lilskirata

[lilskirata]

Hey sorry I haven't been reading the fic for a bit, uni started and between that and work I've barely had time to sit still. I am going to dive back in soon because I love it and the way you write!

Hey no worries! Live gets in the way of all of us I‘m still grateful you even stay around to read it at all :D

[lilskirata]

Jurassic Park: A New Beginning with Steve Irwin Chapter 7

Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 4 Chapter 5 Chapter 6

Chapter 7: When It Rains, It Roars

The skies cracked open with a vengeance. The storm, which had loomed all afternoon like a predator in the underbrush, finally bared its teeth. Fat drops of rain hammered down like bullets, drenching Isla Nublar’s thick jungle in a matter of minutes. Thunder rolled overhead, slow and relentless, like ancient drums calling something long-forgotten to wake. Lightning forked across the sky in blinding flashes, briefly illuminating the soaked foliage like a spotlight on nature’s stage. The dense canopy, alive with insects and birds only moments before, now lay stunned under the weight of the deluge.

Inside the Land Cruisers, the air grew heavy and tense. Lex whimpered, clutching her tablet like a shield, her face pale in the flickering interior lights. Tim pressed his nose to the glass, eyes wide with awe as the world outside dissolved into streaks of water and shadow. Every bolt of lightning reflected in his glasses, making his eyes appear twice as wide. Their breaths fogged up the windows, and the faint hum of the air system seemed to grow quieter as the tension rose.

In the second car, Steve Irwin leaned forward with the kind of gleeful anticipation one might reserve for a rare sighting of a Komodo dragon. “Ooh, you smell that? That’s proper wild weather. Storm like this, everything hunkers down—unless it's lookin' to stir up trouble.” His voice was full of wonder, but beneath the surface lay a thread of concern.

Malcolm gave a theatrical sigh, tugging his jacket tighter around his shoulders. “Oh great. Now even the crocodile whisperer is giving us ominous one-liners. What’s next? Lightning spelling out ‘Run’ in the sky?” He tapped his fingers against the door handle, eyes never leaving the drenched paddock.

Grant sat stiffly beside them, his gaze fixed on the fence beyond. “The Rex enclosure... we’re stopped right in front of it. That’s not a coincidence.” He leaned forward slightly, his knuckles white against the armrest. His whole body was tight, coiled like a spring.

The goat bleated. Still tethered. Still very much alive—and very much unaware of the tension thickening around it. Water poured off its back. It shifted its hooves in the mud, bleating louder with every clap of thunder. A lone figure in the storm, helpless and waiting.

Then—click. The lights inside the vehicles dimmed. The dashboard monitors blinked out. Fans slowed to a halt. A long, uncomfortable silence fell over the group. It was like the jungle had suddenly held its breath, pausing in dread.

Malcolm leaned forward, peering out the window. “Did the—did the power just go out? We’re in the dark. In front of a T. rex paddock. Am I the only one seeing the issue here?”

Steve’s cheerful demeanor vanished in an instant. He straightened, voice lower. “That fence was the only thing between us and her, mate.”

A beat of silence passed. Then Steve’s eyes narrowed. “She knows. She knows it’s off.”

Outside, the rain intensified to a roar. Water coursed in rivulets down the sides of the vehicles. The goat bleated again, louder this time, its call lost in the storm. The darkness beyond the fence seemed to swell.

And then—

A ripple through the ground. Not a sound, exactly. A feeling. Deep and primal, like the earth itself had shuddered. The windows of the cars vibrated faintly. A cup of water on the dashboard trembled, sending ripples outward like a heartbeat.

Grant’s voice was tight. “That’s not thunder.”

In the front vehicle, Gennaro was muttering to himself, eyes darting, sweat on his forehead despite the cool air. He fumbled with the door latch, already halfway out before he made up his mind.

“Bathroom break,” he suddenly declared. “I’ll, uh... be right back.”

With that, he flung open the door and bolted into the downpour, slipping and staggering toward the concrete restroom like a man fleeing his conscience. His shoes slapped loudly against the soaked pavement. A flash of lightning showed him hunched in the rain, nearly falling as he rounded the structure.

Malcolm tilted his head, watching him go. “And there goes the legal representation. Fitting. Fleeing from nature in a panic. Poetic.” He turned back toward the paddock. “Well, it’s just us mammals now.”

Lightning split the sky—and there she was.

A silhouette. Massive. Regal. Terrifying.

The Tyrannosaurus Rex.

She pushed through the fence with effortless grace. Metal bent and gave way with a low groan. There was no resistance. No sparks. The paddock’s perimeter was nothing but suggestion now. Mud splashed in great arcs with every colossal step. The jungle behind her seemed to recoil as she stepped into view.

The goat didn’t even have time to scream.

Steve’s eyes were wide, reverent. “She’s beautiful,” he whispered. “But she’s got a look in her eye. That’s not confusion. That’s calculation. She’s testing.”

“Testing what?” Malcolm asked grimly.

“Whether dinner comes with a toy,” Steve replied, his voice devoid of mirth.

The Rex stepped forward, mud squelching under her enormous feet. Her breath steamed in the rain, thick and heavy. Water streamed off her hide in rivulets, tracing the ridges and battle scars that lined her flanks. Her eyes flicked from one vehicle to the other with slow, terrifying precision.

She paused. Sniffed the air. Tilted her head. Her tail swayed slightly as if balancing a thought. There was intelligence in her posture—an unsettling awareness.

Then—

SNAP.

The goat disappeared in a blur of motion. One powerful lunge, one crushing bite, and it was over. A scream, a crunch, and then silence. Bones cracked audibly, followed by the dripping of blood into the mud. A strip of goat leg hung briefly from her jaws before vanishing.

From the front car came a chorus of screams—Lex, Tim, even Gennaro, whose courage evaporated faster than his dry clothes. Tim covered his mouth. Lex looked ready to cry.

Malcolm’s posture stiffened. “I always knew this vacation would end in someone being eaten. I just thought it would be after dessert.”

The Rex’s head turned toward the vehicles. Her golden eyes locked onto the metal cages. Her nostrils flared, sucking in the scent of fear.

She took a step forward.

Rain hammered her body. Steam rose from her snout. Her pupils dilated. Her footfalls grew heavier, more purposeful. The sound was like a battering ram landing in slow motion.

Grant hissed, “Don’t move. If we don’t move—”

Malcolm raised a hand. “Please. Let’s not repeat the ‘vision-based-on-movement’ hypothesis. I read the paper. I also remember it was inconclusive.”

Steve was uncharacteristically silent, hands braced on the seat in front of him. “She’s not charging. Not yet. She’s deciding. That’s what most people don’t get. She’s not wild. She’s thinking. She’s assessing.”

The Rex let out a low, resonant growl. It rolled through the air like thunder, rattling the windows of the Land Cruisers. Leaves trembled on their branches, and the jungle seemed to shrink back in fear.

She stepped closer. One massive foot fell in front of the other. The ground trembled beneath her weight. Her breath fogged the glass. Her nose bumped the vehicle gently—curious. Testing. There was an audible creak as the vehicle rocked slightly under the impact.

Tim whimpered. “She’s right there…”

Lex buried her face in her knees, trembling.

Malcolm muttered, “Well, it’s been a pleasure touring extinction with all of you.”

The Rex opened her jaws wide, revealing rows of teeth like polished daggers, each one glinting faintly in the storm light. Rainwater and goat blood mingled and ran down her chin.

She stepped back for just a moment, exhaled sharply, and let out a roar so deafening it drowned out even the thunder.

To Be Continued… Taglist: @habblez-the-babblez

[lilskirata]

This one is for @habblez-the-babblez who reminded me of putting that bit with amphibian dna in because yeah, that is such an oversight. So thank you! I hope you like the Story so far!

Jurassic Park: A New Beginning with Steve Irwin Chapter 6

Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 4 Chapter 5

Chapter 6: Goat to Be Kidding Me

The sky had begun to darken as the tour vehicles hummed along the track, winding their way toward the next stop. In the front car, Lex and Tim sat with the lawyer, Donald Gennaro, who was far too occupied with nervously glancing at his surroundings to engage in their conversation. Lex was rolling her eyes at Tim’s endless enthusiasm, while Tim was pressing his face against the glass, still hopeful for a sighting of a dinosaur.

“Maybe the dinosaurs just don’t like lawyers,” Lex muttered.

Tim grinned. “Then they’ve got good taste.”

Gennaro, oblivious to their commentary, checked his watch, muttering under his breath. “Billion-dollar theme park, and not a single dinosaur shows up on time…”

Meanwhile, in the second car, Grant, Malcolm, and Irwin had seized the opportunity to escape the enthusiastic children and have a moment of adult discussion. Well, as much adult discussion as could be expected when one of the men present had the boundless enthusiasm of a Labrador retriever.

“So,” Malcolm started, adjusting his sunglasses despite the fading light. “Did we all just collectively hallucinate the lack of dinosaurs on this dinosaur tour, or is this some elaborate practical joke?”

Grant sighed, rubbing his forehead. “It’s not exactly a surprise. These aren’t zoo animals. They don’t just pose for pictures on cue.”

Steve leaned forward, his face pressed against the glass. Outside, the trees stood eerily still, not even a breeze rustling their leaves. The paddock was silent, unnaturally so—no chirping insects, no distant bird calls, just an oppressive quiet that made the hairs on the back of his neck stand up.

“Oh, but we’re about to see something, fellas. I can feel it.”

The car slowed to a stop, and across the paddock, a mechanical humming noise signaled that something was rising from the ground. A small metal cage, hoisted by hydraulics, emerged from an underground chamber.

Inside it stood…

“A goat?” Grant frowned.

A white-furred, slightly bewildered goat stood alone in the middle of the field, tethered to a stake in the ground. It bleated softly, looking around in confusion.

“Oh, that’s just lazy,” Steve groaned. “They’re feeding an apex predator like it’s a backyard dog?”

Malcolm raised an eyebrow. “Yes, truly, the spirit of adventure is alive and well.”

“Where’s the challenge?” Steve continued, shaking his head. “Where’s the stimulation? You chuck a live goat in there, and all the Rex learns is that dinner is gonna show up on a silver platter. That’s not natural! It’s not hunting, it’s waiting for room service!”

“Maybe it prefers its meals with a bit of ceremony,” Malcolm said dryly. “Like a fine steak dinner with a wine pairing.”

Grant, still watching the paddock, muttered, “T. rex doesn’t want to be fed. He wants to hunt. You can’t just suppress sixty-five million years of gut instinct.”

Steve pointed toward the trees. “That’s what I’m sayin’! Back home, we do croc feedings, yeah, but we make ‘em work for it—tossing meat out at a distance, hiding it, even making ‘em lunge. You train ‘em so they engage with their natural instincts. Otherwise, they just turn into lazy lounge lizards with bad attitudes.”

Malcolm smirked. “Oh, so they become corporate executives?”

Steve let out a short laugh, shaking his head. “Exactly.”

Despite their commentary, the Tyrannosaurus remained unseen. The goat, still very much alive, let out another lonely bleat, unaware of the dramatic role it was meant to play.

Malcolm leaned back, arms crossed. “So, let me get this straight. You clone the most famous predator in history, you build a park around it, and yet, somehow, nobody at the top thought, ‘Hey, maybe we should let the thing stretch its legs once in a while’?”

Grant continued to watch the empty paddock, eyes narrowing. “Maybe it’s just not hungry.”

Steve scoffed. “A Rex always has a little room for a snack. Something’s off here." He frowned, eyes scanning the paddock. "It’s not just that it’s not eating—there’s no movement at all. No circling, no lurking near the fence, nothing. A predator like that doesn’t just sit still unless it’s learned that waiting is easier than hunting. Or worse, unless something else is messing with its instincts.”

The tour vehicle’s speakers crackled to life with the pre-recorded narration. “The mighty Tyrannosaurus Rex ruled the late Cretaceous period and was one of the most formidable predators of all time…”

Malcolm rolled his eyes and reached forward to switch it off. “Yes, yes, we know. Big teeth, big attitude, big disappointment.”

Grant, however, wasn’t done thinking out loud. “Speaking of questionable decisions… Let’s talk about this whole ‘filling in the DNA gaps’ thing.”

Malcolm, clearly more interested in the philosophical implications, leaned forward. “Ah yes, the ‘little’ detail they tried to breeze past in the orientation video. Filling in the missing sequences with frog DNA. Because, sure, why not? Nothing bad ever happens when you start mashing together genetic material like a toddler making a finger painting.”

Steve frowned, rubbing his temples. "Wait, hold on. Frog DNA?" His face scrunched up like he was trying to recall something distant. "That was in the tour film, wasn’t it? Crikey, I must’ve been too busy arguing with the bloody cartoon to register that bit."

“Indeed,” Malcolm drawled. “Because when you’ve got a few gaps in a creature that lived millions of years ago, clearly the best solution is to just slap in something from an entirely different species and call it a day.”

Steve, brows furrowing, drummed his fingers against the seat. “See, that don’t sit right with me. Y’know some amphibians, like certain frogs, can change their sex depending on the environment? That’s how some populations keep from dying out if there aren’t enough males or females.”

Grant slowly turned to him, a look of dawning realization crossing his face.

“Which means…” Steve hesitated, looking between Grant and Malcolm, “if they’re all female like Hammond says, but they’ve got frog DNA in ‘em… what’s stopping ‘em from just…” He made a vague gesture. “You know?”

Malcolm clapped his hands together. “Ladies and gentlemen, we have a winner!”

Grant exhaled sharply, gripping the bridge of his nose as the weight of realization settled in. Steve, meanwhile, let out a low whistle, shaking his head. "That’s… that’s not good, mate. That’s really not good." His fingers drummed anxiously on the dashboard before he crossed his arms, gaze flicking nervously toward the rain-streaked glass. "Tell me I’m overreacting here."

Malcolm exhaled sharply, staring out the window. "Life finds a way."

Steve leaned back, running a hand down his face. “Crikey, mate. This isn’t just a park… it’s a ticking time bomb.”

A low rumble of thunder rolled across the island, and with it, the first fat drops of rain spattered against the vehicle’s windshield. The wind picked up, causing the trees along the paddock’s edge to sway.

The radio crackled again, this time with an actual human voice. Hammond’s.

“I’m afraid we’ll have to cut the tour short,” he announced. “A storm is rolling in, and we need to bring you all back to the visitor center.”

Malcolm sighed dramatically, stretching out in his seat. “Ah, yes. A fitting metaphor for this whole enterprise.”

Steve glanced at Grant. “Bet you anything that goat’s gonna be gone by the time we roll past again.”

Grant didn’t answer. He was too busy staring out the window, watching as the sky darkened further. The storm was moving in fast, clouds heavy and bloated, swallowing the last of the light. The trees rustled in the growing wind, their outlines shifting and uncertain against the deepening shadows.

And somewhere, hidden in the darkness, something watched back. A pair of unseen eyes tracked the motion of the vehicles, unblinking, patient. A branch snapped softly in the distance, the only sound amid the thickening rain, as if something enormous had just shifted its weight. The goat let out another uneasy bleat, its ears twitching. The air was heavy, charged with something primal, something waiting.

A gust of wind sent a ripple through the paddock grass. The goat, still tethered, let out another uneasy bleat.

Steve tapped the glass, his voice lower now. “I think our mate out there is just biding its time.”

Malcolm exhaled, a knowing smirk forming. “Oh, I’m sure we’ll find out soon enough.”

The rain came harder now, hammering against the windshield. The last crackle of static from the radio gave way to silence.

And the storm arrived.

Chapter 7: When It Rains, It Roars

[lilskirata]

Jurassic Park: A New Beginning with Steve Irwin Chapter 5

Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 4

Chapter 5: The Tour de Extinct: Now Featuring No Actual Dinosaurs

The sun hung high over Jurassic Park, casting a golden glow over the lush greenery as the group gathered in front of the visitor center. Despite the tension still lingering from their encounter with the raptors, Hammond was all smiles, seemingly determined to push forward with the tour as if nothing had happened.

“Now, before we begin,” Hammond said, clapping his hands together with an eager grin. His eyes sparkled with excitement, and he rocked slightly on his heels, exuding the confidence of a man convinced he was about to unveil the greatest marvel on earth. “I have a surprise for you all!”

Steve leaned over to Malcolm, muttering, “Oh, mate, I hope it’s not another ‘controlled’ predator exhibit.”

“Worse,” Malcolm whispered back. “I think it’s children.”

Sure enough, the doors to the visitor center swung open, and two kids came bounding out. A boy and a girl—both young, bright-eyed, and, by the way Hammond beamed, clearly related to him.

“This,” Hammond announced, “is my granddaughter, Lex, and my grandson, Tim!”

Lex, about twelve years old, wore a confident grin, while Tim, a bit younger, pushed his glasses up his nose and practically vibrated with excitement. “Dr. Grant! I read your book! Twice!”

Grant blinked, staring at the boy like he’d just spoken in a foreign language. “You… did?”

“Yeah! You wrote about how dinosaurs might be related to birds! You think raptors were smart! Do you really think they could’ve been as intelligent as primates?”

Grant opened his mouth, but before he could answer, Steve leaned in with a grin. “Oi, give the bloke a second to breathe, mate. He’s still processing meeting his biggest fan.”

Ellie stifled a laugh while Malcolm smirked. “Oh, I like this one. He talks at a breakneck pace. He’ll fit right in.”

Lex rolled her eyes. “Don’t encourage him. He won’t stop.”

Tim ignored her, turning his focus back to Grant. “What’s your stance on modern feather analysis in theropods? And do you think there’s a chance some species had pack structures similar to wolves?”

Grant just stared. Steve let out a short laugh, slapping Grant’s shoulder. “Mate, you might need a nap before the Q&A.”

Lex crossed her arms. “And for the record, I’m a vegetarian, so if we see any dinosaurs eating other dinosaurs, I don’t want to hear about it.”

Hammond clapped his hands again, redirecting the attention. “Now, now! The tour is waiting! Let’s not keep the dinosaurs waiting.”

Two sleek, electric-powered SUVs sat parked near a steel-railed track, looking pristine and futuristic against the wild backdrop of Isla Nublar. As everyone piled into the vehicles, Hammond, staying behind in the control room, waved them off with a cheerful “Enjoy the tour!”

Malcolm settled into his seat, adjusting his sunglasses. “Ah, nothing like a good theme park ride through a genetically reconstructed nightmare.”

Steve, sitting beside him, grinned. “Mate, I live for rides like this.”

Grant, meanwhile, found himself stuck between Tim, who was still bombarding him with questions, and Lex, who was trying to act like she wasn’t paying attention but clearly was.

Ellie shook her head with amusement before focusing on the view outside. The massive doors at the entrance to the tour route creaked open, revealing the expansive prehistoric landscape beyond.

The vehicles hummed forward on their guided track, the radio crackling to life with a pre-recorded voice.

“Welcome to Jurassic Park,” the voice intoned. “Our adventure begins with a look at some of the most magnificent creatures to ever walk the earth…”

As the vehicles wound through the park, excitement buzzed in the air. Tim practically had his nose pressed against the glass, scanning for movement, while Lex scrolled through the tour’s interactive guide.

The first stop? The Dilophosaurus paddock.

“Ah, now this is a treat,” the recording continued. “The Dilophosaurus, a stunning predator known for its distinctive twin crests and—”

Nothing.

No dinosaurs. Just trees and an empty clearing.

Steve frowned, pressing his face against the glass. “So, where’s the talent?”

“Maybe they’re shy,” Ellie suggested.

Malcolm tapped the side of the SUV. “Oh, fantastic. So, you spared no expense cloning dinosaurs, but didn’t teach them to show up for the paying guests?”

Steve snorted. “Hate to break it to ya, mate, but wildlife don’t run on a schedule. I once spent three days waiting in a mangrove for a saltwater croc that was supposed to surface ‘like clockwork.’ You know what happened? I got eaten alive by mosquitoes and the big fella never showed. That’s nature for ya.”

Tim, still hopeful, pointed to the forest. “Maybe they’re just hiding! They could be camouflaged.”

Malcolm raised an eyebrow. “Yes, I’m sure the ten-foot murder lizard is simply bashful.”

Lex pulled out the provided information tablet. “Says here they can spit venom.”

Tim’s eyes widened. “Venom?!”

Steve let out a low whistle. “I’d really like to see that.”

The radio chirped. “We’ll move on to the next exhibit. Remember, nature’s wonders don’t always perform on cue.”

Malcolm leaned back. “Great. That’s marketing talk for ‘no refunds.’”

The tour continued, winding past more exhibits with little to no dinosaur sightings, until finally, they arrived at something worth stopping for.

Grant sat forward suddenly, eyes widening. “Stop the car.”

Ahead of them, lying on her side in the grass, was a massive Triceratops. A real, living, breathing Triceratops.

Ellie gasped. “Oh my God…”

Steve was already halfway out of the SUV before the vehicle fully stopped. “Well, now this is more like it!”

Grant approached in a daze, reaching out like he was seeing a dream come to life. His hands touched the rough hide of the Trike’s side, feeling the slow rise and fall of her breathing.

“She’s sick,” Ellie observed, kneeling beside the park’s veterinarian, Dr. Harding.

“We think it’s something she ate,” Harding explained. “We’re not sure what.”

Ellie was already rolling up her sleeves. “I need to check her droppings.”

There was a pause. Malcolm recoiled slightly, adjusting his sunglasses as if reconsidering his life choices. Steve let out a chuckle. “Well, that’s dedication, mate.”

Tim, on the other hand, looked intrigued. “Cool! You can tell what she ate from that?”

Lex wrinkled her nose. “That’s disgusting.”

Ellie just grinned. “That’s science.”

While Ellie stayed behind with Harding to examine the Triceratops further, the rest of the group reluctantly returned to the SUVs.

“Be careful out there,” Steve called to her. “And watch where you step!”

Ellie laughed. “No promises.”

As the tour vehicles pulled away, Malcolm sighed dramatically. “So, what’s next? A dinosaur that actually shows up?”

Steve grinned, leaning back in his seat. “Mate, I think we’re about to find out.”

And with that, they continued toward the next stop—

The Tyrannosaurus paddock.

Chapter 6: Goat to Be Kidding Me

Taglist: @habblez-the-babblez

[lilskirata]

Jurassic Park: A New Beginning with Steve Irwin Chapter 4

Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3

Chapter 4: Jurassic Supermax: The Prehistoric Cassowaries With Anger Issues

Hammond was still talking. Something about a buffet. Chilean sea bass? Steve wasn’t listening. Neither were the others.

“Now, now, let’s not be hasty,” Hammond said, stepping in front of them with an exaggerated wave of his hands, his tone bordering on desperate cheerfulness. His smile was tight, forced, and he adjusted his jacket as if smoothing over his own nerves. “Lunch has been specially prepared by—” “Lunch has been specially prepared by—”

“Uh-huh, yeah, fantastic,” Malcolm interrupted. “Forgive me if I don’t find comfort in the promise of fine dining when we’ve just learned you’re breeding prehistoric apex predators behind an electric fence.”

“Oh, come now, Ian, we’ve taken every precaution—”

“You built a prison, mate,” Steve cut in, striding toward the observation deck. “I’ve seen crocs in better enclosures than this.”

Grant, moving with laser focus, was already at the rail, peering into the thick jungle beyond the electrified fence. Ellie was right beside him, scanning for movement. Malcolm took his time, deliberately trailing behind.

“You know,” Malcolm mused, glancing at the towering enclosure, “something about putting your most intelligent carnivores in maximum security doesn’t inspire confidence. Call it a hunch.”

Hammond puffed out his chest. “They are not mistreated. They are well-fed, carefully contained, and studied in a controlled—”

“Oh, controlled? That’s adorable,” Malcolm shot back.

A loud clank rang through the air as a massive crane swung over the paddock, lowering a steer into the enclosure. The poor animal dangled helplessly, its legs kicking in the air as it was deposited into the dense underbrush. It disappeared into the greenery with nothing but silence.

For a moment, nothing happened. The jungle held its breath.

Then—

A flurry of movement. Branches shuddered. A guttural growl rumbled from the foliage, followed by a high-pitched chirp that made Steve’s eyebrows shoot up.

And then, chaos.

Leaves and dirt erupted as the jungle exploded with movement. The cable snapped taut, jerking erratically as unseen forces ripped into the steer. The sounds of snapping bones and guttural snarls filled the air. Something fast, something organized, something terrifying was at work just beyond the trees.

Malcolm gestured wildly. “Oh, yes, this is exactly what I imagined when I thought of a ‘fun, educational experience.’”

“Bloody hell,” Steve muttered, gripping the railing. His excitement had dimmed into something much sharper, much more serious. He had worked with some of the deadliest creatures on the planet. He knew the difference between a predator that was merely dangerous… and one that was thinking.

The jungle went still. The only evidence of what had just transpired was the tattered remains of the steer’s harness swaying gently from the cable.

Steve ran a hand through his hair. “Right. First thing—why in all of creation are you feeding them like that? That’s not enrichment. That’s not training. That’s bloody target practice!”

Hammond frowned. “Well, how else would you—”

Steve threw up his hands. “Toss ‘em a puzzle feeder! Hide their food!"

Hammond blinked, clearly thrown by the suggestion. Muldoon, arms still crossed, let out a skeptical huff. "And you think that would make a difference?"

Steve shot him a look. "Mate, you ever seen a croc in a zoo that gets no stimulation? It turns into a mindless killer. But give it something to figure out, something to do, and suddenly it’s engaged, it’s thinking—not just waiting to rip something apart." Let ‘em chase a decoy! You don’t just drop a helpless cow in there like a bloody vending machine and expect ‘em to stay mentally healthy! They’re animals, mate, not inmates!”

Grant nodded, still staring into the paddock. “You’re reinforcing aggression. They’re associating meal times with violent ambush tactics.”

“Oh, lovely,” Malcolm said. “You’re teaching the nightmare lizards how to be better at killing things. What a plan.”

“That’s not—” Hammond started, but he was interrupted by a new voice.

“They should all be destroyed.”

The group turned as Robert Muldoon stepped up to the observation deck. His arms were crossed, his jaw set in a grim line.

Grant frowned. “You want to destroy them?”

“They’re too dangerous,” Muldoon said. “You heard it yourself. They’re problem-solvers. That one—” He nodded toward the jungle. “She killed all but two of her siblings. Took over the pack. The other raptors, they follow her lead.”

Malcolm clapped his hands together. “Oh, brilliant. Not only do we have velociraptors, we have a mob boss velociraptor. Love that for us.”

Steve exhaled sharply, shaking his head, his voice tinged with frustration but still measured. “I get it, mate. They’re scary. But you can’t just lock ‘em up in a glorified shoebox and hope they don’t get worse. Where’s the interaction? The training?”

Muldoon blinked. “Training?”

“Yes, training! You lot are treating them like some kind of monster out of a horror flick, but they’re animals! Complex, intelligent animals! Course they’re aggressive, they’ve got no stimulation, no natural social structures, just a pack dynamic built on fear and dominance!”

Muldoon scoffed. “You want to train a velociraptor?”

Steve threw his hands up. “Mate, I’ve trained salties bigger than a bus, I’ve worked with cassowaries that could gut you in seconds, and I still wouldn’t treat them like this.”

The air was thick with tension. Even Muldoon, for all his hardened demeanor, looked like he was considering Steve’s words.

Then, a low, guttural click came from the jungle.

The group went silent.

Steve’s eyes flicked toward the foliage. The sound had been deliberate. Intentional.

Slowly, barely perceptibly, something shifted in the leaves. A pair of golden eyes, intelligent and unblinking, peered back at them. A faint rustling of branches. A clawed hand pressed against the enclosure’s reinforced wire for just a second before vanishing.

Steve’s lips pressed into a thin line. “Oh, yeah. She’s definitely thinking.”

Ellie exhaled, a mix of awe and apprehension crossing her face. “She’s watching us.”

Grant nodded. “Studying us.”

Malcolm sighed dramatically. “Fantastic. The prehistoric murder bird has opinions now.”

Steve smirked, shaking his head. “She’s not a monster. She’s just waiting for an opportunity.”

Hammond cleared his throat. “Shall we… go to lunch?”

No one answered.

For a long, uneasy moment, no one spoke. Even the usual hum of insects and distant jungle calls seemed to have faded into a suffocating silence. Then—

A sudden rustle from the trees made them pause. A second set of eyes, then a third, glimmered in the underbrush. The air was thick with tension, as if the raptors had already made their calculations, their assessments. One of them let out a short, deliberate chirp, and then, just as quickly as they had appeared, the glowing eyes vanished back into the shadows.

Steve exhaled. “Yeah, nah. I don’t like that one bit.”

Malcolm adjusted his glasses. “I’ve decided I would like to leave.”

“Too late for that, mate,” Steve muttered. “We’re already part of the experiment.”

Hammond tugged at his collar, forcing a weak chuckle. “I assure you, gentlemen, everything is completely under control.”

Grant didn’t look convinced. Neither did anyone else.

Chapter 5: The Tour de Extinct: Now Featuring No Actual Dinosaurs

Taglist (because thats a thing now): @habblez-the-babblez

[lilskirata]

Jurassic Park: A New Beginning with Steve Irwin Chapter 3

Chapter 1 Chapter 2

Chapter 3: Welcome to 'No Worries' Park

The visitor center was an architectural marvel—high ceilings, sweeping staircases, and a grand skeleton display in the lobby depicting a T. rex locked in battle with a bellowing sauropod. Workers in construction baskets were still assembling the skeletal behemoths as Hammond led his guests inside.

Steve Irwin was barely through the doors before he let out a low whistle, his eyes widening with childlike wonder. His hands instinctively found his hips as he rocked slightly on his heels, taking in the towering skeletons with an awestruck grin.

"Crikey! Look at the chompers on that fella!" he exclaimed, staring up at the T. rex skeleton. "Blimey, that thing could snap a saltwater croc in half like a twig."

Ellie nudged Alan Grant with an amused grin. "I think we’ve found someone who’s as obsessed with predators as you are."

Malcolm smirked. "Yes, and apparently, he’s enjoying the prehistory lesson more than the paleontologists."

Grant shook his head. "We’re out of a job."

"Don’t you mean ‘extinct’?" Malcolm quipped.

Hammond chuckled and gestured toward a set of doors. "Come, come! We have something very special prepared for you all."

They were ushered into a small theater-style room with a massive screen at the front. The seats locked them in with safety bars, something that made Steve sit up a little straighter, his instincts kicking in. "Not a fan of being locked in, mate. I like a quick exit if things go pear-shaped."

"Nonsense, Steve! This is all part of the experience," Hammond assured him as the lights dimmed.

The film began with a smiling animated Mr. DNA bouncing onto the screen. "From your blood! Just one drop of your blood contains billions of strands of DNA!" he chirped.

Steve leaned forward, his eyes alight with interest. "Oh, this is a ripper! Science cartoons make everything better!"

Grant barely glanced at him, his focus instead locked on the technical details flashing across the screen. Ellie frowned slightly, exchanging a glance with Malcolm, who was already rubbing his temples as if physically pained by the oversimplification. Hammond, however, sat back with a proud smile, thoroughly enjoying the presentation.

"Oh good, the wildlife enthusiast is entertained," Malcolm muttered. "Meanwhile, I’d like to know when we start questioning the ethics of this place."

As Mr. DNA explained the cloning process, Grant, Ellie, and Malcolm quickly caught onto the scientific implications.

"They’re filling in gaps in the genetic code?" Ellie said, horrified. "With what? Frog DNA?"

"That’s not how evolution works!" Malcolm snapped. "Nature selected dinosaurs for extinction. But no, here we are, playing god with frogs and mosquito blood. What could possibly go wrong?"

"Well, I reckon it’s like introducing crocs to new rivers," Steve mused. "If you don’t understand the ecosystem, you get problems."

"Yes!" Malcolm pointed dramatically at him. "Exactly! See, even the wildlife wrangler understands the problem here!"

Steve grinned. "I still wanna see one up close, though."

The safety bars clicked up as the room brightened, but Malcolm was already shoving his open. "Right, well, I’ve seen enough of the propaganda. Let’s get to the real science."

Steve, always up for bending a few rules, grinned and followed suit, slipping free of the restraints in one fluid motion. "Crikey, mate, I thought you'd never ask!"

Grant hesitated only for a second before doing the same. "If they’re really cloning dinosaurs, I need to see it up close."

Ellie sighed, throwing a look at Hammond, who, despite his protests, was already moving to follow them. "Well, who’s going to stop them?"

Gennaro spluttered. "Can they do that? Are they just—just leaving the tour?"

Hammond shook his head with an indulgent sigh. "Relax, Donald. They’re scientists. They ought to be curious."

The Dinosaur Lab – Hatchery

The group stepped into a dimly lit room filled with mist-covered incubators, each containing pale eggs. Steve’s enthusiasm was palpable as he moved swiftly between tables, peering eagerly into the incubators.

"Holy dooley, would you look at these! Egg-laying reptiles, right here!" He turned to Grant, barely containing his excitement. "Mate, I have to see one hatch. Tell me you can make that happen."

Dr. Henry Wu, dressed in a crisp lab coat, looked up from a microscope. "Ah, perfect timing! We have one hatching right now."

A robotic arm steadied an egg as it cracked, revealing a tiny clawed hand pushing through. The shell split, and a wet, blinking baby dinosaur emerged.

Steve’s jaw dropped. "Ohhh, would you look at that! Little fella’s got no idea how special he is. G’day, mate! Welcome to the world!"

Malcolm, arms crossed, was not impressed. "Yes, it’s all very cute until they’re six feet tall and remembering how to hunt."

Grant gently picked up the hatchling, examining it with expert care. His fingers tensed around its fragile body as his eyes widened in recognition. A slow breath escaped him, his mind racing to process the implications. Then his expression shifted, his gaze snapping to Ellie for confirmation before he whispered, "Wait a minute… this is a raptor."

Ellie’s face paled. "A velociraptor?!"

Steve’s excitement dimmed just a fraction. "Hold on now—you lot are breeding raptors? As in, pack-hunting, hyper-intelligent predators? The kind that work together like dingoes or wolves to take down prey twice their size?"

Hammond beamed. "Yes, but they are safely contained. You’ll see soon enough."

"I have so many questions, mate, and none of ‘em are good," Steve muttered.

A sudden loud thud echoed from the back of the nursery, sending a shiver through the sterile, mist-filled room. Steve’s instincts kicked in, and he turned swiftly toward the sound, his eyes scanning for movement. "What was that?" he asked, his voice losing its usual playful edge.

Grant stiffened, his grip tightening on the baby raptor. Ellie took a cautious step closer to him, her gaze darting between Wu and Hammond. Malcolm merely smirked and adjusted his glasses. "Ah, there it is. The moment when things start getting interesting."

Wu frowned and waved a dismissive hand. "Just an automated arm resetting. Nothing to worry about."

"Famous last words," Malcolm muttered, leaning back slightly but keeping his eyes fixed on the shadowy corner where the sound had come from.

Grant, still holding the baby raptor, gently set it back in the incubator. "I think we should see these raptors. Up close."

Hammond hesitated, then nodded. "Well, if you insist…"

Chapter 4: Jurassic Supermax: The Prehistoric Cassowaries With Anger Issues

Look who's back already! All kudos for that go to a little work incidents and the crutches binding me to bed and my computer. Hope you like what I came up with Taglist (because apparently, I need one?!): @habblez-the-babblez

[lilskirata]

I just want to say, I am not a native English speaker so if something doesn’t make really sense or there’s a grammatical mistake, please tell me. I‘m trying to get someone to beta read this stuff soon I promise!

Jurassic Park: A New Beginning with Steve Irwin Chapter 2

Chapter 1

Chapter 2: Hold Onto Your Khakis

The InGen helicopter roared over the vast blue of the Pacific, the looming shape of Isla Nublar growing larger with every passing second. Steve Irwin leaned forward in his seat, the khaki of his shirt flapping slightly from the open vents. His fingers tapped excitedly on his knees, his gaze darting across the ocean and up to the mist-covered mountains of the island ahead.

Across from him, Dr. Alan Grant and Dr. Ellie Sattler were less enthused. Grant sat stiffly, gripping the safety harness like it was the only thing keeping him tethered to sanity. Ellie, meanwhile, studied Steve with an amused smirk, already fascinated by the sheer energy radiating off him.

Then there was the other passenger—Dr. Ian Malcolm. Dressed in all black, dark sunglasses perched on his nose, the chaos theorist lounged in his seat like he owned the place, fingers tapping absently against his knee. He observed the others with that ever-present smirk of his, lips curling as he finally broke the silence.

“So, uh, let me see if I have this right,” Malcolm drawled, his voice dripping with dry amusement. “We’ve got a fossil digger who doesn’t like kids, a plant expert who does, a wildlife nut who definitely doesn’t mind being eaten alive, and an eccentric billionaire who believes in miracles.”

Steve grinned. “That about sums it up, mate.”

Malcolm nodded, shifting in his seat as he considered Steve. “And, uh, just so I’m clear—what exactly is your role in all this? Are you here to wrestle a T. rex into submission? Charm a Velociraptor into not, you know, eviscerating us?”

Steve gave a laugh, unbothered by Malcolm’s sarcasm. “Well, mate, if these dinos are anything like crocs, they’ve got instincts. And if they’ve got instincts, I can figure ‘em out.”

“Oh, fantastic,” Malcolm deadpanned, pushing his glasses further up his nose. “So if we all die, at least we’ll die in the hands of a professional.”

Hammond, beaming as always, turned in his seat to face them. “I can assure you, gentlemen, that no one will be dying. Everything in Jurassic Park is completely under control.”

Grant, still gripping his harness, gave a sharp glance toward the older man. “That’s what worries me.”

As the chopper finally touched down, the door swung open, and the team disembarked. Steve hit the ground first, squinting up into the thick treetops as a warm breeze hit his face.

“Ohhh, crikey,” he murmured, stepping forward. “Smell that? That’s the smell of untamed land.”

Grant shot him a look. “You can smell that?”

Steve grinned. “Course I can! No pollution, no modern stink—just jungle, rain, and animals. Lots of ‘em.”

Hammond led them toward a pair of waiting open-top Jeeps, his cane tapping against the ground as he walked. “Now, if you’d all follow me, I have something rather special to show you.”

As the Jeeps sped off, winding through dense jungle pathways, Steve was practically vibrating with excitement. He gripped the roll bar tightly, eyes darting between the dense foliage.

Ellie nudged Grant. “I think we’ve found someone who loves dinosaurs more than you.”

“I think we’ve found someone who might actually try hugging one,” Grant muttered.

Then, suddenly—a break in the trees.

The Jeeps skidded to a halt, kicking up dust as Hammond raised a hand. “Ladies and gentlemen…”

The ground trembled.

Steve’s breath caught in his throat.

A massive shadow moved through the trees. And then, like something straight out of a dream, it stepped forward.

A dinosaur. A real, living, breathing dinosaur.

A Brachiosaurus, its long neck stretching impossibly high, its massive feet thudding into the earth with every step. The creature chewed lazily on a cluster of leaves, its enormous form casting a shadow over the awestruck group.

Grant staggered out of the Jeep, his knees practically giving out as he removed his sunglasses. Ellie was right behind him, eyes wide, her mouth moving wordlessly.

“Oh, mate,” Steve whispered, eyes sparkling. “Would ya look at that.”

Malcolm, arms crossed, smirked. “You did it, Hammond. You crazy son of a bitch, you actually did it.”

Hammond, absolutely glowing, stepped forward and turned to his guests. “Welcome… to Jurassic Park.”

Steve let out a whoop, clapping his hands together. “You bloody legend, Hammond! You actually pulled it off!”

Grant, still staring in shock, whispered, “It’s… it’s moving in herds. They do move in herds.”

Ellie was already on the ground, hands brushing over a prehistoric fern. “This plant should be extinct. It hasn’t existed for millions of years!”

“Oh, well, we’re just breaking all sorts of rules today, aren’t we?” Malcolm muttered.

Steve took a step forward, completely entranced. “Look at the way she moves! Not sluggish like the old paintings—graceful, efficient. Just like a croc, but on land.”

Grant turned slowly, glancing at him. “It’s not like a crocodile.”

Steve grinned. “Ah, but that’s where you’re wrong, mate. See how she keeps her body balanced? That’s predator awareness. Sure, she’s a herbivore, but she still knows she’s gotta stay alert.”

Malcolm sighed, rubbing his temples. “So, let me get this straight. We have the top paleontologist in the world and a walking, talking Steve Irwin special both trying to figure this place out. You know, Hammond, I’m starting to think you invited us all just for the entertainment value.”

Hammond simply chuckled. “Oh, I assure you, Dr. Malcolm, this is just the beginning.”

As the group returned to their Jeeps, Steve was practically bouncing in his seat.

“So what’s next? More of these big fellas? Or do we get to see some real predators?”

Hammond laughed. “Oh, Mr. Irwin, I think you’ll find our next stop quite… thrilling.”

Steve shot Grant an excited look. “What do ya reckon, mate? Think we’ll see a T. rex?”

Grant adjusted his hat. “I don’t know.”

Malcolm, smirking, leaned back in his seat. “Well, I do know one thing.”

The others turned toward him.

“What’s that?” Ellie asked.

Malcolm grinned. “Whatever happens next—it sure as hell won’t go according to plan.”

Chapter 3: Welcome to 'No Worries' Park

[lilskirata]

Okay its like 2.30 am, I can’t sleep and have this idea stuck in my head and I just KNOW I‘m not the only one, although reddit has like two posts asking about it and I found like just two fanarts? Nevertheless I had to write it and I‘m sorry if its not good or anything and sorry for not factchecking the timeline or wordings of things but I‘m too lazy to watch the movie while writing so yeah, just bear with me on this one.

Jurassic Park: A New Beginning with Steve Irwin

Chapter 1: The Crocodile Hunter and the Dinosaurs

John Hammond never did anything halfway. When he set out to bring dinosaurs back from extinction, he spared no expense. And when it came time to ensure his dream was viable—to secure expert approval—he knew he couldn’t rely on paleontologists alone. No, this wasn’t just about fossilized bones or ancient plant life. This was about living, breathing animals.

And so, instead of stopping at Dr. Alan Grant and Dr. Ellie Sattler, Hammond decided to seek out one more voice—one that spoke not of the past, but of the present. A man whose name was known across the world. A man who had spent his life face-to-face with nature’s deadliest predators.

Steve Irwin.

Queensland, Australia — 1993

The midday sun beat down on the Australia Zoo, glinting off the water of the crocodile enclosure. A small crowd stood gathered along the fence, leaning forward in anticipation. The air buzzed with excitement as Steve Irwin—barefoot, clad in khaki, and grinning ear to ear—stood at the water’s edge, holding a chunk of raw meat.

“Alright, mates, watch this,” he called out, his voice full of boyish enthusiasm. “Now, this is Agro. He’s a big salty—fifteen feet, over a thousand kilos, and an absolute ripper of a croc. But what makes him real special is how he strikes. Watch the way he uses the water for cover…”

A ripple moved through the pond. The crowd gasped.

Then, in an explosion of force, the crocodile lunged upward, jaws wide, teeth flashing in the sunlight. Steve barely flinched as he tossed the meat in the air. Agro’s massive jaws snapped shut with a bone-shaking CRACK, and he slid back beneath the surface.

“Crikey, did you see that?” Steve laughed, turning back to the crowd. “Perfect precision. That’s a predator that’s been evolving for millions of years. Just incredible, right?”

The audience erupted in applause, but Steve had already turned his attention back to the water, watching Agro retreat to the depths.

That’s when he heard the voice.

“Absolutely magnificent, Mr. Irwin,” came the smooth, practiced tone of an older man. “I can see why they call you ‘The Crocodile Hunter.’”

Steve turned, wiping sweat from his brow. Before him stood an elderly man in a crisp white suit, leaning lightly on a cane. His blue eyes twinkled with something Steve recognized instantly—passion.

“Well, g’day, mate!” Steve grinned, stepping forward to shake his hand. “Steve Irwin. And who might you be?”

“John Hammond,” the man said, shaking Steve’s hand warmly. “I’ve come a long way to meet you.”

Inside Steve’s Office – Australia Zoo

A fan whirred softly, barely cutting through the Queensland heat. Steve sat behind his cluttered desk, arms folded, as John Hammond spread out a series of photos and documents in front of him. What Steve saw nearly took his breath away.

“Now, I know this must seem… impossible,” Hammond said, watching Steve’s face closely. “But it’s real. I’ve created a biological preserve—an island where dinosaurs live again.”

Steve let out a slow breath, rubbing his jaw. “You’re telling me… you’ve actually got real dinosaurs? Not just bones? Living, breathing dinosaurs?”

Hammond nodded. “Thanks to cutting-edge genetic engineering, yes. And that’s why I’m here, Mr. Irwin. I need someone who understands animals—not as distant relics of the past, but as living creatures.”

Steve barely blinked before he let out a booming laugh. “Mate, that’s the most bonkers thing I’ve ever heard! But crikey, if it’s true, I have to see it.”

Hammond’s smile widened. “I was hoping you’d say that.”

Two Days Later — En Route to Isla Nublar

The InGen helicopter cut through the sky, the ocean stretching endlessly below. Steve leaned out slightly, watching the waves roll beneath them. He felt the kind of exhilaration he hadn’t experienced since wrangling his first croc as a boy.

Across from him sat Dr. Alan Grant and Dr. Ellie Sattler, paleontologists whose expertise Hammond had also recruited. Grant, ever skeptical, kept shooting Steve sidelong glances.

“So, you’re some kind of… what, wildlife expert?” Grant finally asked.

Steve grinned. “Something like that. I work with crocs mostly, but I’ve wrangled just about everything—big cats, venomous snakes, even the odd cassowary. If it’s dangerous, I study it. If it’s endangered, I protect it.”

Grant frowned slightly. “And Hammond thinks you’ll have insight into dinosaurs?”

“Well, mate,” Steve said, flashing a mischievous grin, “I figure a predator’s a predator, whether it’s got scales or feathers. Crocs haven’t changed much in millions of years. What’s a dinosaur but a big, scaly mystery waiting to be figured out?”

Ellie smirked. “I think I like you.”

Hammond clapped his hands together. “Excellent! Now, hold on tight—because welcome… to Jurassic Park!”

As the Island Appears…

Through the chopper’s windows, the massive gates of Jurassic Park loomed in the distance. Lush greenery stretched as far as the eye could see, untouched wilderness hiding ancient creatures long thought extinct.

Steve leaned forward, eyes sparkling like a child’s. “Ohhh, mate, this is gonna be wild…”

And as the helicopter descended, none of them had any idea just how wild it was about to get.

Chapter 2: Hold Onto Your Khakis

[lilskirata]

Something about Rooster admiring so much his parents relationship and aspiring to have a love so beautiful as theirs, sweet and romantic and truly a fairy tale that would warm his heart forever

And ending up with the asshole who can't be nice to save his own live, that chews on a toothpick 24/7 and makes his life a living hell for the fun of it while looking so smug NARCISSUS HIMSELF would be jealous

He wanted a love like his parents had, and he got it! Unfortunately he had 2 set of parents and the love he ended up having was similar to the WRONG ONE

[lilskirata]

Do you think that when Elrond looked at Thorin, he saw Durin?

Like... this is why he let him keep Orchrist, why he helped decipher the map, why he put up with a whole Company of Dwarves swimming in his fountain, why he allowed them to put strain on his kitchen, why he didn't explicitly tell Gandalf to end the quest to reclaim Erebor... because he saw Durin? He saw Durin's last descendants, and because he could not help his friend and save his friend's life, he decided to help the last part of him that remained in Middle-Earth?

Durin would have eaten all of his food, Durin would have swam in that fountain, Durin would have wanted him to give Orchrist to Thorin.

And Durin would have wanted him to translate the map... because who was the one who taught Ancient Dwarvish to Elrond in the first place? Durin.

[lilskirata]

[lilskirata]

Ah, yes. We must all aspire to run an international drug cartel.

[lilskirata]

icemav are both biters but mav nips very softly and ice nearly draws blood. bradley only bites on occasion. jake is like a teething kitten.

[lilskirata]

ok… imagine a moon knight and daredevil crossover where dd has no issues fighting the invisible jackals because the dude cant see shit anyway. moon knight is like “you can see them??” and matt, not wanting to reveal his blindness but having no idea theyre invisible, is just like “yeah i can see of course i can see”

moon knight then assumes dd is an avatar of an egyptian god. bc what else? so, naturally, moon knight asks “what god do you serve?”

“jesus”

“what??”

“im catholic?”

“what???”

[lilskirata]

maverick regularly calls iceman snow queen. and snowman. and jack frost. and frosty. sometimes ice cream when he’s feeling crazy.

when frozen (2013) comes out, pete mitchell has a field day. after a month tom kazansky already reacts to „elsa” as if it was his god given name.

[lilskirata]

They'd barely stepped off their transport back at Fightertown when the snarled word pulled the Daggers up short

"YOU!"

As one the thirteen of them turned on their heel and immediately twelve duffles hit the tarmac and twelve arms shot up into sharp salutes.

Only Maverick stood unfazed as he took in the sight of Iceman walking slowly towards them. Even out of uniform, and back in a battle against his own body, he was a commanding presence, and cancer or no, he was still COMPACFLT.

Instead of saluting, Maverick, pointed at his own chest.

"Me?"

But this time Ice wasn't talking to him. Wasn't even looking at him. It took Mav a moment, but as he watched Ice approach, he realised the man's target and took a sharp step to the side, smirking as Phoenix, did so herself, leaving Rooster an island between them.

Frozen to the spot, Rooster could do nothing but watch his boss', boss', boss step toe to toe with him. He could only imagine the shit he was in. Disobeying direct orders, losing a multi-million dollar plane, endangering Hangman who'd been scrambled as extra cover, maybe even potentially grand theft aviation from a hostile power....was that a thing?? Oh god, was that a thing??!!?!?!

But the Admiral didn't say a word, just threw his arms around him and held him so tight Rooster's already abused ribs and spine could only complain further. Not that he'd mention it, even when tears blurred his vision from the pain. Once he started to breathe again, he could feel the faint tremor running through the older man's body, and he knew it had less to do with the illness that was rumoured on base to have returned, and more to do with the smirk he could see on Maverick's face over the mans shoulder. A smirk that looked suspiciously like one worn by a man in love.

Hesitantly, Rooster wrapped his arms around his superior officer, and held on just as tight.

"You're welcome."

[lilskirata]

The third episode of The Rings Of Power showing us just how strong the genes in the line Durin are. Long pause snarky cadence and all.