#The Eggs aren't dead to me. That's just a fact.

[shikai-the-storyteller]

Dragon eggs take a long time to incubate, and an even longer time to hatch. Longer than most human lifespans.

There were dragons living on Quesadilla Island, and dragon eggs discovered in an abandoned nest, once upon a time.

The Federation conducted many experiments on these eggs over time, but a few decades after their discovery, they suddenly woke up.

Not hatched. Woke up.

These Eggs were sentient and had their own personalities – their own thoughts and emotions. They were more than the Federation was prepared to handle, so they assigned island residents to take care of them.

But after a year, one by one, the Eggs fell back into a deep slumber.

Time and time again, this cycle repeated. The Eggs woke up, the Federation invited residents to take care of them, and after a year they would fall asleep.

This time was a little different.

Perhaps it was because of the Islanders, or perhaps it was because of the Eggs themselves. Either way, the Federation never figured out the catalyst. It was not in their nature to understand anything outside the realm of fact and logic.

One year passed, one year full of adventure and danger, and not every Egg made it to the end. But the bonds that came from that year, and the families and friendships that formed, were stronger than any other that came before.

But a year passed all the same, and though the Eggs never remembered their previous awakenings, somehow, they always knew when it was time to sleep.

There were tears and hugs and promises made, and the Islanders’ grief was rivaled only by their love.

One by one, the Eggs slipped back into their long slumber; some on their own, and others with their parents by their side. The Island was quiet without their presence. It always is.

And then the first Egg hatches.

The first parents who notice the cracks fear the worst — until they see something poking through. Claws, tails, wings in some cases, horns in others, but all with scaly snouts nosing their way out of their shells. It’s a little unnerving, watching pieces of what they once considered their child falling away, but a shell is only ever that: a shell. Something new was always meant to take its place.

As for what happens next?

Some left the Island with their parents to see the world while others remained, waiting for their return, completing projects with their guardians or raiding dungeons for the sheer thrill of it. The world was a wider place without the fear of death looming over their heads, and they will never again need to fear it.

There are endings, there are ‘ever afters,’ and there are stories still being written long after a book is closed. Know that they are happy in this unwritten world, for they are finally free to choose their own paths.

No matter what the future holds for these dragon children, it will always lead them back home to the people they love.

[birdkatze]

"But werewolves aren't real?" || werewolf! 141 x werewolf! reader Part 5

Future pairings = poly 141 x reader

Chapter pairings = everyone but Ghost/reader

Words = 1.3k

[Chapter 4] --- [Chapter 6]

Summery: After moving out of the big city and into the forest, you meet some men that might have some awners about whats been causing your pain.

Explicit under the cut

The creaking door causes Gaz and Soap to rouse slightly. You were still dead to the world and remained asleep in their arms. Both of the boys sandwiched you, keeping you warm and content as you slept, your arms wrapped around Soap as his head rested against your chest. Gaz was wrapped around your back, kola’d onto you with his face nestled against your neck.

Gaz tilted his head to the door and glared before closing his eyes again, already knowing from footsteps alone that Ghost and Price were here. Gaz didn’t get up, he was too comfortable and content to greet the two men. Ghost and Price were already on Gaz’s bad side and he didn’t feel very keen on forgiveness after last night.

The lingering scent of pain and sadness certainly didn’t help Price and Ghost’s case. The two men looked in, staring at Gaz, Soap, and you. They quietly walked down the stairs leaving the room the smell of guilt rolling off them. Closing his eyes, Gaz dozed back off happily.

Late in the morning, Soap started to wake up. His eyes looked around blearily, quietly grumbling  as he tried to fall back asleep. Then he caught the scent of Price and Ghost and sat up gently pulling away from the bed and quietly walking out of the room but before he could Gaz whisper shouted “Get some food goin’ and send Price and Ghost shopping..” before tucking his face against your shoulder again.

About 30 minutes later you started to rouse, yawning as you curled up against Gaz grumbling as the sun shined on your face.

“Duuuuuck” Gaz says in a soft sing-song voice “S’ time to get up..”

“Don’t wanna…” Whining you turn over to look at Gaz, unfortunately you felt too hot and didn’t have an ice pack in the bed. Pouting you mumble “fineee.” 

You and Gaz climb out of bed, “How do you want your eggs love?”

“I’m not a fan of eggs, um but I kinda like the kind with the runny center?” You look at Gaz unsure, you probably needed the protein but eggs just tasted bad in your opinion.

“What do you like for breakfasts?”

“Chocolate chip pancakes.” You admit feeling a bit embarrassed your favorite food was still chocolate chip pancakes.

 Nodding Gaz kissed your temple gently before walking out of the room in front of you and damn that ass. An odd anxiety passes over you as you stand alone in your room, the fact that Soap and Gaz weren’t in your sight was making you feel terrified.

As you went to the bathroom you tried to hurry through your skincare and peeing. You felt sick with fear as you finished up. Quickly putting on a robe you walk down stairs feeling drained and exhausted from last night and yesterday. You could have never predicted the events of yesterday. Jesus, werewolves being real? Four terribly attractive men waltzing into your life and all of them having the fattest asses known to mankind? The situation felt like a horrific fever dream.

Down stairs you find the other three, Price and Ghost sat at the table looking guilty. Soap was only covered by an apron, it was black had red ruffles and bows along the edges and straps. When Soap turned around to face you the apron read Don’t kiss the cook…Bend me over. Soap’s eyes lit up as soon as he saw you. If he had a tail it would have been wagging.

“Duck!” Smiling excitedly, Soap looked like he wanted to be right next to you and given the events of last night you also felt the same. “Your food is done!”

Sitting down at the table you smile at Soap preening under his care. It soothed the anxiety you had felt upstairs. He placed your food in front of you and it was chocolate chip pancakes! You look at it surprised, where had they gotten the stuff to make pancakes you hadn't had time to go to the store with how yesterday went.

“We got your groceries, Love” Price spoke up gently. He looked like a sad guilty puppy. It was shocking how Price and Ghost could look that way, both giant men who came off as unremorseful at first glance but now they looked like guilty puppies.

The glare Gaz kept shooting them was scathing. He looked so angry with them and was not afraid to make it clear. Gaz sat next to you and looked at you softly “Made them get ya the food on your list.”

You nod digging into your pancakes. Soap finishes up making breakfast for everyone fairly quickly, plating up the food and distributing it amongst the pack. Gaz’s plate looked scrumptious, everything looked perfect. Soap’s looked the same, the eggs were fluffy and the bacon was his and Gaz’s preferred crispness. Price and Ghost’s plates looked less than good, with the eggs looking flat and a bit burnt and the same with their bacon it was badly burnt. 

Breakfast was a quiet affair as everyone dug into their food. Surprisingly Ghost and Price cleared their plates, wolfing down the food quickly, so they didnt let it stay in their mouths long. 

After breakfast everyone went to the living room with Price and Ghost sitting on the floor and you, Gaz, and Soap sitting on the couch. Both of the men bracketed you, leaving you nestled between them. Gaz had slipped on some boxers at some point but Soap stayed naked looking fairly comfortable where he was.

 “What happened last night?” You ask confused looking at all of the men.

Gaz answered quickly “You dropped, happens when a pack or an alpha comes in and takes care of you and then leaves” Gaz glared at Price angrily, huffing “It’s rough and I’m sorry that you had to go through that, Duck, it wasn’t good of us to do that to you..” kissing you temple Gaz slowly mellows out a bit.

Looking at you sadly Soap rested his head on your shoulder, “It was a bad Duck, I’m glad we got there when we did…” 

Bristling Ghost and Price were starting to get frustrated. Ghost huffing angrily “Enough, we get it we should have stayed but fuckssake how were we supposed to know. We shouldn’t have had to take care of a stranger because contrary to either of your beliefs we don't owe Duck anything, you both disobeyed your head-alpha and now you are climbing all over this mingin’ slag! This is ridiculous!” Ghost looked at you with so much rage you shrunk into yourself, he said the nickname that Gaz had given you in a mocking voice, his teeth were bared and looked angry. Looming over you and the other two on the couch he growled “Th-”

Before he could start Gaz was on his feet and pushed Ghost back snarling at the alpha, “Step the fuck back Simon. You don’t understand and you won’t fucking listen, Duck is an omega can you get that through your thick fucking skull? Hmm? Do you not remember how I was when I joined you and Price? Fuck can you think before you speak, god you have no empathy or sympathy. Duck was in a dangerous sport-” Gaz frowned looking at Ghost betrayed and frustrated “God you are a shit alpha, go back to the den and figure your shit out because this is unreasonable and horrifying you freak” Gaz was shaking with anger “Look at Duck, their shaking! Can’t you smell the scent of fear, the smell of agony and sadness? No, no you can’t because you don’t actually want to listen! I can see why nobody wanted you as pack for so long. Get out!” Gaz pointed to the door enraged. 

Ghost chuffed “You three better ‘Give your 'ead a wobble and get back to the den tonight. I’ll be at the shop.” and stomped out, Slamming the sliding glass door. 

You were curled up shaking and looking terrified, Soap had pulled you onto his lap and had his arms wrapped around you. He reassured you softly, gently rocking you in an attempt to calm you down. 

Gaz sat back down and turned to Price “What do you have to say for yourself?”

“I'm sorry.”

[opiopal]

Are we sure demons are even mammals? Their human forms are for hiding among humans, so they might not have the less obvious functions. We know Lucifer had 12 wings, but his angel form only shows six, implying that that is at least one more "truer" form, which could also be the case with demons. The truest form of a native demon might use an alternate method to feed their young.

this actually got me thinking more about it, so I started to think about their demon forms since that would probably give more answers,

so lucifer and mammon are birds, peacock and crow, so they would tend to eggs, so no need for breast feeding birds

levi is a serpent, yes there is sea life that are mammals, but sea snakes are def not one of them, so fertilizing eggs in bunches doesn't require breasts even after hatching.

asmo is a scorpion, I have NO CLUE how scorpions work when it comes to their young but i know for a fact that anything with an exoskeleton.. most of the time isn't a mammal. so again, eggs.

and beel is a bug, I forget if its fact that hes a cicada? thats just what I remember, and cicadas arent mammals so again, eggs

now i tried to search for what satan is since its really unclear(at least to me), if he was a bird like his dadmom then he would probably have wings, but he IS wing. and when I searched I was told unicorn and wolf(ofc his rebel teen emo ass would be a wolf) and obviously belphie is a goat/cow thing, so technically the anti lucifer league should be mammals just going off of their demon forms,

but again no nipples, belphie makes sense cause again, former angel, popped into existance, no mommy for him, but satan was born from lucifer.. technically organically...? (still cant believe mpreg basically happened) but lucifer probably was never intended to have kids from his own body so no nipples, and again satan came from wings, which yeah would all make sense, but then again I circle back to Dia

he's a dragon, yet was born not from an egg, but as a result of a live birth. which resulted in his mother passing away. so I'm still going strong on my dia's not a full demon theory(maybe royal blood makes him appear to be a pure demon?)

and I can also imagine that demons dont have a big powerful form like a "be not afraid" angel does, so lucifer and the brothers prolly had a down grade in the scary physical form factor. prolly another layer to their punishments. (ofc demons still prolly have a big scary demon form, just not as big as a flaming swords with wings and eyes and a booming voice)

and going onto other demons, I can imagine reproduction is very diverse in the devildom. demons who are more reptilian, demons that are birds, cold blooded creatures, anything that wouldn't give live birth would lay eggs, do silly little dances to attract mates, look pretty to attract mates, ect. and obviously demons that are goats, cows, deer, cat, dog, would give live birth. so maybe nipples with demons are like freckles? some people have them and other people just dont.

BUT, then again, demons could have only 1-2 animals that relate to their sin, demons of Greed could be crows and foxes, envy is snakes and sea creatures, ect. but then again mephisto is a thing, and he's a demon of pride, so that would make him a peacock like lucifer, but with a lack of a canon demon form its hard to say, but mephisto already shares a hairstyle and boyfriend with lucifer so it would just be mean to have him share even more with him. but than again he could also be a lion? but I dont think that would fit that little gay rich boy at all. But I think it would just be more interesting if a demons form isn't always directly related to their sin so they can be any animal.

all in all, the only thing I think I could come to a conclusion with is that angels aren't mammals. and ofc they wouldnt gain nipples after becoming demons cause how odd would that be? "NOO MY SISTERS DEAD AND IVE BEEN CAST DOWN TO HELL- what are those things on my chest." and with demons it could probably vary from being mammals and not being mammals. but I could imagine its like, 80% of the devildom lays eggs and the other 20% doesnt. but all in all I think demons can do either or, it just depends on what they want to do, get freaky and then give birth or lay an egg and sit on it till it hatches, but I'm sure no demon would willingly give birth if they had the option to just pop out an egg.

or maybe its just my crack theory, two demons kiss and get freaky then 9 months later a baby pops out of thin air, magic baby!

[grandlinedreams]

| i'm sorry lmao i cried writing this

[Heads up!: mention of blood, death, not really a good time]

Dying hurts.

Are you dying? You didn't think it'd hurt so bad. You can't even tell where the worst of it is coming from, only that it radiates from every pore. 

Your footsteps are unsteady, a staggered pace that breaks when you trip over a rock. Without the strength to correct your balance, you topple to the ground.

Something warm seeps from your stomach. It leaks from your mouth too, making your mouth taste of copper. You cough, and red spatters the ground. 

I think I'm dying. Somehow, you roll onto your back, press a hand to your abdomen. Your fingers meet jagged skin and raw muscle beneath, coming back wet with bright red. Not good. 

You stare at the robin's egg blue sky, cloudless ㅡ somewhere around here is the ship you should be on. You need to make it back, they're going to worry if you don't. You can't make them worry like that.

I need to get up. You can't move, blinking slowly. A bird calls to another as it wheels overhead, wings outstretched. You need to get up.

It hurts to breathe now. It burns in your lungs, rattles in your throat. You know how the fish Sanji caught the other day feels now ㅡ wide eyed, gaping soundlessly. 

The others are going to worry. Your eyes close. I'll just rest a second. Then I'll get up.

ㅡ 

"Are you gonna get up or not?"

Your eyelids twitch at the sound of a familiar voice, the chorus of birdsong above, the warmth of the sun on your face. Someone nudges your side with their foot. 

"Come on," the same voice coaxes gently, "get up." 

Your eyes open, locking with a set of familiar brown ones. Too familiar ㅡ especially with the curls of dark hair above, the spatter of freckles below.

"Am I dead?" 

Ace blinks before he grins, head tipping with a laugh that makes your chest squeeze. "No," he answers, extending a hand down to help yank you to your feet. "Not yet, anyways."

Dusting yourself off, it takes a second for Ace's words to click. "Wait. What do you mean yet?" 

Ace eyes you in a way that makes your skin crawl ㅡ somewhere between knowing and hesitant, and all together melancholy. "Come on," he says, "we should talk about this."

Ace, for all the ways he should not be here in front of you, is as solid as you are when you reach for his hand again. Nevermind the fact he'd helped you up ㅡ the warmth of his palm is a welcome comfort, picks at the scabbed over ache you've been nursing for over two years. 

He died. You know that, much as it still rips you apart to think about it ㅡ Portgas D. Ace is very much dead.

So if he's here, what does that make you?

ㅡ 

"You're not dead," Ace says, watching you over the wild tumble of flames that make up the fire he's made. Above, the sky has bled to a milky dusk, the downward creep of the sun making you shiver. "Not yet."

"You said that before," you say, eyeing him with no small amount of confusion. "Then where am I? Why…how are you here?"

There it is again, that sad look. He knows something you don't ㅡ and it bothers you. "Just spit it out, Ace."

"You're not dead," he repeats, "but you are dying." 

You blink. "Very funny," you say, even though there's not a shred of amusement in Ace's eyes or his expression. "If I'm dying, how am I here? Where ㅡ where are we?"

"Think of it as the in-between of life and death," he says. "A rest stop of sorts." 

You stare at the fire, reach your hands out to it and savor the warmth of it. "And you…?"

Ace's eyes gleam in the firelight. "I'm here to guide you," he answers. "You'll need to decide whether you want to stay or go, [Name]."

ㅡ

You aren't a stranger to death. You've seen it before, been the dealer of it ㅡ and had your own close calls.

But never like this. 

"It's a lot to take in," Ace soothes, fingers drifting through your hair like they used to, and you hum. "Trust me, I didn't think we were going to meet again like this."

You tuck your knees tighter to you. You don't need to ask if Ace saw something like this. His death was fast ㅡ and your chest aches as emotion rises, makes you tremble with it. "I missed you," you start, voice wobbling. "I've never stopped missing you."

"I know."

"You left me," you choke, "you and Pops left…everyone left me." 

Ace reaches for you, gathers you into his lap, lets you bury your face into his neck as he presses his own into yours. "I know," he breathes, "I'm so sorry."

You sob. It's loud and with abandon, the way you'd wanted to two years ago but couldn't ㅡ you'd been left to be strong instead of grieve, to pick up the pieces when all you wanted to do was fall apart. 

Ace holds you, rubs your back as you hiccup and choke, take shuddering breaths. He whispers apology after apology into your skin, presses kisses the way he hasn't been able to in two years. 

You cling to him like a lifeline, desperate fingers curling against his back. "I don't want to go," you mumble, and he doesn't have to ask what you mean.

He kisses your cheek, tries not to think of the other things he knows ㅡ the desperate hands trying to keep you tethered to the land of the living, pleading with you to stay. Begging, because you're part of another family now, and they need you. 

He holds you to him, clings the way you do to him as he closes his eyes. "I know," he says, "I don't want you to either." 

ㅡ 

Ace can't let himself be selfish. He's aware of that, that he can't demand that you stay or go, that it has to be your decision. He's only here to guide you, be a comfort for as long as you need him. 

But it's hard to keep that in mind when it feels like this is just as it should be ㅡ you and him, as if nothing has changed. As if he hasn't been dead for two years, and you aren't about to join him.

He should tell you to fight. Tell you that there are people who still need you there, that somebody needs to look after Luffy. His crewmates are there, of course, but you're his last connection to Ace. 

He's heard you every now and then when he's been allowed to peek in, the stories you tell Luffy when things are quieter, when you can tell Ace's absence is weighing on him. 

He should tell you that knowing his brother as he does, you've become a sibling to him ㅡ and now you're setting him up for loss all over again. And it's not fair.

But you need to make a decision. Tip the scales one way or the other instead of teetering in the middle. 

"How long has it been in…" You hesitate. "You know."

Here ㅡ limbo, as Ace called it ㅡ you get the feeling time creeps by slower. You've only been here a day, but what about where your actual body is?

Ace seats himself next to you, watching as you kick your legs over the edge of the outcropping, the trickle of pebbles that tumbles down. "A couple of days." 

"Mm." You flop backwards, arms eagle spread as you stare up at the sky. "What happens if I decide to live?"

Ace copies you, finds your hand to intertwine your fingers. "Then you disappear from here. You go back." They need you.

"And if I die? What happens?" Your head turns, eyes locking with Ace's.

His fingers curl around yours. "Then you stay here with me." He pauses. "Well, not here, but…yeah. You come with me." I need you. 

You sigh. You should want to live. You should want to fight tooth and nail to get back where you should belong.

But you're so tired. And you've missed Ace ㅡ missed him every day since you lost him. You watch another bird circle overhead, the spread of sleek feathers. 

"I think I know what I want," you say softly. It makes your stomach twist, your chest ache ㅡ but you're making the right decision, you think. You hope. Your fingers curl around Ace's. "I want to stay." 

A lifetime ago, you told Ace he looks prettiest when he smiles. And he's smiling now, even if it's ultimately a little sad, because he knows what you mean by that. 

He sits up and pulls you with him, lets you climb into his lap before he locks his arms around you. You lean back, and he kisses your cheek. "I don't want to be alone," you mumble, and Ace tightens his grip on you.

"You won't be. I promise."

[nico-drawings]

You know, you start seeing a lot of reels and posts and shorts about a series and so you start to watch it. And you see how a lot of people like one character and it is really common to see this: men relating a lot to a male character that is badass and kicks ass and them looking up to him and wanting to be like him. And 90% of the time that character is a fucking piece of shit.

Well nothing could have preprared me for the gigantic asshole that is Daemon Targaryen. It is honestly impressive how many good things I have seen said about him AND HOW MUCH OF A HORRIBLE PERSON HE IS. OH MY GOD. I have heard so much stuff about how much Daemon is a great warrior and how much he loves his brother Viserys and how much he DOESN'T want the throne. And. No. For fuck's sake no. How can people look up to this absolute garbage of a man. I can make a LONG list of the awful things Daemon has done to people.

Season 1:

Episode 1:

- Sitting on Viserys' throne (not that bad, but it shows how much he respects his brother's title)

- Called his wife both ugly AND a bitch (sexist piece of shit)

- Made fun of the death of Otto's wife (Otto is a bastard that deserves it, but he's still an asshole to make fun of someone's mourning)

- Making Otto's knight trip after asking for Alicent's blessing just to humiliate the Hightowers even more (doing so by making the horse trip, fighting dirty is a dick move)

- Made a toast celebrating the death of Viserys' death, even calling him "Heir for a day" to mock him

Episode 2:

- Stole the egg of Viserys' dead son, basically spitting on his death again

Episode 3:

- Beat the shit out of a messanger because the little brat couldn't accept the fact that he was sucking so much at a war that his big brother had to send him reinforcements (yeah he won before they arrived, doesn't change the fact that it was quite literally a reaction at the level of a tantrum)

Episode 4:

- Called his wife a bitch AGAIN and joked about her being probably infertile due to being harsh and stuff like that

- Bringing his teen niece to a brothel, grooming her and having sex with her (hey, it does not matter if morality is different in Westeros and Rhaenera is technically an adult, THAT'S HIS NIECE THAT IS HALF HIS AGE. THERE'S A POWER INBALANCE HERE. AND NO, BECAUSE OTHER CHARACTERS DO IT, IT DOESN'T MAKE IT BETTER. VISERYS CAN GO DIE IN A DITCH AS WELL FOR HIS RELANTIONSHIP WITH ALICENT FOR ALL I CARE)

- Boosting about fucking his niece to her FATHER and then proposing a marriage with her, acting like she's a prize for his success in battle

Episode 5:

- Killing his wife (of course she wasn't manipulable so she had to die)

- Mocking the cousin of his wife about having her inheritance

- Almost started to make out with Rhaenyra in front of everyone at the banquet before her marriage

Episode 6:

Wow, actually nothing in this one. They even kept him from making the same choice Viserys made with Aemma.

Episode 7:

- Fucking his niece again, he just doesn't learn I see. Oh yeah and he marries her. I'm sure they won't be toxic.

Episode 8:

Wow nothing again. Unbelievable, I am surprised. Did his two wives help him become a decent person? It has been like more than 10 years between the start of episode 6 and the end of episode 8 so it could be.

Episode 9:

Nothing again, but he wasn't in it so.

Episode 10:

- HERE HE COMES BACK WITH THE STEELCHAIR! Calling Alicent a whore and telling Rhaenys what she should have done.

- Ignoring his wife screaming for him, what a great husband (god that birthing scene, why jesus christ)

- Basically commanding Rhaenyra's council of war like it's his, just like the conversation with Otto. This doesn't make him an asshole per se, but it is a great showing of not being able to read the room. If the entire conflict hinges upon the fact that her legitimacy is being discussed you shouldn't really talk like YOU are the boss instead of HER.

- Basically saying that Vyseris and Rhaenyra aren't good leaders in front of EVERYONE. This man is not smart. At ALL.

- Chocking Rhaenyra and saying Vyseris' reign was useless. He is pathetic beyond belief.

Season 2:

Episode1:

- Wow less than 5 minutes into season 2 and he's already kicking. Giving Rhaenis orders, undermining Rhaenyra's authority and basically telling Rhaenis that Luke's death is her fault.

- Treating both Mysaria and Erryk like shit.

- Not trying to be there for Rhaenyra for Luke's death not even for a second, not one word, nothing. I understand, Rhaenyra's pain doesn't help in a war, but the war in question hasn't been going on for not even a MONTH. And with the naval blockade and the loyalty of some of the clans they already struck back. You CAN hug your wife for 5 seconds due to the death of her son, you won't lose the war if you do.

- I know some people try to defend him by saying stuff like "Oh he just ordered to kill Aemond". Why would they kill the kid then. I'm not joking, why the kid ESPECIALLY? Do people really think a random rat killer would be smart enough to kill the prince because he, one day, would get on the throne? Why would he even care? Even the guard loyal to Daemon wouldn't care about that. Hell, Haelena would be more straightforward and reasonable for a random person, since she's an adult and she saw them. But no, the MALE child specifically to destroy the bloodline. Come on, Daemon ordered it, "a son for a son", he doesn't care if it's a child. And even if he didn't, and it's a huge if, it just shows how little in control he is. He is not able to do anything right.

Episode 2:

- Throws a tantrum, lashing out to Rhaenyra, insults Vyseris in front of her and basically tells her "You're only on the throne so that I wouldn't, you don't deserve it".

Episode 3:

- Taking an offense in being called "Prince" instead of "King". You are not the king boy, pipe down. The crown isn't yours. Ego piercing the clouds, seriously.

Episode 4:

- I'll give him the benefit of the doubt because he was tripping balls, but seriously? Killing young Rhaenyra? Yeah that's not a good look.

- He told a teen to kill his grandfather, and then said to his face that his family is shit.

- So you DO know that that Psycho of Aemond is basically you but 30 years younger.

Episode 5:

- "Daemon never wanted the crown!" His literal subconscious in the form of his mother (that he was fucking) told him he deserved it more than his brother. What else do you need?

- He scoofs anytime he is remembered that the crown isn't his.

- "The true heir of Viserys" he calls himself, he seems SO loyal to Rhaenyra (that's sarcasm)

Episode 6:

- The allucination with the Viserys conversation due to the "heir for a day" comment made me realize that he never apologized for it. Not once.

Episode 7:

Surprisingly nothing, I mean yeah he killed the Lord of the rivers with Alyn's help, but the man was to going to die anyway so. I don't know if it counts.

Episode 8:

Nothing again, not denying the treason proposal was fishy but at the end he bent the knee so all good.

Now that season 2 has ended and season 3 won't come out for a year or more, the list by episodes is over. I will use this to elaborate my thoughts.

Watching Daemon Targaryen in the series and seeing his reception by the fandom made me realize how the "media literacy is dead" is yes wrong but is also very justifiable as an opinion. Because the Daemon situation is really the last installment of this behaviour, especially from men: Walter White, the guy from American Psycho, hell even Ken from the Barbie movie. How much can these characters been latched onto, been seen as incredible and as a goal, while their entire purpose in the story is to have a giant glowing sign that reads "this is a bad person and this how they fit into our messed up society" or maybe they are part of a story and they are not there to be an omen, but they are very openly written to be bad people. Daemon falls into the second category. He has a very distinct role in the series and that's to be the ambigous guy with a giant ego, always understimating everyone around him, while constantly being punished for such way of thinking and arriving, at the end, at finding purpose in being under someone and serving them. Daemon is constantly dismissive towards other people: he thinks he's beneath everyone and everything. That he can do and say anything he likes. And he gets fucked every single time for it. He thought he could insult Vyseris' child, he got sent away. He thought he could steal his egg, he had soldiers and a dragon at his doorstep to take it back. He thought he could start a war at sea and win easily and he had to use Laenor's tactic to win or use Vyseris' troops, otherwise he would have lost horribly. He thought he could have his way with Rhaenyra, he was banished for it. He thought he could command his second wife, ignore her desires and choose for her, she made her own dragon burn her alive in order to make a choice for herself. He thought he could take revenge for Rhaenyra and hurt the greens, he not only gave an order so shallow that it could have been misinterpreted but Rhaenyra was disgusted by it and it ruined her reputation throught the seven kingdoms. He thought he could make the Blackwoods kill their rivals without a problem, if the young Tally hadn't grew balls the size of Caraxes the entirety of the River people wouldn't have followed him even if the dragon was about to burn them all alive.

THAT is who Daemon is: an incompetent, egomaniac that is constantly needed to be reminded that he ain't shit.

And yet so many people think he's the most badass character in the show. They think he's a loving brother, a great husband, a genius when it comes to war and a great warrior. All of those things, Daemon Targaryen is not.

And if you enjoy him as a character, well I only have one thing to say to you: that's fine. Because Daemon is written BEAUTIFULLY. He is coherent to a fault.

You can see that he loves Vyseris, but he's a psycho that has never respected him so he constantly hurts him because he's a piece of shit.

He doesn't respect Rhaenyra because to him she's always gonna be a child because Daemon is a groomer. She is also not fit to be queen because she's like Vyseris, someone that Daemon never thought to be a good king, and he wasn't entirely wrong. Because, mind you, if Vyseris had a backbone, Daemon would have lost his head. He got too many chances.

Daemon will always envy Rhaenyra because in a way he was always seeking Vyseris' attention, he always wanted to be praised by him, but he always wanted to be praised for being HIMSELF, hence why he never tried to act as Vyseris would have liked. He wanted Vyseris to like Daemon, not the Daemon that acted like Vyseris would have wanted.

Daemon could never be in a good relantionship because he can't respect anyone else outside of himself. His first wife was his equal. In no way that woman would have bent to his will. His second wife was more accomodating, but she had pride in herself and at the end choose for herself. And Rhaenyra? She's supposed to be BENEATH him, he could never accept that.

Daemon can never shut his mouth because to him, being himself is more important than reason. My brother is mad at me for maybe having fucked his daughter? Well I'll double down, I have every right to get her- oh he banished me. The entirery of the conflict revolves around my wife's claim being questioned? Well I want to fight this war in this way, so I'll give orders, go to Harrenal to build an army and win by myself- oh one of her council members has come here to ask me to betray her and lead the war because he doesn't believe she's good enough to lead.

You can almost always predict Daemon before he speaks or acts, that's how well he was written. And it is also very EASY to see how he was written. Seriously, his actions are up there, they have been documented episode by episode, if you still don't see it I don't know what to tell you. Anyone that has seen him throw a fit for not being called King is seriously still trying to say that he didn't want the crown? HIS FIRST SCENE IN THE ENTIRE SERIES WAS HIM ON THE IRON THRONE.

ONLY. And I repeat, ONLY in the last episode Daemon has let go. Only then. Because he finally realized, due to the visions: "Okay I need to get my shit together, this is bigger than me" and it took a vision of quite literally zombies killing a dragon and marching towards the world of the living to make Daemon Targaryen lower his head.

I repeat: this is not a post about Daemon being a shitty character and me saying that his fans are dumb. It is, however, a post about how men have, once again, latched onto a toxic and objectively bad male character in a show and ignored 90% of how he was written in order to have a cool character to kin. It is also about people not being able to. Understand writing because saying "Daemon never wanted the crown" is like saying "Aegon always wanted the crown" and I think we all know he never wanted it.

Also also, this post, about making a list of all the bad things a character has done, can be done about a lot of other characters, I am aware. But no other character in this show has been read as wrongly and has been lifted so high as Daemon has.

[henrysglock]

Mother is God, In The Eyes of a Child

This has got to be my farthest-fetched theory, and its more of a collection of observations that weave together than an actual theory. However...there's something distinctly weird about all this.

It started here:

Max steps on spider egg sacs in Vecna's mind lair, and the babies spill out.

"If there's a spider, you're never gonna find it 'till it lays eggs and the babies spill out"

Then Vecna killing Patrick while looking distinctly like a spider on a web, a direct comparison to those black widows.

And I talked in the discord chat talking with Em for a while like. They. They wouldn't. Right? And I've been sitting here thinking about the last time I said "they wouldn't...right?" So here we go.

"Of course you have a mother. You couldn't really have been born without one."

But Mama is dead...

just like One doesn't exist.

And whoever you are, either you aren't home (which, you're "Terry's daughter" in Terry's home which was decorated for you in hopes that you'd come home 🤨)...or you aren't Terry's daughter.

but wait: Mr. Mom? Perfect!

Mr. Mom...which leads straight to the lab going haywire:

Because of the Mind Flayer, who we know is (most likely) a version of Edward.

And "sleepyhead" is a parent thing...but it's specifically a mom thing, and it comes from the guy who's likely Edward. Why are you, as a man, so distinctly mother?

And so I'm looking at all of his God coding:

And I'm looking at his talk of spiders, particularly black widows, being the gods of our world:

There's also this particular dialogue parallel with Carrie's mother:

As well as Black Widow "God of Our World" 001 and Henry "Sensitive (Gay) Child" Creel, framed this way in back to back shots.

One of them has the rainbow flag and the other's got the black widow spider, makes sense...right? (Sure. Except not really.)

He also has a ton of God coding in his music choices:

Except, when we look at the songs he alone or he and El are overlaid with...Akhnaten is functionally a mezzo-soprano. In the pieces we hear specifically, Akhnaten sings in the same range or higher than Nefertiti.

Which then gets me thinking about the Silent Hill parallels (that Em has talked about here), and specifically this one line of dialogue from Dahlia:

And the fact that every single black widow spider reference regarding Henward/Vecna/001 has been about female black widows, never male ones:

As well as a good portion of his rant being about:

- Being vaguely broken (what's wrong with him is never said) - His kinship with spiders (specifically the female black widows) - Society's oppressive made-up rules - Being forced to pretend (unspecificed as to what, exactly, he's pretending about...all we get is "a silly, terrible play") - Reproduction

Then the fact that Vecna kind of has a thing for showing up as mothers:

And on top of all that...the fact that Vecna somehow lost his dick along the way. Where did it go????????

There's also all the birthing and reproduction imagery that goes along with the UD, most blatantly in the scene where El crawls out of the same hole the Demogorgon came through:

As well as these movies from the ST4 Movie Board:

Ace Ventura Pet Detective: Finkle has a sex change to assume a new identity and seek vengeance.

Let The Right One In: Vampire girl who is really a boy being forced to live as a girl

Sleepaway Camp: Girl named Angela who is actually a boy named Peter being forced by his aunt to live as a girl after his twin sister (the real Angela) was killed in an accident. (Wibble knows more about this one than I do, but I'm staring at Peter Ballard and all of our Angela's parallels to the lab)

Splice: Female Human-Animal hybrid "dies" (is actually in a coma) and undergoes a spontaneous sex change to male and proceeds to go berserk.

Silence of the Lambs: Main villain is a blonde, wavy-haired cross-dressing serial killer.

And then with the parallels to Room (even if it isn't on the ST4 Movie Board):

Plus Will's Alan Turing poster and the castration stuff that goes along with that..and the "Henry" that shows up behind him:

What in the gender is going on here?

[merakiui]

Mer Eggs Anon back again

Okay hear me out Mera-

The fwb into yandere into parents- omegaverse style

Darling is having so many problems with their heat and strikes a deal with one of (or all 👀 maybe they take turns) octatrio to help, in return you help them out too with their ruts

Slowly overtime it goes from Fwb to one-sided affection to obsession

But one day somehow (we know how) Darling is pregnant, despite being so careful with contraceptives and protection (scheming boys always win) and hides it. the time for their next heat comes and the boy asks why they aren't in heat (they know), and darling has to tell the boy that they are pregnant

Pull the "I understand if you don't want to be a dad-" and darling is promptly cut off by the joy the boys feel, they proudly claim darling as theirs, he will be a great father and all this other stuff.

And darling is too overwhelmed to even notice that the boy seemed a bit too prepared to be a dad... somehow everything seemed prepared already

It all comes crashing down eventually, darling finding out about the sabotage but by then they are too far along and they already have been claimed, so even if they wanted to they are instinctively bound to their alpha (or alphas)

Okay rant over-

Signing off,

Mer Eggs Anon

MER EGGS, I LOVE THIS AAAAAAA!!!!!!! OTL omegaverse with (supposedly) surprise, unintentional pregnancy is so yummy omg omg!!! <3

Imagine after learning that it was all fully intentional and that he sabotaged your birth control you try to confront him because you’re so shocked and upset and hurt and betrayed and disgusted, but he’s being so sweet to you, telling you you’ll be a wonderful parent, that he’s here for you every step of the way, that this will be perfect—don’t you want a family? You want to be a parent, right? Right? And suddenly you’re not sure why you’re so angry anymore… or!!!! Conversely, holding your ground and not letting them lead you astray with so many hypothetical questions and subtle topic changes, but your determination crumbles when he gives you a dead stare and says, completely serious and stern, “You’re keeping the baby and you’re building this family with me.” Or something along those lines, and he purposely releases too many strong pheromones so you’re forced into submission. You have no choice but to drop the subject and meekly agree because it’s an unfortunate biological fact that omegas are immensely weak to lots of alpha pheromones, especially pregnant ones who have already been marked and claimed by said alpha(s). <3

Omg omg omg also that trope in omegaverse where the pregnant omega misses the alpha when they’re not home, so they surround themself with the alpha’s scent (whether by wrapping themselves in the duvet on their bed or hiding away amongst their shirts in the closet or by rifling through the laundry to find an article of clothing that smells a lot like them). Aaaaa it’s purely instinctual that you’re doing this, but he’s so pleased to come home to find you so compliant and weepy for him, unable to avoid omega instincts.

Floyd’s the easiest to deal with (and easiest to charm). But then he’s also really good at unintentionally charming you because he’s just so genuine and loving and helpful, and he wants so badly to be part of the baby’s life. Also he’s so good at pregnancy sex????? You’d think he’d be rough or lose himself in the moment, but he’s eerily soft—arguably the most gentle sex you’ll ever get from him. <3

Jade may be particular about certain things, such as making sure you aren’t doing too much hard work because he doesn’t want you to injure yourself or the baby, but for the most part he’s just pleased to start a family with you. I think you’ll see more emotions from Jade because he doesn’t take as much care to veil all of them. He’s just so overwhelmed with happiness, so he smiles a lot more—smiles that actually show teeth—and he’s practically glowing with joy and excitement. You even caught him humming when he was preparing breakfast! T-T he becomes so fluffy, so one way or another you’ll find yourself charmed. How can you not when he takes such good care of you?

Azul is a bit of a mess (a lot of a mess, actually), so he frets over every little detail. He wants you to be comfortable at all times, so everything he does is for your sake, even if it means he has to sacrifice his own comfort. Azul was ready to repaint the entire kitchen because you (in the midst of a pregnancy mood swing) whined about how the blue makes you think of gloomy, rainy days. :( Azul just wants you to be happy because when you’re happy he’s overjoyed. <3 you only need to exist and he’s the happiest mer in the world, so there’s no need to entertain escape. Not that you’d get very far. :)

[janedoeswriting]

The Way The Wind Blows (Stiles x OC) Chapter Seven

Description: Rhiannon finds herself trapped within her guilty pleasure tv show— Teen Wolf. Now, she must choose which path to take… one that leads back home, and another that follows uncertain adventure.

Tags: extreme slow burn, frienemies to lovers, fix it fic, canon change, actions have consequences.

TW: angst, fluff, sexual harassment, anxiety, depression, obsession, domestic violence, manipulation, etc. Just please do not read if you are sensitive to difficult subjects.

(Wicked Game by Chris Isaak)

"You have to go to school, Rhi. It's the court's decision, not mine." Mr. Stilinski said sternly.

"The court doesn't care about me getting kidnapped?"

"No, they don't. It's been two weeks, and you've done nothing but lay around the house." "I cook and clean!" She said indignantly.

Mr. Stilinski rolled his eyes. "And you aren't our live-in maid."

"Well let the girl cook if she wants to," Stiles said through a mouthful of eggs and sausage. He was clearly enjoying their current living situation. Two weeks of nothing. The thought didn't make Rhiannon comfortable. She was beginning to think the Darach had forgotten about her little murdering spree, and Rhiannon desperately didn't want to get caught off guard.

"I could be," she said, but with the sheriff's look she knew she had been beat. She sighed and took a bite of her apple. She hadn't been able to stomach the boisterous breakfast, despite the fact that she'd made it. The truth was-- she was nervous.

School wasn't exactly her definition of relaxing. Especially when murderous teachers lurked the halls. "Go get dressed. Now." He said sternly, pouring a generous mug of coffee. Rhiannon huffed and marched back to her room angrily. There was no more putting it off. The past two weeks had consisted of a strange combination of growing more comfortable and more weary. With each passing day Rhiannon was coming to the horrifying conclusion time passed differently when she was actually within the TV show, and that she may have altered the timeline beyond repair.

However, she had also become more comfortable at the Stilinski's than she thought she would. She had settled quickly. She had even begun walking around freely in her pajamas. In front of Stiles.

The first time she ran into him at midnight in the kitchen was an accident. He was wearing baggy plaid pants and no shirt. She had stopped dead in her tracks, trying to pull down her t-shirt to cover her cheesy mickey mouse patterned pajama shorts. They stared at each other in the light of the refrigerator, the gallon of milk frozen on his mouth.

"Don't tell me you do that all the time." She'd said, changing the subject smoothly. He gulped and then wiped his mouth with his hand as he shrugged. "That's disgusting." She stated. He responded with a burp.

And with that, they had since cared less about such things as being in night clothes or sharing a bathroom. That very morning, she had slipped into the bathroom as he was showering and grabbed her hairbrush. He yelled, "Hey!" and something clattered on the floor of the shower. When she'd slipped out she had to stifle her laughter at his yelling at her.

As he came out later, waist wrapped in nothing but a towel, he shook his wet hair on her. She punched his arm hard, and he held it whining and complaining before she slammed the bathroom door shut and locked it firmly.

Him being shirtless all the time was certainly a shock, since she hadn't seen him shirtless in the show at all. She had to admit-- it wasn't exactly something to complain about. She managed to keep her eyes averted whenever she was in his line of sight, but any time his head was turned she couldn't help but steal a glance or two. It was hard not to have a crush on him. It had developed swiftly and sharply. The more she tried to stifle it, the more it seemed to rear it's fat head at her.

"Come on, we're already late." Stiles demanded, blowing through her door without a care in the world. For an only child he certainly didn't care about privacy.

Rhiannon was tying her dumb shoe. Her wardrobe was straight out of thrift stores-- which wasn't exactly bad but it wasn't great either. There were nice stores around town, but she didn't think she would fit in with Lydia's fancy dresses or Allison's feminine allure. Instead, she stuck to the variety of vintage shops that offered things that were both more her style and cheaper.

She looked in the mirror and couldn't help but compare her wardrobe to Elena Gilbert-- all layered long sleeves and low rise jeans. It felt like an ironic twist of fate that she had adopted this style, with the town being infested with werewolves and not vampires.

"Make yourself useful and grab our lunches from the fridge," Rhiannon said, brushing him off. He had gotten caught on the sight of her, with Rhiannon oblivious to the way his breath stopped. He shook his head and stumbled out backward almost tripping over his own feet and running face first into the threshold when he tried to walk out. She'd learned to tune out his clumsiness in the weeks she'd been staying there-- it was always so prevalent. Unbenounced to her, she was the cause.

She met him at the front door, grabbing one of the brown paper bags out of his hand with her new backpack slung over her shoulder. "I thought we were gonna be late?" She asked, sucking him back to reality after he'd struggled not to breath in a deep breath of her perfume when she'd breezed by him in the front doorway. He quickly fumbled with the lock and they were on the road. The truth was, on the third night of Rhiannon's return Stiles had gone to Scott's house. "I can't sleep with her around." he'd claimed.

"Oh?" Scott had asked with a knowing smile. Stiles shook his head and collapsed on Scott's bed like he owned it. "I can feel her through the walls. Lurking." "Lurking?" Scott asked. "There's something off about her." Stiles claimed.

"Like, what?"

"Her hair." Stiles said, and then realized how stupid he sounded. "It's always...crazy. Messy."

"Huh. That's weird, because I think it kind of suits her." Scott said. Stiles ignored him and continued. "And she's always wearing pajamas. I don't think she's ever worn real clothes."

"Well, she was missing for nine days."

"And, she hogs the TV. We only have one, and she wont stop watching stupid cheesy TV shows."

"Like what?"

"I don't know, something with vampires." Stiles said, waving his hand like it didn't matter. "Vampires? Maybe she's studying up." Scott responded with a playful humor. Stiles glared at him.

"And my dad bought her a brand new phone. Like, I don't even have a smartphone, but she can have one?" He demanded. Scott shrugged, and let Stiles continue to rant.

"And she's always talking on it late at night."

"To who?" Scott asked.

"Oh that's just it! Lydia and Allison came over twice. To see her. They're, like- friends now."

"Oh?" Scott said, his attention renewed. Stiles made a face at him.

"They go shopping and spend all my dad's money."

"Do they... have sleepovers?" Scott had asked, mind clearly stuck on Allison. "No. I hope not. Having her and Lydia at my house would be horrible."

"Horrible?" Scott asked, laughing. "Wouldn't you like to have Lydia sleeping at your house?"

Stiles shifted. "Well. I mean- Lydia... Well I don't know. I just don't want them over." "Why? Lydia sleeping at your house? Isn't this like, everything you've ever wanted?" Scott asked. "No! Not like this! I mean, how come Rhi has to come in and change everything up? She's like- like a witch or something."

"A witch?!" Scott demanded at his friend's absurd accusation. "She's everywhere! She yelled at me last night for drinking out of the milk carton. Like, why does she just show up and get to tell me how I can and can't drink milk?!"

Scott couldn't help the grin. "Do you have a crush on her?" he asked Stiles. Stiles' face ran white and he looked at Scott with a horrified expression. "What?! Have you not been listening to anything I've said?!"

"I mean, she is really pretty. Like, really pretty." Scott said.

"So?!" "Sooo..." Scott insinuated. Stiles threw a pillow at him, and Scott of course caught it expertly.

"Yes, she's pretty. I mean- gorgeous, really... But! That doesn't change the fact that she could be the darach."

"Did you talk to Deaton, like you said you would?" Scott asked. Stiles shook his head, looking more serious now. "No, I tried to take her to the clinic the day after we got back. But... she just looked too scared. I couldn't make her go in. Something seriously must have happened to her when she was gone. Something bad." Scott nodded. "Do you remember how scary it was? When we first found out about.. well, about everything supernatural? Remember how scared you were of Derek?" Scott asked, and Stiles sent him a glare. "I wasn't scared of Derek." "Right." Scott replied sarcastically. Stiles ignored him and moved on.

"Anyway, we haven't brought it up since. I don't think she wants to talk about it with me."

"Why do you think that?" Scott asked. "Because everytime I try she comes up with an excuse. But I always hear her on the phone with Lydia talking about banshees. And she has a ton of old books on the supernatural hidden under her bed."

"You spy on her?" Scott asked. "She won't tell me, so--!" Stiles threw up his hands.

Scott shook his head. "Maybe that's why she doesn't want to talk to you." Scott reasoned.

Stiles scoffed. "She doesn't know."

"Right."

"You're missing the point, Scott. I can't stay there and get any sleep."

"Well you can't sleep here forever." Scott said. "Why not?!"

Scott threw the pillow back at Stiles, but this one hit him in the face and sent him flying down onto the bed.

After two nights, Scott put his foot down and kicked his friend out. Stiles tossed and turned, and crept down the hall to press his ear to her door. When he heard nothing, he gently cracked it opened and peeked inside. Her light was still on, and books were sprawled all over her bed. She had notes and papers everywhere. Overall, it looked quite like Stiles' own room half the time.

He watched her sleeping face for a moment. She was neutral and silent, mouth slightly open and arms and legs sprawled out everywhere. She wasn't glaring at him for being dirty, or slamming the door in his face when he tried to ask her questions. She wasn't bickering with him or asking him what he wanted for lunch. She was quiet, and asleep. And Stiles let himself stare while he had the chance.

She really did look like a supermodel. Without even trying. In this light with drool running down her cheek and t-shirt stained with pasta sauce, Stiles even thought for the first time that she was prettier than Lydia. The thought shocked him so much he turned off the light and left in a hurry.

As he lay in bed that night, staring at the ceiling, he came to the tragic conclusion that his restlessness was not borne of suspicion, but a burning desire kindling deep within him.

This tragic realization didn't change the reality. He couldn't get a good night's rest while she slept just down the hall.

--

"You're such a pain in the ass, you know?!" Stiles demanded, bringing the car to a screeching halt in the parking lot.

"Turn the car around, I need them!" She exclaimed. It was much easier for Rhi to argue with him than suppress her desire to be close to him. Stiles also happened to enjoy fighting with her. It kept his stupid attraction for her at bay. "They're headphones. You can last the day without them." "No, I can't."

"You're not even allowed to wear headphones in class." Stiles reasoned.

"I need them." She said, crossing your arms. "We're already here, and we're almost late. If you want your stupid headphones, go back home yourself." "Gladly," she said, holding out her hand. "Oh, no. No way." Stiles said, getting out of the car and slipping his keys into his pocket. She followed suit, but just to try to step in front of his path and beg him for them. He ignored her dutifully, and when she tried to lunge for his back pocket they got into a wrestle that consisted of smacking and dodging. Neither realized they were making a spectacle of themselves until Scott cleared his throat. Stiles was firmly holding her wrists in place from the back as she strained against him. They both looked up at Scott, frozen. They simultaneously leapt apart at the sight of students staring and whispering.

"It's nine in the morning and you two are already fighting?" Scott asked. They began to walk toward the school, Scott in between them to keep the peace. "I forgot my headphones at home," Rhiannon said, crossing her arms.

"Oh, please, you'll live." Stiles said.

"And what if our english teacher from hell has other plans?" She asked in a hushed whisper. "And your headphones are gonna magically save you?" Stiles bit back. "You can borrow mine," Scott offered kindly. Rhi looked up at him like he had just descended from heaven.

"Really?" Rhiannon asked, her voice swelling with happiness. Stiles loudly scoffed, and crossed his arms.

Scott dug them out of his pocket and handed them to her, and she thanked him profusely and told him she would return them after school. "What a gentleman." She added loudly, and stuck her nose in the air at Stiles as she passed them to walk into the front office. Stiles jabbed Scott in the side.

"Hey! What was that for?!" Scott demanded. But Stiles didn't say a word and walked faster so Scott had to jog to keep up. "So much for being nice." Scott muttered.

"She's the enemy," Stiles said. "She's your foster sister." Scott reasoned.

"She's not my sister. Let's get that cleared up." Scott rolled his eyes and adjusted his bag. "Whatever. You still have to take care of her, okay? 'Keep an eye on her', remember?" Scott was echoing a lecture they'd both received from Sheriff Stilinski after Rhiannon's return. He was more of a helicopter parent than Stiles even knew his father was capable of being. Now, he'd single handedly assigned Scott and Stiles as Rhiannon's personal bodyguards. Unbeknownst to Rhiannon, of course.

"Doesn't mean I have to like her." Stiles said viciously. "Riiight." Scott said, poorly stifling his sarcasm and smirk.

Stiles decided to take the high road, and pretended not to notice.

--

Rhiannon was eternally grateful to Scott. After she'd gotten her schedule and a tour from an overly friendly cheerleader, Rhiannon was lead to her first class of the day. To her utter delight, Lydia and Scott were both in it. And, the only open seat was in the back. Perfect.

Except, the horror of having to be introduced in front of a classroom of curious teenagers made her stomach do a horrible flip. Of course, single handedly taking down a wendigo and hitch hiking across the country was no problem. But this? This was torture.

She looked to Lydia and tried to pretend she had the girls' confidence. "My name is Rhi. It's nice to meet you." Was all she got out. The teacher nodded, and gestured for her to find her seat. All eyes stared as she walked. The room had erupted into whispers. A reassuring smile from Scott actually helped her to keep her head high.

At her old high school she didn't have many friends. She had switched schools a couple times, and never seemed to find any friends genuine enough to hold onto. But now, for the first time, she had someone to look to. Two someones, actually. She smiled to herself as the teacher brought the classroom back to silence. She subtly slipped an earphone into one ear and tuned out the world for a moment.

The lyrics wrapped her like a blanket.

The world was on fire and no one could save me but you It's strange what desire will make foolish people do I never dreamed that I'd meet somebody like you And I never dreamed that I'd lose somebody like you

She was forever grateful to get her hands on an actual iPhone (even if it was practically a brick), and even more grateful she finally had music again. She was so wrapped up in this strange new world that she'd almost forgotten how she'd always needed song to get her through her days.

She hadn't even noticed class had ended until Lydia approached her as students were filling out. She was leaning long in her chair and staring out the window.

"Earth to Rhi? Don't go emo on me, now. Not after all that work we did to get you something cute to wear." Lydia said. Rhi smiled at her sarcasm.

Their couple of shopping trips had consisted of Rhiannon insisting they remain in vintage and thrift stores in the city, which Lydia had complained endlessly about. She'd even offered to pay if they could just go to the mall. Rhiannon had refused, and insisted that she had to stay at the cheapest stores possible. "Besides," Rhiannon had said, "there are plenty of hidden treasures here."

Lydia and even Allison had cringed at the more "rugged" styles Rhiannon had adopted. Rhiannon thought they were cute and alternative, but Lydia had scolded her for not being fashion fluent in the current styles that were popular.

At the very least, Rhiannon had given in and bought a few skirts, dresses, and jewelry. Rhiannon had been particularly partial to an old charm on a beautiful chain. After polishing it a bit, it looked much prettier and she hadn't taken it off her neck since. It depicted a whales eye shell.

"I'm glad you like it. What do you think of my first day of school outfit?" Rhiannon said as she stood, and did a turn for Lydia. Lydia rolled her eyes and sighed. It wasn't horrible. Jeans and a top, but Lydia had wanted her to wear a dress for her 'debut'.

"It's not bad," Lydia said, relenting. "But this school is crawling with beautiful boys."

Rhiannon scoffed as they walked side by side to Rhiannon's next class. Lydia had taken the slip of paper that had Rhiannon's schedule on it and was evidently keen on leading her to her next classroom.

"Cute boys? Where?" Rhiannon asked in disbelief. "What about him?" Lydia whispered, and looking at a tall muscular boy wearing all black. He sauntered down the hall, and was clearly an athlete of some kind. He met Rhiannon's eye and looked her up and down with a smirk as he passed. Lydia giggled, and Rhiannon huffed. "Too muscular." "Okay... him!" Lydia said. Another boy with glasses but a rarely handsome face.

"He looks like he'd mansplain Catcher in the Rye to me." Rhiannon commented, earning a snort out of Lydia. When their friendship began Rhiannon found that Lydia was very taken with the way Rhiannon was familiar with reading. She had told her it was refreshing to talk to someone about books-- something she'd scarcely done before. Among the many developments, Rhiannon was also surprised to find that Lydia and Allison had swiftly taken Rhiannon under their wings in different ways. Allison was kind and welcoming, yet had a strength to her that normal high school girls didn't have. Lydia on the other hand was simultaneously girlish and wise which complimented Rhiannon's lack of either of these traits. It seemed she found Rhiannon particularly endearing and took it upon herself to make her popular. Rhiannon had shuttered at the thought, but in this moment she was endlessly happy.

Everyone looked and stared as they walked, but with Lydia by her side it was clear to see that Rhiannon wasn't the only subject of interest. Lydia was like a walking idol. Girls and boys alike worshiped the ground she walked on. Rhiannon didn't feel so scared anymore.

"Hmmm. Oh? What about him." Lydia said after scanning the bustling crowd. Rhi raised a brow. "Isaac? Are you crazy?" Isaac was at his locker and looked up to meet their eyes. "Oh come on. He's single." Lydia said, as if this were reason enough.

"You do realize he can hear us?" Rhiannon sent a sideways glance at Lydia. She blinked. "Hi, Isaac." Rhiannon said just as silently as they had been lowly whispering. Isaac smiled and waved with a smug boyish smirk.

Lydia glared at him eavesdropping on their 'private' conversation. "Werewolves and their stupid hearing." Lydia muttered as she led them into the classroom. Rhiannon stopped in her tracks. Lydia gave her a stern look, and Rhiannon forced herself to move her legs.

Jennifer Blake stood writing at the chalkboard. She hadn't noticed Rhiannon's sputter of surprise.

They all had already talked about it as a group one night at Stiles' house. They were to act normal around her. Pretend they knew nothing. "Until we prove it's her." Scott had claimed. Rhiannon had been partial to the idea of just catching her by surprise and dropping her into an oubliette and be done with it all. "How many more people have to die before you realize being nice isn't a good strategy?" Rhiannon had demanded angrily that night. "We don't know if it's her. We can't just go off your word, Rhiannon." Scott had said sternly. It was hard to hear, but Rhiannon could tell that the others in the room had agreed with him. "Fine. Whoever dies next is not on my hands."

She couldn't expect them to trust her word, or to drop everything and kidnap their english teacher. But they didn't know that Rhiannon knew. Knew for a fact.

She would just have to play their little game, and hope that she didn't get caught in the crossfire. To be fair, they did have the advantage that Blake didn't know what they knew. And that if they played the part, Blake wouldn't find out until the time was right.

It didn't stop Rhiannon's blood from running cold at the sight of her. And it didn't help when Jennifer Blake laid eyes on Rhiannon. She smiled kindly, ever the nurturing teacher. "You must be our new student." She said. "I'm Miss Blake, your english teacher. Do you want to introduce yourself to the class?"

Rhiannon shook her head as students continued to file in. Thankfully, it seemed she had taken Rhiannon's fear and detestment for shyness. She nodded and directed Rhi to take a seat.

Lydia laced her arm in Rhi's and showed her to their seats. "Move." Lydia had said to a puny-looking boy, who seemed all-too-happy just to be spoken to and immediately offered his seat to her. Lydia sat down gracefully, and Rhi took the seat next to her. Allison came in and sat in front of Rhiannon. She looked on her guard, but it was so subtle nobody would have noticed unless they were paying attention. In fact, all of them were somewhat withdrawn and alert. Stiles sat next to Rhiannon on the other side and Scott in front of him. Rhiannon forced herself not to look at Stiles-- still angry from that morning's argument. It was better to be mad then at risk of catching lingering feelings. It was just a crush from a TV show, she dutifully reminded herself. He kicked her chair lightly and she found herself glaring at him as if it was a mechanical response.

"What?" Rhiannon bit out fiercely under her breath. Students were still filing in, but she didn't want the curious gazes to link her to Stiles. Especially after the fool she'd made of herself that morning when she fought with him in the parking lot. "Dad wants you to answer his text." He had started calling Mr. Stilinski 'dad' instead of 'my dad'. It wasn't uncomfortable, but it strangely made it seem as if she had become his sister, which Rhiannon detested. She held back insults and scathing responses, and instead pulled out her phone to glance at her messages.

'Everything going okay?' he'd asked. She smiled to herself. He had been so doting and caring, especially after her return. She quickly typed back a response. 'Yes! All good, thank you'

Stiles was leaning across the aisle to look over her shoulder and read the messages. He had no sense of privacy it seemed. She elbowed him off the edge of her seat, and he unceremoniously fell with a crash onto the floor. Students laughed, and Stiles grumbled to himself as he got back into his chair.

The class proceeded as normally as it could have. Rhiannon couldn't stop feeling uncomfortable, but at the very least had grown used to the discomfort. She regretted not sitting in the back of the class so she could listen to music, but being surrounded by new friends (some more than others) made her more at ease.

As they made their exit not a moment too soon, Scott and Stiles hung back a bit from the female trio in front of them. Girls always traveled in impenetrable hoards, and this one was particularly solid with not only Lydia's firm grip but Allison's presence. Scott longed to be near her, but held himself back.

A group of boys leaning against lockers began to punch one another and laugh loudly as the girls passed. Stiles caught a hint of, "Dude, go ask for her number," and other things along the lines of 'She's so hot'. Anger flashed ferociously. He couldn't help but glare at them, and speed up to keep closer to the girls.

"What's up with you?" Scott asked, taking notice of Stiles eccentric behavior. Of course, he was almost always eccentric, but today more so.

"Nothing." Stiles grunted out, pulling at his backpack straps with tight fits.

Scott took this as a hint that it was none of his business. Of course, when Stiles inevitably blew up, Scott knew he would hear all about whatever was irking his friend. No need to burst a balloon that was already about to pop.

"Rhiannon's pretty popular, huh?" Scott asked offhandedly. Stiles grunted again. Isaac Lahey approached them from the opposite direction. Scott smiled and opened his mouth, ready to greet him. But he instead stopped in front of the girls with a suave sort of smile. "Hey," he said. Scott and Stiles stopped as the girls did. Isaac glanced at Allison, who glanced back at Scott.

"Hi Isaac." Rhiannon said, sounding resigned.

"Listen, what we were talking about earlier had nothing to do with you." Lydia stated matter-of-factly. "Of course," Isaac said, and the corners of his mouth lifted in that devilish smile of his. The girls brushed past him, and Isaac met the boys' eyes.

"What?" he asked innocently.

"Don't tell me." Stiles said bitterly as they began walking again side by side. "Well... your sister is really hot."

Hot? Stiles thought resentfully.

"She's not my sister." He said firmly.

"Your right. She's your step sister. God, what I would do to have her down the hall." Isaac commented, not shying from his liberties of taking in her figure from behind. Scott smacked him upside the head, and Stiles was inwardly pleased by this. "You're horrible."

"'You're the best step brother I've ever had!'," Isaac quoted in a feminine imitation. The reference to the porn intro that all of them had probably watched but would never admit to was enough to light Stiles up red.

"She's not my step-sister either!" he exclaimed louder than intended, and other students turned briefly to stare. He only became more red. Thankfully, the girls were far down the hall turning the corner. "Then you don't mind if I..." he raised a suggestive brow. Stiles scoffed and stuttered until he got out a pathetic, "Wha- hah! No. Have at it! She's not even that pretty!"

Isaac pursed his lips and raised his brows at him as if to say 'Riigghtt'.

But then Isaac shrugged and said, "Good! Because I wasn't even gonna ask," and turned to stalk down the hall in the other direction.

Stiles watched him go with a mouth agape. "Can you believe him?" He demanded.

Scott shook his head with a laugh. "Yes, actually. Yes I can."

--

"Not even that pretty?!" Rhiannon repeated in a needled tone. The stranger nodded. She was one of Lydia's many friends. Well.. more like minions, but Rhiannon liked to think of her as a friend lest she think about the idea of herself being one of Lydia's minions.

After Lydia, Allison, and Rhi had gathered at the lunch table, a bubbly girl had come up to tell them the newest bit of gossip she'd heard in the hallways earlier that morning. She recounted a story of how Stiles apparently insulted Rhiannon's looks very loudly.

"Who does he think he is?!" She demanded.

Lydia shook her head as if she expected nothing less of Stiles. "He's an idiot."

"He probably didn't mean it like that," Allison offered.

"Don't defend him!" Rhiannon demanded while shoving her sandwich into her mouth. "He's a dickhead."

"Manners," Lydia reprimanded at Rhiannon talking with her mouth full. Rhiannon swallowed and started to rant.

"Like he's one to judge. He's hardly skin and bones. I bet he weighs eight pounds soaking wet!"

The bubbly stranger giggled as if this was the funniest thing ever, and Rhiannon wished in that moment that she would just go away. Thankfully, Lydia seemed able to read her mind. "Thank you, Jessica." It was clearly a dismissal. Jessica took her tray and left. "I'll show him whose not even that pretty. I mean, I know I'm pretty!" She exclaimed, nodding to herself in reasurance.

"Oh come on, you're gorgeous. He's blind if he doesn't see that much." Allison said. Rhiannon nodded and thanked her, though it didn't stop the sour taste in her mouth at being insulted behind her back. "Does this mean you'll let me give you a makeover?!" Lydia exclaimed. Rhiannon cringed back, clearly getting too ahead of herself. "No." "Why not?!" Lydia whined.

"Because I'm fine the way I am." She retorted, and took another large bite of her sandwich.

"Exactly. Don't stoop to his level." Allison agreed, taking a bite of her own food. "Am I the only one who things this is a great opportunity for revenge? I mean, honestly! You hate him!" Rhiannon shrunk back in surprise. "I don't hate him."

"Yes, you do! That's all you talk about. Stiles did this, Stiles did that. I mean, seriously. Enough about him. You need someone new to occupy your mind." She said this last part with a devious tone, suggesting she had someone in mind. "Oh, no. No no. Not Isaac."

"Why nottt?" She wined. "I thought Allison liked him," Rhiannon suggested, gesturing to Allison in front of her. Allison's eyebrows scrunched together and she scoffed. "Me? No way. No more werewolves." She said firmly. Rhiannon knew this wasn't necessarily true and raised a brow at her.

Allison pressed forward. "I'm serious. You should go for it. What do you have to lose?"

Rhiannon's brows furrowed in confusion. Either Allison was a really good liar, or she actually didn't harbor any attraction toward Isaac. "Yea, Allison's still got gagga eyes for a different wolf boy." Lydia added. Allison's cheeks went pink, and she ducked her head. "What?" Rhiannon demanded in a hushed whisper. "You like Scott still?" Allison covered her face with her hands. "I don't know. Maybe..." She said. "Definitely. She talks about him almost as much as you talk about Stiles. Wait... you don't like Stiles do you?" Lydia asked suspiciously. Rhiannon made dramatic retching sounds. It wasn't hard to actually be disgusted by this statement at that moment, especially after Stiles had hurt her ego. He was a dick.

"Good. Because someone is coming over." Lydia said in a much quieter whisper. Rhiannon turned and saw as Isaac waltzed into the cafeteria, with Stiles and Scott not too far behind. Stiles looked angry and Scott amused. Rhiannon fought a scowl at the sight of Stiles, and instead turned quickly away, picking at her food.

Isaac walked around the table and sat in front of Rhiannon, next to Allison. Allison made a suggestive face to Rhiannon. "Hello girls." He said, smugly. His confidence was so palipible it was bordering on obnoxious.

Scott came and sat next to Allison on the other side, and she went immediately more quiet. Rhiannon briefly wondered what had happened between the two. How had Rhiannon’s presence in this world somehow reignited Allison's feelings for Scott?

"Isaac." Rhiannon said curtly, pretending to be very interested in her bag of chips. Stiles sat beside Lydia and she leaned in toward Isaac eagerly. "Hello boys."

"What're you guys talking about?" Isaac asked. Rhiannon hoped desperately that he and Scott hadn't been eavesdropping on yet another embarrassing conversation.

"Homecoming committee." Lydia smoothly said. Rhiannon raised a brow to herself but said nothing. "Rhi is gonna join it with me." Lydia added, grabbing Rhiannon's arm to pull her unwillingly into the conversation. "Oh?" Isaac asked. "News to me," Rhi said dryly to Isaac, but he must have found this funny because he lightly laughed.

"Since when are you joining-," Stiles attempted to interject, but Rhiannon swiftly rebuked him. For the sake of proving him wrong, maybe she would joining homecoming committee.

"Since right now."

Stiles shut his mouth and with-took his head in both annoyance and offense.

"So that’s what you’re all about? School dances?” Isaac asked playfully. He was still taking her in like she was some prey to analyze.

Rhiannon raised her chin. “Maybe.”

Isaac scoffed as if he could see right through her. The truth was— Rhiannon had zero interest in being involved at Beacon Hills, much less joining the homecoming committee. Back in her old life she hardly even spoke to other students, much less participated in stupid dances or joining clubs. Her days were instead spent with her nose in a book and earbuds drowning out the noise.

“I’m not buyin’ it,” he commented. Rhiannon just took another bite of food because she couldn’t bring herself to lie and say that joining the homecoming committee sounded like a “fun time”.

“What do you think I’m into?” She suggested. What would a little bit of harmless flirting do?

“I don’t know— something cooler?” Isaac suggested. Lydia rolled her eyes and Rhi scoffed.

“Like what? Howling to the moon?”

Everyone laughed except for Stiles, who was growing more and more annoyed with each passing second.

He grumbled as he picked through his brown paper sack. It didn't help that the subject of his annoyance was the same person who had made the lunch. He wanted to eat it even less, but the sight of a fresh BLT with crispy bacon was too much to resist. He begrudgingly bit into it and accidentally let out a groan from how tasty it was. Unfortunately, his moan just so happened to sound at the very moment the laughter had died down. Everyone stared at him. "What?" He asked, bacon falling from his mouth.

Isaac cleared his throat and brought the attention back to himself.

"Do you... like music?" He asked, noticing Scott's earbuds plugged into her phone. Rhiannon tried to reach for the bundle of chords and phone, but Isaac had managed to snatch it up first. Allison and Scott had begun conversing about whatever it was they playfully smiled and whispered about. Lydia was watching Isaac and Rhiannon with proud excitement.

"Boston?" he asked, taking notice of the artist that she had been listening to earlier between her classes. His smile was contagious.

"Yes. Why, what do you listen to?" "I like Boston. Pink Floyd, AC/DC, Led Zeppelin. You know... the works."

Rhiannon nodded and smiled at his list of favorites.

He set the phone back down in front of her and she took it. "What about playing music?" He asked further. She met his eyes.

"Rhiannon doesn--," Stiles started to interject, but Lydia tactfully elbowed him in the ribs and cut off his voice. He wheezed into silence.

"I play some guitar." She admitted shyly.

"Really?!" Isaac asked in pleasant surprise. Stiles was staring at her in surprise as well, but his lips had tugged into a slight frown. Why hadn't she told him that?

The rest of the lunch hour was spent talking to Isaac about music, trying to conceal her smile at Allison and Scott's awkwardness, and Lydia tactfully distracting Stiles so he wouldn't interrupt conversation. It was light, and fun. When the bell rang, Rhiannon jumped in surprise. She had never sat through lunch without glancing at the time and wishing the school day would end faster.

"What's your next class?" Isaac asked as he shrugged a backpack over his shoulder. Rhiannon took the rumpled schedule out of her pocket.

"Pre Calc." She commented.

"Oh, you're smart huh?" Rhiannon scoffed at his comment. "Stiles helped. He let me borrow some notes so I could study before the placement test. They wanted to see where to put me since..." Isaac helped her out after she struggled to explain. "Since you can't remember?" He offered. She nodded and ducked her head not from shyness but from embarrassment.

"I was wondering how you were in high school classes, if you have amnesia. Wouldn't you, like, not be able to remember school stuff?" Isaac asked with unabashed curiosity. He didn't mean to sound accusatory, but it felt like it. Rhiannon was about to say something self deprecating and pitiful to steer any possible suspicion from Isaac's mind, but Stiles had inserted himself despite Lydia's efforts.

"It's muscle memory. Amnesia isn't all the same." He said in her defense. Rhiannon would have been grateful to him, but she was still simmering from his offense earlier. "I have precalc too Rhiannon. Come on, I'll show you." Stiles added, walking rather fast as he linked his arm around hers. He was more so dragging her away from Lydia and Isaac. Rhiannon turned and gave a pathic wave to the rest of her friends as Stiles left them behind.

As soon as they were in the hallway full of bustling voices and out of earshot of werewolf hearing, Stiles intently whispered, "Don't hang out with him. He only wants one thing." "And what's that?" Rhiannon snapped back, with-taking her arm. He dropped his hands at his sides like he didn't know what to say or do with them.

"Well-- you know-...," Stiles said, nodding his head in suggestion.

"Well what if I just want one thing?" Rhiannon retorted.

"But-... well-..." he began to stutter and stumble over his words.

"At least he knows I'm pretty." She added ficiously, refusing to look at him and holding her books tightly to her chest.

"Wha--," he started, and they reached the threshold of the classroom. Rhiannon swiftly turned to him and looked him in the eyes with a stormy expression.

"Oh, come off it. I know you were talking shit about me in the hallway earlier."

"I was not."

Rhiannon rolled her eyes but held her chin higher. "I don't care what you think, Stiles. And just because you're visually challenged doesn't mean your friends are too." She whipped her hair and strode into the classroom without glancing back. She missed his stunned expression and the cringe of realization.

He stormed in after her and took the only seat available-- one a few rows down behind her. She could feel him staring a hole into the back of her head. She pretended not to notice and forced herself to dutifully take notes and pay attention to the teachers lecture. When the teacher said to break off into pairs to work on a problem, Rhiannon was horrified to find Stiles had practically leapt out of his seat.

"Eager, Stiles?" the teacher asked with a raised brow.

"Rhiannon and I will work together. She's... new and all." He couldn't have said it more awkwardly.

Rhiannon finally turned and glared up at him. The room had melted into chatter as students paired off. Stiles looked down at her scary expression but he made one of expectation right back at her. The girl in front of her had moved to a different seat and Stiles sat in it, turning around so fast Rhiannon was shocked he didn't get whiplash.

"What I said in the hall was totally taken out of context-," he began, eager to clear his name. "It's fine. I don't care." "You... don't?" he asked skeptically as she began to set up the equation written on the board. She still refused to look him in the eye. "Nope."

"Oh. Okay. Good." Stiles said slowly, a little disappointed and confused.

He couldn't stay quiet for long. "Because you seemed angry." "Angry?" Rhiannon scoffed nonchilantly. "Why would I care if you find me pretty?" Stiles shrugged, and pretended to be copying her work. A few moments of excruciating silence passed. Rhiannon commented on the problem. Stiles filled in the blanks of her confusion. She corrected a miscalculation of his, and he watched her as she double checked the answer. Her hair fell into her face, but she was too engrossed to notice. Stiles almost moved to tuck it away, but inwardly scolded himself for how stupid that would be. Instead, he forced his gaze away back to his sheet of paper.

The rest of the day went by quickly. Almost all of Rhiannon's classes were with Lydia which was a relief. By the time the day had ended, Lydia had offered to give Rhiannon a ride home. They were walking down the hall side by side when Allison and Scott rounded the corner. Pleasant smiles bloomed on their faces at the sight of their friends.

"Hey, there you are. We've been looking for you." Lydia said to Allison. "Ready to go?" Lydia asked. Allison nodded and went to stand by them. Scott nodded to them, but as Rhiannon began to walk out, Scott stopped her. "Hey, wait. Stiles is supposed to take you home." Scott said. "What, why?" Rhiannon asked.

Scott sucked in a breath and scratched the back of his neck. "Mr. Stilinski kinda said you weren't allowed to ride with anyone else."

"What?!" Rhiannon demanded. Stiles, ever on time, rounded the other corner. He was dressed in lacrosse gear and bounded up to Scott. "Come on, man. We have to practice before tryouts." "Arn't you supposed to take Rhiannon home?" Scott asked. "You can wait for us to finish, right?" Stiles asked, as if the thought hadn't even crossed his mind. "Are you kidding me? No way!"

"I can take her," Lydia popped in, just as eager to rescue Rhiannon as Rhiannon was wishing to be rescued. "No, sorry. My dad said Rhiannon isn't allowed to ride with anyone else." "Isn't allowed?!" Rhiannon asked incredulously. Stiles shrugged. "You did kind of get kidnapped by getting into someone else's car." He said, raising his eyebrows at the word 'kidnapped'. It was their secret that she had left willingly, but he knew she'd had to escape in the end. Of course, she hadn't discolsed her methods of escaping. "But, it's me." Lydia said.

"Yeah, he knows Lydia. He won't care." Rhiannon said.

"Uhh, no way. Not until you talk to him first." Stiles said.

Rhiannon clenched her fists. "Why didn't he tell me this? How come Scott knows, and not me?!" Stiles shrugged.

Rhiannon groaned in exasperation. "Do you want to call him and ask?" Lydia offered. Rhiannon nodded and went to put out her phone but Stiles added, "He's in a meeting right now about the investigation." Rhiannon glared at him. Why were Scott and Stiles on babysitting duty? Without any notice?

"I'm not waiting around here while you two practice lacrosse."

"Oh 'cmon, its normal for people to watch practices. Just sit in the bleachers and read or something."

"I shouldn't have to. I have a ride home!"

"Not according to my dad," Stiles said, making a face and turning to fall into step toward the locker room with Scott. "Ugh!" Rhiannon exclaimed, practically stomping her feet with indignation.

"I'm sorry, girl. Maybe have a talk with Mr. Stilinski?" Lydia offered with a sympathetic rub of Rhiannon's arm.

"I'll watch practice with you," Allison offered. Rhiannon could tell she really didn't want to so she shook her head. "No it's alright. I'll just finish my homework. My teachers gave me a lot of catch-up work."

Rhiannon sat at the bleachers in the warm late-summer air. Her books and papers were spread around her, and she used rocks as paperweights. Her earbuds blocked out the noise of shouting and whistle blowing. It was actually quite pleasant and refreshing to study outside.

Rhiannon had never been so devoted to studying. But she had to complete this work in order to catch up with the other students in class, and if she didn't she'd be forced to repeat the school year-- a consequence Rhiannon didn't even want to consider. Lydia was a big help. She'd made a timeline and study plan for Rhi to ace her classes. If she followed it, she'd be all caught up by the end of the month.

A presence approaching caused her focus to snap. She didn't realize how zoned in she had been until a large hand waved in front of her face.

Isaac was sweaty and wore pads over athletic clothes. He motioned for her to take off her headphones. She did. "Did you see that?" He asked, out of breath.

"See what?" She asked. He let out of breathy disappointed laugh. "Figures," he muttered, looking down.

"What did you-," Rhiannon started, but there was a distant shout from the field. Before Rhiannon could even process what was happening, Isaac had lunged forward with a hand in front of her face. There was a long moment of silence as everyone seemed to hold their breath. Isaac slowly with took his hand, where he held a lacrosse ball. He had caught it just inches before it collided with Rhiannon's face.

Coach immediately began to scream at the top of his lungs. To Rhiannon's utter horror, 'Stilinski' kept being repeated. Rhiannon caught a glimpse of Stiles' winces and cringes. Instead of apologizing to her, he was shrinking away from Coach's harsh scolding.

Rhiannon's anger flared again. She couldn't get a moment of peace. If Isaac hadn't been there, she would have gotten smacked in the face by a ball going who-knows-how-fast. She could have broken her nose or knocked out a tooth. After Stiles had been the one to force her to stay and study in the bleachers. Her body moved without her own permission.

She grabbed the lacrosse ball out of Isaac's glove and launched at as hard as she physically could straight at Stiles.

She had been aiming for his head, but it fell about ten feet short and pathetically landed on the grass and rolled to his feet. Rhiannon began to scream. "UGH!! You almost killed me and you're not even gonna say sorry?!" She demanded. The entire team laughed. Even Isaac stifled a chuckle next to her. Coach muttered something Rhiannon couldn't' hear to Stiles.

Stiles began to approach her with open hands and wild eyes of worry. "I-I'm sorry-," he started. Rhiannon had already begun to shove her things into her black backpack. It was vintage and looked cool at the time, but now she noticed the fraying edges and tiny holes in the bottom. One of her loose pencils slipped through. She left it for dead.

She stormed down the bleachers and began to stalk off as Stiles hurriedly began to follow her with an elongated apology. She didn't want to hear it at all. Isaac called out a farewell and Rhiannon simply lifted her hand up without turning back. A distant whistle resumed practice. "Please, just calm down." Stiles demanded as they reached the edge of the field and breached the parking lot.

"Calm down?!" Rhiannon demanded, rearing around on him. He ran straight into her and staggered back as she yelled at him. "Calm down?? You've got to be out of your goddamn mind. I almost just had a heart attack, and you want me to calm down? How about you, oh I don't know, be good at lacrosse?! Or maybe tell me when dad wont let me ride in a car with anyone but you. Or how about, 'Thank you, Rhiannon, for packing my lunch and making me food everyday. Maybe I won't call you ugly in front of the entire student body on your first day of school.'" She did a poor impression of Stiles' voice and inflection.

"I didn't call you ugly!" He whined. Rhiannon ignored him and continued. "You also didn't hit me in the face with a lacrosse ball! But guess what? You. almost. did."

"It was an accident," he pleaded. "I'm sorry."

"I'm walking home." she said simply, and turned to storm away again. He grabbed her arm with a gloved hand and pulled her back firmly.

"No you're not." "You can't force me to stay." "I'll call dad," he said.

"Oh, you're gonna tell on me?" Rhiannon mocked him.

"Yes. You got kidnapped last time I left you alone." "I ran away," Rhiannon said firmly but quieter than she had been yelling.

"Hardly. You were stupid, but if you think I am too you're even dumber than I thought." "I'm not stupid." Rhiannon said sharply and wrenched her arm out of his grasp. "You are. Who the fuck gets into a strangers car on the side of the road, huh?" "Someone desperate to get away from you." "Yeah? You seemed pretty desperate when you came crawling back a week later."

"I didn't come crawling back to you. I came back because--...." But she cut herself off. She hadn't talked about it. About Austin and what she had done. Or what he had attempted to do to her. "Did-..... Did he hurt you?... Did he....," Stiles insinuated it without saying it. His hardened voice had grown simultaneously softer and angrier. He had taken a step toward her and lowered his voice when he spoke.

"No. No.. he didn't....Do anything to me." Rhiannon quickly said. She hadn't realized how her voice had dropped too. How her anger melted into embarrassment and something else that was more vulnerable. Softer and defensless.

"But he tried to." Stiles concluded. He was able to read her better than she'd thought. Rhiannon looked away from his intense eyes and didn't say anything. Her silence confirmed his theory. His fists clenched at his sides. "He got his ass kicked." She said, lowering her chin and staring at Stiles' feet.

"Who was it?" "What?" Rhiannon looked up and met his eyes in surprise.

"What was his name?" Stiles said. Normally Rhiannon could read his expressions like a book, but now he looked like a stone wall.

"Why does it matter?" "Why? Because my dad is looking for him, that's why." Rhiannon shuffled and turned her head away.

"Why wont you tell us?!" Stiles demanded. His voice was growing angrier.

"Because I don't know!" Rhiannon said again, lying that same lie.

"Bullshit. You do know."

"It doesn't matter!" Rhiannon tried.

"It does. I'm going to find out why you're lying. And when I do, you better hope it doesn't matter."

"What, you're gonna hunt him down? Throw him in jail?" Rhiannon demanded.

"Yes." Stiles said very slowly and darkly. Rhiannon's stomach flipped. For the first time Rhiannon thought that maybe she shouldn't be worrying about the FBI or police finding her out, but Stiles.

"Why are you protecting him?" Stiles asked. Rhiannon stepped back, but Stiles stepped closer in return.

"I'm not." Rhiannon said firmly. "I do hate him. You're right. I was stupid, okay? I should have never gotten into that truck. I shouldn't have ever gotten out of your jeep." She hoped this confession would satiate that suspicion in his eyes. That predatory hunger that seemed to read her mind. He was smart. Smarter than anyone else around here. She could get away with lying to the cops, to the Sheriff, but not to Stiles.

There was a heavy silence in the air as they stared at one another. Eventually, Stiles nodded his head. Rhiannon breathed in shakily and turned around to walk away. "Where are you going?!" Stiles demanded.

"Library. Wouldn't want to get knocked out by stray lacrosse balls."

"The library is under construction." Stiles said. Something lurched in Rhiannon's stomach. She was reminded of the time that Stiles would killed someone in the library while it was under construction. By accident, of course, but it would still traumatized him so profoundly. Of course, it wouldn't be for the distant future. For a horrifying moment, Rhiannon considered what his reaction would be to discovering she had murdered someone. Not by accident. But by the brutality of her own hands.

Rhiannon sucked in a shaky breath and concealed all thoughts with an easy, bored tone and neutral expression.

"Then it'll be in the courtyard. Come find me when you're done."

--

Notes: Whoop!! Finally got in another update! I hope you guys don't get confused by the whiplash of this chapter haha. Lots of teenage angst and mood swings. Gotta keep you guys on your toes. As always, thank you for reading!

[panickedscribbles]

One thing that always sticks out to me when listening to The Protomen is just how terrible the people of the city are.

Like, a fairly standard assumption in Hero-centric fiction is that people, as a whole, are worth saving. Yes, there are going to be evil villains the hero must fight, and yes, there are going to be scumbags who really aren't worth the heroes effort, but generally there is good in the world and it is worth fighting for.

But that just straight up isn't true in these albums! It starts in Act II with the lynch mob from "The State VS Thomas Light", which I could sort of excuse. People do stupid things when they get caught up in the heat of the moment, and pack mentality is a powerful thing. But as things slowly get worse, no one stands up and says "this isn't right."

By the time of "Breaking Out", there are a grand total of two people willing to do anything about the state of the city, Light and Joe. Then following Joe's very public death, no one else stands up and says enough. Everybody just goes back to keeping their heads down and pretending nothing is wrong, for the next 12 years.

Finally, in "Hope Rides Alone", Protoman arrives to save the day, only to find he's entirely bereft of allies. There is no rebel alliance to help the conquering hero defeat the evil empire. It's just one man, standing alone against an never-ending army. He does his best, he fights his hardest, he gives it everything he's got, but it isn't enough. It was never going to be enough. Not alone.

And this is where the first real nail gets driven into the coffin. "We are the dead." The people of the city chant this as they watch their hero fall, but it's clear he isn't included in their mourning. They cry, not for their fallen warrior, but for themselves, for the fact that they will have to live under Wily for longer. They could step in, fight back, save Protoman. But that would mean risking themselves, and that's just not worth it. And I just have to drive this point home: a man is being beaten to death in front of them, and they're busy singing "Oh, woe is us, the Real Victims™ here."

Fast forward another few years to "Sons of Fate". Megaman arrives to finish what his brother started, only to be forced to murder the man he came to avenge. The crowd that gathers eggs him on the whole time. They don't care that the man he's fighting once fought for them. They don't care that he died trying to free them. They don't care that they're asking their new hero to murder his own family. They only care about themselves. Nothing has changed. No lessons have been learnt.

What else is there for Megaman to do except walk the same path his brother did, only this time with the benefit of hindsight. There will be no last stand, no heroic sacrifice, no warrior to stand between mankind and Wily's horde. This time they are on their own. This time they will have to fight for themselves, or they will be cut down. And Megaman is fine with either option.

I think that's a really neat direction to have taken things, and I'm looking forward to seeing how things finally change for the better in part 3.

[bluerosetarot]

Everyone on Task Force 141 knew you had a date tonight since you'd been going on and on about it for the past week, so when you come back to base with puffy cheeks and eyes still red from crying a certain someone comes to comfort you.

Tags: female reader x Simon "Ghost" Riley, hurt/comfort, mild descriptions of violence (Simon wants to hurt whoever hurt you, after all), PIV rebound sex.

Tagging @the-californicationist because you wanted me to tag you once I posted this.

You hadn't been with the task force for long, but your presence had certainly had an impact on the team as a whole in the year and a half you'd been around. Being the youngest and shortest had earned you official "little sister" status despite the fact you could toss all of them around at hand to hand practice thanks to your lower center of gravity and aikido background, with the exception of Simon. That man was not only tall but was surprisingly flexible, which you took as a personal challenge.

"One of these days I'm going to topple you, Ghost." You'd all just come back from a sparring match and were sitting around a table enjoying your beverages of choice.

"Of course you will, sweet'eart." He'd smile behind his cuppa without looking at you, but you could see the slight wrinkles around the corners of his eyes. "An' one 'a these days Price'll start layin' golden eggs so we can all retire."

So imagine everyone's surprise when you mention you were seeing someone, a civvie you'd met on a dating app. You'd been gushing over your crush and hadn't noticed Soap playfully nudge Simon in his side or the glare the taller man gave him in return.

"Going out to see him on next leave, said he wanted to take me somewhere nice for dinner. And before any of you try anything I don't need backup, or shadowed, or anything else. I know we're all a little paranoid here but I'm a big girl, I can take care of myself."

"Not you we'd be worried about, luv." Gaz gave you a knowing smile before continuing. "We're worried about the poor guy getting folded like a pretzel if 'is 'ands go anywhere they shouldn't, y'know?"

It took you a few months before you could properly go on a date; a mission got in the way, but you promised your new beau that as soon as you got back from your classified trip you'd be all his. Whenever you could, you messaged him, even sending him a few spicy pictures over the course of your flirting.

When the special night finally came around, you snuck off to your quarters to put on a lovely little black dress and did your makeup as best you could. Taking a look at yourself in the mirror, you psyched yourself up and inwardly hoped that you wouldn't run into anyone on your way out. That hope was quickly dashed upon the rocks of reality when you nearly ran into the brick wall named Ghost as you left the washroom.

"Bloody Jesus, Ghost. Trying to give me a heart attack?"

His answer was to scoff under his mask and lean against the wall beside you, those brown eyes of his looking you over as he slowly shook his head.

"Got no place to 'ide a knife, gun, or anythin' else. Sure you don't need any backup, luv?"

"I appreciate your concern, LT, but I should be fine."

He backed away with a chuckle, not expecting your tone to be so dry and he held up his hands in an appeasing gesture.

"Roight, roight. Well, knock 'im dead, luv. But if you aren't back by midnight, we'll all assume you turned into a pumpkin 'an start a search party. Deal?"

"Deal."

Your date went a bit... less than stellar. When you arrived at the restaurant, he'd been nearly a half hour late and was dressed more casual than you, but you weren't used to being all dolled up either so you gave him the benefit of the doubt. Conversation was minimal with him mostly talking about himself as you sat there bored until he hit you with a bombshell.

"You're hot like this, but now that you're my girl you're going to have to give up this whole military thing."

You'd been about to take a bite of food and nearly dropped your fork from laughing at what you thought was a joke, but he just got irritated.

"I'm serious. You can't go wasting your prime childbearing years pretending to be an action hero."

"Excuse me?" You matched his tone, a bit of annoyance seeping into your words. "What happened to you going nuts over my career plans? How you said you always liked a 'girl in uniform'?"

"Uniforms are hot, but I figured once we met, you'd realize you wanted a nice civilian life and leave all that fantasy behind you."

"Uh-huh..." Flagging down your waiter, you asked for the check. "I'll take my half of the check, please. This date is over."

"You can't just fucking leave!"

"I can..." Giving your card to the waiter, you then locked eyes with your sad excuse for a date. "And I will. See? I'm doing it right now."

Once your tab had been taken care of, you made a beeline for the door with the guy chasing after you, yelling at you to change your mind. He made the mistake of trying to grab your wrist, and you managed an aikido move that brought him down to a knee.

"You don't get to touch me that way, got it?"

You'd leaned down to stare daggers into him, a look you'd perfected from watching Ghost, and your failed date nodded in fear as he got up and backed away.

Turning on your heel, you made it to your car and closed the door before slumping over your steering wheel with a sigh. Tears pricked at the corners of your eyes, a mixture of sadness and anger. Willing yourself to wait until you got back to base for a good cry, you started the car and headed back but couldn't help a few stray tears from rolling down your cheeks.

It was a little past 2300 when you got back to base and, to your disappointment, there were a few lights still on. You'd hoped to take your walk of shame without anyone noticing, but fate had other plans. You hadn't realized that everyone in 141 was worried for you and stayed up to wait for you to come home.

Which meant that you opened the door to the common area, and four sets of eyes instantly looked up at you. All of them taking note of your tear streaked makeup making you feel warm and nervous.

Soap was the first one to speak up, cutting the tension with a joke.

"Aye, lass, who we needin' to knife up for ya?"

Price sat to his right and gave him a very good "not now" look as you clenched your jaw in annoyance.

"Don't want to talk about it." You turned to the Captain and gave him a polite nod. "Heading to bed, sir."

Taking a thoughtful puff of his cigar, he returned your nod.

"Right, everyone here should do the same. Lights out, everyone."

Gaz and Soap reluctantly got up. You could read it plain as day on their faces they wanted to pepper you with a thousand questions, but stern looks from both Price and Ghost made them think twice, and they both wished you a good night and hurried off to their rooms. Price followed after them after giving you one final concerned glance before heading down the hall.

It was Ghost that put a comforting hand on your shoulder. He had a way of sneaking up on everyone even when he was in plain sight, and this situation was no different. You tried your best to compose yourself before meeting his gaze, but something in his eyes made you break down when your eyes met and you let out a soft sound somewhere between a cry and a whimper.

"Fucking christ, look at me. All bent out of shape over little more than a schoolyard crush."

"If 'e 'urt ya I know plenty a places to hide a body 'round 'ere."

Where Soap has been jovial, you could tell Ghost was serious, and you couldn't stop an involuntary shiver creep down your spine before shaking your head.

"Not worth the effort, Ghost. But I appreciate it. Damn chauvinist thought I'd get one look at him and want to stop all my work here and pop out babies."

That got a laugh from the larger man, a deep rumble in his chest.

"Th' public doesn't realize all tha' we do to keep the world spinnin', luv. If you 'ad never joined up with us, who knows 'ow our missions would've gone. You've been damn good at not only covering our sixes on multiple occasions but..."

He trailed off, catching himself before he said something further. But this only made you more curious since this was the most words you'd ever hear the man string together outside of mission briefings.

"But what?"

"But... christ this is a bit embarrassing but you remind all of us what we're fightin' for, y'know? You remind us that we aren't just killin' machines an' that we're 'uman. That we do this to protect 'umanity, outside and within. Y' deserve someone who understands tha', not some chav bloke who sees y' as just a baby factory."

The hand that was on your shoulder went up to smooth his short hair back as his eyes looked away from yours. You thanked whatever god was up there that he did because he didn't see the blush creeping into your cheeks.

"Uhh... th-thanks, Ghost."

Those eyes locked back onto yours, and you could see the telltale crinkle of wrinkles at the corners of his eyes that betrayed his smile.

"Y' can call me Simon, luv. Just between the two of us, yeah?"

"Yeah. I'll keep that in mind."

A heavy sigh left your lips, and you gave him a small smile.

"Simon. Think, uh... think you would want to join me for a bit tonight? It's been nice talking to someone who understands what's going on in my head."

That got an eyebrow raise from him, and he crossed his arms over his chest.

"Y' propositionin' your commanding officer now?"

His tone was low, tinted with humor, but his rough voice made it sound suggestive all the same. He left the question open, and it emboldened your reply.

"Well I need someone to really show me the difference between a "chav bloke" and a real man, don't I?"

With a look over his shoulder down the hall towards the barracks proper, no doubt making sure everyone else was already in bed, he nodded and gestured for you to lead the way.

"Ladies first, luv."

That earned him a playful punch in the arm, and you grabbed his hand in yours, leading him down the hall to your quarters.

Once inside your room with the door shut tight behind you, Simon was looming over you, pressing your body to the wall. In the dim light of your room you could barely see his eyes as they looked you over once more while his hand came up to cup your cheek.

"Y' sure about this, luv? Not that I mind bein' a rebound but I want to make sure y' really want this..."

He knew how to catch you off guard, that's for sure, and you gave him a reassuring nod. Your own hand reaching up to glide along his that caressed your face so gently, a welcome juxtaposition to his normally cold demeanor.

"Yeah, I'm sure. I'm actually glad that you, uh..."

Now it was your turn to stifle words better left unsaid, though those swallowed words turned into heat and crimson on your neck and cheeks as embarrassment kept you from saying what was really on your mind.

In truth you'd always had a "thing" for the big badass types, the "scary dogs", outcasts, loners, and Gho- Simon, you reminded yourself, ticked off all the boxes to pique your interest. He'd always given off just enough tidbits about himself, crumbs that you had devoured in the fire of your curiosity that only proved to stoke it into a further inferno. The date you'd gone on tonight? He was meant to be a distraction from the man you couldn't have had, shouldn't have been able to have, yet here he was gazing down into your very soul in your quarters.

"Glad? Glad for wha', luv?"

Simon had picked up on that thread you left dangling and you could hear the smirk in his voice as he pressed further. Both his body squeezing against you and his words pressing the opening he'd found.

"Glad y' got th' big, scary Ghost as y' own personal toy for th' night? Glad that you'll get to experience a real man in y' bed tonoight?"

Each word brought his face closer to yours and you watched as his hand slid from your cheek to his mask, pulling it down past his mouth and finally letting you see his face. Your mind went blank for a second as you took in his features for the brief moment he hovered in front of you before he buried his face in your neck to kiss the sensitive skin there.

The kiss was gentle, lips pressing to your jugular as your heart raced so fast you could swear he'd be able to feel your pulse through his lips. Even gentle as it was you couldn't stop the soft sound that escaped your own lips.

"Am I on the money, sweet'eart? You been 'oping I'd get jealous or somethin' like that?"

Teeth grazed against your neck and a jolt of pleasurable lightning raced down your spine.

"Well... between you an' me... I've been very jealous, luv. 'Ere I thought some young bloke was gonna steal you away from us, from me, before I got to show you 'ow I felt about you..."

As his lips and teeth continued to explore your neck his hand grabbed yours and brought it down to palm at his tented trousers, the size of him made you gasp involuntarily and you felt his low rumbling laughter deep in his chest.

"S-simon... I've never had someone so... so... big before."

"Don't worry, sweet'eart... I'll take my time and show you 'ow a true gentleman treats a lady like yourself."

Simon picked you up with ease, walking the few steps to the bed and setting you down on the edge. No sooner had your backside met the mattress he was hiking up that short black dress over your thighs to expose the matching black lace panties you had worn.

"You were plannin' on spoilin' that bloke tonight, weren't you, sweet'eart? Or, an' correct me if I'm wrong..."

His thick, calloused fingers pressed against your clothed slit, finding your nub and rubbing it through the scant cotton and lace as his eyes locked onto yours again.

"...Or were you 'opin' that 'e'd left you alone and that this exact scenario would 'appen, you comin' back to base wantin' me to 'elp you feel better?"

"F-fuck, Simon... I... ahh... that's n-not what I was hoping for at all..."

He rolled his eyes, not believing you, and slid the panties aside to slide one finger inside to entice a moan from you.

"Christ! Fine, yes, I.. I wanted my date to be you tonight... but how am I supposed to bring that up? Just walk up to you and say "hey, LT, how's about a shag tonight after supper?""

That earned you a second finger inside and another laugh.

"I knew y' were a brat at trainin' but damn am I glad you aren't a shrinkin' violet in the bedroom. Makes this more fun."

For what felt like an eternity he slowly widened you in preparation for his shaft. Simon was a patient man, for the most part, but those moans and sounds you were making for him and him alone were wearing down that patience. Still, he had promised to treat you like a proper lady and only when he could slide three fingers inside easily did he stop his work.

"Do us a favor and clean these off for me, luv. My mouth 'as more important things t' do."

Unceremoniously he slid his slickened fingers into your mouth, making you taste yourself as he leaned down to bury his face between your legs. That tongue of his quickly found your nub and circled around it, alternating between that and his lips puckering around it to suck on it. The fingers in your mouth did nothing to muffle the noises he was coaxing from you as your thighs clamped down on either side of his head. Somewhere in the back of your mind you were cognizant of putting too much pressure on him but it was quickly drowned out by your building climax.

Simon felt it building in you as well; the way your thighs got tighter around his head, the throbbing of your nub in his mouth, and the quivering of your slit. In the mess of it all your hands had come down to grip his short hair, tugging on it as if trying to pull him closer.

"Tha's it, luv, cum for me."

Barely above the haze of lust you registered Simon's command as you felt yourself come undone for him. Your own slick mixing with his spit to coat your inner thighs as he lapped greedily at everything you had to give him. Eventually your orgasm began to subside and you took notice of him standing up from where he had knelt. The sound of leather on denim was barely audible above your panting, followed by a zipper being pulled down. Craning your head up off the mattress you finally saw his full length in the dim light of the room as he slowly rutted against your womanhood.

"I think y' should be ready for this, luv. But I wanna hear y' say it. Tell me 'ow badly y' need this inside..."

"I... fuck..."

Word were hard to come by in your lust filled haze, biting your lower lip in concentration you finally were able to articulate the words.

"Take me, Simon! I want every inch of that inside me now!"

"Needy, aren't ya? Don't worry, I got exactly wha' y' need roight... here..."

On that last syllable he slid his full length inside of you in one fluid stroke. You could swear he crashed up against the back of your womb with how big he was and before you could cry out he locked his lips onto yours, stifling any sound you made.

You two lay there connected, Simon not moving until you were used to him, for a few brief moments before he pulled away from the kiss to gaze into your eyes. You gave him a wordless nod to reassure him you were okay before he started his thrusting in earnest. Slow, full strokes to make sure you felt every inch of his desire for you.

"Been 'oping to 'ave y' like this for awhile now, sweet'eart.. sure when y' first started up 'ere I was skeptical..."

Your brain was barely paying attention to his words, still shrouded in a fog of lust. Simon, on the other hand, was talking to take his mind off the pleasure you were giving him so he could last longer than a few pumps.

"But after I saw y' toss Gaz an' Soap around in 'and t' 'and I thought maybe y' were alroight after all..."

Now even Simon was barely registering his own words as his thrusts started to pick up the pace, chasing his own orgasm as he felt your body tense under him while your second climax built up inside you.

His hands went from your hips to your own hands, lacing both your fingers together as he held your hands above your head and leaned down to kiss you again. There was a bit more force, a bit more need behind this one and with a low growl he slammed his hips against yours one more time, burying himself deep as he emptied into you. Your own climax hitting at the same time made it feel like your walls were milking him dry.

Both of you were spent after that; a sweaty mess of half clothed bodies that clung to each other tightly. He didn't want to pull out but he wanted to lay you on the bed proper, opting to slide himself out from between your legs and gingerly place you on the bed before laying down next to you. Once he was settled in beside you, your hands wrapped around him in a loose embrace as you rested your cheek on his chest, feeling the slow rise and fall from his breath.

A heavy arm draped over you, pulling you in tightly as you both lay there in the dark. Simon was the first to break the silence, kissing the top of your head.

"May not 'ave been a proper date, sweet'eart. But I promise we'll 'ave one eventually. Now get some sleep, I'll be 'ere in the mornin'."

[ruthlesslistener]

Could you talk about the Shade Lord? Especially the apologist part, what needs apologising (genuine question)?

Oh the apologist part is just me joking about how I'd defend LOS no matter what they do, not necessarily because they actually did anything bad lol. And if they did, I'd fight for them all the same bc they're my little meow-meow and some murders are funny (there's a reason why my Destiny 2 sideblog is ahamkara-apologist, even though the Ahamkara as a race are vastly more problematic than the LOS- they're space dragons and I love them). Ofc, there's always those people who think that the Lord of Shades is some kind of evil entity unleashed by Ghost that'll bring about the ruin of Hallownest twice over (usually people who don't realize that the Lord of Shades is CONTROLLED by Ghost- it's the shades of all the dead vessels with Ghost as its Focus), but mostly its just bc I adore them. Though it does have the added bonus of pointing out that while I like the Pale King and the Radiance as characters, I'm ultimately sympathetic to the vessels the most, which is a core point in my ramblings that I fear often gets lost, especially when I get angry about the 'PK is a colonizer and the moth tribes/Radi were the natives he genocided take'- because idgaf about people hating PK, what I hate is how incorrect that was AS WELL AS how it ignores the fact that the Void Civilization came before the Radiance did, which always seems to be conveniently forgotten or brushed over in those arguments. The fact of the matter is that Radi and PK aren't the 'secret heroes' no matter how you spin it, they're monsters that abused, tortured, and manipulated the voidborn- aka Ghost, their siblings, and (maybe) those that used to worship their element. Sympathetic monsters, yes, monsters who are caught in a tragedy, but still monsters. It's the Void that's the victim, and I stand by that in its entirety. Every act of retribution was justified. Even them killing Godseeker- which is the argument some people use for them being evil- because why shouldn't they? She was awful to them, cruel and rude and scornful just like the Pale King was cruel and the Radiance was hateful. SHE was the reason why the Radiance grew in power to become Absolute Radiance. She deserved what she got, 100%. Ghost and their siblings endured a lifetime of torment from the moment they were hatched, they deserve EVERY little scrap of retribution they get- and they aren't monsters for lashing out at the ones who caused the pain in the first place. It's all justifiable

(Also, neither PK nor Radi are my favs. Hollow is, with their relationship to their siblings [specifically Hornet] being my fav dynamic. I only like to explore PK and Radi in depth because of their impact on Hollow's life. So needless to say I'm a void stan through and through, and since the Lord of Shades is all of them, it fits)

As for the Lord of Shades themselves! I think I already sort of covered why I love them so much just in the first two paragraphs- they are all the shades of the dead vessels poured into one entity, with Ghost as the Focus, and thus the Lord of Shades is in essence Ghost (and co, minus Hollow probably) in their ascendant form, as a true Higher Being. Which is in of itself a monumental feat for something that was hatched to die, a godling denied their deific status by beings who could not understand them as anything but death. They're vengence and defiance made manifest, and they were reformed into the shape they are now because they looked into the eyes of their creators and tormenters and said no more. The first step towards their creation, the catalyst for their metamorphasis, was turning the Kingsoul into the Voidheart- very literally rejecting the Pale King's edict and reforming it into a beacon of their own power, accepting their nature and defying their maker. They looked at the very soul of someone who had cast their eggs into the dark sea below, who hatched them into a graveyard and watched them die in the millions, who made them to be slaughtered for his own cause because he thought they as the voidborn were less than alive- and they said 'I reject you. I reject what you said to me. I reject what you represent. I reject your vision, the way you made me to be. I will forge my own path. I will make my own way. I will accept what I am and I will show you right now that I am alive, I am here, I am not heartless and I am not thoughtless. I am what I am. I am the Void. And I will do what I must to save the family that you left behind.'

AND THEY DID IT FOR THE LOVE OF THEIR SIBLING, they did it for the love of the Hollow Knight, who let them fall and left them to die when they were both just hatchlings, who they had no obligation to save and yet rushed back to do so anyways. And they soldiered on through impossible odds, through endless fights in life and dream all while a spiteful, hateful creature hissed at their worthlessness and empowered their worst enemy, so that they could destroy the Radiance in her entirety, before she could be brought back at the peak of her power. The entire REASON that they could become the Lord of Shades in the first place and WHY they achieved that metamorphasis was for the love of their family- and for a vengence long-overdue, to say 'enough, enough!' and end the torment that plagued their kind for so long for no other reason than the selfishness of other gods. Dream No More was a beautiful ending that encapsulated the vessels finally getting peace, but I love the Embrace the Void ending because to me it feels like Ghost (and the other vessels) are reclaiming what was rightfully theirs, by force, from the entities who subjugated them for so long, and taking their rightful place as the major god of Hallownest- a birthright stolen from them by the Radiance, and denied to them by the Pale Gods.

(Also you can very easily imagine the LOS as Ghost being essentially a streamer with the other vessels being their chat and I love that sm. The-Many-Who-Are-One. My beloveds)

So yeah, that's why I'm the Shade Lord apologist. I fucking love them. 1000000/10 god

[that1nkyone]

Hang on, I gotta talk about the Platypus for a sec

So it's a pretty well-known fact that once colonialists started invading Australia in the 1700s, they came across a lot of fauna that made them go "what the fuck is this." A lot of the default reaction for England back then was 'shoot it and take it back home,' or 'put aboard a ship and hope it's alive when we get there.'

But I wanna talk a little about the details of that, and how I'm a little cheesed off with the Naturalists of Old when they first saw a platypus.

For one, it was dead. And dismissed because there's no way that beak was real. Those cheeky colonists were definitely playing a prank and wasting their time.

And then a few more come in, this time preserved as well as they can be in spirits. And people start saying "okay, well... what is it? Is it a bird? The bill makes me think it's a bird." "These aren't feathers." "It swims? It's an amphibian, which is a Reptile, as we all know (they didn't think these guys Seperate until quite a bit later)." "This thing is also clearly amongst the Lower Beings of God's Creations (Creationism was still a big thing in scientific circles)."

Paper upon paper was written about this new creature, and suddenly nobody could agree on what to classify it as. Their ideas of the natural order started suddenly collapsing and being thrown into disarray.

Because of this little guy.

The Naturalist Science scene was going berserk halfway across the world because their fundamental understanding of nature was being turned on its head by this tiny mammal - who they were still trying to decide whether it was a mammal.

The English were having arguments with the French, but some were collaborating ideas based on what data they'd gained (some French and English naturalists met up in Australia during the war to share a drink and talk about Platypuses). Because this strange duck-billed creature surely had no place in the Chain of Being, their point of classification for species that they'd used for the past hundreds of years. And if it did, where the heck did it belong?

Did it lay eggs? How did it swim? What was the bill for? They didn't know the answer to any of these questions because all the specimens they got from Australia were Very Deceased, either being shot and put in spirits, or dried out. The poor platypus was being done in a lot for the sake of research.

And look, I know methods were Different back then, and it wasn't easy to transport live specimens or have the technology to preserve specimens over half the planet. With that said, I do want to point something out:

While this huge crisis is happening, in January 1812, a man named Patrick Hill gets the bright idea to like... ask the elder of the local Indigenous tribe about them (my source records him as Cookoogong, but not all sources about First Nations from early colonial texts are accurate.)

And Cookoogong's like "Oh, these guys? Yeah, so, they do lay eggs. They have long, deep burrows. We know how to get to them. There's a spur at the back of their feet. We don't really eat them for food. We call it the mullingong.*"(also malangong, depending on what tribe/dialect) Cool. Mystery solved.

Except:

It took over seventy years for this information to become accepted as scientific fact.

Not just because of the inherent biases of the Colonials being backwater people and prisoners in a funny little land far away, not just out of a need to get more data before confirmation, but because almost nobody in Europe took the word of the native population in Australia.

And in between that 72 year gap between 1812 and 1884, there were so many instances of the First Nations people giving vital and essential pieces of information on correctly identifying the features and habits of this land mammal as European Scientists had a massive meltdown and argument over whether an animal they'd Never Seen Alive gave milk or not.

Hell, Charles Darwin made the trip to Australia, and was inspired by animals like the Platypus to start questioning whether all life was truly static and didn't transition or adapt to changing circumstances.

The platypus made Charles Darwin start questioning his beliefs in Creationism, and going on to begin his steps towards the theory of evolution.

And then there's Harry Burrell, who had the bright idea of like, not killing specimens every time someone wanted to see it up close. He was one of the first recorded people to try and keep platypuses in captivity, and thoroughly learn their preferred lifestyle, diet and breeding habits from careful observation. He would learn how to make platypuses Comfortable, and how to transport them safely.

His protege, David Fleay (pictured below), would go on to ensure the first successfully bred platypus in captivity - 'Corrie' (born to parents Jack and Jill).

what I'm saying is, the story of trying to Classify the Platypus ends in "Nature is just fucking weird, we're going to try understanding it as best we can, and maybe we should ask and respect the opinions of the people who have lived alongside something we don't understand for thousands of years."

The platypus is literally referred to by Mervyn Griffiths, an authority on monotremes, "The animal of all time."

Anyway, in summary: - Colonialism fucking sucks and Sovereignty was never ceded.

- The Platypus is an Amazing Creature and sorta Toppled Creationism in the scientific community??

[dotieeee]

Perhaps an unusual spicy idea: a gal sets up everything for a nice evening for herself--candles, aromatherapy, a vibrator, a dildo...only to accidentally re-create some kind of ancient sex spell that summons Desire. Desire is actually amused enough that someone got it right after so many centuries that they decide to play along and help out 👀

OOOOHHH this is an interesting idea!! I haven't written Desire in such a way so I will give it a shot!!! Sorry it took so long!!

***

Everything had been going according to plan. This was a rare day off where you had not much else to do, so you did everything at home you could possibly do to pamper yourself: you tried on that organic hair conditioner you had been saving because it was too expensive to use on a regular day; that tightening, pore-removing face mask you had bought ages ago on impulse; you did your nails (it was abysmal work, but hey, it felt nice); you ordered in a fancy meal and capped it with a glass of that red wine that had been sitting in your fridge since the last holidays. This last bit of me-time was supposed to be a cherry on top of a great day.

Instead, you were backed into the furthest corner of your bed, wide-eyed and frozen in place in disbelief at the human that had appeared in a cloud of red smoke, sat on the edge of your mattress.

They looked insanely beautiful, that was true, but that didn't really help the fact that they somehow got into your room, and they were wearing a latex catsuit with a neckline that dipped to their toned stomach, revealing a taut chest and the most enviable collarbones a person could possess.

And they wore cat ears.

"Having fun, aren't we?"

Their voice was like honey: smooth, sweet, and slightly teasing. Behind those pretty golden eyes was a hint of devious amusement, and those lips, painted flawlessly in crimson, were curled into a smile that revealed a perfect set of teeth.

"Darling, I know I'm drop-dead gorgeous; you don't have to look so gob-smacked," they said with a lilting laugh, tucking a lock of their blonde hair behind their ear with a perfectly-manicured nail. It put yours to shame.

You managed an unintelligble stutter, but you had meant to ask "How did you get here? Who the fuck are you?"

They merely giggled at your pitiful attempt to make speech. "I just love it when they get this flustered.

"I'm Desire, darling, and you summoned me."

You summoned who, exactly?

They seemed to ignore your bewildered look in favour of your little me-time altar, set in an orderly fashion on your little nightstand. They walked over to it, their cattail swinging behind them, inspecting your...display. Candles in varying scents - vanilla, pumpkin spice -

"Jasmine..." your unexpected guest purred, picking up the candle, and toying with its flame with a slender finger.

They placed it back down and inspected a crystal you remember buying at a mall stall ages ago because of the pretty colour. The woman explained what the stone was, but honestly you had nothing but the groceey list in mind you had forgotten what it was called.

"It's called celestite, my dear," they commented in an amused tone, as if they were reading your thoughts. "You mortals, buying anything and everything just because 'it's pretty.'" They flicked their eyes to you and added, "I approve."

To your horror, they picked up something else from the table, something you had hoped they'd brush over. They twirled the egg-shaped vibrator in their hand.

"This was your main event, wasn't it, darling?"

With a giggle that startled you, they launched themselves on the bed, lading on their back, and put their legs up in the air, swishing it back and forth. They held the vibrator in the light like they were inspecting diamonds.

"I'd never thought someone would finally get it right after so many centuries!"

They continued to laugh delightedly as their eyes landed on you, still curled up on the corner of your own bed, still fucking clueless. They rolled on their stomach and propped their cheek up on their palm.

"Something tells me you have absolutely no idea what you just did."

You swallowed the lump on your throat and finally summoned the will to speak. "What exactly did I do?"

Lazily, they tapped the space beside them, urging you to lay on it. For some reason unknown to you, you did as you were told, never once taking your eyes off them. There was something off about them, but it was mesmerzing.

"अहं त्वां याचयामि, अतीव दीर्घकालं यावत् अभवत्। अद्य रात्रौ मां प्रीत्या आशीर्वादं ददात."

They spoke in a language you have not heard of before. They drew a line on your forearm, giving you goosebumps all over. You were quite disappointed when they stopped.

"That was Sanskirt, darling," they explained. "Summoning me. Tell me, before I graced your home with my presence, what was the last thing you said? Don't be shy now, I won't bite." Then they winked and flashed a toothy smile.

You felt heat creeping up your cheeks as you repeated the words, finding yourself unable to look into their eyes. "'I hope I get an orgasm from this, it has been so long.'"

A finger tilted your chin up to look into those golden eyes. That's when it hit you: they were Desire, the very thing you had asked for. You licked your lips unconsciously as you stared into theirs, noting how red they were, and how they must taste like cherries.

"That's the spell. You asked for me, so let's make it worthwhile, shall we?"

The way they whispered so close to you had your insides melting, and you could only nod, totally under the spell of the otherworldly being you had inadvertently summoned. With a hum, they made a swift move to get on top of you and captured your lips with theirs.

Cherries.

Whatever the fuck you did, you were damn sure you'd do all over again.

[dumbawesomev69]

Faunus evolution Arc edition

(all art from madly Mesozoic on YouTube)

River elephant

In port class he talks about Hippo faunus as he shows a video of them however jaune knew something was wrong.

Jaune: professor port, those aren't Hippo faunus they're river elephants.

Mr port: What, how can you tell?

Jaune: well..

River elephant faunus: Yeah buddy!!!

Other river elephant faunus: Yeah buddy!!!

Jaune: my great great great great grandfather was a river elephant.

Ruby: They don't seem afraid of Grimm.

Jaune: yeah did I really afraid of anything they're just very aggressive to anything whether they're grimm or not.

Fun fact: River elephants are actually elephants that evolved adapting to a Hippo lifestyle.They adapted to an omnivorous diet eating plants and crustaceans and of course they are still at threat by predators but they have shown they handle even the biggest threat.

Grazing gorgon

Snow has come to the city of Argus as saphorn arc and her wife terra arc were out with their son Adrian arc as he plays in the snow at the park.

Terra: Adrian really loves the snow.

Saphorn: yeah he does, hey let's get some hot chocolate.

Terra: yeah, wait who's going to stay and watch Adrian.

Saphorn: he'll be fine my parents left us alone many times so it's fine.

The two got up and left as their son continued to play when his little stomach growled as Adrian looked for his mother a faunus wearing a white mask picked him up and ran into the woods.

Adam looks out from the woods before turning to a white fang member. "Those two were idiots leaving their son alone now he will be an example why the White fang shouldn't be messed with."

Another white fang member approaches Adam. "Uh Adam maybe we should return the kid."

Adam: what!? Why!

The member points towards some trees which confuses him until he makes his way over and looks to see the white fang member who took Adrian dead lying in the snow.

Adam looks to see Adrian feasting in the corpse.

Adam: .....

Minutes later

Saphorn and terra return to find Adrian crawling towards them.

Saphorn: see I told you, wait is that blood.

Terra: oh no please let it be a squirrel and not another pet, we still recovering from the neighbor cat incident.

Saphorn: To be fair that pussy cat had it coming.

The two took their son home as Adam watched them leave. "Note to self make sure kid isn't a faunus killing machine."

Fun fact: grazing gorgon will actually eat carrion, eggs and small mammals to expand their diet and in some cases they will actually follow mammoths for food in some cases they will be attacked by sabertooth or other predators in which in the end the grazing Gorgon will feast upon the would be attacker.

Winter tryant

Weiss was putting makeup on when her brother walked in making her sighs. "what is it Whitley?"

Whitley: what can't a brother see her sister.

Weiss: I know you whitley what is it you want.

Whitley: I just don't get how you got yourself a boyfriend, you sure you didn't use your psychotropic pheromones.

Weiss smirks. "Of course I did once but well let's just say I learned my lesson very well~."

Before Whitley can ask the doorbell rang as weiss immediately rush down stairs as the rest of the family arrives when Weiss opened the door revealing a very tall blonde teen with two antlers on his head as Jacques eyes widen in fear while winter, Willow and Whitley all have a bright blush on there face.

Weiss: Family meet Jaune arc, my boyfriend.

Jaune: it's nice to meet you all.

Jacques finally found his voice. "Wait arc!? I know that family, they're nothing more than a bunch of fuck up bastards and sluts."

Jaune: Excuse me what was that.

Jacques: You heard me brat.

Jaune: I believe you should apologize before I do something I might regret.

Jacques: Here's your apologies!

Jacques: Oh shit

Jaune:

Jacques ran screaming as jaune chases after him leaving Weiss with the rest of her family.

Willow: so Weiss your boyfriend is something else~

Winter: indeed~

Whitley: Said Weiss are you-

Weiss: I'm willing to share with him because he is a big handful especially for my teammates.

Fun fact: winter tryants are tyrannosaurus Rex the evolve for the coldest areas of the ark and their antlers on their head help with fighting against the Charfka telepathic abilities and to flip them over.

Night wolf chimp

We found jaune looking through his family tree book with his teammates and team rwby having a good time when they get to jaune mother family which wasn't so cheerful.

Blake: uh jaune why are their pictures of random people and faunus?

Jaune: oh right, they are my mothers family slaves she doesn't talk much about her past but my mom's side weren't exactly the kindness or nicest faunus in fact it's a reason why bandits keep their fires lit at night.

Nora: jaune-jaune your family are mixed faunus so what was your mother.

Jaune: believe it or not my mother was a cross between chimp and bonobo faunus becoming the first ever hybrids.

Ren: I'm guessing they didn't have a courtship.

Jaune: from what Mom told me, the males took the females after killing the males and forced them to have children with them. Over time my mother and few others become the first hybrids to carry on their nightly raids talking villages camps and even small sediments on Islands however over time we develop a relationship with a few well the rest of the time they view them as pests. My mother was lucky enough to find my father after that she gave of her old ways and married my father and started a family.

Both teams can hear the regret in jaune voices. "Hey if it's anything, my mother is a bandit who abandon me and Ruby's father."

Jaune smiles towards yang. "A little bit but I can learn from this, we make our own future and not let our parents past get in the way."

Pyrrha: hey jaune what about your father, and his side of the family.

Jaune: uh well that's for another time.

Fun fact: night wolf chimps hunt during Dawn going after mammals, birds, lizards, bugs, terrasaurs, smaller dinosaurs, fruits and larger dinosaurs which is rare. They are known to have some relationships with other great evolve apes like kudo kubwa even assist in combat with a meal at the end of it.

[xxleviathanquinsarteestxx]

"Who exactly do you think you are..." #4

Weaponstress/Kiki x Dabi ( Oc x canon )

Weaponstress meeting Dabi's Leader? This could only go well...

The next night after... Everything that happened, after all that, she was stuck thinking about him all the time. Even during her nightly patrol with Hawks, even right now while she's currently patrolling the streets of anything suspicious. She was walking by a local petrol station, looking inside, she recalled not having anything to eat that night so she thought it wouldn't hurt to buy a little thing to snack on during work.

Walking in, she greeted the worker at the register before walking over to the place where they had the warm foods stored.

Weapon: "Hmmm.. Should I go for a toastie or a pie? What am I feeling like tonight?"

???: "you should definitely get the toasted sandwich, those are my favourite"

Weapon: "hm? You think so?"

???: "absolutely... They even got cheese and bacon tonight"

Weapon: "no way! Sweet! Thanks for the... Recommendation"

She turned around to thank the kind stranger only to be greeted with a weird smile. He looked oddly familiar too. But she can't quite place her finger on it at all.

Weapon: "um.. My apologies but. Have we met before?"

???: "Oh... We might have, I can't recall.. But you have met some of my 'friends' though.."

Weapon: 'friends huh? This guy seems like trouble'... "Friends? Who exactly are these so-called friends?"

???: "oh you might know a certain someone named... Dabi"

Weapon: "... How do you know him exactly?" She asked, quietly backing away and looking around. There wasn't anyone in sight at all, just her, and this guy...

???: "he works for me. How else?.. And also, I apologize for how rude I was... Call me Shigaraki"

Shiggy: "Tomura Shigaraki"

I knew he seemed familiar. I've seen him before... He's the one who infiltrated the USJ and planned on getting rid of Toshinore. He's a sicko.

Shiggy: "No need to get all defensive. I'm not here to hurt you at all.."

Weapon: "you... Aren't?"

Shiggy: "nah. I just want to have a little chat... Dabi's taken a bit of an interest in you.."

Weapon: *blushes* '... Me?'

Shiggy: "a hero... And a villain... Heh, how interesting"

Weapon: "how so?"

Shiggy: "oh come on. You're a hero, everyone looks up to you, for as we are villains. Everyone looks down on us."

Weapon: "that isn't true... In fact, I think dabi's quirk is very.. Powerful"

Shiggy: "heh, really now?"

Weapon: "yeah have you seen him use it! It's like.. So cool" she blushes, stopping herself from ranting about how cool he was to her.

Shiggy: "I see. Could we continue this more outside? I just came here to grab more sour patch kids- I mean. Acid"

Weapon: 'pffft sour patch kids-' "sure thing, lemme grab my late dinner" she said, taking a toasted bacon and egg sandwich, taking it to the register to pay for it before heading out with Tomura.

Once outside, she looked around noticing how dead it was. Which was weird since it's usually pretty busy. She pulled out her phone to check the time, no wonder why it was so dead. It's 1 am... And she just checked Hawks message saying that she didn't need to stay out any longer since it's late.

She shrugged it off and decided to have a walk and talk with Shigaraki. As strange as he seems, he's actually kind of chill. But as usual she's keeping her guard up while talking to him.

"Hm" she thought to herself for a second before writing something down on a piece of paper and handing it to him.

Tomura: "uh... What's this?"

Weapon: "my number, could you pass it to Dabi next time you see him?"

Tomura: "Pffft what are we? Friends?"

Weapon: "well you said it yourself, you just wanted to talk didn't you?"

Tomura: "ugh, you got a point... But" He came to a pause, moving a but closer to her and slipping the paper in her pocket in her jeans.

Tomura: "it would be better if you gave it to him" he suggested, backing away a bit

She was surprised at the sudden action but thought about it to herself. Yeah it would be better if she gave it to him instead. She continued eating her sandwich to fill herself while also occasionally talking to Tomura. She also had this strange feeling that she was being watched, and she can't seem to rid herself of it. Though she shrugged it off whilst listening to Tomura talk about something of his.

❥❥❥❥❥❥❥❥❥❥❥❥❥❥

Once finishing off her sandwich she continued walking off with Tomura and chatting to him for a bit, hm, for a villain he's actually kind of chill. Just like... Dabi.

She never thought she'd be on duty, conversing with another villain just cause she... Liked one of his workers? Friends? She still didn't understand their relationship. But then all of a sudden Tomura stopped in front of some bar. She looked up at the sign and then back at him

Weapon: "this your... Uhhh. Headquarters?"

Tomura: "well what do you know. It is... Thanks for talking and walking with me. I can see now why Dabi likes you."

Weapon: "i- uhm- thank you, it was nice talking to Dabi's boss"

Tomura: "haha boss. Okay, I have to go now. I'll see you around... Weaponstress"

Weapon: "next time I do I'll have to catch ya" she joked before turning around and started making her way back to her apartment.

❥❥❥❥❥❥❥❥❥❥❥❥❥❥

Tomura gave her one last smile, this time, a more genuine one. Before he walked inside, going down the set of stairs and up to the bar to sit down on a stool, he took out his packet of sour patch Kids and began munching on them.

Not so long after he came in, Dabi began walking down the set of stairs too, looking down to see Tomura, he walked up to him. Clearing his throat.

Dabi: "so... You were with weaponstress?"

Tomura: "heh, you were stalking us weren't you?"

Dabi: ".... "

Dabi: "what's it to you?"

Tomura: "oh nothing, I was just asking that's all" he answered, chuckling to himself before looking up at Dabi.

Tomura: "pretty, but she's not my type. So don't worry, she's in your hands."

Dabi: "okay. So... What we're you two talking about?"

Tomura: "oh I was just ranting to her about my hatred for all might and also talking about some other things"

Dabi: "sick"

Tomura: "and she was also talking about how cool your quirk is" he mentions with a smirk.

Dabi stood there, blushing at the fact that she liked his quirk. It made him get a few ideas for what he's gonna do to her next time he sees her.

Dabi: "I see... Thanks for telling me that, Shigaraki." He said before turning around and walked up the set of stairs again as he started making his way back to his apartment as well... Not knowing that both him and Kiki live in the same apartment... Who knows what could happen next..

Authors note: Hiya!! Late update, it's usually nightly. But I fell asleep last night due to being overtired lolz. But also I hope you enjoy this?!!! And yes, Tomura and Kiki are besties to be 👀👀

[noobsomeexagerjunk]

Irt the theory that the Eggs are spytools, I'm betting on some eggs being better at resisting their coding/Fed behavior better than others

As far as I'm concerned, Trump (TheBest fr) is the only egg who has expressed being unable to go against the Feds for Maxo's sake. He probably dropped that bomb since he's about to die and his love for his Papa is incredibly sincere. He always seemed quite timid to me, hc that he unironically liked being cared for enough to go against coding

Juanaflippa and Tilin, dead as hell, succeeded in keeping their parents unaware of the island's nature. Their love is also sincere.

So far Bobby and Tallulah are the next most succesful eggs imo? Also very sincere, but their parents don't bother too far about the island. Wilbur is barely around, and Team Roierimations seems to actually be favored by Cucurucho soooo

As for the rest, how much they're dancing on the water varies

The eggs closest to the theory bros are being very lax with their parents, acting in coding when their parents are about to cross a really dangerous line.

Leo panics early and distracts Foolish from what I've seen. Vegetta barely investigates and keeps to himself so Leo doesn't need to do much with him

Dapper doesn't do much despite Bad's surprising progress, and in fact engages with Bad's theories. He barely stops Bad bc that dude is easy to distract and isn't theorypilled 24/7 + he definitely cares, no one is immune to Dadboyhalo. That egg has a 50/50 chance of being like Trump imo, we'll have to see

I reckon Chayanne and Ramón don't do as much for similar reasons as Dapper. Phil and Fit, while confident that there is something wrong with the island, both aren't really active conspiracy theorists and are really dependent on the efforts of more engaged people. Also Missa hasn't been around too

Richas is a weird case, but I think having 6 dads is a lot to manage for 1 egg. Cellbit is one person, and a troublesome one, hence the recent Fed acts towards him

Anyways I do not doubt how much the eggs care about their parents, and I think that thought plays a factor in just how willing the eggs are in following their Fed coding