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literaryvein-reblogs · 5 months ago

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How to make a fic or writing longer how to add stuff without making it boring

Writing Ideas: Adding Details to your Story

Keep engaging the reader every few pages. Do not spend the first act introducing your characters. Let the reader discover your characters as they are catapulted into the concept. Let the reader learn their motivations and arcs as they are bombarded by the conflict that you are hopefully throwing them into from the get-go. Let there be a mystery to it. Why show your whole hand when you can keep a reader invested and engaged by slowly peeling away the layers of the character as they deal with the conflict and overall concept? Continue to build and build and build, whether it’s with the laughs, the drama, the screams, the mystery, the thrills, the action, etc. Offer as many twists and turns as you can. Lead that reader towards something, only to pull the rug out from underneath them just when they feel that they know where you’re going with it.

The HCM Plotting Method

List the Heart-Clutching Moments you’ve already thought of—you know, those pivotal points in your story that will evoke all the intensity of that “look behind you!” response in your readers.

Think of more.

Construct your story around them. Don’t focus on your loosely formed storyline. Focus on the key points in your story.

What Is an HCM? Some examples:

Love at first sight (Marius Pontmercy meets Cosette)

A huge moral lapse (Judas takes the money)

Murder (Miles Archer’s sets Sam Spade in motion)

Death by other means (Injun Joe starves to death in the cave)

A refusal of grace (Mayella Ewell sticks to her story in spite of taking the courtroom oath)

Nature gone wild (shark dines on first recreational swimmer)

Someone standing up to corruption (Shane picks up his gun again)

A change of heart, for good or ill (Michael Corleone offers to kill Sollozzo and Captain McCluskey)

An act of depraved violence (Bill Sykes cudgels Nancy)

Betrayal (Sandy puts a stop to her mentor Jean Brodie)

Forgiveness (Melanie insists Scarlett join her in the receiving line)

A revelation (Pip’s secret benefactor is none other than … !)

HCMs can be active, whole scenes. Some examples:

A lifesaving attempt

A chase

A battle

A seduction

A caper

Make a list of Heart-Clutching Moments and put them on index cards in rough order. Then you can build an outline based on any form you desire, be it classical drama, farce, or anything in between. If you get stuck, do any of the following:

Start writing one of your HCM scenes. Immediately the scene itself should prompt ideas, perhaps for new courses of action or even new characters.

Write deeper into an HCM scene you’ve written already. You’ll likely find yourself coming up with bridges between scenes—and thinking of more elements to enhance your story.

Look for places to add conflict, suffering, or frustration.

Example: Shakespeare wanted to take Macbeth from conquering hero to murderous traitor whose decapitation at the hands of one of his countrymen is the only possible, imaginable end.

How does he do it? Reread the play and you’ll realize that one HCM leads to the next, fast and furious: The witches’ stunning prophecies, Macbeth’s realization that he could be king, his wife’s corrupt ambition, one murder, two more murders, and more upon that, and prophesy again, and insanity, and suicide … all in the space of 98 pages!

Introduce a ticking clock. A ticking clock is an important element that ramps up pressure on your characters and piques your readers’ curiosity as to how your protagonist can possibly succeed. Set up big promises and obstacles early in a narrative and layer in a time crunch to make a character’s predicament seem dire.

Weave subplots into your narrative. Use subplots effectively to add variety and texture to your narrative and explore characters and backstory. When used well, subplots can artfully pose and answer key questions and flesh out characters.

Add dramatic irony. Dramatic irony is one of the many literary devices that can keep your reader engaged and increase the suspense. If a reader is aware of impending plot points that your characters are not, you can foreshadow plot twists and raise questions in your reader’s mind as to how your characters will deal with the trouble that lies ahead.

Invest in the details. Good writing generally contains sensory details and specific observations that remind readers of real life. A longer story can be much more powerful and less boring with detailed descriptions of the environment in which it takes place.

Open loops. This expands a bit on the idea of hooks and page-turning chapter endings, but the concept here is much broader. Basically the idea is to open boxes … and then take your sweet time in getting around to closing them. If you’re interested in a situation and the story cuts that situation off without resolving it, you’ll do that OH COME ON thing and then keep reading. You can’t rest until you close the loop. So if the story is well-told, you’ll just keep looking for that dropped loop … even if it takes chapters to pay off. It takes many chapters to find out what did happen, and your readers just keep blasting through them, cursing us all the while.

Relentless pacing. Take your time and meander when writing your book. What happens, happens, and try not to rush it. Characters talk and the reader learns plot points. On the contrary, let your readers keep asking, “What happens next?” The answer to that question needs to be exciting. Threatening. Maybe violent. Don't let your characters have much time to catch their breath, because the goal is to keep your readers breathless.

Learning from the Classics. Some Examples:

Armadale by Wilkie Collins, 1864 - Armadale was regarded by author T.S. Eliot as "the best of [his] romances" and includes Lydia Gwilt, a character considered as one of the most astonishing wicked female villains in literature. Drawing on scandalous newspaper headlines, Collins creates a story of confused identities, inherited curses, romantic rivalries, espionage, and murder – making for an action-packed 752 pages.

Les Misérables by Victor Hugo, translated by Norman Denny, 1862 - Adapted into one of the most successful musicals of all time, Les Misérables’ running time in London’s West End is an impressive 2 hours 50 minutes. But for a more immersive experience, try the original novel – a full 1,232 pages of injustice, heroism, and love in 19th-century France.

The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas, 1846 - (1,240 pages) On the day of his wedding, Edmond Dantes, master mariner, is arrested in Marseille on trumped-up charges and spirited away to the cellars of the Chateau d'If, an impregnable sea fortress in which he is imprisoned indefinitely. Escaping from the chateau by a series of daring manoeuvres, he unearths a great treasure on the island of Monte Cristo, buried there by a former fellow prisoner who bequeaths to him the secret of its whereabouts. Thus armed with unimaginable wealth and embittered by his long imprisonment, he resolves to devote his life to tracking down and punishing those responsible.

Ulysses by James Joyce, 1922 - It is one thing to write a novel of 1,040 pages, but quite another to dedicate the entire page count to one single day. Ulysses follows characters Stephen Dedalus, Leopold Bloom and his wife Molly across a day in their lives in 1904 Dublin. Dedalus and Bloom, who are are unaware of each other, are trying to find a missing loved one: the former, his long-lost father, and Bloom, despite being childless, for a son.

War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy, 1869 - (1,225 pages) At a glittering society party in St Petersburg in 1805, conversations are dominated by the prospect of war. Terror swiftly engulfs the country as Napoleon's army marches on Russia, and the lives of three young people are changed forever. The stories of quixotic Pierre, cynical Andrey and impetuous Natasha interweave with a huge cast, from aristocrats and peasants to soldiers and Napoleon himself. In War and Peace, Tolstoy entwines grand themes - conflict and love, birth and death, free will and faith - with unforgettable scenes of nineteenth-century Russia, to create a magnificent epic of human life in all its imperfection and grandeur.

Sources: 1 2 3 4 5 ⚜ More: Notes ⚜ Writing Resources PDFs ⚜ On Pacing

Here are some tips and ideas I found from different sources. Choose which ones you would like to incorporate in your story. Hope this helps with your writing!

#anonymous #writing tips #writing reference #writeblr #literature #dark academia #writers on tumblr #spilled ink #writing prompt #creative writing #fiction #light academia #writing ideas #writing inspiration #writing resources

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caseyscraftycorner · 7 months ago

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Deathmatch Island is SO COOL.

it's basically Squid Game + Lost as a ttrpg. you and 2-3 others wake up on a boat with hazy memories and matching jumpsuits. there are dozens of other boats with other people in other matching jumpsuits and other hazy memories. you have a watch you cant take off that lists your follower count -- 0 to start -- and a welcome letter addressed to you. it promises you fame and fortune, should you manage to become the sole winner.

first you land on island one -- explore, make alliances and enemies, and gain resources. every time you do cool things, every time you succeed, your follower count goes up. Then the Klaxon sounds, and its time for the battle royale. Many competitors will die, and hopefully you're not one of them.

then you're off to island two -- better equipped than you were before, but so is everyone else. you theorycraft about what's going on while you sail to the next island, and when you get there, you do it all again. explore, make alliances and enemies, gain resources and followers. the klaxon sounds, the Battle Royale begins, and many competitors will die. hopefully you aren't one of them.

then you're off to the third and final island. you've made it this far as a team, you have a better idea of what's going on. you're better equipped than ever. but there can only be one winner. will your team turn on each other and Play To Win? or will they stick together to take on The Production, and try to Break The Game?

anyways. i need to run this game i think. probably in january, since thats when ill have time next.

you can read more about Deathmatch Island at Deathmatchis.land

#casey rambles #ttrpgs #ttrpg #indie ttrpg #ttrpg community #deathmatch island

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b1mbodoll · 2 years ago

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i am so taerae fat cock enthusiast and i cant stop thinking about taerae stretching you around his cock when youre sleeping beside him 😵‍💫 you already said he wouldn't fit bcs hes so big so you didnt let him fuck you but youre so cute n innocent he cant help pulling your panties to the side and making it fit </3 he would quite literally split you in half fucking you so so good (๑>◡<๑) he would be so deep inside you too! all u can do is lay there and cry! but dont worry he'll press sweet sweet kisses on your face when he's finished emptying his cum in you <3 hopefully you dont get pregnant! youre not on the pill ♡♡♡♡♡

from 🎀 anonie!

also how have you been? i hope todays been treating you well! i caught covid so TT i dont know how active ill be but take care of yourself and be hydrated baby! 🫶🏽🫶🏽🫶🏽

pairings: kim taerae x f! reader

warnings: virgin killer taerae + noncon + blood + anal + gaping + creampies + spit

💌: hi sweetpea im so sorry for the late reply again T_T but thank u for this, im crying !! also i know ur feelin’ better n not sick anymore so stay safe and healthy my love !!! i miss u </3

“fuck this pussy’s so tight,” taerae whispers, trying to bully his thick length into your cunt.

it’s always a struggle working his dick into virgin holes but it’s so worth it when he succeeds, pushing through your hymen and watching the blood leak down his girthy dick. the feeling of your tight walls without a condom in the way making taerae fuck into you harshly, forcing the rest of his length inside of you.

“taerae s-stop!” your voice is strained, pain coursing through you at the intrusion. “’s too big! pull it out please!” your cries do nothing but spur him on, grinding his hips experimentally.

“don’t worry, princess. i’ll make it fit” he grunts, tangling his fingers in your hair and forcing your cheek into the bed as he fucks away your virginity, slick sounds caused by a mixture of your arousal and blood filling the room.

“hurts! it hurts,” you cry, “please stop.” despite your complaints you clench around him so tight and it’s almost like your sweet cunt doesn’t wanna part with his cock, making him grin wickedly.

“you keep sayin’ it hurts but you’re so wet, baby” he teases, pulling out until just the tip is inside of you before thrusting forward quickly, making your breath hitch. “you like the pain, don’t you?” taerae’s so fucking mean it makes you sob pitifully, almost making him ease up.

once you get used to the feeling of his cock punching your cervix you can’t help but moan at the feeling and your sounds don’t go unnoticed by him, his eyes locked on your cunt sucking him in nicely.

“‘m gonna cum!” you exclaim, squeezing your eyes shut because the pleasure is so overwhelming and you can’t stop yourself from meeting his thrusts, high pitched mewls escaping you every now and then.

one of taerae’s hands finds your waist, fingers digging into your soft skin as he chases his release, slamming his hips into yours.

“please, please, please.” you beg, pussy spasming around him when your orgasm hits, tight cunt milking him for all he’s worth, warm cum coating your walls as he empties his balls deep inside your little cunt.

“you’re sick for cumming on my cock after all that cryin’” he sneers, pulling out and using his hands to spread your hole, watching his cum drip out of you. he’s obsessed with how you shamelessy present for him, back arching as he toys with your hole, drawing a sigh of relief from you when he uses two digits to fuck his cum back inside of you.

“aw sweetheart.” coos taerae, “you didn’t think we were done, did you?” his voice is laced with faux sympathy as you try to collect yourself. your brows furrow in confusion at his words, “huh?”

he curls his fingers inside your cunt, cum leaking down his wrist. “finally get the chance t’fuck you ‘n you think ‘m stoppin’ after one round?” his laugh makes you feel dumb, as if you were supposed to know he was going to continue violating your holes.

taerae fists his length with his cum covered hand, the tip prodding at the tight rim of your ass making you jolt. “please don’t!” you shudder, “anything but that, please.” he pushes the head in, groaning deeply because you’re so tight and spits on your hole, watching the saliva trickle between your asscheeks.

“shut the fuck up and take it.” his teeth are clenched, trying not to cum instantly when he pushes in to the hilt. “such a good cumdump f’r me, can’t believe you’ve never been fucked before.” the stretch burns and all you can do is take what he gives you, nearly screaming as you cum just from having your virgin ass fucked by his fat cock.

#♡.signed. sealed. delivered.#♡.the honeypot #♡.sweetheart: 🎀#zb1 #zerobaseone #kim taerae #zb1 x reader #zb1 smut #zerobaseone x reader #zerobaseone smut #kim taerae x reader #kim taerae smut #💌.noncon #💌.anal #💌.creampies #💌.spit #💌.gaping #💌.blood

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recalled11 · 4 months ago

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is recalled going with the "the link who went into the shrine of resurrection died and the one who left was a new guy with a new soul" theory/au or does Champion's existence mean something else?

yes, that is exactly what's going on. Champion was the Link who died in the Calamity, Wild is the one who came out of the Shrine of Resurrection.

my thoughts with this are:

First, Link fully collapsed and died at Fort Hateno. Even if he'd only been unconscious, he would have died on the way to the shrine, as the distance between Fort Hateno and the Great Plateau would have taken at least a day and a half, even with as fast as the Sheikah can travel.

second, the way that you view the memories in game. you watch everything in third person, an outsider looking into these moments. Wild had no ability to peak into the heads of anyone there, he was an observer in someone else's life. sure, he shared a name and had the same body as that someone else, but that person still died a long time ago, and he has no way of truly being that person. these memories are in his brain, but they belong to someone else.

third, I have lots of personal headcanons on how the Shrine of Resurrection works. my thoughts are that the shrine was previously used to heal terminal wounds/illnesses, but had never actually been used to bring someone back to life. when Link was put in the shrine, he was 100% dead, so the shrine could repair his body, but couldn't actually put his soul back into it. Hylia then crafted a new soul to put into the body, patterned after the old one, but "better" this time, and more likely to succeed in defeating the calamity.

the reason why Champion remains as a spirit is because he has unconsciously blocked off the memories of dying and failing. he doesn't know that the Calamity has been defeated, or that it's been well over 100 years since that all went down. he still feels as though he has something to do in the world, and that feeling of duty is what's preventing him from fully crossing over into the afterlife.

thanks for the ask, and hopefully I didn't ramble too much ':D

#recalled #recalled asks and answers #recalled wild #recalled champion

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dangermousie · 5 months ago

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What guts me so much in their scenes together is the tendeness and the care. This whole sequence was amazing - from his admitting he watched that cartoon many times because he did it whenever he thought of her, or her worried, vulnerable "will you ever break up with me" but what gets me the most is this:

When she went "touch wood." Oooof.

The thing is - she has mostly recovered (her eyes are occasionally messed up but psychologically, she is mostly OK from war trauma) but he has not and I think she is the one thing tying him to sanity. The whole sequence where he is by her side when her mother is ill is wonderful and he's wonderful BUT it's also something he desperately needs - to be needed. It's not really love that's tethering him to peace and some semblance of functioning, it's being a caretaker. We see in the recent bunch of eps how he is so so falling apart (and I wonder if some of his desperation is driven by "she was also traumatized but she's recovered, why can't I" not thinking that everyone trauma's and reaction are different; plus she was not the one with PTSD) and this is going to sound weird but Ran calling him and confessing about her mother's illness and how much she wants him by her side was something he desperately needed - at least temporarily he can replace his feeling that people in the war zone need him, that he needs to be there to repay his debts and save people, by being driven by needed by her and it is so much better for him tbh.

So much of eps 21-24 is his trying to practice bomb/mine disposal to be ready to pass the test to go back to the war zone and it's really breaking him into pieces - he takes his meds, he's on the phone with his psychiatrist, but it's the worst thing he could do to himself, this drive to go back, this test. But it is so much who he is, who the very basics of his character are, that it feels inevitable even as your heart breaks watching him self destruct for the most selfless reasons.

He's there who knows how long (weeks?) and he just can't. In fact, he remembers something else and it breaks him more - how he was going to shove the suicide bomber inside a building to protect the people in the square and only after everything blew up, he saw a family with children hiding there and if it wasn't for his friend dying and all this stuff and his original plan was carried out, he'd have killed children! (It's much kinder than in the novel where he did carry the plan out and only saw the family when it was too late. For once, my weak heart is grateful for the censors.)

And then, in a truly brutal bit, he learns the kid he saved from the rubble, the one who survived the orphanage bombing (at least some bright spot for him), has been blown up. He has failed saving anyone, it must feel like. It's Sisyphean task and nobody can possibly succeed but someone like him cannot not blame himself (and calls from his friend that basically let him know how bad it's over there still give him even more guilt tho the friend does not mean it that way because it feels that he should be there helping but he's too weak to.)

Btw, Chen Zheyuan is blowing me away in this drama. He's always been solid (he's been by far the best thing about some truly terrible dramas and then in HL he shone when he actually had a good script and role, but this is a whole other level. This might very well be the performance of 2025 for me.)

Ultimately, the story is very much whether his damage or his hope will win.

The novel has one answer to this, the drama hopefully another but oooof - this is the most exquisite pain to watch. L&P might get dethroned as my fave cdrama modern.

#cdrama #liang jie #chen zheyuan #the white olive tree

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rosewine-5 · 1 year ago

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Eyes Never Lie: Part IV

gif made by nowadays

summary: Being friends with Coriolanus for a long time lets you what drives him to succeed and survive. You've also gained the insight to guess how he's feeling or what he's about to say just by the expression on his face. But only things that you could never decipher were the thoughts behind his eyes.

A.N: I’m not dead! Had a health emergency so that's why this is late (don't hate me), but part 4 is finally here!

word count: 4.9k

divider made by firefly-graphics

Felix Ravinstill was dead.

You went by the hospital to check on him, only to hear his ventilator sound off the time of his death, sunrise on the last day of the 11th Hunger Games. You watched from a distance as his mother and father held themselves as they cried over the loss of their son, and you walked away, saddened by the death of a friend; the death toll of dead or scarred friends now rising to 3.

These were friends you had known since childhood, people you had grown up together with, people who are now dead and scarred, lives forever changed in the blink of an eye. You were walking out of the room when you were suddenly pushed into a bathroom. Your hand grabbed the sleeve of the person and pulled them off of you. You were met with yellow eyes, black hair, and a long turtleneck shirt. Your mouth fell open as you recognized the person who pulled you into the room.

“Clemmie?” you whispered and wrapped your arms around her. She hugged you back as you let a tear fall. “Why won't you visit me?” she asked, her tone having an angry edge to it. “Gaul told us you had an infectious flu.” You said, looking at her sickly appearance. “She's a liar, that snake changed me. I haven't gotten anyone sick.” she seethed, and you noticed she would hiss as her tongue would twitch with her body. Her eyes then scanned you, “You need to stay away from her, she's gonna get you killed, she already wants me dead.”

She then added to her sentence, “Don’t let her poison get to you, she wants us to be like her test!” Clemensia started to hiss as she held your arms, prompting the hospital staff to open the door, catching you two. One of them grabbed, holding one of her arms tight as another did the same.

“Watch! Her games are gonna get us all a free ticket to the next life!” Clemensia yelled before a staffer pricked her with a needle, and she went limp. Before she was dragged into another room, her shirt rode up, revealing the bottom of her torso, and a batch of scales festering in the middle.

The walk to the academy made your mind race. Your thoughts drifted to Lucy Gray, who was hopefully still alive. She has a low chance of making it out alive, that you knew. She could charm a crowd bit when it came to physical strength… yeah. Walking into the lab, you made yourself a promise: If there was any way you could help her in the games, rules be damned, you would do it. Gual was already waiting for you.

“take it you know about Ravinstill’s son?” She asked, to which you nodded in response. “Death, a certain subject you’ve become friends with these last few days.” Dr. Gaul said before leading you to a stack of cages, starting a long day of learning about her creations and how they were made.

You caught glimpses of the games, only seeing the death of Lucy’s fellow tribute, Jessup, another innocent life claimed by the games. While you were writing in your notepad, you heard a scream on the screen that broke your focus. Reaper was holding Dill in his arms, blood streaming out of her nose. She was dead. “Her illness finally took over.” you said to yourself, noticing Gaul’s eyes glued to the screen, a curious look on her face. In a turn of events, starts to line the dead tributes up in a line. This broke your focus, making you look at what he was doing.

The most shocking part came when he tore the capitol flag down from the arena, making you stand up. As he laid the flag over the fallen tributes, Sejanus’ words came into your mind. They didn't deserve this. In the corner of your eye, you saw Dr. Gaul go to a desk in front of a camera. “Start the broadcast.” She said to one of her other assistants. Reaper's words were soon cut off by Dr. Gaul.

“Capitol citizens, I’m afraid I must interrupt our Games to announce a tragic loss, one that affects us all. Felix Ravinstill, son of our beloved president, has this morning succumbed to his injuries sustained in the rebel bombing.” A few of the lab assistants gasped at the news as you turned towards Gaul, watching her break the news to Panem.

“Out there in the districts, they will be celebrating this young boy’s death as a triumph. I will not allow my Games to give our enemy such a victory. I swear to you, here and now, before the sun goes down tonight, a rainbow of destruction will engulf our arena. Even if it means there’s to be no victor in these Games.” And with that, she cut the feed.

Your mouth fell open, “You did that to cut the tribute off.” She looked at you with a cold stare, “Just one more rebel to kill.” You saw the lab assistants start to cage up the snakes, and you watched the colorful creatures of death go into a cylinder and be pushed outside, you turned and saw Coriolanus walking towards you. He was looking between you and the tank, a concerned look on his face.

He was holding his handkerchief in his hand and put it in your hand. “It holds her scent, please.” Coriolanus begged. The memory of Dr. Gaul making you retrieve the paper came back to you: the snakes didn't bite you, so they won't harm Lucy Gray. You nodded and walked to the tank, sliding it between the slot in just as it was lifted off. He gave you a grateful smile as he walked off. You walked out and saw Dr. Gaul with her back turned to you, laughing to herself, “Go watch the finale, my rose,” she said, now turning to you, “Say your silent goodbyes to your friend.”

You speedwalked into the room, finding Tigris, and sat next to her. She gripped your hand as your eyes were glued to the screen, praying the handkerchief trick worked. You watched as the youngest tribute, Wovey, walked towards the tank, not knowing it would be the last thing she saw. Soon the snakes broke the tank, and covered Wovey, charging towards the tributes.

“Not candy! Down goes Wovey.” Lucky Flickerman said and continued to announce the death of all the tributes until it all got to Lucy. You looked between the screen and Coriolanus. The snakes weren’t charging towards her, now slowly creeping. “It worked.” You said to yourself, letting out a sigh of relief. “She’s won, let her out.” Corio said. “Afraid that’s not your call to make, Mr. Snow.” Lucky Flickerman said and nodded to Dr. Gaul.

You suddenly heard Lucy start to sing, trying to calm the snakes. The way her voice took the room over, you could only imagine what her voice was doing to the other viewers. Between the snakes wrapping around her dress and her powerful voice, tears started to form in your eyes. By the end of her song, you could only hear the sound of her humming and your breath. Coriolanus now turned to Dr. Gaul, “Dr. Gaul, please, get her out.” He shouted. Tigris and you shared a brief look before you both yelled “Get her out!”

Soon the room started to fill with the refrain “Let her out” while looking at Dr. Gaul. She raised her hand, silencing the students who waiting for her answer. With a pointed look at you, she turned to a person next to her and said, “Let her out.” You didn't even hear Flickerman’s words as you hugged Tigris and she held you. Your classmates began to walk towards Coriolanus while you stayed by Tigris. “The games are as I predicted!” Lucky Flickerman shouted, tearing up his paper and releasing doves from his hands.

Amateur magician my ass.

Eventually, he broke through the crowd and found you two in the middle of the group, Tigris coming up and holding him first. After a moment, he came to you and you enveloped him into a hug. “You did it.” you whispered to him, feeling his hands squeeze you. The games were over, Coriolanus had won, and all would be well.

That afternoon, you were finishing up writing down notes of formulas Dr. Gaul assigned to you when Dean Highbottom walked in, “I assume your friend is ecstatic he won the games, as he should be.” You turned to him, taking in his tone of speech. “I find it strange, this relationship between you and Snow,” he said, “coming so close while only meeting in the Academy even though you both grew up close together, did you not?” You nodded in response, “We had mutual friends, we knew about each other, but didn't cross paths until the first day.”

“It’s been nice seeing you two help each other as best you could these years,” Highbottom said, “but I’m afraid it's come to an end, dear one.” For a second you couldn't speak, but you leaned forward. “It appears your friend slipped his songbird a compact mirror full of rat poison, assisting the kills of that sickly tribute as well as another,” Dean Highbottom said, making your blood run cold, “And a handkerchief with his father’s initials was found in the bottom of the snake bin, saving his tributes life in the end.”

You covered your mouth and cursed, “Goddamit Coryo.” you whispered to yourself, but you pulled yourself together. “So now what happens to the prize, who wins?” you asked, looking him in the eyes. “Well, as I said, cheating will be punished. Being a peacekeeper will be one suited for him I assume. As for the winner of the Hunger Games, I'm still deciding on that one.” he said, standing beside you. “In some ways, I say the viewers for having a show. In other ways, I say his songbird is a winner, she gets to live after all. But I would also say you as well.” Highbottom stated.

Now you were confused, “How do I win?” He shrugged, “You got the experience of the games, up close and personal. You, a capitol student, are now an apprentice to the Gamemaker of the Hunger Games, a survivor of a capitol bombing, and top of your class, why aren't you anything but a victor of these games?” Dean Highbottom asked. “Come on, you didn't think the public forgot your little act in the zoo already, apprentice? You made a little name for yourself without even realizing it,” He chuckled as he looked up at you, “I congratulate you.”

“For what?” you asked, looking at him. “Surviving Snow, and his games.” Highbottom said, looking past you and at Dr. Gaul who entered the room. “Why would I have to survive him?” you asked, but he shook his head. “Later, apprentice, your teacher calls.” he said, and walked out the same way he came. Dr. Gaul approached while carrying a clipboard, a teasing smirk on her face, “Death’s resounding bell tolls once more, the number of friends lost rises to four.” She then looked up, “One last thing, the snakes are getting a bit much for the rest of my assistants, help them out for me.”

You had gotten used to her random “side quest” as you called them, so you went out of the door, missing the cold and hard stare she gave you. When you approached the arena, you looked for the rest of the people.

Why was the arena empty?

That was when you heard it, the slither of snakes coming from all corners of the arena. “No…” you said to yourself, seeing snakes come from all the crevices of the arenas. You let out a scream and backed into a barrier. You began to climb the debris, ironically ending up in the same area Lucy Gray did. As the snakes wrapped around your legs, you held your breath, knowing it would be your last. You kneeled on the ground, letting your last moments of life looking at the sunset. Surprisingly, they only wrapped around your body but made no effort to harm you.

You kneeled there and watched as they swarmed your body, making a rainbow blanket over your body. For some reason, you laughed at the revelation of the handkerchief not only saving Lucy Gray but you as well. “I had a feeling my theory was correct.” You heard the voice of Dr. Gaul say. You looked at the camera pointing at you and sighed, “You knew I helped?” “I had a hunch, little rose, and I’m usually right about a lot of things.” She chuckled. “So now what, you gonna turn me over to Highbottom, turn me into an Avox?” You seethed, now having a rush of anger. “And let the newest gem of Panem go to waste, I’m not that cruel. The fact loverboy is going to the districts as a peacekeeper is punishment enough for you.” Dr. Gaul chuckled.

“No child, you shall go to 12, have a little vacation away from home.” She said as you slowly stood up, the snakes still all around you. “And do what, just stay there spinning the story to have me a permanent resident for cheating?” You shouted, looking at the camera. “No, you shall adapt. Pack a simple bag.” Dr. Gaul said, “And you shall see how blessed you were to prosper and grow in the Capitol, not in the districts like the snake you saved.” And fine the camera’s red light turned off. You sighed and slowly walked out of the arena, the snakes, surprisingly letting you move. You walked home as if you were marching in a funeral procession.

You hit the bed cried yourself to sleep, and packed your bag in the morning. Dr. Gaul made up the perfect fabricated story to your parents, and you didn’t protest, the fear of her ratting you out shutting you up. You got dressed, put your jacket on and you were on a train to the districts that early morning. The train ride might as well have been one to hell. With each tree going past you was only a reminder of being far away from home. You held your necklace in your hand, watching the greenery of the land pass you by.

When the train stopped, your face contoured into one of emptiness, the reality of your situation setting in. You were alone. No parents to vouch for you. No Sejanus to make you laugh and comfort you. No Coriolanus, you had to stop thinking about his situation to keep yourself from crying. As you held your bag tightly a dressed officer walked forward. “Gual’s student?” He asked you, to which you nodded in reply. “Welcome to District 12, this way.” He helped you into the back of a vehicle and sat in front of you.

“You’ll be shadowing and assisting the scientist in the laboratory. You have the freedom to explore, you’ll be here for a while.” He said, watching the coal miners pass you all by. “What is there to do?” You asked, looking at the buildings. The officer nodded, “There’s the Hob, group that calls themselves the Covey performs there.” Your eyes met his at the mention of “covey.” Lucy Gray was covey, so she would be here. “When do they perform?” you asked.

“I'm not sure, but hopefully soon.” he said as the car stopped in front of a building. You were coached throughout the day about the jabberjays, as well as what they were made for. Only in the late afternoon did you finally catch a break. Your hands ached from the pecks and bites of the jabberjays. You walked through the streets, hands in your pocket, taking in District 12. Birds were flying around, peacekeepers walking the streets, and someone calling your name.

Wait…

You froze and turned around, seeing a blonde girl looking at you, behind her was Lucy Gray. She immediately ran towards you and enveloped you in a hug. “You’re here,” She said, looking you up and down, “Why are you here?” “Gaul figured out I helped Coriolanus cheat during the games.” You said, and she came to a realization. “The snakes, that was you?” Lucy Gray asked, you nodded “yes.” She then hugged you once more, tighter this time than the last. You hugged her back as she asked, “What happened to Coriolanus?” Your breath hitched, and then you let it out, “He has to serve as a peacekeeper for his wrongdoings.” Her hands rubbed your shoulders, “How long does he have to serve?” You shook your head, trying not to cry, “I don’t know.” Your voice came out weak, your emotion taking over your voice.

“I’m so sorry-.” “Lucy Gray!” A voice yelled. Her expression immediately fell. “Piss off Billy!” The blonde girl who was with Lucy yelled. “Nobody’s talking to you, Ivory!” Billy yelled at the girl. “This was Maude Ivory” you realized, slowly breaking out of your trance. “Why don't you go torture another poor girl.” You shouted. Now his gaze turned to you.

“And who might you be?” Billy asked, looking you up and down. Well, shit. You didn't want people to find out you'd been sent here, lord knows how the district feels about the capitol. So you put on your best smile and sarcastic tone, “Calanthe Hemlock, and I'm so glad to meet such a waste of air like yourself.” Billy purses his lips before looking at Lucy again, “This conversation ain't over.” You three watched as he walked off before Maude Ivory looked at you, “Calanthe Hemlock huh? Where’d that name come from?” She asked. “The name “Calanthe” came from a close friend.” you explained, not missing the sorrowful look Lucy gave you. “Hemlock is one of my favorite shades of green.” You said and leaned on the building close to you.

“How long will you be here?” Lucy Gray asked, looking you in your eyes, Maude Ivory following the same movement. “I don’t know, could be weeks, could be months.” You said. Her face slows turned into a smile as she looked at Maude Ivory. “What’s that face for?” You asked. “This hell is gonna turn into a vacation.” Lucy said, sliding her arm on your back and walking you deeper into town. “You won’t have to live in your Capitol dollhouse, you can just be you.” Lucy Gray said, holding your hand and squeezing it. “Calanthe Hemlock, resident of District 12. No one knows your name, or your past, all they know is that you’re my friend.” She said.

As you watched the sunset over the trees your face slowly broke out into a smile. Calanthe Hemlock just stepped into the streets of District 12, and she was gonna have the time of her life while she had the time. The first week you still had your walls up, nervous about being alone in a new environment for the first time. By the second week, you were hanging out with Lucy every day, and by the third week, you almost forgot your birth-given name.

When Lucy Gray & Maude Ivory introduced you to their family in the Covey several weeks later, you wouldn't lie and say you were nervous. Those nerves were soon soothed by their kindness and acceptance of you. Turns out that risking your entire future for a friend ends up giving you more of them. They walked you through the woods until they came to a lake, and all rushed to jump in, all except Lucy Gray, who was watching you.

“What's wrong, Calanthe?” she asked. “I haven’t gone swimming in a while.” you said as you took your dress off. Lucy smiled softly, “Jump in or I'll shove you in myself.” She was gone in a second, jumping over the dock and into the waters. You sighed, “When in 12.” You said to yourself and ran down the dock, jumped up, and let the water cover you.

When the water ran out of your ears, The cheers of the covey filled them, chanting your name. You spent the afternoon swimming. When you all took a break, Luxy sat beside you in the grass. “I never got the chance to ask you, now did they find out you helped me?” Lucy Gray asked.

For a second, you were back in the area, the snakes slithering up your body and over your throat. You closed your eyes and took a deep breath before speaking. “Dr. Gaul, the game maker, told me I was helping the other lab assistants gather the snakes out of the arena. When I walked in I was the only one there, and the snakes swarmed me a minute later.”

Lucy Gray’s mouth fell open and closed before finally closing completely, “You know she’s an absolute nutjob right?” You nodded in response, looking out at the water. “Well, stand up. You're going out tonight.” Lucy said, grabbing your hands, and making you stand. “Where are we going?” you asked, letting her walk you down the trail. “You, Hemlock, are joining us in the Hob tonight.” Maude Ivory said, looking up at you.

You scoffed, “I didn't know I was the guest of honor.” “We’re playing tonight,” Barb Azure said, looking back at you, “and you’re dancing tonight.” You laughed, “I don’t have a choice, do I?” You asked, already knowing the answer. “Nope, now go on and kill some time, we’ll be looking out for ya.” Tam Amber said, giving you a playful wink as they walked ahead of you.

When the night was setting you took a quick shower and changed into a dress you packed and walked to the Hob. The dance was already in full swing, boots stomping on the floor and loud chatter filling the air.

A smile found its way upon your face, the change of scene is a complete 180 of the dancing you were used to, yet somehow more entertaining to see. Soon you were pulled into a dance, losing track of time and the worries being capitol fell away.

When the music stopped, you found yourself in the front, looking up at Maude Ivory. “Is it hot in here?” she yelled, you and the crowd yelling “yeah” in response. “Cause we’re plannin’ on heating it up a bet more. The one, the only, Lucy Gray Baird!” she shouted, and Lucy Gray came onto the stage. As she gave her small speech, she was given a bottle, you caught her gaze and she smiled.

“Everybody!” Lucy Gray suddenly yelled, to which the crowd responded, “Yeah!” “I'd like to give a special shoutout to my dear friend, someone who pioneered for my victory throughout the games. My dear friend Clanathe Hemlock!” She yelled, pulling you up on stage, the applause and whistles drowning out your nervous giggles. “Safe to say she's happy I survived.” Lucy Gray said, letting you back down. “Now, how about a song, huh?” Lucy Gray asked, and the music queued her in.

As soon as she started singing, you recognized the lyrics. It was the same song she sang at the reaping, but it sounded a whole lot better with the band. You then noticed she froze up on a lyrics and stopped dancing to follow her gaze, but you couldn't see who she was looking at. You did manage to see the smirk she gave shot you. That was when Billy waste of air Taupe broke through the crowd.

You turned and saw Billy Taupe shove a peacekeeper before getting shoved on his ass. You covered your mouth to laugh but that hand shot out to keep yourself between him and Lucy Gray. “Leave the girl alone, Taupe!” you yelled. His eyes met yours and all of a sudden you felt his hand slap the hell out of you, sending you back onto the stage.

The slap damn near knocked you out, but you got back up just in time to see a peacekeeper with blonde hair rush towards him, shouting “Don’t touch her.” You stood up and looked at the peacekeepers, and your eyes filled with tears as you recognized his eyes. Coriolanus was the one knocking the hell out of Billy Taupe. “Coryo stop!” you heard another familiar voice yell. “Nah get off me!” Coriolanus yelled, getting dragged away by Sejnaus. Why are you here? You watched Coriolanus look you in the eyes as your face broke into the biggest smile you ever smiled in your life.

You turned to Lucy Gray as she smiled back at you, “Well look who's here.” “You saw him when you stopped singing.” you said, putting two and two together. Her hand went to your cheek and sighed, ”Try and clean that up some, ‘Lanthe, don't want this on your record.” You rolled your eyes, “Shut up, before I make you my next test subject.” You joked. “Ya love me too much to do that.” Lucy Gray yelled as you walked away. “Unfortunately!” you shouted back, blowing her a kiss as you walked back to your barracks.

The next day the slap mark went down, but it still stung like hell. Pulling on your long sleeved dress and boots, you walked to the lunch hall. You heard from the other trainees you had the day off and immediately went to find Lucy. When you walked through town, you heard your name being called and saw Sejanus running towards you. You wrapped your arms around him and let out a laugh, “What are you doing here!” “Once I found out where Coryo was going, I followed close behind. I wasn't expecting you to be here.” Sejanus said.

Your hand ran over his hair, and you pouted. “I’m gonna miss your hair.” You said, making him chuckle. “Coriolanus was looking for you earlier,” Sejanus said, making your eyes widen. His eyes took in your expression, and he smiled softly. “You don't know how loved you are, Calanthe.” He said, smoothing out your hair before sighing. “It's nice to get away from the capitol, isn't it?” you asked, Sejanus nodding “yes” in response.

His gaze soon went behind you, and he rubbed your shoulders, “I gotta go, I’ll catch up with you later.” Sejanus gave you a short smile and then walked off. You sighed, wondering who he went to talk to as you walked around. The grass hitting the skirt of your dress. You saw a familiar figure walking through the grass and your heart jumped. Before you knew it, you broke out in a run towards him. “Coryo!” you yelled, a smile breaking your face open.

He turned and mirrored your smile, walking towards you as well. You opened your arms to bring him into a hug, which he was pulled into the second you got to him. His arms held you to his chest, so close you could almost hear his heartbeat. For the first few minutes, neither of you said a word. It wasn't until he broke the silence, “Why are you here?” Coriolanis asked. “Gaul found out I helped you, and I was sent to 12 the next day.” You saw his face flash from anger to confusion to worry.

“Your parents don't know the truth, do they?” He asked, making you shake your head “No”. Coriolanus then sighed, “It's nice to know you're here.” His eyes went to yours, to your lips, to your necklace, and then right back to your lips. “No capitol. Dr. Gaul can't control us.” He whispered, leaning towards you. His nose brushed yours, making you stand still. “We’re free, Calanthe, for once.” Coriolanus added.

You had gotten used to being called by that name, but nothing could ever beat the name coming from his lips. You hadn't realized how close he was to your face until his breath hit your lips. Looking up at him, your hands found the back of his head, and then his cheek, before resting on it. He closed his eyes for a second, soaking in the comfort of your touch. “When I was on the train, I almost wanted them to shoot me.” he said, now opening his eyes. “Why, Coryo?” you asked.

“I’d rather go through the games as a tribute than stay away from you.” He whispered, making a tear fall down your face. His hand came to wipe it away with his thumb, but his hand remained on your face. You didn't know when, but the moment changed with a soft gust of wind. Like magnets, your lips found each other in a passionate kiss. Bottled-up emotions come forth to be put into the moment. His hands went down to your waist pulling you to him and holding you there.

You wrapped one arm around his neck and one on his cheek deepening the kiss, making him chuckle. He didn't verbally respond, but he kept kissing you like he would never see you again, and you weren’t complaining. All memories of the games, you being sent to 12 faded away with every second of his kisses. This was all that mattered now.

Coriolanus Snow was here. Dr. Gaul and her meddlesome ways weren't. And right now you were kissing the boy you loved in a field of flowers; what more could you want? If Dr. Gaul wanted you to adapt, you would do as she asked: After you lived a little.

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peonierose · 1 year ago

Note

How are Bryce and Luna coping during the first month of being parents, and to twins no less?

”Love Me Tender“

Book: Open Heart

Pairing: Bryce Lahela (M!MC) x Luna Auclair (F!OC)

Words: 2,428k

TW: None. Mentions of breastfeeding.

Summary: Bryce and Luna are newly minted parents and weren’t prepared of struggling to put their twins to bed. Will they succeed?

A/N: Thanks so much for your ask @liaromancewriter it inspired me for two fics actually. ”Love Me Tender“ is one of them 🥰 The Title was inspired by one of the greatest artists and hot guys who’s ever lived, Elvis Presley 🩷

Bryce

It was 4:35 in the morning, and both Lunes and I were still awake. Trying to put the twins to bed.

I sighed.

How‘d my life come to this? Don’t get me wrong. I love our girls more than anyone I could ever love, but getting them to sleep is a real struggle.

We put them to bed hours ago and put them on the mobile, letting pretty stars and moons go by, but their sleep didn’t last long.

They woke up two hours ago and won’t fall asleep.

What happened to peace and quiet? One week prior, everything was great. They didn’t mention this quick transition in the pregnancy books I read. Maybe I read the wrong books?

Well, I guess they covered other stuff, but not what to do when your kids wake you up at 4 a.m.

Luna suddenly sits up with Kehlani and walks her around the room. With Alaia in my arms, I go and get the bunnies they got from Ethan, their godfather, hoping that’ll soothe them into sleep.

They hang onto the bunnies for a few seconds, but they’re still fussy. It didn’t work. Alaia's little face was still red from crying.

So maybe plans c or d could work? Damn, we could really use Keiki’s help, but she’s on a field trip with her study group.

Luna’s voice brings me back into the moment.

”They’re not hungry, right? We changed them, and now what?“ Luna asks while I’m holding Alaia close to my chest. As I place kisses on top of her head, her soft blonde hair smells of lavender shampoo.

I read somewhere that babies like skin-to-skin contact. So that’s why Lunes and I are basically standing in the middle of the room in our underwear.

”I don’t know. Honestly, I’m close to crying with them. Then it’ll be a duet.“ Luna says it with a sigh.

I exhale a long breath I’ve been holding in because I’m frustrated too. God, I‘ve never appreciated sleep more than I do now.

”What if we show them a video with marine animals? They seemed to love that last time.“ I suggested it, and I could see Luna’s shoulder droop in relief.

”Let’s give it a try.“ Luna adds, and we walk downstairs and sit down with the twins as I turn on Disney+ and select a nature documentary about marine animals, one that’ll last for at least two and a half hours.

Soon, both twins' eyes are glued to the screen.

We didn’t want to start them too early on screen time, but sometimes you have to in order to function as a human being and get some rest.

After 30 minutes or so into the documentary, I saw both their eyes drooping, and they fell asleep.

”You’re a genius.“ Luna whispers, scared to wake them up.

"Well, this genius is too scared to move.“ I say frozen in place.

Luna sighs.

”Is now a bad time to have to pee?“ She says it with a guilt tinge in her voice.

I close my eyes.

"Oh, come on, Lunes. Couldn’t you have peed before they fell asleep? What if we wake them up? Look how long it took before they fell asleep.“

Luna softly moves around.

”I’ll be quick, I promise.“ She says this and gently places Kehlani on the couch. As soon as her feet hit the floor, Lani stirs and starts to cry. Rosie isn’t far behind.

”I hope your pee is worth waking the twins over.“ I'm trying to massage their little backs, hoping it’ll soothe them.

Twins are funny in that regard. They have a special bond, especially if they’re identical twins, like our girls.

But the downside is that as soon as one is ill or cries, the other does as well.

They’re creepily in sync. Hopefully, it won’t stay like this forever—the crying, I mean. I know Kehlani and Alaia will turn out wonderful.

I turn to my wonderful girls.

”Why don’t you stop crying? Daddy would really like to get some sleep. So I can wake up pretty.“

They look up at my words and then continue crying.

That’s when it hits me amidst the crying. I remember when Keiki and I were little, my mom used to sing to us »Love Me Tender« by Elvis Presley; it always calmed us down. Maybe we can try it with the twins.

As soon as Luna is back from her bathroom break, I gently take the twins into my arms.

”I think I have an idea.“ I say the idea for the song is taking root.

We walk upstairs, and Luna eyes me skeptically.

”You know how to brew a potion that will make them sleep for seven hours straight?“ She asks excitedly.

I gave her a sideways look.

"Yeah, that was a little bit unrealistic.“ She shrugs, and I laugh softly.

”Let’s try singing »Love Me Tender« by Elvis Presley.“

”Why that song?“ She asks as we reach the twin's bedroom.

I breathed out, and as I laid the twins in their beds, I turned towards Luna, who never looked more beautiful.

With wild hair, just in her underwear, illuminated by the light from the hallway.

I put a strand of her hair behind her ear, and she smiled tenderly at me. It’s these moments I treasure the most, even with the twins crying.

I pulled her closer as I told her about the idea I had. I want to reveal a bit more about myself and my childhood, which I don’t talk about nearly enough, but I should, because whether it was good or bad, memories are important to talk about.

”My mom used to sing that song to me and Keiki all the time. Whenever we were sick, or when we were sad and had a hard time, it just always made things a bit easier.“ I explained.

Luna‘s smile reached her tired eyes, and she cupped my cheek to give me a soft kiss.

”Let’s give it a try. I think I’ve still got my ukulele somewhere. Let me go grab it, and we’ll try singing that song. To be honest, it’s one of my favorite songs by Elvis. He was such a hot guy and so sweet. And what a voice, my god! They just don’t make them like that anymore.“

"Hey, I’m trying to save the world, and you’re calling another man hot? Shame on you, Lunes.“

”You didn’t let me finish. They don’t make them like that anymore, but you are the exception.“ She grinned.

”You were always my favorite.“ I smiled and slapped her butt, making her laugh out loud as she went to look for her ukulele. Her laughter was still echoing from the walls, making me grin too.

After a minute or so, Luna came back with her pink ukulele, adorned with flowers, hearts, and moons. She sat down in front of the twin beds and played the first tunes.

”I had no idea you played the ukulele.“ I was surprised to see her play the ukulele like a pro.

”I learned it along with Hula dancing.“

“Can I get this as a late birthday present?“ I imagined her in a hula get-up. The best image ever.

Luna sighed.

"Really, that’s where your mind went to?“ She chastised me.

”Don‘t blame me. I’m tired and horny. And I’m not sorry.“

She shook her head, grinning. Soon the first tunes of the ukulele joined with her soft voice, and the twins stopped their crying. Too fascinated by what’s going on to keep crying.

Yes, I pump my fist in the air; it looks as if the plan worked. Luna and I fist-bumped each other because our plan turned out better than expected.

As the last note echoed in their bedroom, they soon fell asleep, and it looked as if we could go and catch some sleep too.

”Thank God for our parents, who had good ideas.“

Luna nodded.

We put on the mobile with the moon and stars spinning around softly and didn’t close the door entirely as we went to our bedroom.

When we were lying down in bed, Luna turned to me, and I put an arm around her to pull her closer to me.

”Let me guess you have a million questions.“ I said, and she elbowed me in the side. I laughed and kissed her on top of her head.

”You miss her, don’t you?“

I don’t even try to act as if I don‘t know who she’s referring to.

"Yeah, I do, more than I care to admit.“ I turn around, so we’re lying face-to-face.

”Maybe you need some love me tender too.“ Luna says this as she’s leaning into me.

”That would be nice.“ I smiled against her lips.

Two days later...

Luna

We’re both leaning on the kitchen counter, bleary-eyed, and with our eyes half closed.

”This is the second time in a row we haven’t slept.“ I mumbled.

Bryce doesn't even look up from his coffee.

”I mean, we knew this going in, but it still stinks sometimes.“

I nodded and almost missed my mug in front of me.

”Damn. I never appreciated coffee as much as I do now. I love our kids, but I’d give my left kidney for two hours of sleep. Not even night shifts are this bad.“

”Come on, we'll get through this.“ I tried to sound more cheerful but just ended up sounding tired. But from the smile tugging at Bryce’s lips, I could still make him smile, which is a win in my book.

I’m about to take another sip from my juice since I‘m nursing when our doorbell rings, and I just grumble.

”I’ll go get it.“ I said, and Bryce just mumbled incoherent words.

I opened the front door, seeing my cousin Skyler, or Sky for short, stand in front of me.

”Good morning, sunshine.“ He looked well rested, with no dark circles under his smooth tan skin. His piercing dark blue eyes shone as if he sprang from the youth fountain. It’s so unfair how good he looked compared to my tired self.

I groaned again and shielded my eyes from the glaring sun coming inside our house.

I stepped aside, and Sky walked in.

”Is it a good morning? Huh. It’s already morning, and the sun is shining. Gosh, I’ve lost all feeling for what time it actually is or what day.“

Sky turned my way and only raised his eyebrows.

”You’re being weird.“

I sighed and joined Bryce in the kitchen. I grinned as Bryce held on to his steaming coffee mug, half asleep.

”I came to the rescue. I thought I’d have to send a search party after your radio silence.“

”Please make him stop saying words.“ Bryce groaned.

”Come on, I’m good with kids, and I’m offering to help.“ Sky grinned.

”So they sent you?“

”B!“ I exclaimed.

”Look, man. I’m really sorry. I’m just so fucking tired.“ Bryce sighed.

”Me too.“ I joined in while taking a sip of my mango and pineapple juice.

"Yeah, Luna too.“ Bryce said while smiling tiredly.

”No hard feelings. It’s all good. You‘ll get a free pass. This once. I know mom and dad struggled with us; you know, we're triplets, so I thought I’d help you out.“ Sky explained.

Bryce’s eyes were tired from being up all night helping me change the twins and trying to make them fall asleep.

We’re exhausted, and it’s only been four months since we brought the twins home.

Sky looked from me to Bryce.

”You guys look as if you’ve partied all night. And it was a weird theme party.“ He teased.

"Yeah, if you count changing, breastfeeding, and getting the twins to sleep, and it takes almost all night? Yeah, then we partied real hard.“ I sighed.

And then I added.

"Damn, breastfeeding really hurts. Who knew? I really hope the pain lessens a bit.“

”I’m even too tired to make a dirty joke about breasts and make you feel better.“ Bryce sighed and smiled softly but tiredly.

”I don’t need to know about your…uhh…anatomy. Or your female body parts.“ Sky winced.

”Who’s being weird now?“ I smirked.

”Fair.“

We were all startled when we heard the baby monitor on the kitchen counter squeak.

Both Bryce and I groaned.

Sky smiled.

”You know what? Why don’t I check up on the little angels? While you guys do whatever it is you do, make out or something.“

”We’re way too tired to make out.“ Bryce and I said it at the same time.

The fog in my brain lifted, and it hit me.

”Wait, are you here to babysit?“

Sky shrugged.

"Yeah, why not? I have the next two days off, so I thought I’d take over, and you can go and do whatever it is you’re doing.“

”You’re an angel, and I love you.“ I smiled and hugged him tight. Sky grinned and hugged me back.

Yep, he’s my favorite cousin. At least right now.

”She doesn’t mean it.“ Bryce commented with a mischievous glint in his eyes. I grinned, so that’s where Lani and Rosie got it from.

”Stop being mean.“ I said this to Bryce without any real heat behind my words.

”Sorry. If you’re true to your word, I’ll go take a nap.“

I stopped hugging Sky for a minute to give B a look.

”Not even showering?“

”I love my bed more than my shower right now.“

"Well, I don’t. So let’s hit the shower.“

Sky looked from me to Bryce.

”You are weirding me out. I’ll go look after the twins.“

”Thanks Sky.“

”You got it.“ He yelled.

Bryce and I walked outside to our shower while Bryce mumbled and was grumpy until the water hit his face.

When we came back from our shower and were settled in our bed, Bryce checked the baby monitor, but the monitor was quiet. It looks as if Sky is a wizard when it comes to calming down kids.

”It’s so quiet.“ I turned to Bryce.

”What did we do before we had kids? Look at me, sounding pathetic.“

”You don’t sound and aren’t pathetic. It’s a new routine for us. And I guess we just have to find our balance.“

We both nodded.

Bryce drew circles on my skin, and I curled up into him, and seconds later we were already asleep while holding hands.

Life is good when you’re with the people you love. Whether you’re blood-related or not, cherish those moments.

#Love Me Tender #Bryce Lahela (M!MC) x Luna Auclair (F!OC)#Kehlani Mae #Alaia Rose #open heart #choicesficwriterscreations

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insectdawn · 6 months ago

Text

Now I had a funny thought

What if Link had to have a shot time to time like pets do?

Like before susan arrived, imagine Dr cockroach and Monger had to trick him or calm him down after seeing a tiny syringe but it still put him into a rampage and instead of strapping him down since he has a fear of that, they tackle him and pinned him down, it takes alot of soldiers and a long time but managed to succeed.

After Susan arrived after saving the world and before halloween, Dr cockroach talks to her about link's shot to avoid any diseases or illness and Monger had asked if shes able to help.

"Sure, it shouldn't be too hard, I'll just ask him gently" said susan walking over to the door followed by the jetpack general as Dr cockroach prepared everything with a veterinarian.

"That's impossible ginormica" warned monger wincing at the thought of link's panick episodes at the sight of needles.

"I like your confidence my dear but our captain is right" said Dr cockroach giving her a concerned look.

"How hard can it be?" Susan smiled

*2 hours later*

"YOU'RE NEVER TAKING ME!!" screamed link

"OKAY I TAKE IT BACK!!" susan shouted as she was out of breath, everytime she would catched link in her clutches, he would easily slipped out of her hand like wet soap, monger had tried tackling him and Dr cockroach tried his best to talk to him but nothing worked making mess in a process until link ran into bob being stuck.

"Oh my goodness thanks bob!" Cheered susan

"Whew now let's get him back bob" monger turned around and the others followed

"Are you guys playing tag? Without me???!!" Bob whined

Everybody ignored and monger had susan holding him down, they had succeeded and link earned bunch of snacks and hours of break due to side effects from the shot.

"Now wait for another maybe 2 year and a half" said dr cockroach, Susan sighed and monger had went back to his office

"Hopefully it wont come to that" ginormica complained

Dr cockroach chuckled

"I WANNA PLAY TAG!!" Demanded bob

#dr cockroach #monsters vs aliens #the missing link #susan murphy #ginormica #monger #b.o.b

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ad0rechuu · 8 months ago

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ANNOUNCEMENT TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN. — ad0rechuu’s indefinite hiatus TRIGGER WARNING: suicide/suicidal thoughts, self harm, eating disorders, depression and other mental/physical illnesses, just a bunch of bitching and moaning. no detailed descriptions but read with caution if these are your triggers

Hi! hi! everyone it’s been a while, i’ve wrote this post time and time again but i was too scared to post it because i felt like i was a coward or a disappointment, i kept feeling overwhelmed but i got the push i needed. Maybe it’s adrenaline.

This isn’t an excuse, this is an explanation I don’t say this because I want pity, I want to be more open to the people i care about and i care about all of you. I’m sorry i have been so distant and have appeared angry even when though i’m not and haven’t replied to asks and such. I have a little trouble talking about my feelings because i always feel like i’m overreacting so instead of telling anyone directly i thought i’ll just make a post and we’ll see who the three people (hopefully less) who read this are lol

Truthfully i’m not doing well, i’ve been in the hospital for most of this year and things are only getting worse and worse. I know being chronically ill and depressed isn’t fun but it’s been harder on me this year.

My depression and issues with self harm and my eating disorder have been more unforgiving because of that i think. it got to the point where my thighs look like barcodes now and i survived another suicide attempt so now i’m on constant suicide watch. My personal life outside of this has also been lonely and rocky, the only one i feel like i have in real life is my mom but she’s already so busy and worried about me i don’t want to depend on her, i found through the constant arguments i have with my dad how difficult it was to raise an autistic kid and i don’t want to burden her even more especially now I’m an adult.

All in all I am a perfectionist who can’t do anything right and I’m too much to be worth loving and too little to be worth caring about.

I’m not sure what to do with this blog, i don’t want to abandon it and in my heart i want to come back to it with the motivation and passion you all deserve but i feel like that everything would be better without me, however i’m attached to ad0rechuu. idk maybe ill start anew

i wish i could just end it all, everyday i hope i either land in a coma or won’t wake up at all. hopefully one day soon i’ll succeed or acquire enough money to hire a hitman on myself but if i fail once again (which’ll probably happen with my track record) i’ll talk you again!

love you all so much and please take good care of yourself, i’m sorry if this post comes across as messy and corny i took a hell of a mix to calm down (nothing illegal dw) but u tried my best

and please remember that this is no one’s fault but my own

bye! bye!

#this is the 5th draft but i can’t keep rewriting it so ill just post it #i wanna be normal so bad but how am i supposed to act normal when im talking about my destructive feelings #anyway #if there’s a hell i’m going there adios mi amors

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puckpocketed · 11 months ago

Note

as promised here is my follow up ask on PLD and the caps!! (this time...as a doctor 😎)

first of all thank you so much for the detailed response you gave my first ask. it confirmed a lot of suspicions i had about his supposed character issues and his usage in LA. obviously he's not a perfect player (few are) (except nicklas backstrom, my beloved), but seems like there's a disconnect between the way the media/fan narrative paints him and what's actually happening on the ice and in the locker room.

second of all!! just some kinda ramble-y thoughts based on some of the things you said in the first ask. this is not organized well and i'm sorry (but hopefully it's helpful info to you as you come over to caps land for a bit this season)

(1) Takings Shifts Off. totally agree with you that pld is and always will be viewed through the lens of The Shift. there are definitely players that regularly take shifts off and don't get dogpiled for it, esp. during the regular season (...see Ovechkin, Alex...especially in his old man era! gotta conserve energy). i am very curious to see if pld is like ovi in that he takes shifts off sometimes during the regular season but never the playoffs. from the little we've seen of pld in the playoffs my impression (esp when he played for CBJ) is that he elevates his game. i'm curious to see if he's really got that second gear...but caps gotta make the playoffs first.

(2) A Driver of One's Own. very interesting that in the answer to the last ask you said pld is not exactly the kind of player who drives his own line. this caught my eye bc it's a bit part of the problem w/ finding a center for ovi with backy gone...nowadays, O can't fully drive his own line anymore. he's just not fast enough, regularly (though he can turn it on in key moments). the legs just aren't there as much anymore, he can't really carry the puck in the way he used to, etc. BUT!!! he still has the best shot in the game (sorry auston), so absolutely ELITE triggerman. i'm wondering if pld could like...meet him halfway, i guess. like if TOGETHER they could drive the line. Hmmmm...

(3) Power Play!! everything you said about pld on the PP is promising. if he thrives most net front, then i genuinely think that position is there for the taking. i'm sure they'll try him in the old backstrom/kuznetsov QB spot on the right halfwall but there is a 0% chance our coach doesn't try a few things with the PP, including putting pld in different spots. i wouldn't be surprised if we started off having a weak PP that found its groove as the season went on.

(4) HCSC. our head coach is going to do literally everything in his power to make pld succeed. very communicative coach. last season he started out with an up-tempo system, and then switched to slower defense-first once he realized his personnel was just too slow/old to really pull all that off. with 1/3 of our roster now turned over and filled with players in their 20s, we're gonna see a VERY different capitals team from last year. i'm sure there will be growing pains but...they mystery is exciting, instead of terrifying, for once!!!

third of all!! just wanted to say thanks again for the detailed response to the third ask, and welcome to caps-land. it's a fun time over here. hope you're really looking forward to seeing what the hell our chaotic gremlins are going to do (as long as it makes penguins fans rage and cry, i am happy!!)!!! :)

okay this reply is getting crowded so ill just stick it all under the cut. here is a fun preview:

the media+fan narrative disconnect is SO real!!! i knowww with the amount of players the league has to cover, the sheer length of a regular season and all that happens during, plus the whole....society-wide erosion of journalism as a field... it can be hard for media to keep up, but it's been pretty startling to see their fallibility so... plainly? don't think i have the One Final Truth about Dubois but i think we're likely closer to it than anything the mainstream narratives are saying. i do get that their profits and clicks per/ are greatly increased via if they have a bent toward sensationalism... podcasters, youtube creators, people tweeting... they kinda have to operate like this because thats what the (gags) market and algorithm and audiences crave. does NOT mean i like it. ugh.

bleak reflections on journalism aside, im sitting here and gorging myself on this ask ouhhh thank uuu (for those playing along at home here are manifesto 1 and manifesto 2) and nodding along SO vigorously to all of these... we're having GALAXY brained discussions on here the likes of which spittin chiclets could never even dream of....................

(1) agreed agreed. he MUST be horse-bonded to his team i truly believe this with my whole heart (as in, he's gotta know his role + be comfy). otherwise, no other comment. I DID make that meme though because i was having a laff about Ovechkin conserving energy lkajsdkljajkl

(2) SUPER inchresting that you mention Ovi's lack of footspeed... i know a failhorse who can provide this 👀 we may be cooking something here... more than the sum of their parts kind of vibe?? Dubois has the youth and speed and muscle... he's just been hamstrung by quality of wingers.... and if as you say Ovi needs a hand carrying the puck; well.... 👀👀👀 don't want to put all my eggs in that basket though, I think it would be unfair of us to demand that of him... BUT if it works... oughhhhh i AM hopeful. SO hopeful.

(3) obsessed with this faith in your power play coaches (<- voice of a guy who watched ducks hockey) and their willingness to change things up is soooo nice to hear. NOT a fan of teams bashing their heads against a wall when their special teams clearly aren't working.

(4) and finally, I'm loving everything I hear about Spencer Carbery. i think Dubois has the allure of an wounded animal in the wild (a horse, even) or perhaps a moody teen girl with a hidden darkness in her heart <3 what im saying is, if he doesn't work it out now he's probably always gonna be one of those players every coach looks at and thinks "I could fix him". Carbs on record saying he could tame this wild creature??

link, archive link

hooting, hollering, etc.

Thank you for such a wonderful, warm welcome!! Everyone in caps land has been so lovely... the vibes.. the VIBES!!! peace and love for pens followers but i did in fact choose a side in your Foreverwar ... (my hockey girlbestie actually likes both teams which i find SO fun. the pens are my babygirl-in-laws!) anyway my heart does not divide.... it only swells.... much like the beaugtiful and noble salary of any 30 y/o RHD going into free agency <3 i have enjoyed chatting to caps fans like yourself immensely, and i look forward to hitting the trenches with everyone during regular season !!!

#THE PLD SAGA !!!!!!!!!!#puckpocketed caps era: ON !#literally every offseason acquisition... every draft pick... truly a targeted assault on my sensibilities...!!!#thank you for dropping by and responding so thoroughly <33 come by again any time... i love interact .....#asks #user lonewolflink #washington capitals #pierre luc dubois #alexander ovechkin

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faneliansficaloh · 6 months ago

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A Lifetime of Happiness

(Ch 1) (Ch 2) (Ch 3) (Ch 4) (Ch 5) (Ch 6) (Ch 7) (Ch 8) (Ch 9) (Ch 10)

This is Chapter 11

Notes

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26 December 1817

Dear Penelope,

I am afraid that temperate weather, although good for one’s spirits in general, does not make for the spirit we generally associate with the Christmas season. It doesn’t feel right to have the need for open windows so the breeze can cool one off. We should be wearing our heavy winter coats and gloves. At least our cook has been kind enough to learn to bake a perfect plum pie. That woman can bake anything to perfection, she is a treasure.

We were served fish as the main course for Christmas eve dinner at Lord Thornton’s if you can believe it. Here the celebration for Christmas commences in earnest on the eve of it and reaches its apex at midnight. There were celebrations with fireworks going off at that time, which made it impossible for the children to remain in bed, in turn making them almost unbearably ill humoured through Christmas day. How is that even possible?

Mr. Finch has communicated the good news that your sister Phillipa is with child again. I wonder if the poor man has had a night of sleep in the last two years, I admire his dedication to his family but even in his letters he sounds like he could use a nap, be kind to him.

Amy wants to know what Abby’s favourite colour is, and to please tell her that hers is still yellow. Ollie, surprising no one has declared his to be blue. I have to applaud their constancy.

We all send our love to both of you.

Yours, Colin.

1815 – The First dance.

Her mother had been preoccupied as of late with getting her sisters to produce an heir for the Featherington title. It seemed there was a chance that if any of her daughters could birth a boy, the Featherington title would go to that child, somehow. Penelope did not care enough about that to give it much thought. She needed to concentrate on getting a husband. Primarily because she needed to forget about Colin for good, and secondarily because this Featherington title business had put her into the precarious possibility of having to live at the mercy of one of her sisters, not that living her life to support her mother in her older years was a thrilling prospect either.

She could not withstand that. She needed to be able to have her own home, hopefully a kind husband that would let her be on her own so she could continue to write, and maybe even her own children to shower with affection.

It had been easy to get her mother’s approval to go to the modiste on her own and pick her own garments, as it had been her own suggestion that she should get whatever she felt she needed to succeed. Genevive was simply thrilled at the prospect of having the opportunity to use her full talents to dress Penelope.

“Miss Penelope, I have been praying for this since you first made your debut. I have been so mortified letting you go out on those dreadful colours and such dowdy cuts your mother kept pushing for, but she is --”

“She is a force of nature, is she not?” she nodded knowingly.

“Oh, I am truly sorry, but she is the most difficult of all my clientele!”

“There is no need to apologize, I’ve lived with the woman all of my life. I think she means well, but she was not blessed with your eye for fashion. I am fully in your hands now, Madame. What do you recommend?”

Genevive smiled like she had been given a precious gift, eyeing her greedily.

“Oh, this is going to be so much fun, miss Penelope. We will make you shine!” Genevieve would make the most of this opportunity – Penelope was truly a blank page that she could work and make true art from – and it didn’t hurt that she had a full purse.

“Just – No yellows, please”

“Oh, no, not at all my dear”

And so, as Penelope entered Lady Danbury’s ballroom for the first ball of the season of 1815, she could feel the nervousness of revealing a new identity to the world. She had been overcome at seeing herself so changed when trying on this new dress. Genevive had picked the most gorgeous dark green shot silk and adjusted the cut of the dress to highlight her figure in an attractive way, which she had never been fully able to do before. Penelope had asked Rae to get rid of the ringlets in her hair and opted for softer waves instead.

She had felt very confident at home but now that she was exposed to the eyes of the ton, it was nerve wracking. She realized her ugly yellow dresses had served her as a kind of armour that, at least in her mind, made it so other people would look away without a second glance. But now people were staring and lingering, eyes were perusing her with interest, not immediately bored and cast away.

She gathered the courage to descend the steps as she caught Eloise’s smiling at her from the crowd, so with newfound resolution, she made her way on her own to the middle of the room, near the dance floor.

“Oh, Penelope looks lovely” Marina said, prompting Colin to turn around and look for her.

He had to swallow with some difficulty before responding “She does, that colour suits her very well. But why is no one with her?”

“She’s hardly a debutante now, Colin, I don’t think many introductions are required. And we’re surrounded by family everywhere shall the need arise”

He then saw men had approached her, which was probably why Eloise had delayed on her attempt to join her, the coward. Penelope had her back to him so he couldn’t see if she was happy or uncomfortable. People kept distracting him, expecting him to participate in conversation and he thought it best to do so, lest his staring became too obvious. He had a mind to go to her when he looked again and saw the men had left her alone, but Francesca was now with her, which was good. Next time he looked, Eloise finally joined them, but very soon a man took Francesca away for a dance so it was just the two of them now. He could put his mind at ease now, he knew Eloise would not leave her alone.

“Pen! You’ve made quite a stir! I see your friendship with Madame DelaCroix is paying off, that is a smashing dress.”

“She really outdid herself, didn’t she? But I was not prepared for all the staring, and I have botched every attempt at conversing with the gentlemen that approached me. It was beyond embarrassing”

“I’m afraid I cannot be much help there, Pen, I am not exactly known for my graceful demeanour. And being the scandalous woman that I am, I cannot help you attract suitors. In fact, are you sure you don’t mind being seen with me? I might be more of a deterrent”

“I don’t think anyone cares about your scandal by now, El. The lack of approaching suitors, not that you truly lament it, is because we are well known by now and the men are all too busy examining the newcomers.”

“All I can say is that you should not care so much what they think. If they do not understand you, then good riddance! You wouldn’t want to marry someone like that, anyway, I hope. But enough about men. Should we go get some refreshments? I saw an attractive selection of cold treats over the winter section, of all locations.”

“Where would you have them be?” She was amused at her nitpicking.

“Wouldn’t summer make more sense? If it were truly winter, would you care for lemon ice?”

“I suppose not, but I could go for one right now”

It was when they were looking at the cold treats that Lady Danbury called their names, making them turn back immediately, caught completely off guard.

“Good evening! Miss Penelope Featherington, Miss Eloise Bridgerton, allow me to introduce Lord Debling” She gestured towards the tall blond man that accompanied her. They both curtsied.

“Good evening!” both said in unison.

“I hope you are all enjoying yourselves”

“Of course, Lady Danbury, it is a truly splendid night!” Penelope answered with a tinge of nervousness fraying her voice.

“Very much, yes” Eloise was doing her best to control her instinct to flee.

“Lord Debling is finally joining us in London after a rather long hiatus. When was the last time you graced us with your presence, my Lord?”

His voice had a warm quality to it, but his tone was mirthful “I believe it was eight years ago, Lady Danbury. It has been very kind of you to still consider me worthy of an invitation.”

“As long as it doesn’t take you another decade to come back” The old woman teased.

“I cannot make any promises” There was a little spark in his clear blue eyes.

“Maybe someone else can persuade you, then” He chuckled softly, through closed lips that were surrounded by a full beard, which gave him an air of of solemnity, even when he was clearly amused.“Miss Bridgerton, would you be so kind as to accompany me? There is something I need to discuss with you” Penelope felt a rush of panic invading her. She would be left on her own with him.

“Beg your pardon?” Eloise, who had been fidgeting with her curricle quickly raised her eyes to look at Lady Danbury, completely taken by surprise.

“Come with me” Lady Danbury extended a hand to her, impatiently, giving her a significant look. Eloise was instantly relieved, even though she felt bad at abandoning Penelope like that.

“If you’ll excuse me, duty calls, apparently. Pleasure to meet you, Lord Debling” Once they were behind his back, Eloise turned around quickly and gestured to Penelope “I’m sorry!” and raising her fists encouragingly she gave her a pursed smile before walking away with Lady Danbury.

“Are you very close with Lady Danbury, my Lord?” Said Penelope, nervously, and regretting not having something more interesting to begin a conversation.

“Not really close, no. But she is held in very high regard in many circles, some of which we do have in common”

“Eight years seems like a rather long time to miss one of her famous events” It was very evident to her that he had not been keeping up with fashion. His attire seemed slightly behind the times, which was betrayed by the ruffles in the cuff of his shirt sleeves, as did his full beard. But he held himself confidently, so it was intriguing to her if he didn’t notice or just didn’t care about being fashionable at all.

“It is indeed a long time. I had just come back from Cambridge and my late father insisted at the time.”

“Oh, I’m sorry! About your father, not-- not about having to come here-- or about Cambridge, of course!” She laughed nervously and was starting to feel flustered, fearing that she might begin to fumble her words even further. Then a thought occurred to her. This man had not been around to witness her social failures in the last two years. He hadn’t seen her in her citrus, oddly shaped dresses. To him she had always been this version of herself. He didn’t know her, and it was as Eloise had said – if he didn’t like her, then what was truly lost?

“Thank you, it’s been a long time since his passing.” He shrugged almost imperceptibly.

“If the last time you were here was only at the behest of your father, what brings you back after this long?” He looked at her with a furrowed brow and then smiled

“I am assessing what London’s society has to offer”

She raised her eyebrows. “Ah! Well, as you can see” Said Penelope resolutely and to her own astonishment, completely in control of herself, as she turned to openly face the room and gesture sweepingly with her hand “We have a little of everything. Marriage eager mamas and their beautiful young charges, discerning gentlemen conversing about very important matters to be sure, music, dancing and surely you won’t find a more wonderful array of food and refreshments anywhere in the world.” A genial smile adorned her face.

“Hmm, truly, so many wonders! Anything you would recommend particularly?” He raised a brow, questioningly.

“If you are not hungry or thirsty, you should try dancing. Unless you’d rather join the musicians?” He laughed softly, clearly very amused.

“I’m afraid I did not bring my violin with me, so, would you do me the honour?”

She took the arm he was offering “Why, of course!”. She could not believe herself. She felt the rush that was usually reserved for the times she had haggled with merchants and printers for Whistledown, and she realized where her bout of confidence had come from.

As they positioned themselves for the dance she asked him, with genuine curiosity “Do you really play the violin, my Lord?”

“I do” He said as they started the quadrille.

Earlier, Colin had noted Anthony and Kate were dancing away, unbothered by anything around them, so evidently in love with each other, it was hard to imagine his brother had been intent on marrying her sister instead. He was happy for them, that they had been able to rectify their mistakes and enjoy their happiness together. Francesca was also dancing now, although she did not look as blessedly happy. Lady Featherington was talking with Lady Cowper and her friends, Phillipa and Prudence were with their husbands picking food... and Eloise was coming his way arm in arm with Lady Danbury herself, so that meant that unless Benedict… no, Benedict was talking to Fife. There was an unknown man talking with Penelope on the far side of the ballroom.

“Thank you for walking with me, Miss Bridgerton. I shall leave you in the company of your family” Colin was clearly not paying attention so she addressed him directly “Is everything alright, Mr. Bridgerton?”

“Oh, yes quite alright” he said, startled.

“He’s probably just wondering who that gentleman is, talking to Miss Featherington” Said Marina with what seemed to be an amused smile.

“Oh, yes. That would be Lord Debling, I just introduced them.” She seemed rather pleased with herself

“Oh, that’s wonderful! I heard he is looking to take a wife this season” Violet’s enthusiasm was incredibly offensive to Colin.

“He is, he has told me so himself. I think Miss Featherington would be a very good match. He’s of a scientific mind, rather reserved, but he has a quick wit and a good head on his shoulders. He does have a peculiar interest in nature, but nothing objectionable”

“He’s rather handsome, too” Marina interjected

“What a paragon of virtue!” Said Colin, sardonically.

“Not as handsome as you, of course, my dear husband” He forced a smile at her sarcasm.

“Oh, they’re going to the dance floor!” Violet was as excited as if it were Eloise dancing with the man. Colin looked for Lady Featherington and she also seemed delighted, but he could swear even she wasn’t as excited as his own mother.

Eloise was puzzled by all the excitement surrounding this man’s interest in Penelope. She would have been utterly disgusted but the truth was she was also invested, as she knew marriage was something Penelope wanted, as much as she could not understand it.

“Well, we shall see if Penelope even likes the man before sending out the wedding invitations, shall we?” was all she could say.

Colin had never liked his sister so much as he did in that moment. “Finally, some sense!”

“Heavens, of course!” Violet chuckled.

“You’ll have to excuse me, I need to go back to our Queen now. Please enjoy yourselves!” and then in not-quite-secret asked Violet “Let me know how it goes” Lady Danbury then retired from the group.

“We must go home now” Colin said, looking at his watch “I have to be at the ministry early tomorrow” He and Marina said their goodbyes and left. As they reached the top of the stairs, Colin fought the urge to look back at the dance floor, but he could not help himself. Penelope was smiling, she looked radiant, happy. He made haste and left, Marina following him closely, not missing out on his behaviour.

“Eloise, since Penelope might not be as available to you this season, you might want to expand your circle of friends a little? I’m sure the other young ladies also have something to offer”

“Must I, mother?” Eloise had not had much luck so far, making conversation with other young women in the ton. Most of them seemed to be entirely focused on marriage and what she considered to be trivial endeavours or accomplishments that she saw with disdain. But – she thought – what if Penelope kept getting asked to dance and suddenly did not have time for her? She would be stuck hovering around her siblings and her mother. And her siblings were not reliable company either. Francesca was also intent in marrying and already, on her very first ball, had been dancing or surrounded by men practically since they got there. Benedict was hiding away most of the time, he would not stick around her since she was an attention magnet for their mother. Anthony was besotted with his new wife – who she liked very much but who was just as besotted with her brother, and Colin came in a bundle with his wife these days as well, but she did not like Marina at all.

“Please make an effort at least?”

“Very well. I will go take a turn about to see if I catch a friend or two, then”

As she was walking to a group of ladies, she noticed the dance had ended and Penelope was now free, so she corrected course, but was still able to catch the voice of Cressida Cowper as she passed by her.

“Yes, well the dress might be beautiful, it is only a shame it is wasted on her. He must have taken pity on her”

Eloise stopped and looked at her. It was evident as the group of ladies were looking at Penelope, that she was referring to her, so she turned back entirely to confront her.

“Do you really feel that threatened by Penelope, Cressida, that you have to resort to talking about her this cruelly? It is no wonder you have no real friends” Cressida gave her an incredulous offended, sweeping look as the other ladies fled away from the scene. “See? No one is willing to stand for you”

“Oh, because you’re surrounded by friends? There is a reason why only Penelope hovers around you”

“Of course, because I’m a delight!” She then turned back around to go to Penelope but she could still hear what Cressida added

“More likely your brothers” Eloise just kept walking away.

Cressida might not be considered clever in an intellectual level by anyone who had met her, but she always knew how to hurt people. It was an instinct very well honed, Eloise thought. They hardly ever exchanged words but here she had still managed to touch a sensitive fibre. Ever since Penelope had revealed to her that she was Whistledown, Eloise had wondered why she had felt the need to conceal it from her so called best friend. Did Penelope not consider her a true, reliable friend? Maybe she just saw her as a means to spend time with Colin? Wasn’t it odd that neither of them had any other friends outside her own family? But that wasn’t true, Eloise knew Penelope had a friendship with Madam DelaCroix now.

“So, how did it go?” She asked Penelope as soon as she reached her.

“Were you talking to Cressida?” She was intrigued.

“Pay no attention to that. Tell me”

“I did enjoy dancing, even though I was very nervous, I managed not to step on him. You will be proud to know that I followed your advise and tried not to care what he would think of me too much.”

“Oh, good!” She was genuinely glad.

“I was surprised Lady Danbury went to the trouble for me”

“She was rather invested, let me tell you. Everyone in our group was talking about you and Lord Debling”

“Is there really nothing more interesting going on?” she scrunched her nose.

“It seems we all find you very interesting tonight, Pen. Lady Whistledown will have to talk about your success, for once”

“Eloise!”

“She has to be kind to you for once! And not the pitiful type of kindness either”

Penelope gave her an admonishing look but then smiled. “Oh, alright, but it cannot be all self-serving, either.” She had to accept that she was doing rather well that night, all things considered.

“I am a very good friend, aren’t I?”

“Of course you are! Now it can’t all be about me, so we better move around”

Cressida could eat a lemon and choke on it, Eloise thought, with a smug smile on her face.

***

Marina had grown suspicious of Colin’s sullen behaviour but she waited until they were back in their home on Doughty street to say something, using the ride home to consider if she should say anything at all.

They were walking towards the stairs, Colin following behind her, when she finally asked him “For that you dragged me out tonight? Why did you even want to go if we were to leave so soon?”

“Lady Danbury is a very powerful woman, Marina, we should be in her good graces. And I did not drag you, you could have stayed if you wanted.”

She stopped suddenly, just at the bottom of the staircase, turning around and causing him to halt suddenly, almost crashing into her. She was blocking his way and put her hands on his chest, looking up at his eyes, lips half parted, teasing, perhaps offering a kiss.

He was taken aback “What are you doing?”

“I thought perhaps you would like to come with me into my room tonight” She reached out to touch his face but he recoiled, removing her hands with his.

“It’s too late.” He motioned with his hand for her to move “I’m going to sleep, good night.”

“Good night” she utttered coldly, worry in her face.

That night neither of them could sleep thinking of Penelope. Marina fearing she would lose everything to her and Colin thinking how he had always taken her presence for granted and was now in danger of losing her forever.

Chapter 12

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noctusfury · 1 year ago

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What Would Have Happened if Stoick Slew Dagur? (Riders of Berk)

Hello, fellow Furians! Welcome to another HTTYD article! Today, we'll dive into the what-if scenario that could've happened in the Riders of Berk episode "Twinsanity".

In this scene, Stoick was clearly about to end the Berserker Dynasty right then and there, until DreamWorks Hiccup and the Gang came along and interrupted it with their fake "Dragon Raid" forcing the Berserkers to retreat.

Thus, the question is this: What would've happened if he had succeeded or failed in doing so had he NOT been interrupted?

Obviously, of course, there would've been war between Berk and Berserk. Reason for this is that there would be witnesses who'd see Stoick strike Dagur down from behind. There are four Berserk Guards who are with Dagur (as seen below).

There's a risk of the one who's not encumbered with a task — and is closest in proximity to Dagur — intercepting Stoick's strike. However, when Stoick closes the distance with Dagur, the other guards, along with Dagur himself, are far too preoccupied with Barf and Belch to notice Stoick's actions. So it's possible that Stoick could easily succeed in assassinating Dagur.

However, it's what happens afterward that's important. The guards would've seen Stoick slay their chieftain and will want to exact vengeance. Of course, as we know, the moment Stoick slays Dagur, Hiccup and the Gang come in with their fake dragon raid on the Berserkers. There might be a 5-10% chance that Stoick, depending on the timing and the Berserker's POV, might get away with it if the Berserkers immediately focus from Barf and Belch to the other dragons without noticing Dagur's fall. But I doubt that Dagur would go down without a fight or without making any sound, hence why the percentage is so low.

So we will continue with the assumption that the Berserkers saw Stoick slay their chieftain. Stoick and the others would have to deal with them, or else they'll report this to the armada waiting near Berk's docks.

Of course, if Berk fails to cover their assassination up, they'll immediately have to deal with an entire armada of angry Berserkers. Even if the Berkians are battle-hardened and every person who can hold a weapon is recruited and the dragons join in the fight, and even if the majority of the Berserkers haven't seen many battles or wars, it can't be denied that the Berserkers have been well-trained and are, of course, Berserkers. It'll still be a very difficult fight. There will be severe casualties on both sides. In the end, though, Berk will probably pull through this with a victory in the end. But at what cost? It'd be a conflict that could've been easily avoided, and Berk suffered losses that it can ill afford to take when they're still fighting with the Outcasts — with little gains to show for it. And there's no guarantee that the conflict will even end there.

So, in summary, if Stoick wasn't interrupted and succeeded in ending Dagur, he'll need to get rid of the guards as well. This will be pretty easy since they have the dragons, and they can easily make it look like a dragon raid killed them and hopefully Berk can relax and keep an alliance with Berk, while Berserk is reeling from their chief's death and busy running around killing as many dragons as they can. And — even better — Berk could masquerade this as something that Alvin, an Outcast, did and can better solidify Berserk's involvement in Berk's war against the Outcasts.

So yeah, so long as the Berserkers don't look too closely at the bodies, the Berkians would have a pretty good chance at getting away with it.

What do you guys think? What would've happened had Stoick went with his plan? Do you think that Berk would've been able to get away with it? Or would it end up sinking in defeat, with Alvin taking advantage of the chaos? Tell me your thoughts!

Thank you for reading! I hope you found this article intriguing and I'll see you in the next article.

Long Live the Night!

— Noctus Fury

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starlightrows · 1 year ago

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17 — Longing

Hiding In Plain Sight

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Pairing: Commander Wolffe x reader

Word Count: 4.1k

Warnings: Hospitals, illness, depression

Summary: Wolffe made his choice, was it the right choice?

As the sun rose over Naboo, Slush watched from your window as the renegade team flew away. Part of him wished he could have been on that mission, but he knew it was far more important to be here with you. Someone had to be.

Wolffe stepped on that transport and swallowed any semblance of fear or anxiety. He had to be focused on the mission. He had a job to do. Thousands of lives were on the line, including yours. This mission had to succeed, it had to.

The journey was long and the mission was grueling. Seeing the ruins of Atraken with his own eyes was a nightmare of its own. Getting down to the fragments of the fractured planet was nearly impossible. Wolffe felt like a shell of a man combing through the bodies and debris in his bulky protective suit.

He still felt like a shell of a man sitting on the transport back to Naboo with the source specimens that would hopefully be synthesized into a vaccine. He felt like he was watching himself from the outside, as he disembarked from the transport and was rushed into a decontamination chamber.

He was assigned a room to rest and recover under observation from the medical droids while the raw source material was taken to a research facility to begin working on the vaccine. He felt detached from the whole situation, even this place and his own body. He laid on the bed and slept dreamlessly. He sat by the window and stared aimlessly at the sky.

It wasn’t until almost three days later when he felt the sharp pin prick of the syringe administering the very vaccine he had just risked his life for, that he felt like he was seeing out of his own eyes again.

He turned to the medical droid “Where am I?”

“Theed Memorial Hospital” he droid recited

Wolffe stands from the bed he was sitting on and pushed passed the droid. He finds himself running down the hallways trying to orient himself in the space and figure out how to get to you. He finds his way back to the room he’s practically been living in for the past few months and pulls up short at the door. His hand inches from the keypad to enter.

He has no idea how long he’s even been back on Naboo. To be honest he doesn’t really remember leaving or returning to this place. He has no concept of how much time has passed. You may not be in that room anymore. You may be gone already. You could have been gone for a long time. If he opens the door, what would he do if he saw an empty room?

An acrid panic creeps up the back of his throat and invades his mouth, he feels like he might wretch. He backs away from the door and turns around, placing a hand on the wall opposite your door. His heartbeat feels like a battering ram against his ribcage, trying to crack his sternum and escape his body. Tears well in his eyes as he takes some deep breaths, clutching his chest and choking on his exhales.

Suddenly the door opens behind him and a familiar hand is laid on his shoulder. Wolffe glances behind him and sees General Plo standing before him. Wolffe can not find a single word to say, he can only stand there in his state of sudden panic.

“Breathe deeply and calm your mind” General Plo’s voice is steady and grounding.

Wolffe does as he’s told and breathes deeply for a minute, eventually finding his voice again “Is… is she?”

“She received the vaccine yesterday morning” General Plo says calmly “And she is already showing marked improvement”

Something in Wolffe snaps. It feels like a burden of immeasurable weight is lifted from his chest and he can breathe again. “Oh thank the fucking maker” he mumbles in disbelief

“Before you go in, I want to speak to you about a few things” General Plo says, keeping his hand where it sits on his shoulder

Wolffe nods, “Yes sir?”

“You have been in a dissociative state since returning from Atraken. Some of the others from your party seem to have been similarly affected. I spoke to Ahsoka about what you encountered there. I understand that response was partially due to the exposure to the toxins, but you also underwent an extremely traumatic experience” He explains “Please understand, you must take time to process this. I am here to help you should you need it”

“General… how long have we been back? I… I really don’t remember… most of it…” Wolffe admits

“Three days, and you were gone for nine”

Wolffe nods… that is a long time for him to have almost no conscious recollection of it.

“I understand… I don’t doubt it will, for a lack of a better word, haunt me… but right now… I just need to know it was worth it”

General Plo gives his shoulder a gentle pat, “Of course”

Wolffe steps back up to the door and presses the button to enter. He first sees someone standing by the bed, facing away from the door and adjusting the pillows. Slush turns around and grins seeing his brother standing at the door. Slush steps aside.

There you are. Sitting up, propped up against pillows. Darkened bags still under your eyes and a dullness to your skin, but there is an unmistakable sparkle in your eye and a smile on your chapped lips. Stars how he’s missed your smile.

Slush quietly backs out of the room and closes the door. Wolffe approaches slowly and lowers himself gingerly on the bed to sit next to you. He reaches for you, cradling the back of your head with a gentle hand. He leans forward to touch his forehead to yours. His eyes closed and a soft laugh coming through before he could even get out a word.

“You’re awake” he says, hardly believing it himself

“Thanks for not giving up on me” you chuckle weakly

He tilts his head and catches your lips, kissing you with gentle desperation. You have so little strength in your body, but you manage to lift your arms to hold him close to you and kiss him back. He pulls away and kisses the corner of your lips and up your cheek.

“I love you” he whispers, as tears drip down his cheeks.

——

In the days that follow he watches you do things that he never realized required so much physical strength. Simple things like getting out of bed, even sitting up right and coughing sapped what little energy you’ve gotten back. Still with each passing day, he can see how much better you’re doing.

“I know I’m proving that maker forsaken saying that doctors make the worst patients, but stars I want to get out of his bed” you complain one day as Wolffe helps you lay back on the inclined pillows. You did better than yesterday sitting up on your own to eat the meager lunch the nurse droid brought by.

“You’re really that anxious to get back in the fray?” Slush laughs a bit, taking the tray off the bed.

“Not really. I guess I just want to feel like me again” you admit “Not used to the other side of all this”

“You’ve never been hospitalized before Doc?” Slush sits in the spare chair and props his feet up on the edge of your bed

“Well, I mean. I was shot at the battle of Osterra, and technically I was hospitalized for like half a day. As soon as that drugs kicked in, I was back on the front line” You’re almost certain you’ve told this story to the squad before “You’ve somehow managed to dodge every blaster bolt sent your way Slush”

“Me myself? Yes. My ships I’ve flown? No, not even a little. I have definitely been hit while flying” he laughs a bit, then feels a bit guilty for even having this conversation in front of Wolffe. He goes quiet and avoids his eye.

“Don’t even bother asking” Wolffe says coldly, pausing before going on “I lost this game right out of the gate. Took a bolt to the shoulder at the battle of Geonosis”

Slush brightens back up, “Oh yeah! I forgot all about that!”

There is a tap at the door before it opens, General Plo stands at the threshold and steps inside. Slush and Wolffe sit up straight but do not stand at attention.

“Captain, it is a relief to hear your voice again” he says coming to stand by your side

“Thank you General” you smile. Even though General Plo’s face is mostly concealed by his breathing apparatus, you’ve known him long enough to discern his expressions. His words are happy but his face is concerned.

“I wish I had better news for you all” he says, confirming your suspicion.

Now Wolffe and Slush stand at attention, you try to sit up straight at the very least. Wolffe reaches out to assist you, “What is it? What’s happened now?”

“The war has been stagnant. Suspended in time with the fate of so many hanging in the balance. Word of our healer's recovery is beginning to spread. Orders have been dispensed, The Republic means to take advantage of this situation” he explains

“We’re being deployed” Slush says gravely, looking to you, still struggling just to sitting up right for more than a hour at a time.

“Not yet. But we have been ordered to return to The Radiant, and be ready for deployment orders within the next several hours” he says, placing a hand on your shoulder “I came to wish you well Captain, and collect you both to leave immediately”

Your heart sinks and your head hurts. But you understand that duty always comes first, and you’ve been exceedingly lucky these last few days to have the three of them here with you at all. Most of the others recovering in this hospital have no one.

“Thank you sir” you nod “We will meet again soon”

“Indeed” General Plo withdraws his hand “I will retrieve the ship from the hanger, be at the platform in 15 minutes for departure”

“Yes sir” both of them answer as General Plo leaves.

The room is silent for a moment, as you look between them. “Hey, it’s gonna be okay. I’ll be fine” you assure them.

Slush nods and gives you a smile “Of course you are. You’re getting better every day. You’ll be back in no time”

“Yeah. I’ll break myself out of here the second I can walk and bum a ride home. You’ll see!” You joke.

Slush steps forward, and wraps his arms around you for a quick hug. You hug him back and give his shoulder a couple pats. “Thank you for staying” you say softly.

He smiles and gives a half chuckle “See ya real soon Doc” and with that he leaves, making sure to close the door behind him.

You turn to Wolffe, sitting in the chair at your side. He’s not looking at you. You reach out, and take his hand.

“This is getting pretty old ya know” he says, finally looking at you with his brows stitched together in a mix of anger, sadness and fear.

“What is?” You ask, stroking the back of his hand with your thumb

“The war putting us apart from each other”

You nod your head in agreement, frowning at the tension rising in your chest “Yeah”

He sighs sadly, before bringing your hand up to his lips and pressing a kiss.

You don’t know what to say. You want to reassure him. Make him laugh and feel at ease. You don’t want to start crying. You don’t want him to worry about you. You want to get out of his fucking bed and go with him for stars sake.

“Hey” you shake your entwined hands gently to get his full attention “You did the impossible. You and Rex and General Skywalker and Ahsoka. You saved the galaxy. You saved my life. You did that. Fuck this war. Fuck this universe trying to keep us apart. I’ll be better before you know it, I’ll come find you”

He cracks a smile “You’re going to terrorize those nursing droids until you can walk again”

“I’ll be the first one discharged from his hospital, just you wait” he you grin

“I’ll take that wager” he squeezes your hand, leaning in a bit

“It’s a deal” you close the distance between you and kiss him.

He savors the touch of your lips, the taste of your tongue, the pull in his chest when you kiss him. He is the one to finally break away, keeping close. He gently lowers you down to rest on the pillows, and strokes your cheek. He didn’t get to say goodbye the last time you were dragged apart, somehow this feels worse.

“Wolffe” you whisper, knowing your time is almost up, and your brave facade is breaking with the reality that he about to leave “Kiss me one more time, tell me you love me, and get on that ship…”

He hesitates. Needing to see your face for just a moment more. He swallows the lump in his throat, and kisses you again. It is a firm and insistent kiss, following your orders but for his own sake. He savors it. He pulls away and puts his lips by your ear to softly say your name “I love you with all of my heart” he kisses your cheek, stands and leaves. The door swishes closed behind him. Tears spill over your cheeks and sobs make your body sore until you fall asleep.

———

The trip back to The Radiant is uncomfortably quiet. Wolffe knows he will have to return to his role as Commander. These last few months he’s barely been a person, let alone a soldier or a commander of men.

He knows you will be back. You’re alive. You’re somewhere safe. That’s more reassurance he’s had in months… years even. But he doesn’t have the strength to find comfort or joy in that sentiment. He doesn’t even have it in him to be angry. He’s just drained. Empty. Devoid of any feeling on the matter, aside from a dull throb of exhaustion.

“We’re approaching The Radiant” Slush gives the warning.

“Inform the bridge of our return, and tell them to await deployment orders from Coruscant” Wolffe responds, settling back into himself. Ensuring that he is not broadcasting his own feelings, or lack thereof.

“Yes sir” Slush acknowledges before transmitting the message.

The ship comes in for a landing in the familiar hanger, the team is ready and waiting to receive them. As Slush completes the landing cycle, Wolffe clears his throat.

“Thank you” he says “For the last couple months”

Slush clasps his shoulder and gives him a nod “I’m still with you Commander”

“I have one more favor to ask of you” He says

“Anything”

“Keep Dr Faragian away from me” he makes sure to exaggerate the name

Slush laughs “The day we get to transfer him off this ship, will be the best day of our lives”

“Agreed”

To Wolffe’s surprise and relief, General Plo takes the lead on addressing the waiting squadron. He confirms the rumors that have been going around that a successful vaccine has been synthesized, you are in recovery, and the war is not over. He tells them to be ready for deployment at any moment, it is likely they will be one of the first squads to receive orders.

Barely an hour passes before orders arrive and The Radiant is jumping to light speed, heading towards the next threat.

Days pass into weeks. One mission wraps up and another is waiting. Wolffe trains with the team. Does meaningless paperwork. Attends meetings of strategy and war development. Eats. Sleeps. Bathes. He sort of just exists.

He misses you. When he’s with the team, the group feels incomplete. When he’s alone, he feels incomplete. His feeling of emptiness comes and goes. There are bad days where he doesn’t feel like himself, he just feels like a vessel. And there are better days, where he misses you so much his chest hurts. He prefers those days.

———

Every day you push yourself to move your body in whatever small ways you can manage. You know you have to trust the process, healing takes time, especially without the aid of bacta.

In a few weeks you’re able to sit up on your own and are given the go ahead to use a hover chair to get to and from the fresher on your own. The independence of this seemingly small task does wonders for your mental health and your resolve to get better. You use your hover chair privileges to leave your room and visit others in the hospital. Encouraging them to move their bodies and not give up hope.

You urge the medical droids to allow you to start physical therapy. You want to move. You want to walk. You want to lead the way for the others to recover too. And you do.

It is slow progress. But you keep at it. The day you’re strong enough to take a solid step without a walker or handrails, you are so happy you could cry. Your fellow doctors and medics around you at various points in their recovery progression are ecstatic for you. But you can’t wait to send a message to Wolffe and the team.

You’re tired getting back into your bed. You know from the news and reading officers reports that the war has resumed in full force, despite still having very few medics. More and more new graduate medics and doctors have volunteered or been drafted on both sides. A few medics at other recovery centers have been returning to duty. You long to be one of them.

Neuromuscular rehab program is working. Took three steps unassisted today. Will be walking in no time!

You smile to yourself as you hit send. You know he might not see it for a while. Especially if they’re deployed or on a different sleep cycle. You haven’t heard from him in a few weeks, so you assume he’s busy. Or he just doesn’t have anything to report.

You miss him. You miss all of them really. You miss being Slush’s copilot. You miss teasing and laughing with them around a campfire or in the mess hall. You miss your office and your simple chambers. You miss your team. You miss your partner. You miss Wolffe.

You want to be by his side when he addresses the squad. You want to share a meal with him, even if it’s just flavorless rations. You want tease him and make him laugh. You want to lay next to him in bed and feel his lips against yours.

You roll over onto your side and hold one of your pillows close to your chest, squeezing your eyes shut. You have to remind yourself of how far you’ve already come. Each new day, each new step gets you just a little bit closer to getting back to your normal life. You just have to stay focused and motivated.

Your com device buzzes behind you, indicating a new message has come through. You make the effort to roll over and reach for the device, knowing it will be worth it to hear from him or your team.

I’m proud of you

You smile at the message. Short but sweet, and most definitely genuine. This is a monitored frequency, any exchanges using it have to be above board. Usually leading to short responses and unceremonious updates. But you know. You know he must be happy you’re getting better. You know he is proud of you.

One step turns into three steps. Three into five and five into ten! You’re getting stronger with the exercises you’ve been prescribed. Your walking form is getting better and more stable. It’s not enough for you. You want to walk without fatiguing. You want to run!

It is the hardest part. Transitioning from independent walking to jogging to running. You feel like you can see the finish line but can’t go any faster to reach it. You try to keep Wolffe updated, even when he can’t respond.

Running was never your favorite part of physical training. But the day you’re able to run at a full sprint with no pain, no instability, no abnormal oxygen consumption or fatigue. You’ve made it! You’re considered to be back to full health by GAR standards. You’re ready to put your uniform back on, load up on a transport and meet up with The Radiant wherever they are in the galaxy. But your discharge papers give you pause.

The options you’re presented are: Accept an offer to be honorably discharged from service. Accept an offer to be transferred to a non fieldwork position at a VA hospital on a Republic hub planet. Accept a reenlist opportunity to be assigned to a new squadron in need of a field medic. Request placement on previous squadron or team, if position remains vacant or is otherwise unoccupied.

Obviously you select the option to go back to your squad but the phrasing of it makes you uneasy. You’ve put in all of this work and waited all of this time. You want to go back now. You should be allowed to rejoin your squad. You shouldn’t have to request it. And you will be damned if fucking Roy takes your place as lead medic on the 104th.

You are discharged from the civilian hospital that has been your home for the last several months, and stay in temporary GAR housing in Theed. Until your new orders are confirmed you do what you do best, you treat patients. Normal civilians with normal ailments and injuries. It’s sort of nice, being able to practice medicine in a much simpler way. People with sprained ankles, children with mild illnesses, small cuts and household burns. But it also feels like a sick joke. Like winning a grand tournament only for the prize to be a participation certificate.

Three weeks later, with no communication from the GAR on your placement or from the team acknowledging your update, you get a com call in the middle of the night. Not that you were able to sleep anyway, too much on your mind to sleep. Orders. Orders to rejoin the The Radiant at their next rendezvous point.

It’s hauntingly familiar. Leaving a medical facility, getting on a transport, and flying off to meet back up with your squad. You’ve spent more time away from them than with them in the last year. You want this to be the last time this ever happens.

———

Wolffe received word of changing course to make a stop at a rendezvous, and thought nothing of it. The Radiant transports troops from outposts, medical frigates, weigh stations and the like all the time. It isn’t until five minutes before the ship is set to arrive that he sees the transfer order come up on his data pad.

He has to reread it twice, three times, then four and five to make sure he’s not just seeing things. It’s real. That is your full name. Followed by your rank and designation. You’re being reassigned to the 104th. You are the person getting on at the rendezvous.

He hasn’t seen you in months. He hasn’t seen any updates from you in weeks. And now you’ll be here in a matter of minutes. He coms Slush to assemble the squadron to receive you in the hangar when you arrive. And rushes to be there in time to join them.

He stands at attention when the shuttle docks in the bay. His heart hammers in his chest as the ramp lowers. And he watches as a different woman than the one he kissed goodbye on Naboo descends the ramp. You look strong and healthy. You look the way he remembers you the first time you met, over two years ago. You look like you again.

Tag List: @maulslittlemeowmeow @lucyysthings @justanothersadperson93 @lackofhonor @paige6768 @thefact0rygirl @ttzamara @nekotaetae @jennrosefx @kashasenpai @littledragonlady @love-space-nerd

#Commander Wolffe #Commander Wolffe x reader #Commander Wolffe x you #Hiding In Plain Sight #I didn’t bother to read this for spelling errors #please forgive me if you catch any

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