#and then they're close to being beaten or someone they love is in trouble

[soulsxng]

"Mmm, I don't really want to fight right now, though. Sounds like a hassle. My hair is super nice today too, and this is totally gonna ruin it."

"If that's the case, you can feel free to forfeit...though I was hoping to get a little bit of a workout from this."

Zahine Besiira: His biggest three abilities are his affinity for ice, and his abilities to inflict charm (which he's not allowed to use, because it doesn't really wear off, and tends to essentially brainwash whoever gets hit with it), and frenzy respectively. For ice, he prefers to use it at a longer range-- typically forming arrows and a bow of ice that will spread over his opponent's body, or burst once they're hit, depending on how gory he feels like getting that day...though he can also use it for deflecting other ranged attacks away from himself. He's exceptionally knowledgeable in anatomy and the like, and his precise aim allows him to target vulnerable areas with relative ease. As for frenzy, the most dangerous thing about this state is that it makes the opponent lose any and all inhibition, and they will fight even at the expense of harming themselves. It also usually tires them out quickly, as they expend huge bursts of energy to attack pretty much whatever catches their attention.

Aside from that, he's actually the most dangerous when he's up close. Typically, he tries to keep a more "impersonal" approach to fighting, which is a big part of why he usually fights at range. Once he's fired up enough to allow someone to get in close, he uses his brute strength to take them out immediately. Surprising to most, his physical strength is actually much higher than his magical strength, so they'll get close thinking he'll be at a disadvantage, only to have him literally crack them like a glow stick. Also, major healing! But he doesn't usually do too much of that in a fight, if he doesn't have to. He's stubborn about that.

Ber Bireth: Primarily a caster, relying on elemental magic (He really has next to no physical strength. It's very similar to what an average human's might be)-- he favors the earth element most, as he feels it gives him the most range for "status affliction" type attacks. That being said, he does also tend to favor large scale, powerful magics right off the bat, and has the energy to cast them more frequently than most others would. Tends to just wrap himself up nice and cozy in the strongest barrier he can cast, and sit there while his ranged magics force his opponents to run around the field like a headless chicken, trying to dodge them.

The biggest issue with fighting him (in a battle like this anyway-- otherwise it's the fact that he just regenerates immediately upon being killed, and comes at you like an angry cat that you just tried to drop in a bath tub) is by far his command over time based magics. Though he's no longer one of the masters of the Stream of Time, he's still able to do things like temporarily speed up, slow down, or stop time. He can also leap forward and back in any given timeline, but he's not allowed to do that here. He also isn't allowed to just indefinitely pause time to decimate his opponent while they're frozen. Soul sight and hearing means that, if his opponent has a soul, Ber knows exactly where they are at any given time. He can also manipulate souls like his dad can, but...again...that's not allowed here either. No murder, baby Ber. That's bad.

[pigeonwhumps]

!!

A character who has, I believe, had a whole couple of sentences about them and none of that was in canon chapters (iirc anyway).

It's Alicia!

CW: child abuse mentions – her parents are pretty crappy to say the least

She's Phoenix's sister, three years younger than them, although they haven't seen each other since Phoenix was disowned. They used to be very close, so not seeing each other is... hard, for both of them. But although Phoenix sends cards, they don't ever leave a return address or phone number because a) they don't want to get Alicia in trouble and b) they think she's probably better off without them, and Alicia hasn't managed to find them, partly bc she'd like a place to live until she can move out and their parents WILL disown her if they find out she's been in contact with Phoenix.

Yeah. They're about to have 0 children talking to them once Alicia leaves home (so as soon as she moves away to uni, or potentially before then if something goes wrong).

That doesn't stop Alicia once she does find Phoenix though, but that's later. Five years after Phoenix was disowned, actually – they're 21 and she's 18, in her last year of sixth form.

When Alicia grows up, she's going to be a social worker (not she'd like to – she will, goddammit, she's determined). Her parents think she's going to work for the local government in some sort of sycophantic job (and it speaks to how little they know her that they think that's not suspicious), but she's not. No way. She's sick and tired of the way children with powers are treated by the law sometimes, of how trans children are treated, of how neglect isn't seen as child abuse unless it's, like, a lack of basic necessities – her and Phoenix were fine, obviously, because they weren't being beaten (nevermind the homophobia and transphobia in the household which got worse when Alicia was outed as pansexual, or the yelling, or the way their parents just didn't care so long as they looked like the perfect family – yes, Alicia tried to report her parents once, and it didn't go anywhere. Phoenix took the blame for doing that and she's never forgiven herself). Anyway, she plans to go into social work, because no child should be treated the way she and Phoenix were, and just because a child has powers doesn't mean they're any more able to look after themself when they're small and fall off the flat roof because their parents weren't paying enough attention to them, thank you very much.

There are way too many adults like that in the world.

Anyway, she wants to go into social work because it'll help people directly, and she thinks it's the best way to do it. She considered becoming a therapist or a politician, but she thinks she'd be shit at both of them. She'll have to deal with police as a social worker, but hey, she can do that.

And, as she's soon to find out, she can get autographs from some of the city's heroes for the children. Phoenix, Kai and Aaron are more than happy to help. She's already on the books with several youth/children's charities she volunteers with, although she has to be careful around her parents – not that they'd care much, most of the time, but just in case it was one of Those Days that they found out.

Her parents will find out what she plans to do if when she applies for student finance. Which'll be a trip and a half, but hey, at least then she'll definitely be able to apply as someone who's estranged from her parents. And she has somewhere organised to live if needs be.

Besides, she doesn't think they'd kick her out just before or during her exams. It'd look bad.

As you can probably tell, she's very passionate, and protective of her sibling. She loves them very much.

She also loves flowers and nature. She dyes part of her frizzy hair white bc she thinks it's fun, although the rest of her hair is the same bright red as Phoenix's. They are very clearly siblings (and they have the same eyes – she's been mistaken as Firebird before and will be again, and she's trying hard not to think why that might be). She wears a flower crown whenever she can get away with it. She adores picnics and prodding Phoenix into infodumps. She is also, unsurprisingly, very ADD – she's related to Phoenix, after all. She has not yet figured out which member of the family it's inherited from.

She will punch you in the face if you insult Phoenix or herself even vaguely, especially Phoenix – and she can punch very well. People don't tend to bother her much. She went to a different secondary school to Phoenix though, so she couldn't do much defending them there. Phoenix went to her parents evenings when they could, because their parents certainly wouldn't, and her best memory is of them taking her to the zoo to meet wolves for her birthday. They went for ice cream afterwards (two scoops for Alicia bc she's indecisive, one strawberry and one vanilla – Phoenix joked that it matched her hair).

As you might've guessed, her favourite animal is wolves. They're also currently one of her hyperfixations.

She has possibly hundreds of unsent letters and drawings to Phoenix hidden under a loose floorboard under her bed which nobody knows about, covered in boring textbooks corporate textbooks just in case anyone does find it. They don't have Phoenix's name on, as an added layer of protection, but they're for them. One day she'll be able to deliver them.

One day.

Also under there are Birthday and Christmas letters from Phoenix (and one treasured note from Kai containing a phone number).

As you can probably tell, she really misses Phoenix. The house feels empty without them. But she has a decent number of very good friends, which helps. And she's counting down the days until she can leave.

Also, her favourite colour is purple, and she hates marmite with a passion. Watching Star Wars makes her sad, although she does, every year on Phoenix's birthday – the same way that Phoenix watches Princess Bride every year on her birthday, even though they haven't spoken for years and neither of them likes the other's favourite film much alone.

Believe me, once she meets Phoenix again, Kai and Aaron won't know what's hit them (it's like... double Phoenix, except bubblier and quicker to punch and slightly less traumatised. Also very chatty, Kai's starting to regret giving her his phone number 😂).

Picrew!:

[casspurrjoybell-28]

Alpha's Temptation - Chapter 1

*Warning Adult Content*

- Ash -

Pain. It's something I'm familiar with.

It comes with each breaking day, an endless cycle for me here in the Dark Moon Pack. The source?

Well, my life went to shit a long time ago. But if I have to pin it to one thing, I'd say my stepfather, Alpha Ferix.

He's the head Alpha of the Dark Moon Pack, which means his word is law. And my life is a mere plaything in his hands, something he can ruin and manipulate as much as he wants.

I fear him more than anything. He's all-powerful in my eyes.

He's the one who controls my life ultimately, not me. He only allows me a small room in the basement of the house where my family used to live, where broken pipes leak through the ceiling.

I've had to place five bowls throughout the room to collect the water. The sound of the dripping drives me crazy as I try to sleep, curled up in the thin holey blanket that is my bed.

It's better than being homeless, so I'm grateful for whatever I have. I can't complain because complaining means being beaten even more than I already am.

As the omega 'runt' of the pack, I seem to get into more trouble than anyone else but for things I can't control. And it usually ends up in punishment from Alpha Ferix.

There are so many things I can't control, one of them being my extensive harem of bullies. The teens my age in the pack make it their mission to ostracize me, to make me feel worthless. And it works.

They tease me for being an omega and being weak. I already feel ashamed about that, there's no need to rub it in.

But they love to rub it in. And when the parents of the teens or other adults find out about our fights, which are more like one-sided attacks from the bullies, who gets the blame?

Me. Good old me.

There was a time when I'd try to argue back, to tell Alpha Ferix that I hadn't been the one in the wrong, that it was all a misunderstanding.

But my words fell on deaf ears and the hand would come down. I've learned my place in the pack, which is the bottom of the barrel.

I've learned to keep my head down, to be submissive. Omegas aren't supposed to talk back.

Alpha Ferix says he doesn't want to buy school supplies or any of the required textbooks for me so I don't go to high school with the other kids, despite being seventeen. I have to do whatever he tells me to do and I'm not allowed to disobey.

I'm not allowed to be like the other kids. I don't know if the fear will ever leave me.

It's hopeless here, the dark memories are always haunting me in this house, replacing the happy days I once experienced here with my mom and dad.

Today I'm alone in the house, cleaning as usual. I can barely keep my eyes open, so tired after having not been able to sleep all night from the nightmares.

Fun fact about me, I can't sleep without having nightmares. They're more like night terrors, the flashbacks within them so horrible that I jerk awake, gasping for breath.

In times like those, I just... long for someone to be there, for someone to hold me as I cried. But my parents are long gone and there's no one now.

I greedily eye the big, nice bed that Alpha Ferix sleeps in, this is his room after all. I often fantasize about how it would feel to lay down on it and just sink into the soft mattress and take a nap.

I know an omega like me doesn't deserve such luxury but the thought is so tempting. It grows more and more tempting as time goes by, even as I try to concentrate on dusting the bookshelf.

I last a few more minutes before the lids of my eyes flutter closed and I almost fall asleep right where I stand. Alright, just a quick rest, I decide, letting fatigue get the better of me.

Usually, I dread the thought of sleeping but right now my body is demanding it. I walk over to the bed and plop down on it, my small figure only taking up less than a 1/5 portion of the bed.

It's giant, a king-size made for Alphas because I'm 5'4" and when laying down on it there's like three feet of room left under my feet to the end of the bed.

Hunger is gnawing at my stomach because I haven't been able to eat all day. But it feeds into the exhaustion that overpowers the hunger and I'm out like a light.

I don't know how long I sleep but soon I'm roughly awakened. My eyes fly open as I'm yanked off the bed by my hair and thrown to the floor.

"You stupid fucking runt. Do you think I let you stay in my home so you can fucking sleep in my bed?" Alpha Ferix growls at me, eyes bright with anger as he glares down at me.

Thé mère raising of his voice combined with the pain I already feel makes me tear up. I hate that I cry so easily. It makes me feel so pathetic.

"I'm sorry, Alpha Ferix.." I say as I try to hold back my tears.

I know it'll make him more angry if I cry.

"You will be sorry after I'm done with you," the older man snarls, pulling out a belt from one of the drawers.

From past experience, I know that he keeps it there for easy access. The sight of it fills me with terror.

I don't want it. I don't want to be whipped.

Anything but that. It hurts so much when he does it.

I curse myself for being lazy. If I hadn't been it wouldn't have come to this.

"You want to be a slacker, huh? Well, I'm gonna show you what happens to little runts who disobey."

The Alpha comes forward, menacing as he twists the belt in his hands. I'm still on the floor, the strength to stand having left my legs.

As Alpha Ferix approaches I scramble back until I hit a wall, feebly attempting to get away.

"Now don't you try to run from me. It's your fault I've had to resort to this," Alpha Ferix leers.

It is my fault. I know it, too. If I wasn't such an excuse for a werewolf, the pathetic little omega I am, then maybe things would be different.

Maybe I would be loved. But I'm not different.

Alpha Ferix has told me time and time again that no one will ever love me and it's true. Still, I plead for mercy.

"Please, no," I cry, hands up before me, trying to shield myself from the oncoming assault. "I'll do better. I promise."

Tears are streaming down my face by now as I try to make the Alpha see reason. Alpha Ferix just gives me a cold glare as he raises the belt and I scream.

As I see it coming toward me, I'm overrun by a sudden pump of adrenaline and I roll out of the way. That's my first mistake.

The action enrages Alpha Ferix. He snarls and lunges after me, furious that I'm trying to evade punishment.

I manage to scramble to my feet, running to the other side of the room where the door is. I need to get out now.

But just as I reach the door I feel a hand on my arm, yanking me back painfully and then I'm being flipped around and slammed against the door.

My head collides with the hardwood, the impact so hard that I see stars, my vision going blurry for a moment as pain arcs through my skull.

"I'm going to kill you," the man snarls, pulling something shiny out of his pocket.

I only realize what it is when the cool metal is pressed to my throat, and if he apples any more pressure the knife blade will puncture my skin.

I sputter and struggle, hands clawing desperately at the his arms, desperate to get him off and the knife away from my neck. The Alpha laughs at me.

"Should've of done this a long time ago."

When I see the murderous look in his eyes I can tell he's serious. It's not like the other times when he just beats me around and threatens it.

He's actually going to do it this time. And it hits me that I'm going to die if this keeps up.

In one last attempt to get away, I reach my right hand out, searching for anything that I can grasp.

My heart's going a mile a minute but then my fingers close around a clay vase of some sort, I vaguely remember seeing it in the room before.

With all my might, I yank it it up and smash the vase against Alpha Ferix's head.

The howl he let's out is ear-shattering as he lets go of me, knife dropping to the ground as his hands go to cradle the torrent of blood running down his temple.

"You fucking little bitch," he curses at me where I stand, in shock at what I've done, looking down at my trembling hands.

The blow isn't enough to deter him for long. The Alpha is already getting up and staggering towards me.

I go for the doorknob, pulling the door open and dashing out, hyperventilating as tears stream down my face. What have I done?

I've never fought back like that and now that I have I've realized how shitty it feels to hurt someone. Watching the blood stream from a wound I've inflicted, it makes me sick.

So sick and guilty but I have to keep running. I race down the stairs and out the back door, leaving it thrown open.

The cool air of the night blasts against my face as I run out into the grass, towards the dark forest that looms ahead. It's dangerous, with rogues prowling the woods at night but what I'm running from will do far worse to me than any rogue.

I feel my bones crack, shifting into my wolf and my paws meet the dirt. My fur is ash-white, just like my hair in human form, so I'm pretty easy to spot by predators and my wolf is also on the smaller side, to my chagrin.

I'm not very threatening but I'm faster as a wolf so it will have to do. My head is still throbbing like crazy but I need to get away.

Alpha Ferix almost killed me just now and will finish the deed if he gets his hands on me again.

[f1nalboys]

Hello.. Can you please write a headcanon about Thomas, Brahms and Bubba when their Girlfriend is once a very deadly assassin and then suddenly when they're got into a big trouble/Fight their Girlfriend suddenly showed her deadly Skills... Like how would they react to it

hey there!! hope you enjoy this, i really hope i did it justice LMAO <3

WARNINGS: blood and gore mention, description of murder (not graphically detailed but more than a passing mention, you know?)

WORD COUNT: Approx. 1040 for all 3

THOMAS:

-Out of the three, he is probably the one who’s most confident in your abilities to protect yourself

-Being with the Hewitts meant taking part of the family business and while he hated that you were subjected to the bad parts, he knew it was necessary

-Of course he took precautions to keep you out of trouble; you were the love of his life

-There had been close calls before, of course, but nothing that had gone past you yelling for him

-Until now

-He hadn’t realized a victim had escaped until he heard a scream, one that sounded like your own. He honestly has never run that fast in his life before

-He gets outside and instead of seeing you being beaten by the victim, he instead saw you kicking their ass

-By the time you were finished you were covered in their blood and they were an unmoving heap on the ground.

-You looked incredibly worried when you turned around and saw Thomas (and Luda Mae behind him, peeking out behind the screen door) standing there looking at the mess you made

-”Thomas, baby, I can explain-” He cuts you off by walking up to you and enveloping you in the biggest hug you’ve ever been given

-He’s just glad you were safe

-The conversation doesn’t come for another three days and by that time you had honestly forgotten what happened

-”I’ve never seen you do something like that before. How’d you learn it?” His question caught you off guard

-You two were preparing for bed and you stopped changing and took a deep sigh, telling him the long, drawn out story

-”I didn't want to bring it up because… I don’t know, it’s not something I do anymore, you know?”

-He nodded, grabbed your hand, and led you to bed

-Though he was slightly hurt that you hadn’t wanted to tell him, he understood. He loved you and obviously you loved him. That was enough reason for him to accept it.

BRAHMS:

-There weren’t many chances for Brahms to see you use your skills or for you to use them at all, honestly

-Usually it’s the grocery boy and Brahms and you didn't want to kill either of them

-Brahms hated that you didn’t want the grocery boy dead but that's not the point

-You woke up before Brahms did to the sound of shattering glass and, despite your gut telling you too, you decide against waking Brahm

-Instead, you take your time walking towards the sound, which came from the kitchen, and you stumble upon a masked man searching through the silver drawer.

-He must have heard you because he turned around and was on you in an instant, knocking the wind out of you

-Brahms heard the commotion and, after seeing you weren’t in bed with him, felt his heart sink to his stomach

-He ran down to the kitchen just in time to see you bashing the poor guys head into the corner of the counter

-The sound of his skull cracking and seeing you covered in blood, panting? He did find it hot, I’ll admit it

-You’d turn to see him and worry for just a second that’ll he’ll see you in a different light

-”You should probably clean that up before we go back to sleep.”

-What a brat

-”You’re not even curious as to why I knew how to do that?” He just shrugged. You were his babysitter, that’s really all he cared about

-You told him anyway and, while discussing your past, you made him drop the baby talk for the time being. Something about discussing violent murderers with someone using a child's voice bothered you

-”That’s… interesting. You did that before coming to me?” He felt a sense of pride at that; someone so strong, so powerful, so capable entered his home and not only protected him, but worshipped him

-The two of you took a loooong shower (again, the blood was a little hot to him!) and you fell asleep. This time he let you be the big spoon

BUBBA:

-Bubba my dear sweet boy is so terrified of you getting hurt he practically locks you in the house

-Which, we know from experience, means nothing because people just walk in

-Surprisingly, the first time he finds out about your past is because a few victims who escaped (god knows how) had cornered him, trying to hurt him, and when you turned the corner and saw him backing away, chainsaw out of reach, you saw red.

-The first victim never saw it coming

-You had grabbed a knife from the kitchen and sent it into his skull, ripping it out of his head before going towards the next man who had just seen his friend's body drop to the ground.

-He got stabbed in the throat and you placed your foot on his chest and kicked, yanking him off of the knife.

-The last one, who was looking particularly terrified, you decided to leave for Bubba.

-You and he didn’t talk the rest of the day as you were cleaning up the bodies, preparing food, and just fixing the place up from their intrusion

-When you walked into your shared bedroom you saw him sitting on the edge of the bed, bouncing his leg up and down, waiting for you

-You sigh, sitting down next to him and laying your head on his shoulder

-”Guess you’re wondering where all that came from?”

-He nods, not wanting to make you tell him anything you weren’t comfortable with. Sure, he didn’t know much about your past but that didn’t matter to him; you were here with him in the present

-After explaining your past he took a bit to fully wrap his mind around it, having you explain certain things back to him a few times

-He was in Texas in the mid 70’s - he wasn’t the most cultured, alright?

-To your surprise, he didn’t judge you. You were doing what you had to just like now and you would be quite a hypocrite to be upset with you.

-You two went to bed and he had never felt more safe with you in his arms than that moment.

[theunderneath]

Can I get Yandere Dr. Iceberg, Gears, Cleaf, Abel from the SCP foundation falling in love with a Scp reader. Don't worry they're a safe class.... Mostly safe that's is until you do something that really really upsets them.

--

Yes, another SCP ask! I love writing for doctors, I’ve always liked the doctors more than the SCP's themselves. Just because they were “Humans” mostly at least. Also you can probably tell how much I like them by how much I write.

--

Dr. Iceberg/Ellis Gill

“Dammit, this is trouble...”

- He probably met you while walking around a site with Dr. Gears. Seeing you just made his body catch fire. It surprised him because how can an SCP with such an ability be walking free?! Then he ask Dr. Gear about you and he explains what you all about. Then he realizing that he’s in deep shit.

- He can’t really court you, like at all. Being a level 2 Security Clearance, he can’t do shit. If he gets too close to you and the O-5 finds out, they’ll have his ass (And head). He’ll probably just end up being a close friend and if. And this is a big If. If he kidnaps you. He’ll have a backup plan on when you get pissed. Probably a lot of amnestics and some smooth-talking.

Dr. Charles Ogden Gears

*Touches chest* “Is this one of their anomalous properties?”

- He would probably meet you when checking up on a site. Seeing you helping another researcher carry something was a bit weird. He never saw you once before this so why now. Probably doesn’t even come up to talk with you. Just walks away and reads about it then realizing the throbbing in his chest isn’t normal.

- Being a well-known and powerful researcher in the foundation helps a lot. Getting closer to you would be easy. All he needs to do is to get you moved to the site where he works, than just talking to you more. He can be a bit robotic at times but he’ll show a “caring” side. Nothing too much but he can live with this. Just you and him staying in this white concrete palace together. This way he doesn't have to deal with that “anger” problem.

Dr. Alto Clef/Francis Wojciechowski

“Oh, how the turn tables, hehe!”

- He probably fines you wandering around and talking to people without a care in the world. And when you walk up to him with no problem, his interest is instantly peaked. Probably after a short talk with you he goes and looks at your file seeing you a safe class (When calm). Then he gets even more interest and he might even say he’s fallen in love.

- Being him and the dick he is, he wouldn’t really care about the foundation. He would make up a simple plan. Make everyone forget about you and then kidnap you. And for the ones who would remember, who would miss a safe class SCP. He’ll deal with your anger problem when the time comes. Probably just knock you out or change your mind a little.

SCP-076/Able

“Fuck.”

- Probably meets you when he’s destroying a new site that he was moved to. Seeing you get angry and attack him for hurting your so-called friends was interesting. And getting beaten down by you was pretty eye-opening too. I think that’s when he realized he wanted to know more.

- He can’t experience sexual desire so when he meets you his a bit confused. You're his “Friend” yeah that's what you would call it. Getting you by his side would be kinda hard and easy. Making a demand to be good when your with him would be easy but if he acts up when someone tries and takes you from him. He loses you anyway so why don’t just kill them all and see you get angry too. Getting a badass fight and getting to see you. A win, win. In his mind at least.

[xhisokas-harleyx]

Your Hisoka headcanons were so good😭 and i completely agree with all of them- I wanted request something, u can ignore if u want. 🏃

I am just thinking of a scenario where Hisoka got hurt, by someone who 'cheated' in the fight maybe, and his first instinct was to go to his 'friend's place. And Reader helps him without hesitation, they're even worried and stuff. And he is just like "are they just so naive or dumb? Kind? What do they get from this? And tf is this feeling in my chest? A poison maybe-" Maybe hcs? Or an oneshot? Whatever you like to do. Have a good day or night!:)💛 damn i wrote too much lol sorry

This warms my heart. Thank you SO MUCH for your support!!! And no, you did not write too much! I love having my ego stroked ;) 😂 seriously tho I love hearing from you guys!

I love this prompt. I hope that I was able to bring this to life for you, please feel free to request more!

To be honest, I’m not really happy with how this turned out, but I haven’t written in a long time and feel really rusty. I may rewrite it at some point, because I thought of a different way this could also go! At any rate, I hope you enjoy it.

Word Count: 2880 (yeh, it’s a long one :o)

A little song inspiration I had:

As The World Caves In: Matt Maltese

Hisoka x Reader One-Shot: The Man Beneath the Monster

...

Well... this wasn't supposed to happen.

Currently, the jester of everyone's nightmares lay on the ground, golden eyes staring up at the dull night sky while shrapnel and debris etched patterns into his back, remnants of the attack he'd just barely survived. Hisoka didn't normally have much of a problem mowing through his opponents- but then again, they usually didn't possess the ability to play with their enemy's mind. It was insanely unfair, the way he'd been attacked, and while it had been an interesting battle to say the least, Hisoka had barely pulled through.

Admittedly, he was invigorated by the feeling of almost being beaten- save for the searing pain that inched its way through every nerve in his body. Hisoka wasn't usually so affected by pain in general- in fact, more often than not, it gave him a certain indescribable gratification. He tended to brush off the feeling of most wounds he obtained during battle, distracting himself with shuffling his cards or fantasizing about the next battle he'd be facing. Only this time, if he didn't get help, he wasn’t sure there would BE another battle.

Hisoka strained himself to sit up, and looked down at his body, analyzing just how much damage he'd sustained. A deep gash opened up his chest, revealing glimpses of the muscular content underneath, and it was oozing a lot of blood. His arms and legs were burned, and some of the skin was a little charred, which smelled just lovely against the night breeze.

This is going to be difficult to cover with Texture Surprise... he thought, forcing himself a bit angrily to his feet, when he heard the cracking of the joints in his left ankle, indications of a break. He needed medical attention, badly. His gash wasn't going to heal itself, and he would bleed to death within hours if it didn’t get bandaged.

But where could he go? Hospitals wouldn't dare take him- even though he was a hunter, most people wouldn't be caught within miles of him, let alone would provide him any remedy. In fact, most people thought the world would be better off if he were dead anyway.

Maybe they were right.

He chuckled a little at the thought, but as he tried to brush those creeping inner fears off, he soon realized that his normal detached approach wasn't going to work this time. Already, his legs were getting weaker, and his vision was getting a little darker by the second. In that moment of weakness, when he felt the most vulnerable, the magician was puzzled by the singular thought that came to his mind.

Y/N.

She was a girl he’d encountered more than a few times in his travels; not by accident, but through carefully orchestrated meetings he initiated himself. She was strong in his eyes, which was not a compliment that he offered freely, especially to someone who didn’t regularly seek out altercations to smash their enemies. She was strong in a different way- not because of her nen or battle tactics- but because of her resolve. He found it intriguing that she didn’t run at the sight of him (even when he popped up behind her in the park), and he liked that she wasn't afraid to tell him exactly where he could shove his cards, if warranted. Y/N was appealing to him in an indescribable way that made him continue to think up excuses to meet her ‘randomly’- but he could never put his finger on what it was that made her unique. However, through brief conversations and what he considered to be highlights of his travels, he’d gotten to know her only a little, but he hardly had enough contact with her to call her a ‘friend’.

It wasn't like she had any special sort of healing nen. She probably couldn't help him anyway. But if he did bleed out, and his last thought had to be of something...l it might as well be of her.

The pink-haired clown looked to the city up ahead in the distance- he was close to her house already. It didn't take him long to get there; Y/N lived on the outskirts of town in a small place away from most other homes.

It was a place he knew well, although he'd never been inside. He'd spent more than a few long nights watching the residence from the rooftop of a distant neighboring home as he denied his human emotions. He often watched her pack groceries, or try to figure out why her porch light wasn't working (which he certainly had nothing to do with), or watch TV on the couch all alone.

Hisoka quite liked those stupid romantic comedies that played late at night on the local channel. His only opportunity to watch them was through her window- and in his mind, he was sure that she left the subtitles on because she can somehow sense his presence. She usually fell asleep watching those, and missed the part where the hero gets the girl. He always watched that part with particular interest, but he can't figure out what makes the protagonists so special to each other. If there was a feeling that caused them to sacrifice so much for one another… he sure didn’t know what it could be.

But he's not a hero, so why would he know what that feels like?

As Hisoka reached her door and lifted his hand to the doorknob, not bothering to knock, a pang of what could only be anxiety ripped through him. It was well past 2 AM, and he knew she had things to do early in the morning. Their previous encounters had been abnormal, to say the least, complete with him teasing her and being a douchebag. He's been nothing but an annoyance to Y/N, so why would she help him?

As soon as he was about to pull his hand away, the door swung open, revealing a disheveled looking y/n in its place. Hisoka was bent over in pain, holding his chest, but as she startled him a little, he straightened up and put on his mask, acting complacent and confident. He wanted to say something smart and witty like he always does- that always helped to bat the pain away. But his lips wouldn't move- his tongue wouldn't function as he stared at her, unable to reach out in a way that normal humans seem to find so easy.

He felt frozen in that moment. He was normally so deliberately irreverent, but seeing the look on her face made his blood run cold.

Don’t let her see this weakness. It was a plea to himself.

But Hisoka had no choice. He was broken, and he needed her to fix him. He wasn’t used to depending on someone else to save his life, but now his life rested in the hands of someone who most likely despised him.

"...Hisoka." Y/N breathed, her eyes widening as she placed a hand over her open mouth. Only seconds passed before her delicate hands were pulling him inside the door without hesitation. She didn't bother to ask what happened, what kind of trouble he'd gotten into, or whether she would also be in danger. Instead, she sat him down on the couch, laying a pillow under his head for comfort, which he annoyingly refused to use until he absolutely couldn’t hold his head up any longer.

Hisoka was a bit dazed from the loss of blood, and the crimson river was flowing all over y/n's lightly colored couch. He was puzzled by the swiftness of her reaction, and he watched tepidly as she shuffled frantically through the drawers in the bathroom for something to heal him. Though he was on the brink of death, his default deflection of emotions still shone through, a reflex that he didn’t even mean to activate.

“I don’t need your help, you know.” He said with an impudent grin, watching as she began to work on his wounds. “It’s just a scratch. But I can see how badly you want to touch me…” Why was he like this? Here she was, giving up everything to help him (a criminal and the scum of the Earth),yet he can’t so much as even show her an iota of gratitude. He knows, but will never admit that it comes from his inner vulnerability; that fear of getting hurt by these things called emotions. She could just as easily let him bleed to death in front of her; he knows she has the capability to be stone cold. But she won’t… why?

Why?

Y/N could have easily let Hisoka’s false complacency hurt her. But she knows that what he cannot express in his words, his heart cannot truly hide. It was the way he was built, she told herself, and she pushed on through his antics because she wanted to see him safe again. Through the laceration in his tough exterior, she could not only see the flesh beneath, but a glimpse of the man he tried to hide using the monster that he assumed everyone saw.

But she was different.

The jester was confused by her silence. Normally, she would have retorted at his smugness, but right now, she didn’t even seem concerned with it as she began to fumble with cleaning his wounds. The alcohol seared his flesh just as the emotions boiling within him burned his heart. Why would she ever care to help him when he’s been nothing but rude and degrading to her? Could it be that she really can see through the detached front and overbearing persona? Impossible, he’s spent years building that reputation!

Suddenly, he became enthralled with the way Y/N’s eyes focused on threading the needle to sew up his gash. The way that those fingertips danced over his pale skin made him jolt unexpectedly at her touch, exhibiting a softness that Hisoka has never known before. In fact, he can’t even fathom someone wanting to touch him without the intention to hurt him in some way.

The details slowly became a blur in his depressed mental state- but he still analyzed every motion Y/N made.

Oddly, the promised sting of death had never scared Hisoka before; he did as he pleased, without care for his own life nor anyone else’s. But as his vision faded, and he watched her through the gaze of someone nearing death, he realized that he did not want to leave this world yet. He wanted to live- and maybe he wanted to discover and experience what he’d been missing in those movies he’d watched through her window.

With that, Hisoka’s heart began to beat faster.

Blood loss. That’s what it is… Hisoka thought; but he wasn’t stupid; only unwilling to admit that he was beginning to exhibit the same qualities he saw in the protagonists of those hopeless romantic flicks. He was unable to accept that the tightening in his chest was not just because of her stitches pulling his lacerated skin together.

“Are they dead? Did you kill them?” Her voice brought him out of the trance-like state he was in, and his golden eyes focused on her face. Her hands were covered in his blood (which in itself made him feel delightfully feverish), but his gash had been mended, the bleeding stopped for now. Once again, he didn’t say anything. It was unusual for the smug magician to keep his mouth shut.

“Because if you didn’t kill them, I’m going to.” A protective tone dripped into her voice, bewildering Hisoka again. That quality in her voice was both threatening and comforting, and the duality sent a chill up his spine. It inspired him to use his voice, though it had lost some of its signature modulation.

“You have that little faith in me…” A cough escaped his lips before he could smile as if nothing was bothering him at all. “Of course I killed them, my dear.” Somehow, calling her ‘dear’ no longer felt right; that was typically a placeholder, a default name to use for someone he had no connection with, and she seemed to be worthy of more than that now.

As Y/N suddenly dipped to her knees, Hisoka refrained from any lewd thoughts that he normally might have had in such a situation. That sensation in his chest was too distracting to allow this memory to be defiled with something he often indulged in fantasies of. She began to slide the high-heeled shoe off of his swollen foot to wrap it. She began to struggle with ripping the fabric she’d gathered to act as a cast for the bone.

Surely, she knows who I am. Why would she bother to help someone like me? What is she gaining? She knows that with the flip of a card, I could end her life. She’s not even protecting herself in any way. She’s leaving her guard down right in front of me.

Perhaps it was his dark desire to set fear into everyone he came across, or his distorted need to drive away anyone who might care for him, but his body suddenly acted on its own. By instinct, almost as if it were a test of her intention, a card spawned between his middle and index finger, which was right against her neck. With just a slight movement of his knuckles, he could spill her blood. His golden eyes analyzed the way she froze for a moment, and he believed that to be the end of this fragile trust between them. That was until she lifted the fabric she was holding, sliding it along the edge of the card, and cutting it to the perfect length.

“Thanks.” She spoke, beginning to wrap and set the ankle in place.

At that small motion, Hisoka’s discretionary eyes widened, and his lips fell open in surprise. Rather than interpreting his advance as an attack, she’d innocently taken it as an offer of his help. Was this a joke? Was she stupid enough to trust him, or was she bold enough to outsmart his games? Was Y/N this confident that he wouldn’t just kill her? This naive girl at his feet seemed to be the only person in this convoluted world who didn’t see him as a disgusting, heartless monster… and that warmed his icy heart.

“I’m surprised this hasn’t happened before. I know you’re graceful, but high heels are always a recipe for a broken ankle.” She offset the pain of wrapping those bones by talking to him all through the procedure, and it worked wonders. He scoffed, but by that time, Hisoka’s snide comments and emotion-killing thoughts had been expended. Somehow, she’d broken through the barrier that he’d spent so long building around himself.

Unable to ignore his whims anymore, Hisoka reached out to touch Y/N’s hair, the soft delicate strands pleasing his senses. It’s the only movement he can make now, his body weakened from the loss of blood. His gilded eyes were barely open, but they looked directly into hers with an unfamiliar realization. His hand travelled weakly down her face, caressing her cheek with the most delicate touch he could muster, and held her head in his large hand as she froze there. He wondered for a moment if she was afraid, or if something deeper that he cannot see calms her.

A small, genuine smile is all he could muster for her before his hand dropped to the side of the couch, the same couch he watched her curl up on most nights. For once, it’s not a smirk, and it’s not a smug smile- but something she has never seen before- a true smile with good intention behind it. His eyes closed, with uncertainty that they would open in the morning.

After she’d finished her work, she stood up, and looked down at him. The only remaining light in the room was the silent flicker of the television set in the background, which illuminated both of their faces.

“I need you to be alright, Hisoka,” She cooed, unable to know if he could still hear her. He didn’t know if she even realized how much he wanted to kill her right now, because the way her kindness was attacking his heart while his chest was already sliced open was something he should not excuse.

As Y/N’s final healing gesture, she bent over his body gracefully. He was taken off guard when he felt the feathery soft sensation of her lips on his forehead, the kiss of an angel on his clammy skin. As she went to pull away, however, she was startled by the lunge of Hisoka’s hand initiating a death grip on her wrist. He used the last bit of his strength to pull her lips into his, causing her to lose balance and be forced to brace on either side of the couch cushion below him. His lips were cold, but Y/N graciously returned the sensation, and boldly moved to embrace both sides of his face with her mending hands. Before she pulled away, and he passed out, she felt that same smile against her lips.

And in that moment, before he fades away, Hisoka realizes what he’s been missing.

Y/N.

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

Hmm... part two? I KNOW, it’s super freakin’ sappy. I could have taken a lighthearted approach to this (and maybe I will later), but I wanted to kind of challenge myself to write a more depth-driven version of Hisoka. Maybe I bit off a little more than I can chew :0.

Anyway, let me know what you think, and once again thanks to anon for the request! Hope you all enjoyed!

Mac

[justasimplesinner]

Ooooooo bro I've been saving this one for the longest time. Ok so we can all agree that mof crane probably didn't go to his senior prom and probably felt like shit because he didn't feel like anyone really cared about him right? What if a friend/admirer of his (i.e. the reader) he had mutual feelings for asked to hang out on prom night but told him to dress nicely and meet them by the cornfield. He's having doubts cause of the whole Sherry thing but he meets them there anyway, he's gonna comment on how pretty/handsome they look but they're literally so excited they just grab his hand and drag him through the cornstalks. He's getting real sus after a good 5 minutes of walking and is about to pull his hand away until they arrive at a clearing where they have a radio set up to play slow music, a picnic blanket, a few soda bottles filled with wisky that they may or may not have obtained from another student during class, and a balloon held down by a stack of books they've been dying to share with him. They dance, they get a little tipsy, they laugh, he gets a well deserved smooch or two, then they read under the stars together till they fall asleep cuddling.

Please 🙏.

i so fucking wanted to turn this into a fic but i'd just turn it into 30k words of jon's emotional turmoil and never finish it, so have this instead and keep it in mind that my heart has genuinely melted while writing this and i squeezed out every last bit of fluff it had

Masters of Fear!Jon's dream prom night hcs:

when you tell him to meet you by the cornfields on prom night, he's... conflicted. for two main reasons. one obviously being his trauma after the humiliation Sherry put him through the one time he got his courage to ask someone for a date, and two - this was the night of his revenge. he hasn't told you about this, but this was the night his plans were supposed to come to fruition. this was supposed to be the night he first donned the scarecrow costume, the night that would turn his whole life around. but you... you were his friend. he didn't remember a time when you weren't. you were always there. you were there for him every time got bullied, beaten or humiliated. you were there for his misplaced infatuation with Sherry and you were there to comfort him after he had a head-on collision with reality. and now, you were there for his prom night, despite him not having the courage to actually ask you to go with him. and maybe, just maybe... revenge could wait. maybe he should repay you for going through the trouble (and it was a trouble) of befriending him and staying by his side. so he accepted

you told him to dress nicely, so he did, to the best of his abilities. he donned a brown suit, the only one he had that was supposed to be for his prom and that was just slightly too small. it was the smartest garment he owned and he almost liked how it looked, how it made him seem more serious, more intelligent, but when he saw you... he truly felt like a servant in the presence of royalty. "nicely" wasn't anywhere near to how you looked. you were breathtaking. absolutely fucking breathtaking, to the point where the air actually got stuck in his lungs when he looked at you. thousands of thoughts were running through his head. you were so beautiful. why didn't he ask you to prom? why did he waste his only chance to do something with what you two had? the suspicions as to why exactly were you so dolled up by a cornfield were muffled by his absolute admiration for you as well as that slight self-hatred that accompanied him wherever he went

and then, you complimented him. it wasn't the first time, you were always so supportive of him, but this time it... hit different. it wasn't anything out of the ordinary, not like you haven't called him handsome before, but suddenly he found himself tongue-tied. the best he could muster back was a stuttering "you too", but before he blinked you were already grabbing his hand and rushing him through the cornfields, claiming that you had a 'surprise'. and after his experiences, Jon wholeheartedly despised surprises

there was a battle going through his head because honestly, where the fuck were you taking him, why were you two tearing through a cornfield? what, because he looks like a scarecrow? was it another joke? you were never once mean to him, but at this point, who fucking knew? but also, you were holding his hand. you laced your fingers and squeezed and pulled and your thumb kept rubbing over his skin in almost a soothing manner and you held his hand-

"(y/n), please-" he didn't even know what he was asking of you, all he knew was that he was scared and your hand was both the reason for it and his only source of comfort, but he shut his mouth the second you pulled him into a small clearing and he was faced with... a dream, really. you took care of... everything. you laid down a huge blanket with some light pillows to make it more comfy, homemade snacks, drinks, alcohol, a god damned radio with both your favourites on, a small stack of books with balloons-

he was speechless. completely, utterly speechless. you were talking like it was nothing, how you took the CDs from your home that he liked, how you baked those muffins he always immensly enjoyed, how you sneakily bought whiskey with the help of your older friends, how you brought the books you were just dying to read with him, how you fucking made your own private prom for you two to enjoy in peace, and said it like it wasn't a big deal. and he... brought you nothing. not even flowers. he should've gotten you flowers, like any man would. you made all this and he was just standing there like a fucking idiot, with his hands empty, and he dared to doubt you after everything you two have been through-

but you didn't let him wallow in his self-doubt, instead pulling him down, deciding to start the fun. you sat there, side by side, with you pouring the drinks, munching on snacks, discussing books, laughing and joking around with some music in the background. Jon has spent some amazing moments with you, from skipping school to go to the lake to going on trips with you and your parents to places he never thought he'd visit, but this felt... special. that night, he felt happier. he felt like it meant more

he didn't expect that slow love song he was fond of to play, nor you offering to dance. well, offering might be an understatement. if you offered, that dumbass would've probably refuse out of sheer embarassment and bashfulness. you pulled him up and decided to lead him to the "dance floor" (i.e. area around the blanket), leaving him no room to refuse. yet again, not the first time you two danced together without a care in the world, but the first time it felt so... intimate. you were so close, closer than ever before. you held him so gently, you smiled so brightly and he was so captivated he stumbled over his own feet more than once, but it was all perfect. your chest pressed up against his and then soon enough, your head leaning on his shoulder felt so... right. like you were meant to fit against him, like his arms were meant to hold onto you like this. at the same time his heart tried to beat out of his chest but his mind was an oasis of peace. he felt both nervous and at ease, his face hesitantly nuzzling into you, arms tightening around your body, pulling you so close not even paper could fit in-between you two

it's like he finally realised that what he always wanted was right under his nose all along. that all that time, the only thing he craved was being with you like this. at last, he could understand why his heart always sped up and why he dreamed of you so often. this was way different than the "thing" he had for Sherry. way stronger, way more sincere. he felt more deserving of Sherry than he did of you, like she was closer in his reach than you because you were always so kind to him, because you always cared and he felt like he had no right to ruin what you two had. with Sherry, he had nothing, it was easier to project onto her because he couldn't have you. and all that time, he was unconsciously complicating his own life instead of just... trying to reach for you

he felt like he got really far with you that night, like it was already a big step forward and that maybe, someday, you'd consider something... more. he didn't expect you to kiss him right then and there. he didn't expect you to slowly lift your head from his shoulder and dive right in with only a quick glance into his eyes. suddenly, the whole world stopped, along with his heart. suddenly, the world didn't exist, there wasn't a single thought of Bo, Sherry or his revenge, there was only you. you and your perfect lips moving against his own and your perfect hands cupping his cheek and tangling in his hair. he didn't expect an embarassing mewl to escape the back of his throat but if anything, you didn't seem to mind, only pulling him closer, letting him feel all of you

the kiss was messy, almost awkward, but Jon has never felt anything as divine as your plush lips moving against his chapped ones, your tongue slowly sliding into his mouth, guiding him, showing him what love really felt like. he really didn't know when his arms embraced you tight enough to feel your every move against his body, but it felt right. it felt right to have you this close and to kiss you like this. it felt like this was where he belonged

he needed air, but he needed you more and he couldn't just stop, if it wasn't for you finally pulling away, he might've suffocated on the spot. when he leaned back, his chest was heaving and his lips tingling, but he didn't let you go. it's like... he couldn't. you looked into his eyes, hell, right into his soul and for the first time in his life, he had no doubt. surprisingly, he felt no fear crawling up his spine that he just fucked up, he felt no anxiety that he ruined what you two had. the only thing he felt was the need to kiss you again. and then again and again until he could no more

the rest of that night was filled with cuddles, kisses, alcohol and laughter. with talking until the early hours of the morning, with you comfortably between his legs and him wrapped around you like a blanket. that night ended with his shaky, whispered "i love you" and long, meaningful kisses from you which were quickly becoming his new addiction as you two finally parted ways, only to meet again the next day, and then the next and so on. and maybe none of you knew that, but you saved him that day. saved him from a fate he was not entirely ready for. from a life of crime and pain and severe trauma

[adepressedartist]

I'm just gonna vent here rn, because I don't know where to go.

I've been in a horrible headspace the last couple of days because i can't be open with something specific. And that brought me down like hell, that the fact my friend felt like shit brought me down even more, with feeling like i can't help her.

I feel isolated from my own thoughts.

I feel like a misfit, once again.

I don't know if my actions are reasonable.

I feel like I'm just the trouble maker once again. I'm bringing people down, making mistakes, horrible, horrible mistakes.

I wish i could just say "You know what? You've been the most toxic ass I've ever seen. Bye." And leave it behind to start off new.

I've been helping a friend with the search of an apartment. I'd love to live alone at first, to be honest. I'd love to live alone with nobody interrupting me in my structure, because fuck this is triggering me over and over. Even the smallest of things like he fridge being sorted in the wrong way.

This vent has no end nor beginning. No red string. Just purging my thoughts out, while I'm sitting on the bathroom floor close to passing out because i got a cold.

The body triggered itself into littlespace again because i made one wrong action.

All the progress has been lost. Only thing that's still going is being clean from heroin. And being selfharm free for a couple of days. But that's it. Everything else? Has been lost, especially because i don't know anymore how i can keep shut about this one thing that matters to me like nothing else.

Yet i feel like I'm losing most of my friends.

I don't know.

The body feels more and more suicidal because of N. I don't know what to do. I'm scared to death at this point. And the only fear i had was my mother. I wish her back. I wanna go back to her. It was always the same bullshit with her. I've got gaslighted and traumatized too.

But not this horrid.

Not this cruel.

Because she's still a loving mother that's worried about me.

I feel so sick.

I don't know.

I'm feeling blue. Black.

I'm fighting the urge to not touch the silver and destroy my skin once again.

I'm questioning my gender and sexuality because of Melly and Lexy.

This is horrible.

I thought i am a man. I've suffered through my mom's hatred, bullying, getting beaten up in the toilets, and so on to show what i am. And now I'm so so unsure. This is killing me to be honest. My whole life is moving but change is so so scary. It makes me wanna die. I wanna stay in my comfort zone.

I'm at a end where everyone except for Raven and Lexy share the same opinion that we need to be hospitalized. But what then. What. Fucking then. Go back and pretend like nothing happened? Stuff myself with pills? See that it's been another waste of time like the last times?

There's one person left that doesn't feel like it's killing me. One person that doesn't continuously trigger me. That's honest to me which I'm so thankful for. Which feels like they care for me. Which I'd protect at all cost. But they're so far out of reach. They're so close but so far away. It's still so long.

I'm scared.

Honestly.

I'm scared of everything.

I don't wanna be the tough guy anymore. I don't want to get beaten up again. I don't wanna carry the weight of 50 peoples broken hearts, ignoring mine.

Lexy and raven might be a little angry at me for writing this on a public thing. But i always did. I want someone to be able to read this, without sending it to them directly and halfway forcing them.

I don't know who i am anymore.

I always said "I am me. Simply", but I'm only a shell of who i was, am, should be, or fucking- ....

This

I'm done

I'm so done. It was such a hard torture to walk into the bathroom without passing out. I don't know if I'll pass out on my way back into bed, like i said i got the flu or something and my immune system is horrible. But we'll see.

I'll try to stay alive. I'll give my best.

[bearpillowmonster]

Horizon Zero Dawn Review

The game that critics have been raving about for years and I just haven't played. I heard a lot of people say "this needs a movie" but they say that about any game that dares to be a little bit cinematic because I personally disagree.

That first part is rough, the story seems so in your face, predictable and bland but I think the problem is that it didn't know how to put in its exposition. I think it naturally builds up as it goes on, getting bigger and broader, it's just those first experiences that can be a slog because you're pretty much learning what style you're going to play in.

I got more or less everything I expected, crafting, a skill tree, various weapons. What I didn't expect though are dialogue options. You can choose normally up to four paths, an intelligent one, a compassionate one, and a straightforward one. You don't have to worry about the stress of trying to reach a specific ending because there's really only one, the only thing that affects it is the amount of people that are in it. So does that make the choices irrelevant? Yes and no because there are different dialogue options and like I said, which means that you can get certain characters to like you more given the option you choose but not in the same way that relationship points work and I definitely felt the draw to do that whenever I came across my first side-quest.

Side-quests are interesting, I love tracking things in games, though it's rare that you actually get the chance to do it and here you have a good amount of opportunities. Is that all though? Far from it. I actually found myself searching for side-quests because the first two were so satisfying. It really only began to show its hand a bit more after those quests. As I mentioned, there are a lot more RPG elements than I first imagined but it starts to send you on scavenger hunts, especially that Dreamwillow one, that one I actually laughed out loud at every time I was turned away. It also starts to gatekeep to where it recommends that you be a certain level which is...odd? I mean at face value it looks like you could rock basically any combat situation that isn't context sensitive. Leveling up gives you abilities but they're more like Deus Ex on that front, where it's just for preference and upgrading, not necessarily strength. The only thing you improve on offense wise basically boils down to having the right materials or units to buy weapons then a matter of finding modifications. Other than that, leveling up seems to just increase your health. It really just depends on the quest too because I'll play one above my level and be fine then play another that's actually under my level and feel stuck.

Now I only played it on normal mode so something like "Ultra Hard" is bound to be more demanding but as far as actual side quest content, I feel like they have potential but just need tweaked, give me more stuff for major characters that affects their standing with me. Rather than having each quest be contained in its own story, have it affect you later in the game, let your actions be shown, give it rewards and consequences. There are some really great side-quests but there are also some crappy ones, it doesn't pass that threshold that most RPGs fall under or anything. However, I did find myself doing side-quests at my own free will and the ones that I didn't like or couldn't do at the time, I just skipped and focused on something else, I felt a lot more freedom with this game, like I didn't feel forced to grind or do a certain number of side-quests or really do anything. It encourages you to explore and play the way you want to play and I respect the heck out of that. Maybe it's different for other players though.

Perhaps my favorite actual side thing was the Cauldrons for those who actually played this, you'll know why. For those who didn't, just know that it's cool and let it be a surprise for when you go to one. You might expect these big set-pieces and bosses like Uncharted or GoW, but it's not really like that. I genuinely think that this is more video-gamey than it lets on which certainly takes up its runtime. One addition to side-quests that I would like to see is one where you don't know it's happening. For example, in this game, you'll come across random hunters who are attacking or being attacked by machines but rather than just going on about your day and them going on about their's, I want to fight off the machine and the person say "You saved my life, my name's Jara, I live in the town nearby and want to repay you." so you go there and there's trouble so it starts up a side-quest. Now don't get me wrong, there are PLENTY of instances of people getting attacked actually being a mission but most of the time someone in town will just tell you "I haven't seen this person in a while, can you go check on them for me?" It's the art of subtlety and also just doing a good deed and getting rewarded for it. It's a conscious choice and split decision rather than just another checkmark on your list to complete.

Now I won't bother listing the characters and rating them but there's a certain aspect that has me really enthused So, Aloy is an outcast and a lot of these side missions and scenarios reflect her, you'll see the way she can relate with other characters, making it almost poetic in a subliminal kind of way. Then they add this tribal and futuristic setting to it where Aloy acts as the medium, there are parts of the game where she questions the tribe because they cut themselves off from technology and just don't know any better and we as a viewer know that but having the main character view things in 'our' lens is pretty genius. To top that off, they give her enough personality to be her own character while giving us enough power to influence her so that we ourselves can REFLECT WITH HER. It's not her character that I'm impressed with, it's the layout of the story.

So, how is the main story? It's kind of like the Flood scenario in Halo if I'm being honest. I'm not going to spoil anything but it's passable, like I said, it's not like an Uncharted and it's not like a movie. The visuals just look good at times (I took all the pictures in this review myself and so much more!). I'd call it a futuristic/tribal mix between Shadow of the Tomb Raider and Skyrim but I see elements of a lot of things. (Also since it's post apoctalypic, you find items that we see in modern day, like how they call keys, "chimes"! They think they're windchimes because there are no more cars! I love that!)

It actually does a pretty good job at being an open world considering that there are tons of things to do on your routes as well as collect but it's not so much so that it seems unfeasible, as I said, I found myself doing a good chunk of the side stuff just because it was fun to do and I'm not even close to a completionist for any game. If you mess up, healing plants will still be there. As long as you save, enemy parts will still be there. A place can be cleared out and conquered so that enemies don't come back. The actual towns are peaceful so you can't get mangled by any bots outside of scripted instances.

The graphics are pretty good but I can see some error here and there, nothing necessarily game breaking but the animations and AI are definitely janky at times. It's pretty obvious from the get-go but I'll do my best to specify and give constructive criticism on what I found wrong with certain aspects of the game. Rost is slow, like slower than walking speed but that's not to speak for all NPCs, some run, some you don't need to follow, it was really just him. I've had NPCs who fight but miss every single time on simple enemies (that might not be a bug, that might just be a funny bit that someone decided to add in). Sabretooths have jumped through walls (granted the walls were kinda broken but I'm not sure if those big boys can fit when they can barely find the entrance) I found myself jumping to a ledge or on a rope but not land it and just drop (it really boils down to loosening the hit box for that). Which to add on to that, I would like more places to climb and jump to in general (other than stupid mountains). I felt like there wasn't really enough that I could climb and the places that I could, could've been a bit more obvious that I could, maybe even make it viewable with your focus if you don't want it to be visually outstanding. There's a day and night cycle and while I like that, I found some of the contrast to be annoying because I could be staring a ladder right in the face and not even know it sometimes because it would be so dark. I'm not going to complain too much about it because I didn't turn my brightness up, I just left it at default and I would assume the PS5 version fixes some of those little things.

Now, this one is kind of a gray area: Hiking up mountains. Skyrim, Fallout, and Death Stranding went too far and gave little to no barriers. They had you looking for sweet spots that weren't there in order to cheese your way through an area either on or off a beaten path. But I would compare this to something like GTA where it's not as bad and does have its limits but might need tightened up some more because I can certainly get to places that lead to nowhere.

I've made headshots that don't make contact or damage while using precision. Part of that problem was that they could be high up in a tower (which have spikes sticking out) and I would hit ABOVE the logs, to make a headshot but since it was in that vicinity, it registered that as the spikes' hitbox so it wouldn't cause any damage and just alert the enemy (same if I was in the tower, looking down). Input lag where I hit up button on the D-Pad to regain health and I have to keep pressing it. If I had to guess, you have to meet the requirements of not taking damage, staying still, etc in order for it to actually work but it doesn't really have a reason to do that and it doesn't "tell" you that those are the requirements (as far as I know).

During the final boss, one of the enemies hit me into a rock wall, trapping me inside of it and the boss was already half health so I really didn't want to have to restart (I also didn't know how far back the checkpoint was) so I kept shooting stuff and eventually the boss destroyed the wall, allowing me to get out (timed section, by the way). There have been a few times where a tree or leaf or something is obstructing a cutscene and sometimes there will be a mech in the background screaming over the NPC talking, which I'm sure is due to the cutscenes being real-time which is still pretty impressive. Now are these errors all the time? No, not at all, I'm just pointing out that some times these things happened and that I felt it needed ironed out but I wouldn't call this half baked or an unfinished product or anything, it's nowhere near that level. I get that there are so many NPCs that it's hard to account for them all with facial animations but whenever they're talking, it seems pretty static and sometimes the lips don't line up. There's this one guy who says that he got lost in a sandstorm but he's standing in snow. Again, little nitpicks in an otherwise great game.

Now, I got this game for free as a Playstation promotion but that doesn't necessarily mean it'll be great, I played a little bit of that Ratchet & Clank reboot that was offered and I wasn't impressed, I quit after the first few worlds and was glad I didn't buy it at launch, (despite being a classic PS2 R&C fan) but we're not here to review that. I also played Abzu and loved it but it was short so it was definitely worth a play but maybe not 60$ (I actually think it's 20$ at this point though). With this game, it's the whole complete edition with DLC and everything, it has the length, so it really just boils down to "Would I have spent money on it otherwise?"

I think I would've if I knew more about it because I think it just got better and better after that first part of the game. It's marketed a bit differently than what I ended up getting but I found myself pouring hours into this game and loving it for one reason or another. I actually bought Shadow of the Colossus along with it (which is considered a cult classic) but I liked Horizon so much better, definitely worth its full price in my opinion. (So your promotion worked on me Sony, congrats) It has its problems but the potential is there and I feel like a sequel would probably iron out a lot of my troubles with it, so it's definitely a franchise worth investing into.

If you're interested in what I thought of the DLC alone (if you didn't get the Ultimate edition and are wondering if the extra content is worth it) I have a separate post that goes into that here.

[jimjamthehorrorman]

"Texas Hold Em'"

(PART TWO of the "Unconditional Love" fic. In this AU, the boys are all alive, modern setting and not cannibals. Just a bunch of eccentric boys with secrets. Hope you enjoy!)

Early morning, a tinge of blue coats the walls like thick paint. You forgot to close the curtains, but this isn't your house, so how would you remember so easily? You wonder if your dog is having a good time lazying up the house with your friend who came to pupsit. But you have other things to worry about, she's in good hands.

The guest room at the boys farm was empty other than an uncomfortable old futon, some strange bone art (as you know, Nubbins and Bubba are quite the taxidermy artists) and the subtle smell of a "cinnamon clove" candle on the dresser that really ties it all together.

The sound of a rooster crowing next to the window reminds you..

"The boys are up already. Today I finally get to meet the notorious 'Chop Top'" you thought to yourself, struggling to get the heavy flannel sheets off so you can get dressed. "first day as a farmhand, that's a step up from gas station attendant."

When Drayton saw how easily you got along with the boys, he realized that you could be a good addition to the farm. Obviously you wouldn't live there full time. You've got your own home and your own life seperate from them, but something draws you there when you have free time. Actually, someone.

Stomping down the hall, you hear boots already mud clodden. Speak of the devil, he knocks at the door frame with a gentle thud. He groans in a way that almost sounds like "are you up?" You see his eye barely peak through the gap in the door.

"I'm getting dressed, Bubba!" You shout, grasping at the sheets to cover yourself. You hear the sound of his heels turning and a slight jog that turns into some thudding and stomping again. He must have been embarrassed because he turned heel, ran, stumbled and hit the lamp in the hall on his way out.

"BUBBA YOU FOOL, YOU DAMNED NEAR BROKE GRANDMA'S GOOD LAMP!"

Drayton's up.

"GODDAMNIT BOY, GO ON OUT AND GET THE TRACTOR STARTED!"

You hope to yourself he isn't like that with you. Poor Bubba.

"You about ready in there Y/N? We've got to get some work done and then we'll get breakfast made." He took a totally different tone with you. It's almost sickening that he can be so nice to you and so mean to his brothers, but you can't complain because he'll do his best to hold his tongue with you around.

"I'll be out in just a few, Drayton! I'm putting my boots on now!"

He chuckled on his way down the hall.

"Chop Top's back from the VA Hospital, so be prepared. He's crazier than any of us." You can't tell if he's joking or dead serious.

You meet Nubbins at the door.

"Hey! Hey Y/N! Bubba wants you to meet the animals and his favorite are the birds! They're so nice, really good tempered! The ducks are his favorite but I think the chickens are mine!"

"Alright! We'll go check them out together, they have to be fed anyways right?"

"Oh yeah! And they eat real good too! Hungry little things!"

He prances down the lane towards a little crooked shack, Bubba's standing outside the door putting buckets of water and feed out for the birds. He just can't stop wearing that pretty mask and suit. He knows how much you like it and you haven't seen the other mask since the day you met. He's dressed to impress and he's going to get his dress boots dirty, you just KNOW it.

The sun's come up as you were coming down the lane and Nubbins, running in his standard silly formation, makes it to the door and slams it open, letting out all the chickens to Bubba's dismay. He hadn't finished putting everything down and now he has to get his shoes muddy to get back to the other side.

He looks to Nubbins and groans loudly, putting his hand up to his masked face. Shaking his head, he walks around the muddy nasty pen and finishes his job. As soon as he sees you he perks up, running out the pen and nearly ripping his good coat on the wire fence.

"Good morning big guy! Thanks for the privacy this morning!" You laugh as you watch his cheeks redden from under the mask. "It's alright you didn't know I was changing. Anything exciting planned for this afternoon?"

He points toward the gate at the end of the midpoint in the driveway, a truck is making it's way out toward the road and you see Drayton, his mouth running like he's cursing his whole way out. His window is closed but you feel for the poor soul on the other end of the phone.

Nubbins runs up and grabs you by the shoulder. "He's going to get Chop Top from the bus station in town! They finally got him out, he's going to get him and we'll have a great time, a hell of a time!"

You've heard wild stories about this guy, and you weren't sure how to feel about him but certainly he would come to be as close to you as the other boys.

Bubba and Nubbins finish doing their jobs while you get some Alfalfa treats for the cattle out back. Who knew these hefty old things were like big dogs themselves? The one with the biggest horns you knew to be "Dolly" the longhorn named by Drayton and his favorite. You give her a couple extra treats for good measure.

It's only been about fifteen minutes since Drayton left, and based on Nubbins' watch, he wouldn't be back for another 45. Now's your chance to get even closer to Bubba. He doesn't talk much but there's a spark and he for sure likes you.

More of an action than words guy, that boy.

"Hubba Bubba, look at you all fancy!" You smile at him, he's got his sleeves rolled up to the elbow, his pant legs rolled to the knee and he's slinging a 50 lb bag of cracked corn into the feeder. He looks down at you, giving you a once over before wiping corn dust off of his tie and jacket. "I'm done with my jobs if you want to go on a walk!"

Bubba giggles to himself before putting the burlap sack on the pile and walking up to you, excited to spend time with you, knowing soon you two can have a snack at the barn.

"So, do you like living on the farm?"

He nods, he loves it here with all the animals, you can tell. He scratches his chin under the mask. He must get hot wearing those all the time and shaves quite often so it must get itchy.

Walking down a hill toward the barn you pass a beaten up old shed. Getting too close to the door he grabs your hand and snags you in close to him. He's shaking his head no.

"What's wrong with the shed, Bub?"

He looks uncomfortable and points to the barn.

"Okay okay, we'll keep moving." You give him a pat on the lower back and keep walking before giving one hesitant glance back at the shed. What's in there and why is he not letting you in? Weird.

Halfway to the barn you realize you're still holding Bubba's hand. He's tangled his fingers up in yours and you feel him gently trailing his thumb around on your hand. He looks down at you every once in a while just to be sure you're comfortable. He's nervous and it's easy to tell.

You try your best to reassure him by doing the same and smiling back each time. He lets out a relieved sigh as you make it to the barn. A decrepit old metal barn from the 50s filled to the top on one side with square bales of hay and the other side a little table with five chairs and a couple of empty stalls sit. The barn is open on both sides other than the back, a torn up old screen sways back and forth in the wind, like a piece of paper held on with tape. Bubba retracts from your hand to pull down some bales with ease, stacking them into something roughly resembling a couch.

He flops down on them with only a slight rustle of the hay, obviously more comfortable than the little rusty metal ones at the table. He sits up and pats the bale beside him. You walk over and flop next to him, looking around to see that Nubbins is nowhere close by, you wrap your hand around his and lean into him. Between the heavy overalls you have on guarding you from the itchy hay and this space heater of a man, you're warm and comfy. Bubba gazes down at you and envelops you in his arms. He too is very comfortable.

---

"I think they're in the house, I couldn't really tell you!"

You hear Nubbins in the distance, it sounds like he's yelling to Drayton and Chop Top but you can't be sure.

They can't possibly be back yet unless...

Bubba's asleep. You were asleep. How long have you been out? How long have they been home? Is Nubbins covering for you?

"Well tell them if you see them before us that Chop Top and I are making lunch and they'll be too late if they don't get themselves up here!" Drayton sounded like he was content for the moment but if you didn't get to the house soon you'd be in big trouble. Footsteps trail around the back of the barn, Nubbins peaks in and whispers loudly to the both of you.

"Get yourselves together love birds! Drayton's gonna whoop my ass if you two don't get in this house soon. It'll be real bad! So hurry on up!" He blows a raspberry at the now awake Bubba who groans at the thought. You look up to see the bottom of his mask has rolled up to reveal a normal looking chin and mouth, a freshly shaven face is hidden by the mask every day and you don't get to see it so this is a glance you didn't expect. As he starts to roll down his mask, you grab his hand. He looks at you scared and worried.

"I'm not going to take it off" you smile at him and he calms, holding onto your hands. "I just want to try something and you have to tell me if you're uncomfortable okay? I won't ever try to make you uncomfortable."

Bubba nods at you, his left hand trailing up your arm, resting on the nape of your neck where he can run his fingers along your hairline. As you lean in for a kiss, he closes the gap. Your lips touch and he pulls you in closer, holding you in his arms.

Bliss. You may have been kissed before, but he was a whole other ballgame. He had never kissed before and there was a level of touch starvation that he was trying to cope with upon this embrace. He was holding you and being held by you at the same time and he was beyond happiness.

Bubba's depraved lips were soft as silk and cherry flavored as they grazed over yours, his cologne thick but not overpowering smelt of burning oak wood in a crackling fireplace. The only fire here is one of desire and soon you would both be burning. His hands crept up and down your back and hips, trailing over your hands and back to your hair. Soon enough you felt smooth shaven skin and soft pillowy lips crawling down your chin and neck, circling your shoulder. You were completely and utterly surrendered and victim to his tender embrace.

*horribly obnoxious phone ringing*

Bubba breathed hard letting you go, a sigh escaping his lips as he pulled his mask down again. You reach into your pocket and pick up the phone. Of course, Drayton was getting finicky.

"Where are you kids? Your jobs couldn't have taken that long!"

"Sorry Drayton we'll be right there!" He hung up and you could see the dissapointment in Bubba's eyes. You were dissapointed too but relieved because you weren't sure how far that could have gone. "Sorry Bubba, Drayton wants us at the house."

He grunted as he stood up, helping you up after him. He held your hand as you walked back to the house. You didn't get a snack, instead you got a whole lot of a hot take.

---

The birds squawked and cooed softly as you passed by, echoing the same calmness that filled the breeze. In that breeze came the smell of lunch: a mixture of fried eggs, bacon, fried apples, little crunchy potatoes and fresh squeezed orange juice. The taste of cherry carmex chap stick still lay thick on your lips as Bubba walked beside you.

It was going to be the best job you could ever have dreamed of.

[arcadequeerz]

Zeno |Non Fandom OC|

tHIS Is zeno! Another of my v early Oc’s his info mentions another of my OC, Bloodloss, aka: piece of fucking shit(He’ll be posted next.)

Zeno stands just a Little under 5ft tall. Body type is quite frail and skinny. Body is covered in pure white, soft feathers. A few light grey feathers are mixed in with the white. They have a dragon like Muzzle, and the feathers down their muzzle have a very slight red tint to them. Has bandages on their muzzle that covers holes in the flesh that show bone. Muzzle ends in a rabbits like nose.

Left eye is a very dark purple, right eye is a very bright purple color. Pupils are like goats pupils. Atop their head they have a long cockatiel style crest of feathers. The feathers are a mix of white and light silver, and much like a cockatiel they are able to flip the crest up, or lay it flat against their head. The tip of the crest ends in a curl. On either side of their head they have two long feathered ears, the ears are wide towards the base, and are thin towards the tips, the ears are covered in soft, long feathers, the ones at the ears tips end in black. Their mouth is full of long, sharp teeth, and they have a long forked tongue thats red. On the back of their head, and down their neck they have fluffier feathers. These fluffy feathers go down along their spine and stop right before their tail.

!!Light Body Horror Warning!!

Tail is completely void of flesh, and is just white bone. Their tail is long, and at the tip of it it ends in a canine like skull with a longish muzzle. It has no Eye sockets and its jaws are filled with very sharp teeth. Moving their tail it makes a rattling like sound. Tail at times can have a mind of its own, likes to loudly snap its jaws shut making a loud CRACK like noise.

Like their tail, their feet are nothing but bone. Feet are paw like and have long, sharp talons on them.

!!Light Body Horror Warning end!!

Hands had rotten away at One point so they were replaced with metal hands, the fingers on these hands end in sharp claws.

!!Needles/Syringe Ment!!

Has a second set of hand they can switch the other out with, these hands are made of kinda rusted metal, and fingers are syringes that have long, sharp needles. Usually has very brightly colored liquid in the syringes vials. Able to pull out the viles from the fingers to replace them. Simply able to stab one into someone to inject whatever is in the vile into them.

!!Needles/Syringe Ment end!!

Zeno is in a constant state of rotting. They’re Constantly rotting and falling apart, their flesh tears and rips occasionally, usually along their spine and on their neck first.

They created a serum to use that delays the rotting but if they go too long without taking it they’ll start to rot and fall apart again. If they Do not keep taking the serum, they would rot away till they were nothing but bone.

Zeno is usually prettysickly, or generally very tired/not feeling well due to them constantly being in a state of decay. They hide how they feel really well though. Usually has a tired look to themselves. They also have a Awful memory, and are really Really bad at memorizing names,

Overall Zeno is a very energetic person, having transitioned from: so exhausted that they can’t stay awake, to being so tired their Awake as all hell. They’re a tad odd, very talkative but overall are quite friendly. Likes to crack jokes at people and could be described as ‘eccentric’. Hyper and rarely ever stops Moving.

They live currently with another one of my OCs, Matora, in their cabin. They care and love Matora very much.

For Zeno’s backstory I’ve been having trouble with thinking up one, I do have a idea for it, its not fully Fleshed out though.

Zeno used to be a very well known Doctor, best in the area they lived in. They saved Many people who were on 'deaths doorstep’ many times. They cheat death out of Many, many souls, and Death doesn’t like to be cheated, so Death visits Zeno, and curses them, cursing then to be eternally Decaying/rotting.

Death tells them if they kill, every single person they saved from their grasp, they’ll lift the curse.

In the beginning Zeno is so desperate not to rot away, they manage to kill a few of their past patients. But eventually, the guilt starts to eat away at them, and they no longer want to keep Killing innocent people. They can't bring themselves to keep doing it. They start to accept their fate, of simply decaying into nothing, and go back to their home, and lock themselves inside of the house to wait out until they've rotted away and die.

But instead of that happening, Bloodloss learns about the once doctor, turned rotten monster, and grows interested, they visit Zeno and offer them a opportunity to work for them, Zeno accepts.

Then Eventually, years later, Zeno’s usefulness to him runs out, and Bloodloss nearly beats Zeno to death, and leaves them for dead in the middle of the forest(Darkwood) where Matora lives. Instead of dying, Matora finds Zeno and takes them back to their home, where they fix Zeno up as best they can. After that he lets Zeno stay with him and the two become close.

Zenos a cliche character, I’ll admit that, doctor becomes Monster trope kind of thing, but their one of my First OCs i ever made (Matora being the first) and this whole 'rotting doctor Dude’ has been their Basic idea from start when i first created em

So I don’t rlly wanna change it honestly, their story might be changed up a lil later on if I figure it out better, but Thts the gist of it.

Zeno is Genderfluid, and their pronouns are they/them only. Their also very queer! Zeno loves wearing pretty clothing, they like wearing skirts and dresses, and also like to wear high heels. They usually wear a brown turtle neck sweater and pair of black pants though because they don’t always feel confident in wearing other clothing. Also Most of the time doesn’t wear shoes to cover their skeletal feet, unless they plan on going out in public.

Zeno has pretty bad anxiety at times, flares up randomly and makes them go quiet usually. They also have bad body image issues, and often see themselves as ugly, and nasty.

Both sets of their hands were made when they worked for Bloodloss.

Since their in a constant state of decay they usually feel cold, and also sometimes cant feel touch. These times happen randomly, they used to get real freaked out when they happened, but their used to it now. Since their usually cold, they love Warm things, likes wrapping themselves up in a heating blanket.

Zeno can make all kinds of bird like noises and can even mimic certain sounds, like cell phone ringtones, running water, and can make a laser beam noise (that they like to use to annoy Matora.). They can also make Really Loud bird like noises. Also like most parrots, they can make themselves look Really puffy, or v skinny.

Skinny zeno, with crest stood up = alerted/scared Zeno.

Puffy, fluffy, round Zeno = happy, content, comfortable Zeno! Also can sometimes mean their sleepy.

!!Abuse Ment!!

Zeno is Really scared of Bloodloss. Their relationship was..really Bad. and Bloodloss used and treated Zeno horribly, and they were to scared to say no to Bloodloss or try and get away cus if they tried, Bloodloss would get Real angry. Cus of this they have a hard time telling people No, or letting people know when they're uncomfortable or not ok with something. They also flinch a Lot with sudden movements, or when people raise their hands real fast.

The feathers on their chest, and upper stomach are a bit shorter then the rest, and look kinda messed up. This was from they were beaten by Bloodloss, who burned them on their stomach and chest. Under the feathers n down on their skin they have a large, burn scar. The feathers are very Slowly healing, but will always look a tad shorter/noticeable different then the rest of the feathers on their body. They also have Pyrophobia and hate the smell of things burning.

!!Abuse Ment End!!

If they hadn't worked with Bloodloss they’d never of been able to create the serum that delays their decaying.

[novlox]

— Why?

[ Trigger Warnings — Death, Blood, Slit Throats, Break ins, Knifes, Cuts, Animal Abuse/Violence ]

[ Ooc — Firstly, Id just like to say that I love November as if she were a real person, after all she was my first oc but still, all things come to an end. Over time I lost inspiration and tried to hold onto her still but failed to do so when the few times I would get inspo for her would be cut short. She deserves an ending, and maybe it should’ve been a happier one but dying with her dog there was all she really needed. Anyways, enough with the emotional rambling — On to the ending. ]

—— Covered in paint like normal November stood in her living room, Generation Why by Conan Gray playing loudly as she painted on a large canvas. Looking at her phone she saw the time, 9:43 PM, almost new years. Putting down her phone after contemplating texting her mothers but deciding against it. They're probably with their real families, don't ruin that again Nova, she thought to herself. A frown appeared on her face as ‘Nova’ ran through her mind. Only four people had ever called her that, all of which no longer in her life. As she continued to paint she sang along to the song.

“This town don't got much to do

You and I haven't got much to lose

So do you wanna rot in your room like we always do?

Talk about how fast we grew

And all of the big dreams that we won't pursue

Then get in your car and laugh ‘till we both turn blue.”

She sang softly, stroking her brush against the canvas. Just as she finished those lyrics the sound of glass shattering was heard from behind her. Her hand stopped moving along with her breath. It was as if her feet were glued to the floor, though really her fear was what was stopping her from turning around. She stood there for merely seconds, yet it had felt like forever as she heard footsteps coming closer to where she was. Finally overcoming her fear her feet moved, taking her to the closest place she could hide.

She had no idea what was happening though she knew someone was in her house. She also knew that from their entrance they weren't there for any good reason. Quickly walking towards the small closet in her hallway she walked into it, shutting the door softly before moving to the back of the closet. Sitting down she pulled her knees to her chest, her arms wrapping around them as she rested her forehead against her knees. A few moments went by as she listened to the unknown person rummage around her home. Suddenly the sound of paws scraping against the door to the closet was heard, looking towards the door November knew exactly what was at her door. Or who, for that matter and instantly she crawled towards the door.

Opening the door her eyes rested on her dog, Solis. She knew her other animals where up in her room or probably hiding somewhere in her house. And had she not been blinded by fear she would've known Solis wouldve went in seek for her once he realized there was a threat nearby. Solis was her childhood dog, her closest being to her. November had no siblings, or none she had in her life, but growing up she had Solis. Her big, fluffy Husky she found when she was seven. When she found him he was a small puppy who had clearly been beaten up until that point. She had gotten on her knees and softly cooed him to her and ever since the moment she was able to pick him up he had spent every possible moment by her side. She had quickly become the only human he trusted and let near him, and whenever any other person would try to touch him the scared little puppy he was when she found him would come out.

With all of that being stated, Solis was still her protector. As scared of humans as he might've been Solis protected November no matter his fear, when he deemed it needed. That being the reason he, instead of hiding like the other animals, had gone to look for her.

Softly, November cooed at Solis trying to get him to enter. And he had done just that but right as he had gotten completely into the closet feet appeared in front of the door. Looking up with fear evident in her eyes Novembers eyes fell onto a man in a skee mask. Shakingly November tried to crawl back, trying to create as much distance between her and the man as she could. Her attempts fell short as the man roughly yanked her up by her raven hair, causing a screeching sound to leave her lips as tears gathered in her eyes. “Please, just take what you want and leave.” She said, her soft voice shaky as fear consumed her whole. Though before her statement could be thought over by the masked man Solis jumped up in attempt to save his human. Barking and growling he leaped towards the man, his teeth penetrating the man’s leg. As soon as Solis bit into the man he had let go of November and began trying to get the dogs teeth to release him.

This had given November the perfect opportunity to run and hide but instead she stood in her place. As extremely dumb as it might've been November refused to leave without Solis. He was her everything and she would rather risk her life than leave him with the man. November screamed as she watched the man pull out a long knife. Before she could do anything the man slide the knife down, cutting the dog across the side of his muzzle. Solis pulled back, whining from the pain as blood leaked down from the cut.

Turning towards November, the man began walking to her, knife still in hand. November began to back up before turning but just as she set off to run the man grabbed her, Lifting his knife to her neck he put pressure on it before quickly pulling it sideways. Blood rushed out as he let go of her. Her hands instantly went to her neck as if they could provide a wall strong enough to hold the blood in. She fell to the floor as she began choking on blood, no matter the amount she spit out in desperate attempt to stop choking it seemed she couldn't stop the two-way flowing blood.

Suddenly Solis come into view, whining as he watched his human struggle to outstand death. Lifting a shaky, bloody hand she tried to reach out to him but her blurry eyes began seeing double. As if Solis knew that he moved his head and place is under her hand, running his head against it. Walking closer to her Solis laid down, his head rubbing against her chest as he whined.

“Cause we are the helpless, selfish, one of a kind,

Millenium kids, that all want to die

Walking in the street with no light inside our eyes

We are the worthless, cursed with too much time

Get into trouble and then lose our minds

Something that i've heard a million times in my life

Generation Why”

The song played throughout the house as November fought to live, though her fight seemed to be coming to an end as her body began to slow. Her mind being taken over by a endless blackness that seemed to be erasing everything in its path. Her eyes began fluttering though still, as weak as she had become, she fought to keep them open. She tried to focus on anything, just to give herself time, to pause the inevitable fate she had been given. She focused on the soft feel of her dog trying to comfort her. Solis. Her sun. The one who never left, no matter the situation. Suddenly, with thoughts of her dog her mind and body calmed down. Her eyes felt heavy and she no longer left the need to keep them open. Just as she let them flutter to a close, for what would be the last time, she let her mind focus on the song playing.

“Why why why why why why why why

We’re livin’ night to night

Why why why why why why why why

Since we’re bound to to die, oh

Why why why why why why why why

Oh, what's the use in trying?

Why why why why why why why why

And it's exactly why.”

———————————————

November Indica Lox — 06/09/2000-12/31/2018

—— “You’re like the calmest slit to my neck.”

[heroes-of-your-heart]

Headcanons for Toshi, Aizawa, Hizashi and their s/o. They're squaring off with a powerful villain, getting the beatdown of their life, but fighting as hard as they can to protect their s/o who is hiding nearby. Just when they think they've won as the villain falls and they drop their guard to check on their s/o, the villain strikes back with a surprise attack! S/o notices this and acts quickly by pushing their lover out of the way/acting as a shield/whatever, taking the hit instead.

You’ll be quick to figure out who’s writing what from how angsty things are. I love my angst a lot so good luck if you ever give me the opportunity. - Mod Ivy

Hizashi/Present Mic

He was pretty sure the villain’s eardrums were beyond shattered, and the frequency of his attacks probably managed some internal damage. He was in the process of calling the police station when he turned to look at you. He wasn’t officially on duty as a hero, but when a villain walks up and tries to accost him and his s/o while you’re on a date, what’s a guy to do?

They were one of the villains from the League, he was sure. The fight hadn’t been easy, but he told you strictly to stay back. You watched as Hizashi was beaten up down and sideways by this overgrown thug.

After the battle, you were walking forward to embrace Hizashi for a job well done when the villain moved. The attack was lightning fast, a final effort to at least get revenge on his opponent for the defeat.

Your instinct kicked in, and you dove forward, shoving your beloved aside. Your arms made an X shape for a cross block only a split second before the blow landed. It was later you heard that the block had saved you at best a broken rib, and at worst internal organ damage.

The screech Hizashi let loose was louder and more panicked that anything you’d ever heard in your life, and even without his amp, it was sure to be the end of this fight for good. He rushed to your side, scrambling to the spot a few meters away where you’d been flung by the blow.

He ignored your shocked mumbles while checking you over for injuries. “(Y/N) whatever you do, don’t move your arms.”

“Wh-what ‘Zashi?” It hurt so much, you struggled not to cry or scream.

“Your arm is shattered. Don’t move. An emergency crew will already be on the way.” He paused, “And don’t you ever do something like that again. What if it had been worse, and you…you left me? Please, (Y/N), don’t do this to me.”

You could feel which of your arms Hizashi was talking about, and you raised the other to touch his cheek, “Oh ‘Zashi, I’ll be okay.”

Aizawa/Eraserhead

You knew Aizawa wasn’t healed enough from the simulation incident for this fight. His eyes were still giving him trouble, which meant his Quirk was being erratic at best. His erasure ability was only working for short bursts, and his opponent knew it.

It was just your luck. This was one of the few nights his friend Hizashi wasn’t hanging around him. It was your job to escort your significant other home tonight to give Hizashi some time to rest.

When the villain appeared, the love of your life had shoved you into an alley and begun to fight for both your lives. Of course you had already called emergency services, but the closest active hero was three minutes away. It didn’t seem like a lot of time, but in a dangerous fight like this it could be deadly.

The scarf-like weapon Aizawa wielded was doing most of the fighting while the man himself mostly avoided attacks.

You had a dangerous thought. Taking the villain’s attention for just a second or two would give Aizawa the opening he needed to bind them and focus long enough to erase their quirk for more than thirty seconds. He would he unhappy about it, he might even yell at you for doing something so stupid.

But at this rate he wouldn’t be alive to scold you if somebody didn’t intervene. It was time to improvise.

You had Aizawa’s bag over your shoulder, and began to frantically root around inside of it. Your quirk wouldn’t be of much use in this fight, so you needed something to help you. After maybe ten seconds, you found a worthwhile combination of items. Aerosol and a lighter.

One of the villain’s arms was locked up by the scarf; now was your best shot. You sprinted out of your hiding spot and lit up your makeshift weapon, burning the villain’s face as well as your own hands and forearms. They screamed at the sudden new assault, and tried to cover their face with their free arm. That gave Aizawa the advantage he needed for a capture.

It was only after the reinforcements arrived that he finally looked at you. You were seated on the edge of an ambulance to receive first aid for your minor burns. After he gave his report to the attending officers Aizawa came to sit beside you and be treated as well.

“That was the stupidest thing I’ve ever seen you do,” he signed, glaring at your injuries, “but thank you.”

Hizashi heard the commotion over his scanner and drags you both to the hospital, of course, but you know neither of them are truly angry at you. You may have been injured, but your actions were for the best. Hizashi isn’t letting either of you out of his sight for the rest of his life, though, so be prepared.

Toshinori Yagi/All Might:

It wasn’t quite an easy of a fight as normal. The battle was taking too long for his liking and the surrounding buildings were taking too much damage. It wasn’t that the villain was tough, there was just too many and All Might was already too close to the end of his time limit. Just a couple more minutes and he would have to revert back.

The majority of the group of villains had been defeated and laid unconscious on the ground, far enough from the battle to stay safe. Now there was only one left he was slowly backing into a corner.

It took one hit to finally finish it, the villain now slumped over on the ground. All Might didn’t hesitate to rush over to your side where you were hiding in the alleyway behind the dumpster.

As always he checked over you for wounds while you assured him that you weren’t harmed in anyway. “I should be the one worrying about you,” you said, searching his body for any visible wounds.

Out of the corner of your eye you saw someone stumble towards the opening of the alley. You could feel your heart pounding against your ribcage as you saw the man raise his palm to face your lover.

Without hesitating you jumped in front of All Might just as a ice shards shot from his hand, effectively hitting you in multiple places and embedding deep into your flesh.

The sound of you crying out nearly shattered the hero’s heart. Dread filled him at the sight of you falling to the ground and the wicked smile on his opponent’s face as he stood defensively from across the alley.

His speed seemed to return to how it had been before his brutal injury as he smashed his fist into the male’s gut. This time he’d make sure his opponent was truly unconscious.

Guilt and fear overwhelmed him as he rushed back over to your side and gently picked you up in his arms. It had been a while since he had felt true terror. All Might couldn’t think beyond the fact that he needed to take you to a hospital as soon as possible. Even if it meant letting some villains escape if they managed to regain consciousness before he could contact someone else to pick them up.

He tried to be gentle as he carried you away to the nearest hospital, fighting the pain that came from going over the time limit of this form.

As soon as you were admitted into the emergency room he called someone to take the criminals to jail. He spent the entire night in the waiting room, desperate to know if you were going to be okay. The entire time he blames himself, knowing fully well it was his fault you were hurt and that it could have been avoided if he hadn’t made such a terrible mistake. It would haunt him every time he saw the scars on your body if he ever saw you again.

[chocobostrinket]

hmm... not sure if you've done this before but how about the bros with s/o they've known since childhood who realize they're in love with them only after they rescue them from kidnapping and gets hurt in the process?

Noctis:

He's waiting for them to wake up, to tell them how much they mean to him.

It had been late in the day when he gets a phone call from their phone, right before the sun dips below the horizon. 

He answers and expects their cheerful voice to be the one on the line. 

Instead, he's met with the voice of someone who holds a grudge against his father for letting the empire take so much.

Their act of revenge? Taking away someone they know he values. 

The phone call ends when he hears their voice shouting for him to stay away.

Instead, he goes to Ignis and lets him know that his friend is in danger. 

No one argues, each of them eager to save them. They drive all through the night to the place he last knew they had been, and start from there.

It takes them three days. Three days of the absoute worse scenarios running through his head of what's befalling them. 

So when they finally track down their captors, he unleashes hell. Even though it's nighttime, the air is lit up with each of their attacks.

But he doesn't notice the sharp shooter stationed above them on a nearby ridge. 

But his dear friend knows. Even though they're weaponless and in pain, they make the choice to protect the prince.

The shot rings out as the last kidnapper falls to them, and they all freeze. Each of them are eyeing each other with panic. 

Who was that meant for?

But then he sees them standing behind him, facing out into the night air with an expression of concentration. 

Prompto is the first to see the glint of a gun, and shouts, "Sniper!" 

He fires before the other moves, knowing he's the only one to make the shot.

And when they're all sure the danger has passed, they all smile at one another.

The happiness doesn't last.

His friend suddenly crumples, and none are near enough to catch them before they hit the ground. 

Their eyes are fluttering closed as they press their hands to their stomach. 

It's a close call. They almost lose them in the time it takes them to dig out a potion. 

They hadn't awoke though. 

They had set up camp and were just waiting for them. 

What had given Noctis time to think.

He thought about how terrified and upset he'd been during the days they had been searching for them.

The elation he felt when they had reached them before anything truely horrendus had happened.

The utter terror he felt when they had fallen to the ground and nearly vanished from his life forever.

He needed to tell them everything.

Maybe then they'd understand that his feelings had progressed to something beyond friendship.

So much so, that he'd told the others that they would be traveling with them from now on. Clearly, someone had let it slip that they were important to him. Too important to be out of sight. 

~

They do wake up, and he does tell them after helping them sit up. 

They don't respond at first, and Noctis can slowly feel his heart sinking.

But then they lean forward and press a kiss to his cheek. 

"It's about damn time."

(They're super pissed about having no choice in staying, but can't find it in their heart to stay angry at the prince.)

Prompto:

It was supposed to be a nice day outside. One of the few times they were all together again. 

They were one of his friends from before...Well, Noctis. One he had lost contact with when the city fell.

It was the first time they'd all gotten to see each other after bumping into each other in Galdin Quay of all places. 

So when the MT's attacked, it was wholly unwelcome. 

Even more so when they realized that their target was THEM.

They didn't even think to question why they were after them, choosing to focus only on defending.

But they were over whelmed, and beaten. Prompto tried his best to hold onto them, as they had found their way into each others arms as they fell into unconsciousness.

He drifted in and out of consciousness, aware he was grasping them tightly one moment, feeling them jerked away from him the next, and watching them fight as best they could from their place over a MT's shoulders in the last. 

He passed out fully then, waking only hours later after a phoenix down was used on him. 

They set out to find their taken friend, even getting Aranea's help on locating where the ship was. 

Noctis warped over and gained the rest of them access. 

Ignis was the one sneaking around to find them while they caused as big of a distraction as they could on the ship. 

Upon finding them, Gladio gave the signal for them all to get off. He was going to crash this thing into the sea. (He does and barely makes it out, but it was kind of fun to him.)

They'd been in their hands for less than 24 hours, but clearly they had fought tooth and nail to escape.

They were out cold, and Ignis guessed that it was because they had been drugged after not settling down.

So they wait. And sure enough, they wake up.

Without thinking his arms are wrapped around them, and he's babbling about how scared he was and that they weren't allowed to do that ever again and that he's probably never going to let them out of his arms ever again so they should get comfy-

They'd rest their head on his shoulder and laugh, and it'd send chills up his back because he can feel their breath on his neck.

He doesn't really get around to telling them, but he does indeed realize that he really loves them.

(They guess though, since he literally doesn't let them out of his arms for very long while they're with him.)

Gladiolus:

It's in the form of a note left in Lestallum with Iris.

Apparently, they'd been on a hunt alone, and taken unawares by opportunists. Ones who were convinced that since they knew how to fight and spoke with the same refined accent as Ignis, they must have been someone important before the city fell.

And though they hadn't wanted to say anything, after the fourth day they had cracked, and mentioned Gladio's name as their friend, and mentioning he's from a noble house. 

The note also says that they refused to say which house he was from and mentioned that he wasn't going to come for them. So they were going to test that by asking Gladio to bring them enough Gil for their ransom.

If he doesn't bring it they're dead.

Like hell he's going to leave his friend with them. Considering they were Iris' friend too, she asks to come with.

(There's such a startling look in her eye that he allows it.)

But the time line. They had until the morning of the 8th day of them being held hostage. It was now the seventh day, and he curses himself.

They quickly gather what they need for an assault, because there's no way in hell he's giving them money and letting them get away with this.

(He also a little freaked out about what they meant by 'they broke on the fourth day'. Were they hurt?)

They all pile into the car and go to where they wanted to meet him, and he goes alone. Or so it seems. Truthfully, the others are somewhere sneaking in behind him.

The first sight he gets of them has him seeing red.

They're laying on the ground knocked out, black and blue. He can make out half healed cuts and a possible broken arm. (He can't bear to look at their hands.)

He states that he's hear for them, and then lashes out instead.

The other join in the fray and the kidnappers are overwhelmed. Most flee. But the leader?

He's on the ground at Iris' feet, an almost too sugary sweet smile on her face.

He scoops his friend off the ground and they leave to go back to Lestallum to allow them to recover after being healed.

When they awake, it's from a nightmare. They swing at Gladio and he has to restrain them without hurting them because they're fighting too violently and won’t listen to reason.

Iris steps in and her face snaps them out of their waking dream.

They don't go into too much detail, and apologize for the trouble, letting a mask slip back over their face.

He gets upset that they're just going to pretend it didn't happen.

He asks to speak to them alone, and the others leave.

It is then he confesses that while he didn't realize it before, seeing them on the ground had forced him to confront that he cared for them.

They sniffle, and say they didn't want to be a distraction and had forced their own feelings away.

He spends the rest of the day just cradling them. He'd figure out everything else later, but for now, he was content with them in his arms. 

Ignis:

He's a little shocked when he finds their phone abandoned on a haven. And then he grows concerned when the last thing in the memory is a video of them during the night, recording themself.

They look disheveled, more so than he'd ever seen them. And it seemed like they hadn't slept in days.

They speak quickly into the camera of someone following them. Of the paranoia they felt.

"If I go missing, please. Find who did this."

They then set their phone down, hidden but with a clear view and wait their attacker. And it turns out they weren't parinoid. Someone does come for them.

They fight tooth and nail, but whoever this was had an advantage. They were clearly well rested compared to them, and had been planning this.

So they, in an unexpected move, rip off their mask and start listing details. Committing them to memory the attacker must assume, but truthfully, it was for the camera recording to pick up. Ignis turns off the video, and gets to work.

It turns out, there's a string of missing people that match his friends description. But this is the first time one of them was smart enough to leave a clue behind.

He hurries to find them when they mention that when these missing people were found, none were alive.

He takes the others with him to comb through the woods where they had slain deadeye, because that's where most of the bodies had turned up. At first people had assumed it was the beast at work, but after a group of hunters had slain it (Cough cough) the real reason behind the bodies was revealed.

It is there they find them, one the ground and limp, pale as death and barely breathing.

They get them up and heal them as best they can, waiting for them to awaken, or for the person who took them to return.

Upon waking up, they grab onto Ignis' sleeve, like they had when they were younger, and says nothing.

When they calm own, they let go and say that the man left them for dead because the wouldn't shout in pain no matter what he did.

Ignis just gathers them into his arms and holds them, because they are shaking rather badly.

He loves them, he has know this for a while. This is just the first time he's forced to acknowledge it. He knows that they cannot be anything more than friends. But he allows himself this. Holding them until the fear disappears.

(He also swears, that he's going to hunt down the man who did this and ensure he never does it again.)

[coffee-n-bagels-comic-universe]

Blood & Roses or Strawberry Milk

Quick Tag List: @kuruumiya @spacelizardtrashboys @enigmaticandunstable @nattinngrst @amyofaquitaine

This passage contains potentially: swearing, blood, whump and fluff content and violence.

Summary: A continuation of the previous chapter but more specifically, within this chapter Kirby and Roddy get to know each other better before splitting up for a while.

Kirby's POV:

Roddy stopped, realising what he had just said, "Sorry, I got overexcited."

"It's okay, just don't get a stiffie, alright?"

Roddy laughed, "Alright. I should get going, … unless you want to get breakfast together."

"Sure, you need a new shirt, unless you're planning on spending today in just the kilt."

"Maybe I will."

"Roddy, don't."

He shoots me a reassuring glance, "I think, my hotel room is the floor above."

"You're telling me this now?"

"let me check if I still have the key," He opened the pouch of the sporran and got the key out, "Room, one-hundred and fifteen."

"I believe that's actually down the hall."

Roddy left for a couple minutes, coming back wearing a black t-shirt covered by a blue plaid shirt and a pair of jeans.

"Oh wow, I almost forgot you were Scottish for a second, Piper."

"Ha, so very, very funny, Kirby. That reminds me of something."

"What?"

"Where does your name come from?"

"Old Norse, originally it meant 'Church Settlement'. However, my parents named me after the artist Jack Kirby, I think."

"Norse, as in, Vikings?"

"Norse as in I'm a quarter Norwegian."

"So, you're Scottish, Norwegian, anything else I should know about you?"

"I'm also Welsh and Irish. I grew up in Cardiff and my mother grew up on the Isle of Skye."

"Where exactly on the Isle of Skye?"

"Uig, I believe, near Kilt Rock."

"Wait, Kilt Rock?"

"Yes Roddy, There is a place called Kilt Rock."

"Well then," He adjusted his collar slightly, "Shall we." He tries to sound as suave as possible.

"Nice try, Romeo, it's not going to make me like you any more."

I grabbed my old leather jacket from within my suitcase and we started walking and, eventually, reached a small diner, we settled into a corner booth and I started scanning the menu for something to please my appetite, my wallet secure in my jacket pocket, I slid my mask into the opposite pocket, it stuck out slightly but wasn't noticeable.

"Good morning. My name is Debbie, I'll be your server today. What can I get for you two lovebirds?"

"I'll have," Roddy began, clearly either avoiding correcting the young waitress or not caring to correct her, "the 'Power Breakfast' with toast and a regular latte."

"And the lady?" she looked over from Piper to myself, before doing a double and take fully taking me in.

"I will have, the 'Tropical Waffle' with a side of 'Canadian Bacon' and a strawberry milkshake, please Debbie."

"Y-yes, Miss. So, that's the Power Breakfast and toast with a latte for the gentleman and the Tropical Waffle with a side of Canadian Bacon and a strawberry milkshake for the lady?"

"Yes." We said in unison, watching the waitress walk away.

"Roddy."

"What?" He scoffed

"Oh I don't know, perhaps you should have clarified that we," I gestured to him and then myself, "Are not 'lovebirds'?"

"Oh come on, you know if I let her know that she would've pried into our lives, y'know."

"Really now, Piper?"

"Yes, and stop calling me Piper, it's too formal, we know each other better than that, it's Roddy, or Rod, not Piper from now on, alright?"

"Alright. Roddy."

When the food arrived the waitress seemed to want to get the food to us and get out quickly.

"How's the leg?" I inquired before shoving a forkful of strawberry and waffle into my mouth.

"It hurts a little, but I've been through worse."

"Like bottling yourself." I mumbled through the mouthful of sugary bliss.

"Exactly." Roddy said through a mouthful of toast and turkey breast.

"You really should stop doing that." I warned him.

"Why, you care about me getting brain damage or somethin'?"

"No, I just, I can't stand the idea of you getting hurt, not after last night." I tried to keep my concerned tone to a minimum.

Roddy reached out to grab my hand and ran his thumb over my knuckles, "I'm okay. you made sure of that."

I know I should listen to him but I shrugged him off and went back to my meal, finishing it all as Roddy was around 3/4 done with his meal. Sipping my drink and gazing at Rod's beaten up face, focusing on his hairline still tinted a dark red with blood.

"You alright Kirby?"

I looked away quickly, "You're hair, it's …"

"Brown, I know. It's boring, why?" Sarcasm rang clear in his tone.

"No, Roddy, you're hair is tinted red, from the blood."

"Still, I thought I washed all the blood out." He was clearly joking but it stung me slightly and I don't know why.

"Y'know Kirby, Schultz was right about you."

"Really, how?"

"You're a fighter, a real tough guy, uh, gal, but you're nice, sweet even. You care about people, regardless of who they are."

"You were bleeding to death in a hotel corridor, right outside my room. I heard you get thrown against a wall. Would you rather I let you die?"

"I'd rather you'd left me and ran after the asshole who hurt me."

"It would have resulted in your death, Roddy. I couldn't let you die."

"Why not?"

"Because … because. I don't know okay. I chose to save you and that's that, alright."

"Alright, we should pay and get outta here."

"Already ahead of you." I pulled out my wallet and placed $35 on the table, calling the waitress over with my hand.

We paid and left, with me swiftly placing my mask back over my face. I caught Roddy staring at my face out of the corner of my eye.

"Kirby?"

I hummed in response.

"Why do you wear a mask, you're not hideous."

"I think every wrestling commentator I've ever met would disagree with you."

"what d'ya mean?"

"They call me 'The Ogress', Roddy. They call me a female Ogre."

"Then, they're wrong, you're not a hideous beast."

"Just because I saved you, doesn't mean I'm like that to everyone."

"How bad could you be? Sure you've made some dumb decisions in the past but the past's the past."

"Yeah, last night is also 'the past' Roddy."

"Look, all I'm trying to say, is, well, thank you and, don't listen to people, half the time they don't know what their words mean to the people they're saying them to."

"So, we are we headed, Roddy?"

"I don't know, maybe back to the hotel."

"Sure."

The rest of the walk back to my hotel room was silent, until we were inside the hotel room.

"So, who's better at conversation, me or André?"

"Well, Drey's got a natural charm to him, he's kind and knows the troubles that someone with gigantism goes through."

"Wait a second, 'Drey'?"

"Yeah, Drey, Why?"

"That's a pretty unique pet name. What is he, your boyfriend?"

"No, no, just an extremely close friend."

"Close, as in?"

"Close as in, we are just pals, you sound awfully jealous Roddy."

"Me, jealous. Ha! never."

"Never, really?"

I was trying to rile him up, and by the way he shifted his weight from one leg to the other before quickly shifting back, I could tell it was working.

"I'm not jealous, alright. It's just been a really long time since I've had a female friend as, nice, as you."

"Rod, come here a second," I got closer to him, to check the graze on his forehead, gently moving his hair away from his temple to get a better look, "Hold on, don't … don't move."

He held still and let me check the wound, it was healing, slowly but definitely healing. I changed my focus to the cut on his eyebrow on the other side of his face, gently placing my thumb next to the cut to hold his head still.

"Hey what are ya- Ah!" Roddy pulled away.

"Come back here."

"At least buy me dinner first." His tone once again became jovial.

"Roddy." I glared into his eyes.

He glared right back, as if to show how quickly he could switch his moods and making my breathing catch in my throat for a second.

"I think I need a moment" I whispered, turning to head to the bathroom before Rod grabbed me by the arm.

"I'm sorry," His voice soft and caring, "I didn't mean to scare ya."

This was new, a much softer and mellow version of Roddy.

"You didn't scare me that much, Roddy."

I continued to the bathroom and closed the door, undressing and getting ready to shower. I had been in the shower for only a few minutes when I heard the door to the room open and close suddenly, stepping out of the bathroom I realised that Roddy had left, leaving a note on the same page of the sketchbook that I had left a prior note to him.

"Thought I should get some rest in my own room. Thanks again. Roddy." I murmured as I read.

I hope he gets some proper rest, and heals quickly but I can't help but feel lonely without him here. God what am I saying, I don't like Roddy that much. Almost as if I love him, I don't for the record, I'm still not fully over Erik. God, I miss Erik. His kind smile, his flaming ginger hair, his goatee and the way any shirt would hug his muscles if he worked up a sweat. An extremely handsome man with the balls, or guts, to wear a kilt and not care what people thought about him because of it. There's no way I could give him up if the opportunity were to present itself ever again. I looked at the digital clock next to the phone and, realising how late it was decided to strip down to my underwear and get some rest.

I woke up to rapid knocking on my door and the door handle being jostled around from the outside. I hurried to get dressed and opened the door, my hair flowing over my right shoulder in loose waves. I swung the door open to Roddy, with a worried look on his face.

"God, what time do you call this?"

"I don't care what you're gonna say next, listen to me."

"Roddy," I looked over at the clock, "It's four in the morning."

"I know, but I could nae get ya off my mind." He stepped in, obviously stressed and closed the door behind him, "Listen ta me, just listen ta me."

"I'm listening Roddy" I huffed as I sat on the edge of the bed.

"How about you and me go out on a date, no one needs to know. Just you, me, perhaps a diner like yesterday, or a coffee shop?"

"Roddy, I fly back to Cardiff tomorrow, I haven't got time to have both a social life and a career involving another Scotsman, alright. I," I paused, "I'm still not over the last time I had my heart broken."

Rod dropped to his healthy knee, placing a hand on my cheek and looking me in the eyes, "I won't break you're heart, I promise, even if it takes a while for us to be near each other every single day. I won't give up on you. I swear on God above."

"Roddy, I … I guess it's worth a shot, I still have to fly back to-"

Rod cut me off by pressing his lips to mine, my eyes widened before I relaxed into the kiss, slipping one hand under his chin and the other around his back as he slipped his arms around my waist to lift me up to my feet, Rod having to lean up slightly as I leaned down into the kiss.

For the first time, in a long time, I felt at peace with the universe, the same feeling I had felt whilst visiting my aunt on the Isle of Skye.

Rod pulled away, breathing heavily, "I've wanted to do that ever since our first sparring session," He breathed a deep sigh, "Ever since I saw your face without that mask on," he took another breath, "It's funny what almost dying will do to you."

"Shut up, Roddy, just shut up." I pressed my forehead against his.

Then I woke up.

I woke up on the morning of January the eleventh, to silence, I looked at the clock, 5: 50, no signs of Roddy, I felt sick, like I had pushed my own boundaries too far. I rushed to get into the shower and clean myself of that dream, fantasy, whatever you want to call it.

I cleaned up the hotel room, got dressed and got to packing my things into my suitcase and duffel bag, before walking to the hotel lobby, leaving this hotel for hopefully the last time and heading to my truck. My dad had bought me a 1974 Dodge D200 when I was twenty.

A trustworthy vehicle and and a truck I could, albeit with a slight amount of discomfort. I packed the truck and planned on heading out to the next place, Queens, New York.

END OF BLOOD & ROSES or STRAWBERRY MILK.