#*buckles in* here we go

[haletostilinski]

Best Teen Wolf Character: Round 4

[blueberry-ink-93]

what the hell sure

cowboi will solace i literally cant think of anything else. not too happy but its whatever im too tired to argue with myself. anatomy practice

--

le reference. sadly i couldnt capture the swag and badassery lol :')

[wildsaltair]

I wish he would come wreck my speedway

[todayintokyo]

Where has rainy season run off to? It was announced on 10 June, we had three days of rain, and now this? I wish to lodge a complaint.

[humanityinahandbag]

In honor of Valentines Day, @samthefrank​ and I decided to give you all a gift!

Please enjoy an absolutely miserable hedgehog!

[trashlie]

ILY FP 258

I can't believe we're actually passed episode 250 lmao I Love Yoo is truly the never ending story (affectionate). I appreciate how much of the story we really get to dig into at this pace and while I know a lot of people have long-since dropped it, I imagine the rest of us (those reading this post because why else are you here?) also appreciate it. And that's what is even more refreshing about this episode - if refreshing is even a word we can use to describe it. Getting the extra scenes from other characters, a look at their lives and from these glimpses, what we can glean in the unsaid between the lines.

Can you believe I used to prey on Kousuke's downfall? There's so many posts of me talking about him from a different view, believing that the only way he could grow and develop and make the changes necessary to make him a better person was for him to crash and burn, to fail so significantly that he would be forced to pen his eyes to reality. But here we are, me, fervently swaddling him up like a baby and shoving him into my pocket because GOD he needs to be protected.

I don't even remember when it was, that my view on him began to shift, when I went from "he's interesting but awful" to "GOD THIS IS MY SON AND I WILL FIGHT EVERYONE YOU HAVE TO GO THROUGH ME" but.... lol there's no going back!

That's enough rambling, let's jump in.

There is something so painfully devastating about every time ILY confirms to us something we have long-since known or suspected through nuance, foreshadowing, reading between the lines, etc: That Kousuke isn't Rand's biological son, that Shinae was at the formal for Gun Kim, that Kousuke has been manipulated his whole life. Nothing in this episode regarding Kousuke is actually new to us. We have known, and talked about, for months and months long before the confirmation reveal that Yui drugs Kousuke - that he has been manipulated by her his entire life, that she orchestrated his life to manipulate him into situations she could take advantage of. It's the way she spoke about Rand's affair around Kousuke, the way she commodified Rand's love so Kousuke became convinced he'd never earned his father's love, the way she spoke of their family vs others and convinced him from such a young age that everyone was out to get them, to destroy them, and that he couldn't let them get close, couldn't let them near - and how Nol was very much a target planted in his mind.

But it's the fact that he is speaking of this and acknowledging it! Until now, Kousuke has heavily lived in denial. Again, we know this. We talk a lot about the chasm between reality and the reality he believes in. We talk a lot about how Kousuke couldn't face reality, even though on some level he knew everything he believed and was told was not quite true not quite real, but that he was so afraid of the truth, he couldn't do it. Kousuke admitting that he's been driven by fear and envy explains everything about him, and why he could not accept the only unwavering unconditional love he was offered.

A few weeks ago I saw a video on instagram of this father talking about a conversation he had with his daughter, who was feeling a little uncomfortable with her friend group. A new girl started to play with her and her best friend and she said she wasn't exactly jealous, but that maybe it was that she was afraid that there wasn't enough love to go around. Her dad had to explain to her that love is not like a pizza - it's not finite, a limited amount that could be taken and hogged by someone else. But Kousuke never learned this. His father's love was commodified and he was made to fear this other kid who he mistakenly believed knew a version of his father he'd never been privy to. He never learned that love is finite, that Rand could have enough love for the both of them, and feared that Nol would hog it all - that he WAS hogging it all because whether or not it was good or bad, Nol received more attention that Kousuke did. And that speaks VOLUMES about how Kousuke sees Rand, what he thinks of their relationship. In his mind, he is still unworthy, that he's not noteworthy enough.

This part gets to me so badly. We, as omniscient readers, know that Rand has tried his best, but that Yui runs a spectacular interference with which he can't compete, largely because of the roles their family have placed them in - Rand the busy businessman, Yui the mommy homemaker. But no matter how hard he tries, it isn't good enough. Rand tries to reach Kousuke, but the manipulation and paranoia are so far gone that the times Rand does have the chance to convey his feelings, Kousuke can't even believe it, because he thinks he's not good enough to deserve that love, that he hasn't fully qualified for it yet. And despite that, Nol, who Kousuke feels hasn't done half of what he has to deserve Rand's love, gets the attention. It doesn't matter that it's negative attention, that Rand barks at Nol, that Nol feels Rand hates and regrets him, because ultimately, it's still more than Kousuke receives. And worse, to him, every time Rand is busy reprimanding Nol, he turns away from Kousuke to do it.

I want to make it clear that this is a deep trauma point of Kousuke's. He's never learned healthy love and the only person who gave him healthy love was someone he was set to fear and fight. Something I think about a lot is the flashback to Kousuke, in the bushes, watching Nessa and Nol's display of warm affection, before Yui appears literally looming before him. In that moment, he witnesses something he's been deprived of. "We're not like other families"'. He's told from a young age he shouldn't compare himself to those healthy families, to warm and affectionate relationships that he will not cultivate in this household. From such a young age it is normalized, that they aren't like others, that they are cold and distant. From a young age, he's made to stuff down his feelings, his tender wants and desires, in order to earn them. To be a good little boy who makes his parents proud. To make his father look his way.

There's also something about the way he says "I've been a good boy" that echoes Shinae learning she's been manipulated by Yui, devastated and angry and yelling about how she's been a good girl so why do these things keep happening to her, all she wanted to do was help her dad. Two people who, from a young age, felt they had to be so obedient, so good, to not be a burden, and despite following the rules, despite doing as they were told, despite trying to be whatever version of "good" they believed in, the world still beat them up and mistreated them. The world still punished them.

As Rin in our discord server pointed out, though, to some degree, Kousuke is very much a person who can - and does - act out, when he's emotionally high-strung. He's a volatile man, and it's largely to do with the fact that he's been drugged to placate him for so long. He never learned emotional regulation, he never learned how to deal with high-stress situations or to face conflict or to own up to things. This is something that some readers who hate Kousuke and expect him to act a certain way because of his age are missing. You don't just learn these things with age. You learn them with experience and Kousuke was deprived of the opportunity TO have those experiences. He never had to learn these behaviors, and now as an adult he cannot function when overwhelmed.

Idk this whole episode is just heartbreaking. It's devastating. I remember when I was someone praying on Kousuke's downfall and now I want to take it all back ;___; I always believed he had to crash and burn to be able to see the world for what it really was and to face his fears, but this is somehow so much worse.

And even though he's drunk, I don't think he's going to forget all of this in the morning. Rather, I think what he's voicing are things that have been plaguing him since waking up in the hospital. From that moment, we saw him wary and distrustful of his mother, we saw his concern for Nol rising above everything else, but grappling with the understanding that he doesn't deserve to stand in front of Nol anymore. These aren't epiphanies coming to him just because he's drunk; it's more like he's only voicing them because he's drunk. But even when he sobers up, he will probably still be haunted by these fears, these agonies, these truths, this understanding.

How does he face his mother after this? How does he face anyone? He may not even feel like he can trust Jayce - who while very kind to him, is still employed by his family. He may not even feel like he can trust Hansuke (though I really hope that's not the case).

He's so miserable and it genuinely hurts to have him lay it all out for us - everything we've known and suspected, like how it was so painfully clear he WANTED Nol's friendship, their brotherhood, but feared it, didn't believe that there was enough love to go around, that there could only be one of them and that even if it was for good or bad reasons, Nol cast him in the shadow. And all these years, watching as Nol, as Yeonggi, grew into this person who sounded so very much like this unknown version of their father, someone funny who makes others laugh, someone goofy, someone so boyish in the ways Kousuke was never allowed to be. Watching as he gathers friends, while Kousuke, so unlikeable, is wanted only for his money, for his status, for the clout.

He doesn't even know WHO HE IS! Questioning his own traits he's believed of himself, wondering if this is even him, if these parts of him are real or does he just act it, say it, pretend it, while trying to fulfill a role he was shoved into. That makes me feel SO deeply sad, because it's something I've been anticipating for so long: Kousuke wondering WHO he really is, how much of him is real and how much of it is the result of manipulation.

And that moment that he catches himself and says no no that's offensive and rude you can't be like that. ;AAA;

For him to admit how much he envies others, how much he craves the kind of connection others have, the kind of family others have, to feel that love and warmth that he's been deprived of, forced to endure this solitude because, as he believes, he didn't get the good parts of Rand. And what will happen when he learns that Rand isn't his father? That he never stood a chance to inherit any of those traits. Kousuke has operated on this belief that, if he tries hard enough, he can earn the things he craves, but I fear learning about his parenthood will make him think that no matter how hard he tried, he would never earn that, because none of it was ever him, could have gone to him.

I think this is where Shinae, in the future, will come in. I feel so very strongly that she will be someone who helps Kousuke to see that this isn't true, that these kinds of personality traits aren't something inherited, but rather something learned. For him to one day realize it's the paralyzing fear that holds him back, not his genetics. Of course, I acknowledge this will still take a lot of therapy but...

Something else very remarkable to me is the way Kousuke recognizes Shinae in Shinhye, because their eyes "feel the same" and he opens up to her - on some level, whether or not he is consciously aware of it, Kousuke knows, or maybe just wants to, that he can trust Shinae. That she is someone who is safe. He even knows how she feels about his mother. I don't think we'll see a lot of Kousuke and Shinae's friendship until we're passed our timeskips, but it makes me feel a little hopeful about it, that she'll be able to reach him, because she feels like someone who is safe. It's the way he sees Nol in her and wants to try to have that do over, a relationship with someone who  has unconditional love for him. It's the way he knows he mistreated Nol, that it was wrong, that he took it all out on this kid he was so afraid of because he had no other outlet, and he wants to do better but knows that there's nothing to salvage anymore.

But also, it just makes me hope more and more that in the future we WILL see a reconciliation between the brothers. As I say every time, it doesn't mean they have to become brothers or friends, but I just want them to see each other fully. Kousuke knows what he did to Nol. He doesn't deny it, even if he might not say it out loud unless he's drunk. But Nol is still so in the dark. Yujing is trying to tip him off and make him aware of it, but I hope one day when Nol realizes it, when he finds out that Kousuke, too, was Yui's victim, that he wasn't the only one, that Kousuke was made to fear Nol's love, he might.... understand. I'm saying understand here loosely because I don't want people to get the idea that I mean Nol will forgive him and Kousuke will be justified, but rather that Nol would be able to understand why Kousuke felt that way, and move on. But I can't help but hope that it will lead to an understanding, a reconciliation, where maybe they can try to be in each other's lives.

I think it's also interesting that Shinhye was somewhat honest, even if she wasn't very forthcoming, with Kousuke about her own family. It sounds like her mother has been gone for a long time, that she's been on her own the whole while, and I think it reinforces the idea that she believes both that Simhan is her father and that he rejected her, that he didn't want anything to do with her. It lines up, too, with how she feels that he wouldn't react well if he saw her (although I think she credited that to looking like their mother). In the same way that Shinae has felt abandoned and cast aside by their mother, Shinhye probably thinks their father never tried reach out, to find them, to maintain a relationship with her. Or perhaps it's that her mother fed her lies about him, made her believe him a different type of man, made her believe there would never be anything of their relationship to salvage. And given that she's the one who Kousuke opened to, it makes me think that there must be some kind of parallel there; the way she mentioned her own mother feels like maybe her mother, too, was a manipulative - or at the very least, dishonest - person.

I don't speculate a lot on Shinhye because frankly I don't think I know enough about her to really try to talk about her, but I do think that it's very likely there's some kind of connection between Shinhye and the Hirahras or Gun. To be clear, I don't believe she's working with Yui at all. I think it's more like... Alyssa isn't the only girl who has been trafficked by Gun. What's the likelihood that Shinae and Shinhye's mother was? Given her history, the gambling addiction that was so egregious her reputation haunted Shinae and chased her to a new neighborhood and school, was she seeking money somewhere else, somewhere more dangerous? Is that part of why they had to change their name? There's so many questions left about them, and I look forward to learning more about her, but, much like with Alyssa, I think it will take time and be dropped in little tidbits like this - things to read into and try to glean something from.

And maybe we'll see more of this duo in the future? It would feel a little weird to give them this one single run in, but I'm not entirely sure. Quimchee likes to keep us on our toes. After all, Minhyuk and Shinhye have also had only the one run in. Still, I think it would be interesting to watch, if Shinhye ever felt.... I want to say maybe compelled? to dig in more to Kousuke, ever feel a kind of kinship. I don't think she'll open up to him at all, but rather, maybe she'd keep going back because a. he's wealthy and there's more she can nick from him (assuming he doesn't realize she stole anything while in his apartment, if he even remembers any of this) and b. wanting to gather more intel.

Like I said though, she's hard to read so I don't want to cling too hard to any ideas and, instead, sit back and enjoy the show.

[stagefoureddiediaz]

it sounds so bad for them I’m screaming 😂

Hey Nonnie

I’m just cackling - especially at the thought that they’re probably over on their side of tumblr claiming it means all good things for their ship and their character that Tim clearly doesn’t care about. It’ll be fun to see what delusions they manage to spin from this - my guess is they’ll ignore Oliver’s actual quote and go with the random wild speculation the article writer created!

it really is ana and Marisol for a man! Which I’m very happy about - because treating a male li in the same way as female ones have been treated in the past is a good thing - it means some semblance of equality on the treatment front (Taylor only got treated differently because of circumstances and bt2.0 is probably closer to how things would’ve gone for bt1.0 if the show had been able to do what it wanted to!)

[sprout-gt]

In Plain Sight - Chapter One

here it is folks! the start of the journey. i have had so much fun drafting this chapter, and hope you enjoy reading it!

Word count: 3958

CW: Adult language

Myth knew the route, he understood it. 

This well practiced tread was practically second nature to him. Gently palming the wall to feel for the familiar symbols long ago scratched into the soft wood within the walls, the borrower shuffled forward assuredly. 

The cramped, pressing space between walls he so often navigated provided a keen sense of belonging. He could probably find his way through most routes with his eyes closed. Hell, without the soft glow of a lit match or belt lamp he might as well be blindfolded. He could barely see an inch in front of him. And yet, each footfall was placed with complete certainty. 

The dark did not disquiet him, nor was it ever a challenge. Darkness was safe, shielding.The inability to make out anything in front of you was a blessing. It meant that you were also hidden from sight. Visibility meant guaranteed danger, staying out of sight meant safety. It was a simple principle. 

Myth raced through the corridors carved throughout the walls, relying only on the long ingrained paths etched into his memory to guide him forward. However, instead of the nearly blasé confidence that he usually assumed on runs, Myth navigated the tight corridors of the walls with an air of quiet desperation. 

The stockade had been raided last week. It was still unclear what caused it, provisions and supplies being there one moment and gone within the next routine inventory hours later. The wards had been diligently dealing with rats for ages now, but it was extremely unusual for any to get that far within the borrower’s well-guarded territory. There had been no sightings of any intruding borrowers or suggestion of foul play. And yet, the once cramped shelves of their stockade were now nearly empty. 

No matter the reason, the sudden, sharp decrease in supply and encroaching panic of the community over rationing what was left meant that expeditions beyond the walls were assigned with a concerning frequency. Some younger borrowers had assumed this was their chance to prove themselves and were clambering to volunteer themselves, but Myth was quick to shut that idea down. The hefty responsibility to train new runners fell to him as the main, and he had neither the time nor patience to do so now. 

With his sister unable to assist on any runs, the brunt of the recent work was delegated to him. He felt like he hardly had a chance to breathe between runs before Dasha was assigning him another. Sure, there were others that would occasionally accompany him, but Myth by far had the most experience. Myth was always happier to work alone anyway. No chance to get slowed down that way. No unnecessary risks. 

This was his fifth run of the week, and as he dashed through the empty spaces in the walls, he could feel the fatigue begin to set in as a dull ache within his muscles. His legs protested against the long distances he traveled, his arms stung with every inch scaled upwards. He shoved down the increasing tiredness that ebbed through him, and kept moving. He could sleep when the community was secure. 

He had felt Kara’s knifepoint jealousy as he was assigned yet another run this morning, and he had to bite back a comment about loving to switch places with her. Sitting safely within the walls while recovering from a minor injury sounded far preferable to these relentless assignments. 

There was a small, inextricable twinge of tired envy within him towards all of the safe, manageable roles delegated to the others as he threw himself outside of the walls again and again. Not that he would ever admit that to anyone. 

Despite the constant string of complaints he has let ramble in his thoughts, he understood the severity of the situation, and knew he had a role in fixing it. 

As his hand brushed a carved crescent shaped divot in the wood, he stilled. This was it. Myth knocked against the wall twice for good luck, a small practice he had started on his first few runs that had long since become habit. Taking a long and weary breath in, Myth pulled down his bottle-cap mask and stepped beyond the cherished security of the walls. 

Myth utterly hated being in the open. Open meant visible, exposed, and there was always limited directionality for quick-needed escapes. The weaving route he used opened from a crack in the aging tile work into a vast kitchen area. Although it did not provide nearly enough cover as some of the other route entrances closer to the floors, it was optimal for gathering quickly, since it was positioned right next to containers of both non-perishable and fresh food. Supply runs would rarely ever pass through the kitchen, but provisions would rarely be found through the safer, less open route entrances. 

They were meticulous in scheduling runs, and midday seemed to be consistent in human vacancy. Night may provide more cover of darkness, but it was nearly guaranteed the humans would be roaming for hours, morning the same. What in the wall's name they were doing in that time was beyond Myth, but he spent very little time caring about the erratic behavior of humans- just staying out of their line of sight. 

Myth cautiously stepped onto the smooth surface of the marble countertop, after ensuring the room was empty. Glancing around his surroundings, he huffed with agitation as he scoped the area and immediately noted that the humans hadn’t yet replenished their own supplies, meaning he was left to scrounge in their diminished scraps. Again. Myth ran a tired hand through his hair as he weighed his limited options.

What this really meant was that this run was a whole bunch of expended energy and time with very little return. Myth knew that any borrower worth their salt would never return empty handed from a run, no matter how barren the surroundings may be. That would signal your inadequacy, and highly disrespect Dasha’s authority. And so, Myth trudged forward. 

Upon the vast counter was a nearly empty fruit bowl that towered over him, and a plastic container holding the crumbled remains of some unidentified dessert. Chewing on his lip, Myth glanced back and forth between them, as if his contemplation would magically spawn more provisions to bring back. An unfortunately unsuccessful strategy. Myth stepped towards the tall bowl, craning his neck up to the lip as he unhooked his makeshift grapple off his belt. Giving it a few swings to pick up momentum, he confidently arced the hook towards the lip. 

Catching his hook on the glass bowl, Myth gave a careful tug to ensure the twine affixed to the thin metal could be pulled taught. The hook held, although the slight creak of the rope while being pulled concerned him slightly. He would probably have to replace it when he got back. 

Ensuring it was secure, he began to ascend, wincing at the dull pain that bloomed through his upper body as he tugged his weight upwards. He pushed himself up to sit on the lip of the bowl, resulting in a sharper stab of fatigue buried in his arms. Removing the twisted metal hook, Myth reverses the grip, before belaying down to the flat bottom of the bowl and surveying his options.

There were a few discarded grapes, the skins of which had turned slightly brown and started to sag with overripeness, along with their now empty stems. Myth rolled his eyes and approached. He crouched down on his haunches and observed a few grapes that were still perfectly usable.  

Humans always seemed to disregard any amount of food that was past its absolute prime quality. The rejection of slightly worsened food was an unbelievable privilege to Myth. One that he had never been extended. Through his many assignments, he had learned that there was very little past the walls unworthy of using. They would need to ration these out within the next day or two, but that was still substantial. He scooped the fruit into his pack.

Once he had made his way back over the wall of the bowl and dropped down onto the counter with a huff, Myth approached the plastic container. It wasn’t much, a few crumbs and larger chunks of some kind of cake. Not very nutritious,but he had never been in the position to be picky. 

He wedged one tip of his hook between the layers of plastic so he had room to force them apart with a resonant pop. Myth winced at the sound, knowing full well he was alone but unable to shake the feeling he was about to be found hunched over and shoveling pieces of dessert into his pack. He moved faster, beginning to have that uncanny, unshakable feeling of being watched creep into him. 

Once Myth had filled his pack with as much as he feasibly could, he slammed the layers of plastic together, having to push down hard to click them back together. He quickly turned on his heel and hurried back to the insignificant split in the even tile lining the countertop. 

Pressing his bag through the opening with a push, Myth shoved himself in as well, leaning his back against the rigid wall next to the crack in order to catch his breath. As soon as he was past the barrier separating the gigantic scale of human spaces and tucked back into the security of the walls, his mind eased considerably. 

The borrower shouldered his now full pack, and turned down the long path back to the community, breathing easier under the cover of sheltered darkness. 

Others have said to him, during the common practice of recounting harrowing tales under the soft glow of wick-light, that the thrill of doing runs made them worth the risk, the adrenaline of close calls the best part of being assigned runs. Myth had nodded along in placid agreement, although he could not agree less. 

The thing Myth really loved about doing runs was the blissful solitude that traversing the routes provided. Simply, the silence of being in between the borrowing world and the human one. 

Borrowing life was as hectic as it was interconnected. Everyone was pressed so close, you didn’t have the space to breathe. In the heart of the walls, there was hardly any moment to reflect or exist in solitude. Here, slipping between the winding corridors, Myth was allowed to savor the isolation, if only for a short time. 

It was in these prized moments that Myth allowed his mind to wander past routine, past assignments and roles and into the abstract. He bounded between worries and excitements, potentials and anticipations. It passed the time deliciously. Gave him a needed distraction as he traversed the darkness.

But as he approached the central chamber of the walls, Myth could hear the stark silence of the route slowly be ebbed away with the present, bustling sounds of the community, the darkness slowly fading as he approached. His time with the personal came to a close, making way for the needs of his community. Myth entered the central chamber, exiting the cramped route entrance into the spacious room dotted with other entrances to routes, as well as corridors snaking further into community territory. . 

Tess, drowsily resting her head on her hand, snapped up immediately when she spotted Myth approaching, and waved him over as he walked in. He understood her excitement. Inventory was a slow and monotonous assignment. 

Casting a glance at the large wrist watch face affixed to the far wall, he noted that he returned several minutes later than he expected. He felt a pang of irritation at himself for getting increasingly slower. His legs ached in angry retort. He needed to lie down. 

He met the younger borrower in the center of the chamber and unloaded his meager spoils from the run onto the makeshift surface she stood behind. Tess made an obvious face.

“That… isn’t a lot.” Tess stated obviously, casting a dubious glance downward. 

“That is what was there.” Myth responded. As if he could control when the humans decided they were tired of their lack of provisions. That would certainly make his life easier.  

Tess sighed, and pulled a large scrap of paper from the pile beside her, marking the date and quality of the different food items with a pencil stub, leaving a patch of lead residue on her hand. “I’ll alert Dasha and sort this into inventory. In the meantime, would you please go lie down. You look like you’re about to collapse.” 

Myth laughed dryly, “Feel like it too. Thanks for telling me it’s obvious.” A slightly awkward beat passed between the borrowers. 

Tess shifted her weight from foot to foot, seeming to consider something weighty before asking, “Are you okay Myth? I mean… with all these assignments…” Her tone was light, quiet, as if asking his opinion was in violation of some kind of rule. 

Myth shrugged his empty pack onto his shoulder, and simply stated “Why wouldn’t I be?”, as he promptly turned on his heel, striding away from Tess and her deepinging expression of pity. 

Making his way towards the opposite wall, Myth entered the corridor to the community quarters, following the long path down to his and Kara’s space. He could hear conversation loud and quiet past the curtained barriers, but was uninterested in participating in any conversation, save for the one between him and sleep. 

Stepping through the curtain of scrap fabric of his quarter, Myth shrugged off his now much lighter pack and tossed his mask to the side of the room, nodding to his sister sitting at the far table. He stretched out as much as his muscles let him, enjoying the aching feeling for a few moments. He figured he should probably greet her before shuffling to his own space. 

Myth joined Kara at their makeshift table, slouching down on the cork across from her as she whittled away at her prized spear. Too tired to greet her, he slumped forward, resting his head on his arms and letting out a much needed groan. 

“So, did the savior of the community gather a fruitful bounty today?” Kara asked, eyes trained on the edge of the glass she was using to sharpen the stone. The question was tinged with bitterness. Kara wasn’t one for hiding what she meant in any situation.

Myth let out a beleaguered sigh and responded without looking up. “Not enough, but there wasn’t enough to get. Bastards hadn’t replenished yet.” Slumped over like this, he could feel how much his back hurt. 

“Sounds like you went all the way out there for nothing. Maybe they should have sent someone else. Would have made the run less lonely anyway.” The edge to her tone was clear. This wasn’t the first time they’ve had this conversation, and Myth knew it wouldn’t be the last. He was getting pretty tired of having it though. 

“I was perfectly fine on my own thanks.” Myth responded pointedly. 

“I would have gotten back here faster. Have you noticed what time it is?” 

Myth scrunched his eyes, annoyed that she knew he would have taken consideration of his increasing slowness. The comment stung slightly. 

Myth raised his head and regarded his sister tiredly. “Kara, it’s not my fault that you weren’t careful.” She sucked in a breath. 

Myth had noticed that, since she’d been recovering from her hurt ankle, Kara had been diligently attentive to her gear. It was clear to everyone she was desperate to get back out there. Myth really did regret not having her presence. She was skilled and effective on runs. Maybe even more than he was, and they both knew it. 

Kara responded with nothing but a punctuated swipe of her knife and a sour frown. He knew he wasn’t being fair, and was about to apologize before she interrupted the silence with, “What even is this, your fourth run this week?”

“Fifth.” Myth responded wearily, sitting up straighter. He really needed to get some rest.  

“Of course. Why not? You alone are going to fix this mess for us. Maybe we’ll throw you a party! Get Cade to plan it, he’d drop everything.”

Myth was about to retort how much he would prefer someone else to do his job for him, but considering how bitter Kara was about being stuck within the walls, he bit it back, and took in a slow breath.

“As much as your doubt inspires me, I’m fully capable of handling this.” Myth responded, trying to keep his voice level. 

Kara slammed the glass point down with a hard smack against the table’s surface, causing Myth to jolt in surprise. “You’re tired is what you are, and that means you’re getting sloppy. Sooner or later that means you’re going to fuck up. And then where would we be Myth?” Kara regarded him with intensity. 

Several moments of tension-singed silence stretched between them. 

Myth tried not to escalate anything when he responded, “Dasha knows what she’s doing.”

“Dasha is scared and making stupid decisions. We have plenty of other people wanting to do runs, wanting to help.” Kara retorted with exasperation, crossing her arms tightly.

“Wanting is not the same as being ready.” Myth firmly insisted, not really wanting to push things further but feeling the stubborn urge to defend himself. 

Kara scoffed in agitation, but he continued. “I am not going to be responsible for anyone getting hurt or caught. They’re untrained, and they’re agitated. That makes people sloppy.”

“They’re eager, and there’s a difference. You won’t even talk to them Myth! Maybe if you gave some of the people here half a chance you wouldn’t have to risk yourself over and over!” 

“I’m doing my job.” Now it was his turn to cross his arms in mild defiance and stare daggers across the table. 

Kara let out a wild laugh, “Of course you are! You’d probably throw yourself in front of a human if Dasha asked-” The thought made his heart rate spike. 

“That is not fucking fair Kara.” Myth’s voice finally raised sharply. He pushed back against the table and scrambled to his feet. He felt agitation cascade through him. Towards Kara, towards Dasha, towards himself. And he was far too tired to do anything about it. 

Kara stood in a feverish instant, leaning all her weight on her good ankle and slamming her hands down on the table. “Since when have you given a shit about fair? Nothing about this has been fair!”, waving one arm out wildly. 

Myth was about to shout back that she was acting like a child, but turned his head backwards when he realized Kara's eyes snapped to something over his shoulder. Tess was standing in the doorway, pushing back the curtain extremely rigidly, eyes equally apologetic and uncomfortable. 

The energy in the room instantly chilled to an awkward coolness. Myth was extremely embarrassed that someone caught one of their regular arguments, and he felt his face get hot as he turned to Tess. Now that the fight had crashed to a stop, Myth felt like he had been zapped of any strength he was still holding on to.  

“Hey Tess.” Myth said quietly, looking downward, unwilling to regard either woman due to the growing sense of shame settling into his chest. He knew he wasn’t angry at Kara, and she wasn’t angry with him, not really. The cramped anxiety that had descended upon the community had been slowly escalating their own unpleasant feelings. The closest thing to take them out on was each other. He knew Tess wouldn’t understand this. 

“Uh… sorry- I didn’t… I mean… Myth, Dasha wants to see you, like, now. Sorry. I’m gonna-” Myth heard Tess turn and sprint away from the curtained doorway. What a day. 

“I better see what she wants.”, even though he most certainly knew what she did. Myth looked towards Kara for her response, but she had sat back down and was now trained on her blade, lips pulled in a tight, straight line. Myth turned away silently. 

Presence with Dasha rarely resulted without a delegated assignment, but Myth internally begged to not be handed another run. He knew that his last one was disappointing, but he was so tired. 

Myth found her in the provision inventory, a carved out hallway stuffed with ledges and makeshift shelves. Dasha was inspecting one of the grapes he had brought in, holding it up with one hand. Her face was still turned away from him, inscrutable. 

He felt a stab of embarrassment at how little he brought back, and desperately wanted to explain himself.

 “Dasha, I-”. She held up a hand, and he immediately halted. 

“Myth, I know this last week has been difficult. Trust me, know one has felt it harder than I have. But you understand that this amount from a run is unacceptable in our present circumstances.” 

His cheeks burned hot. “I’m sorry. This really was the best I could do, the humans hadn’t replenished yet.” 

Dasha wearily raked a hand through the length of her hair, and let in a sharp inhale. 

“I figured. I’m sorry, that wasn’t fair of me.” Dasha put the fruit down and regarded him sympathetically. “You have been doing so much great work for the community, and I know it has not been easy.” Myth could feel she was priming him for something he didn’t want to hear. 

“But I am growing worried that I have been over-relying on your skills. And your sister has been… insistent that I consider alternative runners in her absence,” she took in a breath, “so I am assigning you to train an eligible member to assist you on runs-” His stomach dropped, hard.

“No!” The objection was out before he could stop himself, he quickly tried to recover, “Dasha please, I can do this alone, really.” 

Dasha didn’t seem offended by the outburst, her expression almost pitiful. It made him want to scream. Why did nobody trust that he could handle this? 

“I’m sure you can, but my mind has been made up. If you got injured after all these runs-” she closed her eyes, “I would never forgive myself.”

“Dasha please-” He knew he sounded pathetic, but he didn’t care. 

Dasha firmly interrupted, “You get to choose who it will be, and it's just until Kara recovers and they are trained. I have full faith in you.” She smiled at him warmly, but he could see it was useless to argue. 

He briefly thought back to the comment Kara had made during their argument. He knew she was right. 

“You’re dismissed, get some rest. Tomorrow, please report who you have chosen and we can work out a plan,” she stepped towards him and placed a gentle hand on his cheek before saying, “Thank you Myth.” 

Dasha stepped away and out of the stockade, leaving Myth with a growing thorn of apprehension in his gut. He stood there rigidly for a few moments, before turning and making his way back to his quarters- wishing for his day to just be over already.

Upon returning to his quarters, guilt sat in his stomach like a sharp stone. As he passed by the curtain separating him from Kara’s space, he paused, placing a hand on the wood next to the doorway and leaning his forehead against it..

“I’m sorry.” He spoke to the curtain mutedly.

“I know.” Kara responded from within, equally hushed. And that was it. 

Myth turned to finally, finally crash headlong into the escape of sleep, and as he shuffled toward his own sleeping area, he heard Kara mutter something quietly, although he couldn’t quite make it out. 

✧⋄⋆⋅⋆⋄✧⋄⋆⋅⋆⋄✧

[13-nothing]

First off Happy New Year! Hopefully it'll be a good one for all of u!

Secondly, I finally caught up after my self induced Inky Mystery ban for the month of December and I came back and like WHAT THE FUCK WAS THAT LAST CHAPTER?!??!

COM'ON I started on Chpt 361 and it was all sweet, but kinda sad for Holly ya know? And I THOUGHT that "oh these are just gonna be some more kinda fluffy-angst chpts" but instead I got a heart wretching cliffhanger that left more questions than answers!?!?!?

Like I leave for a month and of course the last Chpt has shit hitting the fan on record speeds. At first it was just grumbly Pete showing that he really did care deep down for the boys and then the next moment our sweet lovable Goofy is just *poof* gone. He didn't even get more than ONE attack and he got inked!?!?

And then there was the lore drop with the inky ocean of eyes. Like damn, the dark puddles HAVE awakened and they're not going back to bed til there are no survivors left to walk the earth.

AND now we've got to wait another month until we know more. Curse me for binge reading this in one hour instead of spreading it out like I was planning on doing. ARRRRRRRGHHHHHHHHH!!

.....

On a sweeter note, I loved Alice & Holly's interaction about Alice's crush and the talk about her parents meeting Bendy, and then Holly being kinda vague about the Cuphead incident, while Alice is ready to crush the man for her. Tho Megatron has my wringing my hands a little, like I wonder where that's gonna go and poor Micheal is probably either dead or is gonna have SO much mental/physical trauma if they ever get him back.

I also really liked the Holly and Canola interaction. It gave more insight into her previous home life and her relationship w her parents. I have to say at first glance I didn't really care for Holly when she was first introduced, but she's definitely become one of my favorites especially after Labyrinth.

But ya, now I'm gonna drown myself in the babtqftim / BATIM / IM content I've neglected for a month and hope beyond hopes it can hold me over til February. If not I MIGHT actually finalize a couple of one-shots I've played around with. (Knowing me probably not, but it's the thought that counts, right?) (Or is that just a receiving presents thing?)

Anyway, thanks for reading my ramble and I say farewell to thee my fellow existences!

[pearsandlemons]

This is where I got the name Jay from btw

[izzy-b-hands]

Everything I've touched has had tech issues today 😭 (aside from making a microwave soft pretzel, that went fine lol)

If tech is going to insist on being like this today then the least it can do is glitch out during my shift tonight too and give me my evening back to spend with my darling and the baby boys (if they aren't beating the shit out of each other again; it's been Baby Fight Club damn near all morning lmao. Birds chirping outside one minute then the soft bap of paws being thrown a minute later)

[jeweledlion]

Metamorphosis

Chapter: 1/10

Summary:

Bound and lost in a dark and treacherous forest, Kieran finds herself at the mercy of her captor- a woman named Kara.

With no memory of the past and plagued by vivid and violent dreams, Kieran must rely on Kara's help to escape the woods and the creatures that lurk within.

The pair form a tenuous friendship, though Kara seems to keep as many secrets from Kieran as her own mind does, and alone, she must fight to regain who she once was.

Or

The Mind Wipe AU

Tags: Mind Wipe AU, no superpowers, Action/Adventure, Romance, Betrayal, lil bit of cryptid horror in the beginning, lovers to strangers, strangers to enemies, enemies to friends, friends to lovers, oh, and magic

[quartarcade]

@allcfme [ x ]

"Oh, so..." Echo pauses, thinking briefly how families work as they're still new to this sort of things, "My aunt. Yeah." They nodded to themselves.

The lump in Echos throat prevented them from immediately asking the question. They remain standing in the doorway, peeking from behind the door as if hiding from Shadow. They've been more quiet and avoidant all day. Ever since they've heard the rumor from ill-willed mouths that regardless of their dubious origins, planted a seed of doubt within Echo's malleable mind.

Is he really that dangerous? Should Echo have to get rid of him one of these days? Or maybe vice versa- Echo shook their head. No. No, no, no. Don't think about that. Besides, that wasn't what they needed to focus on. What they really needed to know was if...

"Did... did you kill her?"

There it was. The next question that they were far too afraid to ask now out into the world, potentially threatening their life by assuming the hedgehog that did nothing but protect and care for them would do something like that. Immediate regret ran through Echo's head, wanting to take that question back. Just forget they even said anything.

[dindjarindiaries]

Security - Chapter 67: The Capture

summary: Conflict arises on Mandalore as the princess, Din, and the rest of the scouting party find themselves running into their worst nightmare.

warnings: canon-typical violence, injuries (incl. blood), references to trauma, angst, strong language

rating: T

word count: 5.546k

previous ⟸ masterlist ⟹ next

chapter 67: the capture

By the next morning’s daybreak, you and Din have already been briefed on the new plan. The Armorer is to take the wounded and weakened survivors to the rest of the fleet on the Gauntlet while the rest, most notably their captain, bring the scouting party to the Great Forge. You’ve just helped the Armorer get the wounded aboard when the captain calls to his brethren.

“Onward, Mandalorians!” he commands. “To the Forge!”

You, Din, and Grogu stand alongside Bo-Katan as the glider heads further and further away from where the Gauntlet’s now taking off. There’s an ache trapped between your chest and the beskar armor that covers it. The ship is getting closer to the fleet, where the rest of the Mandalorians continue to wait for you, where your daughter waits.

Part of you wishes you were on that ship right now, heading back to take Zora in your arms and never let her go.

Then the touch of Din’s hand upon your back grounds you to reality again, and you don't regret a single effort spent helping him and his people. After all, they’re your people now, too. You turn your head to look up at him and the way his visor tilts at you convinces you that everything will be okay. Din touches his helmet to your forehead before he steps away to lead the group back towards the rest of the scouting party.

The four of you are on the upper deck looking out at the Mandalorians gathered below when Grogu comes to your side. You turn your gaze towards him and watch the wrinkles on his tiny forehead multiply. Grogu coos, a question you don't need to translate to answer.

You just smile the best you can. Grogu closes his eyes and no later do you earn a strong sensation of relieving warmth in your chest. It’s too overpowering to have been caused by Grogu’s energy alone. Your smile becomes more genuine when Grogu reopens his eyes and gives you a hopeful glance. You take one of his little hands in yours and brush your thumb over it.

“Thank you,” you whisper to him. You lift your hand to brush your fingers along his ear. Grogu coos as his big brown eyes light up at you.

You’re almost surprised by Din taking your hand and giving it a squeeze. You turn your head towards him and find comfort in the dark void of his visor. Din’s voice is low when he speaks to you. “I felt it, too.”

You smile before your gaze falls to your feet. You hear Din’s armor rustle as he steps even closer to your side and waits patiently for you. You try to piece together what you want to say in your mind, but each one comes with an apology.

Din’s free hand presses underneath your chin to urge you to lift your head once again and face him. He keeps his gloved fingers there, encouraging you to seek refuge in him. You’re more than grateful to oblige. “It’s okay.” Din’s voice is so soft it crackles through his modulator. He adds a reassuring nod. “I’ve been worrying about her, too.”

You sigh and let your vulnerability show for only just a moment. “Will it always be this way?”

“It will.” Din huffs with amusement and gives your hand another squeeze. “Who are we if not worriers over our loved ones?”

You laugh with him and close your eyes, steadying yourself with a breath. “You’re right.” You meet Din’s visor again. “She’s okay.”

“And she’ll continue to be.” Din nods once more before he lowers his hands from you and stands where he was before.

It’s not long before you’re pulled aside by Bo-Katan to discuss the Great Forge in more depth, as well as strategy for multiple contingencies. Grogu has since gone to join the other Mandalorians as they watch Paz and Axe play a board game. You check up on him over your shoulder every once in a while, but what grabs everyone’s attention isn’t from your own observation. It’s from the heightened volume of Paz’s and Axe’s voices.

Din shares a look with your small group before he stands and makes his way over to the railing. You and Bo-Katan follow, and you’re close enough to Din to hear the sigh he lets out at the sight of Paz standing with his vibroblade drawn. Your eyes widen as you look up at Din, who returns your glance with a reassuring tilt of his helmet.

You furrow your brow at your husband. “Shouldn’t we do something about this?” you whisper to him.

Din sets a hand on your back and gestures with his helmet to the brewing fight. “Let’s wait and see.”

Your attention snaps back to Paz just in time to watch Axe lunge towards him. The two go back and forth with pushes that quickly turn to punches. You’re brought back to the duel you witnessed between Din and Paz, though thankfully, the stakes are much lower for you in this one.

Once the fight has gone on longer than expected, Din exhales and lowers his hand from your back. He swings his helmet towards Bo-Katan. His voice is low when he speaks to her. “Should I step in?”

Bo-Katan shakes her head at him. “Neither side can step in.” She raises her brow at the sight in front of you. “It was bound to happen sooner or later.”

Din shifts his weight between his feet and doesn’t respond. You cross your arms over your cuirass and move yourself closer to his side. Your gaze watches him rather than the fight, but when you follow where his visor is looking, you discover the real reason for his strong unease. Right near the heart of the fight is Grogu, who wears an expression of distress within IG-12 as he watches the two Mandalorians fight.

You’re about to make a move to take Grogu away from the chaos when he takes the initiative of stepping directly towards it. You have to hold back a gasp when he steps between two swinging vibroblades held by the fierce warriors. You’re only a moment from activating your jetpack to make your way down to Grogu when IG-12’s arms push Paz and Axe away from each other.

Grogu’s tiny finger begins to spam the “no” button. “No. No. No. No. No.” A worried stitch sits between his enlarged and pleading eyes.

The tension leaves you only when Grogu’s actions get the two warriors to successfully stand down. The shame is clear on both their faces at the fact a child had to step in between them. Paz and Axe share an almost apologetic look before they walk away from each other once and for all.

With the threat to Grogu now eliminated, you let yourself smile in pride of your son. You glance up at Din just as he sets a gloved hand on your shoulder, the tilt of his helmet a hint to the smile that’s also shining underneath his beskar.

Your attention is drawn to Bo-Katan when the heiress speaks to you. “You taught your apprentice well.”

Din shrugs and gestures to you. “He didn’t learn that from me.”

You scoff and nudge his armored shoulder with your own. “That’s simply not true.” You nod at Bo-Katan. “He taught Grogu very well.”

Din swings his helmet in his shyness. You chuckle and watch as he nods in Grogu’s direction. You turn your head and see Grogu nodding back at him.

You grin at Grogu and look up at your husband once again. “He’s ready to be an apprentice.”

Din tilts his helmet at you. “This adventure’s not over yet, rid’ika.” He softens when he glances at Grogu again. “But I agree with you.”

You’re about to say more when a whistle stops you from doing so. “There!” one of the survivors calls out from above them. “On the starboard bow!”

All the Mandalorians on the deck below you rise to approach the starboard bow. Concerned chatter makes its way around the ship while you rest your hands on the railing in front of you to get a better view. Din sets a careful hand on your back as he steps alongside you to do the same thing.

That’s when you all see the rock structures in the distance moving. The jagged rocks reveal themselves to be spikes on the back of what’s shaping up to be a massive, and no doubt dangerous, creature.

The Mandalorians prepare for battle and Din wastes no time at your side in making his way down to the lower deck. You follow him closely, your eyes widening in horror as the horizon disappears and crumbles into crashing rock. The creature emerges from it with a roar that makes the entire vessel shake.

Everyone races to take defensive positions while the survivors attempt to steer the ship away from the massive creature. Their efforts are in vain when the creature rocks the ship so hard that the Mandalorians get knocked from their feet. Din grabs your waist just in time to cushion your fall however he can.

“Abandon ship!” the survivors’ captain calls out.

You and Din make it back onto your feet while the others start to jetpack away, but there’s only one thought screaming in your mind. “Grogu!” you cry out in panic.

Din tries to clear a path for both of you through the masses to get to Grogu, but before you can even get close, both Paz and Axe work together to lift Grogu off the ship. You don't have time for relief. Din takes you by the hand to lead you off the ship with him just before the creature’s tail destroys the ship in one blow. Without a helmet, your face gets hit with small pieces of the debris, causing you to lift your free arm to guard yourself the best you can.

You follow the others towards the mouth of a cave. You and Din land just outside as the others do, but rather than going right inside, Din quickly turns to you and holds your face. “Find Grogu!” he urges you, raising his voice above the commotion.

You nod and don't hesitate to comply. The warmth in your chest at the way he stays to help those behind you is overshadowed by your panic as you hop inside the cave and look for IG-12’s tall figure. You don't hold back your deep exhale of relief when you see him flanked by Paz and Axe just a few paces away. You approach him and take IG-12 by the shoulders. “Are you okay?” you ask him.

Grogu coos in the affirmative, yet wrinkles his brow as he points at your face. You take a moment to wipe your gloved fingers over a stinging part of your face and find a small streak of blood left behind.

“I’m all right,” you assure your son. “It’s just from the debris.”

It’s not long before Din makes it over to you. He sets a hand on each of your shoulders. “You good?” he asks, looking between you. You both nod, but Din’s helmet tilts with dismay as he lifts a hand to the side of your head. “Your face is bleeding.”

“Just a couple of scratches.” You set a hand over his. “I’m fine.”

The creature’s roar rocks the cave around you, causing everyone to brace themselves. “We’re not far,” the captain raises his voice to inform the group. “We need to go further down.”

The Mandalorians begin to follow his orders. The captain remains where he is to make sure everyone’s made it ahead. Din, you, and Grogu stay together as a unit while you follow the others, making your way deeper into the cave. The further you get inside, the more the rumbling subsides, promising safety in a way that makes your chest loosen just a bit more.

The twisting tunnels eventually open up into a massive clearing. The group, propped up on a tall ledge, slows as they look out at the wide-open structures in the rock. Grogu coos with curiosity behind you and Din as you continue to keep him shielded. Some of the Mandalorians remove their helmets as they stride ahead and observe the space around them. You look up and your jaw drops open at the complexity of the structures that rise tall above your head.

Din takes a quick glance at Paz, who’s since taken his place alongside you. “Where are we?” Din questions.

Axe becomes the one to answer. “This is what’s left of the Great Forge.” His voice is tense as he goes on. “This was once the heart of our civilization.” He pauses, and you exchange a look with Din. He keeps himself close enough to your side for it to brush against his own. “But the fires have been extinguished since the bombings.”

“You lived here?” Paz asks.

“We all did,” Koska responds.

“We never left,” the captain adds. You watch the way he regards the space with such reverence and appreciation. “Survived by migrating along the surface until the war ended. Some tried to explore below, but none survived.”

Silence blankets the area for a moment, but it’s quickly broken by a distant whooshing. Din takes a step forward as his visor rises. “Jetpacks?”

Every head turns at Din’s words. Your eyes start to widen as you spot the group of approaching fighters. “More survivors?” Axe suggests.

When they get closer, his question is answered. “Those aren’t Mandalorians,” Bo-Katan warns, setting her helmet back over her head. The group follows suit and draws their weapons. Your blaster is in your hand and firing without a single moment to waste.

The armored fighters fire without hesitation at the Mandalorians, causing both you and Din to continue shielding Grogu with your own armor. Once they’re closer, their white armor becomes apparent, causing the group to fall upon a horrifying conclusion. “They’re Imperials!” Axe says the truth for all of you.

Din turns to Grogu and urges him behind one of the rock structures. “Take cover!” he instructs your son, who obeys without question. You and Din continue to remain in front of him as you counter the Imperial attack.

“How did we not run into them our first time here?” you ask Din, raising your voice over the firefight.

“We got lucky,” Din remarks. “It makes sense that those TIE interceptors found us on Kalevala, though.”

Your conversation is interrupted by Axe giving a warning to you all. “They’re wearing beskar armor!”

You watch Din’s demeanor change even more at those words. His body tenses with volatile anger that you don't dare try to control. Wearing beskar without bathing in the Living Waters or taking the Creed is a violation Din takes very seriously. His first meeting with Cobb Vanth proved that.

But this truth also creates a dangerous problem: These Imperials won’t be taken down nearly as easily as the typical stormtrooper.

“We’re pinned down,” Din calls out. “We need backup.”

“I can make a run for the fleet and get us reinforcements,” Axe volunteers.

“No, it’s too far,” Bo-Katan insists.

“I can make it,” Axe assures her. “It’s our only shot at taking the planet back.”

And staying alive, you hold your tongue.

“There’s a split in the ceiling there,” Paz observes. “I’ll lay down cover.”

You and Din provide extra support as Axe makes his run. He successfully flies his way out of the cave, providing you with a moment of relief. It turns to thick dread when a realization falls upon you. “How will he communicate with the fleet?” you ask Din. “The atmosphere’s still cutting us off.”

Din tilts his helmet. “Then he’ll fly through it.”

Your brow lifts in disbelief. “Will he make it?”

Din dodges a blaster bolt and reciprocates the blast. “We’ll find out.”

You take a glance around to see more and more Mandalorians falling at the endless rain of blaster fire. The Imperials still have the high ground and the advantage of moving around more easily. Some of them even start to land on the cliff the Mandalorians are pinned to, overpowering you in a way that makes fear claw at your chest for the first time in too long.

One Imperial tries to fly directly at Din, you, and Grogu, but Din doesn’t hesitate to approach him first. He uses a single arm to tackle the trooper to the ground before blasting him over and over again. It’s only when the trooper’s motionless that Din returns to your side.

“This isn’t a sustainable position,” you tell him, your voice strained with worry. “We’re way too exposed here. They’ll pick us off way before backup arrives.”

“I know,” Din agrees. “But…”

He pauses when a shocking shift starts to turn the tide of the firefight. The Imperials start to fall back, sprinting away from the Forge and the attacking Mandalorians. “They’re retreating!” Paz confirms the sight you still can’t bring yourself to believe.

“Advance!” Bo-Katan commands the group. She leads the way into the tunnel the Imperial troopers have started to escape through.

“For Mandalore!” some of the group start to call out while they file behind Bo-Katan.

Din turns around to face Grogu. “Okay, kid,” he’s gentle yet urgent with his words. “You’ve gotta keep up.”

Grogu nods, and the three of you take off without another word. You stay at Din’s side with Grogu close behind you, following the lead of the rest of the group. The more you go on, the more you notice Din preparing to advance to the front. As badly as you want to join him, you force yourself to listen to your motherly instincts. “Din,” you call for him, earning his attention even as you continue to run. “Go ahead to the front. I’ll stay back with Grogu.”

Din gives you a quick glance. “Are you sure?”

You offer him a nod and the best smile you can manage. “I’m sure. That’s where you’re needed.” You take his free hand and give it a quick squeeze. “Be careful.”

“You too.” Din lifts your entwined hands to his cuirass. “Ni kar’tayl—.”

“—Gar darasuum.” You complete his sentence with a fond nod of your head. Din releases your hand and sprints his way to the front, causing you to steady yourself with a breath as you glance at Grogu. “You’re doing great, ad’ika! Stay with me, okay?”

Grogu nods and keeps IG-12 in stride with you. The tunnel transforms from a cutout in the rock structure to an Imperial-reinforced walkway. The structures alongside you remind you all too well of Star Destroyers and light cruisers, like the one you’d once been imprisoned on. You keep Grogu close at your side and bury your worries in favor of shooting at any of the lingering Imperials. You don’t have much work to do with Din plowing through them at the front, using his body as a shield. You’re struck with the conflicting feelings of admiration for his strength and worry.

It’s not long before the tunnel at last opens up into an expansive space where the Imperials start to take flight with their jetpacks once again. The group continues to shoot after them, but stops with nowhere left to go. You struggle to see from where you stand in the group, but when the group stops shooting in favor of looking around, your stomach drops with dread. All you really need to see is the collection of TIE fighters docked above your heads to understand what’s happening.

“It’s a trap,” you breathe to yourself in disbelief.

“What is this place?” Bo-Katan asks aloud.

A hiss from behind you confirms that a blast door’s just locked you inside. Your body finally catches up to your mind as you start trying to fight your way to the front. “It’s a trap!” you exclaim. Your blood turns to ice when you notice where the threshold of the next blast door is.

And Din’s standing on the other side of it.

“Din!” you cry out. “It’s a trap!”

Din whips his head around to face you, but it’s too late. You get to the blast door just as it falls, causing you to run right into it. Your body shakes with a mixture of anger and fear so intense that it consumes you. There’s no way for you to get to him. “It’s an ambush!” Din says the words that only make your heart fall even more. Now, you’re forced to watch as the Imperials descend upon Din and the other three Mandalorians he’s trapped with.

They’re outnumbered, with no cover and no way for the rest of the group to get to them. “No,” you choke the word out, looking away from the sight only to search the walls for a control panel. “Is there a panel?” You’re in denial the more you go on. “There has to be a way.”

Your attention is drawn from the things around you when the light of the flames from Din’s gauntlet light up the small space. He’s fighting for his life, and you’re being forced to watch in the cruelest way. The other Mandalorians alongside him have already fallen in defeat, leaving just Din with at least eight Imperials advancing on him.

You bang your fist on the transparisteel of the blast door. “Din!” you call out. You don't know what else to do or to say. Your body’s in fight or flight and it only intensifies the closer the Imperials get to your husband. The others are still joining you in your efforts to take down the blast door somehow, but it’s an impossible task.

One of the Imperials catches Din’s wrist with a fibercord whip. He tries to shoot them down, but there are too many other troopers to worry about. You hit the transparisteel with both your fists, now, the adrenaline masking the ache your desperate actions create. You hit it with all your strength, watching as another fibercord whip catches Din by his neck and pulls him back.

“Din!” You’re well aware of the fact your calls for him won’t do anything, but you can’t stop yourself. You pull your fist back to give the transparisteel a full-powered punch, repeating the action over and over again until the skin of your knuckles even underneath your glove goes raw.

Din’s flamethrower stops when his second wrist is caught, leaving him defenseless once and for all. He doesn’t stop fighting even as the Imperials cross over each other to pin Din’s arms against his chest. You can only see red when they start forcing Din to his knees, and you’re quick to reach for your vibroblade. You bring your arm back with the intention of hitting the weapon hard enough against the transparisteel to break it, but the motion’s stopped by someone’s grip behind you. You fight it until they start to speak to you.

“No,” IG-12’s voice pleads with you. You turn your head to face your son, whose expression is just as devastated as your own. “No.” Grogu lets out a desperate coo, as if he’s begging for you to stop.

You nod at him, the action as numb as the sheathing of your vibroblade. You turn back to the sight of Din through the door, who’s now been fully forced to the ground. Bo-Katan sets a hand on your shoulder, but you can barely sense it. Your attention’s been drawn to someone who’s just landed a few paces away from Din, dressed head-to-toe in black beskar. Their helmet is decorated with red accents and sparse black spikes.

“Disarm him,” their modulated voice demands.

Din struggles against the two Imperials at his sides as they pull whatever weaponry they can away from him. His jetpack and blaster get thrown aside, along with his vibroblade and all of his whistling birds. You haven't felt this helpless since you watched the cyborg do the very same thing to him.

You should’ve listened to Din’s warning about returning to Mandalore.

The figure in black approaches Din in a sinister stride. Your gloved hands curl up into fists, with one stinging from all of your desperate punches. Once they stop, they tear their helmet from their head, revealing their identity and making your heart sink into the depths of your being.

Moff Gideon. Moff fucking Gideon.

You try to make another move for the transparisteel, but both Bo-Katan and IG-12 hold you back. Your chest is heaving from anger, desperation, and trauma. You haven’t seen this man ever since he tried to kill both you and Grogu, and now, he’s taking your husband. Even the blast door between you doesn’t hide Din’s own growl as he’s forced to look up at Gideon.

“Thank you for gathering the Mandalorians into one place,” Gideon begins. Bo-Katan’s hand lowers from you as she stares him down through her visor. “You were a talented people, but your time has passed. However, as you can see,” Gideon lifts his arms to show off his armor, “Mandalore will live on in me.”

You can’t look away from Din, who once again tries to fight the Imperials’ group on him. They keep him pinned down.

“Thanks to your planet’s rich resources,” Gideon goes on, “I have created the next generation Dark Trooper suit forged from beskar alloy.”

He walks even closer to Din, until he’s standing right in front of him. You have to fight your hardest not to try to break through the door once again. Gideon looks at Din as he continues.

“And the most impressive improvement is that it has me in it. You see, every society has something to offer.” Gideon looks up at Bo-Katan through the transparisteel. “The cloners. The Jedi.” Grogu coos in sadness behind you. “And even the Mandalorians.”

The group starts to rustle with unrest and volatile anger at Gideon’s vile words.

“By aggregating the best of each, I will create an army that will bring order to the galaxy.” You see Din trembling with the same fury as yourself. “Why don’t we take your fleet off the board while we still have the element of surprise?”

Just when you thought it couldn’t get any worse, your own breath goes sour in your lungs. Zora. Din must fall upon the same realization, because now, he won’t stop fighting to free himself.

“Activate the interceptors and bombers,” Gideon orders.

“No!” Bo-Katan gasps in panic.

The Imperials are quick in preparing themselves to get to their ships. Gideon smirks in pure delight and victory. “In but a few moments,” he states, “the Purge of Mandalore will be complete.”

You stumble back a step, your mind now plagued with thoughts you can’t begin to process. Zora was supposed to be safe with the fleet. We thought this through so many times. You’re caught by IG-12, and you turn to look at Grogu again. Despite the horrors at hand, Grogu offers you a reassuring look, as if he’s trying to convince you that Zora will be okay. You maintain your strength for him and focus back on Gideon and Din, your anger once again taking precedence.

“It looks like I’m not the only one with new armor,” Gideon says, his gaze now meeting your own. “Did they give you that after what happened when we last met, Princess?”

You sneer at him. “Fuck you.”

Gideon raises his brow, amused. “What a vulgar thing for someone of your rank to say.” Gideon’s gaze falls to Din. “Is that the mouth you kiss?”

“Proudly,” Din doesn’t hesitate to answer.

Gideon begins to smirk at him. “Makes sense with how quickly your family’s grown.”

Din’s voice is a growl more hostile than you’ve ever heard him before. “Don’t you fucking dare talk about my family.”

“Trust me, we’ll have plenty of time to talk about them.” Gideon nods at the Imperials at Din’s sides. “Take him to the debriefing room.”

The Imperials close in on Din to lift him from the ground and drag him away. Din doesn’t stop fighting even once. You want to do the same, but you also don't want to give Gideon the satisfaction. You close your eyes and take a deep breath in a lame attempt to calm the wave of rage that crashes against you over and over again.

“I should have killed you when I had the chance,” Bo-Katan speaks up.

Gideon turns from where he’s been watching over Din’s removal to meet Bo’s visor. “Bo-Katan.” His voice is light with amusement as he goes on. “We have to stop meeting like this.”

Bo-Katan takes a threatening step closer to the blast door. “I’ll make sure of it.”

Gideon smiles. “Let’s stop the pleasantries, shall we?” His smile drops as he starts to approach the door. “I believe this is the part where you return the Darksaber to its rightful owner.”

Gideon stops and stares Bo-Katan down. She lifts the Darksaber in her hand as if she’s teasing him.

“Now, surrender the Darksaber, and tell these people that this planet is mine.”

Bo-Katan looks over at you. You nod at your ally, your patience just as worn as the Mandalorian leader’s. Bo then nods at Paz, who speaks on your behalf. “This is the Way.”

You stay at Paz’s side when he leads the group in firing their weapons. You extend your blaster and fire while Bo-Katan makes her way to the door behind you and starts to cut a way out with the Darksaber. “Open the blast doors,” Gideon orders. “Kill them.”

Gideon sets his helmet over his head and flies away just as the blast door opens. You watch him and raise your voice loud enough over the firefight for him to hear you. “Coward!” You focus on protecting Grogu while also making a vicious attack on any Imperial you can reach, using a fluid rotation of your blaster, your vibroblade, and your fibercord whip.

There’s a trail of at least three Imperial troopers at your feet by the time Bo-Katan gives her command. “Move out!”

“Move out!” the Mandalorians echo.

“Fall back!” Paz insists. “I’ll cover the rear!”

You’re tempted to keep killing as many Imperials as you can grab, but for Grogu’s sake, you take him by the arm and urge yourselves towards Bo-Katan. “Go, go, go!” the Mandalorians continue to call out. They climb out of the circular hole Bo’s carved one by one, reentering the tunnel. You urge Grogu out before yourself.

While you wait for Bo-Katan and Paz, you pull Grogu aside and hold IG-12 by the shoulders. “Grogu, ad’ika,” you say, your voice breathless but certain, “your father and your sister need our help. We need to be at our best for them. Okay?”

Grogu nods, cooing to agree with you. He closes his eyes for a moment before he points towards the direction in which they took Din.

��Can you sense where your father is?” Grogu nods once again. You sigh in determination and nod. “Good. Very good.” You start to deflate and glance over your shoulder at the thought of your daughter.

Bo-Katan’s approach keeps you from going on. “Come on,” Bo urges the two of you. “We have to go.”

You wrinkle your brow, but obey the command. “Where’s Paz?”

Bo-Katan’s helmet stiffens. “He’s not coming.”

You grab Bo-Katan by the arm. “What do you mean, he’s not coming?”

Bo-Katan holsters one of her blasters to take a gentle grasp on your wrist. “He’s sacrificing himself for us. I tried to convince him not to.”

Your gaze falls to the floor. You swallow hard and can barely speak past the lump in your throat. “So many losses.”

“I concur.” You and Bo-Katan move forward with Grogu at your side. Bo continues to glance over at you. “If you two want to go after Din, you should do it now.”

You want to fall apart just at the sound of his name, but you keep yourself strong. “But, Zora…” You can’t make it past her name. The look you give Bo-Katan is nothing short of desperate.

“We’ll take care of the fleet, including your daughter,” Bo assures you with a firm hand upon your armored shoulder. “Go get your husband.”

You take a deep breath and nod. “Thank you, Bo-Katan.”

Bo returns the gesture. “This is the Way.”

You somehow manage to smile at her. “This is the Way.” You waste no time as you focus your attention on your son. “Are you ready, Grogu?”

Grogu nods, his brow now etched with pure determination. You offer him the smile you’d shown Bo-Katan and lift your blaster.

“Lead the way.”

Grogu closes his eyes and does what you say, his IG-12 suit using an impressive amount of speed as he takes you to wherever Din’s being held. All you can do is focus on him and pray to the stars that you’re not too late.

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[ifwebefriends]

Holy shit today’s episode was AMAZING!!!!! The terror I felt when I heard Dracula speak for the first time in over a month. The little sound effects like the saw on the iron bars and the maids crying. The MUSIC! QUINCEY FUCKING MORRIS’ ENTRANCE!!!!!!!!!! WITH THE GUITAR AND THE MUSIC CHANGE AHHHHHHHHH and the telegram from Arthur and VAN HELSING DEADASS TELLING SEWARD HE LOVES HIM, the subtle creepy music change when Lucy was tearing up the memorandum in her sleep, the “Forgive me, dear, if I worry you with my troubles in the midst of your own happiness,” THE SORROWFUL “Letter Unopened by Lucy Westenra”

AAAAAAAAH!!!!!!!