#a little blob creature made of light. with another little blob creature of light later

[crescentmp3]

you want to read the story i've been trying and failing to write for years sooo bad.... ooooh🌀🌀🌀you want to read it sooo badd

[mythicalmagical-monkeyman]

Brain: yap about eye color headcanons Me: ... ok?

So um eye color headcanons for the dreamzzz guys! But over the top because I'm a weird little writer guy-

Mateo: green! green eyes that seem to sparkle with gold like they're infused with dream sand, that can be hard like emeralds when he is focused and determined, or that can be soft in a way that similar to squishiness of Z-Blob, yet they can also be green like the clouds of the Murky Realm when Mateo finds himself feeling lost and alone

Izzie: green! a green that can be happy and inviting reminding one of the beauty of nature but eyes that can also reflect the wild side of nature, the destruction that can be caused and of wildfires that can start that match with the undying fire and protective streak within Izzie's own bones.

Cooper: brown! brown eyes that people usually sterotype as boring and bland they're not that only seem to match his "unremarkable - ness" yet that are thoughtful and owlish, intensely filled with curiosity and a twinkle of insanity, but it is also a brown that can be filled with utter fear like a cornered animal, or seemingly spark with red electricity when he is truly pissed

Logan: a blue-ish gray! just like Logan's shapeshifting ability in the dream world Logan's eyes always seem to be swirling into new shades of grey or blue like they simply can't decide what color to be, additionally they also seem to be the most expressive being able to mimic the likes of different animals; the wildness of free creatures, the happiness of a dog's, the focused look of predator, and more

Zoey: brown! a broken brown that's seen more betrayal and fear than a girl her age should know, but that still hold an intense strength and ferocity that make any facing her down question their life decisions, if you look closely however you can still see a caringness in them that let you know that if you're on her side she'll always have your back

Astrid: a goldish brown! fierce and competitive eyes that spark with golden pride somewhat like a lion's, yet that can shift into a look of a girl who wonders about the amazing and wild world outdoors, or the sure-fire look of a girl who has made you walk yourself right into a trap

Mr. Oz: blue! an almost darker-ish blue that speaks of worlds unknown, of space above that stretches for light years, blue eyes that yearn for more peaceful days and lives long lost or forgotten, and that seem to shaky and uneasy at times like he's fearing what he's forgotten yet that can quickly bounce back in to unwavering faith

Beau: blue! a light blue of endless sky's above yet that also seem shattered like glass that can never quite be fixed, but also a blue that flashes with mischievousness that you aren't quite sure if it means he's thought of yet another prank or knows exactly what makes you tick, yet later this blue becomes more of a purple that whispers of the corruption of the Nightmare King

[quark-nova]

I realized I haven't made a post about larvaceans yet

And like really they're so cool they absolutely deserve it.

Okay so, basically, larvaceans are some of the closest cousins of vertebrates. Which says a lot, but still quite less than one would expect. They're part of the tunicate family, which also gave us sea squirts:

Not very vertebrate-like, admittedly. And salps, pyrosomes and doliolids, which can be described as the higher-budget remake of cnidarians that didn't do as well:

So, where did it all go wrong? And where do larvaceans fit into this?

Basically, tunicates and vertebrates are those siblings that used to work together, but split off after a big creative disagreement. We're both chordates - starting off with a notochord, a flexible rod running along the body - but that's where the similarities end.

We vertebrates decided to capitalize on the notochord, giving it its own armor set - the vertebral column, and ultimately an entire skeleton along with it. Meanwhile, tunicates scrapped the entire notochord thing past the larval stage, instead working on their new "brilliant" idea: cellulose armor, or, as their branding goes - the tunic.

Yep, that right. They're the only animals capable of synthesizing cellulose - one of the best materials across all biological kindgoms - and they ended up commiting a little too much to the bit, becoming cellulose sponge and cellulose jelly. And, in the process, losing any semblance of familiarity they once had.

Except for one.

You see, while sea squirts, salps and friends invested everything - even their own lives - in that new and dubious project, another group decided to be a little smarter about it. They wouldn't become cellulose monsters, no - they would use it as a building material, designing refined submarines to travel the oceans in.

Enter the larvacean.

Don't be mistaken - the larvacean is only the tadpole-like creature in the middle of the picture. The rest? Part of the elaborate filtration system of its submarine. Which also comes with directional fins, ventilation, and even an emergency exit while we're at it.

Now, the larvacean got everything right where its brothers got everything wrong. Keep the notochord - it's useful to avoid becoming a hapless blob floating in the middle of the ocean. Keep an air of familiarity - you've got a head, a tail, that's at least a decent basis for an animal. Basically, stick with the original body plan.

And then, build cool stuff. Like - spaceship level of cool stuff. And then leave it a few hours later and build another one, and repeat, because that's really all the fun.

Okay, so, you might be asking - how on Earth is that efficient? Why would any creature go to such lengths to build an elaborate spaceship often a meter long, just to abandon it every few hours?

The answer is: free food. Like - a ridiculous amount of free food. It turns out, larvaceans live in that layer of the ocean where organic stuff from above floats into. And, with the innovative larvacean technology, all of it can be scooped out into the submarine's filters, going directly into the creature's mouth.

And this process is absurdly effective - so much that larvaceans actually make up a massive portion of the deep ocean's life, scooping out all of the food coming from above. So much that their filters usually get clogged after a few hours. And, since they get so many organic materials as to basically be playing in creative mode, they can literally drop the whole thing and rebuild another house on the spot.

(Larvaceans are class Appendicularia here, in light blue. Oh yeah, forgot to mention they're bioluminescent too)

Oh, and you might be wondering - what happen to the myriad of discarded larvacean houses? Turns out they sink to the bottom of the ocean, with all the organic stuff caught inside - except, hopefully, for the larvacean itself. And that's actually the main way food and stuff from the surface gets to the abyss! (along with the more spectacular but much much rarer whalefalls)

And that's also the main way plastic also gets to the abyss. That's right, these creatures are the reason why we only find 1% of the plastic we throw away in the oceans - everything else gets packaged by larvaceans scooping around (turns out they can differentiate between plastic and food, they just don't care) and sent straight down to the abyss. They decided that our pollution wasn't their problem, and that they'll gladly send it to their downstair neighbours. Which should probably not be taken as the moral of this story, although I don't think they'd care either way.

[novaethecosplayer]

Yes. I realize how fucked up this concept is. But the show Steven Universe also did this.. kinda…

Blame my mom for making me watch so many zoo documentaries and my brain being out of fic ideas. Honestly a bad combo.

Reader: they/them pronouns; female-bodied.

Warning: NSFW at times.

---

Dabi shook his hand out as his flames ended. The pile of ash that was once a living person began to blow away in the wind as he continued on his path back to the League's hideout. The town was quieter a d less busy than usual, not that he minded. In fact, he preferred the quiet and being left alone. He could finally breathe for once--not needing to look over his shoulder for a witness or hero all the time. He could relax a little on his walk.

He stepped into a main street as he needed to cross it to get the side of town the hideout was on. He felt a prick of something being shot into his ass and as he looked at the offe ding dart, he saw a flash of a white light blind him before he lost consciousness.

Cold. Hard. Bright. Rustling. Scraping of metal. Dabi shot up from his slumber and blinked his eyes open as he registered the unfamiliar senses. The fluorescent lights above shone down on him as he sat up from the cool cement floor. He glanced around and saw creatures he's never seen before on the other side of a metal caged gateway and connected to the same gateway is another caged wall with a different cages gateway--on the other side, another person in the same type of cell as him. They're looking at him with their head tilted, curiously on their face.

The blue tentacled blob creatures make some noises and seem to input information on a tablet. A few of them seem to nod, satisfied with something that they are seeing.

Dabi looks back at the person--figuring these creatures are communicating in a language he doesn't speak. "Where the hell are we?" He asked, stalking towards the metal gate separating him and the other human, who instead of cowering as he would expect comes forward slowly.

"...Yo-You're from Earth?" The person speaks slowly, the language rusty of their tongue.

"No shit." Dabi responded and rolled his eyes. "I think all of us are, dumbass."

The other person giggled. "I haven't heard cussing for so long…" They smiled brightly at him--he frowned. They dropped their smile as they remember his question. "You're on the planet, Zayda. Those," they gestured towards the blue blob creatures, "are Zaydarians. They own this facility. It's..um.. like a zoo. For humans.. They organize it by types of quirks or, alternatively, …family tribes." Their speech increases slightly as they get used to moving their tongue in this way again. Dabi noticed the odd accent added to their speech.

"There's no fucking way I am gonna believe I'm on a other fucking planet, you deranged psycho." Dabi insulted and glared at the person.

"Believe what you will, but I'm telling the truth." They shrugged, "And by the way, no, not all of us are from Earth. Most of the humans here are actually born here--never even seen Earth."

Dabi tsked as he turned away from his cell neighbor. He looked at the creatures--Zaydarians--and held out his hand, flames springing forward as the Zaydarian zookeepers ran away from the fires path. They left the room and made notes about Dabi and his quirk.

Dabi didn't waste time trying to burn the cell's metal walls--to no success.

"It's fireproof, Earthling." Comments his neighbor. "With quirks, they had to get creative with quirk-proofing their habitats and living spaces."

"Shut the fuck up" Dabi yelled as he turned towards them--pissed off at the situation and his lack of knowledge.

The person looks up at what seems to be a camera and scoffs before turning away from Dabi and sitting crisscrossed in front of a doorway embedded into a cement wall. Their arms folded over themselves in a pout.

Dabi rolled their eyes are the childish behavior and began to shake the gateway that led into the hallway the Zaydarians just inhabited.

A few minutes later, a Zaydarian came back into the hallway and pulled a few levels; the door in front of Dabi's pouting neighbor opened. They stood up and walked out without a second glance. The Zaydarian seemed disappointed within their posture before glancing and speaking to Dabi briefly and leaving the room. Dabi still didn't understand the creature.

Days passed by as Dabi used his quirk, tried to break his prison, scorched several keepers that tried to feed him, and ignored his neighbor as they came and went from the cell and enclosure outside. Neither of them have said a word to each other until…

"Why the hell do you get to leave and I can't?" He growled in frustration just before his neighbor left once more for the new day.

"They think you'll hurt me or the others. You're acting very violent. Wouldn't be surprised if they marked you as feral." They said with a shrug, turning to him, as they quickly glanced at the Zaydarian who opened their gate. They saw as she subtly waved a tentacle in Dabi's direction and whispered something to themselves.

Dabi frowned at the information. "This is really a fucking zoo, huh?" He asked, only to receive a head nod and a hum of agreement. He sighed, knowing he's not going to be able to get out from within this cell; possibly the enclosure has a way out? "So I act good and they let me out?" He needed confirmation.

His neighbor looked at him. "Not… exactly…" they said slowly, unsure how to explain the situation fully to this man. "They.. um.. If you play nice, they'll put you in with me." They motioned to the gate separating the two of them. "Then they'll keep up both here until… um…until…" they flushed red and trailed off, glancing to their escape from this conversation--the enclosure.

"Until what?!" Dabi snapped.

"Until we.. m-mate." His neighbor stuttered. "This is umm… the breeding program…" Dabi stayed silent as the crazy zoo human continued to stumble over their explanation. "They umm.. they wanted more diverse generics… so um.. they picked you up… I.. um.. am the only unmated human of age that they have…plus, they liked my mom's genetics, I think."

Dabi laughed. It sounded like a cruel laugh. "You can't be fucking serious?! They want us to fuck?! God, you're so stupid."

The zoo-human straightened up and glared at Dabi. "I am serious." They spoke before they exited their cell and into the enclosure--once again leaving Dabi alone with his plans of escape and thoughts.

Dabi decided as the days went by to try playing the docile card. He ensured he acted calmer, stopped using his quirk or trying to break the gates, stopped trying to hurt the keepers, took things from them politely and, irritably, allowed them to poke and prod at him during 'training sessions'--as his neighbor annoyingly calls them--through the gate.

Dabi, in his boredom, finds himself talking to the zoo-human more and more; needing to find some sort of enrichment from his bland cell. They speak back to him and he notices they choose to spend time with him rather than out in the enclosure when the door is open.

Then one day, a group of Zaydarians came into the hall next to the cells. They spoke and nodded to each other before one of them--his neighbor's favorite, he noticed--opened the gate separating him and his neighbor through a pulley system.

He looks to the aliens and then the zoo-human, then finally the enclosure doorway, before finally entering his neighbor's cell; the gate shuts behind him. He looks at the enclosure door then the Zaydarians. "When will they open it?" He asks the zoo-human before looking at the door once more.

"I already told you when." They referred back to their conversation a few days ago. "After… after we've copulated…"

Dabi huffed out a laugh and rolled his eyes. He will outwit them then. Until they open the door, he will stare at it--as he watched his cellmate do on several occasions.

The Zaydarians speak to each other in the background. Some wrote notes on a tablet about the lack of events going on. Hours pass like this before the Zaydarians leave the room.

"..if all you want is to go outside.." his cellmate spoke as the door shut. "Then we should..f-fuck to appease them…"

Dabi glanced at his cellmate. His gaze lingered over their body, as of taking it in for the first time. He looked back at the enclosure door. So close, yet so far from finding a new way to escape. "No thanks. Not really interested in the whole having a kid thing." He explained before he got an idea. "Then again…" He stood up and turned towards his cellmate. "I plan on leaving as soon as I can.. won't be around for the little rat anyways…" he walked closer to his cellmate, a wicked grin spreading across his face. He took a glance at the camera on the hallway wall pointed towards them as he trapped the zoo-human between himself and the cement wall. "Maybe we should appease them…" he tilted his head down to whisper in their ear. He could hear them take in a sharp breath.

"O-okay." They agreed, feeling as if their body had been lit on fire.

"Good little one." Dabi praised, his hands moving to explore his cellmate's body, that trembled at the praise, while he took a step forward, pressing himself against them. He began removing their clothes as his hips rocked smoothly against them, his cock starting to become stimulated and hard. He felt thier trembling hands go to his jacket and slid it off his body slowly.

A moan and short breaths exited his cellmate as more fabric was removed from the both of them. Once they were naked, Dabi grabbed his cellmate's ass and lifted them up against the cement wall; his cock sliding against his cellmate's slick lower lips as he continued to rock his hips into them.

They moaned with their eyes rolling back and their chest pressed further against his. "P-please." They begged softly, which lit a new fire within Dabi. He learned something new about himself; he liked being begged to do things.

He let out a huff off air. "Just this once, but if we have to do this against, I'll do what I want. Understood, little one?" He warned, which was received with an enthusiastic head nod and a few broken 'yes''s.

He lined his cock up with their entrance and slowly, achingly, pushed himself into them. They lost their breath as a strangled moan exited them, their fingers clawing at his back--making his scars ache in a delicious way.

Dabi paused once he was fully hilted into them. Taking in the sight of this random person, being speared on his cock as they let out small moans and whimpers. The longer he waited to move the more they wiggled in anticipation and desperation. Dabi liked the idea of being so badly, so desperately needed.

"Please. Oh please. Move. Please." His cellmate began begging as they tried to move their hips to create some friction between them, "Oh please. I'll.. I'll be your good little one." They promised as they got desperate for his cock to move. "I'll be so good. Just for you." They continued to ramble, hoping something will get Dabi to move.

Dabi chuckled and smirked at the little zoo-human so desperate for him. He leaned in to nibble on their earlobe as he whispered. "My good little one, huh?" He encouraged their behavior; receiving several exasperated and enthusiastic 'yes''s in response. He slid out of them slowly, receiving a whimper, "Such a needy little thing." He commented as his tip neared their exit, he paused there longer than necessary--just to watch them squirm. "Promise, you'll do as I say." He whispered huskily into their ear.

"Oh! Yes, please, anything you ask! Please, Earthling, please." They begged as their legs wrapped around his waist in desperation to pull him back in.

"Call me Dabi." He, finally after weeks of being here, gave them his name as he pushed his cock back into them; beginning to set an even pace. Their moans were well-received in his ears. His chosen name sounded like a prayer on their lips.

Their hands move from his back to his neck, pulling his head to theirs. Their lips crashing into his in desperation, and Dabi allows it, no, he enjoys it.

Dabi never thought that being so needed, so wanted, so desperately would ever feel this good. This zoo-human is a puddle in his grasp; they want nothing more than him at this moment, seeming to worship him as he pounds his cock deep into them with grunts that they swallow up into their mouth. He loves this power high.

They whimper and break the kiss, their arms clinging to his shoulders as their back arches. "Mnhm.. please Dabi.." they moan out as their tension broke and they began orgasming on his cock. Dabi watched in sick pleasure at their mouth hanging open, the tiny bit of drool running out of the corner of their mouth, as their pussy squeezed and pulsated around him. He let out a strangled moan before burying himself deep into them and planting his seed within them.

Both of them stayed like that for a few minutes, panting as they came down from their highs. Slowly as his cock slipped out of them, he lowered them back down to their feet--keeping a hold of them as they wobbled on their quivering legs.

Cute. A word never in his vocabulary. But he couldn't help the thought as he watched them cling to his arms while they try to stay standing--reminding him of a newborn giraffe, all wobbly and unsure on their feet. He felt himself swell with pride and a genuine smile sneak onto his face as he realized he was the cause of them being so adorably unstable and fucked out from his cock with his cum leaking out of them. He led them to the bed within the cell and sat down upon it, soon pulling them in with him and laying the both of them down.

He wasn't much a cuddler before, but he's tired and they are too cute to let go at the moment. So cuddling to sleep seems like a good idea as he pulled the covers over the top of the both of them. His cellmate's arms wrapped around his center as they squished their cheek against him with their eyes closed. Deep shallow breaths follow as they quickly fall asleep.

Dabi ran a hand through their hair as he pulled them just a bit closer. Escaping can wait until tomorrow, he decided, as his eyes closed and he too was fast asleep.

Dabi was woken up by the scraping of the metal door sliding across the floor. Soon a blindly light shone into his eyes. He groaned and lifted his hand up to shield his tired eyes from the bright sunlight.

Sunlight.

He quickly blinked his eyes open as he let go of his bedmate in order to sit up. He stared at the door, feeling the eyes of the Zaydarian behind him. He got out of the bed and pulled on his boxers and pants. He took a few steps toward what he hopes will eventually lead to freedom. Then he hears a groan behind him, a bit of rustling, and a whine of his name, "Dabiiii…". He paused in his movements to turn to the person still in bed, arm outstretched searching for him in the rustled blankets, eyes barely being blinked open upon not finding him. Their hair is a mess. Dry drool on the corner of their mouth. They're still fully nude as the blankets fall off them as they sit up.

Dabi feels his heart beat just a bit faster. This is dangerous, he decides. He can't grow attached, but the scene before him is hard to resist.

"Dabi?" His name falls from their lips once more, sounding like a clear day, smooth as butter and sweet as candy. His stomach does a flip as he turns fully to them and away from his possible escape.

"Come on. Get up." He grunts as he grabs their clothes from the floor and walks over to them, handing the garments to them. They stand and lean up to kiss him, only able to reach his neck without him leaning down, so they kiss where they can and Dabi swears he stops breathing. How is this person so unafraid of him and his nasty scars?

The moment they are clothed, he places a hand on their back and guides them to the open door. Before they exit, he hears the Zaydarian say something and then his cellmate looks back at them and giggles. Once out into the enclosure, Dabi blinks rapidly as his eyes adjust to his new, brighter, environment.

He saw the high smooth cement walls first, with onlookers--other Zaydarians--at the top. Then the river at the base of the wall, his eyes follow it upstream and find a waterfall, cutting the enclosure in two--one big side, that they are currently on, and a smaller side nestled between the waterfall and the cement wall. Soon he feels his cellmate tug on his in the opposite direction of the waterfall. He catches sight on a big rock, looking similar to pride rock from Lion King. Then several fruit trees scattered about the enclosure. Finally, the swings, ropes, ladder steps into the trees, tree houses, and ladders connecting the three tree houses.

"It really is a zoo." He whispered as he blindly let his cellmate tug him towards a sitting area with a layout of food covering a blanket--a picnic, he connects.

He stands there dumbly as he takes in his surroundings once more. His cellmate leaned down and grabbed some food off the picnic blanket. They stand and press an orange slice to his lips. Dabi jumps at the sudden contact, and glares at them. He could hear what sounds like laughter come from the spectators above. He glared at them next.

"Try this." His cellmate encouraged as they once again held the orange slice to his lips. He looked down at them and slowly took the fruit into his mouth. He could hear the spectators coo and awe at the scene. He, at first, was overwhelmed with the amount of juice coming from the fruit slice. Then he noticed the lack of a rind within the fruit. It also seemed sweeter than any orange he's ever tasted on Earth.

"Holy shit." He whispered in wonder, causing his cellmate to giggle as they broke off another slice and lifted it up to him. Dabi wasn't sure if he liked being fed like this. It felt too domestic--which in its own fucked up way was nice; but not what he wanted. But also the spectators liked it, so he definitely hated it. Dabi snatched the rest of the orange from his cellmate and began walking away from them. He got a few feet before he spotted another person walking from around the big rock. He stopped as he watched them smile and wave at him. They shouted something he didn't understand at him; but it wasn't the Zaydarian language he's been hearing.

"That's Karv." His cellmate said as they walked up beside him once more and waved at Karv. "He says hello new friend"

Dabi lifted his hand and gave Karv a show of his middle finger with a frown and glare. He's not anyone's friend.

Karv mimicked him with a smile on his face. Dabi watched him as he dropped his hand back to pick at the peel of his orange. "He doesn't understand that, does he? He asked, tilting his head.

"I don't even understand it." His cellmate whispered, confusion evident in their voice.

"You don't? But youre from Earth." Dabi responded, his curiosity peaked, as he looked at his cellmate. Karv continued on his path to the river.

"No. My mom was from Earth. I was born here." His cellmate revealed, looking up at him.

"But we know the same language." He tried to reason.

"My mom taught it to me before she passed. I've never seen Earth." Dabi stayed quiet after receiving that news; finding it slightly amusing, but also slightly disturbing that he fucked a domesticated human. No wonder they were so submissive.

"What did that mean?" His cellmate asked after a stretch of silence.

"Fuck off" Dabi replied. His cellmate frowned.

"You don't have to be so rude! I don't know much." They argued, before turning to stomp away. He caught their wrist.

"No. It means 'fuck off', dumbass." He corrected them as they turned to him.

"Oh." They muttered and forced themselves to relax.

As the day went on, Dabi inspected the enclosure as his cellmate showed him around. Surely, there has to be a way out. He also made a point to avoid the other humans in the enclosure as much as possible. Then finally one by one each human or human couple went back into their cells as the day went by. He heard the Zaydarians call for him and his cellmate in what he recognized as what he assumes is the Zaydarian's names for them and a simple command, he has associated with the word 'come'. His cellmate begins their path back to the cells. They get a few good feet away from him before they turn to look back at him.

"They're calling for us." They explained, "We need to go inside." They gestured towards the cell door.

"What do they do if we don't comply?" Dabi asks, looking to the cell door then around the enclosure.

"I.. don't know…" they respond, turning to him as they once again hear their Zaydarian name be called. "Why wouldn't we? They give us snacks when we come in and it's nice to sleep inside"

Dabi forgets sometimes that this person has been trained like an animal to respond to the Zaydarian's commands. "Don't you want to see the stars?" He asked, trying to encourage them into staying out with him.

"The stars?" They ask, tilting their head; vaguely remembering their mother speaking of the millions of lights in the sky that they were never allowed to see due to the Zaydarian's calling them in before night.

"Don't tell me you've never seen stars before?" Dabi acted, doubting that this zoo-human is serious. But when he sees them hang their head in shame and their posture becomes more small; he knows they are serious. He once again hears the Zaydarians call for them and shake the bucket of treats they usually have with them; his cellmate glances at the cell door once again. "The stars are better than any of the treats. I promise." He tries to convince them in a soft tone and reaches out his hand for them to grasp. With hesitation, they grab his hand and he lightly squeezes theirs.

He leads them up to the top of the rock--where he's been dying to survey the area all day, but too many other zoo-humans occupied it. He sits at the top and brings them into his side, his arm hung over their shoulder as he glanced to the darkening sky. His free hand lifts up his cellmate's chin before pointing out the first star peaking through the navy expanse.

"First star of the night, and they only get brighter from now on." He explains to the human who has never seen the night sky before as a Zaydarian keeper makes their way to the onlooking area at the top of the cement wall; it calls their Zaydarian names once more. His cellmate glances at the Zaydarian and waves with a smile. Dabi looks and sees it's their favorite keeper. He acts on instinct--pissed off the Zaydarian are playing dirty by incentivising his cellmate through their favorite things. He grabs his cellmate's chin and pulls it towards him before he smashes his lips onto theirs--distracting them is his only thought.

His plan seems to be spiraling by the second. First, he wanted to stay out and make an escape plan; his cellmate provided information he may need on how the zoo operates. Then to keep the cellmate out here, he needed to give them a reason to stay out--which was to stargazing. But now, as the Zaydarians' stoop to fighting his plans dirtily, he just needs to distract his cellmate to stay with him until they leave them be.

His hands act on their own as he smooths over and then under their clothes--grazing the soft skin with a delicate touch.

They turn their body to his and climb up into his lap as their hands reach around his neck to hold him close to them.

Without breaking the kiss, a quick glance out of the corner of his eye tells him the Zaydarian is not going to leave but also unsure what to do. He's sure the Zaydarian knows what typically happens after this type of make-up session; they want his cellmate knocked up, so they won't interrupt them. Dabi knows this.

Dabi wraps his arms around his cellmate as he switches them to laying against the rock while breaking the kiss, which he trails down their neck as he removes their pants and underwear before freeing his cock. His hand slid under their shirt and squeezed their breasts, causing them to gasp.

He groans as he begins to slide into them again; relishing in the moan that they let out. One hand pulls out of their shirt as he hilts himself fully into them. He grabs their thigh and hooks that leg above his shoulder before he starts pounding into them at a relentless pace.

All language has left his cellmate's brain as the only thing leaving their mouth was his name being prayed into the sky repeatedly, moans of pleasure, and panting breaths that barely keep up with his pace.

Dabi pounds his tip into their spongy center over and over again as he groans at the feeling. He's decided that this could be addicting to him if he isn't careful. Soon he's pulling an orgasm from his cellmate as he pants out quick breaths. He slows down a bit to ride them through the orgasm. He loves the way their back arches up into him, their eyes rolled to the back of their head, their head turned just enough for drool to slip out of their mouth, their hips rocking into his, and their velvety walls hugging him in the most delectable ways.

As his cellmate comes down from their high, he picks the pace up once again; not giving them any time to breathe nor their sensitive skin to have a break. He reaches his hand down between them to play with their swollen and neglected clit, causing them to scream out his name as tears began to well up on their eyes. He wickedly grinned at the sight, enjoying it too much, before he climaxed as soon as his cellmate reached their second second orgasm--making sure to leave his cum deep within them.

He took a few breaths and listened to theirs as they both came down from their highs. Finally, reentering reality.

"I see… stars." His cellmate whispered below him. He felt his stomach flip and heart pound at the idea of fucking them so well they see stars in their vision, but as he glanced over their face, he saw awe on it as they looked past him and into the night sky.

He chuckled, honestly amused by the miscommunication. "Good."

"They're gorgeous"

"Yeah?"

"Best thing I've ever seen."

"I'm glad. I convinced you to see them then."

"Thank you." They leaned up and gave him a peck on the lips.

Dabi sat up, pulling out of them, before helping them sit up and in his lap, just far back enough to slide his cock back into them and their back pressed up against his chest. He made sure to lean back enough for them to lean back on him and continue to see the stars as they warmed his cock. A win-win for the two of them and a loss for the Zaydarian as they stayed out there for several hours before Dabi realized that his little cellmate had fallen asleep on him.

Dabi chuckled and pulled out of them, putting their underwear and pants back on them before stuffing his cock back into his own pants. He stood before lifting them up with a grunt and heading down the sloped rock and back into their cell, where the door shut behind them. So much for escape planning. He sighed as he got the both of them nestled into bed and soon fell asleep.

The next day continued the same as the last. And the next. And the next. Days blurred into weeks at the repeatable routine of his cellmate trying to integrate him into the zoo-human tribe.

One day as he is allowing his cellmate to bath him in the river, he has a thought.

"I.. don't know your name." He speaks aloud as he feels them move the soap gently across his torso, making sure to be extra gentle with his scars.

"Sk'ara." The zoo-human replied instantly and he recognized the word that the Zaydarian said often around them. "But my mom called me, y/n. If that's what you're asking." They added as they moved onto washing his left arm with the same amount of care. "She gave me an Earth name hoping that one day I'll be able to get out of here and live on Earth as she once had." They continued mindlessly.

Dabi felt something strike his heart that he once thought was cold and dead. "You don't seem like you want to go back to Earth..?" He questioned and was answered with a shrug.

"We've tried escaping. Got close a few times, but it was useless." They revealed with another shrug. He noticed the tears begin to water up in their eyes. "I st…stopped after…after they took my mom to.. to the medical b…bay an..and never brought her b..back…" They tried to hold back their tears. They tried to not shrink back and cry. They tried to remain composed. But it all failed and boiled over when Dabi gently brought them into his arms; never one for comforting others, nor family, but he could understand the pain and honestly it enraged him to learn they put humans down, like animals. The hug was more to keep him from leaving and burning this whole place to the ground. He patted thier back as they cried into his chest.

At that moment, he decides he's taking them with him when he escapes. Just this once, he'll play the hero. Just this once.

---

A/N: idk might add to this might leave it be.

[marauderundercover]

Taking Chances Ch. 14: Back to Basics (De-Aged)

AO3

Prev

The constant attention after her temporary death was a little stifling. Adrien was good about not overwhelming her. He’d seen her take bad hits before and he knew (from personal experience) that the cure would bring the two of them back to normal. No, despite being there in person as she died, Adrien was not drowning her in attention. She was thankful.

Her family, despite her constant reassurances however, did not get the memo. That she was okay. That she would be okay. Now and in future attacks. No, instead they constantly blew up her phone. ESPECIALLY during akuma attacks. Which was one of the only times she didn’t even have her phone on her. But whatever. One good thing did come from her temporary death though. She was talking to her dad. Like, actually talking. The bonding kind of talking. He wouldn’t talk to her about hero stuff (though she imagined he also wanted to forget about her “death” seeing as it was the third time he’d seen the dead body of one of his children). No, instead they got to know each other. She asked about Bridgette, which led to her finding out about his fiance- Selina Kyle. Marinette was really looking forward to meeting her, hopefully next time she took a portal to Gotham.

They also talked about Marinette’s designs- Uncle Jagged, MDC, how the company started, where she wanted to go with the company. Most of their conversations stayed at the surface level of getting to know you, but they were definitely getting closer. Though, she thought that if he’d just talked to her about hero work already (or took her on another patrol), their bonding would happen more naturally. Less like twenty questions. Her brothers, though…

Her brothers were constantly asking questions about how she was, how she felt, if she was safe, if she was sure they couldn’t convince her to leave Paris. It was a lot. But still nice. Nice to know that they cared so much, even if her death was only temporary (as she’d tried to remind them a million times).

The whole “dying painfully and then being resurrected after the battle” thing also led to her and Adrien making a lot of plans. Different ideas and things to do in case of certain akumas, types of attacks, deaths, just a LOT of contingency plans. She’d filled Alfred in on some of the plans, since several involved that half of her family or running to Gotham. But she didn’t tell her brothers. Or her dad. No need to worry or stress them out more than they already were. So she moved on. For several weeks. An entire month passed without Hawkmoth using a nightmare inducing akuma. It was nice. --- Adrien Agreste was not having a good day. It wasn’t really anyone’s fault though. Well, okay that’s a lie. It was definitely his fault. He’d thought after his crazy declaration in Gotham, asking Mari out would be easy. Simple. It was not. All the times he’d said she was “just a friend” were definitely coming back to haunt him. Every single time he tried to ask her out, something happened. An akuma attack. Marinette fell. Emergency photoshoot. Mari dropped all of her stuff and was almost late to class. Lila got someone to confront Marinette about something. He suddenly had an extra fencing lesson with Kagami.

But no more. No. Even though today hasn’t exactly gone as planned (overslept, late for photoshoot which made him extra late for school, got permission to eat at school but forgot to bring his food and then Mari left lunch instead of staying because her brother called so he didn’t even get to see her, forgot his science homework- yeah, bad day) it would be better. Because now he’s walking over to Mari’s and he’s going to ask her out if it’s the last- The shrill blaring of the akuma alarm breaks him out of his thoughts. Really? Now? Groaning, he darts into an alley.

“I blame you.” He deadpans to Plagg, glaring at the kwami’s maniacal laughter.

“Sure kid, sure. You know Pigtails is crazy ‘bout you. Doesn’t mean anything that you can’t ask her out.” He says once his laughter dies down.

“I hope you’re right.” Adrien mumbles. “Plagg, claws out!” He smirks as he’s transformed, feeling a lightness he hasn’t felt all day. He immediately uses his staff to launch himself onto the roof, taking in his surroundings. No crazy weather. No giant stone monster or baby. Nothing flying around. Nothing looks out of the ordinary. Frowning, he retracts his staff to call Ladybug. It rings, but she doesn’t answer.

“Hey Bugaboo. Where should we meet? I don’t see anything unusual. Call me back.” He hands up and decides his best bet is to patrol around, keep an eye out for anything unusual. Just as he starts to think that maybe it was a false alarm, a red blob flies at him. He blinks.

“Chat! Follow me!” Tikki directs, whirling around and zooming away. Adrien’s heart sinks. Please let her be okay. I can’t watch her die again. Please. The words go on a cycle in his head as he runs behind Tikki, too worried to ask. He frowns when she dips down into an alley where someone- not Mari- is waiting.

“What’s going on?” He asks, completely confused.

“The akuma was able to get to Marinette before she could transform.” Tikki explains and Adrien frowns.

“Marinette? Are you- that’s Marinette?” He asks in bewilderment. The girl standing in front of him couldn’t be older than three.

“Unfortunately. The akuma can de-age people.” Tikki says with a sigh.

“Oh gosh, okay. Hi, I’m Chat Noir!” Adrien says, squatting down so that he’s eye level. He extends a hand, smiling at the girl.

“Kitty!” She giggles, throwing her arms around him.

“Oh, uh, hi.” He says, putting his arms around her and picking her up. He turns to Tikki.

“So is this one of those “take her to Mr. Wayne until the fight is over because she can’t be Ladybug right now” situations? Or a “hide her until this is all over” situation? We had  a lot of plans. De-aging was not one of them.” Adrien asks.

“Take her to Mr. Wayne. This akuma is sneaky and we can’t risk Marinette revealing her identity.” Tikki says.

“What?” Adrien asks. How could a baby Mari reveal her identity?

“Adri, wanna cookie please.” Mari says with a pout. His jaw drops and she giggles, patting his face. “Silly kitty!”

“She still knows?” He asks, his voice jumping an octave as he panics. How much did she know? Did she still know everything about the other kwami and the other heroes and- oh god, her dad is Batman. Oh this could be bad. Very bad.

“Okay, nevermind that, where are the glasses? I’ve got to get her out of here before someone hears her tell everyone’s secrets.” Adrien says, suddenly understanding the entire situation.

“Here go!” Mari says, pulling glasses out of her purse. Adrien takes them with a forced smile and merges Plagg and Kaalki. Though the akuma didn’t appear to be deadly, it was going to be a long battle for just one person. Especially since this akuma was actually good at hiding. He makes the portal and steps through, scoffing at the immediate defensive stances from her brothers.

“I’ve been here before.” He reminds them, letting his transformation fall.

“Who’s the kid?” Jason asks, going back to his breakfast when he deems Adrien not a threat. Adrien grimaces.

“So, yeah about that...um, Plagg will explain.” He says, slipping the ring onto Mari’s finger and taking the earrings. Time to get out of this mess. --- Bruce blinks as Adrien leaves as quickly as he came, no explanation. Only a ring of light. He glances at the little girl and frowns. Based on pictures he’d seen, he’d guess the girl was Marinette. But his daughter was a teenager. Which meant this little girl couldn’t be Marinette. But then who-

“Daddy!” She squeals, finally looking at him with her bright eyes. She runs up to him and raises her arms. He blinks, unsure of what she wants. She huffs. “Up.” She demands. He picks her up, eyebrows furrowed as she squeezes him tightly.

“Marinette?” He asks, still confused. A loud cackling draws his attention to the tiny floating black cat at the other end of the table. Of course.

“Pigtails is gonna freak about this later.” He says with a snort.

“And you are?” Bruce asks, wary of the creature. It was definitely not hostile, Adrien did leave it here. But he was still uncertain of its intentions.

“Plagg. The black ca kwami. Akuma back in Paris hit her and you all are her safe house. If she’s unable to fight as Ladybug, someone is supposed to bring her here. The kid or her, if she can still use a Miraculous.” Plagg explains, glancing around. “Say, you got any cheese?” He adds, and just like that, the kwami is off-supposedly to find cheese in the kitchen.

“So- how does she know you if she’s this little? She’s gotta be like, three.” Dick asks with a frown. “You just met.”

“Cause I’m Batman!” Marinette says, mimicking his voice. Jason snorts.

“Sure Pixie, and I’m Ladybug.” He says, reaching over and ruffling her hair.

“No, I am!” She pouts, crossing her arms. “You can’t be, you’re Red Hood.” She adds. Tim- who had been silently sipping coffee- spits over the entire table.

“Good job Drake. Now breakfast is ruined for everyone.” Damian sneers.

“She knows! But she’s tiny! She shouldn’t-” Tim rants.

“It’s magic, Drake.” Damian says, cutting him off. “I am unsure of what you expect. Now, since breakfast is ruined, I will be taking Titus on a walk.” He adds, standing up and starting to leave. Bruce is barely able to stop Marinette from falling as she leaps from his lap and rushes to Damian.

“Can I come?” She asks with a wide smile. Damian hesitates, glancing at him. Bruce shrugs. “Can I come, please?” Marinette adds, sticking out her lip in a pout.

“Tt. I suppose you can come with.” He says with pursed lips. Marinette squeals, grabbing Damian’s hand and tugging him along. The sound of a camera shutter makes Bruce whirl around to see- of course. Dick had his phone out and was taking picture after picture, a wide smile on his face as the two walked away, Marinette babbling on about how cool superheroes are as they walk.

“Who would’ve thought we’d be able to get pictures of baby Mari with us!” He says cheerfully, looking down at his phone. Bruce stills. He could have pictures with one of his kids, as a baby. He glances over at Tim, trying to figure out a way to ask that wouldn’t be too weird. Was the request too weird?

“Don’t worry, B. Already on it.” Tim says, shaking his phone. “Got several pictures of your little hug situation.” He adds. Bruce nods. Still…

“Everyone in the parlor in five minutes. Make sure Alfred comes too. I’ll go get Damian and Marinette.” Bruce says, standing from the table.

“For what?” Jason asks, visually bristling at the orders. Though their relationship was getting better, it was still rocky. And it likely would be for years.

“A family picture.” Bruce says simply. They’d have to take another when Marinette is herself, but he wasn’t about to miss this opportunity. --- Damian Wayne was many things. A former member of the League of Assassins. The current, (and in his unbiased opinion, best) Robin, an animal lover, a brother and a son. He also enjoyed drawing, occasionally painting too. What he was not, was a babysitter. He did not enjoy small children. They often cried for no reason, talked too much and smelled odd. His sister, luckily, did not smell odd. Nor had she cried. She was, however, babbling incoherently. And smiling. Nonstop. It was odd, but not awful. Looking down at the small girl, he was suddenly struck with the awful memory of her death. Of the sword that- no. She was fine. She may be a toddler now, but she was still fine.

“And then, Chat was a bad guy.” She says as he tunes back into her words. He frowns. That’s odd.

“What do you mean?” He asks, sure he misheard her.

“Chat! His suit turned bad and the moon went boom!” She exclaims, gesturing with her hands to mimic an explosion. Why was there no footage of this?

“That sounds like a very bad dream.” He leads, certain that it was just one of her fears. He knew Marinette struggled with anxiety and doubted herself as a hero. Surely that’s all she was referring to. She shakes her head.

“Nu-uh. Not a dream.” She denies, frowning. He starts to ask for clarification, to try and help, when she squeals and runs forward, wrapping her tiny arms around Titus. Damian sighs. It was useless to attempt to have an actual discussion with her right now anyway. Perhaps later they could revisit the topic.

“Careful, Titus.” Damian says, slightly concerned for how the large dog would react to Marinette. He had never really been around small children before, and while he was nice, some dogs just disliked children. Not that Damian blamed them. Instead of knocking her down or growling at her though, Titus nuzzles into her. Gently pushing her along as they walk around the gardens. Damian feels his lip quirk up in a smile. Pulling his phone out, he takes a quick picture, certain Marinette would like to see it later. Out of the corner of his eye, he notices Father walking towards them swiftly.

“Father.” He acknowledges.

“Damian. We’re going to take some pictures together before she turns back.” Father says, glancing at Marinette who was giggling against Titus. She turns and notices the two talking, her smile growing even wider.

“Daddy!” She cheers, running forward and jumping into Father’s arms. Damian quirks an eyebrow at the uncharacteristically large smile on his father’s face. It was odd, but he also knew that his father regretted losing so much time with both him and Marinette. The others it was to be expected, but to not even have that time with his own blood children….

“Did you have fun with Damian, sweetheart?” He asks, and Damian blinks at the surprisingly soft tone. Very odd. He suddenly couldn’t wait for Marinette to turn back. He did not care for the sudden changes in his father.

“Yup! Dami showed me the flowers and the trees and Titus is so silly!” She rambles, nearly whacking Father in the face as she gestures wildly. Damian barely holds back a snort as he watches them.

“I’m so glad you had fun. Can we go inside now, there’s some things we want to do before you go back to Paris.” He explains. Marinette frowns, a pout replacing her large smile.

“I don’t wanna.” She whines, and Damian is shocked to see tears. Actual tears.

“Why don’t you want to go home?” Father asks, and the look on his face makes it obvious. He’s thrown.

“Tired.” She says, laying her head on Father’s shoulder. “Akumas are bad.” She adds.

“We’re going to help Marinette. You won’t be alone anymore. You and Chat Noir will both have help. We’ll figure this out.” Father assures her, holding her.

“Perhaps we could continue this conversation later, Father. You wanted to take pictures and there is no guarantee how long she will be...young.” Damian points out, making a mental note to also bring up the ‘Chat was bad’ scenario later.

“Er, yes. Let’s go. Come on honey, it’s okay. You’re still here.” Father says, turning and walking towards the house, quietly reassuring Marinette until she starts smiling again. While seeing his older sister younger than him was entertaining, Damian much preferred older Marinette. She had a better handle on her emotions. And though he would never admit it to her face, was also much more bearable in conversation. --- Jason was not fond of family pictures. Hell, he wasn’t fond of most things that involved family bonding. He’d been around more since they discovered Marinette, but that was mostly to make sure that Bruce didn’t fuck it up too badly. The kid was the most emotionally available one he had. She could do more than brood. And Jason was not about to let Bruce mess that up by being an asshole. So, sure, he’d been around more. But that didn’t mean he had to be in a family picture.

“I don’t wanna.” He argues, glaring at Dick who was trying to get him to come stand next to him. Dick, Alfred and Replacement were all coming up with poses will B got Demon Spawn and Pixie to come back inside. Jason wanted no part of any of it.

“Master Jason, this is a unique opportunity.” Alfred chastises. Jason rolls his eyes.

“I’ll join when he finds another kid.” He mumbles, trying not to sound too bitter. He wasn’t mad at Marinette, not at all. But being Bruce Wayne’s kid was a fucking recipe for disaster. Three of them had died (and come back). All of them were a vigilante or hero of some sort. None of them had a normal life. So as nice as it could be, being a kid of the Bruce Wayne, it was also a bit of a curse.

“Jay!” Marinette squeals, practically throwing herself from Bruce’s arms as they walk into the room. Jason lunges forward, catching her.

“Shit, Pix, you just about fell.” He swears, eyes wide as she giggles uncontrollably.

“Language.” Dick calls. Jason narrows his eyes, about to argue, when Marinette shifts in his arms. Oh yeah. She’s kind of tiny right now. Probably shouldn’t say anything too bad.

“Daddy says we’re gonna take pictures!” She says, grinning widely. Jason winces. Damnit Bruce.

“Really? Well, I’m sure you’ll have lots of fun.” He says, preparing to put her down so that he can dip out.

“We have to get a picture of just the kids too! Daddy says we’ll take more another day, but we gotta hurry.” She rambles, struggling in his arms to be let down. He sets her down, taken aback by how strong she is as she grabs his hand and tugs him behind the couch. Standing right next to Dick. Of fucking course.

“Pix, I don’t-” He tries to say.

“Nope. Picture time!” She cheers, running back to Bruce. Jason shakes his head. Of fucking course the Pixie was gonna get him to do some stupid shit he didn’t want to do. Of course. --- Alfred glances at the new pictures on the wall as he walks down to the kitchen. It had been a few days since Miss Marinette had left. A few days since he was able to see a genuine smile on Master Bruce’s face. The family had managed to get dozens of pictures and videos on that day, including a picture with himself, Master Bruce and the children. Glancing at the picture of just the children, all laughing and cuddled up on the couch, Alfred smiles. It was nice to have these pictures, pictures with genuine joy on his family’s face. Even if it happened because of a villain attack.

Next

Master list

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[starr-fall-knight-rise]

HASO, “Letting Go.”

Wrote this today, hope you like it, and hope you all have a great day :)

“We have to take him to a hospital.”

His hearing echoed, his ears rang, and his body felt cold and numb. He hurt all over.

“No! That's the last thing he needs right now.”

“Not to be rude but, are you stupid! The last tie i checked, I am the only one here with a Doctorate in actual doctoring.

The world swirled slowly to the left and then to the right.

“Last time I checked I’ve been in his shoes before. You have any idea what they are going to do, they are going to assume he jumped off that bridge on purpose. They are going to strap him down, which is going to make things worse, they are going to bring in psych, who are then going to determine that he should be locked down. That is the last thing this man needs right now, and believe me I have been in his shoes.” he faded out and then back in again.

“Than what do you suggest.”

“You’re a doctor aren’t you, so as long as we have you, he is going to be fine. Let's just get him back to my hotel, but I am telling you the last thing he needs is a noisy smelly hospital room.”

“And how are we going to get him back?”

He faded back in and back out again, “I can carry him.”

“He weights over two hundred pounds.” “Than I will take lots of breaks.”

He faded out again, this time for a long while, waking up only briefly an unknown time later. He was lying, uncomfortably over someone else’s shoulder and staring at the ground as it passed by below him. Little streaks of light dotted his vision from the pain, and he felt back unconscious before he could really understand what was going on.

***

Kier Lindsay stared down at the young man, watching as the strange little alien creature got to work. He had once heard that multitasking was pretty much impossible for humans as the brain was too interconnected to allow for it, but his creature didn’t seem to have any problems. All four of its arms seemed to work independently of each other as it stitched the unconscious man back into one piece. Looking him over the doctor had determined that he had managed to fracture his good leg and some of the bones in his right arm and side, but otherwise he was less injured than they had hoped. 

Then again this was without considering the psychological duress he might be under at the moment.

He grimaced thinking about it.

He had been there before, he had been there and he had hurt a lot of people in the process.

He continued to watch as the alien stitched the other man up with great precision…

Man? 

Honestly he wasn’t much more than a kid, his face was still smooth, unscared by time . Not a hint of white showed in his blond hair, and as he slept, the lines of his face were soft enough that Kier couldn’t shake the feeling that he WAS nothing more than a child.

A child who had had responsibility placed on him far to soon.

To be only in you late twenties and have command of an entire galactic armada.

That was too much to ask for anyone, much less someone like him. Kier couldn’t shake the thoughts as he stared down thinking about how despite technically being an adult for a long enough time, he doubted this man had ever been given a chance to grow up, at least not in the right ways. Turned to the academy at age fourteen, he had been doing adult jobs for longer than most people. He had been thrown into an environment where intelligence and performance mattered but social opportunities were sort of lacking, and then to be thrown right onto the enterprise and into war before trying to recover and immediately turning back to the one group of people that had failed him so badly…..

Adam vir was just a kid, an overly optimistic too trusting kid who had been taken advantage of by the system time and time again. He was like a golden retriever hurt by his master but still loyal enough to come crawling back.

It almost made him sick to watch, but he knew just by looking at him that he would never consider leaving. 

Even if it were for his health.

Kier sighed and sat down by the bed staring at the boy with his chin cupped in one hand.

He had a son about Adam Vir’s age, a boy that was just beginning to pull his life together into some semblance of controlled. It had taken him a lot of mistakes and a lot of experience to figure out who he was, and he ached for the realisation that this man probably never got that.

He knew the feeling all too well.

He shook himself a little, dad mode was something you couldn’t really just turn off, at least not in his case. If there were people younger than him, he felt the automatic obligation to adopt them whether they wanted it or not.

Young people deserved guidance from someone who was older and the more people to do it the better. Lindsay hadn’t seen any of Adam’s family members at the trial, which didn’t necessarily mean anything, but he also got the impression that maybe the had avoided telling them on purpose, which was another red flag he was going to have to discuss with the boy woke up.

If he woke up.

***

He woke up some time later, though he couldn’t have guessed what time. The room was dark aside from the blue light of the TV. A little bit of natural light filtered in from the window, but rain clouds dotted blanketed the sky above. Rain pattered against the window in sheets obscuring the city landscape.

He groaned and tilted his head to the side.

A soft whimper, and something warm and wet ran over the back of his hand.

He tilted his head to the side.

The room was small, only big enough for a queen sized bed, a tv and a small desk. There was adoor to a small bathroom right next to a door that likely lead out into the hallway. The hotel room was small, but clean.

And it wasn’t his.

He turned his head a little further, gritting his teeth against the pain as his bleary eyes fell on the silhouette of a man sitting at the end of the bed. He was slightly hunched forward one hand resting on his knee as he flipped through the channels.

“Adam, can you hear me.’

He turned his head a little further to the right, to where Kril was standing beside him, a look of concern on his face.

The silhouette turned to face him, no more than a balck blob against the light. It was impossible to make out his face.

“Where am I? He croaked

The man stood and stepped forward, stepping out of the way of the TV and allowing some light to fall on the side of his face, “My hotel room, sorry about how cramped it is, but until yesterday I was kind of short on cash.”

Adam blinked, the cogs in his brain grinding to a slow start as he stared at the man’s face, which was familiar but he just couldn’t…

“Cigarette.”

It was the first word his brain could think of to describe the man when he finally recognised him, and in his goggy state it was the only thing he could think of, “Where do you even buy those these days.”

“Lets just say if I could quit my smoking habit than maybe I wouldn’t be so short of cash…. Anyway, how are you feeling.”

“Like shit…. What…. What happened.”

The other man sighed and pulled up the chair from the desk, sitting next to him, “You must have had a pretty bad PTSD attack. Looks like you jumped off an overpass and then rad headfirst into a brick wall.”

He grunted, “that explains a lot I guess….” he paused, “I thought…. I thought I was doing fine. I felt…. Fine and now…” A hand rested on his shoulder, “I know, I understand.”

Adam blinked, squinting at him slightly in the darkness, “Who are you/”

“The name is Kier but most of my friends call me Lindsay. I don’t know why, guess our days in the army just sort of rubbed off on us, now we only refer to people by their last names really.”

“What were you doing at the trial.”

The man smiled a little sadly, “Watching some assholes git their comeuppance, oh, and being awarded about five million dollars compensation.”

It took Adam even longer to digest that, “You….. you’re Steel eye-” The last two words came out as a squeak.”

Lindsay turned on the light by the bed, bathing them both in a warm yellow glow. Now that Adam could get a good look at him, he saw an older man probably in his late forties or early fifties. His hair was steel grey but well groomed, and he had the body of a man half his age. He wore only a tattered flannel rolled up to the sleeves and a white T-shirt. The back and sides of his arms were dotted with familiar circular scars  all with a silver sort of sheen.

And, surprisingly, little silver dots….

Iron eye implants.

He turned his head to stare up at him, “You…. you are one of the five.”

“Yep, we never met during the war but I’ve been watching your career on the news for some time now. Some real impressive stuff kid.” he smiled, smiled and easy smile of someone who actually meant it.

Adam felt a sudden pang of guilt and shame.

For a moment he couldn’t figure out what it had stemmed from, until he realised. This man seemed fine, and here he was a complete wreck.

“How are you….. Ok after all that?” he wondered almost bitterly.

Lindsay shook his head, “Don’t start with that. I've jumped from one war to another my entire life. I have more experience than you.”

Adam went quiet, “So you were fine…. After steel eye.”

The man snorted, “No… no no, not even close.”

“What happened, if you don’t mind me asking.”

The man shrugged, “Lost both my legs in the war, one above the knee and one below. When I got home my family didn’t have enough money to get me good prosthetics, so I was pretty much wheelchair bound for a year or so.” he sighed, “I came back a shell of a man to a family who really needed a father. It was so bad for a time, everyday I thought about just…. Not being there anymore. I didn’t  talk to my wife, I didn’t talk to my kids, and when I did speak I was angry all the time or apathetic.” His shoulders slumped, “For a time, I didn’t have much of a relationship with my middle daughter or my oldest son. I had drug withdrawals so bad I even wheeled myself halfway across town to try and find something…. Heroin maybe, anything that might take the edge off,” He snorted sadly, “I see it as a blessing now that no one would sell to me. I went over the edge drinking, and chain smoking and trying to bum pills off of any doctor I could find. Luckily with regulations on pills these days, I wasn’t given any.”

Adam felt his mouth go dry, “That bad.”

He nodded, “Woke up screaming most nights because of the dreams. For a while my kids moved out of the house because my wife was scared for thor safety.” He held up a hand, “Even during that time I would never have hit them intentionally, but my dreams were getting so bad that I would wake up flailing, and I would jump at the smallest sound. Anything could set me off.”

He sighed sadly, “But my wife bless her soul, is the strongest woman I know.” He reached into his pocket, and pulled out a photograph showing it to Adam with a look of pride so profound  it made even Adam’s heart ache.

What he saw was a nice family. Two younger kids, a teenage boy, and a woman.

She had short black hair spiked up and dark lipstick on, and the look on her face was indicative of someone full of mischievous humor.

“My angel. She stayed by me even though she should have left. I tried to get her to leave, even made my behavior worse at one point to drive her off. She SHOULD have left me, but she didn’t. I had the mot amazing support system. She held me from falling any further into it, and my little girl, my little girl Bethany, that little girl pulled me out by my hair and dragged me back to reality. She was too young to realise how horrible I was being, and she just thought I was sick. No matter how much my wife tried to keep hr away from me, she always came to see me somehow, with ‘medicine’.” 

He smiled, “Generally it was just a tube of baby M&Ms. I refused at first, but she insisted, and the one day I decided to take them just to quiet her down, she told me that I would be all better.”

He waited with pent up breath.

“That night, I slept without nightmares…. The placebo effect is a hell of a thing if a child can convince a grown ass man that M&Ms ar medicine. I woke up and my head had never been so clear in my entire life. I saw what I was doing to them, and to my little girl and to my other kids…. I have never cried that hard in my entire life, but it was just what I needed. Some emotion to break the cycle of anger and apathy. It wasn’t an easy road from there, but I finally got smart and started listening to my wife. Somehow managed to get my kids to forgive me, and from there we worked as a team to get me back on my feet.” he patted the cigarette in his pocket, “This is what remains from those days…. Can’t seem to quit, but working on it.”

Adam was quiet for some time, 

“It was that hard on your family.”

“It was. I am glad they stayed but at the same time I wish they hadn’t been so hurt by me.

He sighed and leaned his head back, “I don’t think that is possible for me.”

A hand turned to rest down on his shoulder, “I know it sounds hard right now but…. I have a theory if you want to hear it.”

He sighed, “Shoot, it's not like I have any other bright ideas.”

“What are you?”

“What do you mean.”

“I mean when all the trappings are stripped away from you, your job and your title…. What makes you…. You.”

He paused for a moment, opened his mouth and then closed it, “I…. Im a….I….” The other man waited, his eyes sad.

The only things Adam could think of were related to his job.

When he was silent for some minutes, the man patted his arm, “All these years of service and you've never taken time to construct a framework for yourself that can survive outside of your job. If you keep defining yourself by what you do and how well you preform than you aren’t going to last. You constantly do everything for everyone else, but why not think about doing something for yourself for once, be completely selfish. Don’t go on vacation because, I bet this will calm me down and make me a better leader when I return, go on vacation because you bloody well want to job be damned.”

Adam opened his mouth to protest, but the man silenced him.

“Even if you love your job, you need breaks from it. You need to set the line to where your job ends and you begin, otherwise you won’t have a personality left when you are done. Take some time to fix YOU before lending yourself to everyone else.”

He rested his head back, “That sounds….. Difficult.”

The man patted him on the arm, “You’ve proven you can do hard things, now is just the time to do another hard thing.”

Adam nodded but inside his head he was beginning to feel a little hopeless. He knew that Lindsay was right. He knew that he was messed up, and everything he had done up to this point was just going to be a bandage. 

And until he was fixed.

He was going to have to give up a few things.

He hated the idea of hurting people like Lindsay had described, so…. So that meant doing something that he wasn’t going to like.

“Do you…. Do you mind if I…. speak with you…. On occasion.”

The man smiled, “I already put my number in your phone if you need me. I work law enforcement now so I might be busy, but if you need my help Ill do my best.”

***

He didn’t want the court’s blood money. He would have tossed it away if he could, but he knew that was just his confused mind talking. Money was money, so he mostly gave it away. Gave it away to his parents for their retirement, and to his brothers and sisters for their kids college funds. He gave some to his brother to get him a better house in a new area, but he kept some for himself. It would have been irresponsible not to buy himself a house, to get himself a place away from his job and the ship.

He didn’t know where to buy it at first thinking that earth was too mundane but anything further out was too far removed. So, he bought a little private property on the moon. It cost a shit ton of money but, he had that in spades now. He only told his family about it.

They weren’t exactly happy with them when he finally told them where he had been. They had wanted to be there to support him, but he couldn’t find t in himself to feel bad that they hadn’t see the pictures and the videos he had been forced to see. He apologized and promised he would do better in the future.

He felt disconnected from himself.

Out of touch.

The crew of the Omen was just as angry with him, perhaps even more so than his family.. The intervening days that led him back to his ship feeling detached was like…. Some sort of horrible dream. He felt like he was slipping backward down a slippery slope and watching the light fade away from him. 

He was scrambling on the rocks but couldn’t find purchase.

Perhaps it was the idea of what he had to do next that hurt  him so much. Hurt him so much that he didn’t want to think about it, but he knew he had to. He didn’t want to but he knew he had to. It was the only way he was going to be able to feel ok about himself, about fixing himself.

Maybe things would change when he finally came back.

Maybe when he recovered, he could change what he was about to do.

And maybe he was about to ruin it forever.

He walked down the hallway of the engineering corridor despondent, like he was watching himself in third person.

He reached out a hand that didn’t feel like his and knocked on the wall of the ship.

A familiar face turned to look at him from her workspace in the dark. Sunny stood and paused to look at him, “Adam, are you alright.”

“Sunny…. We…. need to talk.”

She paused eyes narrowing in confusion.

“Are you ok.” she repeated.

He walked in taking a seat on her work bench and staring down at his hands.

“Is this about, the trial….. I mean yes I am a little mad that you didn’t tell me. Is it because I’m a Drev, is it because it would have looked bad. I know I don’t understand human politics, but maybe….”

He held up a hand, and she grew quiet.

He sat for a long moment fighting himself on the inside,and then forcing himself to look up at her. He could feel hot tears prickling at the back of his eyes though, for some reason he couldn’t get them to fall.

She deserved that he at least LOOK at her.

He felt sick.

He just wanted to throw up. 

This…. This was the hardest thing he had ever done. 

“Sunny…. I… while I was away, at the trial.”

She stared at him slow horror and confusion passing across her face.

“Well, I learned some things about myself. Number one being that, I….. I never recovered from what happened to me. From Steel eye and the war. Ive been bandaging it up for the past few years assuming that I can fix it, but at this point…. I wonder if I ever will.” He took a deep breath and locked eyes with her, “I’m broken, and until I can fix myself…. I think its best if-”

“No, no no no that's not how this works.”

He continued speaking, “I think it's best if we take a break.”

“NO!”

“Sunny I love you but I. I am not Capable of being what you need or deserve.” he stood reaching a hand forward, “I can’t subject you to myself like that.”

She jerked away from his hand, “that should be MY decision it would be OUR decision.”

“Sunny please…. I am so sorry.”

“On my planet, battle pairs fight WITH each other no matter how hard the battle is.”

His voice shook timorous and fading fast, “And on my planet, sometimes loving someone means letting them go.”

[neverthrive]

Just gonna leave this old ass fanfic here

Adventuring is a rewarding occupation, providing an abundance of wealth, the respect of peers, and even a fulfilling sense of self worth. Even so, the constant action takes its toll, and every once in a great while an adventurer has to take a step back, breathe in deeply, and just get away from it all. Which is exactly what Jake had been planning for himself and his human brother.

It was a simple idea; take a break from their regular schedule of evil slaying, butt-kickery and all around, nonstop awesomeness. Find some remote location that holds nothing but tranquility in store for the duo to just chillax at for a few days. Just the two of them, a dog and his boy. It was perfect, but like any other well laid plan, there was a monkey wrench destined to find its way into the cogs of said perfection and jam Jake's precise synchronization up something awful. This particular monkey wrench goes by the name of Marceline.

"What are you dweebs up to?" Inquired a melodically cynical voice that belonged to none other than the ancient noirette in question. Marceline stared down ever curiously at the mixed species siblings and their growing mess as she liesurely drifted on the air over their heads. From what she could tell, her mortal friends appeared to be gathering heaps of useless garbage and stowing the junk in their already cramped luggage, for some reason or another.

Finn took a moment to acknowledge the vampire's presence, looking up from his loaded pack to face her. "I'm not actually sure, myself... Jake just told me to start packing my crud, and I guess that's what I'm doing, so does that answer your question?"

"Not in the least." she replied curtly before turning her now suspicious gaze in Jake's direction. The dog paid Marceline no mind as he continued to toss his various and mostly useless possessions into a sack. A rubber duck, a length of rope, a jar of peanuts, a pair of socks... Finally, he stored two empty glass bottles and closed the sack, still oblivious to the vampire's questioning stare. "Jake, what the plum is with all the hullabaloo?"

"Nope." Jake snapped, mildly irritated.

"'Nope'? Nope what?" She pressed him, ignoring the dog's tone.

"No. I'm not gonna tell you because you'll just want to come with us and muck it up. It's s'pose to be just me and mah bro, and you have no part in it. So no, Marceline, you can't come camping with us." Jake retorted in his best attempt at sounding authoritative, but in trying to iterate just how serious he was, the fact that he was suppose to be withholding information had slipped his mind a tad. He soon realized his mistake and growled in frustration. "Forget I said that last part!" But ironically, that last part about ignoring that previous last part was ignored by both teens.

"We're going camping?" Finn and Marceline asked in unison, excitement bubbling up in their throats.

"Yes, Finn, WE are. And no, Marceline, WE are not. Got it?" Jake answered pointedly. "It's camping time with Finn and Jake. I didn't hear Marceline anywhere in there, so step off sister!"

"Well fine! Maybe I didn't want to go on your stupid trip anyway!" Marceline pouted sorely and turned to leave, but Finn, being the model peacekeeper he is, blocked his friend's exit. "Get out of the way, Finn. I'm obviously not wanted here anymore." The vampire queen tried to push the boy aside, but no matter how hard she shoved, the squishy blob of flesh and heroism persisted to keep her from leaving.

"Come on, Jake's just being a butt. You don't have to leave on account o' him bein' a Mr. grumpy pants." Finn gently wrapped a hand around Marceline's forearm and began to lead her back over to his brother so as amends could be made.

"He doesn't even wear pants, dude." she huffed out in retortion as she let herself be pulled back towards the junk heaps that the magical dog was still busying himself with sorting through and packing into napsacks and suitcases and the like.

"Jake..." Finn verbally nudged his brother to outstretch the olive branch to Marceline, but an apology seemed hesitant in forthcoming. "Come on, man. You know you done bad in yourself bro, and I know you know how to make it right again." Finn's prompt appeared to have worked this time, eliciting a defeated sigh from Jake.

Dropping his bags of assorted and worthless loot, Jake turned to face Marceline who now had her arms crossed over her chest and was avoiding eye contact with him. "Look, I'm sorry, alright?" Marceline untensed a bit at that. "It's not you, It's just that I really wanted to have some bro time with Finn, y'know? To recapture those times we used to share when we was wee pups." Jake inhaled deeply, breathing in the musty scent lingering about from the, until recently, long forgotten contents of that once overstuffed closet in the corner. He had a feeling in his gut that he'd regret this decision later, and his gut was almost never wrong, but he couldn't ignore his guilt and empathy for Marceline. She just wanted to hang with her friends. "So... You want to come with us, then?"

The vampire's sour mood dissipated immediately, her pout rapidly shifting to a grin stretched from pointed ear to pointed ear. "Heck yes I wanna go camping with you guys! So when are we leaving?" Marceline asked almost giddily.

"Well I guess since you're coming with us, we probably shouldn't be heading out 'til just before sundown." Jake answered thoughtfully. Having so much time before they were to depart allowed Jake some spare moments to cool it with all the preparations and freed up his thinkin' schedule a bit. Suddenly, a thought pervaded his mind that the dog rather took a shining to. "If we're bringing guests along now, Lady Rainicorn's coming too!" and with that, Jake took off to go inform his girlfriend of how he'd decided she would be spending the next few days. The matter was entirely non negotiable.

Finn and Marceline stood idly by as Jake hastily absconded out through a nearby window. The young hero turned to his immortal friend "You know, he actually does wear pants..."

"Really?"

"Yup."

A quarter hour before dusk would settle in, the four campers had reached the landing Jake scouted out beforehand. It was a small pocket within the forest, not too far from a river, vacant enough to comfortably fit everyone but with a dense enough canopy to shade any vampire from daylight at high noon. Having acquired a suitable base of operations, the only thing left standing in between Jake and his cherished relaxation was setting up camp. The duties were divied up between two groups.

"So Lady and I are gonna pitch our tent, by ours I mean hers and mine. I don't know what either of you are doing so... Sleep under the stars or whatever. But also, we need a campfire, so you guys should maybe gather some sticks and twigs and stuff, and it'll be math. 'Kay." Jake then spoke something in a language neither Finn nor Marceline could comprehend to Lady, who laughed in response, and the two magical creatures diligently began piecing together the frame of their shared tent. The rainicorn giggled lightly every time Jake slipped a tent pole into the corresponding connector she held.

Marceline narrowed her eyes at the spectacle and made a face. "Gross..." She thought it best to linger around the couple and their disgusting adorableness as little as inhumanly possible and began to head towards the surrounding thickets. Finn soon followed suit, tailing behind his friend into the thick of the forest to gather materials for their fire.

"So like, sticks, huh?" The human remarked as he bent over to scoop a discarded twig from the earth.

Marceline turned to see Finn's pitiful offering. Their fire would need a lot more fuel than some measly green branches. "No man, we need bigger stuff than that." she explained. "And preferably a little more dead." she added.

"Bigger?" Finn thought it over for a moment. "Alright, bigger." Turning to face a tree, the stout teenager grappled the trunk and with all his might attempted to pry the poor unsuspecting eudicot from the soil. "I need your wood, tree! Give it up, yo!" Finn continued his struggle while Marceline cackled at his random act of foolishness.

Seeing no sign of Finn relenting any time soon, his undead friend intervened. "Finn, we don't need a whole tree. And you most def don't gotta yank one out'a the ground. C'mere, ya goober." she beckoned while barely supressing her laughter. Finn looked from Marceline then back to the tree in his grasp, releasing the bark from his grip and gaining nothing from his efforts but sore arms.

"Look," she pointed to a fallen branch that looked as if it'd been laying on the forest floor for a few seasons now. "This is the kind of stuff we're gonna need. Big enough to burn, and not impossible to pick up, got it? Now get it." Finn did as instructed, bending to take the dry, rough chunk of high octane campfire fuel in his arms. "Alright, now just find a lot more like it and we're good to light 'em up."

"How many more?" Finn asked wearily.

"I don't know. Lots, I suppose. Have to keep it going for a while." she replied, venturing deeper into the woods to search for any more decent firewood she might per chance stumble upon. Figuratively, that is, it's hard to sumble when your feet don't touch the ground.

"Bleh..." Despite his contempt for such menial labor, Finn once again followed the vampire to gather what they needed. It was an easy enough job, but way too dang boring for a man of action. Finn needed excitement, and lugging sticks around wasn't providing.

When they'd finished gathering the firewood and the time came to actually light the fire, Finn demanded he be the one to do the deed. And so there they sat across from one another, a neatly arranged pile of dead wood between them. Finn furiously stroked the sticks together in a fruitless attempt to catalyze a spark.

"This usually works! These things must be broken, or something..." Finn pouted and heaved the useless wooden shafts into the nearby shrubbery in frustration.

"Here," Marceline moved herself closer to the bundle and spawned a small flame in the palms of her hands. Touching the flame to the tinder, the pile of miniature lumber and bark ignited almost instantly. Finn stared down at the blazing fire, then glanced up to Marcleline, a smug, toothy smirk plastered across her face.

"You cheated!" he yelped, pointing accusingly at the girl who succeeded so easilly where he so miserably failed.

"Finn, don't be jelly of my totally sweet vampire powers." Marceline replied, her expression never faltering.

"I'm not jelly! Maybe jam, but not jelly. Just admit you cheated! Vampire powers is cheating fo' sure." he insisted.

"Nope." The vampire playfully let her forked tongue slide out from between her fangs, mocking the disgruntled human.

"Whatever..."

"Hey, you guys made the fire! Rad!" Jake exclaimed as he padded his way over to the two from his now fully assembled tent.

"Yeah, we totally did it! 100% group effort here." Marceline chimed almost sarcastically. "So who wants to roast marshmallows?"

"... Then the puppy looked under his bed, and saw two glowing green eyes! The pup was so scared, it almost wee wee'd!" Finn stood over his three friends, the crackling fire below lighting his features in distorted illumination. He raised both hands above his head, digits stretched and curled as claws in the most menacing display the boy could muster. "The nebelung under the bed reached out to the scared little puppy and..." Finn paused, turning to Jake who'd heard the story right along with Finn in their youth and knew what came next. "TICKLED THE PUPPY!" Finn pounced on his brother and poked his wriggling fingers into the dog's soft flanks. Jake snorted and snickered at the human's tickle attack as the two women watched on. Lady found the sight to be quite amusing, adorable even. Marceline just sucked the red from a can of kidney beans in stark indifference.

"If you two are done with your brotherly gropefest yet, maybe I could tell a real ghost story?" Marceline cut their fun short and assumed her position over the campfire as current story teller as the brothers returned to their seats. "This isn't the first time I've been in these parts of the woods. I came through here some years back, how long ago exactly is a little fuzzy. But I wasn't alone. No, I had friends with me, just like I do now, and just like now, there was a dog among my group.

"We were just hiking through, you see, we had no intentions of staying. No, that would be foolish! We knew better, we'd heard the stories of what happens around here after dark. Weird stuff... Spooky happenings, y'know? But the dog, he got lost-"

"Oh no! Not the dog! The dog always dies first!" Jake interrupted with his sudden fearful outburst.

"Well anyway..." Marceline shot him a scornful look, and continued. "The dog must have started straggling, because when we stopped to rest, he was nowhere to be found. Of course we looked for him, we stayed together as a group, we weren't about to split up so we'd all be lost in 'The Forsaken Forest'. But no matter where we searched, there was no sign of the poor lost doggy. It wasn't 'til well after dark when we found him. He was huddled in a bush maybe twenty or so yards from where he was last seen, shaking uncontrollably with his face in his hands.

"He wouldn't show us his face. He just kept on mumbling some nonsense about 'whispering trees' and 'eyeball rockets'. When we finally pried the dog's hands from his face, he had no eyes! Just two gaping sockets where his looking globes used to be! Once we got him to calm down, he told us the whispering trees of the forsaken forest used some hoodoo to turn his eyeballs into jet packs and they flew right off of his face. Wait..." Marceline stiffened and tilted her head to one side as if intently listening to some faint noise off in the distance. "Did you guys hear that?"

"Hear what?" Jake squeaked, cowering into his girfriend's embrace. Cuddling with Lady Rainicorn made him feel secure, but it wasn't enough to make him totally forget he was in the alleged 'Foresaken Forest'.

"It sounds like..." she leaned in toward Jake, and with a completely straight face, with a hint of what might pass for something distraught in her tone, answered "Whispering."

That's all Jake needed to hear. He gave his friends a surprise performance of his scream song and tore off to his tent as fast as his four legs would carry him, separating himself from the 'evil' trees outside with a thin layer of nylon. No way in the flippin' Night-o-Sphere was he letting some piney mischief makers steal his precious eyes. Lady chuckled and followed after him, knowing Jake wouldn't be able to sleep alone tonight after that fright.

Finn and Marceline shared a laugh at Jake's expense. When their howling merriment subsided, they realized they were alone once more. Finn fed a few more branches from their dwindling supply into the blaze, stoking the flames.

"So, have you really been out in these woods before?" The boy asked, now feeling uneasy not knowing if the vampire's story was true or not. Finn'd witnessed stranger things, so believing tall tales came easily to him.

"Yeah, I have. But not how you're thinking I did, that story was bogus." Finn was relieved. "Naw, my old man took me camping somewhere around here when I was younger, before that whole 'fry incident' happened. It's one of the more pleasant memories I have from my upbringing." Marceline sighed and watched the flames consume their fresh meal through hazy, half lidded eyes. The age-old young woman contently recalled the time she and her father shared out in this forest so many years ago.

"Is that why you like camping?" Finn pulled her out of her train of thought. "Becuase your dad brought you?"

"Yeah, probably." she admitted. "It's just nice to chill out in the wild, with some friends or family or whatever. It's kind of peaceful. So how 'bout you, Finn? Have you ever been camping?"

"Well, once pop took me, Jake and Jermaine out for a weekend of fishing. Y'know, a father and his boys." Finn still missed his parents, they were such kind old folk. No one else would look twice at the human freak, but they raised him as their own. "But it was actually just the back yard, there was a pond there too, and we were told we couldn't go inside the house 'til the weekend was over. Dad made us some sort of little shelter out of some dead trees and ferns and all we ate was the fish we caught, but Dad made sure to stock the pond with lots of fish beforehand, so we had plenty. It was a pretty good time, even if it wasn't the wilderness like this."

"It's not where you're at, Finn, all that matters is who you're with." Marceline asserted, and felt a certain truth to her words resonate. In her experience, this was an immutable fact, in good company, fond memories could be made anywhere. Finn always seemed like good company, and he'd given the vampire an abundance of fresh memories she hoped would not fade any time soon.

"Yeah," Finn nodded gingerly. "that's deep." The human stretched his arms wide and yawned in deeply. It was getting late, and an adolecsent boy needs his sleep. "I'm gonna hit the sack."

Finn took a few paces away from the campfire and found one of the various packs he'd brought with him on this excursion at the base of a large tree. Opening the zipper, he reached inside and withdrew a very large, very new looking gortex sleeping bag and unrolled the bundle of fluff and warmth, laying it across the ground. The tuckered hero wasted no time before hopping into the over sized, silky feeling cocoon, but before he could drift of to the land of Sweet dreams, he was disturbed by a familiar voice.

"Where am I supposed to sleep?" demanded the very abandoned feeling vampire queen.

"You're nocturnal." Finn retorted bluntly before rolling over to face away from the dying fire.

"But I've been up all day!" she protested. "My sleep schedule is wack, and it's pretty much entirely your fault."

"Hey, it's your own choice to pester us during the day. You made your bed, now you gotta sleep in it. Hehe." Finn laughed at the irony of that figure of speech used in this particular instance and noted that he's not exactly one to be clever with irony, and it was mostly just coincidence, but an awesome coincidence at that. "Can't you just like, sleep hangin' from a tree or somethin'? Bats do that all the time."

"No! For one, that's actually an insulting generalization, and two, I don't think I can maintain myself in bat form while I'm sleeping." Marceline explained. It sounded logical enough of a reason to rule out sleeping in trees, and there was no way she was about to sleep atop the cold dirt. "Scootch over, I'm getting in with you." she ordered.

"No way! Why didn't you bring your own sleeping junk?" Finn countered.

"Because I didn't think of it and vampires were never bestowed with the gift of foresight, now make room!"

"You can't!" Finn barked.

"Why can't I?" she challenged.

"Because... You're a girl..." Finn's face brightened with reddish hugh.

"Are you saying you'd rather sleep with a boy?" Marceline asked slyly, raising an eyebrow in playful inquiry.

"Well no... But..." Finn sputtered, "This isn't fair!"

"Life ain't fair, get used to it," the dead girl shot back while making her way to Finn and his comfy looking sleeping bag that he was being oh so greedy trying to keep all to himself. Finn hesitated, but after seeing Marceline was dead set on gettin' all up in his bag, he reluctantly relented his opposition and allowed her entry, slipping in beside him.

Marceline noticed how spacious it was inside, still comfortable enough even with the both of them fully encased up to their necks in the puffy fabric, and she almost couldn't help but to be suspicious that Finn's end game was to share this sleeping bag with someone all along. Silly human, he'd only have to ask, no need for reverse psychology and mind games. But then she realized this was Finn she was thinking about and how his intentions never run any deeper than face value. Marceline couldn't see Finn, the genuine goober he is, devise some elaborate plan entailing sleeping bags and psychological warfare all to result in getting her to sleep with him, speaking only in the most literal sense of the term.

Then Marceline realized something else. She was dreadfully uncomfortably laying in this position. "Finn. I need a pillow." she informed.

Disturbed once more from the verge of slumber, Finn exhaled audibly and cracked his sore and crusty eyes. Scanning about the surrounding darkness for something that might sate the relentless vampire's pestering, Finn peered a fairly large, stout stone not far from where they lay. Removing his arms from the confines of the sleeping bag he was now being forced to share, he grabbed hold of the rock and placed it by Marceline's head with a dull thud. "Use that." he instructed coarsely before returning to his previous position and trying once more to sleep.

Marceline stared at the rock in awe for a long moment before deciding it was a horrible candidate for a pillow. No, she'd need something softer, with some give. Something... Squishy. And per chance, it just so happened that there was something exceedingly squishy laying right beside her. So with no further thought or reasoning, Marceline curled herself around Finn and layed her head on the softest point she could find between his shoulder and chest.

"What the flip are you doing?" The hero questioned when feeling his friend's arms snake around his body.

"Shut up." she hissed, momentarily lifting her head from his chest to make eye contact. "You're lumpin' comfortable, so deal with it. Now lay there and be quiet like a good pillow." And with that, she nuzzled back into the fleshy swells of Finn's torso.

As awkward as this situation was, Finn couldn't deny that it was maybe even a little pleasant. But also mostly uncomfortable, for him at least. So to right this, Finn hauled his arm out from beneath the cuddly vampire and repositioned it around Marceline, so now they were in some ungraceful, and clearly completely platonic embrace. Nope, nothing going on here, just a couple o' bros in a sleeping bag is all. Snuggling? Naw, none of that going on here, bro.

Feeling Finn's arm wrap around her back and rest somewhere near her waist, reciprocating her cuddle, Marceline grinned into the adolescent adventurer's chest. "I know you're enjoying this, probably more than you're letting yourself believe, but don't expect it to happen often." She took a moment to glance back up to meet Finn's embarrassed gaze. "You just so happened to have been the most comfortable place for me to spend the night." Reaching up to play with the ears of Finn's hat, she added "Y'know, you're no Hambo, but you're quite the snuggly little bear."

Finn's face flushed skarlet, or maybe it never stopped being that color, he couldn't tell. But either way, he definitely felt significantly warmer around the collar after that remark. He wasn't too sure he liked being Marceline's 'snuggly bear', he imagined it might be something reminiscent of what Lady Rainicorn would call Jake, if she spoke english. And Finn for sure didn't think he was ready to have with Marceline what Jake had with Lady. But here they were, closer to any other girl than he'd ever been, unburnt by her touch and unscalded by any callous words that carelessly fell from her mouth.

Finn gave some thought to this and realized it wouldn't be so bad to be more than simply friends with Marceline. She was probably the greatest gal he knew, and almost certainly the least complicated, even if that's not saying all too much. But he could easily envision their relationship taking a turn for the romantic. By the time he'd worked up the courage to profess that thought to her, a rather obnoxious snore seized his attention. Finn snapped his eyes down in his bed buddy's direction to find she'd already fallen fast asleep. So, the adventurer, pushing all silly thoughts of relationships aside, closed his eyes for what seemed like the umpteenth time that evening and was finally allowed rest.

It wasn't the muted sunlight shining through the leaves overhead, ticking at his eyelids, that woke Finn that morning, nor was it the stirring of the girl still in his arms. It was the earpiercing shriek of utter shock and surprise let loose from his older brother's agape maw. Finn's eyes shot open, sitting up quickly and turning his attention from Jake to Marceline, taking in the situation and how it might look to anyone outside of the sleeping bag.

"This probably isn't what it looks like!" Finn piped up defensively almost without thinking. His brain kicked in and told him that whenever someone says those particular words, it's almost always exactly what it looks like.

"Oh my grawd, dude! You guys didn't... Did you?" Jake gasped, flabbergasted. "Just tell me you kept it PG13, please."

"Dude, what the hey! We're both fully clothed, okay!" Finn stepped out of his sleeping bag to prove he was, in fact, not in the nude. "She just forgot to bring any camping gear, so I shared. Alright?"

"Yeah, alright... I guess I might have been overreacting a bit..." Jake mumbled ashamedly, averting his gaze from his two friends he just so blatently accused of indecency.

"A bit?" Finn chuckled. "It's a'ight man, let's just forget about it." Finn's stomach let out a low growl. "So what's for breakfast, homie?"

Jake felt a mite cheerier now that they'd moved on past that terrible misunderstanding. What an awful, horrible revelation to wake up to first thing in the morning. "Canned food, yo. It's all we got since we pollished off the marshmallows last night."

"Sounds good, man." Finn responded with a nod. He looked back to his vampire friend who was still wrapped in his sleeping bag. She was in a sitting position, watching the two brothers, holding the poofy top of the bag up to under her chin with strangely bare arms. "C'mon Marcie, stop being a lazy butt. It's time to get up." The human coaxed.

"Remember that thing you said about how we're both fully clothed?" she asked with a bashful smile. "If we've learned anything this morning, it's that you guys are great at jumping to conclusions." She motioned with her eyes, directing Finn and Jake's attention toward a pile of her discarded flannel shirt and ripped jeans.

"What the flip, Marceline!" Finn cried out, bordering on the hysterical.

"What, I got hot! Besides, it's not like I'm completely naked. Glob Finn, don't be such a perv!" Marceline huffed indignantly, floated up from the ground sleeping bag and all, snatched the shirt and pair of jeans from where they lay and was gone into the dense forest, presumably to get dressed.

"What in the flip just happened, Jake?" Finn asked flatly as he continued to stare dumbfoundedly out into the woods where he last saw the lunatic who wore his sleeping bag like a toga.

"Sounds like you're having girl troubles, bro." Jake answered, gingerly giving the confused human an empathetic pat on the back.

[dear-alex-chill]

SHADOW WAR EPILOGUE

There was a loud buzzing and ringing in his ears. Someone was talking but he couldn't hear, he felt like he was underwater. That's when he felt the pain kick in. It felt like someone had dragged him by his shoulders through all of Duckburg and back to the bin before throwing him and leaving him. Gyro groaned before turning his head to the side and feeling a mix of water and spit fall out of his mouth. He was pretty sure he tasted something like iron but he wasn't going to think of that. He coughed up more water still unable to move. Eventually he was able to breathe on his own as he layed there still not opening his eyes. He could tell it wasn't light out so he simply layed there unmoving. Gyro secretly hoped that he'd fall back into unconsciousness soon so he could fast forward the pain. His wish came true as he embraced the sweet numbness.

--5 Minutes Prior with Fenton----

They had done it! They had defeated Magica and he got his suit back. Everyone was swimming in the money ((or at least trying to)) except for Scrooge who was staring out. Fenton walked over, wondering if Scrooge too had seen a weird shadow ball covered in purple magic fall out of the sky during the battle. Fenton had just showed up when it happened, he assumed it was debris, but one could never tell.

"Penny for your thoughts?" He offered to Scrooge

Scrooge stared ahead, his eyes scanning the water. "Where'd he go?" He muttered

"Um, who exactly?" He asked. Was someone lost or hurt? Did someone get carried off by the shadows? Did magica still have power? Was there another threa-

"Gyro."

Fentons heart stopped as a sinking feeling quickly replaced the victorious buzz he had been feeling. "W-what?"

"He was flung into the ocean during battle. I didn't get the chance to see him resurface." Scrooge stated looking at the water.

Fenton felt his heart quicken. "Was he uh, was he surrounded by shadows and purple light?" He asked nervously

"Yes. Magica wanted to sacrafice him but that old coon couldn't tell if I was lying by saying he was a work aquaintence" Scrooge chuckled a little.

"..oh.." Fenton murmured

"I'm sure he's fine. Gyro's a lot tougher than he looks, and for what we give him credit for" he added before turning back to his family.

"Thanks for the help lad." Scrooge said walking away leaving Fenton alone with his worries.

Gyro had been the one in that blast. Fenton just assumed no one could survive it so it must've been debris. His heart rate sped up even more as he nervously walked to the edge of the bin staring at the water. Fenton shook his head, deciding to go down to the beach/shore instead. He'd probably get a better view from there.

---

Fenton walked along the shore looking at the water out ahead of him hoping to see a sign of anything. A rubber life jacket floated past that looked like it could fit one of the kids but nothing else was out there. Fenton kept walking as the light faded. Maybe Gyro had made it to the opposite shore? Maybe Gyro went back into the bin and was down in the lab? Maybe Gyro was safe at home treating his wounds? Fenton hoped it was the last option but his gut said different. He kept walking, staring at the great expanse of water before he heard something. It sounded like a labored groan from another creature. Fenton turned his head curiously before he spotted a familiar shade of yellow amongst the sand. He ran over to it, picking up Gyro's hat that was laying on the ground. He held it close to his chest; It still smelled like Gyro. It also smelt like seawater, fish, and dirt but that didn't matter to Fenton. Fenton inhaled the scent his heart beating more as he felt calm for a moment. Naturally his anxiety returned and heightened but he had a new sense of determination. If Gyro's hat had made it back then so would Gyro, he couldn't be too far. Another groan this time quieter suprised Fenton as he looked around, spotting a hand upturned towards the sky. Fenton ran over still holding the hat, he slowed down as he got to the person.

It was Gyro.

Gyro was there lying in the sand, one arm up by his head the other one limp at his side, his body partially turned on the side. His hair was messy, soaked, and dirty. His feathers were coated in sand and Fenton was sure that Gyro would not want to wear that outfit again. Fenton looked at Gyros face, crouching down and brushing the hair out of his eyes. Gyro was peaceful almost, obviously ignoring the small amount of blood on his beak and the obviously horrid condition he was in. Gyro's face was relaxed, the bags under his eyes lessened and he wasn't scowling or frowning. Fenton felt tears come to his eyes as he smiled seeing Gyro in one piece. That smile quickly faded when he realized Gyro was breathing very shallowly, his chest rising and falling only once every 15 seconds. Fenton knew Gyro needed medical attention ASAP but he wouldn't be able to carry him himself and yelling wouldn't do that much good. Fenton stepped back a solid 3 feet before yelling out,

"Blathering Blatherskite!" As the armour came flying towards him.

'this should do it' he thought looking at the Gizmosuit armour on him before he rolled over and scooped up Gyro, carrying the man bridle style and grabbing Gyro's hat. Gyro's body was limp in his gizmo-arms, his head lolled to the side. Fenton looked at him sadly praying to God he would be ok. Fenton rolled back to the bin to be greeted by everyone, as Fenton held up Gyro, Scrooge's face hardened demanding Fenton take him to the hospital and Launchpad to start the car. Donald and Beakly took the kids inside promising them a sleepover in the bin and vending machine snacks.

--3 Days Later with Gyro--

There it was again.

That blasted buzzing/ringing sound.

Gyro let out a growl or a grumble or some sound to express his annoyance before realizing his throat hurt. Gyro cracked open his eyes just a tiny bit to see where he was. It was a room that was both familiar and oddly different. White walls, a small tv shaped blob, some steady beeping sound, muted colors, Fenton at the foot of his bed, sheets, industrial cleaning smell, closed curtains- wait, Fenton at the foot of his bed?! Gyro looked down more, unable to make out the details but able to see a tan blob with a yellow blob and part of a purple blob.

"Wh-hmmm?" He slurred as the blob moved. Gyro now saw two eye shapes as the blob moved more, it looked like Fenton was looking for something he had.

Gyro slowly blinked, trying to squint and see Fenton or anything more than 2 feet away from him really. The blob moved closer before he put something on Gyro's face, Gyro's vision cleared up as he was able to see around him. Sure enough Gyro was in the hospital, wearing a cheap hospital gown, with Fenton there to see whatever condition he was in. Gyro felt a sharp pain in his chest as he winced, Fentons face growing in concern.

"Sir are you ok?"

"I'm just fine" Gyro replied through clenched teeth

"You can't expect me to believe that statement" Fenton replied

"I can hope" Gyro responded feeling the pain subside to a dull throb.

"Well you should rest. You're not getting released until tommorow anyways. No point in faking your fine"

"But I am fine!" Gyro protested trying to move before feeling his shoulders hurt too and settling to lay back.

Fenton walked over putting his hand on Gyro's.

"I'm glad you're back sir" he said warmly

"T-thanks.." Gyro mumbled looking away

"I'm serious, I'm glad you're alive." Fenton replied

"Well, I'm not exactly. I mean, I'm gonna be in debt for years being in this hospital room! How long was I out anyways?"

"3 days" Fenton replied as Gyro leaned back groaning

"I'm financially fucked." He deadpanned

"I wouldn't say that.." Fenton said

"Well I would. Why do you think me and Manny gave a grade-A medkit in the lab? I'll tell you it's not company policy." Gyro responded, his mood sour.

Fenton looked at the door, "I'm sure you'll be fine. I can try to help if you want?" He suggested

"Oh no. No way. You are not paying a cent. That's final" Gyro said stubbornly

"Neither of you are paying a cent." Another voice said as both of them turned to see who it was. Scrooge walked in the room, shutting the door.

Gyro leaned back miserably, 'could this day get worse?' he thought

"Gyro." Scrooge said as Gyro snapped to attention.

"Y-yes?"

"I'm paying for this hospital stay, so you won't have to worry about that." He said with a small smile.

"T-thank you sir!"

"I'd thank your 'assistant' for getting you from the shore if I were you" Scrooge said nodding towards Fenton. "If not for him we would've lost our greatest inventor"

Gyro looked at Fenton suprised, a blush creeping onto his cheeks

"You have the week off while we redo the lab, if there's any additions within reason, send a report to the office for approval. I have a meeting to attend but,"

He walked over to Gyro, putting a hand on his shoulder

"It's good to have you back, son" he said before leaving as Gyro stared in shock

"Wow.. adoptive son of the richest duck in the world" Fenton joked

"S-shut up" Gyro responded

"Nope. And you can't make me" Fenton teased

"I'll take away your Gizmosuit privileges." Gyro replied

Fenton faked a gasp. "How dare you! After saving your life too!"

"Oh please, we both know you wouldn't let me die." He replied

Fenton sighed knowing he lost. "You're right.."

"Of course I am."

Fenton looked up at Gyro before the nurse walked in.

"Visiting ends in 5 minutes" she said before walking out.

Fenton looked at Gyro as they made eye contact, Fenton smiling a little. "See you tommorow?" He asked

"Sure." Gyro responded

Fenton walked over to Gyro before giving him a mouth boop on the forehead and leaving Gyro a blushing mess.

Gyro layed back in bed staring gay ahead. Gyro thought about that kiss for the rest of the night.

[nasaty]

Forget me not

Aizawa-Sensei x Y/n-Sensei fic

TW: (eventually) violence, discussion of past death, just some bad feelings all around.

Part 8/??

You got up the next morning and texted Nemuri for the sixth time in a row.

Y/n- Nem, I am SOOO sorry. Please forgive me.

Nemuri - I’m not actually mad, it’s pretty erotic

Y/n- 🤭 stop I’m going to scream

Nemuri - like you were in the showers with Aizawa?

Y/n - 😶

Nemuri - HAH you’re a slut. love you

Y/n - 😂❤️

Tonight was your dinner with Shouta and you had no idea what to do. He had meetings all day and was going to meet you off campus since you both had to live in student dorms since USJ, and you didn’t want the students to find out. He sent you an overly formal email and invited to you to the Brass Cafe, which surprisingly, was not a cafe, but a restaurant and bar. You emailed back, equally as formal. He responded with a singular ‘lol’.

You decided to wear a dress, which was weird for you but this whole thing was weird for you so it worked. It was little and dark and had scarce sparkles throughout. You paired it with some dark translucent tights and black kitten heels and debated going out with just that, but decided on a small cardigan to give yourself a little more comfort.

Putting on a bit of makeup you debated what kind of perfume he would like. Maybe he would like something sweet like candy. He liked coffee and always smelled like sandalwood so maybe you should give off more neutral, warm scents. Or maybe he’s the type of guy that wants something different. Something rare and dangerous. But he’s so neutral, maybe he’d just like something clean or citrusy. You picked up your favorite and spritzed a bit in your hair, behind your ears, and on your neck, starting to feel giddy.

You checked yourself the mirror much more than usual and made your way out the door. A couple of students were in the lobby and you sighed to yourself, relieved both you and Shouta decided not meet in the dorms. You still didn’t know if UA had a policy against this.

You walked to the park you had decided to meet at and saw him sitting, leaning over on a bench. When he saw you he sat up straight and gave you a tired smile. He walked over to meet you halfway.

“Y/n…you look beautiful.” His eyes traced all over your body quickly.

He was wearing a dark dress shirt and slacks, and a blue tie with an ‘x’ pattern down it. He had his suit coat folded over his arm. You’d seen the tie before and thought he must only have one. His hair was pulled back, half of in inches a bun and half of it down, and he had trimmed his facial hair neatly. You got a waft of hair gel, aftershave, amber, and sandalwood.

You realized you’d been staring at him trying to commit this moment to memory as he lightly grasped your hand and pulled it up to his lips for a kiss. He tucked a strand of hair behind your ear and with it, left a few flowers, forget me nots.

He nudged you to grab his arm and you walked across the street to enter the restaurant. You decided to be seated by the window to people watch and both shared a bottle of wine as you had sweet conversation. You had just ordered your dinner when you heard a scream outside.

Both of you booked it out the front door when you saw a 20 foot tall villain shoving down trees in the park you had been in earlier. He was dark green and had a hard time moving, but impossibly strong. He definitely didn’t look human. It was dark, and the streetlights were the only thing illuminating the villain and when you looked to Shouta he had started making his way towards it.

You didn’t really excel in this kind of heroism, but you ran over anyway to see how you could help. Shouta was swinging around the villain with his binding cloth trying to pin its huge arms to its body. That’s when you realized-

“SHOUTA WATCH OUT ITS AMORPHOUS.”

“Shit.” He growled.

Your x-ray quirk told you that the villains bones were disintegrating and reforming inside of itself and it’s tendons were reattaching wherever it pleased. It was using its body mass to make whatever kind of limbs it wanted.

“Any ideas?” Shouta appeared behind you upside down from a hanging from a lamppost.

“Nothing….maybe we can at least contain it until someone with a strength quirk can show up. Did you call it in?”

“Yep.”

You and Shouta stood aimlessly for a moment while the formless, green blob creature moved towards you like molasses.

Out of the corner of your eye you saw a small blur that was smashed into by one of the changing limbs, and was thrown against a wall. You realized it was a student.

“SHIT”

You screamed, “KID, ARE YOU OKAY?!” as you ran towards him, keeping an eye on the green monster. You ran up to him and he was laying on the ground crumpled by the blow.

You used your quirk, other than a broken rib he was fine but he was unconscious. No signs of brain bleeding either, but a possible concussion. You were trying to help the kid up so you could take him away from the scene when you were hit by the villain and swiped into another building with the kid in your arms.

____________

You woke up a few minutes later to Shouta picking you up and taking you to an ambulance. He was repeating, “You’re okay, you’re going to be fine. It’s going to be okay,” quietly into your ear.

You were dazed but could tell the villain had been captured and there were a few emergency vehicles there to help with the aftermath. Shouta set you down on the back of the ambulance and listened to him ask you questions, but couldn’t really make out what he was saying. He caressed your face sweetly and called over an EMT.

A bright light flashed in your eyes and the EMT told Shouta to put you in the ambulance bed. You laid down and he held your hand as you road to the hospital, squeezing it to keep you awake.

When you arrived, Shouta helped you into a wheelchair off the ambulance and you felt like you could speak again.

“Shouta…? What happened…?”

“You have a concussion. Everyone is fine, we took care of the villain. It’s all okay.”

“Oh…good…” you relaxed a little in the chair and noticed your head pounding. “Ehh..” you held your hand to your skull.

“I know… you’re gonna be okay though… they’re going to take care of you.”

“Thank you, Shouta.” You looked behind and up at him as he pushed your wheelchair through the double doors, and he gave you a kiss on your forehead.

[technicallymilkshakes]

A Change of Season

Genre(s): Fluff, Fantasy Pairing: Yixing x Reader  Word Count: 4.1k 

This is my gift for @chicken-fifi​ for the @exolssecretsanta​ event! I hope you enjoy this take on dad!Xing. Happy Holidays! 

When Mae stampedes back into the house, a whole host of critters follow her in. A young fox kit bolts between your legs, a hawk chasing after it. You shoo away a curious chipmunk, intent on investigating the roasted chestnuts you've set out to cool. Bingo, the white hare that has followed your daughter since she celebrated her first birthday, runs in next with a little leap of joy. And rounding out the procession is Yixing, who walks into the room with a sheepish expression.

Melting ice and snow puddle along the floor like little cookie crumbs trails that lead to what is apparently a whole forest's worth of animals in your house, your daughter included. You and your husband exchange a familiar look, one of equal parts fondness and exasperation.

You beat him to placing a finger on your nose.

“Not it!” you crow victoriously.

Yixing laughs and hangs up his scarf, resigned to animal round-up duty.

You smile and hand the chipmunk, who has returned for a second attempt at pilfering, a chestnut. You watch with amusement as he promptly stuffs it in his mouth. This is the enchanted life you've become used to ever since your daughter was born.

**

After a dinner of rich stew and homemade bread, Mae totes her father off to play, leaving you to clean the dishes. She had not been happy with him after he had herded the last woodland creature out the door, so you're glad that she seems to either have forgiven him or forgotten.

Your mind drifts as you begin washing up. The window over the sink affords you a view of the backyard and the forest that abuts it. It had snowed long and hard the past two days, but tonight the sky is clear. The evergreens appear like frosty giants in the evening with their wintry snow coats aglow.

Winter is your favorite time of year. Your family bundles up inside together against the cold, a cozy intimacy that no other season can seem to replicate. Dinners are warm affairs, full of good food, laughter, and Mae's cheerful chatter. It feels, for a time at least, that you exist outside of the rest of the world. The only sounds are of birds, the crack of branches and the snow falling from them, then crunching beneath your feet. You never want it to end.

Such thoughts and reminiscing help pass the time, and soon enough you are drying the last dish and setting it back in the cupboard. The quiet strikes you then and pulls you into the living room in its wake.

Already Mae has fallen asleep, the gentle glow of Christmas lights dancing blue, orange, white upon her eyelashes. Yixing cradles your daughter in his arms, bending his head low to sweep his lips against her cheek. The fire he had kindled hours ago crackles dimly in the background. Bingo, ever watchful, has curled up beneath the Christmas tree to keep an eye on his sleeping charge.

A deep-seated happiness burns within you. You promise yourself to commit this moment to memory.

You come up behind your husband and touch his shoulder. When he looks up, tears sparkle in the corners of his eyes.

“Yixing?”

“She's getting so big,” he whispers. “I remember when she was just a baby. Her whole hand could only wrap around one finger. And now she already knows how to talk.”

You wrap yourself around him and feel the reciprocating bittersweet ache of your child growing up. “Oh, Yixing,” you whisper back. “We're parents for the rest of our lives,” you murmur as you rest your head on his shoulder. “She'll always be our baby.”

**

Eventually, Yixing puts Mae to bed. She stirs from her sleep, brow scrunching. Bingo hops onto the bed and slips into her arms. You sweep her fringe away and lay a kiss as gentle as snowfall on her forehead. Only then does she relax and slip back into sleep.

Arms slips around your waist and spin you. Yixing holds you loosely in the circle of his arms. He catches your gaze, eyes sleepy and affectionate. Mae's nightlight projects snow drifting down the walls around you.

“Love you,” he says.

No matter how many times you hear it, you always have to fight down the sudden spike in your pulse, the warming of your cheeks.

“You're just jealous I haven't given you your kiss yet.”

He's smiling, the shadow of his dimple a deep dark. “How'd you know?”

You smile knowingly. “Love you, too,” you whisper back before finally giving him the kiss he's been waiting for.

**

You dream that night. Or maybe it would be more accurate to say that you remember.

One spring day, when the first buds appeared on the trees, Mae was taken. You had been sleeping, and then you weren't. A great clattering came from down the stairs. Mae's crib was gone. You scrabbled out of bed, crying out “Mae!” Yixing jerked awake behind you, but you couldn't linger. There was no time to explain.

You sprinted downstairs to see two white-tailed deer dragging the crib out of the house. Vines had sprouted from the crib's wooden legs and attached themselves to the halters of the 12-point bucks. The backdoor was open and they were making a dash for the woods.

“No!” you shouted, leaping after them. You managed to grab onto one of the rails. Bingo peered at you over the edge. They were going so fast, they were dragging you through the remaining snow, which that night measured a scant inch. Snow and slush slid into your shirt. I can't hold on, you realized with  creeping horror. And just as you thought it, you jolted as the deer dragged you over the jagged end of a rock. Your fingers slipped and you came a halt, curling around the bruise blooming on your ribs.

A breeze whisked by you and you glanced up through tears to see Yixing racing into the forest after your baby.

Minutes, hours went by, and then a blinding flash, brighter than lightning, blazed through the woods. The howl of soul in despair rang out after like thunder.

You were already crying by the time Yixing came back, carrying something. He looked up at you, devastated.

In his hands hovered the most perfect snowflake you had ever seen.

**

Mae sits at the table drawing with Yixing. Crayons scatter across the table in a mess of color. Some have rolled off the edge. Yixing holds one captive, rolling it back and forth on the ground with a socked foot.

“What are you drawing?” you ask Mae.

“This is you!” she says, pointing to a vaguely human-like shape. There is a concerning red blotch by the head. A smaller blob she declares to be herself, and Bingo a small circle that you had thought was a foot at first.

“And where am I?” asks Yixing.

Mae points to her father's drawing.

“I'm a sheep?” he asked, confused.

“No! A bunny,” she says back.

You stifle a laugh as Yixing looks even more confused.

Mae traces the sheep's horns. “These are its ears.” Yixing nods thoughtfully, then scrawls over the paper to make the sheep more bunny-like

He's such a good father, you think. He is patient, and kind. He listens to her and responds sincerely. You are profoundly in love with them, with your family and its small place in the world.

The two drawings hang from the refrigerator later that evening. You can hear Yixing playing with Mae in the living room, bouncing her up and down on his lap as she giggles and shrieks “Horsey!” Mae has labeled each figure in indecipherable symbols, but underneath one, in handwriting too elegant to be a child's hand, reads Daddy. It is undeniable a bunny.

**

You had long been suspicious of Bingo. He was no ordinary hare. But you had never been more suspicious of him than when your daughter came home this year.

It was the first snow of the year, and you and Yixing had been standing outside for hours already in the cold so that you didn't miss it. And there! To your left, a bright light had flashed in the forest. You were the first to find Mae and you fell on your knees before her.

“Oh, baby,” you said, cradling her cheeks in your hands, checking her over for any injuries. She was dressed in a similar foreign garment as last time, this one made of a pale pink shimmering gossamer.

“Where have you been?” you cried. She was old enough now, if she could just tell you where she went, then maybe....

And that was the first time you noticed it. The way your daughter fell silent and stared at the white hare.

She looked you full in the eyes a moment later and said, “Bingbing says I can't tell you yet.”

Yixing came at that moment and swept her into his arms.

“Don't leave us again,” he said, voice muffled against her. “Promise me that you won't go.”

“Daddy!” Mae complained, squirming in his hold. She looked at you plaintively over his shoulder and pouted. “I'm hungry.”

**

The first time it happened, you thought you'd lost your daughter forever. You had grieved with the force of a death. And then you woke up on the first day of snowfall to see a white hare on your chest.

“Mae...” came Yixing's hoarse voice besides you. You turned and saw your daughter in her crib beside the bed. Two seasons had come and gone, and she had clearly kept growing the months you'd been apart. But she watched you with those same keen eyes like she knew exactly who you.

“Did you...bring her back?” you asked, turning back to the white hare. Bingo merely twitched his nose a few times. He seemed to be staring right at you.

“Thank you,” you whispered. You rested a tentative hand on the hare, who close its eyes in acceptance. After another moment, it jumped away.

Yixing watched you with wide eyes, Mae already cradled in his arms. You wrapped your arms around the both of them. “I love you so much,” you whispered in a voice choked with tears. “I am so lucky to have you both.”

**

It snows again the next day. You're not sure who's more excited about it, you or your daughter. Yixing struggles to get Mae kitted out for the weather, and you practically trip over yourself to shove your boots and hat on at the same time.

You had spent your free time this fall building a sled. You had cobbled all the pieces together yourself: the polished wood, the metal runners, the string that worked the rudder like reins on a horse. The winters have only grown longer since Mae was born, and you want to enjoy it while you can.

You start to wax up the candles with a broken candle when Mae huffs and puffs her way over to you, stretching up to try and reach your hand.

“No, mommy! I want to do it.”

You laugh and hand her the piece of candle. You wrap your fingers around hers, two-times clumsy with her gloves on, and help her slide the wax on the metal, lifting your daughter up when she can no longer reach.

“Perfect!” you declare when you finish with the second runner. “Thank you for your help, my little elfling.” You pinch her nose lightly and she giggles and runs to her dad.

All of you, Bingo included, pile out into the snow. You and Mae get the honors of the inaugural sled ride. Yixing bursts into a run first, yelling “race you down the hill!”

“Get him, mommy!” Mae yells, trying to scoot the sled forward. You kick off, and soon the two of you are zooming. You catch up with Yixing easily and then you are past, far past, trees blurring by.

The sled finally comes to a rest and Mae is still laughing. She has already hopped off the sled and is tugging on you, wanting to do it all over again. You roll off the sled, feeling about as dexterous as a marshmallow. Then you stand and survey how very long you have to climb back up.

“Come on, Mommy,” Mae says, slipping her hand into yours. The two of you walk forward in silence for a minute before you ask, “Where's your daddy, Mae?” 

She runs forward, Bingo dashing after her, and you call after them not to go too far by themselves. Your warning is half-hearted, though. The woods welcome Mae like a friend. Even now, cardinals flock to the branches around her, bright splashes of red against the snow like trail marks pointing straight to her. There is an undeniable magic to your child. You have a feeling that nothing could hurt her, and the only thing that could take her is a force that you have no way of stopping.

The sled glides easily back up the hill—you do your best to keep it in the tracks you left on the way down. You eye the branches of the trees along the climb. Not one of the deciduous trees you spy has a single hint of a bud upon its branches. You heave a sigh in relief.

You're the one who stumbles across Yixing first. He has fallen backwards into the snow, his phone lying on his chest, staring up at the sky. You can't resist—you pick his phone up and take a few pictures of him, rosy cheeked, haloed in snow.

You pocket his phone and stretch a hand out for him. Mae comes barreling towards the two of you, yelling “Daddy!”

Yixing takes your hand with a smile.

“I guess you guys won.”

**

Later that night, Yixing shows you a video on his phone. He was filming the entire sled race. You watch second hand as you tuck Mae between your legs and wrap an arm around her. Suddenly, the camera is jerking forward, Yixing's muffled challenge to a race humming through the speaker. You hear his huffed laughter, the crunch of snow and the way his jacket sleeves rub against his sides as he runs. All of a sudden, you and Mae streak by, Mae squealing, and then the world topples. From white to black to white again, you hear Yixing trip, the sound of his breath knocked out of him in a single oof. Miraculously, he manages to keep a grip on his phone.

He lays there, camera facing the sky. All you hear is him breathing. A couple of snowflakes drift by and just miss landing on the lens. You feel oddly self-conscious when you show up onscreen. Is that what you looked like? A wide grin split your face, your hair windblown. You look down at Yixing with what is unmistakably love.

The video ends when you grab the phone to take pictures of Yixing (which you have already bullied him into sending you).

“I love watching you with Mae,” he confesses as the two of you lay in bed. Your bodies have curved inward, seeking the presence of the other. His fingers wrap around yours.

“Your smile, how tender you are...” Yixing turns and presses his face against your neck. “I love you both so much,” he says.

**

Mae becomes increasingly more cuddly as winter wears on. It's difficult to put her to bed. She'll cry long into the night, begging to sleep with you and Yixing. More and more, one of the two of you would cave  in. She would crawl into your bed and rest in the warm hollow between your two bodies. Soon, neither of you bothered with carrying her to her bed.

How could either of you resist when you already had so little time with her? You want to hold her close just as much as she wants to be held. Everyday, you find her napping with Yixing, laid out along his chest and stomach. Your phone album is full of pictures of the two of them together.

Yixing said she took after you. But you see all the ways in which Mae takes after her father. The shape of her eyes. Her brilliant dimples. Her wavy hair. You had taken far too many pictures of them waking from a nap together, sporting matching cases of wild bedhead. It is the most adorable sight you have ever seen.

**

It happens earlier this year than it ever has before. On Christmas Day, Mae disappears. You race outside, going tree to tree, looking for the sight of even a hint of a bud. But there is nothing.

Hours pass in the woods, but they feel barren. You hunt for even a hint that Mae has been there, but find not even footprints. The forest is quiet and empty. For the first time, you feel the loneliness of winter.

You trudge into the house, numb from cold and disbelief. Yixing looks equally as hollow. “Bingo's still here,” he says hoarsely. And the two of you collapse towards each other with the gravity of your anguish. Why is this happening, you wonder.

Later that night, you wander in Mae's room. Lying atop her pillow is a single brilliant snowflake and a white hare.

**

Spring marches in with a a triumph. The flowers are riotously beautiful—bashful pinks, velvety reds, radiant yellows, and inky purples. All the life that winter has lacked bursts forth with a vengeance. And still, Mae is gone.

Bingo spends most of his time outdoors now. The sight of him upsets Yixing, which in turn upsets you. But outside of your husband's sights, you take some comfort in the hare's presence. He joins you on walks through the forest, thin tethers to a time before. You while away most of your days there now.

Where you have turned to the forest, Yixing haunts the threshold to Mae's room. He doesn't go in. He simply stares, watching the snowflake that never melts. You suspect that he's waiting for the moment it disappears so he'll know exactly when Mae has returned.

Neither of you have been sleeping much, nor well. The house is quiet, as if it's waiting with the two of you. It feels like the first time she disappeared all over again. A part of you, one you can never confess having to Yixing, thinks that she will never come back. Not this time.

**

One morning, you awake and find Yixing gone. You frown and throw the bedsheets off. Yixing never gets up before me. You slip downstairs and find yourself standing in front of Mae's room. The snowflake is gone.

“Yixing?” you call out, with real concern now.

It is quiet still. A pot of coffee rests on the counter. A half-empty mug sits abandoned on the dining room table, the chair still pulled out.

The backdoor is open.

“No,” you gasp, and stagger outside.

Yixing is nowhere in sight, but you know he must be in the forest. What is he doing. You hesitate at the edge of the woods. You've spent hours amounting to days in this forest, and yet it suddenly appears to you a maze. He could be anywhere.

And then you hear it. A chorus of whistles. And like magic, a path marked by the red of cardinals appears before you. You hurtle along it, crashing through bracken and bramble, until you see the sight of a very familiar back.

Yixing whirls around. In his hands is the snowflake.

“Look here,” he says, pointing to the snowflake. “The gates are open.” You gaze at the snowflake. It is like ice, or glass—clear enough to see through to Yixing's palm on the other side. All six points of the snowflake are perfectly formed like castle spires or a knight's sword, and at its hub is a beautiful ice castle with open gates.

You look up at Yixing. “The gates weren't open before,” he says. “There's a path,” he continues, body already half-turning, “the hare....There!”

He takes off, and you see the flash of a hare disappearing in the distance.

The two of you race after Bingo. The world flashes by in colors and noise, simultaneously real and insubstantial. You feel the burn of your lungs, the jolt that goes up your legs with each stride. All you have to do is follow Yixing. He is a few feet in front of you until.

He isn't.

You try to stop, but your momentum carries you forward. You break through the edge of the trees and slide right over the edge of a blind ravine. You try reaching for the scraggliest tree you have ever seen jutting from the cliff face, but it uproots and you, and it, plummet

down

down

down

onto warmth. Thick white blankets your lap. Yixing sits ahead of you, looking just as shell-shocked as you feel.

“It's about time,” rumbles forth a voice from beneath. You realize all of a sudden that you are sitting astride the most gigantic white hare you have ever seen.

The hare comes to a halt, lowering itself. With a gentle shake, both you and Yixing are deposited on the ground.

You gape at your surroundings. It is starless night, yet everything is awash in a glow of blue. Frost blankets the world as far as your eye can see. Without the warmth of the hare, the cold bites deep into you, undeterred by the thin pajamas you had rushed out in.

A sudden wind blows, and you shield your eyes against it. A man, or something like it, lands before you. Wings arch away from his back and a small fount of feathers sprout from his red hair, whereas his eyebrows and beard are a trim black.

“Welcome, Starbearer. Welcome, Woodweaver.” His voice is musical.

You and Yixing stare perplexed at the winged man. He approaches Yixing first.

“Thank you for returning the First Star. We humbly accept this gift.”

For the snowflake in Yixing's palms had turned into a blazing light. Warmth radiates from it, reaching you even from where you stand. The man bows his head, cupping his hands beneath Yixing's and then pushes them both up. You watch as the star ascends from its cradle in Yixing's palms until it streaks into the night sky. It settles into place, and soon, begins to color night into day.

The man approaches you next.

“Thank you for returning the First Tree. We humbly accept this gift.”

This time, the man places his hands over yours and pushes down. The scraggly tree, which you had been holding onto all this time, immediately roots itself into the ground and begins to flower and leaf. Soft showers of iridescent petals drift around you.

Morning dawns over the land and sweeps the ice away. Grass has sprouted beneath your feet, and little flowers like fireworks burst into bloom. You gasp. In the distance, you catch sight of a familiar castle, with spires that spear the sky. It glimmers golden in the sunshine.

“I apologize. We have been looking for you for a long time, however your daughter was an unforeseen element that confounded our agents.” He gestures with a wing to two white-tailed deer and a white hare. “All this time, we expected it to be one person when we needed two.”  He shakes his head, feathers ruffling.  

“But I digress. You have brought with you the first new season. Starvale thanks you.”

The winged man observes you both for a moment, then gives a brisk nod, the plume at his front rising.

“Daddy!”

Like a reflex, Yixing drops and gathers Mae into his arms. You find yourself in the mix a moment later. You shake with sobs, pressed cheek to cheek with your daughter. Yixing pours kisses all over both of you, much to Mae's chagrin. She is wearing the same kind of garment as before, this one with real twigs and berries stitched into it. Some berries get crushed, staining the fabric around it in halos of red.

“Will you stay?” she asks. Her eyes are wide and watery, her little hands clutching fistfuls of Yixing's sweater.

“You have my heart,” Yixing answers, helplessly in love. “For the two loves of my life, I would capture every star in the sky if I had to.”

**

And so, the family stayed on in Starvale.

The Starbearer walked the lands to bring morning and night. The Woodweaver felled trees and scattered seeds to make the forests grow. And their Herald of Joy showed the world what great love is capable of.

** A/N: Thank you for reading! I’m grateful for this event, which has brought forth such wonderful content and connected creators across the fandom. This was my first crack at a kid fic, which was a great challenge. Thanks to chicken-fifi for being such a good sport, and sorry that I couldn’t send you more asks! Still, I hope you enjoyed. I look forward to more of your own writing!

Happy Holidays!

[softer-ua]

Sweet Escape

chapter 2

Part 1.-> HERE

The human had finally left, but given the odd time of their visit they’d be back to stare again soon with their large mocking green eyes that glowed with emotions the creature couldn’t name. 

The creature stared up at the stalactites, their mind playing tricks on them. It felt like the green light of those eyes had been imprinted to the back of their eyelids, making the dark gray world they were trapped in even bleaker. A constant reminder of their failure, the very reason they’re Maker had banished them to this cave.

200 years ago at the young age of 500 the creature had earned their name, Katsuki, and left their Maker’s and Caretaker’s sides to explore for the first time. They saw many wonders in their strange barren part of the world, including a miniscule world pool. 

Caretaker had told them stories about these fascinating things, they were supposedly windows to the old world where Maker had supposedly ruled as a deity before Katsuki’s using their great strength to craft this new world where they could live in peace. 

If after learning that Katski had felt resentful about living on this dull rock, it was nothing compared to how he felt after finding his own private little window into the other world.

Built into a little mound of dirt inside a small indent in a cliff face sat the pool, no bigger than Katsukis head. The view was the most spectacular thing the little creature had ever seen, in a garden full of vibrant colors sat a being unlike any they’d ever seen before.

It held a steady form of plain flesh, not like the creatures Katsuki grew up with that shifted swiftly from fur,scales,feathers, rock, even pure light and everything in between. This must be a human, the destructive whiny creatures Katsuki had heard so many stories about. It was the first of many incarnations of plain green human Katsuki would watch grow.

Soft little hands dug into dirt richer than anything this dusty gray rock had ever shown, and Katsuki was fascinated. For weeks they clawed at weak spots in the rock hoping to find black earth. They eventually got bored of this game and went back to the little pool, but everything looked different now. 

Instead of vibrant greens everything was brown and orange, the sky was gray like theirs instead of the joyous blue it had been. Frustrated by the less exciting view Katsuki almost left, but they noticed the little human there again, they looked exactly the same. They stayed small and green and they were splashing in shallow versions of world pools. All the pools reflected the little green furred creature as it lamley jumped from pool to pool. Running around and tearing up gold strands of grass and weaving it into a flimsy little crown.

Katsuki spent the next few weeks trying to grow his own crown since there wasn’t enough grass to make it worth pulling up and trying to copy the strange things limbs, they wanted to jump the same way the little creature had. The limbs were incredibly bad for jumping but that seemed to be part of the fun. 

They went back to double check they’d gotten their limbs right, but this time everything was white and gray. Panicked rage began bubbling up in Katsuki, the only pretty thing he’d ever had was now gone, even the other creature this pool centered on was a white deformed mess. The stupid useless fleshy little thing had succumb to whatever had lad waste to this land. 

Katsuki was ready to smash the pool when a little tuft of green came round from the otherside of the white blob they’d mistaken for the little creature. The smallest hint of pride nudged at their heart to see that their little fleshy had survived whatever was ravaging it’s home. The brave little thing must be saying goodbye to it's dead. In a ghoulish fashion the tiny thing reached up and stuck two bright red berries into the blob's face where it's eyes must have been and the satisfied little beast stepped back to look at it. It turned its mouth up until it’s dull teeth were bared and it’s dotted face squished funny. A favored expression of the beast’s, one Katsuki had become rather fond of and tried to mimic anytime the other made it. 

A beat later the little creature was gathering up the white and mushing it together until it made a littler version of the blob. Katsuki lazily watched the critter work for a while trying to puzzle out what the practice might represent. Suddenly it ran away from the blobs and flopped over on it's back and started waving its arms and legs in the white. Katsuki startled thinking something was wrong but the thing popped right up and after inspecting the indent it had made ran back to the blobs and started making a bigger one.Katsuki realized now that the critter was only playing in the stuff, still they continued to watch them enjoyinging their antics. They laid beside the pool all evening watching the tuft of green frolking in a field of white, wishing they could play together. Katsuki was the only creature of his age and even if he wasn’t all the others lived far away in lusher parts of this world. 

All of them, except Katsuki and his caretaker, had at one point been deities of one kind or another and had brought their skills with them to this world. Several parts of this world supposedly resembled earth, many were far more spectacular. Katsuki was forbidden to go to them until his own powers manifested, his maker didn’t want him unduly influenced into choosing a specialty that wasn’t his actual calling like they had once been.

His maker was the strongest of them all, they’d created this entire world to escape from the humans and their needy ways. They were once thought to be a goddess of beauty, everything they touched was made more beautiful. They spent centuries being celebrated like this, but they learned they were capable of a much grander power after meeting Katsuki’s caretaker. 

Katsuki thought about all this and how even though a few deities had stayed behind earth was mostly self sustaining as he laid there in the rough dirt and watched as the little humans caretaker called it inside. They fed it something warm, and talked it for long hours then tucked it into a plush bed. It had been several decades since Katsuki had let their caretaker coddle them in such a way, but as they watched the gentlest of fingers card through green fur they found themselves craving similar affection. 

So Katsuki scuffled off to the cavern they shared with their caretaker and maker, his maker wasn’t fated to wake up for a while and they knew their caretaker wouldn’t ask any questions if they hoisted themselves up into their lap, curled up and asked them to tell them the story of how the world was made again. 

Katsuki would learn something new with this telling.

[anjuschiffer]

[Maribat] Ancient Magus’ Bride Au : Second Chance

Was probably sleep deprived when I wrote this draft but I found the following on my notes on my phone and thought I’d share it..

Pairing: Daminette

Concept: Marinette as Chise (possibly 17, turning 18?) and Damian as Elias Ainsworth (however, Damian is only like 1-3 years older than her, but mari thinks he’s like in his late 20s due to how stoic he is.)

Marinette signs a contract with someone to give consent to selling herself in an auction. 

All of her life, Marinette’s been able to see fairy-like creatures as well as some ominous gloops in her everyday life. The dark blobs have always been the ones to haunt her, especially since her parents died in a car accident. 

She was tired of being sent from foster home to foster home, finally settling on selling herself to someone who’d want her for being a “waste of space.”

She’s bought by a mage for 6 million. A mage that caused everyone in the auction house to badmouth him. Something about being uncouth and showing off his wealth. But what she heard the most was the title of “The Tainted Demon.”

What caught Marinette’s attention was the skull that the man used to hide his face. 

As soon as she’s purchased, the mage simply gets rid of her chains and throws his cloak over her. “You are mine. Don’t forget that.” Marinette nodded, following him as they went into a room. After a few words, they leave the same room through the same door, only to no longer be in the auction house but in a luxurious cottage surrounded by wilderness and grasslands. Before they entered the home, the mage removed his mask, revealing a tanned male with emerald eyes. 

“This is your new home. Get used to it.” The mage pulled her to the bathroom, where he stripped her and placed her into a tub of warm water. Marinette fought from being stripped and being touched by this man, only for her to lose at a battle of strength. 

She couldn’t help but realize that he was toned, reserved and yet caring, noticing frown upon seeing the scars and bruises covering Marinette’s body.

“You’re probably wondering why you’re here.” The mage said as he lathered some soaps into her hair. “I wanted to prove to the imbeciles of the Bats that I am worthy of being our father’s successor. They thought I couldn’t find myself someone to be my apprentice, but what better person than you.”

“What are you talking about?”

“You can see them, can’t you? You can see the fairies, Chosen one.” As he said that, he grabs something that had peeped from the window. 

“Chosen?”

“A Sleigh Beggy- the most adorned person in our realm. A Queen Bee if you must, but a curse at the same time. You attract both the ugly and the beautiful, just like this fae.” He opens his eyes to show her a fae dressed in red. [might include a sketch later on???] 

Marinette is at awe and learns that its name is Tikki, a fae that helps in creating items and at times, new magic.

"You are to work under me as an apprentice, so be prepared to work hard.” He then gives her a circular orange pendant. “A welcoming gift. Now get to sleep, we got a busy day tomorrow.” 

He introduces her to Barbara, who runs a store called Oracle. (Also where she finds out that the Mage is called Damian.) “Come here if you ever find yourself in trouble.” He talks with Barbara in private, Marinette roaming through the bookstore, finding another fae, almost resembling a raven. As she reached for it, it bit her before flying away. As she was about to tell Damian about the incident, the cut healed, the evidence disappearing. However, a ring was left behind on her middle finger on her right hand

Time passes by, Marinette learning more about the world of magic, embracing everything taught to her and adoring her new friend (and later familiar) Tikki. 

She also learns that while Damian is reserved, he makes sure to always have everything needed at home and for his familiar Titus, a Church Grim. (She also learns that he gets jealous when Titus prefers to stick more to Marinette than Damian.)

Once, when she’s sheering wool from the sheep-looking creatures, she’s attacked by a dragon, taken away behind Damian’s back. That’s where she mets Richard, the Dragon Caretaker. This is where she learns why Damian is called The Tainted Demon. (People knew he was of the Clan of Black Mages that dealt and majored in dark magic: Al Ghul. People were also frightened to know that he mastered the dark magic spells at the age of 8 and kept making more spells until he was 10, where he was taken in by Bruce.)

She remains with Dick for a complete week since Dick is a master of illusions and distortion, which is why Damian took a while to get to Marinette. Damian quick yells at Dick before taking Marinette by the waist and taking her back home.

Damian makes more protective forces around the home, Marinette learning that the pendant she got from him was actually a tracking device, but didn’t care. It was his way of saying that he cared for her after all. 

One night, someone visits them. “Jason.” Damian snarled when he saw the figure who stood at the door, about to cast a spell to send him away when Jason simply grinned, pulling Marinette towards him, light engulfing her. When the light faded, Marinette was gone and there stood a black cat, staring at Damian with her blue eyes before running away.

Damian lunged at Jason, a thorn covered branch piercing through Jason’s shoulders and legs. But instead of screams, Damian heard howls of laughter from Jason. “I thought I was hearing things, but seems like the rumor was right! The little Beggy really important to you, isn’t she. But I wonder, will she return to you, Demon Spawn?”

So yeah... this is the first installation to this au I apparently made while sleep deprived... I  guess I’ll finish making the rest when I get the chance? (So yeah, there’s going to be a second part :D)

Edit: Next

[jowritesthingss]

Excuse Me Sir This Is My Emotional Support Eldritch Being

Fandom: The Magnus Archives

Pairing(s): n/a

Rating: Teen (for swearing)

Content Warning(s): rabbits, food/drink, mild(ish) swearing, not!Sasha, eldritch beings, spoilers through early s3-ish

Length: 2,190 words

Brief Summary: The archival team adopts a rabbit. (Part one of the Emotional Support Eldritch AU!)

AO3 link in reblogs bc Tumblr is a biatch!

*

“What is it?”

Jon levels a suspicious glare down at the fluffy blob comfortably stretched out in the middle of the overstuffed break room couch.

Tim blinks owlishly at him from behind his mug of tea. “A...rabbit?”

“Yes, but are you sure it’s a rabbit?” Jon asks insistently. “Not a—a spirit, or...an animated doll, or a clown in disguise or something?”

Sighing, Tim sets his tea down on the counter. “Look, I get the whole ‘suspicious of us being murderers’ thing—no I don’t, actually, but that’s beside the point—it. is. a rabbit.” For a good measure, he walks over to sit on one side of the rabbit, reaching a hand out to the little guy’s fluffy head. If a rabbit could smile, he suspects this one would be doing so as it leans up into his hand.

“No fleas or ticks...or worms, so it’s not some Jane Prentiss Pet Sematary crossover, I promise—” Tim rolls his eyes, “—the veterinarian confirmed as much when I brought the poor thing in. Out of the mud and the rain of the gutter,” he adds, not even attempting to hide the guilt-trip. He wishes Martin were here, with his ridiculously effective puppy-dog eyes.

Tim knows this is Jon he’s talking to, but surely even he can’t be that cold-hearted. He rather thinks that Jon will enjoy not being alone anymore down here during all his late nights. If he’d let himself, surely Jon would enjoy having company in the form of a teeny tiny creature that can’t and won’t harm him—which, uh, certainly is not why he’s lying about his current flat not permitting pets, no siree.

“...Fine. Whatever.” Jon points an accusing finger at him. “But we’re not keeping it,” he stresses. “The moment you find it a different home, it goes. The moment.”

“Sure thing, boss,” Tim chirps, although as he begins a staring contest with the rabbit’s curious red eyes, he has no intention of actually doing as Jon says.

Martin chooses this moment to walk through the door. His eyes light up. “Aw, is that a rabbit?”

“No, this does not mean you’re allowed to bring in more strays,” Jon snaps.

The light in Martin’s eyes fades. “Okay,” he says mournfully as he crouches to pet the rabbit, sulking.

-

“So what should we name him?” Tim asks Jon when the Head Archivist comes into the break room the next morning.

“Oh—my—” Jon startles where he stands by the counter, attempting to make himself some toast with the Archive’s horrible fifteen-year-old toaster—toast that now splatters across the floor. Somehow in his sleep-deprived stupor he must’ve missed Tim sitting on the couch with a white rabbit on his head. He never seems to really notice Tim, but at this point it’s fine enough; Tim has accepted that the guy has impossibly poor taste.

The rabbit clambers down from Tim’s shoulders, jumping off of the couch and padding over to investigate the new human(?) and the mess he made.

“How about Thumper?” Tim puzzles aloud, stretching leisurely and acting as if he doesn’t notice Jon frantically scrubbing up raspberry jam and trying to avoid the rabbit’s investigative snuffles all in one. “No, no...that’s too cliché.”

“I really don’t see the point in naming it when it shouldn’t be here more than a few weeks,” Jon comments, shooing the animal in question away before it can try to lick up any jam.

“Maybe Joe?” Tim continues loudly, as if he hadn’t heard the other. When the rabbit ambles back over to him, he scoops them up, pressing their noses together. “Ligma?” He shakes his head at the rabbit. “No, no. We need to have more sophistication as we go about this.”

“You could do with applying that sophistication to your work,” comes the grumbled retort.

“What?”

“Nothing.” Jon abruptly turns to burn another piece of bread in the toaster.

-

“How about Marshmallow?”

“What on Earth—” Jon shrieks, jumping in his desk chair, and a sheaf of papers is sent flying around the office.

“The rabbit. Should we call him ‘Marshmallow’?” Tim smiles as innocently as he can manage, standing out in the hall with his head peeping into his boss’ office. “Marshie for short?”

“I am in the middle of a statement!” Jon sputters. “Get out!”

“Okay, okay....” Tim fluidly shrugs his shoulders. “What about ‘Bob’?”

“Out!”

But Tim continues to pop into Jon’s office unannounced throughout the day, tossing out name suggestions. He even manages to rope Martin into doing it too, and notes with savage delight that between the two of them and his work, Jon doesn’t get much more than a moment to wallow rest for the remainder of the day.

Between the two of them Tim and Martin manage to compile a surprisingly long list of names:

Snowball,

Posy (Martin is partial to this one because he thinks it’s cute),

Bungen Leitner,

John Jacob Jingleheimer Schmidt (“is that too American of a reference for a fanfic taking place in the UK?” “what?” “what?”),

the Bunholding,

Michael (Jon is especially averse to that one for some reason),

Cottonball,

Fluffy Bastard (Tim’s own favorite),

Bugs Bunny,

Eldritch Horror (Tim tosses that one in as a joke; no way the rabbit that eats his own shit is some kind of otherworldly being),

Big Bungus (“it’s a play off Big Chungus!” “d’you seriously think anyone else here even knows what memes are”), and

the Vampiric Count Sir Maximillianus-Who-Is-Also-A-Werebun

(Despite badgering Sasha multiple times in an attempt to get her thoughts on the matter, the only name she offers up is “Dinner”, which makes Martin cry, so that one is out.)

None of the names quite seem to fit the little white puffball that has now taken over the realm of their break room, however—so Tim and Martin find themselves going back to the drawing board. They reluctantly leave the Institute at the end of the day, still without having decided upon a name.

-

“JON JUNIOR!” Martin screeches excitedly the next morning as they’re congregating once more in the break room, zombie-like before their tea and mid-morning snack time (primary schools don’t get all the fun, okay).

Jon and Sasha startle, and for once even Tim himself jumps. The rabbit doesn’t seem to care much where he is, nibbling at some hay in his corner litter box.

“I—what?” Jon asks, flabbergasted, although he manages to not drop his toast this time. Character development.

“We should name him Jon Jr! After you!” Martin explains eagerly.

“Absolutely not,” Jon tries to say, but before he can finish, Tim is jumping in.

“I think that is an excellent idea,” he says, grinning broadly. “Thoughts, Sasha?”

“I’m not emotionally invested in this.” Sasha shrugs, uncaring. “I’m going back to my desk.” She takes her drink and walks out of the room, letting the door slam shut behind her.

“All right, since Sasha doesn’t care, I’ll decide her vote for her,” Tim says, carefully containing his glee. “So that’s three votes for and one against, then. Majority rules.”

“What? No!” John protests, but Tim is too busy looking at the rabbit for confirmation.

“What do you think, little guy?” He walks over, bends down, and lightly boops the rabbit’s nose. “Are you a Jon Jr?”

The rabbit twitches his nose in agreement and poops.

“Well then!” Tim stands, clapping his hands together. “That’s been decided upon.”

No, it hasn’t,” Jon insists, but Tim cares little for his boss’ objections. He’ll accept his fate as Jon Senior eventually.

-

To Tim’s utter surprise and fascination, it happens sooner than later.

Jon, Tim quickly realizes, is a lot like the one dad who says “no dog” and then ends up loving the dog more than he loves his own children.

Despite his initial objections, the daft fool ends up getting caught up in Jon Jr’s big, innocent, rabbit-y gaze (worse than even Martin’s puppy-dog eyes, they conclude gravely), and by the end of the day Friday Jon has announced that he supposes the rabbit can stay with him over weekends and holidays.

“We’re still not keeping him,” Jon reminds them all, even as the rabbit gathered in his arms, giving his nose kisses and knocking his glasses askew, says otherwise.

He gets caught trying to sneak the rabbit into his office on more than one occasion, but Martin raises a fuss about it.

(“He’s all of ours! Jon Jr is our department’s mascot now,” Martin protests defiantly. “You can’t take him away from the rest of us.”

“Yeah,” Tim adds, mostly just to stir up drama—he doesn’t particularly care one way or another. “You can’t just swoop him up and file him away like one of your statements.��

“Just don’t let it get out and chew at my electronics,” Sasha says, distractedly typing something on her phone, probably to that weird new boyfriend.)

To stave off the imminent coup, Jon Jr becomes an officially-declared resident of the break room. He slowly amasses chub around his middle and a cardboard kingdom of bunny toys, houses, blankets, and treats. A rabbit could want for nothing more.

And perhaps—perhaps a human could want for nothing more, too, Tim thinks as he looks down at the figure curled up on the sofa, rabbit nestled against his chest.

He doesn’t love the man, not by a long, long shot—doesn’t even particularly like him half the time—but Tim can’t deny that the scene is adorable. And, regardless of his very vocal protests, Jon Jr may very well be what Jon Sr needs to finally process things and move the hell on with life.

Tim smiles grimly. It’s about damn time.

He quietly closes the door to the room and heads back towards the Archives. He’ll leave Jon to wake himself up.

(And to discover for himself that Jon Jr has peed on his pants leg.)

-

Of course, this is the Archive we’re talking about, so naturally the peace is abruptly shattered, and everything goes horribly, horribly wrong.

Tim isn’t entirely certain what happens or why, but all of a sudden Sasha isn’t really Sasha, and he and Jon have gotten backed up and cornered in the tunnels as this not-really-Sasha stalks towards them, predictably with the intent to kill, just like the rest of the spooks they are so lucky to deal with.

Tim and Jon Sr slowly back away until they hit a dead end. Meanwhile, Jon Jr licks at Tim’s arm—he’d been scooped up as they ran into the tunnels, Tim doesn’t entirely know why—and despite the fact that they are most probably about to, y’know, die, the little kisses almost feel strangely reassuring.

The thing-that-is-not-Sasha cackles, her—their?—its?—voice distorted and echoing throughout the tunnels. It stalks towards them.

All of a sudden, Jon Jr wriggles loose and leaps smoothly down onto the ground. He scampers in front of Tim and Jon, heading towards bitch-give-me-my-Sasha-back.

“No! Get back here!” Tim hisses at the rabbit, even though he knows it’s pointless. He hates to admit it, but he’s becoming rather fond of Jon Jr, even if Tim mostly brought him in to piss off and totally not help Jon. Jon—who, speaking of, seems to be equally fond now, judging by the deflating tire of a terrified squeak he makes, and the adorable immature grabby arms he makes at the little bugger.

“Junior,” Jon calls out, sounding like a toddler who’d just been told Santa wasn’t real (he is, they have the statements to prove it, he is). And Tim wants to laugh, albeit hysterically. The first time he sees his brick wall of a superior cry and it’s over a rabbit, and he’s not even going to have time to gloat over it because they’re about to die. “No! You’re going to—”

Jon Jr stops and sits in front of wholly-absolutely-totally-not-Sasha-what-the-fuck, who looks down at him, bemused through its murderous bloodlust.

The rabbit lifts a dainty paw up to his mouth, and suddenly—suddenly it’s twisting and huge, towering up to the ceiling of the tunnel, its skin hairless and tinted a sickly, glowing gray, with five, six, seven...a whole lot more limbs than a rabbit is supposed to have.

The not-rabbit unhinges its now meters-long jaw and snaps up the creature.

Tim and Jon stare at each other, wide-eyed.

There is a loud gulping sound, then a deafening crack, and suddenly there is a very normal white rabbit sitting in front of them again, carefully cleaning one paw with a very normal pink tongue.

“Wh—” Tim chokes on his own words.

The holy-shit-it-really-is-an-eldritch-horror-after-all stretches, yawns, and flops over in a dead sleep.

“...We’re keeping the rabbit,” Jon says faintly.

“I—yeah.” Tim nods, light-headed. “We’re keeping the rabbit.”

-

Jon Jr the rabbit-slash-eldritch-abomination gets a very hearty dinner of romaine lettuce, tomatoes, and cucumber peels that night.

-

(Tune in next time* for the terrible, terrible realization—“Jon Jr is a girl?!” (Also why is there another dead body again, dammit, can’t we go one week))

Fin

First || Next

*

(There may or may not actually be a next time. It depends. )

Behold. What very well may be the stupidest thing I have ever written. Ahem. Did I say stupidest? I meant most brilliant. Clearly I meant it’s the most brilliant thing I have ever written. Obviously.

Let me know if you enjoyed this! I have a bunch of ideas to continue this ridiculously silly AU of sorts, but idk if I’m going to quite yet and am not certain that I’ll be continuing to write for TMA. atm I’m focused on a different fandom, and I’m only on s3, so the really big idea I had has to wait, anyway.

Want to chat or be added onto any of my taglists? Shoot me an ask or a message here or via my other social media!

[thebadchoicemachine]

PROMPT: I turned around to get some jam as my toast was ready, only to find when I turned back it was gone. I live alone and don’t have pets. @everblue22

[Recording Begins]

So, I just start talking into this thing? Okay. Oh! I see it writing everything down here, that is... HEY! Awesome! It even knows WHEN to capitalize! PORCUPINE! Okay, okay, I’m done messing around. What? I just think it’s neat! Uh... okay, here it goes. Huh, where do I even start? I guess just with whatever I want? 

Well, I want to say I could tell you I found my fridge, but I can’t. It’s gone. I don’t know where and I don’t know what the hell I’m gonna tell Jan. Maybe I should just not tell him. No, I have to, he’s gonna find out sooner or later. Why though? He checks in every now and then of course but why should I even care? Am I scared or something? I think so.

Yes. 

Jan the... leviathan, Jan fear lord, Jan the landlord. Jan, my landlord. He owns my house. (I have a house, right? I must... where else would I keep my fridge that I don’t have? Or... is it an apartment?) Anyway, Jan in charge of my home where my fridge has disappeared, possibly down some... some semi-indescribable thing. Something that my landlord with definitely notice. Ugh, that’s a conversation I am not looking forward to. I’m not sure how mad he’s going to be able to be, though. 

I mean, yeah, the fridge is gone and there’s The Trench pit-stairs-thing there now, but none of that is my fault! I’m usually a very good tenant; I’ve always paid my rent on time, I never have parties, everything is entirely as intact as when I first moved in, sometimes more so! Well, except for the fridge that is... 

I’m sorry, you probably don’t understand this. Let me start over. I’m a- I’m a... hmm, I- you know, I can’t remember. I had a... job at some point, didn’t I? Yes. I never got fired or anything, I would remember something like that. Probably. Anyway, I have a job where I usually am when I’m not home. 

I’m not quite sure what I did but we had ridiculously short lunch breaks. That combined with the fact everything nearby was expensive as balls meant I ended up skipping lunch a lot. I also had to be there early so forgot about breakfast most days too. By the time dinner came around I was too exhausted to cook anything big, plus groceries were expensive, so I’d just microwave a tin, force down a few bites, and go to bed. Some days I don’t think I stepped foot in the kitchen at all. Yeah... turns out those are all really bad habits to be in, especially at once. 

It kind of clicked one day while I was driving to work and feeling miserable that it is not normal to feel that way all the time. I thought down a checklist of reasons I might feel like crap (water, sleep, breathing, etc.) and nearly crashed when I got to food. I had a quiet “oh” moment realizing I hadn’t eaten that day. I also couldn’t remember if I’d eaten yesterday or the day before that. I knew I had eaten, just not when or how often or how much. Yeah. That was pretty crap. 

That night I sat down and decided I wanted to exist again and to do that I had to start eating again, regularly. I at least needed to get something in my body every day. Breakfast was still hard and dinner still felt complicated so I settled for focusing on lunch, starting small and all that. That way was I was trapped, at home I could just do something else but at work? There was nothing to do but work or eat and I was hoping the time limit would help me force down some food even if I didn’t feel like eating. 

I- oh damn, I’ve been rambling this whole time, haven’t I? I’ll skip to the important part, I made a lot of sandwiches. I’ve never cared for peanut butter, I didn’t hate it but I wouldn’t be able to eat it so continuously. In fact, I couldn’t stomach many things over and over again for too long. Stimulation is very important to me, I need routine but can’t stand stagnation. (That’s probably another reason I was so miserable.) Because of this, I opted to get an array of spreads and switch between toasted and plain slices of bread. t worked out pretty well, after a while wasn’t even an inconvenience to make and eat food at home. 

Now, here’s where my troubles really started. One day, I didn’t have work, I was making some toast. I think it was breakfast which was rare for me but again I didn’t have work. I had set the bread in the toaster and turned to pick out a jam from my fridge (which at this point was still there) but when I turned around the toaster was empty! I know I heard the sound of it popping up but there was no toast, there wasn’t even bread. 

I feel a little silly to admit this but I actually checked around to make sure the toast hadn’t been flung out of the toaster. Then I searched my whole home for some kind of animal. I don’t have any pets but the idea of one breaking in seemed a semi-plausible explanation. In some ways I guess I was right on the money. 

Obviously, I was perplexed by this disappearing act but I shrugged it off and made some more toast. I stayed watching the toaster the whole time and everything worked normally. That is until I turned to get the jam and found it wasn’t there. Expect, then it was. I know that makes no sense but that’s simply what happened. I just ate my toast with butter at that point. A few days later the same thing happened again, beat for beat, only this time the disappearing never stopped. My bread would keep disappearing if I turned my back on it even for a split second, at least, that’s what I thought.

At some point, I realized it had nothing to do with me watching. Bread would disappear right before my eyes and never come back unless I had a thing of jam out. If I had jam out then the jam would disappear for a moment and repaper. I got in the habit of leaving out a certain jar whenever I cooked. At first, that was it. That’s probably all it would have been, just another odd habit to add to my routine, if it weren’t for the fact I noticed the jar was beginning to empty. I could have just let it be, written it off as me forgetting I used it, and moved on, except it was grape. I despise grape flavored things, the only reason I had that one was it came in a pack with the rest of the flavors. I had not and would never use the grape jam.

That was too weird for me. I became curious. I don’t know how I jumped to the conclusion something was eating the jam, the disappearing could have been a million other things, but that’s what I immediately assumed. Since it didn’t matter if I was watching or not I decided a camera wouldn’t affect too much and set up my phone to record it. If it failed, I would have a video of me making toast. If it succeed... well, I’m here, aren’t I? 

I went through the process just fine, setting out the now half-empty decoy jam right in view of the camera. It happened like normal, normal as it was for me anyway. The jam disappeared for a second then returned right where it was. I calmly ate my snack, not wanting to do anything hastily lest I became suspicious, before casually reaching out to check my phone. The video was not as helpful as I liked. Even slowing it down and running it through some filters I couldn’t notice too much except for some faint, invisible, shape only there for a split second. That sounds impressive but already knew something was stealing my jam, I wanted to know what. 

The rest happened almost entirely by accident. I got up in the middle of the night, barely remember it, just stumbled to the kitchen for water. It took me a few minutes to notice I was hearing something and not dreaming. It was a soft, tinkly, pattering sound. Like a dog’s paws scrambling across a floor made of glass. Still half-dreaming, I opened up my phone to fumble for a flashlight. This, of course, blinded me as looking at your phone when used to the dark is never a good idea and I had mine on full brightness for some forsaken reason. I yelped, grabbing my eyes. The sound stopped. 

I opened my eyes, blinking away blind spots, or trying. Some just wouldn’t leave. It took me far too long to realize that they weren’t blind spots, they were creatures right in front of my face. I wish I could blame it on sleep but honestly, I think I’m just stupid. 

Anyway, these things were borderline indescribable at first but as my eyes readjusted to the dark I could understand them quite clearly, visually, anyway. They had bodies like... well, you know when you stare at the sun too long and you get that dark/light green-ish/blue-ish blob in your vision? They had bodies like an inverted form of that. Their forms were inside a bubble, as in a soapy blowing bubble sheen wrapped around their serpentine bodies. They sat hunched on their back legs. they’d clearly been scrabbling against the door of the fridge with their little paws but now sat frozen, staring at me with dopey faces. 

I, for some reason, did not freeze in return. Instead, I just stared at them, holding out my hand like I was giving treats. Two of them cowered while one tilted its head. Its head shape was odd, when I saw it from the side it appeared to have a snout but when it looked directly at me it just seemed perfectly round. It had what I could only assume was two reflective oblong eyes in the center of its face. They were the color of a blank tv screen and remained exactly where they were like a Hawk’s head in flight. The only reason I could tell its head was tilted at all was two (Three? One?) smoky wisps flowing down its top. We stared at each other for a moment until I tried to gently take a step forward and all three dived under my fridge. 

I was shocked, of course, but not for the reasons you’d think. More because they left than because they were there. I handled the situation fantastically all things considered but I wanted more. I couldn’t just them go like that! So, I did the only thing I could think of. I made some toast and jam. 

It didn’t work. 

I felt defeated, dejected, and sad. Mournful, even. I couldn’t help but feel like I’d missed something incredible. This is the part that was really on accident, I began tapping the glass jam jar. The tinkling little noise was the only sound throughout the entire bitch black of the night. I don’t know how long I sat tapping, maybe a few minutes, maybe an hour, but at some point, I noticed there was an echo. Then, of course, I realized it wasn’t an echo at all! It was the glass sounds the creatures made. I whipped around and saw- well, to be perfectly honest I saw nothing. Not at first. 

Then, under the fridge, I noticed some darkness was... different. It was flatter, shinier, there were two oblong blanks in the shade under the fridge. Eyes. My heart leaped and I desperately kept tapping the jar, holding it out for the creature to see. I assume it worked as in a millisecond the jar was gone from my hand and on the floor, opened, then closed again. I opened the fridge and got out all the jam jars I had, lining them around the fridge like some kind of summoning circle. It took hours, maybe even minutes, for them to come out again. They were just as fast as always, I didn’t see them and I barely saw the jars move. 

Now, I know this is going to sound stupid. It probably was a stupid idea but I was getting desperate, this whole thing was beginning to dishearten me. I raked over everything that had happened trying to figure out what let me see them and... listen, I did the only thing that made sense, at least at the time. I flashed my phone’s flashlight into my eyes a couple of times. It’s not that bad, okay! Stupid? Maybe, but it worked! I saw them! 

Oh, they were beautiful. There was more of them this time, completely crowding the space around my fridge. I could see them so clearly. I noticed they had six limbs, rabbit-like hind legs with two sets of arms. The way they used them to open the jars reminded me of a raccoon. The wisps on their heads were like antenna, varying from four to two on each one’s head and flowing down past their bodies like tails. The size seemed to vary drastically based on each one. Their bodies’ still impossible and gorgeous.

They paid me no mind, swiftly swiping snack after snack from the jars lighting fast. I feel like the night should have been well over by this point but it was still dark and quiet. I couldn’t even hear the wind outside, although, it’s not like I was trying. My focus was on these creatures. These beings with their gorgeous bodies and musical tinkling calls... I couldn’t look away. Soon, looking wasn’t enough. 

I wasn’t so enthralled as to try and touch one, not yet. No, I only grabbed a jar and opened it, holding it in my hand. It took a moment but it worked. One of the little guys came up to eat out of it. As it got close my senses, except sight, went all fizzy. Yes, I mean fizzy and not fuzzy. It wasn’t dull, quite the opposite, like eating pop rocks. I felt like I’d just been submerged in and inhaled some physical form of static. You’d think that would be unpleasant and let me tell you it was... wasn’t. No, of course not. I- I didn’t dislike it. I didn’t dislike a single moment of it. It- it was- it was all so... euphoric. All of it...

All of it. 

Um, what- oh! Oh yes, the fridge. Well... I- I’m not sure I can tell you what happened. One minute I was having the time of my life laughing, petting, and playing with all of my radiant little friends... oh, they’re just lovely. I haven’t named any of them yet because I can’t really tell them apart and I’m pretty sure they change form. Ugh, I just love them so much. Yes, I do! Yes, I do, my dizzy little... 

What? Hello? What was I... oh yeah, the fridge. So, I love these guys. So... just SO damn much.  Am I  tearing up? Ha! A funny thing about these guys is that static thing I was talking about earlier. Yeah. It’s constant but it usually very faint unless they’re right up close, then it just absolutely drowns you. I was hugging and petting them so I was completely lost in the static. It was fantastic but I don’t really remember much. I don’t even know how long I was there just that I was suddenly cut off. An- um... a car had driven by. I- I think that’s what happened at least, I don’t know. Something must have happened because suddenly they all dove back beneath the fridge. 

Oh, I can’t describe the emptiness I was left with. It was so dreadful it- I... oh, I can’t. I can’t. I was desperate. It was only for a moment but I was so desperate, I- I lost my mind! I must’ve! I don’t know how what happened next could have happened. I ripped my refrigerator off the wall. I’ve heard of people getting super strength in life-or-death situations for loved ones, maybe it was something like that. Whatever the reason I had the whole refrigerator tossed clean to the other side of the room. What did I even have to show for it? Nothing. It was just a dusty area where the wall met the floor and some outlet things were placed. 

I couldn’t stand for it. I know the precocious little beings had come from and gone somewhere. I was going to find it. I needed to find it. I reached out my hand so hard and fast I’m certain I would’ve snapped my wrist if the floor hadn’t given way. No, that’s not quite it. It didn’t “give way” it- 

Whoah! This thing can do those “line things?” That’s “dope.” How can “it” even tell- wait, no, I’m not going to get off track again. The floor didn’t break or crumble into a trench that was beneath it, nor did I punch a giant hole into the floor. I do not believe it even existed before I touched it but I also don’t believe I created it at all. 

I fell... ugh, how do I put this... I fell into it and out of it simultaneously. I can’t be any more clear than that, sorry. I was falling (Phasing?) down and up at the same time and then I landed on my kitchen floor. I- oh, yes, I know I said the fridge wasn’t my fault. It’s not. I have no idea where it is. If I did I could just put it back- well, I guess not because there’s the giant trench where it plugs in now, but I could have someone else do it! Actually... maybe it fell in somehow? I don’t know. I really don’t... 

About the pit itself, it’s really more like a ravine. I couldn’t see the bottom but not because it was dark, because of the opposite! It has this soft yellow glow at its bottom, or as far down as I could see anyway. The sides look like rocks, some gradient of turquoise and bismuth. It’s pretty thin, only about a meter across, but stretches out for an unreasonable length into the wall. I don’t know how, it looks like one of those optical illusions people paint onto the sides of buildings that make it seem like there’s a tunnel even though you can clearly see it’s a wall. It wasn’t an illusion though, oh no. I threw several things against my wall, or what used to be my wall, and they flew right past where it should have hit and down into the trench. Lost a lot of spoons... When I walked around to my bedroom (the room on the other side of the wall) there was nothing. It was completely normal, you’d never think there was some hole with impossible dimensions cutting through on the other side. 

Well... that’s all I have to say I guess. After a while, the sun came up and I marched over to the first place that looked like it could help. You... you can help, yes? I really don’t want to deal with Jan. Ugh, I’m gonna have to call him, aren’t I? Oh, I hate having to deal with bull like this. So you can... close... no no no, I don’t want you to CLOSE the hole. That’s where- it’s so nice and pretty. I just want... wait, why DID I come here? I don’t... no. NO. I do NOT want you to undo anything that has happened! I don’t care what I said when I came in here, nothing needs to change. I won’t let anything change. 

What’s what? What do you mean? Oh, I’m just getting out some jam. Yeah, I took all the jam with me. Well, all the ones that didn’t fall in anyway. Yes, I’m absolutely certain. You cannot quote-unquote “fix” anything. You know what? I won’t even let you onto my home. You’re too insistent. That pit... I- I don’t much about it but I know it’s where the creatures came from and I one hundred percent can’t risk losing my little friends here. Yes, here. Right here. Of course, they’re here! You just can’t see them. I can’t either, not right now at least. Oh, it’s no big deal, they just follow me everywhere. Calm down. Not much I could do about it and if I could why would I even want to? You have my statement, I’ll be on my way now. 

I said... I’ll be... on my way...

No. You can’t touch them, they don’t like you. No. NO! Get away from them! I WON’T LET Y- 

[Recording End] 

--- 

[Recording Begins]

Follow up: 

All digital follow up has been redacted. 

The reason is listed as confidential, however, that is only a routine precaution. There will be no reprimand for any violations. It is not recommended you try, though.

Anyone who has attempted to review digital information about this case has reported suffering migraines and difficulty recalling the information to the point of uselessness. Several attempts were made to make physical copies but the pages printed out incomplete or blank. Attempts at writing it by hand proved to have even more disastrous strain on the mind. With no idea how to prevent this, or how dangerous it could become, we were forced to simply stop the work. 

As for evidence that IS accessible, besides this recording, we have a few polaroids of the so called “Trench” as well as the attempts to un-digitalize the information. Within all attempts any personal information is absent. We have no name, no age, no phone number, no address, nothing. We DID manage to track down this “Jan” that was spoken of. 

Jan Preswer is indeed a landlord but had no information we weren’t already able to salvage from the records. In fact, he didn’t have a lot of information in general. He was rather standoffish on the matter in a way we later realized stemmed from fear. When we pressed he eventually relented and gave us access to an apartment he claimed was “dangerous to think about” which is where we were able to take the pictures. There was nothing in the place that could identify the speaker. There was nothing there at all, not even interior walls, except the hole. It was exactly as described except smaller, only about a fourth a meter wide.  When we returned the next day it was completely gone.

Because we have no real way to continue investing and because the issue seems to have resolved itself we are placing this entire case on hold. All we can do is wait and watch. I, personally, recommend keeping a close eye on the amount of stolen jam and bread. 

Wherever this person went they seem to have taken all of the creatures with them. We have had no reports or sightings of any kind despite the panic from having them in the buidling. 

They honestly didn’t seem so bad... the creatures, I mean. The way they were described they sounded... docile. Curious. Friendly, even. Granted, this is clearly not what anyone would call a “reliable source” but they must be coming from somewhere and this IS one of our most tame cases, possibly ever. They must be interesting to observe, at the very least. I wish I was able to see one of them if only to understand for a moment. 

Maybe I should start setting out some jam, haha. 

That... was a joke. Record it here, that was a joke. Don’t try that. It would be incredibly irresponsible to attempt to recreate a situation described in a statement no matter the possible discoveries, personal feelings, or… general lure… of the...

What… what was I doing? Uh… yeah this- this case is closed unless something else comes up. That’s not how I’m supposed to sign these things off but I’m… can’t… huh.

You know, I’m really hungry. That’s probably it. Goodness, I can’t remember that last time I ate. Gonna go get some… toast or something…

[Recording End]

[cowbelle8]

Hunter in a Temporary Mundane Life

Hunter in a Temporary Mundane Life

by cowbelle8

Summary: Between hunts the hunters take a little R and R. 

Characters: Dean Winchester x reader,  Sam Winchester

Word Count: 981

Warnings: I haven’t posted or written in a long time. Beware of grammatical errors. This is just my attempt at some fluff and flexing my underused writing muscles. 

*Not my image*

Happy hunting and God bless! Constructive criticism appreciated. 

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

(Reader)

There were times when hunts would be sporadic at best. At times you would go non stop, barely able to function due to exhaustion. Then, there were times when you may not find anything for weeks. So, sometimes you would indulge in a little bit of a mundane life, go back to the way things were before hunting. Go back to before anything terrible happened in your life. Sometimes you just needed to recharge yourself. Let what little innocence that was left in you surface to your exterior. This wasn’t often, but today was one of those rare, delectable days. 

You also had to laugh at yourself for it. After all you’ve seen in your life as a hunter, not much should scare you. Werewolves, vampires, and ferries, oh my! No those movies didn’t do it for you anymore. But, aliens, that was still a mystery. The unknown of life out there, beyond the sky. The possibilities were endless. Those were the only movies that did it for you anymore, that let you just be a girl for awhile. 

You put in your old time favorite, Signs. You lost count how many times you had seen it, and even though you knew when the scary parts were coming up they caught you off guard every time. As the movie started playing, you throw the covers over your head where only a peep hole was available for your view of the TV screen. You were enthralled in the movie 10 minutes in. The only distraction being the crunching of your kettle corn that you had stowed in your lap under the covers.

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

(Dean)

Naps are a delicacy around here. So you bet your bottom dollar I took advantage of that when things were running slow around here at the bunker. I had drifted back awake not really willing to move. The couch was just so damn comfy. I checked the time on my phone, apparently, it had been a long nap, and it was getting later in the day. Sitting up and stretching I got to looking around. No one seemed to be around. That wasn’t completely odd. You all had kind of done your one thing the past few days. Each of you taking some me time. But, I was ready for that to be some us time. 

I headed towards my room to put some clothes on other than sweat pants and a T-shirt, not paying much attention because all the bedroom lights were off. I strode past Y/N’s room without a thought. Stopping on a dime, I scrunched my face up in confusion and had to take a few steps back. 

There was a form on Y/N’s bed. A bit of a ghost blanket if you will. Then a squeal and a jump came from the ghost blanket. I couldn’t help but chuckle, causing the ghost blanket to look directly at me.

“What’cha doing sweetheart?

A head appeared through the top of the blanket, “Oh, dean?” you blushed. 

I walked into the room and saw the part of Signs where the alien walks buy like big foot and they rewind it and show it again. Which caused Y/N to sequel again. 

This caused me to chuckle again, “Any room under that blanket?”

She dropped the blanket around her exposing a spaghetti strap tank top and messy hair. Walking over I bent down to kiss her on the cheek and pulled some pop corn out of her hair, causing her to now blush with embarrassment. 

“No need to be embarrassed sweetheart,” I said with a smile and moved the bowl out of her lap. With another kiss to her nose, I picked her up and curled up on her bed with her now in my lap. Then, I covered us both with her comforter. It over my head and under her chin. She settled back against me, causing my heart to swell. 

I loved this girl. There were so many sides to her. She was one of the most bad ass hunters I knew, but there was also a tender side to her. A little bit of innocence left in her. That side of her made me feel like I have a normal life from time to time. 

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(Sam)

Coming back from town, I decided it was good day for a cheat day, so I decided to bring back a pizza for me and the others. Everyone else was indulging with their time off, why not me too? Once back at the bunker, me and the pizza made our way into the kitchen, but there was no site of anyone and it was particularly quite. 

“I wonder where they could be.”

I took a look in the living area but no one was there either. I figured they were hold up in Dean’s room like they usually where and made my way towards our rooms. I was about to pass Y/N’s room when I had to stop short and take a closer look. There was a large blobbed blanket creature glowing in a TV light. 

“Hey guys you want some piz.....”

Y/N and Dean jumping out from under the blanket throwing a bowl of popcorn all over the place, “Aaaaahhhhh!” they hollered in unison. 

I couldn’t help but chuckle to myself, I loved how Y/N brought the kid out of the both of us. I left temporarily and returned with a blanket and the pizza. I opened up the box next to them and covered myself with my own blanket with a peep hole and watched the rest of the movie with them. 

The three of us were huddled up under blankets only to expose an arm for a slice a pizza. Days like this were my favorite. Things were never the same when Y/N came into our lives, and I wouldn’t want it any other way. 

[cartoonfangirl1218]

Snart Siblings Day Out

Another long forgotten Lisa Snart Appreciation Week fic.  (Takes place anytime before LOT, probably before Lewis' death). 

They had just succeeded in a successful raid of the bank yesterday afternoon. Fortunately the Scarlet Speedster was too late for once and they made off with ten thousand dollars, three diamonds necklaces and various other weaponry from the guards. It had been a good day.

Mick was sprawled out on the couch, nursing his hangover from their celebratory drinks at the club last night and using a bunch of stolen wallets and burned out cigarettes as a mashed up pillow.

Leonard decided he would take advantage of the day to go to the movies. Specifically a Star Wars Marathon.

Lisa had a feeling that her nerd of a brother would go to the Marathon after she had saw the ad on TV, some anniversary for the main character's birthday or something stupid like that. When she realized he planned the heist the day before, and the back up plan to go into motion the day after said marathon, she just knew it. Her brother had always been a Star Wars fan since he was 5 years old.

Even the-"oh so important, nothing else matters, Lisa, you can schedule your date for another time, no you can not make out with him while you're on watch" missions took a backseat where Star Wars was concerned.

Normally Lisa wouldn't have joined him, but all there was to do today was either watch Mick be a big baby about his hangover or laze around town until the clubs opened up. She chose the movies.

The marathon started at 9 in the morning so to kill time, Lisa bought tickets to a early Disney movie that was airing for the little kids.

"Really Lisa?" Leonard said when he saw the tickets she bought.  "Disney? I thought we had your 34 birthday two moths ago, not your 6th.” 

"Well do you wanna watch Disney or do you wanna watch something called Dams: A architectural documentary? Besides it would be something to sleep through." Lisa said, matter of factly. 

"I swear if anyone sees us watching this, I'm putting all of it on you." Leonard grimaced, pulling up the hood of his signature blue parka, hiding his face.

What she didn't mention was that it was Pinocchio. Lisa always had an attachment to the movie when she was younger. God how many times did she wear a blue dress to school and wave a wand around her room, singing?  And she would always look for the wishing star.

But Leonard had also become acquainted to the movie, whenever he would have taken of her when she was younger, she would make him watch it with her. And sometimes he would sing.

Not many people knew this secret talent. But he was a good singer. Not just good, but great. He had a deep baritone and steady voice that followed through the pitches, whenever he sang, she thought of the song like a warm barrier around her.

That usually had been because of circumstance though. She would make him sing it to her before she fell asleep, or when she had a nightmare or when Lewis had one of his lessons.

He would crawl into whatever nook she had burrowed herself into, and hug her and sing to her until she stopped crying or until she fell asleep. The song always gave her that stupid childish hope that maybe Lewis wasn't their real father, that he had just stolen them and their real parents, the perfect kind were looking for them.

She glanced at Lenny's direction to see if he noticed the choice of movie. If he had, he wasn't fazed. His posture didn't relax or tense and his face was shrouded by the furry hood.

After the whole "Once upon a dream" song, Lisa slow dropped off to sleep. Really besides the big song, the movie was a snoozer.  Leonard shook her awake, and they joined the long line of mega-nerds, some in costumes, awaiting to enter the theater.

When they entered, they were stuck in the front row, craning their heads back to see the screen, stuck between a blob creature and a guy with a tentacle shirt whose tentacles kept sneaking into her lap and popcorn.

Already refreshed from her other nap, she was agonizingly awake during the movie. It was a painful, slow moving torture that people called a "masterpiece of cinematic art" or at least people like her brother anyway. Really "cinematic art?"

She zoned out during the first half, so she was completely lost during the second half and second movie, and she couldn't go get a third popcorn refill because the aisle was crowded with legs and dorks that booed her every time she blocked their view of the screen.

Last ditch effort, she pulled out her phone and started playing Trivia Crack. She looked up to see Len glaring at her. "Turn it off.” he hissed "No one's paying attention. Not breaking the law here." "The light is distracting from the movie" he whispered "No it isn't. It's just a little thing compared to the huge 50 ft screen." "Yes but you keep clicking the keyboard, and some people are trying to listen to what they are saying." Leonard retorted "Oh you can't hear what they're saying? You really must be getting into your old age. The sound is giving me a..." She was cut off abruptly when Leonard grabbed her phone and firmly placed his other hand ontop of her mouth.

"This is my favorite part so shut it. He hissed. His hand wouldn't get off her mouth, no matter how many times she licked or bit it. He seemed to be lost in the world of the ugly green midget man.

Finally five and half hours later, they left the theater. Lisa practically ran out the door and kissed the sweet, fresh, cold ground.

Between the comfy woolen seats, and all the warm bodies, her leather outfit and his hand on her face, she was as sweaty as when Shawna dared Mick to spend the whole day in a incinerator.

They started to head for their parking space when she saw, faintly in the distance. A light blue café with a swirling ice cream cone. "Is that..." "Leo's Ice Cream" Leonard whispered.

Leo's Ice Cream was a place that their grandfather often took Leonard, saying it was his special place because of the coincidental name. Lisa barely remembered it, but when Leonard told stories, it sounded like he had just been there the day before. He had been very fond of their grandfather. Something about a greater father figure.

"Wanna go?" Lisa asked him.  Leonard seemed to be making choosing whether to treat himself to his childhood memory or keep on with his ice cold criminal facade, which he chose the latter.

"No. It's fine. Let's go home." he said stiffly. 

"But isn't the skating rink near by the café?" Lisa asked, innocently.  "Well, yes" Leonard conceded.  "Then let's go" Lisa dragged her brother by the arm as she raced down the streets to the round, grey building while Leonard stumbled to keep pace like an old man.

They entered the rink, and Lisa breathed in the cold, hair stinging smell of fresh ice. Another childhood memory of hers. She used to love to figure skate when she was younger. Other children wanted to be prima ballerinas. She wanted to be a prima ice skater ever since she had first visited the rink on a class field trip when she was 7.

Lewis, of course, had heartily disapproved. He needed her at home, to help with his jobs and be his punching bag and occasional cook. He didn't need his daughter to be trampling around the ice, looking like a sparkly, spandaxed idiot. Leonard was the one who supported her. He drove her to the rink, watched a few practices and when money got tight, flirted with her skating teacher to get free lessons.

As she grew older, and admittedly more cynical, she grew out of ice skating dreams, but continued to practice until she was in high school because Lenny seemed so happy to see her happy.

She laced up her rental skates and glided out to the ice. Muscle memory returning as she felt the slick floor beneath her blades.

Her muscles tensed as she returned to the familiar movement of glide-step-glide-step-turn. The wind sloshing past her ears, the world seemed to fade away, and dip and swirl as she did. She perform two triple lutz and five figure eights before returning to wear Leonard was by the plexiglass door.

"Are you gonna join me or what?" Lisa challenged, sharply turned with her time ick sending a shower of sparks. 

"Just wanted to watch you get the jumping out of your system. Don't need to get another head cut."

Lisa sheepishly grinned, that might have happened a few times. She could get really lost in the moment.

Leonard slowly walked out onto the ice. He was a decent skater, but he mostly kept to the side as she glided around performing for the awestruck toddlers and their parents.

She kept it up for a few more turns until she felt her muscles cry out for a break. Lisa walked back to the rental and slowly took off her skates. She forgot how much fun she had doing that, the utter freedom of movement around on the ice. "Nice going sis, haven't lost your touch" Leonard drawled, slowly clapping. Lisa smiled in turn.

They walked out of the rink, and Lisa announced she was choosing the place for dinner. She briskly walked him across the street, to the little blue café. "Lisa, I..you don't need.. I a-” Leonard stammered.

"I insist Lenny, it's my treat. We all need a nice ice cream" Lisa waved off his protests as she took out her credit card.

They settled to an outside table, silently people-watching and eating their order. He neatly devouring his banana split.  Lisa smiled as she watched him eat, taking note of his care-free face and his eyes that seemed to be thinking of some other time.

Contrary to what people may believe, but she wasn't so entirely self-absorbed. She knew how much Leonard loved her and how far he would go to protect her and make her happy. Honestly, it overwhelmed her sometimes. She felt she could never match up to his generosity and kindness to him. Never repay the fact that he had been her pillar of support, her biggest confidence, protector and cheerleader, and above all, someone who cared about her.

So sometimes, when she was able to make him smile like this with a small treat, she felt she was giving something back to the guy who practically was her father. Sure, it wasn't big or showy but she had a feeling he could get the meaning behind it. 

He didn't have many happy childhood memories to look back on, at least this was one she could remind him of. "Tell me about our grandfather" Lisa said, and Leonard launched into a vivid description of their grandfather's kind, blue eyes among other things.

"He was the one he always believed in my skills." Leonard sighed, looking uncharacteristically mournful, "He was the one who told me to do what I'm good at, and to think and to act with a brain."

"I mean I can't encourage you like he did. But I'm on your side. I always will be if you need me. Don't forget that, no matter how many times you get sent to jail, there's someone on your side. You're not gonna be alone as long as I'm around." You're not alone, Lenny" Lisa murmured softly,  Leonard gave a small smile.

They quickly moved on to less touchy subjects and started discussing any random thought that came to their head, from the Star Wars marathon to books to heists to the Scarlet Speedster.

"And what's up with his speeches? He sounds like some 50s superhero. I'm here in the name of justice, and to arrest you for robbery, grand theft auto and mercenary." Lisa crowed.

"Don't forget making him look bad." Leonard smirked.

"Oh yeah, we defiantly make him look bad."

Soon the sun started to set, and the afternoon lights turned to a light lilac. The walked silently back to the car with their own thoughts. Lisa felt a sense of stability and contentment she hadn't felt in a long time.

She wouldn't mind having more days like this. Just hanging out without doing any villainy or kidnapping. Sure, they would probably be back at it two days later but this was just as nice.

Leonard went into the driver's seat of their pick up and Lisa called dibs on shotgun out of habit from competing with Mick and sometimes Hartley when he joined the missions.

Lisa gazed out at Central City's skyline, and her ears perked up when she heard a familiar tune being hummed next to her. "Really Lenny?"

"Because of you whenever I hear that song it gets stuck in my head for the whole day" Leonard snarled, but Lisa could see his smirk behind the tone of voice, and started to sing along.

"When you wish upon a star, doesn't matter who you are..." Leonard's low alto joined in "Anything your heart's desire, your dreams come true."

It was so stupid how this song made her feel so freakin hopeful.

They stopped at the warehouse, and after Leonard locked the car doors, he gave her a quick, one sided hug and dis tangled himself from her.

"So that was nice." Leonard he muttered "Yeah" Lisa nodded.  They both could feel the unspoken thought between them. It had been nice, it was just a small reminder that they cared for each other.

Next time they should bike around town. Lisa remembered that motorcycles races against her brother was another memory that was fun to try.

Besides there was a cool jewelry store right by Leo's Ice Cream that had some great stuff to steal. You know, for family bonding days.