#Though is it correct to compare her to someone else... I dunno

[rosehippiefield]

1, 8, 19 for serwa for the character ask game ✨

What was the original thought that led to the creation of this character?

I don't really remember, her protoversion was with me for a long time. At first she was just... there. I needed numbers, I had a big group with mostly blank slates instead of full-fledged characters. Plus, I needed girls to draw, because I mostly redraw same girls over and over. Then I was inspired by Undertale Integrity soul, changing my protoversion to represent Integrity (and enjoy dancing). At some point I decided to draw Serwa with a black skin (maybe because I thought ballerina of color would be cool. Seems I wasn't the only one who headcanoned Integrity as black). And after that I got more ideas of how to proceed and actually make her a character.

8. What is the origin of their personality? And let's be honest - how much of it is projecting?

I was mainly inspired by Integrity soul, so I wanted to make Serwa honest and dignified. Since I decided to make her black, I wanted to do the opposite of stereotypes (which isn't always the best approch and can be overdone but I was like 15). Serwa is intelligent, serious, independent girl. While often straightforward, strict and firm, she conducts herself with grace and elegance (since law is her major, that is to be expected). I still don't know if I want to make her American or French, so "elegant" part also comes from French stereotypes. Serwa's biggest dream and goal is to help other minorities. Also, the discrimination she'd have witnessed since her childhood would make her a bit cynical and harsh to people who are not experiencing same hardships, but she would still be fair to them.

I think in general I hoped to write a person worthy of respect and who'd represent many virtues of humanity while also hapening to be black (then adding a bit of cynicism and "honest even if harsh" attitude because everyone needs some flaws). So I'd say I didn't project my hardships or personality traits onto her and I based my ideas on which traits I thought black girl of middle class could have. Though the virtues themselves were the ones that I valued: honesty, fairness, dignity, integrity, professionalism.

19. What is your general favourite thing about the character? What is your least favourite?

My favorite thing about Serwa is how she's one of my most morally correct characters. She's smart enough to not be manipulated by malicious schemes (which could harm others), kind enough to offer helping hand to those in need, loyal enough to never abandon her allies. She'd never lie to you, even if the truth was ugly. Nobody is perfect, but overall she is a good person, friend and partner

The least favorite thing is probably that I have to work hard to make Serwa a good representation, which means understanding how she'd live, how she'd behave determined by her environment and so on. I'd have to find a lot of materials to make an accurate backstory for her. And I want for her backstory to be believable. However, her very name is interpreted differently by many websites! How do I know which ones are correct? Besides, I don't know if English-speaking websites will have all information. I haven't really looked long enough, but I feel like it might be a challenge. And I feel additional responsibility to do right by her, because representation of POC people is important. I'm afraid to butcher her in general. To make her stereotypical or too similar to other black heroines. For example, she has water-based powers, is independent and likes dancing. That is already reminiscent of Layla/Aisha from Winx. Though I guess it's not that bad if she's her own character

[aquarius-cookie-jar]

So about that Cookie Run MLP au

(click to see the clearer pictures.)

I've basically tried to come up with lore and stuff. If you can't read what's on the images, don't worry, I'll expand more on my thoughts here:

(side-note, it's gonna be a long one)

White Lily Cookie

Before I talk about her, here's some random changeling lore I made up. Woodland changelings are the ones who feed on the love of other creatures by draining it from them. Basically the more hostile, fae-esque creatures. Prismatic changelings are those who don't drain love from others, but instead feed on love through mutual sharing with one another. My goal with them is to make them sorta like faeries. Yanno, the baby snatcher ones vs the nice disney-esque ones. They can transform into either one if say, they're able to form a strong bond with someone else or if they lack a strong connection and have no one to share love with.

Btw, this isn't related to mlp canon, it's just something I made up.

So anyway, White Lily was a young woodland changeling who, while she didn't (often) drain love from other people, she was still pretty lonely and ostrisized by her peers (probably due to her lily scent). She transforms into a prismatic changeling after making a strong bond with Pure Vanilla, who declared how he'll always care for her, changeling (either form) or not.

Ngl, I'm not that happy with her woodland form, mainly because it just feels less changeling-like. I based her off Queen Chrysalis, but still, the only reason I have for this, is that, she's like a queen bee. She's just born that way. She just never took the throne like the rest of her friends.

In her younger years, White Lily often transformed into a pony disguise (even after meeting PV and leaving the academy) because she still felt like it was necessary. Girl was bullied in her tweens, leave her be. (Also, by now, she's become a prismatic changeling.) Eventually, she did drop her disguise, and was relieved to know the other 3 didn't hate her. Dark Cacao even commented about how he prefers her true form.

Her soul-jam form is basically her just becoming more queen bee like, (similar to how Queen Chrysalis was bigger and taller compared to the rest of the hive. She's the queen!)

Pure Vanilla Cookie

Not much to say other than he was a unicorn who became an alicorn as the years passed and he gained his soul jam.

I dunno if I wanted his magic to be blue or yellow. I think I prefer yellow, but his soul jam is blue, and I wanted it to sorta match. Hmm.

He also has terrible eyesight, and relies on his staff to see. However, the drawside to this is that what the staff sees, is what he sees. And boy, his staff can be a bit sassy sometimes, rolling its eye and glancing down at him to judge him at times. It was especially so in his younger years. But he's comfortable with or without the staff's sight. I should mention, he does get to decide if he wants to see what his staff sees or not.

Btw, if this take is seen as ablelist in any shape or way, please let me know, and I will correct it if it is. The whole 'staff sees for PV' is a popular headcanon which I just roll with, but if it makes people uncomfortable, I understand and will revise it.

Hollyberry Cookie

Not much to say other than she was an earth pony who gained wings, magic, and super strength.

Compared to the others, she rarely ever uses her magic/wings unless absolutely needed to. It just feels quite off for her, yanno? Though, she does take advantage of her enhanced strength, agility, and stamina.

Out of everyone, she took the longest to figure out how to fly, not because she was scared, but because it felt very off to control these brand new appendages that just appear on your back whenever you use the souljam's magic to the fullest.

Her design is the most straight-forward out of everyone tbh.

Dark Cacao Cookie

He's a kirin, which are basically dragon-like ponies, and I headcanon him to be part dragon, so it works out.

For his Nirik form, I drew inspiration for how berserk Cacao looked, all whispy and spirit-like.

I was debating on whether or not I wanted to give him wings, but in the end, I realized that it would make his design feel too cluttered. So instead, I drew inspiration from east asian dragons, and how they don't need wings to fly. Dark Cacao can summon clouds and gallop across the winds instead, which I think looks really cool.

Kirin's are depicted with this lion's mane, but I didn't feel like it would fit Cacao, mainly because he's got a lot going on at this point (the armor, for one) and idk, I just couldn't fit it, unless I redesign his entire wardrobe, which I don't want to do.

About the White Lily thing I mentioned earlier, I said how Cacao prefers seeing Lily as a changeling, rather than in a disguise, because (at the time) he thought he was the only non-pony creature on the team, and it was reassuring to him that he wasn't the odd one out. Golden Cheese was the last one to officially join the band.

Golden Cheese Cookie

Head of a pony, body of a lion, wings like a hawk's. Yep, she's a sphinx.

I know she looks more cat-like here, but idk, I just really liked it, so I stuck with it.

Out of everyone, she was the one who had the most trouble with magic, mainly because she's kinda the most scatterbrained. But once she got the hang of it, she really liked using it.

Can I just say, she's definitely the most elegant looking one out of the bunch, and I'm glad that I was able to translate it well. (Or at least, I think I was.)

--

That took a lot longer than expected. But hey, this au is just for fun.

[v3ng3anc3-qu33n]

Shit. (Pt. 6 of Her Revenge Series)

After freeing All For One, according to the news, the heroes knew they were stuck and couldn't win. Not alone, at least. So they branched out, sending an S.O.S. to many different countries for aid. America replied first with The Justice League, Teen Titans, and Young Justice and the Avengers not far behind them, with a few other superhero teams from across the world joining in. Meanwhile, the villains and I have been planning to deal with this, though our resources are lacking compared to them.

"Uncle please tell me you have enough powers to help us." I say unsure of his power levels since being caught.

"I do so don't be alarmed. I did some extra gathering while I was there." All For One reassures.

"I dunno I think we should be alarmed," Toga says.

"Yeah/no," Twice contradicts himself.

"I believe we will need to produce more Nomus at least as a diversion," I say before pausing "Toga you have some hero blood, correct?"

"I have some from Uravity, Froppy, Endeavour, Midnight, Rocklock, and some others why?" Toga replies wistfully as she thinks of her blood collection.

"You will go undercover once a week on Mondays and gather all the information you can." I say my eyes calculating.

She nods before Shigiraki intercedes.

"Wait what do we do to make sure she isn't caught." Shigiraki points out.

"Relax Shigiraki, y/n and I already have this under control." All For One says.

"Correct uncle, because many new heroes are here as they have their own planes or can fly or run on water. I figured this may happen so just think about it maybe it would do you some good though I suppose I will explain regardless. With many new heroes and this chaos of course some heroes will act... off... meaning if Toga messes up she can claim anxiety and stress."

"Dismissed." I say, and everyone aside from me, Shigiraki, and All For One walks off to their individual plans.

I also walk away to my room, leaving All For One alone with Shigiraki.

"I'm worried about y/n they're acting erratic." Shigiraki says. "They only came back because of a rough break up because they have strong powers and accidentally hurt someone."

"I noticed they seemed... off.. see what you can find about the break up every detail." All For One says.

Meanwhile, I sit in my room overhearing this and sigh before I flop down on my bed and unlock my phone. I freeze as I get a photo memory popping up of me and Damian on a ferris wheel together. My eyes water, and I go to our text messages, typing out a message and deleting it, doing this process over and over. Before I go to my photo app and start deleting all our pictures together and destroying every physical picture with him or his family in it, along with everything he ever painted or bought for me. My eyes flicker, glowing purple before they stop, and I just cry in bed, falling asleep as my tears stain my face.

The next morning, I slam my alarm and get up and quickly get dressed in something comfortable and get my hair out of my face for the day before putting on my slippers and going to the main floor seeing everyone else already there.

"Morning Sleeping Beauty." Dabi teases, and I flip him off.

"Guessing you didn't sleep well?" Shigiraki says.

"I slept fine thank you." My voice filled with annoyance.

"Really then why were you throwing and breaking things at 1:30am?" Toga says dubiously.

"Just because Toga. Just because." I say my face and voice cold. "Anyways are you ready to go undercover today?"

"Yup!" Toga says cheerily.

I grimace at her cheeriness so early but nod. As I grab my breakfast I have Kurogiri send Toga to the Hero Base so she can get intel.

We wait for 7 hours. 7 hours of anxiety and paranoia. We all sit in the main room worried as we watch a show until we hear her scream out.

"IM BACK BITCHES!!!" Toga shrieks as she walks in.

"Jesus christ so fucking loud." Spinner mutters.

"What did you find?" I ask.

"Well the news was right the Justice League, Avengers, Young Justice, and Teen Titans are here." She says worriedly as she looks at me.

"Well then, I will be right back," I say tense before teleporting to my room and screaming "FUCKING SHIT FUCK FUCK FUCK GOD DAMMIT THOSE ASSHOLE SHITTTTTT!!!"

Before I teleport back, my eyes flickering glowing purple again before resting on glowing purple and say, "Well, this will be fun."

The rest of the L.O.V. nod unsure and I shoo them all away except All For One and Shigiraki.

".... so you guys want to know what happened with my break up?" I say

"What no-" Shigiraki says before I cut him off.

"Save it. I heard you both last night, I will tell you. You know how my powers aren't a quirk they're magic? And how only in Japan are quirks common? In other places, it's the opposite. The powered are few. After I got my hero licence under the guidance of my adoptive father, Eraserhead? Well, after I had to go to U.A. for a year for social purposes, and I did before I left for America with the blessing of U.A. and The Avengers as a precaution in case I got I over my head. Which I did but not in a way they could help... I fell in love with a boy named Damian, and I was reckless. In America, they don't have a hero licence system, so when I went there wanting to help the powerless, I kept it on me just so no one would mistake me as a villain as its chaotic and they have no hero system you just eventually are recognised as one. This wouldn't have been a problem except for the fact that I fell in love. I fell in love with a vigilantes son just my luck. We started dating when I first moved over when I was 16 and he was 18 we dated for four fucking years his family and friends adored me. Until him and his family were on patrol and they heard me scream. A man killed someone... in the same way I saw my biological parents that night... and I froze. I screamed, and magic shot out of my body without my control hitting and killing the man, and Damian was the first to see me in front of the corpses." I pause and take a deep breath as my voice cracks before continuing. "After my magic teleported me away to the room I was staying in at his family Manor... the next day, Damian confronted me he was livid. I tried to explain, but he wouldn't listen. Then the rest happened. The normies don't like those with power as they can't control them... they fear them.. and he feared me."

-V3ng3anc3

[chidoroki]

182 Days of TPN - Day 173

Chapter 173: "Prisoners"

My immense dislike towards Peter often leads me to making fun of him, but he ain't a cute kid. I dunno any child his age (however old he is here) to look that happy with wearing a full suit. Normal children would complain.

I know Norman isn't related to the James at all, but I still enjoy how so many people joke or theorize about it solely based on how he took on the WM persona and how similar they look at a first glance. Not just by the hair and outfit either, but even their actions, like you can't look at this panel and not be reminded of that one panel of Norman from ch126. It's so memorable that I don't even have to place it here to compare the two because of how identical it is to James here.

Imagine if James never found that old document. The world would continue on suffering under the farm system rules forever and we wouldn't even have our story. Maybe. Ray would probably still question his existence and the world whether or not James hides clues in the books in the GF library. It would certainly be more difficult for the kids to survive outside the farm though without using the pen for guidance, if they could manage the escape in the first place.

Peter, for once in your life, can you please just act like a normal child? Who hears of someone sacrificing others for their own gain and thinks, "oh, they're brilliant! I wanna be just like them!" I really hate how Julius pushing aside his personal feelings in order to change the world and stop the fighting sounds so similar to what Emma did with making the new promise, but our girl would certainly never betray her family and friends to achieve that better world!

This poor man. It's as if his entire purpose in life is crashing down around him.

As heartbreaking as this scene of James' death is, I can't feel sorry for Peter in this moment. The dude labeled James as a traitor and gave the order to the other Ratri men to go kill him, so I can't imagine why the boy is wailing so hard for something he caused to happen. He could've at least tried to talk to James about the situation, maybe find some common ground that the two of them could agree upon that would apply to both their ideals on how to run the clan and farm systems, but nope. Death be upon ye. The fact that Peter gets up and walks away shortly after rubs me the wrong way too. If he was truly upset about his brother's death, surely he would've taken his body somewhere else to do a proper burial instead of just leave him there. Peter mentions at the start of this chapter that he respected James more than anyone, but this sure as hell ain't the proper way to show it.

Local fool having an existential crisis. Sure the Ratri clan was bound to play the part as the mediators between both worlds, but one couldn't honestly believe that was the correct way to do things. It's surprising the promise lasted a thousand years before someone had the nerve to stand up and say, ya know, living this way just ain't right.

Peter isn't wrong, unfortunately. Humans can really be so terrible. The world we're personally living in is far from perfect.

One of the rare deaths when the corners of my mouth are tugged upwards. It's fine. No one really wanted Peter to join the kids in the human world anyway.

Favorite panel/moment:

James' smile. That's all.

[ask-cinnavanillamelody]

Ms Mocha, I keep hearing there's something to Sagi, but all I see is a defiance against even considering changing his ways.

He is perfectly satisfied with causing pain and suffering and he see's no reason to change as he has told several creatures who have approached him.

I guess I could give him the Batman Begins speech, but he's obviously content with what he does defining him.

Lightning seems convinced there's something more too who he is on the inside. I would laugh at that, but I too was convinced there was more to Diamond Tiara, long before anypony saw it.

But where I was proven right to see something good in Diamond, I could be wrong about there being no good in him.

@ask-gadzooks seems to care enough to fight me all day on it. So like, what am I missing?

Alright, time to tell you just what the deal is.

To be fully frank with you, @ask-gadzooks are correct about your recent behavior toward our newest Antagonist. Notice my word usage fillies, that will be important later.

Your reactions towards him and the constant calling him of names are childish in nature, and shows your lack of ability to see the nuance of his character, no matter how much I tell you that he isn't what he seems on the surface.

This is common with most though, because in your head Sagi is a villain even though I never stated that he was. Let's go back to the word antagonist. The definition of antagonist is a person who actively opposes or is hostile to someone or something; an adversary. The antagonist serves as a constant obstacle to the protagonist. In this case, all of our protagonists.

I keep trying to illustrate that Sagi's problem can not be solved with the same methods he would use to dispatch someone else. Name-calling won't work on him, he doesn't give a shit about anyone who isn't his mother, or friend. (And he currently only has one friend, Lightning) if anything, you're just egging him on to continue calling you names, because he's getting a negative reaction from you. Fear is his favorite food, but he feeds on most strong negative emotions, like anger for example. Arresting him isn't an option, because while yes torturing dragons isn't the best thing to do, it's not exactly in the law that you can't harshly punish a criminal for a heinous crime. And that's another thing.

You hear "He tortures dragons to harvest their fear and enjoys it a little too much" and completely ignore the facts that:

HE HAS STANDARDS FOR THE DRAGONS HE HARVESTS FEAR FROM, THEY HAVE TO BE CRIMINALS, AND THEY HAVE TO HAVE COMMITTED EXTENSIVE EGREGIOUS CRIMES.

HE DOESN'T HARM ANYTHING THAT CAN'T WITHSTAND HIS MAGIC.

He harvests fear from dragons specifically because they're strong enough to withstand violence if it gets to that point, and for the most part, after they have a run-in with him, the likelihood of repeat offenses from dragons (the most dangerous non-ponies) drops to zero. And yeah, it sucks for the dragons that live in Equestria that choose to commit crimes, but THEY COMMIT CRIMES, they aren't exactly innocent.

Another problem I have is that you compare Sagi to two characters he has NO similarity to.

Diamond Tiara. She was a spoiled rich kid brat with a superiority complex and insecurities that she took out on others around her. And yeah, she didn't harm others physically, but she did harm others because she regularly made fun of Scootaloo, a disabled child for her disability. REGULARLY. Diamond was a bully, Sagi despises bullies, he isn't one. Diamond also didn't have to hurt other people to literally survive. Sagi unfortunately does. And you just assume he's fine with that existence and not that he's just I dunno, gotten used to it?

That Detective you keep mentioning from that old Batman Cartoon. (I don't remember his name or which cartoon he's from) Based on your description of this surly man. He has a surface-level comparison at first glance. But Sagi is in no way gluttonous, he isn't surly, and he's not a jerk. Sagi's quite polite to people who treat him politely. He called you a snooty earth pony because you were BEING A SNOOTY EARTH PONY to his friend, so much so that you made her cry. You've mentioned how that wasn't your intention, but you still hurt his friend, of course, he would defend her in the only way he knows how to deal with bully behavior (not calling you a bully, but that was bullish behavior) threats. Which usually works because of his Umbrum ancestry.

The reason everyone else seems to see what you can't is because they are trying to understand him. You, are antagonizing him. He's going to react the way you have in your mind "a villain" would react because you treat him like one. Which, I may add, his mother? Selena? TOLD YOU NOT TO DO THAT. She explicitly told you that Sagi is a product of his circumstances, how do you think a child that is born with a near uncontrollable urge to cause harm and fear to everything around him because if he doesn't he'll die is supposed to grow up? Sagi found a way to fulfill his need to harvest fear the way his personality likes, with the least likely way to cause casualties. He doesn't understand why everyone is so mad at him for finding a way to live without hurting anyone innocent of wrongdoing. Which, I repeat, THE DRAGONS HE HAS TORTURED ARE NOT INNOCENT, THEY ARE ALL GUILTY OF CRIMES THAT HAVE HARMED OTHER INNOCENT PEOPLE.

The ONLY Dragon he has gone too far with is Sanori. That was a moment where, like Selena said, he got overexcited. Sanori was (and is) a very strong dragon because he's the son of a dragonlord. (Not Ember, a different set) Sanori was the first, and only dragon, not to surrender as easily. He also was super terrified of being taken into custody, which just thrilled Sagi even more. The fact that he was a cop, and not just because he was an Umbrum, was terrifying to someone, was the equivalent of practical euphoria for Sagi. That just his presence as an officer of the law put the practical fear of God into a criminal. He didn't want it to end, he didn't want Sanori to get away, and he was known for flying to evade capture. So the first chance he got, he took that option away. It was at that point that Sagi stopped himself because if he went any further he would have killed Sanori in front of multiple people. (Screams of pain tend to draw a crowd) Sagi realized he was enjoying it too much, and left Sanori there. He didn't want to lose himself in the process of consuming the most potent fear he's ever gotten in his life.

Sanori's fear, even his residual fear, was enough to keep Sagi alive and well for years after the fact. All throughout Cinna's other half of growing up. It's no different than being addicted to something. Fear is his favorite emotion to feed on, he is addicted to causing fear.

What Lightning, is trying to illustrate, is that she knows Sagi on a personal level. And she can see the signs of an addiction. (You know, considering she's also a cop. A VERY GOOD cop) And she has had conversations with Sagi, actual conversations. If you notice, she talks to and about Sagi like a regular person, because in the end, he is a normal person with severe issues. He is stuck in his ways, but that doesn't mean he has no desire to change, he just doesn't have a valid reason. From his POV, he's only hurting people who deserve it, he has all the friends he needs, and his mother (and father) is doing well. Why does that have to change?

If you really want to see all the parts of the story I've been trying to show you since he was introduced, Approach him with the mindset of trying to actually understand the why of how he is now, not what he's done in the past.

That was a long rant, but hopefully, it is understandable. Thank you for reading. -Mod Mocha 🍫

[iloveminjiu]

AAAAAA : dreamcatcher x 8th member!reader

(unfinished reject scraps)

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VAR. 1

“good morning, afternoon, or night, i am dreamcatcher’s ln yn, and i would like to say that it is a pleasure to have each and everyone of you as our audience tonight.”

“good morning, afternoon, or night…” one of the radio hosts – hongjoon, if you remembered correctly – repeated, an eyebrow raised as he looked up from his script to look at you. “you say this greeting almost everytime you introduce yourself. is there a reason why?”

“…there is a reason for it,” you say after a moment of silence before turning to hongjoon with an apologetic smile. “unfortunately, it is a bit of a long story though, and i’d rather not waste time telling it when it isn’t the slightest bit interesting...”

“as long as it’s you who's telling it, yn-ah, i’m sure all of our insomnia’s will be interested.” minji said, placing a hand in yours and squeezing it comfortingly. “of course, if you don’t want to talk about it, then you don’t have to.”

“yes, please don’t feel pressured to tell us, yn-ssi.” yunho said hastily, hongjoon nodding his head vigorously beside him. “it is up to you whether or not you want to tell us your story.”

“in that case…” you pause, leaning away from the mic and clearing your throat. “

this one just felt wrong. dunno how else i’m supposed to explain it.

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VAR. 2

“good morning, afternoon, and night.” you greet quietly, waving at the camera with a soft smile. “this is dreamcatcher’s ln yn, and it is a pleasure to have each and every one of you as our audience for today’s show.”

“…is it just me, or does she sound like one of those airplane pilots before they take off?” yoohyeon muttered

started off good but it didn’t flow that well.

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VAR. 3

“–out of the maknae line, yn-unnie and dami-unnie are the only ones who speak formally.”

“no, dami-unnie speaks formally.” gahyeon corrected, not even bothering to deny the fact that she spoke informally to you and the rest of your members. “yn-unnie speaks politely. there’s a difference.”

yoohyeon blinks, tilting her head to the side like a puppy – or just a dog in general – would when they were confused. “there is?”

“there is.” gahyeon said firmly, an all too serious look on her face. “yn-unnie is polite but speaks informally most of the time and dami-unnie just speaks formally whenever she talks to one of the unnies.”

“so yn-ssi is polite while dami-ssi is more formal.” the radio host summarized, prompting gahyeon to nod, and, after a moment of silence, he then laughs, a look of embarrassment on his face. “i’m sorry, but it doesn’t make any sense to me. how can someone be polite but informal?”

“let’s say they were asking me if i wanted to go out and eat.” minji cuts in. “if it was yn-ah, she would ask, ‘do you want to go out and eat somewhere?’”

you hum, nodding your head ever so slightly in agreement with the older girl’s words. “that is what i would say should i ask one of the unnies if they wanted to eat.”

“dami-ya, on the other hand,” minji continued, gesturing to the rapper with her hand. “would ask me, ‘unnie, would you like to go out and eat?’”

“and if it was yoohyeon or gahyeon, they would just ask, ‘wanna go out and eat somewhere?’” handong adds, smiling teasingly at the two girls, the former frowning and playfully shoving her while the latter giggled.

“ah, i see now.” the host says, a thoughtful look on his face. “yn-ssi is more casual than dami-ssi but is more polite compared to yoohyeon-ssi and gahyeon-ssi.”

“that’s not-”

“that’s pretty much it.” bora interrupted. “dami is the standard, yn is right below her, and yoohyeon and gahyeon are all the way at the bottom.”

this, one, has a different into but has a very similar concept. unfortunately, i didn’t like it at all so… to the scrap pile it goes.

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VAR. 4

“ynnie speaks like she comes from nobility.”

“do i really?”

“see, like that!” siyeon pointed at you, looking back and forth between the you and the radio host. “none of us would have said, ‘do i really?’. we would just say, ‘really?’ or whine or complain or something.”

”it makes it really confusing speaking to yn-ah sometimes,” sua said, prompting you to raise a brow. “i’m a pretty conservative person so whenever someone younger than me speaks informally, it sort of irks me?”

“that’s true.” gahyeon nodded, sighing. “i can’t tell you the amount of times she’s scolded me for not calling her unnie…”

it just didn’t feel right whatsoever. it started out okay, but fell off quickly :I

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VAR. 5

“dream of me~ good morning, afternoon, or night, i am dreamcatcher’s ln yn. i hope those of you who are listening right now are having a wonderful day today.”

“…” the radio host blinked, staring at you with wide eyes as your members cheered and clapped quietly. “oh, yes, yn-ssi… uh…”

“ah, she got affected by it.” bora murmured, laughing at the flustered look on the woman’s face. “looks like your fan club just got a new member, ynnie~”

you roll your eyes playfully, shoving the dancer on the shoulder playfully as she cackles. the woman, having snapped out of her stupor, chuckled, her cheeks red with embarrassment. “sorry about that, i don’t know what happened there…”

“don’t worry about it.” yoohyeon said, dismissing her apology with a wave of her hand. “most people get like that whenever they meet our ynnie for the first time.”

“is that so?” the woman asked, leaning forward with an curious look on her face. “how come?”

“honestly, we’re not too sure ourselves.” minji smiled, turning to you with a gummy smile on her lips as she wiggled her eyebrows. “maybe it’s because yn-ah is so pretty that they can’t help but gawk at her beauty?”

you frown, your eyebrows furrowing as you glared at the older girl. “unnie, please stop saying nonsense.”

“it’s the truth though.” gahyeon muttered, seemingly unimpressed by your denial. “when i first met you, i thought you were a goddess.”

did not fit yn’s personality whatsoever, imo

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VAR. 6

you liked the attention and affection your members’ often offered to give you. you just weren’t very great at vocalizing your wants – needs, more like – which leads to the situation at hand.

“yah, don’t just push me like that, it hurts!”

you huff, crossing your arms and shuffling away from the older girl. “then maybe you shouldn’t have just launched at me like that.” you mutter, frowning. “if you hadn’t said – very loudly, might i add – that you were going to do that before hand, i would’ve hit you.”

“that’s enough.” sua interrupted, stepping in between you and the puppy-like girl with an unimpressed look on her face. “we have a schedule to get to and we’re already running late as it is. get into the car so we can go.”

yoohyeon pouts but does what the older girl says, shooting you a stink eye as she climbed into the car, where the rest of your members were watching with either wide eyes – gahyeon – an unimpressed look that was not unlike sua’s – handong – or a frown – jiu, siyeon, and dami.

sighing, you turn to follow yoohyeon into the car, only to be stopped by sua, who had somehow grabbed your wrist when you hadn’t been looking. “hold on.”

“unnie?”

sua glanced at jiu, sharing a look with the leader before the latter shook her head with a sigh of her own before pulling the door closed, leaving both you and bora standing outside.

idk it just felt off.

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TBC. (because i am really struggling with this lol)

[wulfies-kpop-fanfics]

One Photo → Mark Lee [1]

↳  Pairing: Mark Lee/Reader

↳  AU: Soulmate!AU - The first touch of two soulmates permanently scars their bodies.

↳  Word count: 4,863

↳  Chapters: Prelude | You Are Here! | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9

⁙ Summary: For an end of the year photography project, you’re tasked with taking a photograph for your favourite group, NCT127, and coincidentally, discover your soulmate.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

MONDAY - 1

Your heart was pounding a million miles a minute as you stepped into your photoshoot studio on campus two weeks later, ready to see a bunch of other students preparing for interviews for the same position. Surprisingly, you were the only one present besides your teacher. She smiled and approached. “Hey,” she greeted you with a short handshake. “I see you’re nervous?” “A little,” you admit, returning her friendly grin. “I’m surprised nobody else is here.” She hummed. “Well, there was a lot to choose from. Come on. This one, I believe, is a little special compared to the others.” “How so?” Your voice was laced with curiosity as she led you further in, past the background sheets that separate the room into two halves. Behind it were people you had only dreamed of seeing in person.

The three of them stood as soon as they lay eyes on you. Johnny, Mark, and Jaehyun. You were completely frozen, staring at them and nearly forgetting to breathe. The thought of the members interviewing you themselves had never even entered your brain.

Your teacher placed a hand on your shoulder, startling you. Without a word, she smiled at you, nodded at them and left the room. Once the door shut with a soft click, Mark approached you. “Hi, I’m Mark Lee,” he held out his hand. “You probably knew that, considering your expression.” He laughed sweetly. You barely held out your hand with a shy nod, “I’m (Y/N).” Instead of going through with the handshake, Mark immediately moves in to engulf you in a friendly hug. “It’s nice to meet you,” you mumbled into the hug, barely processing that you were actually hugging Mark Lee and were in the same five-foot radius as three members of NCT. Johnny and Jaehyun also hugged you tightly, insisting that you join them at the table your teacher had set up for them.

“I thought I would be more prepared,” you admitted softly, digging into your backpack and pulling out your portfolio of projects and random photos you’ve taken. Mark takes it first to open and look through. “I’ve been a fan since your debut.” 

Johnny smiled. “Then you’re just the person we’re looking for,” he said. He glances over at your portfolio, then back to you. “The truth is, we aren’t looking for a professional like a lot of others in this program. We bring our own from our company.” Your knit your eyebrows together in confusion. “Then why sign up? If, um, you don’t mind me asking.” 

Jaehyun looked up from browsing your portfolio with Mark. “We were looking to take one photo.” He held up his index finger. “We wanted to have a friend that’s from around here to help us find the perfect spot, and photographers always know the best places.” Your eyes widened. A friend? Did he really just say that? “Just one photo?” You decided to ask, the whole prospect of clarifying what Jaehyun meant by ‘friend’ was a little too overwhelming.

The three of them nodded. “We want just one photo for our dorm. This stop is important to us, and we want this to stay away from social media. It’s just going to be for us. And for you, for your project, of course,” Mark explained. “We don’t want someone that is too professional and we don’t want a fansite to take it. It seemed to us that a friend would be the best choice.” He smiled gently at you. “We’ll provide you with a ticket and backstage pass, as well as paying you based on the program’s price for the photo to be touched up and framed.” 

You tripped over your words. “Well, I… I don’t think I’m in a position to turn you down, but…” Johnny cocked his head to the side. “But..?” 

You gulped and sheepishly avoided eye contact. “I can’t speak Korean,” you mumble, fiddling with your fingers. Mark smiled sweetly at you. “That’s okay. We’ll translate for you. So, what do you think? Would you like to spend a day with us before our show?” 

You smiled, deciding to be a bit more daring. They did say, friend. “You’re asking that like there’s even a shred of a chance I’d say no.” 

All three of them grin. “Thank you, I was hoping you would say yes,” Mark says. “Your portfolio is stunning.”

Your face goes red and you're barely conscious enough to stand with them as they prepare to leave. Johnny and Jaehyun hug you again, praising your work before taking their leave, but Mark doesn't join them.

“Our manager has your teacher's contact information, but I want to involve the company as little as possible… if it's not too sudden, could I please have your number?” Mark smiles sheepishly, offering his unlocked phone to you, open to a new contact page. It's as if he has no idea of the impact he has on his fans. Sometimes you forget that NCT is made up of normal humans, and the one standing in front of you is a year younger than you are. 

“Of course,” you take it gently and add your contact info, taking a quick selfie to add as your little profile picture, all while Mark watches you searchingly. “Here you are,” you hand his phone back, hesitating on saying what you were thinking, “since you want to be friends, feel free to text me.” 

Mark takes his phone back with a smile, sending you a quick smiley face to make sure the number was correct. The room is silent for a moment, your face feels as if it's on fire and Mark returns the stare you gave him when you walked in.

“Come on, Mark!” you hear Johnny’s voice from outside the classroom and you both turn toward it. You smile sheepishly.

“I shouldn't keep you, should I?” you ask, voice soft and a little embarrassed.

“No, but I wish I had more time. I'll text you, I promise,” he says, hugging you once more before leaving you alone and speechless. 

You wondered if all fan interactions were like the one you just experienced. You were aware the members of NCT were known to be humble and kind, but they were much calmer and affectionate than you expected. The idea that you just saw Mark's smile in person made your own cheesy grin spread across your face as you packed up your portfolio. 

After class, you headed back to your dorm, a skip in your step. Once you opened the door and stepped inside, you felt like you could collapse. Fatigue washed over you like a tidal wave, and you knew it was time for an afternoon nap. Rhiannon was still in her lab, so you could grab at least 20 minutes of shut-eye before she would come back and beg for you to make dinner. You set your bag down by the door with your shoes and set a course for your bed. As soon as you were able to slide underneath the covers and nearly drift to sleep, your phone vibrated.

You reach into your pocket, confused. Rhiannon was the only friend that had your number, and if she even thought about her phone in a lab, she would be kicked out. Once you unlock your phone, you finally remembered who else you gave your number to.

Mark: Hey!

You licked your lips as your chest twinged and filled with butterflies. You screamed internally for a few seconds, the moment hitting you a little harder than before. Mark Lee had your cell phone number and he was texting you first. 

You: Hello, what’s up?

Mark replied almost immediately, which startled you a little bit. You turned over in your bed to get a little more comfortable.

Mark: We were just finishing up settling into our hotel rooms. I wanted to know how you're doing, are you in class? I hope I'm not interrupting anything

You: No, I got home a little while ago. I was gonna take a nap tbh

Mark: Oh! Sorry, I don't mean to take away sleep from a college student

You smiled a little bit. He was too sweet. As if your nap wasn't going to ruin your sleep schedule.

You: Its fine, if I had a nap I wouldn't be able to sleep tonight anyway

Mark: So you're free then?

Your eyebrows furrowed as you typed your response.

You: Uh yeah, why? Did you all want that picture now?

You put your phone down, a little overwhelmed. If they wanted it now, you wouldn't see them again until the concert, which wasn't until Friday. Perhaps you should have expected they wanted to do this as fast as possible, their Canadian and Chicago stops were planned with vacations in mind considering Johnny and Mark's heritage. When your phone buzzed again, you almost jumped to grab it.

Mark: Well no not yet. I was just wondering if you wanted to get coffee or something. Or tea if you prefer that 

Your eyes widened.

You: Really?

Mark: Yeah. I dunno, I want to take the friend thing more serious than the guys. They just wanted to use that word so it was like an unspoken contract that you wouldn't post this everywhere y'know? 

Your heart sank a little bit, but you could see how important privacy was. If you were in the same position, you would have done the same.

You: I understand… I'm still kind of a stranger though, are you sure?

Mark: That's why I'm asking. I don't want you to be. So, will you meet me?

You: There's a Tim Hortons on the first floor of M building near where you met me on campus, I can be there in 40 minutes 

Mark: See you in 40 minutes then :)

As soon as you read that text, you tossed your comforter to the side and raced into the bathroom. You fix your hair and could barely decide whether to change your outfit or not. He did see you earlier today, would he think you were trying too hard if you changed? 

“Keep it together, (Y/N),” you told yourself, patting your cheeks with your hands as you eyed your complexion in the mirror. “He just wants tea and coffee, nothing major.” 

Just then, the front door opened. “Are you talking to yourself again?” Rhiannon called from the foyer.

“No,” you called back, clearly lying as you took one more scan of yourself in the mirror before leaving to greet your friend. “You’re back early. How was the lab?”

“Tiring,” she answered. “My bitch lab partner came in even earlier than usual to make sure I didn't have the chance to set up our station again.” She rolled her eyes and dropped her backpack next to yours. 

“Yikes,” you reply, watching her wander into the kitchen. “Are you gonna tell your professor that she is trying to sabotage your grade?” 

Rhiannon sighed. “I don't know if the following shitstorm would be worth it,” she says, plugging in the electric kettle. “I'm gonna make some tea, you want any?”

You shook your head, even though she probably couldn't see you from the wall separating the kitchen and foyer. “No thanks, I'm going out to Tim's in M building.” 

Rhiannon took less than a second to appear in the archway to stare at you. “Why?” She questioned, squinting at you. 

“Mark asked me to meet him for coffee.” 

“Mark,” she repeated, crossing her arms. “I thought you hated Mark Davids.” 

“Not that asshole,” you shot back. “Mark Lee.” You began to look for a pair of cuter shoes as Rhiannon’s eyes widened.

“You got the job?!” She exclaimed, her voice nearly reaching a squeal. "YOU MET MARK LEE? WITHOUT ME?!"

“Yeah,” you smile sheepishly, taken aback by her shouting. you picked out your favourite pair of shoes, red converse high tops. “He just seems like he wants to hang out right now though.”

“Oh my God,” her voice nearly lowered to a whisper. “Mark Lee just asked you out.”

You rolled your eyes. “He didn't ask me out, he just wants to talk,” you explain, pulling on your shoes to tie them. 

“I dunno, he could be it,” she says, waltzing back into the kitchen. “You never know!”

You sigh. “See you later!” 

“Tell him to get Haechan's number!”

After a 15-minute subway ride and a lot of hurried walking, you hauled open the pristine doors of M building, the newest addition to your college campus. Right before you was a little Tim Hortons with a tiny student’s lounge to accompany it. There was a little bit of a line to the micro cafe since night classes were starting up around now, but the student’s lounge was close to empty. 

You took in a deep breath, fully stepping inside and beginning your search for Mark. It doesn’t take long to spot him, he’s sporting yellow hair and a white face mask, accompanied by two red Tim Hortons cups at a table in the corner of the lounge. It takes you a moment to fathom your position - about to meet someone you’ve been crushing on for months through a computer screen for coffee in a lounge at your college. On top of that- he’s already bought you something.

“Hi,” you meekly greet him, approaching the table. Mark looks up from his phone and his eyes immediately crease into the crescents of his beautiful smile.

“Hey, (Y/N)!” He pulls his mask off, “sit down, I, uh, got you some tea. You kind of struck me as that kind of person, so I hope I got it right.” 

“Thank you, Mark. You really didn’t have to buy me anything…” You smile nervously, your face feeling hot and your heart beating a mile a minute. Mark seemed a little nervous, just like you. It was a sobering moment, taking the cup he pushed toward you and opening it to take a sip. Your eyes widened. Your tea was exactly the way you always order it, nearly to the grain of sugar.

Mark watches your expression, happy that you seemed to like your tea, “I wanted to treat you. I know how weird this must all seem for you, but for some reason, I feel like I know you.” He runs his hand through his hair, avoiding eye contact for a moment. 

You look away from him as well. There's a moment of silence between you, the bustle of students slowly diminishing as the sun sets behind you. 

“I, uh, can't really relate to you in that way,” you whisper after you worked up the courage to break the silence. “A lot of your life is on display.” 

“You're right,” Mark agreed. “There are a few things I keep to myself, though,” he smiled cheerfully. “But what I mean is hard to explain.”

Curious, you nod toward him, “try me.”

“When I was standing in line, I was trying to figure out what to get you. I wanted to treat you since I asked you to come, and I kind of expected for you to say no since your professor said you had class today and-”

“Mark, it’s fine, stay focused.” you smile faintly at him and wait for him to continue, sipping your tea again.

He blushes and nods sheepishly. “When it was my turn, I got what I wanted and the second I thought about you, I recited medium steeped orange pekoe tea with two cream and one and a half sugar like I had been getting it for you for years.” He stops for a moment, presumably watching your stunned reaction.

Your breathing was feeling a little crooked, and you couldn't quite place what you were feeling. You tried to take in a deep breath, shaking your head when Mark began to look concerned. 

“Sorry,” you apologize quickly. “I, uh, kind of know what you're talking about. This is all just a little; I don't know…”

“Overwhelming?” Mark finished, nodding his head. “I can't stop thinking about it.” 

You tried to smile. “I guess you gave the bug to me,” you joke. “Want to get some air?”

“I'd like that.” 

The two of you walked down a path that led off-campus, talking. It was as if the two of you had forgotten your positions in life; Mark a celebrity with his life on a pedestal and you just a fan that forgot how much you really knew about him.

You were rediscovering his cheerful nature, his loud and hearty laughter that was a whole-body endeavour, learning that he plays the guitar, his love of ice cream and sweet things. His favourite colour was blue, and he loved Christmas so much he already had a growing list of things to buy for his friends as gifts.

The sun was nearly hidden behind the hills of the park you wandered into, admiring the newly blossomed cherry trees. You were showing him a small bed of flowers decorated to look like a Canadian flag when Mark asked the dreaded personal question you had been hoping you would never have to answer again.

“How did your parents find out?” His tone was soft, curious. He didn't sound as invasive as others have been in the past, but the question still made you bite your lip to keep from frowning.

“A gang fight,” you answer, bitterly. “My dad punched my mom in the face so hard that day, she needed to go to the ER. It actually took three months for her to figure out why the print of my dad's fist hadn't faded from her cheek.”

Mark didn't speak for a moment. “Was that too much to ask?”

You looked up at him from the flower bed, smiling faintly. He looked good in the final evening glow. “I don't mind that much, but...”

“I'm sorry,” he said, tentatively placing a hand on the small of your back. 

“It's okay,” you start, his sympathy nearly made you melt. The two of you begin walking again, Mark absently running his fingers over cherry petals as you both passed the trees. “I got out of it all pretty quickly. They fought when they were high, and that was almost all the time. Sometimes, I feel scared just thinking about how my life might end up. If any of it is all as real as everyone says it is.”

Mark stares at you, and there is sympathy radiating off of him. He looks like he wants to say something, but he stays quiet.

You hold back a frown and decide to break the silence. “Anyway, how about your parents?” 

“A hug,” he answered, nodding, a smile returning to his face. “it's not the most common first touch in the world, but I hope I find mine the same way.” 

“That does sound nice,” you agree softly.

“I've heard it's all up to fate and magic,” Mark says, charm in his voice. “I've always wanted to believe in that.”

“I'd like to believe in that. Makes life seem a little more bearable. I’ve just always been so cynical through my childhood, so much so that all of my hope for a fairytale ending faded a long time ago. I never really thought that anything good would come out of it. If the universe really wants me to find someone, I guess I can’t really do anything about it.”

Mark smiles, although you can tell he is hiding a smidge of disappointment. “I suppose that's one way to think about it,” he replies. “I just want to know someone so well that I don't have to think twice about it. Like knowing the exact way to cheer them up when they're sad. Like the perfect cup of tea or their favourite stuffed animal. I guess that takes a little bit of magic.” 

You stop in your tracks, thinking about the perfect tea he had given you earlier.

“What's wrong?” Mark stops and turns around when he notices you're not keeping pace.

“Nothing,” you lie with a smile, watching Mark's scepticism through the darkness of night. 

“Okay,” he says softly, looking up at the sky. “I guess it's late, huh?” 

You join him in looking up. If the city wasn't always so lit up, this spot would be perfect for a shot of the starry night sky between the small canopy of cherry trees. “I guess it is.”

“How far away is your dorm? I can walk you,” he suggests, taking your hand. You're frozen, too stunned by the gesture to pull away.

“You don't have to,”

“But I want to,” Mark grins. “It's the one way I can make sure you get back safely.”

“You're too kind…” you pause for a moment. Mark is staring you down, waiting for you to say yes. “I'm not allowed to say no, am I?”

He shook his head, smiling. “Nope. Come on, let's go.” 

Scoffing lightly, you concede and begin walking again. “You can take me to my subway stop and I can tell you which train to take to go back,” you offer, assuming he would need to be back at his hotel before it got too late at night. 

“No,” he said quickly. Your eyes widened at his tone and once he noticed your reaction, he lowered his voice. “I just… have these gut feelings. I'd like to escort you right to your dorm,” he clears his throat, “um, if I'm not crossing any lines.” 

You feel sympathy for him. Just looking at Mark, you can tell he's worried about you, but you can't quite see the reason. “Okay,” you agree softly. 

It's silent for a while as you both walk through the well-lit city. It's not until you pass a food truck on the way to the subway station that either of you says something again.

“You know, you and I walked around that park for hours and we didn't even know how late it was until the last minute,” Mark comments, still holding your hand and pulling back gently to keep you from walking past him. 

“Yeah, you're right,” you blush, you had to admit to yourself that you hadn't lost yourself in conversation or such comfortable silence like that even on a date. "We forgot to eat. Are you hungry?”

“Yeah,” Mark admits with a laugh, “and these hot dogs smell good.” 

You look up at him. “I'll buy.” You wriggle your hand out of his grasp and run toward the cart before Mark can catch you, readying your wallet. 

“Two hot dogs please, one with relish and one plain, please. Also, burn the plain one a little bit, thanks.” 

“You're slippery,” Mark says, watching you pay for the food.

“You bought me tea, it's only fair,” you stick your tongue out at him. He sighs and nods at you, only breaking his gaze when the man at the cart hands down the hot dogs a few moments later. “The one with relish is yours. You hate ketchup, right?” 

Mark takes his hot dog, eyes wide. “Uh, yeah,” he pauses. “I just haven't really told anyone outside the guys and my family.” 

You're halfway through a bite of your ‘dog and you nearly choke on it. 

“Hey, hey!” Mark reaches out for your shoulder, hoping that you wouldn't pass out. “Chew and swallow! Sorry, I didn't mean to freak you out.” 

You swallow and cough, shaking your head. “Don't worry, I'm fine,” you say. “This is just a weird feeling.” 

He nods. “Yeah. But I don't really mind it. Come on, let's walk some more.” 

It was totally surreal to you, walking and eating with Mark. He was right, there was this strange feeling washing over you every time you looked at him, different than watching him on a Vlive broadcast or music video. Like you knew something about him that nobody else did, and it made you feel both good and scared out of your mind. It felt invasive.

One subway stop and a little bit of a walk later, you both arrive at your dorm building. “Here we are,” you announce. “My roommate is probably going to kill me for coming back so late.”

“Should I go in with you? To protect you?” Mark is smiling, but you can tell there is a hint of seriousness. 

“If you want. She will probably ask for something from you, though.” You open the main doors and enter in your code, leading Mark in with you.

“Like what?” Mark furrows his eyebrows. “She's not weird, right?”

You nearly laugh out loud. “She's weird all right, just not the kind you're thinking of. She wanted me to get Haechan's number from you, but I got so absorbed in talking with you that I forgot to ask.” 

“Oh,” Mark is following you close behind, letting out a tiny sigh of relief. “That doesn't sound too bad, but his reaction should be interesting.” 

You shrugged. “You don't have to do it. Anyway-” You're cut off as the door to your apartment opens, Rhiannon stepping out and pressing her hands to her hips. 

“Look who's finally back,” she states, and you can immediately tell she is angry. “It's almost 1 AM!” 

“Shh! I'm sorry, okay? I lost track of time! I was with-” 

“Mark,” she says, her voice less harsh when she notices Mark is standing behind you, sheepishly smiling and waving at her. “At least you had the initiative to walk her home.” 

You squint at your best friend. It's clear she is trying not to freak out in front of him. “Are you gonna let me inside?” 

“Not yet,” she states. “Mark, I love you,” she says quickly, grabbing your arm and pulling you to her. You're smiling awkwardly at him, shrugging and mouthing ‘sorry’. 

Mark smiles awkwardly and nods at you. “Uh, thanks,”

“Thank you for bringing (Y/N) back. Has she asked you about Haechan?” 

“Yeah. I'll text you guys his number when I get back- which I probably should…”

You step forward. “Do you know how to get back?”

Mark shakes his head. “I think it's on Yorkville, I might have to use my GPS.” 

You shake your head. “It's easy to get there. Head to the station you and I were just on, take the southbound for 5 stops. Once you get above ground, you should be on that street.” 

Mark smiled at you. “Thank you.” He approached you to give you a hug, which felt warmer than the other two from earlier in the day. When he turned to leave, a pang hit your chest.

“Mark,” you called. Instantly he turned around, his expression curious. “Let me know when you get back safely.” 

He nodded, smiling warmly. “I will, I promise.” 

You watch him leave, a little shocked that spending the entire night with him didn't feel like it at all. You're only broken out of your thoughts when Rhiannon drags you inside your apartment and shuts the door.

“You scared me half to death, you bitch! At least text me when you're gonna stay out this late! I thought you were just having tea! I was this close to calling the cops!” She presses her index finger to her thumb and shoves her hand towards your face as you stand before her, a little humiliated.

“Your fingers are touching,” you say quietly, screwing your eyes shut.

“Exactly!” she exclaims. “I was one button away from speaking to 911! You're goddamn lucky I heard you and Mark coming down the hall!” You open your eyes when she gently touches your arm. “Don't scare me like that.”

“I'm sorry. I promise I'll keep in touch next time.” You smile awkwardly at her. “I was just so caught up in talking and trying to make sure it wasn't a dream.” 

Rhiannon nodded and returned your smile. “I know. You should go to bed, you have class in the morning.” 

“Yeah. Thanks for worrying about me.” 

Once you were in fresh pyjamas, you had some music on in the bathroom while you dry your hair with a towel. A quick shower before bed always was relaxing enough for you to fall asleep quickly. Snuggling up in bed after that long day was especially nice, gathering up your teddy bear to hug close. You're just about to drift off when your phone buzzes. 

Mark: Hey, I'm back safe. Thank you for the directions 

You: You're welcome

I had a really nice time tonight 

Mark: Me too

You have class tomorrow right 

You: Yeah, it's a short day though, just a small photoshop lab 

Mark: Do you want to hang out again when you're done? By the way, the number I promised - __________

You: I'd like that. Thanks, I'll forward it to her 

Haechan was cool with it right 

Mark: Me too :) yeah he was cool with it, he owed me a favour anyway 

Sleep well ok?

You: I will, you too? 

Mark: Yeah I promise 

Goodnight (Y/N)

You: Goodnight :)

After putting your phone down on your nightstand, you peacefully drifted off with a smile on your face.

[brythebibliophile]

Always Choose You—A Spencer Reid x reader

a/n: hi! so this fic is super personal for me because I struggle with abandonment issues, feeling inadequate to my sister, and many more things mentioned throughout the fic. I originally wrote this because I wanted to vent to someone so I sort of just manifested a conversation with Spencer Reid and I just turned it into an x reader for your enjoyment. I hope you all like it and just know my messages are always open if you need to talk. have a good day! (also I don’t think I used any gender-specific pronouns for the reader except at the end spencer uses the term “girlfriend”)

word count: 2132

-

Something had been bugging you all day and you really needed to get it off of your chest. The only problem with that was that the thing you wanted to talk about you got yelled at for talking about every time you did.

Oh well.

You picked up your phone and dialed the only person you wanted to talk to. You heard the dial tone and took a few breaths. Here went nothing.

“Hello?” Spencer’s voice came from the other end of the call. Gosh, his voice. It was high and curious and perfect and you were crazy for it.

“Hey! Hey, Spencer, it’s me,” you said, the nerves obvious in your voice. Not necessarily a stutter, though. More like confident anxiety. “Listen, I’ve kind of had a rough day and you’re the only person in the world I want to talk to. Do you think we could meet up? We could go somewhere or I could go to your place or…?”

“Yeah, yeah for sure,” his voice was so reassuring. Not to be cliche or anything, but hearing him talk literally cleared everything else from your head.

Spencer was your best friend. You had joined the BAU about four years ago, and as soon as you got there you knew that Spencer was going to be your favorite person in the world. If you were some other girl, you would probably say that you were absolutely in love with him, but since you’re you—the commitmentphobiac who can’t even handle the accountability of the word ”crush” much less the phrase “in love”—you were just a girl with a best friend that you love platonically(but also if he asked you out you definitely would not have said no).

Anyways, you and Spencer had been best friends for about four years now. Everything was going great until your sister joined the BAU team about six months ago.

Now, you absolutely loved your sister. More than anyone except maybe Spencer, and even that was a stretch. The thing is, all your life people had CONSTANTLY compared you to her. And 99% of the time, she was better than you. She was always the better daughter, better friend, better singer, better student, better athlete...basically whatever it was you two were doing people thought that she was better than you.

And you’re generally a pretty confident person who doesn’t compare yourself to others. But you fell into the comparison trap with her. every. single. time.

Which is why it was so important for you to have Spencer.

“Cool! So, umm, your place? I can be there in ten if that’s fine?” You said, anxiety slipping into your voice again.

“Sounds perfect! See you then, y/n!” You could hear him smiling through the phone.

“See you soon, Spence! Love you.”

“I love you, too, y/n.”

“Bye!”

So, you put on your favorite sweater, a beanie, and left your apartment.

As you walked the familiar path to Spencer’s apartment building, you contentedly breathed in the brisk air. It was mid-October(which was probably you and Spencer’s favorite time of year), and it was the perfect temperature. More on the cool side, but the nip the air gave your nose was perfectly delightful. You decided to stop and grab hot chocolates for the two of you.

A few minutes later, you were knocking on Spencer Reid’s apartment door. The pair of you had a not-so-secret secret knocking pattern so that the other would know it was you. Not only was it useful for dropping by unexpected, but it was also helpful since you were both a bit paranoid from the job. Spencer answered the door almost immediately.

“Hey! I brought hot chocolate. Also, we have to go for a walk later because the weather is perfect out,” you said as you walked in, sat on the couch, and handed him his hot chocolate.

“Wow, thank you so much. So what’s up?? What’s bugging you?”

His concern allowed delightful little butterflies to enter your belly. “Honestly, it was stupid. I don’t even know what I was thinking, you were probably busy. We don’t have to talk about it.”

“Woah, woah. Easy, girl. It wasn’t stupid at all. You’ve actually been acting weird for a while now, but I didn’t want to say anything because I was scared you would get angry with me.” He chuckled a bit.

“Honestly, Reid. I’m fine. It was stupid. Let’s just watch a movie or something.”

“Y/n,” he said faintly. “Nothing you do could ever be stupid.” You laughed a bit.

“You would be surprised, Doctor.”

There was a bit of a silence in which you both took a sip of your drinks. The warm liquid slid down your throat with a satisfying sweetness.

“Seriously, y/n/n,” he nudged you with his foot. “Talk to me. What’s up?” You gave in.

“I dunno, Reid. It’s just,” you struggled to find the correct words. “literally my entire life, I’ve been compared to my sister. She’s always just been so perfect. And you know me. I’m super confident and I hate comparing myself to others and I barely give a crap what anyone thinks of me but as soon as she opens her mouth my confidence just shatters. It’s absolutely obliterated. And I mean you know I have abandonment issues from everything when I was a kid but part of that is also due to having my best friend of literal years decide she likes my sister more than me one day and then basically ignore me for years after that and I just love my sister more than anything but she makes me feel so inadequate all the time but whenever I try to voice that to her she just tells me that I’m being crazy!”

You were starting to tear up. You looked over at Spencer to see how he was taking in your word vomit. The way he was looking at you nearly made your tears fall.

“Every friend group we’ve ever been in together, every teacher we’ve ever had, every church we’ve ever been to...she’s always the favorite.” Your voice broke a little bit. These were thoughts that had been bottled inside of you since you were eight years old or younger. No one had ever listened to you this much. You kept going.

“I guess what I’m trying to get at here is that even though I love [insert real or imaginary sister’s name] more than life, I’ve always appreciated the things in my life that were just my own. I know it’s selfish and I probably sound like I’m crazy but the BAU was kind of the one thing that I had in my life that she wasn’t a part of. And undoubtedly everyone else in the team is going to end up loving her more and honestly I’m prepared for that. I’ve made peace with it. I just-“ the tears were starting to fall. “I’m just not ready to- to lose you, Spencer Reid. You’ve been my best friend for four years and I might even love you more than I love my sister which is saying something but I just know that it’s probably inevitable for you to not love her and maybe (probably) even fall in love with her because that’s what happens to guys when they interact with my sister. I’m just not ready to lose you to her, Spence. I don’t think I can handle it.“

The tears had stopped a bit ago, but your eyes had been stubbornly focused on your feet basically the entirety of your little monologue. You risked a look up.

Spencer was staring at you with such an intensity you almost sank down into the couch. His jaw had slightly dropped and his eyes were trained on you like you were an unsub he was tracking down.

“It’s crazy, I know,” you mumbled, trying to recover the absolutely horrendous situation you just made yourself. “It’s just that I can see you doing it. Falling for her, I mean. And I just can’t- you know what, never mind. I never should have come. This was a mistake, just forget everything I just sa-“

You were cut off by something crashing into your face. It was Spencer. You just kind of sat there in shock for a second before literally melting into the kiss.

Holy crap, you thought. You closed your eyes and ran your fingers through his hair. Man, you had been wanting to do that. He tasted like cinnamon and hot chocolate and goodness and just overall everything that made you happy. He smelled like old books and his apartment. The kiss was gentle after the initial face slamming and it only lasted a few seconds, but you savored every moment of it.

“Y/n,” he whispered when you broke apart. “this is gonna be really difficult to articulate, so just bear with me here.”

He looked to you for reassurance. You nodded, probably looking like a fish out of water.

“I don’t know how anyone got it into your head that you were inferior to your sister. First of all, you two shouldn’t ever be comparable because you’re just so polar opposite. I mean she’s nice and all but you’re just so you. You’re just so smart and loud and if you have something to say you will be heard and you’re funny and dorky but you own it in a way that it doesn’t seem like you’re weird but you also have so many layers and it’s been so amazing just trying to uncover them all over the last four years. And you could never be selfish because you’re just so loving and caring and you’re just absolutely brilliant in every way. I could go on for hours listing reasons why you’re so amazing and that’s not even starting to mention how beautiful you are, like, physically. I just-” he was starting to fumble over his words. “You deserve the galaxies, y/n. You deserve so much better than everything you’ve gotten in life. I don’t understand how anyone could possibly choose anyone but you when given the choice.”

You were tearing up again at this point. “I know you’re saying all that, Spencer, but there’s no reason for me to believe it when ‘statistically‘ everyone thinks she’s better.”

He looked at you as if you had physically hurt him with this statement.

“Given the choice, I choose you. Every time. It doesn’t matter who the other option is. You’re the most important person in the world to me, and I need you to trust me on this. I know it’s difficult for you, but I need you to trust me here. Look at me.” You looked up to meet his eyes.

“I. Choose. You. Every time.”

“Promise?” You stuck up your pinky finger. He softly smiled at the gesture.

“Promise.” he said as he intertwined your pinkies. You both kissed your thumbs. You wiped a few tears from your eyes with your free hand.

“I really hope you meant all that, Spencer Reid, because if you were lying to me I have a pinky-back guarantee.” He smiled.

“There were no lies in this apartment tonight, y/l/n.”

He put his arm around you and you lay your head on his shoulder. You sat in a comfortable silence for a few minutes.

“So,” you started, the anxiety seeping into your voice again. “What does this mean for us?”

“For us?” He inquired, sounding mildly confused.

“Well, you just kissed me, genius. I don’t think that came from out of nowhere.”

Spencer started to stutter things out.

“Well, I- it- I couldn’t think of another way to calm you down and I- it- just- I don’t know? I guess it depends on if you want a romantic relationship with me..? I don’t want to wreck our friendship but if you’re open to it-?”

You smiled softly.

“Yeah, I’m open to it. I mean, you kind of just promised me to never leave my side and if you do I have a finger-off warranty that’s never expires. soooo…”

“A lifetime finger-off warranty, indeed,” he smirked. “Just to clarify, I don’t want to tie you down. I just- we could be really great if we- if we tried.” You laughed a little.

“I already said yes, Spencer. Stop trying to sell me on it and just let it be.”

“Wow. So I have like a girlfriend now?”

“Yeah, you have like a girlfriend now.”

And with that, you gave him a kiss on the cheek and you settled in to watch a movie. You felt a lot better knowing there was at least one person in the world who would always choose you.

Every time.

[razorblade180]

The Real You pt6

[Warning, Parts 1-5 are really old. So their quality is eh...]

Love sucks, that’s the feeling our emotionally wrecked trio was having anyways. Each of them sat quietly while looking at an empty cake tray and devoured bowls of ice cream. They must’ve scarfed down enough sweets to make even Ruby sick, yet not even their slightly upset stomach could compare to the pain in their chest. Love sucked, but here they were, wishing for a way to grab a hold of it with both hands.

Yang sat on her couch all alone and stared at Jaune, who laid on her floor. His eyes fixated on the never ending weeping of the heavens outside. A fitting mood really. Yang still felt like letting her tears flow just a little bit. She couldn’t believe that she got cheated on, again. Technically this would be the first time but the series of events and feelings were scarily familiar to what happened with her partner that it was hard not to draw certain comparisons.

Jaune finally noticed her gaze and stared back. He could tell just from one look how much she was trying to keep herself together for everyone’s sake. He had no doubt that he had truly broken Yang’s heart and that in return made him feel utterly sick beyond belief. How could he do something so awful, sleeping with Neo? The feelings towards the girl in question only made it worse. It was one thing to give your body to someone else that you weren’t dating, but it was far worse when you were also emotionally invested. Jaune couldn’t bear to see the look of sorrow on her face. He’d turn away but Jaune Arc would not run from his mistakes. His lack of judgement got him into this so he would take all forms of punishment to show how much he ached from his decision. Yang Xiao Long deserved better.

Neo sat at the table, watching them both. The girl methodically fiddled with her empty spoon as she tried to deal with her guilt. Why was being a good person so hard? It wasn’t a foreign concept, not completely. Treat others the way you wanted to be treated, don’t let negative thoughts decide your actions, use your talents to better the world; Neo wasn’t sure that last one was possible. The girl pursued a man she loved for selfish reasons, knowing good will those moments of bliss would rot and decay in no time at all, poisoning the very person she wanted to impress.

“You’d think after all those sweets, the three of us would be on any sort of high right now?” Neo said, her head resting on her arms. She didn’t care what response they’d give her. Any words were better than silence. She knew that better than anyone. “Where do we go from here?”

“Dunno.” Yang said, “I can barely keep my own thoughts in order.”

“Share em. No use holding anything in, especially against me. I’ll take the punches, physically or verbally.”

“Okay then. I hate this, this...ache. I hate how much hurting you both are putting me through to the point I wanna scream.” Yang’s nails dug into the cushion beneath her. “Worst part of all? I hate how scared I am. It feels like I’m only a few more events away from living in this apartment with no one but my sister and possibly Weiss to visit me; when they aren’t too busy being in love. Just like…”

The blonde bruiser’s eyes shut tight. Tears managed to escape and her lip quivered fiercely. Seconds passed by before she opened her eyes and looked at her boyfriend. Was he still her boyfriend? She guessed that was to be determined later. Only one thing was at the forefront of her wary mind.

“I want to still be with you Jaune, I do. But for the life of me I can’t think of a way to even begin to go through this. Apologizing doesn’t cut it. Punishing or making some kind of deal with Neo to leave doesn’t fix anything either. I’m so furious but I hate the fact that letting you go is the last thing I want.” Yang clenched her chest tightly. It felt as if everything was pulling her apart and trying to keep her together all at once. “I love you so please, end this yourself.”

Jaune’s eyes widened in shock. “What?”

“You came over here so I can chew you out and break up right? Well if you want this to officially end then you’ll have to do it yourself because I’m dumb enough to still want you.”

“You aren’t dumb.” Neo spoke up, “And I’m the last person to be talking about being fair or discussing hypocrisy, but it’s close minded to think making Jaune shoulder that choice isn’t a form of punishment. Even a blind person could easily see that he loves you too; more than anything. More than anyone.”

It hurt but it was the truth. If it came down to it, Jaune would pick Yang in any situation and Neo would be left out to dry. His feelings for the petite girl are true, but that didn’t matter as long as he had Yang. Not that she could blame him.

“Honestly, I’m jealous of you Yang. Not just because you’re good, but because you are what I want to be. Maybe that’s why I could do what I did so easily? I was tired of feeling beneath you, the girl I wish I could be.”

Neo stood up from the table and looked at Yang’s tired red face before looking at Jaune and shaking her head. “Sorry, for wrecking what you have. We both know I’m terrible for you. If I could make a good guy like you cheat on someone like her then I’m clearly bad.”

“I’m not as good as you think. I would’ve pushed you away if I was.” Jaune sighed. This was going nowhere, fast. They were all about to keep looping this cycle of hating themselves. “Stop treating me like I’m perfect, I’m not.”

“Never said you were, it’s obvious to see though I’m making cracks in your demeanor that weren’t there before. Since I’ve already gone this far when it comes to being a shitty person, no reason for me to start considering the requests both of you have. I’m gonna do what I want, leave.”

Yang let out a groan of irritation. “Neo-”

“You have no intention to stop loving him so what other option could there possibly be? Correct me if I’m wrong but you’re not the type to share, are you?” It was faint but Neo was sure Yang could hear it, the little plea that had escaped in her voice. Neo would love nothing more than to be wrong right now. She wasn’t entirely sure of Yang’s past relationship but it had obviously done a number on the girl.

Yang could hear that twinge of hope in Neo’s voice. She could even see the twinkle in her eye. Neo was practically begging for a life line, a reason to believe that she didn’t have to commit to her claim of walking away. Sadly, Yang could only stare, and Jaune knew exactly why such a question was risky to ask.

“Sorry, I can’t say that I am. That situation is...it burned me before.” Yang said, resisting the painful memories that tried to surface.

Neo’s face went pale. Well, that was it. Her final possible tether to the life and person she wanted to be with, severed in no time flat. She did her best to sound indifferent about it.

“Oh, I see. I...wasn’t aware that there were some rough patches in that subject. Then I guess… I guess there’s nothing left to do. Jaune…”

“Neo…” He knew better than to try to change her mind or make this tougher than it already was. He didn’t have an answer for all three of them after all. It would’ve been selfish and inconsiderate to speak as if he did. Even saying goodbye felt way too...inappropriate, in a way.

Neo put on the fakest smile both Jaune and Yang had ever seen in their life. “Thanks for believing in me, both of you. Even though I flopped the moment I tried to change. It was nice, having someone take the chance anyways.”

With her feelings in the open, Neo turned towards the door and grabbed the knob. Her hand stayed on that knob, her fingers refusing to grab it as her entire body trembled. She knew they could hear her sniffle. Neo knew that she was taking entirely too long, but even with nothing left to say, leaving felt so painful. She took one final breath and then found the will to step out of the apartment, the sound of her footsteps sprinting the moment the door closed behind her.

Yang found no joy in seeing her leave, only more ache. She turned to Jaune who was still staring at the door, his eyes filled with a new kind of sorrow.

“If you’re wondering what things would’ve been like if I had been the one to pick, I would’ve chosen you. Don’t think for a second I’d willingly walk out of your life.” Jaune said, tearing up. “Even so, I would’ve felt terrible leaving Neo’s life. This might sound a little egotistical, but I can’t see her bouncing back from this. Not alone. Not without us.”

“Us?”

“I may have given her the dream of changing, but you were clearly the goal post.”

“Don’t put that on me.” Yang said weakly, “What would’ve happened if she did change? She would still love you, and I would still be worried about losing you.”

Jaune bit his bottom lip out of anxiety. Of course none of them were able to find a solution, they all had baggage and walls that they tried their best not to hit. Jaune was wary, but that might’ve been the problem. Neo never pulled her punches and this day had already been the absolute worst, so why not keep pushing? That’s the thing about baggage, you gotta unpack it eventually. Jaune only wished that it wouldn’t come back to bite him.

“I’m not Blake…”

Yang’s head jolted up. Jaune didn’t need to look at her to know Yang was staring at him with scarlet eyes that felt like they were burning a whole into the side of his face.

“Don’t say her name.”

“Why? It’s not like you haven’t been thinking about what happened with her this entire time. Yang you won’t lose m-”

“YOU DON’T THINK SHE DIDN’T SAY THE SAME THING!?” Yang said, screaming as she stood up in frustrated anger. Jaune had struck a nerve he knew was still very much was like an open wound. He finally looked at the girl, she had his undivided attention.

“You don’t believe that she didn’t reassure me that I had nothing to worry about!? That’s how it starts. They ease your fears, tell you that things are mutual, that feelings are equal; that’s not how that works! No matter how much attention she gave me, it was obvious her mind was on Sun. The looks, the talk, the stories, so I do what anybody would do and confront her about it. We talked and we talked and we talked and we talked until finally I believed that things could work out. Sharing wouldn’t be so hard if everyone really is on the same page right? All three people give the same amount they gain right!? Well that’s not how it works!!! It felt like I was fighting to find a reason to even be around them. Slowly but surely, a wall was being built but bringing up the dynamic again after so many discussions just got so…I was tired Jaune. Her words felt so rehearsed, so lifeless. Up until we have one more discussion because I just don’t think we’ve gotten it right yet. That’s when her words sounded true. When she looked at me and said ‘I can’t do this anymore’ and I knew instantly I was out of the picture. Blake had chose Sun over me a long time ago, I was just stupid enough to ignore the signs! So tell me Jaune, how the hell would this end up any different!? How could you look at me and say you won’t need me around anymore!?”

Yang’s chest rose up and down heavily as she tried to breathe. She refused to be slowly pushed out again, to have her feelings subtly get abandoned for another. She watched Jaune stare at her, his face expression giving off nothing but sorrow, or was it pity?

“Well!?” Yang sniffled, “Say something for fucks sake!”

Jaune walked closer to her. Close enough reach out and wipe the numerous tears that riddled her face. “Because my love for you isn’t fragile.”

He said nothing else. Jaune left her speechless for a moment while he walked towards the door and opened it, scaring her a little.

“Jaune what are-”

“I think a little space right now to think about today is needed. I need that space, but I will come back. Don’t ever doubt that.” Jaune opened the door. “I messed up today, I know that. But don’t you ever doubt my love for you. I swear it never runs low.”

Yang said nothing. She simply watched him close the door. The girl fell back onto her couch, she had to be minutes away from vomiting. Jaune was right about one thing, she did need some space from this situation. As well as some perspective. Yang dialed her scroll and practically begged for her sister to pick up. Thankfully, she did.

“Hey sis, what’s going on?” The cheerfulness of Ruby’s voice felt like the one sunlight on this gray day.

“Hey Ruby. Y..You free to talk?”

“Always, what’s up? You sound stuffy.”

“Oh you know…Jaune cheated on me today.”

Part 5

[crusherthedoctor]

The beach trope: another one that often comes early in Sonic's quests, and this one's no different, though expectations are very mildly subverted by making it the third zone instead of the very first. (Careful Crusher, you had the audience on the edge of their seats there.)

More importantly though, it's possibly one of the most famous and celebrated level tropes in the series. Emerald Coast is undeniably iconic, Seaside Hill is just as iconic while also merging with the Green Hill setup, and Wave Ocean... is a poor man's Emerald Coast, but it's probably better than most levels in '06 by comparison, so it too is iconic, from a certain point of view. We can't forget Jungle Joyride either, even if that's mostly because we got to see the frame rate die before our very eyes.

So how do you make your interpretation stand out? How do you prevent having a Wave Ocean 2: Wave Oceaner on your hands? Well, it's actually very simple...

Creating Zone 3: Coastline Resort

3-1: Shining Shore

Remember when I said that sometimes all it takes to make an environment feel different is the time of day, or a change in weather? This is one of the first major examples of putting that philosophy into action, as compared to previous beach levels, which were usually content with taking place in the bright sunny daytime, this one takes place under a pleasant purple sunset.

This of course contrasting heavily with not only the blue sea, but also the sands, which although given a mild touch of purple courtesy of the sunset, cannot fully hide their natural shade of white.

And of course, waterfalls.

We can’t forget the waterfalls.

Despite being a true blue beach level first and foremost, there are also a few hints of plaza, further setting it apart from the Emerald Coasts and Not-Emerald Coasts of old times past. This aesthetic in particular is based heavily on the seaside town of Whitby.

No doubt Sonic would admire this place, at least when he's not forced to go deep underwater. Maybe when the adventure is over, he can come back here and have a relaxing moment with... someone. Dunno who though. I doubt Eggman would be interested, and not just because he's actually in-character. Oh well, plenty more horses in the sea.

Speaking of, what about the underwater sections? Shining Shore does have them after all, in full 3D, as opposed to making them bottomless pits in disguise. Unsurprisingly, everything's a lot more blue than purple down there, gorgeously so, but the coral reef provides its own variety of colour.

The local fishies don't seem to mind you being in their line of sight... nor do the Badniks, but probably for a different reason.

Since we're three zones in, you might have noticed by now that each zone, regardless of their overall colour scheme, has one element in at least one act that goes all rainbow with the colours than everything else. You had the flower patches in Gleaming Meadows, you had the wood barriers in Tricky Tropics with their rusting paint jobs, and now we have the coral reef in Coastline Resort... any reason for this?

Alas, the answer is a mundane one: it's just a little way of tying all the zones in Viridonia together. As this quest revolves around the mystery of the elusive Ethereal Zone, this seemingly inconsequential aspect is a way of ensuring that it will always remain at the back of your mind. It may be relatively more subtle and easy to miss than, say, a giant moon glaring down angrily at you no matter where you go on the map as it literally comes closer and closer to killing everyone, but the intention is effectively the same: the central meat of the setting and story is always present in some form, however indirect, even if the characters aren't currently discussing it.

Also, shout out to the lighthouse that helped our heroes by inadvertently blinding the pursuing mechanized orca.

You really put a dent in Heavy Gunner's strategy.

First Section (calm): Lagoony Tunes (Crash Bandicoot 2: N-Tranced) Peach Field (Mario Hoops 3-on-3)

Second Section (adrenaline): Lost Palace (Team Sonic Racing) Hang Eight (Crash Bandicoot 2: Cortex Strikes Back)

3-2: Crazy Rapids

Being a whimsical water park, made even more whimsical to fit the video game format, this one explains itself in a lot of areas. But let's go over the finer details anyway, shall we?

As mentioned in the fic, the park has been made to fit in seamlessly with the ruins present in the area, thus creating a Good Future-esque wonderland of nature and technology in harmony. For an idea of how the ruins aesthetic would work, imagine something akin to the Sunset Beach Resort in Jamaica, particularly the long bridge and archways you can see in both of these shots:

Kind of has an Aquatic Ruin vibe, doesn’t it?

Even then, that only applies to half of the architecture, as the other half breaks up the yellow with some white, reminiscent of a certain OTHER watery location in Sonic's past...

We also have the giant fountains sprinkled around the place. There are two types of fountains to be exact, both of which may seem familiar to the attentive eye...

The difference? They're larger. MUCH larger. As in, you can actually platform your way on and around them.

As for what’s inside? It's exactly how you'd imagine it to be, albeit exaggerated even further to befit a Sonic level.

And in-tune with the beachside mood, the Chao Garden found nearby would take a page from the one in Station Square...

...with a little extra flavor of this...

...complete with miniature water slides and the like for the adorable inhabitants... the inhabitants that Eggman currently has an unexplained interest in. How do the Chao factor into his latest plan?

Heh heh, only I and those I've discussed it with in PMs know that for now.

First Section (outside): Windy and Ripply (Sonic Adventure) Ocean Palace (Sonic Heroes)

Second Section (inside): Data Select (Tee Lopes) Wii Shop Channel - Mii Channel (Super Smash Bros. Wii U)

3-3: Aquarium Gallery

Disappointed that Crazy Rapids lacked that smooth red-on-blue contrast that Aquarium Park from Sonic Colours had? Well we can’t all be in the same league as Eggman sadly, but fear not, for the similarly named Aquarium Gallery gets right in on the action, combining red walls and an overall upper class aesthetic...

...with the expected quantities of shimmering blue that comes with the aquarium setting. And with glass tanks of great size, comes great fishies to go along with them.

The black and white checkered floor would also be a must. It's a Sonic game, we gotta have a checkered pattern somewhere. It just works. /ToddCrusher

Don't worry about the living conditions for the fish here, by the way. Eggman mechanizing them aside, the people who work at the park - and those who visit it - make sure to treat all the marine life with the utmost respect and kindness. Just a shame that they're apparently not so willing to lend that same understanding to Trudy... but it does provide an early hint that despite the few genuine bad apples who are outright antagonistic towards Trudy, most of the folks ignorant to her condition are exactly that at worst: ignorant. Meaning, despite first impressions, most of them are not bad people at heart, and with a little help and persistence, it's not entirely impossible that they can eventually learn to understand and sympathise with Trudy's situation.

In other words, they have more dimension than the background characters in Sonic Boom, where they're all mostly a bunch of one-note arseholes with little redeeming qualities and don’t deserve to be saved by Sonic in the slightest.

Anyhow, eventually, after a trip through one of those sweet underwater tunnels...

...we find ourselves in the cavern area, where red is exchanged for turquoise, and there are reflected ripples galore. Since the Marble Caves in Chile already look halfway to being a Sonic level due to its unique formations, that's the best comparison I can make here.

Too blue, you might say? Well, the sunset from earlier would be poking through the holes in the wall, adding some warm to the cool once more... the giant seashells everywhere help spice it up too.

Like these, but bigger than Ken Penders’ ego.

If that’s even possible...

First Section (aquarium): Rooftop Run - Night (Sonic Unleashed) Coconut Mall (Mario Kart Wii)

Second Section (caves): Sea Shell Shenanigans (Crash Bandicoot: The Wrath of Cortex) Dire, Dire Docks (Super Mario 64)

3-4: Hydro Plant

The outside structure for this place is shaped like a giant wall, which predictably brings the Hoover Dam to mind:

And that applies inside as well, at least initially. The similarities indoors come mostly from the generators, as well as the sheer size of the place.

Since it's considerably rustier however, we have darker lighting in place, with the sunset outside preventing it from being too dark inside. There’s also a copious amount of daring graffiti caused by hoodlums... or maybe Eggman, since he'd probably be the type to do that to any property that isn't his. Some of this graffiti would look very impressive...

While others would... uh...

Look, they tried, okay?

With all this graffiti, that means there’s opportunity for a generous helping of cheeky references to previous installments if you’re able to find them... and if you can understand them. To this day, the typo in “make belif reborn” has not been corrected. Absolutely disgusting.

But as the fic dictates, the further you go on, the tidier and more high tech it becomes. Simply put, this section would remind one of Aquatic Base from '06, mainly because I've always liked the idea despite its characteristically terrible level design, so why not salvage the concept and give it a second chance?

With some added flavor to make it less monotone, mind you. Like actual water sections, some green lights to break up all the blue, giant crab robot threatening to kill you... the works.

Sonic may be glad that this zone is behind him, but little does he know, it's not the only zone with intense water action around these parts. Luckily for him, that won't be for a while, so he can breathe a sigh of relief for now. Still, we know Eggman has other ways of keeping the gang on their toes...

First Section (rusty): Wily Stage 2 (Mega Man 7) Pokey Pipes (Donkey Kong Country 3)

Second Section (high tech): Ocean Base Act 1 (Sonic Advance 3) H2 Oh No (Crash Bandicoot: The Wrath of Cortex)

[greenv]

The Last Of Us | Steve Rogers x Fem!Reader.

A/N: I never thought I'd go back to writing for marvel, but here I am, only this person would make me go back to writing for marvel, Annie, I am deeply sorry I forgot your birthday, I will never forgive myself, and since you won't tell me what I can do to make it up for you, I've decided to write a small oneshot in your honor. @nekoannie-chan

Summary: Thanos took everything away from Steve, his long life best friend, half of his second family and even more. But not everything was lost, you're still here.

Warnings: just a slight mention of depression and anxiety, but nothing too bad.

Word count: 2,k +

_______________________

It was hard waking up after what had happened, for Steve, everything was lost, even though he was trying to be strong for the people that were still there for him, Natasha and you…

And basically you were one of the main reasons he opened his eyes in the mornings, you always were. Ever since he got out of the ice, you were one of the few people that gained his trust quickly, you showed him around and helped him get used to the new technology of this century, he had no choice but to accept what was happening.

Even when he found out that Peggy was alive, you were by his side day by day, offering your shoulder for him to cry his pain out, your friendship meant everything to him, and with time, something started growing inside him, you didn't felt like a friend for him anymore, you were something more.

You were part of the team, and being part of the avengers didn't mean that everything was going to be glory and honor, it had its pros and cons, and more cons than pros. Like Tony, there were times that you woke up screaming in the middle of the night, shaking in sweat and asking yourself if it was all a dream or if you were trapped in that day. Not all missions were hard, but there was one that definitely got stuck with you, the Sokovia mission… You could still feel Wanda playing with your insides and making you turn against your own team, and after Wanda joined the team, you actually went to her a few times, asking her to make an illusion where everything was better helping you sleep.

But after what Thanos did… that was impossible, he took her away from you, you could still see her face transforming into ashes before your own eyes, holding Vision in her arms as both lovers disappeared into thin air.

Tonight was one of those nights, nightmares of that day struck your head like lightning, making you wake up again, you looked at the clock, it was almost 7:00 am, so you decided that it was okay to fully wake up now.

You went to the kitchen to find nothing but darkness, making you feel a bit uneasy, half of the crew wasn't there anymore, and the base started to seem more like a haunted house rather than your home. You turned the kitchen lights on and you grabbed your mug, making yourself a bit of tea to calm your nerves.

Steve was coming back from a very early run when he noticed the kitchen lights, at first he thought it was Natasha, but when he saw you, he felt his heart skip a beat, you had that effect on him, it was hard for him to hide it, but he was make it an effort, he kept his feelings for you a secret for years, he could do it a few more minutes.

"Can't sleep?" You jumped slightly at the sound of his deep voice, you didn't know if it was the side effects of the nightmare, but you were feeling a bit uneasy.

"Hey…" you offered him one of your bright smiles, it didn't matter how bad you felt, you always had a smile on your face, making it seem like everything was okay.

At the early stages of your friendship, it was hard for Steve to notice when something was wrong for you, and he always seem to have worse problems, and having you on his side showing support made him feel like you where his hard rock. But when you fall in love with someone, it seems that you can read the other person easily, and Steve was getting better at it, your smile couldn't fool him anymore.

"How was your run?" You asked with a smile, making Steve smile as well, always lighting up the room you were in.

"It was okay, but it would've been better if you were there with me… When are you coming huh? I've been asking for a few months now" Steve chuckles, walking towards you, he opens the fridge grabbing a bottle of water, he then takes a sit in front of you.

" 'dunno… you already know I'm not one of those people that wakes up at five in the morning just to go for a run" You laugh, taking a sip of your tea.

"Yeah…" Steve sighs and looks down, it was now or never, he needs to know what's bothering you, he wants to help, just how he helps everyone else in his support group "What's wrong, doll?… you know you can tell me everything, right?" He asks with a soft voice, trying not to pressure you, he looks at your face looking for signs of discomfort, but he couldn't find any, you were still holding that bright smile he oh so loves.

"What're you talking 'bout?" You asked playfully "Oh yeah… There's no more jelly and peanut butter, I think Natasha will start crying if we don't-".

"You know I'm not talking about that, come on Y/N, you've been waking up earlier… You seem to be sleepy throughout the day, and you haven't been eating properly and-" you interrupt his words just like he did with you.

"Steve, I am not part of your support group for one reason" you chuckle, putting a hand in the air for him to shut up "But I'm okay… I swear".

Steve nods, giving you a worried look, he knew it wasn't a good idea to keep pushing you, so instead he changed the topic of the conversation.

"So… Next week, it's a big week" He smiles.

"A big week?" You asked confused, but you knew exactly what he was talking about, your birthday, Natasha has been mentioning it for a few days now, and of course Steve would do as well, he was just waiting for the right time, but for you, your birthday was just another day, you didn't like your birthday, and you were hoping that deep inside Steve and Natasha would notice and would leave you alone.

"Your birthday…" he said with a smile "We're going out, I know this restaurant you will like" He smiles, you don't smile back, you only sigh and keep drinking your tea. "Or we can just watch a movie and I can make dinner for everyone here, anything you prefer" He tries to come up with something else when he sees your face change.

"It's okay Steve, I won't be here anyway" You out the empty mug on the table, you look at him and smile."I'm going on a road trip".

"A … A road trip? With who?" He asks worried, this was the first time you've decided to leave the base since the snap, and this was just a not so pleasent surprise for him.

"Alone" you huff "Why, should I ask for your permission captain?" You chuckle, Steve shakes his head and looks at you.

"Of course not, that just took by surprise, you've never mentioned you wanted to go on a road trip, you could've just said something, you know?".

"Well, I just had the idea actually…" you look at him, Steve was your friend after all, and he was right, you can tell him anything, he was one of the few people you felt you could talk to and not be judged "I'm just tired ya' know?" You look down at your hands, the mood in the room changes immediately, and Steve notices this, he looks at you, paying attention at everything you have to say.

"Tired?".

"Yeah, I just feel like I need to get out of this, ya' know? Like Tony did, he leaves us alone, goes to live in a pretty cabin in the woods with Pops, leaving all this mess behind…" You sigh and Steve can see the tears forming in your eyes.

"Hey, it's okay" Steve gets up from his chair and walks around the table to sit beside you, putting and arm around your shoulders and putting you close to him. "I understand how you feel Y/N, we all feel the same,you're not alone in this everyone in the world lost someone they love… I lost Bucky, you lost Wanda… We … We lost".

"How are you the leader of that support group?" You look up at him with tears in your eyes, but a small smile in your lips "you're horrible at comforting people" you both chuckle, Steve cleans your tears with his fingers, brushing them against your skin like delicate feathers, in his eyes, you were delicate like a flower, your beauty couldn't compare to it, each time he looked in your eyes he saw the stars, making question himself if you stole them from the sky to make them live in your eyes.

He wasn't the owner of his own acts anymore, his own body was taking the descisions for him now, he was getting closer and closer to your face, dangerously close for your liking, but you didn't mind, you close your eyes waiting for him to kiss you, getting ready for that moment that you've been waiting for a long time.

"I…" Steve was trying to find the correct words to ask if he could kiss you, but it seemed like he forgot how to talk, you open your eyes and you look at him with dissapointment.

"Rogers, are you going to kiss me? Or are you just gonna stay two centimeters away from me and do noth-" Steve makes you hush with the kiss he's been dying to give you for a long time now.

Your lips were soft and warm, everything he could've ever wanted, better than what he've imagined this years. It didn't took much for the kiss to escalate to something else, sooner, you found Steve hands memorizing each one of your curves under your shirt. With a quick jump, you moved to sit on top of his lap, putting your arms around his neck, brushing your finger in his soft golden hair.

"Oh! Good morning to you both…" Natasha's voice made the both of you jump, she made her way to the fridge to grab her usual peanut butter and jelly sandwich, a mischievous smile in her face "I would offer some… But I see that you both are having breakfast already" Natasha makes fun of the both for you.

You feel your cheeks and ears burn with heat, you sat beside Steve feeling a bit ashamed of what Natasha found you both doing, Steve was the same he was covering half his face with his hand, avoiding Natasha's gave, the redhead having the time of her, looking at you both while she makes her sandwich.

"It's not what you th-" you try to explain but you remain silent, how can you explain what she just witnessed? It was pretty self explanatory.

"No need for that, it was about damn time… Have fun, I'll be writing emails to a raccoon" She smiles playfully taking her sandwich with her, leaving you and Steve alone once again.

You and Steve remain silent for a few seconds, before you both said something at the same time.

"You first…" You said with a small smile.

"Uh, sure, I just want you to know that I don't regret it" Steve smiles and you both start laughing.

"Neither do I" you speak as you bite your lip, making Steve go wild in the inside, he clears his throat to avoid more dirty thoughts about you.

"So… That road trip, mind if I join? I mean, only if you want to, I understand if you want to go alone and have time for yourself and just…".

"I'd love to" You smile, taking his hand in yours "Let's get away from this place for a few days, then we can come back and be miserable together" You smile, Steve pulls your hand, making you sit on his lap again.

"I wouldn't love anything more… Let's give you the best birthday week you could've wish for".

"Oh! Steve Rogers is up for some fun?! Uh! Can't wait to see this!" You make fun him, Steve only rolls his eyes and gives you a quick kiss on your temple.

"I can plan pretty good birthdays for your information".

"We'll see Rogers… We'll see".

[punkscowardschampions]

Libi & Bobby

Libi: I’ve just found my phone in the sea of costumes

Libi: How so many people need alterations and mending at this point 😱😱😰

Libi: I’ve got a… well, it’s not weird

Libi: but it is, but that’s not really the right word to describe it but I can’t think of said word so it’ll have to do

Bobby: Hang on, forget the play a sec

Bobby: What’s this message? 🤨

Bobby: is it the sender or what they said that’s making it feel weird?

Libi: That’s practically blasphemy Bobs! 😏 Mullans will have you helping Tom with his lines for that, poor boy… we’re all officially off book this week and he is not a little bit ready

Libi: Um, both?

Libi: I mean it’s Louie, so it’s not that weird he’d message me, I guess

Libi: We have messaged back and forth a bit, obviously, it isn’t totally random

Bobby: Sir would have to reckon I’m capable of something first, that’s a subject change though

Bobby: go on, what’s the but? What’s Louie said?

Libi: I was going on the assumption he’d forget you were deaf altogether and act like you’ll be able to hear Tom

Libi: He is quite loud in his delivery but still

Libi: 🙄

Libi: At least we have Ms Howe backing up all our other ideas

Libi: I think he’s asked me out on a date

Libi: Well I know because he said did I want to go to the cinema, to see that latest adaptation of Orient Express, and I thought he meant did we ALL wanna go so he corrected me when I started planning as such… which was awkward

Bobby: Mullan does dress a bit like you did when we met,‘course it doesn’t look as cute on him, but makes sense he’d also rob your 🔊 by chucking Tom at me

Bobby: well alright, awkward is the right word there, are you still gonna go?

Libi: I don’t know who that’s more insulting to 😂 shocking behaviour

Libi: I can’t really process it, I don’t know

Libi: Should I?

Bobby: Depends if he’s okay with you just going as mates

Bobby: he might be too 💔 and that’ll make it more awkward

Libi: It’d make the play really awkward

Libi: I’ve already put my foot in it with thinking it was a cast and crew thing

Libi: I can’t very well be like IS THIS AS FRIENDS as well, can I?

Bobby: 🤔 I dunno if there’s a way it wouldn’t be a 🤏 now but saying no and not making it obvious you still wanna be mates could mess up the play even more, you have gotta kiss, it’d probably be better if he don’t 💭 you think he’s gross or whatever

Libi: Right, maybe it sounds silly but I really do not want to jeopardise the play in any way, not at this stage

Libi: I really want it to go well for all of us, we’ve all put way too much work in for something like that to spoil it

Libi: I couldn’t just go, could I?

Libi: Not qualify it either way

Bobby: It’s not silly, everyone knows how invested you are, you’ve worked harder than any of us

Bobby: but you don’t owe the play going that far

Bobby: what are you gonna do, fake date him til after it’s over? Come on, Libs

Bobby: he must like you for real, one date would lead to him asking you out on another

Libi: I don’t think Jan would ever speak to me again if I stole the bit for such a pathetic reason

Libi: she’d judge me hardcore anyway and can’t have that

Libi: You’re right, I’ll have to let him down gently then

Libi: Whatever that sounds like…

Bobby: I know our lil 👰🤵 wasn’t legally binding but I’d rather you didn’t either

Bobby: I’d still be 💔

Bobby: for you, I mean

Bobby: Louie’s a bit

Libi: Is he?

Libi: I don’t really know him outside of the context of this play

Libi: like I didn’t know him before, I mean, obviously I’ve spoken to him as him now, a bit

Bobby: obviously I've had even less to do with him than you, but I've noticed when you're speaking to him as him you're not 😁

Bobby: even the 1 cinema trip might be asking a bit much of how 😇 you are

Libi: How much of an 😇 can I really be if I’m all 😒 😞 😔 😟 😕 🙁 ☹️ 😣 😖 😫 😩 🥺 😢 😭 😤 😠 😡 apparently

Libi: He’s a nice guy, I don’t know why I don’t want to date him

Bobby: In his pov or mine?

Bobby: I’d say your reaction is loads better than being unbothered, that’d make you really 😈

Bobby: anyway being a nice lad he’ll understand and it probably won’t be long before someone else does wanna go out with him

Bobby: you can’t force or properly fake 💘

Libi: He’s probably going to ask someone else, you’re right

Libi: it’s not a big deal

Libi: I could say you really wanna see it too, that would work

Bobby: It can’t be a massive deal, he hasn’t known you THAT long, not before the play, like you said

Libi: Totally

Libi: it’s not like he’s 💘 or anything, just interested

Bobby: Yeah, he’ll be alright and so will the play

Libi: Thanks, Bobby

Libi: even if I still need to think of what to message back

Bobby: Just be as honest as you can handle without 😳

Bobby: lying isn’t a top skill of yours and you don’t want him to work out you are

Libi: I can’t argue with you even if I feel I should

Libi: I’ll try my best

Libi: I might leave it for a 🤏 bit

Bobby: can’t fault you for it, and I won’t need to ‘cause it’ll be okay

Libi: A woman’s prerogative, so I hear

Bobby: deffo can’t argue with that, it’d have me coming across like a nice guy ™️ ❌👏

Libi: 😬 it isn’t lost on me that I friendzone Louie’s character in the harshest way by being a murderess

Libi: I won’t bring that up though, hopefully he won’t be thinking it

Libi: 🩸👠 isn’t an association I’d love to bring into my everyday

Bobby: I’m more 🤞 Mr Mullan doesn’t hear about art imitating life ‘cause you’ll never hear the end of it

Libi: Oh no

Libi: he’s so…

Libi: he’s a lot

Bobby: See, an 😇 way of putting it 😏

Libi: I can see why China and him get along, is a less polite way

Libi: but as true

Libi: she’d much prefer femme fatale over hysterical American

Bobby: It won’t kill her not to get her own way for once

Libi: It might drive poor America insane

Libi: How are her and Sean now?

Libi: I cannot believe I managed to put my foot in it like that, I felt awful but she wouldn’t hear it and if I tried to apologize to him he’d have thought I was meddling more than he probably already reckoned

Bobby: 💰 on her mates going insane 1st how often she must stay with some of them

Bobby: not that I blame her for not going home and you shouldn't blame yourself for anything that happens between her and Sean, he knows what she's like and what's been going on

Bobby: I guess they've sorted it? I dunno, have to go off their insta stories more than whatever he'd actually admit

Libi: I have been wondering about that

Libi: if I should more officially ask my grandparents/offer her the spare room

Libi: or if that’ll be insulting, or they might say we shouldn’t put ourselves into people’s family affairs

Libi: glad it’s not just me 😅 again, they’re hardly the only on-again-off-again couple around that I find totally perplexing so it’s no dig

Bobby: 🤔 I was 💭 the same but I wasn't sure if it'd be weird coming from me as a lad, especially if they're off again when I make the offer

Bobby: I reckon it's a good idea though if you're allowed to

Libi: I don’t think she’d take it that way but emphasis on the I part, I see how she could and why you’d be hesitant

Libi: I think the best way is to ask her first, if she would want me to then ask my grandparents… the potential disappointment if they say no is better than me doing the wrong thing and making it worse, right?

Bobby: Her sister has told me that lads and girls can't be mates so she would probably have loads to say which we can all do without

Bobby: 👍 getting your grandparents involved more than you need to when you don't need to isn't a 🥇💡 you're totally right

Libi: She would think that 🙄

Libi: guess it makes her feel better that Jake doesn’t want to be her friend

Libi: Cool, that’s the plan of attack there then, an easier message to send for sure

Bobby: 💔 Jake doesn’t know about Louie asking you out, it might’ve got him to back off 🤏

Libi: Or get him to do the same

Libi: Wow, that sounded really conceited 😲😅

Libi: You know what I mean though, more that he’s that type of lad than I’m that much of a catch

Bobby: you can still be a catch even though he's a dickhead but hey

Bobby: least if he does ask you you've already practiced a rejection text, type of lad he is isn't gonna take a no as easy 😬

Libi: Don’t jinx me!

Libi: He’d probably just send me a bootycall and expect me to jump, right? Ick

Libi: You don’t behave like that, do you Bobs?

Bobby: 😲❗️ can’t believe you’d ask me that Libs

Libi: Come on, you’re my only insight into what boys are like

Libi: it seems pretty par for the course, maybe not Jake levels of extreme but

Bobby: Soz I’ve got no insight into bootycalls

Libi: Okay

Libi: I’m not mad about that

Libi: that’d be a LOT to process about you rn

Bobby: I’ve got no secrets I’m keeping from you, especially not 💘🔐

Libi: 😊💚💜

Libi: Lucie has turned out to be less cute than I thought

Libi: IMO anyway

Bobby: what’s she said or done that you’ve not told me about?

Libi: Nothing compared to China, so nothing

Libi: I can see how they were friends though, before they dramatically weren’t

Libi: I wonder who Jake will choose, if he ever does

Bobby: I think he likes not choosing and keeping everyone dramatically in suspense 🙄

Libi: Begrudgingly admit he’s suited to his role in that respect

Libi: he’ll fall for someone totally out of left-field and leave both of them in the dust

Libi: if romcoms have taught us anything

Bobby: If it’s gonna be Am I better warn Sean

Libi: She hates him

Libi: which in certain stories WOULD make him 😍

Libi: but I can’t see it

Bobby: exactly it’s the plot twist everyone saw coming and the most obvious trope going, but thankfully we don’t live in a romcom

Libi: it does all feel a bit romcom rn, I think that must be what inspired Louie

Libi: not my preferred genre, tbh

Bobby: I’m alright with swapping Orient Express for whatever horror is playing, doubt he’ll be in another row of that screen waiting to spy on you

Libi: If anyone’s destined to be the stalker, right?

Libi: we better go, he’s not done anything wrong

Bobby: 📌📅 for when? How keen was he?

Libi: [Probably this weekend from whichever day he’s asked because keen is the vibe, sorry Louie]

Bobby: 👌😂

Libi: don’t be mean 😫😅

Libi: plenty of girls would be happy to go out with him

Bobby: Yeah and I’m not running him down to any of them, or you even really, I already told you I think he’s a bit

Bobby: 🤓🥀

Bobby: He gestures A LOT, is he one of those OTT doing shakespeare in the theatre type actors or what?

Libi: I guess the role is pretty...campy

Libi: I can see what he’s going for even if I’d suggest toning it down 🤏

Libi: It’s a good thing you aren’t slagging him off to the girls, he’d not stand a chance then

Bobby: Who am I that they'd be bothered what I think? Not ever asked or been asked, me

Bobby: and everyone knows the butler has always got a massive agenda anyway

Libi: Lots of girls think you’re cute though

Bobby: 😳

Libi: What? I can’t tell you you’re handsome

Libi: and that girls have obviously noticed that

Bobby: I guess 'cause I don't 👀 it I don't 💭 about it, I dunno but it's 😳

Libi: I get it

Libi: it IS weird when other people say it

Libi: @ Louie @ Jake

Libi: it’s not like when family say it but you know they have to say it, even if they mean it… 🤔 first and foremost it’s ‘cos they 💘 you

Libi: Saying we’ll get used to it sounds very big-headed but I guess it won’t freak us out as much from now on

Libi: 🤞

Bobby: I'm not sure there's a proper way for me not to get freaked out when other people notice me, even if it is only with their 👀 'cause I still forget I exist to them most of the time 🤷‍♂️

Bobby: but obviously the play was just the start for you, loads of lads are gonna wanna be more than mates with you everywhere you go, soon as they realise how great you are, so yeah, I better get used to that

Bobby: 🤞🤞 I find stuff to 📌📅 when you're on all these dates

Libi: Of course you exist to them! The school is just too bloody lazy to actually make it so more students can acknowledge and actually converse with you like everyone else 😤

Libi: though acting like they’re the issue when it’s actually the world at large is not helpful of me at all

Libi: Ha! I’ll still be sharing a stage with the likes of Lucie, I think the majority of the male population will find other places to look, Bobs 😏

Libi: Anyway, I’ll soon lose any points if I brush enough of them off like poor Louie 😕

Bobby: Alright, maybe I’m not fully 👥 but nobody knows me well enough for 💘

Bobby: and anyone who prefers Lucie knows literally nothing

Bobby: you’d score all ✔️ in everything that makes people 😁 and 😍 you’re not losing any points for Louie or Jake, don’t even worry

Libi: Yet

Libi: Pretty sure that’s the point of dating

Libi: not that I’m an expert on the subject 😅

Libi: you’re sweet

Bobby: You know what I mean, unless it’s a blind date you usually already know each other a bit, enough to be interested anyway

Bobby: nobody’s there yet

Libi: You want to start looking?

Libi: Lots of girls still like the boy to initiate, old-fashioned but works in our favour

Bobby: not my prefered genre either, it’s okay

Libi: 👍

Libi: We could go see the horror after, I’ve checked the times

Bobby: long as your nan doesn’t mind me keeping you out that late, I’m cool with it

Libi: She wouldn’t hold back telling you if she did by now

Bobby: True

Bobby: but don’t mention to Louie what a lucky escape he’s had there or he’ll fancy himself as Romeo next

Libi: Thank GOD we’re not attempting Shakespeare… what Lady Macbeth and the young lovers might inspire in everyone isn’t something I’m ready to find out yet

Bobby: he does put a silent character in most of his plays though, that’d make sir’s job of casting me well easy

Libi: let’s not make his job any easier

Libi: his creative ‘vision’ (as he puts it, I would never) is lacking in well, any creativity

Libi: casting potential included, of course

Libi: I think we’ve all made the best of though, don’t you?

Bobby: What you’re saying is, where’s the blind-deaf solidarity if he’s gonna keep his 👀 shut the whole time 😏

Bobby: *you’ve made it loads better than it should be and deserve all the credit he’ll lap up on opening night

Bobby: that’s what I think

Libi: It definitely wasn’t a one-woman mission

Libi: you’ve done loads, for example

Libi: we’ll have our own afterparty of sorts, and he won’t be invited to make a speech 😏🙌

Bobby: Only props which anyone who takes art could’ve done but I’m not gonna say no to a 🥳

Bobby: is Louie invited?

Libi: I think everyone but the teachers will have to at least be offered an invite

Libi: wrap parties are tradition… I think 🤔😋

Bobby: what about China and Jake?

Libi: Yeah, them too…

Libi: In American films they go to diners, we could do an equivalent, not necessarily a party party

Libi: so we don’t look like we’re ‘taking over’ or whatever

Bobby: Let’s go to [somewhere that has an american diner vibe because I’m sure there is] they have the best 🍨

Libi: Yes! 💡

Libi: Who can be 😠😒🙄 at sundaes?

Bobby: J and J weren’t and they always were back then

Libi: Exactly

Libi: If they can manage to crack a smile, like

Libi: I won’t be heartbroken if certain people don’t want to do it but not going to be accused of any more cliquey-ness

Bobby: me either but I’d be 😁 if we were the only ones there

Bobby: which is why I’ll never be the main character of anything but a really low budget indie

Libi: I find socializing exhausting so I can only imagine how much more you do

Libi: Much easier staying kids and not being expected to do anything we didn’t 100% want to, yeah

Bobby: yeah

Bobby: have they done Peter Pan before? Be more fun than shakespeare

Libi: Not that I know of

Libi: we should ask Ms Howe

Bobby: Alright, but I won’t mention to her how I reckon Jake and Louie could fight it out for who’s gonna be the ���⏰ depending which one’s the fastest at taking your hints you’re not interested once this play’s over

Bobby: Or that China’ll have to be 🧚 if you’re Wendy

Libi: Ugh, don’t! She’d LOVE the outfit, if she could convince Mullan to let her wear it… 🙄

Libi: I’d cast her as Nana for the shade of it all, as I’m such a bitch don’t you know, but she’s far too lovely a dog to warrant such a miscast 😏

Bobby: Mr Mullan will probably wanna cast me when he realises it’s not a talking 🐶 she’d have a fight on her hands again 😏

Libi: I think you’d look excellent in a bonnet 🤭

Bobby: I’d rather be the lil brother with the 🧸 be a good luck charm and a weapon against dickheads if needed

Bobby: he’s too young to say much anyway if I remember right

Libi: You’d get to wear pajamas for the whole first act too 👍

Libi: Again, not to sound like a broken record about it, making Peter deaf could be really interesting and make the plot even more heightened

Libi: There’s lots of things he doesn’t understand about real life and real people because he’s immortal, if there’s that added communication barrier between him and the lost boys, it makes the way he is even more logical, in its way, it’s a easy, perhaps a little cliche way, to show he isn’t an ordinary boy

Libi: Not to mention the relationship he and Wendy manage to forge despite this would break the audiences hearts even more when they inevitably lose it

Libi: Clearly, I’ll have to write this persuasive essay for Sir before the next play is decided 😅

Bobby: 😲

Bobby: that’s SUCH a 🥇💡

Bobby: now I’m actually speechless

Libi: I’m pretty proud of that one, ngl

Libi: need to expand the 💭 but it’s got legs, right

Libi: I thought our last idea did but there’s less wriggling out of this, it being a fantasy and all

Bobby: Like you said, we’ll go to Ms Howe, convince her and let her worry about dealing with him, I’ll help you, transition year is a massive faff Jim was right

Libi: Is it nice to have the break though? After your exams last year

Bobby: 🤏 work experience is the best bit by far though and I don’t get many breaks there

Bobby: gonna have to start going 🛌 proper early like I’m 👴

Libi: ⏲ if you mean it

Bobby: 💔 but yeah

Libi: 💔 is easier to deal with than 🥱 in the morning

Bobby: Dunno about that, maybe when it’s Louie on the receiving end of the 💔 and you’re 🥱 of his 😍

Libi: Shh, don’t remind me

Libi: dreading this reply more than my homework

Bobby: [knows her well enough that he writes the kind of reply he knows she would send and it doesn’t even sound like a pisstake]

Bobby: ✔️

Libi: See, you’re a natural actor

Libi: that was a little TOO convincing, if anything

Libi: but I’m not in a position to turn down help 🙏🙌

Bobby: Not if you want me to come round and help with your homework before the ⏲ runs out and all

Libi: 😘

[late-to-the-sexy-party]

Solid Ground

A scene in which Rae and Finn hang out and some stuff comes up.

Takes place a while after S2 and I’m not really concerned about S3.

Also posted on AO3.

Thanks, Lil, as always.

Rae and Finn were sitting on his bedroom floor, drinking beer and thumbing through music mags when Rae popped her head up, “Finn?” She tried to make her voice high, lilting, but was pretty sure she sounded harsh and halting. Had he just flinched a little? She was so fucking bad at nonchalant.

From the cadence of that one syllable, Finn could tell he was in for it. Rae often got these ideas of things to ask him which inevitably made him squirm, like whether he ever fancied a teacher or had ever secretly wanted to kiss Archie or how old he was when he’d had his first erection. It had always given him a small thrill, because even though the questions were awkward, he liked the way she made him talk and the way she listened. That’s how they’d built their together world, question by question, answer by answer, a head curled into the other’s lap or legs stretched parallel up onto the wall. More recently, however, her questions had become less fun and more about the other girls he’d dated. He braced himself.

“What did ya like best about going out with Stacey?”

The thought that Finn had been with every hot lass in Lincolnshire made Rae cringe. However, since knowing was better than imagining, she and her diary had launched Operation Desensitization, an attempt to gather as much information as possible, to rake her eyes over the truth and, in theory, neutralize it. But she was growing edgy with this business of sounding casual in the face of what he might say.

The question about Stacey made Finn uncomfortable, but he thought he could manage it. “Dunno…she had a nice house I guess. And I liked her dog.”

Rae rolled her eyes and looked at Finn like he had a screw loose, “Her house? Her dog? Right! Neither of those things are really about Stacey!”

“You asked what I liked about going out with Stacey not what I liked about her.” Finn squinted and shifted in front of her.

“What are we in English class?” Rae responded, exasperated. “Fine! What did you like about HER?” She was regretting her tone, but she couldn’t modulate. He didn’t deserve this attitude, but her head was tensing and something inside her was slipping off its hook.

She was getting worked up and quickly, but Finn still thought he could navigate this. “Not much…she’s not a nice person. I broke up with her when I saw how badly she treated people.” He watched Rae’s face for clues of a misstep.

“Did she treat you badly?” Rae asked with genuine interest.

“Nah, but girls, her mates and stuff. She’s just mean. And, like, so boring.”

“Hmmm,” Rae nodded, searching, “but you…you still had sex with her?”

Finn pulled his lips into a thin line and briefly closed his eyes; there was the familiar feeling of everything shifting and his control slipping away. Over the past few weeks, Rae seemed to be daring herself to ask more and more questions about his past experiences; how he’d met girls, what kind of dates they went on, what they talked about, but this was the most explicit she had been so far. Finn corkscrewed his mouth to one side and looked toward the window as he slowly nodded.

Rae mirrored the gesture. Her mind was regularly plagued by thoughts of Finn with all the girls he’d sexed before. The images came stacked and staticky: a tangle of toned limbs, his tongue grazing a flat stomach, his hands removing a normal sized bra, two people humping in closets that were too small for Rae alone. “You’ve had sex with a lot of girls.”

“Dunno…” was all Finn could muster as he started fidgeting with his ear. He hated the insecurity that led to these questions when it was the opposite of what he loved about her. But he also knew she was trying to work something out, and he recognized the bravery of that. He wanted to be holding her now, kissing her and reassuring her, but he knew better. In moments like this, his touch made her flinch.

Rae knew he’d been with other girls. Beyond his reputation, it was obvious from the way he behaved in bed, something confident and matter-of-fact. But this had been the first actual acknowledgement. The skin on her neck and face felt taut and twitchy. The realness of the moment was hard but satisfying and strangely liberating. When she glanced up at Finn, she realized he looked like someone trying to gentle a spider off a window ledge into a cup, anxious that it might get away or get a leg cut off by the rim. She was sympathetic but undeterred.

“I know you think I’m trying to trap you into saying something you don’t want to say… but please tell me what that was like with Stacey.”

Finn shook his head and furrowed his brow. “Nah…why d’ya want to know all that?” I don’t want to hear about you gettin’ off with some other bloke!” He really didn’t and shouldn’t she find that flattering?

Her mind tucked away the compliment to think about later while her mouth bulldozed ahead. “Alright, fine! But I do want to know. Tell me SOMETHING!”

She was speaking not just with her mouth but with her eyes and her hands too. If he could just kiss her right now, this would all be a lot easier. Finn was at a loss for words, but they were going to have to come soon if Rae’s penetrating look was any indication. He took a deep breath and moved his lips, “Yeah…ok…ah…ahh…I..ayay…arr…Rae! This is weird!”

Rae softened at Finn’s tongue-tied attempt and began to laugh. She hadn’t meant to make him so uncomfortable and it was sweet how earnestly he was trying. In an effort to lighten the mood, she threw a pillow at him, yelling, “Man UP, Finley! Tell me about Stacey Stringfellow’s snatch!”

Finn was laughing too now. But he knew that Rae relied on jokes when she felt vulnerable and he never liked that, so he tried to settle down.

And then Rae couldn’t wait any longer to ask the real question on her mind; she twisted a long strand of hair around her finger, not fully convinced she was ready to know this. “Is it different with me?”

Finn looked down and then up at her, almost guiltily “…yeah?”

“And I don’t mean cuz you luuuv me,” she goaded him, “I’m serious. I want to know how it’s different…like…logistically.”

Finn bit his lower lip, was this what it had all been about? Was she just comparing herself to those other girls? He was shit with words, but this he could answer. He knew what he wanted to say, but it took a long minute to pull his thoughts together. “Look,” he finally started, “I’m not gonna tell you I hated sleeping with Stacey, that would be stupid. But it’s different with you and not just ‘cuz I luuuv you’ and ‘awww we both love Oasis and Morissey’ and ‘Oh Rae really gets me,’ but… I mean…it feels different.”

Rae shook her head in disgust, “Right! Cuz I’m huge, and I smother you.”

“No, I’m not sayin’ that,” Finn was frustrated but caught her darting eyes with his and held them until she focused. “Yeah, your body’s different than anyone else I’ve ever been with. It’s bigger… and softer… and dead sexier.”

Finn raised his eyebrows to emphasize those last two words and they zinged down Rae’s spine. It was new to hear him tell her this so frankly. She knew she turned him on, but… then another thought broadcast across her mind. “Finn? It’s not BECAUSE I’m big that you like me is it?”

Finn let out a small laugh at the no-winningness of this conversation. “No, Rae, I can honestly say that I’d like you no matter what size you were. All I know is your body turns me on like nothin’ else and I dunno…it’s like some kinda bonus.” His eyes had wandered off but now returned her gaze. “Do you remember the first time we did it? That time in your new room?”

Rae looked at him like he’d asked if she knew her own name.

“Right, well after making me wait for months, when I was finally all up inside ya… it was so intense, like I could feel you everywhere at once…in my toes and my knees and my ears. I was kinda lost in ya.”

“Really.” She said as she started to feel the truth of his words.

“Really.” Finn confirmed as he offered one of his most heartbreaking smiles.

Rae felt a warmth in her core from her heart to her ovaries, but she also felt suddenly exposed. She covered by teasing him, “Yeah, I guess that was KINDA obvious, since you came within the first ten seconds!”

“Oi! Girl! We did it like three more times that night. You came like fifteen times!”

“Seven,” she corrected him.

“Ohh only seven? You poor lass,” Finn feigned sympathy. “Seriously though, not bad for our first go. You were…impressive.”

“Aww thanks,” Rae said only half joking, “I had a lot of practice. I’d really built up my stamina.”

Finn almost spit out his beer. She still amused the crap out of him. He zoned out as his thoughts went back to that night. He recalled how after hours of fumbling, she finally taught him how to touch her, how she had dazzled him then with her capacity for pleasure and her appetite for it. Girls had always been so timid with him about what they wanted, acted like they mostly wanted to take care of him. It was so much hotter to watch Rae take what she needed and use him for it. It had been a revelation.

Rae was preoccupied by her own memory, how she’d eschewed Finn’s many attempts to drag her on top of him and then surprised herself by suggesting she straddle his hand. She had probably surprised both of them when she stopped holding back, when she stretched out prone above his whole arm while riding his index and middle fingers, had moved greedily along his hand to slide those fingers out of her and up to her clit, had directed him to stiffen them and alternate pressure between them until she was spasming uncontrollably and he was left with a tiny heartbeat pulsing against his fingertips. And then she did it again…and again… until he was lunging at her lips to catch every moan before it escaped.

Rae was smiling to herself as she reminded him of the aftermath. “I was so sore the next day and you had so many love bites, you looked like you’d been in a fight with a blowfish.”

Finn was laughing now, “Yeah, and I had to hide from your mum in the bathtub.”

“It was some night,” Rae mused.

“Yeah it was,” he confirmed, looking down, eyes twinkling. “And I’m still lost in ya.”

Rae blushed at that, “Well let’s just say I’m not sending out any search parties.”

“Oh yeah?” Finn raised a cheeky eyebrow at her, “Not even a sexy one?”

Rae smiled wide and gave a coy tilt of her head as she nodded, “Ok… maybe a sexy one.”

When Finn saw her teeth as she smiled, he had another familiar feeling, a sweep of relief as the floor leveled and walls realigned. He was next to her in a flash, scooping up her hand and pressing his nose into her shoulder.

He spoke quietly into the crook of her neck, “Rae, that first time…it wasn’t just my feet and my ears, it was like something inside me, like in my head…it wasn’t just your body…it was like everything altogether, ya know?”

Rae wondered again how this kind, thoughtful and gentle soul had found her, but all she said was, “yeah, I think so.” And she meant it, which was a lot.

[siribear]

the four of them fall into formation: high rise at the front, h2-22 in the middle, with deacon and whisper bringing up the rear. night fully closes in, settles around the skeleton of the edge of town, moon lighting their way.

‘why,’ whisper asks, quiet as her code name, ‘would h2 be told not to talk?’

‘after synths are rescued, they’re taken to the memory den,’ deacon begins. ‘it was that building next to the rexford. big, neon letters that said memory den?’

‘oh, so we are acknowledging that you were following me?’

his cough is soft. ‘anyway. they get a set of new memories, if they want. then we send them off to get a new face. the... not talking is a safety feature. for them and us.’

she hums, low. ‘so we don’t get attached - ’

‘ - and they don’t have doubts. the institute creates synths to do exactly what they say, when they say it. and the consequences for disobeying...’ he lets her fill in the blanks with her own imagination.

‘that... sounds like slavery. ah,’ she points at deacon, and even in the darkness he turns to her. ‘hence, railroad.’

‘our whisper’s a history buff, i see.’

our whisper. ‘something like that.’

high rise shushes them and gestures for them to get down with a wave of his hand. ahead of them, high rise slowly moves h2 around the corner of a building. he’s shaking like a leaf, hands drawn in against his chest.

just across the street is an enclosed entrance to a building. at the corner, a search light has been installed, and it slowly sweeps up and down the road. the agents huddle together. whisper puts a hand on h2′s arm to ease him.

‘that road’s exactly where we need to go. if we go right, the way is blocked to ticon. left,’ he points toward the skeleton of a building, construction halted by the war. ‘and that way is infested with super mutants. we won’t make it by morning,’ high rise says. ‘there’s a group of raiders in that entrance over there.’

‘so we take out the search light, and kill the raiders in the dark.’ whisper removes deliverer from its holster.

high rise nods. ‘mine’s not silenced, so i’ll stay with h2.’

deacon gestures with his rifle. ‘i’ve got you covered.’

whisper rises to a half-crouch. ‘i know.’

-

whisper aims down the glowing sights of the deliverer, lining up with the search light. she squeezes the trigger. a soft pop and the light shatters, glass and sparks scattering across the pavement. hushed voices float into the night, startled, then there’s shouting, a raising of alarm.

the raiders shout pointless questions: who’s there? as if their ambushers will answer. except, they do, in a way, when deacon takes out one that wanders out with a tire iron in hand. more shouting, a litany of swears, then silence, as whisper and deacon put down the rest.

silence.

eyes adjusted to the darkness, whisper watches high rise and h2 cross the street over to them -

then a deeper, familiar sound. a baying hound, a deep, inhuman growl, bursts of gunfire. before she knows it, she’s pulling h2 around another corner, ignoring the searing pain in her side. high rise and deacon fire upon their super mutant assailants, drawn in by the raider’s shouts, while whisper puts herself between h2 and any more stray bullets.

a super mutant hound bears down on deacon, shrugging off bullets as it bites at him. high rise helps him slay the hound, his own 10mm a roar compared to their silenced weapons. whisper downs its master, squeezing off shots into its head. stragglers or a scouting party - they don’t stick around to find out. especially not when another deep murmur of voices drifts their way. whisper puts her hand on h2′s back, pushes him forward to follow high rise and deacon toward the outskirts of town.

high rise stops them once they cross a bridge over the river, far enough away from the firefight that he considers them safe. h2, she notices, never takes his eyes off her, brow furrowed and mouth set in a frown. so she forces her breathing back to even and wraps her arms around herself as casually as she can to press against her wound. the motion tugs at a second wound, higher and closer to her shoulder.

she doesn’t wheeze - she doesn’t. but she does let her injured arm fall.

‘that could have gone better,’ high rise pants, bent over, hands on his knees. ‘never a dull moment with you heavies, huh?’

‘she’s hurt,’ says h2, eyes wide and watery. ‘she saved - ’

‘i’m fine,’ she cuts him off with a quick smile. ‘you should see the other guy.’

‘let’s get you inside,’ high rise says just as quickly. ‘just up the elevator.’

it’s deacon that puts a steadying hand on her back as they step into high rise’s safe house.

-

the elevator ride up to ticonderoga is long and rickety, a slow grind and rattle. whisper breathes slowly, steadily, pretends she doesn’t feel deacon tense behind her whenever the elevator shudders. his heavy sigh of relief ruffles her hair when they finally arrive at the top.

high rise puts his hands on h2′s shoulders, leading him out of the elevator before fetching a medic. a number of agents mill about the floor, and the sight of a wounded agent must not be a rare occurrence because few pay the dirty group any attention. though a couple occupying a side room do vacate the area and bring her in. high rise and another woman with a medic bag return soon after.

high rise pulls h2 away. deacon stands just outside the room, her blood in smears on his leather jacket, his hands tinted red.

she’s stripped of the ruined, one-sleeved flannel shirt. the agent tosses it in a bag in the corner. whisper hisses when she begins cleaning the wounds. whisper looks up at the sound of deacon’s voice, his profile peaking from around the door frame.

‘i was a ghoul once,’ he begins, and his following story distracts her enough that she hardly feels the first bullet extraction. barely notices until the light ting of the bullet against the metal tray to her right. by now she’s used to the slide of a stimpak into her skin.

deacon talks her through the second bullet as well, rambling stories without meaning. his strange reading habits. strange, at least, for post-war.

‘it’s pronounced proust,’ whisper corrects. her hand flexes as the agent at last removes the bullet.

‘proust,’ deacon repeats, drawn out and mocking. ‘thanks, professor.’ whisper rolls her eyes even though he can’t see her.

‘you’re all set,’ says the medic with one last sting of a stimpak. from another bag, she removes a white, button up dress shirt. ‘it’s not much, but it’s better than the rag you were wearing.’

‘thank you.’ she hops off the dusty counter to pull out a bag of caps.

the agent just laughs. ‘hey, i appreciate it, but don’t worry about it. consider it a favor.’ whisper thanks her again. the other woman leaves, tapping deacon’s shoulder as she passes through the door.

‘how’s my favorite bullet sponge?’ deacon asks, turning into the room in the other agent’s wake.

‘sore and less bullet sponge-y.’ whisper finishes buttoning up the shirt. ‘turns out all you have to do to get free clothes is get shot a few times.’

‘surely there are less painful ways,’ he says, arms crossed.

she taps her forefinger against her chin. ‘next time i’ll just steal yours.’

‘my disguises are your disguises, partner.’

-

h2 and high rise still haven’t returned by the time someone cooks a late dinner (or early breakfast). it’s nowhere near as good as codsworth’s post-war cooking, but it beats marcy’s watery soup. she misses her box of sugar bombs already.

‘so, bullet sponge.’ deacon pushes a chewy piece of meat around on his plate. ‘you protected h2 back there.’

whisper’s plate is entirely abandoned on an end table. ‘like i told desdemona before i joined: it doesn’t matter to me if someone’s human or synth. i wasn’t going to let him get hurt.’

deacon hums low in his throat. ‘then i’ve got a truth for you.’ he turns to her fully, a small piece of paper between his fingers. ‘i’m a synth. one of the first to get the cranium reboot from the memory den.’

‘i - what?’ his damn sunglasses make it difficult to read his face. ‘really?’

his voice goes rough. ‘yeah. we... give other synths happy memories. a loving family, a great childhood. but since i was the test run, it... didn’t go so well.’

‘i... don’t know what to say. uh, thank you? for telling me.’

he waves a hand. ‘take this. it’s my... recall code.’

she takes the folded piece of paper and begins to open it when he stops her. ‘hang on! don’t - don’t read it just yet. see, if you say it out loud, i’ll... well it’s like a factory reset on your little gizmo there.’ he nods toward her pipboy. ‘my memory will be completely wiped.’

‘why can’t i read it?’

‘because,’ he says with a sigh. ‘once you get it in your head, we could be talking about - i dunno, dinner, and you’ll just blurt it out on accident. like - like if i told you not to think about radroaches.’ she grimaces. ‘see? you thought about radroaches.’

whisper folds it twice over at that, hides it in her bag near nate’s wedding ring and his holotape she can’t bring herself to listen to. ‘why give this to me, then? i know we’re partners now, but - ’

‘you’re looking for kellogg. i don’t know if we have the information you need to find him, but... if all else fails, you can use that. maybe if you bring back blank slate deacon, he’ll know something.’

her eyes sting. she hides a sniffle behind a heavy sigh. ‘thank you. i... appreciate the thought.’

he shifts, uncomfortably. ‘don’t mention it. literally, don’t. i’m already starting to have regrets.’

‘i appreciate the vote of confidence. seriously, though, you can trust me. i wouldn’t do that to you.’

he goes back to his cold dinner in silence.

-

high rise is the first to come down the stairs to the second floor, followed by h2-22. whisper waves and smiles, earning a small smile and wave herself. she offers half her box of snack cakes that deacon found for her, which h2 accepts gratefully.

‘are you... okay?’

‘all patched up. and i got a new shirt out of it.’ she halfheartedly snaps the sleeve of her shirt. ‘i’m alright.’

‘i’m glad,’ he says, looking down at his half eaten cake. ‘i’m sorry. i shouldn’t be talking to you, but i wanted to know.’

whisper smiles, brushes her thumb against the hair around his ear. he’s a sweet kid. ‘i won’t tell. and neither will deacon, right?’

the man in question looks up from another slip of paper he and high rise are looking over. ‘wouldn’t tell a soul. promise.’ he holds up one hand, pinky extended. when h2 looks at him, confused, whisper wraps her own pinky around deacon’s. ‘she’s sworn me to secrecy, now.’

h2 smiles and returns to his sugary snack, so whisper scoots over to the others. ‘what’ve we got over here?’

‘our report for des. we’ll drop it off at a dead drop for drums to pick up,’ deacon explains. there are, what she assumes to be, details on the op written on the paper, though written in code and short-hand that she doesn’t understand. ‘here.’ he runs through the definitions in record time.

package delivered. op successful. raider and super mutant presence. no injuries. 

whisper nods at that. ‘no reason to let the boss know i got myself shot on my first official job.’ she tilts her head, thinking. ‘that was monsignor plaza we passed by, wasn’t it? raiders had that place fortified.’

‘we can’t risk the agents to clear it out,’ says high rise. ‘the elevator is locked by terminal. and as long as they don’t see us come in, we’re safe.’

she brings up her pipboy and types in a quick note.

‘suggestions?’

‘nope!’ she turns it off with a quick smile. ‘do you want to mention that we’ll be gone for a bit? uh, minutemen stuff?’ deacon shrugs, writes in a few more lines: clearing house for whisper’s friends. ‘that works.’

high rise stands, stretching. ‘sometimes i think i’m getting too old for this stuff. don’t give me that shit about you being old, deacon. how do i know you didn’t just give yourself an old face?’

he twists his torso until there’s a faint pop. ‘surgery can’t hide old bones,’ he says with a heavy sigh. ‘enjoy your youth.’

‘sure.’ he puts his hands on his hips, rolls his eyes. ‘good to see you anyway, old man. and you,’ this, to whisper. ‘i can see why deacon brought you in. you guys are always welcome here.’ he yawns. ‘as for me, i’m done for the night.’

a chorus of ‘good night’s trail behind high rise as he climbs the stairs, out of the main lobby. in the following silence, other agents similarly file out while other agents file right back in. a changing of the guard, in a way. differing sleep schedules like back at hq, though at least here they have the sunlight that filters in through the broken blinds.

h2, dinner finished, pads over to one of the windows. ‘i like watching the sunrise,’ he says quietly. ‘we don’t get that underground.’ soon after, he heads back upstairs with a whispered good night.

‘come on,’ deacon says after she dozes off for the second time. ‘our turn.’

ticonderoga goes up eight floors, deacon tells her, somewhere on floor four, even though the building itself goes higher. too much rubble to clear out on the other floors, and the ones they have cleared out gives them more than enough room. they even find an empty suite, fitted with two separate beds and a functioning bathroom.

‘i think i love ticon,’ whisper says, dumping her bag on the floor and jumping into bed.

‘careful, the catacombs might get jealous. who doesn’t love sleeping in a tomb?’

she actually manages a short laugh. ‘can’t compete with this view,’ she says with a wave of her hand. deacon doesn’t look. ‘how are you a sniper with a fear of heights anyway?’

if he responds, she doesn’t hear as sleep draws her back under.

[dvp95]

quiet on widow’s peak (6)

pairing: dan howell/phil lester, pj liguori/sophie newton/chris kendall rating: teen & up tags: paranormal investigator, mystery, online friendship, slow burn, strangers to lovers, nonbinary character, trans character, background poly, phil does some buzzfeed unsolved shit and dan is a fan word count: 2.9k (this chapter), 19.7k (total) summary: Phil’s got a list of paranormal experiences a mile long that he likes to share with the world. Abandoned buildings, cemeteries, and ghost stories have always called his name, and a particular fan of his has a really, really good ghost story.

read this chapter on ao3 or here!

Hope my friends and I didn't make things weird for you yesterday. We're heading to the city around noon if you're still up for helping us with the boring part.

noon?? fucking alright i guess i gotta put pants on

lmao yeah, sorry. My parents woke us up at EIGHT like that's a normal time to be awake????

desgostang

What?

ill send u the link later and also no i didnt feel weird yesterday you guys are nice

That's good! And hey I wanted to ask. You were kind of put on the spot with introducing yourself, would you rather we called you Dan or Winnie? I just wanna make sure we aren't making you uncomfortable at all lmao

no its all fine you can call me dan idc and actually its best if you do call me dan when youre in my work lmao

Are you totally sure?

why would i lie abt this. dont be an idiot it isnt a good look on you

haha okay. I’ll see you around noon.

--

“Christopher is a nice boy,” Phil’s mum is telling him as she helps him with their fancy new coffeemaker. There are so many buttons and Phil is so, so tired. “And Sophie is lovely, such a soft-spoken thing. Why haven’t we met them before, dear?”

“Dunno,” Phil says instead of the truth, which is that he’d had no idea how he was supposed to introduce them. “You have now, though.”

His mum laughs and reaches up to pat his cheek. “True enough. I’m so happy that you’ve got good people around you, Philip. I’ve gotten quite worried about you down there by yourself, you know.”

“I’m not by myself,” says Phil. “I live with, like, thirty people.”

“Bunch of strangers, I’ll bet,” she says, because she knows him. “Aside from those three.”

The thing is, she’s not wrong. Phil’s obviously exaggerating about the number of people under the roof of the creaky Brighton house, but the truth is that he can’t keep track half the time. A lot of the rooms get sublet out randomly, or a significant other will start spending so much time around the place that they might as well pay rent, and Phil really isn’t good with new people. He gets along fine with Holly and Dave, but they’ve been there as long as he has and the closest they’ve ever come to a heart-to-heart was comparing anxiety meds over burned pancakes.

Chris and Sophie were there when Phil moved in, and they’d taken one look at him and decided to just keep shoving into his space until he liked having them there, like they were on a mission to adopt PJ’s sad, ghost-obsessed friend from the internet.

“You might be right,” Phil says, feeling a smile tug at his lips for the first time all morning. He’s already had a coffee - and a half, when PJ declared that not even Kath could make coffee taste good and shoved the rest of his Phil’s way - but he still doesn’t feel fully awake. “I’m only really friends with Chris and Soph because of PJ.”

“PJ is a good friend to you, isn’t he?” his mum hums. That slightly pointed tone doesn’t get to Phil the way it usually does, because he knows that she’s just trying to understand him.

It doesn’t escape Phil’s notice that he’s looking into a mirror whenever he sees his parents watching him carefully, waiting for him to tell them something he hasn’t explicitly said, because he’s been doing the exact same thing to his housemates for nearly two years.

Maybe he’ll tell his parents when he’s got someone serious or even, like, semi-serious. Longer than two dates would be a record at this point. But right now he already feels like he’s been one misstep away from disappointing them, and he doesn’t want to take the gamble that his sexuality will be that misstep.

He’s not up for this conversation, though, isn’t sure he’ll ever be, so he just says, “Yeah, he is.”

--

Dan is late. They’re so late, actually, that Phil’s wheel of worst case scenarios has been spinning silently and getting faster and faster the more caffeine he chugs. They roll in with flushed cheeks and a jacket that looks too thin, apologies on their shiny lips that Phil doesn’t even hear for a couple of seconds because he’s too busy staring at them.

“No worries,” Sophie says, interrupting their rambling before they lose another half hour to it. “You want something? I’m getting a refill.”

“No, no, let me,” says Dan. They shrug off their jacket and hang it on one of the empty chairs. Phil and his friends have co-opted the largest table in the place so they can spread out with their laptops and notebooks, and it doesn’t escape Phil’s notice that Dan has decided to sit next to him when they’ve got a couple of options. “I get free drinks if Gabe’s in a good mood. Anyone else need a refill?”

“Me,” Chris says, not looking up from his screen. “Not Phil. He’s cut off.”

“Hey,” Phil protests weakly. His heart rate really has picked up since they sat down, so he knows Chris has a point.

Dan grins, their soft cheeks giving way to the dimples that Phil is very quickly growing obsessed with. He just wants to make Dan smile and laugh constantly, to hear them cackle and see all the lines in their round face deepen with happiness.

Right. Phil watched a horror movie with PJ instead of unpacking this fluttering start of a crush last night, and now he’s just got to deal with it for the rest of the day.

As if it’s a compulsion, Dan clears the empty mugs from their table before heading up to the counter. Phil focuses on the EMF readings so he doesn’t get caught up on Dan holding four mugs by the handles with total ease.

PJ has got headphones on and his eyes closed, so he might not even have noticed that Dan is there. He’s been going through Sophie’s footage and his own audio recordings to try and find some anomalies while Chris looks for the weird visual stuff - they’re a great team at that, and it makes Phil feel like he’s not doing enough. Sure, he could find those things on his own, but not as quickly as they can when it’s a team effort, and they’re on a bit of a tight schedule here. Well, his housemates are. They’ve got actual jobs to get back to once the weekend is over.

Allegedly, Sophie is doing research on sigils, but it looks to Phil like she’s just doodling. Not that he really blames her if she is. He’s barely been paying attention to the chart he’s making of spikes in electromagnetism because he’s been so busy watching the door for Dan.

And Dan looks… good. They’re wearing chunky boots and a shirt that falls to their thighs - a dress, maybe, but it looks like a regular black t-shirt that got extended at the hem - with tight white jeans. The only colour on them is the plaid shirt around their waist and the shiny red product on their lips to match it. Phil watches them lean against the counter and grin at the older barista, and he’s so distracted by looking at their profile that he startles when a foot connects with his under the table.

“Stop staring,” Sophie says, quiet and smiling. “He’s going to notice.”

Phil considers correcting her, but then he remembers that he probably doesn’t have to. Dan had said any pronouns, that they didn’t care how they were referred to, so it would definitely be weirder to act like he knows better than Sophie.

He knows he won’t be able to use masculine terms for Dan. Not because they aren’t true, because he’s pretty sure they’re no less accurate than neutral or feminine would be, but because thinking of Dan as a maculine person is only going to allow Phil’s brain to fall into the familiar traps of gender in ways he doesn’t want to allow.

Gay monkey brain doesn’t need any more leeway in finding Dan attractive, that’s for damn sure.

“So, what are we doing?” Dan asks, interrupting Phil’s thoughts, and, wow, four mugs is a lot more impressive when they’re full of hot liquid. Phil marvels at Dan’s ability not to trip and spill it all as they dole out the coffee and teas.

“I’m doing the boring part,” says Phil. He turns his screen so Dan can see the Excel spreadsheet and laughs at the face they make. “Yeah. It's not glamorous, but it's the easiest way to find patterns in the EMF readings. Honestly, most of my job is just staring at things and finding patterns in them. Like, uh, what's that guy? With the butterfly splotches?"

"Worcestershire," Chris suggests.

"Rorschach," Dan corrects him, lips twitching like they aren't sure if they're allowed to laugh in Chris' face or not.

“That’s exactly what I said,” says Chris.

“You know EMF meters don’t have anything to do with ghosts, right?” Dan asks, ignoring Chris completely and leaning a bit closer to Phil to get a better look at his laptop. “I mean, none of this has anything to do with ghosts, really, but you’re more or less just measuring electricity.”

Phil is aware of that. He wonders if Dan thinks he just stumbles into haunted houses with equipment he hasn’t researched and waits to be spooked. He’s too distracted by how close Dan is and how good they smell to work up to proper offense, though. “Yeah,” he says simply. “But don’t you think it’s weird that the place still has electricity to begin with? Who’s paying for that?”

“A Wilkins, I’d imagine.”

“But why? If they’ve forgotten about the property or abandoned it on purpose, surely they wouldn’t still pay the bills.”

“Maybe they don’t handle their own finances,” Dan suggests. “How rich were these assholes?”

“I honestly don’t know,” says Phil. He taps his fingers in an erratic pattern on the edge of his laptop, trying to spark something in his mind.

It’s almost disappointing when Dan pulls away to dig out their own sleek Macbook out of their messenger bag, but Phil is also glad for it. He can think a lot easier when the warm scent of spice and mint isn’t clogging his brain.

Dan slots into the work as easily as if a space was left for them. They’ve got dozens of tabs open already and they start to go through them, cross-referencing magic things with Sophie in quiet tones and digging deeper into the Wilkins family than Phil ever would have thought to. Every so often they tap Phil on the arm and drag him into whatever rabbithole they’ve fallen down, chatting animatedly.

Phil knows, objectively, that Dan is a fan of his and that Dan is weird about research. It’s another thing entirely to watch it happen in real time, to see Dan pull up local census PDFs from the eighties and explain why chaos magic is bullshit in the same breath.

An hour or so goes by like that, all of them working on their own things with minimal words exchanged by everybody but Dan, and then Chris shouts loud enough to make the barista jump. Nobody else is in the coffee shop right now, which is lucky, because Dan’s got a hand over their chest and Sophie has slopped tea down her front. PJ, with his headphones on, simply cracks an eye open.

“What the fuck was that about?” Phil asks, putting his own palm against his chest to feel his heart race. Dan raises their eyebrows and looks at Phil, seemingly distracted from the startling, wordless exclamation.

They don’t get a chance to say whatever they’re thinking, though, because Chris is turning his laptop to the rest of the table and grinning wide like the Cheshire Cat. “I found something.”

Everybody gathers round, PJ getting up to lean over the back of Phil’s chair and Sophie getting so far into Dan’s personal space that Phil is certain they’re uncomfortable with it, and then Chris presses play upside down. It’s part of Sophie’s footage, Phil standing in the dim foyer and looking frustrated. Even without sound, Phil can tell that this is when he was arguing with Sophie about going upstairs. He squints, but he can’t see whatever it is that’s got Chris being so loud.

“What am I looking at?” PJ asks when the short clip ends, and Dan hums an agreement. Chris makes a frustrated noise like they’re being obtuse on purpose and rewinds to the beginning.

"There," Chris says, excited like he hasn't been since they got to Manchester. He taps his finger against the laptop screen. "D'you see it? D'you see the shadow?"

Now that Chris has pointed it out, Phil does see something. He moves his own laptop and notebook out of the way to pull Chris’ closer with a frown. Chris lets him do that, bouncing in his seat a little bit.

“That’s straight up a person,” Phil says slowly, tracing the outline of the shadow with the mouse. It’s behind him, in the entry to the kitchen, and it looks tall. Quite a bit taller than Phil, anyway, if he’s remembering that doorframe correctly. He decides to measure it next time they go so he isn’t going off memory. “I knew we weren’t alone in there. Like. I’m not crazy, that’s a human being.”

“That’s what I thought,” says Chris. “But press play.”

So Phil presses play. He watches the shadow stay perfectly still in the kitchen doorway until, suddenly, it’s not there anymore. He blinks, rewinds, and watches it disappear again.

Phil’s caffeinated brain is firing on all cylinders now. He grins and shoves his sleeves up to his elbows before he starts fiddling with the clip. The lighting gets played with until the shadow is more obvious and then he slows it down to 0.25 times speed to see if the shadow really just vanishes.

He presses play again. This time, with a very slow-motion Phil talking in the foreground, he sees the shadow move. It runs sideways, further into the house.

“What the fuck?” Dan breathes.

“We are not going back there without some serious protection,” PJ says, even firmer on the topic now.

“What, like sigils?” Dan asks, their pretty eyes wide even as they scoff. “You’d be better off with a fucking, like, baseball bat, mate. That doesn’t look like something that wants to be your friend.”

“I’ve got a crowbar in PJ’s trunk,” Phil says, absent-minded as he plays with the clip some more.

“Excuse me? When did you put that in my car?”

“Couple months ago.”

“Huh. How have I not noticed?”

“You’re not the most observant person I’ve ever met,” says Phil. He looks up at Chris, who’s got the same exhilarated look that Phil is sure he’s mirroring. They don’t get evidence like this very often, something so clearly there that it’s even got a skeptic’s mind racing. Phil exports the edited clip and then the original, putting them both into the Cloud and emailing them to himself. “Was this the only time you saw it?”

Chris nods, accepting his laptop back when Phil is done with it. “I’ll look through everything again, now that I know what I’m looking for and all, but I think that’s it.”

“Okay, cool.” Phil looks around at his friends and Dan, beaming. “Something weird is happening. I love it when something weird is happening.”

“I hate it when something weird is happening,” PJ says, which is a blatant lie.

“Well, we can’t go snooping around until it’s darker out, anyhow,” Sophie reminds them.

“Wait, we’re snooping?” Dan asks, their voice going up an entire octave in disbelief. “Like… you just saw that someone is there and probably not happy about people sneaking around, right? Don’t you have enough for a video already?”

“We’re spending the night,” says Phil. “It’s what we do.”

“It’s what you do,” PJ corrects him.

“Okay, yeah, you guys don’t have to come if you don’t want to.”

“No, I’m coming,” says PJ.

As if she can’t hear them bickering, Sophie turns to Dan with a sweet smile, her eyes twinkling with the same excitement in Chris’. They love this, just like Phil does. “What about you, Dan?” she asks. “Are you going to have a ghost sleepover with us?”

“There’s no such thing as ghosts,” Dan says, their eyes still glued to the back of Chris’ laptop like they can see the shadow through it.

“Guess you don’t have anything to be afraid of, then,” says Chris.

“Uh, axe murderers, maybe?”

“We know what we’re doing, Dan,” Phil reassures them. He reaches a hand out to pat at their arm, feeling a bit awkward about it. “But you don’t have to come with us if you’re scared.”

That makes Dan’s gaze shift. Suddenly, those brown eyes are staring right into Phil’s soul, defiant and beautiful and impossible to look away from.

“Who said I was fucking scared?”

[psychosistr]

The Third Caballero- Chapter 1

Summary: Donald Duck is spending Christmas with his family and closest friends, enjoying the festivities and sharing some exciting news with his partners, Panchito and José.

Notes: This is a Ducktales/Legend of the Three Caballeros Anastasia inspired AU. Credit for the inspiration goes to @levtuve​ for making these really cool pictures that gave me the idea to write this story!

Next Chapter->

It was yet another lively night in the municipality of Vera Cruz, Bahia- a bright and vibrant port town located in Brazil. Party-goers were out in full swing, celebrating Christmas Eve throughout the state with lots of energy and loud calls of “Feliz Natal!” and “Feliz Natal e Feliz Ano Novo!”.

One surprising location for festivities was a huge, lavish mansion along the coast with a large, embellished golden image of an American dollar sign on the front of the building- making it look more than a little gaudy compared to the other buildings along the coast, but the owner of the mansion and its residents hardly minded. Well, more accurately, most of them were temporary residents, as this was actually one of several vacation homes/work bases for the richest duck in the world- Scrooge McDuck.

Normally, the grumpy old miser wasn’t one for parties, but it was a special occasion: It was his grand-nephews’ first Christmas! His niece, Della, had brought three bouncing baby boys into the world back in April (though the bouncing didn’t really begin until they hatched a month later, even if Della’s brother, Donald, almost made one bounce when he accidentally dropped one of the eggs) and this year marked many of their first holidays with the family. Scrooge promised himself that after their first birthday party, the over-abundance of joy and expensive festivities would be reigned back for at least another ten years. He wasn’t made of money, darn it all…even if he did have more of it than anyone could probably spend in a lifetime…

Still, all things said and done, it was a pretty lively party. Not one of his corporate-level holiday bashes where he invited business associates and every coworker under the sun (those were saved for back in Duckburg), but all of the family, friends, and friends of family and family of friends that turned up certainly ensured a full-house. There was music in the air, people dancing and singing Christmas songs in a variety of languages, and a large spread of food and drinks from around the world.

One happy-go-lucky duck in particular, Scrooge’s nephew Donald, seemed to be having the time of his life. It was a special occasion, so, instead of wearing his usual blue sailor outfit, he donned a sleek black-and-white one with a matching cap- special occasions deserved special outfits, after all.

Donald didn’t normally like places so packed with people that he kept bumping into someone every five seconds, but it was hard to be upset when each accidental collision resulted in a much needed conversation or an excited hug. He kept going back and forth between various family members he hadn’t heard from in a while due to his service with the navy, friends he hadn’t seen in person aside from the occasional video call, and his sister who was singing Christmas carols to her boys while attempting to feed them or at least prevent them from eating their new toys.

The one group he kept coming back to most, though, was a pair of brightly colored birds who certainly stood out amongst all the ducks and geese in the room: One was a green parrot dressed in a yellow outfit resembling a classic Malandros with a matching hat and a black bowtie on his high white collar. He had an air of charm about him as he smoked a cigar (careful to do so far away from the bebês, of course) and leaned against a black umbrella in his hand as if it were a cane. The other bird was a brown and red rooster with white hands dressed in a red outfit consisting of charro pants and a bolero jacket with spurs on his feet, a gun belt with two holstered pistols around his waist, and a giant sombrero on his head. He came off as more energetic than his green counterpart, but it was the kind of energy born of excitement and happiness that was incredibly infectious to anyone who approached him.

“José! Panchito!” Donald made his way to the pair for what was probably the fiftieth time that night, this time haphazardly balancing stacks of plates and over-filled cups in his arms. “Hey! Sorry I took so long!” Donald started in his odd but unique voice as he brought over the food and drinks. “There was a HUGE line for the pu-” His sentence turned into one of his infamous squawking sounds when his foot caught on the edge of the fancy imported rug under their feet. “!!!!” He started to fall over, arms flailing and the food and drinks becoming airborne.

The other two birds acted quickly, springing into action to assist their amigo.

First the green parrot, José, moved towards Donald and caught him mid-fall with one arm. He smiled charmingly at the flustered duck and, with a chuckle, gave him a wink that made the other’s cheeks turn red under his white feathers. “This is the fifth time tonight I’ve had to catch you, querido. If you wanted a dance, you could have just asked.” With his unoccupied hand, José gave his umbrella a twirl so that it pointed upwards and, with surprising accuracy, moved it so that he caught the three glasses of fruit punch in a neat stack right on the tip of his umbrella without spilling a drop on the expensive (though likely bought for a bargain) rug.

“¡Ay, caramba!” Meanwhile the rooster, Panchito, made a bit of a show out of catching the plates of food. He jumped into the air to catch the first plate in his left hand, then, while still in the air, he tapped the next closest plate with his foot so that it careened close enough to be caught in his right one. He did a flip before landing dramatically on one knee with his head angled slightly, the third plate landing perfectly on the tip of his sombrero. At a round of applause from the few onlookers nearest the trio, Panchito jumped back up to his feet and gave a bow of his head in thanks (careful not to tip the plate on his hat over) before joining his amantes and catching the end of the green one’s sentence. “Haha! I dunno, Zé- this is about what I’d expect from our Donald’s dance skills!” He joked while holding their plates out for them.

“Not true!” Donald tried to defend himself while standing up fully to (somewhat reluctantly) get out of José’s arms. “I can samba just fine, and you know it!” His cheeks puffed out as he sulked, grabbing the offered plate of food and stuffing a handful of chips into his mouth while muttering angrily under his breath.

“Sim, sim, we know, querido.” José chuckled softly while lowering his umbrella, allowing each of them to grab their drink from the stack on its tip. Once all the drinks were safely in-hand, he twirled the umbrella back around and let the hook of the handle catch on his arm, freeing his other hand to take his own plate from Panchito as well. “Though, you do have to admit, something does usually end up breaking whenever you dance.”

“No it doesn’t!” Donald tried to defend himself again, becoming even more aggravated and flustered. “At least…not when I dance with you guys…” He mumbled the last part of his sentence, glancing away and nibbling on a celery stalk in an attempt to avoid saying anything else.

The other two birds gazed at him with equally fond looks and soft smiles on their faces.

“El es tan lindo.” Panchito sighed.

“Ele é muito fofo.” José sighed at the same time.

Grinning, the two latin birds came up on either side of Donald, effectively trapping him between them, and gave him a matching pair of kisses on his cheeks.

Donald squawked and nearly dropped his food and drink again, his whole face turning red enough to be seen through his feathers this time. “H-Hey! Cut that out! Give me a warning next time!”

Panchito let out a loud laugh and hooked his arm around Donald’s shoulders. “Como quieras, mi amigo! From now on we’ll tell you every time we’re about to kiss you!”

“Concordo.” José said while sliding his own arm around Donald’s waist so that his hand rested on his opposite hip. “For example: We’re about to kiss you again.” Was the only warning he gave before he and Panchito each gave him another kiss on the cheek.

Donald groaned and tipped his head down, unable to hide his face in his hands since they were both full and effectively being held away from him due to the arms wrapped around him. “You two are despicable…”

“No, merely incorrigible!” José corrected with a smile. “We have to get our fill of you before your next tour.”

Although it came off as light-hearted and flirtatious, the reminder of their imminent separation during Donald’s naval tours never failed to bring a touch of somberness and melancholy to their mood.

“Speaking of,” Panchito started while squeezing Donald’s shoulders a touch tighter, though never enough to actually hurt him, of course. “When are you being sent out again? Any ideas, amigo?”

“Actually…” Donald began, swallowing even though he had nothing in his mouth at the moment. “I wanted to talk to you guys about that.”

“??” A matching pair of inquisitive, curious eyes looked at Donald expectantly.

“Not here.” Donald said while glancing around at the bustling, packed room full of beloved but nosey family members.

He gestured for them to follow him with a nod of his head towards the staircase leading to the upper levels of the mansion- an area that wasn’t currently being used for the party and was mostly empty at this time. José and Panchito followed him up the steps and through the long hallways without hesitation, eagerly anticipating their dear friend’s words. They all made sure to finish their food and drinks along the way to ensure there would be no distractions whatsoever, leaving the dishes on a coffee table in the hall to be collected on their way back.

Once they were all standing together in the mansion’s library with the door closed to block out any bits of conversations from unintentional eavesdroppers, Panchito finally broke the silence the three had been walking in on their way up. “What did you want to tell us, amigo? Did something happen?” He was concerned. It normally took a lot to break the rooster’s good mood, but Donald being quiet was worrisome to anyone who knew the duck as well as he and José did.

Judging by the look on the parrot’s face, he shared his parceiro’s concerns. “Are you in some sort of trouble?”

“Yes- I mean, no.” Donald quickly corrected himself when he saw that his initial answer was about to trigger a flurry of worried questions. He held his hands up in a disarming gesture, hoping to show them that it wasn’t anything bad. “Yes, something happened, but, no, I’m not in trouble.” He clarified before lowering his hands. He took a deep breath, held it for a second, then exhaled to try calming himself down before continuing. “I’m done with the navy.”

“!!!!” His words earned surprised expressions and slack beaks from his friends.

As expected, Panchito was the first one to speak again. “¡¿Lo dice en serio?!” His surprise turned to protective fury in an instant. “Did someone give you trouble?! Just give me a name and I’ll-!”

“Easy, Panchi.” José soothed his partner with a calming hand on his tensed shoulder. “Let him finish.”

At a reluctant nod from the still tense caballero, Donald continued. “It’s okay, Panchito, I was honorably discharged.” He explained, easing the other bird’s mood considerably. “I just..” He fumbled with his words for a moment, as he so often did. “I thought it over and talked to my superior officers about it..and..I decided to quit. Della’s gonna need help raising the boys- family help, not just a sitter or a nanny that Uncle Scrooge is gonna hire.”

“So, then, you are moving back to Duckburg?” José questioned with an understanding nod.

“Yeah.” Donald smiled a little bit, running a hand over the feathers on the back of his head. “It’ll be nice to go home again…but…” He looked away for a moment, uneasiness and nervousness clear on his face as he fought with his words again. “I..wanted to see if you guys..well..do you wanna..maybe……go on a trip together before going back to Duckburg?”

“A trip?” The two colorful birds repeated back at the same time curiously.

“Mhm.” Donald nodded, growing slowly bolder with his words as he spoke more freely. “Della brought the houseboat with her, it’s parked out by the docks- she’s gonna be staying with Uncle Scrooge at the mansion back home so the boys have a safe place to grow up- and I really wanted to go on another adventure with you guys!” The house boat was technically Donald’s, as having a mobile address made more sense than a house he’d barely stay at, and he usually found someone to leave it with whenever he went overseas for work. Truthfully, he hadn’t had a set address since the trio left Quackmore. “We can go back to Mexico, or tour Brazil again, or go somewhere new- anywhere we want! And we’ll be living on the boat full time, so we can stay in Duckburg as long as we want and just pack up and leave whenever we need to take a break and go somewhere else and-”

In the midst of Donald’s excited rambling, José picked up on one key bit of information that Donald had inadvertently let slip. “Um momento.” When Donald stopped talking, this time being the one to give the other bird a curious look, José returned it with a brow raised in question as he asked for clarification. “Are you saying you would like us to move in with you?”

Panchito blinked as the realization dawned on him as well, looking between José and Donald with a gasp. “¡¿Qué?!”

Donald blushed, realizing that he had jumped straight into talking about the idea without actually ASKING them if that’s what they would want as well. They’d all enjoyed their time living together before, but it had been a few years since those days in the crowded cabana (then later in the lavish mansion they were given for a short time). “Ummm…y-yes? Sorta? Only if you want to!” He started getting nervous again, subconsciously fiddling with the hem of his shirt. Oh no, was he blowing it? Maybe they didn’t want to? Of course not, they were adventurers that belonged in beautiful, tropical rainforests and wild plains, not cooped up in a crummy old house boat with him and-

“AAAAAIIIYYYYYHAAAAAAA!!!” Panchito let out one of his infamously loud gritos and practically tackled Donald, scooping him up in a hug that lifted the startled duck clear off the ground. “¡Este es el mejor regalo de Navidad!”

“Donald!” José was quick to join in on the hug, ending up on Donald’s other side after Panchito opened his arms just long enough to scoop his other compañero up off the ground as well. He smiled while looking at the slightly startled, but mostly embarrassed, duck trapped in the loving embrace with him. “Sim! We would love to do that!”

“R-Really?” Donald asked, still nervous that they didn’t actually want to, but so hopeful at the same time.

“¡Claro!” Both replied with matching grins and looks of excitement on their faces. To prove they meant it, they peppered Donald’s face with kisses until he finally believed them and relaxed.

“Stop that!” The trapped duck said between bursts of laughter, pushing at their heads in an attempt to escape the onslaught. He didn’t really want it to stop, though- he was just as happy and excited for the future as they were.

“Ah!” Panchito gasped with a big smile on his face as he released them. “You know what this moment needs?” He reached up into his sombrero and pulled out his guitar (the other two would never understand how he made it fit in there without magic). “¡Música!”

Donald and José chuckled at the taller  bird’s enthusiasm before he started strumming out a tune that was more than familiar to both of them. By the time Panchito began to sing, they were already moving to the rhythm.

“We’re three caballeros! Three gay caballeros! They say we are birds of a feather.”

Donald and José flapped their arms and made whistling noises to imitate smaller birds as they danced around Panchito.

“We’re happy amigos. No matter where he goes-”

José sang the next part while standing shoulder to shoulder with Panchito. “The one, two, and three goes!”

“We’re always together!” Donald finished the line and stood on José’s other side.

They laughed and jumped around for a moment, letting out happy shouts and whistles before dancing to the next verse that Panchito sang.

“We’re three happy chappies, with snappy serapes. You’ll find us beneath our sombreros!” He threw his sombrero in the air, letting it land on the ground so they could dance around it before he kicked it back up to land on his head. “We’re brave and we’ll stay so. We’re bright as a peso.”

“Who says so?” Donald asked with a fake look of confusion.

“We say so!” José and Panchito responded as they playfully elbowed him.

“The three caballeros!” All three of them sang together with a smile, José even lifting his umbrella to his beak briefly to play it like a trumpet before they continued. “Ohhhhhh!”

“We have the stars to guide us.” Panchito continued while pointing out the window with his guitar. “Guitars here beside us-” He strummed his with a flourish, as he was currently the only one with a guitar. “To play as we go!” He gave a spin, José and Donald joining him in the swaying motion afterwards. “We sing and we samba. We shout ‘ay caramba’!”

“What means ‘ay caramba’?” José asked in a normal voice, even though they all knew the answer to that by now.

“Oh, yes..” Panchito gave a shrug, feigning ignorance. “I dunno.” They all burst into uproarious laughter at that one.

“Ohhhhh!” They all sang together after their laughter subsided.

“Through fair or stormy weather…” Panchito began the next verse.

José and Donald finished the line for him, standing on either side of him with arms around the rooster’s shoulders. “We stand close together- like books on a shelf!”

“And pals though we may be,” Panchito continued, nodding towards an old poster of a lovely carnival girl on the wall with a wink. “When some latin baby, says ‘yes’, ‘no’, or ‘maybe’-”

They all gave a wolf whistle and pretended to shove at each other as they finished the verse together. “Each man is for himself!”

Though there was more to the song, they decided to end it there (mostly because they were all laughing too much to continue singing). Panchito tucked the guitar back up into his hat and scooped his laughing compadres up into another embrace- one that the other two gladly returned. Singing their song, a special one that was just for the three of them, always left them smiling and laughing and feeling close to each other like nothing else in the world ever could.

In all fairness, though, the thought of living together and traveling the world side-by-side again in the soon-to-be future was a VERY close second.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

After the three amigos finished talking and having some quality time together upstairs, they rejoined the party below. José and Panchito complied with Donald’s request not to say anything about his early retirement- Donald wanted to tell his family at his own pace, starting with Scrooge and Della and then slowly spreading the word to his closer cousins (though some would likely find out anyway through the proverbial grapevine).

Donald spotted Scrooge sitting with Della and the boys, the one in red (Huey, he reminded himself) trying to climb up the older duck’s shoulders while Della was bouncing the blue and green ones (Dewey and Louie, gosh it was a good thing they started dressing them in different colors- telling them apart at this age was difficult) on her legs while the two grownups talked. Waving a momentary farewell to José and Panchito, Donald left their sides to go speak to his family.

As he drew closer, Scrooge looked up at him with one eyebrow raised in question. “Y’ didn’ leave a mess up there, did y’? ‘cause I’m not payin’ the maids extra for cleanin’ a whole ‘nother floor.”

Donald flinched slightly, remembering the dishes they’d left upstairs. “Just a few plates, Uncle Scrooge. I’ll clean them up, promise.”

Scrooge noted the reply and shrugged, looking down at the baby that had moved over into his lap. “Ah, if that’s all, then it’s fine. You lot were up there for so long, we thought y’ were-”

“Uncle Scrooge!” Della cut him off while placing one hand on each side of her children’s heads to cover their ears, pressing their fluffy heads together to cover the other ones in an attempt to mute the conversation. “Not in front of the boys!”

Scrooge rolled his eyes a little. “Aye, I’ve got it- no need for the ‘evil eye’.” He held Huey out towards Donald when the baby started squirming and making grabby hands in his younger uncle’s direction. “Now then, I know that look- what’s on your mind, lad?” He asked after Donald grabbed the baby, giving Scrooge a chance to finally stretch his arms and legs properly.

Donald held the little fluffy baby dressed in a red onesie gently in his arms, looking down at him with a soft, caring smile. Seeing his nephews like this, as well as the rest of his family, definitely made his life-altering decision much easier. “I’ve got some big news…”

He spent a few minutes telling Scrooge and Della what he’d told his partners earlier (Della having almost the same reaction as Panchito and threatening to feed someone to a shark until Donald calmed her down). By the end of his explanation, he was met with two tender, grateful smiles.

“Aww..Donald..” Della’s eyes were misty with unshed tears. She moved the boys in her lap over to lean against one arm so she could rub her sleeve across her face before motioning for him to come in for a hug. “Come on, bring it in- you’d better not leave me hanging, bro!” She grinned and made a grabby motion with the extended hand like Huey had earlier to get attention.

Memories of several years-worth of aggressive tackles and feather-removing noogies flashed through his mind. “Yeah, yeah, I know what happens if I do that.” Donald said after shifting Huey to one arm as well and leaned down to hug his sister.

They embraced for a moment, the loving bond between the siblings still so incredibly strong. After all these years and all the times they had to be apart over that time, it would be nice getting to live near each other again.

Scrooge regarded them with a fond smile. The look in his eyes silently saying that he was proud of them, proud of his niece and nephew and the fine adults they’d grown into over the years. “When can we expect y’ back in Duckburg, then?”

Donald sat down properly in a chair next to his sister, the two of them bringing the boys closer together so they could play and babble at each other easily. “I’m not sure. I’m gonna go on a trip with Panchito and José, first, and we’re not sure where yet. After we go on one more big adventure, we’ll move the houseboat over to the docks by Duckburg-”

“You guys are moving in together?!” Della asked with an excited smile. Her voice, unfortunately, came out too loud in her eagerness and it startled the babies who looked about ready to cry. “Ah! Sorry! Mama’s sorry! Shh, shh, it’s okay!” She rocked and patted them while speaking in a hushed voice until they all calmed down and went back to their baby-talk. With the potential crying crisis averted, Della looked back to her brother with a still excited smile, but a much softer voice. “That’s great! Ah! I can’t believe it!”

Della had been the most supportive member of his family when it came to Donald’s relationship with Panchito and José. From the day he introduced her to the two odd guys he’d gone on a world-saving adventure with, she’d made jokes about them dating, pestered them until they finally admitted they were going out, and was always the first one to ask for updates on their relationship whenever the three got together. There was no doubt in Donald’s mind that, if marriage were a viable option for the three of them, Della would be the first one to volunteer for any and all available wedding positions.

“Great,” Uncle Scrooge started sarcastically. “Two more deadbeats t’ mooch off me…”

It was mostly a joke. He didn’t mind having them over as guests, and he didn’t really mind Donald’s relationship with the other birds since they made him so happy. He just had a general irritation with people who coasted through life on good luck without much worry for their own finances.

Unfortunately, that was a way of living that the Three Caballeros were more than familiar with, whether they were adventuring or just living day-to-day. They usually got by selling off treasure they found on their adventures, finding ways to make the money last until they found a way to get more. Donald joining the navy helped to supplement his own income, and he happily shared it with the others when they needed it.

After all, that’s what they always did and always would do: Look after each other.

Life wasn’t always easy in their world. They had their share of ups and downs. They had good adventures and bad adventures. But, being friends- being FAMILY- meant looking after each other during the rougher patches so you could enjoy the brighter ones together. It was a bond that Donald wouldn’t give up for all the money in the world..

“We can look after ourselves.” Donald stated, defending both himself and his friends with that firm statement.

“Maybe so,” Scrooge had a thoughtful look on his face, as if he was weighing a few options in his head. “But..a wee bit of motivation never hurt anyone..” He got up from his seat and walked off. “I’ll be right back- don’ go runnin’ off nowhere.”

“??” Donald watched his uncle walk away with a confused tilt of his head. “O..kay..?”

His uncle was an odd one at times. Eh, what could he do, though? Family was family.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Scrooge caught up with Donald about an hour later, managing to catch the duck in rare moment where he was alone. “Just the duck I was hopin’ t’ see.” He reached into his coat pocket and pulled out a small, simple box with a red bow on top. “Thought I’d go ahead and give y’ your first Christmas present a tad early.”

Donald was certainly surprised. “Huh? A present?” He took the box and examined it closely. Giving gifts wasn’t something Scrooge was overly fond of- usually each relative only got one from him and that was it. To say he was giving Donald more than one was a little strange, even more so to do it now instead of waiting until Christmas Day like they usually did. “What is it?” He asked while untying the bow, only receiving a knowing smile from his uncle in return. Once the bow was removed, Donald opened up the box and looked inside. “A necklace?” He asked with a confused look on his face.

He pulled it out to examine it properly in the light. He had to admit, it did look nice: It consisted of a simple but somewhat wide golden snake chain with a twisting clasp on the back for the neckpiece. There was only one thing on the chain- what appeared to be a round locket the same color of gold as the chain and seemed to be welded to it to keep it in place. The middle of the locket had some sort of opaque purple glass-like material in the center of it on the front, obscuring whatever was inside and adding a touch of color to it.

While inspecting it, Donald noticed a hastily written inscription on the solid gold on the back of the locket that said “Fortune favors the brave. –See you in Duckburg.” He also found a small hidden switch along the side of the locket and, curious to see what was inside, he pressed it, causing the purple glass to pop open and reveal-

“?!!!!!” Donald made one of his surprised/startled squawking sounds. He quickly caught himself when some people started staring and slapped a hand over his beak, holding the locket close to his chest with his other hand so no one would see what was inside of it. Once everyone went back to their own conversations, writing the sound off as another one of Donald’s false-alarm overreactions, he uncovered his beak and looked to his uncle with wide eyes and a hushed voice. “Uncle Scrooge! This is-?!”

“Aye.” Scrooge nodded sagely, reaching over to carefully close the locket with one finger. “I thought it might give you lads some motivation- a chance t’ start thinkin’ about your future t’gether.” He pointed at Donald with the cane in his other hand. “Now, just so we’re clear, I’m not givin’ it to y’ for good: I’m trustin’ y’ t’ look after it with your LIFE until you can bring it back safe and sound to Duckburg. Are we clear?”

Donald nodded his head up and down vigorously. “Uh huh! Uh huh! Crystal clear, Uncle Scrooge! Thank you!”

“You’re welcome, lad.” Scrooge smiled again and walked past Donald, giving him a pat on the shoulder as he passed him. “Merry Christmas, Donald.”

Donald smiled softly at his uncle before looking back down at the locket in his hands. He brushed his thumb over the switch on the side to look at the contents of the locket again, knowing how important it was to his uncle and honored that he was being trusted with something so precious to the older duck.

“Merry Christmas, Uncle Scrooge..” He said while looking at a tiny version of his reflection looking back up at him from the small, shiny silver dime safely secured and hidden away in the locket.

This was turning out to be the best Christmas ever!

Next Chapter->

End Notes: I’ve got the first couple of chapters already written and I’ll post them as I finish final edits/proof-reading. Hope everyone likes it!

Translations:

“Feliz Natal!” and “Feliz Natal e Feliz Ano Novo!” - "Merry Christmas!" and "Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!"

“El es tan lindo.” - "He's so cute."

“Ele é muito fofo.” - "He is very cute."

Como quieras, mi amigo! - As you wish, my friend!

Concordo - Agreed.

“¡¿Lo dice en serio?!” - “Are you serious?!”

“Um momento.” - “One moment.”

“¡Este es el mejor regalo de Navidad!” - "This is the best Christmas present ever!"

“¡Claro!” - “Of course!”

And all of the other little words sprinkled throughout are different terms of endearment from both Portugese and Spanish meaning things like honey, love, dear, partner, boyfriend, etc.