#IF SHE GOT BLASTED TO SPACE WE'LL GO TO SPACE!!

[iamsebastiansstan]

got some nerve to play hard - NAC x fem!reader

summary - "Can she… can she take all of you?” 

Nicholas’ eyes widen at her boldness before they glance down, looking at his own crotch. She follows his gaze, stupidly, but his pants are too loose, giving nothing away.

“She tries, but no. Nobody could before.”

“I bet I could,” she husks before she can stop herself, bites the inside of her cheek at her stupid mistake. Talking about someone else is one thing, but putting herself in that position could ruin their little fantasy, the little game they’re playing.

wc - 6k - MINORS DNI !

warnings - strangers to lovers, lots and lots of dirty talk, talking about Nicholas being with another woman, masturbation (m and f), coming on pussy 👀

A/N - I'm sorry, this isn't proofread, I sat down and didn't get up til it was finished. I've used this introduction in two other fandoms already but I can't help it, it's my fave lmaooo might write more parts but we'll see. come and shout at me in my DMs or messages, and let me know what you think <3 enjoy!

PART 1 - SERIES MASTERLIST !

Cooper’s parties are always fun, always a blast; people dancing and drinking, enjoying themselves and letting go of their stressful day to day routines, celebrating their lives for one reckless evening. 

She loves it, whenever she gets an invite, but lately she’s been stressed out more than usual, her college workload overwhelming her and the fact that she’s here now, in Calabasas instead of at her apartment in New York, makes guilt creep up her neck, makes her think of the points on her to-do lists she could be ticking off if she pulled an all-nighter at home instead of partying her time away. Though, she’s missed Cooper a lot, and she’s glad he’s letting her stay in his guest bedroom so they can spend some time together. 

That is where she’s heading to right now, needing a breather from the crowd and the noise. Sneaking up the stairs without getting interrupted is easy, and she sighs as she opens the door, locks it for good measure. Her bag is in the corner by the closet, and she crouches down, opens it, takes out her perfume and spritzes some onto her neck to refresh her favorite scent. Letting herself plop down onto the bed, she starts massaging her right shoulder that’s been smarting a little since she got off the plane at LAX when suddenly the door of the en-suite opens, making her head snap up. 

Waltzing out comes none other than Nicholas Chavez, Cooper’s close friend and Monsters co-star, making her heart stutter in her chest. Cooper mentioned having invited him, but she hadn’t seen him downstairs yet, which she had been glad about if she’s being honest with herself. She has a tiny celebrity crush on him, but not enough for a genuine freakout. 

He stops in his tracks, then, looks at her wide-eyed. She takes in his messy hair, his rosy cheeks, a few droplets of water on his face, and smiles. 

“Hello.”

“Um, hi?” he greets, eyes darting to the door and back again. “I- I’m sorry, are you staying here? I didn’t know that- if-“

“All good,” she interrupts, sitting up straighter, smile not faltering. “Cooper has graciously let me claim this room for the weekend, and I came here to… take a breather, I guess.” 

Nicholas leans against the door, then, arms crossing over his chest. 

“I’m sorry for invading your space, then.” 

“You’re totally fine, I’m happy to share if you’d like.” 

“How very nice of you,” he says, gives her a tiny smile before stepping forward and stretching out his arm. “I’m Nicholas.” 

She takes his hand in hers, shakes it, hoping he doesn’t notice how clammy her palm is. 

“(Y/N),” she grins, “nice to meet ya.”

They stay there for a beat too long, him standing above her and her sitting, shaking hands sluggishly, before she decides to break the silence. 

“Were you okay in there?” she says and lets go of his hand, motions to the bathroom.

He drives a hand through his hair, nodding slowly. 

“Yeah… yeah, well. I had to splash some cold water on my face and just… be in silence for a bit, but I’m okay. You?” 

She scooches up the bed, leans back against the headboard and stretches her legs out in front of herself. Her back hurts a little and she was looking forward to stretching out properly for a bit, but there’s no way she’s going to sprawl across these sheets in front of him. 

“’m okay, thank you. Just overwhelmed. I can leave again, though, if you’d like. You were here first.” 

“Technically,” he starts, sauntering over to the other side of the bed, pointing at it and sitting down when she gives him a nod, “you were here first, and I can totally leave if you need me to.”

She chuckles, rolls her eyes a little, feels the three tequila shots she took before coming up here in her system.

“Sharing is caring, Nicholas, and besides, do I seem like I’d want you to leave?”

He shrugs, gives her a slow smile. “Guess not. Thanks.” 

He asks her how she knows Cooper and she tells him the story of how they met at a party and instantly hit it off, she asks him what it’s like to be working with Cooper in a professional setting, and their conversation moves from the topic of their mutual friend to various others: Nick’s career, her studies, their hobbies and so on and so forth. At one point he sneaks downstairs and comes back with four bottles clutched in his large hands: two water and two Smirnoff ice. 

“Do I look like a 17-year-old to you?” she laughs when he holds them towards her in triumph, tongue in cheek.

��C’mon, (Y/N), live a little.” 

Comfortable silence settles over them when they’ve emptied their drinks and she can’t believe just how easy he is to talk to, how much time has passed while they were having fun.

“So…” she asks, heart hammering in her chest but she swallows down her sudden nervousness, “Wanna talk about it?” 

She nods towards the bathroom and he inhales sharply once he’s understood her question.

“Not sure what you mean.”

“I mean, you clearly weren’t doing so well,” she says, smiles at him, shrugs, “I’m just saying, if you wanna talk about it, I’m here to listen. This is a judgment-free zone.” 

“I wouldn’t say that,” he frowns but the smile he’s trying to fight of betrays him, “I judged you pretty hard for your snack preferences to be honest.”

“Pickles and peanut butter are a delicious combination!” she laughs, exasperated, “Don’t knock it ‘til you’ve tried it!” 

They stay giggling like that before he shrugs, fiddling with a loose thread of the comforter they’re sitting on. 

“I just… it’s… I think I messed up,” he sighs, leaning his head back against the headboard, exposing the column of his throat that she is decidedly not looking at.

“How so?” 

“With my… ex. Well, ex I think.” 

She nods slowly, not quite following. Of course, she knows who his ex is, her name, what she looks like, the projects she’s involved in. She seems like the sweetest girl, but not much is public about her, so her curiosity is piqued. 

“Go on…” 

He exhales then, grabs his water and downs the rest of it in one go, wiping his mouth before crossing his arms across his chest. He’s frustrated, she can tell, but he looks so damn good that she feels a tad guilty for being on the verge of distraction. 

“We broke up during a fight last week. It was so bad, and… I mean, it’s been bad, right? My schedule, the distance, she grew more and more tired of it and I- I get it, y’know? It’s not easy, being with me.” 

“I see,” she nods, turns towards him more. “I can imagine that your lifestyle can get tricky for everyone involved.”

“Yeah, I can’t expect everyone to wanna keep up, y’know? And the worst part is, when she did it- because she did it, right- I felt relieved. Like somehow, she was being set free, and I didn’t have to be the asshole to do it.” 

Her eyes narrow, not quite agreeing with his statement. She saw how hard Hollywood can be on anyone, especially someone with a “normal” partner who’s got a “normal” job, but it’s not like anyone is being forced to hold on to their unhappiness. She tells him as much.

“Well, yeah, I’m being a bit dramatic. But at the end of the day, I know it’s better for us if we are separated. I still love her so much, but… I can’t. So much has happened, and I… can’t.” He gets quiet then, stares out the window into the night, before chuckling humorlessly, “I don’t know why I’m telling you all this. ‘m sorry for being such a downer.” 

“Hey, no worries at all,” she smiles warmly, reaches out to put a comforting hand on his shoulder, squeezes once. “I offered, and I really am here to listen. Thank you for your trust.” 

He scoffs, not unkindly. “Yeah, you’re really easy to talk to. Thanks for that.” 

One more squeeze to his shoulder before she lets go, leans back.

“So, you feel like you fucked up by, what, letting her break it off, or…?”

Nicholas snaps out of his momentary thoughts, shakes his head.

“Oh, that wasn’t the fuck-up, no. I feel shitty because… well, because of what happened yesterday. I drove to hers to give her some stuff back,” he explains, and her stomach drops. They broke up, he drove to hers, he messed up. 

There’s only one thing that can mean, and she listens closely, waits for him to say it, but the words never come. 

Throwing caution in the wind, she dares to finish the train of thought for him.

“And you two had sex.”

Nick’s wide eyes snap to hers, a blush coloring his smooth cheeks, and she chuckles.

“C’mon, it’s okay, we’re all grown here!” 

“It was so stupid!” he exclaims, throwing his head back while she has to hold back her laughter. “Don’t make fun!”

“I’m sorry, I’m not!” she giggles, reaches out to him to get his attention. “Nicholas, that’s normal! Is it really a breakup if you don’t have breakup sex?” 

“Yes!” he laughs at her, a little manic this time, driving a hand through his tousled hair. “Fuck you mean, is it really a breakup? Having sex after is the dumbest move you could make!” 

Hiding her face in her hands, she allows herself a loud belly laugh, endlessly amused by his distress. She calms herself down, has a sip of her water.

“I disagree, sometimes it’s needed for closure.”

“Yeah, fuck that, because earlier she texted me if I could come see her again soon and that there’s things we still need to talk about. I feel like I’m back at square one.” 

“You think you’ll give in to her if she asks to give your relationship a second chance?” 

It takes a beat for him to mull it over.

“I don’t know, maybe?” 

It’s been an interesting night so far and the alcohol is still shimmying its way through her system, she’s here with her celebrity crush and having a great time, so she makes a conscious decision to be bold and see where it lands her. 

She scoots closer, turns so she’s right next to him and sits criss cross applesauce so she can lean forward and take his hands in hers. He’s looking at her questioningly but goes with her motion. 

“Nicholas, I know we don’t know each other, but I want you to tell me if you need me to be honest with you or if you want me to hype you up on getting back on your bullshit? Just say the word and I’ll do it.”

His unsure gaze darts to the side before settling on hers again, nodding dumbly.

“Tell me what you think,” he requests, and she smirks as she obliges.

“You’re being a big fucking baby and you need to get over it and tell her, once and for all, that it’s better this way. If you go there, have the conversation and then get back with her despite your gut telling you not to? That would be a fuck-up. Sex with your ex is nothing compared to what a mistake that would be.” 

The silence that settles over the room is thick, turning more uncomfortable by the second, and suddenly she feels herself sober up quickly, the realization of what she just said to this stranger, how grandiosely she stepped out of line, hitting her hard.

Apology ready on her lips, she’s just about to backtrack, when he squeezes her hands, closes his mouth in a resolute expression.

“Damn, that was… Thank you. Yeah, you’re right,” he’s muttering, and she can feel her heart in her throat, relief washing over her. “Wow, I don’t think anyone in my life would be as honest with me as you just were.” 

She smiles sheepishly, heat crawling up her neck.

“I’ll never be the friend who tells you what you want to hear, Nicholas, but I’ll always be the friend who tells you what you need to hear.”

He lets go of her, then, leans back with a calculating gaze, eyeing her up and down.

“So we friends now, you and I?” 

She shrugs. “Whaddya think?” 

He hums. “You called me a big fucking baby. Only friends get to do that.” 

He holds out his large hand and she takes it, shaking it with a smile.

“Deal.” 

She goes back to her place against the headboard and they sit in silence for a moment before she turns her head, smirks teasingly as she says, “I will say, though, you don’t look too happy for someone who’s freshly fucked.” 

His guffaw is sudden, unexpected, but it makes her laugh along, refusing to be embarrassed by her rude remark. 

“What even are you?” he asks her incredulously and she throws her head back, belly hurting from how funny he is. 

“I’m just saying! No matter who it’s with, people usually glow after, and you looked like a kicked puppy when I found you.”

He scoffs, “Found me, yeah right,” he says, but locks eyes with her and winks. 

“Yeah, well,” she muses.

“Sorry that a damper got put on my after-sex-glow and you couldn’t enjoy it, little missy!” 

“Oh, so there was a glow?” she asks, teasing him but curious, her stomach tightening. She makes sure to keep her tone light and playful but there’s nothing she wants to know more than the details of how he fucks.

She’s an open girl, sexual and talkative, and despite people in the past trying to make her feel less than for it, she lives out her personality shamelessly, unapologetically. 

His confirmation comes slow, thought-out. 

“I’d say so, yeah. There always is when it’s good, isn’t there?” 

She hums. 

“So it was good, despite everything?” 

The way he turns towards her is unhurried, deliberate, and she feels her pulse quicken, feels like she’s about to be scolded for her forwardness.

“What are you asking me there, missy?” 

Gulping down her nervousness, she answers, “Look, even though I was hoping for it, I don’t think I’ll be finding anyone to share my bed with tonight, so the least I could do is… talk about it.” 

He grins. “Someone had plans, huh? 

She shrugs nonchalantly. “I like sex.” 

“Talking about it, as well?” 

Her inhale is deep as she thinks about how to word her thoughts.

“I like knowing what others like, how they view that act of intimacy. It’s one of my favorite topics.” 

“You’re not a sellout, are you?” he questions, but the crinkles by his eyes show her he’s being humorous.

She rolls her eyes, delivering a swat to his arm.

“You’re not dumb enough to fall for shit like that, Nicholas.” 

A beat passes before she hears his voice again, “Yeah, it was good. Always is with her, to be honest.” 

“The familiarity of a long-term partner is unbeatable, isn’t it?” 

He agrees.

“How’d you have her?” 

“Fuckin’ hell, you just speak your mind, huh?” 

She’s playing with a strand of her hair, picking at the split ends, she needs a haircut. She doesn’t want to come across as eager, so she shrugs yet again, glances at him.

“If you’re uncomfortable, you don’t have to answer.”

“Nah,” he says, clicks his tongue before replying, “You can ask. I think I’m curious to see how your mind works, (Y/N).” 

Her eyebrows raise in slight surprise, but she presses on.

“Good. So?” 

The sheets rustle as he shifts, settles in so he’d be more comfortable, sprawling on the bed like it’s his own, like he owns the place. Their thighs are this close to touching and she wills herself not to focus on that too much, rather listening to what he says next. 

“I never take her one way only,” he confesses, then, causes heat to lick up her spine. “We started kissing against the back of the couch, but I lost my patience quickly, I… I just had to fuck her.” 

“So you took her from behind? Against the couch?” 

“Nah, that came later,” he narrows his eyes as if he has to remember it, “I picked her up, that’s how we started.” 

“With her legs around you?” He nods. “Just straight into it, no foreplay?” 

He smirks, turns to her. “I tend to let my hands travel during make-out sessions, if you know what I mean.” 

She exhales sharply. “Let’s say I don’t know, Nick.” 

One thick brow of his rises teasingly, eyeing her. 

“I had some fingers in her while we were kissing, (Y/N).”

“Damn, okay. How many is some?”

“You’re real fuckin’ curious, aren’t you?” 

“Fuck off, I’m only human.” 

She’s not even ashamed of her thirst for information, his words causing a movie to form in her head and she refuses to let a cliffhanger disappoint her.

“Two this time, I was impatient. Plus, I like her tight.” 

She looks away, then, turns her head away from his so she could school her expression. His face is unreadable, charming smile in place, but his eyes give nothing away. It does little to settle the fire inside of her. 

“Did you eat her out?”

“Later on, I did.”

What a mental image.

“Did she… go down on you?” 

“Not this time.”

“Can she… can she take all of you?” 

Nicholas’ eyes widen at her boldness before they glance down, looking at his own crotch. She follows his gaze, stupidly, but his pants are too loose, giving nothing away.

“She tries, but no. Nobody could before.”

“I bet I could,” she husks before she can stop herself, bites the inside of her cheek at her stupid mistake. Talking about someone else is one thing, but putting herself in that position could ruin their little fantasy, the little game they’re playing.

It feels like her heart is going to jump out of her chest when suddenly Nicholas reaches up, wraps one hand around the front of her throat, eyeing it as if he’s inspecting it closely. He drives one finger over her hammering pulse point and chuckles before pulling away entirely.

“Yeah, maybe you could. You’d choke on it, though.” 

“Cocky bastard, don’t fucking act like you don’t love that.” 

He considers it for a moment. 

“I don’t mind it. A hand in your hair, drilling into your throat, makes for some neat little sounds, I’m sure.” 

“Fuck,” she breathes, gathering herself before pressing. “Then what? You fucked her standing up and then?”

“I carried her into her bedroom, took her missionary. I love that position, it’s so underrated.”

“It really is,” she agrees, a dreamy hush sneaking into her words. “The passion of it, the romance. Fucking eye-to-eye is not for the faint hearted.” 

A laugh escapes him at that, and he looks at her, awe written all over his face. 

“Yeah, exactly. Many variations of that, as well. My personal favorite is having her legs over my shoulders, I can get real deep that way.” 

“Oh wow, that one’s good. Plus, it allows for room. I… I find it easiest to play with myself that way.” 

The admission is very personal, she knows, but she deems it unfair to let him spill his guts while she gets to keep her secrets.

“Play with your clit, you mean?” She nods, bashful. “Do you always need to?” 

“I don’t come without it,” she says, watches his brows furrow. “What?”

“Nobody’s ever made you come on his cock only?”

The way he says it, the word, the whole sentence, as if offended on her behalf, makes her pussy clench where it’s steadily leaking.

“I don’t know if I can,” she frowns, “not every woman can.”

“Every woman I fucked could, though,” he smirks, and she hides her flaming face behind her hands.

“You’re unbelievable, fuck,” she tells him, allows him his smug smirk, though. “Did she come untouched as well?” 

“Yeah, she did.”

“Did she ask permission?”

He squints his eyes. “Permission…?”

Her mind is going into overdrive, hoping to God that she isn’t scaring him off but needing to share her deepest desire with him, needing to know his in turn.

“When I get fucked,” she starts, ignores the surprise in his face, “my orgasms aren’t mine, they’re his. Right? So, I always ask permission.”

“What if he says no?”

“Then I hold it.” 

“Fuck,” he breathes and she watches, throat dry, as he reaches down to adjust himself in his pants unabashedly. “You’re a dirty girl, aren’t you?”

“Only with men I trust.”

She tears her eyes away from his crotch to look at him.

“Is there anyone like that in your life right now?” She shakes her head no. “Good.”

It takes all of the restraint she can muster up not to beg him for something, anything, right then and there, but she focuses on the story he owes her. 

“How many times did you make her come?”

He thinks about it, shrugs. “Stopped counting at three.”

“Goddamn. How did you come?”

“Inside her, while she was riding me,” he smirks, paints the picture in her head so clearly, only that it isn’t a head full of brown hair that’s thrown back in ecstasy but-

“You asked if I ate her out?”

She’s scared to speak.

“…yes?”

“That’s when I did it, after. Cleaned her up nicely.”

She brings a hand up to her mouth and covers it, mind and heart racing. 

“Did you- Nick, did you swallow your own load?”

Nicholas clicks his tongue, trails his eyes over her rapidly moving chest, locks his eyes on hers as he delivers one devastating blow, “Aw baby, don’t tell me you’re unfamiliar with getting a mouthful of come spat onto that pretty tongue.” 

Delirium grips at her then, grabs her by the throat and doesn’t let go, takes control of her limbs and makes her straddle him quickly as he sits up to welcome her, grabs her and pushes her hips down into where he’s bucking his up. Nicholas’ tongue on her neck makes her moan, hot all over. 

“I will ask you something and I want you to be honest with me,” he rasps, bites at her earlobe, “a truth for a truth, deal?”

“Yes, please-“

“When did you start thinking about you being the one taking my cock?” 

“Fuck!” she exclaims with her hands tangled in his head, pulling a little, frustrated at being found out but relieved that he’s embracing it so openly. “When you talked about throwing her legs over your shoulders.”

“Good girl,” he says, nips at her collarbone as he holds her tight, “wanna know something? I stopped talking about what I did to her when you asked about her going down on me.”

“You lied?” she shrieks, outrage as fake as her restraint.

“I won’t disrespect her by divulging too much information, plus I just wanted to see how you’d react.”

Clever fingers reach under her shirt to unclasp her bra, helping her out of her clothes so her upper body is bare. 

“And, did you like it?”

“Fuckin’ loved it.”

He buries his face between her tits, squeezing them periodically, and she’s just about to beg for his cock when he looks up at her, apology written all over his face.

“I can’t fuck you, I’m sorry,” he says, “I shouldn’t even be touching you right now. Not until I know, for sure, where I’m at in life.” 

The telltale burning behind her nose makes her want to scream, the sexual frustration overtaking her, but she reels herself in, albeit barely. Of course it hurts, being rejected like this, but she isn’t about to make things more complicated for him than they need to be. She’ll take what she can get from him, this could be her only chance.

“Fuck, that’s okay, Nick. I understand.” 

“’m sorry, (Y/N).” 

“Fuck,” she breathes before she pushes him back, eyes on him as he puts his hands behind his head, observes her as she tries to wiggle out of her jeans. “You don’t have to touch me, we can play some other way, no?”

Nicholas closes his eyes as if in pain, exhales deeply before they open again, jet-black gaze meeting hers. He nods.

“Get back here, baby,” he groans, and soon enough she’s perched on his lap again, fully naked while he’s still dressed, rubbing her center against the material of his pants. 

“I’m dying to taste you,” she confesses, so close to tears it’s embarrassing, but with him she feels no shame. 

The hands he’s got on her hips tighten as he looks up at her through his full eyelashes, something dark in his eyes.

“So am I, you’re fucking dripping for me.” 

“And you’re hard for me,” she states, needs that equilibrium. 

“All for you, (Y/N),” he breathes, bucks his hips up once more. “Dying to touch myself.” 

“When was the last time you did?” 

“This morning.”

She believes him, knows he’s done with games, and she can’t help but picture it: his broad wet back, droplets of water falling from his soaked hair, one strong arm flexing as his hand is moving up and down his cock, mouth agape but eyes shut in ecstasy. She wishes so badly to see it, to feel it.

“You’re picturing it, aren’t you?” 

She barks out a laugh, hips still rotating. 

“Aren’t I always?” 

“Imaginative little girl,” he smirks and it sounds like praise. “Wanna see how I do it? Wanna watch me fuck myself?”

The wanton moan that escapes her can’t be helped and she’s nodding her head vigorously, not trusting her voice.

“You too, though, yeah? You show me how you work that sweet little cunt, okay?”

“Yes, yes, whatever you want… Take your cock out, please, Nick,” she whines, unable to stop her hands from shaking, from driving across her body, touching herself wherever she can reach.

He does as he’s told and soon enough his pants are down to his knees, cock hard and proud in his hand, the sight making her eyes water. It’s so thick that she knows exactly what it’d feel like deep within her.

“Touch yourself slowly, give yourself two,” he instructs, and she immediately obeys, nerves shot as she shoves two fingers into her dripping pussy.

“Jerk your dick with both hands, baby, but keep it tight. Pretend like it’s my mouth on you.” 

“Spit on it, first,” he barks and she looks at him, wide eyed, sees how serious he’s being, before collecting a glob of spit on the tip of her tongue and letting it fall onto his cockhead. The way it slowly trails down before he drives his hand over it, slicks himself up so he can obey her better, makes her gut churn.

“’m so tight, so wet for you,” she cries out, riding her own fingers painstakingly slowly, wanting to do exactly as he tells her to. “And your dick is so fucking big, oh shit.”

“Glide your clit against two fingers, but keep it loose, don’t touch with the intent to come,” he tells her while his eyes are darting between her face and what she’s doing to her pussy, not wanting to miss a thing. 

“You really are adamant about me coming from my spot only, huh?” she chuckles but does as he directs her.

“One day, I’ll train you to only come from that spot, fuck,” he spits, hand speeding up as she whines at his promise.

“Shit, my clit is so swollen, if I keep going like this, I’ll cum.” 

“You can,” he says, grabs her ass cheek with one hand as he keeps working his dick with the other, “Come as many times as you’d like, as long as you can keep coming until I’m satisfied.” 

She can’t look away from how he’s touching himself, confident in his body, jerking it tightly and switching between fast and slow strokes, his full balls following the motion. The need to have her mouth on them, lap at his full sac while he makes himself feel good, knocks the wind out of her.

“Play with your balls,” she whines, always whining desperately, “I need to see what that looks like.” 

“Oh, yeah?” his hand leaves her skin as he grabs his balls, rolls them in his palm, moans at how hungrily she’s eyeing the scene before her. “They need to be drained so bad, (Y/N).”

“We’ll take care of that together, won’t we, baby?”

“Fuck yeah,” he growls, looking between her legs again. “Give yourself one more, I want you stretched.” 

She does exactly that and moans around how full she feels, knowing that if it were him inside of her, it’d be even more overwhelming. Wishing he was shirtless, completely naked, she fucks herself hard, wanting to take her other hand and drive it along his torso but not daring to stop what he ordered her to do.

“May I come for you, please?” she gasps, hips bucking wildly. She’s not above begging, not for a man like him.

“Come for me, (Y/N),” he growls, taking his hands off himself to hold her up as she convulses with how hard her orgasm hits her, it’s been a few days since she last came. “Good fuckin’ girl, that was gorgeous, fuck.” 

Nicholas’ praise gets to her, makes her flush down to her stomach and he notices, laughs wickedly as he pushes her up so she’d sit straight, takes her hand and motions for her to keep going.

“Not done with you yet, keep playing.”

“Fuck,” she winces as she touches her sensitive clit, swollen and hard and just on the right side of painful, but his wish is her command so she can’t help but do it. “Keep touching your cock, Nicholas. I wanna come to the sight of you close to my cunt.” 

“God, you make me crazy,” he growls as he does just that, his tip this short of touching her pussy as he really goes for it, hand a blur with how fast he’s moving.

She’s got three fingers back inside of her but apart from the stretch it isn’t doing much for her, she knows he’d make it feel earth-shattering, though, would show her a completely new side of herself, and with that in mind she feels herself close to the edge again, panting.

“I’m fucking close again, oh my God-“

“You’re incredible, keep going, I’m right there.”

It puts a new kind of vigor inside of her and she moves and grinds and moans just how she thinks he’ll like it, puts on a show for him and when he starts whimpering, she knows she’s got him right where she wants him.

Or so she thinks.

She lets go first, wailing as it hits her, having wanted to share that moment with him but being unable to think as the coil inside of her snaps. Falling back onto the bed she pulls her knees to her chest, drives her fingers deep and comes hard.

“Spread your legs, let me mark you, huh?” comes his voice, snapping her out of her high, and without thinking twice she spreads her legs wide and gives him a clear view of her sloppy pussy, takes her hands away so he can shuffle between them, and it only takes him a few more pumps before he’s groaning, shooting string after string of his hot semen right onto her clit, making her shout.

It overstimulates her completely: the feeling of it, the sight of it, the way he claimed her without ever having been inside her.

Nicholas wouldn’t be Nicholas, she has learned, if he didn’t push her completely over the edge, and so through his hard breathing, with his impossibly deep voice, he demands, “Make yourself come one more time for me, baby. Fuck your clit with my come all over it, lemme see it.”

She does just that, but she feels like she passes out, because next thing she knows she’s got tears streaming down her face, his head hidden in her neck and shushing her, soothing her. The throbbing between her legs is barely noticeable through the ringing in her ears, and when he tells her to match her breathing to his, it takes her a while to comprehend.

“You back with me?” he smiles gently, tucks a strand of her hair behind her ear, and she nods shakily, not trusting her voice. 

“That was… oh my God, Nicholas.”  

He laughs, a soft sound, pursing his lips.

“I don’t know what came over me. Was all of that okay?”

“More than,” she says, needing to reassure him, grabs the hand that’s on her cheek and kisses each fingertip. “I… have never felt like that. Wow. So out of my body.” 

“Me neither, I didn’t even know I could, well, do all of that.” 

They take a moment of silence to just grin at each other stupidly, gathering themselves, and she feels a ping of hurt in her stomach at the prospect of letting him leave.

“Wanna… stay with me for the night? We’ll be good, I promise, but I just can’t be alone after all of that, Nicholas. I can’t.”

The kiss he presses to her shoulder is long, contemplative.

“I can’t leave right now, I’ll be honest. I feel like you’d fall apart if I did,” he smirks, dodges the swat she so badly aims in his direction. “Nah, and I wouldn’t be well, either. That was intense.”

“So… shower and cuddles?”

“And food, I’ll have to raid Cooper’s pantry.”

The party comes to mind again, she’s already forgotten about it. The people must have already left, it’s way too quiet in comparison to what it was when she came up here.

“Sounds great. But you’ll need to help me, I think my legs are jello.” 

“Sorry not sorry,” cheeky bastard he is, but he helps her up and walks with her to the bathroom, starts the shower so it’d be hot when she gets in.

The mirror isn’t very kind to her, showing messy hair and ruined makeup, streaks of mascara running down to her neck where her tears were, but she’s got an unmistakable glow on her face, radiating satisfaction. Nicholas walks up next to her, hooks his head over her shoulder and grins. 

“Now you look happily fucked out,” she comments, laughs when he slaps her ass once, not too hard. 

“Thank you for that,” he whispers, kisses her shoulder. “I needed it.” 

“So did I.” 

Her honesty would scare her under normal circumstances, but this isn’t a normal circumstance. She steps into the shower and starts washing herself, wishing she could stay in his fluids for a little longer, rub them into her skin so she’d still know tomorrow that this night was real, but she settles for having him clean and comfortable next to her in bed. He watches her for a while before he exits the room, possibly in search of food, as he’s promised earlier.

She’ll have time for a spiral tomorrow. For now, she just looks forward to letting his breathing lull her into a deep sleep. 

[jetii]

Event Horizon

Chapter Twenty-Five: Reformation

Chapter WC: 6,691

A/N: half this chapter and part of the next somehow got deleted and i crashed out but umm here's the rest. shorter chapter this week and next, then i promise we'll see our man and more 🙏

Previous Chapter | Next Chapter | Join the Taglist | Masterlist

Kamino, 21 BBY

Rex was right, of course.

Today is a big day.

Your shuttle touches down on the planet's surface, and the door opens to a blast of cold, wet air, the sound of the waves crashing against the platforms reaching your ears. You pull up the hood of your cloak and step onto the landing platform, your boots sliding on the wet duracreet, and a shiver runs through you. It's cold. And damp. And miserable. Exactly as you remember it.

You walk toward the entrance, your feet making a slapping sound against the duracreet, and you can't help but think about the last time you were here. Not too far from where you're walking, you had fought side-by-side with many of the clones that are about to become your men. And somewhere in the waters just beyond the edge of the platform, the bodies of hundreds of droids lay scattered across the ocean floor, their metal corpses slowly deteriorating into rust.

It's not a pleasant thought.

But it does bring a smile to your face.

You enter the facility, and the temperature-controlled warmth of the building immediately washes over you. The inside is much like the outside, utilitarian and austere. White walls, white floors, troopers in white armor marching past. It's a stark contrast to the chaos that's been the past few weeks of your life, and you would be grateful for the calm if it all wasn't so damn unsettling.

Water splatters onto the floor as you pull down your hood and wring out your hair, the sound of the droplets echoing through the cavernous space. The troopers that are passing by pause and turn, their heads tilting in your direction. You nod in acknowledgement, and they offer a polite salute, a brief, sharp movement of their arms, before continuing on their way.

In their wake, you see two figures approaching, and you let out a quiet sigh. One you recognize instantly, and the other, a Kaminoan, gives you a blank look that you can only interpret as distaste. Her eyes flicker to the puddle forming at your feet, and you resist the urge to scowl.

You had a feeling this meeting was going to be awkward.

"General Anathorn," Taun We says, her voice as stiff and cold as the air around her. "Welcome back."

You offer a small, polite smile and extend your hand, but the Kaminoan doesn't take it. Instead, she folds her long, slender fingers together and rests her hands in front of her, a detached, aloof expression on her face. It takes everything in you not to roll your eyes, and you instead turn your attention to Shaak-Ti, who's watching the exchange with a look of barely-veiled amusement.

"It's nice to see you again," she says, and the warmth in her tone is a welcome relief. She inclines her head in greeting, and you do the same, your smile turning genuine. "Congratulations again on your promotion."

You bite the inside of your cheek, unsure of how exactly to feel about that particular topic, and you're saved from having to answer as the Kaminoan lets out a small cough.

"If you will follow me," Taun We says, her voice laced with annoyance. "We have much to discuss."

You fall into step beside Shaak-Ti, Taun We walking on her other side, the two of them speaking in low voices. You tune them out, taking the opportunity to study your surroundings. You wouldn't know that the clone army had nearly been decimated here a mere month ago. The place is immaculate, not a single sign of battle anywhere. 

Even the scars that had covered the exterior of the building were gone, repaired and painted over. An effort to retain the illusion of safety. A facade to hide the truth.

It's hard not to feel a bit envious.

The three of you step into a hall with glass panels on either side, giving you an unfettered view of the large room below. The walls are lined with glass tanks, each one containing a clone in the earliest stage of development. They float in the liquid, their limbs barely formed, their bodies curled up in a fetal position. 

You can't help but wonder how many of these infants are destined for the front lines and how many will never even see the inside of a starfighter. It's a sobering thought, and you tear your gaze away, forcing yourself to focus on Taun We's voice as her head turns, her white on black eyes meeting yours.

"The facilities have been updated since your last visit," she tells you, as if the last time you were on planet, you were sightseeing. "There have been several upgrades to the training rooms and the medical bays, and we've increased the number of security measures, as per the Chancellor's orders."

You give a slight nod, unsure of how to respond, and she continues, her tone shifting slightly.

"There's also a new simulation," she says. "One based on a recent campaign."

The words make you freeze, and you turn toward her, your eyes narrowing.

"Which campaign?" you ask. The corners of her mouth lift.

"Felucia," she answers, her gaze moving back to the hall. You bite the inside of your cheek harder this time, your fingers curling into fists, and Taun We lets out a soft, satisfied sigh, a hint of pleasure in her voice. "I understand it was quite...memorable."

Your eyes drift to the side as a group of cadets walks by, and you take a deep breath, pushing down the anger and frustration threatening to rise. It shouldn't surprise you that the Kaminoans and their trainers would pick a failed mission as a learning experience. That they would use it as a means to teach the clones about their limitations, about the cost of failure.

The truth is, the loss on Felucia wasn't your fault. Not entirely. The situation had been a clusterfuck from the start. Between the weather, the terrain, and the sheer number of Separatist forces, it had been impossible to maintain control. You had done the best you could, given the circumstances, and the fact that most of the 212th and the 501st had survived was a miracle. The fact that Rex survived was a miracle.

But the Kaminoans and the trainers would see it differently. To them, the mission was a failure, and you were a Jedi who shouldn't have nearly given her life for a singular clone. You have no doubt they're using it as a way to drive home the need for a clone to follow orders, regardless of the situation.

You grit your teeth and swallow the retort on the tip of your tongue, knowing that any argument would be futile. This is their world. Their creation. Their playground. You are just a guest here, making a mess and leaving stains that are difficult to clean up.

Taun We's voice continues, a drone in the background, and the anger fades, replaced by a sudden rush of weariness. This was a mistake. You shouldn't have come here. You should've tried harder to find another option. Another way. Anything.

The group of cadets stumbles as the one leading the pack meets your gaze and stops dead in his tracks. His eyes are wide, his jaw hanging open, and he's staring at you as if you're a mythical creature come to life. You tilt your head and smile, giving him a small, friendly wave.

The gesture snaps him out of his daze, and he nudges the boy beside him, pointing in your direction. His friend's head turns, and he too stares, his eyes bulging out of his head. Slowly, the cadets behind them look up, and one by one, the group turns, the whole squad watching you, their gazes locked on your face.

You give another smile, and the lead cadet raises his hand, returning the gesture. There's a moment of hesitation, a pause, and a flurry of hands follow, each cadet saluting you, the gesture stiff and awkward, but earnest.

The sight is enough to pull you from your thoughts, and a smile spreads across your face, a small, amused laugh escaping your lips. 

They're young, barely ten standard years old, their features still round and soft, their bodies not yet grown. But there's a spark in their eyes, a gleam of intelligence, a sense of humor and curiosity. They're cute. Like oversized tooka kittens.

Taun We turns, her eyes landing on the group. The sudden movement is enough to break the spell, and the cadets snap back to attention, their shoulders straightening, their hands falling to their sides. They're down the hall and around the corner before she has a chance to speak. You try to hide your grin, but it's difficult.

The Kaminoan lets out an annoyed huff, her eyes focused on the next set of cadets coming down the hall.

"I would ask that you refrain from interrupting the cadets' training," she says, her voice cool and detached. "It is imperative that they remain focused, and the distraction will only lead to mistakes and delays."

"My apologies," you say, struggling to keep the sarcasm from your tone. "I didn't mean to get in the way."

She doesn't reply. You let the silence hang between the two of you until Shaak-Ti's eyes find yours, and she gives a slight shake of her head, a hint of a smile playing on her lips.

"This way," she says, and you fall back into step with her.

You make your way deeper into the facility, the conversation turning to more mundane matters, like the weather, the state of the war, and the progress of the new armor that will soon be standard issue for the clones. By the time you arrive at the conference room, you're practically bouncing off the walls, torn between turning tail and running back to your shuttle or begging for the tour to end so you can get your men and get out.

"Your new brigade is waiting for you in hangar bay six," Taun We informs you as the three of you step into the room. "Your commander will be along shortly."

You let out a sigh of relief, grateful to be away from her. She gives a curt nod and sweeps out of the room, her long white gown billowing behind her. You turn to Shaak-Ti, and the two of you share a look.

"I think she likes me," you say, and then, unable to stop yourself from adding the extra bit of sarcasm, add, "What a warm welcome."

Shaak-Ti merely gives you a polite smile, giving nothing away. You've known her for a while, and you've learned to read her better than most, but the Jedi Master can be as impenetrable as stone. Still, you have the feeling she agrees with you.

She looks you over, her gaze lingering on your face, and after a moment, her smile softens. The look in her eyes is familiar. It's the same look that Yaddle used to give you. A look of kindness and warmth. Of pride and approval.

"What is it?" you ask warily.

She hesitates, and for a moment, you're convinced she's going to say something that will send your already fragile mood spiraling. Instead, she reaches out and places a hand on your shoulder, her grip gentle but firm.

"I sense a change in you," she says, her voice low, her gaze locked onto yours. "You seem...different."

The words catch you off guard, and your eyes widen, a nervous feeling twisting in the pit of your stomach.

Different.

A month ago, a day ago, even, that word would have set off a wave of panic. It would have been a reminder of what happened, the memory of what you'd seen, the realization of how close you'd come to disaster. It would have sent you spiraling down the same path you'd been on before, the same path that led you here.

Now, however, the word holds a different meaning. It's not an accusation or a condemnation. It's not an indication of weakness or a mark of shame. It's a sign of growth, of maturity, of healing. 

And for the first time since you've known her, Shaak-Ti's gaze doesn't fill you with dread. Her words don't bring back the memories of the Council's betrayal, the pain of their dismissal, the guilt of Yaddle's death. Instead, it's as if a cloud has lifted, allowing you to see her for who she is, and not the person you have come to resent.

"It has been a long month," you reply, the words coming out softer than you had intended. Shaak-Ti hums in agreement.

"I am sorry for what happened," she says. Her grip tightens, and her eyes flicker away, the shame and guilt visible on her face. "I had hoped the Council would have listened to you. That we would have shown more compassion, this time and the last. But it is no excuse. You deserved better. You deserved a chance to grieve."

You're silent, unsure of how to respond. You've heard the apology before, from Obi-Wan and the other masters, but none of them had meant it. They had said the words out of obligation, not understanding the weight and depth of what they were saying. They hadn't understood what it had meant, what it had done.

But Shaak-Ti does. And she knows it.

The truth is, there's a part of you that still hates her. She took your master's seat on the Council, she was one of the voices that condemned you, and she's been a member of the Order long enough to know that their treatment of you was wrong. That they had failed you.

But the more rational part of you understands that it wasn't personal. It wasn't her decision, and the Council's actions were in the best interest of the Order. As much as it hurts, as much as it infuriates you, as much as it makes you want to scream, you can't fault her. Not anymore. Not after everything that's happened.

So instead, you reach up and place your hand over hers, a small, grateful smile on your face.

"Thank you," you tell her. Her eyes return to yours, a surprised look on her face. "For the apology, and for the support. It means a lot."

"Of course," she says, and the corners of her mouth lift. "And I am glad to see you are finally taking our advice."

Her words cause your shoulders to stiffen, a surge of defensiveness bubbling up. But the look on her face stops you short, and a wry smile tugs at the corner of her lips.

"That was a joke," she clarifies, and you snort, a surprised laugh escaping your lips.

"Right."

"I see the past few weeks have been good for you," she says. Her eyes twinkle, the expression on her face one of amusement and pride. "Your encounter with Count Dooku must have been...illuminating."

Your face heats up, and you duck your head, an embarrassed flush creeping up your neck. You had told Obi-Wan the bare bones of what happened, and he, in turn, had passed the information onto the Council. After a great deal of questioning, of course. And no small amount of suspicion. But they had decided to take you at your word, and that was all that mattered.

Or at least, that was what you told yourself.

You knew that the Council, or a few of the members at the very least, were suspicious. You also knew it would come back to haunt you eventually, but for now, you were content to ignore it. At least until after you had your first mission with your new men under your belt.

"Uh, yeah," you mutter, clearing your throat. "It was definitely an eye-opening experience."

"You've always had a knack for finding trouble," Shaak-Ti chuckles.

"Trouble finds me," you correct, and her chuckle turns into a laugh.

"Regardless," she says. "I am glad to see you are finally moving forward. And not just in regards to the Council."

Her words cause your heart to skip a beat, and a knot forms in the pit of your stomach, the butterflies fluttering inside. You try to play it off, but the blush on your cheeks gives you away, and the knowing look on her face tells you that she's well aware of the effect her words are having.

She seems to stop short of mentioning Obi-Wan directly, and for that, you're grateful. The idea of talking to her about how the two of you had decided to distance yourself from each other is almost as uncomfortable as the thought of discussing the nature of your relationship with Rex.

You'd spoken to Obi-Wan at length during the aftermath of Dooku's offer, the two of you going through the whole conversation, the Council meeting, the decision to put your friendship on hold. He had been sympathetic and supportive, and while there was a hint of disappointment in his eyes, he seemed content to accept the new status quo. Or at least, appear that way.

As for the matter of Rex, neither of you had brought it up. Not once. You had declared the topic strictly off-limits, and while the air between the two of you had cleared, there was still a lingering sense of awkwardness and discomfort. You had decided that the best thing to do was to avoid the issue entirely. At least for now.

"Yes, well," you say, shifting from one foot to the other, trying desperately to steer the conversation away from anything resembling feelings. "There's still a lot I have to learn."

"And there's a lot you can teach," Shaak-Ti replies, her tone encouraging. "Your experiences have given you a unique perspective, one that is often overlooked. A valuable asset. And the men will benefit from your newfound optimism. I have no doubt you will lead them well."

The words are unexpected, and you're not sure how to respond. You hadn't exactly expected a pep talk, especially from someone like Shaak-Ti. But as much as it confuses and surprises you, there's also a sense of gratitude and relief.

"Thank you," you say. "That means a lot, coming from you."

"It is the truth. I have always believed in your potential. As did Yaddle."

Her eyes flick down to your belt, and they settle on the second lightsaber hanging there. It had taken a great deal of courage and self-reflection to decide to place it the clip where your shoto had once hung this morning, and it had taken even more courage and self-reflection not to immediately remove it again. 

It still felt odd and unnatural, but somehow, it also felt right. As if the weight of the weapon was exactly what you needed to bring you into balance.

"She would be proud of the Jedi you have become," Shaak-Ti continues, and you let out a humorless laugh.

"I'm not sure about that," you mumble. "But I'm trying."

She opens her mouth to reply, but the sound of the door sliding open cuts her off, and the two of you turn to see a tall, broad-shouldered clone stride through. He's wearing armor you've never seen before, a new design that's sleeker and more streamlined than the usual. His helmet is the most noticeable difference, the lack of fin and rounder, smoother silhouette a stark contrast to the familiar T-shaped visor. 

There's a flurry of activity in the hallway behind him, and the door closes, cutting off the commotion. The trooper takes a deep breath, the movement causing his chestplate to expand, and his feet snap together, his hand raising to his head in a crisp, formal salute.

"General," he says stiffly.

You blink, taken aback by the formality, the lack of a nickname or any sort of personal acknowledgement. You're not used to such a cold greeting, and you wonder if maybe there's been a mistake. Maybe you've mistaken him for someone else, or perhaps he's got the wrong room.

You feel a thread of amusement tug at the back of your mind, and the realization dawns on you. Of course. He's putting on a show, drawing out the reveal, making the entrance more dramatic than necessary.

You let out a huff, struggling to suppress a smile, and you give him a curt nod, playing along.

"You remember Commander Booker," Shaak-Ti says, turning toward the commander, a hint of a smile on her face.

He's still standing in the same spot, stiff as a board, and you can't help but feel a little guilty. The man had been waiting outside, listening for his cue, and you'd given him nothing. He deserves a reaction at the very least, and you offer him a smile, hoping it's enough.

"How could I forget?" you ask. "It's been a while."

"It has, sir," he agrees, his hand lowering to his side. "But the memories are still fresh. Especially the ones where you nearly got me killed."

You let out a bark of laughter, the comment catching you off guard, and Shaak-Ti shakes her head, a disapproving frown on her face. Booker's shoulders, however, are shaking with silent laughter.

He takes a step forward and pulls his helmet off, revealing a familiar set of dark brown eyes, a crooked nose, and messy hair. It's only been a few weeks since you've seen him, but he looks older, somehow, stronger and more confident

The helmet goes onto the table with a thud, and he runs a hand over his hair, pushing it back into a more controlled style. The smile on his face fades, and he takes a deep breath, his expression shifting into something more serious.

"Good to see you again, sir," he says, and the warmth and sincerity in his voice is a welcome relief. "I've been looking forward to this for a while now."

You let out a quiet snort and move forward, holding out your hand. "Likewise."

"You look good," he says as he accepts your handshake, his hand clasping your forearm. "For someone who's been through hell."

"Heard about that, did you?" you ask with a grimace.

"Just the highlights," he replies, shrugging. "I hear it was pretty bad."

"It wasn't pretty," you confirm. You release his arm, and he nods, his expression solemn.

"I'm sorry."

The words take you aback, and the shock must be visible on your face, because he continues, a serious, determined look in his eye.

"I'll make sure we inspect the ship thoroughly before we leave," he says. "I don't want anything like that happening again. Ever."

You manage a small, grateful smile, touched by the sincerity. The memory of the explosion, the fight, the aftermath, is still raw, and it's a wound that's barely healed. To have someone acknowledge it and offer to do something about it is more comforting than you'd expected.

"Appreciate it," you tell him. "And thank you."

Booker nods, his gaze moving over your shoulder. His eyes meet Shaak-Ti's, and he straightens, his expression hardening.

"I trust everything is in order, Commander?" she asks, and he gives a sharp nod.

"Yes, General," he replies, his tone formal and clipped. "The men are ready and waiting."

"Very good," she says. With a slight incline of her head, she turns to you. "It was a pleasure speaking with you. I wish you the best of luck in your new command."

"Thank you," you tell her. "For everything."

"May the Force be with you," she says, a warm, knowing look on her face. With that, she strides past you and heads towards the door. She pauses at the threshold, and turns back to Booker. "Please escort your general to the hangar bay. She has much to prepare for."

He gives a curt nod, and the two of you watch as the door slides shut, leaving the two of you alone. For a moment, you stand in silence, taking each other in. Then, Booker smiles, the corners of his eyes crinkling.

"So," he drawls. "What do you think of the new look?"

You let out a soft laugh, studying him. He seems taller than before, though you're not sure if it's the armor or just his natural build. The armor is lighter, the plates smaller, and the helmet is sleek and smooth.

It's a subtle shift, but you can see the difference in the way he's standing. There's a lightness, a speediness, a fluidity to the new armor that the previous one lacked. And while it still looks a bit bulky and cumbersome, it's a far cry from the clunky, clumsy appearance it had before.

"I like it," you say. You give him an appraising look and cross your arms, tilting your head to the side. "It's a bit more...elegant."

Booker lets out a loud laugh, the sound echoing off the walls. He shakes his head and leans over, plucking his helmet off the table and turning it around in his hands.

"Elegant, huh? I don't know about that." He looks up, his eyes finding yours, a mischievous gleam in his gaze. "But I'll tell you one thing. It's a hell of a lot easier to see out of. Not to mention move."

"Is that so?" you ask. He grins.

"We've already seen a decrease in troopers tripping over their own feet. And that's just the first day."

He holds the helmet out to you, and you take it, your hands wrapping around the edges. It's lighter than you had expected, the material smooth and cool to the touch. You study it, admiring the details, the sleek lines and sharp edges.

"It's a prototype," he tells you. "Not officially released yet, but the boys and I have been testing it out."

You give a noncommittal hum and flip the helmet over, studying the inner workings. It's not the most high-tech piece of equipment, but it's still a vast improvement from the original. You feel a small amount of relief that the GAR was finally listening to the clones and making some upgrades. It's about damn time.

"I, uh, didn't want to paint it yet," Booker says, and the slight hesitation in his tone causes you to look back up. "Wasn't sure what color you wanted to go with."

You find yourself staring at him, unsure of how to respond. The idea of choosing the colors for the brigade hadn't remotely crossed your mind. To be honest, you had forgotten that was something you were supposed to do. It seemed so trivial, so superficial. So insignificant compared to everything else that needed to be done.

But the look on his face, the anticipation, the excitement, is enough to remind you that this is important. To him, at least. And to the other men. 

You may not care about the color of your armor, but they do. They want to stand out, to be noticed, to be distinguished. And if choosing the colors is the first step in showing them that you care, that you respect their individuality, it's the least you can do.

You give him a warm smile and hand the helmet back. "Well, I'm sure we can come up with something."

"We can workshop it, if you want," he offers. "Once we're underway. Give the men a chance to put their opinions forward. See what they like."

The offer is unexpected, and you're touched by the thoughtfulness. You had been planning on making the choice yourself, but now that he's brought it up, the idea of including the other clones in the process seems far more fitting. And more than a little relieving. You've lived most of your life in white and beige robes, and the last thing you want is to subject the men to a similar fate.

"I like that," you tell him, and his smile widens.

"I'll let the boys know," he says. He tucks the helmet under his arm and moves towards the door. "I'm sure they're already thinking of ideas."

You follow him out the doors and into the hallway, and the two of you walk side-by-side, the conversation turning to the men, their training, their readiness for the fight ahead. Booker has already gotten a head start, having spent the past couple weeks drilling the new recruits. According to him, the boys are "ready for anything."

The pride and enthusiasm in his voice makes it difficult to question him, so you don't. You just let him talk, taking advantage of the distraction his presence provides. Tomorrow, you'll no doubt have a long list of things to worry about. But for now, you can just focus on getting through today.

"And they're ready to meet you," he continues. He flashes you a smile, the corners of his eyes crinkling in amusement. "They've been waiting for weeks."

"Really?" you ask, surprised. "Why?"

Booker stops, and he turns to you, an incredulous look on his face.

"Uh, because you're a hero, sir," he replies, as if the answer should be apparent.

You let out a snort, amused by the comment. "That's a bit of an exaggeration."

Booker gives you a look, his eyes narrowing slightly, and the air between the two of you shifts. His posture becomes stiffer, his gaze more serious. You swallow the lump in your throat, feeling a slight sense of trepidation.

"No, sir, it's not," he says, his tone clipped and formal. "Not to me, and certainly not to my brothers."

You let out a quiet breath, the knot in your stomach tightening. You had been hoping to avoid this topic, at least for a few days. But it seems as if Booker isn't willing to wait.

"They remember what happened," he continues, his voice low, his eyes locking onto yours. "They saw what you did. They watched you throw yourself into the line of fire. They saw you save our lives."

He steps closer, and you take a step back, suddenly feeling uncomfortable. You had done what any decent person would do during the battle here. You had been trying to keep everyone alive, not play the part of the hero. And while you can appreciate the sentiment, you also know that the men have a tendency to make a bigger deal out of things than necessary. Especially Booker.

"They've been waiting for you since they heard the news," he says. His tone is soft, but his words are firm, unyielding. "They're excited. They want to meet you."

You give a small nod, unsure of how to respond. This is a new side of him, one you've never seen before. The man in front of you is different than the one you knew, and the sudden change is unnerving. It makes you feel like you're on unfamiliar ground. Like you're being judged.

Booker stares at you, his eyes searching your face, his gaze intense and penetrating. For a moment, neither of you speak, and you're unsure of what to do. If you should speak. If you should try to explain. If you should simply accept the praise.

After what feels like an eternity, his expression changes, the seriousness fading. A slow, easy grin spreads across his face, and he reaches up and squeezes your shoulder.

"I get it," he says. "But trust me, they're not looking at you like some kind of legend. They're just happy to have a general who cares."

You open your mouth, the denial on the tip of your tongue, but Booker cuts you off, giving your shoulder another squeeze.

"Just trust me on this," he says, his gaze softening. His grin widens, and he releases his hold. "The men are going to love you."

"Okay," you relent, the word coming out as a sigh. "I'll take your word for it."

The truth is, you're not convinced the men will even want anything to do with you. But if you're going to be their general, you need to set a good example. That means showing confidence, and that means believing in yourself, even if you don't. And if the men are ready, willing, and eager to fight for you, it's the least you can do to give them the same.

After another long look, Booker gives you a nod, and the two of you start down the hall once more. You're relieved the conversation is over, but you can't help the nagging feeling in the back of your mind. Something is bothering him. And judging by the look on his face, it has something to do with you.

You keep the conversation centered around the troops and what's expected of you in the coming days. As soon as everyone is loaded into your new Venator, the Oracle, you'll be following the 501st to Bothawui, where you'll rendezvous with the 212th and the rest of the fleet. From there, the plan is to hit Separatist outposts, supply lines, and bases, anywhere that needs your attention. And according to the Senate, that's just about everywhere.

The war is in full swing, and it's going to be a while before things begin to settle.

By the time you reach the doors to the platform overlooking the hangar bay, the sun has begun to dip below the horizon, pockets of warm, golden light seeping through the clouds. The sky is a brilliant mix of red and orange and gold, the colors shimmering off the clouds and the ocean, the whole world outside the window bathed in the dying rays of the setting sun.

As beautiful as it is, however, it also brings with it the realization that the time has come. There's no running from it now.

Booker steps aside, his hand resting on the keypad. He gives you a slight nod, and you take a deep breath, letting the calm of the Force settle over you. It's now or never.

"Ready, sir?" he asks, and you let out a small laugh.

"As I'll ever be."

"You're gonna be fine," he tells you, his tone confident. "They're going to love you. Just wait and see."

You give him a slight smile, hoping that's the case.

He pushes a button on the panel, and the doors slide open. The sound of hundreds of voices fills the air as you step through, your eyes sweeping over the mass of soldiers gathered below. It's a sea of white armor, rows and rows stretching and curving in all directions. They're packed in tightly, forming neat, orderly lines, the perfect picture of discipline and obedience.

They're ready for their commander, and you know it's only a matter of moments before they find out exactly who that is.

The thought is enough to send your stomach into knots. You're not used to being the center of attention, and the prospect of speaking in front of so many is unsettling. Especially since they'll be judging every word, every gesture, every movement.

You try to keep your nerves under control, focusing on the Force, on your training, on anything and everything except the fear. You have nothing to worry about. It's just a few words, and it's not as if the entire future of the Republic depends on them. No pressure.

As you step closer to the edge of the platform, you notice a few soldiers turn, their heads snapping up. You can see their gazes following you as you make your way to the railing, and as soon as you stop, the whole group comes to attention, the sound of boots hitting the floor filling the air.

There's a hush that falls over the room, and a shiver runs down your spine, a flutter in your stomach. You can't see their eyes, but the feeling in the Force is unmistakable. Excitement. Anticipation. Pride.

It's almost enough to knock the breath out of you.

For a moment, all you can do is stand there, overwhelmed by the sheer intensity of the emotions washing over you. It's as if a wave has crashed over the crowd, the energy rising, cresting, and breaking against the wall of the platform. You've never felt anything like it before, and it takes a great deal of effort to stay upright. To remain in control. To not collapse under the weight of it.

Booker comes to your rescue, stepping forward and raising his hand.

"Alright, men," he says, his voice ringing through the hangar. "Listen up! Our new general has arrived!"

His words are enough to snap you out of your daze, and you straighten, forcing the feelings aside. You take a deep breath, gathering your courage. This is it. No more delaying. No more stalling. It's now or never.

With one final glance at Booker, you take a step forward and raise your voice, hoping it's loud enough to carry.

"Thank you," you begin. Your voice carries through the room, and the men below go still, their attention completely focused on you. "Welcome to the 419th. I won't waste time. I know that, for some of you, this is the first time you've stepped foot off Kamino. For others, it's your first time seeing a real battle. But whatever your experience, whatever your history, we are all here for the same purpose. To serve the Republic. To bring justice and peace to the people of the galaxy. And I am honored to lead you."

The words come out stronger than you expected, and the feeling is surreal. You had been terrified that the moment would be filled with stutters and mistakes, but it's not. In fact, you barely feel nervous at all. The men below are listening to you, their focus completely on your words.

"We have a difficult task ahead of us, but no one of us is fighting alone. Every member of this brigade is important. Every life is precious. And every man is irreplaceable," you continue, a rush of confidence filling you. "Whatever challenges we face, whatever trials we must endure, we will face them together. We will overcome them together. And we will defeat the Separatists, together."

A murmur spreads through the men, and you glance at Booker, who's giving you a slight nod. His eyes are shining with pride, and the sight is enough to fill your chest with warmth. You turn back to the troops, a smile spreading across your face. And as the words leave your mouth, you find yourself actually meaning them. Actually believing them.

Because this time, things are different.

This time, you're going to win.

You're going to prove everyone wrong.

"Today marks the beginning of a new chapter in our lives," you say. "Today, we embark on a journey that will shape the future of the Republic. Today, we show the galaxy that the clone troopers are the heroes the Republic needs.

"And from this day forward, I will be standing beside you. In victory, and defeat, and whatever else may come."

The words are barely out of your mouth before the room erupts, a cheer echoing through the air. The noise is deafening, the sound rattling the floor beneath your feet. And the feeling is indescribable.

“Told you, sir!”

Booker claps a hand on your shoulder, shaking you slightly, and he's practically vibrating with excitement. You turn, and the smile on his face is enough to bring tears to your eyes. You're not sure how long it takes before the noise finally dies down, but by the time it does, you're grinning like an idiot.

You stand there, letting the moment wash over you, taking in the feeling. For the first time since Geonosis, you finally feel ready. You finally feel prepared. You finally feel like the leader these men need.

Most importantly, you finally feel like yourself again. And no matter what happens, you won't let these men down.

"Alright," you say, your voice barely audible above the noise. "Let's get started."

taglist: @baddest-batchers @lolwey @chocolatewastelandtriumph @hobbititties @mere-bear

@thegreatpipster @tentakelspektakel @notslaybabes @aynavaano @floofyroro

@ayyyy-le-simp @mali-777 @schrodingersraven @megmegalodondon @dangraccoon

@heavenseed76 @dreamie411 @sukithebean @bimboshaggy @bunny7567

@lostqueenofegypt @9902sgirl @jedi-dreea @salaminus @heidnspeak

@ghostymarni @gottalovehistory @mrcaptainrex @burningnerdchild @yoitsjay

@callsign-denmark @julli-bee @moonychicky @captn-trex @feral-ferrule

@webslinger-holland @marchingviolist @cw80831 @chaicilatte @somewhere-on-kamino

@sensitive-shark @kashasenpai @kkdrawsdecently @isaidonyourknees @awkwardwookie

@sugarrush-blush @lunaastars @capricornrabies @champagnejaig @silly-starfish

@veralii @chubbyhedgehog @lordofthenerds97 @meshlajetii

@heaven1207 @808tsuika @aanncummings @lugiastark @maniacalbooper

[gffa]

I'm about a third of the way through Wayseeker and I'm mostly enjoying it, but I have a lot of complicated thoughts about it. 1. Because of it being written to be connective tissue between various eras of Star Wars and being so centered on what The Acolyte set up it loses a lot of organic feeling to me. I can feel the writers trying to mesh everything together and I just don't think it fully works for me, because it's trying to show the Jedi as losing their way, but it just... doesn't. And, as someone who has cited literally hundreds of thousands of words of canon content from both eras, I'm confident in saying that the High Republic Jedi and the prequels Jedi are about 95% the same. The book tells us the Jedi are less in touch with their emotions, but doesn't show it. Instead, tends to show Vernestra as the one who thinks that about the younger Jedi, meanwhile she is the one who doesn't actually express much, and we'll see her become very tightly wrapped in The Acolyte. So I'm just left ???? sometimes about how what people say about the Jedi doesn't match up with what they actually do/say. This isn't helped by that, while I love the actress' voice and would probably adore her portrayal on another book, her Vernestra is snarky and laughing in places where there's no indication in the scene (it's more like 'a laugh in her voice' type than outright "HAHAHAHA" laughing, to be clear) and doesn't really match the Vernestra of the books OR of the show. 2. The Indara chapters write this absolutely glowing view of Vernestra as this impossibly legendary figure, who is the coolest and has done the most stuff ever ever ever and every Jedi ever worships her, like I'm all for a young Jedi having a hero worship/crush on another Jedi, especially a lady one, but it's laying it on so thick that I'm having trouble getting it down. When I got to the scene of the Jedi Council members literally 'oohing' and 'aaahing' when Vernestra makes her report, I had to come write this post because, look, Ms. Ireland, Ms. Graton, I like Vernestra, too, but come on. I would rebel against this if it were Obi-Wan in the same position, too. Hell, I don't think even Yoda would get that response. 3. While most of the High Republic books have been really good about sticking to Lucas' worldbuilding, this book feels weirdly different (despite that both authors have written other books I've liked!), and one of the things that got me was the mention of how Vernestra thinks Jedi should get out and have more adventure for the sake of adventure. Meanwhile, I'm just like, THAT IS ONE OF THE FIRST THINGS THE OT ESTABLISHED ABOUT THE JEDI, THAT THEY SHOULDN'T BE CRAVING ADVENTURE FOR ADVENTURE'S SAKE and it feels like it's falling into generic action/adventure space magic, rather than the very specific worldbuilding that I love about Star Wars. This was written to get my negative thoughts out of the way before I go back to enjoying the fun stuff. And there is fun stuff in it, there's been a whole bunch of little moments that have made me laugh or were neat details! (But I do suspect, while I like the book for the most part, aside from these points, that most people who have their nerves scraped raw, might want to just leave this one on the shelf. It's not bad, it's just that the pieces don't really fit for me, in that way that The Acolyte kind of forced it into, when you get beyond the confines of the show's containment.)(I mean, mileages may vary, a lot of people may love this book, and I hope they have a blast with it! But if you vibe with my tastes, I wouldn't recommend it without a bunch of caveats.)

[lenitriedtowritestuff]

Daylight (Song Fic)

Based on “Daylight” by Maroon 5

WandaxReader // Angst

Summary: As morning closes in on Westview, you spend your last moments with her.

Trigger Warnings: Death

*There’s a throwaway line that could potentially be interpreted as the reader being latinx or having latinx roots. 

Word Count: 2,696

A/N: I found this mostly finished draft and finished it. Nothing special but still thought I'd post it.

Main Masterlist | MCU Masterlist | Recced Fics Masterlist

Let me know if anything needs to be fixed!

Here I am waiting, I'll have to leave soon

Why am I holding on?

We knew this day would come, we knew it all along

How did it come so fast?

You stood by the bottom of the staircase, hand trailing down the railing. Your eyes flit over to the top of the stairs, thoughts of your boys who now lay asleep run through your mind. The events of the last week played over and over in your head; even though it had only been a short time, it felt like a lifetime. 

So many questions ran through your head, the inability to focus on a single one and the struggle to even muster up an answer left an uneasy feeling in the pit of your stomach. You do not know where you came from nor what you were, and that scares you. According to everyone, you have been gone for a long time now. 

Your thought process is interrupted as the red hue of the retreating barrier that gave you this reality catches your eyes through the window. It got closer and closer with every passing second; your time was running out faster than you were prepared for. 

This is our last night but it's late

And I'm trying not to sleep

'Cause I know, when I wake

I will have to slip away

Your attention is brought over to Wanda when you hear the click of a lamp being turned off in the living room, another one still lighting up the space. Dread fills your body; You did not want to be in the dark. You want to be able to see her, to hold her close to you and feel her heart beat against yours, to be able to gaze into her eyes and say “I love you” one last time. You want to say goodbye.

With that thought running through your mind, you walk towards the lamp she just turned off and light it back up, just as she turns off the other. She tilts her head to the side in an inquisitive manner, a soft smile shaping her lips. You take a few moments before answering as you try to commit every small detail of her to memory. 

“I, um… My grandma once told me that it’s bad luck to say goodbye in the dark,” you finally answer. The excuse was lame, but you can not bring yourself to care. All you cared about was this moment, here and now. All you cared about was her. 

“No she didn’t,” she says softly with a gentle shake of her head. A quiet, amused sigh escapes your lips. 

“Yeah, no. No, she didn’t,” you walk closer to her, standing a few feet away from her, “I just… I wanted to see you clearly.”

“And?” she closes the gap between you as she reaches out for your hands.

“And…”  you look down as you hold her hands in your own, “Here you are.”

A buzzing sound fills the room and both you and Wanda stare out to the approaching energy field. Your grip tightens up around her hands, fearing that you yourself would suddenly disappear without a warning. The sinking feeling in your chest was back stronger than before, the realization that time was fleeting crashing back again. You tear your gaze away from the window and look at your wife, the woman you loved, and say, “Dance with me.”

Her eyes, which were previously holding worry, soften as she settles her sights on you once more. “Please?” you add softly.

And when the daylight comes I'll have to go

But tonight I'm gonna hold you so close

'Cause in the daylight we'll be on our own

But tonight I need to hold you so close

Ooh whoa, ooh whoa, ooh whoa

Ooh whoa, ooh whoa, ooh whoa

“Please?” you draw out the word, your hand outstretched for her to grab if she accepted. F.R.I.D.A.Y. had been blasting music throughout the compound speakers all day for no known reason and no one had been able to make the AI stop. Additionally, no one knew why the AI was playing music; You choose to believe that one of the ex-S.H.I.E.L.D. agents that was now working for Stark Industries had successfully tampered with the AI’s systems as a prank.

You were helping Wanda in the kitchen with lunch when your favorite song from when you were a child came on. A wide smile spreads across your cheeks when you hear its first notes, a wave of nostalgia and happy memories washing over you. Letting go of the kitchen knife you were holding, you start dancing along to the music, not caring if your moves matched with the rhythm. 

Wanda stops stirring the pot and looks at you with a confused albeit amused expression. You catch her stare and, somehow, your smile widens. You were completely captured by her eyes, the way that she smiles, the shape of her lips. You couldn’t help but wonder what it would feel like to kiss her. 

“Come on Maximoff, join me,” you say while doing the silliest dance move you could think of. This brings out a laugh from her, and you make it your mission to hear that sound again. “No, no, no, I don’t dance,” she shakes her head in amusement. 

“Come on, dance with me,” you drag just about every word in that sentence while extending out your arm towards her, “just one song, one song and we can get back to cooking.

“Please?”

She rolls her eyes playfully at your antics; even though she has not known you for a very long time, she finds you to be quite endearing, perhaps even charming. She can’t help but think that Pietro would have liked you if he were still here. 

She reaches out for your arm, “Fine, just one dance.” An excited grin breaks out on your face and you pull her close to you just as a bachata song begins to play. A smile breaks out on your face as you look up at the ceiling, a different set of images of family gatherings and parties flashing through your mind.  

Here I am staring at your perfection

In my arms, so beautiful

The sky is getting bright, the stars are burning out

Somebody slow it down

You hold both her hands in yours, “have you ever danced bachata before?” 

“I have never heard this type of music before,” she answers honestly, a soft blush coating her cheeks. You give her a soft smile before saying, “that’s okay, just follow me, you’re in for a treat.

You explain the simple dance moves while showcasing the steps, your hands swinging along to your movements. “And you just repeat those steps. Oh, and you have to move your hips as you step.” 

Wanda watches you intently and tries her best to follow in suit. You watch as she stares down at her feet, trying her best to match your movements and rhythm. Her eyebrows were slightly furrowed in concentration, her mouth curving in a way indicative of her biting the inside of her lip. She looked cute when she was concentrating.

“You know you’re allowed to mess up the rhythm a little bit and enjoy yourself, right?” you ask teasingly.

Her eyes lift up from the ground and focus on you, giving you a playful glare while the corners of her lips tick up in amusement. “Shut up,” she says softly, though her tone indicated no annoyance. Regardless, your comment managed to do the trick, as you notice her body becoming less stiff and fully giving into the music.

This is way too hard

'Cause I know, when the sun comes up

I will leave, this is my last glance

That will soon be memory

Soon enough, the both of you fell into rhythm and Wanda had mastered the basic steps. “I’m gonna give you a little spin now, okay?” you ask with a small giggle. 

Wanda looked up at you, and you could sense a bit of anxiety from her. She took a quick breath, relaxing once more before saying, “okay.”

You can’t hold back the smile that comes to your lips. You could feel a flutter in your chest. “Okay, in three, two, one.”

You let go of her waist and you spin her around and she laughs her wonderful laugh. “See? It’s easy,” you smile at her. “You were right,” she admits, her shining eyes met yours. Your heart could not help but melt. “Let’s do it again,” you say as a similar beat is about to come up again. “Okay,” she breathes out. 

You begin to spin her once more, but this time, she lost her balance and knocked into you.

The slight misstep somehow had you both tumbling to the ground with you falling on top of her. 

A fit of giggles erupt from the both of you as you move off from on top of her. “Are you okay?” you ask, still giggling, as you stand up and stretch your hand out to her. She gives you a soft “yes” and a nod as she graciously accepts it and you help her up off the ground. As you do, you accidentally pulled her right into your arms. The air seems to electrify around the both of you, the light teasing air suddenly dissipating into a more serious atmosphere.

Goosebumps cover your skin as time seemingly stills around you. All you can do is stare into the lovely green hues of her eyes. Thoughts of how much you’d like to kiss her ran through your mind. Neither of you realized how close your faces were to one another until Tony’s voice cut through the tension that penetrated the room, “Want me to set off the sprinklers? Make it a scene from Singing in the Rain?”

You both immediately break away from each other, putting a few feet of distance between the two of you. 

“Wh-what do you want, Tony?” you ask as you feel your face burning with the embarrassment of being caught. “Don’t mind me, Casablanca, I’m looking for my coffee mug,” he says as he crosses his arms over his chest, his signature cocky smile on his face. You quickly grab his Iron-Man-helmet-shaped coffee mug from the counter and hand it to him. “Here you go, see you later,” you avoid his eyes and all but push him out of the kitchen. 

“Let me know for next time, I’d love to watch Grease live,” he says ironically. You let out a fake laugh while holding out your middle finger at him as he leaves the kitchen. You hear him singing both parts of “Summer Nights” as he walks away down the corridor.

Silence then settles over the room and part of you is hesitant to look at her. You played with your thumbs as anxiety twinged in your heart. You couldn’t have been the only one who felt that, right? 

And when the daylight comes I'll have to go

But tonight I'm gonna hold you so close

'Cause in the daylight we'll be on our own

But tonight I need to hold you so close

Ooh whoa, ooh whoa, ooh whoa

Ooh whoa, ooh whoa, ooh whoa

A shaky intake of breath makes you snap your head at her. She was still staring out to where Tony had just disappeared through before her eyes landed on you. An electric surge suddenly filled your body and, before you could think about it, you began to speak, “Wanda, I--”

“Would you like to go out with me?” she suddenly blurted out before you could finish your sentence. A stunned silence overtakes you as Wanda herself seems to begin to understand what exactly she just said out loud. 

“I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have-- I did not--,” she begins to stumble through an apology, but it was your turn to interrupt. 

“I would love to go out with you,” you say, a smile quickly growing on your lips, “I would absolutely love to go out with you.”

Relief floods her expression as you see the tension roll off her shoulders. As realization sets in, she also breaks out into a radiant smile that makes your heart melt. “I hear there’s a nice coffee shop that opened recently not far from here. Maybe we can go there tonight?” you ask tentatively as you bite the inside of your cheek.

“That sounds nice,” she says as she looks down and begins to play with her fingers. You caught the light blush covering her cheeks and you feel your own begin to warm up. “Perfect,” you clear your voice, “it’s-it’s a date then.”

She looks up into your eyes, the smile never leaving her face, “it’s a date.”

I never wanted to stop

Because I don't wanna start all over, start all over

I was afraid of the dark

But now it's all that I want, all that I want, all that I want

Memories of your first date flood your mind. You remember the coffee shop that you went to, where you did not leave until closing time and then walking to Central Park. It started to rain and there was nowhere to take shelter, so you both played in the rain, despite shivering by the end of it. You remember the museum date you went on and imitating the T-Rex in the dinosaur exhibit. The younger kids that hung around laughed and started to imitate you. You remember dancing on the Compound’s rooftop under the stars while everyone slept. You told her you loved for the first time in the moonlight. 

Memories of a life before magic stones and genocidal maniacs became clear after having been fuzzy in your mind for so long. 

“Yes,” she finally says, “I’ll dance with you.”

You smile a grateful smile. You place one of your hands on the small of her back; she, in turn, wrapped an arm around your shoulder. Your other hands joined together in the air as you looked into each other's eyes for a few brief moments. You both sway gently around the room, falling into a rhythm that is all too familiar to you both. As many times before, no music played to accompany your movements; you did not need any.

You give her a slow spin, and she giggled. “Careful not to trip,” you say gently with a smile. She playfully hits your chest as she gracefully lands in your arms once more. You begin to hum a tune as you continue to dance. She lays her head against you and sighs softly.

You stare down at her lovingly. ‘I wish we could stay like this forever,’ you think to yourself.

And when the daylight comes I'll have to go

But tonight I'm gonna hold you so close

'Cause in the daylight we'll be on our own

But tonight I need to hold you so close

Another buzzing sound interrupts the moment, and you both instinctively look out the window. You look on as the force barrier continues to approach quickly and a feeling of dread bubbles up at the bottom of your stomach. 

“It seems like we’re out of time, darling,” you say quietly, as if speaking too loudly would make the barrier close faster. You realized you were still holding on to each other as you felt her grip tighten around your arms. Neither one of you was ready to let go. 

You tear your gaze away from the widow, your eyes falling on her. You find yourself taking in every detail of her again.

“Wanda, I--” you begin to say, “this may not be the best time for this, but I feel like I need to know. What am I?” 

Her gaze softens as she stares into your eyes. For a moment, you were transported to the day you taught her to dance in the kitchen while you cooked together.

“You, my love, are the combination of everything we’ve been through. Every memory, every fight, every dance… You are the embodiment of our love. But most importantly, you are who you have always been.” 

She gave you the softest of smiles. And you gave her one back. You tighten your hold on her briefly, wanting to tell her how much you loved her in any which way possible.

Another electrical sound reverberated throughout the house. Time was up; the barrier finally hit. 

And when the daylight comes I'll have to go

But tonight I'm gonna hold you so close

'Cause in the daylight we'll be on our own

But tonight I need to hold you so close

Ooh whoa, ooh whoa, ooh whoa

Ooh whoa, ooh whoa, ooh whoa

Ooh whoa (yeah), ooh whoa (yeah), ooh whoa (yeah)

Ooh whoa (yeah), ooh whoa (yeah), ooh whoa

Everything around you began to decompose, the layers of the past peeling off the walls as time flew backwards. You caught a look at your own skin, how it seems to glow a brilliant gold as you slowly start to fade away along with everything that surrounds you. You felt no pain, not even a tingle. Your eyes fall back on hers.Tears stained her cheeks, but her eyes only held love and adoration. 

You place your hand on her cheek and wipe her tears away. You give her a soft, sad smile. You will meet again. Somewhere, somehow, you will be together again, along with your boys and a dog named Lucky.

She smiled back at you, the warm touch of her hand falling on top of yours. It was at that moment that you knew she would be okay, and that is all the reassurance you needed. 

You pressed your forehead against hers and wrapped your arms around her waist, sinking into the fading feeling of her warm touch. “I love you,” you whisper to her while hugging her close to you.

“I love you, too.”

You closed your eyes and squeezed her hand for the last time, and you welcomed the surrounding darkness that enveloped you in a familiar, loving warmth.

[purplekoop]

To go with my prior new superhero gal, here's her partner both in and out of action: a massive pop star in both fame and stature, who channels the power of positive emotions to protect those around her!

...don't ask about her name either, that's also TBD.

Originally just an unsuccessful aspiring singer, she was struck with a mysterious ball of energy from space that infused with her DNA. Originally uncertain on how her body changed, she soon realized she was a living energy reactor, fueled by positive emotion. Quite literally powered by love and joy, her power is generated by any strong positive emotion nearby, but the potency is increased if the feeling is specifically towards her. She can then channel her internal energy reserves in a number of ways, such as firing it as an projectile blast, creating targeted forcefields, or transferring a small amount of the energy into someone else to briefly enhance their physical capabilities. However, the most striking effect of her powers is that when enough of this positive energy is built up, her body mass increases to accommodate all of it. With this increase in size comes even greater increases in strength and durability to match. She can also use some energy to increase her size even further willingly, though after some time she will gradually revert to her prior state unless she manually dissipates the excess energy to shrink back down faster.

After using her powers for the first time to stop a supervillain, she gained a notable surge in popularity from the appreciative public. Using this new publicity (and accompanying physical boost), she made connections to jumpstart her career as a pop star. Her exploits in music made her just as much a national icon as her heroics did, though most of her earnings in music go to funding charities. At this point, the constant positive energy from her fans have stretched her internal energy reservoir to a point where her current resting height is over 12 feet tall, which certainly helps her stay visible while on stage. To really excite the crowd though, she can easily reach kaiju-scale sizes with the audience's hype, though this of course needs the right venue.

While naturally cheery, and always outwardly a beacon of positivity on the stage or when saving the day, she privately has doubts about her capacity for either. She doubts she's earned her fame, chalking up her success to getting lucky with her powers, despite all the work she's put into her singing before and since getting them. She's also often anxious when in action, always scared to cause collateral damage or make a wrong choice that ends up hurting someone.

Along the way though, she encountered the (similarly presently unnamed) speedster while in action, and the two quickly found they worked well together on the field, covering the other's shortcomings. After enough days saved together, they started to meet outside of work and got to know each other better. Not long after that, they realized just how strong their chemistry was, and soon became a power couple in more ways than one.

(for a size comparison, here's a little doodle of those two with a nondescript stick man for scale. Pardon the pop star's early design and blurry image quality.)

so I'm pretty happy with this one, and I imagine at least a few of y'all will be too. I'm not 100% set on this exact design, the outfit and hair could use some work to me and I couldn't get the exact proportions I wanted (the legs feel a little stubby in the end result), but overall I'm pretty satisfied for now. Hopefully we'll be seeing more of these two soon (ideally with. names.) along with some more heroes and villains in this universe. Got some older ideas I'm excited to bring back in this new, more open-ended setting, so look forward to those soon!

[ceescedasticity]

Unforsaken, 13c

(All sections on tumblr)

(AO3, lagging behind but more polished)

Actually maybe we won't get to the battle in this chapter. It'll be kind of short, but I think it's a good place to stop?

They're not half done even with the smaller target area when one of the Geese descends, and lands on the edge of the crater. Alphsîr and Alphlîn approach immediately. (They are bad at drilling and not at all good at carrying heavy things like clay-crates or water buckets. Probably they should be back supervising the oxen until the next blast gets set off, but they are way too anxious to stay that far from the action.)

After a very brief conversation, Alphsîr flies over to Glorfindel's team and sheds his feathers. "She has a message from Caraxitári," he says, eyes wide. "The Shadow's call has drawn wyrms out of the mountains, and the winged ones will be here in perhaps two days."

…So not an orc-summons specifically, then.

The Geese do at least confirm they are small, non-fire-breathing dragons.

By "small" they mean up to about thirteen yards long nose to tail — less than twice as long as a Goose and considerably smaller than most Eagles.

A lot of that is snake-y length. Not counting the wings, the dragons aren't any wider than an ox or a boar.

Have hunted wild boar before: Most of them, actually, under various circumstances over the millennia.

Have not hunted wild boar because they were kids, and then they were swans: Alphsîr and Alphlîn.

Has not hunted wild boar because it just didn't sound like a good time: Risyind.

Have not hunted wild boar because it was impressed upon them by their older siblings that trying to hunt wild boar is a good way todie: Zena, Zuste, and Dyn.

"It was a good idea to avoid them altogether," Zena said. "Some of us got ambushed, a time or two. Swine just don't tolerate us. —Or didn't, I think it's a little better now."

Anyway.

The Geese say that they can't kill the dragons, but they can force them to land — dragons are relatively easy to unbalance in midair. Sadly the dragons have spread out so they can't all be mobbed at once, so it's not working as well to delay them as hoped.

"If they only come one or two at a time, on the ground, in between the arms of this thing where there's not a lot of space for them to take off…" Elladan says.

Elladan and Elrohir confer briefly.

"You get ready to fight the Warden," Elrohir tells Glorfindel and Celeborn. "We'll worry about the dragons."

Risyind yells from across the crater: "If we don't want to be here 'til winter we'd better all be worrying about the clay!"

While everyone agrees she has a point, that work still slows down. It takes several runs back to base camp to fetch all the dragon-grade polearms and arbalests. Elladan and Elrohir have to consult with the Geese on distances and locations.

Also consult with their prospective fellow dragon-fighters.

Legolas and Gimli: Both very nervous, but certainly not willing to falter. They will make their respective families and peoples proud! —And probably give their parents heartburn, but never mind that.

Khitwê: Not going to say he's ready for this by any means, but secretly a little glad he'll at least have something useful to do.

Risyind: Less ready for this than Khitwê, but you gotta do what you gotta do.

Zuste and Zena: Concerned.

Dyn: Just planning to hide in the back. Elrohir says she could go lie low back with the wagons? But the possibility of escaping while everyone else dies is much scarier.

Whiterot: Is volunteering to join the anti-dragon team, actually. She's not sure the Warden will care much about her crossbow, but dragons care plenty if you aim right.

—No, orcs aren't generally set to fight dragons, but Whiterot was in Angband during the Siege when dragon development was ongoing, and there were — some hiccups.

Khitwê asks if this means there were rogue proto-dragons rampaging through Angband.

Whiterot wouldn't say 'rampaging'. If they'd been rampaging the dragon crafting umaiar might have gotten off their asses and cleaned up their own mess. Proto-dragons gone rogue that had to be killed before they ate something they weren't supposed to, yes.

…Or ate too many things they weren't supposed to, at least.

Consultations and weapons placement finished, they leave Legolas, Khitwê, and Risyind on sky watch and bring Gimli, the Hirnedhrim, and Whiterot back to the Clay-laying.

Elrohir surveys the progress made in their absence.

"…We're not going to get this done before the dragons arrive, are we."

"We might if we work through the night," Glorfindel says. "Is that preferable?"

(Another weapon placement that's been settled: Since Elladan and Elrohir will not be fighting the Warden, Glamdring will be with Glorfindel.)

"Since it sounds like there could be a lot of dragons if the Warden keeps summoning them… sooner the better, I think."

They work through the night with grim determination, but when the drilling part is done, they pause. They take turns laying fuses, and everyone else— Everyone takes it in turn to wash off the bad vibes rock dust. Everyone eats something. Everyone but the orcs takes a few swallows of miruvor. The half-elves and Gimli try to get a few hours of sleep. Maglor tunes his harp. Sharlinnu has brought a bucket back and is planning to use it as a drum.

Glorfindel gets out the Anor-stone and, first, tells Arwen everything they've observed about the site, the feel of the place, what their plans are, what the Geese have said about the dragons, what Alphsîr and Alphlîn think about the Warden — everything.

Then Celeborn talks to Arwen, and Zuste, and Legolas and Gimli talk to Aragorn, and Arwen and Elladan and Elrohir talk for a long time.

("If anything— Don't go against your inclinations. But if you're still unsure, and things go badly — go meet our parents, and give them my love?")

Then it's time to split up: Team Oh Great Dragons to the point near the edge of the Crucible where they hope to set up a dragon killbox, and Team Oh Great Umaia to the sheltered point nearest the central plateau before they set off the clay.

Glorfindel clears his throat as they start to disperse. "This, er, probably goes without saying under the circumstances, and isn't applicable to everyone, but for— Just — if you're killed—"

He's interrupted in chorus: "Follow the Call to Mandos."

[littleseasiren]

I've got you

Pairing: Bucky Barnes x Reader

Warnings: Little bit of angst, but mostly fluff

Words: Approximately 1100 words

A/N: I've decided to attempt Flufftober this month, so this is my first entry for the challenge. Prompt: I've got you. Hope you enjoy! Thanks @flufftober and @chaotictarlos

"So, my sister is getting married and she wants me to invite all you idiots to the wedding," Sam huffs as he drops down onto the couch.

"That's great, Sam. I'm sure we'd all love to meet Sarah and join her on her special day," Steve says.

"Yeah? Can I tell her to add you all to the list?" Sam glances around and meets everyone's gaze in question.

A chorus of agreement is heard. "As long as you won't be there," Bucky snickers.

"Of course I'm going to be there, I'm the best man!" Sam huffs in frustration.

"How much did you have to pay the groom for him to agree to that?"

Sam throws a couch cushion at Bucky, which Bucky promptly catches in the air before it can hit him. You giggle from the seat next to him, knowing he'll keep you safe from the oncoming couch missiles.

"Sure, we'll go," Bucky relents eventually. When everyone returns to the movie, Bucky softly asks if you will accompany him to the wedding as his date and you couldn't be happier.

You're floating on cloud nine before you are ripped back to reality when you hear Wanda and Natasha's conversation a few days later.

"We're going to have so much fun at the wedding, I can't wait!" Wanda says, giddy from excitement.

"Yeah, it's going to be a blast. All the hot men, the drinking, the dancing!"

Two weeks later

You instinctively close your laptop as soon as Bucky enters the room, missing the expression your movements cause. "Hey, doll. Everything alright?"

"Hmm, yeah all good." You mumble, not meeting his gaze.

"So, you got everything ready for next week?"

"Next week?"

"Yeah, remember Sarah's wedding?"

Your eyes widen in surprise. "The wedding is next week? No, no, it can't be so soon."

"Afraid it is, doll. But there's more than enough time. Do you need to go buy a dress? I can join you if you're worried about that."

You don't even hear his words, the reality of the situation finally sinking in. There's no way you will be ready in a week.

"I can't go with you to the wedding, I think you should ask someone else." You blurt out before you can stop yourself. For a few seconds, all you hear is silence.

When you meet his blue eyes, your heart rate increases. His expression is full of anger and hurt.

"Really? You can't go with me? I'd ask why not but I'm pretty sure it involves whatever you're constantly doing on your phone and laptop which you don't want me to see. The past two weeks you've been ignoring me and hiding things from me."

"Bucky, no, it's not like that!"

"Like what? You won't even tell me what you're doing!" His voice becomes louder with every word. "If you don't love me then you need to tell me! If you want to be with someone else then-"

"I can't dance!" Tears drop down your cheek at your exclamation.

"Wait, what?"

"I can't dance, ok? I thought about asking Natasha or Wanda to teach me but I don't want the whole tower to find out. I'd be the laughingstock! I've been sneaking off, watching videos and reading tutorials, trying to teach myself but I just can't get it!"

You wipe your cheeks, trying to stop crying when you hear Bucky laugh from where he stands. How dare he laugh at your admission! "You're such an ass!" Anger feels like it's boiling out of you as you rise from the couch and stomp towards the bedroom, but Bucky grabs your arms and stops you from reaching it.

"I'm sorry, doll. I'm not laughing at you, I'm laughing at the situation!" He pulls you into a quick hug and then steps back, giving you some space. "That's it? That's what you've been hiding all along?"

"Of course! Bucky, I know how much you used to love dancing, and now you're stuck with the one woman who can't dance!"

"You swear it's nothing else?"

"What do you mean?

"I just- when you wouldn't talk to me like you used to - when you hid things from me, I started thinking about a thousand reasons why you wouldn't want to be with me anymore. I thought maybe you found a better man or realized that you didn't love me anymore." He's biting his lip from anxiety as he waits for your answer.

"Bucky, there isn't a better man for me and I promise you, I will never stop loving you." Reaching up, you touch his chest lightly, placing your hand over the spot where his heart is beating frantically before you stand on your toes and kiss him softly.

You squeal with surprise when he picks you up, walks to the couch then pulls you into his lap, holding you close. "I love you too, doll. Always have and always will." The two of you sit in comfortable silence for a few seconds, just appreciating being close to each other once again. "So you'll go to the wedding with me, right?"

"Bucky, didn't you listen to a word I said?"

"I heard you, you can't dance. I don't care, Y/N. I just want to be with you."

"And I don't want to disappoint you! All I hear is how much you used to love dancing, and if you go with me you won't be able to dance!"

"Doll, you could never disappoint me. And if it bothers you so much, I can teach you a few moves. Besides, the fact that I'm an excellent teacher," Bucky smirks at this, "I'm also a super soldier. Even if you can't dance, like at all, I can throw you around the room and no one will even notice. You can even step on my toes and I couldn't care less. I've got you. I promise I won't let you be embarrassed. I just want to go with you, I want to show off my amazing girlfriend."

"Are you sure?"

"Of course, doll. Now, tell me you'll go with me."

"Ok, I'll go with you. Oh, but I need to go buy a dress!" You jump up.

When Bucky rises with you and grabs his things, he notices your gaze on him. "Come on, doll. I'll go shopping with you."

"Really?"

"Yeah, I think it's best that I'm part of this important decision. I need to help decide what dress I'm going to rip off you at the end of the evening. It'll be my reward for having you step on my toes at the wedding."

He's too slow to block the cushion hitting him on the back of the head.

Tag List:

@morganmofresh

@dottirose

@cjand10

@buggy14

@crazyunsexycool

@tripleoyaa

@mandijo17

@fluffysucker

@moviegurl2002

[kayssweetdreams]

The Perfect Finale Ch53

It felt like time had stopped. When that blast had happened, it felt as if a massive relief was taken. Kaylo's Pink eyes peeked open as she saw herself back in the auditorium at the Barnum Naka school. She gave a groan as lifted herself from the ground. "Ugh...is everyone ok?" She asked, rising from the ground. "Y-Yeah...I guess..." Aria replied, as she slowly sat up from where she was thrown back.

Slowly but surely, the other humans woke up and got up as well "What on earth was that?" Bruce asked, struggling to balance himself on his cane. "I...don't really know. This felt...different than the last times I used the heart." Kaylo admitted as she helped Jett to his feet. "Different? Difference how?" Trisha Jane asked. "I don't know. I mean, there was a lot going on, and I was panicking, and Yin was breaking free...and I just feel like something happened..." Kaylo said.

"Maybe you pushed Yin back, or maybe you got rid of some of his power?" Yuri suggested "Well...Either way, now he DEFINITELY knows that you have the heart. And I don't think he'll hold back this time..." Mei said. "He won't...but now he can't get to us because he's stuck in Wonderworld...or at least the space between Wonderworld." Rebecca said. "Yeah...speaking of which. Why does the auditorium look more like the Balan Theater?" Lora Jade asked.

The humans looked around. It could have just been a side effect, but the auditorium did begin to look more like the Balan Theater before it was unfortunately destroyed. "Hmm. Maybe some of the magic from Wonderworld leaked into it." Haoyu said. "Auditorium aside, we need to come up with a new plan before we can go after Yin again." Cal said. "But what can we do now?! Since Balan and Lance don't have their maestro status, Yin is essentially the maestro permanently!" Haoyu exclaimed.

"That is true...It looks like we'll just need to find another weak spot instead." Sana said "Do maestros even HAVE weak spots?" Jose asked Balan and Lance, to which they shook their heads "Well, All maestros have their weaknesses...but it wasn't known what Yin's was before he was banished." Lance said. "Oh. Great. So we don't even know if Yin has a weakness, and now he knows that I have the heart. Could the situation get any worse?" Kaylo asked.

Leo gave a slow "Guys...you better come and see this..." He said in a ominous voice. The group gave worried glances as they followed Leo to the doors of the auditorium. "What happened Leo?" Emma asked "You may wanna see for yourself..." He said. Mei gave a weary look before she peeked outside, and gave a gasp. Everyone soon followed in her example as they saw why Leo looked so worried...

The Real World, and Wonderworld had Collided...

Mei belongs to @sundove88

Rebecca belongs to @thehyperrequiem

Trisha Jane belongs to @lovelyteng

Aria belongs to @shadowqueen402

Lora Jade belongs to @alex-frostwalker

Jett belongs to @jettthespeeddemon

[seventeenlovesthree]

Quick thoughts on the Digimon Adventure 25th anniversary PV

First things first: It got me incredibly teary. It was beautifully nostalgic while still giving it a fresh paint to some degree. I feel like this is what Butterfly could have been if Toei decided to merge Digimon with One Piece - because just like it's the case with OP openings, there are always so many things going on that it takes numerous rewatches to see what's going on. So let's break it down, shall we?

So the PV was an overall homage to some of Adventure's most famous/prominent scenes - but instead of re-animating it 1:1, they merged several scenes that didn't happen in the exact same way. The only 1:1 shots could be seen when the 8 kids got their "sad moments montage" each. So, what's new, what's memorable, what does the PV tell us about the characters?

They animated the novel scene of the baby Digimon meeting their partners - which was absolutely adorable. If you didn't go "awww" at Tsunomon, Tanemon, Pyocomon, didn't chuckle at Pukamon and didn't melt at Koromon, I cannot help you!

Then we got the montage - and the amount of "low res shots" I will take in the next few weeks will be insane, because they were absolutely beautiful. But let's go step by step - I will not discuss every moment, just my favourites, since we got A LOT of group shots!

Here we already see a lot of common themes: First of all, Taichi is depicted to be incredibly curious, basically exploring the entire time. Of course he radiates happy MC energy overall, which I will always adore, but also seems more serious than we're used to. (Unless... he's bickering with Yamato. Which is a common theme for him after all, but I will get to that in a second.) The other theme is Mimi's >o< face, which I will never get tired of. They really hammer down the point that she is NOT happy with the situation they're on and finds something to complain about throughout the first few episodes;

We even get a merge of episode 5 and 10 here! Koushirou is usually seen thinking and theorizing (before he's being interrupted by something/someone). Sora's theme overall is... Being pretty chill, I'd say? We'll get to that in a minute as well. Yamato is the resident cook of the group (THERE ARE NOT ENOUGH EGGS THOUGH) and Takeru's job is just being adorable (meanwhile Hikari unfortunately suffers from a severe lack of screentime, but that was to be expected)...

But what about Jyou, you may ask? I feel like he'd deserve his very own post, because... Boy is straight up not having a good time and may or may not have several life crises in a row. Aside from Mimi, Palmon and Taichi, Jyou might provide the best low res screenshots and, like I said, I will have a blast looking for them.

I also really love the snowball fight there. Oh look, Takeru is attacked by snowballs again, where have I seen that again in the past 12 months??? Sora's helping Jyou to build up his safe space, meanwhile Koushirou has to play mediator between Taichi and Koushirou (welcome to your life for the next 30 years at least, my boy). Speaking of Yamataishirou...

You may have noticed that the scenes are out of order - and I also noticed a little mistake in this screenshot here! hile it is true that Taichi, Agumon, Yamato and Koushirou were missing from the group and the others were ordered to mediate - Patamon was not Patamon yet though, but still Tokomon!

Again, there are so many scenes to show, and I will just post a few more, but will only talk in more detail about two scenes here;

I absolutely ADORE the Gennai scene, oh my God. There was absolutely no need for these absolute dorks to collapse on top of each other, and yet here we are, 5/6 are, once again, not having a good time... And THEN THERE IS MIMI, who we saw complaining the whole time, and now she's having the time of her life falling on top of her found family pile (Sora and Koushirou in particular by the way). Meanwhile Takeru is just like... What the heck did I just look at. Absolutely amazing. 10/10, would watch again.

In case you haven't noticed, I feel like Mimi got pretty much the biggest piece of cake in this PV - and thus we were blessed by the most beautiful Jyoumi scene we've seen in a while. Wholesome. 10/10, would watch again. Also, Sora just enjoying her tea - GOOD FOR HER.

I just love all of this so much, I do love the following montages, the fight against Apocalymon, the ending got me teary again... I love them all so much.

[redhoodinternaldialectical]

Hastily Made, Very Lackidasical Body Count!

I just felt like counting up some numbers from stuff I've already read, cause I feel like for all of those memes where it's like 'what is each member of the batfam going to prison for' the answer is straight up all of them in for attempted or successful murder lmao not a single one of these birdies are innocent!

Stephanie Brown: 0 But not for lack of trying!

The Best Robin attempted to kill her dad, the Cluemaster. This was not spur of the moment either, she premeditated that shit and only Batman's influence (and threats) prevented her from going through with it!

Cassandra Cain: 1 but like, c'mon now, give her a break, she was only eight, we can't count that against her, and no court of law ever would either

Dick Grayson: 2 he is Very Sad about this

He's killed both Blockbuster and The Joker. To my knowledge, only one of those two ever got resuscitated!

Tim Drake: Uhhhhhhhhhhh Several. Like At Least Five. Also a Serious Attempt.

To be extremely conservative with our numbers we are going with just ONE ninja dead per base he blew up. Also worth noting: He very nearly goes through with an exceptionally premeditated murder scheme against Captain Boomerang. I'm legit not sure he wouldn't have done it if the other Bats weren't there.

Jason Todd: Maestro, please begin the benny hill music, cause we've got a count to roll through and it is loony toons long my ghouls!

Skipping dear Filipe's moldering corpse due to uncertainty, we start with Lost Days

Human Trafficking Truck Driver Ian, Egon, Steel Beam mercenary crew estimated at least five strong, three more of his teachers, eleven nameless russian mobsters, a cousin and a running buddy of a russian mobster: 23 people

Under the Red Hood

Eight heads in a duffel bag, four thugs with Freeze (Freezy boy does not die), Two confirmed on panel delivery man kills (Five-ten more suspected but we won't count em), Ten goons in the doorway when he swings the minigun on them as he and Onyx retreat, five more goons, Rocket launcher blast kills "most" of a security team with at least three members left so we'll call that three kills (far more deaths are implied), shoots a guy holding lit molotov catching him on fire, then kills Captain Nazi (yay), forces Black Mask to kill six of his men, and finally dear old Black Mask's PA is thrown through a window (his cycling class will miss him dearly): 41 people

That Time He Kidnapped Mia

Short and sweet, he just ices a pack of "brain donors": 5 people

Brothers in Blood

Two human traffickers, three more drug runner goons, two more goons later on: 7 people

Red Haired Foolishness Phase part one

Starting the running with two cops, lightning bug assassin, six mobstery big wigs, a guy, Flamingo: 11 people

Red Haired Foolishness Phase part two

Littleman Beaver's brother and his brother's fourteen goons, fifteen of his fellow inmates, then the grand poisoning of eighty-two people (well he poisoned more but we only get eighty-two confirmed as dead): 112 people

This is not even slightly a complete list, so consider this final number a lowball of:

One Hundred and Ninety-Nine people

as Jason's body count... at least pre-new52, don't ask me what's going on over there in modern canon, idk

All former Robins (that aren't from the future, a space starfish, not known to me personally, add more caveates as needed) have tried to kill someone at least once, but like, hot damn I'm pretty sure Jason is definitely still keeping his title as the murderous one of the bunch!

If someone knows more about Damian, I'd be happy to have his count added in, but like this is just a tumblr fun post and my ass needs to start cooking spaghetti, I don't got the time rn to start reading his stuff yet.

[pico-digital-studios]

Into, Across and Beyond! Scripting: The Big Chase

PREVIOUS POST

Outside of the Quill Society HQ's meeting room in Many More Heroes, an alarm started blaring, confusing many Quill Society members who heard it.

OMT!Tails (through their communicators): All stations, specifically anyone capable of combat, drop what you're doing and stop that Sonic!

Quill Society Sonics: pointing fingers at each other in confusion

OMT!Tails: Darn it, sorry. I meant LM, the one with the red eyes of evil! He's headed for Sector 4!

The person who entered Sector 4 first was Chaos Adventure Sonic, which is the first to catch the attention of those spending time there.

CA!Sonic: Er, is something on my quills or something? What's the whole stare contest for?

OMT!Tails (from down that hallway): CA, he's right behind you!

SS!Amy (from down the same hallway): Turn around!

CA!Sonic: Huh? (turns around) I don't see anything...

OMT!Tails: Maybe feel behind you?

When he DID turn around, LM!Sonic was revealed, trying to hide behind him, and with his cover blown, the present Quill Society members quickly identified their target.

SunFIRE: That's our guy!

ZX Spectrum and Game.com Sonics: *indecipherable beeping*

LM!Sonic: O-Oh! Hehe...

CA!Sonic managed to feel LM!Sonic behind him.

CA!Sonic (quite casually, like in RodentRap/Sonic Legacy): Oh, there you are!

LM!Sonic: Aw, crud...

(Mini trivia: Alongside that story's version of Sonic, Chaos Adventure's counterparts of Amy and Cream are in the Quill Society as well, the former mainly to ensure Sonic doesn't get into more trouble than it's worth.)

Cue the big chase, with many members working to get after LM!Sonic and apprehend him however they could, whilst OMT!Tails and SS!Amy headed toward the space elevator. And on one area, LM!Sonic was attacked by a mini version of Sonic's Werehog state who gave him numerous rough scratches before knocking him downwards.

During the chase, OMT!Tails and SS!Amy had to keep Turbo off their trail.

OMT!Tails: Can this day get any crazier?!

As if on cue, Metallix flew up, targeting the duo.

OMT!Tails: Well, guess it can. Keep moving!

They slipped past and caught sight of the sector where the Transport Hub was; their ticket out of here. But for now, that had to wait.

LM!Sonic was on his way after them, but was halted in his tracks by a Sonic 1 version of Nack the Weasel.

S1 Nack: Alright! Yer askin' for it!

He drew out his cork gun.

S1 Nack: We'll settle it man-to-man! On three! One-!

But LM!Sonic just blasted him out of the way.

S1 Nack: YOU DIDN'T WAIT 'TIL THREEEEEEEEE...

Nitro caught up with April riding on his back.

Nitro: Hey, LM!

LM!Sonic: You again?!

Nitro (holding up his DSi): You mind quickly taking a picture? It's April's first grand-scale chase!

LM just rolled his eyes and zipped off, narrowly avoiding Fleetway Amy's crossbow and Tekno's laser gun.

Nitro: Ah, well.

He simply threw the DSi in the air, letting April leap up and take the picture between them before they kept going. Back with OMT!Tails and SS!Amy, OVA!Knux was letting them ride his horse across the area.

OVA!Knuckles: You need to reach that elevator? Got you covered, kids!

They trotted through the prison area, with a few of the prisoners rooting for the pair (yes, even Scourge, who hates the idea of someone dictating what people can and can't do)... then they started booing Turbo and Metallix as they made pursuit. On the way there, they got off the horse once in the clear as Millie the Fox (CartoonsAnimate22's OC) showed up.

Millie: Are you the Tails from that dimension where you helped kill a shapeshifting beast?

OMT!Tails: Uh, yeah!

Millie: Heh, I knew it! I'm a huge fan of your heroics, Tails!

OMT!Tails: Hehe, thanks!

She turned her attention to the pursuers.

Millie: Hey, you two! Do either of you think us heroes using comedy so much makes us look like we have some screws loose?

Turbo: Uh... what?

Millie: Get it? Screws?

She leapt up and tail-whacked Metallix's head off, causing him to careen down to lower ground.

Metallix: SYSTEM ERROR! NAVIGATION AND TARGETS INACCESSIBLE!

SS!Amy: Heh, nice one! You hang here while we take care of the rest.

Millie: You got it, Amy!

The two heroes continued on their way. Back at the bigger chase, OVA!Sonic leapt forward to attack.

OVA!Sonic: You might know everything we're going to do, but that's not gonna help you, since WE know everything YOU'RE going to do!

However, his slow animation made him outright miss.

OVA!Sonic: Oh, dang it! I really gotta get my speed improved, don't I?

Even after dodging his "meme" counterpart, LM!Sonic still had his work cut out for him, barely avoiding various attacks, such as Sunky and Tlels being launched at him (courtesy of Nicky, who also contributed), RAW better utilising his electric shoes and glider, and Blitz!Tails and Milly swiping at him with his claws and her scythe respectively. Soon enough, LM!Sonic was cornered by many Quill Society AND Blur Gang members on all sides.

Mini Sonic: Nowhere to run now!

LM just resorted to leaping out the window.

Mini Sonic: O-Oh! Heh, my bad, everyone. There was somewhere to run.

Creamy: I blame the one with the anvil.

Mr. Needlemouse (defensive): What? We were tryin' to catch him, don't look at me!

[Mr. NM has a body count :) - MCS]

Outside, OMT!Tails and SS!Amy were freefalling as LM!Sonic continued his pursuit. Fiona caught sight of them, quickly taking Carol's motorbike from her.

Fiona: Sorry, Carol!

Carol (just waking up before noticing): Wha...? Hey! Come back with my bike!

She made pursuit as LM!Sonic started flying after OMT!Tails and SS!Amy.

LM!Sonic: Stop running!

OMT!Tails: Then stop chasing us everywhere!

LM!Sonic: You're so frustrating!

Fiona pulled up on a balcony with the bike as OMT!Mina watched.

Fiona: I know he's your friend, but it's the only way LM isn't going to get angrier.

OMT!Mina: But my gut says-!

Fiona: Then use your head, kid!

CR!Sonic heard this with CR!Sonia and CR!Manik, coming up with a plan whilst slipping away. Fiona attempted to knock them both down with the bike, though OMT!Mina caught them both with webs.

OMT!Mina: Gotcha!

OMT!Tails: M-Mina? You came back for me?

OMT!Mina: I can't just leave you in danger.

OMT!Tails: It's okay, Mina. Me and Amy will handle it together. Just trust us.

They severed the webbing, only to be pinned to a wall by Turbo.

Turbo: I got you cornered now, kids, so don't even- OW!

They both knocked themselves free as they went into the underbelly of Gust Planet, which hadn't been explored in years. The two didn't know where they were to go, but they didn't need to; two enerbeams got them up to the safety of a higher sector.

CR!Sonic: Tails!

OMT!Tails: No no no no! Let us go!

CR!Sonic: It's too crazy to run for too long!

SS!Amy: And running is the least crazy thing we're putting up with right now!

They started looking for a way out.

CR!Sonic: Look... I feel really bad for earlier, buddy.

OMT!Tails: Good.

CR!Sonic: But there's only so many ways we can screw stuff over. If you aren't careful, you won't be able to win!

OMT!Tails ignored him, still looking around as CR!Sonia and CR!Manik got in front of him.

CR!Sonia: Hey, um... I know this isn't the best time, but... do you want to hold one of us?

OMT!Tails: I, er, sorry, I can't-.

CR!Manik: 10 seconds at most and then talk with Dad, alright? It'll really change our mood.

OMT!Tails: Sorry, but I-!

CR!Sonia: It's very rejuvenating!

OMT!Tails: I feel very rejuvenated right now!

CR!Sonic: And you'll be more so when in the presence of one of my amazing kids!

OMT!Tails: You don't GET to have a heartfelt conversation with me right now, Sonic-!

CR!Sonic: JUSTHOLDONEOFTHEMANDWE'LLSEEWHATHAPPENS!

CR!Sonia held OMT!Tails gently, to his surprise.

CR!Sonic: You're the reason I had them, okay?!

The two heroes stopped for a moment.

CR!Sonic: I thought that if I did a good job raising them, there was a chance they were gonna turn out like you. And that got me excited, because you're a wonderful kid and I really like being around you!

OMT!Tails sighed, feeling worried.

OMT!Tails: I really wanted to be around you guys even more through this place, but the side of it LM manipulated you into isn't a positive one.

CR!Sonic: Look, bad things are always gonna happen to us at some stage, no matter what. It's what makes us who we are. But lots of good things happen as well.

He put a hand on his surrogate little brother's shoulder.

CR!Sonic: Like you happened. And they happened.

OMT!Tails: Hey... I don't...

E-21 (over the comm): Sonic, we got your location! Sit tight, and they'll be on their way!

CR!Sonic (panicked): Elise, abort that protocol! You DON'T have my location!

LM!Sonic (through the same comm): I'm coming over now! Do NOT let those rats escape!

CR!Sonic: T-Tails, I didn't know... Please, let's talk about this.

OMT!Tails: Hey, it's alright. We just did. Just keep them distracted for at least a little bit, alright?

The two kids got ready to do so as OMT!Tails and SS!Amy departed.

CR!Sonic: Well, good talk.

As OMT!Tails and SS!Amy careened into the city streets, CR!Sonic and OMT!Mina were running close by.

OMT!Mina: Where are they going?

CR!Sonic: I just hope Tails has this planned out.

Fiona rode alongside them on the bike.

Fiona: If it hasn't been stated before, by the way, you're a terrible teacher!

She leapt up into the air with the bike, but OMT!Tails managed to swipe the bike from under her and fling it into the air for Carol to catch, causing Fiona to crash onto a train roof.

Carol: I'm taking that back!

CR!Sonic: Well, he did just beat you, so I'm not a terrible mentor.

LM!Sonic showed up, annoyed, as OMT!Tails and SS!Amy reached the elevator dock and got it ready for liftoff.

LM!Sonic: You're both equally terrible. Does THAT settle it?!

LM!Sonic grabbed onto the space elevator as it began its ascent, with CR!Sonic, OMT!Mina, Antho, Nitro and Mobiverse Tails right behind them.

LM!Sonic: Stop pretending you know what you're doing!

OMT!Tails: Oh, I have a plan! You just don't know it yet!

He and SS!Amy clung onto the elevator roof for dear life as LM!Sonic clawed his way after them.

Terminal Velocity Intercom: Departing for Gust Planet's moon!

OMT!Tails: What are those, claws?! Dude, are you sure you even class as a hero?!

LM!Sonic: Are you? Who do you think you are, really?!

OMT!Tails took a deep breath.

OMT!Tails: My name is Miles "Tails" Prower...

He leapt down and dealt a powerful drop kick to LM!Sonic, knocking him further down the track.

OMT!Tails: I inherited my best friend's mantle because he wanted me to.

LM!Sonic tried to grab OMT!Tails with his enerbeam, though was met with a cannon fastball right at the face.

OMT!Tails: I'm pretty sure you know the rest, jerk!

LM!Sonic continued clawing after the two.

LM!Sonic: You never got it! You and Antho are anomalies!

OMT!Tails: Not if you let me save the multiverse!

OMT!Tails kicked LM in the jaw.

LM!Sonic: Everywhere you two go, you’re anomalies. You’re both the original anomalies!

OMT!Tails glitched slightly in response, his original female, one-tailed self present for a split-second.

LM!Sonic: The energy that gave you your powers wasn’t from your dimensions. It was never supposed to get into you!

A couple of carriages below, CR!Sonic and OMT!Mina watched in horror.

OMT!Mina: LM, STOP!

CR!Sonic: LM, don't hurt him!

LM!Sonic: There’s a world out there without an heroic Sonic because the energy got to you instead! You were not supposed to be the heroes!

OMT!Tails: No, you're lying, you heartless bully! I AM a hero!

LM!Sonic: You and Anthony are nothing but mistakes!

He pushed OMT!Tails into the roof, glaring furiously.

LM!Sonic: If he hadn’t been stupid enough to intervene, his Sonic would’ve lived. Instead, he died trying to save him. He would’ve stopped the super-collider before it went off. Crimtake wouldn’t exist! And you... Had you actually BEEN more competent in stopping that Malware Threat, your Sonic would still be alive today! But NO! He had to die trying to save your pathetic hide! You wouldn’t have lost so many! You wouldn’t have had to take his place! And none of this would’ve happened! And all this time, I’ve been one of the only ones holding this joint together.

OMT!Tails: Get the hell OFF of me!

LM!Sonic: You don’t belong in this universe. You never did.

Antho: Okay, creep! This is going WAY too far!

OMT!Tails: Who are you to think you can decide that, "Sonic"?! I am NOT a defenceless kid anymore!

LM!Sonic: That’s EXACTLY what you are, Miles Prower! You’re nothing but a kid. Who has no. Idea. WHAT THE HELL. HE’S DOING!!!

OMT!Tails and SS!Amy smirked, knowing they had this in the bags.

SS!Amy: Yeah, well, we DID lure you a million feet away from your little penthouse.

LM!Sonic: What?

He realised how high he was above surface level, looking back at the two as Mobiverse Tails scaled the elevator, ready to give LM what for.

OMT!Tails: And I'm about to do this!

He charged up an energy bolt from LM!Sonic's shoes, causing HIM to glitch and realise he practically screwed himself over.

OMT!Tails: You are trying to tell me what my story’s ‘meant’ to be… No. I’m doing my own thing! Sorry, Lost Memory Sonic, but I'm saving the day, whether you want me to or not!

He released ALL that energy right back at LM!Sonic, catapulting him within reach of a furious Mobiverse Tails.

MV!Tails: Now you're getting it, freak!

He pummelled LM!Sonic into the elevator and punched him a LOT, leaving OMT!Tails and SS!Amy open to get right to their final goal.

OMT!Tails: We'll be back, guys. See you around.

They leapt downwards, using a Chaos Emerald to fast-warp to the Transport Hub.

CR!Sonic: Heh, I taught him how to do that. Even if he won't use a Super form, I must be a pretty good teacher for him to pull that off.

He and OMT!Mina let go back to the surface as LM!Sonic bursted out, racing back down at top speed in a blind fury. In the Transport Hub, Nicole and GCD!Amy were just trying out different hairstyles.

Nicole: Hmm, nope... Nah... Well, that's kinda cute.

OMT!Tails and SS!Amy warped in.

GCD!Amy: Oh! Tails!

Nicole: We heard you were coming over.

OMT!Tails: No time to explain! Activate the machine and get us warped over to whatever dimension Crimtake is currently at!

GCD!Amy: You got it! Quick, climb in the pods!

They did so.

Nicole: Okay, let's see... Ah, got it! Dimension ZONE-ANTI-1994!

OMT!Tails: Wait, isn't that where I had to escape my evil counterpart before? Ah, well. It'll do.

LM!Sonic was bashing on the entrance door.

LM!Sonic: Open the door, both of you! It'll only take a second if you hand Miles over to me!

GCD!Amy: Don't even try!

After three of his knocks as a warning that he's coming in, GCD!Amy rushed to the console...

GCD!Amy: Three knocks is all you're getting!

...and activated the defence mechanism to fry him with electricity. Once this happened, he busted into the room, clawing at the chamber OMT!Tails was inside in his blind fury. Other Quill Society members rushed in to stop him and pull him away.

Amy Rouge: Cut it out!

OMT!Tails nodded to his fellow Quill Society and Blur Gang friends, ready to go.

Mr. Needlemouse: 100 rings for me if the kid doesn't make it back!

Mini Sonic: Yeah, you're on!

LM!Sonic: NO!!!

LM!Sonic was far too late, the two heroes being warped away.

LM!Sonic: All he had to do was listen. Why didn't he listen?!

OMT!Mina: Maybe YOU weren't thinking the right way.

LM!Sonic glared at her.

LM!Sonic: YOU let them get away!

OMT!Mina: Me?!

LM!Sonic: You didn't catch either of them!

Other Minas in range got in front of her, keeping LM!Sonic out of her reach.

EV!Mina: Okay, just back down!

OMT!Mina: Sonic, you want to back me up?

CR!Sonic nodded.

CR!Sonic: Well, LM, as the father of a son and daughter and nephew of an uncle-.

LM!Sonic: Actually, please stop talking, CR.

CR!Sonic: Er, duly noted!

OMT!Mina: Tails is my friend-!

LM!Sonic: Yeah, and that's the problem.

OMT!Mina: Do you really know for certain what happens if Tails defies your presumed destiny?

LM!Sonic: Do you want to find out?! Urgh, I knew you were a liability. You two, send her back to her original dimension!

OMT!Mina: WHAT?!

Nicole: She's not going there again! She's suffered enough there as it is!

LM!Sonic: I was not asking!

Nitro fired a blast at LM!Sonic to shut him up.

Nitro: Enough of this! You're not even worthy of being here! If anyone, it's YOU who needs to pack it and go home!

LM!Sonic growled, grabbing Nitro by his shirt.

LM!Sonic: If you're so smug about that, how about I lock YOU out of multidimensional travel for good, anomaly?!

Nitro: ...What did you just call me, you prick?

LM!Sonic: You know what you are, Smith. You tried tampering with fate just to get your sorry excuse of a father back, and you could've made the entire multiverse unstable from your crime! Not to mention that your memories should NOT have been maintained after that reset.

Nitro quickly strangled LM in return.

Nitro: Don't you DARE talk foul about my father, you monster!

LM!Sonic: Or what?! You're gonna use some "special power" to hurt me?!

Nitro: Well, I don't need to.

Some vines wrapped around LM's ankles and wrists, pulling him back into the wall where EV!Sonic knocked him out, holding a green Chaos Emerald in his hand.

EV!Sonic: What absolute shame.

He turned back to the many members in the room.

EV!Sonic: You did well today, everyone. You can continue about your business now, but I do ask for a few of you to stay behind to supervise me in sending LM back to his dimension.

OMT!Mina: Of course. I'll stick around.

Nitro: As will I.

Many of the other members departed to return to their tasks.

Trip: Will Amy be okay?

Superstars Tails: Don't worry. I know how great a fighter she is, and she'll prove her worth.

OMT!Cream arrived through one of the chambers.

OMT!Cream: Is Tails here?

EV!Sonic: You just missed him, Cream. He and that other Amy just departed to another dimension to get after your would-be killer. But considering you got here anyway, you brought them a further fighting chance.

OMT!Cream: I'm happy to hear it. Erm, who is this Mr. Sonic next to you?

EV!Sonic: An absolute prick who tried orchestrating your death. Best to let us deal with him. (to Fleetway Amy) In the meantime, Amy, maybe you could give her a little tour of the place?

Fleetway Amy: Will do, Sonic!

She and Tekno shared a fist bump.

Tekno: Great work out there today, girl!

Fleetway Amy: Anything to help my friends! Well, come along, then. We've got plenty to show you.

OMT!Cream: I'm coming, Miss Amy!

They headed off together.

[writing-whump]

Part 2 of the Seline - Isaiah fic pls? 🥺Matthew hounding her apartment for totally not mushy reasons and then he sees those two arrive and he's ? excuse me? Excuseeee me - until ofc he realizes Seline is sick, maybe bc she gets sick on his shoes?? Pretty please?

Thank you for the request! Your wish is my command. :D Part two of this fic. Seline is sick, with Isaiah and Matthew as caretakers.

No place like home

Seline fell asleep on the ride home.

Isaiah kept glancing at her, worried at how pale and sweaty and entirely unresponsive she was. Somehow he never realized how frail she was, even when she was a witch and not a shadow wolf. Always so spunky and feisty and on the verge of an argument, she brimmed with energy.

Seeing her so still was disconcerting, making his stomach tight.

A soft burp interrupted his thoughts. Seline rolled her head from the car window into his direction, but still limp and dead to the world as before.

Isaiah put a hand to her forehead. It was on fire. She drank some of the water he gave her, but he really wanted her home with supplies and a nice comfy bed.

He put the a/c on blast in the car, thinking it could help with the fever. Just a few minutes in, she shivered and hugged herself unconsciously. He shook of his long but thin black coat with some difficulty during the nearest lights and threw it over her, also dialing down the cold air.

It's been a long time since he had taken care of someone like this. Shadow wolves didn't get sick often, not with their shadows active everyday. His human brother used to get sick, but that had been a long time ago, when they were kids.

When they were all still on speaking terms.

Way back when, before he left home and basically spit on all family ties, legacy and rights for succession.

Hector's ambitions, Arnie's plans to always stick together. Wolf brothers were a fun thing. Their dynamics usually clear by age, they made for influential and tight power sides if not outright taking over.

All he had to compare to from recent time was Matthew, who got sick often from being too into his shadow and now because he was too out of it.

Looking for a balance was tough.

A quiet moan had his head turning towards Seline again. Her face was scrunched up in a grimace and her eyes fluttered, but didn't open.

"I want to go home," she whispered.

"We'll be home in a few minutes. Just hold on," he said gently.

"Home home," she insisted.

Isaiah had to chuckle. Did she really argue with him even in her sleep? "What do you mean, darling? Any other home in mind?"

"'s nice and all. But I d-don't wanna...be alone." Her eyebrows knitted together in a deep frown as she whined and shifted on the seat uneasily. "Wanna go to real home."

Huh. So she missed her parents? Isaiah bet she would never say something like this if she was conscious. God forbid the independent Seline admitted needing someone. But he had somehow not realized that this was the first time she was living alone.

Isaiah had been alone since he turned 18. Ran away to the city, to the new life he chose and never looked back. He hadn’t felt homesick since then, and he wasn't sure if it was because he didn't allow himself to consider it or because he genuinely felt nothing but disgust with the place.

He assumed, since Seline didn't join a pack for protection or regular contact with her magic, that something happened to her too, that she was avoiding something. But her home sounded nice, like the healthy kind of missing.

He parked the car in front of the building to Seline's reserved space.  The blond girl didn't stir, drool dripping slightly from her open lips. Isaiah went around the car to open the door, shaking her gently before giving up and just lifting her up. This would be faster.

Still wrapped in his coat, head lolling on his shoulder, he closed the car door and locked it. It was scary how helpless she was. Did she trust him so much to put himself in his hands? Or was she so out of she had no say?

He felt another shadow before he heard the footsteps, but the presence was alarmingly familiar. Matthew suddenly stood there, at Isaiah's back, having come from the direction of the bank in front of the parking lot.

"What the hell are you doing?" Matthew asked, frowning at Isaiah, fists balled, stance angry. His shadow was wiggling angrily at his feet, underlining his agitation, ready to attack.

Isaiah rolled his eyes. "I drugged and kidnapped her and now I'm returning her lifeless body to the apartment. What else does it look like?"

Matthew hissed at the response, but shoved his hands into his pockets. He also remembered to lower his gaze, although barely. Good start at least.

"She okay?" Matthew asked finally, gritting his teeth.

"We were on the way to a pack representatives meeting. She got sick, I drove her back," Isaiah explained patiently. He gave the other wolf a pointed look. "What exactly are you doing here? Stalking now?"

Matthew flushed and glared at the floor. Yes, Isaiah heard Matthew has been visiting a lot, especially to guide Seline to university and back, sometimes even staying pretty late. So this was their routine now?

Isaiah shook his head with a smile and turned to continue his way to Seline's apartment, Matthew hot on his heels without a word.

Somehow it didn't bother him that Matthew was there. He felt calmer knowing someone was looking after her like this, protecting her when she had no one.

The sinking feeling in his stomach, he figured, as he fished out Seline's keys and opened the door, was a disappointment. Did Matthew not trust him enough, to come hurling at him like that?

Isaiah took Seline to the cream-coloured couch. The living room was fully decorated now, light blue curtains and family pictures on the window still.

Seline wiggled as he put her down, still in Isaiah's coat, before opening her eyes to slits. "Where...?"

Matthew moved to sit beside her immediately, supporting her shaking arm as she lifted herself up to a sitting position. "Isaiah brought you home. How are you feeling?"

Seline looked at him, a little dazed but delighted smile on her lips, before suddenly leaning over the couch and throwing up all over Matthew's shoes.

Isaiah blinked.

Matthew and Seline stared at the watery mess in shock. To his credit, Matthew didn't yelp or jump to his feet. He just scrunched his face before grunting a quiet "Okay."

"I'm so sorry, Matt-" Seline said, flopping back against the couch, pressing a hand to her mouth. All the energy seemed to be gone from her body again.

"It's fine. I probably owe you for seeing me do worse," Matthew said, chuckling a little.

"I will get you a towel." Isaiah hurried to the kitchen, taking some of those big paper towels, a glass of water and a bowl for good measure.

It only hit him after, as he cleaned the mess on the floor and Matthew discarded his shoes with a resigned sigh, that he knew where all the supplies were and that Matthew didn't raise his shadow once and that this whole scene was more amusing and confusingly heartwarming than it ought to be.

They ended up settling on the couch together. Seline passing out in the middle, drooling over the pillows and down Isaiah's coat.

Matt stretched out to her left, flipping between channels without sound, as if he had done it a million times.

And somehow, no one questioned what Isaiah was still doing there, propped up beside Seline, watching Matthew take long-suffering sighs.

[ovaa-bi-bia]

Echo was sitting in the cocpit, examining the space. Hunter seemed desperate, standing at the edge of madness. Echo understood him. He was also furious that Hemlock took Omega. Omega. His mind wouldn't stop. Bonde short hair, tan skin, brown to amber eyes, girl, twelve years old. Clone. Like him exept she was nothing like him. But if they won't find her...then she'll become similar to him. Wrecker seemed sad. He had those child-like eyes. Like Omega. Like Tech. No- He started crying. He couldn't stop. Tech isn't here. Neighter is Omega. Nor Crosshair. Fives isn't there! He was breathing too fastly. They aren't here. THEY AREN'T THERE! FIVES ISN'T THERE! CUTUP ISN'T THERE! HEVY ISN'T THERE! DROIDBAIT ISN'T THERE! DOMINO ISN'T HERE! HE IS- He couldn't breathe anymore. Everything was white. He distantly heard Hunter. He was shouting something he didn't quite understand. He was moved by a big arm and put on ground. Somebody layed beside him, taking his hand onto something warm.

Echo slowly calmed down. Hunter's steady breathing and somewhat calm heartbeat grounded him. "Where am I? Is Fives alright?" He was still confused. "We are on the Marauder, Fives isn't with us. You are safe." Echo was crying. This was Hunter. He was laying on cold ground of damaged ship they called home. But it felt empty. Everything was empty. World was colourless and cold. "Echo, we have to go to Pabu. We'll find Phee and she'll for sure help up." "Everything I touch falls like domino." The pain in his eyes screamed that he ment it. Hunter held his shoulders and forced him to sit up. "Well, I you are the Domino that didn't fall." Hunter tried. "Sometimes I wish I had." Hunter shook him after this. "We blasting need you, Echo, we need you! WE HAVE TO FIND OMEGA, GET UP!" Echo wished to stay on ground, but he didn't want to see Hunter getting him on his feet when his younger brother had broken ribs. He got up. "Last mission?" "Last mission."

[ninjastar107]

'Caught Inbetween' - A protoman-centered MMC fic

[PART 1] [PART 2] [PART 3] [PART 4] [PART 5]

Just as soon as Wily's plan was set in motion, it was over. Megaman made quick work of every robot master, blasting through Wily's alien illusion with ease. Now the doctor was working with Light, who so graciously forgave him and invited him to help work on a grand project. Friendship ran deeper than grudges it seemed, or perhaps Light was naive. It would explain where Rock got it from.

Blues occupied his time with regular visits to Lalinde's lab and trips out through the countryside, occasionally checking in on Wily who kept giving him off-planet transport coordinates and telling him to 'wait for my signal'. Tempo was recovering for the most part. Lalinde commented on how she was getting back to normal, which happened to be a level of energy Blues wasn't expecting Tempo to have. She became peppy, hands on, and almost too excited for her own good with brief lapses of coldness that were becoming less and less frequent. It seems that she developed a new response to high places as well, to which Blues apologized after witnessing her freeze up on a viewing tower. Blues had accompanied her and Lalinde on a few expeditions, acting more as morale support than anything else. Half the time she and Lalinde would begin talking intricacies of historic and geological phenomenon, stuff that Blues had no real background on but listened regardless. It was in such an expedition that the two found out that Blues wasn't unarmed as he had previously demonstrated. A loose stalactite was evaporated by just one shot before it could hit the ground and ruin a precipitation-formed crystal lattice, shocking both of them from their fixated thoughts. Being unable to explain, he left.

It was the last time Blues saw them, promising to himself that he would come back once his debt was paid off.

--

"Breakman, it's your time to shine. I need you to follow Megaman into space and slow him down," Wily gripped his shoulders, "I need more time to put the finishing touches on this plan." Breakman folded his arms but nodded. Of course this was all a ploy, just like the last time. "That it?" "Mmmm well, we'll see," he stroked his mustache, "you have the coordinates still? I need you to transport to Magnetman's planet, he's going there next. Keep following him after until I tell you to stop, too." "Whatever you say, Wily." Breakman's 'enthusiasm' oozed before beaming away. Interplanetary transport took much longer than anywhere on Earth. What normally was a few second gap was now minutes. When he arrived, he scrambled to a hiding spot. It had been awhile since he saw Rock in action. He had viewed his previous endeavors in his downtime, studying and dissecting it. For the most part, Megaman moved and fought through the mining site just the same. One new thing was a newfound skill of slide-dashing, a new variable Breakman didn't have time to consider. He watched Megaman climb down the ladder to the next chamber, to which Breakman followed with a whistled tune. "Who's there?" Megaman readied his megabuster. The robot before him said nothing, charging his own buster and pouncing. The two danced around the chamber, firing and missing and firing again. Neither were trying to hit each other, aiming a bit too high or a bit too low. Finally Breakman landed the first hit squarely on Megamans chest. The robot flinched and staggered before firing back and missing. Breakman did it again with more confidence this time, "If you can't defeat me, you don't deserve to take down Magnetman." Megaman gritted his teeth, "If that's how it has to be!" The next few shots were almost too accurate, staggering the robot master with ease. Breakman slumped, fighting to stand up against the deep fluctuations in his power. He huffed a 'Not bad, but it won't be as easy next time', before blowing open the way down and warping away. Breakman followed him through the next few planets, appearing in some to fight in between periods of rest. Megaman's glare became cocky and almost playful as they met on. Breakman made it more difficult but not without a few taunts and a few words of encouragement, something he didn't expect but welcomed. It was at Geminiman's planet that they encountered each other again. After this would be a gauntlet, and it would be the last opportunity they had to banter. Megaman readied his buster with a smile, "Another duel, Breakman?" Breakman stood atop the port and contemplated. He wasn't happy that Megaman was calling him that, it was a title but not something he felt true to himself. He was named that with the sole purpose of breaking Megaman in half, but it wasn't what his true purpose was. He was still trying to figure it out, but this certainly wasn't it. "Breakman?" Megaman lowered his blaster. The robot master shook his head. "Breakman was ordered to stall you so that things could get finished. I don't know how much I agree with that now. Good luck down there, Rock, Breakman will meet again for one last duel."

He caught a glimpse of shock from the blue bomber as he warped away.

--

If he wasn't Breakman, then who was he? A civilian droid modified to be a weapon with no other purpose than to just be. It was wrong and right, a deeply troubling thought that meant he could be whatever he wanted. A freedom every human has, caught in the middle of the logic in every machine. As he stared at Megaman, a blue mirror of himself in some sort of way, he mulled over his next move. "This is it, Breakman's final battle. No holding back." Megaman frowned, trying to think his way through those words. "I don't want to destroy you." "I'm not giving you a choice." Breakman fired a direct hit to Mega's head, and then a second one to his chest for good measure. Megaman yelped and slid, rolling as more beams trailed after. He fired back, the shots reflecting off the shield with ease. Breakman peaked around it as he aimed, retreating after every blast and jumping out of the way. There was no banter, no taunting. Breakman fired without restraint, and soon enough Megaman followed suit. He stood and aimed, squeezing an eye shut as he followed Breakman's movements. Without a second thought, he fired a direct hit to Breakman's helmet, shattering its lower portion. He slumped, retreating behind his shield, only to reemerge with a smirk. "Nice shot." A wave of relief moved over him, but he kept his guard up, "You too." "You've gotten more accurate since our last encounter, Rock." He stood up, leaning on the shield as a crutch. "Well, you defeated Breakman. Now you'll know who I really am." Blues watched the more refined robot lower his buster, inquisitive to what he meant. In a lot of ways he saw himself in Rock: A son to Light, a civilian bot turned weapon, a good sense of justice, all coated in a newer sleeker paint. A sibling, a replacement, a crutch, a hero. In some ways he was jealous, but in others he was proud. "Wily gave me that name because he wanted me to break you. He wanted me to distract you too, he wanted Breakman to distract you. He revitalized me and so I owed him for that," He swung his shield onto his back, "but now Breakman is defeated, and I owe him nothing. I am the first Robot master, I am Protoman." "Protoman…" Megaman blinked, letting his hand return to normal, "Wily put you up to this? But why?" he asked himself. He folded his arms with a smile as he watched Rock piece it together, "Until we meet again, Megaman."

[crystalelemental]

"books-are-my-life-stuff: Hell yeah! All of these are such fun choices."

Oh good, I'm glad. There was a lot of response, so under the cut for Dash space.

"I can imagine Stoutland is probably not the only dog Pokemon that Laios has, it's just the one he had in his team more frequently. Bet he would have Boltund too, and when it was still a Yamper Marcille would nag on him not to evolve it because Yamper is cute. Love the choice of Type-Null too, him liking Ultra Beasts and fascinated by them but is also aware of how potentially dangerous they are, like in the series."

There were so many dog Pokemon, but something about Stoutland felt right. I can't remember all the lore, but as I recall they're from a colder area, so I went with Stoutland because it's huge and fluffy, which felt like it would do well there. Laios would love the UBs.

"Tinkatuff for Falin is perfect, I love it. Hydreigon is a perfect choice too, add Fire Blast into the moveset as well to hint Red Dragon. Marcille being a Trick Room specialist is so cool as well. Love the utility Pokemon that Chilchuck has, and Senshi having Pokemon to help him survive, not really for fighting (they still can). I imagine Izutsumi would have cat Pokemon like Liepard, but she'll get some moments later that might help you build her character more later."

So, Izutsumi got me hung up because I also thought about going with the general cat approach, but then I thought...she doesn't seem the kind to appreciate company of other cats. Which then got me stuck on...I don't feel like I know enough about her to make a good decision on her team. Needs more data.

"Love how you assigned Gallade and Mawile for Kabru, love it so much. And Zoroark too, it's so cool. This is my bias speaking but Musharna is my go-to psychic-type whenever I replay Gen 5 games so I like that it's in his team as well. His One-Hit KO-centric technique is perfect too, as it is devastating but is very tricky and situational, which shows how his human-centric skill is mostly useful outside of dungeons."

I'm glad you like the Kabru set. I was pretty pleased with that team.

"Thistle having Yveltal is the coolest thing ever too, and Porygon-Z is adorable for him. Whenever you pick up the manga (or season 2, whichever comes first) I'm looking forward to how you might change the team to correspond to the events and what we know more about these characters later on, especially because there'll be someone new in the "main character" category as well and I'm excited of what Pokemon team you might assign to them."

I'll definitely announce when we get to the rest of it. I'm hoping for manga, but that depends a lot on getting through the summer and being in a good financial situation. We'll see how it all plays out, but once we're caught up, feel free to ask again. I'm sure I can come up with something.

[sharidanfairyboy]

Spoils of the Doll Show today!

I had such an awesome time, I went with my cousin and we had such a blast. I found someone from tumblr irl too! technically they found me lol but it was so awesome to see someone from the online space irl.

The sale itself had a LOT of gorgeous vintage dolls and so many BJDs, there was quite a bit of AG too. and of course a bazillion Barbies, though other than her the fashion dolls were pretty scarce.

I did go to an AMAZING. vendor who had a really gorgeous NIB collection there, that's where the Draculaura Fashion Pack and poster came from. (and also the LOL Tweenz stand and the bratz guitar 🥺 thank you so much again) He was so cool and had a lot of monster high, my scene, rainbow high, and specialty barbies, his prices were fantastic too imo, and he was so nice! There was another seller in the same area who I got Sweetie Belle and Virtuelle (!!!!!!!) from, so happy with Virtuelle I've been wanting her for aaaages. She is missing some stuff but she was priced accordingly and was in such lovely condition, my nieces have her captive right now though while I'm at work, so we'll see how she does 🥲

The Shoes came in mix bag with some other stuff, and the Littlest Pet Shop were only 1 (one) dollar!!!!

Overall, still completely elated and happy from the show, I can't wait to go to my next one.