#a lot of the time she's trying to please someone or cling to her brainwashing

[phoenixyfriend]

More "de-aged Taka and T7 end up in the Warring Clans Era as Founders' wards" AU

“That’s a thing?” you ask. The answer is yes.

Uh. Kind of. Deaging Team Seven for the sake of tossing them back in time for a Founder to adopt is pretty common, but I’m trash for Taka so this AU started with me brainstorming the asshole team.

I am falling more and more in love with the idea of Tobirama ending up with custody of Team Taka somehow. He’s a science dad, but like. Marginally more ethical than Orochimaru.

Everyone around them is like "This is a terrible idea and it's all going to end horribly" and he's just like "Ah, these are now my children."

I've read so many "Team Seven time-travels and is de-aged, get adopted by the Founders" or "a Founder time-travels forward and adopts Naruto, subsequently picking up the others" and they're good but I now want the same plot with an even more dysfunctional collection of... eldritch mishaps? The AO3 feel of "I want this fic I just read, again, but a step to the left so it feels fresh and new"

I'm considering the tent of tranquility idea (courtesy of @sloaners​) and I've come to the decision that Tobirama's... probably going to end up with Several Holes in it, and burns, and cuts, because Karin and Suigetsu never stop fighting, and if they're fighting, they're not paying attention to how soon Juugo's going to lose his grip on control.

"Hm. Tobirama?" "Anija." "Where did you get children?" "They showed up." "One of them looks like an Uchiha." "He does." "Two of them are trying to kill each other." "That's normal." "Are the Uchiha going to accuse us of stealing a clan child?" "Probably." "...Tobirama, did you steal these children?" "No."

(It's not kidnapping if they show up and break into your house first.)

(Also none of them are particularly pressed to ditch the Senju and find their clans. Maybe eventually. Not now.)

They’re assholes but Karin is, even at Supposedly Age Three, babbling at Tobirama about proper lab protocol and chemical reactions and isn’t that just the most adorable thing?

Very few people find Karin as adorable as Tobirama does, because Karin knows more ways to kill a person than most adult shinobi, because most adult shinobi don’t know about things like flesh-eating diseases and specialty poisons from the other side of the continent that can only be refined via chemical processes that won’t exist for another three decades.

Juugo is a sweetheart. Best child. Then he loses his mind but it’s okay, Sasuke is there. Do the Senju trust the clearly-Uchiha child to control the much larger five-year-old? No. But they don’t have any better ideas right now, so.

Tobirama: Hm, we should do something about that. Karin: Here’s a list of ideas and things that have already been tried. Tobirama: Thank you, small child. Where did you get this? Karin: ... Tobirama: Fair enough, let’s see what we can do.

Suigetsu is a little terror because not only is he a Massive Jerk but he also has better control over water than most adults. Mostly because he is water. It’s very hard to find him when he’s avoiding chores.

Karin clings to Mito sometimes because Family! and then Hashirama tries to tease Tobirama about being upset that one of his students/children has ditched him. Hashirama ends up moping in a corner because Tobirama snaps at him, unsurprisingly.

IDK if we have like any canon for Touka beyond skill with genjutsu, but going off of the fanon that she used a naginata, I’m going to say that Suigetsu keeps trying to challenge her to Blade Fights and she’s just like Neat, A Tiny Murder Machine.

Sasuke is very quiet for the most part and Dramatically Broods On Rooftops And In Trees and Hashirama is just like YES YOU REMIND ME OF MY BROTHER AND ALSO MY BEST FRIEND and Sasuke hides.

Sasuke does not need another Naruto, thank you.

Sasuke ends up hanging out with Mito, I think? Like yeah, sure, she’s an Uzumaki, but she’s chill and refined and calm and she has really good tea in stock. Sure he has to learn fuuinjutsu to have an excuse to hang out with her, but that’s fine. It’s interesting. Karin does it too, sometimes.

tbh that probably leaves Hashirama to hang out with Juugo? Juugo isn’t great at Excite but he is great at nature so I feel like Hashirama would be stars-in-eyes about Juugo talking to birds the way Hashirama talks to trees, and Hashirama just gets him a chicken coop like HERE. FRIENDS.

But back to the suspected child theft.

Hashirama is like “That is... clearly an Uchiha. They are going to find out, Tobirama! Someone is going to figure out we have--” “Sasuke, show him your other eye. Yeah, the one you cover.” “...” “Okay, go back to playing.” “...Tobirama.” “Yeah?” “That was a Rinnegan.” “You know those rumors that the only way to get a Rinnegan is to mix the Uchiha and Senju bloodlines?” “It’s true?” “No idea, Sasuke won’t tell me anything about his parents other than their names, and he’s three, but even the chance of it being true means we have an arguable claim.” “...that’s not going to be enough to convince the Uchiha.” “The theory is but one weapon of many in the upcoming battle of wits.” “Tobirama--” “Now if you’ll excuse me, Anija, I need to go make sure Suigetsu doesn’t flood the training grounds again.”

tbh I can’t remember who made the original comment in canon about the Rinnegan being achieved via Senju/Uchiha babies but it’s funny to use here so I’ll pretend it’s a common rumor that nobody actually believes

MEANWHILE WITH THE UCHIHA Madara found and took custody of Team Seven and company, mostly because they’re like... jounin-level despite being less than three feet tall.

It involves a lot of Madara going "I want My New Children to love me!" and being sorely disappointed by half of them. Poor fucker got stuck with Naruto, Sakura, Sai, Kakashi, Yamato, and Obito.

(KakaYamaObito are deaged by the time-travel to 10-13ish. The kids are deaged to 3-4. Everyone has memories to just after the fourth war or so.)

Karin sensed T7 and tagalong pretty much the second they popped out of Kamui, and told Sasuke, but he correctly guessed that Naruto would hunt him down eventually, and said they should enjoy the peace and quiet while they had it.

Sai pulls emotionless creepy smiles in an attempt to freak out Madara but since Madara's whole thing initially was "less children in war," he's... mostly just sad. Izuna wants to know who made his brother cry.

Madara makes a vaguely misogynistic comment that's typical for the period and Sakura just. Breaks his tibia.

Naruto is genuinely trying to treat Madara with the kind of respect a caretaker that Attempts To Care And Do Good By Them deserves, because Naruto is a good egg, but he's... three again. Which means he's a Hellion.

The literal toddlers (Naruto and Sakura are three-ish, Sai is four-ish) are, in fact, toddlers, so nobody really expects them to be able to do anything. Nobody bothers to test them beyond the basics of like. Can walk? Can talk? Can maybe hold knife? Like don’t get me wrong, they’re very competent toddlers, but their hands can barely wrap around a kunai. Their bodies are tiny. Their bones only just stopped being soft!

That said, the “tweens” (re: adults who got deaged but Less) have to get tested for their skills. Kakashi downplays himself to what he imagines a semi-competent eleven-year-old to be capable of. He thinks of, like, Neji maybe? Good, but not suspiciously good.

Obito enters an intangible state and refuses to participate. He has a Mangekyo. His body is half-Zetsu. Stop bothering him. He doesn’t want to do anything. They assign him babysitting duty for Team Seven since he can obviously defend pretty well, and Kakashi vouches for his abilities as a fighter.

Yamato decides to try to be just a little worse than Kakashi but at one point he panics and does Mokuton on instinct and now the entire Uchiha compound is screeching because did they just steal a Main Family Senju kid by accident?

Yamato: Should I tell them I was a science experiment? Kakashi: No.

Pranks galore! None of the other time-travelers even try to stop Naruto, except maybe Yamato.

Obito at the Uchiha compound is mostly "I don't want to participate" and then just uses Kamui to be intangible until people leave him alone. If it's not another time-traveler or Madara, he's not interested. He doesn't even care that much about Sai or Yamato, actually, so if it's not an original T7 member, he doesn't care, and if it's Madara, he's just here to make things Difficult.

The Kyuubi wanders up to the Uchiha compound one day and everyone's preparing for a battle, even Madara isn't confident that he can-- [BANG] "KURAMA!" [delighted squealing]

Naruto now has a pet. The entire clan is terrified. Kurama pokes his nose at Naruto's stomach and disappears into the memory of a seal.

Madara, frantically writing a letter to Hashirama "What do I do if my toddler is possessed?!?"

Hashirama: You have a toddler?!?!?! OMG you should organize playdates with Tobirama's kids! Madara: I'M GOING TO QUESTION THAT LATER, PLEASE HELP WITH THE POSSESSION THING

Kurama hunts down Naruto, and the Jinchuuriki situation is very much in the realm of "Dis Mine" Also a bit of "If I'm in the brat, there's at least one Mangekyo user in hearing distance who can and will risk his life to prevent brainwashing. (Kakashi. It’s Kakashi.)

Naruto: Kurama's one of my best friends! Every time traveler: Yeah, that tracks. Madara: [teakettle screeching]

Per @firebirdeternal​: I'm just loving the visual of Giant Nightmare Terror Kurama kneeling down and pressing his nose to Naruto's Smol Chubby Toddler self and closing his eyes while Naruto pets him and giggles and every single battle-ready Uchiha is just. "wat"

Everybody else: Cool so Madara adopted a witch Uchiha Elders: We need to be careful of this horrible creature The younger generation of Uchiha: Okay that was weirdly serene and adorable and frankly the brat is really likeable when he's not being adhd as hell I think this is actually pretty dope.

Madara really wants to be a Good Dad but he has no idea how he ended up being "a dad" in the first place. He just! He cares a lot about this random assortment of kids! Some of them are from prominent clans and there should be search parties for the Senju kid with the Mokuton, or the Hatake brat, or the Uzumaki that doesn't look Uzumaki but definitely feels Uzumaki.... and SURE the only Uchiha of the bunch is a stranger who hates him for no reason Madara can come up with, but! He wants to be a good authority figure!

At least the Uzumaki appreciates that he's trying.

Seriously, though, there are clan kids and nobody’s looking for them, what’s up with that?

Kakashi still has a prize copy of Icha Icha and nobody in the Uchiha compound does a thorough check of his reading material until like three months in.

He is blamed for Naruto developing the Oiroke, because where ELSE would a toddler get such ideas? (Yamato and Obito both tell him he brought this on himself.)

Naruto waits until a Big Important Meeting lets out, something about tithes or a merchant contract, and just pulls a Harem no Jutsu in front of the entire group of Elders And Main Family. First he does a Mass Shadow Clone, which makes everyone turn on Sharingan because Fancy New Techniques to steal! Sure, they were late on the shadow clones, but the kid is clearly gearing up for something! The something is Oiroke.

Anime Nosebleeds everywhere. Most of the elders were hit. Izuna was hit. Madara is not bleeding from the nose, but he is very upset about having semi-accidentally sharingan-memorized his weird adoptee’s Sexy Older Female Alter Ego. There is yelling.

Naruto’s like “Oh, I missed some!” and decides to try again with Reverse Harem no Jutsu because there are old ladies among the Elders, and maybe some straight women representing a guild, and maybe some gay guys he missed! Madara is still not bleeding. (He’s very demi and tbh Naruto only would have succeeded if he’d tried to use Hashirama’s face. Naruto does not know this. He just figures Madara is ace like Sasuke and that no variant is going to work.)

Izuna gets another nosebleed and is just like “Well, this is not how I planned on coming out as bi, but--” “Izuna, I literally do not care about you being bi as long as one of us has an heir at some point, I’m more upset about the fact that my child has been corrupted!”

Back in the Senju compound, there is... a lot of screaming, honestly, but every time Karin and Suigetsu start trying to kill each other again, Tobirama just shrugs and tells them not to break anything.

Very easy-going caretaker, really. He's got some very deadly toddlers in hand, but they're still just toddlers.

Sasuke: Yeah, I might want to go see my clan at some point. Suigetsu: Yeah, I might want to go see my clan at some point. Karin, clinging to Mito: Yeah, I want to go see my clan at some point. Juugo: Please never, ever take me to my clan. Ever. Please. I'll stay with Sasuke, thank you.

Naruto breaks out of the Uchiha compound the first time he enters Sage Mode, several months in (it took a while to get the privacy) because he feels Sasuke and lbr if Naruto knows where Sasuke is, nothing will stop him.

The Uchiha clansmen cannot catch the errant toddler. They fail to inform Madara until Naruto is already in Senju territory because nobody wanted to admit the toddler outmaneuvered them.

Naruto wasn’t sure how to get into the Senju Compound safely so he just goes full Kyuubi, bounds over the wall screaming SASUKEEEEE at the top of his lungs, and then shrinks back down to Tiny Brat size so he could hug his Bestest Friend Ever and cling like a limpet while Sasuke just sighs and stares at the wall.

Sakura ran after him.

Sai painted a bird and Yamato dragged Kakashi onto it to chase Naruto, because Kakashi is at a point of zen regarding Naruto's bullshit and fully trusts the kid to not die.

Obito refuses to look up from whatever he's doing and asks people why they think he cares.

“We told you to look after the toddlers!” “Why would you do that? Seems like poor planning on your part.”

Disappears when nobody's looking. Waits until the Ruckus at the Senju compound (where T7 has crashed in to tackle-hug Sasuke and Madara followed in and proceeded to get shouty, and nobody's dead or battling because they're too confused and also it's a comedy) has started to calm down, and then teleports in and demonstrates Mokuton just to make Madara's life harder when the Senju Elders start demanding answers.

His energy is very "I am here to make Madara's life harder" and Madara still doesn't know what he did wrong.

Madara: That brat has a Sharingan! Tobirama: Well THAT one has Mokuton! Obito: Yamato has it too. [angry teakettle noises]

Madara's first response to seeing Sasuke is to turn to Izuna and point aggressively at the toddler while making a tea-kettle noise "He looks just like you!" "He's four, he barely looks like anything!"

Naruto, tugging at Madara's hakama: You need to make a village with Hashirama so I can see Sasuke more often, cuz I don't wanna ditch you guys, but I gotta see Sasuke! He's my best friend! Madara, who is aware that he could fight this child but really doesn't want to, and also knows that a tantrum thrown by Naruto or Sasuke is capable of leveling mountains: Right, yes, we'll get right on that.

tbh Madara wants the village anyway but "The bijuu-whisperer said he wants it to happen" is a great way to push things forward.

[pleasancies]

Escape Attempt #1

wordcount : 1.8k+

cw : self harm, mention of past torture, suicidal behavior

tropes : lab whump, lady whump, failed escape attempt, manhandling, whumper as caretaker, sensory overload, wound agitation, blood (everywhere)

***

Previous Chapter

John laid her on the infirmary bed, the white sheets instantly turning red. He left, and Professor Clayton replaced his absence with Lisette trailing behind. He had accompanied Avis to the institute, wrestled against five foot long greenery and walked over the pile of carcasses, yet his coat and pants doesn't look affected at all.

"Fenrir, I wager I never properly introduced myself."

"I've heard about you. Get lost."

Clayton glanced at Lisette. She hurried to the storage room. His side leaned against the bedframe. He reached for Avis's ankle. He held it in a vice grip. Plastic casing rubbed against gaping wound.

Avis grit her teeth, ended up voicing a guttural groan instead. Her voice was strained as she managed a 'stop'.

"I'll stop if you let me work on you. Cooperate."

"Just kill me and get it over with."

Clayton twisted his grip. The burning sensation multiplied. "It would be a mercy. Don't you understand? You lost the choice to kill yourself the moment you're trapped with us."

"Watch me," Avis said between grunts of pain. The edge of the wound on her ankle skinned raw. She tried catching Clayton's hand, but he had withdrawn his hold. He went into his pocket. The shock stunned Avis's like a slap to her face.

"Alright, try. Right in front of me. I'll help you even. Say the word, and I'll turn on your shock bracelet to full blast. You'll scream and writhe under this bed until you shit yourself. After I'm sure you're dead, I'll took your brain and put it inside a warbeast. I'll save the handful of memories that makes you you. The next thing you know, you're tearing your comrades limb from limb and there's nothing you can do about it."

Avis didn't bother to hide the fear in her face. It was abhorrent. Even the most pro-monarchy man she met would squirm with the idea. She think back to the warbeast she'd slain. Their eyes, does it ever glowed the way a human would? The bout of nausea was back. Avis covered her mouth, swallowing a gulp of saliva.

Lisette was back. She was carrying a table filled with medical kit. There's a thin smile on her face. A cross between smug and content. Did she heard?

Professor Clayton doesn't wait for permission. He took a small screwdriver, methodically disassemble the ankle bracelet. The man is practically oozing with competence. His steps were hurried but certain. Years of experience in researching alien technology shows clearly in the lines of his face and the coat he wears.

Meanwhile, Lisette worked on her smaller scrapes and bruises. She cleaned her up, dabbing a soaked rag across her bloodied face. She started from the top, wiping up Avis's blood matted hair first. Cool water dripped from her neck. Avis supressed a shiver. The intern nurse's fascination to her scars and peculiarities had died down. Lisette didn't even seem to care if she is alive. She grab a clump of hair, pulling it from the base of the scalp. All that for Avis to lift her chin.

"Cut it out, Lise."

"Stop what? I'm taking care of you."

Avis let it slide. Frustration welled deep inside of her. She let Lisette tug at her shoulder, poke and prod the bruises on her back like it was nothing. Her fingers somehow managed to find every point her body hurt most and make it worse. She hated it, the way people would play others like a toy if they could get away with it. She looked down on the bed, watching her shaking fingers. Avis wasn't feeling particularly cold, but her hands just wouldn't let up. She wondered how they distributed their tasks or what Lisette and John will do after their internship.

"What's wrong?" Lisette asked.

"My hands."

Lisette frowned. Concern crossed her face. Even Clayton stopped.

It was Avis turn to ask now. "What's wrong with me?" As if anyone would give a straight answer.

"Nothing. The trigger serum wasn't exactly a full success is all." Clayton draw a small incision on her ankle. The pain was dulled. It flared slightly as he fully opened the second layer of bracelet clinging on to her skin. "The Fenrir formula adjusts it's effects depending on the host. You'll always get the same enhancements of course, but each of it's potency differs in each person. You and the first Fenrir weren't the same, obviously. Not even similar. We need to run some basic test first before your reeducation. During your reeducation, we'll recalibrate the trigger serum. And then, you'll go through this test again. Ready as ever."

The professor dips a wad of cotton to a small jar. He gently dabbed it against the skin. The oily fluid runs againt the burning wound, causing Avis to wince.

"Now, now, don't flinch. I assure you, your next test will be so much more this would feel like a gentle stroke in comparison."

Avis scowled at her doctor. Fucking fantastic. Another round of tests, surgeries, physically molding her into the perfect hound. And a long session of brainwashing, mentally shaping her until she could strangle her comrades and derive joy out of the act. Avis needs to escape. And she doesn't even know which research facility they held her in. Empire's Defense Department my foot, practically every Institute is made for them. It's simply the easiest way to gain funding.

Clayton and Lisette left shortly after. The entire session with John passed like a dream. He was strangely sheepish. Unlike yesterday, he doesn't bother to strap her arms and legs. Avis was too tired to notice. Or even think. She slept.

A couple of days have passed when her hands and legs stop feeling like stone. It was midday. There's no other patients but her. One nurse stationed near the door. The same one she'd seen when Lisette brought her here to recover from her bruised ribs. It doesn't took long for her to notice Avis was staring.

"Yes, Avis? Anything you need?"

"Uh, some water please." Avis looked away, heat growing in her cheeks. Is she really that obvious? Embarrasing. Valerie was nice. She was the only one who called her with her real name. Shame knotted in her gut. Just a minute ago she was thinking how to incapacitate her. If only Valerie knew the reason why Avis was staring at her.

Valerie set the glass to her bedside. "Next time, talk."

Avis mouthed a thank you. She stared at her drink, unwilling to touch it. The beige walls of the infirmary looks a lot like the first hospital she got into as a patient. It was a strike that had gone awry. She was separated from her friends. The Empire's officers doesn't care if she was young or a woman. She could still remember the faint taste of rubber boots in her tongue. Her broken leg had healed a long time ago, but the dull ache in her foot stays every winter. Back then, Emmett and Sherman hadn't joined their organization. James got arrested. Their old friends like Thomas and Mike were either too injured or busy dealing with the fallout. Nancy alone had to hold her in a bridal carry.

"Well? Aren't you going to drink that?"

"Sorry, Valerie. Just zoned out a bit."

The infirmary nurse sat beside her. "Had something on your mind?"

"Yeah, actually. Do you think I should be reeducated?"

"I'm not an expert opinion on that. You should consult your handler."

"No, I'm not asking for you to revoke my probationary status. I just want to know your personal opinion."

Valerie pursed her lips, her face drawn in concern. She glanced at the camera in the ceiling. It's too unreliable to pick up sounds or even the movement of her lips.

"I'm conflicted to be be honest. You... you did a lot of bad things to other people, but when I got to know you better, it's obvious that you're just lost. Those Heretical men used and abused you. You're one of the good ones, Avis."

"Thanks," Avis said. Her heart sanked. "I'm really sorry, though."

Before Valerie could react, she swung the glass to her face.

***

There are two major types of pain. Acute or chronic. There are other classifications based on what caused it for or how debilitating it is, but it was irrelevant. In the context of Avis triggers, there's three. All of them present in her current situation.

She was backed to a corner. The soldiers were split in two. A small squad were standing at the bottom of the stairs, while a couple of them guard the door she sneaked out from. Drops of blood trailed her departure. It formed a line, then a puddle below her wrist. Avis cradled her bleeding hand. A piece of tape still stuck on the edge of her wound. Her hand is throbbing, a continous pulse that quickens alongside her heart rate.

A man started to climb towards her and Avis brings her hand on the edge of the wound. Clawing at the edges.

"Stop," she said. "Took one step closer and I'll fucking eat you." She hissed, partly due to pain and a spontaneous urge to do so. The hiss turned to a groan as she dip her fingers in. The floor sways slightly under her feet. Red stained her hospital gown.

This is manageable, she insist. What was she thinking? She doesn't even know where she is. It's fine! People had run away without figuring out where are they are. But she's escaping an military complex. Stupid, reckless! But she doesn't have a choice right? Barnes had warned her. Clayton had fucking taunted her.

Avis shield her eyes from the light, blood running through her face. The buzz of fluorescent lamp almost drowned the murmur of conversation between soldiers. Her senses grew sharper with every hurt she inflicted. A dull ache growing on the base of her nails, gums, and joints. This time the transformation was slower. Passive, even. Slow enough, she could understand the change in her mindset. Her stomach was already empty before she did her escape, but now the hunger pangs were almost unbearable.

Avis taunted between gasps of breath, "Go on, shoot me like an animal."

The door at the bottom of stairs swings open. Someone spoke, and the voice sends a chill to her spine.

"Don't listen to her. She can't hurt you. She's not under the trigger serum."

Professor Clayton strides up the stairs. Avis's legs scrambles backward but there's only solid concrete behind her. His eye settled on her arms.

"You pulled off your IV. Are you afraid of needles?"

"No, just don't want to be drugged again. It's what you do. You'll wait until I let my guard down before testing."

Avis glowered. The armed guards advanced to protect Professor Clayton. Nothing they give is safe. Anything could be drugged. Food, medicine, even the air she breathed.

"The test wasn't due for a week. But I could speed things up for you. How about the day after tomorrow? How does that sound?"

She tackled him, but there was no power in her arms. Avis collapse on his chest, her vision darkened. Gravity rapidly dragging her feet. The last thing she remembered was her nails, puncturing Clayton's shirt and flesh.

Next Chapter

[hournites]

still turn the switches on, just to see if it’s still gone

Stargirl fic

Warning: Blindness, Anxiety, Panic Attack 

Summary: Being blind never really slowed Beth down after her accident. She had Chuck, who guided her through hallways and used the words her friends failed to find to describe what she was missing. And her voice, well that wasn’t gone. She could still talk and she could still listen and in fact, she never read social cues very well in the first place, so really when it came to talking people’s ears off things haven’t much changed.

~.~

Being blind never really slowed Beth down after her accident. She had Chuck, who guided her through hallways and used the words her friends failed to find to describe what she was missing. And her voice, well that wasn’t gone. She could still talk and she could still listen and in fact, she never read social cues very well in the first place, so really when it came to talking people’s ears off things haven’t much changed.

Her mother doted over her more, which was weird because before she was found in her own emergency room Beth swore she was trying to pull away. Her dad bought her a bookcase full of her favourite novels in braille, which was very thoughtful. Pat gifted her with Dr. Mcnider’s owl for companionship and defence during missions. Most kids at school seemed to at least try to help her out. There was no use denying the need for extra assistance. Trying to explain that her artificial intelligence sufficed well enough to adapt to a handicapped life thanks to her superheroing pursuits was hard to explain, not to mention dangerous (and owls were strictly prohibited therapy animals in the Blue Valley High handbook—She checked). So Beth often found herself smiling at those who brushed against her arm or told her what time a teacher’s office hours were, even so far as helping her pack her bag.

Unnecessary, maybe. But it was nice.

This was why when she reached into her backpack during lunch on her way from the test accommodations room, her heart dropped to her gut. Beth only felt crumpled papers, her two binders, and her pencil case. Struck with alarm, she called out his name but was met with silence. Awful, sickening silence and a draft from the half-opened window in the staircase.

Her goggles weren’t there.

“Chuck?”

Her fingers flexed against the line of her inner zipper hard enough to get a paper cut. Her phone was also missing. Her phone had Chuck programmed into its assistance system. Her phone and Chuck. Gone.

Someone stole him while she took her test. Someone who would know she was dependent on him. Someone who knew she was Dr. Mid-Nite. Someone who went to this school.

Shiv? Tigress?

Beth’s mind raced as she jutted out her hand towards the cold railing. It was so silent. Too silent. She needed to hear Chuck’s voice in her ear. That reassurance was the backbone of her strength and confidence and her eyes.

She never had to deal with quiet like this. She’d have her own thoughts probing the back of her mind while she daydreamed or took her tests. She’d have Chuck’s constant chattering and Hootie’s feather rustlings, Yolanda’s giggles, Court’s cheers, Pat’s comforting words. And maybe there’d be that part of herself that mourned what it was like not to need that: True friendship and belonging, the assurance of who and what made up her definition of home.

That chilling loneliness from those days before JSA was miserable in a matter of fact way, but Beth was used to it then, independent and resilient and unknowing anything better.

Abandoned here was reminiscent of that time exemplified. Back when she was loser Beth. Not blind Beth.

She loved JSA, she loved her friends, but sometimes she preferred the crippling isolation that came with that. The safety of before. But she had to remind herself it wasn’t safe. It wasn’t safe and it wasn’t healthy. Whether she had her sight or not, all of Blue Valley was in danger and would be brainwashed now if she hadn’t stepped up to help.

But not like this.

Her breathing grew ragged as she clutched the side of the wall, mind spiralling. She knew Blue Valley High. She knew this school. This was her school, this was her year’s wing and this was the C block stairwell. She had the entire building memorized before she ever needed to.

She couldn’t remember the number of steps. The number locked itself in the haze of her anxiety. It could be twelve or fifteen or sixteen or twenty-six. Or, there could be chocolate milk spilt in the middle for her to slip on and break her neck and Beth wouldn’t even know.  If this was Cindy’s attempt at psychological warfare, it was working. She was immobilized, alone, afraid, and for the first time in too long, completely blind.

“Chuck?”

Why was she still calling out for him like a helpless child? He couldn’t help her. He wasn’t there.

Beth’s fingers shook as she felt along the dirty metal railing. She slid herself down, her back touching the wall. If Cindy was going to ambush her, she’d at least won’t make it too easy.

Two minutes morphed into five, then ten. Beth stayed in a fragile panic with her backpack clutched to her chest. Courtney was going to find her here dead because she was too afraid to walk down a flight of stairs. This was going to be by far the lamest death in JSA history and here she was, suppressing her hand over her mouth, still bawling her eyes out regardless of it.

The door from the bottom creaked open and Beth’s breathing ceased. The footsteps were slower but sounded heavy like the person was going up two at a time. Soon, two hands were on hers and she was throwing her arms around their neck, clinging tightly because she knew who they belonged to.

“Rick!”

“Beth? You weren’t answering your phone, Yolanda sent me out to find you. What happened?”

“Someone stole Chuck.”

He stilled, and she could feel through his thin shirt the way his heart sped against her ear.

“What?” His hand went straight to her hair, stroking it as his voice went harder. “Who the fuck would do that to you?”

She didn’t answer, sure that a handful of possible answers came to his mind.

“Why didn’t you come to find us?” he asked her a lot more softly.

It was hard to explain why Beth was paralyzed.

“I can’t,” she whimpered. “They took my phone. I got scared.”

Rick moved her back, pushing her from the edge of the top step. “I’ll carry you.”

“No!”

Rick paused just as the flat of his palms touched the underneath of her knees. He was going to carry her all the way to the cafeteria and everyone in the hall would stop and stare and whisper and Beth never cared about what people thought of her (she already knew—Chuck informed her weekly) but being carried around the school while clinging to Rick Tyler because she got disoriented would be the most mortifying experience of her existence.

The confusion in his voice was evident. And if she didn’t know better, she might’ve thought he felt hurt. “You don’t want me to—?”

Beth turned her head away. Of course, she wanted him to hold her again. Like she hadn’t dreamed of Hourman catching her over and over since that very first week over a year ago. She realized her fondness and interest in Rick’s friendship was less that of strong will and more of a swelling crush. That didn’t make it any less difficult to manage. She took a breath, chest still tight like half of the oxygen in her lungs had been swapped with something more noxious. This was starting to be too much.

The problem with Chuck was that she’d never really accepted being blind.

When her eyesight deteriorated after the accident, Beth had been in such deep denial she smiled and lied to her mother when asked if she felt okay enough to return to school, only to walk right into oncoming traffic. An older man yanked her by the arm of her backpack as two cars flew by fast enough to bring the rush of wind to her face. Rattled, Beth felt into her bag for Chuck, ignoring the swimming black spots in her vision. She’d rub her eyes with her fists too hard when she woke up that morning, she kept telling herself and refused to put Chuck away.

And then, when she had to confess those black spots weren’t going away, that they were only narrowing into her focal points and she tricked up her phone to get Chuck there too...That was it. She told the JSA that she was going blind after her doctor visit confirmed she was going to lose it all. They all burst into tears for her, but Beth didn’t, stuck in an accepting kind of numb.

The darkness snuck up on her like a shadow behind her back. Every blink and she wondered if it was the last one. It dragged on and her world got a little darker with every new day. Anxiety cracked at her spirit and broke her down, and she’d stay awake at night, staring up at her ceiling, practising for the familiarity of it without Chuck. Soon, she wished for it, begging the wait to be over.

Misery would not leave her until it did.

Beth could see in X-ray, infrared and pitch black when nobody else could. She used to tell herself that made her different. That she didn’t have it so bad. She knew everything there was to see, and with Hootie on her shoulder and the blackout bombs she deployed in battle, Chuck levelled the playing field. Maybe even tipped odds of success in her favour.

So really, maybe Beth had been living a disillusioned lie for the last few months.

She couldn’t be Dr. Mid-Nite all the time.

“I’ll do it myself,” she said, pushing a light hand against his chest. It was possible that her voice was trembling, and she didn’t sound all too sure, but that didn’t mean it wasn’t true. “I need to.”

Rick hesitated. “Beth, you’re shaking. I don’t think—”

“Please, Rick. They can take…” Her hands went to her face, wiping away her hot tears. He was right, she was shaking. “They can take my sight and my security and Chuck. But they can’t make me any less of who I am. I’ve walked down these stairs hundreds of times with sight and blindness. I can do this.” Her voice petered off, and she felt worried again at his silence. “Do you believe me?”

“I’m not the one that needs to believe it, Beth.”

Rick wasn’t the one doubting her. Her insecurities and self-doubt came from within. The words were harsh like a slap to her face, no matter how soft he uttered them. A cold reality check, but coming from his mouth, it was meaningful and not meant in any way to hurt her. Coming from Rick, it was different. And it was true.

He was a lot more clever than he let on.

She stared down where the grips on the bottom of her shoes teetered over the edge of the first step. Rick might’ve not been as close to her anymore but she knew he was hovering. It felt like a cliff or a massive waterfall. Her heart pounded like she was at the ledge of the world. She had to tell her brain to stop imagining those things. It only made it scarier. It’s like she said before. These were stairs. This was her cell block, the wing that led to the locker area. This was her school. It was familiar ground. She bit her lip, reining in the courage before it went away and held out her hand.

“Keep me steady?” Because the world could still turn at her anxiety’s whim. Or maybe she just wasn’t ready to let him go. Rick grasped her hand tight.

“How many stairs are there?”

“Twenty-three.”

Beth exhaled. Twenty-three. She could do that. Her other hand went to the railing, and she took her first blind step down. Her stomach swooped like the drop in an elevator. But then her foot hit solid ground.

That was it?

She stepped down again, and it was fine.

It was fine.

“There you go,” Rick encouraged her, squeezing her hand to let her know he was still there. “You don’t need me.”

She actually didn’t. Muscle memory and confidence guided her through, and eventually, on step thirteen, she let go.

When she reached the floor, a rush of pride flooded through her. She was perfectly fine. More than fine, she was great and not crying anymore. Whoever thought stealing Chuck would render her useless was in for a surprise because—

Beth spun around, realizing she had walked right on, pushed the door and made an angry beeline through the mercifully empty hall to get to the cafeteria, leaving Rick behind.

He grabbed her hand again after jogging after her.

“Hey!” he said, with a smile in his tone. “I didn’t mean that literally.”

Beth’s face heated up, mostly because she was acutely aware she was now clinging to his hand, deliberately locking their fingers together. “Sorry.” She wasn’t sure what she was apologizing for. 

He brushed his thumb against her knuckles. He didn’t seem to mind. “It’s my fault. So who am I killing tonight?”

Beth scoffed. “You won’t kill anybody.”

“I might,” Rick muttered, tugging her quickly to the side, presumably so she wouldn’t step on something. She stumbled a bit, but only ended up bumping into Rick. Beth flushed and reoriented herself.

“Thanks,” she murmured, slowing her pace to be more careful. Then returned to the conversation. “You said you couldn’t.”

“Yeah,” Rick said. “...Well. Whoever the hell thought they could get away with stealing Chuck—”

“Someone stole Chuck?” Yolanda cried over the chattering of everyone else on lunch break.

Her shins hit the bench of the table. Beth put her hands out on the surface to climb in and Courtney immediately ended up at her side. Beth wrinkled her nose as bouncy curls flew into her face.

“Are you okay?”

“She is now,” Rick said, now sitting beside her. He touched her arm. “You are, right?”

“Yeah, I guess,” she answered quietly, indulging in leaning against him because he was using a soft, gentle voice that made her want to hug him forever. “I’m not freaking out anymore.” Beth lifted a reluctant shoulder and wiped at her wet face. “He’s still missing though.”

“It’s Cindy,” Courtney said, narrowing her eyes across the room.

“We don’t know that for sure.”

“No, I do,” said Court. “She’s staring at us right now.”

Rick’s warmth was gone in an instant.

“Wait—” Beth called after him just knowing he now had his hourglass. Her hand reached out to empty space.

“I’m knocking the bitch out. Court, let’s go.”

“On it!”

“You’re gonna beat her up in the middle of the caf?” Yolanda hissed at them to sit back down. “You can’t do that!”

But then Yolanda muttered something under her breath.

“What?” Beth asked when the rest went quiet, but she could sense the way all of her friends tensed up.

“She has the goggles Beth,” Court said. “She’s taunting us with them right now.”

“Really?”

“Yeah,” Yolanda said tersely. It was obvious she also was exhausted by Cindy.

“Okay.” Beth stood up. “Bring me over so I don’t trip on a wet brown napkin or something.”

“You want to go over there?!?”

“Yes,” Beth snapped with a hard glare. It probably wasn’t aimed at the right spot but that didn’t mean it wasn’t fierce. “She wanted to scare me? She did. But Cindy has been cruel for so long and I’m not giving her the satisfaction of—” She balled her hands into fists and took a long slow breath to calm down.  She hadn’t realized she was almost yelling.

She released them after a moment and dropped her hands back to her sides. Beth was seething mad, that was for sure, but if she didn’t get her anger in check her plan would be no better than Courtney and Rick’s. “—I’m getting Chuck back so hurry up and get me there before I lose my nerve.”

Nobody said anything.

“Now,” she clipped.

“I—”

They realized she meant business and they all scrambled to catch up with her, realizing she wasn’t going to wait.

The three surrounded her like bodyguards. Her arm linked with Rick’s and Yolanda’s hand was on her back, guiding her to the popular table.

Beth touched her hair briefly and stiffened her spine. She didn’t know what she was going to say, but trusted herself enough to improv once she got there.

When Yolanda removed her hand, Beth knew they were in front of Cindy, Jenny and her other group of mean girls. She let go of Rick, choosing to fold her arms over her chest instead.

“What are you staring at, Beth?” Cindy drawled at her. There was a pause and she tittered. “Oh wait—”

The table straight up laughed.

“Burman!” Rick barked.

Courtney stepped up too, but both Yolanda and Beth blocked her with a warning hand.

“Hey,” Beth said coolly, with an eerie collectedness she didn’t even know she had. “I came to have a chat with you.”

“Oh, she wants to talk? That’s cute.”

“Thank you,” she said sarcastically, sailing over the condescension.

“Clearly you’re too naive and didn’t get the hint. I don’t want to talk to you. Get lost.”

Beth leaned in so close, she could hear the clinging of Shiv’s earrings. She felt movement, but she picked up on her intuition and honestly shocked herself by snatching Cindy’s bare wrist.

Cindy went still.

The worst part is that Beth knew what was underneath the soft skin and thousand dollar bangle bracelet. Cindy could so easily eject her knife and blade. She could stab Beth right through if she wanted. She’d done so to her dad in the basement of the tunnels.

But Beth wasn’t afraid.

“I don’t need to see you to know you’re smirking at me like this is the funniest thing you’ve ever done. I don’t need my eyes to know the way you were just leaning against your hand, wearing your Ralph Lauren polo shirt with one of your ridiculous berets and my visual aid dangling off the other hand like some next-season must-have accessory that you want because it’s something you can’t have.”

Beth dug her nails into Cindy’s skin. It’s not like it would scar. She continued, acutely aware of the way so much of the room seemed to have gone silent. If half the school hears her go off on Cindy Burman, maybe a few of the kids too terrified to stand up to anyone bullying them could learn a thing or two as well.

“But let me tell you something, Cindy. You can’t have it. I can’t see without them. I’m blind.”

“I know,” Cindy gritted out through her teeth.

“Yeah, I’m blind,” Beth raised her voice, just a little. “And so are you. Except you and I? We’re nothing alike. I lost my sight because of an accident, but you are blind and ignorant and grossly egocentric. And you did that to yourself. So take my phone out of your purse before I let Rick rip it from you, give me my goggles, and leave me the hell alone.”

Cindy dropped the goggles onto the floor, expecting the lenses to shatter.

They don’t.

~.~

“Rick?”

After Cindy dropped Chuck, Rick took her phone back as Yolanda ripped her a new one about being creepy with her phone theft habit, emboldened by Beth’s speech. The four left the cafeteria after, all wanting to leave, wishing the lunch period to be over with.  

“Yeah?”

“Thanks for holding my hand.”

He stopped walking, so Beth stopped walking. His hand in hers gave a light squeeze. Which was nice, because it meant he hadn’t let go since she put Chuck back on and blinked back at him after a shy glance, so relieved to see the outlines of his face again in any way she’s given.

“Whatever you need.”

She believed him, sure enough. Beth sighed as they walked through the hall. Courtney and Yolanda were behind them, talking about something Beth couldn’t care enough to listen to.

“Then...I need a cane. My dad bought one a while ago but I’ve left it in my room because I didn’t want it.”

“But…” He frowned at her, sounding confused. “You got Chuck back. You don’t need the cane now.”

Beth sighed. “Except, I do. I’m legally blind, Rick.”

“Yeah, but Beth—”

She shrugged her shoulders and bit her lower lip. “It’s true. I need to learn to live as I am. Not what I wish I could be.”

“You are Dr. Mid-Nite.”

“I know that,” she promised softly, patting his arm. “But I’m Beth Chapel, too. I can’t be afraid of being me.”

[snkpolls]

SnK Episode 70 Poll Results (for Anime Only Watchers)

The poll closed with 76 responses. Thank you to everyone who participated!

Please note that these are the results for the Anime Only Watchers’ poll. If you wish to see the results for the Manga Readers’ poll, click here.

Anime only watchers, beware of spoilers if you venture over to the manga readers’ poll results.

--

RATE THE EPISODE 74 responses

Although the response to this week’s episode was still overwhelmingly positive, with 95.9% of responses giving the episode 3 or higher, it was a bit lower in comparison to the previous one. 

Epic

Very amazing a 💯/10✊

I loved it, as always

Gabi episode? NO BUENO.

WHICH OF THE FOLLOWING GABI AND FALCO MOMENTS WAS YOUR FAVORITE? 74 responses

Gabi and Falco’s escapades took up the vast majority of the episode, so we wanted to know which one of them was your favorite. An equal amount of respondents (28.4%) seemed to prefer either the moment wherein Gabi came under attack from that perfidious horse or Kaya remembering Sasha and how she saved her life years ago. Closely behind those (25.7%) are the folks preferring the argument between Gabi and Kaya. Another semi-popular option was the scene wherein Kaya showed Gabi and Falco her former village.

WHICH OF THE FOLLOWING MOMENTS FOCUSING ON OTHER CHARACTERS WAS YOUR FAVORITE? 73 responses

We also had a fair bit of scenes focused on characters besides Gabi and Falco. For this question, there was a rather noted diversity in opinions. 24.7% seemed privy to seeing a recurrence of Mikasa’s headache and the flashback to Eren’s killing of the traffickers. 15.1% were most interested in seeing Hange remember Sannes’ warning about the cycle. An equal number of responses (13.7%) were most interested in either seeing the discussion between Magath and the rest of the Warriors on their further actions or seeing Hange confront Floch and the rest of the recruits about their recent actions in regards to Eren. Finally, 11% said that their favorite moment was either seeing the conversation between Mikasa and Louise or the conversation between the warriors and shirtless Reiner. A few folks also indicated their enjoyment of the scene wherein Hange was heckled by the civilians or the conversation between Pixis and Yelena.

WHICH FLASHBACK HAD THE MOST EMOTIONAL IMPACT FOR YOU? 73 responses

We’ve had a few small flashbacks in this episode and it seems like the definitive majority (58.9%) enjoyed the flashback about Kaya getting saved by Sasha. 26% were most privy to seeing Mikasa remember Eren killing the kidnappers many years ago and 13.7% enjoyed seeing Hange remember Sannes’ warning. One person liked catching the sight of Mikasa’s actions in Trost.

RATE JEAN’S OUTFIT 73 responses

Jean decided to try out a new style, courtesy of Coco Chanel, the Paradis Collection. Not too many were impressed, however, with only 34.8% giving Jean’s fit a 4 or a 5. 24.7% gave it a 3, the rest gave it a lower score.

WHO WERE YOU MORE EXCITED ABOUT TO SEE SHIRTLESS? 72 responses

It looks like Eren won this round when it comes to the showdown of AoT’s rare fan service scenes with 75%. 

AOT men are immaculate

WOULD YOU LIKE TO HAVE AN EXCUSE TO TALK TO YELENA? 73 responses

Yelena looks to be a rather popular girl, with 53.4% of respondents noting that they would totally appreciate an opportunity to talk to her. 23.3% aren’t sure and 11% really wouldn’t, in contrast. 12.3% simply don’t care.

WHICH NEW DETAIL DID YOU GET MOST EXCITED ABOUT? 72 responses

For this question, we got a rather colorful pie chart. 26.4% of respondents stated that the existence of a flying boat fueled by iceburst stones is the most interesting detail. That was followed by, in order from more interesting to less interesting according to the poll takers, Blouse family’s involvement with Historia’s orphanage, Yelena making contact with Eren beforehand, the girl Sasha saved in Episode 2 of S2 being Kaya’s identity, the confirmation that Louise was the girl Mikasa saved back in Trost and fact that Floch and his co-minded folks leaked information about Eren to the press and the existence of Eren’s “home”.

GABI SPENDS A LOT OF THE EPISODE SPOUTING OUT THE THINGS SHE’S BEEN BRAINWASHED TO BELIEVE, A CONTRAST TO FALCO WHO IS MUCH MORE OPEN-MINDED. THOUGHTS? 72 responses

Gabi shouted out a lot of questionable things in this episode, at various points. We’ve asked how the respondents felt about it. The plurality, 37.5% simply saw it as a rather sad state for her. In contrast, 27.8% were actually annoyed with her for that. 16.7% thought that it might have been, perhaps, a result of her attempting to fool herself. We also received a lot of write-ins.

Gabi's IQ is a bit low or she has been brainwashed harder than others

I think it’s just hard for her to see it any other way because she is so young. She was starting to be shaped like reigner, Annie bertholdt. 

I understand why she acts like that. Doesn't make it any less annoying tho

I feel so bad for her. Marleyan propaganda and indoctrination is one hell of a drug

Gabi sucks and she just is a trash character

She's just a kid trying to deal with a lot of trauma and new contradicting information whilst also having a winning attitude. Her negative feelings toward Eldians is familiar and so constant hatred is just a coping mechanism.

It only makes sense for her to act this way. Falco and Colt had to join the warriors unit to redeem their uncle’s crimes as part of the restorationists. Gabi has been praised and fed false propaganda her whole life, so yes she would have a harder time rejecting her race’s past history. Children are easier to manipulate/brainwash than adults.

I think she’s clinging to what she knew because she had based her whole identity and goals in life off of these facts. Admitting that these things might not be true would be like denying who she is?? Y’know 

Immovable object (my hatred for Gabi because I find her annoying and she killed Sasha) vs unstoppable force (me recognizing she is a child in a traumatic situation who has been brainwashed and raised to believe she must atone for things she is not actually responsible for)

A bit annoying, but I'm hopeful that she will slowly change her mind. Maybe due to realizing Sasha was actually a good person through Kaya/seeing she's no different from them?

HOW DO YOU THINK GABI’S BELIEFS WOULD HAVE DEVELOPED HAD SHE BEEN THE ONE TO MEET EREN INSTEAD OF FALCO? 73 responses

An interesting what-if comes about when thinking about Gabi possibly meeting Eren instead of Falco all those weeks ago and how that would have impacted her personal beliefs. A slight majority (50.7%) believe it wouldn’t have changed much, if at all as a result of that possible meeting. 20.5% think that Gabi would have taken somewhat of a middle-ground position when taking her current and Falco’s current beliefs into account. 17.8% can’t really say for sure and 8.2% don’t seem to care. Only a few believe that Gabi would have started to feeling differently back then.

GABI SEEMS TO BE GENUINELY SCARED WHEN INITIALLY EATING AT THE BLOUSE’S HOME. ON A SCALE OF 1-5, HOW BADLY DID YOU FEEL FOR HER? 73 responses

It doesn’t appear that Gabi has garnered that much sympathy for her near breakdown, with 49.3% noting that they really didn’t feel much, if any, sympathy for Gabi. In contrast, 50.6% said that they felt some noted degree of sympathy, mostly on a moderate scale. 

It makes me sick to my stomach seeing Sasha's family just treating Gabi so nicely. I know they don't know she's Sasha's killer but I'd really like to see them go horror-flick on her ass and kill her when they learn the truth

THERE SEEMS TO BE A CLASHING OF IDEOLOGIES BETWEEN HANGE AND FLOCH REGARDING WHAT’S BEST FOR THE ISLAND. WHO WOULD YOU SIDE WITH IN THIS SITUATION? 72 responses

Floch states that Eren ensured Paradis a path to survival via the ability to initiate the rumbling, while Hange shows skepticism that the rumbling is even a probable solution to their problems, feeling they should secure their freedom in other ways. 52.8% seem to feel the same way that Hange does, while only 27.8% would take Floch’s side in this differing of views. 12.5% think neither of them are wholly correct and feel there are other options. 

Both should co-operate 

Fuck ever agreeing with Floch. Who is he to even question their authority. Sit back buddy, relax, have a breather. You only became a main character this season, nothing bads gonna happen if wittle baby ewen is in jail for COMMITING WARCRIMES and forcing his superiors to cater to him. That's lit-rally how the army works. 

I want to say I side with floch, but I don’t trust eren. 

I don’t know for sure

I think they're both right in their own way. 

dont like floch lol

Wish Gabi would've shot Floch instead of Sasha :/

REGARDLESS OF YOUR ANSWER IN THE PREVIOUS QUESTION, DO YOU THINK EREN DESERVED TO BE JAILED? 73 responses

Nearly 55% of respondents feel that Eren absolutely deserved to be jailed for his actions in Marley, regardless of how they answered the previous question. Only 35.6% feel that he was wrongfully locked up.

Jailing him is just tradition at this point 

idk

Yeah. You fuck up and you do the time. If you want to make decisions and live 'freely', don't become a soldier. Simple???

Eren did some war crimes, time to sit in the time-out box 

He definitely needs to be observed and perhaps questioned, but not jailed. I thought that wasn't really a great move. 

I don't know

How many times has Eren been in jail now? He's obviously not gonna be staying there for long

Reprimanded a little bit for not trusting his team, but didn't deserve jail

DO YOU THINK HANGE IS FALLING INTO THE CYCLE THAT SANNES WARNED THEM ABOUT? 71 responses

Hange remembers Sannes’ words about how someone always steps into the role he once played prior to the Uprising Arc. 67.6% feel that Hange, whether intentional or not, is falling into the cycle that Sannes and his comrades perpetuated for years before them. 19.7% feel the opposite, however, and believe that Hange wouldn’t let things get that bad. 

I don’t know why I can’t remember who sannes is rn. 

yes but i feel like she will realize this and try to change 

I can’t say yet

Yes, to a degree but this doesn't mean they've past the point of no return. Everything the previous government did could have started with good intentions similar to Hange now but those intentions eventually morphed and corrupted. 

i dunno

Maybe i'm not sure only time will tell

I think that can't be said for sure until we see how she acts/responds to this realization

Maybe

LOUISE SEEMS TO ADMIRE MIKASA TO THE POINT OF OBSESSION, BUT HOW DO YOU THINK MIKASA FEELS ABOUT HER? 73 responses

Half of respondents feel that Mikasa’s demeanor toward Louise stems from her feeling as though she can relate to the girl in some way. The remainder of responses were rather mixed, with 15.1% feeling that Mikasa simply feels sorry for her, and at a tie for 11%, either feel that she finds Louise annoying or is just generally indifferent toward her.

WHAT DO YOU THINK SEEMS TO BE THE TRIGGER FOR MIKASA’S SUDDEN HEADACHES? 73 responses

Mikasa’s headaches, while they don’t get much of a focus, tend to happen infrequently throughout the series. Though, her headache in episode 70 appears to be a bit more traumatic for her than ones we have seen in the past. 27.4% feel that these headaches are likely related to her Ackerman biology, while 20.5% think that it can be explained as simply PTSD. 15.1% think that it’s her “Eren sense,” so to speak. Small handfuls feel it’s something more related to Paths/The Coordinate, or a mixture of her Ackerman and Asian biology. 21.9% still aren’t really sure what to make of these. Will Isayama give us answers?!

the wine has to have something to do with it????

It's those damn ~PATHS~

HOW DID YOU FEEL WHEN THE HORSE BIT GABI? 72 responses

The horse gets the gold start this week for giving Gabi a little bit of karmic justice. 65.3% appeared to enjoy the little misfortune Gabi had to endure thanks to the horse’s shenanigans. 19.4% agree that this was surely the work of devils! And 15.3% felt genuinely bad for Gabi during this moment. 

Horse !!!!!!

Wish that horse would have bit Garbage's head off xD

Horse got some revenge for Sasha! Here's hoping someone ot something else will finish her off permanently!

*falco voice* GAAAAAABIIIIII

Thank you Horse-kun!

WE ASKED THIS A FEW WEEKS AGO, BUT WE WILL ASK YOU AGAIN. WILL GABI CHANGE HER VIEWS ABOUT THE PEOPLE ON PARADIS? 73 responses

56.2% of respondents feel confident that Gabi’s views of Paradis will change by the conclusion of her character arc. 12.3% are still adamant that nothing will be able to sway her views. The remainder continue to be uncertain. 

I hope gabi changes her views. But she seems pretty set 

I don't honestly know if Gabi will change her views, but killing Sasha was enough to make me ALWAYS hate her no matter what kind of development she may get

Will Gabi change? I don't know but I don't care. Nothing will undo her killing Sasha.

DO YOU THINK GABI AND FALCO WILL BE ABLE TO GET HELP FROM NICOLO? 73 responses

Kaya mentions that they will be eating at a Marleyan’s restaurant and believes that said Marleyan (Nicolo) will be able to help Gabi and Falco figure out a way to return home to Marley. Nearly half of the fandom feel that they won’t be successful in getting any help from Nicolo, while only 13.7% think that he will be able to do something for them. 31.5% didn’t want to make a call either way.

REINER IS DETERMINED TO GET TO PARADIS AS SOON AS POSSIBLE TO SAVE GABI AND FALCO. DO YOU THINK THE WARRIORS WILL BE SUCCESSFUL IN RETRIEVING THEM? 72 responses

Over half of the fandom (65.3%) doesn’t have much faith in the Warriors to successfully retrieve Gabi and Falco. 20.8% feel the opposite, however, and think that their urgency is warranted. Will they get to Gabi and Falco in time?!

epic laina

WHICH QUESTION INTRODUCED IN THE EPISODE ARE YOU MOST LOOKING FORWARD TO BEING ANSWERED? 73 responses

With every AoT episode, we get as many questions as we do answers. This episode is not an exception. Majority of the respondents (53.4%) are interested in getting answers for all of them (What did Yelana talk to Eren about, what is up with Mikasa’s headaches, what is Hange going to investigate and why is Shiganshina being evacuated?). Out of the all of those, the Yelena-Eren convo is the most popular one.

ADDITIONAL THOUGHTS ON THE EPISODE?

Gabi sucks so hard, she should be much more harshly punished for killing Sasha

The scenery was beautiful!! I'm hoping we get some action soon tho

MAPPA created some beautiful imagery this episode, like the scene with Falco and Gabi at the lake so was gorgeous! Also I wanna honk Reiner's tiddies

babies, my babies. 

Gabi sucks

Doesn't really stand out, but I much preferred the pacing of this episode to the last two. I better see some damn rumbling next ep, we're getting straight edged rn with that ice plane.  I absolutely FUCKED with seeing Louise do the little salute, brought back memories of simpler times.

Gabi is garbage

I loved the episode! Beautiful callbacks to so many previous set-up/storylines. It made me reminisce a bunch. I also hope for a bit of catharsis regarding Sasha's death by the hands of Gabi. Hopefully something will click and Gabi will realize that she may be wrong in her beliefs after realizing the person she killed (Sasha) is savior Kaya had described to her. While I don't hate Gabi, I also wouldn't mind a bit of karma going her way either. 

I think this is definitely one of my favorites so far. There's a lot of interesting new pieces of info, and I'm excited to see how this stuff resolves in the end.

I hate Gabi even more

I hate Gabi SO much

WHERE DO YOU PRIMARILY DISCUSS THE SERIES? 73 responses

Thank you again to everyone who participated!

[yusuke-of-valla]

face down in the carpet i feel safe

Gen, but you can read Shukita

TW: cursing, bleeding, self-depricating thoughts, mind control

[A/N]: @soniagiris​ welp. I stabbed the boy.

Wordcount: 1456

AO3

-

It’s almost like being in a dream. Things seem perfectly normal while you’re sleeping, but when you wake up you can’t understand how you thought the 8 foot tall bats flying down the street made any kind of sense.

It’s so funny, Yusuke can’t help but laugh while Makoto tries to staunch the blood flowing from his abdomen.

“Diarahan! Diarahan! Fucking diarahan!”

“Stop, you’ll just tire yourself out.”

“It- this should work! Why isn’t it working?”

It’s his own fault, naturally. He was too slow. If he’d just dodged that Marin Karin, if he hadn’t missed the shadow earlier and allowed Ann to finish it off before this could happen, he wouldn’t have gotten hit, and he wouldn’t have gotten wrapped up in a world where it made perfect sense to attack Akira, and Akira wouldn’t have had to stab him to get him to stop.

“We’ll just have to get him to a hospital. Skull, grab his legs, we need to get him into the bus.”

“Alright. Ya hear that, Fox? We’re going to get you help. Just hold tight buddy.”

If he’s being honest, he deserves this. Yusuke had barely slept the night before. He’d sat in his room in the dark trying to paint, just fucking paint— he used to be good at this didn’t he? He used to be able to make art that meant something, that reached people right?— and if he could’ve just done the one damn thing he’s done his entire life, if he’d just been enough then maybe he would’ve been rested and wouldn’t have been such a failure. He wouldn’t have let his friends down and gotten used like that and-

“I think he’s hyperventilating? Should he be hyperventilating? C’mon Inari you’re not allowed to die on us!”

“Fox, can you hear us? Just focus on my voice, alright? It’ll be okay”

Nothing is remotely okay. Yusuke doesn’t know the last time he’d been “okay”, not really. There had been days where he could keep his head above water but he’s always been one mistake away from being lost beneath the waves. It’s only natural that his luck finally ran out.

“Is the wound… getting worse?”

“What?!”

“Shit, I think he’s right. It’s getting bigger.”

“How is it getting bigger?”

“I don’t know! We’ve been keeping him as steady as possible.”

There’s too much shouting. Too many bright lights, too much going on. He wants-

He wants to feel like himself again.

He wants to feel like a person instead of some useless thing that can’t even do the one thing he’s really good at.

He wants to feel stable, and like he knows what’s expected of him, and what he needs to do.

He wants to be back at Madarame’s.

He wants to not be so pathetic. That’s really the right word for it, isn’t? He’s a child trying to cling desperately to a lie.

It’s so fucking funny.

Yusuke isn’t sure if he’s laughing or crying right now.

“Panther, knock him out.”

“What?”

“Just put him to sleep! I’ll explain in a second, but I think he’s the one making it worse.”

“Alright. Carmen!”

~

Yusuke wakes up in a hospital room. He tilts his head to see Akechi in the corner, reading a book.

Yusuke considers saying something, but the thought of talking feels like too much effort so he just watches Akechi, until Akechi looks up.

“Ah. You’re awake,” Akechi says, putting the book down and taking out his phone quickly. “How are you feeling?”

Yusuke hums noncommittally. He feels like trash, but he’s not giving Akechi that ammunition.

Akechi nods. “I see.”

Suddenly, the door bursts open and the rest of the Phantom Thieves spill into the room. 

“Yusuke!” Ann gasps. 

“Holy shit dude, don’t scare us like that!” Ryuji says. He looks like he’s been crying.

Yusuke supposes he can’t keep quiet now.

“Sorry?” Yusuke says. His voice is shaky and hoarse.

“We were so scared you…” Makoto takes a deep breath, and steadies her voice. “You lost a lot of blood, and the doctors said you’ll have to be here for at least another week, but probably a little longer.”

“Oh.” is all Yusuke can say, and really isn’t that just the cherry on top? They’ll insist on putting off any future operations for his sake now. He really is useless.

“Can you guys give us some alone time?” Akira asks. The others share a look, Futaba especially looks like she wants to protest, but eventually they all leave the room. Akira pulls up a chair closer to Yusuke, and sits down.

“Sorry for stabbing you.” Akira says.

“It was mostly my fault.” Yusuke replies.

Akira stares at him, and Yusuke isn’t sure he’s ever seen their leader truly at a loss for words. Akira’s been known to pause sometimes, to think over the best thing to say, but Yusuke’s never seen him look like this.

“I know what you’re going to say.” Yusuke says.

“You do?”

“I’ll accept my removal from the Phantom Thieves graciously, you don’t need to worry.” Akira’s eyes widen, and Yusuke tries to keep his composure. Of course this would happen, he messed up, he caused problems, which means he’s out. There’s no use keeping around someone who can’t pull their weight.

“Yusuke, no.” Akira says. “I would never dream of kicking you out, why would you even-” Akira takes a deep breath. “Alright, I can guess why, but still. That’s not true. What I was going to say was, after I stabbed you, the wound didn’t close up, no matter what we tried. And Akechi said that maybe the problem was your cognition.” Akira bites his lip. “Like, you didn’t want to be healed, or you didn’t think you should be.”

Yusuke turns away so that he’s not looking into Akira’s eyes anymore. “I… suppose my thinking was along the lines of ‘I failed, so I deserve it’,” he mutters.

“Yusuke… you didn’t fail. It was just an accident, it happens to the best of us.”

“When the others get brainwashed, they're not relentless to the point that you’re forced to stab them to get them to stop.” Because if there’s one thing Yusuke’s always been good at, it’s doing what he’s told. He’d gone after Akira with aplomb, had his hands around their leader’s neck and squeezed until Akira was forced to lash out and-

“That wasn’t you failing.”

“Then what is?” Yusuke snaps. What does he mean that wasn’t a failure? Yusuke nearly killed him, then he worried everyone because Yusuke apparently can’t be healed, so now he’s a liability in battle and-

Yusuke wants to scream. Akira is too nice. He’s never bothered by anything Yusuke does and Yusuke’s sick of it. Someone is always bothered by something Yusuke does, Yusuke can’t not fuck up somehow. Eventually he crosses one of the ten billion invisible lines that everyone but him seems to know, so why won’t Akira just tell him which ones to avoid? Why does he have to keep insisting there isn’t a point when Yusuke won’t be enough?

“Nothing.” Akira says firmly. 

“That isn’t true.”

“Yes it is.”

Yusuke rolls his eyes. “Akira, that’s absolute nonsense. There has to be a line. I could get Futaba killed. I could reveal your secrets, I could-”

“But you wouldn’t.” Akira insists. 

“You don’t know that.”

“Yes, I do. I trust you Yusuke.” Akira places a hand on Yusuke’s. “Please, trust yourself. Trust that you are doing the best you can do right now, trust that you don’t have to force yourself to be better, and trust that you’re not falling short of some sort of cosmic prerequisite for people to care about you.”

“You are a magnificent liar, Akira.” Yusuke says, drawing his hand away.

“I’m not lying.” Akira says. “Yusuke please look at me.” Begrudgingly, he does, and Akira takes off his glasses and meets Yusuke’s eyes. 

“Yusuke, I promise you, there is no way you could fail me, or any of the others in a way that would make us leave. You’re not going to be thrown away the second you’re no longer useful, alright?”

Yusuke nods. 

“And I am going to keep telling you that until you believe me. The others too.” Akira says.

Akira’s words hang in the air, and Yusuke...

A part of him wants to believe Akira.

Another part reminds him of the last time Yusuke desperately wanted to believe someone.

“Can you please go?” Yusuke mutters. “I’d like to take a nap.”

Akira stares at him, and for a split second Yusuke thinks that Akira will say no, and demand his attention, but eventually Akira nods. “Yeah, sure. We’ll be here when you wake up.

[elyvorg]

Consider the following scenario: Around chapter 3, Tenko comes to Kaito to ask him to help Himiko. How do you think things would turn out? -As in, do you think the two could become the motivational buddies of Shuichi, Maki and Himiko?- (Also you're literally the only person I can ask this to, and thank you for providing such detailed Kaito content)

Aww, you're welcome! I'm thrilled to be considered the go-to source for Good Kaito Thoughts. (Though this is going to be at least half Tenko and Himiko thoughts, of course, and I don't profess to be as much of an expert at that, but I'll do my best.)

(also whoops, this got long, probably should go under a cut)

First, this'd need a couple of prerequisites: that Kaito's phobia doesn't exist so he isn't non-functionally mentally ill for most of chapter 3, and that Tenko's degenerate males thing is toned down a touch such that she's willing to acknowledge that Kaito is a good person and ask for his help with relatively little hesitation.

(This is sort of like what happens canonically when Tenko gets desperate enough to stop Angie's ritual that she asks Maki and Shuichi for help, and would have included Kaito if he'd been feeling well. But in that case, it was definitely more about "Angie is dangerous and might cause a murder if we don't stop this", rather than being specifically about helping Himiko. And I also get the sense that if there hadn't been at least one girl involved then Tenko maybe still wouldn't have asked them.)

Would This Work?

So, if we assume that, A, Tenko was even more focused specifically on helping Himiko than she already was in canon, and, B, was willing to ignore her prejudices and swallow her pride enough to ask Kaito for help, (and C, Kaito wasn't mentally ill and was able to help), would Kaito's input have been enough?

The thing is, Tenko was pretty much already doing all the right things to try and help Himiko in the first place. She'd recognised that the problem was Himiko struggling to express her emotions and had been trying to encourage her to do so, including suggesting physical training. This is a lot like Kaito's type of approach! There isn't that much that Kaito would have done differently to how Tenko did it. Him lending his input to this would mostly just have resulted in doubling the amount of enthusiastic persistence directed at Himiko, which... since Tenko being such an overwhelming personality was probably part of why Himiko didn't respond to her for so long, that might actually make things slightly worse on its own.

That said, Tenko was also not helping things by having a lot of her interactions with Himiko be unnecessarily overzealous romantic come-ons, which just made Himiko less inclined to want to listen to her in general and meant Tenko had given herself more of an uphill battle when it came to her genuine selfless attempts to help. I'd think the best thing to do about this would be for Tenko to apologise for having sometimes made things about her and make it clear that the most important thing to her right now is helping Himiko and this isn't about Tenko at all. However, I'm not sure if this is an issue that Kaito would actually properly pick up on in order to suggest that Tenko do this.

See, when it comes to understanding what a potential sidekick's struggles are and the best ways to help them overcome them, Kaito is great at it and seems to put a lot of conscious thought into it - but that's the part Tenko was already perfectly good at, too. When it comes to the process of reaching out and offering that help in the first place to encourage someone to begin to change, however, Kaito appears to pretty much just instinctively wing it, with no particular game plan other than "be persistent" and, maybe a little more specifically, "invite them to training". So I don't know if he'd necessarily have any better ideas than Tenko herself had of how to go about this - except, of course, for inviting Himiko to training.

Kaito's whole training thing really is a very effective way of getting through to someone in the first place. While the exercise itself is only tangentially connected to the actual point of self-reflection and emotional growth (especially in Maki's case), it's the directness of Kaito's approach that makes all the difference, because it prevents the potential sidekick from failing to notice or pretending not to notice that he's trying to help them. Just the fact that Kaito makes it a whole Big Thing where he very directly says, "I want to help you, this is how I'm doing it, if you want to get stronger then all you gotta do to take the first step is do some push-ups with me" presents the potential sidekick with a very obvious choice to make over whether they want to face their issues and try to change. In that position, anyone who really does want to change deep down is almost certainly going to take him up on that, whether or not they've been brushing off his other, less "official" attempts to reach out and help.

So maybe Kaito inviting Himiko to training, with Tenko alongside him backing up what he's saying - or leading the speech, even - about how this is all to help her, would indeed have got through to her. There are hints that, towards the end of chapter 3's daily life, Tenko has begun to make Himiko quietly wish she was more willing and able to listen to Tenko's advice. So it appears that the initial desire to change was already there in Himiko - it just sadly took Tenko's death in canon for her to actually acknowledge it.

However, there's also the massive spanner of Angie in the works here. With Himiko being brainwashed into clinging to Angie's escapism as an unhealthy coping mechanism, she was getting a free ticket to take the easy way out of her problems and run away from feeling like she needed to really change. If there had been no Angie in canon, Tenko would probably have been able to get through to Himiko while she was alive without even needing to ask anyone for help. But with Angie being a factor, even if Tenko and Kaito combined forces and invited Himiko to training to very directly present her with the option to change, I really kind of think Himiko would have just refused. She'd have been able to tell herself she doesn't need to change when she's already got Angie and Atua.

Tenko would be dismayed, but I think Kaito would get it. His sidekick thing can only work on people who want to change. Kaito can nudge and persuade, but he can't force people to make that choice; they have to ultimately do it of their own volition. If Himiko really isn't ready for this, there's nothing else Kaito can do. So he'd probably end up advising Tenko to just be patient and keep an eye on Himiko, letting her know that she's still there for her and the offer's still open if she ever changes her mind.

...And then case 3 would happen and Angie and Tenko would die and Himiko's arc would proceed roughly as it did in canon anyway, bleagh. Except for the fact that Kaito would have a lot more personal investment in this, because even if she never quite became his sidekick before, the fact that he extended that offer would still be important to him. I doubt he'd want to just leave her now that she has made the choice to change, even if she doesn't specifically need his help for it any more, and so he'd probably invite her to training in chapter 4 after all, despite the painful lack of Tenko.

(While we're here, let's talk a little about why Kaito never actively tried to make Himiko his sidekick in canon. Presumably, during the first three chapters, it was mostly out of seeing that Tenko was already kind of trying to work on that herself, and then that plus the whole Angie thing meant that Kaito didn't think it would be a good idea to butt in when he'd only get in the way. Then the reason he never invited Himiko to training in chapter 4 when she'd lost Tenko was perhaps because Himiko didn't actually need any extra nudges like Shuichi and Maki did at the beginnings of chapters 2 and 3; she was already going full-throttle and had firmly begun to make her efforts to change. ...That and, by that point, Kaito must have been mentally exhausted just looking out for two sidekicks while also suffering from and hiding his own problems, so he probably didn't really want to increase his burdens even more. Not that he'd have ever admitted that.)

If This Worked

But hey, never mind the fact that my conclusion to the question of whether this'd work is "probably not, thanks a bunch Angie", let's also think about what would happen if this had somehow worked anyway. A five-person team of training buddies sounds pretty adorable, after all!

(...Well, for this to last for any appreciable amount of time, we'd need Kiyo to not up and murder Tenko like an asshole, please. I guess it's possible that if they'd already got through to Himiko before Angie's death, she wouldn't have felt the need to talk to Angie with the seance and Tenko wouldn't have died? I dunno; that might be something Himiko would still want to do for closure even if she was already expressing her emotions more healthily. Ugggh Kiyo sucks. The only meaningful purpose he serves in the story is because someone had to kill Angie and Tenko for the sake of Himiko's character development, so if Himiko's development was going to happen anyway without those deaths, can Kiyo just not be here at all, please? Please? Or be someone slightly less shitty who murders just to escape and therefore stops at Angie.)

But anyway, yes, this five-person training team is fun to think about, because Kaito and Tenko really have a lot in common and it's a shame Tenko's prejudices mean they never get to interact much in canon to show this off. They're both so very Good in terms of their general overzealous enthusiasm and determination and desire to protect people. Tenko is also surprisingly like Kaito in that, though she seemingly needs to literally Aikido throw someone to do it, she can be pretty good at reading people and picking up on their struggles (even - gasp! - if they're male).

That said, Tenko doesn't make a point of going out of her way to help anyone who needs it like Kaito does, not even just among the girls (she sees Maki as a threat at first), and it's only because of her massive crush on Himiko that she also gained a selfless desire to help her. Still, maybe her collaborating with Kaito on this could help her learn that she's actually really good at motivating people in this way and it feels rewarding even when the target isn't her crush, making her want to use her skills for this more in future!

(Imagine if, in an effort to understand her better and see why Kaito believes in her so much, Tenko politely asks if she can Aikido throw Maki to get a read on her. She'd be kind of wary about what Maki would do if she did it without warning, after all.)

Plus, Tenko is also a big advocate of the idea that physical training can help someone with mental problems, just like Kaito! She might even have a slightly better idea of an actual systematic approach to training than Kaito... but then again, maybe not, because her Neo-Aikido does seem pretty haphazard. So we'd probably end up with these two ridiculous dorks who have no idea how to run a targeted exercise regime just throwing their enthusiasm all over the place and probably bickering and being competitive while they were at it, and poor Shuichi, Maki and Himiko would just have to try and keep up with them somehow. That'd be... quite the spectacle. (Maki would wryly comment that it's like having two Kaitos when one was more than enough... but she wouldn't actually mind.)

Naturally, I also find it interesting to think about how Kaito would be affected by this, especially since, while Shuichi, Maki and Himiko would all be considered his sidekicks, Tenko would be something more like a "co-hero" alongside Kaito in this arrangement. There's a lot of potential inherent in the idea of Kaito forging an important relationship with someone who's not a sidekick to him. If a friend of Kaito’s who was in the position to properly view him as an equal was also emotionally mature enough to see what he's doing wrong and point out that he really needs to talk about his own problems too, that would Change Some Things. However, as much as she'd be doing her best to help, and even if we assume her gender prejudices just didn't get in the way here at all, I... don't think Tenko's that person.

(Can you tell this is something I've thought about quite a bit, albeit never with Tenko. Imagine if Kaede had lived and she and Kaito had teamed up in their mutual desire to support everyone - they'd also have been great influences on each other, stopping the other from getting too self-destructively selfless.)

(Though, hey, what if Tenko Aikido threw Kaito at some point, probably more out of boisterous competitiveness than trying to get a read on him, except then she suddenly realises, "wait a minute, you're sick, what are you doing training them when you should be looking after yourself?" And his sidekicks kind of can't help but agree with her despite his attempts to deny it, because Kaito definitely looks to be in more pain than he should be from that. And then they escape and save his life, like they always would have if they'd known. Man, if only.)

Also, even though Tenko is nominally someone else in the "hero" role here, I can't quite see Kaito's unreasonable standards for heroes kicking in towards her. This is just an instinctive sense I get that I'm not completely sure of the reason for - perhaps because of the way Tenko initiated this by asking him for help? So she kind of is like a sidekick to him, too - just a sidekick in the specific art of being an inspiring and encouraging hero. Man that'd be so confusingly not-black-and-white to Kaito, a lot like Shuichi is to him in this regard as well. What do you mean she's both at the same time??? That’s not how this works!!!

There's also the fact that Himiko would be a sidekick alongside Maki and Shuichi (whether or not Tenko died), which might change things a little for people other than Himiko herself. Maki would be watching Himiko work on trying to express her emotions in a context that's being paralleled with the struggles Maki's trying to overcome. So maybe this could have got Maki to more consciously think about expressing her own emotions, which is something she has difficulty with too after having repressed them for so long, but that she doesn't precisely ever make quite such a conscious effort about in canon like Himiko does.

Also, if we assume that Kaito's issues are relatively unchanged and trial 4 still goes basically the same as it does in canon, Himiko being his sidekick could make a difference for early chapter 5. In canon, when she's not even his sidekick, Himiko still indicates that she's thought a little about Kaito's feelings and what he might be going through, as well as just how his behaviour is making Shuichi feel. But if she'd been actively a part of that sidekick group and had seen first-hand how Kaito's sidekicks - namely Shuichi - look up to him and learn from him, Himiko in particular would have had the capacity to potentially piece things together and figure out the real reason Kaito was avoiding Shuichi. After all, she's been in exactly the same position as Shuichi is here. (This is about my hot take on Himiko's FTEs that I discussed in one of my commentary posts, which I still enjoy thinking about. Kaito has parallels and connections to so many characters in this story and it’s great.)

[ivybucky]

family values (b.b.) pt 1???

prompt: you take Bucky home to meet your family for the first time for a week’s stay during thanksgiving

A/N: this is partially inspired because my uncle is bringing his girlfriend home for thanksgiving and i absolute adore her and she’s so cute with all my cousins so i thought it would be fun to see bucky in a similar situation

- also when this comes out I’m pretty sure it’ll be my birthday??? if i finish it in time-

Current Masterlist

author: abby

words: 2161

pairing: bucky barnes x farm!girl-ish reader

song i’m listening to: innamorata - dean martin

“I’m not sure about this, Y/N,” Bucky worried front the driver’s seat of the truck that drove both of you through the back roads of Tennessee. “What if they don’t like me? I’m not exactly everyone’s type.” he muttered with a tight lipped smile. 

You reached across the middle console in between you to wrap your hand around his on the gear shift, squeezing it just a little. “Honey, if they’re anything like me, they’ll fall in love with you the moment they lay eyes on you,” you gushed, making his neck go a little pink before he glanced over at you with a wide smile. 

“Gosh, doll,” he chuckled. “I knew you were into me back then, but I didn’t know I affected you that much.” His fingers intertwined with yours, giving a slight squeeze back. “I’m just worried ‘s all.  So many new people.”

“Baby, if you want to leave at any point, just let me know,” you stated more firmly. “We don’t have to do anything you don’t wanna do. Whatever makes you comfortable, okay?”

Bucky gave a soft smile at you before turning his attention to the long and winding road ahead of him. He lifted your intertwined hands to kiss the back of yours before mumbling into it, “Okay.”

- 

The Y/L/N Family Farm sat on 40 acres of small hills that were backed by a nearby creek. Cattle, donkeys, ducks, and chickens scattered the land, grazing through the grass. The pond out front still with occasional ripples when a turtle popped their head out, or a sunfish surfaced for food. Besides the house, there was a barn, with various old machinery and memorabilia stored, and a greenhouse off the side of the house with vegetable growth experiments. 

Bucky pulled up to the front gate of the property, punching in the gate code before entering the fence line. 

“Holy shit, doll,” he huffed, smirking a little. “I didn’t know you were a full on cowgirl.” Your hand gently smacked his chest, causing him to chuckle. 

“Wait, Buck,” you paused, seeing your grandmother’s two donkeys meandering along the driveway. “Stop here.”

You quickly got out of the truck, smiling at Bucky’s questioning gaze as you shut the door behind you. Walking up to the donkeys with your hand reaching out, you started cooing, “Hi girls, I’ve missed you.” After several sniffs of your hand, one of the donkeys gently pressing their nose into your hand. Soon they were nuzzling both of their heads against your torso, huffing affectionately. 

The slight electrical buzz of the car window sounded and you looked up to see Bucky’s wide and loving grin. “As cute as this is babydoll, we should probably go say hi to your folks.” 

Arriving at the entry of the house, you felt Bucky take a deep breath beside you before looking at you with a nervous smile. You widely turned it, grabbing his hand and knocking on the door, before entering. 

“Gram? Mom? We’re here!” you called out, pulling Bucky behind you. Laughter rang out through the living room and kitchen as you rounded the corner. 

“Y/N, sweetie, it’s so good to see you,” your grandmother gushed as your pulled you into a hug, your mother trailing behind. “Hi sweetheart.” 

Both of them took a step after greeting you and made pointed looks towards Bucky, who, still behind you, had a wide smile at your interactions. You giggled, grabbing his hand to pull him forward, “This is my boyfriend, Bucky.” 

“It’s nice to meet you, Y/N has told me so much about you,” he smiled widely, sticking his hand out to shake theirs, only to be met with a forceful hug from your grandmother. 

“Y/N never told us how handsome you are,” she gushed, letting him go. Your mother chuckled, “No, I’m pretty sure she couldn’t stop telling us how handsome he was.” 

You face went red, “Mom! Can we not, please?” Bucky chuckled next you, squeezing your hand. 

You made your way around the room, greeting and introducing Bucky to your various aunts, uncles, and cousins. Your grandfather, being a little intense, had given him a stern handshake before straightforwardly asking him about his intentions. You tensed, clinging to Bucky’s metal arm at the question. He only chuckled before looking at you smiling and saying, “Just to make her as happy as she can be.” 

Your grandfather smiled widely at him, a sight in itself, and said, “Good answer.”

Once you had settled in, conversation flowed smoothly. Your family knew about your work with the Avengers and were quite proud, asking questions about your work and how things were going. With Bucky most of your family tread lightly around his past, but asked about some of his most recent missions. Your grandfather, however, wasn’t afraid to get right to the important questions. 

“So when you worked for Hydra,” he started, getting several yelps from his family. “What I’m just asking a question?” Bucky’s fingers intertwined with yours, and chuckled. 

“It’s okay, really,” he smiled before continuing. “What did you wanna know?”

You called his name, just quiet enough for only him to hear, but he only responded with a wink. 

“When you worked for hydra,” your grandfather began again, almost pausing for someone to try and stop him again. “What did they do to brainwash you?” 

Your grandmother gasped, “My GOD Y/GP/N, could you BE any more subtle?”

Bucky stiffened just a tad next you, letting his hand tighten on yours. 

“You know, sir,” he began with an intake of breath, before smiling once more. “I try not to think about that stuff because I’m in a better place now, and to be completely honest, that time of my life is a little fuzzy. But I know there was electrocution and a lot of physical abuse involved.” 

You let out a breath you didn’t know you had been holding. Your grandfather nodded, “It’s incredible how far you’ve come from such a bad situation. I know it was probably a hard struggle letting go of your past and all the things they made you do. I’m glad that you’ve found Y/N, and I’m glad you’ve been able to outgrow the person you were forced to be.”

Tears welled in your eyes, as you smiled at your grandfather. Bucky relaxed against you, smiling. “Thank you sir,” he said softly, trying not to let too many emotions come through, before looking down at you. “I’m glad I found her too.”

-

 “I really like him,” your mother said as she stood next to you in the kitchen grabbing a drink for the both of you. You looked up to him laughing and smiling with your cousins who were about your age. Feeling your eyes on him, he met your gaze and shot you a wink before continuing the conversation. You smiled widely at your mother, “Trust me, me too.”

“Go sit back down with him and spend some time with him,” she chuckled. 

“Mom, I was gonna help with the dishes,” you argued. 

“No, don’t worry about it. He wants you over there, I can tell.” You chuckled before taking your drinks over to your seat. 

He wrapped an arm around your back, pulling you closer to him. “Thanks, doll.”

Conversation with your cousins continued until one of your small cousins (and your favorite) came up to you.

“Y/N, can you and Mr. Bucky come play with us outside?” she near whined. You giggled, “Why do you ask him?”

Shyly she went up to Bucky who was already smiling in her direction and climbed into his lap. “Mr. Bucky will you and Y/N come play with us outside?” He chuckled rubbing her back a little. 

“Of course! How could I turn that down?” You giggled again, picking her up off his lap and carrying her outside where her fellow younger cousins were. 

“Alright kiddos,” Bucky announced with his hands on his hips. “What are we playing. 

“Hide and seek!” he chuckled at the unanimous yell. “Bucky will you be it?”  

“Sure, I’ll give a 30 second head start.” The cousin who brought you out here ran and hid behind your legs, causing you to giggle. Various children ran behind trees and bushes and cars in the front of the house. 

After Bucky was done counting, he uncovered his eyes and looked around the area. Immediately he knew the location of every single kid, but of course he wasn’t gonna act like he knew. However, when his eyes landed on you with little hands wrapping around the front of your legs, he couldn’t help himself. 

“Hmmm doll you look awfully suspicious,” he stated, slowly walking towards you with mischievous glint in his eye. “I think I’m gonna have to check you out.”

“James,” you said fearfully yet stern, holding your hands up. “Don’t you dare.”

“Aww doll, I think I have to,” he said now inches from you, pausing before lifting you up over his shoulder to find the small child behind you. You fell into a fit of giggles. 

“Bucky put me down!” you laughed. 

“No I don’t think I will,” he stated matter-of-factly, ticking your side. 

“Kids come help me!!” you yelped. Kids from all directions came from around you two swarmed Bucky’s legs, trying to knock him down. Of course, his super soldier strength was gonna be able to hold out against their attempts. 

Swiftly, he scooped up one of the girls, flinging her over his other shoulder. Fits of giggles from the kids just continued to sound out as Bucky finally set you down on you feet, earning a light smack on the chest. He just laughed and gave you a quick peck on the lips before being dragged out by the girls somewhere. 

You chuckled walking as he looked back at you fearfully. Your grandmother, unknown to you had walked up next to you. 

“So when are you kids getting married?” she suddenly asked, making you jump. 

“Gosh Gram, I didn’t see you,” you sighed. “I don’t even know if that’s what he wants. I’m just happy I get to be with him, even if he doesn’t want long term.”

“You’re an idiot,” she huffed.

“Gram!” 

“What? You’d have to be an idiot to not see how in love with you he is. And he agreed to spend an entire week with your family? No one does that if they don’t want long-term sweetie.”

Bucky was sitting in the grass now letting the three smallest girls play with his long hair, putting braids in it to make it “pretty”. Bucky turned to you and grinned, mouthing ‘I love you’ in your direction. You winked back. 

“Marry that man, Y/N,” she sighed, with a small smile. “As soon as you can. I’m positive that’s the only thing on his mind.” 

- 

After hours of playing with the kids and sitting down to watch a movie with the whole family, everyone but you and Bucky had retreated to their room. Now you sat on the couch by the fireplace with Bucky’s head in your lap. You fingers softly brushing out the braids that had stayed in his hair, causing him to sigh and flutter his eyes closed every time your nails ran through is scalp. 

“Baby,” he murmured. “You keep doing that and I’m gonna fall asleep right here, right now.” 

You giggled. “I keep I’m gonna keep one in. It looks good on you.” 

He sat up next to you, pulling you into his side, pulling your legs into his lap so he could rub them. He kissed the top of your head.

“Bucky, you were amazing today,” you sighed, resting your head on his chest. “Everyone just absolutely loved you. Those little girls would have you all to themselves if they could.” 

“Come on, doll. You know you’re the only girl for me,” he chuckled, causing you to smile.

“Mom and my grandparents really liked you. I think Gramps was impressed by you,” you winced, remembering his question from earlier. “I’m sorry if they were a bit overbearing tonight.”

“Doll,” he lifted your chin to meet your gaze. “I love your family. They made you and they’re apart of you. Quirks and all, I couldn’t be happier to be here right now.” 

You smiled softly, before pressing your lips to his in a loving kiss. You pulled away and rested your forehead against his. “I love you,” you smiled. 

“I love you,” he responded, wrapping his arms around you bringing you closer somehow. 

You giggled, “Those kids really did have fun with you.” He chuckled next to you.

“They were fun to be with,” he sighed. “Promise me we’ll have a girl.” You met his eyes searching for some type of confirmation of seriousness. You saw heartfelt truth as he smiled almost sheepishly at you. You smiled back, wrapping a hand around his middle. 

“I promise.”

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Tagging @all1e23​ and @writingsoftheloser​ because if they read my fic i would die

[thatkinkytrashcan]

Broken Blades pt. 6

Summary: After a moment of desperate passion between brothers, Vergil falls into the hands of their father's greatest enemy.  With his very mind and soul stolen by Mundus, Vergil knows nothing but the want to fulfill his Master's every desire.  And to protect their precious son, Nero.

Pairings: Dante/Vergil, Vergil/Mundus, Vergil & Nero, Dante & Nero

Warnings/Tags: Sibling incest, DT sex, knotting, cum inflation, m-preg, Vergil is Nero’s mom, rape/dub-con, mental and emotional manipulation, brainwashing, amnesia and identity issues, forced c-section without anesthesia, child abuse, threat of future sexual violence made to a child, Mundus is a really bad parent, rampant speculation on demon/half-demon biology

VI.         Tempering

Nero skidded around the corner, heart going a mile-a-minute.  He hadn't expected to be chased by demons before he even made it to the stairs.  If Father were here, they wouldn't have dared to even approach him, but on his own he was a sitting duck.

"Just leave me alone!" Nero shouted as he barreled forward--

Right into a solid, living mass.  Hands grabbed his shoulders, and Nero lashed out with his fists, pummeling whatever beast thought to touch him.  

"Whoa there!  You're the one that ran into me!"

The voice lacked the demonic distortion he was used to, and Nero glanced up and into a face that made him gawk.  "M-Mom?"

Silver eyebrows rose as the man in red stared back with a strange expression.  "Uh, not your mom, but…  Who are you?"

It was weird how much this man looked like Mom, from the color of his eyes to the line of his nose and the shape of his jaw.  Was this guy the 'other one' Father was talking about?  Hope jumped into his throat.  "I'm Nero.  Who're you?  Are you here to help us?"

"Name's Dante," the man said, still staring.  "And who's 'us'?"

"Me and Mom," Nero said urgently.  If Father was worried about this guy, then he might be just the right person.  "You've gotta help us get out of here!  My Father is really bad, and he hurts Mom and--"

"Slow down there, kid.  Not that I don't want to help, but who exactly is your dad?"

Nero hesitated, fingers gripping at the straps on Dante’s vest.  "Mundus, the Emperor of Hell…"

Dante's eyes widened in surprise but quickly narrowed.  “Someone told you he’s your father, huh?  Okay.  Why don't you take me to your mom, and I'll see what I can do."

"This way!"  Nero grabbed his gloved hand and tried to tug him along, but Dante scooped him up off his feet and under one arm instead.

Ignoring Nero's indignant shout, the man in red smirked at him.  "I’ve got it covered, kid.  And I'll be pretty mad if you try to roast this kid, Trish."

"I wouldn't dream of it."  Nero frowned at the human-looking artificial demon who flipped her hair over her shoulder.  He’d seen her briefly before, running some errands and kneeling to Father while he gloated.  Her smile was cold but she took a few steps backward when Dante aimed his sword at her.

"Because he's your boss's kid?" Dante asked.  "Or because he's Verg--?"

"All I was supposed to do is make sure he wasn't hurt," she said, hands up.  "I'll take him back where he'll be safe if you'll let me."

Dante cocked his head, watching her for a second before he looked down at Nero again.  Then he grinned.  "Hold on tight."

With a burst of speed and a crackle of demonic energy, Dante was past Trish and down the hall before she could react.  Nero dug his fingers into whatever he could, though the arm around him was secure enough that he probably wouldn't go flying off.  Probably.

"You're like Mom!" Nero cried in delight.  A half-demon!  Maybe that was why they looked so much alike?

"Guess we'll find out," Dante said, voice echoing with power.  "Which way?"

"Left!" Nero said.  "Right!  Right again!"

They zoomed down the corridors, blowing by the sentries and leaving them in shambles.  Dante was amazing, and Nero started to really hope he could save them.  Father was strong, but he wasn't fast.  Maybe Dante could outrun him!

"That big door over there!"  Nero pointed to the partially open doorway, and Dante lowered his shoulder to shove it the rest of the way open.  It banged loudly against the wall while Dante stumbled to a halt and set Nero back on his feet.

"Not sure how much time we'll have before someone comes, so where's your mother--"  The red man's jaw snapped shut, and his devil shape blinked back into human.

Mom had frozen where he'd been hurrying across the room toward them and stared wide-eyed at Dante.  Thankfully, he’d put on some clothes since it would’ve been embarrassing to explain that to a stranger.

"Don't worry, Mom," Nero said, running over to grab his hand.  "He's here to help us!"

"Vergil?" Dante whispered, and he physically shook himself, expression hardening.  "I knew it!  The second I saw that kid, I knew he had to be your-- Wait.  Did you call him Mom?"

Nelo Angelo swept Nero behind him, putting himself between them and taking a defensive stance.  "I don't know… who you are… but…"

"Mom?"  Nero grabbed for his hand again.  "Mom, are you okay?  Are you hurt?"

"I'm fine.  I just… I need…"  He clutched at his head, breathing hard, and a bolt of fear hit Nero hard.  Had Father come back?  Had he done something to Mom?  This was bad.

"What do you mean you don't know who I am?" Dante asked.  "What the hell is going on here, Vergil?"

Nelo Angelo clenched his jaw tight, and a bead of sweat dripped off his face.  "Stop calling me that.  I don't… know you.  We don't need you… to save us!"

"Mom, please.  He can help us," Nero said, squeezing his mother's shaking fingers.  "I don't want Father to hurt you ever again, so please!"

Dante was curiously still, gaze darting from Nero to Nelo Angelo and back like he was figuring something out.  "Your mom…"  Slowly he reached up and pulled something from underneath his shirt, and Nero gasped.  A silver amulet.  Exactly like the one Mom wore all the time, just a different metal.  "You don't know me, huh?" Dante said.

"That… That's…!"  Nelo Angelo trembled and fell to his knees.  He squeezed his eyes shut and turned away.

"That bastard did something to you, didn't he?" Dante pressed, coming a few steps closer but stopping when Mom dragged Nero into his protective arms.  "And him being Mundus' kid?  Bullshit.  What's the truth, Vergil?  Who's his real father?"

Nero's jaw hung loose in shock.  Could this guy be right?  Was he really not Mundus' son?  Never in his life had he questioned what he'd been told, but if there was even a sliver of possibility, he was going to cling to it.

"I don't know you," Nelo Angelo protested, but even Nero thought it sounded weak.  "I don't… I…"

Dante dangled the amulet from his fist and took another step towards them.  "You've gotta remember, Vergil.  Whatever he did to you, fight it.  You're stronger than him, I know it!"

"You're wrong.  I'm not strong.  I can't fight him.  I could never--"  Nelo Angelo pressed the heels of his hands against his eyes, struggling for breath.  "I can't."

The sound of scuttling demons coming down the corridor made Nero tense up.  He turned to Dante but knew he didn't have to say anything from the look on Dante's face.  It was taught and serious when he glanced over his shoulder at the door.  "I'm going to end this, Vergil.  Whatever it takes, I'll set you free."

"Wait!"  Nero grabbed the necklace around his mother's neck, pulling in just the right way so the clasp came loose like he’d done by accident a few times when he was younger.  He threw it to the stranger who was promising everything he wanted.  "You need this!"

"Nero!  What are you doing?!" Nelo Angelo exclaimed.  He started to get up, but even just looking at Dante seemed to be causing him a lot of pain, and he sank back down.

"If you have that, the guards won't attack you," Nero said quickly.  "Father… Mundus said that will open some of the inner doors too."

Dante looked down at the gold amulet in his hand and then smiled at Nero.  It was soft, gentle in a way that no one but Mom had ever looked at him, and he felt unexpectedly warm.  "Thanks, Nero.  You just look after your mom.  I'll come back for you both, I promise.  You don't have to be afraid anymore."

The man in red spun around and raced out the door.

"What have you done?  You've sent him to his death, and when Master finds out that you helped him..." Nelo Angelo whispered.

Nero lifted his chin, refusing to let the hope give in to the fear.  "I did it to save you, Mom.  Because I love you.  Dante's going to win, and then we'll be safe."

Nelo Angelo -- or was it really Vergil?  Nero wasn't sure what to think yet -- leaned back on his heels and pulled Nero into his arms again.  "I… hope you're right."

They stayed like that for a long, long time, hanging on to each other for support, until the whole castle started to shake.  Nero got up and tugged his mother with him out into the hall.

"I… I can't possibly leave!" Mom said, hesitating just outside the door.  "Without Master here, I can't--"

"I'm not leaving you," Nero insisted.  "And I'm not staying here.  You're coming with me, Mom.  Please."

He saw the flicker in his mother's blue eyes and knew he wouldn't refuse.  Mom could never refuse when Nero pulled out the magic word.  "L-let's go, then.  Just be careful," Nelo Angelo said.

Maybe it wasn't smart to go running when Dante had said he'd come back, but Nero had a feeling.  He yanked everytime his mother wavered, not stopping as they hurried down through the halls and to the stairs.  The lack of demonic guards was a relief, and Nero even felt a moment of spiteful satisfaction thinking of what Dante must have done to them.

They spiraled down the stairs, passing several floors, and Nero started to realize he'd never gone this far from their rooms.  They reached the bottom before he'd come up with a plan.

"Um, I think… This way?"  Nero glanced at his mother who seemed even less sure than he was.  "Yeah, this way.  Let's go!"

He grabbed Mom's hand again and headed in the direction he felt a welcoming tug from.  The presence seemed like it was getting nearer.

"Vergil!  Nero!"  Dante appeared around the corner, looking a little beat up but grinning like a maniac.  "Great timing.  We gotta go."

"I told you, Mom," Nero looked up at his mother whose face was pinched with pain, and he towed him along.  "It's gonna be okay now.  Dante's going to help us.  Everything will be just--"

The moment they made it into the main entrance hall, the ground rumbled.  He saw Trish's eyes go wide just as the floor collapsed out from under them.  Nero tried to hold on to Mom as best he could, getting the wind knocked out of him when Nelo Angelo landed partly on top of him, but they both were in good enough shape to scramble to their feet.

"Nero!" Nelo Angelo gasped and pulled him close.  "Nero, are you hurt?  Please tell me you're alright!"

"I'm okay, don't worry," Nero said quickly.  He looked around the underground chamber, finding himself in thigh deep water.  It was cold, but not unbearable.  He spotted Dante and the demoness just a little further in.

Then the world ripped apart.

It was like someone shredded a hole in the wall right through to the Underworld.  The horrible, snarling, too-many-eyed blob that lurched partway through the gap wasn't like any demon Nero had ever seen, but he knew what it was anyway.  Father was now just as ugly on the outside as he was on the inside.

Nelo Angelo hauled Nero as far away as they could get, curling over his son protectively.  "N-no… No, no, no!" he babbled.  "Master, forgive me!  We didn't mean to leave!"

"Wicked little whore!" Mundus snarled, massive hand pawing through the water.  "I should have known your foul bloodline would betray me again.  I'm going to kill you and that half-breed spawn of yours like I should have when I found you!"

Nero felt his mother suck in a breath against his spine only for it to stutter back out.

"No one talks to my brother like that," Dante said menacingly.  He held up two weapons Nero had never seen the likes of and aimed them at Mundus.  "You lied to them all this time, didn't you?  Nero was never your kid at all.  He's mine, and there's no way in hell I'm letting you lay a hand on either of them!"

Mouth dropping open, Nero could only stare in shock as the blonde demon lent her power to Dante and the pair blasted Mundus back through the rift.  He flinched when Father -- No, not Father, he thought -- tried to hang on and pull himself back through.

"Dante, I will return!  And I will rule this world!" Mundus shrieked, clawing vainly at the edges of the portal until his grip gave way.

"Goodbye!" Dante taunted with a salute.  "And when you do come back, give my regards to Nero when he puts a sword through your ugly face, will ya?"

The gate snapped shut with a rush of air, cutting off Mundus' desperate scream, and Nelo Angelo scrambled forward, sloshing through the water toward the empty space.  “No, Master, don’t leave me!  Master, I need you!  Please come back!”

Grabbing onto his Mother’s waist, Nero dug in his heels and practically picked the man up off his feet.  “Mom, stop!  He’s gone, okay?  We don’t need him anymore!”

“How can you say that?!”  Nelo Angelo spun to face his son, eyes wild and lost.  “I need to go to him, don’t you understand?  I need to--”

“So you’ll just leave me?  Are you going to abandon me for him?”  Nero set his teeth, but he knew the words had struck hard by the horror that washed over Mom’s face.  With shaking hands, Nelo Angelo reached out and cupped his jaw, mouth opening without any sound.

Dante’s hand on Mom’s shoulder seemed to break the moment’s spell.  His eyes were full of the love that had always been absent from Mundus.  “I don’t know everything he did to you, Vergil, but swear I’ll help you get back to yourself.  Just as soon as we get off this stupid island…”

"We're too late!" Trish cried over the sound of stones falling and splashing into the water.  

"No, Trish.  It's never too late."  Dante yanked them all out of the way as a big… thing came falling down.  Nero had never seen anything like it before, but the huge smirk on Dante's face told him it was something good.  "Com'on, gang.  This is our ride!"

Dante pulled Mom up first, saying something quiet to him but not pausing even when Nelo Angelo -- Vergil barely responded.  He looked like he was in some kind of daze.  Trish was next, cramming into the seat with Mom, and then Dante easily lifted Nero up and into the contraption to sit on Mom’s lap.  "You ready to blow this joint?" Dante asked, and Nero grinned back.

The rest happened fast.  The plane, as Dante called it, turned out to be able to fly.  It was noisy and shook almost as badly as the castle, but it lifted them into the air and away.  The island exploded just as they got clear, shock waves making the plane rock for a terrifying moment.  Dante just laughed and pretty soon Nero did too.

He’d never felt so weightless in his life.  The constant fear, worrying that Mundus would go too far and seriously hurt Mom, that Mundus would decide that Nero wasn’t good enough and just get rid of him.  He hadn’t realized how heavy it was until now.

Trish stared out at the sky, trying to take it all in at once.  Nero couldn't blame her.  He'd seen pictures in books, but this was something else. "The sky!" she exclaimed. "So clear! So blue!"

"Sure is.  What do you think, Nero?  You like it out here?"  Dante glanced over his shoulder.

"It's amazing!" Nero cried.  He wanted to say more, to ask a million questions, but Mom's silence was starting to worry him.  He could feel how tense Vergil was against him.  "Mom, it's gonna be okay now," Nero said, hugging him again.

His mother blinked as if he'd just woken up from a terrible dream.  Looking down, Vergil lifted a hand and gently ran his fingers through Nero's hair.  "Y-yes…  It hurts, but… You're here.  You're safe, and that's what matters."

"We're both safe," Nero stressed, laying his head against Mom's shoulder.  "Dante told us the truth.  He saved us."

"And you don't have to worry anymore," Dante piped up as the plane banked off toward land.  "I'll look after you two as long as you'll let me.  You’re stuck with me now!"

"That…" Vergil started only to cut off for a moment.  Nero glanced up and saw a new clarity in his mother's eyes that made his heart warm.  "That doesn't sound so bad at all."

Previous: https://thatkinkytrashcan.tumblr.com/post/631365355814748160/broken-blades-pt-5 Next: https://thatkinkytrashcan.tumblr.com/post/631365536305053696/broken-blades-pt-7

[marshmallowgoop]

Do you have an essay on Light Your Heart Up?

Sadly, I don’t have a full essay on the song.

However, I have discussed this cheery tune in a few other posts, and those posts probably sum up my thoughts well.

First, I’ll point to an essay I wrote about “New World Symphony,” the second ending theme of Kill la Kill. Like “Light your heart up,” it seems very clear that “New World Symphony” is a song about how much Mako loves Ryuko, and also like “Light Your Heart Up,” it’s got an upbeat melody when I actually see the underlying meaning as rather sad.

To quote:

In both [“New World Symphony” and “Light your heart up”], it’s clear that Mako loves Ryuko immensely, but also in both, there’s the sense that Mako… isn’t quite getting through to her.

“Light your heart up” is all about Mako trying to let Ryuko know that she’s there for her and trying to get Ryuko to feel comfortable opening up. It’s saying, “I’m here for you, I love you, let me help you!” Similarly, “New World Symphony” seems to directly tie into Mako’s backstory as revealed in SUSHIO CLUB LOVE LOVE KLKL. Mako was a lonely girl with no friends, but then she meets Ryuko, and her life “changes color.” She’d always wanted it to happen, but once it does, she doesn’t know what to do. She’s a “coward” and doesn’t know how to express her feelings. She doesn’t know how to let Ryuko know that she’s loved and cared for and that she matters so much.

It’s probably really telling that this song plays in the latter half of the series, and, particularly, in the ending for episode 21, where Mako and Senketsu literally break into Ryuko’s heart to save her from Junketsu. There, Mako stops being a “coward” and lets Ryuko know in no uncertain terms how much she cares about her. In the following episode, Ryuko embraces the fact that people love her, and Mako truly gets for the first time that Ryuko finds her important and valuable and loves her back—so much so that she can’t find the words to describe it.

“New World Symphony” is a very cute, bubbly song that many found unfitting to hear after scenes where Ryuko’s heart gets brutally ripped out of her chest or she’s completely drenched in her own blood, but I’ve always seen it as having some rather sad implications. It’s a song about not knowing how to express how you feel and wanting things to change but not knowing how to. It’s a song that asks, “Do you know how much you mean to me?”

Which is fitting, in a show that’s centered on the growth of a girl who learns to let people in and understand that she’s loved and valued.

Of course, “New World Symphony” isn’t “Light your heart up,” but much of what I say here about “New World” also applies to my feelings on “Light.” Mako is also expressing her overflowing love for Ryuko with “Light your heart up,” and there’s also a real sadness behind the lyrics.

However, “Light your heart up” has a far more palpable, tragic sense of longing. The song is pleading, desperate—Mako wants to lighten Ryuko’s spirits, to help encourage her to cast off her “broken wings” and fly high above her horrible past, to guide Ryuko’s way so that she never loses it again.

“Please let me see you smiling,” Mako says, after expressing that “no one can take [Ryuko’s] place.” 

“Please let me see you crying,” she says, after expressing that there “ain’t no one who can touch [Ryuko’s] heart” and how a lonely girl like Ryuko is “hard to crumble.”

Whereas Ryuko shows Senketsu the tears that she hides from others…

…and can’t fake smiles for him like she can for anyone else…

Mako doesn’t have that kind of connection with Ryuko for much of the series. 

And as “Light your heart up” tells us in no indirect terms, Mako knows this. She knows Ryuko isn’t opening her heart to her. And it hurts. She’s so in love with Ryuko, and yet… Ryuko doesn’t feel fully “safe” with her. Ryuko is afraid to be vulnerable in front of Mako. Ryuko is afraid to share her heart with Mako as she so openly does with Senketsu—and as she even quite literally does in episode 11.

Which brings me to another essay of mine that references “Light your heart up.” There, I briefly discuss Ryuko’s relationship with Mako, and I also talk quite a bit about Ryuko’s “Power of Friendship” moment in episode 22. The English dub of that scene does a great job of marking a turn away from Ryuko’s fear of letting Mako in—at least in my opinion!

As I argue in that post:

It’s my personal interpretation that Mako has spent much of the series not feeling as significant in Ryuko’s life as Senketsu, which can (at least partially) explain some of her dialogue about them. “Ryuko loves her uniform more than anything on the planet!” “After all, the reason you wear Senketsu is because you love him best, right?” “Senketsu is your friend and your Sunday best! He’s going to cling to you forever and ever…” And so on. So, in my opinion, she reminds Ryuko that “Senketsu’s not [her] only friend!” because she feels like she has to–she loves Ryuko so much, but she’s afraid Ryuko can’t see it. I also get this impression from “Light your heart up,” her character song.

This begs the question: why does she feel Ryuko can’t see it? I think the English dub script answers part of that [in episode 22] when Ryuko says, “You [Mako] didn’t care if I pushed you away. You kept coming back and coming back like a yo-yo!” On an emotional level, I see this as reflecting a lot of Ryuko’s early behavior around Mako. I’ve always seen it that Ryuko is afraid of opening up to people, so she distances herself from them–pushes them away. With Mako at the start of the series, she’s hesitant to begin a friendship (episode 1), she’s silent and disconnected when eating with her family (episodes 2, 5), and she keeps a lot of her concerns and feelings bottled up and doesn’t confide in Mako about them (episodes 2, 3, 5, 7, 13). When Mako scolds her family for judging Ryuko in episode 5 for talking to Senketsu (and Mataro, in episode 6), I see that as her saying, “Well, Ryuko needs someone to talk to.” (Of course, I also see it as more complicated than that, and have expanded on that here, but for the sake of brevity, heh…)

Essentially, though, Ryuko has struggled to be emotionally open with people and with Mako, which she realizes by the time of episode 22. I love how the dub talks about this, because instead of just making it about the wedding scene as in the original script, it’s more representative of their relationship as a whole, which I find more fitting and heartfelt. No matter how much Ryuko tried to keep Mako away at first—and literally as well, as Ryuko’s had a history of trying to keep her out of the fights—Mako kept sticking by her side. It’s a powerful moment for both of them when Mako can see that Ryuko’s always found her important, and when Ryuko can finally express that.

But all that said, Senketsu may not get a “Light your heart up”-like song himself (sadly!), but I feel that he actually has similar feelings as Mako. He’s just a uniform, he only matters to Ryuko because she needs him to fight, Mako is Ryuko’s most special person, the one who can get her to relax, and he most certainly doesn’t have that kind of significance to her….

It kinda makes me wish Senketsu and Mako got to have more of a relationship. As “Light your heart up” details, Mako longs to have the kind of connection with Ryuko that Senketsu does, but Senketsu probably thinks he has that kind of connection simply because Ryuko doesn’t see him as a person who means anything.

As I detail in another post on the English dub for the “Power of Friendship” scene:

Senketsu and Mako are wildly different characters, but their arcs are actually remarkably similar. Both deal with gaining self-respect after a history of being belittled and stigmatized, and, regarding their relationships with Ryuko, they each downplay their own significance to her.

Mako constantly gushes about how much Senketsu means to Ryuko. She describes them as friends before anyone else does and repeats on multiple occasions that Ryuko loves him more than anyone else. Senketsu, meanwhile, struggles immensely with the concept of Ryuko seeing him as anything more than her only uniform. He feels Mako is Ryuko’s most important person, thinking that she is the only one who can calm Ryuko and get her to relax, and he would willingly die protecting Mako from the brainwashed, Junketsu!Ryuko—killing or even hurting Mako would absolutely break Ryuko, but he doesn’t think the same applies for himself.

But as we see in the wedding-crashing scene, both Senketsu and Mako are Ryuko’s most important people, and both have the power to bring her to her senses. Both are there playing a huge role in saving her, and—contrary to what Senketsu believes—it is when Ryuko attacks him that she realizes she is hurting both of them and ultimately snaps out of it.

When I first watched the English dub of Ryuko’s “Power of Friendship” speech pictured here [in the linked post], I was immediately taken in by how the script draws slightly more attention to these ideas than the original. We clearly see Senketsu’s reactions in all versions—he bursts into tears when Ryuko says he’s warm and comfortable and that she never wants to take him off again, and he gasps at the idea that he’s as much her important person as Mako is. But when Mako asks, “Really, me too?!” in the English dub instead of “What, me?!,” we get more from Mako’s side of this. Just as Senketsu, she’s shocked that Ryuko thinks so fondly of her.

Ryuko’s response then adds even more. Instead of just having it be about the wedding-crashing scene as in the original script, she talks of their relationship as a whole, really coming to terms with her behavior of pushing Mako away (both emotionally and literally) and recognizing that it’s not fair to do this to any of her friends, no matter how much she feels she doesn’t deserve them.

Are these huge dialogue changes? No, definitely not. But I find it adds a lot to a huge scene, drawing more attention to the fact that Mako doesn’t realize how much she means to Ryuko just as Senketsu doesn’t and having Ryuko really express that yes, she has pushed her friends away, but she’s determined to stop putting them through that and live up to what they think of her.

In any case, this got way longer than I meant, and I probably lost my way a little bit in trying to talk about “Light your heart up.” But my point is that I see it as a sad song, a longing song, no matter how cheerful it seems. That Ryuko says she “can’t move [her] feet in the dark” and that Senketsu is “the only one who can help [her] out” in her duet with him, “Before my body is dry,” all while Mako sings all by herself that she’ll be Ryuko’s “spark when [she’s] lost in the dark” in her love song to Ryuko, “Light your heart up”… is tragic.

But Kill la Kill is all about the shy, lonely Ryuko finally letting people in—and that most certainly includes the girl who sings her heart out about how Ryuko can feel safe with her.

[selfshippinglover]

~Headcanon Tiiimeees Part 2!~

@spectralsapphic The cuteness concludes!

Vanessa:

~Randomly steals you away for trips

~Always acts cool and casual but blushes over you in secret

~Talks to you about deep things and random things

~Goes with you to Paris

~Blows you kisses

~Winks at you from across the street or in the crowd

~Sings loudly around only you and her family in the car

~Allows you to keep secrets so she can have hers

~Never loses faith in you

~Compliments you very casually

~Isn’t all that touchy-feely but craves you being around her

~Honest to you about everything that she’s willing to share

Stacy:

~Gets flustered around you easily

~Goes out with you ALL the time to everywhere in town

~Is nervous around you and plays with her hands

~Tries to hold your hand or brush past you at any opportunity

~Talks to you about everything under the sun

~Loves to share drinks with you <3

~Easily excited when you’re around

~Talks about you to anyone that will listen

Linda:

~Talks to you about her touring days, saying how she wishes you’d been there

~Giggles and laughs a lot more around you, cheeks staining slight red

~Talks about future plans with you in a realistic yet fun fashion

~Likes to plan your meetings since she’s a very busy women

~Always smiles when you’re around

~You guys kiss all the time

~She just loves you wholly and unabashedly

Candance:

~Freaks out every time you talk to her

~Frets over every little thing when you’re around because she believes you deserve perfection

~Lots of cuddles, kisses, and anything else

~Movie dates and sleepovers are ya’ll go to hangouts

~Though the mall is one too!

~SHE TELLS EVERYONE ABOUT YOU AND IS ALWAYS TRYING TO GET YOUR ATTENTION BRO

~Overthinks everything she gives to you cause she wants her love to expressed to the fullest

~You two jam and dance to The Bettys

~DUCKY MOMO BINGE

~Concert dates are a must!!

Janis:

~She’ll straight up kill a dude for you ngl

~Stands up for you

~Always makes sure you feel heard

~Eating lunch together everyday <3

~YOU SPEED DOWN HIGHWAYS IN HER CAR WITH THE MUSIC TURNED WAY UP

~Expect her to kiss you all over 

~Holds your hand when in need of a boost or comfort

~Ya’ll gonna makeout real hard

~She isn’t jealous, just protective

Regina:

~She’ll burn people to social and mental SHREDS for you

~Jealous and clingy AF

~Wants you to burn the world with her

~Flusters when you laugh

~You gotta buy her stuff, you know?

~Reads books about love triangles and rants to you about them

~Threatens anyone that flirts with you

Gretchen:

~More than anything, she needs to know that you’ll be there for her

~Cries at sad movies with you

~Keeps her crush secret from everyone

~You’re one of the only people that can put the light back in her eyes

~Asks you to stand up for her since she can’t bare to herself most of the time

~Only does things like kisses and cuddles in private

~seriously, please tell her how beautiful she is cause’ you’re the only one that can get through to her at times

~She’ll sing but only if you sing with her

~You two will share many starry dates where you stare up late and chill on the roof

Ember:

~Rock concerts 24/7

~She sings songs with and for you on stage

~Lots of terrorizing the locals

~Totally mind controls people to do stuff for the two of you

~Gets pissed and tells you all about whilst you hold her

~She flushes when you get angry and/or protective cause’ no one has ever been mad for her sake

~Will mess anyone up that starts problems for you

~Puts arms in front of you protectively if others try to involve you

Penelope:

~She’s always seeing you after school to, “study”

~Doesn’t brainwash you since you’re in love

~She’s honestly shocked when you confess to her cause’ no one has ever liked her like that much before?? 

~Like, she laughs in your face and then is all, “Wait, you’re serious?”

~If someone threatens you, it becomes personal to her to make them pay

~She hisses at people that interrupt the two of you talking

~She’ll kiss you in front of the students so watch  out sahfhwej

~Follows you around in her shadow form

Vlad:

~Is jealous and will make it obvious that ya’ll are dating(I.E. kissing you, sweeping you into a dip, grabbing your hand, etc)

~Privately cuddles and spoils you

~Asks you to live with him in his mansion

~Gives you expense things

~Kisses you all through the night

~Holds you tight in his ghost form

~Flashes his fangs and winks at you

The Hex Girls:

~They all shower you with love and laughter

~They wink at you in the crowds at their shows

~They ask you to come up on stage and dance

~They like to have you be a guest star at their shows just to fluster you

~Seriously, like, they’ll compliment and faun over you at anytime

~Cuddle piles every night!

Isabelle:

~Cuddles and long sleepovers are constant

~She always has encouragement for you

~Stands by you no matter what

~Is little spoon

~Clings to you a lot 

~Is always smiling when you’re mentioned and blushes to herself

~Asks to live together

~Cooks all kinds of food for you!

~ADORES YOUR FOREHEAD KISSES(THEY FLUSTER HER SOOOO MUCH)

~Is honest with you about everything(though she’s also a bad liar)

~Her tail wags when she sees you

~Loves your scent but tries to hide the facet that she looks for it in crowds

Gothel:

~Will actually slay a bitch for you

~Loves to hold you captive with her eyes and arms

~Does the “hands against the wall” thing lots

~Seriously, there’s no way you can’t know that she likes you

~Protective and kinda obsessive about you

~If someone looks at you the wrong way, maaannnn I fear for them

~Hopes you’ll join her in eternal youth

~secretly a little spoon

~Longs for you to understand and not fear her

~Will fetch you cool things from the woods to make your favorite meals 

Honey:

~Easily flustered when she sees or even THINKS ABOUT YOU!!

~Wants to show you everything she makes!

~Talks to you about her life and everything about herself

~Tells you bad jokes

~Finds creative ways to gift you things

~CUDDLES CUDDLES CUDDLES 

~Makes you coffee

~Makes inventions for you

~Would love it if you would pet her hair

Elsa:

~makes snow magic creatures and structures for you

~You are her main source of calm

~She really admires you

~Holds onto your waist when scared

~Meets you at every royal endeavor to vent

~Sing alongs of course!!

~Long, unyielding kisses

~Camping out underneath the sunset

~Starry nights trading stories

~Long bouts of staring at each others eyes

Megara:

~Hates that she has a crush on you

~Avoids trying to see you ends up doing so anyways

~You two end up rescuing one another a lot for some reason??

~She just straight up wants to kiss you until neither of you can breathe

~Competes and trains with you

~Argues playfully with you

~Sings to you in a secret place(the garden)

~Always pushing you to do your best

~Keeps you on your toes with her actions and flirting

~Really likes it when you cuddle her from behind but will never say it out loud

Octavia:

~Plays her violin for you 

~Not very cuddly but loves giving you surprise gifts

~Whatever she gives you holds meaning

~She’s so sincere towards you

~Holds you tight in bad situations

~She really cares about your feelings and will go to great lengths to not upset you

~Always invites you to her concerts before anyone else

~Isn’t really jealous but will be curt about it if somepony is giving you trouble

~Supports you in everything you do and gives you blunt, realistic feedback

Queen Chrysalis:

~Celestia save anypony whom would dare hurt you is all I gotta say

~Super clingy and will NOT SHARE YOU

~Hisses at anypony that has something bad to say about you two

~Makes you a personal bed in her throne

~If you’re going the redemption arc route, then she feeds off of your love for her eternally <3

~If not, then she wonders why you like her and keep coming around??

~Like, every other pony doesn’t. You can’t seriously like her, can you? ~she decides to use your self-proclaimed “love” as a weapon against the main six

~But as you continue to devote yourself to her(no matter how reluctant you may be) she realises you really DO love her

~And something in her changes

~Everypony can see it when you’re with her

~Yes, she still wants revenge but,it’s not the only thing she wants

~She wants you

Princess Luna:

~Takes long walks with you at night

~Takes care of your nightmares as fast as she can

~When a crisis strikes, she fights with herself about whether to help you first or not

~Luna comes to you in dreams

~Wakes up early to hang out with you

~Is flustered when complimented

~Geuinely wants to know what you see in her so she can try and see it in herself

~Big spoons you often but doesn’t mind being little spoon

~Is still learning how to show affection

~Tries writing you love letters 

Natsuki:

~Likes you and does everything to be around you despite sounding mad

~Bakes you goodies 

~Likes to teach you things

~flusters at anything remotely flirty happening

~Takes naps with you

~sleepovers mostly happen at your house

`You are her safety and the one person she can trust with venting

~Enjoys bantering with you

~Shares her cute collection with you 

~Buys you merch and manga she knows you like

~Reads to you

~Calls you out on your problems bluntly and does her best to help you with them

Yuri:

~Shows you her book and knife collection

~Shy and flusters at small touches and prolonged gazes

~Longs to talk to alone about everything she is thinking

~Tries to figure out your schedule to run into you on “accident”

~Tries to read any books you like

~Writes poems for you

~If we’re going bad rout though, she’s a yandere so there’s all the things that come with that

Monika:

~Possesive and clingy but lowkey

~Aims to impress you in anyway that she can

~Writes you songs, writes you poems, sings for you

~Feels more relaxed with you

~And like herself

~Gosh, she holds so many daydreams of you two together in her head

~She’s always trying to get you to notice her, but in subtle ways

~Asks you to go with her to run errands

~Invites you to hang out with her in and outside of school

~If we’re talking about bad end, then, you know, your hers forever :)

Sayori:

~She’s always loved you but was scared to say it cause of wht happens next

~Still, she does her best for you and herself

~Making sure you’re keeping up in with your studies

~Helping you make friends

~Making sure you know she’s always there for you

~When you confess, she’s so happy happy her heart could burst!

~You guys walk back fourth from school hand in hand

~She compliments you 

~Flusters when you do the same

~Playfully kisses and cuddles with you

~Slowly comes to express all of her fears to you

~There’s just so much love and care

~Wholesome overall

~If we’re talking just Sayori, however, then get ready for friends eternally :DD

[cliban]

Stitches: Chapter 2

Turns out it’s actually a week you have to wait, sorry!

“ Glinn looked around subtly, then pulled out her knife and started to hack away at the edge of the crow's nest.”

“She doesn’t…”

“She can’t. Lox, please don’t..”

“Jala…”

“Like brainwashing…”

“Broken!”

“No more than we were.”

Voices slipped through the boards above Seventeen, and she curled closer to herself. Occasionally somebody would take a step, and she'd stiffen, stop breathing, until no other steps were taken. This cycle of hostility and tense behavior repeated several times before Seventeen, exhausted by the recent events, curled her tail around her, and slipped into a darkness previously almost unknown to her.  

~

Glinn marched away from the group to the mast, her steps brisk and deliberate and hard. That was nothing compared to the rage that boiled inside her stomach, her arms and shoulders, tense in such a way it made her muscles hurt to finally relax in preparation to haul herself up to the crow's nest. She grabbed a rope and steadied herself against the mast before racing up it, arms burning as she reached roughly three quarters of the way up. She grunted, dissatisfied, and reached up, clinging to the nest with her finger tips and steadying her legs as she hauled herself up. She sprawled onto the floor and rolled onto her back, sliding into a sitting position in one smooth motion.

Glinn looked around subtly, then pulled out her knife and started to hack away at the edge of the crow's nest. How dare he, how dare he? Her mind howled at her. Torturing them, hurting them, brainwashing them against you! She shivered unexpectedly, sinking the blade again and again into the softest parts of the wood. Moxie's gone, so now what do you have? A- she cut herself off, feeling slightly guilty. It wasn't her fault… but still. She wasn't strong enough, you don't deserve this poor excuse of a replacement! She spat and stabbed the wood a final time, and tucked into her belt and stood. She wrapped a rope partially around her hand and leaned over to the edge, taking in the sight, before simply… jumping.

Her skirt billowed in the wind as she swung down, Glinn knew that much. Lox had commented on it god knew how many times - she always punched him. It was always exciting, falling for a short while before the rope stretched taught and she lowered herself to the deck, landing lightly. She unwrapped the rope from her hand and continued to walk towards the stern of the ship, where Narali and Mara were talking quietly together.

"Captain? What's the plan?" Narali looked at Glinn, and Glinn felt cold as she saw the sadness in her captain's eyes. It was gone in a second. "First off, just Narali. Told you that a thousand times. Second… How we've always done it. We journey to the wilderness before the wasteland and we show her how the world is. Then we'll fly to Mars and check in on the rest of the team. I was just telling Em when we'd try to be there." Glinn sighed. “Yes, captain.” She breezed off, not looking back in case they spotted the dread on her face.

~

Seventeen was still curled up into a ball when she heard footsteps approach. She whimpered, shying away from whatever was coming towards her. There was a soft hum, and the footsteps stopped, followed by a slow shifting of weight. Crouching? Maybe sitting. She took a peek. It was Mara, sitting quietly cross legged a few meters away from her.

“I’m not here to convince you your viewpoint on the world is wrong, or hurt you.” He said quietly. He had a nice voice, calm and soothing. “My companions are a little rowdy, and my partner, Narali, is always full of energy. I can see that would be overwhelming to you, right?” Seventeen didn’t recognize his accent, but it was warm, adding a soft lilt to his words.

“I was just as confused as you when I began to explore the world, finding out things I wish I didn’t, and secrets that were hidden for a reason. I lost an eye for it.” He ran a finger over the metal plate, and the lights twinkled.

“I believe what I’m trying to say is… Take your time to think about things. You don’t have to believe whatever someone tells you. More people than you think only have their own interests at heart. I’ll make sure nobody bothers you.” Mara unfolded his legs in preparation to stand. His movements were slow, precise. Thoughtful. “Try thinking about your name first.” He stood quietly, and walked away with light footsteps.

Seventeen lifted her head and frowned. Her name? What about it? She didn’t really… have a name. It was a number, her number. She was Subject 0-17, and helpful to the rulers. She would help the authority, explore, perhaps even find new planets. She was strong, and would hopefully survive her training. That was who she was, nothing more, nothing less. Why would she need to think about it? She’d be going back to the lab eventually… Yet the crew of the Licienta had names, proper names. Maybe she needed one to be happy while they took her back? But why would she need to be happy? It was confusing. She sat there, thinking.

Too much of this didn’t make sense for Seventeen. She had always been at the lab, but now that she was away from it, she almost felt happier. But this new place was scarier, and she didn’t like it. Is that what you feel, or what you’re telling yourself? her mind whispered to her traitorously. Her tail thumped, frustrated, dislodging a plank from the floor. Frowning, Seventeen turned and pulled at it, revealing a book. It was small, and leather-bound. Curiously, she opened to the third page.

I’m… confused, I have to admit. I’ve been over there my entire life, but now I’m over here. Narali and Mara seem nice, but I’m terrified of them. Narali is unpredictable, volatile, according to everything I’ve been taught, but she they have treated me with kindness since they took me here. I’m… angry. Not the usual way. I’ve looked out on the bow of the Licienta as she flies through the open sky, and it’s beautiful. I’ve watched the sunrise from the crow’s nest. It’s so much better than the pictures. Yet my mind tells me I’m still in danger. That these people are dangerous, and I will die in the wilderness. I’ll have to go back, and continue my training to be able to control-

Footsteps.

Seventeen’s ears pricked up and she shoved the book back under the plank. It was Mara again. “Narali wishes to speak with you.” He said softly, and Seventeen stood straight up and to attention. Mara sighed, and made a follow me gesture. Seventeen followed him to the deck, and through a door. Narali sat inside. “Heya.” They motioned for Mara to close the door and waved Seventeen over to sit beside them. They had something in their hands, but they were fiddling too much with it for Seventeen to figure out what it was.

“So.” Narali had been silent for all of three seconds. “You’re pretty confused right now, huh?” Seventeen shrugged. “Maybe.” Narali nodded. “You know very little about me, but, not to sound creepy or anything, we know a lot about you. You are the seventeenth in a long line of experiments to create a super-powered being, capable of crowd control, space travel, and incredible fighting skills.” Seventeen looked away, through the window at the rear of the ship. It was a big window, taking up pretty much the entire wall of the cabin. They were facing it, the light of the setting sun on their faces. “Our goal is to rescue these people.” Narali said gently. “Rescue them? But from what?” Seventeen burst out. “I was perfectly happy there! I was going to be important, and helpful! Aren’t you going to take me back? Please take me back! I don’t want to be stuck here!” She clutched at Narali’s cufflinks and Narali took her hands in theirs.

“Were you taught about the Third War?” Narali asked, quietly, and Seventeen nodded slowly. “When the rulers saw that the people were uprising, they decided they needed a weapon, and quickly. Jala was given this project, and started taking people from their homes, experimenting on them, and when they ultimately died or escaped, taking new people. It’s an awful cycle of torture that you’ve been sucked into.” Narali’s face was bright with passion and sadness. “You were one of them, but you were turned, and I assume you lost your memories.” Seventeen looked away. “I think you’re lying. I was created there, and I need to go back.”

Narali shook their head, and squeezed Seventeen’s hands gently. “That’s what you were taught from the moment your mind was reset and you were stitched back together. Your aversion to neurodivergent people? Taught to you by Jala because they are the only people that he can’t use his mind control on. Our minds are configured in mysterious ways, and it’s how he finds and takes us.” Seventeen went tense. “What do you mean, our?” Narali bit their lip, mixing red with the purple lipstick. “We… The crew are all neurodivergent. We stick together because there’s nowhere else for us. I was failed and cast out for the impulsivity that my ADHD causes. Mara was almost beaten to death for misreading someone’s body language and not getting out when he could. Lox was thought to be a conman with his separate personalities, and nobody associates with them. Glinn has a very short temper, and tended to snap, once too many times.”

Seventeen ripped her hands away from Narali’s like they were poisoned. “Don’t.” Narali said softly, watching Seventeen’s mouth open. She twirled her hair nervously. “Think about it. If all the subjects have been neurodivergent…” Narali trailed off. “No. No…..” Seventeen felt her mind struggle to comprehend the information. And she knew she didn’t want to go back to the lab, but it was the only thing she’d ever known. “Prisoner..” she whispered. Her fears didn’t disappear. Her habits, her thought patterns, they were still there. But she knew. Maybe. But being here felt right, and the lab felt wrong. But she wasn’t supposed to have feelings…

Seventeen buried her face in her hands. “I don’t understand…” she whispered. Narali stood up. “Come on.” Seventeen took her hands away. A single stream of tears flowed steadily down her face, and Narali smiled sadly. They outstretched a hand and Seventeen looked at it, confused. Narali shrugged, and led the way out of the cabin to the very stern of the ship, hooking their legs over the railing and watching the sun begin to disappear below the clouds.

“You’ve never seen this before, I bet? This sight… all the oranges and yellows.”

Seventeen shook her head. “Not these colours.”

Narali smiled thinly. “Wait until you see the nebulas we fly through. You’ll love them, I bet. And the rest of our crew: Em, Sere, Veroh, the gang.” They sounded… downcast, somehow, and Seventeen snuck a look to see their face. Unreadable, as per usual. Then Narali spoke again, and they were brighter, more cheerful. “I know it’s hard. Going away from everything you’ve ever known. But take a look at the sunset, and you tell me whether it’s worth it or not.” Seventeen opened her mouth and Narali shook their head. “You don’t have to tell me now. Take as long as you want, forget about it if you want.” They pulled their knees to their chest. “Would you like me to stay?” Seventeen shook her head, and Narali took off their hat. “That’s okay. I can put off our evening meal for a little while until you feel ready to come down and eat with us.” They stood up, hair blowing in the small breeze, and walked off.

The sunset was beautiful. Red bled out into orange, and orange turned into yellow, and then it disappeared behind the clouds. Orange light shone gently on Seventeen’s face, and her legs and tail dangled of the edge of the ship. Her legs trembled, and so did her hands. “Whether it’s worth it or not…. Names.” Seventeen whispered to herself, and her voice cut across the quiet sky. She was cold. What if she jumped from the ship, and tried to go to the horizon from here? Would the clouds catch her, or would she tumble straight through them as they drifted by with cruel indifference? A tear dripped onto her hand. She hadn’t even realised she was crying. Her limbs were still shaking, and she was still freezing. Perhaps… Perhaps they would make sure she was warm and safe. Maybe. Or was that just her wishful thinking, for them to do what Jala never did? She wrapped her arms around herself.

Jala wasn’t a bad person. He’d been nice to her some of the time. She loved him as a parent, as one of the ones who raised her. And she didn’t want to leave her family, her home. But how many times had she begged to go out? To meet people? For him to please love her as a daughter. How many times had she cried, then fallen into an emotionless state for months? More tears dripped down. Seventeen stared at them. Light reflected off them like a few scattered diamonds on her hand. This is what she had prayed for. People to come take her away, go on an adventure. Leave her old life behind. But now that it was happening… It hurt her. She didn’t want anything to change, but she did at the same time. She buried her face in her hands, and took a deep, shuddering breath. Then she stood, and put her hands by her sides, hair whipping in the wind, and sun shining its last few rays onto her face. As it disappeared, she blew it a kiss, trembling.

~

When she finally stepped below deck, she felt four sets of eyes on her. Glinn was peering over her large book, and Lox was wrapped up in a blanket. She wouldnt’ve known it was him if it weren’t for the glasses perched on the small gap in the sheets. Narali had their chin on Mara’s shoulder as he fiddled with some kind of device.

It was hard to keep herself from shivering, but under the deck it was warmer, and she gradually loosened her shoulders. She must still have been trembling, though, because Narali stood up, shrugging off their coat, and walked over to her. Underneath they were strong and pale and wore some kind of chest wrap. They held it out to her and she slipped it on. It was warm. Comforting. Narali smiled at her. “Thank you.” She bowed her head, and Narali exhaled slowly. “Would you like some food, Seventeen? Lord knows Lox has been complaining about it all night.” They rolled their eyes as a muffled exclamation came from the bundle of blankets. She shook her head. “I would like food, but I wouldn’t like to be Seventeen.” Down at the table, Mara hid a smile. Narali nodded. “What would you like to be known as?” She shrugged. “I have no idea.”

There was a snort from the bundle of blankets and Lox’s glasses changed colour to yellow. “Vrin name?” He said hopefully. He… or she? It was hard to tell. Narali glanced at them. “Vrin normally takes charge of naming people. He likes naming.” Every single instinct of her was telling her to run, but she walked over. “Hmm… Ess… Ss.” Vrin murmured. “Sahvanten… Sahlia!” The newly named Sahlia blinked. She liked that name. “Sahlia…” She smiled slightly. “Sahlia. I like that.” The glasses changed back to purple and Lox’s voice floated out of the bundle of blankets. “Now can we eat? I’m starving.” Glinn threw her book at him. “Ow.”

Narali chuckled, and disappeared into a room, returning a few seconds later with a container full of food. “I cooked tonight, Glinn’s on cleanup.” Glinn glanced at her nails and grimaced. Mara took out the plate covering his eye and put a tiny screwdriver onto it. Underneath the eyesocket was hollow, and scar tissue surrounded the bottom of it, normally covered by the plate. The screwdriver must have been magnetic, as it stuck to the plate, fitting alongside the other small tools on the back of the plate. Mara put it back on, and carried his device over to a shelf. Lox crawled out of his blanket bundle, and Gliin retrieved her book. Sahlia noticed she carefully put it back in the bookshelf before walking over.

The crew didn’t eat in silence, which was odd. Chatter and laughter filled the air, and Lox’s glasses spun with several colours. Sahlia was only mildly uncomfortable, which was an improvement. There was an increase in volume as Glinn stabbed a fork in Lox’s direction, who was laughing at her, but the rest of the meal was fine. Mara gathered up the plates and disappeared into the cabin, coming out a few seconds later. “Where’s Sahlia going to sleep?” He asked quietly, and Narali furrowed their brow. “We really need more hammocks… We gave most of them to the ground crew.” They gestured to the hammock section. “I'll find another one.” Glinn said quietly, and stood up to go do so. Lox darted after her. “Wait, you don’t need to…” Sahlia trailed off.

Narali smiled after them and went above deck with Mara after taking their coat back, leaving Sahlia to sit there awkwardly until Glinn returned with some cloth and started to hang it up. “Lox, help me out here.” She fumbled a little with the cloth until Lox held the other end up for her. “Thank you. Is Misty fronting or something? You’re not normally so helpful and quiet.” Glinn teased, and Lox huffed amiably at her. “You are a cruel person. I’m incredibly helpful.” Glinn tied a knot and tugged experimentally on the hammock. “I still saved you that time, and what have you done? Apart from annoy me?” She grinned at him, and Lox nudged her shoulder affectionately. Then Glinn glanced at Sahlia and scurried away.

No more large events happened that evening, and Narali and Mara went on lookout duty. They extinguished the lanterns and Narali took first watch. Lying there in the blue-hued darkness, Sahlia reflected that, well. It had only been a day. She saw movement and froze, wondering if they were coming to kill her, but it was only Glinn, stepping very cautiously over to Lox’s hammock. She tapped his shoulder and climbed in with him. “Thought you weren’t going to tonight.” He said softly. “Shut up. You know I like heat sources when I sleep. Besides, what if the captain or Mara or Sahlia catch us and think the wrong thing?” Glinn hissed, and Lox chuckled quietly. “You’re an odd one.” “Shut up.” Sahlia tilted her head, but by then she was so extremely tired, and before she could ask them what was going on, she was asleep.

[avengerscompound]

Finding Home - Conclusion

Finding Home: A Captain America Fanfic

Masterlist Previous //

Buy me a ☕ Character Pairing:  Bucky Barnes x Steve Rogers x OFC (Daisy Adams)

Word Count:  1860

Warnings:  Angst, mentions of torture, violence, major character death, mentions of sexual abuse/rape, pregnancy, smut (vaginal sex, oral sex, pregnancy sex, Bisexual MMF threesome)

Synopsis:  Daisy Adams has abilities. She can read minds. Force her thoughts onto others. As a child, she is taken by Hydra and raised as a weapon. Daisy finds another and speaks to him in his dreams. He has been taken too. He wants to return to the man he loves. Can she get them back together? Will she even want to once she realizes that she’s falling in love?

Conclusion

Bucky spent the next two weeks just being with us. Preparations were made for his stasis. That all happened elsewhere. In our little world in the palace we just were. He particularly seemed to want to spend as much time with the children as he could. He would sit on the ground and build things out of blocks with Jamie. I’d find him on the couch with Sarah with her sleeping soundly on his chest while he read. Sometimes Steve would be sitting behind him, Bucky leaning against him. Steve’s hand would be resting on Sarah and I felt like I was going to cry. More than once I found Bucky, napping on our bed with both children.

I started to get desperate to stop what was going to happen. He couldn’t go under. I knew he had to while the Soldier was part of him but I also knew that I could fix it if they would just let me.

“I can get him out. Please, just let me try.” I pleaded.

We were all sitting on the couch together. It was our last night together. The children were both asleep. Sarah would wake again in about five hours. Under normal circumstances, we’d be using this opportunity to sleep. We were all restless though.

I reached for Bucky. He swatted my hand away and shook his head. “You aren’t well enough yet,” Bucky said squeezing my hand. “Plus you only just had a baby and you’re still healing from that.”

I toyed with his hand, running my thumb along his. “I have been healing though. You could let me try.”

“I know this is hard for you, doll. I do. It doesn’t have to be forever. You can come back when you’re well again, but I’ve been like this for far longer than I’d like to have been. You need to let me rest.” He got up and I looked up at him sadly. He ran his finger down my jaw. “I’m going to go have a shower.”

I turned to Steve. “Can’t they use the serum on me?”

He shook his head. “The result they are getting are disturbing, to say the least. I think it would be more likely to kill you than heal you. They’re working on it though.”

I lay down against Steve and he stroked his hand through my hair. “How can you be okay with this?”

Steve laughed but it was hollow and empty. “You know that I’m not.”

“What do you think we did that the world can’t just let us be happy? Why is it punishing us?” I asked. Tears had started to slip down my cheeks.

Steve squeezed me against him. “There was a time I used to believe in God. After all that’s happened …” He shook his head. “I don’t think that’s how the world works. Things don’t happen for a reason. They just happen. We’ll just have to appreciate the happiness we can get when it happens.”

I lay clinging to him when an idea hit me. “What about the Ark? The one that made Vision. Doctor Cho. If she could fix Clint, maybe she could fix me.”

“I did actually think about that. Helen is friends with Tony though. I’m not sure it would be safe to contact her. I’ve sent out feelers. The engineers here have been looking into the same technology. They’re in talks with her to bring some here. We can hope.” Steve answered.

“We can’t let him go under, Steve. We need him. I need him. He’s a piece of me.” I whispered.

Steve lifted my head up to face him. “He loves us. He wouldn’t be doing this if he didn’t think he needed to. You have to give him the dignity of his decision.”

Bucky got out of the shower and I went and took one. When I was finally ready for bed I headed to the bedroom to find Steve and Bucky lying on the bed. They were both half-naked and just kissing and stroking each other. Their hands sliding over each other’s backs.

They looked up at me when I entered and I took a step back. “Sorry. I’ll come back when you’re done.” I said.

Bucky held his hand out to me. “Come here, Daisy.”

I shook my head. “You know I can’t. It’s okay. You should have this. I don’t mind.”

Bucky curled his fingers beckoning me over. “This isn’t about sex, doll. Come to bed.”

The three of us kissed and touched and held each other taking time to appreciate this last night we had. We fell asleep Steve spooning Bucky from one side, and my from the other.

I woke to the sound of Bucky whimpering. He was saying things under his breath. Calling for Steve. For me. I couldn’t take it anymore.

I started by soothing Bucky’s mind so that he wouldn’t wake Steve. Steve had already wrapped an arm around Bucky and pulled their bodies closer together. It had become an automatic habit and they didn’t even wake when they did it. If Bucky didn’t still though Steve would wake and I wouldn’t be able to do what I had planned.

I sat up and grabbed a handful of tissues from my side table. I held them to my face and went to work. I scoured his mind, finding every trace of his brainwashing and picking it out. I cleared him of the triggers and the torture and the need to comply. I took it all out and as I did my nose began to bleed.

My blood seeped through the tissues onto my hands, but I didn’t stop. I started arranging his mind so that his memories of when he was tortured and the things he did as the soldier wouldn’t plague him anymore. He’d still remember them. I wasn’t erasing his life. I was just manually doing the thing time would normally do.

My head started to swim but I kept going. If I passed out that wasn’t the end of the world. When I was finally done, I felt weak. I took a few deep breaths and stood. I looked at the clock. It took a little while for my eyes to focus. It said 2.39. Sarah would wake soon. I just needed to clean myself up.

I stood and wobbled on my feet.

The first thing I was aware of was crying. That wasn’t unusual. We often woke to crying since Sarah joined our family. I opened my eyes. The bed was empty except for me and it was dark. My head felt light and I took a deep breath and savored it. I couldn’t even remember the last time I just felt so me.

I slowly realized the crying wasn’t stopping and that it wasn’t just Sarah. There was another small voice wailing calling out to Daddy. Jamie.

I scrambled out of bed and nearly fell over Steve. He was crouched on the floor cradling Daisy.

“Stevie?” I said it like a question. But I knew. I knew what had happened. She hadn’t wanted me to go under. That’s why I was so clear she’d taken the Soldier out of me. She wasn’t with me either. She was always with me, but right now I was just me. I had thought just me and died seventy years ago.

He looked up and tears were leaking from his eyes. Daisy was covered in blood. “She’s not breathing.” He said.

“Steve you gotta get help.”

He shook his head and just held Daisy’s lifeless body closer to him. I went to the kids.

Things passed in a blur. I know I took Jamie to Steve. He kept asking for Mama. I’d never heard his voice before. I thought if I ever heard it, it would make me happy. It didn’t at all.

I remember not knowing what to do with Sarah. She wanted to eat and she wanted her ma, but I couldn’t give her either thing. I called for help and they sent medics to take Daisy away. They also sent formula. I fixed it while Sarah screamed into my ear.

When I finally managed to calm her enough to feed her, Steve came in with Jamie. We sat huddled up together, not saying anything.

A funeral was arranged. Steve had wanted her to go back to New York and be buried where she had first found her home. We couldn’t even give her that. After all the things she’d given us. Her love, a family, my mind, each other, and we couldn’t give her a resting place where we knew she would want to be. Instead, she was cremated. We still have her ashes. We don’t know where we should take them.

Steve was shattered. She should have let me go under. Why did she have to do this to me? I now have to live with her blood on my hands too.

He tried to contact Tony Stark. Some of his friends came to her funeral. The dame… Natasha said that Tony didn’t remember her. That she must have done something to him. That someone named Vision was the same. That broke Steve just that little bit more.

We couldn’t stay broken though. We were parents now. We had to be strong for them. Steve had planned to leave Wakanda with Daisy and the kids after I went under. Instead, he took me. We settled in a cabin in the middle of nowhere. Wanda came with us. She wanted to help with the kids and the head thing they could do. It was nice having her around in the end. I liked just us. Not having to run and being able to be together. Steve always needed more. He needed people. He needed something to stand for.

Jamie talks a lot now. He went from never making a sound to chattering away like he’d been talking for years. As much as I love listening to him, I would take it away if it meant she could come back and they could have their private conversations in their mind again. I wish I could hear him say the word Mama to her and have her answer instead of just hearing it that one time as he screamed it out in anguish.

The thing that really hurts is neither of them will remember her. They’ll never know a world with Daisy in it. They’re going to grow up not knowing how strong she was and how she fought so hard for us to be a family. How kind she could be. How much she loved them. All of us really.

I wish she could know how much I appreciate what she did for us. How she kept me, me. How she looked after Steve. How she never gave up trying to get us back together. I am happy with Steve. I am happy to be me again. I love my children. I finally feel like after all these years I’m who I am supposed to be and where I am supposed to be. I’ve found my home.

~ END ~

[animekath]

The Shy Girl At The Bar

Sharky Boshaw X Reader

Hey guys, Kat here!

This damn story has been in my drafts for nearly a YEAR, and I wanted to finish it! I am sorry if it’s not good, again it has been a long time. - 7 -” Oh well, I wanted to post it up because I bloody love Sharky, he is the best boy ever!

Sorry for spelling and grammar!

Words: 5922

Warning: Shy Reader, a lot of cute stuff, torture (By John), body praise, cunnilingus, fingering, handjob, vaginal sex, virgin, The Deputy having no fucks to give

Enjoy!

Sharky travelled alongside the Deputy to help out and burn every Peggie insight since they met in Faith’s area. They went down to Holland Valley, which was John’s territory and saved the people at Fall’s End from a bunch of Peggies’.

That is when Sharky met the beautiful and cute, _____ _____.

It was a rumour that you joined the cult, but when you realised the dark side of them, you ran away and joined the people at Fall’s End. They were surprised you made it out alive, which made the people sceptical about you at first but realised you couldn’t hurt a fly. The only person you hurt was yourself, but that’s because you were pretty clumsy with light bruises on your knees and arms.

Jerome Jeffries took you under his wing and took care of you, letting you sleep at his house since he spent most of his time in church to heal the weak. He trusted you right away, saying God led you here to help.

The Deputy didn’t seem to mind you as well, but his main focus was taking the Seed family down anyway, so you could do what you want unless it was a spy for the cultists which didn’t seem right to him since he could see right through you.

Sharky was struck on how sweet and innocent you were. Even through this hell and murder, you always had a smile on your face. It cheered people up in town, in a way. The first thing that ran through his mind though is having his face between your thighs and wondering what sweet girls tasted like.

But getting to know you over the weeks, it was still the same dirty thoughts but also liking your company, the more you talked to each other. You always laughed at his story and jokes, even if it was something you didn’t quite understand…Mainly His movie reference. He would show off his guns and flame thrower, hoping it would impress you...Which it did.

When he came to town, he would go to the bar to see you, since you spent most of your time there; helping around the bar when the others were occupied.

The Deputy instantly knew that Sharky wanted you, which just made him wonder why he hasn’t asked you out yet. Maybe age was getting to him or that he didn’t want to scare you off. Deputy did remember the roller skating story when he partially groped a girl and got kicked in the nuts while she was still wearing the skates on…Then got a boner when he accidentally set the Roller rink on fire.

He was a weird child.

They both arrived at Fall’s End, jumping out of the car but before Sharky could see you, he got grabbed by the Deputy. “Woah! What’s up, Rook?” He asked, tilting his hat up slightly.

“…” The Deputy’s head slightly tilted to the bar, which made Sharky frown slightly.

“what? I wasn’t going to see her..!” His partner was still silent, blinking dully as he raised a brow. “…Okay. maybe I was, so what?” He huffed out, crossing his arms. Rook shrugged, his fingers touching together. “What? No way! I won’t ask her out, you crazy!?”

The Deputy raised a brow since it wasn’t like Sharky not to ask a girl out. From all of his stories, he seemed like the most confident man ever. “…”

“Look, bro. I’ll try…Do it my own time, alright?” He questioned, making Rook nod in reply.

They went into the bar, seeing you talking with Nick. You got along with him well, asking about his wife and his new baby girl. He just kept joking about how his wife was a monster and crushed his hand.

When you heard the door, your face brightened when you saw Sharky and Rook. “Hey, guys..! It’s been a while..” You said before jumping off your seat to hug them. You embraced the Deputy first since he was closer and then Sharky. This made him bury his face into your neck, smelling the sweet fruit in your hair as he hugged you. Fuck, you always smelt so good. “I’m glad you’re both safe..!”

“Same to you, Chica..” He replied as he pulled away, looking down at you.

Nick nudged the Deputy when they greeted each other, pointing at the two of you. “Do they..?” Rook nods. “But they haven’t…” Deputy nods again. “Riiiiight..” He chuckled. “Sucks to be them then..’ He joked before taking another jug of his beer.

Indeed, it does suck.

~

The next night, the town’s people were setting fire to Joseph’s religious belongings like his Bible books and flags, anything in their homes. This made Sharky excited since he could set anything on fire with his flame thrower.

But he noticed you were there, holding one of Joseph’s books close to your chest, making him walk beside you. “You alright there, little lady!” He asked, lowering his flame thrower.

“Oh! Urm, yeah… I’m fine.” You muttered, your finger tapping the book. “I just…Feel a little foolish..”

“why is that?” He asked, tilting his head.

“For believing Joseph…He said this was for the future and how God wanted it, but all I saw was murder and suffering..” You muttered, frowning slightly before looking up at him. “Was I bad for believing in him in the first place?”

Sharky frowned slightly, placing a soft hand of your shoulder. “_____…” He had to choose his words wisely. “Joseph…Is a fucking asshole.”

Great start.

“He is a fucking looney who believes in God talks to him and says all this other shit..! But he’s great at talking to a group of people and can manipulate them well.” He said, before rubbing the back of his neck. “So, what I’m trying to say is…No. You’re not a bad person, Chica. I believed in a guy called Mark, who said he could give me a watch that could brainwash women. I was thinking he was bull shitting me, but the way he spoke was sooo confident and powerful, that I gave him a hundred bucks to pay for it. But when I used it on women and told a woman to take off her shirt, I got kicked in the nuts and head. I never saw that money again…” He grunted.

This made you giggle softly and made your smile return to your face. Your laugh made the boy warm up. “So toss that book!” He nudged you, making you smile brightly. You gripped the book before tossing it into the fire. “Nice throw! Here-!” He grabbed his flame thrower and went behind you, leading your hands on the handle. “Set this bitch a flame!”

“Y-Yes, sir..!” You shuttered out, his hands on top of yours to steady it in your grasp. You held the switch and gasped, your back stiff against Sharky’s chest, thinking you were going to set someone on fire.

“Burn baby, burn!”

“Yeah..! Burn the baby!” You blushed when you realised what you said but heard Sharky burst out laughing which made you laugh as well.

The Deputy smiled as he watched from afar, letting them enjoy themselves.

~

Sharky quickly drove to Fall’s End when he heard what happened to you, practically running over a few Peggies’ along the way. Deputy told him that you got caught by John’s men when he got caught. When he was running to the entrance, he saw peggies’ taking you to your cell but killed them quickly, both of you escaping.

“Rook!” Sharky ran in, seeing he looked beaten up. “You okay? Is ______ safe?” He quickly asked.

They nod as they placed their hands on his shoulders before hearing the door open to see Jerome. “Hey, Jerome. How is she?” He asked as he went past the Deputy.

“She’s fine, just shaken up.” His deep calming voice replied with, holding his Bible close to his chest “It was nothing extreme, just light cuts and two tattoos from John. It could be worse, which is the only upside..” He was right…She could have been beaten or worse.

Sharky shook it off since he didn’t want to think about her and John alone together. “Can I see her?” He asked. The Priest nods, letting him go inside.

His eyes softened, seeing you curled up in bed as you wore your white dress which clings to your body. When you raised your head and saw him, you looked happy yet nervous. “Sharky..” You muttered. He walked over as you went on your knees on the bed so you could hug each other close. You buried your face into his shoulder, taking in his scent and his muscular arms holding you. It made you calm down. “Sharky…”

“I’m here, Honey. I got you.” He muttered, placing a kiss on top of your head as he softly rubbed your back. He then sat beside you, his arm around you. “Do you want to talk about it?” He asked.

You took a deep breath in, taking a few seconds. “…John…He…He was so scary. He kept asking me about my sins. H-He held a knife close to me and kept asking me to say yes.” You shuttered out, softly gripping his hand. “I couldn’t lie. It’s L-Like he knew…So…I said everything to him..” You said, showing your right arm that said ‘Envy’.

“Oh, _____…” He muttered, taking your arm and placed a soft kiss on every word. You twitched at first but let him continue. It was sweet. “I got you, Honey. I won’t let him hurt you again…I will cut off his dick, feed it to him and then set him on fire.” He said darkly.

“P-Please don’t…It sounds gross.” You said softly. Sharky realised your legs were pressed together but saw similar writing on your inner thigh like the one on your arm. “S-Sharky..!?” You softly cried out, his strong hands spreading your thighs, which made you pull your dress down between your legs as your back rested against the pillows, not wanting him to see anything.

“That bastard.” He muttered, seeing the word ‘lust’ across your inner right thigh. It made him mad that John was this close to you in any way possible. “He won’t touch you like this again.” He muttered before placing kisses on each word.

You heated more and more when he got closer to your inner thighs where no one ever touched you before. John teased you about it but never did anything since one of his sins was lust. “Sharky, please…T-This is embarrassing.” You whimpered, trying to push his face away only to let his hat fall off his head, feeling his sweaty hair underneath. Why did it excite you to see and feel his hair between your legs. Even his beard brushing against your thigh got you excited.

No, don’t think of these bad sins!

Sharky looked up at you and froze, seeing the position he was in. He was so mad at what John did and wanted to comfort you, he didn’t realise. Your face was red as your eyes looked down at him, with your fingers through his hair as your free handheld down your dress so he wouldn’t see your underwear. This was making him rock hard in his pants, which caused a blush tint his cheeks and quickly pulled away. “Shit, shit, I’m sorry..! I ur-I’ll go. Please get better..!” He said before getting up and left the room. He forgot his hat but fuck it; he’ll get a new one!!!

“B-Bye…” You muttered, trying to calm your heart beat. You saw his hat on the floor, picking it up and held it close to your chest. It smelt of his shampoo and Smoky ash which made you smile. “Hm…” You buried your face into his hat to smell his scent.

You felt your sins crawl against your back…

Outside, the Deputy was trying to stop Sharky from banging his head against the tree as he repeated the same word.

“Stupid, stupid, stupid, stupid, stupid-!!!”

~

A day or so went by before you left the house, feeling stable to walk around and be outside again. You also talk to one of the regulars about covering your new tattoos with something else. You thought about it but didn’t Know what you want, but they said you could think about it. When you were walking down the pathway, you saw Sharky with the Deputy, which made your heart jump in your chest. You took a deep breath in before walking, seeing their heads turn and Sharky looking a bit flushed. The Deputy grinned and tapped his shoulder before leaving the two of you be.

Traitor…

“Ur-Hey, _____! Finally out, I see..!” He said as he looked down at you, rubbing the back of his neck.

“Y-Yeah..! Well, I…I wanted to give you this back.” You said, going in your bag to take out his hat.

“Woah, thanks!” He took it from you and placed it on his head. “This is my favourite hat, you know? My Aunt gave it to me on my Birthday, saying it belonged to my dad or something like that. I just-I didn’t want to return after…You know.” He shrugged. “Urm…I am sorry about that. I wasn’t thinking and made you uncomfortable, which I didn’t mean to do. I jump into shit without thinking; It happens a lot.” He said, looking a bit flustered.

“N-No! It’s fine..! I was just surprised and I..” You went quite but heard Sharky taking a deep breath.

“Alright, look…I haven’t said anything since I didn’t want to scare you off, you know? You’re different from the girls I’ve fingered back at bars and stuff-” He said, his comment making you blush on the cheeks and pout slightly. “But I think you’re hot, like…The song-Burn, baby burn level of hotness.” He said, finally confronting you. “But you’re also sweet and funny which is great since you laugh at my dad jokes..” He continued, making you smile. “So, what I’m trying to say is…You want to hang out and shit? Like Ross and Rachel.”

You blinked. “Wait… Didn’t they keep breaking up and getting back together?” You questioned.

“Oooooh! So you have seen some shows and movies..!” He grinned.

“I mean-My family watched it at our old house. It was the only thing I liked.” You said before smiling. “But Urm…Yes. I want to be Ross and Rachel, but we’re Sharky and _____ instead..” You said sweetly, seeing his eyes brighten up.

“Sweet, Chica! Sharky and _____ sounds like a kickass team! We can have our own show!”

You couldn’t help but laugh at his excitement. “Sounds good to me…”

~

Sharky was twice as excited since he asked you out, now holding your hand and give you kisses on your cheek which made you blush every time. Of course, he wanted to take it to the next level so bad, and it was killing him, but he took his time with you. He knew you were still nervous about all of this.

But one question sparked you to more.

“Hey, _____. If you don’t mind me asking but what did you tell John about lust?” He asked as he rested against the wall of your bedroom, seeing you freeze in place beside your bed.

“Urm…I don’t-” You stopped yourself, placing a hand of your beating chest. “I-Its embarrassing…”

“Really? I mean, I have told you the worse things I have done. Like kissing a skunk by accident and-”

“You Don’t want to know..!” You quickly said, sitting down on your bed. “You’ll… You’ll think I’m dirty.” You muttered.

“Dirty?” He questioned, sitting beside you. “You will never be dirty, Honey. Far from it…” He said, taking your hand. “please, tell me…”

You gripped your dress before taking a deep breath.

'What is your lust, little one?’

You heard John’s voice in your head, which made you shiver. “…I…I told him that…I think of you.” You muttered, Sharky was taken by surprise. “You’re so handsome and funny… Your cheeky smile makes me happy and your smirk… Gets me excited.” You felt your face getting warmer. “I…I said I thought about you on top of me and…T-Touching me. Kissing me and…Loving me. I got so hot that I…Touch myself-Ah!!!”

You gasped in surprised when Sharky pinned you on to your bed, his eyes dilated, and his lips parted slightly. “Shit, Honey. Talking like that and knowing you thought of me is just getting my dick rock hard.” He grunted out.

“S-Sharky…” You muttered, his face got closer to yours with his hat hitting the floor, his lips brushing against yours.

“Can I kiss you? Please, Please, please-I’ve been dying to have you for so long.” He grunted out, his hips pressed against yours that you felt his bulge in his pants.

You knew he wouldn’t hurt you, he was a big softy deep down but him being so dominant just got you excited between your legs. “Hah…Yes.” You whispered against his lips.

When he got your consent, his lips pressed against yours full, making you whimper. His hands lose against your wrists that you moved your fingers through his fluffy hair as you kissed, his hand sliding down to your waist. With your knees hiked up, it made your dress drop to your waistline that his hips pressed against you more. His hard bulge was slightly rubbing against your clothed cunt, making your leg twitch. “Mmn-”

“Fuck…Your lips…Mmmn…Are so toxic. I can’t get enough.” He muttered between the kisses he gave you. It was like the forbidden fruit; He wanted to taste it for so long, but now since he had it, he wanted the taste to last. “Can I touch you?”

“Y-Yes. Please be gentle though…” You replied. He bit your bottom lip so you can part them before slipping his tongue into your mouth. “M-Mm..” You gripped his hoodie as you felt his rough hand rubbing your thigh, feeling them graze slightly against your underwear and ass. Everywhere he touched just made your skin feel on fire and tingle, wanting more.

You felt his free hand go around to your back, unzipping your dress down to the middle. He grabbed the centre of your dress and slide it off, making you buck your hips. “Fuck..” He groaned when he saw your smooth skin. He grabbed his shirt and hoodie from the bottom, lifting it over his head and tossed it aside. You saw his gold chain hit his chest, looking over his body and down to his hairy happy trail.

“W-Will this hurt?” You asked, looking a bit nervous as you rubbed your thighs together.

“Well, what people keep saying is that your first time always hurts and you bleed, but that is bullshit. I mean-It can hurt and bleed…Blood going everywhere…” He said bluntly, which made you look worried. “But it’s how you prepare it, and I will help you…” He said with a smile. “Do you trust me?’

You nod, your eyes softened. "Yes, Sharky.”

He hummed from that before taking off your bra and underwear. “Woah… You’re shaved down there?” He smirked as he spread your legs open, getting a beautiful view of your neatly trimmed and shaved pussy.

You blushed, covering your mouth. “U-Urm…The Seed family wanted everyone to be well trimmed and clean.” You said.

“Besides their peggies, it seems, and they need it baaad…” He grunted. “No need to be shy. I love it..” He said before leaning forward, his tongue glazing your pussy to get a taste of you.

“S-Sharky..!” You gasped out as you felt his hot tongue licking you like a lollipop. He was eating you out so well; it made your toes curl and your fingers running through his hair. “T-This is embarrassing…”

His eyes looked up at you before moving an inch away to talk. “No need to be embarrassed, Sweetie. I’ve done this to a lot of women, and they enjoyed it.” You pouted from that. “And You will too.. I won’t hurt you; I promise you that…” He said in his sweet tone, placing a kiss on your thigh before going back to eating you.

“Mmn..” You bit your lip to hold back your moans, feeling his tongue slip between your folds and even sliding inside you. “Nnh..Sharky..” He loved it when you moaned out his name, again and again. He was going to show people that you were his now. Your legs widen a bit more and practically buried his face between your legs, making him groan with excitement. Since it felt like you were wet enough, he slipped his middle finger inside you. “Ah-!” You gasped by surprise as his finger dance around inside you.

Sharky’s tongue flicked across your clit, making you stir beneath him. “How is it, sweetie? Tell me.” He grunted out, his tongue glazing every sensitive part inside you.

“G-Good…So good…” It felt weird, but it felt nice. When you accepted his finger, he added another, spreading your walls to prepare for what’s to come. “Nnh..! Sharky-”

“Fuuuck, I love it when you say my name. Gets me excited…” Sharky grinned against you, his beard brushing against your thigh. “I want you to chant it out, sweetie.” His fingers pumped inside you as he licked your clit again, your hips bucking up against his face.

You gripped his hair as you moaned out, practically grinding against his face as he worked his magic. “Ah…Yes, yes, yes. Sharky, please-I..!” You didn’t know what you want but Sharky, So that is what you moaned out. “S-Sharky, Sharky, Sharky..!” His name was sweet on your tongue, feeling like you were praising his name like what others did for God.

“You're squeezing around my fingers. You close to coming?” He asked. You were, having that stirring feeling on your lower stomach and your clit feeling like it’ll burst any second.

“Y-Yes…I’m so close..! Please, Sharky…” You moaned out, wanting more for your release but the scruffy boy pulled away, leaving you empty and longing for him. “W-Why did you stop?” You whined out, looking up at him with a slight pouty look.

This made him chuckle, a smirk going across his lips. “I didn’t mean to tease you like that, even though it is hot that you’re practically begging for it.” He leaned down and kissed your lips, making you taste yourself on his tongue. Ew, ew..! “But I stopped because I want to come with you..” He said softly, rubbing your cheek.

“Okay..” You muttered, watching him strip off his clothes. He had a bit of a chub on him, looking like a beer belly but still some muscle on him. Including having a hairy body to his chest and right down to his happy trail, making you excited for what’s lower. You moved your body when he took off his pants, showing a very stiff cock underneath his boxers. You bit your lip when you already saw his pre-cum staining his boxers.

You wanted to treat him back.

“Sweetie? You oka-ah..!” Sharky was about to question you but gasped when he felt your hand palming his throbbing cock over his boxers. “Woah-_____…You Don’t have to…”

“B-But I want to..” You muttered, kissing his cheek to feel his stubble poking you. You nervously grabbed the end of his boxers before sliding them down, a soft gasp leaving your lips. It was…Big and so thick. How will it fit!? Maybe you were over thinking it, and it might be average, you had no idea, it was your first time seeing a man’s cock. It was… Amazing. His cock twitched on its own and slightly pink at the tip, looking like he’ll spurt up cum already.

“Urm-_____…It’s a bit rude to stare.” Sharky grunted out, his face red from shyness and maybe even embarrassment. You didn’t realise that you were staring for so long.

“I-I’m sorry..! It’s just the first time seeing…Urm…A man’s penis.” You whispered the last word, feeling embarrassed that you said it. “It’s amazing…Even hypnotising.” You reached out, grabbing the base of his cock which made him groan, then started to pump slowly. “I-Is this okay?”

“Hah...Yeah just…Lower your hand a bit, so it’s at the bottom of the shaft…Yeah. And Don’t be afraid to grip and be rough with it. Dick’s can be sensitive, but that’s really at the top…Ah-Fuck…” Sharky groaned as he rested his head back, feeling your hand gripping his shaft and pumped his cock quickly already. “Ah... You’re a fucking natural, sweetie.”

You smiled when he said that, trying to take long and fast strokes, already feeling hot in your hand. “T-Thank you…I want to please you.” You saw cum leaking out the tip which made you bit your lip as you thought of an idea. You leaned your head down, licking the tip like it was a treat.

“Nnh…______. You Don’t have to, I-Ah! F-Fuck it..! Forget what I said, forget what I said…Keep going..!” He moaned out, gripping the bed as he watched you, his free hand petting your head. You continued, your tongue swirling around the tip, not wanting to take it in your mouth today but you still wanted to treat him. It tasted sour at the beginning but faded to bitter, not the best taste, but it was only for a small amount of time. “Oh fuck…Nngh. You sure you haven’t done this before? Shit, dude.” He was just impressed that you were a beginner.

You softly sucked the tip as your hand continued to pump his shaft, feeling his hips shake which meant he wanted to buck up but was holding it down for you. “Mmn…” You soon felt his hand softly grip your hair and pulled away from his cock with a pop. “O-Oh…Did I do something wrong?”

Sharky quickly shook his head. “No, not at all. I want...I need your pussy; I want to take you…” He grunted out, his eyes darken as he stared at you, looking an animal in heat. It made you slightly scared, but his arms being around you made you feel safe and comfortable.

“O-Okay…” He rested you back on the bed, nestling between your thighs, your legs resting on his. He spat in his hand and smeared it on his shaft, getting it nice and wet for you. “P-Please be gentle.”

“Of course I will…” He rubbed your cheek with the back of his fingers, making you hum to his touch. “If it hurts, tell me to stop. I won’t get mad or shit, I’ll stop, and we can cuddle.” This man was way too good for you, you thought. “Here we go…” He grunted out, rubbing up against you with the tip before slowly inserted inside you.

“Mmn..” You bit your lip as you held on to him, feeling him go more in-depth. “S-Shit…” You cursed, bucking your hips up. His shaft continued to go deeper inside, making you wonder how long he was, but felt his hips connect with yours. “Nnh!” You gasped, a deep blush covering your face. “S-Sharky…”

His eyes looked panicked when you whimpered, softly gripping your hips. “Oh shit, did I hurt you? Do you want me to pull out?” He asked you in worry, not wanting to hurt you.

You felt him pull out, but you stopped him. “N-No, don’t pull out. I’m fine; it’s just uncomfortable.” You muttered. You did feel uncomfortable; your walls stretched out and felt full, but it wasn’t painful. You looked down and saw no blood, so that was a plus. “Just…Stay…” You said, your hands running through the back of his head to feel the slight curls of his hair. He did so for you, now placing kisses on your shoulder, neck and chest. “Mmn…” For someone who has killed and burnt Peggies, he had such a gentle touch and loving to him. “Ah…Y-You can move…Just…Not rough.”

“Of course.” He replied, pecking your lips. Sharky grabbed your hips and started to move his own, extracting and inserting inside you at a slow pace. “Shit…You’re so tight. Ah…I’m so lucky to have you underneath me.” His eyes flicked over your body and then to your face, seeing your eyes were closed and softly moaning when his hips pressed against yours. “How does it feel, sweetie? Oh…Hah, To have me inside?”

“W-Weird but good…” You replied, your hands on his shoulder and arm, your fingers softly digging into his tanned skin. “You’re amazing, S-Sharky. Ah…I don’t deserve you.” You whimpered. Why would you deserve him? He was kind-hearted, funny, sweet, fierce and handsome. You’re surprised he had no women with him.

Sharky looked taken back by your words. “What? I don’t deserve YOU..! Nnh…You’re Sweet, funny, cute, you don’t mind my disco music, and you’re slamming hot..!” He let out a growl, realising his hips have quickened, but you seemed to be enjoying it. “I like you, _____. You’re special.”

“Sharky…I like you too…C-Can I say I love you?” You bit your lip when you asked. You knew ‘I love you’ and ‘I’m in love’ with you are different; Like saying to a friend you love them. You just hoped he didn’t mind.

“Of course! I wanted to say it, but I didn’t want to make you uncomfortable-Ngh…” He said, grinning down at you. You couldn’t help but smiled at that before you cried out. “Woah, you okay?”

“Yeah…Something inside me felt…” You muttered, having no idea what it was. But Sharky had a wide grin on his face, making you cry out again when he did a quick thrust up inside your pussy. “Ah! W-What are you doing?” You asked, gripping onto his arms as he slapped against you.

“I seem to have hit your spot. It makes you crazy…” He chuckled. His hips started to get quicker and rougher, making you cry out again and you could have sworn you saw stars. But he later slowed down, letting out a soft hum. “Fuck, that was good…I’ll continue if you tell me to fuck you…” He groaned, slowly pulling out that his tip was still inside, making you whine at feeling so empty. “Say it…Say, fuck me….Fuck me, Sharky…” He had a lustful smirk on his face, making your body shiver. “I want your cock to be raw me good…”

You covered your heated face with your hand, never saying such lewd words. How dare he! But oh, you wanted more. More of Sharky, more of his throbbing-"S-Sharky…F…Fuck me. I want you C-Cock to raw me…” You whimpered out, looking embarrassed but Sharky looked gleeful at your words.

“Oh, sweetie…” He pressed up against your body to kiss you, his whole shaft thrusting back inside you. “Mmmn..!” You both moaned into the kiss and embraced each other as his cock continued to pound into your throbbing pussy, his tip grazing your sensitive spots that got you stirred beneath him. You know you were going to be sore tomorrow, but you didn’t care.

You just wanted Sharky and nothing else.

“Mmn!” You pulled away from the kiss for air, your legs wrapping around his waist to bring him closer. “Sharky! F-Fuck me…Fuck me..! I need you, S-Sharky..! Ahh!” He growled at your obscene words, now digging his teeth into your shoulder. “Ah! Shi-!” Your walls clamped around his cock, milking him to come. Your lower stomach was stirring, close to your release.

“Mmn.._____. Can I come on you? Please, please!” He begged, sounding like a desperate whine. You nod, looking up at him when he moved his body up. His hand lowered between your legs to rub your clit, making you buck up from his rough touch. “Come from me, babe…Come on my cock..!”

You bucked up and cried, feeling the fire in your stomach increasing. “Sharky! Oh god, oh, god! Oh, Sharky!” You cried out, feeling a burst of electricity coursing through your body as you came.

“Shit.” His eyes sparkled as he watched you come undone. He pulled out and pressed your thighs together, slipping his cock between them. “Ah…Fuck.” He thrusts between your thighs, pre-cum leaking on your lower stomach. You watched aa you relaxed from your climax, interested that he can come just with your thighs. “Fuck…Fuck..! _____, sweetie. I’m coming..!” He let out a deep growl as he came, spurting his cum on your thighs and stomach, even a bit on your chest. Sharky panted as he towered over you, holding himself up with his shaken hands. “Ah…Hah. Fuck me.” He groaned. You softly rubbed his chest, which made the boy smile. “Cute..” He grabbed his shirt from the floor and placed it on you. “You can wipe it off…I bet it’s sticky.”

“A-A bit…” You giggled. You cleaned his cum off you and got pulled back into the bed, Sharky pulling you close to his chest. “Mmm…I’m going to be sore tomorrow. Your fault.” You pouted, hugging his waist.

“Sorry I couldn’t help myself. You were amazing. The best girl I had and I’ve only been with three.”

“Three? But you talk about a lot of women?” You blinked.

“Well-I urm….Urm…” He blushed, rubbing the back of his neck. “I might have lied a bit. Most girls kick me in the nuts or splash their drink at me. But I didn’t lie about me being the best at eating girls out..!”

“No, you’re not.” You smiled, pecking his lips. “So…You’re my boyfriend now?”

“If you want to be my girlfriend?”

“Heh…of course…”

~

Sharky got into detail about your night with the Deputy, but he didn’t want to hear it. He kept talking for days about you when he left for a mission, making Deputy slightly regret you two being together. When he came back, he saw you waiting for him and looked excited.

“Hey, Sharky! I want to show you something.” You said excitedly when he left the truck. You showed him your right arm; the word “’envy’ was now covered with flowers.

“Woah, you got a tattoo? Looks great!” He grinned as he looked over it. “What about your thigh?” You were about to reply, but he kneeled in front of you, your back against the truck. Before you could stop him, he lifted your dress, which made you heat up, not wanting this to happen in public. He saw ‘lust’ was now tattooed over with a flamethrower. “Shit, that is beautiful. You got that for me?” He grinned. He looked back at the tattoo again, groaning at the sight, about to lift your dress more but heard the deputy cough. “Sorry, dude!”

Deputy just rolled his eyes but smiled, either way, tapping Sharky’s back as he walked past. “Let’s go to the pub. I want to know what you did while you were off..!” You said brightly as you hugged his arm, walking behind the Deputy with Sharky.

“Okay, but can I finger you under the table?”

“N-No..!”

“Oh, come on, no one will see!”

“Y-You’re such a pervert…”

“...” Poor Deputy.

THE END! o v o

[rangerdrabbles]

Psychos Reborn

Plot: The Psychos find themselves in MMPR land, drawn by the mysterious energy of Billie Cranston, the twin of a certain blue ranger. Names of the psychos will be used...eventually.

They were suddenly in Angel Grove High School, with a new lifetime of memories in addition to their previous ones. Yet they still didn’t entirely understand how they got there-only that they’d been called by some sort of energy. Not quite ranger energy, but grid energy nonetheless.

“What. The. Hell.” That came from Blue.

“I smell ranger,” Black said.

“Ew.” That was from Pink, who wrinkled her nose.

They came upon an interesting sight further down the hall-one Billie Cranston on the back of Tommy Oliver, clinging to him like a spider monkey.

“Oh look, another evil ranger,” Yellow said, almost sarcastically.

“He’s brainwashed, that doesn’t count,” Green said with a scoff. “Virgil, get the girl.”

“I can’t believe that little human called us here.” Virgil, aka Red, huffed.  But he plucked Billie off Tommy by the scruff of her collar, laughing. “You’ve got spunk, I’ll give you that.”

“Lemme go, I almost had him!” Billie was kicking like Scrappy Doo, and the other Psychos couldn’t help but burst into laughter.

Green, meanwhile, smirked and sent Tommy Oliver flying against the wall so hard it made a dent. Two sets of eyes flashed green energy, and Green laughed. “You think a boy like you can even begin to match me? What you’ve been given is nothing compared to my power.” Let alone the others.

“You’re wrong. I have all the power, and one day-”

Green grinned, and his features flickered for a moment to that of a flaming green monster before flickering back again. He tossed Tommy aside and said, “I don’t care what you do to the rangers, though we might beat you to it. I haven’t had ranger meat in a while.”

“Just who are-”

“None of your damn business.” Green grinned again, and turned his back to Tommy. He waved a hand at Virgil, and said, “Bring the girl.”

Virgil just shrugged and put Billie down long enough to grab her arm and drag her down the hall.

“Jeez, not so damn tight! I bruise easily you know...” Billie grumped, trying to pull out of his grip. “That was cool and all but could someone tell me what’s going on?”

No one said anything until they got to an empty classroom. Billie was plunked down in a chair, and everyone sat down, facing her. Green paced around, circling Billie and eyeing her. 

“You’re not a ranger,” he said. “But you called us here. “How and why? What did you do?”

“A power ranger?” Billie snorted. “Of course not. I’m just another nerd trying to get through the day without being stuffed into a locker. And I don’t even know you, how or why would I call you?”

“Your energy,” Virgil said impatiently. “Your energy called to our energy and it was strong enough to bring all of us. So why? Why the hell did you do it?”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about. I tire relatively easily-I can’t run to save my life, and forget phys ed-”

“She doesn’t know.” That came from Green.

“Oh great, some little human summoned us as a fluke,” Blue said. “I could be out destroying rangers but instead-”

“There are rangers here,” Virgil said.

“So?” Billie asked.

“So we play with them,” Pink said cheerfully.

“Someone want to tell me how I managed to summon the lot of you?” Billie asked.

Green let out a sigh of frustration, but tried to explain about the morphing grid. About rangers, and its light and dark sides. “So for some reason you have a connection to it and you seem to have used it to summon us for some reason. Get it?”

“Sort of.” Billie said. “It’s a fascinating concept, and I’d love to study the possibilities of it as an energy or power source but-”

“We still haven’t gotten to the why,” Black drawled.

Billie thought for a moment. Why would she seemingly find herself summoning six potentially violent individuals? Repressed rage? She’d never had that many friends to begin with, and she’d grown further apart from her brother ever since he’d started spending time with his new friends. And all the rushing off when he made feeble attempts to spend time with her.

And yet, sometimes she saw colors around him and his friends. Colors and lines, as if connected to something. She wondered...no, it couldn’t be. Were they?

Even without Bulk and Skull bullying her anymore, she was still bullied often, mostly from the jocks. So why would she summon seemingly powerful, dangerous beings?

“Maybe I need you. For what, it’s hard to explain. I’ve never been terribly good with words-I often use big ones no one understands. People get bored and annoyed with me and-well, I’m rambling so I’ll get to the point. How about we just spend some time with each other and you can maybe get what I mean.”

“You’re not going to tell us what to do, are you?” Pink asked.

“Please, like she could,” Blue drawled.

“Correct, I couldn’t,” Billie added. “And no, no I am not.”

“Good! I hate being told what to do!” Blue snapped.

“But Virgil and Trek tell us what to do all the time,” Yellow said. Trek was Green.

“That’s different!”

[permian-tropos]

all right I feel shy posting this but you remember that fictober fic from last year, now on AO3 as Seed

I did do another section of it! I am fighting with all my heart not to say something self-deprecating about it

16 - “This is gonna be so much fun!”

————

“You’re awake, I see,” Rae comments, once Brentin, sprawled out on his cot in the infirmary, forms a lucid expression. He makes eye contact and creases his forehead with clear acknowledgement — ready to talk.

“And so are you,” he says. “Erm. You seem pleased about things.”

His throat sounds scratchy and his voice is thin and, while not plaintive, measured in a way that shows he’s preserving his energy. His feet must still ache, since the anchorites don’t have the means to accelerate the healing much.

It has been a full day since the two of them reached the habit house. Rae has needed the time to recover but found it dreary to lay around in bed. The anchorites suggested she join the children in their daily chores, and the pure consternation Rae’s in expression brought out the first laugh she heard from the one-eyed woman who seemed to be her appointed nurse. But she didn’t refuse, and a couple of officious little boys taught her how they boiled surgical tools and soaked bandages in diluted bacta. While bold about micromanaging her every action, they kept glancing purposefully at her as though they wanted to ask questions about her life, the war, the Empire, the galaxy beyond, but could not find an appropriate way to do so. Eventually those tools and bandages were used to treat Brentin, since his chance of recovery was deemed to be high.

Rae crosses her knees, smiling confidently at her wanner ally. “As it turns out, we might have had a lucky break. I thought this would be a setback, but…” Perhaps try not to overwhelm him with details? “We have a lead.”

But Brentin turns his head away and slumps a bit further into the meager bedding. “Oh, we do?” he says, as if it’s a further complication. Maybe he needs a few more moments to adjust.

“It was worth it,” Rae goes on, hoping he’ll catch on eventually. “You’ve been through a lot, I know, but it hasn’t been for nothing. There’s a man among the anchorites who might know why this world is important to the Empire. Well, I say he’s a man…” Sloane pauses. “He is a man. Not to the people here, to them he’s something else. We’ve found their Consecrated Eremite.”

“So that name isn’t just some legend?” Brentin tries to sit back up again. “There’s a living person attached to it?”

“He’s a strange character, from what I’ve seen.”

Rae considers inviting Brentin to join her when she meets with the Eremite, but her ally needs his rest. It would be a bit unnecessary, too. Brentin Wexley has got his own reasons for accompanying a former Imperial admiral, and they’re more personal.

What happened to him was a terrible shame, more underhanded and devious proof that the Empire could never have kept the promises it made to the galaxy. The man was brainwashed in a secret prison on the enslaved world of Kashyyyk. Rae can assume his reasoning behind his choice to work with her. If his programming got the better of him, at least he’d be far away from anyone he cared about. Over the course of their journey she did consider that they had something in common — they were looking for redemption. Like Brentin, Rae knows she isn’t who she thought she was. Like Brentin, she feels she has been controlled. She understands why he doesn’t trust himself even after the control chip in his brain was removed.

But Rae has a bit more in mind than a trial of self-discovery. This is her mission, because it is her Empire on the line, and she ought to be the one to put an end to it. Nothing else could absolve her of what she’s done, whereas Brentin did the Empire’s bidding entirely against his will. He has nothing to atone for.

So, if the Eremite is looking for someone to fulfill that prophesy, it probably refers to Rae Sloane.

“And from what you’ve seen, he’s offering information?”

“More peculiar than that. It seems I’m part of a prophesy.”

Brentin whips his head round and squints at her as if he heard her squawk like a monkey-lizard.

“Well, that’s what they think,” Rae scoffs, amused, “so I’ll just go on with it and see what it all means.”

“I’m sure you will.” He winces. “Right, now I get why you were looking so smug.”

“Oh, come on. Jealousy isn’t very mature here.”

“That’s not what I’m… ah…” Brentin is concerned, at least he’s trying to give that impression. He struggles for words. “You really think I’m jealous and not, maybe, worried about plans that were expecting us? We’re trying to break the sequence, not follow it.”

Rae hesitates as she rises from her seat. “Break the sequence?” The phrasing strikes her as odd, and it even unnerves her, because it has her wondering briefly if she’s forgotten something else she must do.

“Of the Emperor’s plan. We still don’t know what it is. I guess I thought being unpredictable was the only way to…” He shudders. “Not be someone else’s puppet.”

“You’re saying you have a bad feeling about this,” Rae offers. “I’ll be careful.” But she’s not the one who’s bedridden with an injury. Perhaps Brentin is paranoid about being put through another invasive, secret surgery now that he’s vulnerable. She deliberates, then lowers her voice. “Keep your eyes and ears open. Escaping a trap takes perceptiveness, not just blind suspicion.”

He sighs. “That’s what I’m telling you.”

“If this is a trap, we can’t turn back now. The last trap the Emperor laid got him killed, if you remember, because his enemies were much bolder than he imagined.”

“He might not be as cunning as he wanted everyone to think,” says Brentin. “But if he imagined his defeat, he may have imagined our boldness. I just feel something, like when came home but I knew I wasn’t in control of myself.” He shudders and then stills, rubs his upper arms, like he’s brushing away threads of web woven around him by a stealthy silk-spinner. “They sure put something in that sedative, didn’t they?”

“Ah.” He must mean the gas the anchorites used on both of them to keep them still. It left Rae with more of a high, while Brentin seems more anxious. “Yes, I thought so too. Let it wear off.”

Rae leaves the bedside not sure whether to pity him or admit he’s probably right to worry.

Presently, the one-eyed anchorite woman approaches her and asks if she’s ready, then leads her outside upon assent. Surprisingly, there’s no one sitting under the awning of the tent-like shrine. The anchorite takes Rae past it instead to the slope she vividly remembers crawling up with Brentin clinging to her back. The speeder remains where it was parked at the bottom, still intact as far as can be seen from here. No roaming scavengers started taking it apart for scrap, as they might have elsewhere, perhaps out of respect to the anchorites. People came here to make offerings to that god of theirs, not to steal.

“I didn’t get your name,” Rae says to the woman.

“Narawal. Come, there’s a route down.”

“Oh, frag, is there?” But it’s only a narrow, uneven, easy to miss line of steps cut into the rock, and might not have made the climb much easier. “Sorry,” Rae adds, when Narawal clicks her tongue in such a recognizable way. “No cursing.”

“This world’s cursed enough,” the anchorite says. She lets Rae walk first, and trails behind slow enough to seem almost reluctant.

“As a matter of fact,” says Rae, “that’s just what I’d like to know more about.” There’s enough of a pause that she changes the subject. “And where are we going? I thought the Eremite never left that one spot.” A possible answer comes quickly. “He’s nocturnal, isn’t he?” It’s easy to think of him as another desert animal moving as they do from a warren to the surface when the sun sets, and back in when it rises. Just like the mice.

“Yes, he is. He stays underground until the evening.”

Narawal points to a bulk of rock near the base of the hill. From this angle, the hollowed entrance on the side, rather than the outward face, is visible. If it were split into two holes by a partition across the middle, Rae thinks a bit whimsically, it might look like a nose lying on its side. Then she imagines the effect from a plume spraying from it, the gout of steam as the whole plateau sneezing.

But now all of the plumes remind her of that, as if the planet blinks up at its own harsh sun or catches grit in its sinuses and lets out that tickle in a violent burst. This world’s cursed, Narawal said, but is it sick, allergic to itself?

The Gorse system and Rae’s first captainship has always stayed fresh in her mind, but being on Jakku has brought even more of it to the surface of her thoughts. Gorse’s rocky tectonic relationship with its gorgeous crystal moon Cynda led to regular groundquakes, yet it was the moon that held the world in balance, and the mining efforts by the aggressively efficient Count Vidian — enforced by Rae Sloane — would have pulverized the satellite and brought it crashing down in pieces.

Captain Sloane, young and eager and self-important, would have allowed it. Her older counterpart can reach back easily and recapture in her mind how sensible it seemed to compromise: it would be unthinkable to bring an apocalypse to Gorse, but she was told — lied to, of course — that the planet would be bombarded slowly over the years, while its people dispersed, watching their home die by degrees. She once could believe that would be better somehow than the truth she discovered, that it would all go at once.

Jakku, too, shakes like a lie about to be exposed.

“Narawal,” Rae says, before she steps inside the nostril on the side of the plateau. “What did you expect when I showed up?”

The woman descends the roughly hewn steps with her hands clasped dutifully in front of her, face in shadow from the sun up above. “I expected you’d have a purpose here and would seek our guidance.”

“I do, and I am.” Rae puts a hand to the arch of the entrance and holds out a bit longer. “As you know, I didn’t get along well with that Niima the Hutt. I offended her. Am I likely to offend anyone again?”

Narawal draws herself up stiffly. “To speak with the Eremite, one must be cleansed in two chambers, first materially, then spiritually. First their attachments, then their preconceptions. The impatient and brash do not proceed further.”

The heel of Rae’s palm digs into a shelf of sandstone, which promptly cracks away from the tunnel archway. She drops the rock into the dust between her feet. “Right, right, right. Cleansing. Of course.” They’re going to have her sit through another dull ritual, and by now she should have learned to keep herself in check no matter how degraded she feels. I will sit this time, I will shut my mouth for once, I will be patient because there are really more important things than—

“Just go in and talk to him,” the anchorite snaps.

“What?”

“You see, Rae Sloane, if you were going in to pray to a mute hermit, you wouldn’t have anything better to do than ablutions and rites. Gives you all the time you wanted to get out of the sun and the drudgery. But he wants a conversation. He made that perfectly clear when he came out and spoke with you.” Narawal sounds a bit choked up; her eyes flash. “I know what you’re asking, no, I didn’t expect that. I didn’t expect to see my friend again.”

“He’s your friend,” Rae repeats. If she doesn’t grasp this situation firmly it will probably run away from her. There’s already too much going on.

“Just make sure he tells you the truth. Squeeze it out of him if you have to.”

“Out of your god,” Rae says, almost with a level tone. It is still spoken with disbelief, without being a question.

Narawal, unmoved, peers down at her. “He’s not your god, is he? Why should you care?”

“I don’t understand anything,” Rae says. “Consider my preconceptions abluted.”

“As they should be.” The anchorite waves a hand, not bitter but resigned. “Go in.”

That’s all Rae’s going to get, then. At first the tunnel is narrow enough that going further than a few feet involves arching her back and sidling through a passage when she realizes her hips will get stuck. The tight squeeze brings up unsettling concerns about what might happen to an injured or disoriented person down here in the caves. Surely there was another way out, that decrepit Eremite himself didn’t seem up for wiggling through a crevice twice a day, and what if he needed emergency medical attention? Despite the proof that the man was surviving the arrangement, Rae worries today could be unlucky for either her or him, because you’ve got to think like that after so many brushes with danger.

Still, she duly entombs herself.

The first chamber, where she was meant to cleanse her body, is of middling size, and lit by vertical fluorescent light sticks wedged into the walls, a strange shoot of modernity growing out of primitive cracks, and the floor is a maze of finger-width grooves, like a worm-eaten slab of wood. There is nothing else in the chamber but a few tall amphorae by the walls.

“Come right through,” suggests a voice emerging as a sourceless echo from the walls, as if this cave is a cozy, presentable foyer. It’s the Eremite. After one meeting Rae already finds his voice utterly recognizable.

“You don’t mind if I skip your rituals?” Rae has no idea where to direct her reply, and turns slowly on the spot.

“We’ll come back to them later, if you wish. I want to see you first.” His voice is wistful as a curl of mist in the morning. “I’m afraid I’m impatient.”

It’s a performance. He was expecting her, and he’s prepared for the moment. Rae would like to say she’s honed paranoia to an effective art, flattery never having lulled her into an inescapable trap (some escapable ones, admittedly), but that’s what audience volunteers tell themselves as they step on stage with a hypnotist.

Remember when you thought you fancied him, first time he showed up? Rae scrapes a fingernail against her palm, unwilling to be too agitated with the recollection because it was hardly a visible moment of weakness — comes of that anesthetic gas making her so lightheaded. Heading deeper into the cavern, rounding a curved passage, Rae finds the next chamber completely unlit, a murk of pure black. Her hand immediately goes to the leftmost wall. Can’t lose her bearings.

“You’re meant to find your way by faith alone,” murmurs the bodiless voice. “Or wander for a while until you reach one of the exits. Oh it’s very tricky, actually, I really like the design of this one. I think you learn something about people from how they solve it.”

“You’ve got a maze in here?” Rae is incredulous.

“If you really want to try it,” the voice offers, sounding perked up, like he’s realized he can be patient a bit longer.

“You just said—“

“Ah, but there’s an easy way out, you could solve it in an instant, and you might just be the sort to do it.”

“So a carnival funhouse way of making me feel like the main character of my own story.” She crosses her arms. “Testing my mettle.”

“This is going to be so much fun,” the Eremite purrs. “Go on, do whatever comes naturally.”

“I’m not your brand new pet,” Rae snaps, with the dreadful tickle in her belly that assures her she’s not protesting at all, she’s bantering, and she never planned for this when she turned herself in to the New Republic, when she burned her authoritative edges to a cinder in the fire of shame. Worse than karmic punishment would be a universe that treated her with affection. She might preen under affection. She might lean into it after being starved for approval for years. “How like a god of you to be so capricious.”

“You have barely seen capricious,” he warns.

Rae turns on the spot and is about to return to the last chamber, say why not do the whole damn ritual, then? Then she sees the trick: the corridor connects two paths that lead into this dark chamber, one she came by and one leading, perhaps, to the god’s chambers. Shadows turn the slightly curved dividing wall of the fork into a trick of the eye.

Do whatever comes naturally meant get petulant and leave. Rae is rankled she’s been read so cynically, even if it was the right answer. The true believers stumble about in the dark. The ones who balk at the challenge win by giving up.

“You win by giving up?” Rae says aloud. “I hate riddles like that. It’s so cheap.”

“That’s faith for you. A maze to be transcendantly lost in until you try looking around. Yet when you know the truth, you can choose to get lost again. To take a few steps back into the dark.”

Rae takes the hidden path, which curves deeper into the earth. The voice she’s hearing starts to come from one particular direction and not echoing everywhere.

The Eremite, face hidden by a cowl, is kneeling in the center of a chamber much like the one Rae passed through before, domed roof with grooves forming ornate swirling patterns on the floor, the couple of tall clay pots standing by the wall. The two differences are the shaft of natural light that beams down on the hooded figure, and the snaking depression in the ground filled with smooth stones, like a dry riverbed cutting across the floor. The air is unusually moist for Jakku.

“Be seated, Rae Sloane,” the god-man says.

[nivilliain]

Smile Like You Mean It (Chapter 12)

Name: Smile Like You Mean It Fandom: Villainous/Villanos AU: Smile!/Valiant Beta Reader: @rachrar Rating: E to Teen Warnings: Brainwashing; Torture; Summary: After Zug goes missing, White Hat and Lumencia try to find him. However, they end up in a strange dimension with darkness under its smiling surface.

Banner artwork edited from a piece I commisioned @theinsanefruitloop-chan to do

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Zug had made his own makeshift lab with help from the Resistance. They were regularly going out to get what he needed. They didn’t want to risk him getting discovered.

Or that's what they kept telling him.

He knew the truth, however. After finding out that not only had Lumencia been corrected, but White Hat too? He just wanted to go after Smug himself.

It had been an advert that had alerted him to White Hat’s conversion. He was selling something and Zug could recognise his Hat anywhere, even after such a drastic change. Yellow didn’t suit HIS White Hat.

While waiting for the machines to analyse the virus, he had been slowly going through all the files from Smug’s computer. Some of which were encrypted and took a while to open. A lot of them were just CCTV footage from the park. Some of the encrypted videos had been of White Hat and Lumencia’s visit. Smug had been watching them this whole time. It was pretty obvious that Smug had been manipulating both of them the moment they entered this dimension.

Document after document. Hours if not days of footage. Reports. So many of them useless. All of it Zug had to go through because it was the small details that were the key to winning.

“COFFEE!” Zug demanded, barely lifting his head from the desk. “Antlers! Coffee! Now!”

“Sir, my name is not ‘Antlers’, its-”

“Don’t care!” Zug said. “Won't remember it. COFFEE ANTLERS!”

The animalistic boy with fangs and antlers sighed, pouring him coffee. He was one of the rare non-human heroes who hadn’t been corrected. Apparently the day when all the heroes were invited to the park he had been too sick to go.

They had gone because Yellow Hat had been a respected member of the hero community in his dimension. Anyone who could have prevented this from happening fell before they even realised what was going on.

If Smug hadn’t hurt those Zug had loved, then Zug might have had high respects for him.

Zug sipped the freshly brewed coffee. The Resistance had developed a filtering system to help get the food clean of the ‘sunshine serum’ made from the virus. Zug had taken it into consideration while working on a cure. However, it was too crude to copy directly as it could cause permanent damage to biological matter.

“H-how is it going?” Antlers asked.

“Well, Smug- despite being an evil genius- is boring as fuck at times.” Zug mumbled, checking through the next set of decrypted files. “And the virus is being stubborn.”

“I-it’s clever...” Antlers shivered, remembering things he wished he didn’t.

“It’s amazing.” Zug commented. “Therefore a pain. It was definitely manufactured.”

“W-wait, so someone made it?” Antler asked, hugging the empty tray to his chest.

“Yeah.” Zug finally looked up from his computer and desk. He frowned at Antlers. “What the fuck are you wearing?” “Like it? I found it-”

Zug’s eyes widened. He grabbed it off of Antler’s head. “This... this is White Hat’s hat...” He scrutinised every inch of it, checking for any sign of infection. “It.. it’s not infected..”

“Hey! I found it.” Antlers pouted, trying to grab it back.

Zug easily pushed him off. “You idiot! This could be key to curing the virus!”

“W-wait, it’s not just a hat?” Antlers said, stopping in his tracks.

“No.” Zug held it up. “It’s White Hat’s hat.” He looked at Antlers. “This stays between us two, got it?” “I m-mean I should really tell CL-”

“GOT. IT.” Zug said firmly. “Or do you wanna be known as ‘Antlerless’.”

Antlers yelped and ran.

Zug rested back in his chair, looking at the hat. Definitely White Hat’s. It even smelt like him despite what it had been through. Mostly because it wasn't just a normal hat but a part of White. Which begged the question- why wasn't this infected?

“Ah, you are awake.”

Zug nearly dropped the hat. A playlist of Smug’s encrypted videos were playing. So far most of them had been without sound and this was the first one that had recorded a conversation clearly. He turned from the hat to the screen. Smug was talking to Lumencia.

Smug and Lumencia-

He scrambled to sit up properly and pay full attention to the video, ignoring the hat for the moment. He watched as Smug and Lumencia talked back and forth. He fumbled, grabbing a notepad and pen.

He jotted down all points of interest Smug spoke of. The fact that “The Minister” was definitely not Smug, but rather someone beginning with ‘Ye’. Next was the fact that.. That Smug seemed to get some sort of physic message from The Minister. Was the virus was able to physically communicate between infected?

That ment there was a host. An original.

If it was connected to all the other infected, then maybe curing the source could at least lower the resistance of the other infected, if not cure them all at once.

“Euphoria was just like you. Somehow, she was resistant to it. Your hoodie, the food you had, the music- all of which have somehow not affected you. Which means, and I’m sorry to have to say this but, I am going to have to do to you what I did to her.”

“I’VE GOT YOU!” Zug laughed, unbelieving that it was just handed to him. “I’ve got you, you Smug bastard!” He said, grabbing the Lumencia samples he had saved from the capsule. With this and the uninfected hat he knew what to do.

----

Zug had synthesised one possible cure. It was just enough to cure one person. Testing a drop onto a tiny sample of virus had proved promising. He knew who he would be using this on.

However, getting Lumencia was now the hard part. Her and Euphoria were practically joined at the hip so they’d have to kidnap both. In the end, their best plan was their original plan. That was to have Zug dress as Smug again and lure the two to him.

The first time Zug had worn the costume, he didn’t mind so much although he was grumpy. Now, he down right hated it. He kept feeling his blood boil every time he caught his reflection in the sewer water.

Once he was given the signal, he climbed up and walked out the alleyway- as if he didn’t just climb out the sewer. “Euphoria! Hysteria!” He snapped upon seeing them.

They both stopped, trembling. Clinging onto each other, they turned to ‘Smug’. Honestly Zug wasn't one for hugs but he just wanted to hold them close and protect them from the monster he was dressed as. Instead he took a deep breath. “What are you doing?”

“G-getting.. C-cotton candy?” Euphoria asked, pressing herself more against Hysteria in fear.

Hysteria seemed to be beginning to panic. “W-we’re not d-doing anything w-wrong-!!”

Zug peered at them, “I’ll be the judge of that.” He said, indicating with his index finger for them to come closer.

The girls looked about ready to run away, but ‘Smug’ had them paralyzed. After a few minutes, he just grabbed their linked hands in one of his own roughly and began dragging them. “Hurry up!” He growled.

“Please.. Please... please don’t.. W-we’re being good!” Hysteria said, drool and tears running down her face in panic.

“Quiet.” Zug snapped, unable to look back at the woman he considered like family.

The moment they reached the manhole, resistance members grabbed them and chloroformed them. Zug grabbed Hysteria’s- Lumencia’s hand. “Shhh.. it’s okay... it’s okay...”

There was a  look of realisation- of recognition in her eyes as she gave into the chemical.