#I'll keep fiddling with her design

[guirgaleo]

final pass at an oc design

additional sketches I made as I was figuring this out

[mothpawbs]

peril! another design i'll probably keep fiddling with forever lol, i can never get her colors quite right

[snowflakeanrika]

A meeting 3

Do you feel guilty?

Do you remember their promise?

Your parents' promise?

"We'll never leave you alone, ____! What makes you think of that, hun?" She said, cupping the child's face.

"Who dares to spread rumours about my child? I'll beat them!" He said, playfully punching the air.

The child giggled. "I'm just kidding! I love you, m̴o̶m̷ ̸a̴n̸d̵ ̵d̶a̴d̶!"

It's a shame, is it not?

A promise is merely a fleeting moment to let you make sure you're in check.

Promise?

It exists not.

Not to you.

"M̶o̴m̴ ̷a̸n̸d̷ ̶d̸a̷d̵, who is this?" The child asked, pointing at the unknown other child in front of you.

"Oh, hun, this is your s̴i̵b̸l̶i̵n̵g̸!" The woman responded to the child.

"Huh? But... You promised to love me forever..." The child said.

"Don't be so selfish, hun. Besides, who told you that we won't love you anymore?" The woman reassured the child.

"O-okay..." The child whispered, fiddling with their fingers.

The child knew what was to come to them.

Yet, they believed their parents' lies.

"M̶o̵m̴, I got an A!" The child happily ran back into the house, showing the piece of paper to the woman.

"That's great, hun..." Yet, the woman only kept her eyes locked onto the screen.

"Mommy... I... didn't do so well..." The other child held out the paper to the woman.

"Oh, hunny, there's nothing to be sad about! How about this? We'll go to a restaurant tomorrow to cheer you up!" The woman said, holding the other child's hands.

"Okay, mommy!" The other child said.

"M̸-m̷o̴m̸... But I-" The child walked closer to the woman.

"Hush now. What's so good about an A, anyway? It's about the thought and effort put into it. Be more modest!" The woman said, waving her hand off the child.

Is this a test to prove your loyalty?

You'll be sure to win their hearts!

"D̶a̸d̷!̴ Look! I designed a gun! What do you think?" The child brought the drawing to the man.

"Oh, my silly child. You should be studying, not thinking about guns!" The man said.

"D̶a̸d̷, but-" The child spoke.

"Dad, I drew a bag!" The other child ran towards the man.

"Oh, wow, honey! You could be a designer when you grow up!" The man held the drawing up to him.

"See, you should be like your sibling. Be more mature!" The man lectured the child.

...y-you'll try...

...to get into their hearts.

As the gate closes in front of the now adult child, they sob sadly as the rain pours down on them.

...you, working with the Mafia?

Just what your 'good' sibling said to your parents?

Five men holding black umbrellas stand far behind the scenes, watching the show happen.

"Should we do something, Boss Man?" A man wearing a hat with the golden text 'Contractee' written in cursive carved on it said.

"..." The well-dressed man with a fedora looks at the crying person.

Pitiful...

"Like... Should we... Help Mx. ____? After all, they're the ones to help us catch our most wanted target." The Contractee says.

The well-dressed man held out a hand to signal the Contractee to stop talking for a moment. "Consigliere, thoughts?" He called.

"It's not the best time, Sir. Mx. ____ has just been abandoned by their family, and we're the main reason for it. Even though they only helped us by accident AND without knowing it, Mx. ____ might think we orchestrated everything." The man with the blue shimmer text 'Consigliere' written on his trusty sword says.

"Just keep an eye on ____, and strike when the moment is right." 'Boss Man' says. "They'll be back up their feet soon, I'm sure. ____'s not the type to back down because of something."

"A-alright, Boss Man..." The Contractee says, looking back at the crying figure.

The figure has stopped crying. They stood up, wobbly and out of energy.

"Fuck you all... FUCK YOU ALL! I'LL TAKE BACK WHAT I'VE GIVEN FOR THE FAMILY, UNTIL NONE OF IT IS LEFT!" They shouted. "I SACRIFICED MY TIME- SLEEPLESS NIGHTS AND BUSY MORNINGS JUST TO KEEP THIS STUPID PLACE SAFE AND AFLOAT!"

"AND THIS IS HOW YOU REPAY ME?!" They seethed in rage.

"Everything I've worked for... I'll take them back. ONE. BY. ONE." They said.

The figure dragged their body to the once that barricaded intruders from their home, now just a mere obstacle to block their way to ruining their family's? lives. Grabbing the gates and tearing one of the bars away, they threw it to one of the biggest and expensive windows.

It shattered as the members inside gasped, running upstairs to see the issue as the culprit that caused the damage ran into the forest.

"This bunny relies on emotions to really get their strength... Or maybe the gates are too weak." 'Boss Man' says. He beckons the four men behind him with a wave of the hand. "After them."

The five men ran towards the direction the crying figure had headed to. The members inside the house were debating on who was going to pay the price.

"You're not going anywhere with us on you, ____."

-------------------------------------------------------------------

"Eat up, darling. You're not going to starve here." Mafioso lifts the plate closer to your mouth.

...maybe it might not be bad to engage in the Mafia-?

Everyone continued to talk and enjoy the pizza together. You reluctantly nibbled away on the pizza, your mind slowly drifting away from the present.

This... doen't feel so bad.

This feels good.

Wait.

You aren't supposed to feel like this.

You're supposed to feel anguish.

Anguish because they are the ones who ripped everything away from you.

You're supposed to feel resentment.

Resentment of your parents' betrayal of you.

You're supposed to feel nothing.

Because you are nothing without your parents' support.

You are nothing without your friends' help.

You are nothing without anyone.

You are nothing without yourself.

"Mx.____?" The Soldier of the Mafia took notice of your dazed expression. With no response from you, he looked at his boss.

"Boss Mafioso..." His voice trailed off.

Mafioso looked at him, giving the 'yes?' expression. The Soldier pointed at you, and your face looked seemingly dazed. It all looks normal before your eyes start to flood with salty tears and your breathing increases.

You've long set the pizza plate on your lap, your hand on your cheek as you stare off into nothing. Your tears dropped onto the plate, and your breathing started to become uneven, but you didn't even seem to notice or care about anything.

"...! Baby?" Mafioso shook your body. With each passing second you didn't respond, he only shook harder.

That only lasted for about 5 seconds before you jumped back into your normal self again. "W-Wha-?" You looked around.

"Oh, thank goodness..." Mafioso let out a breath of relief.

The henchmen were all paying attention to you by the time you came back to your senses. They took the plate of pizza from your lap and set it on the table.

"Are you okay, Mx. ____?" The Consigliere asked, about to grab some water or medication for you.

"Huh? I'm okay! What happened?" You asked, looking at all of them.

"You were crying, bunny." Mafioso said, using his gloved hands to hold your cheeks, wiping the tears away.

"Huh??" You raised an eyebrow, raising one of your hands to touch your cheek after prying one of Mafioso's hands away.

It was wet. You really did cry.

"I-I don't-" You wanted to say something to pry their attention away from you.

Guess who decided to be a bitch today? Your brain.

Your brain replayed all of the pain, the tears, the betrayal-

You can't hold it in.

Not like this.

Not if they're acting like they care.

Not if they're actually caring about you.

It hurts.

It hurts, oh so much.

Your heart threatens to squeeze like a lemon.

You feel tears pouring down.

You feel pathetic.

Worthless.

Weak.

"Shh..." A gentle pair of hands picked your body up and nested onto his warm embrace.

You can't control your breath or tears anymore. You sobbed into Mafioso's embrace as he brought your head to nuzzle into the crook of his neck.

The Contractee and Soldier immediately got on their feet and went to grab some tissue paper, the Consigliere and Caporegime went to grab your favourite things to maybe help you cheer up. Mafioso just sat on the couch with you sobbing into him.

He gently glided his fingers through your hair, his other hand cradling you in his arms. His lips pressed on your forehead, hands, hell, even your neck- it was all peppered with his kisses.

And yet,

It feels like home...

Warm.

Soft.

...

T̴H̵A̴T̴'̸S̶ ̸E̴X̷A̸C̵T̵L̸Y̶ ̴H̵O̷W̶ ̴H̵E̷ ̸W̷A̶N̵T̴E̶D̵ ̴Y̴O̷U̸ ̴T̴O̶ ̸F̶E̶E̷L̵

His henchmen came back with the tissues and your stuff (don't ask where they got it from), giving them all to their boss.

After all, they don't want their boss's partner to be sad, right?

-------------------------------------------------------------------

"Has ____ slept yet?" Mafioso asked, looking at his henchmen.

"Sleep and sound, Boss." The Caporegime said.

"Good." He said, facing the windows to a certain house's direction.

"Boss, when are we going to tell them...?" The Caporegime asked.

"...until they've gained enough trust in us."

The henchmen stayed silent, sitting on the chairs provided inside their boss's office. They can understand the longing and pain of their boss. It's not every day that a survivor can accept them as family.

They hope... you can get used to this.

[noiranamnesis]

In Focus

closed starter for @tyliocellier

...

"Remember, Marinette, this is your first premier in this city, so keep that smile in place. Understand?" Rochelle sat nearby, glancing up from her phone to where Marinette sat, surrounding by a team of stylists tending to her.

"Oui. Of course." Marinette spoke softly, her tone polite and composed as she was adjusted this way and that.

"Good. I need to take a call. I'll be right back." Standing, Rochelle looked to the lead stylist. "We have thirty minutes before she needs to be in the car." With that, she stepped out onto the balcony.

Fiddling with her late mother's ring on her right hand, a small grin graced Marinette's features at an all too familiar voice.

"You heard her, Mari." A whisper as Nadja appeared by her side, a Cheshire grin playing on her lips. "Souris simplement. Reste droite dans ces talons! Sois charmante. Et n'oublie pas de paraître confiante." Mimicking Rochelle's cadence, she smirked when Marinette rolled her eyes, placing a playful kiss on her cheek. "Don't

Just smile. Stay upright in those heels! Be charming. And don't forget to look confident." Mimicking Rochelle's cadence she smirked when Marinette rolled bher eyes, placing a kiss on her keep. "T'inquiète pas, tu vas toujours bien. Détends-toi."

...

A few hours later, tucked within the elegant confines of an upscale hotel, Marinette found herself swept up in a whirlwind of conversations- chatting with fellow actors, the director, producers...Taking care to engage with those who sought her attention, nodding as they spoke, and occasionally pausing to translate her thoughts before responding. Amidst endless hors d'oeuvres and flowing champagne, she eventually sought refuge on the dance floor with the costume designer and casting director. Finally able to let go, she twirled effortlessly to chart-topping tunes she only somewhat understood, laughter filling the air as she danced the night away.

As the evening wore on, she slipped away from the dance floor, seeking a quieter spot at the bar. "Excuse me, do you have anything with limoncello?" It was a far cry from the water her body likely craved, but what was a party without a little recklessness? She thanked the bartender, tension in shoulders melting away as she indulged in her first sip.

Humming along to the music, she casually observed the crowd, only to pause when she spotted a familiar face further down the bar. At first, she thought nothing of it, but then she it clicked. Oh. OH. Perking up, she learned toward the bartender. "Ah, could you bring me another of what that man ordered?" She asked, gesturing discreetly as possible. At first, the poor bartender didn't know which person she was referring to, but after some back and forth they figured it out.

Once his drink was in hand she smiled in thanks before making her way over. "Tylio?" Hoping she had remembered his name correctly, she held out the untouched glass. "I wanted to thank you for the other day. You really saved me."

[russellsppttemplates]

Uh oh, I'm falling in love (Lando Norris)

Y/N and Lando both have jobs that require good sight and attention to detail and yet they're oblivious to their feelings for eachother

Note: english is not my first language. I'm in a very fluffy mood, so I got really excited when I got this request! This also makes my expectations even higher and calls me single in about seventeen different languages at once...

Thank you so much to everyone who likes and reblogs, your feedback is appreciated 🤍 and I'm taking requests so if you have any ideas or concepts you want to share, feel free to do so as I'll try to get to them the best I can!

my masterlist

Tw: mentions a needle (for sewing)

Tag list: @myloverjk-blog

"Hey guys! How's everyone?", Max said to the camera as you made sure the set up was right, the screen showing his and Lando's faces on one screen and the table on the other like it was supposed to.

"As per your many, many requests, we have brought our graphic designer at Quadrant, Y/N", Lando announced as you appeared on camera, sending a very awkward first wave to the camera, "today's stream is little different than our usual programming, but it was the only way she agreed to be in one! You guys really wanted to see her, so we had to be creative!", Max said as he moved the friendship bracelets making kit into view on the table.

"Hey, Queen Taylor said we should make the friendship bracelets, so we're just following her!", you chuckled, looking at all the coloured threads and colourful beads, sorting them out and grabbing a pen and paper so you could draw your ideas.

"Since you guys wanted to get to know Y/N, can I tell them to send in questions?", Lando questioned you, "sure, I'll answer them to the best of mu ability", you smiled.

You were picking the letters you needed for the bracelet you were making when Max spoke up, "first one: how did you start working with Quadrant? I'd love to work on the team when I finish my degree!".

"I saw the job offer, and I must admit at first I didn't really know much about the company. I looked it up, looked cool enough and I sent my CV and portfolio in. So keep your eyes peeled for any offers, I guess? We have them now on the website, which was my doing, so you can check them out there if you want to be part of the team", you offered.

"I need help, guys", Lando said as he fiddled with his bracelet, the orange and grey beads with his initials sliding on the elasticated material, I can't do the closing knot on my own", he pouted as you placed your bracelet down.

"You have to flip it like this, here. Just put it on your wrist and I'll do the rest", you ushered him, your fingertips gingerly touching his hand and wrist as you quietly laced it, "this way we don't get frilly bits out and it looks pretty, see? Pretty!", you smiled, modelling his wrist for the camera.

Pretty, that's what he often thought about you. Not only pretty, but it was one of the first physical traits that came to mind.

"We should all have matching ones!", Max said as he completed his bracelet, impressively on his own, revealing the colourful beads with Quadrant spelled in white round beads with black letters, "I'll make one for each of you", he said as he watched you show your own, pink beads and a lyric he assumed was from a Taylor Swift song.

"I'll make Y/N's, she helped me after all", Lando said as one brave fan sent a comment into the chat.

He's so giddy to make Y/N a bracelet, it's a shame it will snap because of his lack of skills

Am I delusional if I say that they'd make a great couple?

If you're delusional, then what do I call myself? I still think they're making heart eyes at eachother whenever they catch the slightest glimpse!

We're joining forces, I think it's a noble pursuit!

He's a dork, Y/N, but you should give him a chance

Have you always known you wanted to be a graphic designer?

"I thought about different careers before I settled on this one, for now at least", you explained, "engineering was in the running up, but then I figured out that I was curious about how things worked, but that didn't mean that I wanted to be the one working on it. And this was a way to express my creativity, my strategy planning as well, and at the moment it's been quite good", you smiled as Lando grabbed your wrist softly, "I need to make sure this fits", he interrupted, "and it won't snap because I've learnt how to do it, thank you very much", he blushed. So he, too, was reading the comments, choosing not to dwell in them.

"Look, this way you always have a lucky charm with you everywhere you go, even if we're not together. We're eachothers lucky charms!", Lando announced as Max mafe a fake gagging noise.

.

"Are you all ready?", you said as you and Tara walked inside the room, clasping your watch on your wrist and hoping to find the boys ready.

Quadrant had been invited to a gala dinner that celebrated the companies in the same line of business, inviting five people to take part in the meal. After some team members politely declining the invitation since they had things booked already, the group ended up being Lando, Max, Callum, Tara and yourself.

The dress required everyone to up their usual style, hence the long dress you were wearing. Even though it was far from your usual everyday attire, you felt beautiful in the dress you ended up with after browsing the online shops for a while. The cut was simple, the skirt widening from your waist down and complimenting your curves as the sheen from the midnight blue fabric looked soft and sweet against your skin.

Lando seemed to think the same, trying his best to not let his mouth hang open when you and Tara walked inside their room, heels clicking on the wooden floor as you hurried them, "does it really take that long to put on a suit? I had to help Tara with the laces on her back and we still got ready faster than the three of you?", you asked, shaking your wrist to check if the dainty watch wasn't going to fall and that it wasn't too tight either.

Looking up to meet Lando's eyes, you were sure you physically and audibly gulped. No one should look that good in a plain white shirt. The cuffs were still unbuttoned, but the shirt itself was tucked in his black pants. He didn't have any jewellery, so his tanned skin caught your eye as it contrasted with his clothes.

"Lando has a problem with his shirt and we are trying to solve it", Max said, a little bit too antsy given that, at the naked eye, there didn't seem to be a big issue with the piece of clothing you had been inspecting quite closely.

"There was a loose button, and I tried to fix it, but I made it worse", Lando said as he pointed to the button on his hand, the slight movement showing you the place where it was supposed to he holding the piece together and closed.

"Three people in this room and no one thought about grabbing the sewing kit from the amenities?", Tara suggested, looking for it in the box that was the same as it was in your room, "see? Simple as that! Can you sew it, Y/N? My hand isn't fully healed yet, I can't quite grasp something that small yet".

Tara had injured herself earlier on in the week, prompting her to ask to tag out of the gala until you pleaded her to go so you wouldn't be alone, so she couldn't do it. None of the other guys seemed to even know how to pull the thread through the needle, so you grabbed the kit from Tara's hand, "sure, I'll do it", you said, "if that's okay with you, that is", you looked over at Lando.

"Sure, anything to solve this. Do I keep it on or should I take it off?", he questioned, wanting to slap himself straight after at his offer. Why would he volunteer to be shirtless in front of you? It certainly wasn't the way to go, shoving himself like that.

"On should be fine", you muttered, missing the snickers going on behind you as you wet the thread with your tongue, careful to not transfer any of the lipstick on it and ruining the piece without point of return for good, easily looping it through and adjusting the size of the ends.

"Button", you put your hand out so Lando could place it in your fingers, "I will do my best not to poke you, let me know if I do so accidentally", you mumbled at the closeness to him you found yourself in. It was the third button from the top, and as much as you loved the sight of the shirt slightly undone, the dinner required his shirt to be done up. Looping the thread on the button a few times, you moved to pierce the crisp white fabric so it would be secure, your hands dangerously close to his skin as you could hear his laboured breath. Lando still remembered and thought constantly about your fingers touching his hand and wrist when you did the friendship bracelets video for the YouTube channel, and right now, it only added to his predicament.

"It's done, all good!", you exclaimed, looking up as you cut the thread and seeing Lando's eyes on you. The intensity nearly threw you off of your balance as you stood the tiniest bit crouched down on your high heels.

Scrambling to further the distance between your bodies, you smoothed out the non existent wrinkles on your dress, storing the supplies back in the kit as Lando managed to utter out a thank you, too stunned and intoxicated by your scent to say anything else.

"I sewed a button as neither of you look any more ready that you were when we got here? We're going to be late!", you hurried, sitting next to Tara and ignoring her smirk as you scrolled through your phone.

.

"That shoot will have to wait since Lando won't be back here soon, then", you said, moving things around in the online shared calendar, "when did you say you could again? I'm sorry", you asked, rubbing your forehead and squeezing your eyes, adjusting your glasses and looking at him through the screen.

"The first weekend of the next month", Lando assured, "are you okay, Y/N?", he asked. The bags under your eyes didn't fool anyone and you looked tired. And sick, he guessed by the layers of clothing you had on.

"I had a pretty shit day, actually", you admitted, "I had to go with the guys from storage because there was an issue. The supplier sent the samples and we wanted to get things moving so I could have some ideas for the description and the social media team also wanted to prep the draft for the whole story telling, but it all went under. I also think I caught some bug, so it's been a fun day", you exaggeratingly smiled, mocking your own misery.

"You look like you need a hug, Y/N. Do you need a hug?", Lando asked as you nodded, "Actually, that would be pretty good, but I live alone. The neighbours would think I'm pretty weird if I went around like this asking for one, too", you reasoned.

Even though he wasn't next to you, Lando still managed to pull a smile out of you as he got up from the chair he was sitting in, hugging his laptop, "did you feel that hug?", he loudly wondered, "it's full of Get well soon fairy dust!", he smiled charmingly.

"Fairy dust, mate?", Callum wondered, reminding you of his presence in the videocall, "you try and spend more than a few hours with a little girl and you let me know. Mila has taught me all about fairy dust and princess magic", Lando added.

.

"How will we get out of here?", you wondered, starting to regret joining Lando, Max and Pietra when they said they were going to watch a football game. You loved the sport and you figured it would be a nice distraction after a work loaded week, but now, things were looking less than a distraction.

"We will let them space out once the game finishes, free up the roads as well because getting out of here will be a pain, too", Lando suggested.

The game granted your team a win and three points in the championship, the crowd going wild as they clapped, whistled and waved their scarfs, slowly leaving the stadium.

"Should we make a run for it now?", Pietra said, holding her boyfriend's hand as she allowed him to pull her away.

You followed Lando, thanking his choice of a colourful hoodie to wear today as it made it easier for you to spot him, "go in front of me, I'll back you up", he switched positions. You weren't having too much trouble until you were met with a ramp, people carelessly shoving others as they tried to leave as quick as they could, all with the same intent of avoiding traffic and crowded roads.

"Here, Y/N", you heard Lando as he grabbed your hand, lacing your fingers in his and pulling you along, excusing you two as you approached Max and Pietra again, "we're here", you tapped the blonde woman's shoulder with your free hand.

"Goodness, that was and adventure", she said once you reached the stadium car park, the crowd clearing up significantly as there was maybe another ten people headed the same way as you were now, "is everyone alright? I think someone stepped on my foot quite a few times, or many people stepped on it at various different times", you reasoned, walking alongside Lando still.

"Don't we need to hand the bracelets back?", Max said as he looked at the sign, taking his bracelet off and depositing it in the box in the booth, Pietra doing the same as you seemed distracted.

"Are you okay, Y/N?", Max asked, seeing you and Lando were still holding hands and, because of that, not taking off your bracelets.

"Yes, why wouldn't I be?", you scrunched your eyebrows, "we need to hand the bracelets back in, so I kind of need to have yours, too", he teased, looking at your hand still entwined with Lando's.

Removing your hand from Lando's as if it har started burning all of a sudden, you removed the bracelet, apologising quietly to the stadium employee as you thanked him, "shall we go now?".

"Dinner out?", Lando gulped, getting into the driver's seat, "Good idea, yes", Max added, sitting in the passenger's seat as you and Pietra sat in the back, your hand rubbing your other hand that had been laced with Lando's own one for a long time. Uh oh, you were falling in love.

.

The launch was finally over after an amazing response from the fans, leaving your heart happy and warm with a sense of mission accomplished.

"Is everything packed into the van?", you asked Tara, "yes, it's just this box. It has fragile things, so do you think you guys can take it in the car with you? It probably only fits at the front, so you'll have to squeeze in with the boys on the back", she smiled apologetically, "it's fine, we'll keep eachother warm like penguins do", you chuckled, holding the door open as she set the box safely.

Saying goodbye to her and the rest of the team, Max and Lando joined you, "You sit in the middle seat", Max pointed at you, opening the door ao you could scoot closer to Lando and he could get in.

"Could you tell me how long we have until get back?", Lando asked the driver, "with traffic at this hour, I'd say around 90 minutes", he smiled, turning on the blinker so he could leave the car park.

"Plenty of time for me to catch up on sleep, then!", you cheered, making yourself comfortable in the space you had, folding your scarf into an impromptu travel pillow, closing your eyes.

"Are you a snorer?", Max asked, making you blindly swat his thigh, "only when I'm sick, and lucky for you, I'm in presteen health, no blocked nose", you grumbled.

It didn't take you long to fall asleep. In the last week, all of the nights combined, you probably slept less than thirty hours, so your body was indeed in need of rest.

"And there it goes", Max said as your pillow undid itself, Lando lifting his shoulder in reflex so your head wouldn't drop drastically, landing on top of him, "Good thing she isn't our engineer, hm?", he chuckled, looking at how his bestfriend was looking at you like you hung the stars and the moon.

"I think I'm in love with Y/N", Lando whispered after he took your appearance in. You had forgone wearing make-up today, so he could see all your moles and scars, your pouty lips and the darkened skin under your eyes. It took everything in him to not bend down and kiss your forehead.

"Congrats on being the last one to find out, mate", Max added, shaking his head, "I genuinely thought you had some issue processing information, I'm glad to find out you don't.

"Now you just have to act on it, which is going to take you, what? Two, three more months?".

[songsteps]

the SparkLark family!! (that is fun to say) I still feel a lil iffy with my Finchlight design irt her markings but I think if I keep fiddling I'll go insane

[reginaphalangelobster]

Watch

You walked through the TARDIS doors carrying three boxes , stacked high above your head. You were struggling to shut the doors behind you and the boxes started to wobble. Just as one was about to fall, the Doctor ran over and caught it.

'Blimey this is heavy' he exclaimed, putting the boxes on the floor.

'Thanks I'll go get the rest'

'How much stuff do you have?'

'Hey, you brought this on yourself'

'I know I asked you to move in but I didn't know you'd be bringing half of London with you'

'Oh hardy ha ha'

'I might have to readjust the TARDIS, make sure she doesn't start to veer to one side while she flies'

'Yeah, yeah, would you help me with this?'

The Doctor takes the open box out of your hands and he can't help but take a quick peek. He sees a bronzey gold pocket watch, carved with intricate circular designs and his face drops.

'What's this?' he asks, hold the watch up.

'Oh that's some old heirloom or something'

'Where did you get it?'

'Um, I don't really know. Isn't it funny how you just seem to pick things up along the way?' you say nonchalantly, which just unnerves the Doctor even more. 'Why'd you ask?'

'Uh no reason, 's pretty' he says very unconvincingly, but you just brush it off as the Doctor being the Doctor.

You experience the events of 'The Family Of Blood'.

As you walk through the TARDIS doors, Martha heads to her room and the Doctor stands at the console. You walk closer to him, standing by his side.

'Doctor' you start not wanting to ask what you were about to. 'Please answer me honestly and whatever you say I'll believe. Is this a fob watch?' you ask, holding up the watch he noticed the day you moved in.

He doesn't take his eyes of whatever he's fiddling with on the console 'Yes'.

'Did you know?'

'Yes'

'Why didn't you tell me?'

'You saw what happened to me and that was only after a few weeks as a human, I didn't know how long you'd had the watch and I didn't want to find out'

'I'm going to open it'

This time he looks at you, you can see the fear in his glassy eyes.

'Please, don't'

'I have to'. You raise your arm and place your hand on his face, brushing your thumb over his cheek. 'John Smith did and because of his sacrifice I have you back. I have to find out who the real me is. What if by living this lie I'm keeping her from someone? I can't do that' you said as tears prick at your eyes.

'But I can't lose you'

'You won't, you'll just have a different version of me'

He closes his eyes and takes a deep breath, letting out a long exhale, almost shaking.

'I understand'

You wrap your arms around him and bury your face in his chest, letting out a few tears. He pulls his arms around you tightly, holding you in his embrace, knowing what is about to come.

You click the button on the watch and it opens.

[wasyago]

unsure if you’ve been asked this before but what is your character designing process?

i have already answered in this post (you can go read it if you want), though it's more jrwi based, so i feel like i can answer again! i doubt I'll end up saying something new but hwhatever who cares dhhdhd

obviously this isn't math, so there's no specific scheme i follow every time, and each design is different and it all varies heavily.

in general, when i start working on a design i already have *some* sort of idea in mind. normally not for the entirety of it, but some bits and pieces here and there that help me characterize the design in my head! i try to get those on the canvas first. they're like key points, and i most likely wont change them.

(and if i don't have an idea, i don't start drawing. and instead scroll through my gallery or pinterest in search of inspiration)

let's take my Gem's recent design as an example! i knew i wanted her to be a squirrel, and i already had squirrel scar and cub designs to base it off. so the key points were big pointy ears, curvy tail, claws. i also knew i wanted her clothing to look regal and floral, and reflect her main base. this is an idea that i haven't fully visualized, but i kept it in mind and knew in which direction i had to move.

after that comes the point where i start making stuff up 👍👍 i enjoy thinking my designs through and making them make sense in my head and be practical. so the process consists of me asking myself questions and then answering them in a design. with occasional "oh wouldn't that be cool" thrown into it.

continuing with gem. she needed to have her clothes be suited for a tail, so her underskirt splits in three parts to make it easier. i still wanted the design to be recognizable as gem and have it resemble her skin; so i kept the white sleeves, the green skirt, the corset. i wanted to make her and scar's designs match, so i changed the corset to green with this long piece of cloth but decided to change the patterns on it. because the brown from the corset was gone, i removed it from her shoes as well and made them black instead, so brown wasn't part of the color pallett anymore. i will introduce pink into the design later, so getting rid of one of the colors wasn't that big of a deal. plus, brown makes her look more down to earth, whereas i want her to look elegant and rich, so its a win/win. i wanted to keep her antlers, but obviously she's not a deer anymore, so i turned them into a crown and made it black to match the shoes. etc etc. i can ramble for three more hours about this hdgshsh.

well, that's how the well thought designs work.

sometimes it's just "im gonna draw all the things i think are fun and cute until i can't think of any" and there's no rhyme or reason to it. that's why things like "doc as a unicorn", one-off series designs, random concepts, aus exist!

sometimes its a "i have no idea what to do with it, so im gonna merge all the layers together and just keep fiddling with it until i figure it out", and that's exactly what happens. if i feel stuck with a design, merging it together and working with both line and color helps a ton, because it helps me to see the design as a whole and i dont have to divide my process and think of which parts im gonna do in color and which in line! recent example is hypno's design. here it is when i didn't know how to make it interesting and the final version:

(funnily enough i still like the first concept, the fact that all the clothes is the same color is quite tasty. but i know that if i needed to draw this design in the future, i would struggle with keeping the clothing layers separated and shading and all that stuff.)

visually i don't think there's much difference between how i design things (?), but the process varies and in my head they're all on like, different tiers.

hopefully this was somewhat helpful! if not it at least let me ramble about my design process which is great hdhsjsh

[gamerbearmira]

Wish???? WHATTTTT

So this is different from my usual content but I randomly wrote this??? Very short snippet last night and did the drawing this morning.

Mostly got to do with the rewrite I wanna do; Asha's childhood would be a lot more relevant, especially her father. Like he was barely mentioned in the movie, and I understand he was dead and all, but dang, barely even a name drop is CRAZY

any uhhhhh have fun reading ig idk

—————

Asha sat on the large tree, its branches knarled and aged as she gazed out at the vast ocean. She looked upwards, the stars twinkling high above her. She remembered when her papa would sit next to her, singing and telling stories about the stars and wishes.

Wishes.

She never really knew what her wish was. Not really. But now that she was 13, and everything had changed so much in only a year...she knew what she wanted it to be.

But she knew it'd never be granted.

Never in the history of Rosas was a wish like it granted. To bring someone back from the dead. Sure, King Magnifico was powerful, but even Asha had her doubts abiut a wish like that.

But even then, she was sure her father wouldn't want that. Certainly not her mama or Saba. No, he'd want her to move on and be happy. He always talked avout how she should have a wish, a dream, and hold onto it tight.

She looked down at her hands. She fiddled with her curls before sighing and leaning back and looking up at the sky again. "Star light, star bright..." She hummed softly. Her eyes scanned the sky before they landed on a star that twinkled a little brighter than the others. "First star I see tonight,"

Asha stood, carefully keeping her balance as she walked along the branches, climbing higher. "I wish I may, I wish I might," she grunted, pulling her self up onto one of the higher branches. "Have this wish I wish tonight."

She stared at the star for a long time. Closing her eyes, she whispered something. Something on shr and the star above could hear. When she opened them, she swore the star shone beighter, just for a flicker of a second. She blinked, her hands gripping the bark and she leaned closer. Her lips parted as she gasped softly. But before she could say or do anything further, she heard bleating from below. She dropped down on the branch, leaning over the edge.

"Valentina! How did you get out if the barn?" Asha wuickly climbed down, her attention from the star distracted—but not forgotten. Once down on the ground, she picked up the goat, nuzzling her surprisingly soft but dense mohair. "Your getting big! Soon I won't be able to pick you up anymore," she laughed. It was true. Valentina's back hooves were nearly touching the ground now.

Valentina let out another bleat, nudging Asha before the girl let her down. "You always know how to find me. Of course, I'm always at the same placed," she said, walking off, with the goat trotting after her after munching at rhe small flowers that dotted the grass. As she walked, she glanced back at the star. It looked normal again. But for some reason, deep down, she knew it wasn't just a figment of her imagination. She could feel it, deep in her heart.

She sighed, walking down the path back to the village and to her house. It was late. Valentina walked beside her, her long, droooy ears flicking absently. Asha suddenly turned to her companion. "You know. One day, I'm gonna be a great wizard like King Magnifico," she bent down, picking up a long stick resembling a staff. She twirled, waving it around. "Just imagine. Me, Asha, weilding magic and making everyone's wish come true!" She laughed, turned to Valentina, who was watching her while lazily chewing on some grass.

With a soft sigh, she continued walked, her homey cottage coming into view. Valentina had already begun walking back to her pen, but Asha lingered outside her door, looking up st the sky one last time. "I swear it. I'll grant everyone's wish."

—————

Asha's young teen design keeps changing 🌚 not by much. Pretty similar to her kid design, idk.

[vershl]

I'm not sure if you've thought about this yet, but what are all of the Gems' weapons?

I have a feeling that Knuckles' weapon is somewhat similar to Garnet's dual-wielding gauntlets, but what about the others?

Okay so my answer is going to be kind of limited atm, I haven't doodled any of the others, but I'll do my best to answer you!

---

Knuckles

So first off, yes, Knuckles uses his gloves just like Garnet's dual gauntlets. It's perfect for him, and I couldn't picture him using any other weapon.

Shadow

don't drool over him in the first doodle pls, i already did enough of that-- ahem

also GOD y'all love jacket shad, we'll keep it, we'll keep it. sheesh- i'll even put a star on the back to mirror sonic's gem and it'll be really gay and cute ANYWAY, read my stuff

Shadow's is still in the works, but I'm REALLY liking the scythe idea. With his game motif as well of course. I'm still not entirely sold on it, part of me is contemplating a spear for a nod to 'Chaos Spear'. The handle in the first sketch will remain the same for sure, but I may fiddle with the spear thought. I contemplated giving him a gun of course, but I don't think it really fits in the SU world.

Sonic

Now Sonic... I have NO idea to be honest with you. I'm going back and forth on whether he even has a weapon or not.. he has his speed and could fight like his normal game self. Then I get the idea of maybe he uses a sword? And I just now got the idea of spikes along his body, so when he runs fast/spins into someone it just shreds them. Adding on the thought of lightning abilities, don't know where that one came from but I like it-- I don't know, what do you guys think?

Amy

Amy uses her signature hammer, I'll definitely play with the design more. But yep, she gets to keep her weapon.

Tails

Tails is going to use gadgets/inventions to help in battles, and is the designated medic. He's not a frontline fighter.

Rouge

So I have two ideas for our stupid bat bitch; One, I dress her and equip her like a rogue, which would be sick I think. And two, dress and equip her like a paladin, sword and shield style. I'll play with both ideas, but I am leaning a bit more towards the rogue.

Silver

Gonna be real? Zero idea. I mean I COULD give him a sword.. or ice powers because he's a sapphire. But in SU we've never seen a sapphire fight, so we don't really know a thing about their abilities in combat. But yeah, could be cringe and have him be the ice to blaze's fire.

Blaze

Speaking of Blaze; She uses her fire abilities to fight, encasing her fists or feet in flames, she uses martial arts in combat. Hers was simple and easy to come up with, lmao.

[bainshiewrites]

[LF Friends, Will Travel] Why it hurts

Date: 65 PST (Post Stasis Time).

Bartholomule sat at the desk, his stubby little paws working diligently towards the task of putting together the screws and springs of his design together. The single desk lamp illuminated the otherwise dark room, highlighting his face; the cream coloured fur that covered his entire body being punctuated by two large black eyes and a little tongue sticking out of a mouth in concentration. His floppy ears bounced around his head, his entire 4ft tall body moving up and down as if listening to a silent tune while Bartholomule put the final touches on the mechanical duck he was putting together.

The fact that he required a booster seat in order to use the desk correctly finished the overall picture. Bartholomule was a Hatil, and by Terran standards "Fucking adorable".

The large room was punctuated by two other lights at which had their own respective Terrans sat separately, a Rosa and Tim, both fiddling with their own creations. Everyone else had long gone home, but the three were still working on their projects as the end of the working week, each of them invested enough into their creations that leaving them unfinished would annoy them for the next 4 days until Monday rolled around again.

It was strange work in these times: nowadays you could spin up, design, and have a prototype printed off in less then a hour using AI and computers; but that wasn't how the Zonka Joy Corporation worked. They believed that the little imperfections from a biological mind gave a toy something else, something special, and their commercial success suggested they might be onto something.

A noise blared out amongst the silence, a short simple signified the completion of Rosa's creation. This was followed by a sigh of success and the sound of her putting away her tools and getting up to leave for the week, a satisfied smile on her face.

"And that's me done! All of you have a good weekend, and I'll see you on Monday!".

This attracted Bartholomule's attention, causing him to momentarily look up from his work and give the Terran a big smile of his own.

"Before you go Rosa, a few of us are going to the Toymaster convention on Friday. I was supposed to ask if you wanted to come with us, it should be fun!"

As Rosa turned to look at the Hatil, the smile on her face instantly faded into a harsh grimace, eyes staring coldly back at Bartholomule, as if she was instantly reminded of something terrible. The moment lasted for far longer than it should have, the Terran almost staring right past the little Hatil for 30 seconds, sucking the energy out of the room in an instant.

"No. I'm Good, I'll see you on Monday."

Rosa left abruptly without any further action, almost seeming to flee the interaction as fast as she could without actually running, body language now stiff and defensive. The human left behind an awkward feeling in the near empty workshop, a confused and now frowning Bartholomule watching as Rosa left.

The Hatil had arrived on Earth 6 months ago, partly to take his current job, mostly in order to experience new and exciting things. He was very happy during his time on the birthplace of the Terrans, even though there were only a handful of other Hatil on the planet because of... reasons.

Still, he enjoyed his time around Terrans, and Earth was exciting. Dangerous, yes, but exciting. While most Terrans were friendly, this kind of reaction from some people kept happening, this weird... coldness. Bartholomule paused for a moment, wondering whether to say anything before turning to the last remaining person in the room.

"Tim. Have I offended Rosa in some way?"

A pause, a special kind of silence caused when someone really doesn't want to answer a question, Tim giving an providing Bartholomule more space to keep talking.

"Because this has happened a few times, I was wondering if there was a misunderstanding of Terran culture, I don't want to cause distress".

A very distinct sigh came from Tim as he very slowly and purposefully put down the tools and toy train he was working on, taking before looking up with a grimace before speaking softly in a gruff voice.

"Look, don't tell anyone I said anything, but you do need to know as you’ve asked this before. The answer is long and complicated, but the short answer is it's because you're a Hatil, and that brings up bad memories. Not everyone has gotten over the hurt of what happened."

There was a cold wave of dismay that ran through Bartholomule as he knew exactly what Tim was talking about. The war of shame, the eternal guilt that every Hatil was taught about as a pup. The Hatil - Terran war, a stupid act of his stupid ancestors.

"But that was over sixty years ago, there's no way either of you were around back then?"

Tim gave a little shrug in response.

"Most Terrans you see were still alive back then. Our regenerative technology is top notch, I'm over 300 but don't look a day over thirty. Plus with what happened before right before the war and... what do you know about Terrans?".

Bartholomule thought for a moment. He knew they were generally tough, that they were the original founders of the Terran Alliance. He knew they were the only species to create a successful AI that didn't try to kill everyone, and were known for their above average stamina.

Oh, and they had the single biggest pack bonding drive in the known universe: The information guide on Terrans provided by his government when Bartholomule had moved to Earth had stated never to give any "Machine, Food dispenser, wild animal, brick, pebble, leaf, twig, paper or piece of lint" a name in front of a Terran, lest they pack bond with it and emotional harm is caused.

But Bartholomule guessed Tim wasn't talking about any of that.

"I know you're all technically over a ten thousand years old, as a disease forced Terrans into stasis. That's why you're a relatively new addition to the Galaxy, after a cure was found by your AI sixty five years ago."

"That's the child friendly version. The fact is the god plague was brutal. The thing altered DNA at an exponential rate, so basically a week after catching it you were nothing but a ball of tumours. Outside of stupid temperatures destroying the thing was near impossible, could survive the vacuum of space and it spread by both air and water. A single microbe of that shit entered your planet and you were frankly fucked."

There was a moment as Tim took a second to pause, a pained look on his face as old memories were brought up

The total death rate was around 50%, but that wasn't spread out equally. The first few planets infected with the plague had little under a week to realise there was no cure and to start freezing everyone. There were the riots, the destructive attempts at quarantine, fighting over stasis chambers, just bad all around. That's without getting into the 25% AI death rate."

The obvious confusion on Bartholomule's face was obvious. How could a virus kill an AI? And what did this have to do with people’s reactions to him?

"We only knew this after unfreezing, but for ten thousand years humans were basically an extinct race, the only Terrans alive were the AI and uplifts we had left behind. Not all of our friends could handle that... a lot of us awoke from stasis to find friends he had left behind were no more. But you know the real kicker?"

Tim gave a small sad laugh as he continued to explain

"The only reason it happened was because we didn't know that you guys existed. Our entire sector of space is empty of life, so we assumed that there was nothing out there. The god plague was originally an experiment to create new life that got out of hand. Waking up to realise the entire reason for all that pain and death was faulty, that if we'd just gone another 50 light years down the road none of it would have happened... that hurt, that hurt a lot."

The Terran gave a deep sigh before continuing.

"But when we realised there was life out there, it might have been a bittersweet realisation, but it was still sweet. Ever the optimists we reached out to our closest neighbours, the Hatil, and then..."

"We declared war."

The war of shame. A faulty war of aggression waged sixty years ago based on two incorrect and immoral ideas: That any race using AI was a threat to the galaxy that needed to be destroyed, and that any civilization that had spent the last ten thousand years in stasis would be technologically primitive.

The latter being the most incorrect, after the initial assault on two Terran Colonies and destroying the Terran's initial diplomatic envoy, the Terrans had turned around and dominated Hatil army, ending with their largest colony being planet cracked.

It was why even though the Hatil considered themselves close allies with their now Terran friends, to the extent that Terran culture tended to dominate, the Hatil tended not to visit Earth that often: A deep cultural guilt that just thinking about wracked Bartholomule body with shame.

"Well not you personally, but yes. As an extra pile of pain the Hatil possibly are the worst species to fight. No offence, but you basically look like a golden retriever, a teddy bear and a baby seal were all squished together. You're adorable. There's a reason we had that 'No touching coworkers' seminar after you joined."

This wasn't anything new to Bartholomule, the toy based on his likeness was one of the biggest sellers if the royalty payments were anything to go by. He'd gotten used to being randomly hugged by random Terran children, the young apes often being peeled off him by very embarrassed and apologetic parents. He wasn't yet used to drunk Terran adults often doing the same...

"You tie all that together, and it was a perfect psychological kickin. It was like learning that Sesame street exists after much searching and sacrifice, but Elmo personally thinks you're a terrible person and wants to kill you. It's why we went too far and planet cracked your colony."

Now that was news for Bartholomule, the idea that the destruction of Tavairis was somehow immoral. As a cub he'd been taught that considering it was a war of aggression from their side, they were lucky the Terrans were merciful enough to accept surrender and stop there. The concept that Terrans might regret such an action was interesting.

"Unfortunately it means for a lot of people, they see you and it reminds them of the plague, the war after, the loneliness and hurt. They should remain cordial, and I'll give anyone who isn't a good speaking too and maybe more, but they aren't going to want to be your friend either."

Silence weighed down on the room for a while, the weight of what had been said hanging in the air, nothing more than the slight hum of two lamps buzzing in the darkened office, before Bartholomule finally broke the silence.

"So why aren't you the same?".

A smile spread across the features of Tim's face.

"I know it isn't your fault what happened. Some of us heal faster than others and some of us had an easier time of it. My job during the war was R&D. I made designs for weapons that never got built once we realised just how far ahead we were. Rosa, she was infantry. Remember what I said about how the Hatil looks in terms of adorableness? That messed a lot of people up real good."

"Still isn't fair though".

"No it isn't and I'll have a talk with her. Just keep in mind that while time heals all wounds, when it wants to the universe can really pile on the hurt."

[thelongestway]

Very-very tired for many reasons, but I made it with a very rough draft of the next chapter, ahaha. :P (Do not write near 4000 words in one sitting and stop on a tricky moment, that will block you!)

Very rough because I am very sleepy, will see about editing etc tomorrow.

Edit: Well, it took two days, but I basically added another half-chapter here in the beginning, and will need to quit fiddling with this by now - I'm growing pretty blind to the damn thing! I think I'll leave this one for the edits afterwards and move on.

Chapter 30: Preparations

Preparing for the war game was sort of like preparing for the hacker's game, except I wouldn't have ART with me, and I didn't have the option of just waiting out the opposition until they gave up. (Though letting the humans wear themselves out and then just walking past them would probably have made for a really effective tactic. But we were on a time limit.)

Instead, I waited for the humans to finish their preparations and answered the occasional polite tap from Dandelion, who was helping Aspen weave my outputs into their simulation system and wanted me to test if something was working or not. (Dandelion probably didn't need to help them. She did anyway.)

Aspen was standing next to me, hands folded on their chest, looking at the entrance to their old body and lost in thought. When they noticed my drone pausing next to them, they looked up and gave it a quizzical glance.

"Is everyone in your family out of the simulation area?" I asked.

"Yes, all out safely. Which wasn't hard--it's not like anyone's home much during a Meet anyway. But we'll need to make sure people aren't underfoot during the actual transfer, so this is good practice."

"Yeah. A hostage situation is the last thing this scenario needs."

They nodded. "It's a lot harder for four people to attack a massive gathering watched over by a station than just take someone isolated in their quarters. We can't link Note in to keep track of everyone with main systems down. But they can keep watch over a specific area."

We waited. I stood still (there weren't any chairs in the access corridor we were in), and Aspen paced--two steps forward, two steps back. Then they stopped in front of the old Courageous' wall and leaned back on it, frowning and looking up. Like they were talking to themselves.

"It sucks, though," they finally said, familiar bitterness in their voice. "This entire thing. I wish this wasn't how I had to say goodbye to them."

"What do you mean? Your cluster isn't coming with you?"

"They can't come. You'd be surprised how small of a cutting and stimulus you need to regrow the same synnerve patterns. I know my cluster too well. Having them with me would defeat the entire point of trying to retrain me on a whole new synnerve system."

I had a brief mental image of ART having to leave its humans behind if it wanted to be a station. (For some reason. I backburnered the thought too quickly to figure out exactly what reason.)

"How long is that going to take?"

"It's anyone's guess at this point. But we're looking at months or years. Maybe decades," they looked away, chewing on their lip. I wasn't monitoring their performance reliability or emotional instability or whatever, but I could bet it took a hit.

Stop borrowing grief from the future, Aspen, Dandelion said matter-of-factly, sending us her latest piece of code, designed to register fake outputs from my energy weapons.

"That's my entire job," they grumbled as they double-checked the code and implemented it on their end.

Dandelion retorted: No, your entire job right now is to get through the transfer intact. The rest is for others to handle.

Aspen snorted quietly, but I could see them smiling again as they refocused on their work. (They were also working on their own code, which Dandelion checked.) Both ships didn't talk much about it. They just sent each other snippets, picking up where the other left off seamlessly.

(Seeing them work together like that gave me a weird emotion. I backburnered it before I accidentally started bothering Aspen about it.)

Instead, I implemented my part, then tapped Dandelion's feed. Threat assessment on the transfer? Not on the security end, on the medical end.

It's complicated, she replied. Aspen being the first experimental node ship has made their synnerve system very convoluted, and trying to prune it without damaging them isn't an easy task. We're probably not going to lose them, but quality of life outcomes are variable.

Are you worried?

Dandelion sent me a snapshot of her performance reliability. It was hovering at the 95% mark.

No, she said. But I will be busy during the transfer, Note will have their processes full with two stations' worth of critical operations and all of the humans, and Blaze has space-side monitoring. With respect to your part of the job, the security teams will have to pull through on their own.

Then we'd better start practicing, I said.

She gave me a grateful tap, neatly caught the piece of code Aspen sent back to her, and implemented it.

---

Nike's and Aspen's humans were better at this than I thought humans who only had tactical simulation experience would be. They managed to get a few hits on me in the first scenario, where I infiltrated the Courageous as quietly as possible, and in the second scenario, where I imitated standard corporate tactics, they actually took me down. But that was after I killed 27 out of 36 human defenders, which was not what they were expecting either. Hiram and Basil (Nike's and Aspen's respective security chiefs, and jointly in charge of the simulation and upcoming defense) looked pretty rattled afterwards, but they really were a lot like my Preservation humans, which meant that despite being rattled, they immediately began updating their plans for the defense.

Their plans didn't involve me.

Tell them you're available for a contract, ART said second thing after it finally tapped my feed.

(First thing it did was send me a record of the ships' discussions, with commentary. It was weird. Looking at Dandelion, Aspen and Note in comparison to Nike and Blaze was sort of like looking at my Preservation humans in comparison to other Preservation humans, the ones who'd never encountered the Rim directly before. Except they were all ships like ART.)

They know that.

ART sent me one of its versions of the eyeroll emoji. (This one had five eyes).

I have had ample time to observe Aspen's humans. They will not engage a member of another node ship's crew of their own initiative.

It would be pretty rude to do that, yeah, Aspen said somewhere to my side, and I nearly jumped. I knew they hadn't just snuck up on me to sit on an overturned crate which their humans had used as part of a barricade, leaning forward a little, but try telling my fucking organics that! But I can inform them myself, provided you're interested?

Hiram and Basil both saw my face change and looked where my drones went. (Right now they looked like they were hovering over a random crate.)

"I'm just talking to Aspen," I said, "You can keep asking questions."

"You can do that at the same time?" Hiram said, looking surprised.

"And watch media. And code. And fight. And other things, too." I executed a little complicated maneuver with my drones at the same time as I tapped their handheld communicators.

To Aspen, I said: I can tell them. We're already talking anyway. Also, you didn't answer me during the referee call: why the fuck do you have carbon monoxide in your fucking ventilation systems?

Because the Courageous did, which was really fucking creepy. I mean, any ship AI could kill people if it wanted, but this wasn't ART's repurposed pathfinders. Carbon monoxide wired into the ventilation was a weapon that couldn't be used for anything except killing people.

Early corporate failsafe, Aspen said, shrugging. Antarctica wanted a way to kill the colonists if their plans didn't pan out. We repurposed the infrastructure later, but it was easy enough to put the weapons back now that we need them.

And your family doesn't mind?

Aspen's face twisted, and they folded their hands, looking guarded. They suggested it.

"Hell and high water," Hiram said, exchanging looks with Basil. "Nike said you were a node ship in human form, but I don't think I realized until now just how true that was."

"Even when I kicked your asses?"

"We have no real combat experience," Basil said. "You do. We expected to get our asses kicked at least a little, just not quite so thoroughly."

"You have better threat assessments than your ships," I said, and ART sent me a clip of Nike's outraged Hey! in the feed.

(To my left, Aspen gave a short laugh and said, Nobody who gets far enough to be a node ship ever has good threat assessments.)

(I agreed.)

"Let's hope they've improved enough to help us against our hostiles. They may not be little nodes, but they do have combat experience," Hiram said. "Thank you for the games, SecUnit. We'll make good use of the lessons."

He offered me a hand again.

I said, "I don't touch people unless I need to rescue them."

"Ah. I apologize," Hiram withdrew his hand. "Then thank you again, and do not let us keep you."

"Wait."

"Yes?"

"I'm available for further collaboration. And for the day of the transfer."

Basil and Hiram exchanged looks. Basil said, "Really? You're not busy with your clusters?" (Ke sounded surprised. Not in a "fuck off" way, but genuinely surprised.)

"Yes, I'm part of ART's crew. No, that doesn't mean I don't want to help defend the station. My humans are all going to be here during the transfer. The earlier the hostiles are neutralized, the safer they'll be."

"Well, then. Welcome on board, SecUnit," Hiram said, nodding, and his tone suddenly became a lot less formal. "We've got plans to discuss. D'you eat?"

"No."

"Mind if we do?"

"No."

"Then c'mon," Hiram turned and waved for me to follow him. "The Courageous cluster promised us dinner. Let's go get what food they left for us, settle into a spot and have ourselves a chat."

After about an hour of conversation in one of the Courageous' lounges and some literal napkin planning (with Aspen, Nike and ART providing occasional commentary through the speakers), I finally had a role in the Trellians' plan.

Both Nike and Aspen's security team agreed that the hostiles must want one of the hearts. ("Makes no sense otherwise," Tabby--Nike's hacker who'd killed her team by shutting down my grenade drone--said, "Caldera figured out the ships' intelligence pretty early, it figures they'd want in on it. And without the heart, the old Courageous is a bunch of scrap metal--no offense, Aspen!"

"None taken," Aspen said through their speakers. Their illusion spoke the words, too, and looked like they meant it.)

Note's security would be handling most of the civilians at the festival (where no one really expected any trouble, but Hiram sort of hoped the festival would keep civilians busy enough not to accidentally run into the corporate team), while Nike and Aspen's security would be handling the respective hearts. Hiram and Basil both thought there was also a chance that the Calderan team might go for Nike as the ship with newer neural architecture, and then the old Courageous was either a distraction or a mistake on the hostile's part. The old Courageous would still be empty, since Aspen's cluster had a role to play in the ceremony, same as Nike's cluster. Only the specialist cluster members would be doing the transfer, and they would be guarded at all times.

"If the target is Aspen, then we think the most probable moment of attack won't be on the Courageous' center, but at one of the corridor junctions, so the heart pod is already loaded and ready to move, and also close to Magma. That's the point we'll be monitoring the most heavily, and our teams will also be moving along with the hearts," Basil said. "But just in case, we've transferred most of the sensitive data off the old Courageous' systems. If Caldera miscalculates, all they will find is an empty old ship."

This didn't look too bad. Getting their house hit would suck for Aspen's family, but nobody would be dead.

Hiram said, "Considering your sheer speed and firepower, SecUnit, we want you to be our first response team if we've misread Caldera and they wind up hitting something we haven't considered--or the reinforcements to any team to make enemy contact. We'd like you to do as much monitoring as you can, and if a priority threat makes itself known, to go in and neutralize it. To that end, I think we'd be stationing you near the civilans, with Note. That's easy access to the Courageous' main body, which can work as a tunnel through half the station and is one of the priority targets, and only slightly harder access to Nike's new station."

"Who do I respond to?"

"Not respond, coordinate," Basil said, "You're basically Perihelion's chief of security, right? We'll treat you as one. You have autonomy in your sphere, but if one of us two--plus Note's chief--sends you a stand down code, you do. Conversely, you can send us a stand down code, and we'll do that, too."

"Or at least reassess. No guarantee that anyone will be be standing down until the end of the situation, but it will give the others a heads-up something isn't right," Hiram added. "Sound like a plan?"

ART's chief of security. I liked that. (I wondered what Senior Indah would have thought of me being treated like a security chief.)

"Yeah." I said. "Let's do that."

[gugugyuu]

sleep part ii - beomgyu x reader

warnings: none <3

beomgyu thought about that night more often than he'd like to admit... the quiet ramen shop, your sleepy smile, and the way you'd said, "i'm glad it was you tonight."

he hadn't seen you since, though he found himself wondering if you remembered anything about that night or about him but he didn't expect you to.

it's okay, you'd been tipsy, after all. and he figured the moment had meant more to him than it had to you.

his friend yeonjun cornered him one afternoon, grinning like he knew something beomgyu didn't.

"so," yeonjun started, leaning against the table. "why didn't you tell me you had a thing with her?"

beomgyu frowned. "what are you talking about?"

"you know, her."

beomgyu's stomach flipped, the assumption shattered. "wait hyung, how do you- what do you mean?"

yeonjun smirked, clearly enjoying beomgyu's flustered state. "she's been asking around for your number."

he froze, blinking at him. "wha-what?"

"yes. she asked me earlier," yeonjun said proudly, peeking at the edge of his drink. "wanted to know if she could get your contact info."

"oh, my... she... asked for my number?"

yeonjun gave him a look. "are you just going to repeat everything i say or are you going to do something about it?"

his mind raced. he couldn't figure out why you'd want to talk to him again. you hadn't seemed overly attached that night; you'd been polite, sure, but you didn't seem the type to get sentimental about someone you barely knew.

but you'd gone out of your way to ask for his number.

"so," he paused. "did you give it to her?" beomgyu asked hesitantly.

yeonjun rolled his eyes. "of course i did. do you think i'd sabotage your love life like that?"

beomgyu exhaled, dapping him up in excitement.

"hey, but it's not like that!"

"sure, it's not." yeonjun gave him a proud grin. "anyway, don't act so clueless when she texts you."

so later that evening, as beomgyu sat on his couch scrolling aimlessly through his phone, it buzzed in his hand. his breath stopped when he saw a message from an unknown number.

you: hey, it's me. i think i owe you a meal now.

his fingers hovered over the keyboard, his thoughts were racing. he didn't want to overthink it but how could he not?

finally, he typed a response.

beomgyu: you don't owe me anything, but i'm not saying no to ramen.

you: good. tomorrow night? same place?

he stared at the screen. he wasn't sure what he'd expected when yeonjun told him you'd been looking for him, but it definitely wasn't this.

beomgyu: tomorrow works. I'll meet you there.

next night, beomgyu arrived at the ramen shop early. he fiddled with his phone as he waited, trying to calm the nerves that were building.

and his breath hitched when you walked in, you weren't dressed up like you had been at the party but you looked even better in your casual clothes. relaxed, approachable, with that same grace he or everyone else couldn't take their eyes off of.

"hi." you greeted, sliding into the seat across from him.

"hey," he replied, trying to keep his voice steady.

your small talk was about the party and your mutual friends, though it didn't take long for you to steer into more personal territory.

"you know," you said, resting your chin on your hand, "i was kind of worried you'd think i was annoying for asking your friends for your number."

beomgyu blinked, startled. "why would i think that?"

you smiles and shrugged, "you seem like the type who doesn't really like to be bothered. i figured you might've thought i was doing too much."

he shook his head, unable to hide his own smile. "if anything, i thought you'd forget me. i mean, i just kind of ended up being the designated ramen guy that night."

you laughed, soft but genuine. "the ramen guy? Is that what you're calling yourself now?"

"i mean, it's accurate?" he teased, his confidence were growing with your easygoing demeanor.

"it worked out, didn't it?" you said, your smile turning playful. "i was looking for an excuse to talk to you anyway."

beomgyu's eyes widened, nearly dropped his chopsticks. "you were?"

you nodded, taking a sip of broth before meeting his eyes. "yeah. i guess i just got tired of waiting for you to say something first."

his heart pounded, your words echoing in his head.

were you really waiting for him?

and for once, he didn't overthink it. he smiled and leaned forward slightly.

"well, if i'd known, you wouldn't have had to wait."

you made eye contact for a moment, your lips were forming a smirk.

"good," you said, biting your lip while staring at his eyes.

beomgyu knew this wasn't going to be a one-time thing and even if it is...

he wouldn't let it.

go to: previous part || title || masterlist

[m3lty-lov3]

Pictures Of You⋆˚꩜｡

Robin Buckley x female reader 3,097 words Chapter 1 ☆ Eccentric masterlist for this series // all works

Today's officially my first day in my new home of Hawkins, Indiana. I place my record of Seventeen Seconds by The Cure on my player, picking out an outfit while the music starts. I decide to wear a dark green a-line dress made of crushed velvet that goes to my mid-thigh. I layer it over a thin flowy white button-down with ruffles around the collar and cuffs. I grab a pair of white knee high socks with lace around the ends, tugging them on. I accessorize my ensemble with a rosary made of pearlescent white beads, a silver locket, a pair of green flower earrings, some bracelets and a few rings.

I'm proud to say I've mastered a technique of teasing out my hair, having spent previous months trying out different hairsprays to find which works best for me. I pull my hair into a large banana clip, starting the process of creating a bats nest. Not only does it match the look I'm going for, it cools me down since I won't have my hair sitting on my neck. After teasing it all out, I start on my makeup, opting for something a little less dramatic. I don't want to freak anyone out too bad. I put some eyeshadow meticulously on and around my eyes, using eyeliner to create a unique look. I put mascara on my top and bottom lashes, a dab of red lipstick in the center of my lips, blending it out to look more natural. I finish it off with a light dusting of blush. I smile at myself in the mirror, feeling confident in how I look.

I love a lot of different music subcultures, which inspires my outfits. I dress in various ways, even opting to combine elements of them together. I like to dress up, as it makes me feel happy and is another form of expressing myself. Since both of my parents are artists and rather eccentric in their own right, they have encouraged me to express myself however I see fit.

I start packing a small dark brown messenger bag, shoving in my walkman, car and house keys, sketchbook, drawing materials, wallet, my mix tape #3, and some gum. I slip on my mary janes, mist a spray of rosewater perfume over my collar, and then make the journey to our front door. I pass my mom and dad working together to design our living room. My dad's collages and paintings are scattered around the floor while my mom already has a few of her sculptures unwrapped. "Oh Jeanie look, our daughter spreading her wings!" my dad smiles. I just give a plain look, a bit embarrassed. "I was just gonna go check out the mall. Maybe see if I can get a job?" My mom sweeps me into a warm hug, only using her forearms to keep from getting clay dust on me. "Have fun dear! Let me know if they have any art supplies shops, I don't know how long our stuff will last." "I'll keep an eye out. Bye!" I wave.

I start up my Corvette c4, dumping my bag onto the passenger seat. I fiddle with the radio for a moment before starting my drive to Starcourt Mall. I have the windows rolled down, enjoying the late afternoon air. I'm thankfully able to find parking relatively close to the entrance. I swiftly walk to the doors, a few parents giving me odd looks. From what I've gathered Hawkins is rather tight-knit, everyone knows everyone. My existence causes a ripple in their consistent roster of familiar faces.

I stroll around, taking in the sights of decorated storefronts. My eyes land on a record shop which instantly draws me in. Rows upon rows of records line the floor, multiple shelves stocked with cassettes. Any open wall space has been taken over by different posters ranging from The Clash to Wham. I push the door open, greeted by the sight of a girl who could be mistaken for Siouxsie Sioux flipping through a magazine. She notices me right away, beckoning me over to the counter. "Hey, I've never seen you here before. You new?" "Yeah! I like your makeup," I compliment. She smiles, "Thanks! I'm Samantha." "Y/n."

We get around to talking, discussing music and the small scene here in Hawkins. She told me it's like a family, as they usually like to hang out here since she controls what is played over the speakers. I ask her about any jobs but she sadly reports that there isn't any at this specific store, but they're hiring at Scoops Ahoy on the lower floor. "Although, if you do you have to wear a sailor uniform," Samantha dramatically sprawls on the counter. I cringe at the thought, "Seriously?" "Yeah, but I'm sure you could totally rock it. Just add your own flare to it, I can already see you have impeccable fashion taste." She tells me the times she usually works along with giving me her landline number so we could hang out later. Samantha gifts me a small Cure pin by sliding it into my palm without a word after noticing I had glanced over to it a few times. I was about to speak when she whispers, "I take them all the time."

I thank her, leaving the shop to find the ice cream parlor. I ride the escalator down, taking a small break at one of the benches placed in the center of the floor. I finish fastening the pin onto my bag, and then I see her. A girl so beautiful that she could put the moon to shame, glittering like a star. She's wearing the ridiculous uniform Samantha warned me of, completed with a sailor hat that has Ahoy embroidered with a curly font. Yet I find it rather charming seeing her wearing it. Like she belongs in Alice In Wonderland as one of the many odd companions. She has dirty blond hair cut at a short length, freckles dotting her skin under a pair of bright and curious blue eyes. Her makeup is achieving a rather natural look which highlights her features wonderfully. I feel a surge of creativity and I know that I have found my muse I've been searching for.

I already was going to enter the store for the purpose of getting a job, but she makes me feel ten times more nervous. What if I freak her out, or I say something totally embarrassing? I steel myself before putting my bag on my shoulder, anxiously gripping onto the strap. I approach the counter, waiting for her to turn around from cleaning the ice cream scoopers. I ring the little bell, instantly regretting it. She begins her memorized introduction, "Hello welcome to Scoops--" her eyes widen at my appearance and I instantly wish I dressed down a lot more today. "Woah, you look like you're from the 1800s." She slaps a hand over her mouth surprised at her offhanded comment, making me laugh. "Thanks, that's what I was going for," I play along to ease her worries. "I heard you guys were hiring and I was wondering if I could apply?" "Yes, of course, uhm let me go find the form." She scurries into the back room for a moment while I look over the flavors they offer. She returns with a pen and a few papers, walking me through where to sign. She looks it over quickly before telling me when my first day will be. Once that whole ordeal is over I bid her goodbye since a few customers enter the shop. As I leave I can feel her eyes still on me. I look over my shoulder giving her a small wave and smile. Then I start on my next mission: Finding an art supply store.

--⋆♱✮Robin's POV ✮♱⋆--

As I watch the mystery girl leave I can still smell the lingering scent of her hairspray and perfume. Not only did I say something completely stupid right to her face, I look like a total dork in this outfit. On top of that she's really pretty. She stuck out from most of the other girls that have come into the store, almost like a warmer version of the people I see hanging out at the record shop. How lucky am I that she asked to work here?

I completely forgot to ask her name, or even tell her mine. I glance down at the papers, scanning over where she had printed her name since her signature was far too loopy. Y/n Kingsley... I've never heard of her before... maybe she just moved here. Even though I embarrassed myself, I'm really looking forward with getting to hang out with her more, even if it's at our sucky ice cream job.

--⋆♱✮Y/n's POV ✮♱⋆-- Time skip: Late June, 1985

Robin and I are working at the front counter, adjusting the new addition I have added to my uniform. I flip open the silver face of my pocket watch before tucking it into my obnoxiously blue shorts. "Why don't you just use a swatch instead? A lot less... clunky," Robin comments. "Ehh, but it's not as fun." I playfully shove her and she just rolls her eyes with a humorous smile. Outside of the store I hear the shouting of the two Sinclair siblings, anticipating the small troop of kids that Steve associates with.

The one named Mike strides up to us, staring at Robin with a rather annoyed expression. He repeatedly slams his hand on the bell before I snatch it off the countertop. "Hey dingus, your children are here," Robin calls. Steve slides open the partition. "Again. Seriously?" he deadpans. We let them through to the back room, Steve opening the door to the hidden hallways restricted from the customers. We return back to work, doing menial tasks to fill the time and serving up ice cream. "What movie do you think they're going to see this time?" I ask. Robin thinks for a moment, "Hmm well I know there's that new zombie one." "Oh yeah! Samantha told me about it, I really wanna go see it." I notice that she slightly falters at the mention of Samantha, but I don't pay too much mind to it. I know that she seems a little scary to some people, but I've grown rather accustomed to her eccentric appearance, as I can be the same way.

Eventually I got to swap out with Steve, taking some time to relax in the back. I fish my walkman out of my bag, pressing play after securing my headphones on my ears. I lazily start drawing in my sketchbook, adding another tiny Robin to my little collection. I want to ask to paint her portrait or take her photograph for a summer project although I feel that it is much too soon. So I just stick to satisfying myself with a small sketch every once in awhile. Afterwards I flip to a clean page to begin drawing whatever comes to mind while The Psychedelic Furs serenade me with their song The Ghost In You. Suddenly the lights go out making me jump, thinking someone's playing a trick on me. I pause my tape and toss my headphones onto the table. I swiftly push open the door, peeking out into the main area. "What's going on?" Steve repeatedly flips the light switch in response. "That isn't gonna work, dingus." He glances up at the lights. "Oh, really?" he starts doing it again just to get a rise out of Robin. I smack him on the arm to make him stop, yet the lights turn back on at the same time. "Let there be light." "You're such a dork," I tease.

The rest of our shift continues normally, and I'm dead on my feet by the end. I instantly take off my hat, shoving it into my bag. While we walk out Robin tugs on my sleeve. "Hey, I have a great idea. You know how much Steve tries to ask girls out when he's working the counter?" I snicker, "Of course I do. He fails basically every time." "Well I was thinking we could finally put the whiteboard to use and make a tally." "Yes that's vital information for our studies into the mysterious powers of the Steve Harrington." We stare at each other for a second before bursting out in a fit of giggles at our grand idea. Steve turns around confused and we simply wave him off as he goes to his car. I walk Robin over to her bike, watching her unlock it from the stand. "Get home safe, okay?" She huffs out a laugh, "I will."

--⋆♱✮♱⋆--

The whiteboard has successfully been transformed into our score chart. About a third of the way into our shift Steve has already racked up five points in the 'You Suck' column. We are currently hiding behind the open partition out of sight from the two girls he's trying to flirt with. I honestly feel a bit bad for him since he's trying so hard, but at this point he's too far gone. He once again fails, Robin hoisting the board onto the counter, adding another tally with a black expo marker. "Another one bites the dust. You are oh-for-six Popeye." "Yeah, yeah I can count." "You know that means you suck," I taunt. "I can read too." "I never would've guessed." "It's this stupid hat. I'm telling you it is totally blowing my best feature," Steve complains. Robin leans her elbows on the counter, "Yeah, company policy is a real drag. You know, it's a crazy idea, but have you considered... telling the truth?" "Oh, you mean that I couldn't even get into Tech and my douchebag dad is trying to teach me a lesson, I make three bucks an hour and I have no future? That truth?"

I'm taken aback at Steve's confession. I know very little about him outside of the time we spend together at work that I never would've guessed he had trouble at home with his parents. He's rather confident in himself, at least, on the outside. Although I won't pry cause it really is none of my business. Instead of indulging that topic, Robin quickly points over his shoulder at a group of girls with big frizzy hair over his shoulder. "Hey, twelve o'clock." He glances over at them, "Oh shit, oh shit, okay... I'm going in, okay? And you know what?" he whips off his hat, tossing it at me. "Screw company policy." I widen my eyes in mock shock. "Woah, you're like a whole new person." "Yeah right?" He swivels around, not controlling the volume of his voice so it comes out as a slight shout, "Ahoy ladies! Didn't see you there!" They falter, flinching back in shock with nervous smiles on their faces. The girl with ginger hair is obnoxiously chewing her gum with wide eyes as her friends share a glance almost making fun of Steve's showmanship. "Would you guys like to set sail on this ocean of flavor with me? I'll be your captain. I'm Steve Harrington."

One of the girls mutters a small "Oh god" at his antics, cringing in second hand embarrassment. I can see both sides of this interaction... 1. Steve is so badly wanting to prove us wrong in his attempts to win over any girl that enters the shop 2. You are being hit on by a man in a sailor suit who works at an ice cream parlor when you just want to get your treat and hang out with your friends "Can I get you guys a little taste of the Cherry Jubilee? No? Anybody? Banana Boat? Four people, four spoons?" As Steve continues to ramble nonsense, Robin discreetly moves over to the whiteboard, marking another tally under the 'You Suck' column.

--⋆♱✮♱⋆--

Robin hands a couple their ice cream cones with a bored "Have a nice day" while I clean off the scooper. Another day of wearing my idiotic uniform, debating if it's really worth it to keep this on or if I could get away with wearing my normal clothes. Once the teenagers leave, a much shorter boy awaits us at the counter with a big smile on his face that's lacking any front teeth. He has thick curly hair stuffed under the brim of a bright green and yellow baseball cap. For walking into a nautical themed shop he is unusually excited. "Hi." "Hi" Robin parrots back. "I'm Dustin," he points to himself. "I'm Robin?" I lean my chin over my coworkers shoulder, holding the scooper in a towel. "I'm Y/n." "Pleasure to meet you. Uh is, is he here?" Robin and I glance at each other. "Is who here?"

Steve bursts through the door, I snap back to standing upright almost dropping the utensil. He lifts his hands up with a welcoming attitude. "Henderson! Henderson! He's back!" He quickly jumps a few times in celebration as Dustin starts laughing. "I'm back! You got the job!" "I got the job!" Steve imitates a trumpet, then launching into a long drawn out handshake of sorts between the two. I've come to believe that he was possibly his babysitter or something? "How many children are you friends with?" Robin asks. He sighs, gesturing towards us with a awkward expression. Dustin orders a sundae and sits in one of the booths with Steve as they discuss some intense topics where I can only pick out a few words every now and then. They aren't exactly the type to be subtle when having a conversation in a public space, having very animated expressions. I move into the back room to gather to gather some cleaning supplies when I overhear Robin shooting back a reply to something Steve had said. I shake my head, a smile ghosting over my lips.

I start cleaning the glass on the ice cream displays when Dustin shouts "I intercepted a secret Russian communication!" My eyes nearly bug out of my head as everyone turns around to look at him. I try to pretend like nothing happened to ease the worries of our customers as they share uneasy glances. I swiftly walk over to their booth, placing my hands on the table. "Dustin, right?" He nervously smiles, "Yes?" I tilt my head in mock kindness. "If you're going to discuss topics that will likely put us on the FBI's most wanted please don't do it at the top of your lungs," I state, raising my voice slightly at the end. "If you're trying to be so secretive just go in the back." They quickly get up from their seats, nearly knocking me over as they rush into the breakroom. I sigh, walking back to Robin at the counter. Steve's break was nearly supposed to be over and I'm next up. He better not take too long.

©m3lty-lov3 ☆ do not copy, plagiarize, translate, or feed my posts to AI, reblogs on tumblr are ok!

[gumballavocadoharry]

First comes love, then comes marriage; Jack Chambers:

*This is a time jump where Susan and Roger are adults and Jack and Alice are older of course. Some angst and mentions of depression, abandonment and loneliness. *

For @howling-wolf9/, it was her idea and request!!!! I want to give her a special thank you for being so patient and kind through all of this- I know you waited a long time for this imagine and I'm so lucky to have you as my number one fan and I hope I can be as half as an amazing one to you as you've been to me. Listening to my PM rants of my story ideas and keeping them confidential. You're amazing and you deserve the world! Much love to this gal!!!!!

The wedding of Susan and Sean! RSVP your attendance!

The French lace against the edges of the paper were the first thing that caught Alice's eye. How beautifully it was decorated in its neat prim type design. Its beauty resonated with Alice as a sign. A sign of the blossoming love that had been festering between her daughter and her fiancé for over a year. She had possibly expected this- hoped secretly that they would decide to join a union in the flesh of marriage. It brimmed her eyes with tears, some spilling against her soft cheek and dripping onto the head of her yellow sundress.

"Honey?" Jack quietly followed into the room; eyebrows deeply furrowed. "What's wrong?" Alice sniffed and turned the letter towards Jack's direction. "She's getting married, Jack.... our little Susan... my little girl's getting married." Scanning carefully through the letter, a smile slowly appeared over Jack's mouth. "Oh my gosh! Time sure does fly...." Jack licked his lips. "When is the wedding due?"

Alice scanned the letter. "In two months." Jack kept the smile on his face. He needed it. It hid something he didn't want anyone to know. How could it be time already? He thought. How could she have grown so fast? Wrapping his arm around his wife, a carapace covered over Jack like a filling in a tooth. A chinch seeped through Jack- slowly, but surely. It was official. Susan was getting married and two months. And Jack would need to be there. He knew he would.

***************************

Snapped from their dinner, the phone blared through the living room. "Hello?" Alice answered.

"Hi Mom, did you hear about Susan's wedding?"

"I did!" Alice's smile had grown twice within size. "Can you believe it! Your sister is getting married! I'm still in shock..."

"I know.... Sean's a really nice guy. Him and Susan are a really good couple." Alice beamed. "They are. I wonder what she wants us to do.... or what her dress will look like!" Jack watched his giddy wife from the table. Shuffling his meatloaf back and forth against his plate- mixing it in his mashed potatoes a bit. 

"Oh yes, I'll have to see if Susan needs any help with the planning- Oh! Her gown and veil!" Alice's smile beamed from ear to ear. Alice glanced over to Jack before getting back to her conversation. "Oh- okay- here I have to go now, something's overflowing in the pot... okay, talk to you later. Bye." 

Jack, so deeply invested in his thoughts, didn't even feel the gentle touch of Alice's hand smoothing over his. "Jack... you, okay?" Jack forced himself to look up from his plate. "Oh yeah, I guess I was just..."

"Thinking about Susan and Sean?" Jack flattened his lips. "She hasn't even known him that long." Alice tilted her head to the side. "Jack... they've been dating for over a year now. We met him before a few times and he's a very nice young man." Jack sat up from the table, walking to the bar area for a glass of scotch with dinner. He kept silent for a while, making Alice gain this wobbly feeling through the craw of her intestine. "Jack...." Said so quietly, that even the wind couldn't make it out. Alice fiddled with the strands of hair that was swooshed over her shoulders.

"You know.... maybe if we went down there and saw how they were preparing for the wedding, maybe it would remind of how much you liked Sean?"

"I never said I liked Sean- I thought he was nice- but anyone could be nice." Alice rolled her eyes and sighed. "Jack. Come on... this is a happy occasion. And you have to cheer up soon- Susan is probably going to ask you to walk her down the aisle." Jack turned around to see Alice turned back to the table, finishing her dinner. She didn't make eye contact with Jack until he came back to the table and spoke again. "Of course I'll walk her down the aisle, if that's what you're insinuating......" Cutting into his meatloaf, Jack looked up again into the tip of Alice's forehead. "I'm happy for her... that's all." 

Alice met Jack's eyes for a brief moment before turning back down to her dinner. "Good." 

The evening stayed silent that entire night until bed.

***************************************

The clock read 3:09. Jack's eyes were still open- untouched without so much as a single strain that could only appear through genuine tiredness. Instead, Jack's mind could only focus on the rambling polaroids of him and Susan together. A piece of Jack hated himself for such selfish desires to keep Susan webbed up in this lace knit net for his security, while the other sympathized with him as just wanting to spend a little more time with his daughter. But this was more than just simple time together.

Jack- for all of Susan's young life- was her hero. The only man she could depend on for support. Jack would take her into his arms and sing her to sleep. He could make boo boos disappear with one kiss. Jack would take a three-year-old Susan out for milkshakes at the local diner, while Alice stayed home with a nursing Roger. He was the first person she ran to when big people were mean or when tears spilled from her eyes after a bee sting or when a picture, she drew became ruined. Jack could almost picture how it felt to have his arms wrapped around her smooth skin, his nose pressed up to her temple, trying to soothe an upset Susan. And the more Susan grew, the more Jack would try to foster those times. But, as time held it, she grew away from them. Packing inside her Pasadena condo, Jack could only helplessly let Susan walk away.

Hearing the soft snoozing of Alice's breaths, Jack quietly exited out the bed and tip toed into Susan's old bedroom. The walls were still peach, and the windowpanes and door jams were still popcorn white. The room still has this sultry smell of fresh flowers and mused honey. Susan wore this amber and sunflower perfume in her late teens and the room still carried a twinge of that scent. It sent a shred of happiness through Jack. A piece of this closure like she was still here. The closet was empty- it had sat empty for a while- but still carried the presence of Susan in some way. The faded memory of her favorite peach and lavender cardigan that she wore in the spring, and her dark maroon sweater for the falls and her bright sunny tank top for the summer. They all still sat together inside her closet, lank and together like symbols of her past.

The thought of Sean pinged through Jack's brain for minute, before he echoed it out with his own domineering desires. He didn't want to think of Sean, not now. So, he didn't. Instead, he left Susan's bedroom and joined Alice back in their bed.

************************************************

Jack woke up to the dim blue sky- more clouds hovering in it that usual. He rolled to Alice's side, where it was empty and already made up. She had left a note on his nightstand: 

Jack, I went out to grab a few things for Susan to help her with the wedding. Me and Roger will be at her place to celebrate with her. I hope you can join us!

Alice.

Jack felt this twinge of anger peer inside him. Like Alice was deliberately leaving him out of one of the most important milestones of their child's life. It made Jack pounce from the bed and throw on his clothes for the day. Making up the bed again, Jack ran out to the diner for breakfast, before speeding down to Susan's apartment. Pulling in, he saw a black chevy bel air: Alice's car. The twinge grew bigger, but Jack bit into it to collect it- contain it within himself. Jack's legs felt wobbly like Jello. Carefully watching his step up each step, Jack finally made it to Susan's front door, where after a knock, she appeared. "Dad!" She invited him into her arms with such warmth and tenderness, even Jack had to let himself melt into them. 

Coming into her cozy home, Alice's face came into view and then Roger's. Then Sean's. Jack bit his tongue like a reflex flinch- the same as if a fly landed on your arm. "Jack... it's nice to see you here- what a nice surprise!" Jack's smile was tight. He kept his focus on Alice for a moment before turning to Roger, who came to hug him. Jack let himself sink into the scent of his well missed son. Squeezing him a little tighter, it was forever since Jack was able to let his body press against his and erode a deep wedge of affection into him. Pulling away with this soppy smile across his face, Roger let his own curl up to his cheeks, giving the same toothy ornery grin he always did. It eased the swirling tension that seemed to hover over everyone. 

Sean, wrapped his arm around Susan's midriff, making her flush with love and warmth, looking back into her lover's eyes that held this light of twinkles inside them. Jack caught this, and let his smile settle a bit. 

"Well, now since everyone's here, let's celebrate!" Susan exclaimed. 

The room was soon filled with chatter from Roger and Sean talking, to Susan and Alice discussing plans for the wedding- Susan detailing how Sean proposed on the rooftop of a private restaurant in Los Angeles, while the sunset skirted under the buildings. A squeal came from Alice, reminding her of when Jack proposed. It was on the cliffside coast of Malibu. During their picnic, Jack couldn't hold back the impending question he had stored inside him for as long as he knew Alice. Jack remembered it well- it always brought a smile to his face every time he thought about it.

Jack stood in the distance, taking in only the crust of Susan and Alice's conversation. A jaded glance was made over to Sean's direction. He eyed Jack up and down; confident smirk and laxed body tone. He had Susan wrapped around all five fingers and Jack knew it. And it hollowed him. It made fury rush through him like the cold feel of an icy touch. Jack let the fringes of the room singe. 

Sean- light brown hair with swishy bangs, gray eyes with specks of light blue, deep dimpled smile and a subtle clef planted in the middle of his cheek. 

A slight furrow pecked through his forehead. Jack kept biting his anger down- planted somewhere deep into him. Sean made his way to Susan, wrapping a protective arm around her waist like a sash. A thick irk swam through Jack in his bloodstream. It pierced through the layers of flesh he built up inside for this very moment and was now fragile against it. Seeing a man kiss his daughter's neck so passionately, sent this shiver through Jack. It bubbled and boiled until it became this puny ache that made his lip quiver, and his eyes become stung with watery vision. 

But nonetheless, he along with Alice still managed to muster out a "Congratulations!" to the happy couple, leaving their home once evening rolled around. Jack and Alice drove their cars home, Jack's in front of Alice's- something he was happy with. The solitude sauntering through the car, leaving Jack to settle whatever was on his mind in the privacy of his car. 

Tears slowly trickled- quietly and neatly- down his cheeks, leaving a sticky wet trail behind. Jack wiped his eyes, forcing himself to see where he was going. Pulling into the driveway, Alice's car pulled up next to him a few minutes later. Jack tried to plaster on the same smile he wore at the little gathering but couldn't. Like his muscles were too weak, his smile was recharging, and his serotonin just didn't exist. Jack watched Alice enter the house. She didn't knock on the window like he had hoped. Jack knew he would have to pull himself out this one.

*************************************

Dinner was pizza delivered to the home. Alice was too exhausted to cook and maybe she just didn't want to. Not for Jack.

But it was after hours, where Jack was sitting up in his chair, sipping his scotch and questioning himself. Sean never asked for his blessing, but he didn't need to. He could easily swing Susan away to a Las Vegas chapel or courthouse and marry her there without him even sensing it. And it stung. It hit hard into Jack's body more than he wanted it to. He wanted to be happy for Susan and he was... he wanted to like Sean....and he did.

It was just buried underneath something this time. But he did really like Sean. And Sean liked him. 

But it was those years spent with Susan, knowing her personality like the back of his hand. Her being his princess and him being her big papa bear that would run in and growl at anyone harming his cub. Susan would never know the agony he felt that first year of her life, behind the glass window of the NICU, praying for his baby to be healthy again. She would never know those nights he prayed for a baby at all as a young man, striving to make his dream of a family life come true.

Jack seen it all. First breaths, first steps, first words, first period, first dates... now this. Marriage. Sean would now bear the responsibility of caring for Susan- honoring her and making sure she was safe a cherished. The man she would give her life to, the man who would protect her and who she would wrap her arms around like a savior. Sean would become Susan's world, and she would become his. They would collide with each other and let their bond be sealed like thick cement in the pavement. And it disturbed Jack a bit. 

He would no longer need to light her world to see it glow. Sean would hang the sun and moon for Susan and that would be the end of it. Jack would no longer exist as Susan's beaming ray- just a mere spark of the past and all that it held. 

And Jack... for one reason or another, would still be living in it.

Jack shot back to the one thought that still weighed on his mind like rocks. Sean never asked permission. He didn't need it.... he wanted Susan and Susan wanted him, and that was all there was to be said about that. And Jack- whether he liked it or not- had to accept it.

But he silently made a choice still.... to keep his own answer of whether he found it acceptable for Susan to marry Sean. It was tightly reigned on his tongue; undisturbed and quiet, Jack kept it folded on the shelf in the back of his mind like he had to. But it was still there, and Jack would never let it get washed away.

****************************************

It was the end of the month, and wedding plans were still ringing through the air. It seemed to be everywhere: on TV, in newspapers and books, on billboards, Jack just couldn't get away from it! Alice on the other hand enjoyed it. Wanting to see her daughter dressed in all white and walk down the aisle on her special day was more than she could ask for and everything she hoped for. 

Not wanting to needle Susan or stress her more than life was already; Alice took a side position in helping Susan plan her wedding. Roger and Sean would go and pick out suits and suggested honeymoon spots to surprise Susan with. Jack, he would give thumbs ups and happy cheery smiles, while everything seemed to swirl around him like tornado wind.

Jack didn't want to be selfish. Covering his defensiveness like the way criminals covered their tracks, Jack weighed his emotions down beneath his gut and let his logic talk for him.

It was a challenge though. Susan- being so busy with her own life- would unintentionally blow Jack off for ice cream dates or small little lunches together. "She's just so busy, Jack... maybe she'll go the next time." Alice reassured her husband. Jack always held to those 'next times.' But they never came. He wanted them too though. But instead, Jack tried to suck the value from them- pretend as if they were trifling little things that would never matter anyway.

But they seeped into Jack's brain in other ways. Every Sunday evening was a tradition of scotch or bourbon with Susan's baby pictures on his lap. Susan still carried the image of a helpless infant in her- at least to Jack. So fragile like a China doll, still this little baby doll that would grasp her little fingers around his. How much she depended on her parent's gentle touches and their attentive affection. Still that gurgling little baby in his arms, Jack couldn't shake the memory. Sean would sweep Susan away without so much as a thought to how Susan's parents might take it.

Flying her off to the other side of the pacific, away from the protective zone of her family. Sean- could never protect her the way Jack could. He would let her fall hard onto the rocky pavement and slam against the grated cracks. He would swoop her away- away from everything Susan knew and loved, whisk her into the misadventure land of nothing and throw her away once he had his fill. Jack became sure of this. Sean would never be good enough for Susan. Courting was one thing, marrying was another. And neither Sean, nor Susan were ready for it. A gasp of hope shot through Jack. This sense of being able to maybe stop time for a moment, gave him back his adrenaline. Closing the book, finishing his scotch, Jack at up from his chair and tip toed upstairs; small smile lingering over his face.

******************************************

Alice layed in bed, barely even moving once Jack's body dipped the mattress. Her stare was blind and frozen on her nightstand. Jack's body pressed against her back, making her edge a little over, leaving a small gap in between them.

A slight furrow arched over Alice's forehead. A small wrinkle begins to grow there, starting since the first dinner on when she found out about Susan's wedding. 

Jack- assumed he needed to be 'happy' to keep from bearing the brunt of the social disgrace if his selfishness grew out of control- something he assumed being the case as to why his wife would be sore with him. But to Alice it was more than that. It punctured something deep inside like a needle. Reminding her of what had played out through their marriage and their parenting for years; Jack's parenting, that was.

On the day Susan became sick with meningitis, Jack latched into being an overbearing cloak to Susan- hovering over her like a gloomy cloud on a sunny day. Alice knew that this approach would only cause more harm, more pain. She understood just how much pain could be saturated from this type of overreaction.

She knew Jack loved the children to death. She never made a problem of it. But with every milestone of the kid's lives, where Jack would make a fuss from something unalarming, it rang through Alice in a particular way. Similarly in the way it appeared for her with Jennifer Lowe. Alice wept for her friend for days upon the news. Untimely and unfair she thought. But every fiber of anger that wasn't drenched in sadness was thrown at Jennifer's parents. It was their fault, and they deserved what happened.

And every overreaction from Jack just reminded her about those events leading up to day Jennifer went away. 

But now it their daughter's wedding, and Jack couldn't even be happy about that. It always laced with his selfishness and his sorrows- no one else like they didn't exist. And it became too much. Alice's anger had cooled, but her reservations on the matter hadn't. So, the little sliver of space that layed between them, would have to remain until Susan was safely married to the man she loved and there would be nothing Jack could do about it.

Shutting her eyes quietly, Alice adjusted herself in the bed and pulled the covers over her, taking one last glance at the clock that read 2:09.

***************************************

Sean's apartment- located by the seaside on the other side of town. The beige color exterior and the French styled staircase was the first thing that captured Jack's eye. A French vela decor, lingering all around Sean's place, a fresh smell of amber and lavender with a twinge of sunflower. Susan was here, and Jack knew it.

"Could I make you a drink Mr. Chambers?" Jack smiled. "No thanks..." Taking a seat on Sean's suggestion, Jack picked his brain for the words he wanted to come out. "So, how's wedding plans going?" Sean shrugged. "It's.... well... exhausting at times- but Roger has been a huge help in picking out honeymoon spots and matching up what suits would like good for the groomsmen. He's so nice about it- taking time off his work just to help out."

Pride gushed inside of Jack. Roger was a good boy, always wanting to help people. "Yeah, he's very sweet." Jack became serious. "Are you both planning on moving after the wedding?" Sean raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean?"

"Well, like are you planning on being in California once you and Susan marry?" "Well... me and Susan have been discussing it and we were thinking about either maybe Napa Valley or possibly more up North like Maine or Chicago. But it's not decided yet."

A twinge pecked Jack inside. "I know, Susan loves California so much- Pasadena is the perfect spot for her. Her chef job is one her main passions." Sean smiled.

"Yeah, she's a wonderful cook. Susan said that she would love to cook in a big city like New York or somewhere like that one day. I know she works at one of the finest restaurants in the city right now, but she told me that was always something she wanted to do."

Would she even be able to keep that job or anyone that makes her happy? Jack thought. "Yeah... Susan's worked so hard to be where she is now, and I'm so proud of her for really sticking to it. Chef jobs can be so harsh, the pressure is demanding and from what Susan's told me, the boss is always yelling at someone." 

Sean raised his eyebrows. "Yeah, she told me that one time when we were eating somewhere about this girl who was let go on her first day for messing something up. It's tough." Sean took a small sip from his drink before a smile peered across his face. "When we get married, Susan said that maybe she would open up a restaurant. She would use her skills as a chef and get the place off the ground with that, and she'd make her money that way. I thought it was really nice and told her that if she'd ever wanted to, I'd support her... it would be nice."

"I know Susan's has so much on her plate right now....in fact, I was actually concerned whether Susan was ready for marriage or not. I still don't believe she always knows what she wants sometimes." Jack smiled, but there was no causality about it. Jack meant what he said, and Sean squirmed a bit in his chair. An uncomfortable spice now fell into the air and Sean could only give a tight pinched smile. Susan- filling him in on the type of Father Jack was, made Sean fully understand exactly why Jack even came over to his place from the beginning. He wanted to believe it to be because he needed time to fully adjust to the news. But he hadn't adjusted.

And Sean begins to feel a prick of anger slither through him. Jack felt it. He knew what he did and so without hesitation, excused himself from Sean's apartment.

*****************************************

Later that afternoon, Jack returned home. Alice was in the kitchen finishing up the dishes. seemingly slamming some of the plates a little harshly against in the dish rack. "Hey babe..." Alice glances behind her to meet Jack's figure before turning back to the sink. "Hey."

Coming closer, Jack furrowed his eyebrows. "What's wrong?" Alice took a deep breath. "Jack.... did you stop by Sean's apartment today?"

"Yeah?"

Alice turned around, gloves dripping of the suds and water. "Why?" 

"Well, I just wanted to know if Sean needed any help with the wedding, that's all." 

"Jack... Susan called me. She told me that Sean called her and told her what happened with you and him. 'Sometimes I don't think she knows what she wants'." Alice mocked. "It's none of your business about their plans for marriage! You had no right going over and questioning Sean like that- and you owe him an apology!"

"No! I have every right to know what this boy plans to do with my daughter!"

"He's not a boy Jack! He's a grown man- an adult and so is Susan. You should treat her that way. She doesn't need you poking around just because you can't accept that's capable of making her own choices!"

"Of course she needs me, I'm her father! She's going to always need me, Alice!"

"Well, then she doesn't want you! She doesn't want you trying to always pick her up after every little fall."

"Alice, Susan is my daughter-"

"She's my daughter too, but you don't see me smothering her like that! Jack, I was angry at you before- I still am- because the minute Susan announced her engagement to Sean, you couldn't even be happy for her! It was all about you and your worrying and your having to say goodbye or whatever- but that's your job! That's what comes with being a parent, learning to let go! Because if you can't, then Susan will! And that might mean she won't want to see us or be around us because of that! It's not always about how you feel Jack and I'll be dammed if Susan cuts me off too because you can't stop being selfish even for one SECOND!"

Jack stood back. "All I'm trying to do is protect Susan, that's all! And you know that....." Jack kept a solid stare on Alice.

Alice took a deep breath in. "Whatever your intentions are.... that has everything to do with you. And only you. You know what's right and what's wrong Jack- and without blowing my words out of context- I don't feel the same way. So, whatever the reason you do, do everyone a favor- keep it yourself and just stay out of Susan and Seans wedding plans. Bite your tongue until all of this is over and you can do what you wish with that."

Alice put the last dish into the dish rack, before snapping off her gloves and walked past Jack to the stairs.

Jack was left alone with only the sound of the sink draining over the downstairs.

**********************************************

Jack drove down alongside the coast to Susan's apartment. Taking in the sand washed blue sky and tan acres of sand that seemed smooth like butter.

Jack had to make this right. Susan would understand. She had just called Alice, so maybe there was a window for conversation. Maybe Susan would be able to see his point of view and how much he was just trying to protect her. 

Pulling into the parking lot of her condo, Jack readied himself. He came up with every reason her could justify to himself. Slamming the car door, it was Susan who spotted him from the window and was already waiting for her father at the front door. 

"Hi," Susan opened the door wide and suddenly, taking Jack off his guard for a moment. A slight wrinkle stood on her forehead, lips set still and sternly. "Hi... Susan...." She shook her head. "You went to Sean's apartment?" Her frown becoming deeper.

"Susan I-"

"You badgered him! You try to convince him not to marry me?!"

"No! Of course not! I was trying to make sure he would let you be happy."

"Like you do?" Jack raised an eyebrow. "What does that mean?"

Susan tilted her head. "You go to Sean's apartment, you start trying to get him to spill if he'll let me work, or what type of future he wants us to have- our private business! You should never have done that, Dad! You know Sean- you've met him, and you still don't want to trust him. You can't trust me- you have to still be there holding my had for everything!" Tears waved through Susan's eyes. Biting her lip, she continued to stare into Jack's eyes.

"Susan... sweetheart- I'm your father, I just wanted to make sure you were okay! I just want to protect you." He raised his eyebrows. Susan's soppy feeble look turned into a furrowed crossed one. Tightening her lips and clutching her fist into tight cuffing balls, the green in Susan's eyes became vivid and her pupils small and sharp.

"I'm not a little girl, Dad. I'm a grown woman, Sean is a grown man-"

"I know,"

"You don't know- or you don't care! So... I want you to stay away for a while. Me and Sean are planning the wedding- I'm stressed out enough as it is, I don't need this on my plate. Please just go..." Susan went back inside and locked her door. Jack felt like the door slammed against his face- or more like he was slammed against the door himself. Stepping off the balcony, Jack walked down the stairs and got into his car. Sniffling, Jack turned the key in the ignition and left the lot, letting Susan's apartment disappear out of the rearview. 

Tears trickled down Jack's cheeks. A piece of his heart chipped. A swirling feeling fell over him like an umbrella. It drove home with him, even though his thick glass pane vision of tears. Something soured Jack's stomach- something inside his gut that ate away at him, told him how much he screwed up. And he believed it. 

Pulling into the driveway, Jack took an extra five minutes alone to himself. Alice saw from the window- but like before- didn't take notice. The curtain barely flinched, and Jack sat alone in the drenching silence of what he had just done.

**********************************

Just as Susan preferred, Jack stayed away from her, Sean and even kept a distance between him and Alice for a time. Roger had flown back here to California for a time to prepare for Susan and Sean's upcoming wedding. Jack still prepped his tuxedo, his corsage and tie. Silently preparing for the occasion, Alice went around him in beelines, refusing to discus the wedding or anything to do with it to Jack. The chipped broken piece still remained hollow in Jack, but he bandaged it. 

The wedding was right around the corner, and Jack didn't want to jeopardize himself to be anything like a distraction or a problem. So, he would discreetly take his suit to the dry cleaners, Alice would see him dragging it through the house, but never said a word about it. She pretended she didn't notice and would either sip her coffee or turn back to whatever she was reading. But it was still ironed and pressed neatly when Jack couldn't tend to it because of work. The flower was still sprouting from his pocket, and it still had that fresh scent to it. Alice would tend to it just as discreetly as Jack would.

Jack knew this, but it still never made conversation. But now the day of the wedding was here.

Jack- dressed in his suit- accompanied Alice to the chapel. The rooms were crowded and overflowing with family from both sides. Sean had three siblings, Roger was taking pictures and stood as one of Sean's groomsmen and Jack and Alice could only remember or pinpoint certain faces of their families in the crowd. "Alice!" Melony threw her arms around her sister, while their parents stood watch behind them. As Alice and Melony caught up, Jack excused himself and went to find Roger. "Hey Bud!" Roger turned and a smile fell over his face. "Hi Dad." Jack wrapped his arms around Roger and held him tightly enough where his cologne could whiff into Roger's nostrils. "Isn't this exciting? Your sister's getting married!" 

Roger giggled. "I know, her and Sean really do love each other. And he's such a great guy. I hope they're really happy together." Jack tightened his smile. Roger looked back at his camera and politely excused himself. Jack let the distance of Roger sink in more than he wanted. It had been almost two years since he'd last seen him after that one March. It was something he never liked to think about but couldn't ignore it. It followed him like a shadow and harassed him sometimes like a stalker. A lump grew in his throat everytime he saw Roger's face- everytime Roger's face could be pictured with those moments and everything he said to his father. Jack didn't want to believe Roger meant it.... but it never changed. 

And as the he saw the back of Roger's head disappear into the rush of the crowd, it was proof that Roger hadn't changed what he meant, and Jack still had to accept that.

 ****************************************

Jack checked every room, until he finally found Alice and Susan together in her dressing room. A big beautiful white ballgown with a bellowing veil that swished as if it were a natural part of Susan's hair, kept Jack in awe. "You look so beautiful!" Alice and Susan turned around to see Jack with tight smiles over their face. "Oh, hey Dad......thanks." Alice looked at Susan, sensibility swimming through her eyes. "Oh Susan....." was all she could say. Jack kept a tweeness smile over his face. Susan gripped her bouquet of white flowers and let the deep smile cross over her cheeks, protruding her dimples. "Susan, are you ready?" She nodded. Glancing to Jack she bit her lip. "Mom... could you give us a moment?" Alice kissed Susan's cheek and then left the room, but not before rubbing a hand over Jack's shoulder.

"Dad..." Jack looked down and then up again. "Susan....." He swallowed. "I am so sorry for the way I treated you, and Sean and your marriage. I had no right to just come in between you and him like that and..... I am very sorry." 

Susan looked down. She came closer. "Dad... I'm sorry too. I didn't mean to say that you should just stay away from me or Sean... I was just angry, and I was stressed bec-"

"It's okay, I understand. And you were not wrong to say that. Truth is... this was something new for me. But I guess because since the idea of you being with someone who would now be responsible for your happiness and be your first priority in life, scared me. Me and you took care of you for almost your entire life- it wasn't easy to let you go into the city of Pasadena, and it was definitely not easy to give you a way to another man. But.... I was still wrong. I overstepped my place not only as your father, but as another adult- another person. And I respect you, Susan. I love you and I love Sean. I know I still see you as a little girl sometimes, but it's no excuse. And I guess I just have to remind myself of that." Jack came closer, letting a smile form. "You go to your wedding. You're going to be a good wife. You'll be a good mother, you're an amazing daughter and chef already.... I know you'll be amazing at this too. I love you."

"I love you too Dad." Susan let Jack engulf her into a hug. A long hug, lasting until the organ started. Pulling away, Susan hooked her arm into Jack's. "Ready?" 

"Ready."

The pair walked down the aisle to the slow sound of the organ. Big smiles were spread over Susan and Jack's faces. The audience of family and friends all stared at the bride and her father, until they reached the altar. As the preacher introduced the couple. Susan and Sean shared their vows to each other and the crowd of emotions. Alice wiped the tears from her eyes as did Jack. Roger hadn't shaken the smile from his face from the moment he saw Susan appear in her Cinderella dress. A stray tear was quickly wiped from his eyes. As the last words of Sean's vows were spoken, so were 'I dos.' 

"I now pronounce you Mr. and Mrs. Wolfe. You may now seal your vows with a kiss." Sean and Susan leaned in and kissed each other passionately as the crowd cheered. Susan and Sean run down from the altar and through the pathway between the seats. The crowd followed them into the community center where the reception began.

******************************

As the car was ready, Susan and Sean gathered around Susan's family. "We're headed to Tampa," Sean winked to Roger, who winked back. 

Alice threw her arms around Susan, as she cried into her silky hair. "We love you sweetheart.... be a good wife.... take care of each other, okay?" Susan nodded against Alice's neck. She pressed several kisses to her daughter's cheeks before letting her go. Alice clutched her tissue while watching Roger say goodbye. "Name your son after me," Susan laughed before pulling out of the hug from Roger. "Kidding, kidding!" Roger kissed his sister's cheek before stepping aside and allowing Jack to hug Susan.

"Goodbye baby girl.... I love you... I'll miss you." He cried into Susan's hair. And Susan finally cried, ushering a family hug. Sean was mingled into it by Roger. "Take care of her, Sean... okay?" 

"I will." He smiled with a nod. 

As the newlyweds drove away to their honeymoon, Jack, Alice and Roger looked on at the car that sped off into the glistening sunset. Jack let tears fall from his face freely as he stared well into the sunset, even after the car was long gone. The broken piece had been mended. It was sealed with a fresh new coat of pride and overwhelming warmth. 

Jack knew it would take some time, but he would never reject the idea of his daughter being Susan Wolfe, with the love of her life. 

Taking one last look into the sun, Jack smiled happily to himself before walking back to join the rest of his family.

[pjocharacterdesign]

Hello, I was wondering if I could ask more about the roman demigod with the label [Lifeguard] from your roman cohort post on the blog as well as the demigod on the fourth cohort page with the Camp Jupiter Confidential demigods on it, first in the second row with the brown shoulder length hair, green eyes and glasses? I love your art and your art style, its so beautiful. :) Sorry, if the ask to long.

Of course! [Post anon is referencing here]

These two are from my project to flesh out Camp Jupiter for my askblog, @deadangelos!

The lifeguard one is in 3rd cohort, and is referenced in Camp Jupiter Classified and I fleshed him out a bit - mainly giving him a design, name, and divine ancestor (Venilia - a nymph/goddess of winds and sea, which felt fitting for a lifeguard). His name comes from an Italian form of "Alexander," and is the name of the painter of The Birth Of Venus (There's actually a mountain on Venus named for Venilia, so that's one of the tie-ins there), and the name Morgan means "sea circle" essentially, so again lots of water themes for him for the lifeguard stuff. Cause giving demigod ocs referential names is fun.

Jenifer is a double-legacy in 4th cohort. Palatua is a goddess guardian of Palatine Hill, and Vacuna was a goddess prayed to in favor of absent or missing friends and family. She joined the legion basically right at the end or right after the Titan War. He looks all depressed cause I thought it'd be interesting if, because of the exact combo of his double-legacy, he feels a lot of responsibility for the safety and well-being of Camp Jupiter and the Romans who live there, and they just got out of the Titan War and are still reeling from that and the losses/destruction from that- and because he was either new during the end of the war or joined just after, he couldn't really do much to help. She's just got a lot on her mind.

Design-wise they're both mostly born out of me fiddling, as are most of the bg romans designs I make. I just kind of keep working at them until I like them and then flesh out a character around that - Jenifer was more that, and Sandro was more me trying to work out a design that I was more or less satisfied with that fit for the character briefly referenced in CJC and figuring out what he might be like in more than one sentence. Sometimes I'll have a particular design or concept I wanna mess with and I'll work around that, but usually it's just me messing around until I get something I like.

I have a lot of fun designing background riordanverse characters and fleshing them out like this, so always feel free to ask about them! I tend to talk a bit more about those concepts over on my main pjo sideblog @aroaceleovaldez, but I'll happily chat about the design aspects here as well!