#ear hole repair near me

[dilfstar]

the red means i love you . . .

ex!geto x f!reader 1.3k words. warnings ! blood, crazy suguru, dubcon, size dif, fucking near a corpse, piv, mention of murder, slight overstim notes ! id forgive him tbh

The plastic material of the grocery bags threatened to rip in your hands as you climbed the stairs to your apartment, the amount of food in them acting like 40 pound weights. A sigh of relief fell from your lips as you finally reached your front door. Quickly, you reached for your keys, the cold metal slipping through your fingers, clinking on the ground. “Fuck!” You set the bags down to pick up the keys, only to have a few things spill out… There’s no way your day could possibly get any worse, right?

Once you got inside and got everything put away, the faint sound of someone whimpering caught your attention. It could be the neighbor watching TV, but… it sounded so close. Your feet moved softly over the floors, cursing the landlord for deciding on wood when one of the boards creaks beneath your weight. “H-Hello…?” your head peaked around the doorway to your extra bedroom, an empty mess, covered in…blood?!

The sudden presence behind you didn’t go unnoticed, his delicate touch creeping up your side. “I’ve missed you, angel. Y’like my gift?” his hand gripped your chin, forcing you to stare at the corpse of the guy you just went out with, his mangled body burning into your retinas. “Thought I would show you who you really belong to…” His breath brushed against your ear, sending a sickly chill down your spine. His free hand moved to your stomach, skin on fire underneath his as he trailed it down lower, lower, lower. 

His fingers slipped under the waistband of your shorts, gently tapping along the top of your underwear, threatening to sneak in. “Aw, c’mon. Don’t act like you didn’t miss me, baby…” he chuckled lowly, barely lifting the elastic, letting it snap back against your skin. You were frozen in his grip, too scared to move, to fight back. He was double your size on an average day and tonight? It felt like he towered over you. A pure beast ready to consume its prey. His footsteps echoed in your head as he brought you closer to the body, to the blood. A sadistic smirk snuck onto his face as he shoved you down face-first into the blood, almost growling at the sight of you covered in the crimson liquid, the way it stained your clothes. God, he needed you.

He was quick to pounce on you, tearing your shorts and panties down at the same time, most likely ripping some of the lace. He’ll pay for new ones later, don’t worry! The groan that left his lips at the sight of your cunt shouldn’t have made you soaked like it did. “See, you did miss me!” the blood sneaking into your mouth made you gag, the feeling on his thick fingers prodding at your hole pushed the urge to vomit away. His thumb drew lazy circles on your clit, the image of you already clenching around nothing while covered in blood giving him a sick sense of satisfaction. “Look at ‘er… seems like she missed me too, no?” his cruel laugh hung heavy in the thick air.

His middle finger dipped into your hole, the way your gummy walls squeezed around him so desperately inflated his ego beyond repair, his smirk morphing into something more sinister. Soon, he added another finger, thrusting them in and out of you painfully slow. You didn't want it- didn't want him. But you couldn’t deny how amazing it felt. He just knew your body perfectly, better than you ever could. He knew all the ways to make you tick, squirm, cum, all with a single glance. It was such a sick thing that he was the best possible guy for you, but also the absolute worst. He was horrible during your relationship, forbidding you from seeing friends, talking to any guys, having certain apps on your phone. It was beyond stupid.

Your moans were taunting you. The taste of the guy’s blood seeping into your mouth completely forgotten as Suguru attacked your cunt with his hand, stretching you open for him. The familiar coil twisted inside of you, your orgasm slowly sneaking up. Of course, he was able to tell. A soft whine escaped your lips when he pulled his fingers away, leaving you a soaked mess. “Please… Need it s’bad…” your voice sounded so desperate for him, like you needed him to live. Your neck ached from the position he forced you into, face down, ass in the air, presenting yourself to him. 

He loved seeing you like this, all ready to take him. The sound of his belt coming off made you happier than you would ever admit, the clinking of the metal connecting with the floor made you cringe. He pulled his pants down, lightly tapping against your clit with the head of his dick, eliciting a sharp gasp from you. His hands gripped your hips as he rutted against you like a dog in heat, grunting as your juices covered him. ‘’Gonna feel so good, angel…”

Slowly, he inched his way inside, a string of curses falling out of his mouth, your tight heat pulling him in. your warmth enveloped him deliciously, like a sweet haven for him to fall apart in. Your brain felt so fuzzy from his slow thrusts. “Jus’ move faster, please!” you cried out, trying to push your hips back onto him. 

His hand found its way to the back of your neck, fingers wrapping around it harshly. He shoved your farther into the pool of blood as his thrusts became sharper, rougher, seeming like they were meant to hurt you instead of pleasure you. The stinging feeling of his nails digging into your skin was more pleasurable than the way he bullied his cock into you, pure jealousy driving his actions. 

“Don’t.. Tell.. Me.. What.. To.. Do..” Each word was punctuated with a sharp thrust, his hips drilling in and out of you like a machine. He pulled you up, his hand moving to press against the front of your throat as he rolled his hip up into you, the look of fear in your eye somehow making him even harder inside of you. His lips connected with yours in a harsh kiss, the vile taste of iron blending with your saliva, blood smearing onto his face. “‘M close.. S’close, Suguru!” your whines filled the room as his free hand moved down your stomach to your clit, rubbing messy circles along your clit. His eyes squeezed shut as he felt the way you clamped down around him when your orgasm hit, cunt refusing to let him go.

He shoved you down, quickly flipping you over onto your back and ripping the rest of your clothes off, throwing them in random directions. The way your face was flushed and the sweat on your forehead did things to him, his hands moving straight to your breasts while he pushed back into you. Your small sounds from the overstimulation only egged him on as he continued his rough pace. “So pretty f’me…” The red liquid covering your face made you appear as a piece of art in his eyes, a beautiful painting that deserves to be hung in every gallery. “All for me, yeah? My girl… you’re my girl.” 

He smirked down at you, rolling his hips against yours, pace slowly starting to turn sloppy as his orgasm neared. “Don’t think I can last much longer, pretty.” Your cunt throbbed around him at that, pulling him in impossibly deeper. His hips slammed into you a few more times before he pulled out, finishing himself off on your stomach. There was a sadistic glint in his eyes as his cum mixed with the blood on your stomach, his fingers swirling in it, turning it into a gross mixture that he brought up to your mouth. Your lips instinctively wrapped around the digits,  eyes squeezing shut as you tasted the nasty concoction. 

He still sat in front of you, holding your spread legs around his waist as he panted, staring down at you. “My angel, my darling, my princess. You’ll always belong to me…”

[englishstrawbie]

Prompt fic requested by @nonnienonnon00 :

4 - but early Marina Season 3 - Maya just can't stop thinking about Carina

Here it is, with a little twist because I wrote what inspired me. I hope you enjoy it!

>>>>>>>>>>

When she was thirteen years old, Carina had a crush on a boy called Nico. They would walk home after school in the same direction. He was a year older than Carina, a little scrawny but he had a kind face. She never tried to talk to him, too shy back then. Besides, he was always with a friend and she would usually have Andrew in tow, chatting away about his day.

And then, just before the summer break, Andrea was on a play date with a school friend and Carina was walking home alone for once. She stopped at the store near her house to buy a cola and, when she stepped out into the afternoon sun, Nico was waiting for her. It turned out he had noticed her too – told her he liked her brown eyes and pretty smile. He walked with her the rest of the way home, telling her about the spaniel his family had just adopted from a local rescue centre and their plans to spend the school holidays in Naples with his aunts and uncles and cousins.

He asked for her phone number and, a couple of days later, she was sat on the bottom stair in her house, the phone cradled by her ear, twirling the wire around her finger as they talked for over an hour, until Mama rushed her out the door for dinner at her grandparents.

It was a summer of phone calls, a summer spent on that bottom stair sharing stories about their vacation. A summer of goofy smiles and heart flutters every time she heard his voice.

It fizzled out pretty quickly when they started the new school year, but the memories of those phone calls, of the goofy smiles and heart flutters, stayed with Carina as she grew up. She was always searching for it, in the men she would talk to at the bar and the women she would take home to her bed. She built connections, she had relationships, but she never found what she was looking for.

Until Maya.

Carina will never know why Maya caught her eye that day in the hospital when she was delivering the patient’s nose to Doctor Helm. Was it fate? Was it the gravitational pull she feels every time she is in Maya’s presence?

All she knows is that it is ten o’clock on a Friday evening and, here she is, curled up in bed in her pyjamas instead of out at a bar, her cell phone to her ear and her hair twirled around her fingertips.

“You didn’t!”

She hears Maya hum.

“The poor woman was convinced she had a wild animal behind her walls. She looked awful, said she hadn’t slept because of the noise.”

“And it was her vibrator?”

“Yep, it was wedged between her bed and the wall. Every time she moved, it would hit the power button, so it was turning on and off again all night.”

Carina’s heart flutters when Maya laughs.

“I wish I could have taken a photo of Dean’s face when he found it.”

“Me too!” Carina says, laughing along with her and feeling the tension of the day drifting away.

“We left her with a red face, a hole in her wall and a very expensive repair job.”

“Dio mio, your day was a lot more interesting than mine,” Carina says.

“Oh yeah? Tell me about it.”

“You don’t have work to do?”

It might be late in the evening but Carina knows that Maya’s role as captain is intense, with paperwork to be done in between every call.

“Yes,” Maya says. “But I’d rather listen to you.”

Carina’s cheeks turn a little pink, and she is glad Maya can’t see her. It has only been a couple of days since their first official date and second kiss, and it is all that Carina has been able to think about. About the bright blue of Maya’s eyes and the way they crinkle when she smiles; about the way her voice lowers when she is flirting and the softness of her lips and the firmness of her hands.

“Well, I delivered four babies today,” Carina says.

“Four babies? In one day?”

Carina chuckles. “This morning, I delivered twins. That was a very happy one, my client has been through four rounds of IVF to have her babies. I had one this afternoon, the little piccolino was a few weeks early but is doing well. And about…” She checks the time on her phone. “…two hours ago, I came out of surgery after an emergency c-section.”

“You must be exhausted,” Maya says. “I can’t believe you answered the phone, talking to me must be the last thing you want to do tonight.”

“Actually, talking to you is exactly what I want to be doing right now,” Carina says sweetly. “Non riesco a smettere di pensarti.”

“Huh?”

Carina smiles to herself. “I said… I can’t stop thinking about you.”

The line goes quiet and Carina wonders if she has said too much, too soon. She bites her bottom lip nervously.  

“You, uh, you’ve been on my mind too,” Maya says eventually.

A goofy grin spreads across Carina’s face. “Hmm, I definitely want to hear all about that.”

She doesn’t need to see Maya to know that she is blushing right now, the strangled sound coming from the back of her throat giving her away.

“But, as much as I’m enjoying this phone call, I would like to see you in person again. What are you doing this weekend?”

“My shift finishes tomorrow morning at eight,” Maya says, her voice light and happy. “I usually crash out for a couple of hours, and then I’m free until Monday.”

“Now you have plans,” Carina says resolutely. “How about dinner? I want to take you to my favourite restaurant in Seattle.”

“Where’s that?”

“It’ll be a surprise,” Carina says, trying to be a little mysterious. “Be ready at seven.”

“It’s a date,” Maya says.

A second date. A third kiss – and hopefully more. Carina’s heart flutters again.

“Now, bambina, tell me all about those thoughts you’ve been having about me…”

[charkyzombicorn]

Funny one shot idea

After the event of ennies long/water 7

Luffy and the rest of the crew were more clingy with Robin and usopp

This is one of the most sickening fluff bits I've ever written

The walls were higher on the Thousand Sunny, and the mens' quarters were wide and tidy in a way only new things were, and Usopp couldn't tell which bunk was his anymore. He still had the tacky star blanket he bought in Alabasta because he didn't know somewhere so hot could get so cold at night, and it was stained with charcoal and ripped near the bottom but it fit perfectly in Merry because she was made of inexperienced craftsmanship and shoddy repairs. He felt like he was bringing something ugly in, putting his worn old blanket over the clean white sheets. He felt like he was visiting, like he shouldn't track mud in or mess up anything enough to be comfortable.

Then the door slammed open hard enough the sniper jumped. "Usopp!" Luffy hollered as if Usopp weren't a meter away. "You dissapeared!"

Usopp had been gone for less than two minutes. "Well I had to check the bunks for dream eels, someone had to."

Luffy looked over at the bunk in wonder. "Can you eat them?"

"You can but they dig a hole into your skull and eat your brains so maybe don't." Usopp spread his blanket over one of the bunks decisively.

Luffy chuckled. "Maybe not. But come on! I'll ask Sanji to cook the eels later!" He said, snagging Usopp's wrist in his rubbery grasp and dragging him away before he could fret about his blanket again. Usopp didn't even bother protesting.

Half the crew was out on the grass-covered deck, Robin bracketed on one side by Nami and the other by Franky, Chopper in her lap. She looked tired, but happy all the same. It was good, she seemed more comfortable than she did on the Merry. Maybe the tall walls suited her better.

Luffy offered a very exaggerated wave to the group on deck as he pulled Usopp along. "I'm back! Usopp told me there were worms in my bed that ate brains."

"Oh, the poor things are starving then." Nami teased before the group chucked a little.

Luffy laughed along. "Yeah!" He paused. "Hey."

Robin, the only one who didn't laugh, but was still smiling ear to ear, spoke up. "Did you let Zoro and Sanji in on our little plan yet, Captain?"

"Ah - I got distracted when Usopp dissapeared. C'mon Usopp!" The sniper was then dragged away, left to question what the 'plan' was.

Usopp didn't have time to revel in the new, huge kitchen when Luffy burst in. "Sanji! Food!" Luffy said automatically.

Sanji shot the captain a look, but then his features softened when he saw Usopp. "Fine, fine. What do you want?"

Luffy hummed. "The bugs Usopp found in the bunks!" He declared, and that was almost nothing like Usopp's original lie, but the confidence almost convinced the king of liars himself.

Sanji didn't appear to react safe for his face going ghost pale. "Bugs. In the bunks."

"YUP! Nami said they were hungry!"

Sanji turned back to the stove. "I see. I'll take watch tonight." He said, an unmistakable tremble in his voice.

Usopp didn't laugh but it was a very near thing. "Don't you worry, your trusted sniper Usopp blew all those bugs away!" He said. "You should have seen them, eight feet tall, human hands, wearing clothes even! They told me they were the devil's ocean woodmites, they threatened to bite the ship in two before I hit them with a fire star and blew them to smitherines!" He watched Sanji relax the more fantastical his story got, until he was humming along with the details as if it were a completely logical thing.

Luffy was enraptured, he always was, it made Usopp feel some type of way.

"Anyway!" Luffy yelled, and Zoro snorted from where he was probably sleeping - this room was too big, he didn't even know Zoro was napping in here. "We're camping on the deck to crispen the Sunny! And because Nami won't let me sleepover in the girls' room with Usopp."

Sanji squinted at Usopp as if this wasn't the first he was hearing of it too. "Christen. And tell Nami swan she's a queen for setting boundaries and coming up with such an amazing idea." He said shortly. "I'll be out with dinner in half an hour. Take the mosshead with you, he's poisoning my nice new kitchen with his man stink."

Luffy mock-saluted, marching over to the table and dragging their star swordsman out from under it. Zoro didn't wake up because of this, so Luffy just dragged him back to the door. A few distinct thunks of a head hitting a doorway and they were back on the deck. The sky was getting darker.

"You think Franky brought firewood?" Usopp asked.

Luffy hummed. "Dunno."

They made it back to the group on the deck and Luffy dragged Zoro over before sitting down, dragging Usopp down with him until he and Zoro were almost bracketing Usopp the same way Robin was being bracketed, all in a tiny circle. It was nice - Usopp might not belong in the big rooms or on the clean sheets, but he belonged here, or at least he wanted to belong here. He would work hard to keep belonging here.

Nami started talking, idle chatter she always shared with Usopp, but now there was an undercurrent of relief from her. It made guilt curdle in Usopp's throat, but he swallowed it.

Soon enough Sanji came in with a feast he could barely balance, and Robin gave him several hands, and they shared a picnic while the sky went from blue to orange.

After that, they all went back to their quarters to grab every spare blanket and pillow to make the world's biggest fort before Franky got the gas fire pit working - which inspired the fort to be dismantled so everyone could set up bedding close to the fire before it got too dark.

Robin fell asleep first, so Chopper and Nami fell asleep next to her. Luffy bullied Usopp into sharing his tacky star blanket, and Usopp fell asleep listening to the ocean and various snores.

[porcalinecunt]

𝐃𝐀𝐘 𝐅𝐎𝐔𝐑 — 𝐈𝐌𝐏𝐀𝐂𝐓 𝐏𝐋𝐀𝐘

💀 KINKTOBER EVENT

🎧 𝐒𝐇𝐀𝐍𝐆 𝐓𝐒𝐔𝐍𝐆 𝐗 𝐌𝐀𝐋𝐄!𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐃𝐄𝐑

𝐜𝐰 — ftm!reader. mean!dom shang tsung. sub!reader. spanking. sadism. masochism. pain kink. degradation. bondage(?) dub con(?) sharp objects. mentions of bdsm. manhandling.

a/n: going through shang tsung brainrot rn. i loved him sm in mk1, he’s an absolute bitch and its so funny. he deserved a spot in kinktober so here it is! i must warn y’all tho, things will get a bit more extreme as kinktober goes on. nothing too dark! but just a heads up. with that being said, enjoy! 🫶🏼

He was mean, really mean.

You wriggled against your restraints, your skin sticking to the crumbling velvet underneath you. Everything hurted, and it hurted bad.

“You thought I would go easy on you? Hm?”

Shang Tsung scoffed, his condescending and apathetic tone both brought tears and aroused you. You sniffled, trying to hold back cries and preventing yourself from falling apart in front of him. However, it’s proved more difficult then you’d expect.

You flinched when you felt something sharp against your tender skin, running up your back and back down against your sides. The needles that were strapped to his arm proven useful for his twisted session with his ‘assistant’.

“You were supposed to be a useful asset, but i guess you couldn’t help yourself submitting to me. How cute.”

He mocked, chuckling as you grew embarrassed and tried to turn away from his face until a loud and harsh smack! startled you. Your cheek grew red and the stinging pain began to settle in, realizing he had slapped you. He wasn’t done yet with his assault though.

His hand came down on your bare thighs, which were covered in hand marks. Your back arched, a yelp tore out of your throat. He massaged the red mark before striking again onto your other thigh. You grew more shocked at the fact Shang Tsung didn’t even need a paddle or a whip to inflict such damage onto you, when his bare hands were enough. Maybe that’s what made him so alluring, made you too curious till you drifted too close to the sun.

Finding out about his more sadistic nature in bed was the result of you being too deep in your ridiculous fantasies. Ones where your superior deflowered and ruined you beyond repair, ones so dirty it’d be shamed upon by others. You wondered how far he’d go to reach cloud nine, even at the cost of his submissive. That sort of thinking landed you in this very situation.

After accidentally catching him with what looked like BDSM toys and serums that smelled of roses and sickly sweet scents only made for lovers, Shang Tsung would capture you in the right moment. Behind you, watching you blush and near flabbergasted at what you found. He’d lean down, whisper in your flushed ear.

“Now what seem to be the matter, y/n?”

It didn’t take long for him to manhandle you, effortlessly carrying you onto the soft examination table and bound your wrists to it. Tearing off your uniform effortlessly and ignoring your questions and yelps of shock. He watched for seemingly ages as you slowly fell into ecstasy with each strike on your skin. Degrading names slipped off his tongue, as he grew harsher and harsher with each slap.

“I didn’t know they sent me an adorable pet for an assistant! How did I get so lucky?”

He almost laughs, continuing to strike you all over. Your thighs, ass, back and even your cheek were bright red with his hand marks. The pain turned into pleasure, with moans and pleas for more replacing the high pitched yelps from earlier.

Suddenly, he stopped. You mewled, growing upset at the sudden hault. But before you could turn around to whine, you shuddered at the feeling of something against your cunny.

Shang Tsung ran his fingers between your thighs, teasing them at your soaked hole. He brought them up to your clit, playing with it between his fingers. He looked up, making eye contact with you.

“Want me to go..further with this, y/n?”

It didn’t take long for him to get his answer, as you nodded quickly while desperate and whiney ‘mhm!’’s came through your throat. Shang Tsung chuckled, shaking his head with his trademark grin on his face.

“You’re disgusting, it’s adoroble. ♡”

🎧 this work belongs to @porcalinecunt. reblogs and feedback are appreciated. <3

[fertilize-my-eggs]

Lusting after you ch.11

Broken toy getting repaired.

Ch.1 ch.2 ch.3 ch.4 ch.5 ch.6 ch.7 ch.8 ch.9 ch.10 ch.12 A03

A/N: triggered warning: this chapter get heavy noncon and next chapter will have a gangbang so I suggest you don't read the future chapter, you have been warned. Every chapter will be posted on Thursday ❤️

Reader’s pov 

“ fuck fuck fuck…. ”

Shigaraki and toga were the worst due last night, toga would bruise my skin by using whips while shigaraki was having intercourse with me. I don't remember how many times he came inside of it, they recorded every single detail until the camera died out.

This morning tomura was having sex with me, I was laying there while my butt was upwards as he pounded into my abused pussy.

I can feel his tips bruising my cervix as I cry for more, my brain feels so mushy and couldn't think straight with his cock and him.

“ you're a good girl baby~ such a slutty whore taking my cock. ” I feel his hand on my neck as he laughs at me, he mocks coo at me.

“ I'm y-yours.. ahh ” I roll my eyes back as I feel my orgasm coming near.

“ yours!!! Tomura Shigaraki makes me feel good~ ” I scream out as he laughs at my pitiful cries.

He chuckles as he holds my shoulders tight, he says.” go on baby, come for me~ I'll give you your reward soon~ ” I sob out his name as I start to orgasm, my toes curl in as I arch my back.

“ yeah~ fuck yeah!! Come on my cock slut~! ” I feel him slap my ass as he goes harder and faster inside of me.

I can feel his thumb rubbing on my asshole as I cry out.” maybe later we're try to play your other hole but next time sweetie~ ”

Tomura groans out, filling my pussy up with his cum as I collapse onto the dirty sheets.

“ I have a special gift for youuuu~ ” I pant softly as I turn my head towards Tomura, he gets away as he goes to his closet, he grabs a small box that has pretty pink ribbon wrapped around the box, it was dark pink paper wrapped as well.

I slowly get up as he gave me the gift, he smirk devilish as I open the box.

“ Since the camera is fully charged this morning, how about I get to show you off to everyone who works at my bar. ” I unwrapped the paper inside as I saw a pink collar, it was a choker but it had two tags. 

One is shaped like a heart while the other is shaped like a dog bone, I read the tags.

“ tomura's pretty princess. ” on the heart.

“ shigaraki’s slutty puppy. ” on the dog bone.

I look at the collar as it has tiny spikes and small pink diamonds around it as Tomura grabs the choker.

“ Once you wear this, you'll never take it off. Do you understand me pet? ” I nodded my head letting tomura put the collar on.

“ Will I take it off while I shower or sleep? ” he raises his brow at me as I pout.

“ I don't want to feel uncomfortable while sleeping…. Or have it ruined master. ” tomura smirks as he plays with my hair.

“ I'll allow that but you'll wear it everyday, understand? ”

“ yes… I understand master~. ” his mood changed drastically as he clapped his hands together.

“ great!! I'll have you wear an outfit to show everyone how pretty you look.~ ” 

I watch Shigaraki quickly get the items, it's fake white dogs ears and tail, tomura hold the tail part but has a metal bud at the end as he smirks at you.

“ You'll be dressing up as a cute high school puppy for me.~ put this on and no panties because you have to wear your cute tail." Shigaraki starts to dress you up.

Once you're dressed, he pushes the butt plug into your asshole as you sob softly, he roughly pushes you downward onto your hand and knees.

He goes to his knee as he puts a leash onto your collar. He grabs the camera close by as he look down at you.

“ Come on puppy~ we're gonna show everyone how beautiful you look. ” he tugs the leash as you crawl behind him, the door open and closed.

I look downward in shame as Tomura opens the door to the entrance of the bar.

I hear a few gasps and laughter echoes into the bar as he shows off his new prize…

“ awww she's so cute in that school girl outfit tomura-kun!! That was a great pick that you got yesterday. ” Himiko giggles joyfully as she skips towards you.

Shigaraki puffs out his chest with pride as he chuckles.

“ yeah, I've been training on this puppy for days, she's an obedient little thing isn't that right puppy? ” You nod your head as you feel a bit terrified of a man coming near you, his skin looks burnt and he barely has hair as he chuckles at you with blue eyes.

“ hey boss, I'll pay you for that fat puppy.~ I can see why you're obsessed with her. ” tomura tilts his head as he thinks, he puts a hand on chin.

“ I'll get that cop keigo along too for a double payment just think about it, we can have more fun time with you and her~ ” a cop?? That means I can get saved from him, I blink a few times as I watch tomura look at him.

“ mhmm that would be fun.. I'll think about it, I'm still training her to be more loyal, I don't trust her yet. ” I pout my lips as I wag my tail, shigaraki coo at you.

“ kurogiri record us, I want this to be special.~ ” the man bowed his head as he grabs the camera to record the situation.

“ Puppy, can you do tricks? I'll give you a nice treat if you do it for me.~ ” I  nod my head fast as he laughs at me.

“ speak!! ” I began to bark as he pet my head.

“ lay down. ” I hear people around me laughing and mocking my behavior as I feel embarrassed by this.

I lay on my stomach as I looked up at shigaraki.

“ Now arch your back and raise your ass for me, yeah? ” I obeyed as I didn't want him to get upset.

“ good girl~ such an obedient puppy there your treat. ” I saw him go around behind me as I soon realized what happened.

He unzips his pants as he pulls his cock out, to shove it inside of me, I cry out.

This is mess up, I thought to myself as I feel him grip my leash as he begins to have sex in front of everyone, I sobbing uncontrollably as I choke out my moan.

“ Dammm, handyman didn't know you're a freak like that. Yeah.~ teach that dumb bitch a lesson. ” I feel tomura pull my shirt upwards as my titties pop into view and the camera can be seen in my view as I whimper out.

“ ahhh~ fuck so tight, I know I know puppy~ you'll get it soon I'll promise you.~ ” I hate it there, I hate everyone and this happened to me.

Toga comes towards me as she begins to pinch at my nipples harshly as I watch dabi pull out his cock as he begins to masturbate. 

Shigaraki leans in to lick my ear.” see puppy.~ they love you and want a piece of you.” he growls heavily as he pounded into my pussy harshly feeling his tip hitting my womb fast and eager.

I roll my eyes back as I pant heavily.

I see a blonde man coming towards us as he drops to his knees to suck on my right breast, I cry out.

Kurogiri put the camera closer and caught the details.

“ we're should have a gangbang boss.~ we'll pay for it and we'll get to play with her please? Fuck! I wanna fuck her pussy so bad.” I hear him mumble around my nipples as Tomura sighs.

“ shit~! After I give her a mean creampie then you guys will have fun with her.~ ” I blink a few times in horror… huh? There is no way.

Toga gasps out as she giggles.” really? I get to play with her some more?? You're the best boss~ ” please someone save me from this, I would be happy.

I moan out as Tomura grabs my hips as he roughly thrust into your abuse pussy, I feel like I'm going to faint.

“ I want to eat her pussy!! No, I bet that shit stinks. ” I feel deeply disturbed by this blonde man and his moody personality.

The man masturbating groaned.” I want a piece of her pussy, piss off jin. ” I hear him whimper as he plays with my breasts.

“ ugh you boys are so annoying-..”

“ Everyone shut the hell up, I'm getting close and you guys are making my dick go soft. ” shigaraki growl as he pounded into me faster and harder as he stared at everyone.

“ When I'm done with her, first come first serve so I don't wanna hear any complaints from my group. "It was silent as they all patiently waited for Tomura to finish. I can see their eyes, each one was lustful and hungry as they were like a group of wolves waiting for their meal next to devour a little lamb that you.

Shigaraki growls heavily as he reaches his orgasm, I begin to feel panicked… no no nooo don't stop, I don't want this to happen, I don't know if I can handle a group of people at the same time shit…

Tomura thrust his hips fast and deep inside fucking his cum into your womb as you cry out his name.

“ alright y'all can have her.~ ”

[chicuahtliteotl]

It's a privilege I will say to have ability to learn Hñohño, as it's vastly threat to one's own safety in México still to speak it in public. It's depressingly an uphill battle to be comfortably able to speak ones language in Mexico, even in school the protections aren't enough where kids are literally targeted by others purely for speaking Hñohño. While we primarily speak Nāhuatl, we've been increasingly pushing ourselves to learn Hñohño as even our grandma on step dad's side only speaks mainly Hñohño.

Government still hasn't done much if anything to help many of the Otomi communities in Mexico either. Our step grandparents still aren't even considered citizens technically as they have no last name and exist only in theory. Getting passport, legal documents, etc? Good luck when you need "proof identity" that's not even accessible nor considerate of indigenous names, systems of recognizing and self identification.

I have to go visit my grandma rather than seeing her up here or her being able to see other family members because of those issues. Let alone various benefits that could very well help the living situation for her.

Growing up in the US was marked by visiting Mexico often and staying for months at time especially when I became teen since I could now help with repairs, and what ever our grandparents needed.

let me tell you this, as a child of an immigrant in the US, to then going to Mexico and seeing the vast difference in poverty. Even more so than one I was experiencing in the US... Gives you a lot of contrast but also does make you feel helpless and like you're living in two different worlds both ear marked by systemic colonization and attempted destruction of the indigenous.

The concept of bathing and showering, was largely reduced down to a bucket and boiling water in a pot over a fire. Bathroom was simply few boards and vague out house seat over a hole near the crops. Over the course our childhood we saw all of this change slowly, cement slab house to septic system and water tower for bathroom + bathing n washing.

Our communities are resilient and we will continue to thrive in spite of everything.

[junkydrawr]

OK, this isn't much of a scene but I haven't posted in a while. I'm working on a scene with Bunnie so that'll be next.

Anyway, in this scene, this is soon after Snively has let Naugus out of the Void. Naugus used his magic to temporarily bring his generator back online. It tired Naugus out so Snively had him brought to the infirmary.

(image is a SatAM screenshot with a filter, I didn't draw it)

Snively stepped into the infirmary. Naugus lay in the nearest bed.

Immediately, Snively was surrounded by the medibots, their cold hands reaching out to access him.

"Ugh. Get away. I don't need help."

The Head Medi, a robot taller and slimmer than the others, insisted on running a handheld scanner over him. He sighed and allowed it, staring over at the wizard.

Naugus had his eyes shut, an IV running into his hand atop the blanket.

"You do not require assistance at this point, Sir."

Snively pushed past and stood near the wizard's bed. "He still looks rather peaked."

"The patient refused nanites, Sir."

"Huh." Snively wondered why. The microscopic medical robots quickly repaired injuries and illness, with minimal side effects.

He examined the wizened wizard. What an ugly creature, he thought. He'd never seen a Mobian like this before. The mage seemed cobbled together from leftover parts. A horn, a claw, a human-like face but ears like a goblin. I wonder if he's even from Mobius originally. An alien, like me.

Julian's words needled him. Snively, you pathetic fool! You should've killed him! Uncle was right, of course.

He stroked the laser pistol at his side. The Securitybot behind him could make an even bigger hole with that laser cannon. With his eyes on Naugus, he clutched the pistol's grip, starting to withdraw it.

I can't take a chance. You don't seem the type who will be happy playing second fiddle.

Maybe Naugus wouldn't mind, though? As long as he was given a place to stay and do his magical research? He could be a fine weapon against the furballs.

I don't know what his goals are. And he's powerful. A threat. I can handle the flea-bitten scum myself.

He nearly had the gun out, his jaw set, when the wizard's eyes fluttered. He let go of the grip as Naugus peered up at him.

"Small One. You've come to check on me?"

"Yes." A fake smile, but not too overdone. "How are you feeling? The nanites work wonders, don't they?"

"Do you mean those invisible machines, injected into one's bloodstream?" The wizard sniffed haughtily. "I do not trust such things."

Snively didn't bother to surpress an eyeroll. "Or maybe you thought I was shooting you up with something else."

"Are you planning to shoot me up, Small One?" The orange eyes dropped to Snively's gun side.

"Of course not."

"Mmmm. The eternal honesty of the Kintobors." The wizard smiled slightly, showing just a peek of those jagged teeth. "You do not trust easily. But we will benefit from each other. I wish to do my research. You wish to rule Mobotropolis free of rebel resistance. I can help you, and you can help me."

Snively was quiet a moment before intoning dryly: "It's Robotropolis."

"Oh, you have not changed it to Snivotropolis?"

"Gods no. That sounds ridiculous."

The shark teeth showed more now. "You have more sense than Robotnik. I implore you, Small One, give me a chance. You could kill me anytime, I know. But you will be tossing aside what will be a great partnership."

Snively kept his face perfectly blank. His patented poker face. He'd heard the bullshit before. Trust me. Greatness together.

"What exactly is your research going to entail?"

"I am intrigued in testing my magic on the body and mind. Testing my own limitations. If I could borrow some of your myriads of prisoners, of course."

Snively didn't answer that. Naugus must not know their prisoners were all metal-plated.

"And there is still much to learn of the Void. I fear my crystal affliction is not completely resolved."

"You have Robotnik for that first use." Snively smiled crookedly. "If you don't damage him too badly, he'll last you a while."

"Oh, yes. I intend to use him. And he can work for you as well. He can take the daily menial burdens off you."

Snively didn't like this. The acquiescence inside him. Don't be stupid, Uncle hissed in his mind. Eliminate him!

Perhaps he spoke to defy Robotnik. Perhaps there was a chance this teamup could work. Perhaps he was just lonely.

"I haven't ended our partnership. You may stay here, and I will assist your research within reason. And you will do the same for me?"

"Of course, Small One."

Snively sighed. "It's Snively, actually."

-

A/N: that's it for now! I don't really want to post all the Robotropolis Sniv stuff at once because it has some 'plot points.' Lol. Even though a kindergartener could write a better plot than me.

[dantenyhpmir]

Descent into Avernus Fan Fic

EXT. FIRST LAYER OF THE 9 HELLS

Maula walking through one of the forests of the 9 hells. The ground is black and fades from maroon to a fiery heat at the very top of the trees. Maula blends in here, more than she'd like. She'd excused herself from the rest of the group. Her armor and dress had ripped during the last battle when her barbarian rage took over and was feeling embarrassed of it. She had kept the cloak Aithur gave her from years ago and had worn it after most of her outfit ripped until she could find something else to wear. 

The newly found tiefling had asked everyone int he party if she could go search for new clothes alone and take some time to herself. There had to be a village near by with some kind of stores. Everyone had agreed but Aithur didn't like the idea of her going alone. He knew she'd be too stubborn to let him go with her though. The two weren't on the same page the way they used to be, Maula was different. Almost fed up with him or expecting him to trick her. It was impossible to miss the new found contempt in the air that she had for him and the undead hobgoblin wasn't sure what to even say anymore. Even with all that, old habits die hard and he had to have her back in case something came to attack. At least that's what he was telling himself.

Maula walked somberly through the woods, it was dark. Luckily for Aithur. The shadow sorcerer always felt at home is the pitch black but she always knew when he was close by. She could feel it in her spine though didn't call attention to it. She missed this, knowing he had her back but couldn't bring herself to say it. She would be comforted by it and then the thoughts would creep back in, 

"He doesn't care for you like that."

"His favourite thing is mind games." 

"You already fell for this."

Her eyes started flickering, she could feel herself getting more and more angry as she thought about it. The rage had started to light but she'd been through this before. She could put it out herself but this time wouldn't have, too. A perfect distraction was emerging as a black and navy blue fog emerged from the ground and started forming in front of her.

 It wasn't Aithur, she always knew his shadowy entrance and this one was much bigger. A real threat to her. The fog formed into a large demon lord towering over her. Standing 9 ft tall was Graz'zt. Maula recognized him right away. It would be hard to mistake him, his skin was a dark navy blue, horns formed all around his head like a crown, pointed ears and fangs hang sharply off his face. His eye glowed the same yellow as hers, his feet were similar too. More upright and animalistic with large talons. Like hers. Three sharp scars along the bottom of his chin. Like hers. He had an extra finger on each hand and worn lower armor only, the same kind Greek soldiers would wear but all in black. His chest was covered in scars which he seemed to want to show off just as much as his form. 

Her natural instinct was to grab her mace and fight immediately but she knew she couldn't beat him. Not that way.

She changed her stance away from amount to pounce to more casual, like she was about to approach a friend. One leg holding her weight, hips for extenuated. Chin down to make her eyes doe eyed. As the fog faded away, his voice bellowed

GRAZZ'ZT: Maula ...

MAULA: Grazz'zt

GRAZZ'ZT: You know of me?

MAULA: I was called every demon lord and devils name under the sun when I would rage as a kid. Of course I know who you are. There's no lore around my name though, how do you know me?

Grazz'zt leans down and snaps his fingers. A repaired dress appears over Maula's body. It fits perfectly 

GRAZZ'ZT: I've been watching you for some time... 

Maula stretches out her arms and twists. The dress moves perfectly with her body. The hole for her tail is exactly the range it needed to be. Like it was designed for her. 

MAULA: Apparently very closely... 

Grazz'zt leans down, tilting his head towards her. Looking down at her lips and then back at her eyes when he says

GRAZZ'ZT: Not close enough for my liking

Maula breaks his gaze, looks down and then back up towards him, much more nervous of how to get out of this situation. Men never had taken her up on wanting to be with her. They usually got scared off after she'd rage.

MAULA: Heh, I think my phase of smooth talking men is over 

She says with a chuckle as she starts to walk around him to continue on her way. As she does she turns. She doesn't actually let him out of her sight. He readjusts himself and stands up straight. 

GRAZZ'ZT: Oh yes, that hobgoblin you're obsessed with 

Maula freezes

MAULA: I'm not obsessed with him

He closes the gab with one step that took her at least three. Standing side by side to her. 

GRAZZ'ZT: Defensive are we?

Maula facing the way she came. She knows Aithur is following behind her, somewhere in the darkness but doesn't know exactly where. She doesn't realize she ends up making direct eye contact with him. Aithur tries to read her face if she wants back up but knows she's usually quick to a fight. If she wasn't brawling yet there was reason to hold back. He knew she could handle it and stayed within the shadows. 

MAULA: Because it's just not true

She says as she turns back to Grazz'zt. He leans down and holds her chin with one of his hands squishing her cheeks slightly. His eye lids half shut, unimpressed. 

GRAZZ'ZT: Prove it 

Maula looks him up and down. Her expression of concern turns to a smirk and she lunges her face towards his with a kiss. She grabs onto his face and leans in tight, she kisses him with her entire body, pulling herself against his body with one long breath.

Beat.

Grazz'zt wasn't the only one caught back by this. Aithur didn't know how to feel. The Maula he knew before wasn't this confident. A little blood rushed back through his veins, he hadn't felt that in a long time and attempted to ignore it. Whatever that feeling was. Jealously, anger, lust, anything more. It didn't matter. But why did it have to last so long? Why was she not, done yet... 

As she exhales, her lips let go of his. She tilts her head slowly, looking down at his lips and then her eye lids catch up to her eyes as she gives him a look and pulling her body away. Being diligent to not breaking his gaze before turning to walk away again. 

MAULA: You don't know me. 

Aithur knew she wasn't talking to him but it felt like she was. He wasn't even sure if she knew he was there. 

Maula walking with her back to Grazz'zt now, trying to get some more space between them. He's a bit taken back by her. Holding his jaw while licking the inside of his mouth and pulling it down before smirking and following her. 

GRAZZ'ZT: So if I were looking for him, you'd be able to help your new ... friend

Maula freezes again. How long has Grazz'zt been listening? Does he know Aithur would barely even call her a friend? No, if that were the case he wouldn't be asking her about Aithur's where abouts at all. It's a coincidence. A common word.... A common triggering word. 

MAULA: What do you need with Aithur?

She says sternly. 

GRAZZ'ZT: He's in a bit of debt to a friend of mine, I'd like to help her out 

Maula turning back to Grazz'zt. This time with more concern. 

MAULA: How much does he owe?

GRAZZ'ZT: What do you care? 

MAULA: He paid off my debt, I'd do the same for him 

GRAZZ'ZT: I thought you didn't care for him

Maula's body oozes with fury. Her eyes twitch yellow again but she stops her rage. Grazz'zt can feel it, though it doesn't take a detective to tell. 

MAULA: Fair is fair. 

Aithur in the shadows, still listening intently. He hadn't talked about his world view much though when he had, it was with Maula. He always thought everyone deserved a chance, he just wanted to be the one to win.

MAULA: How much, does he owe?

GRAZZ'ZT: It's not really money, more of him owing his soul. 

Maula turning and walking away 

MAULA: Well we both know that's not mine to give away

GRAZZ'ZT: You wouldn't bring him to me?

Maula looks back at Grazz'zt. She takes a minute before taking off the dress, never breaking eye contact until going for the cloak and covering herself. She gestures for him to take back the dress. Grazz'zt looks at it and back to her. 

Beat. 

GRAZZ'ZT: What if I gave you something you wanted

Maula drops the dress on the ground and keeps walking. 

MAULA: Not interested 

Aithur feels more blood pump through his veins. She hadn't even hesitated. 

GRAZZ'ZT: Not even if it was your human body

Maula stops walking. Grazz'zt catches up to her. Walking very slowly. 

Beat.

He puts his hands on her shoulders and leans down to talk softly into her ear. 

GRAZZ'ZT: I can give you everything back 

GRAZZ'ZT: Just bring him to me. 

Maula turns back to him. She grins and shuts part of her eye lids. Snapping back into her "role"

MAULA: If you could find me, I'm sure you could find him. 

Grazz'zt smirks at the flattery and snaps his fingers. The dress Maula left reappears on her. 

GRAZZ'ZT: Just think about it. 

He stands up over her. 

GRAZZ'ZT: Bring him to the material plane if you change your mind. 

He tilts his head, his eyes look her up and down. Nothing coy, the intent is clear and bombarding before smiling again

GRAZZ'ZT: I'd be happy to reward you. 

MAULA: Something tells me it would pain you to turn my body human

The dark navy blue fog creeps back in, slowly consuming Grazz'zt. 

GRAZZ'ZT It would be heartbreaking. 

Grazz'zt disappears into the fog as it disbatches. Maula turns around, looking to see if she can sense if he's really left. She looks forward, stretches her arms out then goes to scratch her back. She gestures a sign facing the darkness behind her. Aithur recognizes the sign right away. Even with 2 years apart from each other, he wouldn't forget their secret language they made in case she was in trouble. 

"She knew" He thought before sending the message she had been signing for. 

Inside Maula's head, Aithurs voice appeared. 

AITHUR: Maula?

Internally she responded. She could only use 24 words now. 

MAULA: Turn back, I'll keep going incase he's still watching. I can't have him finding you. 

Beat. 

Aithur swallows.

AITHUR: Thank you. 

He had three words left but couldn't bring himself to say it. Maula couldn't either. She composed herself and kept walking forward. Leaving him in the shadows.

[ciaossu-imagines]

For a change I’m going to vent in an ask because I’m really sad and I just feel the need to talk to someone about it. Just came back from a family video call with my brother (my parents were there as well doing most of the talking like always) who’s doing his PhD and by the gods do I miss him. He’s always so nice to talk to because of how chill he is, effortlessly funny and he actually really most of the time notices when I’m saying something, trying to say something or want to say something. He doesn’t always make the best decisions when it comes down to his life choices but he is trying his best considering everything he’s been given and knows and I’m really proud of him for doing so. Plus he’s doing what he wants to and that’s the life to live imo. Me and my mum are going on holiday to the country where he’s doing his PhD in, though not really near the city where it is so there was hope he would be able to come  to the place we would be going to but he’s busy (which understandable of course since he has *a lot* to do and it’s undoubtedly difficult even with how smart he is) so I don’t know when I’ll see him next. Now I’m holding out hope for some time during the summer break but seriously, who knows because life’s unpredictable and in this case I hate it. He’s like the only person in my family who even kind of understands me and I him. My parents can be so annoyed at him sometimes for his decisions but I always see where he’s coming from. Like I said above he lives life like he wants and not by society’s standards and I really admire that and wish I could as well (but disability says no). Not only that but he’s also really supportive and honestly sometimes feels more like an older brother than younger (he’s younger by a bit more than two years so the age difference isn’t that big in the first place). So yeah. Super close and super big hole now that he’s gone. He’s been away in the past, first for an exchange year abroad with university, then after graduating he went on a long cycle ride of some months and finally before his PhD trip he went to a warm country to live life a little there. We even went there near the end of his stay there and it was nice. So yeah, just felt like venting all of this because it’s not really something I can talk to anyone else about. Not in this amount of detail at least. Hope it’s okay and have a good rest of the day.

P.S. if you’re wondering I am the one who sent the ask earlier this week / end last week (if it arrived) but don’t feel pressured or anything. As a writer myself I know that sometimes inspiration just isn’t there and that’s totally fine. Take all the time you need.

I'm really glad you found a place to vent this out, my lovely anon, and I hope that writing it all out helped lessen the burden it's got to be placing on you. My heart hurts so much for you, because that sounds like such a tough situation to be in. Your brother sounds like an amazing guy, and I know you have to be so proud of him for how incredibly hard he's working and how he's bravely facing all these new challenges and adventures.

But it does hurt, when someone leaves, even if we wish them well, understand and support them. It leaves a big hole in our lives, like a gaping wound, a huge empty hole in our lives that we don't know how to fill at first. I've been there myself and I know there's really nothing I can say to make it better because it really is something that does take a lot of time to fix and repair and heal, which really does suck. I have no doubts though, that though he's far away, your brother still loves you incredibly much and that he's definitely thinking about you more than you think. Any time you feel that itch on your left ear; that's him thinking about you, if you believe that old wives tale that my therapist told me when I was dealing with my own losses, and even if you don't believe in that superstition...sometimes, it's just nice to think that.

And thank you so much for your kindness in the bottom part of the message! It did arrive and I do have some little ideas, though nothing concrete, and I appreciate you being patient.

So many positive wishes, good vibes, and internet hugs and thank you for trusting me with this vent.

[earholerepair]

In Mumbai, various specialized clinics and beauty salons offer comprehensive services for managing ear piercings and earring holes. Whether you need new ear studs pierced or repairs for damaged or closed ear holes, professionals in the area can help. Services include earring hole stitching, repairing closed ear holes, and addressing any complications from previous piercings. If you want to close an old piercing or re-style your ear, local experts are equipped to provide the necessary treatments. Search for "ear piercing services" or "ear hole repair near me" to find the right assistance for your needs in Mumbai.

[creepylunaofmars]

Qualities Temperance Looks For In Settlements

Near Water

Temperance loved swimming in life and in death it is no different. The waters also make for a nearly enemy free form of travel around a large chunk of the Commonwealth. Add in the general murkiness that settles at the top of most bodies of water and you got a source of entertainment, a speedy path and the means for a stealthy escape/entrance when need be.

Far From Others

Listen Temperance is a sociable person but at the end of a long mission she doesn't want to come home to a settlement full of people with even more demands. Also she's kept the fact that she's a revenant a pretty well guarded secret for the past 413 years and she'll be damned if it gets blown sky high because Trashcan Carla decided to peek through a hole in Temperance's wall while she was doing repairs to her bones, Marcy decided to barge in while Temperance was peeling off her hide for treatment, etc. The less eyes and ears the better in Temperance's opinion and that's easier at settlements far from the more well worn trading routes.

Room For Her Upkeep

Trust me Temperance would love nothing more than to deteriorate to the point that her soul would be freed from her corpse. Unfortunately the necromancer responsible for her current torment gave an eternal command to all his creations that they must maintain themselves lest his descendants lose the labor they provide. So, like many pieces of antique taxidermy, she needs space to make repairs. A sunny place to dry the human skin needed to repair her hide, an area to shape bone fragments into the size needed for her towering frame, a well ventilated space to mix the formula to treat everything, etc. Also there's the... grim... diet most undead have. Close quarters would run the risk of others seeing these horrors and Temperance would rather spare them from that.

Bonus

Basement

Temperance should be buried and gone, being underground is the closest she can get. Will set up her "living" quarters there if given the opportunity.

Companions Haven't Been There

She loves them but when you're in her situation you learn that keeping others at arms length tends to be for the best. If/when shit hits the fan she wants a place that she can hide out at while she plans her next move without being bombarded with questions/concerns/accusations.

[foxgirl95]

Back Into the Fray Ch.7: Marshal of the Sands

Chapter Description: Mando and Cobb Vanth strike a deal to kill the Krayt dragon.

AO3 Link

<< Previous Chapter - Next Chapter >>

First Chapter

In the aftermath, the town residents slowly crept from their hidey holes and began to rebuild the damage the giant worm-like creature had caused. One of the townspeople had alerted Mando that the speeder they came in on had been buried in the sand. Anai needed a moment to herself, deciding to leave the child to toddle after his father while she dug it out. It needed minor repairs and Cobb Vanth was more than happy to offer the help of a kid who dabbled in mechanics. If anything it would be a learning experience, even if she did begrudgingly agree to it. Anai sat on the raised porch instructing the young person, presumably a teenager,  where to solder the wires together and tighten a few bolts. She tuned into the conversation as Mando and Vanth sauntered by “But a krayt dragon is too much for me to take on alone. Help me kill it, I’ll give you the armor.” The Marshal offered which Mando took a moment to consider “Deal. I’ll ride back to the ship, blow it out of the sand from the sky, use the bantha as bait.”

“Not so simple. The ship passes above, it senses the vibrations, stays underground.” The marshal sighed looking off into the distance, they must've tried that one already “But I know where it lives.”

“How far?”

“Not far.”

Mando turns to Anai as she as the townie kept working on the speeder “That about done?” The mechanic waved him off “Hold on, you can’t go rushing near perfection.” He tilted his helmet to the side “Near perfection?” The Mandalorian teased. She turned to him, raising her arms to the expanse of the town “We are in the middle of-!” She looked down seeing the kid at her side moving her hands to cover his big ears before continuing “Butt-Fuck nowhere!” She removed her hands returning to the speeder “You get what you get.” The marshal let out a hearty laugh “I like her.” He smirked.

It didn’t take long to finish repairs and they were off into the sands once again. Anai clung to the back of Mando as he came alongside the marshal’s speeder; which she noted looked like a refurbished pod racer engine. “You don’t understand what it was like.” Vanth started “The town was on its last legs. It started after we got news of the Death Star blowing up. The second one, that is.” He winked through his goggles at Anai “Thanks for that by the way.” The mechanic only nodded at the acknowledgment. He went on to tell them of how the Mining Collective moved in after the Empire and turned the town into a slave camp. Also that the Jawas had given him the armor in exchange for silicax crystals he had taken off into the desert with. He had saved the town and its people from a fate considered worse than death by most. If Anai was honest she was impressed and at the very least she thought Mando’s mind could be put at ease as it seemed he had used the armor honorably. They slowed as they came to the narrow passageway of a canyon when a sudden guttural growl reverberated against the stone walls. Both speeders quickly came to a stop; they all immediately jumped off, taking cover, and aiming their blasters to the rocks ahead. The air was tense as each of them looked for a possible ambush when a small pack of mastiffs melted from the shadows howling towards them in warning. Anai’s eyes went to Mando as she noticed his shoulders relax and he rose to his feet putting a hand to his helmet where his mouth should be letting out his own Tusken howl in response. Setting his blaster back on the speeder he made his way over to the scaly creatures. “What the hell you doin’?” Vanth called as the armored man passed him and the armored man only offered him a calm raise of his hand for them to let him deal with this. Turning back to the four-legged creatures he made a series of soft sounds that made the leader playfully wag its non-existent tail before running up to Mando getting some well-deserved pats and scratches. Anai couldn’t help the smile that crossed her face, his ever-exposed softness always reminding her of the man that lingered under the armor. She stood as a group of Tuskens decided to appear, putting down her blaster as Mando began communicating with them. Where they were calm though the Marshal was completely unnerved, tightly holding his weapon against him “Hey, partner, you want to tell me what’s going on?” The Mandalorian simply turned back stating “They want to kill the krayt dragon, too.”

They were led to the village of the Tuskens, around a fire a few sat with the Mandalorian and his current traveling party. Anai was at his side where the child resided in her lap lazily holding onto her thumb as they watched the negotiations. One Tusken held some sort of fruit in its hands breaking the shell of it and offering it to Vanth who looked at the fruit disgusted “What am I supposed to do with this?”

“You drink it.” Mando simply stated.  He sniffed the offending fruit, his nose wrinkling at the smell “It stinks.” The Marshal complained. Anai watched the way Mando’s body started to stiffen, he was getting frustrated “Do you want their help?”

“Not if I have to drink this.” Thankfully she was wearing her visor so he couldn’t see how she rolled her eyes. Suddenly the Tusken closest to him started grunting and signing rather angrily.

“He says your people steal their water,” Mando translated “And now you insult them by not drinking it.” He continued “They know about Mos Pelgo. They know how many Sand People you killed.”

The more that was said the more offended Vanth became  “They raided our village!” He blurted out “I defended the town!”

“Lower your voice.” Mando warned as Anai put a hand over her ear closest to the yelling. The noise was stinging her eardrum.

“I knew this was a bad idea.”

“You’re agitating them.”

“These monsters can’t be reasoned with” Suddenly everyone was on their feet and in each other's faces “Sit back down before I put a hole through ya!” Anai noticeably winced at his voice and the child cooed worriedly at her catching Mando’s attention, alarm bells began ringing in his head. Okay, he’d had enough. With a flick of his wrist the flamethrower activated making it clear he was more than frustrated with all of them. He rose to his feet letting the flame die before sternly signing to the Tuskens. “What are you telling them?” The now seated Marshall all but demanded.

“Same thing I’m telling you.” The sound of Mando’s strained but level voice quickly spoke “If we fight amongst ourselves, the monster will kill us all.” There was a pause as he looked at each of them around the fire “Now, how do we kill it?” Cobb Vanth looked down at the fruit in his hand again turning his nose up at it when Anai poked her head around Mando “Will you just drink it, before I shove it somewhere you don’t want it to be.” She growled while rubbing her ringing ear, and the child in her lap giggled at the prospect of seeing just where that might be. The Marshal gave her an incredulous look before reluctantly gulping it down.

Soon enough into the rest of the conversation, the little one in Anai’s lap yawned, his ears drooping as he rubbed his sleepy eyes. He turned himself into his caretaker’s stomach, nuzzling into the softness he found there. The mechanic smiled as she gently rubbed circles into his back “Someone’s ready for bed.” The Tusken who had been singing to Mando started pointing into their lines of Hutts. His helmet swiveled to her “They said we’re welcome to take shelter with them tonight.” One of the other Tuskens stood waving for her to follow them “Go ahead.” Mando instructed, “We’ll join you when we’re done here.” Anai simply nodded, pulling the child up to her shoulder as she rose to her feet and followed after the masked being to a hut in the center of the village. It wasn’t very big she noted as she ducked through the cloth door but it was a good place to lay your head. She smiled politely to the Tusken as they switched on a lamp that hung from the ceiling, lifting her visor from her eyes and  feeling content she bowed her head lightly hoping it conveyed her sincerity “Thank you for your hospitality.” The other only nodded in return before scurrying out the door once again. The child cooed sleepily against her shoulder and Anai sighed “I know Bachsu na, let me get us set up here.” There were a few sleeping pallets on the floor and it seemed someone had been kind enough to bring her backpack inside. Good, she kneeled next to a pallet dragging her pack over to dig through it before producing her blanket. Wrapping the little one up in it she laid down into the softness of the makeshift bed kicking off her boots in the process. She laid the bundle up baby next to her earning a whine as he was jostled around “There we go.” She reached down, undoing her holster belt liberating it from her waist, and setting it nearby just in case. As the mechanic finally settled she put a hand over the little one’s tummy and started rhythmically patting him as she hummed her lullaby from their first night together almost a year ago. Mando and Vanth entered the hut a few hours later, the Marshall still looking unsure about the situation he'd found himself in. Mando ignored the man looking down at the sight before him, Anai and his son were both sound asleep. They looked so cozy and warm…there went his head again. He needed this to stop, the thoughts he was having about his companion were unnecessary and confusing. He was a Mandalorian for maker’s sake, he didn’t do warm and cozy, he didn’t fantasize about some woman he barely knew running her fingers along his skin as she whispered sweet words to him, and he didn’t like the way it brought a warmth to his chest. Except he did and he wanted to punch himself for it, maybe he was getting soft…too soft. “You good partner?” Vanth finally asked, confusingly interrupting Mando’s staring session. The armored man didn’t answer as he frustratingly moved to the pallet at the other end of the hut as far as he could get from them. The marshal only shrugged as he crawled into his place between them, creating the oh-so-needed buffer Mando craved at the moment.

By morning Mando was the first one up and out of the hut before he could allow himself to seek the view of his crew. They all rose not too long after and Cobb Vanth cracked a witty joke about how Anai’s hair must come alive in her sleep with how messy it gets. Mando was almost upset he’d missed seeing a view like he had the morning before but no he shouldn’t be. It was decided during a quick soupy breakfast that they would continue their journey to the dragon’s home this time joined by the Tuskens. They replaced their speeders with Bantha’s who were trained to lay on the ground as they loaded up. Anai watched from a distance as the armored man brought their things to the beast they were to share “I uh…I don’t know about this.” She shuffles her feet in the sand nervously as Mando loads his weapons onto the Bantha the sand people had given them “Are we sure we can’t take the speeders?” He finishes strapping on the kid's designated satchel and sighs “There’s too much of a risk the dragon will know we’re coming.” He grunts as he throws a leg over the creature’s back “C’mon,” The Mandalorian raised a gloved hand as he beckoned her to him, noticing a shift in her stance as she stared at his extended hand “There’s nothing to be afraid of.” Anai gave him a look “I’m not afraid, it’s just…I’ve never ridden an animal before they’re unpredictable…” He rolled his eyes behind the helmet “You’ll be fine, now get on.” The mechanic took hesitant steps before reaching to grab his hand and pull herself up “Okay…it’s all good everything’s fine.” She reassured herself as Mando made a clicking noise commanding the Bantha to stand. Anai gasped, wrapping her arms around him and burying her face into his back, not even caring if his jet pack was digging into her. Suddenly that feeling he had been avoiding all morning came rushing through him, and he internally basked in it. There was no time for it though as he lightly knocked his heel against the beast prompting it to move forward “See you’re fine.” He allowed himself to tease her only earning him a displeased grunt in return. They made short work of reaching where the monster had decided to make its home. Their party set up in the rocks adjacent to a large cave opening as one of the Tuskens started their way down to it with one of the Bantha in tow. Anai sat atop the cliff face with the child next to her as she pulled her visor over her eyes to watch what was going to happen “They say it lives there. They say it sleeps.” She heard Mando tell the Marshall “It lives in an abandoned Sarlacc pit.”

“Lived on Tatooine my whole life.” She could tell he was giving Mando a look from the tone of his voice. “There’s no such thing as an abandoned Sarlacc pit.”

“There is if you eat the Sarlacc.”

‘Well, that’s concerning’ Anai thought, having been on Tatooine several times it was hard to imagine an all-consuming Sarlacc getting eaten itself.

“They’re laying out a bantha to protect the settlement.” Mando continued explaining what exactly they were doing here “They’ve studied its digestion cycle for generations.” Even in this scary moment, his calm voice had a soothing edge to it like a narrator in an old Holo nature doc show the mechanic might have watched years ago “They feed the dragon to make it sleep longer. Watch, the dragon will appear.” The Tusken down below set the Bantha in place before screaming into the rather large opening and then booking it back as fast as they could. As they ran the ground shook, scaring the mount to move forward in fright. The Tusken was being thrown off balance making them trip over their robes several times. They were scared and they had a right to be, the dragon was near. Suddenly there was a break in the sand and the monster reared its ugly head to strike down its prey. The child at Anai’s side quickly toddled over burying his face into her the leather of her jacket and she instinctively placed a hand on his back to protect him from whatever was about to happen. The dragon’s head almost lazily creeped along the sand, its mouth open and drooling, missing the bait entirely and instead chomping down on its handler before taking shelter once again. The other Tuskens jumped back a bit in fear of seeing one of their own eaten by the monster. “They might be open to some fresh ideas.” Mando commented to the Marshall as Anai lifted the visor from her eyes “Yikes…” She whispered before looking down at the kid at her side “It's over now, it’s okay.” He peeked up at her with teary eyes and his hands trembling “Oh…” Anai felt as though her heart was gonna break for the little guy “Don't worry we’re not sticking around here.” She turned to Mando, almost pleading, “We should get out of here before that thing decides whether or not it’s still hungry.” The armored man nodded and in record time they loaded onto their mounts again back to the Tusken village.

Once back Anai took the child with her grabbing her backpack and they found themselves a nice shady spot.  Anai dug through her pack producing a packet of jerky and dried berries she’d bought on Lothal and decided to save for the little one’s snack times. The mechanic plopped down on the ground, placing the child next to her, breaking off a piece of jerky and grabbing a berry, giving them both over to a pair of grabby green hands. After a while, the rest of the party came to join them in the shade. The Mandalorian made a quick turn in their direction as he silently watched his child take more snacks from his companion “Is he doing alright?” He suddenly asked, causing Anai to turn her gaze up at him “He’s fine now, just got a little scared that’s all.” She gestured to the packet in her hands “Figured this would help.” He nodded in agreement before crouching down next to the little green one and lightly stroking one of those big ears mimicking how his companion so often had “It’s alright to be scared, kid.” The little one stared up at Mando’s visor as he spoke “But as long as I’m around I promise I’ll protect you.” The child cooed his ears moving up and down seemingly understanding. Anai smiled at the interaction, he had changed so much since their first meeting “Fatherhood has done you well Merichetara.” She commented and his visor found her eyes “That so?” He asked, uncertain of her meaning. She nodded “Mmhm, I may not know you as well as your other friends but even I can tell you’ve changed. Still that hard exterior but you’re getting all soft on the inside.”

“You think I’m soft?” He asked, sounding a little offended.

“Not in a bad way!” She quickly explained, “I’m just saying you’re letting your heart show, and it’s…endearing.”

He grunted in response, mulling over her words in that metallic dome of his before speaking again “So, friends…is that what we are?”

Anai let out a chuckle “I sure hope we are! Unless you’re still upset about the other night.”

“I was never upset.” He quickly stated “And is that what we are…friends.” That was an answer that satisfied his compa- no his friend as she gave him a toothy grin “Good, cause I wouldn’t want it any other way.” Mando let out his own huff of amusement before his attention was caught by the Tuskens sitting together around something they were making and Vanth was hovering over them curiously. The armored man got to his feet and joined them in a few strides now standing next to the Marshall. “What are the bones?” He asked as the sand people bickered amongst themselves.

“That’s the krayt dragon.” Mando simply stated.

“And those little rocks?” He asked again, gesturing to the scene.

“That’s us.”

“It’s not to scale.”

“I think it is.” The Mandalorian argued with a nod.

“Can’t be. That’s too big.”

Mando made a few gestures to the closest Tusken and they confirmed his query “It’s to scale.”

Anai appeared next to them holding the child on her hip, having listened to the conversation “Damn, it’s huge…” Vanth nodded in agreement “I’ve only seen its head and neck.” He admitted, “It’s bigger than I guessed.” He leaned a bit closer as the sand people continued their discussion “Might be time to rethink our arrangement.” One of the wrapped beings seemingly asked Mando a question and he answered in kind before another tribe member sprinkled more pebbles onto the ground “That’s more like it.” The Marshal quietly remarked, “Where are they getting the reinforcements?”

Mando shrugged, “I volunteered your village.” Anai spared a glance at the Marshal and it took everything she had not to laugh at his wide-eyed expression. She knew he was probably wishing Mando had just shot him and gotten it over with.

Their little troop ended up staying one more night with the tuskens, the Mandalorian still refusing to sleep anywhere near his new confirmed friend. The next morning they were on speeders again headed back to Mos Pelgo. “They attacked us less than a year ago. Killed half a dozen of us by the mining camp.” Cobb Vanth suddenly spoke as they parked the speeders in front of the cantina and he dismounted “I’d say I took down about twice as many Tuskens.” It was clear he wasn’t exactly confident in this plan of Mando’s.“The town respects you.” The armored man reminded him, “My guess is, they’ll listen to reason.” The marshal only gave him a skeptical frown “I wouldn’t be so sure.” He then walked off to call a town meeting. Anai and Mando shared a questioning gaze for a moment before climbing off their own speeder and following him with the child in tow. When everyone was gathered inside, Cobb Vanth stood against the bar with Mando beside him while Anai and the child sat upon stools beside them, gave his speech to the crowd as honestly and delicately as possible. They were all on board to trade the armor for help with the Krayt Dragon. Then he got to the part about working with the Tusken village and they all erupted into a rage. Mando sighed “Kriff…”

“I kind of expected that.” Anai spoke up beside him “Looks like you’re up Merichetara.” She gave him a hardy couple of pats on the cloth part of his shoulder “Give ‘em a good old pep talk.” He shook his head, pushing himself up from the bar and stepping closer to the crowd. “I’ve seen the size of that thing, it will swallow your entire town when the fancy hits it.” They had quieted now listening to the silvery Mandalorian intently “You’re lucky Mos Pelgo isn’t a sand field already.” A few of them looked at one another knowing he spoke the truth “I know these people. They are brutal, but so is the Dune Sea. They’ve survived for thousands of years in these sands and they know the krayt dragon better than anyone here. They are raiders, it’s true. But they also keep their word. We have struck a deal.” He paused just a moment to let his words sink in “If we are willing to leave them the carcass and its ichor, they will stand by our side in battle and vow never to raise a blaster against this town until ONE OF YOU breaks the peace.” Mando had now said his piece and stepped back to the bar as Anai leaned forward with a smile “That was impressive.” She whispered as her eyes scanned the room “I think you’ve convinced them.” The child cooed in agreement beaming with pride up at his dad and seeing that the armored man held his head a little higher. The town held a vote and it was unanimously decided they would fight alongside their former enemy to rid themselves of a shared problem. With that they started making plans the first thing obviously was to assess the weapons situation, without the proper firepower there was no way this plan would work. They made their way to a warehouse at the edge of town, opening the armored doors to reveal a mass of explosives they normally used for their mining operations along with an array of blasters and ammunition. Mando and Cobb stood in the door as a few townspeople moved around them “Think it’ll work?” The Marshal asked. The armored man tipped his head to the side as he replied “It better, joining forces is their only hope.” Just as he spoke, familiar figures appeared on the horizon, a long line of sand people on the backs of banthas. Anai stood off to the side placing the child atop a stack of crates, her eyes moving to survey the townies. Needless to say none of them were too outwardly pleased and the tension in the air was so thick you could cut it with a vibroblade. The little one cooed beside her and Anai only sighed “Strap in kid, this is gonna be a bumpy ride.”

After a few tense moments, Cobb Vanth and Mando greeted the tribe, conveying what jobs they would be allocated to working alongside their former enemies. Anai volunteered herself to help as well much to the shock of both men, she hadn’t been involved in this whole thing and the only answer she could offer was that she was “bored out of her mind”. After she started working though Mando found himself going quiet on the subject. She’d removed her leather jacket, her arms now bare with the tank top she’d chosen to wear, the toned muscles under her skin flexing each time she picked up a crate loaded down with weapons or ammo placing it onto a cart. He hadn’t realized she was physically strong, not that he thought she was weak either though certainly nowhere near the level of the drop trooper Cara Dune or his Mandalorian brother Paz Vizsla but the strength of one who had worked hard their entire life. He wondered about her constantly still oh so curious about her origins and what she had gone through before the rebellion. He’d been able to turn his attention to the situation at hand to keep these people from killing each other but it was only temporary. She was a mystery only letting him see what she wanted him to, it was jarring. Usually, he was the one everyone was curious about, was this what it was like? Wanting to pry into something he didn’t understand but walking on eggshells at times worried he’d accidentally offend her. The Mandalorian’s thoughts halted for a moment when Anai was approached by a Tusken holding out one of their watery fruits to her. She smiled at them dipping her head in thanks as she took it into her gloved hands. Suddenly there was a clattering sound to his right and he turned in time to see an explosive hit the ground. He'd be lying if he said his heart didn’t drop into his stomach for a split second. After it didn’t explode and kill them all, the man who had handed it off to a Tusken lost his cool “Hey! What are you doing?!” He screamed at the top of his lungs in a rightfully panicked manner “That’s an explosive! Are you trying to blow the whole place up?!” The other retaliated with its own uninterrupted screams, luckily Vanth stepped between them “Take it easy. It was an accident, okay?” He got them to separate for the moment and he was again gifted one of the sacred fruits. Mando let out a sigh of relief and turned back to his unsolicited gawking when his dark visor suddenly met those green eyes of hers. Still frozen in place either fruit in one hand and her other clutching the arm of the Tusken beside her and he assessed she was coming down from her panic. They continued their shared gaze a while longer but were interrupted when the being beside her lightly tapped her hand. She jumped turning to them and though he couldn’t hear it he could tell she was apologizing. He wasn’t the best at reading lips but he was almost sure she said something along the lines of “I know we’re friends now cause we just shared a near-death experience.” It may have been a half-joke but it seemed to at the very least be reassuring to them. She took a moment to breathe before downing the water she’d been given. He internally applauded the strength she showed in holding her features appropriately, he knew what that stuff tasted like and it wasn’t good.

They had managed to finish preparations by nightfall; the sand people made camp a short distance from town while the locals retreated to their homes. There was no place in Mos Pelgo to rent a room so instead The Marshal offered up a small vacant building to the Mandalorian and his party. Anai handed off the little one’s bedtime duties to his dad this time and made a b-line for the bar. There were a few townies scattered about the inside; they didn’t turn to acknowledge her as she found a booth to slide into. Laying her visor on the table she tapped the side a few times and a series of droid beeps came through her earpiece “Hey Racket, just checking in. Things are getting pretty serious on this end, are you behaving for Peli?” Their conversation went on like this until a bottle of spotchka tapped lightly against the tabletop. The mechanic looked up to find Cobb Vanth standing there with two glasses in his other hand “Mind if I join you?”

“Uh…sure…” She awkwardly agreed before turning back to her visor “I gotta go bud, talk to you tomorrow.” The marshal took a seat across from her filling the glasses with the bright blue drink before sliding it over to her “Sorry to interrupt your call darlin’ but since you're here by your lonesome I thought I’d take the opportunity to talk to you.” She took hold of the glass bringing it up to her lips “No offense, but why?”

“Feels like all I’ve been doing these past few days is hanging around strangers.” He shrugged, “Hell I’m not even sure I know your name darlin’.” She gulped down the first shot easily and sighed “Well if it’ll keep you from calling me darlin’ the name’s Anai, just Anai, no last name. I’m too cool for those.” The man chuckled at her response as he repeated her name to himself “Pretty name, too bad your partner doesn't tend to use it.”

“It’s not like I mind or anything, he can do what he wants.” She shrugged though there was a small part of her that did mind as she filled her glass again “If you’re trying to get something out of me though I’d rather you just say it.” She peered up at him as she set the bottle back down “Flattery will get you very little.”

“Oh, you wound me Anai.” He dramatically placed his hand over his heart, faking a wince “Saw right through me did you?”

“I figured you’d get curious eventually, though I warn you I’ve only known Mando for a short while and there’s not much to tell.”

“Ah see you’re assuming there sweetheart.” He leaned forward, guiding his drink to his lips “I’m actually more interested in you, to be honest.” That made her stop as she stared at him over the rim of her glass “Me?” Anai scoffed, feeling rather perplexed, “Why me?” Vanth shrugged “The Mandalorian I get, he wants the armor because it belongs back with its people. The kid’s just along for the ride but you though…” he pointed at her as he grabbed hold of the bottle to pour another drink “I don’t get you, you helped out today but what are you getting out of this whole deal?”

“Is it so hard to believe someone can just do something and not want anything in return?”

“In this day and age very much so.” He chuckled, setting the bottle back down “Kindness freely given is rare, especially on this planet.” This time Anai nodded in agreement “Don’t I know it.” She lazily swirled the liquid in her cup as she continued “Maybe it’s the rebel in me or some complex sense of justice, cause if doing something means it’s the right thing then I want a hand in it no matter how small. I don’t have to push myself into the middle of it now like I used to, I choose to help and fight when I want and I’m not forced to.” The marshal nodded, taking in her words “I think I’m starting to get what you mean.” His lips curled into a smirk but the look in his eyes suggested his thoughts were somewhere else “I spent a good chunk of my life running from things I thought I’d never be free of, but then I came to this town and it became my sanctuary. I’ll be damned if I let anything happen to it or the people.” Anai couldn’t help the curve of her own lips at his words and lifted her glass towards his “Cobb Vanth, I think you and I just may have been cut from the same cloth.” The marshal only chuckled tapping his glass to hers “I second that thought.”

It was late, the three moons were high in the night sky and the Mandalorian was getting antsy. Anai hadn’t come back to their temporary housing yet and even though the bar was just down the way he wondered if she had drunk herself silly and gotten lost in the dark. Anything could’ve happened to her, that Krayt dragon wasn’t the only dangerous creature on this planet after all. No, if something like that happened he definitely would’ve heard her screams and she had night blindness. Right, even if she was drunk she’d never walk into a dark abyss that she couldn’t navigate. She wasn’t that stupid, at least he hoped that was the case….Then again the only reference he had for how Anai and alcohol mixed was the events on Nowhere. ‘Damn it.’ He rose to his feet, unable to take any more of his thoughts. Luckily the kid had passed out a long time ago so he quickly tucked a blanket around his little body and headed out the door. The armored man marched his way down the path to the cantina catching the attention of the Weequay barkeep “Your girl’s over there.” He nodded to a far wall across the room already knowing who he was seeking. His visor snapped in that direction just in time to see Anai down another shot of spotchka “She just emptied the bottle” The man continued “Kept our marshal good company.” That’s when Mando noticed Cobb Vanth passed out across from her, his arms crossed on the table and his head resting against them. He let out a sigh of relief he didn’t know he had been holding and made his way over. Almost immediately her eyes found him drinking in his appearance like she had the alcohol “Don’t tell me you came all the way here for me Merichetara…” She called to him her eyes half-lidded with what he first thought was drunkenness but as he got closer he realized it was only tiredness. He put his arm against the wall of the booth now looming over her.

“Oh wow…” the words slipped from her mouth before she could stop them and there was a noticeable heat that spread through her. The way the light hit his armor and just the way he stood there was enough to make anyone weak in the knees. Mando had barely caught what she said but the way she looked up at him, the way her tongue darted out wetting her bottom lip. It was like he was a meal she was ready to devour and oh would he let her have him. Stop it! No, he had to fight back against these thoughts. The woman’s probably drunk out of her mind for maker’s sake! She couldn’t be conscious of what she was doing to him. But the idea of being the prey to her predator sounded oh so good. He quickly cleared his throat and stepped back putting both hands on his belt. “It’s late and we have an early start tomorrow, you should be in bed by now.” He did his best to sound normal but the way Anai quirked her eyebrow and smirked told him otherwise “Ah…So you’ve come to collect me then?” She stood pulling her visor across the tabletop as she did “Well…” She pressed a thumb to the bottom of his helmet forcing him to meet her eyes “How valiant of you Merichetara, maybe I should reward you.” He was putty in her hands, no one had come so close to his helmet since Sorgan, and the first time the movement wasn’t to remove it “I-It’s fine…” The Mandalorian stuttered before clearing his throat “There’s no need for that.” Anai only dropped her hand and shrugged “Whatever you say.” She moved past him towards the door patting his shoulder as she did. He watched her for a moment admiring the swing of her hips then he caught sight of the barkeep watching as well. The armored man audibly growled and the barkeep turned to him with a smirk “If I was you I’d keep an eye on that one.” Was all the man said before turning back to whatever task he’d resided himself to. Mando didn’t waste time stomping off after Anai, catching sight of her form walking along the raised path, one hand trailing against the building’s as she moved her visor still loosely hanging from her fingers in the other. “Hey.” He caught up with her grabbing a hold of her arm. “You shouldn’t walk blindly out here, you’ll get lost.” She merely chuckled “I think I can walk a few yards without losing my way. Besides, I made sure to count the steps back when the suns were out.” Mando was amazed not entirely by her ingenuity but by how well she was still with it as someone who had downed a whole bottle of spotchka. When they reached the door of their shared sleeping space he finally asked “There’s no way you're not intoxicated beyond your comprehension, right?” She paused for a moment, her eyes staring off into the cast darkness ahead of her, then simply answered “If you think I am, then I must be.” He didn’t get a chance to ask more as she slipped inside their quarters leaving him to stand and ponder just who or what she could be.

Author's note: Don't forget you can also follow this fic and get the updates on AO3!

All Graphics by @saradika-graphics

[capsensislagamoprh]

Christophe Giacometti was a fey of spring. As he walked a lovely breeze backed by the every illusory images of slowly growing plants blooming artfully behind him when he smiled enchanted and beguiled. He could hear his mentor's voice echoing lightly in his ear, a whisper of understanding that had haunted him when he was young.

"Anything that’s flawless is false. We are beautiful, my dear, not because we have no scars. We are beautiful because we refuse to be defined by them."

And that, Christoph thought, was the problem. Victor had no scars. Non on his heart, non on his body, even his head was an easily repairable lace, every hole simply a new pattern of frost and elegance. But Christoph knew better. Somewhere inside his friend was a longing. Something he was slowly becoming more jealous of. Which might explain why he'd done what he did.

Everyone knew you did not take Samhain away from Beltane.

Yet he'd found a way. Victor found a way. And now everything was moving off kilter. The dance, the song, they were devouring the Dream, taking to much and giving to little. Christoph needed to know what he could do. Frankly, he was inclined to figure out what actually fueled the Ice King's ambition and art; that which turned his mere survival into living; but he knew that it would not be in the land of Dreams. They'd lived there to long, explored to many forbidden places for it to be missed by there vigilant eyes.

Sighing, Christoph pulled out his emerald stick pin, it's cut allowing the gem to sparkle as if haloed. Once it was placed in his grey suit neatly pinstriped in a delicate pink, he looked about. Seeming to bend to flick dust off his fashionable, highly polished shoes, Christoph looked around. No one was near by. Good. Standing, he slipped thrugh the door that didn't really exist in a wall that had no reason to be so mundane when it contained something so fancy.

The chancery flickered into existence, its elegance coming from simplicity and warmth of wood. There were splashes of color, flowers in constant bloom out of season, fires blooming in small braziers, there sparks illuminating a glowing joy. As Christoph moved thrugh the great room, the baelfire blazing with sparks of pink, green, and summer blue, feed glamour into the room. His presence caused it to blaze a little higher, the scent of melting snow and fresh breezes filling the room more than before.

"Ah, there you are!" Emil smiled, his arms wide for a hug. "I heard you were back in the real! What brings you this time?"

Christoph returned the embrace, taking in the softness of the autumn sidhe shirt and earthy summer smells. "I came to help the Ice King," he said in lilted English.

"Oh? Well, that's interesting. I think I'll need the full story. Come on. I have some Estonian delicacies here. You have to try the this new braze. We put the pork in an apple cider, soak it in the favors, then spice it before it is prepared. Little potato, little bread. Marvelous!"

"Kail?"

Emil looked aghast, "As if I would not have such at my table!"

Christoph followed Emil to the private chambers, feeling some sort of tension leave him as a tankard was put in his hand. Admiring the fine crystal after several long droughts, Christoph lowered himself into a plush, fur draped chair. He watched as Emil served him up a hearty portion, then sat back considering the spring sidhe. "You look younger than last time. Care to tell me what took away your years?"

Christoph looked away, then sighed deeply, letting his posture laps into something of a draped recline. "His dream is starting to crack." Emil was silent, listening. The lack of judgment or harsh questions was one of the reasons it was so easy to talk to this autumn noble. The material realm had grounded him in a way those from the dreaming could never manage. It was like the Hero's quiet understanding. He never knew how important that was until he felt the silence wait for him, gentle and nonjudgmental.

After another swallow of his drink, he continued. "The issue is to deep for me to handle alone. I've been seeing the signs for some time. I just didn't think it would cause such a disaster."

Emil sipped his kail, watching with his world worn eyes. The sparkle in them was subtle, the dream holding him steady, in the background. "May I ask..?" He stopped, waiting for Christoph's nod before he continued. "Dose this have to do with why the power didn't transfer on Samhain?"

Christoph grimaced. "Probably. I'd say chances are high."

"That's a big issue. The world suffers from the constant drive to create. Resources are not unlimited here. Soon they will pull from the dream directly to continue making. This world needs rest. It needs to reset."

Christoph groaned, throwing a leg over the arm of his seat. "There is no way to sugar coat it." Pausing, hoping a held breath would make it the words appear with out his having to put voice to them, he pouted a frown. There was no use. He'd have to say the words. "Yuri is missing. Before you say 'send the Hero', he's missing too."

Emil set his glass down carefully. "Explain 'missing'."

"I think Victor's dream lured him to the real. The part of him that's missing - we looked for it everywhere. I thought it might be some nymph, or some other fey. A plant even. But it wasn't. We couldn't find it. And he couldn't go to the material world on his own - " "Naturally," Emil nodded.

"Naturally," Christoph echoed. "None of the fey kings can open the Hedge Gates." He could see Emil understand.

"Except on Beltane and Samhain."

"And as it was not yet those times, he took the Hero with him, used his connection as The Unseelie to open them, and Victor being Victor..."

"He got full of the wonder of winter? Made some foolish choices like a kid on fresh ice?"

"He didn't even check to see if it was thin. Just went thrugh. Before he could be stuck on the other side, the Hero did what he does, and -"

"He got stuck here. In the Real?"

Christoph nodded, his pout taking on the real curves of a frown.

"If you are also missing Yuri, is it possible he went looking? Drawn to the dance?"

"No. He... immolated."

Emil blinked. Looking about, he reached for the pitcher and refilled their glasses, wondering if he'd need something stronger. "So, you have him?"

"He... didn't reappear in the Dream."

Emil sat his untouched glass down. "What sacrifice did the Hero make? Where? Was he near dream, or was he ... still in the Real?"

Christoph rubbed his face, moving the youthful flesh in swirls. "I think ... I fear he was in the real." A sharp intake of breath told him Emil understood the import of those words. He'd expected no less. As one of the rare sidhe who survived the sundering in the material realm, he was uniquely qualified to understand the danger the Dream was in. A sidhe of any sort tormented by the real, dead in the real, could very well be unmade to the point of never having been.

The Dream would not tolerate that vacancy. It would replace him, and it would not care who it chose. The most Unseelie of them all would take the position. The last Unseelie was a horrid monster made of nightmares and torture. It was born of torment and depravity that sent shock waves thrugh the realms. There was no way to stave it off until an entire existence was wiped out. That had been the when the Hero had taken his true form. He'd always been there, a quiet presence, saving with out reward, chivalric to a fault. Everyone had assumed he was seelie, sluagh, and a fool. In truth, he'd been scheming to take down the Devourer, that self righteous poison who ruled Samhain.

Emil had been a young thing back then. He'd not known what it had all meant when the Hero sunk his sword into the dark king's neck, ripping out his heart with his own brutal grip. When the Dream shattered the corps, spreading it's ash thrugh its lands, the dreams seemed to settle, regain color. They grew anew, and sprang forth growth as the Hero took the heart and buried it in the Farmer's Field. From it a single bloom began to grow, to glow with the first rays of spring sun.

The Hero turned to go, expecting no reward. Emil had wondered what house he belonged to. He would like to be so noble too. But the Hero had no house. He simply respected death, knowing it was part of who he was. He would not run from it. He would not pretend that the cost of living was to be reborn. And as the flower bloomed into the beauty of Beltane, Samhain settled on his shoulders like a mantel. He froze in place - really all of the Dream seemed to freeze - as the pale, slender hand reached up from its cover of dirt, touching his own dark skin. When he turned, Emil swears he could feel something click into place. The keepers of the Gates had changed, and with it the Dream.

If they didn't get the Hero back, the balance that was there, delicate as Beltane appeared outside and the insides of Samhain actually were, would be at risk. They already were. "Do any of the Arcadian sidhe know where the oracle is?"

"Only myself."

"You, my dear Lord Giacometti, are more here than you are there. Don't denigh what you know in your heart."

Christoph's lips twisted into a small smile. "Until this is fixed, one way or another, I belong no where. None of us do."

"Well then," Emil smiled, "Let's see the oracle, shall we?" Rising, he held out his hand, helping the spring fey up before leading him down the winding paths of mirrors to the hidden profit.

part 1, part 2, part 3, part 4, part 5, part 6, part 7, part 8, part 9, part 10, part 11, part 12, part 13, part 14, part 15, part 16, part 17, part 18

[para-imperium]

Horizon: Rebult Ch. 11

Horizon stood up straight and concentrated on her enhanced senses, her augmented brain took in sounds, smells, vibrations, and magnetic signatures and compiled them into a three-dimensional map updated continually in real time. She couldn’t perceive any sign of more SWAT mechs anywhere near the warehouse, there were plenty of people walking about outside, heading back to work after the end of the long night. But they were alone in the warehouse, not one thing breathed in the entire building save for Horizon and Shawn.

Once the vole had healed enough to walk he staggered over to the container full of computers that Qali had shown them. “Oh good, it’s intact,” Shawn bent down to inspect the gold quantum core, right where Horizon had left it. The other machines had not fared so well, shards of plastic and silicon littered the floor and evaporating coolant billowed out of bullet holes.

Horizon fought back the urge to punch Shawn and smash the core, Jenny was gone thanks to this little venture, was that little ball and the data inside really worth everything that had just happened? But there wouldn’t be any point to smashing their prize after all they’d done to get it. She sighed and addressed Shawn, “let’s just go find the power lifters and get that thing out of here.”

“There are two security exo-suits lying unused just a few aisles down,” Samantha whispered to Horizon.

There’s corpses in them, Horizon thought back at her, a faint scowl crossing her features.

“Easily removed,” the AI replied. “And you won’t be bothered as much if disguised as a SWAT officer.”

Horizon tried to remember how much damage she’d inflicted on the armor, will we be able to repair them before reinforcements arrive?

“It doesn’t have to be perfect,” Sam added.

Shawn cleared his throat, “uh, are you okay?”

“I’m fine!” Horizon insisted. “Would a SWAT suit be able to lift the core?”

“I guess so,” Shawn thought out loud. “Wait, do you have one on hand?”

“I… took care of the other two SWAT agents,” Horizon said uneasily. She led Shawn over to where she’d left the exo-suits she’d cracked open, along with their occupants.

The vole looked visibly sickened at the sight of blood flowing out of the suits. When he actually knelt down to examine the hole she’d made in the suit the color faded from his ears and nose. “Oh, my archons,” he gasped. “What did you do to them?”

“I was in survival mode,” Horizon explained with a deep tone of regret. “I’m actually not sure what I did.”

Shawn gulped loudly as he peeled back the loose panel the cyborg had torn open. “Ugh, it looks like you ripped out a chunk of his back somehow. Are those his ribs? How strong are you?”

Horizon flexed her metal-tipped fingers, the fur covering them now substantially redder than usual. “Not strong enough to lift that core by myself. Is that armor usable or not?”

Shawn tried to focus on the edges of the loose panel, “I think so, yeah, it looks like you tore open an access panel rather than anything structurally important.” He stopped and tried to flick off some gore that had collected on his fingers in extreme disgust.

“Would you like me to remove the bodies for you?” Horizon offered. She didn’t want to touch the bloody corpses much either, but she felt responsible for them and that she could handle it better than him.

“No, I think I can handle this.” He found a release switch and popped the shoulder joints, causing the torso to open at the scapulas and release the helmet’s collar. Carefully he slipped the helmet off, revealing a white-furred canine face bearing a vacant expression with one eye still half-open, dead as a doornail. “Okay, that’s kind of freaky,” Shawn admitted. He shifted his hands under the corpse’s armpits and started to lift upwards.

As Shawn slowly lifted the body out of the exo-suit he started to make short sniffing sounds. “What’s that smell?” he inquired just before the odor hit her own nostrils.

She recognized the stench from a time on board the Dustbin when the waste recycling systems had broken down. “I don’t think you want to know,” she informed him.

The vole finished yanking the corpse out of the exo-suit, leaving a brownish-red streak on the floor as he dragged it away. “Are you sure you want to wear this thing?” Shawn asked.

Horizon imagined sticky biological substances sliding against her body, caking her fur, she quickly checked her jumpsuit’s integrity. When she saw that the last few tears the agents’ weapons had opened were all but sealed again she breathed a sigh of relief.

Samantha’s avatar appeared standing over the corpse. “You know, your immune system could handle any infections you might pick up.” She glanced down at the trail of biological matter leading from the exo-suit. “Though, admittedly, if we weren’t pressed for time I would advise dousing the thing in bleach.”

Horizon glowered at the illusion, “this here is why I don’t like you taking over!”

“Technically speaking,” the AI countered. “That was his job.” She pointed to the half-open jaw at the end of her tail.

“You’re attached!” Horizon retorted. “I wouldn’t have to deal with you if not for him!”

“Uh,” Shawn spoke up and the raccoon turned around swiftly to address him. “Who are you talking to?”

Horizon considered whether to tell him about her AI. She was fully aware that she might sound insane, but he had the microbots in his system too. Is he going to develop an AI like you? She subvocalized.

“It will take a while without a dedicated augmentation platform to assist,” Samantha informed her. “The brain-computer interface should develop in a month or two, but it’ll be the better part of a Jord year before there’s enough computronium in his CNS to support an AI shadow.”

Horizon grumbled, deciding that he needed to know. “My FedTech implants contain intelligent algorithms that initially formed a sort of artificial subconscious. A couple weeks ago me and Jenny managed to give it an avatar.” She watched as Shawn’s eyes slowly widened in dawning comprehension. “You should be fine for some months yet, I was submerged in a tube full of microbots while you just have the few that leaked into your wounds.”

Shawn stared back, mouth wide open in shock. “Are you serious? Is there a way to remove them?” He stared at the blood stains on the ground. “Wait, what are we trying to hack with the quantum core? Is it your microbots?”

“I don’t know exactly what it is,” Horizon explained reluctantly. “There is a data module full of Federation data that I strongly suspect was gathered by one of my crew mates.” She sighed, whiskers drooping. “As is it’s our best chance of fixing this.”

The vole started to say something, then stopped. He tried to object again but apparently couldn’t think of anything to say in response. On his third attempt he just said “okay, let’s just get that thing up and running and get out of here.”

Horizon lifted the exo-suit up and started finagling her way into it, she slipped one leg in and then another, trying to ignore the sticky feeling of body fluids covering her legs. The unpowered suit was incredibly stiff and heavy, she doubted she could manage this without her augmented strength. She presumed that there was some kind of scaffolding to help wearers get into their exo-suits back at the base. As she slid her right arm into the suit’s arm she finagled her fingers into the glove and tried to flex them, only to feel resistance from the material.

What’s going on? She inquired of Samantha.

“The synthetic muscles aren’t powered up,” the AI responded. “You’ll have to seal it up before activating the suit.”

Horizon tried to bend the arm back, fighting the stiffness all the way. But even with her strength she couldn’t reach back to buckle the shoulders shut. “Shawn,” she called out, “I’m going to need your help with this.”

Shawn slowly approached her from behind, trying to avoid the blood puddles. He took hold of the panel on the back with both hands and grunted, lifting the heavy panel up. “I’m certainly not as strong as you yet,” he grumbled as he fastened the shoulder clasps.

“With luck you won’t need to be,” Horizon commented as she flexed her left arm in the sleeve. “Now do the helmet.”

The exo-suit’s helmet dropped down over Horizon’s head, a blood splatter covered the lower left corner of the tinted corundum visor. As the neck ring sealed the raccoon tried to turn her head to the right, only to encounter the same resistance as when she tried flexing the fingers. Samantha? How do I turn this thing on?

“Let’s see...” Samantha trailed off. “It looks like the original wearers used a short-range wireless BCI to operate this suit. I should be able to brute force it in…”

Horizon waited for three minutes, standing stiffly in place. Well?

“This is military-grade encryption,” the AI retorted. “It’s still just Tiere-system junk but… ah there it is!”

The visor lit up with a half-dozen readouts and gauges: Power supply, suit integrity, power usage, weapon ammunition… Horizon curled her hand into a fist, the powered synth-muscle responded as smoothly as her own digits. She lifted one foot and began to turn around, heading back to pick up the core.

She found Shawn trying to push the core across the concrete floor, not finding much purchase on the rough-textured surface. He looked up as she approached, “Horizon?”

“Yes, it’s me,” Horizon replied. She reached down and lifted the quantum core with one hand. It still felt quite heavy, but manageable.

“You were still for a while,” the vole continued. “Are you okay?”

“It took a while for my AI to hack into the suit,” she shifted the core so she could carry it in both hands. “Honestly, I’m a little astonished that it was able to hack it that quickly.”

The two of them exited the warehouse carrying the core. As Tiere’s sun peeked around Surt the various people dashing to early morning jobs or leaving long night shifts largely ignored the figure in the armored exo-suit and her companion. They’d learned long ago that paying no mind to the work of the Company’s security forces was in their best interests.

Horizon and Shawn were less than a third of the way back to the van they’d borrowed from the Friendly Society when Sam got Horizon’s attention. “Problem,” she said. “It seems that Company dispatch has noticed us.”

What are they saying? Horizon inquired, worry showing in her mental voice.

“For the moment it sounds like they think we’re the officer who was wearing this suit,” Sam answered. “I’ve disabled the bio-monitors so they won’t report back your physiological “abnormalities.” If you want I could try passing as the officer and blame the unresponsive bio-monitors on battlefield damage causing a false report of his death.”

Horizon gave it a moment’s thought. Well, I don’t exactly have any better ideas. Maybe claim to have been knocked unconscious and the suspects fled before “I” woke up?

“That could work,” Samantha paused for a few moments. Horizon continued walking towards the van until the AI finally spoke again. “Uh, apparently the surviving officer reported, and this is a direct quote, “that ghul ripped out his heart and ate it!”

Horizon stopped in her tracks at that. Did I?

“Well, you didn’t eat it,” Sam’s attempt at reassurance was only half-successful. “Should I suggest that the survivor exaggerated?”

These suits have video recorders right? Horizon asked. Actually, she revised, it might buy us some time if you insist they review the video. She resumed walking, at an accelerated pace.

“Done,” Sam replied. She didn’t bother the raccoon for another half a minute before speaking up again. “We might have another problem now.”

What?

Samantha caused a bright red box to appear around the power gauge of the exo-suit. “At the rate you’re using power, there’s a good chance that it’ll be depleted before you reach the van.” Right after she said that the battery dropped from 14% power, to 13%.

Horizon did some quick mental calculations and slowed her pace slightly. This is just great, can you disable the tracker in this suit?

“It’s isolated from the suit’s main systems,” Sam replied. “I can try to find the component emitting the signal and block it or remove it.”

Slowing down her movement seemed to slow down the power drain, but it was still worryingly low as she passed the block halfway to the van. Horizon attempted to look up and around her, but the helmet restricted her view. She heard a familiar whine coming in from the distance and wrenched her neck in the direction of the source. Is that what I think it is? She asked.

“Heavy VTOL,” Sam confirmed. “I don’t think it’s one of ours.”

Can’t afford to save power then, Horizon started practically running, even as her suit’s power reserve dropped to 11%, then 10%.

“You’re not going to make it,” Sam cautioned.

Horizon kept on stomping along. How long before the VTOL arrives?

Samantha paused for several seconds before answering. “Based on the acoustics of this atmosphere, thirty seconds.”

And if we’re out in the open then we’re dead, Horizon retorted. They can blast us from the air, would we be able to regenerate from that?

“Fair point,” Sam admitted. “Okay, I found the source of the tracking signal, I’m about to short it out. This is going to burn a little.”

Horizon felt a searing pain in her right breast, but she ignored it and kept on moving. The core was starting to feel heavy again, whether from her exhaustion or the suit losing power she did not know. The VTOL roared above her, but did not stop and kept on moving.

The power indicator flashed 1%, but Horizon finally saw their van sitting around the corner. Shawn ran out ahead and opened the back up, Horizon dashed for that last three meters…

And the helmet went dark. The armor laid heavily on her shoulders and the quantum core threatened to rip her fingers off of her hands. But it was just a few more steps to go, she lifted one foot, and then the other, and slowly moved forwards over the protestations of her burning muscles. An eternity later she was only two meters away, 1.5… and the core slipped out of her hands.

The heavy computer landed on her armored foot, it didn’t cause any damage but slid onto the snow-covered ground. She stiffly tried to bend over to pick it back up, but couldn’t quite manage it. As she was trying to pick it up again the roaring of the VTOL returned.

Shawn dashed back to her and grabbed hold of the core’s handles. “Come on!” he shouted, just barely managing to drag the heavy device through the snow.

Horizon lurched forward, pushing the core with her armored foot. The VTOL grew louder as it approached, the cyborg pulled up her last reserves of strength…

Releasing all her strength in one last burst Horizon wrenched the quantum core off the ground and into the back of the van, then collapsed onto the fender. Shawn got behind her and shoved her forcefully into the van, then slammed the doors shut just as the VTOL screamed overhead. Horizon lay there, motionless, while Shawn drove them back home.

[in3ptbean]

“Nepenthe,”

Leon S. Kenney x  Reader 

Warning: Dead by Daylight is a warning all in itself bros... 

As much as you loved the survivor camp, you longed to return home; whatever that may be.

It was hard to keep track of time in the Entity’s realm, but not impossible. There was a lack of setting sun and the sky seemed stuck in a comatose orange haze. It reminded you of the Grove you had gone to moments before you were consumed by the estranged Deity.

The memories were scrambled; as if someone, or rather something had physically torn them away from your temple. Bits and pieces were remained, but nothing more than a passing thought.

The hope of returning home, or surviving a trial without a single cut or maim, fed the Entity’s everlasting hunger. You were it’s most prominent survivor; a puppet in its coy games.

You awoke on the Eyre, the bland beige and harsh mustard yellows causing you to grimace at your rather lack luster choice of wardrobe. An ugly Christmas sweater made of thick wool, and a rather itchy Santa hat that no matter how far you threw, always returned to its place on your head. Needless to say, you stuck out like a sore thumb.

There was a hum in the air. Soothing yet I’ll-inducing. A shiver ran down your spine as a scream rippled through the stale air; making ears fall deaf to the cries of the crows.

Iron Maiden.

“Hey-OW!”

Your hand stung, but nothing like the blonde’s cheek. Had you just decked Leon Kennedy a new one? Yes. Was it on purpose? Maybe.

“Don’t sneak up on me, dickhead!” You hissed, unwillingly leading him towards a generator near the dips of the Sahara like earth.

“I didn’t mean too,” you rolled your eyes. The lovesick rookie would be nothing but a hassle during his first few trials, and from what you knew, this was barely his third one.

You didn’t have a problem with the man; just his rather obsessive jumps from one survivor to the other. You could only assume he had grown bored of Meg and Laurie. You didn’t blame him though. Those two were a handle full and were too stubborn for their own good.

“You’ve worked on these before right?” You asked.

There was a pregnant pause.

“Uh, no,” Leon muttered, sheepishly frowning before kneeling beside the generator. You rolled your eyes before following, “but I am a quick learner!” The blonde’s optimistic attitude was rather refreshing.

“For your sake, I hope so,”

True to his word, Leon learned how to repair a generator rather quickly. It was near completion when he walked away and hopped into a locker.

“What are you doing?” You asked, confused on why he suddenly hid. You didn’t feel anyone's eyes on you, or even felt your heart pick up it’s rather rhythmic thudding against your chest.

The generator popped and Leon was right back at your side again, this time holding what looked like a-

“Here. It’s like a flashlight,”

“Where did you get this from? I swear those lockers only have hatchets and throwing knives…” you looked up at Leon, cocking an eyebrow l as you hesitantly took the flash bang. “You didn’t pull this out of your ass-“

“NO!” Leon was panicked, eyes wide and a harsh blush covering his cheeks and nose. He scratched the back of his head before shaking his head. “It’s a flash bang,” He muttered, scratching the back  of his neck as you led him away towards the center of the  Eyre. 

“Relax, Kennedy,” You mused, “It was a joke,” But at the same time, you were kind of curious. 

You knelt, and began shoving your hands into the generator. Leon followed to your right, a calm silence enveloping the pair as  they worked diligently. 

Seeing him flustered made you laugh; you thought it was cute, but at the same time, there was a deep pit at the bottom of your stomach; one warning you that the cutesy cop could just be another David. 

The two were obviously different, but something in you was choosing to ignore the burning pair of eyes practically glaring holes into your back, and succumb to the slight change of weight being lifted off your shoulders. 

[hex-obsession]

Silver Lining- Three

word count- 2,389

content warning- language, sexual acts (potentially rough)

____________________________________________

Nothing like getting pulled out of a deep sleep to go repair bulky, strident machinery and run, literally, for your life. You were, physically and mentally, in a fog. Worn out from the emotional runaround mere hours ago, you weren’t your usual bubbly self. To make matters worse, Leon was here and saw the discomfort on your face. Who wouldn’t? You were always bad at masking your feelings.

“Everything okay y/n?” Chills trickled through your ears and down the back of your neck at the soothing hum of his voice. It was too early for this, but at least you were fully awake now.

“Y-yeah, just tired.” Your hand defensively moves to your other arm, sending him the opposite message of ‘I’m fine’. Leon tenderly places his hand over yours, ducking slightly to be eye level with you. Instead of speaking, you just stare back at him blankly. Mind racing yet empty, you're completely lost for words. You forgot how to even speak, let alone move your tongue. Finally, your sense of self-preservation kicks in and you blurt out “I’m fine, really. Just in a haze, I guess. Really tired.” You force a smile, praying he buys it, or at least takes it as a hint not to pry. He’s still staring at you, studying your face and body language. This man was far too perceptive to fall for a lie that poorly executed. Not wanting to interrogate you and possibly upset you further, he let it go. His face relaxed, the puzzled, disapproving expression now replaced by one of empathy and concern.

“If there’s something on your mind, please tell me when you’re ready.” He extends his other arm and gently pulls you toward him, which you do not resist. You sheepishly wrap your arms around him, worried he might feel the pounding in your chest and return to questioning you. You couldn’t help but melt in his arms, which did help calm your nerves some. Consoling each other (let’s be real, it was always him consoling you) was no new feat. His uniform was rough on your cheek, a mix of harsh fabric and dried blood, but you didn’t mind. With your head turned, resting on his chest, you saw Jeff and Laurie coming closer. As much as you wanted to stay in this exact spot forever, you were grateful to direct Leon’s attention to anything other than you long enough to compose yourself. Hands eager to touch him longer, you lovingly rub his back and give his sides a little squeeze before releasing him.

“Sorry, hope we didn’t interrupt anything,” Laurie chimes innocently.

Cheeks ablaze, you jump to defend yourself. “No you’re fine! I’m just feeling a tad under the weather and Leon is a great friend.” You smile, eyes darting back to him only long enough to see he’s staring at you. Fuck, fuck, your face was on fire. Back on Laurie, she ever so slightly squints, so quickly you would’ve missed it if you weren’t excruciatingly observant. Her lips curl at the edges. She knows. You look back to Leon, who is still staring at you. Shit, fuck. You look to your left trying to avoid everyone's gaze. Her dainty hands latch onto you, pulling you into a hug. You stumble slightly, intoxicated by nervousness.

“Oh, sorry love.” She tilts her head back just enough for her mouth to line up with your ear. “Do it.” Her voice is heavy and breathy. It almost startles you, and a nervous chuckle escapes you.

“Th-thanks Laurie. Yeah, I just had a weird dream and I’m feeling really, uh, off.”

Heart racing, you thought it might be trying to escape, the force with which it was beating. You push your hair away from your face, hoping it would make breathing less labored when, you only made it easier to see how flustered you were. A final glance at Leon confirms he is indeed still staring. You’d never been thankful for the entity taking you before, but there’s a first time for everything. The fog surrounds you and the trial ensues, scattering you across the map. Completely disregarding everything other than your feelings, you shake your head and stretch your arms above you. They come down, folding around your head and you stare at the lockers in front of you, eyes out of focus; not actually taking in what you were looking at. A few deep breaths later, you pull yourself together enough to move your feet, one in front of the other. Midwich Elementary School; possibly your favorite of all the entity’s destinations. You recognized your surroundings. This was the locker room. Leaving the second floor was your first goal. As you entered the hallway, a bright light flickered in your face. At the end of the hall, Jeff pointed to the room to his right. You jogged over to him, said brief hellos, and knelt down to work on the repairs together. Shortly thereafter, with little remaining progress, a faint heartbeat echoed in your ears. You peered around the broken wall; no sign of the killer. The generator dings to life and you decide to split up to cover more ground. Jeff drops through a hole in the bathroom across the hall, leading you to divert from your original plan and head toward the other upstairs classrooms. As you near the stairwell, your heartrate increases. Not from the unbearable sexual tension you had for Leon, but the killer was close. You see nothing down the hall to your left, which meant the killer was below you. You sprint ahead, trying to make as little noise as possible. To your dismay, you were detected. Feet heavy on the ground, your footsteps echoed around you. You tripped on something but were far too agile to lose your balance, and never fell. Before rounding the corner, you look behind you to see what terror you were up against this time. A human figure with a red stain; the Legion. Extremely misleading the first time you ran into them. Extremely. You dart left, breaking line of sight. The chemistry lab is your best bet. Dropping through the floor will most likely get him off your trail. To prevent leaving scratch marks, you slow to a brisk walk. Just as you thought you would evade the killer, something grabs you and you lurch backward. Before you could scream, a hand covers your mouth. Leon spins you around to face him and pulls you close. The two of you are pressed tightly together between lockers and a wall. Heart racing, for multiple reasons, you stare at the small space where the floor is visible. Confused, the red light was bouncing around, taunting you. All that was on your mind was the heat radiating from all the areas your bodies were touching. The sudden realization that Leon had his arms around you, protecting you, made you jerk your head back to look at him. His eyes, normally brooding, were instead intently locked onto you with, was that, adoration? You didn’t want to get the wrong idea, or make assumptions rooted in your own feelings. A gen on the other side of the school is completed, and you see the Legion vault a window into the courtyard, leaving the two of you alone in the hall. Although the killer was nowhere near you, your heart was racing, painfully. You were agonizingly aware of the recurring flush that filled your face. You couldn’t bring yourself to look him in the eyes, so you focused on his neck instead. So smooth and inviting. Every fiber of your being wanted to kiss it and bite it and moan his name into it. Your legs felt as if they would give way beneath you at any moment. You straightened your back to put more pressure on the wall behind you, allowing you to bend your legs slightly to prevent them from buckling under you. He had put himself slightly to your left as to

make sure he could block you from any attacks, if need be. If either of you moved forward so much as an inch, your legs would begin lacing together. Noticing how close your hips were to his sent a rush of heat to your crotch. Sick with suspense, you finally force yourself to look up. Before meeting his eyes, you analyze his lips. You craved them on your own. Your tongue on his; tasting each other.

“Y/n…” You’d never been turned on by your own name before. It was less your name and more the way it eased out of his mouth. Longing, impatient. Watching his lips emit your name made you crazed. You bit your bottom lip, wishing it were him biting it instead. Almost gasping for air, you take a deep breath and look into his eyes. Chills breeze over your body like a crisp fall evening. Muscles so weak you could barely move, you ease your hands around his waist, locking your fingers behind him. Your desire for him was borderline primitive at this point. If given the chance to pull him into one of the classrooms and fuck him right there on one of the desks, you’d take it without contemplation. Hell, you might initiate it in a second. Your pussy was throbbing, begging for him. You shifted your legs again, intertwining them completely. The pressure of his thigh on your clit sent electric chills through your legs to your toes. A short, pleased sigh escaping you drew his attention. His head eased forward slowly, sealing the distance between the two of you. His nose grazed yours and you gently nudged into it. You were panting in his face, which you would come to feel embarrassed about later. He continued forward until you felt his lips brush against yours. It tickled in the most satisfying way possible, like a flower against velvet.

“Yes,” you whispered against his lips, and just like that, every worry or care in the world vanished.

Softly, he pressed his lips to yours. It was electric to say the bare minimum. You took a staggered breath causing him to pull away. Your eyes shot open, darting wildly between his facial features, searching for any indication of regret. Instead, he places a hand on your cheek and pulls you into him. This time your lips met, they were ravenous. You suck his bottom lip into your mouth and bite down. Not enough to cause damage, but enough to cause him to let out a low rumbling moan into your mouth which sent you over the edge. Your non-dominant hand leaves his back and latches onto his gorgeous blonde hair. It was so soft in your fingers, like silk. You tilted your head and ran your tongue across the lip you still had trapped between your teeth. You released it which allowed Leon to open his mouth against yours and slide his tongue inside. Oh God, he tasted better than you’d imagined. Fleshy yet almost sweet, like the faintest hint of cinnamon. Your head was spinning and you felt light-headed from the stimulation (and the fact there was a good amount of blood in the lower half of your body). You were fixated on the fact that his saliva was in your mouth. You’d end up swallowing it, and vice versa. Your grip on his hair tightened and you let out a faint whimper. The combination made him growl with pleasure. His hands roamed your body briefly, coming to a stop at your waist. Seemingly effortlessly, he bent forward slightly, just enough to put his hands directly under your ass and prop you up against the wall, tongues still tangled. You wrapped your legs around him, wanting him to be even closer. You wanted, needed, him inside you. Given the new position, you could feel his engorged cock between your legs. You were almost- almost- concerned by the size of it. From what you could feel, he was well endowed. The hand on his back lowered to his ass cheek, which you graciously squeezed. You pulled him forward into you, just slightly at first, increasing the pressure of his bulge on you. You released and did it again. In any normal situation, you’d have never made a grown, fully clothed man grind on you like a horny pubescent boy, but these feelings for him had been pent up so long that they mutated from a sweet crush to full blown irrefutable lust. He caught on to what you were doing and abruptly removed his tongue from your mouth, leaving you confused and wanting all the more. His left hand came up to your chin and turned your head to the side, allowing him to press his lips to your ear.

Barely above a whisper, just a susurration, “You want me that bad, huh?” he taunted you. You were incapable of feeling embarrassment at the moment, brain flooded with desire. The warmth of his breath in your ear made you salivate. In a different setting, you would have begged to choke on his dick right now.

“Yeah? So what?” was the best retaliation you could think of in the moment. He chuckled; lips still pressed to your ear. The hand on your cheek traced your jaw and slid down to your neck. His slender, graceful fingers wrapped around your throat and gave it an intoxicating squeeze. Just hard enough to make you gasp but not hurt.

“I want to hear you beg for me,” his deep, warm voice filling your ear.

Your eyes shut and you tilt your head back in utter bliss, letting out a satisfied moan. He responded by nibbling your earlobe, which made you curse delightedly under your breath. Wanting to look at his irresistible face, you opened your eyes. Only, instead, you were greeted by eight beady black eyes peering down at you.

Snapping out of your drunken state, you blurt, “Oh fuck, Leon, the birds.”

He looks up to them with resentment and lets out a frustrated sigh. “Can we pick this up again later?” Ocean eyes begging you.

“You bet your fucking ass we’re picking this up later,” you demand before crashing your lips into his once more. “Now let’s get the fuck out of here before the whole flock follows us.”

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Silver Lining masterlist