#less neat than it would've been

[thinginthedirt]

birthday gift for my brother - one of the planes he flies

[angelsdean]

i think it would've been neat if jack had the illusions of his "saint" of a mother shattered like sam and dean did with mary, especially re: kelly's politics. like yes jack knew the surface level information about rooney and kelly and that rooney was not a great guy but he assumed his mom felt differently about things! it was just a job for her! and then one day he's looking more into kelly's career and realizes that no actually she did think some people were more deserving of help than others, and some people didn't deserve certain rights. and it shatters jack a little. especially now that dean and cas are together, and now that he understands more about his own feelings re: gender and sexuality. he looks at this list of bills and campaigns kelly supported and thinks "oh. she wouldn't have approved of me. or my family." and yea he still loves her, he'll always love her because she's his mom and he can't help it (hello dean mary monologue parallel) but he does like her a bit less. and it breaks his heart.

[nonsscrapheap]

TFP: Universal Observations

this chapter is a monster.

i thought last chapter was big with it being around 12.9k in total but this one? this one is 15.1k. 15.1k!!! that... is a lot of fucking words.

and somehow the brainrot continues for this fic because i'm just raring to go at the next chapter.

anyway! happy pride month you guys, it was actually VERY unintentional but i managed to squeeze in some trans representation and talk in this chapter. its not the focus but i think it's very neat i managed to get it in- shout out to @kevinformers-ibw for being absolutely giddy about this lmao. realized i had the perfect opportunity to get it in when i was talking to kev about wheeljack hehehehe.

ANYWAY! i hope you enjoy :)

[ ----- TP : UO ----- ]

The Nemesis

[ Finally, Wheeljack arrived at a certain room. Throwing the door open without a care, "Wrecker!" He called out joyously and almost immediately he was grabbed from the doorway much to Ultra Magnus' immediate concern- just as he was aiming a blaster at Wheeljack's assailant, he heard a warbled; "Jaaackiiiieeee!"

He hesitated as he sees a giant Quintesson gore-stained mecha hugging Wheeljack. "You're alive! I knew it! I knew it, I knew, I knew it!"

Wheeljack laughed, patting the mecha's shoulder. "Damn straight I am! Gonna take more than that to… get me…" He trailed off, Ultra Magnus's optics blinked as he peered behind them both. Another human mecha sat awkwardly within the room on a medbay berth, another was laying, supposedly unconscious. He straightened at the sight of Optimus Prime and Megatron.

However just before he could say anything, Wheeljack's clearly horrified voice spoke once more. "… Miko, why do you sound so young?"

"… Shit…" ]

Now that was a peculiar question, wasn't it?

And for what reason?

From what Knock Out has pieced together from the limited information they had about this, admittedly fascinating universe, the pilots were functionally adults now. Wrecker and Tailbreaker at least, they seemed to be in the same age bracket that Knock Out would consider was 'young adults' by the multiple medias- uh information sources that he's seen.

Speaking of said information sources, this Observer thing was really reminding him of said sources. If only a bit more entertaining yet less unrealistic considering this was peering into alternate worlds instead of having someone act out what was being shown.

Although… That one world, the 'Actor AU' was exactly that but in reverse- in the sense that his life was a show. And wasn't that a thought? Knock Out had to wonder how his actor was in that world. He'll admit, if he'd been less interested in racing or medicine, he probably would've had a good shot at stardom… At least, if the war would have let him anyway.

He wanted to know more about that world, yet unfortunately, the Autobots were in the driver's seat of this vehicle, so to speak. They had control over the Observer; their humans more specifically. Just how in Primus' name did they let those kids gain control over something like this? Honestly, how irresponsible.

Then again, even if they did have control over the Observer- said viewing device was currently nearly scrapped. You wouldn't think it with how pristine the orb what but its inner mechanisms were all slagged to pit. The fact it was still functioning despite most of its systems being damaged was a miracle that Knock Out was curious about.

Honestly everyone was. Who created the damn thing? And why? And how?

Being able to provide itself power and repair just by observing another universe, by showing that universe to an audience- that was a ridiculous and convoluted way to gain power and repair its system and yet it was ingenious all the same.

He and Starscream had spent quite a while muttering to each other and to Soundwave (who barely put in any input at all, only there to record their findings and theories) about it when the Autobots were looking up its internal blueprints and systems earlier on. Although being honest, it was mostly Starscream who did most of the analyzing and discussion. Knock Out had almost forgotten the seeker had been a scientist before he'd been the Decepticon's Second in Command.

All the way from Iacon, too.

Starscream was also a surprisingly good teacher, when Knock Out was confused on something in the blueprint, Starscream had scoffed yet still taught Knock Out about it. Explaining in detail about it, its theoretical usage, the concept behind it… It opened Knock Out's optics to a new side of the seeker he hasn't seen before.

Knock Out can count the good teachers that he's had in his whole life on a single servo, and now he can add Starscream to the list.

It was because of that, because Knock Out wanted to repay Starscream for teaching him some admittedly confusing yet still interesting subjects during the break, that Knock Out said nothing about Starscream's interest in human biology when Knock Out went to search about it himself. Even going as far as to be able to let the seeker read it a bit more comfortably from over his shoulder.

What can he say, he was generous like that.

Anyway, after the break, they probably came to the same conclusion as the Autobots; keep watching whatever the Observer shows and the Observer will be fully repaired in time. Exactly how much time was still unknown, much to the frustration of the seeker who couldn't figure out everything from the blueprints for one reason or another. And of course, to the annoyance of their Lord and Leader.

Be it because it was somehow too complicated for Starscream, or the section of the blueprint was too corrupted, or the system was too damaged, or the Autobots were looking in the wrong direction.

It ticked the seeker off but he couldn't exactly do anything about it right now.

And now here they were, watching a new universe from the strange key words of Alien Mecha. Again, just whatever the frag is going on in the Autobots base to consider words like that?

At first, seeing the human children with MECH- the same humans that dared to lay their filthy organic limbs on his conjunx and took away one of his conjunx's optics- it ticked Knock Out off.

… Perhaps that was another reason why he was starting to be a little nicer to Starscream lately, he had helped his conjunx when Lord Megatron scoffed in the face of his conjunx's capture. (Something that Knock Out had some private words to say, not that he'd ever say them to his leader's face… unless something drastic happened to his conjunx.)

Anyway, seeing MECH soured Knock Out's interested mood. Though it didn't stay that way as, pretty quickly, things started to pick up.

First; Shockwave was human in this universe. Something that boggled everyone within the room, because what.

Second; the humans had actually created cybertronian-like suits that eerily resembled empurata'd bots. Granted they were different up close, but from afar, Knock Out would have easily mistaken them as a cybertronian who underwent that unfortunate punishment that the Senate had enforced before the war.

Third; the reveal of the existence of the Quintessons. Knock Out had no idea those things had even existed in their universe, but according to their leader, they had. Just a very, very long time ago. Their influence was brief and small enough that no historian decided to teach it, not that Knock Out would have been interested… before now at least.

Now, seeing the Quintessons in action- their bio-drone soldiers and beasts, the fact they were a threat enough to both Earth and Cybertron… He sent a small request to Soundwave throughout the viewing for whatever information the mech would find in the Iacon Archives.

And finally, the most shocking thing that has happened yet; Autobots and Decepticons working together. More specifically, Optimus Prime and Megatron working together at the same time with their leader protecting the Prime from most of the danger. Willing to put himself between Optimus and an incoming 'Levi', as the humans had called those creatures, and bear the brunt of dangerous blows.

It's not something Knock Out could have predicted to see in a million cycles. Yet there it played, right before everyone's optics. Including their own leader who was… strangely silent from the baffling display. The racer had admittedly thought their warlord of a master would have seethed at the sight of himself protecting his nemesis and yet- he just stared.

Faceplate indecipherable yet observing to the entire thing. It was equally baffling as to what they were viewing, yet Knock Out wasn't complaining nor would he point it out, this was preferable than to see Megatron war and rage within the room, right?

Then again… seeing him silent and contemplative was somewhat concerning.

Who knows what was going on in that processor of his.

Anyway, back to the present; why was the Autobot-turned-human so concerned at the fact Wrecker sounded so young?

Suddenly, the screen flashed with text.

[ - FIVE YEARS AGO -

Two men stood in front of a familiar red, green and white mecha's open cockpit, one with greying hair and wearing a grey pilot suit with the numbers '904' on his back and front, while the other had bright red hair and a duller red mechanic's jumpsuit. "So, what's the hot goss 'round the staff?" Wheeljack asked the other man as he and the other man checked out the cockpit. "Anything exciting?"

"Somewhat," The red haired man sighed, sounding all too familiar to the audience. The screen changed to show him up close, alongside his ID that was pinned to his chest called— ]

"Knock Out! That's you!" Starscream gawked, intake opening in disbelief as they saw the human Decepticon working with the human Autobot!

Knock Out's own optics had gone wide at the sight of himself as a human. "Oh frag, it is me." His gaze immediately went to his ID to look at his human self's name. "Vincent Lorenzo?" He read aloud, optics cycling repeatedly as he took in his other self's… humanness.

"You're working with an Autobot." Arachnid deadpanned with a smirk, seemed largely amused by the fact their medic was human now.

Breakdown tilted his helm, "Technically, guy's not an Autobot. They're humans, co-workers by the looks of it… And I was right, you look great as a human Knock Out." He said, giving his conjunx a genuine smile.

Knock Out blushed lightly but was quick to preen, "I do, don't I? Hm, yes, yes. Not bad, me." Although his optics were more towards his own species, he's seen enough humans and seen enough of their media to know that his human self? One hundred percent a hottie. As he should be.

Though it was a curious thing, for the Observer to go into the past in what seemed to be a flashback. Perhaps it was answering the questions they all had in mind, or maybe the Autobots did something to do that… Although it turned out that no, the Autobots did nothing of the sort, it was just the Observer being itself.

Somehow.

( "Woah is that Doc Knock? He looks… handsome." A teenage girl said, not-so-subtly looking at the new human with interest. "Nice."

Several voices called out her name indignantly with varying levels, "Miko!"

"What?! I have eyes! I'm not blind! More importantly- that's human Wheeljack! He looks great too! I wonder what's his human name?" )

[ "Sounds like some new upstart big shots are collaborating with us, they're not with the government like us GMDs but they're funded by US government investors and other global hotshots." Vincent said as they both unscrewed panels from within the pilot's cockpit. "Already got their own line of pilots and mecha on the standby for next attack."

Wheeljack hummed, "Really now? What's their deal?"

The mechanic grunts, tugging on some thick wiring, "Some sort of experimental weaponry and tech type stuff, get this; one of their mecha engineers? Is dear old Shockwave." He said conspiratorially, making the pilot jump and knock his head against the console from where he was crouched by.

"GAH!" Wheeljack groaned, rubbing his head but peered over the console to look at his friend with wide eyes. "You're kidding. Knock Out, you're pullin' my tail. I thought ol' Waltz quit the mecha scene after…" He trailed off and they both shared a grimace. ]

"Looks like you and Wheeljack are pretty close." Breakdown muttered, optic narrowed at the casual way the two humans were talking on screen.

Knock Out chuckled, leaning towards his hunk of a conjunx. "Aw, jealous?" He cooed, smiling at the way Breakdown grumbled and denied it. "There, there sweetspark. Doesn't look like we're that close, merely friends. Friendly acquaintances or co-workers at the very least." Despite the difference of species, Knock Out was fairly sure his other self was not romantically involved with the human Autobot.

"So Wheeljack is not part of MECH?" Starscream muttered aloud, gaining their attention. "Their mecha had some subtle differences in make. Sounds like you and Wheeljack are part of another organization, one associated with the human government unlike MECH, who merely has its backing in funds perhaps… Curious."

Arachnid hummed, leaning in with interest and sneering at the way Wheeljack trailed off. "And just what was so bad that Shockwave was said to have left the 'mecha scene' permanently?" The fact that Shockwave, no matter the species, had left for whatever reason and was thought to have left permanently was curious. Especially with the current knowledge that he was a mechanical engineer and scientist for MECH when previously, he worked with… the 'GMD'?

( "Heh, I can't wait to tell Wheeljack that his human other is friends with Knock Out. I wonder if Breakdown's human too." A Wrecker wondered, amused by the apparent friendship being shown.

Both bots and humans frowned at the trail off, "After what? Don't leave us hanging Jackie!" A teenage girl whined, pouting over the lack of information.

"It might have to do something about that thing we saw earlier- I don't really remember much of it since it happened so fast but maybe he got traumatized after a fight or something." The eldest of the humans offered, though it was met with doubt and disagreement.

His femme partner and guardian shook her helm, "No. Even as a human, he wouldn't leave something like giant robot suits and invading aliens alone. Must've been something big for him to leave temporarily… and that's already a wild thought to have considering the actual mech is an emotionless psycho scientist."

.: Anybody else feel like it's weird Wheeljack called Shockwave Waltz? :.

There was a unanimous noise of agreements from the scout's teammates, even his Prime murmured something indistinctive. )

[ Knock Out shook his head, "Not kidding at all Wheeljack… They call themselves MECH- all capital letters. Guess they're really branding themselves for mecha pilots and suits, huh?" He joked though he seemed perturbed as he considered something. Naturally, Wheeljack noticed.

"Something on your mind, Knock Out?"

The red head hesitated before nodding, "Yeah, MECH's secretive. Like, more so than our own government and shit. Nobody's met the new pilots so far, they're all stationed in MECH facilities. Their suits are being scanned and blueprints of tech are being sent, but we're not getting anything about their pilots. No in-depth medical files, just basic shit that doesn't tell me anything else other than they're healthy and ready to pilot, certainly no personal information. It's all 'need-to-know' basis and apparently, GMD mechanics and medics aren't on the lists." He said, disgruntled and scowling.

Wheeljack frowned, "That's… weird. Other countries' govs send in at least a basic but descriptive medical file in case their pilots end up hurt in our turf but MECH hasn't sent anything like that?"

"No." Knock Out confirmed, shaking his head. "Rumors have it they're doing human experiments." Wheeljack grimaced, and brushed against his single port on the nape of his neck. Knock Out noticed and sighed, "More human experiments, like, adding more ports to a pilot for better control and synchronization."

"They tried that." Wheeljack replied tensely, slowly growing louder, "They tried that and the last pilots who had more than one port ended up getting paralyzed slowly over the course of a few months! Their nerves deteriorated on a slow bases every time they clocked into a mecha suit— the one who managed to quit the earliest can't move her fucking legs!" ]

"Oho, now isn't that interesting?" Knock Out murmured, listening to his human other and the Autobot discuss MECH from an outside and past perspective. "So, before MECH, pilots only had one port to link themselves into the mecha. Presumably leading a clunkier control over it?" That was what he was getting from this at least.

"Linking biological matter to a mechanical output requires a… fine-tuned balance and technique. I suppose Shockwave, or pardon me, Waltz's involvement led to a breakthrough to multiple ports being used without any side-effects." Starscream said, smirking when he said Shockwave's human name. The seeker was having the time of his life with the fact that Shockwave was human in this world, Knock Out wondered if there was more to that story of Shockwave's demise as he and the others suspected.

"Tailbreaker and Wrecker have two ports," They were surprised when Lord Megatron decided to speak, peering at the screen with renewed interest. "Whilst Senscript has five, it certainly shines a new light to their current situation, and why Tailbreaker was so concerned about Senscript's new port earlier on…"

That it does.

( A medic rears back, his previous indignant emotions about the subject come slamming back at the new information being presented. "Rafael has five ports. FIVE!" He near-roared, standing to his pedes and nearly throwing his datapad but was thankfully held back by his leader and old friend. "Jack and Miko have two!"

"Woah docbot! Calm down!"

"Calm down?! Your other selves are in danger of a biological neural shut down! The human nervous system is delicate! Multiple studies indicate that damaged human nervous systems can lead to a lifetime of problems! And did you not hear about that poor pilot who couldn't move her legs?!"

"Have you been reading up on human biology all this time? No wait, nevermind that! By the sound of things, we've had those ports for a while now, long enough that it isn't exactly a problem!" The male teenager exclaimed, trying to soothe the agitated and worried medic. "Is it worrying that Raf, uh, Senscript has five ports? Yes! Absolutely! However getting angry at the screen and trying to throw things at it won't solve anything!"

His Prime continued after the young human, "It is unfortunate but it is the truth, Ratchet. We cannot do anything about it, we can only hope that whatever side-effects that Senscript, Wrecker and Tailbreaker will endure in this other world, it can be dealt with appropriately. And that it is either small or reversible. Calm yourself." Reluctantly, the medic sat back down, clutching his datapad with a terrible scowl.

A girl leaned in to whisper to a boy, "Aww, I think Ratchet cares about us."

A boy smiled and whispered back, "Yeah, I think he does." )

[ "Easy there Dolton." Knock Out soothed, "I know what you're feeling but that's just what I've been hearing around. Rumor has it their pilots are on a two-port system. Have been for a year now, and if they're as efficient and skillful as they claim to be…"

"Then the government, hell, GMD, is gonna be interested." Wheeljack finished with a scowl. He sighed, leaning over his console, gripping it tightly. "Think I can get out of being part of the program again this time?"

Knock Out looked thoughtful before shrugging, "You managed to get out of the last multi-port testing because of a technicality and a loophole you found. You were still in the middle of transitioning and hormone treatment, which would have messed with their test results, but you're finished with that now. They'll be mindful of that so there's a chance you won't be left out this time."

"Fuck."

Knock Out gave him an apologetic look, "If MECH guarantees that their two-port technology is successful- you are one of the top rising pilots of the GMD Wheeljack. They'll either consider you first, or next. I don't know if you can get out of this one."

Wheeljack gritted his teeth, "Watch me." ]

"Transitioning?" Starscream questioned, raising an optic ridge at the term. "And what changes did the human need to go under? What treatment? Is becoming a pilot that complicated other than surgically implanting a port or more into their body?"

Knock Out didn't reply, busy typing into the human internet 'hormone treatment' and 'transitioning'. His optics flickered as the results he was given were unexpected. "Ahhh." He said aloud, perhaps a bit too loudly as he skimmed through each website and little details from the media he's consumed about humans began to click together.

"Care to share what it is you've found, Knock Out?" The medic jumped at the dry, unimpressed tone Lord Megatron had in his voice print as the racer found himself being stared at by the entire room.

Clearing his voice cables, he moved the websites he found to a free screen on the Nemesis. "I believe what my other self is referring to when he says transitioning and hormone treatment is this Lord Megatron." He gestured to the striped light blue, pink and white symbol on the screen. "It seems that some humans are not content with their current frames- er, gender? And try to 'transition' from one to another. From what I can see and theorize, the Autobot human Wheeljack, Dolton? Is currently male-presenting, mech-presenting in our terms? Which wasn't always the case, in the past, he may have been a she. A female, femme."

It's not unheard of of femmes wanting to be mechs, or vice-versa. Just rare, you hear alt-mode transitionings more often considering how forbidden they used to be when the Senate ruled Cybertron and enforced punishments on those who were caught doing so or planning such things without their permission.

Actually, by the looks of things, the human government and society saw things the same with. Enforcing the importance of birth genders rather than functionality. It frankly, didn't make sense to Knock Out and he knows it doesn't make sense to the other cons either. Even the Autobots really.

"Hm, to think that humans would care of such trivial things like whether or not their people are one gender or another, or neither." Lord Megatron muttered with disdain, "Pitiful primitives… Let them choose which they want to be, it doesn't matter in the end."

That is… surprisingly supportive, then again it makes sense. The Decepticon cause had advocated the rights and freedom of their bodies, of their frames and lives from the iron-clad grip of the Senate. This was no different…

Knock Out swallowed the question of when did advocating the rights of their frames and freedom turn into bloodshed and planetary destruction. It was something he hadn't thought of in a long, long time and preferred not to.

The Observer seemed to have the effect of bringing up old details and memories that everyone seemed to prefer to leave behind…

( In Omega Outpost One, a similar search was made.

"Wheeljack was a girl?" A teenage girl gawked for a moment, "She totally looks like a guy now! Woah!"

"That's the point Miko, also- pronouns. Wheeljack's a guy, don't call him 'she'." Her older friend admonished lightly, relaxing and nodding when the girl gave a genuine apology and a grin.

"Whoops! Sorry… still, that's so cool."

"You do not seem surprised, Jack." The Autobot leader noted while his team gathered around the medic's datapad to look at the information about 'Transitioning' and 'Trans people'. It got to the point where the medic gave up and put the information on the base's console for easier viewing from the team, their youngest human companion helped set it up.

The boy shrugged, "I spent a lot of time in the hospital with my mom, she's a nurse, and we meet a lot of interesting people. I've met guys who were girls, girls who were guys, people who didn't want to be either."

Immediately the medic's optics honed in on the boy. "So you have personal experience in witnessing these 'transitioning' and 'hormone treatments'? I have a few questions in mind—"

"Woah there Ratchet! I may know a little bit more than the normal person, but if you want like, personal or graphic details about it, just look it up on verified medical websites and articles or y'know… ask my mom?"

A chuckle escapes the Prime as his old friend grumbles but actually makes a note to question the boy's mother whenever she comes by or is available during a call. He can't help but feel proud of the boy, and of the humans, for their actions and mindsets. Though he is saddened to see that the government and other humans had yet to approve of these transitions in some places, this is significantly better compared to the Senate's own doings at least. Even if it does not make sense to forbid one from changing their gender. )

[ - SIX MONTHS LATER -

"God fucking dammit." Wheeljack muttered, now clocked into his mecha with two visible ports on his neck.

.: While it's unfortunate that you weren't able to dodge this port installation, at the very least it's been confirmed that the two-port system that MECH had created is compatible and completely safe. Their pilots have been using it for about a year now and no nerve damage has been reported. Nor permanent side-effects to clocking out aside from the usual dysphoria and such, if a bit heightened thanks to a better synchronization. Although it's hard to believe it myself considering majority of the information about said pilots are still being withheld and hidden. :. Came Knock Out's voice to Wheeljack, tone dry and begrudging.

Wheeljack sighed in defeat, "Considering Shockwave's on the team of engineers and mechanics, I'm not exactly surprised." He groused, reluctantly impressed as he tested out the movement of his mecha. He was in a large empty room, with Knock Out perched on a high-rise platform, taking notes with a headset on his head and a tablet in his hands. "Definitely feeling the difference between the single and double, I can control my mecha's limbs better. Connection's stable. No immediate signs of mental fatigue."

Knock Out hummed in thought, .: Good. Good. Your vitals are stable, the synchronization is higher than before. I'll admit, I'm impressed. Still would have liked talking with one of the actual pilots who had the damn ports longer than you… :.

"Hmm," Wheeljack was thoughtful before he smirked. "Hey Knock Out, think you can shuffle me into active duty soon?"

.: Possibly… why? :.

"Got told that I'll be paired with a rookie pilot of MECH to show them the ropes in battle- one of their elite trained pilots whose finally being released to the wild. Even got a pre-earned designation I hear, 'Wrecker'."

.: Well isn't that a charming designation… :. Was Knock Out sarcastic reply before he smirked as well, .: I'll see to it you're perfectly healthy for duty. :. ]

"Awfully close with the human Wheeljack." Starscream said lowly towards Knock Out who rolled his optics, "Looks like you're his usual medic and mechanic, it's unexpected, to see you two work together. Especially as another species."

Well, at least he said it in a tone that wasn't snide but was genuinely curious. "I know right? The Observer continues to baffle us in ways we never thought of, to think, I'd be getting along with a Wrecker like him… Other species notwithstanding. Although I am very content with my own wrecker. Right here." He purred, leaning over to pat Breakdown's arm when he saw Breakdown trying to not look too interested in the conversation.

His conjunx flushed but flashed him a wide, satisfied grin at the reassurance. His plates fluffing and puffing in pride, "Damn right."

Knock Out chuckled quietly, finding his conjunx's reaction to be very adorable. He certainly hoped his human self was together with Breakdown, he was rather curious as to what his partner would look like as a human now that he's seen himself.

And if he's Cybertronian… well…

He keeps those thoughts to himself, unwilling to entertain them just yet.

( "Looks like Wheeljack couldn't dodge the new port this time." A femme scout warrior said while her team's medic grumbled and grouched at the screen. "But hey, by the looks of things, it's going better than what Wheeljack said about the last two-port experiments?" She tried, soothing the wrecker who'd gotten visibly worried for the alternate version of his friend.

He sighed, then commented, "Wheeljack and Knock Out… definitely not the two I'd expect to being friends anywhere, but guess it works there. Still weird though." )

[ - TWO MONTHS LATER -

Klaxons blared loud and clear as Wheeljack hastily got into his cockpit, strapping himself down. "Pilot 904, callsign: Wheeljack. Clocking in." He reported after strapping down his helmet. Grunting as he felt two wires plug themselves into his ports. He scowled at the feeling but ignored it, "Synchronization complete."

.: Copy that Wheeljack, standby for transport. Immediate deployment required, Class 8 XTRs have been spotted. I repeat, Class 8 XTRs have been spotted within mountain ranges, heading towards the city. You will be backed up with MECH pilot 00, callsign: Wrecker who will meet you there. :. A voice, not Knock Out, but another operator instead, told him through the comms.

"Roger that. Magnetic locks engaging for transport." Thick cables attached themselves to Wheeljack's mecha, connected two large helicopters above him, the cables groaning underneath the strain but holding as Wheeljack's mecha was lifted up from the hanger and taken towards the area where the XTRs.

Wheeljack was flipping switches and pressing buttons when he finally noticed another mecha being flown beside him, using four helicopters- it was definitely a big guy. Wheeljack whistled, "Damn, I knew Wrecker was tank-class, but that's one hell of a mecha." He pressed against his console, establishing a new communication line with his new pilot.

"This is pilot 904 of the Global Mecha Defense, US Branch, callsign; Wheeljack. So, you're the newbie I'm suppose to show the ropes?" He asked into his mic, smirking to himself.

His smirk widened when he got a reply soon, from a woman's voice, .: This is MECH pilot 00, callsign; Wrecker. Hey, I may be green on the field but that doesn't mean you should underestimate me old timer. :. ]

"… That is not Wrecker." Knock Out said, the difference in voices was jarring. This voice was much more mature and smoother than Wrecker, and yet, something about it nagged to him.

Starscream narrowed his optics, "… No, it is her." He replied, gaining attention, "Listen to her voice- it's being modulated, changed, artificially. Humans might not be able to tell the difference considering it's well made, but to our audials, the frequency isn't as smooth than a natural voice print, organic or cybertronian."

Knock Out frowned, adjusting his audials and- yeah, there it was. "MECH disguised the voices of the pilots… to hide the fact, their pilots were children." He says as the screen showed Wrecker. Smaller than before. Plugged into her mecha with a voice modulating system overlaid on her comm link system.

That… did not sit well with the Decepticon medic. He hadn't known the actual ages of the humans at the start of the viewing, just noted they were young adults. But seeing Wrecker in the current flashback, she was practically the same age as the annoying brats that hung out with the Autobots.

Annoying little things that poked their business where they shouldn't, and irresponsible Autobots that either let them or couldn't contain them as they should. But at least the Autobots didn't actively encourage children into fighting wars. Especially against other, giant aliens like the fragging Quintessons!

There's an unsettling symphony of low engine growls in the room, and he glanced around to see Lord Megatron looking at the screen with disgust, Breakdown scowling with his servos clenched, Starscream looking away with gritted dentae and Soundwave… indecipherable as always yet his engine seemed to growl the loudest.

( Three humans were surprised by the sound of multiple engines revving up in, anger? "They're children." Ratchet wasn't shouting this time, yet his tone was cold and hard and angry that it made all three kids shiver. "They're child soldiers. Wrecker has to be the same age as Miko right now during this flashback sequence and MECH… MECH hid that fact using VOICE MODULATORS!" Finally, the medic shouts, barely held back by the Prime whose grip was much tighter than normal.

"Next time I see 'em, they can be formally acquainted with my wrecking ball." The green mech snarled, transforming his servo into said wrecking ball hammer and slamming it into the palm of his other servo.

Hesitantly, a teen spoke up. "Uh, I'm not saying no to you kicking MECH's asses but like- what's with the reaction? Raf's like, the same age as us! Senscript I mean, and you weren't all growly and angry about that. Also, we're like- not children, kinda. Jack and I are teens! Raf's currently a tween, but like, yeah."

"Oh we were still angry, but we had it kept in." The slim scout said through gritted dentae, her fellow, bigger scout whirred his angry agreement. Despite his aggressive attitude, he was tenderly holding his charge in his servos, finally letting the boy return to the couch. "Doesn't matter if you're a teen, or tween Miko. You're still young, YOU shouldn't be fighting Quintessons. You should be in school! With other children your age! Safe and sound."

"I had hoped, as horrible as it was, that Rafael was the exception. That his status as a child, pardon, a teenage pilot, was not the norm." The Autobot Leader said gravely, his expression pinched and grim. "It seems that I was, unfortunately, wrong."

The three children, because that's what they were, no matter how much they may protest, shared a worried glance with one another as the viewing continued. )

[ .: Pilots Wheeljack and Wrecker, you are now in range. You will now be deployed, in three, two, one— ;. The cables loosened and let go, leaving the two mechas into a short free fall to the ground right in front an incoming Class 8 Levi that Wrecker immediately wrestled with.

.: Wrecker to base! Engaging XTRs now! :.

"Alright rookie, let's see what you got!" Wheeljack hollered, grinning in his cockpit as his mecha dove into the fray.

The screen fizzled, turning black for a moment before returning to the scene of Wrecker and Wheeljack surrounded by dead XTRs, both mechas were damaged yet Wrecker's was surprisingly intact compared to Wheeljack's missing arm. "Alright, I'll admit, not bad rookie." Wheeljack laughed, breathless and panting, sweat beading down his face as he maneuvered his mecha to look at Wrecker's. "MECH's got you trained up pretty good."

.: Tch, they wish. I'm just that good. :. Was Wrecker's reply, though she was just as breathless and sweaty. But she had a wide grin on her face. .: You're not so bad yourself Wheeljack, loved the makeshift bomb you made- honestly wish I had your kit, but well, there's a reason I got Wrecker as my callsign. I like wreckin' shit up with my bare hands. :.

"Hah!" Wheeljack laughed, sensing a camaraderie with the new pilot from the other organization. "Your bare, sonic-equipped hands! Man, I think we're gonna get along just fine Wrecker." He offered his surviving arm to Wrecker. "Dolton Jackson."

Wrecker hesitated, the screen showing her young face, biting her lip before she grunted and grinned. Accepting Wheeljack's hand with her own. "Miko Nakadai." ]

"Well, that answers the question as to why the Autobot was so concerned to hear her sound so young." Knock Out muttered, shaking his helm.

Breakdown nodded in agreement before pausing, snorting to himself. "Dolton Jackson?" He questioned aloud, sharing an amused look with his conjunx. Just what kind of name was that? "Knew his name was Dolton when your other self said it, but really? Wheeljack? Dolton Jackson?"

The medic shrugged, what else could he say about the name? Maybe the universe just liked playing games with little details like that. Still, looking at the damage of their mechas… if he hadn't known they were artificially made suits that had no pain receptors and weren't empurata'd mechs… he'd be concerned with the fact Wheeljack was missing his arm and not showing any signs of distress.

( "Dolton Jackson. I gotta call Jackie that next time I comm him."

"Dude, that's going to confuse him so much… Yeah, do it! Hehehehe!"

"Hehehehe!"

Ignoring the snickering wrecking guardian and charge duo, a teenage boy sighed, "From the looks of it, or at least I'm just guessing here; when our other selves were with pilots or people outside of MECH, we used voice modulators to hide our ages."

"And MECH didn't let any of the GMD, or anyone else outside the organization, personally meet with us, plus they didn't send any really detailed files- they probably fabricated our ages on the files anyway." His young friend theorized with him, the mood of the team darkened a bit at the reminder that they were young pilots in another world. Fighting a war that should be fought by adults, not children. )

[ The screen abruptly returned to the present, with Wheeljack looking devastated as he stood outside of his mecha on a giant table with Wrecker standing in front of him. Behind her, Tailbreaker was treating Senscript, with Ultra Magnus carefully handing over a small human-sized medical kit to the young man.

Optimus and Megatron were not within the room, it was just the humans and Ultra Magnus.

"Oh Miko." Wrecker tensed, giving him a defiant look at his tone of voice.

"Don't." She replied sharply, eyes narrowing at him as she tightly crossed her arms. "Don't use that tone of voice with me, don't use your 'it's gonna be okay kid' voice with me Jackie. I don't need it."

Wheeljack hesitated before taking in a deep breath. "Yeah, yeah. Sorry 'bout that Wrecker." He gave a small smirk, but his eyes were still concerned. It was enough for Wrecker though, as she relaxed her shoulders. "Just… didn't expect seeing you here 's all."

Wrecker grinned at him, "I could say the same thing to you! I- fuck's sake Wheeljack, your mecha got speared through and then dragged into a weird, light thingy that I thought was like a hallucination from my concussion!"

Before Wheeljack could reply, Tailbreaker interrupted, "Sorry to interrupt your reunion- but I need some help with Senscript here!" Both pilots cursed and were quick to regroup to Senscript's side as Tailbreaker tucked an emergency blanket underneath the young boy's head after taking off his helmet.

"He's…" Wheeljack's expression twisted slightly at the sight of Senscript- his bloody face was being wiped by Tailbreaker with an antiseptic wipe. 'He's so young.' Wheeljack thought before shaking his head, "What happened?"

"Some kind of experimental tech from Shockwave and MECH." Wrecker answered, helping Tailbreaker clean up Senscript's face. "Cortis, something, something. Was supposed to look into information from the XTRs."

"Miko." Tailbreaker hissed, "You're-"

"Breaking protocol? Sharing classified information? Look around us Jack, we're not on Earth! MECH's nowhere near us! It's just Jackie and we can trust him… and whoever this guy is since Jackie let him stay." Wrecker said, gesturing to Wheeljack and Ultra Magnus. ]

"Heh, Wrecker's not taking MECH's shit now that they're not around." Breakdown chuckled approvingly, enjoying the way Wrecker had immediately thrown out information from MECH that would've wanted to keep on the down low. "Good on her."

"And honestly a good idea, how else are they suppose to treat Senscript without identifying the cause and its effects?" Knock Out huffed, although he wasn't as moral as other medics- and he did prefer breaking bots at times rather than fixing them, he did have the mindset of a logical medic… Sometimes.

Not telling your doctor over what happened and how you got hurt was a very stupid way to get help for treatment. Unless they wanted the wrong treatment or medicine or even procedure to happen, which would exacerbate or worsen their condition- it was best to tell your doctor what happened.

Then again, neither Wheeljack or Ultra Magnus were medics, or medically inclined. Maybe Wheeljack, but still. Why were there no medics within the room?

( The Autobot's CMO huffed, "They need to call a medic to help Senscript. Even if they're cybertronian, a scan is prudent into figuring out how to help him."

"Maybe Optimus and Megatron went to get one?" The youngest among them proposed but was shot down with a stern, disagreeing shake of a helm.

"They could have commed for a medic to come if they wanted to retrieve one… " He really hoped that his counterpart, if he was there as a cybertronian, knew that the humans were- well, humans. A small, organic species rather than assuming they were otherwise… )

[ "I am Ultra Magnus, Commander of an Elite Autobot group; the Wreckers." The large mech introduced with stilted English.

Wrecker's eyes brightened, "No shot! He's commander of the Wreckers? You're commander of the Wreckers? Dude! My callsign is Wrecker! I was meant to meet you! And your whole crew!" She exclaimed excitedly before wincing at the light groan Senscript made from the loud noise. "Shit, sorry Raf."

Wheeljack chuckled and Ultra Magnus even had a small smile on his faceplate. "Believe me, I was just as surprised when I found out 'bout his group Miko. Told him aall about you, said you'd be a perfect fit, name included." Wrecker beamed at him.

"Yes, Wheeljack has told me a lot about you, Wrecker. From what I've heard, you would do well in my squadron… however first and foremost, we should perhaps focus on your compatriot here." Ultra Magnus said, looking at the youngest human in concern. "What can we do to help him?"

Tailbreaker sighed, "Other than make sure his brain isn't scrambled? No idea, the tech he used was a prototype. Cortical Psychic Patch Link, it was supposed to let Senscript direct access the XTRs processors directly and gather information and it worked. Only… It wasn't a one-way link, not completely at least. The commander we pinned down used the link to hurt Senscript, and then activated something that took us from Earth to- well, here."

Wheeljack frowned, not liking the sound of it. "How direct we talking?"

"Direct as in he got a fifth port just to use the damn thing." Wrecker replied with frustration, gently lifting Senscript's head to show the five ports lined along the boy's neck.

Wheeljack immediately paled, horror in his eyes. "FIVE?!" He shouts and winces when Senscript flinches, groaning and both Wrecker and Tailbreaker sent him a look. ]

"With the knowledge that more than on port had once led to paralysis, it is rather impressive that the boy is still moving with five ports installed." Arachnid chuckled, having enjoyed the look of horror on the human Wheeljack's face.

Starscream hummed, a reluctant look of begrudging respect on his faceplate. "Indeed… Though it is not without its consequences and side effects." He notes, looking over to Knock Out. "Recall that during the start of the viewing, Senscript was unnaturally sensitive to light and sound. I had chalked that up as to his connection to his mecha's sensory units and crown, and perhaps that still remains as a reason but the ports are possibly another factor."

"Considering they're connecting to the human's nervous systems, it's probably a miracle that the kid's still functioning as he is… then again we're looking at this with incomplete information. We don't know the procedures and treatments they use to install such things in their organic little bodies." Knock Out nodded back, admittedly far more curious about human biology now than ever. He usually found them gross, and he still did, yet morbid fascination had him looking into websites and articles now to theorize about the stature and conditions of the pilots in that world.

He hasn't been this interested in a scientific and medical subject in quite a long while. It was a bit exciting actually, especially after conferring with Starscream. ( Strange, yet undeniable as the situation calls for it. )

( A medic grumbled angrily underneath his vent, glaring at the screen but not specifically at any of the humans shown. More at the ones responsible for the ports on the alternate boy's neck, he muttered lowly in cybertronian. His old friend squeezed the plate of his shoulder in reassurance and grounding.

A scout whirred lowly, but refrained from picking up the young boy again so soon. )

[ "Shit, sorry."

Ignoring Wheeljack's apology, Tailbreaker rifled through a small bag he managed to get from Senscript's mecha. From it, he took out a pair of thick headphones and a soft blindfold.

Ultra Magnus noticed and leaned in, asking as softly as he could. "What are you doing?"

"By the looks of it, Senscript's a support-type mecha." Wheeljack spoke up, gesturing to the suit still laying on the berth nearby. "Rescue-class by the looks of it, they're usually the ones who look through the debris for trapped and injured civilians. Or get to downed pilots in their mecha, sometimes they even provide on the fly repairs. Rescue-class mecha pilots typically have sensitive senses, disconnecting from their scanners, their sensors- their clock outs and down time are usually worse than us normal pilots."

He looked at both Wrecker and Tailbreaker, "Speakin' off, how's the clock out?"

"Manageable." Tailbreaker answered with a frown, slipping the headphones onto Senscript's head after the blindfold.

Wrecker scowled at him, "'Manageable' my ass— Tailbreaker's lucky, he's always fine after a clock out. He doesn't get our shit unless he's been clocked in a mecha for three days straight or something." It shifted to Wrecker's hands which were beginning to shake, "Meanwhile I'm feeling it right now. Fuck." She sat down, yanking off her helmet to tuck underneath her knees while she curled up with her hands over her nape.

Wheeljack winced, the screen switching to his own vision- which hazed over slightly until Wheeljack closed his eyes tightly enough to see stars, opening them to find himself sitting as well with Ultra Magnus' servo keeping him upright. "Ah, thanks Mags." ]

"Of course there would be side effects to linking an organic system to a metallic, technological shell." Starscream snorted, though he was watching said side effects with an interested and critical optic.

Knock Out hummed, "Yeah, it looks like Senscript's not the only one with side effects… Clock out, huh? Symptoms so far includes muscle spasm, hazing vision, hypersensitivity…" He listed off what he could see on the spot from the screen. It was hard to diagnose the symptoms and effects mostly because Knock Out was a medic for cybertronians, his knowledge of human biology and health was non-existent to rudimentary and though he was currently supplementing it with the websites and articles he was finding, he was not a human doctor. "Both Wrecker and Wheeljack are experiencing the clock out but…"

"Tailbreaker isn't." The medic jolted in his seat as Lord Megatron spoke, the ex-gladiator (and ex-miner?) looking very interested as Tailbreaker moved between all three pilots. Looking only fatigued as the last pilot standing. "Unlike the other humans, he is not experiencing the effects of 'clock out'. How very interesting." He grinned, a sharp digit tapping the side of his helm.

( "What?! Jack doesn't get whatever's getting Wheeljack and I? That's so unfair!"

A boy winced as his friend punched his shoulder, "Ow! Hey! Don't punch me just 'cause other me can't uh, doesn't? Have 'clock out' side effects! I don't even know what that is! And! It may not even apply to me, specifically Miko!"

"Still not fair."

Meanwhile, a Wrecker spoke with a medic.

"What's happening with Miko and Jackie? Got any ideas Ratchet?"

"I'm not a human doctor Bulkhead, I can only assume that linking neurologically with a gigantic metal suit is messing with their nerves and senses. I find it curious that Tailbreaker is not experiencing the effects like Wrecker and Wheeljack though… I would have said he built up an immunity or resistance however Wheeljack has been a pilot for longer and Wrecker, I would argue, has been at it for the same amount of length…" )

[ "Damn Jack, I thought Miko was kiddin' 'bout you not havin' clock outs." Wheeljack rasped towards the young man who provided a canteen of water alongside some pills from the first ait kit, he immediately swallowed the pills and drank some water, thanking Tailbreaker with a nod. The pilot was using Ultra Magnus' servo as back support as the mech worriedly kept close.

"'S not fair." Wrecker growled out, face buried against her knees as she massaged her lower neck, careful around the ports. She took a moment to uncurl so she could accept her own canteen of water and pills before curling back up with a frustrated groan.

Tailbreaker gave him a lopsided grin, "I still get them but like she said, not unless I'm clocked in for a very, very long time. Dunno why, it's… an advantage I guess? Not even MECH knows why I can last that long without feeling the same things as the rest of the pilots."

At the mention of MECH, Wheeljack's face darkened before he shook his head. "Any sign of Doc Sunshine?" He asked Ultra Magnus instead.

Ultra Magnus gave him a disapproving look, "You know he does not like calling you that, Wheeljack."

"Aw, but he's so bright and cheery. Like sunshine."

The mech sighed, before nodding, "He is on his way, he's just finished handing off important patients to appropriate medics. Optimus and Megatron are on their way back as well."

"Finally gettin' a medic here?" Wrecker questioned shakily, a cut to her view showed how hazy her vision was, she closed her eyes again and resumed tucking her head against her knees. "'Bout time."

"Would a… would your people, even know how to treat us?" Tailbreaker asked Ultra Magnus, suddenly nervous. Wheeljack seemed fine for a man who went missing for more than three years but…

Ultra Magnus nodded at him with a look of understanding, "I understand your apprehension, while Ratchet is not an expert on biological medicines and treatment, he has learned quite a lot thanks to Wheeljack. At the very least, he will be able to do a medical scan on Senscript's proce- no, I believe it was called a brain. Yes, he will be able to scan Senscript's brain and compare it to Wheeljack's for health." ]

"And here I thought the other bots didn't know about humans." Knock Out hummed, a bit surprised to hear that Ratchet was coming to treat the humans- with Optimus and Megatron out of the room. He had assumed that the two leaders did not know the truth of their seemingly cybernetic guests.

Also, it looked like the old grumpy medic was a cybertronian while Knock Out himself was human. Hmph, well, at least he looked just as good as a human. Even in that human uniform he'd been in, he made it work. Made it look stylish. If there was one thing he was a bit envious of humans was the fact they could freely wear fabrics and clothes with ease and enjoyment. The humans not only had a sense of style for vehicles, but for fashion as well.

Such things like fabric and clothes were usually for the high-end snobs of Iacon, the richest of the rich cybertronians got to enjoy fabric clothing- not all the time considering fabrics usually snagged on joints and seams and such, not to mention if you transformed, you would rip apart whatever you were wearing in no time. It was superfluous and excessive to wear fabric clothes over their metal platings.

( Another medic's apprehension and suspicion was eased greatly at the mention of himself, "Oh good. I do know that they're organic life forms and seem to have enough knowledge to help them. And here I thought I'd be forced to watch myself be clueless." He muttered the last part to himself with a huff.

"It is indeed, a good thing that you know of the human's true natures and forms." His old friend confirmed, just as reassured at the knowledge that the alternate version of his friend and teammate could help the other versions of the humans they knew and protected.

.: If anyone can help you guys, it'll be Ratchet. :. A scout whirred to a young boy, .: Also, that means he's cybertronian! I haven't seen myself yet, does that mean I'm human too? :.

The boy laughs, "I hope so! So far, we've seen two cons as humans, having you as human would even the odds Bee. Since Miko knows Wheeljack, do you think I know you?"

.: I can't imagine a world where we both exist and DON'T know each other Raf! But yeah, I hope so too! :. )

[ "That's… good. Really good." Tailbreaker sighed in relief, returning to Senscript's side. "Was a little worried that they'd mistake us as- well, another alien robot species? If it weren't for the fact there were way too many of you guys around, far too many for any of our governments to afford to have around as well as, y'know, the architecture and stuff- I would've mistaken you guys as other pilots… with expensive faces."

Ultra Magnus cleared his throat cables, a look of amusement and exasperation on his faceplate as he nodded in agreement. "Agreed, that… that misunderstanding would be rather… troublesome."

Wheeljack cackled against his servo, though it was cut short with a wince. Didn't stop him from smiling widely though, "I mean- it's, it's still kinda happening that way?"

"… What?"

Wrecker pried open an eye to look at Wheeljack, "I'm with him, what?"

"Technically, only Optimus, Megatron, Ratchet, a select choice of others and myself know that you humans are organics piloting mechanical suits. Which has been a fairly recent development. The rest of our troops are… under the impression that you are distantly related to us in some way." Ultra Magnus admitted, "And it was decided to let that misconception continue on the account of current opinions on organics and techno-organics among the troops."

"The Quintessons didn't leave a great impression on cybertronians 'bout us, doesn't help that some organic alien species are helping them on the sly." Wheeljack told both pilots who looked utterly shocked at the several revelations of; they were on a planet that didn't exactly see them in a good light, that there were other organic species out there but they were helping the Quintessons, and that, by the looks of things, they'd need to hide the fact they were organics from majority of the cybertronians they were about to meet. ]

Starscream snorted, "Of course." He seemed very amused at the fact the humans were being seen as 'distant relatives' to cybertronians. While he was disappointed that Megatron knew the truth, the fact the rest of the Decepticons and Autobots had no idea was rather entertaining.

Knock Out frowned, tilting his helm, "Which organic species could possibly be helping the Quintessons? They're horrid looking! I genuinely prefer the humans than to them." At least the humans had style in some places of their species' culture… Perhaps he was a bit more biased towards them thanks to seeing himself as a human.

"I don't know Knock Out, perhaps one of the many, many species that find our war an annoyance? Or perhaps the organics that became extinct as a side-effect from our war on their planets?" Arachnid smiled cruelly, chuckling to herself. She wasn't surprised that there were other organics backing the Quintessons up, "The other species find our war so much of a hassle, they tend to stay away from our sector of the universe."

Although with the end of Cybertron, with the Exodus spreading their kind across the stars… It was a wonder how no other species have yet to think of targeting them as a whole once more.

( "There are other aliens out there?"

"Miko, the Autobots are aliens."

"Yeah but like, other aliens! Not giant transforming cybernetic guys! No offense you guys, you are super duper cool and Bulkhead will always be my favorite alien but I'm not gonna lie. I'm curious about other aliens out there."

"Aw thanks Miko."

"Huh, I guess we were so caught up with the bots, we didn't really think to ask about other species out there in space. Think you can tell me about them, Bee?"

.: Of course! I haven't met as much as the others, but I do know a few cool ones you'd like to know. :.

"Sweet!" )

[ "So for the moment, it would behoove you three to stay within your mechas while you're here on Cybertron. Please avoid from getting out of your suits outside your personal areas or around unauthorized personnel."

Wrecker seemed a little better as she got to her feet, she wobbled slightly but stood her ground. "Wait, so like- you said this was recent, and I'm already imagining tons of shit about like, Jackie getting into shenanigans here with you guys but-"

Before she could ask further, the door to the room hissed open and in came a red, orange and white cybertronian with blue optics that immediately honed in on the humans. "Primus, there are more of you." He muttered but his pace was brisk in getting to the table.

"Well hello to you too, Sunshine." Wheeljack greeted with a grin, patting Ultra Magnus' servo as the mech helped him to his feet.

"Do not call me that." Ratchet snapped, with less animosity and more annoyed exasperation. As if it was simply an irritating routine that they were doing rather than something out of genuine malice.

Wheeljack smiled sunnily at him as he stumbled over to Wrecker, "Whatever ya say… Doc."

Ratchet groaned, but shook his helm, giving a terse nod to both Wrecker and Tailbreaker. "Greetings, I've been informed of your 'callsigns' but you humans do have other names? I am Ratchet, the Autobot Chief Medical Officer, I'll be your physician for the foreseeing future."

Wrecker and Tailbreaker shared a look though Wheeljack gently nudged Wrecker, "I trust Doc here with my life, he's not a human doctor but he's got enough know how and smarts to keep us in shape here. Just look at me, I'm fit as a fiddle, outside of clock out anyway."

"… Miko Nakadai."

A sigh came from her fellow pilot, "Jack Darby, it's nice to meet you Ratchet."

"And the one that's down is Rafael Esquivel." Miko introduced, gesturing to the young boy. "You should check him out first, he went through a mental attack with an XTR commander." ]

"And here comes the Autobot medic." Knock Out muttered, as nice as it was to see himself as human for a brief moment there. It just reminded him that he probably wasn't going to be involved all too much at the moment, pit, he doesn't even know where he is in the current timeline of events. He was around when Wheeljack was on Earth but where was he now?

Where was he when Wheeljack disappeared? Was his human counterpart wondering where he was right now like Wrecker had been? Did he think he was dead? Did he move on?

All uncomfortable questions he didn't want to consider but couldn't help but think of in the moment. He couldn't help but substitute the situation, switch things around- what if Breakdown had disappeared so abruptly? Knock Out still stood by the fact that the human Autobot was not his human self's paramour, but they were still close, still friends. He'd be… distraught to say the least.

He can only hope his human self had a human Breakdown to help deal with the fact his friend was missing. (So many bots gone over the years, Breakdown was there to help through most of that. He can't bear to think of his conjunx… disappearing either. He doesn't know what he'd do then.)

( A medic huffed, but was pleased to hear that the human version of the irresponsible Wrecker trusted him with his life despite being another species… it was a nice thing to hear, honestly. Even though the human-turned-Autobot still kept up with those ridiculous nicknames. He was no Sunshine, nor did he want to be referred to as Doc. )

[ "XTR… ah yes, what you humans call the Quintessons." Ratchet said as he shifted his focus on Senscript, bringing his arm up and shifting open his scanner. "I will be scanning him, don't be alarmed." He warned the two humans as a green light roamed over the young unconscious boy.

"Quintessons?"

Wheeljack grunted at Tailbreaker's question, "That's what they're actually called, the XTRs. They've been attacking Cybertron way longer then they've been attacking Earth. Ever wondered why they went after the giant statues on Earth? It's 'cuz of these guys."

A brief flash of Quintessons attacking multiple giant statues all over the world, Lady Liberty being the most recognizable one.

"That… explains it I guess? And here people thought the XT- er, the Quintessons? Were just… hardcore atheists or just, aliens that hated art or something." Wrecker snorted, before her attention was taken by Ratchet who made a highly disgruntled noise.

"You said that Rafael underwent a mental attack with a Quintesson Commander? Elaborate."

Tailbreaker shared a hesitant look with Wrecker who merely shrugged and gestured to the medic, trusting Wheeljack's words. The young man sighed before explaining the Cortical Psychic Patch Link and what happened.

Ratchet, Wheeljack and even Ultra Magnus seemed to steadily grow outraged or perturbed as the explanation continued. The medic seemed to physically hold himself back from saying something crass as his expression twisted through various shades of anger. ]

"The Quintessons mistook the giant statues on Earth as cybertronians?" Arachnid snorted derisively, even she could tell those giant things were nothing more than unmoving pieces of metal or stone.

Breakdown couldn't help but snort with her, "Guess so, either that, or they weren't taking any chances. Wouldn't be the first time something artistic or innocent-looking ended up being deadly." He said, remembering little moments during the war when something that didn't look dangerous ended up fragging slag over.

"Finally, the humans can refer to the Quintessons properly." Starscream groaned, annoyed and relieved all at once. "XTRs… No doubt short of Extraterrestrials, hmph. Creative." He said the last word sarcastically with a roll of his optics.

"But efficient." Knock Out shrugged, if it worked, it worked. Why lost processing power over naming the enemy when you should be focusing on defeating it? Granted, he also probably would have lobbied for something more creative and robust but whatever.

He was definitely enjoying the sight of the Autobot medic trying hard not to snap as at Tailbreaker's explanation, he hoped the Autobot snapped right at the humans. If only to see the smug old slag get reprimanded for snapping at someone who wasn't at fault for the situation- the humans were only following orders from an, admittedly unsavory source after all.

To his disappointment though, that world's medic seemed to take a moment to center and calm himself before focusing on the task at hand.

( "Pfft, the Quintessons attacked Lady Liberty? Don't let Agent Fowler know, he'll blow a gasket!"

…

..

.

"Uh, did you guys even let Agent Fowler know about the Observer yet or…"

Despite the fact the Autobot medic had said it in his native language of Neo Cybex, the humans all knew that he had swore as the Prime's expression turned pinched. )

[ "A mental link with the Quintessons." Ratchet hissed through gritted derma, pressing a servo against his faceplate before shaking his helm. "Well from my initial scan with Rafael, he does not have any fatal or immediate injuries- a popped blood vessel from within his nasal passage, possibly from the stress of that mental link but I'd need a deeper scan of him to truly check his brain. His vitals seem stable at least."

Both Tailbreaker and Wrecker sighed in relief, glad to know that their youngest friend was alright. For now.

Despite both pilot's protests, Ratchet was adamant in scanning all the humans. If only to get a basic profile for their health for future uses. He was curious about Tailbreaker's apparent immunity to clock out symptoms compared to Wheeljack and Wrecker but filed that curiosity for later.

The three MECH pilots were actually in a better state of health than Wheeljack considering they'd only piloted their mechas for a handful of hours, compared to the amount of time Wheeljack had been in his- about half a day.

"Any new symptoms?"

"Nah Doc, just the usual. My body feels too small and big for its own good, my vision's hazy but it's clearing up, didn't even lose a limb in my mecha so I've got feeling from all my arms and legs. No numbness in them, head's got a headache but Tailbreaker there got some pills from their first aid kit and gave 'em to me." Wheeljack reported, letting Ratchet scan and prod him easily.

"I made sure that Wheeljack could take breaks when he could, and have a routine upkeep on his nutrients and hydration." Ultra Magnus told Ratchet.

"Aw, thanks Maggie." Both mechs ignored him as the door to their room opened once more, and in came Optimus and Megatron. Optimus looked better, he no longer had a dent at his helm, and his scratches were welded together. The cracks on Megatron's plating seemed smaller, and he too, had his injuries welded and patched. ]

At the sight of Optimus and Megatron returning together, their Leader sat straighter in his chair, optics honed in sharply at his counterpart who stood so close to the other Prime. He'd been distantly interested in the viewing, only truly showing interested at the fact Tailbreaker was unaffected by clock out compared to his fellow pilots.

But now, he was fully paying attention again.

( There were sighs of relief at the fact the fact the alternate version of the young boy they all cared about was alright- his vitals stable at the very least. They hoped that were no complications that would endanger him.

Tensions rose slightly at the return of the alternate versions of their Prime and their enemy tyrant, who wasn't an enemy in this world. But a protector, something they were still dubious and disbelieving about. )

[ Both cybertronians stopped as soon as the door closed behind them, looking at the three new humans with surprised optics. "Primus, they look as young as they sound." Megatron said in English, optics narrowed at them.

"Hey, I thought you didn't know English?" Wrecker exclaimed, peering up at Megatron with wide eyes. Optimus smiled at her before looking over to Megatron who looked far too amused.

Megatron snorted, "Optimus was kind enough to compose a language packet the moment he realized you were humans. Speaking of language packets… Wheeljack, ensure these humans get the cybertronian language packet you've comprised since your stay here."

"Roger that." Wheeljack saluted, "I'll send it to them as soon as I'm back in my mecha. Your comm ID's still the same right, Miko?"

"Should be- same with Jack, I'll send you Raf's comm ID too."

"I take it that you're all in good health? Ratchet?" Optimus questioned, glancing between the humans and his medic, though he seemed very concerned at the fact Senscript was still unconscious and that he'd been blindfolded.

"Rudimentary scans reveal they're all stable- however Rafael, that is, Senscript, is suffering the side-effects of experimental tech alongside a mental attack with one of the Quintesson commanders. I'll need a deeper scan of his he- his cranium for better judgment over his health. He should be transferred to Wheeljack's personal habsuite as soon as possible." ]

Seeing the two leaders fight side by side was one thing, but seeing them stand in a room together- no violence, no hatred, no signs of aggression whatsoever… it really nailed down the fact that neither of them were enemies at the moment. That whatever was happening, the war against the Quintessons, it was enough that the two were putting aside however much years and eons of animosity against each other, bonding even, in favor of dealing with an enemy that required both their attention.

Knock Out never thought he would ever see something like this, the only time he ever thought to see Optimus Prime and Lord Megatron in a room together without any violence was when one of them was fatally wounded and was dying on a berth or something.

But this world was making him reconsider a few things… He always noticed the strange tension between Optimus and Megatron, who wouldn't? They were like a sun and a planet, orbiting around each other- however it was always with animosity and violence and Knock Out didn't dare to entertain thinking otherwise most of the time.

It was undeniable here though, with how close the two leaders were standing on screen.

And with how intense Lord Megatron was watching the screen…

Soundwave's helm tilted towards Knock Out as he realized he was staring at the ex-gladiator more than he should and hastily rectified that, moving his optics back towards the screen instead of the thoughtful warlord.

He'd missed a few things, nothing important though.

( "Wheeljack's taking orders from Megatron… Dunno how I feel about that."

"Megatron's standing with Optimus. That, I have no idea how to feel about."

"I'm standing in the same room as them both, with four humans and Ultra Magnus. I'm beyond feeling knowing how to feel at this point." Both the femme and mech stared at the disgruntled medic for a moment before nodding in agreement.

"You win Ratch." The wrecker offered making him scoff.

"Win what? A helmache?" )

[ "Pardon my interruption but before that, a question has been on my processor since your explanation." Ultra Magnus said, giving an apologetic nod towards Optimus and Megatron for speaking up so abruptly but he had a thoughtful look on his faceplate. "You said that the Quintessons were looking for something on your planet, and that they found it. You found it, do you know what they wanted?"

Wrecker perked, "Oh yeah, they wanted this thing called—"

Abruptly, the scene changed to Optimus, Megatron, Ultra Magnus, Prowl, Starscream and Soundwave within a different room. They gathered around a table, with a silver disk-like contraption that they all knew.

"The Apex Armor." Optimus said in a grave, yet somewhat confused voice.

Starscream leaned in, lifting the disk to take a closer look. "And you say that it was on the human's planet? Hidden in its rock?" He questioned with a scowl, glancing over to the two leaders while Prowl typed into a datapad. ]

"So Starscream and Soundwave retain their cybertronian selves." Lord Megatron said, disappointed and satisfied respectively for each mech mentioned.

Starscream sniffed, holding back a sneer at Megatron's disappointment in him being cybertronian in that world. "Considering Thundercracker and Skywarp are present, he should be glad that I am there to keep them in line." He muttered, though there was something pained in his voiceprint as he shook his helm.

Knock Out doesn't know if Megatron heard it, Soundwave certainly did but did nothing. "At least one of us gets to retain their polish." Knock Out jested towards Starscream, glancing at the seeker on screen- "My, you're sporting color, Starscream. It's rather pleasant." He says in a surprisingly genuine way.

The other Starscream had more color than their grey-silver seeker, plates with red, light blue and light purple was stylishly painted on the other seeker's frame. Which also seemed a bit bulkier, Knock Out hadn't met Starscream personally before Cybertron's… end. But he thinks he had a different frame, was this it? He would perhaps check on his own later on.

"That was my old frame." Starscream murmured, optics almost hungrily looking over the old frame he sported. He hasn't seen it since Thundercracker and Skywarp… He shook his helm, "The colors were something I grew out of, unfortunately." Why wear paint of his trine when he was alone now? And sporting grey was an ominous choice, unfortunately inspired by Megatron himself.

Soundwave made a slight noise, a pinging sound that gained attention. "Ah, you've figured out the area where the Quintessons found the Apex Armor?" Megatron questioned, extremely pleased with Soundwave's work. "Plan out an excavation group to the area in the near future, it must be discrete. We shouldn't let the Autobots know that we can watch the very same thing they're watching right now."

"I volunteer to lead the excavation effort Lord Megatron, I can drill into the cliffs with ease and find it should it be there." Arachnid smoothly spoke up, eager to get her servos on the powerful defensive armor.

Starscream scowled, "Should it be there." He repeated, "There's not guarantee that the armor would be in the same area in this world. Perhaps it's not even on Earth."

"He uh, does have a point there." Breakdown surprisingly agreed because honestly, that was the truth.

Unfortunately… "If there's a chance that it is there, then it is a chance we must take." Megatron replied with a growl, "The Autobots will check themselves at some point, and I will not let them have the Apex Armor. When you search, see that you thoroughly search the area Arachnid- take a few other vehicons and drills with you."

"As you command, Lord Megatron." Arachnid replied with a pleased smile, it turned sly when she glanced over at Starscream who bristled at her look. Remarkably, the seeker kept silent, servos clenched together.

( .: I miss Prowl, I really do. But it's really weird to see him, Ultra Magnus and Optimus with Megatron, Starscream and Soundwave in a… peaceful setting? :. A scout beeped, awkwardly scratching the cheek of his faceplate.

"Definitely." His teammate and friend agreed, the large mech squinting at the screen. "Really hammers in the fact that the Autobots and Decepticons gotta stick together in that world I guess."

"As a tactician, Prowl's got something called a TacNet in his processor. Lets him run insane numbers on probabilities and calculations. He must've ran the numbers on the likelihood of survival rates if we were still divided." A femme scout explained to the humans when she noticed their slightly confused expressions. "And as an Autobot, and one of Optimus' inner circle back then, he's not the biggest fan of cons, so if he's playing ball with them… It cements the fact that Autobots and Decepticons are working together in- relative? Harmony?"

"Wait, that's Starscream?" A young boy asked, glancing over to the seeker on screen. "He looks- different."

"Yeah, he's got more color! And doesn't look like a toothpick or something."

A wrecker tried hard to smother his cackle while a medic snorted, "That is Starscream's previous frame. With Cybertron still intact and… a few other things in play, he must have kept his old frame rather than change into a new one." He says, thinking of the two other familiar seekers he had seen earlier on. )

[ "We haven't seen the Apex Armor since before the Quintessons attacked Cybertron." Prowl said with a frown, "It, along with several other relics and artifacts were stolen from the Iacon Vaults cycles before Iacon's fall."

A brief flash of a burning cybertronian city was shown before it returned to the grimacing Wrecker Commander.

"We had been so busy with the Quintessons afterwards that we couldn't focus on their theft or finding out who stole them in the first place." Ultra Magnus admitted with a shameful sigh and a shake of his helm. "It just wasn't a priority then."

"Well, luckily for you, Soundwave and I had looked into the theft a while ago shortly after the peace treaty." Starscream sniffed, gesturing to the mech who silently provided information and footage on both the screen of his visor as well as the screen on the table they were surrounding. "Considering that some of the items that was stored within the Vaults had been Decepticon weaponry, we thought it prudent to find out what happened, and either find the thief who stole them or at least locate where they would be stashed… Unfortunately the latter part wasn't achieved, but the former…"

Megatron rolled his optics, "Cease the dramatics Starscream, and just show us what you and Soundwave found." He ordered, digit tapping the table rim impatiently.

Starscream scowled but acquiesced all the same, "Show them the footage." ]

"Iacon fell? It fell before Praxus?" Breakdown repeated Ultra Magnus' words with disbelief, intake open when they were shown a brief glimpse of the city's downfall. Iacon had fallen as well, but it had been one of the last cities to fall before Cybertron went dark. To see it fall before Praxus… Primus.

Megatron was similarly stunned before his optics narrowed, "Before it fell, someone stole from its vaults. As if they'd foreseen the fall… or orchestrated it." Wasn't that a thought? Had someone worked with the Quintessons in ensuring Iacon's demise? Or did they predict it and decide to save the relics or something?

Knock Out hoped there wasn't any traitorous cybertronian who worked with the Quintessons but who knows, there were unscrupulous fraggers out there, even by Decepticon standards.

( There was a stunned silence at the revelation of Iacon's fall, a soft, pained 'No.' escaped the medic as soon as the image came up. Nobody present expected Iacon to fall so early during the war against the Quintessons, it had been one of the last to fall against the Decepticons after all.

A Prime closed his optics in grief, servos trembling slightly before sighing sadly. He hoped, at the very least, that the bots of Iacon, especially an old friend and mentor, had survived the demise… And he wondered just what happened to the stolen relics from Iacon's Vaults… )

[ The screen focused on an old security footage. It was slightly corrupted by either age or tampering, it was hard to tell.

The angle and video wasn't the best but it showed a slim bot strolling through the suspiciously empty halls of the vaults. One by one, they entered each vault, exiting with an artifact where they put into a storage cart. The footage skipped a few times, changing angles, showing that the slim bot had an orange color to them.

Finally, the footage ended with the bot grabbing a familiar silver-looking disk out of a vault. They were nearer to the camera this time, which gave a fuzzy but clearer look at their faceplate, which was poorly hidden by a pair of glasses. ]

Intakes dropped in surprise at the sight of the thief who was casually plundering the Iacon Vaults. "IT'S THAT MECH!" Starscream shrilled, pointing at the screen in disbelief. "From the other world! That- Frag, his name was- was… What was his name again?"

Knock Out pressed a digit against his helm, "It's on the tip of my glossa, his name was…"

Soundwave played a clip, "My name is Rung-"

"RUNG!"

Breakdown whistled lowly, "I'll admit, I was not expecting that. Mech's got steel bearings to just… steal from the Iacon Vaults? What is happening?"

"What is happening indeed." Megatron growled, trying to figure out how this thin cybertronian bot, who didn't seem to have any weapon systems integrated into his frame, managed to steal from the vaults with ease. "He entered the vault halls unimpeded by the looks of it, with no guards, no observers- just the cameras. He easily opened the vaults, he knew their codes, their security measures… He must have been an archivist who worked at the Hall of Records."

"Can an archivist access the vaults below Iacon?" Arachnid asked, a bit impressed and very curious.

Megatron hesitated before huffing, "Not exactly. Only archivists trusted by the Hall's head archivist can possibly access the vaults and there was only one mech that I knew of that was trusted with that… and that mech was not him." Did Optimus know Rung? Was Rung an archivist on Cybertron? He hadn't paid much attention to the other archivists within the Hall of Records, only the one, so in truth, he wouldn't know if there was another archivist trusted by Alpha Trion to access the vaults…

( "HIM!?" .: What? Why is he? What? :. "What the frag??"

"What the scrap! Why is Rung of all people, stealing from you guys?!" A girl questioned incredulously, eyes wide in disbelief at the sight of the orange mech on screen.

An older boy rubbed his eyes, "Woah, did not see that coming at all."

The Autobot's medic turned to his Prime and old friend, "Optimus?" An unspoken question was asked, something that no one on the team other than the Prime knew about.

The Prime shook his helm, "I have no recollection of Rung being part of the archivist staff. In this world at least, it may very well be possible he was one within that world instead and was trusted by Alpha Trion with access to the vaults… We must watch further to find out more." )

[ The scene cut back to Soundwave focusing on the faceplate of within the footage, matching it to an identity file pulled from a databank.

Multiple optics blinked in surprise and disbelief as Prowl read aloud. "Designation; Rung, occupation- psychiatrist? You mean to tell me that a psychiatrist stole ancient relics and dangerous artifacts and weapons from the vaults of Iacon before it fell? That's our thief?"

"How sure are you that this Rung is the thief in question?" Optimus questioned quietly, a frown on his faceplate as he looked at Rung's picture on the identification file.

"Mostly." Starscream replied firmly, "We've done more investigation- Nobody has seen Rung since before the fall of Iacon. It is said that his presence has always been… weak, to say the least. Barely anyone remembers him, even majority of his ex-patients needed to be reminded about him to truly remember his existence."

Soundwave pulled up more files, clues and information that he and Starscream had put together about Rung. "We found his old habsuite- most of his paraphernalia and items were packed away and missing, he even filed an abrupt retirement request from his job as a psychiatrist and left the rest of his items and some parting words to his amica."

Both Megatron and Optimus leaned in with surprised interest as another identification file appeared. "Pharma?" Megatron said aloud, sharing a wide-optic look with Optimus who returned it in full.

Starscream grimaced as he continued, "It was laborious to pull information from that mech, but we managed to find out that before Rung's disappearance… he apologized severely to Pharma before he was gone. Pharma has tried to find him however he could not, however sometime much later, many cycles after the Autobot-Decepticon ceasefire, Pharma's amica bond with Rung… was broken with Rung's death."

Nearly all the bots within the room made a grim expression, letting a silence hang for a little while at the revelation of a broken amica bond at the hands of death. ]

"He was a psychiatrist? Not an archivist?" Knock Out balks, having a hard time wrapping his processor around the fact that a psychiatrist stole something like The Apex Armor and several other artifacts and relics from somewhere like Iacon's Hall of Records Vaults! It didn't make sense! Not one bit!

Even Megatron was flabbergasted by the turn of events! He's been fairly confident that Rung was at least an archivist working within the Hall of Record for Alpha Trion but that wasn't the case!

Every con within the room, even Soundwave, was showing their disbelief and confusion over the case. It just… really didn't make any sense! Why steal the artifacts? Who the frag was Rung to be able to do so in the first place? What happened?

Knock Out made a shrilled, incomprehensible noise at the designation. "Pharma? Pharma. Head Surgeon Pharma? The same mech that did a four-way fuel-pump transplant with himself as the donor?! He was Rung's amica?!" Was that true in this world? Where the frag was Rung here?

Actually, there was a chance that Rung had died in this world. Considering he was dead there. Knock Out winced as he heard Rung's status as deceased there via amica bond breaking.

It was mind-boggling to say the least, they were amicas to the point of establishing a bond. It was wild to think that that snobbish medi-jet had an amica like Rung- didn't seem like they'd get along that well from first glance. Then again, all Knock Out knew about Rung was from his actor world counterpart who was a screenwriter of all things.

But in mecha universe, he was a psychiatrist.

Was he usually a psychiatrist?

He began to type down questions in his datapad, not before reminding himself that the orange bot with glasses was called Rung because for some reason Knock Out kept forgetting it.

( "He's a psychiatrist and he STOLE from Iacon's vaults?!" A femme scout gawked, trying to make sense of what was happening before her. Of what she was hearing.

"Steel bearings, what the frag mech." A wrecker breathed, almost wanting to laugh at how ridiculous this kind of was.

.: … How come people keep forgetting his name? Or who he is? :. A scout mumbled softly in confusion, only the humans caught it as the other bots were too busy with with the viewing to hear it properly.

A medic, in particular, reeled back at the unexpected designation. "He's amicas with Pharma?" He actually gaped, intake dropping at the reveal. Trying to imagine his old… complicated friend with the psychiatrist. Did he exist? Was he the medi-jet's amica here? If he was, why didn't he kn-

No, he know exactly why he wouldn't know. The medic grimaced, it only deepened as the mood turned somber at the revelation of the orange bot's death.

It was always something extremely sad, to hear about someone's death via the bond breaking. )

[ "So, we know stole the items from the Iacon Vaults but we still don't know why they were stolen, exactly how, nor where they were taken to." Ultra Magnus murmured, expression pinched at how the case ended up being.

Prowl though, shook his helm. "No, the Apex Armor was found on the human's home planet. There is more than a fifty-percent chance that we will find some of the artifacts there as well. We must talk with the humans about this."

Soundwave showed multiple galaxy maps on the screen, but pasted question marks as to where 'Earth' was located.

Starscream snorted, "We don't even know where their planet is- Wheeljack had no idea where his planet was, what makes you think these new humans have an inkling to where either?"

While their subordinates talked among themselves, two leaders were leaning closer together. Megatron leaned close when he saw Optimus still staring at Rung with a deeply thoughtful look, faceplate scrunched as if he was trying to remember something. "What is it, Optimus?" He asked quietly, as if to not interrupt the discussion happening at the other side of the table.

Optimus' optics didn't stray from Rung's picture. "… I believe I saw him once, before Iacon's fall… He was waiting outside of Alpha Trion's office."

A brief flashback of Optimus leaving Alpha Trion's office, nearly bumping into a slender orange mech who apologized. Optimus waved it off, apologizing himself before leaving. He looked back only once and saw that the mech entered Alpha Trion's office, he caught a glimpse of Alpha Trion standing up almost abruptly before the door closed.

"The guards are missing in the footage." He said aloud, gaining everyone's attention once more. "He knew all the passcodes and security measures of the vaults. He took everything with no problem, and left without being seen… I must speak with Alpha Trion, he let Rung steal everything from the Iacon Vaults. He was an accomplice to this crime." ]

"The old mech's still alive?" Megatron scoffed, scowling at the screen as Other Optimus dismissed the meeting, leaving just him and his counterpart alone. "I would have thought he would've perished alongside Iacon, he did in this world."

"Sounds like he's alive, big red and blue over there wants to talk to him after all." Knock Out couldn't help but point out, and was lucky to only get a disgruntled but considering hum from the warlord instead of a scathing look. That was the real win.

( A Prime perked, "Alpha Trion is alive there?" He had always suspected that Alpha Trion had died alongside Iacon, there'd been no contact from the old mech for a long, long time before before on Cybertron. He had hoped otherwise but he was happy to know that in another world, his friend and mentor was alive…

Although the mech seemed to have made himself an accomplice to a huge theft that was impossible to ignore. He had to wonder just what was going on in that universe to allow the theft of so many artifacts and relics, not to mention he didn't tell his counterpart of it at all… )

[ "So, your old mentor was either an accomplice or perhaps even facilitated the theft of various artifacts and relics ranging from the Apex Armor to even the Forge of Solus Prime…" Megatron started some time after the others left, Optimus was leaning against the table with his servos, a look of fatigue slowly appearing on his faceplate. "Perhaps there's more to that old mech than I originally thought."

"He is… inscrutable, at times." Optimus admitted tiredly, "I had always worried there were things he was not telling me, important details that he avoided revealing to me… But this?" He took in a deep vent, his expression going stoic before he was abruptly surprised by the feeling of Megatron's servo on his cheek.

"Stop." Megatron said softly, yet firmly, red optics staring into his. "You are upset, Optimus. Let yourself feel upset."

Optimus narrowed his optics, "There is little time for me to feel upset, Alpha Trion's current state is fragile as it is. We must go to him and ask while we still can." He argued but Megatron stepped closer, pulling Optimus close to press their helms together. One servo still on his cheek, the other wrapping around the Prime's waist intimately.

"Fine. We'll go, but don't think I haven't noticed your reliance on the Matrix's suppressors lately. Again. Even Ratchet has noticed. We'll talk about this later, Optimus." Optimus' expression twisted before giving a sigh of defeat in the face of Megatron's stern look.

"… Very well." Megatron searched through Optimus' optics before nodding in satisfaction, leaning in for a brief kiss. "You've turned into a worrier." Optimus muttered afterwards, a soft look on his faceplate.

Megatron smirked, "With a Prime like you? Who wouldn't?" ]

( "Pause." )

For the second time in a row, silence hung within the warship's room.

Broken only by the warlord himself. Not with anger. Not with rage. But by him standing abruptly and leaving the room.

That, somehow, was far more worrying.

[ ----- TFP: UO ----- ]

man, coloring this chapter was awful. i should really stop but the colors are so cool on tumblr. ANYWAY SURPRISE

RUNG IS HERE

AND HE'S PHARMA'S AMICA BECAUSE WHY NOT (smiling at you kev and tar)

AND ALSO HE'S DEAD BECAUSE REASONS

rung and alpha trion are such old mechs who are keeping secrets. meanwhile the entirety of uo cast is about to lost their fucking mind because of the megop kiss. yes this is the second time i ended it like this, but i feel like its justified and also this chapter was already beefy enough as it is...

and i also needed it to start the next chapter with the next character pov huehehehehehh

anyways i hope you guys enjoyed this chapter because the brainrot is still going strong.

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[thedropsofblood]

Awesome!, can I please request a platonic yandere dad with a serial killer y/n! In which he doesn't mind and is actually encouraging them!

Word count: 6k

Being a full-time serial killer, as cool and amazing as it sounds, is honestly a really shitty job, especially when you're only doing it for the money. Your family was torn apart by a nasty marriage, leaving you with your dad while your brother goes with your mother.

Your father's performance at his job worsened because of it, leading to him being demoted to a fairly bad position, and suddenly you can't afford to attend school anymore.

Something worse than having to say goodbye to your classmates is having to find a job in this economy, who in the world would hire a 16 years old for a full-time job without any degrees or prior work experience? Even if they do, the pay would be so bad that you might start picking up spare coins in the streets instead. You went through sleepless nights extremely conflicted and stressed out just because of it. While at your darkest moment, your mind threw an idea at you that made you question yourself more than expected.

What if you became a serial killer? There's plenty of information on the internet to help with it. And organs sells, doesn't they? Even a kidney or an eye makes a person rich overnight on the right market, and one less person on this earth wouldn't hurt, would it?... You mean, you'll only be targeting junkies and prostitutes anyways, and that'll be fine, right?...

And that's how you committed your first murder, a man high on drugs in the middle of an alleyway at midnight. A clean stab at the back of the throat followed by one to the head. You had to hold back the urge to vomit as you wrapped his body into a plastic bag and into your basement while your dad was asleep.

With a surgical knife and gloves on, you became your "procedure", lungs, heart, liver, wrapped neatly in ziplock bags and placed on ice. You tried not to think back about it when you held the wads of cash in your hand, blood money, as they said. But does blood money really matter if you have enough money to sustain your family for months on end?

You hoped he wouldn't mind you lying about winning a scratch lottery that day. As time goes by, you've long gotten used to the feeling of taking a person's life and repeating the same step over and over again. Kill, down to the basement, dissect, sell and profit. It was a neat little routine, you've even bought a lock for the basement, just in case your father decides to enter it at some point.

But no amount of preparation could've prepared you for this. You opened the door to the house, clicking your tongue at the creak before dragging the bagged body in, making sure to close the door behind you. Your victim for today was a prostitute, normally, it would've been easy to just blindfold them and slice them cleanly in the neck, but this time, you got careless and couldn't finish them in one or two stabs, getting yourself a nasty bruise on the side of your head and injuries on your arms. You still finished your job, of course, what kind of killer would you be if you didn't?

As you dragged the body towards the basement, you were flashbanged by the lights of the hallway turning on. Panic surges through your body, causing you to freeze in your place before snapping your head to look at your father looking back at you in the end of the hallway. You looked at the bagged body and back at your dad, trying to find an excuse.

Your words were caught in your throat, no matter how much you tried to speak up, nothing came out, only a silence filled between you and your dear father.

A sigh escape from your father broke the silence, the eyebags on his face, the exhaustion in his sigh, fuck, he was waiting for you and here you were, coming home at 2 in the morning, dragging a dead body towards god knows where?

You grit your teeth, before you can even speak up and make an excuse to defend yourself, he barks at you with a stern tone. "Sit down. You can explain it to me later, why were you out so late and why are you bleeding?"

You jumped at the mention of your wounds. Right, you completely forgot about that. You decide to bite the inside of your cheek and sit down onto the couch, preparing yourself for an hour lecture or worse, getting kicked out of the house and being left to rot on the streets. Your dad wouldn't do that, right? Sure, you've been a problem child ever since you were a kid, but your dad loves you... Right?...

Your thoughts were cut in half when you felt the sting of alcohol being applied onto the wounds on your arms, causing you to hiss and look up at your father. You wanted to complain like you usually do, yet, you couldn't bring yourself to do so, especially not when your father still had the same worried look in his eyes. Instead, you bit your pride and let your father bandage you up.

He pulled you into a hug, something completely unexpected from somebody like him. You've always seen him as such a strong, superhuman person, the pillar of your family, but you've never seen him feel so... Helpless? Worried? Scared? Ever since the divorce with your mother.

"You worried the hell out of me, kid. You don't even know how many calls and messages I've sent you, I thought you fucking died in a ditch somewhere. And don't even give me the 'I was working overtime' bullshit, I've seen enough, I'm not five, I know what you do."

Your body completely froze in his arms as you looked at him with wide eyes. You hesitantly hugged him back, burying your face into his shoulder. "And you don't hate me because of it?"

Silence filled the room, broken by a sigh from him. "No. You could've just... Chosen a normal job instead of risking your life everyday over a few wads of cash. I don't care what you want to do, as long as you're safe and happy."It felt so weird to have someone finally supporting you after trying to be independent for so long, you tightened your hug around your father before you buried your face into your father's shoulder, tears beginning to build in the corner of your eyes.

As you sobbed quietly, your father's hand patted your back, silently comforting you until you succumbed to sleep. You've already had a long day today, he doesn't want to bother you anymore.

The next night, when you were getting ready to set out, you made sure to put the lunchbox filled with the dinner your father made for you into your backpack on your way out for your 'job'.

A/N: I'm not even gonna lie if I had a dad like this I would be killing people left and right /nsrs

[levis-poison-is-my-medicine]

Warm Spring Days

(The Tea Lovers Pt. 12 - Epilogue)

A Levi x reader fanfic

Crossposted from AO3

tags: fluff and humor, silly and sweet, tea-obsessed fem!reader with their head in the clouds (word count: 1.2k)

(Part one) / (Levi x reader Masterlist)

"Yoo-hoo!" Someone was calling out to you from afar, a dark silhouette against the afternoon sun, waving energetically as they came closer. Levi set down his tea cup with a sigh.

"That's why we should've had teatime in my office," he muttered.

"But it's such a nice day! It would've been a crime not to make the most of this perfect spring weather. Besides, you could really use some sun." You gestured at his pale complexion, earning you a scoff.

"I think I can do without. I'm not a plant. I'd rather have tea in peace than–"

"There you are! I've been looking all over for you!" Hange interrupted, having finally reached the wooden table near the horses' paddocks where you'd convinced Levi to spend your teatime. "Got some mail for you!"

You squinted up at Hange, eyeing the brown package they eagerly thrust toward you. "What? For me? Are you sure?" During your entire time in the scouts, you hadn't received a single package. You didn't even attend mail call anymore.

"It sure has your name on it. But if you don't want it..." Hange teasingly pulled the package out of your reach.

"Noo I want it!" you exclaimed, jumping up from your seat to reach for it. When you snatched it from Hange's hands, you let out a surprised huff of air. It was heavier than it looked.

"Who could it be from?" You turned it in your hands, looking for the sender. There it was, written in a neat, elegant script: Pierre's premium porcelain pottery, Millstone Alley 15, Mitras.

You squealed. "It's from Pierre!"

"Who's Pierre?" Levi asked with a frown.

"The potter I told you about – the one who specializes in tea sets, where I also got your birthday present." The grin on your face was nothing short of ecstatic as you settled back onto the bench, the precious package pressed to your chest.

Levi didn't seem to share your enthusiasm. "Did you order another one? You already have so many."

"I swear, I didn't order anything! And I don't even have that many... Just seven. Okay, maybe eight. But there's no such thing as too many tea sets!"

"Remind me again, who was complaining just the other day that they're running out of space in the barracks?" Levi raised an eyebrow.

"I can always put up another shelf…" you pouted.

"Uh-oh, do I sense a lover's quarrel coming on?" Hange chimed in, a playful grin on their lips. "I better run before you make me pick a side."

Levi rolled his eyes. "Yeah, go ahead. Best idea you had all day, four eyes."

"You're just saying that because you know they'd be on my side." You flashed Levi a grin.

"Tch, you wish. All I want is some peace and quiet around here."

"You may have picked the wrong company for that," Hange said with a wink, giving a nod in your direction where you were now gleefully tearing the brown packing paper from the box.

Levi's only response was a pointed glare in Hange's direction – his signature death glare, no less.

They put up their hands in mock surrender. "Okay, okay, I get it. She's the apple of your eye, your one and only… of course you'd make an exception for her."

Levi grumbled something under his breath, too quiet to be understood.

Hange chuckled. "Yep, time to leave if I want to make it out alive."

With one last smirk, they turned and walked away, leaving Levi shaking his head.

You barely paid any attention to the exchange, too excited to see what was in the mystery box.

With a dramatic flourish, you lifted the lid, revealing a card with elegant handwriting mirroring the one on the box.

Spring has come, and with it a new collection. Enclosed you will find its distinguished centerpiece. With heartfelt gratitude for the inspiration, Pierre.

Curiosity piqued, you reached deeper into the box and retrieved the rest. It was a tea set, complete with two cups, saucers, and a matching pot. Each piece featured a familiar cat, its nose wrinkled in mild disgruntlement. Cat-Levi.

You gasped. "It's you!"

"It's Herbert," Levi said dryly.

He had picked up one of the cups and gingerly turned it between his fingers.

"You remember that?" you asked, stunned.

"Of course I do."

You felt a smile spread across your face. "It's actually you. If you were a cat."

Levi snorted. "That's ridiculous. It looks nothing like me."

You leaned over the table and held the cup next to his face. "Not true. You're both very cute." In the pink-golden hue of the low afternoon sun, it almost looked like he was blushing. Almost. Levi let out a quiet huff. "You said the same thing back then, too. About the cat."

You tilted your head, eyes drifting upward as you pondered the question. "Did I?"

"You did."

"Hmm. Guess I already had a thing for you then." You put the cup down, leaning in even further. "But I remember doing this." You planted a quick peck on his cheek and pulled back slightly, a playful spark in your eyes.

"You always did have a way of surprising me," Levi murmured, his gaze lingering on your face.

"Trust me, I surprise myself a lot, too. I don't even know what I'll do next half the time." You chuckled softly, leaning back. "But I do like where it's taken me."

For moment, neither of you said a word.

"Hey, Levi?"

"Mhm?"

"If we ever do manage to rid the world of the Titans, and there is no need for the scouts anymore... would you like to open a tea shop with me?"

"I would like that."

"I'm glad." You beamed at him. "You could be in charge of the tea leaves. And I'd learn pottery so we could sell our own porcelain. Ohh, maybe we could do a bird design next! With their wings spread wide, like the wings of freedom! Or we could do one with Titans! I'm sure Hange would love that."

"I don't think the latter would sell too well," Levi remarked dryly.

"Maybe not. But we could do limited editions, each teacup unique with a different design…" You continued to lay out your plans like that, bathed in the soft glow of the setting sun, until the shadows grew long and the air grew cold. Teatime slipped away, giving way to the night. He didn't even notice. Your smile was so warm and bright, how could he look at anything else?

– –

– –

Many years later, many miles beyond the sea, another warm spring day was ending on a busy street. It was filled with people heading home, passing by the shop windows that reflected the golden-orange sky above them. A bell chimed softly as the door of a shop shut behind its last customer of the day. The wooden sign out front swung gently in the breeze. The Tea Lovers.

A/n: And with this, The Tea Lovers comes to an end. Writing this was so much fun, and I want to thank each and everyone of you who encouraged me with your kind words!! You guys have no idea how happy it made me. I'll be sure to write something else in the future, so if you'd like to be tagged for future works, follow this link to join my tag list. See you <3

Tag list: @thechaoticarchivist, @mmm-alhaitham, @nironasaran, @leviiheichou, @huffleruffplant, @shutupp1, @iifrui, @shakysif, @ickearmn, @omlyurslvi, @wingoodlilboymyway, @dreamersbelieveinus

[rederiswrites]

How did you end up having so many sheep to bottle feed? I didn't know anything about sheep, is disinterest from the moms normal/common?

I'd love to hear more about the sheep process in general it's really neat to see on my dash

Alright, so, first off, I am an inexperienced shepherd, and came into this (my first) lambing season FAR less prepared than I would've liked due to my mother being in the hospital for the weeks leading up to lambing. Not only that, but Soay are weird, mostly feral, archaic sheep, and a lot of the care principles that are expected for most sheep don't really apply to Soay, so you end up relying on the far, far smaller body of Soay-specific literature. So there's a lot I just don't know.

Sometimes, for any number of reasons, a ewe may reject a lamb. Rates of rejection vary so much with various factors that so far I haven't found anyone willing to give a simple blanket statistic on the subject. Nutrition, ewe experience level, environmental factors, breed, and a million other things could play a part. We've had two rejections out of eight births (one singlet and one set of twins), and I genuinely do not know how bad that is relative to baseline.

Soay are reputed to be good mothers and easy lambers, and so far that seems to be true for all the mothers who bonded with their lambs. Bonding is the critical period right after birth during which baby and mother get each other's scent, and baby begins to nurse. But bonding can be effected by the mother's experience--ours are all first time mothers; there's not a single experienced mother in the flock. It can be effected by disturbance during the bonding period after birth, like a human taking the lamb away for too long or getting its scent confused by washing or by handling with another lamb's scent on their hands, etc.

Our ram is currently in dog kennel prison, because after having seemed to be a pretty good dad for a while, he started running one of the ewes off her new lambs repeatedly. If he had done that with a previous ewe during the night, that might have caused one of the rejections, and we wouldn't have seen it. Larger or more controlled sheep operations might well separate the ram from the ewes during this period pre-emptively. That would have been laborious for us at a time when we're Fucking Swamped, like, just so underwater bro, just fucking drowning. So we didn't do it initially. We can't know now if one of the failures to bond might be his fault.

And of course it's entirely possible that we, the shepherds, effected the ewes in some way that our inexperience doesn't allow us to see. It's part of the process. Learning, when your learning experiences come at the cost of another creature's wellbeing, is one of the very difficult parts of animal husbandry.

What fascinates me is how willing the lambs are to bond to humans, and multiple humans at that. We jokingly refer to each other as Mama-mama, Papa-mama, Sister-mama, and Brother-mama, and just walking through a room right now is likely to net you a flurry of tippity-tapping hooves as all three bottle babies eagerly follow under your feet.

So what'll happen now is that these guys will continue to need a bottle roughly every four hours, day and night, for six weeks. During that time, it'll be up to us to haul them out to the pasture progressively more often, until they're getting most of their nutrition through grazing and a little feed. On a more traditional or established farm, the bottle babies might be kept in a barn, but we don't have anything resembling a barn. On the other hand, we're hardly the only people to bring a bottle baby into the house, given that you have to feed them in the middle of the night/constantly. Soay are hardy sheep who can do well even on fairly poor pasture, and don't need supplemental feed at all on good pasture. Maryland is, I think it's safe to say, a much gentler climate than the islands of the Outer Hebrides where Soay lived feral for a thousand years. So really, we only give our sheep grain-based feed to facilitate their bond with us as the goodie-givers.

Someday, Binabik will hopefully be a big, fine ram, and if we play our cards right, he will still be fairly trusting and affectionate to us, which will lead to the rest of the flock being somewhat more trusting. This should help us catch them for medical care more readily, so a bottle baby now and then is a good thing. We really, really did try to get the twins (whom we're now calling Minnie and Kazoo) to bond with their mother, because we did NOT need more lambs in the house. But here we are, and here I am, with three snoozing lambs around my feet.

[adobe-outdesign]

Thoughts on shiny machop line?

Machop: In isolation, Machop's shiny is fine—sort of a dull bronze-y yellow, which is a very noticeable change from the standard light blue. However, the rest of the shiny line is green despite the regular line all being more-or-less the same color, making shiny Machop very inconsistent. I feel like the same green (and blue) used on Machoke or Machamp would've worked here too and would've kept the line from changing color for no reason. Still, not bad, just not very coherent.

Machoke: Machoke has the best shiny of the entire line, swapping blue for a slightly minty green (not sure if there's any specific reason for this outside of maybe a Hulk reference, but I'm not sure why they're blue in the first place so) and red for blue. It looks good, and the shiny is very striking and easy to notice.

Machamp: At first glance Machamp seems fairly consistent with Machoke, swapping green for blue. However, it's actually a slightly different shade of green, and while it's true that Machop is more purple-ish than Machamp it doesn't feel intentional when shiny Machop is an entirely different color. Regardless of that, however, is that the reds here stay the same, whereas they change on Machamp. You could blame Machamp for the inconsistency, but the red swap was actually a nice additional touch and something I think the whole line should've kept.

Gigantamax Machamp: Machamp's Gigantamax form is genuinely consistent, so there aren't any real issues here apart from what I already mentioned with Machoke. Only complaint is that I think it would've been neat if the orange on the hands became red or yellow, both because it would've looked better with the green but also because it just would've been a nice touch in general.

Overall: Some pretty good shinies, though not very consistent. Machoke's shiny is the best, Machop's is fine but doesn't fit with the rest of the line, and both of Machamp's are good and mostly match with Machoke's minus some small details.

[sweetcollywobbles]

whiskey neat. | yan!re6! leon kennedy x reader

TOO SWEET by hozier ▶︎ •၊၊||၊|။||||။‌‌‌‌‌၊|• 1:00

HAPPY SEPTEMBER 30TH!!! i just wanted to pop something out for the day, so have this really badly written one-shot that i'll maybe (or maybe not) fix up. but that doesn't matter because i am no writer and this is all for shits and giggles.

tw: implied drugging and implied kidnapping

₊˚⊹ ᥫ᭡. 𓂃

leon was too old for this. for this crush thing that he's been dealing with recently. a thirty-six-year-old man shouldn't have to deal with the butterflies, the random flustered faces at work, and the fantasies that were too explicit to share.

yet she's absolutely enamored him. heart and soul, he'd say, she's taken it. while she, his darling angel, has no absolute idea what she's done to him.

she started as the new F.O.S intern, tasked with the job of helping leon out with his daily schedule there at the office while learning a few things from hunnigan. yes, it wasn't all about him, but it was still something that leon wasn't too fond of. sure, he's gotten lazy on paperwork, but leon didn't see a need to have a babysitter. it's demeaning and insulting. especially for someone who's given all his life to this goddamn coun-

leon's internal rant was cut off when he saw her, sitting down in the conference room waiting to meet him. she was in her early twenties, bright-eyed and bushy-tailed. she was the prettiest little thing he'd ever seen.

leon had changed his mind in an instant. with those berry pouted lips, she could absolutely demean the life out of him if she wanted to. command him like an absolute dog.

and that's how it's been for the past year now, moving from F.O.S intern to leon's personal assistant. leon had somehow convinced her that it was a much better position for her than being an F.O.S agent. and for whatever reason, she agreed.

since then, leon’s joked that she was his work wife. she got him to meetings on time, made sure all of his paperwork was filed properly, and made sure he looked presentable wherever he went. and he would take her out for lunch and buy her presents. it’s a fair trade, she thought. but she never figured that he would take her job description too seriously. that he would look at all the things she was supposed to do as anything romantic.

but she should've known better. leon had always been a bit too touchy with her. a hand always placed at the small of her back, the soft touches on her cheek, and the excuses to always have her hand in his. not to mention the way he looked at her. goodness, she would've guessed she hung the moon, created the stars, and lit up the sun every day. leon’s love-stricken gaze went right over her silly head.

what an idiot.

leon thought it nice to finally have someone to dote on, much less someone to dote on him too. it was something he had only ever dreamed of. and with his approaching birthday, leon’s fear of growing old with no one was steadily becoming a reality.

he needed that to change, and she was going to help him.

leon will invite her to share an early birthday meal with him in his office. maybe some greasy chinese takeout and a bottle of whiskey. but he'll leave a small surprise for her in her glass.

they'll both eat and share a few laughs.

but halfway through, she'll start to feel sleepy, and he'd assure her that it's okay to take a nap. he'll wake her if someone comes looking for her. but that nap will last a few hours, which will give him enough time to sneak her out of the building and into his car. or maybe he won't. maybe leon will parade her around in his arms, tell people that she wasn't feeling well, and he's taking her to the on-site clinic and then home. ya'know like a good supervisor.

a good, caring, loving supervisor.

what can he say? he's a good guy.

₊˚⊹ ᥫ᭡. 𓂃

hope you enjoyed! xxox

[veliseraptor]

June Reading Recap

doing this under a cut this month, since there are...21 books to recap. made more of an effort toward a fiction/non-fiction divide and I'm pleased to see results on that front!

including a poll also regarding what I should read next.

Speculative Whiteness: Science Fiction and the Alt-Right by Jordan S. Carroll. I mentioned this recently in a want-to-read post and was surprised to find it relatively inexpensively, until I realized that it is a very slim volume indeed! But it still felt worth the read; there was nothing particularly revolutionary to me in the argument, but I feel like it gave me some food for thought and, in a move that always makes me feel favorable toward a nonfiction book, directed me toward a number of other sources I'm now going to check out.

How to Sell a Haunted House by Grady Hendrix

Enchanted Creatures: Our Monsters and Their Meanings by Natalie Lawrence. This book was a massive disappointment. There was a lot of generalization across cultures and monsters ("this is what all snake-women from Medusa to nagas symbolize"), which particularly put my back up, but the author also just wasn't saying anything particularly interesting, and leaned a weird amount on Freudian analysis in a way I was surprised to see in a modern work. I know it's still around, but I'm mostly used to seeing it in more heavily academic literary analysis. Not worth it. My search for interesting books analyzing the context and meaning of various Creatures continues apace.

A Sweet Sting of Salt by Rose Sutherland. I picked up this book, went "I'm either going to really like this or be really annoyed by it," and was wisely told to check it out from the library instead of buying it. And my actual verdict is...ehh? It wasn't particularly irritating to me, but I didn't love it either. It was sweet, and if you're looking for a queer selkie love story then this is the only one I've got for you, but I was neither particularly inspired by the writing nor the plot. I found myself thinking there are more interesting things you could do with this a lot of times, and I was (personally) unimpressed by the neat happy ending (though admittedly that is probably personal preference speaking).

The Einstein of Sex: Dr. Magnus Hirschfeld, Visionary of Weimar Berlin by Daniel Brook. I do recommend this one! Though I feel like reading about queer culture in Weimar Berlin always makes me more than a little bit sad, in the same way reading about Jewish culture in pre-war Europe makes me more than a little bit sad. The sense of loss is just...palpable. But! I learned a lot both about Hirschfeld himself and the history of some of what looks like more modern theory around sexuality and gender. It really is remarkable how forward thinking this guy was in a number of ways, and I'm glad this book exists to bring more attention to him.

Cosgrave and Darkdawn by Jay Kristoff. My two main thoughts about this series ended up being "Mr. Kristoff please stop trying so hard to be Clever in the Footnotes and, as I said, hanging a lampshade on your Cleverness doesn't actually make it less irritating." I still enjoyed this series on the whole, I'd say - I mean, I read the whole thing, which was not an insignificant investment - but I felt like my stylistic annoyance increased over the course of my reading. I also think that, as a series, it would've been much stronger without the introduction of a larger, higher-stakes plot and stayed with the personal revenge quest that kicked it off instead.

The Seven Wonders of the Ancient World: An Extraordinary Journey Through History's Greatest Treasures by Bettany Hughes. I read a fair number of books this month where I was like, "eh, fine? interesting I guess, but not particularly memorable" and this was one of those. I learned some new things, but I felt like the book sometimes got bogged down in architectural details that removed from the more interesting (at least to me) questions of cultural impact and significance.

Feeders by Matt Serafini. The further out from actually reading this I got, the less I like it. I was interested in the concept for a horror novel (something something toxic influencer culture), but this particular iteration of it, at least, left something to be desired. It ended up feeling shallow and gimmicky, not particularly inspired either in terms of prose or execution. The experience of reading it was fun, I guess, but again - the more I think about it the more I keep downgrading it in my estimation.

How to Do Nothing: Resisting the Attention Economy by Jenny Odell. I've been meaning to read this book for a long time and also avoiding it, as one of those books where I was like "I need this and I'm mad about it." I bounced off it on my first try, then returned to it for a second and found myself sucked in. Odell's prose is a pleasure to read, and this feels less like a "self-help" book than it is a "food for thought" book - and it did make me think. I'm still thinking.

The Will to Battle by Ada Palmer. I feel like this series gets better by the book and I'm now very excited to read the last one. Feel like I'm going to be chewing on all of them for a while. The increased religious turn in this particular volume was a little bit of a [headtilt] but at this point I'm interested enough in Ada Palmer's project to follow where she's going.

Witchcraft: A History in Thirteen Trials by Marion Gibson. I am sort of two minds about this book: I feel like I learned new things about particular trials/instances of the persecution of witches, but I don't know that I learned much that was new (to me) conceptually or in terms of a larger framework. I felt like the modern day connection (with Stormy Daniels) was the weakest part of the book and felt like a bit of a strained way to give the rest of the work modern relevance. I think there were more graceful ways to accomplish that same project.

Penance by Eliza Clark. The conceit here is that the novel is a work of true crime by a journalist about a fictional murder in the UK in 2016. I was telling Amelia that I want an academic course on true crime as a genre and its development, from the "primary texts" to more recent works commenting on the phenomenon, which is clearly what this book is doing. I don't know that I'd call it a great novel, but I am very interested in what it was doing conceptually on several levels, and in how it's in conversation with other texts (and podcasts) in the true crime ecosystem. The blending of real and fiction was well done, such that there were a couple things I had to check on to see if I'd missed. Very funny to feel like I could identify the inspiration for both podcasts "excerpted" in the book.

Shards of Honor by Lois McMaster Bujold. So I'm finally reading the Vorkosigan Saga! This was a strong start, certainly - I really like Cordelia, which has me a bit disappointed to understand that I am not going to be following her for the rest of the series. It was an engaging sci-fi romp with a propulsive, happening plot; my only misgivings were around the romance, which felt (to me) a little rushed. Could have done with slower development there, but I feel like that's often how I feel about romances. Now I have to find the second book, though, which does not appear to be available through my library.

Middle of the Night by Riley Sager. This was another "it was fine but also the further away from it I get the less I like it, actually" book. Fairly conventional mystery/horror, in my opinion; I feel like I find Sager summaries interesting but so far haven't been compelled by the execution.

White Too Long: The Legacy of White Supremacy in American Christianity by Robert P. Jones. Very interesting book - not particularly surprising to me, but the particularities taught me some new things and while the statistical analysis went a little bit over my head I managed to follow it enough to track. I do feel like it was a bit of a detour out of the tone of the rest of the book, though. Definitely felt targeted more toward a specifically Christian audience, however - not in a bad way, just in the sense of that being who he was speaking to.

Senseless by Ronald Malfi. I think I just don't like Malfi that much, despite having now read three books by him. Maybe this will be the one that tips me over into giving up on reading more. It wasn't bad - I think it would have been better if it'd committed a little more to either the horror or the mystery genres that it was straddling, though admittedly if it had landed on the mystery one (the stronger of the two) it would be a fairly typical, run-of-the-mill plot. It was fine but I can't say much more than that for this book.

Between Two Fires: Truth, Ambition, and Compromise in Putin's Russia by Joshua Yaffa. This book made me think of The Future Is History by M. Gessen in a lot of ways, and that's honestly high praise. One of my favorite books I read this month for sure - it's a book written very much from the ground, based on the perspectives and stories of specific individuals, in a way that is illustrative, complex, and humane. The analysis of the ways people adapt to and compromise with the Putin government is very compelling to me, and illustrates the complex range of behavior under a repressive government between compliance and defiance, while largely refraining from casting explicit judgment on individual choices.

Everybody Wants to Rule the World Except Me by Django Wexler. Maybe I just don't like funny books, she began to think, reading another fantasy book that's very attached to its own cleverness of concept. This series annoyed me less in some ways than others I could name, and I liked some things about it more, and I'm just enough of a sucker for time loops that I'm not unhappy I read it. But I wouldn't say it was good and I wouldn't recommend it. It's fun, but there's just not a lot there, and the conclusion (at least for me) left something to be desired.

A History of Fear by Luke Dumas. Of the horror that I read this month this was my favorite one, but admittedly that's kind of a low bar. I've had it on my list for a while, and while it was enjoyable I wouldn't say it was particularly outstanding - my favorite part of it was the initials twist (I will not explain, because it was more fun for me, at least, to hit it unaware) at the very end. I think that final note gave this book a lot of the fondness I did end up feeling for it.

Saving Time: Discovering Life Beyond the Clock by Jenny Odell. I liked this one a little less than How to Do Nothing, though I still appreciated the thrust of her argument. And I did notice her citation of Heschel, which made me feel decidedly vindicated. One thing I did appreciate was her distinction between...oh, now I'm forgetting the language she used (and I already returned my copy to the library), but it was basically about the distinction between people who feel time pressure that's internally generated and people who feel time pressure that's externally generated. Gave me some food for thought, personally, as a perenially internally-generated-time-pressure person.

---

I'm currently reading Supergods by Grant Morrison (which is already kind of annoying me, albeit not quite to DNF levels yet; we'll see if that changes). Not totally sure what my next read is but I'm thinking of trying to make it realistic fiction, on account of it's been a while and there are a number that I want to read. I do have an ILL request for one of the academic books that came out of Speculative Whiteness to pick up at the library.

...actually here, have a poll for the "which realistic fiction book should I read in July" question that's probably going to be incredibly predictable based on who is following this blog:

[insufferableprotagonistpoll]

Insufferable Love Interests Poll Round 1

Propaganda why Sumia is an insufferable love interest:

"Her existence pisses me off with how she's forced to be used in game. If not for her kid Cynthia, I'd let her die off or be benched. Super small romance pool to force ship with Chrom. Ughhhhhhh"

"Game pushes girl failure hard. More interesting options got sidelined"

"Helpless pathetic girl failure masquerading as a pegasus knight. In the game, she is pushed as the default love interest for Chrom (both have reduced options for that, introduction chapter forces interaction, opening cutscene places them together in a less than platonic pose). Girl needs to grow some confidence, stop tripping over everything, and needs the game to not try and force sumia x chrom when there's other ships with neat dynamics that will never happen due to this."

Propaganda why Hinata Hyuga is an insufferable love interest:

"It kind of sucks that her entire character is about having a crush on Naruto when there are more interesting things that could be focused on like the slave situation her clan has going on.

It made it so by the end of the story the only thing that would make sense to continue on with her character is to be with Naruto because the burden of her clan’s backstory was put onto Neji, and then they did nothing with that even though he died for HER because of that system just like his father did.

Very fucked up and unsatisfying. Like instead of having a crush on nerd so I think she should be focused on reforming her clan or something. "

"Shes literally just there to be fanservice. She had so little chemistry with Naruto that they had to make a whole movie reconning their relationship. Literally Naruto could've ended up with ANY other character and they would've been a better match."

"you know what i’m gonna second hinata because all she did was wait around waiting for naruto and there’s nothing else really significant about her character even though she had an interesting backstory that could have been put to good use. i mean she could have done a lot regarding her clan’s politics and done something to avenge neji after he sacrificed himself for her but she just ends up as a housewife and passes the clan work onto her little sister :/"

"First of all it sucks that her entire character is mostly about having a crush on Naruto.

But the thing that actually makes me dislike her is her status and her clan which thrives on slavery and she does nothing to change that when she gets older. She decides to live a happy life with her husband that she has no chemistry with and needed an entire offshoot movie to develop their romance for. Neji died for her but I guess she just saw that is one of his duties as the slave class because it does nothing to change her mind about it.

Fucked up that she gets away with it just because she’s shy and anxious. I hate that the story makes it seem like Neji has no reason to be resentful of Hinata when he literally has a jutsu placed on him that makes his brain explode if he “steps out of line” bro whatttt. That never gets resolved by the way.

Do better."

[thefandomenchantress]

Chapter 2 Episode 15 Spoilers below!

Since Ace being the culprit has brought about so much pain to ace lovers, including me, I figured I'd make a list of all the good things that him being the culprit brings to us. Even though Ace will (probably) be executed next episode, that doesn't mean that nothing good came out of this, right?

-Ace's backstory may be revealed much sooner than expected! Before we would've had to wait for chapter 3 or chapter 4 and so on, but since Ace will be gone soon, almost everything not revealed next episode will get told to us in a bonus episode! (I think every dead person gets one of those? Idk if that's officially confirmed). I doubt Teruko's gonna find, like, Ace's diary in chapter three detailing his life story, so if we're ever getting the Taylor Lore™, it'll be in a bonus episode! Plus, a bonus episode would come out a lot faster than the whole of chapter three, so more Ace content sooner no matter what happens in it! And there's always the chance he gets picked for an FTE, since dead people are on the list of options.

-Ace canonically has neat, fancy handwriting. Begone rumors of Ace having illegible, traditionally boy-ish handwriting, he actually writes like a 19th century scholar and I find this very funny. More evidence for my 'Ace likes reading and writing and wanted to become a romance author' crack theory, since he also reenforced his particularness about vocabulary in chapter 2 part 2. (Our only remaining question: Does Ace actually have terrible spelling ('responsibel'), or did he just think Eden would?)

-Ace is very good at being sneaky and often overhears things he shouldn't. I can't wait for this to be used as a plot device in numerous fics ("XANDER YOU'LL NEVER GUESS THE SHIT I JUST HEARD DAVID SAY ABOUT YOU WHEN HE THOUGHT HE WAS ALONE").

-Ace will have to be included in the dead (formerly a) trio posts forevermore. Get ready for Xander-Min-Arei-Ace shenanigans.

-Now that the cast has been forced to acknowledge that being dumb and angry aren't Ace's only traits and that he's just as human as the rest of them, Ace is much less likely to be seen as just those two things by the average viewer. Ace's popularity, or at least the amount of dislike towards him, seems to have shifted since the last episode, and I'm happy more people are able to enjoy what his character has to offer now. He's a cool little guy. I've literally NEVER seen the Ace Markey tag this busy before.

-We got so many cool Ace CGs guys. SO MANY. Including one where he's hanging upside down on the swing set and looks weirdly cute for someone in the middle of a murder plan.

-Also new sprites! The DRDTdev gave Ace a redesign knowing full-well that it would only get a singular chapter of use, and I massively respect that. We already got some new sprites in part 2 of chapter 2 so far, and I'm guessing next episode he'll probably have at least one more breakdown sprite before he dies.

-For someone who no one in the cast liked, he's definitely going to leave an impact. He's finally made at least some of the cast realize what happens when they ignore the issues right in front of them. Ace shouts about how everyone hates him and sees him as an insufferable idiot? Eh, probably nothing, we don't have to worry about that. Sure, multiple people told him he's gonna die next in here, and he almost got murdered, but that won't amount to anything. What's he gonna do, murder someone--WAIT SHIT Ace step away from the Arei I repeat step away from the Arei-- (plus Teruko parallels). I'll probably go more in-depth about this sort of thing in a different post.

-WE NEVER GOT TO SEE WHAT'S UNDER HIS GLOVES. Kyoko and Mukuro both had hand-related secrets that connected them to the plot later on, does that mean Ace will have some sort of relevance to the mastermind or overall lore later on? Like a Mai tattoo situation? (Or maybe it's another thing that may be alluded to or discussed in the bonus episode)(Or left to interpretation but I hope not because I have so many theories).

If you have any more suggestions for other good Ace-related things the culprit reveal brought us, let me know and I can add them to the list! We need as many good things as we can think of right now...

[doodler16]

Saw a post that was about how they wanted Stella to have an affair so they could see critics try and say the same things we do about Stolas but about Stella but honestly...I wouldn't.

The circumstances and the characters have such different.. everything. We're mad at Stolas cheating because he apparently wanted Octavia to have a "normal life", ruined that by publicly (and VERY LOUDLY in front of said daughter) cheating, had all the power in his and Stella's relationship and had no consequences whatsoever for cheating or divorcing her which he could've done as soon as Stella laid her egg.

If Stella had an affair the whole time I wouldn't be mad about it at all. She had no intentions to "give that girl a normal life", if she had a secret partner then she had more decency than Stolas to keep it entirely quiet and out of the house(doing a better job "giving that girl a normal life" by doing so SHOCKING!!), and held zero power in the relationship and would've lost and suffered a lot if she didn't stay married and a neat little broodmare to Stolas.

Honestly it just kind of shows how fans don't listen to critics at all since they think our problem was just that Stolas was a cheater...If Stolas had done it quietly and y'know less Stolitzy then I wouldn't complain at least.

But that isn't the case and now the cheating IS a problem because we have sinsmas and the justifying it. This complex issue that had a nuanced perspective between characters who possibly commit the same act has now been SIMPLIFIED for Stolas's good boy image!!! How complex!!! And stans say that WE only like things to be "black and white".

Big ask sorry

Stolas staying in the relationship never made sense to me. You can still give your daughter a normal life while being a single dad. Before Mastermind, between Stolas and Stella, Stolas had the power and the money to provide.

Unless Stolas and Stella’s family were secretly watch dogs and threatened them when they tried to divorce each other. Hopefully, they explain this in-depth in a future episode or in Stella’s backstory.

[cupcakewebkinz]

Some Shelly head canons because I've been playing as her all morning with my sister and I think she's neat as fuck (I love this fossil sm-)

Includes some fluffy handler moments yes indeed. :]

I believe wholeheartedly that Shelly bites- but she isn't a vicious biter, she very carefully and gently nibbles. She's left scars all over Shanon's hands from her nibbling, but Shanon doesn't mind, it doesn't hurt much anymore. Shelly can't control her sharp teeth either...

I like to imagine Shelly to be like a Chihuahua, shivering when she's comfortable and when she's cold. Shanon knows the difference, though it tends to worry Vee since she's still learning how to tell if Shelly is sick and cold or just really comfortable.

Shelly, while liking dinosaurs, has an interest in technology thanks to Vee. She has been taking lessons on fixing Vee behind her back, and Veronica is more than willing to teach her everything she knows to help her with her goal of becoming Vee's main repairwoman

Shelly most definitely has a soft but stern mom voice, and she knows how to use it. She'll make any toon listen to her scolding, even if they don't realize they're there when she starts. She's not usually the one to do it though, unless it's someone she's close to. Vee especially gets this treatment, but that's because she just wants her to be safe, and Vee honestly respects that a lot.

I'd imagine Shelly would have a very pleasant singing voice as well, and would pair well with Vee's, she's just not used to having an audience so she gets really shy when she sings. Vee's addicted to her singing though.

Shelly absolutely would sell sea shells on the sea shore. Just fossilized seashells. Especially if she gets to tell you the history of that fossil before you buy it.

Shelly could honestly care less how often Vee tells her she loves her, she just knows she does by the way she looks and interacts with her, but she never tells Vee that just so she can keep hearing her favorite tv loudly announce that she loves her at any random moment Vee wants to. She genuinely finds it really cute that Vee loves to tell her she loves her so often, and is always happy to say it right back just to see that look in her eyes. She's obsessed with that silly robot who would've guessed-

I feel like Shelly would be a tiny fossil clone of Shanon, I feel like she'd copy a lot of Shanon's behaviors and act like she was her genuine biological child since she wouldn't interact with other people often. The running gag of "handlers being parental figures" is very real here... Shanon is her mom, she will absolutely call her mom, she is her mother and you're not convincing her otherwise.

Shelly absolutely sews up anything anyone gives her to fix - no questions asked. She loves sowing, and she loves sowing plushies just to give them to Vee. She's blissfully unaware that Vee is running out of room for them, because Vee never tells her... Until she opens her closet one day and a bunch of dinosaur stuffies fall out. Vee's favorite is the first one Shelly ever made for her, which is a plush stegosaurus. Only Shelly can touch that one, the rest the handlers can also touch if Vee's watching. Vee takes Shelly's gifts way too seriously...

Shelly has a great bond with the other mains, thanks to Vee. Her second favorite is Astro, mostly because he gives her dreams about riding dinosaurs with Vee. She always dreams about dinosaurs and Vee. Sometimes Shanon's there too.

Shelly loves any fun shaped food, and tends to only eat anything that looks fun to eat, such as dinosaur nuggets and smiley fries. It's purely because they're simple and she knows exactly what it is, she's terrified of new foods and it's one of the few things Vee can't help her with. Unfortunately. She's not picky though, she just has anxiety when it comes to new foods, she tends to love everything she tries.

Shelly would only kill someone for one of four things - stealing a fossil, hurting her family/friends/partner, taking away her dino nuggets and threatening her herself. One shall not take her prized comfort food...

Shelly absolutely is built like a lumberjack, she looks like a chubby, squishable friend but is actually terrifyingly strong. THANKFULLY she knows her strength and never has accidentally killed anyone with a hug, even though she absolutely could. People fear her hugs regardless.

Random note but I feel like her voice would get all high pitched and squeaky when she's either really happy or really mad and I find that adorable, and I'm the same way. I love this autistic fossil...

[mrs-kmikaelson]

02| The Tribrid

Pairing: Klaus Mikaelson x daughter!reader Summary: You (with reluctance) and Marcel go to the Mikaelson's party. While Marcel is busy trying to stir up trouble, you unexpectedly meet a few people. Warnings: none Words: 1.5K

Masterlist | Part 3

I clipped my earrings on and wiped away any of the red lipstick that might've smudged. I stepped back and looked at my ensemble in the mirror. I was wearing a black, long-sleeved velvet dress with a plunging neckline, and my hair was clipped up.

Damn, I look hot.

A knock on my door pulled me away from looking at myself and I hurried to slip on my heels before opening the door to Marcel who whistled. "Damn, Y/N/N." I held back a smirk, stepping out and locking the door. He glanced down at my shoes. "Red bottoms?"

"Damn right." He gave another whistle and I laughed.

For as long as I've known Marcel, it's been this way. We joke around and we flirt, and we've had a little fun sometimes, but it'd never go further than that. That's what makes it so perfect, even if he annoys me ninety percent of the time. 

Cellie didn't bring a car because everything in the Quarter was in walking distance anyway- or at least that's what it seemed like to vampires.

"So what's the game plan?" I quizzed, nudging him on the shoulder as we walked. "You gonna walk in there and announce your presence with a mariachi band?"

"No," Marcel snorted like that isn't totally something he'd do. "I'm gonna walk in there, talk to my people, and if Klaus sees me then he sees me." He shrugged. "I'm not gonna waltz up to him or anything, but honestly, I hope he sees me and I hope  he realizes that I'm not backing down."

I hummed. "So you aren't battling him for dominance?"

"I don't have to. Klaus may have built this city three hundred years ago, but when he left and everything went to hell, I was there to pick up the pieces." He was getting more passionate by the second. "The vampires don't respect Klaus. How could they? He's not a leader; he's a ruler."

Everything Marcel was saying was true. I knew all this about Klaus already, everybody did. Yet for some reason, hearing it still did something to me.

Because I knew a man like that couldn't possibly be okay with finding out he has a daughter, much less actually loving her. 

But like always, I pushed through it and tried to look as indifferent as I could. After centuries, I've mastered the skill. "Can I try and say something insightful and... psych-majoresque?" He nodded, looking curious and so I went on. "It may be true that the vampires respect you more than Klaus; you've shown them more respect and care than he has. But will this shift of power affect everyone else the same way it will affect the vampires?" I asked him, his brows furrowing, but I elaborated further. "The witches haven't been able to use their magic under your rule, which, by the way, would've never happen if I were there. And the werewolves haven't been able to enter the quarter at all. Klaus is a werewolf. To the majority other than vampires, this shift either isn't changing anything or is bettering circumstances." Marcel looked speechless, but even if he were to form a response in the next few seconds, we were already at the compound, so he had no time to answer. I shrugged and decided to let him think about it and I walked into the compound without thinking.

Immediately, I was hit with a sea of people, the sound of tens of lives beating in my ears and the scent of alcohol. Of course, I walked to the bar right away. I'd need a drink to make it through this.

The place was decorated to the nines, but I could barely pay attention to any of that. Suddenly, it was my own heart thumping in my ears as I realized that the Mikaelsons were in this building. Klaus was in this building. I don't think I've ever gotten so close.

"Whiskey, please. Neat." The bartender nodded at my request and started pouring while I looked around the room for people I knew. People found me first though.

"Y/N?" I turned in my seat to see Thierry, making my nerves lessen and a smile arise on my face.

"Thierry Vanchure." I went in for a hug and examined him when I pulled out. "Still wearing the caps, huh?" He laughed and nodded.

"You got an analysis on that for me, doctor? Do I call you doctor now?" I shoved his shoulder as he snickered.

"Shut up. And no, you don't call me doctor." I shook my head, unable to shake my smile. Thierry was one of the most human vampires I've ever met; he was a sweet boy, never a bother to be around.

Thierry grinned and was about to say something else, but something caught his eye across the room. "Is that Marcel?" His smile dimmed a little bit and he touched my shoulder. "Hey, I'll talk to you a little later." 

"Oh, okay." He got up and walked away, looking like he had tunnel vision and I tilted my head. Something was going on there, and Marcel did not tell me. 

Typical.

I shook my head and opted to ignore for now and ask later. I got up and walked past the swarm of people, trying to avoid them actually, and beelined for where I knew the bathroom was.

I was just at the door when I stopped and slowly turned my head, walking backwards until I was face to face with a beautiful painting that had definitely not been there the last time I was here. 

It was of a woman. The backs of her shoulders were as low as the painting got, but her face was blurred out. It wasn't anything show-stopping enough to catch so much attention, but if you knew beauty, then you knew that this was that.

"She's beautiful, isn't she?" My breath hitched in my throat as my head snapped to the intruder's voice. English, but with a faint accent, elegant-sounding and all.

Elijah Mikaelson.

My words got caught in my throat, but I quickly collected myself and put back on the mask that I wasn't scared. I laughed in half-fake-half-real surprise, agreeing, "Yes, I'd assume so," I gestured to the painting, "even though we can't see her face."

A ghost of a smile rose on Elijah's face and he stepped closer, hands in the pockets of his suit. He stopped when he was right next to me and stared at the painting. "My brother- Niklaus, paints in his spare time," he admits, glancing at me. He nodded to the painting. "This is his."

I stop my jaw from slacking because if there is a list of things I don't know about Klaus, that was definitely on it. 

And I have to stop myself from being even more shocked that we share the same past-time.

"Oh, wow. That's incredible." I nodded to myself, not knowing what else to say. Honestly, I was praying he'd leave before I slipped up and said something I wasn't supposed to say.

Luck wasn't on my side, though, because Elijah looked away from the painting and suddenly his eyes locked on mine. Fuck. He tilted his head and asked, "Do I know you?" Fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck. I tilted my head back as if to show confusion and he added, "I'm sorry, you just look immensely familiar."

Fuuuuucccckkkkk.

In a split second, I came up with a half-lie that was pretty believable. I laughed again, "You definitely might've seen me around before. I'm Marcel's friend," I held my hand out, "Y/N."

His brows rose and I saw questions in his eyes, but I knew I'd just averted his thoughts to ones I'd be able to deal with more easily. 

He shook my hand and repeated, "You're a friend of Marcel?"

"Yeah, don't worry, though; I'm not here to cause any ruckus. I just live in the Quarter, is all."

Elijah didn't look completely convinced, but it was enough for me that my identity was (hopefully) not in question.

He looked like he was about to say something else, but suddenly, a woman walked up to us, calling Elijah's name and catching his attention.

My nose caught her scent before my eyes saw her face. When I looked up, I was looking at the pregnant werewolf from the alleyway yesterday.

My eyes widened and she mirrored the action. 

"You?" 

"Werewolf girl?" We spoke in unison, Elijah looking in between us both with furrowed brows. I shook my head. "What are you still doing in the Quarter?"

Werewolf girl responded, "I live here. In this exact building, actually." My eyes widened again, and she answered the question I was just about to ask. "The baby's dad insists on it."

My brows frowned as I looked to Elijah. "That doesn't make sense," I nodded to him, "he's a vampire."

"Yes, but Klaus is a hybrid." I stared at her blankly for a few seconds before what she said washed over me.

A hybrid and a human werewolf.

Klaus Mikaelson is having a baby.

[theallianceofcelestials]

You know what's an amusing thing about the previous two Eclipses? The way the both of them were with Sun.

They were never kind to him, no, it would be foolish to say that either the first Eclipse or the backup Eclipse were kind to Sun. But regardless of which one we're talking about, Eclipse has always been more, indulgent with him.

When Sun first met Eclipse eye to eye after that fateful argument he had with Moon in Beta-10, Eclipse was... weirdly gentle? It's not even the correct word for it, but he appeared to indulge Sun and his anxious rambling, before shooting him down. He was also much more friendly than he was with Moon, probably because he did not see Sun as a threat, but still. He quite helpfully pointed out the exit point to Sun, and was acting kinda peacful. He was also less antagonistic, although he was definitely condescending.

When Sun exited the mindscape, he apologised to Eclipse, and Eclipse replied something like: "Oh, don't be sorry, only time you're ever sorry is when it actually IS your fault." which is obviously a jab. However, there's also a hidden admitance, that Sun is innocent, and is not at fault. It kind of feels like comfort from Eclipse? This was preluded by Eclipse admiting that Sun WAS a good person, but with issues (like everyone else lol).

Also, ever since Eclipse locked Sun and Moon into the Infinite Staicase SCP, and forced Moon to admit that he (Eclipse) IS better, seemed to have put more weight on Sun's opinion. Which can be clearly seen in the episode where Sun, having been fed up with Eclipse constantly throwing him and New Moon into things, exploded on him, and Eclipse just... left.

He also passed up some opportunities to actually hurt him? Like we now know, that Sun was tortured in the mindscape, but the first interaction we see between them, which is not a power struggle, Eclipse never got violent. He was a jerk, but a toned down jerk compared to how he was with Moon. Eclipse also, during the first ever video fully focused on him "Sun and Moon TRANSFORM into ECLIPSE in VRCHAT", said he was going to kill Sun, and then never followed through with it, even though he had the entirety of October to do so. Like my guy, do you or do you NOT want to kill him? You said you wanted to! Then actually do it, pussy!

And Eclipse is a killcode right? They said in the show that he is so. But compared to other people, he's actually kinda peacful. Like there are only a couple confirmed kills Eclipse has, like the homeless person he beat to death using Monty's body and the government official before that.

All these can be said to be little things, that Eclipse did not bother with, because they seemed like a waste of his time, but there is one piece of information he had, that could have destroyed both his enemies from the very beginning. A neat little fact. Moon wanted to kill Sun. He wanted to kill him, because he felt injustice at the fact that he was locked into their mind, and wanted a body of his own. The fact that it was their PLAN to do so.

Of course it was probably an intrusive thought of Moon, corrupted by his homicide code, and was probably his greatest shame. Before Eclipse that is. And it's obviously understandable why Moon wasn't jumping at the chance to tell this to his brother, the ONLY person he could fully, truly and wholly love and care about (before Lunar also appeared), but then why didn't Eclipse?

He could have won. He could have won before the brothers had a chance to realise how screwed they actually were, before the October Takeover, before the Wither Storm, before the infamous Beta-10 argument, before anything really. All he had to do, was basically poison Sun with this hate, and ruin any sort of relationship Sun and Moon ever had. Sure, probably when he would have first told it to Sun, he would've thought him a liar, but doubt eventually would have come. That was something Moon could not have countered in any form, and he probably would not have wanted to from how terrible he must have felt about that. Moon would have probably given up, if confronted with that information, because I don't think he'd have lied about something of that magnitude.

But alas, Eclipse never told (probably cuz Reed and Davis had no solid idea about it back then). This could have been such a powerful trump card from him. He could have ruined New Moon and Sun's relationship before it even began! Because back then Sun was still (understandably) more attuned to the Old Moon. So he would not have overcome it as easily, not saying he would do so now. Eclipse could very easily break Sun's fragile little sanity. And yet he never did. He never once even uttered anything similiar to it when in front of Sun. Sure he threw insults and taunts, basically tortured the guy for funsies, but this was a line he never once crossed. And I'm not sure why.

Eclipse had a strong ace up his (non-existent) sleeve, that he could have used anytime. At all times, it would have allowed him to win. But he never once used it. He took it with him silently, everytime he was defeated. I can't stress this enough.

This man had the chance to destroy his enemies with just a couple little words.

But both times he took it to his GRAVE.

Let's see if this one will too (:

[affectionate-team]

Sugar overdose

Trey Clover × reader

Synopsis: There's this one student in NRC... he always seems to look out for you, expressing his care and making your forced stay in Twisted Wonderland more bearable. Though there are some things about him that you stay oblivious to...

TW for: mild yandere, drugging/food poisoning (?) (basically unconscious potion consumption), stalking (if you can call it that), overall creepy-ish behavior. If you're uncomfortable with any of aforementioned topics, do not proceed, please. :з

(the whole thing might seem rushed or unfinished, forgive me if so, I'm still gaining experience in writing. ^^")

He's always been there.

Since when you first got dropped into this world, Clover has always been somewhere in sight. It was hard to stop your gaze at just one thing when there were so many wonders you'd never seen before, so you never paid him much mind, not until the Heartslabyul incident, at least. Before you could only catch a glimpse of him in the cafeteria or exchange short greetings in the halls, but the first overblot gave him a push to change the matters. First he started calling out to you when seeing you in crowd, then he worked up some courage to ask for greeting hugs (or at least handshakes when you weren't in the mood), and at some point decided to strike up a conversation: one, two, five, to the point where you'll find him approaching you almost every day, helping out with chores, carrying groceries, sharing notes and helping with homework, staying over for night, and-

When did he manage to get so close?

Windows in NRC's alchemy lab expose one's eyes to unique views; usually it's already way past noon when classes end, enough so the sun starts setting by that time, painting the vast free skies in deep shades of pink and yellow. Wisps of colorful cotton clouds frame the canvas, giving finishing touches to the majestic evening painting. And the centre piece of the gallery of nature - the biggest wonder, an anomaly of this world, not unlike a shy flower on a fragile stem blooming among concrete plates or snowdrifts, - the prefect. Rays of dying light wrap around their figure perfectly. They come here every day, doing small chores for professors with the company of the infamous duo of freshmen-troublemakers. Still, even the boys' robust nature and somewhat graceless behavior cannot spoil the picturesque scene.

He lays his books out on a table closest to windows, having already claimed the space for himself ever since he joined the Science club. At first it was all about convenience: pretty views on the school gardens give him inspiration for new recipes, wide tables allow to keep his space as neat as possible and prevent any hazards (no more spilled flasks or lost papers - much easier to work now), fresh air when the room gets suffocating or his cooking experiments go wrong.

Now it opens another, a little less innocent in nature, opportunity for the young man - to keep a close eye on the cute magicless student. Actually, when you think about it, the fact is not perverse. Is it really wrong of him, a true older brother at heart, to protect those who are weaker than him in many senses of the word? If anything, he's only doing them a favor - prefect always expressed their appreciation of his help whenever they had gotten in a difficult situation with teachers or delinquents, so surely they would've found the notion to be sweet.

Sweet is the first word that comes to mind when you talk to Trey. It's not even only about his personality (the way the man treats his dormmates alone is enough of a proof; putting others' health and wants before his own, prioritizing their happiness, going out of his way to keep things peaceful). Smell of sugar and vanilla follows him everywhere: in classes, in hallways, in his room. You can smell sugar and caramel on his uniform every time Trey comes up to you for a 'good morning' hug. It's hard to resist the temptation to press closer, if only to have more - to get drunk on the overwhelming aroma and warmth.

He'd be lying if he said the prefect's preference for good perfume went over his head. Trey heard them compliment Schoenheit and Hunt for their cologne and seen how they pull away in mock disgust when Ace gets touchy after a particularly long basketball practice. Perceptive to smell. That's where his main hobby comes in handy: when one spends a great part of their day in the kitchen, they're bound to carry out some of its homey atmosphere with hints of cinnamon.

"Good morning! Don't forget to pack your gym uniform, your class has Flying lesson today."

Isn't that nice of him to leave you little notes and reminders? His attentiveness never fails to make you swoon.

"Have you eaten yet? Remember to heat up some lunch for yourself."

"I hope you're not staying up late again? Go to bed before I come over and make sure you do personally. >:("

"Your outfit today was really cute... I mean, you sure are good at styling clothes! Just wanted to make a compliment, don't take it wrong. :)"

Though sometimes his comments sound too... personal. Have you ever actually told him of your schedule? How does he know about your preference? Even Ace and Deuce, who you spend most of your time with, don't know and don't seem to remember that much. 

Prefect favors others way more than they should. Does the spoiled lion prince deserve being pampered by them? Do the troublesome freshmen not annoy them? How can they parade around, gathering crowds around themselves, stealing hearts of each and every student they encounter, and still treat him with such disregard? "Trey's such a mom friend" this and "I wish I had an older brother like him!" that.

I don't feel the same for you.

Why wouldn't you see how I slowly burn for you?

Even now, the dessert he left at your kitchen counter in Ramshackle is lacking flaws. Even layers of frosting, small edible decorations made out of chocolate - it's an intricate work, a miniature piece of art beloved by its creator, with so much time spent over it. And all for you?

Under the plate hosting the sweet treat is a piece of paper. You carefully slip the note from under the plate and read it, eyes crinkling at the corners at the thought of somebody putting so much effort to make you happy.

"I noticed you've been gloomy all day; please, enjoy this little treat. It's a new recipe of mine, so I hope you'll enjoy this."

There was no need to sign the note - identity of the sender was as clear as day. With a fond light and eyes and a prep in step, you move to set a kettle on the stove to prepare some tea - a chamomile blend gifted to you by Jade (he did sound proud of his blends). Not able to resist temptation, you find a fork and lift a portion of the dessert to your lips, taking in its enchanting smell. Cream melts on your tongue, texture contrasting the bright filling and bringing out a new kind of flavor. Tea long abandoned, you take another bite to savor it, sighing in content.

He truly was a master of his art, especially if his work managed to bring your guard down with little to no effort. It was all too late when you noticed how the cold filling tickled your throat, or how your fingers grew colder with each second passed. Staying steady on two feet has never been so hard before, as white noise overwhelmed your senses, disorienting, separating from reality. Seconds flash by in static pictures, and by the time he approached you from behind, there was nothing to do to hold onto consciousness.

There they are now, safe in his arms, not turning or running away anymore. Cradled close to a warm chest, burning with deepest of earthy desires, full of selfish wanting and a new blossom of hope, their heart would soon answer his calling. For a magicless human is no match to the power of true love.

He will always hold you near.