#feathery february

[teapixie]

so does your lip gloss actually say anything abt you as a person or was Seventeen Magazine lying to me for a decade (burt’s bees berry agua fresca pour moi, FYI)

[anyaboz]

At the cusp of winter, before the patchwork snow bids its farewell, a rare dorra can be found rooting up the bulbs of the first blooms of spring. The delicate violet of these flower petals is flawlessly replicated in the feathery tendrils extending from the dorra’s thick mane, hence why it was named the Crocus Dorra.

Crocus Dorra will be available on my site shop this Sunday February 25th at 12pm EST. Link in bio

This dorra has a citrine crystal heart. It stands about nine inches tall and the mane is comprised of ostrich feathers and faux fur that were sewn together layer by layer. The head, legs, and ears were cast in resin so they are very durable. Its neck and legs have a fully poseable ball and socket armature inside that will not wear out over time and the tail has a posable wire inside. The ears are connected with a ball joint and can swivel and turn in any direction.

See how it’s made on my Patreon.

[celestialprincesse]

🌹💞

Simon Riley does not like Valentines day. To him, it's another one of those pointless holidays people use as an excuse for overconsumption and to try and show off how their lives are better than everyone else's. Simon hates the excessive gaudiness of it all and the lame hearts and flowers. Seriously, how much thought does someone put into a wilting bouquet of red roses and some overpriced chocolates in a flimsy heart shaped box - they're at the front of every supermarket throughout basically all of February, everywhere.

Simon Riley hates Valentines day until he meets you. Bumps into you at the local florist, unusually unaware of his surroundings as he stews on the pointless idiocy of another lame holiday. The way you squeal as the three dozen peonies wrapped in brown paper tumble to the floor which you land rather inelegantly beside snaps him from his reverie with a grunt. "Fuck - shite - M' so sorry love." He stutters out, feeling like all the air has been punched from his chest when he sees your big eyes staring up at him with wild confusion, now crumpled flowers long forgotten as you stare up at the intoxicatingly rich brown eyes of the man before you. Although, man doesn't feel like the right word for him, tall and strong and holding out a hand the size of your head to help you up, your peonies dwarfed by his long fingers as he helps you up.

You vaguely hear yourself mumble something in response, an awkward stutter like a lovesick teenager asking their crush to the movies, met by a strong hand to the top of your bicep, soothing you, asking if you're alright. A concerned eyebrow furrows when you don't respond, just stand there gawking like a fish. He wonders if maybe you hit your head on the way down, and he was too dumbstruck by the flurry of soft silky skin, glossy, sun-struck hair and petals to see. You look like you've just seen God, and he looks like he's just seen the most beautiful thing said God could ever have crafted.

"Are you okay?" The low timbre of his voice - you don't even know how to react, so dazed and confused and there's butterflies - no, not butterflies, bald eagles and kestrels and ospreys, massive feathery wings beating against your diaphragm and rendering you speechless - butterflies are for normal men. The man before you is too monumental for butterflies.

"Yes! Yes." You squeak in embarrassment like a mouse under a cat's paw, looking defeatedly down at your flowers, brown eyes following your gaze with a sympathetic look.

"Were these for someone?" He seems almost a little flustered by his foolish lack of spatial awareness, which just so happened to strike at the worst time, seeing as now he stands before you, clutching a withering bouquet, failing to save this conversation. Both of you stand like that together, in some strange limbo, like time has stood still in order to force you together, not starting back up again until this conversation goes somewhere. "Just me." You murmur, voice so pathetically small under the draw of his magnetism. He's probably here to get flowers for his girlfriend, or fiancee even. She'll probably turn up any second, beautiful and charismatic and just as magnetic as the man before you is.

"Let me buy you some more, yeah?" He nods his head back in the direction of the fancier florist in town, the one you'd splurged on in a valentines induced self-pity party. He buys you three dozen pink peonies, matching paper and ribbons too. He also insists on taking you for a coffee, and buying you some silly pink and white frosted cake in the excuse that your blood sugars probably dropped after the fall and some other fake nonsense like that. You obviously say yes, to the flowers and the coffee and the cake - to the gentle smiles and the crease of his warm brown eyes, his hand on the small of your back. Both of you say yes to giving Valentines day a try.

⋆ ˚.⋆୨୧˚

Some short simple little V day fluff for y'all the brain isn't braining at the moment but also wanted to give you all a little Valentines day present because ily

[heaven-s-black-box]

Blurred Lines- Sunday x fem!Reader

Return to File

Recovery date: February 9th, 2024

Description: A personal entry for the Valentine's event, location: Hotel!

Includes- slight plot, not much smut (sorry), office sex, fem receiving oral

Notes: Not Beta read, also there's so little content/info on Sunday that is is probably ooc. Link to the Valentine's event is HERE, it's still ongoing and I have no requests rn!

Word count: 1 009

Back to directory

Penacony is the land of dreams. 

Is a land of dreams. It exists beyond the border of consciousness, tethered to reality by only a single building– a hotel that stands as the only line between dream and reality. 

The Reverie.

As a native and current resident in this land of dreams, Sunday prides himself in being able to confidently distinguish between these two faces of his homeland. The hotel in reality is always occupied with people milling about and guests checking in or out. It has an artificial brightness cast upon it by the lights, and despite what guests claim, it’s rather dull. At least compared to the Reverie in the dreamscape. Only there can he see the hotel from the guests point of view, where the hotel itself glows and the lights cast a golden haze. 

Also, his office, where he frankly spends most of his time, does not exist in the dreamscape. It doesn’t need to, but if he were to explain to someone how he can tell the difference between the two Reverie’s, that’s what he’d say. The absence of his office gives away the dream and separates it from reality.

If he’s in his office, he’s in reality.

“Sundaaay,” Y/n drags out as she wraps her arms around his shoulders and nuzzles against the side of his face.

His wings flutter against her cheek, making her giggle and place a gentle kiss on the feathery appendage. This earns her a shaky sigh from the leader of the Oak family as he relaxes into her hold, setting his pen down and raising a hand to hold her arm.

“Yes?”

Out of the corner of his eye, Sunday watched Y/n gnaw on her lip as she considered what she wanted to say next. He knew it was getting late, he was expecting her to usher him to bed and perhaps into a date somewhere in the dreamscape, so as she mulled over her words he began to stack the papers he’d been signing. His movements were slow so as not to disrupt her, but when he finished and she still hadn’t moved he turned his chair around and forced her to let go.

He ducked forward as his chair swiveled, narrowly avoiding knocking their faces together, and came to a stop when they were face to face.

“Have you come to usher me to bed?” He prompted upon further silence, settling his hands on her waist. Y/n was still awkwardly leaning over him, but the second his hands touched her waist she straightened up as if snapped from her daze.

“Sorry,” she sighed, letting him drag her into his lap. She took a seat on one of his thighs and threw her legs over the other arm of his desk chair. Sunday ducked his head and began to litter gentle kisses along her neck, nipping gently when Y/n’s hands wrapped around his neck and began to scratch gently at his wings. “I really just came to remind you to eat,” Y/n sighed contently as Sunday kissed up to her jaw, then he pulled away to look into her eyes, “but maybe going to bed is a good idea.”

Sunday’s thumb began to rub gentle arcs against her hip as he leaned in closer, eyes half lidded before they slid shut and his lips connected to Y/n’s. The kiss was slow and lazy, the day’s exhaustion weighing on them both as they finally found themselves in eachother’s warm hold.

Lazy kisses turned into lazily roaming hands as Y/n brought one hand down Sunday’s chest to undo his vest and Sunday’s hand began to bunch her dress up at her waist. The silky fabric of his glove scraped against the skin of her thigh, making the muscles clench up. With a soft chuckle, Sunday spun the chair back around and rapped his knuckles twice against the desk before helping Y/n up.

He took a moment to move the papers he’d been working on into a drawer, and then placed his hands on either side of her hips.

“Well I think I should thank you for taking such good care of me.”

“The door’s not locked.”

“Do you really think someone would have the gall to enter my office without permission?” He whispered against the shell of her ear before kneeling down between her legs.

Y/n dragged her nails against his scalp, tangling the soft gray hair near his wings around her fingers while he kissed up her thigh and helped her out of her underwear.

Sunday prided himself in the ease with which he could distinguish the dreamscape Reverie from its counterpart in reality. His office was a safe space in that way, being tangible proof that he was in reality.

His office was located in reality. 

The words floated aimlessly in his head as he licked a wide strip through Y/n’s folds. Her thighs snapped closed around his head, pinning his wings down. Everytime they tried to flutter, a small shudder would wrack Y/n’s body as they tickled her and the shudder would cause her to roll against his tongue making her sigh. Y/n leaned back, resting her weight on her hands, and smoothing her bunched up dress enough to see Sunday’s eyes.

This was reality. 

The words faded into the wet slurping as he tongue fucked Y/n, looking up at her through his lashes as he moved a hand from her thigh to her clit. Her eyes screwed shut as the tension in her abdomen grew and she began rolling her hips forward to match his rhythm.

Was he sure this was reality? 

The thought grazed the edge of his consciousness as Y/n’s thighs practically crushed his head and he pressed himself further against her cunt. Maybe it was the limited oxygen that had made his mind grow hazy, or maybe it was the pleasured noises coming from the women above him, but…

The lines between dream and reality were starting to blur.

[hsficrecommendation]

Hello Everyone! This is masterlist #1, #2, and #3 (January, February, and April of 2023!) for the all fics I have reblogged on this side blog I hold super close to me. Remember to leave feedback and reblog all the writings below!

Also, a huge thank you to all the writers mentioned, I adore you so very much and I hope you keep writing for yourselves <3

••• JANUARY •••

Forbidden Hours | A spy x princess romance! - @fishnets-fingers

••• FEBRUARY •••

Shy | being mr. azoff's assistant was y/n's dream job, it was just a bummer that his most beloved client seemed to hate her. - @moonchildstyles

Neglect | harrys in an unhappy marriage and didn't realize he was missing so much sunlight until y/n came in. - @moonchildstyles

••• APRIL •••

Feathery | y/n is a cupid and harry might be her soulmate. if that's even possible anyway. - @moonchildstyles

Barefoot in the Park | the enemies-to-lovers orchestra!au in which you and harry are dueling violinists competing for the same prize, but you might just win something else along the way. - @soysauceharry

CEO Harry having big crush on his brand-new employee Y/N, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5, Part 6 - @purplekiwis

Masterlist for more recs! My official writing account in case you'd like to check out my fics too: @0oolookitsme :)

[mirai1269]

Guardian Angel AU (Leon x [MC])

[MC] has a peculiar friend. An angel. The two grew up together, looking out for one another. The angel claimed that he was there to protect him, in exchange, [MC] showed him friendship (and unknowingly even more). 

But this angel is a little bit more than meets the eye... 

Words: 2652  

Fluff, a bit of angst, Leon x [MC], supernatural elements, slight yandere themes 

*Pink words in the fic are whispered*

Stuck in a Yandere Visual Novel...HELP!! is the game of @pumpkin-spike18

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

One warm February day, on the school’s courtyard, [MC] was peacefully eating his lunch. When suddenly... 

"FOR THE LAST TIME!" The echo of a distressed shout rang throughout the building. "I. DON'T. WANT. YOUR. CUPCAKES!!!" 

"So, it begins." [MC] thought.  

Ah, yes. Valentine's Day is just around the corner (meaning the start of the attack of the Drama Club's Valentine's Day Sale).  

A day [MC] could not resonate with. Romance has always avoided him somehow (unlike the Drama Club's salesmen). 

"Wow, they're getting more persistent this year, eh?" 

[MC] turned to where the voice came from. "Like always. But they won't get me this time!" He announced proudly, a sly smile drawing on his face.  

His companion stood up to stretch, his eyes not leaving [MC].  

"How about you let me handle them this time? That's pretty much my job, you know." 

Looking up to keep the eye contact, [MC] could feel his neck cracking. Were it not for his bangs hanging in front of his eyes, the light reflected by his companion's white suit and pinkish hair would've made him go blind. 

"Leon, they're not 'demons'. Your job is to protect me only from those." [MC] answered. The other rolled his eyes, dropping himself back next to the brunet. 

"You're not wrong. But you see, I'm special~." 

Wrapping an arm and a feathery wing around [MC]'s shoulder, the pink haired boy continued in a more determined tone.  

"I'm tasked to protect you from anything and everything that may cause you harm. Demons, spirits, ghouls, sketchy salesmen, vampires and other monstrosities of the dark side. Whatever it is, I shall protect you with my (immortal) life." 

Letting out a chuckle, [MC] shook his head, sighing in defeat.  

"Well, they do fit one of those categories..." He mumbled. In an instant, Leon jumped up from his seat, his wings spread wide, his eyes shot open. 

"So can I-" 

"No." [MC] shot him off, going back to finishing his lunch. 

The taller boy crossed his arms, plopped back next to the brunet and started to pout. [MC] didn’t pay much attention to it. He knew the angel's tricks too well to fall for them. Finally, Leon decided to try another approach. 

“I’ve done an excellent job for the past 8 or so years- “ 

“And I’m ever so grateful for it.” [MC] cut him off, patting Leon’s back gently. “What would I even do without you?” 

As a response, Leon quietly growled, puffing up his cheeks bigger. 

“...do you at least have a plan?” He asked after a few moments of silence. [MC] chuckled with a smug look on his face. 

"Well, do I~? Want me to elaborate~?" He asked, feeling like a villain mastermind. Leon hopped off from his seat and started floating in the air, laying on his stomach, his eyes at the same level as [MC]'s. Supported by his elbows, his rested his head in his hands. 

"Oh, I 'cannot' wait to hear it." He said, mockingly. But before [MC] could even take a breath, the bell rang. 

"Ah shoot! You made me forget about the time." [MC] scolded Leon, while he picked up his backpack. Leon, shocked from the accusation, grabbed at his heart. 

"Me? Make you forget? How could you say that [MC]?" He whined, as the other bolted into the building. Chuckling to himself, the angel flew up to the window of the classroom in two flaps of his wings. Sitting on the edge, he loyally waited for his companion, until... 

"LEAVE ME ALONE!!" [MC] cried out, as he tried to get away from the "demons", the sound of his running ringing into Leon's ears like music. 

"Ehe~" He smirked to himself. "There goes Mr. 'I have a plan'!" 

After some time, [MC] crashed in the room, panting and sweating. 

"So~...how did that plan of yours work out?" Leon asked. [MC] glared at him as he dragged himself to his seat and plopped onto the chair. 

"They..." One huff.  

"...didn't sell..." A quick swallow. 

"...me..." Another huff. 

"...anything...justsoyouknow-" With one final huff, [MC] face planted onto his desk. Leon hopped into the room and slowly made his way to the poor guy. Too exhausted from the chase, he didn't give any mind to the angel stroking his raven locks. Leon cooed the youth with a gentle whisper. 

"Rest, my dear! I'll keep watch." 

After school, the two best friends decided to take a break at the café by the train station. Though eating wasn't essential for Leon, [MC] found that it might be fair to the angel to receive an occasional reward for his services. So, twice a week, on Monday and Friday, [MC] would treat his 'personal celestial bodyguard' to a pastry. Even though Leon wasn't picky, he sure took long to choose. 

"Ugh, there's even more things to choose from today. [MC], help me!" The angel wept. Unfortunately, his cry has landed on deaf ears, as the brunet was looking out the shop's window. 

Their town has always been oddly ecstatic about the day of love. Heck, even every other day, the streets were decorated with hearts, roses, anything pink and/or red. [MC] could never figure out the reasons of it, so in time, he gave up and accepted it. It's better than the dull, grey depression holes he saw when his class went on trips anyway. Plus, he liked pink. 

The streets were flooded with the decorations and the main stars of the holiday, couples. Pairs and small groups of 3 or more passed by, displaying affection. To his right, on the other side of the street, a small group of girls were buying flowers at the flower shop, chatting to themselves. Opposite to them, to his left, two guys were passing by, holding hands. Near that pair, a girl and a boy were checking out the shops' displays. 

The sight gave [MC] mixed feelings. On one hand, the display of romance made him feel warm and comfortable. Like he was at home, safe. On the other, he felt... a bit jealous. 

Why is it, that all his life, this magical feeling has avoided him? Heck, he’s never even had any celebrity crushes! Sure, he could tell if someone looked handsome or pretty (or outright hot), but other than that, nothing.  

In the end, he figured it doesn't matter. It's not like he'll die if he won't fall in love. Maybe he'll never fall in love.  

Maybe...it's just not meant to be for him. 

"[MC]?" The sound of him being called made him snap back to reality. Leon was standing right behind him. "I know what I want." 

In the end, [MC] choose for him. They got two slices of strawberry shortcakes and for Newt, a pastry that looked like the head of a teddy bear. At home, [MC] discovered that his brother was still away. 

"Oh right, he's out with his friends." He reminded himself. 

Leon was waiting for him on the couch, his eyes twinkling, and his wings flapping impatiently. He was eager for his 'salary'.  

"Leon... we'll eat these on the 'dinner' table." [MC] called out to him. 

"But it's so comfortable on the couch. Hurry up instead!" The angel protested. In defeat, [MC] sighed and carried on. 

Once in his 'at home attire', [MC] put the shortcakes onto two separate plates, and put Newt's dessert into the fridge. He wrote a note for him about it. Back by the couch, Leon took the first bite. 

"Mmm~, sweet and soft! I knew you'd choose well. Thank you for the dessert!" The angel said, licking his fork. At first, [MC] wondered how Leon could eat if he wasn't able to be perceived by others, but, like other things, he didn't delve too much on it. In between bites, the two exchanged some light conversation. 

"So... Valentine's Day, huh?" [MC] said, munching on a bite of cake. Leon swallowed before answering. 

"It's next week. What about it?" 

The boy in front of him was playing with a strawberry, rolling it around with his fork. "I don't know." [MC] replied. "It's just..." With a heavy sigh, he set the utensil on the table. "I was just thinking about...uhm..." 

Leon's gaze on him started to become more and more curious. "About what?" The angel asked. 

"About...cupids?" [MC] answered, sounding unsure. For a short moment, his 'answer' was met with silence. 

"...what about them?" Leon asked, putting the last bite of his dessert into his mouth, his ruby eyes never leaving [MC]'s face. 

"Well...are they real? I mean, since you're an angel, a 'specialized' angel, I was just wondering, what other 'professions' you guys do." After saying this, [MC] defensively put his hands up. "You don't have to give an answer, it's more of a-" 

Leon lightly waved his hand. "It's okay. It's not a secret." He stood up to put his dishes in the sink. "There's a wide variety of angels. In terms of power, I'm on the lower ranks. In fact, most of the 'specialized' angels are lower rank. Other than guardian angels, some of us work for Death, some of us deal with human souls in the afterlife, and..." 

[MC] walked up to Leon's back. "There's cupids?" He asked. The taller male turned to face him, nodding in silence. "Do you not like them?" The brunet asked. 

"What makes you say that?" Leon asked back. 

"You obviously don't want to talk about them. I guess you're not a fan of romance, huh?" [MC] added, putting his dishes on top of Leon's. The other shook his head. 

"I do like romance. We've even watched movies like that before, remember?" 

[MC] did remember. Leon's eyes were glued to the Tv screen for the whole duration of those movies, in complete silence. He always thought Leon was just not used to the technology. 

"Then I suppose it's for another reason. Are they annoying to work with?" 

Leon started to look more and more uncomfortable. "...well, some of them are..." 

"Hm?" [MC] tilted his head. The angel put his hands up. 

"I-I wouldn't know. I've...barely met any." 

[MC] looked down, feeling a bit dejected. "Yeah, makes sense." Leon gave him a look that he's rarely seen. It was...apologetic? 

"Welp, want to do something before calling it a day?" [MC] clapped his hand together, then went back into the living room, with Leon tagging along.  

They decided to watch a crappy horror movie. At first, they just laughed at the terrible costumes and effects, but the plot was so boring, [MC]'s eyes began to wonder off. His gaze shifted to Leon instead. Like every other time, the angel's red irises were fixated on the screen.  

A curious feeling started to bloom in the brunet's chest. As sneakily as he could, he snooped closer to Leon, until their hips touched. The other didn't give any reaction, so [MC] shifted his gaze back to the Tv. In that moment, a jump-scare occurred, making him shiver a little. Behind him, the shifting sound of fabric made him more antsy, until he felt soft feathers tickle the side of his face. Looking back up at Leon, he found the other doing the same, with a soft smile of his face. 

"I noticed you got a bit scared there." The angel whispered, wrapping his wings around the boy a bit more tightly. To avoid the pesky stray feathers tickling his face, [MC] rested his head on Leon's shoulder, until the end of the movie. If he would've let his eyes wander again, he would've seen Leon blush, and fight the urge to let his smile grow bigger. 

Once the movie ended, they both agreed to never watch anything like this ever again (Leon suggested watching something scarier next time). [MC] carried out his bedtime routine, and since Newt has messaged him that he'd spend the night at a friend's house, went straight to bed. 

"Good night, [MC]!" Leon said, sitting on the edge of his best friend's bed. 

"See you tomorrow, Leon!" And with that, [MC] wandered into the land of dreams.  

The angel carefully swiped the bangs away from [MC]'s face. With a soft smile, he carefully bent down, making sure not to disturb the youth's sleep. Before his lips could touch [MC]'s forehead, the sound of wings' flapping snapped him out of his moment. 

"...f*ck." 

In mere seconds, as quietly as he could, he was roaring up in the night sky. By the roof of the building, 3 winged figures were waiting for him. One of them looked particularly angry, as they crossed their arms when Leon came into view. 

"So, did you finally find him someone?" The angry angel asked. Leon remained silent. His eyes were fixated on the ground. The angel to his right approached him. 

"Leon, you were asked a question. Answer!" They ordered. 

"...I... I'm still working on it." Leon replied, shaking. The 3rd angel huffed. 

"What does that entail pray tell? Last time I checked, eating desserts is not part of it." They mocked. Leon huffed to relieve the anger that started to build up. 

"It's just hard to find-" But before Leon could finish, the 3rd angel cut him off. 

" 'Hard to find'? Well of course! It is hard to find something, when you weren't even looking for it!" The other angels frowned at them, making the mocking angel shut their mouth. 

"They have point, you know." The angel near Leon said. "You can't keep playing around, Leon. We have overlooked your misbehaviour for too long. Impersonating as a guardian angel, sabotaging your co-workers, you, avoiding your responsibilities! Enough is enough!" 

Leon averted his gaze, getting more and more irritated. "I still bring couples together. So technically-" 

The angry angel appeared right before him in a blink of an eye. They grabbed his chin, making it impossible to look away. Leon’s irises glowed, an act of defence. 

"Don't you dare talk back! Do your job, you imbecile! After that, you can pretend to be the guard dog of whoever you want. I don't care. This human's soul needs love. If his heart is not on fire, a demon could easily take control over him. Do you want that?" Finishing the speech, they let Leon go. 

Upon the reminder of what's at stake, the pink haired boy froze. Right... making [MC] fall in love is for his own good. He must stop being selfish. He must... 

"I think Leon here is just jealous." The mocking angel cut in. Everyone looked at them. In Leon's eyes, fury flamed. "He doesn't want the human to fall in love, because he's 'in love' with him. Aww, how romantic!" 

"SHUT UP!" Leon shouted. "What do you know about how I feel?" 

The other two angels huffed. "Oh please. Leon doesn't even know what he's feeling. Cupids don't fall in love, after all." 

Leon shut his eyes. His anger was bubbling so hot, he could feel... 

"You have until Valentine's Day. Either you find someone for him... or someone more competent will." 

The 3 angels left so fast it was like they were never there. They left Leon frozen in place by the 'threat'. 

Back in [MC]'s room, he carefully approached the bed, laying his head on the edge. The brunet's hands were laying by his side, out of the blanket. Gently, Leon grabbed the one closest to him and gave it a tender kiss. Looking at the boy's sleeping figure, his heart couldn't take it anymore. 

His tears were flowing like a river. His legs felt so weak, he knew he couldn't stand up to leave the room. With his remaining strength, he fought to keep his voice down, covering his figure with his wings. 

"It's not fair." He mumbled between sobs. "I can love him. I do love him..."  

After crying for long, he mumbled one last thing, before passing out on the floor. 

"I won't give him up..." 

[l1ttles3am0th]

The Colorado Springs Pizzaplex in the Mothiverse

CWs: Animatronic Death, Mentions of Discrimination, Transphobia, Ableism, Neglect, Fire, PTSD, Shitty Corporate Practices

FE is a genuinely shitty company and I write about it in this post, so that’s why these CWs exist. This post is also a giant ramblefest that is in desperate need of sensitivity / beta reading.

————

In the Mothiverse, there are actually two pizzaplexes; one in Salt Lake City, Utah, and the other in Colorado Springs, Colorado. The Salt Lake City location is the closest-to-canon one, but the Colorado Springs location was an experiment foraying into animatronics more advanced and more lifelike than the other location’s. We’ll be focusing on the Colorado Springs location in this post.

The Colorado Springs Pizzaplex opened on March 18th, 2016, starting with six animatronics: Glamrock Freddy, Glamrock Bonnie, Glamrock Chica, and Glamrock Foxy, Montgomery Gator, and DJ Music Man; all of whom were brought to life with a proprietary, hyperadvanced version of William Afton’s Animatronic Intelligence Framework. Due to federal distinction laws under the Animatronic Sentience Recognition Act applying to all Framework-based animatronics, however, Fazbear Entertainment had to differentiate them from the Salt Lake City location opened in 2015. These changes included giving them all fluffier, featherier, scalier, and furrier shells, distinct features such as different hairstyles, different hair textures, different clothing, etc., and in Foxy’s case, he was made silver instead of red, a controversial change for many.

As the Pizzaplex saw its first few months, problems began to arise around parents just leaving their children randomly, screaming toddlers disrupting the rest of the people, and more, Fazbear Entertainment decided to do something about it. A large area of unused space was renovated into what became the Superstar Daycare, a vast, fully functioning daycare program where parents could drop off their kids as they went to have fun or work elsewhere in the building. They then got to work on a pair of animatronics based on the Sun and Moon ones present at the other, and gave them distinctions too, including the sun animatronic being given heterochromia. After a bunch of last minute changes, including suddenly switching the plans from cat/dog animatronics to fully celestial ones, switching their body types around, switching features around and adding more for security purposes, it resulted in a lot of bugs and glitches that were never fully fixed, the ones on the moon animatronic so bad that they had to delay him by three months. They were given the names Sunrise and Moondrop respectively.

Sunrise was deployed into the finished Daycare on November 12th, 2016, and Moondrop was deployed as a double Daycare/Security Unit on February 15th, 2017. Problems immediately arose, with Moondrop appearing to despise the children he was caring for, being sensitive to light among other things, all of which were ignored. Sunrise began having frequent occurrences, including behaviors described by staff as “meltdowns, constant inattentiveness, hyperactivity resulting in mood swings, intense focus on a specific thing, and more.” among other things. Initially passed off as a glitch, someone eventually got a psychologist on site where Sunrise was diagnosed with Autism and ADHD. This shocked everyone involved, as this proved that animatronics were capable of neurodivergence. Many didn’t believe it either.

As for the others, Foxy began to feel deeply depressed and self-conscious for months, addressed around October 2016, and when it was fully looked into and all other possibilities were ruled out, both he and the others on the case concluded it was a result of gender dysphoria, even though Foxy new all along and had to fight for months to get it recognized. Foxy was temporarily decommissioned in order to transition, and when she came back in December, she had a new name, a new look, a new voice, and a lot more confidence. Her name was now Roxanne Wolf, shortened to Roxy, and her mood and demeanor IMMEDIATELY improved significantly. She was accepted by the others in her band, but many staff members were hesitant and some even downright discriminatory towards her.

As for Glamrock Bonnie, an accident in Monty’s Gator Golf in early 2017 resulted in his severe injury which he succumbed to, where it was later revealed in court that he was left to die by Fazbear due to “low ratings and low profits.” Not knowing the truth yet, Glamrock Freddy, his secret partner, was heartbroken and launched into grief for a long time when he was informed. Everyone was sent grieving at the death. Chica began to binge eat to cope, Roxy became a lot more irritable, Monty was unable to stop blaming himself for it, and Sunrise, even though they (he at the time) barely knew him, grew a lot more anxious. None of these were addressed properly or given the right counseling, thus allowed to get worse.

Back to the Daycare for a little bit. Sunrise and Moondrop initially disliked eachother, but eventually became friends thanks to Sunrise’s persistence. The two were never properly serviced, and with Sunrise, the staff saw it as a “nightmare” to do. The two were frequently brushed off, ignored, badmouthed, not accommodated for despite their needs, treated terribly by staff and managers alike, and never given the proper skills and tools to cope with their stress-inducing environment. Hell, with Sunrise, the staff started just throwing an iPad in their face to “get him to shut up.” Their autism was frequently used to infantilize them by certain staffers, and when they came out as nonbinary, they began to face the same gender-based discrimination and disregard as Roxy.

The Pizzaplex also had multiple safety issues, including a lack of sanitation practices, infrequent servicing for everyone, a lack of windows or fire exits, frequent bribery of inspectors and “internal investigations,” ignorance of any and all concerns, unaddressed fire hazards, and more, all of which would culminate in a fire that destroyed the place beyond repair on December 16th, 2020. Everyone got out except for Sunrise, and Moondrop, their now-fiancé, ended up diving back into the flames, saving them and getting them out seconds before the entire building collapsed. The fire traumatized pretty much everyone, and with Sunrise, their case was especially severe, resulting in their frequent hospitalization due to severe panic attacks and more as a result of PTSD. Moondrop later took Fazbear Entertainment to court for everything he saved, documented, and archived over years due to his top-level security access, and he not only won millions from the case, but got a criminal investigation opened into the company, resulting in the complete shutdown of the Utah Pizzaplex in 2024.

Nowadays, the animatronics live their daily lives according to their personal desires, and since 2021, have been free from corporate tyranny. Freddy bought a large house and everyone frequently gathers there, and he gardens, creating beautiful botanical creations. Chica is a large-scale social media influencer with an Indie-Y2K mix aesthetic. Roxy runs a bar and tavern, and lives her best life with Chica as her girlfriend. Monty opted to become the biggest Florida Man that Colorado has ever seen. As for the Daycare Attendants, both are happily married to eachother and live together in an apartment complex with their Maine Coon cat, Aurora. Sunrise writes a successful and popular fantasy series about two characters named Umbriel and Sol, and Moondrop has opted to live a completely private, normal life, with little to no media presence and caring for his spouse with not only his legal winnings, but his successful IT security job.

[strugglingfloralclerk]

🤍White Day❤️

Summary: With Class 2-A taking bets on Todoroki Shoto's love life (again) a certain teleporter keeps her distance.

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If last year taught Taika Miri anything, more confessions of love and adoration were coming Todoroki Shoto's way for White Day. She never thought of Valentines Day as a brutal holiday until she saw how calmly Todoroki rejected his admirers. Not until she witnessed multiple girls walk away with wet faces and broken hearts. The memories of February fourteenth replayed in the background of her mind.

The first confession came from a young woman named Yoshino Kaiya, a third-year student in financial studies. She confessed to Todoroki in the brisk, foggy, morning. She was curvy and tall and radiated confidence. Yoshino presented Todoroki with a beautifully wrapped assortment of teas and mochi. Taika thought Yoshino spoke so eloquently too.

"I think you're amazing Todoroki-kun." Yoshino told him earnestly. "I would love to go on a date with you, if you're willing."

Todoroki bowed his head out of politeness, "Thank you, I am flattered but I am not interested in going out with anyone right now." Yoshino bowed her head back at Todoroki, then quietly walked away with a glum expression as a group of girls rushed out to offer her various words of kindness and support. Taika nearly found herself amongst the girls who offered Yoshino comfort.

There was also a cute, bubbly, blue haired first year by the name of Asakura Rin. Taika thought this first year was the bravest, since Asakura marched right up whilst Todoroki was deep in conversation with Bakugo and Midoriya.

Asakura held out a handmade Valentine's Day card, complete with red and white glitter and delicate, pink lace. She smiled brightly at Todoroki, deaf to Bakugo's insults for interrupting their conversation. "Todoroki-senpai," Asakura began, "I think you and I would be a good match, please go out with me."

Todoroki's expression was calm, he seemed civil but rather unamused. "Thank you for thinking of me, but I am unable to go out with you."

Asakura straightened her posture, thanked Todoroki for his time, then left. Her painted, manicured hands held unto the paper heart with melancholy and tenderness. Taika wondered how much time and effort Asakura put into the cutely homemade card for Todoroki.

After Asakura, there was a fellow second year student from the support course. Sugihara Kimiko had beautiful long, feathery eyelashes and delicate, swan-like features. Taika remembered Sugihara the most because of her blushing face and sweet demeanor. Sugihara approached Todoroki right as Aizawa dismissed the class from training. Her hands trembled slightly as she offered up a basket of baked cookies and chocolates to the fire and ice user. "T-these are for you, Todoroki-sama, I made them from scratch. I've had feelings for you for a while now a-and I hope you can accept my affection."

Todoroki rubbed the back of neck as his eyes shifted from the basket back to Sugihara. "You're very kind, but I am not looking for a relationship. Anyone else would be lucky to have you."

Sugihara nodded sadly at the rejection and as she retreated from Todoroki, Taika saw the tears that trailed down Sugihara's face.

Those three girls were not the only ones who worked up the nerve to confess to Todoroki Shoto either. There were more young ladies coming from every corner of the university campus to declare their affections for him. Yet, Todoroki rejected each one of them.

The sound of Mina practically sprinting down the stairs pulled Taika out of her thoughts.

"Place your bets, ladies." Mina quipped as she skipped energetically into the common area. "How many confessions will the Prince of UA get today?"

Taika quietly listened in on the guesses; her hands clammy as she sipped her first and last cup of coffee for the day.

"At most, ten." Tsu slapped down a ten-dollar bill into an empty jar that sat in the middle of the kitchen table.

Toru giggled and dropped a plump but small coin purse into the jar. "I say sixteen."

Denki placed a crumpled bill into the jar next, "I say twenty!"

The coffee in Taika's mouth suddenly tasted bitter at the thought of twenty more girls being rejected by Todoroki. Did he even remember Yoshino, Asakura, and Sugihara and their confessions? She wondered. These gentle, impeccably dressed, polite and bright girls seemed perfect to Taika. They seemed sweet and ultimately perfect for Todoroki, and yet he still dismissed their gifts and feelings.

If girls like that didn't have a chance with him, Taika was sure she didn't.

Momo leaned over to whisper to Taika, curiosity clouded her eyes. "Miri, did Todoroki mention-."

An invisible hand swiftly popped both Momo and Miri atop their heads with way too much vigor so early in the day. "No getting insider information from best friends!" Toru lightly scolded Momo and Miri with her typical amount mirth in the morning.

Even the universe was letting Taika know that's all she would amount to Todoroki. Truly, Taika was foolish for harboring deeper feelings for the young man. They were too different to make sense romantically; friendship was the only realistic outcome.

"I didn't even say anything though," Taika muttered into her coffee as she took another sip. "Also," She added once the caffeine hit her soul, "You guys know Todoroki doesn't feel comfortable about us making bets on his love life."

"I'm sure you can write that into your 'best man' speech when icy spice gets married." Bakugo gruffly teased with an ugly grin. "Huh, eggplant? Nice sentiments and whatever the fuck."

Yeah, the universe was making it explicitly clear of how stupid Taika was for her feelings.

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Todoroki quickened his pace as he cut through the crowded campus. The wind whipped around him as the sun hid behind grey clouds. Rain began to trickle from the sky. She was right within his reach when he decided to slow down.

"Taika," He called out to the purple haired girl. He instinctively took the umbrella from the teleporter and propped it right above them. The first time he tried to just hold the umbrella for her, Taika nearly punched him. She thought he was some random guy rushing at her. Todoroki learned to call out for the feisty beauty ever since then.

What he didn't realize was Yaoyorozu and Jiro also walked along side Taika before he rushed to her side. Whatever they were speaking about came to a sudden halt. Todoroki took a few seconds to study the teleporter's face to clue into the situation. His head titled to the right in curiosity.

"Well!" Jiro exclaimed as she grabbed Momo's arm and began to speed up, "Thanks for your notes, Miri! Talk later!"

Momo smiled warmly at Todoroki and Taika as she followed Jiro. "See you two at training."

The way Taika rolled her eyes was not lost on Todoroki. Jiro and Yaoyorozu wanted to gossip, and they wanted Taika to gossip with them.

"What was that about?" Todoroki was fairly certain he already knew what it was about. However, Taika seemed a little more guarded lately and he didn't know what was going on in her head. Her expressions, behaviors, and sometimes her words felt slightly off to him. Taika seemed vaguer. It almost felt like she was distancing herself from him, or like she was hiding something from him. Their text messages lessened in frequency since February; she skipped out on the last two movie nights with Sero and him; and she turned down his offers to help with kanji. Kanji, okay?

"Your love life." Taika looked over to the handsome young man holding her umbrella; her heart skipped a beat in her chest at the sight of him. Why was he so naturally chivalrous? She added, rather stiffly, "They were wondering how many confessions you've gotten so far."

Todoroki felt an odd, unknown feeling pool in the pit of his stomach. He didn't want to talk about other girls when he was with Taika. It was already weird to have young women approach him with declarations of love when he didn't know them. Not to mention, there was the even weirder feeling of guilt that would gnaw at Todoroki when these girls confessed to him in Taika's presence. He felt insulted on his and her behalf. Todoroki couldn’t tell anyone why he took it as an insult on their behalf, but he did.

Quite frankly, this White Day was more aggravating than Valentines Day because the confessions prevented Todoroki from spending his time the way he wanted to. Again. He hadn't even gotten the chance to get Taika a gift for White Day yet. Sure, he handed out everyone else's gifts early, but he wanted more time to get something a little different for her.

He sighed in defeat. "Why does it matter if I don't accept their affections? Shouldn't it matter more if I do accept their confession? Shouldn't it matter if I like them back?" The falling rain softly tapped against the umbrella as the wind picked up with a vengeance.

Taika sensed Todoroki's frustration over the situation as she caught how he suddenly gripped the umbrella handle harder. "You're right." Taika told him firmly. "The number of confessions isn't important at all if the feelings aren't genuine or reciprocated." Concern wrinkled Taika's face as she smelled the scent of warm plastic. She went to grab the umbrella from Todoroki's hand, only for him to evade her touch.

"I can hold it for you." Todoroki told her as he fought against his body's natural urge to blush at her words. He liked that she understood him, even more, he was relieved that she backed up his feelings. Reassuring as ever, he thought as he adjusted the umbrella closer to Taika.

"Todoroki-kun." A new voice called out to the two hero program students.

Taika and Todoroki both tensed, but for different reasons.

"Sorry," Taika shot an apologetic look to the enchantingly stunning woman who stood before them with desire in her eyes and a box of chocolates in her hands. Taika didn't need to witness another heartfelt and gut-wrenching declaration of love. "I'll see you later, Todoroki." Taika announced as her eyes sought out shelter from the rain.

"But your umbrella-." Todoroki was met with the teleporter's sudden absence. Gone was Taika, gone was his sense of comfort and ease as this new girl began her confession. 

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"None of them?" Sero asked with a dumbfounded look slapped on his face. "Not even one of them?" He repeated with more intrigue as a bead of sweat trickled down his face.

"Are we surprised though?" Kirishima asked thoughtfully as he unzipped his training uniform. He'd have to text Mina later, even if there was nothing to report. The fire and ice user didn't state how many confessions he got today. "It's not like 'Roki is interested."

Todoroki's shoulders visibly dropped, and his already aching muscles contracted tighter. Mina, Toru, and Jiro had been teasing and prying for some kind of information during this training session. Their questions echoed in his mind: 'So, how many confessions today?'; 'Do we know any of the girls?'; 'Do you think you'll get more confessions later tonight?'; 'There are so many girls walking up to you and you don't want to date any of them?'

"Because I'm not interested." Todoroki expressed with an edge in his voice. If Kirishima or Sero experienced just how time consuming and tedious the situation was, Todoroki was sure they'd feel the same way he did. Inconvenienced.

Mineta decided to invite himself into the conversation; a feral look in his eyes as he imagined all the possibilities. "I'd have a date with a different girl every night. Monday for bookish girls, Tuesday for the tough girls, Wednesdays for the girly girls, Thursdays for the sexy ones, and Fridays for the goth girls-."

"No lady in her right mind would ever put themselves in a situation where they'd have to date you," Iida calmly informed Mineta before any more details were shared.

Midoriya's eyes fixated on the contents of his journal; the pages smudged with ink, pencil, sweat, and tears. He wrote a storm down onto the newest page. "You did reject a lot of gorgeous faces, Todoroki." He paled slightly as he recalled some of the pretty crying faces at Todoroki's rejection. "It was...something."

Kaminari nodded at Midoriya's words. The energetic young man let out a low whistle as he recalled one particularly pleasing face. "Sakamoto Mai."

Sero's jaw dropped; Kirishima's eyes widened; and Midoriya dropped his pencil. All three hyper focused on Todoroki now; surprise and confusion in their expressions.

"Pick your jaws up from the ground." Todoroki scolded as he gathered his toiletries. He wasn't even sure which face belonged to Sakamoto; they all blurred and blended after a while. However, since they were on the topic of beauty, Todoroki found beauty was curls of long, purple hair, glowing brown skin, cocoa-colored eyes, and a dimple adorned smile.

"Besides, what's the point if I don't like the person back?" Todoroki challenged, a pensive look on his face. "Taika said-."

Bakugo barked in an aggravated manner. He rolled his eyes at the stupid half and half boy. "Jesus. Fuck. We get it, you put a lot of stock into Taika's opinions. Fast forward to how many confessions you got."

Todoroki's eyes narrowed in defiance. "No." He didn't want to talk about this anymore. He also did not like the tone Bakugo took when he uttered Taika's name. "As far as you know, I've gotten no confessions." Todoroki decided then and there that if he did not accept the young women's gestures of affection, then their declaration of love did not count at all.

"Well, as far as you know," Bakugo bit back with a smug grin, "A little froggy told me that you're up to eight confessions so far."

The door to the men's locker room swung open; a disgruntled Shinso complete with a soft grimace and tired eyes trudged into the room. He pointed out toward the hallways of the training arena, "Hey, Todoroki, there's a girl looking for you again."

Irritation and impatience shot through Todoroki as he placed his items down and begrudgingly walked out to the hallway to get another confession over and done with. 

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In hindsight, Taika should not have indulged her curiosity. She should have been her 'no-nonsense' self and told the other girls of class 2-A that they were being collectively weird about this. But no. She was so morbidly intrigued that she didn't have the strength to resist looking at insta profiles of certain girls who approached Todoroki. She couldn't tear her eyes away as they all viewed one profile after the next.

"There!" Tsu pointed at Toru's screen. "Her! That Chihiro!" Torinaga Chihiro was an English lit major with silver hair styled into a pixie cut and pastel pink eyes. Her hobbies included flower arrangements, going to cat cafes, and practicing the piano. She and Todoroki would have gotten along great due in part to their likeness for cat cafes, Taika thought with a shallow sigh as they looked at Torinaga's page.

"She's so pretty," Ochako commented as she looked over Toru's shoulder to get a good look of the new face on the screen.

"She's pretty and she's been rejected." Mina chimed in quickly as she smoothed a berry scented lotion methodically across her pink skin. "Next girl, go."

Koyama Akiko's Instagram was filled with pictures of her judo trophies, ribbons, medals, and self-help books recommendations. There were also some tasteful pictures of Koyama in lingerie for a sponsorship promo. According to Momo, Koyama came from old money and from the finest stalk of the Japanese aristocracy too. Taika's head spun hard at that fact.

"Maybe that's enough," Taika said as she averted her gaze away from Toru's phone screen. Her insecurity was on red, high alert and it had been such a long time since she felt small and inadequate…All because she stupidly allowed herself to like some boy.

"Just one more!" Toru squealed as she typed in another name into the search bar. Her legs kicked out excitedly as she bounced on the locker-room bench. "Training's done and we have thirty more minutes before they close the building."

That's when Sakamoto Mai's profile page loaded up. Sakamoto was perhaps one of the most beautiful women Taika had seen. Wavy, red, silken hair, a long, elegant neck, and eyes of pure jade. Sakamoto posted a lot of pictures of her family's tea shop (Momo and Ochako highly recommended stopping by one day as their tea is delightful). There were posts about Sakamoto's beloved orange cat; her favorite books (some of which Tsu noticed were also Todoroki's favorite); and Sakamoto shared her love for creating new ramen and soba recipes too.

In Sakamoto, Taika saw someone kind and patient and bright. If Todoroki saw Sakamoto, he'd probably think the same thing. Sakamoto was literally his dream girl; Taika was sure of it. No way did he turn down someone as ethereal as Sakamoto. Taika could handle being around Sakamoto if Todoroki brought her around. Taika's heart felt heavy at the thought of Todoroki dating, but Sakamoto seemed like a good fit for him. If Todoroki was off dating and courting Sakamoto, then Taika could take her feelings, pack them away, and completely focus on her grades and scholarship and her family.

With her heart sinking like lead down into the depts of her body, Taika put on a brave face. "Sakamoto would be a good-." Mina interrupted Taika with a bored and calm tone of voice. The pinkette was now focused on her nails. "Todoroki already rejected her."

Taika wanted to take Toru's phone and throw it across the locker room. The most perfect girl for him, out of the already impeccable line up of other perfect girls, already got rejected by him. Maybe Taika didn't understand him at all. Maybe she wasn't as close to Todoroki as she believed.

Momo leaned over to whisper into Mina ears, Toru and Ochako were already typing a new name into the search bar. The other girls also waited in anticipation to see the next profile load up.

"This is ridiculous," Taika pinched the bridge of her nose in frustration. Why the hell was she putting herself through this? She was being an even bigger fool by scrolling through strangers' profiles. Did she enjoy feeling like shit about this? Was that why she kept comparing herself to random people?

"I'm going back to the dorms for dinner," Taika announced like an impatient child over the new chatter about a new, gorgeous face. She had enough self-inflicted emotional trauma; her body was sore from pushing past its comfort zone today; and she was getting tired.

"Uh-huh," Mina nodded along as Momo whispered something into her ear. "Bye, Taika-babe." Taika didn't know if she needed to roll her eyes or laugh at the absurdity of it all.

Rain fell harder under the cover of dusk and clouds of dark grey and the wind gave an unholy, shrill howl.

"Well...shit." She took in her surroundings and promptly realized that there were no free, abandoned umbrellas she could take now. There was also a lack of campus newspapers Taika could have used as a makeshift shield from the rain. The wind spoke abruptly, its scream caused chills to break over Taika's skin. The cold spring rain of Japan could never compare to lukewarm spring rain of Retesuwa. No way was she running all the way back to the dorms.

"Fancy meeting you here." A familiar and friendly voice approached her as a lazy grin broke across his face. A large part of Todoroki was extremely relieved to run into Taika. For a second, he was worried Taika was someone else. He was happy for a moment alone, a small encounter that felt much like a serendipitous event since he still had something that belonged to her. Taika’s heart jumped into her throat from her chest.

Todoroki's lazy grin had her smiling back softly in response. "Hey, Todoroki."

Todoroki looked out at the heavy rain and dark skies, "Would you like me to walk with you?" His eyes glued on Taika and her pretty lips. He could count on one hand how many times Taika's lips alone distracted him during training. He quickly opened the umbrella and gestured for Taika to stand on his left side.

Taika chuckled at him, "I mean, it is my umbrella you're holding."

Embarrassment nipped at Todoroki as their arms brushed against each other. Still, with their physical closeness, Todoroki felt that Taika wasn't being forthcoming about something. He sensed it in the way Taika's gaze didn't fully meet his. His stomach churned uncomfortably as he briefly wondered if Valentines Day and White Day had Taika feeling lonely. Maybe that was the cause of her changed behavior? He read somewhere that young ladies sometimes felt sadder during the so-called season of romance.

Was that Taika though? She never struck him as the type to feel strongly about Valentines Day or White Day. Todoroki gently pushed his elbow into Taika's side, his stomach burned with a fuzzy sensation. He yearned to know what changed. "Are you okay? You feel distant."

Taika frowned as self-shame radiated from her head down to her heels. "I've been busy with training and our assignments." The lie was so glaringly obvious, it would be a miracle if Todoroki didn't see right through her.

"Well, there's busy and there's being absent." Hurt evident in Todoroki's voice. Was training and homework so much more interesting than him?

Taika inwardly winced at his words. She was making herself absent, scarce, and unavailable...but she never meant to hurt Todoroki. Truth be told, Taika thought Todoroki would just immediately latch onto Sero or Midoriya and not even question her absence. She just wanted to not feel like a foolish, lovesick girl. Even now, with them huddled close together from the rain, she had the faintest hope that maybe this meant more.

Taika refused to entertain her silly, little fantasies. She needed to get a grip and get over herself. She was needlessly hurting Todoroki over feelings she'd never have the balls to confess.... No matter how much she liked Todoroki, the cost of their friendship wasn't worth it. That was crystal clear to her now.

"Grades are important, but there's more to life than that." Todoroki sounded like he was scolding her, not in a playful manner, but more so in the traditional sense of the word. "I'd still make time for you, Taika, even with training and extra assignments."

No truer words had ever been spoken in that moment. Todoroki ignored an agency obligation in favor of spending time with Taika, and Taika alone. To say Endeavor was displeased over that would be more than an understatement.

"I-." Taika felt like she was going break under Todoroki's intense gaze. She didn't like lying to him, but she wasn't going to tell him the truth. "I was reviewing future chapters for our quirk theories and applications class."

Todoroki halted; his face wrinkled subtly in concern. That didn't sound like Taika at all, or at least to him, it didn't.

"You?" He emphasized pointedly, "You needed to review quirk theories and applications?"

Taika shrugged uncomfortably. "I'm trying to stay on top of our class assignments."

Anxiety cut right through Todoroki the way the cold wind cut through the tree branches that shook above their heads. "Is it your scholarship? Are you at risk of losing it?" If Taika left...No, he didn't want to think about that.

"I'm in good academic standing, Todoroki." Taika admitted with her eyes focused on ahead. "I just don't want my grades to slip. Aizawa did say our lessons would get more rigorous throughout the year."

Todoroki looked pensively at Taika. He knew something was up with her from the way her eyes averted his, a glum expression on her features, and the way her lips fixed into a frown. She never lied to him before-or at least-Todoroki didn't think so...Taika was a lot of things, but he didn't believe her to be a liar. Closed off and guarded, yeah, but his Taika wasn't one to lie. The rain quieted down, the wind came to stop, and Todoroki's mind jumped to the absolute worst-case scenario next.

"Are Auntie and Uncle sick?" Todoroki wondered out loud. "Or did something else break in the house that's thousands of dollars to fix?"

A dry, short chuckle escaped her. Please, no more broken water heaters and faulty breaker boxes-Taika prayed to whichever god who cared enough to listen. Her bank account just barely recovered. "No. Everything's good back in Retesuwa." Taika could see the vague outline of their dorm building from where they stood on the pathway.

If everything was good in Retesuwa, why did he still feel like his friend wasn't being truthful? "Then what's wrong, Taika?" His concern bordered too close to panic. Taika spent less time with him, they weren't texting as much anymore, and Todoroki could sense Taika's distance the way he could sense a change in temperature. "What's going on with you?" His voice earnest and his heart pounded loudly as he awaited her reply.

I like you-that's what's wrong, Taika thought. I like you and I know.... I know this wouldn't work out. Taika steeled her nerves and mentally prepared to tell Todoroki more lies in order to protect their friendship.

"I'm exhausted," Taika breathed out. "I feel like I have a ton of responsibilities on my plate, and I am exhausted." Now, she could add sick to her list of symptoms as the guilt of lying to Todoroki blossomed inside of her.

 "Only exhausted?" He leaned in much closer toward the teleporter, and the tempting but faint scent of honeysuckle nearly pulled his body even closer toward hers than necessary. Where exactly did that new urge come from, Todoroki blanked momentarily.

"I'm exhausted and overwhelmed, and-." Her heart urged her to be open, her mind urged her to focus on what needed to be done. "I'm exhausted and overwhelmed and I really just need to take a nap before I go crazy."

Todoroki purposefully narrowed his eyes at her, one eyebrow arched inquisitively, and there was an ever so faint frown on the corners of his lips.

'Is that all?'-a pair of mismatched eyes asked as they investigated pools of rich brown. 

Taika merely nodded 'yes’; her features twisted into an apologetic pout. Her face warm as Todoroki looked down at her intently. She was glad the embarrassment and shame that boiled within her spirit didn't fester in a blush on her skin. Those little, white lies would catch up to her, she was sure of it. However, on the chance that the lies stayed safely hidden, Taika would be completely fine with that too.

The half hot, half cold student's gaze softened with sympathy and warmth for the teleporter. He wasn't completely convinced that Taika was merely exhausted, but he didn't want to press on and bicker about nothing. However, he did miss her presence in the days that passed, and it was only fair they spend some time together tonight. To make up for such an inconvenient, bothersome day- Todoroki rationalized.

"I'll ask Fuyumi if she still has some of that relaxation tea blend you like." He told Taika in a hushed, gentle tone. The scent of honeysuckle momentarily paralyzed his inhibitions; his left arm settled comfortably along her shoulders. "I'll get you some medicine too, in case you may be getting sick."

Taika allowed herself to lean into the pull, her body thankful for the extra heat. Always a gentleman, Taika thought as the wind picked back up. She appreciated Todoroki's offer, but based principal alone, she knew she couldn't lie to him and then turn around and accept his kindness. She was raised up poor and rough, but that didn't mean she had zero morals.

"That's not necessary," The purple haired beauty commented sternly; her heart burned in secret adoration for Todoroki. Her eyes aglow with a subtle glint of dejection. "I wouldn't want you to go out of your way for me."

Todoroki was equally as determined and stubborn as the teleporter. "Well, good thing I'm not doing what you want, Taika." He informed her with a charming yet smug half-grin. "Besides, I insist." The mental map of his errand run was complete, so he was set. Todoroki would get Taika the relaxation tea blend, some medicine, those sour strawberry and raspberry gummi worms she liked, and coconut water on the chance she wouldn't want tea later.

Taika disagreed and it seemed so did the weather as the rain began to pour again. They both walked a little faster to get out of the rain, both huddled a little closer too even as they reached the porch and walked through the common area. 

"Todoroki, I don't-." Taika didn't get any other words out beyond that 'don't'. Todoroki interrupted his friend with an assertive edge in his voice.

"Taika, I am going to do this for you. I'll meet you at your dorm room later." Taika's heart slammed hard against chest; she felt warm all over and momentarily speechless to her core at the tone of his voice.

It is only when she reached the comfort of her dorm room, does a surprised laugh escape out from her lips at his sudden and unexpected boldness. With Todoroki's decision set in stone, who was Taika to disagree with their plans for the night?

[taricdarkmorn]

FEBRUARY DWC 2024 DAY 5 - NOTORIOUS

Pickles the cockatiel had become quite the notorious prankster around Booty Bay. The locals had grown to expect and love his trickster nature, and he was able to decipher moods well enough to know when to stop or who not to bother. He was an absolute boon to Taric and his alchemy shop, The Red Rook. People would always come in to visit their favorite feathery friend, and typically end up purchasing something after Taric used his laid back charm on them. Something cute and something handsome, the two were truly the perfect duo.

What most didn’t know was that Pickles wasn’t all just mischief and silliness, even if it was a large part of his personality. It was often said that animals could see the unseen, and as someone who actually could see beyond the Veil at all times, Taric knew that to be the absolute truth about Pickles. 

He would often greet visiting spirits with his typical ‘GOODBYE’ as they approached. Not only were they often amused, but it gave Taric a good warning in case he hadn’t noticed. Especially when they decided to visit in the middle of the night, or were more malevolent in nature. If that were the case, they wouldn’t get such a pleasant greeting and instead receive a loud ‘STRANGER DANGER’ screech. 

There were times that Taric believed that perhaps Pickles was one of his ancestors reincarnated. It would explain a lot of the peculiarities he had seen over the years. He was quite the intelligent bird, a little too intelligent at times and definitely much too long-lived for the common cockatiel. Taric tried not to question it too much and just enjoyed the time he had with Pickles.

@daily-writing-challenge

[bog-teeth]

february redraw ^_^ i have been drawing them for 7 years now.... crazy. all prev years under the cut

edit: 11 yr old me didnt know what eyestrain was heres the aboves og bio:

Kymi | Age: 12 | Birthdate: 1/10/104 | Color: Green | Type: Dragon | Rank: Leader | Gender:Female | Wing Tone(s): Metallic Seaweed | Description Paragraph: My tiger's name is Chmi, based on the Chimera. Chmi has feathery wings, and a barbed tail. The barb does nothing but hurt & heal. Heals friends, hurts enemies. She was born on I/8/104. Two days before me! But Chmi is the best friend a person could have.

dont ask me why i went on about this unillustrated tiger instead? oh well.

[cecilysass]

Tonight We're Gonna Party Like It's 1999

An epilogue to The Boy on the Beach. Read The Boy on the Beach on AO3 or on Tumblr. Read this epilogue on AO3. Tagging @today-in-fic

In the other multiverse.

Baltimore, Maryland February 23, 1983

“Sweetie.” Her mother’s face appeared in the crack of the door. “Do you think you’re almost ready? You’ve made Marcus sit down there with your father and Charlie for twenty minutes now. And our reservation is at seven, so we really can’t be too much longer.”

“Yes,” Dana said. “Almost finished.” In the mirror she peered into her own eyes, which were smudged with black. Her eyeliner was as heavy as she dared for dinner with her family, which truthfully wasn’t very heavy at all.

In Dana’s imagination her entire wardrobe was going to have been transformed in college. She would have been edgier, harder, swathed in black, jagged corners. A semester and a month in, and that hadn’t really happened. Her forays into rebellion had been modest and disappointing. A few band T-shirts, leather bracelets, scarcely noticeable.

Tonight she wore a new dress. Dark detailed lace, a dramatic ruffled neckline. She purchased it at a shop near campus because she thought it had a drastic, punk rock feel. She’d expected a few raised eyebrows when she arrived at her parents’ house tonight. Instead, her mother had smiled and told her she looked lovely. Looking at herself now in the mirror, pale face, dark dress, gold cross at her neck, she realized why. She looked like she could be taking holy vows.

“You know, you’re just sitting there,” her sister observed with amusement. She was lounging on Dana’s bed, already dressed. She had a torn denim jacket, feathery hair, makeup as dark as night. Missy’s forays into rebellion had always been fearless. “You’re not getting ready. You are ready.”

“I’m checking over my make-up.”

“No, you’re stalling. You’re making us late to your own birthday dinner on purpose.”

“What are you talking about?” Dana sighed wearily, examining the jawline of her uninteresting baby face again.

Missy sprung to her feet and leaned over Dana’s shoulder, looking at her reflection in the mirror, whispering playfully in her ear. “You’re waiting for something.”

“Oh yeah? What am I waiting for?”

“You should be ashamed of yourself, with Marcus down there making conversation with Dad,” Missy said. “Boring little Marcus.”

“Marcus isn’t boring.”

“Oh, Dana,” Missy laughed. “You’re such a faker. I see right through you.”

“I don’t have any idea what you’re talking about,” Dana said, rolling her eyes.

“You want to wait around here just in case you get your birthday phone call.”

Dana moved to blot her red lipstick without betraying any real expression.

“From your childhood soulmate,” Missy added knowingly. “Your personal Kennedy.”

“He’s not my childhood soulmate,” Dana said primly. “He’s not a Kennedy.”

“Your dark prince of Massachusetts.”

“He’s not in Massachusetts,” Dana said in a contrary tone. “He’s in college in England.”

Missy folded her arms. “I suppose you haven’t thought about his call at all today.”

Dana sighed again. “Fox does normally call on my birthday, but I’m not exactly sitting around waiting for that.”

“No?”

“Actually, I doubt he will call now—it’s late there. I’m honestly just trying to finish getting ready.”

“Okay.” Missy seemed to be biting back a smile.

Dana pursed her lips and pushed a strand of hair behind her ear, but met her sister’s amused eyes in the mirror.

“You make everything so over dramatic, Missy.”

Missy just raised an eyebrow.

“Fox and I shared a strange childhood experience,” Dana said. “We’re friends. Pen pals. He’s an interesting person.”

“Very interesting,” nodded Missy.

“His sister writes to me, too, you know,” Dana pointed out. “And I haven’t seen them in ages. Not even since we moved back to the East Coast.”

Missy reached over Dana’s shoulder and over the vanity table, fishing out the snapshot of Fox on a beach that Dana had discreetly slid underneath her jewelry box. She held it up in front of Dana’s face like it was damning evidence.

Dana kept her expression disinterested. “What? He sent a photo from college.”

“Mmmm, I see that,” Missy said, looking it over. “You’re keeping it pretty close at hand.”

“What’s your point?”

“Look, Dana,” Missy said, sounding exasperated, “he saves you as a kid, he tells you you and he are bound together by fate, he writes you letters, he calls you every year. It’s romantic. You’d have to be made of stone not to see that. I don’t blame you. Nobody in the world would blame you. You don’t have to hide it.”

Dana didn’t say anything, her eyes on the photo in Missy’s fingers. He actually didn’t save her from anything, at least not according to him. According to him, the hero of the story was someone else.

Her. Her, but not her. An unrecognizable version of Dana Scully. Some superhuman, unattainable adult version.

Dana herself doesn’t remember what happened that week in 1973. She only remembers finding herself on a fairy tale beach with two fairy tale children who insisted she had a special destiny and gave her a letter from herself that seemed to confirm it.

The story has always been convoluted, and she’s always been partially sworn to secrecy.

“And holy fucking fuck.” Missy was looking hard at the photo, shaking her head. “You can’t tell me you haven’t noticed your little soulmate turned out smoking hot. That’s a nice favor for fate to do for you.”

Dana had noticed, actually. She still hated Missy’s characterization of her relationship with Fox, hated it for so many reasons.

“Enough, Missy.” She reached behind her and snatched the photo out of her sister’s fingers. “Let’s go downstairs now.”

“I could stall them downstairs for a few more minutes,” offered Missy, her tone softer. “I could say I feel sick?”

“Really,” Dana said. “You’re misreading the situation.”

“Am I?”

“Yes.” Dana set her lips in a line.

“Okay,” Missy shrugged.

“Okay.”

“Then let’s go put our game faces on,” Missy said. “Prepare to eat large steaks and avoid talking politics with Bill.” She put her hands on Dana’s shoulders. “You look amazing, by the way. I like your dress.”

“Thank you,” Dana said, her face warming into a small smile in the mirror. “I don’t look like a nun?”

“Maybe a little. Like a hot nun,” Melissa assured her. Dana slapped her hand in jest.

On the way downstairs, the phone didn’t ring. But that was okay. That was fine. She wasn’t waiting for it. Not really.

*** Later, after they arrived back from dinner, after Dana had opened her presents, after they had eaten angel food cake topped with chocolate whipped cream icing and nineteen candles, after she had kissed Marcus a sweet but surprisingly chaste good-bye outside at his car, promising to call him soon (once she was back in her dorm, maybe on the weekend), the phone did ring.

She was standing at the bathroom mirror brushing her teeth, wearing an oversized tee of Bill’s from high school. Everyone else had already gone to bed, although she suspected Charlie was still awake because she could hear the Clash playing faintly from his room.

The phone rang and she froze, her toothbrush in her mouth. Then she flung it down and raced down the stairs as fast as she could, trying to get there before it woke up her parents.

She made it in two and a half rings. “Hello,” she said breathlessly as she picked up the kitchen phone.

“Hello?” It’s funny how familiar his voice was, considering how relatively few times she had actually spoken to him. “Dana…?”

“Yeah,” she said, still breathing hard from her little sprint. “It’s me. Sorry. I just ran from upstairs.”

“Did I wake you?”

“No,” she smiled, biting her lip. “No, I’m awake.”

“I almost missed it. I’m too late.”

“You’re not late,” she assured him quickly. “It’s still my birthday. But isn’t it the middle of the night there? Shouldn’t you be asleep?”

He laughed a little, and she noticed for the first time he was keeping his voice down. “Yeah,” he agreed. “I probably should be.”

Dana pressed her back against the kitchen wall and slowly slid down until she was sitting on the floor. She brought her knees in towards her, hugging them, winding the phone cord around a finger.

“So,” he said. “Dana Scully. Nineteen years old. How does it feel?”

“Much the same.”

“How’s college?”

“It’s…” Dana selected her words carefully, always too aware of what he thought about her. “It’s amazing. I love it. The work is so much more interesting than high school. The conversation is at a higher level.”

“So you just study, all day and night, and that’s Dana Scully’s whole life at University of Maryland?”

“I do take my work seriously,” she said, stiffening. “I know it’s not Oxford, but I take challenging classes.”

“Of course you do,” he said, his tone gentle. “I just meant to ask what you did outside of class.”

“Right,” she said. She knew she was too sensitive. He had never given her any reason to feel so, but she felt self-conscious, her modest, budget-minded state university education versus his elite international schooling. “Well, I have a job working at the library. I, uh, play intramural volleyball.” She swallowed. “I was going to try for a job in a lab for next year.”

“You’re studying science?”

“Yes.” She pressed her eyes closed, anticipating the next line of questioning.

“Do you know your major yet? Is it… do you know what you want to do?”

She knew what he was thinking—because this is what he did, Fox. He asked her a question, and he seemed deeply and intensely interested in her, but he actually was thinking about someone else. This woman, this stranger he and Samantha called Scully: a woman she had never met.

“Not really,” she said.

There was a little pause. “It’s probably too soon to worry about your major. That’s what’s good about American universities—you can explore different fields of study.”

Dana decided to change the subject. “Your sister sent me something for my birthday.”

“Wow. Really?”

“Really. It was wrapped and everything.”

“I’m offended. She didn’t send me anything for my birthday.”

��It arrived in my school mailbox the day before yesterday.” Dana was smiling, wrapping the phone cord around her wrist.

“What was it?”

“A record,” Dana said coyly. “A single. No card or note—besides her name, obviously.”

“A record? You’re kidding me. What record?”

“Prince.”

“Prince?” He paused. “Why would she—” He stopped. “1999, right?”

“Bingo.”

She could hear him laughing on the other end, trying to keep his sound muffled. “Shit. She’s … such a weirdo,” he breathed. “But that’s funny. I wish I had thought of that.”

“As it happens, I like the song.”

“Sam has great taste and a subversive sense of humor, but she’s really baffling my parents,” Fox said. “I think it’s not all sunshine and roses in the Mulder household since I left. We can’t all be well-behaved first children. But only one more semester until she’s off to college, too.”

“Does she want to go to Oxford?”

“She wants to go to Berkeley,” Fox said. “In California.” He hesitated. “According to her, there was something 99 Me and 99 You said about a scientist there who studies neurology, which somehow mysteriously leads to time travel. I hadn’t quite heard all of the details of that before, but Samantha is adamant.”

Dana took that in.

Unlike Fox, Samantha had always been slower to talk about the events of that week in November 1973. Her story had always come out in fragments, little tantalizing mentions that emerge unexpectedly, sometimes years later.

In some ways this was frustrating, as Samantha had the most information. She was the person who met both 99 Dana and 99 Fox, who actually saw them interact with one another. She spent the night in a beach house with both of them. Fox had only met 99 Dana, and Dana met neither of them, unless you counted the letter.

“So what did you do for your birthday?” he asked.

“I went to dinner with my family,” Dana said. She hesitated a half second. “And with my boyfriend, Marcus.”

“This is the same boyfriend? From high school?”

“Yes,” Dana said. “He’s—yes.”

“He goes to your college?”

“No,” she said. “He goes to UVA, but he drove over for dinner.”

“Oh,” Fox said. “That’s nice of him.” He didn’t sound insincere, but he didn’t exactly sound warm either.

“I guess so.”

“You guess so?”

“It was nice. But I think I’m going to break up with him.”

He paused. “Why?”

“I don’t—“ She didn’t know why she was telling him this. “I don’t think about him when I’m not with him.”

“Ah,” he said.

“Does that make sense to you? As a reason to break up with someone?”

“It makes perfect sense to me.”

“It seems like you should think about someone you’re with. Even if you’re not with them at that precise moment. If the relationship is important.”

“I’m not exactly an expert, but I think that’s probably right,” he said.

There was a pause.

“Are you dating someone?” she asked.

“No,” he said. “Not any more. I was, until fairly recently.”

“I’m sorry.”

“It’s okay. It was amicable.”

“Tell me about her.”

“She was smart, funny. Her name was Aine. She was—she’s really involved in the anti-nuclear movement here, protesting against Margaret Thatcher.”

“Were you involved with that, too?”

“Yeah,” he said. “Especially while I was dating Aine. She’s very … persuasive. Dedicated.”

“What does she look like?”

There was a pause.

“She’s beautiful.”

Dana found herself fairly certain Aine had red hair.

It was overwhelming, really. She didn’t know what to make of him and his early-minted taste for heroic redheads. She wished Samantha had never mentioned it.

“It feels weird to talk about it with you, Dana,” he said softly. “Even though I know it shouldn’t.”

“Why would it feel weird?”

“You know why.”

Because sixteen years from now she would supposedly be the love of his life. Sixteen years from now she supposedly would love him so much that she would go to some dire lengths to save him.

“I’m sorry,” he said. “I always seem to make you feel uncomfortable.”

“No, you don’t,” she replied. “I just sometimes worry … “

“What?”

“That I’m not the person you want me to be.”

“I want you to be yourself.”

“I think you want me to be someone you met when you were a kid.”

“You are Scully,” he said. “You can’t help but be her.”

Another little pause. She cleared her throat.

“I’ve been doing a little research on the camera,” she said. “Do you want a report?”

“Of course I want a report.”

When they left, 99 Dana and 99 Fox had left behind an intriguing artifact from the future: some kind of headset that 99 Dana told Fox and Samantha was a camera, although it no longer seemed to work. Fox and Samantha had spent years tinkering with it, but had sent it to Dana last year at her request.

“I’ve been going to some local technology clubs. Personal computing. Like at Radio Shack.”

“Oh yeah?” He sounded amused. “What’s that like?”

“Well, I’ve had many offers of help,” she said diplomatically. She didn’t want to affect his view of her, but really it was amazing what you could manifest as a college girl walking into a Radio Shack with pigtails, Jordache jeans, and your younger brother’s too-small Atari T-shirt. Offers of help from every direction, really.

“And?”

“You can learn quite a bit there, and I’m getting pretty good at it. I’m thinking of taking a programming class next semester, actually.”

“Computer programming? Wow.” He sounded perplexed.

“The camera is a type of computer, or it has computers in it,” she explained. “It’s beyond what anyone has seen now though. I’ve had a lot of help—some experts willing to look at the camera with me, analyze it closely. Right now it’s probably not working because it’s out of batteries, but its power source is totally different than what we have.”

“Huh,” Fox said. “What if you could get it to work again?”

“I think it’s possible,” she said. “Someone helping me—this man Melvin—he says he knows people in California, in Silicon Valley, who would know more. I was wondering if somehow I could take it out to show them this spring or summer, on one of my breaks.”

“That would be great!” Fox exclaimed. “If it worked, we could take pictures of our own. Messages, maybe.”

“Not right away. Maybe eventually.”

“I wonder where the pictures would go.”

“Back to 99 Dana and 99 Fox’s universe, I suppose,” Dana said. “That’s where her pictures were going, right?”

“Yeah. But it’s been ten years,” Fox said. “It must be 2009 there now, if time moves forward in the same way. I wonder if they even have a way to receive the pictures any more.”

“It could be more time until I can make the camera work,” Dana reminded him. “There’s still a lot to figure out. The power source on this camera, it’s tiny. And the part of the camera that is actually a computer? Fox, it is so impossibly small, like a whole Apple computer shrunk down. It’s fascinating.”

“Do you enjoy it?” he asked. “Trying to figure it out? Solve the puzzle? It sounds like you do.”

The question surprised her, in part because she hadn’t thought of it quite like that. She enjoyed trying to help Fox and Samantha, and she found the computers part much more interesting than she thought she would. But the answer to his question was unexpectedly clear to her.

“Yeah,” she said. “I do. I really like the challenge of it.”

“I’m glad,” he said. “That’s really good.” There was something in his tone that made her worry, like he was comparing her to Scully again, but the conversation took a different turn.

“Dana,” he began, sounding hesitant. “I, uh, got a call. From someone from the F.B.I., asking me if I would be willing to talk to someone in their recruitment office about a possible career in profiling after I graduate, or while I do graduate work in psychology.”

“Oh.” She breathed in. “That’s—“

“It seems like that’s the beginning of … how it’s supposed to happen.”

Dana let that sink in. “Profiling. As in dangerous criminals? Is that what we did in 1999?”

“I never heard the exact area of the F.B.I. we worked in. I know you were a doctor. For me, profiling does make sense, based on what I have been working on in school.”

She didn’t say anything for a moment. She had weighed the idea of medical school eventually, but it wasn’t the only thing she considered. Lately, she had thought more seriously about computer science. “Do you think all of this happens no matter what we do? That it’s fated, somehow? That our choices don’t matter?”

“Do you think you wouldn’t choose the F.B.I.?”

“I don’t know,” she said sincerely. “I just think I would like to be able to make the choice.”

A pause on the line. “I guess that’s what I really wanted to talk to you about. I’ve been thinking about that, too.”

“About which part?”

“About whether it has to be set in stone.”

She was faintly surprised. She assumed Fox always wanted to chase after a future that he thought got him as close to what Scully described as he could.

“The call from the F.B.I. isn’t the only call I got,” he explained. She heard him rustling around, like he was shifting position. “I got another offer. Something badly paid and probably not very smart. My friend Miles is an old classmate who’s already graduated and has been working as a counselor in a clinic. He’s in San Francisco, doing grief work and end-of-life counseling with men dying from this new disease, this epidemic. You probably know about it.”

“AIDS,” supplied Dana. “Probably viral. No one knows for sure.”

“Yeah. Whatever it is, it’s a lot of young people dying too fast, often alone, and there’s a huge need for counselors and therapists to help them. Miles says he works sometimes 20 hours a day, but the work is really worthwhile. I was thinking that might be something I could be good at. I’m sometimes good at helping people think through bigger questions.”

“So you’re wondering if you should do that instead.”

“I guess I am,” he said. “I could do it for a while and think about whether I wanted to continue graduate studies in psychology, or go straight into the F.B.I. … or something else. Plus, if Sam is at Berkeley, it’s right there in the Bay Area. I could keep an eye on her.”

Dana was silent for a moment. “It sounds like you already know what choice you want to make.”

He made a stifled half laugh. “Of course I don’t.”

“You sound more excited about the counseling in San Francisco than about the F.B.I.,” she commented.

“That’s true,” he said really softly, like this was a realization. “I am, I guess.”

“But you’re still…?”

“Scared,” he said. “Because if I choose something different, I worry that I…” He stopped. “Well, I worry.”

She didn’t speak either.

“The relationship 99 Dana had with 99 Me—that wasn’t the kind of possibility you could see in your future … and just ignore,” he said. “I can’t see just tossing that away, Dana.”

“Can you explain to me why?” she asked in a small voice.

“I don’t know if I can, except that … here I was, this lonely kid, and the way she talked about us being partners...” He laughed quietly. “I’ll never, ever stop thinking about being her partner.”

“Yeah,” Dana whispered, feeling tears spring in her eyes.

“But I get it,” he said. “I know it might not ever work here, the way it did there. Too many variables have changed.”

“It doesn’t mean you couldn’t be happy in other futures,” Dana pointed out. She twirled the phone cord around her finger idly. “With other people.”

“I guess,” he said. He seemed to let out a long sigh. “You know, right before the holidays, I was in London with Aine.” Dana slumped against the wall a little, closing her eyes, trying to picture what he was saying. “We went out to this club with her friends. They got me all dressed up—that whole New Wave look, you know? Eyeliner and ruffly shirt and all the shit in your hair to make it poufy. It’s not my normal thing, but it was fun. People seemed to like it.”

Dana thought about the photo on her dressing table and imagined it. She thought she could guess why people might have liked it.

“So we’re in this place, and it’s crowded, and there are all these colored lights, strobes, and they’re playing that Duran Duran song, the really popular one. Hungry Like the Wolf. And Aine was talking to me about her Christmas plans, and my eyes just sort of drifted away from her, losing focus into the crowd. All these bodies, dancing. Trying to just connect with one another. Scent and a sound. Juices like wine. Hungry like the wolf. And I thought… why am I here? Why am I doing all of this? Why am I pretending to be looking for someone else, trying to make these futile, fleeting connections, when I already know my perfect other exists?”

There was a pause on the line.

“But…” Dana blinked, stunned. ���I’m not your perfect other, Fox.” Her body was rigid; she gripped the phone with white knuckles. “I’m not your perfect anything. I’m just some … girl from Maryland. Some girl who likes to spend most of her time studying and has never even been to a club like you’re talking about.”

“That’s not all you are,” he replied.

“I don’t even know if I really am Scully.”

“You are. I told you. It’s not something you can—”

“No.” She was surprised at how fiercely she spoke. “No, please hear me on this. I need it to be okay with you … if I’m not. I need to be free not to be.”

A tense beat.

“Oh,” he said. “Right, yeah.”

“I’m sorry,” she said.

“No,” he answered, his voice subdued. “I’m sorry.”

In the hollow silence that followed, Dana’s mind raced. She could practically feel the weight of his disappointment through the phone.

Would this be the end of his interest in her? Would the calls end? What possible appeal could she hold without the promise of a secret agent future? Maybe it would be better to say goodbye, she considered. Maybe this childhood fantasy had gone on long enough. Didn’t it only ever make her feel like she was a lesser Dana? Why did she need that? She could live her own life and never feel that way again.

If it weren’t for Scully’s letter, she might have heeded that impulse.

Instead, she reconsidered. And found herself taking hold of a wild idea, something she could hardly believe she was going to propose.

“Fox,” she said, “maybe you should go to San Francisco and see the clinic for yourself. Before you decide what you want to do.”

“Maybe,” he said, sounding glum.

“Maybe you should come with me when I take the camera to the Bay Area. We could go together.”

It took a moment to sink in. “Together?”

“We must have some overlapping school breaks at some point. We could fly out, investigate the camera together, visit your clinic. You could ask all the questions you need to.”

She again could hear the rustling sounds indicating his squirming. “That’s… an interesting idea.”

“I think it would be a good opportunity for you… to gather information for yourself. Firsthand.”

“Firsthand,” he repeated. “Yeah.”

“You’d probably think of other questions to ask about the camera, too. Things I wouldn’t think of.”

“I’ve never been to San Francisco,” he said. “Maybe we could … walk across the Golden Gate Bridge while we’re there.”

“Okay,” she said. “If there’s time.”

“Or go see a giant redwood.”

“The to-do list grows longer,” she said wryly.

“Or ride a streetcar. Or eat seafood. Or go see that one really crooked street. I always wanted to do that.”

Dana smiled, stretching her legs out in front of her. She couldn’t tell if he was responding entirely seriously or not, but she felt a little giddy that she had summoned enough courage to invite him, to shift the conversation in this direction.

“You know,” he said suddenly and earnestly, “it’d be fun to drive, not fly. I’ve always wanted to drive across the continent. I have this amazing old station wagon that could probably make it. I could pick you up in Maryland.”

“That’s a much longer trip,” she commented, but her face was warming with pleasure. He seemed very serious. “It would be fun though.” She imagined Bill and Maggie’s expressions, watching their daughter climb into a car for a cross country road trip all alone with the strange boy they had met ten years ago on Martha’s Vineyard.

“If we could make it work, matching up the school breaks, would you really consider it? Going with me, I mean? You’re not just saying that?”

And she was struck by the vulnerability in his voice.

“Yes,” she said crisply. “Of course.”

“I’m not as strange as I come across in these phone calls,” he promised. “If we went, you could get to know me better.” A little intake of breath. “Just me. Nothing else. No expectations of anyone being anyone else, like you said.”

She was so used to thinking of him as her mysterious fairy tale boy, someone who dropped into her life simply to check to see if she had grown into someone she was not. It surprised her to realize he was anxious for her approval, too. That he was worried about how she viewed him.

“Sure,” she managed. “And you know, I’ve always wanted to tour Stanford, too.”

“Then it’s settled,” he said. “Let’s make it happen.”

“Do you have a calendar of your school schedule?”

“I’ll go get one,” he said.

She listened as the phone dropped and he made thumping noises to run off, presumably to his room. He sounded so… eager. Dana smiled to herself, wondering what it would be like to drive in a car with him across the country. If he would drive her crazy with his peculiar energy. If he would insist on driving off the interstate on little side trips. If he would make them camp or stay at cheap motels. She found herself insatiably curious.

*** They stayed up too late hammering out a rough plan before finally saying good-bye, and Dana padded speedily back up the stairs to her bedroom, her heart still thumping, her mind still buzzing.

She flew straight into her closet and yanked the drawstring to turn on the overhead bulb. Her eyes ran over the shelves, looking for what she wanted, until she spotted it: the old cracked leather box. She lifted it from the shelf and took it to her bed to examine.

Inside the leather box were letters, filed carefully in reverse date order starting from 1982, last year, going back to 1973. Fox and Samantha’s handwriting alternated, the penmanship getting increasingly rounder and younger as she flipped farther back in time.

She found what she was looking for. The very first letter, which wasn’t from Fox or Samantha. It was preserved in its original envelope.

Dana. said the lettering on the front.

The handwriting was adult and female. She now could see what was not apparent to her as a nine-year old—that it was, in fact, her own handwriting. Or at least that it looked enough like her handwriting at age nineteen to be recognizable.

Dana sat cross-legged on her bed and read the letter for the thousandth time: the letter that had changed her life, the letter that continued to change it.

Dear Dana,

I have never been in a situation like yours, but I imagine you’re very scared. As strange as this may sound, the person writing this is you, Dana Scully, age 35. I traveled from the year 1999 back to your year. When I arrived, you vanished. Now that I have left again, you’ve returned, and you are ready to begin to live your life again. I’m truly sorry that I had to disrupt your life in this way.

I will try to limit this letter only to what is most important. First, it’s not a good idea to believe anything a stranger tells you, so I’ll try to give you some proof we are the same person, and tell you something only you know: In Mass sometimes, you daydream that Father Joplin will one day leave the priesthood and marry you instead. I hope that is enough to convince you. I’ve never told that to anyone. He never will, I’m afraid.

Second, your family has missed you very much, and they have been very worried. Be kind to them once you see them again. Especially Melissa. Always be close to Melissa.

Third, the two children you are with—Fox and Samantha—will act like they know you because they know me, but you won’t know them. Listen to them. They can explain the full story of what happened to you. They will be able to give you most of the answers you want. I imagine they may seem like strange children. But you can trust them, always, especially the boy.

Finally, about the boy, Fox Mulder. I know him as a man very well, but I don’t know what it would be like to know him as young or for as long as you will. If I had to predict, he will be persistent in keeping in touch with you.

His friendship can be difficult at times, but it’s also been something powerful and hard to explain, something big and overwhelming and wonderful. I suppose my advice about Fox Mulder comes down to this: when it comes to him, don’t ever lose sight of yourself. But in the end, he is worth it. He is always worth it.

Yours, Dana Scully

[teapixie]

🔮 if u need me i’ll be on www.myscene.com 🔮

[marshallpupfan]

I've got some info for everyone!

The final Aqua Pups episode (Reef / Giant Squid) will air on Nickelodeon tomorrow (Jan. 23)! At a prime time slot, too! 7:00pm (est), similar to what they did with Big Truck Pups a while back!

Trophy / Wind Trekkers now has a description! And, as noted, sites seem to be conflicted as to when it'll air, but according to one user who looked at their USA tv guide, it said February 4. Chances are, it's airing on Saturday so it doesn't take the spotlight away from Rubble & Crew, which will premiere the day before.

A new episode revealed! Pups Save Alex's Feathery Friends / Pups Save a... Puffy Mayor? Interesting title, but I have to admit, it has me curious. In any case, it'll air in the United States on February 10, 2023. Nickelodeon's going into high gear with new episodes!

Currently, all of these dates are for the USA. KnowledgeKids will air the final Aqua Pups episode on February 4th, but no word yet on when the others will on that channel, TVOkids, or other regions.

[blackbutlerfandomnerddomain]

Diasmonia was quiet, a perfect quiet morning if you well. The crows caw softly against the chilly yet welcoming winds. The sun barely peeks out of the soft grey clouds. It was a perfect morning.

A perfect morning mood too for all!

Everyone from the dorm was all in high spirits joy all morning long from Lilia's more cooled and happy melody hums, Malleus eager hop within his footsteps as birds land on his horns chilling, all the way to Silver and Sebek eagerly chatting as they walk to their classes. In all honesty it's really sweet. But also in all honesty it was a weird sight for everyone.

"What got them all chippy?" Asked Ace as he eats some breakfast in the mess hall with his fellow first year school mates. Ortho smiles as he takes out the USB out his mouthing port of his mask, "It's February 14th silly! Big brother has something special plan for Draconia Senpai." Jack look at the smallest of the group with an arched brow, "Video games in the dorm?" Blue fire shakes as Ortho nods no, "Nope. They'll be in Octavinelle at a lovely date."

Royal Sword Academy mummer in their glorious mess hall as many eat and chat away the mornings until classes start as a typical day glooms over them. That is-

"I can't wait for today~!" Chimed Arie as he eats, humming a lovely tune as he does, his hair today done down in a lovely braid with rose petals stuck in the knots. His friend in front of him, Neige, chuckle softly and spoke, "Valentine's Day plans?" The blonde nodded fast and eager with a giggle, "A nice garden date with three of the most beautiful, most perfect, most sexy people in the whole universe and all of Diasmonia for ourselves?" He giggles more as he smiles a doped up grin "How can I not be happy on today of all days??"

The room went in a stunned silence when a arrow hits a wooden beam closest to the table the two were at, making Neige to stand fast to see what it is. Upon looking better, he knows that arrow marking-

Eager and unafraid Neige hurried to the open window and looked down, a smile soon showing on his cute face when he sees his two beautiful lovers upon a beautiful white noble steed one with hos bow in hand while the older holds a large bouquet of red roses and lavender. Rook grins up at his dear prince while his Queen nuzzles the back of his shoulder peacefully, a hand held against his heart as it thumps softly against rib cage with his green eyes sparkling in passion and adornment. "One song, I have but one song. One song, only for you~" He sings blissfully, his cheeks aglow of peace pink. Neige softly swoon as he leaned against the railing as the crowd forms behind him to witness the two Pomfiore students of Night Raven Collage woo the heart of the dearly sweet Fairest Neige LeBlanche. "One heart, tenderly beating, ever entreating, constant and true~" Vil join in as a white dove lands on his hand, giving the feathery head a gentle kiss before it flies up to where the black haired beauty stands in awe. Neige smiles as he catches the bird, freeing the small scroll tucked gentle behind a ribbon against it's foot.

"Our dearest prince amour, As today is a day to celebrate and prove love of all forms we the Dorm Head and Vice Dorm Head of Dorm Pomfiore, Vil Schoeheit and Rook Hunt, invite you to a romantic evening within the gardens of Pomfiore with the finest cuisine and dinner as we dance and enjoy the evening sky painted before us. Sign with plenty love, Your Dearly Beloveds."

Neige smiles more with each line red, he soon brought the dove to his face and gently kiss the beaks so gently and watch the bird flies back down and gently peck both men's cheeks with a coo.

"I can't believe two Night Raven students managed to win over Neige freaking LeBlanche. Lucky bastards." A student mumbled while seeing said star giggle with a blush glow before he disappeared down the hall most likely to try and see the two freely.

Savannaclaw is nice and quiet for once as many of it's students have left to go to separate dorms or in town for the day as per Leona's request of freedom, the scent of cooking meat and sizzle hits the nose as the warm air hugs the flesh and bones of the three people cuddled together in the prince's large bed.

Ruggie soon crawls onto the bed and snuggled right in Leona's chest with a purr and giggle. "Cuddle bug." "Body Pillow." The four stop and look as Epel walks on over with a big tray of something yummy smell with his hair done up in a pony tail and a cute red and orange flannel apron around his small waist with his matching oven gloves on his hands. With a smile the boy placed the tray down showing one half of the tray being freshly cooked meats of wonderful cuts with some sauces in cute little jars and the other three delicious mouth watering smelling apple pies.

Esther nuzzles deeply against Silver's neck, the latter smiling as he nuzzles back, dark and light eyes watching as their little rose thorn and lighting bug dance barefoot on the grass of the dorm's garden. Like how Arie said earlier the day, Diasmonia was completely empty minus the birds and maybe a few other students who are also here, with a nice kitchen meal in thanks of the two knights who are enjoying the night with their lovers.

Arie giggles as Sebek catches them in a dip before leaning up and pecking the green haired male's lip softly, smiling softly as the moon created a halo around behind his head and the stars glimmer within his beautiful green orbs.

Starling walks around Night Raven's large auditorium as the stars shine just above them, a smell of roses and sage filling the air as they looked around.

"I know you, I've walked with you once upon a dream..."

The newer student stops and smiles as the sudden voice echos around them, a gentle wind blowing like an invisible hug.

"I know you, that look in your eyes is so familiar a gleam... And I know it's true that visions are seldom all they seem..."

Starling's eyes scan the darkness before feeling cold yet gentle hands carefully feel towards their own from behind, yet they smile calmly and happy for the feel safe in the presence of the gentle deep voice singing. They turned their body to face those hands' owner and met with beautiful cranberry eyes that flutter in a happy gleam of peaceful glimmer, their voice matching back to their serenade master, "But if I know you, I know what you'll do, you'll love me at once, the way you did once upon a dream."

The two danced together as Lilia hums the tune as if their own special live band playing a whole score for them and them alone.

"Get the gold get the gold!"

Ortho's fingers moved across his special game controller as he followed Gran's yelling while Hop plays beside him with Dominic helping him in the game. The screen was bright with the room just dimmed enough to show the blue lightening and the star and galaxy hologram above them, snakes of healthy and not so healthy are resting on the bed and floor along with many kinds of shoes, the bed filled with the little Shroud and his boyfriends playing a simple video game of one against the other.

After a few minutes of the three playing Ortho and Gran jumped on the bed giggling and high fiving each other, Timmy, and Toby while Hop, Dominic, Shelpy, and Snick playfully pout with Hop doing a very well act of over-dramatic "death" as he lays against the lightest hair of the seven. "Woe is me Dominic, we have lost again!" Ortho giggles and crawls over, kissing the blonde on the nose and them Dominic on the forehead. "Don't worry, I'm sure you guys can win next time-" Before the cyborg could finish the sentence he got grabbed hugged by Shelpy and Hop who laugh and/or yawn with either happy smooches or tired pecks on his pale cheeks that glow pink as he snorts and giggles.

Riddle walks down the halls of Octavinelle's special restaurant The Mostro Lounge with a small giggle of mischievous glee, red roses in his arms as he walked pass the halls that cover the ways in oceanic beauties. As he walked he caught the appearance of his two childhood best friends and hurried his step before hugging Trey tightly, Chenya joining in as soon as he saw it. The bigger man chuckles, "You seem happy." Riddle pokes his head out his large chest and smiles, a healthy glow among his cheeks, "Yes, I finished all my duties on time and managed to avoid a phone call with my mother." The cat man wrapped his tail around the small red head and purred a giggle as he nuzzled him, their rare hair mixing like a painting, "Sounds like our baby kitty needs a reward~" Riddle blushes hard and tried to scurry back, "No-" but his attempts of running away and denial was stopped when he ran into the third ginger show wraps his arms around his waist from behind, chirping, "No no I think you're right baby~"

Luckily for the dorm leader, the moment was hit paused when a pair of footsteps were heard and the four watched as Malleus and Idia walk along side each other with gentle smiles on their faces. "Happy Valentine evening everyone." Said Malleus, of course in his typical formal fashion while Idia just waved his hand small and said, "Yo." Cater let go of Riddle and ran over to them and gave them each a big and kisses and a handing of small boxes. For Malleus it was a mint ice cream flavored chocolate box, as for Idia it was an assortment of strawberry and normal pockies in beautiful wrappings.

The group walk further down the halls and made it to the restaurant in their path, a large white cloth table covered in fine silverware and shiny plates and rose petals of many colors by candle light and fine deserters and finger-foods waits for them eagerly. They all look at the table, then to each other, and smile before they made their way to their seats with Trey and Cater being the most gentlemen they are usually by pulling Riddle's and Malleus' chairs for them.

After everyone was seated cups of tea started to get poured in their places in thanks of Jade who seemingly appeared out of no one, only pausing to give Trey a sneaky kiss. Floyd appeared with the dishes in hand and like his twin stole a sneaky kiss among Riddle, Cater, Idia, and Chenya. And after everything from favorite drinks filled and favorite dinner dishes served in the finest way possible Azul finally appeared and took a seat in the middle of Idia and Riddle, dressed in a lovely light lavender suit with small flares of each partner's special colors.

Esther and Starling belongs to sweet boo @gay-salt-amber Happy Valentine's day boo!

[hazbincalifornia]

Year in Writing: 2023

I have a tradition to pick out a little snippet I like of my writing from each month, so here's this year's! Links on each month's name.

January

Nothing. Nothing. Nothingnothingnothing, gnawing at the air until blood oozed from the eternity that was the self, nothing to do, nothing to see or be or-

Something.

Something, a small creature. Sneaking around, but it would come to the Room eventually, all things did. Larger than the usual small creatures, squeaking out sounds that could only barely be recognized as speech bubbling at the back of a locked-away mind, voice high-pitched and grating and flesh smelling sweaty and sweet and perhaps chewing on it would make it go away, but it was too bony to be anything but a toy as wingsfingershandsclaws curled around it, squeezing it to see if it popped.

_

February

It only took a few moments for consciousness to slip away, leaving only the pillowy comfort of nothingness. Distantly, he could feel shifting around, gentle vibrations and little bits of laughter, but it was as if he was settled on the bottom of a pool made out of jam, senses muffled. The easy, fuzzy contentment that sloshed through his body made it all too easy to just settle, feeling only faint twitches here and there as well as a pleasing pressure on his middle.

All he had to do was… let go.

_

March

Red fingertips faded to light pink as he gripped the edge of the toilet bowl hard enough that it stung, pulling in a breath and letting it out slowly with lungs deflating like balloons. He shoved himself up, splashing his hands with sanitizer before reaching for the eyeliner. Below his too-tight top, his stomach churned, but he’d already taken more time than he could afford without expecting consequences later. 

The familiar unfamiliar face in the mirror had bags under the eyes, but a bit of concealer would be able to hide that- nobody in the crowd would see his face close enough to care.

_

April

“Don’t you dare.”

Hazel looked up from her rearrangement of the skeletons in the main lobby as Clove held up a finger, eyes narrowed. She tilted her head as if to ask ‘dare what?’, but his left ear just twitched as he fussed with his neckerchief. “Mm?”

“You know full well what I mean, Hazy. Whatever you’re planning, zip it. No stunts. This is a date and I want him to like me, alright? That means you keep whatever little plan you have got brewing today for the next schmuck passing the doors, not my new boyfriend.”

She used one of the skeletal hands to draw an 'X’ over her chest just as the main door echoed with a pair of booming knocks.

_

May

“You don’t give a shit about what other people think, right?”

Twix raised an eyebrow. “Not really. People are dumb. Why?”

“Just…” Her nails drummed on the bench. “How… never mind.” The sentence choked itself and died before it reached the night air. “It’s nothing.” The music and lights pulsed from the palace as Stella shifted, dress fabric swishing as it was dragged across itself. Twix could see where a piece of it had hooked on something at the waist and the thread had started to unravel.

“Fuck ‘em,” Twix said. “I don’t know what this is about, but fuck 'em. I think you’re cool.”

Stella’s beak twitched up at that. “Thanks.”

“Anytime.” Twix paused, ruffling the top of their currently-feathery head before holding up the blaster. “I’m not any good at touchy-feely stuff. Do you want to use this to blow something up of theirs?”

“Oh, satan yes.” Stella held out a hand and Twix dropped it into delicate fingers that curled around the sleek irken tech. “It wasn’t anything bad, just need to blow off some steam, y'know? Royal bitches being royal bitches.”

“Says the proud royal bitch,” Twix said. It was followed by a nudge to the side, but it came with a little laugh.

The light of the ruby Pride sky didn’t quite reach all the way through Stella’s eyes, but the laugh was enough for now.

_

June

That was how he found himself with a cup of the punch for designated drivers, giving some random fucko a lap dance. He had a big cock through his party pants, and Blitzo wanted it. He couldn’t drink, couldn’t wash away his feelings (that he shouldn’t have, that he never should have allowed to fester, but that had burrowed down just deep enough that he hadn’t ripped the parasite out as soon as he found out about it and had let Stolas convince him this might work for just long enough to nearly believe it), but he could drop his ass down on some guy that would appreciate it for a few minutes, and right now, that was enough.

Two gulps downed the punch, and the thumping bass combined with the fact that his body was, upon realizing that he was grinding on a thick cock, getting horny. Horny was good. He liked horny right now, horny meant drowning his feelings in hormones if not booze, and maybe he could swallow down some cum that always tasted sweeter here and wring something out of this piss-soaked fucker of a day.

(Even though the weight around his middle made it very, very hard to forget the person who had caused it.)

_

July

This was the part he hated.

It was the part where the party was over and the high started to spiral, where his body wasn’t just a vessel for a limitless chugging champion or a sex god willing to lock all kinds of lips with anyone who drew into his line of sight anymore, but a body that could be sore and tired and full. Of cum sometimes, of drugs sometimes, but of booze tonight especially, hot and sticky in his throat and in his belly. Beelzebub’s parties have an infectious energy that are liquid gold when you’re in the thick of them, a part of the hive in a way that connects everyone like a thousand invisible strings, but when you’re out, you’re mortal again, and he’s never felt more mortal than right now.

_

August

“So, that’s over with. Do you want to… I dunno, go get coffee or something? I don’t know if human coffee sucks. Hell coffee is a half and half chance.”

“Mmm, you know, I’m not sure?” Stolas tapped his chin. “I don’t have any human money on me, though.”

“Ah, rummaging around in the dumpster behind some place that has coffee it is, then.”

“...Blitz. No.”

“What? They throw out the fancy bread and shit all the time, and some people don’t finish their-”

Stolas groaned, and it made Blitz snicker.

“You’re a real priss for someone who loves eating my sweaty ass as much as you do.”

“Those things are very different!” Stolas protested, but he couldn’t help a little laugh of his own as Blitz nudged him. The Sin-created crystal sparkled in the sunlight, and he could see a hint of gold underneath the white teeth with canines edged sharper than any normal human’s.

_

September (nsfw)

Blitz told himself that he wasn’t going to do it anymore. He was done. He was done! He was sick of dragging his bruised-up body off the property at ass o’clock while he could hear the ghostly echo of cackling, doubled-over laughter echoing around the rotting foundations around him.

He lasted a week.

Frankly, even that much was an accomplishment, because it was far, far too easy to let his dumbass brain make dumbass decisions and end up flat on his ass as the robot that smelled like booze and popcorn and baby spit stuffed its tongue in his mouth while fingers edged with rust teased up a fluttery red-and-white chest that nearly had the ribs poking out. It tasted like the time he made out with a radiator. (If it was on a dare or because he was plastered or both, he didn’t remember anymore.)

_

October

“…Son of a bitch.” He squinted at her, and she watched him back. It was almost wild, how he looked like Dad but thrown through three layers of funhouse mirror, with everything she cared about suctioned away and twisted into broken glass. Shrunken, compared to her. Small. “Sold himself, did he?”

“Nope. Papa just liked him.” She blinked. “He lives in the palace now. I’ve got two sisters and a little brother.” Pause. “He never told me much about you.”

_

November

They’d tried to shoot her.

That was mean, and made her shaky as she curled closer to him, to his smell of gunpowder and spice and leather.

Daddy seemed scared.

It didn’t really make sense- he was big and strong and could kill people real easily- but the little tremors and the way his voice wiggled a little… it sure seemed like it.

He was scared because they’d tried to get her. Because of her.

She pressed her cheek against him and murmured that she was okay, she wasn’t worried. Everything was okay, right?

(Her heart was still beating twice as fast as usual when her eyes darted down to the hole in the puffy sleeve of her dress, but she sucked in breaths like he did, and it started to go away.)

_

December

Stolas reached for him, fingers splayed, but the moment his fingertips met the cool rock, dust bloomed on impact and Blitz froze as his glow brightened, cracks emerging on both his belly and the surface where they touched.

“No, no, no no no-” Stolas’s eyes widened as Blitz plummeted, diving after the moon as the surface dissolved with a splash into the endless ocean, leaving him… leaving him…

There was no face upon the living constellation, but Stolas swore that it stared at him as the glow became a supernova and his darling collapsed upon himself milliseconds before Stolas was able to make contact, the child within too much for both Blitz and itself. The stars that made them darkened and went black, crumbling into ash as Stolas desperately tried to pull them back together, pulling already-cold shaky handfuls of wet mush against his chest before the sobs even had a chance to escape him.

[freakbleeds]

So it turns out being cuddled actually did fix me. Yeah, I’m cured now. I mean I still have anxiety shakes and drink a lot of coffee and cry over bad grades. I still pick at my skin and don’t like my face. But also, I’m a butterfly. Actually, I’m an unformed blob curled under a multicolored quilt, but same thing. I feel wings whisper behind my sternum, soft and steady. The warmth of your breath on the back of my neck, the un-urgent beat of your heart. Your cat stops glaring jealous green daggers at me for taking her spot and curls herself on top of us. If there are any soft pieces left of my heart (and oh, there are, you know them all too well) then they are content, silky and purring and serene. My mother’s lullaby in the language you don’t know settles into the silence like feathery February snow. Somewhere out there is the cold and the spill of dark over the horizon- somewhere, but not here. Here is warm. Here is you, a chrysalis. Here makes sense, it always has.