#also estelle NEEDS to eat some more

[arknights-should-kiss]

12F and Estelle should kiss !!

Inspiration: it came to me in a vision

[arcadia-of-pluto]

Twist of Fate; Chapter Seven

Pairings; LADS OT4 X reader

Word Count; 2,876

Themes; isekai, eventual smut

Rating; 18+ for swearing and some mature context

Notes; you have a slight existential crisis, a kiss (but it doesn't get too intense unfortunately), another Xavier-centric chapter with a small cliffhanger, also a reminder that 💛 is Xavier! Also, I accidentally posted this so I guess y'all are getting this chapter early 🤷🏻‍♀️

Prev || Next

Masterlist

I would also like to mention, once more, that the reader isn't aware of anything relating to Sylus. Just his looks, the appearance of his evol, and all of that. Think of her as all of us during Sylus's trailer release! Even though she doesn't know anything, the story will go as it does in the original story. I'm definitely not creative enough to change any of that, but there will be major differences after we finish the final chapter (in-game, chapter eight)!

You have one more day of freedom before you enter the Nest as bait. How will you spend it?

You woke up a bit later than usual, wanting to spend as much time with Estelle in bed as possible before you had to leave her for an unspecified amount of time. You hope she remembers you. After you make yourself something to eat and give Estelle her food, you check up on your flowers. The bluish pink flowers sat in a vase you had made at a pottery class with Zayne. Your thumbprints in the shape of a heart and the vase was glazed in the colour arctic blue, which was a beautiful light blue. The vase was sitting next to the fox Xavier got you and the painting Rafayel made for you.

You decide to lounge around the apartment today, unwilling to go outside and do anything since you knew today would be your last day of freedom. You were honestly worried, after tomorrow you were in the dark on what comes next. Your gaze flitting across the notes you made of the past and near future, hoping to come up with a nice game plan for your next decisions. You could tell the other guys you know about your past lives, but if you don't know everything then what's the point? You knew Rafayel would throw a fit if you didn't remember everything. Zayne doesn't really remember or, at least, you're not sure. Most of Zayne's past life you're in the dark about since you never got his cards. For Rafayel, you know two specific instances of past lives but the bigger one where he was the god of the sea? You only know part of it. You never got those cards either. With Xavier, you know of both lives- one more so than the other. You know he's Lumiere, the man who saved the main character as a child and protected Linkon during the Chronorift Catastrophe..you also know he's quite jealous of himself. Any time Lumiere is mentioned, he gets jealous.

But Sylus? Nope, you know nothing. Besides his looks, that he's the leader of Onychinus, and what his evol looks like. That's all you know. And you think you remember a crow, but you could be mistaken because of meeting Mephi at the animal shelter.

You know you need the aether core at the auction, but you don't recall why. Maybe to help your heart? You don't dare ask because it would look weird if you were intent on finding something, but forgot why you needed it. And after that? You assume winning Sylus’ heart like you have with the others. So he can't be a real bad guy if he's a love interest. You've read theories that the Ever corporation, which is the biggest company in the world- branching from biotech to aerospace to evol energy and even international trade- might be evil or working with Onychinus, but that's the only lead you have. You'll just have to figure it out as you go along.

You put on the TV and laze around with Estelle for most of the day until you step outside to sit on your balcony to watch the sun set.

Your phone buzzes and you look down to check it, seeing a text from Xavier.

💛 :”whatre u doing outside this late?”

A smile tugs at your lips and you tell him that you're watching the sunset to which he doesn't respond. Instead his response comes in the form of a figure hopping down from the floor above you and grabbing onto the concrete wall of the balcony. “Watching it together would be better than watching alone.” He says, reaching out toward you and you grab his hand, tugging him fully onto your balcony.

“You scared the hell out of me, Xavier.” I say, looking up at the sky. “Give me a warning next time, please?” “I'll try my best.” He smiles, propping his arm up on your shoulder. “Aren't you nervous about tomorrow?”

“Ah…a little bit.” You look down at your feet with a small sigh and decide to sit down in a chair. “I'm nervous, but also anxious, but also I don't know what to expect. I have a plan and I know it'll work, but I'm unsure of where to go from there.”

“Well instead of worrying about it, how about you just go with the flow?” He crouches down next to you since you only had one chair, he rests his chin on your knee as he looks up at you. “Don't stress about what hasn't happened, just focus on right now and you can worry about the future when it comes.” You rest your hand in his hair and smile, tilting your head back to look up at the sky. “You know, you talk like an old man.” Your thumb brushes against his forehead, “but…I don't mind it.”

“Besides watching the sunset, I know of another way to calm down. Do you want to hear about it?” Xavier asks, his hand reaching up to cup your cheek. His thumb gently brushes against your fully healed scar and your eyes flutter closed for a moment. “Have you tried it with other people and that's how you know it works?” You tease with a raise of your brow. “How do you know it'll work, huh?”

“Well… you won't know unless we try.” He stands back up, resting one hand on the armrest of your chair. His other still on your right cheek as he leans forward to rest his forehead against yours. “May I?” He asks and you go to nod, but remember before that he told you to speak. “Yes,” you say before adding softly under your breath, “please.”

Xavier's eyes close as he closes the distance between you, his lips gently brushing against yours before fully connecting. He doesn't try to deepen the kiss, leaving it as a soft, yet intimate moment between you both. After a few moments, he breaks from the kiss and leaves a few scattered kisses across your face. His final stop was at your scar, his lips brushing along the scar from the top of your eyebrow all the way to your cheekbone. Your body immediately jerks in surprise at the touch since you realized your scar was rather sensitive. “Better?” He whispers, going back to resting his forehead against yours. His ears as red as yours probably were.

“Thank you.” You say softly, cupping his cheek and you rub your thumb back and forth across his cheekbone. A loud meow coming from behind you both finally breaks the moment and allows Xavier to pull away from you. “It seems like Estelle was jealous.” He chuckles, picking up the large cat with ease. “It looks like she's worried about her mommy.”

“She'll be fine because she'll have her daddy looking after her while I'm gone.” You say nonchalantly, not noticing the blush that spread across Xavier's cheeks or the way he buried his red face into Estelle's fur. “You really have a way with words.” He chuckles, shaking his head.

“We missed the sunset!” You realize, quickly standing up as you whine. “Damn it.”

“We might've missed the sunset but didn't we make a better memory in place of it?” Xavier muses, glancing over at you with a soft smile. “I guess we did.” You reach over to pet Estelle behind the ears and Xavier takes the chance to say, “Be safe tomorrow. Promise me.”

“I can't make any promises, Xav. You know that.” You sigh, hugging both him and Estelle. “But just know I'll do my best to come back in one piece. I can promise that. I'm not going anywhere any time soon.” You murmur into his chest and rest your forehead against it.

“That's…” Xavier lets out a heavy sigh and gives you a forced smile before he nods, “That’s enough for now.”

D-Day

Finally, it's Hunting day. Your last day of knowing what comes next. You spent most of the night tossing and turning, mulling over what would happen and worrying over getting hurt, but you felt a bit better now. Especially as you changed into your clothes for the day. In the game, the main character showed up at the Nest in her uniform and while that would be the best kind of bait, it seemed impractical. If you're trying to be bait, wouldn't being obvious bait deter people? If you're too on the nose, people might think it's a trap. So instead, you opted to put on a strappy, red ruffled shirt that was tucked into a white skirt. You added a belt and you set your red low heels by the door. You spray some perfume and spend a few minutes getting ready to look your best.

A stylish outfit is a good weapon for a woman. That and your actual weapon in its holster under your skirt. You shrug on an expensive black jacket, one of the only things you own that wasn't in game, to hide your obvious weapon. You weren't sure when the right time would be to leave so you decided to have your last meal. Well, it wouldn't be your last meal but it definitely felt like it. After you ate, you'd leave for the Nest to meet up with Rafayel. Your last message to him being ‘Meet me at the Nest and show me how to fish.’ to which he replied that ‘the biggest fish come out at night.’ So you assume 10-11pm would be an appropriate time to leave?

You still have time today so what were you going to do?

You took a few more notes on what to expect after and made sure the tiny tranquilizer was in your pocket. The antidote vial sitting on your kitchen island ready to take before you leave. You double, no triple, no quadruple checked that you have everything and spent a few hours anxiously pacing back and forth and petting Estelle. You were never good at waiting, especially when you were anticipating something.

You decide to leave at 10pm, giving you an hour to get to the Nest, which makes sense since you'd be walking. You down the vial, tossing it in the garbage as you head toward the door. You slip your shoes on and lock the door behind you after feeding Estelle for the night.

Honestly with all this walking, you should probably just bite the bullet and learn how to drive since you already have a license in this world. But driving is scary and you have bigger issues to deal with right now so that'll have to come later.

As you walk through Azure Square, you pin your ‘family’ crest to your jacket, trying to make sure that not all of Jeremiah's hard work went to waste and even though you have your hunter's watch on, it is covered by your jacket sleeves so you assume it'll be fine. A pretty bait is what you're planning to be tonight, no need to go too overboard with it. You enter the Nest and it just looks like your average nightclub. People were standing and drinking, some slightly dancing to some music or talking amongst themselves, not many people were at the bar though, besides the bartender.

As you look around, your vision is blocked by someone stepping in front of you. “Hey there,” the man’s eyes glance at your crest as he continues, “Actually-”

“Isn't it a bit weird to do business with newcomers?” Rafayel steps into frame, practically shoving the other man out of the way as he fixes his sleeves, not even sparing the man another glance. “Come.” He loops a finger with yours as he pulls you up to the bar. “So…do you have your bait ready?” He asks, leaning his chin onto his hand.

“Mmh, I'll play their game and allow myself to be caught. Act like a clueless little worm on a tackle.” You say, nonchalantly. Not mentioning the N109 Zone since you didn't want to catch others' attention just yet. “You'll still need to cast your line though…that should be easy enough.” Rafayel drums his fingers against the bar counter before he hands the bartender a coin. He picks up an embossed card, sliding the blank side over to you. “Go ahead. Write down what you're looking for.”

You take a deep breath, nodding your head as you grab the black feathered pen that was sitting in a nearby cup. You write down ‘aether core’ and the ink disappears a few moments later. Rafayel scoops up the card to hand it to the bartender who nods and disappears into the back. “Who's he going to tell?” You ask, turning your body to face the well dressed artist. “Doesn't matter. If they're interested, you'll know.” He muses, moving his hand over to trace random shapes on the back of your hand.

“Rafayel?” He's still silent before he takes your hand, kissing the back of it. “Now, we wait for the fish to bite.” “How long?” You ask after he lets go of your hand. “Hmm..not long. The Nest lives up to its name, you know? An underground intelligence network that's well known to match supply and demand.” As Rafayel finishes his sentence, the bartender comes back with a shot glass. He places it in front of you before stepping away once more.

“And this?” You ask before assuming this means a fish has taken a bite so you reach out for it and Rafayel suddenly grabs your wrist. “Think about it first. The glass is black, that means you'll have to pay a high price and if it doesn't go smoothly, you'll be the payment instead.”

“Well, being the payment is better than sitting here and doing nothing.” You shrug, downing the shot in one go. “Since you've made up your mind, I won't stop you.” Rafayel chuckles, placing his hand on top of your head to ruffle your hair. “I hope you find the answers you seek.” He stands up from the barstool and doesn't look back as he walks away, just puts his hand up as he waves.

“Alright, I guess let's look around until the hunting starts.” You murmur to yourself, rising to your feet as you walk around the bar. You notice a board off to the side, a wanted board. You see a head shot of Lumiere who looks obviously like Xavier except with a white mask and an outfit you've never seen before. A small chuckle leaving your lips before you notice how much he's wanted for. “100 million? Geez, what did he do?” You step a bit closer to look at the other wanted posters and you only catch a glimpse of purple hair on another poster before someone runs into you.

“It's starting, it's starting.” The drunken man excitedly mumbles to himself as he walks further into the crowd.

The lights suddenly shut off and a modified OTTO patrol bot rose up from a podium in the center of the room. The circular robot flies high until a voice booms from it, “There's a price to pay when a wish is granted! Will you be the hunter or the hunted tonight?” The robotic screen was a deep shade of red, the camera on it shaped like an eye. “Hunting day will now…commence.”

As your gaze lands on the eye, you feel your blood run cold. This…this reminded you of the red eye from your nightmares but you couldn't put your finger on how. You decide to play it safe and try to find a place to hide but honestly, where can you hide? You're in an unfamiliar, crowded place so you're not even sure where the bathrooms are and why would you hide if the plan is to be caught in the first place?

Your thoughts are cut short as the voice says one last thing. “Now.” It's red gaze lands on you, effectively spotlighting you to everyone in the crowd. “Shit.” You mutter to yourself as a few people in the crowd walk toward you.

“There she is…we've been looking for you.” One person says and another one chimes in, “This is the prey.”

You're a tad bit overwhelmed as people close in on you and as you try to dip out of the crowd, you feel your breath leave you as you're hit in the back and your knees hit the ground hard. “Hey-” you say, trying to turn toward the person and elbow them in the gut but they grab you by your hair and hold a vial in front of your face. “C-003, a neurotoxin. If you're smart, you won't put up a fight.”

You sigh, head hanging down and your hair covers your face to hide your smile. At least everything still went according to plan. Now what comes next is a complete mystery. Your smile leaves your lips as you feel the butt of a gun hit your head and you fall to the ground.

I'm keeping the extra spaces in this chapter to show a comparison, so just let me know which you prefer and I'll keep doing it for the up-coming chapters! Also, this won't be a cliffhanger for long since I'll also be posting chapter eight today. I decided to spoil y'all 🩷

I do want to add that I change up mc's dialogue compared to what she says in-game sometimes because I don't like how it's worded or I don't like specific actions she does (like shaking Mephisto, you'll see). I also make comments on her stupid actions- like her trying to hide in the original chapter or wear her hunter's uniform as if she wants to scream to the Nest, "I'm a hunter!! Please, take me!" Instead of being more low-key and under the radar.

Taglist; @orphicmeliora

[audreyscribes]

Ω PJO DEMIGOD HEADCANONS: 🌊 PONTUS: PERSONIFICATION OF THE SEA 🌊

Author’s note: *put head into hands* Alright, so I may or may not have went off from the usual formula (Do I even have a formula for writing these at this point?) and I think I may have made the primordial demigods here more cryptid cause they’re the literal by-product of primordial beings that are also half-mortal? I won’t be including the usual blurbs at the ending cause all of them are probably pushing the word limit Tumblr has but worry not, I made up for it by putting more storylines into the whole thing. PRIMORDIAL DEMIGODS MASTERLIST: [LINK]

You have the most mundane origin as you emerged out of the sea. Need I say more? When you hear the other children of Primordials of how they were created, yours feels very dumb in retrospect. You’re created from the embodiment of the sea and while you don’t know how you’re half-divine, you certainly look like it with some unnatural characteristics that while in one light, clearly looks like you’re a creature of the sea but if they catch you in the wrong light, they’ll see the hidden and ancient depths of the sea that no one will ever hope to conjure. Seeing as your father is the primordial sea, you have more ancient sea traits than people think. Imagine the great dinosaurs of the sea or deep ancient sea creatures. Yeah. It’s more visible when you come into contact with water, but you can bring your ancient sea form forward on will if you’re on land, but it's just not as instinctive. 

You lived by the sea, raised by it, and those who inhabit it. Nereus and his daughters and sons, the Nereids and Nerites, among many others make regular visitors, teaching you things. In fact, you were even visited by Poseidon who felt your existence and although you were a child of a primordial, you were still young compared to Poseidon; so you could only look up at him. Instead of being squashed by him, Poseidon let you live. In fact, he instead told you to walk further down the long line of the sea until you came upon a cabin with the name of hawk. You did as he asked, curious as you adjusted your sea legs to land by walking on the sand. You walked until you reached Montauk and a cabin that Poseidon described. You stared upon it a bit longer wondering why you were here until you saw the doors open and a woman appeared worriedly, reaching you. She wrapped your seaweed covered body with a piece of fabric,and while you relished the fluffy towel upon your skin, you didn’t know what company you had come across. 

Nonetheless, that was how Sally, Paul, Estelle, and Percy gathered you around the table, teaching you how to eat modern human food while also gathering your story. Between Nereus and the knowledge of Water, you had a faint idea of who was in front of you but at the same time, you didn’t really clock on the severity of the information; you just absorbed everything like a sponge. You learned alongside Estelle and Percy personally gave you a rundown on what to do and what not to do, and no please don’t flood the toilet. 

The next thing you knew, you were in a car, enamoured and playing with Estelle and her toys while Sally was peeling the car down to Camp Halfblood where there was absolute chaos. Funny enough, this was how all of Camp Halfblood and practically all the mythical world learned upon the knowledge of the primordial children that you just regurgitate to them like a water fountain. In fact, you threw everyone more in a loop when you found the remnants of the child of Chaos that everyone ABSOLUTELY DID NOT KNOW THEY HAD PRIOR in the Hermes cabin and turns out is actually missing who just up and left. Everything went over your head as you beamed up at Sally who was putting on the best motherly behaviour and asked if you were going to be okay to be with Estelle, which you were absolutely down for, and you helped Mr. D turn his cup of water into wine…which is another thing you can do for some reason. Not realising the chaos you just unearthed behind you as you played peek-a-boo and bubbles, that you conjured up yourself with Estelle. 

A meeting was held; of what and how they were going to deal with this and the other primordial demigods… before you added in that the Gaea and Chaos demigods have each been gathering forces of the other primordial children…which led the others to realising you were the next one on the list. So cue the immediate warzone, notifying the Roman camp, and with the other primordial children were at their doorsteps, bringing the fight to them.

As you can imagine you have the ability to manipulate water. Just imagine what a child of Poseidon can do, but on a more innate level; so if a child of Poseidon is in the element of the sea, you are part of the sea. You are also able to turn your body into water, specifically sea water, your form malleable as big as you want or just long enough when a blade slices through you without damage. You can produce water more easily then a child of Poseidon, and your water is a reflection of you. So if you’re angry/hot headed, the water is going to be hot, and if you’re cool and level headed, it’s going to be well…cool.  On consequence, you also have a salty temperament, so you hold a grudge. When you develop your emotions better, you’re less salty more ways than one. 

Your key feature is that while you may look human enough, there’s something about you that invokes a sense of danger like when you stare down into a deep pool water, the depths unseen to you. You can also change your form into some sort of ancient human-oid sea creature, with scales for skin, sharp teeth like a shark, and webbed, clawed fingers. However, careful in bearing this form because if you’re on dry land it might be uncomfortable like wearing a wet, skin suit under baking sun. You also might slip into a certain mindset that might not be able to tell friend from foe. 

???? EPILOGUE ??? [TUMBLR] || [AO3]

[purplephantomwolf]

Savoring the Finish Line

Chapter One

Story Synopsis: Max Verstappen falls in love with a woman who owns a bakery.

Note: This is not an accurate portrayal of how the real people in this act. I do not know them personally, so I will not be portraying them accurately. Also, this is not an accurate portrayal with how a bakery works. I did my best with research, but it's not 100%.

Warnings for this chapter: Badly translated French, mention of panic attack

Next chapter: Chapter Two

Masterlist

December 18, 2021

     I’m pulled out of my deep slumber by a whining noise and something wet on my face. I groan, wiping my face. “Yuck,” I mumble, feeling wetness on my fingers. I hear a whine again and wake up more. I look to my left and am met by the cold, wet nose of my Pitbull puppy, Lacey. I glance at the clock, letting out a sigh when I see that it’s 4 am, 30 minutes before my alarm goes off. Lacey whines again, jumping off my bed and running to the door. I spot Lacey’s sister Elise, a German Shepard puppy, already standing by the door. “Alright, I’m coming,” I mumble, dragging myself out of bed. I slide on some flip flops before grabbing Lacey and Elise’s leashes. I clip the leashes onto their collars and walk down the stairs of my apartment, into my bakery. I flip on all the lights, blinding myself and waking up more. Elise whines, reminding me why I’m up. I flip the lock of the back door, walking outside with my girls. We start our morning walk, stopping every five seconds so Lacey or Elise can sniff the ground. 

     Eventually, we make a loop around the block. I open the back door and the girls go barreling through the door and up the stairs. I laugh and glance at the time. It’s now 5 am, so I need to start preparing the bakery for opening. I rush upstairs to change into my uniform. Lacey and Elise are patiently waiting by their food bowls. I quickly change, before feeding the puppies. I head downstairs while they eat. 

     I start up all the ovens in the kitchen, starting the fans to keep the place cool next. Next, I take the dough I made last night for the croissants out of the fridge. I walk over to the computer in my office, booting up the computer. I hit play on the bakery playlist I have created. I grab my apron, sliding it over my head. I unlock the front door so my employees can enter. Walking back to the kitchen, I start making the croissants. I hear the bell on the bakery front door ring, as Louis, I assume, enters. Louis is an older gentleman working at my bakery part time in his retirement. His wife, Estelle, also works part time here. She usually comes in later than he does. “Bonjour, Adaline!” I hear him call. 

     “Bonjour, Louis,” I call back, sliding the croissants into the oven. “I just put the croissants in the oven. Can you get started on wiping down the surfaces here please?” I ask him, wiping my hands on my apron as I walk out of the kitchen. Louis nods quickly, flashing me a quick smile. He walks off to the office to put up his coat and things. He then quickly gets to work, wiping down every surface. I walk back into the kitchen, getting out some of the pastries and breads I baked yesterday. I put them in a second oven, heating them up. I hum along to the soft music as I work, hearing Louis singing along in the front. 

     “So, what’s your plans for your birthday on Monday, ma chérie?” I hear Louis ask from behind me, as I pull the croissants out of the oven. I sigh, setting the tray down. 

     “Cuddling up under a blanket and eating ice cream with Lacey and Elise while watching Doctor Who,” I shrug, turning to pull the other pastries out of the oven. I hear Louis sigh behind me. Knowing him, I just know that he’s shaking his head in fake disappointment. 

     “Non, non. Oh que non. You’ll be spending it with Estelle and I, at least for dinner. We’ll make that pesto pasta you like so much. Be at our house by 7,” Louis declares. I sigh, turning around to face him. 

     “Louis, the bakery doesn’t close until 8 on Mondays,” I remind him. He gives me a stern look, telling me it’s non-negotiable. “Fine, fine. I’ll be there,” I give in, smiling. Louis grins, happy with himself. “You guys are still coming over for Christmas dinner, right,” I ask. Louis nods, before grabbing the plate of croissants. He heads back to the front to get started on placing the croissants in the display. I grin to myself, mumbling, “Stubborn man.” 

     As I’m placing the last pastry of the first batch in the display, the bell for the door goes off. I glance up, smiling as Estelle enters. “Morning, Estelle,” I wave. 

     “Morning, mon amour,” she smiles. She heads into the office to put her things up, but not before giving Louis a kiss. I let out a small smile at how cute they are. 50 years later, and they’re still as in love with each other as they were on day one. I head to the front door, flipping the sign from saying we’re closed to saying we’re open. Estelle comes out of the office, taking up her station at the register, Louis takes up position at the coffee station, and I head back to my position in the kitchen.

***********************************************************************

     “Have a good night, guys,” I say, giving Louis and Estelle kisses goodbye on their cheeks. 

     “You too, sweetie. Don’t work too hard. I know it’s cleaning night,” Estelle gives me a playful glare. I raise my hands in defense. 

     “I promise I won’t overwork myself. Won’t happen again. No need to worry about me,” I grin. Louis and Estell give me hugs and a kiss on the forehead before heading out the door. Once they’re out of sight, I race upstairs to change into some workout shorts and my stained Lewis Hamilton shirt. My father gave it to me back when Lewis was absolutely dominating as a joke. I've been a Red Bull fan since they entered Formula 1, which did not make my dad, a die hard Mercedes fan, happy. I tend to only wear the Lewis shirt when I’m cleaning, which explains all the stains you see on it. I walk back downstairs, bringing Lacey and Elise with me. I check on them throughout the day, but I do not allow them to be in the bakery while there are customers here. When no one is here, I allow them to stay in the kitchen with me. 

     I set to work cleaning, stopping to play with the puppies every so often. After an hour of cleaning, I hear the bell for the door ring. My eyebrows knit in confusion. “I thought I’d locked the door, oops,” I mumble. I turn to my dogs, telling them to sit and stay. They obediently listen to me. “I’m sorry, we’re closed,” I say, walking out the kitchen doors. I freeze when I look around. Two thoughts immediately enter my head. 

One: Max Verstappen is in my bakery. 

Two: Max Verstappen is currently having a panic attack. 

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

Taglist: @bookishbabyyy

[shuttershocky]

I was thinking about Arknight's worst class and their minor problem of dying to everything, and I got to wondering: could Quartz or Wind Chimes be fixed by giving them Estelle's talent for eating the souls of her enemies?

It wouldn't fix that they attack a full second slower than Estelle giving them terrible DPS, nor that they're only Block-2 and not Block-3 like a Centurion, but it would certainly help them just a little.

I don't think there's any class in Arknights as fundamentally flawed as the Crushers, but even then Quartz and Wind Chimes having horrific skillsets that would make them suck eggs even if they were in an actually good class like Centurions means even a very strong Crusher module might not be enough to save them. Their module upgrades could triple the numbers on their talents and they wouldn't be significantly more useful in any way (other than being a better meat shield for Arts/True damage).

If they get any form of sustain, healing on an enemy killed around them isn't nearly enough to make them able to lanehold without a medic considering how much damage they take from just dogs + how slow they attack.

They need some extremely heavy handed Reactive Armor-style module effect where every hit they take gives them an independent stack of 20 HP regen and 40 DEF (and maybe 1 RES) and the stacks independently last for 10 seconds and don't cap out, meaning taking a lot of little hits gives them a ton of regen and DEF to sustain with while their naturally high Max HP lets them live vs enemy nukes.

And even then. Even then. They would kind of just be shitty Protectors unless the stacks also gave RES.

It's a very hard life, being a Wind Chimes fan, but we don't love because it's easy

[angelkitty54]

Once again didn't really feel like colouring properly but tada anyways! Shadow, AKA Terios Acorn, the Ultimate Dad (bod) with his kids Sonya, Manik and baby Jasper (who finally has a name)! Estelle is not there mostly coz I haven't fully nailed her design yet...

After being forced into retirement from superhero work Shadow, Sonic and Sally had to make quite a lot of lifestyle changes. Shadow, and Sonic to a lesser extent, noticeably gained a bit of weight over the years as a result.

Has been mentioned before but Shadow doesn't actually need to eat as often, but nowadays he does so to appear more normal. He also tends to feel left out when the others are eating together and he's not. This has been the main reason for his weight gain. He would actually make himself sick a lot in the early years after retirement coz he was eating too much. These days Sonic serves him smaller portions or just gives him something to nibble on instead so he feels included.

Both Shadow and Sonic have high metabolisms due to the amounts of energy they burn off. Where Shadow could survive off of ambient Chaos Energy, Sonic had to eat a lot more just to keep up. Being unable to use his speed to burn off that excess energy has kinda thrown his whole diet out of whack.

Sally regularly goes to the gym, but mostly only as part of long term PT exercises she has to do coz of her cybernetics. At first the boys attempted to join her in a bid to get rid of some of that excess energy but they both had great difficulty holding back and trying to appear "normal". They also weren't really getting anything out of it because they were forced to hold back too.

Sonic is jealous of they way Sally bounced back after her pregnancies, while he's still got that soft pudginess in his chest, belly and hips. He's a little bit self-conscious of his weight since he used to be lithe and small, built for speed. And the fact that he was bullied a bit as a kid or being "fat" too. Shadow and Sally very much love how cute, pudgy and huggable their husband is. Tho where Sally tries to be supportive of Sonic's efforts to stay in shape, Shadow actively sabotages him by buying him treats all the time. Sonic also struggles a bit with self-control...

[coffeeheartaddict2]

Shattered

Book: Open Heart (pre series- Hopkins years)

Characters: Ethan Ramsey, Tobias Carrick, F!OC Estelle Campion

Warnings: Language,

Rating: Mature end of PG

Category: Angst

Word count: 1524

summary: the fallout from Estelle and Tobias sleeping together and the impact it has on everyone.

Disclaimer: Characters (except Estelle) belong to Pixelberry

Authors note: Again, like with Instant regret, some of the dialogue will be lifted straight from part of my Medical school series. Enjoy the angst

🎭🎭🎭🎭🎭🎭🎭🎭🎭🎭🎭🎭🎭

Ethan made the walk to Estelle’s apartment. It was one that he had made quite a few times but never had it been done with such raw emotion. The closer he got the more angrier he got. Angry at himself for not going after her when she stormed out last night but anger towards her. He knew that by the time he left, she would be under no illusion as to where they stood, it should have saddened him but all he felt was anger. He took a deep breath, knocking on the door for the final time. She answered, she did not looked surprised to see him.

Is it true?”

Estelle knew what he was talking about. She thought about denying it but Tobias had already spoken to her and she knew that they must’ve spoken.

“Yes and, you said you had not imagined a future for us, how I was I supposed to interpret that?”

“Just because I haven’t seen it, does not mean that I thought it impossible.”

“Well you could have said that Ethan!”

“How? you stormed out before I had the chance to say and fucked Tobias.”

“Yes we had sex, but we were over.”

“Well to me we were not..”

“Were?…”

“We are over now.”

Ethan walks off and Estelle follows.

“Wait Ethan, can we discuss this?”

“What is there to discuss? Both of you betrayed a trust you know full well was difficult for me to give. We were together barely six months. Why do you think I was in a position to think big future thoughts given my issues?”

“But I love…”

“Don’t, just fucking don’t say that. if you fucking meant it, you would not have fucked Tobias last night. We are over Estelle.”

He storms off and Estelle starts to cry. The realization that it was all over started to sink in.

Despite knowing Tobias was home. He went back to their apartment. He was relieved to not find him there when he came home. A part of him wanted to have it out with him but he also needed sleep himself. Try as he might sleep did not come so he went into the kitchen and made a coffee and went back to his room to study. Between study and final exams both men found it very easy to avoid each other. Tobias could see how hurt his actions had caused Ethan but whenever he approached him he went in the opposite direction. It was summer vacation and it was not a pleasant one. Things were that tense in the apartment that Ethan went home to Providence for a few weeks. He did not overly enjoy the holiday but it was good to see his dad again and he was reminded again about the importance of communication. His dad had a point but he did question how he could trust Tobias again.

Tobias at this time decided to head to Philadelphia to visit his mum for a few days. Beth was happy to see him but became anxious when she saw how upset Tobias was. Tobias told the whole story and a part of her was disappointed in her son but she could see how badly the guilt was eating him and she hoped they could reconcile.

Meanwhile, back in Baltimore Estelle came to a realisation. She wanted Ethan back and she was going to do whatever she needed to do to do so. She knew she fucked up but she did not care. All she knew is that she still loved him and wanted to give them another shot.

Ethan returned to the apartment. Tobias was home to greet him.

“Are you ever going to forgive me?”

Ethan took a deep breath.

“I know technically You were lied too, but that does not negate the fact that you slept with my ex…”

“I would not have if I had known the truth!” Exclaimed Tobias

“That is beside the point, you stated to me that you find her attractive, how can I trust that you will not do so again, with her or any other girl.”

“And I also said I could see she only had eyes for you. If I wanted to pursue her seriously I would have gone for her then!”

“I hope we can get past this Tobias, I really want to…”

“So do I, buddy.”

Tobias was genuine in his desire for reconciliation but Ethan was still not sure. What had happened was a large betrayal of trust and he was not sure if it could be repaired.

The new year started. The men were in their third year and still did tutoring and research projects. This made it hard to avoid each other but to a degree Estelle. This was especially difficult for Ethan as Estelle was working on similar projects with him. He knew he had to speak to her for work related things only but it became quickly apparent that Estelle had other ideas. Estelle was determined to get Ethan back but he was not having a bar of it. It all came to ahead one night when Ethan was at home. There was a knock at the door and since he knew Tobias was due to come and collect his keys he assumed it was him so he called out that the door was open. To his astonishment, it was Estelle and not Tobias. Estelle made her move and it was swiftly rebuffed. Estelle was mortified and was even more shocked when Ethan more than stood his ground in firmly stating that he did not want her and told her to get out. She did and walked past Tobias. Tobias went to the apartment to grab his keys and was told by Ethan he could have her. Tobias was shocked. Yes he had slept with her, majorly violating the bro code in the process but the one thing he had been resolute on was to repair the friendship with Ethan. Tobias bid Ethan farewell and went out. The next few weeks were frustrating as they were uneventful. Try as he might to repair the friendship between himself and Ethan, Ethan kept putting up a wall. The wall did not seem to bother Ethan, at least on the surface, deep down he was hurting and he was seeing that Tobias was repentant and not wanting Estelle but the betrayal hurt and he was not sure that he could or even if he should try to trust him again. End of the year, they were still one and two, Estelle was gone, neither bothered to follow up on where and despite the drama they decided, mainly out of convenience to stay where they were.

With Estelle gone and another summer spent mostly apart, Tobias hoped that they could focus on repairing their friendship but it was not to be. Missing out on a summer study hurt but when Tobias continued to be overlooked he could not help but be curious about Ethan being behind it. Resentment kept growing and Ethan’s assurances that he was not behind Tobias missing out grew less and less convincing. This drove an obsessive streak in Tobias to topple Ethan at all costs. Just when Tobias was getting the upper hand, Ethan would find ways to thwart him. Then came residency interviews. Tobias was pleasantly surprised he was getting the chance at some of his preferred hospitals given the lukewarm recommendations from his professors and a part of him was annoyed that he did not hear from Edenbrook, he knew that was Ethan’s dream and a part of him wanted to get it just to spite him, until one day an opportunity presented itself. He had just returned home from a rather fractious tutorial when the checked the machine. It was a message for Ethan from Edenbrook. He knew he should not have but he hit delete and it was not accidental. He knew it was the final nail but at that stage he did not care.

Two days later the final nail was hammered in the coffin that was their friendship. This is when Ethan received a call from Edenbrook on his mobile. He was furious and was even more so when he confronted Tobias about it. There were still a few months left of school. Classes and finals flew by but outside of that time seemed to drag. Ethan got the coveted residency at Edenbrook and Tobias got Kenmore. Graduation came and went and Tobias was number two in his class. It was at that moment that the real regret at what he did that night and since fully set in. He knew that they should have been celebrating together but his foolishness and arrogance got in the way. He knew at the beginning he put all that he could into reconciling but it was not to be and this saddened him immensely.

Both men spent the summer before residency in their respective hometowns and both found somewhere separate to live. Both were looking forward to embarking on their careers but Tobias wished that they were to do so together.

———

Authors note: well that is the end of my little Tobias appreciation week inspired dalliance. I have always believed that Tobias always felt really bad about what had happened and I wanted to write a bit from his side. Yes he did some really not cool things but also it takes two to reconcile also and the feelings Ethan had were real, many stemming from Louise abandoning him. But as time goes on, they grow up and Ethan especially works through his issues and then they cleared the air and reconciled in the end.

Tagging: @jerzwriter @alj4890 @cariantha @jamespotterthefirst @genevievemd @tessa-liam @potionsprefect @liaromancewriter @bex-la-get @crazy-loca-blog @a-crepusculo @binny1985 @lucy-268 @schnitzelbutterfingers @youlookappropriate @socalwriterbee @choicesficwriterscreations @openheartfanfics

[ranger-ribbons]

So, here’s the thing, I saw the cute flower prompts and was trying to pick a few, but you know me and I know you soooo… can I get the whole garden (all ‘em!) for my boyos! (Dillon/Ziggy) 💚

I do, yes. You do know me very, very well! Thanks, babe! <3 /plat

(Dillon is a big, tough, macho man until Ziggy's around, then he turns into a big softie)

Big thank you to Estel, who gave me the prompt for Magnolia.

~

Agapanthus - Love Letter

Dillon grunts a greeting to his teammates as he passes, looking for food. It's been a long day for him, and he's actually hungry, so he's gonna eat while he has the opportunity. It's hard sometimes when all he can do is taste the salt and sugar in a meal, but it's what he's gotta do while the cybernetics in his system are slowly taking over.

"Dillon!" Scott calls, making Series Operator Black look up, annoyed. "Ziggy left something for you on the table. He said you'd like it."

Dillon raises an eyebrow but heads for the table anyway. "Thanks," he says to the Red. Ziggy's been gone on a solo mission with Flynn for a few days now, something to do with power cores and mechanical parts Doctor K needs.

Dillon finds a bag of candy and a piece of the pie Summer had baked a few days ago. Summer had said it had all been eaten, but Dillon knew better than to think Ziggy didn't squirrel some away. Dillon smiles. The pie is actually pretty good breakfast food, and Dillon is glad to see it.

Next to the food is a letter. It's adorned with little black and green hearts. They're Ziggy's way of showing his love. Dillon opens the note.

Dillon,

I asked Scott to give you this if the mission ran longer than they thought it would. Turns out, getting these parts takes longer than it's supposed to, who knew? Anyway, I know you don't like big gestures of affection, but I also know you like Summer's baking. So here's my sign of affection for the day.

Love,

Ziggy

Dillon smiles, folds up the note, and puts it in his pocket. It's not your usual love letter, like the ones Summer talks about on those soap operas she won't admit to liking, but it's adorable, and Dillon loves it.

~

Basil - Hate

Dillon stares at the Green Ranger, the one who had once captured his heart. He stares at the half-dead corpse taking up space on the testing table. Dillon stares as Ziggy Grover screams and cries.

Ziggy sobs, pleading for Dillon to let him go, to come back to himself, to stop hurting him.

Dillon watches apathetically, staring with sharp eyes. He doesn't love this man, not anymore. Dillon doesn't love him, no. He hates Ziggy Grover.

In fact, he thinks he's never hated anyone more. That's why he tortures Ziggy Grover.

~

Cactus - Passionate Love

Ziggy gasps as Dillon slips his tongue between the Green's teeth. The whole kissing thing is still pretty new to Ziggy, and the Green knows Black wouldn't remember kissing anyone anyway, but still Dillon kisses like he's been doing it his whole life. Like Ziggy is the only thing in this world that matters to him.

"You okay, Zig?"

A little moan falls off Ziggy's lips as Dillon's mouth attaches itself to the younger man's neck. "Yeah," he breathes. "Ju-just keep doing that."

Dillon chuckles. "Yes, sir."

~

Daphne - I Wouldn't Want You Any Other Way

"Dillon," Ziggy says, coming towards the Fury, where Dillon works on his precious baby in the garage.

Dillon looks up, setting down the wrench. "What's wrong, Zig?"

Ziggy comes closer, which isn't unusual, but he's hunching in on himself, one arm gripping the other at the elbow, and his too-long bangs are hiding his eyes. "Dillon, do I talk too much?" he asks softly.

Dillon knows immediately what happened. The other Rangers agents shy about telling Ziggy exactly what they think of him. They've all lived through the war, experienced the loss that comes with it, and completely forget that Ziggy is just as traumatized as the rest of them. He just deals with it in a different way.

"Am I annoying you?" Ziggy asks, voice trembling.

Dillon drops his tools right there on the ground. "No, Zig," he replies. He draws Ziggy into a tight hug and feels as the Green Rangers begins to sob. "No, I wouldn't want you any other way."

~

Echinacea - Strength and Health

Ziggy yelps as he gets thrown flat on his back once more. "Dammit!" he curses, head thunking back against the ground.

"You're getting better."

Ziggy groans, "It's not good enough. Scott, Sunmer, and Flynn have all been fighting for longer than me and you... Well, you're you."

Dillon chuckles, sitting in the grass. "You're doing really good. You're better than you used to be."

Ziggy sighs. He looks up at the clouds and watches them cross the sky lazily. "It doesn't feel like it," he admits after several minutes of silence.

Dillon lays next to Ziggy, looking up at the sky just the same. "You are," he promises. "It doesn't feel like it, but you are."

Ziggy hums. "I don't know if I'm strong enough to do this, Dil."

Dillon is silent for a while, then his hand grasps Ziggy's on the grass. "If you aren't, you can borrow my strength. You've got this, Zig. You're stronger than you know."

Ziggy grumbles, but his smile says everything. "Thanks, Dillon."

"Anytime, Zig."

~

Fern - Sincerity

"Ziggy, don't be stupid! Look at him, it's not Dillon right now!" Scott shouts across the battlefield.

Ziggy's axe is in his hands, reared back and ready to strike, but looking into the eyes of his target, Ziggy can't bring himself to do it. It's not that Ziggy loves Dillon so much, the thought of hurting him is staying Ziggy's hand - no, Ziggy's way too selfish for that.

It's the look in Dillon's eyes.

Normally, when Dillon gets taken over by Venjix, his eyes go dull. They lose all spark of life, any signs of warmth are suppressed, and they're just... dead. This... this is different. Dillon's eyes are warm and full of life.

"What are you waiting for?" Flynn shouts, flipping away from a Grinder's swing.

"Just do it!" Summer adds, charging her Zip Charger.

But Ziggy puts his axe away. "No," he murmurs. "I can't."

Because in Dillon's eyes, there's a sincerity that's never been there before and Ziggy can't bring himself to snuff it out.

~

Gardenia - Sophistication

I never went to prom, actually. The words echo in Dillon's mind. Who hasn't been to prom? Prom is one of the few things Dillon remembers clearly. He'd gone to his high-school prom with this firecracker of a boy Dillon had thought he could one day love. That boy reminds Dillon a lot of Ziggy, honestly.

Let it never be said that Dillon doesn't do things for his boy. He stands in a pure black suit that's been mended several times with his hair slicked back and a flower in his lapel because there's no boutonnieres in the apocalypse. Dillon hates how stuffy it is, but the stuffy feeling is worth it if it means Ziggy gets the night he deserves.

After all, Venjix was defeated a while ago, so they should celebrate at this point.

The sophisticated get up is just starting to really get to Dillon when he finally looks up and sees. Ziggy comes down the stairs in green, green, green and Dillon smiles.

"Hi," Ziggy says.

Dillon holds out a hand. "Hey," he murmurs.

It's just as powerful as "I love you."

~

Hibiscus - Delicate Beauty

Late at night, sometimes, when Ziggy can't sleep, he likes to watch Dillon. Dillon doesn't sleep much, so Ziggy has to be quiet anyway, and if Dillon wakes up, it usually leads to sex, which means that Ziggy doesn't really care either way, and it's his favorite time of the night.

Something about the way the moonlight hits Dillon from the window makes him look fragile. It's captivating and Ziggy wishes he could take a picture.

"You gonna stare all night?" Dillon asks without opening his eyes.

Ziggy laughs, snuggling closer. "What can I say, I like what I see."

~

Iberid - Indifference

It happened again. Dillon was overtaken by Venjix once more. Ranger Black fights against Scott, Summer, and Flynn with ferocity he only displays on the battlefield. However, he won't touch Ziggy. Ziggy can fight him, and he'll defend himself, but Dillon always escapes away to another part of the fight, back to Rangers Red, Blue, and Yellow.

Ziggy thinks that hurts more than Dillon getting taken over by Venjix again.

~

Jasmin - Amiability

"He's a little social butterfly, ain't he?" asks the man Dillon didn't bother to get the name of.

They sit together at a table in some ratty old bar Ziggy had recommended. Apparently he'd worked here once before Venjix. What kind of person would give a bartender job to a kid barely 17, Dillon doesn't know, but he guesses that doesn't really matter.

"Yeah, I guess so," Dillon replies, knocking back his shot and signaling the bartender for another.

Ziggy is fluttering from table to table, a little drunk, but no less aware. For Ziggy to be only a little drunk in the three hours they've been here is a feat all of its own. Ziggy is an extrovert (according to Doctor K) and he likes people, so it's easier for him to get drunk when people think he's cute and buy him shots.

The stranger pours himself another drink from the whiskey bottle in front of him. He knocks the shot back, then asks, "He yours?"

Dillon smiles, downing the shot the bartender sets in front of him and putting a hand over his glass when the bartender makes to pour the third drink. "Thanks," Dillon says to the barman. Then he turns back to the stranger. "Yeah," he says with a brilliant smile, "he's mine."

~

Kalanchoe - Persistence and Eternal Love

It's been years, too many years, since Dillon took off in the Fury after nearly killing Ziggy in a PTSD fit. Ziggy's been looking for him ever since.

It isn't Dillon's fault that Ziggy had been having a bad day, nor is it Dillon's fault that Ziggy chose to take it out on the backyard fence. Dillon had come home and seen Ziggy with a pipe in hand and the flashbacks kicked in. Dillon was doing the only thing he thought he could do, which was to eliminate the threat. It's not Dillon's fault, but still he felt it was. Ziggy's been trying to track Dillon down every single day since.

It's almost six years to the day when Dillon left that Ziggy finally tracks his husband down.

Dillon sits in a jailcell with his head down. His hair's been cut and his eyes are dull. His nose is crooked and still leaking blood, but he's still the most handsome man on this gods-forsaken planet. "Dillon," Ziggy murmurs as the guard leads him to the cell.

Dillon flinches, but doesn't look up.

"You got five minutes," the guard warns, then he heads back out the door.

Ziggy looks at the Black Ranger in front of him. "Dillon, what happened?" he asks, putting his hands on the bars. "Talk to me, please."

"Shouldn't you be at home," Dillon asks gruffly, still not looking up.

Ziggy frowns. "No, my place is with you. Please, Dillon, talk to me."

"Ziggy, please," Dillon says, finally looking up. One eye is black, and the other has deep bags under it, making Ziggy believe Dillon hasn't slept in days. "Don't make this any harder for me that it already it."

"Tough shit," Ziggy snaps back, eyes going sharp. "We're married. I love you. You abandoned me, now the least you could do is talk to me and tell me why." His eyes go soft once more. "Please, Dillon. I love you. Just talk to me."

Dillon hesitates, then sighs. "Alright."

~

Lantana - Strictness

"No," Dillon snaps, grabbing Ziggy's belt and holding fast. "You know damn well you aren't allowed to throw yourself needlessly into any kind of danger."

Ziggy curses, squirming in Dillon's hold. "Lemme go, Dillon!" he curses.

"No."

Ziggy groans. "You and your rules."

~

Magnolia - Dignity

Dillon storms through the base, a letter in his hand and a snarl curling his lip upward. He stalks past Scott and Summer, past Flynn and the twins. He only stops once he stands in front of a door with green letters labeling it as Ziggy's room. Dillon knocks roughly on the door.

Ziggy opens the door and pokes his head out. He smiles. "Hey, Dillon. Come on in!" The door creaks open and Ziggy disappears behind it.

Dillon slips inside the room and closes it behind him. He breathes out a sigh. "Zig, we gotta talk," he says.

Ziggy bops his head in agreement, sitting down on the edge of his bed. "What's up?" he asks.

Dillon only hesitates a second, wondering if he should tell his boyfriend what happened. Ziggy needs to know, he tells himself. "This came for you today," Series Operator Black says, handing over the letter.

Ziggy raises an eyebrow, taking the letter. He reaches for the flap, and pauses when he sees what Dillon's done. "You opened it," he says factually. When Dillon nods, Series Operator Green swallows nervously, and slowly pulls open the envelope. The pictures fall out first, the ones that show Ziggy in undignified ways. The ones where Ziggy is naked and looks terrified.

Ziggy goes quiet. "Where did you get these?" he asks in a quiet, shaky voice.

Dillon shakes his head. "Some guy with a scorpion tattoo gave them to me. Said they were from Fresno Bob."

"Fresno Bob wouldn't do this," Ziggy snaps, voice full of venom and fire. "He wouldn't do this to me!"

Dillon nods, though he's not so sure Fresno Bob wouldn't do something like this. Most cartel and mafia bosses are all the same, and Dillon wouldn't put anything past any of them.

Ziggy makes a terrified noise, biting back a sob. "These are supposed to be gone," he whispers. The pictures get tossed to the floor. Some many of them feature Ziggy covered in various body fluids and blood.

"I can destroy them for you, if you want, Zig," offers Dillon, fully ready to rip the pictures into shreds and light the remains on fire.

Ziggy nods and Dillon snaps up the pictures, shredding them into pieces without a second thought. Then he grabs all the pieces and puts them in Ziggy's trashcan. "I'm gonna take this now," he says, indicating the trashcan with a shake of his head, "and you don't have to worry about it anymore. Okay?"

Ziggy nods. Dillon sits on the edge of the bed with him and hugs him tightly. If Fresno Bob ever comes back, Dillon will tear him apart like the pictures.

~

Narcissus - New Beginnings

Dillon looks out into the desert, surveying the dust and dirt, watching tumbleweeds blow by. He watches the world around him move. His bones still ache with the weight of the cybernetics that Doctor K couldn't remove, but with most of the cybernetics gone, Dillon finally feels like he can breathe again. Dillon listens to the wind, the sounds of static on the radio, the silence that settles in the cab of Dillon's car.

The car door opens and the car rocks lightly before the car door closes. "Alright! Where are we headed?"

Dillon smiles without looking up. He reaches for the car keys in the ignition and turns the key smoothly. The car sputters to a start and the motor purrs. "Anywhere we want," Dillon replies, glancing to the passenger seat.

Ziggy grins, leaning back and buckling the seat belt. "Let's go, Dil," he says.

Dillon smiles back, turns back to the road, and puts the car in gear.

~

Orchid - Refined Beauty

Ziggy whistles. "Now that is a nice-looking vehicle," he says appreciatively, looking at the beautiful yellow motorcycle Summer had brought home when her first one crashed into some Grinders at 70 miles per hour.

Dillon agrees with a slow, "Mm-hm."

Glancing at each other, Dillon and Ziggy both simultaneously agree not to tell Summer, snag the keys off the bar table, and zoom out of the garage without a backwards glance. She'll find out eventually, but until then, they'll have their fun.

~

Peony - Anger

"Don't touch me!" Ziggy snaps, knocking Dillon's hand off his shoulder.

"Zig," Dillon tries to say.

Series Operator Green shakes his head vigorously. Dillon shuts his mouth for fear of Ziggy making his concussion worse. "You don't get to be all sad and upset over this right now!" Ziggy says firmly. Her eyes blaze with restrained anger. "You're the one who did this! How many times did you tell me that I can handle myself? Then you go an' try to protect me in a fight I can handle myself! What the hell were you thinking, Dillon, huh?"

"Ziggy, I... I..." Dillon doesn't answer fast enough for Ziggy, apparently, because Ziggy only gets more upset.

Ziggy sits up, the bruises on his face shining dully in the low lighting. "Your dumbass decided to protect me and got me hurt in the process because I was so worried about protecting you because you LEFT YOURSELF OPEN TO ATTACKS!" Ziggy yells.

Dillon tries to speak, to tell Ziggy that he doesn't know what happened, that he'd really meant to stay in his lane and give Ziggy the space to be the fighter Dillon knows he can be. The words get stuck in his throat and Dillon can't speak them.

Ziggy scoffs. "Get out," he says, eyes filling with tears. "I don't want to see you right now."

"Ziggy..." Dillon tries to say.

"GET OUT!" Ziggy roars, grabbing the spare pillow and tossing it at Dillon with unnerving accuracy.

Dillon ducks, making a hasty retreat before Ziggy's patience ran out. "I'm sorry," he whispers as he closes the door behind him. The only answer he hears is a choked sob.

~

Quince - Perseverance During Adversity

"Ziggy?" Dillon asks, quietly opening the door.

"Get out!" Ziggy shouts back, just like he does every time, still angry at Dillon and unwilling to talk. "I don't want to see you! Get! Out!"

But Dillon is prepared this time. He comes in anyway. "I'm not leaving, Ziggy. Not this time."

"I don't want to talk to you," Ziggy replies, voice full of venom and fire.

"Well, too bad," Dillon replies. "Cause I want to talk to you." He comes closer. Ziggy glares at him beneath his too long bangs. Tears glitter in hazel eyes. Betrayal that hits hard, even though it's not really betrayal. Dillon sighs, "Ziggy."

"Say what you're gonna say and get out," Ziggy snaps coldly.

Dillon decides it's better to show than tell. He takes a chip out of his pocket and sets it on Ziggy's side table. "Doctor K found that in my neck when she checked me over after the battle. She said it was programmed to make me recklessly protective."

Ziggy looks at the chip with disgust. Then realization dawns on him, and he looks up at Dillon. "Someone put that in you?" he asks.

Dillon nods.

Ziggy's face falls and he scrubs a hand down his cheeks. "I'm such an idiot," he says regretfully. Looking up at Dillon, Ziggy continues, "I'm sorry. I should've known better."

Dillon shakes his head. "It's okay. You were hurt. I'm sorry too."

Ziggy offers a little smile. "Thanks, Dil."

~

Rose - Love

Of the many things Ziggy loves about Dillon, his lack of self-preservation is not one of them. "Dillon," he says, snappish and angry. "You're not allowed to throw yourself into dangerous situations either."

"Ziggy," Dillon warns, voice rough.

"No," Ziggy growls, stomping forward until he's toe-to-toe with Dillon, staring up the several inches between their heights. "You listen!" he demands. "Because you can't seem to get it through you're thick skull that I care about you, you idiot!"

Dillon, stunned silent, says nothing. He lets Ziggy stare up at him with sharp eyes and doesn't move, doesn't speak.

"I love you, you absolute dumbass," Series Operator Green says. "I love you, and you're not allowed to do dangerous things. I love you, and you're not allowed to leave me behind while you go off and play hero, like a dumbass."

Dillon's lips twitch upward.

"I love you," Ziggy continues, "and I couldn't stand it if you left me, so don't fucking leave me!"

Dillon sweeps Ziggy into a tight hug, which cuts off Ziggy's next words. "I love you, too, Ziggy."

~

Sage - Good Health and Long Life

"So," Ziggy whispers, "it's gone?"

The doctor nods, making a few notes in Ziggy's chart. "That's correct, Mr. Grover, the cancer has fully cleared and your cells are working at a normal rate. I'd like to get some blood work and scans, but you are officially in remission, Mr. Grover. Congratulations," the doctor replies, looking up with a smile.

Ziggy smiles, biting back a choked sob, then unable to help the next. Next to him, Dillon squeezes Ziggy hands. "Congrats, Zig," Dillon murmurs, pulling Ziggy into a hug.

Ziggy laughs through his sobs, face buried in Dillon's shoulder. If Dillon minds that his shirt is suddenly soaked, he doesn't say. Ziggy cries, Dillon holds him, and for a moment, nothing else matters.

~

Trillium - Modest Beauty

"Damn Ziggy, you look good!" Summer compliments from the couch, arm thrown around Flynn.

Ziggy grins. "You like it?" he asks, twirling around. He's wearing a cute green skirt that he'd picked up on one of their last trips to the clothing store. It had called to him on the rack. It was pretty modest, high waist, and the hem just under his knees, not exactly what Ziggy usually would wear, but-

"You look gorgeous," Dillon murmurs, arms wrapping around Ziggy's waist. "Beautiful."

Ziggy grins, twisting to meet Dillon's eyes with a smile. "Thank you," he says softly.

Dillon nods.

~

Ursinis - Trickery

"Dillon!" Ziggy shouts, skidding to a stop in front of Series Operator Black. "Dillon, we gotta go! Boxarok captured Scott, Flynn, and Summer, we gotta go save them!"

Dillon blinks, shaking his head. He looks at Ziggy and nods. "Yeah," he replies. "Let's go!" But something about his voice is off.

"Dillon, before we go," Ziggy says, paranoia born of dealing with people who would sooner trick and kill him. "What's my deadname?"

Dillon blinks, then gives the answer without hesitation. It's wrong. Of course it is. Ziggy never told Dillon his deadname, Dillon didn't care to know. Ziggy's eyes fill with tears. "Dillon," he whispers.

Dillon's face suddenly stretches into an unnatural smile. "That's not the right answer is it?" he asks.

Ziggy shakes his head, stepping back.

Dillon sighs, "Dammit." He lifts a hand and clicks his fingers. Ziggy's world goes black.

~

Vervain - Pray For Me

"Oh, god," Ziggy mumbles over comms. "Oh, god, oh, god, oh, god."

"Ziggy?" Dillon asks, concerned.

"I'm over the vent," Ziggy replies. "I see Venjix. God, if this doesn't work..." Ziggy doesn't have to finish the sentence. If this doesn't work, Ziggy will probably be dead.

"It's gonna be okay, Zig," Dillon assures him, though he's not even sure himself.

"Pray for me," Ziggy whispers. "Here we go."

~

Waterlily - Birth and Resurrection

Ziggy grumbles under his breath, listening to the preacher go on and on about the birth and resurrection of Jesus Christ. He hates churches, they're always so stuffy and full of hypocrites and assholes.

~

Dillon makes an agreeing noise at Ziggy's side. "I know," he murmurs. "It sucks, doesn't it?"

Ziggy nods, sinking deeper in his seat. "This is stupid. Why did Mom want to meet here?"

Dillon snorts softly. "Who knows. The hardcore religious people won't ever make sense to me."

Ziggy snorts. Then, he leans closer. "Thanks for coming with me," he says.

Dillon smirks back. "I had to," he replies teasingly. "You can't stay outta trouble by yourself."

Ziggy almost interrupts the sermon with how hard he laughs.

~

Xeanthemum - Eternity and Immortality

A little known fact about the Morphin Grid? It offers its Rangers immortality. It's the one thing that Ziggy hates, even all these years later.

He and the other RPM Rangers meet up every couple years, but Dillon hasn't been seen in several years now. Scott, Summer, and Flynn think he must've finally pissed off the wrong person and gotten himself killed. Ziggy knows better. Ziggy would feel it if Dillon had died.

So he's not shocked in the slightest when Dillon strolls over in the middle of one of the RPM meet-ups, twists a spare chair backward, and sits in it casually. Leaning forward, Dillon steals a French fry off Ziggy's plate and hums, "These are good."

Scott, Summer, Flynn, and the twins are all a little shocked. It's been years since any of them had seen Dillon, but here he is. Alive and well.

Ziggy smiles, grabbing Dillon's hand. With a serious look, his face falls, and Ziggy says, "You're telling me where you went." It's a fact, not a request.

Dillon nods. "And I'll spend the rest of eternity making it up to you," he promises.

~

Yellow Bell - Rebirth

Dillon opens his eyes after the surgery, stares up at the white ceiling. He looks around at the hospital room with confusion.

"Welcome back, Dillon," says Doctor K, going by Krishana now that she's finally found her name from before. "Your surgery was mostly successful. As I thought, we were unable to remove all the pieces and hardware, but aside from the six piece in too deep to safely remove, you are free of your hybrid parts."

Dillon smiles. A hand squeezes his. "How do you feel?" asks Ziggy, there with Dillon in the aftermath, as promised.

Dillon hums, looking at Ziggy with loving eyes. "Reborn."

~

Zinnia - Lasting Affection

Dillon and Ziggy aren't particularly affectionate people in public, but that doesn't mean they aren't affectionate at all.

Dillon hugs Ziggy close as they walk down the street. Keeping Ziggy close is always a good thing. "You okay?" he asks quietly.

"Yeah," Ziggy replies. "More than."

Dillon smiles, and they continue walking.

Happy birthday!! @estel-eruantien

[fellow-travelers-fic-recs]

Fellow Travelers Fic Recs | Current WIPs: April 2024

Active WIPs with most recent updates posted in the past month featuring awkward hospital room conversations, a hospital room meet-cranky, and hospital whump... I'm sensing a theme, here. More fake-ish dating, Mama Fuller wisdom, Professor Hawk, a couple road trips, some time travel and a few modern AU's. There really is something for everyone!

Happy reading!

✨ Be sure to show the authors some love and appreciation with kudos and comments on the fics you enjoyed!

🌺 Remember Our Love - Remember Me by Larnee💠[G, 638] Tim Laughlin - the love of Hawkins life is gone. Hawk struggles to move forward until someone unexpected shows up at his doorstep. Tim has never left Hawk, not now, not ever.

🌼 Chances Are by @bluebellsinburbank | ConsumingLove [G, 3K] After a family Thanksgiving, Estelle and Hawk talk. Then she meets Tim.

🌺 I Know I’ve Never Lived Before by @bluebellsinburbank | ConsumingLove [G, 3K] Wherein Hawk completely accidentally and through no fault of his own intentionally ends up dating the man he's sleeping with.

🌼 Within The Heart of Me by drabbleswabbles💠 [NR, 3K] Lucy goes to the hospital to talk to Tim. When she arrives, Hawk is already there.

Otherwise known as, a prompt fill that wanders a bit off the mark, but is close enough in spirit to give credit where credit is due as far as inspiration goes.

🌺 Darkness Before the Dawn by @beyondxmeasure | Cyantific [NR, 350] It’s June 1944, following the US offensive against the German-led Caesar line that tore through a small squad of the 141st Regiment, killing two men and wounding others, along with Sergeant Hawkins Fuller. Following the blast of the Nazi’s K5 railway gun, he underwent surgery to repair sustained shrapnel damage and is now recovering in the Army’s 32nd Evac Hospital. In the bed next to him lies Corporal Marcus Gaines from the 85th Infantry Division, also wounded in action.

Or, the story of how Hawk and Marcus met.

🌼 A Disaster Beyond Measure by drabbleswabbles💠 [NR, 23K] Hawkins Fuller is a campaign manager with a PR disaster on his hands. The solution involves pretending to date none other than Timothy Laughlin.

Featuring: unrealistic portrayals of the life and job of a campaign manager for the sake of the fake dating trope.

🌺 Who Are You (who am I?) by Anonymous [G, 2K] AU- Hawk fails his security clearance after Tim goes to the army and Senator Smith locks him in a mental hospital where he is lobotomised

Or, Tim receives a letter from Mary saying Hawk needs him.

🌼Too old to play (and too young to mess around) by @bejeweledmp3 | ninav [M, 61K] Kimberly Fuller goes on a two-week vacation to San Francisco, in which she: drinks excessive amounts of tea, gets betrayed, cries more than she should, eats donuts, and seeks out truth with the help of a man she only knows from a presentation card; not necessarily in that order.

But mostly, she finds her father in every least expected place. And learns to make her peace with what that means.

🌺Sands of Time (Turn Backwards) by @brouill3r | brouiller [NR, 22K] 1987 Hawkins Fuller is full of regrets for the life he's lived, though Tim once told him he regrets nothing. Hawk so wishes he could say the same.

In the still night air of a hotel room, clutching a cracked paperweight to his chest like it's carved of the finest gold, Hawk gets his wish.

Or, a time-travel fix-it fic that nobody asked for.

🌼 Is it over now? by @satelarry | satelarry [M, 43K] Seeing the love of your life walk away without being able to tell him that you love him has to be one of the worst situations a person can go through. But Hawk decided to fulfill Tim's request, knowing it will be the last. What happens when he wakes up, 18 years before, with the knowledge of what's going to happen if he makes the same decisions? Does the ending always stay the same?

Or, the Time Travel AU in which the only thing ruining Hawk's plan is Tim's stubbornness.

🌺 Again, only better by @madsmeetsmisha | madsmeetsmisha [M, 17K] Hawk had no idea what was really going on here. All he knew was that he was back in 1954 and a completely distraught Tim was standing outside his door. And he also knew that he certainly wouldn't make the same mistake twice.

🌼 🪴His great consuming lovage* 🪴 by @carnivalrow | nightfall_in_winter [T, 2K] Tim's potted plant has a story to tell...

🌺 We'll be on the road like Jack Kerouac by @jesterlesbian | captainquint [M, 4K] He tried to think of what Tim would do or say. The man who had only spoken to his son a handful of times over one weekend in 1968, but had seemed to understand him far better than Hawk ever had.

The business card felt like it was burning a hole in his pocket.

An idea burst to life in Hawk’s mind. This was an emergency if he’d ever seen one.

“What would you say to coming with me to San Francisco?”

Or, Hawk and Jackson go on a cross-country road trip to San Francisco.

🌼 Educate Me by @fullerthanskippy | fullerthanskippy [E, 13K]  A Hawk x Tim AU in which the timelines jump from 2012-2014 to present day 2024. When present day Tim receives an invitation to the 10-year reunion of his Georgetown graduating class, he is filled with both hope and dread that he will run into one particular professor.

One man who was the through-line of his two years in grad school. The man who taught him more than he could have ever learned in the classroom.

When Tim is re-acquainted with Professor Hawkins Fuller, he immediately flashes back to 12 years prior, when he first encountered the man that he had no idea would be the greatest love and loss of his life.

Or, tons of garbage filthy smut sprinkled in between pining, angst, and fluff. Contains explicit material including but not limited to the likes of top!hawk, bottom!tim, top!tim, bottom!hawk, dom!hawk, sub!tim, bratty!tim, and much, much more. Enjoy!

🌺 I Sing the Body Electric by telescape8💠 [M, 28K] Modern AU. It all starts on Election Night 2016. Tim falls hard. Hawk falls harder.

💠Authors: if your tumblr (or other socials) isn’t linked, and you'd like it to be, let me know and I'll be happy to add it! Or, if you’re linked already and would prefer not to be, please contact me to remove it.

[camillabanilla]

Tales of Vesperia playthrough thoughts:

The Blade Drifts of Zopheir weren't as bad as I remembered. I really don't love the dungeon layouts of this game though. Worth it for Karol's story. Everyone in the team is so loving and supportive of him.

I want to talk about the scene after Yuri leaves the group for murder and falls asleep in the Quoi woods. Everyone finds him and beats him up. They have a very strange love language, these people. They're such a weird family. Anyway, I'm playing the JP audio version and one thing that just about killed me is how Yuri's voice is so obviously near tears when he's like "aw you guys" after they admonish/encourage him to trust them, because they all love him. So much feeling in his line delivery. Yuri's just this absolute weirdo, definitely actually a cat that is outwardly self assured, graceful, confident and all those things but needs to be loved and has a hard-earned trust. And his team is like "get loved, idiot".

Literally every time there's a Flynn scene I'm like "rejoice!". Honestly this game is so not normal about him and I'm here for it. I definitely am not the only person recently to point out Yuri's soft smile when Karol remarks how amazing Flynn is.

On to Zaphias:

Alexie is a POS:

Ugh he's such a smug and smarmy little shit I love it.

Also the main cast is preaching "no one besides you can define you". I see you, game.

Touching moment aside it sure was fucking absurdly hilarious to obliterate Estelle in battle. I was spamming Mother's Memento because I wasn't sure when it was used and apparently it heals everyone for a bit of HP! I never knew that.

And then HOLY FUCK the 1v1 with Estelle and that fucking sad song playing omg 😭😭😭😭 game stop it my feelings

Okay but the actual 1v1 with Estelle got me a game over twice. Definitely harder without other characters to absorb hits.

When it comes time for Rita to pull some nerd shit to save Estelle, we have all the characters being like "let me help, Rita!". And Ravens just there hanging on by a thread 🤣

AHHHHH RITA IS USING EVERYONE AS PART OF THE SPELL THING TO SAVE ESTELLE. The way Yuri catches her after and holds her 🥹

Whoa straight into a Flynn scene. The picture Ted drew of Yuri and Flynn is in between them. I never noticed how Flynn takes up most of the page.

So Ted drew a picture either of Flynn but had to include Yuri in it cause Duh, or of both of them and the impact Flynn has on him was much larger. Neither of those are bad. Or rather both because imagine what most of the lower quarter kids probably think of Flynn. So kind, fair, strong and handsome. It makes Karol's admiration of Flynn all that more potent and wholesome really. But Flynn and Yuri come as a pair, and Yuri is probably like a Big Lower Quarter Brother and Flynn is too but moved away and y'know, has a job and you don't see him that often so he's almost like this mythical figure or smt.

Flynn and Yuri: Would these two idiots stop trying to downplay their own impact and usefulness and just admit that they complete each other puhlease.

When Sodia walks in and is all eww to Yuri, he's like "I smell a biiiiiiiitch" and goes to walk out.

This rando guard fangirling:

Karol is chillin in the mess hall with Hanks and seeing everyone praise him and eating up Karol being such a good, young boss is so lovely. It wasn't long ago when Karol would have been so uncomfortable with all this praise. Hey Yuri maybe Karol could teach you a thing or two about accepting praise and loving yourself.

[articskele]

YIPPEEE MEADOWCLAN INFODUMP :D

Basically I took the Tomodachi Life philosophy of shoving all of your OCs and favorite characters into Situations together and applied it to warrior cats to see what would happen and it’s so fun and I already have so much lore akjfldf!!!!

OK SO. Meadowclan! This grassy hilly area with lots of flowers, a river, and a forest off to the side! Cats often decorate their fur with flowers, both bc it’s pretty and to hide their scent so they can hunt more effectively.

Kits batting at butterflies and bees (and quickly learning not to attack the latter lol). Cats mostly hunting rabbits and birds and fish, with the occasional frog or deer or fox.

And then there's the Moontree, this big old cherry blossom tree at the edge of the territory, whose petals seem to glow in the light of the full moon. Maybe there's some water pooled at the roots, and when significant events happen, cats will look up to see cherry blossom petals blowing in the wind ouo

---

Mothstar arc, aka We Didn't Start The Fire:

It's a rough concept but basically there's a prophecy from Starclan about fire overtaking the valley, something about snow and flowers. It's around the time the clan was first founded so Stonestep (Stone) was going to be appointed leader, but he dies under mysterious circumstances.

Mothblaze (August) becomes Mothstar and is appointed leader, though I'm thinking he doesn't get any extra lives? Something something the clan is just starting out, Starclan is quiet, this is new territory so nobody's there to give the lives, I dunno.

He's charismatic and pretty good at keeping the place running since times are tough, but more suspicious things happen and the rules start to get bent and changed. Cats get exiled and poisoned.

Snowblossom (Artic) discovers the truth and tries to expose him for the murder of Stonestep, he tries to start a controlled fire as an exertion of power but it quickly gets out of control (a gas canister near twolegplace?) The fire is stopped and Mothstar gets kicked out, left to wander the forests beyond the territory.

Which actually lines up fairly well with canon August's story; founding a town, creating a well-managed but ultimately corrupt system, messing with forces outside of his control in an attempt to show power, and getting exiled once his lies are exposed.

(Except in the case of canon, August supposedly drives off this calamitous dragon and uses that to emphasize how dangerous the mountains are and that it's safer with him, until Artic figures out that this dragon is herbivorous and only acting this way because of people being aggressive to it and taking its territory.)

Shimmerwing (Estelle) becomes Shimmerstar as the new leader, and is given a second life by her ghost cat husband Stonestep. Also she was the one who discovered the Moontree!

Cherry blossom petals are seen flying in the breeze above camp, and Snowblossom keeps one in her fur ouo

At one point Mothstar tries to come back to take revenge, but Shimmerstar just stares him down like "this is my house now bitch" alksfjdf

I was joking around with a friend about her giving him coal BUT COAL IS USED FOR FIRE SO IT’S LIKE MAKING FUN OF ALL THE DAMAGE HE DID AAAAUGH

---

Birchfall arc, aka that time the Onceler invented cat capitalism. Catpitalism, if you will:

So cat Onceler starts out as a kittypet named Ollie but ends up in Meadowclan. He's loud and clumsy and easily grossed out, pretty rubbish at hunting and fighting, and he keeps sneaking into the medicine den to eat the mallow-

But what he does have is knowledge of twoleg stuff, and he invents a system using herbs as currency. It quickly catches on and spirals out of control, because now cats are picking so many herbs that they can't grow back.

And with all these herbs being stashed away or constantly in circulation, Nettlefur (Medic TF2 the medicine cat) can't get his paws on the plants he needs to Do His Job.

So it ends with Birchfall getting exiled and he just. Goes back home to being a kittypet like nothing happened akfjakdf

---

Misc character stuff:

- Mothstar is this longhaired splotchy mix of red-orange and brown, with markings on his sides that resemble a moth's eyespots!

- Snowblossom is a small floomfy white cat with blue-gray stripes and little spots on her face like freckles ouo!

- Daffodil is either a birman or ragdoll? She's Snowblossom's mom, currently in the elder's den getting some much needed rest ouo

- Shimmerstar is this sleek black cat with shiny fur that turns blue in the light, like a crow! And the classic white four-pointed star on her forehead

- Nettlefur is a silvery german longhair with the messiest fur alive. He brought a cat back to life once and Starclan HATES him for it

- Stonestep and Thornsong (Cedric) are tuxedo cats but Stonestep has gotten more and more white fur with age, like this! Also Stonestep has a missing arm like in canon + a bobbed tail, and Thornsong has a rose in his fur ouo

- Unlike canon Stone who died before Cedric was born, Stonestep is still alive by that point so he was able to mentor Thornsong and be there for him when his parents dipped out ouo

- Doveheart (Dove) is this cream point ragdoll (white heart mark on chest? White lily in fur?), Maple (Mel) is this BIG floomfy orange and white tabby loner, and they and Thornsong all meet up at the clan borders to hang out. They’re friends your honor

- Cloudpaw (Cloud) is an all white cat, and Dustpaw (Petra) is a sandy brown cat with long ears and a bobbed tail that make her look like a rabbit ouo

- Cloudpaw is super fast while Dustpaw can jump super high, so they work well together! And since they never got separated like in canon, they never had such a strained relationship and they love going on adventures together!

- Their warrior names are Cloudflight and Dustbite! Which is an Another One Bites The Dust joke but also fits the rabbit theme bc dust bunnies!

- Twinkie (Wink) is a red-pink kittypet with a shimmery light blue bow and polydactyl paws!

- Birchfall is a tall, lanky gray cat with white on his belly and socks and face, darker gray stripes on his tail and legs and back, and little freckles hehe ouo. As a kittypet he likes wearing tiny hats

- I haven’t fully decided on a name for Ink but I’m calling him Leafwhistle for now! He’s a calico that was originally a loner, joined for free food, but nothing really changed and he just comes and goes whenever he pleases and nobody has been able to stop him

- Harespring (Springtrap). Yknow that one post about the green cat? He looks like that, but with a lotta scars (including burn scars from the fire), longer ears and a bobbed tail like Dustpaw.

- Harespring is the guy that Mothstar framed and subsequently exiled for Stonestep's murder, but they brought him back after everything gets resolved lol. Currently in the elder's den telling the apprentices scary stories

- Hollypaw (Holly) is one of if not the most reckless cats in the clan- She got exiled during Mothstar's rule for snooping around too much, and she has a habit of eating berries without checking if they're safe

- Her warrior name is Hollydash! Also what if she's the one Nettlefur brought back from the dead bc she ate deadly berries alfkds

- Cloverleaf (Forgetica) is the mediator aka the much-needed therapist

- Spiderfang (Sylvain) is a gray-blue oriental shorthair, very angular shapes. He thinks Nettlefur is the coolest dude ever which is such a bad influence alkfsjd

- Sporeshade (Kieran) is this short and stocky brown maine coon, with a scar over his nose like in canon. He has a rogue partner named Concerto (The Escapist), but nobody knows what a concerto is or how to pronounce it so they just call him Connie for short akjfsdf

- I'm thinking Cloudpaw is being mentored by Thornsong, Dustpaw is being mentored by Doveheart, and Hollypaw is being mentored by Leafwhistle? Also maybe Spiderfang is a second medicine cat

Heeehehehe ouo

[manipulatorkaleidoscope]

Incorrect Quotes! (For Omega Strikers) (Part 2!)

Kai: If bees can be fish and boys can be girls, then why can't my dad love me? X: I thought I was going to have to yell at you, but now I think I should hug you.

❤️🧡💛💚🩵💙💜❤️🧡💛💚🩵💙💜❤️🧡

AiMi: Era and I are no longer dating. Era: AiMi, that’s a horrible way of telling people we’re married.

❤️🧡💛💚🩵💙💜❤️🧡💛💚🩵💙💜❤️🧡

Vyce: Oh, here’s my award for the most rules broken! Octavia: That’s not an award, it’s an angry letter from your boss. Vyce, hanging it on her wall: Well, it has the word ‘most’ in it, so I’m calling it an award!

❤️🧡💛💚🩵💙💜❤️🧡💛💚🩵💙💜❤️🧡

X: So, what, now I'm just supposed to do anything Atlas does? I mean, what if he jumped off a cliff?Drek’ar: If Atlas were to jump off a cliff, he would've done this due to his diligence regarding the height of the cliff, the depth of the water, and the angle of entry, so yes. If you see Atlas jump off a cliff, by all means, jump off a cliff. Luna: You jump off a cliff! Drek’ar: Gladly, provided Atlas did first.

❤️🧡💛💚🩵💙💜❤️🧡💛💚🩵💙💜❤️🧡

Juliette: Why do you keep a diary?! Estelle: To keep secrets from my computer.

❤️🧡💛💚🩵💙💜❤️🧡💛💚🩵💙💜❤️🧡

Kai: Can I ask you for a favor? X: I would literally die for you, but continue. Kai: We need to talk about you starting sentences that way ❤️🧡💛💚🩵💙💜❤️🧡💛💚🩵💙💜❤️🧡

Luna, playing pretend : Since we're in a relationship now, your clothes are my clothes too. Don't ask me why I have your shirt on, this is our shirt. Zentaro, also playing pretend: Fine, but when I come strutting in with your fuzzy socks I don't want to hear shit.

❤️🧡💛💚🩵💙💜❤️🧡💛💚🩵💙💜❤️🧡

Vyce: Guess what number I’m thinking of. Asher: 420? Vyce: No, that’s really immature of you. Someone else guess, and please take this seriously. Juliette : 69. Vyce: Yeah it was 69.

❤️🧡💛💚🩵💙💜❤️🧡💛💚🩵💙💜❤️🧡

X: slams books down in front of Era X: Boil up some Mountain Dew. It’s gonna be a long night. Era: You could have said literally anything else. X: Cauldron boil and cauldron bubble, Baja Blast to fuel my trouble. Era: I’m going to just stop challenging you when you say random shit. I won’t win. I realize this now

❤️🧡💛💚🩵💙💜❤️🧡💛💚🩵💙💜❤️🧡

X: Relationships should be 50/50. Kai cooks us dinner while I sit on the kitchen counter looking pretty.

❤️🧡💛💚🩵💙💜❤️🧡💛💚🩵💙💜❤️🧡

Atlas: Why are you like this?? Rune: Obscura forced me to use too much "No More Tears" shampoo as a kid and I haven't felt a single emotion since.

❤️🧡💛💚🩵💙💜❤️🧡💛💚🩵💙💜❤️🧡

Asher: Happy Throwback Thursday! Here’s a throwback to when Dubu ate an entire tube of lipstick. Dubu, whining: Dubu! (But why would it be cherry-flavored if you can’t eat it?!)

❤️🧡💛💚🩵💙💜❤️🧡💛💚🩵💙💜❤️🧡

Estelle: Asher kissed me! Juliette: Oh my God! Oh my God! Oh my God! Estelle: It was unbelievable! Juliette: Oh my God! Oh my God! Oh my God! Octavia: Okay, we wanna hear everything. Juliette, get the wine and unplug the phone. Estelle, does this end well or do we need tissues? Estelle: Oh, it ended very well. Juliette: Do not start without me! Do not start without me! Octavia: Okay, alright, let’s hear about the kiss. Was it a soft brush against your lips or was it like a, you know, “I gotta have you now” kind of thing? Estelle: Well, at first it was really intense, you know? And then, oh God, and then we just sort of sunk into it. Octavia: Ohh… So, okay, was she holding you? Or were her hands on your back? Estelle: First she started out on my waist and then she slid up and then she was in my hair. Juliette and Octavia: Ohhh. meanwhile Asher eating pizza in Vyce’s house: And, uh, and then I kissed her. Vyce: Tongue? Asher: Yeah. X : Cool.

❤️🧡💛💚🩵💙💜❤️🧡💛💚🩵💙💜❤️🧡

Rune : Caffeine no longer keeps me awake while I work, so instead I have Atlas periodically send me texts saying ‘we need to talk.’ Rune : It gives me the right amount of adrenaline and fear I need to keep going.

❤️🧡💛💚🩵💙💜❤️🧡💛💚🩵💙💜❤️🧡

Luna: Do you care if I take the skin off this Furby? Luna: I want to make him a god. Once he is free of his sinful flesh, he can begin a path towards enlightenment. He will take care of us. Luna: I also want to softhack his circuits. Atlas: I literally could not care less but never say anything as frightening as that ever again.

❤️🧡💛💚🩵💙💜❤️🧡💛💚🩵💙💜❤️🧡

Juliette : I was voted “friendliest classmate” in high school. Asher: I was voted “most likely to become a clown”… Vyce: You think that’s bad? HA! I was voted “most likely to get rabies”!

❤️🧡💛💚🩵💙💜❤️🧡💛💚🩵💙💜❤️🧡

Rasmus: I love hearing AiMi shouting at someone else. It makes such a nice change.

[aipilosse]

14, 15 and 17 for the violence questions?

14. that one thing you see in fics all the time

I am such a hypocrite with fics full of footnotes, but random Quenya or Sindarin words that are just there for flavor. Unless you're talking about a concept that is unique to the language, like yeni or estel, using it for name or title, or indicating a switch in language, it doesn't add much other than flavor. Also, while those are three occasions when I'll still use elvish when writing, it's absolutely not necessary! You can say 'long-years' or 'Father' in a fic and it can still be amazing. And sometimes I like the flavor elvish imparts, but recently I have not. Especially in porn, which also frequently features Early Quenya that does not fit with the mature language.

The thing is, this is hilariously not fandom's fault. You know who switched into elvish at random moments without much thought it seems for what it indicates? PETER JACKSON. This is yet another vestige of the heavily film inspired fanfic hey-days of the early 2000s (that of course all the silm writers denied being inspried by! They were book fans with numerous complaints about the films thank-you-very-much)

15. that one thing you see in fanart all the time.

I think there should be more elves with brown hair 😤 I'm now seeing more elves with curly hair (excellent) but imo we need more brown haired elves.

17. there should be more of this type of fic/art.

I was just talking with undercat about this, but I could really eat up some early Sauron empire building stories. @herenortherenearnorfar has the amazing Divine Marriages, but I hunger for mooooooore. I understand why it's not done frequently, it would be a lot of work, practically as much as an original novel, but there's also a lot of potential.

[spooky-boi-writes]

Make the Sound Feel Okay

Words: 1,328

Ships: Nico di Angelo / Will Solace, background Percy Jackson/Annabeth Chase, Nico di Angelo & the Seven & Will Solace

TW: Sensory overload, Nico pulls his hair/ears in stress, slight The Sun and the Star spoilers

Summery: Nico was happy. Nico was having a good night. Nico was also close to tears for no apparent reason. Everything was just so loud. It was like he could hardly breathe. He kept breathing in but it felt way too shallow. The noise felt like it was stabbing into him, and every time someone used a fork on a plate he came closer to tears. His shirt wasn't sitting right on his shoulders, his ring felt weird, and his necklace was off center.

~~~~~

Aka Nico has sensory overload at dinner and Will comforts him

Ao3

"When I tell you Estelle told me she liked Annabeth better TO MY FACE!" Percy exclaimed, talking with his hands more than eating. The seven plus Nico and Will decided to catch up at some restaurant and they were having more fun than they thought. It had been a while since they (plus Will) were all together and the chaos was dearly missed.

"I can't help I'm superior, Percy!" Annabeth poked him and took another bite of her calzone.

Nico was happy. Nico was having a good night. Nico was also close to tears for no apparent reason. Everything was just so loud. It was like he could hardly breathe. He kept breathing in but it felt way too shallow. The noise felt like it was stabbing into him, and every time someone used a fork on a plate he came closer to tears. His shirt wasn't sitting right on his shoulders, his ring felt weird, and his necklace was off center.

He took a bite of his Alfredo and tried to keep his hands from shaking. Was it always this loud and he never noticed? Why was it all suddenly so overwhelming? Everyone else was laughing. Why was it so hard to join them? He was tired and gods it's so fucking loud.

It took a half hour of being at the table with everyone before he suddenly stood, mumbled a "I need to go outside", and stumbled away. He walked on the sidewalk until he was next to the building and crouched down, pressing his head between his knees and shoving his hands over his ears. Outside was loud too, but there were less fun stories out there which made it more unbearable. People were talking just too loud and bugs made noise around him and the lights buzzed and the humidity made him want to peel off his skin. He pressed his hands harder to his ears and closed his eyes as tight as he could. When the seam in his socks pressed against his toes wrong he started crying .

He clung onto his ears and tried to ignore the tears streaming down his face. He wished he had his jacket, but it was summer and he didn't want people to ask why he had a jacket in summer even though it wasn't that warm and it was more for the layer it added and the comfort and the bit around the neck was a really nice texture and the pockets made him less stressed about leaving things behind and-

He reached into his pocket and held onto the coin Will gave him. He held it in his hand as he pressed it to his ear. It grounded him a little, but the tears and pain and loud didn't stop.

After a few minutes that felt more or less real, a figure appeared above him. With hesitation, Nico looked up to see Will crouched in front of him.

"Hey Neeks, what's wrong?" Will said softly. He scooted a little closer and grabbed Nico's hands from his head by the wrists.

"Please don't touch, right now." Nico sobbed. They'd spoken with each other and decided they were almost always allowed to touch the other basically whenever, but right now was a definite no for Nico.

"Okay, okay, I'm sorry. What do you want me to do?"

"Loud, Will it's so loud." Nico sobbed, clawing at his ears even harder.

"I'm gonna need you to take your hands from your head, you're hurting yourself baby. Do you want me to go get the headphones you left in the car?" Nico nodded and grabbed his shirt instead of his head. He fiddled with the coin and tried to keep his tears at bay.

After a few minutes Will returned. By the time he got back Nico had pressed his head onto his knees. When Will got there he just put the headphones in front of Nico, who pushed them onto his head without looking up. For a while they sat in silence, until Nico suddenly made a grab for Will's hand and held on tight.

"Do you wanna talk, love? The others are worried, too. I had to stop Hazel and Jason from getting a swat team in case you were a little sad." Nico giggled lightly and held Will's hand harder.

He hesitated, scared what he felt wasn't normal for a fifteen year old boy. He then remembered he'd been to superhell twice, went to a camp for half gods, and had a zombie chauffeur named Jules-Albert, so he decided to just say it. "I don't know what happened, really. I just got badly overwhelmed and wanted to take my skin off. Specifically the skin on my neck, for some reason. Everything was loud and everything hurt."

Will considered for a moment, looking adorable as he did so if you ask Nico, before making eye contact and asking "have you ever heard of sensory overload?"

Nico paused. "What?"

"That's what I thought. Sometimes, people with ADHD or autistic people intake more information from their senses or their brain can process, and the brain goes into fight or flight. I've had it, along with some other demigods I know, and what you just described seems like it could've been that."  Nico stared intently at his coin as he listened to Will. "Do you think that could have been it?"

"Probably. You know more brain things than I do, so if that sounds right it probably is." Nico finally looked up and smiled, tears still clearly in his eyes. "Can I go back inside now? And bring the headphones with me?"

"You ain't got no reason to ask permission from me, dear. If you're ready to go inside, let's go." Will stood and helped Nico lift himself up.

As they approached their table Hazel and Percy whooped. The rest of the seven beamed at them while a few "you're back!"'s and "Heyyyy''s were said.

"All good, Neeks?" Jason asked as Nico and Will sat down.

"Yep. I just needed a break from you guys' obnoxious existence. You know how it is." Nico went back to his alfredo, expecting everyone to move on quickly and get distracted by another story.

"How much do you wanna bet this was all an elaborate lie so Nico and Will could make out outside?" Percy said, showing off the half chewed burger in his mouth.

"There are sisters with small ears present!" Hazel exclaimed, smacking Percy's head. Nico and Will were too busy choking to reply.

"Cough this reminds me of that one time Annabeth and Percy mysteriously disappeared one night in the Argo II and were found sleeping in the stables." Leo said, mouth also half full.

"I missed this story hold on-" Nico said, at the same time Percy said "Did you just say cough-"

Nico watched as Hazel nearly passed out due to Leo's recounting of the events. Annabeth and Frank were trying to defend it. Nico tried to hide his smile as he said "Percy's not saying much, is he?" and Percy jumped with a stutter.

"Well last time I tried to defend us everyone was more set on thinking we did something!"

"Because you're a bad liar or...?" Nico was really trying to keep his smile away now.

The dinner went on without catastrophe or pain. Well, unless you count watching Leo eating a desert bigger than his head painful, then it was agonizing. That night, when Will and Nico crawled into their bed in cabin thirteen, Nico huddled closely into Will. "Thank you for helping me."

"It wasn't any problem, darlin'. How was dinner despite that?" Will wrapped his arms around Nico loosely.

"Horrible. That wasn't real fettuccine alfredo."

Will giggled. "Oh yeah?"

"Yeah! It was so sad, honestly. I need to take you to Italy so you can try actual food someday."

"I'd be happy to go. I'm sure your opinion is utterly unbiased, too."

"Hey!"

[andrewmoocow]

Steven Universe Snake Eyes chapter 11: The Ultimate Fusion (originally published on November 6, 2023)

AN: Happy tenth anniversary to Steven Universe. For my anniversary present, I bestow upon thee the penultimate chapter of not just Steven Universe: Snake Eyes, but also the entirety of Steven Universe: Alternate Future. It truly is a pain to let this story go after three years, but as a wise man once said, all good things must come to an end. With the plotline involving the development and redemption of Black Rutile now come full circle, it's time we finally address Steven's relationship with the Diamonds before they go off and save the universe from a planet-eating snake demon. It's going to take an awful lot of work to forgive beings as powerful as the Diamonds, but if Steven was able to accept Black Rutile's apology, then anything is possible, right?

Synopsis: In a last-ditch effort to save all reality, the Diamonds must fuse together in order to stand a chance. However, Steven still has some baggage with the other Diamonds to deal with.

Cast:

Zach Callison as Steven

Patti LuPone as Yellow Diamond

Lisa Hannigan as Blue Diamond

Christine Ebersole as White Diamond, Gem

Noël Wells as Black Rutile

Samantha Newark as The Lapidarist

Estelle as Garnet

Michaela Dietz as Amethyst

Deedee Magno-Hall as Pearl

Grace Rolek as Connie

Jennifer Paz as Lapis

Shelby Rabara as Peridot

Uzo Aduba as Bismuth

Kimberly Brooks as Jasper

Lauren Ash as White Topaz

Matthew Moy as Lars

Zach Steel as Ronaldo

Atticus Shaffer as Peedee

Ron Perlman as Inner Steven

Aurelio Voltaire as King Cobralan Jormagundr

Jason Marsden as Prince Nosiop Jormagundr

Shirley Millner as Queen Constricta Jormagundr

Cissy Jones as Princess Naja Jormagundr

Keith David as Pyth

Henry Rollins as Captain Boa

Kari Wahlgren as Envyrno

Nicole Sullivan as Sylvia Spectre

Peter Cullen as Titanium

Steve Blum as Sheriff Spiegel

Dominic Armato as Captain Gearfeet

Wally Wingert as Rigby Starglow

Ray Porter as Squamata

Tim Curry as Velhallen Beo

Featuring Elton John as Stars

Weird Al Yankovic as Stevaldo

And Jack Black as Rutilated Quartz

--

Steven was still processing what he had heard earlier. Him fusing with the Diamonds? Perish the thought! Sure, he was always up for helping others, even former enemies. Still, after all that the Diamonds had done to him, his family, and most of the known universe, it was way more challenging for Steven to accept that they were coming to him for help rather than him coming to them. He needed some time to think about this while everyone was preparing for the final battle with Squamata.

"So now they want my help after all they've done to me?" Steven angrily muttered to himself while pacing around the throne room. "Oh sure, I've allowed Black Rutile to repent, but it's going to take more than just saying sorry to make up for thousands of years' worth of genocide!"

"Problems, Steven?" Inner Steven asked from within Steven's mind. "Frankly, I'm quite surprised that those Diamonds are asking you for help for once instead of you asking them. And they couldn't have picked a worse time to do it, too."

"And now I have to fuse with them in order to save the universe!" Steven agreed with his darker half. "While I'm more than happy to find a way to stop Squamata once and for all, I'm not sure how this can work, given all my baggage!"

"Worst case scenario, the fusion fails astronomically, and we all die." Inner Steven proclaimed. "Just being realistic here. But then again, no one ever listens to the darker impulses of the self. And speak of the devil. Look who it is!"

Just then, Black Rutile stepped into the throne room, obviously still adjusting to her reforming into a Crystal Gem after sacrificing herself to protect Steven. In addition to the blank spot where her diamond symbol once was now being filled by the star of a Crystal Gem, Black Rutile's cape was now replaced with an all-white trenchcoat with pink details and a star on the back, dark gray trousers, and her original green visor to replace her red one.

"Hello again, Steven." Black Rutile awkwardly greeted. "It's me again, Black Rutile. I always come back and all that. Something the matter?"

"Go ahead; I'm sure you can trust her now." Inner Steven advised while figuratively shoving Steven towards his former enemy. "If you want to go quickly, go alone. If you want to go far, go together."

"So, Black Rutile, how are you adjusting to things?" Steven asked Black Rutile.

"I'm slow to adjust, like always." Black Rutile replied. "Love the new look, though. So, you have to fuse with the Diamonds to save reality, huh?"

"Exactly." Steven added sourly. "You know how fusions must involve total cooperation between its components to stay fused? Yeah, I don't think that's possible between me and the Diamonds."

"I can totally understand where you're coming from." Black Rutile stated. "I felt utterly betrayed by the Diamonds, too, but if they could give me a second chance, then surely you can do the same to them!"

"But you're different!" Steven exclaimed to his now-former enemy. "You were at least able to recognize that you hurt me and are working to make amends for that. They're focusing more on everybody else they hurt and always act like they've been friends with me from the beginning!"

"You're kind of vindicating one of the reasons I hated you right now." Black Rutile snarked. "The universe doesn't have to revolve around you, you know! You have to consider everyone else in this world, too!"

"Yeah, maybe I can be selfish, but at least I don't have an entire planet forced to worship me, or else they'll die!" Steven argued. "Why can't they just focus on what they did to me for once?!"

"Because it's not as simple as you think, Steven." Black Rutile stated with her arms folded. "This kind of stuff gets messy, and everybody's got issues, especially the Diamonds." She then looked down at where her diamond symbol used to be, nostalgically reminiscing on her time as a member of White Diamond's court. "And sometimes, they screw up. But that doesn't mean they won't just pretend like it didn't happen." Black Rutile offered a tender pat on Steven's shoulder. "Try to cut the Diamonds some slack. They may not always get it right, but they're trying. That's more important than you think."

"Wait, I think I got an idea!" Steven exclaimed in realization while he ignored Black Rutile. "What if I don't need to fuse with the Diamonds to save us all?!"

"You have got to be kidding me." Black Rutile grumbled with a facepalm. "Okay, fine, let's see whatever harebrained scheme you have, I guess."

--

"I admire that you made me take time out of my schedule to bring me here, Steven, but what is this for?" the Lapidarist asked as she sat in front of Steven, Black Rutile, Lars, and Ronaldo at the abandoned Ouraborium. "Whatever you have planned, please make this quick. We are preparing for war."

"Listen, Miss Lapidarist, I know we don't have much time, but I want to show you some alternatives to fusing with the Diamonds." Steven announced.

"It's his way of saying he's not ready to fuse with them yet because of his leftover baggage." Black Rutile snarked before Steven pushed her aside and then turned to Lars.

"She raises a good point, you know." Lars agreed with Black Rutile. "You can't just ignore your feelings about someone like that!"

"No, no, I bet people have wanted to see this for a while." Ronaldo said as Steven took Lars's hand and the two fused into a tall, pink-skinned man with crazy, 1970s-styled hair and dressed like he was the leader of a lonely hearts club.

"Oh, my stars!" the newly formed fusion of Steven and Lars gasped in amazement with a British accent. "Hey, that sounds like a pretty good name! That reminds me, I wanna test something." With a loud yell, Stars created a portal he jumped into, with another allowing him to land on the Lapidarist's shoulder. "Pretty impressive how I'm thinking with portals, eh?" He then summoned a large bass guitar from his hair to swing through the air like a sword before crashing down onto the ground with a big 'TWANG!'

"So cool!" Ronaldo cheered. "Do me next, do me next!"

"Okay, love, don't get so impatient." Stars laughed before un-fusing into Lars and Steven, who gave Ronaldo a high-five before the two merged into an equally tall man who was very bizarrely dressed, fitting Ronaldo's eclectic interests, with outrageously curly hair.

"Whoa, I look so stupid!" the fusion of Steven and Ronaldo laughed jokingly. "Wait, I am Stevaldo! I dare to be stupid!"

"Guys, where are you?" Peedee called for Steven and Ronaldo as he entered the arena. "The Gems want everybody together to stop the Lapidarist. Don't keep us-"He stopped himself immediately upon seeing Stevaldo in front of him with a big goofy grin as he began playing the accordion. "What just happened?"

"Check it out, Peedee, it's me, Ronaldo!" Stevaldo eagerly said. "I fused with Steven, and it feels super cool! Check out what I can do!" With his fingers to his temples, Stevaldo manipulated the rocks beneath him and used them to form a message saying, 'I AM STEVALDO!' "Pretty cool, huh?!"

"So when are you going to fuse with me?" Peedee asked.

"Maybe when he realizes he's using fusion to get out of making amends with the Diamonds." Black Rutile answered with a smirk. "But what do I know?"

"Is this true, Steven?" the Lapidarist wondered as Steven un-fused with Ronaldo. "Are you that uncomfortable around the Diamonds?"

"Yes, you got me, I am uncomfortable." Steven confessed. "I'm happy that we were able to convince them to heal all the corrupted Gems, a little easier than I thought, but that still doesn't distract from the fact that they were this way because of the Diamonds to begin with! And that's not even getting into how their treatment of Pink led to the rebellion, which led to so many lives being ended over thousands of years!"

Steven resisted the urge to cry as he poured his feelings out until the Lapidarist patted him on the head with her giant hand. "There there, Steven." She calmed him down. "Forgiveness and compassion shall always take time. So until the time comes for everyone to apologize, it's best to remain optimistic. In the meantime, you should be helping your friends save the universe."

"You're right." Steven sighed in resignation. "I can't dance around this any longer."

--

"Okay, everyone, double time, we ain't got much left to do here!" Amethyst yelled as she gave orders to all the members of the army of Gems, humans, Slytherophidians, Metals, and other assorted creatures from across the universe, all vastly different but still united against a familiar foe who desired nothing more than to destroy everything he saw. Friends, families, planets, and even entire galaxies were all in danger of being consumed by this mad god and his heralds. "Come on people, let's go go go!"

"Already got all the Gems ready!" Lapis declared with the Little Homeworld Gems behind her. "You ready, guys?!"

"YEAH!" the Little Homeworld Gems all cheered in reply.

"So this is it." Envyrno proclaimed. "These are the end times."

"At least we all had fun while we lasted." Sylvia Spectre answered sweetly as she contacted her superiors at the Coalition of Galaxies to assist in the final battle. "Now then, are you ready to help others for once?"

"Guess I got no other choice." Envyrno responded with a smirk.

"In any war, there are calms between storms. There will be days when we lose faith." Titanium gave a rousing speech to the other Metals. "But there are also days when a few brave souls unite to save the universe. We can be heroes in our own lives, every one of us, if we only have the courage to try. Now, we must take strength in kindred spirits, not of our species, all true warriors. If not in body, then in spirit. I am Titanium of the Metals, and I send this to the fearsome Squamata. Leave this universe alone. Because we're coming for you."

"Rigby, it's been an honor meeting you." Captain Gearfeet said to Rigby Starglow with a grin. "Say, can you sign my arm? I want to prove to my crew that I was lucky enough to meet you!"

"Okay, you got me." Rigby smirked as he took out a pen and wrote his signature on Gearfeet's cybernetic arm. "Who knows? Maybe we'll run into each other again someday."

"One last call before the apocalypse, everyone!" Sheriff Spiegel said while passing around a flask of alcohol to Deputy Edward, Monty, S-L1M3, Lady Imagineer, the Decimator, Earthos, and Michelle Angelon. "Anybody care for a sip?"

"I'm good." Jasper said as she turned to White Topaz. "Now, are you sure you're comfortable having to work alongside you-know-who again, dear? If you want, I can poof her again."

"No, don't be such a worrywart, honey." White Topaz said before kissing her girlfriend on the cheek. "If she says she wants to change, I trust her with all my heart. Besides, if it weren't for her, I wouldn't be wearing this sick number." She did a twirl to show off her new reformed outfit, now a black wrestling singlet with a big white star on her chest. "You like it?"

"Really fits you." Jasper said before she saw Steven and Black Rutile reunite with the others. "Steven! I've been wondering where you ran off to."

"Is everything alright?" Pearl asked. "We know you're a little uncomfortable around the Diamonds, but we're also aware that you really don't have a choice in the matter. If you're ready to talk with them, we'll make sure that they have enough time to- "

"You're too late, Steven." Garnet bluntly stated. "The Diamonds are already shipping out with the Jormagundrs to face Nosiop." As Garnet concluded her sentence, Steven turned to see the Diamonds, along with Spinel, Hessonite, Citrine, and the royal family, flying off in a big warship outside the castle walls. "Tough break."

"Doesn't matter, as long as all of us are still together." Steven declared. "The Diamonds can wait; we got a universe to save!"

"You got that right." Black Rutile said as she drew her sword and stood alongside the Rutile Rebels, both past and present. "Buckle up, Lucent Gems, today's the day we make a change!"

--

Within an hour or so, more warships began arriving from Alethinophidia, carrying the defenders of Serpentes toward the final battle with Squamata. One ship housed the Crystal Gems, the Rutile Rebels, now dubbed the Lucent Gems, Lars and the Off-Colors, the various competitors in the Contest of Champions, Bialyoom & Meinerr, Aescul, and the Fryman brothers. Another carried the Diamonds, Spinel, Hessonite, the Jormagundr royal family, the Universal Lords, Captain Boa, Flipso, and the Black Pearl Brigade. Finally, a third ship was transporting the Metals into battle.

Squamata and his heralds all turned to discover the three ships in the distance as they descended to the ground and their respective passengers disembarked for the final battle. Meanwhile, the Lapidarist appeared from above in a flash of light to lead the resistance against Squamata.

"So, you finally show yourself, my dear creator." Squamata sneered with a hiss. "What can one speck of light illuminate within the dark abyss that is I, Squamata? Countless stars. Countless worlds. Countless lives. All fell to me, all brought to nothing, and all because of you." With an ominous glow in his eyes, the god of snakes summoned an unstoppable army of darkness to aid in his destruction of the universe. "You and your kind have tried so hard to keep your sins hidden away that you had no idea that there would be souls of darkness who wanted to unleash my wrath upon the universe. You simply could not live with your own failures, and where did that bring you? Back to me."

"You will find that mortals are far more resilient than you believe, Squamata." The Lapidarist declared with a speech of her own. "Look at these people, these mortal beings. Consider their potential! They have done so many amazing things with the short time they have in the universe, yet they always made the most to ensure a brighter future for all! And that future involves you dying once and for all!" She raised her arm to the sky. "CHARGE!"

With that, the Lapidarist's armies raced into battle for the fate of all reality. In the process, Lapis and Jasper fused into Malachite, Cat's Eye and Holly Blue fused into Chrome Chalcedony, Cinnabar and her crew combined into Painite, Black Rutile, and White Topaz fused into Lepidolite, Aquamarine, and Eyeball fused into Bluebird Azurite, and Steven and Lars fused into Stars.

"Okay, just gotta tell the Diamonds I'm not interested!" Stars muttered to himself as he tried running over to Yellow Diamond. "Uh, hey, Yellow, can we talk?"

"Not now, Steven, saving the universe here!" Yellow exclaimed while repelling an army of shadow creatures with a wave of her hand. "Blue, back me up here!"

"Already on it!" Blue replied while firing lasers from her palms. Disappointed that he couldn't talk to the Diamonds yet again, Stars instead focused on helping the other Crystal Gems against Squamata's heralds.

"Hey Steven, neat new fusion!" Peridot complimented Stars's look.

"Thanks, love." Stars replied before summoning his star-shaped bass to fight off the invading army.

"Wait, Steven can fuse with humans other than him and Greg?" White Topaz asked while she and the Lapides held up a water shield to help defend the Metals.

"I guess so." Connie replied. "Bismuth, on your left!"

"Got it!" Bismuth yelled while smacking Velhallen Beo away with a hammer fist.

"Blast you, Gem scum!" Velhallen snarled before lunging at Garnet like a predator. "I've waited centuries to kill a Gem! And you have the honor of being the first!"

"Not quite." Garnet smirked in response. "Malachite, now!" Malachite then took Beo by surprise by snatching him from midair with a water claw and tossing him straight at Torius Vosania.

"Playing hardball, eh?" Beo smirked while firing a giant purple energy beam from his hands that White deflected with her laser eyes, prompting a beam struggle between the two.

Meanwhile, Cobralan, Constricta, Naja, and Boa all stood face to face with Nosiop, Pyth, Mr. Manco, and Torius, the royal family ready to free their son and brother from the Serpent Society's clutches and be a normal family again. "Nosiop, I know you're still in there, my boy." Cobralan reached out to his son. "Please, let your old man into your heart and listen to him."

"Me listen to you?!" Nosiop yelled angrily. "You never listened to what I had to say, so why should I do the same? I legitimately wanted to change our society for the better, but you were so stuck in your traditional ways that you never noticed your own family's feelings!"

"You know, father, he raises a good point." Naja stated.

"And that's why I wanted to talk to you, Nosiop." Cobralan added. "A human told me that I wasn't the best parent towards you. He knows from experience, for he is a father much like me, a father who also debated with himself on whether he was a good parent to his son. But at the end of the day, he accepted that no matter how much he treasured his child, he still needed to grow and change as a man himself. So please, my boy, let me try to be a good parent, and maybe we can work things out. Let us slay Squamata, and together, we can work towards a brighter future for our people."

Nosiop's face dropped as he gazed at his father, now repenting for his past problematic treatment of his son. He finally acknowledged his ignorance of his son's wants and now wanted to make amends. It almost brought a tear to Nosiop's eye and made him want to drop his weapon and return to his family with open arms. But unfortunately, destiny had other plans.

"I believe you've talked with your boy long enough." Pyth smirked while grabbing Nosiop by the shoulder. "Perhaps before you two are reunited, he should slip into something more comfortable. Oh, Squamata! I got a new vessel for you!"

"Excellent, my priest!" Squamata grinned eagerly before he zoomed straight into Nosiop's body through his mouth, forcing his spirit into the young prince and possessing him like the demon he was. As Nosiop was now possessed, his original self was locked away within his mind, and Squamata took control, allowing his new body to grow exponentially in size. With a sadistic grin, Squamatia took his body for a spin by laying waste to the rebellion surrounding him, smacking his tail around and firing lasers from his mouth. "Oh, this is most excellent!"

"Nosiop, sweetie!" Constricta yelled in horror before running for cover.

Before Squamata could cause any more harm to the rebellion, one fusion was brave enough to stand up and defend his friends from harm. Steven immediately un-fused with Lars and fused with Ronaldo so Stevaldo could summon a giant shield to protect them. "Stay away from my friends, Squamata!" Stevaldo announced. "I am the terror that flaps in the night. I am the one character in a superhero comic who is genuinely skilled in his own right yet is useless compared to the gods he surrounds himself with! I am Stevaldo, ally to good and nightmare to you!"

"Oh, another fusion with a human?" Squamata smirked in Nosiop's body. "I must admire your creativity, Steven Universe, but it shall not be enough! Bring me the ultimate fusion!"

"Now is your chance, Diamonds, become Gem!" Squamata urged Steven and the Diamonds. "Of course, there is something you need to address first."

"Right." Stevaldo said before un-fusing as Steven continued holding up the shield. "I know you've heard this way too many times before, but the reason why I'm so uncomfortable around you guys is that even though you're trying to make a change, you still don't understand what you've put me through with how you treated Pink and what you did to all those species through covering up what you did!"

"We don't understand? Are you kidding? Us? Of course, we understand. I mean, do you call this a war, this funny little thing?" Yellow declared, snapping Steven out of his funk. "This is only a small scuffle compared to what we endured!"

"We did worse things than you could ever imagine! And when I close my eyes, I hear nothing but the screams of the Gems who gave their lives for us!" Blue added worriedly.

"And you know what you do with all that pain? Shall I tell you where you put it?" White added, clenching her hand for extra emphasis. "You hold it tight till it burns your hand! And you say that no one else will ever have to live like this! No one else will ever have to feel this pain! Not on my watch! So go on, hate us all you like, but that won't change the fact that you would never exist without us! We need you as much as you need us! We're sorry for abusing you for what Pink did! Please forgive us!"

"That's all I needed to hear." Steven smirked in acceptance as he held out his hand to finally make amends with the Diamonds. The other three Diamonds each placed their finger on the hand, and in a brilliant flash of white, yellow, blue, and pink light, Gem was finally reborn after thousands of years.

"I-I'm whole again." Gem gasped while gazing at her massive hands and her surroundings. "I know what I must do." Without even thinking first, Gem zoomed towards Squamata with speed rivaling that of the speeds of light and sound combined before grabbing the possessed prince of Serpentes by the tail and spinning him around in the air before slamming him to the ground. "TAKE THIS!"

"Ah, the original Gem, long have I waited to see you!" Squamata snarled in joy before charging at Gem and attempting to bite her in the forearm, but Gem thought quickly and slapped him away. "Yes, this is just the fight I wanted!"

"It's time for you to surrender, Squamata!" Gem boomed while preparing another. "Let Nosiop go, or we will make you pay the price!"

"However, there is but one mistake you Gems fail to notice." Squamata smirked. "You never know when you'll be taken by surprise." At that moment, Squamata seemed to disappear, and in the next moment, the Lapidarist let out a loud shriek of agony as she keeled over while poison began to spread through her body. "Let us see how you fare without your god to save you!"

"Oh no, Rebeugar!" Gem yelled as she raced back to where the Lapidarist had fallen and un-fused into Steven and the Diamonds to try and save her.

"Thank goodness you got here in time." Captain Boa stated. "I don't think she has much time left after an attack like that took her by surprise."

"Hold on, I can fix this!" Steven exclaimed as he tried using his healing spit to cure Rebeugar of the poison, but to his shock; it didn't seem to work. "Oh no, what's happening? My spit isn't working!"

"That's because Squamata's poison is so lethal; not even your spit can stop it from killing its victims." Cobralan said remorsefully as he laid the Lapidarist to rest. "You can rest now, milady. We'll take it from here."

"I do not know what'll happen after I die. But I know that you are reality's last hope." The Lapidarist said weakly while gazing at Steven and Black Rutile one last time as the poison began killing her. "I was wrong. You two shall make the ultimate fusion that will save us all. My time is short, but I shall leave you with one final message. Everyone, I urge you all, one final time. Believe in Steven."

As the Lapidarist finally died in a flash of light, Steven and Black Rutile looked at each other, knowing exactly what to do. "Are you ready?" Steven asked while offering Black Rutile his hand. "Do you trust me?"

"I do." Black Rutile answered before taking Steven's hand, and the two danced together, glowing so intensely that the light could be seen for miles. The two began to fuse, something neither of them ever thought would've been possible in the past, and the result was an androgynous figure dressed in a conventional superhero costume with intense pink skin and large, curly hair. Could this be it? Could they be the ultimate fusion thousands of years in the making that will destroy Squamata once and for all? Whatever the case, the newly formed Rutilated Quartz had only one thing to say.

"Awesome."

--

Dear god, this chapter was a massive undertaking, but it was all worth it in honor of the show that changed my writing career forever. Well, that along with Gravity Falls and FLCL. Happy anniversary Steven, hope it's a good one. Next chapter will be the final chapter of Snake Eyes, and as I stated earlier, the long-awaited finale of Steven Universe: Alternate Future. Until we meet again for one last adventure, let's see how far we've come and how far we'll go.

[smzeszikorova]

Find the Words!

Thanks for the tag, @dogmomwrites! Hopefully I'll have some more writing to draw from this time lol. (Update: I did!) Tagging @kyofsonder, @angelasscribbles, @harinawa, @moonandris, @thatonecrowguy, @aether-wasteland-s, and @alwaysastrophel, but no pressure! And also anybody who sees this can join!

Your words will be sleep, ruin, cry, moment, and lost. If you can't find one, leave a fun fact about your WIP, OCs, or writing process!

My words were several, complain, difficult, stop, and return. I swear, one of these days I'll have more documents to draw from. Progress is slow as fuck, but it's happening!

Several (From P&K Book 1):

And so Eva led the cows through the field, and the potato spinner lurched noisily behind them, flinging clumps of damp earth as it went. Petra stood several arms’ length away from the machine, kneeling down and picking up whatever potatoes she could find with the most grace she could muster. Of course, there was never much dignity in labor, she thought, but if nothing else she could at least keep her skirt out of the mud.

Complain (from Book 3 Theodore Diaries):

Lennox, in his typical fashion, grumbled a bit about Samuel’s presence. I think Lennox finds it unprofessional to eat with his inferiors. But after I informed him that Samuel’s being there was my idea, he stopped complaining, at least to my knowledge.

Difficult (from P&K Book 1):

Catherine looked annoyed. “I don’t see why it’s your business,” she said brusquely, “and I don’t see why you felt the need to eavesdrop on my—”

“You and that server both speak very loudly. I was sitting right behind you the whole time; it was difficult to ignore. But I suppose it doesn’t matter; my point is this: the Pemokese army has a variety of programs designed to assist the families of all our veterans—”

Catherine laughed a short, doleful laugh. “Oh, yes, I’ve heard all about your benefits. I’ve also heard they don’t extend to people like us. Not that it’d make any difference if they did.”

Stop (from P&K Book 1):

“Joseph, quit standing around like an idiot and bring these two a round of beers on the house!” Then, once Joseph had vanished from sight, Estelle whipped her head back around and flicked a couple signs at Carrigan—“Stop goading, dangerous”—before ushering the recruitment officers to a nearby table.

Return (from P&K Book 1):

It might have been a totally joyless existence for Petra, but as it happened, her little sister Eva couldn’t get enough farmwork, especially where the big draft animals were concerned. So they’d made an agreement with each other: Eva would take any chores on Petra’s list that involved the animals, and in return Petra would fill the gaps on her list with whatever chores Eva didn’t feel like doing at the moment. It had seemed like a perfectly reasonable solution, and it suited both girls just fine, but since Catherine had been particularly snappish lately they’d both resolved to keep their agreement secret, even from Victoria, who was far less irritable but was also frequently assigned to spy on them and make a note of their productivity.