#sol interrupting a conversation

[sols-musings]

i can't believe I'm the only person with the (correct) opinion that you should go bald unless I missed something sigh

Isn't it cus of that meme whcih goes "you're so sexy please don't go bald"

Where did all the discourse about you going bald come from?

I’ve seen several people telling you you should or shouldn’t but I can’t seem to find the reason this is a conversation

-✨

I dont know, i made it worse by saying imma cut my hair tho.

I do need that hair cut tho. the ends are definitely dead lol

[stonesense]

summary: viago finds out something terrible has happened to sol de riva. lucanis has a horrible day in a horrible week. emmrich and teia are once again somehow the normal ones by comparison. viago/teia and strongly implied non-binary crow rook/lucanis. mentions of crow-typical upbringing. i cannot be held responsible for viago’s inner narration being mean. 2.5kish words

*

The news lands like a bad joke.

One of the Diamond’s private booths has been converted piecemeal into something like a study. Viago had needed to work, and a table was a table, so he defiles Teia’s temple to indulgence with paperwork. Maps and notes are pinned to the ebony panelling on the walls. Among his stacks of notes and contract dossiers, Viago sits on luxurious black velvet as he waits, expectantly, for the punchline.

Lucanis Dellamorte just stares at the ash stains on the table, the low lighting putting the Void itself in his hollow dark eyes. Next to him, the necromancer, Volkarin, has the nerve to look sympathetic.

‘What exactly do you mean,’ says Teia, beside him, ‘by trapped?’

‘We gather that Solas planned this from the beginning,’ says Volkarin. He is quick to abandon fact for theory. ‘He exchanged places with Rook. Capitalising on the weakness of the Veil after Ghilan’nain’s demise, and perhaps even more so, the emotional duress that Rook—’ He catches sight of Viago’s expression, and whatever he sees there brings that sentence to a merciful death. ‘Suffice it to say that Solas walks free, and in his place, Rook has been imprisoned in the Fade.’

Lucanis says, ‘They’re gone.’

‘So why,’ asks Viago, ‘are you here?’

The question startles Lucanis, enough so that he looks him in the face for the first time since he stepped out of the eluvian today. Volkarin looks politely baffled. Viago wants to pour acid over something and watch it bubble into nothingness.

‘You have lost Rook,’ he says, and the words are a poison that threatens to close his throat. He forces past, makes no allowance for the weakness. ‘And now you are at my door. You have your pack of experts. Your contacts. Your gateways across the north. Surely there is nothing more that the Crows can give you. Go and get them back.’

Lucanis covers his face with his hands.

Viago does not know what to make of the Demon he sees before him. In the months since his rescue from the Ossuary, he had looked every bit the part of a man returning, piece by piece, from death into life. Viago had marked his improvement as he would mark the progress of any antidote. Each time Sol’s people visited Treviso, they had returned Lucanis a little stronger. More wholeness to his body, more colour to his skin. The shadows under his eyes had never vanished but they had softened, and Viago had seen him smile more easily at Teia’s teasing or Sol’s jokes than he had thought the heir to House Dellamorte would ever be capable.

Today it was all undone. After nearly a week of silence from the Crossroads, no way to know what at Tearstone had gone awry, Lucanis had come through the eluvian as unkempt and ragged as the near-corpse that Sol had first pulled from the sea.

Viago’s first thought had been that the man was ill, even blighted. Then he had asked for a quiet word in a private room in the same broken tone that others have asked Viago for a final poisoned cup. As he explained what had happened on the island, words had often failed him, sentences withering into choked silence, leaving Volkarin to conclude them. He flinched and startled at nothing as Volkarin spoke, turning to face interruptions only he could hear. Now he hides his face.

Volkarin casts him a worried look and once again attempts to intervene. ‘Please understand, we are pursuing every avenue. I am not without hope.’

Viago had considered the necromancer a tolerable acquaintance, with indisputable knowledge and the ability to hold a worthwhile conversation on Blessed Age sculpture. The standards Viago has come to expect from friends of Sol’s are not high; Volkarin exceeds them all. Still: his intrusion in this room now is as unbearable as an intrusion under the skin. He is an interloper here among their business. He cannot understand what is at stake, or he would not be sat there on Teia’s velvet in his ridiculous coat, posture perfect and prim.

Teia puts a hand on Viago’s arm, probably because his lack of answer is uncivil. He can’t decide whether reproach or sympathy would be worse to see in her eyes, so he doesn’t look at her.

To Volkarin, she replies pleasantly, ‘That’s good to hear.’

‘Incidentally,’ says Volkarin, encouraged, ‘may I ask after Rook’s surviving blood relations?’

Viago nearly chokes on more disbelief than fury. As soon as he can get out the words, he snaps, ‘Already planning the funeral, Watcher?’ His tone is not under his own control, but Teia’s fingers tightening on his arm give him an idea what he sounds like.

‘Oh!’ says Volkarin, surprised. ‘Oh, no, dear me. It could not be further from my thoughts, I assure you. I was considering… avenues.’

He glances sidelong at Lucanis. Lucanis does not look up.

‘My colleagues and I,’ he continues, ‘have been pursuing what it would take to locate Rook within the Fade. It seems the natural first step. And if you’ll forgive the notion, it may be a matter of, ah, blood. Blood matching theirs would be ideal, truly. If anything could speed our progress…’

Teia leans forward into Viago’s field of vision. Her face is perfectly calm, taking as well as ever to the role of mediator, but forcing him to wonder what she’s thinking. She and Sol are friendly, but not close. Teia arrived in his life just as they were beginning to spiral out of it. ‘Please, speak freely,’ she says to Volkarin. ‘You’ll find the Crows very open-minded.’

The line of Lucanis’ shoulders tenses like he disagrees, but at least he stops hiding, if only to turn and speak to Volkarin. ‘Rook was not born into the Crows as I was,’ he says. ‘Their family exchanged them for safe passage into Antiva. Refugees, from the Fifth Blight. They will be long out of reach.’

The words are a cold sting of unwelcome surprise. Sol has trusted this man even with that.

‘Ah,’ says Volkarin, sounding disappointed and a little saddened, as though he knows what family is to Sol, or what ranks first among the hardships they have faced. ‘Well. No matter, merely a thought. There are other approaches.’

‘You have tried them,’ says Lucanis. ‘Tried them, and failed.’

It sounds very final.

For the first time, Volkarin’s professional veneer slips, and he is the one to look tired. How many attempts has he made? How desperate did they become before turning to Treviso? ‘My dear man,’ he says. ‘Please don’t give up hope. There is so much we don’t know.’

‘Which is why we are failing. Why we cannot get them back. Isn’t it?’

Volkarin has no answer. His mouth thins into a grim line.

Lucanis drags his fingers through his hair, the style more of a mess than ever. His hand trembles like an addict’s. It’s impossible to tell what state his demon is in. Sol’s quiet updates had petered into silence, which Viago had taken to mean the thing was dormant. Is it what’s dragging him into this stubborn despair?

‘Rook is—’ Lucanis permits himself to choke on the words where Viago had not. ‘Rook is gone. Rook has been gone for days. And all the while, everything they have fought for, everything we lost them and Harding and Bellara for… We have sat and watched as it slipped between our fingers. Solas is free. The Venatori triumph. Elgar’nan has taken the heart of the Imperium while we hide and pretend there is hope. That is why I am here.’

‘You want us to fight,’ surmises Teia.

Lucanis spreads his empty hands, gesturing helplessness. ‘I have no magic. I cannot waste time playing at rituals and guesswork; I cannot even try. I only have the Crows. The least I can do—all that I can do—’

Save the world, even if Sol is no longer in it. Give them up for dead, and finish their work.

‘House de Riva refuses,’ says Viago.

Lucanis stares at him.

Teia’s fingers tighten once again on his arm. He doesn’t have to look at her to know that this time, it is a wordless warning. This is the First Talon, she reminds him. You are speaking to the First Talon’s face.

Viago cannot bring himself to care. He ought to think this through, to weigh the pros and cons, but in his head there is only one cold answer. ‘Your contract,’ he says, ‘is with Sol. Your business is with Sol. If you want my knives in Minrathous, you will find Sol and bring them here to tell me so. Until then, whistle for another dog. Our house is not at your beck and call.’

Lucanis shakes his head like he cannot believe it. Viago has feared and respected the man by turns. Recently he has even had occasion to like him. Now he would pity him if he were not so disgusted.

Viago is not being sentimental. He does not work from wishes. When he slips poison into a drink, he doesn’t hope it will stop a heart; he knows it will. Evidence and experiment has already proved the unassailable truth. He does not hope that wherever Sol is, they are alive, and fighting to win. He knows it. He has been the one to send them into impossible odds, time and time again. They always come back with laughter still in their throat. They always think of something.

If Lucanis lacks faith, he does not know Sol at all, and he certainly does not deserve them.

The man turns to Teia next, with nothing more than pleading eyes. That is his trouble, Viago thinks. Lucanis is not his grandmother; he is not even his cousin. He does not terrify or flatter or cajole. He is First Talon, and he still looks to them for help, as if they are his friends.

Admittedly, it is an approach that may work on Teia. Even her immaculate mask has fallen away; the slightest of furrows has formed between her brows, and her nails tap, distracted and discordant, on the table. She’s fond of Lucanis. Fonder still of Caterina, the spectre looming behind him. To dismiss Lucanis at his first command will be costly in every imaginable way. He would not ask her to do it.

‘Ay,’ she mutters. ‘What a mess.’

‘Teia, please,’ says Lucanis.

She grimaces. ‘House Cantori,’ she says, both sorry and unflinching, ‘stands with House de Riva, in this matter.’

The conversation is over very quickly after that.

The First Talon says little more. He recoils into himself like a wounded thing into its den, dead-eyed and quiet. Volkarin fills the silence. They are planning another attempt later today, he says. They are consulting Dalish allies for whom crossing the Veil is a regular professional hazard. They are reaching out to Kal-Sharok about pure lyrium. He is not without hope.

Viago waits until Lucanis is gone—a shadow crossing the rooftops, headed to the Dellamortes’ lair—and stops Volkarin before he can go for the eluvian. The necromancer looks at him, curious, politely bemused.

This is a terrible idea. ‘Rook was exposed to countless toxins, for immunisation,’ he says. ‘All through their training. I cannot get you their family, but I can get you blood that runs with all the same poison. Exactly the same. Would that be useful?’

Volkarin tilts his head thoughtfully, as if to look at the idea at a better angle. Viago is almost certain he is not just humouring him. ‘A fascinating proposition,’ he says. ‘It is rather pushing the bounds of the theory, but on occasion, the Fade quite takes to such bending of the rules… How many Crows would have been treated with precisely the same combination?’

Treated is a kind word. There is no place in it for coaxing Sol, a child then, to drink even when they were sobbing. There is no place in it for the long nights when he thought they might die before dawn. What Viago did to them was not medicine. It was necessary. Before he was Talon, he was a threat to a Talon, liable at any moment to be struck down. Sol had thrown their lot in with him from the start, and he had safeguarded them both by all the methods he knew.

He smiles, humourless, and admits, ‘Only one.’

‘Only—? Ah.’ It passes over Volkarin’s face clearly: the realisation, then the understanding, then the concern. ‘It shouldn’t be a life-threatening exchange, merely to locate them. It would, however, be arduous.’

‘We Crows tend towards arduous pursuits.’

Volkarin shakes his head, though it’s thoughtful, not a refusal. ‘I would commend you for it,’ he says. ‘I would ask you to come with us to the Lighthouse, to begin as soon as possible.’ His mouth twists with rueful humour. ‘And I would request that you explain the matter of my spilling your blood to our friend, upon their return.’

He agrees to those terms.

Whether it is optimism or pessimism, Viago decides that Sol’s mages at the Lighthouse will spend enough time mired in indecision about method for him to get some work done while he waits. He returns to the private booth to gather the most urgent papers. A few contract reports, too. They’re predictable—failures don’t come back to make reports—but he could stand to see some good news.

Teia’s still in the room. She’s sprawled inelegantly along the seating, one leg drawn up, a hand over her eyes as if to shade them from the dim, sultry casino lights. She lifts the hand a little to look at what he’s doing, then sits up, brows raised, and says, ‘Going somewhere?’

He explains about the blood.

When he’s finished, she reaches for his splayed collar and pulls him down to bring his lips to hers. He has to bend nearly double. After the kiss ends, she does not let him go. She presses her forehead to his and they breathe together.

‘I wish I could at least go with you, Vi,’ she says, sounding miserable.

A year ago, faced with such earnestness from her, he would not have had the heart to believe it. Five years ago, he would have been too busy flushing and stammering just to have her beneath him like this. Her tight-fitting combat leathers would have driven him to distraction. Now they only fail to hide how thin she’s become, and remind him how long it’s been since her last chance to drop the armour. He still remembers the delight on her face when she showed off new dresses, a transformation every day, each more unbelievable than the last. Will that come back, when these days are over? He wants to see her wear colours again.

Uselessly, he says, ‘Someone has to hold the fort.’

‘I know,’ she grumbles. With a sigh, she lets him go.

He stands straight, feeling bereft.

‘Gods in Minrathous,’ she mutters. The idea of the gods never sits easy with Teia. She says she has settled it in her mind, and then picks at it, like a scab. ‘Well, it would have been a sight to see.’

‘We’ll see it,’ he tells her. ‘Keep both our houses ready to move.’

Teia smiles. ‘Of course. We’ll go to war once our Sol is safe and sound, and you’ve finished shouting at them for all this trouble.’

Viago smiles back, just a little. He’s sure.

He has to be.

[moviestarmartini]

flores amarillas. — franco colapinto x gf!reader

él la estaba esperando con una flor amarilla / ella lo estaba soñando con la luz en su pupila / y el amarillo del sol iluminaba la esquina / lo sentía tan cercano, lo sentía desde niña.

summary: franco surprised you at the airport on a special saturday.

wc: 800

warnings: none! just fluff, conversations in spanish, idiots in love and a established relationship.

A/N: feliz día internacional (latino mostly) de las flores amarillas hehehehe i added the context in the fic so i won't give it here !

now playing... flores amarillas from floricienta

The only way your trajectory to Singapore could get worse was if the plane exploded mid-air like in Final Destination. 

It was humiliating; you were supposed to arrive Friday, and by the time you took your last connection, the estimated time of arrival was for early Saturday morning. The bags under your eyes were bigger than the ones sitting in the compartment underneath the passengers, you went from lack of sleep due to excitement to hibernation, ignoring the flight attendants who attempted to wake you up. 

You only rose from your slumber while the destination edged nearer, to freshen up and half heartedly have breakfast. You did your best to look presentable, flushing away in the sink the despair from both the missed connections and long customs lines. This involved changing out of the designated airport lounging outfit into something more fresh, having prepared the outfit in your personal bag, feeling the humidity already crawl up your bones even when you hadn’t descended. 

After his excellent work in Baku, Franco was eager to finally fly you out to see him race live in the top category, only having experienced him in the feeder series. The nerves ate you up, walking the paddock with your boyfriend was something you had fantasized about, but never expected to become a reality even when he reached Formula One. 

But there you were, praying for your bag to come out and not have gotten lost, leaving a big sigh of relief upon spotting it, untampered with. It wasn’t that heavy, and it was that moment of strength that took over you whenever your boyfriend wasn’t there to carry everything. 

As soon as your roaming plan kicked in you contacted him, letting him know you were there. He told you he hired a chauffeur to pick you up and take you back to the hotel, excusing himself due to the need to rest before paddock duties, which you completely understood. 

Imagine the surprise to see him standing at the arrivals gate holding a bouquet of yellow flowers. 

His face lit up in joy at the same time yours lit up in surprise, a delicate hand flying over to cover the O your mouth had turned into. 

Gifting yellow flowers on September 21st was used to celebrate the beginning of spring in the southern hemisphere, and the phenomenon just spread all throughout Hispanic countries. You’d dropped hints here and there, but with the stress from your flight… situations you’d completely forgotten about everything else. 

Your suitcase made noise against the floor as you dragged it along your sprint, letting it go— but making sure it stayed put— before hugging him tight. His laughter replenished all the energy the trouble had taken away from you, nuzzling into his shirt to breathe in his scent. 

Yeah, it was your Franco. 

“¡Me mentiste!” You proclaimed, hitting him in the chest. He ignored the subject of the yellow flowers and supposedly arranged for a third party to pick you up. 

“Buen día princesa hermosa, feliz de verte.” He blatantly ignored your claims, leaning in to smooch your cheek, hanging the bouquet of sunflowers with fresh eucalyptus mixed in for some greenery. You didn’t know if your ears felt warm because of the high temperatures or the flattery. 

“¿Cómo es que iba la canción? Ella sabía que el sabía que sabía que algún día pasaría—“ You interrupted his annoying high pitched sing along while you took a picture of the plants, heart thumping in your chest. 

“No, no. Que él sabía que algún día pasaría a buscarla—“ Now it was his turn for him to interrupt you, putting a finger over your lips. 

“—con sus flores amarillas!” Though you would regularly be offended at him interrupting you, you almost giggled at his antics. 

You stood there for a second, unable to tear your eyes away from the warm toned bouquet, still in the best type of disbelief. You didn’t notice it was you who he couldn’t tear his eyes away from. 

The second you told him you were asking for all the permissions to get a vacation sorted to see him race, he knew he had to make it special. And by your reaction, he knew it was a mission accomplished. Besides, it warmed his heart to see you so happy. 

“Let’s go get you freshen up and head to the paddock, if I’m any later than the hour I have left, they’re going to replace me.” Now the idea didn’t terrify you just as much, you were too busy gawking about the surprise to your mom and your friends, following him to the car knowing you had no time to lose nor spare. 

He took both your weekender and the medium sized suitcase, letting you to only carry the weight of having the best boyfriend ever. 

[causenessus]

Realizing He Loves You. | Haikyuu

inc. akaashi, bokuto, oikawa, iwaizumi, kuroo, kenma

written in 2nd pov (female reader implied)

song recc: my loves get special treatment and all get a song or quote of their own again but just for fun </3 sideways by cleo sol

word count: 1922 words

summary: "when does he realize he loves you/what does he do to show that he loves you?"

little bit of crack? nekoma performs a psychology experiment (??) i just had a little bit of fun writing this and projecting onto like all of them <3 but i just love them all sm and i'm making up for not including kenma in my last post mb guys

akaashi

"don't shorten your speech. i love your details."

if you thought he paid attention to bokuto, you’re not ready for what he gives you

he gives you everything <3 anything you could ever ask for, he’ll get you it

he’s always hoping to see you, when he hears a door open, he looks up, hoping it might just happen to be you

it doesn’t click at first that he’s purposely looking out for you on instinct, but he starts to realize it as he finds himself orbiting around you more and more

he gives you his full attention whenever you say something, and if you get sidetracked or forget what you’re talking about, you best believe he remembers what you’ve already said and will try and prompt your memory by explaining what you’ve already told him

will also check in and remember things that you have said in the past, like you told him about a new book you were reading and the next time he sees you, he’ll ask you how it's going. or if you guys are too busy and he doesn’t ask you about it then, he’ll ask you about it another time he sees you. but either way, it always surprises you and touches your heart when he remembers <3

you best believe he’s always making time for you too

burst into the gym, his classroom, or bedroom and he’s already dropping everything for you

“keiji, you’ll never guess what happened!”

“what happened, love?”

the moment he probably fully realized how much he loved you was when he started holding your hands to stop you from picking at them

he’s always paying so much attention to you and he cares so much about you that he lovingly tries to stop you from habits like biting your nails or picking at your skin <3

he’ll notice that you’re doing it when you’re sitting beside him and with all the care in the world he’ll be gently holding your hands, running his own pretty fingers along them and rubbing them

you know he’s doing it to stop you and help you but you’ll pout, saying, “that’s not fair, keiji, you pick at your fingers too :( ”

but he’ll only smile as he takes his eyes off his fingers playing with yours to look at you, “i know. but you're not allowed to because i love you.”

bokuto

everyone adores you (at least i do)

he couldn’t stop talking about you

he didn’t do it on purpose, but genuinely just kept bringing you up to everyone because you’re his everything <3

he does it with such love and adoration, the biggest smile on his face that no one can say no to him or interrupt him, they just keep listening

in all sorts of conversations, he’ll find a way to bring you into it and people know that if he doesn’t have practice, there’s a 99% he’s with you (that 1% is simply when it’s absolutely impossible for him to be with you

if anyone ever asks him what he did over the weekend, he’s always mentioning you, “my weekend? oh, my girlfriend and I…” 

he has literally no reason to be vague he’s so proud of you and to be your boyfriend he’ll say it whenever he can <3

and just like how his his energy and determination is contagious on the court, so is his happiness when he talks about you

at some point someone on the team brought it up with a grin on their face to match his purely joyous one,

“man, you really love her, don’t you?”

he’d already thought about it a ton before, but to hear someone say it for the first time, it felt different

his face felt a little warm but he couldn’t help but nod,

“i do. i love her.”

oikawa

"jupiter couldn't keep me from you / oh, i'm yours."

he realizes it when seeing you makes him flustered and he can’t stop thinking about you

definitely talks about you a lot to anyone who he can get to listen

like it’s worse than bokuto

but it goes past that, you’re on his mind all the time, throughout his classes and afterschool

and this is NOT basic i swear let me explain

he’s smiling stupidly to himself all throughout the day, his head filled with moments he’s had with you

they’re just showing up in his head without him even trying but he’s not complaining

he’ll see you in the halls and he just can’t stop the smile that spreads across his face

he’ll be listening to songs and suddenly he’s relating them all to you, asap he started making a playlist for you as soon as he became the slightest bit interested in you, he just couldn’t stop thinking about you but at first he thought it was just normal

but then he’s there, helping clean the floors after volleyball practice and he’s in his own head, a lovesick smile on his face and his heart brimming with adoration for you

seijoh 4 is looking at the scene in confusion and worry, feeling slightly uncomfortable at the sight

“is he really that happy to be cleaning the floors?”

“maybe he’s imagining that his serve had hit kageyama in the face and not yahaba??”

“it irks me. trashykawa if you don’t wipe that stupid grin off your face–”

suddenly maki and mattsun are holding iwa back by the arms from marching over to the boy who's still stuck in his own world, smiling with a mop in hand

eventually maki pieces it together, the three of them approaching the boy once iwa has found the will to keep the rage inside again <3

“whose the lucky girl that’s got you smiling like that?” he asked with a taunting smile

to his surprise, tooru was completely transparent, no jokes or comebacks, a pink hue dusting his cheeks as he rested his chin on the handle of the mop with the same lopsided smile as always, “this girl i’ve been seeing…god, i think i love her.”

iwaizumi

"calling my lover 'mine' but not in the way that my toothbrush or notebook are mine, mine in the way my neighborhood is mine, and also everybody else's, 'mine' like mine to tend to, mine to care for, mine to love. 'mine' not like possession but devotion."

he realized he loved you when he found that he just wanted to do everything for you

the definition of “i know u can do it urself but let me spoil u <3”

he has a list of everything you like so that he always knew what to get you

he’s always coming up with special plans and gifts for anniversaries, birthdays and holidays

i just know he comes up with the best ideas

and i know everyone says this BUT HE’S SO walking on the open side of the sidewalk to guard you from passing cars omg <3

definitely a man whose skipping whatever he has going on that day to take care of you when you get sick or if you’re taking a mental health day

he just wants to make sure you’re completely taken care of and that you know how much you mean to him <3 he’s always reassuring you when you have even the slightest doubt that you are not and will never be an inconvenience or anything of the sort

is 100% holding your bag when you guys are walking at school

and ofc is holding your bags if you guys go out shopping is that even a question??

he’s always asking to take you out places and do something with you

unless you catch him in a gracious mood and give him three good reasons why he shouldn’t pay for something for you, you’re not winning

he’s paying and he’s happy to <3 if you’re really adamant about it, he’ll let you pay (sometimes) but will still try to get you to at least split it

he loves you so much he will give himself wholly to you whenever you ask for it

he can go from completely abusing oikawa to holding you so gently and speaking softly and lovingly in a split second <3

recovering from his beating, oikawa approached iwa again, as you left to take care of something else, “she’s really got you wrapped around her finger, doesn’t she?”

iwa only continued to watch your leaving figure, “i guess so. but i’d burn the world for her if she asked.”

kuroo

"hold on. hold on. i have to protest. do you think i would choose to live without you?"

he shows how much he cares for you by always making you his first priority

he’s always with you and always on time for you

it didn’t really click with him at first but he realized he loved you when he was thinking so much about making sure you knew that you were cared for and that you deserved nothing short of the best, including a man that is always there for you

i feel like tetsuro (with love) is the type of man who shows up late to things unapologetically at least ever so often

but never when it comes to you

expect him to always be there on an agreed time if not earlier

as researchers (the nekoma volleyball team) found in their experiment (completely unbiased and empirical), by just saying that the group was going to hang out and that you were going to be there, he was guaranteed to show up on time. but any other time, if you weren’t involved, there was a chance he was showing up at least 10 minutes late

(kenma was most certainly their control group to see what tetsuro’s normal behavior was for the people closest to him <3)

when yamamoto presented these findings to tetsuro himself, he simply shrugged

“so you’ll show up completely ready, hair styled and all for her but when it comes to us you come looking like a tornado hit you in the two blocks it takes to get to the convenience store and it set you back like 10 minutes??”

“well duh, i love her, not you.”

kenma

"so you see her / she's over in the corner / and you can't ignore her / there must be a reason"

he realized he loved you when he noticed that he was always keeping an ear open to listen for you 

he’s not used to really working with others. like he’s either listened to (ie. brain of his team) or he’s working independently because he’s not going through the effort of putting up with people

you and kuroo on a good day are the exceptions

bc with you, it’s like he wants to hear from you

he doesn’t often love talking to people, and he hates when people interrupt him when he’s doing something, but when he’s playing games and you're around, he has one side of his headphones pushed behind his ear in case you say something to him

even before you guys were dating, when he sat next to you in class, because you sat to his left, he’d only put in his right earbud when he listened to music so he could hear you

and even when you guys are walking together, hand in hand, if he still has an earbud in, he makes sure to walk on the side of you that doesn’t have an earbud in <3

before practices have officially started, he’s completely unavailable and does not care for what anyone has to say to him

but then he sees you walking in and he’s got an earbud out or his headphones are pushed to the side immediately <3

kuroo notices this after some time and teased him about it, “oh? you never make an effort to listen to anything I have to say if you have your headphones on. does she mean that much to you?”

kenma didn’t even look up from his switch, but there was a small smile on his face at the question, “yeah, she does.”

[puttersmile]

Heart & Sol Month Days 4 & 14

Prompts are "Trouble" and "Rescue.

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I admit this is an old AU related oneshot that I never finished but decided to dust off and finish for this art challenge. So there is an OC in here I have yet to introduce! Inspired by some nostalgic Friendship is Magic type vibes.

Night of the Mini-Huggies

Bobby Bearhug and Dogday sat in the cozy lounging area of Bears & Biscuits, the low hum of the bakery’s hanging lights casting a golden glow over the room. The warmth of the ovens in the back still lingered in the air.  It was a quiet comfortable evening shared between friends. Dogday leaned back in his chair, trying to hold back a grin  as he recounted his latest adventures as a park ranger.

“I swear, those Twiggies are getting bolder every season,” he said, shaking his head in mock exasperation. “One minute, they’re just dangling from branches, pretending to mind their own business, and the next thing you know, they’ve made off with my entire sandwich stash!”

Bobby smirked, her arms crossed as she leaned forward. “Sounds like they’ve figured out you’re an easy mark. I mean, you’ve probably handed them a sandwich with a bow on it.”

“Hey now,” Dogday shot back, laughing as he nudged her arm. “I might be generous, but they’re clever. I caught one of them stashing my sandwich in a hollow tree. It looked at me with those shiny little button eyes, like it was daring me to take it back. But I don’t blame them,” he paused to take a bite out of a cinnamon roll he’d been munching on.

“Even out in Glowshade, your bread’s got a reputation. You’re a legend among campers and Twiggies alike.”

A soft blush rose to Bobby’s cheeks, and she glanced away, fiddling with the edge of her sweater. “Business has been good lately,” she said, her voice thoughtful. “I’ve been thinking about adding something new to the menu. Maybe savory pies—something warm and filling for those who stop by later in the day.”

She looked back at him, her expression curious. “What do you think? Something hearty…lliiike…”

Before Bobby could finish, a sudden scraping noise interrupted their conversation. It wasn’t loud, but it cut through the stillness like fingernails on glass. Bobby’s brows furrowed, her warm expression shifting to the display window.

“Did you hear that?” she asked softly, her grip tightening on her teacup.

A sudden darkness fell over the room. The lights in the bakery flickered, then went out entirely, leaving them in near complete darkness.

“Oh… that’s odd,” Bobby murmured, glancing around. “I’ll get the flashlight.”

As she turned to search for a light source, Dogday felt an uncomfortable chill creep up his spine. He moved to the window, peering out into the now completely darkened street. 

Across the way, he thought he caught a glimpse of movement—a shadow shifting unnaturally across the roof of The Leaf and Bean. Then another flicker of motion, this time on the building opposite, Bright & Shine Laundry. Something thin and gangly skittered in and out of sight. He squinted, his eyes adjusting to the faint glow. Some of the streetlamps were still on but even their light was dim, barely catching the glint of large, round eyes staring back.

A soft scratching sound grew louder, filling the silence.

“Uh… Bobby,” Dogday’s voice was low. He could barely hold back a growl. “We’ve got… something outside.”

Bobby joined him at the window with a flashlight, her breath hitching when she saw the creatures. Five or six of them now, all with large, unblinking eyes and bright red lips that stretched into unnatural grins. Their  teeth, sharp but not large, glinted like needles under the starlight..

“What… what are they?!” Bobby asked, her voice a mixture of disbelief and rising fear.

But before Dogday could answer, a loud crash shattered the silence. The front display window erupted inward as a tall figure hurled itself through the glass, landing with a rupturing thud. Cakes and pies spilled and splattered. Bobby’s scream tore through the air as she stumbled back, the flashlight clattering to the floor.

“Run!” Dogday shouted, grabbing her hand and pulling her toward the back of the bakery as more of the creatures scrambled through the broken window with eerie giggles. They could hear the things tearing through the shop, overturning tables and scattering chairs to pieces as they closed in, relentless laughter echoing through the darkness.

Dogday and Bobby sprinted through the kitchen chased by an explosive cloud of flour and spices.  The sound of furniture crashing behind them as the creatures closed the distance, giggling and clawing through Bobby’s carefully arranged kitchen. Red lips pulled into grins as everything that wasn’t bolted down, crashed to the floor.

Dogday pushed open the back exit, but as they stepped out, one of them appeared from the shadows. It watched  the pair with intense dilated interest. Bobby raised a rolling pin she had managed to grab before the exit door had clicked shut behind them. 

“What do you want?” she asked, her voice fearful yet firm.  Teeth flashing, it  ignored her and leapt for Dogday. But  Bobby got in front, raising her rolling pin and swinging it with all her strength, the impact sending the creature reeling back.

Another one slipped past, its sharp teeth sank into her leg. Bobby shouted in pain, but Dogday was there in an instant. 

“Get off of her!”  He’d grabbed a knife, and he slashed the creature off her. With a desperate kick, he sent it tumbling away. There wasn’t even time to check her injury, as the small horde of monsters started beating at the door their backs were pressed to.

Think Dogday. Think!  

The alley had a few dimmed lights hanging along the edges, the creatures avoided them as best they could as they skittered around towards them. And when Bobby had raised the flashlight to the glass, for a split second they had scattered.

“Head for the streetlights, Bobby! They don’t like the light!”

They staggered into the open street, bathed in the dim light of an old lamppost. 

It was just bright enough.  

For a moment, it felt like safety, but the creatures circled around, playing with the idea, lingering at the edges of the light, their wide eyes reflecting in the dark as they watched, waiting.

Just as the Mini Huggies began to advance, two beams of strong, white light cut through the night, forcing the creatures back with startled screeches.

“Back! Back off, you creeps.” A low gravelly voice hissed across the courtyard.

The gangly monsters scattered as Catnap trudged forward, holding a heavy-duty flashlight in one hand, the other stuffed into the pocket of his oversized hoodie. His intense angry  gaze followed the creatures as they retreated.

Beside him stood a small lion critter, chin high like she ruled the night. Deep blue fur, a wild mane glowing turquoise and violet, and a fancy coat covered in strange, shimmering symbols. Too big on her, but she wore it like she was ten feet tall. Dogday and Bobby Bearhug blinked in astonishment.

"Princess Aurory?!"

“Yeah, you better run!” Princess Aurory declared, flicking her tufted tail. “You DARE creep into my kingdom? FOOLS!”

She stomped a foot dramatically, her eyes glowing with a hint of royal pride.

The creatures hissed, their shadows curling away from the glow of the streetlamp.

Catnap’s tail twitched as he  watched them slink off, then he yawned.

“Y’all alright?” he asked, rubbing one eye as if he’d just rolled out of bed.

Bobby, still catching her breath, leaned on Dogday, nodding as relief washed over her.

“Thanks to you two. Those… things just came out of nowhere!”

Catnap muttered, sweeping the flashlight beam across the street, making sure they were gone. “Let's get to the hospital while they’re gone.

“Thankyou, Catnap.” Dogday looked at Princess Aurory, gratitude in his eyes. “Couldn’t have been better timing.”

Aurory puffed up proudly, swishing her fluffy tail.

“Well, OBVIOUSLY. A true princess is NEVER late—” she turned, dramatically tossing her thick mane “—she arrives precisely when she means to.”

Catnap sighed. “She heard me mention a ‘rescue mission’ and wouldn’t let me leave without her.”

Princess Aurory huffed. “And a GOOD THING I CAME!”

Her proud stance faltered, though, as her eyes landed on the shattered bakery window. The glow of her fur dimmed slightly.

“Third time in a month,” Catnap murmured, voice dropping. His sleepy gaze met Dogday’s with quiet conviction.

“They’re hunting for something.”

Dogday and Bobby exchanged a glance, both of them feeling the weight of his words.

“Or someone,” Dogday muttered. “But all I care about right now is Bobby and her leg.”

He shifted more of her weight onto himself, even though she protested.

“I’m fine, Dogday, it didn’t bite deep.”

“It bit you, Bobby. I don’t want you to get rabies. Or whatever it might have been carrying!”

“Car’s this way.” Catnap ushered them to where his old beat up car was parked.

And this time, Bobby didn’t argue.

End.

Note: Twiggies are like little clockwork squirrels.

[alexlikesairconditioninh]

Geo x reader

Regarding SOL

You became friends with the group after crowe brought you in, at first you and geo didn't have anything going on, but somehow, he developed feelings— and it seems like he isnt the only one.

NOT PROOFREAD (this is under the assumption that geo knows about hyugos crimes)

The first meeting;

Geo wanted to get close to you, but he honestly struggled. So he opted for just being by your side and helping you out. He heard of solivan brugmansia all too well, afterall the rumors regarding him are very well known to those that heard of him.

But, did he care? No, not really. A rumor about some random student he didn’t interact with didn’t matter to him, besides, people spread false rummors around constantly. He wasn't intrested in finding out the truth behind the rummors. Until, he had realized you acquainted yourself with him.

It was after class, you and your friends were out in the hallway pondering where to hang out. Before you spot hyugo and sol. Youre unsure wether to not to bother them as they seem deep in conversation. However it seems hyugo could feel your eyes on him. His eyes locked with yours, and you take that as an opportunity to wave at him. Thus, he waves at you in return. Sol notices and his demeanor changes, a smile tugs on his lips and he gives you a dreamy look. A blush faintly noticeable on his face.

Geo looks away at his phone to seek out the subject of your attention— hes surprised, and certainly not pleased.

His brother.

Were you friends his brother? Out of all people, hyugo? And that guy— why is he looking at you like that? You dont seem to have any special feelings towards him, youre waving to him like you would anyone else. That begs the question, what are you to him?

He goes in your direction to get your attention. he taps you on the shoulder, and just like how its supposed to be, your attention is on him now.

"Huh?" you asked, curious as to why he uncharacteristically sought your attention. While you didn't know much about geo, there was this weird feeling emanating from him.

He takes a quick glance at his brother and that black-haired boy with him, and hes surprised to see the tall male with a deathly glare in his eyes, targeted at him— and also his friends. His eyes were ugly, blood red. Is that why hyugo befriended him? Because blood is somthing hes used to, right? Whatever it was, he immediately took a disliking to that man.

"brit wanted your input". He focused his attention back to you.

"O-oh yeah! How about the garden? I have a key for there." Geo gave a pleased look.

"Lets go tell her then". And with that the two of you turn your backs to sol and hyugo, heading closer to the group. Geo takes one last good look at the two boys. Unfortunately for him, he accidentally makes eye contact with his brother.

"OH MY GOD" Hyugo moves towards you and geo.

"SUBARU" eyes littered with excitement hyugo approaches him

"Shit..." geo begrudgingly accepts his fate.

—————

It seemed Britney, jess and deryl were the most amused at the scene hyugo had caused. They were pestering geo while hyugo took that as an opportunity, as sol's wingman.

"Oh- sunny and I were wondering if you wanted to hang out wit-"

"[name], cmon, Britney's waiting" geo interrupts

"Oh yeah!- uh" you look back to hyugo, and sol, eagerly awaiting your answer, hoping you leave that purple haired prick and spend time with him instead. "Sorry, im hanging out with geo and our friends, uhm, ill talk to you guys later!". You frown, and wave bye to them as you head for your friends.

Later, in the garden, you sit next to geo. Curious of his relationship with hyugo, after all they are brothers and you’re friends with them both! isn’t that nice?

“You’re hyugos brother? what’s he lik-“

“He’s not my brother, forget what he said in the hallway, I don’t want to associate myself with him.” He interrupts, shooting you a glare before his gaze softens. “He’s…” he pauses, recollecting his thoughts. “He’s just dangerous to be around.”

“How?” he looks away as you ask.

“Things you don’t know, he gets into shady shit” he redirects his gaze back to yours, “[name], for your own sake, and safety, don’t get involved with him… or his friend.”

“Solivan?” You question at the mention of sol

“Brugmansia?” If his memory is serving him right, then he’s not good news.

“Yeah that’s his-“

“Especially him, both of them, stay away from them.” He thinks back to the hallway and the look in sol’s eyes. One of putrid hate and murder. Maybe, those rumors were true”

“That’s hard to do, I’m in a class with them— although hyugo never attends, and I’m sols partner for an art project.”

“Then don’t make conversation with him, only do what needs to be done for the art project, once it’s done, never talk to him again— or hyugo” he instructs you, for now at least. He’s thinking about what strings he could pull to change your art class for a different period, one without sol or hyugo. If he had to play dirty to keep you, and his friends safe, he’d play dirty as hell.

“Okay.”

I don’t wanna go too deep because I wanna wait for days 3&4 for more lore and info, so I’ll probably wait and do other stuff

[justalittleficsideblog]

Your fics of the obey me boys protecting mc from a creep are so amazing!!

If it's okay, could you write a similar one for Barb and Sol please?<3

anon I see you’ve been sitting in my inbox for a millennia, but I feel like I’ve finally now can write this fic! Barbatos in my mind is a bit unhinged, so like TW for those undertones! This went on longer than I intended, I hope you enjoy !

Barbatos

I could see this happening in the later hours of a ball that his king decided to host, caught unawares with a human he decided to invite had inevitably gotten lost in his crowd.

Considering that your usual guard dogs were preoccupied with their official business, Barbatos took it upon himself to keep a keen eye on you as you made your introductions.

Some of the demons lingered longer than necessary, but the majority quickly moved on due to the presence of the brothers all together somewhere in the room. Despite that, one particular demon cozied up to you a bit more than he found himself caring for.

“That’s very flattering thank you, but I think I’ve had plenty this evening,” you waved your hand towards the demon, gesturing politely in refusal of his offer to a drink.

You weren’t stupid, taking drinks from strangers in the human world was hardly safe, the devildom was no exception.

The demons mouth curved down slightly on the side, but he quickly recovered as he sauntered closer to you. Your back now against the pillar, your eyes scanned the crowd for an escape.

“Those brothers must be boring such a thing like you.” An elongated finger dragged lazily along your temple as he pushed a stray hair out of your face.

“The brothers are wonderful, now if you’d excuse me—“ you grimaced as the demon side stepped your attempt to skirt around him. Now pushed farther back, your irritation was plain across your face.

“C’mon. Hear me out here—“

“I do believe the lady has kindly rejected you multiple times.”

The snarl startled you, a familiar back facing you as Barbatos stepped in between you and the demon. He held a serving tray in his arm, the other arm was across his chest as he politely angled his body towards the male in front of him.

His tail gently urged you to his left, its length curling protectively around your frame.

The formerly mentioned demon scoffed, clearly irritated about the kings servent interrupting him.

“Listen Barbatos,” the demon grabbed a wad of somthing from his lined pocket, placing it discreetly in his hand. “Look the other way with the kings pet, and keep this between us.”

The chill that descended the ballroom was near paralyzing.

You didn’t dare breathe.

“Out of respect for Diavolo,” Barbatos spat, rising to his full height, his back shifting into a lethal calm. “I will not cause a scene because of this disgusting conversation. You must be unwell, considering your intellect is so skewed that you believed I could be bought out for such an act.”

The demon tensed, his foot sliding back slightly.

You’d never seen Barbatos so eerily calm. He could be unnerving in his role, but the aura he was giving off was that of a predator.

“Lord Diavolo will see to you later,” a swish of his wrist and the demon was transported instantly.

The rush and noise of the crowd and music came back immediately, and Barbatos turned to face you, bowing deeply.

“Are you harmed?”

“Uh… no. No not at all, thank you Barbatos.” Your hand reached out to take his out and make him rise.

You were at a loss for words, the lethality you had felt from him was gone, replaced with a relaxed atmosphere.

This guy gave you whiplash.

Extending his arm, he offered, “Come. Let’s get some fresh air.”

All you could do was nod.

Solomon

Honestly, the reason that you hadn’t encountered any suspicious demons was because this wizard watched you very closely. When he determined the brothers were around, he tended to let off.

But, anytime you were without one of them and he was around, he tended to ward off many a demon (he may had cast a sort of mirage around you if any ill-intended demons looked to long).

Deciding to have a bit of fun without the brothers, you had begged him to check out a new club scene that had opened up. All the students were talking about it! I’ll go anyway even if you aren’t with me!

Leaving you unprotected wasn’t an option, but he decided to play coy and tag along.

Solomon immediately disliked the air of the nightclub. The thick haze and skewed magic surrounding it instantly made him on edge. Seeing you so excited to be there, seeking out some friends from class, made him bite his tongue.

The crowd itself made him uneasy, some demons lingering looks made him grind his teeth as he steered you towards a booth to get a break.

“This place is kind of… dense.” He ground out.

“I think this’ll be fun! Oh! Let me go to the bathroom quick, one of the girls from our sorcery course needs some help fixing her look.”

You skirted off quickly. Solomon reassured himself it was fine, you had a trace of his magic he could track. He reached out to feel the tug, only—

There was nothing there.

————-

Having fixed up your friends hair, you made your way back to Solomon. Unfortunately you were intercepted, a large demon glancing down at you with wide eyes.

“So you’re the human they’ve been talking about.”

You attempted to move around him, huffing when the press of bodies halted you from doing so.

This demon was clearly intoxicated, his uneven gate and slight sway told you that much.

A grip on your arm made you flinch, moving quickly to detach the large hand from your bicep.

“Let me go, man.”

The demon flung his arms up in surrender. “Are you here by yourself? You know, this place is full of creatures that would—“

“I’m with my friends, now if you’ll excuse me.” You shouldered your way past him, ignoring his intimidating height. You looked around for the booth that Solomon and you were at previously.

Your heart thundered, where the hell was it?

“Are you a bit lost?” A grin split across his face as he leaned down, the smell of demonous reaching your nostrils. “I could help you find your friends…”

The look in his eyes told you something entirely different. Panic began to work its way up your chest and the noise and flickering lights made it hard to see against the crowd.

Suddenly, a heavy arm wrapped around your shoulders. Jolting from the contact, you looked up to see Solomon, staring down the demon in front of you.

“I do hope that you weren’t giving my human any trouble here.”

Realizing who was in front of him, the demon blanched, leaning back into a few others that were crowded behind him.

“N-not at all man, just trying to help them out is all.” He waved his claws in front of his face, eager to turn and part the crowd as he made his exit.

Satisfied, Solomon looked to you.

“What happened to that bracelet you always wear?”

Furrowing your brows you spoke. “What are you talking about? It’s right here—“

You grabbed your empty wrist in alarm. Shit! You must’ve undone it when you were helping your friend.

“It’s probably in the bathroom, here, let me go grab it quick!”

Solomon grabbed your shoulder and spun you in close to him.

“Forget the bracelet.”

“But that was a gift! I’m sure it was expensive.”

You saw his jaw tick. “I’ll get you another, you’re not leaving my sight after that.”

Clasping your hand in his, he made his way to the exit.

“How do you feel about takeout?”

A smile burst across your face.

“As long as you’re the one paying.”

Solomon laughed, grasping your hand a bit tighter.

[neocaridina]

pov eigong interrupting girls night

(based on a conversation my friends and i had bc we also all have discord profiles themed after our fav sols. not that it makes this make any more sense)

[gear-project]

Dual Rulers: Episode 3

The Past begins to rear its monstrous Head.

Spoilers (but of course!)

We begin with a scene of Unika activating the War Relic Pillar, which sends a signal to an ancient satellite weapon in orbit (reminiscent of Operation Last Resort, which Ky once used during Lightning the Argent, a devastating killer satellite laser that can burn everything and damage the land for centuries).

Cut back to the scene where Elphelt and Ramlethal just took care of the soldiers that tried to detonate Ky and Dizzy’s seal.

Ram disarms a mine but begins to trace its activation signal, Elphelt says they can catch the culprit by tracing its origins.

Elphelt leaves to investigate, while Ramlethal continues her own investigation on-site.

We jump to a scene in America where Anti-Gear Protest Demonstrations are being stoked. A soldier from the buildings above aims his gun on the protesters, but his scope is blocked by a Lolipop!

Jack-O’ and her servants quickly catch and disarm the soldiers, which is most impressive to do singlehandedly with her superhuman specs!

Jack-O’ briefly gets a call from Elphelt, who asks if she’s learned anything about Elphelt and Ramlethal’s recent activities, revealing the fact the Sealing Site was attacked.

Jack-O’ quickly catches on to what she’s referring to: Anti-OutRage technology meant to disable the Thundersealed Sword’s Barrier.

Apparently such technology can easily be traced to its origins. But apparently Elphelt already investigated the possibility, but couldn’t find traces (Valentines work fast!)

No researchers have gone missing either, supposedly, suggesting the tech used is NOT common from this current era!

Elphelt says she received an Anonymous Tip, which Jack-O’ immediately senses to be a trap. Elphelt says she’s aware of the possibility, but says she can’t help but satisfy her playful curiosity!

Trap or not, Elphelt dives in to investigate!

The conversation shifts to Jack-O’s current investigation, and it seems the soldiers she just caught were the ones stoking the Anti-Gear Protests, even going so far as to use President-Issued weapons and gear to pin the evidence on President Groubitz, and assassinate innocent civilians with those weapons.

Jack-O’ feels concerned that their current allies are getting stretched thin.

We jump to Sol and Sin on the Firewheel Mk.2, where Sin reflects on the visions he recently saw when fighting Unika. His thoughts are interrupted by a ping from Sol’s Electromagnetic Signal detection radar. (Note: EM Pulses are rare in this era, but even Japanese people are capable of generating them, see GGXtra Manga for details!)

Sol points out that this particular EM signal was coming from Unika’s Magic in particular. EM Pulse detection is a rare blind spot for most current technology. Sol also revealed that this old world tech was once abandoned for going out of control (meaning it is potential Blacktech he is using, which is normally banned).

The bike they’re on is soon met with a fleet of aircraft carriers, who issue a cease and desist warning on their investigation, saying it is on Presidential Order (which Sol doesn’t believe for a moment).

They request the pair go under their custody, but the EM signal on Sol’s bike pings even stronger. Sol makes up a fast excuse and steps on the gas once more.

Sol says “hang on tight” as the main carrier continues its pursuit. They immediately deploy several soldiers on bikes to catch Sol and Sin.

It is then revealed that the one bluffing Presidential movements was none other than Nerville Hammer! He has the soldiers circle around Sol’s escape route to pincer them.

As the bike soldiers get closer, Sol kicks up the dust and launches the bike in the air, driving off the edge of a cliff! The bike bounces nose-first, but Sol managed to reduce the impact by kicking off the cliff wall (impressive he didn’t break his leg, here!)

An air heli-carrier meets the cornered pair, and apparently it is Nerville, claiming to “offer help” in their situation by taking them aboard.

Sol glares at Nerville silently. If looks could kill.

Sin is obviously unaware of the circumstances and promptly thanks Nerville for “saving them”. Sin introduces himself but accidentally activates the Food Tray on board the carrier, which Sol promptly deactivated as a distraction.

Sol knows who Nerville is, asking him what this is all about (normally Sol would be more forceful in his interrogations, but that is in the past).

Nerville makes a feeble alibi that his purpose as a Politician is to “meet and talk”. Sin continues the conversation by questioning his reason for being against Gears as a hardliner, asking on his feelings on that perspective.

While Gears are potentially dangerous, Sin advocates that you can’t know for certain in case by case. Nerville observes that Sin isn’t from a generation that experienced the Crusades, though he excuses it by saying that it is the reason for the conversation they are having.

Nerville reveals that he knows Sin Kiske is a Gear, and is here to determine if Sin himself is dangerous (though it is obviously a lie, even if Sin can’t immediately see this).

Talking face to face appears to mostly be a pretext to get close to Sin for Nerville, with Sin buying in to the deception. Sol cuts the conversation off.

Nerville offers to shake Sin’s hand, but once more it is very suspicious, just as with Dizzy. Nerville jokes that he will very likely become their enemy, but not out of hatred, and he wants Sin to remember this. (Oh Sin, I worry for you…)

Sin uncautiously shakes Nerville’s hand, not knowing the potential consequences of it.

Continuing their pursuit of Unika, Sin says not all Anti-Gear folk appear to be bad, but Sol warns him not to fall for Nerville’s talk so easily.

Elphelt has made it to the traced laboratory, thanking Ram for worrying about her. It is in ruins, but El tears open the entrance, only to learn all the scientists in the lab are dead. It seems they were simply used to develop the technology and killed when no longer useful.

Elphelt opens a strange tube with glowing orbs emitting a green light, commenting on the lack of traps in the immediate area, but immediately above the lab she’s in, it is shown the Killer Satellite has been pointed at the lab this whole time!

The satellite fires, reducing anything in its reticule to dust (and we are left to wonder what has happened to Elphelt after waltzing in to this “trap” that Unika fired as a demonstration).

The EM radar on Sol’s bike leads the pair to an old city ruin. A No-Man’s Land where poor residents live among dormant collapsed Gears (one of the many places still not yet rebuilt after the Crusades).

Sol reveals that this ruin is the perfect site for someone like Unika to lay low, as no sane person would want to live here.

Sin asks the local poor residents if they saw anyone resembling Unika, under the pretext of being Bounty Hunters, but everyone closes their doors and windows, not wanting to have anything to do with the situation. The residents call them eyesores and to hurry and leave.

Sin observes a more amicable old man and his little girl, whom they speak with at their house.

The old man is surprised to get to meet Sol as one of the Former Knights of the Sacred Order, and is grateful to have been able to live to see the end of the war, thanks to the Knights.

The little girl suddenly says she saw Unika, and points them towards a building. She then asks if Sin is going to fight the angel, but Sin happily replies that he just wants to talk with her, saying he wants Gears and Humans to get along.

The old man remarks that those born after the Crusades will never understand the suffering endured by the survivors, and that it is not something they need to understand.

Sin asks Sol if another Crusade will happen, but Sol says he has to stay sharp, since few others will. Sol then reveals that Sin is ALSO a Command Type Gear, like his Mother and Grandmother before: able to control even Dormant Gears at will.

Sol reminds Sin that Justice commanded the Gears is what started the war in the first place. Sin quickly realizes the benefits of this, but Sol IMMEDIATELY reprimands him to NEVER use that power.

Sin still presumes to suggest that if Gears were to start a war, he had the power to tell them to stop, saying he could just tell Unika and Nerville not to worry (Sin, you are so naive…)

Sol immediately gets a call from Jack-O’, revealing Unika’s next target is Illyria. The laboratory Elphelt went to was just a test run of the Satellite, but they’ve lost contact with Elphelt.

Unika made terrorist demands, but the intention is to fire the weapon on Illyria anyway. Jack-O’ warns them to be careful.

Sin worries for Elphelt, but Sol says she’s a Valentine, and tougher than she looks. Sin wonders if Unika is serious about burning down Illyria.

King Leo Whitefang speaks with Vernon, and thanks him for his assistance in this dire situation. Vernon quickly tells him that the access key to the War Relic was copied, despite its actual recovery. Leo is surprised at how advanced their enemies are.

Vernon reveals the intel from Jack-O’ that someone is acting under false Presidential Orders as part of the Anti-Gear Protests. Leo surmises the mole in their network. Vernon says he has a Bounty Hunter tracking Unika, but it isn’t Sol.

Apparently someone interfered when Vernon tried to contact Sol (namely Nerville).

Leo encourages him, saying it’s time to take the fight back for the people’s sake. Vernon determined, also agrees.

Meanwhile a nationwide evacuation order has been issued to all Illyrian residents in light of the terrorist situation. Panic has begun to spread among the people.

Sol narrows down Unika’s hideout to a single ruined building. He tells Sin to go in, saying he will provide cover.

Unika is shown surveying the news in Illyria, as people scramble to leave their beloved country.

Unika’s emotions waver, as she thinks about her father, and it drives her to tears. As if to answer that turmoil in her heart, a rainstorm fills the sky above the ruin.

Sin screams out Unika’s name, saying she has done enough. She doesn’t have to do anymore sad things.

Unika says the extinction of humanity makes the sacrifices smaller by comparison, and readies her gun, saying Tragedy should be mankind’s lesson.

Sin wants to know the cause of this extinction, as he has the power to stop the Gears from ever having a war with humanity, as he is a Gear as well.

But this sudden revelation drives Unika in to a rage.

Unika is quick to attack, despite Sin’s words of not wanting to fight.

Sin blocks Unika’s attack with his Black Lightning, which is spotted a fair distance away by Bridget, who immediately recognizes it.

Unika presses her offense, but planes above begin to fire at Unika, and she quickly begins to shoot them down with her powers.

The local poor residents flee in fear amid the destruction and loss of life, as planes crash in to the ruined buildings.

Sin recalls Baiken’s warning, to keep his eyes open, so he can save lives when he has the chance (but he missed that chance here).

Sin yells for Unika to stop, but she continues to warn the people not to defend the Gears, or another Crusade will happen.

Another plane fires on Unika, and she once more uses her power to make it crash. Sin steps between Unika and gunship, taking fire from them both.

Unika sends the plane to the ground, despite Sin’s interference. Sin is heavily wounded as he hears Unika saying that Humans won’t be the victors of the next Crusade.

Despite his wounds, Sin vows to stop the Crusades from happening.

This prompts Unika to attack him once more, demanding to know what he can do.

Sin steps on her gun, and grabs her arm flawlessly before she can strike him again. He begs her to stop. She responds with a kick to his stomach, training her gun on him.

Sin screams once more that he didn’t come to fight, saying he wants to help her stop the Crusades and that she isn’t alone, and that this is the wrong way to do things.

Unika fires on him, grazing him with her bullets, wounding him further as he leaps to grab her. Wounded, Sin says things would be better if she wasn’t alone.

Unika’s memories flood her mind, her past, and her special existence that lead to all this. She kicks Sin off her, and once more points her gun at Sin’s head, screaming she isn’t alone.

Sol once again calls Sin an idiot.

Sol has his gun trained on her and fires, saying the plastic bullet can’t be deflected by EM barriers. The shot lands, sending Unika falling off the building’s edge.

Sin calls after her, dives after her, and uses his Command Type Gear power to call a Dormant Gear to catch them as they fall.

The Gear responds to Sin’s call, terrifying all in the area, but it does what Sin bids, and immediately goes dormant once more.

Sin, barely conscious, continues to call out to Unika, but the residents cannot deny what they just witnessed and their first response is fear.

Soldiers rush the area, with Baiken surveying the scene.

Before the soldiers can fire on civilians, causing more chaos, Baiken deflects their shots with Tatami Gaeshi, demanding everyone cool their heads, saying it isn’t their fight.

Just as Baiken begins to question the Soldiers for shooting, another sniper shot is fired, which is instantly cut in half by Johnny! His intuition saved yet another civilian.

Baiken questions why Johnny’s here, and he gives a flirty excuse.

Johnny and Baiken proceed to defeat all the straggler rooftop soldiers, and Baiken realizes Sin’s Command Intervention was recorded by their surveillance, which she caught just in time.

Baiken says it’s just as President Groubitz predicted: they were using Unika as bait to frame Sin as a Gear instigator.

Johnny remarks that it’s good they made it, Unika is wounded, but still alive. Jack-O’s in contact, and thanks them as well.

Johnny offers Baiken tea, but both Baiken and Unika have left the grim scene.

Moments later, it’s shown that Unika is limping through her wound in a back alley, only to happen upon Bridget, who recognizes her from the previous venue they encountered one another. Unika trains her gun on Bridget.

. . .

LOTS WAS REVEALED THIS TIME. It’s taken several hours to write this, so I hope you enjoy my insights. The story got deep really fast. Faster than even I anticipated! This is unprecedented and beyond expectations for me as a fan. I hope you enjoyed watching this episode as well as I did!

We’ll have to wait and see what comes next!

[suniloli]

BOILING POINT p3

7 Feb 2024

Pairing: Daryl Dixon x fem!reader

Word Count: 3.8K (dayum)

Warnings: Swearing, sexual themes, crude language, description of blood and violence, angst

Setting: Prison (between s3 and 4)

Summary: It’s the next day at the prison, and you’re feeling good. However, something is said which is way over the boundary of acceptable. Is this truly it?

Author Note: Final part! And obviously who wants to read a fic of two people fighting for like 72 years? I know most readers probably wouldn’t act this way. But too bad >:) I’m thinking this might be a bit out of character for Daryl…but it amuses me so why not? I hope the carrot joke makes sense. I also hope the 'pay off' isn't rushed. (This gif is funny) -Sol

Part 1 / Part 2

Surprisingly, the next morning you were much more chipper. The sun was shining brightly through your cell curtain, and you could hear the chatter and laughter of people in the prison. Today’s gonna be a good day you smiled to yourself. 

You tried to forget yesterday. You guessed crying it all out and venting to Rick must’ve allowed your brain to finally come to the beginnings of peace, and to let go of this whole thing with Daryl. He didn’t want a relationship with you anymore. And, who cares if he wanted one anyway? It’s hurting you too much. It’s hurting you both. 

You were done. 

So, no matter what happened, today was going to be good. You could feel it. 

Normally you hated doing stuff in the garden, but today it was quite therapeutic. Bound to have some mighty tan lines with the sun beating down on your singlet-bearing skin, you fixed up your gloves. Wiping a bead of sweat from your hairline, you adjusted your sunglasses and pushed yourself up from your crouched position. Sighing contentedly, you observed the hustle and bustle of the mid-morning prison activity. 

There were plenty of people in the courtyard sitting together in groups talking and laughing, sharing in the day’s glow. You could see Carol and some other women conversing and preparing some stuff in the outdoor kitchenette. Across the other side of the grounds, Glenn was teaching a group of people some combat skills. Turning around, you looked up to the watchtowers and saw Maggie and Sasha. You reciprocated Sasha’s wave and Maggie’s smirk and turned around when you felt a presence behind you. 

“Hey Beth!” you greeted with a pat on her shoulder. 

“Hey Y/N. Bringin’ round some water to everyone.”

“Thanks,” you said, eagerly grabbing a glass and chugging it within a couple of seconds. Handing it back to Beth with a grin, you added, “What? It’s hot out.”

Giggling, she agreed and placed the tray on the ground. “I can already see the burn on your shoulders…don’t be turnin’ into a lobster now!”

Nudging her with your elbow, you feigned offence. “I tan beautifully, thank you very much.”

Your banter was interrupted by a group of people from Woodbury. A few hey’s and friendly exchanges were made, mainly between Beth and them. They were a bunch of younger teens, some of which you recognised. The one with glasses was Patrick, who you liked because he was fond of Carl. And another was Zach. He was the one giving Beth rather flirtatious glances. Cute. 

You waited until they left before speaking. “You get along pretty well with that Zach guy…” 

“Hmm?”

You smiled. “Zach. The guy who was giving you flirty eyes.”

“What?! No he wasn’t…” Beth looked down shyly. 

“Uh, yeah he was. The dude was flirting with you big time. For the record, I think it’s cute.”

“Do you think so?” Beth asked. Oh, to be a teenager with a crush again. 

“YES. FYI, we’re living in the apocalypse. So if I were you, I’d go for it. Time is truly of the essence these days…” you mused. 

“I’ll make you a deal…if I make a move, you have to too.” 

A huff of air escaped your nostrils. “With whom exactly?” You humoured. You realised what she was hinting at until it was too late. 

“Daryl of course. And for your information,” Beth paused, a cheeky expression taking over her face. “I saw the two of you that one time…behind the stables…”

“Uhhh…” 

“My window was open…” she said sheepishly. You didn’t say anything. “He likes you, I can tell — ”

“That was a mistake. What…happened…meant nothing.” You tried to divert.

“As you said, time is of the essence. You should talk to him.” You could see her deliberating something in her mind. The next second, she brought you in for a tight hug which caught you off guard. “I…heard yesterday…it ain't very nice what he said. I’m sorry…”

Slowly returning the embrace, you took a long breath. “Well, I’m over it.”

Looking up at you, she sighed and gave you the best puppy dog eyes she could muster. “Well," she began, in an attempt to lift the mood, "As long as you know that I love you Y/N, and I’ll never let you go!” She squeezed tighter around your waist. 

“Get out of here!” You laughed, trying to push her off and away from you. “Go hand out some more drinks!” Beth released a hearty laugh as she picked up the tray and headed to the other workers. 

You looked down at your half-full bucket of harvested veggies. You sighed deeply. You just couldn’t escape him.

Fuck. 

It was much closer to lunchtime when you approached the main courtyard. It was as if the people could sense that it was going to be served soon. However, as you approached, the delicious smell emanating from the kitchen space would’ve had you all antsy too if you’d been around. 

“Howdy ladies,” You drawled. “Stew smells ab-so-lutely divine. Delicious. Delectable.” Placing your yield in front of an amused Carol, you pinched a carrot and munched on it slightly obnoxiously. Receiving a look of feigned disgust from her, you were satisfied. 

“You like the letter D I see” she quipped. You hadn’t noticed someone standing by your side when you pointed your carrot to her and tried to keep a straight face. 

“I certainly do like the D. But the kind exactly like this carrot. Thick…real girthy…”

A beat of silence before Carol burst out laughing. Your laughter was getting difficult to hold. You could feel the air being held captive in your lungs as you attempted to hold your breath. Eyes still sparkling, she looked a little to your right, pointing with the utensil in her hand. 

“Like his D, I’m sure…”

You turned to see none other than Daryl, who seemed to be waiting with a pained expression. Based on his odd-looking grimace, you awkwardly assumed he’d heard everything. 

Carol…you bastard. 

You looked back to Carol, whose mischievous smirk turned slightly perplexed at his demeanour. Unbeknownst to you, Carol was thinking about her and Daryl’s conversation yesterday, and how she’d seemingly gotten through to him. She thought that you two had talked and ‘made up’. Guess not…

“Real classy, ain’t ya?” he spoke under his breath. 

You got it wrong. Today was not going to be a good day. 

As Daryl nearly threw a cut of raw meat down on the bench for its use in the stew, you attempted to keep it nonchalant. 

“Lighten up Daryl,” you smirked, pausing for a couple of seconds. He looked up at you. You couldn’t help but stir the pot. Just a little. If not for yourself, but for the reaction of your friend next to you, you told yourself. “It’s not like I’m missing out on anything,” you said sarcastically, giving Daryl’s body a once over. You were about to ignore him and continue with Carol until you heard his voice, more of a growl than an actual utterance. 

“Don’t seem like ya missin’ out on any dick lately.” 

You could sense a silence overtake the people in the kitchenette. You don’t think you’ve ever heard Daryl be that vulgar before. But, you were incensed at his insinuation. Did you hear what you thought you did?

“......What?”

Daryl went to stalk off, but you moved forward, gripped his forearm, and turned him back around harshly. 

“WHAT?” 

“Ya heard me.” He spat. You were completely baffled. You had no idea what he was talking about. You did what you could to try and remain calm. 

“What. Are you fucking on about?” you said slowly. You attempted to clench your fists at your sides to subdue the growing feeling. Your heart rate was beginning to rise. This was not good. And you still hadn’t even finished your carrot. 

Staring you up and down, he seemed to consider you. But just as the softness in his eyes was there, it quickly vanished, and in its place was something sad and bitter. 

Daryl aggressively chewed his bottom lip. “How bout’ ya just go find some desperate dick to warm ya bed.”

“Daryl!” Carol chastised. You glanced at her, at a complete loss for words. 

You were barely aware of the growing crowd of people who were wondering what the commotion was about. However, that was your last straw. You’d had it with him and his emotional back and forth. Daryl’s face was looking punchable as fuck. 

Holding back tears, it was like something possessed you. “You FUCK —”

"Y/N!" Carol yelled. Before she could stop you, you landed a beautiful left hook to Daryl’s nose. Immediately a rivulet of red poured from his nostrils. Daryl was stunned, to say the least. 

“Uugghh!” Holding his face, he removed his hands to look at them. Daryl immediately moved forward to push you. “What tha' hell Y/N?!”

Luckily for you, your adrenaline had given you ultra instincts. You didn’t even register the pain in your hand as you deflected his own. Out of pure anger, you managed to shove both of you to the ground. 

Half straddling him, you managed to lay a few good punches into his face, before Daryl realised his strength. Kneeing you in the guts, momentarily winding you, he flipped you over, and mid-flip his right hook made contact with your left eye. You could feel your eyebrow split open and felt something warm gush down your face. 

You could vaguely hear children screaming and yelling in the distance. You thought you could see a crowd of people running towards you, but you were too blinded by your hurt (and blood). The both of you got another few good hits in until it became what could only be described as a cartoonish scuffle on the ground. It would’ve been comical if not for the blood and damage you’d inflicted upon the other. 

“Fuck you, Daryl!!” You screamed. “Ooof!” Daryl had managed to pin you to the ground, holding both of your arms in place. Wiggling and squirming, you used all of your might to attempt to get out of his grip. 

Daryl, just as fuelled, looked down at you from above. Time seemed to stop. You looked pained. There was blood pooling over and into your whole left eye. He was sure he looked just as bad, if not, worse. But what made him pause was seeing tears escape and roll down the sides of your face as you cursed and screamed and writhed like a maniac. He barely registered the “fucking get off me!” you hurled at him. 

Just as he was about to loosen his grip, two sets of hands pulled him roughly away, two other people doing the same to you. 

“That’s ENOUGH!” Rick bellowed. Sasha and Maggie rushed to wave off the circle that had surrounded you. 

“The hell’s wrong with you?” Carol scolded, shocked. She tried to tend to you, but you pushed her away. 

Trying to wipe your face of the blood there, you pointed your finger at him. “You’re such a prick!” 

Daryl stayed silent with his signature steely expression, breathing heavily.

“I’m done with your shit! Whatever is fucking bothering you, you better talk, or…or you’re fucking dead to me…” He watched as a lone tear made its way down your cheek. It moved, tracing the underside of your jaw, before trickling off into the depths below. 

One second. Two seconds. Ten seconds passed. 

You sucked in a sharp breath. He thought he saw disappointment in your expression. Rick, Carol, and Glenn were glancing at each other exasperatedly. They dared not move in case you both started up again. 

“Say something for god's sake.” 

Daryl’s expression softened, however, his gaze was as piercing as ever. He wiped his nose and winced in pain as his fingers came back bloodied. He didn’t know where to start. 

You scoffed. You began to walk back towards the prison. 

“I remember tha’ night on tha' farm.” Daryl suddenly declared. Rick glanced over at Daryl with an understanding gaze, and subtly motioned with his head to Carol and Glenn to leave the two of you alone. You however stopped dead in your tracks, your back to him. “I think bout’ it all tha' time.” 

You slowly turned to look at him. He was met with your inquisitive, yet fiery gaze. 

“What’s your fucking problem then?”

Daryl saw so many pictures flash through his mind. He saw his childhood home burning to ashes, his mother inside. He saw his dad and that leather belt buckle shining in the light of the window. He was reminded of Merle, who left him all alone to bear it all on his own back, literally and figuratively. Suddenly, Merle morphed into his older form, and his insults echoed in his mind. Daryl replayed Merle dying and leaving him for good. He replayed you leaving him. 

Daryl’s shoulders sagged a bit. The more he thought about the bad things in his life, the more he was reminded of the good in it. Daryl discovered that in his redemption, Merle had truly loved him. Right now at the prison, he had a found family who cared for him, and would probably die for him. He had you. He was so lucky to have you. He never dared entertain the thought, but you’d probably die for him too. He’s the one who pushed it all away. Daryl didn’t want you to hurt him, and leave him like everyone else did. 

So, to answer your question: he was the problem. 

After a couple of seconds of contemplation, Daryl spoke quietly, but resolutely. 

“Me. Ma’ problem is me.”

“What does that even mean, Daryl? Because I’ve been trying to fix things this whole time, and you keep pushing me away!”

Daryl raised his voice. “We ain't’ ever gon’ be good anyway!”

You observed him for a long moment. You’d had deep conversations with him before. You knew of his past and he knew of yours. You knew he had it rough before the end of the world. But Daryl was a fighter. He kept on, even in hard times. Deep down, he was a shy, compassionate, and in your opinion, mistakenly self-conscious man, the latter of which you attributed to his upbringing. Knowing that you’d gotten so close, just for him to reject everything the two of you went through together made you even more frustrated. 

“So you think everything we’ve been through was for nothing then? The way that we were means nothing to you?” With slightly less fire, you added, “The things we’ve done and what you’ve said to me…you never meant any of it?”  

You could see Daryl struggling to bare himself completely. But when he looked up and into your pleading eyes, you saw the last of his defences crumble away. His next words were almost whispered in the wind. 

“I meant it. And I still mean it.”

“Then why have you been so unfair?”

“‘Cause ya just gon’ end up leavin’ me!” He admitted. Daryl abruptly moved so he was in front of you. In your periphery, you saw him raise his hand, but he moved it back down to his side again, seemingly thinking against whatever he was going to do. 

It was all so real now. Daryl pushed through his combativeness. This time, he did reach a hand up to your face, and ever so tenderly wiped the blood out of your eye from under your brow. You held back a flinch. Daryl caught it. However, he spoke his words so gently you would have never guessed that the two of you were involved in something so violent mere minutes before.

Looking at the damage he’d caused, he felt an overwhelming sense of guilt and shame. It only spurred on his thoughts of the previous night. “I won’ ever deserve ya’ anyways with how I’ve treated ya’. You’ll be better off with Rick or some other guy —”

You shook your head in disagreement.  

“How could you have ever thought that I wanted to be around someone else? Has it not been clear this whole time how much I...like you?”

Daryl began biting his lip anxiously. It was clear to him, but deep down he refused to believe the extent to which you did. 

“I appreciate you so much, Daryl! That’s why this whole thing’s been killing me! To have someone hurt me so much when things were so good…” He felt your head slowly shake against his hand. You inhaled deeply. “I’ve never hit anyone like that before. You just...you made me so fucking angry!” You abruptly grabbed his wrist and shoved his hand away from your face, taking a step back. He saw a hurt flash in your eyes again. “How dare you just insinuate that I’m what? A slut? That I’m sleeping around?” You were pacing now. “What business is it of yours anyway?” You sassed. “You’ve been so dismissive and rude that you shouldn’t even —”

“Goddamnit woman!” Daryl exclaimed. Surprisingly, he managed to stop you in your tracks, your mouth shutting with a clink of your teeth. “I’m scared alrigh’! I’m scared that I’m gon’ mess you up! That I’ll never be good enough fer ya’...I’m…I’m scared that somehow, somethin’s gon’ happen to ya’, or somehow, ya’ gon’ be taken from ma’ life like everyone else...”

For once, you were the one with nothing to say. 

All Daryl wanted to do at that moment was give in to his desire for closeness. His desire for your touch once again. But he was still in the grips of insecurity. “And cause’ I’ve been such an asshole, ya’ve moved on and I don’ blame ya’. A-And seeing ya’ with other people…I ain't ever gonna be worth your time…” 

“Are you seriously telling me that you’re not good enough for me? Daryl, if anything…never in my wildest dreams could I have conjured up a man as good as you in my own life.” 

Etched into his face was still disbelief in your words. How many times did you need to tell him? 

“No matter how much you infuriate me and piss me off,” you started, “No matter how things are between us, I’m never going to leave you. Ever.” 

Daryl’s breath caught in his throat as he listened. He struggled to process the weight of your words. 

“Nah, nah...I don’ think ya’ —”

“I'm fuckin' in love with you Daryl!” You yelled. “Is that blatant enough? Do you get it now?” 

All he could do was look at you. Even all bruised and bloodied, even with your dishevelled hair and stressed demeanour, you were the most beautiful thing to him at that moment. Your eyes began to well up with tears. Your voice broke when you spoke next. 

“So just please tell me if you want this to end, because I can’t do this back and forth anymore —” 

Daryl purposefully strode over to you, and cut you off by grabbing your face, giving your lips a very chaste kiss. It took a couple of seconds for you to realise what was happening. When you did, your body moved into his, and you placed your hands on his sides, slowly snaking them around his back. 

This kiss became more intense. More desperate. So much more emotion and feeling was expressed in this melding of your mouths. You both had been away from each other for so long, that once you touched again, it was like you became addicted. 

“Mmmm…” you moaned against his lips. 

Before it could get too hot and heavy, Daryl breathlessly pulled away. Still cupping your face, he looked directly into your eyes. 

“I’m sorry. I’m so sorry that I didn’t sort ma’ shit out. That I caused ya’ so much pain.”

“I’m sorry too…”

“Nah…it’s ma’ fault. And ya’ still stuck around. This whole time...ya stuck around...”

You both caught your breath, staring into each other’s eyes. You missed looking into those circles of blue. You missed this feeling. 

“I love ya’ Y/N. I always will.” 

You ducked your head and placed a delicate kiss on his lips. He chased yours until both of your mouths were granting the other entry. This time, the kiss wasn’t as rough, but it was just as intense, if not even more passionate. All you could hear were the wet sounds of your tongues tasting each other. Your hand moved from his back to his shoulders, feeling the rippling muscle there. 

One of Daryl’s hands moved from your cheek to the back of your neck, deepening the kiss still. His other made its way across your shoulder to your waist, which he gave a loving squeeze. It was like now that you’d come together again, you just couldn’t stop. 

Your little bubble of heated desire was interrupted by the sounds of…squealing? 

Roughly breaking apart from each other, you looked to Daryl who seemingly thought the same thing you did. Still gripping onto each other's bodies, you both turned your heads towards the commotion and immediately flushed with embarrassment. 

Your main family stood not too far away, hollering like idiots. There were a bunch of kids screaming, but excitedly. You were certain that you’d scared them with your brawl earlier. Now they seemed joyous. Most of the people from Woodbury just stood around and stared in shock. 

You looked down shyly and softly pushed Daryl’s body away from yours. “Asshole…” He was back to chewing his thumbnail. Some of the two things you both had in common was your stubbornness and your hate of being the centre of attention. Especially like this. 

“Finally…ain’t that a sight for sore eyes…” Rick mused. 

Carol was still a bit dazed at her two best friends beating each other up. “Leave it to them to sort it out with their fists…”

“They did more than sort it out! ” Beth laughed. 

Daryl removed his thumb from his mouth. “You might wanna get ya’ eye checked out...” he grunted, nodding to the bruising around it. 

“You might want to get your nose set back into place.” You retorted. 

For the first time in a long time, you heard one of your favourite sounds. A deep rumble escaped from Daryl’s chest. His laughter was the most beautiful music to your ears. 

You beamed at him, unable to hide your admiration. 

Today may have been shitty. You may have been bruised, battered and sore. Daryl equally so. But this moment right now wasn’t just good.

It was brilliant.

*I DO NOT give permission for my work to be used/adapted/copied in any way.*

[gio-goose]

whats the general plot of the conclave au?

That's the funny thing- there is no plot!

The plot is just a few scenes and that's it 💀💀 but anywaysss

Basically:

- Sin gets handed over to Sol like in canon

- Uh Oh! Sin gets kidnapped by some guy

- turns out that guy was on Conclave payroll

- bada-bing bada-boom Sin gets manipulated and lied to by the Conclave to hate his father even more and make him think that Sol abandoned him (yayyy giving him big abandonment issues, which they take advantage of)

- Sol searches for Sin for like two weeks before being like "well fuck, now I gotta tell them"

- Sol tells Ky and Dizzy. It doesn't go well. Ky gets super pissed and tells him to get the fuck out and find him

- Meanwhile Conclave raise him to be their weapon and insure that he is able to fuse with Justice by doing some silly genetic modifications (yay! This will definitely work now!!)

- Oh? Ky meeting with Sol Badguy and doing various other activities that the Conclave don't approve of? Haha well that's so funny anyways- tell him they got Sin! And threaten him! Now he definitely cannot try anything funny if he cares about his son :D (i have a comic about that little thing here <- )

- idk what to do for Overture yet so ummmm anyways moving on. I'll maybe think about it

- Vastedge doesn‘t have much either but urmmm he meets Sol! After he murdles Baldias... Which makes Sin (who is now named Atlas (he really is just my OC now)) angry bc he thinks of the Conclave as his family in a fucked up way and they fight. Atlas' mask gets knocked off during the battle and Sol sees, his face and is now like "aw fuck, how do I tell Ky that his son is their evil loyal lap dog now???"

- Sol beats him, but Atlas runs away before he could snatch him up.

- Sol tells Ky about what "Atlas" is up to. Ky is devastated over what his son has become. Much sad (adds to the Ky guilt yayyy!!)

- Atlas reports to them about Baldias' death :(

- Baldias' death makes Atlas more determined and steel his resolve about his role. He is gonna make them all pay when the day comes (wahoo sooo awesone!!)

- ohh yeah XRD time

- El and Ram join the fray. Atlas attempts to befriends them(yayy finally friends!!!) , bc despite him being under the control of the Conclave he is still super kind and silly. El and him become fast friends, but she has to go out and live her double life. Much sad

- befriending Ram isn't as easy obv. But he still tries. Does it work? 🤷 Idk. (it kinda does)

- Anyways they scheme together for their big plan (each team still plans to backstab each other just like in canon. Very sad for Atlas bc he doesn't like that but he is still gonna do it to fulfill his role and make the Conclave happy)

- XRD sign story plays out as usual ig. Except for a few changes. Ky getting snippets about Atlas from characters who may have met him

- Anyways Justice time >:)

- The raid on Illyria castle happens. Everything plays out as usual.

- Ky gets shot by Axus. He gets back up to kill Axus

- Gets interrupted by none other than Atlas :]

- Oh yea Father Son fighting time (I have like a comic about the whole thing about before the fight here (pt1) <- here (pt2) <- here (pt3) <-)

- Ky gets beat by Atlas because he is unable to fight his son.

- Atlas is about to kill Ky, but hesitates and gets called by the Conclave to haul his ass over there to Justice, so he drops Ky and runs away (def not using this opportunity to spare Ky haha he definitely doesn't still care about his real family at all hahaha)

- Ky overheard some snippets of their conversation on the magic phone thing and tries to run after them, but he's too injured and instead calls Paradigm to stop their plan to overload Justice, because uh oh!!! they are actually gonna fuse Sin (Atlas) to Justice and not Chronus!!! And he can't let them Kill Sin.

- Sol is not happy with this and tries to convince Ky to let them kill him bc Sin is too far gone. So they gotta kill him before shit hits the fan

- Dizzy hears this and is unable to fire her Gamma Ray bc that's her baby boy!!!! She can't kill him!!!!

- Fusion is successful! YIPPEEEEE (not yippeeee...)

- Sol and a reawakened Justice duke it out before Sin loses control of it and Justice kinda shuts down.

- MISSION ABORT. MISSION ABORT. CALL HIM BACK, GUYS. WE GOTTA FIX THIS.

- /tp @ Justice-Atlas the fuck outta there

- Obligatory Ky cage mentione because of oomf

- to be continued...

There's more after this but uhh I still gotta work on it. And a lot of other stuff tbh GSUDBHF but yeah that's like the basic gist of it

[elliethejellie]

There Are Two Types of Dancers

A oneshot with both Fool and Sol from the renowned @venomous-qwille story - Ghost in the Machine

I've been working on this for so much longer than I expected to pfff- I just wanted it to be perfect for Qwille and all the readers of GITM! A bar has been set with that story and I wanted to at least reach it hahah-

Fool and Sol have become my personal favorites so far (although I'm sure it'll change as time goes on and I learn more about the others). Sol was rather easy to write in my opinion. But my lordy - Fool was a challenge! A fun one, at that, but still! I'm glad I got to challenge my writing and receive some amazing constructive criticism from others as I went!

Also - this is entirely self-indulgent hahah! I just love dancing scenes and I'm too impatient to wait for the possibility of such a scene happening in the story! So here you go, and I hope this lives up to your standards Qwille!!!

Read it on AO3 Instead -> Here

Or read the oneshot under the cut <3 Enjoy!!

*****

Fool definitely fascinated you.

His odd ramblings that always either ended in your confusion or laughter were somewhat... endearing.

Something told you that he didn't spend as much time with the others as he did with you. He seemed to make it a point to bring attention to his loneliness in jest when you would show up to the storage shed looking for different things. He would pursue a conversation with you every time without fail - whether with friendly banter or mocking jests or cheeky jokes all depended on the day. But each instance would still somehow end with you staying longer than you originally intended.

This time had been no different. You had allowed him to convince you to linger and play a game or two of mahjong (although you were pretty sure he only offered the particular game because he knew it had become your favorite). He used the excuse of not letting you walk back the short distance to the house in the rain - which you didn't wholly disagree with. Without your jacket back from Sol (or a replacement, at this point), you really didn't want to deal with the chilling water soaking through your clothes again. So you allowed him to entertain you with a few rounds.

Now you rested within the nest of pillows that filled the resin chariot as light thunder rumbled overhead - watching curiously as Fool shuffled a deck of cards with practiced precision. He was humming a tune you didn't recognize - but it filled you with memories of running around with friends and stuffing your mouth full of pink fluff that melted when it touched your tongue. You made a mental note to ask him about it later, given that you didn't want to interrupt him.

"Hasn't anyone told you that staring is rude, Sweetling?" he piped up suddenly, setting the cards up for a game of solitaire. You scoffed.

"I get told by Sol practically every day." The bot's eyes upturned into crescents, amusement sparkling in the dim lighting.

"My, my, then we'll have to fix that staring problem of yours," he fired back. " It can come across as terribly impolite. Although you are rather lucky I am so gracious as to accept your presence as a most humble apology." You mocked a scoff, fighting the grin that threatened to pull at the corners of your mouth.

"I think the circumstances of my arrangements should allow me some breathing room in that regard."

Fool didn't miss a beat with his response. "Oh, so you find me alluring enough to stare~?"

"Don't flatter yourself. The others are just as interesting as you."

The bot placed a hand to his chest as he did every time you managed to get in a silly insult. "Why must you always be so very cruel," he cried, using his other hand to dramatically scatter the cards on the table as he fell backwards to the floor. You couldn't help the giggle that fell from your lips.

"Oh no, have I broken you finally?"

He lifted his head slightly to peer at you over the edge of the low table. "Finally?" he repeated, sounding somewhat discouraged. "Is that really your harrowing intention? To break me down with your beautiful voice spewing malicious language until I am nothing more but a hunk of wires and metal? All so you can woefully put me back together and claim me as your own charming creation?"

"Who knows?" you asked mysteriously. He dropped his head back down.

"Hm... Would this be the right time to inform you that I've been keeping track of your insults to compliments ratio? I think it tells quite a lot about your character."

"Oh really?" You didn't need to be sarcastic - you were genuinely interested. "And what conclusion have you come to about my 'character'?"

He sprung up suddenly - startling you a bit further into the nest of pillows. He grabbed at his baton - spinning it around a few times before settling on placing the moon side in front of his face. "You're a terrible friend. Naughty. Rude."

"Surprising." You rolled your eyes and resettled yourself on the edge of the chariot, looking down at the mess he'd created with the cards. "How ever shall I make it up to you?"

There was a pause from the jester bot as he dropped the baton from his face and smiled. Mischief sparkled in his expression. "Oh, I thought you'd never grace me with such a question, Sweetling."

Before you had the opportunity to object, you were being lifted from your comfortable resting place to stand in the clear area in the center of the shed (which wasn't very much space, honestly). "Fool," you said, irritation clinging to the edge of your voice as you tried to regain your balance.

"Hm?" he hummed, listing his head to the side in an attempt to feign innocence. "Is something the matter? You're wearing quite the nasty scowl upon that pretty little face of yours." You placed your hands on your hips.

"Fool."

"Have I told you just how much I adore hearing my name from your beautiful lips, Sweetling?" He snatched up one of your hands and brought it to his mouth, ignoring your tone. He bowed his head down and spread his free arm out to the side. "Dance with me."

Seriously?

"I don't know how to dance."

He lifted his faceplate enough to peer at you from the tops of his eyes. "Ah, and neither do I," he whispered, before standing back to his full height and emitting that musical laughter you had come to adore. He tilted his head down and gave you a cheeky smile. "But you, dearest, had so graciously promised to make it up to me~"

"I didn't promise you any- Ah!"

Fool swept you away through the door of the shed before you could protest. Before you knew it, you were standing in the backyard as light rain poured down on the two of you.

"I thought you didn't want me to walk in the rain?" you questioned, quirking an eyebrow up at the bot - already feeling the chill of the water on your back.

"Correct!" he blurted, tugging you towards him with the hand that still held yours. You crashed into his chest embarrassingly. "But I never said anything in relation to dancing in the rain," he corrected, spinning around in a circle with you pinned to his body.

"Fool! Squishy human, remember?! Easily breakable!" you exclaimed. Fool released you immediately - drawing his hands away like a child discovering a hot stove for the first time. You didn't give it much thought, though. You were too busy trying to catch your breath.

"You need to work on your breathing, Sweetling. Hyperventilating in such conditions can give you a nasty bout of dizziness," he tutted, snatching up one of your hands again. He looked at you expectantly.

"You're not going to let me go back inside until I dance with you, huh?" you questioned once you stopped heaving. His smile stretched wider as he shook his head. It must've been contagious, because you chuckled and let a soft smile lift the corners of your mouth. "Fine. But how do you expect me to dance if we have no music?"

The bot tugged you again - gentler this time. You let him spin you around and dip you down so you were leaning back in his arms, looking up into his monochromatic eyes. "Ah~ But we need no accompaniment when the sound of your voice is already music to my ears, Sweetling," he mused. Then he lifted you back up and grasped your waist. "Can't you hear it now?" he called up into the downpour. "I think my sweet is bound to sing again soon!"

A giggle fell from your lips as you watched him. He mocked a gasp and looked back down to you. "Why look at that, the music is back! Now we must dance before it disappears again!" 

Laughter overtook your body now as you joined him - dancing lively in the chilly rain. You almost didn't notice the water slowly drenching your clothes. Somehow, Fool was actually a pretty good dancer in your opinion. He kept you moving - swiftly pulling you closer to him and pushing you away with the same precision he had when shuffling cards. It was fun all the way up until you caught something out of the corner of your eye.

When you turned towards the house to investigate, you barely saw the curtains being tugged back to the closed state you were used to seeing them in. The only thing you could make out in the blur was a low, glowing blue. Maybe you hadn't seen anything. The rain was really starting to come down now, and it wasn't exactly like you were standing still.

Fool must have noticed it, too. He had slowed the speed in which the two of you were dancing and pulled you closer to him again - although this time, he brought your hands up to rest on his shoulders and then dragged his own down to rest upon your waist. "There are many a people I've danced with in my lifetime," he started. You swore he shot a smug glance towards the house, but it could have just been your imagination. You were starting to feel the chill of the rain through your wet clothes now that the two of you were merely swaying from side to side, and it was proving to be rather distracting. "But you, my Sweetling, have been the most pleasurable to enjoy such a spontaneous moment with."

A shiver forced its way through your body. "Uh, thanks?"

The bot stopped his swaying, took hold of one of your hands, and dragged you back towards the shed. "Now - if you'd so please - I believe we were just about to indulge in a marvelous game of Go Fish, were we not?"

You rolled your eyes to the best of your ability despite Fool not even looking your way. "I believe you were setting up a game of Solitaire, actually."

"Oh my, was I now?" he asked as the two of you reached the door to the shed. He held it open for you. "How very forgetful of me. I guess my distraction must have been a rather breathtaking one to indulge in for me to forget such an important detail."

You felt your cheeks warm despite your steadily dropping temperature. "I guess so."

*****

The silence between a stare can relay a million emotions even with no words exchanged.

One stared from the window. One stared from the rain.

*****

"I saw the two of you," Sol piped up, keeping his hands clasped behind his back as he watched you work from the other side of the workbench. Your brows knitted together as you tried to decipher what he could possibly be talking about. A moment of silence passed as you hoped he would elaborate, but he didn't.

And then you remembered - the pull of curtains in the kitchen window and the blur of the glowing, pale blue you saw darting behind them. At the time you thought it to be nothing but a funny reflection from the gloomy lighting, but now...

"Are you talking about when Fool and I were dancing in the rain?"

A sound reminiscent of a scoff emitted from the bot as he leaned away from the work table, dragging your gaze from your work to look at him.

"You call that dancing?" he asked, listing his head to the side ever so slightly. The faint sound of mechanical clicks and internal fans emitted from his body - making his tauntingly benign smile take on a sinister shadow. "The imbécile didn't stay in time at all, and you kept tripping over your feet." You shook your head and went back to your work.

"What, thinking you can do better?" you asked, offended by his words. He grew silent, but you thought nothing of it. You didn't have time to appease Sol's unusual sudden interest in your time spent with Fool. You had to finish this, and his questions were only going to distract you and cause some sort of mistake in your meticulous work. So you turned back to your task at hand.

That was, until your wrists were being seized by the bot. You opened your mouth to object, dropping the tools from your clutch as you were dragged away from the table and to the only free spot in the room. What the hell was with these bots and their lack of understanding in regards to personal space? "Sol, what the fu-"

"A basic waltz is simple," he interrupted. He placed one of your hands on his shoulder, grasped your other hand with his, and then rested his free hand on your waist. "It starts with a box step."

Your brain fumbled for words as he gently pushed you backwards. Why was he teaching you how to waltz? Dancing in the rain with Fool had been a spontaneous decision with a rather large lack of judgement - leaving you freezing and shivering by the time the two of you had gone back inside. There wasn't anything proper about said dance, and you especially hadn't anticipated anyone watching it take place to begin with.

"Are you even paying attention?" Sol's voice pulled you from your thoughts as you stepped on his foot.

"S-Sorry," you muttered. Why were you sorry? You didn't even ask for this!

"You're not stepping in the right direction," he said simply. "This is a 3/4 time signature dance, not 4/4. You have to focus."

He started over, pushing you backwards yet again. You let your right foot fall behind you while he pulled you gently to the left, your left foot following suit. When he pulled you forward, you were unsure of which foot to move first, so you hesitated. Ungracefully, you tripped forwards and almost smacked your head against his chest.

A light blush defiantly dusted your cheeks as he sighed. You started over yet again, and your competitive nature made itself known with the bubbling frustration in your stomach. If he said it was simple, why were you struggling so much?

After a few clumsy tries, you eventually understood the rhythm. Backwards, sideways, together. Forwards, sideways, together. Repeat. You were by no means perfectly in time with Sol's feet, but he silently continued nonetheless. The only thing that messed you up was when he brought the hand that rested on your waist up to your chin.

He tilted your face up until you looked into his eyes and were no longer staring at your feet. "Darling, it's considered rude not to look at your partner while dancing."

The same frustration from before returned as you tripped over your feet again. "But I can't know where your feet are going to be if I'm looking at you," you huffed, avoiding his gaze.

"Relax. And focus." His smile loomed eerily over you as you looked up into his eyes nervously. There had to be some kind of trick to this, right? He talked about it as if it were the easiest thing in the world, yet here you were, unable to focus on the movements of both your feet and his at the same time without looking.

You shoved your frustration back down and drew in a breath. Backwards, sideways, together. Forwards, sideways, together. Repeat.

It took longer to get your feet to move the way you were telling them to, but once you ran through the steps three full times without messing up, you smiled.

"I'm doing it!" you said excitedly, almost tripping up at the deviation from your concentration. Sol didn't praise you, though, instead informing you that there was a lot more to it than what you were just starting to get a grasp on.

"You have to turn counterclockwise with every half box," he said, pulling you to the left. You couldn't remember what step you were on, letting out an exasperated breath as you kicked his ankle.

"Gah- Why can't we just be happy that I learned the beginning and leave it at that?" you cried, attempting to pull your hands away from him. But his grip on you tightened enough to make you look up into his eyes fearfully for a moment. Memories of your first encounter with the bot danced across your vision - bringing the ghost of an ache to your wrist. He loosened his grip at your expression, but still refused to let you go.

"There are a lot of things I let slide when it comes to you. But this, I simply will not let go." You felt your mouth go dry.

"What do you mean you let a lot of things slide? You're not my parent," you retorted, narrowing your eyes to accompany an annoyed glare. There was a long moment of silence after that as he just stared at you - perfectly still as his unchanging smile sent a shiver down your spine.

But then he was pushing you backwards again, restarting the steps and ignoring your comment entirely. You gave up, simply redirecting your attention on the steps you had to implement a counterclockwise turn into. You figured that it would be easier to learn had there been music playing or even a metronome sounding off your beats, but you were too stubborn to ask.

It took an embarrassingly long time to relearn the steps with the turn. But once you started to understand the pattern, it seemed to click in your head where your feet were supposed to go and when. You held Sol's gaze a little more confidently after that - even smiling at one point at the realization that you had been going on fifteen or so rotations without tripping or hesitating once.

Sol's blue eyes seemed to flicker for a moment when you smiled, but it could've just been the dim lighting of the workshop playing tricks on you as the two of you spun around. You actually felt yourself starting to enjoy the simplicity of the dance - wondering if there was anything else you were supposed to add.

When Sol stopped and dropped his hands from you suddenly, you frowned. "Wha- Did I do something wrong?" you asked, brows furrowed in confusion. "I thought we were doing pretty well."

"I was doing well," he countered. "You were only following my lead."

You scoffed and settled your hands on your hips. "Why can't you just be nice for once and compliment me?"

There was that silence again. But Sol's gloved hand shifted as he clenched it into a loose fist, filling the quiet space with the soft sound of silk on silk. You swore you could see emotions shifting behind his pale eyes for a fleeting moment, but you couldn't decipher which ones. As the quiet stretched on longer, you felt your frustration dwindle - hesitant anxiousness replacing it.

"Nevermind," you mumbled, pushing past him to your work table. You took your seat again and felt the frustration boil your blood as you fought the blush that warmed your cheeks. There was no reason for it. Sol was just being the same bot he'd been since you showed up - cold and blunt and honest.

So why did his refusal to compliment you make you feel so... bad?

You picked the tools back up and tried to distract yourself from the sunbot as he approached the side of the work table again, hands clasped behind his back once more. You ignored him - continuing with your task. After a bit, you started to hum to yourself while you worked. The melody was familiar, though you couldn't recall where you'd heard it. But soon you became so engrossed in your work - paired with your curiosity as to the tune you were emitting - that you almost completely forgot that Sol was even in the room with you.

"Do you prefer his company over mine?"

The question startled you to silence. You held your gaze to the table, though, as his words echoed in your mind. Was he referring to your time spent with Fool? You honestly hadn't put much thought into comparing the bots with each other besides physical appearance. There just wasn't a need - they were all different to you. Far too different for comparisons.

Your lack of a response must've struck a nerve, because Sol placed both of his hands on the table and leaned forwards. As you looked up at his smiling face, goosebumps erupted down your arms as a small reminder of the lack of warmth in the workshop. A faint click, click sounded from him before he spoke. "You were humming the same dreadful tune he does."

So that's why you'd sworn you had heard the tune before.

"I don't think I can answer your question without eliciting some kind of negative response from you," you quipped, peering back down. "I'd prefer if you would just let me work."

Apparently, that was the wrong answer as well.

Sol rounded the table in an instant - spinning your stool around and pressing you back into the wood's edge as he loomed over you. A gloved finger hooked under your chin and forced your eyes to meet his - that same unnerving smile burning its image into your mind. "Oh mon dieu," he tutted, the disappointment in his tone making unease cloud your mind. It almost felt as if a slow finger dragged its way up your spine, eliciting more goosebumps across your body. "Ma poupette, what ever are we going to do about your poor manners?"

*****

A/N: I wanted to leave what happens next up to your imaginations~

But ahhhhh how did I do?! Is it good?? Or is it GOOD??? I'm literally shaking right now as I'm typing this because I'm so excited and nervous for everyone to read this rahhh-

But as always, likes, comments, kudos, and reblogs are VERY MUCH APPRECIATED!! Stay sweet, my lovelies~!

[dragon-susceptible]

TDP Rewatch S3 E1: Sol Regem

I'm alternating this with writing a very NSFW charged Ruthari fic because I can't focus on anything for too long right now. Enjoy.

Pilot of the season so the recap isn't just a "previously on" voice. It's Aaravos doing his whole menacing narration thing instead.

It's so funny how my interpretation of this confrontation between Ziard and Sol Regem has changed over time. On my first watch, yeah, I fell for it, Sol Regem came across as a genocidal tyrant. About two years ago, I was like wait, no fuck off, Ziard is being just as much of a bitch but also aCTUALLY COMMITTED the war crimes that Sol Regem is only threatening as a response. Now I'm like. So they're both assholes. But Ziard very much did start this fight. Sol Regem DID give him . . . hang on let me just count. FOUR TIMES, even if you're only counting when he was just repeating some variation of "just stop and leave" or "you get to live but obey", basically, and not every other time during this conversation that Ziard has openly been a bitch at him and he's not lashed out about it. Now he's still a bitch, and I fully believe he intended to raze Elarion after Ziard refused to listen to him (I mean he ends up doing it anyways in the literally blind rage he went into afterward), so like. They're both awful people. But one of them was provoked, and then like. Look if someone had sent Sol Regem to therapy after this I feel like a lot of problems could have been avoided.

I love how excited Rayla is about teaching Callum how to sneak. She loves sneaking so much.

Fen, if you're a goddamn interpreter, maybe you should be fucking signing when you're talking to your deaf general on a dark roof. With a full fucking beard obscuring your lips.

I do still love that he got his name because the crew just kept calling him "Fake Gren" and "F-en" stuck though.

Again with the fearmongering. "When" the elves mount an attack.

How fucking strong is Amaya anyway she really just punched a stone wall and had pebbles and dust go flying.

Look how happy she is to see Gren! I could rewatch this reunion scene so many times I swear. They're so wholesome. She loves that boy so much. And he's giggling the second he sees the look on her face and is fully braced for it when she picks him up and swings him around, even though he's taller than she is, he tucks his feet up accordingly.

Also the glaring contrast between how Fen was just talking at her without signing and Gren's first lines when he returns are to her, in sign language, and he doesn't bother talking out loud at all.

Fen's so snotty at Gren here and it's sending me. Gren was so polite and cheerful the entire time he was locked in that dungeon but Fen shows up and is A Bit Snotty for a few seconds, fully interrupting Amaya by talking over her, and Gren starts bitch facing him and answers Fen's question TO AMAYA. While making direct eye contact with Fen, starts signing his answer to Amaya, and then when he starts talking, redirects all of his attention to her, making it clear he's answering her and spiting this other guy. I love him so much. He's so petty.

"looks like it's down to my least favorite course of action . . . reason." Rayla honey, We Know. You've never done anything reasonable in your life without being dragged kicking and screaming. I love you.

I love how she still bows even though he can't see her.

Why is she like this. She keeps saying "we" when under pressure when she really shouldn't be admitting she's in a group. She does it with Amaya, she's doing it with Sol Regem. Rayla honey baby I love you so much but you've really gotta work on your resistance to questioning.

Callum. Did you forget the whole point of why you're coming on this quest. YOU have to bring the dragonling back or this whole quest doesn't mean anything.

Yk I bet this was the moment Rayla realized she had a crush on Callum. Idk if it's where her feelings started but I do think it's where she fully processed what was happening.

Seriously. Somebody get Sol Regem some therapy and this would have gone over so much easier.

Smelltrilloquism! Vensmelloquism!

These kids really have both been trying to sacrifice themselves for the world and the mission since season 1.

Something something about the scarf, and the kids both getting flustered about it - and how Ethari wears a scarf too, the same way Callum does, and he stops in the two years after his husband's death.

I'm cackling about Janai at the breach. She really waited for them to do all that work, cut the line, and then waited for them to realize what she'd done before strolling out into view and tossing the rest of their detonation cord down like yeah bitch. I saw. Wanna run this by me again? I love her.

Idk if I've thought about or caught this before. Callum and Amaya both attempt to sacrifice themselves for their respective missions in this episode. Also, it's not just to anyone - Callum, on his quest for love and peace, is willing to sacrifice himself to an avatar of rage and bitterness, an old dragon king of the sun. Amaya, on her quest to destroy the bridge between their realms (if defensively), is willing to sacrifice herself to battle with another general - the descendant of Queen Aditi, another warrior of the sun. Callum, the youngest warrior of the fight for love, sacrificing himself to the oldest warrior in the fight against Aaravos' darkness. Amaya, the sister of a queen who died for that same love, a general who epitomizes what her country stands for, sacrificing herself against an heir of Aditi, the Sunfire queen who was so crucial in Aaravos' imprisonment. This has all revolved around that bitch from the beginning, and I feel like I'm going mad over the symbolism in these two fights taking place at the same time.

I wonder what Janai's thinking as Amaya charges her in full view, like "seriously? She's just gonna come fight me like that huh??

Amaya taking the time to send her horse back safely when she gets the chance, though. Also Gren charging up the Breach to help her fucking destroyed me. He's still unarmed here. He never carries a weapon. He just. He was willing to go in anyway to try and help her.

I know I keep roasting Viren for being swayed by a pretty man with a nice voice but in light of that I think I kinda have to also roast Janai for being so quickly swayed by a pretty woman who kicked her ass.

Moonshadow elves are remarkably resistant to blunt force trauma. staring at Rayla unburying herself from a pile of rubble, with many stones as big as her entire torso, apparently unhurt

They really trap Sol Regem like a naughty cat sticking their head in a vase and it works.

I love that she makes sure to grab the scarf on their way out, and also how these idiot teenagers just casually chatter right next to the struggling Sun King as if he can't hear them.

Opeli really just hates Viren's guts so much and she's so real for that. This priestess is really just like "the solution is murder" immediately, and I love that for her. She's so ready with that crown for Ezran too.

I wonder how those Sunfire soldiers who were rough with Amaya on the trip back into Xadia feel about her becoming queen a few years later.

Ezran in his pajamas in his bed, with Harrow's too-big crown sitting in front of him and their family portrait in his hand, hurts my heart though. He's only 10. He deserved so much better than all this.

[grifonecoronato]

A Missed Opportunity in The Acolyte, Episode 6 "Teach / Corrupt"

(spoilers for The Acolyte)

Those who read my blog here know that I'm a big fan of The Acolyte; I see it as part of "Grown Up Star Wars": a kind of thematic "trilogy" of Star Wars shows that dare to explore deeper topics in this universe, which other shows and movies only touch on or hint at.

But speaking as a writer, no work of art is beyond critique. And there's one missed opportunity in Episode 6 that I think requires special mention.

Simply put, Chekhov's Gun was shown, but never fired.

Chekhov's Gun

If you're new to writing, Chekhov's Gun is a principle named in honour of the prolific 19th-Century author and playwright Anton Chekhov, who gave the following advice:

Remove everything that has no relevance to the story. If you say in the first chapter that there is a rifle hanging on the wall, in the second or third chapter it absolutely must go off. If it's not going to be fired, it shouldn't be hanging there.

Osha Has a Tattoo...

In The Acolyte, Episode 2 "Revenge / Justice", Sol and Osha are reunited after being apart for six years, ever since Osha left the Jedi Order. In that time, she's become a "Meknek" (a mechanic that repairs space ships on their outer hull).

Sol notices that she got a tattoo on her arm, and they have the following exchange:

SOL: "What is that?" (he points) OSHA: "Oh, this is a PIP droid. I'm trying to sync him to your ship so I can get some fuel levels and some vitals, and-- SOL: "I mean, what is that?" (he points to the tattoo) OSHA: "Oh, uh... I got this in CorpSec. It was a crazy night with some of my crew. And you hate it. SOL: "It doesn't matter what I like..."

But what Sol likes does matter, especially to Osha, because Sol prides himself on being a father-figure. He asked the question in part because it's clear he disapproves, and Osha feels the weight of that disapproval.

...That Mae Doesn't Have

Now we come to Episode 6 "Teach / Corrupt," where Mae takes on Osha's identity. Her plan is a little light on the specifics (as Mae's plans usually are, since her defining fatal flaw is her impulsivity), but she has two main goals:

Find a way to deprogram her sister's "brainwashing", which requires first knowing what story Sol has fed her so that she knows how to undermine his credibility in Osha's eyes;

To punish Sol... somehow. Maybe by killing him? But that might interfere with Goal 1...

Just as Mae is figuring out this dilemma, mechanical problems arise on the ship. To keep up her cover, she tries to repair the ship, except that in doing so, both PIP and Basil figure out that she's an imposter, and act together to try and get her caught.

She deals with PIP by wiping the droid's memory, but not before he sprays her in the face with something oily and gross:

Basil, meanwhile, gets away. She tries to hunt him, but Sol calls her for a conversation, interrupting her search.

So the scene comes to its climax when she has a heart-to-heart with Sol, and Mae realises that he didn't tell Osha the whole story of what happened on Brendok... what' more, Mae intuits that Sol probably didn't tell anybody the whole story, and that the Jedi Order is probably as much in the dark about it as Osha herself.

That means that Sol is vulnerable to having his story exposed.

Seizing on this opportunity to hurt Sol, she tries to contact the Republic, but he stuns her into unconsciousness; Basil, it seems, got through to Sol and revealed that he's been talking to an imposter.

How the Scene Should Have Played Out

I don't like this resolution because it misses the obvious opportunity set up in Episode 2.

Instead, here's how I think it should have ended:

The beginning plays out the same: Mae is called away to repair the ship, Basil and PIP figure out she's an imposter and try to thwart her.

But in this version, Mae would have successfully subdued Basil.

Meanwhile, PIP would spray Mae with the gross oil, but instead of hitting her in the face, it hits her on her jacket, staining it.

Feeling disgusted by the oily jacket, Mae discards it, and is now wearing only her tank top underneath, which exposes her bare arms sans tattoo.

When she speaks with Sol, her body is angled in such a way that Sol coincidentally doesn't see her right arm, until it's almost too late.

At the last second, Sol notices the missing tattoo, infers that this is Mae and not Osha, and stuns her.

The end result is the same, but it lets the story offer a payoff to what it set up several episodes ago. And I think that's a more satisfying resolution.

[tremendouskoalachild]

The Acolyte timeline

or, my attempt at figuring out over how many days the present day events take place.

we'll be looking at episodes 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, and 8, broken down by location. estimating elapsed time is quite tricky here, because the narrative takes us to many different places on various planets (which, if we want to get technical, won't have the same length days and be synced time-zone wise. for the purposes of this write-up i'll do as star wars does and ignore multiple timezones on a given planet, and assume 24-hour day-night cycles). the show also has several main characters whose stories don't necessarily happen concurrently in the order shown. the hyperspace travel routes, around 11 with some being traveled multiple times, appear to be quite short in the show.

Episode 1: Lost / Found

Ueda – at some point during the Uedan day, likely afternoon. takes place mostly in real time, with Mae’s trek from her ship to the bar shortened.

the Fallon – seemingly starts in the morning of ship time, as Osha wakes up at what seems to be a normal hour for her (the lights come on gently, and don’t seem connected to the alarm that sounds a little later). she gets dressed and asks her colleague what the emergency is, implying there was little to no time skipped. the jedi arrive a short time later, and presumably within 12 hours or so of the Ueda events, since those are “last night” relative to the ship’s time. they are directed to her room and wait there, seemingly just the time it takes her to get back from the ship’s exterior and change, though it is possible she has other work tasks that aren’t shown. there might be a larger skip between getting identified by the eye-witness and boarding the prison ship, but it doesn’t seem very likely. at most several hours pass between Osha waking up and being transferred to the prison ship, and it is conceivable that the events take place in less than an hour (the screentime is about 8 minutes, and most skips are for gearing up/walking from place to place).

Coruscant – starts with Sol’s youngling lesson, which takes place in mid- to late morning (he ends the lesson with “time for lunch”, and even though Vernestra’s arrival might end it ahead of schedule, that would be a weird thing to say at an entirely different time of day. this also suggests the Fallon is synced to Coruscant time). Vernestra informs him of Osha’s arrest, which she would have heard from Yord and Tasi, so it necessarily happens after the entirety of the Fallon scenes, presumably very shortly after (if it wasn’t time sensitive at all, Vernestra wouldn’t have needed to interrupt the lesson; if it is a matter of her availability, we know she has Mog or other padawans like Jecki to carry messages for her). later Vernestra calls Sol (still in the same room, reminiscing) to the detention level, after the other prisoners from the Palwick are captured. Sol obtains permission to go to the crash site on Carlac, gets changed into mission robes, gets Jecki plus Yord, and sets off. this presumably happens in quick succession, as it is both a rescue mission and apprehending an escaped prisoner.

the Palwick prison ship – appears to take place over hours at most, but likely far less. from what we see the ship is clearly intended for short transport trips. the attempted prison break starts with the other prisoners and Osha having what seems to be their first interaction after Osha’s transfer to the ship, including Osha first noticing the subdued criminal, and it would be somewhat odd to have an icebreaker conversation after several hours of sitting next to each other. we see the breakout in its entirety, and know Osha is knocked out in the crash. (this gives us extra information for the Coruscant timeline and travel times – the first temple scene happens while or shortly after Osha is transferred to the ship, and the second immediately after the attempted escapees get automatically transported to Coruscant. Yord gets back from his mission in the meanwhile.)

Carlac – Osha spends some undetermined time unconscious. she wakes up and sets off on foot. Sol, Jecki and Yord arrive a relatively short time after she leaves, examine the wreckage, and follow her. their travel time appears to have been relatively short, unless they only started discussing the mission minutes from their ETA (but hours at most, since Carlac has to be en route from the Fallon to Coruscant, and earlier Yord made the trip in a short time, in a starfighter; Jecki appears to have had the time to read through Osha’s file, although this could have happened earlier). the team catches up to Osha and takes her to their ship. the hike there and back, plus Osha’s unconscious period, was likely short, since she doesn’t seem to have experienced hypothermia in her clothing unsuited for cold weather (even completely ignoring the weather aspect, it was clearly hours at most). we can assume she got to the ship, was given medical treatment and food/water, and possibly went to sleep for a short while – the next time we see the characters, they are discussing her situation for the first time with her onboard.

Unknown Planet – the scene only contains Mae arriving at the Stranger’s hideout, presumably at a prearranged time for a debriefing after her first assassination mission. it takes place after Mae’s departure from Ueda and before her departure for Olega, where she presumably heads together with “Qimir” after this scene. it is the closing scene but definitely doesn't take place after all of the episode's events, since the episode 2 scene taking place shortly after Osha's arrival to the ship references Mae's actions on Olega.

estimated time from Indara's death to Osha being taken onboard the Polan: 24 hours or less, but certainly more than 12. the time spent on Carlac is the biggest variable here. to simplify, i'd argue the episode's events take place over one day, morning to evening, with the cold open happening in the evening of the previous day.

Episode 2: Revenge / Justice

Carlac – the scene starts with Osha resting, possibly waking up from shallow sleep. she had a get-to-know-you conversation with Jecki, and Sol and Yord discuss Osha’s situation for the first time since she was brought onboard. Sol contacts Vernestra for the first time since apprehending Osha, all suggesting the scene takes place shortly after the team’s arrival back to the Polan. Vernestra informs him of Mae’s break-in on Olega, which has to have happened after Sol’s team finds Osha for Osha to have a clear alibi, as Vernestra says. the team departs for Olega.

the Polan – the travel from Carlac to Olega is unspecified but appears to be one of the longer ones in the show. Osha is in the middle of working when she is interrupted by Sol and they have a heart-to-heart. they arrive during Olegan day, and they departed after receiving recent news of an event that happened the previous evening/night on Olega.

Olega – starts sometime during Olegan night, but early enough that people are still out, the Jedi in the temple are walking in the hallways conversing, and it isn’t seen as suspicious for a child to be playing on the street. we see Mae’s first assassination attempt in full, assuming she didn’t spend a very long unseen time prowling through the temple. she leaves the premises and returns to Qimir the next day – at a time late enough that it is odd for him to still be asleep, and the street outside is bustling with activity. he makes her a short-lived poison on the spot, and she immediately sets off to use it. Sol’s team arrives concurrently to this, since they have a quick chat with local Jedi on the street, get taken directly to Torbin, and find him already dead. it is highly unlikely he has been like that any longer than several minutes, if that – he is in an easily accessible open space with several entry points, the temple is on alert after a break-in the previous night, and both Osha and Sol react to Force sensations relating to the situation in progress.

the Jedi team regroups on the temple’s balcony with view of the street, presumably right away, since they are investigating a crime that just took place. they make a plan to investigate the apothecary and execute it right away, but agree to wait for that night, as Qimir convinces them Mae will come then. she does appear as promised, some time after dark but while main streets are still somewhat busy, and escapes again. Sol informs Vernestra, hoping to follow Mae’s trail immediately, but she recalls the team to Coruscant. the local Jedi keep watching the building into the next day, when Mae confronts Qimir there, and the pair make for their ship together (it is unclear what time of day this happens, but i'd assume morning).

estimated time from Mae's first assassination attempt on Torbin to Mae and Qimir escaping Olega: around 36 hours, assuming the closing scene does take place in the morning: two nights and one day.

Episode 4 and 5: Day and Night

Coruscant – starts at some point during the day at the Jedi temple, late enough that the temple corridors and hangar are busy with Jedi and outsiders alike. since episode 2, the team has arrived back at Coruscant, Sol went to debrief with Vernestra’s council, Osha got Pip serviced, and Jecki went to a lesson with her peers. Sol finishes his briefing and obtains permission to lead a team headed for Mae’s next target. he catches up with Osha about to leave Coruscant, persuades her to join the mission, assembles the rest of the team and they set off, most likely quickly as they assume time is of the essence.

the Polan – the travel time is unspecified. we see only a snippet of the journey, seemingly towards its beginning, as it includes an introduction to Yord’s briefing and Osha getting to know a fellow traveler on the transport for the first time.

Khofar – Mae and Qimir arrive, with the implication that it is their first stop from Olega, while the Jedi team took a detour through Coruscant (though the duo left the day after Mae’s escape from her confrontation with Sol, while Sol and his team likely departed immediately and left the locals to watch out in case she remains on planet. i find it quite likely Mae and Qimir got there later). they land in an area not commonly used as a spaceport, with three hours of sunlight left, and spend the whole time hiking towards their destination, with Qimir knowing the direct route. Mae arrives at Kelnacca's shelter the very moment the sun’s last rays disappear.

the Jedi team arrive at some point during the day, land in a designated landing site with a local presence, and spend the rest of the daylight hours on foot, searching for Kelnacca. they have a vague direction from the locals, Sol’s senses, and their professional tracker’s information, though they lose sight of him for a while. they arrive at Kelnacca’s shelter at the same time as Mae, at sunset. the Stranger arrives and knocks Osha out, starting the fight.

the next episode starts right after the previous one ended, with Osha waking up after being unconscious for a presumably short time (the Jedi are engaged in combat with the Stranger a short distance away as she comes to, one man down already). the bulk of the episode’s action – various chases and confrontations between different characters – takes up the entirety of the night, and doesn’t stray too far from Kelnacca’s shelter. at dawn, Mae and Osha reunite and Osha is knocked unconscious. at this time, Sol is still stunned by a blaster shot and the Stranger fighting off an umbramoth swarm in the air, possibly with Bazil trailing him.

Mae takes some time to disguise herself as Osha and finds Sol a short distance away as he comes to. assuming she didn’t re-stun him in the meantime, this is likely shortly after he went down the first time – Mae herself gets stunned earlier and wakes by the end of the same uninterrupted scene to shoot Sol with the same weapon. they immediately set off for the Polan, several hours away on foot, but likely with a better idea of direction than the previous day. the Stranger finishes fighting off the swarm and lands somewhere relatively nearby – Bazil appears and collects Pip’s head before heading for the ship, where he arrives shortly after Mae and Sol. the Stranger unhurriedly collects his items and a still unconscious Osha.

estimated time from the team arriving on Coruscant to Sol and disguised Mae returning to the ship: 24 hours. one full night, a morning the next day, and at the very least hours of the previous day.

Episode 6: Teach / Corrupt

Unknown Planet – Osha wakes up, examines her surroundings, and gets dressed before leaving the cave. during her unconsciousness she was at the very least carried to the Stranger’s ship (roughly 3 hours away on foot), transported to the planet, and carried into the cave. her wound was treated at some point, though this could have taken place during hyperspace travel. after arrival the Stranger also arranged Mae’s clothes for her to find, made food, and took off for a bath, likely intentionally shortly before she woke up. it isn't clear how much time has passed since their arrival on the planet, but i'd guess it hasn't been long.

the Stranger ends a scene by asking if Osha is hungry and the conversation continues in their next scene arriving back at the cave, presumably minutes later, and later resumes after another scene break with Osha eating soup, implying little time has passed. the episode ends with Osha putting on the cortosis helmet shortly after.

Coruscant – the Jedi temple receives Sol’s unclear message and Mog passes it on to Vernestra, who orders him to quickly dispatch a team to Khofar. she gets changed and prepares to depart with them within minutes.

Khofar – Sol and Mae’s storyline resumes immediately after the previous episode’s events, with them and Bazil taking off in their ship after Sol sends a message to Coruscant. their conversations and Mae’s encounter with Bazil and Pip appear to take several minutes, then she is stunned and restrained by Sol, who pilots the ship away from Khofar. the jedi rescue team arrives immediately after, implying the travel time between Khofar and Coruscant is within minutes with their transport, and that the Coruscant scenes take a very short amount of time. Vernestra’s team talk to locals and head into the forest. they arrive at Kelnacca’s shelter presumably hours later, without Bazil’s help but guided by Vernestra’s Force connection, and investigate the site. they prepare the corpses for burial, return to their ship, and depart the planet.

estimated time elapsed during the episode: several hours, less than a day. the Sol/Mae storyline appears to take place almost in real time, and the unknown amount of time Mae has been unconscious after Sol stuns her allows it to catch up to the other plotlines. Osha's scenes seem to happen fairly quickly, with several short timeskips covering walking from place to place, but she too spends an unknown amount of time unconscious at the start of the episode. the Vernestra storyline is the most demanding one time-wise, because it necessarily includes the on-foot trek through the forest, twice, and however long it took to prepare the bodies.

Episode 8: The Acolyte

Unknown Planet – Osha experiences a Force vision after putting on the helmet in the final scene of episode 6, and the Stranger finds her a short time later. they decide to go to Brendok together and depart shortly afterwards, changed into more appropriate outfits and with their gear.

Coruscant – Vernestra gets back from Khofar (still wearing her mission robes) and immediately gets pulled into a meeting with Rayencourt. she tries to get in touch with Yoda before Mog informs her Sol has turned his beacon back on, and is currently on Brendok. she immediately makes preparations to depart with a team of Jedi once more.

Brendok – Mae interrupts Sol’s explanation and escapes the Polan, now orbiting Brendok. Sol chases her through Brendok’s moons’ rings and Mae’s escape craft crashes on the planet, in relative vicinity of the abandoned fortress. Sol lands nearby, activates the beacon, and sets off for the fortress, while Bazil stays on the ship. Osha and the Stranger arrive a short while later, while Sol is entering the courtyard, and land nearby. Mae finishes climbing up the fortress’ pit and heads for her childhood bedroom, where Osha finds her shortly after and the two talk before breaking into a fight. Sol is concurrently confronted by the Stranger.

both duels are interrupted by the arrival of Vernestra’s ship, which lands a short distance away from the fortress. Mae joins the fight between the Stranger and Sol, before Osha arrives and executes Sol. the Jedi team disembarks right afterwards, joined by Bazil and led by Vernestra to the fortress. Mae and Osha escape the fortress and stop at the bunta tree – quite a trek through the forests, as we’ve seen in episode 3. Vernestra finds Sol’s body and sends Jedi with Bazil after the sisters, while the Stranger observes her and disappears to catch up with them. the sisters say goodbye and Osha departs with the Stranger right before the Jedi team catch up. meanwhile, Vernestra apologizes to Sol and gives him a burial.

Coruscant, again – after the Brendok mission Vernestra attends a Senate tribunal before (or possibly right after) talking with an amnesiac Mae and enlisting her help. she then makes contact with Yoda. Mae appears to have been brought to Vernestra from the transport, by the Jedi who apprehended her, so it likely hasn't been long since their return.

Unknown Planet, again – Osha and the Stranger, still in the clothes they wore on Brendok, hold hands dramatically, likely right after returning to the planet.

estimated time elapsed on Brendok: hours at most. the plotlines are lined-up in this episode, and apart from the epilogue post-Mae's arrest most timeskips are fairly short, allowing characters to reach the fortress/bunta tree. the epilogue skips forward a little bit, but appears to take place during the same day.

tldr: there's no way to know for sure, but we can make a (very) rough estimate based on the sequence of events and storylines influencing each other, day/night cycle of two planets, and the assumption that characters aren't sitting around wasting time (almost) at any point. the first arc (episodes 1 and 2) takes place over around 2 days, 3 at most. the second arc (episodes 4 and 5) lasts a bit over a day. the final arc (episodes 6 and 8) happens quickly, most events definitely unfolding within a day.

[bbynedtime]

I’m sure you’re doing holiday celebration stuff but imagine a Little Terror Christmas!

Post-rescue Fitzmomma is so excited to give her most special boy Ned a wonderful holiday and plans an elaborate party with all of their friends. Le Vesconte loves any chance to plan a celebration and for weeks leading up to the holiday Crozier finds James and Dundy having planning sessions at the kitchen table while Ned naps in James’s arms and Graham lays on his tummy playing/chewing on his toys. James gets a beautiful new blouse that shows her tits and puts on a hint of lipstick and has Crozier all worked up the first time he sees her outfit.

At the party Ned is extremely shy and spends most of the night curled against his Momma hiding his face and gets sooooo blushy if anyone compliments his holiday sweater (it has a teddy bear on it!) but he finally settles in after he sees his friends playing and wants to join them.

Jopson swore he was going to be big for the party even though Momma and Crozier reassured him he could be small if he wanted to, but Jopson isn’t willing to be small with anyone but them and Ned. Jopson is monitoring the little ones but it’s so hard when he would like to be held and coddled too! He goes to tell Crozier that Baby Ned needs his diaper changed and Crozier calls him a good lad for telling him and Jopson ends up having a little cry on his Daddy’s shoulder before coming back to the party and sticking close to Crozier the rest of the evening.

Hodgson shows up with little musical instruments for all the babies but can’t teach them to play because Johnny needs his constant reassurance. Johnny is dressed so proper in slacks and a festive sweater vest and has a little Christmas story toy set he’s mostly just holding and looking at.

Sol and Graham are the exact opposites, neither of them were willing to dress up and Sol has somehow ripped the knee of his jeans even though Heather swears they weren’t like that when he dressed them. Heather keeps trying to fix Sol’s messy hair while he whines and squirms and jumps up and down because he wants to play so bad! Heather doesn’t feel like he fits in with the other adults who are mostly officers and spends his time chatting with MacDonald or looking after Tommy Armitage, who doesn’t seem to have any fixed caregiver but is a lovely lad. Graham is immediately chewing on everything and Le Vesconte has to keep interrupting his conversation with the other adults to scold him for chewing on his friends toys.

Macdonald somehow makes watching both Goodsir and Collins look easy. Goodsir is a precocious little thing who is charming adults with his medical knowledge and Macdonald watches like a proud parent while he keeps Henry from getting overwhelmed. Henry is an anxious baby to rival even Ned’s sensitive self and Macdonald is constantly talking to him and reminding him he’s safe with hair rubs and butt pats all the while he’s talking to Blanky and Heather and making sure Harry doesn’t get too bossy (or morbid) with the other kids.

Crozier is peak dad energy and is dressed comfortably to move around and monitor the little ones. He keeps embarrassing Ned terribly by slipping a finger in the waistband of his diaper to make sure he’s not too wet and is wiping chocolate off faces and making sure everyone is sharing well. Jopson ends up snuggling up into his side while he chats with Blanky and the other Lieutenants and is an expert at diverting their questions and letting Jopson relax into being small even if he’s the only one who knows (although he’s sure Momma knows because she always knows when he’s starting to feel little).

Maybe Uncle Diggle shows up and leads the little ones in decorating cookies later. Sol is instantly covered in frosting and there’s a suspiciously large amount around his mouth and Graham is caught several times sticking his fingers directly in the frosting tubs. Ned is fascinated by the sprinkles and spills an entire shaker onto one cookie. Johnny is too small to really participate but Jopson comes to help him and enjoys sneaking bites when Diggle isn’t looking. Goodsir designs what he thinks the skeletal structure of a snowman is and then Collins cries because it’s too scary and has to eat a cookie to calm down.

Anyway that’s my thoughts, Merry Christmas!

*staring at the ask and holding it gently*

The best christmas gift (TT__TT)💖💖💖 thank you so much

God im melting this is perfect.