifer growing up.When she's older and runs away from home at some point after a fight, she ends up at Satan's door. Because when she had no where left to go, she always has him.

Because she always has a place in Satan's heart. He'll swear and yell, but it never scares her and he can never really say no to her.

Mammon's three kids - he shows them they're worth it. That they aren't a nuisance. They're someone he loves and wants in his life.

Mammon's kids gave him a headache. They were loud, troublemakers, always scheming, and he couldn't help give in to them.

They love shiny, exotic, rare things, so Satan brings them gifts from his travels. They're spoiled by him. But when he sees the way their eyes light up at some trinket from the human world, he's reminded how he's more than wrath, that he feels more than that. He's such a softie.

Mammon's taught them a lot actually (mostly related to money schemes). But he never taught the why. So Satan teaches them.

He taught them how to read someone's body language. He does love detective work. He definitely taught them Mammon’s tell. He taught them how to play their opponent not the game. He teaches them the math and physics behind billiards. Now they can hustle people like their dad, but back it up with intelligence.

Mammon has terrible money management. So Satan teaches them that too. He gets them bank accounts Mammon doesn’t know about and shows them how to balance check books. He teaches them the value of money, not just how to scam it from people, but to earn it. To be proud they earned it.

He may or may not but definitely did set up savings accounts for them for when the get older. Just in case.

And when shit hits the fan and they get them selves in too deep, their uncle Satan is there to save them.

Levi's son and daughter - he shows them they aren't trivial. That they are loved not in spite of their interests and quirks, but because of them.

Satan thought they'd be shut in's, like their dad. He thought it'd be hard to get to know them. But it wasn’t and they trust him.

They write him letters and video call him when he's travelling. He always writes back and he always saves the letters. He has a locked box where all of the letter's, drawings, writings, etc. they've given him are kept.

He has them sign every thing they create. They're practically glowing from happiness. He even has some of their art framed in the house next to his fancy expensive pieces. Occasionally, someone will ask about it and the kids overhear. And though Satan can’t see them, he knows they're there. He answers honestly, "I like beautiful things, why wouldn't I hang that up?". Maybe he says it a little bit louder than necessary, but it is true.

He learns about all their favorite things. New tv show? watched. New book or comic? Read. New music? Heard. He keeps notes of all their interests so he can make recommendations. They're always the best.

There are times when Levi is too anxious or scared to go to events. When their mom has to work or isn't able to go. Satan drops everything to be there. He knows how important it is to them. He knows Levi would go if he could, but it can be too much for him.

He dresses up with them. He doesn't care what it is. They want to be the villain? Fuck it, everyone welcome princess Satan.

He also takes them on adventures to new places. They love travelling with Satan because not only does he know so much, he lets them explore and be themselves.

He supports their interests without shaming them. He also encourages them to be okay with it. If they're shy, Satan tries to break them out of their shell. He doesn't push them or make them uncomfortable.

He's seen what that fear has done to Levi, he won't let it happen to them.

Asmo's sons - he shows them their worth isn't their looks. That they're complex beings who's beauty isn't only surface level.

He was prepared for the two to be mini Asmos. And they were, in some ways. They cared about appearances. They're charming little fuckers, getting out of trouble easily. You know when kids imitate someone flirting and grown adults/elderly women eat it up? That's them. Except it doesn't work on Satan. He grew up around Asmo, nice try.

Instead he teaches them how to win people over without looks. Like he did. So he says He teaches them to make connections. To be wise. To use their beauty as a power up or add on, not the main tool or skill.

Asmo is their father and you know their mother is equally okay a little less, but don't tell anyone as stunning. So they can be insecure. Satan reminds them of their worth.

And maybe true beauty comes from within sounds like bullshit. But he ingrains that shit in them from birth. Anyone can be pretty. Anyone can look good. The things that are imperfect, that have flaws, that have blemishes are the things people adore. Without those things, everyone would look the same.

He lets them know he sees and loves who they are, and that makes them feel beautiful. So they don't care much if other people don't agree.

Except they still do have bullies. Satan will show up if he hears anything about them being bullied. He's the avatar of wrath and he scares the living shit out of the bullies. "Say one more word and I'll make it so you never say another one." Poor kid didn't speak for a month.

Asmo had to pick up one of the kids after being bullied for wearing a dress. Satan's already booking a ticket to get home and buying a dress online. He'll fuck that kid's shit up. MC calm him down, for the love of everything holy and unholy, he might actually destroy the devildom this time.

Sometimes their parents are busy with shoots or other gigs and Satan watches them.

He hosts tea parties with them. They take that shit seriously. Barbatos is invited, but no one else. Okay sometimes MC, but that's it. And Luke if he brings snacks. But that's seriously it.

He lets them be kids. Asmo often has them acting prim and proper because that gives them the best image. They have select clothes they can wear. They have certain styles of hair they can have. But Satan let's them wear ugly clothes. The fluffy boas and cheap tiaras. He lets them run around without shoes and doesn't care if they spill things in their clothes.

They’re kids, he lets them be that way. He encourages it because sometimes Asmo forgets that not all kids love being dressed to the 9s and done up all the time. They feel supported and loved to be themselves. Not a picture of who they should be.

Beel's daughters - he shows them that they're more than a single moment or action or mistake. He shows that they can learn and grow. He teaches them how to forgive themselves when it's easier to blame themselves.

Satan didn’t connect immediately with Beel's daughters.

They had everything they needed: a dad that was there no matter what. Someone who wasn't afraid to tell them he was proud or that he loved them. Someone that made them feel valued and worthy. Someone that could protect them. And as they got older they could definitely protect themselves.

They had everything Satan wanted and needed growing up. What did they need him for?

Then he saw one of them talking to Beel after a game. She was devastated. She'd missed the goal and the team lost. And she kept blaming herself.

Beel didn't know how to comfort her. After all Beel never really learned to deal with his own guilt. He still blamed himself for a lot of things. So Satan takes her out for ice cream after and starts assistant coaching her team. He knows the game and the best strategies, why wouldn't he?

More importantly, he starts teaching his daughters that their mistakes, losses, the whole lot, they aren't them.

He knows better than anyone what it feels like to internalize something, to hate the very core of who you were or what you thought was who you were. Because sometimes one bad thing about you can feel like the only thing about you.

He knows what it's like to fight against of that feeling. He's there to remind them how to grow from that, to become better, to let it drive them, not ruin them.

Sure he yells sometimes, and swears, and gets too invested in the game, but they think it's funny. The whole team does. He makes them better because he makes them believe they can become better. Gradually the internal voice that defends these young demons against their own negative self talk sounds a lot like the the avatar of wrath.

Even when they get older and he stops coaching, he goes to every single game. He argues with the refs (and has definitely gotten in fights) but everyone is too afraid to ban him. He also brings snacks to every game. Both for the girls (and Beel of course)

Belphie's son - he shows him that the ones we love never truly leave us. That when he feels alone and scared, there's always someone watching out for him. That sometimes the monsters in the closet are our skeletons. And sometimes the skeletons in the closet are just bad dreams we can't quite shake.

The first time this kid fell asleep on Satan arm he let out an exasperated sigh and a mumbled "are you fucking kidding me?"

He complained but he doesn't actually mind. It's nice knowing there are beings out there that don't fear him. Plus the kid acts just like a cat. And Satan will sit reading for hours without moving so he's the perfect person to sleep against. Win win.

He gets really bad nightmares. Nightmares where he can't bring himself to go back to sleep. But once Belphie's asleep is so hard to wake him up and his mom works nights. So he's spent a few nights crying in his bed, too afraid to go to sleep and too afraid of what lurks in the shadows.

Satan was staying there once when he woke up to sniffling. He's never really been a deep sleeper, if he sleeps and if he's not next to MC. It took a bit of prying but eventually he opened up.

Satan had to stop himself from rolling his eyes when the kid asked him to check the closet and under the bed. But Satan did. When that's not enough for him to go back to sleep, Satan tries telling him stories that are mostly true.

"You know when your dad and uncles first came here, they were afraid of me. Do you think there could be anything in that closet that scares me?" "I used to have to check the closets for your uncle Mammon, don't tell him though. It’ll be our secret"

You know those friendship lights where you can tap the light and it changes the color of the other person's? Yeah Satan got those. Like I said, he's a light sleeper, so even if he isn't up, the change of light wakes him up. Satan always calls his nephew when he sees it change. He reads him bed time stories until he falls asleep. He started taking voice lessons so he could make it more fun.

And eventually Belphie’s son stops fearing the monster's in the closet. He stops having so many nightmares.

But he always has the light plugged in. He always knows that Satan is there for him. Even if he can't see him or talk to them, Satan's with him in spirit.

Because the people we love and the ones that love us always stay with us in the ways we need.

Anyways, I'm soft for Satan, avatar of wrath, feared demon through the devildom, being a supportive and loving uncle. Here's some photos that are Uncle Satan energy:

[mermaidsirennikita]

Any recs where the hero just takes care of the heroine? Like very Daddy in acts of service and what not doesn’t necessarily need to contain the kink explicitly but just one of those strong men who love to take care of their women?

Sure!

Dreaming of You by Lisa Kleypas is obvi The Example.

But beyond that, I would say:

How to End a Love Story by Yulin Kuang in that the hero is generally very much a caretaker in a very REAL man way, but also because there was a scene where he parallel parked for her and she got so hot over it and I did too

A Jingle Bell Mingle by Sierra Simone and Julie Murphy! The hero is very much a caretaker (while also being an emotionally messy widower). The heroine has ADHD (which I found well-done) and he initially pulls her into his Christmas mansion because she has nowhere to stay. I'd say they take care of each other, but it's definitely there.

Kate Clayborn heroes often come through on this level—I'd definitely recommend The Other Side of Disappearing has as strong (physically and emotionally) caretaker hero.

Kylie Scott heroes!!!! Omg. The Last Days of Lilah Goodluck has a heroine who's kind of messy and a hero who's kinda grumpy and buys her clothes with his black card and is like "SETTLE," which I love. End of Story has another somewhat surly hero who arrives to help the heroine work on her house, which... And then Deep is an oops baby book wherein the hero initially has a hard time with the news (lmao) but one he straightens up he's very authoritative about caring for the heroine.

Act Your Age by Eve Dangerfield, obviously. Which DOES have them roleplay, but also has the lighter, more everyday stuff. And a big age gap.

If you're open to something on the darker side with MMF, I will once again recommend the ongoing Lyonesse series by Sierra Simone. Because all of Sierra's dom heroes take care of their partners, but Mark Trevena, for all that he's a ~villain in many ways, is suuuuch a caretaker. He's strict about aftercare, he cooks for Tristan and Isolde, there's the scene where he helps Isolde into her wedding shoes, there's the scene where he massages Tristan, he carries Isolde around like it's nobody's business (and to be very clear, Tristan is her bodyguard and also cares for her, but Mark cares for BOTH of them). I think that with him you feel the WEIGHT of caretaking but it's also so tender. I was rereading this morning and she's literally like "I'm tired" at a party after... things happen... and he's immediately like "ARE YOU OKAY? DID I HURT YOU?" after being so cold to everyone else lol.

The Kingmaker by Kennedy Ryan (direct sequel is Rebel King). THIS SO MUCH. Lennix is such a genuinely strong heroine as well, which makes the way Maxim cares for her so beautiful. And then at one point she gets to take care of him in a way I found delightful. Reel also has a great caretaking hero, especially important as the heroine has a chronic illness. He's also a movie director, and he's generally very authoritative which... yes.

This is a dark romance, but in King's Captive by Amber Bardan the hero takes care of the heroine... And it's kinda weird.... Because she's been kept captive on his private island lol.... But I just have a vivid memory of the way he cared for her. And him cooking steaks.

Managed by Kristen Callihan has a wound-tight hero who takes care of EVERYONE and gets all huffy about the hero's resistance to him MANAGING her.

The Kiss Quotient by Helen Hoang has an amazing caretaker hero. He's very affirming, he cooks, he loves to tailor things, he also gets AGGRESSIVE in the right situations...

Alright, some more....

The Duke's Perfect Wife by Jennifer Ashley. Of course. Hart is growly and aggressive and a general menace, but he's also like. Everyone's dad. But Eleanor's DADDY. Will never forget the scene in a book that wasn't even theirs, introducing the fact that they'd been together in the past with him being like "You and your dad need rent money?" and before she could refuse him, tucking cash into her bodice lmao.

Rules for a Proper Governess by Jennifer Ashley. The Sound of Music if Captain Von Trapp was a Scottish lawyer with only two (horrible but great) kids and Maria was a street urchin who was stalking him before he hired her.

Regarding the Duke by Grace Callaway. This is an amnesia book where the hero conks his head, wakes up, doesn't know anyone, and is like "wait I'VE ONLY BEEN BANGING MY WIFE ONCE A WEEK???" Pre-amnesia, Adam is a (hot) but restrained PROVIDERRRRR which is one type of caretaking. Post-amnesia, he's full everything caretaker as soon as possible. And a great dad.

The Duke Gets Even by Joanna Shupe. BUT OFC. Lockwood has approximately no money, but he still wants to take Nellie out to eat (and then take her back home to eat), and to swan her about and take care of her. "I'm keeping you, Eleanor" PLEASE.

Indigo by Beverly Jenkins. All Galen wants to do is buy Hester things and take care of her and swan her about town and line his carriage with indigo fabric (because he calls her "ma petite Indigo". Truly one of THE BIGGEST CARETAKER HEROES EVER.

Lorraine Heath heroes often do caretaking. Waking Up with the Duke comes to mind, The Earl Takes All, Between the Devil and Desire, The Duke and the Lady in Red, The Duchess Hunt... most of them, tbh.

[famwhy]

hii i LOVED ur tangerine story it was so good. the ending was fr shocking like i was NOT expecting that whatsoever. i was expecting the reader to fail and for tangerine to die but you really blew it out of the park w that ending. Idk if you write like smut oneshots but if you'd write one where tangerine fingers her in a train seat in a busy carriage that would be cool

Hello! Thank you so much for your compliments,it really means the world to me that you enjoyed the Tangerine fic I wrote after watching the movie recently and growing obsessed with him which made it like 10x more fun to write.

Now, I'm sorry to say, but I don't write explicit smut. Sorry, it's my fault for not confirming it in my bio haha. However, I could write you a quick scenario of him teasing the Reader with a bunch of sexual innuendos.

Also! Please don't let the fact that I don't write smut stop you from requesting Tangerine content because I'm more than happy to provide stories with the angry Brit that I currently have a huge obsession for.

Warning: cussing, mentions of sexual content and sexual innuendos - nothing too explicit however

(This ask is related to this post)

Your eyes lit up; stood at the very tip of your toes in anticipation as the male next to you stuffed his hand into his pocket and pulled out the familiar leather material that contained his riches within.

The day was scorching hot - you could, quite literally, see the heatwaves in the air. It was unbearable and definitely not the conditions one would wish for when going on a date.

Fortunately for both you and Tangerine, there was an ice cream stand nearby the park you decided to take a walk in. Or well, more fortunate for you than Tangerine - who claimed that he 'wasn't in the mood for ice cream'. Absolute bullshit, everyone was always in the mood for ice cream.

Upon voicing your opinion, he scoffed in response before going, 'what? You want it then?' - to which you obviously responded with an enthusiastic 'yes!'.

That brought you to now, waiting in all your excited glory as the man behind the ice cream stand pulled out a frozen popsicle and held his hand out, waiting for payment.

"Can't believe I'm fuckin' doin' this." Grumbled the Brit as he took out his money.

You merely grinned in response, thrilled to finally have something to temporarily distract you from the scorching heat that felt like flames licking against your skin; mere seconds away from burning you alive.

Yeah, not a very nice sensation to say the least.

"Here you go, pretty lady." The ice cream man winked your way, handing the plastic wrapper containing the ice lolly inside while grazing his fingers against your own.

His actions were enough to cause Tangerine's eyes to narrow and, ever the confrontational man, he spoke out regarding his discontent. "Oi, fuck off mate. Are you blind or some'n? She's with me."

Sensing that this was most definitely going to lead into a rather violent exchange, you wrapped your hands around your lover's bicep before tugging him away, a nervous smile growing on your face.

Luckily, he was in a good enough mood to allow you to tug him away without much protest - only a few cusses grumbled under his breath but that was probably the most tame you could get him.

As soon as you got a good amount of distance between the both of you and the ice cream man, you let go of your man in favour of opening up the frozen delight in your hands and shoving it straight into your mouth.

Immediately, an explosion of frost sprayed against the warm cavern - sending a cool feeling down your spine and helping to temporarily rid you of the warmth that overrode your system.

The cool sensation caused you to feel a large amount of relief and you let out a sigh with your eyes closed.

Now this was the perfect way to spend a hot summer day.

"You enjoyin' sucking on that lolly, love?"

The words coated in a smug, cockney tone made their way over to your ears and reminded you of the presence beside you - causing you to glance to your side and witness the large smirk spread across the handsome male's lips.

"'Cause I sure as hell know somethin' else you'd love to suck on."

His half-lidded gaze bore into your own, all but practically telling you that he was over his previous anger in favour of a new sense of desire that flooded through him.

Desire that came way too suddenly for you.

You spluttered, grip weakening around the stick in your hands as your jaw fell even further open; frozen treat barely remaining rested against your tongue.

"Yuh-you-!"

He chuckled. "Can't speak? Don't worry, dahlin', when we get home - you won't be able to stop making sounds for me."

This horny bastard.

[sheepstitches]

strangled red interpretation , might contain death or gore and obviously talks of possible suicide or strangulation

Also warning long ... Long post so I'll make a cut at a certain part.

Okay so,

Steven and Mike, both got abandoned by their parents a little bit pre-miki era. They were already having a hard time. The parents either were both just not good influences and just straight up decided to leave or they lost custody of Steven and Mike became the new guardian for him.

Mike and Steven only have each other and their pokemon that they grew up with. Both have teams, but they both obviously are more connected with their Blastoise and Charizard. They temporarily stopped when Mike started to realize 'oh shit I have to get a job and actually raise my brother'. So during that time Mike wasn't training. Steven was tho.

Steven would mainly focus on training, Mike would help out and do some too but Mike was mainly working at one of the Pokemarts to help with bills and get food on the table.

Steven and Mike realized later on they haven't really had time to connect, so they eventually went back to Pokemon training and gathered badges.

Sooner or later Mike actually gets to the end with Steven, they fight, yada yada, and Steven wins YAYYYY he's the champion of Kanto YAYYYY.

Then Mike's like "you know it would be super cool if I could try to train with Miki bc y'know she's super strong. Maybe you can teach Dew a few things too whaddya say"

Steven says no, then Mike says "cmon pls" then they trade and yeah Miki's dead.

Obviously as everyone else probably sees it, Miki died from a short circuit when the bros traded with their Gameboys??? Or Pokedex idk. Some sort of a device where you got a linking cable y'know? And it electrocuted Miki (IDK how the damage was done to her neck, maybe something during the process focused on that and snapped it. Steven never got to see her body until later when he uses missing no but more on that later)

My brain is super fuzzy with this, so I'm sorry if this isn't accurate with the og creepypasta but,

Steven is just, at THIS point now, where he starts to be a selective mute. Shadows over the eyes, just straight up numb to everything. He is angry, yeah, he probably lashed out at Mike after it happened but the majority of his personality is shattered. Just an empty husk, doing what he can do besides being outside and trying to compete with other people because what's the point? His favorite pokemon died.

His other pokemon, he takes care of them well, feeding them and playing with them, but rarely does Steven ever feel anything anymore.

I don't see him being full of rage or anything like that until he actually goes outside after talking to Mike

"You should try to explore. I mean, walking outside for fresh air. Might help you." - mike

And Steven does. He does and it gives him time to think.

But Steven starts to realize none of the other pokemon approaches him. Just running away, immediately.

Give him time to really think, like "there isn't anyone who cares about me more than Miki" kinda??? Like yes Mike was there but not all the time.

Mike needed to go out and work, pay bills and only came by to help out occasionally but Miki was ALWAYS there for Steven when he needed comfort or someone to just listen to him ramble.

And yeah, basically he's like "I'm not going back home, not like Mike would want me to anyway"

Aaannnddd the further down he went, the more he thinks, and I think this starts a lil era where Steven kinda just lets himself stay outside for a couple months and goes missing so he can "think" more

Okay so... Now I say maybe it's been a month or two?? Stevens just uses leftover money, going around and finding places to sleep. He just doesn't feel right about coming back home yet but he did realize something

If he didn't trade at all, and if Mike didn't constantly ask about it then maybe this never should have happened. The more he thinks about this, the more he wishes he's never talked to Mike. This is where his anger boils up more. He's constantly in an echo chamber, by himself and wandering around.

Eventually this builds up to where Steven is like "oh shit I remember this one thing that I saw a while back maybe I should visit it"

Aaaaand missingno. Uhhhh yeah :3

Thanks to a friend I have a better understanding of it so basically, I can see it where Steven flies over to that area with one of the members of his pokemon team, sees missing no, and before missing no could really like, offer a deal, Stevens just like "whatever you say I'll do it as long as you can help me bring back " like DA devil y'know.

Missing no's like ":o oh wait really fr oh shit Kay. Well it's gonna cost you maybe... Gonna hurt yourself are you sure"

And Steven is obviously like "ummm gimme mine mine mine" bc he doesn't care about his body, he's stinky and covered in dirt

and his own blood btw bc I can see him having a negative Stim where he scratches his wrists and neck with his nails

Missing no is like lol okay fine and goes into the inventory...

And when I first heard this story I thought I was missing something... Combined itself with Steven??? HajdkIskx?? So my interp is weird sorry so

Missing no combined with Steven, Steven is in pain, twitching and gets all bigger and stronger. And he uses his combined power to revive Miki from her grave. And yay! She's back... But not... It's just a husk that's moving around.

She doesn't remember Steven but she's friendly with him bc oh wow a human. But Steven doesn't care, he's just happy his corpse of a Pokemon is alive :)

Oh forgot to say but the missing no combined with Steven makes him even more feral and wants to kill and destroy everything in his path so that explains why he suddenly is like imma kill Mike

Umm Mike death imma warn you,

...

Steven comes home. He's a mess. Covered in cuts and bruises, and soaked in water.

Because REMEMBER. He had to SWIM. FROM CINNABAR ISLAND. BACK TO PALLET TOWN LMFAO.

Miki kinda was rough with him at first when he revived her so he has some fresh cuts from her. She's friendly now, but that's because Steven tamed her somehow I think???

He walks in, it's dead at night, midnight. Mike's sleeping in his bed soundly. He's actually tired, and has been setting up missing posters of his brother for the last two weeks. Was worried sick, never caught a wink so he's dead asleep until the door opens.

There's Steven. The room is so dark, Mike can only see the outlines of his brother's hat, hair, and a glint of Stevens eye.

Mike's sitting up right away, ecstatic that his brother is finally home and he's at the brink of tears. Just, he doesn't care and he isn't mad, he's just happy the only family he has left is home.

But Steven isn't moving from the doorway. Why isn't he moving? He's just staring at him.

Mike's asking what's wrong, are you hurt, did you see something.

Steven just lunges forward, faster than lightning and tackles Mile down. Mike obviously is fighting back, asking what happened and why he's doing this. And finally he feels two large, sticky hands whip to his neck.

They're tightening, grilling with such force that it just feels like a machine is doing the job. What makes it worse is that now Mike can see the cuts and blood on Stevens face. He can see a little bit of the expression. It wasn't smiling. But the eyes were dead and pin pricked.

Thumbs trap the windpipe, making it harder. Oh and bonus, a knee is digging into Mike's stomach to make it harder to breathe.

As this is going on Mike is still thrashing, nails digging into Stevens already sliced up arms and reopening wounds. And eventually, Mike reached up to swipe at Stevens face.

That immediately encouraged Steven to just jerk his hands, and snap the neck.

Mike grows limp, and Steven stays there for about a minute to process everything.

Then he leans back and stares.

Yeah. Finally it happened. He did what he wanted to do. Steven doesn't cry right away. He just slips off the bed, grabs Mike's arms, and drags the body to the backyard.

He's heading to the very same woods he disappeared off to, in the bitter cold.

There's blood that trails somehow, but it's not a lot. It's all from Steven. And finally when he finds a good place, he starts digging with his bare hands, a new grave for Mike.

...

Yay

Idk what else to say besides ummm I think Steven just ,,, goes back home, sits on the bed and stares at the wall for hours. He doesn't comprehend everything as real until he lays down on the very same area where Mike passed away.

And I think what breaks him is noticing Mike's pokeball on the nightstand, which has dew in it.

I also think he cries bc of the pokeball bc that's when he realized how much Mike did for him and this whole time Mike was thinking about Steven

Oh even worse I think is when he walks to the woods he sees the missing posters and starts to be like ".... Ohhh”

That's it, yeah. Lmk what you think, thanks for hearing me ramble.

[eriexplosion]

Vibrating excitedly because it's time for Battle Scars and I am READY.

Obsessed with this opening honestly. Everything is happening at once. Everyone is yelling. Echo is just trying to get the hyperdrive back online. Omega has named the lizard. (Interesting that it IS Ruby and she picked the name... but when we see it with Roland, the name is in fact Ruby. So either she DIVINED THE NAME or Roland hadn't named her yet and somehow the Ruby name got passed to him and he's like. Yeah this is a Ruby. Great instincts kid I will surely never meet!)

Also crawling onto Wrecker's face, he is ALREADY HAVING A BAD TIME. IT'S GONNA GET WORSE.

Successful Cid job tally: 1 failed, 2 successes

Hunter's very doubtful UH-HUH... THE KID. is so cute.... I miss him, season 2 Hunter is SO FUCKING DEPRESSED. LIKE LITERALLY ABOUT TO LAY DOWN AND SLEEP FOR 200 YEARS DEPRESSED.

Cornered introduced them to Money and Bribes, Battle Scars introduces them to CREDIT CARD DEBT.

TWENTY CARTONS OF MANTELL MIX. JUST BEEN PUTTING IT ON CID'S TAB THE WHOLE TIME.

Bolo and Ketch trying to fight Rex is SO fucking funny. Boys you won't win that one. Go sit down.

I'M SORRY I AM NEVER OVER TECH PIPING UP WITH "THAT'S NOT HER UGLY SIDE?" DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF CID. ABSOLUTE LACK OF SHITS TO GIVE. LOOK AT HIS FIELD OF FUCKS AND NOTE THAT IT IS BARREN.

We do love Rex's poncho disguise. Nothing says stealth like having your EXTREMELY DISTINCTIVE ARMS ON DISPLAY.

"Being dead in the Empire's eyes has its advantages" sounds like another line that could come back with Tech.

CUTE SMILES <3

Rex immediately kneeling down to talk to Omega is adorable but when she gets way into his personal space he looks SO NERVOUS AND ANXIOUS. AND THEN SHE TELLS HIM HE HAS WRINKLES.

Tech very casually like OUR INHIBITOR CHIPS DON'T WORK EXCEPT IN CROSSHAIR like yes Wrecker is having migraines, etc, but it's probably fine. Genius that cannot conceive of his family continuing to dwindle so he just assumes Wrecker will be okay probably. He has to be right?

Still seeing Rex go for his blaster for them hurts me.

HUNTER STANDING IN FRONT OF TECH THOUGH WHEN THINGS GET TENSE. HE PROTECT.

I don't want to bury anymore of our brothers.

Listen I do still think it's funny that Rex unlike Cut has Zero Reaction to Crosshair being missing and apparently has not asked, but I do think that it would be interesting to get him talking about the chips with Crosshair. Rex has no reason to lie to make him feel better. You can't resist the chips and Crosshair isn't special in that regard.

Wrecker thinks he's nervous about the surgery now but soon he gets to see that the surgery suite is also a complete wreck!

Obsessed with this shot WHY does Tech looks like he belongs in blurry bigfoot footage?

Rex not mentioning Ahsoka makes so much sense actually he has no idea what might make their chips suddenly activate so best not to mention the help he got from a former Jedi

So Wrecker starts out getting attacked by a lizard, has a horrifying migraine, has to go across a terrifying pit on a cord which immediately breaks, smacks him into a wall, and dangles him upside down by one leg to fish for some sort of horrid creature. AND IT WILL ONLY GET WORSE FOR HIM FROM HERE.

Tech complaining about the cleanliness again like he didn't live in some sort of biohazard train wreck in a bed that looks like this

God the way Omega is already worried about being left all alone in Battle Scars. Baby, I want you to have your whole family back so bad more than I've wanted anything ever. Also Hunter's response here is "You're stuck with us for the long run" and I just feel like it would be exceptionally mean spirited to have that and then have Omega alone at the end like a lot of theories predict.

God the moment that Wrecker grabs Tech is still the most fucking chilling thing. And obviously the chip was already activating but I wonder if it's what Hunter was talking about, saying 'at least we helped the Padawan escape' that finally pushed it over the edge.

THE MUSIC CUTTING OUT WHEN WE ZOOM IN ON WRECKER'S PUPIL EXPANDING.

Someone pointed out ONE TIME that when Wrecker is pinning him to the wall Hunter tries to tap out by tapping his wrists twice and I can never again NOT notice that. Trying to get through to Wrecker but Wrecker's not in right now. It's just the fucking chip.

HE WAS JUST GOING TO MURDER THE FUCKING CHILD.

Chipped Wrecker is terrifying and honestly vital to see before we get to Reunion. The viewer NEEDS to understand just how unbeatable the chips are in order to understand Crosshair's character arc, we need to see it in someone that we know is completely trustworthy and good in order to see how much it Does Not Matter how good you are.

The thing with this show is that I've always felt like it REALLY understands where it's going with its narrative. Whatever else people might think about it, it does understand how to lay the groundwork to support the themes and family dynamics and it does feel completely sketched out.

Omega honey shaking him will not make Wrecker wake up faster please give him some breathing room.

EVERYONE FALLING ASLEEP AROUND WRECKER. MY HEART.

The way Tech pops straight up from being completely conked out in a chair KILLS ME.

They went so far as to shave like a quarter of Tech's head for the surgery but they didn't touch Hunter's at all. He allowed exactly one (1) square inch to be shaved off and he immediately hid it under his fucking bandana.

The animation is so detailed though, they left hair stubble behind even.

Here Wrecker eat Omega's pocket mix that she has been carrying for who knows how long.

Hunter saying he's still figuring out what's best for his squad. End of season two he still doesn't have it yet.

Rex mysteriously fucking vanishing into the fog is so funny, that is exactly how to exit the screen. Just fade into the fog like a mysterious unicorn.

And of course the Doom Ending to lead into Reunion.

[ajpendragon]

A Joyful Heart

A groan on his right woke him, forcing him to lift his head to see who it was. John lay next to him, his wrists bound, clearly having just woken up from the same uncomfortable sleep that Gordon had. “Hey, Johnny. How’s it going?”

“Really?” John rolled his eyes at his younger brother. “How’s it going? That’s the best thing you can think of to ask?”

“Just trying to keep it light. Humor helps in uncomfortable situations.”

“I wish whoever invented that saying would recant their statement immediately. You’ve taken it far too much to heart.” Despite John’s protests, Gordon knew that he was right. The joking had distracted him from the chafing on his wrists and give them both a much needed burst of hope.

“How are you feeling?”

Gordon pushed himself upright, taking a quick inventory of his body. “I’ll live. I feel a bit foggy from whatever drugs they gave us, but it’s getting better. I still have my watch on, too.”

John frowned. Everyone that they encountered on a regular basis knew that their watches had trackers in them, and would have taken it off at the first opportunity. Which meant that they were dealing with an unknown threat this time. Gordon nearly laughed at John’s thinking face, but then he suddenly doubled over gasping for breath, his face screwed up in pain.

“John?”

“I’m alright. I seem to be reacting to whatever they drugged us with, but I think I’ll live. It’s just making it hard to think. My head is killing me.”

Gordon wedged his shoulder under John’s to leverage him up, staying close to give his brother some much needed support. “We’ll get out of here soon, and then we’ll figure out what they gave you. It’s probably something only nerd’s are allergic to, so it’s not bothering me.”

John tried to roll his eyes, but the pain left him breathless again, and he settled back down on his brother’s shoulder. “Ok.” He whispered.

Gordon was worried now. It wasn’t like John to not have a sassy comeback. The drugs must be affecting him more than he let on.

The door creaked open, and a man stepped into the room. They had never seen him before, which was both reassuring and concerning. It always helped in this sort of situation to know what they were dealing with, but it being someone new meant they might be able to get away with things their normal antagonists would be expecting. “Mr. Tracy.”

Both of them looked up. “Yes?”


The man in front of them sighed, seemingly discouraged at their response.

“What do you want?” Gordon demanded.

“Money, obviously.”

“Why, don’t you have any of your own?”

John huffed a laugh at his brother’s joke. Unfortunately, their new acquaintance seemed to find it less funny, as he stepped forward and backhanded Gordon across the face. His lip split, blood dripping down his chin.

“I have plenty of money. How dare you imply that I don’t?”

“Well, if you have plenty of money, why do you want ours?”

“I-I don’t-“ He sputtered. “I kidnapped you for ransom.”

“So I assumed.” John muttered dryly, as Gordon choked on the blood filling his mouth, spitting it onto the ground in front of him.

Their kidnapper bent over him, fisting his hand in Gordon’s hair and pulling his head back painfully. “Do you need to catch your breath?” He asked sarcastically.

“Only from laughing at you.”

John tried to shush his brother before he made things worse. It was too late, however, and their kidnapper struck Gordon across the face again, opening up another cut over his eyebrow. John was knocked off Gordon’s shoulder, and attempted to right himself, but only managed to make himself fall over faster. His head hit the floor loudly, and he groaned, falling limp.

“John!” Gordon exclaimed, trying to lift his brother back up. “Untie me.” He demanded. “I need to help him. Please.” Gordon pulled frantically at his bonds, desperately trying to get to his brother.

Their captor untied the knots, looking genuinely concerned, and Gordon turned immediately to his brother, lifting his head off the ground and checking for blood, fingers feeling for a pulse. He sighed with relief when he found it, weak and irregular, but still there.

“He’s reacting to whatever you drugged us with. If we can’t get it out of his system soon, it might be too late. What did you give him?”

“It was the same thing I gave you. It shouldn’t have hurt him. I just knew I had to give him twice as much as I gave you, because of the hair.”

Gordon stared at him blankly. “What are you talking about?”

“You know.” The man gestured wildly. “Ginger’s require more anesthetic?”

Gordon was livid. “You gave him a double dose of a sedative just because he’s a ginger? That might be true for anesthetic, but even then they start at the normal dose and work up. He’s as skinny as a stick and he spends half his time in space, you could have given him a half dose and he would have been knocked out!”

The man looked honestly remorseful. “I didn’t know. I thought-“

He was cut off by Kayo bursting through the door, Scott hot on her heels. She knelt down on the other side of John, leaving Scott to deal with their kidnapper, who backed into the corner and surrendered as soon as they entered.

“What’s going on?” She asked quietly, stepping in to help.

“Double dose of sedative. He was doing okay up until a couple minutes ago, when he just passed out.”

“Breathing?”

“Steady, for now, but shallow. Pulse is weak, and inconsistent. We need to get him out of here. We don’t have the equipment to deal with an overdose like this in here.”

“Agreed. Thunderbird Two is outside. The medbay is prepped and ready for him. We weren’t sure what we were walking into, so we made sure to have everything on standby.”

Gordon slid his arms under his brother, lifting him up. Shifting his head onto his shoulder, he slowly stood and walked out of the room, Kayo following close behind. He could feel John’s weak breath on his neck, and hastened his steps as fast as he safely could.

They reached Two sooner than he had thought possible, Gordon moving to settle John gently into the bed. Kayo moved smoothly around him, ready with an oxygen mask by the time he put his brother down. She quickly attached the mask as Gordon secured the many monitors to his body.

When they finished, Gordon settled himself heavily onto the next bed. His hands were shaking, breath coming fast. He seemed to have forgotten in his worry over his brother that he was also injured. Kayo took a last look at the monitors around John before pulling out some gauze and rubbing alcohol and coming over to Gordon.

She cleaned the cut on his lip gently, setting aside the used supplies to stick a few butterfly bandages across the split. The cut over his eye received the same treatment. Finished, she took his hands in hers. He hadn’t moved throughout the whole process, aside from his shaking hands, which worried her. “Hey. It’s okay. You did good. He’s going to be alright. You’re out.”

She sat next to him on the bed and wrapped her arms around his shoulders, just sitting with him in silence for a few minutes until the machines surrounding John started beeping. They both jumped to their feet, hurrying over to the other bed.

John’s breathing had shallowed, his body completely limp and unmoving. They secured the oxygen mask even tighter and upped the flow, pumping air into his lungs. “What do we do?” Gordon asked, reaching for his brother’s hand.

“You know as well as I do. Keep him breathing, keep him comfortable. It will wear off soon enough.”

“I hate this. I hate not being able to do anything. I hate it.”

“I know. We’ll be out of here in a few minutes, and Virgil said you were to fly Two home. He was very unhappy we left without him. He made Scott promise to keep well below the max speed of Two.”

“I’m impressed he even let him fly in the first place.”

Kayo winked at him. “I was given strict instructions to watch him the entire flight.”

Gordon laughed, just as Scott came marching into the medbay, settling himself at John’s bedside. “You’re flying us home?”

“Yep!” Gordon replied brightly. His smile was clearly forced, although Scott, already bending over John, didn’t notice. He headed briskly up to the cockpit, Kayo on his heels. Running quickly through the preflight checks, he had the plane up in the air as fast as possible. As soon as they were headed home, he opened the comms down to the medbay. “How’s he doing, Scott?”

“Still stable. He just needs to sleep it off now. We’ll get him to bed when we get home, and he’ll be fine.”

If Virgil knew the speeds Gordon was pushing his ‘bird to, he might have regretted letting him fly. Gordon didn’t have the same experience flying her as Virgil, but he knew how to get the best speeds from her, and Kayo was an able copilot. They didn’t talk much on the flight back. Kayo could tell Gordon needed some time to process, although he probably wouldn’t admit it if she asked. She turned on some quiet ocean sounds over the speakers, and watched as Gordon visibly relaxed into his seat.

Virgil was there when they landed, following John’s bed the best he could while on crutches. “What happened?” It was clear how hard it had been for him to be stuck at home when his brothers had needed help, so no one thought to scold him.

“He’s doing fine, Virgil.” Kayo reassured, Scott and Gordon already in the elevator halfway to the infirmary. “He just needs to sleep it off now.” She wrapped her arm around his waist. “Let’s get you sitting down again. You’re not really supposed to be up yet. We don’t need you to injure yourself again.”

They reached the infirmary at the same time as Scott and Gordon finished attaching the last of the monitors to John’s skin. She helped Virgil settle on a nearby bed, then turned to Gordon, who had not moved from his unconscious brother’s side. “We made it back. He’s going to be fine now.”

Gordon mustered up a smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes. “Thanks, Kayo. I think I’m just going to stay here for a bit anyways. I’ll feel better being able to see him.”

That they all understood. There had been too many times they had been forced to watch someone they loved collapse injured from the life they led, and the fear never really got easier to deal with. They just learned how to cope with it better. Gordon settled into a chair at John’s bedside as Kayo delivered pain pills to Virgil and ushered (pushed) Scott out of the room. She attached an oxygen monitor to Gordon’s finger on her way out. “Just in case.” She said. “You did get drugged too. Don’t make me deal with both of you.”

“I won’t.” Gordon promised. The room settled into silence. Virgil quickly fell asleep, his soft snores and the quiet beep of John’s equipment the only sounds in the room.

When Gordon awoke, the crick in his neck told him he had been out for a few hours. He rolled his neck back and forth to work out the kinks, and then realized John was staring at him, aquamarine eyes open, but slightly unfocused. “Hey, John. How you doing?”

“Like I got hit by a truck. Everything is hard to move. And my head is throbbing.”

“I’m sorry. I know it sucks.” Gordon said sincerely. “You just need to go back to sleep. That will give you time to burn the last of the drugs out of your system. I can’t give you anything for the headache yet. I wish I could, but we don’t know how your body would react right now.” Gordon reached out and began to run his hand through John’s hair.

John shut his eyes again, sighing in relief. “That helps. Don’t stop.” He cracked one eyelid back open to glare at his brother. “What were you thinking back there? Antagonizing the person holding you prisoner is not usually the recommended technique.”

“Well, I didn’t see you coming up with any better ideas.”

“I was drugged and basically unconscious! I could barely remember my own name, let alone come up with a plan to get us out of there.”

“That doesn’t change the fact that I had to come up with the plan by myself. And you know what they say. ‘A good joke is the best weapon in the world.’”

“No one says that!”

“I say it, so it definitely counts.”

John didn’t answer, and when Gordon looked back down, he was already asleep. Gordon took a moment to enjoy having everyone home safe. People often accused him of being immature, or of never taking anything seriously. He knew that’s what it looked like from the outside, but it couldn’t be farther from the truth. He was fully aware of the seriousness of what they did and the risks they took on a daily basis. But he also refused to allow it to bring him down. His family already bore enough weight. Allowing himself to wallow in fear would accomplish nothing but bring them all down. So he took it upon himself to keep the family’s spirits up with well-timed jokes and pranks. Even if it didn’t feel like much, it was something he could do to help.

And he did it well.