#Part1

[rboooks]

DC x DP idea: Alfred's boy

No one can deny that Alfred Pennyworth's life before working at Wayne Manor was a gaint mystery.

Not even Bruce could tell them what exactly Alfred had been up to, what missions he went on for her majesty and not for the lack of trying (or out of respect).

That's why the morning Alfred asked Bruce if it was alright for him to foster a boy within the manor as a favor for an old contact codenamed Clockwork, the whole family nearly lost their minds.

Bruce, of course, welcomed the boy, and they had a room set up for him in the servant's wing before lunchtime that same day. Alfred has always insisted on remaining with the servant quarters, so his foster son would too.

Two weeks later, Danny Fenton walks through the door. Clockwork had to remove him from his home due to his parents' danger to his safety. That's all Alfred's explanation.

Danny slips in as Alfred's assistant rather quickly, silent as death and beautiful like the galaxies. His beauty is a bit off-putting, too perfect, too enchanting to be human but no one points its out.

Danny is an amazing inventor, quickly establishing himself as the Batfamily's gadget maker/Guy in a chair. He found the cave while dusting. Polite, intelligent, easygoing, and is vouched for by Alfred.

The only fault Bruce has against Danny is half of his kids develop crushes on him. Damian, Tim, Steph, and Duke seem to blush whenever he enters a room, and Bruce feels like a villain in Jason's period romance novels. The big noble Dad whom is trying to keep his noble children away from romancing the staff.

(Part 2 )

[f0point5]

She’s still bejewelled

A/N: This is my first attempt at one of these, but this concept was knocking around in my head so much it was interfering with my actual writing so I thought I’d give it a go to put it out there.

Part 1 of a potential series

Max Verstappen x Bestfriend!reader

[fukurow]

“Lost xxxxx” Part.1 (1/20～10/20)

→Part.2 (11/20～20/20)

*This is an English translation of the manga posted on pixiv. I used DeepL for the English translation, but the nuances are not always translated correctly. *I'm always very appreciative of your reactions!

[forensicheart]

Sugar Cube

Finnick Odair x Reader

Summary: "Well, if we see something sweet we better grab it."

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

"Y/n" You turn around to see Finnick standing throwing a sugar cube in the air and catching it. He was dressed in a straw skirt, his outfit for the parade.

"Hello Finnick, interesting outfit you have on there" You smirk looking him up and down. Finnick laughs, tossing a sugar cube in his mouth and stepping closer towards you.

"You know, I could say the same thing about you beautiful" Finnick was right, in a way you were almost wearing less clothes than him. With silver mesh barely covering your chest and lower waist with a single piece of string to hold them together. You simply laugh in response as well and shake your head looking around at the other tributes. A hand grabs a hold of your chin though and you find yourself looking back at Finnick.

"While your outfit may be interesting, I don't mind it one bit.  These sugar cubes are meant to be for the horses, but I mean who cares about them, right? They got years to eat sugar, whereas you and I... well, if we see something sweet we better grab it, and I see something very sweet right in front of me" You bite the inside of your mouth as you try and hold back a blush at Finnick's words.

"Well I guess you'll just have to grab it then, I'll see you later Finnick" You send a wink in his direction and walk towards your tribute carriage.

You lay in bed awake and waiting that night. The clock ticks from 11pm to 12am to 1am and then suddenly there's a knock at you door and it opens to reveal Finnick. You sit up in you bed and turn on the lamp besides you, the lamp shines a dull light throughout the room and it makes Finnick look towards you. Dressed in a silk night gown with nothing underneath you raise an eyebrow and make an finger motion to invite Finnick over to you. Finnick listens to your actions and walks over to the bed, taking off his top and lying on top of you, his elbows held him up as his face hovered close to yours.

"Can I grab my sweet thing now?" Finnick asked, a smile on his face as his eyes flickered between your eyes and lips. You nodded your head as your eyes flickered to his lips as well and before you knew his lips were on yours and one of his hands was moving to take your night gown off. Slipping the gown off your shoulders you off your body his lips detached from yours as his eyes rake over your body.

"We don't have all the time in the world Finnick" You say using your hand to bring his attention back to your face speaking some what sadly. Finnick sighs and smiles slightly at you.

"I know but god am I going to make sure I make this the best experience I can" Finnick speaks confidently and you simply smirk.

"Then why don't you stop looking at me and instead show me"

[the-once-ler-in-superjail]

CHAPTER 35: The Asylum - Part 1

Thanks for holding on again, we hope your patience was worth it! Went with a slightly different presentation style this time round (more comic page form) so expect these uploads to not always be the same format- that's part of the fun we're having with it.

Lineart/cleanup, flats & writing- @wiggybe

Layout/roughs, shading/lighting & writing- @self-made-madman

(TW: Mental illness/health/asylums.)

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

Once-ler: *Sitting at his desk in his office with his curtains closed, his hands through his hair and he's staring tiredly at a messy desk of papers in front of him. He was once reading them, but he's gotten to the point where he's so tired-out and stressed that he just stares at them without taking in any of the words, his eyes move over the same sentence he's been reading over and over again.*

Warden: *He just bursts through the door without knocking- though this is normal. He never knocks in his own jail, ever.* Good afternoon!~ *He's been... not perkier (it's impossible to be perkier than the Warden already is) but more bulletproof than ever since his breakdown. It's like a big weight off his shoulders.* How's my favourite accountant? Working hard or hardly working? Ha! You know, this place could use some sunshine! *Skips through the room poofing vases of flowers and other decorations around the room, as the curtains magically open.*

Once-ler: *Gasps at the sudden disruption of his silence and looks at the Warden with wide eyes which then squint at the sudden light. He almost hisses like a vampire bat when his perfect darkness disappears. He relaxes and then frowns a little.* It looks fine the way it is. *Leans on his elbow so he doesn't look at the Warden and takes his pen in his hand. He taps it a few times on the desk as he tries to read the papers again.*

Warden: *Pauses, and all the flowers in a vase he's holding wither and die.* Heeeey... *His voice softens down, actually showing some initiative and care for once.* You okay, buddy? *Walks over and rests a surprisingly parental hand on his shoulder. He looks down at Oncie's head with worry.*

Once-ler: *Sighs and drops back in his chair, throwing the pen onto the desk and his chair rolls back a little on the floor. He might have responded more callous if the Warden hadn’t picked up on his mood this time, and then adjusted his own mood to better console him. Instead, he sighs and drops his pen. His shirt is untucked and his braces hanging down by his waist instead of over his shoulders.* No. I'm not okay. *A bit of a whiny teenager voice. Then he frowns more seriously.* And I don’t appreciate you bursting in unannounced when I’m trying to work.

Warden: *Gives his shoulder a comforting squeeze.* What's up? I thought you liked that math-y boring stuff. *Sounds honestly like he cares. He really has grown very attached to his Oncie- enough to actually think of him as a human and not a toy. Which is just why he falter slightly when his sudden burst-in is mentioned.* Oh!-Uh… *Clears his throat then laughs awkwardly.* Sure, buddy! I hate it when Jared bursts in on me too- Not that I’m anything like Jared. *At least when HE suddenly shows up it’s for fun reasons, not boring annoying Jared reasons, and who wouldn’t want that? But he’s starting to learn that Oncie has his own feelings and ways of doing things, and that’s good, because if he was the same as everyone else then he wouldn’t be what makes him so great. He tilts his head.* Anything other than that your all-powerful prison-warden can do to help?

Once-ler: *Shakes his head, but he's really very grateful that he can feel the Warden concerned for him.* Not really. I have work to do for Superjail and then even more important work for my business. *Stands up and points at the Warden.* You've been spending too much over the budget again. *He points his thumb towards himself.* I need to get to Thneedville to sort out my factory. *His hands flick in mid air, flat, vertical and parallel to each other, like he’s showing a box size.* But I cant go to Thneedville, *then points at the floor,* Because I’m stuck here.

Warden: *Brightens up again* Weeeell, why didn't you say so?? *He completely glosses over, or doesn't even hear that he's over-budget. He never does, and probably never will. But, somehow, Superjail always survives.* How about you and I take some time out and go back? You can set up all your... *wiggles his fingers in midair,* factory doowhatsists, and I'll, I dunno, take in a tour! *The thought of Oncie going back alone doesn't even cross his mind. They're a duo.*

Once-ler: *Huffs and strokes his hand through the back of his hair. That’s not a terrible idea. Who’da thought he could just disappear? Maybe he’s becoming somewhat institutionalised here already and is still living with a prisoner mentality. He takes a glance at the papers and then frowns.* Yes! Yes! Okay, just take me out of here.

Warden: Alrighty! *Smiles and pulls Oncie backwards so he's suspended on the back two legs of his chair. He gives him a big kiss before they disappear, then reappear in a hover car on the coast of Superjail’s island. The car shoots off and off they go through the outer world back to mainland and back to Thneedville. There go his powers though- he won't be getting them back until Jailbot comes to get them. He did not think this through very much, but it's a perfectly reasonable plan so far.*

Once-ler: Hmph! *Gasps into the kiss and feels very dizzy once his powers take effect, the dizziness of the powers and the sudden romantic flutter in his stomach at the kiss, make stars appear as his eyes clench shut and they vanish. He snaps forward once they arrive in the car and gives a little shudder, feeling disorientated.* Uurgh…

Warden: *They land outside The Once-ler’s Lerkim and drags them out to the front door, before the car takes off again to leave back for Superjail. He pouts at him good-humouredly.* Enough moping! It's time to take care of your factory! *Wheels around him and moves to push him away from the building.* We'll meet back here in a few hours~

Once-ler: Wh- *Lets himself be walked out.* Where are you going?

Warden: Me? *Juts out his jaw as he thinks.* I guess I'll go exploring. We were so busy the last time we came here that I hardly saw any of the town~ *They were too 'busy'.* Now stop worrying! You're draggin' down the vibe.

Once-ler: You want to go exploring the town alone?- *His initial reaction to that-* No. *- and stops letting the Warden push him.*

Warden: Oof! *Crumples into the back of him, not ready for Oncie to stop moving.* *Pouts, speaking into Oncie's back with his nose and eyes visible over his shoulder.* Meanie.

Once-ler: *Looks over his shoulder.* I just don't want you getting into trouble. You'll probably end up punching a barbaloot or something *Frowns as he just put that image in his head. He might slap the man if he dared to harm any of the animals.*

Warden: *Gasps and straightens up.* The very idea! *Huffs with his hands on his hips.* I'll have you know that I am a grown man! *Shakes his finger in midair in a very old-fashioned way of making a point.* I can walk around town all I want completely unsupervised! *He doesn't sound angry, and he's not. He's just doing that automatically-appalled thing that he does.*

Once-ler: *Turns to face him.* Well, from what happened last time, you can understand why I wouldn't want you to be unsupervised around here. No slapping women! Or getting into trouble! This place is my place, it belongs to me its Thneedville. So I'm not letting you go out alone here.

Warden: Okay! Okay, geez, Mister Territory-Pants *Throws up hands in defeat.* What would you suggest? I'm not following you around all day doing accounts! *Grumpy face, hands on his hips.* If I wanted to do that I'd just leash myself to Jared's big, stupid head.

Once-ler: *Huffs in thought and thinks- that’s a good point. Then chuckles at the little Jared insult* It is big, isn't it?

Warden: Like, enormous, am I right? *Measures it in his hands, momentarily distracted.*

Once-ler: *Keeps laughing at him* Haha-! Totally~

Warden: *Frowns* Ababab! Don't distract me. *Grumpy point. However, throughout all this he's still been perfectly happy and in his usual safe half-sane space. No breakdowns or real arguments seem likely. He folds his arms.* Are you gonna arrange me a babysitter or something? *Sounds like he'll put up with it to humour Oncie's 'insane overprotectiveness'.*

Once-ler: Ppppffffff... *Rubs his neck* I don't know any-...I wonder who I could hire... *He ponders for a looong time, genuinely considering hiring a minder for his own boyfriend, which causes the Warden to almost start spluttering in incredulity, and then gives up with a little smirk.* Alright. *The smile drops and he looks him dead-on and serious.* You can go out alone, if you promise not to get into any trouble. No fights, no tantrums, nothing. *Smiles, softening his voice.* You gotta be good and polite and nice to people. You're not the Warden here, okay? You're Edmund Theremiah, so act normal and mature, okay?

Warden: *Squints in submission.* Fiiiine. *Hates the thought of being 'Edmund Theremiah'. It sounds boring and uninteresting, and he takes GREAT pride in never being boring and uninteresting.* Scouts honour. Best behaviour. *Stuffs his hand in his pockets and kicks a rock poutily.* I'll be good.

Once-ler: *Smiles at him calmly* Good~ Because you’ll be in trouble if you aren't, you hear me?

Warden: *Juts out his jaw in grumpiness again.* Yes Oncie. *Deflates slightly.* Stupid Thneedville. Can I go now? *Sounds so childish.*

Once-ler: Here, take this. Then if anyone questions you, you can just tell them that you know the Once-ler. *Reaches into his pocket and pulls out the pink truffula pin that usually goes on the lapel of his green tailcoat. *Strokes under the Warden's jaw and then pulls him into a little peck on the lips. Then tilts his head to the town.* Okay, off you go then.

Warden: *Blinks innocently when he sees the pin and takes it from his hand* Uuh- *The peck comes as a surprise, he pecks back with pink cheeks and a small eyelash flutter, then jumps up and down on the spot a few times.* Yeah! See you later, Oncie! *Pockets the pin and then leaps off to go and explore.*

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

Once-ler: *Stood outside his factory gates in his green suit, all dressed up for opening his factory again. He's holding a pair of scissors, cameras are flashing everywhere and girl are screaming at him.* -And I am very proud to finally re-open the new and eco-friendly Thneed factory!~ *Cuts the red ribbon across the gate. People are cheering and photographers are flashing, journalists go to smuggle him.*

Lorax: *He's sitting on top of a small wall nearby, watching the proceedings. He refuses to go down just yet because he hates publicity- especially after the media circus he was dragged into when Oncie ran the factory before. All that 'Lorax approved' bullshit left a bad taste in his mouth. Still, he looks proud of him now and has already had a peek at all the inner workings of the factory. So far it honestly looks eco-friendly, and so he's very pleased. Cautious, but pleased.*

Once-ler: *After talking to a few reporters, talking to a few fans and signing a few thneeds, shirts, bra's and breasts, he eventually starts to bat a few of the bothersome public away.* That's enough attention for one day I think, thank you all for coming~ Once-ler out. *Enters his factory and shuts the door behind him, letting out a tired sigh as he does, but he straightens and walks to his office. He goes over to his huge balcony and leans over the edge of it, smiling broadly at the very few truffula trees that managed to survive his onslaught and then dropping his smile when his eyes fall on the many stumps he left behind. He chews on his cheek… He should really do something about them.*

Lorax: So! Looks like you managed to turn it all around, huh? *He's above Oncie's head, sitting on the top of the window-frame with his little legs dangling over the edge.* You look tired. You been eating properly?

Once-ler: Hm? *Looks up at him and smiles. He's gotten so used to the Lorax randomly popping up in places that it doesn't make him jump anymore. He can almost predict when it'll happen by now, which isn’t something he can say for the Warden just yet.* Oh, naah, I'm fine. It's just difficult to be in Superjail and have everything else here. *Rubs his face with both hands and yawns out a word-* Tiring. *Sniffs.* All these fans and reporters too. But I can handle them, no problem.

Lorax: *Jumps down and lands in front of Oncie's feet.* Aww, well make sure you get enough Zs, got it? I don't like the thought of you runnin' yourself out. *Turns around to look up at the much nicer factory and gives a low whistle.* You know, much as I hate commerce and capitalism and all that crap, you really have done me proud. This is somethin' good. *After how far they've come together, he knows that those words are ones that will mean the world to him. He looks back over his shoulder at Oncie with a smile.* So where's your guy? He back in that jail of his?

Once-ler: *Smiles broadly at him, feeling very happy with himself that the Lorax feels that way about his hard work. There’s a warm swell in his stomach at hearing those words of pride, and that sort of feeling is so rare to him. He goes quiet for a moment, so happy he's finally been able to please him and hasn't messed up this time.* No, he came with me here. But he's out right now to explore Thneedville. *His voice sounds a little unsure at the end, and his smile has relaxed a little. It's more like a slight mask over his worry.*

Lorax: *Sounds very sympathetic as he groans,* Uh-ooohhh... And Thneedville's still standin'? *Turns around properly to face Oncie as they talk.* Ah, he's probably fine. *Gives him an encouraging smile.* That town is harmless - he's the most dangerous thing in it. You've got nothin' to worry about. *Still sounds more like he's comforting Oncie than actually giving his honest opinion.*

Once-ler: Yeah, exactly! I'm not just worried about him, I'm worried about the town. He doesn't know this place very well and this place doesn't know him at all. *And maybe the fact that the Warden might be the most dangerous thing in Thneedville isn’t actually that reassuring.* But- yeah... I'm sure everything will be fine.

Lorax: And if not, it's nothin' you can't fix. *Gives him a grin and holds out a paw for him to take.* So! You got a kitchen in this place? I'm starved and I'm sure you owe me a meal for somethin' or other.

Once-ler: Haha- sure *Takes his hand but pulls him up onto his shoulder. Then walks back in, removing his hat and placing it on his chair.* So how've you been? I haven't seen you since I got my eyesight back.

Lorax: *Punches the side of his head gently.* And it's damn good to see you... Seein' again! You gave me the shock of my damn life. *Relaxes.* But I've been keepin'. Joints gettin' stiffer every day I swear to God. *Gives a happy hum. As old as he is, he's got a ton of years left in him.* But nothin' much is different. Had to screw with a couple of lumberjacks up in the Arctic National Preserve and then make it down in time to stop an oil drillin' down in the swamps of Tennessee. Whole lotta trekkin'.

Once-ler: *Laughs at his ‘seeing’ joke, and can only laugh more in relief at the fact that whole chapter is over now.* Aaah, man, that sounds like a busy day. *Pulls his gloves off and drops them onto his desk as he walks to the kitchen.* Did you fix it in the end?

Lorax: *Heavy sigh.* Temporarily. They're more thick-headed than you were. *Gives him a friendly hair-ruffle, showing that he didn't really mean it.* Just once I'd like a guy to go "Gee, maybe the little fella is right. Let's all go home and have some hot cocoa." *Pauses, then adds.* "And while we're at it, let's invite the little fella over for that, too." *Frowns* Geez, I really am hungry.

Once-ler: *Laughs.* That's where we're going now. Anyway, it certainly worked on me... eventually. And you can come to mine for cocoa anytime you want~ *Gets to the factory kitchen.* What do you wanna eat?

Lorax: *Jumps onto a countertop.* A cheese sandwich would go down well right about now. *Frowns to add gravity to what he's saying.* A responsibly farmed cheese sandwich. You humans have a way to make everything suspect. *While he still seems very proud and happy for Oncie, he's got the grumpiness of a guy who's just come of a far too-busy day's work.*

Once-ler: Uh- ahaha, sure.*Begins making him a sandwich, sometimes feeling awkward about his race when the Lorax starts complaining about them, but he supposes it’s justified considering what he himself did to his forest. It is the critters job after all.*

Lorax: *Bops up and down on his heels as he waits in excitement for the sandwich.* So how are things with you? Besides being all better? He proposed to you yet or whatever? *Sounds like he's kidding.*

Once-ler: Pfffthbth! *Gets a little embarrassed and shakes his head quickly.* NO! *Gives him the plate with the sandwich on and pouts with a raised eyebrow.* Of course not.

Lorax: *Cackles in a joking meanness before stuffing the sandwich in his mouth.* Well good. You're still far too young! *Points his sandwich at him... or the crust of it, which is already all that's left.*

Once-ler: Thank God! I hope that doesn't cross his mind *Scratches his neck and laughs.* I have a feeling I wouldn't have a choice if he demanded it, if anything because he’s such a romantic and he’d love an excuse to throw a party about us.

Lorax: *Gnaws on the crust of bread.* Would you say no if you had the choice? *Sounds amused and gossipy, but he's always been a little worried about their relationship. Anybody responsible would be.*

Once-ler: *Thinks to himself, tapping his finger on his chin, and then nods slowly.* I know we're like, together and stuff, but just feels weird to get married to a guy, ya know? My mom is really old fashioned in that way, *he sighs,* I doubt she’d ever approve of us, not that she approves of me much anyway. So I guess it's hard to think otherwise. *He shakes his head.* I'm way too young anyway to even think about marriage.

Lorax: *Nods* Smart. Don't tie yourself down to that place. *Still, his expression darkens.* Call me a new-age tree-hugger or whatever you want to call it, but your mom is full of trash. *Finishes sandwich decisively. He's had a long day, and he's not got the energy to put things in a nice way.* You marry a guy if you want to.

Once-ler: *Jolts at hearing the insult to him mom and then panics a little.* Hey! She is not. Don’t say that about my mom. *He’s still in some denial about who his mom really is. He always has been, but at the very least he just thinks it’s rude to say such things about a man’s mother. He’s still finding it difficult to digest what she really is.*

Lorax: Ppft. *Flaps his hand at him but doesn't press the issue. Recently he's been more respectful of Oncie's family- at least when talking about them to Oncie- but he has no patience for it today.* Alright, fair enough. The important thing is that you can marry whoever you want. Whether that be man, woman, or manchild.

Once-ler: *Still tense about that comment, but tries to get back into the conversation.* No- yeah, I know. And it's not that I wouldn’t want to some day... *Gets a little fuzzy feeling.* Like- it'd be totally awesome! I mean- so awesome! *Getting a little excited but relaxes.* And I would, just not now, not this early. I can't get married to someone who won’t say he loves me.

Lorax: *A biiig cat-like grin crosses his face when Oncie gets excited, but it falls immediately when he finishes that sentence.* Wait, what?! After all the crap you've helped him with he's still holdin' out on you?! The jerk! *Dusts his hands clean from crumbs.*

Once-ler: *Looks back at him wide-eyed and quickly realises he said that wrong, and tries to correct his screw up.* N- no, no! I didn't mean it like that. *Trots forward and puts his hands out to the Lorax* He does love me! He just cant say it. But he does. He definitely does! But he can’t admit it.

Lorax: *Squints at him, not sounding very pleased.* Explain.

Once-ler: *Cowers a little. He has no choice but to obey his surrogate parent now. He shrugs.* He- just can’t. He's very complicated. *He sighs.* Right, this is all very new to him, I think he has a real struggle about saying those words, he seems to think that every time he admits to loving something, he gets punished for it. *He frowns* His dad used to tell him it was bad, that it makes things weak and useless to know love. He trusts me more than anyone but its still in there. *That angry frown becomes a sad one.* I think he thinks that whatever he loves will always die, usually by his own hands, whether that’s forced on him or an accident or… I don’t know. *He looks to him with big remorseful eyes.* I think that’s another reason why he doesn’t want to admit it, I've been in more than enough accidents thanks to him. But he does feel it because he's almost been able to say it to me! It’s just that the words get caught in his throat.

Lorax: *Sighs. He's always had his worries, but he does respect that Oncie can handle it.* You'll be the death of me, you know that? *Gestures for Oncie to come over for a hug.* C'mere. Damn, kid, you've got a whole lot baggage wrapped up in this relationship, huh?

Once-ler: *Enters the hug like a normal grip, but half way though he hears that last sentence and his weight falls onto the Lorax in mental exhaustion. It does take a lot to handle the Warden, along with all of his other work, and he does so well to completely hide it that it never crosses his mind. No-one's brought it up before, not even himself, and to hear the Lorax so perfectly know him and know exactly what he thinks, it makes him drop it all out on him accidentally. Like it's okay for him to admit that it's tiring him. He doesn’t even have the strength to respond to that at the moment, he’s too bewildered by that last comment.*

Lorax: Woooaaah, you're okay. *Crumples a little with the sudden weight, but manages okay and gives him a big hug, stroking his hair gently once he's regained his balance.*

Once-ler: *Nods into him but doesn't leave the hug.* I'm fine- I'm fine.

Lorax: Of course you are. *Continues to stroke his hair, one little hand sorting out any stray flicks while the other just holds him.* But if you weren't that'd be okay too.

Once-ler: *Shakes his head.* It wouldn't. *He's not had a breakdown since he's been in Superjail. It's been a long time since he last snapped. He's had the odd cry every now and then, but that’s about it. It was probably when his dad left, or something his mother did, or most likely when the stocks of Thneeds crashed, not that they ever have in reality. There is always so much going on in Superjail, and as much as it all is too much for him sometimes, it’s as if it’s impossible to dwell on anything for too long because you need to be prepared for the next thing. Maybe that’s why it exists in the first place, to keep the Warden’s mind from thinking too much. In a way that’s good, but at the same time it forces a lot of things to become repressed and compressed, until suddenly, someone’s having a breakdown, whether that’s an inmate finally snapping, Jared returning to tears and drinking again, or the Warden literally falling apart at the seams and going on a crying-murder spree. And it was almost him the other day. If the Warden hadn’t been fixed by that rant then there’s a good chance the Once-ler would have given up too. It’s not just that though… How could he ever have the time to have his own breakdown when he’s so busy trying to help the Warden with all of his?*

Lorax: Kid, it'd always be fine. If it's not fine around your fella then it's always fine around me. I can take it. *Takes Oncie's cheeks and makes him look at him. He's frowning, but it's the frown of a kindly father, rather than any form of disappointment.* Bein' around him has turned you into one a' the most amazing people I've ever seen - he's challenged you and forced you to grow and, *he smiles,* now look at you. All grown up and already too good for anybody I can think of. *Rests their foreheads together, glaring at him straight in the eyes.* I can't tell you how proud I am of you. But part of bein' so strong and so capable is knowing when it's okay to stop.

Once-ler: *He hadn’t expected to feel a lump in his throat, and he doesn’t want to, but everything the Lorax says is exactly what he's been waiting to hear. He lets out a quiet, dry sob as he sighs out and then his arms loop around his fluffy friend and cling closely to him. It’s being told that the Lorax is proud of him, the Lorax proud of him after all he did to the forest, that makes a few small tears prick up at the corner of his eyes.* Th- Thank you, *He sniffs a few times, clenching his eyes shut in an attempt to blink away the tears, but a lump still resting in his throat.*

Lorax: *Gives a short chuckle that rumbles through his fur, hugging Oncie tightly.* It's what I'm here for. *Rubs the back of his head, keeping Oncie tightly pressed against his fluffy, warm body. He lets him sniffle all he needs.*

Once-ler: *Sniff against him and squeezes the hug for moments and then pulls away to wipe his eyes. His shoulders hang heavily but he sighs out and feels a little better.*

Lorax: *Smiles at him in a calm and loving way.* You gonna be okay tonight?

Once-ler: *Nods* I… *His chest shudders with an outward breath and he gives him a weak smile.* I should be.

Lorax: *Chuckles at him.* I'm sure your Warden won't mind. He might not even notice if you don't sniff too often. *Plods over to the roll of kitchen paper towels and tears a piece off, then holds it up for him.*

Once-ler: *Chuckles back at his little tease and takes the tissue to finish up mopping his eyes.*

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

Once-ler: *It’s the evening after the Once-ler had finished sorting what he needed to in his factory, he’s been waiting at home for the Warden, but so far he’s heard nothing from him and he hasn’t returned from Thneedville. He’d tried to contact his communicator but no-one answered, he even went to look for him in Thneedville after work and couldn’t find him, he called Jared just in case he might have returned to Superjail for whatever reason and he was told they’ve seen no sign of him. As much as he wants to helicopter around him to make sure nothing bad is happening, he does want to trust him on his own- he doesn’t want to go back out to look for him and turn the whole town upside down, looking like a maniac in the process. It’s just that it’s getting to the point now, as he paces around the lower ground of his Lerkim and checks his pocket watch while the day gets later, that he really thinks he should go and turn the town upside down. He doesn't know what to do, he paces his living room while trying to think of a solution, his fingertips in his mouth to chew on and his eyes tense with concern. He thought he’d be okay, but now he’s disappeared and Once-ler doesn’t know what to do or where to go, and he has no idea why he let him go alone. He looks a bit of a mess, in his half/half outfit with his braces hanging down from his waist. Too worried to make himself look that presentable.*

*There's a brisk knock on the door.*

Once-ler: *Jumps a little at the knock and then goes over to the door, suddenly feeling a wave of relief as he hopes that that’s the Warden returning after his day out, but then he considers that it’s a little strange the Warden would knock when he would usually just stumble in and announce his presence. Unless he really took what he said that morning in his office seriously. He winces, straightens himself up and tries to make his appearance better, but he hopes to heaven that it’ll be his boyfriend. He clears his throat, and then opens the door.*

*Outside is a stern-looking, boring man in a white lab coat. He has thick glasses and looks like an immovable, business-like sort. He waits for the door to be answered before speaking, being too strict and professional to call through the house.*

Once-ler: *Looks the man up and down with a confused, slightly concerned frown.* Uuh... Can I help you?..

Doctor: *He nods, his face expressionless.* I am truly sorry to bother you, Mr. Once-ler, but I'm here on behalf of the Thneedville Psychiatric Institute. *Flaps his hand a little in small gesture.* Merely a formality we have to conduct, but we have a patient with us who insists that he knows you. You'll understand that we have a number of patients who make claims of knowing celebrities and usually we don't follow these accusations up, but he's been very insistent. *Coolly he reaches into his pocket and brings out the lapel pin that Oncie owns, the one with the small truffula tuft.* He also had this on his possession. We simply want to make sure that he's deluded, for the sake of his ongoing treatment. He claims to be... *briefly fishes for the word,* a jailer of some sort. *Seems a little embarrassed by how ridiculous a house call this must seem.*

Once-ler: *Squints and tilts his head at him as he listens, wanting to ask questions but they get answered straight away. His tongue goes numb, but he thinks for a moment that this could be a misunderstanding, but then he reveals the pin. He stares at it with horror and takes it slowly, his eyes having to be forced away from it to look at the man again. His stomach has been getting tighter all through this explanation, still clinging onto hope that this could still not be real,but his stomach plummets at the last thing said, and he stares at the man it utter shock, feeling sick to his stomach* No- he’s in a-? *He gasps, suddenly knowing what that means. He feels like he might be sick. He snaps out of it, trying to act sensible and try not to panic, but he is, and suddenly he grabs his coat and top-hat* Thank you. *Then bolts out of his house, almost knocking the man over and slamming his door shut.*

*This is his town, he funds all of its institutions, he practically runs it and he knows where everything is and the quickest way to get to places. In just a few minutes he’s at the asylum and bursts in, slamming the doors open as if anyone would dare to tell him not to. He’s The Once-ler, he practically owns this town, he built it into what it is today. If he wasn’t there then it wouldn’t be able to run properly without him, let alone have such a great economy, and everyone knows it. He bursts in, his tailcoat fluttering behind him like a demons cape and his hat stretched up to the ceiling as intimidating as one of his factory chimneys, puffing the smoke he burns to keep all these businesses alive.*

Receptionist: *Jolts upright at the sudden entrance and in a small explosion papers addresses him nervously.* Oh! Mr. Once-ler! Can I help you? *A few people are picking up and moving damaged furniture and strewn documents from the reception area- something akin to a hurricane passed through here at some point. Clearly the Warden didn't go down without a fight.* Th-this is very sudden- do you have an appointment? *Everything here is very normal and grey, though it does have the rounded edges and slightly off-kilter angles and asymmetry of any Thneedville building - nothing out of the ordinary as far as Thneedville goes, very professional. There's a small piece of very worrying information, however. Perched on top of the receptionist's outbox are the Warden's glasses- a glint of bright yellow in this otherwise drab place. Of course he wouldn't be allowed to wear them if he were an inpatient. They'll be taken to a small holding area until he's let go... but that could be any time.*

Once-ler: *He stops for a moment to look at the mess, he doesn’t even have to question it, he knows it was the Warden's fighting back that caused such a chaos and it makes him worry even more. Then he snaps his head over to the receptionist and struts over to her dangerously* Do I need a goddamn appointment?! Do you really need to ask me th- *Then his eyes catch the glint of yellow and they notice the Warden's glasses. His mouth goes dry and his eyes look at them in complete horror. Okay- NOW he’s panicking. And he whispers, terrified* Y- you-... took them off him.

Receptionist: *Recoils a little.* Uh, well yes! Of course! They'd be classified as... as contraband... sir. *Pauses and tries to avoid looking at him head on- intimidated by him immensely.* I assume... that this means you're here to see the man who was brought in last night? The, uh, *makes very, very meek quote signs with her fingers,* "prison warden"?

Once-ler: *Scowls at her when she quotes with her hands and places both hands on hers and pushes them down.* He is a prison warden, and everything he says is the truth. He knows me. *Clears his throat and tries to calm down- this isn’t her fault.* He was brought in here last night you say? Why? What for? *He demands an answer quickly.*

Receptionist: *Panics a little and immediately starts typing at the computer to one side, pulling up the Warden's record.* Oh, um. *Reads, readjusting her glasses* He was found at the scene of a fight. Apparently there were, uh, weapons involved. He was brought here instead of to the police station because... well... *She ducks a little, not wanting to be the one to say it.* He was claiming some rather outlandish things. I'm sorry, Mr. Once-ler, sir, but I'm not legally allowed to say any more than that. *Quickly adds, hoping to get rid of him as soon as possible.* Would you want to be taken to him now?

Once-ler: *Is about to snap more demands but stops immediately at the question. That’s definitely what he wants out of this, so it works to get him to go away* Yes please. Right now.

Receptionist: *Immediately snaps her fingers at one of the men in coats walking around.* Excuse me! Could you take Mr. Once-ler to see our newest patient? He's... uh... *She looks to the Once-ler and then immediately lies to make things easier.* Family! Yes.

Doctor: *He squints at the Once-ler, then takes some documents from the receptionist's desk. He cringes.* That patient? I'm afraid he's not approved for visitation right now. *He looks down at the notes and snaps them to a clipboard.* If you are family, we will require some... *Again his eyes rest on the Once-ler, knowing exactly who he is but being as careful as possible in regards to protocol...* Documentation.

Once-ler: *He doesn't like the way he said 'that patient'. His brow tightens and his shoulders stiffen at the resistance shown.* There is no paperwork because the man is no longer in contact with his biological family. I'm his significant other. We have photos together, his things are in my house, and the fact that you picked him up with my lapel pin in his possession and I'm not charging him for being a stalking fan but instead am here trying to represent him, should prove we have a relationship. *He breathes in a sharp breath and huff it out of his nostrils like a steaming bull. He tries to hide the pain in his next statement.* He has no one but me who can care for him. *He points his finger sharply down at the ground.* I demand to see him!

Doctor: *He appears completely dispassionate as the Once-ler talks, even though he believes the man is telling the truth - he is the Once-ler after all, everyone knows that and this is Thneedville - because this isn't a court of law and he isn't looking to be convinced. There is protocol to follow, documents to be inspected, because if they make a mistake by taking a shortcut then they could be sued into the ground.* You can demand all you want, sir, but I'm afraid that until I see documentation proving that your relationship is as you say it is, we can't allow visitation until he's gone through our screening process. He was violent with the nurses as he was brought in, and we have no guarantees that this won't continue to be the case. *When he says 'violent', it's highly likely that he just resisted them as they dragged him in.* He’s a very sick man.

Once-ler: *Takes a step forward assertively but not aggressively, and he cuts in before the man can really finish.* He won't be aggressive to me! *One eye squints and he snarls,* But alright, if you want to play that game, how about this for 'documentation'. When was your last unscheduled routine humanitarian check at this establishment, huh? *Straightens up and folds his arms.* By Thneedville law you're permitted to accept an unscheduled visit by a city representative to check that the treatments, handling and facilities provided to patients are humane and up to human rights standards at all times. *Places his hand on his chest and raises his eyebrow.* As the city's main representative, I've authority to instigate this operation when I see fit, as well as appoint the individual in charge of carrying it out, which can also be myself. So consider it your unscheduled investigation, and I request to see the most recent and most volatile patient checked into the facility within the last twenty-four hours to best review these conditions. *He frowns.* I wouldn't recommend objecting to this kind of operation, it tends to look very bad for an institution of people holding medical licenses.

Doctor: *His eyes widen. Oh crap. He straightens up coldly, his shoulders drawing back defensively and his chin lifting, and for a moment he looks him dead in the eyes, lifting his head slightly as if almost daring to challenge him before remembering who he is. Cold grey eyes unpleasantly squinting. They haven’t had an investigation in a long time. The cultural era that they exist in Thneedville doesn’t pay much attention to the well being of mental patients, but if he doesn’t let the Once-ler in to see just the one patient, then he might put a bigger focus on them overall. He might take it to the press and demand a large-scale investigation as revenge, but maybe if he’s let to see the one man then that’ll be all he wants. Finally he quakes, watching the Once-ler's bright blue glare, as the math clicks and he feels a tiny shudder rattle through him. He is the Once-ler after all, and he’s caught him in a bit of a tough place with all that practical, systematic business talk especially when he tried to just throw the same at him about protocol. He's forced to nod with a slightly unhappy curl to his nose.* Very well. Right this way.

*The receptionist moves to escort him, but the doctor holds up his hand.*

Doctor: No-no, I'll handle this. Right this way, Mr. Once-ler. *He turns on his heel almost like a soldier and glides on sharp feet down the corridors of the facility. He doesn’t seem particularly happy with the way the Once-ler has worked around the rules, but he can’t say anything, the man is too powerful. Never the less, he is hiding an attitude with a bitter sneer, holding his head up and glaring out the corner of his eye at the businessman. The doctors here don’t like it when outsiders try sniffing around their patients and the facilities, they just want to get on with their jobs, with unfeeling. What does the Once-ler anyway? He doesn’t know better than they could about this sick man and what he needs.* You will see that we have everything up to code when it comes to exiling lunacy. Out here are our less volatile inpatients, but I'll take you to our secure wing where the worst are. You’ll see, since you’re here to review our establishment, that the mad man you’re talking about is in the perfect place. *There’s the tiniest hiss sound from his nose that indicates a smirk. To him, the people here are nothing more than animals.*

Once-ler: *His eyes are just as unfeeling to the man’s opinion or reaction, even more so, because he owns this damn town and no-one dares to look at him like this man is daring to. He either doesn't know who he is, which is ridiculous, or he's the most stupid man on the planet to exist in Thneedville and look down his nose at The Once-ler like that. Especially when he's standing in the way of something the man wants and will take. He won't be stopped, nothing can stop him, the only thing this man will succeed in is guaranteeing to make his own life worse by trying to slow the businessman down. He lifts his own head and if he were some sort of demonic creature, his claws and fangs would be unfurling at him right now; he's lucky that they're meant to be existing in a civilised society else the Once-ler would have torn him to shreds as easily as the Warden does to the prisoners in Superjail. ‘The perfect place?’ He picked up on that vile, snarky tone towards himself and his boyfriend- his boyfriend who right now is vulnerable and suffering in his worst nightmare. One thing is for certain, this man is losing his job by the end of today whether or not he's taking him down to the Warden right now. He could write a very convincing report on him and have it approved in seconds. He's not in the mood to stare down a more pathetic predator that apparently doesn't know what lions nest it's poking at.* Good. *He says when the man states where he’s taking him, the word coming out as a stab as he follows him down.*

*Naturally he doesn't really care about the facility's humanitarian standards protocol right now, the Warden is the only thing on his mind and he wants to go there immediately, he doesn't even look around or pay attention to the man as he describes the hallways, but he will write a report like he promised once he has his boyfriend back, and as he makes his way through the corridors, he does start to see just how miserable this place is as well as hear the distressed sounds groaning from the rooms… It reminds him of Superjail on a slow day. Maybe he should investigate here- the thought comes to mind for a moment.

He's a man of doing things by the books most of the time, if he declares an investigation then he'll follow through, if he promises a report then he'll write one, but that's already played them perfectly into his hands now and he knows it. They might call his bluff here, thinking he's just using this reason as an excuse to get into the facility and humouring it to save their reputation, when really he wont write a report in the end. But they would be wrong to do that, because this isn't just a one-off excuse to get into the facility, he knows full well that he's opened up the door to further threats that he'll follow through with. Oh he'll write a report, and it'll drag them all through the mud so violently that they'll forget their names because his own will be etched into their ID cards like branded cattle.* Mh-hm. And Doctor. *That last comment stings. Do they talk about all of their vulnerable patients like that? He nods his head when he's told they're going to the secure wing. Then he looks to the Doctor and scowls at him like a feral mountain wolf ready to claw his eyes out. If he's going to get what he wants, people here need to remember who they're talking to in this city. He seethes with a dark voice.* Don't you ever look down your fucking nose at me again, and don’t you ever say anything like that about one of your patients either, or you can kiss your medical license goodbye. *He's lucky he's only losing his job, maybe then he'll learn the most blatantly obvious lesson of the town named after the Once-ler's very vision.*

*The doctor doesn't mess around, taking him straight to the room with their most volatile and most recent patient, but he nevertheless points out the important things as they make their way through - maintaining the paper-thin pretense of legitimacy. This place, like all of Thneedville, is filled with swirling tubes, old-fashioned copper machinery, big buttons beside each rounded door with chunky plaques declaring the rhyming name of each ward or in-patient. It's a large place, or maybe just seems that way because of its labyrinthine layout, but beyond pointing out the appropriate security measures, the basic facilities and gesturing towards continued areas of the building, the doctor says nothing. Like all of Thneedville, this place was sponsored by the Once-ler himself to some degree if not designed outright by him, so it's all good. It's just, unfortunately, old-fashioned.*

Doctor: *Turns when the Once-ler speaks to him. He doesn't expect the way in which he's spoken to, or the dark tone of the man's voice, and it honestly shocks him. He definitelydoesn’t expect the cursing, because thneedville is almost ‘family-friendly’ in the way it’s inhabitants barely acknowledge curse words to be a part of language. It makes him gulp. He isn't about to fight the man, both because he wouldn’t be that dumband also because he's a professional doctor in his place of work, and drops his steel-grey expression immediately. Suddenly his ego vanishes over realising how seriously the business man is about all this. He can’t even see what’s wrong with speaking about one of these patients like that- Is he actually going to investigate them?* O- of course, Mr. Once-ler.

*They get to the door at the end of the secure wing - another rounded door with a little, wonky, barred window, with a big red button to the side and a plaque that says 'Max Security'.*

Doctor: Here we are, sir. *He thumps his fist on the big red button, and the door swings open.*

*The Warden is lying on the ground of his padded cell, curled up and facing away from the door. It's difficult to judge what state he's in, but it's never a good sign when the Warden is sitting still. Sitting still and wearing a straitjacket. Only that and the hospital patient uniform, which is a grey and shapeless outfit with nothing to cover his feet. It's the last thing he'd ever choose to wear himself.*

Doctor: I have.. aah.. much to do, and he's not dangerous like that. *Likely he just wants to get the hell away from the lions gaze. He passes Oncie a small buzzer.* Let the nurse know when you're ready to leave- visiting hours shut at six. *Gives a small awkward frown* Usually patients in the maximum security area aren't allowed to have visitors in the first place, but since it's you... *He knows Oncie owns their ass. He won't do anything.*

Once-ler: *He gasps, his heart breaking when he sees that curled up, limp figure, and if he had zero social instincts, he’d have sprinted over and curled over him by now just to hug him up and protect him. Instead he takes the buzzer off of the doctor.* Right. Thank you.*He waits for him to leave and then steps into the room. His face drops at the sight, he can’t even see the Warden yet, and yet he can feel how much confused agony he’s in. Hopefully it'll be somewhat less painful once he knows that Oncie came for him. Taking a deep breath he goes over to him, his feet picks up with a desperate need to be with him but also not wanting to startle him with sudden movement, and squats next to him. Then places a very light hand on the wardens shoulder and turns him over to face him.* Warden? It's me, The Once-ler. *Gulps, his mouth is dry and his heart is racing.*

Warden: *He's easily rolled over, and the scary thing is that he doesn't even flinch at the sudden touch. He's limp and docile even though he's conscious. He does, however, immediately wince and let out a small, pathetic moan when he meets Oncie's eyes and their brightness hurts him. Without any usual trappings - no hat, no glasses, not even any fancy clothing - he just looks like a crazy middle-aged man. Not a rich eccentric, or some wacky visionary. Just a very tired and sad old man. Still, he loosely smiles up at his saviour, even if it doesn't look like he believes the other man is really with him, and even if it almost takes him a moment to recognise him. It’d have taken longer though, if it weren’t for those blue eyes. More like he's humouring his own mental images.* Hello Oncie~ *He speaks slow, like he's having to concentrate in order to form words. He then corrects Oncie calling him 'Warden'.* It's Edmund.

Once-ler: *He can’t stand to look at what’s in front of him and just wishes this was an awful nightmare, his heart pounding in his chest, chased by horror so fast that it’s begging his brain to wake him up. How could they do this? He knows he’s unstable, he knows he has problems, but he still can’t imagine something so bad, so depressing, so directly out of the worse pages of the warden’s worst fate, happening to his little bunny of a boyfriend. He has no idea what the Warden is thinking or what’s going on his head but he can see that he’s been completely sedated by them, bound and left in a dark corner- the poor thing. Once he's corrected and been told to call him by his actual name, he gasps and swallows as his heart thumps with grief and worry. He doesn’t know what that means, what state of mind that means he’s in, but he holds himself together and grips the Warden’s shoulder a little tighter.* O- okay. Um- E- Edmund? H-how are you feeling? *He’s not entirely sure what the hell he’s meant to say here, but it’s worth asking the question.*

Warden: *His body can actually be felt untensing when Oncie touches him - as defeated as he is, Oncie is still his safe place. Apparently it's so deeply ingrained now that it's instinct.* It hurts. *Sounds a little pouty, but not in the usual joking, playful way. It's the pout of a real child who can't handle what's happened to him.* This jacket. *Gives a very half-hearted fidget.* And.... everything is very... dull. *Shuts his eyes tight all of a sudden.* And too close. *Curls up a little more, tensing up again.* Right in front of me. *He has no shield in front of his eyes. Those glasses are a barrier that have always kept the world out, and kept him in a nice fantasy world. Now he's clamped up in a ball, eyes scrunched up closed.* I missed you. *Now sounds slightly blaming. He's jumping all over the place because he can't hold a thought in his head for very long.* Where were you?

Once-ler: *Watches him with concerns and horror, but then that blame comes and hits him to his core. He completely blames himself for the position the Warden is in, the guilt is starting to drill a hole through his chest, he hisses at the grief and pain in his stomach, but having it directly pointed at him by the suffering man makes it all the more real. He messed up. He shouldn’t have let him go out alone, he knew he'd get into trouble and now he might have truly scarred him for life. Sure, the Warden might have been erratic, but he knows how his boyfriend was last time, and he knows his townsfolk, and the only reason why he let him go along was because he was too focused on work. Now he’s kicking himself for it. The business isn’t important, the money isn’t important, this is important! He leans forward and presses his face to the Warden's, sliding his arms around him and squeezing him into a close embrace. He feels cold.* I'm sorry. *He gasps and shakes his head* I’m so sorry. I- I'm here now though. I'm here. And I'm gong to get you out, okay? *He plants a slow lingering kiss on the Warden’s head, one protective and promising, as he feels his throat close up.*

Warden: *Another small, sad whimper escapes his throat and he shuffles forward as best as he can into the cuddling and kissing. He's not quite coordinated to kiss back.* I.... *For a moment he sort of drifts off, like he's lost focus, but then he returns with a small shake of his head - like a nervous twitch.* I always do this. *His voice is quavering and almost a whisper. His body is trembling, too, weakened and reacting unfavourably to whatever cocktail of sedatives they've given him. The scary thing is, though, that even if he weren't drugged he'd probably be just as still and broken.* Why... why can't I handle being Edmund? *Presses his face into Oncie's collarbone. He has this low-grade terror running through him for as long as he's without his glasses, but after a whole day of that he's snapped and this has somehow made him okay to talk while internally screaming.* They said there's no War... Warden... but I'm not good at being normal. S- *He has trouble getting the last word out.* Sane.

Once-ler: *Hugs him tightly and lowers his voice, because that’s all he can do to force it to be comforting and kind rather than panicking. It’s what the Warden needs, but his chest is fluttering and there’s a lump in his throat.* I shouldn’t have said- I didn’t mean- *He tries to smile, feeling guilty for asking him to act normal earlier that morning.* You shouldn’t have to be normal because you're special, remember? I told you, people can’t see that yet. All sane people are boring anyway. *He tries to let out a little laugh but he pauses for a moment as his nose becomes tingly and he wells up. He stuffs his face into the Wardens neck and clings tightly onto him.* You are the Warden, he is real, and so is Superjail, and we’re going to go back there the moment I get you out. I’m going to take you home. I promise. *He searches for the buzzer and presses it to call someone in.*

Warden: *He's too drugged to cry, or even feel much beyond the floaty, hazy emotions he's swimming through right now. But he does feel Oncie's tears.* Don't cry... *Sounds like he's attempting to be comforting, even with his voice sounding half-asleep.* You're not in trouble... *He sees Oncie press the button and foggily realises that people are going to come in and interrupt them. He gives a short, futile, struggle.* No... no don't call them... I need to- There's something I meant to say. *Falters, looking scared.* I think... I don't know. *Winces.* It's hard to concentrate... *Slightly begging sound, like he wants Oncie to fix his head.* Oncie...

Once-ler: *He places his hands on the Warden's face and looks at him with worry, feeling a jolt of sickness as the Warden begs him.* What? What is it? *He breathes in and out heavily.* I- Its okay. I'm still staying here with you. I wont move an inch, so then I need them to come to me because I won’t leave you, okay? *He pulls him into his chest again and cuddles him. He’s going to fix this. He swears on his life that he’s going to fix this.*

Warden: *Looks very troubled, but also like he's somewhere else. He's not able to fight the drugs combined with the protective fog his brain is trying to wrap itself up with. It won't let him come to his senses, because if he actually realises what's happened and where he is there's no telling what sort of damage that'll do to him. He's already been utterly destroyed- this is his mind's last-ditch defense effort.* It's just... I...

*At that point two nurses come to the door and hurry in. The door is swung open, and just as the Warden immediately sees them, he pushes his head into Oncie's shoulder, diving as heard as he can into his protectors arms for safety and in a desperate attempt to express how much he needs him. He's so scared of them.*

Warden: I LOVE YOU! PLEASE DON’T GO!

Once-ler: *His breath chokes in his throat. It's as if everything’s suddenly gone silent, like time has stopped. For a moment he really thinks he’s in a dream, some twisted thing that is part nightmare and part everything he’s wanted to hear. But it’s not. The Warden said it, and he said it during the most devastating and horrible situation possible. He said it because he's frightened and confused and desperate, desperate for Oncie, the only thing that he recognises and trusts and loves, to save him from the white-coat monsters coming to hurt him again. His heart skips a beat in that moment of the world pausing, and then suddenly races forward as he comes back to reality. Emotions soar through him, grief and love, guilt and gratitude, horror and hope, and he wells up with large flooding tears as he clutches his soulmate so tightly in his arms that they’d have to kill the Once-ler to pry the Warden from him. Out of his cold, dead, greedy fingers, like all of his riches, except this man is infinitely more valuable to him than any dollar bill or any shining jewel.* I love you too! *He gasps* I love you so much, Edmund! I’m not going, I’m never going! I’m staying right here with you forever and I’m going to fix this, I swear! *He suddenly looks over his shoulder and snaps at the nurses like a feral animal.* GET ME HIS GLASSES! Don’t you dare even think about denying me!! *He’s never sounded so furious and threatening before, but he could make their lives a living misery if he wanted to, and if they do not obey him right now then he will certainly rain hellfire upon them all.*

*The nurses gaze at him wide-eyed - at the whole situation, really- and then scatter like frightened gazelle. The Warden will be getting his damn glasses back. There is no question about that.*

Warden: *Has his eyes tightly shut, not at all scared of the way Oncie is shouting. But he's still overwhelmed by this whole situation and has no energy or lucidity left in him, so he clamps up and burrows himself as close as he can into that hug. His emotions are still dulled by everything, but hearing Oncie talking to him - saying that he loves him and is going to take care of him and that he's never going anywhere - is affecting him so deep down that he starts crying even when he doesn't directly feel the emotions he's supposed to. He doesn't wail or sob, he just wells up and the tears stream freely. The emotions are so deeply there that even when he can't think about what it means, or even consciously feel them, his body reels under the effects of it all. He knows what he’s meant to do here, what his body wants, and what his heart needs to express, even in all the brainfog. He sniffs heavily, and a small pant of crying does make itself heard. It's a single bleat, a shudder of his shoulders, and it's all his damaged mind has left to give. He loves him, that’s all he knows to be real when he has nothing left, that’s what the thing that makes sense and knows to stay, and he’s so relieved Oncie is here.*

Once-ler: *Strokes his hand through the Wardens hair and rocks him back and forth, his chin protectively hooked over his head as the tears stream down his face.* Okay- *Sniffs again and leans down to plant kisses on the Warden's head, talking into his ear and doing his best to deliver as much comfort and love to him as he can.* I love you too. *Kisses him again and repeating the words as a mantra.* Everything's going to be okay, everything's going to be oka- ay.

Warden: *Nods pathetically into his front, trying to believe him that things will be okay, because the only hope he can hold onto now is that he trusts Oncie. His facial expression is blank, even though so much stuff is churning up inside of him. Oncie smells so familiar this close, and that particular sense is a vivid experience in his current state. Fresh grass, butterfly milk, sweet flowers, the forest- with a hint of smoke and copper from his factory, and a faint smell of the signature cologne he wears for business. It’s the most perfect scent in the world because its his, and it’s a lifeline for his muddled synapses to cling onto. He never wants to be let go from from this.*

*The nurses scurry back down the corridor for the glasses, they didn't even ask permission to take them from the front office - they just want to swipe them so that they can hand them back to the frightening man - but run straight into the doctor who brought the Once-ler here. He frowns and shakes his head - no. They're not giving an unknown and dangerously unstable man anything that can be broken into shards. It's policy. One brow raises up from behind his thick glasses, reminding them that this is their job, and they're not just here to placate the guy making the loudest demands in the room.*

*Besides, he thinks. They're just glasses.*

*The nurses twitter amongst themselves, because nobody wants to go back in there and tell him. As they twitter, one sneaks past and dashes for the front office because maybe if she can smuggle them in, the Once-ler won't fire her at least.*

*She gets to the front desk, reaches for the glasses stacked on top of the filing cabinet, but is then stopped by a wiry hand with sharp nails. Jumping a mile, she looks up into the eyes of a very severe-looking woman with horn-rimmed glasses, a grey beehive hairstyle, and a long, pristine white coat.*

Female Doctor: What do you think you're doing?

Nurse: Th-there's a very upset patient who needs them, Dr. Zazzerzump! And... *she hushes her voice* Mr. Once-ler demanded we get them!

Doctor Zazzerzump: Mr. Once-ler 'demanded', did he? *Her birdlike face hardens like thunder.* Is Mr. Once-ler the Medical Chief of this hospital?

Nurse: N-no Doctor. But none of us want to be the ones to go in and tell him-

Doctor Zazzerzump: Oh, for goodness' sake. *She storms past the nurse with clipped, high-heeled strides and heads straight for the secure wing.* And Dr. Snickberry-Shoo? What did he say about all this?

*She walks straight past Dr. Snickberry-Shoo as he continues to berate the nurses for trying to get past him. But when he sees his superior come striding past, he takes a step back away from her.*

*This might be the Once-ler’s city, but this is her hospital, and he can’t just waltz in and take a patient from one of their cells like the man belongs to him. His name is on their paperwork now, he’s in their branded straightjackets, he’s in one of their cell rooms, and he has a long, tiring schedule of tests, medication and treatments already being prescribed and planned that’ll last him years until he’ll be allowed to be released. Once he’s proved to be mentally unfit for the outside world, he’ll be institutionalised here, and then he’ll belong to her and to the system.*

*Although relief floods through The Once-ler to finally have his beloved safe in his arms again, this isn’t the end of the road like he hopes. He doesn’t realise the approaching battle coming on the horizon. He doesn't realise what a terrible ending they might be met with if he doesn’t win it. He doesn’t realise, that in a cruel twist of irony, the Warden might finally become the Prisoner.*

To be continued...

[pinkxlicious]

Loveless P.1

Tom Riddle

Doesn't follow timeline

Warnings: Angst, cursing, toxic relationship

Words: 1959

```

It's been three years since you've divorced your husband. Four years since the wedding. Eight years since you first met him. You met Tom during your years at Hogwarts. The two of you were polar opposites, maybe that's why the two of you didn't work out. You were a bright and mostly optimistic Hufflepuff while Tom was a cruel pessimistic Slytherin. But you taught him how to love, sort of. He was incapable to love, but you taught him how to care and that was enough for you. Until his "care" for you turned into obsession, he didn't love you, he was only possessive of you. But you were young and didn't know it then, you're still young now but you've gone through more than anyone could've imagined.

The start of it all was during a potions class when Tom was required to tutor you. You struggled greatly in potions and you were at the edge of failing. Although Tom was reluctant, cold, and monotone with you, overtime you grew on him. The two of you were great friends, you were the only one in the world who had ever seen Tom smile and laugh. Then one night under the stars, after a year of friendship, after a year of slowly breaking through his walls, you kissed him under the moonlight. Of course you felt fireworks and butterflies, but Tom felt nothing but a pair of lips on his. He didn't pull away though, he liked it physically, but not emotionally. The only emotions that submerged from him after that night was possession and obsession. He wanted you to himself but he didn't love you, he never loved you. He was obsessed with your heart but he didn't love it. There was simply no cure for his cruelness, it was something he was born with. He couldn't feel compassion, empathy, anything at all. But you were delusional, you thought you had changed him. You changed him slightly, he became slightly more empathetic and he became better at expressing his feelings. He could pretend he cared, he was so good at mimicking emotions, just to please you.

So after your years at Hogwarts, despite your friends warnings about him, you married him. You married him at the ripe age of 18. You were truly the definition of young and dumb, but who could blame you? He was beautiful, he had a sharp chiseled jawline paired with a dark set of siren eyes. His hair was silky and his Adam's apple bobbed whenever he swallowed. a detail you noticed the first day you met him. But his voice was what you fell for. The sound of hell sounded so similar to wedding bells and the gates of heaven. His voice drew you in, as he spat straight lies about how he loved you so much. At night he would whisper how you made him feel, how much he adored you and the love you gave him. Maybe he really did try to love you, but what he felt was nothing but obsession and the need to keep you forever. But obsession wears off after a while, and that's what happened.

During the year of marriage, you had morphed into someone completely different. It was like you were lost within your body. The only thing on your mind was pleasing your husband, trying to get him to love you, when he never did. You ran around the house for hours on end, cleaning everything you could until the place was spotless. But when Tom came home he just hung his hat on the coat hanger and place alovelesskiss on your forehead and remain mute for the rest of the night. You would tell him about your day, how you took a walk in the garden, and how you went to the bakers and bought him a cake for his promotion party at the ministry. But he barely blinked at your stories. Now that he had you completely wrapped around his finger, he felt bored. You were no longer 15 and giggling at other boys, you were his and only his. He didn't have to chase you anymore, and he didn't have to mimic his love for you anymore. Because no matter what, you would always stick to him like glue and feed off of his validation.

You had completely withered away, you lost all your friends since Tom basically kept them away from you. Your kind and bubbly personality had disappeared into an almost robotic like state. You stopped going on walks in the garden, you had almost disappeared from the face of Earth. It had gotten to the point where people around the small town would ask Tom if you were even alive. You would stay curled up on the sofa thinking about way you could be a better wife, and wonder why Tom no longer loves and pays attention to you anymore. It took exactly one year for the angry, unloved teenager you to emerge to snap you out of your state. Because your 15 year old self would never let this slide. But you were so smitten at the time that even she was long gone and hidden away under a flood of young love and lust. But she was slowly emerging and coming to her senses. It was December 31st, Tom had come home at 11:00pm, five hours later than when he usually came home. And something snapped inside of you.

"Where have you been?" You asked softly but firmly.

"I was at the bar with Abraxas Malfoy," Tom said monotonously, his dark eyes followed until they landed on you. Still beautiful as ever, even when you had completely lost yourself.

"No you weren't. I know you weren't with him because his shop is open until 12:00am for New years. Do. Not. Lie. To. Me." You felt a spark ignite in you, you didn't feel sadness. You felt anger, you knew that you were a trophy wife, you had done everything you could. It was his fault. All the pieces were coming together. "Who were you with? Were you with Ms Lestrange? Your secretary? Or maybe the gardener? Do not test me, Tom. You do not want to know what I'm about to fucking do to you."

"You wouldn't do anything to me, love, you know you love me too much," Tom smirked slightly and came up to you to kiss your forehead, but you swatted him away.

"You know you haven't kissed me in five months, right?" You felt your eyes burn and water, your voice had a slight vibrato. "Five. Months. I thought it was probably because you were always so busy at work and you just forgot. But you are never at work, Abraxas told me that you've been skipping shifts the other day. Care to explain that?"

"Darling what are you implying..." Tom asked carefully, putting on his act of care and cautiousness, but this time you saw right through his facade. You were no longer going to put up with his shit.

"I thought you loved me but you have been acting this entire time. Because you enjoy the feeling of someone wrapped around your finger. All you want is control. YOU CANNOT LOVE. I wish I could've seen that sooner. I gave up everything for you! Did you know I gave up a FUCKING scholarship to America to live with you?!" You said loudly, not yet yelling but loud to get your point across. You had always been a soft spoken person, so this shocked Tom slightly. He was taken aback.

"Now dear, calm down. I'm sorry I lied, I was with a friend we were coming up with new plans for the ministry," Tom reasoned, but you were two steps ahead of him.

"Shut up, actually shut the fuck up. You are NOT going to lie in my fucking face like that. I know where you were. You were with Lestrange, weren't you. I always suspected something but I loved you too much so I pushed it under the rug. But Abraxas told me he saw the two of you together, going to the motel. Don't play with me, I will rock your shit," You warned quietly, keeping eye contact.

"Fine, you caught me," Tom said, all empathy dropping from his voice. His nostrils flared slightly in rage. " But you know why? You are such a people pleaser, how can you expect me to NOT get bored. You are so easy, I got bored. At least Lestrange knew how to keep things interesting."

You were flabbergasted by his words, his words cut through your heart clean. You swallowed the thump in your throat and looked him dead in the eye.

"I was loving you, I loved you so much. I spent all my time on you, I spent everything on you so you could be happy. I wanted to be happy with you, that's why I'm always trying to make things right. But you have done absolutely NOTHING for our relationship. And I wish I've realized sooner, but I never fixed you. You will always be cruel, you have always been cruel. No one can fix you because you are unfixable."

"You are absolutely delusional!" Tom laughed, hard. "OF COURSE I never loved you, I told you that I couldn't love. I TOLD YOU but you thought you could fix me. So I let you, I got a lot in return, not sure about you though."

You pushed him back and ran to the bedroom with tears whelming your eyes. How could you let this happen to yourself? You wished you weren't so stupid and fell for his tricks. You should've known better, you were a tough person, but somehow he had cracked you. You grabbed a duffel bag and stuffed your clothes into them. What made you break was the fact that Tom didn't even call for you. He watched you from the hallway, packing your bags. He knew deep down that he would miss your presence, but he couldn't love. So he didn't care.

You walked out of the room and came close to Tom who hadn't even blinked.

"We're getting a divorce. I'll be staying else where but you'll be expecting papers within the week. I hope you enjoy your life screwing poor women." You seethed, and the stomped on his foot with your heel.

Tom grabbed your arm roughly and pulled you in close, you almost fell. "Don't think you can get away with that." He breathed, though it was lowkey hot you slapped him hard.

"Don't fucking touch me. I'll be back to fuck up your life. I hate you," You said angrily as your tears involuntarily began to fall down your face. Tom wiped your tears almost lovingly.

"Oh darling you cant hate me. You've fallen too deep, I'm sure you'll be back some day,"

"Oh you wish, I'd rather die. For all know you're going to be running back for me because all the other women will leave you. They will all realize you're just a sick fraud with no feelings," Your heart broke a little more as the feeling sank in. You were really leaving him, you were scared but it had to be done. "I have a feeling you're going to do something fucking evil to me Tom, but don't you dare try it because I will win this time."

"If you think you can win over me? We both know that I have you wrapped around my finger and you will always come running back to me. You know that. I know that. Everybody knows, so I don't expect you to be gone for more than an hour."

"You're full of shit, I'm never coming back."

[aftonsrebuilt]

Oh, Brother!

3/10/1982

Pp. 9-10

[mikerowavedart]

Bunch of screenshots from the WHAT LOVE premiere!

[maze-of-tones]

[devilherself666]

Bakugo X F!Reader

Disclaimer: This will be based on the real world, but they will still have quirks, But just imagine Bakugo being the stepdad to your kids!

Word count: 1312

Warnings: cussing, some fluffy, Bakugo X F!reader 

You were sitting on the couch as the kids were running around playing as it was cold outside, you lived in a house anyway so not as the yelling and stomping was going to bother anyone, as they played you cleaned. As you were cleaning the kitchen you could hear your boy in the front laughing and having fun with his sister. “DIE!” He yelled and you stopped in your tracks, you knew where he learned that, you knew who taught him such things, but you wanted to make sure.

You walk into the front room leaving the undone dishes behind. You walked up to your boy. “B/N where did you learn that?” You asked him softly. “On the news! Katsu always says it! He is so cool!” He smiled brightly, he was really proud of what he said, so how could you be mad at that? That did worry you though. Bakugo has been very distant lately, so you always thought he would be leaving you soon. It hurt your heart that they loved him so much and he was just going to leave like their real dad did. You pat his head lighting. “Just don’t say that in school okay?” You asked. He nodded. “I promise!” He smiled, his sister looked at him and you. “Could you turn on the all might movie for us, momma?” She asked, and you giggled and nodded. You turned on the movie and went back to the dishes as you couldn’t help but let your thoughts take over. Bakugo was gone all day and night, it was as if he didn't wanna be around the kids or me..It did make sense because the man got a short fuse, but when he is around them he is so happy, it just didn’t make any sense to you. You knew he would never ever cheat on you so that wasn’t even on your mind, he was the most loyal man you ever met. Just the overthinking began to hurt why he always let you. 

You look at the kids watching the tv. “Momma gonna take a shower, don’t answer the door, and try not to make too big of a mess.” You spoke lightly as you were slowly draining yourself with your thoughts. They nodded. You walked to the bathroom, you hoped a hot shower would help you clear theses thoughts. You turned on the hot side only as you just jumped in, the burning water hurt but the thoughts before hurt more. As you washed your hair and body trying to relax in the water as you heard the front door open. You knew the kids were listening so it wasn’t them, but you knew who it was when you heard the yelling. “KATU!” “DAD!” Your son was very worried about calling him dad, and that makes sense, because he was scared he would get attached to him and he would leave them. “Where is your mother?” He asked. “Shower. She seemed sad.” The daughter spoked worriedly. Bakugo sighed as he was worried about you too. He walked to the bathroom and opened the door, the steam hitting him in the face like a sauna. “Babe! How hot do you have that water?” He asked worriedly. You sighed as you turned off the water, as you grabbed the towel wrapping yourself in it before stopping out the bath. Your skin was red from the heat of the water, your body was smoking. “I’m fine.” You said with no emotion as you knew the thoughts would return sooner or later. 

You walked past him to the room as you picked out one of his shirts as some short and put them on. Of course he followed, he missed you all day. All he was thinking about was you and the kids all day at work, he was so excited to watch a movie with the family, but after seeing you like this he was worried. He hasn’t seen you like this since your ex left you and the kids. You and Bakugou were best friends before you even thought about dating so he understood you more than anyone else. “What is wrong?” He asked worriedly as he wrapped his arms around your waist. You sighed as you knew the hot head didn’t wanna hear your thoughts and the last thing you needed was him getting mad at you, that is all it would take for you to cry right now. “Nothing.” You shrugged. “Listen here you fucking brat, something is wrong. Now tell me.” He gruffed. You sighed as you shook your head. “I’m fine.” You tried to walk away as he pushed you on the bed and held you down. “Tell me what is wrong, now!” He grumbled. You sighed as you held your tears in. You hated when he fought it out of you, but those times you weren't on the edge, crying was rare for you. You always had a good posture, and a good back bone. You looked down, not making eye contact with the man over you. “Are you just gonna leave?..” You asked scared of the answer. He loosened his grip on you, as he looked at you in shock and disbelief, but he understood the trauma you have been through because of the prick before him. He hugged you tightly as you took in his caramel smell. “You idiot, you are stuck with me, just like you were when we were kids. You are not getting rid of me even if you tried.” He spoke. Despite the insults you knew he was being nice to you, conforming you his best when he knew he sucked at it. You chuckled a bit, feeling better as you hugged him. “Then why are you always gone? Do we annoy you?” You asked as you were slowly stocking his back. “Dumbass, of course you annoy me, but I love you guys more than anything.” He kissed your forehead as he smirked at you. “I am not fucking him! He was a prick. I am a dick! Two different things.” He huffed. You smiled. “Okay.” He looked at you. “Get the kids dressed.” He spoke as you looked at him confused. “They are already dressed, but why?” You asked. “Don’t fucking ask questioned! Have them get their shoes on!” He huffed as he got up off you, still in his hero costume. He went to get a quick shower as the kids got their shoes and coats on. You threw on some sweatpants over your shorts and one of Bakugos sweatshirts over his shirt.

He got out of the shower and got dressed, you all got in the car, as Bakugo drove somewhere, there were lights hanging down from each tree for miles, it was beautiful as you smiled at the view as did the kids in the back ‘Woah!’ He then stopped at the center of the lights, as it was bright. “Stay in the car, I’ll get the kids first.” He spoke. As all you could see in the car was light nothing else. He got the kids out of the car. The kids were amazed as they read the sign as they gasped and the daughter nodded approvingly, as the son looked at the sign and back and Bakugo. He nodded. Bakugo smiled as he opened your door, you were confused as you got out and he took you over to the sign and got down on one knee. “Will you marry me, idiot?” He smiled. You cried; you shook your head yes as you cried hard. You prayed one day this would happen.

[oddella37]

Uprooted an Adjusted: Part One

Neteyam x Metkayina!Reader 

This story is/will be a more long term story because I can't write short stories but I will try to post quickly

Summary: Colonel Quaritch is impatient, rather than continuing to uselessly interrogate the Island Na’vi who are starting to fight back, he decides to take one aboard his ship to guide him to Jake Sully.

Part 2

It was a peaceful day when the sky demons attacked. We had been warned of their attacks, of their brutal destruction. They were searching for a man named Jake Sully. Formerly known as Toruk Makto. He was currently seeking safety with the Awa’Atlu Clan. We were asked not to say where he was located as he only wanted peace. Part of me boiled that while he seeked peace others were being brought war because of this Jake Sully.

The killer sky people came and they took. They questioned looking for the man ‘Jake Sully’. We couldn’t understand many of their words, but many of us recognized the former warrior Toruk Makto. I knew I did. My father died fighting with him. Last I heard we had banished these Sky Demons but, of course, they came back like the demonic plague that they were. This time they disguised themselves like us. Well, not like us from the islands, but like Na’vi. Their leader looked similar to the forest Na’vi, tall, skinny, and a darker brighter shade of blue. He was likely one of those demons who inhabit an avatar body while they sleep.

There was a young human boy who seemed to speak our language and translate as they tried questioning our people. We weren’t the first tribe they invaded, and from what we were hearing each attack was worse than the next. Our homes were blazing behind us as each of us had weapons pointed in our direction. A gun was pointed at both our Olo’eyktan and Tsahik as they were yelled at by The Sky Demon Leader.

After a lot of yelling back and forth and translating from the Na’vi speaking boy, the Demons were getting impatient from our lack of knowledge. Suddenly, the tall leader spoke some unknown words and our Tsahik was shoved face into the ground with one of the deadly weapons shoved into the back of her head. The young boy began screaming and crying and with a loud bang our beautiful Tsahik’s body went limp.

Chaos broke loose as our Clan tried to escape and protect themselves and their families.

I let out a war cry as I turned to my captor who was distracted by the others who were trying to break loose. His grip on my Queue came loose enough for me to turn and bite him with all my might. Once he released me, I took off towards this leader of these Sky Demons. Luckily, I was not  far away as I pulled my blade from its sheath at my side and leaped at the demon.

I did not get far as a fiery jolt was sent through my entire body. It burned and every nerve seemed to go stiff as I cried at the pain. My body hit the sand and just when I thought it was over I was stung again by the powerful, painful jolts.

My vision blurred and I could not make out any sound but muffled cries from my people, my family. My eyelids felt heavy and although I fought the exhaustion that took over my body, I could not stop its effects as my consciousness left me.

I awoke in an all metal room. The floor was hard and so was the seat I was in. I stood to free myself when I found resistance from my own hands. I found they were bound to the table I had been laid against and began pulling at my restraints.

I stopped when the noise came from behind me and I looked up to see a reflection of the human boy. I hissed and jumped onto the table, turning to the demon boy.

The demon held his hand up in surrender, but I refused to back down.

“I do not want to bring you harm,” he tried to defend himself. His Na’vi was skilled, not awful like the other men who looked more like Na’vi. I did not believe his deceitful words for a second, though, and hissed once again, bearing my sharp teeth at him. He bared his teeth back at me and I couldn’t help but feel impressed by his stance. Almost like he was raised by Na’vi himself.

I examined him further and noticed the faded blue stripes painted on him, he seemed so much like us, but a completely different species.

“These men want to know where Jake Sully is. He is a friend of mine, but their enemy. They think you can guide them to him,” The boy explained to me, “I do not want to help them, but in order to stay alive we must give them what they want.”

“I will give these Demons nothing. I will not betray my people,” I seethed at the boy, “If you are truly friend of Jake Sully you would not help either.”

“I’m only a translator. I am trying to convince them not to hurt more people, but I can only do so much. Please, if you just tell me a direction I can convince them to let you live.” He begged and I scowled at the boy. He had a good reason but not enough for me to help.

“What did they do to my clan?” I asked the boy, my heart filling with dread at the endless possibilities.

The boy was silent. His nonexistent answer, telling me all that I needed to know. “If my family dies for this Jake Sully, let me die with them,” I seethed, sitting on the cool metal table, my arms placed between my legs.

The boy bowed his head and stepped out of the room and as soon as the door closed behind him I began chewing at my bindings, trying to get them loose.

After a bit of my chewing and pulling at my restraints, the door opened again. I looked up to see more of the Demon-Blooded Na’vi in their ugly clothing. My wrists were freed and before I could act they were bound again by the demons.

I hissed as I was pulled off of the table and all but dragged out of the room. A cool metal was pressed to my temple as we walked. Well, they walked, I was pulled.

When we arrived at our destination, I felt as if my heart was ripped from my chest. I saw a beautiful Tulkun, killed by these sky demons. She was being pushed off of the ship to be left back into the water. I felt my legs go weak at the sight. One of our mighty sisters murdered.

“How many must die,” I whispered, a soft sob escaping me as I looked into the lifeless eyes of the beautiful Tulkun floating in the water. I sobbed harder when I saw a young calf swim up beside her and nudge her, looking for his mother to move, make a sound, anything. I stupidly wished she would make any noise as well.

The familiar cool metal was pushed into my temple once again which only made more of my tears fall. The large Demon Na’vi who seemed in charge approached. “Tell us where Jake Sully is or more die,” I was able to barely understand the monster.

“You talk like a baby. A demon baby,” I seethed out as I choked back my sobs. The weapon was pressed harder into my skull as I felt my sensitive Queue get pulled.

“Please just tell them,” I looked over at the familiar voice through my blurry vision. The Demon boy looked so sad, almost like he understood my pain, or tried to.

My lip quivered at the thought of more Tulkun dying. My head fell in defeat. “He is hidden in the Awa’Atlu Clan. East.” I spoke softly.

I listened as the human boy translated my words and the metal was removed from my temple. My body wracked with more sobs as I knew this would just lead to just a much death, but hopefully this death would have an end.

Hopefully the mighty Toruk Makto would defeat these monsters.

[bubblevai2022]

Tamagotchi disaster part 1. I saw the music video of angel dust and it was bop!😁👍, I can’t wait for the series to come out soon and I absolutely loved Blake Roman’s voice as Angel dust….i’ll miss Micheal playing as him😭

[dinnickhowellslikes]

[4yuel]

@hushshu //@dearest-gloaming //@isthatanjj

[nvaelahrn]