#What if he had a friend in his platoon that was in a similar situation to House. Smart guy. Wanted to be an engineer

[thebeeshaveknees]

Idk if they touch on younger house canonically I'm only on season 5 but. Yeah obv House getting a full ride through med school or his parents paying for it but. That's a Lot of money Especially for a career his dad seems to openly dislike, and House never mentions having debt even though if he did he Would and he would Never pay that debt out of Spite Alone. So. Perhaps. Military Dad forced him to enlist (maybe threatening to keep House from seeing his mom? Something House couldn't steal/abandon/get around) and House did a few years of service and had the military pay for his education. No one would believe him if he said he was in the military (except Maybe Wilson 💅) and he never brings up his time in the military.

[darthtaoshay]

₊˚⊹♡ His First

Virgin!Anakin Skywalker/F!Reader

₊˚⊹♡Warning(s): NSFW(18+ ONLY|MDNI), Unprotected Vaginal Sex, Vaginal Fingering, Nipple Play(On Anakin and Reader), Vanilla Sex, Whiny!Virgin!Anakin(He's honestly kinda subby), Spit as Lube, Very Light Dirty Talk, Creampie, and Slight Aftercare.

Summary: Anakin, your best friend, complains to you about the constant brags from the Clones. They constantly talk and gloat about the sex they have had while on Coruscant, but Anakin isn't able to offer his own stories due to him being a virgin.

AO3 Link

WC:3372

The quiet huff of laughter that you give is enough for Anakin to lift his head from his arms to glare at you. It’s not that you are trying to be mean about the situation, it’s just you never thought Anakin would be so upset about his men on the 501 having sex while on Coruscant. It’s not like they have been caught with the people in their barracks or have had any complaints made. You can’t wrap your head around why Anakin was so exasperated by the gloating his men do on occasions. 

“I am confused, that’s all.” You say with a soft smile. 

“Confused about what?” His voice is muffled as he buries his head into his arms again.

“Why it bothers you so much that the boys are sleeping around. It’s not like they let it affect their focus on the field or anything so why stress?” You tilt your head as you hear his muffled voice get quieter. “Anakin, I can’t hear you.”

“It’s not that…”

“Then what is it, Ani?”

He gives a heavy sigh as he lifts his head and gives you a deadpan look, “I’m jealous.” Before you could ask, he keeps talking. “I’m jealous that they have all these stories to share and I don’t have any to share.”

“So you feel left out during locker-room talk?” You tease before growing sincere. “Ani, who cares if you can’t share anything during sex conversations.”

“I care!”

“Then go get laid!”

“I can’t just go fuck a random person!” He declared loudly back before gasping and giving you a large grin. “You should sleep with me!”

“Why would I do that?”

“Because we are best friends and best friends help each other out.”

“Yeah… With helping them move or with planning a party.”

Anakin shrugs, “I don’t need to move or plan a party so you can help me with this.”

“I am not sleeping with you, Anakin!”

“Why not?”

You struggle to find what to exactly say, different noises and words leaving your mouth along with the occasional scoff. The issue is that you really don’t know why you shouldn’t but it just feels like you should most likely NOT sleep with your best friend and fellow Jedi Knight. To make it worse, the smug look on Anakin’s face tells you that he already knows he won the argument.

“Why me?” You ask instead of giving some bullshit excuse. 

“You’re my closest friend. I’m comfortable and trust you with something like this. I get that sure, it’s just sex but I don’t want it to be someone random.” He interrupts you as you go to speak, “don’t act like you’ve never had a “no-strings attached” sex before.”

As you two stare at each other, you can’t argue with his reason. You have had a little bit of a friends with benefits relationship with someone before, you never told him who but you’ve told him about it… You aren’t sure how he would react if he knew it was Commander Wolffe, given this all spawned because of similar men bragging about their sexcapades. Besides, Anakin isn’t hard on the eyes and it's been a while since the last time you’ve slept with someone.

“Okay, I’ll take your virginity.” You say with a teasing grin.

“You really had to say it like that?”

“Hey, I’m doing you a favor! It’s only fair that I tease you a little.”

Anakin rolls his eyes before an eager look appears on his face, “so do we start now?”

Looking towards the clock on the wall of his room on the ship, you guys have time before you land planet side. Now that you think of it, it has only been an hour since you, Anakin, and both your platoons had boarded the ship so you have plenty of time.

“We do have the time,” you say coyly

Anakin smiles before sitting up right on his bed that you two were chatting on, this lets him be side by side with you. It feels very Padawan-like, sitting on the bed both with your legs crossed and leaning sideways towards each other to have your first kiss. You almost feel like if you are too loud, both your masters might barge in and catch you doing something you KNOW you shouldn’t. However, it all leaves your mind as Anakin presses his lips against yours softly, testing the waters before he tries anything more.

You press your lips against Anakin’s more firmly while your hand comes up to cradle the side of his jaw. As the kiss between the two of you grows to be more passionate, tongues teasing one another, Anakin leans forward and gently nudges you to start laying back. The bed sinks beside your head more as he puts his weight onto his hands while hovering above you at an awkward angle. Grabbing onto his hips, you tug at him to try and bring him fully on top of you. Anakin gets the hint and moves one of his knees between your legs, having you spread your legs with him between them.

Anakin pulls away from your lips and breathlessly says your name, only for you to give a quiet hum for him to continue speaking. “Can I keep going?”

You give him a smile before nodding your head, only to gasp as he dives into your neck. His lips are warm and slightly wet from your shared spit, sending a pleasant shiver through your body. You tilt your head to the side, letting Anakin lavish your neck with kisses, bites, and licks as you slide your hand up his nightshirt. Anakin’s stomach tenses as your hands gently explore his skin, thumbing over various scars, blemishes before riding up the bumps of his abs. A grin grows on your face as you feel the subtle twitch of his hips as you grow closer to his nipples.

“Is this okay?” You ask while giving his right nipple a feather-like brush with the tips of your finger.

Anakin gives a whine as he nods his head, pressing his chest against your hands while his lips move from one side of your neck to the other. You tilt your head to the other side and start to play with his nipples. One hand pinches the hardened bud and the other is kinder while gently rubbing the bud in circles. Anakin’s hips start to thrust forward in small movements before he ends up thrusting against your clothed cunt. 

The muffled ‘oh’ that leaves Anakin makes you freeze for a moment but you don’t have time to ask the question that has now entered your mind as he starts to grind his clothed bulge against you. It takes only a few moments of the slow dry humping before Anakin starts to move his kisses down your neck. He gets to the neckline of your own nightshirt and pulls away to look up at you, silently asking for permission to take it off. The shirt is removed before you can finish nodding, giving the fellow Jedi a clear view of your bare chest as you bring your arms back to rub his sides gently. 

Anakin has SEEN a nude woman before but not in a situation like this. Not when he is able, is expected, to touch, lick, and indulge himself on the warm skin. His eyes flick up to see your face, only to have your curious eyes looking back at him. You smile softly as you see his cheeks start to turn red, making him become bashful. He quickly looks back down to your breast, his eyes bouncing between the two as if to decide on which he wants to toy with first.

The decision is quickly made as he moves his body lower to get his lips around your left nipple. A sigh leaves your mouth as you tilt your head back, your fingers threading through his hair. You are surprised by how gentle he is, knowing how hot headed the man can be, but he gives soft sucks and light licks to your sensitive nipple. Anakin is still giving slight grinds against your legs as he moves between each nipple. His time with your chest is shorter than you thought it would be as he is already kissing down your stomach towards the hem of your sleep trousers. 

“Are you sure about this?” Anakin asks while looking up at you through his lashes as he rubs his bottom lip along the waistline of your trousers.

“Of course, Ani.”

You lift your hips up as Anakin tugs on your trousers, letting him get you completely naked. Anakin tosses the piece of clothing to the side and sits back on his hunches, drinking in your form for a moment. His eyes meet yours for a moment before looking back down once you nod, his body moving even lower on the bed so he is faced with your cunt. Again, Anakin has SEEN a vagina before… In adult videos but never in-person.

Taking a deep breath, he moves to gently pet your wet slit and watches as he sees you give a small clench. Anakin uses his thumbs to spread you open, letting him see you fully. He swallows thickly as he brings one of his thumbs over to rub shyly at your clit. You give a soft sigh at the small burst of pleasure you feel from his touch. While you would love for him to be more firm, you stay still to let Anakin explore as he wants. 

Anakin decides that he is ready to move forward, sliding his thumb down from your clit to your opening. He teases your entrance for a moment before moving to slowly slide his index finger into your pussy. His eyes stay on your face this time as he begins to move his one finger in and out of your warmth quicker, making sure you are enjoying everything. 

“You can add another,” you say breathlessly. While his finger is barely a stretch for you, you are still struggling to control your breathing as his touches are unconsciously teasing. 

Your head falls back against the pillow as he pushes another finger into your cunt, finally feeling a bit of fullness. Anakin stays with his slow pace as he moves his two fingers in and out, however he moves his thumb to start rubbing at your clit once again. The rolling of your hips lets him know that he can add another finger, finally getting you ready for his cock.

After a few minutes of his three fingers thrusting in and out of your cunt and his thumb growing firmer and quicker on your clit, Anakin looks up at your face again with wide eyes. “Do you think you’re ready for my cock?”

His question shouldn’t make you clench or whine the way you do but you can’t help the pleasure that zaps through you at his words. Anakin, easily sensing that you liked that, moves his fingers in and out of your cunt quicker as he waits for your answer.

“Don’t you want like a blowjo-” a whine from Anakin cuts off your question.

“Won’t last.” He gives a strained chuckle, “feeling your pussy on my fingers has me so close already. The second you wrap those pretty lips around me, I’ll be cumming.” Anakin moves up to nuzzle his nose against your cheek as he keeps fucking you with his fingers. “Please let me fuck you.”

“Okay, Ani. You,” your eyes flutter as Anakin presses a sweet kiss to your cheek, “you can fuck me now.”

Anakin is quick to move his lips to your own, kissing you sloppily as he slowly pulls out his fingers from your aching pussy. You tug on his bottom lip with your teeth as he leans back to start to work off his clothing. Noticing that his eyes are staying on your own naked body, you decide to be a bit of a tease. With a soft smile, you bring your left hand up to cup your left breast, your fingers pinching and rubbing at your nipple while your right hand reaches down to rub slow circles on your clit.

The moan that leaves Anakin’s mouth sounds pained as he moves quicker, his need to sink his cock into a cunt for the first time becoming too much. You feel your stomach flip as you see his cock for the first time, your cunt clenching as you give a breathy moan. Anakin spits in his hand before wrapping it around his aching flushed cock. Both of you watch the other as you pleasure yourselves while Anakin slicks himself up.

A shocked noise leaves you as Anakin suddenly lets go of his cock and leans back over you, bringing one of your ankles to hang over his shoulder as he holds himself over you with a hand beside your head. Anakin uses his other hand to bring his tip to your pussy, slowly circling against you as your wetness leaks more. He tilts his head as he plays with your entrance with his cock; one moment pinching your pussy lips together while sliding his cock up and down your slit, the next rubbing your clit with his tip in quick swipes, then dipping his tip inside your weeping cunt before pulling back.

“Anakin, please.” You arch your back as you try to press down onto his cock.

The other Jedi’s eyes snap up to yours with a look of shock, as if he didn’t even realize he was basically tormenting you. He mumbles his sorrys as he finally starts to push his cock inside of your warmth. Your mouth drops open as he keeps pushing forward, the burn of his cock stretching you making your moan come out choked. Anakin’s eyes are stuck on the way your pussy is swallowing his cock, his hand on the bed squeezing harder and his now free hand gripping your waist. 

A slight wince leaves you as he goes further than his fingers did, making his eyes jump back to your face. Before you can tell him it’s okay, Anakin stops moving, now scared that he is hurting you.

“It’s okay,” you can see he doesn’t fully believe you, making you give him a sultry smile. “You’re just so big, Ani.” His cock twitches inside you at your words, “please keep moving. Want it all inside me.”

The arm beside your head trembles slightly as Anakin starts to move once more, finally pushing the rest of his cock into your pussy. You bite back a whine as he stills again with his cock nestled into your tight warm cunt for the first time. A whimper does end up leaving your mouth as it fully dawns on you; this is the first pussy Anakin has ever been in. Your pussy, is the first pussy Anakin Skywalker has ever been in and for some reason it has your skin burning.

“Ani?” His response is a choked noise, making you clench around him tighter. “How does your first pussy feel?”

Anakin drops his head to rest beside yours, his forehead digging into the pillow as he gives a loud whiny moan. Your hands come up to grip onto his back as you feel a small tremors of pleasure run through you from his pelvis grinding against your clit as he moves.

“So good, so fucking good.”

You gasp as he starts to pull his hips back, dragging his cock against your aching walls before pushing forward to fill you back up. Anakin tightens his grip on your hip as he continues with the slow pace of back and forth thrusts. It feels good, amazing even, but you know that you won’t be able to cum from such a gentle pace.

Turning your head, you rub your lips against the shell of his ear as he keeps his face on your shoulder. “Go faster, Ani, please fuck me faster. It’ll feel so good, baby.”

Anakin nods against your shoulder, his lips pressing a kiss there as he starts to thrust his hips back and forth quicker, making his cock fuck into your cunt faster. The room quickly fills with only moans, whines, the squelch of your wetness, and the dull slapping of your skin against Anakins. Your arms fall away as Anakin finally rises to rest on his knees, both of his hands gripping your hips now as he pulls you forward to meet his thrusts. 

The sight of your tits bouncing with his thrusts has Anakin starting to fuck into your harder, making you grip his wrists to keep you grounded. Both of you are buzzing with pleasure as you two get closer to your releases. It’s clear to you that Anakin is closer than you, his cock twitching more often inside of your pussy and his thrusts are erratic as they simply chase his end.

“Are you close, Ani?” You ask in a whiny moan. “Are you going to cum in my pussy? Gonna fill a pussy up for the first time?”

Anakin gives a loud whine as he leans back over you, bringing both his arms to rest on his elbows above you. His lips quickly press against yours for a filthy kiss, his hips moving in short quick movements as you lick into his mouth. One of your hands moves down to rub at your clit in fast and firm strokes and your other hand grabs Anakin’s hip, trying to pull him into your harder. Anakin’s arms close in closer to your head as you two stay making out, his balls tightening against you as he grinds deep inside of your cunt.

A loud moan leaves Anakin as his lips as his body tense with his orgasm, his mouth sliding wetly across your cheek as his hips give slight thrusts against you as his cock throbs inside of you. All it takes is the feeling of his cum being released into your pussy as you rub your clit for you to fall over the edge. Your moan is choked as you pulse around Anakin’s still throbbing cock, your hips bucking up against his pelvis. 

Anakin’s nose is pressed into the sweaty sticky skin under your ear, surrounded by the comforting scent of simply you. Your hands are gently rubbing up and down his clammy sides as you both breath through the intense aftershocks of your releases. 

“Are you okay?” Anakin’s voice sounds hoarse as he moves up to be face to face with you.

You nod, “I’m great. Are you okay?” Your hand comes up to cradle his cheek.

“I’m…” He still looks a bit floaty. “I’m good. I just wasn’t expecting it to be so.. Tense?”

You give him a soft hum, letting him know that you know what he means. The two of you keep giving each other soft pets and gentle words as you wait for you to both feel all parts of your body. Once you both feel yourselves, Anakin pulls out of your sore pussy with a choked whimper. 

“Sorry, sorry.” He whispers as he sees the grimace on your face.

“It’s okay.”

Anakin finally lays beside you, his arms coming to pull you close to him for a cuddle. You wrap your legs around his as you settle in next to his sticky body, knowing you are just as clammy feeling. The exhaustion of everything starts to come over you as Anakin’s fingers give you feather-like touches up and down your back.

“We need to shower and be ready for landing here soon,” you mumble sleepily against his collarbone.

“I know, I’ve set an alert just now to give us enough time. Just rest for now.”

Anakin turns off the last light in the room as you two doze off, bodies still pleasantly loose and spent. The thought of Anakin sharing what happened between you two to his troops sends a little pleasant shiver through you, which the other Jedi takes as you being cold and pulls you closer to him. Maybe you two can continue to give him things to share as well during the boytalk the troops have.

[opal-owl-flight]

Your Protege. (Pt 2)

(Pt 1)

SAME DAY DELIVERY. HERE WE GO.

This is the only time theyve shown such sheer anger in front of anyone. Theyre usually just cold, or disappointed -- never furious.

Its one of the times Neo3 actually feared the captain.

MORE NOTES ABT CUTTLEFISH BELOW

Not over how Cuttlefish is this fuckign loony old man who pushes his ideas on young 3, constantly goinf "yall kids think Im crazy but LOOK WHOS RIGHT FOR ONCE", "I cant fight anymore, thats why I got you!", "Youre hero material, kid! Youre gonna be big!!"

Then raves abt how the Octarians are evil

3, who was desperate for praise from someone who reminds them of their direct relatives, does everything he says to do just to be appreciated more.

Cuttlefish taught them how to fight hand to hand. How to move and think on their feet. (Though they were given similar in their younger years)

Cuttlefish was... generally more warm and supportive than their dad, but yknow. A lot of this started bc 3 agreed to work for him. Be his deadly weapon.

-------

Cuttlefish was more concerned abt the Zapfish than 3s well-being then... He knew that the constant praising was working so hes gonna keep doing it. (...mostly bc thats what worked on HIM back then)

After 3 does his dirty work, he realized he should probably keep the kid around bc his paranoia with Octaria is a damn bitch and this kid is one hell of an ass kicker. They dont mind. Right??

3 never showed any sign of wanting to leave. Why would they, he was so kind to them, more than their dad or grandad ever was. (Also the paranoia rubbed off on them. Oops!)

Then, he asked them to go on a longer patrol with him. Pushed them to their fucking limit. Bc of what?? Octaria making moves again? (Octavio did make moves but they were already, as we say in the game, "too far from the objective to really contribute to the fight". This is why agent 4 was dragged in.)

There, 3 saw more and more that hes just a loony old man who wanted to have a fancy weapon to protect him in his crusade. A crusade they never really questioned, mind you. Theyve no reason to believe Octaria was nice in any way, not when they keep trying to kill them. (...in self defense. They havent realized, yet.)

Then they encounter 8, who had dropped her weapon at the sight of them. Raising her hands in surrender. 3 was far ahead of the coot, and managed to actually talk to her and everything. They were this close to bringing her back to Inkopolis as a friend, until the bastard ruined the moment.

Cuttlefish still told them that she was a danger. It might be a trick! Dont put your guard down! Pressured to follow their superior, 3s mask returns to their face, turning onto 8 with the herl shot ready to fire.

Then they all tumbled into the metro.......

....for Cuttlefish to use yet ANOTHER kid (8) to get him out of a hairy situation.

--------

Hes a crazy old man. Only caring for any of the kids beyond the platoon after they do his dirty work.

Like "mmm! Thank you for committing the war crimes in my stead. Youre a good kid, you know that? Anything I can do to support you further? Mmmm???"

...I dont think hes aware.

Hes not aware that hes harming the entire platoon, bc in his mind hes doing the greater good here. Get some easily manipulable kids on the street, shower em with praise and promises of glory and valor, and theyll do ANYTHING for you.

Including the warcrimes you keep wanting to do.

I think...I think he doesnt know hes manipulating the kids. I think he genuinely believes his own promises. He glamorizes the valor of war bc hes a commander who sits in the back of it. He really believes that this is for the best. He believes that this is how you inspire your troops to fight.

--------

LETS GO THATS ALL MY NOTES I SPENT ALL DAY FINISHING THIS COMIC. GOODNIGHT INKOPOLIS!!!

[senka-mesecine]

Pitching the idea of Reader being a poor nurse that the boys just can’t get enough of, probably arriving with reinforcements to treat the wounded on base and subsequently becoming the begrudging object of the affections of both Barnes and Elias’ squads : )

-

Just to shake things up, would be interesting if they were all obsessive...but not all of them necessarily in the sexual or romantic sense. Platonic obsession? Brotherly obsession? Unhealthy professional overattachment? Here we go!

― Like, I can see Taylor having a sickening crush but also thinking he's doing you a favor if he warns you against nearly every other platoon member that conveniently ain't him; That one's a killer, this one's a liar, that one's just bad news, that one over there is untrustworthy and generally unstable and before you know, it's like nobody's good enough from Chris' particular point of view; he's holier-than-thou in regards of all the men and you and finds fault with just about everyone one way or another, writing it off as him being the only sane man (even though he's clearly losing his sanity by the daily and is keenly aware of it) who's being a friend irregardless of the fact that you're professional and poised and had no intention with anyone outside the realm of fixing up their wounds. Chris doesn't see it that way, of course --- he feels he needs to be your voice of reason and your white knight and hero, all while effectively trying to isolate you from everyone else because none of them's worthy and someone should tell you time and time again. The road to hell's paved with good intentions, and that proverb fits spectacularly for Chris in this situation. He tells himself he's above casually pestering the one female on base because he's nobler and apart from all the grunts regardless how anonymous he strives to be, don't you know, which is precisely and exactly why he wants you quietly eclipsed and by his side. Because he's not an animal. Because you and him are similar in his mind's eyes and should stick together. He idealizes you to abnormal degrees. You're a flawless person on a pedestal. Undoubtedly starts a whole journal outside of his letters purely to put into words how highly he thinks of you.

― O'Neill just flat out hits on you constantly and his attentions seem like they would be sleazy, in your face, non stop, verging on annoyance but also slightly cowardly because he's usually all talk and very little action; meaning that you're flirted with ten times a day but he isn't ever gonna do any more than that because he's ultimately Barnes' brown-nosing lackey --- that's not to say he won't be pestering you during your chores, your duties, while you're actively stitching up someone wounded in combat and Red's, right there, buttering you up with comments and open schmoozing, going as far as getting confrontational if the younger soldiers from the opposing squad try to do the same, being the ultimate hypocrite, instantly burdening them with jobs, disgusting tasks, threats that he'll tell higher ups (higher ups being Barnes) and really anything and everything to get them as far away from you as possible and punish them for even attempt to act like wiseguys; one gets the impression it's not even necessarily himself he wants you for as much as for Barnes' squad and even Barnes himself and it's hard to deduce if he's pining in the romantic sense or solely out of a weirdly misplaced ownership and to peg the other side down a notch. Possibly a mix of both? Suffice to say he reports everything you say, you do, you don't do, who you've talked to, what you said, who you looked at ten seconds longer than you should've back to Bob, acting like the ultimate insider to all your whereabouts. You're probably this man's prime fuel of camp gossip. His favorite topic too. Turns out you have a spy on your tail at the base who doesn't even make a tremendously big effort to hide that he's spying. Might just openly joke about it to you.

― Bunny thinks management's done a hell of a good job sending the platoon a woman because he's convinced that's exactly what base camp lacked and he's disgusting enough to blatantly objectify and dehumanize you, viewing you on the same par as provisions --- the higher ups in the chain of command send them ammo, cans of food, matches, cigarettes, beer and now a woman. Perfect. Life's good. Like what else does a guy really need? Maybe a car. He'd like a car next. A really fast one. Yeah, that's a great idea. This kid's already loved his time in Vietnam before you've ever arrived but now, he just about adores it. He never wants to leave, ever, because why would he? He's got everything he needs right here due to the fact he's absolutely convinced sooner or later you'll put out to everyone, him included, of course. And in the meantime, it's nice just looking at you in your daily habitat, doing your job. Him and Junior might even make bets on it, having a whole elaborate batting order on who's gonna nail it first and how, acting like the nasty kids they are, forging plans on how to ensure Elias' squad is excluded from the figuratively fantastic gangbang. But, in spite of how putrid they generally are (usually among themselves) Bunny limits himself to off putting comments only and the occasional disastrously perverted attempt to start something and nothing more, coming off like a overly attached puppy that won't stop barking up your leg because while awful, he still has a whole platoon of superior's to contend with. Junior? Might just pretend he's hurt so you can tend to him while he acts like he's writhing in pain. There's something almost pathetically hilarious at play here. Hard to know if you wanna laugh or be disgusted.

― Barnes seemingly ignores you all while feeling he's entirely entitled to you in every way humanly possible. Professionally, platonically, sexually, romantically --- god's sake, man probably feels he's entitled to your very soul. And all this while he's completely poker faced, stone cold and apparently disinterested in your comings and goings. You could very well get the impression he deeply dislikes you. He might not even address you personally for the longest time ever (and might just do it through his lackeys) but he's actually got his eyes on you since the moment you set foot here, assessing everything about you down to the smallest minutiae of details. He feels you belong to him where feelings are concerned and to his squad, where professionalisms is in question, meaning that if someone from Elias' squad gets hurt he might just break up you doing your job by ordering you to do something else instead with the greatest airs of urgency ever, going as far as having an outburst of anger (a tactical one) or intimidating you if you refuse, just so Elias' boys wouldn't get any of your help and his do. Only his. He'd effectively eclipse you and separate you from his rivals, securing you as an asset. Somehow, this man's never said more than three words to you since you arrived on base, yet you ended up almost constantly by his side, treating his own squad-mates from miniscule illnesses while Elias's boys might be there dying from actual gunshot wounds. He's weeding out the opposition effectively all while having a hold on you that's covertly matrimonial in the most discreet of ways; Barnes is downright obsessed like the higher ups sent someone he's actually married to back in the world to do this job instead of someone who he's just met here and he would outright kill or eliminate anyone and everyone who'd dare get between him and you, without you even realizing how deeply fixated this man is.

― Wolfe latches unto you because you're the one person around here he can have the upper hand over in ways he can't over fellow soldiers; you're a woman, not a trained marine, not dangerous, you're surrounded by killers and yes, he can present himself as your kindred spirit in a den full of people who aren't like you. But, oh? He's different, you see. He's a college boy, he's more refined, more mellow, he wears a signet ring, he's less rugged than these assholes, he's willing to do non stop favors (as he constantly asks if you need something) and by extension you should rely on him because he's non-threatening Wolfe. It feeds his ego to be around you because he reckons you'll be infinitely easier to impress than fellow men and actual veterans and by extension, your admiration will be easier to harvest too and he likes that. This is more about his own feeling of self worth than anything else, although he absolutely wouldn't mind if in some figurative sense you liked him as opposed to all the other men in this platoon solely based off of the fact he counts and relies on the notion they'll all be too weird, scary or intimidating for your tastes...especially in comparison to him. His compatriots might view him as a wet sock of a Lieutenant but to you? He might actually be very impressive because he reckons you don't know any better. He'd like to have you because he actually does like but also as a 'gotcha!' and a big fuck you to everyone else in the platoon. They don't respect his authority as a Lieutenant and he doesn't have the streak cut out for leadership? Well, fair enough, at least he'll get the girl in the end and they won't. That's what he hopes for. The thought alone gets him mean and prideful and it fills up his head with hot air.

― Rhah could be very apprehensive about a woman's presence, telling his squad-mates an engrossed, impassioned story about how back in the old days sailors on ships always considered a woman on board bad luck --- and since this is a sort of ship, same hierarchy running the whole platoon in theory, with captains, first mates, cabin boys and deck scrubbers galore, he predicts you being here will be nothing but trouble, a conclusion him, and say, King could very well share, although King might be very blunt, cut the bullshit and just (jokingly?) assess the presence of a woman could just turn the men buck wild and he'd be willing to wager anything half of them will end up wanting you or fighting over you one way or another, whether you realize so or not; a notion Rhah might scoff at, reminding the other man of this all being bad mojo considering the amicability levels in the platoon are always oscillating from various shades of tense to various shades of awful. He sees you as a harbinger of doom. An omen of big trouble. Your presence seems like the beginning to a cautionary tale to Vermucci. He might just come and tell you that cautionary tale himself, warning you that your presence here is gonna mess everything up, but being the first one to be vary of you he's just as likely to be among the first to actually warm up to you sincerely, albeit after a bit of tough love, making his fixation a mix of something friendly, almost brotherly and while he was here demonizing you at first he might just end up idealizing you. Man probably names a new concoction of substances after you. Might play music that contain your name in the Underground's bunker during times off and parties. Goes from agitation in regards to you to flat out romanticization.

― Elias is worried sick for you. Day one. Not in a condescending way, far from; man would genuinely have his best interest at heart for you without even knowing you whatsoever or expecting anything in return. That's just how he is. He simply knows how much trouble your own presence here is gonna potentially cause for you if you don't watch out and he simultaneously admires you to no end for it because he knows it takes guts to be here, making that his overall attachment is almost brotherly in nature at first, even though if you blink you might catch something more there but for the most part he comes off as someone fiercely protective of you meaning that if a confrontation between the boys happens at all it's most likely going to happen due to Elias personally sticking up for you and being your knight in shining armor. He can't stand you being catcalled. Leered at. Sneered at. Underestimated. Talked down to. Talked about behind your back. People being gross towards you. He's s generally the reason why his own squad is better behaved than Barnes' who treat you like you downright belong to Barnes, leading to at an increase in tensions between and Bob because if anything, Elias can read the man's intent without it ever being spoken. He can just about catch the way Barnes looks at you. His protectiveness could be sibling-like, could be weirdly paternal, could be plain ol' kindness or could be downright love, either ways, the lines will never be clearly defined by Elias himself because he doesn't want you in that compromising situation while stuck out in the middle of the bush in a camp so far away from everything, genuinely making him the nicest man you'll encounter on base, causing the tensions grow only ever higher by proxy. Elias gains some very dangerous enemies through this, but his attachment to you is such he couldn't be happier.

[kesouu]

Blue Star☆｡⁠*✯ﾟ+*⁠.⁠✧

(⁠☆) Narumi Gen x Oc

(｡⁠*ﾟ⁠+ CHAPTER 4 +ﾟ⁠*｡⁠)

(⁠｡⁠•̀✧) SORRY I TOOK TOO LONG TO UPLOAD THE NEXT CHAP HUHU This also has spoilers for the b-side manga but next chapter I'll start straying from it i think🤌

6 Years ago...

It had been a year since Narumi and Hoshiko had joined the defense force and Hoshiko was getting dizzy from going around the large headquarters looking for Narumi, knowing him, he was going to get himself into all sorts of trouble. He had almost been kicked out multiple times for misconduct and no way is Hoshiko letting the reason she joined in the first place get kicked out. Even if she didn’t want too though, Vice captain Itami had spoken to you about Narumi’s behaviour, threatening to kick him out if this continued and that he wanted the girl to look after him as his closest friend but no matter how hard she tried he always managed to slip out of her sight. Hoshiko was looking for him rather frantically this time, all the division captains and platoon leaders were having a serious meeting on a kaijuu that emerged in Saitama and Narumi might cause a scene during it. She decided to make her way to the meeting room that was nearly on the other side of the building to check if he was anywhere nearby, the girl could only sigh at the distance as she started walking.

“Now then, I will brief you on the kaiju that emerged in Saitama Prefecture’s Koshigaya City. Please take a look at this.” The operator showed them an image of a the large kaiju on the meeting room’s big screen “A plant-type kaiju? The fact that it showed up in an urban area is worrying.” Vice Captain Itami comments as the operator continues with his discussion. “It broke through the asphalt and sprung up between the buildings at the crack of dawn. It seems that it hid underground and stored up on nutrients. Then it’s pod fruit pemerged on the portion of the plant above the surface.” Captain Igarashi’s face grows into a puzzled one as she questions “Huh? Wazzat? What’s a “pod fruit”?” the operator then explains in return “A pod fruit is a form of seeded fruit. It splits open, shooting seeds into the air.”

The screen shows a close up image of the kaiju’s pod fruit and the operator points at it “This was the pod fruit when it first emerged this morning.” Then the pictured changed into one of the kaiju where it’s pod was opened way more that it was in the one previously shown “And this is it’s current state” Hasegawa speaks up at the sight of it “It appears to have opened up more since this morning.”

“Once the fruit gathers enought nutrients, the sunlight triggers the fruit to split open casuing it to release and disperse it’s seeds.” Pictures of old disasters that had occured were being displayed on the screen that were similar to that of the situation now. “ For a well-known example of the damage caused by plant-type kaiju, we can refer to the specimens found in Hibiya back in ’66 and Sendai back in ’96. In particular, I’d look to the cataclysm in ’96 which saw the fruit split and spread it’s seeds. An incident that required time to effectively manage.” And with that the operator finishes his explanation “And this one is even bigger than the one in Sendai? If it splits open, we’re in for trouble.” Vice captain Itami asks “How much time do we have?” Captain Shinomiya follows up the previous question “By outr calculations, based on the solar radiation, temperature, and other factors, we estimate that it could occur as early as 2 p.m” the operator states their findings “So basically, we need to eliminated the fruite by then.” Hasegawa summarizes as the operator nods.

“What if we were to snipe it from the air via chopper?” Captain Ashiro asks “I’m afraid that might prove difficult as well. Take a look at this if you would.” The operator then switches the pictures to the current state of Koshigaya city with raging plant yoju growing everywhere along with the honju leading them “These are the emerged honju and its yoju offshoots. They are deploying around the fruit and growing a a rapid pace.” The pictures switch one after another showing more and more of the damage the kaiju had currently done in the area “Their roots extend deep into the ground, while their tentacle-like trunks reach high into the sky. Any copter that approaches will likely get swatted down.” Vice-captain Itami sighs at the information “Taking to the sky is too risky...it seems attacking by land is our only option.” “If we can find a way to secure a line of fire, then i have no doubt we can eliminate the fruit.” Captain Ashiro exclaims “The density of the kaiju is the issue here. Not to mention their speed. I doubt dealing with them will be so straight-forward.” Hasegawa retorts.

The crowd begin to argue on their course of action till a yawn was heard from behind “You sure have some boring meetings” Narumi states, the noise of his console could be heard at the sudden silence of the people in the room. “The gist is simple, isn’t it? Just cut through the kaiju’s emergence point and destroy the fruit. Charging in guns blazing is the only solution. That is, unless you’ve got any better ideas?” the boy says uninterested as he looks to the crowd from his relaxed position in his chair “Narumi?! How did you get in here?! You weren’t invited to this meeting!” Hasegawa yells at Narumi who angrily shouts back “Where I go is my own business. This room’s got air-conditioning and a huge monitor. It’s perfect for gaming.” The door of the meeting room slams open as Hasegawa quite literally kicks Narumi out of the room with him landing at the feet of a bewildered Hoshiko who had just arrived.

Hasegawa briefly apologized to the people of the room as Narumi got up from the floor. Hoshiko turns to Narumi who was staring at the tall man, annoyed at the fact he was kicked out. “Gen, seriously, you can’t keep doing what you want!” the girl says firmly as she stood in front of his face as he let out a sigh of his own. “And another thing! This kaiju has a wide emergence area. Even if you were to deploy the entire first division, you wouldn’t be able to cover it all. Face it, you need my help.” Narumi says as if it were a matter-of-fact to which Hoshiko was quick to cover his mouth with her hand to prevent him from saying more but it proved to be futile as he struggled against her grip and managed to free his mouth “Well, what do you say, old man?” both Hoshiko and Hasegawa were fuming at this point, ‘This boy really doesn’t know when to quit, does he?!’ Hoshiko thought trying to cover his mouth again while Hasegawa put him into a headlock.

Captain Shinomiya stays silent as Vice-Captain Itami answers in his stead “Yes, this operation will require number of soldiers. That naturally means you’ll be on the front lines as well, Narumi. But bear this in mind. We receive a notice from headquarters yesterday. It stated and I quote “Officer Narumi’s problematic behavior has been picked up by the media and we simply can’t take it any longer.”” The boy mentioned could only widen his eyes and mutter out “What?” a scowl appears on the Vice Captains face as his tone turns cold sending chills down Hoshiko’s spine “If you cause any trouble on this mission, we’ll be forced to consider you formally discharged from our ranks.” Hoshiko lets out a gasp and Narumi stills in Hasegawa and Hoshiko’s hold. “Narumi.” Captain Shinomiya finally speaks up after his long silence “Manners, appearance, diligence, grace – none of that matters to me. I Have only one demand. Show me results and skill.” She could hear the boy chuckle as he held her hand out of the way of his mouth “I just gotta show results, right?” I might as well be playing on easy mode.” Narumi smiles as he says that.

Hasegawa’s platoon arrives at their positions later that day as Hasegawa stands tall in his full battle armor “I’ll give an overview of our mission once more. Were in charge zone F. we’ll be moving toward the fruit in the center region while striking down threats from the perimeter in tandem with other platoons. The honju’s core should be in this vicinity according to the estimate provided by the analysis team. I’ll advance and-“ Hasegawa was cut off by a loud yawn and Hoshiko of course knew who the culprit of that was “NARUMI, ARE YOU LISTENING?!” Hasegawa yelled at her friend while she could only deadpan ‘The damn mission hasn’t even started yet but Gen has me exhausted…’ “Ah, hold on a sec! I’m at the best part! I’m about to beat my best time-“ Narumi replied as he focused on his console but it was his turn to be cut off as Hasegawa kicked him for the second time that day for misbehaving and Hoshiko grabbing the console out of his hands keeping it in her pocket so he wouldn’t be able to use it again “GAAH!!! WHAT’RE YOU TWO DOING?! ARGH…YOU’RE MAKING ME LOSE LIVES!!” the girl scoffs as she glares at the boy that was kneeling on the ground “You can do this later. Right now, we have a job to do Gen.”

The platoon leader ignores his complains as he gives the boy instructions “She’s right. Now Narumi, give me backup along with the other officers.” The mentioned boy gives Hasegawa an uninterested stare as he questioned him “Me? Back you up? You’re kidding, right?” the man’s expression turns grim as he turned to face him completely “Have you forgotten that the upper base threatened to discharge you? The stipulation was that you don’t cause any trouble. Headquarters isn’t expecting you to produce spectacular results. What they want to see from you is teamwork. Refusing to work with other officers that isn’t Mitsuba isn’t going to cut it. You only need to perform as well as an average officer, so behave yourself and provide backup as you were ordered.” To the threat Narumi stretched in boredom and complained once more “Not even co-op play. Just regular old support, huh?” to end his statement he yawns out once more “What’s the matter with you? Sleep-deprived” Hasegawa comments so Hoshiko grabbed him by the collar and looked right at his face “You pulled another all-nighter on that new game you bought, didn’t you?” the girl interrogated as the one in her grasp lowered his head and removed her grip on his collar and started walking away.

“Platoon leader, are you sure it’s okay to let him do as he pleases?” a platoon member asked To Hasegawa as the man turned to the member of his team “He stayed up all night playing games. Theres no way he’s taking this seriously. I don’t want him dragging us down. Not to mention he already has a history of disrupting our missions.” The platoon member finished to which Hasegawa reassured them “Just let him be. Either way, his future is riding on this mission.” The man sighed and look at Hoshiko who saluted, knowing exactly what that look on the mans face was saying. He may show it through anger most of the time but he cared to at least make him stay, he did after all, have very promising potential. The look Hasegawa gave to the girl told her ‘Take care of him if he goes too far.’

-☆☆

[hel-phoenyx]

Meili belongs to @azeler

___

The chant is too strong. I haven't heard her sing in a long time, and last time she almost brought a platoon of men to suicide. She didn't even had her honorary siren powers.

Storm is covering it and she learnt how to direct the effects of her chanting yet Kaizarz is withstanding most of the hit to the point he's not able to move anymore. I can see his muscles contracting through the armor and the tentacles of the kraken are coming nearer and Brynja's chanting is getting stronger and I have to do something.

Something is taping on my shoulder. It's Meili. He looks at the duel with unreadable eyes.

"Tyr, amplify the storm."

My eyes widen, yet Meili catches immediatly the hidden question.

"The noise of the thunder will cover the chanting."

... He's right. That storm is Brynja's, but that spell is mine. I know she learnt that from me, in a way. Yet there is a reason people call me the Lord of Seastorms. I can regain dominion over my own power, especially now that Brynja is focused on, I don't know, not dying.

Yet

The wind is howling, thunder striking, and I hear none of it. In the middle of the sea the boat is swinging, people are getting thrown overboard, rain is striking everything, everywhere, the smell of the sea covers that of blood.

I can't see anything.

I can only see everyone piling up on my best friend, swords out and teeth bare, while he's defending himself against one of the most murderous attacks I have ever seen my crew lead. And, restrained by my chain, my other best friend, sneering at the fight and begging me to let him go.

I can't.

I can't control it.

I can't stop anything.

I can't

I could lose control. Again. The situation is so similar to what it was six years ago, without the duplicity and the lies. Yet the fighting, the danger, and the boat full of friends, they're all there.

And if I let go

They'll all die.

Again.

Meili is still waiting for my reaction. I'm still looking at the fight.

Can I do it this time ?

Can I protect them ?

...

I don't have time to ask myself questions.

I close my eyes. Concentrate all my powers. Storm is raging within me. I have to let it out. Let it out, let it out, and this time control it.

I have to prove I am better than I was six years ago. Or else what was the point of living those years ?

The storm amplifies to an unbearable point. Soon only thing in my field of vision is the duel. I can hear the others hurriedly tie themselves up to the deck, in an attempt to not go overboard ; Meili is the only one who lacks time to do so and has to grip anything in his reach so he doesn't fall down. The edge of the ship, the mast, us, sometimes.

Even Kaizarz and Brynja lose foothold for a second. I am the only one holding strong. Probably because I still have enough control of the uncontrollable to make it stop affecting me.

I have to hold on.

I have to hold on.

I will hold on, this time.

[youmissedone]

After stumbling her way through multiple corridors in the dark, seemingly abandoned hospital she had woken up in, Rain finally came across another soul. "Oliveira...? That you, man?"

@wanderingaroundwithmysoul

Things had gone so bad so quickly on this mission that even a seasoned soldier like Carlos was a little bit in shock. His platoon was given such limited information going in, and granted he'd forced the issue by jumping out of a helicopter before they'd reached their ordered drop-off location, but... Geezus, this was bad. Training for the U.B.C.S. was pretty standard military training, with a side order of here's how to handle panicked civilians affected by various biological agents. "Agents." Carlos wished he'd gotten a lot more clarification for that term, because he never in a million years expected it to be crazed, virally-infected human beings.

His experiences dealing with guerilla warfare in Brazil in his youth had conditioned him to some extent on how to deal with full-on combat breaking out in the middle of civilian streets, but... this... This was something entirely different. No matter how radicalized people became, they still had instincts, senses of self-preservation, or some kind of morals or stakes that could be appealed to to some degree to get them to stand down. These people... it was like they had rabies or something that affected their brain function. They just kept coming, regardless of the imminent danger to their lives. Regardless of being told to stay where you are or I'll shoot.

Yuri had fallen first. Bitten by one of those things, and then... well, he became as crazed as they were. It was some kind of transmittable biological agent, Carlos had determined, though he didn't know how to protect against it. It seemed to be a lot like rabies in that the sufferers would eventually become uncontrollably aggressive and seek to bite others to transmit the pathogen.

The rabies virus, Carlos knew, had mechanisms to make its host more aggressive in the final stages, when the host was dying, so that the virus would be passed on through bites and other contact with blood or saliva and not die with the host. Maybe... this was something similar? He could only speculate, because his employers were mum about the details, especially after he'd reported Yuri's demise. As soon as he began radioing back that any of his group was infected... Umbrella went radio silent on them. That was when Carlos knew he really had a serious problem on his hands.

Nikolai had been the next to die, taken down by dogs infected by whatever this was that was killing people. Apparently it wasn't limited to human hosts, but also affected dogs, cats, birds... you name it. Carlos had done his best to try and protect him but... it was too late. Now he found himself trying to track some kind of supply drop he'd seen be delivered by helicopter after his last radio. He wasn't entirely sure it was to do with his platoon, but it was something, some form of communication from Umbrella, and so he felt compelled to check it out.

He'd zeroed in on the Racoon City General Hospital, but as soon as he entered the place, he knew something was very wrong. It was empty. And silent. During a crisis? During a life-and-death biohazard situation in which people were being bitten, scratched, torn apart, and literally eaten alive... the hospital was... empty? That made no sense to him. Cautiously, he held his semi-automatic rifle at the ready as he moved methodically through the building, looking for whatever had dropped from that helicopter. He'd found nothing thus far, until he turned a corner and-

"Ocampo?" Carlos said, immediately lowering his rifle upon seeing his friend and Umbrella comrade. He was glad to see a familiar face, but even so, his brow furrowed. "They didn't tell us they were deploying Sanitation as well," he mused, before looking her over, taking a couple steps towards her. "Are you alright? What happened to you?" She really didn't look good, if he was being honest. Then again, nobody was looking great right now, given the situation here.

He tossed his rifle behind him to his right side, leaving it hanging by its strap as he took out a semi-automatic pistol. "Here," he said, offering it to her along with a couple of magazines. "The situation's gone to hell in the city. My platoon was overrun within minutes. I'm all that's left. Umbrella's not responding to my evac calls. We're gonna have to fight our way out."

[stormlit]

okay fine i'm falling back into the hole i'll summarise all my doctor whomst aus again

clara - canon. victorian clara au where she travels with the doctor after surviving the snowmen, otherwise following the events of canon (with eps set in her home life translated to the victorian era).

molly - bf canon. eight's companion, an irish maid-turned-wwi VAD. mostly set either during her travels or back in her own time once she stops travelling with him, when she's living in the doctor's house in london, a full nurse, and helping people out there. always alien things in london, even in 1918.

georgie - seconded to UNIT from the regular army after her courageous actions in horrifically traumatic situations, sgt lane is a combat medic, and on the front line of every awful alien event that seems to happen in the uk, because it's constant and it's all terrible. wants to leave the army, UNIT is declining, she's heavily traumatised, and she knows any time the doctor appears, something awful is about to happen. also has a similar au for third doc's time stuck on earth with UNIT in the '70s.

sidney - not technically an au; she's set in the future of our universe (which i can give more details about if necessary). an android with a gun for an arm, roller skates for feet, a cybernetic eye, and a love of grenades, dressed like a 1950s diner waitress, sid was originally designed to be an any-purpose droid. first and only of her line, has sentience and free will that she's still trying to figure out what it means. her canon is chaos and would cross over with dw very well (let her have some fun tardis adventures i Beg).

pippa - she had a marvellous time ruining everything. a regency era Eligible Young Lady (nonbinary if they had the word for it ty) who stole a time machine to escape a suffocating, miserable life, with absolutely no idea how any of it works. they love chaos, disrupting order and the way society is "meant" to be. keeps going back in time to change what's meant to be a fixed point so their best friend doesn't die, keeps destroying the fabric of the universe in the process and the universe keeps killing him so they do it again, and knows it bc they are time sensitive. they're just both selfish and terrified of being alone.

bea - from a future human post-apocalyptic colony, she has psychic abilities she is afraid of and doesn't know how to use. loves drawing, the stars, herbalism, and taking things apart to see how they work. travelling on her own when she likely stumbles across the doc + companion.

nate - UNIT captain with terrible commanders who seem to actively want the aliens to kill his platoon, fully begins operating by his own (lawful/neutral good) morals and not by what he's told to protect people, including refusing to fire. definitely leaves UNIT before it's disbanded but still actively ends up at scenes of Shit Happening to help people. might end up working with people who've had their lives displaced by Alien Shit? or even helping non-violent aliens stuck on earth in a very non-torchwood way. he'd hate torchwood.

[spyder-m]

Zerith Week, Day 1: "Sanctuary"

My contribution for @zerith-week, Day 1: Church.

Summary: On her way back from down to the Sector 5 Slums, Aerith happens by two injured Soldiers passed out at the station. With seemingly no one interested in helping them, she took it upon herself to step in. Zack lives AU.

Chapter I: "Angels With Dirty Faces"

Next | FF.net | AO3 | Twitter

.

“Phew, finally. We made it!”

“Urgh.”

Cloud garbled unintelligibly in response, his head lulling slack against Zack’s shoulder, before his body stilled once more. The shift was minimal, but enough to assure Zack that Cloud was still with him.

“Come on, Cloud,” Zack joked, readjusting his grip. “You could stand to be a little more enthusiastic.

Though the light-hearted quip went unanswered, it brought as much comfort to Zack as he hoped it did his friend.

It was a remnant of their old lives, the same banter they had shared back in Midgar. After seemingly everything they trusted in had been ripped away, he liked having that familiar certainty. Even now as those moments seemed at a completely distant, unreachable place in time, Zack would do all that he could to keep even a piece of them intact.

While Cloud didn't seem entirely cognisant, his company had been integral to Zack, imbuing him with the invaluable mental and emotional strength to carry through.

Internally, he was a wreck. He had no idea what was wrong with Cloud, who’d been unresponsive for months; their entire trip to Midgar. Frankly, it scared him.

Yet, he couldn’t let that fear show in his expression. He didn’t want Cloud, likely already scared himself, to worry. If Zack seemed uneasy, it may only serve to further rupture Cloud’s will, his psyche, at a point where it needed to be at its strongest.

Zack had wondered briefly what state Shinra HQ would be in now; with most of their top-ranked Soldiers either deceased or missing. He didn’t care to find out, firsthand though. Not when it would be far safer, he felt, to stick to Midgar’s Slums, knowing Shinra’s presence wasn’t as prominent underneath the plate.

Much of the slums were plagued by sickness and destitution. Monsters lingered on the outskirts of sectors and the roads and tunnels linking them, with many citizens open-carrying weapons to defend themselves. For that reason, Zack had been confident that the presence of two injured Soldiers wouldn’t appear too out of place or draw unwanted attention.

Still, he couldn’t be careless. The trains were overflowing with passengers; slum-dwellers who worked above the plate returning home. Knowing the likelihood of Shinra employees being among them, Zack had opted to sneak aboard one of the train’s rear compartments, intended for carrying cargo rather than passengers.

They still weren’t alone, but the train ride into Sector 5 passed without incident. Anyone unnerved by their presence simply chose to move to a different carriage.

Unfortunately, though, as he stepped out onto the station platform, Zack was beginning to sense a different, perhaps even more sinister, threat looming over him. His vision was beginning to fade, darkness seeping steadily into his periphery. The exhaustion and pain from the, fortunately, non-fatal wounds he had succumbed to was starting to weigh heavily upon him.

It was as though the urge to reach Midgar had been all that had fuelled him before, that determination helping him to channel strength beyond even his own supernatural limits. Yet now that he had succeeded, his body felt it could give out.

Zack grit his teeth, harnessing what little strength he had left within him to stay conscious. He had already crossed entire continents and stowed away on ships, all the while fending off platoons of men tracking them. Surely, he could make these last few miles into the Slums.

As Zack’s head lifted groggily, he scanned the near distance, squinting to make out the scrap yard stretching in front of him. His stomach sank.

Even if the monsters lurking there weren't the strongest, it would still be dangerous. They usually travelled in packs and, in his current state, Zack wasn’t sure he’d be able to effectively divide his attention between multiple enemies, as well as keep an eye on Cloud.

He had a bad feeling that they would end up as Gorger food.

Zack couldn't fall to such feeble prey, not after everything he'd pulled through.

So, spotting the nearby bench and vending machines, Zack cut a deal with himself.

Against his better judgement, he decided to take a brief rest. Just enough that he could regain his strength and fight safely through the scrapyards, but nothing more.

At least, that had been his hope.

.

Aerith sighed as she stepped off the train, lowering her still full basket of flowers.

Yet another day had passed and she hadn't been able to sell anything topside.

Despite being able to afford the luxury, the people above the plate showed little interest; rarely even acknowledging her presence.

She couldn't understand. Everyone in the Slums seemed to value the plant life much more, enjoying the way it brightened the drab mesh of concrete and steel shanties, giving it a more homely feel.

Still, as futile as her efforts seemed, Aerith would always make the trip; treasuring what few gil she could pull in to help out her mother.

As her eyes lifted, Aerith caught the last rays of what little daylight broke through the gaps in the steel sky. Conscious it wouldn’t be long before twilight began to set in, Aerith's gait picked up.

She had been volunteering at a soup kitchen being run by the Sector’s Church recently and didn't want to be late.

It only seemed fair to assist the priest who let her grow and sell flowers there. Besides, she found the work very fulfilling.

Whether she was brightening people's spirits by spreading her flowers throughout the Slums or providing warm meals and shelter to those who were struggling to find their own. It helped harbour an atmosphere far friendlier than compared to the one above the plate, creating a sense of community, of people who, despite struggling, were always willing to help one another out.

As Aerith crossed the station, her focus was broken by a vibrant shock of yellow entering her periphery, tugging her in the opposite direction.

Suddenly, any thought of needing to rush towards the Church was abandoned as she was drawn to the sight of two young men; not much older than her; slumped against the bench, their eyes closed.

At a cursory glance, it might not have seemed out of the ordinary; as though they were simply resting. Yet, from the state of their clothes and the dirt marring their skin, Aerith could tell they must have fallen on hard times.

Still, despite being in clear view, many commuters passed them by without so much as a second thought.

Aerith exhaled calmly, allowing those passersby the benefit of the doubt. For all she knew, they too were struggling and didn’t have much to their name that could help. Still, the matter was sensitive to her. Her own birth mother had passed away in a similar fashion, Elmyra being the only one to approach and try to help.

Kneeling down, Aerith glanced over the two more closely, in particular, noticing their clothes. Her eyes widened as she placed the dark, sleeveless sweaters and trousers, shoulder pauldrons, standard dress for members of Soldier.

It wasn’t uncommon for men and women leaving the military to end up like this, out on the streets. After the war ended, Shinra had suddenly found itself no longer needing so many large platoons of men, and there were only so many troops needed to patrol the streets. Because of this, many ended up being discharged and struggled to find work; the skills they’d honed under Shinra not translating well to other professions.

Though, what puzzled Aerith was that these two were not mere low-level guards. They bore the Uniform of ranked Soldiers, the company’s elite warriors. Which made her wonder how and why they could have ended up in this position? Surely, the company wouldn't want to let them go? Especially when she’d been hearing rumours that some of their most-decorated, highest ranked members had been declared MIA. Even if they did, wouldn't their skills be highly sought after? They shouldn't have had a problem finding work.

Still, regardless of the details, Aerith knew better than to judge. She didn't know their situation and didn't need to. For now, all that mattered was that they needed help.

She looked over the brunette nearest to her, a gasp breaking from her lips. She could make out patches of blood soaking through the dark material of his turtleneck, dried flecks crusting over his bare arms. Her hands hovered over him, calling on the power of healing magic. Yet the energy that surrounded him seemed to have little effect, as though there were no wounds that needed tending to.

Studying him, curious, Aerith found she couldn't see any obvious cuts or bruises. She could even hear him breathing softly, a sound that seemed to carry over the cacophony of the station, instilling the hope that perhaps he might be alright.

The blond at his side, however, seemed to be in a bad way. From the short distance she’d clocked them at, she hadn’t realised that his eyes were actually open. Though, they were glazed and unfocused.  Even if she were to meet his gaze, Aerith could tell she wouldn’t be able to get through to him.

The wounds he bore must have cut deeper, perhaps a trauma he still carried after being exposed to the atrocity and horror of war.

It was fortunate for her that one of the doctors in Sector 5 owed her a favour. She had been supplying him with rare herbs for his medicines and might be willing to treat these two. Though, getting them to the clinic wouldn’t be so simple.

Aerith supposed she could always find the doctor herself and bring him here, but she worried what may happen if she left them alone.

She might be able to help the blond, who was closer to her height and had a leaner build, but there was no way she could manage both. Especially not the dark-haired one, who, though malnourished, seemed much taller and bulkier.

Even if she could, she would still have to navigate through the backstreets and scrapyards where monsters lurked. Though she was certainly capable with a staff and her Cetra bloodline leant itself to a natural aptitude for magic, she would be hindered if she had to support someone.

It was obvious that she was going to need help.

As her eyes flickered across the crowd, hoping to find someone she knew, the brunette stirred, an exhale breaking from his lips. Aerith was pulled toward the sound, immediately catching the flutter of his eyelids.

He was regaining consciousness.

The sight gave her a flash of hope, as she wondered if he might have the strength to stand on his own. That could certainly make the trip the rest of the way into Sector 5 easier.

Tentatively, her hand reached out to touch his shoulder, a feather-light caress.

“A- Are you alright?”

His body sprung swiftly into motion at the contact, lashing out with the instinct of a wounded animal. Aerith lurched back, feeling her heart flutter unsteadily with the sudden movement. That pattern carried on as she took in the strong contours of his face and the few, errant strands of hair that hung over it. Her breath hitched in her throat as she was taken by the pure, shining blue of his eyes.

As the haze clouding Zack’s senses began to dissipate, he was overwhelmed by light shimmering through soft, chestnut hair, framing a brilliant emerald. He squinted, unsure if the presence was solid, or some ethereal vision.

While crossing the barren outskirts of Midgar, Zack had fallen prey to the odd mirage, finding images of Angeal or his parents burnt across the horizon. Whether it was a result of the climate or perhaps his declining condition, he wasn’t sure. But he wouldn’t overlook the possibility that he was still disoriented, imagining the presence of others.

He had certainly been starved for the company.

Surely, this seemed too bright and otherworldly, to be something, someone, underneath the plate. Perhaps, he wondered, he was returning to the planet.

“Heaven?” He muttered.

Blinking, it took Aerith a moment before her mind could piece together a coherent response. Conscious of the dire situation, she let out a forced, breathy laugh.

“Not quite. But I can see why you might think that.”

Aerith cringed, quickly realising her words hadn’t been the most sensitive. She had hoped some humour might be enough to ease the tension.

“I was just wondering if you were okay," she continued. "There’s a clinic not far from here, they’ll be able to help you and your friend out. I can show you the way if you like?”

Zack eyed her, at first, sceptical. His gaze scanned the perimeter, wondering if perhaps this was a ploy, expecting to spot a squadron of Shinra waiting to ambush him the moment he followed her.

Yet, the distinct, foreboding rush of dread that anticipated such an attack was something he’d become familiar with; particularly these last few months. For the moment, he couldn’t sense it.

Much of Zack’s journey had been bolstered by placing his trust in others, even when it didn't seem a hundred percent certain. There was Cissnei, who agreed to turn a blind eye and not inform Shinra of his whereabouts, the old guy who had given him and Cloud a lift.

Zack supposed he could tempt fortune once more.

“Alright,” he answered. "Lead the way."

He moved to stand; Cloud’s arm still draped around his neck; but staggered, almost losing his balance. Aerith's hands hung hesitantly by his shoulder, ready to offer to support some of the weight.

“Do you... need any help?”

"N- no, I've got this.” He grimaced, glance flickering briefly toward the sword still fixed at his back. “Though, I don't know that I'd be much good in a fight right now."

“No worry,” Aerith reassured, retrieving her staff. “You can leave that to me.”

.

Despite the obvious weariness bearing down upon him, Zack had been quite adamant that he, and only he, carry his friend; Cloud.

They had made their introductions briefly, before setting off. Aerith wasn’t sure what had compelled her to share her name. Perhaps she thought that if he knew it, he may be more open to trusting her. For now, he seemed somewhat apprehensive, as he trailed behind her, keeping a slight distance.

It would fall to her to fend off any monsters that crossed their paths.

Luckily, the packs of wererats they encountered were small and easy to keep track of. The fact that they tended to target the bigger, more immediate threats also proved advantageous, as; despite the giant sword at his back; Zack did not appear particularly imposing right now.

Before they could even think of calling upon their friends, Aerith was quick to rain ice spells down.

She led them safely the rest of the way to the clinic, just down from the Leafhouse.

Their late-afternoon arrival was opportune, as it meant she wouldn’t run into any of the kids, who were likely either inside or at their secret hideout. She suspected that the sight of her guiding two bloody, injured Soldiers might be cause for concern. It also meant there were no other patients being attended to, as they turned up just before the clinic was set to close for the evening.

The doctor’s head was bowed, looking over some paperwork when the door creaked open, his eyes lifting. Aerith’s hand rose in a sheepish wave as Zack stumbled in through behind her.

Gaze flickering toward the prone, motionless body balanced at Zack’s side, he swiftly rose from his desk, moving into action. Such a scene was not uncommon among the slums, it seemed.

“Move him to one of the beds in the back. I’ll examine him there.”

Suddenly, Zack grew apprehensive, his grip tightening instinctively, protectively, around Cloud. There was something about the room, the entire situation that unnerved him. The stranger’s white lab coat, their glasses, the stench of chemicals permeating the space. The cold, drab walls and equipment littered about the bench; needles, vials of unfamiliar substances.

It felt all too familiar.

He couldn’t trust it.

But, perhaps more crucially, Cloud was one of the few people left who Zack felt he could trust. After the lengths he had gone through to keep him from harm, Zack was not willing to hand him over so easily. His eyes narrowed, a dangerous glint shining through, enough for the man to recoil.

Catching the tension etched across his features, Aerith’s fingers treaded lightly against his back, immediately drawing his intense glare away.

“It’s okay,” she reassured. “He’s just trying to help.”

As Aerith held his gaze, her eyes shining with sincerity and conviction, Zack could sense his more jaded, survival instincts ebbing away, as he wondered if he had a reason to doubt her.

She had found he and Cloud in trouble and, unlike most, went out of her way to offer help. She had led them all the way to his clinic, even fighting off monsters to ensure that they would make it safely. Those acts did not reflect someone with ulterior motives. Surely, if she had wanted to take advantage of them, it would have been easier to do so while they were passed out?

Besides, while he had managed to get this far on his own, Zack knew there were things he wouldn’t be able to do by himself. As much as it pained him to admit, he couldn’t help Cloud.

Begrudgingly, Zack guided Cloud over to the bed. Setting him down carefully with the doctor’s assistance.

Producing a small torch, he shone the light directly into Cloud’s eyes, noting how his pupils constricted. He was responding; that much was a relief.

Lifting his finger, the doctor dragged it in a straight line across Cloud’s eyeline. Cloud, however, was slow and languid in following the motion.

“Mako poisoning. Looks like a pretty serious case too. I can’t imagine how he’d have experienced such direct exposure.”

Zack grit his teeth. Having already received Mako injections as part of his induction into Soldier, he had a much better tolerance. Cloud, however, had not seen any direct exposure before. It was no wonder his body reacted poorly.

Not to mention, prospective Soldiers were typically given much smaller, controlled doses over time, allowing them to gradually adjust. They weren’t soaked in tiny tubes filled to the brim with the stuff!

As Zack stewed over bitter, disjointed memories of Hojo’s experiments, for the first time during the examination, the doctor’s curiosity won out.

“What exactly happened to him?”

Zack hesitated, unsure of how much detail he should go into. He knew it was counterproductive to lie, especially to someone only trying to help. After all, even the most innocuous information may have helped in assisting Cloud’s recovery.

But, could he really tell him that they’d both been sealed in vats of Mako and experimented on? That he wasn’t even entirely sure how long that process had lasted? That they’d escaped and spent the better part of a year evading Shinra? Sure, Zack was vaguely aware of doctor-patient confidentiality, but wasn’t sure it extended to dishonoured Soldiers on the run.

He couldn’t risk it.

“There was an open pool of Mako. He, uh- Fell in.” Zack lied.

The look the doctor gave was scrutinising, all furrowed lines and narrowed eyes. It was obvious that he didn’t believe him. Zack’s hand rubbed at the back of his head, a nervous tick. For the time being, he did not acknowledge Zack’s dishonesty, instead continuing with the treatment.

“We have a means to treat this, fortunately.” The doctor continued, producing an elixir from one of the cabinets behind him. “Though, given his current condition, it would normally need to be administered intravenously.”

Zack nodded, unable to contain the flash of disappointment. Of course. This was a small clinic in the slums. There was no way they’d have access to that kind of technology. In yet another cruel twist, just as he thought he’d found a way for Cloud to get better, it was ripped away from him.

Surprisingly, though, the doctor did not seem discouraged, a prospect that gave Zack the smallest flicker of hope.

Positioning Cloud onto his side, the doctor began to pry his mouth open before slowly trickling the liquid inside. The sight woke panic in Zack, who feared that he may choke. That is until he saw the bobbing of Cloud’s throat, swallowing the mixture down. Zack’s bewilderment must have been shown in his expression, as the doctor offered an explanation.

“Keeping the airways clear is something deeply tied to our physiology. Even in the most vegetative state the body still retains its ability to swallow.”

His words brought Zack relief, as he watched Cloud drank down the last of the medicine.

“He should be fine. It’ll take some time to flush the Mako out of his system, though. It would be best if he spent the night here, just to be safe.”

“Then I’ll stay here too.”

As he spoke, Zack could feel the doctor’s eyes shifting now to examine him. The thorough and concise way he analysed him made Zack uneasy, still.

“You are fortunate to not be in the same position,” he said. “Though I am concerned by the amount of blood you appear to have lost.”

“Don’t worry,” Zack dismissed with a wave of his hand. “Most of it’s not even mine.”

“You may feel fine, but you’re still running on adrenaline. You’re going to feel the effects once it wears off. It would be best if you were to rest.

“I’m fine,” Zack pushed, stubborn. As if to further emphasise the point he pulled up a nearby chair, perching himself by the head of Cloud’s bed.

“Have it your way,” the doctor sighed, moving back out into the reception area; perhaps to speak with Aerith. “Though there are more beds available should you change your mind.”

It may have been reckless on Zack’s part, but he had his reasons. It had been unsettling when he first entered the Clinic. He could only imagine the panic Cloud would wake in if he found himself in a strange room. He may fear for the worst, thinking they had been captured by Shinra. If Zack was there, his presence might calm him down.

Besides, even if he wanted to, Zack didn’t think he’d be able to sleep right now. Not until he was sure that Cloud was better.

It wasn’t long, though, before he found himself struggling to keep his eyes open. Suddenly feeling much less resistance to the sleep trying to take him.

Cloud was still recovering, but ultimately, in a better place; out of Hojo’s clutches. The realisation left Zack content, knowing that he could, seemingly, finally relax.

That they were safe, for the time being.

.

“You’re still here? I guess you were serious about staying.”

Zack blinked, looking around the room. He hadn’t realised how long it had been, finding darkness now blanketing the streets outside.

From the doorway, Aerith hovered in his periphery, her voice reaching out to him from a distance. She offered a soft smile as he eventually turned in her direction.

“If you really don’t want to sleep, why don’t you stop by the Community Centre next door? You’ll at least be able to clean yourself up and get something to eat.”

Zack could feel his stomach churn at the mere mention of food. The offer was tempting. He hadn’t been able to change his clothes or bathe for several months and had eaten only when the opportunity presented itself.

But, he still had doubts. For the time being, he’d feel safe lying low somewhere. Right now, this clinic seemed to fit the bill.

Though, Zack sighed, finding it cruel to refuse her. Particularly when she was being so kind, going to such lengths to help him, to no benefit of her own. But this was just the situation they were facing. He needed to be practical.

“I’d like to, but...”

Zack trailed off, eyes flickering back toward the bed where Cloud rested, the lone gesture more than conveying the reason for his hesitance. Aerith’s eyes softened, cradling a hand over her chest. She admired his steadfast dedication to his friend. The fact that he would value his well being over his own to such an extent. He was so selfless, albeit to a fault.

It was time that someone looked out for him.

“I understand. But if you aren’t careful, there’s going to be two people who end up bed-ridden and I’m sure you don’t want that, do you?”

She set her hands at her hips and scowled in mock admonishment, doing her best to mimic the same pose her mother would adopt if ever she was misbehaving. Zack couldn’t help the chuckle that broke his lips with the sudden shift.

“I suppose you’re right.”

“How about this? You can stay here and I’ll bring something back for you, sound good? There was actually somewhere I was supposed to be helping out tonight, but… something else came up...”

Her voice dragged into silence and Zack smirked.

“You sure are connected, huh?” He teased.

.

The soup Aerith brought back was light and warm as it trickled down his throat. Zack shivered, feeling it heat up his chest, in stark contrast to the rain-soaked sweater that was still clinging to his body.

He was surprised by the broth’s vibrant flavour. He would have thought good quality vegetables would be difficult to come by. Though, that may have also been due in part to this being the first proper meal he had been able to enjoy in months.

Still, it tasted divine.

Though his stomach grumbled, aching for more, Zack pushed down the urge to greedily suckle up every last drop before him. He knew he needed to pace himself, that he could get ill if he suddenly gorged his malnourished body too quickly. It was a problem Soldiers faced, when on long missions and short on rations.

Soup was a safe option to start with, though. The fresh vegetables would help settle his stomach and allow him to eventually move onto something heavier.

As he continued to savour the dish, he could feel Aerith’s gaze covering him. He glanced up, greeted by her warm smile.

“Like it? I have some more if you want. Or we could keep it for Cloud.”

Setting down his bowl, Zack did not answer for the moment. Instead, he mirrored her expression, sincere and unyielding.

“I really appreciate this, Aerith.”

“O- oh, it’s nothing, really.”

“Are you kidding? Things were touch and go for us for a while there. But thanks to you, I’ll think we’ll be okay. I have to repay you somehow.”

Zack pondered for a moment, unsure of how he could even begin to repay the lengths she had gone to for him.

He didn’t have any gil, or really... anything of monetary value to his name. Perhaps once he had settled into town and found some work he’d be able to repay her. But, money didn’t seem adequate to cover just how indebted he was to Aerith.

If it weren’t for her, Cloud might have never had a chance to recover.

One thing he knew for certain, he was actually enjoying her company and would like to keep spending time with her.

“I know,” he decided eventually. “How about one date?”

“Hmm?” Aerith considered, fingers pressing at her chin. “Spending time with you is a reward, is it?”

“Well, you got us food this time around. It’s only fair that I return the favour.”

“I keep telling you, it’s fine. Besides, I wouldn’t want to trouble you. I get the impression you aren’t exactly rolling in gil right now”

“Maybe not at the moment, but a man of my skills? I could be a mercenary, and take on any job. It won’t be long before I’ve found work.”

“Is that so?” She teased. “I don’t seem to recall you doing much monster-fighting today.”

“It’s true there’s no way I could compare to you, but I’ll have you know I’m quite handy with a sword.”

“Really? I guess I’ll have to hire you and find out for myself.”

“I’ll be there. Just say the word.”

Zack was surprised. He’d always thought himself friendly, amiable. But not since he had first met Cloud, could Zack recall jelling so effortlessly with another person; enjoying that same easy banter. That he was opening up so readily after what he and Cloud had just been through.

The conversation dipped as they continued to eat, silently.

That is, until he caught the basket of flowers resting in the corner of the room. That’s right, Zack recalled. Aerith had had those with her when she had found them at the station.

It was a hard detail to miss. You didn’t often see flowers around Midgar. It piqued his curiosity. They must have been important if she had made the effort to bring them all the way here with her.

“I didn’t get a chance to ask earlier, but… what’s with the flowers?”

“Oh! I sell them. I actually forgot I had left them here. But, I suppose it doesn’t matter. They do make for a nice gift for someone who isn’t feeling well, after all. I’m sure Cloud will appreciate them.”

“Oh. Right.”

“You’re not jealous, are you?” She goaded.

Before Zack could offer any retort, a strained groan broke from the opposite side of the room. His voice caught, a tightness constricting his throat. Before him, Aerith froze, her hand in the midst of raising a spoonful of soup to her lips. Zack’s head whipped back toward the bed as the sheets ruffled under the distinct movement of Cloud’s body.

“Cloud?!”

“Z- Zack?”

Immediately, Zack sprung forward, stopping abruptly by the head of Cloud’s bed. His voice had been weak, his features scrunching up as he struggled to keep his bleary, eyes open.  Yet, it was more life than he could recall seeing from his friend in months. Zack laughed, tears of relief beading in the corners of his eyes.

“I guess you were right. The flowers did make a difference.”

[thesoobfiles]

she was a queen, ani – a. skywalker

Request: anon, one where jedi! reader is in a relationship w/ anakin but she’s insecure about herself and compares herself to padmé but anakin reassures her?

Words: 1.6k

Summary: Reader and Anakin are both Jedi Padawans; however, this doesn’t stop them from pursuing the other and this leads up to their current situation. They’re in a relationship and they love each other very much; but, the Reader can’t help but constantly feel inferior to Anakin’s extremely beautiful and intelligent friend, Senator Padmé Amidala.

A/N: I know the summary is essentially in the request, but I just thought I’d give my summary vs. the requester’s summary; whichever one explains the story better. They’re both there for the same purpose. Also, I’m so sorry this took so long but my writer’s block paired with my lack of time is not a good combo…

-

My first meeting with Padmé Amidala went a little something like this:

- 1 year ago -

Master Windu’s voice boomed in the small meeting room of the Jedi Council, “Padawan (L/N) and Padawan Skywalker, you’ve both been assigned to Senator Amidala.”

“Those who support the new bill, in danger they are.” Master Yoda confirms.

“Your mission starts right away.” Master Mundi added.

“You’ll find her in the hanger; she is waiting for your arrival.” Master Kenobi finishes off.

“Yes, Master.” Anakin said as he bowed before the Council, a slight smile beginning to form at the corners of his lips.

“Thank you for entrusting us with such as important task.” I bow as well before I leave the chamber with Anakin trailing behind me.

“You’re familiar with her, right?” I ask, to clear the air on the way to the hangar, “She’s the one you’ve known since you were nine?”

“Mhm.” Anakin confirms, the smile from before coming back full swing; completely oblivious to the feelings of insecurity beginning to radiate from my form.

“I see…” I reply, eyebrows furrowed in thought as we continue navigating the labyrinth that is the Jedi Temple.

I’ve never seen Senator Amidala before; only ever heard hearsay. I’ve either heard Anakin recall their memories together or happen to catch the occasional story from other Jedi. Other than that, I’m going in blind; however, if I remember correctly, Anakin mistook her for an angel upon their first meeting. She must be beautiful was my last thought before I actually saw her and wow, she is gorgeous.

During my thinking, it turned out my feet carried me all the way to our destination.

My eyes followed Anakin as he ‘casually’ walked up to what I assumed was Senator Amidala, as there were plenty of other Senators awaiting their Jedi escorts. I follow Anakin to the Senator and bow before her, as does he.

“Senator Amidala.” Anakin addresses her as he returns to a standing position.

“Padawan Skywalker.” She replies with a pearly white smile. I assume they’re trying to keep it professional for any prying eyes.

“And you must be Padawan (L/N). It’s nice to meet you.” She says, her focus and smile now on me.

“Likewise, Senator.” I respond, really taking in her features. She has flawless, fair skin and her chestnut brown hair is styled in a sophisticated up-do, adorned with a headpiece of some sort. She wears a rose tinted lipstick and light blush. Her chocolate brown eyes stare at me and my (E/C) ones stare right back. She really is beautiful, I’m screwed…

“Shall we get going, ladies?” Anakin’s voice snaps me out of our staring contest.

“Of course.” I say a little too quickly, “Senator.” I extend my arm in the direction of her ship. She smiles at me, then at Anakin as she boards the ship.

After she boards, Anakin slips his hand into mine. I look around and see everyone minding their own business. I give his hand a squeeze as we walk into our new mission, together.

That was our first meeting. In the span of a standard year, we’ve managed to meet 10 more times; getting assigned or passing by one another almost every month. I’m sure this is quite irregular for any pair of Jedi’s and a Senator.

By now, Anakin and I have been knighted.

I’ve brought up my insecurities to Anakin once before and he quickly shot them down; kissing them away. However, the more time we spend around the Senator, the more it seems to eat at my soul; the fact that this woman has been a Queen and a Senator in her life so far and she’s still so young, older than us, but still young.

“Goodbye, Padmé!” Anakin calls out to the Senator as she heads for her ship.

“Goodbye, Ani! (N/N)!” She calls out to Anakin and myself. I wave goodbye as she retreats into her ship and it leaves Coruscant for Naboo.

Anakin and I return to the Jedi Temple. We’re standing in front of my door and we casually scan our surroundings. Once we’ve determined no one is watching, I open the door and we rush inside.

Immediately, Anakin’s arms are around my figure and he buries his nose into my neck.

I giggle at the attention I’m suddenly receiving, “You’re so touch starved, Ani.” I say as I put my hands on top of his arms.

“You don’t know how hard it is to keep my hands away when we’re in the presence of others.” He says, muffled by my robes.

“I do actually.” I retort, turning to face him and whisper in his ear, “I suffer the same problem.”

“Then it must be fixed!” He sweeps me off my feet, “Ani!” I shout in surprise. He hurriedly carries me to my bed and plops me on it.

“Anakin!” I say as I swat his shoulder, “You should have let me take off my robes first! Do you know how dirty it is? Sitting on unknown ships and prancing about on the battlefield…” I trail off, beginning to take my robes off. He only chuckles at my little reprimanding rant.

“Sorry, your highness. I wasn’t aware you were afraid of a little dirt.” He replies good-naturedly as he too takes off his robes.

Your highness… Royalty… Queen… Queen Amidala…. Padmé Amidala… my mind hovers over the subject of Padmé Amidala, Senator and Anakin’s childhood friend.

I fold my robes with less energy and lie in bed, thinking about Padmé…

We’ve known each other for a year, shedding formalities and acknowledging each other either by nicknames or first name. She calls me (N/N) and I call her Padmé. I once considered ‘Addy’ but thought it was too similar to ‘Ani’, so I dropped it… She may be 5 years older than us; but she looks our age. It’s amazing how she manages to keep up appearances. I mean, she was a queen so it isn’t such a marvelous feat… She’s just so pretty. And regal, even in our presence. I suppose she wouldn’t just drop her regality when she’s with us… I don’t know what’s going on with me; whenever she’s around, I just feel so… inferior. She’s a great person and has a lovely personality, don’t get me wrong. She’s amazing in every way and I’m just-

“Don’t finish that sentence.” Anakin said authoritatively. I was so caught up in my thoughts, I completely forgot Anakin was with me. I turn to my right to see Anakin has settled in bed and has taken a hold of my hand.

He sits up and I mirror his actions. He turns towards me and grabs both of my hands. His cerulean orbs stare right into my soul. I forget, he has a knack for being able to read me like a book.

“You are amazing too.” He reassures me.

“She was a queen, Ani and I’m-“

“You’re a Jedi! Do you know how amazing you really are?” He asks with genuine curiousity.

“You wake up every day – risk your life every day – to go fight for the Republic! You command the 343rd Battalion; entire platoons of men look to you every day for guidance. Your skills with a lightsaber are nearly unmatched AND you’re one of the most beautiful Jedi to have every roamed these halls.” He exasperates while flinging his arm to the door that leads to the halls.

“Padmé is a great person and I love her.” He says and my heart drops to the pit of my stomach. “As a friend.” He continues.

“But, do you know who I love as a lover? Who I love with all my heart and who I wish to spend the rest of my life with?”

I look at him with innocent doe eyes, soaking in his words like a sponge.

“You, (Y/N). You are my best friend and the love of my life. Do you know how many times I’ve stared your way as a Padawan? Countless times. Or how happy I was whenever we got paired for a mission? I was exhilarated. It’s the joy you get when your feelings for someone are so strong, you feel like you’ll explode. You’ve always had my heart and never known it.” He finishes, or so I thought.

“I love you, (Y/N).” He says, letting go of my hands to grab both sides of my face, “With all of my heart.” The tears that have been collecting at the corners of my eyes finally begin to fall; being told you are the love of someone’s life and that they love you with all their heart makes you emotional.

His hands make quick work of wiping away the tears that cascade down my face.

Once he’s done and the waterworks stop, he says, “You are NOT inferior to Padmé and you never will be. Understand?” with emphasis on ‘not’ and looks at me. I nod my head in comprehension.

“Good.” Anakin lays back and pulls me into his side; rubbing my arm with the calloused fingers of his left hand. I steady my breathing from the crying I just did and relax into him, sliding my right arm around his back to take residence on his waist. The room is settled in a comfortable silence; the only noises being the sound of our breathing.

“I love you too, by the way.” I say in a small voice, keeping my eyes down as my thumb strokes the skin on his waist. He turns is head and looks down at me with a smile and responds with two words:

“I know…”

[stuffedeggplants]

hullo pls can you tell me about your clone ocs?? any and all of them would be just lovely :D

Lieutenant Six! He’s a supply officer in Coruscant Guard Aviation Support Squadron 66. (They handle logistics and are also an OC squadron! So they don’t have pilots but deal with maintenance, parts, ordnance, etc..) Conveniently he’s CT-60-3102 which also adds up to six- twice. He likes making the kind of jokes that are usually way too obvious for most people to actually make, indulging in clone humor, and has a very optimistic personality. He’s creative with language (and chewing people out lol), but does not excel at lateral thinking and is routinely defeated by bureaucracy and his inability to think outside the box, (but that’s what he has friends for.) Very nice guy, will absolutely go out of his way to help you, but struggles with coming up with creative solutions on his own.

Trooper Eyes-up! He’s on the younger side and also in the Coruscant Guard where he works at the detention center. He got his nickname in very unfortunate and embarrassing circumstances wherein commanders Fox and Thorn caught him doing something he absolutely should not have been doing and told him to bring his “eyes up here, shiny!” So they gave him his name which he’ll never live down. He’s curious, enjoys reading, and is prone to pushing boundaries when he shouldn’t. But he’s also honest and owns up to his screw-ups and is kind of resigned to routinely getting shit for the nonsense he gets himself into, but people love him for it because the fallout is amusing. He was unfairly blamed for bringing granite slugs into one of the barracks (which then proceeded to eat the duracrete walls and cause a problem that only flame troopers could ultimately fix.) He’s good at reading people emotionally but his risk vs reward calibration is a little off. In worlds where Order 66 happens, Eyes-up never participates though the rest of his unit does- this is because his latest screw-up put him on SUFR duty (”sweeping up the fucking rain”), Fox telling him to stay outside in the rain and keep sweeping until it was completely dry. Well the ground was still wet when Order 66 was activated, and Eyes-up’s visceral fear of upsetting the commanding officer of the entire Coruscant Guard overrode his in-built compliance with Order 66, so he stayed and swept up the rain while his brothers went on to worse and darker things. :(

Corporal Corr: the Coruscant Guard Corpsman who ‘mysteriously’ has not managed to promote to sergeant (and likely never will....👀) He works under Thorn in the Diplomatic Service, is a great connoisseur of alcohol, and goes extremely hard for the Coruscant Guard (and nurtures a rivalry with 501st guys whenever they go planet-side for whatever.) He’s very serious about the concept of CG brotherhood and becomes a fixture in Diplomatic Service initiation rites (where shinies are ‘officially’ inducted into the group after their first milestone) to the point where he pretty much leads them. Part of this involves shinies mixing a drop of their blood into red paint, and then their older brothers in the CG mix in their own blood as well. The ex-shinies then use the paint for their armor. Corr has been implicated in brewing his own barracks moonshine which Fox and Thorn let him get away with just long enough to let him finish the process so they could see how good the final product actually was when they confiscated it. Corr also has an agreement with Toast clone, where he trades alcohol for the bread that Toast makes in a crematorium oven that’s non-operational on official records but which is very much operational in a hushed, practical sense. (He also has Toast score the bread surface with the pattern of the CG symbol because he can’t help himself, and has tattoos of the CG armor armbands and legbands actually over his arms and legs. Some might describe Corr as overzealous, but he believes you need passion and strong bonds in life or you have nothing. [This guy is also kind of a joint OC with my friend who runs a Coruscant Guard blog here!]

Are you sick of the Coruscant Guard yet? Well I have 12 more guardsmen alone where this came from and 13 if you count this next guy; I wasn’t kidding when I said I had half a platoon worth of OCs. 

Kov, rank to be determined, pronounced like “cove.” (I might change the spelling to better reflect that.) He’s in one of the Special Tactics Groups of the Coruscant Guard, a unit which I made up to work kind of like a SWAT team. He and his STG are also part of a designated force that can respond extremely quickly to developing situations and get there first to deal with the trouble before anybody else comes in. His STG’s motto is “made to kill, decanted to die” and he has a target tattooed over the side of his face to go with it. (They get shit from non-CG and units that think all they do is give out parking tickets and stand around looking pretty in the Senate building- these guys very much do not do that.) His face is very expressive, and he’s decisive, straightforward, and unfortunately comes off as kind of low on empathy. He wants people to see him as very pragmatic though he’s actually rather idealistic and kind of naive about certain things. He and his best friend are very interested in plants- Kamino didn’t have any, and they’re generally rare on Coruscant. There’s something calming and ‘constant’ about them that he enjoys. He likes taking photos of the ones they find together and looking them up later to learn about nature/biology. Kov learns he really likes children, but is uncertain/a little afraid to let himself interact with them because he’s worried about what sort of influence he’d have on them (and on a deeper level whether he’d learn from them that he’s not actually the person he thinks he is or tries to be.) He and a Twi’lek woman who immigrated from Ryloth sort of fall into a relationship without meaning to, and they both learn a lot from each other and grow as people. (I’m planning on having her take him to a botanical garden that he had no idea existed, and sometime during their visit he realizes he loves her even. He has trouble putting it into words in his mind, but he definitely knows.) 

Okay last one, I’m sorry! :( 

Lieutenant Rakia of the 212th, part of Slick’s direct chain of command. He goes through Geonosis with his best friend and batchmate Arak. When they were cadets on Kamino, and Arak’s helmet saved his life during a training accident but was partially shattered, and Rakia’s random compulsion to bend down and pick up a shard of the helmet inadvertently saved his life too during this incident. Arak and Rakia kept the small plastoid chunk, carved designs over its surface, and exchanged custody of it for years. Before Geonosis Arak gave it to Rakia. Rakia survives but somehow can’t find the chunk where it’s supposed to be in his utility belt, like it just disappeared, and Arak goes missing and is presumed KIA during the battle. On a deep internal level, Rakia has similar realizations to Slick, but because his personality is different he takes that in another direction. He doubles down on a deep trust and faith in the Republic and the Jedi because he’s subconsciously afraid of what it means about his life and purpose if those things are not the things he should believe in. He sees that they’re all cogs in a machine, but his response is that that’s a good thing. He finds something very personally significant about the idea that all those tiny cogs come together to become something much bigger. So his own internal tendencies towards a collective approach and trusting the leadership he was instructed to trust all his life just get kicked up to higher levels after Geonosis in the face of his anxieties.  

In normal speech he’s casual and kind of playful, but when he gets angry he becomes overly explicit/didactic about things and snaps a lot to the point where he can be condescending even without meaning to be. Rakia has an artistic side but doesn’t get to explore it much at first. He’s clean-shaven and lets his curls grow out a bit because he likes how he looks that way, but otherwise looks like everyone else and doesn’t want to visually distinguish himself from his brothers too much besides the slightly longer hair. He wants to be someone others look up to and tries to ignore/deny parts of himself that he doesn’t feel fit that ideal image he wants others to see. Part of that ties into him really struggling with grief but not even allowing himself to contend with it and find closure, stuffing it back down and ignoring it to negative effect. It also ties in to him resisting discovering himself as an individual beyond a certain point/his comfort zone because he’s afraid that will isolate himself from his brothers, but resisting that (and continuing to deny his grief/keep it bottled down) ends up doing that exactly, leading him to feel cut off and alone in certain ways that compound the problem in a bad spiral. (He gets out of it, I promise.) So because Slick is busy developing his own radical ideas and solutions which he can tell no one about (on top of feeling like he’s the only one who’s cottoned on to something nobody else can see,) that’s isolating too, and he and Rakia understand each other a lot better than they think they do in some respects, regardless of their disagreements. 

I know you didn’t ask for a six paragraph essay. Sorry I just really love these guys.😅

[greyfongschemmenti]

Under Pressure 13|15

FryeArcana

Chapter 13

Bombs Ahoy

Summary:

You've made it to the South Pole. As the time is nearing to take down Unalaq in his plans. Will you be able to stop him in time?

Notes:

Some keys:

y/s/n = Your Sister's Name y/s/s/n or y/b/s/n = Your Second Sister's Name/Your Baby Sister's Name y/a/n = Your Aunt's Name

Asami tells everyone the news which causes Korra to get emotional and Tenzin tries to calm her down. “We’re almost there once we’re close we can take Oogi to make it to the healing hut fast.” Korra balls her fists and looks down.

Once we make it to the port everyone hurries on Oogi Tenzin passing Jinora to Bumi who gently sets her down beside Kya. Your eyes sadden as you look down at Jinora taking her hand “hang in there, kid” you whisper as you look at Kya whose face is filled with worry “she’s going to pull through. She’s strong” Kya takes her gaze away from Jinora and looks over at you and softly nods before a sense of guilt washes her “it’s my fault, I encouraged her to guide Korra to the spirit world. She’s stuck there because of me” she whispers her voice pang with emotion as she tears up. “There are always risk when doing anything. Jinora is very mature and strong for her age. You had no idea this would happen. You’ve done all you’ve can to keep Jinora’s body alive. We’ve made it to the South Pole. We have to keep our spirits up for Jinora. She would want us to keep fighting.” You put your hand on the cuff of her shoulder giving her a light squeeze “thanks, y/n. That’s kind of you.” you give her a small smile before dropping your hand down then looking out at the horizon seeing the healing hut coming into view.  

           You offer to hold Jinora to let Kya get down with Tenzin while Korra runs to meet her mother. You pick up Jinora cradling her in your arms and once Tenzin is ready you pass her down to him. Once Tenzin has Jinora in his arms everyone makes their way down from Oogi and make way inside the healing hut. Korra and Kya open the doors for Tenzin, and it surprises the whole group to see the healing hut filled over its capacity with injured soldiers. Your eyes scan the whole room your stomach dropping to witness this scene but your eyes land on a woman with large curly hair taking care of a patient. “y/s/n” you whisper under your breath as you see your now adult younger sister as she is healing a man’s shoulder. Katara turns and sees the group walking towards the team “what happened?” Katara checks out Jinora in Tenzin’s arms “her soul is trapped in the spirit world.”

“oh, my goodness. How long has she been away?”

“Almost a week. I’ve tried to keep her energy flowing, but I can feel her slipping away. You’re the only one who can help her now, mom.” Kya cups Jinora’s cheek as she reports to her mother on Jinora’s health. Oh man almost a week. You don’t know much about spirituality but even for you that’s far too long to be away from your body. Katara and her family walk into the private healing room to help Jinora right away.

You’re standing at the entrance when you start to step forward walking past Team Avatar going towards your sister. “y/s/n” you speak as the woman looks up and her eyes widen as realization hits of who the person calling her name, “y/n!” she drops her wrapping on the tray and hurries to you and gives you a massive hug “Oh Raava, what are you doing here?! Can’t you see were in the middle of a civil war!” she mutters as she steps back looking at you, you let out a single laugh. “I see you’re still the worrying type like mom” you both exchange smiles as she’s letting go of you “it’s been three years since we last saw each other, y/n. Now what are you doing here?”

“I wasn’t going to let you have all the fun. I came with Avatar Korra to help the war front and stop Unalaq. Also, I wanted to make sure you were safe” your eyes soften at the end “I’m glad you are. If anything happened to you…” you trail off as you feel your throat tighten “hey, come here” your sister walks you to a corner of the hut away from the patients and pulls you into another hug “I’m not the same little kid that you dropped off at Aunt y/a/n’s hut anymore. I’ve become quite the healer since studying under Master Katara and Kya. I can handle myself.”  

You nod as you listen to your sister, she’s always been caring, kind, and sensitive. Been in tune with her emotions and always knew when you or y/s/s/n were feeling off or needed a hug. Empathic of your emotions. You pull back as you wipe the couple of tears that were able to escape as your sister looks at the closed doors of the private room “what happened to Master Tenzin’s daughter?” she softly asked, and you explained to your sister Jinora’s condition and you watch your sister’s face saddens. “poor child, but she’s very strong to have lasted this long. If anyone can help it’s Master Katara..”

“she’s the best healer in the world.” You both ended in unison a soft silence comes between the two of you before your sister speaks again.

“so you’re in close company with Avatar Korra. Did you meddle in that too?” she smirks, and you roll your eyes. Your sister always teasing you on how you like to meddle in things especially a hit on the fight that caused your burned scars. “actually no, I didn’t. We kept bumping into each other so why not become friends” you quip. Your sister shakes her head as a fellow healer walks over and whispers in her ear, “ok, I’ll head right over” she whispers back to her. “I have to go, be safe, don’t be reckless, and please don’t try to be a hero.” She stresses as she grips your arms to try to stick those words into your head. “oh-kay, mom” you tease her as you smile. “please, I’m way more fun than mom” she nudges you. “Hey…. mom and dad would be so proud of you, y/s/n. As a person and the healer you’ve become. Especially mom.” you smile as you look at your sister whose eyes tear up with the recognition. “They would be proud of you too, y/n. When push comes to shove you always stand up to do the right thing protecting those who are defenseless. Even though it gets you in tough situations. The way you think things through, I don’t know where you got it whether from mom or dad”

“probably a mix of both” you smile

“Mom was never a fan of violence nor was dad, but I know they would be proud as hell to know their daughter is helping the Avatar save the world. I and y/s/s/n are proud too” She smiles squeezing your shoulder as you smile back. The healer from earlier calls for your sister again and she acknowledges the healer as Tenzin, Kya and Bumi walk out of the private room and start heading out the healing hut. “ok, now I really have to go” you nod understanding and let her go. She stops and turns around to look at you “Whoever you have in your life right now. Keep them close. Your aura has changed drastically for the better since the last time I saw you” she smiles again as she waves goodbye to you and goes back to work. You think over your sister’s words and wondering who she’s talking about. You take one more look at your sister smiling with pride then walk out and meet up with Team Avatar and Team Avatar B, or T.A.B. as Bolin calls it. You’re walking down the stairs as you hear Korra reporting her findings “Unalaq’s got the southern portal surrounded. Harmonic Convergence is only a few hours away.”

Tenzin joins in adding to Korra’s urgency on the matter “then we have to break through the enemy lines ourselves and get to the portal now”

“there’s no use in talking anymore. We know what our mission is.”

Bolin sucks in air through his teeth feeling uncomfortable by a lack of plan

“yeah, a suicide mission”

You look at everyone and try to reason with how dumb it is that Tenzin and Korra are wanting to go aggressive in their plan of attack. “it won’t be a suicide mission if we think this through. We can’t just run in without any sort of plan”

Bumi starts to reminisce on one of his war stories “you know, I was in a similar situation once. My platoon has crawled through the desert with no water for a week, but when we finally located the only oasis for 100 miles, it was surrounded by angry sandbenders. I realized our only chance to get to the water was to drop in from above. So I fashioned together a catapult, and with the help of a few well-trained hog-moneys—” you notice Tenzin’s face starts to shake and his irritation starts to boil over as he explodes

“ENOUGH OF YOUR RIDICULOUS LIES! Can’t you see that the fate of the world and Jinora’s life depends on what we do here today?” Bumi shows a hurt expression as his eyes dart to you when you put your hands up and start to speak to stop Tenzin from blowing up any further “Hold on, I get that was a long story, but Bumi made a valid point and I think it could work...”

“he did?!” Kya’s eyes widen as she looks at you confused that you made sense of one of his outrageous stories.  

“yes, drop from above…an air attack. No one would expect us to hit from the sky”

“Hold on. Maybe Bumi’s right. We don’t have a catapult and hog-monkeys, but we have a flying bison, and there’s a plane on Varrick’s ship. Maybe we can attack from above.”

Korra looks at you and Asami “What are you thinking?” you glance at Asami giving her a nod

“Mako, Bolin, y/n and I can use the plane to create a distraction and scatter some of the defenses. You, Tenzin, Bumi, and Kya can fly into the spirit portal on Oogi when you see an opening.”

“Let's get moving.” Everyone nods understanding the plan.

*

Mako and Bolin stand on either wing while Asami gets in the cockpit to drive the plane. You…you decide you’re going to ride the plane on top of the upper wing like you’re surfing it. Yeah I’m totally not being reckless right now. You bend your cables to wrap around the wings and then it wraps around your waist for added stability and further ground yourself to the plane. The plane takes off and soon you meet up with Oogi and the gang,  

Asami looks at the three of you and starts asking if everyone is ready.

“I'm an earthbender strapped to the wing of a plane hundreds of feet in the air, so, no?” Bolin hollers against the air currents hitting against us “Aw come on Bolin, this is fun! I feel like an airbenders” You smile as you maintain a grip on the cables.  “Don't worry. There's no way they'll be expecting this.” Mako calls out as the clouds start to clear from your view and you see the spirit portal coming into view but there seems to be something flying around the beam of light. “what is that?” you yell out wondering if anyone is seeing the scene in front of you. “Yeah, but do you see that!” Bolin yells back pointing at the circular defense formation around the portal as he holds on tighter on the wing of the plane “I think they were expecting it!” You look down and see the defense of waterbenders and mecha-tanks ready to prepare to fire at you. You ground yourself then watch as large sharp pieces of ice coming in your direction and your eyes widen as you drop down on the stomach to avert getting stabbed. Asami jerks the plane moving out of the way, Mako, Bolin and you try to hold on tight as you guys yell “Asami!”. Asami prepares to maneuver the plan to dodge the attacks coming your way until she gets closer to the camp and orders Mako to fire. Asami makes another turn around then heads back to the camp to get Bolin start throwing explosives and then detonates them using a remote detonator.  You guys keep this plan of attack going throwing explosives and Mako’s fire throwing causing as much destruction to the camp as possible. Giving Korra and the rest of the team an opportunity to get into the spirit portal. Bolin watches the camp in flames and exclaims “I wish Varrick was filming this. (makes a fist pump) We could call it "Nuktuk: Sky Warrior"! Bolin raises his fist in the air triumphantly. You throw another explosive “Now’s not the time, Bolin!” as you press the remote again and another series of explosions go off. Something urges you to look behind and you peer over and see two figures chasing you “uh…guys we have company!” before Asami can try to maneuver away Eska and Desna kick splash towards you guys the water blasts freeze into ice and strike the tail, breaking it in two. The tail of the plane explodes, and it goes into a nosedive. “Brace yourselves!” Asami calls out.  you prepare for the impact trying to stand up once again on the wing you grunt your teeth waiting for the right time to jump off. You bend your cables off and you jump to prevent getting trampled by the plane and land in the snow hard. You slide across a couple snowed land a couple ten feet from impact and knock out cold.

           You’re coming in and out of consciousness as you feel like you’re being dragged and you look up and see Unalaq and you grunt your teeth mustering up your strength and grab his wrists and flip him over into the snow, dropping you and you get up to try to unlock the cuffs but it’s not coming off Platinum “Don’t bother bending yourself out, it’s pure platinum. You didn’t think we would know about you metalbender” Unalaq snared as he sends a splash of water that turns to ice and it hits you at your chest then at your head in a one two punch knocking you back out a slight bruise on the right side of your face. Unalaq and his two creepy kids drop the four of you inside his captain’s quarters. You all grunt once your bodies make impact to the ground and you fall unconscious. “what did you do” Asami looks at you then at Unalaq “she wasn’t cooperating, so she had to be restraint.” Unalaq spoke unbothered by his actions. You wake up from your hit and hear the conversation between Korra and Unalaq you can’t figure out what they’re saying but your hearing clears and you catch Unalaq say “this time, I'll be here to level the playing field. When Harmonic Convergence comes, I will fuse with Vaatu.” Your eyes widen as you turn your head at Unalaq “And together, we will become the new Avatar. A Dark Avatar. Your era is over.” Tonraq leans forward in pain from his injuries looks at his brother both desperate and saddened of his plan.

“Think about what you're doing. I know that you've always had a deep connection with the spirits, but you're still a man. You're still my brother. You're Eska and Desna's father. Are you willing to throw your humanity away to become a monster?”

“I'll be no more of a monster than your own daughter. The only difference is that while she can barely recognize her own spiritual power, I will be in complete alignment with mine. Vaatu and I will be as one”. Unalaq starts raising his voice “No one will be able to stand against us. Keep them locked up.” Unalaq turns to his daughter as Eska turns to her father

“After the Harmonic Convergence, I will come for Korra. “

“Yes, father.”

Tenzin softly speaks his face broken with a newfound sense of lost, with Kya leaning on his shoulder. “I failed in every way. We've lost Jinora forever.”

“There's still a chance. They didn't get Bumi.” Tenzin bows his head and groans, obviously not believing in Bumi at all. You grunt as you turn on your side and sit up “here lean against me, y/n” Asami softly speaks to you as she sits up with you and you guys leans against each other’s sides while Bolin and Mako do the same. “he roughed you up pretty bad, y/n” Bolin commented as he looks over at you. You look confused back at him “what?” then look at Asami and she brings her cuffed hands up to point on her face of the bruise of where yours is. Your curiosity brings your hands up and touch your right side of your temple and it slightly hurts but nothing serious “it doesn’t hurt, it’s just all show. I’m fine. Honestly that drop roughed me up more than those three” you quipped and gave them a small smile to assure them you’re good. Korra looks at her cousins and grunts “we’re wasting time we need to get out of here” she whispers to the group then speaks up “Eska, Desna, listen to me. You've got to help us stop Unalaq. I know he's your father, but Vaatu has made him completely crazy.” Eska and Desna turn to face you guys “We will never turn on our father.”

“Please, if you let me out now, I can still stop him from destroying everything. Once he fuses with Vaatu, no one will be safe. Desna, he won't be your father anymore.”

Desna narrows his eyes, then moves to confront Korra angrily by her words “You don't know what you're talking about! Our father is the wisest man in the world, if he says what he is doing is right, I believe him.”

You plant your palms on the ground as you push yourself up to sit straighter, but you feel a slight rumble in the ground. “hmm?” you plant your hand firmer on the ground and it seems to grow gradually “uh…what’s going on outside?” you ask turning up to Desna and Eska “what human?” you eye her weirdly but keep going “there’s something going on outside I can hear the earth rumbling of something big outside” Bolin moves and puts his ear against the ground and feels the vibrations “oh yeah it’s big”

Desna and Eska look at each other “quit your foolish ba--” your eyes dart to the front of the camp as you and everyone’s heads perk up as you hear a shriek get louder as it approaches the tent to see Bumi spinning in a mecha-tank seat comes crashes into Eska and Desna both from behind, knocking them flat on their backs while he come to a complete stop in front of the group “All right, guys. Rescue time!” he grins as Naga and Pabu jump in the tent knocking Desna and Eska yet again and pins them to the ground.

“that’s quite the entrance, Bumi” you quipped giving him a smirk while everyone else has their jaws dropped shocked to see Bumi alive and well. Bumi starts helping to free everyone as Asami takes out a pin from her hair and helps get you out of yours. Mako and Bolin help Tonraq and everyone steps out as your eyes widen at the scene. The whole encamped is crushed and in flames “Bumi, how did you manage to take out this entire encampment on your own?” Tenzin asks his older brother in disbelief and Bumi reaches in his shirt and pulls out his flute to show Tenzin “I did it all with my trusty flute and- “he hangs his head low in despair “Oh, never mind. You wouldn't believe it anyway.” he begins marching, leading the group away. “Let's get moving” he waves the group out of the camp and you jog up to reach Bumi putting a hand on his shoulder “Hey, Bumi, I believe it. I mean sure you exaggerate a tad, but I think this story will be your best one yet” you smile as you remove your hand and follow the group heading towards the spirit portal.

           Tonraq tries to say that he will fight whoever will come after Korra, but he is in no condition to fight. He can barely walk let alone stand. Korra encourages her father to go back to the healing hut and asks Asami to take her father on Oogi which Asami accepts willingly. Korra and Tonraq embrace exchanging I love you and Asami, Tonraq and Oogi take off. Korra’s plan was Tenzin and his siblings go in search for Jinora while Mako and Bolin guard the portal in case anyone comes. You were welcomed to join whoever you wanted to help while Korra closes the portal, so Vaatu can't escape.

Bolin speaks up nervous “Wait a second. Worst-case scenario: So we're fighting Unalaq, you close the portals, and let's just say something happens to you, are we gonna be trapped in there for eternity?”

“If everything goes as planned, we'll all walk out together after Harmonic Convergence. If not... “. Somber expressions appear on everyone’s faces as Korra bows her head and sighs, then looks up at the group.

“it’s an honor fighting alongside all of you. I don’t regret anything” you speak making eye contact with everyone before landing your eyes at Korra and nods

“Let's go.”

*

Everyone runs into the portal and make it into spirit world. This is not what I was expecting the spirit world to look like. It looks so dark and evil. Your eyes dart to the front of you and there’s a massive tree where a large spirit is trapped inside with Unalaq standing beside it. “Tenzin, go find Jinora!” Korra yells as Tenzin nods and calls for his siblings “Come on!” you look at the young adults ahead of you then at the older group and decide to join Tenzin they have Bolin maybe the siblings will require your earthbending. “I’ll join you; you might need my bending and detective skills. No time to argue” you come with your logic before Tenzin tries to rebuttal he nods, and you guys start running off. You look up at the sky as you’re running with the Kataang kids as you watch the sky turn into a deep purple then feel the earth shift you’re trying to regain balance. You slightly tumble on the ground as it shakes stronger than before, but you push yourself up quickly without skipping a beat and keep running. Your mind races back to Lin and hope she’s safe. For Raava’s sake and mine please be safe Lin.

*

Harmonic Convergence has commenced, and a purple light blankets the landscape in the whole world. The purple light covers Republic City, Lin as she holds her hands in front of her, protecting her eyes from the wind as the dark energy sweeps over her, rendering her and her surroundings in a dark purple hue. Lin looks up toward the sky, and sees green lights dancing in the purple atmosphere. Her eyes widening as she fills with worry “y/n….” she mutters under her breath “…please be ok”. Lin was keeping her part of the deal and was hoping that you were doing the same. Hoping you were safe so you can return to the Republic City. She was really hoping that you were alive and safe so you can come back to her. Please be okay, y/n.

[huntsman-ash]

RWBY V8E10 LiveThoughts

Well since its my birthday, Im kinda bored, and there’s little else for me to do right now since I dont get food till later, lets catch up on last weeks episode in anticipation of tomorrows. 

Huh, starting off with a epilepsy warning. Thats...a good sign I suppose?

Probably not the first part with the RT logo if I had to guess. 

Opening shot looks like something outta Gundam or Halo. Ironwood looking thoughtfully out as a Manta cruses by randomly. Plus; sunlight. Second day dawns...damn, have they really been fighting for that long?

Brings up the wonder of how long Remnants day actually is.

More Mantas. One REALLY close by. Damn those things are QUIET.

Those poor Specialists. You can just TELL they’re bracing for Ironwood to kick their ass. The doors also still busted which is a rather nice choice.

Also interestingly the female Specialist’s coat is missing the top two buttons of her partners. No clue why. 

Actual sweatdrop on the girl. What is it with RT suddenly making their characters have body liquid?

Ahhh Qrow kicking ass. Excellent. I would expect nothing less. 

Also FUCK THAT TABLE IRONWOOD.

Homie loosing his SHIT XD

Oh. Whats this...energy blast? Looks like its coming out of the- Oh. Thats Oscar isnt it.

...my God. ITS. BEAUTIFUL.

(Cries in military nerd)

I love how the music cuts out when it hits, just like what happens when a nuke goes off. 

The fact the Aces have to CARRY the bomb in BY HAND is good shit.

Massed gunfire in the back, and for a second you can see the true thoughts of all of the members. Oddly enough Hare’s got her exoskeleton activated. HYuh, weird, everyone else is hauling it bare. Elm, obviously, she beefy. I guess Marrow and Vine are just capable?

Also based on the shot we see just before the entire screen goes yellow and it looks like the blast literally yeets marrow onto his ass (I assume its Marrow based on the weapon visible in profile) it looks like Atlas is actually WINNING the fight, they’re pushing forward towards the whale.

Grimm; PURGED. ...how much you wanna bet this was a one off? No way to weaponize it. No way to make this more effective.

The music is...dissapointing, truly. If I had scored this, it would have some orchestral choir, a little bit of Requiem for a Dream style kinda thing. Strings and intense flutes and maybe a bit of drums.

Everything goes white for an ABSURDLY long time

Annnddd the sun comes up JUST as the whale starts disintegrating. HA! DIDNT PLAN ON THAT DID YOU SLUT!

CUE NEO CASUALLY SKIPPING THROUGH THE HELLSTORM OF GRIMM BITS WITH THE LAMP

Wait wheres the bomb... Also Marrow being the only one who cares amuses me.

Ahh dont worry about it buddy, its probably MAGIC explosive force, if it didnt kill you it wouldnt kill them. Huh, part of the whales skeletons still there.  I think its dead. GOOD

Wait how tall is Marrow? Hes like a good six inches taller than Winter here and shes wearing combat heels

“Target destroyed, good work.” Oh how casual. I love how he thinks that was the bomb.

And he goes right on to the new issue as if this is the end of the Grimm situation

Oh they still have the bomb.

Cargo ship, huh. I thought it came in on a Manta? Maybe Im miss-remembering.

AND now everyone in Atlas is going to start suffering fucking RUSTLUNG like in Gears.

Oh. Wait. Most of the whale’s still there. Fuckin hell IF THIS THING REGENERATES

Watts is so casual about all of this. I mean it makes sense but like, damn bro, flexibility.

Mmm, I think Cinders about to get brainblasted on by Watts. Please do so. TEAR HER A NEW ONE.

Interesting that Cinder thinks shes in command here. Im sorry, Cinder, but one of you has a college level education and the other WAS A FUCKING DISH RAG BITCH AND PROBABLY A STREET WALKER.

Guess which one is which.

Heels. Interesting. I dont like them but interesting.

Mmm. Long way down.

Watts: STARTS LAUGHING. I love it.

Dude is speaking FIRE. And TRUTH! THIS CATHARSIS...

I know she wont kill him and Im already cool with that cause this alone has put Watts well above her in my book of awesome villains. 

Hope we get to see more of him after this.

Hey he actually got THROUGH to her!

NOW SULK WHORE!

AWW SHES CRYING

Yeah of course the heroes are okay. RIP whoever was in that Paladin though. Hes probably dead.

Oh, the Bees 

Where the fuck did Emerald go

Oh there she is. Just completely shattered. YEAH HE DEAD FRIEND

Agricultrual area, okay cool, glad we finally got a name for this place

Red Line...huh. Like in Metro Speaking of, theres the Metro. No power, lights out. Apathies maybe?

You got a prisoner now.

Scrolls as a light source too huh? No flashlights? Also, pink purplish pettles...whats that one for, GAY THOUGHTS?

...kinetic energy. Really. Thats it. HOW IN THE FLAMING FUCK DOES THAT WORK?!

For those of you not in the know, kinetic is just...movement. Thats it. The ACTUAL energy that results from potential energy being used. 

Its just physics. And they’re treating it like some kind of superweapon.

Talk about a bit of an ass pull. And of course theres only a little bit left, because duh.

Guess maybe its got to do with movement and stuff. An idea for later.

Imagine if everyone looked over at Emerald and shes gone.

Nope, still there. And t hey’re about to hit the civilian shelter...yep, theres everyone.

OH MAN THEY DONT EVEN HAVE ANYTHING GOING ON. Literally just people chillin on the sides of the rails. Boy that must SUCK

Depression everywhere. Damn the Grimm are gonna come right in and mulch em.

And back to Ironwood. ANGRY DAD FACE.

Glad they call it a payload.

Its hard to tell but I think the image hes looking at is a casualty report. If I h ad ot guess blacked out equipment is losses.

Closer look says “Status Report in the upper left (upper right reversed) 

So...based on this, Atlas has lost at least 4 airships, 8 Mantas, four Paladins, a bunch of troops...actually the more I look at this I think each one represents a bunch of units because there is no way that this is everything they had.

I cant really see the middle parts but on the right I cna see “First Fleet” and “Second Fleet” Seconds got fewer Mantas attached oddly. No clue what that means. Same amount of Airships, but nothing else.

Cant really read the middle points. I THINK it says “First Batallion” at the top and then under it is split into (Something) A, B, and C. Might be Squad or something similar, the breakdown seems to be identical across it. 48 diamond markings and four Paladins. 

Based on a quick check of Google, I believe these are, in fact, Platoons, the subsets of a Battalion. The numbers are flexible on there but it seems to fit.

48 men to a Platoon with four Paladins as heavy fire support sounds like a viable mix. If thats the case Im just gonna hope this is all that was depolyed and Atlas has other forces elsewhere BECAUSE IF THEIR ENTIRE MILITARY IS LITERALLY ONE BATALLION OF TROOPS IM GOING TO RIOT.

The number more or less makes sense. 

On the far right theres some kind of power core readings, no indication of what those are, and I cant read the wording over it. Maybe for the pylons. 

Ironwood then convinently walks past a window showing intel on the whale. Annoyingly all of the important looking text is blurred out.

Theres Hares thighs again.

Third ones some kind of profile on Cinder, the image is recent as well. Fourth one...I think its a map of some kind of the impact zone, perhaps the area lost to it. 

“Watts is either incompetent, or betrayed us.” WHICH DO YOU THINK IS MORE LIKELY.

Looks at hand dramatically while contemlating loss.

Hare loosing her shit is awesome.  Also, nice shot of her shoes. 

Maybe you should have put more faith in your military instead of Huntsman idiot.  I guess this KIND OF explains why he wants to leave. He doesnt thinkt hey can win no matter what. 

The look on his face is...disheartening.  Dudes gone the same way as Lionheart. Shit.

Also interestingly, the picograms above his office door show the phases of Remnants moon, rotating from full and unbroken to shattered.

What are you planning Ironwood.

Ohhhh. SEE NOW SOMEONE FINALLY FUCKING GETS THE IDEA You want someone in this world to do something YOU PUT A GUN TO THE HEAD OF THIER LOVED ONES!

Winters not having none of it of course. 

Ohhh shes in for a SPANKIN NOW

I love how Hare throws her under the bus like that. 

FUCK THAT TABLE

Radar. REMNANT HAS RADAR.

MOTHER...FUCKING... HOW?! HOW DO THEY HAVE RADAR.

Suns fully up now. Interesting.

Also, canonizing it now; the mountain just behind Atlas in this shot is where Fortress Academy is. 

This one.

Hang on. SDC Freighters literally look like neutered... ... GOD FUCKING DAMMIT.

AGAIN! EVERYTHING IN ATLAS’S ARSENAL IS JUST SDC EQUIPMENT MADE INTO MILITARY FORM! FUCK. ME. SIDEWAYS.

WHY!? WHY IS EVERYTHING SDC MADE?!

LE SIGH

The crazy logic sit down thing is...weird.

Also, I see constellation on the floor of Ironwoods room. Looks like...chiron and Pisces. So why are Earth constellations on the floor of a Remnant building?

Damn, air cleaned the fuck up real quick. 

NEO YOU CHEEKY BITCH. THE RAISED PINKY FINGER

Yay, the teams reunited. NOW THEY CAN ALL DIE TOGETHER.

FAUNUS EAR WIGGLE

Rens first comment; wheres Nora.  Yay. Also, poor Ruby.

I like how the music just died.

I hear gunfire...

YEAH! Mantas for AA work, hell yeah! I know Im supposed to be mad but fuck that swarm attack! Oh its so good.

AND IRONWOOD WITH THE FUCKING POWER STANCE

MY GOD XD

I like how he specifically mentions Atlas’s technology like their technology is anything hot 

Seriously could you get any more fucking dramatic. I get the point but like, dude, your from Atlas, wasnt this shit BANNED in the Great War?

Boy, he really doesnt like Mantle does he. Then again at the same time, my hometown doesnt care for the homeless here. Its probably like that.

Not sure I follow your logic here. Hes probably bluffing. 

Oh wait Penny...right she never left the mansion, she got fucked over.

And thats it.

[contrabandhothead]

I see you do ships👀 could I please get one? I am 5’4” have red/brown hair and blue/green/grey eyes. I could probably be described as an overly friendly yet distant and secretive person as I love to put others before my self but rarely open up. Not afraid to make a bold statement that needs to be said, tho! I love being active playing ruby and doing archery. I study bio&microbio and love to sing. I’m genuinely a goof but only show it to my close friends or to make ppl more comfy in situations.

EUGENE ROE

- [ general ]

you two understand each other so well that it’s not even funny

when Roe first met you, he found it strange how closed off you seemed despite being so overly-friendly

this man hates opening up as well, so he respects your boundaries

however, this man will pry you open like a clam if it means that you’ll stop putting others before yourself

he’s also so proud that you just say what you want to say instead of just bottling it all up

don’t be fooled by his stone-cold persona, he too is just a big goof deep down

he loves it when you sing, and he often asks you to sing him to sleep

Roe would totally suck at rugby but he’s always down to do some archery

he helps you study for bio a lot, and he understands the stress that comes along with that subject

always makes sure you’re taking care of yourself, so don’t ever try to slack off on that

he will fight you to make you take care of yourself, i’m not joking

PLEASE make sure he is taking care of himself too

he doesn’t sleep very well, but he finds that he sleeps better when you’re in the same bed

always shakes his head at your antics, but we both know he loves your stupid jokes

- [ how you two met ]

you were just another trooper in Easy Co., but similar to Lip, you were the glue that held your platoon together

you might not have been a medic, but you took care of the men just as much as one

always making sure they got enough sleep, giving them your extra ammo, checking up on their mental health, being a shoulder to cry on, etc.

Roe had always admired your spirit and compassion, but sometimes Roe was concerned for you

you took care of everyone else, but who took care of you?

when Renée’s unforseeable death occurred, you were right there in his foxhole to help comfort him

even when no one else noticed how broken he was, you did

he grew to love you, but he would never confess his feelings for you, especially because of how much stress you were under

this was a war, not a romance film goddammit

Roe had begun to hover over you, especially when he noticed your deteriorating health

you had begun to take less care of yourself, your hair becoming matted, your face streaked in dirt

one night, Roe decided he had had enough

angrily stalking up to your foxhole, he jumped in without warning, spraying dirt everywhere

you glanced at him questioningly, your eyes glassy with tears

his shoulders sagged, the fire inside of him going out

reaching out his arm, he offered you comfort, which you surprisingly took, sobbing into his shoulder

he held you all night as your shoulders shook with sobs, eventually falling asleep with his head pressed against your hair

You saw correctly 👀 Thank you for submitting a request! I’m so sorry this took forever, but I hope you enjoy it! Have a great week! 💕

[snappedsky]

Fanatics 73.4

The leader of the mysterious group reveals himself. Previous! Next!

--

Government of Doom Part 4

           Devi slowly blinks awake, her head pounding and vision swimming. She groans as she rubs her eyes, trying to remember what happened last night. As everything comes into focus, she quickly realizes she is not in her bedroom.

           She’s lying on a small mattress, in a small stone room with a metal door. A prison cell.      

           “Ah, fuck,” she barks and sits up. She rubs her lower back and feels a small bump where the dart hit her. “Fuck, fuck, fuck!”

           After jumping to her feet, she starts banging on the cell door. “Hey! Let me the fuck out!”

           As if on cue, the door opens, taking her aback. “Oh. Uh…”

           She flinches back when two guards step into the doorway, both armored and carrying assault rifles.

           “Come with us,” one orders, “the Director wants to see you.”            Devi glares at them both but it’s clear she doesn’t have a choice. So she exits the cell into a stone hallway lined with other metal doors. To her right she sees other similar guards standing in front of three other open doors. And exiting one is Tenna.

           “Tenna!” Devi exclaims.

           “Devi!” she squeals.

           Forgetting about the armed guards, the two immediately embrace each other.

           “God, I’m so glad you’re okay,” Devi says as they split it, still squeezing each other’s arms.            

           “Me too,” Tenna sighs, “where are we?”

           “No idea,” she replies.

           “Hey.” They both turn as Dib and Gaz approach from the other open cells.

           “I’m glad you guys are okay,” Dib says.

           “Looks like we’re the only ones here,” Gaz points out and glares at the guards. “Hey, where are our friends?”

           “Enough,” one replies, “the Director is waiting.”            Devi and the others look at each other but follow the multiple armed guards through the prison. They exit yet another metal door into a larger, brighter corridor with white walls. It is lined with bigger, metal doors, clearly more reinforced. It is eerily silent and empty.

           “No windows,” Dib observes as they’re led down the hall. “We’re probably underground.”

           They’re taken to a large elevator with a keypad next to the floor numbers. One of the guards punches in a code and the elevator goes down a couple floors before stopping.

           The door opens to a single, large room; dimly lit by lamps, it’s carpeted with full bookshelves against the side walls and a large desk with a computer and a comfy chair. Taking up the far wall is a large picture of a forest scenery, and standing in front of it with his back to the elevator is a well-dressed, black-haired man.

           “Leave us,” he orders as the guards lead Dib, Gaz, Devi, and Tenna into the room. They quickly obey and take the elevator back up.

           “Welcome,” the man says, “I trust you are all feeling better. That knock-out drug can linger for a while.”            “Who the fuck are you?” Devi snaps.

           “I’m sure you have many questions,” he replies calmly, “I have some questions of my own. That is why you are here; so we may acquaint ourselves.”

           “Can you at least look at us when you talk,” Gaz scoffs.

           “Yeah, that’s not even a window you’re looking at,” Dib points out.

           “My apologies,” the man says as he sits in his chair and turns to look at them. The right side of his face is robotic, his right eye round and cybernetic. Jagged scars run from where the metal connects to his face and veins are popping out painfully in his forehead. But otherwise he looks like a respectable business man.

           He waits a moment, as if expecting a reaction from Dib and the others. When he gets nothing, he simply smiles.

           “You may call me the Director.”

           “Dumb,” Gaz comments.

           “Yeah, that’s dumb,” Tenna agrees.

           “I’m not calling you that,” Devi says.

         The Director is undeterred. “No doubt you are wondering who we are. Allow me to explain.”

           “We are the Supernatural Destruction Agency, or SDA.”

           “Destruction?” Dib questions.

           “We are a government funded group,” the Director continues, “dedicated to the complete annihilation of all supernatural, paranormal, alien, and otherwise inhuman beings on Earth.”

           “Who are you to decide who gets to live on Earth?” Dib snaps, “it’s home to those creatures too!”

           “It’s about survival of the fittest,” he replies, “you see, when I was a young boy, I was attacked by a werewolf. Barely escaped with my life. Nobody believed me. They all said it was a rabid dog that was put down. But I knew the truth: that the paranormal is dangerous and will destroy us if we don’t destroy them.”

           “Since then, I have devoted my life to their destruction. I modified my own mind and body to better perceive them and fight them. I convinced government officials of their danger, even at the risk of traumatizing beyond repair, so I could get the funds to build an army and weapons and a research facility to better understand and destroy all supernatural beings.”

           “Jesus,” Devi comments, looking at Dib. “And I thought you were obsessed.”

           “So what’s your deal with us?” Gaz asks.

           “I have known about the so-called ‘Nameless City’ for years,” the Director explains, “for as long as we could measure supernatural energy levels, the readings there have always been high. But they’ve also always been localized to the city so I left it alone. Figured I could just blow it up with a nuke someday. But I kept spies there to keep a close eye on it.”

           “And one day a group rose up calling themselves ‘The Battalion’. At first I thought, ‘cute, they’re playing hero’. But you’re becoming way too powerful way too quickly. Even going into space. I had to neutralize you before you became a threat. So using the intel we had pieced together the last couple years, my agents did just that. It was easy; after all, our biggest problems were the two aliens and the Antichrist. At least, that’s what I thought.”

           “And that’s why I’ve called you four in here,” he states, leaning back in his chair. “You see, the only one in your group we were unable to capture is the one called Johnny C. And we lost two of my field agents; their throats were ripped out as if by a savage beast and their dart guns are completely empty. That’s ten darts each.”

           “Yeah, that sounds like Johnny alright,” Tenna grins.

           “Now he’s disappeared,” the Director continues, “so I must ask you: where is he hiding?”            Devi snorts. “You should be asking how will you survive.”

           “Hm?” he questions.

           “I’m assuming you have Squee locked up somewhere,” she explains, “he’s the most important person in the world to Johnny and he will be coming for him. And when he does, he will destroy your whole precious facility. So I suggest you let us all go and maybe Johnny won’t kill you.”            The Director scoffs. “He won’t find us. This is a secret, underground facility. And even if he could, he would never be able to penetrate our defenses and guards. Still, you seem pretty confident. So tell me: what kinds of secrets does Johnny have?”

           Devi leans forward, planting her hands on his desk so her face is only about a foot from his. “Get fucked.”

           The Director cracks a smile. “I see how a normal human like you can survive amidst supernatural beasts. You’re strong. Let’s see how long your strength lasts in solitary confinement.”

           He presses a button on his keyboard and says, “take them away.”

           Almost immediately, the elevator doors open and the armed guards return.

           “Hey, wait!” Dib barks, “where are our friends?”

           “Get the fuck off me,” Devi snaps as the guards grab them and pull them away.                  

           “Where are the others!” Gaz yells.

           They struggle and shout but the guards drag them into the elevator. The Director waits until it’s gone before pressing his keyboard again.

           “I want another platoon to the Nameless City,” he orders, “and keep a group of guards on that alien’s house. You may react however you see fit to any situation, but do try to bring in Johnny C alive.”

           He lifts his hand and turns his chair back to the poster.

           Meanwhile, back in the city, the Night Terrors are having problems of their own.

           “Fuck,” Serena snaps as Eff removes a cup of charred, scrambled eggs from their new microwave. “We can’t eat that.”

           “How do you burn eggs?” Sickness scoffs, “didn’t you use to be based off a chef or something?”

           “Yeah, well, now we’re clowns,” Eff shrugs as he tosses the cup aside. “This kind of thing happens when you’re rebooted by a teenager.”

           “And just because we were based off chefs doesn’t mean we were,” D-boy points out, “I mean we were also Styrofoam.”

           “Whatever,” Reverend Mean groans loudly, “let’s just find something to eat already. I’m starving.”

           “I’ll text Aron to bring us something on his way from school,” Serena says as she grabs her phone.

           The side door suddenly slides open, grabbing everyone’s attention.

           “Oh, he’s back alread- Nny!” Eff exclaims.

           Johnny steps into the van. He looks even paler than usual with his hair matted to his forehead.

           “Wow, you look like shit,” D-boy comments.

           “Fuck off,” Johnny grunts, “Squee’s in trouble. And so are Devi and everyone else too I guess.”

           “We have to find them.”

[amintyworld]

Tainted Friendships - Sanders Sides Mafia AU

A/N: Hey guys! This AU was made by the amazing @zhe-lazy-fox! Go check them out as always and give them some love for having amazing ideas such as this! Also, if you haven’t read their Mafia AU, go check it out so you’ll understand this story a bit better! Love you all, as always! -Your author, Minty

Characters: Deceit (Snakey), Virgil, Remus. (Heavily Remus x Deceit)

Summary: How Virgil left his mafia family.

TW: Shooting, Gunfire, Knives, Cuts, Fights, hand to hand combat, spying, arguing, threat with gun, threat with death, unstable and slightly insane person, caps lock, pushing into road while driving, injury, blood, cursing. (if there’s any more I missed, please let me know!)

Virgil ran to duck under a wooden crate, bullets whizzing by his head. His breath drew heavy, sweat seeping into his black hoodie, making him harder to spot during nightly escapades. He grabbed the small handgun he carried out from his pocket, and he cursed himself for even carrying it. Stealth and secrecy was all he had left, and he blew all of it by moving his position.

He speedialed Snakey, Rem’s right hand as well as his best friend. If it weren’t for Snakey, he’d still be living on the streets. The phone rang as he fired back a few return shots. “Come on, Snakey…pick up…” Virgil whined as he ducked once more to avoid the barrage of bullets.

“Hel-”

“Snakey, we have a code red, I repeat, a code RED. The Lefties have me cornered, I need backup.”

“Vir-”

“NOW, Snakey!” Virgil yelled. He tried pushing all his paranoid thoughts away as he tried to fight for his life. The Lefties, one of the few rival gangs who take up most of the upper left part of the city, were trying to deal around their territory. Virgil silently followed them, tailing behind them, to find their warehouse base.

The Lefties were as slippery as eels when it came to boundary. At least the others mostly kept to themselves and their own turf, respecting the rules.

Their gang, the Shadows, was the smallest gang in the entire city, but were the most skilled in their combat and craft. They didn’t just let anyone in, unlike the rest. They were extremely selective, you had to be in this business. One mess up could make deals sloppy and cops crashing the party.

They didn’t need liabilities. They’ve made that clear when he decided to join in the first place.

Taking a deep breath to collect himself, Virgil sprinted toward the opposite side of the warehouse, ducking for cover along the way, dodging bullets as he learned from his brief training with Snakey. Similarly dressed people, adorning the Leftie’s signature yellow  bandanas, dropped from the rooftops to greet him.

“Freaking…why…” Virgil mumbled under his breath, readying himself for the fight. He smiled. “Hey guys! I…I’m trying to find the bathroom and, well, I think I’m lost-”

One of the Lefties took a swing, and Virgil ducked quickly, dodging the attack. He swiped his feet under him, sending him quickly to the floor with enough of an impact to send them unconscious. The others attacked quickly, making sure he was outnumbered, but within seconds they all lay knocked out on the concrete. He got snagged with their blades on his shoulders, thighs, and graze on his neck.

Well, dammit.

He felt tired as he dragged himself over to the nearest cover, nearly screaming from the pain. He suddenly heard the screech of tires, along with a barrage of gunshots. Virgil never was so happy and so relieved as he was then. They were finally here. Footsteps crunched the leaves on the boardwalk, and a familiar voice whispered to him.

“Vee…?” He heard, the whisper urgent. “Vee, are you there…?”

He let out a small groan, and Snakey rushed over, his eyes suddenly wide. “Good God, what happened?!”

Virgil smirked. “You should see the other guy…or guys, in this case.”

He quickly dropped his weapon, ripping off some of his shirt to wrap the cuts. “You need to be more careful, Vee, or you’ll get yourself killed one day.”

Virgil just sighed. “I…I know…”

He swung his gun behind his back, picking up Virgil. “Come on, we need to get to the truck.”

“Thanks, you know, for coming after me.”

Snakey smiled. “Of course. I wasn’t gonna leave you behind, Vee. Not today. Not…not ever.”

Virgil could see the truck in the distance, its lights blaring and engine roaring, gunfire close by. They were almost home. They were almost… safe.

At least, until Virgil was suddenly knocked to the ground, ears ringing.

He was pulled up quickly, hands forced behind his back. He struggled against the hold, but it was no use. He turned to his side and saw Snakey in a similar position, gun against his head. If wasn’t long before Virgil felt the press of a cold metal rifle as well.

“QUIET. No funny business or we’ll pop your heads right where you stand.” The man holding Virgil growled in his ear. “You feel me, RUNT?”

Virgil stayed silent as they took him and Snakey toward the gunfire and fighting. Within seconds, they were pushed to the ground, guns to their heads. A familiar, commanding voice cut through the crowd.

“HALT FIRE!” Remus yelled, jumping down from the bed of their truck and weaving through the platoons of armed men, firearms still pointed.

“Felix, what the hell are you doing?!” Remus said angrily.

Felix, the leader of this…gang, if you’d even call it that. He wouldn’t know responsibility of it bit him in the arm. Felix walked right next to Virgil, leaning on his shoulder and laughing. Was this a GAME to him?! Virgil had half a mind to kick him right there, his anger beginning to boil. “Oh, I’m just having a little fun, Octo. Don’t be such a buzzkill.”

“If you haven’t noticed, this is our territory, Felix. I’m giving you the chance to do the smart thing here. Go back to your turf, or things are going to get messy.”

“Oh, but you wouldn’t want your friends here to get the wrong end of a bullet, do ya, Octo?”

Remus was silent. “What… what do you want from me?”

“It’s simple, really. Just a chore, just a small, tad favor…” He trailed off, then suddenly turned to lock eyes with the gang leader. “You choose… who DIES.” He laughed hysterically, manically. “Oh, this is so much fun!”

“You’re insane.” Remus spat.

“Tick, tock, Octo.” Felix said. “Only one may live. Consider the other payment for all the trouble you’ve caused us.” He smiled. “It’s only fair.”

“I…” Remus stammered, looking back and forth between his best friends. If he didn’t say anything soon, Felix, in his insanity, may kill both. Virgil was like a brother to him, or even a son. But…

…Snakey…

His heart fluttered thinking of him. Sure, he hadn’t told him his feelings. After all, in the world of back alley deals and risky business, there was no room for feelings. Feelings got in the way. Feelings made you wind up dead. But, Snakey… Snakey couldn’t die.

Remus couldn’t let him die.

I’m sorry, Virgil.

“I… I choose Virgil to die.” He said, his heart sinking when he saw Virgil’s heartbroken eyes. “Give back Snakey. NOW.”

“Alright, let him go.” Felix said, satisfied. “We have our payment.” Snakey was pushed toward Remus, he ran to him, almost desperately, glad to be alive, but…

…Virgil…

Suddenly, sirens sounded in the distance, along with the all-too-familiar blue and red lights.

Virgil, for the first time, was glad to see the police.

“Dammit.” Felix said. “Stupid cops, ruining my fun.” He stomped his foot in defeat like a toddler. “Back to base, NOW!”

A crowd of Lefties bolted toward the dark lit alley, Felix among them. “This isn’t the last of me, Octo!” He yelled. “I’ll get my revenge! You’ll see!”

Virgil, along with Remus and Snakey, started booking it toward the now speeding truck, trying to escape the cops. “Gee, thanks for saving my life back there!” Virgil huffed, running next to Remus.

“I did what I could, be thankful.” Remus retorted. He jumped into the truck, landing perfectly, and turning to the others, holding out a hand. “Come on, guys!”

Snakey ran and jumped, grabbing Remus’s hand as Remus pulled him inside. “Come on, Virgil! We need to go!”

Virgil jumped with what little energy he had left, grabbing Remus’s hand as he was pulled into the truck, still trying to process everything that just went down. Remus shut the door to the back and secured it, shining a small light from his phone to illuminate the room. Virgil still lay where Remus had pulled him in, almost frozen.

Snakey slid down, his back to the truck, catching his breath. “Jesus, that was…wild.”

“You said it, Snakey. Damn Lefties and their crazy leader.” Remus said, moving to sit next to him. Snakey noticed Virgil’s frozen stance.

“Uh, Virge…? You…uh, you okay?”

Virgil sat up, like everything that just happened finally sank in. “No…no, I’m not. I just almost DIED, and you think I’m okay?!” Virgil yelled, and Remus winced at the volume.

“Virgil, you know full well that’s just how it is with the Lefties-” Snakey said, trying to calm down the situation.

“No, the LEFTIES weren’t the freaking problem, it was HIM.” Virgil said, pointing to Remus.

“I did everything I could! I-”

“I thought we were FRIENDS! You chose to leave me with Felix and his insane posse back there, than maybe, I don’t know, shoot him?! Kill him?! Not put any of US on the chopping block?!”

“If we shot, we could’ve easily hit you. There was no other choice-”

“SURE there was.” Virgil hissed. “I guess I finally know what friendship is to you, what we ALL are to you: nothing. Just pawns for you to get what you want without getting hurt.” Virgil spat.

“That’s not true! I care about all of you-”

“Likely story.” Virgil said, turning his back on Remus. Snakey looked between the two, sweat building on his brow.

“Come on guys, don’t fight-”

Virgil felt a surge of pain in the back of his head, his head lurching forward with the impact and back again. He turned, pure anger in his eyes. “Did you just PUNCH me?!”

Remus had his own fire glinting in his eyes. “Don’t make me punish you for back talking, Vee.” Remus spat.

Virgil rolled up his sleeves quickly. “Oh, it is ON.”

Virgil pounced on Remus, kicking, biting, punching, drawing blood and bruises. The blood marked the floor as they fought with enough anger to kill the other. Scars were made, new cuts began to bleed, and pain surged through both bodies, letting out all the anger and sadness and betrayal the other felt, all marked on their bodies.

Snakey tried to break it up, before getting hurt in the crossfire. As he stepped back, trying to encourage them to stop, the sound of bullets ripped through the air as they hit the truck.

“Uh… guys?” Snakey said. The door suddenly flew open, the police cars not far behind,  shooting bullets. “Guys, we have an issue here!” Snakey yelled, but the fighting continued, both too focused on beating the crap out of the other.

A loud voice boomed. “PLEASE STOP THE CAR THIS INSTANT! YOU ARE UNDER ARREST!”

Remus threw Virgil down, his head peeking over the edge. “Everything I did, I did for you, and you accuse me! After everything we’ve been through, everything we’ve DONE-”

Virgil’s spit flew to Remus’s face. He glared at his boss. “I hate you. I will always hate you.”

Remus’s eyes filled with pure rage. He grabbed Virgil’s hands behind his back, facing him out to the road. “You hate me so much?! LEAVE.”

Snakey’s eyes widened. “What?! Oh my god, STOP!”

“Leave, Vee. If I EVER catch your face around here AGAIN, you’ll wish you never came back.” He growled in Virgil’s ear.

“THIS IS THE POLICE. PULL OV-”

Remus kicked Virgil on top of the police car, denting the hood and slowing it down. The last thing Virgil saw that night was Remus’s sly and evil grin as he shut the truck door again.

Virgil never forgot that face.