#but all that aside fun game. made me stand up from my computer to pace around the house multiple times | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

solarwonux · 4 years

Text

Valentine’s Day Drabbles #4 - Facetime

Ceo!Jun x f!reader

w.c 1.9k

warnings: smut, dirty talking, masterbation, mutual masterbation, phone sex, face time sex ya kno the usual lol

note: I’m having so much fun writing these lmao, I think I will do one for each of the 13 members, So I am gifting you Jun for today. I hope you’ll enjoy, let me know your thoughts. Thank you.xx

drabble game || masterlist

Jun’s business trip had been extended for another week, and he was pissed but the merge between his company and Seungcheol’s company was important. His stress of being away from his home and you getting to him as he felt his exhaustion rise when he bounced from meetings to meetings. A few times he had been able to sneak away for a breather and contact you, giving you updates on his day and telling you how much he was missing you in more ways than one.

“You don’t have to come out with us tonight.” Chan said as he finished tying his shoe and standing up, admiring his appearance in the mirror. Jun nodded tugging on his shirt, running a hand through his wet hair.

“This is important, we’re so close to finalizing the merge Chan I can’t back out now.” Jun sighed, sitting down on the bed grabbing one of his shoes.

“Wonwoo and I got this, we’ll just say you had an emergency to tend to, I’m sure they’ll understand.” Chan smiled, placing a comforting hand on Jun’s shoulder. “We’ll get this.” He nodded reassuringly, patting his shoulder and made his way towards the door. “Pick up your phone, it has been ringing nonstop.” He laughed and walked out.

Jun sighed, throwing his shoe to the side and stood up walking over to where his phone was charging. A sigh of relief escaping his lungs as he saw your facetime call light up his screen and without a second thought, he picked it up. His smile grew when he saw you appear on his screen. His heart beating rapidly as he took in your relaxed appearance, his body itching to be with you.

“Hey baby, you going out?” You smiled pushing up your glasses, leaning your elbows against your desk, getting close to the camera as you took in his attire. “I can call later if you are?”

“Hi love, was going to but I think Chan will beat my ass if I step out to meet him and Woo, they already scolded me for overworking myself too much earlier today.” He grinned, throwing himself on the bed, placing an arm behind his head holding it up grinning at you through his phone.

“Good maybe you’ll listen to them.” You smiled leaning back in your chair. “I miss you.” You pouted playfully crossing your arms in front of you.

“Believe me I miss you so much, if all goes well tonight and tomorrow, I should get back home tomorrow night or the following morning.” He said sitting up resting his back against the headboard.

“Jun, I’m confident everything will go well, stop selling yourself short.” You affirmed wishing you were with him to hold him and reassure him that all his hard work was going to pay off.

“Okay, okay if you say everything’s going to be fine then everything will be fine.” He smiled pushing his drying hair back, before slamming his hand down on the bed. “Now let’s stop talking about this…how was your day?”

“Fine, there was a tech problem at the office, so everyone got sent home early…I went to the mall and then came home took a bath, cooked and now I’m talking to you while waiting for my cookies to finish baking.” You gushed watching as Jun’s smile grew wider. His stomach was spiraling with butterflies as the excitement of seeing you again grew.

“Did you buy anything?”

“Ahh, I did but you’re going to have to come home in order to see what I bought.” You smirked playing with the strings of his forest green hoodie, his eyes widening realizing what you meant. He let out a playful groan running a frustrated hand across his face making you laugh loudly.

“Baby please show me…I’m in need right now.” He whined laying down on the bed again as you shook your head.

“Nope, that will ruin the surprise Jun…you can wait a few more days, or hours.”

“Please just a preview, I haven’t stopped thinking about you all day today.” He pouted, bringing his phone closer to his face magnifying his pouting lips.

“Fine but pay attention.” You giggled standing up from your chair, and pushing it in. Pushing your computer screen back, watching as Jun bit his bottom lip in anticipation. You walked back a little carefully, slowly hitching up his sweatshirt, revealing a baby blue see through bra with hearts covering your nipples and matching see through mesh shorts. Jun groaned, throwing his head back hitting his pillows repeatedly as he felt himself grow harder. You scoffed playfully at his reaction before bringing down his sweatshirt and covering yourself again as he whined.

“Did you like it?” You asked leaning against your chair watching as Jun rolled his eyes at your question.

“I’m so happy you showed me that today because when I get home its coming right off darling.” He mumbled unbuttoning the first few buttons of his dress shirt, feeling the heat start to take over his body. “But also I’m so hard right now and Chan could come back any minute now.”

“Better go take a cold shower then.” You suggested taking a seat again, fixing your computer screen so you were back in frame. “No, help me.” He pouted, fixing his pillows before sitting up against them, his free hand threatening to start touching himself as the image of you kept replaying in his mind. “Touch yourself for me.” He breathed out finally letting his hand rest against himself, palming himself slowly.

“Jun! You exclaimed your eyes growing in size, feeling your body heat up, the thought of pleasuring yourself for him making you aroused. “Please baby, look at what you did to me.” He smirked turning his camera around his hand gripping his cock through his slacks, a moan escaping your lips as you felt yourself start to crave him. You pushed your chair back standing up and taking off your bottoms throwing them aside, hiking up his sweatshirt and sitting back down. “I can’t believe we’re doing this.” You spoke, opening your legs for him, your hand slowly caressing the inside of your thighs, making him moan out in satisfaction.

“Desperate times call for desperate measures my love.” He spoke rapidly standing up from the bed, setting his phone down on the nightstand making sure you’re able to see him. Once he was sure he stood up straight, taking off his shirt in a desperate haze. Moving his arms around as he tried pushing it off making your giggle at his clumsiness. “Not funny.” He mumbled once he succeeded throwing his shirt on the bed. His golden chest glistening underneath the dimmed light of the hotel room, your hand getting closer and closer to where you needed it most.

“Take off your pants you’re taking too long.” You joked as you teasingly ran your index finger through your arousal. Jun scoffed, rolling his eyes, “And you call me the impatient one.” He shook his head, unfastening his pants and pushing them down along with his boxers, kicking them aside. His hardened length resting against his stomach, begging to be touched. “You are.” You breathed sinking into the chair, moaning as you started circling your clit slowly.

He sighed as he took his cock in his hand circling his thumb over his reddened head, spreading around the bead of precum that hard started to form. “Aren’t you wearing to much clothes for me baby, let me see you.” He spoke letting go of his length spitting in his hand before moving his hand against him again.

“Deal with it.” You smirked before pushing against your clit gently. “You’re such a tease baby.” As he slowly started teasing himself. “Put a finger inside of you.” You moaned obliging, throwing your head back as you slid in one of your fingers moving it slowly against your wet, velvety walls wishing it was his finger instead. “Jun, I need you so badly.” You whined out searching for your g-spot, moaning when you finally found it.

“God, you have no idea how delicious you look right now.” He groaned, tightening his grip on his length. “Can you put another one in?” He sighed, running his thumb over his head once again, the pleasure feeling out of this world. You nodded as you started to slowly scissor your fingers as your other hand rubbed your clit teasingly. The sight was so sinful and beautiful at the same time. A masterpiece he wished he could frame for his own pleasure.

“I wish you were here.” You breathed out throwing your head back, pushing your hips against your hand as you slowly felt the wave of pleasure build up. Jun moaned loudly as his hand started moving faster, his hips moving along with it. “I wish I was there. inside you…Are you close?” He sighed, feeling himself start to reach his high, you nodded increasing your pace, your back arching against the chair, as your breaths started to get louder. Your chest rising rapidly as you worked yourself up, moaning his name like a sinful mantra when you felt yourself come undone underneath your heated touch. Jun following in suit, whispering your name through gritted teeth. Ropes of his cum shooting out against his toned stomach, the sight exciting you.

The two of you stayed silent for a while, taking in what had happened before you let out a laugh. Jun chuckled as he grabbed his phone with his clean hand, walking into the bathroom and grabbing the towel he had used earlier after his shower. “Why are you laughing?” He smirked, setting his phone down, resting it against the bathroom counter.

“I just can’t believe we did that.” You blushed crossing your legs in front of you. “Was that a good enough preview for you?” You added feeling your cheeks get hotter.

“More than enough baby girl.” He grinned, running the towel underneath the faucet before cleaning himself off. He then set the towel aside once he was done, looking around making a satisfied sound when he found the sweatpants, he had thrown on the floor that morning and putting them on.

“Good, now I have to go check on my cookies, the oven beeped around two minutes ago, but I was a bit busy obviously.” You stated standing up.

“Wait don’t leave me.” He whined grabbing his phone and walking out of the bathroom, his ears perking up as he heard the door of his hotel room click open, Chan walking in, his jacket over his shoulders and a satisfied smirk etched on his face. “Chan just walked in, say hi.” He smirked turning his camera around to face his best friend and coworker, your palms feeling sweaty as you set down your laptop on top of the kitchen counter. The fragments of what had happened not even five minutes ago playing through your head.

“H-Hi Channie. Did it go well?” You waved shyly, looking down at your attire and making sure you were all covered.

“Hi, yes, we’re signing the merger deal tomorrow, you’re welcome Jun.” He smirked patting his friend on the shoulder before walking past him unbuttoning his shirt. Jun turned his camera around, his face glowing as he heard the news.

“See, Jun I told you it was going to go perfectly fine.” You said excitedly, turning off the oven, silently hoping you hadn’t burned the cookies, as you had been craving some for days.

“Your manifestation skills are out of this world baby.” He joked making you laugh as you slowly took out your cookies, a satisfied sigh leaving your lips, your perfect cookies staring back at you. You set them down, spinning around and turning on the faucet and running your hands underneath them “That was all you baby, I just offered words of encouragement.”

“And more.” He winked, giving you a knowing look, as you turned the faucet off giving him a warning look. His laugh erupting from his chest at your reaction.

“I’m hanging up now, goodnight baby, I love you, I’m proud of you and the guys.” You said drying your hands then leaning against the kitchen counter. “Night Channie.” You yelled to the younger boy.

“Goodnight, did you make cookies?” He questioned appearing next to Jun raising a brow at you.

“Yes, I’ll save you guys some.”

“You’re amazing, thank you.”

“Alright, stop flirting with my girlfriend.” Jun mumbled pushing Chan out of the frame before turning to face you. “I love you, sweet dreams my love and save me more cookies than Chan.” He chuckled, throwing you a kiss before ending the facetime call. He sighed happily, throwing himself on the bed, pulling the covers up to his neck.

“Hope the two of you didn’t do gross stuff while I was gone.” Chan mumbled laying down on his bed, staring at him suspiciously.

“Of course we didn’t,” Jun nodded reassuringly trying his best to keep a poker face. “Go to sleep, I’m waking you up early tomorrow so you can tell me everything that happened tonight.”

“Whatever.” Chan mumbled, turning his back to him. Jun smiled, turning off the light of the room, his body finally relaxing for the first time in two weeks.

#kpopscape #kdiarynet #seventeen scenarios #seventeen imagines #seventeen x reader #seventeen fanfiction #seventeen fanfic #seventeen smut #seventeen drabbles #jun x reader #jun smut #seventeen jun #jun imagines #jun fanfic #jun fanfiction #wen junhui #wen junhui imagines #wen junhui smut #wen junhui fanfiction

188 notes · View notes

ofendlesswonder · 4 years

Note

ah so exciting! would love number 25

25. “I need a place to stay.”

A shadow falls over Kara’s desk, and she pauses her proofread of her latest article to glance up at the person hovering by her shoulder, jaw dropping open when she gets a glimpse of messy blond curls.

“Carter?” It’s been months since she’d thought of him, longer still since she’d seen him, but the face is unmistakable, his bottom lip caught between his teeth. “What are you doing here? Is your Mom here?”

She hasn’t seen Cat in months, either, not since she left to ‘dive’ into pastures new. No one has seen her recently, in fact—she’s effectively disappeared off the face of the earth, is only mentioned in gossip columns when they’re speculating her whereabouts.

Not that Kara has a Google alert set up for her name, or anything.

“No, she’s in Washington.”

“D.C.?” What on earth is she doing there? And what on earth is Carter doing here, backpack slung over his shoulder, eyes red-rimmed and cheeks blotchy like he’d been crying.

“Yeah. She took a new job there.”

Kara feels like he’s reading from a script she isn’t privy too, has no idea how any of this has led him to be here, standing by her new desk and scuffing his converse along the floor. “Okay…”

“But I don’t want to live there. I didn’t want to leave here, but she said it would be temporary. That we’d come back. Only now she wants to work in the stupid White House and she’s looking at apartments and a new school and I—I don’t want it. We had a fight.” He sniffs, rubs the back of his sleeve across his cheek like he’s scrubbing away the remnant of his tears. “And I said I wanted to come back. Live with Dad, if that’s what it took.”

Kara can only imagine how Cat would have taken that.

Not well, by any means.

“She sent me back, only I don’t want to live with my Dad, I want to live with her, but here in our old apartment. He wouldn’t even meet me at the airport. He said I was old enough to get a cab.”

Kara’s jaw tightens—she knows Chris is an asshole, but this seems like a new low, even for him.

“So, I got a cab, but not to him.”

“You came here, instead.” Here, to some semblance of stability, of familiarity. The apartment is gone—Kara had helped Cat list it for sale, and it had been snapped up in no time, and she wonders if Cat had ever really considered a move back to National City. The apartment is gone, but CatCo. is not, and Kara remembers countless afternoons where Carter had come by after school, curling up in Cat’s office with his homework. Sometimes, Kara had helped him with a particularly stubborn math problem, or talked to him about his favorite anime, keeping him entertained until his mother was off the clock.

“I need a place to stay,” he says, voice small, eyes glued to his shoes. “Can I come home with you?”

Yes, she wants to say, without hesitation, recognizing the small, scared child he so desperately tried to hide, the one who felt like he had nowhere else to go. Yes, of course you can—but it’s never that simple, is it?

She has a secret identity to protect, and he’s supposed to be with his father, and Cat might kill her, and—

Wait.

Does Cat know where he is?

“No,” he says, when she asks. “I didn’t tell her. And I turned off my phone, so she wouldn’t track me.”

“Carter.” She can’t help the admonishment, because she knows how much Cat cares about him—she’d do anything for him, and she imagines her pacing up and down a hotel room in the capital, already on the phone to the police. “You should call her.”

He makes a noise of discontent.

“At least let her know you’re safe. She’ll be worrying.”

“Can you call her?”

“I…I don’t know about that. I think it would be better coming from you.”

“Please?” He peers down at her with eyes so like his mother’s that Kara aches.

“All right,” she sighs, and makes the mistake of glancing across the bullpen. Snapper is glaring at her, his face red. Great. Someone else who wants to kill me. Could this day get any better?

“Kara?” Cat answers the phone sounding harried, and Kara recognizes the faint note of panic in her voice. She lets herself bask in the familiarity of it for one long moment—months, since she’d heard Cat’s voice, months, since she’d last felt the comfort of it. Months of missing her, in a way she knows she isn’t allowed to. “This isn’t a great time.”

“Uh, I know.” She looks at Carter, who avoids her gaze. “Something about a missing fourteen year old?”

“How…how do you know that?”

“Because he’s standing right in front of me.”

“Carter’s with you?”

“Uh, yeah.”

“Why?”

“Good question. Should I let him explain it for himself?”

Carter shoots her a sharp look, but Kara forces the phone into his hand anyway, pointedly turning away like she’s not listening as he lifts it to his ear. She stares at the blinking cursor on her computer screen as he talks, trying to summon the will to finish her work.

No such luck.

“Could you…could you keep an eye on him for me?” Cat asks, when Carter gives her back her phone. “I’m going to fly out as soon as I can, but it’ll be a few hours before I can get there. I know it’s an imposition, and he’s supposed to be with Chris, but he said he’d be more comfortable with you.”

Her gaze flickers to Carter, to the hopeful expression on his face, to the pleading note in Cat’s voice, thinks of the opportunity to see her again, even if for just one more day.

“Okay,” she says, and knows it’s the right decision when Carter lurches forward to wrap his arms around her neck. “I’ll watch him.”

“No runaway trains this time,” Cat says into her ear, and Kara laughs, remembering her last ill-fated babysitting attempt, a lifetime ago.

“I’ll try my best.”

***

The knock on her door comes at nine thirty, not quite loud enough to wake the sleeping teenager stretched out on her couch.

She pulls open the door, comes face-to-face with the woman she’s been trying so hard not to think about for the past few months, and Kara thinks, as their eyes meet, her heart thudding painfully in her chest, that she’s been fooling herself, because it all comes rushing back the second their eyes meet.

There was only ever one reason why things would have never worked with James, one reason why Kara hasn’t been able to so much as think about dating since they’d ended things, one reason why her life has felt so empty these past few months.

Only one person who could make her heart pound, set butterflies free in her stomach, make her palms—physically impossible though it may be—feel damp.

And that person is the woman standing in front of her now, her eyes as wild as her hair, mussed from the wind, a faint flush on her cheeks and Kara wonders if she’d raced up the stairs in those three inch heels, desperate to set eyes on her beloved son, to see for herself he was safe and well.

“Come on in,” Kara says, standing aside to let her past. It’s the first time Cat has been inside her home, and the gravity of the moment isn’t lost on her.

She’s glad she had the foresight to tidy up a little, while Carter had been in the shower.

If he’d noticed that the amount of cleaning she’d done shouldn’t have been possibly in such a sort frame of time by human hands, he’d had the grace not to mention it.

“I, uh, didn’t want to wake him up,” Kara says, pitching her voice low, when Cat gravitates toward the couch, gazing down at Carter with such open affection she feels like she has to look away. “Seeing as he’s had a hard day.”

She’d tried to distract him as much as possible, enlisting his help with the fun of filing while she’d been at work, and then with food and games once she’d taken him home. He looked like he’d needed it, lost in his head, spiralling over the choices that had been made for him, bits and pieces of his life over the last few months spilling out over the course of the afternoon.

“Thank you for looking after him.”

Kara shrugs. “It wasn’t any trouble.”

“Still. You don’t owe me anything. Not anymore.”

“On the contrary, Ms. Grant. I owe you a lot.” She’d forgotten how hard it was to think, with Cat’s eyes weighing heavy on her face. “My job, for example. I wouldn’t be a junior reporter without you.”

“Nonsense. You got that job on your own merit. Otherwise you wouldn’t be doing so well.”

“You read my articles?”

“Of course.” Cat looks offended she thought otherwise. “Is Snapper still giving you hell?”

“I think he likes to torture me.” Her nose wrinkles, and Cat laughs, some of her worry ebbing away now Carter is within her sights.

He’s still sound asleep, and Cat doesn’t look like she wants to wake him. Bathed in the glow of the lamp on Kara’s coffee table, she’s breath-taking, and Kara looks away before she’s caught staring.

“Do you, um, want a drink or anything?”

“I wouldn’t want to impose any more than we already have.”

Panic seizes her heart at the thought of Cat leaving so soon, because when would she see her again? Would she leave right away, ushering Carter back to the CatCo. jet and across the country before night truly fell? Or would she linger, perhaps let herself remember all the things she loved about this place?

Not that that would include you, you idiot.

“Please,” she says, trying not to listen to the voice in her head. “I…It would be nice to hear what you’ve been up to these last few months.”

For a moment, she doesn’t think it’s enough. Thinks Cat is going to leave anyway, slip away even though Kara only just got her back.

But then she blinks, and her lips curve into the smallest of smiles, and she says: “Very well. What have you got?”

Good question, Kara thinks, because probably not a lot. Whatever Alex and Maggie had left over last game’s night, which turns out to be a bottle of cheap whiskey Cat turns her nose up at. Kara doesn’t blame her—apparently it left a killer hangover.

“I’m trying to cut down on drinking,” Cat says, and her gaze flickers over to the back of the couch. “I’ve been told it’s not very healthy. Apparently it’s bad for my liver.”

A sentiment she’d never once shared before, but Kara bites her tongue. It’s none of her business, the ways in which Cat has changed. None of her business, to wonder if Cat’s been throwing down scotches to try and chase away the memories of the city she’d left behind.

“How about a tea?” Cat suggests, and Kara blinks at her.

There’s a request she’s never made before.

“Regular, peppermint or camomile?”

“Regular is fine.” Kara brews a pot, wonders why she feels so jittery, but she knows the answer. It’s because Cat is here, in her space, after so many months away. Here, in a place thus far untouched by her, and Kara knows when she’s gone she’ll feel the imprint of her, remember the way she’d stood, leaning against her kitchen counter, looking out of place and like she was exactly where she belonged at the same time.

“So,” she says, once she’s handed Cat a steaming mug. “Washington, huh?”

“Carter told you.”

“Only a little. He didn’t say what you were there for.”

“I was offered a job. White House Press Secretary.”

Kara nearly chokes on a sip of her own tea in shock. But then, she thinks, it makes sense. She could see it—Cat, at the front of a room full of reporters, tearing them apart if they dared ask her the wrong thing. She could certainly think of no better person to have fighting your corner than Cat Grant.

“Is that what you want to do? Get into politics?”

“It’s something I’ve considered.”

“That’s not what I asked.”

“My, my,” Cat says, clutching her mug between long fingers and throwing Kara a lazy smile. “Look at you. Am I being interviewed, Ms. Danvers?”

Kara ducks her head, feeling her cheeks warm. “Sorry. Force of habit.”

“It’s all right.” Cat’s voice is gentle, her eyes unguarded when Kara dares to look her way. “To be honest, I don’t know what I want. I thought getting away from here would bring me clarity, inspiration for my next big thing, but…instead I found myself wandering without purpose. Less a shark stuck in a tank and more a tiny goldfish, lost at sea.”

“Then why not come back? It...it’s not the same without you.” Too much, probably. Too close to spilling the truth, maybe, but it’s too late to take the words back now.

“Because my reasons for leaving haven’t changed.”

What reasons, Kara wants to ask, because the ones she’d been given had never made any sense. Cat handing over the reins to her beloved company just didn’t seem like something she’d do, especially without so much as a glance back. What reasons, Kara wants to know, but the line they tread is so thin—she thinks of Cat’s razor-sharp voice saying strictly professional and never wants to feel an ache like that again.

“And what about Carter?”

Cat glances toward the couch again and sighs. “I hadn’t realised he was so reticent until today. I know he struggles with change, but…I thought this would be a good one. He could go to a better school, have more opportunities. I didn’t know he was so attached to this place.”

“Of course he’s attached. It’s his home. It’s all he’s ever known, and you—no offence—are yanking it away from him.”

“I suppose you have a point.” Cat’s lips purse. “When did you get so wise?”

“Learned it from the best,” she says, and Cat’s smile is tight. “Are you…are you going back there tonight?”

“No, I don’t think so. I think Carter and I need to have a discussion, first. One where I listen to him instead of making the decision for him. I just…I thought I was doing the best thing for him. For both of us.”

“So you might stay?” She can’t quash the hopeful note in her voice, watches a shadow pass across Cat’s face and wonders what it means.

“I don’t know. I don’t know if I can.” Her fingers tremble, the tiniest amount, as she sets down her empty mug, runs them through her hair.

“Why?” Just do it, she thinks, because when she wakes up tomorrow, Cat might be gone, and there are too many unanswered questions for her to be left with. “What’s so bad about being here? What are you so desperate to get away from?”

“Oh, Kara.” Cat’s eyes close, a sigh rattling through her chest. “You wouldn’t understand.”

“Then help me to.” She knows she’s being obstinate. That there’s a reason Cat doesn’t want to tell her, that she has no right to know.

But she remembers Cat saying goodbye, Cat’s arms wrapped around her, heart beating so loud it was impossible for Kara not to notice, the shimmer of tears in her eyes before she’d blinked them away. Remembers the countless times Kara had reached out, over the past few months, only to be ignored, like she meant nothing when she knew she’d meant at least something.

“Please, Cat. I just want—”

She’s cut off when Cat surges forward, settling one hand on the counter beside Kara’s hip and wrapping the other around the back of Kara’s neck, drawing her down into a kiss. Kara freezes, brain short-circuiting as Cat’s lip brush against her own, soft and warm, but when she feels Cat begin to pull away, her bravado failing, she snaps into action, discarding her mug on the counter and splaying a hand at the small of Cat’s back to keep her close.

It’s been building for years, she thinks, as Cat parts her lips for Kara’s searching tongue, nails digging into the base of her skull. Years of working closely together, a spark igniting but neither of them willing to give it space to grow, too terrified of what might happen, if it grew into a fire they could no longer control.

“That’s why,” Cat breathes, when she pulls away, heart hammering almost as fast as Kara’s.

“Seems like a pretty good reason to stay to me,” Kara says, leaning in to kiss her again, but Cat stops her with a shake of her head.

“It’s not. Kara, you shouldn’t want this. Shouldn’t want me.”

“I know,” she says, and when Cat flinches, she doesn’t let her pull away. “I know there are a dozen reasons why I shouldn’t, why we shouldn’t be together, but I also…don’t really care. I’ve spent the past few months missing you like crazy, and it hasn’t diminished the way I feel about you. Doesn’t that mean something? Doesn’t that mean it’s worth trying?”

“I…” Cat trails off, meets her gaze and traces the pads of her fingers across Kara’s cheek, looks at her like she barely believes she’s real. “I don’t know. I don’t know how to.”

“You start by letting me in. By not running away when—” She hears movement on the couch, hopes to Rao Carter hasn’t heard any of their hushed conversation. “Carter’s waking up.”

Cat is quick to slip from her arms, and Kara feels the loss of her like a physical ache, chilled to the bone in the places she’d just been burning with warmth. “I don’t want this to be the end of it,” she says, knowing Carter’s not yet fully conscious, knowing they have a few more stolen moments. “I don’t want you to go to your hotel room and talk yourself out of it.”

“Kara Danvers, are you asking me to spend the night?”

“No, because I know you’d turn me down.” She can sense it, in the nervous energy radiating from her. Cat isn’t a person who lays her heart on the line, is someone guarded and careful, isn’t reckless the way she had been tonight. She needed time to process, time to think it through, and Kara would give her that—as long as she wasn’t going to slip away without saying goodbye. “But we should talk. Tomorrow.”

“Before five.”

Kara frowns. “Why five?”

“Because that’s how long the Press Secretary job is on the table for.”

“You haven’t accepted it?”

“Not yet,” she says, and Kara feels hope bloom in her chest. “I told them I had some things I need to consider first.”

“And now?”

“Now I have even more things to think about.” She reaches out, catches Kara’s fingers with her own and squeezes, and Kara’s heart thuds in her chest. She wants to lean down, wants to kiss her again, already misses the heat of her mouth, but a head pops over the back of the couch, Carter rubbing at his eyes.

“Hi, Mom.”

“Don’t you ‘Hi Mom’ me,” Cat says, eyes narrowing until Carter gulps. “Do you have any idea how worried I was, young man?"

“I’m sorry,” he says, his head hanging. “But I wanted to stop you doing something stupid, and this was the only way I know how.”

And thank Rao he had. Her day would have shaken out very differently had Carter not arrived in the bullpen, she knows. She’d have finished her article and gone to hang out with Alex and Maggie, probably, tried to ignore the ache seeing the two of them so happy seems to incite, lately, craving something similar for herself.

“Hm. Well, we’ll talk about it later. For now, I think we’ve taken up enough of Kara’s time, don’t you?”

Not enough of it, Kara thinks, but she bites her tongue. Space. Time to process. Not snuggling up together on the couch with a movie.

“Thanks for today, Kara.” Carter looks only a little sheepish as he gathers his things, slinging his backpack over his shoulder.

“Any time, buddy,” she says, meaning it more than he’ll probably ever know. The urge to kiss Cat goodbye is so strong she can barely stand it, and she balls her hands into fists at her sides so she doesn’t reach for her. “I’ll, uh, see you tomorrow?” She asks, before Cat slips through the door, dizzy with the feeling of being on the cusp of something she’s wanted for so long.

“Tomorrow,” Cat agrees, looking like it pains her to say it, looking like she doesn’t know how she’s possibly going to muster the will to leave, green eyes so heavy on Kara’s face it feels like a caress, feels like the ghost of her kiss, makes her feel like she’s burning from the inside out. “Goodnight, Kara.”

Goodnight, and not goodbye, and Kara hovers in the doorway, watches them go down the hall.

“You are in big trouble,” she hears Cat say as they turn the corner, slipping out of sight. “What were you thinking?”

And she shouldn’t listen, she knows, but she catches her name, as they start down the stairs, and can’t help but tune in to a snippet of conversation.

“I was thinking I missed home, and that I was sick of you moping after Kara for the past eight months, and it was time someone did something about it,” Carter says, then: “Ow!” as Cat must smack him over the head.

“Don’t ever pull a stunt like that again.”

“But did it work?”

“None of your business.”

“It totally worked.”

Kara shakes her head, unable to bite back a smile as she steps back inside and lets the door shut behind her.

#supercat #supercat:fanfic #this was supposed to be short... 🤷‍♀️

192 notes · View notes

thewidowsghost · 3 years

Text

Stay Strong, Alex - Part 3

Part 1

Part 2

"Detective (L/n)," Rick sneers. "And they say there's never a cop around when you need one."

"So you know me?" (Y/n) asks, her voice soft.

"Of course," Rick answers. "I took a whole year planning this. Watching Alex, preparing," (Y/n) folds her hands together and she can hear Kara pacing behind her near the door. "I know everything."

"How did you know I was Supergirl?" Kara snarks.

"That day at the beach," Rick replies. "Before you started wearing glasses." He pauses. "I had no idea that Alex would end up playing for the other team, so to speak." (Y/n) swallows thickly. "I was just happy she showed up on the date. And then there was a crash. And Alex's kid sister walked away without a scratch," Rick says calmly, looking up at Kara, who standing over (Y/n)'s shoulder. "People at school said it was adrenaline, but, uh . . ."

"But you didn't believe that," (Y/n) finishes, her head tilting a little.

Rick nods, "I saw Kara Danvers do something amazing. And it stayed with me. I knew Kara was living in National City, and then Supergirl showed up in National City . . ." Rick chuckles. "I put two and two together. I knew it was you."

"What happened to you?" Kara asks softly. "I remember when Alex had chickenpox, I was eating lunch by myself," Kara's voice sounds a little wistful as she remembers the Earth portion of her childhood. "You came and sat with me."

Rick chuckles again. "I was fourteen," as Rick begins, (Y/n) rises from her chair to lean against the table. "And I didn't have the nice house or the perfect family that you and your sister had."

"You think we had it easy?" Kara asks skeptically. "You have no idea what Alex sacrificed for me. Or what I was going through!"

"Why?" Rick sneers. "Because you had to hide your superpowers? I was hiding bruises!" Rick is yelling now and (Y/n) had taken half a step backward. "Do you have any idea what it's like to have your mother tell you your garbage every single night?" The blonde man makes eye contact with (Y/n) and the young woman crosses her arms. "A belt whenever you had the wrong opinion? And then I found a lifeline. A father my mom kept from me. And he saved me from her and he moved me away from Midvale. And even though he was always struggling, he always made sure there was food on the table and he got me enough money to go to college. And then three years ago, the state took him from me."

"Your father killed two people," (Y/n) says, her voice low. "He confessed."

"They had it coming," Rick growls and (Y/n) straightens, her arms still folded over her chest. "And now I'm going to rescue him like he rescued me." Rick pauses. "I can't believe we're still talking about me! You have twenty-four hours and eleven minutes." Kara stiffens as Rick continues, "Come on, Kara, show us some of that rah-rah Midvale Junior High Spirit." Rick is yelling now. "Free my dad! Or your sister dies."

Kara growls, zooms over, flips the table, and pins Rick to the wall.

"Oh, you use half this much gusto in springing my dad, you'll have your sister back for game night."

"Kara! We're done here!" (Y/n)'s voice cracks.

Kara lets go of Rick and the man drops to the ground. "Hey. You know what'll be fun?" Rick asks. (Y/n) frowns, an eyebrow raising as she steps back from the man. "Finding out which one of you loves her more." (Y/n) closes her eyes momentarily, a wave of anguish washing over her. "Honestly, I wouldn't know where to place my bet," Rick sneers and (Y/n) swallows thickly.

Kara frowns at the man and after a minute, the two women go to leave the room, (Y/n) pausing for a second.

"Go Stallions," Rick grins.

Just outside the room, Kara speaks, "I'm giving him one minute, then I'm going back in there."

"No," (Y/n) says and Kara turns to look at her, Kara's eyes blazing.

"Why?" Kara snaps.

"Let him sweat it for a while," (Y/n) tells her, her voice softer than usual as she talks to her girlfriend's sister. "We got what we wanted."

"What?" Kara asks. "All we know is how he knows my identity."

"We know that Rick's pinned his whole sense of self-worth on Peter Thompson," (Y/n) explains, her voice still soft. "Thompson is the key to getting Alex back."

Kara's blazing eyes seem to extinguish as she considers (Y/n)'s words.

. . .

An hour or so later, (Y/n) and Peter Thompson walk into Rick's integration room.

(Y/n) closes the door behind Thompson.

Rick grins down at the table, before standing up after a moment.

"Ricky," Thompson says with a smile.

"Dad," Rick says, and the two embrace.

"All that time in prison, I imagined a day when . . . I could talk to you without a pane of glass between us."

"The DEO moved heaven and Earth to free this man," (Y/n) says. "We did what you wanted. Now, tell us where Alex is."

"No. No, not until my father and I are far from here," Rick says.

"You think we're stupid?" (Y/n) asks. "I showed you mine. Your turn."

"So you can toss us in Gitmo?" Thompson asks. "Not gonna happen."

(Y/n) shakes her head in disbelief.

"Maybe he gives you a piece. A little token of goodwill," Thompson adds. "You gotta give them something, Ricky. That's how it works. Just tell them where she is." Thompson narrows his eyes at his son.

"Well, you really nailed his essence, I'll give you that," Rick says.

"What?" (Y/n) asks, stepping forward, her arms crossing.

"I mean, that thing . . ." Rick says, studying his father's face. "He couldn't decide whether to hug me or not. That's vintage Dad." Rick sits back down in his metal chair.

"What are you talking about?" Thompson asks, walking up to stand beside the table.

"My father would never be playing these games. He'd be wanting to get the hell away from here and making sure that he never went back to prison," Rick's expression is one of anger. "I've been planning this for a year. Do you really think I didn't prepare for you," Rick pauses, looking up at Thompson, "Martian?"

Thompson walks over to (Y/n) and shifts back into himself.

"You're down to twenty-three hours and fourteen minutes," Rick says as he gazes at (Y/n) and J'oon. "And counting."

(Y/n) closes her eyes, pressing her index finger and thumb to the bridge of her nose.

. . .

Winn runs down the hall. "Guys! We found Alex. I found her."

Kara - who is standing with Mon-el - turns to face Winn. "You did?" Kara asks frantically.

"We got a ping from her subdermal tracker," Winn explains. "She's not far!"

. . .

Back in the interrogation room, (Y/n) is sitting across from Rick, her hands folded and resting on the table in front of her.

"(Y/n)," Kara says, opening the door to the room. "Winn found Alex."

"What? How?" (Y/n) asks quickly, rising from her chair to look at Kara.

"I guess you underestimated my sister," Kara says, looking past (Y/n) to look at Rick. "Let's go."

But (Y/n) pauses, turning to look at Rick. "I wouldn't do that if I were you."

"You're delusional," Kara sneers. "And the second we get back here with Alex, you're going to prison with your dad."

"Don't say I didn't warn you," Rick says with a shrug, and fear surges through (Y/n)'s heart.

Kara strides out of the room and (Y/n) meets Rick's eyes, holding the stare for a moment.

(Y/n) runs out of the room. "Watch him," (Y/n) tells the guard as she runs past him after Kara. "Hey, stop," (Y/n) tells Kara. "Malverne still thinks he's in control," (Y/n) tells her.

Kara turns, looking highly annoyed with (Y/n) at this point.

"He's not acting like someone who just lost," (Y/n) continues. "He didn't even flinch. It's like he expected this."

"No, no, no, we are not listening to that psycho," Kara says, walking closer to (Y/n). "Every minute we wait for matters."

"I - I want to get her as badly as you do," (Y/n) retorts, "but we can't punch our way out of this. We've got to get this right."

"If the shoe were on the other foot, Alex would already be out the door. I'm not waiting," Kara argues.

"You're not the only one who cares about her!" (Y/n) says, her voice rising.

"I'm going!" Kara yells over her shoulder as she strides out of the DEO.

(Y/n) swallows thickly and looks at the ground.

. . .

Kara flies across the city and lands in a warehouse, crashing through the roof.

"Kara!" comes a faint voice.

"Alex!" Kara yells in reply.

"I'm down here!"

Kara runs over to a metal plate on the floor and bends the metal, puling up the plate. Throwing the plate aside, Kara freezes, reading the writing on the wall: 'NOW YOU HAVE FOUR.'

"Four?" Kara asks. "What . . ." There is a rapid beeping and the timer next to the computer screen flashes to four hours.

. . .

In Alex's cell, water begins rushing into the cement cage. Alex, panicking, grabs her jacket to try to plug the pipe.

. . .

"Oh, my God," Kara whispers, her voice full of fury.

. . .

Kara walks back into the DEOs' headquarters, holding the laptop in one hand.

Entering Rick's room again, Kara sets the laptop on the table.

"Where is she?" Kara asks, her voice steely.

"I told you not to go . . ." Rick says calmly.

"Tell me where she is now!" Kara thunders, slamming her hands down on the table.

"I gave you thirty-six hours to break my father out of prison," Rick replies. "But you didn't listen. So now, that room is gonna fill up with water in less than four hours. I think it's time you got moving."

Kara's lip quivers. "Let me talk to Alex."

Rick leans forward and presses a few of the keys and there is a beep.

Kara turns the laptop around and leans down to talk to her sister through the computer.

"Alex," Kara says, her voice quavering.

"Kara! I sent out a signal, I thought you were coming," Alex says, the water up to her waist now.

"He re-routed the IP address. He sent us somewhere else. Do you have any idea where you are?"

"I was unconscious. I could be hours away or I could be in the city," Alex replies, a frown spreading across her face. "I don't know."

Rick leans forward. "Alex, it's Rick. It don't want to hurt you. I keep on telling your sister that. Tell her to get my father, and this can all be over. You can come home and get dry."

"No. Kara, no," Alex says, pointing at the camera. "You do not give that terrorist what he wants. You cannot let yourself be blackmailed. You cannot open yourself up to that, ever. Do you understand me? Supergirl is better than me."

(Y/n) enters the room and, seeing Alex on the screen, runs over. "Alex!"

"(Y/n)?" Alex asks.

"I'm right here," (Y/n) replies.

"(Y/n), I need to speak to you alone," Alex says, and (Y/n) grabs the laptop and walks out of the room.

(Y/n) stands down one of the hallways. "Hun, everyone here is working hard and we're going to find you."

"The water is rising fast and there are things that I need to say," Alex says, her voice cracking a little.

"No," (Y/n) says, tears welling up in her eyes. "Don't start talking like this is the end."

"I don't want it to be, but in case that it is . . ." Alex says, pausing for a moment.

"It's not," (Y/n) whispers. "It can't be. You're a badass, Alex. And if anyone could figure out a way to get themself out of there, it's you. You're gonna hold on until I find you," (Y/n)'s voice cracks, and a tear slides down her cheek.

"(Y/n), listen to me, please," Alex tries to get out.

"No," (Y/n) argues desperately. "We just had our first Valentine's Day and I want to do more with you. I want more firsts. I want a first vacation. We haven't even argued about where we're gonna go yet, and it's bound to happen. Or what to name our first dog. Do you want to get a dog?"

(Y/n) lets out a watery laugh. "See, there's a lifetime of firsts that we're going to do together. So," (Y/n)'s voice quavers, "you hold on, okay? Hold on until I get to you. You promise. Promise me!"

"Yeah, um . . ." Alex pauses, scratching the back of her neck. "Let's name her Gertrude or we could adopt one from the animal shelter you volunteer at."

"I -" Alex tries to say, but the video cuts out.

"What?" (Y/n) whispers, typing furiously on the keyboard. "Alex!" (Y/n), frustrated with worry, tosses the broken laptop to the ground.

"What happened?" Kara asked, striding over to (Y/n).

(Y/n) meets Kara's gaze, her eyes alight with barely controlled anger. "I-I told you not to rush in. N-now you've made things worse."

"I did what I thought was right . . ." Kara argues.

"I should have been heard," (Y/n) says, her eyes narrowing. "I should have been listened to. I'm her girlfriend."

"I'm her sister!" Kara argues angrily.

"And you think that trumps me?" (Y/n) asks. "That you know what's right for her. I . . ." (Y/n) falters. "I got her to be herself, Kara." (Y/n)'s voice cracks. "I-I have just as much to lose as you." (Y/n)'s eyes burn. "You should have listened to me."

Word Count: 2,305 words

Taglist:

@procrastinatingsapphictrash

@makegoodchoices

@fanboy7794

@theofficialzivadavid

@confusinggemini612

#alex danvers x reader #alex danvers x fem reader #supergirl x reader #supergirl x fem reader #reader insert #fem reader #female reader

76 notes · View notes

luvdsc · 4 years

Note

miss cat!!!! you're the absolute cutest!!!!!!!! im so not over ittttt. also im really sorry for this, since i know you made a really long post about this,,,,but what are some tips you'd give to someone studying for their finals? or just some study tips you use in general? with relations to not getting distracted and memory? thank you do much 🌷

🥺🥺💘 omg honey bee!!!!!! you are the absolute cutest!!!!!! but really, thank you so so soooo much, lovebug 🤧💗 and omg it’s ok, you don’t have to apologize! i have a hard time concentrating and getting distracted, but this is what worked for me when i studied! i listed some new tips and compiled some answers from my previous asks as well under the cut. hopefully, these will be helpful for you, sweetpea 💐 also, best of luck with your finals and studying! 💛

start studying early — cram studying is honestly the worst, and you’ll feel overwhelmed as you try to fit as much test material in your brain as possible the night before. count how many chapters you’ll be tested on. for example, if there’s seven chapters, then start studying eight days before your exam. focus on one chapter a day, set aside 1-3 hours for this chapter, do the practice problems, review the homework problems your teacher assigned, and take handwritten notes on the important parts or things you have trouble remembering. personally, it’s easier for me to concentrate on one chapter a day. the eighth day (aka the day before the test) is for reviewing all your compiled notes and doing one or two practice problems from each chapter. i know this sounds really tedious and boring, but it definitely helped me tackle a big exam in a calm and steady pace without having a mental breakdown the night before the test.

take handwritten notes — you remember information better when you handwrite notes as opposed to typing them up. you’re also less likely to get distracted and browse the internet on your laptop if you put it away and use an old fashioned notebook to take notes in class.

rewrite your notes — this is the best method of memorization for me personally. i like to rewrite my notes or key points when i’m studying because it helps me memorize information better as opposed to just reading over my notes.

don’t multitask — multitasking divides your attention up and only makes you distracted. it’s so much harder to memorize things when you’re focusing on a billion things at once. focus on one task at a time.

teach someone else what you learn — this is kind of silly, but if my roommate or friends weren’t around, i would explain terminology or class material to my stuffed animals. it really does help though! when you recite information you know out loud, it helps you memorize and soon enough, you won’t even need to look at your notes to recite them!

use quizlet — when i have a ton of vocabulary or terms i need to memorize, quizlet.com is my go-to! this is the only time i prefer using the computer to study as opposed to handwritten notes. i type up all the words on there and spend time playing the fun vocab games they have, and it’s not as tedious or boring as just straight up reading notecards and memorizing the words.

go backwards with studying — if your test information builds up on material you learned from previous chapters, then disregard this tip. however, if each chapter is focused on a different topic, then study the first chapter you learned in this class first and then the second chapter and so on. this is because you’ve probably forgotten the material from these chapters since you learned them a while back and will probably need more time to study them. on the other hand, the later chapters that you just learned last week are still fresh in your mind, so you can easily review those chapters later using less time.

take breaks — i have a hard time concentrating for long periods of time, so i take a ten minute break after every hour of studying. i stand up, do some stretches, go eat some fruit, walk around for a bit, and then sit down and study for another hour. if i’m too antsy, then i take a five minute break after every thirty minutes!

make a list of your goals — studies have shown that students who have a list of goals and write down their goals are more likely to accomplish them (i had to research this and write a paper about this for my engineering class). your goal can simply be to pass a class. write that down and put it somewhere you can see it everyday, like on the wall in front of your desk.

make a schedule and stick to it — this is very important. designate certain times to each subject and stick. to. the. schedule. once again, studies have shown that people are more likely to study if they have a schedule written down and placed somewhere they can see it and be reminded of it. having a planner is always useful!

find a quiet space to study with no distractions — study somewhere away from other people. keep the space simple and free from distractions. for example, hide any clocks, your phone, etc. try not to use your computer/laptop either if you can.

prepare all your material beforehand — make sure you have all the materials you need with you, so you won’t find excuses to get up and look for things and stop studying. check that you have all the pens, pencils, papers, highlighters, etc. you need beforehand.

wear comfy, plain clothes — this is actually important because if you keep fidgeting around in uncomfortable clothes or playing with sequins on your shirt or whatever, you keep getting distracted.

make up tricks to memorize your material easily — make rhymes, song parodies, alliteration tricks, mnemonic devices, etc. or associate terms you need to memorize with something you like to help you memorize them easier (ex: PEMDAS).

make a music playlist — this is based on personal preference though; some people study better in silence. i study much better with some sort of music playing in the background. don’t choose music with a ton of singing or a lot of instruments playing at once. studies show that classical music is best for studying! make a nice playlist, so you won’t be distracted and have to keep skipping songs to find a good one.

#asks #anonymous

46 notes · View notes

taraninja · 5 years

Text

Review of A Ghost of a Chance

Just in case my review is too long for fanfiction.net, I’m posting it here.

To start, I want to apologize for the tardiness of this review. I actually began writing it after finishing Chapter 34, but thanks to College finals and the holidays it’s only getting out now. I like my reviews to in some way reciprocate the amount of effort the writer/writers spent in their fanfic, so this was definitely a multi-day project.

Firstly, I’d like to go over the characters and characterizations. Others have pointed this out as well, but you truly do get their personalities down perfectly. There were multiple occasions where I was tricked into reading this as if it were an episode screenplay, which is perhaps the highest praise any fanfic could achieve. Master Splinter is as elegant and effervescent as always, but you delve more into his character than the mere surface level; he also shows off humor, worry, empathy, concern, and of course, the love he feels for his sons and daughter is truly palpable. A great example is in his dealings with the Lotus; he is able to disagree in a way which shows honor and maturity, and even when the Lotus leave, he does not press the issue but let’s both parties (Donnie/April and the Lotus) have their disagreement and move on. It sent a perfect message to Leo that sometimes, interference is worse than simply letting an argument run its due course. I wish someone had taught that message to 2003 Leo, so maybe he could have avoided getting entangled in the gang wars.

Speaking of Leo, there are several facets of his character which have been masterfully delved into here. Something I prefer in the 2012 show is how they show that Leo is much more than just a serious and dutiful leader; he can also be awkward and silly at times, and this is perfectly encapsulated in his conversations with Karai within this story. Instead of distracting from the main plot, it melded perfectly with it and even helped to add to the plot. Karai has trouble getting used to life in the sewer, but has no problems understanding Leo and getting him to hopelessly unravel himself when talking with her. In contrast, Leo seems unsure of where he stands with her, and sometimes doesn’t know what the right approach is. Should he flirt back, or would that be too forward? Are their conversations one big game, or do they mean something to her? And are her questions meant to be taken literally, or as part of a running joke? As a master of deception, I can imagine how confusing talking with her must be. But on Karai’s part, it must be lots of fun, since it’s really more like she’s gently prodding him into taking the first step. I can still vividly imagine the chapter where they spar together, both teasing each other and then that one moment Karai thought she might have pushed too far. The tension between them was so thick that I could feel it past my computer screen, and I inadvertently held my breath as Leo drew closer and almost, ALMOST kissed her, but then revealed that he had just been teasing her back. That scene was perfect poetry, and it really showed me that you get their dynamic. You understand how and why they work, and that’s always great to see in a fanfiction.

Of course, Leo and Karai aren’t the only two lovebirds who have amazing development here, and the next two I want to gush over are Raph and Casey. I’ll admit that I didn’t really ship them before, but after reading this, you’ve made me a believer! There are of course, multiple ways a gay romance can go wrong; it can either feel too pushy, or not pushy enough, depending on the way it’s written. However, I think it was perfectly handled here. Our titular Raph and Casey start as more on the ‘bromance with benefits’ side, which works; a slow beginning helps get new shippers like me to see just how it can develop. Both of them have very similar outlooks and personalities, so there’s already that common ground between them, and then the scene where Casey gets drunk allow us to see them acting uncharacteristically caring for each other. Seeing adult Casey and Raph making out is definitely a—unique way to kickstart the romance, and a rather believable one. As someone who’s bi, I’ll readily admit that curiosity is what often causes a spark in a relationship like theirs. And again, the slow burn is the smartest move when it comes to them. Their kiss was left open-ended, as you could say ‘oh, they didn’t like it’ and not ship it, or you could think ‘hmm, I don’t think their answers were all that truthful’ and continue to ship it. I personally count myself among the latter category, but either way, their scenes have been written exceedingly well so far and I can’t wait to read more of them.

And, of course, my personal favorite ship, the one that made me get off my butt and read this fanfic; Apritello! After Chapter 34, I was squealing for literally hours. It got so bad that my roommate, who is not even a little into TMNT, forcibly grabbed my shoulders and ordered me to stop jumping around like a ping-pong ball. So suffice it to say, I have a lot to comment on when it comes to this dynamic within your fanfiction.

To begin with, I am SO glad that the music box was brought up again! When April pushed it aside in the “Bigfoot” episode, I felt so sad for Donnie and was more than a little peeved at April. It was no wonder that Donnie felt like ‘just a mutant’ with the way she was treating him; she pushed aside his heartfelt present, never lets him speak about his feelings with her, and yet continues to lead him on with hugs and kisses instead of actually being clear with her emotions. This is not to say I entirely faulted April, as having two boys crushing on you is never fun and is a situation I’ve had trouble with in the past. But nevertheless, it felt like a breath of fresh air to see the event be brought up and mentioned again between the two of them here. It gave the ship some well-needed groundedness and maturity, so that it could develop beyond just two lovesick teenagers. And oh, how beautifully developed it is! Of course, it begins rather bumpily (April, why d’ya have to take your anger out on Donnie? Him who would never fault you, ever?) with April asking out Casey for dates, keeping it a secret from Donnie, and then trying to get closer with him while not revealing anything to him. But there’s been tons of cute build-up too! The whole ‘evil scientist and best lab assistant’ bit has to be the most adorable love-speak ever, and of course, the silent glances at each other and the secret armor Donnie built is super sweet as well. And there’s no possible way I will ever forget when Future Donnie shook current Donnie to his senses and sent him chasing after April, which resulted in the most romantic scene of all time. Oh yes, it was certainly sappy; but it was a sappiness that felt VERY well-deserved and had been a long time coming. And I’m also really happy that you had Splinter inform and reassure Kirby on all the goings-on; I always feel bad for parents when their children hide things from them within stories, and it was yet another source of relief when Kirby was not only fine with April and Donnie but gave them the go-ahead. I knew he was a good father, but now I’m absolutely certain of it. And that means that April can continue her relationship with Donnie and the others without fearing for her father or focusing solely on college. Not to mention, dating Donnie can only mean good things for a future college career.

Oh yes, and then THAT ABSOLUTE BOMBSHELL in episode—I mean chapter (oh boy you know it’s good when I start calling it an episode!) 35, where April had to watch Donnie get knocked out in front of her. My heart definitely wasn’t shattering into a thousand tiny pieces at that moment (sarcastic tone intended). I’ll get into more detail later when I discuss the pacing, but man, did that scene hit like an oncoming bus.

Of course, I can’t leave out Mikey, the Future Turtles, or the Lotus from my gushing on the characterization! Mikey was at his most hilarious within this fanfic, and I’d even go so far as to say he was handled better within this story than in the usual 2012 episodes. Able to be light-hearted, a prankster, a gamer, and life of the party while still having a certain level of gravity and groundedness goes a long way to show that though Mikey may be the party dude, he has a charm and worth that is so much more than just cracking the odd joke here or there. While Leo and the others were certainly excited to have the Lotus staying with them, it was Mikey who went the extra mile to try and learn as many names as possible. And Mikey is the one who coordinated their family movie night to try and get ‘Karaiwa’ cheerful again. He’s an absolute gem who I want to protect, yet I also know that he is beyond capable of protecting himself.

I’ll admit that the Lotus took a bit of getting used to. When I heard there would be another ninja clan, my impromptu thought was ‘ah yes, the perfect way to insert OC’s’ because that’s usually how I’ve seen it handled within other fanfictions. But it definitely didn’t feel that way here. Though they were all original characters, they only served as big of a part as the plot required and were beneficial to the story’s development, instead of detracting from it. Hachisu-no-Hana served as a great parallel for Splinter, as both are heads of a clan who had been wronged by Shredder, but who took very different responses to said wrong-doing. Wakai wasn’t around long, but he emanated a youthful simplicity that made it hard not to like him, and of course Juro and Atsuko were easy to like as well. In the end I found myself liking the clan quite a bit and was hoping for their well-being just as much as I hoped for Karai’s.

Finally, we have the Future Turtles. It’s a bit harder to speak on their personalities, since they are literally different versions of the same characters within the story, but I think they were sufficiently developed enough to stand out from their current counterparts and show how the passage of time can truly make a difference. Leo has of course become a lot more serious, and along with all the other future characters, his moral compass is more black and white. Either you are on his side, or you are an enemy that deserves death; there is no in-between. This change is devastating to see when compared to how Leo currently is, and I would certainly be interested if you ever decided to do a spin-off fic detailing how the future turtles got to their current states. A lot of details have been divulged already, but like any good reader, that just leaves me wanting even more.

Future Raph and Casey seem to do a lot more laughing and have lot more fun than I would have thought, but it makes sense in the context of their relationship and is yet another great addition to their dynamic. Being in a relationship not only strengthens their bond, but themselves as people. Current Casey definitely can’t be described as sensitive, but Future Casey is not only willing but able to lend April an ear along with some solid advice. And Raph is seen helping Leo out more than arguing with him, which really warmed my heart. After Future Splinter’s death, I can imagine how hard it must have been for the turtles; but especially for Leo, who already had a heavy burden as the team leader, but with Splinter gone, that burden can only have hardened. I’m glad Raph decided to step up somewhat and help support him, instead of escalate their rivalry. It shows maturity and caring on his part, both attributes which I believe Raph already possesses, but doesn’t choose to emphasize.

In contrast, Future Mikey and Donnie seem much more solemn than their current selves. Mikey still has that fun-loving spark, but through his calmer mannerisms and way of speaking it is evident that the future events have tampered him down just as thoroughly as they tampered down his brothers. And while Donnie’s seriousness could be attributed to the important matter at the forefront of their time-traveling visit, I believe there’s more than the fate of his family which keeps him grounded. He’s always been the problem-solver of the group, and his brother’s reliance on him can only have escalated after Splinter’s demise. Plus, he lost the ‘best lab assistant in the world,’ so there has been an additional mental and emotional burden for him to carry. And though you didn’t go into the repercussions for this in too much detail, I imagine it must have been absolutely soul-crushing to see Casey go from dating April to Raph. The thoughts of “April is so great, I would have done everything in my power to make her stay,” “how could he abandon her like that?” “Maybe April feels the same way; maybe she was never into guys” and even “maybe she only dated Casey so she could finally get away from us mutants, and now that she has, she doesn’t care anymore.” I don’t know if he’d actually think like that or not, but I can envision him doing so. It must have caused at least a temporal shift between him and the two lovers and cooping himself up within the lab has obviously become a habit at this point. If he still remains within the lab while brought back to the past while his father is alive, then there’s no stopping it at this point. But hopefully he pulls himself together in a similar fashion that current Donnie did, and fixes his relationship with April. That would certainly be an ideal ending, if not an altogether realistic one.

Alright, now to more boring aspects of the story. First off; Grammar! While this has for the most part been on-point and smooth, there are some small things which could have been better to give the story a better flow. Most of these are nit-picks, because there aren’t many faults within this fanfic, but I think they bear mentioning. There were some misplaced words here and there, like “to” instead of “too” (slightly hypocritical since I KNOW I’ve probably made a similar mistake in this review alone) adjectives which were repeated three or more times in a paragraph, and one particular (and this is the most nit-picky comment of all) word phrase which stuck out and really bugged me, which was ‘portable portal.’ I believe the first time you used it, you had just described how the portal was transferrable, and my first thought was “well, if you wrote a whole section describing it as mobile, why did you describe it as portable again?” And then I saw that phrase repeated more than five times, which just led my OCD brain to go crazy. It might also have more to do with the fact that both words have a “po-“ beginning and an “able” or “al” ending, so it sounds like a repetitive description word, but nevertheless that’s more of a me problem than an overall issue.

Next, there is the plot. I read somewhere that the best plots can be outlined in a sentence and described in ten paragraphs, which I believe definitely applies to this story. While my descriptive powers are not great enough to fully divulge ten paragraphs, I shall do my best to review it properly.

It starts out simple enough; Donnie gets a message from his future self and learns that not only can he communicate with himself past the bonds of space and time, but eventually he can meet his future self without the fear of a time paradox. As Donnie and his brothers prepare to meet their future selves, they meet up with a fellow ninja clan who also has a beef with Shredder, and multiple cases of drama ensue as a result. However, there is so much more than that to pick apart in the plot. There’s action, mystery, romance, secrecy, plus a lot of confusion and mixed feelings which help to add tension and character development. And all the character dialogues don’t seem abrupt, out of place, or like mere exposition; they all blend perfectly together to give the story the feel of a big mixing pot, with multiple themes, characters, and motives blending together to give the story/soup an exquisite taste.

I could be wrong, but I think the main message behind this story is that ‘it is not our actions in the past that define us, but our actions in the present.’ In the very first chapter, we see a lot of characters mingling together who all have argued or slightly resented each other in the past. There’s Splinter and Karai, who used to believe she was Shredder’s daughter and wanted revenge on Hamato Yoshi; Casey and April, the former who used to see Raph as a villain, and then later saw Donnie as a romantic rival; the latter who blamed the turtle’s for her father’s mutation, and avoided them for weeks afterwards; and though it’s more minor, the turtles have all had big arguments with each other in the past. But the fic starts with them all united, sharing ‘Sensei Day’ together and really rallying together as one big family. Yet even though they’d love that moment to last forever, it can’t. There’ll be new hardships, arguments and struggles they’ll have to go through, and sometimes it may seem that the bad outweighs the good, like when Karai leaves the lair to go with the Lotus. But if they don’t keep striving for tomorrow, to make the best of fate while at the same time carving their own destiny, then they’ll never know just how beautiful life can be. This is the message I think Future Donnie learned when he urged current Donnie to run after April, and what all of the Future turtles realized when they learned they could time travel to this point. It may have happened in the past, and it might be too late for their happy ending; but who says they couldn’t help bring a happy ending to other versions of themselves?

And of course, this message is closely intertwined with Splinter, Karai, and Oroku Saki. Shredder chose to follow in the footsteps of his former clan; to carve for himself a path of bloodshed and vengeance, which would dictate all the future choices in his life. Splinter had the choice to follow a similar path, but instead took the path less traveled on; the path of peace. This has opened new options for him, as he gained a new family, obtained happy memories to replace the bad, and got to know many amazing people he wouldn’t have otherwise. Who knows if he would have met April, Kirby, Murasaki, Leatherhead, or Kurtzmann if not for his sons? And while Splinter tries to tell Karai that to choose peace is to choose the higher option, Karai has been raised by the Shredder for too long, and her thoughts are obviously tainted by her false father’s teachings. After all, surely someone who hides away from a fight is the bigger coward…? Surely more honor belongs to the man who seeks out his opponents and does away with them…right?

This is all part of why the Shredder-Splinter-Karai relationship is so compelling. Karai is literally the gray line, separating Splinter’s white and Shredder’s black; she has parts of both of them within her, which makes her choices and actions truly interesting. Someone who is neutral is more relatable than someone who is wholly good or wholly bad, and (at least for me), we want to see what she does because we want to know how we’d react in those same situations. Personally, I can’t fault Karai for a single one of her actions and could see myself making the same mistakes. Even if every part of my rationale told me to trust Splinter, I wouldn’t be able to wholly turn myself away from someone who’d raised me from birth. I’d want to cut off that wrongness, that falseness from my life so I could truly feel free, and that perfectly describes what Karai does. She can’t separate what happened in her past, so she wants to cut it out; even though Splinter and the others don’t care about her past, they just want to help and support her current decisions. I hope Karai comes to realize this by the end of the fic, and that her bond with the others becomes stronger as a result of this whole experience.

For the final tidbit of this review, I’d like to go over the pacing. Like everything else within this fanfic, the pacing has been very smooth and well-handled, with one event following another like dominos falling one after the other. The first chapter starts with a peaceful scene, which leads into a comedic scene in the next chapter, which in turn leads to a romantic scene gone wrong in the third chapter. The progression feels very natural, and the slow as syrup beginning is perfect to help ease the reader into the action. I described the fic as a screenplay earlier, because the events really do take place in a movie-like pace. The tripartite structure has long been lauded as the perfect story system, and that still holds true to this day. Having three big acts which are either followed or preceded by a consecutive list of smaller acts is the perfect way to hype up your big scenes and give them more weight, which your fanfic certainly did.

I promised I would go into a little more detail for Chapter 35 and go into detail I shall. At this point I think you have the three-part structure down so well, that you’re even starting to instill it into your chapters! The first act starts out peacefully, if slightly tear-jerking; the Future turtles say good-bye to Splinter for the last time, and he had some great advice to give the four of them. Once again I found the fanfic hitting close to home with me, as my grandmother has Alzheimer’s and I know any day could be the last day I say bye to her. I swear, your fanfic is going to be one of those I return to over and over again just for the little personal tidbits of emotion it gives me!

Anyways, returning to the topic; the second part of the chapter sees the different groups initiating their plans. Leo, April and Mikey taking the secret passage by the church catacombs, and Donnie, Raph and Casey entering through Baxter Stockman’s lab. Of course, things don’t start out well for either group, as Leo’s group/Team Nerf gets the ceiling caved in on them, and Donnie’s group/Team Roof has some mutated human kids attack them. I was thinking this would be the point the Future Turtles come in to help, but since they don’t I’m sure there’s another aspect to the plan that the Leo’s are looking out for. Perhaps they realize that Karai would have split off from the main Lotus group and want to save some man-power to help her when the time comes.

And then, the third/final act of the chapter comes and gives me a minor heart attack. Three mutants aptly named Lock, Shock and Barrel enter the fray thanks to Rahzar, and don’t only injure most of the main fighters; Barrel knocks out Donnie as well. The turtles, Casey and April barely manage to defeat Barrel before the focus returns to Karai, who places herself straight in Shredder’s den amidst a throng of enemies. While cliffhangers aren’t my favorite things in the world (again; intended sarcasm), I do think it was perfectly timed here. Any more action taking place would just be too much, and at least you ended it in a way that reminded us readers of the important stakes behind their battle. Even though the turtles may be beaten and battered, it is imperative they push on; not just for their sakes, not even just for Karai, but also for the Lotus, Future Turtles, Splinter, and everyone else the Shredder has hurt. While it is true they can’t turn back time and reverse all the evil he has done, they can at least stop his hand right now, and save those that matter most to them. And that is truly the most important cause the turtles could have for their fight.

#@suthnmeh #Ghost of a Chance TMNT fanfic review #super long post #I come back from the dead just to reveal I've become another filthy fanfic reader

34 notes · View notes

osmw1 · 5 years

Text

Crowbar Nurse Chapter 1 — Prologue: Travelling Between Worlds Because of my Phone is Normal, Right?

I am a nameless rookie nurse.

My hobby is clearing my mind with video games. In particular, mindless zombie shooters and dating sims that I can enjoy while yapping off with friends are my favorite genres.

… well, it’d be more accurate to say “was”. I ended up being employed by an awful hospital, even though I was super careful with my applications. But because of that, I don’t have any spare time to play my games. I was way above the legal overtime limit but yet, here I was working for free.

Let me go home already… I can’t think straight anymore…

I was tapping away at an outdated computer in the nurses’ station and doing today’s documentation.

The location is Shinjuku. The time, wee hours. A hellhole of a hospital ward with a window to the night outside. The nurses of this ward start their day way too early and end their nights dizzyingly late. Even when neglecting my hunger and hygiene, I can get only four, five hours of precious sleep a day. Such are my circumstances when working hours are this long.

I haven’t really done anything at all lately. I don’t have the time to game or hang out with my friends… the only thing I’ve done other than work is scrolling on my phone…

I silently sighed inside.

Society thinks us nurses to be huge flirts, headstrong, and highly paid. I’m sure there are some out there who are like that. … not me though. I’d say I’m the complete opposite of that.

When I was a teenager, I played games all day and cared too little about looking pretty, leading me straight down the path of being a loner. By the time I did care, I was a university student busy with studying and practicum. Outside of school, my girlfriends and I would be in stupidly high heels and partying like there was no tomorrow.

Though I like talking with people, I was always too timid for my own good. Not only did my seniors always yell at me, I also have literally zero experience in relationships. … I suppose faking it and going to clubs did get me attention from shallow guys, but the thing is that I have never been popular with the opposite sex. That’s why I can’t stand people who are blessed with confidence.

… I’m completely twisted. I know. I’ll probably end up in my thirties with everybody saying that my standards are too unrealistic and no one interested in me…

I sighed out loud this time. And as for the highly paid part? That’s probably not true for me as well. My take home pay is a little over 180,000 with more than 100 hours of unpaid overtime. Still, in this “Land of the Setting Sun”, that’s probably considered well-paid.

There are all sorts of nurses, y’know?

I’m neither well-paid nor well-versed in relationships. I’m just a sham who loves her zombies. I had once prided myself on my love for nursing, but the soul-sucking work as of late led to the flames of my passion burning out. I’m simply a lifeless drone.

Ughhh, I need to let loose and wipe out some zombies… I can’t stand working anymore…

Shoving those memories aside, I begrudgingly returned to recordkeeping. Now, let me describe what a day for a newbie nurse with no time for fun or zombies is like. After five hours of sleep, I wake up and head to my ward. I look up the details of the patients I’m in charge of on the piece of crap computer. Once that’s done, I make sure all the medicine and IV drips are good to go. After handing off things to the night shift, I begin making my rounds. There’s not even a moment spare to get water or go to the washroom. Even when working such a long shift, I say goodbye to lunch breaks if it gets busy. It doesn’t matter your level of seniority, you effectively get only five minutes. If it’s bad, it’s closer to 30 seconds… I fly into the break room, stuff my face with food, and eat it while walking back to the desk. Then, I get back to logging or preparing for the midday debriefing. I’m sure… I’m sure other places are like this too. In every hospital is a ward this depressing.

… oof. Crap. Nearly fell asleep there.

That moment of microsleep was most definitely because of sleep deprivation. The steady chime of the patient monitoring system and the clattering of keyboards from other nurses working overtime fill the room. I glanced at the watch I had stuffed in my pocket—12:30, later than usual.

It’s past midnight already, eh? Still, even when everybody lives around here, Shinjuku at night is still a little dangerous.

Even then, none of us dayshift nurses have gone home yet. That’s just how things work here. I casually looked up from my PC.

Colorful neon signs and lit offices contribute to the dazzling lights in the nightscape. It shone through the window across the hallway from the nurses’ station. Low-intensity aircraft warning lights dotted countless skyscrapers. The red lights on top of the buildings were like a constellation twinkling together. Its beauty never fails to take me out of reality.

… though I may be sleepy, even at this hour, the streets were not. The lights revealed everybody who was still awake.

Until I started working, I never knew the nights of Shinjuku were created and supported by people like me—the slaves to society.

People are used and discarded every day to maintain this beautiful dazzling world.

… and just as that thought floated across my mind, my view of the night sky worrisomely fluttered for a moment.

Hmm…? That’s weird.

I couldn’t tell whether my vision was blurry or that my head wasn’t functioning properly. Though what was very clear was that I was far too tired. Then, I got lightheaded for a split second. As soon as it passed and I breathed a sigh of relief, I clutched my chest in pain.

I’m going to die… oh yeah, I’m totally dying.

As my heart stabbed with every pulse, I took a deep breath only to find my head spinning again.

… frankly, I’m not doing so well.

This has been a frequent occurrence lately. I hold back the wave of nausea as I struggle to form sentences in my head… then suddenly, the exhausted head nurse rushed over to me in a panic.

“—the management is coming around! Hurry, hide yourself in the linen room!”

Once I realized the head nurse was shouting at me in a quiet voice, she stood me up by my shoulders. And before I knew it, she shoved me into the linen room at the far end of the nurses’ station and slammed the door shut.

… ah, not this again…

I subconsciously sighed. This happens every day in our ward. Basically, it’s to conceal the fact that us newcomers are forced to work overtime. If the head honchos of the nursing department find out, they would chew out the head nurse.

The directive of this sweatshop of a hospital is supposedly to eliminate overtime and, officially, newcomers aren’t forced to do so. That’s why when the head of the department swings by, us newcomers get spirited away.

That’s fine and all, but… damn it. The computers automatically logout after 10 minutes of inactivity, so there goes all my unsaved data…

Looks like I’ll have to redo everything, which means I’m stuck here until at least 1:00. I squatted down and subconsciously sighed again. Guess I don’t have much of a choice but to sleep until they come get me. As I shut my eyes close in exhaustion, I felt a strange vibration coming from my pocket.

… huh? A notification? I thought I turned off my phone…

I doubted myself as I reached into my pocket. When I took a look at my phone, the screen was pitch black but oddly enough, some text was showing.

… hmm, what’s that? Is that English?

The excessive number of symbols made me question whether it was really English or not. It may have been pitch black, but it was just bright enough that I could tell the screen was on. That and the green text showing clued me in on that.

… what’s all this about? Did some super hacker breach my phone? Wait, are there people who hack smartphones in the first place?

I looked down at the screen in confusion… hmm? What? Hold on… The green text scrolled past at a blistering pace. The line practically disappears as soon I tried to read it!

“… what?!”

I was fully awake when I reflexively cried out loud but was still too late to cover my mouth shut. The directors should have still been out there on their patrol. I hope they didn’t hear me.

Whaaaaaaat. Huh?! Augh! What’s going on?!

A scene of pure sci-fi unfolded in front of my very eyes. Talk about a complete one-eighty from my depressing daily life.

No, seriously, am I being hacked? Is this what it’s like? This looks more like magic to me though!

Unfortunately, a Neanderthal who can’t even do basic addition on Excel like me had no idea what was happening. I don’t get it… but I knew that this wasn’t supposed to happen.

sudo…? apt-get install? Hey, hey, hey, hey! Don’t go installing anything weird on my phone without my permission! It’s now asking for a password… and it’s being filled in!

My eyes went wide as ••••• popped up in the password field.

But… I didn’t even do anything…

I was speechless. Then, while my jaw was still on the floor, the door violently swung open… as someone came barelling through.

■Protagonist

The protagonist is a super overworked rookie nurse who was on the verge of dying. Once you get her on the topic of zombie games, she'll yap on for even longer than the intro to The Final Countdown—though it's not an opportune moment right now.

contents: /ch001/ /next/

(leave me a tip on Patreon?)

6 notes · View notes

let-the-sparks-fly · 6 years

Text

ooc info:

name/alias: Jess

age & timezone: Old & GMT+10

activity: Whenever I am near a computer (usually evenings and weekends)

rp experience: John Constantine, Lisa Snart and Ray Terrill-Snart are all me

best form of contact: discord, tumblr DMs on one of my accounts

ic info:

character name/codename: Wallace “Wally” Rudolph West || Kid Flash

character age: 21 (supposed to be 24 but no time passes in the Speed Force)

faceclaim: KJ Apa

species/status: Meta-Human || Hero

occupation: Unemployed (TBD in game - possibly student)

biography Wally comes from Earth-49, an undocumented Earth that all that is know about it by those on Earth-1 that study the multiverse is that is it mysteriously protected by some power that doesn’t allow the Earth to be breached. Wally doesn’t know any of this.

Earth-49 is actually very similar to the Earth in the Young Justice cartoon series with influences from the comics (like having the original Titans team line-up and he never dated Artemis but did date Linda Park for a bit) and other cartoon movie sources.

past: Born on the 11th of November, 1995, in Blue Valley, Nebraska to Ruldoph and Mary West. Wally’s relationship with his parents wasn’t perfect. He’d often stay with his Aunt Iris and Uncle Barry in Central City - who he says are the ones that really raised him.

At ten, Wally found out Barry was the Flash and decided to recreate the experiment that gave Barry powers. It worked and Wally, after a bit of training, then went on to become the Flash’s sidekick, Kid Flash. He moved in with Iris and Barry permanently.

While Barry and he generally saved the day on their own, Wally also became acquainted with other members of the Justice League. Through the other Justice League members, Wally met other sidekicks. He was pleased to meet other heroes his own age and became friends with a few of them especially Batman’s sidekick, Robin, who was the first person he ever considered as his best friend despite the fact Robin refused to tell him his real name.

At fifteen, Wally and some other heroes’ sidekicks were invited to form a team of their own by the Justice League. Robin was their leader, then you had Speedy (Roy Harper), Aqualad (Garth), Wonder Girl (Donna Troy), Lilith (Lilith Clay) and of course, Kid Flash (Wally). The team named themselves the Teen Titans and went on missions that didn’t necessarily require the big guns of the Justice League getting involved with. They grew and shrank in number over the years but one thing remain true for Wally, he loved his friends and would do absolutely anything for them.

After graduating high school, Wally decided he wanted to go to college but that meant he needed to hang up his running shoes for a bit cause he couldn’t be focused on both. After discussing it with the other Titans, especially Dick - who eventually revealed his secret identity to him - Wally dropped back to being a reserve member and went off to study.

Wally had almost graduated when he got the call that his friends needed him. He made the decision to skip his final exams to go to the Arctic and help the other Titans. Wally wasn’t going to lie, beating the baddies was a lot more fun than a chemistry exam. Plus, he friends needed him and Wally’s loyalty wouldn’t allow him to leave them.

The Titans won the battle in the Arctic, but when the dust had settled there was no celebration. Wally West had been lost.

present: Wally wasn’t technically lost. He knew he was in the Speed Force but the problem was he had no way of getting home. Unlike his Uncle who had been trapped in the Speed Force before, Wally lacked a conduit to anchor him and bring him home so he was stuck floating adrift, eventually believing he would just become one with the Force like a Jedi or something.

Then there was a disturbance, like a sudden storm rolling through. Wally took his chance and pushed at the storm, grabbing onto it in the hopes it would get him home. He landed near Central City but his victory dance was short lived as he came to realize that three years had passed since his disappearance.

His heart was dealt another blow when he went to what he believed to be the home of his Aunt and Uncle and found a stranger there. After a small conversation with the home owner, Wally learnt he wasn’t even on his Earth anymore.

positive traits: Loyal and reliable - Wally will always come when a friend calls. He throws everything into his friendships (which can be a negative if you betray him because it is heartbreaking for him). He is funny - at least he thinks he is - and would rather have those around him smiling.

negative traits: He tends to keep the negative to himself and therefore it gets bottled up and will eventually boil over in an explosion. He is hot-headed and has a mean temper once he gets going. Wally also takes a lot of blame onto himself, often feeling responsible for mistakes and believing he is the catalyst of them.

para sample:

The air crackled and sparks flew over the ground in a dizzying dance as the remnants of the freak lightning storm dissipated. Wally West always liked to make an entrance and breaking free of the Speed Force and arriving back on solid earth in a crazy ass lightning storm was probably his finest entrance to date. Light show and theatrics aside, his arrival also signified something very important - he wasn’t dead!

Wally had no idea how long he had been in the Speed Force, time had a different way of moving there. He could have been gone a minute. He could have been gone years. He hoped it wasn’t the latter - the idea that everyone had mourned him after coming to the conclusion he wasn’t coming back broke his heart. Surely it couldn’t have been years, though.

Taking in his surroundings, Wally spotted a sign that identified the place as a national park just outside of Central City. He was closer to home than he thought. Looking closer at the sign - which also was a notice board of events for those venturing into the national park - Wally spotted the date on one of the announcements. 2019.

2019! That was three years! His heart sank but he was determined to get back to his family and friends and make up for lost time. He could do that now. He was back. His body filled with hope of making things right.

Wally raced into the city. He felt faster than before - maybe a Speed Force side effect - but he couldn’t worry about that now. Stopping in a dead end street, Wally then took to a normal pace and went to the address he knew to be that of his Aunt Iris and Uncle Barry - at least he hoped they still lived there. Knocking on the door, Wally speedy thoughts went over a speech in his head - what did one say when they have been gone for three years?

The door opened and an older man Wally didn’t recognize was standing there, a curious look on his face at who Wally was and why was this stranger on his doorstep. “Er... I was wondering if Iris West and Barry Allen still lived here. I see they don’t. Sorry to bother you.” Wally spoke at such a rapid fire pace that many would struggle to keep up before he turned to leave. He stopped just on the bottom step when the man at the door told him to wait.

“Who are you and what do you want with my daughter and son?”

Wally’s eyes boggled comically for a second and he spun around. This guy definitely wasn’t his grandfather. “I... er...” he stammered, his usually fast paced mind screeching to a halt like rubber tires on asphalt when the brakes were slammed. “I think I’m on the wrong Earth.”

#--profile

4 notes · View notes

mintaero · 6 years

Text

i bet on losing terms

snowbaz watching FIFA!

“You aren’t exempt from bets just because we’re boyfriends. In fact, you’re more susceptible to petty bargains just because we’re snogging.”

read on Ao3

SIMON

Baz has gone completely and utterly bat-shit crazy.

He always gets like this during the World Cup, all aggressive and hostile. He’s been shouting at the TV since half time, and I don’t think he’s realized that the people on the other side can’t hear him. Last FIFA, Baz nearly broke the television remote when Germany won because he was gripping it so deathly hard.

“Baz, settle down,” Penelope croons from the sofa, not looking up. She’s typing away furiously on her computer, her hair piled in a messy ball on the top of her head. She’s been working on her thesis statement for days, yet somehow, she can find time to watch the World Cup with us.

“Fuck off, Bunce. Brazil and Switzerland are going.” He’s sat back down on the couch—finally—but he still looks like he’s about to jump back up and pounce on the television at any given moment.

“Who do we want to win?” I ask, readjusting myself on the ground beside Baz’s feet.

The announcer on the TV mumbles something about a player being apparently injured, and Baz curses.

“What was that, Simon?” Baz arches his eyebrow but doesn’t look at me. I accidentally bump my wing on his back, and he scoots forward like he thinks I’ve just asked him to.

“Who—”

“YES, ALISSON!’ Baz shouts, springing up and rubbing his hands together. He’s glaring at the TV with a sort of manic energy. He’s a manic person.

I sigh and throw my head back. There’s no talking to him when he’s like this. “You’re going to break the sound barrier.”

Baz glances down at me. Only for a second. “Bunce, please explain to Snow that breaking the sound barrier only occurs when you go fast. Not when you’re loud.”

“Heed his words, Simon.” Penny stops typing and looks at me.

“Come on, Marcelo. Come on, come on, come on,” Baz chants. He gets so into FIFA, it’s not even funny. Living and breathing it until a winner is announced, and then suddenly he’s back to his usual self. He always seems so much healthier and alive when the World Cup is playing.

Baz is the only person I know who gets less stressed when FIFA’s on. Maybe not less stressed, but he forgets to focus on the usual things that stress him out. Like university or eating. Baz has been a prick about eating. Lately, it’s a win if I get him to snack on some crisps, let alone a full meal. Maybe I take back what I said about Baz being healthier.

Penelope slams her computer closed a little too harshly and stands up, stretching her arms over her head. I reach over and try to tug down her skirt that’s bunched up a bit too high on her thighs, but she swats my hand away and does it herself.

“I’m going to get out. My thesis statement isn’t going anywhere, and Baz is going mental and I can’t stand another minute of it. You want to come, Simon?” She unties her bun and shakes her hair out.

I consider getting up to sit on the couch, but I don’t want to feel the springs of the couch move every time Baz jumps up, so I stay sat on the space between the couch and the coffee table and pull my legs up to my chest. “Where’re you going?”

“Tesco’s, probably. Are you coming?”

“No, I don’t think so. Will you get me something there?”

Penny rests her hand on her hip and tilts her head to the side. “Like what, ‘mon?”

“I dunno. Roast beef sandwich? Scones? Do you think we’re getting low on butter?” My stomach rumbles at the thought of a warm cherry scone with butter spread over the top and slowly melting. Since Watford, my accessibility to really good sour cherry scones have gone down dramatically, so I get by with mediocre biscuits and I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter! butter. (Baz frequently tries to remind me that I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter! isn’t butter.) (“It’s margarine, Snow. Margarine is different from butter.”)

“Simon, we’re never low on butter. I’ll get you a chocolate sweet, yeah? Baz, you want—”

“No, thank you, Bunce. I’d rather no—Oh, oh, OH! OH!” The red-jersey football player on the screen headbutts the ball and scores a goal. Two more instant replays of the goal are shown in slow motion, and Baz is practically screeching his head off. I get the feeling that no one quite expected the red-jerseys to get a goal. Baz surely didn’t, either, because he’s cursing like a drunken Scottish banshee. (Those things are little shits if you ever meet them. Especially the Scottish ones. Wit as sharp as a blade, but the darkest sense of humour.)

Penny tuts. “Honestly, Baz. If you’re going to curse like a basic American white girl turned into a banshee—” even she knows “—then do it privately. It’s unsettling.”

Baz makes concise eye contact. Precisely, he enunciates each word, “Fuck a nine-toed fucking troll, Penelope goddamn Bunce. Fucking Switzerland just scored a mother ass-fucking son-of-a-bitch goal with a shitting-on-your-nipples fucking headbutt. I am the fucking one who’s fucking unsettled.”

Penelope’s face twists like she just drank some rank Ribena. “I’ll be back in an hour.”

“Don’t forget—”

“Chocolate sweets, yeah, I know. See you.”

“See you.”

And then she’s out the door. She didn’t take her car keys, so I know that Micah’s probably out front right now, waiting for her at the bottom of our flat.

“Baz. Would you sit down?”

“I’m going to tell you the same thing I told Bunce. Fuck. Off.”

“No, you.” I push myself off the ground. “I’m going to make a sandwich.”

“I don’t want one.”

“I know. I wasn’t going to ask you.”

He mutters something too low for me to hear, so I push myself off the floor and head towards the kitchen. I dig around the fridge for sandwich supplies, then to the pantry for bread and crisps. (Salt-and-Vinegar, the bastard.) (He knows I don’t like those.)

Laying everything out on the counter, I glance at Baz. He looks near to throttling someone. I’ve never known that he actually likes to watch football games rather than play in them; for him, I always thought playing football was more of a pastime. A diversion for everything that was at stake.

It fit that I’m wrong about him. I was wrong about everything before, so. Naturally.

He runs his hand through his hair, resting it on the crown of his head before pulling it through the rest of his locks. He’s switching his weight between both legs consistently, and it’s making me anxious.

“You’re making me anxious,” I say. “Stop pacing.”

“I’m not pacing.” He snarls, a bit brashly. “I think they’re going to tie.”

“Who?”

“Who?” Baz echoes, looking back at me and sneering. Crowley, I thought we were past the sneering by now. “What do you mean, who? Switzerland and Brazil. I think they’re going to tie.”

“Rubbish. Brazil is mighty fit, they’ll win for sure.”

He shakes his head and turns back to the screen, watching it intently. I go back to making my sandwich.

“I bet you £20 that Brazil’ll win,” I say, slicing a tomato cleanly down the middle. When he turns back around, an eyebrow is arched as high as his widow’s peak.

“Fifty.”

I groan. “C’mon Baz, it’s just a bet. Twenty’s fair.”

“It’s fair,” he grins wickedly, and I feel heat crawl up my neck. “But it isn’t fun.”

“Fine. Forty.” I mush the two halves of the sandwich into one and take a bite. “That’s the highest I’ll go.”

“Deal,” he flops back on the couch, kicking his feel up on the coffee table and stretching his arms on top of either side of the couch. “Also, you’re a terrible negotiator. I would’ve gone down to thirty if you’d asked.”

“Fuck you, Baz. Seriously.”

“Ah, no. That would be you that just got fucked and lost £40 to me.”

Forty fucking pounds. I can tell there are roses on my cheeks even before I brush my knuckles against them. The only reason I’m blushing is because he just implied that I was fucked by him. By Baz. He can’t just say that.

Crowley.

I set my sandwich back down on the counter and open the cupboard, reaching for a plate. (Penelope always scolds me when I get crumbs on the couch.)

“Sh-Fucking hell!” Baz yells from the living room. He startles me so badly that my wings fly open and my tail starts whipping around by my hips and I jerk my hand back down to my side.

He’s mental.

“Baz!” I gasp. “Don’t do that!”

He looks back at me, and I can tell from the way that his expression softens that he just realises he’s scared me. “Sorry, love. It was a really close goal.”

Absolutely mental, I tell you.

Baz looks back at the match, and I huff at the ground. My sandwich has dropped. Knocked off by my tail, more like, but still. There are bits of tomato and lettuce strewn about, and one half of the bread is sticking to the bottom cabinet. I squat down and start peeling the cheese and such off the tiles and wood, grimacing.

I shouldn’t have used the good cheese.

It takes me a second to get back from the squat, but I manage to make it up without all the blood flowing to my head. (Merlin, it’s not like I’m elderly.) The tomatoes are leaking in my hand, so I bumble to the bin and dump my hand.

Setting aside the deflating realisation that I don’t have enough mental compacity to make another sandwich, I shake some crisps into the nearest thing on the counter, which happens to be a (thankfully, clean) mug. I bring the mug back to the couch and flop down alongside of Baz, daring to rest my head on his shoulder. He made me drop my sandwich. He can live without moving for a few minutes as I grieve.

“I hope you’ve got your £40 on hand,” Baz says, his shoulders tensing when a player on screen kicks the ball and narrowly misses the goal. “Because you just lost the bet.”

I shake my head, popping a few crisps in my mouth. “There’s still stoppage time.”

“You’re placing your remaining hope on the very last 2-3 minutes of the game? How very calculating you are,” Baz pulls his head away and looks at me. “And you chew like a hyena.”

I shove him a bit, picking my head up off his shoulder and grabbing another handful of crisps. “Isn’t it laugh?”

He looks at me funny. “Beg your pardon?”

“I mean,” I kick my legs up on the coffee table. “Don’t hyenas have that bloody insane laugh?”

“Yes, they quite do. However, my laugh is going to be just as ridiculous when you hand over forty pounds.”

I groan. “So bloody cocky.”

“It’s not like I spelt the match in my favour, now is it?”

My eyes widen. “You didn’t.”

He laughs. High and quick. “No, I didn’t. It’s in Russia for Crowley’s sakes; my magic can’t stretch that far.”

I relax into the cushions and try to focus on the screen, silently urging any team to score again. I really could give less of a crap who scores, but someone needs to. I’ll be damned to Slough if I have to pay Baz half my daily paycheck.

There’re twenty more minutes until the 90-minute mark, so I munch anxiously on some more crisps and try to focus my nerves on the stoppage time. The minutes tick by slowly, slowly, slowly, until I feel myself fighting to keep my eyes open. It really isn’t an exciting game. I could always just…simply nod off. Even for a few minutes.

A few minutes won’t hurt anyone…

“Simon?” Baz pinches my arm, and I pull my elbow away. Somehow, I’ve managed to curl up on the opposite side of Baz, my face smushed into the sofa. “Snow, wake up. The match is over.”

I open my groggy eyes and groan. “Mmpgh. Is it?”

“Yeah, you fell asleep.” Baz pokes at my cheek. “Also, guess what.”

I roll over, my wing stretching out in the space beside me. Where Baz is. “What?”

I feel the heat of his breath as he leans down to whisper in my ear, the hairs on my arms standing up as he says, “You owe me forty pounds.”

Fuck.

The bet.

I sit up fully, matting the side of my hair back down with my hand. “I want to see the score.”

“Get up, then.”

“I am up.”

“No—Get your phone and check the score. It’s not going to change the fact that you, Snow, just lost £40 to me with a picayune and trifling bet.”

There’s a sort of silence in the air, and it’s because, I realise too late, that the TV is turned off. I shove Baz over to his own side and reach for the coffee table, where my phone is, and unlock it.

According to a Google search, Baz is right.

Christ and Crowley’s Christmas, that bloody wanker. He’s right. The match ended in a tie, and I’d missed it.

“Baz,” I throw my phone back on the couch and stand up. “Don’t I get a discount since we’re shagging?”

It takes Baz a full 30 seconds to recover from that. Stuttering slightly with a newfound pink tinge on his cheeks, he says, “You aren’t exempt from bets just because we’re boyfriends. In fact, you’re more susceptible to petty bargains just because we’re snogging.”

I groan again. My wallet’s in the armoire by the front door, so I drag my feet all the way there, giving Baz the middle finger the whole way.

“I can’t believe you’re making me pay you.” I open the drawer and chuck my wallet at Baz. It hits him in the chest. Good. “Take only forty.”

Baz grins at me. There’s still a hint of pink on his cheeks. “Calm down, Snow. I’m not going to embezzle money from you.”

“Like you are right now?”

“You lost a bet, fair and square. Stop whining about it.” Baz neatly removes two twenties out of my wallet, placing it in the back of his jeans and then tossing it back to me. I grab it just before it slips out of my hands and put it back on the drawer.

“Next game, you owe me forty.”

“That isn’t…That isn’t how it works, Simon.”

I scoff, raking my hand through my hair and walking back to the couch. “You’re buying dinner tonight.”

“Technically, you ar—”

“Fuck. Off.”

Baz smiles again, and I have to look away. He settles back into the sofa with a cheeky grin on his face (I can’t decide whether I want to kick or kiss it off) and turns back on the television. It’s paused on a match recap directly following the actual match, the two broadcasters have frozen mid-sentence, lips parted.

I make sure to keep my knees and wings far away from him as I sit on the couch. He’s still grinning. I’ve gotten more accustomed to his smile, it’s more of a lighthearted sneer than anything.

“Could you move ove—”

Baz swings his legs over mine and sits right in my leg. It’s a bit of an awkward angle, as the side of my leg is shoved up his crotch and he’s more or less standing over me than sitting on me.

“What is this?” I ask.

“Me, giving you your money’s worth.”

Before I can ask what in Crowley’s name that’s supposed to mean and how it relates to a bet, he’s holding my jaw and shutting me up with his lips.

Maybe this time won’t be an implied fucking.

#this took me too long to write #i am such a fucking slow writer #but its cool cause i have excused for that #like im taking FUCKING 2 online classes #im a Bit Stressed #but i always have time for fifa #it will never die #snowbaz #simon snow #baz pitch #carry on #fanfiction #snowbaz fanfiction #FIFA #simon snow fanfiction #baz pitch fanfiction #also penelope is a savage in this #penelope bunce

98 notes · View notes

porteurdereve · 2 years

Note

2, 3, 4

How did you get into this franchise/fandom?

My brother often played FFXIV when he was back from school, and I found myself watching him go through it. After a while, I wanted to play it. So I made character on his account (unfunny enough, a red headed cat boy), though I wasn’t too great at handling the PS4 controls, and held back a lot of dungeons as a paladin. So I gave up. A few months later, I wanted to try again, so I bought it on my computer-- and I have been addicted ever since. Yoshi-P, I love you, so very much *mwah*

What’s the best thing about the show/series/books/comics/etc.?

I feel like the best thing is the savage/ultimate fights, because they are SO FUN to learn and go through. They’re engaging, fast paced, and requires teamwork like no other game I’ve played. Having the right static in a fight just feels so fun! Aside from that, the community. Not only are people relatively nice in the game, but they feel connected through the developers. The develops listen to our memes, our jokes, our voices, and they want to give back the love that we have given them. So many tears were shed for the developers, and we cannot thank them enough for all their hard work. Now, lemme tell you a story. A year ago, my favorite mangaka, Kentaro Miura, passed away. I love Berserk, because when I was diagnosed with PTSD, I had it rough trying to heal from unprocessed trauma. Reading Berserk helped me process that trauma. I know it’s a heavy story, but the story is about survival and healing after severe trauma. I needed that in my life. So, when he died, I felt empty and lost. I cried for an hour at my computer, absolutely torn, running around Ul’dah aimlessly-- then I saw him. A lone Dark Knight, standing with a bonfire. I knew what he was doing without asking. I joined with him. Soon, a line of people came up and stood with us. Then we learned different servers all across the world did the same thing. We all mourned Kentaro Miura TOGETHER. If you’re curious about it, there’s a news article pertaining to the event. We began talking about Berserk, how it changed out lives, our favorite characters, what was our favorite media that was inspired by Berserk. I felt I had a moment of closure with all these people I didn’t know, and we never met again. It felt so cathartic, and I was able to grieve with someone. Of course, the story is amazing. Absolutely perfect. I feel as if Shadowbringers and Endwalker really reflected our current situation with COVID, and in times of despair and grave loss, we power through to be there for each other. I just love this game, holy crap.

What’s the worst thing about the show/series/books/comics/etc.?

The WORST thing? There’s tons of frustrating things about this game. I mean... well... this is hard. I love everything about this game, and I don’t do a lot of RP, hang out and talk to people, or housing-- but I’ve heard a lot of complaints about materia melding (which I don’t do), and housing system (which I don’t have money for), and rude people. Of course there’s going to be rude people in the game, there’s rude people everywhere. You’d be hard pressed to find a community that doesn’t have its share of bad eggs. I THINK THE WORST THING (and this is stupid i know) IS THAT WE DON’T HAVE A DATING SIM KNOCK OFF. Or even, like a social bond system. It’s so dumb, but when you create such interesting, deep, and lovable characters, at least give us crumbs to see our WOL with them. CRUMBS. just tiny little mice crumbs. Oh well. I am hoping that the Island Sanctuary will allow our friends to come and visit to give their good wishes. I mean the WOL is BORED now, at least let their friends come visit them in their sanctuary. TBH I love this game, and I advise everyone to give it a try at least once. Having started at the end of Heavensward, I already feel as if my WOL has grown, matured, and changed because I have over the years. *chefs kiss*

#-- from a distance star | ooc #tw: long post #long post #I JUST LOVE THIS GAME #kleinstar

1 note · View note

mysticmessimagines · 8 years

Note

Rfa reacting to MC breaking up with them?

Oooh nonny, you’re speaking my language. I love me some angst ;))) I consider V part of the RFA so I’ll put him below a a four line break because the rest of this is really long so it’s going under a cut. I suppose Seven’s route has spoilers too kind of so make sure you’ve done his route/all the routes or only read the routes you’ve done pls I don’t want to accidentally ruin anything for anyone. Also I love Unknown so if someone wants me throwing him in the bunch hit me up and I’ll do it.

Yoosung

The LOLOL never stops

You care so much about him, and you know he cares about you too

It just hurts to see him neglecting himself for the sake of playing his game

He misses dinners you cook for him, or he’ll leave them untouched on his desk

You offer to help him study, only for him to go right back to gaming thirty minutes later

After talking with him and letting him know how worried you are for him trying so hard not to say that you yourself are feeling neglected, you don’t want to seem needy and controlling but ofc you wouldn’t be gaming is more than okay, this is just excessive he agrees to stop gaming and promises to come to bed early with you that night

He doesn’t

You fall asleep alone in bed, and when you wake up around 4am you’re still alone

From the other room you can see the glow of his computer, hear the keyboard taps

It’s the final straw

You haven’t officially moved in with Yoosung yet, so you just gather simple things like your phone charger, hoodie, and bag

He’ll be so invested in his game, he won’t notice

He notices

But you’re not there anymore

You don’t have the heart to answer his frantic texts and calls - you would never do something like what you need to do over the phone

You’re camped out at Jaehee’s when he finds you

He’s a mess; a dirty pair of sweats on and a sleeveless t-shirt despite it being winter

His hair isn’t combed, his eyes swollen and his face wet with tears that are still streaming down his face

“MC, thank God you’re safe! I thought something bad happened to you.”

Tears well in your eyes as he hugs you desperately, it’s so tempting to just forget all about it and live in this constant cycle of misery

But you don’t

“Yoosung, I can’t do this…”

“Do what? What do you mean?”

It hurts so bad to explain, and you can’t help but cry as you tell him how you’ve been watching him ruin his life at the computer, how you’ve felt like you didn’t have his heart anymore, how you felt that LOLOL came first to him

He’s endless apologies, on his knees as he clutches helplessly onto you and buries his face against your stomach

“I’ll stop! I swear, MC, I’ll never play again, just please- please don’t think those things, you’re so important to me!”

“I’m so sorry, Yoosung. I love you, I do. But I just can’t anymore. Goodbye, Yoosung.”

You shut him out

He stays outside in the cold, sobbing and pleading for you, until you finally ask Jaehee to escort him home

You hated sleeping alone, it’s part of what made you feel so uncared for when Yoosung would play late - but this time, sleeping alone on Jaehee’s pull out couch despite her offering you her bed, your heart shatters completely

Zen

W H Y did he let that fan kiss him on the mouth??

It wasn’t even close to being okay

You are not a jealous person

He can hug them, take selfies with them, kiss their cheek, he can braid their goddamn hair but he let that girl kiss him on the mouth

And he knows you know

He brings home flowers and chinese food

You’re already pacing back and forth in the living room, tears running down your face

Sometimes a quick peck on the lips is okay in some cultures but fuck this - this is not okay there was tongue

“MC I am swear I’m sorry-”

“Don’t tell me sorry. Tell me why.”

He’s babbling then

She kissed him

It was an accident

Her friend took the picture

He certainly does seem upset that you’re crying; his hands are outstretched for you like he wants to hold you or dry your tears

You’re far too upset for that

“But you didn’t tell her no. You didn’t push her away, did you?”

“I… no. She was a fan, MC, I have to be nice to-”

You stop listening then

An explanation was what you wanted, but what you were getting were excuses

If he had outright admitted he had messed up, then maybe you’d be more willing to listen

But he was only defending himself to avoid trouble

You’re still crying as you start stuffing your clothes into your bag

You’ve lived with Zen since you left the apartment, you don’t even know where you could go

He’s still following you around, saying he’ll make it up to you, saying it didn’t mean anything

You don’t want it made up to you, you want him to admit he had made a huge mistake, one he would never make again

And if it’s not something he can realize on his own - then maybe he should just be left to kiss his fans freely as a single man

Jumin is the only person you can think to call - it’s a low blow for Zen, but he has plenty of space and Jumin can of course get you a ride to him

Zen stumbles after you outside, and as you wait for Driver Kim he clutches your sleeve and makes you meet his gaze

It’s pouring outside, but you think his eyes look damp aside from the rain

“Why are you doing this, please, please don’t run off to him. Are you trying to make me jealous, too? I said I was sorry, MC, please.”

You recoil, your tears unfaltering as you shake your head

“I’m not trying to make you jealous. You’ve hurt me, Hyun, and you can’t even own up to it. I can’t do it. Kiss all the fans you want. I’ll send someone for the rest of my things, but I won’t be coming back. Goodbye, Hyun.”

Driver Kim helps you in to the car, leaving Zen standing in the downpour

You’re still sobbing as you drive away, watching Zen in the back window

He doesn’t head back inside, and then you can’t even see him anymore

Jumin is waiting for you with a warm towel and soft blankets to wrap you in, and he sits and offers to let you rant

All you can do is sob against his shoulder

Your heart has never hurt so badly

Jaehee

The coffee shop means everything to her

And it means everything to you too

But for her, she lets the desire for perfection smother her fun and happiness

Evidently, her desire for perfection outweighs her sympathy for you as well

You’re preparing scones to place in the glass case up front

The shop is busy

It requires you to go up front and help out for a bit, leaving the scones in the oven a little past the timer

Of course they burn

Not badly… but they burn

Definitely not worthy of putting out in the case

Jaehee hurries into the back to figure out where the scones are, and when she sees them the disappointment is clear on her face

“Oh no, we can’t serve those. MC, I trusted you to be able to make those. We’re at our busiest time of the day, too. Just… let me handle everything, go do some dishes or something.”

She barely lets you get a word in

She’s small, but she’s fierce, and it almost feels like she snatches the scones away from you before she’s shooing you away

Well then

You do the dishes, but you also attempt to help make a few coffees up front

When you accidentally use 2% milk instead of low fat, and the customer somehow knows they chew you out

Jaehee is right there in an instant - and she doesn’t defend you for your accidental mistake

Instead, she nearly shoves you back to the back as she offers the gentleman his money back as well as a freshly made coffee

Any normal person would assume she was having a bad day - but no

It’s become a norm for Jaehee to treat you as if you’re incompetent at work

She won’t discuss it at home, changing the subject to finances or something completely off topic

When you burn your arm preparing cookies and drop the pan on the floor, she completely tears into you

“Why is it so hard for you to bake? Don’t even bother touching the oven anymore. You make so much more work for me to do, MC, and I-”

You don’t even let her finish, clutching your burnt arm

“Okay. Okay, I won’t be such a bother to you, anymore. I didn’t know how difficult I made things for you. I’ll go.”

Normally you wouldn’t just abandon her at work, but there’s a few additional hands helping out - so there’s no reason for her to be so snappy

But you don’t just plan on leaving work

You go back to the apartment you and Jaehee share, grabbing as much of your belongings as you can, and you go to the only person you can think of - Yoosung’s

It completely scares the shit out of this boy when you show up at his house that evening, sobbing with your belongings

He immediately thinks someone is dead, but you tell him everything that’s happened, and he just hugs you tight and strokes your hair

But then Jaehee shows up, and Yoosung looks like he wants to cry too as he asks if you want to see her

Of course you oblige, you go to her

She seems extremely concerned, and she’s still wearing her work uniform with flour all over it

“If I upset you today, I truly did not mean to… I was worried when you weren’t at home.”

It’s with a shaky breath that you tell her, “That can’t be my home anymore. I can’t take much more of feeling worthless. We opened the shop together to spread love, happiness, to have fun and be able to see each other and so neither of us feel like we’re actually working. But you’ve made me feel so useless. And I don’t want to feel like that anymore.”

She stands stunned, completely pale after hearing your confession

“MC…”

You try to close the door before you start to cry - but she catches it, her eyes wide

“Please just go. You can have the coffee shop.”

Somehow that finalizes it for her, makes her realize just how serious you are

Her hands are shaking and she can’t seem to speak, reaching out and clinging to your arm

“Wait- I’m so sorry, MC, let me make it right. Tell me what I can do!”

“I’ve tried.”

It’s with a heavy heart that you gently shake free, and before you shut the door you hear her quiet sob

You can hardly stand it, sprinting to the bathroom and locking yourself in

Yoosung sits right outside and pleads with you to at least come out so he can comfort you, but all you can do is sob into your hands

Jumin

You knew from the beginning that your relationship would be difficult at times

Jumin had never truly been in love before you, he was still learning

You were always patient with him, reminding him that relationships required communication

He was finally learning to accept trust in the relationship - you weren’t going to be harmed and you would always come back to him when you would leave the penthouse

Work actually came second to him for once, you always coming first

But there were still times where he’d shut down - and in times like those is when it hurt the most

Seeing him suffer in silence was painful

It would happen in spurts

But these spurts could last anywhere from two days to two weeks

He’d be absent, glassy eyed, and he’d work from dusk until dawn, only crawling into bed when you were already half asleep

You weren’t even sure how much he would eat during these times

The shut down he had when it finally all came to a boil happened shortly after a project of his failed, causing quite a drastic drop in C&R’s sales

Jumin’s father had been extremely disappointed, making a point to tell Jumin so multiple times over the phone

If there was one thing in the world that could bring Jumin Han to a stuttering halt, it was Mr. Han Senior

Almost immediately you could see just how deeply it was eating at Jumin

He was already upset with himself, he didn’t need the weight of his father’s disappointment either

Out of desperation you tried to coax him to head to bed early with you, cuddling and talking probably in nothing but one of Jumin’s shirts because he loved seeing them on you always worked when he was stressed over a less drastic problem

Instead - he headed back to his office

At 8pm at night

You brushed it off, assuring yourself that he’d be back in a few hours, but when you awoke in the morning, his side of the bed was still made

It panicked the shit out of you

You called him endlessly, but he didn’t pick up

So of course you rushed to C&R, hurrying up to his office and barging in without bothering to knock

Pale skin, a loose tie, messy hair, and dark eye circles greeted you

Or rather, didn’t even acknowledge your presence

Jumin was at his desk scribbling at something like a mad man, papers askew across his desk

You hurried to him and touched his shoulder gently but he flinches away

“Jumin… Jumin, love, you need to come home and rest. Did you sleep at all?”

He doesn’t answer verbally, only shakes his head, and continues to write

A glance at his desk reveals crumpled papers, chicken scratch writing that is so vastly different compared to his usual elegant penmanship

“Do you want breakfast?”

Another head shake

With a gentle hand you try to cup his face, turn his head so he’ll meet your gaze

“Go back home. You can’t even imagine all that I have to do now, I messed up and now I have to fix it. It’s not just going to fix itself. There’s no time, just go. You’re distracting me.”

Which okay, he’s been like this before… kind of…

“I’m worried about you, let me at least get you something to-”

“No, MC!”

Never does Jumin raise his voice, not even at other shitty company owners trying to seal a deal with him

But he definitely wasn’t quiet as he slammed his fist down against his desk, his jaw tense

And he still won’t look at you

One last time you try to touch his arm; it’s unbearable to see him so unshapely, the Jumin Han you know would never loosen his tie in the workplace and it makes you worry about how truly upset he could be

Your hand settles on his fist clenched on the desk

His other hand… the one gripping his pen… moves to shove it off

“Damn it, MC, get out.”

A small gasp escapes you as the pen in his hand roughly scrapes against the soft skin on the side of your thumb

It’s already bleeding - not much, but it stings and you can hardly wrap your head around it all

He’s been angry before, but he’s never been so rough from anger

His eyes snap to your face before they fall on your hand clutching your bleeding scrape

He pales even more if possible, looking completely crushed

Before he even has time to speak, you turn on your heal and walk out

Surprisingly enough, he comes home shortly after

You’re already waiting with packed bags

Talking is a must

You tried to talk to him - and he had lashed out physically, something you swore you would never stand for

No matter how much you loved him

“MC… what… your suitcases, what are you doing?”

“We need to talk one last time, Jumin. I… I love you more than you will ever know. Seeing you hurt kills me, and I just wanted to be there for you. I can handle you shutting me out as long as you let me back in, but when you shut me out and lay a hand on me…”

“God, is your hand alright? How badly are you hurt-”

You don’t let him see, but rather pull away

“I promised you at the beginning that I would never leave you if we kept communication and trust. But you broke your promise, you pushed me away and you broke my trust… I’ve already made up my mind and called a cab.”

His entire strong posture completely shatters, his shoulders slumping and his generally tall frame seeming so small

“Oh.”

Which is all he has to say??

He wasn’t even going to try to fight for you, and it breaks you even more

However, he leaves the room and leaves you standing with your heart thumping in your chest

When he comes back, he picks up your suitcases for you and heads for the door

He’s just going to kick you out so easily?

“What are you doing?”

And fuck, you’re crying

“I cannot allow the person who means the most to me to go out on their own without a plan. Driver Kim will pick you up and drive you around until you have somewhere safe.”

You can hardly wrap your head around it all as he leads the way downstairs and loads your things into Driver Kim’s car

He’s got that look on his face at your tears, the look he gives you whenever he’ll hold you close, thumb under your eyes, and kiss at your hair as he whispers soothing things to you

But you’re giving that up - the man he was that morning was not the man you knew

“Will you text me when you’re somewhere safe?”

It’s whispered, but you hear it as Driver Kim helps you into the car

“No.”

You can barely choke it out, slumping into the vehicle and peeking at Jumin out the window

He’s now wearing a face you’ve never seen before - his face his crumpled, and a single hand raises to cover his eyes as he turns his back on the car, his shoulders hunched

Driver Kim hands you tissues as he drives away and you sob into your lap

Seven

This boy would go to the ends of the earth for you

He’d die for you

And you’d die for him

But when he puts himself in danger, more so than necessary, to keep you safe…

You make him promise to always tell you when something he’s doing is dangerous

He doesn’t have to tell you how

Or why

You just want to know, and you deserve to know

The memory of him shutting you out for your own safety is so fresh in your mind

How cruel he had been thinking it would protect you in the long run

Even so, he swore he’d never do it again

And for the longest time he didn’t

Until… he did

All other times he’s the funny 707

Defender of Justice

But then on one certain day of him spending nearly fourteen hours at his computer, you begin to worry

When you finally head to where he sits as his desk (where he’s typing away) and gently move the headphones from his ear, he all but smacks his screen off

“MC, don’t do that! Classified information here, okay?”

You hold up your hands in defense, expecting him to smile and stand stretching only for him to do his thing where he pretends gravity has grown too strong for him and that he needs your support to remain upright

But he only stares at you expectantly

“Don’t you want to come find something to eat for dinner with me?”

“Uh… no, I need to stay here a bit longer. Eat without me.”

You don’t of course, you take him a plate of food and then leave him once more

He doesn’t come to bed that night

When he’s still on the computer in the morning, you brush it off

It’s probably just a major assignment that he needs to complete

You remember just how… demanding his old boss had been

But that evening, when he’s still at his computer and seems half asleep in the clothes he’s worn three days in a row, you intervene once more

This time when you touch his shoulder, snapping him out of a light sleep, he ends up knocking over a full glass of water you had left him

It spills all over his keyboard, and you immediately apologize and lean to help clean it up

“Fuck! Don’t touch anything, just- I told you this was classified, why do you keep bothering me? I need to get this done, and I know I’ve told you that you cant see this shit.”

A sudden cold wave of fear churns in your tummy

“Saeyoung, baby… are you safe? Is everything okay?”

“It’s fucking peachy.”

He shuts his monitor off, glaring at you until you take a step back

“You promised you would tell me about dangerous assignments, Saeyoung… I deserve to-”

“You don’t deserve anything. I don’t have to tell you anything, did you know I could be killed just for you knowing who I am? And then they’d fucking kill you too, so just- just get out of here.”

He’s cold, his face emotionless

You can’t seem to find your words, or your legs even

The last time you had seen a Saeyoung like this was back before you were together

And it felt like a thousand tiny pin pricks in your chest

“Saeyoung, I know that… but I trust you and I know we’re safe and-”

“You don’t know shit. You don’t know what trust is. Damn it, I should be working but now I have to clean up my keyboard and- why the hell are you still in here? I said get out.”

It hurts

He swore he would never treat you this way again

This time even seemed… worse

As if he wanted you gone completely

And if he was in that much danger over this assignment, if he was trying to protect you… then you’d protect him

You don’t bother going back to tell him that it’s over

It’s a horrible thing to do, but instead you write it in a letter that you tack to the bathroom door - he’ll have to make a trip there sooner or later

Saeyoung: I love you more than you’ll ever know, and if I cause you this much pain, if I put you in this much danger… then I’ll go like you asked. You did promise that you’d never shut me out again, so I trust that if you’re doing this it’s serious and that maybe we really should go separate ways if it’s for the best. Don’t worry about me, not that you would. I’ll get out of your hair. I’m so sorry for the trouble. Goodbye, Saeyoung. -MC

It’s numbing as you leave his bunker, blinking back tears as you catch a cab and head to the one person you could get a hold of, which so happens to be Zen

Zen makes you warm tea and hums to you softly as you sob out as much as you dare sharing

You don’t let Zen tell him where you are, and you ditch your phone just in case he (or someone else) tries tracking it

You don’t see the way he searches for you madly in all the places you’ve been together

Or the way he pleads Jumin to send out a search party only for Jumin to tell him that he knows where you are, that you are safe but wish for your location to remain hidden

Zen swears up and down you aren’t there as you hide in his wardrobe

You don’t see the way he curls up in the bed you shared and sobs brokenly into a forgotten sweater of yours

He breaks things

He pulls at his hair, his clothes, his skin

And he clutches onto the note you left him and begs for you to come back

V SPOILERS UNDER THESE LINES

You know how much he had loved her

Everyone had loved her

She seemed like she had been a very wonderful person before her mental illness had taken over her life

And in no way did it mean that she could be forgiven for all that she had done

She had hurt V

She hurt him in so many ways

And of course you didn’t expect to heal him in the ways she hurt him

You just wanted to give him all of the love he deserved

He is so, so wonderful and deserves the world

You know he loves you too - you can see it in how he accepted vision repairing surgery so he could see you better and he wasn’t fully healed but he could see you and he thought you were beautiful, could feel it in the way he held you and kissed you, and could hear it in the way he spoke to you

But at times, it’s evident that he still holds on to who she once was

It’s only fair, they had been engaged

You are not jealous and you do not hold anything against him in the slightest

But one day, you find him knelt on the floor in his room, digging frantically through a box of photos

He’s desperate, photos strewn across the floor

“I can’t find it, where is it? It was in here!”

He’s always so calm and collected, it almost scares you to see him this way

Even so, you drop to the floor next to him

The box he holds is full of pictures of her

It was a box you didn’t even know existed

It hurts a little - not that he still has things involving her, but that he never showed you or told you about them

Even with the significance she had held in his life, she was a part of his life, a life that you were now in and loved so much

Of course you would want to know about the pictures and all they meant to him

“What are you looking for, Jihyun, maybe I can help?”

You place a gentle hand on his arm, but he shakes you off

“No! Don’t touch them!”

“Jihyun…”

He scrambles to scoop all of the photos back up, shoving them into the box with shaking hands

You try to help, but in a haste to snatch a photo from your hand, the photo rips in two

And it just had to be a photo of the two of them together, now completely torn apart

“Oh no! We can tape it, I’m so sorry, we can fix it-”

He’s gone completely pale, his hands shaking as he takes the other half of the photo from you

His cloudy turquoise eyes well with tears, and he makes a choked sob sound

“Did you take it? Did you take her ring out of here? I’ll never have the old Rika back MC, why are you still so jealous of her? You ripped this on purpose and you took her ring, didn’t you?”

His voice rises in volume until he’s shouting, his face livid

All you can do is gape at him

How could he even say that you were jealous?

You tried your hardest to let him still have pieces of her in his life, to talk about her with him even if he brushed it off, you knew that he didn’t love you any less

Or maybe he did…

If he would accuse you of such a thing, then maybe he loved Rika far more still than he would ever love you

You could handle a different love - you didn’t need loved as he had loved Rika

But you didn’t want to be loved less - you wanted a fresh love that both of you could share equally

And it didn’t seem that Jihyun was after the same thing

You stood shakily, feeling your throat and eyes burn

He was still glaring at you, still clutching his photos

“I am not jealous. You have never given me any reason to be jealous, and I don’t care that you still have her things. But if you’re going to accuse me like this, if you think I would take away things that make you happy and let you heal… then you don’t love me like you say you do. I hope you find her ring, and I hope it gives you the happiness that I can’t.”

You can see as realization dawns on him, as he looks down at his hands and the photos

You’re already out of the house and headed for your own apartment - not her old apartment… before he can stop you

He knocks on your door endlessly - and he has a key, but he doesn’t dare abuse it

You can hear him crying, begging for you to open the door and talk to him

But you don’t

Instead, you remain curled up in your bed with a pillow that smells like him

You love him so fucking much

But if you can’t make him happy…

If it’s memories of Rika that make him happiest…

Then you’ll let him have them uninterrupted and without him feeling like he needs to give his love to you as well

EDIT I added in Unknown upon request so there’s spoilers under this! and maybe some trigger warnings? Like... PTSD and like yeah, if you know this boy’s history you understand

Saeran

He’s been through so much

And this boy has to be the strongest person you have ever seen

For the longest time he wouldn’t let you near him - and granted Saeyoung had a large part of that as well

But when he does, he is so. sweet

Talk about caring

His touches are never anything but feather light, always so gentle and careful

He tells you constantly how he never ever wants to hurt you, that he wants you to never let him even come close

He’s medicated, but accidents can happen and PTSD can really affect the mind

It’s not like he can just magically be cured by medication and support

But he is healing, and you’re so proud of him

And then one day, it all goes to shit

Saeyoung calls you to let you know that Saeran is having some sort of meltdown, that something had to have triggered him

You rush to him of course, and you find him in the kitchen tossing whatever he can get his hands on

Saeyoung is desperately trying to calm him down, and apparently thinks that if Saeran sees you he’ll come back to his senses

It definitely does not work that way

A plate is most certainly launched at you, hitting you in the forehead hard enough that you’re seeing stars

It shatters at your feet as you yelp in pain, but then the commotion just stops

Nothing else if thrown

Instead, there’s a quiet gasp

Saeyoung is trying to pull you from the room, but it’s too late

“MC...?”

“Saeran-”

“Oh my god. Oh my god, oh my god, you’re hurt- I hurt you, oh god-”

You try to go to him, but he bolts, and you can hear a dry sob as he sprints from the room

Saeyoung won’t let you go after him

Rather, he takes you to the emergency room to get your head checked and you’re fucking fine damn it, Saeran needs me!

Saeran is evidently with Jumin, who is keeping him safe and watched after in the penthouse

But he doesn’t come home that night

Or the next day

You’re all but camping out at Saeyoung’s place, harassing him with questions over his brother, when finally Saeyoung hands you a piece of crudely torn paper

MC, fuck (and the fuck is scribbled out), I never wanted to hurt you. I never wanted to I swear but- I’m so fucked up, I can’t control it sometimes and what I did isn’t even slightly okay. I’m so sorry. I’m so sorry. I won’t ever hurt you again, and I’ll keep my promise this time, because never again will I be near you. I love you so fucking much but (it’s scribbled out as well, seemingly much more violently). We can’t do this. We shouldn’t have done it to begin with. I’m sorry. Goodbye.

Your chest is so tight, it’s hard to breathe

You aren’t aware that you’re sobbing until Saeyoung is helping you sit down and mumbling apologies

You can’t stand the thought of Saeran loathing himself so greatly

It wasn’t his fault

You want to fix it. You need to fix it, you can’t let the person you love the most hate themselves

But you don’t even know where to begin if he won’t let you back in

And it feels like when he left, he took your heart with him

WOW TWIST FOR THIS ONE Saeran breaks up with MC bless

EEEE RIP my heart. I hope this was angsty enough for you and somewhat what you wanted. So like… who wants a part two where they all make up BECAUSE MY POOR HEART CAN’T TAKE THIS HONESTLY angst is only okay if fluff happens in the end :(((

But this was fun to write so thank you for the HC Request ;) I’m secretly a sucker for pain I’m kidding when I say angst has to have a happy ending. You all are the bomb! Don’t forget about our VALENTINES RFA WEEK I’m hype for it.-Mod Krys

653 notes · View notes

terryblount · 5 years

Text

Gears 5 – Campaign Review

Spring has arrived in my village. Birds are chirping, flowers are everywhere, and cafés are packed with customers sipping beers in complete absorption of the Rugby World Cup. Meanwhile, I am locked away in my apartment from the both the frivolities of sports fans and the beauty of nature while the sounds of gunfire and chainsaws constantly blare from my room.

While an unenlightened passer-by might think the time has finally come to call the orderlies with the padded van, gamers would know right away that I am playing the latest smash hit from The Coalition – Gears 5. Apparently the whole ‘War’ thing has been dragging on for so long that the planet Sera considers conflict to be the norm, so now it’s just Gears.

JD stealing his neighbour’s cable. Seriously though, if I could have one wish, I would wish for a Lancer.

Pointless title alterations aside, Gears 5 proves that even the mass public opinion can be right about some things. After once-again donning that ol’ chunky amour, and fighting the Locust… I mean The Swarm through open deserts, ruined cities and harsh snowscapes, rest assured that the latest in Microsoft’s lovechild franchise is everything you have been hearing about, and perhaps more. rest assured that the latest in Microsoft’s lovechild franchise is everything you have been hearing about, and perhaps more.

Taking things into high gear

The whole saga of Marcus Phoenix and co. may have written the recipe for making an excellent 3rd person shooter, but somehow their storytelling has always fallen by the wayside. Despite the series eventually building up a dense and intricate lore around itself, every Gears game pushed players towards that inevitable cycle of SHOOT SHOOT, exposition, SHOOT SHOOT, cutscene.

In all honesty, Gears 5 does little to break this mold since I once again lost track of why the characters on screen were doing what they where doing. As with other Gears games, this is mainly due to the gap between gameplay and narrative being just a little too wide. Thankfully, The Coalition have made a few interesting additions by evolving the series’s narrative chops to slightly higher standards than previous entries.

First off, this is easily the most expansive entry into this series, so I guess this is where the majority of that colossal install file went. The world building is really stellar here, and as the gameplay shifts effortlessly from one expansive set piece to the next, you get this feeling that the backdrops are telling a story just as much as the characters’ dialogue.

There are some dark moments such as the scene through an abandoned laboratory where Kait learns about atrocities committed in experiments on children, as well as the dark secret behind her migraines and visions. Then there are more whimsical moments where, believe it or not, you actually face off against the swarm on a theatre’s stage while using acting props as cover.

The theatre where JD and the gang are attacked by the swarm

I also liked how The Coalition seemed willing to experiment with a more controlled pacing in a series not exactly know for taking things easy. The cutscenes are far more dramatic, and the abundance of zoomed-in shots creates a profound sense of intimacy with the characters. Gears 5 is also the first in this series to feature semi open-world intermissions, but more on that in a moment.

Gears of bore(dom)

Gears 5 is not quite the Unreal Engine 4’s finest hour, but this game is still a sensory blowout. This particular engine has had some time to become friends with our PC’s, so I don’t fully understand why the graphics settings look like a Boeing 747’s control panel. At least players willing to tinker a little are guaranteed to push really high resolutions and frame rates.

Gorgeous to look at. Makes me wonder why the original trilogy was so brown when all these amazing colours lie underneath

Most unfortunately, Gears 5 felt like an utter technical mess at times in terms of stability. Now I am well aware that my PC is entering its twilight years, and that my internet subscription leaves much to be desired. However, those finding themselves in my position had better be warned: You might have a hard time playing your game.

My review copy came through the Microsoft store – a platform that has given me nothing but grief since the moment I first used it. The usual bag of issues followed as I predicted they would: Sluggish download time, always online that refused to let me play when my shoddy internet decided it no longer loved me, and the entire install process freezing permanently halfway through.

However, the worst was that Gears 5 had this strange habit of crashing my entire PC and blaming it on my GPU. This is an utter mystery to me considering I was running the latest drivers without any complaints from other games, and the crashes seemed totally random. I could always tell it was coming since the game would start stuttering worse than someone with an old prostate trying to pee.

Biggest mystery of the game: Why is it always crashing?

Gears 5 is a weird case of when it works, it works well, but otherwise this game literally ground my entire PC to a halt. Naturally I suspected this to be the cause of the newly-adjusted overclocks I had just set on my CPU and GPU, but some searching on the official Gears of War Forums revealed that I was not alone. Definitely something The Coalition and Nvidia will want to address since Steam is filling up fast with red thumbs pointing down.

Top gear

You have to wonder if Epic Games had realised just how future proof the formula underneath the original Gears of War had been. Here we are, about thirteen years later, and playing Gears 5 feels completely identical and just as enjoyable. Overall, what separates Gears 5 and the first entry in this series amounts to very little when I thought about it.

You can really tell The Coalition have tried to preserve the classic, cover-based shooter mechanics in the way that characters move and engage during firefights, but also in how nearly all of the classic weapons have made a return. Gears 5 therefore adds more things to the formula rather than rebooting or attempting to make fundamental changes to the gameplay.

The best example of this is all the new functions that have been endowed onto the ever present but rarely seen little robot, Jack. This little mechanical marvel is now a much more central tool in how you can turn a combat scenario to your advantage.

Struggling to nail that headshot? Just ask Jack to stun the enemy making them stand up and expose their head from cover. Want that Boomshot lying at the other end of the battlefield? No problem, Jack can warp right over. Oh, your comrade is down you say? After a few upgrades, Jack can scoot right into the midst of the firefight and revive them while the player provides some cover fire.

I will be honest and say that I actually forgot about Jack most of the time since the gunplay in Gears 5 is simply too addictive. I also questioned why the little robot should be able to give your character stealth abilities to sneak up on enemies. Give it some thought: Stealth abilities… in a Gears game. Seeing it here feels like a sex toy making a sudden appearance in the middle of a monastery.

Nevertheless, once players familiarise themselves with what the little tin can can do, it is possible to get really creative with how you will slaughter the swarm. Collecting some of Jack’s special upgrade parts take place in the non-linear acts of the game where Kait is free to have a little kite surf around the world, and just hang out with Del. It is nice little diversion from the furious gunfights without entirely venturing into cut-and-paste pointless side quest territory.

Gears 5 also really goes out of its way to make the environments more engaging than they have ever been. One of my all-time favourite moments was during a snow level scene where the horde storms at the player across a frozen lake. This of course gives you the opportunity to shatter the ice right underneath their feet.

This was an awesome sequence where you get to watch seriously intimidating enemies plunge into the frigid water and flail about helplessly as they freeze solid. Combine this with weapons like the ‘Buzzkill’ (which basically flings around ricocheting circular saw blades) and I couldn’t remember when last I had this much fun in a shooting game.

That little white thing pointing out is the head of locust… I mean swarm

Aworthy sequel

Gears of War may have started its journey on the Xbox 360, but I am truly grateful that the series has come to call the PC its home nowadays. I remember spending my entire summer job earnings on a Radeon HD 2600 XT to play the first game on my Windows Vista PC. Once I saw those gorgeous DirectX 10 textures come alive at smooth frame rates, all that soul-crushing work seemed worth it.

Both Gears of War 4 and Gears 5 take me back to those days where I could play one of the industry’s most beautiful and action-packed 3rd person shooters on my favourite platform. That being said, I feel obliged to warn those thinking of picking up Gears 5 that they might run into some substantial technical difficulties. Let’s hope the Coalition and Nvidia get cracking with those patches, yes?

Solid presentation

Stays true to formula

Pacing is handled well

New and old weapons

Character development

Technical issues

Only certain characters playable

Loading times

Play time: About 13 hours total. For the single player campaign

Computer Specs: Windows 10 64-bit computer using Nvidia GTX 1070, i5 4690K CPU, 16GB RAM – Played using mouse and keyboard

The post Gears 5 – Campaign Review appeared first on DSOGaming.

Gears 5 – Campaign Review published first on https://touchgen.tumblr.com/

0 notes