#and disguises that you've got stuff in your pockets

[shamelesslymkp]

@mayakern OK so I have a PLAN to write a nice and helpful review of your skirts, but I honestly have no idea if I'll actually be able to follow through anytime soon or if it'll just languish in my head for the rest of time, so this is a PLACEHOLDER nice and helpful review that just says HER SKIRTS ARE V. NICE, IF PLUS SIZE AND ON FENCE HIGHLY RECOMMEND DO BUY

[dark-night-hero]

Imagine Isagi Yoichi as your significant other.

Imagine the way he silently but eagerly loooks for you in the midst of the crowd on his disguise after the match as you waited for him outside the stadium after their match. The way he knew it was you from afar even with your back turn into him as you were currently texting him on your phone to what he was up to at the moment that was taking him too long to meet you outside the stadium for your date after the game.

Imagine the way he gently taps you on your shoulder to earn your attention, making you look up from your phone and notice him there, all eyes and lips smiling at you despite his mask hiding it away. The way he hold out a hand for him to lead the way while you just shake your head with a smile and took his hand, letting him lead the way without a word.

Imagine in the middle of the night, as he woke up and a hand reach out to your side of the bed to pull you close to him, the fact that you're not there forced him to open his eyes.

"(First name)?" He called out softly as he stirred awake, sitting up on the bed to get a clear view of your shared room and there was nothing, but the light underneath the door that leads to the living room was a signal that you were in fact outside the room. Picking up his sweatpants on the floor, he lazily headed towards the living room. Wondering what could you be possibly doing at 3 am.

Imagine walking his way into the living room, there he was you on the door step putting your shoes on, in his hoodie with on your pajamas. And perhaps feeling his gaze on you, you halt then look up to meet his eyes. "Good morning." "Where are you going?" "Hehe, 7/11? For some quick snacks? I got hungry." "Wait for me in a minute."

Imagine 3 am in at dawn, the two of you walk side by side in the streets on your way to 7/11 with nothing but comfortable silence. Holding your hands and playing with it on the pocket of his hoodie that he was currently wearing. It was just the two of you in silence and nothing more underneath the street lights.

Imagine the way he would unconsciously be on the road side, although there was no car at this time, it was one thing he started unconsciously does as the two of you started dating. The way he kept looking at you and checks up on you even though the two of you were just walking. Unconsciously reaching out whenever you would lean close on something or if you would stumble on something.

Imagine the way as soon as the two of you entered the store, he headed straight to the familiar aisle and there you watch him pick up some few stuffs, not even bother to put them on a basket and blink. Before you knew it the two of you were seated inside the store waiting for your instant cup noodles to hit the time mark.

"Why are you not eating? Did I get wrong?" "No. No, you got the right favour actually." "That's your favourite right? You've been eating them since then." He chuckles and you stop stirring your noodles. "You remembered." "I don't see any reason why I shouldn't when it's something you enjoyed eating." Then he smiles, and damn. How lovely he is.

[ⓒdark-night-hero] 2023°

[softguarnere]

Hi, Dove!

I really love all your one-shots and headcanons! I haven’t read your OC work, but when I get the time, I’m super excited to start it.

Can I request a one-shot with Roe treating a soldier who he finds out is actually a girl disguised as a man, and her making him swear not to tell anyone? (Can be platonic or romantic). Possibly some little bits of conversation in French if it’s not too difficult? I won’t judge if you use Google translate😂French is hard.

No pressure, of course

Have a great day!

Where There is Injury

Eugene Roe x reader

A/N: (This is written for the fictional depiction from the show - no disrespect to the real veterans!) Hello friend! Thanks so much for sending in another request 🤗 I'm so glad you've enjoyed my other writing, so I hope you'll like this as well! I haven't spoken French in years, so this is most likely riddled with mistakes, but I tried haha. You have a great day as well! 💕 Warnings, PLEASE READ: this fic contains misgendering until the reader's secret is revealed, please do not read if that may be triggering for you! Also contains mentions of war, injury, and blood

“Medic!”

For what feels like the thousandth time, the word is screamed out into the woods, echoing off the charred stubs of trees as they attempt to reach the man who holds that job. One word, two syllables, yet so much responsibility tied to the title. So much pain on both the part of the person screaming and the person being screamed for.

It should be second nature by this point, with how often since arriving in Bastogne people have been wounded, been calling for help. There’s hardly ever a time when Eugene isn’t on the move, sprinting between foxholes and doing his best to dodge German artillery fire as he heads for whoever needs him – and all with little to no supplies.

Yet somehow, he finds that he has to urge and instruct himself on each next step. Vous vous levez, Eugene. Tu cours maintenant, Eugene. Tu aides les gens, Eugene.

And there he goes, boots crunching the snow underfoot as he runs toward the voice that calls for him. Pieces of the prayer that his mémère taught him as a child run through the back of his mind as he goes.

Seigneur, faites de moi un instrument de votre paix.

It’s Skinny Sisk. A piece of shrapnel has pierced his leg. Frank Perconte is trying to keep him still while he calls for a medic. Relief briefly flashes across his face when he sees Eugene appear.

“Save the morphine, Doc!” Sisk insists through gritted teeth. “I can make it.”

“You sure?”

Sisk hesitates. Then he nods, resolving himself to his fate as Eugene and Perconte raise him from the foxhole, adjusting their grip on him as they rush him towards the Jeep that’s arriving.

Là où il y a de la haine, que je mette l'amour.

Sisk screams in pain as Eugene and Perconte stumble forward. His wounded leg hits the ground first, even though they scramble to pick him up as quickly as they can.

“Aw, Jesus, Skinny, you got blood all over my trousers!” Perconte scolds.

“Gee, I’m real sorry, Frank!” Sisk hisses.

Là où il y a l'offense, que je mette le pardon.

They load Sisk onto the Jeep. Eugene starts to climb in after him. He hasn’t seen the town yet, but he needs whatever supplies they may be willing to spare, and he should make sure that Sisk gets there safely.

“Sorry,” the driver says, pressing a hand to Eugene’s chest to stop him from climbing in the vehicle.

Là où il y a la discorde, que je mette l'union.

He doesn’t argue. The company is desperate for supplies, but he’ll have to find some other way to get what they need. Instead he nods to the driver, stuffs his hands into his pockets to warm them, and starts back to his foxhole.

Là où il y a l'erreur, que je mette –

Gene stops in his tracks. In the snow at his feet there are spatters of blood staining the fresh white crystals that fell the night before. With the shellings that have happened this morning, it wouldn’t be so unusual, except that as far as he knows, no one out this way has been hit this morning. Even more curious is that when he stops walking, silencing the crunching of snow under his boots, he can hear fast breathing and the occasional groan coming from nearby.

His medic brain springs into action at once. Following the blood in the snow, Gene arrives at a foxhole that holds one person. The man sitting inside the earth is so preoccupied with trying to mop up the blood coming from his arm with a threadbare blanket that he doesn’t even notice Gene’s arrival until he drops down into the foxhole with him.

It’s (Y/L/N), one of the few Toccoa men that are left. His (Y/E/C) eyes go wide when Gene lands next to him, and he scrambles backwards, trying to get away, despite the fact that there’s nowhere for him to go.

“(Y/L/N), what happened?” Gene asks. He extends a hand. “Let me see.”

“No!” (Y/L/N) exclaims, trying in vain once again to push himself out of Gene’s reach. The word is harsh and said in a tone that Gene has never heard (Y/L/N) use before, but he ascribes all of that to the pain. (Y/L/N) must catch it too, though, because he clears his throat and says more calmly, “No, Doc, it’s nothing.”

Blood is seeping into the blanket he’s pressing to his arm. His eyes are wide and frantic. Gene supposes that he would most likely have a similar reaction if he found himself injured in this place. As much as he can empathize with (Y/L/N)’s reaction, he also needs to stand firm and help his fellow paratrooper.

“(Y/L/N), you gotta let me see,” Gene insists. He manages to remove the blanket from where it’s pressed against (Y/L/N)’s arm. Through the dark blood that stains the fabric of his sleeve, Gene can barely make out a horizontal gash along the other man’s arm. “I know it’s cold, but we need to take off your jacket so I can see your arm. Spina might – “

“No!” (Y/L/N)’s voice is low and harsh this time as he interrupts. “I don’t need Spina. I don’t need anything. It’s not that bad.”

“(Y/L/N), you’ve got blood everywhere! I can’t tell how bad it is unless you let me help you!”

“And then I’ll get sent to some aid station, and then they’ll send me home, or to jail, or worse.”

 Most of the men are willing to admit that they don’t like being sent to the aid station. (Y/L/N)’s reluctance to be sent there isn’t unusual. What is unusual are the other possibilities listed: jail or worse. Why would a wounded soldier be sent to jail? And what could be worse?

Eugene’s confusion must show on his face, because (Y/L/N) blinks, mouth falling shut, as if surprised by his own words. Whatever is happening here, it’s clearly much more than just a wounded arm.

“What do you mean by that?” Eugene ventures.

(Y/L/N) winces then, drawing a shaky breath, grip tightening on his arm. When he looks back up at Eugene, something has changed. His gaze softens, as does his voice, and his eyes are a little watery, though Eugene politely pretends not to notice the last part.

“I don’t want to come off the line,” (Y/L/N) says.

“That depends on how serious that is,” Eugene asserts, nodding to the wounded arm. “You gotta let me help you.”

They’re losing what might be precious time, yet (Y/L/N) still hesitates. Finally, he draws a deep breath and nods.

“Alright. Take off your jacket so that I can see how bad it is.”

Slowly, (Y/L/N) removes his jacket, wincing as he moves his injured arm. Jumping into action, Eugene helps him shrug out of it, not willing to lose more time or more blood because of a disagreement. They’ve just managed to remove the coat when Eugene feels (Y/L/N)’s gaze on him, heavy and challenging. What? he starts to ask when finally, he sees the reason for (Y/L/N) not wanting to remove his coat.

Or should he say, her coat.

“Oh.” He sits back on his heels, his brain rushing to connect all the information that’s just come at him in these past few minutes. (Y/L/N)’s insistence that Roe leave her alone, her assertion that something bad could happen to her, the bandages around her chest . . .

Il n'y a pas de temps pour ça, he reminds himself, once again instructing himself on what to do next. Réparer ce bras. Posez vos questions plus tard.

Luckily for the both of them, the wounds on (Y/L/N)’s arm aren’t that serious – a few gashes from shrapnel, but nothing that needs stitching up. For her sake, Eugene tries to keep the mood light when he finishes bandaging her up. “I’ll make sure you get a Purple Heart for it.”

Shrugging back into her coat, (Y/L/N) offers him a tight-lipped smile. Several times she draws a breath as if to speak, only to stop herself, allowing the foxhole to remain in its vacuum of silence.

“I won’t tell anyone, if that’s what you’re worried about,” Eugene finally assures her. This must have been what she was worried about, because relief washes over her face, although its quickly replaced with a suspicious brow raise.

“Why not?”

“Well, why would I?” Really, why would he? It’s none of his business. Not really. Besides, if (Y/L/N) has made it all the way from Toccoa to Bastogne with this secret, then she’s pretty good at keeping it. It’s been years, after all, and Eugene never would have suspected. And, he reasons, to give up her life to disguise herself as a man and become a paratrooper – well, that’s definitely taken some guts, whatever her reasons. Reasons that he doesn’t know, but that he’s starting to wonder about.

Ce ne sont pas mes affaires, Eugene reminds himself. Still, though . . .

“Well, thank you,” (Y/L/N) says with a curt nod. Then she lets out a deep sigh, burying her head in her hands. When she emerges again, she has an air of resolve about her. “Would you . . . As long as you’re not going to tell anyone, that is, could you – could you help me keep this secret safe?” She won’t quite meet his gaze when she confesses, “It can get a little lonely.”

Whatever Eugene was expecting her to say, it wasn’t that. But he can understand what she’s talking about, the loneliness of this place. Especially as a medic. “Of course.”

A small smile tugs at the corners of her mouth. Still a little bloody, she extends a hand to him. “(Y/N),” she says. “Nice to properly meet you.”

He shakes her hand in kind; she’s got a very confident handshake. “You as well.”

It really is, he must admit. Strange, how in just a few chance moments, some of the cold loneliness of Bastogne has begun to melt away.

[punsmaster69]

16/OCT/20XX

"X-raying a skeleton?"

"Isn't that kinda pointless?"

alphys shook her head.

"They can look for problems 𝘪𝘯𝘴𝘪𝘥𝘦 the bone, too."

undyne looked confused.

"What? Isn't there just.. more bone inside the bones?"

"Bones have multiple layers!"

"and a lot of parts. you've got the proximal epiphysis, the diphysis, the metaphysis..."

alphys pointed at various points on papyrus as i listed each one.

undyne continued to look confused.

"Why are there so many '-sis' things in your bones?"

"cuz we're sissies."

"WHAT? SINCE WHEN?"

"I think he meant in the coward way, Paps."

"OH."

"THE GREAT PAPYRUS IS NO COWARD!"

"MY ONLY FEAR IS...!"

"....."

"NOT HAPPENING, SO BASICALLY NOTHING!"

a nurse came into the lobby and called my name.

"Sans?"

"welp, that's me."

papyrus rose from his seat to follow me.

i handed my journal to alphys.

"don't have too much fun waiting without us, ok?"

——

[There's a crude drawing of Sans and Toriel kissing. Sharp handwriting follows.]

Pictured above: my dream

Heya its me Sansand im a big NERD

I love my brother Papyrus hes the cooolest

And also Undyne is So cool and awsome

also also Alphys is smart and cool and stuff and a way better nerd than me,

Anyway TORIEL right woww shes soo0 hot hot baby—

[A line is drug from the 'y' to the edge of the paper, suddenly cutting off the text.]

Sorry, Sans...

I went to the bathroom, and she got bored.

~ Alphys

——

papyrus tapped his foot anxiously as we waited for the doctor to return.

"so.. you're my guardian now, huh?"

"WHAT? I DO 𝗚𝗨𝗔𝗥𝗗 YOU."

"...EVEN IF THAT WASN'T 𝘘𝘜𝘐𝘛𝘌 WHAT THEY MEANT. IT STILL COUNTS!"

"should i start calling you papa-rus?"

"ARGH, NO!! I HAVE TO BE IN HERE, SANS. EVEN IF IT MEANS... L... L.."

"....."

"SHIFTING THE TRUTH, SLIGHTLY."

"what're you so nervous about?"

"NERVOUS? THE GREAT PAPYRUS IS NEVER NERVOUS!.."

"......"

his foot tapped faster.

"IF THEY FIND ANYTHING..."

"THAT'S NOT GOOD! OBVIOUSLY. BUT, WE'D AT LEAST HAVE AN ANSWER TO ALL THIS."

"IF THEY 𝘋𝘖𝘕'𝘛 FIND ANYTHING.."

"THEN WHAT?"

"then on to something else."

that didn't seem to make him worry much less.

𝘬𝘯𝘰𝘤𝘬, 𝘬𝘯𝘰𝘤𝘬.

the doctor opened the door.

"We're all ready for you."

"ok. you coming, paps?"

——

"...So, yeah! Everything looks a-okay, but we won't know for sure until the radiologist gets back with us in about one to two days."

"just gotta hang out 'till then, yeah?"

"Yep! Just don't break any bones in the meantime."

"can do."

"HAVE A GOOD DAY, HUMAN-DOCTOR."

in the lobby, undyne was splayed across multiple chairs. they were watching something on alphys' phone.

when she spotted us, undyne bolted upright (startling alphys in the process).

"Finally! Why did that take SO freakin' long??"

"IT FELT LIKE WE WAITED FOREVER IN THE ROOM!!"

"D-did they see anything?"

"nothin' on the cursory. we'll get the full results in maybe a day or so."

"ALPHYS, DO YOU STILL HAVE SANS' JOURNAL?"

"Um, y-yeah. Here.."

she dug it out of her coat pocket and handed it to me with an apologetic look on her face.

went back a page to see why.

...

thank you, undyne.

thoughtful entry.

——

we got ice cream and went to the park.

undyne jumped in a leaf pile, and came out looking like she was trying to disguise as a bush.

then papyrus tried to help her get some of the leaves off,

but she pushed him into it, too.

he shoved her back, and soon it turned into whole a leaf-wrestling match.

....

you ever seen a skeleton knock leaves out of his eye sockets?

[twotangledsisters]

Can you give us an updated list of all your WIP's and which ones are likely to be posted? Are there any WIPs you've got that are unlikely to see the light of day?

Of course!

It's hard for me to measure likelihood of a fic being posted and how soon because other than the scheduled main fics I just let inspiration take charge. I wrote MOST of Hair-Cut over a year ago, didn't have an ending, one day the ending hit me and I posted it.

But I will colour code them as My Beloved, I love this story soooooo much (might not be coming soon but definitely coming, sometimes they take longer BECAUSE I love them and keep adding stuff and working more on them), this just needs polishing but I'm struggling for some reason, has an outline but got a looot of work yet, this is an idea more than it is a story, probably won't see the light of day.

Inside Tangled Sisters AU:

-The Three Disciples (pending title change): The story of Gothel, Sugracha, Tromus, Zhan Tirir and Demanitus.

-The Adventurer and the Prince: Arianna and Frederic's backstory (also lots of Cap).

-The Making of a Thief: Backstory for Eugene, Lance, Caine and Stalyan.

-Stuffed Animals and Hidden Animals: Cass and Raps hide Pascal and Owl from Gothel, their stuffed animal disguises backfired when Gothel starts ripping toys apart as punishment.

-Firsts: Rapunzel and Eugene have a lot of firsts to experience.

-Parenting Can Be Hard When You Fit In Their Pocket: Pascal and Owl parent the two human babies in the tower.

-Liars: Rapunzel and Cassandra had to lie to survive in the tower and carry those bad habits with them into the palace.

-Even Queen's Can Get Sick: Arianna gets ill and her daughters care for her for a change.

-Adopting The Thieves Who Stole Their Heart: Eugene and Lance travel through Equis with Keira and Catalina to get them officially adopted.

-Silent Screams and Loud Memories: It's hard being a father, especially when your two new adopted daughters came from the same horrific background as you and are still in the nightmare-phase of it all. (Lance comforting and loving Keira and Catalina, family fluff)

-Vardaros' New Fossil Exhibit: Lance takes the girls to the new fossil exhibit.

AU of Tangled Sisters AU:

-Three Thieves (pending title change): Cass isn't injured, nobody realises Rapunzel was the princess, Eugene, Cass and Rapunzel flee Corona to be thieves together but then Cass steals from the Baron and it all gets rather complicated.

-Tangled Now With Caine: Eugene steals the crown with Caine rather than the Stabbingtons.

-The Second Vial: Within Hair-Cut AU. Cassandra wakes up one day feeling unwell, but everybody is in denial about what it is. Day after day though she deteriorates fast and everybody is forced to accept the reality that the vials are what'll keep Cassandra alive.

-Caine the Handmaiden: Caine gets the gig as Cassandra's lady-in-waiting as part of a plan for vengeance but falls in love instead.

-Never Found: Eugene doesn't climb the tower just hides and escapes. Gothel takes Cass away from the tower once they're older. Cass escapes Gothel and finds a group of three thieves who she begs for help.

-Lost at the Gallows: Alternate S3 finale where Eugene dies. Pure angst.

-Evil Eugene: Rapunzel takes the moonstone, the shockwave of the sundrop and moonstone connecting leads to both Rapunzel and Cassandra's death and for Eugene to claim the sundrop/moonstone combined, following the instruction of Zhan Tiri as she promises a way to get his family back.

Everything Else:

-A History Major and a Knight: Cassandra steps through the door in The Inn of Yesterday's Tomorrow just to stumble into the room of a Modern Day Caine. Shenanigans and romance ensue! (credit to @rebecagpfs for this amazing idea!)

-No Matter What: Sequel to Always By Your Side. Lance has the moonstone wants vengeance on his brother who left him behind.

-Eugene slowly gets ill and Cass becomes a detective (obviously title pending change): Cassandra may not be fond of Eugene, but healthy people don't just suddenly fall ill and she's gonna figure out what's up.

-Shot: Cassandra takes and arrow meant for Eugene and Eugene is ready to tear the world apart finding out who did this.

-Mirror, Mirror, What You Took From Me: Cassandra shatters the mirror when hands reach out and try to grab her, a victory until they discover Eugene was already taken. Rapunzel is consumed by grief and manipulated by Zhan Tirir while Cass steals the moonstone and tries to fix things.

-Cass the Backup Body For Gothel: Gothel didn't have a child JUST for the chores. When the gang realises Cassandra didn't betray them, things get a lore more complicated, they must defeat Gothel but don't wish to harm Cassandra in the process.

-Anagapesis: Eugene realises he no longer loves Stalyan while trying to write his wedding vows.

-Father Tromus: Gothel fails to kidnap the princess and Tromus takes in Cassandra, teaching her magic and raising her to want vengeance on those who killed her mother.

-The Forgotten Future Queen: Cassandra is rescues at the age of six and adopted by Arianna and Frederic. She trains to become the best ruler Corona has ever seen, until one day the lost princess shows up and Cassandra no longer knows where she fits in the family picture.

-The Moon Slave: very dark AU where Eugene was an escaped slave and Cassandra is one who Rapunzel tries to save.

-Modern Tangled Dark: Modern-day tangled where Gothel keeps Rapunzel in atic and needs her blood for medicine, Eugene discovers her while running from the police and gets Cassandra's helps.

-Partners in Crime: Eugene and Rapunzel never realise who Rapunzel is so they flee and become thieves together. Captain is fired after the prison breakout leading Cassandra to leave Corona to hunt down Flynn Rider and enact vengeance.

-Lovers in a Tower: Gothel somehow convinced Eugene Rapunzel needs to be in the tower for safety but Eugene won't let her be there alone, except the tower soon becomes too claustrophobic for him.

-Islands Together: Captain returns to Corona with a four-year-old Cassandra and nobody knows what to do about it so they just let him. Which is fine until a full-grown Cassandra sees this.

-Royalty Can't Date a Thief: Frederic forbids the relationship between Eugene and Rapunzel. Eugene becomes Rapunzel's bodyguard and they date in secret.

-Queen for an Eternity: Arianna and Frederic die in the blizzard. Rapunzel becomes queen far too young.

-The Unknowing Indentured Servant: At four-years-old Cassandra is sentences for the crimes of her mother and her life belongs to the palace. Captain hides this from her under the guise it's just 'earning her stay'. Until Cassandra tries to quit and finds out the truth.

-Parcial Pardon: Eugene isn't given a full pardon, rather he has a lot of amends to do in Corona before he can start his new life.

-Strongbow Along For the Ride: Lance never got arrested, was there the day Eugene stole the crown and there to discover the tower and the lost princess... a tangled re-imagining.

-Queen of Amber: Arianna is consumed by the amber in the S1 finale and Frederic tries to kill Varian in his rage.

-Cass dies in the great tree: technically she dies outside of the great tree but the injure swere from there.

-The Hostage Situation: Instead of fight Hector holds a knife to Cass' neck and orders the gang to leave. Eugene splits from the gang to try and rescue Cassandra who was actually doing a pretty good job at bonding with Hector over their shared royal duties and how frustrating monarchs are when they just won't listen!

-Mothers Knows Best: Corona is heavily anti-magic and Gothel really did rescue Rapunzel. Eugene thinks he's doing good by bringing Rapunzel and her older sister to the lights until by the campfire he finds out about the magic but it's too late as the girls are now convinced the world is safe and flee Eugene to see the lights alone. Eugene goes to Gothel for help.

-Amber Alchemist: Quirin wasn't there to save Varian from the amber. Consumed by grief Quirin will do anything to save his son, including stand up to his old king and to the moonstone itself if need be.

-Mother Zhan Tiri: Zhan Tiri tries to manipulate a six-year-old Cassandra who's living in the tower with Rapunzel, it works to a degree but now Zhan Tirir needs to keep these babies long enough and eventually gives up leading them back to Corona so they can be somebody else's' problem.

-Gothel the Guardian of the Flower: Gothel goes to Corona after the sundrop's taken, begs to be left alone with the queen and flower for just a moment as she can heal her. Frederic is so grateful he gives Gothel a home in the palace garden where she is Corona's official healer. Arianna doesn't like how Gothel cares for her child and often brings Cassandra in to play with Rapunzel. One day things get more complicated when the thief Flynn Rider appears claiming he too can heal using the sundrop and isn't as picky as Gothel about WHO he heals! (one of my very fave WIPs)

I tried my best to keep this brief cause I feel like I usually over do it! However, if you want to know any more about any specific story go ahead and ask! I was going to include links to posts where I'd talked about each fic I'm not organised enough to locate those posts I'm afraid.

Also, I grabbed the stories from my WIP file, I try to stay organised but sometimes fics end up existing as a draft in another program so if I missed any, please do tell me and I'll add it! (both to this post and my WIP folder for safe-keeping)

[hellsitesonlybookclub]

Tongues of the Moon, Philip Jose Farmer

"You won't have to untape your bomb," said Broward. "The transmitters are mined. So are the generators."

"How did you do it? And why didn't you tell me you'd already done it?"

"The Russians have succeeded in making us Americans distrust each other," said Broward. "Like everybody else, I don't reveal information until I absolutely have to. As to your first question, I'm not only a doctor, I'm also a physical anthropologist engaged in a Moonwide project. I frequently attend conferences at this base, stay here several sleeps. And what you did so permanently with your gun, I did temporarily with a sleep-inducing aerosol. But, now that we understand each other, let's get out."

"Not until I see the bombs you say you've planted."

Broward smiled. Then, working swiftly with a screwdriver he took from a drawer, he removed several wall-panels. Scone looked into the recesses and examined the component boards, functional blocks, and wires which jammed the interior.

"I don't see any explosives," Scone said.

"Good," said Broward. "Neither will the Russians, unless they measure the closeness of the walls to the equipment. The explosive is spread out over the walls in a thin layer which is colored to match the original green. Also, thin strips of a chemical are glued to the walls. This chemical is temperature-sensitive. When the transmitters are operating and reach maximum radiation of heat, the strips melt. And the chemicals released interact with the explosive, detonate it."

"Ingenious," said Scone somewhat sourly. "We don't ..." and he stopped.

"Have such stuff? No wonder. As far as I know, the detonator and explosive were made here on the Moon. In our lab at Clavius."

"If you could get into this room without being detected and could also smuggle all that stuff from Clavius, then the Russ can be beaten," said Scone.

Now, Broward was surprised. "You doubted they could?"

"Never. But all the odds were on their side. And you know what a conditioning they give us from the day we enter kindergarten."

"Yes. The picture of the all-knowing, all-powerful Russian backed by the force of destiny itself, the inevitable rolling forward and unfolding of History as expounded by the great prophet, the only prophet, Marx. But it's not true. They're human."

They replaced the panels and the screwdriver and left the room. Just as they entered the hall, and the door swung shut behind them, they heard the thumps of boots and shouts. Scone had just straightened up from putting the key back into the dead officer's pocket when six Russians trotted around the corner. Their officer was carrying a burp gun, the others, automatic rifles.

"Don't shoot!" yelled Scone in Russian. "Americans! USAF!"

The captain, whom both Americans had seen several times before, lowered her burper.

"It's fortunate that I recognized you," she said. "We just killed three Axes who were dressed in Russian uniforms. They shot four of my men before we cut them down. I wasn't about to take a chance you might not be in disguise, too."

She gestured at the dead men. "The Axes got them, too?"

"Yes," said Scone. "But I don't know if any Axes are in there."

He pointed at the door to the control room.

"If there were, we'd all be screaming with pain," said the captain. "Anyway, they would have had to take the key from the officer on guard."

She looked suspiciously at the two, but Scone said, "You'll have to search him. I didn't touch him, of course."

She dropped to one knee and unbuttoned the officer's inner coatpocket, which Scone had not neglected to rebutton after replacing the key.

Rising with the key, she said, "I think you two must go back to the dome."

Scone's face did not change expression at this evidence of distrust. Broward smiled slightly.

"By the way," she said, "what are you doing here?"

"We escaped from the dome," said Broward. "We heard firing down this way, and we thought we should protect our rear before going back into the dome. We found dead Russians, but we never did see the enemy. They must have been the ones you ran into."

"Perhaps," she said. "You must go. You know the rules. No unauthorized personnel near the BR."

"No non-Russians, anyway," said Scone flatly. "I know. But this is an emergency."

"You must go," she said, raising the barrel of her gun. She did not point it at them, but they did not doubt she would.

Scone turned and strode off, Broward following. When they had turned the first corner, Scone said, "We must leave the base on the first excuse. We have to get back to Clavius."

"So we can start our own war?"

"Not necessarily. Just declare independence. The Russ may have their belly full of death."

"Why not wait until we find out what the situation on Earth is? If the Russians have any strength left on Earth, we may be crushed."

"Now!" said Scone. "If we give the Russ and the Chinese time to recover from the shock, we lose our advantage."

"Things are going too fast for me, too," said Broward. "I haven't time or ability to think straight now. But I have thought of this. Earth could be wiped out. If so, we on the Moon are the only human beings left alive in the universe. And...."

"There are the Martian colonies. And the Ganymedan and Mercutian bases."

"We don't know what's happened to them. Why start something which may end the entire human species? Perhaps, ideology should be subordinated for survival. We need every man and woman, every...."

"We must take the chance that the Russians and Chinese won't care to risk making Homo sapiens extinct. They'll have to cooperate, let us go free.

"We don't have time to talk. Act now; talk after it's all over."

But Scone did not stop talking. During their passage through the corridors, he made one more statement.

"The key to peace on the Moon, and to control of this situation, is the Zemlya."

Broward was puzzled. He knew Scone was referring to the Brobdingnagian interstellar exploration vessel which had just been built and outfitted and was now orbiting around Earth. The Zemlya (Russian for Earth) had been scheduled to leave within a few days for its ten year voyage to Alpha Centaurus and, perhaps, the stars beyond. What the Zemlya could have to do with establishing peace on the Moon was beyond Broward. And Scone did not seem disposed to explain.

Just then, they passed a full-length mirror, and Broward saw their images. Scone looked like a mountain of stone walking. And he, Broward thought, he himself looked like a man of leather. His shorter image, dark brown where the skin showed, his head shaven so the naked skull seemed to be overlaid with leather, his brown eyes contrasting with the rock-pale eyes of Scone, his lips so thick compared with Scone's, which were like a thin groove cut into granite. Leather against stone. Stone could outwear leather. But leather was more flexible.

Was the analogy, as so many, false? Or only partly true?

Broward tended to think in analogies; Scone, directly.

At the moment, a man like Scone was needed. Practical, quick reacting. But, like so many practical men, impractical when it came to long range and philosophical thinking. Not much at extrapolation beyond the immediate. Broward would follow him up to a point. Then....

They came to the entrance to the dome. Only the sound of voices came from it. Together, they stuck their heads around the side of the entrance. And they saw many dead, some wounded, a few men and women standing together near the center of the floor. All, except one, were in the variously colored and marked uniforms of the Soviet Republics. The exception was a tall man in the silver dress uniform of Argentine. His right arm hung limp and bloody; his skin was grey.

"Colonel Lorentz," said Scone. "We've one prisoner, at least."

After shouting to those within the dome not to fire, the two walked in. Major Panchurin, the highest-ranking Russian survivor, lifted a hand to acknowledge their salute. He was too busy talking over the bonephone to say anything to them.

The two examined the dome. The visiting delegation of Axis officers was dead except for Lorentz. The Russians left standing numbered six; the Chinese, four; the Europeans, one; the Arabic, two; the Indian-East Asiatic, none. There were four Americans alive. Broward. Scone. Captain Nashdoi. And a badly wounded woman, Major Hoebel.

Broward walked towards Hoebel to examine her. Before he could do anything the Russian doctor, Titiev, rose from her side. He said, "I'm sorry, captain. She isn't going to make it."

Broward looked around the dome and made a remark which must, at the time, have seemed irrelevant to Titiev. "Only three women left. If the ratio is the same on the rest of the Moon, we've a real problem."

Scone had followed Broward. After Titiev had left, and after making sure their bonephones were not on, Scone said in a low voice, "There were seventy-five Russians stationed here. I doubt if there are over forty left in the entire base. I wonder how many in Pushkin?"

Pushkin was the base on the other side of the Moon.

They walked back to the group around Panchurin and turned on their phones so they could listen in.

Panchurin's skin paled, his eyes widened, his hands raised protestingly.

"No, no," he moaned out loud.

"What is it?" said Scone, who had heard only the last three words coming in through the device implanted in his skull.

Panchurin turned a suddenly old face to him. "The commander of the Zemlya said that the Argentineans have set off an undetermined number of cobalt bombs. More than twenty, at the very least."

He added, "The Zemlya is leaving its orbit. It intends to establish a new one around the Moon. It won't leave until we evaluate our situation. If then."

Every Soviet in the room looked at Lorentz.

[mintugiyuu]

> here’s the final part of your request @kyojoroo ! I’m so sorry it’s in two different parts, but I learned for the first time that these text boxes have a limit lmao, again I hope you enjoy and have a great day/night! <3

༄ we have to stop meeting like this - continued

sfw one-shot

➥ pairing || rengoku kyojurou x reader

➥ au || modern day; college

➥ warnings || cheesy, tooth-rotting fluff with extra cheese

➥ synopsis || the reader keeps bumping into the one and only rengoku kyojurou; only instead of just casually seeing him over and over again, they quite literally bump into him in the most inconvenient ways possible. (cont.)

➥ part one || click here!

༄ the mediterranean sea collection - masterlist

Today had to be one of the worst days in your life. Freezing, drenched, and newly homeless, you tucked yourself onto the bus stop bench. Lucky you, this one didn't even have an awning to protect you from the elements.

The rain had no pity for your predicament as it pelted your body, the light clothing doing close to nothing for you. Summer had just come, yet the night rainfall seemed to have brought an unexpected chill.

Not to mention the suitcase and duffle bag you had with you were now also getting soaked.

You could only hope nothing was too waterlogged.

Your hand did little to protect your dying phone from getting wet as you tried to search for the nearest place to stay. Motel, hotel, air B'N'B; anything in range to get you off the streets for the night.

You had a feeling this would happen, and boy were kicking yourself for not seeing the red flags and preparing sooner.

Not having enough savings for a dorm, you had signed a contract with the residents of an apartment to rent out one of the rooms for cheap.

The agreement only lasted for two semesters, but they had promised that you'd be able to renew it once summer rolled around.

"Promise my ass." You grumbled, remembering how the original owner had gotten a partner. In return, they refused to let you sign another contract so they would have space for the "love of their life".

You saw the signs; you saw how their stuff slowly moved into the apartment and all the time they were spending there.

You just didn't think they'd be shitty enough people to kick you out the moment your contract ended.

A gust of icy wind rolled through, causing another shudder to rack your body. The closest place wasn't in walking distance, and it was far to late for the buses to be running. Sighing, you shut off your phone and closed your eyes.

You had resigned yourself to walk the several blocks to the nearest 24/7 fast food place to at least get out of the rain.

That was until the rain fall suddenly stopped beating down on you. The rain couldn't have stopped though, you could still hear it. You blinked your eyes open and looked up, surprised to what - or more accurately, who - you saw.

"...Kyojurou?"

Standing there in all his warmth and glory, Kyojurou looked down at you with concern, holding a bright red umbrella over your soaked form.

He couldn't seem to help the small smile that graced his lips at the sound of his first name.

"I'd be happier that you finally used my name if you didn't look so sad and drenched."

A humorless snort escaped your lips as you hugged yourself, shivering slightly. "Timing always has my side doesn't it? I'm just about to head to the closest food place to get out of the rain, so don't worry about it."

"Why?"

"I got kicked out," you shrugged, looking to the ground.

"This late at night?"

"It surprised me too. They found a new roommate and wouldn't let me renew my contract for the next school year, and it just so happens it ended tonight." There was a hint of bitterness in your tone, one that was completely understandable.

Kyojurou's brows furrowed. "They didn't give you a heads up? A two week notice?"

"I'm just lucky they let me pack all of my stuff before I had to leave." You continued to look down at the ground, not seeing the way Kyojurou's face contorted ever so slightly.

He didn't get mad often, but whoever your old roommates are were now on his shit list

"Well that's a shitty thing to do," he stated bluntly, causing you to sputter and blink dumbly at him.

It's been almost a year since you've met the blonde, and in all that time you never once heard him say a single bad word.

"Did you just curse??"

He pretended not to hear, pulling out his own phone to see the time as you mulled over the fact that this sweet ray of sunshine just called someone shitty.

Expression neutralizing as he schemed, he turned back to you. "You don't have to stay in a fast food place for the night."

"Huh?? Are you suggesting I sleep in a box?"

The man smiled, resting a reassuring hand on top of your shoulder, frustration forgotten for now. "You can stay with me!"

"What now?"

Chuckling, he passed the umbrella off to you to hold, beginning to slip his arms out of the jacket he wore. "You can stay with me for the time being until you get back on your feet! Well, us. If you wanted to of course! Sanemi just moved out, so we're looking for a new one regardless."

Baffled at the sudden offer, you started to shake your head, forming the words to decline him. It was too big of a favor, how could you accept that?

He was one step ahead of you, as he always is.

"Before you say anything, no, it would not be any trouble, you're a joy to have around! We can settle the nitty gritty later, let's just get you out of the cold."

"Wait, Kyojurou," you were silenced by a heavy warmth that suddenly engulfed your upper body, including your sight. Moving the fabric from your eyes, you realized it was his jacket.

His once dry clothes was slowly becoming just as soaked as you were as he took back the umbrella, insistently keeping it solely above you.

The gentle way he smiled in combination with the light post that shined behind his head had you convinced he was your guardian angel in disguise.

You hesitantly pulled the jacket closer to your body, not being able to deny how relieving the warmth felt. "But, won't you be cold?"

"My insides are practically pocket heaters, it takes a lot for me to be cold. A little wind and rain won't do anything to me, I promise! Now come on, before you get sick," he insisted as he grabbed your bag, throwing them over his shoulder.

"Little" was an understatement, but you didn't have the energy to argue. It was the middle of the night and you could feel your eyes starting to droop.

Grabbing your luggage to role behind, you let the other wrap his free arm around your form, hand resting on your arm. "Thank you, truly I don't know where to start showing how grateful I am. I owe you big time."

"Never refer to me as Rengoku-san again and I'll call it even!"

A wobbly smile tugged at your lips as you leaned into his side, letting him guide you down the route to his apartment. "You have a deal then, Kyojurou."

The weather broadcasters warned everyone about heavy snowfall, but you couldn’t help but think they could’ve prepared everyone a bit more as you stared out your window and could only see the shadow of snow.

Thank the gods above it was winter break or they’d have to cancel classes, which would just be tuition money flushed down the shitter.

Your train of thought was interrupted by a knock at the door of the bedroom you were in, which was odd because the door was open.

Low and behold, it was your sweetheart of a boyfriend, holding two mugs and using his foot to knock. “I brought hot coco!”

"You don't have to knock, this is your room you dork."

"Our room technically, my dear." He responded smoothly, shutting the door with his foot behind him as he made his way to you.

"Careful not to spill it," he winked, laughing slightly as he handed you your mug.

"Just for that I should," you scoffed playfully, sticking your tongue out at him as you took the drink. The smile on his face was nothing but adoring, finding you to be adorable. You had to look away to dismiss the butterflies that swarmed in your tummy. “Looks like we’re snowed in for a bit. The snow is above the windows.”

Kyojurou hummed in agreement. “I still don’t understand how tiny snowflakes can become so damaging so fast!”

“You’re funny,” you chuckled, taking a sip of the hot beverage. Kyojurou always made the best hot chocolate.

“... UME! I’m glad I can be amusing!” You couldn't hold down the snort at the realization that he wasn't joking, swallowing and shaking your head. You granted him mercy and switched the subject.

“What are the others up to?”

Kyojurou leaned against the sill next to you, shoulder bumping yours affectionately. “Tengen is in the living room playing video games with his girlfriends, Mitsuri is watching a movie in her room and Obanai is watching with her. I think she's also painting his nails from the conversation I overheard while passing by."

“I see.”

The both of you were leaning against the window sill, basking in the comfortable silence. It wasn't common in an apartment full of unique roommates.

Even now you both could hear the loud victory cheer of Suma as Tengen groaned in defeat.

Taking another sip of your drink, you hummed, lifting your head to face Kyojurou. You were going to say something, but that was forgotten as you covered your mouth with your fingers as to not laugh suddenly.

"Hm? Is something wrong?" Your poor oblivious lover had a whipped cream mustache. He tilted his head at you - not unlike an owl - seemingly confused to your sudden shift in expression. You swallowed your laughter down as you placed your drink onto the sill, stepping closer to the blonde.

"No, nothing's wrong. You just have a little something rigghtt..." you reached out to grip his chin gently, swiping your thumb across his top lip to collect the whipped cream. "-there, all gone!"

A pretty, bright red color spread across Kyojurou’s face, wide eyes blinking owlishly at you with his mouth slightly agape. Laughing quietly at his reaction, you licked the cream off your thumb, patting the side of his cheek teasingly.

"You'll catch flies, hun." A click of teeth could be heard as he closed his mouth.

"RIGHT!" He stopped himself to clear his throat, turning to face the window as his usual smile reappeared, though a bit wobbly. "Thank you!"

All you did was hum, a slight mischievous smirk settling onto your face. You were set to happily go back to your drink when you shivered, the chill of the room finally reaching you through your clothes.

Kyojurou caught it from the corner of his eye, turning back to you. “Are you cold?”

You waved him off, shaking your head. It wasn't an uncommon occurrence, you'll just get another sweatshirt.

“I’ll be ok. The hot coco will warm me up in- WOAH!” That plan was thrown out the window when he suddenly scooped you up into his broad arms, smiling determinedly.

"You're not allowed to just continue on being cold, not if I can help it!" The firey man plopped you down onto your shared bed, quickly gathering the collection of fluffy blankets you have accumulated over time.

In the blink of an eye, you were neatly swaddled in said blankets and being held gently to your boyfriend's warm chest. He settled underneath the main blanket, wrapping his strong arms around your body.

“Is that better?” He beamed at you, looking oh so proud of himself.

What did you do to deserve him?

"Much," you all but groaned, snuggling your face into the warmth of his chest. It was like cuddling a big warm marshmallow. “I still can’t understand how you’re so warm.”

“I’m a living-breathing heater, my dear. I’ve explained this before, I’m sure of it.”

You snorted, leaning into his hand as he began to run his fingers through your hair. “I’m not complaining, you’re good to keep around for whenever my hands freeze.”

“I wouldn’t mind one bit," his voice came out softly, planting a warm kiss to onto your forehead. This in turn caused you to melt even further into him, burying your face into his shirt.

Kyojurou laughed with amusement as he turned on the television, looking for something for the two of you to watch for the rest of the evening. You eventually peaked your head out to look at him, wrapping your arms around his middle.

“Hey, Kyojurou?”

“Yes?”

All of his attention was on you. Even in these small moments he looks at you as though you're the most precious human being in the world. And to him, you were.

You hummed, placing a kiss onto his chin. “I’m happy I spilled my drink all over you.”

The small peck had similar effects from the whipped cream incident earlier, though he seemed to snap out of it quicker this time. He smiled brighter, cupping your cheek with his large, warm hand.

“That's an odd way of saying I love you."

This made you pause, the 'L-word' not being used between the two of you yet. “Wait, what?"

He gave you no time to question further as he placed a kiss onto your lips in return, his other hand finding the small of your back to pull you closer.

The initial shock of being kissed faded quickly, your arms finding their way around his neck as you pulled yourself closer. The kiss was short and sweet, yet the passion that Kyojurou lived by was always present.

The kiss came to a pause with you laying on top of his chest, remote forgotten and blankets wrapped around you as you steadied your breathing.

Kyojurou's eyes crinkled slightly with his smile, brushing the back of his hand across your cheek.

"I love you too."