#death fake outs just aren't a good choice

[sleepy-grav3]

The Moon Child Part 2

Part 1

A/n: Wow. I posted the first part to this and you guys like- rushed to it like starving animals holy SHIT... Should I be scared???? anyway- here ya go

Summary: Danny meets the Aqua Family and gets the love he deserves, plus a little comfort.

Tw: hurt/comfort, bad parents, mentioned discrimination, angst, ghost animal cruelty, swears, objectification, fluff

I forgot to mention Danny goes by he/they pronouns, Atlanteans know a lot of animals, and gender is weird sometimes so they aren't assuming anything and that's fair since Danny could shapeshift if he wants

The Moon Child Part 2 - The Moon Loves the Sea

Warm. He felt warm while in his core. And he could feel the soft cushion he was placed on. He heard the stories that Aquaman Arthur would tell him about all of his adventures and the rambles about his family. He was even told the secret about his stepbrother, Orm, who's death was faked and now lived on land.

It was... nice. Safe. He hadn't felt so loved in a long time. Or, at least, he thinks he hasn't. He had lost track of time while in the labs. It was painful to think about. Visibly so. Apparently, when he drifted into those dreadful terrors, his core's soft light would flicker into a dimmer one which resonated with his sobs. Arthur or his wife, who would keep him beside them at all times, would pick him up each time and hold him close to their heart.

"It's alright" They would say. "You're safe now."

Their heartbeat would always calm him down. It pulsed out reassuring feelings with each beat of their hearts. It was soothing and he never felt so safe. Not even when he was alive. To think he needed to die to feel this way.

It took a while for the pain to finally go away, but he soon felt ready to come out of his core. He couldn't recuperate as much as he wanted to. Not to use his full abilities of his ghost powers. No, there wasn't a massive supply of ambient ectoplasm like in Amity. He learned that what he was absorbing the most was the magic, which acted as a saline solution to blood (which he was pretty sure his blood was fully ectoplasm now).

It was interesting how magic tied in with ectoplasm. He wondered if that's why summoning worked best for those in the realms for that reason. Maybe the specific rituals to summon them even tied closely with their ecto-signatures? It's an interesting thought really.

That isn't the point though. What is, is that he was healthy enough to come out of his core.

"Ok, Danny. Deep breath. Here we go-"

-

Arthur was doing his usual thing: struggling to wake up in the morning and only really doing it because he didn't want to worry the literal spirit of a god. And it's not even because they're a god, but because they're a child. Should he have kept them in the same room. He feels like that might've been a better choice than just leaving them in a room next to his.

Arthur shook his head, rubbing his eyes as he swung his legs over the edge only to jump at the cold feeling of the floor.

"All kinds of water magic and they still can't stop the floor from being cold."

He huffed, getting up and picking out some casual wear that didn't have a bunch of jewelry with protection runes. Some normal clothes to hang out with family.

Kaldur came back yesterday, so they're having breakfast together. He hoped that he'd believe the whole moon deity thing. Kaldur was pretty good and believing new things, but this was their main religion they're talking about. Religion is iffy, or at least it was for those on land. The ocean folk are... extremely loyal.

Should he worry about them trying to destroy the new moon...?

He shook his head. No, they probably couldn't get past the layers of the atmosphere. Hopefully.

He walked out of the door, now thinking about how sea creatures would even pull that off before knocking on the door of the room next to his.

"It is uh, me. Again." It never sounds less awkward. Maybe I should try adding the dramatics?

And with a twist and push, he opened the door only to freeze with widening eyes. The stone wasn't there.

"Oh my god- I lost-"

Only to hear a chirp. he flinched, attention darting over to the full body mirror on the other side of the door that pushed into the room. A door he was going to have fixed to avoid heart attacks like these.

He let out a huge sigh of relief, walking over and bending down with a crooked grin.

"Well, good morning. I didn't expect you to appear for a while. But hey! Perfect timing! Kaldur's going to be joining us during breakfast today, so we could introduce you guys! We could meet Orm soon too! I bet he'll be absolutely surprised!"

The child only looked at him with their big wide doe eyes. Hope sparked in them, but anxiety kept their body tense.

"You... You were serious about it? About me meeting your family?"

Arthur placed a hand on their shoulder, he could barely notice the cool temperature of their body before he saw them jump. He was going to pull away his hand, but then the child relaxed a bit more. It was as if they hadn't had affectionate physical contact in a long time.

"Have they ever been anything but a moon? Are all moons like this? What about other planets? Earth... we have so much pollution. If it were alive..., would it only just barely be clinging?"

"Yes, I was and still am. You're a part of it now for as long as we live. And even when we pass, you will continue to have a place in the ocean. You might not have realized this, but the ocean worships you like a god. In fact, I think I'm going to have to talk with the Justice League about offering an apology gift of some sort."

The child blinked, eyes wide and glistening as a layer of moisture sparkled more yet made the eye look foggy. Looking closer, Arthur could see how moonstones came to be when they cried. It would hurt if it was a literal stone the kid cried. Like- like kidney stones! He was thankful that it wasn't like that.

"You... You aren't scared of me being dangerous to them? You don't think I'm evil or non-sentient?"

Arthur blinked. What?

"No... Nobody- Why would anybody think that?"

The child pursed his lips into a thin line, averting his eyes. With each blink, a silvery white liquid would start to drip and condense to the moonstones he found.

"I... don't know how things work around here... But on land... I've... They don't respect the dead or those associated to the concept. I've tried to keep both sides from trying to destroy the other- but... but..."

Arthur took a breath, pulling the spirit into his arms into a tight embrace. They clung to their veil that was wrapped around their arms like a shawl.

It seems that he had some lore to read up upon and some things to investigate.

-

(This bit's about Danny's POV. It'll be continuing with his while he meets everyone)

Danny didn't know what to think when he looked at himself in the mirror earlier. He didn't have a shirt, but the scarf thing was comfy. He could make it into some kind of make-shift shirt if he wanted to too. His memory on how to do it was... foggy and fractured. Some parts of speech were muffled and what he saw from that time would blur or seemed made up.

He knew the person teaching him.

Why can't he remember them clearly? He could hear whispers of something in his head telling him who that was.

And when he pushed that thought aside, he'd look back at other memories and realize who that was.

Tucker. How could he ever forget about Tucker? Why was he forgetting him?

What made it worse was how much he had to stare at the damn mirror to get the knots right. His chest... it wasn't ever that clean. No Lichtenberg scars. No burns, no cuts, no incision scars. Nothing. It was clean of any of his failures. His struggles. His learning experiences.

And yet... he still imagined them being there. Each time his fingers would brush up against places where he knew scars should've been, a shot of pain would spike as if he'd been electrocuted.

It hurt.

He hated how he remembered.

He hated that he didn't.

He used to remember all of it. He did when he was sobbing for days on end.

Now, it was foggy. Now, it was hidden away. He couldn't reach it.

"Oh my god- I lost-"

He chirped in surprise, turning with widened eyes. Oh. It's just Arthur. I really need to get out of my head.

Arthur walked over, looking slightly drained, as if he was relieved of a sudden weight placed on his shoulders. And by the vibes, Danny's guess seemed right.

Relieved Happy Happy Excited Nervous Happy

He was always so cheery in the... well, what seemed to be the day. Sucks to be out now that he thought about it. It would be rude to just fall asleep at random now that they could physically see if he's awake or not.

Arthur greeted him warmly, cheerily saying how he didn't expect him to come out of his core as if the event was a surprise gift. That... was confusing to say the least. It's easier to have a pet rock than a guest. Now he has to feed him to be polite, or at least offer. He has the room covered since the beginning. It was a really big room. A waste for something someone like him.

He felt his body freeze and start muffling sounds when Arthur started mentioning Kaldur and Orm. His family. Close ones, from the stories he would tell.

M4Dd13 and J4Ck would never allow strangers near him, much less Jazz.

"You... You aren't scared of me being dangerous to them?" He couldn't stop the questions from slipping out even when his expression shifted. "You don't think I'm evil or non-sentient?"

He doesn't even know how he could even think of himself as otherwise. He could remember the custom-made, high voltage tasers that targets his ecto-signature itself until he acted how they expected him to. How they wanted him to.

His eyesight became extremely cloudy. It was similar to the green he'd see before he would start crying after he couldn't cry water anymore.

Ghosts... Ghosts cry ectoplasm. What... What was he crying? What is he now? He was- Why wasn't he gone? He was Ended, wasn't he? They got rid of his heart and crushed his core to determine the durability- there wasn't a way to come back from that.

So why was he alive?

Why can't he-

"-think that?"

Shit- he wasn't paying attention.

Danny couldn't bare to look at the man, guilt eating away at him.

"I... don't know how things work around here..."

He could barely register that it was his voice.

"But on land... I've..."

Why was he still touching his shoulder?

Why isn't he disgusted?

Why isn't he scared?

Why isn't he angry?

"They don't respect the dead or those associated to the concept. I've tried to keep both sides from trying to destroy the other- but... but..."

But they destroyed me instead.

It was all for nothing.

Why didn't he listen to the Ancients?

Why did he just kill people?

They already expected him to do so anyway.

So why didn't he?

He couldn't feel the hug he was pulled into until he stopped crying.

What was he even crying about?

-

Ok so- Maybe Danny should start scheduling his breakdowns. So far, he's had ones at random or ones that goes on for multiple days without any stopping. Or- if he did stop, he really doesn't remember them.

But this is getting embarrassing. He was lucky Kaldur came home late or else they might've either came late or completely missed the breakfast reunion.

Ugh- and don't get him started with anxiety.

His eyes must be puffy or something. Great first impression, Danny! All ya gotta do now is cry again in front of everyone to make it one of the worst introductions in life.

Well, it wasn't really a good start even without him. Arthur had just dropped him onto a very cushiony chair and exclaimed: "Thank the seas! I'm starving!" And just went to devour a whole plate before calming down a bit with Mera scolding him.

He was just awkwardly watching until a plate was placed in front of him. He slightly tensed, attention going from his plate to the hand pulling away from the plate now that it was down. That's when his eyes made contact with Kaldur's. He seemed a bit startled to, as he blinked owlishly before smiling politely.

"Hello, I'm Kaldur'Ahm. You may call me Kaldur."

"U-um.. I'm..." What should he be called now? Phantom didn't feel as right anymore. Ah, what the heck. It's not like they know little ol' Danny Fenton. "I'm Danny." For some reason, that name didn't feel too right either.

"It's a pleasure to meet you. I've heard that you've been in a stone, so I was surprised to see you carried in by fa- Arthur."

Curious Happy Happy Nervous

Danny relaxed a bit, turning to his plate once eye contact became too difficult. He picked at his food

"I didn't have much strength when I first formed. I wasn't meant to even have a body but I... didn't want to be discovered and have my core cut up and carved into for some jewelry or something, so I forced myself. you could say it's like... an energy conservation form."

Danny started to actually eat his food, though a bit quicker than he usually would. Stress eating, how lovely.

"Is it a lot of work to stay as you are now? You don't have to stay like this if you're too drained." Kaldur started to fret for him, looking for any sign of strain.

Danny, feeling the worry from him, smiled. It's been a while since someone was worried for him.

"I recovered enough energy that I have a bit extra. I can't do a lot of the things I could before, but I don't feel any pain anymore. So, I'll be fine."

Kaldur relaxed a bit, though still held a slight frown.

"Tell me if you ever feel anything. I'm more than able to hold onto your core and protect you."

Danny hummed, continuing to eat. That's about the time Kaldur remembered that it was breakfast time and started- no, continued to eat from his plate. He must've served himself when Arthur started to or even before that.

"Hey hey hey! Now that the kid's awake, why don't we take a family trip toooooooooo" He dragged out the word as Mera glared at him. "-my brother's grave! I bet he'd love to meet you! And on the way, we can go to the burger place and shop for some clothes, meet my dad-"

Danny looked over at Kaldur, who shook his head fondly at his obvious father-figure. Really, that slip up wasn't getting past him, no way, not possible.

"Don't mind him." Mera sighed. "He's an idiot."

"Hey!"

"Danny, you could always say no. We could go a different day." Kaldur mentioned.

"Danny?" Arthur questioned. Mera rolled her eyes.

"Pay attention, will you?"

"No, it's fine." Danny shook his head with a nervous smile. "I'd like to see him too."

"GREAT!" Arthur exclaimed, making Danny jump and Kaldur wince at the volume. "Hurry and finish your meals! I'll call over the pups!" and then he ran off.

"Pups?" Danny asked.

"Sharks." Mera clarified with a fond sigh. "Ever since he heard someone call them sea puppies, he's been calling them pups and puppies ever since."

"That's... really cute actually." Danny snickered.

"He sneaks away to play with them all the time." Kaldur groaned, remembering the number of meetings he had to take over for the man.

Danny reached over and patted Kaldur's forearm.

"You poor child."

"At least you understand."

-

Kaldur... well, Danny didn't really know how to put it. He was really nice and all, but he was a bit...

"These earrings would look great on you." Kaldur hummed as he held up dangling pearls to his ears.

Kaldur's already bought 3 bags of stuff for him in the last 20 minutes since coming to Reef Town (completely made-up place, just go with it). He even had to adjust his ghost clothes so he could wear the pants and shirt, and other stuff that were bought for him. He still kept the veil since it was really soft and soothed him when he rubbed it between his fingers.

"Ah, but this goes with your clothing... Perhaps we should order one to be made in Atlantis?" Kaldur trailed off, mumbling about different shops and what materials they had along with design names Danny had no clue about. He was almost sure that some of those words were made-up with how they sounded.

"Oookaaayyy- how about we think this over later?" Arthur insisted, a hand on Kaldur's shoulder and the other taking away the earrings in his hands. "We have someone to meet in... about 5 minutes."

"Right, sorry! I got distracted-"

"You're fine, you little urchin." Arthur chuckled, pushing Kaldur towards the door. "Now let's go meet Orm!"

Danny felt a hand on his head. It was a gentle, motherly touch. It nearly made his core let out a purr. Only Jazz could do that with touch alone. Though he nearly started to do the same when they'd mark where they'd cut next. They didn't do that as often with how much they liked to see his organs and bones regenerate.

"Tell Kaldur if it's too much. He's just really excited to have you around and is used to having to give something to keep sea creature friends around."

Ah, he knew that voice.

"Ex..cited? Why?" Danny looked up at Mera, leaning into her touch.

Mera smiled down sweetly at him; her eyes were filled with love that would be pointed to her own child.

She didn't have that drunken lust M4Dd13 had in her eyes each time she came back.

It made his core flutter.

"He sees you as a younger sibling. He's wanted one for a little while now. I... I can't get myself to try again, so he didn't expect to have a sibling. He was really excited to meet you after he heard that you agreed to stay with Arthur. You didn't reject my touch either. I hope it was fine that I held your... core, was it?"

Danny felt her finger card through his hair. He melted at the soothing touch.

"Yeah. It's... it's everything to a ghost. Heart and soul. And... I heard about you from Arthur while I was in my core. And you were the reason Arthur knew to comfort me. So, I knew I could trust you."

Mera smiled a bit more brightly and knelt down, hands holding his face with all the love in the world before she placed a kiss on his forehead.

"I'm glad. Now, let's go catch up with the boys. I'm sure Kaldur and Arthur must be panicking."

Danny could barely follow after her, having to make himself float as she grabbed his hand to lead him outside. Everything was too fuzzy and happy; it was hard to focus.

-

"Did you kidnap a child spirit?!"

That was the first thing Orm said when he saw Danny, immediately looking at Arthur incredulously as he slammed the table with his hands.

He immediately walked over and knelt down in front of Danny.

"I am so sorry about him-"

"Hey! I didn't-"

"-he's an idiot and really doesn't know any better."

"I didn't kidnap him!"

Orm arched a brow at his brother before looking over at Mera.

"No contracts were made."

Orm looked back at Danny.

"You went with him willingly?"

Danny snickered. "He looked like an idiot."

"You too?!"

"You really can't blame him." Kaldur agreed, smiling over at Danny.

Danny giggled and looked back at Orm.

"I'm Danny."

"Orm, that idiot's older brother. Stepbrother. Now, why did a saintly spirit decide to tag along with this family?"

Mera walked over, placing a hand on Danny's head again. He leaned into it, barely able to keep in a purr.

"You remember the incident with the moon?" Orm nodded. "Well, they're the spirit of the moon."

Orm's eyes widened, head snapping right back to Danny.

"You- you're-"

Danny blinked. He's a what? Wait, not the time to dissociate-

"Is... Is that bad?" Danny hesitantly asked.

"No! Not at all- I just- I've always believed in you, it's just that- Seeing an idol is a bit of an experience-"

"An idol?" Danny questioned, looking up at Orm. He was still kneeling, doesn't that hurt?

"Well, I've heard stories about how you'd battle against the sun gods and sent blessed rain to heal those under incurable plagues. That you split your own soul to assist physically on this world to help those that roamed on it! I've traveled to different places on the land just to see your descendants. And what beautiful white features they have. Did you know that humans call them albinos?"

"Really?"

"Yes! They deserve a better name that fits the position of blessed descendants! The fools!"

"I-it's fine, really! I'm glad they're doing ok and- and that my blessing still lives on."

Orm sighed and stood up.

"You're much too kind. Even after they replaced you, you don't hold it against anyone."

Oddly enough, he felt his chest tighten. It was as if...

"Someone has to do my job in controlling the currents, right?" Danny smiled sadly.

The others seemed to feel sympathy for the spirit, Kaldur going over and pulling him into a hug.

"It's alright. The ocean will stand by your side. Forever. They still worship you even now. So don't think you were only a tool, ok?"

Danny nodded. "Ok.."

He fought back against the tears.

-----

A/n: well, that was a bit longer than the last one. I was planning to write more for this chapter, but I'll just add it to the next one. Sorry if it seems a bit stiff, it'll be better eventually... hopefully.

Anyway, hope you enjoyed.

[blackbirdsblackberries]

I HATE THE NEW HERO

Pt 4: No luck today

Engineering is probably one of your good subjects - mainly due to the grades you get and the equipment you get to create for your second life.

That being said, your luck isn't very high right now because just as you enter the classroom you're called up to the office. Over the loud speaker. In front of everyone.

This is your last straw. You're going to actually break down and cry.

Taking a deep breath you head to the office and stand in front of the receptionist.

"Uh, hi.. I was called up?" You state to the distracted receptionist. "Huh? Okay. Go into the principal's room I guess." She waves you off dismissively and you hold back a retort.

You make your way to the room and knock on the door. It opens with the principal on the other side. "Ah, There you are. I was worried you wouldn't show! Please, have a seat." He opens the door wide enough for you to get in.

You enter and your eyes fall onto a boy with spiky black hair and tanned skin. His back is to you. Next to him is a taller, more bulkier man in a pressed suit.

Your stomach lurches, feeling ill all of a sudden. Your senses go off and you fight the urge to run away. You can't tell who these people are but something isn't right.

Slowly you make your way to a third chair that was placed at the desk. You glance at the two males and have to swallow the bile - it was none other than Damian al Ghul-Wayne and Bruce Wayne. Your eyes immediately snap forward and you clench your fists slightly.

There's no doubt Tim had said something horrid about you to them, maybe he snitched on the fights you two had, whatever it was now you're in deep shit.

You try to get a read on them but it was near impossible, they were both stoic. It didn't help that you refuse to look at the two. The principal sits down at his desk and crosses his arms.

"So, I have been made aware of some things that you have done recently, (Reader). According to numerous anonymous reports you have cyber bullied someone, picked fights, had plans to build dangerous weapons and had hit animals... Listen, you're a good kid but with what I have here I might have to expel you."

Fuck. You can't get expelled your parents would throw you out or something! You can't! You didn't hit animals! The most you hit was a fly! Dangerous weapons? There's nothing like that at all, besides the plans for you superhero weapons. Those aren't dangerous though. You cyber bullied your vigilante persona to make it more realistic! You never pick fights - you don't want to risk hurting someone with your increased strength!

Though, something makes you freeze. If you were called here for that then why are the two Wayne's here?

You think the principal is a telepath because he speaks up.

"You're very lucky Bruce Wayne and his son are kind enough to vouch for you though they said they wanted a favor in return." Oh. Manipulation. You scrunch your eyebrows, they probably reported me alongside Tim. They're doing this so they can hold it above my head and make me complacent or subservient to them.

Maybe it'd be best if Aranea faked their death. Started a new identity or something... You probably wouldn't go through with it but it's a nice thought.

Well, you don't have much of a choice. You can still silently make your hate known towards the vigilante and it's not worth losing a scholarship over. Especially with parents like yours.

"... Fine... Thank you for this offer, Mr Wayne and Mr al Ghul-Wayne" you mutter. God it's shameful, you want to crawl into your skin and die. Was it worth putting your dignity on the line? You're not too sure. What you're sure of though is that you will get to eat tonight. If your family has the money...

Bruce nods his head in affirmation and puts on his Brucie smile, one that even you struggle to see past. "Of course, what kind of person would I be if I would overhear something so tragic and not do anything about it. We can go over the favor later." He states. You hold back a grimace though you're sure everyone can see the effort.

You don't know what to respond with, humiliated enough by this clear manipulation. You just give him a double thumbs up. Damian stares at you weirdly and the principal raises a brow. Bruce however chuckles, though it's forced.

The principal ushers you out of his office and tells you to wait out the front with the receptionist for Bruce and Damian while they chat some more with the principal himself.

After waiting for a bit the door opens and the two males walk down the hallway to where you are. Damian scowls and glares at you while Bruce looks to you blankly, detached.

You stand and awkwardly rub your hands on your uniform. Something they clearly don't miss as their eyes snap to the motion.

"uh, thank you for this opportunity... What's the favor?" You managed to work up the courage to speak without stuttering like a madman. Something you believed you should get a pat on the back for because the two guys were terrifying.

"The favor is simple really," Bruce starts his Brucie personality back in play "Stop speaking badly of Aranea and don't pick fights with my ward, Tim. Easy right?" You nod. You expected this. Honestly you should be a detective or something you think to yourself.

Nah, that's Batman's job.

You pick up your bag and head to the door, Bruce however had moved while you had seemingly zoned out while in thought and was standing in front of the door while talking to the receptionist and in your haste to leave you bumped into his side.

He automatically puts his arm on your shoulder to steady you and your mind connects the dots.

Bruce has the same build as Batman. Batman seemingly adores Aranea, or at least you think so, he's hard to read - like Bruce (for both being hard to read and adoring Aranea to a weird point). Same amount of kids. Plus Batman had to be rich if he could have a plane and a new looking suit after gruesome nights.

God, how did you not see this before...

Amidst your freaky reality check you fail to notice Bruce trying to get your attention until he snaps in your face - like how your dad does. You hate that.

Your head shoots up and you take a couple steps back while muttering an apology while Bruce stands there with a raised brow, confused while Damian looks at you with disdain as if you soiled a good outfit.

Feeling humiliated and terrified you quickly move around the two men and out of the door. You're in deep shit now... Even something as simple as secretly knowing the identities of the vigilantes that watch over Gotham is a death wish.

This is going to be the worst day of school, so, you decide to leave. You go to the sick bay and get a slip to leave school and you do.

You run home as fast as possible and get to your room. Your mother is out cold in her room with some man she met from the bar so you shouldn't have to worry about her.

You take a couple deep breaths and contemplate on what to do now that you left school, you could catch up on assignments, you could take a nap, or you could go on patrol...

It's daytime and you're pretty sure Signal will be patrolling today, you like Signal, he's a chill guy. Now though, now you don't really want to be near any of the vigilantes.

You decide to check your phone to see what area Signal is patrolling, it comes up in the GC, Westside Gotham at the Midtown area.

Okay. You can do East Park Side then. It's not your favorite area but at least you won't be confronted with one of the vigilantes so soon. Plus, the park is nice.

You suit up and head out. East Park side wasn't far away from you due to the lack of money your family has you are stuck in downtown.

You spend a majority of your time on patrol, helping people and just hanging around. Soon, much to your surprise, you get a call from Batman.

"Aranea. What are you doing patrolling without your comm on and without informing us?" He sounds as serious as ever, usually you'd roll your eyes but right now you're struck with fear. His voice holds maliciousness and anger deep under it. The very same way that Bruce Wayne had spoken to you. You don't want to admit it but knowing the identities of these heroes makes it more suffocating to be around them.

It also meant you had to be much more careful around them.

"Uh... I was bored at home so I went out on patrol?" You respond, trying to keep the energy in your voice, even if it felt like you were going to explode.

"That doesn't answer my question." He responds, you're sure he's picked up on the fakeness of your cheerfulness. "Right! Ha! Forgot about that. I didn't wanna disturb you all! Plussssss, Signal is patrolling so it's all good!" You laugh it off.

Batman isn't laughing. When does he ever?

"That's no reason to not inform us or at the very least turn on your comm. What if something happened to you? What if you died? You aren't invincible. You'll die in that stupid suit if you don't work with us!" You wince slightly. Fuck him. Does he really think you need him and the others to survive? Not to mention him calling your suit stupid, sure it's not perfect but stupid is just overkill. He only even thinks it's stupid because it isn't made with his money!

You honestly couldn't find the effort to continue talking to him, so with your faux cheerfulness you decide to end the call. "I get it. I'll know better next time! Bye bye!"

Sometimes you wish you were old enough to drink.

[2smolbeans]

"Ride or Die"

A thought I had with a Male yan x Gn reader x Male darling x Male yan combo. Basically you and another escapee darling run away together

To sum it up:

Two darlings running away together after they escape those tyrant CEOs, becoming a ride or die combo. Every day, they risk being caught by their respective captors, but that's okay, as long as they have each other, they can get through everything.

"I promise they'll never find us again. I swear to you, I will never let him take you away..."

"You promise?"

"I swear on my life."

______________________

New face, new location, new life, everything was always changing with the two of you. Both of you were always on the run, making sure never to get too comfortable with the lives you lived in. Each year was a newly created and orchestrated life, a way to keep you further away from your old identities.

But for some reason, on the 5th life as Maxine and Ron, you broke the one rule that you both made sure to follow.

Never get too comfortable.

He was "Maxine," and you were "Ron" in this version of your lives. 'Maxine' was a long-haired brunette who wore long puffy sweaters and long skirts, working in the libary as a libary clerk. Ron was a scruffy man with a beard who wore a wife beater with a red and black plad shirt. Ron was the type of man who knew a thing or two about cars as a mechanic. He was also Maxine's friend and roomate in the shared New york apartment they both lived in.

You, or Ron, enjoyed his life. It was simple. It was safe. He had friends at work who would make him feel welcomed. He had his favorite grocery store that he'd walk around - even if he never bought anything! Ron had a comfortable apartment with his roomate, he had a city to explore every night in! To simply put it, Ron loved his life. You loved this life.

Which is why when Maxine, or in actuality- April, was packing up, preparing to move to the next city.. New life, new face, new name and everything prepared, you stopped him as he packed his suitcase. "I don't want to move." Of course, you didn't expect anything different when he looked at you confused and quipped. "What do you mean? We do this every year"

You knew this was going to be an uncomfortable conversation. Taking in a quick breath, you furrowed your eyebrows. "I like being Ron" "Well you could always be Ronny in Connecticut" You stared at him with that expression of yours, and he already knew what you meant. "You know we can't do that. We promised, what if- you know?"

Running fingers through your hair, you kissed your teeth. "Yeah, but.. Aren't you tired of this?"

"We already knew the choices we had to make the moment we got out of there."

You spoke hastily, your frustration getting to the best of you.

"I don't want to keep making these choices. I don't want to keep living like this forever!"

He only snapped back, softly scowling, his hands waving around- showing his stress.

"Well so do I! But look what life gave us!"

You huffed, going silent as he only turned back, continuing to pack his suitcase. You knew this was unfair of you to ask. You knew how delicate the situation was. But god, you had enough of ditching and leaving town every year! Maybe it was because you made the stupid mistake of getting attached and making connections, but this was no way to be living. You were at your final straw. It wasn't fair that the two of you had to keep running because some rich psychopaths wanted to keep you and some poor guy chained on a leash as their spouse. With the palm of your head now massaging your temples, you spoke up. "Its been 5 years, and we haven't been caught or even seen sight of the fuckers they hired to find us. We faked our deaths, I think 5 years is long enough to convince them we're gone for good." He kept packing, not saying a word. "April, please. Just- I know this is a lot."

"It is."

You didn't say a word as he finished packing, zipping up the suitcase. Huffing at the sight of him aggressively marching around the apartment, grabbing whatever what was left, you exasperated. "How long can you keep doing this?!" He paced around, each step making a harsh sound. "As long as I goddamn have to. I'm not risking it." "April-"

"I can't go through that AGAIN. You need to understand, maybe it wasn't so bad with him, but with me- I just can't. You don't know the things I've seen, the things I've had to do -"

He went quiet again, catching himself before he said anything further. Looking at you as he regained his composure, he looked at you apologetically, putting a hand out to touch your shoulder. "I'm sorry. That was shitty. We both went through the same thing.." You sigh, pulling him into a hug. "It's okay, I get it. You know what? it was a dumb idea anyway" "No, no, it wasn't. I've had similar thoughts.."

"You have?"

"You think I want this?"

"True"

You both stayed hugging, enjoying each others comfort. Your arms hugged him tight, and his head nestled into the crook of your neck. "What if we stay?" Shocked, you pulled out of the hug, your hands on his shoulders. "April, it was a dumb idea -" He interrupted you, his eyes staring into yours. "We can't keep running forever. We need to at least figure out a long-term plan..I mean, do we really see ourselves running until our 50s?" You whined, feeling bad that he was now taking your side when moments earlier he was uncomfortable at the thought. "April, I was being stupid -" "We can figure this out. I want you to be happy, for US to be happy."

With your mouth agape in shock, you only stare at him. Before uttering a why, he answers for you. "You got us here. You got me out when I needed it the most. You saved me. It's only fair that I do this one thing for you. We always figure out things together. And hell, we can move whenever we want if we change our minds. " You couldn't believe it. He was actually agreeing. Out of pure joy and sincerity, you felt the tears well up in your eyes. "Y-You mean it?" "Of course Ron" Smiling, you let out a shaky voice as a laugh erupted from your throat. "I-I love you, man" Maxine only rolled her eyes, putting a hand on Ron's shoulder as she wiped the tears welling in his eyes. "You better"

____

It was funny how it all started, how everything was when the two of you met. You remember when you used to work at that office job, how mundane and peaceful it was. You had just graduated college in your 20s, still figuring out exactly how adulting worked. The office job was just something to keep you busy, something to earn you money while you tried to find jobs that were more focused on your degree. You would've never thought that office job would be the end of your normal life. On that one day, that cursed day that started the chain of events, you were walking along the big halls the company, making your way to the cafeteria until you bumped into a wall- or at least you thought you did.

When you opened your eyes, you felt horrified to see what exactly you bumped into. Without a word, you sped past the person, keeping your head low as you went inside the cafeteria where the other workers were. It's not every day that you bump into an unforgettable ex from high school in your workplace. What the hell was he doing here?! Why was he there?! Shouldn't he be in a different country?! After doing a quick google research after your lunch break, Marco was the CEO's apparent half-brother and right-hand man. Who would've thought? You look at the articles that popped up as a result of searching him up.

'Brothers united after a tragic family accident. CEO of Beauty Point reunites with secret half brother'

'CEO, Vincent Huynh, promotes recently found half brother as COO. "He is the only man I see qualified for the job. I see this as a formula of success and opportunity. " '

'A shocking family revelation! "I would've never thought I'd find my biological family," says Marco Huynh, COO of Beauty Point'

I guess after your breakup with him, he won the lottery. The Marco you knew was adopted, an only child. The Marco you dated in high school wanted to be a police officer, helping others in need. The Marco you've seen grip your arm tight, whispering threats out of pure jealousy for the umpteenth time because god knows what triggered him. That man, your ex , the reason why you moved to a different country, paranoid if he'd go through with his threats.. And he saw you.

You should've quit when you bumped into him. You could've left that company when his presence was more frequent. You shouldn't have gone to that company party, turning your eyes away from your drink for a split second. It wouldn't have landed you tied up in a fancy luxurious studio apartment, a gag in your mouth, and limbs tied to a chair. Your life didn't have to become jeopardized, always walking on eggshells to please the madman that could ruin you and your family's life with a snap of his fingers. It could've been different, but now here you were in his bed, terrified, regretful, and angry.

It had been at least 2 years until he so graciously proposed to you, getting on one knee on that special day he finally let you out of that apartment after years of captivity. Biting your lip, you felt the dread fill your body. There was no escaping it. This was your reality. His expectations, his obsession of you had escalated, and you had no choice but to endulge in it. It didn't make it better when he acted so meek, as if you were the one in control, as if your yes or no really mattered.

The wedding was quick. His adoptive father, half brother, his friends, other higher up business partners, and your family were invited. You tried to make the best out of the situation. Marco was rich, and the wedding was luxurious. The food was good, your attire was expensive and high quality, and your folks had a wonderful time as the large banquet hall filled with soothing music from the live band. This truly was your dream wedding.. If only your 'husband' didn't make you gag at the sight of him, if only you actually loved him, if only you had stock holme syndrome..

After that god forsaken honeymoon that you wish to erase from your memories, you were introduced to his family formally. His father, his half brother, and another man.. With Marco's father, you already knew him from when you dated Marco back in high school. Marco's father happily shook your hand, excited and clueless about what was going on. "I'm so happy the two of you made it work! I can't believe that the angsty teenager that would come over would be my son's spouse! Congratulations on you both, I'm so proud of you. " God, if only that poor man knew, actually scratch that - you wouldn't want the old man traumatized. You looked at his half-brother, who you were now only being introduced to. You didn't say a word as you just gave a flat smile, nodding to acknowledge him. He had a calm expression as he introduced himself. "Vincent, I'm glad my brother was able to find someone. This is my husband.." he looked to the smaller man who sat beside him, waiting for him to introduce himself. "April.." the male said, looking at you briefly before looking to the side.

He was awkward, but you assumed it was because the man was naturally like that based on his appearance. Throughout the whole exchange, you were drained, spacing out, not even paying attention as the others talked and ate. During the dinner, you noticed April playing with his food, also seeming spaced out as Marco and his father blabbered about whatever. Vincent, on the other hand, seemed to be keen staring at you, not saying a word before listening to his brother happily blab about some random nonsense. You looked around the kitchen, taking in the nostalgic memories of when you and Marco used to come over at his house, eating sweets that his father had baked. An image of Marco in his late teens spotted your head. He was so innocent, mentally stable, loveable.. What the hell happened? "Well, dad, I'm glad you invited us over to the house. We're gonna get going. Gonna settle in and take care of a few things, right?" The way he smiled at you filled you with disgust.

Vincent spoke up as well, saying his goodbyes. But before anything could happen, April excused himself to the bathroom, leaving quietly and going up the stairs. For the 5 minutes that passed, Vincent sat at the dinner table, quiet as Marco and his father cleaned the dishes. 10 minutes passed, and you could tell something was wrong. 15 minutes passed, and you could tell that Vincent was starting to get suspicious.

"I'll go check on him," he sighed. But aburptly and out of desperation to get some space from Marco, you obliged, standing up and rushing towards the stairs. "It's okay, already on it!" And to your luck and surprise, Marco didn't go after you.

Outside the bathroom door, you knocked softly. The first knock, no response. It was eerily quiet. Second knock, still nothing. So, on the third knock, you spoke up. "Hey, it's me. Everything okay?" It took a moment until he opened the door slightly, staring at you from the slit. "Just wanted to check up on you. Your husband got a bit worried. " He opened the door a bit more, now standing face to face with you. You took note of how disheveled he looked, his foggy glasses, his ruffled pony tail, his glossy eyes. "Y-Yeah.. My stomach wasn't feeling too well." "Ah okay! Well, do you want me to get anything?" He didn't say much for a bit, only staring at you tiredly. You two stood there, face to face, quiet and alone. During that moment of silence, it was clear that he was contemplating on what to say, that something was on his mind. And when he finally spoke, he whispered quietly as if it were a secret.

"Do you love him?"

It was such a small question, but it had shook you to your core. The adrenaline spiked your entire body, your chest tightening as the words got caught in your mouth. Your lips parted, trying to say something, but nothing came out. You tried to play it off, smiling and laughing, afriad as if you were caught red-handed. "What..Type of question is that? Of course I do. " His eyes shot into yours, his expression horrified, his voice low and shaky.

"Oh god..You're just like me, aren't you?"

Your lips quivered as you began to tremble.

What..?

So many thoughts were racing in your mind. He also went through the same thing as you? He looked to the side, staring at the stairwell before looking at you. He shouted, directly speaking to the men downstairs. "Coming! Give me a moment!" Before pulling you into a quick brief tight hug. Giving you one last look of remorse, he walked down the stairs. "Sorry, my stomach didn't react well with the drinks!" You could hear him from the stairs. Trying to collect yourself, you went inside the bathroom, looking at the mirror. How the hell were you going to live with this?

____

When the two of you had managed to escape through 2 years of planning, visiting each other (under unsavory circumstances and favors having to be done..), and eventually faking your deaths, you were finally free.. With your hands on the steering wheel, you looked at the GPS. Another hour to kill. Glancing at April, finally able to talk freely, you said whatever was on your mind.

"So how did you get there..If you don't mind me asking, of course!" April reassured you. "Nono, it's fine. To be honest, we're the only ones that we can talk to about this, so... We've known each other since high school." He went quiet for a bit before going again. "I always looked up to him, I wanted to be him. We weren't really close in high school but university.." He bit his lip, the memories flooding his brain. "University I liked him, and he liked me, we never dated but..We had a falling out. It was bad. I saw him nearly kill a guy just for sport..Laughing and.." He was beginning to get uncomfortable as he kept going. "So I confronted him, it got physical..I cut him out and 3 years later I'm working at a rivial company of his..He finds me, I stupidly forgive and become his friend again..Next thing you know, I have an eletric collar on my neck. You?"

Now it was your turn to explain your side.

"We dated during highschool..He was a year younger than me, always following me like a puppy. Our relationship was amazing at first.. But then it became intense. He started expecting more, and more, and more until he became too much. He threatened everyone at school and got into fights a-and...."

You gripped the steering wheel tighter, cutting out that one particular memory. "I cut him off after graduation. Next thing you know, I'm freshly graduated out of college and working under Vincent's company.. What do you know?" April spoke, adding on to what you were about to say. "Marco's there.." You nod your head, your face scrunching up as you're near the end of your horrible story. "Yep! So I bump into him, he sees me. Next thing I know, he drugs my drink at a company party, and I'm tied to a chair."

"Damn.. That's wild"

You laughed, snorting at his response. "You think??"

The rest of the car ride was quiet, peaceful. Making it to your destination, you grab your suitcase and keys, hesitant to go inside your new home. You stand there, looking at the door, your body feeling lightweight. "Hey, what's wrong?" You laughed, feeling stupid. "I'm scared." Immediately, he rushes to you, leaning close to your face as his two hands are on your shoulder. "Don't be. The worst is over. I promise they'll never find us again. I swear to you, I will never let him take you away..."

You look up, looking into his determined eyes.

"You promise?"

"I swear on my life."

You smiled, now putting your hands on his shoulders as your forehead rested against his.

"Because we're ride or die now, aren't we?"

He only smirked back, giving your shoulders a slight shake.

"You're damn fucking right we are"

____________________________

It had been more than 3 months ever since you and April agreed to live your life out as Ron and Maxine. Things were going smoothly, and you were hopeful that you'd live your lives out like this. It was noon, and you were on lunch break, washing the grease off your hands. You take out your lunch box. Eating the sandwich you packed, you scroll through your phone, looking at whatever peaked your interest. While scrolling, a notification from April popped up.

_____________________________

' Maxy max max 🤓 '

Maxine: hey

Ron: yeah?

Maxine: I just got off work early,

i'm gonna be walking around and

checking out some markets.

Lemme know if u want smth.

Ron: k

Maxine: damn aight

Ron: love you babe 😘

Maxine: love u too ig 🙄

_____________________________

You internally snickered, taking a bite out of your sandwich before turning off your phone. The day went by pretty slowly, so when the time hit to go home, 6pm, you happily packed your things and bid your goodbyes. Thank god for your co-workers. Otherwise, the slow day would've been torture. Walking to your car, you get inside, and before starting the car, you give April a call.

Rinnnnnng, rinnnng, rinnng, riiing. Riing ring - "Your call has been forwarded to an automatic voice message -"

You cut the call, calling him again. It's not usually like him not to answer his phone, but then again, it's not the first time for stuff like that to happen.

Rinnnnnng, rinnnng, rinnng, riiing. Riing ring- "Your call has been forwarded-"

You cut the call again, this time going to your messages to spam him. By then, your messages haven't been read, and again, your call gets sent to voice mail. You begin to panic by the 7th call. You looked at the time, and it was only 6:10 pm. You had spent 10 full minutes trying to call and message April for any response. You recall the previous message. It was only 12 o'clock when he messaged you about going to the market.

It doesn't take someone 6 hours to go grocery shopping. Gripping onto the steering wheel, you felt the anxiety creep in. Your breaths became short as you froze sitting in the car, the fear making any movement in your body queezy to your stomach. There was no way, right? You whipped your head to look at the back of the seat, nothing. You rushed and checked the back of the trunk, nothing. Running back to the drivers seat, you locked all the doors and let out a gasp for air. You're safe in the car. You're okay - you repeated, trying to calm yourself as you looked at the clock in the car. 6:45pm, shit- how did time go by that quick?! You reach into your phone, still no answer from April. Fuck fuck FUCK- You felt the hot terrified tears roll down your eyes.

Quickly, you opened the glove compartment inside the car. A compact pistol with a fully loaded mag, thank god you kept an emergency gun. Shakingly, you check to make sure the safety is on before stuffing it in the pocket of your mechanic uniform you didn't change out of. The whole car ride back to your apartment was a mess. You knew something was wrong. What if he was taken? What if they..No, it had been 5 years. You didn't want to assume the worst. But the back of your mind screamed otherwise.

Eventually, you were now at the apartment, hands shaking to open the door. One step inside, and you'd figure out if there was someone there or not. With one hand clutching the gun - your pocket and the other ready to open the door - you held your breath and burst in. Gun out and turning on the lights, and you cautiously look around. No one was in the living room. So you checked the other areas, your gun still pointing at whatever was in front of you. Bathroom, bedroom, kitchen, living room, all clear. Locking the front door, you sat on the couch. You looked at your phone again, still no reply.

A week rolled by, and April was officially missing. You didn't want to attract attention to yourself, so you didn't bother putting out a police statement. After all, faking your death and multiple indentities was against a federal law.. I mean, what would you say going to court if they figure out that you aren't who you say you are? Ah, yes, these two rich, higher class men who have no reason to be related to me and my friend have kidnapped us, and we ran away. Is anyone going to believe that?? And what if you told the court that, then what? They'd probably lawyer up with the best teams, bribe the judge, and god knows what happens next!

So you stay quiet, quitting your job and looking for him. Always holding a gun with you, you look for any signs of him as you walked around New york City.

"Have you seen this woman? Brown hair, brown eyes, wore a long skirt and knitted sweater?"

You'd ask, showing a picture of 'Maxine' to anyone that crossed your path, each no or nod dissapointinging you.

"Maxine Smith, heard of her? She worked at Webster libary, long brown hair, brown eyes, pale skin, long skirt, and knitted sweater? No? Okay, thank you"

You'd spend hours asking away, hoping to get some sort of clue. It was 3 o'clock and you've been out since midnight. Tired and exhausted, you make your way to a cafe, getting your drink before slumping at a booth in the corner. Resting against the plush mattress, you sigh, saddened that you spent a week looking for him with no clues. Sipping on your coffee, you closed your eyes - man, did you really need to sleep. You closed your eyes, the sounds of people chatting away, making you feel relaxed, and you didn't even notice the person who now sat across from you.

"Excuse me. I saw you were asking about a Maxine right?"

His voice immediately caught your attention, and your senses now spiked as his smooth, warm voice filled you with that awful feeling you've never felt in 5 years. You opened your eyes, and you were met with him. It was him, it was Marco. Staring at you, it seemed like 5 years did a lot on him as he looked like he hadn't slept in a while. You didn't say a word, knowing full well that you'd mess up your voice, so you opted to nod. Marco had changed, but there were parts of him that remained the same. Like the dark caramel hair that shone a bright color in the sun. His tall and muscular stature would effortlessly keep you trapped and terrified. His brown skin covered in the scars that you caused trying to claw your way out of his grasp. And the worst of all, his red eyes that would always pry and drink in every inch of you like a vampire, always intensely staring at you.

You did your best trying to keep composure. Maybe he wouldn't recognize you as a gruff mechanic man. But the way he looked at you, the way he softly smiled while resting his head on his hands - his elbows now on the table - told you otherwise.

"I think I might know where she is"

You didn't say anything else, just blankly looked at him.

"Do you wanna know? Come on let's walk around."

You stayed put, letting out a small gruff voice telling him no.

"Come on, I won't hurt ya"

Liar.

You didn't know what to do in the situation. Sipping your coffee, you only asked him to tell you in the cafeteria. He didn't take that too well as his eyebrows knitted together. By the tone of his smile and voice, you could tell he was trying his best not to snap.

"I know it's you. You really thought I wouldn't recognize you? Well, actually, by the looks of you, I'm shocked I even did.. To be honest, there's a list of a lot of things I could say."

You felt yourself freeze as he confronted you, your legs nervously bouncing up and down.

"Like leaving me for my brother's husband? What type of sick are you?"

He raised his voice a bit louder, people turning their heads. All eyes were on you as he kept going.

"I love you, I always will.. But you won't even do me this one thing by going outside to talk?"

You looked around, some people whispering amongst each other as they would glance at you. Stop it, stop it, you began to fidget with your hands, trying to ground yourself.

"Un-fucking believeable. And after being together for 6 years! Am I not enough for you?"

"Stop it."

He scoffed, rolling his eyes as he gave you a straight lined smile.

"I'm only telling the truth."

You were quick to snap as you sneered with venom.

"What do you want?"

His expression was coy and calm. He adjusted his body to relax further. He didn't say a word, watching your expression, invested for whatever reaction you'd give. Finally, for what felt like forever, he gave you his honest, painful answer.

"I think it's pretty obvious hun"

.

.

__________________________

[cosmerelists]

Stormlight Characters Switch Roles for a Day

As request by anon. :) [Some spoilers for Stormlight! Includes some roles people only have in later books]

It's important to me for you all to know that these combos were generated by a random number generator. Here is how fate (=random number generator) has decreed that Stormlight characters will be swapped around! How will they do in their new job?

1. Renarin takes on Jasnah's role as Queen of Alethkar

Renarin: [smiling beatifically] Rlain: You're stressed out of your mind, aren't you? Renarin (calmly): I am about to vibrate out of my skin, yeah. Rlain: Does it help that we already have three preemptive surrenders from nations who "don't want to risk angering the all-seeing prophetic god-king of Alethkar"? Renarin: What?! Rlain: Just kidding. Rlain: ...There's only been one surrender so far. Renarin: ... Renarin: I didn't even SAY anything!

2. Navani takes on Kaladin's role as leader of Bridge 4

Navani (Hour 1): I'm not a commander, of course. I'll stay out of the way and allow Teft and the other lieutenants to handle things. Navani (Hour 4): I'm not a commander, of course, but I have suggested a few small improvements. If Teft and the other lieutenants can make them work, then that's great. Navani (Hour 8): With the help of Teft and the other lieutenants, we have created nineteen new devices that have improved the efficiency of Bridge 4 by 35%. I'm so glad I can support them in some small way. Navani (Hour 12): Wait a second...I'm actually amazing at this.

3. Shallan takes on Adolin's role as duelist

Jakamov stands in the dueling ring, frozen. The 7 Shallans surround him, taunting him. One of them seems to know all of his secrets. One of them wears the face of an old girlfriend whom he ghosted. One of them has his mother's frown--only her frown. All of them have swords. All of them are watching him. Shallan (actually up in the stands): I'm so great at this, actually. Adolin: Shallan...he's crying.

4. Dalinar takes on Shallan's role as Ghostblood spy

Dalinar tramps into a seedy bar. Everyone takes one look at him and immediately they all file out. He is alone. Dalinar: ... Dalinar: And I wore a fake mustache and everything.

5. Teft takes on Dalinar's role as leader of Urithiru

Teft: Kal...congratulations on becoming the leader of Urithiru. Kaladin: I'M PRETTY SURE THAT'S NOT HOW THIS WORKS

6. Szeth takes on Navani's role as artefabrian

Navani: Well...you've certainly been...busy. Szeth: I am physically incapable of not giving a role my all. Navani: So... Navani: ... Navani: They're all complicated instruments of horrible death, huh? Szeth: I like the one with the spring.

7. Sadeas takes on Szeth's role as the Assassin in White

Sadeas: Ialai...can you have your assassins kill all these men? Ialai: Already sent 'em out. Sadeas: I love you! Sadeas: Wow...this job was so easy and not emotionally taxing in the slightest.

8. Leshwi takes on Sadeas' role as betrayer of Dalinar

Leshwi: I feel like........I'm just going to fly down and stab him. Leshwi: Well, after I introduce myself of course. Leshwi: And allow him to summon his sword for an honorable duel. Lezian: You suck at betrayal. Leshwi: ...Thank you?

9. Rlain takes on Wit's role as the King's/Queen's Wit

Rlain: I see that you have chosen to wear yellow to this feast. Rlain: It was a good choice. It looks nice on you. Wit: I want to cry. Rlain: What? I said it to Amusement.

10. Wit takes on Rock's role as Bridge 4's cook

Wit: As a vegetarian whose morals are supernaturally enforced...I'm gonna introduce you all to a little something I call "Tofu." Rock: YOU'RE FIRED

11. Jasnah takes on Teft's role as Kaladin's lieutenant

Jasnah (holding an enormous notebook): I have some suggestions...Captain. Kaladin: M-My life is flashing before my eyes!

12. Adolin takes on Lirin's role as ultra-pacifist doctor

Adolin: Okay, but...dueling is pacifist, right? No one dies. Lirin: Play-violence is still violence! People get injured and it's so horrible and pointless! Adolin: What about fighting but, like, noble fighting? Lirin: D-Do you know what pacifist MEANS? Adolin: But my sword is my best friend! Lirin: ...every day the Almighty tests my patience.

13. Lirin takes on Renarin's role as Prophet of the Everstorm

Lirin: ...and that is how and why I know that something bad is coming, and why I think you need to prepare to save everyone. Dalinar: Wow...you just...said all that. To me. Directly. With details. Lirin: I understand that you may choose to execute me for blasphemy or whatever, but I couldn't sit back and allow people to die for my own comfort. Dalinar: What a mature and straightforward way to handle that!

14. Rock takes on Rlain's roll as "Parshendi" spy

Rock: Here are everyone's secrets! Rlain: I am...impressed. How did you get all this intelligence so quickly? Rock: People LOVE talking to the cook!

15. Kaladin takes on Leshwi's role as leader of shanay-im

Kaladin: So...you guys...can't die? Shanay-im guy: That is correct. Kaladin (tears welling up in his eyes): S-So...I can be commander of a squad where...no one ever dies? I-Is this happening? Shanay-im guy: However, we have to kill someone and take over their body to return. Kaladin: GOD FUCKING DAMMIT

[bemusedlybespectacled]

y'all. y'all. I cracked the fucking code and I am so fucking mad about it because it's a fix that solves every major problem with the finale:

have ed get shot (injured, not killed) in defense of izzy.

seriously, hear me out, this solves LITERALLY EVERY PROBLEM:

"Ed never gave Izzy a real apology!" "Izzy would never accept one!" okay, then don't have Ed apologize to Izzy verbally. have him apologize by taking a bullet for him. have Izzy cuss out Ed for doing something so stupid while cradling him in his arms.

"Ed never gave the crew a real apology!" okay, then have him get shot defending Izzy as both a subtle callback to Izzy shooting Ed in defense of the crew in "red flags" and as proof that he's changed.

"it makes no sense for Izzy to say the whole crew loves Ed when that hasn't been shown at all!" okay, then show it. any lingering hatred the crew has gets wiped out when they see that Ed really does care about Izzy (keeping in mind that him not treating Izzy well was a major unifying thing for them), and they all work to help him: getting the bullet out, holding his hand, telling him he's going to be okay. Ed's accepted back into the family because of his deeds, not his words, and we get a nice call back to the scene where the crew makes Izzy's leg.

"Izzy's death was all about Ed and Ed's arc and that's fucked up" okay, so have there be a REASON that Ed is the center of attention (the reason being that he's been shot and the entire crew needs to care for him) and make it actually part of Ed's arc (acting selflessly in defense of them when he's been pretty self-centered and not really accepting responsibility this entire time).

"it makes no sense for Ed to retire to an inn on land when we just established that he's bad at things that aren't piracy!" okay, then don't have him retire voluntarily. he needs to recover from his bullet wound on land, and so the crew needs to reluctantly leave him behind.

"it makes no sense for Stede to retire to an inn when his entire arc has been him finding a family in the crew and getting the respect he never had!" okay, so make it a really difficult decision for him – staying on land with Ed, the love of his life, or staying with the crew and being a big bad pirate – and ultimately choose Ed. have Ed even try to talk him into staying with the crew, because he loves piracy so much! but given another choice to leave Ed (one that Ed would be aware of and understand), he stays this time.

"Izzy's death is inconsistent with the rest of the series where the good guys survive absurd levels of violence and the bad guys die hilarious karmic deaths" okay, so don't have him OR Ed die. have Ed get shot, have him be seriously injured, maybe even fake us out by having him get shot on the right side (which is of course the side with the important bits!), and then have him live.

"Izzy dies right when he was starting to enjoy life and find his own family/community outside of Ed!" exactly. so don't kill him. shoot Ed. and then have Ed retire on land.

[astroyongie]

2024 Planetary Predictions: Saturn

Please check your rising or your placidus for the houses.

Saturn will be in Direct Pisces in: 1st January to 28 June / in 15th November 

Saturn will be in Retrograde Pisces in: 25th May to 8th October to 14th November 

Aries Rising or Pisces 12th house

what a start of the year Aries, with pisces in the 12th house, theres quite a lot happening here indeed. the start of year can feel a little rough, because your mental health will be going through a few changes and a few complications, pisces energy gives a lot off illusions and added with the Neptune energy this isnt easy. However theres also some chance, because if you out into pratique your talents you will be able to achieve some dreams. Be aware of promontory dreams and seeing into the unknown.

when Saturn will be retrograde, this will be even more complicated and expect your mental health to have here some downgrade. pisces energy isnt easy and there evil be a lot of victim like feelings, you using things as a coping mechanism and as a way of escapism and overall being very sensitive to things that happen to you. please take care of yourself.

Taurus Rising or Pisces 11th house

Listen beautiful being, now is the time for you to shine and to use this energy wisely. with this placement it is time for you to enjoy your friendships and to start being more socially active and more engaged with your values and morals. overall a good period for you to be the center of the attention of your social circles

be aware of fake friendships that will be revealed during retrograde. this is a good thing because it will give you a nice cleansing of people around you but it will still be painful to accept. careful with being too escapist as well

Gemini Rising or Pisces 10th house

Gemini, listen this is your year when it comes to career and goals for your future, use the Saturn energy to achieve everything that you want. pisces energy will give you lots of dreams and this is the time to conquer everything that you dream off by putting the right amount go effort in your networking. Expect your status to raise up

Take all you can because when Saturn retrograde arrives it will be taking stuff away from you if you aren't careful. during these time you might feel stuck of that your projects aren't involving as fast as you might have wished them for. be patient and don't be a victim of your own game. PATIENCE ! That will be the thing you need to deal with before seeing your reputation go up again

Cancer Rising or Pisces 9th house

Cancer this is a good moment to travel, to change your horizons. for many this will be synonym of changing countries, changing places and traveling where your heart desires. if you are planning or doubting yourself, this is the the big yes that yes, take your changes and go forward. take that change because you wont regret it. for some this could be changing education area, changing a moral, a value or even a religion/spiritual path.

of course, retrograde will bring you doubt and a lot of anxiety from your choices of moving around, of changing your educations, your religions or places in general. just hold on tight, you will feel very sensitive and cry a lot but after October things will get back into place

Leo Rising or Pisces 8th house

My Leo siblings, this start of the year will quite something. this will depend case per case, but most of you will start your active sexual life during this period until May. for those who have already started, there will be here some novelty to your sexual life. expect new things happening.

But please be careful during summer time, with Saturn in retrograde theres the possibility of accidents happening around your sexual life which is why remember that you have to restrict yourself in some cases. don't put yourself in danger, don't use sex as a coping mechanism and just overall don't be reckless. death will be walking by your side during these period, be aware of it and be careful of how you deal with some events

Virgo Rising or Pisces 7th  house

this is such a good start of the year for your Virgo, when it comes to relationships expect you to reach here some goals. for those who aren't in a relationship, expect to find love, to find crushes and to overall fall in love with someone that is around you (or that will come into your life). use the pisces energy to be happy and enjoy yourself! for those who are already in a relationship, this is the time for planning, for spending time with your love ones and overall enjoy the peace.

Because between may and October things will be more complicated. some of you will suffer harsh breakups, lies in the relationship, or huge struggles/difficulties that will put the relationship in a tight spot. For those who will be single, theres will be the possibility of unrequited love.

Libra Rising or Pisces 6th house

We start the year okay here, usually any injuries that you have suffered will get back into place. most of your libra will also go through some spiritual and mental healing with the pisces energy so please take it to take care of yourself

however between may and October there will be some health issues again (that will get better once Saturn gets back to direct). during this time, physically be aware of any diseases of accidents that touch your feet area, pituitary glands and pineal glands. also some major hormonal issues here. mentally it will also be a very complicated moment of your life, with a lot of setbacks and mental health complications coming back

Scorpio Rising or Pisces 5th house 

Okay Scorpio, i have already said this in Jupiter and I will say it again, careful with your sexual activities unless you want to have kids because here many of you will get pregnant or have children due to Saturn energy. pisces energy will also give you dreams that can be turn to be real. Its a good period for you to fall in love, to be in touch with your feelings and to have overall fun without worrying about your heart

Retrograde will bring here some difficulties. most of you will feel bored or start using things (or substances) as a way of escapism because Saturn energy can be quite awful and you don't know how to cope with everything that is happening in your life. be aware of behaviors that you should avoid and are aware of it.

Sagittarius Rising or Pisces 4th house 

my babies, expect to enter this start of the year in big. this is such an important moment to be around the ones that you love and be around your family. good period to turn your family dreams into reality to get back to your roots and feel more connected with your ancestors as well. Some of you can also start getting ready to prepare your own family as well!

When Saturn will be retrograde, it will bring with it some difficulties inside your family. Expect every to be slightly sensitive, arguments erupting every now and then and a lot of conflict. you might use too much the card of victim so also take responsibility for your actions during that time

Capricorn Rising or Pisces 3rd house

capricorns, we are starting this year softly and with you being able to open more with people and be more communicative. use that emotional side you got to listen to people, to listen to what we are telling you and try to use your mind to make decisions. This isnt a time for you to use your heart. be smart, yet trust your intuition a lot. this is a good moment to practice spirituality as well.

when Saturn gets retrograde we will meet some difficulties here. You will feel overwhelmed rather easily and because of that your mind will be too much to handle. overthinking can be a thing, such as shutting now and not tailing to anyone. seek help if necessary and don't push yourself away

Aquarius Rising or Pisces 2nd house

Whatever your dream of, whatever you wish to have, this is your moment to get it. use the pisces in 2nd house energy to get everything that you want and everything that you have dream off being able to be on your hands on its physical form. this is a good period to invest in dreams and business, in thing that you want. great period to also involve skills that you wish to get better at

Saturn retrograde will put you on a tight spot. for some, you will see some of your dreams slipping through your fingers while being unable to get them back. while for others you will simply get stuck when it comes to money. financial difficulties or unable to proceed with your plans.

Pisces Rising or Pisces 1st house 

Listen here, this is your year when it comes to transformation of yourself. it is time to have a new haircut, to start a clean skincare, to eat better, to change your closet, buy yourself new outfits and just overall change yourself appearance wise. I would advice for many of you to use a soft style instead of sharp, with pale colors to put yourself In a good position

during summer this can be quite tricky because Saturn will make you believe that nothings is worth it. some of you will probably get back to old habits and do yourself some harm while others will get too extreme with this. hold on tight and try your best to stay in the middle ground until the beginning of October where everything gets back to the normal.

[galaxythreads]

unhinged, unconnected thoughts about the Hunger Games 1-3:

Katniss is one of The best female characters I have ever read in my life

Peeta is the definition of sad, wet paper man

I AM SO GRATEFUL THERE WERE CONSQUENCES From the games!! Like Katniss has permanent hearing damage. PEETA lost his LEG

Katniss' severe PTSD was so harsh and brutal and so so so good

Haymitch was such a little guy and I adored him for that. What I really liked about his character was that like -- he survived the Hunger Games. This was not a good thing. He was devastated by the fact that his family was killed and the only way he coped with that was by drinking. There was no getting better. There was no magic fix. It didn't just go away. Then he had to train and prepare 20 kids to go fight in the Games just like he did, knowing that he was sending them all out to die or survive like he did, and I have to imagine that toward the end, Haymitch probably hoped they died. It was easier than living

The Capitol was absolutely horrifying

The PTSD from the Games was vivid and it was so nice to see that this horrible bad thing that happened to the characters didn't just go away because they were in another book. Like it impacted their choices forever

Katniss and Peeta about to take the berries reminded me of Romeo and Juliet and I think that was probably on purpose. Neither can live without the other.

KATNISS IS FREAKING SIXTEEN AND ACTS LIKE SHE'S SIXTEEN

Katniss runs off and screams and cries and breaks down and fails and makes selfish decisions and selfless decisions and like she is SUCH A GOOD CHARACTER. Like I Honestly didn't think there would be a female character that competed with Joan Watson for #1 female for me, but Katniss is like. She's up there.

Gale was overall meh to me. He was There, but the emotional impact he had on Katniss was overall... yeah. just dots.

I'm really glad that Katniss was able to heal enough after 15 years from the Games to have kids. She wanted kids, and the mothering instinct is there, but she didn't want to bring them into a world where they wouldn't be safe. But Katniss having kids means that she does feel safe.

"you love me. Fake or real?" "real"

"sweetheart"

I literally did not realize the Hunger Games was science fiction until I got like halfway through the second one and was like oh yeah, yeah this is science fiction.

I CANNOT BELIEVE THAT THEY SENT THEM BACK TO THE GAMES IN BOOK 2!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHH

like all I'd heard about the Hunger Games was book 1, so everything after that to me was just ?????? and I was SO MAD but it made so much sense from the Capitol's perspective and I so wanted to strangle Snow.

District 13 overall annoyed me tbh, but I did get where they were coming from.

Everything in this series is so heavy. Like you feel the weight of the entire world just seeping down on you and it's actually kind of nice. I feel like the Hunger Games decided yeah, this is a dark, gloomy kinda world and then kept that tone. Books that keep the tone are SO RARE and i adore them.

PEETA PEETA PEETA

BREAD BOY

AMNEISA

PRIM DYING LIKE ???????????????????????? so good. So good. Like the whole reason Katniss went into the Games was to save her and like. She died anyway. Tragedy my beloved.

Katniss being so bad at speeches was absolutely hilarious. She is very much a speak from the heart kinda person and I'm glad that was never "fixed"

I love how a running theme in the series was that they have to document everything. There are video cameras everywhere, recording, always recording, and if they aren't it didn't happen. But Katniss is screaming IT HAPPENED IT HAPPENED anyway. Like with Rue's death.

I love that Peeta is so protective of Katniss, but would wholey hold her bow while she punched someone in the face. Like he's protective of her while respecting her strengths.

this series is dark, but I am going to reread this 4000000 times.

[lathalea]

Yes, it is finally happening!

Lathalea’s

💎 HUGE 💎

Follower Celebration

… is here!

Remember the poll from last week? The results are here! You have spoken!

Thank you everyone for participating! 💙🙏

💎 What happens now?

Per your request,

I’m going to write ficlets for you, my lovely followers!

And I can’t wait! 🤩

💎 It’s time for the Prompt Game!

HERE ARE THE RULES:

💎 To take part in the celebration, you have to be my follower before it starts!

💎 For the Prompt Game, I will have around 10 slots open. Maybe a few less, maybe a few more (it depends on boring real life stuff, sorry, I’ll try to do my best!).

💎 The participants will be picked on the "first come, first serve" basis.

💎 I’m going to write ficlets (300-500 words) based on Tolkien’s Middle Earth and the characters created by JRRT.

💎 Pick your favorite pairing, the prompt you’ve been dreaming of (or 1-2 prompt numbers from the list below), any additional details you want me to include (like your OC, quote, vibes…), and send me an ask! No anons please 🙏

💎 I will be happy to write about things like: canon x canon, canon x oc, canon x reader, oc x oc, oc x reader, textual ghosts, G-E rated romance (to request E-rated stuff, you have to be an adult), angst, gen fics, fluff, GIME, crack fics, Middle Earth locations, headcanons, imagines, worldbuilding… and much more.

💎 I’m not in the right headspace to write about things like: incest, rape, death, explicit descriptions of injuries/childbirth, themes/characters I’m not too familiar with.

💎 If you’re one of the lucky participants but I’m unable to fulfill your request because of some its content, don’t worry! You won’t lose your spot! I’ll ask you to submit a new fic request.

💎 Any questions? You know where to find me!

⬇️⬇️PROMPT LIST BELOW THE CUT ⬇️⬇️

If you’ve just ran out of fic ideas or there’s something here that speaks to you, please add one or two prompt numbers to your ask:

1. “I lost my way. Twice.”

2. Regency AU

3. "It was an... accident?"

4. Pirate AU

5. “You did this for me?”

6. Neighbor AU

7. “We could just stay like this, cuddling all night, if that is what you wish."

8. Forbidden Love AU

9. “Whose wedding is this?” “Ours.”

10. Soulmate AU

11. “Tell me what you see.”

12. Library AU

13. “Where am I?”

14. Best Friends AU / Friends to Lovers AU (you pick)

15. “Is anything you say to me true?”

16. Modern AU

17. “The stars are bright tonight, aren't they?" "Not as bright as you…”

18. Stranded AU

19. “This quest is yours alone.”

20. Room Mate AU

21. “We shouldn’t be doing this.”

22. Fake Dating/Engagement/Marriage AU

23. “Make a wish.”

24. Amnesia AU

25. “Do I know you from somewhere?”

26. Hurt/Comfort AU

27. “What does your heart tell you?”

28. Meet-awful AU (funny!)

29. “How did you get here and what are you doing in my bed?!”

30. An AU of your choice

31. Surprise me, Lathalea! 🤩

Ready?

🎉 Let the Prompt Game begin!🎉

Good luck everyone! 💙

XXX,

Lathalea

[guapoduoshipper]

q!Cellbit has already noticed that something is off. But that doesn't mean he's falling out of love with q!Roier, let's try to see things from his perspective because then we'll notice that this is not what is happening:

q!Cellbit returned from purgatory, after which he himself said he had been fighting and killing to survive, every day the same thing, for weeks, months? he doesn't know. He lost track of time, time is a spiral, it seemed like an eternity but in the blink of an eye, he was back. Everything is still confusing and he doesn't remember things well, so after returning from almost hell he finally meets his husband again, smiling, happy? q!Roier knows how to hide his pain very well behind a smile, so after asking how he is and explaining that the choice to stay in purgatory was made because he thought that q!Roier would be better off away from him... he has a confirmation of this ?

This specific scene has a lot to analyze, first when q!Cellbit says he felt saudade [the strong feeling of missing, longing for someone or something] of q!Roier and apologize, he makes a joke and says "You left me alone culero", probably Doied thought that would be the most appropriate and safest reaction to fake being q!Roier, right? Maybe that would be correct if it weren't about such a serious situation that lasted so long, because we know that q!Roier told Richas that he felt like he was just existing, he was preparing a plan and doing everything to find his husband so that would definitely not be the appropriate reaction that q!Roier would have to this situation. Then q!Cellbit says "I thought you'd be better off without me and you..." at this moment his voice breaks, despite believing in what he's saying he doesn't want it to be real. "You're okay, aren't you?" it's as if you can perfectly feel the mix of sadness and fear that q!Cellbit's voice transmitted when saying this. "Yes, I'm fine! I'm feeling good, I'm feeling new!" - "See? Maybe that was the best thing to do" the confirmation that q!Cellbit was terrified of having, his sad tone of voice when he said that maybe being away from him was what brought the joy back to q!Roier it's heartbreaking. But q!Roier [Doied] doesn't seem to want to talk about these things for long, changing the subject, speaking only superficially or just going somewhere else.

Doied once again seems to have understood well how q!Roier works most of the time and with most people, but that's not all he is, that's not the essence of q!Roier. Doied cannot fake the deeper layers that make up q!Roier's existence, he becomes just a puppet with ready-made lines and repeated actions. And maybe that's why in a way he's also avoiding deep talks with q!Cellbit because if there's anyone capable of noticing that something isn't right with his husband, it's q!Cellbit... and that's exactly what's happening. Doied needs to divert topics and tries to move away because if he spends more time around him, the facade will become too obvious and this was shown to be true after two big things that Doied failed to replicate, the aspects of q!Roier's personality, and q!Cellbit noticed.

1- q!Roier would never attack q!Cellbit to hurt him. They already had a pvp fight, in which q!Roier lied about the result to make q!Cellbit feel better, they give each other shoulder pushes, light slaps on each other's arms and are very close physically, always talking close and with physical contact, they are known for always having their foreheads together when talking and this hasn't happened even once yet. During purgatory q!Roier really refused to kill q!Cellbit, constantly nodding his head to say no and stopping attacking but when he killed q!Cellbit, it was something that was soon explained as it was part of the event and it wasn't "real deaths" since things remained with them after they died, but even so, after this event q!Roier stopped smiling and demonstrated how much that affected him. There's even a moment that could almost be a parallel, in one of the days of purgatory, q!Roier had a very strong sword and asked q!Cellbit if he wanted it to be tested on him, this time q!Roier [Doied] simply started attacking q!Cellbit without even saying anything, and after q!Cellbit got very confused and said "Well... if that makes you happy", Doied chooses the safer answer "It's just a joke!"

2- q!Roier is extremely protective of his family. Upon seeing Pepito and Richas fighting a boss and q!Cellbit asking for help, Doied was just making jokes and took a while to actually try to help, something that q!Roier would never do, he would be the first to ask them to stay away and would be fighting to protect them.

So with everything that's happening now, what is q!Cellbit feeling and thinking? It's necessary to keep in mind that the key issue in all of this is something that is impossible for q!Cellbit to discover on its own. He doesn't even know about Doied's existence, q!Roier doesn't remember anything about his past and nothing was ever said about body swap, despite knowing that the federation carries out absurd tests and experiments, nothing like that had ever happened. However, there is something similar that may be considered in the future, the existence of something like q!Quackity and ElQuackity, perhaps at some point q!Cellbit will begin to suspect that perhaps this is not his husband because no matter how much he hates himself and has a very low self esteem, by now he must be confused as to why his husband is acting like this, but the love he feels for q!Roier is something that saved him, so it is strong enough to survive everything. I keep asking myself, what will happen when he discovers that the person in front of him has the same smile, the same eyes, the same body but the soul is not the same, that's not his soulmate.

[phoenixgrl1412]

Jazz is Damian's bio sibling, not Danny

I see tons of Demon Twin AUs, and I love them, but I started to wonder about what the universe would look like if Jazz was Damian's sister.

Not sure what her birth name in this AU would be (Yasmin? Yasmina? Something else) so I'm going to just refer to her as Jazz.

I'm thinking that Jazz was attempt #1 at getting the perfect heir, and for whatever reason, she was deemed to be inferior. Is there something actually wrong with her? No, but Ra's is an asshole. If you'd like to go a more sexist route, Jazz could be unworthy because she's female (in this AU, Ra's keeps Talia around to make an heir, not to be the heir).

Despite not being the perfect child they wanted, Talia and Ra's train Jazz until they are able to try again. She's taught as if she was the heir, even though everyone knows she isn't, because there isn't a better choice at the moment.

When Jazz is three, Damian is born. Damian is her little brother and she loves him as best she can, but Damian is raised to treat her as inferior, and it shows. Everyone looks down on her, especially Ra's, and that attitude is the example Damian follows.

Jazz is still trained, because if nothing else she could still be an assassin, but no one holds out much hope for her. She isn't as talented as Damian, even though she's older. She's not as strong or as stealthy or as cutthroat. She is more clever, but she is older than him, so it's brushed off. Besides, good assassin soldiers don't need to be clever, they just need to obey.

But where Damian excels in the physical arts, Jazz excels at the mind arts. Solving puzzles, recognizing patterns, psychoanalyzing her opponents to predict their moves - that's what she's good at. It's clearly inherited from Batman (no one can explain her red hair, though).

When Jazz is eight and Damien is five, Jazz flees the League. Why and how is your choice. Maybe Damian is supposed to kill her in a show of superiority. Maybe Talia helps her fake her death and escape as a final act of motherly love. Maybe Jazz flees on her own, wanting to be something else even if she doesn't know what.

Jazz makes it to America, and then to a little podunk town in the middle of nowhere, Illinois, called Amity Park. She meets the Fenton parents and their almost six-year-old son, Danny. And somehow, they take her in. And for a while, it's the family she wished she had, with loving parents and a little brother who didn't want to stab her.

Danny isn't Damian. He isn't a replacement. She knows that they aren't the same. They are radically different, even if they both make her want to cuddle and love them (at least Danny doesn't try to stab her for doing it). She can miss Damian and what could have been while embracing what she has found.

And for a while, she's happy.

Sure, she didn't expect her little brother (Danny is her Little Brother, Damian is her Baby Brother, there has been and will always be a difference to her) to die and come back, but she's seen weirder stuff when she was in the League.

She also didn't expect Danny to use his newfound powers to become a hero, but it's his choice, and she's going to support him. At least she has her League training to fall back on, even if she's a bit rusty.

And yeah, she was hoping that her adoptive parents would take Danny's halfa status a lot better than they did, but she'd always known it wasn't going to end well. She's always been good at recognizing behavioral patterns, and theirs said nothing good. But she'd hoped, for Danny's sake, that she would be wrong.

She never thought she would flee for her life for a second time, but here she is, driving a stolen car with her unconscious and bleeding brother in the backseat, heading towards the one place she swore she would never set foot in: Gotham.

[lazycats-stuff]

👋Hello, hope you are having a good day/night?

If you're interested in writing it I thought of an idea Bruce(Bats) x tall male werewolf reader

Reader is on the run from hunters and is hiding in Gotham. He's way taller than Bruce, a little rough around the edges and a total badass. No one knows he's a werewolf till some hunters come to Gotham, maybe they want to kill reader because he's a werewolf or want his pelt because its rare? Your choice. And maybe a lil bit of batfam?

Of course I'm interested. It sounds interesting. I do wonder how Bruce would react to a werewolf boyfriend.

Summary: Bruce meets a werewolf. Of course he doesn't realize it right away, but once he notices different people lingering around (Y/N), he is not sure that he knows everything about (Y/N).

Warnings: Violence, shifting into a werewolf, murder, Bruce being scared of the reader (for a moment)

(Y/N) walked back home. It was 2 am and he had just finished his shift as a security guard at the club. His statue and attitude in general made is great for a security guard in a rowdy club. And it worked well in Gotham. Criminals don't really come near you and they leave you be.

And if necessary, you could help out someone. Although, even the people he helped out were afraid of him. Could he blame them? No. He is tall as Mount Everest, with muscles and looks like he is one step away from murder.

Either way, it was great.

But this city was not. He now officially hates this city. There was far too noise for his supernatural hearing. He wanted to move away, somewhere far away from everyone, with woods near him. He doesn't like to be able in human form for a long time.

He checked his watch. 2:14 am. He will be back in ten more minutes and then he will sleep. He will have to text his boyfriend that he got home.

He took a quick look around, his paranoia acting up. He went through a lot over the years, he saw a lot of violence, death and destruction. Most of his friends were gone and he was now the definition of a loner wolf.

He looked down at his phone. His boyfriend was calling.

" Hey B. "

" Hey, are you near the apartment? "

" Close. I still can't believe you would stay up so late for me. "

" You are my boyfriend who works nightshifts. I'm worried about you walking around Gotham alone. I know you are taller than me and strong as me, but I still worry. "

" Well, there is no need. I will talk to you later and go to bed. "

" Will do. "

(Y/N) hanged up and put the phone back into his pocket. He took his keys and unlocked his apartment building. He needs to get in and sleep. He was about to unlock his apartment, but the smell made him stop. Who the hell was in his apartment? He took a sniff. It smelled familiar, but he couldn't pin point where he smelled it. That wasn't good.

He unlocked the door, moving quietly inside. He pounced at the figure waiting for him. (Y/N) pinned him to the ground, freezing when he saw the face. His old friend, who was supposed to be dead.

" What... You are supposed to be dead... How are you alive? " (Y/N) asked, shocked all the way to his core.

" I faked my death, my dear friend. "

(Y/N) stood up from his now alive friend, allowing him to get up.

" Why? "

" There are hunters coming to Gotham, but they are far more dangerous then the ones you encountered before. They are looking for your pelt my friend. "

" These aren't the ones that kill? "

" No, " the man shook his head, " They are far more sadistic. They will torture you until you turn and then skin you alive. And if you are lucky then they will kill you. " He said, sitting down on the couch.

" What name do you go by? " (Y/N) asked, crossing his arms.

" Alex. You need to leave Gotham now. "

(Y/N) shook his head. He can't. He can't leave Bruce and most definitely not his boys. He loved those boys as if they were his own. He considered them a part of his pack, people he needed to protect.

" I can't Alex. I... "

" Oh my God... You got connected with someone. You got a little pack! " Alex exclaimed.

" Keep your voice down. "

" Oh my dear friend... Well, you either tell them what you are or leave them. One way or another, the hunters will come for you. "

" I know that. "

" I hope you do. I have to go, I got to go now. Stay strong. "

" What other choice do we have? " (Y/N) asked Alex, who shrugged his shoulders.

He left the apartment and (Y/N) had sat down on the couch, leaning down and putting his head in his hands. What was he going to do? He needs to tell Bruce, but for the first time in a long time he was afraid. He feared the rejection more than the hunters... His priorities were messed up.

" Shit... "

But Bruce deserved to know the truth. He could at least do that. But could his heart take the rejection? (Y/N) muttered out a fuck then he looked for his phone. No... He is going to call him in the morning and ask him to meet. He has the weekend off and the time won't be the problem... Now he has to think about what to tell Bruce. Great...

(Y/N) was driving to the manor, trying to ignore the twitching oh his fingers on the steering wheel. His heart was beating so hard that (Y/N) thought that it was going to jump out of his chest. He got past the gate and parked the car. He saw Bruce waiting already at the entrance of the house. (Y/N) took a deep breath, trying to compose himself.

He stepped out, going straight to Bruce. Bruce reached out, but (Y/N) stopped.

" Bruce, I... I need to tell you something... Well, I need to show you this, otherwise you won't believe me. "

Bruce tilted his head, clearly confused. (Y/N) took his hand and dragged him to the back of the house, the part that was covered by the woods. He could show him there.

" (Y/N) what are we doing back here? What do you need to show me?"

" Now, you are either going to hate me or kill me... Nothing in between. Are we alone? " (Y/N) asked taking his shirt off.

" Yes we are, but why are you taking your clothes off?! " Bruce asked, completely thrown off by (Y/N)'s behavior.

" Bruce, I am a werewolf. "

Bruce laughed for a second, but the laugh stopped when he saw (Y/N) in his boxers and then shifting.

The sound of bones cracking, as if they are breaking, the limbs turning into paws. Bruce saw fur that was black as night and then the most blue eyes he has ever seen. And the wolf was the biggest animal that Bruce has ever seen. And Bruce?

Bruce was in shock, eyes wide. (Y/N) whimpered and then lowered himself onto his belly. He wanted to show Bruce that he had nothing to fear, that he wasn't going to hurt him.

It took Bruce a moment to snap back. He crouched down, reaching out to (Y/N)'s head. He wanted to pet it. Why? The fur seemed soft and (Y/N) lowered himself on his belly.

" It's okay, I'm not going to hate you. " Bruce consoled his lover. (Y/N) sighed in happiness, moving closer to Bruce, wagging his big tail. He gently licked Bruce's hands.

Bruce smiled, scratching (Y/N)'s ears.

" I have a secret to tell you myself. Well, I have to show you too. "

(Y/N) shifted back to his human form, now only in boxers. He put his clothes on quickly, then hugged Bruce.

" Thank you... For not rejecting me... "

" I would never do that hun. Did something happen? "

" Yeah... Can we go inside? "

Bruce nodded, taking his lover inside. They sat at the couch, holding hands.

" So, if you are not a human in this world, there are going to be hunters after you. If you are a werewolf, you will hunted for your fur... But now, there is a new type of hunters. The ones that are far more sadistic, the one that torture you until you turn and then make sure you stay in that... Form as they skin you..." (Y/N) stopped, choking on his breath.

Bruce squeezed his hands, to calm him.

" Sweetie, that won't happen to you. "

" How do you know that? " (Y/N) asked, closing his eyes for a moment.

" Because I am Batman. "

(Y/N) opened his eyes and looked at Bruce. What? But... Everything fit together.

" Oh my God... "

" Yeah... " Bruce said, turning his head to the side with a small, nervous smile.

" I have questions about your werewolf side. Way to many. And I would like to get rid of those hunters for good. Well, not kill them, but... Make sure that they won't come back to Gotham. "

" What are we going to tell the boys? And Alfred? "

" They will understand, trust me hun, we have seen stuff that... Well, we have seen a lot. I think they will even cuddle with you even more. Damian will love you even more. "

(Y/N) smiled, moving closer to Bruce, kissing him gently. Bruce wrapped his arms around (Y/N), bringing him into his lap.

" Okay, you two need to get a room. " Jason said, turning his head away.

(Y/N) and Bruce moved away from one another, trying not to blush.

" Jason, why are you home earlier? " Bruce asked his son.

Jason has shrugged his shoulders and went to the kitchen. (Y/N) glanced at Bruce with a small smile. It will an interesting evening to say the least.

The reveal of (Y/N)'s werewolf side went well. Damian was the first to hug (Y/N)'s wolf and demanded that (Y/N) be in his werewolf form more. He won't take no for an answer. But they were mad once they heard about hunters trying to hurt their new dad.

Bastards. Jason was ready to kill them. (Y/N) had to restrain him to not do anything stupid. And that's why Jason was now on (Y/N)'s lap. He didn't mind it.

" Okay, then what is the plan? Hunters are close to Gotham and we need to protect you. You are like our second dad... " Dick said, looking down at the floor.

" Well, I wanted to ask you this question for a while... Would you like to move in with us? " Bruce asked, hope shining in his eyes.

" Of course. You guys are my pack now. "

Jason leaned back, wrapping (Y/N) arms around him.

" It's official. You are our new dad. " Jason said, nodding to himself.

" Well, I say we set a trap for the hunters. " Damian said, standing up from the chair he was sitting in.

" An ambush you mean? " Tim asked, taking a sip of his coffee.

" Of course. (Y/N) gave us the descriptions and we can track them easily. They are going to pay. " Damian said, fire burning in his eyes.

Bruce looked a bit worried, but he couldn't exactly blame his son either. Nobody should go through what (Y/N) went through. Nobody.

" Hun, you stay put and we will deal with them. " Bruce said, taking his cowl. Jason stood up from (Y/N)'s lap and joined the others. They got ready and with a hug went to the car. Bruce gave (Y/N) a quick kiss and then a hug.

" Wait here, we will be back soon. "

(Y/N) nodded, sitting back down. He glanced at Alfred, the person who was quiet this entire time.

" I'm happy you are here master (Y/N), don't worry about my opinion. You have made master Bruce happy and the boys have accepted you. What more could I ask for? " Alfred said, smiling at (Y/N).

" You know, I have always wanted your approval. "

Alfred hummed, smiling at the werewolf.

" Well, you don't have to worry about that. I see the way you look at Bruce and the boys... You love them like they are your own and you are not freaked out by master Bruce night job. You are quite okay with that. And maybe I favor you more than Bruce. "

(Y/N) nodded, standing up and then hugging Alfred.

" Thanks Alfred. "

Alfred hugged back. (Y/N) was finally happy. He found the man he loves, the kids he loves as if they were his own... He found his pack. He finally found his pack.

[aspoonofsugar]

you wrote such a beautiful rwby analysis but unfortunately I think you put more thought into the plot than the entire writers room

Hi!

Thank you, I am happy you found my analysis beautiful!

That said, I am sorry, but I disagree with your statement. It is fine if you dislike the series and even if you criticize it, but as for me, I think the writing is rather strong.

Here are some thoughts, which aren't really directed at you, but rather are born by me seeing a tendency going around where it is somehow "cool" to outloud state RWBY is badly written. I even saw people like... "apologizing" because they enjoy the series. Newsflash...RWBY is good.

RWBY is a series with a writing that goes from decent to very good depending on the moment. I would give it from 7 to 8.5 or even 9 in some scenes. More importantly, it is a story the writers are clearly enjoying writing, as for now. This is why I like watching it. It is genuine, upfront in what it wants to say and it takes risks. Ironically, a series with limited resources shows much more freedom in execution than many other stories, which are economically backed up.

I would also add people keep talking about good writing, but never really elaborate on it... And like, trust me, I do think there is good writing and bad writing. The problem is that people just take examples of "well written series" and decide a series written differently must be bad. This isn't really the case.

First of all, let's focus only on a specific type of story, which is the kind most modern movies, books and series are. This type of story is built on 3 (4) factors:

Plot

Characters

Themes

(Worldbuilding)

I would say the first 3 are more important usually, but there are some stories where the worldbuilding is so strong it becomes its own selling point.

Now, a good story is usually strong in all these departments. The perfect story is top notch in all 3 (4). That is because a good plot usually lets you develop the characters better, which in turns helps exploring the theme.

However, here comes the amazing truth... even the most incredible stories. Even the masterpieces loved by everybody... even them... end up choosing only 1 or 2 of these aspects and sacrifice a little bit of the 3rd (and 4th) one.

Naoki Urasawa's Monster? Its focus is themes. He chooses to go all out on this department, which is why the story is so powerful and resonates so much with people. Still, to do so, he chooses to sacrifice some parts of the plot to the point... some mysteries are not really solved. Some people may be annoyed by it, but I would not call it a flaw. It is a choice. Leaving some things open enriches the themes.

Death Note? If the story has to choose between characters, themes and plot, it goes for plot. This is why despite having so many well liked characters, it is difficult to think of outstanding character arcs in it. The same goes for the themes, which are only touched superficially. This is why btw Death Note is not a fave of mine, really.

Now obviously, many examples can be done and we could discuss forever on some because there is always always always a subjective component. What I am trying to say is... there are different ways to write a story. Not all people would like the same. Luckily, we have tons of stories.

Back to RWBY. I would say RWBY shines when it comes to themes. Characters and plot are good and interesting, but what keeps the story together, despite it playing so much with genre is that it has a very strong thematic core. You can't invent it or fake it btw. See, Death Note's author tries to do it in later works (Platinum End cough cough), but fails. At the same time, there is another department RWBY is top notch and that is symbolism. RWBY has a very rich symbolic system. Again... surely there are coincidences, but like this is a little bit too much...imho.

Now, does it mean, the writers came up with all the patterns I and others find? Probably not, but here is the thing... writing has an unconscious component. If you go earnestly at it, you are bound to unconsciously create patterns. A good writer is able to recognize them (either consciously or unconciously) and to capitalize on them. So far, I think CRWBY has capitalized on the patterns they created. I also think it is clear they are very good at researching and at playing with different sources by going deep into them. Again, you can't come up with the Ever After if you have not read and even studied Alice in Wonderland. It is just impossible. You would end up with a shallow and uninteresting copy cat. The Ever After isn't that because it is used to explore themes, characters and lore in an interesting way. Hence... ladies and gentlemen... it is a fruit of... good writing.

But really, since people are not commenting on it... I would like to point out that in 5 episodes of less than 20 minutes, they have managed to introduce a whole world, with its own lore, set of characters and main story (Alyx's) and to tie it to the protagonists' predicament in a way that hits really hard thematically and psychologically... To do that you need exceptionally thight writing... it is not that simple to do...

Anyway, have a nice day anon and consider watching something else. Thanks God the world is full of stories!

[ahsokathegray]

A Remedy for Memory || Part Three

Pairing: Rexsoka

Prompt: Rexsoka Monthly Jan. ‘24 - Accidental First Kiss

Summary: One simple fall causes a certain commander to fall in love with his co-commander all over again. Rex expresses his gratitude to his lover rather affectionately — unaware that he's never done so before, unaware that he and Ahsoka aren't together.

Tags: order 66 didn't happen, temporary amnesia, whump kinda, fake dating kinda, protective brotherly Anakin

Word Count: 5,528

A/N: if you saw the rom com this was inspired by, no you didn't. but fr go watch it, it's called the other zoey! (@rexsoka-monthly)

read on ao3! / masterlist

Three Months Ago

When the soft knock at Ahsoka’s door came, it was Jesse’s face rather than Rex’s smiling in her doorway. 

The ARC’s presence was always a welcome one but this occasion might’ve been the first exception. She’d been waiting for Rex for the better part of an hour and her disappointment was difficult to disguise. Ahsoka’s hopeful heart sank, returning to its regular rate and the fire that had been ignited in it for days, now extinguished in a swift death. 

If she exhaled deeply enough, she could feel the shattered fragments of it pierce her chest. 

Jesse, typically one to pick up on microexpressions and words left unsaid, was held back by the copious amounts of Tihaar in his system. She caught its distinct notes of smokey caramelization when he laughed. “Hey Commanderer, was jus’ wondering if you wanted t’join us in the barracks for drinks,” he offered, slurring over his words. His speech might’ve been compromised, but his eyes were anything but — scanning the empty room behind her.

The flush in her cheeks ran hot, knowing just who he was searching for. Jesse hadn’t been promoted to ARC status without reason. A few times during the siege, she’d met his knowing gaze, helmeted but clearly taking stock of the newfound dynamic between his two Commanders. 

“You have—” he hiccuped, “Haven’t seen Rex anywhere, have you?”

Ahsoka readied herself to catch the drunken Lieutenant who was now relying heavily on her door frame for stability. As down in the garbage chute as she was, she couldn’t suppress her amusement. Jesse’s state of being was inadvertently lifting her mood whether she wanted it to or not. It had been in nothing but a drunken haze that he had forgotten Ahsoka wasn’t there as a General — stumbling to the correct door by complete accident. 

Damn him. 

To him, to all the clones, she was their Commander, their General, and more. The title of Advisor was irrelevant. It had been as though she’d never left, continuing on as a Jedi and leading them into the mission as she was always meant to. 

Lying to the men was something Ahsoka never did, but she had no other choice in this instance. 

“No,” she answered finally, allowing herself to laugh at her goofy friend. “Unfortunately, I haven’t, not since we turned in for the evening. He, um, isn’t in his room then?” Her tongue was slotted into her cheek, hoping Jesse hadn’t picked up on the tone of suspicious interest in her voice.

His face contorted in curiosity for a spell before he pursed his lips. A flask was produced from his utility belt and he took a swig of its contents, deep in thought. “Wanna help me look for’em?” The flask was wiggled back and forth in his grip as a way of enticing her.

Again, Ahsoka laughed but turned him down, in no mood to prolong her sadness or risk the possibility of worsening it. “Thanks, but warm Tihaar doesn’t exactly agree with me. Good luck finding Rex. And please, be careful.”

He only shrugged his shoulders and pushed himself away from her door. “You’re missin’ out, but if I find’em, you’ll be the fi— first to know,” he hiccuped again and disappeared down the echoing hallway of the men’s drunken laughter. 

She waited and worried and paced for what felt like another hour, but not once did she regret what had been done. Had anyone seen Rex follow her? They hadn’t exactly tried to be subtle with their flirting throughout the entirety of the mission, were they somehow sloppy with this too? She could accept it if nothing further happened between them, but it still stung something fierce.

Ahsoka both tried to recount the events of the evening and to forget them. Her neck tingled in the sensitive spot Rex’s mouth had been just earlier — his velvet lips… so soft in a galaxy where every edge of a soldier was expected to be rough. Rex had many regrets and she hoped her name hadn’t been added to the extensive list. The thought alone made her feel physically ill. Her hand was pressed over her neck, clutching where his kisses had been placed, as though she were attempting to keep them from flying away.

The next noise that came to her door was much harsher and not a knock at all. 

Jesse barged in before she had time to react, cursing under his breath and carrying the missing man over his shoulder. Ahsoka gasped and retrieved Rex’s fallen helmet, placing it quickly on her night table and adjusting the rangefinder. 

“Tell me that wasn’t his head, Jesse,” she whispered through her teeth, helping him place an unconscious Rex onto her bed before folding her arms. 

He picked up the man’s feet and shoved him to the middle of her mattress. “Hey, he was already knocked out when I found him. Two shinies spilled some of the not-so-cheap stuff in a corridor near the barracks and Cap— Commander Clumsy here slipped and fell,” Jesse laughed, slightly less inebriated than before. 

Ahsoka smacked his arm. 

“He needs a medic then, not me,” she said, turning to Rex and cupping his face, checking him for head injuries and desperately attempting to ignore the feel of his five o’clock shadow on her palms — as if she hadn’t felt the gentle scratch there under entirely different circumstances just earlier. 

Jesse snickered again, “Well, I would’ve taken him there, but…”

“The medic’s drunk?”

“Medic’s drunk.”

She sighed and pinched the bridge of her nose. 

“This looks incriminating,” Jesse said minutes later, removing Rex’s shoes and placing them at the foot of Ahsoka’s bed. They’d agreed rather quickly that Rex needed to stay here tonight under Ahsoka’s careful watch. She was likely the only person outside of the bridge that wasn’t intoxicated.

“I think we are well past incriminating, Jesse,” she corrected, glancing at the growing pile of Rex’s armor strewn about her room. It was supposed to have ended up there tonight just… not like this. She tugged Rex’s cuirass off as his brother held him up. “Where’s the unlocking mechanism for his belt? Can you hold him still?”

“Trying. I’m trying,” he’d said, giggling at Rex’s limp form and losing grip. His mouth twitched and he pointed above Rex’s codpiece, “It’s, well, behind the uh...” 

The blush that had settled into Ahsoka’s face could almost rival the one she wore in the hangar when Rex tried to further their kissing beyond that of something so reserved and so clothed. 

“Of course it is,” she sighed, earning a matching sigh from Jesse in confirmation. 

She’d fully been prepared for undressing an armored Rex in her room, learning where each of the pieces disconnected and feeling the warm man beneath the shell — but, again, not like this. No, the initial image didn’t exactly have Jesse in the room instructing her on how to do so. 

That was supposed to be Rex’s job. 

The act was quick, eliciting no response from Rex. Force, how she’d give anything for his reaction to it; for his labored breathing and ready hands — to tug her hands down where he wanted them. Instead, his utility belt and kama fell limply to the bed and Ahsoka piled them neatly on the floor, neatly stacking the rest of his upper armor. 

“We’ll leave the rest,” Jesse said, noticing the air in the room had shifted when all that remained was Rex’s lower kit.

“Agreed.”

“We got off the armor that matters for a comfortable night's sleep.”

“Yeah?” she asked. 

“Well…”

“Jesse.”

He threw his hands up in defense and silently made his way to the door, lingering a moment longer, “It’s true. All I’m saying is that anyone with vision and hearing can tell how he feels about you, Ahsoka.”

Pressing her lips together Ahsoka crossed her arms tight around her middle and looked away. 

“Just not everyone pays attention. Be careful. That goes for both of you,” he added, tapping his fingers against her door frame and bidding her a good night.

Present Day

His lips were as soft as she remembered — unexpectedly so in contrast to the rest of him. Hard armor, sharp features, buzzed hair, calloused hands. Soft lips. 

Ahsoka couldn’t think straight, kissing Rex, being kissed by Rex. 

He was confident with his affections, trailing his loving mouth along the length of her jaw as if he’d really been doing it for all these months. As both her lashes and insides fluttered, she wondered how many times he’d thought about this exact moment — how many times he thought he might’ve already done it. 

For her, the imaginary instances had been countless — constant since her return. Rex had evidently imagined it so frequently that he’d perfected the art. 

He sucked on that tender spot below her jaw where her neck met her lekku and elicited a small gasp from her dry throat. They’d discovered together months ago that this spot was sensitive, as it was the very spot his lips had latched onto that night in the Tribunal’s hangar. 

Hot breath fanned over her wet skin as Rex continued recounting the story. “I followed you back to your room, knowing no one would think to look in the General’s quarters for us,” he spoke lowly against her neck, the vibrations of his voice causing her own breaths to become shallow. 

She didn’t have the heart to tell him. She couldn’t tell him. The truth would jeopardize how he healed and Rex… Rex would have to remember on his own that none of what he remembered after the shuttle had actually ever happened. 

He did make it to her room that night, only he’d done so via unconsciously slung over the shoulder of his brother. And, well, he’d ended up in her bed with his armor on the floor, but not in the way he thought.

But kissing him — kissing Rex — she momentarily believed as much as he did that his version of that night was true. 

His hands were anything but shy either. Two fingers were quick to hook behind her knee, urging Ahsoka to swing her leg over him. Her chest rose and fell impossibly fast, panicking over how to proceed.

“Rex, we’re not alone,” she whispered against his temple, placing a trembling hand to his chest. 

Nothing deterred him. “Skywalker left minutes ago,” he revealed, smiling wickedly and out of breath. “Guess he decided he’d seen enough.”

Through her heavy lashes, Ahsoka could see the sultry lopsided grin on his swollen lips, causing the knot behind her navel to coil tighter. The hand that cupped her jaw was gentle as his thumb skirted against her bottom lip and caused her to whimper. In one expert motion, Rex had Ahsoka in his lap, straddling him in the middle of the medbay.

A small squeak died in her throat as his lips enveloped hers once more, large hands covering her thighs and squeezing. She sighed into the kiss and he groaned so sweetly as their cores brushed. “I can’t wait to get you back to our place and have you all to myself,” Rex breathed into her mouth, swiping his tongue along hers. 

“Ou-our place?” Ahsoka managed, gripping the material of the blacks covering his shoulders. 

He hummed in response, hands journeying up to her hips and tracing them delicately, looking up at her adoringly as she shivered. A chaste kiss was placed to the inside of her left lek, “Yes, ma’am.” His mouth trailed upward, fully aware of what result it would get him. Ahsoka shifted in his lap and he grinned, continuing and reaching the convex curve of her montral. “Where every evening you get to watch the sunset over the Temple and I get to watch you. I want to watch you tonight, unraveling with nothing but my mouth and the golden light on your skin,” he whispered, teeth grazing her chevron.

Ahsoka’s hips bucked and she nearly choked, trying to remember to remind herself that she had a part to play. Yes, she was quite glad that she wasn’t the one hooked up with her vitals displayed. It was a very real possibility that she’d break the heart monitor. 

“I’m looking forward to it,” she rasped, her mouth dry. “I’ll go get everything ready.’

Rex made a noise of protest, the hands on her hips tightening and being used as leverage to press their centers closer. His voice was gravelly, “I think I remember Kix prescribing me a few doses of y—”

She pressed a finger to his lips and he smiled wickedly, kissing the digit as though he were nothing but innocent.

“Kix said no such thing,” she laughed before biting her lip. “But the sooner you let me slip away, the sooner you can self-prescribe yourself whatever you want.”

“And if I said you look rather tempting?” he drawled, shifting beneath the sheets as Ahsoka got off the bed.

She threw him a wink as she left the room, “Medic’s orders, then.”

The chair that the nurse droid brought for her to sit down in earlier looked enticing, an invitation for relief, but Ahsoka thankfully made it around the corner before breaking character. She pressed herself into the wall, heart pounding in her throat and trying to absorb what had just happened. Her legs squeezed together. He didn’t remember that they never… that what happened in the shuttle on the Tribunal never continued. 

It never amounted to anything. 

It— All it did was find them in small moments alone in the mess hall, the Resolute’s corridors, its war room, the hangar. All it did was make them forget that nothing happened, before inevitably bringing tight smiles to their lips and brief vulnerable looks in their eyes until one of them looked away or said something to reluctantly end it. All it did was insert itself into their banter during battle, the dances they did on the field, how they knew the other’s instincts. Even when Anakin was there, he wasn’t, nor were the men. They were the only people in the galaxy until the cruel spell was broken again.

Their light hearted banter continued, thank the Force. She didn’t know how she’d be coping otherwise. 

Discussion about it just wasn’t had. They’d silently agreed upon it. Only when her Master started asking questions had they been forced to approach the topic. 

Ahsoka swallowed, lighting her comm up and watching her hand tremble. “Jesse?”

“Yes, sir, Commander?” he responded immediately.

“I found out what Rex thinks he knows.”

There was no response for a moment and Ahsoka knew he’d heard the waver in her voice. “Commander, you don’t—”

“I know that. But I have to now. I can’t— Anakin is going to be impossible to convince otherwise,” she said, knowing she wasn’t making any sense. 

“What happened, Ahsoka?”

She rushed the words out so that she wouldn’t have to suffer them for long, “Rex thinks we are involved because we almost were. Well, we were a bit. Then… then you brought him to my room that night after Mandalore—”

Jesse put together the pieces Ahsoka had scattered. She’d only confirmed what he already knew to be true. “He was supposed to already be in there, wasn’t he?”

Inhaling and exhaling deeply, Ahsoka waited, knowing her silence was already speaking for her. “Yes,” she confirmed. “He thinks we’re together, that we live together. And the only viable way we could do that is if each of us were no longer involved in the Republic.”

“I guess that explains why he thinks he’s retired,” Jesse said. “Have you told Kix?”

“I can’t tell him everything. Not how much I told you.”

“You don’t have to. Just tell him what you found out. I’m sure you know this already, but Kix would never repeat a word you confide in him — he has the utmost respect for you as much as anyone. I’ll talk to him too. If it’s the three of us speaking with the General, he may be easier to persuade.”

Ahsoka nodded to herself. “Okay. Alright, I’ll comm him and find both of you after. Thank you, Jesse.”

“Sounds like a plan, sir. Anytime.”

Flames licked at the irises of her Master’s eyes. She could practically see the red rings encircling them, but their color remained blue, deceitfully so. Ahsoka wasn’t easily fooled. She’d known him long enough to see the tsunami that roared behind them; it was too late to take back her wish that he’d be angry. So, too, was it far too late to wish he’d been present to witness her and Rex in the medbay. 

His jaw flexed before he responded to his medic. “And you expect me to just host his delusions willingly?”

Jesse shifted uncomfortably and Kix reached for the datapad clipped to his belt. “I can show you his results again, sir. They were conclusive almost immediately. There was no time to falsify a report.”

Rex’s office was still, not even the gentle hum of the air conditioning could grant them its presence, almost as if it too were holding its breath to hear what Anakin’s reaction would be to such a request. 

It was the only place she could think of for pulling Jesse and Kix aside to shed the weight that had been placed on her shoulders, telling them each what Rex had divulged to her and what truly had happened after Mandalore. Conveniently, Kix was observant enough to share Jesse’s suspicions — Rex’s intimate gratitude earlier in the shipyard enough to confirm them. The safe little office they’d used to express their feelings and opinions felt decidedly less so now that Anakin had been called to join them. 

“So I’m supposed to just find the apartment he described, furnish it, and pay for him and my Padawan to live in it until he heals?” Anakin asked incredulously, arms crossed and hands balled into shaking fists. 

Ahsoka, Jesse, and Kix all remained resolute, unnerving the volatile man before them. Depending on how much he’d seen in the medbay, this could go one of two ways.

“Yes, sir,” Kix answered flatly. “To ensure Rex’s health, I’m afraid that’s exactly what I’m asking— what I’m telling you must be done. I hate to pull rank, sir, but taking these measures of precaution is absolutely necessary.”

Jesse tilted his head towards Kix, chiming in, “It could potentially speed along his recovery process, General. Vaughn agreed to split Rex’s tasks with me but we’re still a man short and the workload is already moving at a slower rate without him.”

Anakin pinched the bridge of his nose, letting his arms fall at his sides before placing them on his hips. His distaste with anything revolving around his pair of Commanders was clear even before Rex had fallen and hit his head. Something he already suspected between them that wasn’t true, was still untrue but now fully happening and out of his hands. 

He was being forced to be complicit in this. 

Ahsoka’s jaw flexed when he turned to her, prepared at a moment’s notice to come to Rex’s defenses.

“Your Knighthood ceremony is next week, Ahsoka. That’s in three days,” he reminded her, his voice distraught and cold. 

“And according to Kix’s report, Rex’s memory will be back in two. This is just another mission. I'll be ready.”

“And if it’s not? If he’s not better? What do you think the Council will have to say about that?” he argued, pacing in Rex’s small office. 

She tilted her chin up, “What the Council doesn’t know won’t hurt them. Isn’t that what you taught me?”

“That’s hardly fair, Ahsoka.”

“You know how I feel about fair,” she retorted.

Her Master scoffed, yet again humiliated in front of his troops by his student due to a fragile ego. It might do him some good — a few healthy doses close together like that to balance him out. 

Jesse spoke up yet again, “There’s no one more capable than Commander Ahsoka to look after Rex. You can ask anyone in the 332nd. It was her who looked after us on Mandalore, more so than the other way around. If anyone should be at Rex’s side, it’s her. He’d do the same if the roles were reversed, and has. I’ve seen it.” His focus shifted to Ahsoka, eyes kind and gave her a nod.

Anakin’s features hardened and he turned his back to them, activating his comm and not looking back as he spoke, “Wait here. I’ll be right back.”

When the door closed behind him, Ahsoka took a seat behind Rex’s desk and put her head in her hand, looking up at the boys. Her frustration was evident, words unnecessary.

As if on cue, the air in the office finally kicked on and Jesse took a seat across from her. “Reckon’ it’s time for his scheduled comm with the Naboo Senator? Thought I had those timed,” he laughed dryly. Ahsoka cracked a slight smile, relaxing a bit. “He’s really going to give you this much hell when he’s calling in a favor with his wife?”

“How do you know it’s her that he’s contacting? And how do you know she’s…” Ahsoka asked, trailing off due to the look he was giving her. 

Jesse scoffed playfully. “You mean who doesn’t? And he always presses the first button on his comm when he goes off to talk to her,” he explained, as if it were common knowledge. “And her apartment has the exact view Rex described does it not?”

Ahsoka swiveled in the comfortable chair. “You’re right,” she said, what her Master had stepped outside to do now snapping into place. 

“Anyway, I think you missed my whole point, Ahsoka. Skywalker wants to bust your shebs for having to pretend to be in a relationship with Rex when he’s the one that’s married, that’s broken the code. And you’re not even a Jedi yet, not really — no offense,” he added. 

“None taken. Where are you going with this?”

He resumed, “Your ceremony is in three days. You’re not breaking any rules. Technically, are you even still officially a Padawan? Did they ever rectify that anywhere after you came back?”

“No. No, they didn’t,” she responded, eyes widening a fraction. 

Jesse tilted his head, a mischievous grin spreading over his face, “Then I’d say you’re clear to do whatever the fuck you want, Commander.” He leaned back in his chair, satisfied with himself. 

Ahsoka attempted to combat the blushing of her lekku by just wanting it to go away. Jesse snickered and she looked to Kix for his input. He merely shrugged, silently agreeing with his brother before adding, “All I’m gonna say is that this might need to go live somewhere else before the General sees it.”

Her brow markings dipped and her gaze followed down to where his hand was resting on Rex’s desk. Kix was touching the frame of a photo tucked between stacks of datapads and mission reports. 

It was one of two pictures total that Rex had framed on his cramped desk. One was of him, Cody, Fives, and Echo and the other… The one Kix had discovered was of him and her. 

The frame was dainty and heart-shaped and she immediately reached for it, turning it face down and turning, herself, a shade of rosy orange. 

Jesse lunged out of his chair towards the desk, “Hey, not so fast, I wanna see what he’s got framed in th—”

At that moment, the door whooshed open and Anakin reappeared. “Ahsoka, Padmé has agreed to help. Everything will be ready this afternoon for you and Rex to,” he paused, the words rebelling in his throat. “Live together,” he said finally. “Focus on the mission. You’re being tasked with helping his memory return. The moment it’s back, you’ll be inducted into the Order.”

She rose so quickly that Rex’s chair was spinning behind her. “Yes, Master. Thank you. Thank you, I won’t let you down.”

His jaw visibly tightened and he muttered as he turned away, “Yeah well, you can start by not being so enthusiastic about it.”

Not even three hours later, Anakin was handing Ahsoka a passkey for the apartment — the apartment that his commanders would be living in for the two days and where Rex was convinced they’d already been living in for the past three months. 

His Force signature was indiscernible. It was clear that his earlier rage had fizzled, but Ahsoka didn’t favor what it left behind in its wake. She was unnerved at how emotionless he seemed. 

“Padmé had Artoo and Threepio stock the place with food. She and her handmaiden furnished it and gathered Rex’s personal effects from the barracks and yours from the Temple. Our apartment is two floors above yours if either of you need anything for the duration of the weekend,” Anakin said. His words were icy, speaking to her as if they were just acquaintances and nothing more. 

Ahsoka thanked him but he was already ten feet away from her, the distance between them not growing fast enough for her Master. He’d not even tried to dance around the details of his and Padmé’s arrangement. Already aware that she and Rex had swapped stories, he felt no need to maintain the secrecy now, just laying it out in the open. Ahsoka’s jaw hung loose, the passkey limp in her hand. 

Anakin was at a loss, hair a mess from the back. She rarely saw him in this state. His commanders would be sharing a bed just two floors below him, they both knew the intimate details of his biggest secret, and there was nothing he could do about either one of those facts. 

No expense was spared on the apartment, if apartment was even the correct term to use for such a lavish place to live. Ahsoka had been to Padmé’s place — well, as Anakin had corrected, their shared place — but had never really paid the view any mind. Day was setting on the Coruscant skyline and bouncing off the Jedi Temple in a way that made it seem unreal. Even GAR Headquarters shone in the distance.

Rex was beaming as he stepped through the door, the hand he had on Ahsoka’s hip pulling her closer. A sweet kiss was pressed to her lips and he kicked his shoes off, feeling right at home. 

It was amazing how he could feel so much comfort in a place he’d never been before, slotting into this life that wasn’t theirs like he’d always been dealt other cards. She wished they had been dealt other cards — been dealt these cards. 

He opened several cabinets in the kitchen. “Where do we keep the pans? I want to make you something for dinner,” he said, giving her that signature lopsided smile. 

Yes, she was very envious of this dealing of cards. She wanted desperately to be able to tell them where they kept their pans, but even she didn’t have the answer. Ahsoka told herself to go to him instead and wrap her arms around his middle, pecking his cheek like it was something so natural that didn’t cause her stomach to flip. “Do you remember ever cooking for me?”

“I don’t. Do I know how to cook?” he asked, arching an eyebrow and looking a tad sheepish.

She shook her head and laughed, “I don’t think so.” The news of his inability in the kitchen was easy to deliver, as he didn’t already think it was a skill that he had. 

Rex laughed at himself and ran his hands along her arms, “You know what they say. At least feed a lady before you kriff the living daylights out of her.” His head motioned towards the sunset through the window and added, “Literally.”

Oh, Rex was cooking alright. He lit a flame across her whole body and had been letting it simmer since he took that fall earlier. He was quite the chef indeed. Ahsoka buried her head in his chest and squeezed him tighter, remembering something Kix had told her. “Kix didn’t tell you, did he?”

“Tell me what?” he hummed, kissing the tip of one of her montrals.

“No pushing your limits physically until you’re better,” she said, looking up at him and offering a sympathetic smile. Her sympathy was truly genuine. There was little she’d rather do than take him up on his many advances and offers from today and finally finish what they started three months ago. Ahsoka never stopped wanting Rex, never stopped needing him — in every way. 

They���d been given an opportunity they could do nothing with. They’d been provided with privacy, with a bed, with a mere glimpse into the life they could’ve had, but only because Rex’s memory was deceiving him. Two days of something she’d been quite excited for now felt almost cruel. It was painful to see what they could’ve had — what almost was — and just three days before she officially became a Jedi Knight.

Rex groaned and gave her a pleading look, bending at the knees and picking her up, placing her on the counter top. Ahsoka shrieked and pressed her lips together. 

“I thought we agreed on medic’s orders,” he said, stepping between her legs and covering her thighs with his hands. 

“We did,” she replied, air difficult to inhale as Rex started peppering kissing along her exposed neck, using his index finger to push her left lek aside. “That was un— until he gave actual orders.” Her own body vibrated as Rex hummed against her throat, a fair amount of electricity conducting between them. 

“We could go slow,” he breathed against her skin suggestively. “I could make such sweet, slow, love to you.”

Ahsoka gasped at his words, brow markings twitching and thighs widening as he stepped closer to her. “W— We can’t,” she managed, her words not lining up with her actions as she craned her neck to the side, giving Rex further access.

A string of peppered kisses were planted along her collarbone. “Or,” he started again. “I could lie down and let you do all the work. But we both know I eventually wouldn’t be able to help myself.”

“Rex,” she whispered, voice small and swallowing over the lump in her throat. Ahsoka thought that before all this was over, she too would be admitted to a medical facility. Every inch of her skin was aflame. Everything she’d wanted for months was now being hand delivered to her on a silver platter and she didn’t know what to do with that. 

“I know,” he caved. “Kix is the boss. The sooner I listen to him, the sooner I recover and get to kriff you with all my memories intact. I wouldn’t want to seize the opportunity with my cyare and find I’ve forgotten how to please her.”

She blushed furiously, his usage of the Mandalorian tongue causing her to shiver. She didn’t even know what it meant. “Somehow I doubt that.”

Rex shot her a wink and made a comment about how much of a shame it was, as the sunset was complimenting her flawless skin so well. But the waning sunset had also caught something in their home, causing it to reflect into her eyes. Ahsoka moved to hop off the counter and Rex stepped aside, watching curiously as she stepped over to a nearby shelf. 

Two picture frames sat displayed in the apartment, one of Rex and a few of his brothers, and the other in a frame much dantier — much more heart-shaped. 

Ahsoka’s chest swelled as she looked up at the photo, the same one from Rex’s office. Padmé must’ve gathered his belongings from not just the barracks, but his work desk too. 

Coming to stand behind her, Rex looked where the light was catching the image and his arm slinked around Ahsoka’s waist. “I remember that day,” he said distantly, a soft smile on his buzzing lips. His brows knitted together as the memory resurfaced. “It was the day you returned. There was so much happening around us in preparation for Mandalore, but we got pushed together for a photo anyway.”

“Rex, you remembered something!” Ahsoka said excitedly. “Being back home is already working.”

Her throat closed around the word. Calling this place home felt equally as right as it felt wrong. Rex flattened his mouth and shrugged. “It’s just a small memory.”

“But it’s something,” she assured. Ahsoka utilized the Force to pluck the frame from the shelf and get it into her hands. She looked between the small printed version of herself and Rex. She remembered smiling for it, but had never seen the image, not until today. “Do you know why you’re looking at me instead of the camera? It was pretty loud in the hangar, I barely heard Sterling tell us to smile.”

His brows were dipped and his pink lips curved upwards when she met his gaze. Rex shook his head and, as if it was the most obvious answer in the galaxy, said, “Why would I ever look at a camera when you’re right next to me?”

[gummiworm-writes]

kaeya x male reader

genre: fluff, angst (kinda?)

warnings: alcohol, nothing else i don't think?

a/n: this is my first ever fic i hope you like it :3

word count: 1,195

kaeya acts all confident and self-assured. people see him and think oh, look, it's the cavalry captain! mondstadt's number one charmer! everyone loves him, right?

wrong.

the one person who he wants to love him the most doesn't. at least, not the way he loves him.

everyone sees kaeya in the same way: a cocky, flirty knight who gets everything he wants. just ask and he shall receive, right?

wrong.

the one thing he wants the most is something that he cannot have. at least, not the way he wants to have it.

kaeya is not a simple man. he isn't as confident and flirtatious as the people of mondstadt perceive him. they mistake this mask he wears for the truth. all because they never care to get to know the real kaeya.

and the one person he really wants to know the real him... he's just like the others. he only wants to know kaeya on a surface level. he only sees the cavalry captain. the sweet-talking, mysterious frostwind swordsman. that's all he cares to know, right?

wrong.

kaeya has always wanted to have somebody to share his true self with. it sounds cliché, he knows that...but it's the truth. he's spent so long hiding himself out of fear. fear that he'd be shunned, fear that he'd be attacked. fear that he'd lose everyone he cares about...again.

so, he pushes everyone away. he hides behind this façade of confidence and mystique. his true self never comes out, no matter what. he keeps it to himself.

well, unless he's drunk. really drunk.

like he is right now.

you and kaeya are sitting in a booth at the angel's share, in a corner on the second floor. there are at least four bottles of death after noon on the table, alongside one of your drink of choice.

now, kaeya can hold his alcohol. he's very good at not getting drunk. but tonight...he seems to have passed his limit.

"hey, pretty boy~" he says in a soft sing-song voice. "when'd you get here~?"

"kaeya, i've been here this entire time," you say with a chuckle.

"eh? really? that's...huh," kaeya mumbles, putting his head on the table. he looks up at you with a certain shimmer in his eyes. "...still pretty, though."

"thank you, captain," you say with a smile. "...let's get you home. you're drunk."

"no, no, no...kaeya alberich doesn't get drunk~!" he proudly proclaims, his cheeks flushed bright red.

"then you must not be kaeya alberich," you say with a chuckle, standing up and putting some money on the table as a tip for charles. "let's go, come on. you have work tomorrow, remember?"

kaeya simply mumbles something inaudible in response before slowly standing up.

"there we go," you say, putting an arm around him for support while you walk him down the stairs and out the door.

as you and kaeya walk, he hums a song you don't recognize. he occasionally sings the lyrics, too. but...you don't know the language.

you decide not to question it and help him get to his house.

"okay, captain, where are your keys?" you ask softly.

"mm...back pocket, i think," he mumbles, words slurred. he's definitely drunk.

you roll your eyes and reach back to grab them, causing him to blush and giggle.

"wow, ___, didn't know you liked me that way~" he says in a teasing voice. "seems my charms aren't so fake after all, hehe~"

you ignore him and unlock the door. his dogs rush you, excited that you and kaeya are home. but once they see how tired kaeya seems, they run upstairs. you and kaeya follow.

once you reach his bedroom, you notice his dogs and his cat are all already curled up on his bed. you smile, leading kaeya over and sitting him down on the bed in an open spot.

"there we go," you say with a smile, petting each of his pets before heading to the door.

"w-wait, don't... don't go yet, please," kaeya suddenly says in a pleading tone. you turn around and see his face, and he looks desperate.

"oh, uh...okay, what's wrong?"

"i...i just... don't want you to leave me," he says quietly. "you... you're the only person who...who i...ah, never mind..."

you tilt your head to the side in confusion. he's blushing like crazy. out of nowhere, he pulls you into a hug.

"...i don't want you to leave, not like everyone else did...you mean too much to me," he mumbles. you can smell the alcohol on his breath, but you can't help but feel that he's being honest.

"...what do I mean to you?" you ask, voice soft.

there's a pause.

a long one.

but eventually, he answers.

"...you mean the world."

the morning comes, and you wake up on kaeya's couch, a bunch of random blankets (and a dog) on top of you. you smell breakfast cooking, which comes as a surprise to you. you'd assumed that, after last night, kaeya would be too hungover to do much of anything.

last night.

right.

you'd almost forgotten what he'd said to you before passing out.

you'd...talk to him later. he probably didn't remember anyways.

"hey, sleepyhead," kaeya's smooth voice snaps you out of your head. "made breakfast, thought it was only fair since you brought me back from the tavern and slept on my couch all night..."

"oh, thank you," you say, surprised. so he did remember some things from last night...

you go to the kitchen and sit at kaeya's little table. he's made your favorite, which comes as a surprise to you. you didn't know he knew what it was, or that he knew how to cook it...regardless, you ate it. and it was delicious.

"so...about last night," kaeya sighs, sounding nervous. "did...did I say anything weird? anything...out of character?"

you stop eating and look at him. then, you nod slowly.

"ah, i...i see...look, just...forget about it, okay? i...i was really drunk, and--"

"i don't wanna forget it."

he was stunned into silence by your declaration, a blush blooming on his cheeks.

"what?"

"kaeya, i don't wanna forget about it because I feel the same way."

he freezes, the blush on his cheeks deepening.

"i've wanted to tell you for so, so long...but i thought you'd never feel the same," you said, placing a hand over his. "but...you do. and I don't wanna forget that."

"___, you..." he stuttered, unsure of what to say. "...why?"

"because you're amazing, kaeya. even if you don't show it, you...you're an amazing person. you're handsome, you're intelligent, you care so much...i don't care that you're khaenri'ahn, i just--"

"how did you know that?"

you pause. right. he didn't tell you that.

"...your singing. and your eyes."

"and...you don't mind..?"

"why would i?"

there's a long silence.

kaeya stands up, walking over to you. he then means down, wrapping his arms around you.

"___...i...god, i love you so, so much..." he sighs into the crook of your neck.

"...i love you, too."

[spookmemepls]

☠ ― 𝑀𝑒𝑔𝑎𝑚𝑖𝑛𝑑 (𝟸𝟶𝟷𝟶) 𝑆𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑒𝑛𝑐𝑒 𝑆𝑡𝑎𝑟𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑠. (𝑆𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑒𝑛𝑐𝑒𝑠 𝑓𝑟𝑜𝑚 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑢𝑛𝑑𝑒𝑟𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑑 𝐷𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑚𝑤𝑜𝑟𝑘𝑠 𝑓𝑖𝑙𝑚 "𝑀𝑒𝑔𝑎𝑚𝑖𝑛𝑑".)

"If only the world had a reset button."

"I've looked into the reset button... *sobs* the science is impossible..."

"Okay, ___, you were right! I was... less... right!"

"Why do you need MY help?"

"I just happened to be speed-walking nearby when you called."

"Oh you're a villain alright, just not a SUPER one!"

"Imagine the most horrible... terrifying... EVIL thing you can possibly think of. And MULTIPLY it... by SIX!"

"Don't let ___ pay for my wrongdoings..."

"Because you're the smartest person I know."

"Why are you so EVIL...!?"

"I just wanted to thank you for inspiring me the other day."

"...Do I have a son?"

"Can I go home now?"

"Oh, I wouldn't say freed. More like... under new management."

"I was just about to make my frontal assault to save you, but like... 50 ninjas tried to attack me, so I had to... beat 'em all up, and I did, and they were all like... crying and stuff."

"Oh no not you, ___! I'm just yelling at my... mother's... urn."

"...Well that seems kinda petty, don't you think?"

"___, you really need to empty your pockets more often!"

"Do you really think that I would EVER be with you...?"

Congratulations, another one of your genius plans has backfired on you!"

"Wow, your hair... looks exciting!"

"Hey, remember that night that I dumped you?"

"Okay, now you tell me something. Something you've never told anyone."

"My death was... greatly exaggerated."

"You were very strong in there!"

"So. You're the punk I've heard about."

"KNOW me? You never took the time to KNOW me!"

"We should just stick to what we're good at. Being bad."

"Please don't do this. I know there's still good in you, ___."

"There is no Easter Bunny, there is no Tooth Fairy... and there is no Queen of England."

"Going somewhere? Besides jail?"

"Ask me how I'm going to do it. Go on! ASK!"

"___, I think this is a bad idea."

"YOU DIM-WITTED CREATION OF SCIENCE!"

"Heroes aren't born. They're made."

"___ and I... were never really a couple."

"Well, in school... none of the other kids... really liked me."

"Do you have someone special in your life, ___?"

"Did you ever look back...?"

"Who wants churros!?"

"Are you HAPPY now?"

"___, I didn't know you had... feelings. Are you okay?"

"With that, ANYONE can be a hero!"

"I'm not allowed to insult guests directly."

"You know I never had the chance to say goodbye... it's good that we have this time now."

"Um, that's a pretty tasteless costume."

"I'm sorry... I really am, but. I. I'm done."

"Hello? Who's there!?"

"Well, thank you for... letting me stay."

"As long as there's evil, good will rise up against it."

"It's taken a long time to find my calling. Now it's about time you find yours."

"I think we should run!"

"It's time to put the past behind us."

"Are you a ghost...? Speak, apparition..."

"But we saw your skeleton! You were DEAD!"

"Each and every citizen in this place had something I didn't. A choice."

"That's when I got the brilliant idea... to fake my death."

"How could you DO this!? The people of the city RELIED on you and you deserted them!"

"You know? You look pretty good in white."

"___, I never knew you were so funny."

"You were right about that door being exciting...!"

"I've... never heard you laugh before."

"You don't get out much, do you?"

"Where did you get all this stuff...?"

"Maybe ___ isn't so bad after all."

[fincalinde]

nice to see you back on here! if you're answering questions again, i've had something i've been meaning to ask, if you don't mind. do you have any thoughts on the things wwx and jc did for each other?

I'm never truly gone. Whenever you see a fox scurrying about its business in the twilight, I am with you in spirit. By which I mean I'm very busy but I do get a notif if someone sends me an ask.

This one has sat in my drafts for a while and it's still quite messy, but I thought I'd better just get it off the to do list and move on. So, the Twin Heroes!

I've seen quite a bit of negativity towards JC in my time, usually accusing him of all manner of iniquities that aren't actually supported by the text. To make my own position clear: I don't think JC did nothing wrong ever in his life. But I do think he's a capable clan leader and an extremely loyal brother who tried very hard to make things work with WWX.

Let's start with the biggie: WWX gives JC his core. It is an incredible act of love to be sure. Functionally it saves JC's life (he's not going to last long in that state) along with preserving the existence of the Jiang Clan itself. I don't have a problem with WWX making a unilateral decision here, because he knows JC won't agree otherwise and the stakes could not be higher. It also makes sense that the Grandmaster of Impulsive Cultivation conceals the entire thing from JC. He knows the effect the truth will have on JC, and he's just trying to get them through the current crisis and worry about the consequences later. So I think his choices are understandable in a desperate situation where there are no good options.

To be honest, what bothers me is WWX's subsequent dumbassery. My god, man, what is the point of making a monumental sacrifice for someone and then proceeding to fuck shit up for him on a regular basis afterwards?

WWX's behaviour is catastrophic for the Jiang. I understand that he's in his emo goth era and I don't expect him to make perfect decisions at all times, but the way he treads on JC's toes makes my teeth hurt. Quite probably WWX himself was never going to end up in a good place, since his demonic cultivation made him too much of a threat for the Jin (or society at large) to leave him in peace. But that's not particularly relevant to the way he undermines JC. On more than one occasion, JC is doing his best to navigate a delicate political situation and WWX clomps in with his size 13s and makes everything worse for everyone. This, as much as popular sentiment turning against WWX, is a huge driver in why they have to fake their falling out and sever ties publicly.

Meanwhile, JC makes an equivalent sacrifice for WWX—he lets himself be captured, even though it results in the loss of his core and, as far as he knows at the time, the functional extinction of his clan. This is revealed right at the end of MDZS, encouraging the reader to look back at the novel and recontextualise JC's actions throughout. JC put WWX above his own life and the continued existence of his clan. There can be no question that he made as enormous a sacrifice for WWX as WWX made for him. Their mutual ignorance of this fact for so many years is the heart of their tragedy.

But crucially, there remains a difference between WWX and JC. Because JC doesn't only come through for WWX when the stakes are high. Right up until the death of JYL, JC is the one trying to balance his responsibility to his clan with his desire to protect WWX. For a start, they fake the cutting of ties between WWX and the Jiang, when it arguably would be much less risky for JC to cut ties in actuality. JC is also the one taking further risks by allowing WWX to see JYL in her wedding clothes. He even suggests WWX gets to pick her child's courtesy name. These things show a pattern of consideration that WWX simply does not match.

Let's not forget, JC does a decent job as clan leader. He's very young, and unlike NMJ or LXC, he has to build his clan again from literally nothing. Disciples need to be recruited and trained from scratch. Lotus Pier needs to be rebuilt—without Jin gold. He's doing what needs to be done to ensure the Jiang Clan continues to exist, yet still attempting to balance that with his loyalty to WWX even as WWX becomes more and more of a liability. Yes, WWX is being affected by the resentful energy he's cultivating, but his arrogance has been present from the start. It's not that the resentful energy is creating new traits in him, but that existing traits are being exaggerated.

WWX does a lot of very admirable and brave things and he is pretty much always trying to do right by the people he cares about i.e. the Jiang and the Wenmants. The trouble is that he's fundamentally not capable of recognising the damage he's also doing. His altercation with JZX over the soup is one thing—though JC (with JGS) has to pull him off JZX and it makes a bad situation worse, it's an understandable impulse reaction to seeing his beloved shijie being mistreated. But despite the negative consequences of his impulsivity, he never learns to stop and gather more information before reacting (unlike JZX!). He continues to undermine JC by letting the whole world see that he doesn't respect his authority. This really is where I as a reader get stuck: what use is the grand gesture of the core swap when the more everyday consideration is so totally lacking?

I also think it's interesting that in the temple JGY points out to JC that if he'd stuck by WWX, no one could have done anything about it and things might have turned out quite differently. I don't think JGY is being truthful here; or at the very least, if he is being truthful then I don't agree with his assessment. It's a remark intended to goad JC and prod him where he's most sensitive, and it's successful in that regard. I'd be willing to bet that deep down JC does fear that if he'd backed up WWX then everything might have been all right and JZX and JYL would still be alive.

But it's simply not true. WWX's affiliation with the Jiang is catastrophic for them. He openly flouts JC's authority—and of course his demonic cultivation taints the Jiang by association, particularly in light of the Jin smear campaign. WWX's intervention to rescue the Wenmants is the last excuse JGS needs to do what he planned from the beginning: put a target on WWX's back. This isn't a post about whether or not WWX's actions to protect the Wenmants are moral; it's merely an observation that they put JC and the Jiang at risk by association, especially when WWX also deliberately insults the Jin in a public forum. The Jin don't exactly need to work hard to sabotage WWX's reputation: they're merely handing him the rope and he's merrily tying the noose. On a pragmatic level, an actual estrangement rather than a fake one would have been the more better option for JC if his sole priority was the wellbeing of his clan and not also his love for WWX.

On the other hand, if WWX had continued with his demonic cultivation but respected the authority of his clan leader and not undermined him in public, JC might have been more able to effectively protect him. I'm not entirely convinced by that argument, but I certainly find it more plausible than the idea that JC backing WWX would have prevented the consequences of the determined Jin smear campaign.

Essentially, my point is that I'm not splitting hairs about the degree to which JC and WWX love each other. Their love for each other is not in question. Nor is it in question that they have made equally huge sacrifices for each other. But there's the rub. What about the small sacrifices? Who is making those? More often than not, it's JC. JC has the weight of his clan's survival on his shoulders and he still does his best to remain privately loyal to WWX despite the risk it poses to his own position. He only turns on WWX when WWX's actions result in the death of JZX and JYL—JYL being arguably the only person they both love even more than they love each other. (Sorry, LWJ. You only make the leaderboard in Life 2.) Meanwhile, WWX is willing to give up his core for JC but not willing to make the effort to present a united front against political foes who are actively trying to destroy them. He loves JC, but I see no evidence that he respects him.