#but in the sort of way that they'd hate each other and bitch at each other in increasingly creative ways

[thebleedingeffect]

so in one of the tobey macguire spiderman games [bear with me here] theres this cutscene where spiderman saves a lady on a rooftop and is like "heyy dont worry about it maam! i gotta go :)" and then the ladys lile "wait! before you go... i left my purse on one of these rooftops--" and spidey goes "on a different rooftop? different from this one??? are you serious? whats wrong with you? are you taking some kind of tour of city rooftops????" and the lady goes "yes!" and hes like "okay! whatever ill find your purse for you 🙄"

anyways. thats sksw link to me

Okay but that's a genuinely hilarious scene, lady why the fuck are you touring rooftops? Do you know how annoying this is to me personally? I'm not going to throw you off this ledge because I don't want to kill you but I will be very Obnoxious and Complain about it!

But yeah that's totally 100% sksw Link to me, he's not nice but he *is* kind and genuinely wants to help people. It's just that it doesn't stop him from tossing the shit whenever someone is personally annoying him or is just difficult, or really just whenever he's in the Mood. He'll help you! It's just that he NEEDS to be a little bitch at times, it's literally like enrichment for him. There's gods and goddesses and whatever the FUCK running around and also he's forced to deal with all that AS WELL as being bullied by damn near everyone who first meets him.

(In a way I think sksw Link and Ghirahim are similar in the way that they gotta be lil assholes for their health, Ghirahim is just more theatrical about it. Sksw Link is too exhausted for dramatics)

Also playing this game and learning more about him is gen fun cause oooohhhhh you're not at all the fandom's perception of you huh? C’mon let's go get some ice cream and bitch about something totally pointless king

[jsprnt]

Americano PT. 15 | Jude Bellingham x Reader

What happens if two individuals who absolutely despise each other are forced to interact after unforeseen events occur?

A/N: hihi, just wanted to thank you all for the love for the 2 most recent chapters <33 I’m loving all messages and comments!! 💖 please enjoy this chapter and stay tuned for the last chapter tomorrow (around 20:30 CEST)🥹🤍

W/C: 3.385

part fourteen

"You know that you're allowed to be upset, right, Jude?" She asks, looking down at the tired-looking boy.

"I know, but it's disappointing.." Jude murmurs back, moving his head to look up at her. His head on her lap, as her hands delicately play with the soft, just-washed curls on his head.

It's a soothing and intimate touch, something they'd both discovered to create a calm and relaxing atmosphere.

"You can be disappointed. It's difficult feeling like you’re on top of the world one day, and the next you feel like shit."

y/n puffs out a breath, trying to reassure his thoughts and feelings with logical and rational reasoning.

Real Madrid had won the Super Cup final against their derby rivals Atletico Madrid only a week ago in Riyadh. Though, last night's loss against the exact same opponents for the Copa del Rey hadn't exactly gone the same way.

With the extra time and many yellow cards later, they eventually lost with two goals made by Atletico, throwing Real Madrid out of reach of the win in a very dramatic fashion.

It was a whirlwind of a week for Jude, and to him- all he needed was someone to help him sort his thoughts out.

"You can't change anything about the past, not even when you fret and ponder about it for years. You can only look forward and change what you think you can, think winning the league or even the Champions League, Jude…” She says, leaning back against the couch, warm fingertips hovering above his hairline.

"You sound like a motivational speaker.." He voices, chuckling while watching her recline on the couch.

"Well, what I'm saying is true. Like- when I thought you moving in would be the end of my life- it turned into- this.."

She points at him and back to herself, making a dramatic gesture.

"End of your life? That's harsh." He frowns, grasping her hand to prevent her from poking his eyes out.

"Well, then let's not remind you of the times I've wanted to punch you right across the face, wanting to wipe that smirk off your lips and-"

Her voice is cut off by his hand, it clamped over her mouth as only muffled noises escape from her lips.

"Should I feel threatened?" He questions, Adam's apple bobbing as he swallows, only to groan as she pokes her tongue through her lips. He removes his hand, wiping his wet hand on his trousers as he sits up from his position.

"No, I'm sure you also had hateful thoughts about me. I definitely cannot blame you.." She trails off, trying to recall anything pertaining to the topic.

"You were pretty annoying." He states, clicking his tongue. Jude fixes his position, making sure he's sitting comfortably.

"Annoying?"

She had expected the description and would definitely understand why, but why did it hurt a little bit?

Noticing the change of expression on her face, Jude grabs onto her hand, pressing a soft, tender kiss on her knuckles.

"-but in a good way!" He adds quickly, eyes raised in panic.

Of course, the words she'd just uttered were way harsher in comparison to his, though it being said explicitly and clearly for the first time since they'd met, it stung like a bitch- to y/n, at least.

"You would always say or do something that riled me up so badly. I remember when you first started interviewing me- and you'd switch from snarky comments off camera to acting like the sweetest, most kind person to me. I thought; 'Oh? So, this is how two-faced she can be?'."

"But, you'd also have moments where you'd confuse me so much." Jude looks up, leaning in to press multiple, back-to-back kisses on her temple.

"When?" She asks, eyes fluttering as she soaks up the loving, sweet gesture.

"Remember that night in- Naples? When you panicked about someone breaking into your hotel room?" Jude recalls, absentmindedly pulling her closer into his side, on the couch.

"Mhm, I remember- I was so embarrassed about it.. I thought I'd have to book it out of your room immediately before you'd start making fun of me.."

"I was not going to make fun of you. That's what you thought of me?"

"I didn't know! We were bickering like- every damn second up until that point."

"No, I was genuinely surprised at first, but when you left, I couldn't even sleep properly, and I didn’t even know why..”

"Well, what's the annoying part?"

She asks, watching Jude's fingers get entangled with hers, making her grin a little.

"You were annoying in a way- which I couldn't shake my thoughts away from you if something had happened that specific day back then. I couldn't put it into words, tried to rack my brain so many times, over and over.."

"You had this long-lasting presence, and the way you spoke and acted practically got ingrained into my memory for me to repeat every night. This definitely got worse when I moved in here.."

Making eye contact again, she nods in understanding, grasping the hem of his shirt to play with.

"You thought of me, every night?" She grins, smug look replacing her once confused and sad expression.

"I knew this would enlarge your ego.." Jude chuckles, placing another kiss on her cheekbone, before he's interrupted by a text message popping up on his phone.

"Who is it?" y/n asks, glancing up when Jude shows her the screen.

"It's my mum.." He simply says, eyes skimming over the lengthy message. After a minute of silence, he looks back at his curious girlfriend.

"She's just trying to comfort me like you have been. Asks if she can come over for tea.." He informs, hand reaching to wipe away a single fallen lash stuck on her cheek.

"Oh, that's sweet. Of course she can-.." y/n trails off, eyes darting away from the iPhone and onto her lap. Fingers starting to fidget with the loose threads on her used sweatpants.

Getting a comforting, reassuring text message from your own mother..

Something the young girl could not even dream of. Let alone speak to her own mother ever again, at least in this lifetime.

The thought makes her smile uncomfortably, though there's absolutely no positive emotion behind it, skin around her eyes crinkling in fake happiness.

"y/n?" Jude whispers, noticing the change in her demeanor and the tensing of her shoulders.

"Hm?" She hums back, her eyes darting up and locking with his brown ones.

"You okay?"

Jude is in love, not stupid.

Seeing his girlfriend's entire mood change, just at the mention of his mother isn't something he wants to just skim over.

There was absolutely nothing going on between her and his mother. In fact, after his parents had been informed of their oldest son's affection for her, they welcomed her into the family within a heartbeat.

It wasn't either of the two who told them, instead- y/n's understandably protective father had told them. This came after he'd talked to Jude privately, grilling him with questions only a father would make up- and of course the intentions question was asked, like they weren't just young people trying to figure out their lives.

In reality, her father had long approved of the idea of the two young adults having a relationship. The times he was home and present with them, he'd slowly noticed the way they had warmed up to each other.

Not to forget, months ago, his daughter had burst into his office- asking for him to handle something for her. Puzzled at his own daughter needing legal help for 'online defamation, because they think I’m dating that douche', he'd dropped everything to listen to her- only to end up laughing at the end of her dramatic and insulting (towards Jude, of course) speech.

It wasn't difficult, as an experienced adult, to guess where the young adults' relationship would go from there.

"y/n.." Jude calls out again, placing a hand on her shoulder, shaking slightly to snap her out of her thoughts when she doesn't reply.

"I'm just thinking.." She finally says, wanting to lie- but realizing that he is, in fact, her boyfriend now- it might be better in the long run, to be honest.

"About what?" His eyes flicker up, a warm hand pulling her in closer. Realizing the comfort or warmth she might need to open up and speak.

"I just feel sad.." The confession is quiet, looking down, she grasps onto the hem of her sweater. Trying to keep her emotions at bay, because this conversation was about comforting him, and not about trauma dumping on the already upset boy, she thought.

Jude blinks, looking over his girlfriend's defeated figure. The gears in his head twist and turn, trying to decipher what she meant with her words.

"Do you want to tell me why?" He asks, trailing a hand up, pinching her chin with his pointer finger and thumb, raising her head to make eye contact.

Her eyes glimmer with emotion when they lock with his chocolate brown ones, the corners of her mouth twitching as she tries to contain the tremble of her lips.

Though, it's insanely difficult, especially when multiple emotions are swirling around her mind, and the suppressing of the tears causes a sharp pain to pass through her temples.

She grunts softly, not being able to hold back anymore, the pressure in her head worsening.

Tears pool against her waterline, and she closes her eyes. Allowing a soft whimper to escape her lips, tension dropping from her shoulders, as y/n stops suppressing her emotions.

Jude's eyes widen, his breath hitching in surprise as he watches his new love practically crumble in front of him.

"Oh, baby.." Jude coos breathily, the soft, foreign term of endearment falling from his plump lips.

He moves his hands immediately, wrapping his arms around her waist, and pulling her onto his lap.

y/n instantly presses her face against his shoulder, grasping onto the fabric of his shirt. Her tears darken the blue shirt, as Jude's hand rubs against her back in a tender manner.

"You're okay, honey.." He whispers, pressing multiple kisses along her temple and cheek, rubbing soft, soothing circles on her back.

"Why don't you tell me what's wrong, hm?" He soothes, his voice deeper than usual, offering sweet and reassuring words to the crying girl.

"I- don't even remember how her voice sounded or what her personality was like.." I whisper, raising my palms to harshly wipe my annoying tears away. They just kept pouring out of my eyes like the damn Niagara Falls..

"Look at me, love.." Jude whispers tenderly, grabbing my wrist to remove my hands from my face. I can't help but feel tingles down my spine at the word he refers to me with.

The Brum accent combined with his deep, raspy evening voice- melting my heart instantly. It distracts me from my breakdown for a single moment, and I shift my eyes back to his, just like he asks me to.

"Take a deep breath for me, yeah?" He says, pressing a kiss on the back of my hand.

I nod at his words, taking a single, deep breath, before releasing when he tells me to..

"Good- you're so good for me, baby.." He gives me a small, satisfied smile, kissing my cheek again. He moves his hands, pulling my head back onto his chest, running his hand down my back.

"This okay?" He asks, making me nod. I sigh again, nuzzling my face against his hard chest.

I had just spilled my entire heart out to the boy whom I had sworn to hate for the rest of my life, only a few weeks ago.

The topic wasn't something I had openly talked about since I was a teenager in my psychologist's office back in London. It hurt way too much to talk about with friends, and it felt like opening up a bigger wound when speaking to my own family about it.

I mean, it couldn't ever get easy- talking about losing your blood and flesh, let alone your own mother. In my case, the person who had gone through hours of labor and delivery- creating me from her own nutrients and energy.

There was absolutely no way I’d ever comfortably tell someone that my mother had passed away in a violent car crash.

An accident that had occurred only because little five-year-old me wanted my mom at my graduation to primary school.

I had gone through years and years of therapy, though, of course, to me nothing could actually take away the wound and grief it had caused a young me.

I couldn't sleep some nights, mind trying to remember anything about my mom. Since I had lost her so young, I could only recall her face from old photographs and home videos taken by my dad.

"Yeah.." I mutter, eyes closing as I try to ground myself. Taking in the beating of Jude's heart against my ear and his musky cologne.

"Need anything?"

"No, just you.."

I feel his chest vibrating as he chuckles, the sound reaching my ears and filling me with a warm and fuzzy feeling.

"I'm here, love. Take your time, and we'll wash up before my mum comes over.." I feel his hand against my back, caressing from my nape all the way to the small of my back.

I hum in understanding, eyes fluttering shut as I try to calm down, taking my surroundings in.

"Okay.."

'Meet me in the lobby'

'Security won't stop you'

'We have free time for a couple hours'

I stare at the incoming text messages, my eyes darting to the sender. Only to read Jude's contact name.

I sit up from my bed, slipping on the hotel slippers immediately, and walk over to the bathroom. Trying to fix my appearance before I realize I don't know what I'm getting ready for.

I snatch my phone from the bathroom sink, sending a quick message back to Jude. I wait for a couple seconds, busy with applying mascara, until I hear a notification sound.

'For some dessert, love'

'Dress casual, I'm in sweats and a jacket'

'I don't want to look like a fool next to you'

I chuckle at the reply, nodding as if he can see me before sending a quick message back.

I eventually make my way down to the lobby, looking around and trying to be as discreet as possible. Hoping other staff members and players didn't think of going down as well.

So far, the only people who had figured us out were Luis and Lina. I mean, I couldn't exactly keep it that much of a secret after they'd sneaked a glance at my home screen when I had left to print something.

They had been nosy after seeing someone text me, and when they read that it was Jude- I could've sworn they died and came back to life in a span of two minutes.

I look around quickly when I step out of the elevator, finally catching a familiar black puffer jacket. I grin to myself, making a beeline towards him, and whispering a small 'boo!' when I touch his shoulder from behind.

"Hey! Shhh.." His eyes enlarge comically, and I feel him grab onto my hands almost instantly.

"I'm quiet.." I whisper, giving him a toothy smile as he drags me out of the hotel lobby, out onto the streets of Valencia.

I allow Jude to walk in front of me, our hands intertwined, as he suddenly stops in a less busy area of the street.

I raise my brows as he turns around, watching a smile form on his handsome face.

"Hi?" I begin, pulling a confused face.

"Hi.." He replies, chuckling softly, before he pulls me into a warm embrace. His breath hitting my neck as he plants a kiss on my lips and cheek.

"I missed you." Jude says, pulling back to look at me, while his arms encircle my waist, keeping me warm.

"Well, you could have seen me a couple hours ago, after the match- but you stormed into the changing room after you got that red card.."

I sigh, recalling the absolute shitshow of a match against Valencia a couple hours ago. The referee couldn't do his fucking job, there were multiple VAR checks, and the blowing of the final whistle- resulted in the disallowance of the winning goal, scored by Jude. Eventually, he got red-carded for dissent.

Nothing surprising, actually..

I watch a guilty expression form on his face, forehead wrinkles showing as he frowns at me.

"Well, I'm sorry about that- did I scare you?"

"No? Why would it scare me? I wanted to punch that referee too.." I make multiple punching movements, hitting Jude on his chest once.

"Hey, hey- don't get violent, little Miss, you can't use physical violence here.."

I chuckle at his change of voice, dropping my hands to my sides, and grabbing his hand.

"Sorry, sir. Any reason you've called me down here?" I tease, watching him smile at me, before he squeezes my hand affectionately.

"Let's get some ice cream. I saw a decent looking place on Google Maps.."

"Oh, what flavors do they have?" I ask, mouth watering at the thought of having good-quality ice cream.

For me, it didn't matter the weather. Ice cream could be consumed any time of year, as long as I craved it.

Jude tugs at my hand, indicating he wants us to start walking to the ice parlor he'd seen. I follow him mindlessly, paying more attention to his words than to where we're going.

"Umh, they have 'chocolate' and 'fresa' and, of course, 'vainilla'.."

I laugh at his sudden use of Spanish, quirking my brow up as he starts naming the basic ice cream flavors one by one.

"Are you just trying to show off how much you've improved your Spanish skills?" A huge smile tugs at my lips, my eyes roaming over his proud, cocky expression.

"No, just slipped out of my mouth. I must be getting the hang of it.."

"Sure, Mister. Now give me the directions in Spanish.."

I tease, trying to challenge him, but chuckle when he shakes his head violently.

"It's just straight this way.."

I scoff, rolling my eyes at his bad excuse.

Watching a small smile form on his lips.

"Sure, let's just go straight ahead then.."

The couple’s very spontaneous ice cream date is ended by the both of them chugging a bottle of water. The once very craved cold and creamy dessert now regretted by how big and sweet their portions were.

"That's a cute bicycle.." y/n mutters, not paying attention to where she's walking. Instead, Jude is holding her hand and looking out while they walk back to their hotel.

"Do you know how to ride a bicycle?" She asks Jude, looking up at the focused boy, busy navigating their way back.

"Of course I can. My dad taught me before I showed interest in football.."

"Mhm, that must've been fun.." She mumbles, fixing her jacket.

While the couple is intrigued by the small, new facts they were learning about each other, they don't notice the very few people walking past them in the streets.

Most of the pedestrians walk in a hurry, minding their own business, on their phone, or listening to music- trying to get home before it gets too dark outside.

Though, sadly, what they also don't notice is, the flash of a camera- directed right at them. Not knowing the predicament that would follow if they were sold off and posted on the internet.

The couple is happy in their own bubble, their hands warm from holding hands, unlike their noses, which froze up in the cold wind.

Just like other pedestrians trying to get back to their hotel, wanting to go unnoticed and undisturbed.

[storywriter007]

Thank you for answering my other two requests, I loved them!! I have two more if you are interested!

1) Can you do a Percy Jackson x reader (I'm imagining this occurring on the Argo II) that's basically an enemies to friends to lovers? Where maybe they both just don't really like each other based on the encounters they've had, but then end up going on a small quest off the ship just the two of them and some sort of trauma happens that makes them friends, and then you can decide how they get to lovers from there! Basically just want some angst!

2) This one has a little bit of a trigger warning with suicidal thoughts, so I understand if you don't want to write this one. Percy Jackson x reader (this one I'm also envisioning on the Argo II, but this one could also be just at camp when Percy is like 17) where they are good friends and the reader is struggling mentally but tries to smile for everyone else, but she is sitting alone in the woods at some point holding her knife to her wrist just kind of thinking about it but not sure about it, but then Percy appears to check on her and scares her so the accidentally slips and cuts herself there, and from there basically Percy comfort. Idk if that made sense but basically Percy angst and comfort.

You're amazing!!! 🩷

Friends? - Percy Jackson x Fem!Reader

author's note: this is request one. thank you for your request :) i kind of had to cut it short bc this was getting too long.

warnings: cursing, mentions of suicide, betrayal, mentions of death, battle scenes, kissing

genre: angst ending in fluff

word count: 1.8k

-> heroes of olympus masterlist

✧.⭒✧.⭒✧.⭒✧.⭒✧.⭒✧.⭒✧.⭒✧.⭒✧.⭒

send me requests here! (these are my guidelines)

✧.⭒✧.⭒✧.⭒✧.⭒✧.⭒✧.⭒✧.⭒✧.⭒✧.⭒

y/n took her seat at the table alongside seven other demi-gods. she noticed percy scowl at her and she rolled her eyes back at him. they'd never gotten along. and chances were, they never would.

her intense hate for the son of the sea god had begun a few summers back during capture the flag. they were on the blue team, and she was assigned to offense with annabeth and percy. suddenly, four members from the red charged at the trio, swords in hand. y/n and percy swung and slashed at two of them until they fled. one of them yanked off annabeth's invisibility cap and decided she was their next victim. the other one came for y/n, hitting her ankle hard. percy was quick to defend annabeth and run away with her.

but he left her. y/n was left to fight two members of the opposing team, who were merciless. they were violent, they were twice her size, and to y/n's dismay, her ankle didn't provide her any support to run away. it was a terrible and cruel beating. the two kept going even when they didn't need to. she could barely see by the end of it. y/n remembered that capture the flag game as "don't trust your teammates."

ever since then, y/n had made her distaste for percy clear. everyone admired his loyalty, until they were on the receiving end of his betrayal.

"we need to find a map." annabeth started.

"it's our key to finding out which way is the safest to go." jason explained. "it's somewhere in the woods, according to what hecate told hazel."

"we're going to have to split up." annabeth continued. "it's a huge forest, and we need to cover ground efficiently."

"i've split you guys up. i don't want to hear any whining." jason said, looking at the group, but his gaze lingered longer on percy and y/n. "annabeth, piper, and i are going eastwards towards the mountains. frank, leo, and hazel are going south to the rest of the woods. percy and y/n will head north, towards the shore."

"why is it 3-3-2?" hazel asked curiously.

"because we need a power balance." annabeth said politely. "it's matched with each person's strengths."

"strengths?" percy chuckled. "i'm the strength. she's going to slow me down."

douchebag, y/n thought.

"i don't want to go with you either, but i'm not bitching about it, am i?" she snapped back.

"you don't have to bitch because going with me does you a favor."

"i'd rather drown."

"lucky you, i can make that happen."

they stared at one-another in an intense fury.

"we'll meet here again in four hours." jason instructed. "and when we do, all eight of us better be here." he said, eyeing percy and y/n.

✧.⭒✧.⭒✧.⭒✧.⭒✧.⭒✧.⭒✧.⭒✧.⭒✧.⭒

it was already eight. and they had to search the stupid northside until midnight. she couldn't even run away if she wanted to.

they continued walking. the sun slowly set as the night sky arose. the woods looked scary at night. tall, thick trees hovered over the two demi-gods as strange creatures and noises came by. after what felt like a long time walking, y/n could hear the sea.

"do you hear it?" she asked him.

"i can feel it." he said, walking quickly.

she trailed behind him as they reached sandy terrain. the sea was dark and terrifying. y/n and percy searched the shore for what felt like another eternity.

suddenly, it got colder and y/n heard a voice. it was a sweet, soft voice.

look at me it whispered.

"do you hear that?" she asked percy.

"yeah." he said, shakily.

look at what you've done it demanded.

suddenly, y/n was watching something in front of her. it was a battle. she looked at the gory scene in front of her. it took her a minute to realize it was the battle of manhattan. she felt a lump in her throat as images of dead campers raced through her mind. silena, charlie, ethan, and luke.

this is your fault the voice said, but it wasn't sweet anymore. it was hoarse, raspy, and cruel.

look at what you've killed. look at what you've brought it continued.

the images flashed terrible battle scenes. it replayed deaths of each and every camper.

you did this the voice yelled.

"n-no, i didn't." y/n whispered, shaken by the images.

look at what you've done

"i didn't do it!" she pleaded.

you did! you did it all!

"i had no choice." she said, tears spilling from her eyes.

terrible, tortuous images kept playing. the deaths of the campers she'd grown up with, the reactions of their mothers and fathers, and the destruction that had been caused.

you deserve to die.

"i know." she whispered. "don't you think i know?"

do it the voice encouraged. do what you should've done years ago.

y/n tried to think through it. this voice, this voice wasn't human.

do it.

it was a siren. it was trying to get her to sacrifice her life.

"no." she said, standing her ground. "i did what i had to. i can't be blamed for it."

then who can you blame?

"kronos." she said, gripping her sword.

the siren showed it's demented face and y/n quickly slashed it. she snapped out of her trance, and the images faded and so did the voices. she turned to see percy holding his sword to his neck. she saw the twisted siren circling around him. she swiftly ran up to him and took his sword from his hand, before slashing the siren. percy too snapped out of his daze, and stumbled a little. y/n caught him, and looked up to meet his sea green eyes. they were teary, and he looked so disheartened.

"you saw it too." she confirmed.

he nodded.

"thank you." he said, his voice low and sincere. "i would've done-well you know what, if you hadn't saved me."

she nodded.

"we should probably get back to the ship." he said quietly.

✧.⭒✧.⭒✧.⭒✧.⭒✧.⭒✧.⭒✧.⭒✧.⭒✧.⭒

when percy and y/n got back, it was half-past midnight, and everyone was already there.

"we ran into sirens." y/n briefly explained.

they all nodded as the ship entered the air, sailing to its next location.

"we found the map." hazel informed. "goodnight guys."

✧.⭒✧.⭒✧.⭒✧.⭒✧.⭒✧.⭒✧.⭒✧.⭒✧.⭒

y/n tossed and turned in her bed. she couldn't get those images out. those dam sirens. she needed to talk to someone. someone who would understand. she sat up and opened her door. she trailed the hallway until the came across the door that read percy jackson. she lightly knocked before pushing the door open.

"couldn't sleep either?" he asked, laying down and staring at the ceiling.

"yeah." she said. "i can't get what the sirens showed me out of my head."

"c'mere." he said, patting the area next to him.

y/n laid down next to him.

"i know it's not our fault." he said quietly. "but it feels like it is."

"i know." she said softly. "it's like i should've done something. but there was nothing to be done."

"exactly." he said. "on one hand, i know i couldn't have saved them no matter what i did. but on the other, i feel like i should've figured it out."

"mhm." she agreed. "they were good people. that's what makes it hurt more."

"they didn't deserve death. and i don't deserve the hero title." he chuckled. "i let them die."

"you had no choice." she reminded.

"did i?" he questioned.

"percy, i saw and heard the same things you did. it just wanted to get in our heads." she explained. "and they did it through guilt. guilt that isn't ours to carry. it's kronos'."

"you're right." he agreed.

y/n had spent years hating him. but maybe, just maybe, he was alright. they had both seen the same things growing up. the same wars, deaths, and betrayals. in an odd way, she felt almost identical to him.

a few moments of silence passed by before y/n realized percy had fallen asleep. and after a few more minutes, she felt herself drift off as well.

✧.⭒✧.⭒✧.⭒✧.⭒✧.⭒✧.⭒✧.⭒✧.⭒✧.⭒

the next morning when y/n awoke, percy was already awake.

"morning." he smiled.

"oh dear god." she said, sitting up. "what time is it?"

"it's five-thirty. and i'm sorry." he said, sitting up as well.

"for what?"

"for how i treated you all these years." he exhaled, as if this was something he'd been meaning to get off his chest. "i'm sorry for leaving you in capture the flag."

"so you did know what you were doing, huh?" she retorted.

sure, the cuts and scars from that beating had been healed a long time ago. but, the betrayal never did.

"i didn't know you." he explained. "i didn't care about you. i just wanted to get annabeth to safety. that was wrong of me. you were on my team, i should've helped."

"'sorry' and 'i should've' doesn't fix anything. we're not best friends because we got along for a day." she said bitterly. "i know for a fact you would've left me in the woods the way you did all those years ago."

"that's not fair y/n." he frowned. "i would never do that to you."

"and you get to decide what's fair now?" she chuckled. "are you forgetting you continued tormenting me instead of swallowing your pride and apologizing?"

"i-"

"that's the thing about your loyalty, jackson. everyone admires it until they're on the receiving end of your betrayal." she said coldly, getting up.

"y/n, you might not trust me today, hell, you might not trust me for the rest of our short lives. but believe me when i say, from the bottom of my heart, i'm sorry."

"how do i know you're never going to do the same thing again?" she asked.

get got up and moved closer to her. he was practically towering over her. she felt her back hit the wall.

"you have my word." he promised, looking at her eyes.

she nodded in agreement, feeling herself breathe heavily being this close to him. she could feel him leaning in, and she did too. their lips pressed against one-anothers in a passionate kiss. his hands were placed on her waist, and her arms snaked around his neck. he tasted like salt and blue frosting. she felt herself get pushed backwards towards the wall as he continued to kiss her. it grew more passionate and ferocious until they both pulled away. she rested her head underneath his.

"friends?" he asked.

"we just made out. we are not friends." she laughed.

"i thought it was too bold to say lovers."

"lovers." she agreed.

✧.⭒✧.⭒✧.⭒✧.⭒✧.⭒✧.⭒✧.⭒✧.⭒✧.⭒

hope you liked it :) sorry for the wait!

[smutinlove]

HEYY

fem reader

*dad figure glenn♡♡

Reader and carl fight because of y/n got jealous of him and enid always being toghether ( or y/n feels like hes slipping away from her)

ANYWAYS THE ARGUEMENTS LASTS FOR HOURS MAYBE? AND THE WHOLE GROUP HEARD IT THEN SHE STORMS OUT AND RUNS OVER TO GLENN CRYING THEN GLENN COMFORTS HER

anyways u choose the ending, ty:)

SURE!!!

<3

enjoy (not proof-read though)

⊱ ────── {.⋅ ✯ ⋅.} ────── ⊰

It was unbelievable. Ever since you and the group had gotten to Alexandria, you and Carl had sort of been slipping away from each other.

Carl had adjusted quicker than you did. You always stayed away from most of the Alexandrians, you only ever communicated with them when you needed something.

But other than that, you despised them. They were always "sitting pretty" and they obviously did not know a thing about hardwork and survival.

Carl had also made an odd friend. A friend which you did not like. You hated her. Her name? Enid. She was oddly close with him, always clinging to his shoulder. It pained you. And you loathed Enid.

After pushing your thoughts away, you heard the door to your bedroom open. When you looked up, your eyes met a mesmerizing azure. It was Carl. "Hey, love," Carl said, making you roll yours eyes.

"Carl, it's almost midnight. Where have you been?" You asked, anger slowly seeping into your words. Carl chuckled. "Sorry. I was hanging out with Enid and the guys."

Enid and the guys, huh?

You let out a breathy laugh. "Enid and the guys?" you questioned. "Yeah, what's wrong with that?" asked Carl.

Carl hung out with everyone except you. Hell, he even hung out with Carol. You were worried about him. But you were also mad at him.

"Carl, I can feel you slipping way from me. I love you, you know? You're my best friend and my lover. You're the one, Carl. But I can't stand it! I can't stand you pushing past me all the time!" Tears streamed down your cheeks.

"Y/N, please. I love you too! But I want a life even in this monster-infested world. That doesn't me I'll stop loving you just because I want a life." Carl explained.

"Carl, what the fuck? What about me? You're slipping away from me because of that Enid! And you're losing me." You yelled. You hated saying these things to him, but he needed to know how you felt.

Carl stared at you in disbelief. "Y/N, she's just a friend, I swear!" You rolled your eyes and crossed your arms. "She's flirting with you!" You yelled. "Why can't you understand that? She is fucking flirting with you. That bitch has a crush on you and if you can't see that, fuck you. Talk to me when you've come to your senses!"

You ran out of your bedroom and went downstairs, only to realize that everyone was awake. It was midnight, why were they awake? Then it hit you. They'd all heard your fight with Carl.

And there stood Glenn Rhee. The man that saved you. The man who gave you your life back. He was like a father to you. He cared about you.

And now you found him staring at you with pure pity in his eyes. "Y/N, dear..." And something in you shattered, your heart was in shambles now.

Hearing his voice ended it for you. Tears once again fell down your cheeks. Everyone took it as a sign to leave, making it just you and Glenn downstairs. You ran to him and hugged him.

"It's okay, Y/N, I'm here for you." He let you cry out your frustrations into his shoulder.

After a few minutes, you pulled away from him. "Thank you, Glenn, for being there for me. You're amazing." You sniffled.

Glenn smiled softy. "You're a brave, sweet, and wonderful person. If Carl can't see that, then he's the one missing out." You nodded at his reassuring words.

It had been a few days since your fight with Carl. You had avoided Carl and tried not to think about him. But whenever you thought you'd gotten rid of him from your mind, he'd suddenly appeared in front of you and beg for your forgiveness.

It was getting old.

Now you sat at the edge of your bed, tying your shoelaces when you heard the door creak open. You looked up, your eyes met a pair of azure blues. "Carl, please, leave."

He shook his head.

"No, not until you hear me out, Y/N," you knew it wasn't gonna end unless you listened to him. "Hurry up."

He got close to your and squatted on the floor.

"I'm sorry, okay? I know how you feel around Enid and I should've listened to you. But the thing is, she likes you, love," your eyes widened.

"Yeah. I guess... maybe I should be worried." Carl joked, causing you to smile. "I love you, okay? I would kill everyone for you. You're my family. I don't know how I'll live without you."

You blushed. "You definitely know how to make a girl smile."

───── ❝ authors note ❞ ─────

I WOULDVE DIED FOR YOUR SINS, INSTEAD I JUST DIED INSIDE AND YOU DESERVE PRISON BUT YOU. WON'T. GET. TIME.

SIUDEINCFJCFEO

sorry

anyway send more reqs!!! i had so much fun writing this <3

[isa-ghost]

phil and cellbit hcs?

VESPER YOUR MIND...

qPhil headcanons masterlist

When Phil needs answers on something, he goes straight to Cellbit (at least pre-Purgatory, he's switched to Bagi over the months bc they've gotten much closer).

Another reason he's so pissed abt the reset is bc the Feds took them the fuck away from The Order, which had all of Cellbit's tools for figuring out the weird new shit they encounter on QI

ANOTHER reason Phil hates the reset is bc there's not much weird shit going on over here? It's just?? Capitalism?? There's nothing to take pictures of for Cellbit. And he really misses dropping an entire goldmine of new pictures for theorizing on Cellbit and watching how excited he gets about it :(

See, Phil and Cellbit were close prior to Purgatory; look at the Order, Phil picking his domain (idr their formal names), etc. But Purgatory did.. something. I mean, it did something to all of Bolas, but something extra to these two's friendship. The leader role, the way Cellbit fell into a sort-of second in command & substitute when Phil wasn't around, Phil (was meant to be) rescuing Cellbit & Baghs. It was teamwork and brothers in arms shit to a degree they'd previously not reached. It's permanently intensified their bond and trust in each other. Which I can't wait to see unfold if Cellbit keeps getting worse. >:D

It's a 50/50 if Phil is concerned about Cellbit's (re)rising murderous tendencies and potentially "resurfacing" cannibal habits or if he's just like "Haha, friend is stabby, lookit him go. :)"

I have a hot take. Roier to Etoiles in Purgatory is Cellbit to Phil. Loyal attack dog more than happy to create bloodshed for their equally scary leader. The authority aspect has kinda gone away post-Purgatory but Cellbit will still kill a man if Phil says do it. Phil wouldn't ask that of him if he didn't have a good reason.

Phil is super awed and inspired by Cellbit's building skills. Idiot will be like "damn, wish I could build like that" as if he can't. Bitch you just refuse to!!! (I want these two to build something big and sick together so bad)

I don't know how things would've played out if Cellbit was present for EK possession things but I know it would've been fucked up and intense. And I can't explore it in AMFMN because Cellbit & Baghera are still missing in it. 😔

That said, Cellbit gets told Phil was possessed by some old piece of shit he used to know and is immediately like "Phil I will fight god for you, I don't give a FUCK"

Phil absolutely loves watching Richas take on more and more of Cellbit's unhinged traits. He's a bit worried he's gonna become a little ball of murder too, but Richas has like half the fucking island as parents, he'll be fiiiiiine.

I don't remember if qPhil knows about the Purgatory 2 murder spree stuff but I like to think he doesn't yet because boy would his reaction be spicy :) If he does know and I've forgotten, he 100% didn't entirely process just How fucked it was.

As close as they've become and as,, kinda chill? Phil has been about the whole murder thing?? He's still deeply worried about Cellbit in other ways post-Purgatory. Dude's seemed withdrawn, he can't remember the last time he saw him with Roier, and just overall things have been different to a degree Phil is sure isn't normal or a slow bounce-back period. But every time he has a free moment to check in, Cellbit's never around.

Actually, as Cellbit gets worse, I think Phil will go from chill with how things have been worsening to Oh Fuck because he's gonna see a lot of his Antarctic self in him. It's not like Phil isn't proud of that era or anything, but. Mentally and emotionally? Being cold and merciless like that takes a toll. One Cellbit shouldn't subject himself to.

Phil cannot for the life of him Not laugh whenever Pac brings up the whole. Leg eating thing. Pac is so out of pocket about it nowadays bc it happened so long ago and Phil gets whiplash from the casual jokes every time. I think if Cellbit made jokes about it Phil would keel over.

Just out of spite and for the sake of clarity: Phil is not Cellbit's fucking parental figure. Cellbit is not his son. They are grown ass men. They are friends. Colleagues. Confidants if we wanna stretch things a bit. There is nothing familial about their bond.

[albertasunrise]

Blind Truths - Part 1

Masterlist

Summary: Up until now, you and Javi had a purely professional relationship. You work together and that is that. But, when Javi has an accident in the field, you’re forced to spend more time with him and truths are revealed.

Warnings: Like AO3, I chose to give none. This fic is not suitable for under 18’s... This will be in 2 parts.

Relationships: Javier Peña x Reader

Up until that afternoon, your relationship with Javier Peña had been purely professional. You were a researcher of sorts for his department. The leads came in and it was your job to check their validity. You didn't see or speak to him outside of the office and you preferred it that way. After all, on your first day, you were warned about the Bogota Bachelor.

"You're pretty... He'll eat you right up." Said one of the CIA guys one morning as you poured your morning coffee.

You'd blushed at his comment. You had not been called pretty by anyone other than your parents and your high school bestie. So to be told by a complete stranger that you'd be desirable to the most desired man in the office gave you a real ego boost.

Only, he never made a move.

You were a little disappointed initially. You'd developed somewhat of a crush on the man but after two years of purely professional words shared, you managed to shake those feelings. He was nice enough to you. Would give you a sweet smile and bring you a coffee every now and then but that was as far as things ever went.

Fast forward to the present day and all that was about to change.

...

Steve panted as he stopped momentarily to catch his breath. He couldn't stop long, the guy was getting away so as he sprang back into action, he looked to his left and saw Javier sprinting along the adjoining rooftop. This had become a theme for them. Chasing Sicarios across rooftops. This time though, they'd both made the sensible decision to wear a vest. One too many times in recent months, they had almost taken a bullet.

They were closing in now and the guy knew it. The house ahead was a dead end. The only way out was down.

Steve leapt to the roof after the guy, his eye catching Javier doing the same and then he was stuck. Guns pointing at him from his front and rear.

"Manos arriba hijo de puta." (Hands up son of a bitch.) Javier growled but the man didn't move.

His shoulders sunk and rose with each heavy breath he took and for one painfully slow moment, everything was silent. Then in the blink of an eye, he pointed his weapon and fired. Time slowed as Steve watched Javier get knocked from his feet and fall from view. Steve's momentary lapse of attention was all the man needed to leap from view, down a fire escape and to safety.

"JAVI." Steve yelled upon realising their quarry had disappeared. He sprinted to the edge Peña had fallen from and saw the agent laying unconscious on a balcony below.

Steve didn't even think about leaping down onto the table that sat near Javier's prone form, the distance a lot less dangerous than what Javi had fallen. He then jumped down and fell to Javier's side. Worried hands fumbled about as he attempted to decern what his partner's injuries were.

"Javi... Javi, can you hear me?"

The agent didn't stir and Steve started to panic. He was careful not to move his partner too much. He was no medical expert but he knew that it was bad to move someone who'd fallen from a great height and looking up at the roof, Javier had fallen at least 7 feet straight onto his back. Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed a small pool of blood starting to develop under his partner's head. Steve knew that wasn't good.

...

You were watching the clock, eagerly waiting for twelve to come around so that you could take lunch. It had been a slow morning. Two sets of agents had been out in the field this morning and you were their port of call for any emergencies. It was only a small aspect of your job but it was the one you hated the most. Not because it was boring but because you dreaded someone calling in to tell you an agent was down but you knew that these things happened. These were dangerous times in a dangerous country.

"This is agent Murphy." His southern drawl came through the speaker, crackly but still clear and your stomach dropped as you picked up the headphones to answer.

"I hear you, Agent Murphy." You said, your name flowing down the waves as you fought to keep your voice steady.

"Agent down." Steve stated and you felt sick "Agent Peña has taken a gunshot to his vest." He continued and you breathed a sigh of relief "Fallen from a roof onto a hotel balcony. Sustained a serious head injury. I need medical assistance." He finished before rattling off the address.

The breath you'd managed to capture was ripped away from you again as you noted down everything that Steve told you. You were immediately on the phone after, calling for a medical evac and praying they got to them both quickly.

"Medical help is en route to you Agent." You stated, amazed that you had managed not to lose it completely.

Your relief came into the room a few minutes later and you were quick to dash to the bathroom and throw up the contents of your stomach. Perhaps you weren't cut out for this.

...

Steve balled his shirt up and pressed it hard onto the wound to the back of his partner's head. His hands were shaking so much. He couldn't believe that they were in this situation yet he also wasn't all that surprised. Since Escobar had escaped, the two of them had become desperate. Connie had left and Steve had grown more reckless so Javier had taken it upon himself to make sure the man was taking some sort of care of himself. Steve knew it was his time to return the favour. He needed to make sure that Javier made it out alive.

"You're gonna be okay brother." He muttered to his unconscious partner "You're gonna be fine." He promised and he hoped he was right.

He hated making promises he couldn't keep.

...

You'd been worried when your boss had called you into her office. You had wracked your brains for what you might have done wrong. You prided yourself in your work. You put your heart and soul into it, knowing you were helping to make a difference in Colombia. You wondered if it was because of the other day. When Simons had come to relieve you and you hadn't briefed him before leaving. He hadn't said anything to you but you didn't know him well enough to know whether he would have.

You knocked on the door and waited for a tick before being called in. You then stepped into Messina's office gingerly, taking the seat she motioned to and wringing your hands in your lap.

"So you're probably wondering why I called you in here." She started and you gave her a nervous nod "Well, I understand that you were a nurse for a few years before leaving to join the DEA as a Research Specialist."

"Yes, Ma'am." You replied "Turns out I didn't have the stomach for it." You joked and she gave you a small chuckle "What does that have to do with why you wanted to speak to me?" You asked and she gave you a small sigh as she sat back in her chair.

"We, as you know, Agent Peña was injured in action a few days ago." She started and you nodded "He sustained a nasty head injury that has left him temporarily blind."

"Blind?" You blanced and Messina nodded grimly.

"The doctors have assured us that his sight will return as the swelling goes down however he needs someone that we can trust to live with him for a few weeks whilst he recovers."

"Why me?" You asked, your stomach twisting a little as you awaited her response.

"Honestly?" She asked and you nodded "Between you and me, I need someone that he hasn't screwed and left high and dry." She chuckled and you swallowed thickly "I know you have a good working relationship with Peña and Murphy and we need someone that we can trust."

"Right." You replied, nodding grimly.

"You can say no." She stated, taking you by surprise "This isn't an order. Agent Murphy has offered to help him but we need him here and not babysitting Javier Peña."

"It's fine Boss." You replied, holding your hand up to stop her "I will be happy to help him." She gave you a nod and you took a shaky breath "What about my work?"

"Simons can pick up your workload for the time being." She replied plainly "Lord knows it's about time he pulled his weight around here." You snorted at that before looking at your boss in horror at your sudden outburst. Her response was a rambunctious laugh that brought a smile to your face.

"Did they say how long it would take for his sight to return?" You asked and Messina shrugged.

"The doctors said it's hard to say. Could return tomorrow, and could return next week. He's got a pretty nasty concussion. Suffering with dizziness, broke his arm and dislocated his shoulder also." She stated and you sucked in a breath "He was lucky really. Could have been a lot worse."

You nodded grimly and she gave you a reassuring smile.

"So he's going to need assistance with cooking meals, his medications, etc?" You asked and Messina nodded.

"I'm hoping we won't be without you for too long but I really appreciate your support."

You gave her a nod before getting to your feet. You weren't sure how this was going to go but you knew that you wanted to help. It was your tip that had sent Javier and Steve out into the field that day. You felt responsible for what had happened.

...

"I don't need a babysitter." Javier growled as he crossed his arms like a petulant child, only to wince at the pain that movement brought.

"Why isn't your arm strapped up as it should be?" Admonished Steve and Javier rolled his eyes.

"He's right Javier." You interjected "You should have it strapped to help it heal. Won't be much use to the DEA if you have a gammy arm."

"I'll be no use to them if I can't see" Javier grumbled and your brows drew together as you sat down beside him.

"Javier, your sight loss is temporary." You said softly and the man scoffed "You just need to have a little faith."

"Easy for you to say." He grumbled and you threw your hands up.

"Whatever, act like a child." You growled, taking both Javier and Steve by surprise "I am here to help you get better. You will let me strap your arm up. You will take your medication and you will do as you're told because I am here at the request of Messina and I will not let you make me look incapable."

"Yes ma'am." Replied the agents in unison and you smiled to yourself as you gave yourself a small nod.

You proceeded to strap Javier's arm up, give him his pills and cook him dinner. The agent grumbled here and there but otherwise, he remained quiet for the rest of the evening. He was silently grateful you were there. When he'd been released from the hospital, he'd worried about how he was going to get around. Waking up blind had been the most terrifying thing he'd ever experienced. The hardest part of this was when it came to getting ready for bed. You sat him on the edge of his bed before grabbing him a fresh t-shirt and some sweats for him to sleep in. You blushed when you pulled down the ones he'd been wearing, averting your eyes and desperately searching for a distraction from the fact he wasn't wearing underwear. The situation was no less embarrassing for Javier. Usually, he was confident around women but with you, he was shy and unsure.

He'd had a crush on you from day one. Something Steve had teased him about almost daily. For that reason, he had chosen to keep things professional between the two of you. He didn't want to taint you with his reputation. You were too good for that. So to now be stuck relying on you for everything had those feelings rushing back tenfold.

He allowed you to manoeuvre him how you needed. You slipped his legs into his sweats before lifting them up and letting him pull them over his hips. You helped him out of his sling, into the fresh t-shirt and back into his sling again. Giving his arm a gentle squeeze when you were done to let him know he could lay down.

"Thank you." He said softly as you made your way out of his room, stopping you in your tracks "I know I was acting like a jerk earlier but I really do appreciate your help."

"It's fine Javier." You replied, giving him a weak smile "Sleep." You finished before making your way out of his room.

...

You and Javier slipped into a routine with ease. His sight had yet to return but his other symptoms had eased off. He wasn't suffering from as many dizzy spells and the headaches had receded to dull intermittent pangs every now and then.

Despite the routine, Javier had grown more irritable the longer he was blind. You could understand why. He was completely reliant on you and that must have been hard for him. Javier Peńa hadn't needed to rely on anyone for years. Now all of a sudden he was rendered useless and vulnerable and he hated it.

"You didn't have to bring dinner, Steve." You said as you helped the blond dish up.

"Nonsense." Steve said as he waved you off "You've been babysitting Peña all day, least I can do. Heck, you deserve a night off."

"I may be blind but I'm not deaf," Javier grumbled as he felt his way to the kitchen table.

"Javier, I told you to wait and I'd come and get you." You scolded and he growled.

"You're not my fucking girlfriend." He snapped and you winced at his statement.

No, you weren't. You weren't pretty enough to earn that title.

"Don't be an asshole Javi." Steve warned, "She's just trying to help you."

"Yeah well, I don't need her fucking help." He snapped and that was it.

"Fine, you don't need my help... Serve yourself." You scoffed, grabbing your plate of food and heading for the table.

Javier was rendered speechless. Truth was, he did need your help. He needed it more than he cared to admit but he was tired of being unable to do things for himself. He blindly felt his way to where Steve was standing and cursed when he stuck his hand in his food. Steve smirked but otherwise remained silent as he watched his partner feel around for the cloth hanging by the sink. When he found it, he wiped his hands and then carefully felt for the edge of the plate. Grabbing it and lifting it carefully he blindly headed in the direction he believed his table was.

"Gonna eat that in the lobby Javi or?..." Steve trailed off and Javier stopped, hanging his head before turning back and giving both you and Steve a pleading look. You didn't budge but Steve did. He guided his partner to the table and helped him put his food down before grabbing his own and sitting beside him.

"Sorry," Javier grumbled before digging into the food that Steve had brought and you shared a look with Murphy before digging into your own meal.

The next few evenings followed a similar pattern. Javier was grumpy, you and Steve told him off and then he ate his dinner in silence as he sulked. You couldn't help but feel sorry for the man though. He was trapped inside his own head, unable to do anything but listen to you and Steve drone on about work or how he was getting on. You'd heard him sobbing one night when you had gotten up to use the bathroom. You could see that the longer he went without regaining his vision, the more he lost faith that he'd ever get it back.

The days merged into a week. You drove Javier to his check-up and sat patiently for him in the waiting room. You hoped for his sake that the doctor gave him some good news because he was growing more and more irritable as the days went by. He thanked you for your help but he was still short and snappy with you and Steve. Your patience was starting to wear thin and you weren't sure how much longer you could take it.

Your attention was grabbed by a nurse helping him walk back to you. You grabbed his arm and thanked her before steering him from the building and back towards the truck. He was silent the whole way back. You decided not to push a conversation and when you made it home, you helped him to the couch and proceeded to make him a coffee, knowing he'd want one.

Steve arriving later that afternoon would finally give you the answers you wanted.

"How'd the appointment go?" He asked as he opened a beer and handed it to his partner.

"Doc said the swellings going down and that my sight should return soon." Javier replied and both you and Steve shared a look before he asked what you were both wondering.

"So why are you so fucking miserable?" He asked and Javier growled.

"I'm not." He grumbled and you rolled your eyes.

"You've not said a word to me since we got back." You argued and Peña groaned.

"Don't have to talk to you." He snapped and that was the final straw.

"I'm done with this." You snarled before making your way to his spare room and grabbing your suitcase.

"Hey." Called out Steve as he sprinted after you "What are you doing?"

"I don't have to put up with this." You grumbled "I offered to help because I felt guilty for what happened to him. It was my tip that got him into this mess but I don't deserve to be treated like shit for it."

"This ain't your fault sweetheart." Steve stated as he grabbed your hand "I know he's being a miserable bastard but he needs you."

"He doesn't need me." You scoffed "Said so himself."

"You know he didn't mean that." Steve urged but you scoffed.

"Sure he did."

In the other room, Javier could hear your conversation and his guilt started to swallow him up. He knew that he had been a bit of an asshole lately but he hadn't realised that he'd been hurting you. He pushed himself to his feet. He had to talk to you and tell you he was sorry but as he straightened up, he suddenly felt off. This wasn't one of those dizzy spells he'd been suffering from or even head rush. No, this was something completely different.

"Please, don't do this." Steve pleaded "I can talk to him, get him to-"

Steve was stopped in his tracks by a thump and you rolled your eyes at him.

"Peña's obviously trying to prove he doesn't need me." You uttered as you shoved a few more items unceremoniously into your bag.

Steve let out a sigh before he jogged into the lounge, ready to berate Javier for getting himself into trouble again but what greeted him made his blood go cold. Javier was on the floor, eyes rolled back into his skull as his body writhed on the floor. Blood trickled from his mouth and from his temple and Steve screamed your name before dropping to his partner's side.

You were out in a flash and you choked on a breath when you were greeted by Javier seizing on the living room floor. You were at his side in a heartbeat, supporting his head as the seizure started to subside.

"Steve, call an ambulance and grab me a cloth." You ordered as you stroked Javier's hair.

The agent did what you asked, tossing you a cloth from the kitchen as he spoke to the operator on the phone. Javier was completely out of it. His already unseeing eyes darted around the room and you pulled him into your arms and held him as you pressed the cloth to his head wound, hoping it brought him some semblance of comfort.

"You're okay Javi." You said softly "You're going to be just fine." You repeated as you kissed the crown of his head and rocked him gently.

The ambulance arrived a short while later. You went with Javier and Steve followed in his truck and then you both waited together for news on his condition. Your stomach twisting into knots. You knew as you waited, that you couldn't leave him. Not now.

Next

Taglist form

Tags: @hayley-the-comet @ajeff855 @mavericksicybabe @supernaturalgirl20 @dihra-vesa @nicolethered @practicalghost @theanothersherlockian @gallowsjoker @little-mrs-morales @sunnshineeexoxo @aliwritesfic @maryfanson @sherala007 @ayrusss @greeneyedblondie44 @elegantduckturtle @jediknight122 @goodgriefitsawildworld @voteforpedro09 @prostitute-robot-from-the-future @mishasminion360 @giggly-otter @athalien @mssbridgerton @huitzilinthebudgie3 @samanthacookieone @salome-c @radcollectivesoul @pedrohoe04 @paintlavillered @ktmadden86 @hotchlover @kirsteng42 @djjarins @balekanemohafe @misscampacyn @dream-alittlebiggerdarling @pedromandoverse @destiny-tsukino @mysun-n-stars @tombraider42017 @littlemisspascal @thatpinkshirt @evyiione @girlofchaos @vanemando15

[princess-of-the-corner]

Glad you liked the submission, as I have more on the Aware of Abuse AU!

I think it would be really interesting to reflect on how this situation would be kind of a drawn out grapple for Marinette. This is in no way salt and I think if it was written she'd both warrant having hear grievances hear, but also could definitely come off as a bit antagonistic, or at least wary.

(Exactly how hostile she defaulted to with Chloe tended to oscillate episode to episode so ya know how it be)

Marinette would have the easiest time getting close with Kagami. She has no history like with Chloe & no baggage, IE friendship with Chloe, like Adrien. Tomoe is not someone Marinette admires and its much easier to see abuse in the physicals side. While she'd struggle to see it more in the verbal or negligence side; or otherwise be able to rationalize the negative behaviors such as over protectiveness.

Meanwhile Adrien would be tied a lot closer to Chloe going into school as she'd be being less overtly antagonistic or vain. Plus, they'd have a much stronger "We need each other to keep from falling back into old patterns and to survive" mentality.

Plus Adrien would be a bit more overtly snarky and less respectful to authority or stuff like Gabriel's fashion shows. He still is very nice and super wants to be liked by everyone all the time, but it'd be a lot easier for her to see the negatives in his behavior.

Chloe meanwhile would probably rankle and outright frustrate her the most. Not just because she'd still be hard to get along with in general, or because she still is not against ignoring rules or disrespecting authority figures. But because...

No clue what your religious views may or may not be, but have you heard those talks of "Catholic guilt" and the idea of needing to suffer, do penance, ETC before one can be redeemed?

Marinette wouldn't strictly think or want that, but there would be a part of her that would sort of... Well resent that Chloe is seemingly just choosing to change and not even necessarily enough.

That is to say, Chloe might still rudely reject Sabrina's cookies out of hand but then instantly walk it back and have some.

But more in that she's suffered no defeat, she's not been taken from her previous luxurious circumstances, she hasn't seemingly lost anything and even more she'd not even be overtly contrite.

That is to say, Chloe wouldn't be doing stuff akin to the Lady Luck AU (Nothing against it, great fic!) where she'd frequently reflect on how much of a 'fuck up' she was. Or or say stuff like, "I know I was a bitch but I am trying to be better". Or feel guilt in the "I can't even be mad they assume the worst of me cos I probably would have done X."

She's just choosing to be different and on some level its deeply unsatisfying and even frustrating.

(Where is the arc, the climax, the catharsis!?)

Especially if some people roll with it or let her get away with it when she starts falling into old habits.

Marinette doesn't want Chloe to suffer or beg forgiveness or hate herself she doesn't. She just doesn't understand why now? Why at all? Why because of her friend? Why because of how she was treated and not how she treated others?

Why couldn't she care enough about hurting Marinette to change!?

That I think would be the lynch-pin and one that is, from Marinette's perspective, as well as others in and out of universe entirely sympathetic, she was hurt after all.

But in that same vain Chloe's an abused child lashing out due to trauma and taught such terrible lessons she sometimes couldn't process that she wasn't doing 'right'.

Marinette's been hurt, and that would need to be properly addressed. But it wouldn't need to happen in a self recriminating manner necessarily.

Not that I don't love those, self hating characters rife with issues are fun to explore. It is just that I think it'd be interesting to explore both, changing as a person, and a "Bad" victim getting help before they actually even start processing over much how others might warrant reoperations.

Does that make sense?

The story "restorative Justice" sort of dips into this from a different middle ground angle and most stuff by Generalluxun often have elements of it too.

Oh yeah no it's.

Marinette doesn't understand why Chloé is Like That™ in the first place, so she can't fathom her wanting to change.

From Mari's perspective, Chloé's life is pretty perfect. She's beautiful, she's rich. She can do whatever she wants whenever she wants and always gets her way through money or influence. She's always bragging about how she's so much better than everyone. Clearly her parents must adore her because they spoil her with gifts and never tell her 'no'. Any 'hardships' are just minor inconveniences that Chloé brought upon herself by being mean.

So why would Chloé choose to change? If it's not broke, don't fix it. Chloé's life is Perfect™, why would she do something to make it different?

It's not that she wants Chloé to suffer, or thinks that she /should/ suffer. She just doesn't understand why someone with a Perfect Life™ would change without going through some kind of suffering that forces introspection.

[delivish]

Little Stanman-ish drabble hehee;; ✨✨

Kyle, Kenny, and Cartman were already waiting at the bus stop. 

They used to all walk together, but ever since Randy had packed the family up and moved them out to that fucking farm, Stan had been making the daily trek by himself. Of all the things he hated about living on a farm, having to walk to the bus stop alone was probably the thing he hated the most, and that was really saying something because he found fresh things to dislike about it nearly every minute of every day. Stan had sort of hoped that his mother's common sense would have won out, and they'd be back in town by now—

 (back to the same old routine, the same old neighborhood in the same old slightly-shabby house, the same shitty walk to school in the cold, half-halfheartedly listening to Kyle and Cartman argue about some stupid thing or another, and, god, he'd wanted to be anywhere else back then but now Stan would give anything to have that sense of normalcy)

—but to his immense disappointment, Sharon seemed to have adopted a 'let's just make the best of it' attitude. Stan had been sulking for months: shirking his chores, ignoring his homework, snapping at his family when he saw them, isolating himself in his room when he didn't, and it must have been bad because his mom had finally looked him in the eye this morning and told him with grave seriousness that life wasn't fair. People didn't always get what they wanted simply because they wanted it, and he could either learn to roll with the punches or spend the next few years completely miserable. 

"...bitch," Stan muttered under his breath as he stormed out, expecting—or maybe only hoping—to feel cool and smug and vindicated, but he'd just felt bad. Stan loved his mother, but she just didn't get it. 

Nearly every day had been a bad day since he'd moved, and today was no exception. School had become his reprieve, but Stan hadn't been looking forward to showing up this morning. If it weren't for the knowledge that Kyle and Kenny would only have given him more shit than they already had, Stan would have come up with some excuse to stay home.

Both Kyle and Kenny turned to stare as he trudged up. Kyle arched a brow at him, curious, whereas Kenny was already starting to turn red with the effort of holding in his laughter. Cartman was completely oblivious, his nose buried in his phone, apparently having decided to ignore them all for whatever it was he happened to be looking at. Stan could see the doubt written all over Kyle and Kenny’s expressions, smug and teasing: Dude, there’s no way you won’t chicken out. 

Stan clenched his teeth, turning his attention away from them and back to Cartman—he was sure he’d never spent more than a second or two looking at the boy, and even then, only to check that he was out of range of whatever scheme Cartman happened to be brewing that day.

They’d grown up together and went to school together, and, for some reason, they all hung out together; he’d known the guy literally all his life, so Stan supposed Cartman was his friend in that sense, but it'd never really felt like it. Cartman had always been a nuisance at best and actively hazardous to one’s health at worst, and Stan had learned a long time ago that the best way to deal with Cartman was to quickly check that you weren’t actively in his sights, then step the hell aside. He had none of Kyle’s bravery, his audacity to go toe-to-toe with him; watching them fight was like watching an unstoppable force ramming up against an immovable object, and sometimes, Stan couldn’t help wondering where he fit into all that, jealous in some strange and inexplicable way because he'd never driven anyone crazy the way Cartman and Kyle drove each other crazy. 

Cartman was short and fat and had a soft, round baby-face with full lips and thick brows that Stan realized he must trim to keep them looking so neat. His skin was perfect, and Stan kinda hated that because he’d been plagued with breakouts since the beginning of high school. Cartman finally glanced up as Stan stepped closer, only just now noticing he was there—his eyes were dark brown and fringed by equally dark lashes, and his expression cycled rapidly through a kind of blank surprise to an equally blank concern as Stan leaned in even closer. 

“Uh. Can I help you?” Cartman said. “Your little boyfriend’s over there,” he added when Stan made no reply; he would feel Kyle and Kenny’s eyes on him, and Cartman was beginning to frown, and Stan knew better than to let Cartman build any sort of momentum. 

So Stan cupped his face, hauled Cartman close, and pressed his lips to his. 

Stan wasn’t really sure he could even call this a kiss because Cartman’s lips were just kind of hanging slack while he was exaggeratedly puckering his own and mashing them against Cartman’s face like a pillow he meant to smother him with. Cartman’s cheeks were warm under his palms, like cupping a sun-ripened peach fresh off the branch, and he smelled surprisingly good up close, like fresh soap and moisturizer. Stan wasn’t sure why it surprised him so much to think that Cartman might be vain enough to put real effort into his appearance—because, of course, if anyone would be, it would be Cartman—but it did. Cartman had gone stiff and still under his hands. Stan could hear Kenny busting a gut, but the sound was curiously far away, his guffaws drawn-out by Stan's disgust at what he was doing and his determination not to be perceived as a bitch, as someone too chickenshit to follow through on a losing bet. 

Except he wasn’t disgusted, not really—Cartman was warm and soft, and he smelled good, and those full lips of his were as plush as they’d looked, and for half a second, Stan thought he felt Cartman’s mouth tremble against his. Had Cartman ever been kissed? Somehow, Stan doubted it. 

But in the next half-second, it was over. Cartman was shoving him away, his face a shade of red Stan didn’t think he’d ever seen on him before. He pressed the back of his hand to his mouth, staring at Stan accusingly. 

“‘Ey!” Cartman hissed. “What the hell?”

“Damn, dude,” Kyle remarked conversationally. “I didn’t actually expect you to go through with it.” 

[disgruntleddd]

AITA for wanting to cut ties with my ex?

I (22) have been friends with my ex-fiancé (21) since we were 14. We were best friends for years and they crushed on me for ages, until we finally started going out when I was ~18. We were each other's firsts and we got engaged when I was 20 and they were 19. We moved in together when I was 21 and they were 20.

Last November (six-ish months ago now, jeez, time flies) they broke up with me. They were sexually assaulted in a club and told me that the experience made them realize that they want to be more upfront with their boundaries and desires. They don't think we're compatible like that and wanted to date someone more similar to themselves while still being my best friend, like we were before.

For a while, I tried to make it work even though I was absolutely miserable being around them knowing that what we had was gone. They had an online friend, we'll call him D (24), who they'd grown close to over the course of the year or so we'd lived together. Well, they already had a visit planned months in advance for D to come out and stay in our apartment for two weeks. They told me that they were romantically interested in D, and wanted to see how things went in person. I didn't want to ask them to cancel such an expensive trip so short notice, so I sucked it up. At the time, I expressed that I wanted D to sleep on our fold-out couch (we have a two-bedroom, and they got their own bed after the breakup) but they told me that who they invite into their bed is none of my business.

Anyway, so, my ex lied to me. Turned out that they'd already been dating D for a couple of weeks before the visit took place. The walls are not thick so I heard them fucking more than once. My ex invited me out to drink with them and I ended up crying because it was really painful to watch them hang off of someone else and loudly make jokes about all the sex they were going to have later.

Fast forward a couple of months, and D gets kicked out of his apartment and needs somewhere to live. This is where shit hits the fan, and what prompted this post.

D has never liked me, although he tries very hard in a shallow way to make me like him. (I think it's an anxiety thing — he wants me to like him because then I feel less threatening, not because he actually cares about getting to know me, you know?) I overheard a phone conversation between Ex and D where he was ranting about how I have no friends because I'm such an unlikeable bitch, I'm never going to change or improve myself, he fucking hates me, I'm a narcissist, Ex needs to move out and cut ties with me because I'm so toxic, blah blah blah. D also has schizophrenia, multiple personalities due to severe childhood trauma, he age-regresses (constantly; his default mental age is ~17), and he's an alcoholic. All of this to say that he is a very paranoid and depressed person.

(Side note: I expressly told my ex that I didn't want him to stay in our apartment. They said that they understood and assured me it would only be for a few days while they found him a place. It's been ~3 weeks now, and he's still here.)

I was woken up one night a week ago by my ex and D having a very loud conversation about suicide. D was having a mental breakdown/panic attack and ex was actively having to keep him away from pills and knifes. I laid in my bedroom and listened to D describe a fantasy in which he takes a gun and blows his brains out in front of me — apparently because I am a huge source of depression and anxiety for him, on account of me not liking him.

I don't believe I've been mean to D. I simply don't care about him. I do my best to not acknowledge him/pretend he doesn't exist. My ex disagrees.

They claim I've been outwardly cruel to him and that my hostility is the reason for his near suicide-attempt. They called me all sorts of names and pinned the blame almost entirely on me.

That night of the panic attack, I also became anxious that D would try to do something to hurt me or my two cats. (He has a history of animal abuse/murder.) I went to the kitchen and grabbed a knife to sleep with because I was too tense to get back to sleep.

Well, D found out about the knife and apparently he is now terrified that I'm going to do something to him (and he could have only known about it if my ex told him, as he does not enter my room EVER), which my ex also blames on me.

My ex made the decision to break our lease and move out around a month ago. Rather than find a new roommate, I decided to get a small one bedroom apartment for myself. My ex seems upset about this. I told them blatantly that I don't want to see each other or even communicate once the move is completed, which I don't think they've grasped. They keep making remarks about trying to stay in contact or me visiting them at their new place.

I am a college student and I have a job. I have missed three of my morning classes this month already because my ex and D both like to stay up late at night and play games in the living room and/or drink together. They both talk very loudly and this can go on until 2 in the morning. It's nearly impossible for me to relax and sleep with their constant activity. I also do the dishes, feed the pets, clean up after them, sweep, take out the trash, throw away the beer cans they both leave everywhere, hell, I've even done their laundry.

The only thing my ex does is cook occasionally, which they seem to think is an effort towards our friendship, when they consistently prioritize D's dietary desires over mine, never help me with my groceries, and when they order food, never get anything for me. If there is enough food for three, then they will offer me some. That's about it.

They make no effort to spend time with me and actively avoid having difficult conversations while at the same time accusing me of moving out because I'm "running away from my problems." They want to be both my best friend and a good husband.

Oh, yeah. Ex and D are married as of last week, ish. No idea why. Not my problem.

But, the way I see it, it is functionally impossible for Ex to prioritize someone as high-maintenance as their new husband AND be my friend at the same time, considering all of the emotional conflicts going on in our fucked up little situation here.

(Side note: all of this is IGNORING the 3k my ex owes my parents, as they helped us both out when my ex lost their job last year. My ex told me that they're frustrated because it feels like my family is "ganging up" on them, and that they were under the impression my parents would just forgive the money and all of us could part ways on good terms. I have literally no idea where they got THAT impression.)

I feel ignored and underappreciated. I am also fairly confident that I'm being gaslit, as Ex constantly blames me for my feelings AND for D's feelings. I am posting this now because I legitimately cannot tell if I'm overreacting or not. Ex makes me doubt my thoughts and the validity of my actions. (RE: the knife incident, they chastised me for scaring D all because I was "paranoid," when I brought up the phone call I overheard, Ex told me that D was just drunk/angry and didn't really mean it, the last time I complained about them both being noisy (during sex) it was brushed off as me being bitter that I'm still single, etc)

I know that Ex is also stressed and dealing with a lot. Am I being too harsh? Am I overthinking this? Should I buckle down and try to make it work? I've been friends with them for ⅓ of my life — they've been with me through my worst and my best. So much of who I am is shaped by them. I don't want to give that up, but I also think that maybe I need to if I'm ever going to improve myself/my mental state.

I am legitimately looking forward to moving out on my own, being responsible only for myself, only cleaning up my own messes, focusing on work and school and potentially maybe even making some new friends. I don't want Ex in my life anymore, I just want to put the last year behind me, and I think they know that — they're just in denial. They want to have their cake and eat it, too.

[redstringraven]

TMNT’s 40th anniversary ask game ~ May I ask for number 22) , 26) and 35) ? Lots of love <3

TuT!!!! THANK u, cherry. loves of love to you, too 💜✨

(please excuse that this ask is visually a bit more of a mess. i wrote too much again for tumblr to be chill with my usual formatting. why am i like this.)

TMNT's 40th anniversary ask game!

22.) what is your favorite kind of pizza?

terrible news, everyone: i'm a pro-pineapple bitch. you may block and unfollow me now; i forgive you for being incorrect (/lh). i tend to be pescatarian if i can help it (i'm flexible due to money, and also i hate inconveniencing others especially if i'm a guest), so i prefer pizza without meats. i'm happy to eat any kind of veggie combination with the exception of banana peppers. never liked those for some reason. i also really like mushroom and eggs as pizza toppings. i'm kind of just an egg fiend in general; i love the taste of a well-made egg.

26.) what is one of your favorite pieces of TMNT fan art?

these things keep asking for one, but i'm gonna continue responding with however many i feel like. because it's not my dad. the scarf, by @hamsterandturtlesoup weakness is a sickness and a virtue, by @tatortart various candid illustrations by richard chen vis dev by kellan jett

35.) which character relationships are your favorite to write/draw?

...since we're both OC people, i'm gonna take this as an opportunity to gush about canon and OC relationships: two of my favorite brotps. because they're character relationships i adore writing with all my heart and soul.

mikey, gwyn & ash i mentioned previously that @plantdonutwrites (jenn) writes for mikey in our RPs, so i consulted her for mikey's perspective on this brot3. i will paraphrase her answer in this paragraph:

"all his life, mikey's been used to only having his bros as company; they're family in a way that puts the rest of us to shame. but as they grew older they met all sorts of people, some became an extension of that family. raph has casey or maybe angel when he wants to dip for a bit. don has leatherhead or the professor (bree, too), and leo has usagi even if he's not 'as regular' (and min-ji, too). his brothers have their separate circles of friends, but, against all odds, mikey doesn't seem to have that (at least not until cassia shoved her foot in the loneliness door). then he bonded with gwyn and ash... but then they left. he realized that it wasn't just that they didn't treat him like 'the annoying brother who tags along' but because they'd actually become friends, and they were friends who didn't humor him. they liked the comics he talked about, they love klunk, and they're interested in his art and ideas. it meant a lot to him to have that--to know what it was like--and when they weren't around, he really felt the difference. in an odd way they helped him become a more empathetic person, too."

it's harder to answer in ash's perspective because she has a lot less agency than gwyn and, because gwyn's paranoid/won't let ash out of her own hands much less her line of sight, ash doesn't get a lot of one-on-one time with mikey. she's interacted with him a LOT more than she's interacted with most people--which absofuckinglutely means something--but since she does consider herself 'dead' and is at peace with the possibility she'll be a literal shapeshifting weapon for the rest of her sentience, i think a lot of his meaning to her (right now) is very rooted in what he means for gwyn. THAT being said.

mikey is gwyn's first real friend. like. ever. in all the time she's been alive. very much in the same way that the brothers only had each other for most of their lives, gwyn only ever had ash. her community considered her a parasite and an omen, so she was essentially outcast. gwyn grew up feeling she wasn't wanted, had to earn any love she received, and when ash died and became trapped in the weapon, all that transpired and followed afterward re-enforced that. i haven't talked about darach a lot--deliberately--but know that he's a masterful manipulator in more ways than one. if ch'rell was brute force and intimidation, darach is more like the pot you put a frog in and slowly turn up the heat. you don't realize you're being boiled alive until it's too late. thanks to his influence, gwyn's been tricked, back-stabbed, cornered, and watched people suffer 'because of her' countless times. when i said she was paranoid, i wasn't really being hyperbolic. she has SEVERE trust issues. ...then came mikey. someone who, unknowingly, had already given them a taste of his character.

gwyn and ash had heard of mikey's rematch with kluh during their travels--that the match was made mortal, that mikey had not only won but had spared kluh's life when he had every reason not to. darach wouldn't approach someone like him, they figured. and as time passed, mikey continued to not just be open and kind with them, but again and again he's emphasized to gwyn that they just... CARE. to quote him "we don't keep you guys around for any benefits other than being able to know you". which, in so many ways, is unheard of for gwyn. she still struggles to believe him sometimes, but she trusts him. mikey is her first and best friend, he's someone she admires, and he's proven time and time again that ash isn't the only person capable of loving her, and that she's worthy of that love by just being herself. i had to spend a lot of this answer on exposition because OC, but... i earnestly can't emphasize enough how much mikey's come to mean to gwyn. he asked her not to leave again without them, and she promised she wouldn't. that promise to him has kept her from running away and isolating. even though she's terrified--for herself, for ash, for them--she trusts him. writing them makes me so happy. it's been such a delight to see their relationship evolve and the influences they've had on each other and their worldviews. i love this brot3 so goshdang much.

min-ji & raph min-ji belongs to jenn and, oh my god, i love her relationship with raph so, SO much. when we rp, jenn's obviously writing for min, and i write for raph.

again! consulted jenn! her answer paraphrased below:

"raph's pretty much the first assertive person in her life that had her back early on? her home life is complex; her family DOES love her but sometimes that love can veer controlling and toxic (responsibilities/obligations). raph was a type of personality she'd never been around before, and he cared about her well-being in a way that was unconditional. hanging out with him more helped her become more assertive and in touch with parts of herself she was forced to suppress to be more palatable to her family. she's found that being angry about something that happened to her, or something that was said to her, doesn't make her bad or a burden. raph doesn't expect her to shy away from her flaws or nuances. he lets her be a person."

as for raph's end, it's kind of hard to put into words. but i love that min-ji has become one of the very few people he will allow himself moments of vulnerability around. like. instead of it just happening, he makes the choice to let a wall or six down. they've created a mutual safe space between each other.

i think this has cultivated from a lot of things. min was much more timid when they met--raph even made a bit of a point, initially, to not interact with her so much because she was skittish and on-edge thanks to surrounding events. but through the events of our writing, he's watched her grow in self-confidence, be more open, and allow herself to 'take up' more space. she's also survived two major threats to her life, now, both of which have scarred her physically and emotionally, yet she persists and continues to extend kindness to people who, in his opinion, don't deserve it. but that's HER business (while he makes his feelings known, he stays out of it unless she signals him otherwise). she may not be a fighter in a literal sense, but he sees her as an equal. like, he's still protective of her in dangerous situations since she's not trained to fight--obviously--but... i dunno, i guess it's more like "i've been through shit; you've been through shit; if i say things look bad right now, you won't like it but you also won't give up". he doesn't feel a pull to coddle her if things are looking grim, i guess is what i'm trying to say?; he'll shoot straight with her because he knows she IS a fighter. even if she doesn't fight. does THAT make sense?

like i said, it's hard to put into words. but i think it's a combination of min-ji's emotional strength and kindness as a person, as well as the fact she's not an immediate family member, that make it easier for him to let those barriers down around her and have severely needed moments of vulnerability where he doesn't dismiss pain or fear or anything else he might be feeling. he knows min would never lash out at him, physically, emotionally, or however else. min-ji is kind, and she's strong, and she's safe. he trusts her, values and respects her judgment and input. much in the same way his presence lets her feel like a person, she's extended that grace to him. just in a different way. i love getting to write interactions between them. there's always something warm and comforting in their exchanges, light-hearted or more melancholic. it's nice. the love is very much there.

[sspextkr]

ache - hanahaki!coriolanus snow/sejanus plinth

is it pain, or is it love? he can't tell anymore. all he wants is the antidote.

a/n: these bitches live rent free in my head. also listen to cherry waves by deftones while writing a big chunk of this so listen to that for better vibes while reading <3

word count: 2.2k

trigger warnings: emetophobia (descriptions and depictions), blood, injuries, illness, cliffhanger ending

i.

It started as a small scratch in the back of his throat, an annoying itch that brought up the constant urge to clear his throat. It brought a rasp with it, making him sound slightly more gruff and intimidating than he normally did- There's an upside to everything, right?

The scratch persisted after a few days, developing into a full-blown cough. Great. Another thing he had to hide in class, along with the rumbling of his stomach and his headaches, while also paying close attention to every lecture given. The boy had refilled his bottle of water more times than he could count, hoping it would help soothe his throat somewhat.

Tigris suggested he take a day off and stay home, but like that would do him any good- If he wants that prize, he has to be there every day. He's gone in with worse, ghastly flu's and killer migraines. It'll all be worth it in the end.

“You look miserable, though.” She pointed out one day, sliding a bowl of her famous cabbage stew in front of him.

Coriolanus stirred the mixture, bored of the conversation already. “It's just a cough and run-of-the-mill stress.”

“You know that's not what I mean.” Tigris sat down beside him with her own bowl. “You look like you've got the flu again.” She pressed the back of her hand against his forehead. “Something worse than that, even.”

Coriolanus nearly flinched away from the touch. He was so out of it nowadays. “If.. If it persists, I'll see about perhaps getting it checked out.” They both knew they couldn’t afford it, but hey, a kid can dream, right? The Plinth's do owe him a few favors.. And they'd never tell. They were too kind.. It was a risk, but so was his health.

He knew Tigris wasn't completely satisfied with that answer, but it was the best he’d offer her. Beggars can’t be choosers. “Fine.”

ii.

Coriolanus began to worry himself when he started to cough up blood. The first time, he played it off as sinus irritation of some sort, but when he found himself coughing up more blood than phlegm or spit, that's when he realized it was something.

The coughing fits got longer, too, triggering his gag reflex. God, he hated it. The feeling of acid forcing its way up his throat, the shakiness it brought to his limbs. He wasn't weak, per se, just already malnourished, and not being able to keep anything down certainly didn’t help.

He'd have to excuse himself from class at least once a day and bolt down the seemingly endless marble hallways of the Academy just to make it to the bathrooms in time, not even making it to the stalls a handful of times. Blood rinses off porcelain fairly quickly, thankfully.

His mind raced with possibilities. Could this be a stomach bug of some kind? A strange flu? Something entirely different? Maybe he should get it checked out, but he'd have to be subtle when he asked for aid.

The Plinth's. Sejanus.That made his stomach churn, and his throat close up. Breakfast threatened to resurface as he thought of the Plinth boy. They were neither friend nor foe, just two students going about their days who sat next to each other- That's what Coriolanus thought, at least. Sejanus was attached like a puppy. It was endearing in a way. Pathetic in another. He showed the boy basic human kindness and got worshiped in return. It kept his ego well-fed, which was nice, considering he was starved in all other areas.

An elbow nudged his own. Speak of the devil. “You alright there? You look like you've seen a ghost.” Sejanus asked him innocently. Shit.

Coriolanus nodded, swallowing thickly. Here comes more. “Just fine.. Please excuse me.”

iii.

Seeing a regular doctor would do him no good, he deduced as he stared at the blood-stained petal in the palm of his hand. When the hell did he manage to eat a flower? It wasn't a rose petal. He knew the shape and texture of roses like the back of his hand. Was Tigris slipping new ingredients into their meals, and he just hadn’t realized it yet?

He could worry about whatever the hell that was later, for now, he had another handful of lectures to attend to. Tigris had once again begged him to stay home- He had never missed a day in his life, the Academy would understand- but anything less than perfection was out of the question.

Maybe he was pushing it a bit. The constant purging caused him to lose a lot of his strength. Was his hearing always that fuzzy?

Between the hunger pangs and the newfound difficulty breathing, his focus was slipping, too. He needed some sort of medical intervention, but his pride got in the way. Medical intervention also meant getting a loan, and the only rich kid who seemed to like him was Sejanus.

That funny fluttering feeling again. He'd gotten better at suppressing the random gagging, finding it second nature. The scratching got worse, too, borderline painful. Like vines were clawing their way up his throat. Maybe there were some back there, given as there was a flower this morning.

Others noticed his deteriorating state, too. He could tell by the way they stared at him- Most judging, others scanning for information that could be constructed into gossip later. He wanted attention, but not this kind. The only one who actually said anything kind was Sejanus.

The last person he wanted to see. And funnily enough, the one person who made the ache a little better.

Sejanus lived the life Coriolanus deserved. The one that was owed to him by birth. He should hate him.

So why did his heart nearly stop when Sejanus grabbed his arm to stable him in the hallways after he had nearly collapsed from exhaustion?

Why do the little comments he makes have the biggest impact?

iv.

Two months. He's coughing up bunches of flowers now. Carnations, primarily. Some babies breath. A mocking white rose here and there. It's painful. His throat feels torn up beyond belief, lungs never able to gulp down enough air and stomach barely able to keep in whatever he manages to scarf down.

He can't keep going like this. He needs some sort of intervention.

A doctor's visit is too risky. He doesn't need to be known as some sort of freak, harboring a new disease. Maybe a florist? The idea makes him laugh. He has enough for the main pieces of an arrangement. Maybe he'll start spewing leather leaf and eucalyptus, then he'll be able to complete it. What a hilariously morbid thought. It wouldn't look half bad.

There's only one doctor who's crazy enough to possibly understand this, and it's a horrible option, but it's the best he's got- Dr. Gaul. How would he even approach this? “Hello, Dr. Gaul. May I bother you for a moment? I’m purging flowers.” Maybe he had just finally lost it.

If it persisted, he’d go, he told himself. Just another day or two. This was the last thing he needed, especially with exam season right around the corner. He'd lost so much valuable study time because of this goddamn disease. His grades were slipping, too. Not enough to relinquish his position as the top student, but just enough to cause his professors to pull him to the side, and Sejanus, too, the doting idiot that he was.

“I know you're saying you're fine, but I can see it in your face. You're not.” Sejanus said one day. “You look nearly as pale as your hair, and your uniform looks loose on you.”

“Your concern is flattering.” Coriolanus said, not turning away from his locker yet. Damn textbook refused to come out. Maybe it held too much. “But I can promise you, I'm just fine. Snow’s honor.”

“It's not the worst thing in the world to have someone care about you, and to accept it, y’know?” He asked with his district drawl. Why was his heart fluttering?

As much as he hated to admit it, Sejanus was right. His help, he could accept. When the other was nearby, it felt a little easier to breathe and think, his own personal painkiller. Coriolanus couldn't explain why, but the relief he felt overode his curiosity. Maybe he'd have to keep him around more often and sit closer to him in their shared classes. He wasn't awful company.

Coriolanus turned his head to look at the boy, and his world turned upside down. The black dots at the edge of his vision extended their phantom arms and pulled him down into the abyss. He was barely able to register his body hitting the ground.

v.

When he was able to finally swim his way out of the inky abyss back into consciousness, he found himself in Dr. Gaul's office. Maybe this was the universe's way of telling him to get help for once.

He found himself lying on a surprisingly lush bed, in a dimly lit room, sheets soft as silk and pillow so plush he thought it was made of clouds. He nearly groaned with relief as he rolled over. At least his bones could rest. He couldn't day the same for his organs, which felt like they were being torn apart and rearranged with every movement he made.

"Mr. Snow", the Gamemaker' voice echoed from the end of the hallway. The sound of stilettos hitting the ground followed. How annoying. "You've found yourself in an interesting situation."

"Tell me about it." He wanted to say, but even moving his tongue the slightest made him feel nauseous.

"Hanahaki, we call it. The disease of love. Flowers grow in the lungs, squeezing the life out of you one vine at a time." Dr. Gaul said. "Makes you wish the butterflies in your stomach thing were real, hm? Sounds a lot more preferable."

"Love?" Coriolanus swallowed thickly. Love?

"Love. Unrequited.. Or at least, that's what's thought."

Love was the cause of it? Really? That was just pathetic, really. “I don't love many.”

“That's what you think.” Dr. Gaul switched on the lights, causing Coriolanus to squint. They were obnoxiously bright. “The sooner you admit it to yourself, the sooner we can get you feeling better. In the meantime, we have medication that should help the flowers shrivel up in your poor lungs. It won't dispose of them completely, but..” She handed him a pill bottle.

Coriolanus eyed the bottle carefully before unscrewing the lid and popping two into his mouth. He barely managed to swallow it before an onslaught of carnations nearly as red as his blood spewed from his lips, falling into the trash can conveniently in front of him. “.. I may have failed to mention that one of the side effects is instantaneous nausea. It's still in your system, don't worry.”

Coriolanus wiped his mouth with the back of his hand, careful not to stain his precious school uniform with any of the miserable fluids. "What will cause it to disappear completely?"

"Having the feelings requited, of course. Better fix yourself up quick, you have a guest." The doctor taunted before leaving the room, dimming the lights slightly on her way out. Thank God.

A few moments later, a distressed Sejanus came rushing into the room, looking almost as pale as his classmate. "Coryo?"

"Hey." He attempted a grin. It looked more like a grimace.

"Woo.. Thank God you're okay." He kneeled by Coriolanus' bedside. "You had me worried there. Your skin went all pale and.. You collapsed. Coughed up some blood. Did she say what it was? Are you okay?" It was pure word vomit. The fluttering feeling returned in his heart.

"Yeah.. I know what it is. She gave me some medication." Coriolanus shook the pill bottle, not willing to offer any more information.

"Well, what is it? If I can ask." Of course he would ask.

".. Some silly disease."

Sejanus didn't skip a beat. "Is it curable?"

".. She says so, but between you and me? I don't trust her word on anything regarding this."

"I don't blame you, Coryo." Sejanus pulled a handkerchief out of his pocket and wiped away a strand of drying blood/saliva that sat by Coriolanus' lips. The gesture made the flowers threaten to resurface. "What has she said?"

Coriolanus found himself leaning into the lingering touch against his will. ".. You won't believe me."

"Try me. I saw what I believe was a cross-hybrid between a lady bird and hedgehog." Sejanus snorted, bringing a smile to the others' lips.

".. Unrequited love."

vi.

After a grueling few hours of recovery, he was dismissed to glass, Dr. Gaul having granted him a full pardon like he was a criminal or something. Sejanus greeted him outside of the class, making sure to pay him special attention. The boy became his confidante for everything involving the disease. Somehow, it felt easier to talk to Sejanus about it. About everything, actually. He should've given the boy a chance earlier. He had a nice smile. And a nice laugh.

The vines in his lungs constricted. And that's when it hit him.

[tealfling]

Thinking about my game on a 7 hour car ride.

A/N: Does anyone else notice in game you can just turn around and Astarion is nowhere to be found? (Probably stuck on a ledge)

Amaranth hates that.

Astarion x Named F!Tav Amaranth

Summary: While looking a bookshelf, tiefling cleric Amaranth notices a normally close member of her party is missing. This sends her into a panic attack as she tries to find him.

Part 1? Idk, part 2 would probably be just smut (which I’m willing to try if there’s interest), none here though. Allusions to all Cazador’s shit. Pg13 SFW. Wrote on my phone during a car ride, light proofreading

Tail end of Act 1~

Do Not Go Far From Me.

The dust made her nose itch. Amaranth pulled a sooty tome from the rotting shelf. The spine was in surprisingly good shape considering how long this particular establishment must have been abandoned. Its title had faded from the cover, but she thumbed through it. There were enough readers in camp that it could be interesting to someone. In fact, she was sure Gale was in the room ahead doing the very same. He and Lae'zel rounded out the day's team.

It wouldn't show very good leadership skills to continue to leave them at camp just because they'd hurt her feelings. Amaranth felt if not given the chance to use the sword she was constantly sharpening Lae'zel might turn it on the group at this point. And, admittedly, Gale's knowledge of the arcane was unmatched in their party.

Amaranth skimmed the pages. A pointed grin bloomed when she realized it was a rather raunchy read, not A Pleasurable Deal, by any measure, but certainly the sort of thing she and her favorite traveling companion have been secretly hiding in each other's things. Part of their game. "Ooh," she cooed, "looks like I found something else for you to sink your teeth into, Fangs," her tone intentionally flirtatious. When there was no response, Amaranth turned calling over her shoulder, "Astarion?" The small chamber was empty of the pale elf she sought. Huh. He was right behind her in the hall. Maybe he went ahead with Gale.

The purple tiefling went to the next room with a call, "Gale?" His immediate response relieved her in a way she wasn't expecting, at least they hadn't decided to leave her behind.

"Yes?" The brunette human man looked up from the book he was inspecting.

"Have you seen Astarion?"

"No, last I saw him he was with you." Gale answered, replacing the tome in hand and pulling another from the shelf.

"Same. Where's Lae'zel?" Amaranth looked around, noticing the grumpy gith was absent from the room.

Gale answered over his shoulder, "She went to through the door on the left, just there." He nodded in the direction of the far side of the chamber. His demeanor was calm and it helped Amaranth stay level. They were all adults. They didn't need hand holding. They were just exploring these rooms for supplies like her. She didn't need to mother hen them. They didn't need her to keep tabs on them. Astarion often became impatient of her looting. He preferred to pilfer treasure or items obviously worth their weight in gold. While Amaranth seemed cursed to touch everything. He was probably in the next room bitching with Lae'zel.

Except, he wasn't. Lae'zel was the only living thing standing in the dim chamber. She was lighting a brazier. The room had more of the same, broken or rotten wood furniture and crumbling stone. No elf. Amaranth's stomach churned.

"Hey, have you seen Astarion?" She was sure she asked calmly. Sure her voice didn't crack.

Lae'zel clicked her tongue annoyed, "I am not your pale shadow's keeper."

Amaranth's heart dropped in her stomach. Fuck. She'd fucked up. "Gale!" She called whipping around on her heel. When he met her at the door, she didn't give him a chance to speak. Her purple hands grabbed him by the shoulder and pushed him in the gith's direction. The wizard opened and closed his mouth several times, settling on a worried look when he realized how panic began to manifest on their leader.

"Stay with Lae'zel." The fighter rolled her eyes and hissed, an objection or snide comment cut off when Amaranth snapped at her, "DO NOT let him out of your sight! Do you understand me?! That is an order!" The tiefling's opal eyes blackened and her fangs reared, they'd only seen her do this the few times she's threatened someone and her emotions got the better of her. It'd never been used on any of them before. Lae'zel smirked. Teethling.

"I'm going to double back and look for Astarion," Amaranth continued, forcefully taking slow deep breaths. She didn't mean to bark at them like that. A leader should be level-headed and calm. Why did they give her that damned title? She felt like she was going to vomit. "Please," she begged, "stay here. Stay together."

She whipped around, rushing through the previous room. Her mind raced. She only looked away for a second. He was right there. She should have paid more attention. He needed more of her attention. Sure Mizora had popped into camp once, but she hadn't threatened to take Wyll. Just days ago they had run into a Gur monster hunter, in the middle of a swamp of all places, looking for Astarion. Her pulse hammered in her ears. People were looking for him, hunting him. Her mouth ran dry, but she swallowed nervously. Cazador was going to take him the first chance he got. Amaranth felt so stupid. How could she be so careless? It was foolish to take her eyes off him for a moment. Every footfall, every heartbeat, every empty hall, every rapid glance where he wasn't, Amaranth's fear grew.

She was supposed to protect him. She said she would help him. She was beginning to think she could save him. How could she do anything if she lost him?

In the odd way she had come to serve the Raven Queen, Amaranth had never once felt the need to pray to her Matron. Not like a normal cleric. But in recent times Amaranth had experienced many firsts, and the sting in her eyes had a new one form on her heart. As the name of the Raven Matron bubbled her lips, Amaranth cornered a right straight into a wall.

A pliable, leathery wall.

Amaranth stumbled back, disoriented from the unexpected change in momentum. Quick arms wrapped around her waist, pulling her forward again. She grabbed at their base trying to steady herself from the constant change in direction. Her head was already dizzy from all the panicked adrenaline. When the room stopped spinning, Amaranth looked up into a pale face meeting red hooded eyes.

"Thank the fucking gods," Amaranth choked in a small breath. All of them if she needed to.

"Why, hello, my Sweet, looking for a--" Astarion didn't get to finish his line before purple fists slammed into his chest.

"No! None of the seductive bullshit! I was looking for YOU, you dumbass!" Again she brought her fists down on his chest piece in fury, much of the force was taken by the armor so it didn't bother Astarion. Not the way the angry, teary eyes scanning him did. "Where the fuck were you?! You were right behind me last I checked and then you were gone! No one knew where you were!! I thought a monster hunter or-*gasp*- or- *wheeze*- Cazador's minions had grabbed you!" She gripped his armour, trying to shake him, but there wasn't enough strength in it to move him.

Now Astarion was the one that was concerned, the little purple tiefling kept trying to swallow air she wasn't getting, making a sickening wheezing noise instead. Her bright diamond eyes unfocused and wild. A panic attack. Something he was all too familiar with. Her pulse rapid and unnatural in his ear, her delicious scent tainted with fear, her expressive tail limp on the ground.

Thinking quickly, Astarion cupped her cheeks, massaging them with his thumbs, as he shushed her. "Darling, I need you to take deep breaths for me, okay? I'm sorry. Listen to me, I need you to breathe," he mummered. He took several breaths of his own, but she didn't slow hers. "My dear, look at me, what color are my eyes?" The tiefling continued to gasp, "My Love, you're ok. You're all right. I'm all right." Astarion was trying his best to calm her, but he could feel her hands trembling on his arms even through the bracers. "Try to breathe with me, please Amaranth," he implored, touching his forehead to hers. Her breath hitched and she finally focused on him, slowly catching his rhythm.

When it seemed like her breathing and her pulse were manageable, Astarion gently tucked a strand of Amaranth's pearly hair behind her ear. "I'm sorry," he whispered. "Are you ok now?" He asked pulling her into his arms when she nodded that she was. "Good," he said resting his cheek on her forehead.

What the hells just happened? He had gotten distracted looking at something, he couldn't even remember what it was. Certainly nothing worth, well, causing this. Amaranth was known for becoming engrossed in looting herself, sometimes wandering away, and though it often gave Astarion a nervous pit in his stomach, it'd never been this bad for either of them. She'd mentioned the Gur and Cazador. That conversation happened a couple of days ago now. Like most things, Amaranth seemed to take it all in her righteous stride. Barely noting that Astarion's baggage would add extra people after their tail, but promising to deal with it if it came up all the same. He didn’t think it bothered her this much. That she cared this much. He didn’t want her to feel this way. Astarion stroked her hair guiltily, this was not part of his plan.

Amaranth pulled back her head, giving herself room to palm the tears from her eyes and cheeks. "Sorry," she sniffed. "You scared the life out of me! You dork!" She grumbled, smacking him on the chest again this time more playfully. Astarion made a big show of wincing, even though she knew she didn't hit hard enough to hurt. They chuckled. "I found another raunchy book for you," she explained, suddenly looking around for a book she was no longer holding, "guess I dropped it."

Astarion purred, "Pity, I do so enjoy our secret book club." If she was feeling better, he wanted to get her laughing and joking again. He still had his arms around her waist, where she was trapped and couldn't flee, making it easy to lean in for the tease.

"Yeah, well, when I went to hand it to you, you weren't there!" Amaranth huffed leaning back, then she pinched her brow. "Instead, I found myself alone with Gale and Lae'zel,” she pouted.

Astarion mocked apologetically, "A truly detestable fate, my Dear, and one I am sincerely sorry for inflicting on you." He gave her a roguish grin before nuzzling his nose into the side of her jaw and peppering kisses down her neck. His trail followed his favorite vein, stealthily monitoring her steadying pulse. "Tell me, my pet, how would you like me to make it up to you?" He punctuated each word with a kiss and his tongue intentionally grazed her throat when it could, pursuing a reaction.

"Well, going forward," Amaranth stated evenly as Astarion worked his lips along her neck down to the dip of her clavicle in search of his desired response. Bracing herself on his biceps, but offering more of what little flesh she had exposed from armor she continued calmly, "if you're going to disappear, you could do me the honor of taking me with you. That way if anything does happen we can at least die together. Better to be dead with you than left alone with the other two."

Her statement was matter of fact and untheatrical, but ripped Astarion from his endeavor immediately to catch her gaze. When she turned her chin to face him, Amaranth wore her normal gentle smile.

There was a long, pregnant pause hung in the air. It grew heavy. Something building between them. Ready to birth. After Astarion didn't move for several seconds, Amaranth thought that she might have broken him with the way his face was frozen. It wasn't an expression she'd seen on him before and after a while the intense way he bore into her made her uneasy.

She chuckled nervously surveying his face, "What? What is it? Astarion?" Amaranth crinkled her nose and silver brows confused. His face softened and his red eyes flitted from her eyes to her lips. That strange weight of the moment deepened as she felt her lids lower, her own eyes set to mimic his. She felt the pull when she regarded his mouth and realized it was drawing closer to her own.

He brought one hand up to cup her face, almost smiling when he felt her tail hesitantly curl around his leg. The last time Astarion had her in his bedroll was the first time he felt her tail that way. Admittedly, at the time, it surprised him as he hadn't anticipated a slithering sensation around his leg. But right now, it felt like it could tether him to her. An anchor him to her safety. Her warmth. Whatever this building between them was. Inviting him. He slowly slid his fingers through her hair, losing himself in her eyes, being lulled by the steady increase of her pulse as her anticipation grew.

Amaranth slowly brought her hands to his face, delicately fluttering her fingers along Astarion's defined jaw, preparing to pull him closer. To close the gap.

"Have you found him?" Gale's earnest call from around the corridor corner startled Amaranth completely making her jump back. When she whirled around, Gale was just rounding the cobbled corner. “Hello?”Lae'zel's armour could also be faintly heard echoing off the stone--now that Amaranth wasn’t listening to her own heartbeat ring in her ears. "Ah, there you are," Gale said cooly. "Sorry to defy orders, but we figured more eyes would better the search. Seems like you found him easy enough. See? No need to worry yourself."

Amaranth exhaled heavily, putting a hand to her chest. "Mystra help you, Gale, you almost gave me a heart attack!" The tiefling bit, straightening herself.

"Ah, sorry about that. Well, seeing as you don't currently appear to be experiencing cardiac arrest, I'll say that's no harm done." Lae'zel clicked her tongue when she appeared behind the wizard. Gale peered around Amaranth, "What about our vanished vampire friend?" The human's chipper tone dropped when two very vexed crimson eyes shimmered over her shoulder.

Astarion hissed, “Oh, I’m fine, Gale. Just peachy. I didn’t realize you’d miss me enough to come looking for me yourself. I must say, I’m touched.” The elf placed a hand to his chest, but his tone didn’t match his words.

“g'lyck.” Lae’zel sneered, “Now that Astarion is found, I see no reason to waste time any longer. If this place does not contain the answers we seek, let us return to camp.”

For once, Amaranth was thankful of Lae’zel’s short fuse. “Alright, Lae’zel, lead the way,” she nodded, “I don’t think my heart could handle anymore jumpe scares.”

[aurumacadicus]

Steve/Tony Dragonriders AU

Waffled back and forth on where to go with this so much lmao. Anyway! Dragons with feathers <3

Steve rides a blue. He's used to the frosts they blow, how he has to bat icicles down from around the pen before he can get to the stall door. He's used to having to bundle up in wool and furs to guard against the chill from his dragon's scales. He's used to flying through clouds full of snow ready to fall. It's peaceful, even. He does his best thinking up there. The blues are big, built for power. Broad shouldered, broad winged. Claws as big as Steve's torso. Wings with thick feathers along the membranes to guard against the cold. They're not aggressive, really, which is probably for the best--their favorite prey are moose, and elk, and orcas. Polar bears, sometimes, if they find one that's sickly or old. Steve feels like they're the only ones that understand him, some days. After the war... well, there aren't a lot of blue war birds left. They were some of the most dangerous, for sheer size and power, and the ice they brought with them. They'd been targeted to the point that the other armies had banded together to be cannon fodder simply so the last battle blues wouldn't be shot down. The riders of the fallen dragons... he didn't like to think about how many he'd lost.

It's not often that his people venture down into the valley from the mountains, but something about the summer solstice makes even the dragons energetic, feathers spreading, heads going back to trumpet pure joy. Besides, the valley folk know how to party--good food, good wine, and incredible wares for sale at the markets and fairs. Steve isn't really looking for anything, flying down more for tradition than to actually participate. His dragon likes to show off, at least during solstice, and there are absolutely crowds that come specifically to see the blues parade down the lane to the mating grounds. Steve supposes he can understand; the blues are bigger than the reds common in the valley at least by half, sometimes double. He likes to see the awe on the little kids' faces as a dragon with feet bigger than they are plodding by, pudgy little fingers pointing up at the crests on their wide heads; the way even adults tip their heads back, eyes wide, marveling at the sheer size of them. Still, there's something about the smaller dragons, built for speed and maneuverability over power, darting in between the blues' long, slow steps and letting out little trumpets (or, for the even smaller ones, comical little toots). There's always a red one that tries and display for Steve's blue, and if it wasn't so earnest, it would be funny, a third of the blue's size but still desperately trying to show off its feathers in a mating display it might find suitable. Steve sort of wishes the other dragon's rider would put a stop to it, if only to temper its disappointment when Steve's blue returns to the mountains with him, mateless as always.

Tony is pulling his hair out over his stupid dragon. They're a decorated pair, one of the few cannon fodder reds that volunteered for multiple altercations. His dragon could have the pick of any other color it wanted. Except the blues. There was nothing against it, technically. It was just that so few blues had survived the war that there was an active push to have blues breed amongst themselves, to the point that even the blues that paraded during solstice typically didn't do much but watch as the other dragons displayed for each other. And yet. His dragon. His highly decorated, sought-after red. His precious, stupid baby would only display for Steve Rogers' blue. And Steve Rogers' blue is never going to display back, because Steve Rogers hates them. Or. Well. Steve Rogers hates him. He probably doesn't hate Tony's dragon at all. Rogers had always bitched at him about his multiple enlistments for cannon fodder, how it wasn't fair to his dragon to be put on the front lines every single time, how even if Tony had a death wish, it was no reason to put his dragon in constant danger, there was a reason that the volunteers were done in cycles. Tony couldn't really see the difference, since Steve was taking his dragon out every time with the expectation of being shot down, but he'd never said so. It would only give Steve another reason to bitch him out. He just wishes he could drag his red out of the parade to stop bothering Steve's blue sometimes. It's embarrassing at this point. But it's sort of the expectation that the riders of the mated pair stay together as well until the possible eggs are fledged, and while it's obvious that Steve's blue has no interest in Tony's red, he's mortified at the idea of Steve knowing it's his red that keeps trying. He'd probably have nothing nice to say about it.

Miraculously, this year, when the red displays at Steve's blue... Steve's blue displays back. Steve is just glad he's not the only one so stunned his jaw dropped. The cheering crowd has gone silent, gawking, and even the little red seems gobsmacked, if the way it stares at the blue's vibrating silver feathers instead of vibrating its own gold back. It'll be comical, he thinks vaguely, as the red seems to jump in shock before beginning the aggressive dance reds are known for to scare off any potential interlopers. In the future, when the shock wears off, Steve will find it funny. But now, he's mostly just relieved that his blue is apparently still interested in breeding. He'd always wondered. It had spurned even other blues these past years, to the point that people wondered if it was too traumatized from the war to breed. Apparently it just needed time. He looks around to find the red's rider. They're normally close by, just to keep an eye out and stop any fights. He's not surprised to find someone booking it away from the parade lines and goes to follow. It's probably going to be the talk of solstice, that the most reticent blue had finally deigned to mate, and with a red besides. He doesn't blame the rider for not wanting to be around for the ribbing that will no doubt follow, especially since it's been years that his red has been trying to curry favor with Steve's blue. Steve sort of expects that the guy will stop once he gets out of the crowds, but he doesn't, and it turns less into following to him actually chasing him down. He doesn't understand why. It's an honor, to be one of that year's breeding pairs. He finally catches up far enough he can catch the guy's wrist, drag him to a stop. "Hey!" Then the guy turns, staring up at him with wide, frightened eyes, and Steve drops his arm as if it burned him, shocked. "Stark?" Tony looks wounded for a moment, then turns and continues running, disappearing between the stalls without looking back.

Getting a moment with Tony is a struggle. He's as famous among his people as Steve is, and there's always a crowd around him. This time, though, the people clamoring for him aren't asking for war stories or if they can touch the armors from the war; now they're asking if he's moving to the mountains, or staying in the valleys, and which dragon he thinks will bear the clutch. Tony looks harassed and anxious as he mutters 'I don't know.' Steve wants to know the answers, though. Maybe not who bears the clutch, but where they'll stay for the duration of the clutch, the hatching, the fledgling. It's a lot to prepare for. He would rather know what Tony expects now so he can work out how the next few years are going to go. "I don't know," Tony finally bursts out when Steve corners him one night. "I didn't think you wanted me around. Figured you'd just tell me when you guys were leaving." "You're its rider," Steve says, confused. "We should be discussing it." "Your dragon's a blue," Tony argues. "Blues always get their ways. But I can't go to the mountains, so. You'll have to go without me." Steve stares at the scarring on Tony's face, along his arm. It had never occurred to him that Tony couldn't join him in the mountains because of the injuries he'd sustained that had gotten him forcibly retired from service. So he starts setting up to move to the valley.

[jinx-on-mars-19xx]

Tongue Tied Together

🩸Previous Parts Here🩸

Dom x Colson (Yungblud x Machine Gun Kelly)

Warnings: ABO dynamics (knots, slick, heat), alpha serial killer/hitman Dom, omega mob boss Kells, grumpy Dom, Tom being his helpful self, discussions of sex, mentions of killing, cursing, grumpy tea making, insults, light stalking, Dom being clueless, Kells being stubborn, Kells being a badass boss bitch, discussions of serious topics such as- trafficking, past assault (physical and SA), allusions to childhood trauma and sexual trauma (all just explained in a discussion- nothing is said in detail but keep yourself safe!), Collette being a badass gem and trying to help dumb boys, enemies to lovers 💣 Rating: mature

All ideas helped by @iamnotanearthlingmotherfucker 🖤

“You look like ‘hammered shit’ as the kids say. Sweet dreams again I suppose?” Tom's voice was soft as Dom entered the kitchen of their flat. His words were harsh but they'd never sugar coated life for each other. Considering the way they met it wouldn't make sense to be gentle, the photographer knew what the Alpha was before they even spoke. They'd made a home together of sorts even though they only liked each other as brothers and they even mixed home and work life. Tom ran a photography crime blog and was basically Dom's hitman assistant- there was really no need to be kind.

“Fanks. Tea?” If Dom was speaking so little he had obviously slept terribly, the boy's ADHD made him ramble like a five year old on meth when he wasn't in desperate need of a kill. It worried his best friend to see him so down.

Tom nodded to the kettle and watched the other man shuffle around the room. It had been over a week since the kid had come home covered in mating mess and grinning like mad- quite literally like mad, Dom was certifiable but they took care of each other and he'd helped find ways to keep his friend mostly sane. Then he accidentally sent him after that mob boss omega and everything and nothing changed. He hated watching the kid hurt but there wasn't anything he could do about it. He knew Dom was still ‘keeping an eye’- the Alpha's phrase for stalking, but he guessed the man still hadn't contacted him again. Since that happy afternoon delight the killer had been fighting old demons at night and while normally Tom would tell someone to talk to their fucking mate, this was a special case. Wasn't Dom always one…

Tom knew more than he probably should, the other man could overshare like no one else when he was manic. They'd been through everything together so he was used to it. He'd even been the one to help get the Alpha's wards set up in the states. Anyone who did so much to give their little sisters such a good life was a saint in his book, even if that halo of Dom's was held in place by horns. He just didn't know if the demons plaguing his friend were from his past or his present. It was hard to fish when the one you're trying to help occasionally enjoyed seeing people's insides on their outsides. Not that he'd ever truly threatened Tom.

“Tea's good today.” Even grumpy Dom could compliment his friend but it felt like a chore making himself sit across from him.

Tom took a deep breath that he didn't mean to let escape in a sigh as he made a choice and glanced up at the Alpha. He looked awful, dark circles under dead eyes and his hair even more wild than normal. “You know you can just… talk to him right?”

Dom was too tired to roll his eyes so instead he dropped his sight to the cup in front of him. Damn Tom for being so perceptive. “I don't care-” He stopped short. He couldn't lie with the man he thought of as his brother. “He's got me number.” He shrugged instead and he didn't have to look to know the other wasn't too tired to roll his eyes.

“And you've got his. Hell, you see him so often you could just… say hi? Of course not. So what? You just stalk him into submission?”

“I don't bloody know Tom. He needs me. I can feel it but he's so fucking stubborn!” The scoff his friend answered him with made his brow arch. “Fairs. Ya cunt. You know it's ya fault. I mean who fucks someone and never talks to ‘em again?” The voice crack and silly question showed the boy's age but it still hurt the omega's heart.

“Almost everyone?” He shrugged back but it wasn't what the kid needed to hear. People could be shit, that didn't mean Colson was. “He's got secrets too. You said…” He had to take a breath and prepare himself for an awkward conversation. Weren't they all though? He could still remember the time he had to catch the Alpha and bathe him after Dom attempted to stop killing cold turkey, before he decided to just protect his girls from afar. He didn't want a bad Alpha in their lives, even himself. Of course the break in self care and release for his urges wasn't the right choice. Tom still couldn't forget the sight he'd walked in on after tracking the boy down that night. Having to spray down a full grown arsehole after he ran home half naked and covered in red was an experience they didn't talk about. Awkward was relative. “He seemed… new to that, yeah?”

“‘Ere was blood. And wiv ‘ow he talked… If I weren't the first I'd be surprised.” That thought yet again sent a rush of emotion through Dom he couldn't fully understand. Why did that make his stomach flip? His cock twitch? His heart felt funny in his chest.

“And he was on heavy duty Alpha hormones. Long enough to grow up here since around puberty and pass. I've researched everything I can on him and for what the world knows he's an Alpha. That could have been his first heat. I can't imagine what it's like going through that so late.” Tom shuddered. It was a truly terrifying thought.

“Alright well ‘en why? Wha’ ‘append to start it?” Dom could feel the other man glaring at him. He wasn't daft, he just… didn't always understand simple things. Ask him how long it took someone to bleed out from a neck wound and he was a genius but his father hadn't cared to teach him omega sex ed beyond where he was supposed to stick his knot in one.

“You're serious? Dominic… Fucks sake. You. You happened.”

“Wha’ ya mean?” The boy almost whimpered. He genuinely didn't understand. Not really. Or maybe he just couldn't let himself. He wasn't ready. How could he be?

“I'll just say… you had the right pheromones for each other. But-” Tom was scared to ask the next question. He knew he had to navigate carefully, he couldn't let his friend go off the deep end. “So just that one time?” He paused long enough for Dom to nod. “And you've been close enough to see if he's still sick?”

“He seems alright now. Bitchy but alright. Maybe he got new blockers.”

Either the omega found stronger blockers, the old ones messed up his system so much that it was a false heat, or… No, it had to be one of the two. There was no way they wouldn't notice anything else, not with how drawn to each other they were. Tom just didn't know whether to push the Alpha to talk to Kells or not. Granted… maybe it didn't have to be Dom he gave the nudge to.

🩸☠️🩸

Colson was pissed. The man he was supposed to meet for the buy he had set up was later than anyone had given him the disrespect of before. The club was mostly quiet around them, even the normally pounding music was turned down. That was the benefit of owning your own place, you could do whatever you wished with it, but there were still enough people milling around to keep trigger happy idiots from doing anything stupid. He was in the VIP section taking up most of a velvet bench seat, his lanky body spread out to give the appearance of nonchalance. In actuality the omega was raging inside and wondering who to shoot first.

“Hey boss…” Mod’s voice was almost shaking, the beta obviously didn't want to bare any bad news.

From behind his purple shades Kells watched his friend nod his head indicating to someone against the far dark corner of the building. For a moment he thought the seller had finally arrived but no- it was just the fucking Alpha a-fucking-gain. Maybe Dom was who he should shoot first. A small part of his inner turmoil relaxed at the sight of him. He hated that he couldn't stop himself from feeling safer and calmer in the killer's presence. He didn't ask for him to come, Dom was always just… there. “Leave it. He's not the problem right now.” Colson snapped, trying to move his sight away from his stalker. He could feel his core pulse between his thighs but he ignored it. He would ignore the Alpha as well.

“But-” Megan huffed from Col’s other side and he shot a withering glare at her. It must have been something because she rolled her eyes and looked away, crossing her arms with a huff.

“I don't care if he wants to be a god damned fly on the wall alright? He's not doing shit but creeping.” Kells shrugged, he was tired of her bullshit to be honest. He was tired of everything. The past week had been one of the weirdest of his life and he just needed one thing to go right.

After the impromptu bang sesh the Monday before he and Dom had gone their separate ways with a few more insults tossed at each other, though they felt a little more playful than before. He'd gone home and slept like the dead and starting the next day he'd tried a new blocker. The fucking things just straight up refused to work. He wasn't sick anymore but he could tell the fake hormones weren't working. After a few days of trying he just tossed them out. It wasn't too bad anyway, he still felt slick when he saw the psycho which happened a lot more than he'd assumed it would, but that was about it. Every day Dom would appear in the shadows and while at first it pissed him off, now it was simply a part of life. The hitman was just his annoying shadow, the guy didn't even try to talk to him or anything. Sometimes he even caught Dom curled up on his balcony asleep. He refused to admit he slept better those nights.

He finally looked away from his new Alpha shadow and checked the time on his watch. “Fuck! I hope this asshole knows-”

“Boss!” Before Colson could finish his threat the man in question appeared at the door. Kells felt his trigger finger twitch but he didn't reach for his gun. Yet. He noticed his mother disappearing from her seat next to him but she rarely stayed around for the meetings. It was a compliment if anything, she trusted him as much as she'd trusted the man she loved.

Pete- the man he normally trusted to be his go between with sellers looked suitably shaken as he came to meet the group. The beta was trying to look hard but there was a subtle trembling in his limbs. When he reached Colson's table he took a seat across from him and his knee bounced. For just a moment the omega wondered if that was how people acted around Dom but he pushed that away. He was scarier than his golden retriever psycho. “You gotta understand- this ain't on me alright boss? I swear! These guys they just… they never showed up and all I got was this text saying the shipment was taken care of. I dunno what that means boss. Ya gotta know I wouldn't fuck you over. You're my best customer! I mean-”

Colson arched a brow at the man's nervous rambling. It would be hilarious to let him work himself up to pissing himself but Kells was tired. Dom hadn't slept close the night before. Fuck. He shouldn't let himself get used to it. “You mean what? That you fucked me over? That you're so fucking shitty at your job you lost me millions on product? Cause that's what this is Petey. You. Fucked. Up. Now, why shouldn't I just shoot you now and be done with it? You'll take out the trash, right?” He asked the last of Mod who nodded but then Megan was laughing at his threat and resting her hand on his thigh. It automatically made him itch and his gaze flicked to where he'd last seen the Alpha. Shit- was his mom talking to the freak?

“Cause you love me boss! We're friends!”

“Are we? My friends don't lose my shit.”

“Fucks sake boss I didn't mean to!”

“They already rescheduled from last Friday to tonight. Is this why? They were trying to fuck me over?” Kells was near growling. He hated being disrespected like that. The previous leader never was. Everyone acted as if Col was softer and he always worried it was his secret, that somehow everyone felt it without knowing.

“All I gots a text. Fuckers said the buy was done. I dunno boss. I'm sorry.” Pete shrugged and looked near to passing out.

He should be sorry. Everyone should be. Pete didn't know but Colson- just like his adoptive father before him didn't buy up omegas to sell. Travis had hated the way the fairer designation was treated and he built up his family to save them. That's how Kells had made it to them originally, thanks to his asshole Alpha bio dad. They made their money in guns and drugs but while everyone thought they were the best in the trafficking world they were doing quite the opposite. They would purchase shipments of omegas and give them new identities. New lives. Not everyone in the family was a fan of it but it was his reason to live. The reason his secret was so important. In truth deep down he and his stalker weren't so different.

🩸☠️🩸

Dom felt his polite mask slip in place as Collette approached him, though part of his smile was genuine. He truly liked her. She was a sweet but hard omega with her son's eyes and smile. Not that Colson ever smiled. She moved to hug him and he accepted it even if he was a little stiff. After squeezing him tight she led him away to a table but let him keep his needed line of sight as they sat down. “Sweetheart, you look like hammered shit.” Her voice was lovely and her words… true. He couldn't deny it.

“You ain't the first to say tha’ today. Jus' can't sleep. I'll be alright.” He shrugged one shoulder, his fingers tearing apart a coaster on the table. He couldn't help fidgeting at all times.

“May I ask what's wrong?” Her voice stayed gentle as she laid her hand over his. Dom had never had a good mum and for just a moment he wondered if he'd be different with someone who cared like her. She genuinely seemed to already.

“Rough week. He-” The Alpha grit his teeth, he didn't know much about social or relationship norms- not that he was in one- but he was pretty sure bitching to a fuck buddy’s mummy wasn't allowed. Bollocks.

The omega tried not to chuckle as she watched the boy fight himself over something. He was so young and sweet seeming, even though she knew who he was in the dark. Killing didn't phase her, she'd done her own plenty when needed and she wasn't as blonde as she appeared to be. It wasn't hard for her to see the common denominator in every one of Yungblud’s hits- Alphas. Bad ones. Hell, to the rest of the world her son was the leader of the top trafficking ring, she understood why Colson would be on his list and she knew that they shared the same principles, they just took care of the problem in different ways.

“You know when I met my husband I was scared to let him in. I fought and I fought and I told him I hated him every day for months. He had basically bought me from- from my previous husband and I hated all Alphas for it for a long time. He always said I was free to go though and I just… didn't. I couldn't make myself.” She laughed softly and brushed her hair behind her ear. “Eventually I realized I could trust him and we grew closer. By the time Colson came to us we were in love and I was finally strong enough to help my boy through hell.”

Dom’s brows furrowed and his gaze flicked between the two. Colson was too far away for his liking but he could see him. “Wha’ ‘append? To Cols I mean.”

Collette took a breath and pulled her hand back to fidget herself. She didn't know exactly how much she could say but she also didn't want the boy giving up. “My first husband… He was someone I think you'd like to meet with those knives you seem so partial to.” She paused as she watched Dom start to reach for his bag before he stopped and sat up straighter. “I was given to him by my own father very young and he was a religious ass who thought Alphas were God's gift and omegas were-”

“I know tha’ type. I fink me dad and Col’s would ‘ave been friends.” Dom shuddered.

“Yes well… He hated that I gave him an omega son. He was… he was terrible to us both. After the birth he hated me and let me know it. His brother was just as bad but that bastard thought if my husband wasn't using me…" She paused to let the gravity sink in. Her brother-in-law had been a sick fuck. Both of them were. "When Colson was two my ex caught his brother assaulting me and of course blamed me. He beat me so badly the next week was a blur. I woke up the day Travis found me and we tried to get my son back but the fuckers had moved.”

Dom watched her calmly talk about the hell she'd been through as if she were speaking about the weather. He knew that feeling, that separation from your own trauma because it was far too big to feel. He had his own story and he gave her the respect she deserved by keeping eye contact as he listened. “Wha’ appended to ‘im?” There was a soft growl in his chest.

“I'm not sure it's my story to tell. But history repeats itself, I think we both know that. My son came back to me broken. It had been a decade and he was… he'd been through something terrible. As soon as it was safe he went on blockers and my love took him under his wing. It was Col's choice to hide. Just please understand he has a good reason to be scared of what you did together. He might be terrified for a while. Please just… be patient? I think you could be good for each other. And he'll really need you now.” She gave him a soft smile and he nodded.

He couldn't do much more than that. The sociopath wasn't used to emotions but something was aching in his chest. He knew what her words meant. He hadn't technically been the omega's first, just the first he allowed. The panic Dom had felt in the moment was shared. He also knew there were two new names on his list but he wouldn't leave the man yet to take care of it.

“He stopped taking his blockers. If you were worried. He'll figure it out. Just give him time.” She soothed but he was confused why he should care about that. The Machine Gun could do whatever he wanted with his body. He didn't hate the thought of being able to scent him though. “Oh.” Collette laughed softly, shaking her head. “I'll talk to him, alright? Don't give up.” Her voice was sweet as she patted his arm over where the omega had bit him as if it meant something more than he understood. He couldn't help admiring her beauty and she wasn't much older it seemed than her son. If Colson had been sold at twelve... Maybe she had been married off then too. Yeah, those two were definitely on his list. After a moment she slid off her chair and pressed a kiss to his cheek before disappearing back to her son. It left Dom to watch and wait and picture all the ways he could slaughter those who hurt what was his. Wait... Fuck.

Of course he didn't plan on leaving Kells alone, he couldn't seem to make himself. Something about the man drew him in and kept him there. Like a moth to a flame. Maybe he just needed to try a little more than stalking- Tom kept telling him words were good. Watching the omega he knew it wasn't conversation he wanted to share but he'd do anything to stay close. Even put off his own bubbling needs.

Author's Note/Tags: @iamnotanearthlingmotherfucker @hollywoodxwhore @jaxbreaker @fenoy7 @cole-way-iero28 if anyone else wants tagged let me know 🖤

So this chapter was intense but I tried to keep some of it light. These boys have been through hell but they can help each other. Hopefully they'll start getting closer in the next chapter but I hope you enjoyed a little more Tom and Collette time! Also mob boss Kells moments are fun. I hope you liked it 💣🖤

[mystery-salad]

2 and 3... for all the commanders hehe >:D

ALL OF THEM????? Hough *rolls up my sleeves*

2. Who among the canon "allies" does your commander most relate to?

- Laighe most relates to Caithe is many ways, from valiant to outcast who found a home away from the Dream.

- Matthias relates to Canach, though you will NEVER hear him admit that to anyone. Not even his partner.

- Ruan relates to Marjory, both canthan diaspora finding lives and purpose in their own ventures, wanting to reconnect with her heritage.

- Kai relates most to Canach, though the two got off on such a bad first foot they don't seek each other out to talk. It's a shame, but at least they've made peace.

- Hastigi relates to Rox. The two have had long conversations, figuring out where you fit...what a family away from home is for them both.

- Cora relates to Blish a lot now, the two spend time together away from the judgement of those who might go off of how they look instead of how they feel inside.

- Taomesin relates very little to any of them, but mostly they'd relate to Gorrik in a way. In over their heads, sure of themselves until things go wrong. Getting over some rough situations.

- Joel relates to Taimi, two rash delinquents of a sort with an issue with authority and needing to be heard.

- Vuisce doesn't know the canon team but if they did, they'd relate to Gorrik! Honestly they'd be two peas in a pod~

- Roibird connects deeply with Taimi, two tinkerers having a grand old time!

- Roi has only known everyone since EoD, but of that team she can have long conversations with Caithe...

- Cara doesn't relate to any of them, such a fucking bitch that they are. If you said it they'd kill you, but they'd relate well to Canach if they were nicer about it.

- Call relates to Braham! The two became such steadfast friends who can talk long into the night.

- Trella and Gorrik have lots to talk about, but even moreso she would connect with Blish.

- Mai Trin connects to Canach, for many obvious reasons lmao

- Quaille relates to Caithe. The sense of duty, of martyrdom and doing things yourself, reaching for help but not finding the kind you need most of the time.

- Marta relates to Braham on a deep level, they're both trying to put some things right.

- Riagain relates to Canach, two thorny besties inside and out.

- Leaf doesn't know the team well at all yet, and just crashed in as of SotO, but they'll grow to relate to Kasmeer quite a bit I think.

- Stixx is the most WIP commander I have right now...I think with time they'll end up actually relating most to Aurene.

3. Who among the canon "allies" does your commander dislike the most?

- Laighe does not like Rytlock. He is no longer an ally, Crecia has fully replaced him.

- Matthias also doesn't like rytlock, grudge for the whole releasing a god that killed him thing.

- Ruan isn't a fan of Joon, rubs them the wrong way...

- Kai hates pretty much all legion charr teammates, though she begrudgingly came around on Rox after some major pushing from the team. It helped that she eventually swapped from legion to olmakhan.

- Hastigi doesn't like Gorrik, too methodical and by the book.

- Cora isn't a fan of Rytlock, especially after her big physical change. The guy just doesn't seem very chill with differences.

- Taomesin does not really like anyone on the team much, they're a loner and prefer it that way now. Taimi is way too high energy for them though.

- Joel didn't even bring rytlock on the team once Rox was on, no authority figures.

- Vuisce again doesn't really know any of them, but if they did know the canon team they'd clash the most with Marjory. The two are both very stubborn on how things should be done.

- Roibird clashed with Kas and Jory a lot, they don't wish each other any ill will they just have a lot of differing views.

- Roi clashed with Joon a ton lmao

- Cara clashes with everyone but ESPECIALLY Caithe, the two are enemies to the core.

- Call does not like Gorrik much. She's nice to him, and goes along with things, but she doesn't casually hang out with him.

- Trella stays far from Caithe, and most sylvari. Hilariously, not for the reason you'd think! She's seen too many die and thinks they're too self sacrificing.

- Mai Trin and Kasmeer clash a lot after how much Marjory went through in the fight against Scarlet.

- Quaille does not like Taimi, little twerp who keeps trying to find loopholes around what needs to just be done.

- Marta would like to stay 50000000 feet away from Canach if possible, never really got over the harm he'd been doing in bloodtide coast. His heart was in the right place but his actions were wrong.

- Riagain would dropkick Rytlock if he shows his face again.

- Leaf doesn't know any of them well enough for strong judgements yet, but I think Gorrik is gonna come on really strong for them.

- Stixx I'm still developing but they and Kasmeer aren't gonna get along at all I don't think.

[kieranwritess]

COD MWII x Cyberpunk 2077 AU Brainrot

Fandom: Call of Duty

Characters: 141, LV, Graves, Laswell

Notes: cw for graves /lh, perhaps a bit of implied soapghost, bisexual soap, bisexual johnny silverhand, probably ooc but i do what i want ❤️

a/n: inspired by @yeyinde and my midnight-fueled obsession :) I'll probably make a part two to this because it's now my baby. knowledge of Cyberpunk 2077 is recommended because I reference in-universe characters. yes it's very niche, no I don't care.

- set in 2077

- they would all hate Johnny Silverhand. no exceptions.

- Soap's a little sad he shares a name with that fellow bi disaster bastard tho

- in a similar vein, they'd probably not be too fond of River; Price would envy him for his naivety and Gaz sees himself in River

- fanon Rogue and Price would 100% bond over being mother hens to a ragtag group of idiots

- Graves but Meredith Stout

- no questions asked

- the bitch would work for Militech or some other arms corp

- probably Militech because it is very American™ and he's a little yeeyee boy

- i might have Rudy's characterization wrong, but I feel like he'd have started in the NCPD like River

- poor boys only wanted to make the world better but instead Rudy became jaded and is sort of resigned to his job like Han

- Alejandro would be his buddy from Heywood who was always trying to get him to quit the force

- Ghost is probably the most like V in terms of skills and attitude

- but he's not some gonk kid who wants to make it big, he's made it big

- fixers either love him or they hate him

- one of those "going down in a blaze of glory" dudes

- would never work with Dex, though, and is especially relieved he never did after he hears about the Arasaka heist

- Price: veteran, but in a Mitch way and not a 6th street way. I feel like he had the potential to be a fixer, but wanted to try to have a quiet life after the war (Price bbg, there is no such thing as a quiet life in NC)

- is kind of like Takemura in the sense he'd love to run off and join a nomad clan (because fuck this place, honestly)

- but NC is all he knows and he has people he cares about there (read as: poor dude is attached to the 141 boys)

- Johnny (Silverhand) respects him, even if Price wants to rip him a new one every second they're around each other

- he could definitely become a mentor figure to V and would consider joining up with them if they take The Star ending

- honestly, i can still see Laswell working for the NUSA government

- but I'm not sure how we'd get a connection between her and the 141

- fuck logic, Price and Kate are still besties

- Soap and Panam get on like a house on fire

- a propensity for a little rule breaking and an affection harbored for an authority figure (i'll let you decide in what sense) brings them together

- I probably hc Gaz as younger than he actually is, but he gives off baby solo vibes

- brb thinking back to Jackie and V at the food stall outside of H10 and crying about it

- anyways

- Gaz would probably be the most like streetkid V

- bro knows his way around local fixers

- hc that Ghost and Gaz met on a job before Ghost made it big time

- and Ghost is all "I work alone >:(" but they discover that they work well together

- again thinking back to the streetkid intro, albeit Ghost is nowhere near the same as Jackie personality wise

- they probably grew apart after Ghost becomes a solo

- but Ghost is the first one to suggest Gaz when asked to put together a team for a big job (i.e. the heist but it doesn't go sideways)

- and yeah imo that's how c77!141 is put together

- Ghost knows Gaz, Gaz grew up around Price, and Price knows of Soap through the grapevine

- I guess to "convert" each of them into ttrpg factions, Soap is a techie, Ghost is a solo, Price is prolly a fixer, and Gaz might fall under lawman (as a PI or something)

- i am making less and less sense so I'm gonna stop here for now