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sherbet-shark · 3 years ago

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Dorothea Arnault x Reader on a road trip and reader has a Polaroid camera to take photos of the trip and Dorothea

Picturesque Beauty

| A/n: I went with my gut and made this request a romantic pining fic rather than platonic. I’m sorry if that is not what you wished of me ;-; |

|〘 ⋇ Summary: 〙You, the legendary summoner of Askr, the prophesied harbinger of victory, desperately need a break. Being the summoner and head tactician of the Askren army wears on your soul and mind, but war rarely takes vacations. You must be on guard on call every second. Your allies from other worlds wouldn’t take you seriously if you acted so unconcerned, nor would the nobles of Askr. Your deteriorating health causes Prince Alfonse to worry about your well-being. Your lover Dorothea is quick to quell his worries and whisks you away on a short trip. While packing, you bring a small keepsake along for the ride. |

You were a necessity to this army, lead, tactical control, and everything in between. You had to become the pinnacle of neutrality, peace marker, and mediator between factions that were sworn enemies in their worlds.

You had to deal with the misery of other Heroes seeing their loved ones twisted, shattered monsters to work alongside each other. Domestic affairs in the ever-going army aside, you constantly felt like you had to be the best, to be a shoulder to lean on, make their problems yours, and the grimmest option was that you had to make sure none of your Heroes tried to kill each other. Of course, your contract with each Hero included that they could not lay a finger on their ally. Hours of precious sleep meant nothing to you in the early stages of your arrival here. Anxiety swallowed you every waking moment as you slowly felt powerless.

Even still, you stayed late, long after the war meetings ended, reading tactical books and seeking advice from the seasoned army tactics for their input. All of this effort was so that you could prove you're not some poser pretending you understand the gravity of the power you held. No, you knew full well of what you had on your hands after all. You heard their anguished screams when they drew their last breath. Gilded as you were in lavish gold, with pearl white robes that slowly lost their meaning. They served as reminders that you bathed in the blood of your friends and your mistakes.

But after all the battles they’d reanimate. Bloodied and battered bodies twist and contort back to their original forms. You felt sick to your stomach after your first battle, one where you slipped up, and one of your allies fell on the bloody field. Commander Anna quickly rushed to your side as you collapsed in front of their body after the battle to explain. Out of breath, hot tears streaming down your cheeks, your trembling hands tried to stop the bleeding seeping through their ruined clothing.

All of the Heroes could die, but as long as you lived and wielded Breidablik, their wounds would heal, and the lights in their eyes would reignite, but one downside is the Heroes would forget they died.

It sounded great. But it wasn’t. Guilt bubbles every time, waltzing up to you and acting as if nothing happened, saying they’d happily die in your name and to your cause. They didn’t even know they had been killed in the first place, but the close ones knew. Their teammates knew you knew.

After that unit’s death, you ran to your room, locking yourself in your room, wishing, praying to go back home. Some of your closest Heroes told you fresh scars would appear on their bodies. Phantom pains plagued them after their reanimation, but they could never recall the exact moment.

It didn’t take long for certain Heroes to put the pieces together and know they had died, but how and when would be a mystery if they didn’t have anyone on their team willing to disclose that? It made you want to lock yourself in your room and disappear even more when they’d side glance your way, their hesitant tactician giving orders in the heat of battle.

Your army’s glances made the hate in your heart brighter; how dare they expect someone with no prior experience with war and death to become a master tactician holding the lives of so many and leading them? Why are you told to do this, then eaten alive when you slip by whispers of the Askr royal court or the vicious and prideful soldiers? What did you do to make the universe do this? It was so unfair. It was like throwing a fawn into a den of wolves. You never asked for this. Being in charge of an army, fighting for a nation’s war that you had no part in. Hell, you didn’t even know this Zenith existed.

You were summoned with some measly personal items like your phone, the clothes on your back, and your Polaroid camera. You coveted these few items in the security of your room and rarely used them. Even though Zenith was in the medieval era with magic, your advanced items wouldn’t last long if you fiddled with them too much.

Everyone took a while to lower their guard and become comfortable with everything. Alfonse especially, due to his track record of losing someone he deeply cared for, but his sister. Princess Sharena, the easy-going soul, was ever eager to show off the realm of Askr.

It’s seemingly endless bounty and offering her friendship to ease your heavy heart. Even now, after years of staying in Askr and loving the magical realm, its people, the allies you made. Still, you harbor a tiny seed of hate in your heart for being thrust into this grave circumstance. It wasn’t right, but you had enough time to wallow in self-pity in secret. You had lived on the line. The phrase ‘This was war. I can’t afford to mess around’ etched into your soul as you continue onward, keeping yourself at a respectable distance from every hero.

You were kind, cordial, and friendly enough to give them the illusion of truly knowing you, your mind, and your genuine festering emotions. But, because you didn’t let them into your darker emotions didn’t mean you hated them. No, on the contrary.

You loved them. You loved your army very much, hearing Heroes’ woes, trying to find a middle ground between in-fighting, flaunting many stories back home, and wistfully indulging all your Heroes with their questions about your world. You were terrific with keeping up your juggling act that never ended. That shy, nervous person that shrunk into themselves every time they made their orders was no more. In their place, a confident, wise, somewhat jaded version rose from the ashes.

Those years did wonders for your confidence and knowledge as your firm words would boom across the field to your team. Your work no longer needed constant revisions by the other strategists in your meetings, presenting yourself as a professional commander and keeping certain relations strictly work-based, never letting romantic or unprofessional ties get in the way of how you worked your army.

But fate has something against you as that motto changed when a confident flirtatious songstress, a Black Eagles student, appeared before you on the summoning altar. The clouds perfectly outlined her frame with charisma, along with her enchanting voice ringing out from the heavy clouds asking where she was and, more importantly, who you were. On instinct, you softly breeze through your introduction of Askr, their summoning, and yourself.

Through your explanation, her vibrant green eyes narrowed as she folded her arms, clearly still on edge about her newfound situation. Skeptical Heroes weren’t uncommon or wished to return home even after you told them of the Askren war. However, the latter is a rare occurrence since more than most would jump headfirst into your cause due to how good and pure-hearted they are.

Dorothea hums deeply in thought, her eyes watching your figure and hooded face. Lips curl into a slight smirk as Dorothea firmly tells you. —With her feet still planted on the ground below her, unwilling to move an inch towards this stranger clad in white and gold, their face obscured from her sight. With the setting sun, only the occasional wind whistle sounded in ruins.

“Let me see your face; I'm not necessarily eager to trust someone that won’t allow me to see them. Much less put my life in the hands of a stranger that makes such outrageous demands.” Dorothea plainly stated as she propped a well-manicured hand under her chin, chocolate brown locks framing her soft face as she calmly regarded you.

The great summoner jolted. You never had a Hero tell you so bluntly upon meeting they’d like to see your face, something about the newness and foreign feeling of having something brand new occur during your Summoning made your heart quicken. Typically, they’d agree after your long-winded description. Determination always filled their eyes as you guided them to the castle.

After a pause in consideration, you weighed your options as you sneakily glanced at her face seeing if she’d back out of her plea once she saw you pause. Dorothea didn’t relent as confident as ever, her eyes quizzically watching your every move. ‘There’s no winning with her, so I guess I’ll give her a peek.’ You thought to yourself.

“Only for a brief moment, but please, if you need more time, allow us to be a temporary shelter so you can make a well-informed decision. The sun is starting to set, and if it would help, I have some members who talked about you or might know you well.” Your gloved hands reach for your white hood, allowing her a fleeting peek at the curves of your face and the faint color of your eyes. It surprised her to see that you had a pleasant look. You saw her visibly relax slightly. Her furrowed brow increased as her shoulders sloped in a relaxed manner.

“So, that voice isn’t the only thing appealing about you, hm,” Melodic short laughter leaves her lips as the smile on her face gleams more genuinely. Golden flecks accentuate the green mystique of a forbidden forest begging to be explored, wonders awaiting beyond anyone’s reach in her eyes.

“I’ve decided to consider your request, but who are these people you’re talking about?” Dorothea pondered aloud. She looked curious about who you were talking about but still on guard. Nonetheless, as you guided her to Askr castle, Dorothea curiously asked questions about her friends, the atmosphere of the area, and the social status of every person.

You softly answered her questions. Despite how wary she was of you, Dorothea was pleasant to speak with freely and thoughtfully. Still flirtatious, you rolled your eyes. Professionalism is etched into each movement you mentioned Lady Edelgard, Huebert, Petra, Professor Byleth, and Bernadette, to name a few. After guiding the songstress to Askr Castle, some of her peers came into view. The petite silhouette beside a taller figure turned as they walked toward you and the newcomer.

It was Edelgard and her ever faithful servant Hubert. The figureheads puffed out their chests, pride beaming on their faces as the brunette rushed to her friend. Sweet nicknames roll off her tongue as she hugs the more petite young woman. The older man sharply inhaled as he saw her hug the Imperial Princess. You were glad her Black Eagles welcomed her back into their arms even if certain people weren’t in her timeline.

It had been a few days of your grace period, and Dorothea came to you in the morning, knocking on your ebony door and entering your cluttered room, telling you she wanted to stay in Askr. She was pretty honest as the Black Eagles student explained that it was nice here, but after everything was over, she’d leave and return to Fódlen.

You obliged her wishes and retrieved your holy weapon from its hip holster, and created a contract with the Hero. A magical white circle with ancient words encased you and her as you held your gloved hand, grasping hers. A thick foreboding mist rises from the glowing forgotten words, and a bright light appears between the Hero and the Divine weapon. ‘As long as you hold Breidablik, they will survive.’ You silently repeat to yourself as the contract is completed.

“By this contract, you now are sworn to help Askr’s cause until the war is over. I swear I will return you home.”

Months after your Contract with Dorothea, your bond as Summoner and Hero became more profound as you helped her train, gain experience and understand those in the army. Knowing her personality, the young woman had no problems making friends and letting certain elitist nobles be quiet.

You saw how much she disdained nobles with questionable reasonings or straight classists. Those were in for a tongue lashing of their life, eloquent words but as cold as ice and sharp as daggers. Of course, those remarks weren't met with silence. Fights still happen within the security of Askr walls.

Berkut and Fernand, for example, caused an uproar, outraged that a salacious commoner told the two nobles to shut up when they complained about the number of commoners in the army and how some forgot their stations in comparison to royals. The utter gall to speak to them as if they weren’t of noble birth made them fume. The nobles threw insults after insult until Edelgard and Alm intervened on your behalf.

One insult stung Dorothea’s heart the most, “It’s a shame such beauty is a waste on a commoner like yourself. No matter, that beauty will fade, only leaving a destitute hag. You’d ought to deceive another naive noble before that time runs dry.” You had to talk to the young woman and try to speak with the prideful men of Valentia to convince them to try not to rip each other’s throats out every time they’d be in the same area.

Countless moons pass as you find yourself utterly enamored with Dorothea. You felt a bond to every Hero you summoned, yet, the bond you felt between her was different; it was hard to describe but did it need words? Dorothea sought you out, teasing you with sweet words and winks.

You never mined how she acted with you or others in the army. She was beautiful, and it wasn’t hard to see longing glances toward her, but you made sure your glimpses weren’t ever more than a superior looking out for their members. Some days, you cursed how your status made it hard for you to have any close relations.

If word came out that you had a lover, they’d have an even bigger target on their back. They wouldn’t be a regular soldier now but a person of interest. You’d be accused of favoritism and disrupting the chain of command, so many things piled against your happiness.

To you, it seemed like the stars had written you were fated to be alone. But the brunette had a habit of knowing where you’d hide out and help continue your work, or dragging you outside to the market, making you loosen up. You dare say you’d consider each other close confidantes.

The day Dorothea was set to confess to you, she was nervous, the famous Mittlefrank Opera Singer. Nervous? Ha! Something like that sounded so laughable, she was showered with bouquets and countless compliments by many who wished for her to be theirs, yet they never captured her heart as she did to their hearts.

But in a way, it was nice to be constantly fawned over before her Academy days by men and women of wealth and power. Influential people begged for a sliver of her time or even wed her anything to keep her beauty to themselves.

But alas, that only lasted long. Every lustrous whisper and gift would fall flat. Because none of them genuinely knew, only when she was dolled up and given makeup, thrust upon a grand stage for nobility to ogle and coo over, did anyone turn their heads and give her attention. Dorothea knew all of the treasures that were gifted to her would disappear in an instant. The goddess had a cruel way with fate. The former Opera singer concluded as she recalls sitting in front of her vanity and peering into her mirror.

The voice she was praised for would change. The soft and melodic tune would turn raspy and scratchy. Her soft, beautiful face would downturn with wrinkles, brown curls fading into sparse white hair. The gifts would become a fleeting memory of the past, even the most vibrant flower wilts in due time; the bees and butterflies ignore the dying flora in favor of something new, an irresistible scent, eye-catching colors.

But that only made Dorothea know her goal: find someone that would carry her away from all of the world’s troubles, and lavish her with riches. She didn’t care if they truly loved her or if she loved them. As long was away from the slums her life would be fine, anywhere but there.

That didn’t make her forget her origins no matter how hard she tried to hide that fact. Her heart yearned to help the poor in the slums that didn’t have anyone to support them. Her desire to help wasn’t limited to Fódlen as you soon found out during one of your outings with her in the town. She’d purposely get out of your line of sight, go into alleyways and drop pieces of bread to the dirty hunched over figures leaning on the walls away from the public.

She often hid her past from you when you were still acquaintances, out of shame or defense was anyone’s guess, but you understood her reservations. There are times when you worry for your Hero. You kept up with her pace and overlooked what she was doing, gifting hungry children with food.

Though there were times Dorothea wouldn’t retreat into the dark crevices but settle for sweet smiles and waves to those that met her gaze. “Genuine acknowledgment when you’re on the streets is rare, Summoner. I can’t fix everyone’s problems, and they probably won’t accept it without thinking of ulterior motives. So a smile and wave are all I can do, and I will happily do so.”

The opera singer whispered to you one day after your many town outings. The way her eyes held an unspeakable sorrow made you all the more curious about the young Hero you summoned but also opened your eyes.

You’ve been focused on being the summoner and caretaker for your army. There were times you forgot who you were fighting for and that there were more outside of the military you took care of. After that, she noticed that you’d start to pay more attention to the citizenry of Askr, both noble and common. It made her seek you out and have tea with you, a sweet temporary escape with an interesting young woman.

Dorothea, after months of hopeless pining after you, had enough of trying to hide what she felt for you and was pretty sure you liked her too. Showering each other with compliments, Dorothea being protective over you on the battlefield, teasing remarks, confrontations over severe issues like her hate and coldness toward naive nobles. Precious, vulnerable moments are shared in small comforts of each other's presence but never enough to let her know everything that runs through your mind.

She always wondered what else was on your mind and if you were too skeptical about letting her see all of you, but the songstress wanted someone to talk to. After all, she wasn't that forthcoming about her background to you, so she’d always be patient with you, content with being trusted so much to hear your concern but that tiny seed of curiosity piqued in her mind.

You were often told by others that you were so close with each other, your auras seemingly bouncing off each other, it felt so alive and fun being around her and you loved that but you were too scared to ruin whatever you had with her after months of cultivating a strong healthy relationship with her.

The former opera singer grew tired of this unspoken item you had with her and took things in her own hands, first by spending your regular tea time with her, then oddly being adamant that work could wait for a day, spoiling you to the best of her ability with certain Black Eagles students being near too. But soon, the fun day turned into night, as she took you by your hands and led you to a romantic midnight garden walk and told you that she felt differently about you.

If it was love or a side effect of the Contracts, she didn’t care. The bright moonlight shone down upon you. She was so close you could see the golden fleck in her eyes beam with life, her soft hands clasped together in nervous union.

Pausing, caught in a hurricane of emotions, you opened your mouth to return your affections shyly. You quickly explained the inner turmoil plaguing you, looking down in shame, engulfing the white hood hiding your face.

Dorothea softly cooed to her summoner. She never knew that you had so many things under that calm facade. She always wondered but never pressed too far, but now looking at you now so vulnerable and so close to breaking down, Dorethea pondered if her inactivity was the right thing to do something else crept up in the corner of her mind. While the flirtatious woman wanted you to feel safe and love her, yet could someone like her do that? She was a dirty commoner thrown aside by her father because she didn’t have a Crest, ignored for all her young life. After all, she was lowly rabble.

Hunger and survival still were old friends, the only faithful companions she knew during her childhood. Because of this, she knew she had to claw her way to find security and food. That day in the darkened alleyway, when Manuela found the dirtied girl, that dream of having a full belly and a warm bed came closer and closer to reality, finding a wealthy person to live with and then rest of her days in luxury away from the slums, away from the girl she used to be.

The songstress doubted she’d be able even to give you what you needed, a home, a place of rest away from the War. Security, luxury, all the things you deserved, but she didn’t have. All the woman knew was the cold slap of reality and her ambitions, what she didn’t have, but the brunette took a slow concise breath. Her mind was set.

“To think someone like me would be able to share such happiness with you. I may not know what the future has in store, but I do know that I want to walk down this path with you, and maybe once we’re done in Askr. You’d join me back to Fódlan? But for the time being, I’ll spoil you rotten. In time, I’m sure we can both be together, not afraid of what might happen.”

It didn’t take long for her to enact her plans to make sure you’d stop stressing so much. After long days slaving away at your desk, Dorothea would drag you to the hot springs to unwind or to a secret picnic. For some time, the army was oblivious to your relationship, but as the months passed, the wise units kept your hidden love. They cared for their summoner and wanted you to be happy and safe. So what was one more secret to add to the list?

After a lull in the sea of battles, you decided to tell only your trusted friends that Dorothea and yourself were courting. With their permission, she would have her most fun trip with you, but you took longer than you told her to prepare to pack. The cabin wasn’t too far from the Castle, so your Heroes could send their fastest messenger if need be but far away for her to have you by herself.

“Oooh~ my sweet darling. It’s time for our little rendezvous.” Dorothea’s teasing, warm voice permits from the other side of your bedroom door. It was like you could see her now. Innocently calling your name through the door, soft hands cupping each other’s as the Hero’s emerald eyes shone with a mission, yet still, there was a glimmer of concern for her love.

“Hi, Thea! I’m sorry I took so long to pack. I wanted to ensure everything was in order before I went on a ‘scouting’ mission with my trusted partner.” Playfully rolling your eyes at the reason, you told the other associates with a cheeky smile painting your face as your girlfriend brings down your hood to revel in your loveliness.

She chuckles at your glee and a light-hearted sigh at the excuse, Arnault wishes your relationship wasn't a secret from everyone, but the ones she cared for, like the ones in her house, knew full well and supported you.

“Let's go away for a while, my summoner.” Honey-covered words fell from the songstress’ lips as she took your arm and pressed it close to her chest, locking your arm in hers. ‘God, everything she says can bring a person to their knees. I’m so in love with you, I swear.’

“Yes, let’s.” Eagerness fills your body with renewed energy. You felt like a hyper child that walked into a candy store. Every trip Dorothea came up with always made you love her even more. The two walk to the horse stables as you remember how you’d bathe her in your surprises.

Of course, she would often find herself on the end of being spoiled. It became a competition between you and showered with coveted kisses and longing looks in passing.

You softly patted the bag on your side, hoisting it to the horse's side. You help Dorothea on the brown-coated horse once you are seated, her hands lacing her fingers entrapping your waist and her chin finding its place on your shoulder. Brown, soft curls tickle your cheeks as she teasingly blows a puff of air next to your ear, making you shiver.

A giggle erupts from you as the woman behind you teases your seemingly ticklish self. If only she knew that laugh meant you had something up your sleeve. You’d take pictures of the beauty beside you and the scenery around you, keeping this memory and teaching your girlfriend more about your world.

She knew what a Polaroid camera was, and you showed her the colored film of you smiling. This foreign object perturbed the magic-wielding student, and as you explained to her what this flashing item was, she became enthralled with the 21st-century machine.

Finally, make your way to the cabin. You gently pull on the reins slowing down your stead. You eye the bag and feel the woman’s hands sit on your hips, ready to get to the ground. The humble wooden cabin stands alone. You are getting off of the saddle, holding out your hand to help Thea down the dirt road.

Kissing your cheek, the woman wanders around the area. The sun was still high in the sky; flowers decorated the green grass below as peaceful songbirds sang their tune, hiding in the canopy of the trees.

Fishing out your Polaroid camera, a devilish smile widens as the retro color and the rectangular shape out of the bag. It was full of the new film, and you ensured it worked the day before you left on your two-day trip.

Sneaking behind, you found your unsuspecting target. Dorothea’s back towards you as she sits in a bed of field flowers. It was so picturesque; you thought to yourself, then sweetly calling to the songstress’ attention. She turns halfway, brown curls swaying gently, her hands full of colorful flowers as her lips curled peacefully. You press the button, and a white flash spreads across her serene face.

“Hey! A little rude, wouldn’t you think?” Dorothea scowls at your figure as she rises from the flower field.

“I’m so sorry; you looked so pretty I couldn’t resist. You can take me by surprise next time, I swear!” You walk towards Dorothea, still understandably scowling and mad at you, kneeling to the woman.

The adrenaline rush comes down as your smile quickly fades. Her beautiful eyes still narrowed; she cracked a Cheshire smile and playfully remarked, “That wasn't nice, Darling. But if you insist, fine by me, and for that, I think I’ll take two pictures of you as my revenge,” The sickly sweet woman inched her face towards yours, and you felt your cheeks heat, stunned into silence.

The young woman continues to inch closer toward you. You could feel her breath on your cheeks; you forgot you even held your breath as your eyes flicked from her lips to her forest green eyes. Then a well-manicured finger bops your nose as another teasing smile spreads from cheek to cheek.

“I’m not the only beauty here, my love.”

Tagging: @luvielle, @emotionaldepravity thanks for being my 2nd eyes and giving edits- @aspergerhero

#feh x reader #fe:3h x reader #dorothea x reader #dorothea arnault #fire emblem three houses #feh summoner #summoner x reader #fe:3h #sherbet writes #sherbet feh #reader insert #kiran x Dorothea

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remmushound · 4 years ago

Text

Beyond the Bay chapter 4: Dinosaurs seen in sewers!

Commander Mozar hated everything about this planet. From the thick green foliage disrupting the simple gray of the city’s landscape to the sweet taste of the air, everything about this planet reeked of inhospitality. He thought such a cold place should be nothing more than a snowy wasteland, like some of the other planets his kind had tried to lay claim to that experienced similar temperature. This planet wasn’t one of those; it was crawling with Federation scum, and under the very feet of these knockoffs were vermin at considerable numbers. The entire settlement seemed to be infested and he wouldn’t be surprised if the entire world had similar plagues. Filthy, lower life-forms spreading disease and devouring food that could be used to feed the higher life forms that dominated the savage landscape; perhaps it would make sense for some of them to be spared for the purpose of farming if these aliens were omnivorous, but there were far too many here, and far too small to be practical for hunting! He failed to see how these hominids, as his scanners reported them, had yet to destroy such creatures. Then again, they weren’t a very advanced race compared to his .

The commander snorted and shook his head, giving a bellow to call his soldiers to his side. The Prime Leader had made it clear that they should at least try to stay out of sight; they didn't want another potential enemy on their hands. Mozar didn't understand the command; these hominids were obviously no threat to them. They had hardly even gotten out of their backyard as far as space travel went, and they had no claws or fangs. They were incredibly small, and slow, and clumsy. Still, the Prime Leader knew best and Commander Mozar made every attempt to be as silent as possible during their harvest of the rare and precious element that this planet harbored.

While Zark and Zeno took up their posts on either side of the long stone pathway, pinned between two large structures, Zog and Traximus took their positions over the manhole. From his shoulders, Zog pulled out a metal carver, holding onto one of the handles while Traximus gripped the other. The power of both bull triceratons was enough to crack the stone beneath them, forcing the blades into the earth, and together they started to turn the wheel at a slow pace to slice through rock and metal. A solid clank told them of their success, and they lifted both machine and stone from the earth to reveal a new, much more suitable entrance for them. They tossed the stone aside and Zog returned the carver to its place on his back.

Traximus opened his mouth, drawing in a deep breath of the terra’s sweet air and the putrid odor coming from the hidden tunnel they had just revealed.

“It stinks of rot and waste in there.” He reported to his commander with a low rumble.

“Then breath through your nose, Traximus.” Was Commander Mozar’s response. Another deep chuff called Zark and Zeno to rejoin the herd. After Commander Mozar leaped down into the tunnel, sinking knee-deep into the waste below, the rest of his unit were quick to follow.

Traximus groaned and readjusted the mask over his nose, taking a deep, slow breath of the familiar, homely burn of his world’s atmosphere. His chest refused to work as well with the pressured gravity of the terra planet, his breath much shallower than what his body would prefer. He couldn’t wait to return to the mothership, where he could breathe and move again without the weight of his body pushing down so hard.

Zeno offered his locator panel to their commander, who snatched the piece of tech from the technician's hand and scrutinized it with narrowed eyes. He flipped the panel from left to right, tilting his head before holding the panel by its corner, dangling it precariously.

“What is this? This makes no sense!”

“Uh, commander?” Zeno said lowly, then reached forward to flip the tech so it was facing the right way. “Look at it like this.”

“I knew that!” The commander snarled, and then it faded into a rumble as he looked over the map. “I was just testing you.”

A whip of his tail was all it took to call his crew into position to follow after him, deeper into the dark tunnel.

~~~

It was like a crash of lightning in his mind slashed through the fog and make Mikey sit upright. He immediately had regrets as the sudden movements brought him to almost keel over, choking smog in his throat stopping any breath that tried to force its way through. Something was wrong. Something was wrong and something was coming and he had to run or that something would find him and take him away. But how could he run when his body was made of lead? When his legs had no feeling other than an intense burning that hardly mattered compared to the fire that had surely swallowed his right arm. He didn't care. Even if he had to crawl, he would find some escape from the danger heading his way.

Mikey forced his body to stand— and then immediately fell as his legs gave out on him. The impact seemed to slam his senses back into his body, first in a numb sting and then in throbs that seared through shell and flesh in turn. The bang had also served to make Donnie jolt up, hand snagging his bo and holding it out in a defensive position during the seconds it took him to stand at attention. He looked left first, then right, then down. Only when he saw Mikey on the ground did he drop his defensive stance, muttering a loud swear as he fell to his knees to help lift Mikey into a sitting position. At first, Mikey resisted the touch that he immediately assumed to be from the bad he was trying to escape. When he recognized the hands, the voice, the mutant helping him, he didn't fight any more.

“Dee…” Mikey whined.

“I got you Mike. Here, up we get.” Donnie wrapped his arms around Mikey’s middle to lift the turtle back up and onto his bed. He made sure to push Mikey as far back as the cot allowed so the box turtle was supported against the wall. “What happened?”

“I fell.” Mikey grumbled; he was grateful for the help but now there was a hammering on the inside of his skull that refused to leave him alone.

“Yeah, kinda guessed that much.” Donnie immediately started to tend to the slightly-bleeding gash on Mikey’s forehead, dabbing it with a rag as he worked to clean it.

“We have to go, Dee.” Mikey said, trying to swipe Donnie’s hand away. Donnie simply ignored his brother’s attempts to remove him.

“Go?” Donnie indulged steadily, eyes focused on his work, “Go where, Mikey?”

“Uh… dunno.” Mikey said. The words were heavy on his tongue and came out weird, and he didn't like it. He frowned and reached his hand up, the left one that wasn’t so stiff, to touch his mouth and lips. They felt normal. Why was it so hard to talk then?

“Well how can we go if we don’t know where we’re going?” Donnie asked, offering a sly smile to the younger turtle while making a mental note of the speech deficit.

Mikey gulped, but didn't respond. It didn't take long for Donnie to finish cleaning and patching Mikey’s head wound before trying to guide Mikey to lay back down. Once more, Mikey immediately resisted and started to push and struggle against the taller mutant while Donnie calmly and patiently continued to position Mikey down on his carapace.

“No no no no no…”

“Easy, Mike.” Donnie made quick, shushing sounds, “You’re okay…”

“No no no no, we haft to go Dee, we haft to…”

Eventually, Donnie’s persistence won and he was able to lay Mikey down in the cot, pulling the blankets over him and fluffing out the pillow like he knew his baby brother loved. It concerned him when Mikey only whimpered, but he said nothing of it. He planted a kiss on Mikey’s forehead and then went to return to his desk, resigned to the fact he wouldn’t be getting much more sleep.

His resignation proved true on multiple levels. The minute he sat down, his fingers hovering over the keyboard ready to input the code, he was nearly knocked out of his seat by a blaring alarm.

“Woah woah woah— what?” Donnie was back to his feet quickly, the sudden, jarring beeping reverberating in his head in a way he just knew would cause a headache later in the day. He worked quickly, the habit of thinking out loud hitting him hard as he rushed to complete his task. “Breach in the fan room… camera’s camera’s camera’s… woah.”

The curtains were practically ripped down as Raph and Leo came busting in, hands on their weapons and back to back with each other so they had eyes on both sides.

“Donnie, what happened?” Leo demanded.

“B… breach in the fan room.” Donnie repeated, motioning to the screen. Leo’s voice sounded like it was on the other side of a great canyon, the distant words echoing and slowly getting closer and louder. Donnie’s mouth was like sand, words like daggers slicing his tongue. “Enemies approaching.”

Leo shouldered his way past, leaning closer to the cameras presented on the screen as he couldn’t believe what he was seeing. At first, they could have very easily been mistaken for rhinos; these ones would have been far bigger than Rocksteady, and there were far more of them. A closer look on a different display screen showed a front view, revealing three horns instead of two.

“Is that a fucking dinosaur?” Raph’s words were more surprise than anything else, eyes wide and growing wider by the second.

They were dinosaurs! At least, Leo was almost sure they were. It was hard to tell just how big they might have been, but they definitely weren’t small. They each had three horns, two on their heads just in front of their frills and one on their nose; beneath their nose horn were masks that covered their nostrils, feeding back into a massive amount of tech on their backs. All but one of them were a vibrant orange with disrupting patterns of red and yellow markings; the outlier was a dark red and in the lead, so Leo immediately singled him out as a potential leader.

The earth beneath their feet started to tremble like a train was going by, enough to disrupt some of the artifacts on Donnie’s shelf and make a few of them fall; Donnie made a dive to catch every last one of them before they could hit the ground. The dinosaurs in the cameras reached the fan blades, the last defense separating them from the lair, and they shredded right through without stopping. Leo wanted to swear, but he held his tongue, his grip on both katana tightening as his body tensed for a battle.

Raph growled and shook his head, moving against Mikey’s cot and standing like an unmovable wall in front of it, watching the fan room tunnel as if daring the attackers to come anywhere near his brothers. The attackers, it seemed, accepted his dare as the five of them flooded out of the tunnels and into the open lair.

@brightlotusmoon @selfindulgenz @scentedcandlecryptid @digitl-art-monstr @ilo-artistry

#enter the threat #Donnie is a good big brother #rottmnt #Tmnt #bayverse #Tmnt 2014 #Tmnt 2016 #tmnt crossover #tmnt #teenage mutant ninja turtles #tmnt au #bay turtles

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theeightbts · 4 years ago

Text

The Eight, Chapter 98

Seven Korean Warriors and their Queen.

Always together. Finding each other in every lifetime. Their souls destined for each other for eternity. Sometimes as friends. Sometimes as lovers. Sometimes as spouses. Always together. Until around two hundred years ago, when the Queen vanished. The Warriors: Poet, Misdirection, Ferocious, Watcher, Mischief, Adventure and Passion, continued to find each other, always accomplishing great things in their lives. In their current lives, they’ve found each other and created the biggest boy band in the world. When their Queen is found, and The Eight souls are re-united, they have to figure out how to live, and love, together again.

Chapter 98

The restaurant opened early just for them to be able to eat. There were well over 20 people including staff and band members, all incredibly hungry, that filed into the pub. A few of the tech crew got there early to set up the cameras around the table they were supposed to sit at. The Muse was seated at one end of the table, in between Yoongi and Jimin.

Both men were attentive, making sure she had her water and made suggestions for her meal,

“Look! That chicken salad looks good.” Jimin pointed out, trying to be helpful.

“Hmm. Actually, I was thinking of either Carbonara or fish and chips.” she said as she looked at the menu with visions of huge plates of food being set in front of her.

He smiled sweetly, “Yeppeun, I noticed you’ve put on a few pounds when I was holding you on the plane. Maybe a salad would be better?”

The Muse turned her head and glared at him so hard he thought lightning might strike him at any moment. He panicked,

“Baby, I just want to help!” his hands came up in a surrender gesture, “I think you look beautiful! But I also know how hard it is to be in the public eye if you’ve gained even a little bit.” A haunted look passed through his eyes, and her glare eased up to a mildly annoyed look.

“Thank you for your input, Jimin. I will have the Carbonara. And a chocolate milkshake.”

He reluctantly agreed.

“You look cold, Yeppeun.” Yoongi observed quietly, “Do you need touch?”

“No thank you.” she answered, pulling her hand out of the sleeve of the hoodies she was wearing to reach for her water.

He sighed as he leaned back and ran his hands through his hair in frustration.

Jinnie had been quietly paying attention to their interactions as he looked at his menu,

“Have you decided what you want, Yeppeun?” he asked, trying to lighten the mood on that side of the table as the waitress started taking orders on the other end. She told him what she wanted and he laughed,

“Do you want extra whipped cream on that milkshake?”

Jimin shot him a reproachful look.

“Calm down, Jimin-ah.” Jin said lightly as he lifted his own glass, “Drink your beer.”

They got through their meal with relative ease. Jimin kept offering her some of the salad that was in the middle of the table, but The Muse was content and happy with her garlic bread and noodles. Knowing what he went through on a daily basis with people judging every little part of how he looks, she tried to keep her cool. She was not fat, damnit. Of course he didn’t know the rest of it, either. She doubted he’d say another word about her weight when he found out she was growing a human being inside her.

After lunch they stopped by an outdoor clothing store to pick up necessities they hadn’t packed. The Muse was pretty well covered, but Hobi decided she probably needed a hat and some cute socks. She did have a weakness for cute socks.

“Should we get something for Petal while we are here?” Hobi asked in a low voice, “I mean, how often are we going to be able to come to New Zealand.”

“Nothing in here really screams ‘New Zealand’,” she chuckled, “Let's wait. We will find the perfect thing before the trip is done.”

“Why are you limiting it to one thing?” Hobi seemed almost offended.

“Limiting what?” Namjoon asked when he wandered into their conversation.

“Yeppeun seems to think we should only buy one thing for Petal while we are on this trip.” Hobi rolled his eyes before the both of them started laughing.

Joonie patted her on the shoulder and muttered “just one thing,” as he walked away.

Taehyung heard part of their conversation and moved in behind her, he placed his hand on the small of her back and asked

“What was that? Are you asking for something, Yeppeun? I can get you whatever you need.” Luckily he had no real intention behind the touch, so she was free to move away from him.

“No. I’m good. Thank you.”

His face fell for a moment before he remembered that he was surrounded by cameras. Tae put his unaffected face back on and wandered around the store, wondering what he was going to have to do to win her back. Didn’t she understand that it wasn’t their idea? They weren’t the ones that wanted to separate from her in the first place. They were going to have to make her understand that. Then she’d be ok. He nodded to himself, thinking he had come up with the wisest way to deal with the situation, and went to find the other husbands to let them in on his grand plan.

Unfortunately it had to wait. They checked out and went to find the Korean grocery store to stock up for the next couple of days. Joonie bought a ton of pre-packed fresh veggie snacks for The Muse to munch on as they traveled, while Jinnie had her covered with the snacks she really wanted.

Once they were on the road again, Taehyung took advantage of being in the RV with 2 of the other husbands to tell them his thoughts on the situation, and how he thought they could fix it.

Hoseok listened to Tae, and was almost in awe at how wrong he had it.

“Taehyung-ah,” he said with concern etched on his face, “That’s not the problem at all. She knows the managers were pressuring you. She’s hurt that the four of you made this decision without even talking to her about it. None of you took her thoughts or feelings into account. You treated her like she doesn’t matter. That’s a lot of your problem.”

Tae cocked his head to the side as he listened to his elder speak, but shook his head in disagreement,

“No, Hyung. I’m sure once she knows that it wasn’t our fault she will come back to us.”

Jimin and Jungkook were unsure of Tae’s thoughts on it, but kept their silence. They didn't have any better ideas of how to fix it.

“And what do you mean by ‘a lot of your problem’?” Tae asked, “Is there more we don’t know about?”

Hoseok took a deep breath while he collected his thoughts,

“Yes, Taehyung-ah. There’s plenty you don’t know. But it’s not up to me to tell you.”

He really wanted to tell them they were going to be fathers, but with Yoongi in the other car and the trip just starting, it wasn’t the right time.

Master List

#BTS #BTS soulmate #BTS fanfic #BTS The Eight #BTS angst #BTS Warriors #BTS Husbands #BTS Pregnancy #BTS The Muse #BTS Yeppeun

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aelaer · 5 years ago

Text

The Blood in My Veins: Pt 4

Heyyyy I'm back. Now that one of my big fic projects is done/being rolled out I can concentrate on getting this finished (as well as other prompts). Here are the earlier parts if you can't remember what happened in this long-running prompt fic, since my last update was like, the summer.

Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3

Prompt (via @ironstrangeprompts that I can’t tag for whatever reason qq): Kidnapped to play doctor for a still unseen other prisoner; Stephen realizes there is only one person on the planet who would have palladium in their blood.

The Warnings: Okay guys, I want to cover all bases for this part and all parts henceforth. The bad guy I've written here really really sucks. He's a complete asshole. Part of his assholeness can include behaviors such as racism, sexism, homophobic remarks, religious bigotry, and overall just being a terrible human being. This terrible human being is not a typical representative of his nation/culture and is very thankfully fictional. There's plenty of Canon-Typical Violence around, too. All of the above are not be in this specific part but could be in future parts (I'm writing this as I go so I truly don't know, I just know he’s a dickwad). I didn't know this section was gonna happen until I finished Part 2, for instance, otherwise I'd have put a note at the beginning. I'd consider the fic a heavy teen fic, if you're looking for a rating, so it shouldn't get to graphical violence beyond what you'd see in high teen rated content. Also, there's going to be Medical Procedures in the future, though more clinical rather than graphic. Hopefully that covers everything, please ask me anything if you have a question.

I always put these longer writings on tumblr into "read more" cuts, but the mobile app does not always work correctly if you're looking at the original post from my tumblr, so I apologise for the length if you're on the app and viewing the original and said cut is not working. Still unbetaed, all errors are mine.

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Part Four: Seeing Red Again

Another three days passed with little change in Stephen’s schedule. He went for his sleep shift at 12:30 a.m. New York time, and was woken up by one of the others between 5:20 to 5:30 a.m. It wasn't enough time for even two full complete sleep cycles, but everyone there—perhaps with exception to Steffen Baar, who was a chemist—had gone through grueling schedules during medical school and residency. So they were, in some ways, used to it.

After waking up, he had fifteen minutes to shower, shave, and change into the clothing about his size, provided for by his captors. From there, he then got to work. His sleep shift ended about three hours before dinner came—about 8:30 a.m. New York time—and a small snack arrived at what he assumed was this place's midnight, but was 2 p.m. according to his watch. Breakfast came twelve hours after dinner, at 8:30 p.m. in New York, and he went to bed again half an hour after midnight. Apparently while he slept, another snack break came for those awake.

The one small blessing in all of this was that the people holding them realized the power of caffeine and provided black tea and coffee every time they brought them food. He didn't think there were any cameras in the showers or toilets, either, which was—hopefully true. There was nothing obvious and, truth be told, he didn't really want to look much further for evidence.

Throughout his waking day, Stephen largely helped prep samples for blood analysis. He tried to strategize with Summer about how to best utilize their resources, should a surgery be required, but they had little to go on. They had yet to receive better X-rays of their patient—of Tony Stark, which still baffled Stephen—so much of their planning was about logistics.

"Doctors in the United States are required to complete a surgical rotation in their third year of med school," Stephen said, "so Jada will know basic surgical procedures. Do you need to do the same in the UK?"

"Yes," Summer answered. "All doctors go through the two-year Foundation Programme which always includes training in general surgery. So Dr Mahajan will be able to assist us as well."

"They can serve as our nurses and techs," Stephen muttered. "But what about Dr Baar?"

Summer pursed her lips together. "No medical training—but I would rather have him on hand than not. If we said we can't use him…"

Stephen grimaced and nodded. "Point. He can certainly hold a retractor." He blew out a breath. "We'll need a heart-lung machine. Those aren't easy to come by."

"None of this machinery is," she pointed out, jutting her chin to the advanced machinery scattered around the room. "I don't think that will be an issue for us. Whoever these people are, they have resources."

He pursed his lips together. "We also need an anesthesiologist."

She paused at that and sighed. "Yes. Yes, we need one of those. Unfortunately, I think we're going to be working with someone on their team if the surgery happens."

Stephen made a face. "What makes you think that?"

"When they first showed me the X-rays, I told them I would need another surgeon for the spinal area—you—and an anesthesiologist. They only spoke about finding me a surgeon, so they must have their own medical team that includes one."

He sighed. "Of course they do. He better be competent."

Summer shrugged. "Not much we can do about it. And there's not much more we can plan on this hypothetical surgery until I have better X-rays."

And so that ended that discussion and, three days later, there were no changes on that end. No new X-rays had come in, so both he and the other surgeon were stuck helping prepare samples and input data. And Stephen hadn't been so bored in years.

One wouldn't think that being captive would be boring, especially if one was doing medical work during that time. But when said medical work was repetitive lab work he hadn't done since med school? And doing it for about fifteen hours a day for three days straight with no music, no reading, no nothing to help bring some distraction or variety to his work? It was absolutely mind-numbing. A small part of him wasn't entirely sure if he could survive like this for—how long did Jada said Stark had to live without a cure or intervention? Two months? He couldn't do this for two months. He was going out of his mind after three days.

It was about halfway through his shift on the fourth day that he regretted ever thinking that he was bored.

He was typing up results from various tests performed by Jada when the door to the room was suddenly slammed open. Startled, Stephen immediately turned towards the sound, only to see five men enter, all of them with guns pointed to the rest of the room. Beside him, Jada immediately threw her hands on top of her head, and he quickly followed suit.

"Come quietly! Do not fight!" said one of the men. Stephen couldn't even begin to guess his accent; maybe it was Eastern European? Russian? Former Soviet bloc in Asia? Somewhere in that rather wide region of the world, which wasn't particularly helpful information considering there were some twenty to thirty countries there.

Summer was the doctor currently asleep, though looking over his shoulder, Stephen saw that she had woken up to the sound and was pushing herself up. But he couldn't look at her or the other doctors long as he was grabbed by one of the men and forced to walk. The gun the man carried quickly negated any ideas of retaliation.

They were led down a hall; he could see Steffen, Meera, and Jada in front of him, all being led in the same rough manner he was going through. The walk itself wasn't very long, perhaps a minute, but to Stephen it felt like every second was dragging. Despite his best efforts, his heart was starting to race at this new development.

The man with Steffen finally stopped in front of a door and unlocked it, then shoved the chemist inside. Within seconds, Stephen was at the door and being pushed forward himself. He took a quick look around, as much as he could without moving much: a large room with concrete walls and no windows, just like where he and the other doctors were being kept. Cot in the corner. Table with a computer and covered in bits of wires and electronics that he couldn't begin to label. Two other men armed with enormous guns—some sort of automatic rifles—and then one man who was crossing his arms and staring at him and his fellow doctors with a look that immediately put Stephen on edge. This man, this man radiated the air of a person in charge.

And then there was him. The famous Tony Stark, or Iron Man as he was calling himself these days. He looked like a former shadow of himself, being several pounds thinner and bearing a sickly pallor that Stephen immediately noticed, even during these circumstances.

A look of surprise was upon Stark's hollow face, but even as Stephen focused more upon him, it was quickly replaced by the cool anger of a man biting his tongue.

All five doctors were maneuvered to face Stark in a line before being forced to their knees. Stephen bit his lip to hold back a grunt of pain from his knees hitting the concrete floor.

"You say you are 'calling my bluff' with your medical team," said the man. He pushed himself off the wall and passed out of Stephen's line of sight. "Here they are." He started at Stephen's right as he went through the doctors. "Steffen Baar, chemist." A step closer. "Jada Ferguson, hematologist." Another step, and he heard Doctor Mahajan inhale sharply. "Meera Mahajan, pathologist."

Another step, and the man was behind him. To Stephen's utter horror, he felt cold metal press against the back of his head. "Stephen Strange, neurosurgeon." The metal then left his head and he heard another step. "Summer Weston, cardiothoracic surgeon." Another step, and he could see the man in the corner of his eye again, this time on his left.

Tony Stark kept his lips pressed in a tight line as their captor went through the line. When he finished, the billionaire swallowed and looked at them all. "Good job keeping me alive this long, docs," he said.

"Not good enough, Stark," the man snapped. "Their solution is only a band aid. They give you but a few more weeks. They are called the best doctors in the world, and they cannot yet make a cure?"

Stephen forcefully held back his retort regarding the man's utter ignorance. It was an outright miracle they found any sort of solution as quickly as they did to delay the spread!

Stark, it seemed, agreed with him, and had no such reservations with holding back. "That's insane, Yusifov. It takes teams of doctors months, if not years to create what you're looking for."

He couldn't see it, but Stephen could almost feel the sneer from their captor, this Yusifov. "In that case, you don't need this many doctors, do you?" A couple steps and he was again behind Stephen, further to the right. "I'm no doctor, but as far as I can tell, these two both look at blood and try to fix the problem. Neither of them fixed it, not fully. So who do you want to keep, Stark? The black American or the Indian Brit? One less woman won't make a difference."

Stephen dared a glance to his right when he heard quick breathing. Doctor Mahajan was visibly shaking and starting to hyperventilate; to her right, Doctor Ferguson was quiet, but her lips trembled and tears pricked her eyes.

Stark stepped forward, and several guns rose at the action. He stopped but held his ground, raising his hands. "Don't do this."

"Why not?" the man retorted. "You refuse to work because you are dying. They have failed you and one will pay the price. Perhaps both; they are both from lesser races."

As Stephen processed the fact that he heard a comment like that in fucking 2010, Doctor Mahajan's breathing accelerated into full on hyperventilation. His medical mind noticed it immediately.

But another was quicker to the draw. "Breathe through your nose, Meera," Summer said lowly. "Try to inhale for one-one thousand, then exhale through pursed lips. You can—"

"Shut up!"

Doctor Weston was smacked on the back of her head hard enough to send her sprawling to the floor.

And Stephen snapped.

Now, if one were to ask Doctor Stephen Strange, he would by no means consider himself heroic or noble. His role as a doctor was one of service, but even within his relatively short time as a neurosurgeon, he had already gained a prestige that recognized his rising star and already people in the medical community were considering him in the top ranks of neurosurgeons. Soon, demand for his expertise would be large enough for him to have the option to turn away those who weren't worth his time, and he felt not a lick of guilt for that. His skills were valuable.

But to hear this brute of a man first throw slurs at two of the most brilliant women—no, the most brilliant doctors—in their fields followed by an outright assault on the other caused a protectiveness Stephen hadn't felt since his sister's death to completely overtake him. He saw red.

He leaped up at Yusifov in a fiery anger, no particular idea in mind except stop him from hurting anyone rushing through his head. At this point there was little thought, only adrenaline and a near primal fury running through his veins. It wasn't like him to be so hot-headed; he was a man who kept his cool under the most stressful of circumstances. But perhaps several days of poor sleep combined with the stress of the situation finally got to him. When he thought about it in the aftermath, even he would admit he had no idea what he was thinking.

It was a spur-of-the-moment decision he would come to regret.

In one moment he managed to knock the pistol out of Yusifov's hands and punched him in the face. He recognized screaming, shouting, fighting in the noises behind him, but he was focused on his own target.

Stephen hit him twice more before someone threw an arm around his neck and dragged him back and began to choke him. He clawed at the arm, which did nothing, but then he aimed his heel down right to the sensitive part of his attacker's instep. The man grunted in pain and the grip around his neck loosened.

A shot shattered through the enclosed space, causing Stephen to freeze in surprise—and that proved to be his downfall. He saw Yusifov raising his pistol just before he was whipped across the face with the weapon. The hit threw him off balance and he fell to the floor and lay there for a second, stunned. He felt wetness on the side of his head.

As Stephen attempted to push himself up, a kick to his back sent him back to the floor. An involuntary grunt of pain escaped him. He closed his eyes, pausing for breath, but was given little time to recover as he was grabbed by both arms and dragged up to his knees. From his new position, he could see the rest of the room once more, and Stephen's heart skipped a beat at what was before him.

There were several alarming sights: Tony Stark on his knees just like him, nose bloodied. One of the gunmen near Stark with a screwdriver sticking in his neck and very much dead. Summer in the corner of the room, holding a shaking Meera against her chest.

And Doctor Steffen Baar on the ground, bleeding out from his stomach as Jada desperately tried to stem the blood flow with her sweater. The red dripped through the fabric and onto the concrete.

Stephen felt ill. He instinctively reached forward towards Steffen, to try and help, but the grip on his arms tightened and kept him in place.

Stark was the one to speak first. "Let them help him. I won't fight further. I'll do what you ask."

Yusifov came back into Stephen's line of sight as he stepped in front of him, though his gaze was on Stark. He said to the engineer, "You killed one of my men. A life for a life—that is fair, wouldn't you say?"

"He did nothing," Stark hissed, pulling against the hands that held him down. Stephen could see the men pull him back and tighten their grip in response. "And he's needed. You wouldn't have brought him here otherwise."

"He didn't do anything," Yusifov agreed, then turned to Stephen. "This one did." He then sent a sharp kick into Stephen's stomach, causing him to double over in pain as far as the men holding him allowed. He almost missed the next statement. "And I should kill him for it. But the surgeon will be needed. The chemist, though? He failed to make a cure for your ailment with a month of time, and you don't have much longer to live, Stark. The chemist failed, and at this point, he's a waste of medical resources."

Then Yusifov nodded at one of his men, and he grabbed Jada by the arm and yanked her up to her feet.

"No—please, no, don't do this!" she shouted as she was dragged away from Steffen. Their captors ignored her and Yusifov walked up to the wounded man. He aimed his pistol at Steffen's head.

"Don't do this!" Stark shouted.

A shot rang through the room. A loud sob came from the corner before it was muffled. Stephen's ears rang, half deafened from the sound. His stomach churned; he felt like he was going to vomit. He hung his head and closed his eyes, trying to breathe slow breaths through his nose.

All he could smell was blood. He forcefully suppressed his gag reflex.

Stephen missed whatever conversation came next, too busy trying to calm his breathing, trying not to throw up, and not having the energy to make out the words beyond the ringing in his ears. But then the world was moving as he was pulled to his feet and shoved out of the room, leaving behind Tony Stark and the body of Doctor Steffen Baar.

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I was stuck on what I wanted to do with this part with a handful of ideas and consulted my beta for ideas. She suggested death which I wasn't even thinking of because I'm very bad at killing off characters. I blame her fully :P

Tag list (just let me know if you want to be added/removed with a comment - still not on AO3!): @sobeautifullyobsessed, @tashacumberbitch, @babywarg, @nishtha3012, @ragingstillness, @walkin-in-the-cosmos (I think the reason I can’t tag you is because you’ve flagged your tumblr for sensitive media, possibly), @lafourmii20, @asexualchemist, @iveneverbeenmorestressedinmylife, @oo0-will-of-the-wisp-0oo, @animefanfreak45, @rulerofthefandomsnow, @killaspyglass, @renlybaratheon-tyrell, @symmetria42, @kay-lock-key-lock

#tony stark #stephen strange #avengers fanfiction #mcu fanfiction #mcu #prompt fill #my writing #my fanfiction

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tenshindon · 5 years ago

Photo

despite the literal hours of research i did for this building, the accuracy of this structure is VERY debatable because of just how vague everything surprisingly was. not gonna lie in the full courtyard map below i took a LOT of liberties alongside the material i could work with. Also after a while I felt my sanity leave through my orfaces so not everything’s appropriately to scale.

as per usual I’m gonna put my thoughts below but I’m also going to put a map of the whole dojo grounds down below the cut. if you don’t care about all of the specifics or justifications and just want some kind of reference for a drawing, story, or just want an idea of Tien’s house, then please enjoy.

FULL MAP:

It’s surprisingly near impossible to find any pictures of existing courtyard dojos, Japanese or Chinese, so I had to get a Little creative and work with what I had. The thinking behind this was that Tien’s students potentially lived at the dojo with him. Admittedly I didn’t mark the buildings on the sides as being living spaces because I’m not even entirely sure, but I let it be a possibility. I also only put two buildings because Tien doesn’t seem to have all that many students (from what I was able to see, 12 students max, not yet counting Yurin), and if I were to divide the rooms appropriately and assuming two people slept in one room, then each student could be accounted for (About 6 students per building).

I knew that there was more to the building and the door in the back wasn’t just an exit because in a later shot the students are seen walking down a pathway to the left side of the building- it wouldn’t make much sense for them to leave the area then renter it. Additionally, when Tien dismisses his class for the day, they don’t make way for Tien’s doorway- they leave through the back, or at least walk to the side. As for where they’re going is an absolute mystery, especially considering the map. My justification was that they were just leaving the dojo for the time being to get some outside food or something- maybe just get out for a bit. Why were they still in their uniform? I couldn’t tell you and for that I apologize.

I put “private rooms” due to Roshi’s “private training” session with Yurin. They were placed at the bottom of the map because when Yurin is running across the walkway, she’s coming from the right- presumably the bottom. Not only that, Roshi is shown carrying Yurin towards the way she initially came. Additionally, when Goku pops in to find Master Roshi, you can faintly see trees in the background, and referencing all of the walkway shots there are a number of trees. It was also important to remember that when the students were walking away, there was no visible buildings behind them, so the final place I had to conclude to put the buildings was at the bottom.

By Tien’s house are simply just entry walkways; there’s nothing in nor special about either buildings. I’m not sure where I read this exactly- I forgot to save the page amidst my breakdown. But if I recall correctly and if this is correct, students are supposed to enter the area through the left while the teacher enters through the right. Either that, or the door on the left could be an entrance/exit and vice versa for the right side.

TIEN’S HOUSE:

The only room I was able to absolutely confirm existed was the room Tien and Goku sat in. Even then, this room itself is very vague on where it is. Judging the position of the camera, I assumed that the camera would be from the doorway’s perspective, seeing as no other wall visibly had any doors. Additionally, I knew they were in Tien’s house specifically because after their conversation ends, someone knocks on the door and the two look towards the left side of the screen, further fueling my theory the door was to the right side of the room. Also, the existence of two different types of windows gave me an idea that the room was absolutely in the top-left corner of the house. It couldn’t be the absolute left side of the house due to the lack of window- and I know there was no window in the room due to the shot that showed the wall directly behind Goku. Other than a brass frame, there was no window nor door- thus the door had to be on the right side of the room.

As for the rest of the house, I honestly just looked around traditional Chinese and Japanese homes as well as modern one-floor layouts and put rooms where I thought they were appropriate. Quick note about the bathroom, I promise there’s probably a curtain or screen of some kind so Tien and Chitaozu have privacy while they bathe. Since this is just a quick map, I didn’t put too much detail into the rooms and furniture.

I put a door in the back of Tien’s house because I figured he’d be pretty devoted not only to his school but just going to the courtyard to train.

Now for the screenshots I used and how I found my measurements as well as just providing visuals for what I’ve said before.

THE DOJO

I used Yurin’s height to measure the door (I used a different shot- the one where she’s ascending the stairs so I could get a better idea of her size compared to the door. I’ll also elaborate on how I found Yurin’s height in a later part of this post). I found that the door was about two Yurin’s high, which was about 10′6 feet high. An additional note is that all three doors appear to be sliding doors as they lack any visible handles. I extended the front doors being sliding doors to the rest of the doors inside of Tien’s house.

This shot was used to identify the ring pull doors in the back. Shots I didn’t include also exposed the fact that Tien’s doorway and the doors in the back were the only entrances in the courtyard.

This shot was used to measure the doorway. I expanded the size of the canvas I posted this on and drew the rest of Tien’s body, then sizing it so it was proportionate to be right next to the entrance. I deduced the doorway was about one Tien (6′0 ft) wide once I put him on his side.

Using Tien’s height from the previous shot, I used the doorway size to measure the courtyard in total, coming to around 66 feet wide and presumably 66 feet long, as most courtyards are evenly square shaped..

I used this shot to not only acknowledge there was a gap in-between the courtyard and the walls of the dojo, but to also get Yurin’s height so I could use her as my main unit of measurement. Using the traditional heads-high method, I was able to get that Yurin was about 5′3 (5.25 specifically).

Shot used to identify the private room and the placement of the room in respect to the rest of the dojo. I knew this was a room in the dojo because there’s a sign that says “Tenshinhan Dojo�� (or more literally, “Tianjin Dojo”)

Bringing back the first shot of the walkway from when Yurin first arrived to the dojo, I combined the two plus a flipped version of the first picture and came up with my walkway. Using Yurin from the shot where I got her height, I set her up lying down and proceeded to measure the walkway from the entrance of the courtyard to the entrance of Tien’s backdoor. I came to about 70 feet.

Shot to show lack of buildings.

TIEN’S HOUSE

The inside of Tien’s tea room is pretty inconsistent; the identifiably octagonal window isn’t as close to the wall in the second shot as it is in the first shot. For symmetry sake, I technically shrunk the size of the room in the second shot. Since I wanted to establish this room as a tea room, I did a quick search to see how big tea rooms generally were and came to about 9x9. Not only so I could give the room some breathing room and so I wouldn’t have to do any more math because I’d done more than a studying psychologist should, I just took the size of the house’s front doors and used that as measurement for the room.

I included the storage room below so the left window would have an appropriate place to exist. That, and it allowed Tien’s house to be a bit bigger and I was able to make things more comfortable.

Shot to solidify the fact the left outside window couldn’t possibly exist in the tea room.

As for Tien’s radish farm, traditional Chinese farms are typically right on the ledge of mountains. Taking note of the mountains right behind Tien’s dojo, I assumed his farm would be there. Not only that, but the existing shots of Tien’s farm depict a mountain right in the back, so while his farm doesn’t follow the ledge format it at least exists by the mountains in the back. I didn’t see a dire need to illustrate this so I didn’t, but if you want me to then I’ll be happy to make an addition to this post.

Anyway, that’s the end of my work. If you have any opinions please feel free to tell me them. The way I formatted Tien’s dojo/house doesn’t seem right and feels uncomfortable personally, and I feel like it could look MUCH much better, so all input is welcomed!

#dragon ball #dragon ball super #tien #tenshinhan #chiaotzu #snap sketches #snap chats #this was a pain in my existence to do #but i'm also passionate about tien's house i guess #i might draw a more detailed layout of Tien's house interior since it's so small- plus it might be fun #idk #i know i'm going to use both tien and yamcha's house layouts for future fics and drawings tho teehee

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caraudioexpertaustralia0 · 8 months ago

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Headunit With Carplay for Jeep Renegade | 2016 | 9″ Inch

#Jeep Renegade Head Unit;#9-Inch Car Stereo;#Wireless CarPlay for Jeep;#Android Auto for Jeep Renegade;#Jeep Renegade 2016 Upgrade;#Digital Sound Processor Head Unit;#Reverse Camera Input Jeep;#Front Camera Input Car Stereo;#Steering Wheel Control Compatible;#Bluetooth 4.2 Car Stereo;#Jeep Multimedia System;#Climate Control Compatible Stereo;#RCA Output Car Stereo;#Noise Cancelling Mic Head Unit;

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orangeoctopi7 · 5 years ago

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Better to Say Too Much

“Say What You Mean to Say”

Chapter 1

The attic bedroom was filled with awkward silence after Stan forced them to go to bed early. They each lay in their beds, trying to look occupied with reading or knitting, but still glancing over at the other every few seconds. Finally, they both couldn't take the quiet any more.

"Dipper, I'm--"

"Mabel, are you--"

They both laughed awkwardly.

"You first." Dipper offered.

"I… I'm really worried about Bill coming back." Mabel admitted, "you got really hurt the last time, and you could've been hurt way worse if we hadn't been able to stop him at the puppet show. I don't want something like that to happen again. It's more important than ever that we look out for each other."

"It'll be ok, Mabel." Dipper assured her. "Bill can't get to us as long as we're inside the barrier."

A small smile spread across her lips, but she didn't look completely comforted. "What were you gonna say?"

Dipper fidgeted with his sheets. "I was gonna ask… are you still mad at me?"

Mabel glanced back down at her knitting. She was, a little bit. But she couldn’t say that after she’d just told her brother how important it was that they look out for each other. “Well… I haven’t changed my mind about how I feel about you taking Ford’s apprenticeship. But, I know you need more time to think about it, so… I’m just not gonna talk about it for now.”

“So that’s a yes?” Dipper read between the lines.

The colorful girl frowned. “Blargh! I don’t wanna be mad at you, especially not right now, but I just-- I don’t want things to change! I like the way my life is now!”

“Things can’t stay frozen like this forever Mabel, that’s just how life works. Things change.”

Mabel buried herself into her blankets. “I guess.” She mumbled sullenly. “Let’s just not talk about it right now, OK? I know you want time to think about it.”

“Ok, but we do need to talk about this at some point.”

“I already told you what I think about it.”

“Yeah, but we need to talk about it when we’re both calm and not super emotional. I’m not gonna make a decision without your input.”

Mabel poked her head back out of her blankets. “Really?”

“Yeah.” Dipper affirmed, “You were right, this affects you too.”

That certainly made Mabel feel a little better. But it also made her a little anxious. She was going to have to come up with a calm, rational, Dipper-friendly explanation for why she thought the apprenticeship with Ford was a bad idea beyond just ‘You are my brother and I don’t want you to leave me’.

* * *

Sunlight was just barely beginning to filter through the darkness when Stan was awoken by the sound of power tools the next morning. He groggily rose out of bed, wondering if Soos had come in early and started on some repairs around the shack. It wouldn’t be the first time. As the racket continued, Stan once again found himself wondering how the heck the kids could sleep through all this noise. Upon reaching the gift shop, Stan found not Soos, but Ford, in the middle of messing with the security cameras.

“...Did you even sleep last night?” Stan asked, still half-asleep.

“No, I spent most of the night attempting to crack open the containment unit.” Ford replied without turning around. Apparently he’d seen his brother coming on the security feed. “I only managed to expand the crack another millimeter or so, but it’s clear that Mabel was right. It’s curing more slowly within the dome.”

“Uh... “ Whatever his brother had just said went right over Stan’s still sleep-addled head. “What’re you doin’ up here?”

“You said I could use your security cameras to monitor the secret entrance to the lab." Ford reminded him. "You also said if I stayed in here, it would attract too much attention. So I'm rerouting the feed to the den."

"I said you could watch the video feed from my office.”

"It takes exactly forty-three seconds for me to run downstairs from your office to the secret entrance. In that time someone could input the code and be halfway down the elevator. I'm going to be set up right on the other side of that door." Ford pointed to the Employees Only sign that led into the den.

"Why don't you just change it over to a wireless feed, while you're at it." Stan rolled his eyes.

"That’s what I’m doing." Ford answered, not realizing his brother's question had been both rhetorical and sarcastic.

“Fine. Just don’t forget, you’re supposed to call Dipper ‘n Mabel’s parents today.” Stan reminded him.

Ford checked his watch. “I doubt they’re up at this hour.”

“Then why the heck are you up doin’ this!?”

“I need to finish before you open this place up to tours.”

Stan gave a roaring yawn. “Oh yeah, that reminds me.” He taped an Out of Order sign up on the vending machine. “So you don’t come charging in guns ablazing every time some schmuck wants a cheese log.”

“Good thinking.” Ford said simply.

“Welp, I’m already up. Might as well start makin’ breakfast.” Stan scratched his rear and turned to leave. He almost asked Ford if he wanted anything, but thought better of it. His brother at least came upstairs to have dinner with the family most days, but Stan never saw him eat any other meals. Dipper had mentioned something about nutrition pills at some point. Stan thought that was an affront against nature and taste buds, but hey, if it meant one less mouth to feed, he wasn’t going to complain.

* * *

Ford did finish his upgrade of the security cameras before the Mystery Shack opened, although it hardly mattered. The only people there that morning were Wendy and Soos.

“Aw man, the vending machine’s out of order again?” Wendy complained when she saw the sign taped up on its front.

“Eh, not exactly.” Stan shrugged. “My brother’s got some super-dangerous ball of glitter-glue down there, and this jerk called Bill wants to steal it. I figured it was safer just to not let anybody use the vending machine. I did the same thing right after those agents started snooping around.”

“Oh yeah, I forgot there really is a secret passage back there!” Wendy recalled “That’s so weird, I had a dream about that last night.”

The Employees Only door slammed open and Ford loomed into the gift shop.

"Oh, hey Stan Two." Wendy greeted him, as if it were perfectly normal for your boss' long-lost twin to suddenly barge in on a conversation.

"Tell me everything you can remember about this dream." The old researcher demanded.

"Well, that's what was really weird about it. I don't normally remember my dreams, but this one was really vivid." Wendy explained.

"Yes, and what happened?"

"Uh, I opened up the secret passage behind the vending machine… then there were like stairs leading to an elevator? That was really weird. Then when I got out of the elevator there were like, I dunno, balloons or bubbles or something everywhere? Dipper was down there, but he was weird too. Kinda like when he went nuts during Mabel's puppet show last month? Anyway, he handed me my axe and wanted me to start popping the bubbles, or whatever they were. Like I said, man, it was weird."

"How did it end?" Ford asked frantically.

"Uh, I think I woke up after he gave me the axe."

"Did you make any deals? Did you shake his hand!?"

"Nnnnnooo?" Wendy replied, starting to feel a little weirded out.

Ford grabbed her by the shoulders. "This is gravely serious. Your dreams were invaded last night by Bill Cipher."

"Wait, you mean like that jerk Mabel needed the unicorn hair to get rid of?"

"Yes, and he's trying to convince you to cut open the rift I already sealed! What exactly did he say to you?"

"Who, you mean the Dipper in my dream?"

"Yes, I'm almost certain that was Bill in disguise. Did he have yellow eyes?"

Wendy looked genuinely spooked now. "How… how did you know that?"

"What did he say to you?" Ford repeated forcefully.

"Relax, Captain Paranoid." Stan stepped between his brother and his employee.

"I am not paranoid!!" Ford shouted. "There is no possible way she could just coincidentally dream all those details, it has to be Bill!"

"I know, alright, but you're freaking her out!"

To the untrained eye, Wendy just looked mildly perturbed, but Stan had known her long enough to know mildly perturbed for Wendy was on the verge of a panic attack for an average person.

Ford tried to reel in his frantic, fearful energy, but he still needed to know what happened. "I'm sorry, I don't mean to frighten you, it's just--"

"I'm not frightened." Wendy insisted. "It's just a lot to take in, ya know?" She paused and thought back to her dream. "He just handed me my axe, and said 'Have at it, Red!' and that's not how Dipper talks to me, so I woke up."

Stan could practically see the gears turning in Ford’s head as the old researcher tried to guess what Bill was up to. The old conman was pretty worried about the whole thing himself; he honestly hadn’t thought Bill would bother anyone outside their immediate family, but he wasn’t about to let any of that show. Wendy was freaked out enough as it was.

“Thank you… Wendy, was it?” Ford finally said. “For now, you needn’t worry. Just be cautious if you have any more strange dreams: don’t shake anyone’s hand, don’t make any deals, and don’t burst any bubbles, balloons, or other dome-like things.”

“Yeah, sure.” Wendy nodded, which Stan knew was probably the strongest affirmative she’d ever give any adult.

“Do you dudes wanna hear about the weird dream I had last night?” Soos asked.

“Yes.” Ford said gravely.

“Oh boy.” Stan just rolled his eyes.

“Ok, so I was at Beryl City Nerdic Con with Melody, only she wasn’t actually there in person, she was just there on my laptop that I had to carry around with me, and I was trying to go to a panel where Mr. Pines was the guest speaker, except the room kept on getting changed, so I was running all over the convention center, but I had to be careful not to drop my laptop, or Melody couldn’t see what was happening. And then they moved the panel to a tent outside…”

Stan pulled Wendy aside while Soos continued the ramble on. “Hey, kid, we’re pretty slow today, so if you’re not feelin’ great after last night--”

“I’m fine, Mr. Pines.” The girl insisted. But the fact that she’d passed up an opportunity to get out of work for the day was practically a blinking sign advertising the fact that she was definitely not fine.

“If you say so.” Stan folded his arms. “But like I said, we’re slow. Do me a favor an’ go check on the kids. I haven’t seen either of ‘em all morning.”

“Yeah, alright.” She walked through the Employees Only door and into the main part of the house. Stan was sure Dipper and Mabel would do a better job of explaining what was going on and comforting the teen than his brother had. Of course, Ford had set the bar pretty low.

“... So I spent like, the next twenty minutes of the dream working on this dude’s engine. And when I’m finally done, instead of asking him to give me a ride to the panel, I just keep walking! I didn’t even realize I could’ve asked him that until we were like a block down the street and Melody brought it up! So then it started raining--”

“Soos,” Ford finally interrupted the handyman’s long winded retelling. “Were there yellow eyes at any point in this dream?”

“Uh, not that I remember.”

“Did you ever shake anyone’s hand?”

“Nah, I had to keep holding on to Melody’s laptop.”

“Did you make a deal with anyone?”

“Well, I did start working at that restaurant, and fix that one dude’s truck. But those weren’t really deals, I don’t think. I just saw jobs that needed to be done.”

“Then I think I can say with certainty that Bill Cipher did not enter your dreams last night.”

“Heheh, what a relief! So anyway, once we got to the tent where the panel was being held…”

* * *

Mabel had been texting back and forth with Pacifica since she’d gotten up that morning.

Pacifica, I have a weird question for you

I thought I told you to delete this number

And for the last time, it wasn’t actually a hug

No, not about you and diper

*Dipper

Have your parents been acting weird lately?

What do you mean they’re never weird

They’re the opposite of weird

They’re just really rich and controlling

I mean have they been acting different from usual?

No they’re just mad at me

why?

Its a long story. Come over later and ill tell you about it!!!

Can’t

I’m super grounded after the photoshoot thing

Do we need to come rescue you???!?!

No please don’t I’ll just get in more trouble

:( :( :(

Well let me know if you have any weird dreams or anything

Why what’s going on?

I don’t think its safe to talk bout it over phone

Are you ok?

:D :D :D :D

Yeah im fine!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I helped Grunkle Ford set up a protection spell

You remember he was the one you said looked like hot Stan

OMG SHUT UP!!

The colorful girl hadn’t heard back from her crazy rich rival since that last comment, but at least it seemed nothing was up with the Northwests. Mabel sighed as she hugged Waddles and scrolled back up through their conversation. She may have stretched the truth a bit with Pacifica. “Fine” probably wasn’t the right word for how she felt. But she didn’t want her friend to worry about her.

She was interrupted from her thoughts by a knock on the door.

“What up, dudes?” Wendy called from the other side.

Mabel finally got up out of bed and opened the door to her teenaged friend. “Wendy! What are you doing up here?”

“Stan asked me to come check on you guys.” She shrugged. “Hey, where’s Dipper?”

“I think he’s on the roof. He… he needed some time to himself for thinking.”

“Well, he’d better be done, ‘cuz I need to talk to him.” Wendy said sternly.

Mabel led the ginger teen over to the nearest window with access to the roof. It wasn’t necessary, Wendy knew her way around the Shack, but the colorful girl needed an excuse to get up and out of her room. Once Wendy was outside, Waddles started thumping down the stairs, probably in search of a late breakfast. Mabel followed him down the stairs and into the kitchen.

Stan had made bacon and cheesy eggs, although they’d gone cold by the time Mabel reached them. Oh well, it was nothing a few seconds in the microwave couldn’t fix. The girl scooped the eggs into a bowl and nuked them for a few seconds. Waddles sniffed at the food on the table above him.

“No Waddles!” Mabel admonished him, pushing away the plate of bacon. “That’s cannibalism!”

Once it was warmed, she scooped half her eggs directly into the pig’s mouth, then proceeded to eat the rest herself. After finishing breakfast, she made a beeline for the livingroom and the TV, intent on watching Saturday morning cartoons. The den and the livingroom kind of bled into each other, and when Mabel sat down on the recliner in front of the TV, she couldn’t help but notice Ford sitting at the card table around the corner, intently watching his own screen.

The girl wondered if this was the right time to finally confront Ford about the apprenticeship thing. They were alone in the house at the moment, but he looked busy. Then she remembered. Ford had said he wanted to watch the security cameras to make sure no tourists tried to get into the lab today! Mabel knew better than to try and interrupt that, so she just flipped on the TV instead.

The sound of the TV turning on, however, alerted Ford to her presence. The old researcher looked up at her, then back down at his screen, then glanced at the door, back at the screen, and finally back up at Mabel again.

"Mabel, may I speak with you for a moment?" He asked.

Mabel's brain tripped all over itself. This was her chance, but what was she supposed to say? How could she explain to her Grunkle how what he was offering Dipper was hurting her? Would he get mad at her? Was she going to lose control of her emotions and get mad at him?

Her apprehension must have been apparent, because Ford crossed the room and knelt down beside her, getting on her eye level. "I want you to know, it was never my intention to hurt you by offering Dipper the apprenticeship. I guessed it might upset you, but I didn't realize just how strongly you'd react, or how terrible my timing was. I'm afraid I can't give you the same kind of personalized education I can give your brother, the kind of education you deserve, but you're welcome to stay here too, if you wish."

The girl was stunned, unsure of how to react. Her thoughts, which had already been scrambling to figure out how to confront Ford, were knocked completely off-course. Wasn’t this what she wanted? More time in Gravity Falls? More time to spend with her new family and friends? More time to have adventures with her brother? Or had her new Grunkle’s offer just made her situation worse? If Mabel stayed in Gravity Falls, she wouldn’t get to go to school with her old friends, wouldn’t get to go home to her mom and dad, or her cat, back in Piedmont.

“...Mabel?” Ford asked when she hesitated.

“I know you’re trying to make me feel better, but you’re not!” She finally cried. “You’re making me choose between my brother and my parents!”

“Mabel, no--”

“Yes, you are!” She maintained, with tears in her eyes. “I know you’ve been alone for a long time, and you’re mad at your brother, b-but you’ve got to understand how hard a decision you’re asking us to make!”

The old researcher was obviously distressed that he’d made his niece cry, but he went on talking anyway.

“Mabel, I do realize how difficult a decision this is... and you don’t have to make that decision right away. I just-- just realized it wasn’t fair to not at least give you that option. And I know you’re capable. You’ve already made several difficult decisions this summer, from what I’ve heard.”

“So what’s one more, right?” She cried indignantly, wiping furiously away at her tears and storming off.

Unfortunately, the sounds of their argument had attracted Stan. He poked his head in from the gift shop just in time to see Mabel’s aggrieved exit. The old conman entered the room, and if looks could kill, Ford would have been dead on the spot.

“What. Did you. Do?”

* * *

The roof held its fair share of bad memories for Dipper. It was where Wax Sherlock Holmes had tried to kill him, where Tyrone had melted, where Bill had first tried to make a deal with him. But there were some good memories too. It was where he’d first started hanging out with Wendy, where he’d lit off fireworks with Grunkle Stan and Mabel, where he still liked to go when he needed someplace to think. It was some peace and quiet away from his raucous family members. Dipper definitely got why Ford spent so much time in the basement.

Today it was especially nice. The weather was cooling as fall approached, and a pleasant breeze whispered through the treetops. The sun-warmed shingles were just the right temperature, making a comfortable seat.

Dipper needed the tranquil environment. He had a lot on his mind, and a big decision to make. Today was the first time since Ford had offered him the apprenticeship that he had an opportunity to stop and really consider his options. So far, the boy had compiled a detailed pros and cons chart, and was currently in the process of reviewing that list and giving each item a weighted score. Pros like “Don’t have to ride bus back to Piedmont” only got one point, while pros like “Get to explore UFO” got ten. The cons were rated on a similar scale, with the worst one, “Don’t go home with Mabel”, getting a score of eleven, because it was a very bad con.

“Hmmm, get to hang out with Wendy after school… Would that be a six or a seven? Mabey an eight?” He mumbled to himself.

“I’d go with eight. I might be biased though.” Wendy’s voice replied behind him.

The boy’s face flushed the same shade of red as the teen’s hair. “W-wendy! I-I’m sorry, I didn’t notice you there! It’s not--I’m not--I just wanna hang out as friends, I swear!”

“Don’t sweat it, man!” She punched him playfully in the arm. “I’m the one who snuck up on you.”

“Heh.” Dipper forced out an awkward chuckle. “Did you come up here to escape work?”

“Eh, sorta.” Wendy waggled her hand in a so-so motion. “Stan asked me to check on you dudes.”

“Oh. Yeah, everyone’s kinda freaked out right now ‘cuz Bill showed up yesterday. He tried to make a deal with Mabel and Stan, and then when he couldn’t, he got angry and started making threats. Ford’s got something he wants, but it’s safe, thanks to that unicorn hair you and Mabel got the other day. We just have to make sure it stays that way.”

“Yyyeah, that’s kinda the other reason I’m up here.” Wendy admitted.

Dipper turned his full attention to her. He hadn’t seen Wendy this nervous since they almost got their memories wiped.

“So… I had a weird dream last night. I didn’t really think anything of it until I talked to Ford about it when I got into work just now… but… he seemed to think it was that Bill guy, and honestly… I think he’s right.”

Dipper’s eyes widened with fear. “Ohmigosh, a-are you ok? What happened? Did he try to make a deal with you? Did he threaten you or your family?”

“Nah, dude, he just… It was weird, I guess in the dream he was pretending to be you? I went down into the Shack’s basement and it was filled with these bubbles of glitter, or something, and you were down there, but your eyes were yellow and you were calling me weird names. You gave me my axe and said ‘Have at it’. Or, Bill did, I guess.”

The breeze that had once felt pleasant was now sending shivers up Dipper’s spine. “The rift! He was trying to get you to cut open the rift!”

"Yeah, that's what your Uncle said. Uh, and that is…?” Wendy asked.

The boy hesitated. Ford had asked Dipper not to tell anyone about the rift, not even Stan or Mabel… but that had almost led to Bill tricking them yesterday. He probably would have, if not for Stan’s instincts. It would probably be best if he told Wendy, right? He’d already kinda spilled the beans, after all.

“The portal that Stan used to bring Ford home created a rip in the universe.” Dipper explained. “Bill wants it so he can invade our world. Me and Ford sealed it up with an alien adhesive, but it’s taking longer to dry than we thought, so it’s still vulnerable. And Bill will try to convince anyone to break it open.”

“Yeah, well he wasn’t all that convincing, if you ask me.” Wendy said flippantly.

Dipper thought back to that night over a month ago on this very roof. “He wasn’t that convincing the first time he tried to trick me either. But then he showed up when I was desperate, and…” He suddenly understood why Ford had been so reluctant to share his past with Bill. Dipper couldn’t reveal such an embarrassing secret, especially not to Wendy. Still, it was probably the most effective way to explain what Bill was capable of to her.

“You remember what happened at Mabel’s puppet show, last month?”

“Yeah dude, you were so sleep deprived you started acting like the villain from a bad slasher flick.”

“That… wasn’t sleep deprivation. Bill possessed me.”

“Wait, what?” Wendy asked in disbelief.

“I-I screwed up. He said he’d give me the answers I was looking for, and all he wanted in return was a puppet. But I was the puppet!”

Wendy stared at him in horror. Dipper’s stomach flip-flopped. Was she going to tell him off for being stupid enough to fall for such an obvious trick? Was she afraid that Bill would come back and possess him again? Did she even believe him, or did she think he’d finally lost his mind?

“That wasn’t you…” she finally spoke in a low voice “...and I didn’t even realize… no, I knew something was off, but… Oh my gosh, Dipper, I’m so sorry, I should’ve done something!”

“What? No, Wendy, it’s not your fault!” he assured her. “I just wanted to warn you! Bill might come back, you need to know how he works, what he might try to do.”

The ginger teen stared out over the forest with a far-away look, her knuckles bone-white as she tightly gripped the edge of the roof. Dipper realized her gaze was pointed towards her house.

“Hey, uh, if I were to get my hands on some more unicorn hair, would your uncle be able to, I dunno, protect my house the way he did to the Shack?”

“Uh, I think so…” Dipper replied. “I’d have to ask him first.”

“Great. You talk to Ford. I gotta go talk to Stan. I think I’m gonna take the day off after all.”

* * *

Stan had just finished up a tour with a young couple who seemed more interested in each other than the exhibits. Eh, he’d take what he could get. Maybe he could set up a secluded corner of the gift shop and charge them to use the “Mystery Make-out Cave”.

He’d been about to move the T-shirt rack to start just that, when he heard a raised voice coming from the den. Stan turned up his hearing aide and leaned his ear against the door. It was Mabel, and she sounded upset. Next, he heard the long-winded ramblings of Ford. Whatever his big-mouthed brother had said obviously didn’t make Mabel feel any better. Stan poked his head into the room to see what all the commotion was about, just in time to see her fleeing the room. He’d only caught a glimpse of her face before she rounded the corner, but it was enough to see the tears streaming down her cheeks.

“What. Did you. Do?” Stan asked, his voice dangerously low.

Ford at least had the decency to feel guilty about making his niece cry. “I-I just told her she was welcome to stay here with Dipper during his apprenticeship, but for some reason beyond my understanding--”

“You did what!?” Stan growled.

“You’re the one who told me I was excluding Mabel by not extending her an offer as well!”

“You were supposed to call their parents first, genius!”

“You never said anything about which one I was supposed to do first!”

Part of Stan wanted to shake his brother, ask him how a guy with 12 PhD’s could be so stupid. But the other part of Stan knew Ford had always been like this. You had to give him ridiculously specific instructions when it came to social interactions, or he’d completely mess them up. Sometimes he’d mess them up even with instructions. It was Stan’s own fault for not saying “First you have to call the kids’ parents and get their permission. Then, there won’t be a then because there’s no way on Earth they’ll ever agree to it!”

Instead, Stan just pinched the bridge of his nose, massaged his eyes in a futile attempt to stop the oncoming stress-headache, and heaved a sigh of frustration.

“You know what your problem is? You’re treatin’ these kids like adults.”

“You see that as a problem?” Ford raised an eyebrow. “Perhaps your problem is that you treat them too much like children.”

“I don’t mean talkin’ down to them, or babying them!” Stan clarified. “I mean tryin’ to give them a normal-ish childhood! I mean not expectin’ them to grow up too fast! I mean not dumping huge problems or decisions on them! I mean lettin’ them enjoy bein’ young while they still can!”

“Normal is overrated.” Ford replied coolly. “And I still fail to see why they can’t enjoy being young here in Gravity Falls.”

Stan gave up. Why did he ever think his brother would listen to him? There was obviously only one way he was gonna make Ford see reason.

“Alright, time for you to call the kids parents.”

“I’ll call them after you shut down the gift shop for the day.” Ford said, looking back down at the security feed on his future-tech screen.

“Quit putting it off, Sixer! I’ll watch the gift shop. You go call. Now.” Stan insisted forcefully.

Thankfully, Ford relented. Just as he was about to enter the kitchen to access the phone there, Stan stopped him.

“Their numbers are on the fridge. Micha and Deborah. You probably have the best chance of reachin’ Debbs this time of day. Don’t call her Debbie, or she’ll chew you out for fifteen minutes.”

“Noted.” Ford nodded.

Stan returned to the gift shop. Someone had to keep an eye on the vending machine, after all. Of course, he was also going to keep an ear on Ford’s call, to make sure the nerd didn’t worm his way out of actually asking for permission.

When they were kids growing up in New Jersey, Stan and Ford would often listen in on their mother’s customers by carefully picking up the second receiver downstairs in the pawn shop. All they had to do was cover the mic and be careful not to giggle too much, and even their mom wouldn’t realize they were listening in until either one of them laughed too loud or dropped the phone. Stan’s landline had a second receiver in the gift shop, right next to the cash register.

The old conman picked up the phone, pressed his thumb over the mic, and held the speaker up to his ear. Bingo! It was still ringing, and it didn’t seem that Ford realized his brother was listening in, as the old nerd was humming to himself as he waited.

“Hello? Stanford?” Debbs asked as she answered the phone.

Ford's little gasp was amplified by the crackle of his breath into the phone's mic. "H-how did you-- you know who I am?"

"Caller ID, silly!" She explained with a giggle. "I know you're old, Stan, but it's been a thing since the 80's."

"Actually, it's been around since the 60's," Ford corrected her, "although I imagine its use became much more widespread after 1982."

"Uh, yeah… Stanford, are you sick? You sound, um… you don't sound like yourself."

Stan grit his teeth. Sure, rub salt in that wound. Because his brother didn't already hate him enough.

"I'm fine." Ford answered stiffly. "It's an incredibly long story, one I don't have time to relate over the phone now. Suffice to say, I'm more myself now than I've been in the last 30 years. But I have more important things to discuss with you."

"Is everything ok?" Debbs asked, a hint of worry coloring her voice.

Don't mention the dream demon threatening to kill us all! Stan thought desperately.

"Oh, I'm not calling about any trouble." Ford assured her.

Stan breathed a sigh of relief. So his brother wasn't completely clueless after all.

"I'm actually calling because I have a great opportunity for Dipper and Mabel!" The old researcher continued enthusiastically.

"Did you find discounted bus tickets?"

"No. In fact, there's a good chance you won't need to buy bus tickets at all! You see, I'd like to take Dipper on as my apprentice studying the anomalies of Gravity Falls! Mabel is welcome to stay too, although I'll need to find an appropriate teacher for her as soon as I take care of… ah, some more pressing matters in my work. I promise you, I'll make sure they continue to keep in regular contact with you through weekly letters, and with modern communications technology, you'll be able to talk with them face-to-face whenever you like. We'll also make time to come down and visit as often as our studies will allow. All I need is your permission for them to continue their stay here."

There was a long pause on the other end of the line. Finally, Debbs giggled nervously, like she was forcing herself to laugh at a joke she didn't get.

"Uhhh, that's great Stan. Are you practicing one of your new sales pitches on me?"

"I assure you, this is not one of my brother's schemes." Ford insisted. "You're my family, I would never expect any kind of compensation, regardless of how much the price of a secondary education had risen."

"Secondary education? I don't understand. What are you talking about?"

"I realize they're both at a seventh-grade level now, but I have twelve PhD's. With my one-on-one personalized teaching, even Mabel could begin learning at the college level in a couple of years. As for Dipper, I'm confident he could reach that level before next summer."

“No.”

“Well, I’m sure you’ll need to speak to your husband about it first, but we’ve still got another week to come to an agreement.”

Debbs' voice switched from sweet and patient to icy and venomous. "Listen, I dunno who you think you are, but you're not getting my kids!!"

“Y-you misunderstand me.” Ford’s voice faltered. “I don’t want to take your kids away from you, I’m just trying to give them a better education than what’s available to them back in California. Like I said, we’ll keep in regular contact, and we’ll come to visit--”

“Oh, I don’t care what kinda ‘better education’ you’re offering!” Debbs snapped sharply. “Nothing is worth being separated from my children!”

“What? But… but you’re separated from them right now! You’ve been separated for months! Why is it suddenly a problem now?” Ford asked in confusion.

“Two and a half months.” Debbs clarified. “Two and a half months so they could get out of the city and spend some time in the great outdoors, and even that’s been hard. And you expect me to just… just let my babies move away?”

“E-everyone moves away from home eventually, though.” Ford reasoned. “Surely, you don’t want them to still be living with you when they’re in their thirties!”

“Eventually, maybe. But not when they’re barely even thirteen!” She retorted. “Now you listen to me Stanford, or whoever you are. My kids had better be on the bus back to Piedmont come next Friday, or I’m coming up there to get them myself. And you’d better believe if I have to do that, they’re never going back to Gravity Falls again!”

With that, she hung up. Stan quickly hung up as well, so Ford didn’t notice the line was still active.

“...Great.” Stan hissed to himself, massaging his temples. That stress headache was really setting in now.

He’d been counting on this talk with the kids’ folks to be a wake-up call to Ford, but he hadn’t stopped to think about how much damage control he was gonna have to do afterwards. How could he have forgotten how much of an interpersonal relationship disaster his brother was? He should have been there in the same room with Ford, coaching him through it, making sure the nerd didn’t screw things up for both of them like this.

Stan picked the phone back up and dialed Deborah’s number, hoping against all logic that she’d pick up. He needed to fix this, or he might never be allowed to see the kids again. The old conman felt a wave of relief when she actually answered.

“Debbs, that wasn’t me on the phone just now!” He shouted into the receiver the moment he heard her pick up.

“Yeah, I kinda figured.” she replied. “Do you know who that was? What’s going on?”

“Uh… just some guy I went to highschool with back in Jersey.” The best way to sell a lie is with a bunch of technically true facts. “He’s here visiting.”

"What is his problem!?"

“I dunno, Debbs, he’s got some serious issues.” Stan rolled his eyes. “But, you know I’d do anything to make sure Dipper and Mabel come home safe to you, right? You don’t gotta worry.”

“I know, Stanford, and I appreciate the sentiment, but I’d really don’t feel comfortable with the kids spending time with your friend.”

“We, uh, we’re not exactly friends anymore.” Stan clarified, his heart sinking.

"Well, that should make it easier to tell him to stay away from my children."

Stan had originally just called Debbs back to reassure her and make sure he didn't lose the privilege of taking care of the kids. He'd done that. He could just say 'You got it' and hang up, but he didn't. Instead he found himself opening up his mouth and defending his brother.

"Look, I know he was way out of line, tryin' to ask you to send the kids up here year-round, but I swear to you, he doesn't mean 'em any harm. He, uh, he's been on his own for a long time, and he's been through some terrible stuff. I'm not exaggerating when I say Dipper and Mabel are probably the best thing to happen to him in 30 years. He wasn't great with people before, and all that time alone definitely didn't help. I tried to tell him he couldn't just invite the kids to stay here all year, but he wouldn't listen to me. So I told him to call you. I shouldn'ta done that, I'm sorry. It, uh, it's my fault."

Stan wasn’t sure why he was sticking his neck out for his brother like this, but regardless of how he and his brother felt about each other, Stan knew the kids loved Ford, and the nerd loved them right back. Even if Mabel was really upset with Ford right now. If the girl could forgive someone like Pacifica Northwest, she'd definitely make up with her mysterious new uncle who spoke in overdramatic monologues and sent her to look for unicorns. It would break all three of their hearts if they weren’t allowed to see each other any more.

Debbs sighed, but it was with more fondness than frustration. “Helping someone heal from trauma does sound just like my little angels… but can you promise me he’s not dangerous?”

Stan remembered what he’d told Dipper, just last week. My brother is a dangerous know-it-all…

But hey, he was already an expert at lying to his family.

“Yeah, sure, I promise. And if it makes you feel any better, I’m pretty sure he’d take a bullet for either of them. Not, heh, not that he would ever need to!”

“Well, ok. I suppose that’s the best I can ask for, short of driving up there and having a talk with him myself.”

“Yeah, I wouldn’t recommend it. We’re at peak tourist season here, the Mystery Shack’s a hive of activity.” Stan said, looking out over the deserted gift shop.

“Well, thanks for taking time out of your busy schedule to call me.”

“Hey, family comes first.”

“Too right. Oh, and I never got your… uh, acquaintance’s name.”

“Fffffrank.”

“Ok. Please try and have another talk with Frank. I know you said he wouldn’t listen to you, but--”

“Oh trust me, I’m gonna have a long talk with him.”

“Thank you, Stan. Take care!”

“Yeah, you too.” Stan hung up and turned to his handyman. “Soos, hold down the fort for me, and keep an eye on the vending machine. I gotta go have another talk with my brother.”

#Gravity Falls #Fanfiction #Mabel Pines #Dipper Pines #Stanley Pines #Stanford Pines #wendy corduroy #My Writing

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serenity-wonders · 5 years ago

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Employments of Binoculars in Different Outdoor Situations

Optics are a valuable aspect of one's outside rigging. Flexibility and conveyability have made these gadgets practically irreplaceable in various circumstances, from customary diversions and mainstream interests to genuine expert applications. In case you're one of those individuals wishing to think about the employments of optics before getting or utilizing a couple, my article is here to illuminate you!

Employments of Binoculars

Presently, I'll talk about you what number of ways one can utilize a couple of optics. However, recollect one thing that the accompanying applications may yield variable results relying upon the pair utilized and the earth presented to. best compact binoculars for birding and hiking

For Day-To-Day Entertainment

Try not to restrict your choices by feeling that the pair of optics in your pocket is implied uniquely for experiences or open air thrills. Here're various ways the optics can be valuable in your everyday life.

Show/Theater Performance

Ever been to a show house? On the off chance that you have, you better think about charming the guest plans that frequently permit guests to have a normal review understanding, which is additionally influenced by the helpless lighting condition. Get your optics and glance through the eye tops. What do you see? You're not, at this point denied of the chance of ideal survey.

Shows

Couldn't occur to be at the scene on schedule? Be that as it may, you would prefer not to return home without viewing your preferred star acting before thousands if not millions. Where're your additional pair of eyes that bring the inaccessible star(s) sufficiently closer to feel that you see them genuine close? With these gadgets, you no longer need to stress over not being remembered for the VIP rundown and viewing your celeb.

Celebrations and Social Events

Get-togethers like brilliant parades, celebrations, and celebrations include large groups that are on the motorcade with a few purposes of attractions that no one needs to miss. Regardless of how clogged the group is. You can generally utilize the optics to notice all that is going on in front of and behind you.

Live Games/Sports

In my life, I've utilized my sets a larger number of times during a live MLB coordinate than I did during whatever else. These games aren't jokes, and they're played in open (yet made sure about) places. You must be available there to appreciate the genuine type of pleasure. How might you watch a ball swinging broadcasting live while you're perched on the farthest side? Try not to stress, mate! You recognize what to do!

For Outdoor Adventures/Pursuits

After some examination, I found that the quantity of units offered to outdoorsmen is higher than that to all different classes of purchasers joined. It's nothing unexpected, isn't that so? We should perceive how individuals with affection for experiences and excites use optics.

Chasing

When you head out to the forested areas or fields; your apparatuses are set up, and you're prepared to chase. In any case, that isn't exceptionally simple without a couple of chasing optics. Yet, why? You may contend that you have a rangefinder that flaunts forefront innovation, a rifle that fires careful, and a decent outfit that coordinates the environmental factors. I would suggest progressed rangefinder optics since you may require help with run finding and far off survey. These units are useful. I profited by mine multiple times previously.

Moreover, you can follow the development of your prey while you aren't going to shoot. You may keep a nearby gander at your objective while setting yourself up for a major event.

Winged animal Watching

Individuals who love birding depend intensely on these gadgets. Feathered creatures fly and rest on trees, frequently in removed areas from eyewitnesses. Yet, that can scarcely influence the soul of a birdwatcher who needs to perceive the species, take a gander at their plumage, and watch their flying energies and developments.

Climbing and Sightseeing

At the point when you're on a climbing/touring venture, you can't contact pretty much every scene that comes extremely close to your vision. Imagine a scenario where you've just a short time before the dusk and the mountain top that stands a huge number of feet away despite everything winks at you. You would prefer not to overlook the inaccessible welcome by and large. Indeed, let your optics assume their job and delight you. Besides, you won't miss a snapshot of the nature's quality with a couple of good optics.

Exploring and Traveling

Some state voyagers ought to stress more on cameras than optics. I believe it's wrong. While on the excursion, moving scenes at the separation look attractive when you can take a gander at them unmistakably with less interruptions. Thus, when you're the place you needed to be, a few perspectives will make you take snaps immediately while others will invite you for a profound look and a spot in your heart. In any case, optics help the two hikers and vacationers. Explorers, Campers, and Fishers all can utilize a binocular for amusement.

Outdoors

Could you generally go out and meet a savage, snarling animal only for watching it live? Specialists won't offer a positive input. Or maybe, you can watch the monster moving while at the same time taking safe sanctuary inside the camp. Because of the creators of binos!

For Professional Activities

Reconnaissance is the most average movement that individuals occupied with safeguard powers or related wings need to achieve with optics. Private observation and marine experts can likewise profit by these gadgets.

Doing Surveillance

Perhaps, you won't care for the activity, yet trust me, many individuals are doping this as a component of their calling. Consider coast monitor individuals, lookout faculty, and other reconnaissance experts. They depend on these units to watch out for dubious operators/protests that may meddle and unleash destruction to the protected people/property. Since these positions are commonly done around evening time, some top of the line night vision units can have any kind of effect.

Military Purposes

Military experts depend on units that are uncommonly intended to assist them with the investigation and exploring of data and hiding threats, or any mystery strategic reconnaissance is of incredible worth. These optics utilize the most trend setting innovation joining forefront optics, top notch coatings, and highlights. In this way, costs of these units may irritate a few people who are searching for a modest alternative. Nonetheless, makers are attempting to guarantee reasonable arrangements, and they truly succeeded.

Marine Activities

These optics are commonly intended to be land-based units that permit seeing submerged contrastingly since the majority of them come outfitted with lower amplification specs than the ones utilized for different purposes.

For Astronomy

Except if you're a cosmologist, by calling, you can without much of a stretch fulfill your stargazing needs and complete other extending works fine and dandy with optics. For what reason will you miss the charm of sky seeing while you can get them all?

Survey Beyond the Horizon

Did it ever happen that you needed to see the dawn/dusk that is rising/peeping through the finish of the skyline? A unit with high amplification can let you appreciate the entrancing perspective over the skyline while loaning you a memory to clutch your cerebrum.

Stargazing

I think this part needs no presentation. I simply need you to realize that your optics ought to have the option to perform appropriately in low-light conditions. Your leaf-peeping unit may not give you any view whatsoever. Sets without low-scattering glass may likewise make you end up with pictures brimming with chromatic distortion/bordering. You can at present get the greater part of a couple that comprises of extra-low scattering glass in its focal points. Simply set yourself immovably! I guarantee you won't miss nothing from the most splendid to the faintest of stars.

Survey Comets and Planets

I got energetic when I knew about a portion of 2018's comets in particular 21P, 38P, 46P, and so on. As my companion requested that I go along with him with optics close by, I took the risk to perceive how these splendid lunar bodies beauty the sky making great sights that can calm even the dreariest of brain. From now, you won't miss a damn thing, old buddy. Proceed to watch yourself the red atmosphere of Aldebaran, Antares, Betelgeuse, and Mars. Different planets are likewise there. You simply need to project your look!

Shrouds, Occultation, and Transits

The sky anticipates you with all its wonder and dream diffused by the radiant sight of oceans and cavities. Try not to get scared of watching the shrouds . However long you have the intrigue and the correct pair of optics, the sky will fill your heart with its heavenly sparkle and for more information click here

My words are as yet coming. Along these lines, don't quit perusing at the present time. I'm going to tell you of some different ways that optics can be useful to you. These utilizations are a long ways past the shows, however they're functional.

#best 10x42 binoculars under $300 #best binoculars for birding and hiking #best binoculars under $200 #binocularshub

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motoropt · 2 years ago

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BOSS Audio Systems Elite Series BCPA9 Car Stereo System - Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, 9 Inch Single Din, Bluetooth Head Unit, No CD Player, Touchscreen, Radio Receiver

Apple CarPlay - Access icons on your iPhone by activating Siri voice controls or touchscreen. Available features include Phone, Music, Maps, Text messages, Radio, Podcasts, Audiobooks. Make your drive more interesting Messages - With Siri on your side, you can ask her to read you your messages, reply as well as send them. Siri lets you concentrate on what matters most. Driving Maps - Need gas? Hungry? Search along your route by asking Siri, and CarPlay will direct you every step of the way and tell you the speed limit too. Third-party navigation apps like Google Maps, Waze and Baidu are also available Bluetooth - Make calls hands-free with the help of Siri. Play music apps like Spotify or Pandora as well as iTunes and Apple Music Subscription. Siri will be your DJ Android Auto - Just say “Ok Google” to talk to the Google Assistant for help. Get real-time alerts on Google Maps and Waze. Make calls, check your messages, reply back, use music apps, all while keeping your hands on the steering wheel APPS - Rearrange how you want your apps to appear in CarPlay through the settings on your iPhone. Supported apps include WhatsApp, Radio Disney, Amazon, iHeartRadio, Podcasts, Google Play Music, CBS Radio and more Inputs – USB, USB charging, AV, front & rear camera, steering wheel interface (Sold separately. We recommend the Metra ASWC-1) Outputs - Front, rear & subwoofer pre-amp for speakers (front left / front right and rear left / rear right) and subwoofer BOSS Audio Systems provides a powerful 3-year platinum online dealer warranty so long as the purchase is made through Amazon.com. We strongly encourage professional installation of this product to ensure proper and safe functionality Read the full article

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vishantk · 5 years ago

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TOP 10 CRAZY GOOGLE PATENTS THAT WILL SHAPE FUTURE

The universe of Mobiles, Computers and the Internet is developing at an insane rate which is probably going to just increment later on. The name that tops in the rundown of innovation engineers and analysts is undoubted of GOOGLE’S.

Today I will be offering to you my rundown of top 10 odd and fascinating google licenses which may before long lead to the making of interesting items and administrations.

1) Smart Sensor for advertisements

Our first pick is a patent about an extra sensor which could before long be available in cell phones. As we as a whole know google’s principle business income is produced through advertisements appeared on query items and different other related stages. To build it’s benefits and pertinence in promotions conveyance, Google has built up an exceptional sensor which can recognize ecological conditions like temperature, mugginess, air-creation, light or sound almost a device.This could imply that in the event that the sensor distinguishes sound of downpour, at that point ad for umbrellas could be served. Such conditions at that point could be connected with watchwords that promoters choose to utilize and pay for.

2) Floating Data Center:

The following patent on our rundown is tied in with gliding server farms. With the expansion in broad daylight utilization of the web, presently with a large number of individuals getting to the worldwide web just as transmission capacity requested by every one of the clients, numerous data suppliers have begun utilizing server farms to offer their types of assistance. A server farm is an office that contains hundreds or even a great many arranged PCs and related parts mounted on countless racks. Such units remain online all through the clock, preparing and putting away a gigantic measure of gathered information to offer different types of assistance to the client when required. For instance, web index results. Along these lines, a standard server farm requires as much power as a modest community to work henceforth, is costly to keep up. In February of 2007, google recorded a patent for a framework that includes various figuring units mounted on a stage that can drift oversea. Here the power required by the office is produced by changing over the wave vitality of water into electrical vitality. The cooling system likewise depends on and utilizes the ocean water to chill off registering units.

3) Projection Keyboard:

You may have seen pictures of comparative gadgets before all through the web where you can extend either console or mouse or even whole showcase on any appropriate surface and give contribution to the gadget. Prior to the dispatch of Google Glass, it was estimated that the gadget would have this component as an extra. Presently in the wake of feeling the requirement for better information ability, google may before long bring a gadget or remember it as an element for the following adaptation of Glass utilizing which you can extend a console on your arms, wrist, or on any surface and type.

The Keystrokes are distinguished by taking two unique photos of the console. While the primary picture (say An) is taken an I.R (Infrared) shaft is extended on the console and killed while taking the subsequent picture (say B). At that point Image B is deducted from Image A to eliminate clamor and identify a contrast between pictures. The area where the thing that matters is found is related with the keystroke. The area recognized is contrasted and the console design put away in memory to decide the key squeezed.

4) Tattoo Microphone:

The following patent in our rundown is about an electronic skin tattoo that you can get yourself on your throat. This tattoo would be a totally conductive circuit with an inserted mic with which you can give most clear and most exact sound contribution to any close by gadget.

It can likewise be intended to shine each time you talk or articulate a word. It is being said that by consolidating this tattoo-circuit innovation with not many extra sensors, it can work as a genuine untruth indicator.

5) The Heart Hand Gesture for Input :

In July of 2011, google documented a patent that empowered google glass clients to take pictures of either items or spots they enjoyed with Glass by simply making a hand heart before the article. Hand heart is a famous hand signal framing a region limited by the two hands looking like a representative heart. Google glass than would naturally perceive the article/individual/place, snap a photo and offer it on informal communities as an “enjoyed” picture too file it.

6) Pay per Gaze:

Nowadays at whatever point you peruse through the web, odds are high that you may experience a great deal of promotions of various types and nature. On an ordinary site page, there might be various advertisements present. There can be one advertisement on top, one close to the last, one on the correct side, or perhaps left. Similarly on youtube where notwithstanding standards, video promotions are additionally present (both skippable and non Skippable). Some of the time we wind up focusing on such advertisements and disregard the remainder of the time. As per the following patent, google has an exceptional sensor built up that can follow eyes of a site page guest and screen their outward appearances to decide if a client saw a notice, on the off chance that truly, at that point how much consideration they paid to that specific ad or how engaging they discovered it to be.

This Special sensor can be implanted either in web cameras present in PCs, front cameras in mobiles, or in google glass. Google intends to include pay per look as an extra installment model for promoters alongside PPC, ROAS, and other existing models.

7) Street see strolling stick:

The following patent by google is for a mobile stick that has a camera on head of it which can catch 360-degree photographs each time the stick hits the ground. Google built up this venture to have the option to catch the road perspective on territories and zones, for example, climbing trails that are a long ways past the span of Google’s road see van. Prior, road see for vehicle free zones was caught with the assistance of tricycles or monster backpacks.Forex. This is the manner by which to google caught Grand Canyon. Contrasted with that, a mobile stick would be unquestionably lighter.

8) Comic Strip for Updates:

Till now we’ve been sharing our reports via online media by making posts that can be in type of text, picture, or recordings. As per the following patent for which google recorded in February 2010, soon enough we might post a comic book-like strip which can portray a little genuine discussion/circumstance.

The strip would be shown/installed on the interpersonal organization without setting off to a different site to see the strip. You can choose a topic for your strip. From that point forward, you can give your strip a title and make a comic character to speak to yourself with the assistance of a rearranged UI. There must be at any rate two characters in the strip occupied with a discussion.

9) Virtual partner for informal organization:

By this, sooner rather than later, you will have a remote helper which can post reports via web-based media for your sake. It can likewise like, offer, or remark on posts made by your companions or anybody on present via web-based media. For instance, If one of your companions has shared an image of their birthday festivity, you can naturally remark in a similar reference on that post and send your desires with the assistance of your menial helper without composing anything physically. However, it will consistently request your endorsement first before playing out any activity via online media.

10) Bill Split for parties :

Each time you go out with companions either for informal breakfast or perhaps supper, after all the great piece of babbling and the dinner itself, I am certain parting the check can get somewhat confused. Indeed, Google has got some uplifting news for you.

Our next patent is about a POS (Point of Sale) terminal that can compute share for every person and naturally charge them their sum. On the off chance that one of the individuals pays the whole sum, at that point the legitimate offer for every one of the rest of the student is consequently charged from their ledgers or any e-wallet and is moved to the person who cleared the check. You can even part the tip given to the server.

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nusantaraofficialstore · 5 years ago

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Car Audio / Head Unit: Alpine ILX W650E - 7"inch Android Auto, Apple Car Play, Bluetooth. Features: Simple swipe control Flat screen & ultra shallow dept design with KTA-450 Works with Apple CarPlay Works with Android Auto Superior sound quality Voice Assistant with Siri and Google assistant Tech Specs: Display & Illumination: 7 inch Capacitive touch screen 1 stylish background illumination Dimmer with auto sensor Anti glare screen Media: Apple CarPlay Android Auto Radio tuner USB for music and VDO MP3/WMA/AAC/FLAC/WAV/MP4/AVI/WMV/MOV Bluetooth phone and music streaming Sound & Tuning: Parametic EQ 6 CH time correction X-Over 3 Preout 4V. Connections: 1 x USB 2 x camera input ( front / rear) 3 Preout 4V. Steering wheel remote control *Nusantara Official Store* (at Jakarta, Indonesia) https://www.instagram.com/p/CBjRxGqF16e/?igshid=1gwdrj2w7yhwf

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hymn2000 · 6 years ago

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Where The Darkness Ends - MCU AU fanfic - C2

Story summary: The concept of having a baby has been more of an idea for a long time now. Ideal candidates for a three-person baby, Loki and Tony have finally, after many Peter-based setbacks and challenges, got to the point of being tested. Now, they just have to wait for the results before they can move on to the next stage.

Previous Chapter(s): 1

Part of my Frostiron and Spiderson series.

Warnings/themes: family stuff, mental health stuff, hurt/comfort, hospital/medical stuff, fertility stuff, IVF, potentially some medical inaccuracies

You can also find me on AO3

Chapter 2 - Curtains

Peter tried his luck again the next morning, He knew he hadn’t been allowed to go to the clinic at all so far, but he thought it was worth another shot. He whinged and whined and bargained for all he was worth, but his parents didn’t change their minds.

“Peter, stop” Tony said. “You know the answer is no, and it’s not going to change, not even if you whine until you’re blue in the face. You need to go to school”

“Yes, listen to your father, Peter” Loki said. “We’ll fill you in on everything you need to know tonight. Now finish your tea and go and get dressed”

Peter sighed in an exaggerated fashion. “Fine, but I’m definitely coming to the twelve week scan, even if it’s a school day”

“Go and get dressed, chick” Tony said.

“Promise me first!”

“Ok, I promise. Now go and get your uniform on!”

Peter and Tony chatted baby talk in the car on the way to school.

“-Oh yeah, and I’ve been reading all these Buzzfeed posts about parenting and parenting hacks and kid hacks and stuff. You know, I came across stuff you and daddy do as well. Have you been Buzzfeeding?”

Tony laughed slightly. “Not really my kinda thing, chick. Daddy definitely loves a Buzzfeed scroll though. Spends hours on it sometimes”

“Huh. Ya know, daddy’s really weird sometimes. Still, there was some cool ideas and stuff on those posts. Oh, oh! I forgot to ask you about something else”

“Oh yeah?”

“Are we gonna have a playroom? Because I was looking at these posts that had some really cool, mega, over-the-top rich-kid playrooms”

“Hmm, I hadn’t really thought about it yet” Tony said. “I think that’s something we’d need to think about a bit later. There’s no need for a playroom until the baby is older. Even when they’re at the age of playing, we’d probably just get a playpen. The whole idea of a playroom is very much an older thing. Say, maybe toddler-age. We’ll see”

“If we do at some point, can I help design it?”

“Sure. But don’t think about it too much: we’ve got a long way to go before our little three-person baby is a toddler”

“I know, I know. I think I need to slow down. I keep thinking ahead too much, like, to when my baby sibling is older. I keep thinking about the baby bits too, but I think about them older too”

“Yeah, I get that, kiddo” Tony said, turning through the gates into the grounds of St Hendricks. “I’ve thought about it too. But only a tiny bit. I’m kinda focusing on the baby stuff now. We’ll set a date for the next stage today. I know it’s been a long time coming, but it also still feels like it’s snuck up pretty fast”

“You and daddy are so excited. I am too. But I can tell you’re getting all emotional and stuff just thinking about it” Peter said. “You’ve been crying all your happy tears and looking at each other the way you did after you got engaged, and after the honeymoon, and after the adoption, and-”

“Adopting you was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made in my life. You’re such a brilliant little kid. I love you to bits” Tony said. “So does daddy. We’re both so, so lucky to have you in our lives, to have you as our son. You’re right in thinking the feeling we got back then is similar to what we feel now. We’re so excited and happy about this. It’s a pretty brilliant chance, the IVF stuff. We’ve wanted a baby for so long, and daddy has wanted one for even longer than me. It’s so cool to think it’s happening now. Family of four, kiddo”

“That means a comrade for me, you know. Two parents and two kids. Level the playing level a bit”

Tony smiled, laughing a little. “You’re so cute, kiddo”

“Ok, two parents, and two cute kids” Peter said. “You and dad are like, attractive men, right? My little sibling is bound to be adorable. I bet it’ll have daddies eyes”

“We’ll have to wait and see” Tony said, parking the car.

Peter looked out over the car park. “It feels so wrong and boring to be going to school when there’s something this exciting going on at home. I feel like I should be sat in the reading nook reading baby books or looking at nursery designs or something”

“I love your enthusiasm, bambino” Tony said. “But you need to stop daydreaming, just for a few hours. You need focus on your lessons like a good little boy. Ok?”

Peter sighed. “Lessons are so boring though! We’ve got some seriously dull units going on right now. I fell asleep in class four times last week!”

“I think that’s because of your late nights” Tony said, raising an eyebrow. “Darling, you’ve still gotta focus and keep your grades up. I know you’re bubbling over a bit right now, but give focusing a go, ok? Promise me”

Peter nodded. “Alright, I promise I’ll try to focus on my lessons and stop daydreaming so much. And try to stay awake”

“Good boy” Tony ruffled Peter’s hair. “Out you get. Time for school”

“Ok, ok” Peter unplugged his belt and opened the car door, getting out and throwing his satchel on his back. “Bye dad!”

“Bye, honey”

Peter closed the door and took a few steps, but then stopped and doubled back, going to Tony’s side of the car and knocking on the window. Tony sighed slightly and wound the window down. Peter rested his arms on the ledge.

“Is the baby gonna go to the nursery at St Hendrick’s sister school?”

“Go!” Tony scoffed, but he smiled. “You can’t hang about asking questions all day. You know it’s way too soon to think about nurseries anyway”

“Ok, alright. Still...”

“Peter, go to school”

“Ok, ok, I’m going! In a minute...”

“What’s that face for?”

“I hate this bit. I know that as soon as I get through the doors, my throat will do that thing again and then my voice will hibernate until I’m back in the car at the end of the day. I know I’m better in a lot of places, but something about being at school just really scares my voice away, you know?”

“I get it, kiddo. Hey, don’t look so glum” Tony said gently, chucking him under the chin. “You’re gonna be late if you’re not careful”

“I’ve still got time...”

Tony looked at him. “...Ah, fuck it”

He undid his belt and got out of the car. Peter took an uncertain step back, and Tony pulled him close and hugged him tight, very nearly lifting him off the ground. He stroked his hair firmly and kissed him on the cheek.

“You’re such a good boy. I love you so much, darling”

“I love you too”

“You’ve really gotta go in now”

“Are you sure? It’s not too late for me to jump back in the car and go home with you”

Tony loosened his grip, looking down at the boy. “Stop trying your luck. Even if I let you come home, you couldn’t come with us to the clinic. I get that you’re excited, but we’ll clink glasses tonight, ok?”

“Ok” Peter nodded. He sighed and stood back. “I should go. I’ve gotta fight with Macy: she borrowed one of my fountain pens yesterday and didn’t give it back”

Tony smiled and ruffled his hair. “Go and get that pen back, son. You be good, and have a good day, ok?”

Peter nodded. “I will! Can I get a last hug?”

“Last hug” Tony said, giving him another hug and kiss. “Ok, now go! I’ll pick you up after school”

“Ok, see you later! Love you!”

“Love you too”

Tony shook his head fondly as Peter trotted off towards the front entrance of the school. He got back in the car, and he smiled to himself as he started the engine. Peter was a good boy, and a funny kid. If the new baby ended up growing to be even half the child Peter was, he and Loki were going to be the most blessed people on the planet.

Tony stopped off for a coffee before going home. He knew that Loki often went back to bed for a little bit after saying goodbye to Peter in the mornings, so he knew he wouldn’t be missed.

He sat in the car with his cup, scrolling through the nursery designs he had saved on his camera roll. Personally, he liked the jungle theme, but he rather thought Loki would think it too masculine, or hate the cartoon-y design of the animal stickers. It wasn’t the only option, though: he quite liked the woodland theme too. There were lots of examples of huge shelves made to look like a tree and its branches, and he quite liked that. Plus, it fit with Loki’s idea of making the ceiling in the nursery look like the sky. He opened the internet and did another google search. He scrolled quite happily for a good while. He liked the idea of a little circus theme, even though the artwork was a little creepy. He also thought that Loki might like the idea of a nautical nursery. They’d talked about it a lot before, but they’d mainly just been bouncing ideas off each other, and looking at furniture more than themes. There were lots of interesting theme ideas, like mountains and various gardens and various animals and characters. Tony knew what he didn’t like, but there was so much that he did like, that it was hard to decide what he really wanted. But then again, he supposed he did have a good ten months to get it sorted. It wasn’t pressing, not yet. Some time soon, he’d sit down and decide something with Loki - and he was sure Peter would be happy to give his input too.

Tony finished his coffee and threw the empty cup into the carrier bag behind the passenger seat. Well, he should probably be getting home. Maybe he’d cook breakfast for Loki. He hadn’t done that for a while. This was going to be an exciting day - why not start the good stuff straight away?

As Tony suspected, Loki was asleep when he got home. He hadn’t gone back to bed, but was simply reclined on the sofa in his dressing gown, looking very peaceful. Tony smiled and went out to the kitchen, not wanting to disturb him just yet.

Tony knelt down by the sofa, stroking Loki’s hair and kissing him gently.

“Loki? Hey, Lolly, wake up”

Loki stirred and opened his eyes. “...Hi”

“Hi” Tony smiled. “You wanna sit up? You should have some breakfast”

“Mm, you’re probably right” Loki said, sitting up and stretching and yawning.

Tony set a tray down on Loki’s lap before he could stand up. Loki paused a moment, surprised.

“Oh! Oh Tony, you didn’t need to cook for me!”

“I wanted to” Tony said. “I cooked for myself, too”

Tony sat down beside Loki, putting the second tray on his own lap.

“I figured we should have something proper” Tony said, picking up his fork. “I don’t know about lunch. I think I’ll probably get all weird and nervous and just have a drink or something”

“I think I may well be the same” Loki said. “At least if we have a good breakfast, lunch won’t be so much of an issue”

“We can always eat after we get back from the clinic. Our appointment’s at half one, right? So we’ll probably be back here by like, three. We can grab a snack or something before I have to go and pick up the sprog”

“That works with me” Loki said. “We might want to go out”

“Yeah, maybe. How much have you thought about dates?”

“Not too much” Loki said. “Because they told us that we can give ideas and they can give us a schedule, but we’re better off getting a little appointment that Pepper can attend so we can discuss it properly with her again. I know she gave us some vague dates, and said whatever works for us, but I still think we should go through it again, so none of us are missing something important or urgent on the day”

“Yeah, good idea” Tony said. “We’ll ring Pepper tonight and see what we can figure out”

Loki nodded. “I’m not fussed. My main commitment is Peter, and with it being term-time, that’s not too big of a worry. My only thought is sooner rather than later”

“Mine too. I kinda pick and choose my own hours to work anyway, so it’s not a bother for me. As long as Pep doesn’t have any urgent meetings, I reckon she’ll be pretty flexible. That’s what she said last time”

“She said she’d do it today if she could” Loki said. “But we all know that’s not really practical. It has to match up with ovulation”

“She said the same to me. Whatever, let’s get today’s appointment out of the way first. We can talk about the next one later”

Waiting was awful, so Loki and Tony passed the time doing what they’d done after Peter had gone to bed the previous night. It certainly helped, and afterwards they both had a quick shower and then dozed for a while. When they were woken up by the reminder on Tony’s phone, it was time to get ready to go.

They both found themselves drumming their fingers while waiting to be called in. Every second felt like a minute, and every minute felt like an hour.

“Maybe we should’ve stopped for that coffee after all” Loki said. “Being ten minutes early has never felt so frustrating”

“I know. I bloody hate waiting” Tony sighed. He checked his watch. He looked at the clock. He checked his phone. “Four minutes, Loll”

“The fact that the test is essentially just a formality makes it worse. I’ll be glad when we’re back at the house cracking open a bottle of fizz”

“Maybe we should leave the booze until later! Especially since I’ve gotta pick little Peter up from school”

“Ok, we’ll leave the fizz until later. It’s not my favourite anyway”

“Yeah, you’ve always been more of a spirits man. Is it becau-”

“Mr’s Tony and Loki Stark?”

“Oop, that’s us!” Tony said, standing up and taking Loki’s hand. “We’ll be home before you we know it, baby”

Loki smiled and squeezed his hand. Tony smiled back. The butterflies in their stomachs were worse than ever - but somehow, it felt good.

As always, the consultant, Ms Maynard, greeted the Stark’s, shaking their hands and asking how they were. But the small talk didn’t last long.

“I always think it’s best to be upfront and straight to the point with fertility tests” she said, taking her place at her desk and straightening the papers in front of her.

“Well, quick and painless works for us” Tony said. “We just wanna get this bit over with so we can get on with it. Right, Loki?”

Loki nodded. “Yes, of course”

“Tony” Ms Maynard said. “The results of your test were very good, with all of your markers being above average. Your fertility is good; there’s no doubt you have an ability to have your own biological child”

Tony nodded, smiling slightly. It was essentially the answer he’d expected, but it was still quite nice to hear.

“Now. Loki”

Loki looked at her, waiting for her to essentially repeat herself.

“Loki” she said. “I said I’d be straight with you, so I will be. I’m afraid you may have a condition known as Aspermia. The results of your fertility test showed that you have a sperm count of zero”

For a while there was silence. The room felt strange, heavy, hot and horrible.

“Wh-what do you mean?” Tony said eventually. “That can’t be right! Are you sure you’re looking at the right results? Loki can’t be- he’s not-”

“These are definitely the right results. I’m so sorry, Loki, but this does mean that you would not be able to have biological children”

“But how?! This doesn’t make any sense!” Tony said, tears filling his eyes.

“These things can’t always be explained. It could be something we’re not familiar with, given who and what you are, Loki, and where you’re from. We can do further testing if that’s something you want, but I will tell you there’s no guarantee we can find the cause, and there’s no cure for Aspermia”

Tony took a deep breath, his heart pounding. This couldn’t be happening; it couldn’t be right. This was just some kind of horrible dream. He looked at Loki. Loki didn’t say anything, and didn’t look back. But he’d gone horribly pale and still, and his eyes didn’t seem to be focusing. He was zoned out, but Tony could see him shaking.

“Loki..”

“I understand this is very upsetting news, and not what you were expecting to hear today” Ms Maynard said. “If there’s anything we can do to support you at this time, please do let us know. There’s people we can refer you to”

“...But... But the trial, there’s gotta be...”

“I’m so sorry, Mr Stark” Ms Maynard said. “But with results like this, I’m afraid there really is no way we can consider you for the three-parent IVF trial. I’m afraid Loki’s result make you ineligible for this type of IVF”

“But, but our baby! We’re gonna have a baby, we were gonna- oh god, this can’t be happening”

A sob escaped him, and he buried his face in his hands. He felt sick, and hot, but he’d broken out in a cold sweat. This couldn’t be happening. How could Loki be infertile? How could this be happening to them? They’d been through so much already, they’d waited so long - surely they deserved their baby now? How could fate be so cruel? What about little Princess May, or Oliver Anthony? Their baby had a name already, they’d started planning the nursery, they’d prepared themselves to welcome their baby into their lives - and now they weren’t eligible. Oh god, they weren’t eligible. It had been in touching distance, but now the three-parent offer had been snatched away from them. Their baby was gone before it had even had a chance to exist.

“If, at some time in the future, you decide it’s an option you’d like, we’ll help organise traditional IVF” Ms Maynard said, mainly looking at Tony.

Tony shook his head, scrubbing at his tear-stained face with his sleeve. “..It was always gonna be three... It was always gonna be both of us”

“I’m sorry the news today wasn’t different. We’ll be in touch”

Tony managed to calm down just enough to reach the car. Loki took the keys from him. He still looked pale and blank and unfocused, and he was still shaking, and he still hadn’t said anything. Tony didn’t protest when Loki got into the drivers seat. He flopped in the passenger seat and started crying all over again. He couldn’t believe what had happened. He couldn’t believe it - it hadn’t sunk in properly, not yet. How could this be real?

Loki kept his eyes on the road. Tony watched him. It took until they were nearly home before he managed to speak.

“Loki?”

Loki didn’t respond, but his grip tightened on the steering wheel.

The house seemed far too big and empty and silent when they got back. Loki hung his coat up on the hook by the door to the garage steps. He kicked his shoes off and pushed them neatly together beneath the coats. He went to the nearest living room and slowly sat down in the middle of the sofa, halfway to the edge. He stared straight ahead, and then his eyes turned towards the ground.

Tony stood close by, watching him, biting his thumb and trying as hard as he could to stay quiet, even though he was trembling and his throat was tight and his legs felt weak and hollow and his chest hurt like someone had shoved their hand through his ribs and torn his heart out.

Loki put his hands together and rested his elbows on his knees. He rested his mouth against the side of his hands. Slowly his eyes seemed to focus a little. His face twitched, as though he was wincing. Tony stepped a little closer.

“Lolly?”

Loki swallowed. He inhaled deeply through his nose. He swallowed again. His eye twitched. He closed his eyes, bending his head more. His face crumpled, and his shoulders started to shake.

“Loki..! Oh, Loki!”

Tony rushed over and threw his arms round his husband. Loki clung to the back of Tony’s coat as best he could with shaking hands. Tony held Loki tight, but he was shaking too, and he couldn’t even stop crying enough to speak now. He just held onto Loki and sobbed into his shoulder, while Loki howled into his. How had everything come crashing down like this? Tony felt sick, and the pain in his chest was turning into a tightness. He couldn’t breathe. He knew he should try to focus on breathing evenly, and tell Loki to do the same, but it seemed so pointless. If they were going to have panic attacks, then so be it. Why stop it? Stopping it wouldn’t fix things. It wouldn’t change the results of the test. It wouldn’t suddenly make them eligible for the three-person baby they’d been planning for. Their baby... Stopping this, calming down, it wouldn’t give them their baby. Tony felt so weak, and it was something of a relief when they fell onto their sides on the sofa, entwined in each others arms, anguished and scared and helpess.

It felt like a death.

Peter hugged his girls goodbye and went trotting over to his usual pick-up point. He was surprised and a little confused to see Happy. He climbed into the back seat of the car, looking at him. He quite liked Happy, but he couldn’t always speak to him, especially when they were alone together.

“Hi, kid”

Peter nodded. He opened his mouth, trying hard to choke out some words. Happy didn’t seem to be paying attention, and he started the car. Peter kept trying.

‘Come on, Peter! It’s only Happy. You can talk to him’ he thought.

“...W...wh...”

“Nearly” Happy said gently.

Peter furrowed his brow, annoyed at himself. He hated this bloody condition sometimes. He tried harder, and eventually managed to make another sound.

“Wh... Why..?”

He managed the one word, and then his throat went all silly and tight again, and he sighed, turning his head away and covering his mouth with one hand, upset with himself.

“Alright, don’t hurt yourself” Happy said. “Tony asked me to get you”

Peter looked up, looking at him. Tony had promised he’d pick him up. It wasn’t like him to break that kind of promise. Maybe he’d gotten overexcited after their appointment at the clinic and gotten drunk.

“Listen, kid” Happy said, awkwardly. “I think your parents are gonna need you to be really good for them today. Can you do that?”

Peter nodded. He was always good. Well, not always, but most of the time. He felt it was a bit odd for Happy to bring it up. But then, truth be told, Happy was a bit odd. Not that Peter would ever tell him that.

“It’s not my place to tell you what the situation is” Happy continued. “If your parents wanna tell you, then they will”

Peter lowered his hand. Of course his parents would tell him! They told him everything, and today was something they’d been excited about for a little while now. They were going to be celebrating tonight, so of course they’d have things to tell him. Happy really didn’t have a clue about the Stark’s sometimes.

Peter rushed up the garage steps as soon as they were out of the car. Happy ran after him, and caught him on the landing, grabbing his collar.

“Don’t go running about like that!” he hissed.

“My daddies won’t mind” Peter said, his voice suddenly recovered by the comfort of being home.

This was one of Peter’s slightly-mean little tricks. If there was just one thing Happy knew about this household, it was that all Peter had to do was shuffle his feet and blink his puppy-dog eyes and hold his arms out to his daddies, and his parents would do virtually anything for him. Happy sighed. He wasn’t in the mood for bargaining with him today.

“Maybe you should go and get changed” he said.

“I wanna see my daddies first” Peter said, shrugging his satchel off and letting it fall to the floor. “Are you gonna let go of my collar? Dad doesn’t like my coat and uniform getting messed up, you know”

“I know” Happy let go of Peter’s collar and instead rested his hand on the boys shoulder. “Listen, you parents got some news today. Maybe-”

“I know”

“MAYBE” Happy repeated. “Maybe you should give them some space”

Peter pouted at him. “...They’re in the living room, right?”

Happy sighed. He was too beaten down to try to convince him to steer clear.

“I’ll take you”

Happy took Peter through to where his parents were. Peter felt a little funny as soon as he walked into the room. Maybe it was just nerves. He looked over at the sofa where his parents sat. He could only see them from before, of course, but he could see that Tony had his arm round Loki’s shoulders, and he could see their trembling forms - and he could hear them crying.

“Dads?”

Tony froze and craned round, frantically wiping the tears from his face, even though they were very quickly replaced with more. He looked at Peter. He swallowed, and looked at Happy.

“Happy, can you..?”

“Sure” Happy said gently, going over and taking Tony’s place on the sofa.

Peter blinked a bit. “Wh-what’s going on? Has something happened? Daddy?”

Something was wrong here, dreadfully wrong: he could sense it. Tony came and put an arm round Peter.

“L-lets go and talk” he said.

“What about daddy?”

“He’s with Happy”

Peter looked behind him for a moment, but Tony ushered him out of the room quickly. Peter looked up at his dad. He could feel the heat radiating off him. He could see him shaking, and he could see his red eyes and his flushed cheeks. What was going on? Suddenly his tie felt much too tight.

Tony sat Peter down in a chair on the landing and knelt down in front of him. He held the boys hands, rubbing his knuckles gently with his thumb while he tried to find the words.

“Dad, why are you and daddy crying? Did Pepper pull out? Because you know there’s loads of surrogates around, an-”

“It’s not that” Tony interrupted softly. He closed his eyes for a moment and then wiped them on his sleeve. “Darling...”

“You went to the clinic today, didn’t you?”

Tony nodded. “Sweetheart, just let me speak”

Peter swallowed, tears filling his eyes. His heart was thumping in his chest, and he could feel his pulse beating in his neck. Maybe someone had died or something. Whatever it was, it was scary. He hated seeing his parents upset.

“Sweetheart... You know we got the test results today? And you know we always said it was just a formality, and everything was gonna be fine?” Tony swallowed hard, and looked at the boy. “My results were good. But daddy’s... Weren’t”

“Wh-what do you mean?”

“Oh Peter...” Tony closed his eyes for a moment, more tears dripping down his cheeks. He opened his eyes again. “Daddy can’t have children”

“...But, but, but what about the baby?”

Tony swallowed hard. “There’s not gonna be a baby”

“But, but there has to be! We’ve been planning for it, and we’re ready, and I’m gonna be a big brother! I’m gonna be a brother-”

“Oh sweetheart-!”

Tony pulled him close, holding him desperately, and starting to cry all over again. Peter started crying properly, trying to bury himself in Tony’s chest. Tony held him tighter, one hand on the back of his head.

“It’s not fair..!” Peter wailed. “Our family of four-!”

“I know, I know, it’s so sad and horrible” Tony sobbed, kissing him hard on the temple. “Oh, Peter... I’m so sorry”

Peter just cried harder, because he could never bear seeing Tony cry.

“We’re gonna be ok” Tony wept. “We’re gonna be ok, I promise”

“You can’t know that! This is all daddy wanted!”

“I know. I know” Tony held Peter tighter still. “We’ll get through this together, I promise”

Peter insisted he wanted to see Loki once he’d calmed down a bit. Tony wasn’t so sure, but Peter was faster than him. He went after him. Loki was still crying into Happy’s chest.

“Peter, I don’t think this is a good idea” Tony said thickly.

“I want my daddy! He’s my daddy and I wanna be with him”

Tony put an arm out to stop him rushing over, but he was conflicted. He didn’t know how Loki would feel about Peter seeing him like this. He didn’t know who needed him more. He didn’t really know what to do. Everything was so fuzzy and confusing after so much crying - crying that hadn’t really stopped.

“I need you to go and get changed” he said weakly.

“I want daddy!”

Tony looked at Happy, who nodded. Tony left Peter and swapped places with Happy, pulling his husband close. Peter went to go over, but Happy caught hold of him.

“You heard your dad. You’ve gotta get changed. Come on”

“No! I wanna-”

“Remember what we said in the car” Happy said firmly, putting an arm round Peter.

Peter shook him off and tried to run over to the sofa again, but Happy grabbed him.

“Hey, come with me”

“NO!”

Happy knew Peter was making it worse for Loki, so he took hold of the boy and threw him over his shoulder.

“No, no, put me down! I wanna be with my dads! This is my family; I’m their baby, put me down!”

Loki held tighter to Tony. He knew Peter wasn’t being insensitive, but just hearing the ‘b’ word hurt so much. He couldn’t do this. He couldn’t believe he was so broken.

Happy put Peter down once they were in his room. Peter tried to run again, but Happy stopped him.

“Don’t. Your parents need some time alone”

“This isn’t fair!” Peter howled. “It’s not fair, they’ve waited so long for this! It can’t be real, they’re gonna have a baby! I’m gonna be a big brother!”

Happy watched him. He’d known Peter for so long now, longer than Loki, but he still wasn’t always sure how to act around him. Kids were a bit of a mystery, and none more so than this one. He knew this was horrible. It felt like he’d been told about a death when Tony had rang him. He knew how much having this baby had meant to the Stark’s, and he knew how much today’s results were going to hurt them. Peter was a Stark too. Happy sighed and hugged the boy close.

“You need to breathe, kid”

Peter didn’t bother trying. He just clung to Happy and cried, feeling far too hot in his school uniform and coat. He didn’t know exactly what he was feeling. He hadn’t seen Tony cry like that since they’d lost May. He supposed it was a loss, and it felt so horribly unfair. This couldn’t be happening, it just couldn’t.

Once Peter had calmed down, Happy managed to coax him out of his uniform and into some normal clothes. He looked much softer and smaller out of his private school clothes and in his jeans and hoodie. Happy sat down beside him on the bed and put an arm round his shoulders.

“I know it’s horrible” he said.

Peter swallowed. “...I've been looking forward to being a big brother for so long... We’re not having a baby, are we?”

“Your parents can’t do the three-person baby, not with Loki’s results” Happy said carefully.

“It always had to be three” Peter said. “That’s what they were always gonna do. And now they can’t”

“No, they can’t. I know you’re upset, but you know, infertility isn’t as uncommon as you think”

“How can daddy be infertile?! He’s a god, right? Surely that should put him above us?”

Happy sighed. “I’m not a medical man or a mythologist. You’re just gonna have to accept this. If nothing else, at least this wasn’t their only chance”

“What’s that supposed to mean?” Peter snapped. “There’s no way they can have a baby that’s both of theirs now! All of the planning and hoping and all the other stuff has just gone to waste! It’s not fair! Why did it have to happen to us? Haven’t we been through enough?!”

“I’m not good at this kinda stuff, you know that” Happy said. “What I meant was, well... at least they’ve got you, right?”

Peter stopped for a moment. “...That’s not really a consolation. Daddy would probably slam you through a wall if you tried telling him that”

“I watch far too many dramas” Happy said. “If they’ve taught me anything, it’s that you’ll be a comfort to them while they come to terms with this. All it means is you’re gonna stay a family of three”

“Things were finally looking up, Happy. Everything was so perfect, and now we’ve had another horrible thing happen. Daddy Loki’s wanted a baby as long as I’ve known him. This will kill him”

“It’s been a blow to both your parents. They’re absolutely devastated, I’ll give you that. It’s alright for you to be upset too”

“...I’ve gotta stay in here now, haven’t I?”

“That’s probably a good idea” Happy said. “They’re gonna need a lot of time to talk”

Peter nodded slightly. He knew he didn’t have a choice.

Peter fell asleep for a while. He was woken up by FRIDAY, and he went through to the kitchen. Tony was there alone, still shaking, and looking very pale and sad. He was still sniffing a bit.

“Hey, kid” he said quietly.

“Is Happy gone now?”

Tony nodded.

“Where’s daddy?”

“He’s... taking a few minutes to himself. Do you want something to eat? It’s kinda past teatime now”

“I’m not hungry” Peter said.

He felt dreadfully empty, but not because of hunger. Tony nodded slightly. He swallowed, staring at nothing for a while before looking over in Peter’s direction.

“Do you wanna go and see daddy?”

Loki was sat on his bed, still crying quietly - just tears dripping down his cheeks. He didn’t look up when the bedroom door opened. He was looking down at something in his hands. As Tony and Peter approached the bed, they saw that it was a tiny white baby sleepsuit.

“Oh sweetheart...” Tony said, crawling onto the bed to sit beside him.

“I know we were going to wait” Loki said thickly. “I managed to control myself most of the time, but I kept seeing this and I just couldn’t resist. I didn’t think it would do any harm...”

He kept looking at the sleepsuit. So often he’d imagined dressing his tiny baby in it - but now it would never be worn. It would stay limp and soft with the tags on forever.

Tony put his arms round Loki, resting his head on his shoulder. Peter slipped out of the room and returned a minute later.

“I didn’t have proper self control either” he said.

He sat on the edge of the bed and showed his parents the tiny fluffy teddy bear he had. It had a baby bottle stitched onto one paw. Loki reached out a hand and touched the teddy gently.

“I-uh... I’ll just be a minute” Tony said.

He left the room and returned soon after, resuming his position on the bed.

“Looks like none of us have much self control” he said awkwardly.

He revealed what he held: a little traditional wooden baby rattle. He shook it gently, listening to the beads settling.

“I kept it hidden in case you saw it and told me off” he said. “I couldn’t wait either. I thought just one thing would be fine...”

The family looked at the three lovingly chosen baby items until they couldn’t see through their tears. Loki carefully lay the little sleepsuit back in the middle drawer of his bedside table. Peter paused, and then set the little teddy bear down with it. He gently took the wooden rattle from Tony and set that in the drawer too. He left it open. He swallowed hard. He just wanted to wake up and find that all of this was a dream.

“...Peter?”

Peter looked up and saw Loki holding an arm out to him. Peter started blubbing, and crawled onto Loki’s lap. Loki held him tight and started crying properly again. He didn’t bother trying to muffle it: he just cried, hating himself, hating everything about this. Tony put his arms round both of them, and they stayed close, sobbing and crying horribly until exhaustion caught up with them, and they fell asleep in a tear-stained heap.

#my writing #fanfiction #mcu fanfiction #marvel fanfiction #frostiron #irondad and spiderson

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