#Apologize for the person I become when I rotate them in my brain but at the same time I’m like god DAMN I need to calm down and then I dont

[astraystayyh]

The alternative

Brother's best friend changbin x reader. Fluff and slight angst. (Han is the brother).

Based on my interpretation of The Alternative by Lyn Lapid (if u can, play it after the •••)

You've diligently chased the idea of being with Changbin out of your mind. That is until he picks you up from a bad date, making your steadfast resolve unravel all around you.

skz song series masterlist

"Yn?" Changbin’s voice echoes clearly through the phone, and you startle, leaning away to check if you mistakenly dialed the wrong person. But there it is- Han's contact name illuminating your screen, confirming your intended call.

"Changbin? Where is Han?" you ask hesitantly, confused as to why your brother did not pick up his phone.

"He left his phone at home. I wasn't going to answer but I saw five missed calls from you, so I figured something might be wrong. Are you okay?" he asks, his voice softening at the last question.

His concern tugs at your heart, causing you to bite your lower lip forcefully. You've been sitting across from your date for the past two hours, and yet Changbin managed to pay more attention to you in the span of five seconds. 

"I'm okay, don't worry about it," you reassure, trying your best to sound composed.

"Did you need something?"

"I just... I'm on a date right now and I wanted Han to come pick me up. But it's okay."

"Did they do something to you?" he asks, his voice carrying an edge to it that hadn't been present moments ago.

"No!" you quickly reassure. "I just... I don't know, it feels off but it's okay. I'm sorry for bothering you." The practiced apology rolls off your tongue effortlessly, without you having to think about uttering it.

You're accustomed to shrinking yourself, trying your hardest not take up space with your feelings. It has become second nature to you to bury your problems in a dusty box at the back of your mind, as soon as they threaten to affect those around you.

"Where are you?" he asks as you hear shuffling from his end, "I'm coming to pick you up."

"You don't have to," you murmur, regret already welling up inside you. You should've stopped calling your brother when he didn't pick up the first time.

"You are uncomfortable. That's reason enough for me."

You attempt to contradict him, but the words dissolve in your mouth, swallowed back down your throat. There's something about Changbin's unwavering voice that makes you pause. You don't have the strength to contradict him.

"Okay, thank you," you exhale a ragged breath in relief. "I'll text you the address."

You hang up, leaving the bathroom you were hiding in and sitting in front of your date once again. They resume talking, but you tune them out, your thoughts solely revolving around Changbin- the way the planets rotate unwaveringly around the sun. His concern made a pleasing warmth seep through your heart, like a sun ray piercing through clouds after a gloomy day.

You dig your fingers into your palm, desperately trying to banish thoughts of him- just as you’ve been doing for the past few months.

You met Changbin before you knew he was your brother’s best friend. In the campus café, where he almost spilled his drink on you. You thought he was adorable, apologizing profusely to you, a faint pink hue tinting his cheeks. And then he bought you a cookie, three to be exact, because he didn’t know which flavor you’d prefer. A token of his remorse as he explained to you. He was a year older, and you found talking to him as natural as being with yourself.

But for some reason, your brain didn’t register that this was the Changbin your brother told you about. Until you’ve visited Han’s dorm for the first time and there he was, opening the door for you. Changbin was never yours to begin with, a reminder you continually admonish yourself with, but you still felt as if you lost him that day.

You knew it wouldn't be wrong, per se, to date him. But the potential confrontations that would unfold from it made you recoil into your hiding. Loving Changbin holds within it numerous uncertainties, and you cannot venture into the unknown, regardless of how much you yearn for it. For him.

“Yn!” a loud voice startles you, and you snap your head towards the entrance of the restaurant where you find Changbin. He’s clad in grey sweatpants and a snug black t-shirt, standing out like a sore thumb in the high-end restaurant. He didn't take the time to change, you realize, his sole focus on reaching you as quickly as possible.

"We have to go!" he says, as soon as he's in front of your table, and your date glances at you curiously.

"You do?" they ask and you chuckle nervously. "We do?" You didn’t think of an excuse as to why you needed to leave so suddenly, and you hoped Changbin did.

"Yes, come on," he urges, outstretching his hand toward you. "There is an emergency… You know, with Han, very urgent."

"Who's this? And who's Han?" 

"I already told you who Han is," you roll your eyes, grabbing Changbin’s hand and rising from your seat. "Maybe if you stopped talking about yourself for a second then you'd remember."

Changbin places a couple of bills on the table, a polite smile on his face. "For the dinner", he says, before pulling you outside with him.

"What was that?" you chuckle as soon as you're out. Changbin doesn't let go of your hand as you walk to his car, and you can't find it in you to drop it. 

"What?" he giggles, "did you not like my acting skills?"

"Did you have to shout my name from across the restaurant?" you playfully punch his shoulder and he feigns a wince.

"I had to be convincing," he nods solemnly, opening the door for you. His hand rests on the top of the car, ensuring you don't bump your head while getting in.

"Here," Changbin hands you a pair of slippers from the backseat, and you furrow your brows in confusion. "I assumed you'd be wearing heels and your feet are probably tired, so I brought you this," he explains, and you are suddenly thankful for the dim lighting in the car that's hiding your crimson blush. 

"So, tell me, what did they do? Do I need to beat them up?" Changbin asks once more and you groan, leaning your head against the car window. 

"They're so... pretentious. The only thing they care about is themselves, their career and their achievements. They even tried to downplay mine so they'd feel better about themselves."

"It's their loss honestly, for wasting a date with someone like you." 

"You're the only one who thinks so," you smile sadly, trailing your fingers across your knee. 

"What do you mean?" he asks, turning his body around to give you his undivided attention. 

"This is my fourth bad date in a row. I think I'm just destined for horrible relationships," you try to joke, but it did weigh heavily on you. Was there something wrong in you that prompted everyone to treat you so lowly?

"You are very smart and witty and interesting. I like talking to you, especially about things you are passionate about. It's their loss for not seeing it. Doesn't mean you are any less incredible," he says, his voice filled with genuine conviction.

A surge of emotion pulses through you, your heart beating wildly in your chest like a bird fluttering its wing to break free from its cage. You've always thought Changbin was all these things as well, but you never knew he held you with the same regard.

"Thank you," you beam at him, "for this and for coming to pick me up."

"Don’t mention it," he responds with a warm smile before sudden mischief dances in his eyes. "You know what? We should go on a date right now."

"What? What are you talking about?"

"A fake date," he clarifies and your heart chips a little more at your foolish hope. "So you'd see how well you deserve to be treated."

"You don't have to do that," you shake your head. 'You shouldn't do that', you wanted to add, 'it’s hard enough to forget about you'.

"I want to," he insists, his assurance evident in his smile. He leans in, reaching over to buckle your seatbelt, bringing his face mere inches from yours. His cologne envelops you, trapping you in a web carefully woven by him. It was unfair- for him to smell this nice and not be yours.

"You look pretty," he compliments, his penetrating gaze locked with yours as the seatbelt finally clicks into place.

"Is this how you start all your dates," you chuckle, in an attempt to calm your racing heart.

"No, I'm just saying the truth," he replies simply, starting the car and resting his hand on the back of your headrest.

"So, what are you craving?" he asks, and you sigh in defeat.

"Can we have fried chicken?" 

"Of course, we can," he replies with a smile, shifting the car into reverse and leaving the parking lot.

•••••••••••

You hoped your time with Changbin would be horrible, you wished you’d feel bored or uncomfortable, just so it’d cement the idea that he wasn’t the one for you. But unsurprisingly, you had an amazing time. Your stomach ached from laughing so hard throughout the night, and there was a new found lightness in your steps as you walked around a picturesque garden.

You knew that you will revisit this night countless times, that you’d sift through every detail- every time your eyes met and every time you made him smile. That it’d keep you warm on cold nights when you’re all alone.

"Here," Changbin says, handing you a plucked rose. "You deserve a bouquet but I didn’t plan on this, I’m sorry," he smiles sheepishly and you giggle, taking it out of his hands.

"Thank you," you grin happily, before taking a step forward toward him. There, you tuck the rose behind his ear, smoothing down his hair in the process.

"I’m blushing, aren’t I?" he chuckles, bringing a hand to his flushed cheeks and you gleefully nod.

"You’re matching the rose," you point out and he shrugs happily. "Pink is my color."

You admired how Changbin didn’t shy away from his emotions, embracing them without reservation. It made you feel secure, in the sense where you’d never have to second guess his words and their truthfulness.

Changbin takes out his phone to play a soft melody, before putting it in his back pocket.

"Let's dance."

"Changbin..." you trail off. It feels bittersweet to get a taste of what you could have, of what you two could be. He'll move on, surely, going on real dates while you'd still be stuck on the way he makes you feel.

"It's part of the date package, come on." 

You sigh, before grabbing his hand in yours. They fit so naturally together, and you think you can easily commit the sensation to memory- the coldness of his palm and the callouses on his finger pads. With a few more holds, you're certain you could recognize his touch among a thousand others.

Changbin raises your free hand and places it on his shoulder, before holding your waist gently, swaying you from left to right.

Being with him felt like pressing on a blueish bruise, a pleasurable pain you would willingly endure to have him by your side. You're already in his arms, you told yourself. Maybe you should tune out the thoughts in your head berating you, and finally follow what your heart wants.

You suck in a deep breath, before tentatively leaning your head on his chest. He immediately brings his hand to your hair, smoothing it down gently. His chest is broad, serving as a shield for the delicate emotions flowing within him. Because Changbin is gentle with everything he does and everyone he meets. And you'd settle for this, for being his fake date if it meant experiencing his gentleness for the rest of your life.

"Can I tell you something?" you say after a while.

"Sure."

"I think this is the nicest date I've ever been on. I wish all of them were like this."

"They could be if you want to."

"What do you mean?"

"I've always liked you, yn. From the moment I’ve met you,” he confesses easily, and his words feel like the hands of an expert violinist, tugging at your vulnerable heartstrings.

He likes you, you aren't alone in this feeling, and for a second, raw happiness courses through you at this thought. But it's fleeting, like the sugar rush you'd get when you eat too much sweets. And so it naturally wears off, as the consequences of his words dawn on you.

"Changbin, we shouldn't," you shake your head vehemently and he frowns. "Why?"

"Because you're my brother's best friend." The excuse streams from your mouth instantly.

"But I'm still Changbin. Your Changbin if you'll have me," he adds softly.

"Han will find it weird, and if we don't work out then your friendship with him will become strained and-"

"Why are you thinking about everyone but yourself?" He interrupts. "Don’t you want this?" 

A few silent beats pass by, and Changbin doesn't stop swaying you around, his gentle place lulling your heart to calmness, clearing the foggy thoughts in your mind.

"I do," you finally admit, and a smile lightens up his face instantly. It's so bright that it makes you second-guess the words you're about to say. "But I don't want to risk our friendship too." 

"Love is a risk, I understand, I agree. But what's the alternative, yn? if it's not having you at all then I'd risk it," he drops your waist, his hands cradling your face tenderly. "You are worth the risk to me." 

You’ve stopped dancing, the music long forgotten by you. "You really think so?"

"I know so." 

"What if we things don't workout?"

"What if they do, hm? we can never really know until we try. And i want to try with you. Please, give us a chance?" he smiles at you, his vulnerability on full display. He's offering you his heart on a silver platter, not caring if you'll safely guard it or pierce it through, as long as it's yours.

You gaze into his warm brown eyes, before glancing at his tousled hair and the rose tucked behind his ear. And your fear doesn't matter anymore, not in the face of the man in front of you.

"You have amazing convincing skills. Have you ever considered being a diplomat?" you tease and his eyes widen slightly. "Is this a yes? are you saying yes?"

"I am," you giggle, an uncontrollable smile drawn on your lips. "And... I've always liked you too. I think Han might've suspected it because whenever I brought you up, he glared at me," you confess with a laugh, as Changbin presses a soft kiss on your wrist. Right where your pulse is. Beating wildly for him. 

"He’ll have to deal with it. Now tell me, is tomorrow at 6 pm good for you?"

"What for?" you giggle, as he waltzes you around once more, a cheeky smile adorning his face.

"Our first real date, of course.”

[peachypede]

I will never not be bitter about how Kamado is portrayed as an shitty guy in the fandom and Volo is uwu pretty boy he was just feeling angsty when he tried to destroy the world and kill protagonist with giratina uwu

Rant below

Kamado, yes, made a horrible decision. He had his reasons. He saw his whole village destroyed by pokemon when he was young and never wanted that to happened again, Beni says they watched their family and friends DIE, so he gave in to his paranoia and banished the protagonist. It’s not an excuse, but he has his reasons for doing so.

And what does Kamado do when he realizes he’s wrong? The man get down on his hands and knees and BEGS your forgiveness. He does the Dogeza, the bow in Japanese culture that is the ultimate form of apology and respect to the other person. Kamado eats dirt and is basically saying “I fucked up so bad and I am so very, very, very sorry.” The Dogeza also is performed to show high respect, so Kamado is basically telling you as well that you far surpass his position. Your emperor levels of worthiness and strength. I think the amount of how embarrassing and humble this pose is is lost to people in the Western culture but this is a BIG apology and possibly even the BEST apology Kamado could gives since it’s an apology beyond words. He also apologizes to everyone else, telling them they were right and he was wrong.

"I acted on ill-considered presumptions and drove you from the Galaxy Expedition Team, forcing you to face great hardship alone…”

And you change Kamado. He becomes more willing to delegate and work with other people. He follows your lead. Hell, he has a line after you beat him on Prelude Beach where he basically calls you a god, that’s how much this dude respects you now.

"Perhaps you are a divine being yourself, sent to bring us gifts from above…”

The guy takes no credit for the victory on mount coronet, he says it’s all you!

"I know I've no right to say this... But we are truly fortunate to have been able to count you among the Survey Corps' ranks. If you had not joined us, we would have fallen on Mount Coronet. We would have lost our home. We would have lost our future."

He is a truly changed man in the end.

"I used to think that Pokémon were terrifying creatures. You've helped me see otherwise."

Volo on the other hand? Tricks you, betrays you, and then tries to KILL YOU. Kamado was always upfront from the beginning that he didn’t trust you, but Volo? He’s buddy-buddy with you to take advantage of you.

And he’s the reason why this all happened! He created the rift, displaced pokemon and hell some people since Ingo obviously fell in through this rift too (People blame Arceus for this :/ ) and nearly killed everyone in Hisui with rampaging nobles and origin forme Dialga or Palkia.

And in the end, Volo doesn’t apologize at all. The dude doesn’t even change.

"Someday, I'll solve every riddle in the legends of Hisui's Pokémon. And on that day, I'll stand before Arceus at last—No, I will CONQUER it! No matter how many years, how many decades, how many centuries it takes me!"

I’m just fully convinced at this point that it 100% has to do with Volo being pretty and Kamado not being that attractive.

My hot take of the new year: Kamado is WAY better husband material than Volo could ever be.

Anyway my rant is over…no hate on Volo lovers, I do think he’s a fun character to rotate like a chicken on a spit in your brain but this has been my biggest grievance in the PLA fandom.

[jess-themess05]

Favorite fics?

oh geez. i’m gonna try keep it sweet and simple less i go on and make it unbearable to read. also these summaries are gonna be terrible but i think all of these are gonna be fnaf sun and moon fics i’m SORRY ITS IN MY HEAD BUT ANYWAYS- SHORT N SWEET LES GO

A Dose of Sunshine and Starlight - @give-me-your-monsters a slow burn w/ lots of angst and bittersweet-ness aww but you are all mentally ill.

Bug Love - @theohnocorral the boys are now bug-ified gods and take a liking to a mortal who probably apologies to inanimate objects

Universal Jesters - @lovelymoonmagic you accidentally become the handler to pair of bots with memory loss and mystery trauma

it was, in reality, not fine - @bones-of-a-rabbit you, the reader, have the self preservation skills as a bowl of soup. also oblivious to love hehe

Late Night to Early Morning - Loyal_Backstabber reader meets neglected robot clowns and vows to risk their life for them

Solar Lunacy - @bamsara its- ITS SOLAR LUNACY. anyways you meet certified murder robots and say i can fix em, they’re gonna fix u too.

copper cogs rusted through - @paper-lilypie “oh what’s this, one of these jesters tried killing me? eh it’s fine” then you fall in love

Rotating Shifts - LightningTriceratops protag mistakes sun for unconscious, jaundice ridden man and realizes he’s a robot with a not dead brother and separation anxiety

basically ANYTHINGGG by @naffeclipse , but the first story i ever read from them was In Deep Dreams Between the Waves very different fro, eclipse in sleuth jesters cause he’s actually decent. (also poor vanessa girl don’t get a break)

Clowning Around - EngageSage you overcome your anxiety to protect a poor jester, and are fueled by spite to fuck up moon man for being a certified bitch

Celestial hearts in a purple mind - @kabra-malvada *finds ominous object* *touches it* *is shocked to find they are possessed*

Twin Animatronics With Too Much Time on Their Hands - @twinanimatronics & @dana-chan-the-control-brain you fall in love and fight the temptation to resurrect a dead dude and kill him again

The Night Shift - @certified-handler oopsie you now work with a needy jester who sweeps you off your feet, even more oopsie he turns into a psychopath when the lights go out and triple oopsie you fall in love with HIM too

Star Crossed Souls - @faz-friendly-light-up-shoes reader said “god give me a sign i’ll find love.” gets the sign, and ignores it

404: Personal Space Not Found - CrazedAuthor anxiety filled individual thinks they will be fixed by a child supervisor, gets surprised by his stab happy twin

Celestial Syzygy - @echoingkarma you’re like the jack of all trades, including befriending animatronics who may or may not hate you (and want to maim you) you are probably underpaid.

My Neighbor Mr. Roboto - @kagedbird oh what’s this? you think moving into your new apartment will be simple and boring? WRONG there’s a robot in your closet. and everywhere- why are there so many-

Apology Flowers and Blooming Hours - @daunsun you’d think sentient flowers would have no angsty backstory huh? well actually...

Our Orbit is Elliptical - @sycopomp like your intrusive thoughts came to life, and you choose to ignore them

Lost and Found - SmolShampoo technology is so cool right guys? you got ai, and that ai can get traumatized! how cool??

Stare at the Abyss; It Might Look Back - @characcoon reader becomes a human punching bag and finds new rusty robot roommates. once they escape a deteriorating child’s play place they walked into

Ventura Highway - @madamemiz says “hey is anyone gonna take this robot?” and doesn’t wait for an answer.

Repaired Unstable - @blonde-fraumell you decide to work alongside your childhood friend! oh how non threatening he was- hey why’s this man TEN FEET TALL. and why’s this other man so kickable.

also, obligatory mer may fics! even though it’s no longer may these are still being updated :D

Luminescent Charm - @finfiprince reader finds the fishy dudes they saved as a kid in a cage, continues to spite god until they can save them

Celestial Omens (that really like Fishsticks) - @bamsara (again yes) you save two scared bastard fish and feed them in your bathroom, a decade later they see u and go “well they gave us fishsticks no drowning for them”

The Sea Jesters are Real Science - MatosaurusRex & sixty_nine13 your idol hires you to take care of real life mer! wow! unfortunately being their therapist wasn’t in the contract

Pisces Caelestis - S_V i’m a little scared of reader. they got attacked by a mer and passed out for 3 days and said “yeah lmao i’ll be fine” nO YOU WONT-

[falltothesun]

At my workplace we have a rotating cast of guests that come and give talks and work with the senior faculty. Myself and others in my office are sometimes tasked with hosting and generally being gracious and welcoming to these guests...

I'm tasked with taking him to dinner one night. I offer him a ride back to his hotel as well, since the buses here are erratic and it's not far out of my way.

At dinner, I don't order a drink- I'm driving, after all- but pills dissolve just as easily in the mocktail I order. As my brain starts to go fuzzy, I keep apologizing to him for how tired I'm getting, never even considering that was his fault. He just smiles and suggests we call the night early, that he doesn't mind at all.

By the time I've stumbled back to my car, I'm putty in his hands. He drives us to the hotel with one hand on the wheel and the other already under my shirt, down my pants, fingers pressing into me while I moan and mumble dazedly, nothing getting past the fog of pleasure in my mind.

He throws me facedown onto the hotel bed, and wastes no time ripping my clothes away. Goddamn, he growls, though I can barely understand it, I'll have to come back more often if they're dropping fuckmeat like you into my hands.

His cock splits my cunt open, hands gripping my hips tight enough to bruise. He fucks me like he wants to bruise my cervix, driving deep and fast and unforgiving. As I dip in and out of consciousness, I can hear him panting and groaning and muttering. Fuck, you're so tight. Haven't had pussy this good in too long. God, you're even getting wet on my cock like a real slut, aren't you? Enjoying being raped, huh? Fuck, take it deep, slut.

I can't do anything as he uses me for hours, emptying his balls inside me more times than I can count, especially in my drugged and fucked out haze. He alternates between holes, fucking my mouth and my ass, leaving them messy and used, but he seems to like my cunt the best.

I wake up shivering in the backseat of my car, aching and bruised. It takes me a while to maneuver my stiff body into the driver's seat, start the car with shaking fingers, and drive home to shower and clean up. Later that day, I apologize for showing up late to work, and quickly ready myself for the afternoon meetings.

He's there, presenting something or other. I can't focus, because his eyes keep finding me in the crowd. Whenever they do, I feel my pussy start to leak, remembering how thoroughly it was used. When the meeting ends, he stops me before I leave and leans in to let me know I should meet him at his hotel room again- unless I want certain pictures to start circulating the company.

So that night, of course, he bends me over the hotel bed. Now that I'm fully sober, I feel every inch as he fucks into me, and I hear every degrading word he grunts between thrusts.

Our field isn't that big, so word spreads quickly that guests visiting my workplace need only show me the photos they possess, and they get their own personal fuckdoll to rape as long as they visit. Maybe I could go to my superiors about it, but they're so very happy that they've become so popular...

[silent-moons-camp]

Got some Q's for Stigandr Tavrinth pls and thank you!

Random selected but I like these questions: (if it's too much sorry!!! got excited lol)

-What is your character's favorite physical trait they possess?

-What is something your character would refuse to wear?

-What is something your character is proud to own?

-Who would your character ask first if they needed medical help?

-Who would your character say knows them best?

-Where is your character's safe space?

Aaaa thank you! Love answering questions about Stigandr because he's still not fully developed yet and these questions help me make decisions about him. No need to apologize!!!

-What is your character's favorite physical trait they possess?

Stigandr takes GREAT pride in his beard and hair. This man is hairy as fuck and probably has a whole routine he goes through every morning to ensure it's perfect. Stigandr is not a vain person, but appearances are important when it comes to being a Paladin. He's gotta strike a balance of being intimidating enough to his enemies and approachable enough from those he seeks to protect. (Maybe there's some personal backstory regarding his affinity for braids. My friend has a character whose culture holds great importance on braids and their meanings, and I've been inspired by that since, lol.)

-What is something your character would refuse to wear?

I don't think he's actually too picky on clothing. I would say clothing of the enemy, but I did put him in some Absolute apparel when the gang infiltrated Moonrise. I suppose... maybe he wouldn't want to wear lighter armors? I mean he would if he had to, but he prefers heavier sets of armor that are more likely to protect him.

-What is something your character is proud to own?

He is VERY proud of the Amulet of Greater Health that he snagged from the House of Hope. Not only is it super useful, but he finds great pleasure in stealing from Raphael.

(Considering I play on Explorer difficulty and with a no party limit mod... this amulet feels like cheating, even moreso than usual lmao)

-Who would your character ask first if they needed medical help?

He would probably try to take care of the wounds himself first. He has his own healing spells, of course, but if he's unable or out of magic, he'd go to Shadowheart. Stigandr is a humble man who knows he needs to be in good health in order to help others and find a cure, so he doesn't dawdle when it comes to wounds. If Shads is unavailable, he'll go to Jaheira or Halsin.

(Also, of course he'd go to Shadowheart. The inherent eroticism of being healed by your love interest is too great to pass up.)

-Who would your character say knows them best?

I would say that my yet-to-be-created Dark Urge character knows him best. Stigandr is a werewolf, and so is this Dark Urge character I'm rotating around in my brain. I think the two have been traveling together for some time in search of a cure for their lycanthropy, and as such, the two become good friends (in spite of her murderous thoughts and bloodlust, lol). Obviously him and Shadowheart grow close and I would say she ends up as one of the people who know him best, and in ways that my Durge probably never would.

-Where is your character's safe space?

Stigandr finds himself most safe within nature, or within distance of a religious site. Stigandr is an Oath of Devotion paladin, yes, but he is a paladin of Tyr also. While he spent his early years in Baldur's Gate, he spent most of his young life in Fortress Faithful, the Church of Tyr in Tethyr. Nature also because he just finds it to be beautiful, and of course, because of lycanthropy. (Image nabbed from the Forgotten Realms wiki.)

Thank you for the ask!!! I had fun answering these and providing some images :)

Ask me questions about my OCs from this post!

[tacticalhimbo]

— 10 Fandoms, 10 Characters, 10 Mutuals

@perpetuagf tagged me in this and i am OBSESSED, tyvm for tagging me babs <3

apologies in advance if anybody gets a repeat tag in this!

@carlosoliveiraa | @alexxmason | @captastra | @bbrocklesnar | @vendettapandav | @kourumi | @scarfacemarston | @captain-radioactive-mentality | @ollierachnid | @theavaricesystem

━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━

AIDEN PEARCE | WATCH DOGS; this man embodies older brother rage and it resonates so hard. like. the protectiveness over his remaining family. the fact he acknowledges (even if a bit harshly at times) that he is a bad guy. the fact he thinks he is utterly irredeemable… obsessed with him and his funky sense of fashion

APOLLYON | FOR HONOR; bastard woman. but i love her for it. her backstory doesn't get a lot of mention and i constantly think about how being a child when her family and such was slaughtered, and to have seen how the man who swore to protect them simply turned his back… i just. the way she's grown into someone who is willing to maintain the presence and intensity of war just to showcase its brutality. the way she took said man's armor and forged it to be her own. her brain!!! she is evil and i support women's wrongs o7

ARCADE GANNON | FALLOUT; the original "just like me fr" character, and one of the first canonically queer characters i had exposure to. my favorite companion always. his personality? incredible. his backstory? tragic. his humor? dry and awful, but i still love it and love him

DR. VIKTOR VEKTOR | CYBERPUNK; literally the character with the most transmasc swag i think i have ever witnessed in a game. like. genuinely. this man is trans to me and i am just so head over heels for this old man and his humor and his genuine care for those within his circle

ELSA WOLCOTT | WILSON'S HEART VR; underrated game and underrated character. genuinely. she is such a good character. i love the whole "parent who will do anything and everything for their child" trope (see: my inclusion of sam fisher and, by extension, aiden pearce). but like genuinely, elsa is such a tragic character when you look past the humor of the plot (re: the game being a mish-mash of horror tropes). i wish she coulda had a redemption arc q0q

MAJOR JACK KRAUSER | RESIDENT EVIL; bastard man. but i love him for it. the dynamic he has with leon (aka his obsession over his former ally) is so… man!!!! he also has transmasc energy and i really don't know how to explain it. he just. does

OBI-WAN KENOBI | STAR WARS; my first fictional crush fr, but also he is just. the character ever. the things he's been through, the way he uses them to better himself. the way he tries so hard to be a good man for everyone around him… obsessed

PUNISHED "VENOM" SNAKE | METAL GEAR; i am so normal about this man (lie) and the fact that he is a shell of his former self that has been molded to fit another's perfect image in an attempt to achieve a greater cause (one that would inevitably become corrupted and lead to his own death) and i just. mm. obsessed again

SAM BECKER | FAR CRY; underrated fave. i love sam's bombastic personality and how it stems from the fact that, after facing tragedy and having to adapt a role that makes him complicit in shit, he finally feels hope at things getting better (at least that's how i see it). he is my tragic little meow meow and i am still so sad about his death. i literally know it happens and every time i play the game i start getting so :((((

SAM FISHER | SPLINTER CELL; i discovered him while playing ghost recon and then he single-handedly shot me into the splinter cell series and now i am rotating him in my brain always. his character arc is one of my favorites, and a scene that always plays in my head is the one in conviction when he finds out the truth about his daughter's disappearance like. ugh!! plus i just love very involved and protective father figure characters (if you haven't noticed the trend on this list. and if you did? shush <;3)

[singsweetmelodies]

wait...........piarles 10 things au...... this idea is rotating in my brain PLS elaborate.

I feel like Patrick has to be Pierre? (bc rugged lil bitch (affectionate)) but also I cannot imagine Pierre ever doing something like that to Charles (as Kat) so please please please let me study your brain!! if anyone can get me to believe a characterization its you

well HELLO darling anon!! 😘 about the 10 Things AU - we've been chatting about it on the discord a bit, and i see 2 possible ways it could go.

one is, like you & i both initially envisioned, the version where pierre is patrick and charles is kat.

you see it, right? 🤭

as to the "but pierre wouldn't do that to charles" aspect of it all... well, to make it work, i think we'd have to go with a scenario where pierre doesn't know charles at all, and he's in a bit of a fuckboy era, so getting told to take out a pretty boy for a bit of cash sounds like the perfect deal to him.

(in this version of the au, charles would be a bit less of a sharp kat stratford figure and more of a "my dickhead footballer ex broke my heart so now i'd rather play piano than have anything to do with more boys." not that he'd be a weak character in any way - certainly, he'd give pierre QUITE a piece of his mind when pierre tries to pull the moves on him - but he wouldn't be quite as, well, bitchy as kat stratford is in the original, because that's simply not who charles leclerc is. in his own words - he is nice.)

anyways. so we have defensive, closed-off (but very endearing) musician!charles in this au, and fuckboy footballer pierre who initially gets paid to take him out - but when charles turns him down, he gets intrigued beyond the initial bet, and it becomes a personal challenge to him to get charles to go out with him. he's super competitive (as is charles) so of course it becomes a whole thing between them, until finally they mutually fall for each other. the paintball scene DEFINITELY features.

and, yes, there would be a scene where charles finds out that pierre was paid to take him out - and he's heartbroken, while pierre feels like the worst asshole in the world. because, yeah, it may have started out because of the bet, but it became so much more than that, and charles actually means everything to pierre now, and and and -

and, they kiss and make up, and pierre sneaks charles into a recording studio somehow as his grand apology gesture, and then they finally live happily ever after <3333

so it wouldn't be an exact 10 Things au - more just inspired by the excellent vibes & some plot details. and, you know, the infamous paintball scene.

but as i said - this is only one version of the au. there is another, as suggested by the brilliant mar @pinkierre, wherein pierre is kat and charles is patrick.

as mar pointed out: pierre is actually kinda the perfect casting for kat stratford?! he's snarky, sassy, and a little more openly jaded than charles is, so i believe he actually would deliver some of those zinger one-liners kat stratford is infamous for.

COME ON. there's a vision there, yeah?

and as mar also pointed out, charles would TOTALLY sing & dance a song for pierre on the bleachers to win him back. he would.

also, yuki would be the little brother in this scenario, and liam the one who hires charles to date pierre.

speaking of charles! charles... would be considerably less sweet than we traditionally characterise him. but this is not completely OOC, either - if you look at some interviews of teenager!charles... this boy was SAVAGE, and he did not give a single fuck. the only thing he really cared about was karting, and if we make that his motivation in this au too... well, maybe he needed some of liam's money for a new engine, or parts of some sort, or something. and he cared more about karting than he did about some sharp-tongued pretty boy.

but MAYBE, once he's tried & failed the traditional flirting moves - pierre, in no uncertain terms, informs charles that he is a TERRIBLE flirt, and he's lucky he's gorgeous otherwise nobody would ever go out with him - after that, charles tries a different tack, because he needs this money, and that's when he realises that pierre likes karting too, and has the same sense of humour as he does, and is just as competitive as him. and then they start to get along, and slowly fall in love, and then the rest is history!

this isn't the piarles dynamic i usually write, but imagine pierre with all his single-minded focus and passion dedicated to academics... and charles who's a bit less fussed about academics in favour of adventure & adrenaline. smash the two of them together!!

OMG. imagine now the party scene... pierre having a bit too much to drink, charles helping him out, the "your eyes have bits of green in them...!" it just fits so WELL, right? it could be so fun, omg.

so YEAH! those are the two options i (with some input from the brilliant minds on discord) can envision for a piarles 10 Things au. i think that both versions would be DELICIOUS fics, and if i didn't have a WIP list longer than charles' new ferrari contract, i'd definitely be adding it to my list of things to write 🙏

as it stands, though, this one will probably just remain a daydream... but OH, my gosh, what a delightful daydream!!

[chaoticgeminate]

Kinktober 2022 - Day Three

Pairing: Javi Gutierrez x f!Reader

Rating: Explicit (If that was not entirely clear)

Series Summary: You’re a fanfiction writer turned novelist, which was great since it was the path you wanted your writing to take you down in life. What you never thought would happen was meeting the Javier Gutierrez, who you actively write smutty fanfiction about from his film with Nic Cage, and you especially didn’t expect him to have a crush on you.

Fast forward several months of dating, with a good chunk of your relationship being distance due to his constant traveling and having to go home to Mallorca, when he surprises you with a prompt list and a vacation planned around exploring it.

You haven’t even worked up the nerve to tell him about what you write and post to Tumblr about him as a character yet.

Notes: Going to be using prompts from @ the-purity-pen for my meta as hell indulgence! There are feelings in this (I have no idea how they got there) and I may end up removing some possible chapters here and there depending on how I’m feeling, I apologize in advance if that happens because my brain is super mean sometimes.

Possible Warnings: Semi-public teasing, Javi with leather gloves, emotional vulnerability, very low on the smut and heavy on the softness

Glove Kink (2.5k)

“Most embarrassing thing you’ve ever done?”

“Forget to change my Wi-Fi password before Nic Cage arrived, and you?”

Waking up was slow now that you had no obligations to go anywhere or do anything, you could lounge in bed with Javi for as long as you wanted, so the pair of you had agreed to pass the time doing one of those dumb “questions new partners should ask one another” things you’d seen rotating on your Tumblr feed.

“Writing a smut scene in public.” Even now the horrified look on the old woman’s face that had been sitting beside you at the coffee shop was just as clear in your mind as the day it happened, she had invaded your privacy by leaning over to read what you were writing while you’d gone to get your order from the pick-up counter, it was both funny and mortifying.

Javi was holding one of your hands in his, the one under your head, while his free hand traced swirling patterns on your hip. He was only wearing briefs, just like you were only wearing underwear, and he’d mentioned wanting to take you on a drive today whenever it was the pair of you decided to get up.

Your eyes drifted to the printed prompt list on your bedside table with two crossed out spaces, trying not to laugh since it was still a hard thing to believe. You really did feel like you’d walked right into one of your own fanfictions, especially with this lavish vacation, and while it was fun to experience it there was a small part of you that worried he’d find something about you he didn’t like.

That maybe something you were into was too much for him, or something he liked would squick you out, and it was scary because of how much you adored this man.

“None of your books have adult content in them, Solecita, I’ve read them all.”

“Yet, Javi, none have adult content yet. When you came over to invite me for our month long sexcation I was working on an adult scene.”

He hummed behind you and kissed the back of your shoulder, looking over the list printed on your phone screen.

“A day you will never forget?” That was a question you mulled over, for a moment, since there were many. So many that related to just your history in writing alone. The day you were able to quit working to become a writer full time? The day you posted the last chapter on your -to this day- longest and most popular fanfiction? When you first announced you were planning to pursue professional writing on Tumblr and all your mutuals had rallied behind you? Your first review ever?

But there were others, personal ones too, like the day you met your Tumblr wife for the first time. Maybe the day you and Javi even met, that writing workshop forever seared into your memory, or even the day you got your own place at long last? It was a big ask to single one day out of so many but you did have one that you could put above the others.

“The first time I saw you on a talk show interview, how you were so earnest and timid and sweet despite the life you’d known growing up, I remember being so heartbroken for you that your own cousin would be so cruel but so proud that you worked with the Spanish and US military to end everything.” His hand stilled but Javi ran his nose along the curve of your shoulder and smiled into your skin, you didn’t need to see him to know he was flushed and his eyes would be misty. You captured his hand on your hip and pulled him around you, the hug firm and you knew that was what he needed most.

Affirmation that he was in fact a good man.

“Yours?”

“The day I first saw you, it was a book signing at your local book store. I was in town for a meeting and looking for a book on English grammar, this was before I even met Nic Cage, and seeing you was magic. So lively, so free, just talking and greeting everyone who came up to your table so kindly and talking with them about your books. I was too late to join the line but that was when I bought my copies, with a promise made that I would bring them to another book signing. Naturally that was when everything became so busy.” It explained so much about how worn, but well loved, his copies were; how the fates had shoved you together before the two of you knew it.

When the fuck did your life become every fanfic trope?

Not that you were complaining, far from it.

“That was my only book signing so far, it was really overwhelming so I needed to make sure I could handle more and I just haven’t… worked up the nerve. I keep panicking because what happens if I wake up on the day of the signing but my anxiety causes all executive functions to halt? What if it turns out to be a day where I’m hyperaware of everything I see as a flaw in myself, or I’m having a sensory overload issue that day? It’s just hard.” Admitting that out loud made you feel silly, this was a man who met with some of the most influential people in film and business and you were struggling with meeting a small number of fans.

Javi hugged you even tighter.

“It is very hard and that is okay, you don’t have to do book signings at all if you decide not to, it is not a bad thing or disservice to people who enjoy your work to put your mental and emotional health above things like public appearances and meet ups.” His reassurances made you smile and the pair of you laid there in a comfortable silence for a little bit after that, just relaxing at having each other here.

But eventually you did have to get up.

“What are those?” Your voice hitched in volume and pitch unintentionally at the sight of Javi in the driver’s seat of his convertible, what had captured your focus was the brown leather gloves he was wearing with his tweed slacks and white button down; he’d told you to dress semi-formally so you’d put on one of the dresses that you’d brought along -which the staff had taken to get rid of any wrinkles- since you knew it looked good on you.

Javi’s eyes were bright with mirth and desire and he looked you up and down, following your gaze to his hands, and a devious look took over his face as he grinned in a way that shot heat all the way to your core.

“Today? Just driving gloves. Tomorrow, however, these will be a beautiful necklace.” Heat slithered down your spine and your ragged intake of breath made Javi’s devilish expression darken further, if that was even possible, and he patted the seat beside him playfully. Your legs were shaky as you got into the car and the teasing made you bold, wanting to throw him off just as badly as he had you, so when he pulled out of the gated entrance you took his right hand and slipped it up your skirt gently.

You didn’t want to wrinkle the fabric, after all.

“To think I expected you to come out of this experience the most flustered. Instead, you’ve got me soaking my underwear on the way to wherever we’re going.” Javi’s eyes stayed on the road, mindful of the risk, but when the pair of you hit a stretch of empty road with no houses on either side his hand rose up to slip beneath the cotton lace and he groaned low and long at the slick feeling against two of his gloved fingertips.

The leather dampened the sensation for him, sure, but not for you. It was hard to stop yourself from making it obvious where Javi’s hand was but he pulled back and brought the moist leather to your mouth instead and since the road was still very empty you made sure it was a show that he was missing.

Javi grunted in warning when you teased your tongue around each digit before drawing it into your mouth, sucking slow and long, and he hooked your chin in his hand when you let go of his wrist. The force of the motion made you wetter than before, you were used to Javi being more service top than straight up big dick top energy.

“We’re eating brunch at the Ritz, Solecita, but after that I wonder how long it would take for you to ruin these gloves.” The promise made you tingle all the way down to your toes and part of you wondered if you could get away with making him hot and bothered over the course of your meal until his grip on your chin tightened, he’d glanced away from the road to look at you for only a moment and must’ve read the look on your face.

“I need you to behave during brunch, por favor, we will not be dining alone. A business associate of mine, Ramón Velazquez, was on the island on a vacation with his wife and when he found out I flew down and had not reached out to him he took it as a slight. I apologize but I used you as an excuse as to why I had not done so, he now wishes to meet you.” All your playful energy melted away and was quickly replaced with immediate worry, it hadn’t even crossed your mind that while you were here he might take you somewhere where you’d run into people from his social circle.

Part of your worry had always been the way people might see the two of you; this gorgeous and funny and charming man beloved by all for his heroics and his film, and a not close to famous author who lived in a small apartment and was practically married to writing and lurking on Tumblr. You were a nobody compared to Javi and while you knew that was okay, you knew he’d picked you and the opinions of others didn’t matter, there was still always going to be that worry of presenting yourself as someone worthy of his affections.

“Solecita, I can practically hear you thinking negatively of yourself. Relax and please trust me? I would not put you in a situation where anyone would be rude or snide to you, I promise.”

“Is that why you haven’t invited me to Mallorca?”

Your voice was small and a little pathetic but you had to know; most of the pictures of the parties at his home were opulent and everyone was dripping with diamonds and jewels, wearing designer clothes and drinking the most expensive of drinks. Javi let go of your chin to take your hand instead, now that you were approaching where there were more homes and storefronts on either side of the road.

“I have not yet invited you to Mallorca because every time I take you anywhere that isn’t within your usual budget you seem miserable; my home is a showcase of the wealth of my family and I did not want to scare you away or make you feel as though I were flaunting the differences in our income.” His confession was just as soft as your insecure ask, the fact that he was so quick to recognize when you were feeling vulnerable was another reminder that he was nothing like anyone you’d been with in the past.

There was always some level of miscommunication, some wrong move that would lead to an inevitable fight, but not with him.

Which was both fucking terrifying and a big fucking relief.

Javi handed the keys to the valet after you arrived at the Ritz -his gloves removed and put into the glove box- and you followed him into the upscale building, half expecting your boyfriend to walk up to any of the suit-clad men, but instead he meandered to a portly man with tortoise shell wayfinders that were broken and held together with tape in the center and a beautiful woman wearing a dress you recognized from Torrid.

“Ramón, mi amigo, forgive me.”

The two men hugged each other tightly and you looked at Ramón’s wife as she smiled at you and took your hand when you offered it.

“Hello, I am Eleana, it is nice to meet you. I know you probably get this often but would it be possible to have you sign my copies of your books? I have them in our room back in the Sunshine Suites just on the next block.” It struck you then that Ramón and Eleana weren’t as wealthy as you believed, not that you had looked up the prices of resorts and hotels on the Cayman Islands before you got here.

That was a lie.

You had.

For research purposes, of course.

 All you could do was nod and feel a little surprised that she even knew of you outside of your relationship with Javi.

“Absolutely, I appreciate that you read them.”

“My sister Nina was the one to tell me about your series, she and I love them, we bought the entire trilogy. Oh, she will be so jealous that my copies are signed and hers are not. We know you’re working on a new series and we’re so excited.” You felt warm in the face as Eleana gushed about your books, talking about your writing style and how everything flowed but in a way that felt natural, and she even mentioned areas where you’d thrown weak little patches over plot holes because you didn’t have a real fix without reworking nearly the entire series.

One of the only things that you struggled with about converting your work from fanfiction to an original work, really, was working in the constraints of what you’d already written.

You held up a hand to stop Eleana before tugging on Javi’s elbow gently, earning his attention and distracting him from his conversation.

“I’m sorry to interrupt, is there a bookstore nearby? Eleana asked me to sign her copies of my books and then mentioned her sister getting jealous, I’d like to send Nina signed copies.” Javi’s eyes twinkled as he placed a call to Cézar since the housekeeper was local, it was a quick conversation and you could feel the way Eleana’s eyes were definitely on you the entire time.

“Cézar will have the books delivered to the Sunshine Suites front desk by the time we finish brunch, I have enough room in the convertible for the two of you to ride with us since I suspect we will all be full up from the meal.” Ramón let out a hearty laugh and Eleana captured your hands with a bright smile, thanking you profusely.

Javi hugged you from behind and kissed your cheek as you finally introduced yourself to his friend, a set lighting specialist rather than an executive or actor or something, and the gentle reminder that Javi could -and did- have people outside the ‘wealth’ class as friends was beginning to set in at last.

All Fics Taglist: @hardc0rehaylz @wordsnwhiskey @pagannightwitch @radiowallet @musings-of-a-rose @amneris21 @trickstersp8 @practicalghost @rominaszh @alwaysdjarin @alexxavicry

Just Pedro Taglist: @maievdenoir @beecastle @littlemisspascal @writeforfandoms @AynsleyWalker @lovesbiggerthanpride @mswarriorbabe80

Alt Taglist: @imtryingmybeskar @fan-of-encouragement @grogusmum @sizzlingcloudmentality @deadhumourist @prostitute-robot-from-the-future

Kinktober Only: @nicolethered @katareyoudrilling

[jonathanbyersphd]

Fic writer asks! 14, 16, 32, 39 :)

14. how do you write emotional scenes? Do you ever feel what the characters feel? Do you draw from personal experiences?

The spirit of Nancy Wheeler or Jonathan Byers enters my body, possesses me and it results in a paragraph. The serious answer is I don't feel like I write really big emotional scenes, but I'm also very specific about what music I listen to when I write so I think that's how I tap into emotions. For emotional dialogue specifically, I try to imagine if I could see/hear the character saying it and then edit as necessary

16. How many fic ideas are you nurturing right now? Share one of them?

PLS 😭 SO MANY SO SO SO SO MANY. The one that infected my brain today is a Modern AU for Byler where they're coworkers at a Barnes & Noble, Mike sells Books & Will is a barista but idk if anything Will come from that. I'm also rotating Jonathan & Nancy in the microwave per usual (who can say what their up to) but the big one I want to start is the 10 Things I Hate About You Byler/Jancy AU

32. Name three of your favorite fanfic writers.

Stoprobbers, maddie_grove, gnarly_love & You ofc! (but also I love all of our Jancy writers so much)

39. Share a snippet from a WIP

Nancy adjusts her bangs and applies lipstick as final checks. She's not going to stay out long, but Mike has practically begged her to join him and Will. So now she's meeting them at some bar downtown to celebrate Jonathan's birthday. She's halfway out the door before she remembers to grab her phone.  'ur late'  A text from Mike reads she rolls her eyes. She's not even that late. Her phone starts buzzing in her hand, God could her brother be more obnoxious.  "What?!" Nancy snaps answering the phone "Hello to you too" Jonathan laughs Technically, Jonathan is her ex. But they had both been so young Nancy really doesn't feel like it counts. They had dated for a while in high school but broken up right before college. There were no hard feelings really, they just wanted different things. So now they're just friends, quasi in-laws and she ignores the flips in her stomach after too many glasses of wine when he looks at her. She makes a mental note to stick to vodka sodas tonight. "Sorry Mike is on my ass and I didn't-" Nancy starts to explain "Oh good so you're late too" he jokes "How can you be late when you live with them?” she questions “Despite what your dad thinks I do have this thing called a job” he snarks  “Ha ha very funny” “But you are coming right?” he checks  “I am literally on my way” she promises “Good I don't want to spend the whole night with Mike and Will being Mike and Will” he complains “Yea I figured” she half-laughs back Their brothers had gotten engaged recently and made sure everyone knew it. Nancy would consider it cute if they weren't obnoxious in front of a newly single Jonathan. In her opinion it was bad enough he had to move into their brother's place, but the boys seemingly have no worries over whether or not they're upsetting him.  “Ground control to major Nancy” he jokes  “Yea yea sorry lost in thought” she apologizes  “You don't say” he teases “Why did you call again?” she sasses back at him “Do you need a ride?” he questions sincerely "No Jonathan, I don't need a ride to your birthday dinner" she assures him exasperated “Alright just checking, I'll see you soon” “Yea see ya” she tells him ending their call

^ Idk if that will become a fic we'll see

[puppyeared]

brain worms telling me to draw my sillies again im gonna lose it

[kung-laos-hat]

Kiss Me

Kung Lao x Fem!Reader

AN: Kung Lao, my beloved. Wrote this while listening to Kiss Me More by Doja Cat ft. SZA, banger song. Not proof read yet‼️

Summary: Who doesn’t like when a little friendly rivalry turns into something more?

“You ready to meet your match this time?” Kung Lao chuckled, adjusting his footing and placing a hand on the tip of his hat.

“Course’ I am Lao,” (Y/n) huffed, getting into position, “When they get here make sure to let me know, yeah?”

This had become a daily occurrence. After dinner time, when lessons and training were done for the evening, the three of them would return to the court and cash in on a little sparring. It was their odd way of spending time together outside of missions, plus with the grand tournament coming up, they could use the extra practice.

Usually they had a rotation system that went Liu versus (Y/n), then (Y/n) versus Lao, then Liu versus Lao. They would rest a little after each match, then continue on per usual. However today’s session was going a little different.

Yesterday, (Y/n) had won against Lao and was so proud of her achievement she couldn’t help but rub it in, and Lao, being the prideful young man he was, demanded a rematch. He claimed the mission he’d gone on earlier that day had screwed him over physically. (Y/n) agreed to it, and now here they were.

“3...2...1... fight!” Liu Kang called out from the top on the stairs leading into the main hallway. As the pair lunged at each other, causing reddish brown puffs of dirt to fly off of the ground, he calmly sat and observed.

Minutes passed, and neither party seemed to have even made a scratch on the other. However, an impressive amount of blocking was being done by Kung Lao currently, so Liu assumed the victory would go to (Y/n). The girl had a giddy smile plastered across her face, and it seemed like she, too, expected the victory to be hers.

Liu turned to the side and reached for his water, but noticed he hadn’t brought any with him. He sighed and stood up.

“I’m going to fetch some water from the kitchen. Continue on, but please don’t wreck anything or kill each other. Master will have a fit and then I’ll receive part of the blame for not monitoring you two properly.” Liu said.

“Expect to come back to my—,” (Y/n) began before dodging a kick, “Another one of my victories!”

“Fat chance!”

Previous to all of this, the two friends already had some sort of tension between them. It started off as a friendly rivalry, competing for trifling things such as the last egg roll or using the bathroom first in the morning. But as the years passed, the competitons began to become more... personal. And so did the bickering. Somehow (Y/n) and Lao shifted from “if you don’t shut up I’m gonna kick your ass” to “if you don’t shut up, I’m gonna make you.”

Nevertheless, the three of them quite enjoyed their dynamic (despite Liu Kang shooting knowing looks at the two individually).

Now (Y/n) had Kung Lao backed into a corner with her (weapon/power) held against his neck. Lao strained his neck upwards, his left arm holding his hat behind his back.

“That was the saddest block I’ve seen all day, Lao. Do you yield yet?” (Y/n) smirked triumphantly.

He glanced down at her and huffed. “Watch your tongue, (Y/n).”

He swiftly slid his foot under her, knocking her off her feet, and brought his hat back up to his head before disappearing into the ground. He reappeared behind her and attempted to pin her to the ground, but she jumped up and tackled the boy, landing with her legs straddling Lao’s right one and her hand on his chest.

“You’re so predictable these days,” (Y/n) laughed.

Lao propped himself up on his elbows, “You’re only saying that because you’ve gotten used to my moves.”

“Maybe you should take some time away from me,” (Y/n) jeered, “Y’know, and learn some better ones.”

Lao furrowed his eyebrows, “God, if you don’t stop flapping your mouth—,”

“You’re trapped under me, what are you gonna do? Kiss me?” She laughed.

Lao brought his leg up and forcefully kicked her off, sending her tumbling across the court. (Y/n) jumped onto her feet, narrowly avoiding hitting the wall.

“If you keep that up I just might.” Lao teased.

“You wouldn’t have the nerve,” (Y/n) lunged at him again.

Lao used his hat to block her attack and landed a solid kick to her side. “Is that a challenge?”

God, every word that came out of the girl’s mouth was beginning to get him fired up. He could feel his chest begin to tingle with a mix of excitement and anxiety. What if (Y/n) genuinely wanted to kiss him? If he tried, would she pull away? Kung Lao had always been the bolder of the two, but still.

Kung Lao charged at her and grabbing her hands, holding them behind her back with one hand before she could fully regain her footing. With his other hand he grasped the collar of her top and pulling her closer to his body. (Y/n) was paralyzed by this sudden action and her breath hitched. She looked up at Lao with uncertainty, the color of her cheeks turning redder than the fabric Liu Kang tied around his head.

Lao’s hand trailed up to her face, holding the side of her jaw with his pointer and middle finger while his thumb traced circles over her lower lip. Lao was looking directly into her eyes now.

“Just say the word and I will, (Y/n).” His tone was quieter and more serious than ever before.

(Y/n)’s mouth quivered. It felt like her brain had entirely blanked and she couldn’t find anything clever to respond with.

“I— I... I yield!” She cried, quickly pulling away in embarrassment.

(Y/n) ran up the stairs just as Liu Kang returned. She nodded to him in acknowledgment, but continued to rush off to her room.

Liu stopped and glanced from her retreating figure to his cousin who stood along in the court.

“So... who won?” He cocked an eyebrow in confusion. Kung Lao buried his face in his hands.

———

The next couple of days seemed incredibly off to everyone. (Y/n) went out of her way to avoid interacting with Kung Lao, and vice versa. Lao’s thoughts were just too jumbled for him to approach her, no matter how much he wanted a confirmation on whether she felt the same or not, and (Y/n) was having a difficult time making sense of Lao’s actions.

What would happen if they did like each other? Although at this point, neither of them were sure if “like” was the correct term to use. (Y/n) was certain up until then that Kung Lao had meant everything was a joke and simply took this one a little too far. The insults, the flirting, all of it had been a joke, right? That was their silent agreement. Lao would never do anything with the intention of... well... getting to (Y/n), per say. Their intentions with eachother had always been purely platonic.

But was that really the truth in (Y/n)’s case? Or had she been ignorant to her own feelings towards the boy all along? Is that why she couldn’t stand to look him in the eye now? What if she really was in—

“(Y/n)! Master wants me to accompany him somewhere, so I can’t make it tonight.” Liu called out as he jogged to catch up with the girl.

She blinked, “Oh, it’s alright Liu, we can reschedule for another night then.”

He stretched his arms over his head. “Why don’t you use the time to catch up with Kung Lao? It seems like you two hardly got to spend time together this week.”

(Y/n) blushed and began to shift her feet uncomformably, “Lao and I— we’re- I haven’t...” She sighed, “I’m not exactly in the mood to talk to him any time soon.”

Liu frowned, “It isn’t my place to speak in the matter, and I’m not sure what went down between you two, but If Lao said something I’m sure he didn’t mean it.”

The girl groaned and leaned her head back. “That’s what I’m afraid of...” She mumbled.

Liu placed a hand on her head and ruffled her hair, then placed both of his hands on her shoulders.

“You’re a smart girl, I’m sure you two will be back on track eventually. Remember: a little communication goes a long way.”

She nodded, “You’re right, I know. I’ll try to sort it out.”

___

Now, Kung Lao was completely crumbling over why (Y/n) had pushed him away. He believed that (Y/n) felt something for him, he was sure of it, and he’d been searching for an opportunity to pursue her for months. So when she jokingly asked if he would kiss her, how could he have resisted?

It was an impulsive decision, he admitted, but he was so sure she felt the same that he thought it didn’t matter. Maybe he should have been more forward and confessed his feelings for her in a different setting.

Buuuuut it was too late now. He blew it. And now she was avoiding him. He was a fool to assume such things about her.

Lao signed and threw himself done on his bed, sprawling his arms and legs out dramatically.

“Cousin? I’m heading out soon, I came to say goodbye—,” Liu’s voice faltered when he saw the state of his friend. He stifled a laugh. “Y’know, if you if this is effecting you so badly, why not just apologize and talk to her?”

Lao’s head shot up in alarm. “Oh no, how much did she tell you!?”

Liu laughed, “Little to nothing, but that doesn’t mean I haven’t noticed the strange energy between you two lately.”

Lao groaned and sat up.

“Heed my advice, and stop moping around, Lao.” Liu patted the other young man’s shoulder before setting off to find their master.

___

A few hours passed and Kung Lao finally felt like he had the right words to explain how he felt to (Y/n). Yes, he’d spent hours cooped up in his room, scribbling his thoughts down on paper until he ultimately decided it was best to be direct. The poor girl was probably confused enough as it was.

It was settled then. He’d talk to her tomorrow after training and lessons, but right now it was probably best to focus on dinner.

He silently walked down the main hall and towards the kitchen. He was sheet he staff had already cleaned up dinner, and seeing as he wasn’t present to eat with the others, it was likely they didn’t bother to prepare him a plate.

Lao opened the door but froze in his tracks at the sight of (Y/n) standing in front of the counter, her shirt stained with the remnants of assorted ingredients. She staggered back at the sight of him in the door way. Lao’s eyes strayed to a small tray of egg rolls and a few other dishes.

“Kung Lao,” She breathed out.

He cleared his throat. “That seems a little excessive for a late night snack.”

“Oh this—,” (Y/n) glanced to the tray and back at him, “You weren’t at dinner, and I didn’t expect you to come to the kitchen... it was supposed to be a secret.”

“I see.” Kung Lao was silent for a moment. “Oh. OH— this is,” He gestured to the tray awkwardly, “for me...”

(Y/n) pursed her lips and nodded, glancing down at the floor. The two of them stood without a word for a moment, anxiety building up in their stomachs. Neither of them wanted to be the first to break the silence, and yet both of them had so much to say.

“I’m sorry.” (Y/n) mumbled at last. “I took our usual teasing too far last time, and I shouldn’t have avoided you—,”

“I wanted to kiss you.” Kung Lao blurted out. “I still do. And wanted you to want me to kiss you.”

“Kung Lao, the jokes we made were fun and all—,”

“Well, I’m not playing around anymore, (Y/n). This time it isn’t a joke.” The serious look he had on the other day had returned.

“So...,” (Y/n) began, barely a whisper, “what are you saying?”

Kung Lao exhaled heavily and furrowed his brows. “How can I be any more transparent right now!?” He growled, “I’m in love with you, (Y/n).”

It was as if a heavy weight had been lifted off of both of their chests in that moment.

(Y/n) smiled and wasted no time to wrap her arms around Kung Lao’s neck and press her lips against his. He kissed back without hesitation and wrapped his arms around her body shamelessly. Kung Lao deepened the kiss, and their lips moved together feverently, as if this was something they’d both been yearing for for a while.

When they finally separated, (Y/n) rested her head in the crook of Lao’s neck, sighing happily.

“You know what? I think I just might be in love with you too, Lao.”

[flusteredloser]

subzero - beverly marsh x fem!reader

it fandom week: huddling for warmth

content warnings: mentions of intoxication, smoking, swearing, fire, harmless threats, inhaler abuse, enemies to lovers, also i’m making bev tall bc i love tall gals word count: 3k

at the ripe age of ten years old, you knew you wanted to become a mother. the appeal of bouncing children in your lap, tucking them into bed, and the empowering feeling of calming tantrums down was something you naively believed was your destiny.  now, ten-year-old you was never wrong, you knew that. but what you didn’t expect was for your dream to come true at eighteen, stuck mothering six drunken teenage sons during a hailstorm’s power outage.

“edward. kaspbrak. i swear to god, if you do not go to sleep right now i will knock you out with your own inhaler.”

eddie groans at your words, still teeter-tottering towards the mattress. richie was already in bed, practically dead for a past half-hour. 

thankfully, he didn’t wake up from his comatose state when eddie gracefully slammed headfirst into the bed. you held your breath as the bed shook under eddie’s weight. drunken eddie was already a nightmare, what more, an even worse nightmare when catalysed with richie’s antics.  mike was slightly more useful. after throwing up in almost every sink in the house, he helped carry a very tipsy ben up the stairs and they were now both unconscious down the hall. bill wasn't exactly a disturbance, but he was incredibly determined to show us that he could play the piano right now if asked, that his skills were only heightened after dark. (the fact that bill had never touched a piano in his life, or that bev's apartment didn't even have a piano wasn't stopping him). bev was taking care of them in the other room, and based on the muffled conversation, was still trying to coax bill to sleep.  you and bev being the losers’ designated sober pair for tonight was the worst idea that had ever occurred to anyone. ever. the eight of you agreed. if you needed something done, you’d never leave the two of you to do it together.  but stan had explained that the rotation required the two of you to pair up tonight, no matter what. you didn’t quite understand the necessity of it but in all honesty, you’d rather put up with bev’s clownery than upset stan further.   speaking of, you glance at the lump on the floor, peacefully swaddled and engulfed in the massive duvet. you should probably check on stan’s breathing later. 

now, though, you still had one child left.

hearing the sound of an air pump go off from the bed, you walk back to eddie.

“but i’m so cold and i’m not even tired,” said eddie, his inhaler still jammed in his mouth.

“eddie, the power will be back in no time, and if you keep pumping that shit in your mouth, you’re never going to feel tired,” you sigh, taking the aspirator away.

“no, but seriously.” eddie continues, his eyes filled with sleep-deprived mania. “i swear, i’m like wide awake, i don’t even need sleep right now, it’s technically the morning and nO WHAT THE HELL-”

clutching the pump in your hand, you watch the white vapour shoot against eddie’s face. nothing but eddie’s exasperated coughing filled the room.

“i told you, i’m not afraid to use this.”

“i thought...you said...you were going to...knock me out with it,” eddie questioned between coughs.

you narrow your eyes at him, “you keep this up and i will knock you with it.” 

“wow, you really are gonna make a great mother someday.”  you let out a deep groan, turning to see where the new voice came from. leaning against the doorframe with a lit cigarette between her fingers was bev in all her smug glory. 

“you know, after dealing with kaspbrak tonight, he makes you look like an angel,” you roll your eyes.

“hey!” you hear a muffled voice from under the blanket. 

“go to sleep, pretty boy,” bev chuckles, some smoke escaping with her laugh, “i know it’s hard after seeing her troll face but you have to try.”

you rolled your eyes again at the two giggles in the room, shuffling around the bed, carefully stepping around stan’s body. you continue to walk past bev and into the hall. 

the house was silent. no one lived here anymore but bev since you guys graduated, and since mr. marsh stopped residing here, the apartment had an almost peaceful quality.

walking past the guest room, you grin at the sight of mike, ben, and bill entwined together on the floor. oh, how much tamer this group would’ve been compared to the menaces next door. 

you snatch your backpack from the living room sofa and dug through the pockets anxiously. searching against the walls of your bag and still finding nothing, you began to feel more and more nervous. “fucking hell, where is it,” you whisper. at this rate, you weren’t sure if the thumping in your ears was from the sound of sharp hail hitting the windows or your heart beating in your throat. you stand up in a deeper panic, aggressively patting your pockets up and down.

“you know, as entertaining as this is to watch, i almost feel bad.” 

“bev..." you sigh. "i am not in the mood."

“why? too busy looking for your pack of camels?” you hear the sound of a familiar cardboard flap opening, “personally, i’m more of a marlboro girl but i mean, these work too.”

you spin around and storm up to bev, snatching the lit cigarette from her lips. “that’s mine?”

she smirks, “you left your backpack open, it was practically an invitation.” 

“an invitation for you to go through my shit?” you hissed, dangling the ignited end near her face.

she snatched her cig back and mockingly dangling it back near your face, “yeah, a formal invitation for me to smoke off this monstrosity of a temperature. what do you want, an apology too? i can write you one asap, let me find bill’s notebook-”

taking the cig back once more, you snap. "you’re such an ass, bev.”

she grins, following closely behind you. she could feel the heat radiating off of your body, and she secretly hoped you’d accidentally stop in your tracks so she could run into you. in the name of transferring body heat and what not. shaking off these thoughts that were hijacking her brain, she makes a kissy sound, “c’mon, you know you love it.”

“mmhm sure, bev. because i’m really into girls stealing my shit.”

pinching the flame from the cig and dumping it in the tray, she leads the both of you into the supply closet. she chuckles as she leans against the doorway, leaving you feeling trapped in the tight room. you knew she was laughing because you insisted on going in first and now that you were the one having to get the stuff, but you didn’t quite register that the things you needed was on the top shelf. up high stood a high stack of blankets. and they looked like they could singlehandedly cure the subzero temperature. 

clearly, you must have been looking up at the blankets for a moment too long because bev gave up and leaned forwards to grab the stack. the sensation of her flushed against your back was enough to make you dizzy, not to mention how absolutely warm she was. and of course... it was bev. 

bev. the girl who you rolled your eyes at every day, the girl who taunts you at any given minute, the girl you would, and had, risked your life for. you guys never talk about neibolt, but sometimes you catch yourself thinking of what could have happened if it went south. if you hadn’t grabbed her in time, and if you didn’t switch places just before pennywise launched at you...  absentmindedly tracing the scar down your stomach, you think of the absolute lack of regret you feel to this day. you always had this joke that you wanted to kill her, but how much of that was true?

“darling, did the cold already go and rot your brain?” bev faux-pouts, “not that there was much to begin with, but i’m still worried.” the stack of blankets was now under her arms with one stretched out as she began to wrap it around herself.

never mind. sometimes you did want to kill her. 

by habit, you went on your tip toes in order to get to bev’s face, but she was already crouched a couple inches from your face. trying to keep your racing heart under wraps, you choke out a semi-convincing “don’t make me murder you, beverly.”

she grins back your serious face. "aww no, i couldn’t let you do that. the knives and other weapons are also stored up there.” she teases, slinging her arm around your shoulder and dragging you to deliver the blankets to the boys. 

"oh, fuck off." you shove bev's arm off of you and walked back into richie, eddie, and stan's room. true to your word, you kneeled down to the floor and gently rolled stan’s head towards you. placing your two fingers against his pulse point, you giggle to yourself at the absurd action. if it wasn’t already obvious that he was indeed alive, he groans under you, but you shush him in time. lightly stroking his curls, you whisper. "i’m just checking up on you, stan,” placing the second blanket onto him. he groaned back.

quietly tip-toeing towards the bed, you tossed the other blanket over richie and eddie. “i swear, these guys would be dead already without us.” you laugh to yourself. 

a dim light flickers from the living room and casts a light across the hall. you shut the door behind you as you leave, going into the living room to see bev on the sofa, engulfed in her own large fleece blanket. the only thing peeking out was her face and hands as her she alternated flickering her lighter's warmth on her fingers. 

without thinking, you plop by her on the sofa. “whatcha doing there, you pyro?”

“it’s getting so fucking cold,” bev half-heartedly jokes. you can see her eyebrows are furrowed in concentration, but her voice was so contradictingly soft it made your heart melt.

you extended your open hand to her and she stared at it. “blood oath part two? promise to never be sober again during a powercut?”

“i wish, and shut up. don’t play dumb with me, beverly.”

you notice the slightest tinge in her cheeks as she places her hand along with her lighter in yours. you immediately recoil at her freezing fingertips and the lighter clatters to the ground. bev rolls her eyes and shifts away, “first you want to hold my hand, secondly you’re acting like i have fucking HIV.”

“firstly, smartass, i’d still hold your hand if you had HIV-”

“aww-”

“because it’s a blood-borne pathogen so unless you bleed or shit or lactate on my hand, i’m safe.”

bev’s face scrunches up. “how romantic.”

“now shut it and give me your hand already.” you say, placing your palm out for her again.

now bev is the one rolling her eyes at you for a change. she gives you her hand, much slower this time though, careful not to have you pull away again. not having you pull away? why was this something she was considering? 

immediately, bev felt the heat from your skin radiate against hers’, instantly igniting her skin in goosebumps. she instinctively gave you her other hand and you take with a soft smile. 

“now...why the hell are you built like a goddamn radiator.” bev grumbled, rubbing her hands together under yours.

“well, i don’t see you complaining, do i?” you raise your eyebrows.

“i’m not mad...it’s just that it’s not like you need it,” bev says between chuckles, “you’re like five feet tall. not exactly a lot of surface area to heat up.”

“you’re such a dick, bev. you’re losing your hand-holding privileges,” you side-eye, pulling your warm fingers away.

she gasped, “oh, don’t you dare.”

“yes, i do. it’s not like i’m dying to feel your freezing hands on me, bev.” you desperately try to make the statement sound as sarcastic as you can, but it ends up coming out much shakier than expected. 

even in the dark, you can see the glint of bev’s mischievous grin. “oh really? you don’t want to feel my freezing hands?” “is that a trick question?” you sigh exasperatedly, “because if you as much as-”

suddenly, you feel bev’s ice-cold fingers press against the skin on your ribcage and you immediately squeal. you clamp your hand over your mouth at the scare, you try and contain the others sounds that escape you as she further presses her freezing hands against your warm skin. scrambling away from her grasp, you slap the back of her head.

“you stop that right now or i will leave you on your own porch to freeze,” you threaten through gritted teeth.

“mmhm, like you would.” she teases, continuing to press the pads of her still-cold fingertips into your stomach. 

you felt your heart rate rise significantly, to the point that you were sure that your unknown warmness was actually due to bev making the blood pump 10x more than normal. every braincell swimming inside your head was on the brink of short-circuiting at the feeling of bev’s hands dancing along the edge of your bra. what the hell is she thinking?

after a couple more rounds of her threatening to freeze your midriff and you threatening to crack open a window, you both surrender and allow her keep her hands clasped between yours, resting atop your chest.

“are you not getting any warmer?” you groan, forcing yourself to snap out of your own feelings. 

“hey, you’re the hot-pack here. do you think i’m feeling any warmer?” she goes back to press her freezing palms against your stomach.

“no, no, no, do not do that again.”

bev sighs, “then what the hell am i supposed to do?” she sits upright and tightens the blanket around her head. shifting away from you, she shivers her way back into the other end of the sofa. “i’m dressed in triple the layers you are, moved around way more than you have, i’m even wearing this gigantic fleece eyesore-”

“oh for fuck’s sake just come back here.” you roll your eyes.

bev moves about an inch closer. 

you feel your heart constrict in your chest and you let yourself say it before you could think it any further, “i said, come here.” you lift one of your arms and gesture for her to come closer. scooting your body near to the end of the sofa, it was clear that the space you made was so she could easily crawl in next to you.

“are- are you... you want me to-”

you’re sure your whole face has gone red. bev she already can’t stand you so why not just make it even more awkward, huh? you bit your tongue gently, calming yourself down. if bev didn’t know that you offered to cuddle with her just because you could, then that was her fault for being so daft. you sigh, resuming back into your deadpan state. “yeah, i can’t listen to another minute of your whinging.”

“no, i heard you, i just-” she stammers, looking equally red herself. you feel a huge tiny sense of pride as you realised you’ve rendered bev speechless. beverly marsh. speechless.  

“what are you waiting for?” you tease, “a formal invitation?” 

having the upper hand for once was refreshing, if not thrilling. being the one to tease her and watch her become flustered was something you wish could happen more often. 

bev’s face breaks out in the softest smile you’ve ever seen. she slowly makes her way over to you, shifting her body close to yours without touching you yet. “is that too much to ask for? a formal invitation?” you let out an unexpected genuine laugh at her silliness and bev giggles in unison. this was different than your default laughter made of semi-amusement and sarcasm. she rests her weight against you, her cheek gently pressing into your collarbone. her fingertips resume their spot against the flushed skin of your stomach and your own cheeks turn red again. there wasn’t a functional reason for her to do that anymore.

“stop that before i regret this, bev.”

“there’s no way in hell you regret this.” she grins, followed by the faintest whisper of an “i sure don’t.”

you were about to reply and perhaps mention how you’d be okay with her falling asleep in your arms, that you could tolerate such juvenile behaviour. you know, in the name of public health and safety, but bev beats you to it.

“just let me warm up here for ten minutes, alright. then you can let go and i’ll sleep on my side right after,” she rushes out.

that wasn’t how you thought it was going to know. your heart sinks slightly at her words but you try not to take it personally. what else could you do? it was almost like a wake-up call, reminding the both of you that this wasn’t normal for you and bev. 

after a minute or so, you found yourself absentmindedly weaving your fingers through bev’s auburn hair, gently combing it with your hands like you did earlier with stan. “you have such soft hair,” you whisper against her hair. 

you hear her mumble against the blanket indistinguishably and you find yourself closing your eyes at the vibrations of her voice against you. if only bev wanted to stay here like this and this feeling between the two of you could last more than the next ten minutes. you let your eyelids drift down momentarily, and you smile at the thought.

just a couple minutes later, your mind jolts back awake, and your heart sinks at the thought of having to wake her up so she could move to her side of the sofa and sleep. you reach over to feel the ends of her hair between your fingers again, grounding yourself to this feeling one last time before bev had to wake up. once you peel your eyes open however, you immediately shut them against the bright light shining at you. was richie planning on abducting y’all in the middle of the night again? gently prying your eyes open for the second time, you notice the light is shining from the window. you sigh in relief.

wait. the window? 

your eyes shoot open fully. the hail had stopped. and it’s day time. 

snapping your head down to bev, you take in her figure still fit snugly into your side. her free arm rests across your chest, her legs were entwined with yours. ...and her electric blue eyes stare right into you. your heart instantly jumps into your throat as you scramble for excuses, fuck, anything that would keep you from explaining yourself.

instead, she shifts her body upwards so she’s fit even tighter against your side,  placing her face into the crook of your neck. her lips were right at your pulse point, sending your mind spiralling at the thought that she could probably feel how fast your heart was beating right now. her lips move against your skin, saying something barely above a whisper.

“you tell anyone about this and i’ll fucking end you.”

[miraculousluvbug]

WINGLESS | Ch. 8

***New to Wingless? Start at Chapter 1!

CH. SUMMARY: Ladybug has no idea what to do with her Lucky Charm, but she soon realizes it was never intended for fighting. She has one duty: protect Chat Noir.

> > > REVEAL DAY > > >

Ladybug hunched over, hands on her knees, bracing herself. She desperately tried to fill her lungs with oxygen, but each attempt felt like filling a sieve with water. This akuma was ranking pretty high up on the mental list she’d been forming since she first became Ladybug. She and Chat Noir could barely land a hit and Rena Rouge and Carapace weren’t faring any better.

And not to mention, they still hadn’t figured out the akumatized object.

She heard boots land beside her, but she didn’t need to look up to know Chat was there. She recognized the notes of his footfall like she would her favorite song on the radio.

“This is getting out of hand,” he said between pants. His voice was absent of its usual mirth and it frightened her. She relied on his lighthearted approach to imminent danger to contrast her immobilizing fear.

“I have . . . no idea . . . what to do with this,” she replied breathlessly, holding up her Lucky Charm.

Chat rounded to the front of her and squinted at it, scratching his head between his leather ears. “Is that . . . tin foil?”

Ladybug nodded, still a bit out of breath. “Rena and Carapace?”

“They’re distracting Sirena with illusions of us.”

“I wish we knew who she was.”

“Me, too.”

“And your shoulder?”

Chat tried to make a spectacle of rotating his arm. “It’s purr-fectly fine, I sw-- Ow!” Chat recoiled when his left arm hit just the right angle, spreading a frantic fire through his nerves.

Ladybug frowned.

“Okay, so maybe my shoulder isn’t fine. But it will be when we beat Sirena. I’ve been hurt in a battle before.” Fighting Riposte after injuring his leg as Adrien was not fun. Weredad was even worse. He shivered thinking of Tom akumatized and tried to play it off, but Ladybug remained unamused. “Really. It’s no biggie! Let’s just focus on a plan for the akuma. She’s already foiled our picnic plans.”

Ladybug held in a snort.

A silence draped over the pair as their minds raced and adrenaline coursed through their bodies. It was far from uncomfortable; they were quite accustomed to the quiet that sometimes accompanied their strategizing. Ladybug was a little--okay, maybe a lot eager to finish the battle so she and Chat could get back to their prior engagement: Reveal Day. She had worked so hard on his gift and the akuma had ruined everything, swallowing it and the picnic basket she had prepared in its ascending waters.

She even stayed up into the wee hours of the night baking him cat-shaped macarons!

But this akuma was accompanied by a sentimonster unlike anything they had seen yet. It was a whirlpool with teeth the size of limousines and its existence seemed to entail a supernatural rising of the tides. The thing was so grisly Ladybug tried not to look too hard at it in case her lunch decided to make a comeback.

That wasn’t even the half of it, though.

Oh, no, there just had to be more! The second anything touched said supernatural waters, it turned to seafoam. Humans included. Which is why Ladybug and Chat Noir had chosen to reconvene on the highest ground they could think of: Montparnasse Tower.

Like her sentimonster, the akuma was just as grotesque. Whenever Ladybug could get a decent look at her, she felt the itching sensation of goosebumps scorch her arms and back. Sirena appeared to be half-bird, half-human with razor-sharp talons for feet, splotchy feathers covering her legs, and gargantuan wings sprouting from her back. Her eyes were gray and devoid of life, and Ladybug had to wonder if they had the ability to also suck the life from a person. But what made Sirena the most dangerous was her affinity for song.

When she opened her mouth and sang, the whole world stopped to listen and obey, even if that meant walking into the perilous waters and ceasing to exist altogether.

“The ear plugs were a great idea, by the way, kitty cat,” Ladybug told Chat, beaming with pride.

Before Ladybug could process what was happening and that she was inching closer and closer to the water, Chat had stolen some toilet paper from a nearby convenience store and stuck it in all of the team’s ears, breaking the spell.

The compliment warmed Chat’s cheeks. “Thanks,” he said softly.

“How did you manage to snap out of it?”

“I--I don’t know. I don’t even know if I ever was under her spell. I think it has to do with my feline hearing?”

Ladybug’s brow furrowed. “So her singing didn’t affect you?”

Chat puckered his lips before letting out the most endearing laugh Ladybug had ever had the pleasure of hearing. “That was singing? All I heard was high-pitched screeching.”

Ladybug tried to stifle a laugh of her own but ultimately failed. Never one to miss an opportunity for clownery, Chat crossed his eyes, held out his hands like a zombie, and filled the air with velociraptor noises. Ladybug’s ribs hurt from laughing so hard.

“Maybe it has to do with frequencies?” Ladybug supplied, wiping a stray tear from her eye.

Chat shrugged, a goofy smile on his lips.

Rena Rouge and Carapace joined them then, but they appeared better off than Ladybug and Chat had been five minutes ago.

“I’ve got Sirena chasing Illusion Ladybug and Chat Noir, but I’m not sure it’ll last much longer,” Rena informed the team.

“Please tell me you have a plan, LB,” Carapace pleaded.

Ladybug and Chat Noir shared a look before Ladybug smiled sheepishly, rubbing the back of her neck with her free hand.

“Oh, man, dudes.” Carapace hung his head. “Sirena is, like, no joke. Who even is she?”

“We don’t know,” Ladybug and Chat replied in tandem.

“Yeah, and didn’t we already have a siren akuma? Shadow Moth has gotten so lazy,” Rena complained, crossing her arms.

Ladybug chuckled softly. “There was a siren akuma, but it was nothing like this.”

That akuma was the more colloquial version, having presented like a mermaid rather than like she came straight out of a Greek epic. She also didn’t have a raging whirlpool for a sentimonster and Ladybug could touch the water without disappearing.

Without warning, Alya burst out in laughter. “Wait a minute, girl. I remember seeing you use a trash bin as a boat that day!” Chat gawked at his partner and Ladybug felt her cheeks redden in shame. She firmly avoided eye contact. “Geez, you were so suspicious. I should have put two and two together way before you told me.”

“Rena,” Ladybug growled. She clenched her fists at her side and felt the roll of foil yield to her iron grip. It crinkled, drawing Rena’s attention.

“Oh, is that the Lucky Charm?” Rena asked, gesturing toward it with her flute.

“Yeah, but I’m not sure what to use it for.”

Both Rena and Carapace stared at the Lucky Charm for a moment. Then they stared at each other.

“Right, well,” Rena started while Carapace slowly backed away. “We’ll keep watch over there while you figure it out,” she finished. Then she elbowed her best friend gently and winked. “I believe in you.”

When they were out of earshot, Ladybug’s shoulders slumped. “Thanks,” she muttered glibly to no one in particular.

Chat blinked. “Bug? You okay?”

The tenderness in Chat’s voice took Ladybug by surprise. As it always did. How did he do that? How did he always know when she needed it the most?

Because he’s your other half, her traitorous brain supplied.

Ignoring her subconscious, Ladybug gave him a small smile and raised her fist. “You and me against the world?”

Chat eyed her fist before his face softened and he met her fist with his own. “Always.”

The anxiety gripping Ladybug’s heart loosened a bit, giving her just enough leeway to inspect her Lucky Charm and pray for a plan. She unraveled the foil a smidge, holding it up against the sun to get a better look.

“Hey, watch where you point that,” Chat warned when the foil reflected an overwhelming white light into his eyes. Not wanting it to happen again, he elected to stand near Rena and Carapace for the time being.

Ladybug chuckled nervously and opened her mouth to apologize, but the words died on her lips. She stiffened. Chills shot down her spine.

There, reflected by the foil, was the akuma torpedoing towards them. Darkness shrouded her figure as the sun eclipsed her wings, and catching Ladybug’s eye in the foil’s reflection only spurred her on. Light glinted off something in her hand, blinding Ladybug in one eye. The moment she realized what it was, her body jumped into action.

Dropping the foil, the spotted heroine raced so desperately her speed could rival sound. Funny how it still felt like she moved in slow motion. Her heart thudded in her chest and all she could hear was her own breathing.

As she neared her teammates, it became clear whom Sirena meant to attack.

With deadly aim, she was hurtling straight for Chat Noir.

Chat Noir, who was too caught up laughing at Carapace’s joke then to hear Sirena’s wings slice the air.

Chat Noir, who had a bum shoulder.

Chat Noir, whose dazzling smile made her ponder if that’s what standing next to the sun was like.

Chat Noir, who had sacrificed himself for Ladybug so many times, she lost count.

Chat Noir, who loved her.

Ladybug’s leg muscles burned as she mustered every bit of energy her body had to offer. She had to push Chat out of the way!

You had Mayura right where you wanted her. I could have managed by myself. Why’d you do that?

Because while she knew Chat could handle himself against the akumas (bum shoulder or not), what she didn’t know was if the rogue blade Sirena wielded could pierce their suits, and she wasn’t about to let her partner become the test subject.

As Ladybug neared her partner, she realized that this was exactly what her Lucky Charm was meant for.

We’re Ladybug and Chat Noir. Ladybug by itself doesn’t sound half as cool.

The foil was never meant to defeat Sirena.

You’re nothing without your Chat Noir.

It was always meant to guide Ladybug.

Chat Noir and I are a team. If you take me on, you take Chat Noir on, too.

No matter what would happen, Ladybug knew without a shadow of a doubt that she was destined to protect Chat. Sirena may have been aiming for her partner, but . . .

If you take him on, you take Ladybug on, too.

“Chat, MOVE!” Ladybug cried, hoping that if she didn’t get there in time, a warning might be enough.

Chat’s Noir’s ears twitched. Turning, he had only a millisecond to process what he saw before Ladybug’s palm slammed against his chest.

-----

I've been anticipating this chapter (and the second part, Chapter 9) since I started writing this beast. After a few revisions, I'm pretty happy with this chapter. A big THANK YOU for reading 🥰 writing wouldn't be half as fun without sharing 🥺 Follow me for updates and check out my Instagram where I post art!

(8/?) Previous | Next

[jess-themess05]

I posted 901 times in 2022

That's 901 more posts than 2021!

117 posts created (13%)

784 posts reblogged (87%)

Blogs I reblogged the most:

@theohnocorral

@basyacriptid

@lovelymoonmagic

@ice-reblogs

I tagged 778 of my posts in 2022

Only 14% of my posts had no tags

#fnaf sun - 186 posts

#fnaf security breach - 179 posts

#fnaf daycare attendant - 167 posts

#fnaf moon - 159 posts

#fnaf - 123 posts

#beloved mutuals - 69 posts

#mutual shenanigans - 63 posts

#fnaf security breach au - 48 posts

#fnaf au - 38 posts

#fnaf eclipse - 34 posts

Longest Tag: 127 characters

#despite probably putting the fear of god in everyone who came across you admitting to have drunk fire starter and sulfuric acid

My Top Posts in 2022:

#5

tehehe yes spider lmao

Actually im shoked I didn't saw anyone draw him like that before, bc he is litteraly

CREATUR CRAWLING ON WALLS AND HIS WIRE IS LITTERALY LIKE SPIDER WEB!!!

hmm

checks out.

53 notes - Posted October 27, 2022

#4

oh hey a finished art piece

wow would ya look at that

in case you’ve never heard of this fanfic tHIS

this is the bug love fanfic! by @theohnocorral respectfully

this is just my interpretation of him, but of course he has a more official design hehe

my next plan of action is moon man!! he’s a gosh darn moth :)

extras down below!

See the full post

141 notes - Posted September 23, 2022

#3

See the full post

398 notes - Posted September 10, 2022

#2

Favorite fics?

oh geez. i’m gonna try keep it sweet and simple less i go on and make it unbearable to read. also these summaries are gonna be terrible but i think all of these are gonna be fnaf sun and moon fics i’m SORRY ITS IN MY HEAD BUT ANYWAYS- SHORT N SWEET LES GO

A Dose of Sunshine and Starlight - @give-me-your-monsters a slow burn w/ lots of angst and bittersweet-ness aww but you are all mentally ill.

Bug Love - @theohnocorral the boys are now bug-ified gods and take a liking to a mortal who probably apologies to inanimate objects

Universal Jesters - @lovelymoonmagic you accidentally become the handler to pair of bots with memory loss and mystery trauma

it was, in reality, not fine - @bones-of-a-rabbit you, the reader, have the self preservation skills as a bowl of soup. also oblivious to love hehe

Late Night to Early Morning - Loyal_Backstabber reader meets neglected robot clowns and vows to risk their life for them

Solar Lunacy - @bamsara its- ITS SOLAR LUNACY. anyways you meet certified murder robots and say i can fix em, they’re gonna fix u too.

copper cogs rusted through - @paper-lilypie “oh what’s this, one of these jesters tried killing me? eh it’s fine” then you fall in love

Rotating Shifts - LightningTriceratops protag mistakes sun for unconscious, jaundice ridden man and realizes he’s a robot with a not dead brother and separation anxiety

basically ANYTHINGGG by @naffeclipse , but the first story i ever read from them was In Deep Dreams Between the Waves very different fro, eclipse in sleuth jesters cause he’s actually decent. (also poor vanessa girl don’t get a break)

Clowning Around - EngageSage you overcome your anxiety to protect a poor jester, and are fueled by spite to fuck up moon man for being a certified bitch

Celestial hearts in a purple mind - @kabra-malvada *finds ominous object* *touches it* *is shocked to find they are possessed*

Twin Animatronics With Too Much Time on Their Hands - @twinanimatronics & @dana-chan-the-control-brain you fall in love and fight the temptation to resurrect a dead dude and kill him again

The Night Shift - @certified-handler oopsie you now work with a needy jester who sweeps you off your feet, even more oopsie he turns into a psychopath when the lights go out and triple oopsie you fall in love with HIM too

Star Crossed Souls - @faz-friendly-light-up-shoes reader said “god give me a sign i’ll find love.” gets the sign, and ignores it

404: Personal Space Not Found - CrazedAuthor anxiety filled individual thinks they will be fixed by a child supervisor, gets surprised by his stab happy twin

Celestial Syzygy - @echoingkarma you’re like the jack of all trades, including befriending animatronics who may or may not hate you (and want to maim you) you are probably underpaid.

My Neighbor Mr. Roboto - @kagedbird oh what’s this? you think moving into your new apartment will be simple and boring? WRONG there’s a robot in your closet. and everywhere- why are there so many-

Apology Flowers and Blooming Hours - @daunsun you’d think sentient flowers would have no angsty backstory huh? well actually...

Our Orbit is Elliptical - @sycopomp like your intrusive thoughts came to life, and you choose to ignore them

Lost and Found - SmolShampoo technology is so cool right guys? you got ai, and that ai can get traumatized! how cool??

Stare at the Abyss; It Might Look Back - @characcoon reader becomes a human punching bag and finds new rusty robot roommates. once they escape a deteriorating child’s play place they walked into

Ventura Highway - @madamemiz says “hey is anyone gonna take this robot?” and doesn’t wait for an answer.

Repaired Unstable - @blonde-fraumell you decide to work alongside your childhood friend! oh how non threatening he was- hey why’s this man TEN FEET TALL. and why’s this other man so kickable.

also, obligatory mer may fics! even though it’s no longer may these are still being updated :D

Luminescent Charm - @finfiprince reader finds the fishy dudes they saved as a kid in a cage, continues to spite god until they can save them

Celestial Omens (that really like Fishsticks) - @bamsara (again yes) you save two scared bastard fish and feed them in your bathroom, a decade later they see u and go “well they gave us fishsticks no drowning for them”

See the full post

441 notes - Posted October 8, 2022

My #1 post of 2022

guess who made one of those ask game things :] yknow cause why not

you know the drill

10,538 notes - Posted October 17, 2022

Get your Tumblr 2022 Year in Review →

hey look it’s

it’s the thing!

i forgot i had this in my drafts

[mandolovian]

1. kannida

part 1: i’m not a general

pairing: the mandalorian x f!reader

words: 3.2k+

warnings: some depictions of anxiety-inducing moments for the reader

a/n: thank u for all the love with the preview! if you’ve read that, the first part of this chapter is the same as the preview.

Felucia, despite the monstrous mountains and swathe of greenery, held seedy secrets within its city. Its flagship 84’s Cantina was hidden away in the depths of the city, and its front door was half sunk into the ground - as if the years of activity had resulted in the building slowly becoming one with the planet. Inside, the darkness was sticky and nauseating, and the bass of the cantina band was less good, rather more permeating.

The counter of the bar was fixated in the middle of the room - circular, encircling a twisted cabinet with shelves stretching towards the ceiling, heavy with half-filled bottles of spirits and poisons. The bottles glimmered in the dim light, the colours muffled by the considerable layer of grime that sat on the surface of the glass.

Towards the back of the cantina was a low-rising stage, only about a foot or so off the concrete of the floor. The wooden floorboards were sunken in the middle from years of use and, as the sleepy band played its final songs slightly out of key, the music was accompanied by the quiet groans of the yielding wood. Above the band was a string of bare lightbulbs thread haphazardly through the booms of the ceiling - many missing their glass casing, and the remaining bulbs flickered rhythmically with the kick of the drum.

There were a precious few patrons gracing the cantina - after all, there were but a few hours until the sunrise, so the ones that remained could not have been there by choice, but rather because of necessity.

The Mandalorian approached the counter. He was an imposing man. If the beskar didn’t intimidate you, it was his stance. The hand that rested against the blaster on his hip, casually, one of his fingers trailing against the edge of the trigger. The pulse rifle slung across his back that he hadn’t unclipped. The glint of the hard edges of his cuirass, polished enough so you could see your twisted reflection against it.

You put away the glass that you had been wiping in the cupboard under the counter, and walk towards him. ‘Can I help you, sir?’ you asked quietly. ‘We’re about to close up, but I can still get you a drink if you’d like?’

Only an imperceptible shift of the glinting helmet told you that he had heard you. He was silent for a moment, and you wondered if he had understood what you had said. You had precious little knowledge of the Mandalorians, and you couldn’t recall if you had ever interacted with them before. He turned his body slightly on the stool, and you were momentarily blinded by the reflection off of his armour.

‘I’m looking for someone,’ he said. His voice was gravelly, crackled from disuse, and although his words sounded tired, there was an undertone of commandment to it.

You pursed your lips. ‘I might not be of too much use then,’ you replied. ‘I’m not really familiar with anyone other than the regulars here. Maybe I can direct you to someone else who can help?’

The Mandalorian ignored your question. ‘I’m looking for the Chief Medical General from the Kannida Hospital.’

It was a miracle that you kept breathing.

You shifted uneasily on the balls of your feet. ‘I think you might be mistaken sir,’ you said. ‘That hospital doesn’t exist anymore. That city doesn’t exist anymore.’

He ignored your words again. ‘I have employment for her, if she accepts,’ he pressed on. ‘I understand that she’s recently become-’ he faltered a little, ‘-for the lack of a better phrase, unemployed.’

You bit your cheek, and winced when a metallic taste filled your mouth. The Mandalorian’s stance remained impassive as you struggled to keep your composure. ‘You can’t say… the tragedy of Kannida was… made unemployed?’

‘The Chief Medical General,’ he repeated, and you just stared at him. ‘That’s who I’m looking for. I won’t leave Felucia without a conversation with her.’

The audacity. There was a slight ringing in your ears, and you twisted the towelette under the counter. A strange heaviness began to settle in your stomach as you stared blankly at his visor. Made unemployed?

‘If she did… exist,’ you began, your tone measured. ‘If she was still alive, then she’s not here. No one like that has come through here. I’m sorry to disappoint, sir.’

Turning away from the counter, you breathed in deeply. The wave of nausea rising up inside you made your head spin, you gripped the towelette in a tight fist. In. Out. Counted the clean glasses in front of you. Eight. Counted them again. Still eight. Still eight? You counted them again. Eight clean glasses. Your eyes flickered between the rims. Definitely eight. You were sure of eight. Slowly, your breath evened out, and your heart left the lump in your throat to settle in your chest again.

‘Please.’

You turned, and the Mandalorian was sitting forward against the counter, with his forearms resting on the grimey counter. The lightbulbs crackled above him, and his armour gave off a muted glow as he shifted a little. Was he uncomfortable?

He let out a sigh, and it came out garbled and tinny through his vocoder. ‘I wouldn’t ask if it wasn’t important,’ he said. With a huff, he hung his head down. ‘I heard about Kannida from our covert,’ he said, speaking into his hands. ‘I think about it often. Destruction like that… it’s callous. Shameful. Pathetic. I’m sorry.’

You nodded slowly, not truly knowing how to respond. There was a modicum of strain to his voice, as if he was holding back, struggling to keep his words level.

‘I understand that it’s been a difficult time,’ he said.

He traced a groove in the wood of the counter with a gloved finger. Letting out a breath, he tilted his helmet to look up at you. ‘I don’t think I can fathom what it did to you. But all I ask is a conversation with you, and I’m truly not lying about employment. You can’t be happy here.’ He tipped his head to his left, and you followed his indication to see a portly man snoring on one of the booths, hiccuping intermittently.

You looked back at the counter, and you knew that your brain, somewhere in the recesses of your head, was counting the glasses again. You wanted it to stop.

‘The Chief Medical General isn’t here,’ you said weakly. You knew it was lacking conviction.

‘I know,’ said the Mandalorian. He stood up, his seat scraping against the concrete. In your periphery, the straggling patron snuffled in his sleep.

The Mandalorian tipped his helmet towards you. ‘All the same,’ he said, ‘my ship is in hangar nine. I would appreciate a conversation.’

-----

A year after graduating from university (just shy of first class honours - xenomedicine had never been your strong point), you were completing a rotation in Bingjai-Tin - a fairly forgettable merchant city on the Outer Rim. It was a dangerous rotation; the merchants and miners had questionable morals, and you were a fairly naive young graduate. Still, the entire planet was under Imperial control and skirmishes happened often, so from a purely medical standpoint, you had plenty of work to do.

It’s just an exercise in patience, your supervisor would say, after you had set your eighth broken limb of the shift and began complaining about the repetitiveness. You hone your skills while you can, young one. There are great things waiting for you.

One time on a slow day, as a challenge, your supervisor had asked you to examine a patient while blindfolded. She picked a patient that she promised was not dying, not about to stab you, just has an interesting heart. So you tied a strip of bandage around your eyes, promised her that you couldn’t see, awkwardly consented your patient (with a preemptive apology of I’m so sorry, my supervisor is an idiot) and began your examination.

The patient was quiet, mumbling a response to your request for them to sit up for auscultation. You put your hands on their back, expecting to feel smooth skin, and instead felt cold plastoid. You jerked your hand back.

‘Could I ask you to take your armour off?’ you asked. ‘It’ll make the examination a little easier. I can make sure all the curtains are drawn for privacy.’

You heard the patient shake their head, a soft clunking of a plastoid helmet against pauldrons. ‘I’m sorry, doctor,’ they said. ‘I won’t be able to do that. It’s against the rule of my commander to disarm in front of strangers.’

You whipped your head around to where you knew your supervisor to be standing, and glared as hard as you could at her through the blindfold. ‘How am I meant to listen for a murmur through plastoid?’ you hissed, gesticulating wildly at the patient. You could hear them laughing behind you.

Her reply gently teased you. ‘You figure out that murmur, I give you twenty credits,’ she replied in a singsong voice, and you heard her leaving the patient’s cubicle. The patient laughed uproariously behind you, and all you could do was let out a sigh.  

-----

‘I’m here to see the Mandalorian,’ you said. ‘Hangar nine.’

The droid at the hangar office lengthened itself to lean over the reception desk, and you took a step back in surprise. It burbled in beeps as it gave you a once-over, and you had half a mind to pull the exposed wires at its neck.

‘He did not approve of any visitors,’ it garbled out as it retracted itself, and you pinched your nose in frustration. ‘There is nothing in the hangar notes, nothing that I-’

‘Listen, you pathetic sack of metal,’ you began, bristling and defensive. ‘If that godforsaken Mandalorian hadn’t personally asked me to come here, I wouldn’t even be bothering you, so if you could just ask him-’

‘Not a fan of droids?’

The Mandalorian’s armour was much more reflective in the light, and you suddenly get the impression that you’re staring directly at a Coruscant skyscraper in miniature form. You blinked, looking up from his cuirass to the visor of his helmet, and he tilted his head at the eye contact.

‘I’d like to twist out their circuits,’ you said earnestly. He hummed in response.

The Mandalorian looked behind you to address the reception droid, who had now straightened up to attention at the sight of the warrior. You narrowed your eyes at the sight; fickle droids, you thought to yourself, stupid hunks of metal.

A quiet burbling noise to your left caught your attention. At the Mandalorian’s hip was a spherical pod, hovering off the ground, rocking with the back and forth of his vambrace. The pod was half-opened, and within the bundle of blankets inside, a pair of green petal-shaped ears peeked out. The ears were accompanied by what you thought must be the biggest eyes in the galaxy, sparkling and blinking up at you.

‘You have a baby?’ you asked incredulously, watching the ears flutter and raise. The baby cooed, and a tiny three-fingered hand grabbed the edge of the pod. The Mandalorian placed his hand against the edge of the pod, and the baby grabbed his finger happily.

‘I’ll be in the mezzanine room,’ said the Mandalorian to the droid, who hurriedly tapped away his words into the hangar log. ‘Don’t interrupt me. And keep the hangar closed.’

He then turned to look down at you. ‘Follow me, General,’ he said, inclining his helmet down the dark corridor.

‘I’m not a general,’ you muttered to yourself, but followed him all the same. The Mandalorian makes a soft sound of acquiescence, and you file the conversation away for another time. Instead, you watch the baby turn around in his pod to face you. He babbled at you, while waving his hands animatedly, his tiny voice echoing off the dark walls of the corridor.

‘How long have you had him?’ you asked. ‘I see he likes to talk.’

The Mandalorian sighed, slowing his steps so he was walking beside you, with the pod floating between you. The baby chattered gleefully and smacked both hands against the edge of the pod, sticking his tongue out at you. You stuck your own tongue out in response, and he fell back against the blankets in a flurry of giggles.

‘A few months,’ replied the Mandalorian. His voice sounded caged and distant, and as a silence settled between the group, you wondered how much of the crackle was the vocoder, and how much was his own.

The room into which the Mandalorian turns into is a balcony, stretching out between the two wings of the hangar bays. The piles and boxes of scrap metal and parts litter the floor, and you step carefully to avoid stepping on loose screws. The dust in the air of the musty room seemed to stick to your clothes, and you suddenly got an overwhelming urge to dust and tidy the area. You stood awkwardly in the middle of the room, flexing your fingers at your sides in an attempt to suppress the strange janitorial urges settling at the soles of your feet.

The Mandalorian indicated for you to sit on a crate, and he did the same opposite to you. He stretched out his legs in front of him, and lifted the baby out of the pod to set him on the floor. The baby wobbled a little on his feet and promptly plopped on the ground at the Mandalorian’s feet, grabbing onto his boot.

As you watched the baby, you wrung your hands together, unsure how to begin. ‘I know you wanted this conversation, but how did you know who I am?’ you asked. ‘How did you find me? I haven’t, I- it’s been years since…’

‘Kannida.’ The Mandalorian finished your sentence for you, and you nodded in response. ‘I wanted to apologise for how I talked to you last night. Possibly not the most sensitive.’

‘No it wasn’t,’ you said. The incline of your head was intended to be forgiving, and you let out a breath when he bowed his own in return. A clean slate. A new conversation.

The baby burbled at you.

‘You had a bounty on you a few years back,’ the Mandalorian said. He noticed your panic and held his hand up in surrender. ‘It got deactivated halfway through my hunt. I tracked you to Felucia and then had to let you go. That’s how I knew you were here.’

Your mouth was dry. ‘Deactivated?’

‘It happens sometimes,’ he continued, idly rubbing against a dull spot on his beskar. ‘It might have been withdrawn, the bounty setter might have died; either way, I didn’t ask questions. I followed the puck. ’

You didn’t miss the past tense in his words, and watching the baby’s huge ears perk up was enough of an explanation.

‘He’s a bounty,’ he said, referring to the baby. ‘I’m not exactly sure why, but it means we have to keep moving from planet to planet. He’s a target.’

‘Targeted by whom?’

With a soft groan, the Mandalorian stretched his neck from side to side. ‘Bounty hunters, mostly. We were up against Imperial forces a while back, and the recovery has been rough.’

The Mandalorian let out a sigh, and all of a sudden, despite not showing a shred of skin, he seemed like he was years older than he was, as if there was exhaustion engraved on his bones.

‘A few weeks ago, we were attacked by a Cerean - just a little unassuming thing. Good with a knife, got a few cuts in.’ He rubbed subconsciously at his forearm at that. ‘But she had this weapon, and I still don’t fully understand how she used it - maybe her blades were tipped with some sort of delayed-action poison - I don’t know. All I know is that I was dehydrated and near-unconscious for days. Just laid in the hull of my ship. He was distraught when I came to.’

The baby babbled and raised his arms, and the Mandalorian lifted him up to set him on his thigh. Content, the baby grabbed the strap of his rifle and pressed his face against the beskar, and the Mandalorian sighed again.

‘This keeps happening,’ he said. ‘I get blindsided, and if I have enough time I can always recover, but just cannot leave him alone like that, not again.’ He ran fingers along the edge of one of the baby’s ears, and he let out a satisfied coo.

‘You want a medic,’ you realised, and the Mandalorian nodded.

‘There’s space on my ship,’ he said. ‘I can provide a place to live, food, credits - I know it’s a position that’s beneath you, General, but I-’

‘I’m not a general.’

It was a repetition. The second time you’ve said it. But you needed the Mandalorian to understand it. General. The word made you dizzy, as if you could feel each individual neuron in your head firing, as if a soap bubble was growing inside your chest, growing and pressing against your ribs without bursting, as if-

‘Are you alright?’

Your eyes just burnt. You blinked away dry tears, and left your hands in fists on your thighs. Slowly, you forced yourself to breathe raggedly through your nose. Two big breaths. You counted as they settled into your lungs.

‘Don’t call me that,’ you whispered. ‘If I work with you, you can’t call me that. Please.’

The Mandalorian nodded. ‘Of course,’ he said. ‘I’m sorry.’

There was a beat of silence. The droids in the level below whirred between the hangars, and you let your eyes shut. If you listened carefully, you could hear the baby’s rapid breaths huffing against the surface of the beskar, and you tapped your finger in time to his breaths.

‘Is there anything else I can do?’

You looked back up, into the tint of his helmet. ‘What?’

‘What can I do,’ he said again, ‘to make this easier?’

He looked interested. Involved. He leant forward, cradling the baby against his chest with one hand and leaning his other hand on his knee. He wanted to know what you wanted, what you needed, and seeing this war-hardened warrior tenderly stroke his sleeping baby’s ear tapped away at your resolve.

‘I’m not the best in small spaces,’ you began, only continuing when the Mandalorian gave an imperceptible nod. ‘I’m not comfortable with the quiet either, but I don’t think that would be too much of a problem with that little one.’

The baby snuffled a little in his sleep.

‘Could I come see your ship?’ you asked.

He was quiet for a moment, and you became worried that you’d crossed some fine line. ‘Of course,’ he said after a while. ‘If there are any alterations you’d like to have done to the ship, I’ll see that it gets done on Felucia before we leave.’

He stood up, and you did too. The baby had fallen fast asleep, his petal ears rising and falling with each breath.

‘Are you sure you want me with you?’ you asked. ‘You know what happened on Kannida. I- I just want to know that you’re certain about this.’

‘I know what happened on Kannida, but I also know your track record,’ he replied, and you could hear him biting back the honorific. ‘There are precious few strangers that I’d be inclined to trust my life with.’

-----

preview || next chapter

tag list (please lmk if you’d like to be added/removed!): @mndalorians​​

[raevenlywrites]

The Ties That Bind 19 of ???

I couldn’t sleep this night, and there was little point in trying. So I stayed among my people, hoping my presence would reassure them where my words might have failed. I had never been more grateful for my people’s habit of holding our emotions close; it kept my fury with my mother’s milquetoast words at a manageable distance.

She was better than this. I’d heard her give inspiring speeches all my life, words that inspired hope where it was waning, fervor where it was lost. I could only view tonight as an act of sabotage, and I couldn’t for the life of me figure out why. What would she have to gain from undermining me, and the peace I was trying to build? Was it not what we all were working towards?

On the one hand, I wanted very much to speak with her, to demand an explanation. But on the other... well, I had sort of given up. From the moment the Disa suggested marriage, my mother had been shut down. There was more at work here than the surface negotiations of peace. My mother seemed deeply disturbed at the notion of my life deviating from her plan for it--and that was just too bad. It was my life, my reign, my people. Her ways and her mother’s ways and her mother’s mother’s ways had not led to any resolution. I was willing to try something new.

But I was never alone with my thoughts for too very long. It was rare for the Shardae to mingle nowdays outside of festivals and holy days, so many were eager for my attention. Many offered wishes for my continued good health, simple excuses to engage and be near. More than I wished expressed their condolences for our “wasted trip” out to the Mistari, which I politely redirected back towards the news of Irene’s expectancy. Those that topic did not turn away expressed interest in my singing in the birth, and did that mean that I would be returned to my work with the midwives, now that I would no longer be needed on the battlefields? It was an excellent question, and one I hadn’t considered, but found that my answer was an eager yes. It did much to buoy my spirits to think my family gifts returned to acts of growth rather than simply easing the pain of loss. Perhaps even my mother--

I didn’t care to think on my mother overly much this night.

So I stayed among my people until well after moonset, making note of those faces that stayed, those that seemed cautiously hopeful, and those who’s distrust and disdain I’d had to redirect. There weren’t many who lived directly in and around the Keep; I knew most by family name at least, from the Lyssia tailors to the jewelers who ran the Aurita, to the Silvermead blacksmiths and soldiers.

One I did know by first name, Jeanne Kejamarl, approached me much later in the evening. I remembered her from our shared school days, when I was still learning to shape my letters and reading only the simple sentences chalked on the board. The children of the Keep were all raised and educated together, because there were so few. So while I had little cause to interact with the Kejamarl tanneries directly, I knew Jeanne by name, though I wouldn’t call her a friend now, the way I did Elanor. Which I only considered because of how utterly forward her question was.

“Forgive my asking, Shardae, but why wasn’t Captain Andreios by your side this evening?”

I blinked, long and slow and foolish. My brain felt like thick mud, unwilling to allow my thoughts to rotate and pivot this conversation change with any speed.

“I know it’s not my place to question, but if you’re not going to announce him your alastair....”

Jeanne’s cheeks colored, and I realized with shock and horror the direction this conversation was headed, too late to head it off. She was interested in Rei, and I had dragged my feet so long that others were wondering if they might court him.

It wasn’t entirely uncommon for young adults to pursue one another. Yes, alastairs were often chosen for children in their infancy, but tragically all too often, those alastairs and pairbonds did not live to see adulthood. And while it was traditional for men to take the role of alastair--chivalrous protectors--it wasn’t unheard of for a would be pairbond to express her interest in being pursued. And Rei was handsome, and highly ranked, and courteous and thoughtful and dependable--

The thought of his lips against mine came surging back, filling my own cheeks with heat. Luckily, Jeanne misinterpreted my reaction for embarrassment at the topic--or maybe not so much a misinterpretation--and quickly backed off.

“I’m so sorry, m’lady, I shouldn’t have asked.” She ducked her head, chin all but tucked to her chest as she tried to make herself small. “It’s just after all the rumors of the Arami’s proposal, and with Rei’s absence--“

“He didn’t propose!”

I snapped a too rapid answer in a furious whisper, too caught up in my own snarl of emotions to keep my usual decorum.

“I don’t know who started that stupid rumor but I would really appreciate it if people stopped speculating about my private life!”

Jeanne looked up, horror warring with curiosity. It was utterly unlike me to be so emotional--and if she was a lover of gossip, this was too good to miss. I cursed inwardly and did my best to regain my composure.

“Jeanne, please. It has been an excruciatingly long day, week, all of it, and I am tired of my love life being the topic of so much discussion. It’s unseemly, don’t you think?”

“Yes, m’lady, of course. I shouldn’t--“ “No, you shouldn’t. And I would ask you please to keep others from discussing it as well? I have enough to deal with right now.” I sighed, hoping to use the show of emotion to my advantage. “I hope to start my own family under the light of peace, not in the shadow of my brother’s funeral.”

“Yes, m’lady. Gods above, yes of course. I’m so sorry.”

I reached out, laying the lightest touch on her arm. “Please. I don’t need your apologies, just your consideration. You knew me when I still couldn’t form my S’s front ways.” She smiled at the shared memory, and how ridiculous it was that I couldn’t write out “Shardae”. “Please give me the room to be just Danica where I can. There are so many places where that won’t be possible.”

“Of course, my--Danica.”

I smiled, trying to positively reinforce the behavior. My mother had become distant from our people, and by extension, me. So many of them had expressed a desire to see us out and among them again. If I could befriend my people again, help them see this shift as a positive one, become their darling, golden young queen, perhaps it could help me regain the power our family had lost to the generals. I could sell them an idealistic young family, a vision of the future that was shiny and bright.

Maybe, if I sold it hard enough, I might believe it myself.

“Rei is back with the serpiente, helping keep the Arami safe.” Jeanne’s eyes widen, and I nod, leaning closer as if in confidence. “There’s no one else I would trust with so high a priority. Here among my people, I could not possibly be safer. But I worry for Zane--as my mother said, this is an extremely brave thing for him to be doing. I hope my people will greet him with courtesy and dignity, but I am too pragmatic to trust his safety to anyone less than Rei.”

There. Maybe using his nickname twice will drive the point home. Of course, a part of me whispers that if I just declare my intentions on him here and now that would end all of it. I have no reason not to. Everyone assumes I’m as good as his pairbond. But for some reason I don’t--probably because I worry the story will grow in the telling, much like my “proposal” from Arami Zane. No, when I’m ready for word to spread, it will be through an official announcement, not from wildfire gossip from an old schoolmate. I release her arm and take a step back, letting some of my weariness show on my face.

“Now I think its time I take my leave. We all have a big day tomorrow. I should try to sleep while I can.”

I take another step back and melt into my golden hawk’s form, trusting whoever is on my most personal guard duty to peel off and follow as they always do. Only I don’t fly up to my balcony on the far side of the Keep. Instead, I turn my flight towards the east, and the waiting encampment of serpiente. - I am not so foolish as to have not considered this to be a potential invasion. I have let a score of serpiente warriors within an hour’s flight of the heart of my kingdom. But as I have said, more times than I care to, I refuse to behave as if Zane will betray me. It will either happen or it won’t. If a cobra is destined to slay a hawk again, then I have made peace with it being me. Our people began with one golden queen, if they are to end with simply one, then Fate will have her way no matter what we design. And honestly, they could do worse with a conquering monarch than Zane Cobriana. From what I have seen, he is fair, just, considerate, and generally in favor of art, self-expression, the well-being of his people--

I bank and circle back, realizing  my mental wandering has allowed my wings to wander as well. I am too tired to think, but thinking is all I seem to be able to do. I want to see Rei, to wrap myself in the warmth and comfort of his arms to maybe try another few kisses, softer and gentler this time, to reassure myself that my life has not turned completely upside down. Instead I am circling around the encampment, having flown right over it while thinking of Zane Cobriana’s qualities as a king.

I realize as I circle in to land that partially my mistake was due to the sheer size of the gathering. I don’t know what my distracted mind must have made of the numerous campfires now dotting the fields, a small village perhaps, but it is certainly too many for the two score of soldiers or so that should be out here. This gathering is nearly twice that, centered around a ring of figures--

Dancing.

Zane and Adelina are dancing, with six other serpents besides. They weave in and out of each others’ steps, intricate rings within rings, scales flashing in every color of the rainbow.

Serpiente warriors can grow a scaled demi form, much like the large, angelic wings we avians sprout. While ours are used to give us an aerial advantage in battle, theirs provides a natural amrour that only the keenest arrow can pierce. And much like our wings can be used as an expression of beauty, an elegant backdrop to fine garments and jewelry, so are the serpiente before us using their scales now. Lines of color sparkle like living veins of gemstones, from the iridescent white of Adelina’s viper, to rich reds and greens of dancers I do not know, to the shimmering obsidian of Zane’s cobra.

They are a perfect complement to each other, his dark hair and scales reflecting red in the firelight, hers glinting gold like a low harvest moon. They sway and swirl, moving around each other and through their fellow dancers as if bound by an invisible chord. It is heartbreakingly beautiful, and I understand why every one of my subjects simply stands and stares. It is like nothing any of us have ever seen before, except maybe the soldiers.

I remember the ready pose Zane and Adelina fall into so easily, and thinking how perfectly it would transition to either dance or combat. I am mesmerized by the dance; I can only imagine how impossible they might seem to fight. I am struck with the sudden realizaiton that our survival til now seems nothing short of miraculous. Without the falcon’s am haj to allow us to fight with such lethality from the skies--

I want nothing more to do with this line of thought, so I land, picking a spot far enough away from the dancing serpents so as not to startle anyone. The avians in the crowd all know the silhouette of my hawk’s form, but it is late, and I am trying to be discrete. Still, several soldiers peel away, bowing swiftly as they make a report.

“No trouble yet, your majesty. As you suggested, the serpiente are well able to sense intent. None were allowed past the outer perimeter that were anything other than curious.” Curious. I should have thought of that. Raymond steps up at my side, and I realize he was one of the ravens flanking me. “Erica flew in during your mother’s speech, m’lady, with a message from Zane and Andreios. Neither one of them say any harm in letting a few come and see, but--well, I wished they’d said it was more than just a few. I never would have fielded such a decision for you if I’d thought--“

“It’s alright,” I say, holding up a hand. “If Zane allowed it, and Andreios cleared it, then I trust their judgement. I didn’t even think folks would venture out, so they’re steps ahead of me.” I gave Raymond a tired smile. “In all things security, I don’t mind letting Rei make decisions. It’s matters of battle and war I wish to be consulted on. Allowing a few--okay, more than a few--curious folk out to meet our guests...”

I trailed off, feeling sick at the idea of how poorly this could have gone. We were treading the most precarious line, and I’d barely thought any of it out. And Zane had simply come, trusting.

I should have worked something else out. I never should have asked him to come here--

“Dani.”

Rei was suddenly before me, undoubtedly alerted to my presence here. Too tired to care anymore who saw or what they thought, I let myself fall into his arms. This was all I’d been seeking. I hadn’t meant to stumble onto more trouble, more problems--I just wanted to be held, and get some sleep.

“Do you have a tent sent up?” I asked, trying at least to keep my voice between just the pair of us.

“For you? No, but we can--“

I shook my head. “Yours is fine. I’m exhausted, we’re in the field. There’s no where safer for my than by your side, right?”

Rei sighed, but I could see him caving in. “I mean, ostensibly you were safer back at the Keep, but yes.” He tucked his arm over my shoulder, with all the familiarity of an alastair in private. “Come on. Let’s get you to bed.”

The Ties That Bind Tag list: @thehellinsideyourhead @therecouldbecolorsandlove @adventuresofacreesty @writing-with-melon @rainydaydarling @faithfire

Raev’s Gen Tag List (should I tag you guys in this? It IS a thing I wrote. I’m gonna say yes unless you guys are like “no of course not we’re sick of hearing about your stupid fic for a twenty year old book XD)

No one has complained yet so yall gonna keep getting tagged :P

List is currently: @lordkingsmith @writinglyra @drbibliophile @mperialscribe @adie-dee @lexiklecksi @theramwrites @writinginslowmotion @raenawrites @apollon-arium @anika-writes @faithfire @thehellinsideyourhead @adventuresofacreesty