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sulkingheichou012 · 3 months ago

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Into the Dungeon with You (Sequel)

Pairing: Jinwoo x Reader

Genre: RomCom, Action, Smut

Warning: Description of violence and profanity.

Summary: Jinwoo frowned as a new system notification appeared before him.

[Special Reward Successfully Claimed.]

Author's Note: Hey, I’m back! My mind has been all over the place these past few weeks—traveling like Doctor Strange—trying to come up with a fun idea for you all.

This one’s pretty long, so I had to split it into two parts (thanks, Tumblr sigh).

Anyway, enjoy, Y/N! And hang in there for the cliffhanger! 😆

If you want to be tagged, just drop a comment below!

Echoes of Fate (2)

As the void twisted and collapsed, the battlefield revealed itself.

They stood upon an endless abyss, the ground pulsing as if alive, throbbing with an unnatural rhythm. Above them stretched a sky devoid of stars, a void shifting and writhing like a living thing—watching. Waiting.

And then, she appeared.

From the depths of nothingness, a towering figure emerged, her form flickering between existence and oblivion. She was neither whole nor shattered, a silhouette of fractured light and shifting darkness, as if she were a lingering memory of something long lost.

A crown of twisted shadows rested atop her head, and her eyes—sultry yet soulless, filled with echoes of past lives—locked onto Jinwoo with unsettling familiarity.

The Monarch of Echoes.

A deep, guttural snarl tore through the silence. Fenrir, his massive frame tensed, golden eyes burning with hatred, lowered his stance like a predator facing an old foe.

“So it’s you, wretch,” he growled, voice laced with the weight of ancient enmity. “I should have erased you long ago.”

The Monarch of Echoes smirked, her form shifting like smoke caught between dimensions.

“Oh? The Primordial Hunger,” she mused, her tone taunting. “Once a Devourer of All, feared across the realms… and now?” Her gaze flickered to Jinwoo before returning to Fenrir with condescension. “A mere pet of a Monarch.”

Her smirk widened. “How the mighty have fallen.”

Fenrir bared his fangs, his growl deep and threatening. Y/N gripped her scythe tighter, the tension crackling like a storm waiting to break.

Then, the Monarch’s gaze slid to Jinwoo, and something changed.

Her lips curled, not with mockery, but with something deeper. Amusement. Recognition. Fascination.

“Ah… the Shadow Monarch.” Her voice caressed his title, lingering over it like a lover’s whisper. She stepped forward, the darkness rippling around her as if bending to her will. “You look just like him.”

Her tone softened, almost wistful. “Your predecessor, Ashborn… He was magnificent.” A slow sigh escaped her lips, reverent and longing. “A true king. A warrior beyond compare. I admired him deeply.”

Then, as if the warmth in her voice had been a fleeting illusion, her attention shifted.

To Y/N.

And just like that, the air grew cold.

The Monarch of Echoes stared at her, expression turning from curiosity to disdain.

“But you…” Her voice lost all its previous reverence, dripping instead with thinly veiled contempt. “What are you?”

A weight pressed down on Y/N, heavy and suffocating, like something unseen was peeling her apart, searching for answers she herself didn’t have.

The Monarch studied her like one might observe a defect in a masterpiece—something misplaced, something that did not belong.

Then, understanding dawned.

Her smirk returned, sharper than before.

“Ah,” she murmured, voice like silk woven with malice. “I see now.”

She took another step forward, her presence warping the very space around her.

“A flaw. An anomaly. A mistake in the grand design.”

She tilted her head, eyes glinting with amusement.

“How delightful.”

And then—her voice a whisper of cruel intent—

“Shall I erase you next?”

Y/N’ breath hitched.

This bitch.

A sharp pain exploded in her head.

Y/N barely registered the way her knees buckled beneath her, her body sinking to the ground as if the world itself had collapsed around her. A blinding ache tore through her skull, violent and merciless, as if something—someone—was forcefully ripping memories away.

Fragments of thoughts flickered and faded before she could grasp them. Her past, her present—shattering like fragile glass.

Jinwoo was at her side in an instant, his presence grounding even as her mind threatened to unravel. His voice was distant, yet sharp with concern.

His glare snapped back to the Monarch of Echoes, dark and lethal.

The Monarch of Echoes laughed. A sultry, knowing sound—amused, fascinated, utterly delighted by what was happening to Y/N.

Y/N trembled, hands clutching at her head as the pain pulsed through her skull, her breath coming in short, panicked gasps. Her mind was unraveling, slipping through her fingers like grains of sand.

She could hear Jinwoo’s voice—distant, warped, like an echo calling from the depths of an abyss.

“Y/N.”

His voice was urgent, sharp with concern. "Y/N, look at me."

But the words barely reached her. They scattered in the fog of her mind, distorted beyond recognition.

Memories flickered and faded.

Her name. His name. The battlefield. The reason they were here.

Everything was slipping away.

And still, the Monarch of Echoes watched, eyes glinting with cruel amusement.

Fenrir’s snarl tore through the tension. His golden eyes never left the Monarch as he spoke.

“She’s erasing her,” Fenrir growled, his voice dark and edged with fury.

Jinwoo stiffened. His grip on Y/N tightened.

“What?” His voice was low, dangerous.

Fenrir’s fur bristled, the weight of his ancient knowledge lacing his words with grim certainty.

“The Monarch of Echoes does not kill the body,” he explained, his tone thick with disgust. “She devours what makes you real.”

Jinwoo’s fingers curled into fists.

“She’s consuming her memories,” Fenrir continued. “The essence of who she is.” His gaze flickered to Y/N, who was barely holding on. “If this continues, there will be nothing left. She won’t be Y/N. She won’t be anything.”

Jinwoo’s blood ran cold.

A slow, taunting chuckle pulled his attention back to the Monarch.

“How insightful,” she mused, clearly entertained. “You truly are a relic of the old world, Primordial Hunger. It’s a shame you’re wasted as a mere shadow.”

She tilted her head, watching Y/N with the curiosity of a predator toying with its prey.

“I wonder,” she continued, stepping closer. “What will she become once everything is stripped away? Will she scream? Will she fight? Or…” Her eyes gleamed. “Will she simply fade?”

Jinwoo’s killing intent surged like a tidal wave.

He stepped in front of Y/N, his shadows writhing, the very air around him vibrating with power.

“Touch her,” he said, his voice low and seething, “and I’ll show you what it means to truly disappear.”

The Monarch of Echoes only smiled.

The moment Jinwoo’s killing intent surged, the battlefield trembled. Shadows pooled beneath his feet, stretching outward like an abyss preparing to swallow the world whole. His fingers twitched, itching to summon his blade, to end the being before him.

But the Monarch of Echoes merely smirked.

She lifted a single hand, palm open.

And the void responded.

A deep, guttural wail echoed through the abyss—a sound drenched in sorrow, in torment. The darkness behind the Monarch twisted, convulsed, and then—they came.

Figures began to rise.

At first, they were nothing more than flickers of light and shadow, distorted echoes of warriors long lost. But as they took shape, their forms solidified—tattered armor, broken weapons, hollow eyes filled with eternal grief.

The Fallen.

Jinwoo’s gaze darkened.

The Monarch of Echoes let out a soft chuckle, lifting her chin as she observed her army.

"Do you recognize them, Shadow Monarch?" she purred. "These are the warriors who perished in the great war… the ones your predecessor could not save."

Jinwoo’s grip on his dagger tightened.

"They were strong once," she continued, stepping forward, her voice laced with mock sympathy. "But in the end, they were nothing more than casualties. Forgotten. Cast aside. And now?" Her smile deepened. "They serve me."

At her command, the Fallen charged.

Jinwoo moved in an instant.

He vanished—a blur of darkness—reappearing in the midst of the rushing horde. Arcs of black lightning crackled around his dagger as he swung, carving through the first wave like paper.

The moment his blade met the Fallen, their forms shattered, dispersing into fragments of light—only for them to reform immediately, rising again as if death held no meaning.

Jinwoo’s eyes narrowed.

Behind him, Fenrir let out a thunderous roar.

Golden light exploded from his body as he lunged forward, his claws slicing through three of the Fallen in a single motion. But just like before, they reformed.

"Useless," the Monarch of Echoes taunted. "You cannot kill what is already dead."

Jinwoo’s response was swift.

He shadow teleported, reappearing directly in front of her, his blade aimed straight for her throat.

But she merely smiled.

CLANG!

A massive halberd intercepted his strike.

A warrior in jagged, spectral armor—an ancient king, long lost to time—stood between him and the Monarch, his empty eyes glowing with remnants of willpower.

Jinwoo clicked his tongue.

"Tch"

More of them.

From the darkness, a dozen more elite warriors emerged. Knights, warlords, forgotten rulers—all chained to the Monarch’s will.

Jinwoo’s gaze flickered toward Y/N, who was still struggling, her body trembling from the memory theft.

Time was running out.

His jaw tightened. Fine.

If these bastards wouldn’t stay dead—

Then he would do something far worse.

He lifted a hand.

And shadows erupted.

The ground beneath them split open, and from its depths, an army unlike any other rose.

Igris.

Beru.

Bellion.

And thousands more.

Jinwoo’s Shadow Legion materialized in full force, each warrior’s presence crushing against the void like an impending storm.

The Monarch of Echoes’ smirk wavered.

Jinwoo pointed his dagger at her, his voice low and deadly.

"If you want to play with the dead," he said, his gaze cold and merciless, "then let’s see whose army lasts longer."

The battle began.

The battlefield was a storm of endless shadows and echoes.

Jinwoo’s army clashed against the Fallen, the sheer force of their battle shaking the void itself.

Igris danced through the battlefield in a blur of crimson and black, his sword carving through enemy after enemy—only for them to reform seconds later.

Beru shrieked, his claws raking through the spectral warriors, his speed and precision overwhelming—but they would not stay down.

Bellion swung his massive blade, a single strike cleaving through dozens, yet the Monarch of Echoes merely laughed, and her army rose again and again.

And Jinwoo—

He moved like a storm, shadow teleporting across the battlefield, cutting through waves of enemies, his blade unstoppable. But no matter how many he struck down, they never stayed dead.

The Monarch of Echoes stood at the center of it all, untouched, untouchable.

She never needed to move.

With a wave of her hand, the Fallen obeyed.

With a whisper, reality twisted.

And with a single thought, she rained death.

Spears of voidlight shot through the air, piercing through even Jinwoo’s strongest shadows, tearing holes into the ranks of his legion.

She had the upper hand.

She did not need to fight—she only needed to outlast.

And Jinwoo could feel it.

His mana was draining.

Too many summons. Too much power being used.

His breathing was heavier now, his grip on his blade tightening as the frustration built.

He couldn’t reach her.

Every time he tried, more Fallen rose in his way, forcing him back into the endless battle.

And then—

Y/N stopped breathing.

Jinwoo’s entire world froze.

In the chaos of battle, amidst the endless war, he had been calling her name—over and over—but she had not answered.

And now—

She was too calm.

Too still.

Her body, once trembling in pain, now sat eerily motionless.

Her chest did not rise.

Her eyes—once filled with warmth and stubborn fire—were now empty, vacant, hollow.

Jinwoo forgot to breathe.

“Y/N…?”

No response.

His blood turned to ice.

No.

Not again.

His vision blurred, but it was not from exhaustion.

It was from the rage.

The grief.

The void had taken his son.

And now—

Now it wanted to take her, too.

The Monarch of Echoes watched his expression shift—watched as frustration turned to something primal. Smiled.

Jinwoo slowly turned his gaze toward her.

Something in the air changed.

His shadows—his very presence—grew heavier.

The battlefield shuddered.

The Monarch of Echoes… blinked.

For the first time—she felt it.

The shift in him.

She had taken everything.

And now—

She had nothing left to take.

Jinwoo moved.

Jinwoo moved like a tempest, every strike of his blade splitting the air, tearing through the endless echoes that refused to stay down. His patience had run out.

He needed to end this.

His shadows surged like a tidal wave, swallowing the Fallen whole, but no matter how many he cut down, they rose again.

He shadow teleported—again and again—trying to break through, trying to reach her. But the Monarch of Echoes remained protected, untouched, her horde acting as an unbreakable barrier between them.

And she was watching him. Amused.

The way Jinwoo desperately tried to push forward, the way he carved through armies without hesitation, the way his rage poured from every strike—

It sent shivers down her spine.

Her fingers traced the air, her lips parting as she exhaled, heat spreading through her body.

“Ahh…”

Her legs pressed together as she trembled. The Shadow Monarch was magnificent.

He wanted her gone so badly.

The sheer focus in his eyes, the hatred, the determination to kill her and only her—

It made her breath hitch.

She bit her lip, her face flushed, her body betraying her as she let out an unrestrained moan.

“More…” she whispered, her hands clutching at her arms as her legs felt weak. “More… fight harder… come for me, Shadow Monarch…”

Jinwoo’s eyes blazed with raw fury.

He heard her.

He didn’t care.

If anything, her reaction only made his disgust grow stronger.

His mana surged.

The ground beneath him cracked as he pushed forward again, dagger raised high, his rage taking form in the shadows roaring around him.

But he still couldn’t reach her.

The battle was endless.

His mana was draining.

His time was running out.

And behind him—

Y/N still hadn’t moved.

Meanwhile,

Everything felt distant.

Y/N stood in the void of her mind, her thoughts a fragmented mess.

Where… am I?

She could hear voices—whispers at first, then growing louder.

She turned her head.

Flashes of light, waves of power crashing together—

An endless battle unfolded before her, yet she felt nothing.

Her gaze drifted over the scene.

A massive wolf tore through platoons of echoes with terrifying precision.

A knight of crimson and black moved at impossible speeds, his blade clashing against spectral warlords.

A towering warrior of gold and black stood like an immovable force, majesty and might radiating from his very presence.

They were familiar.

And yet—

She didn’t remember why.

Her eyes slowly moved upward.

Two figures clashed above it all.

A man.

A woman.

The man…

Handsome. Deadly. His very presence a force of nature.

Heavy. Overwhelming.

Her gaze lingered on him for only a moment before shifting to the woman.

And then—

The fog in her mind twisted.

That smile.

That mocking, arrogant, disgusting smile.

Something inside her snapped.

…I want to wipe it off her face.

Her hollow eyes narrowed.

She didn’t know why.

She didn’t know what this feeling was.

But it consumed her.

Slowly, unsteadily, she stood up.

Her legs trembled.

Her body felt weak.

Her scythe—

It lay on the ground, forgotten.

She didn’t even recognize it as hers.

She had no weapon.

She had no plan.

But then—

She moved.

—In an instant.

Before anyone could react—before the Monarch of Echoes could even blink—

Y/N was behind her.

—And she kicked her.

HARD.

CRACK.

The sound echoed like thunder.

The Monarch of Echoes’ eyes widened in pure shock as her body launched through the air, smashing into the abyssal wall.

Silence.

Everything—stopped.

The battlefield froze.

All eyes turned.

Jinwoo, who had been ready to strike again, halted.

His rage momentarily flickered as his gaze locked onto her.

Y/N stood in the center of it all.

Her posture was loose, almost uncaring.

Her breathing was slow. Too calm.

Her eyes—

Empty.

But behind that emptiness…

Was killing intent.

Focused. Unrelenting.

And it was only for that woman.

Jinwoo exhaled, his fingers tightening around his dagger.

“…Y/N.”

She didn’t turn.

She didn’t react.

Her entire existence was locked onto the Monarch of Echoes—

The woman who had dared to smile.

This bitch.

The Monarch of Echoes—

For the first time—

Had no words.

"Eh?"

The Monarch of Echoes barely registered what had happened.

One moment, she had been basking in her own amusement, watching Jinwoo struggle to reach her. The next—

She was airborne.

Her body spun uncontrollably before slamming into the abyssal wall with a sickening CRACK.

Disgrace.

A Monarch. She, a Monarch! Had just been kicked like trash.

Her limbs twitched as she tried to push herself up, utter disbelief clouding her mind.

She turned her head—furious, humiliated, stunned.

And then, she saw him.

Jinwoo.

The Shadow Monarch.

Surprised.

Just as shocked as she was.

Her lips parted slightly in realization.

No… not him.

Her eyes flicked lower—

To the real cause of her humiliation.

Y/N.

She stood there—not like prey, but like a predator.

Walking towards her.

Slow. Unyielding. Unstoppable.

Her empty gaze locked onto her like a hunter eyeing wounded prey.

And in that moment—

The Monarch of Echoes felt something she hadn’t felt in millennia.

Fear.

A disgrace. A mistake. An anomaly.

That’s what she had called her.

And yet, here she was—

Moving like death incarnate.

Her breath hitched as rage consumed her fear.

This filth.

This thing.

This anomaly had dared to lay a hand on her.

Her fingers trembled, then curled into a fist.

Her expression twisted in fury.

"KILL HER!"

Her voice thundered through the battlefield as her protectors rushed forward, spectral warriors and wraiths descending upon Y/N like an unrelenting storm.

She unleashed her power.

The air shattered as void energy lashed out—an overwhelming force that should have crushed Y/N where she stood.

But before they could even touch her—

Y/N moved.

She didn’t dodge.

She didn’t need to.

She cut through them.

Not with a weapon—

With her bare hands.

A wraith lunged—she crushed its skull.

A spectral knight swung its blade—she ripped its arm off and slammed it into the ground.

A swarm of void creatures screeched—she grabbed one by the throat and used it to bludgeon the others.

Brutal.

Merciless.

Unstoppable.

Each movement was precise. Efficient.

She didn’t waste energy. She didn’t hesitate.

She simply tore through them.

Shadows and echoes alike froze at the sheer savagery.

Even Jinwoo, in the midst of battle, paused.

This wasn’t the usual Y/N.

This wasn’t the playful, awkward girl who always fumbled her way through fights.

This was something else.

This was pure instinct.

And it was terrifying.

Then—

Y/N disappeared.

And before the Monarch of Echoes could react—

Her hair was yanked back.

The Monarch of Echoes gasped, her head snapping back as her body was forcibly pulled.

Y/N’ fingers tightened in her hair—a vice grip that didn’t waver.

Then—

Slam.

The Monarch’s body crashed into the ground.

Dark energy cracked beneath her on impact.

Before she could even process the pain—

Slam.

She was dragged across the battlefield.

Like a ragdoll.

Like nothing.

Y/N didn’t stop.

She hauled her across the abyss, slamming her into every surface, every wall, every jagged edge of the void.

BAM. BAM. BAM.

The Monarch of Echoes screamed, her power surging to break free—

But Y/N didn't let go.

She wouldn’t let go.

Not until there was nothing left.

Not until that smile was gone.

And for the first time—

The Monarch of Echoes realized something horrifying.

She wasn’t the predator.

She was the prey.

Once again—

The Monarch of Echoes was airborne.

Her body whipped through the abyss, hurtling like a shattered doll, her once-elegant form now nothing more than a crumpled mess.

The battlefield, once roaring with battle, had fallen into silence.

Not just silence—fear.

The echoes, the warriors of the void, the lingering remnants of those trapped in this forsaken realm—

All stopped.

Some stared in amusement, others in horror.

Some stepped back.

Some stumbled.

Some simply stood paralyzed as the brutality of the Shadow Monarch’s Queen unfolded before them.

The fearsome, untouched Monarch of Echoes was nothing more than a ragdoll in the hands of the anomaly.

And then—

She was sent flying straight toward Jinwoo.

Jinwoo, already stepping forward, readied his stance.

This was it.

He was done playing.

He was going to end this now.

His mana surged, his grip tightening—his killing intent sharpened—

But before he could even strike—

BOOM!

A force crashed into him—hard.

Jinwoo’s body stumbled backward, his footing breaking as he was shoved aside.

By her.

By Y/N.

The moment he looked up—

She was already there.

Already in position.

Her empty eyes locked onto the Monarch of Echoes.

And before the fallen Monarch could even scream—

Y/N caught her.

Fingers tightening in her hair.

Then—

SLAM.

The Echoing Queen’s face was driven straight into the abyssal ground.

The sound of bone and flesh colliding with unyielding darkness rippled through the battlefield.

The void trembled.

A deep indentation formed beneath the impact.

The Monarch of Echoes twitched, her fingers clawing at the ground in sheer desperation.

Her mind was a blur of agony and humiliation.

And then—

A voice.

Cold.

Emotionless.

A voice that should have been familiar, yet held no recognition of him.

Jinwoo, still regaining his balance, froze.

Y/N’ side-eyed him.

Eyes devoid of warmth.

Devoid of love.

Devoid of him.

And then—

She spoke.

"This bitch is mine."

Jinwoo’s breath hitched.

His heart—sank.

Because in that moment—

She didn’t recognize him.

Not a single emotion flickered within them—only the quiet resolve of execution.

The Monarch of Echoes trembled beneath her grip, her once-taunting smirk now nothing but a twisted, bloodied grimace.

She couldn’t move.

She couldn’t speak.

She could only watch as the anomaly—no, the nightmare—

Y/N lifted her hand.

Aiming directly for the Monarch’s stomach, she thrust her hand forward.

The Monarch gasped.

A strangled, broken sound.

Y/N’ fingers sank into flesh— deeper, deeper—until they reached something familiar.

Something warm.

Something calling for her.

A golden glow.

Pulsing.

Faint, but persistent.

Her breath hitched.

The battlefield, the echoes, the fighting—all of it faded into the background.

Because this—this was different.

This was important.

Y/N’ fingers curled around the golden light, and the moment she did—

A memory surfaced.

Not her own.

But his.

—"Mama!"

Her body tensed.

A voice.

A voice that sent a sharp, painful pulse through her chest—

A voice that shook something loose.

A memory she couldn’t fully grasp.

Her grip tightened.

The Monarch of Echoes choked, trying to cling to what remained of herself.

"Y-You…" she croaked, voice raw, bleeding. "You… cannot take that…"

But Y/N wasn't listening.

Her body moved on instinct.

And in one sharp motion—

She ripped the golden orb from the Monarch’s body.

The Monarch screamed.

A soul-shattering wail, an echo of sheer agony that rang through the abyss like the death cry of a dying god.

Her form shuddered.

Her body cracked.

And then—

She began to disintegrate.

The once-mighty Monarch of Echoes—

was fading.

Y/N, still holding the golden orb, finally looked at it.

And then—

It called to her again.

This time, a whisper.

A soft, desperate whisper.

"Mama… come get me."

Her breath hitched.

And then—

Her fingers tightened around the light.

Jinwoo stood frozen, watching it unfold before him.

Y/N, standing amidst the crumbling remains of the Monarch of Echoes, held the golden orb close to her chest.

The battlefield was silent.

The echoes had stopped.

The shadows had stilled.

And then—

A single, broken sob escaped from Y/N.

Her fingers trembled as they clutched the orb tighter, her body curling around it protectively, as if shielding it from the world.

Tears slipped from her hollow, empty eyes.

She didn’t understand.

She didn’t remember.

But it hurt.

It hurt in a way she couldn’t describe—

A pain so raw, so deep, that it threatened to tear her apart.

Jinwoo couldn’t take it anymore.

In the next breath, he was there.

Arms wrapping around her.

Holding her close.

Y/N shuddered, her sobs growing louder as she buried her face into his chest, her body shaking violently.

Jinwoo’s grip tightened around both her and the orb, his own breath unsteady.

He felt it.

The overwhelming grief.

The ache of something missing.

Something precious.

Something irreplaceable.

And yet, despite the pain—

Despite the sorrow that clawed at his chest—

He whispered.

“It’s okay, Y/N.”

His voice was soft, soothing, as if speaking to a fragile, broken piece of his heart.

“I’m here.”

Her fingers clutched the fabric of his clothes, as if instinctively seeking an anchor.

Jinwoo gently pressed his forehead against hers, his own eyes burning.

His Y/N.

His wife.

Even when she couldn’t remember him, she still cried in his arms.

Still reached for him.

And then—

A pulse.

A soft, gentle warmth.

From the orb, nestled between them.

It glowed.

Not just with golden light—

But with life.

Calling for them.

Reaching for them.

Y/N gasped, lifting her head slightly.

The warmth enveloped her, seeping into her bones.

It felt…

Safe.

Familiar.

Jinwoo exhaled, pressing his palm over the orb, over her hands, as if trying to keep the warmth from slipping away.

And then—

A voice.

A small, faint echo.

But this time—

Clearer.

“Mama… Papa… I'm here.”

Y/N’ breath hitched.

And for the first time—

She remembered.

Y/N' wide, tear-streaked eyes snapped to Jinwoo, trembling hands clutching the golden orb.

“Did you hear that?” she whispered, voice raw with desperation.

Jinwoo’s breath caught.

His heart pounded in his chest.

It wasn’t just her.

He heard it too.

A voice. Small, faint—but real.

His son.

Their Suho.

Y/N squeezed his hands, her grip tightening over his, pleading with her eyes.

“Jinwoo, tell me you heard it. Please!” Her voice cracked, her breath uneven as she clung to him, as if afraid this was all a cruel illusion.

Jinwoo nodded, his thumb brushing over her trembling fingers.

“I heard him.”

A choked sob escaped Y/N' lips.

She pressed the orb against her chest, holding it as if her life depended on it.

“Help me…” She looked up at him, her empty, lost expression slowly filling with something else.

Hope.

“Help me free our baby.”

Jinwoo felt his chest tighten.

He wanted to.

He had to.

But how?

His fingers hovered over the golden light, shadows crackling at his fingertips. His mana was dangerously low. His body screamed for rest, but—

His family needed him.

Y/N needed him.

His son needed him.

Then—

It hit him.

Jinwoo’s eyes widened.

The Soulbound Fate.

A hidden trait that had awakened when he stepped into the Abyss of the Well of Beginnings.

Bound by three lives.

A fate interwoven across realms.

Jinwoo stared at the orb in realization.

This wasn’t just an imprisonment—it was a severance.

Something had tried to cut Suho away from them, from existence itself.

But it failed.

Because Suho was never meant to be erased.

Because they were bound.

Jinwoo’s grip on Y/N’ hands tightened.

“I know how to bring him back.”

Y/N’ breath hitched.

“We will bring him back.” His dark eyes bore into hers, strong, certain, unyielding.

For a moment, she couldn’t speak.

Then, slowly, tears welled in her eyes.

Jinwoo’s grip tightened.

Together—they called upon the bond that defied fate itself.

Shadows surged, golden light flared.

The battlefield shook.

Jinwoo and Y/N poured everything into the connection that should have never been severed.

Their mana, their souls—their very existence intertwined.

The golden orb shuddered.

A heartbeat.

Then—

A pulse of warmth.

A child's voice—clear, bright, calling out to them.

“Mommy… Daddy…”

The world exploded in light.

A golden surge rippled outward, warping the battlefield, shattering the remnants of the void that had tried to swallow their son.

Jinwoo and Y/N held on, their fingers entwined over the glowing orb, their shadows and mana twisting together in a storm of power.

Then—

A small, warm hand pressed against theirs.

Y/N’ breath caught.

Her fingers trembled, not from exhaustion, but from disbelief.

“M-Mommy…?”

A fragile, gentle voice reached her ears—one that made her very soul ache in recognition.

She gasped.

Jinwoo’s hands clenched over hers as the golden light flared brighter, brighter—until it burst.

And there, within the fading radiance…

A small figure emerged.

A boy, no older than four, with dark tousled hair that gleamed under the golden glow. His large, familiar eyes—black with flecks of gold—blinked up at them, filled with confusion… and warmth.

His tiny hands reached out.

One to Jinwoo.

One to Y/N.

“Mommy? Daddy?”

Y/N broke.

A sharp, shuddering sob tore from her chest.

She fell to her knees, pulling the child into her trembling arms—cradling him, holding him as if he’d slip away again.

“Suho…”

Jinwoo sank beside them, his arms wrapping around them both, securing them in his warmth. His face was buried in Suho’s soft, dark hair, his grip tight—as if grounding himself in the reality of this moment.

Their son was here.

Alive.

Real.

Suho blinked, confused at first, then giggled softly.

“Mommy, you’re crying a lot…” he whispered, small hands patting Y/N’ cheeks.

Y/N let out a broken laugh, tears falling freely.

“Of course I am, baby…” she sniffled, pressing her forehead against his. “You were gone… we thought—we thought we lost you.”

Jinwoo exhaled slowly, pressing a kiss to Suho’s head.

“You’re safe now. We’ve got you.”

Suho blinked, then suddenly grinned—so bright, so pure, just like the child they remembered.

��I knew you’d find me!” He beamed, his small hands clutching at their clothes. “I was waiting! I kept calling and calling—‘Mommy! Daddy! Come get me!’ And you did!”

Y/N let out a choked laugh, nodding as more tears fell.

“We heard you, baby… You were brave…”

Jinwoo held them both tighter.

The battlefield was silent.

The echoes, the warriors, even the very remnants of the void—all bore witness.

The family that should have been shattered…

Was whole once more.

Jinwoo’s gaze lowered.

The lifeless body of the Female Monarch lay before him, her once-arrogant smirk erased in disgrace.

A gaping hole where her chest had been.

Her blood soaked the ground, pooling beneath her broken form. Her once-proud presence—nothing more than a corpse.

Jinwoo turned to Y/N.

She stood there, calm, her expression unreadable. Not trembling. Not shaken.

Yet—

He could tell. She was dizzy.

The weight of everything pressed against her, but her resolve did not waver.

Then—

One by one, the shadows knelt.

A silent acknowledgment.

Igris, his crimson armor gleaming, lowered his head in deep reverence.

Beru folded his wings, clawed hands pressed to the ground.

Bellion, the Grand Marshal, bowed without hesitation—his golden eyes reflecting nothing but respect.

Even Fenrir—the Devourer of All—let out a low, rumbling growl before lowering his mighty head.

They had all witnessed it.

The wrath.

The ferocity.

The absolute dominance of their queen.

Only the lost echoes remained standing—

The warriors of the past. Trapped in the void. Shackled in eternity, waiting for release.

Jinwoo's expression hardened.

Ashborn had failed to free them.

But he would not.

“You have been lost for long enough,” Jinwoo declared, extending his hand.

The darkness of the Shadow Monarch surged—engulfing the echoes.

A silent command.

A second chance.

One by one, the warriors of the past kneeled.

Their souls freed.

And then—

“D-Daddy!”

Jinwoo turned.

Suho.

His son's wide golden eyes sparkled with pure awe, his tiny hands clinging to Y/N.

“That was… so cool!”

Jinwoo froze.

For a moment—

He saw something else.

A flash of memory.

A different battlefield.

A different time.

Y/N— The ‘clueless woman’ he claimed as a ‘special reward’ in dungeon.

Standing before him, eyes shining in amazement.

Saying the exact same thing.

Jinwoo’s lips slowly curled into an amused smile.

“Heh… you really are our son.”

A deep chuckle rumbled from his chest.

Of course.

<< Echoes of Fate (1) | Echoes of Fate (3 - Ending) >>

Tag requests: @kisssleeping; @catsf0rlife707; @aorifukuzawa; @joannthebish; @ojog404; @tanspostsblog; @snowy-violet; @o-qi-shisme; @sleepyamaya; @harrystylesfan2686; @night-shadowblood-writes2; @weaponxgames; @bubera974; @moonlightsof; @limerenceisserenity; @mashiromochi; @its-carlerrr; @kuramiachan; @purplehazzes; @leviackerman2030; @estrnrea;

#jinwoo sung x reader #jinwoo x reader #solo leveling jinwoo #sung jinwoo #jinwoo #solo leveling #x reader

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teriri-sayes · 5 months ago

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Reactions to The Worst's Chapter 398

New title - 51. You dare to stab me in the back?

Brief summary: Raon carries Eden on his back. Sheritt and Eden meet. Cale and CH head to the Lan Kingdom.

==========

Because of Clopeh spreading the video throughout New World and user forums, the system decided to postpone giving Cale his reward. Clopeh congratulated Eden and praised his nickname, but Eden avoided Clopeh. Of course, when Clopeh said that Eden's future would be the stuff of legends, Eden's eyes were shaking. 😂😂😂

Raon carrying tiny Eden on his back was so cute!!! 🥰🥰🥰

Raon paused for a moment, considering something, and then grabbed Eden Miru by his two front paws. “!” Eden Miru was embarrassed. And Raon was a little flustered, too. 'He's small!' Eden Miru was too small. Raon felt a strange sensation that he couldn't quite place. Even though he knew Eden Miru's original age was over 900 years old, approaching a thousand years. Black scales like his own. And platinum-colored markings that reminded him of Goldie Gramps Eruhaben. Eyes the color of his human. And eyes that strangely reminded him of his mother, Sheritt. “Hehe!” Raon just laughed. Raon was too young, too great a dragon, to express all these emotions. Raon said to Eden Miru. “Stay close to my back, Eden Miru-ya!” Raon lifted Eden Miru onto his back. After all, Eden Miru was small. “!” Eden Miru seemed deeply embarrassed, but Raon didn't know it. Instead, he felt strangely energized by the small weight and warmth on his back. Raon clenched his front paws together in an unknown feeling. And he thought to himself. 'I'll protect Eden Miru, too!' Raon's mouth twitched with determination.

Cale thanked Clopeh for his hard work before leaving, not seeing Clopeh's smile vanish. Because for Clopeh, this was not over. 🤣🤣🤣

“…Thank you for your hard work-” It was a nice thing to hear. But- “It's all for the bigger picture.” Clopeh was more intense than Cale had realized. 'Eden Miru.' Boss of the 7th Evil. He was also one of Cale's subordinates, anyway. The Miru Knights, the 3rd Evil, the Eight Evils. All would be beneath Cale-nim. The legends they create would eventually become the foundation of a greater legend that Cale-nim would achieve. “Fufu.” It would be nice to hear that he had worked hard after everything was over. Clopeh slowly made his way to the window, thinking how very simple Cale was. “Light Dragon! Light Dragon!” The residents of the 7th Evil still cheered. “…In the end, the name they will call has been decided.” Lord Cale. Young Master Shield. That great name shall once again echo throughout this New World, throughout Earth 3, throughout all dimensions. “Kekekeke.” Clopeh's eyes sparkled, barely suppressing a laugh in the room were he was left alone.

Meanwhile, Cale was troubled on whether to include Eden (who's actually 900+ years old) as part of the average ten-years-old children. Because Eden's outward appearance was really cute, though Cale hated to say that. Even the 7th Evil residents were calling their lord cute.

Eden and Sheritt were still awkward with each other, but there was progress! 🥰🥰🥰

Instead, he focused his gaze on Eden Miru and Sheritt. “…….” “…….” Neither said anything. Cale noticed the redness at the corners of Sheritt's eyes and realized she was crying alone, but he pretended not to notice. “…….” Eden Miru opened his mouth. He'd done it a few times, but never quite managed to get the words out. Sheritt waited patiently for it with a smile. Eden Miru slid off Raon's back. Flap. Flap. He flapped his wings awkwardly as a newborn. “…….” He stopped in front of Sheritt. The portal. Through it, neither dragon could get any closer to the other. Eden Miru could not cross the portal now. Sheritt could not cross the portal either. “…….” Eden Miru lifted his head and looked at Sheritt. The smile on Sheritt's lips was as gentle as her age, despite her mischievous appearance. “…That-” Eden Miru spoke after a long pause. “I'm back.” Sheritt answered him. “Yeah. Welcome home.”

And that was it for Eden's birth. The second half of the chapter was Cale and CH returning to the Lan Kingdom because the wanderer threatening Queen Tamahi was due to visit tomorrow. So Cale and Tamahi came up with the plan to push all the blame to GoC's followers. 😂

They also agreed to transfer the wanderer Sohee from the Lan Kingdom's prison to the Eastern Empire's prison to avoid the visiting wanderer's eyes. ARM, who was now the crown prince of the Eastern Empire, agreed to the plan.

Ending Remarks So many cute and funny moments today! Next chapter would be Cale heading to the Eastern Empire. Would he finally meet the AI hyung of ARM?

#tcf spoilers #trash of the count's family

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monsieurlaziness · 3 months ago

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Just needed to solidify my rant, absolute apologizes if this theme is oversaturated, but I needed to speak up because I remembered the absolute idiocy that Naruto's ending is.

Let's be real.

Kaguya's arrival is the WORST plot twist of Naruto.

It was all about ninja, philosophy, and the cycle of hatred, and then out of nowhere — aliens. It felt like Kishimoto suddenly realized he needed a "bigger" final boss but had already made Madara too OP, so he just threw in Kaguya as a "gotcha" moment.

Madara had decades of build-up. He represented everything wrong with the shinobi system: the endless wars, the obsession with power, the never-ending cycle of revenge. He was literally the final test of Naruto's ideology. And then — nope, just kidding! Black Zetsu was using him as a pawn for literally thousands of years to revive Kaguya, who has no real personal motivation beyond "mY cHaKrA."

Kaguya wasn't even interesting. She barely spoke, had no personal connection to the main cast, and her fights were just "teleport to a new dimension, spam crazy jutsu, repeat." At least Madara made his fights fun.

Honestly, it would’ve been way more satisfying if Madara had fused with the God Tree or something and he was the final boss. But nope, aliens.

This is so pointless...

Like imagine the perfect ending of Naruto.

Imagine Madara lying there, defeated but not in some cheap "backstabbed by Zetsu" way — truly defeated in battle. He’s staring up at the sky, battered, his legendary power finally failing him. And in those last moments, as he reflects on everything — the wars, the betrayals, the endless cycle of hatred — he whispers:

"Hashirama… was I wrong… after all?..."

And just as he fades, he sees Hashirama’s ghost (not literally, but like a vision in his mind) smiling at him, as if saying, "You finally understand."

That single line would’ve hit so hard. It wouldn’t erase all the pain he caused, but it would humanize him even more. It would show that, at the very end, he finally questions if his way was right. Not some alien’s pawn. Not some chakra puppet. Just a man who tried, failed, and wondered if there was another way.

THAT is how you close Madara’s story. Not by having him get played by Black Zetsu like an absolute clown

Madara fades away, his vision going black… and then, he opens his eyes. He’s standing in a vast, peaceful meadow — the same place where he and Hashirama used to meet as kids. The river flows quietly, the trees rustle in the breeze. It’s eerily silent.

And then, standing there, arms crossed, a familiar voice:

"Took you long enough, you stubborn fool."

Madara turns, and there’s Hashirama, just watching him. Not angry. Not smug. Just… there. Waiting.

Madara, for the first time in forever, feels small. He clenches his fists, looks away, then — gritting his teeth — mutters:

"I really was a fool, huh?"

Hashirama sighs, stepping closer. "You always were. But you were my friend first."

For a moment, they just stand there, the weight of their entire lives hanging in the air. And then—Hashirama smirks.

"So… rematch?"

Madara blinks, then lets out a genuine laugh. A real, deep laugh, the kind he hasn’t had in decades. He rolls his shoulders, a spark of life returning to his eyes.

"Hah! You’d better not hold back this time, Hashirama."

The two charge at each other one last time, not as enemies, not as warriors — just as two boys who once dreamed of peace.

THAT should’ve been Madara’s ending.

#naruto #naruto Shippuden #naruto rant #madara uchiha #madara #hashirama senju #hashimada #fuck this shit man #anti naruto ending

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stupidlittlespirit · 6 months ago

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Ford getting sick and you have to take care of him. hes so stubborn, I bet he refuses to accept that he's sick and even once he does he thinks it won't interfere with his work or anything anyways. minutes later he's passed out at his desk. poor thing. drag him to bed and help him through the fever dreams and unsavory symptoms. doctor, he needs cuddles, stat!

I like to think that once he's returned from the portal, he's got an exceptionally developed immune system. I mention it in Spores (with the death cap thing) and I do think he'd have picked up so many foreign germs that he just kind of becomes super resilient to bugs and stuff in his home dimension, to a certain extent.

BUT, there's nothing funnier to me than imagining him believing this 1000% and never taking precautions, then catching the most regular ass flu and being devastated by it. Like, picture War of the Worlds: all these crazy aliens who are super developed end up dying out because they catch fucking H1N1 LMAOOOOOO

He gets the first twinges of the flu (headaches, soreness etc) and assumes it's just being old/typical chronic pain/because he's been overworking, and so he just ignores it. It's no big deal.

Except, the next day, he wakes up feeling absolutely rotten. Head throbbing, body aching, feeling like he's moving through molasses, sweaty, snotty, just generally disgusting.

Everyone can see that he's poorly, except for Ford. He starts losing his voice because he refuses to shut up and rest his throat, and if he takes the advice then he has to acknowledge that he's unwell. So he refuses. He just goes on in the way he usually does, over explaining things and lecturing until it goes completely. Nothing more than a squeak.

He'll keep working, though. He's just got to power through it, he won't back down! He's in the lab wondering why he's got double vision when he tries to concentrate on his samples and he ends up getting mad at himself for not being able to focus, so he retires to his study in the hopes that maybe he can get some shitty paperwork done.

Which is where, as you say, you find him a few hours later, slumped over his desk, passed the fuck out and drooling on his papers.

You're loathe to move him because he never sleeps this soundly, but he's going to totally fuck up his back if he stays hunched over like that, so you have to very carefully wake him up and gently (but firmly) convince him that he has to go to bed for his own good. I expect his willpower to resist at that point would be very low and so it wouldn't take much.

So you guide him into his bed and fetch him tea and soup and cold medicine, and tend to his needs like the perfect nurse. Maybe he asks you to bring some books to bed because he thinks he'll be bored, but because he's too exhausted to even sit upright, you offer to read them to him until he passes out again.

And I definitely think he'd end up falling asleep on you. He won't outright be vulnerable and ask for a cuddle but he'll allude to it heavily, and you'll pick up what he's putting down because at this point, you've gotten used to his weird communication issues. So you prop yourself up next to him in bed and he snuggles up close.

I do think Ford's a big guy, though, so he'd pin you with his dead weight and you wouldn't be able to move without disturbing him.

Thankfully, he doesn't have any nightmares. I think usually he would but instead of the typical fever dreams most people get when they're suffering a bad flu, Ford gets the reverse: just a dead, black sleep. It ends up being quite pleasant for him and he conks out each night for like 14 hours straight for the first time in like 30 years.

He'd be soooo utterly pathetic and needy; can't do anything for himself and even needs help to be bathed when the flu peaks because he's so weak..... He totally groans and complains non stop, bless him.

When he gets back to normal though, he's totally revitalised and energetic from all the rest and TLC. It's like he's a young man again, raring to go and bouncing off the walls ("I should get sick more often, this is wonderful!").

And then a few days later, when you start sneezing and aching, Ford has to do all the same things for you.... In between several fruitless attempts to synthesize a cure for the common cold just for you. (He fails every time, of course, but he tries his best).

#asks #ford asks #ford pines x reader #stanford pines x reader #reader insert #Mabel gives him her nintendo DS to play in bed and he gets addicted to animal crossing.......

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20dollarlolita · 11 months ago

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Stop putting thick thread in your freaking sewing machine.

If you have a home machine, it's not ready for it. If you have a drop in bobbin, it's really not ready for it. If it's bonded nylon then it's SUPER not ready for it.

Your Viking Emerald 118 is not a commercial machine. It's got a powerful engine, but it does not have a mechanical system that can handle the thickness and inflexibility of heavy weight thread. You're going to yank it out of time and that's not a warranty issue because the warranty doesn't cover you breaking it yourself with bad thread. The warranty also doesn't cover you trying to sew through a sterilite bin lid or getting sliced ham in your feed teeth, despite the warranty not specifically saying that you can't do that. It's not unreasonable for a machine to expect you to check your supplies for compatibility before using them.

If you want to sew with really heavy thread, you need a machine set up for that thread. This is like how if you want to put diesel in your car, you need a diesel engine.

You need a different threading set up for heavy thread, and you need the kind of bobbin case that can handle it as well. This is the Janome HD9 Professional, which is a home sewing machine that can sew with thick thread. You can see that the thread has to be wound in a different way to use the thick thread. If your machine doesn't have this, it probably shouldn't be using tex70. And by "probably," I mean "definitely."

The Janome HD9 is a sort of semi-commercial machine, where you sacrifice a bit of foot clearance, a bit of thread thickness, and some bobbin size in exchange for getting a machine that fits on your table top.

If you only want to work on thick thread, you probably need a commercial machine.

Quick flow chart on how people buy commercial sewing machines:

Step 1) Be aware that you're buying a piece of furniture. The table is part of the machine.

Step 2) What kind of foot do you want? If you're getting a machine for sewing, you need to pick if you want a straight stitch foot or a walking foot. On commercial machines, the walking foot is built into the machine, and a walking foot machine cannot be made to not walk. However, walking foot machines are a lot better than a walking foot attachment for a home machine.

Step 3) How thick are you going to put in it. Please note that I don't mean thick in how difficult it is for the machine to penetrate. The motor is a different part of the machine from the head, and you can stick a more powerful motor in there if you want. What we're talking about is how high of clearance the presser foot can give you. If you've sewn with really thick fabric on a home machine, you might have run into a situation where your fabric is so thick that it physically pushes the presser foot up so high that your tension disengages. All machines can do the same thing, so check on your machine that the physical dimensions of what you want to put in will fit under the foot.

Step 4) How thick of thread are you going to put into that thing? Tex90? Tex 180? You might need a lighter weight thread if you're making bags or clothing, but if you want that big, chunky decorative stitching you see on car upholstery, you need a machine that can handle that thread.

So, as you can see, dear home machine owners, people will buy commercial machines specifically to run heavy thread in them. If you want to run thick thread, you have two options.

The first option is to get the right tool for the job. Commercial machines aren't anywhere near as pricey as high end home machines. If you come to me and say that the only thing you want to sew is heavy thread, you're going to do better to get a Juki DDL8700 than to buy a new Emerald 118 every year when you run yours into the ground. You're only really paying about 2.5x the cost of an Emerald when you get the Juki with a full set up, and that's not bad when you take into account that you are going to be either servicing or replacing your 118 pretty frequently if you're still sticking that thread in it.

The second option is to get an old and broken sad fuck of a machine and mess up all the tensions yourself. Hang around junk shops long enough and someone's going to get rid of some kind of 1910's cast iron monstrosity that was converted to electric in the 1930's by someone who may have had no idea what they were doing. Get yourself something that you're mildly afraid of. If that maching has survived from 1914 to 2024, you're probably not going to break it by messing around with the stitch tension. If the head of the machine was made before we were capable of precision manufacturing thin, strong thread, it can probably adapt to the nightmare that is Coats Outdoor Upholstery thread or whatever that thread thing you bought on Amazon is.

Anyway, you're not going to buy the As Seen on TV Keyboard Vacuum and try to vacuum the front office of a dirt and rock emporium and then get upset when it doesn't work. Not every vacuum is interchangeable and not every sewing machine can handle carpet thread. Not every bad decision you make is covered by your warranty. Sometimes you break things and then it's your problem to fix it.

Thank you for coming to my TexX talk.

#today at work #not lolita #okay i was going to say tedx talk but #you measure heavy weight thread in tex so it's a pune #or play on words

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tinfoil-jones · 1 month ago

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Jerk Ford AU: Shifty Full Profile

[Fire Chief Doppelgänger art by Lariatcat]

[Smoky the cat art by @tearosepedall. Shifty True Form by myself and my younger brother]

“I can assure you, my resemblance to ‘the bean can guy’ is a coincidence.” - Fire Chief Doppelgänger, lying his ass off.

Demographic

Home Dimension: Dimension-PJC311

Designation: Shifty-PJC311

Full name: Wolfgang Von Strange né Doppelgänger (Human Form), Shifty the Shapeshifter (Original Form), Smoky (Cat persona)

Nickname(s): (Fire) Chief, DG, Wolfy

Age: 30

Height: 6’2 (Human Disguise)

Weight: Approx ~300 lbs

Sex/Gender (Pronouns): As Shifty: Simultaneous Hermaphrodite / Nonbinary (They/Them/It/Its) 💛🤍💜🖤 | As Wolfgang: Male/Male (He/Him) | As Smoky: Female/Female (She/Her)

Sexual/Romantic Orientation: Demisexual/Panromantic 🖤🤍💜🩶 / 🩷💛💙

Occupation: Chief of the Gravity Falls Fire Department, Ambassador of Paranormal Relations

Family: Thomas “Tad” Strange (Husband), Samuel “S” Strange (Son), Gravity Falls Fire Department (Adoptive Family), Dr. Stanford "Ford" Pines (Original Caretaker & Pseudo Father Figure)

Backstory: Here, Here, Here, and Here

Inventory

Worn:

Long sleeve V-neck shirt w/ Fire Dept Symbol (gray)

Turnout pants w/ hanging suspenders (brown w/ gray knee patches and yellow/silver reflective stripes, yellow suspenders)

Loafers (black)

Belt (black)

Wedding band (rose gold)

Weapons:

Shapeshifting

Other Equipment:

Crowbar

Halligan bar

Hatchet

Medicinal:

First Aid Kit

Misc.

Leather wallet

Family photo of himself, Tad, and Samuel

Connections

Named Friends / Allies:

Tate McGucket

Daryl Blubs

Edwin Durland

Stan Pines

Manotaurs

The Hide Behind

Multi-Bear

Steve The Tree-Monster

Fairies

Named Enemies / Rivals:

Old Man McGucket

Celestabellebethabelle

Gremloblin

Lilliputtians

Bigfoot

Ma and Pa Duskerton

Gnomes

Preferences

Personality Traits: Clear-Headed, Principled, Guarded, Unforgiving, Serious, Irascible

Love Giving Language: Words of affirmation

Love Receiving Language: Acts of service

Likes: Quiet Introspection, Classic Cars, Nature Walks, Sunlight Patches

Dislikes: Cold, Scientists, Dogs, Untidiness

Hobbies: Cooking & Baking, Wax / Wood Carving, Mushroom Hunting, ‘Therapeutic Hunting’

Favourite Foods:

Regular drink: Pitt Cola (Cherry flavour)

Alcoholic drink: N/A (Teetotaler)

Dish: Frijoles refritos w/ tortilla chips

Snack: Western Heart's Ease

Dessert: Marionberry Pie

Trivia / Other

Wolfgang's design is almost identical to Canon Shifty's first seen shift in the show - the man from the High Flyin' Beans logo. The differences are the outfit, and he makes it younger to match his age (30). His hair is black instead of gray.

They named themself when they were young at the insistence of the fire department as they were raising them.

—They are just as bad at naming things as Ford.

—One of the firefighters happened to be a German Literature Enthusiast with their favourite author being Johann Wolfgang von Goethe.

—Before they named themself, the fire department just called them "(Baby) Falls"

—Their human middle name is “Von” because they misunderstood that von/van just means of/from.

As Wolfgang, his clothing is real, seperate from his human shift. He'll hide his clothes somewhere for later when he takes other forms.

Shifty’s species seems to bear similarities to beetles, caterpillars, and butterflies / moths.

—As a larvae, they had to sneak out at night to gorge themself on wild plants because their nutritional needs weren’t being met with human formula or food.

—They have an imaginal disc system which is what allows them to freely shapeshift

—Larvae of their species also eat toxic plants, which they cannot do as an adult without shifting their body chemistry and digestive system. This is so their larvae are too toxic to be picked off by predators or by adults of the species.

—The type of plants they eat as larvae heavily influence their adult colouring.*

*Compared to their canon counterpart, Shifty’s true form is mainly greenish-white, and their eyes / appendage tips are purple. This is because as a larvae their favourite plant to eat was Parish’s Nightshade.

Palette for true form here.

They breathe through their skin, which is how they can breathe even when they shapeshift into objects that lack breathing anatomy. When they shapeshift into other creatures their shift would breathe the same way as an original creature of that species would, with their skin breathing being a backup.

Shifty does not drink alcohol or use other recreational substances because they do not want to risk losing control of their form.

Their cat persona, Smoky, is a Hemingway Cat (polydactyl), as a sort of nod to “The Author”. The design is also based off of "Bruno, the 'extra' cat" the only difference being that Smoky is a female cat and is missing one eye.

Regardless of their disguise, dogs are terrified of Shifty.

Shifty can change their proportions and density, but not their actual weight, when shifting. Regardless of what form they are taking, they are always around 300 lbs like their true form.

Tad thinks their son Samuel was born through an out-of-state surrogate. He was not. He was actually an egg that Shifty did not think was possible before.

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a-substantial-trash-pile · 1 year ago

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hey guess what. it's finally time for my Stardew Valley Loredump. i’m about to ramble about my farmer and yo-yo/yoba and shane in a probably long-ass, disjointed post because i have a problem ok. not expecting anyone to read it all of course—just want to finally write these brainstorming shenanigans down. the loredump will be below the cut below the image 👇 (WARNING: IT'S LONG):

SAMUEL IZAWA:

*samuel is 28 years old, pan, japanese okinawan (no im not self projecting hahaha), and goes by he/they. main thing is that they’re from “our world” where stardew valley is a video game, but he died and ended up in the stardew universe. because i think isekai tropes are fun and silly. as the player, samuel can do things others in the stardew world can’t do, such as:

summon the in-game HUD that’s only visible to him, so he can see health/energy levels and inventory and all that.

speaking of inventory, it’s essentially a pocket dimension samuel can shove stuff in. the inventory doesn’t really care about size/weight/etc as long as it’s something the system considers an “item.” so like samuel can put a whole ass four poster bed in there but he can’t do that to a person or a whole house. samuel just needs to touch the item to make it disappear into his inventory. he can then summon it back out when he needs it. the game’s inventory limit system remains the same. samuel gets 12 slots on their own, but if they have a bag on them it increases to 36.

can access the player menu you can normally access in game. so like profile, skills, collections, relationships, etc are all there. no options or quit tab though. having the relationship tab is a nightmare for samuel, who has major insecurities about what people think of him. that tab is a quantifiable measure on how much people like him. it a real brain demon for him to know it exists and is right there for him to access anytime.

can see the “stats” of food and healing items. hp/energy recovery amounts, buffs, etc.

*funny thing is that samuel has never played SDV himself and only has knowledge based on what he’s heard and seen online secondhand. ironically he was planning on playing the game for the first time before the whole dying thing ruined it. they can’t even remember how they died, but it doesn’t bother them as much as they think it should. they didn’t leave much behind in that life.

*anyway, i’m talking a lot of game terms here, but don’t get it twisted. while samuel has all these game systems going on, the SDV world is very much a real one that doesn’t normally work by that logic. by that i mean time flows normally like in our world and there isn’t just 4 months in a year. things exist outside the valley. there’s a whole planet of places and people.

*luckily samuel has help in navigating this new world in the form of yo-yo the junimo, who is the first living thing samuel sees when he first wakes up in that joja cubicle. yo-yo helps explain a lot of things and guide samuel around in its own abrasive way. he’s also there to be like, “hey i gave you a second chance at life so you kinda owe me actually. sign this contract.” and samuel, who is a pushover and also confused, is just like, “ok.” (yo-yo sounds like danny devito btw. because i think it’s funny.)

*i call the contract a “magical girl contract” because that’s essentially what it is. samuel gets access to extra powers/abilities on top the stuff he can already do as a player. in return he fights monsters n shit for yo-yo and generally does things for them that they can’t do easily on their own. the extra benefits include:

higher pain tolerance. which isn’t always a good thing. especially when you tend to not be great with self-preservation like samuel is.

can heal most injuries by just eating/drinking stuff to regain hp.

yo-yo can teleport the both of them around as needed, but it’s tiring and it drains a lot of magic. distance matters too.

yo-yo can spawn items but it drains magic as well. the more valuable/rare the item, the more draining it is. spawning items is already a magic-intensive thing in the first place. also yo-yo isn’t creating the item out of nothing. they’re actually randomly taking it from wherever it already exists in the world. for example, say yo-yo “spawns” a jar of pickles. somebody in the world is going to open their fridge and discover their jar of pickles is missing or maybe a grocery store will have a sudden empty spot on its shelf. yo-yo doesn’t have control of where the items are taken from (or so they claim).

samuel and yo-yo’s magic pools became connected so they can both do more than they could do on their own before. this is one of the reasons why yo-yo wanted a contract with samuel, who has a larger magic pool than normal due to being from another world. but it’s possible for one side to use up all the magic for the both of them.

*samuel’s personality can be summed up as Awkward People-Pleasing Tired Sad Garbage Dork. either he’s dressed like a grandparent in sweaters and turtlenecks or he’s wearing a button up shirt with the collar undone and jeans. they usually have their neck covered in public to hide the mark of yoba embedded there. he has a “resting bitch face” as some may call, but that’s just because his brain is busy over-analyzing 193828 different things. he loves being outside in the grass and dirt, looking at bugs n shit. he’s also a nerd who likes to play video games and ramble about the lore in them (he likes RPGs the most, but if the game’s got a good story and cool world, he’s into it). they like to do things with their hands like model building/painting. in their new stardew life, they get into woodcarving after willy teaches them the basics (he carves shane a little chicken).

*samuel does NOT know how to say “no.” absolute pushover. their self-worth is based on how much they’re liked by others, which isn’t healthy obviously. he has a fear that the only way he can be liked is by being useful. he’s scared that he is inherently a bad and selfish person, because he can’t say for sure if he’s helping others purely out of kindness or because it just makes him feel better about existing. deep down there’s anger/frustration that’s accumulated over the years, anger towards himself and also others because he’s always doing things for other people—going above and beyond—but it never feels like enough. at the same time though, they hate it when these thoughts come up because they believe that you shouldn’t go into helping somebody expecting that you’ll get something out of it. he hates how much of a hypocrite he is. he hates how he bases so much of his self-worth on the opinions of others, but feels helpless to it. they usually just push these emotions down because samuel feels guilty about them. how can they be a good person if they’re thinking like this? how can they deserve to exist with this mindset? however they get a chance to let out the anger/bitterness/frustration through fighting monsters. kind of disassociating in a way. this also isn’t a good thing because his demeanor is much colder and scarier during combat. having someone who’s felt powerless for so long suddenly gain power is a dangerous thing.

*this mindset when monster fighting shatters when samuel meets krobus and realizes that monsters aren’t just the simple enemy NPCs their brain had been automatically categorizing them as. guilt galore. he gets real depressed about that for a while but yo-yo, krobus, and shane are there to help him.

*SPEAKING OF SHANE… it’s crush at first sight for samuel because hot damn is shane their type. i mean just look at him. mamma mia. haha anyyyway, they first meet at the stardrop saloon. samuel’s waiting at the bar for his to-go order near where shane is drinking. shane’s looking sad, so samuel gives in and decides they’ll start a convo to maybe distract him from whatever’s bothering him. samuel employs the “crack a dumb joke to hide the fact that i’m nervous because i’m talking to a hot person and then use that opening to introduce myself” strat. shane, being an asshole, is like, “oh so you’re the new farmer. here’s a tip: don’t bother me.” samuel takes 999 damage and their brain immediately goes “THIS IS MY FAULT I FUCKED UP like who wants to be talked to by a stranger when they’re sad goddammit why am i so bad at this?!!” it’s overall not a great first impression. after that, samuel tries to avoid shane out of embarrassment, but circumstances keep making them run into each other. for instance, samuel works a lot with marnie with her being a mentor figure to him in animal husbandry, so he and shane have a lot of opportunity to interact through that (plus marnie is secretly trying to get them closer to each other). through these meetings and shenanigans, samuel and shane get to know each other better until one day they’re friends. then good friends. then best friends. then kiss friends. then marry friends. :)

YOBA (A.K.A. YO-YO):

*yo-yo is ????? years old and goes by any pronouns but most of the time it's it/they.

*yo-yo is actually THE yoba, but they’re not the completely benevolent creator-of-all-things humans have made them out to be. maybe they were in the past, but now they’re selfish and rude and swear a lot. but they do still care, even if they don’t admit it (tsundere-ass). yoba is currently stuck in the form of a little junimo and is substantially weakened because it gave too much of itself away to the world in the past and got burned for it. because the world kept taking and taking. and now there’s war and pollution and shit and yoba/yo-yo is maybe just a teensy tiny bit angry and bitter now. but it’s ok because now they got this human from another reality to help them reclaim the pieces of itself. and maybe along the way relearn how to love the world again.

*oh also yoba didn’t create the whole planet like the creation story claims. they’re technically an alien that came across a young planet full of life and decided to stay and help it develop.

*main reason yo-yo made a contract with samuel is because it needs help finding/reclaiming the pieces of itself. pieces can usually be found in strong monsters empowered by the piece. this isn’t always the case though. sometimes it’s in an ancient artifact. sometimes it’s in a specific place like a temple. sometimes it’s in a person.

*samuel doesn’t have to deal with having an existential crisis about yo-yo, since he’s from our world where yoba doesn’t even exist as a god. yo-yo claims to be the one responsible for bringing samuel over into the stardew universe, but there are holes in their story. where did yoba even find the power to do such a thing when they’re in such a weakened state? mysterious.

*the first time yoba reveals itself to shane is kind of chaotic. it’s in the middle of the night when yo-yo suddenly appears in shane’s room, grabs his face with its little stick arms and yells, “WAKE UP!!! YOUR BOYFRIEND IS IN MORTAL PERIL!!!” shane is like, “WHAT THE F–” it was an act of desperation on yo-yo’s part, because samuel was in trouble and shane was the only one it could think of going to for help. essentially samuel meets something Bad in the deep mines, something that takes him out of commission and puts him in a trance state while draining his lifeforce. y’know, the classic kind of trance state where you need to figure out how to get the person back–how to snap them out of it. yo-yo tried and failed, so that’s where shane comes in. it’s the classic “love-interest-breaks-main-character-out-of-mind-control-with-sheer-power-of-love” trope. except shane does punch samuel during it. lovingly. in the face. hey it works ok. after the chaos is over and everyone’s safe and gathered together, samuel and yo-yo explain everything to shane (well more like samuel explains everything while yo-yo wishes outloud that they had their memory erasing powers back). shane, who is canonically an atheist, learns that this talking pottymouthed jerkass apple is actually THE yoba and is just like, “yeah. this might as well happen.” and then he remains atheist because what else are you going to do when you learn that god is a talking pottymouthed jerkass apple who calls you a bitch and is also responsible for your partner having to go do dangerous shit. he and yo-yo have a rocky relationship at first to say the least. but once they both realize how much the other cares about samuel, things get a little better.

*yeah, yoba may be a bitch and they may be angry and they may be bitter, but they really do care, even if they try to convince themselves otherwise. even though so much got taken from it, it still cares about humans and dwarves and shadow people and everything else on the planet. and when it eventually comes down to it, yoba will step up to protect what it loves, even if it means losing everything again.

SHANE FINCH:

*this post was technically supposed to just be about my farmer and yo-yo’s lore and stuff, but i gotta give some personal headcanons i have about shane… like for instance his last name is “finch.” because i thought the bird theme was cute. he’s 29 years old, bi, and half asian, half white (in our world that asian half is korean). i’m not being specific because i don’t know if korea even exists in the stardew world, since all we know in the game is that there’s a “ferngill republic” and a “gotoro empire.” i was thinking of just headcanoning that stardew’s planet is essentially the same as earth. so like most of the same countries/nations exist except the history diverged a bit along the way, leading to the ferngill republic and gotoro empire. OK SORRY for the tangent—back on topic.

*so shane is a trans man who started transitioning back in high school. he had two best friends who were very supportive and really helped him on his journey to figure himself out. those two friends were like family to him. it was good that he had this support because his parents were always pretty shitty and shane transitioning just made them act even shittier. the only good family member of shane’s is marnie, who was supportive, but she lived far away, was busy, AND wasn’t on good terms with her sister (shane’s mom), so shane didn’t get to see her much.

*the moment shane became a legal adult, he got away from his parents, finding a place with his two best friends and moving in together. oh and his friends’ names were rosa and heath. should’ve probably mentioned that earlier oops. shane, rosa, and heath go to the same college together, suffer student loans, graduate, etc. haven’t thought of what shane would get a degree in yet—most likely something “generic” because he’s unsure of what he wants to do himself (i feel u bby).

*ok so rosa and heath were dating since high school, but they were so comfortable with shane and vice versa that things never got that awkward living together. however when rosa and heath got married (“yoba, FINALLY,” shane would say), shane felt like it was time to find his own place, much to the devastation of his bffs. the apartment ended up close to where rosa and heath lived of course—the couple made sure of it (“stop backseating my apartment hunting!” “MAKE US”).

*rosa and heath get pregnant and have a healthy baby girl that they name jasmine. i headcanon jas as black (from heath’s side) and portuguese (rosa’s side). everyone is thrilled about the baby. shane was immediately offered godfather role and he happily accepted. jas was the cutest baby ever and he adored her. he babysat jas all the time.

*jas was 4 years old when rosa and heath tragically passed away in a car accident. they were coming home from a business dinner when they lost control of their car on some black ice and slid into oncoming traffic. shane was babysitting jas when he got the call. in the span of one cold winter night, shane and jas’s world shattered.

*rosa and heath didn’t have any reliable relatives either. those relatives only came to take the money and belongings. shane was the only one jas had, so he adopted her. he tried his best to pick up the pieces. he really did. he lasted for a year trying to raise a kid on his own with the salary of a dead-end job, but he knew the situation wasn’t good with the money and how much his mental health was spiraling. he knew he and jas were in dire need of more support (“jas deserves better than this”). so he turned to the one person he had left to rely on: his aunty marnie. and that’s how shane and jas ended up in pelican town.

*shane’s joja jacket was actually originally rosa’s. rosa worked as an accountant for joja and would get free promotional items all the time from the company. the jacket was one of the only things she actually ended up using because “it’s pretty comfy for being joja bs.” she would wear it all the time, much to her more fashion-conscious husband’s chagrin (yet he would patch up any holes she’d get in it anyway). after rosa died, shane kept her jacket. there were a lot of memories in it.

~~~

ok that’s it for now. if anyone actually read all that, thank you for even wasting your time to process my ramblings. i’m sorry it’s so fucking long like jfc.

*who is mr. qi?

#stardew valley #stardew valley shane #stardew valley farmer #sdv shane #sdv farmer #sdv yoba #ocs #long post #loredump

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primaviva · 2 years ago

Text

WASTED SUMMERS

PAIRINGS: gwen stacy x fem!reader, gwen stacy x miles morales (platonic)

SYNOPSIS: one minute you were fighting the vulture, the next you were caring for gwen stacy. she hated you at first and thought you were just another person taking pity on her. as the two of you became closer, gwen realized she needed you. maybe as a friend or maybe as something more. but that all changed once miles came back. two months later, you were dropped. just like that. was everything between you two just all in your head? she said it herself, you were just a waste of time.

WARNINGS: heavy angst, mentions of blood / injury, misunderstandings trope, gwen bein in her own world as always, jealousy and big arguments, as well as super long and not proof read ?? that’s all

as the sun stretched its golden rays across the landscape, a gentle warmth enveloped the city, signaling the arrival of summer.

being a normal kid was never in the cards for you. after all, you possessed incredible spider powers that set you apart from the rest. you longed for someone who could relate to the exhilaration, the struggles, and the responsibility that came with being spiderwoman. while others could confide in friends or family about their daily lives, you carried the weight of your powers silently, unable to share the truth with anyone.

but then, everything changed when the events of kingpin's collider unfolded. in that moment, you crossed paths with numerous individuals who were just like you spider people from their own dimensions. finally, you found people who shared your struggles, faced similar challenges, and could truly empathize with what you were going through.

however, you didn't spend much time with them. being new to the mantle, you were still coming out of your shell a little. you still made bonds back then, don’t get yourself wrong. those relationships just weren’t as deep as others like miles and peter or miles and… her.

but things were different now. since then, you've undergone such a transformation.

seeing all of them made you feel normal, not just that you found people who understood you completely. it brought you back to the feeling of when you were a regular teen girl with friends to always hang out with and little crushes. there was a sense of normalcy.

you thought you’d never see them again, until you did.

some time ago, a spider-man named miguel o'hara from a different dimension came forward, boldly claiming his identity as a fellow spider-powered hero. he had taken it upon himself to establish a spider society and extended an invitation for you to join. according to him, he sought someone level-headed like you, someone who could contribute in a meaningful way to the group. at first, it was strange how miguel seemed to possess an uncanny knowledge of your existence. he was well-versed in the details of your encounters, from the kingpin's collider incident to significant moments in your reality that held personal significance for you. he skillfully employed this knowledge to persuade you to make a decision.

despite your initial skepticism, you ultimately said yes, and that marked the beginning of a profound journey. it was through this experience that you delved into the enigmatic concept of the “arachno-humanoid-polymultiverse.” the intricate web of realities, the existence of canon events, and the watches that held the power of multiversal travel. it was akin to schrödinger's cat, where the multiverse and quantum mechanics transformed into theories or knowledge.

but miguel had this factual certainty in his beliefs, and his conviction remained steadfast. you couldn't shake the feeling that there were inherent flaws in his belief system. despite your reservations though, you decided to join. after all, there was no harm in aiding these "anomalies" in finding their way back to their rightful dimensions, was there?

and so, within this newfound spider society, you found yourself reunited with familiar faces like peter, peni, and even new people like hobie, london's very own spider-man.

you thought it was over and your life would continue as normal until miguel called you in.

“(y/n)? get to hq right now, i need you to prepare for another anomaly to be sent back!” he yelled through your watch suddenly.

he sounded out of breath, almost like he was mid running while calling you.

“señor o’hara? the hell, what work are you putting in right now? it sounds like you’re screaming at me from underwater,” you teased as you began to open a portal back to the society.

“now’s not the time for your jokes,” he groaned and you could visibly imagine the look of annoyance on his face. “jessica and i are on our way back with the vulture.”

before you could respond, he abruptly ended the call, leaving you hanging. a few minutes passed as you readied a secure enclosure using the advanced technology provided by the spider society. the vulture, regardless of the variant, always had a penchant for escape, making it crucial to have proper containment measures in place.

lost in your thoughts, you were startled when an imposing figure, resembling an ancient bird, materialized before you, bound in handcuffs. miguel, handling the vulture, swiftly placed him in the designated "jail" alongside the other detained anomalies

"thanks," he whispered, acknowledging your assistance.

you hummed in response as you leaned against the wall. “where’s jessica?” you asked.

miguel muttered under his breath, "with the new recruit," prompting you to raise an eyebrow.

"a new recruit? funny how you conveniently forgot to mention that while you were harassing me over a watch," you remarked playfully.

"i didn't want to," miguel retorted, turning to face you. "but jessica convinced me."

nodding, you stepped closer to him, ready to delve deeper into the matter. however, before you could continue, heavy footsteps approached, and your eyes widened in disbelief.

it was gwen.

"gwen?" you uttered, your voice barely above a whisper, your shock evident.

her eyes widened, but she remained silent and looked down at her feet.

jessica shot you a meaningful look, silently conveying that gwen had been through something difficult and needed space. respecting her unspoken request, you held your questions, allowing gwen the time she needed to process whatever she had experienced.

that was the most that could be said about your initial encounter. you didn't blame her at first for preferring to be alone herself. jessica gave you a brief summary of what happened when her father learned of her identity. she shared no specifics, but all she said was that it went horribly wrong and that she would be staying with the spider society for the time being. it was up till miguel gave her a watch and assigned you the job of assisting her in settling in to make it official.

with gentle care, you grasped gwen's wrist, making sure the watch fit properly on her arm.

“i know miguel probably told you a bunch of word vomit about the watch already,” you began, releasing your grip on the timepiece and gesturing to the buttons. “but just so you don’t get confused, here is the button that activates the watch, while the one below deactivates it. and the actual purpose of the watch, these dials, they're for inputting the assigned dimension number when you're traveling."

gwen responded with a soft hum, her gaze avoiding yours as you looked up. it was evident that she still struggled to find her place, feeling like an outsider. gwen noticed you staring up at her and redirected her focus to you, raising an eyebrow in response.

“are you okay?” you asked her.

she almost rolled her eyes a little. she didn’t want you to take pity on her, nor did she want the attention.

“do i look okay?” she snapped back.

gwen just wanted to be alone, wishing she could retreat into a sanctuary where she could escape the guilt and betrayal that weighed heavily on her heart.

you exhaled a sigh, understanding her irritation and how she desired to keep to herself for now.

“sorry for wanting to know if you were doing better,” you replied with a bit of an attitude. “i know this can be a lot, and i heard about what happened with your dad… just know it’s not your fault. we can talk whenever, if you want to. but i get it, right now you just want space.”

with those words, you turned to walk away, intending to respect gwen's wishes. but before you could step away completely, gwen reached out, gripping your shoulder and gently turning you around. in an unexpected moment, she embraced you tightly.

as you felt a slight dampness on your neck, you realized that gwen's tears were streaming down her cheeks.

“thanks,” her voice came out muffled against your suit. “i’m sorry for acting like a jerk. it really is nice to see you, (y/n). i just have so much going on in my head right now. it’s nice to know that someone understands.”

“you don’t have to thank me for this,” you assured her in a gentle whisper as you rubbed circles into her back.

reluctantly, gwen pulled away, swiftly wiping beneath her eyes and revealing a toothy grin, her endearing gap peeking through.

you swear you felt your heart skip a beat.

it was a little rocky at first. gwen struggled to fully accept your unwavering support, leading to occasional conflicts and disagreements. however, as time passed, she gradually eased into the dynamic between you, recognizing that you genuinely cared for her. with each passing day, gwen's guard began to lower, and she started sharing what happened with her dad, details about her life like how she played with her band, the mary janes, and more.

gradually, gwen found herself seeking refuge at your place more often, drawn to the comfort and solace it provided. drawn to you, even. it’s to the point where she doesn’t even crash at hobie’s anymore. the space you two shared became a sanctuary for gwen, where she could truly be herself, unburdened by the weight of her past.

you two had become close friends, best friends even, but there was something that unsettled your mind about it. whenever she was around, a mixture of nervousness and excitement coursed through your veins as the blood in your body rushed to your cheeks. her presence had a way of making you feel giddy, and you found a joy you weren’t used to in her company.

however, everything began to change when miles returned.

the incident involving the spot was an utter mess. to make a stupid story short, what miguel had defined as an anomaly turned out to be untrue. the canon events were not set in stone but rather common traits among the spider people from different dimensions. the notion of a dimension being "destroyed" was debunked, as dimensions lost in the spiderverse would reset and begin anew beyond the confines of the connected spider universes.

at first, her visit to his universe surprised you. instead of tracking down the spot, she chose to spend time with him, even meeting his parents. you knew they had a deep connection from the first time they met, but witnessing their reunion made it apparent just how close they had become. the way she became so engrossed in him made you feel a pang of jealousy, seeing how effortlessly he captured her attention.

you realized that you hadn't spent much time with her lately, which only heightened your anticipation for the day you had planned to hang out.

again, it was summer. this was the time to hang out with friends, be out late, just do things just for the memories.

as you swung home on your webs you smiled as you took in the world around you.

the sunset blanketed the streets as skyscrapers stood tall, casting long shadows that provided a respite from the heat. bodies of water nearby offered a refreshing breeze to those caught outside in their sweat. the city's iconic landmarks, from the statue of liberty to the empire state building, glisten in the sunlight, their grandeur amplified by the orange and purple skies above. the aroma of street vendors' delicacies fills the air as you jump from building to building, enticing passersby with the sizzle of hot dogs, the tangy zest of pretzels, and the sweet smell of snow cones being sold around the corner. the laughter of children on playgrounds, the strumming of guitars by buskers, and the rhythmic beat of joggers' footsteps became music to your ears.

a broad smile illuminated your face as your eyes fell upon your beloved apartment. with a nimble grace, you hopped onto the fire escape, effortlessly maneuvering your way through the open window. there, on your bed, was gwen, nestled comfortably amidst the pillows. she had been staying at your place for the week, adding an extra touch of warmth to the familiar surroundings.

"whatchu doing, hobo?" you playfully quipped, unable to contain your amusement as you made your presence known.

gwen responded with a good-natured smirk, her eyes sparkling with a hint of mischief. "well, hello to you too," she replied, the faintest resistance to rolling her eyes evident in her tone.

stepping further into the room, you shrugged off your bag and placed it gently on your desk, allowing the weight of the day to slip away. the room seemed to exhale, embracing you in its familiar embrace.

curiosity sparked in your eyes as you observed gwen's relaxed state. "so, what did you do today?" you inquired, a genuine interest in her activities evident in your voice.

gwen shifted, propping herself up against the pillows, a contented smile gracing her lips. "well, miguel called me in a few times, but eventually i wasn't needed anymore, so i decided to spend the rest of the day here," she explained. "and you? how about you, my friendly neighborhood web-slinger? did you have any exciting adventures?"

the playful smile that adorned gwen's face mirrored your own, both of you relishing in the simplicity of these moments where you could just be two friends engaged in casual conversation.

"yeah, i did some stuff, but it seems villains nowadays want to take summer vacations," you joked, playfully stepping away from your desk and making your way toward her. "and now i have to change my clothes, so uh, leave," you said, adopting a faux-stern tone while placing your hands on your hips.

despite the fact that there was a perfectly fine extra room available, gwen had a penchant for invading your space, making your room her own. it had reached a point where it was hard to find your own belongings amidst her things, but you didn't mind. you cherished her company, understanding that she was still adjusting to living with her dad again, even after he had discovered her secret and grown to accept her.

"no thanks, i'm too comfortable now," gwen declared, shaking her head with a determined expression, refusing to budge.

you arched an eyebrow, your brow furrowing slightly as you licked your teeth. "fine."

turning away from gwen, you began to remove your shoes, followed by your gloves, setting them aside as you prepared to change.

as gwen noticed your actions, confusion flickered across her features, causing her to tilt her head slightly. "wait a minute, what are you doing?" she asked, raising her eyebrows curiously.

"well, i did say i was gonna change, but since you're too lazy to leave my bed," you replied, extending your arm behind you, "this is me, changing."

with a firm grip on the zipper, you slowly pulled it downward, revealing your bare back as you opened the closet door and stepped behind it, concealing your figure from gwen's gaze.

gwen scoffed at your teasing remark, her cheeks flushing with a hint of embarrassment. "hey, just because i enjoy some relaxation time doesn't mean i'm lazy," she protested, attempting to maintain her composure but failing in the face of your playful banter.

"better not peek or i'li put you out on the street," you warned.

"oh, please i’d like to see you try," gwen jested. she knew you were teasing, and she couldn't help but play along with you. "you wouldn't be able to, i'm too charming."

as you disappeared behind the closed closet doors, gwen's curiosity got the better of her, though she tried her best not to reveal her intrigue. unbeknownst to you, she leaned to the side, attempting to catch a glimpse of your face through the crack in the doors.

"gwen," you called out, your tone stern.

her reverie shattered, gwen snapped back to reality, quickly retreating to her corner.

"ehmm, i'm not peeking," she mumbled, her face flushing a deeper shade of red. her gaze remained fixed on the small opening between the closet doors, but she did her best to prevent you from noticing.

"it's my superhero instinct to be super observant and all that," gwen explained, trying to justify her actions. "nothing sketchy going on here.”

with a piercing glare, you continued to observe her.

"o-okay, fine, i'm sorry," she conceded, her voice softening as she averted her gaze.

meanwhile, you proceeded to slide your spider suit down to your feet, kicking it off onto the floor before selecting a fresh set of clothes to wear. closing the closet doors, you turned to face gwen.

"i hate you," you retorted, referencing her playful intrusion during your changing process.

gwen rolled her eyes, her mischievous nature still present as she couldn't resist a bit of teasing.

"i love you too," she responded, offering a sly wink and a smirk. "don't worry, i didn't see anything. just your face. it was still a nice view."

her comment caught you off guard, widening your eyes and leaving your mouth slightly agape.

"a nice view?" you repeated, more as a question, deciding to switch the topic. "you're not even the superhero of this earth, but yeah, i'm totally your damsel in distress. definitely not like i have powers of my own or anything," you replied sarcastically.

gwen's mischievous expression persisted as she focused her gaze on you, her eyes trailing over your body.

"yeah, well, i'm always spider-woman, fulfilling my duties as a superhero, which includes making sure to keep everyone safe, including a really pretty damsel like yourself," gwen responded with a playful tone.

you felt a warmth spread across your cheeks at her compliment, quickly turning away to hide your reaction. "so, gonna get ready now or what?" you asked, trying to steer the conversation in a different direction.

gwen raised an eyebrow, a hint of confusion in her expression. "ready for... what?" she asked.

"you literally don't remember us saying we were gonna go bowling?" you replied, slightly exasperated.

"what are you talking about? and doesn't that place open at 6?" gwen questioned, feeling she had missed a chapter on what was going on.

"gwen, it's 6:15," you informed her, hoping it would jog her memory.

her eyes widened in realization, and she quickly sprang into action, putting on her shoes and searching for her jacket.

"shit, shit, shit. i made plans with miles, i'm gonna be late. he's probably mad right now that i haven't shown up yet!" gwen spoke frantically, her mind racing and forgetting about your prior arrangement.

you furrowed your brow in annoyance and a tinge of anger. "gwen, what do you mean you made plans with miles when you said we'd do something today?" you blurted out, feeling a sense of disappointment.

gwen looked at you with a blank expression, scratching her head as she tried to recall what you were talking about. suddenly, her eyes widened in surprise as she realized her mistake.

"bowling? oh god, i completely forgot," gwen exclaimed, still searching for her jacket and watch. "my time management is so bad."

you crossed your arms as you felt your lips pout, feeling a mix of frustration and hurt. "gwen, you always do this. you cancel plans on me, and we don't even hang out anymore besides when you're using my bed to sleep. it's always miles this and miles that. it's getting tiring," you expressed with a bitter tone.

gwen's expression shifted to one of hurt, and she fell silent for a moment, taking in your words.

"hey, i'm sorry... i know it might seem like i don't care when i cancel on you, but that's not true," she said, her voice softening. "i just get caught up in all my superhero stuff... miles and i are really close, you know? like a team."

"yeah, a team," you repeated, pressing your tongue against your cheek as you handed gwen her jacket. "then don't keep him waiting because of me," you said, walking towards the bedroom door.

"hey, hey, hey, take a chill pill," gwen retorted, her voice reflecting her own irritation. "i didn't cancel our plans on purpose. yes, it's true that i do spend more time with miles than you. but he's the reason why i'm able to be the hero that i am today! you should be grateful for that."

gwen turned around, facing you directly, her expression firm and strict. "and by the way, you're the one who always volunteers to let me stay at your place. don't act like a victim now."

you looked at her, a mix of shock and anger coursing through you. "gwen, i am not the one," you declared, pointing a finger up at her. "so trust me when i say you don't want to start with me."

gwen's anger flared, but she made an effort to regain her composure, even though it was clear she was on the verge of losing it.

"hey, don't point your finger at me like that!" she snapped back.

you could see how agitated she is. her lips were slightly curled and her chin jutted out as she narrowed her eyes.

"really? is this how this conversation is going to go?" gwen asked in a hushed tone, her expression shifting to a more saddened one. "you know what? fine. i'll go."

"yeah, i think you should," you agreed, watching her dial the numbers 1610 to miles' dimension.

gwen looked at you as if she wanted to argue further but realized it wasn't worth it. she swiftly opened the portal, ready to leave.

she gave you a sharp nod. "okay then, if that's how you want it," gwen stated, keeping her tone as neutral as possible, although it was evident you had affected her.

after a few seconds of tense silence, she stepped through the portal, disappearing from the room. maybe spending some time in a different dimension with miles would help clear her mind.

hours had passed since your fight with gwen, and the tension still lingered in the air. restlessness had settled deep within you, making it impossible to find solace in sleep. as the late hour ticked away, hunger gnawed at your stomach, prompting you to abandon the confines of your covers. retrieving your phone to check the time, you couldn't help but be shocked by the display.

"ay, is it really only 12?" you asked yourself, shocked as it felt like you have been losing the wrestling match of sleep for hours.

making your way to the kitchen, you sought refuge in the act of preparing a mug brownie, a familiar and comforting midnight snack. the process was quick, taking only a couple of minutes and requiring simple ingredients like brown sugar and the usual components of a microwaveable treat.

a sigh escaped your lips as you reached for the brown sugar from the cabinet, your mind drifting into introspection. the summer had been a tumultuous mix of highs and lows, with moments where tears seemed to dominate your days. juggling the responsibilities of the spider society and your personal commitments has left little time for the company of friends, leaving you longing for more meaningful connections. and when you did manage to spend time with friends, it often revolved around the spider society, missions, and the likes of hobie, margo, and gwen.

"gwen," you murmured aloud, her name rolling off your tongue as thoughts of her flooded your mind.

she had an undeniable hold on you, like a game of cat and mouse that seemed to stretch throughout the entire summer. she consumed your time, yet offered so little in return. it felt as if she knew you better than anyone, even yourself, effortlessly providing comfort and care. however, those moments of intimacy were fleeting, slipping through your fingers before you could fully grasp them.

the idyllic picture of the perfect summer played out in your mind—a montage of beach days, rooftop nights, and the presence of everyone you longed to be with. while you did experience some of those moments, basking in the warmth of the sun with friends, engaging in sleepovers filled with hobie's terrifying tales borrowed from reddit, and swinging across rooftops while gazing at the stars, something essential felt missing. and even now, that void remains unfilled.

that something is gwen, you now realize.

despite her being so close, she always seemed just out of reach. whether it was strolling along the shoreline with miles at the beach, sharing secretive giggles under the covers while the rest of the group debated movie choices during sleepovers, or simply being in the same space, gwen was always by miles' side.

you had tried to stand by her, to be there for her and enjoy her presence, but it seemed as though you could never make it stick.

the sudden eruption of vibrant colors and a jarring electric sound snapped you out of your reverie. your heart skipped a beat as you recognized it for what it was—a portal. and you knew exactly who had just arrived.

preparing yourself mentally, you squeezed your eyes shut, stirring the mixture with a spoon before hastily popping it into the microwave.

when gwen appeared in the kitchen, she looked a bit tired and drained, even though a little excitement was still radiating from her body. she had her hands in her pockets as she walked into the kitchen, her usual confident and cheeky attitude nowhere to be seen. gwen was a bit nervous, not knowing what to expect. as soon as her eyes caught a glimpse of you, she froze in her tracks, her eyes getting wide as they darted all over you, looking for any sign that you were mad at her. it took a while for her to summon the courage to break the silence.

"i um- i'm sorry," gwen finally began, her voice soft, her gaze lowered. even in the dim light, you could discern the sincerity in her eyes. "what i said earlier and how i treated you… i shouldn't have."

rather than responding verbally, you nodded, acknowledging her apology while allowing a moment of silence to pass. the sound of her footsteps growing louder indicated her gradual approach.

"what are you doing up so late?" she inquired, raising an eyebrow. "it's almost midnight. shouldn't you be getting some rest?"

a sigh escaped your lips, her presence a stark reminder of the reason behind your sleeplessness.

"couldn't sleep, so i'm having a snack," you replied in a monotone voice.

gwen tilted her head to the side. "okay, i'ii take that at face value for now," she replied, a small smirk appearing on her face before quickly fading as she walked closer to you.

after a long pause, she finally spoke up. "look. i know that we had a bit of an argument earlier," she stated, voice barley above a whisper. "i just want you to know that i didn't mean anything i said,'' gwen added.

"didn't mean it, or didn't mean to say it?" you questioned, finally turning around to face her directly, allowing her to see your expression instead of just your back.

"both," gwen muttered, feeling like she was digging herself a deeper hole with each word.

you remained silent, giving her the space to continue.

"look, i'm sorry, okay?" she implored, raising her eyebrows. her tone sounded desperate, as if she was really hoping that you would just forgive her. but she knew that you weren't the type to just forget what had happened.

"but i... i'm still your friend. whether you like it or not," she added with a faint chuckle.

arching an eyebrow at her hesitant delivery, you maintained your silence, allowing her to take the lead in the conversation.

"it's not like i was on a date with him or anything like that. i just forgot about our plans. i didn't mean to prioritize him over you. it's just- i owe him a lot. he's special to me, you know," gwen explained, her voice tinged with a touch of regret as you turned away again, biting your lip.

jealousy churned within you as her words filled the air, the mention of miles leaving a bitter taste in your mouth. it felt as though your heart twisted with each passing moment.

"i'm really, really sorry. i promise it won't happen again, okay?" gwen pleaded, her voice dripping with sincerity, even as you maintained your facade of indifference.

"i know how you see miles, you don't have to explain your feelings to me. even if it was a date, why would i care? hope you two had fun," you assured her, disregarding her promise not to bail on you again.

gwen looked genuinely upset when you turned your back to her and shrugged her words away. she didn't want you to feel like you'd been put on the shelf in favor of miles.

"i had fun, yeah," she eventually replied, not sure if you were genuinely interested in hearing about her time with miles.

gwen really did want to make up with you, but to her, it seemed like you were still angry.

you emitted a small hum in response, and the microwave dinged, indicating that the mug brownie was ready.

she took another step closer and placed her hands on your shoulders, trying to catch your attention. her expression was filled with concern.

"hey, is something wrong?" gwen asked you, her eyebrows moving up together to form a small frown.

for at least a few minutes, there was no sound; the only thing breaking the silence was the occasional gust of wind coming from the open window and the sound of you opening the utensil draw for a spoon and eating away at your dessert.

“nothing, i feel fine,” you replied dryly.

the silence and your straight face didn't exactly give gwen anything to work with. it was obvious that something was wrong, but you refused to admit it. you were a very stubborn person, after all.

"you're so full of crap, you know that, right?" gwen replied, turning you around so that you had to look at her.

she wasn't mad at you. well, she certainly was a couple of hours ago, but right at this moment, she was mostly worried about you. you seemed so distant, almost as if you wanted her to leave.

she tightened her grip on your shoulders, not trying to hurt you, but to make it clear that she meant what she was saying. even though your face remained expressionless, gwen could read you like a book. she didn't let go of your shoulders and just kept looking at you, the concern on her face growing.

you gasped, taken aback by how she turned you around

"gwen, literally what do you want me to say to you?" you asked, annoyance seeping into your voice.

"you can say the truth, for starters," she stated.

"well to start, for you to say i'm the one full of crap is hilarious. i said i feel fine, now let go of me," you added, attempting but failing to escape her firm grasp.

gwen felt her expression changing as she heard your words, the look of worry slowly turning into one of annoyance. a part of her wanted to snap back at you, but she remained silent once again.

"no," gwen replied, "no, you're not fine, and you know it."

she took a deep breath and looked straight into your eyes, trying to make you listen to her.

"miles means a lot to me— i'd even say he's one of the most important people in my life. but that doesn't mean that he comes before my other friends, and you're definitely one of my friends. i shouldn't have canceled our plans, but..."

gwen looked at you to study your face for any signs that you were hearing her out, but all she was left with was this grim and dark look in your eye as your lips faintly quivered.

she shook her head. "you know what? just forget it. i don't want to keep talking about it. i'ii leave you alone now."

"gwen, i'm not doing this with you right now. goodnight," you declared, placing the cup aside and attempting to walk past her.

gwen was stunned for a few moments as she looked at you, visibly disappointed. for a moment, she was about to protest, but then changed her mind.

she wanted to say something, but she realized that you didn't want to hear it anyway. her grip slowly tightened as her eyes narrowed, but then a deep breath escaped her and she let go.

gwen watched as you left the room, her face filled with confusion and slight frustration. but after everything that had happened tonight, she decided that it was best to leave you alone instead of forcing a conversation you clearly didn't want to have right now.

you woke up feeling a bit hazy after the events of the previous night. as the sun peeked through your curtains, momentarily blinding you, you blinked your eyes a few times to adjust. the silence in the house felt unsettling as you sat up, trying to shake off the remnants of sleep.

making your way through the hallway, you treaded lightly, not wanting to disturb anyone in the house. you headed towards the guest bedroom, hoping to find gwen there. opening the door, you called out her name, but the room was empty. not only was she not in bed, but her belongings were also gone.

a sense of disappointment washed over you as you closed the door, realizing that gwen had left. uncertain of the reason behind her sudden departure, you let out a deep breath and decided to focus on your responsibilities as a hero. it was time to suit up and check on the city before heading to headquarters for the day.

that's exactly what you did. you patrolled the streets of new york, swinging through the familiar cityscape, keeping an eye out for any signs of trouble. along the way, you checked in with miguel to see if he needed any assistance. however, he seemed preoccupied with his own tasks, so you respectfully left him to his work.

feeling the need for some solitude, you made your way to the top of the spider society structure—a tall, unique building that provided a secluded spot away from prying eyes. as you stood at the pinnacle, overlooking the sprawling city, a sense of calm washed over you. the blue skies and gentle breeze offered a momentary respite from the chaos of your thoughts.

using your web-slingers, you effortlessly stuck to the side of the building, skillfully weaving a silk hammock for yourself. nestling into the cozy cocoon, you took a deep breath, savoring the natural scents that filled the air. the peacefulness of the moment enveloped you as you gazed at the breathtaking landscape before you, allowing yourself to unwind and find solace in the stillness.

“(y/n), yer out here?” you heard a voice call out for you.

you let out an audible groan. of course, hobie of all people would come looking for you.

“imma take that as a yes,” he yelled out, swinging down and landing on the hammock next to me with ease.

"oh, hey hobie, what's good?" you asked him, your voice weak and strained from everything going on.

there was so much on your mind it made your brain feel like mush and you didn't know what to do. you just wanted to bury myself in your bed back home and rot away until the day reset. but you knew that wasn’t the healthy thing to do.

hobie’s brow raised at your sad expression, his smirk disappearing. "i dunno if anything is good. you don't look too hot," he commented. his voice was surprisingly calm and caring, contrasting the punk rocker persona. "are ya alright, bruv?"

you looked at him, leaning your head on your palm as you gave him a soft smile.

“it’s… really nothing,” you whispered.

it's clear you're not being entirely honest with him. in fact, you can see his eyes narrow and his forehead crease, as if he can read right through your response like a book.

“i don’t buy it,” hobie sighs as he puts his hands in his pocket and leans back to make himself comfortable. “there's nobody around us, you can talk to me."

you contemplate confiding in him, but ultimately his infectious energy wins you over.

“well, if you really care to listen. i got into a fight with gwen and when i woke up she was gone," you explained. "but now, when i check her location she's always at miles universe or her own...i think she's crashing with him now too. and that's what she used to do with me. the thing is, i don't even hate miles but just when she mentions her name i get this feeling i cabt explain,” you confess.

"oof." hobie frowns. he hates hearing that people aren't doing too great, and it seems to bother him how you don't even know how you feel.

he could do with some insight on these subjects as well. "that's rough, mate. y'do know she's not doing that to avoid ya, right?"

you couldn’t help but let out a dry laugh.

“i honestly don’t know, and i don’t even think it matters anymore,” you admitted. “but it’s like when i’m near her, i get this warm feeling? i don’t know how to describe it. we’re best friends, well, were at this point. every time i got near her tho, she made me feel all giddy and nervous. maybe i was excited to have someone like her in my life or something.”

he looks at you with a knowing look, like he seems to have the answer.

"y're in love with her? because that kinda sounds like it to me," hobie states.

he's straight forward. no sense dancing about these things type of attitude.

"what?" you yelled out of nowhere, almost choking on your own saliva. that was the last thing you expected him to say.

“hobie, you move a lil’ too fast. love is a real strong word,” you mumble, covering your face with your hands from embarrassment.

he laughs, and nudges your shoulder a bit. "i can see it on your face, (y/n). ain't got a lotta experience myself, but you're crushing on her real hard."

you hesitantly move your hands from your face and meet his gaze.

'hey, you don't gotta deny it,” he teased, enjoying how flushed your face looked. "you like her, don'tcha?"

"i do, but we haven't talked in weeks and i'm starting to think that she likes miles," you admit. "she just sees me as a best friend that helped her through a bad time. but miles and her are the same. they have a special connection, she even said so herself to me." you sigh in defeat.

hobie can tell that you're hurting, and he doesn't want to see you so down over her. there's a moment of silence, before the guy nudges you again.

"aye, but that's all the more reason to tell her how you feel,” hobie gives his advice matter-of-factually. "tell her how you feel. if she says she likes miles, it'll be a bit awkward. but you'll be glad you got it off your chest. and if she feels the same as you, what have you got to lose?"

"okay. you're right. i don't know when tho, since we haven't talked since our fight. but if we aren't even on speaking terms… might as well say how i feel," you state, moved my his advice.

"atta girl. i believe in ya,” hobie hypes you up. "now, let's get you home cus those bags under yer eyes makin you look like a racoon. you've already had a hard week. you need a break."

you smile, about to respond until you see miles coming up from the distance as hobie gives him an inviting wave.

"hey guys! uh, miguel sent me to get you two since g- never mind actually, it’s not important. he said something about a mandatory meeting," he stated.

"mandatory? the hell's that supposed to mean?" hobie questioned, the spider-punk's tone skeptical as always.

you really wanted to go home for once and not deal with bullshit, but you might not have a choice.

“ight so i guess this is happening now,” you sulk. it isn't much of a surprise. you weren't expecting miles to be the one to walk up to you both, though, especially since miguel of all people sent him. “whatever, let’s get this over with.”

you, hobie, and miles entered the headquarters, exchanging greetings with your fellow spider people as you made your way towards the boardroom. there was a mix of anticipation and apprehension in the air as you stepped into the room, scanning the space until your gaze landed on gwen. your eyes widened involuntarily, a rush of emotions flooding over you at the sight of her. the tension between you had created a tangled web of nervousness and anxiety, leaving you unsure of how to navigate the encounter. however, before you could dwell on these feelings, miguel wasted no time and commenced the meeting, diverting your attention.

gwen, positioned in a quiet corner of the room, watched you as you entered. the moment you spotted her, she looked away, avoiding your gaze.

gwen sat across the large conference table from you. she couldn't help but notice the look on your face when you spotted her. was that relief or anxiety? sadnesses, even. perhaps it was a little bit of everything. as your eyes locked with hers, she couldn't help but wonder if maybe, just maybe, you were feeling the same as she was. she hoped she wasn't projecting her own feelings onto you, but seeing you after not talking for so long brought up some complicated emotions in her heart.

as the meeting began, her expression remained neutral, but her mind was filled with a myriad of thoughts. she was wondering what could happen after this meeting with you.

while miguel led the discussion, you tried to focus on him, but a nagging sensation tugged at the corner of your vision. your face instinctively turned towards the source, and there, you met with a familiar watercolor blue.

gwen felt a chill run down her spine as her body tensed up, realizing that you caught her staring at you. as she turned her head towards miguel, her thoughts kept wandering back to you. it was also obvious that something was bothering her, as she constantly shifted in her seat.

she was still trying to think about how to approach you after so long. the situation was incredibly awkward and tense, but all she wanted was to make things right between you both again.

however, even as her attention seemed to shift elsewhere, you couldn't resist staring back at gwen. your gaze lingered on her, studying the intricate details that made up her unique appearance—from her eyebrow piercing to her dyed pink tips and her tousled blonde hair. unafraid to acknowledge her presence, you made sure she noticed your unwavering gaze.

embarrassment flooded gwen's face as she felt your eyes locked on her from across the room. despite her attempts to steal glimpses of you, she couldn't help but feel a knot of nervousness twisting in her stomach. her cheeks flushed with warmth, and her hands anxiously fiddled with the hem of her jacket.

the magnetic pull between you both was undeniable, and gwen couldn't resist the urge to turn her head in your direction. it felt as if the air had been sucked out of the room, leaving her breathless. her body seemed to melt, her heart threatening to burst with the weight of emotions she struggled to comprehend. doubts crept into her mind, questioning whether her feelings were simply illusions, born out of a desperate desire for connection.

she tried to ignore you. tried to make herself remember all the negative things about you, and all the reasons why you two shouldn't be friends again, but it was so hard. she felt like she was back to square one, right at the start when you talked for the first time.

the constant glances and stares made gwen feel all kinds of things she couldn't quite describe. it felt as though you were engaged in a silent battle, yet at the same time, a bond between you through the unspoken language of your eyes.

as gwen's mouth grew dry, she experienced a sensation she hadn't felt in quite some time. it was a mix of nerves and excitement that made her feel like a typical teenager, caught up in the throes of uncertainty and anticipation.

she felt as if you were the only person in this room right now.

despite her attempts to ignore you and focus on miguel's words, gwen found it increasingly challenging to follow the meeting. and then, once again, she felt the weight of your gaze on her. turning her head, she realized that you had shifted your attention away from miguel, fully directing it towards her.

"(y/n), can you share with the others the observation you made the other day?" miguel's voice pierced through the air, jolting you back to the reality of the meeting. the sound of his words broke the spell, prompting you to refocus your attention on the task at hand.

gwen breathed a sigh of relief as miguel called for you to speak up, but she still couldn't take her eyes off you for even a second. she tried to listen to your speech, but it was pretty hard to focus on anything other than you.

she felt you turn your gaze away from her, but she couldn't stop herself from sneaking her eyes back towards you a moment later. your face looked so serious and professional, but at the same time, there was a spark in your eyes that she couldn't miss.

she watched as you addressed miguel with confidence and conviction, all the while feeling her heart beat faster and faster.

finally, after what felt like an eternity, the meeting came to a close, drawing collective sighs of relief from the attendees. miguel couldn't resist making a snarky comment about the length of the meeting, eliciting a tired chuckle from the group. the weight of the intense atmosphere lifted, if only momentarily, allowing for a brief respite from the emotional tension that had filled the room.

gwen waited for everyone to leave, and then approached you as you were already halfway out of the room.

'hey," she called out to you quietly, almost as if she didn't want to disturb the silence. "can i talk to you for a sec?"

you turned back from facing hobie as he gave you a knowing look. slowly, you shifted back to gwen.

“yeah, sure,” you replied dryly.

hobie let out a deep hum. “see ya both,” he told the two of you as he dropped his shoulders and strutted away.

gwen watched as hobie walked away, waiting until he was out of sight before looking back at you, her expression serious. taking a small breath, she attempted to collect her thoughts, knowing that she had so much to say but fearing the possibility of stumbling over her words once again.

"i know we haven't talked in a while which is my fault," she began, "but i want to apologize for... well, everything."

her eyes locked with yours, searching for any sign of your reaction. but before delving further, she felt the need to make one thing abundantly clear.

"i still consider you to be one of my closest friends," she uttered softly, hoping her words would reach you.

in response, you offered gwen a comforting smile, even if it didn't entirely reflect your true emotions.

"gwen, it's alright. you've already apologized, and i don't need to hear it again," you reassured her.

her smile widened at your response, yet she couldn't help but detect a subtle nuance in your tone.

"i know you don't need to hear it again," gwen replied awkwardly, unable to fully hide the excitement that was starting to creep into her voice. "but i need to say it myself. i do care about you. a lot."

"thanks," you replied, your arms welcoming her as you opened them wide. "it's alright, okay? friends?" you asked, your aura radiating a warmth to it.

yeah, you weren't completely happy about the fight or how it seemed to have no real resolution. but seeing gwen so torn up about it made you want to just reconcile as you kept hobie’s advice echoed in the back of your head. she seemed genuine in not making the same mistakes again, so what’s the harm in second chances?

a small smile graced gwen's face as she stepped forward, her arms encircling your waist as she finally felt the embrace she had long yearned for. the sensation of your skin on her fingertips and the familiar scent that enveloped her brought a sense of comfort she had sorely missed. she buried her face in your shoulder, an electric tingle coursing through her body. for some reason, this hug was different from all the ones that she shared with you in the past. maybe it was because she was aware of how she felt right now. or maybe it was because of this overwhelming feeling of just wanting to be close to you again.

"friends," she said, nodding vigorously, "friends."

a flush of warmth spread across your face as gwen's hands made contact with you—a sensation you hadn't experienced in quite some time. slowly, you pulled back from the embrace, gazing up at her with a renewed sense of excitement.

"wanna swing around?" you suggested, eager to make up for lost time and create new memories together.

gwen's response was immediate, her enthusiasm palpable. "yes, please!" she exclaimed, her eagerness shining through. the destination didn't matter as long as it was just the two of you.

a smile never left gwen's face as she replied, "yes!" her voice exuded genuine joy. "i mean, yeah, i'd love to. it's been so long!"

caught off guard by her unabashed enthusiasm, you met her gaze with a teasing look.

"did i make my answer too obvious?" she asked, her expression tinged with a hint of embarrassment.

you couldn't help but let out a loud cackle, a sound that had been absent during your time apart. god, you had missed her.

"nah, not at all. i didn't even think you wanted to come with me," you teased, a playful sparkle in your eyes.

gwen's promises had proven to be short-lived, falling far short of expectations. as the summer neared its end and the seasons began to shift, you couldn't help but notice a change in gwen's behavior. what once were hangouts with others gradually transformed into solitary encounters, until eventually, the two of you stopped hanging out altogether, once again.

sitting atop the brooklyn bridge during lunchtime, you glanced at your watch, a gift from hobie. the vendor had generously given you a hot dog on the house, but your mind wandered, and curiosity got the better of you. you decided to check gwen's location on the watch, only to discover she was on earth 1610.

"i can't catch a break at this point," you muttered to yourself, realizing she seemed to be with mikes again.

feeling a sense of boredom, you decided to check hobie's location on the watch as well. however, your brows furrowed in confusion as you noticed he, too, was on earth 1610.

sitting up abruptly, your attention was caught off guard when you saw margo and pavitr's locations aligning with earth 1610 as well. it was an unexpected revelation. before you could process it fully, a call came in from miguel.

"(y/n), report to earth 1610. an anomaly from earth 65 has materialized," he urgently explained before abruptly hanging up, leaving no time for further explanations.

without hesitation, you dialed earth 1610 and activated the portal. as you jumped through, you were instantly transported to earth 1610, only to be greeted by a scene of utter chaos. your eyes widened in shock at the sight of a massive floating head terrorizing brooklyn.

swiftly swinging through the chaos, your gaze scanned the area until you spotted miles, gwen, and margo. pavitr and hobie were engaged in assisting with citizen control.

"what the hell is going on here?" you exclaimed, addressing the bewildered trio. before they could respond, the colossal floating head turned to face the three of you. a realization hit you like a ton of bricks.

"is that... is that fucking donald trump?" you blurted out, incredulous at the sight before you.

suddenly, everything fell into place. donald trump, ironically enough, appeared to be the m.o.d.o.k. variant in gwen's universe, and somehow, he had glitched into miles' reality.

"does anyone have a plan?" you urgently asked, realizing the gravity of the situation and the need for immediate action.

you were completely right: it was, indeed, donald trump. but he looked nothing like the president from your timeline. he looked... deformed.

“i think i know a way to stop him!" gwen shouted, immediately swinging over to miles.

you couldn't help but feel baffled and frustrated by gwen's apparent disregard for your presence. as she went off searching for miles, you swung after her, annoyed by her dismissive attitude.

"hey, don't you want to stick with the rest of us?" you asked, irritation lacing your words. you had lost sight of miles and margo while evading m.o.d.o.k.'s attacks, and it was crucial to regroup.

"oh, sorry!" gwen quickly replied, finally noticing that you had followed her. her focus had been solely on finding miles and stopping the giant-headed donald trump monstrosity.

after locating miles and catching his attention, gwen wasted no time in sharing her plan, hoping it would be enough to neutralize the colossal floating threat.

"we need to find the panel at the back of his armor and shut it down," she explained, her voice resolute.

you walked over to join them, your annoyance evident as you stomped over. "gwen, you can't be serious with that plan," you told her, hands on your hips. "it's way too risky, even for you. look at what's happening around here!"

gwen looked at you, defending her plan while meeting your gaze. "what else do we have?" she retorted. "the longer we take, the more damage trump might do to this universe! we have to act fast, and we can't afford to waste time searching for alternatives!"

though confusion flickered across miles' face, gwen had faith that he would support her plan.

"we have to do this," she asserted, her voice firm.

"gwen, listen. if you're feeling guilty about trump being here, now is not the time," you yelled in frustration. "i understand you want to help miles, but respectfully, this is the dumbest plan i've ever heard from you! it's close combat, which poses a significant risk. he's too massive and unpredictable. just look at the path of destruction he's leaving behind with his flailing legs. jumping on him could endanger innocent bystanders, including yourself!"

however, judging by the expression on gwen's face, it was clear she wasn't buying your reasoning.

"what do you expect us to do otherwise?” gwen snapped, her frustration now boiling over. "if we don't tackle this head-on, this donald trump will bring complete destruction to this earth! can't you see what's happening here?"

she gestured to the chaos surrounding them, emphasizing the dire situation.

"you have a better plan?" gwen challenged. "please, enlighten us! come up with something new, because time is running out."

before you could offer an alternative, gwen grabbed miles' arm and swung off with him. you let out an aggravated yell, following closely behind, but by the time you caught up with them, they had already set their plan in motion.

gwen quickly assessed her surroundings, searching for anything that could aid them in the battle against m.o.d.a.a.k. her gaze landed on a nearby construction crane, and she swung next to it, her mind working swiftly.

turning to miles, she spoke calmly, "can you throw me up as high as possible? with enough speed, i might be able to knock him off balance."

the sight was disheartening. miles and gwen struggled in their attempts to combat the floating head, who grew more frustrated by their relentless presence. suddenly, he started spinning frantically after miles accidentally touched a component apart from his tech suit. it sparked an idea in your mind on how to neutralize him.

however, your attention shifted as you noticed pavitr in harm's way, with the airborne m.o.d.a.a.k. hurtling towards him.

gwen swiftly recognized the imminent danger and reacted in a split second. she shot a web at m.o.d.a.a.k., specifically targeting an area of his body that wasn't shielded by his armor. the web hit its mark, sending him flying backward, crashing into a nearby building.

the building happened to be under construction, which meant there were no people inside, providing a sense of relief. yet, your eyes widened as you realized the structure couldn't withstand the weight of the massive m.o.d.a.a.k. the building crumbled and collapsed into the water.

everyone swung over to the site, landing on the debris of the fallen building.

"pavitr, you alright?" you asked, giving him a friendly shoulder nudge.

"you know it," he replied with his usual cheery demeanor.

suddenly, all eyes turned to the water as it began bubbling before abruptly stopping.

"electronics don't do too well in water, so... we should be good, right?" miles nervously asked, his voice laced with uncertainty. you turned your head to face him, giving him a blank look. "yeah, i didn't think so either," he admitted weakly.

bravely, you approached the edge where the water met the debris, peering down cautiously.

"be careful!" margo called out from behind you.

you gazed into the seemingly empty depths.

"soooo, is the big guy down or what?" hobie asked, breaking the silence as you remained silent, observing the sea.

before you could respond, an enraged m.o.d.a.a.k. emerged from the water, more aggressive and determined than ever. the battle was far from over.

"ummm... guys?" she asked, turning back to look at you, miles, hobie, margo, and pavitr. "i think we might have a problem..."

suddenly, the m.o.d.a.a.k. unleashed a violent wave of water towards the group, knocking them all down. gwen felt herself being pulled away by the force of the water, but managed to reach for one of her spider-webs and quickly shoot it towards the trump variant.

you swiftly shot out a web and grabbed onto a rusted pole nearby, pulling yourself up to a vantage point where you could assess the area.

"i've had enough of this," you muttered to yourself as you dialed margo's number on your watch.

"margo, are you hurt?" you asked, concern evident in your voice.

she chuckled dryly in response. "you think i'm gonna be taken down by an orange big baby bigot? you've got another thing coming."

you laughed, appreciating margo's indomitable spirit. "listen, i need you to see if you can compromise his software. try to hack into it and disrupt his flight control," you instructed.

"you got it," margo replied sharply, her determination palpable. you ended the call and proceeded to contact the rest of the team.

"listen up, new plan," you announced, ensuring everyone was on the line. "margo is going to hack into the software m.o.d.a. a. k. is using to control his flight. meanwhile, the rest of us will lead him to a more remote area, away from the general public. once margo can disable his flight, we'll surround him and weave a web cocoon to immobilize him. understood?"

you received agreements from everyone except gwen, who seemed lost in her thoughts. miles tapped her on the shoulder to get her attention.

"gwen, you good?" he asked, concern in his voice. "you haven't said anything this whole time."

"oh, right!" gwen replied, sounding distracted. "yeah, i'm in."

with the plan set, everyone sprang into action.

margo skillfully hacked into his software without detection. "get ready," she warned, as she began manipulating his flight controls.

m.o.d.a. a.k. started moving erratically, flying upward, downward, and in multiple directions, resembling a sickening spectacle. then suddenly, he went limp and began descending toward the ground.

"now!" you yelled, signaling the team to surround him. together, you spun thick webs that enveloped his body, forming a sturdy silk cocoon.

after securing m.o.d.a. a. k. in place, you all worked together to create a stable landing spot made entirely of spider-webs, ensuring the safety of both m.o.d.a.k. and the surrounding area.

as citizens gathered around, witnessing the strange sight, they began applauding. you and your team exchanged small waves, acknowledging their appreciation.

"thank god..." miles exclaimed, wiping the sweat off his forehead. "nice job, everyone."

you all let out tired huffs and puffs, drained from the rush of adrenaline and the physical exertion. however, the relief of the battle's conclusion was short-lived as miguel arrived in an aircraft from headquarters, seemingly to transport m.o.d.a. a. k. away. lab personnel from the spider society surrounded the scene, evacuating nearby civilians from the cocooned monstrosity in the middle of the street.

as everyone else dispersed, miles made his way to the chief of police to provide an explanation of what had transpired. meanwhile, you found yourself engaged in a conversation with miguel, providing him with a detailed report of the events. from a distance, you spotted gwen standing alone in front of the m.o.d.a.a.k. cocoon, piquing your curiosity.

after concluding your conversation with miguel, you approached gwen, calling out to get her attention. however, she didn't respond, deep in her own thoughts.

frustration welled up within you, and you couldn't hold it in any longer. "gwen, what the hell is your problem with me?" you pressed, your voice rising.

gwen was startled by your sudden outburst, turning to face you with a confused expression. "hm? what are you talking about?" she asked, her eyes narrowing as she tried to comprehend your question. "why would i have a problem with you?"

just as the argument between you and gwen began to escalate, miles returned after speaking with the chief of police, sensing the tension in the air. he decided to intervene and find out what was happening.

"what's going on?" miles asked, his voice tinged with concern.

annoyance etched across your face, you directed your frustration towards miles. "nothing's wrong, except for the fact that you and gwen were acting like damn idiots out there!" you snapped, taking a step closer to him. "do you realize how many people could've gotten hurt? do you understand the damage you caused, the buildings that were destroyed?"

your anger was evident, fueled by gwen's apparent neglect of your friendship and her persistent focus on miles. it seemed they always wanted to take matters into their own hands, disregarding any collaborative efforts. their plan had been flawed.

miles took a step back, his expression a mix of surprise and defensiveness. "look, i understand that you're mad. but we had to do whatever we could to stop that freak," he replied calmly, trying to maintain composure. "we had to act quickly, you know that. and you can call me an idiot all you want, but in the end, didn't we succeed?"

"we? we didn't do much, you know," you mocked, pointing a finger towards the trapped m.o.d.a.a.k. cocoon and then back to your face. "modak is trapped because of me! while you two were off doing whatever the hell you pleased, i came up with the plan to capture him. you needed to listen to me, but no! you two lovebirds were lost in your own world," you spat out, frustration evident in your words.

gwen felt her heart sink as your anger turned towards her, accompanied by an intense glare. you accused miles and her of being irresponsible during the battle, highlighting the near catastrophe caused by miles' actions.

"hey, wait a minute," gwen replied, her irritation growing as you hurled insults at her and miles. "miles and i did our best, okay? we helped stop that m.o.d.a.a.k., remember?" she looked you in the eye, defending both herself and miles. "why can't you ever acknowledge our efforts?"

you scoffed at gwen's comment, unable to fathom her perspective. "have you ever thought of doing stand-up comedy, gwen? because you're a literal joke if you think you helped. does provoking him to the point where he nearly caused a mini tsunami in brooklyn not ring a bell? because that shit just happened! and how the hell do you expect me to acknowledge your efforts when you don't even acknowledge me?" you shouted, your frustration boiling over.

the argument had clearly escalated from a disagreement about the mission to a more personal confrontation. miles, feeling the tension, awkwardly decided to retreat from the conversation. "um... you two... i should... i'll just... go," he mumbled, attempting to diffuse the situation and give both of you some space.

you two turned your gaze back to each other, the weight of the argument hanging heavily in the air. the tension between you was palpable as you stood there, hurt and frustrated.

"okay, fine, maybe i don't acknowledge you enough," gwen replied, her voice tinged with a mixture of defensiveness and honesty. "but that doesn't change the fact that we're friends. we're on a team, dammit. i thought that we trusted each other."

you crossed your arms, your frustration still evident. "gwen, how can i trust you when you can't even follow through on simple promises?"

gwen looked at you, her brows furrowing in confusion as she crossed her arms in return. "what promises?" she asked, genuinely puzzled.

you let out a sigh, running your hands through your hair in frustration. "this whole summer, you've barely spent any time with me. and after our fight, you said you wouldn't bail on plans anymore, but you just did it again. it feels like you don't care to make an effort or you simply don't want to see me. do you even realize how much it hurts? all i've wanted is to be around you, but every time we do, it feels like you're running away, like you're scared. i just wanted to hold your hand, to feel close to you. but instead, i feel like i've been chasing after you tryna cling to you like a fucking leech, and it's exhausting. it makes me question if it was all a waste of time. so tell me, am i a waste of time to you?" you confessed, your voice filled with a mix of anger and vulnerability.

gwen's initial defensive stance softened as your words sank in. deep down, she was scared of commitment, afraid of the responsibilities and stress that come with close relationships. but now she realized the impact her actions were having on you.

a flicker of regret crossed gwen's face as she realized the pain she had caused. "yes, you are a waste of time," she had blurted out, but the moment the words left her mouth, she wished she could take them back.

shock and hurt washed over you, your voice trembling as you struggled to process her response. "are you for real? after everything... just like that?" tears welled up in your eyes, your emotions overwhelming you.

you placed a hand over your chest, feeling your heartbeat pounding like an aggressive drum. the pain of gwen's words cut deep, and you couldn't bear it any longer. "you know what, gwen? fuck you," you said, the words laced with pain and anger, as tears streamed down your face.

gwen's stomach twisted with remorse, realizing the weight of her thoughtless words. she desperately wanted to take them back, to make things right, but she could see that you were too hurt to listen or care.

turning away, you withdrew from gwen's reach, not wanting to face her in that moment. overwhelmed by a mix of emotions, you massaged your temples, trying to calm the storm brewing inside you.

gwen understood that you needed space, but she couldn't bear the thought of leaving things unresolved. she had to fix this. "i'm so, so sorry! i didn't mean what i said, i really didn't," she pleaded, her voice frantic. "i was just mad, okay? i didn't think before i spoke. please, give me a chance to explain."

as gwen spoke, her voice started fading away, and you felt a tingling sensation intensify in your head. suddenly, you realized what it was—it was your spider sense.

turning towards the m.o.d.a.a.k. cocoon, time seemed to slow down as you saw him slice a slit in the silk, preparing to launch an attack. without hesitation, you pushed gwen to the floor, your instincts taking over to protect her.

chaos ensued as other spider people rushed to contain the situation. in the midst of the commotion, you felt a sharp, stabbing pain in your side. instinctively, you reached down to grip the source of the pain, only to have your hand come away wet with blood. you had taken the blow intended for gwen.

m.o.d.a.a.k. had shot you.

your vision grew hazy as the pain intensified, and you realized the gravity of the situation. in that moment, all the hurt and anger faded away, replaced by a deep concern for your own well-being. as everything faded to darkness, you couldn't help but wonder if gwen would realize the depth of her feelings before it was too late.

"(y/n), are you okay?" gwen yelled out, her instincts kicking in as she rushed to your side, her voice filled with urgency.

her eyes widened as she took in the sight of you, blood pouring from your wounds. a wave of worry washed over her, and her stomach twisted with fear. "hey, stay with me," she pleaded.

weakly, you managed to ask, "gwen, are you okay?"

her heart ached at the sound of your weakened voice. "stay with me, please," she repeated, her tone softer this time, her own fear causing her mouth to go dry.

desperately, gwen reached out to you, her hand trembling as she brushed against your arm, wanting to offer some form of comfort. but in the face of such a dire situation, she felt utterly helpless. the pool of blood around you was expanding rapidly, and the gravity of the situation weighed heavily on her. doubts and fears raced through her mind, fearing that she might lose you.

"shhh, just relax. breathe," you whispered, your voice filled with a mixture of pain and reassurance. gwen listened attentively, doing as you instructed, taking deep breaths in an attempt to calm herself.

as you felt her tension ease, a faint smile tugged at the corners of your lips. despite your own condition, you wanted to provide her with some comfort.

gwen felt a glimmer of relief as she saw you momentarily relax. your bloody hand rested on her chest, seeking solace in her touch as she held you tightly in her arms.

but as time passed, your eyelids grew heavier, and your consciousness slipped in and out. the world around you faded into darkness as you succumbed to the overwhelming blood loss, and you passed out.

"no, no, no..." gwen whispered to herself, her voice filled with a mix of anguish and determination.

with tears welling up in her eyes, gwen carefully lifted your limp body, cradling you in her arms. she refused to let despair consume her. with every ounce of strength she could summon, she reassured you, whispering that everything would be alright.

in a display of unwavering resolve, gwen carried you, her steps steady but her heart heavy, as she made her way towards help. the weight of her emotions—fear, worry, concern, anxiety, and regret—pressed upon her, but she took a deep breath, determined to stay strong for your sake.

as she gently placed you onto a gurney, the tension in her body was evident.

a day had passed since the incident, and you had undergone surgery. surprisingly, you fared better than expected, and as you sat up, you realized you were in the emergency care department of the headquarters. clad in a hospital gown, you slowly lifted it, revealing the bandages wrapped around your wounds.

confusion clouded your mind until you noticed gwen entering the room, dressed in her normal attire. her eyes widened upon seeing you awake, a mix of relief and worry evident on her face.

"you're awake!" she exclaimed, a big smile forming on her face.

gwen approached you cautiously, her gaze fixed on the bandages and hospital gown that concealed your injuries.

"how do you feel?" she asked.

she stepped closer before taking a seat on your bedside, unable to contain her emotions, and quickly wrapped her arms around you in a strong embrace. your body tensed in pain from your abdomen as you let out a small gasp, but her presence provided a sense of comfort.

"what the hell happened?" you asked, sitting up, your bewilderment evident.

as you posed the question, gwen's face turned nervous, her voice slightly trembling. "that m.o.d.a.a.k. shot you," she replied, the words catching in her throat. "you took the bullet for me."

her gratitude spilled forth as her eyes studied your form. "thank you," she added, her voice filled with a mix of appreciation and remorse.

taken aback by her words, you felt a flood of memories rush back, the events of the fight and her hurtful remark resurfacing in your mind like a turbulent wave.

"yeah, i remember," you recalled, rubbing your head as a headache set in. "that happened after..."

the words caught in your throat as you couldn't bring yourself to say it, the memory of gwen calling you a waste of time after you had confessed your feelings still fresh in your mind.

sensing the tension in the air, gwen acknowledged the weight of the past events. "yeah... that fight," she replied softly, her voice tinged with regret.

the realization that you were now in a better state and on the path to recovery prompted gwen to address the lingering issue. determination flickered in her eyes as she mustered the courage to explain herself.

"yeah, um, i wanted to talk about that," gwen began. "what i said... i didn't mean any of it, okay? i was just angry."

as gwen placed her hands on your arm to stop you from rubbing your head, you pulled your arm away, a hint of skepticism in your voice. "you keep saying that, gwen," you commented. "really, don't force yourself to be around me. especially if you don't feel the way i do. just because i took a hit for you doesn't mean you owe me this," you explained, your words laced with a mix of resignation and self-preservation.

gwen frowned and looked away, a mixture of hurt and determination flickering in her eyes. "it's not about you taking a bullet for me," she replied, her voice soft but earnest. "it's about me hurting you with those comments i made. i didn't mean a single word of what i said. and i'm not forcing myself to do anything... i love being around you, (y/n)."

she spoke with sincerity, her words carrying the weight of remorse. "i said those things because i was an idiot, not because i think you're a waste of time. because you aren't."

you couldn't help but feel a surge of confusion as you searched her eyes for answers. "if it's not that, then what's your problem?" you asked, your tone a mix of frustration and curiosity.

gwen fell silent for a few moments, her gaze fixed on the floor as she grappled with her emotions. "fear," she finally answered, her voice barely above a whisper.

her confession hung in the air, and she continued, her voice gaining strength. "fear of getting too attached, fear of hurting you by accident, fear of falling in love..." her vulnerability was clear as she admitted her feelings openly. "i just don't want to mess things up, okay? it's been a struggle for me to feel comfortable with... commitment. it's complicated."

moved by her honesty, you reached out and gently took her hand, giving it a reassuring squeeze. "gwen, you can talk to me," you assured, your voice filled with empathy.

taking a deep breath, gwen met your gaze directly, her eyes filled with a mix of relief and nervousness. "you're right," she replied, her voice steadier now. "i've been avoiding you because i was scared. scared that..."

she paused, gathering her thoughts before continuing. "i have always liked you more than a friend," she stated, her words blunt and honest. "but i was worried that i might ruin our friendship if i admitted it to you. so i ended up pushing you away. i'm sorry."

the shock was evident on your face as you processed her words. "you like me back?" you asked, your voice filled with surprise. "so the whole time you were avoiding me... you were scared?"

gwen nodded quietly, a tinge of embarrassment coloring her cheeks. "i- yeah," she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper. "but i was nervous to spend time with just the two of us. it felt like something changed between us. and i guess i didn’t want my feelings to be confirmed, even tho being away from you did the exact opposite.”

she looked down, feeling a mix of nervousness and shame. "i can't believe i was acting like this toward someone i like. how stupid am i?" her voice trailed off, her self-criticism evident.

placing a hand on her cheek, you gently turned her face to meet your gaze. "hey, hey," you spoke softly, your thumb stroking her cheek. "that's all in the past now. i know it's hard to be vulnerable, but you can do it."

gwen's heart fluttered at your touch, a warmth filling her. your words resonated deeply within her, and she felt a newfound determination take hold. "you're right," she replied, her voice more confident. "i can do it. and that's what i want to do—to be vulnerable with you."

you grinned at her as the gentle touch of your thumb on her cheek stirred something within her. with a surge of courage, gwen leaned in, meeting your lips in a tender, heartfelt kiss.

gwen's lips met yours in a tender, passionate kiss, her weight pressing against you slightly as you instinctively put both hands up to cup her cheek. closing your eyes, you surrendered to the moment, savoring the feeling of her lips against yours.

the sensation of gwen's kiss was like a dream come true, an intoxicating blend of passion and love that left you breathless. she continued to kiss you, her lips moving with a fervent energy that sent tingles of excitement throughout your entire body. in that moment, all worries and nerves faded away, replaced by the sheer intensity of the connection between you.

as you pulled back slightly, your eyes locked with gwen's, a joyful giggle escaping your lips. a broad smile spread across your face, reflecting the happiness that filled your heart.

gwen's heart raced, her stomach aflutter as she met your gaze. it was a sensation she had never experienced before, but one she embraced fully. "you have no idea how long i've been wanting to do that," she confessed, her voice slightly breathless. "thank you for being so understanding," she added, her smile radiant.

taking a moment to readjust herself, gwen mirrored your earlier gesture, placing her hand gently on your cheek. the weight of her touch felt light, yet it conveyed a profound sense of happiness and contentment.

"of course, i'll always understand you," you reassured her, your voice filled with sincerity. you chuckled at her remark. "well, we don't have to wait around anymore, do we?" you playfully remarked, leaning in for another kiss. in that moment, it felt like everything was falling into place.

gwen wrapped her arms around your neck, drawing herself even closer to you, her body moving in sync with yours. the taste of your mouth was both sweet and comforting, fueling a strength within her.

she wished this moment could last forever, but she knew that reality would eventually intrude, bringing an end to this blissful interlude.

so, gwen allowed herself to fully immerse in the joy of the present, cherishing every second of this special kiss, knowing deep down that it would become one of the most cherished memories of this unforgettable summer.

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witchofthesouls · 8 months ago

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Can we get some cybertronian birb Jack bonding with Optimus? Good soup

Optimus had long gotten used to waking up with a small frame curled upon him. Even with an attachment for a bitlet's recharge slab with sheets and pillows that hadn't been scrap salvenged or rotted by rust, Jack crawled into Optimus' berth.

Despite the extreme suppression of his presence, Jack was a highly affectionate sparkling. Different from the usually self-contained human teenager that Optimus was used to. Little fingers grabbing the seams along his legs and waist, a small frame easily scaling up his height, an immature wingspan clattering against his smokestacks, a nuzzle across his neck-cables or an insistent, worldless demand of a cuddle for comfort, the strange, elusive EM field burbling joy in his own steady one for attention, and finding Jack slotted over his back or hugging his side during recharge in a sheet bundle.

Jack wedged himself between Optimus' back and the wall, hooking slim talons into armor, so in case Optimus decided to leave the room, then Jack was hitchhiking along side with well-practiced habit of utilizing magnets to keep in place.

Such as this morning.

Optimus slipped out of the berth, stretching out, frame hissing and cracking as it loosened up. Jack was barely a noticeable weight on his back as well as a heavy sleeper, slightly twitching when the sheets were left behind. Softly snoozing as Optimus walked in the Ark's hallway, not even hitching with the increased noise, but then again, Jack had settled down easily in trading hubs and space ports far busier and facilities that lacked the appropriate crew space for Cybertronians. Happy to tuck away against Optimus' frame or inside the cab to save room and a physical deterrent against more unscrupulous souls that tracked an immature frame of an advanced mechanical species.

Because as clever Jack may be, he could be overwhelmed with enough preparation as he lacked the full scope of transformation abilities, including an alt-mode and weaponry system.

Optimus heard the flapping wings before a few corvids perched on his shoulders, finding a purchase on the exposed cabling of his protoform. The blackbirds were highly vocal: chittering and making undulating calls; excited as the birds had long memorized the morning schedule of shower time.

Unlike their own dimension, where the flagship had to be abandoned due to the severe lack of resources to get a modicum of a functionality, not even worth it considering how small their team was, this Ark was liveable and retained most of its functions with the unfortunate exceptions of downed flight capabilities and long-distance transportation warp gates.

Here, with the help of nearby hydrothermal springs, volcanic activity, and Oregon's wet climate, the Autobots had a fully stocked shower rack with no strict rationing on the distilled water, heat, or usage.

It was an indulgence that Optimus allowed himself to enjoy, especially since Jack needed far more maintenance compared to him. Jack's frame was immature, still developing and reconfiguring itself orn by orn, including his limbs and wingspan. Seams lengthening or shortening. Some disappearred completely and slowly resurface over the months. Dry brushing was a necessary evil- no matter how much Jack squirmed, whined, and tried to avoid it by squireling away in hard to reach areas -in ports with limited-to-no available solvents for personal care. Grime that settled deep into Jack's current frame development would cause protoform irritation, armature warping, delayed growth, and uneven coloration.

Jack eventually learned to appreciate grooming in wet baths, especially in places where he was free to roam around or splash about.

Within a private stall, both animals and sparkling screeched back and forth, circling the enclosed space before Jack willingly went to Optimus' lap, kicking out his pedes, splaying out his wingspan as wide as possible.

Optimus had never told anyone that he still carried or, at least, regained some tidbits of his Wastelands history as he switched from blunt digits to claws. Jack purred, grey-blue optics dimming as the sharpened tips picked at his seams to remove any dust and dirt, and they settled in a familiar, pleasant groove where Jack chattered about dreams and yesterday's adventures, wiggling around as Optimus guided his frame to reach other seams, fields meshed in a homey, comfortable buzz under the hot spray of multiple shower heads.

Jack vibrated with pure joy when Optimus scrapped the last areas and ushered him off, and shook his entire body, platelets clattering in a similar ripple as, much to the corvids' continuous delight, a manner similar to the birds' ruffled feathers as they used a soaking bowl for wash rags as a birdbath.

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wheelsgoroundincircles · 1 year ago

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1947 Norman Timbs Special

Found in a junkyard in the dessert, rescued and restored to its original glory.

Constructed in Los Angeles by the acclaimed Indy 500 engineer Norman Timbs, the Norman Timbs Special stands as a one-of-a-kind vehicle. Timbs invested around $10,000 in its creation, a considerable amount for the period.

The vehicle’s dimensions are notably impressive. It boasts a height of just 47 inches, a wheelbase of 117 inches, and a length of approximately 17 feet, while its weight is about 2,200 pounds. The car features a sleek aluminum exterior over a tube frame chassis.

At its core, the Timbs Special is powered by a mid-engine Buick straight-eight engine, equipped with dual carburetors, and it rides on a customized 1947 Ford suspension system, ensuring a smooth driving experience. The car is capable of achieving speeds up to 120mph.

Designed for both distinctiveness and practicality, the vehicle’s tail section elegantly opens up behind the cockpit to display the gas tank, spare tire, engine, and other mechanical parts, showcasing its unique blend of style and engineering.

1947 Norman Timbs Special

#Norman Timbs Special #Norman Timbs #car #cars #indy 500 #Buick straight-eight engine #Buick engine #Buick #straight-eight engine #straight-eight

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andthekitchensinkao3 · 3 months ago

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More Emmstarion stuff and things

Yes, I'm still on this train. And I told you I'd inflict this on you all.

This is like, I don’t know how many thousand words long, all wrapped into a post nobody asked for. XD Incoming rrrraaaaaamble!

I think I’ve figured out where in Astarion’s story/personal quest he’ll be Dimension Door’d into Thedas. So. Hear me out.

Under the cut~

Over the course of Act 1 in BG3, Astarion is flirtatious and flamboyant, a bit of a dork and an utter bitch, depending on where you are in the story, and how you treat him and others. He Does Not Get the concept of doing for others without getting something for it. Altruism is bullshit, and anyone who says they only want to help are obvious liars. Marked by the past two centuries’ abuse at the hands of the vampire who made him a spawn, he views the world through a lens of you’re either prey or hunter. No one will help you but you, dog eat dog. In some ways he’s stuck in a bad place, and he doesn’t know how to dig himself out. Now, he used to be a Magistrate in the big city - a judge, basically. A nobleman, educated, who was nearly beaten to death after one of his rulings didn’t go down so well with certain elements of society.

He’s been left for dead by the justice system, literally, for the past two centuries. Abandoned by the society he loved, forced into a very abusive situation he had no means of escaping. I hesitate to call his bond to his vampire master a ‘relationship.’

But. As one plays through Act 1, he’s beginning to find his place within the group. With Tav’s ongoing support, he’s feeling a bit… not safe, exactly, but free-er to be himself, even though it’s a long way to go before he’ll be completely free. He’s one of the companions to first let Tav know they’re interested in a sexual relationship - Astarion attempts to seduce them, not because he wants a relationship, but because he sees Tav as a way to gain some measure of security against a bigger threat - against his master, or, the people he’s sent to look for him after his escape.

Towards the end of Act 1, we learn that Astarion has a scar on his back - an elaborate scar tattoo, spelling out words in Infernal, the language used in one of the Nine Hells. His former master, Cazador, carved it into his back. But what the words mean, well… Chances are, it isn’t a love poem.

At the beginning of Act 2, the group find their way to Last Light Inn, a sanctuary in the Shadow Cursed Lands they need to traverse. There, a devil by the name of Raphael tells Astarion he can reveal the purpose of his markings… if he can do something for him, first.

When Last Light Inn is attacked by hideous creatures twisted by the Shadow Curse, Astarion takes a bad hit. Gale grabs him and casts Dimension Door, hoping to get him away from the thick of battle. Except… When Gale comes out on the other end of the spell, Astarion is gone.

Meanwhile…

In the midst of a critical analysis ‘round the library table, a door opens up in the Lighthouse proper, up in the air, up where the floating bookcases do their thing, with a battered Astarion falling through like so much dead weight.

So, from an emotional growth standpoint, Astarion is very much at the stage where he’ll readily seduce people to gain the upper hand against threats. Except… he wakes up, tucked into a bed in a weirdly decorated room that smells vaguely like an apothecary. His daggers are lying, neatly, on the bed next to his, along with everything he had on him. His jacket, shirt, and trousers, having been cleaned of blood, all laid out on the aforementioned bed. His boots next to it.

A human sits by his bed, reading from a tome. A tall-ish, neat human, with not a hair out of place. Graying. Neat pencil moustache.

…and a wry-toned dwarf watches him from the other end of the room, propped up in a bed of his own. Strapped into braces for his leg and his arm. So, an infirmary.

Varric and Emmrich are his first introduction to the world of Thedas, where everything is familiar enough to be unnerving, but different enough to… also be unnerving.

Interacting with the Companions:

Taash is both baby Karlach and grumpy Karlach and standoffish Karlach all at once. Weirdest tiefling he’s ever seen. “Sorry. ‘Qunari’. You’re telling me you’re a thief. An actual member of a thief’s guild founded by a pirate queen… and you don’t steal?”

“Uhuh.”

“And you’re a dragon hunter. But you don’t hunt dragons. You look after them.”

Taash: *smiles*

Astarion: *eye twitch*

Lucanis drinks too much coffee, but his skills at killing all sorts is nothing short of commendable. And Spite’s adorable. You know. For an imaginary friend. 10/10, would fuck. If he could take a hint. Or had any kind of authority within the group. Would Viago be amenable to some enjoyable company, he wonders… Or Teia, for that matter. She looks like someone who can get things done.

Neve’s too sweet for a seasoned detective. What in the Nine Hells is wrong with her that she hasn’t already taken over the Threads and built herself an empire within Minrathous? Femme fatale sleuth with a network like you wouldn’t believe. Top notch asset, and she asks him for help spying on a mark? Be still his undead heart.

Bellara. She’s too sweet. He can’t deal with how sweet she is, she can’t be real, who hurt her to make her this obnoxiously kind and caring and incredibly knowledgeable on all things technical-and-magicky? HOW IS SHE EVEN REAL?!!??!?!?!

Davrin. Forget Davrin, Assan is the bestest boy in the whole wide woooorld.

No, okay. Beneath that cleavage lies a proud, kind heart that Astarion wouldn’t technically mind tearing out of his impressive chest. If only he wasn’t so genuinely good. If only he didn’t remind him of himself, back when he… Before he was…

Assan is the finest, prettiest, sweetest boy there is. (And Manfred too. Astarion loves Manfred. Even with those ghastly jewels he pretends are his eyes.)

Harding. Deceptively sweet, hiding a veritable powerhouse. If she can just harness all that power, the things she could do. She could topple entire empires. She could rebuild the world in her own image. Bring forth a new era of Titan rule.

He can appreciate that. He can not appreciate how she wants to help people all the time without asking for something in return.

Come to think of it, they’re all like that. What the FU**

At least Rook’s got the right idea - yes, I’ll help you with your personal issues, you just need to do me one small favour. Fight two ancient godlike creatures and hordes of quasi-undead. We’re good? Good.

Varric calls his bullshit the first time they’re alone together. He’s the obvious authority figure next to Rook, but he ain’t buying what Astarion’s peddling. “Nice try, Daggers. I’m flattered, but not in the market. Sorry, kid.”

He calls him ‘kid.’ It’s vaguely refreshing.

Insult to injury, Rook’s all moony eyed at the assassin with the imaginary friend, and, well, all they want to know is how to impress him, and does Astarion have any tricks? Any tips on flirtation? Or, how to get his attention in a nice, subtle sorta way?

Astarion has to bite his tongue not to be a snide little bitch, and eventually caves. Rook’s too damn nice, it’s nigh impossible to say no them.

And then there’s Emmrich. Gentlemanly, friendly, respectful, sincere, genuine good egg. A necromancer who reveres the dead, why I never. He’s absolutely fascinated by Astarion being a vampire spawn, or anything resembling a vampire. He tells him at length about the lore on vampires in Thedas, and by the end of it Astarion’s 1) ready to claw his own eyes out, 2) pounce his stupid, happy, endearing little face with the tiny beauty marks and the crow’s feet that come out whenever he smiles for real.

Can you just imagine the chaos that is Astarion flirting with Emmrich - flirting is what he does best (aside from stabbing people repeatedly). Desire is his currency, seduction his trade. How many unsuspecting fools has he seduced on Cazador’s orders? Why shouldn’t he use all his tricks on Emmrich, who may not be the one in charge, but everyone else looks to for his guidance and expertise - Emmrich has a position of power within the group. Everyone listens to him. And one of the few ways Astarion knows how to connect with others, is through flirtation, and sex.

But Emmrich, who has longed for love his entire life, knows not to trust a pretty face and insistent advances. He’s old enough to have learned the hard way when people want something from him, be it a favorable letter of recommendation, or his endorsement for some more-or-less political venture (academia is So Very Political these days), students wanting extensions, or… whatever the case may be. However-much he’d love for someone like Astarion to be genuinely interested in him, he knows when someone doesn’t actually want him. He’s a means to an end, whether that’s casual sex or… whatever it is he wants.

He tells Astarion he’s flattered, but not currently interested in liaisons - but he would never say no to friendship.

Astarion is initially disgusted, of course, though he wouldn’t tell him. Not outright. That would be counterproductive to getting into his good graces. And, well, you can get a lot of leverage through ~friendship~. Eugh.

For a while, things go to plan - they “bond” through the various missions and fetch quests Rook makes them tag along for. Emmrich’s open-minded, generous, as in giving of himself as well as his worldly possessions. Emmrich invites him to the Memorial Gardens, to show Astarion what the Mourn Watchers do, exactly. He talks - which suits Astarion, really, the more he knows about someone the easier it is to manipulate them into doing what you want - and he… opens up about things. Things like how the Mourn Watch took him in as a child, after he lost his parents in a perfectly preventable accident. A collapsed building, of all things. His fear of death. Manfred makes them tea.

Within days of that whole thing, Emmrich shows up at Astarion’s room, knocking on his door (HE HAS A DOOR! AN ENTIRE ROOM!), and he… has prepared a pint of his own blood, as a token of gratitude.

A pint. Of his own blood. In a glass flask. Still warm. As thank you. For listening to him natter on about the sanctity of life and death, for perhaps sharing too much of himself so quickly - in one of the most breathtaking places Astarion’s ever been and he’s seen the Underdark.

And Emmrich smiles so genuinely, all blushing with self-consciousness, and says “Well, I just wanted to make sure you’re not starving. Blood from the butcher’s fine and all, but. Well. Good night, Astarion.” And his crow’s feet come out, and he clasps his hands behind his back and turns on his heel, and…

Astarion’s standing there with a warm flask of blood, feeling happy. For the first time in forever, and he hasn’t even sampled the blood.

(You know what kills me in the game? If you let Astarion feed on your player character, the next morning he has a status called “Happy” and the symbol is a smiling little mouth with fangs. It is the most adorable AND heartbreaking thing ever.)

So. That’s a game changer. Definitely tipping the scales from ‘Oh, wouldn’t it be nice to have some form of security in this new environment’ to ‘I want him. For my own sake.’

It’s not as though he technically needs protection from Cazador. Or the tadpole, which seems dormant. …might be good to see about that, but in any case. No one’s telling him what to do, what to think, how to feel. What to eat, or when. Whom he sleeps with.

He could have something all his own.

But feelings are hard. Difficult. Sticky and cloying. Dangerous. They require you to reveal too much, to bare yourself for emotional evisceration. Feelings can be exploited. They make you vulnerable, and if there’s one thing Astarion can’t bear the thought of, it’s to be vulnerable ever again.

And yet, the more time they spend together, the more he wants. He wants with the all-consuming fervour of a child, he wants Emmrich so much he could implode on the spot. And in some ways, he already has him. The way Emmrich looks at him, he doesn’t look at anyone that way. His smiles. The things he tells him, the stories, the anecdotes, the knowledge he shares over pots of tea in the wee hours of the night. His tone of voice, reserved only for those moments. Little brushes of his fingers over Astarion’s arm. His hand a comfortable weight on his shoulder. But he never crosses the line into something… untowards. Always respectful. Always.

Things are tense, after the fall of Weisshaupt. Everyone does what they can to deal with the loss of one of the few remaining living legends of the Grey Wardens. A symbol of perseverance and victory against evil - gone.

Over a game of Wicked Grace with Varric and Lucanis, they tell Astarion there’s no point in pretending there isn’t something going on between him and the professor. “Love’s what this world needs more of,” says Varric, “not… whatever this shit’s supposed to be.”

Astarion scoffs. Calls Varric all kinds of insults [affectionately. He likes Varric].

“Don’t waste time,” says Lucanis, with his wet puppy dog eyes and his charming way of stating things as if they’re obvious. “You love each other, anyone can s--”

“I don’t love him!” He laughs. The sound cuts through the dining hall like a knife parrying a blow. No one must know, this is his secret, or, if not a secret, it’s his, and no one gets to act like they know what he feels. Not about anything. No one will exploit him, no one will use it against him. Being a snide ass comes easily to him. He’s a master of deflection. And poisoning his blades. “Love is for the young and beautiful, and last I checked, he’s neither.”

And you can all guess who’s just walked through the door bearing a tray of tea and cookies. Home made. And a flask of blood. Still warm.

TO BE DETERMINED, coming to AO3 soon! Soonish! Aaaaiiiieeeee!

Bonus points, if I ever go down that route: Emmrich in Faerûn

Can’t you just imagine Emmrich and Gale talking for hours, comparing and contrasting Mystra and Mythal? Expanding on magic systems: their own, similar but different areas of expertise. Gale asks for his input regarding his condition, and Emmrich generously lays out various theories and potential ways of helping. He’s the Senior Wizard Gale’s hoped to find, and even if he doesn’t have an actual solution, Gale feels better for having a wizard to share his fears with.

Emmrich listening to Wyll, because he can see how much the young man needs someone to just listen for once. Offering no bits of advice unless asked for, giving no insights or suggestions. Just sitting there with him on the sand, watching the water while he talks about Mizora, and his father, and everything that’s gone… not quite the way he’d hoped. (Emmrich thinks Mizora sounds just like a desire demon… but so does Raphael, from what Astarion’s told him. HMMM)

Shadowheart can actually talk to him about Shar without being met with prejudice. Emmrich’s kind, attentive, and doesn’t have a judgemental bone in his body - except, when he hears of how she became a follower of Shar, and what happened to her parents. He may come from a world where Hell doesn’t exist, but Hell hath no fury like Emmrich Volkarin’s inner eleven-year-old when someone else’s parents are threatened.

Karlach can’t hug? For fear of burning people’s skin clear off? Manfred has no skin! Emmrich’s made sure he’s flame retardant! AND he gives quite precious hugs, Emmrich assures her, so long as she’s careful with his joints - and takes it upon himself to do something about Karlach’s predicament. Like learning all he can about Infernal Iron and whatnot. Oh, if only Bellara were here! She’d know just how to fix this.

Halsin, well. What can’t they talk about? Conservation, wildlife preservation, horticulture, medicinal plants, just plain geeking out over ~Nature~ with a capital N. Disappearing into the woods for hours on end, until Astarion, filled with a mix of lingering low self-worth and seething jealousy, follows them - fueled by some manner of masochistic need to catch them in the act and have all his fears validated (but also wouldn’t Emmrich and Halsin be kind of hot? Conflicting emotions! The struggle is REAL). But he doesn’t find them locked in an amorous embrace, but spying on a bird’s nest. With hatchlings. Entirely too excited about birds breaking through their little shells as a metaphor for the circle of life, but… you know. New life is to be celebrated. It’s… kind of adorable.

Astarion once again wants to 1) claw his own eyes out, and 2) pounce his silly little necromancer right there. Surely Halsin wouldn’t mind. Nature boy.

Edit April 13 2025:

I forgot about Lae’zel! My darling!

Aside from the obvious hardship of learning harsh truths about your religion - Emmrich’s been there, with everything going on in Veilguard, where everyone’s more or less forced into questioning their own belief systems, whether they worship elven gods or the Maker - BUT THERE’S A GITHYANKI EGG? Githyanki lay eggs? And it is enormous, and there’s a baby githyanki in there! Emmrich is overcome by his mama bear/mother hen instincts. They are powerful instincts, everyone - although, of course, he wouldn’t dream of stepping on Lae’zel’s toes. It may not be her egg, but it’s part of her people. And life, just as much as death, is to respected.

Having said that, anyone threatens that egg, they explode on the spot. Or lose whatever offensive limbs they dared use. Verbal abuse? Congratulations, you don’t have a tongue anymore. (Yes he would be that vicious. But if the offender asked nice, he may be persuaded to sew it back. Lae’zel doesn’t see the merit of this, but Emmrich explains the agony of a swollen tongue might not be enough to dissuade the cur from speaking out again. But he’ll always have the scar to remind him. And, Emmrich would tell the offender - he’ll know if they ever speak out of turn, ever again. And woe betide, if he has to hunt them down. It won’t just be their tongue next time. It’s… mostly intimidation. Mostly.)

Bonus points: Emmrich and Lae’zel being up at the asscrack of dawn, sparring. Emmrich, as a direct consequence of this, develops muscles he didn’t even know he had - and he knows all about the finer points of anatomy.

#ao3 fanfic #da veilguard fanfic #bg3 fanfic #datv emmrich #bg3 astarion #emmstarion #emmrich x astarion #fic idea #my wips #bg3 crossover

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