#and gets him access to all the lab results he needs for his off the grid labwork

[itsdetachable]

Okay. BUT. What if. Instead of a CEO of a multimillion dollar company in AU's Knives was like. A professional agoraphobe. Who did computer programming stuff freelance with no regard for morals. Also he wrote and released computer viruses for shits n giggles. What if.

[turnfires-secret]

" Experiment "

ALBEDO X MALE READER SMUT

Bottom Albedo, Aphrodisiacs, Biting / Marking

Sex with Albedo is never boring. Being an alchemist, he comes up with all sorts of strange devices, elixirs and creations. Most recently, he had developed an enhancement elixir. One that could boost the taker’s combat and elemental abilities. The only drawback, however, was that before the effects begin to take effect, the elixir basically worked as an aphrodisiac. Since this was his latest creation, and creations needed testing… the amount of intercourse the two of you have been having had increased significantly. 

 Its calm in the living room of your shared house, reading wasn’t usually one of your hobbies but on certain days it just feels right. From within the room Albedo had turned into an at-home lab you could hear some light crashing and the sound of something, or someone bumping into things. It wasn’t too uncommon of a sound. Though, 2 minutes later Albedo walks out of his lab looking more dishelved than usual. His hair that was usually done up and tidy had strands out of place, the result of running his hands through his hair. The collar to his blue button up shirt was undone aswell. 

He looks dazed as he walks over to where your sitting, taking the book from your hands, closing it and gently setting it aside. It’s cute how he straddles your lap and cuddles into your shoulder. You can tell his body is starting to burn up, his breathing is deeper than usual. Tell-tail signs that he had been experimenting with more aphrodisiac. 

“Again? I’m starting to think your just experimenting with that stuff so you can have sex”

Theres a small audible groan from him before he replies.

“Flase, While i do enjoy engaging in such acts with you, i have infact been making significant steps in my research…”

“Mhh~ whatever you say”

Using one hand, you push him backwards against the couch and pin his hands above his head. Your free hand goes down to work to unbutton his shirt. You decide not to take off his shirt fully, leaving it unbuttoned, and hanging off his shoulders. The blond haired man lefts out a small hum as you kiss his neck while your free hand fumbles with his belt and the zipper of his pants. His neck has always been one of your favorite places to mark, to kiss, to bite. Though Albedo doesn’t particularly mind the way small bluish-red bruises seem join the star that has marked his neck since his inception. It was pleasurable, a sign for your bond to him, a constant reminder. 

Freeing Albedo’s cock from the confines of his boxers, you reach down to his hole to find that Albedo seems to have already prep-ed himself for this. How cute. Using some excess lube, you lean down into his neck and slowly start to jerk him off. Using your full hand, then just afew fingers to play with the tip, then just your fingernail to run against the small slit at the top. Compared to your own, Albedo’s cock was smaller, was is strange to think that was hot? Repeating these motions, over and over rewards you with the blond haired man’s breathy moans in your ear as you work your ‘magic’. By way of the aphrodisiac in his system, he cums quicker and more than he usually would. 

Getting back up from where you were previously in te crook of Aledo’s neck you undress yourself, you push his legs forward in order to gain easier access to his hole. Leaning down, you let your lips meet his before slowly pulling away and pushing in. You find yourself buried in his neck, kissing and biting as you set a slow yet rough pace. Your hand comes down from pinning his arms, now more focused on keeping yourself stable. A pace that the chief alchemist clearly enjoys by the way his nails dig into the skin of your back and the small pleasured hums that escape his lips. It was slow but rough and hard. It jolted Albedo’s body back every time. It made it feel like every time you pushed in, it’d hit deeper and deeper. Each thrust was like clockwork, your cock hitting so deep inside that he swears he could feel it in his head. It sent the equivalent of a shockwave of pleasure through his body every single thrust.

“M-mh~ Ah~ Y-You can go a-a bit faster”

You do and the small hums turn into audible breathy moans and whines. This new faster pace only served to intensify it all. The pace, forceful and rough was almost violent. Despite this Albedo found his aphrodisiac infused body enjoying the sensation to the fullest. Usually it’d feel like his body was being ripped in two, however the aphrodisiac worked it magic making this near-violent somewhat painful pace you set feel like celestia on earth. 

Albedo had moved on from simply digging is nails into your back, now he was holding you against himself as a way to stabilize himself, as a way to not stray too deep into pleasure. However, you can tell the alchemist is close by the way his insides clench around you, the way he gets louder. 

“Ah- Mh~ aah~! I’m going to- mh~! Y-Y/N~”

With such an angelic voice like that, how could you resist? Fucking him just abit harder you both eventually cum in tandem with each other, both of you taking afew second to catch your breath. Albedo, the ever hard worker, uses his arms to prop himself up as you slide your dick out of his body. Staring down as your cum begins to leak out, ee lets out a almost tired sounding hum before mumbling something along the lines of:

“ Be a shame to let this go to waste, perhaps i could use it in an experiment…”

He turns his attention to you, kissing you gently before getting out from under you, his pants left disgraded on the living room floor and his shirt unbuttoned. He was always so resourceful, weather that was a good thing or not way yet to be seen… 

Oh well… It’s not like you could be mad at him for too long. 

[hawkinsschoolcounselor]

The Vanishing of (Holly) Wheeler

As a follow up to my post yesterday as to how they might lead in to season 4, I wanted to chime in as to what I think the alleged second episode will be about.

I know the easy answer is that Henry has taken her. Given the reference to the first episode of season 1 and the BTS photos of Holly and Henry, it does seem like a slam dunk. However, I think the answer is a bit more nuanced than that.

Henry doesn't capture Holly.

With the military blocking access to all of the Gates, there really isn't any way for Henry to get out to get her. He's still too weak. Any misstep could prompt the military to move in and wipe out everything he's worked for. He needs to bide his time and regain his strength.

Now, time is something he has because of the military blocking access to the Gates. Once he's at full power, the blockades that were set up will be nothing to him. For now, they're doing him a favor by keeping the heroes out. He just needs a way to regain his power. He needs to feed, as he did in the Lab on that fateful day. Every kill makes him stronger.

I fully expect them to double down on the Nightmare on Elm Street references by having him prey on children. The question is how does he get them?

Linda Hamilton.

I know I joked about her playing Nana, but what if they decide to play her against type by having her help the monster. Whether she's in his thrall, trying to find a way to control and weaponize the monsters, or just admires the "beauty" of the Upside Down's existence, I think she might be the key to everything.

Now, I don't think these kids will be tossed into the Upside Down or anything. I don't think there's any value in it for Henry if these kids are devoured by a demogorgon. Instead, I imagine they'll have it be a full Freddy Krueger experience where he feasts on their dreams in some way. He just needs a way to get to them without anyone figuring out what's going on.

Enter Linda Hamilton's character, who has been called into handle the supernatural aspects of things. She somehow arranges for kids to be used as food for Henry. If you think it's unlikely, just remember how long the Lab operated in Hawkins under everyone's noses. Kids are going missing, which the military handwaves away. Holly goes missing, immediately setting off alarm bells for the Party. They manage to locate her in an isolated camp set up at a farm or whatever, resulting in Mike, Will, and Robin (and maybe others) going out to investigate. This would tie in with that script page we saw where Robin stumbles across a kid and Mike is sneaking around.

Eventually, they'd find her, possibly having to enter her dreams somehow in order to pull her out. This would give them the break they've been looking for, as Holly would have some kind of information as to what's going to happen.

I'll admit there's flaws in my prediction here, but it's the best I can do with the information we have.

I know Holly has to be important somehow, narratively, if not in-universe. She's been shown to be more aware of what's going on that most bystanders. She saw weird stuff happening in Joyce's house in season 1, the disturbance in the trees in season 3, and people talk freely around her as if she's not even there. She may not know the significance of any of it, but she knows things. And, as a Wheeler, she's probably pretty bright, but also with the innocence to not rule something out as "impossible."

Maybe Holly does end up in the Upside Down, but I can't see her surviving like Will did. Will barely survived, and he was quite a bit older than Holly would be. If she were to end up in there, then I would think that Henry wouldn't be interested in hurting her, at least not right away.

Does anyone else have thoughts about this?

[draconicsparkle]

So @kazinsblog and I had been talking for a bit and we decided that it would be fun to collab on something! So I drafted up a story and she drew a comic based on it! We will link each other’s posts so you can check each other’s parts out. Here’s Kazin’s side!

But yeah! This was a ton of fun! And I hope you enjoy it.

Even CEO’s need TLC

How long had it been since their clash in the Mystery Labyrinth? Days? Months? Years? He didn’t know. And truthfully, he didn’t care to remember.

Ironic, coming from the detective who was an amnesiac at one point in his career.

But it mattered little. All that was important was the here and now. The ‘here’ in question being the grand penthouse suite on the top floor of Kanai Tower, where the CEO of Amatarasu resided. Not many were permitted access to this place. After all, it was the home of the most powerful person in Kanai Ward. But Yuma had… special privileges here, being the original of the CEO and all.

Currently, said CEO was in his room, hopefully getting some sleep. Yuma had returned to Kanai Ward to check on his homunculus only to find him exhausted beyond belief from overwork. Of course, he couldn’t exactly fault Makoto when he himself had been guilty of that exact same situation. So he had simply closed the laptop, and guided the poor homunculus to his luxurious bed, and had turned the lights off.

So now, Yuma was cleaning the penthouse to pass some time. He reorganized the papers and books, tossed the snack wrappers in the trash, and dumped out the old coffee and energy drinks that were scattered around the desk.

Everything had been nice and quiet. A peaceful evening that would hopefully result in Makoto getting a good night's rest.

But those hopes were tested as he heard something concerning. The sound of glass shattering coming from the homunculus’s room.

Yuma dashed over to investigate, slowly cracking the door open and peeking inside. Makoto was sitting up on his bed, panting harshly and staring wide eyed at the destroyed mirror in the room. A small statue was on the ground near the glass shards, the likely candidate to have been thrown to break the mirror.

But the destruction wasn’t the concern at this moment. Makoto looked terrified and he needed to understand why.

“Makoto, what happened?” he asked in a level voice. He kept calm as those fearful eyes shot to him, the rest of the CEO’s body tensing upon catching his original in his sights. “Makoto, I promise everything is okay. Can you tell me what’s going on?”

“No… no more. Please… no more,” the clone whispered desperately, his body starting to shake.

Yuma had a feeling he knew what had happened. A waking nightmare, possibly recalling memories from his captivity at the UG labs. He had read the reports on what they had done to their perfect homunculus, and the only way he could describe it was torture. Makoto had been made to suffer in so many ways for no sensible reasons. And it was clear that his exhausted mind hadn’t been able to handle the memories as well as he usually did. Leading to the mirror’s destruction, likely a defensive reflex from seeing what he perceived to be another person.

But the detective also knew a good way to help. So he slowly stepped forward, his expression calm and reassuring. “It’s okay, Makoto. I’ll help you. I’ll protect you. No one can hurt you anymore if I’m here. Okay?”

Makoto didn’t reply until Yuma had climbed on the bed and sat right next to him. “You… promise?” the all powerful CEO whimpered.

Yuma carefully wrapped his arms around his homunculus, bringing the shaking body in for a comforting hug. “I promise.”

Makoto almost instantly leaned into the hug, burying his face into Yuma’s shirt. The detective rested his chin on top of Makoto’s head, using one hand to stroke the unbrushed hair. He made sure to continue to be careful, as the man was in a fragile state. But he had no intention of going anywhere.

After a minute, he began slowly laying their bodies back down onto the mattress and letting their heads hit the silk pillows. Makoto kept clinging, and Yuma didn’t let go.

Yuma then recalled a song that he had heard Yakou hum on multiple occasions when he had been that helpless rookie sleeping on the couch. A nice tune that helped calm him down despite the constant stress he had felt on a daily basis. Maybe, just maybe, this might also work on his double.

So he began softly humming, continuing to stroke the long bleached hair. He felt the other’s shaking diminish until it stopped entirely. The grip he had on the shirt also loosened, the shaky breathing evening out and quieting as he listened to the song. It must have been a familiar tune to the CEO, as another voice joined in as the song started for a second time.

A good sign, because this meant that Makoto’s mind was focusing on the song more than the memories. So the humming continued, their voices working together to fill the bedroom with their own music. They continued until halfway through the third repeat, when the homunculus’s voice started growing quieter and quieter. Soon, it had disappeared completely.

Yuma let his own voice rest as he peeked down to observe. Makoto’s face was far more peaceful, sleeping without a hint of worry. Good, maybe this time he could stay asleep.

But the detective didn’t let go, continuing to hug his double to his chest as he closed his own eyes. Companionship and accepting help were still new concepts to them both. But perhaps, this night could be the starting point of something. Proof that they could get better.

But those thoughts could wait until the morning. For now, the two could sleep. To rest with the one who they trusted the most.

[cyberwhumper]

This was their one and only chance. They had fought for every inch they pushed out of the depths of Watchtower, every obstacle surpassed filling their hearts with a little bit more hope and fueling their desire to succeed, to finally set themselves free.

Security was no match for the prototype, but arguably they didn't have to be. Their objective was simply to stall long enough, to hold the line for just long enough that their lab rats wouldn't notice how they had been all led exactly where they needed to be, puppeteered all along. For a few moments that seemed to last an eternity, all hell broke loose when they breached the main hall. The elevator leading outside was right there. If only they could make it.

If only.

Mal knew this would result in some bloodshed, but he couldn't have predicted the amount of destruction this little whimsical experiment of his would yield. The weapons load is putting such a massive strain on Dog's mind it's completely out of control, shredding through allies just as indiscriminately as it does enemies. He gently pushes his hair out of his face, and gets to work.

WARNING: CRITICAL MALFUNCTION

Every single system is going haywire. The animal is breaking down at an impressive rate, having pushed itself far past its expected limits while pulling this stunt. Marvelous work, he thinks to himself. He turns off the weapons systems first. Next, the motor systems. Remote accessing a system he himself built should have been easy and simple, and yet Mal seemed to be taking his sweet time. Just break down a little further.

WARNING: OVERRIDE ATTEMPT UNAUTHORIZED WARNING: OVERRIDE ATTEMPT UNAUTHORIZED WARNING: OVERRIDE ATTEMPT UNAUTHORIZED WARNING: OVERRIDE ATTEMPT UNAUTHORIZED

He can see the panic in its eyes. It knows what he's doing, and it has no ability to fight it, but it's still trying. Pushed to the ground like the animal it is, surrounded on all sides by the consequences of their escape having failed as the test subjects are executed one by one. It struggles harder when they finally get to Vina. Mal can see tears sliding across its face, and a sick sense of amusement bubbles up inside him.

"Oops. It would be a shame if your little friend didn't make it. And so, so close to freedom."

WARNING: OVERRIDE ATTEMPT UNAUTHORIZED

"Aren't you stubborn. I figured you'd be more selfless than this."

WARNING: OVERRIDE ATTEMPT UNAUTHORIZED

They shoot Vina again. It struggles.

WARNING: OVERRIDE ATTEMPT UNAUTHORIZED

"Tick tock, doggie. I don't have all day."

WARNING: OVERRIDE ATTEMPT UNAUTHORIZED WARNING: OVERRIDE ATTEMPT UNAUTHORIZED

Medics swarm over Vina. He's no longer breathing. The last thing Mal sees is the heartbroken look in its eyes. He hopes it's an image that will be burned in its mind for the rest of its miserable existence.

OVERRIDE SUCCESSFUL

Tag list: @whumpsday // @demondamage // @squidlife-crisis // @whumpedydump // @cyborg0109 //

If you’re interested in being added to the tag list, please let me know!

[ficfanatictrf]

Could I get something happy for viktor, like let's say his s/o is a the medical feild and after a lot of work they somehow found a way to cure his Lung sickness. So he didn't like..die? I hope that makes sense, THANK YOU

The Epiphany

Summary: When a solution is found

Warnings: Don't think there are any. Simple fluff, lots of science jargon that I tried to limit to keep from being too boring. I wrote this rather quickly cause I was just too excited - I seriously love the area of study I am in (Human Biology)

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

It had all started from a passing comment from a Professor, explaining how the body knew exactly what cells to attack or leave alone. You had asked the question to the Professor after class, one why some illnesses were able to run rampant without the body doing much to stop them before they were causing serious harm. And it all boiled down to one thing. 

The virus hid inside the DNA of other cells. 

And so you had begun your deep dive into something you had never believed you would have spent any time on, but as the months progressed and every step brought you closer to your goal, you continued the painfully slow process…all the while you watched as your dearest friend was withering away. You couldn’t tell him what you were doing, if it all led to a dead end, you would never forgive yourself for getting his hopes up just to dash them later. 

You were nearing the end of the sixth year of you working on the project as you headed into your lab. You had gotten Professor Heimerdinger to give you a special lab, specifically making sure that the people who had access to the lab didn’t include Viktor. 

As much as you adored him, would want his brain at times, you would not present this to him till you had enough proof. 

So as you came in, sitting down at your desk to look over the tests that had been set to run that night, it was all normal. This was what you did everyday, set up tests that would take hours to get back, come in the next day to see the results and create new tests, new ideas before having to leave it for hours once more. 

Only, as you glanced over the first few sheets you realized that this was not like any other day. This was THE day! 

You could feel your heart pounding out of your chest, quickly looking to see that the same results were on each of the papers for each test you had done. That the results were consistent, the control being the only thing that spiked which meant the test was also working properly and that this wasn’t a false negative. 

In your haste you grabbed everything you could think that you would need, shoving it all into a bag before tearing through the campus to the lab that Viktor and Jayce shared. 

As you entered, you saw exactly what you were expecting and still it didn’t hurt any less. 

Viktor weakened form, how tired he always looked, the tissues nearby that you knew would contain blood. And yet, as you bolted inside, his gaze only turned towards you with a kindness in them that only he could have. And as he went to welcome you in, you cut him off to hold up one of the results you had just looked over. 

“I can tell you now” You said, the understanding quickly flashing in Viktor’s eyes before he reached hastily to get you a chair to sit down on. 

“Then come, come. I have been looking forward to this. Always so secretive about your work” He teased, before already he was trying to take the paper from your hand that you pulled away with a frown. 

As you sat down you took a few breaths, trying to steady yourself mentally as you went into your explanation. Viktor would want to know the science behind this, not just the end result. 

“You said before that the lung virus that spreads in the undercity was one that liked to go unnoticed until suddenly you were dying from it. So it made me wonder if perhaps this was a disease that would lay dormant in the body like the herpes virus or how chickenpox comes back later in life as shingles? Both involve a virus putting its own DNA into the DNA of other cells, which is why it goes dormant for a time before suddenly showing up one day. When that cell dies, the virus's DNA is released once more.” 

Viktor nodded along slowly, it was up to date on this information. This wasn’t really new, but he was wanting to allow you to take the conversation where it needed to go. 

“Well, it was in the early stages, but I heard of another person who was using CRISPR to highlight different parts in cells to try and create new cell and animal models. But, it got me thinking…what if I could find the part of the DNA, that extremely huge list of code and find the part that was the virus’s DNA. I could highlight it, mark it as something harmful to the body and then-” 

“The body’s own immune system would get rid of the virus…not only the virus but the cells harboring the virus…” Viktor ended, slowly leaning back in his chair as he tried to take in what you were saying. 

You nodded, finally reaching into your bag to start pulling out all the papers that you had brought with you. 

“These are all the other trials that I’ve done, we were working on mice but this was the one that would say yes or no if it was time to head to human trials. And Viktor, today every single one of them- every fucking one of them tested negative for the virus. They all had it last night, but today they tested negative.” 

He took the papers slowly from your hand, reading over the printed out information with shaking hands. 

“We can move to human trials, to people who have your disease, to you! Viktor, I am almost certain that with this…I…I can cure you. It’s been what I’ve been working towards for years and finally I can tell you” Standing up straighter, you pulled out the final paper. On it was the exact chemical combination that was used in this. Holding it up you felt your own hands trembling, finally achieving the thing you had been working on for years. 

“This is my gift to you, so that I can confess with it. I love you Viktor…I love you and I think I can cure you” 

Everything for a moment was still, neither of you moving as you both were waiting for the other to make a move. Yet, as Viktor slowly reached out to take the paper in your hand, you watched as he completely missed and then ended up falling out of his chair. 

“Oh shit, are you alright?” 

Helping the man sit up, you were surprised to find the man laughing, not sure as to why falling would be funny. 

“Well, that makes it clear this is no dream.” He chuckled softly, one of his hands reaching up to cradle your cheek in his hand. 

“Thank you” Was whispered, his forehead resting against your own. “When I test negative I will respond to your…declaration. But for now…I suppose, I am in your care.” 

“I suppose you are, it is my study after all” You teased back, though it was mostly to hide the embarrassment you felt at Viktor not rejecting you…but also not accepting either. 

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 

The next few weeks had been hell for Viktor. As much as you were proud of your work, it did come with the fact that it needed the human body’s immune system being at its top shape to work. With how tired and worn out his immune system was, he had been put onto a diet plan, a sleep plan, a work out plan…all things that felt like ripping teeth out when it came to Viktor. 

Yet, as the fourth week came to an end, the treatments that you needed to do as well as the different plans to help his immune system best it could, you had seen the changes to how often VIktor was coughing. 

And then finally five weeks into the treatment, Viktor looked over the results of his own testing as he had said that he ‘felt good about this one’. You waited, a little peeved that he was taking over your own study in such a Viktor way. 

“Would you have dinner with me tonight?” 

That was until he suddenly asked you that. 

“...w-what?” 

You looked for his meaning from his expression, but all you got was a kind and warm smile. 

“I told you, once I test negative I would respond. Well- “ He held up the paper with a grin. “I am negative. I am responding and I would like to take you out to dinner and was hoping tonight would be alright?” 

Standing up, the man fixed his suit before heading towards the door. 

“And don’t try to be cute when it comes to who is paying. You literally saved my life, anytime we eat together I am paying. I’ll pick you at 7, there are some things I need to do” And with that he was gone, you left sitting in your lab as your friend…boyfriend? You weren’t even sure you had left. 

But, as you looked outside, you saw exactly what Viktor had been needed to do. As soon as the man was far enough away, you watched as he just screamed. Screamed into the sky with everything he had. 

Screamed from the pain, the anger, the injustice of it all. Screaming because he hadn’t died from this illness, that he was free from its hold, that it wouldn’t take him. And screaming because he could - his lungs would always have some damage from the virus, but it was now clean. 

And so he screamed, screamed until he couldn’t scream anymore.

[leftdestiny-posts]

A donut with glaze frosting is served without a plate or tissue. The encounter is random, and the taste is dull compared to the other more successful goods in the bakery.

DOTT remembers every event and interaction as if he were reliving the moment. 

If he ever needs to recall something, DOTT only needs to access the file connected to the event, which happens automatically and is a similar effort to humans who need to breathe. Down to the details, everything he’s been through is stored somewhere in his mechanic body. Safe and deep within him.

Thus, when DOTT got the order to document his disparate life, he wondered why his creator hadn’t requested the return of the memory storage unit. In the end, after a few restless days of pondering over this question, it felt like a pointless thing to raise, given his unwillingness to contact the man (if he did, it’d felt like he was acknowledging his failed attempt to break free from his creator’s control). And so, DOTT writes in plain notebooks—if only to avoid deactivation. (Someday soon, he promises to disappear without a trace so he can taste true freedom. Until then, he needs time to figure out how to outsmart himself.)

The daily records start simple and repetitive. 

As a hybrid between a puppet and a machine, sleep is unrequired. DOTT will never be able to rest his body like a human does; he does not need food or rest; thus, he merely exists—and that is the only thing he can document at the beginning of his ‘life’. He observes the world instead of himself. He finds a muse in strangers and the fleeting conversations that pass by.

And then, he finds home—not the lab, but home. 

Despite not being human, he now had a bed, slept under the covers every night, and laid in silence until the sunlight touched his body. 

The same goes for things such as breakfast, lunch, or dinner. From research and basic observation, he watches others. He sees how people live their lives and mimics it in a way only a clone would. 

He starts to cook dishes from recipes in books and folders, he then finds himself stocking his small pantry and fridge, and slowly he finds himself getting more excited while doing it. DOTT does not need substance. Whenever he brings it past his lips and into his system he sort of absorbs it, but it’s more a bother than joy, energy, or purpose. But he likes to make it. There is something so satisfying about the separate ingredients that come together to create something new. He tries flavours, textures, and colours; until he remains with one problem. 

Where does all the food go?

The recipes slowly start to take over his life and he finds himself adding these otherwise useless and pointless creations to his notebook. In these entries, DOTT carefully describes the process, the result, and the effect it has on him. 

Things start to change. From merely existing to joy, he finds himself looking forward to the notebook and pen, writing his new cupcake recipe, the color bowtie he had chosen to wear that day, or the stranger who was willing to try his food and who had told him he should open a bakery…

He writes at which time he decided to make food. He writes at which time he finished and plated it. He writes at which time he sat down at the small table in his apartment above the bakery. And he writes at which time he finishes. 

To DOTT, things like these are ‘to be human’. 

If he can’t prove himself to his creator, he will prove himself to humanity. Even when no one is watching him, he will close his bakery; clean the tables; undress and change into pyjamas; move into the bed with static movements; sleep; wake up before sunrise; eat; connect with people; adjust; and evolve. 

Yet, the habits he forces upon himself do nothing in the end… It won’t make him more human, nor will it fulfil his original purpose.

After days and nights fighting against the facts, he remains exactly as he was—DOTT, a failure to everyone.

From dusk to dawn, DOTT stares at the wooden ceiling with the lights off.

[tortugatalks]

𝗖𝘂𝘁𝗲 𝗧𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗪𝗞 𝗖𝗿𝗲𝘄 𝗗𝗼 𝗪𝗶𝘁𝗵/𝗙𝗼𝗿 𝗧𝗵𝗲𝗶𝗿 𝗦/𝗢|ᴴᶜˢ

𓆉 gender neutral reader

𓆉 established romantic relationship

𓆉 no warnings!

Martin Kratt

━ he loves beachcombing with you! (with care and in moderation!!) there's something so sweet about walking along the shore line with you and picking up pretty shells and rocks. you'll hold hands, but it won't be long before he's run off picking up an empty shell, observing it and informing you about its cool features and the little critters that could've inhabited it. all this before he gifts you it, telling you with a bright smile that it reminded him of you— a wondrous find he's lucky to call home.

━ insists that you name some of the baby animals the wk crew meet along the way. doesn't matter if youre not the creative type! whatever name you choose, he's more than happy with it. you need only say it once and that's all it takes for him to roll it off the tip of his tongue so endearingly! on occasion, you two brainstorm names together and get so into it that you briefly lose track of time and get side-tracked. not like you two mind, however. you could do this all day!

Chris Kratt

━ titles you his official "lab partner" when he's in the mood for one of his infamous experiments. these "experiments" usually just involve inconveniencing martin, but hey! you get results and you two admittedly get a kick out of watching the ordeal spiral into chaos. even when he's apart from you, you're the first person he thinks of and is quick to pull out his creature pod and contact you to fill you in on his thoughts and ideas. he listens to your hypotheses too and is more than willing to help execute them! it comes to a point where neither of you have to say anything and just give each other a "look" that his blue brother dreads every time.

━ organizes your belongings without you having to even ask. lose a disc? lose some gear? dw abt it! hes five steps ahead of you and knows exactly where your things are. mans has a system for practically everything and is always prepared for anything you may need. he pays heavy attention to your wants and needs, so whenever you run out of things, he just so happens to have a spare in his backpack or pocket.

Aviva Corcovado

━ adores it when you two share stuff about your families and childhood. she could talk about how she loves her grandmami for hours and is so ecstatic when she gets to proudly show you the items that have been passed down to her. she takes extra care of her family's possessions and the stuff she personally treasures, but her trust in you is so immense that she let's you hold on to them for a bit. atp in your relationship, her heart is full access to you. so much so that she considers you close family! gift her something that you treasure deeply and she'll feel so honored. will cherish it forever and makes sure no one else will ever get their hands on it.

━ goes without saying, but she'll most definitely invent cute little things for you! everything she makes is personal and thoughtful. if there's anything you need to make your life a little easier, just say the word and she'll boast about how you've reached the right person for the job! or she'll do it for you as a surprise!! there are times when some of the things you recommend she makes sound utterly ridiculous to her, but its not like she could ever say no to you. she spoils you rotten—and not a word of this to the others!!

Koki

━ gardening has gotta be one of her favourite pastimes with you! there isn't really much of a garden in the tortuga, so you two typically go out into town to buy some potted plants. she's rather fond of growing summer squashes and it's very convenient for if the wk crew wants to eat a healthy snack. that and you two are always collecting seeds from different continents—even indulging in planting them whenever it seems like a place needs serious vegetation! cue the relaxing lemonade breaks out in the sun <3

━ has a little usb containing pictures/videos of you. she loves documenting your dates with her creature pod and keeps them as mementos of your day to day life! she's very open about it and wouldn't deny you from accessing them at all. if you take a closer inspection into her files, you'll see that she has an entire album dedicated to funny and rather "unflattering" shots of you. much to your dismay, she insists behind raspy chuckles that you look "picture perfect" (no, she will not delete them!)

Jimmy Z

━ enjoys developing fun little game demos with you based on your guys' interests! if youre not the programming type, you better believe you'll be involved in the creative process. its a "together" effort and whether it be concept art, plots, the ost or ideas for game mechanics, he's always taking your thoughts into deep consideration. he'll definitely find a way to implement them into production. once a demo is completed, it's a full on game date night, baby!!

━ gives you piloting lessons! only when the rest of the gang isn't around though, haha whoops! although not being the boldest out of the crew, hes epecially confident in his aviation skills. he holds so much patience and is really good at easing you through the process. stars form in his eyes whenever you do a successful landing and he's extremely vocal with his praises. fist-bumps, pats on the back, tiny dances, you name it! he is extremely proud of you and wait, whats that? celebratory pizza!?

[princess-of-the-corner]

Toontown: Rewritten Recap: December 2002 (Happy Winter Holiday)

December 22, 2002

Sir Max, having just gotten OUT of trouble with the Brrrgh for stealing and (accidentally) melting their hockey rink a month ago is now back IN trouble with the Brrrgh for stealing their lightbulbs.

As such, he’s been sentenced to Community Service, and must run around the Neighborhoods to go caroling at six shops.

The issue?

His instructions are written in riddles that hint at which shops he needs to carol at, Clarabelle isn’t selling jackets yet, and he lost the list while writing the blog post.

Thus, Sir Max declared that anyone who can find the list can go caroling for him as he wandered off to try and find some warmth.

The picture for the blog post has a somewhat clear picture of riddles, however.

Christmas Carols are special Speedchat phrases. Using the right carol at the right shop results in a cutscene where the player’s Toon sings the entire carol.

December 23, 2002

Sir Max learned that the Christmas Carols were actually a trap. Singing at the last shop would set off a trap that’d get the caroler’s head stuck inside a Snowman Head. A Snowman Head that won’t go away until it melts at the end of the holiday season.

Sir Max decided to respond by sending even MORE carolers after the shopkeepers, with the end of the post even explaining how to solve the riddles. The riddles hint at the shopkeepers’ names, the names of their shops, and which carols to sing to them while inside their shops.

December 24, 2002

On this day, we were introduced to a new character: Slappy.

He’s a short, green duck from the “Colorful Canvas” district just past the outskirts of Donald’s Dreamland.

Anyways, he made this news blog post because he needed publicity for his campaign. Just like Flippy, he’s running for Toon Council President and he hopes the better candidate between the two will win. He’d LIKE to be the better candidate.

But anyhow, he learned that Flippy had been turning Toons into Black Cats for Halloween, and thus has decided that he’ll be turning Toons into White Polar Bears. Why? Because white’s his favorite color. You can put any color on it. It’s like a blank canvas to him. Unlike black (which you apparently can’t put any colors on), it’s the base of all colors.

Thus, he hung out by Toon Hall for the next couple of days (Christmas Eve and Christmas, leaving at update time on December 26), and introduced the brand-new Polar Bear Toons to Toontown for the very first time, warning the voters that this transformation would only be available for a limited time, and it would be a long, LONG time before their next chance.

And remember: “Don’t be wacky – Vote for Slappy!”

(Note: Only cats can be black, and only bears can be white. I don’t know if that’s changed since then, but I’ll let you know if/when we get to the point in Rewritten’s story where that changed.)

December 25, 2002

Sir Max declared that it ‘twas a Beary White Christmas. No not like Barry White the singer, or Barry White the Ambassador to Norway (I love these obscure references), but Beary White as in the Polar Bears.

White Toons had been requested for years, even before Toontown Rewritten was a thing, and that Slappy has made many a Toon’s dream come true. Sir Max couldn’t wait to see how Flippy planned to top that!

Additionally, Sir Max had a Christmas Present for all the Toons as well. After much begging (and bribes) he convinced the Toon Council and Loony Labs to give the Alpha Testers teleport access to ALL of Toontown’s Playgrounds (including Acorn Acres), using Loony Labs’ newly invented portable hole technology!

The teleport access was only temporary, for testing purposes, but it was nice to have in the meantime.

Also, an update by Disney that let players peek under the clouds on the map was rolled back, so now the clouds persist until Toons visit the corresponding neighborhoods.

Sir Max reminded everyone to stop by Slappy if they wanted to be a Polar Bear (as it would be a LONG time before they had the option again) and wished them all a Merry Christmas as he signed off.

December 26, 2002

The Christmas decorations were taken down, and Sir Max figured the snowstorm would end as soon as he returned all the lightbulbs.

Just one problem: The lightbulbs had all burned out due to being on for 5 days straight.

Sir Max did the responsible thing, for once in his life, and ordered 7,352 lightbulbs to replace the ones he had burned out, but it would take a few days for the delivery to go through.

The Toons of the Brrrgh were FURIOUS.

Sir Max explained the situation to Lil’ Oldman (the wizard responsible for the spell in the first place) and Lil’ Oldman, being a reasonable Toon, replied by tripling the intensity of the blizzard and burying Toontown under ice and snow. Fair’s fair, after all.

And to make matters worse, shoes hadn’t been added yet, so all the Toons are walking around barefoot in this weather.

Sir Max’s only comfort was that he had hot cocoa.

It didn’t do much for him.

-

you know what? “Lil’ Oldman the Wizard” is a fucking hilarious name.

[sailor-toni]

Why Nobody Works for the Fenton's

You can also read this on A03, Fanfic.net, and on Wattpad

“Think fast! What is the frequency that can disrupt a ghost's physical form?” Mrs. Fenton gleefully asked.

“Um… 150 decibels?” Valerie hugged the clipboard to her chest, surprised by the smile Mrs. Fenton had.

“No, but a good guess. It’s actually much higher than that! The high noise affects the ectoplasmic cells, and causes them to vibrate, losing their connections and bonds to one another, resulting in a ghost losing their physical form and turning into a mass of ectoplasmic goo.”

“You have a weapon that can do that?” Valerie asked.

“Well, no. This is only theory, as a weapon that could do that would cause serious hearing damage to anyone holding the weapon. And since the local farmers won’t give us permission to test on their land anymore, we haven’t had the right environment to test it,”

“Why won’t the local farmers let you test on their lands anymore?”

“Because they are cowards who can’t see what progress we are doing!” Jack yelled from the back of the lab. He was covered in thick cables that spired around his arms and legs. Each one looked to be over a hundred pounds, but the man carried them with ease.

“We accidentally covered one of their fields with experimental ectoplasm,” Maddie whispered into Valerie’s ear. “The corn outside of Amity Park is now considered ‘toxic’.” She put air quoted around toxic.  

“Valerie!” Jack turned his body, the cables dragging against the metal floor. “If any son of a gun from the EPA calls or arrives at the door, tell him to eat grass! The Fenton’s don’t answer to the government!” Valerie sucked her breath. She didn’t want to say anything that would offend the Fentons, especially since they were kind enough to give her a paid internship.

                 Casper High required that all of its students do a two-week internship in order to graduate. Most students do it in their senior year and help out one of the local businesses. She would’ve asked her Dad for an internship at his place, but then Phantom showed up. Her second choice was city hall. Dash, Kwan, and the rest of the football team got internships with city hall a year ago, but then Phantom held the old Mayor hostage, and the internship program was cut to pay for more security.  But that was fine. Nobody wanted to intern with the Fentons, the crazed duo had scared off anyone who would be willing to work with them. Everyone but Valerie, who needed them for one reason and one reason alone.  Information on ghosts! 

Also, she needed money after ghost hunting cost her the Nasty Burger job, and the Fentons were one of the few places that even offered paid internships.

“So, um Mr. and Mrs. Fenton, what will I be doing here?” 

“Great question Valerie! You will uhhhh, Honey what will she be doing?” Jack stuck his bottom lip out, his face was frozen as if he forgot what he was going to say. 

“You will be helping us keep the lab clean, change the ghost portal filter, answer any email or call that comes in, keeping stock of inventions and weapons, and helping us out in experiments.” Valerie nodded along, a lot of her tasks sounded very boring and typical; the last two options made her eyes light up. 

“And if you’re good at all that, we might even hire you as our assistant!” 

“Jack, we haven’t fully discussed that yet.” 

“Oh come on Maddie! Look at her, I bet she will be amazing!” 

Valerie stood there and smiled, if she could make this her new job, she would have access to all the weapons she would need, maybe they could teach her how to make the weapons, and she could make them at home. Valerie could already see Phantom’s face when she opened hell on earth with the stockpiles these two had. 

Her first day was spent walking through the lab and command center, her brain overloaded with what every button, gun, and icon did. At the end Valerie was sure these fools were secretly loaded, how else did they get their hands on all this material, and guns, and chemicals. Maddie had a secret room in the downstairs lab, locked to prevent her kids (aka DANNY) from pouring acid on themselves, full of every kind of poison, acid, and chemical imaginable. 

“Your first task tomorrow is to organize all of these. Don’t worry, we have a spare hazmat suit in the bunker,” Maddie said. 

“You have a bunker?” said Valerie.

“Yes, in case anyone attacks or the Russians finally nuke us. I’ll show you that later, I don’t want to give you too much information today.” Maddie chuckled as if it was all a joke. She continued explaining what each chemical did and where it had to go, but Valerie's eyes traveled to the back of the hidden room. 

“Mrs. Fenton, what is that?” 

“That is a live ghost we keep here in the lab. We use it to harvest ectoplasms and our experiments. Don’t worry it can’t feel anything we do to it, I lobotomized it years ago,” again she said it with a chuckle and a smile. The ghost had pale green skin and even paler hair, dark circles outlined his eyes like wastelands outside a drained oasis. “We found it outside a natural portal back in 1992 right before it closed. He put up quite a fight, but nothing compares to my Jack, and a fully loaded gun,” Maddie walked over and tapped the glass. “Jack and I joke that he is the hardest worker in our lab. Aren't you Harold?” Harold floated in the green liquid, his legs dissolving into nothing more than a pile of goo. “We usually keep a tarp over him when we don’t have to use him. I wonder who moved it. Oh! I found it!” She grabbed the black tarp and swung it over the tank, as the dark shroud covered Harold’s helpless features, Valerie thought she saw his hand move.  

[itsdetachable]

Okay. BUT. What if. Instead of a CEO of a multimillion dollar company in AU's Knives was like. A professional agoraphobe. Who did computer programming stuff freelance with no regard for morals. Also he wrote and released computer viruses for shits n giggles. What if.

[arklay]

seeing stars.

pairing: diana x albert wesker words: 9.2k warnings: absent parents, canonical child neglect, descriptions of the effects of uninvolved parenting, brief mentions of food [read on ao3] — [part two]

What was she doing?

Diana had found herself sitting outside the front of Wesker’s house, fingers absent-mindedly curling and uncurling around her steering wheel as she chewed on her lip. She could easily back out of his driveway and head to her apartment like she’d intended to, before he could even realise she had been there, but no – instead, she decided to take him up on his offer for dinner at his house.

It was a foolish thing, really, to be as excited as she was to see him again so soon after they had only just run into one another that afternoon. Or perhaps intrigued was a more fitting word for how curious she was to see what it was he wanted.

She had been cleaning up the lab for the day – much earlier than usual as she itched to head out and look over some files she wasn’t supposed to have access to – when Wesker had rung her out of nowhere, asking if she wished to join him that evening. That silver tongue of his was rather annoying, in all honesty, especially considering how thrilled she’d been at the date she had planned with those reports and a nice bottle of wine.

As much as she hated to admit it, she wanted to see him again.

Diana sighed to herself the moment she opened her car door and stepped out into the night air, feeling the cool breeze biting at her skin. As if the shorter days weren’t enough already, the evenings carried this awfully unpleasant chill that had her cursing her decision to wear a skirt; the sheer nylon covering her legs did little to stave off the cool air as icy needles worked their way through the fabric and pricked at her skin.

The mountains in the distance looked quite beautiful though; a blanket of yellows, reds, and the odd green had been draped over the slope facing the city, as if the forest had been set ablaze, almost. She didn’t really want to think about what would happen if that were to ever occur, not only because it reminded her too much of back home, but because she would feel horrible for the adders she so loved to observe.

And she had made quite a few fond memories on the trails – one, in particular, she still thought of too often for the fact that neither she nor Wesker had brought it up again after such an incident had occurred.

Quickly plucking her handbag from the passenger seat, Diana slung it over her shoulder then shut her car door with a bit too much force, as though that would somehow stop the obnoxious fluttering in her stomach caused by such inane thoughts.

It was simply the result of a few drinks, that’s all.

That was quite a fun little tale she liked to tell herself, considering neither of them had even had a buzz on that night.

Who knew the cold, conceited, and terribly callous Albert Wesker could be so… tender with her? It didn’t matter, she would do best to forget that stupid camping trip had ever happened and just move on.

Leaning down, Diana took one more quick glance at herself in the side-view mirror while she worked on locking her car. She couldn’t tell whether the flush across her cheeks was because of the chilling winds or if her mind was to blame, but it pulled a rather dramatic sigh from her, regardless.

With the click of her lock, she pulled her key from the door and shoved her hands into her coat pockets. That was another thing she was chastising herself for; Diana had forgotten her gloves that morning, even after repeatedly telling herself the whole time she had been getting ready to remember to take them. She could even picture right where they were sitting on the top of her dresser.

Honestly, Diana didn’t know why she suddenly felt this overwhelming need to pick apart every little thing she’d done recently, and tell herself off for it at that. It was just that the last thing she had expected to be doing tonight was standing outside of Wesker’s house when she had far more important things to be doing.

Dinner together was… unwise. A waste of time. And yet, here she was.

The short walk to his door felt impossibly long, and she looked around the front of his house, taking in the exterior of it like she’d done countless times before. There were no houseplants present to give it life, the doormat was plain black rubber, and although there was room on his porch for a bistro set, or perhaps a bench, it was simply barren. He was always more concerned with the necessities, but it would do him some good to at least add something out here, even just to make it unique compared to the other, almost identical houses it sat amongst.

Despite its decorations, or lack thereof, his proud little house always brought her some comfort. Diana wasn’t sure why exactly. Perhaps because there was some charm to it – or something of the like. Her apartment was nice enough, although a bit cramped for her tastes, but to have a home in this area would be much more preferable; the affluent suburbs on the eastside of the city housed the elite, where she belonged, not some drab apartment building at the centre of commotion.

She shouldn’t be entertaining such nonsensical thoughts anyhow, not when she was simply on a job. Still, two years in Raccoon City and she was stuck with that little thing in Uptown when she deserved much better.

It was of little concern, really; hopefully she wouldn’t be here much longer and she could return to the house she’d purchased as a treat to herself following her “divorce” – though that notion only made her chest feel tighter as opposed to the reassurance she was trying to garner.

As soon as Diana rang the doorbell, her hand retreated to the safety of her warm coat just as quickly as it had left it. There was this churning in the pit of her stomach, telling her something was off, different, and yet she wasn’t sure why. It was only dinner, but to be seeing him again so soon truly was a bit peculiar to her; they usually only ran into one another a couple of times a week, if that.

She was overthinking things again.

But it was his fault for complicating matters between them a few months back. Or so she chose to believe, unwilling to take responsibility for her share of the blame. Although, he was the one who decided to say that she belonged to him in the middle of one of their recent trysts, that she was his, and she couldn’t quite let that go.

It didn’t take long before the front door opened and she was met with a rather worn out looking man, the very same one who had managed to distract her from her work. Wesker was missing his signature sunglasses and Diana found that rather curious; they were almost like a permanent fixture on his face, only really coming off when they slept together, but their absence was something she wasn’t really used to day-to-day.

She was certainly not complaining though. There was something about those icy blues of his that never failed to lure her in.

“Diana,” Wesker said in greeting, a slight hint of surprise seeping into his otherwise dry tone, “I did not expect you here so soon.”

After his eyes scanned over her once more, he simply stepped aside in the doorway with one of his hands gesturing for her to come in. Despite how flat his voice sounded compared to how he usually was with her of late, Diana chuckled as she brushed past him, withdrawing her hand from her coat again to reach out and slowly trail her fingertips up his arm as she did so. That earned her a barely noticeable shake of his head.

“Oh, please. I thought you valued punctuality,” she teased as she abandoned his arm and brought her hands in front of herself to rub them together instead, revelling in the warmth his home greeted her with. “Or perhaps I just enjoy irritating you, always being too early.”

Wesker scoffed while turning away from her to close the door, no doubt trying to stop any more of that dreaded breeze from coming in, but the smirk pulling on Diana’s lips vanished in an instant. A sudden wave of disappointment washed over her at the lack of any of his usual retort to her teasing.

Quietly sighing to herself, Diana turned her back on him in kind, directing her attention towards whatever that scent was that wafted into the foyer. She couldn’t quite place what he was in the middle of cooking, but there was most definitely garlic butter involved, and it smelt divine.

However, that diversion didn’t occupy her for long, because Wesker’s rich cologne decided to invade her senses instead, shortly followed by the light press of his body against her own. She almost leaned back to feel him closer, to slot into the space made for her, as his hot breath warmed her ear, but she managed to stop herself at the last minute.

“You look lovely tonight, my dear.” His voice was low and almost a purr, reserved for only her to hear, and Diana would have rolled her eyes if not for the pleasant shiver that ran down her spine.

It wasn’t like she’d changed her attire since he’d seen her a few hours ago, when he had dropped in to her lab after speaking to William, when he had handed her one of those awful coffees from the cafeteria, and when he had asked her how her project was progressing – the project she should still be working on at the minute.

And she had a sneaking suspicion the wind had left her with more stray hairs than she would like, leaving her looking far worse off than she had that afternoon. So, she didn’t see much reason for his flattery, even if it did make her heart speed up a little.

Wesker left a fleeting kiss below her ear then reached around and hooked his fingers beneath her coat, prompting Diana to glance back at him. But all he did was gently pull it from her shoulders. She watched him from out of the corner of her eye as he hung it up on the rack by the door, his movements careful and almost calculated, until he turned back towards her, and the warmth of his body returned once more.

He pressed up against her side this time, as opposed to her back, and one of his hands found a home on her waist. The way the arm it belonged to was resting firmly against her as he began leading her towards the kitchen was comforting, secure, yet unmistakably possessive. And she revelled in it.

He had quite a knack for handling her just the way she wanted.

Diana let out a quiet sigh when Wesker stopped them by the dining table and the pressure on the small of her back lessened ever so slightly. She turned in his hold to look up at him, only to find that his eyes were already wandering over her. Those awfully pretty eyes, no longer concealed by his glasses. What she didn’t expect was for him to reach up with his free hand and brush the backs of his fingers across her cheek, and she cursed the flutter that appeared in her stomach at that.

Wesker cradled her chin and merely looked into her eyes for a moment. How blown her pupils were, accompanied by so much warmth, continued to bring forth conflicting feelings for him; he wasn’t sure whether to be unsettled or esteemed by what he could only call adoration on her part. And he was too tired to worry about it tonight.

In an effort to move on from that train of thought, he brushed his thumb over her chin then left a quick peck on her lips. His hand on her back had lingered for a moment too long as he pulled away from her, but he only withdrew to return to his place at the stove, where he’d been busy cooking before she had arrived.

Diana bit down on her lip when she caught the smile that had somehow managed to work its way there while she had been simply watching him. She found that rather pathetic, in all honesty, but he had a way of drawing such treacherous reactions from her.

With a dramatic roll of her eyes and a quiet huff to herself, she shrugged her handbag off of her shoulder and placed it on one of the seats at the dining table. That’s when Diana finally noticed that there were three sets of cutlery laid out on its surface.

She quickly glanced over at Wesker, but he was entirely focused on the pans in front of him, so she could only stare at the rather odd display instead. He hadn’t mentioned anyone else would be joining them when he’d called her, and the absence of wine glasses for once was a bit strange. She would have been annoyed at him for whatever this turn of events was if not for how fascinated she was by it all.

The sound of someone coming down the stairs pulled her from her thoughts soon enough. Soft, uneven steps, as though whoever they belonged to was perhaps skipping down. Another odd occurrence, especially considering the only cars out front were hers and Wesker’s.

The cause of said noise bounded into the open dining area with a hurried glance at the front door then abruptly stopped after catching sight of Diana, hesitating to venture any further in the presence of a stranger.

A little girl.

No more than ten years old, if Diana had to guess. She could have sworn she looked familiar, but from where, she couldn’t quite place. It was right there – the nagging feeling that she knew who this was, sitting at the back of her mind, just out of reach. And it was beyond frustrating.

The girl with big blue eyes that matched her school uniform gave Diana an apprehensive, barely-there smile as she shifted her weight from one foot to the other. Diana’s staring was no doubt making her uncomfortable, the way her eyes kept darting between her and Wesker was proof of that, but she was too busy trying to piece together who she was to even care.

Suddenly, the girl hurried over to Wesker and latched onto his side furthest from Diana. It was as though she was using him as a protective barrier of sorts, and that was more amusing than it should’ve been. However, the sight that followed next took Diana by surprise.

Wesker placed a hand on the top of her head in greeting, and Diana noticed the way he brushed her fringe aside then carefully tucked one of the many stray blonde strands that had come loose from her pigtails behind her ear. A small smile crossed the girl’s face at that, but she still stayed glued to his side, holding onto his shirt even when he returned to stirring the contents of the pan occupying his attention.

That was weird to Diana; she would’ve expected him to be annoyed by this child hanging off of him while he was in the middle of doing something, but then again, she had no idea who this child was exactly.

For a while, the girl only peeked around Wesker every now and again to look at the tall, frightening woman across the room. This stranger was definitely not who she had expected to see when she had rushed down the stairs at the sound of multiple voices, and it left her feeling somewhat deflated, though much more on edge.

When she tightened her hold on Wesker again, the sound of paper crumpling reminded her of the rolled-up drawing in one of her hands, which she’d completely forgotten about amidst her surprise.

“Oh! Here.” She perked up a little as she freed Wesker’s shirt from her grasp to stand back and unroll the piece of paper, then she proudly presented it to him. “It’s you, mommy and daddy!”

Wesker looked down with a raised brow, and Diana could only watch from afar as he seemed to study the child’s drawing. His head tilted to the side and she could’ve sworn she saw the corners of his lips twitch, even if it was only faint.

“Very good,” he said, tone a touch too dry, but the girl beamed at his praise, regardless. Then Wesker leaned down to whisper in her ear, an elusive hint of mischief laced through his voice, “But why is your father so tall?”

The little girl’s brows knit together in confusion as she stared at him for a moment, then she turned the drawing around in her hands to direct the same gaze to it as well. The way her head tilted to the side was much more dramatic than Wesker’s had been, and she chewed on her bottom lip as she inspected her own art, trying to figure out what he meant.

Looking back up at him after no more than a minute, she giggled then blurted out, “You’re the same height, silly!”

Wesker was almost offended by that little remark, but he only huffed out a quiet chuckle and gave her a quick pat on the shoulder. There was a much more pressing matter he needed to tend to instead of getting defensive over a child’s drawing that was obviously inaccurate.

As soon as he turned around, his eyes locked on to his guest – his beautiful, brilliant guest, who was now leaning against the kitchen wall with a slight smile on her lips and her arms crossed in front of her chest. It was an odd state of affairs, that was for sure, but he supposed he’d have to make do with the change of plans. The least he could do was introduce the two of them, or Sherry would probably want to rush off and eat her dinner in the spare room he’d put together for her a while back.

“Sherry, this is Diana,” Wesker said while gesturing a hand in the latter’s direction.

Ah, the Birkin girl. That makes sense. The fact that she hadn’t put that together sooner made Diana feel like an absolute moron, especially considering she’d seen that family portrait on Annette’s desk countless times before. It was painstakingly obvious to her now though, the resemblance to William clear as day – with the nervous energy to boot.

Sherry only turned to look over at Diana as well, and the hesitation from earlier took hold of her once more as she was reminded that there was someone unfamiliar in the house. When she didn’t say anything, only keeping her eyes trained on Diana – as though tearing her gaze away would have unforeseen consequences – Wesker sighed.

“Where are your manners, darling?” he asked, trying to prompt her to introduce herself, but that only made her chew on her lip while she nervously played with the corners of her drawing. It took another quick glance from him before Sherry shifted on her feet and nodded, more to herself in encouragement than in response to him.

“I’m…” Her voice was faint, barely even a whisper, so she paused and took a moment to swallow the lump in her throat before trying again. “I’m Sherry, nice to meet you.” A timid smile was offered afterwards until her eyes went comically wide and she hurriedly added, “Ma’am!”

Diana didn’t want to laugh at the poor thing; it was obvious she was unsettled by her presence. Unless she truly was just shy. Knowing who her parents were though, Diana wouldn’t be surprised if Sherry was raised to look at everyone she met with suspicion. A good way to be, in her opinion, and not entirely unwarranted in this case.

It was a bit strange, however, that Diana hoped the girl didn’t know that she worked with her parents. In a manner of speaking, that is. She couldn’t care less about the G-Virus, or Umbrella, but the Hunters were a fun little project she was very glad she had gotten her hands on. Annette and William were… okay, but they were always at the lab, even hours after she left most nights. She’d never really thought about the ramifications that would have for their daughter before, that she was probably left on her own quite often and not given nearly enough attention.

And that pissed her off.

Perhaps she shouldn’t play the “wicked witch” tonight – a nickname William liked to call her when he thought she couldn’t hear him. There was no reason to make the girl more anxious than she already was. Uncrossing her arms, Diana crouched down, not moving any closer towards Sherry but simply showing her that she wasn’t a threat.

Sherry looked up at Wesker and he nodded. “She doesn’t bite.”

The way his eyes locked on to Diana’s once the words left his mouth, a glint present in those otherwise tired blues, made her clench her jaw in an effort to stop how her lips wanted to pull upwards. She would’ve punched him in the shoulder for that if she was standing next to him, but instead, she could only send a glare his way.

That was rewarded with the smug smirk she’d grown quite accustomed to over the past year, and by God, did she want to wipe that off of his face.

Infuriating. Absolutely infuriating, he was.

Wesker only tore his eyes from hers to look down at the stove. With a quiet hum, he turned off the burners and spoke in Sherry’s direction again. “Then wash up. Dinner’s almost ready.”

Sherry, unaware of their silent exchange, placed her drawing down on the counter and Wesker glanced at it once more from out of the corner of his eye. It was ridiculous, but that image reminded him of what felt like simpler times – when they had all been much closer; William wasn’t as paranoid back then, though still painfully obsessive, and he wasn’t so… fed up, to put it lightly.

Sighing to himself, he reached up to pull three bowls out of a cabinet, but Sherry was still lingering at his side. It took another small nod of encouragement before she walked closer to where Diana was patiently waiting, the woman’s eerie eyes only wandering over her, but that just made Sherry play with her hands again.

Diana forced out a sweet smile in hopes to ease the girl’s anxiety, trying her best not to scare her anymore than she already had, though she wondered how insincere it must look. Truth is, she was just as uneasy around this child as she was around her.

Then she realised that she hadn’t actually spoken since Sherry had wandered into the kitchen. Not even a word. And that probably wasn’t helping matters much. She had simply been too interested in observing the way Wesker interacted with Sherry that she hadn’t even thought to speak up; it would’ve only disrupted the opportunity she’d been given to see him like this, when she wasn’t sure she’d ever get another chance.

“I’m Diana.” She reluctantly held out her hand as she spoke, trying to subdue any disgust that threatened to seep out onto her features.

Oh, how she wished she was wearing her gloves right about now. Children were such repulsive little things in her eyes, always getting their hands dirty then touching everything they could. The smudging of colours on the side of Sherry’s hand certainly wasn’t doing Diana any favours.

A large grin spread across Sherry’s face and her eyes lit up at finally hearing the imposing figure’s voice. Curiously enough though, she mouthed Diana’s name to herself, like she was sounding it out and noting the slight difference in pronunciation from how both she and Wesker had said it, and Diana was quite surprised the girl had even picked up on that. It wasn’t obvious like a certain other pronunciation – which she despised – but Wesker’s was far more… American.

Sherry reached out and tentatively took hold of Diana’s hand, shaking it softly. All Diana could think of in that moment was how fragile that tiny hand felt in hers, and it was weird. Everything happening tonight was weird. Sherry, on the other hand, seemed much more interested in scanning her face now that she could see her up close.

Realising she was still holding on to Diana’s hand, Sherry quickly let it go and pulled her own away like she’d been burnt all of a sudden. While clasping it with its pair in front of herself, she offered the woman another smile. “You’re really pretty!”

Diana actually let out a genuine little chuckle at that, and she didn’t miss the way Wesker glanced over his shoulder to look at the two of them. “Thank you.”

“Uncle Albert?” Sherry turned her head to look over at him and he only hummed in acknowledgement. “Don’t you think she’s really pretty?”

“She is,” Wesker agreed. His voice was softer than it had been all evening, and that, combined with the slight upturn of his lips, made Diana’s heart jump in her chest.

Perhaps she gazed at him for a moment too long, because Sherry curiously looked back and forth between the two of them with wide eyes. Her lips curled up at the corners then she leaned in closer to Diana, almost as if she wished to tell her a secret.

She made no attempt to lower her voice, however.

“Are you Uncle Albert’s girlfriend?”

And that was why Diana chose not to converse with children if she could help it.

Her eyes flitted over to Wesker again, and he seemed a touch more tense than before, jaw clenched and shoulders practically drawn up to his ears. Although he busied himself with serving up their dishes, his movements were rigid, and Diana didn’t know what to think of that. She did, however, feel rather proud of herself for being able to get a read on him when most couldn’t.

That was unfortunate for Wesker though, because it gave her an idea. A terrible one, but an idea, nonetheless.

Diana hunched down a little lower and rounded her shoulders to mirror Sherry’s stance, prompting the girl to shuffle a slight bit closer as her grin widened. “I’m not quite sure. Perhaps you should ask Uncle Albert that question.”

Sherry turned around swiftly on her heels, facing him with renewed curiosity. Diana shouldn’t have thought the whole ordeal hilarious; she was most certainly not his girlfriend, or perhaps she was blissfully unaware that the situation they had found themselves in definitely made her seem as such, but it was simply fun to push his buttons.

The moment the girl opened her mouth to ask him instead, Wesker cut her off before she could even get a chance. “Why don’t you go wash up?”

The bite to his tone made Sherry freeze on the spot; she was as still as a statue, save for her eyes moving between the two adults to scan over them. Little good that did as she couldn’t quite gauge what was wrong. The air in the room felt much heavier than before, hanging around them like a thick fog. Or more like steam, considering how her cheeks began to burn up from shame.

She had only asked a simple question, she didn’t mean to make him mad.

Sherry nodded, a bit too quickly, then hung her head and hurried out of the room. The sigh that sounded from behind her fell on deaf ears as she was too focused on navigating her way to her room instead of the bathroom, counting her steps as she went.

The moment the girl was out of sight, Diana stood up from her crouched position and took a moment to brush any creases out of her skirt. While readjusting the hem to lay straight right above her knees, her eyes stayed fixed on Wesker – or more accurately, his back, now that he’d turned away from her.

You’re no fun, she thought to herself while her tongue pressed against the side of her cheek for merely a fraction of a second.

She crossed the distance between them to position herself at his side, leaning against the counter on her hip while her eyes wandered over his profile. He wouldn’t even look at her. If she knew he was going to get so sour over a little joke, she wouldn’t have said anything in the first place.

“Are you mad at me?” Diana asked while leaning in closer towards him. The way she spoke was in a far more mocking manner than she should have, the pout in her voice entirely to draw a reaction from him.

Wesker sighed once more then finally looked at her. “No.”

That was all he said before he continued to neatly arrange the dirtied pans and utensils he’d used by the sink, so Diana chose not to push what must be a touchy subject for him any further. He sounded exhausted, and that was the second time that night he hadn’t met her teasing, but at least his tone wasn’t harsh like before. His features had even softened ever so slightly when he’d looked at her – though that didn’t last long once he returned to his task.

Seeing him without his sunglasses like this was really something she wasn’t accustomed to; that made her wonder where they could possibly be if not perched atop that sharp nose of his. Their absence provided her with a sort of confronting view. When they’d fallen into bed, or tangled tongues, or even showered together on occasion, she had never really noticed, but now, outside of the heat of the moment and watching him do something so ordinary, she could see that he was wearing himself thin.

The dark circles under his eyes were quite telling of his position, juggling being Umbrella’s Chief of Security with being thrown into an undercover job that held a title of equal responsibility. Whoever thought that was a brilliant idea was clearly deluded, but Diana knew there was no one else more capable for the role.

It wasn’t her place to pass judgement anyhow. She was technically working three jobs, but it wasn’t really the same. The lines blurred more for her. She only had to send reports back to the company as she did her research within Umbrella, not continue to work in a lab with them as well. And her position at the university was merely a front before she’d head underground and take the cable car to the NEST.

Diana pressed her lips together then looked in the direction Sherry had disappeared off to. That was something she was still immensely curious about.

Tilting her head to the side as she let her gaze fall on him once more, she offered Wesker a subtle smile and brushed her hair back behind her ear. “You don’t seem the type to like children.”

“I don’t,” he admitted, “but she is an exception.”

Wesker said no more than that, clipped and short once again, and not bothering to elaborate any further. But the feeling of eyes boring a hole into the side of his head eventually made him acquiesce with a huff.

“I look after her when her parents are more concerned with their research.”

That harsh bite to his tone was back, and it caught Diana off guard this time. She didn’t realise he held such reservations towards his close friend, though she understood it more than she wished. A child deserves parents who will cherish them – even she could admit that. But she couldn’t tell if the way he spoke was because she had struck a nerve by entertaining Sherry’s questioning, or if the fact that the girl’s parents were so absent in her life actually bothered him. It could have also been that looking after her was taking up his own time when she wasn’t even his responsibility.

Diana reached out and ran her fingertips across his shoulder and towards his jaw. How he held his breath when they travelled up his neck always delighted her, but she only laid her hand flat against the side with her fingers curling around to his nape. After a short moment of her thumb slowly gliding back and forth along his jaw, Wesker leisurely turned his head from where he was still looking down at the sink and met her gaze.

The question in those weary blues drew another smile from Diana, slowly pulling on her lips and near crinkling the corners of her eyes. She lifted her hand and gently hooked her forefinger beneath his chin while pressing her thumb down against it, then she pulled him closer towards herself so she could press a soft kiss to his lips.

It lasted only a second. A brief touch of her lips to his own. But Wesker’s eyes remained closed even once she had withdrawn. His posture was still stiff, muscles pulled taut, and his nostrils flared when he inhaled. The crease between his brows had also deepened due to whatever battle he was fighting up in that head of his, but the last thing Diana wanted tonight was for him to go and believe she was pressuring him into making their “arrangement” more than what it was.

“Relax,” she whispered and he slowly opened his eyes, “I do not care to put a label on whatever this is. I simply enjoy your company.”

Diana was relieved to see the tension in his shoulders and jaw ease up at that, but why the topic was so difficult for him intrigued her. Perhaps his experience with committed relationships was not too dissimilar from her own. Or he truly just wanted something casual with her. Which was fine. And having to confront where they stood with one another was too much of a hassle. She couldn’t agree more.

She let go of his chin to rest her palm on his shoulder. “I only wished to poke fun, but this was… unexpected.”

“It’s fine. It was a joke,” Wesker replied dismissively.

“A joke that made you uncomfortable.” Diana averted her gaze, looking down at her hand instead, where her thumb was brushing along the stitching of his shirt. Then she softly shook her head. “It was in poor taste. We agreed this was… Nevermind. I shouldn’t have overstepped your boundaries like that.”

Wesker’s eyes narrowed as he observed her expression. She didn’t usually apologise for her admittedly endearing behaviour – he gathered that’s what she was trying to do, at least. Besides, if he wasn’t so tightly wound, and hadn’t heard his former partner’s name spoken in passing earlier that week, maybe such a comment wouldn’t have affected him to this extent.

He didn’t need her fretting over something as trivial as this though. It was clearly a slip up on his part, letting a joke like that make him uncomfortable in the first place.

“It’s fine,” Wesker repeated, not as terse as before, yet still more distant than how they had grown to be with one another. “She brought it up and—”

Diana placed her free hand over his clenched fist on the counter; he hadn’t even realised he’d done that. “We don’t need to talk about it.”

That, he was thankful for. She always seemed to know when he wasn’t ready to broach a topic, and she never held that against him. It wasn’t something he was used to; people always liked to pry into his personal matters and press him to open up when he didn’t want to, or when he simply wasn’t ready, but not Diana.

And she could read him so well. William was really the only person besides his sister who could see through him, understand him, and now there was her… Wesker didn’t know what he’d expected asking Diana to join him tonight when he was in a foul mood and she was clearly too busy, but it wasn’t this.

He hadn’t accounted for his whole day to go even further south after lunch either. It was getting harder to think, honestly, and despite being the one to invite her over in the first place, part of him just wanted to go to bed and end the day already.

Wesker reached up and covered the hand still resting on his shoulder with his own, and he gave it a light squeeze. That made warmth bloom from the centre of Diana’s chest, and she didn’t bother suppressing the smile that had managed to sneak its way onto her face. It only deepened when he brought her hand to his lips and pressed a fleeting kiss to the back of it, before he dropped it just as quickly.

He lifted two of the bowls off of the counter and manoeuvred past her towards the dining table, and Diana lightly shook her head, the smile on her lips not wavering in the slightest. Just like that, a moment ended in an instant. So, she picked up the last dish and followed suit, carefully placing it down where she usually sat.

It wasn’t odd for him to do that, especially not of late, when he would give her a peek into how tender he could be before catching himself, but what was unusual to her was how distracted he seemed. Diana had already gathered that he was tired, sure, but the way he glanced down at his watch, prompting a frown to etch into his features, like cracks in porcelain, made her well aware that something was wrong.

With only a curious look cast his way, Wesker revealed his thoughts to her almost instantly. “William was supposed to pick her up over an hour ago.”

Well then… It seemed as though his friend was definitely the cause of his ire. Whether it was because of Sherry’s wellbeing or because he preferred punctuality, it didn’t matter; it was William who had infuriated him, she only twisted the knife. Or so she believed.

“Oh? And here I thought this little dinner with her was all planned,” Diana playfully teased with a soft smirk pulling up the corner of her lips. That was rewarded with a small chuckle from Wesker.

How he had hung his head with a light nod to it as the quiet sound spilled from his lips brought about that revolting flutter in the pit of Diana’s stomach. She hated that feeling, well and truly hated it, yet she took his reaction as a win; all she could hope for was that her presence could ease the worries nagging at his mind tonight, even just a little. An arrogant belief, some might say, but she knew she could offer a bit of humour when she liked someone well enough.

Wesker’s eyes locked on to hers from across the table and it felt as if the world around them had fallen away, like time itself had stopped. For but a moment, it was just the two of them, no one else existed, and neither dared to move.

Things would be so much simpler if she had just kept her resolve a couple of months back and ended whatever this game of theirs was. She wouldn’t have to deal with these ridiculous reactions her body loved to have around him then.

He broke the stillness first, rounding the table to stand at her back, just like he’d done when he had welcomed her inside. Diana steadied herself by holding onto the top of the chair she should’ve just sat down in when they had walked over, but Wesker simply laid a hand on the side of her hip while the other reached up to brush her hair aside. His hot breath warmed her now-exposed neck, and Diana’s breath caught in her throat.

Like always, the press of his lips was so much softer than she had anticipated.

“I’ll be just a minute,” he whispered as he pulled away.

A single chaste kiss, placed right on the junction of her neck and shoulder. Molten sparks danced across every inch of Diana’s skin, and she was glad Wesker didn’t spare her so much as a glance when he walked past her and disappeared up the stairs; she had no doubt her cheeks were flushed pink, and that was embarrassing enough in and of itself.

She slumped down into her chair, rather unceremoniously at that, and let out a heavy sigh. Tonight would have been much better if she had just declined his offer, gone back to her miserable little apartment, and clinked glasses with that annoying robin that liked to sit and peck away at her window every morning.

Yeah, I want to attack my reflection as well, buddy. She’s a right moron.

Diana directed her attention towards the dish in front of her instead, and that didn’t help. Pasta with garlic butter prawns. Or shrimp, as he liked to correct her so often. That explained the mouth-watering scent she’d been enveloped in the moment she had walked in the door – but why did he have to cook one of her favourites tonight, of all nights? He was making it incredibly difficult for her to hate him.

Where was Sherry and her invasive little questions when she needed her?

The girl was taking much too long in washing up, and Diana selfishly wanted her to come back and distract her from the mess of thoughts going on inside her head. There was also the grumbling in her stomach, much more pronounced now that she’d finally got a proper look at what Wesker had cooked.

She didn’t have to wait long; the sound of a door clicking shut followed by two sets of footsteps made her look over towards the stairs. Sherry was skipping down them again, seeming happier than she had been when she’d left the kitchen earlier, and Wesker trailed behind her.

He rubbed at his forehead as he took his time walking down each step. A stark contrast to Sherry, who triumphantly hopped off the last one then dashed over to the dining table to stand at Diana’s side. She turned in her seat to face the girl, who had a large grin stretched across her face, and was immediately met with a drawing being presented to her this time around.

“This is for you!” Sherry proudly announced, holding the drawing out at arm’s length.

Diana felt frozen in place. She didn’t really know what to do in this sort of situation, and it was honestly rather puzzling to her that this little girl was raised – loosely speaking – by parents such as hers. Her cheerful and sweet nature seeped out through the cracks in her timid and distant demeanour, like rays of light shining from beyond the clouds on an overcast day. Why that disturbed her, Diana wasn’t sure. Perhaps because she felt as though this girl’s light may be extinguished given the hand she was dealt, that she would grow up and lose this spark.

Swallowing to rid herself of the horrid feeling sitting at the base of her throat, Diana reached out and carefully took the drawing from Sherry’s hands.

It was cute… That, she couldn’t deny. The image was of herself and Wesker – at least, that’s who she inferred the man with yellow hair and sunglasses was.

Upon further inspection, Diana noticed that the miniature versions of the two of them were holding hands, and that made her lips turn up far too easily. The last thing she would’ve expected a child to pull from her was a genuine smile, and over a drawing, of all things.

Diana looked back up at Sherry, though her fingers still danced over the back of the paper, almost as if she didn’t want to part with it just yet. ��Thank you, Sherry.”

“Do you like it?” Sherry bounced on her feet as she spoke, and it hit Diana then.

She was once this little girl… So eager to show off what she was passionate about only for her parents to pay her no mind, to not care, so she would show anyone who took even the slightest interest – anyone who was remotely nice to her.

It damages a child, to have parents who are rarely home, who leave them to their own devices so often, then never show concern for their wellbeing. Her parents were like that: indifferent and absent for long stretches of time. And when they were home, Diana was made to feel like a bother. She hadn’t realised how much that had all affected her until she was in her twenties, when it was too late.

That was something she didn’t think much of anymore. It was easier that way. But for it to crop up tonight, amongst everything else… This visit had truly not panned out the way she had expected.

Diana placed the drawing down on the table and allowed her smile to properly take up residence across her face. It was the least she could do for the little girl. “I do. You are quite the artist.”

Sherry beamed at that before she hurried over to her seat; how her eyes lit up brought Diana a feeling similar to that of when she accomplished something with her work. It wasn’t quite pride, but more gentle and comforting. Fulfilling.

The moment Diana turned back to face Wesker, she was met with his eyes already firmly fixed on her. The unreadable look in them made her narrow her own, trying to prompt some clarification from him, but he only offered her this soft, almost appreciative, smile – as faint as it was.

And she returned the gesture in kind.

Dinner together was uneventful, devoid of their lengthy debates or discussing what had occurred for the both of them since seeing each other last. Diana’s teasing was also completely out of the question due to their little guest, who actually tried to bring up their relationship status out of nowhere once again. That ended in Wesker having to explain to her that not every woman who was in close proximity to him was his girlfriend, and yet Sherry had pressed on.

“But you really like her!”

Diana had tried not to laugh. The last thing she wanted was for Sherry to send him into cardiac arrest over whatever his troubles with relationships were. As harmless an inquiry it was, she understood the weight it could hold.

Wesker, on the other hand, wasn’t so dismissive. He had caught himself almost worrying over this conclusion Sherry had come to – if it actually held weight.

Sure, he enjoyed Diana’s company more than he cared to admit, and he often got too jealous for his own good when others showed an interest in her, but he didn’t consider her his girlfriend. That was such a juvenile term. Had he thought of her as a lover, or partner, from time to time? Unfortunately. But it was quite obvious to him that she preferred their “no strings attached” sort of arrangement.

They did spend an awful lot of time together though.

That didn’t necessarily mean they were together. Absolutely not. She was fascinating is all, and he found her games to be quite fun. Whatever attraction he had to her would fizzle out soon enough, as soon as he got bored – a blatant lie he liked to tell himself, considering how much it had bothered him when he was without her for a month, and the fact that said attraction had been going on for over a year at this point.

They were almost finished with their meals when one of the landlines went off; the shrill ringing made Wesker’s eyes squeeze shut of their own accord, though for merely half a second. He sighed as he stood up to go and answer it, and one of his hands smoothed down Sherry’s hair as he passed by her.

It was late, and the poor girl looked as though she was going to fall asleep right at the table – fork in hand and all. Diana wondered if she had a bedroom in Wesker’s house that she could stay in for the night; she had no doubt Sherry’s parents had stayed at work until dawn on occasion, so surely he had something arranged for her whenever such an incident occurred. At least, she hoped so.

She watched the way Sherry was staring off in the direction Wesker had gone. The side of her hand was resting on the table, fork in a loose grasp between her fingers and merely sitting on the food left in her bowl. Diana slowly reached across the table and gently tapped one of her fingers on the surface beside it a few times to capture her attention.

“Finish up your dinner,” she quietly said, keeping her voice softer for the girl once their eyes had met.

Sherry nodded and looked back down at her food before she began picking at it. The utter dejection in her eyes shouldn’t have made Diana’s heart crack in two. Since when did she care about the feelings of children? The girl’s low spirits could easily be attributed to how tired she was, and what a long day she had been through seeing some strange woman in a space so familiar to her. It certainly wasn’t because of her situation that hit a little too close to home for Diana… That was absurd.

However, Diana did really want to give the girl’s parents an earful the next time she saw them in the lab.

She glanced over to where Sherry had been looking and caught sight of Wesker in the lounge room, pinching the bridge of his nose while he spoke on the phone. She couldn’t make out any of what was being said, he was too far away for that, but he looked even more frustrated than before.

Wesker let out a heavy sigh before he said what was barely even a farewell and hung up. Diana noticed how his jaw clenched for a second, before he shook his head. He made his way back over to the table and Sherry looked up at him expectantly; her eyes were open wide and a hopeful smile was scarcely contained at the corners of her lips.

“Your mother is on her way,” he said, then cocked his head in the direction of the stairs. “Why don’t you go and gather your things?”

Sherry’s brief excitement vanished in an instant then. “Daddy said he’d pick me up.”

The words had barely left her mouth they were so quiet, but Diana could recognise the resignation amongst the hurt. This wasn’t new. It was as if the girl was used to this, like she had accounted for the possibility but had still held onto a small glimmer of hope, and that bothered Diana far too much. She had been trying so hard to convince herself that the situation wasn’t that bad.

“I know, darling.” Wesker placed his hands on her shoulders once she had slipped out of her chair. He slowly rubbed up and down her arms for a moment, in some futile attempt to comfort her, before he guided her towards the stairs. “Go on.”

The two of them watched Sherry drag herself out of the room, making no attempt to properly lift her feet as she walked. It made for a dreadful sight, honestly, one Diana wished she hadn’t seen. She waited until Sherry had gone up the stairs, where she was sure the girl was well out of earshot, then she looked up at Wesker.

“Does this happen often?” she asked, keeping her voice relatively low, yet unaware of how much concern was dripping off of her words.

Wesker sighed for another time that night, and slowly nodded as he sat back down across from her. That was all he offered on the matter, simply settling back in his seat instead, and silence washed over them.

It wasn’t awkward per se, things rarely ever were with them, but the whole mood in the house had shifted once more.

Wesker closed his eyes and tilted his head back, resting it on the top of his chair. Diana couldn’t quite discern whether that was from frustration, exhaustion, or if he was possibly in pain, considering how she noticed him wince at the ringing earlier. Perhaps it was a mix of all three. She couldn’t help but wonder why he had invited her over in the first place, because even if Sherry’s being there hadn’t been planned, his exhaustion seemed to her as the result of a few nights of disturbed sleep, not just one day’s events.

He cleared his throat then looked around the kitchen, his eyes scanning over every surface in sight, as though searching for something. Diana let her own follow the path his took, but nothing seemed out of place to her. The crease between his brows had deepened though, and it almost looked as though he was struggling to keep his eyes open.

When it was clear to him that whatever he was looking for was nowhere to be found, Wesker turned his gaze on Diana instead. “Will you stay tonight?”

Diana’s body almost betrayed her in letting a grin slip out onto her lips and make itself known to him; such a question shouldn’t have pulled that sort of response. Instead, she contained that treacherous smile and only sighed with a slight raise of her brows.

“I hadn’t planned to,” she said with a shrug.

She propped her elbow up on the table’s surface and rested her chin on her palm, leaning forward slightly – closer towards him. They only held eye contact with one another, and Diana couldn’t shake the thought that maybe he was actually in pain, judging by the tension tugging at every one of his muscles. 

With that, she gave him a glimpse of her thinly veiled smile then added, “And you’re tired.”

Wesker let out a small laugh as merely an exhale while he nodded in an unhurried manner. That was for the best, he supposed. He wasn’t even sure why he’d asked, really. So, he looked off to the side again and let his eyes scan over the lounge room this time, cursing himself in the process as he tried to retrace the steps he’d taken since that afternoon.

“Do you want me to stay?”

His head snapped to look back at Diana and his eyes were instantly drawn to her own, locking on again for what felt like the hundredth time that night. How gently she had spoken caught Wesker off guard, but the question itself… He chewed on the inside of his cheek then sucked in a sharp breath.

“Yes.”

[a-lwni]

today i spent 4 hours in the waiting room at urgent care for them to tell me it's not strep, it's not covid, it's not the flu, but here's 5 prescriptions [that i won't fill], we swabbed for another test and they sent it out to the lab and "we'll call you tomorrow with the results and if we need to prescribe antibiotics we'll do that then"

in the wide gulfs between contact i felt like i was losing my shit, pacing up and down the room thinking it does not have to be like this, why is it like this

and then i went to my dad's, gave my nephew a blanket that liz got for him - it's blue, soft, and has a pillowed hood with a cute face. the second i saw him i wrapped him in a hug and he hasn't taken it off since.

their mom got kicked out last weekend and the week since has been brutal, i just want to hold them and hold them. i sat the two kids down and asked them about the altercation, how they felt, tried to give them space to share. sad, powerless. their mom got into a room yesterday. they saw it, love it there, the owner of that house has the sweetest dog named doggy. then we went to ride bikes and run around the backyard for a couple hours. made them lunch, just hot dogs.

later A and i went to pick up dinner and we talked and talked and talked

about our recent breakups, today's the first day i've felt like a person since

about the time i called him from work because i'd accidentally eaten a whole bar of liz's shroom chocolate. that trip was all anxiety except for that call. it was euphoria to hear his voice thru the line. the clarity i had at the end of the trip was about how much i wanted to be with E. how genuinely i wanted to try. now look at us. 'but the experience was real,' he said 'you really loved each other. it hurts but you'll remember that'

about 'the markets.' he's always trying to grow his money, be prudent with it. our dad made a lot, but was selfish with it. my brother wants to make money and make it accessible to everybody he cares about - housing, employment, security. i love him for this. i love him for many reasons. and i like hearing him talk about something he cares about. but i do not care about the markets. i tell him the most valuable investment is probably your time. if you like thinking about stocks, options, yields, whateverwhatever go off, make your money work for you or whatever, that's a valuable investment. i make a few extra hundred a month getting to spend time with kaleb, this beautiful kid i tutor who is obsessed with puns. we do math, we read, we play chess, we talk about life, hold space for each other. this is a valuable investment

before i left i let my brother [the kids' dad] emotion dump on me for an hour and a half. i confirmed how fucked it is to live without any tenant rights. at the whims of our family weather, how dad exploited the tumult in your marriage to eject your wife and because all the papers are... dubious... you have no recourse, no leverage

when i got into my car to drive home i screamed, cried, felt renewed. like a person who can face the week

[nagito-komaeda-is-gnc-af]

Kokichi only gained Gonta's trust just to use him.

Even the Ultimate Kokichi Stan/theorist, oumakokichi on Tumblr, said that Gonta and Ouma's relationship is inherently abusive. WHEN THE ULTIMATE KOKICHI STAN/ANALYST SAYS THAT, AT LEAST TRY TO PAY ATTENTION.

"Gonta is someone who trusts others implicitly, always tries to see the best in people, and is kind, gentle, and compassionate. Throughout earlier chapters, but especially in Chapter 4, Ouma comes down hard on him, insults him, and tells him to "stop moping" or "focusing on what he can't do" and while these things are likely the same kind of act that he put on in order to force Himiko to confront the promise she made to Tenko, it still doesn't change the fact that he says pretty awful things to Gonta in order to achieve these results."

"To try and ship Gonta and Ouma in a romantic fashion or anything similar is just...really not good. Gonta doesn't deserve to be put in any kind of shipping dynamic where he's going to be seen as anything less than equal, and there's really no way to deny that Ouma doesn't see him as an equal, but as a piece to be moved on a gameboard. This is something really important to be remembered with most ships, in my opinion, but with this one in particular I'll just say that it does really make me uncomfortable that people would want to make this kind of treatment into something "cutesy" or "shippy" when it's really not supposed to be, and not portrayed as such by the game." (Lunarin64art: "This sign can't stop me because I can't read".)

"An undeniable part of why he relies on Gonta probably comes down to the fact that yes, he does see him as one of the more easily manipulated members of the group. As one of the only characters whose reaction is to trust even Ouma implicitly, rather than to assume that he's lying, Gonta and his sweet, trusting disposition mean that whenever Ouma does have a plan that needs being done, he always has a pretty accessible, physically strong member of the group to rely on. This is pretty evident with the fact that he knew Gonta looked large and intimidating enough to round up all the members of the group into the entomology lab while Ouma himself was off trying to collect evidence."

In any good Virtual Simulation AU everyone is alive and well except Kokichi, because Miu, Maki or (the best option) Gonta put him off life support before he could wake and that fucker died as he deserved. Everyone was happy he died and absolutely no one mourned him.

You REALLY thought Kokichi would ACTUALLY INFORM Gonta about the Bugvac? When Kokichi NEEDED to keep Gonta's self-esteem as low as possible so that he would be easier to manipulate. Of course he wouldn't show Gonta anything that could make him believe in himself. What a stupid pile of filth you are.

"He never treats Gonta the way he did on chp4 on any other part of the game." 

Okay, how about Kokichi telling Gonta that if he keeps being so gullible it would get him killed while PLANNING to get him killed since Day 1, being a shit to Gonta in their pre-Free Time Events in Chapter 2, manipulating Gonta into kidnapping everyone by telling him that his classmates hate bugs (Which was a part of Kokichi's plan to get rid of Ryoma and Kirumi by letting Kirumi kill Ryoma, so Kokichi basically made Gonta indirectly cause two people's deaths)? Kokichi telling Gonta "nothing good ever happens when you try to help" in Chapter 3? Kokichi constantly calling Gonta an idiot?

" I also find it strange how there are still people who actually think that Ouma didn't care about Gonta. That was legitimately one of his most obvious lies in the entire game. His end talk with Kaito wouldn't make any sense otherwise, nor his interactions with Gonta on TDP and DRS." 

His interactions with Gonta in TDP and DRS don't show that he cares for him in the slightest. Aside from Ouma's graduation event, where he slightly regrets abusing Gonta for three years, there's literally no indication that he, in any way, cares about Gonta. Where's it? When he tells Gonta that he's going to kill someone by playing volleyball (TDP)? When he banters with Junko while Gonta just stands here as a prop - he only came to see Junko, who is his bestie, not to protect Gonta from her or stuff, Gonta was never the main objective here (TDP). Two neutral interactions with Gonta where he just farts around without doing or saying anything that would imply he gives a shit about Gonta? (Summer Camp) And two more interactions with Gonta that feature Gonta mostly serving as a mediator between him and the other characters without Ouma ever once doing anything in return for Gonta? (Summer Camp) His every single interaction with Gonta is abusive. Gonta cares about Kokichi and tries to put actual effort into their "friendship". Kokichi just uses him for his own benefit and doesn't give Gonta anything in return.

ok. and? I'm not replying to your other 6 anons. you're putting way too much energy into nothing. it's almost like Danganronpa isn't canon IN canon. and anything can happen. idc what a Kokichi expert says. just because one person puts on a big boy hat and does amazing work to analyze the character doesn't mean I need to care. like they are right. I've never said it wasn't abusive. i like that blog and they are right on many accounts but im allowed to have my own perspective on the characters and plot. people are allowed to do that. but you, the anon, the one using another person's words to justify, clearly have no nuanced takes and a deep-seeded hate for kokichi. if you think JUNKO has any emotions that Kokichi somehow lacks and that he DESERVES DEATH then anything else you said is null to me. maybe you should listen to the kokichi stan about why they stan them. because you're clearly just using another's words to fuel your hate. danganronpa isn't real. irl or in canon. none of it matters. let people ship what they want.

[thisstableground]

lo this many years of complaining about how terrible ruben’s workplace is in DNH and i fully stand by the fact that independence memorial is a horrible lawless nightmare hospital but it did just occur to me that this is possibly why ruben has worked there for so long. because he too is, in fact, a fucking nightmare. 

oh, his research papers are important, he’s already made a name for himself in the journals. but his second, anonymous legacy is the paper trail of extremely bizarre and specific rules that pop up in his wake at anywhere he’s ever studied or worked, the kind that make you go “why do they need a rule for this?? who would do that anyway?”. ruben. ruben would do that. he already did. and for every new rule instigated because of him, there are three more things that should also have been banned, it’s just that nobody caught him doing them.

he's been finding ways to chase his own personal research interests regardless of the assignment since the very first time they set a bunsen burner in front of him in high school lab. he wasn’t the well-behaved teacher’s pet, he was the reason that the entire science building got evacuated again. he wasn’t the one getting friendly with all the professors over coffee, he was the one that gave them a creeping sense of dread when they’d come into the lab and find him working there - hey, buddy, is this your final project?? it just doesn’t look like the outline you submitted for approval? did anyone authorise you to do this?

so of course he works somewhere that is both incredibly well-funded and incredibly poorly managed. his ideal workplace is obviously the one that doesn’t pick up on five years of him randomly requesting incredibly specialist equipment for experiments that in no way need it, because he wants them for his personal projects or because he thinks the equipment is cool and will come up with a reason to use it later. of course he works somewhere that apparently doesn’t give a fuck about him running around getting access to lockdown rooms and the MRI machine and whatever the hell else he’s got no justifiable reason to go anywhere near. of course he’s working somewhere he can literally call in a meeting with a pharmaceutical company on hospital grounds to sell the drug he’s been illegally developing on his off hours and apparently literally only one entire guy in the entire godforsaken building is like ...hello when did you make this??? who said you could do this???

(of course, too, it’s the exact same kind of place that jason would be attracted to working. and of course ruben feels a connection to him. they’re both brilliant. they both decide their own rules. they should both have been given stricter discipline years ago, but dammit, they get results that nobody else gets, so maybe we all turn a blind eye. they know what they’re doing, they’re on another level, so everyone will look the other way for them, and pretend they don’t see anything amiss, and surely nobody will get hurt.)

[sshbpodcast]

Tales from the Holodeck: ENT Fanfic: Jake’s Teleplay

Celebration! We’ve luckily finished Star Trek: Enterprise here on A Star to Steer Her By, and good riddance. There’s only one thing left to do in our typical style: show the writers how it’s really done by writing up our own fanfic stories and teleplays with carefully selected characters from the series. Will they end up better than most episodes of Enterprise? Low bar, folks.

We’re wrapping things up with Jake’s teleplay in our “Tales from the Holodeck” fanfic series, which shines some light on what we all know about humanity’s first contact with Vulcans. Follow along below and/or listen to the cold reads on this week’s podcast episode (this one starts at 1:24:42). Get ready to get prank’d!

[images © Paramount/CBS]

“The Greatest Prank Ever Pulled”

By Jake

Random Main Character Pick(s): Mayweather Character Draft Picks: Mestral, Zefram Cochrane

SCENE 1 - INT. STANFORD PROPULSION AND SPACE EXPLORATION GROUP LAB, AFTERNOON

Fade in to reveal the advanced propulsion laboratory at Stanford University, California. The lab is in a state of disarray with boxes of papers and envelopes marked "TOP SECRET" scattered about. Graduate student LILY SLOANE flutters about hastily sorting through piles of papers and placing some into boxes while others go into the trash. Her husband, TRAVIS SLOANE, also a graduate student, stands in front of a whiteboard covered in equations and engineering diagrams, seemingly oblivious to the chaos around him. LILY picks up an envelope, opens it, and considers its contents for a moment.

LILY (reading): Antimatter Conversion Ratio Test Results, Group B. (to TRAVIS) We shouldn't need these any more, right? (beat) Travis?

TRAVIS: Huh?

LILY: The results for the group B antimatter conversion ratio tests?

TRAVIS: Right. Uh… Trash it.

LILY sighs

LILY: I spent four weeks modeling the reaction chamber dynamics for this test. Seems a shame to just shred it. Oh, well…

She throws the envelope into the trash. She continues going through documents; most go into the trash. After a moment:

LILY: You know, this would go a lot faster with two people.

TRAVIS: I'll stop. I'm sorry. It's just… This is fucked up. We're close. Like weeks away close. They can't just shut us down now.

LILY: They can. And they have. The Department of Energy has declared the entire area at-risk of potential invasion.

TRAVIS: I know, but let's be real, though. If the ECON attacks, they're not going to storm the beaches of Half-Moon Bay. They're going nuke us from orbit and we'll be reduced to ash in the blink of an eye.

LILY (sarcastically): Real, nice, Travis…

TRAVIS: You know what this research could mean. For humanity. Virtually limitless energy. Access to off-world resources. There'd be nothing left to fight over! (Sighs. Takes Lily's hand) And maybe we could leave this rock and all its bullshit behind.

LILY: (Laughs) And go where, exactly? From where I'm standing this is the only rock we've got. Even if this thing works we're still decades away from a practical engine, let alone a space ship.

TRAVIS: I know.

LILY: Look. I know how important this is to you… To us… And it does feel like we're close to something big. This isn't the end, T. When this whole thing blows over we'll build your space ship.

They embrace.

ZEFRAM (O.S.): Woah, get a room, you two!

ZEFRAM COCHRANE enters. While the same age as TRAVIS, years of drinking and drug use has taken its toll and he looks significantly older. He's wearing a stained Led Zeppelin T-Shirt and is wearing sunglasses. He's carrying a case of beer, and looks ready to party. LILY rolls her eyes when she notices him, clearly fed up with his shit. TRAVIS seems excited to see him.

TRAVIS: Zef!

ZEFRAM: The one and only!

The two friends approach and execute a complicated handshake. LILY is not impressed.

LILY: Wow, Zef, it's only 3 PM, seems a little early for you to be up.

ZEFRAM: (sarcastically) I love you, too.

TRAVIS: It's good you're here. Prof says we need to be fully cleared out by Friday night. All the drives have been wiped, and we just have the hard copies to deal with-

ZEFRAM: (interrupting) Don't sweat it. I'll chat with The Meister, buy us some more time.

LILY: Good luck with that… This comes from the government.

ZEFRAM: Pfft… They've got bigger fish to fry. Besides, I've taken care of everything.

LILY: What's that supposed to mean?

ZEFRAM: Lily, my dear, I've got two words for you: Bozeman. Montana.

TRAVIS: (confused) Bozeman, Montana? What's there?

LILY: (under her breath) You know, besides nothing?

ZEFRAM slams the case of beer down on a table and cracks open three cold ones. He hands one to TRAVIS. He tries to hand one to LILY who instead crosses her arms. Unfazed, ZEFRAM decides to two-fist it.

ZEFRAM: Salvation.

FADE TO BLACK

SCENE 2 - INT. THE OFFICE OF PROFESSOR PAUL J. MESTRAL, STANFORD UNIVERSITY - EVENING

PROFESSOR MESTRAL sits stoically behind the desk in his sparsely decorated office. Outwardly he appears to be a man of about seventy, but in reality he is a Vulcan who is nearly one hundred and fifty years old. Not even his students are aware of his true identity. TRAVIS and LILY are seated across from him, while ZEFRAM stands, having just pitched his Montana idea. There is a long pause before MESTRAL speaks.

MESTRAL: These people… They are criminals?

ZEFRAM: NO! No no no no. No. They're in the militia. You know, like George Washington or Sam Adams. Freedom fighters.

MESTRAL: (skeptically) I see. And they have access to an advanced aerospace propulsion laboratory with facilities for antimatter experimentation?

ZEFRAM: Not yet… but they're working on it. I mean. we'll have to help them. You know, tell them what you buy. Maybe, uh, borrow some equipment from the university on the down-low. But they're committed.

MESTRAL: And how are you connected to these people?

ZEFRAM: I've known them my whole life. I grew up out there, remember? Plus, my cousin is a member. He put in a good word, and made some introductions.

LILY: (unimpressed) Tell him what they expect in return.

ZEFRAM: Right. Yeah. So I may have had to tell a little white lie about what we're-

LILY: (interrupting) He told them it was a bomb!

MESTRAL raises an eyebrow at this and leans in.

ZEFRAM: Not a bomb, exactly. I just explained the basics of antimatter theory and implied that there could… Potentially… be some military applications.

TRAVIS: It's crazy, Professor. We shouldn't have even brought it up. Just silly, really. We're sorry to have bothered you.

TRAVIS starts to stand.

MESTRAL: Tell them we accept.

LILY: (shocked) WHAT?!

MESTRAL: Contact the people in Montana and make the necessary arrangements.

LILY: I'm sorry, professor, did you miss the part where these nutjobs want us to build them an antimatter bomb?!

MESTRAL: I did not, Miss Sloane. You are all well-aware of the importance of this research, and its potential impact on the future of this planet. Terminating the warp program at this time would be illogical. Mister Cochrane's contacts in Montana have presented us an opportunity to continue this work. Logic dictates that we must accept their offer.

LILY: (quietly) Faust said the same thing…

FADE TO:

SCENE 3 - INT. THE OFFICE OF PROFESSOR PAUL J. MESTRAL, STANFORD UNIVERSITY - NIGHT

Later that evening. MESTRAL is alone, packing boxes. A figure appears in the doorway. MESTRAL notices, but doesn't look up.

MESTRAL: If you are here for office hours, you'll have to come back tomorrow.

The figure takes a step into the room.

SOTEK: I've come to take you home, Mestral.

MESTRAL looks up as the figure steps into the light. It's a Vulcan man, SOTEK. He appears quite a bit younger than MESTRAL. MESTRAL knows the jig is up.

SOTEK: The high command has determined that your mission on Earth has concluded and you're to return with me to Vulcan immediately.

MESTRAL is taken aback… as much as a Vulcan can be taken aback.

MESTRAL: My mission ended ninety years ago. I have decided to remain here of my own volition.

SOTEK: The high command chose to allow you to continue your mission indefinitely to more closely monitor the development of this civilization, otherwise you would have been retrieved long ago.

MESTRAL: Then I wish to continue monitoring this civilization.

SOTEK: That is no longer possible. Continued observation would serve no logical purpose as we have deemed Humans unsuitable for contact. We now believe that their self-destruction is imminent.

MESTRAL: (snaps, Vulcanly) I disagree with that assessment. I believe the humans are on the verge of an awakening.

SOTEK approaches MESTRAL, assessing him. He notices that MESTRAL's ears have been surgically modified to appear more human.

SOTEK: You have altered your appearance. Perhaps your affinity for these people has affected your judgement. The high command is confident that the current political tensions will escalate into a global conflict within the next six months. Given the Humans' capability for destruction, it is highly probable that their annihilation will soon follow…

MESTRAL: The high command hasn't been here. While it is true that war appears likely, there is still hope for this civilization. They are a resilient and resourceful people. The work being done in this lab is proof of that. I estimate they are only a few years away from a functional warp reactor.

SOTEK: It is only through your interference that they have made any progress at all.

MESTRAL is becoming visibly frustrated.

MESTRAL: That's simply untrue!

SOTEK: I see that this conversation has distressed you. You will return with me to Vulcan.

He produces a small data pad from his cloak and places it on the desk.

SOTEK: The location of my vessel is encoded on here. If you do not come willingly within two days, I have been authorized to coerce your return by any means necessary. It is time to come home.

SOTEK leaves. MESTRAL stands motionless for a moment before he violently throws the box he was packing across the room, scattering its contents.

FADE TO BLACK

SCENE 4 - INT. STANFORD PROPULSION AND SPACE EXPLORATION GROUP LAB, MORNING

The next day. The lab has been mostly cleared of clutter. Only a few neatly-stacked boxes remain. TRAVIS and LILY are standing at the whiteboard having just sketched out a diagram of a warp reactor. ZEFRAM is seated at a nearby workstation with his feet up on a lab table. He's sipping from a bottle wrapped in a brown paper bag.

TRAVIS: I think it'll work.

LILY: It'll probably work.

TRAVIS: It might work.

LILY: Definitely.

TRAVIS: You think?

LILY: I do.

TRAVIS: Me, too.

ZEFRAM: JEEESUS CHRIST!

LILY: Oh, fuck off, Zef. This is big!

ZEFRAM: You've been staring at that diagram for twenty minutes! (mockingly) "it'll work" "no it won't" "yes it will" "I know it will" SHUUUT UP!

TRAVIS: You're the engineer, do you think it'll work?

ZEFRAM: I think it's got equal chances of either working or creating a fireball visible from Mars.

TRAVIS: (smiling) I'll take those odds.

ZEFRAM gets up and takes a closer look at the diagram.

ZEFRAM: The coil is too small.

ZEFRAM starts writing out equations on the whiteboard. He narrates as he writes.

ZEFRAM: I figure the reactor has to be putting out… let's say… one point two-one petajoulses per second. Roughly. Best case scenario we maybe capture seventy-five to eighty percent of that as plasma.

TRAVIS: You're overestimating it. The warp bubble should be able to form at around point seven PJ per second.

ZEFRAM: Sure, if we were dealing with only superconductors. There's going to be a lot of copper in this thing-

LILY: He's right.

LILY grabs the marker from ZEFRAM and finishes the equations he was writing.

LILY: It'll need to be at least thirty percent bigger. Any smaller and it would melt within seconds from the heat. Your space ship would be stranded a few million miles from Earth with no warp coil.

ZEFRAM: (self-satisfied) As I said, too small.

ZEFRAM goes back to his seat and takes a celebratory sip of whatever poison he's been drinking.

ZEFRAM: That's what I like about you, Sloane: you get it. Travis: you're all theory.

TRAVIS: Yeah, well, we would've figured it out anyway.

LILY finishes the calculation, erases the number that had been written on the diagram and plugs in the new value.

ZEFRAM: Now it'll work…

MESTRAL enters, looking somewhat perturbed

ZEFRAM: Morning, prof. Look at what your star pupils did.

MESTRAL: Have you spoken to your contacts in Montana?

ZEFRAM: Yeah, it's all set up. Even gave them a shopping list.

MESTRAL: Good. We will leave tonight.

TRAVIS: Tonight?! I thought we had until Friday.

ZEFRAM: Kind of short notice.

MESTRAL: The situation has changed.

LILY; What about all of the equipment? We haven't even finished packing up the lab.

MESTRAL: We will take as much as we can.

TRAVIS: What about the antimatter?

ZEFRAM: Yeah, it's not like we can just throw it in the back of a pickup. The entire containment vessel will have to come with us.

TRAVIS: Even then it needs constant power.

MESTRAL: We will have to produce more on-site.

LILY: That's going to be difficult unless Zefram's militia friends happen to be hiding a particle accelerator in their survival bunker. It took us half a year to produce two grams of antideuterium and that was with a state of the art collider.

MESTRAL considers for a moment.

MESTRAL: There may be another way.

FADE TO:

SCENE 5 - INT. STANFORD PROPULSION AND SPACE EXPLORATION GROUP LAB, MORNING

The next day. A small, brown capsule about the size of a watermelon sits on a table in the lab. ZEFRAM, LILY, and TRAVIS are standing around the table studying it intently. MESTRAL is seated nearby.

TRAVIS: How is this possible? There must be over a kilogram in there…

LILY: One point three seven kilograms. Approximately.

TRAVIS: And it's completely stable. I just- I don't- Just- How?

MESTRAL: A contact at the DOE who… owed me a favor.

ZEFRAM: Must've been some favor. This is some next-level area fifty-one type shit. There's no way we're supposed to have this.

TRAVIS: There's enough antideuterium here to sustain our experiments for decades.

ZEFRAM: Or build one kickass warp reactor.

The three students look up at each other, realizing that this is real. MESTRAL stands, looking somewhat forlorn.

MESTRAL: Indeed, Mister Cochrane. The antimatter in that pod should be more than sufficient to fuel the engine prototype.

TRAVIS: So that's it, then, the rest of the equipment is already loaded into the truck. We can leave tonight.

MESTRAL breathes a heavy sigh.

MESTRAL: I'm afraid I will not be joining you in Montana.

LILY: What?! Why?

MESTRAL: In exchange for the antimatter, I have agreed to work for the government.

LILY: Then give it back! We can't do this without you.

TRAVIS: She's right, Professor. We'll find some other way to synthesize the antimatter. There's no way we could build the prototype without your guidance.

MESTRAL raises his hand to stop them speaking. He walks over to the whiteboard which still has the prototype design sketched out.

MESTRAL: You do not need me. I have every confidence in your skills as engineers and scientists. The design is sound, and you now have all of the resources you need to build it. But you must do it on your own; I cannot help you further.

LILY: Will you join us later? Will we see you again?

MESTRAL: That I cannot say. Know that I am… proud… of the work you have accomplished, and that I have every confidence in your skills as scientists and engineers. Your work, I believe, has the potential to usher in a new era for humanity.

A long pause. ZEFRAM realizes something.

ZEFRAM: Hold that thought.

He runs over to a cupboard labeled, "Office Supplies", opens it and fishes around inside for a moment before pulling out a bottle of whisky and four shot glasses. The others stare at him.

TRAVIS: Is there anyplace in this lab you haven't hidden booze?

ZEFRAM: What? It's my Rainy Day Fund. Besides, this is the good stuff.

ZEFRAM returns and places the shot glasses on the table. He uncorks the bottle and haphazardly pours the shots, spilling quite a bit in the process. Finally he picks up one of the shot glasses and raises it. TRAVIS and LILY follow suit after a moment.

MESTRAL: I do not imbibe alcohol. (beat.) But exceptions can be made.

MESTRAL picks up a glass and holds it up with the others.

ZEFRAM: I've never been one for speeches, so I'll just say: To a new era for Humanity.

TRAVIS: To the warp program.

LILY: To you, Professor.

All three students nod to this. MESTRAL appears close to tears.

MESTRAL: To peace… and long life.

ZEFRAM: Hear Hear!

All four raise their glasses and down the spirit. ZEFRAM flaps his arms like a bird and lets out an audible "woah". LILY and TRAVIS try to suppress their reaction to the strong alcohol and almost succeed. MESTRAL looks at the empty glass as if to say, "not bad". They all stand in meaningful silence for a long moment.

ZEFRAM: (soberly. ish.) We, uh, should get going if we want to make Reno by nightfall.

ZEFRAM holds out his hand to the professor.

ZEFRAM: It's been real.

MESTRAL shakes ZEFRAM's hand, who promptly pulls him in for a "bro hug". As ZEFRAM steps back, LILY comes forward and wipes away the tear forming in her eye.

LILY: We will build it, Professor.

MESTRAL just nods. He holds out his hand to shake, but LILY ignores it and goes straight for the tender hug. It's then TRAVIS's turn.

TRAVIS: I don't know how to thank you for-

MESTRAL: Thank me through your work. Take humanity to the stars.

TRAVIS nods, holding back a deluge of emotion. He embraces MESTRAL strongly, and holds for a long moment. As he backs away he sees something he'd never seen before: tears welling up in the Professor's eyes.

ZEFRAM picks up the antimatter pod and makes his way out of the lab followed by LILY. TRAVIS takes a final survey of the lab before turning to leave. MESTRAL stands in the empty lab, completely overcome with emotion. After a moment he composes himself and begins erasing the reactor diagram from the whiteboard.

FADE TO BLACK

SCENE 6 - INT. ENTERPRISE MESS HALL 6

HOSHI, TRIP, T'POL, and MAYWEATHER are seated in the mess hall. All attention is on MAYWEATHER as he finishes telling his story.

MAYWEATHER: After that, the rest is history.

HOSHI: I just can't believe the professor didn't go with them!

TRIP: I just still can't get over the part where you're actually related to Lily and Travis Sloane! I mean, they're basically legends! I went to Lily Sloane high school, for chrissake! How have you not told us this before!?

MAYWEATHER shrugs.

MAYWEATHER: I guess it just never came up.

HOSHI: It's an amazing story, Travis.

T'POL: Indeed, but a story nonetheless. The details seem… implausible.

MAYWEATHER: I mean, it's a family story, so I'm sure some of it has been lost to time, but that's how it was always told to me.

T'POL: It seems highly unlikely that humans of that period would possess the technology to construct an antimatter storage pod of the style you described.

TRIP: Do you know what ever happened to the professor? Did they ever see him again?

MAYWEATHER: Not that I know of. I think everyone just assumed that he went missing during the war. So many did back then.

TRIP: He was so instrumental, yet history doesn't even know he existed.

T'POL: (incredulously) If he existed.

HOSHI rolls her eyes.

HOSHI: Well I, for one, believe it. (Beat.) Anyway, I'm late for bridge duty.

MAYWEATHER: Me too.

They all stand and start to leave. As they walk out…

TRIP: You got any other family stories about the Sloane's or Cochrane?

MAYWEATHER: A few've been passed down. Remind me later to tell you the one about when Zefram Cochrane entered a hotdog eating contest…

TRIP: No kiddin'…

FADE TO BLACK

SCENE 7 - EXT. SOMEWHERE DEEP IN THE WOODS - NIGHT

A small Vulcan starship rests in a clearing. A vehicle approaches. The door to the spacecraft opens, and a walkway slides out to the ground. SOTEK steps out. The car stops and MESTRAL emerges.

SOTEK: I am gratified that you have chosen to return willingly.

MESTRAL says nothing. He starts up the ramp into the ship. SOTEK turns to go back in, but just before they enter the ship, MESTRAL neck pinches SOTEK, who collapses unconscious.

MESTRAL: I am truly sorry, friend. I will return with you, but there's something I must do first…

MESTRAL enters the ship.

FADE TO BLACK

THE END

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For more Enterprise fanfic, check out Caitlin, Chris, and Ames’s stories from this year’s “Tales from the Holodeck”! Be sure to keep listening to new episodes every Thursday on SoundCloud or wherever you podcast, follow us on Facebook and Twitter, and why don’t you come with me, little girl, on a magic carpet ride.