#fight four guards take a step fight four more guards take another step fight five guards etcetc

[leijonzzz]

I LOVE SUIKODEN SOOOO FUCKING MUCH

[libraryofgage]

PJO Steddie Seven

One | Two | Three | Four | Five | Six

PJO show is living rent free in my head everyone. I love that funky little fantasy show

Anyway, welcome to part 7, where we learn more about some of the kids' powers, get a peek into Steve's growing troubles with his powers, and Steddie get a fun little development too

As always, if you see any typos, no you didn't ;)

Oh! And a meme, another meme for you at the end lol

---------

While the kids have no problem adjusting to Camp Half-Blood and making friends (several of the other campers have asked El to freeze them if only because they think it's funny), Steve runs into a few bumps. He's not used to relaxing. He's not used to letting his guard down and having the children out of sight for so long. And he's definitely not used to his powers feeling beyond his control whenever Eddie is around, which is...well, always.

Don't get Steve wrong. He likes being around Eddie. In fact, he looks forward to it. Steve hasn't smiled or laughed this much or been around someone his own age in a while. It's new and kind of weird and just a little scary.

But it doesn't at all help with his growing nervous energy. He keeps waiting for a shoe to drop, quickly followed by another. It never does, and Steve fully realizes what a problem this is when Eddie is in his room one day and casually says, "Your clouds are different."

Steve blinks, looking over at Eddie in one of the chairs. He has a guitar in his lap, idly strumming as Steve's phone plays music for them. Steve had just been nodding off, feeling relaxed and sleepy when Eddie spoke. "What do you mean?" he asks.

"They changed again." Eddie says, frowning slightly as he points at the clouds drifting along the ceiling. They're a slate color now, not exactly brewing up a storm but looking ready to start pouring down on them. They aren't gloomy, though. It's more like...like the tension you feel when a natural disaster is about to strike and the clouds are the only warning you'll get of its arrival. "They were starting to turn white, but they're grey again."

"Oh," Steve says, flopping back on the bed with a sigh. "They're supposed to reflect my mood."

He hears the chair shift and steps coming closer to the bed before Eddie sprawls across the mattress next to him. "What's got you so grey, sweetheart?" he asks. Their hands aren't touching, but Steve can feel that now-familiar buzz at his fingertips, the little arches of lightning begging to reach out if he'd only let them.

Steve curls his fingers into a fist, refusing to succumb to the urge. He considers lying, just brushing off the question, but then he makes the mistake of looking at Eddie. He looks right into Eddie's brown eyes, and his resolve crumbles. His fist uncurls, their fingertips brush, and he allows a harmless spark to pass between them. "I'm just on edge," he says, looking back at the ceiling and watching the clouds. "Restless, I guess."

"You're used to fighting monsters and moving across the country, Stevie," Eddie says, sliding his hand closer to Steve's so their fingers are tangled together and a current begins to pass between them. "Being all...still is getting to you."

"Yeah, no shit," Steve says with a quiet snort. "Can't do anything about it."

"Well...there is Capture the Flag next week," Eddie points out, shifting closer, like their hands aren't enough. Now their arms and shoulders are pressed together, and Steve inexplicably feels some of that nervous energy disappear, like Eddie is taking it from him. "It can be an all-out bloodbath, you know."

Steve huffs softly, getting a wry smile. "I'm not sure anyone's gonna want to be on my team," he says. The other campers avoid him. Despite his best efforts, his attack on the patrol campers spread fast and mean, and everyone is a little wary. "So, unless I can be on a team by myself, it probably isn't gonna happen."

A few beats of silence pass, and Steve is about to assume he's somehow fucked up the conversation when Eddie says, "You wouldn't be alone. There's me. And the kids. And I could get the Hermes Cabin to partner with you. Plus, you know, you're a Zeus kid, Stevie. You ask to be in charge and nobody's gonna argue."

He...hadn't thought of that. Steve frowns slightly, letting the idea turn in his mind. It would be a challenge, of course, especially if all the other cabins decide to team up. But...a challenge means pushing himself, reaching limits he's never come close to, letting go completely and losing himself in the battle, whether he wins or not.

The clouds above them start to roll, broiling with the energy of a storm that's all thunder and lightning, and excitement surges through Steve. He doesn't even realize he's letting it get the better of him until Eddie yelps and jerks his hand away.

Steve blinks, jerking up and reaching out to Eddie but stopping halfway. "I'm sorry," he says, frowning slightly as he watches Eddie look at his hand. "I'm really sorry. Are you hurt?"

"No, no, it was more...," Eddie trails off, and then he gets an obnoxious grin and looks up at Steve. "It was more the shock of it."

A beat passes before Steve groans, grabs his pillow, and whacks Eddie in the face with it. Eddie dramatically falls back on the bed, lamenting Steve's cruelty and superior fighting skills as Steve laughs. When Eddie finally stops hamming it up, he pushes the pillow away and says, "So, I'd guess you're excited?"

Steve rolls his eyes, his cheeks hurting from smiling. "I...have an idea already, yeah," he says, looking at Eddie and leaning closer. "Wanna hear it?"

"Hell yeah," Eddie says, his eyes lighting up as Steve lays it all out.

And so begins a week of planning.

It's a week (most of which was spent convincing the Hermes Cabin to join his team and agree to just sit back and guard the flag) that leaves Steve buzzing with energy on the day of Capture the Flag. Eagerness makes his limbs tingle and his body beg to pace as he looks over the demigods in front of him. It's just the Hermes Cabin, Eddie, and the kids, meaning they're facing off against the rest of the camp.

He can't blame the Hermes kids for looking like they've already been defeated. The only reason they're still hanging around, Steve is sure, is because he and the kids promised to do all of their chores for two months if they lose.

Steve takes a deep breath, rolls his shoulders back, and consciously lets go of the Mist around him. He's used to holding it close, using it to cover himself and make him look, well, weaker, that he has to purposefully send it off. He knows the moment it's completely abandoned him; the demigods all stand straighter, only the kids and Eddie dare to meet his eyes, and the snakes poking through the hole in El's beanie start tasting the air with interest.

"You've put your faith in me," Steve says, his volume normal but his voice still booming in the otherwise silent clearing. "You probably think we're fucked, but you'd be wrong. So, listen up. I will be offense. Eddie, Will, and El will be extraction. And you, with the strength of numbers, will be defense. Guard this flag with your life, and we will win. If any of the enemy manages to slip past me, hold steady. You are the final line of defense. Your job is the most important, and I expect you to give it your all."

The hesitant expressions have become impassioned, if not a bit confused by the fact. Steve grins at them, feeling the air crackle between his teeth as his excitement grows. He exhales sparks, his fingers buzzing and his skin close to bursting.

Steve doesn't often pray to Zeus. He's never felt a need to, and several goddesses have made themselves better known to him. But now, as excited for the fight as he is, Steve thinks to Zeus, If you've never watched me before, then watch me now.

He puts on his Blue-Team helmet, the distant horn ringing in his ears as the lightning floods through him, and heads into battle.

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

Eddie's role is simple: keep El and Will from getting hurt. He'd be offended at the simplicity if he weren't already plenty aware of his inability to fight well. He's built for defense and retreat, which is why he's got his shield at the ready and is preparing himself to jerk the kids back at the slightest hint of danger.

They're crouching behind some dense bushes, Will and El peeking through the gaps at some Red-Team campers, the first line of defense for the red flag. "So, what's the plan?" Eddie whispers, shifting slightly as he looks between the two kids. Thunder rumbles, and it takes every shred of Eddie's self-control to not look at the gathering storm clouds above them.

"Will makes them daydream," El whispers back, her beanie squirming as though the snakes can feel their imminent freedom. "If that does not work, I will turn them to stone."

Eddie slowly nods, glancing at Will as he cups his hands to his mouth and whispers unintelligible words into them. "And, uh, how is making them daydream supposed to help with distractions?" he asks.

"They are very strong daydreams," El replies.

Will finishes whispering, and a purple dust-like swirling mist is nestled in his palms. He nods to El, waiting for her to carefully make a larger opening in the leaves before gently blowing the mist from his hands. Eddie watches as it twists and curls around the Red-Team campers, slipping under their sleeves and floating to their ears and eyes. The mist settles there, a thin and nearly imperceptible film that Eddie wouldn't know to see if he hadn't watched Will make it.

A few seconds pass as the campers slowly relax, their grips on their weapons loosening until a few swords fall to the ground. El waits a few more seconds before picking up a sizeable pebble and throwing it at a tree across from them. Despite making a loud thud when it hits and falls to the ground, none of the campers blink or move an inch. The only movement Eddie can see is a slight sway and the occasional twitch of fingers, like their body is trying to follow through on movements they make in their daydreams.

"Metal," Eddie whispers, keeping pace with El and Will as they move out from behind the bush. If everything is this easy, they'll get back in time to see Steve fighting. Eddie would love if he could see Steve fighting again. "How did you do that?"

Will flushes slightly, rubbing the back of his neck. "It's not a lot, really," he says, his voice quiet and a little embarrassed. "I mean, I just use dream-speak to give the daydreams specific emotions and then send it over."

"Dream-speak?"

"You know how you can't read in dreams? And if you try to remember exact conversations, you can only get snippets or a word or two? That's dream-speak," Will explains. He thinks for a few seconds before adding, "It's, um, supposed to feel intangible."

"How long does it last?"

"Usually," El says, her voice soft as she pauses and gestures for Eddie and Will to follow, "around twenty minutes. But it depends on the person." She leads them to large boulder, all of them ducking behind it in time for some Red-Team campers to walk by.

"Holy shit," one of them says, looking in the distance at the gathering storm clouds as she slows down. "Man, I am fucking glad we're not fighting that Zeus kid."

"No kidding," the other mumbles. "He's a monster."

Eddie has heard plenty of people call Steve a monster in the past week. Most of them say it with awe in their voices, unable to find any other word to describe the sheer power they saw from Steve. But others, like the one here, say it like Steve is a monster for them to defeat for the glory of it.

He clenches his jaw, grip on his shield straps tightening some. Before he can do anything, El reaches up to her beanie, and Will slaps a hand over Eddie's eyes. He hears the hiss of a writhing mass of snakes, aborted shouts, and then nothing. When Will takes his hand away, the two campers are statues, shock and terror contorting their expressions. El, with her beanie back in place, considers them for a moment before turning. "We should keep moving."

Eddie doesn't argue, but he does hold up a fist to El, grinning when she slowly bumps it with her own. She then turns to Will, her expression expectant, and she flashes her own tiny smile that matches Will's when their fists gently bump together.

Of every game Eddie has participated in, this game of Capture the Flag is by far his most relaxed. Will and El seem to have plenty of experience sneaking around and launching sneak-attacks. The closest Eddie gets to seeing any kind of action is when a Red-Team camper happens to stumble across them on their way back from the bathroom. Even then, before Eddie can raise his shield to block their sword, El slides in front of him and rips off her beanie.

"Thanks," he says, keeping his gaze away until the beanie is back on.

"You are welcome," El replies, staying quiet for a few seconds before adding, "Steve would be sad if you got hurt."

With that statement dropped on him, she continues leading the way to the Red-Team base. By the time they reach it, several Red-Team campers have been deployed to support the other campers fighting Steve. Between those, the ones stationed on the other side of the forest, and the campers they've disposed of, only twenty remain to guard the flag.

"I'm surprised the Athena kids aren't more prepared for you," Eddie whispers, glancing at El. She's the kind of secret weapon everyone knows about and prepares for, but he hasn't seen any of that so far.

El glances at Eddie, considering her response for a few moments before looking at Will. When he nods, she says, "I have not told Steve, but the Head Camper for Athena approached me two days ago. She offered me a personally-designed weapon if I did not use my powers during the game."

"El agreed," Will says, picking up the explanation with ease, "and promised not to use her powers to steal the flag."

"I am not stealing the flag," El finishes, a proud smile tugging at her lips, "I am capturing it."

"You're a little devil, you know that?" Eddie asks, grinning brightly.

"No. I am a little gorgon."

-----

They leave a garden of statues in their wake, and El takes a few moments to sigh and say it's not as good as her mother's before they leave with the Red-Team flag carefully hidden under Will's shirt. As they approach the border between the team territories, the sounds of battle grow. Swords clash, fighters shout, and lightning cracks between them all.

"We can take the long way," Eddie offers, his tone reluctant as he glances in the direction of the fight. They're close enough that a few trees are singed on the edges from lightning strikes, and Eddie holds his shield tighter. Letting the kids get anywhere near that fight isn't protecting them, and he should direct them in a wide circle around it.

But something is calling him, urging him closer to the fight in a way he's never felt before. He's not an Ares kid---Eddie has no desire to enter a blood bath---but he gets the feeling that Steve is going to need him soon.

"El and I can make it by ourselves," Will offers. "It's only a few feet away, and the game ends once we cross, right?"

Eddie nods, frowning before taking a deep breath. "No, it's okay," he says, waving for the kids to keep moving. "We'll try to head straight through and end the game sooner."

It's a choice he was expecting to regret, but doesn't get the chance. Nobody notices them, even when they get close enough to see a swarm of Red-Team campers surrounding Steve. None of them glance in their direction, too distracted by the fight to spare any attention to three insignificant campers sneaking by. Thunder rumbles endlessly above them, a deafening soundtrack that's only broken by cracks of lightning striking the ground and knocking campers back a few feet.

"Steve is having fun," El observes, sounding happy for him as they approach the Blue-Team border.

"He's never really let go, huh?" Eddie asks, getting a quick peek at Steve through the swarm. He lost his helmet at some point, leaving his feral expression and static-raised hair in full view, and arches of lightning jump across his body, occasionally reaching out to strike any Red-Team campers that get too close.

"No," Will says, his voice soft as they approach the border. The moment Will steps over, the horn sounds in the distance, and Eddie waits for the fighting to stop.

But it doesn't. Nobody in the swarm seems to realize the game is over. They continue to attack Steve, and Steve continues to fight against them, the air churning and sparking and ready to burst. A few seconds pass before Eddie realizes they won't stop until only one side is left standing. He gets it. Kind of. Steve carries the air of royalty; a challenge. If you can beat the son of Zeus, a literal Prince of Olympus, the glory of that achievement is untold. And it seems his fellow campers have fallen prey to that glory, utterly lost to it

Eddie feels that urge to join Steve surge through him again. He swallows around a sudden lump of nerves in his throat, searching for any other peek at Steve he can get as he says, "You guys go ahead. I'll help Steve. We'll catch up."

He doesn't bother waiting for El or Will to answer. He just rushes into the battle, something he never expected himself to do. Somehow, he doesn't meet any resistance. Lightning strikes the ground around him, pushing Red-Team campers back and urging him on, and Eddie wonders if Steve knows he's coming.

When he finally reaches the center of the battle, he sees Steve swing his bat against someone's side, the nails dragging painfully before he kicks the person back. Steve has lost his chest plate as well, and the only armor he has left are the wrist guards. There are slashes in his clothes and the edges are burnt. Eddie is almost distracted by the sight until he sees a daughter of Ares rush Steve from behind, her sword raised to bring down on his back.

In a move of unprecedented grace (seriously, Eddie will look back on that moment and never understand how he managed to not trip over himself), Eddie springs into the battle. He rushes at Steve, sliding behind him, twisting, and raising his shield in one smooth movement. The sword comes down on his shield, sending vibrations down his arm but otherwise causing no harm to him or Steve. Eddie pushes back as hard as he can, sending the daughter of Ares sprawling before pressing his back to Steve's.

"Thanks," Steve says, his words crackling and sparking against Eddie's ear. He thinks it's just a phantom sensation at first, but Eddie soon realizes lightning is literally arching between them, jumping across their shoulders and through their hair and buzzing down Eddie's chest.

He licks his lips, electric ozone lingering on his tongue, and Eddie is fascinated by the taste. "No problem," he says, his body following Steve without thinking. It's easy when he can feel the bolts of lightning between them start to shift, telling him which way Steve is going so he can keep up. "You know the game is over, right?"

"This is the most fun I've had in years," Steve replies, his tone implying that should explain everything.

And, yeah, it kind of does. He sounds genuinely happy and thrilled, his voice teeming with eagerness that's punctuated by the sound of his bat hitting a Red-Team camper in the head hard enough to make their helmet ring.

Eddie knows Steve would stop if he asked. Eddie knows he could talk Steve down from this lightning-fueled battle high. Eddie decides that wouldn't be nearly as fun.

"Okay," he says, pressing closer to Steve's back and blocking an arrow headed straight for Steve's shoulder. "Have fun, sweetheart."

Eddie didn't know it was possible, but Steve's power surges again, like it was just simmering under his skin, waiting for permission. And Eddie gave it. Bolts strike from the clouds above while arches jump across Steve and Eddie, running down their arms and leaping at Red-Team campers who get too close. They don't stop; the lightning continues to jump from camper to camper, electrocuting whoever it touches, and Eddie realizes he should have been electrocuted, too.

He blocks another sword, lightning crackling along the edges of his shield and shooting off sparks when its hit, and looks at the white-blue arches running along his arm. Without thinking, Eddie touches one, a gentle buzzing spreading through his hand as the arch transfers and jumps around his palm. It tickles more than anything else, and Eddie would think it's harmless if a Red-Team spear didn't get close enough for the lightning to jump and shock the camper unconscious.

It's not that the lightning jumping between him and Steve is harmless, Eddie realizes, it's just that it won't hurt him. He feels like some of the lightning has settled in his chest, crackling and warm and soothing. Eddie glances over his shoulder, taking in Steve's breathless smile and the way light splashes across his face with each bolt that hits the ground and the sparks that jump from his bat.

That feeling he got when he first saw Steve, the breathlessness and awestruck realization that the whole prophecy was just him, hits Eddie all over again. He lingers in it for a few seconds, letting it wash over him and settle in his limbs, before getting yanked out by a particularly close lightning bolt that makes his ears ring.

Right. A fight. That he's part of.

Eddie forces himself to focus on defending Steve's back. He blocks arrows and swords and shields and, once, a battle axe that makes his shield groan. That one pisses him off some. This shield was a gift from Hermes, a gift that showed surprising knowledge of Eddie's interests, and he'll be damned if it breaks. As though fueled by his anger, the lightning on his shield crackles and shoots down the battle axe, converging on the camper until she drops the axe with a yelp.

He doesn't get to linger on that too long; another arrow comes straight at Steve again, and Eddie is far more occupied by blocking it. And so it continues. Steve fights, lightning strikes, and Eddie defends him the entire time, giving Steve the space and security to just let go and release all the energy that had been building since he arrived at camp.

It's over sooner than he expects. One moment, Eddie's arm is buzzing from a particularly strong hit to his shield, and the next, the field is silent. Thunder still rumbles above them, lightning still crackles around them, and Eddie's heartbeat is pounding in his ears. Campers are scattered around them, all breathing but most knocked out for a while. Eddie takes a deep breath, feeling the air spark harmlessly in his lungs, and slowly lets it out.

He rolls his shoulder and retracts his shield, placing it around his neck again before turning around. "You good?" he asks, looking Steve over for any obvious injuries. His clothes are even more singed, the hem of his shirt blackened, and his hair is sticking up wildly but still somehow perfect. Steve's tense, his muscles strained as he pants, looking around them before his gaze finally lands on Eddie. He's still gripping his bat tightly, his knuckles white, and Eddie is about to gently pull it away when Steve just drops it.

Eddie blinks, frowning slightly as he starts to ask Steve if he's okay. And then he can't speak at all, because Steve's hands are cupping his cheeks and Steve's chest is pressed against his own, and Steve's lips are thoroughly occupying his. Lightning shoots through Eddie, jumping down his throat as Steve's tongue licks past his lips.

It doesn't hurt, though. Nothing from Steve could actually hurt him; instead, it makes his fingers tingle and his lips buzz and his heart jackrabbit against his ribs. Eddie is filled with an inescapable energy, and there's only one way to expel it.

So, he kisses Steve back. Eddie wraps an arm around Steve's waist to tug him closer and pushes a hand into Steve's hair, finally feeling the soft strands tangling between his fingers. He tilts his head and lets Steve have the quiet groan that slips from him when tiny bolts jump from Steve's molars to Eddie's tongue.

Eddie is breathless and floating and completely under Steve's spell and...and...and he's confused. Because Steve yanks himself away, a panicked noise in the back of his throat as he takes a step back. His chest is still heaving, but Eddie knows it's for a different reason now. Steve starts to say something, his lips swollen and red and begging Eddie to kiss him again, but no words come out.

And then he does something Eddie never expected Steve to do. He runs. He panics so badly that he runs back toward the Blue-Team base, leaving Eddie in the middle of the Red-Team carnage with a floaty brain and a stupid smile.

Maybe, if it had been anyone else, Eddie would be panicking, too. He'd be worried about the person actually liking him, worried about what the kiss meant, worried about any number of things, really. But it's Steve. Eddie knows Steve. He knows Steve's laugh and his walk and his lightning and now his kiss.

There are only two possible reasons for Steve running away: either he panicked because the kiss was too sudden, too heat-of-the-moment, or he panicked because of the literal lightning he sent through Eddie. Both are easily addressed, easy to soothe Steve down from freaking out about so they can get to kissing again.

Eddie's smile widens some, and he takes one last look at the campers around him before carefully making his way past them, figuring he should tell Chiron they'll be needing ambrosia and nectar.

-------

Tag List

@mugloversonly, @mentallyundone, @hairdryerducks-blog, @carriethesaint, @lunabyrd, @weekend-dreamer7, @farfaras, @littlelady03, @my-tears-are-becoming-a-sea20, @mogami13, @a-little-unsteddie, @itsall-taken, @queenie-ofthe-void, @tinyplanet95, @littlebluejane, @hangoversandhandgrenades, @rabbitwhoeatsstars, @bisexualdisastersworld, @steddieinthesun,

@paintgonewrong, @sadcanadianwinter, @deehellcat, @blanketlicker, @angrydonutdestiny, @booksareportal, @fallingchemicaldiscos, @am-i-obssed-probably, @anne-bennett-cosplayer

@estrellami-1, @fandomcartographer, @steddie-as-they-go, @cris-wants-a-word, @potato-of-the-lord, @plasticcrotches, @enigmahaze, @melodymeddler, @lololol-1234, @sageclipse, @steddiehyperfixation, @livelaughlexa, @genderless-spoon

For those who made it this far, a meme:

[crazyk-imagine]

Gym Crush

Pairing: Benny Miller x Gym crush!reader

Characters: Benny Miller, William "Ironhead" Miller, Francisco "Catfish" "Frankie" Morales, Santiago "Pope" Garcia, Gym Crush!reader, Samantha (reader's friend)

Warnings: Fluff, cursing (briefly), gym, gym things, reader is a trainer and trains with her friend, I'm sad, I know gym things because of work, Benny is like horny but also not, Frankie is a tired old man, Santi a big flirty hoe, I feel like Will feels like he has no personality :(

Word Count: 1,959

A/N: Not gonna lie, while writing this... I had a thought. This is the first part of the non-official series/ universe for the TF boys called (in my mind) "Gym World"

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

The boys, Will, Santiago, and Frankie have always known when something’s up with the baby of the bunch. It’s hard not to.

It consumes him until he barely has anything left to offer. That’s why they knew this was something different.

Instead of running to the woman (he deems to be the woman of his dreams) he, instead, runs from her. Or, in better words, avoids her entirely.

Ever since they came home after their last mission, they’ve been living their lives the way they want to… or at least Frankie and Santiago are.

Will is slowly working a little more on himself, not wanting to scare off anyone else in his life like he did with his ex-fiancée.

And now, Benny’s life mainly consists of working out, preparing for his fights while working at his annoying side job as a convenient store clerk.

Today was no different for him, train and then go out for a celebratory drink.

Usually with the way he acts when he sees you, none of the guys want to come with him anymore and it makes sense since he’ll either stare while you work out and he thinks you don’t notice (you do) or glance in your direction and check to see if you’re getting closer, wanting to try and ask you out (never happens).

Will shakes his head, “you’re shameless.”

Benny hangs from the pull bar, smirking at his brother. “Better to be shameless.”

“Then?” Frankie chimes, finding himself intrigued.

“Nothing, just better to be shameless.”

-

"He's back." You move your headphones over your ear to hear your friend, Samantha better. "What'd you say?"

She purses her lips, "you know exactly what I said."

You smirk, "no I don't."

She groans and throws her head back. "Why are you like this?"

"Like what?"

"Next is the rower."

Your cheeky attitude quickly falls from your face.

Samantha points at your fallen expression and starts laughing.

Benny hides his humor when he sees you stomping over towards the rower.

You pout, strapping your feet in, “I hate this!”

She smirks, “I know! But we’re gonna do,” Samantha pauses, thinking about how bad she should torture you. “Three reps for five minutes with wall sits as your forty second break.”

Your eyes widen at her words. “No.” You shake your head, “nuh uh. No way.” You start to remove the straps.

“I have four back-to-back clients in an hour, and I need to be able to crawl and not walk.”

-

He drops down from the bar, wiping himself dry with the towel he keeps nearby (curtesy of Will).

Frankie nods to the older Miller, “you go get him, I’ll deal with Benny.”

Will sighs and runs after Santiago who’s trying to flirt with some of the other girls around. They’re not going for it, and he doesn’t want to have to talk to another security guard because his friends an idiot.

The younger Miller takes a step forward only to be stopped. “Ben, your fights in three hours we need to go.”

“I-” he sighs, glancing back at you. “Yeah, alright. Let’s go.”

-

The next couple of days are quiet and you don't see much of “your” mystery guy, it makes you a little sad to be honest.

And then, there he is, as if he was reading your mind, he shows up with the other guys he’s almost always with.

"Guess who's back to cure you of your depression?"

You roll your eyes and shake your head, shoving Samantha away from you. “Stop it.”

She chuckles as you head out of the employee office, grabbing your phone on the way out. “I’m going to work out while I wait for my next client to arrive.”

She nods before heading out.

‘Maybe today’s the day.’ You can feel his eyes on you. You continue to think about what to do while stretching. You catch his gaze in the mirror and a decision’s been made.

Santiago smacks Frankie’s shoulder when he sees you coming closer. “What?”

The latter turns, “oh shit.”

“What’s going on with you two?” Will asks, glancing between the two of them, waiting for an answer.

Santiago points to the space in front of Benny.

He doesn’t see you there at first, focusing on finishing his last set before getting off the machine he was using. “Oh shi-”

You chuckle, crossing your arms. “Hey, there.”

“Hey.”

“I noticed you’ve been staring at me for a bit. You got something you want to say?”

If he were a cartoon, his eyes would be as wide as his head followed by a nosebleed. “It’s- it’s not like that.”

“Then what’s it like?” You cross your arms. “I’m thinking you’re planning something hinky and quite frankly it worries me-”

His eyes widen even more. “No, no. I mean- I just- I didn’t mean to…” He pauses when he sees the way you try to hide your laughter. “Oh, you’re messing with me. Awesome.”

“Sorry, it was just too easy not to. But seriously, about the staring. Everything okay?”

“Yeah, sorry. I- you’re really,” he gulps, “good.”

You raise a brow.

“I’m just saying, I don’t normally see people pushing themselves as hard as you do… or when your friend does.”

You chuckle, “that’s true. But it’s not really anything worth admiring, it’s your average trainer workout”

“Well, I can tell you that you do a damn good job. I’m impressed.”

“Well, consider me flattered. A handsome guy like yourself, commenting on my workouts, kind of makes a girl want to ask said guy for his number and make him her workout partner.”

He glances behind him before pointing at himself, earning a nod from you. “You’re serious?”

“I don’t joke about these kinds of things,” you pull yourself up on the pullup bar, something you’ve noticed he goes on more than anything here. “Which is something you’ll learn about, the more we talk.”

He’s never pulled his phone out of his pocket faster than he did right now. “You want to hand me your phone?”

“You’re gonna do this one handed?”

“No, I just wanted to try and impress you.” You jump down and smile at him.

He is more than willing to offer his phone to you. “I sent a text to my phone so now you have my number.”

“Great.”

“If I don’t hear from you before nine tonight, I can’t promise I’ll be as speedy with my responses.”

“So, I should text you now?” He jokes.

You shrug, “whatever you think is the smartest decision.”

The dopey smile on his face never leaves even after Santiago starts teasing him again. “Wow, I never thought you’d ever talk to her and look at you, you didn’t burst into a puddle of desperation.”

“Can I hit him?”

“No,” Will shakes his head, “you can’t, Ben. You know that.”

“She’s coming back.”

“What?” He whips around and almost bumps into you. “Hey, you’re back.”

“I am. I’m impatient and I want to go out with you.”

He owlishly blinks, trying to get his brain to move faster so he can understand. “Really?”

“Yeah. My friend would say I’m acting desperate and insane for asking the weird guy with a staring problem out.”

He scratches the back of his head, “you guys caught that, huh?”

You pinch your fingers together. “Little bit.”

“And you still want to go out with me?”

“Don’t read too much into it. Text me when you’re done here and when you’re free later.”

You turn around and walk away, leaving the Miller, Santiago, and Frankie speechless.

“I never thought I’d say this this,” Santiago pats the younger Miller’s shoulder. “Can you teach me how you- show me your ways, wise one.”

Benny shrugs him off, pushing him away from him. “Shut up.”

“Guess we’re done here?”

Frankie glances at Will. “What makes you say that?”

“He’s going home to shower and then call her so he can finally go out with her.”

Santiago shrugs, “I mean, I guess.”

“He’s right. If you two aren’t done, you’re on your own.” Benny throws his bag over his shoulder. “Come on, Will.”

-

You hit the call button, “Sammy!”

“What?”

“I did it.”

“I know you did; I was there.”

“I don’t know what outfit to pick you bitch.”

“How do you even know he’s going to call? Stupid question, I know. Moving on. Do you want to look slutty or a little conservative?”

“What makes me look better? Slutty or not slutty?”

“Where’s he taking you?”

“I don’t know.”

“How am I supposed to help you pick an outfit when you don’t even know where you’re going. I’m hanging up.”

“Wait- no.” You groan and are about to toss your phone down onto your bed when you get a text from Benny.

Hot Gym Guy

‘Wear something comfortable I don’t know if I already told you where I plan on taking you it's not gonna be some anything too crazy’ 4:36pm Sent Read

You smile holding your phone just a little closer to you.

Eye Candy

‘It’s like you knew what I was thinking’ 4:38pm Sent Read

‘Makes sense seeing as you’ve been watching me over the last few months every time you were in the gym’ 4:38pm Sent Read

He chuckles hoping this is going to be a good start to the date. He’s happy he kicked Santiago and Frankie out of the house now and thankfully Will had other plans.

Now he's debating calling you to invite you over or take you out to a restaurant followed by you coming over, not for anything that would be normal for his past self (as the other guys would say).

Hot Gym Guy

‘Would you rather do something fun and casual at my place or something new and different at a restaurant?’ 4:41pm Sent Read

You don’t think he has an ulterior motive because you know that he’s being genuine and asking you so you’re not uncomfortable.

Eye Candy

‘Are you a good cook because if not I think should go to a restaurant’ 4:43pm Sent Read

‘Not to offend you, I’d like to not have food poisoning tonight’ 4:44pm Sent Read

‘We should*’ 4:45pm Sent Read

Hot Gym Guy

‘I could whip up something decent and if it’s not up to your standards then we can either go out to a restaurant or have something delivered’ 4:46pm Sent Read

‘It’s up to you.’ 4:46pm Sent Read

You shake your head, even though Sammy really thought that he was creepy; turns out he’s really the sweetest guy you've ever talked to.

Eye Candy

‘Send me your address and I’ll tell you in person’ 4:51pm Sent Read

You knock on the door and wait.

The door opens less than a minute later. “Hey.”

You smile. “Hey.”

“Have you,” he clears his throat. “Have you made a decision?”

“I hope you're as good a cook as you are handsome.”

“Oh, baby. You have no idea.”

-

And let’s just say the next time you guys went to the gym (together, of course) everyone you knew was thanking all the gods that you two finally got together, until they realized that your guy's fawning was going to be ten million times worse because you’re together.

"Another day of him staring at her," Frankie comments, watching you two.

"How long are we going to see this?" Will asks, working on his bicep curls.

“I don't want to see him drool again; I'm going over towards the smoothie bar." Santiago walks away.

“I don’t know but I think we need to go back and grab Santi before he does something stupid,” the ex-pilot tells the older Miller.

“For fucks sake,” Will grumbles, putting the weights back in its place. “Let’s go.”

-

Taglist

@casa-boiardi

[bullet-prooflove]

StolenMoments!Series Part Six: Love Letters - Vostanik Sabatino x Reader

Tagging: @kmc1989 @novamariestark @words-and-seeds

Part One: First Date - You and Nik have an unusual first date.

Part Two: Christmas in Afganistan - You and Nik reunite in Afganistan.

Part Three: Yours (NSFW) - Nik and you take the next step in your relationship.

Part Four: Last Words - Nik goes on the hunt after you're taken.

Part Five: Gone - Sam tells you what Nik was saying in the back of the chopper.

It’s a month later that Sabatino finds your letter.

He’s recuperating in a safehouse in Berlin, close to one of the best hospitals in the country because the initial surgery in Afghanistan came with complications and he needs to rehab. The CIA wants him back to full strength as soon as possible because he’d left a few loose ends after he’d taken that bullet. It’s only the best for their favourite operative until he gets back on his feet. He’s under no illusions about the reality of his situation, he’s an asset as well as a prisoner. His vulnerability makes him a liability, one that they can’t afford to let out of their sight.

At night he lies in bed and thinks of the events that led him here. He remembers your grip on his hand in the back of the chopper, looking into your eyes as he told you he loved you. It was the end; he was sure of it…

And then he’d woken up in one of the most prestigious hospitals in Germany, alone with a guard outside of the door. He cannot describe how disorientating it is to wake up in another country, to lose days to a morphine induced haze that fucked with you so badly, you didn’t know what was real and what wasn’t.

He’d thought about you in his more lucid periods. That smile of yours, the way you bury your face into the curve of his throat as you drift into sleep. He reached for you in his less coherent moments only to find you absent.

That’s worse than the injury itself because it reminds him that he’s alone. You would have returned to L.A. by now, reintegrated back into your life. He knows your team; he trusts them to take care of you, but he wishes he was there because recovering from something like that…

He knows what it’s like.

This thing between the two of you, it means the world to him, but he’s concerned about the damage he’s done. For three months he has been a constant presence in your life and now he’s disappeared when you need him the most. That’s got to hurt.

Maybe it’s for the best. The truth is he doesn’t have anything to give you, his life isn’t his own, it belongs to The Agency. He’s not someone you can build a future with, he’s more likely to end up dead than settle down. Perhaps it’s kinder this way.

When his duffle bag appears he’s grateful because it means he doesn’t have to replace a bunch of his shit. He lives a transient life style but he has a few creature comforts that he prefers to have on hand. He’s looking for the shaving kit, the good one, when he comes across the heated blanket neatly tucked in the top. Part of him dies inside because he thinks that by returning it you’re telling him it’s over, that you don’t want this life with him.  It’s only when he’s packing it away again that the envelope slips out. He sees his name written in your familiar neat scrawl and his thumb chases over the ink.

Nik.

You are the only one that calls him that, to everyone else he’s Sabatino.

This is how it ends, he thinks, not with an argument or a fight but with a letter. He almost doesn’t want to open it, but he does because Sabatino has never shied away from a difficult situation.

When he opens the note, it’s written in Pashto. He has a head for languages, he always has, it’s one of the reasons the CIA recruited him. He remembers the evenings back in Afghanistan you’d spent huddled together over a portable white board while he helped you refresh yourself on the language. You were a little rusty looking to brush up on it, because it had been years since you’d had the opportunity to use it.

He smiles as he reads it, his fingertips tracing over the words.

I love you too.

Love Nik? Don’t miss any of his stories by joining the taglist here.

Interested in supporting me? Join my Patreon for Bonus Content!

Like My Work? - Why Not Buy Me A Coffee

[dwobbitfromtheshire]

Stuck Between a Jock and a Metalhead

Summary: Nancy, on a whim, decides to visit Steve at Scoops Ahoy, which leads to her overhearing confessions from Steve that leads her to think about the decisions she's made. A few days later, she decides to come back. She finds him being hit on by the town freak. What's a girl to do? Oh, get stuck in a freezer with the both of them.

Chapter One - Chapter Two - Chapter Three - Chapter Four - Chapter Five - Chapter Six - Chapter Seven - Chapter Eight - Chapter Nine - Chapter Ten - Chapter Eleven - Chapter Twelve - Chapter Thirteen - Chapter Fourteen - Chapter Fifteen - Chapter Sixteen - Chapter Seventeen - Chapter Eighteen - Chapter Nineteen - Chapter Twenty - Chapter Twenty-One - Chapter Twenty-Two - Chapter Twenty-Three - Chapter Twenty-Four - Chapter Twenty-Five - Chapter Twenty-Six - Chapter Twenty-Seven - Chapter Twenty-Eight

@nightmareglitter

Chapter Twenty-Nine

As soon as they pulled up to the Hendersons, they noticed a major problem. Nancy stepped out of the car and looked at the gate in horror. It was still pulsating with a red light, and it still remained the same size. It had yet to spread to the actual houses. Surrounding the gate were several demodogs protecting the gate like they were actual guard dogs.

"What the fuck are we supposed to do now?" Dustin asked. "Getting in was supposed to be the easy part."

"I don't think we can take on that many," Steve said. "Can we?"

"Shit!" Eddie exclaimed.

The rest of the group pulled up and spilled out of their respective cars. Lily and Agent Stinson stood close to them.

"Well, this is a problem," Lily said.

"Do you think?" Dustin asked.

Suddenly, the demodogs starting growling and snapped at them. If they had eyes, they would be looking at Nancy, Steve, Robin, Eddie, and Dustin. They started moving closer to them. It was pure instinct. Ted, Karen, Robert, Nora, Lily, and Agent Stinson dove in front of the kids, pushing them back. Something that the demodogs had been hoping for. Suddenly, more demodogs started coming out from the trees and from behind the house. They dropped in front of the younger members of the group. They had Tommy and Walter pinned down. They snapped at Nancy, swiping at her leg but they didn't hit her. Steve and Eddie reacted quickly. Steve swung his bat while Eddie stabbed with his spear. The dog jumped back with a loud annoyed growl.

"HEY!" Karen's voice yelled out.

The dogs stopped and turned to look at her, just like the others did. Karen was holding out her arm as well as a knife.

"Mom?" Nancy asked.

"We're going to get them away from the gate. Stop this son of a bitch!" Karen exclaimed.

"Mommy!" Nancy yelled.

"We're going to be okay, sweetheart," Ted said. "Do as your mother says."

Karen cut her arm while the others did the same. Karen took Ted's hand and ran off with him, a group of demodogs chasing after them. Their hunger won out. Robert and Nora repeated their actions, going in a different direction than them, another group of dogs following them. Robin wanted to call out but chose not to, tears in her eyes. Lily cursed as did Agent Stinson. They each cut their arms before heading in opposite directions to each other. The last of the demodogs followed them, the last one pulling off of Walter and Tommy. It left the gate clear. Walter pulled Tommy up and into his arms. They were both bleeding but seemed more than capable of continuing on with the fight.

"Holy shit," Tommy breathed into his boyfriend's chest.

"Are you okay, honey?" Walter asked.

"Yeah, I'm fine, you?" he asked, and he nodded.

Tommy pulled out of Walter's arms before turning to Steve and hugging him tightly.

"Jesus, you were right. I didn't want you to be right," Tommy blanched.

"I know, man," Steve replied.

"Let's get going," Nancy sobbed and wiped away the tears.

"Hey, it seems like you're as tough as your parents and if you made it this far, then so can they," Tommy said.

"Thanks, Tommy," Nancy said.

They crawled through the gate and headed towards the Hendersons' Upside-Down house. Walter and Tommy remained on the other side to push the amp and cords through the gate before handing Eddie his guitar. They also pushed boards, nails, and a drill before heading into the gate themselves. Eddie stood in front of Nancy and Steve, looking vulnerable.

"I would have felt better if there were more people going with you," Eddie said as he cupped their cheeks.

"If anyone should be worried, it's us," Steve said.

"You're going to come back and I'm going to be here, I promise," Eddie said.

"Don't make promises that you can't keep," Nancy said, tears in her eyes. "I love you."

"I love you," Steve said.

"I love you too," Eddie said and kissed them both deeply. "Make him pay."

Steve and Nancy hugged Dustin tightly, pressing kisses into his hair.

"Don't try to be heroes," Steve muttered.

"Like Eddie said, that job belongs to you and Nancy," Dustin said.

They moved over to say goodbye to Tommy and Walter, only to find Tommy standing on his tiptoes and kissing Walter rather soundly. They broke the kiss, tears in their eyes.

"He insisted that I needed to go with you guys," Tommy said. "I think he's right."

"He's your best friend, baby," Walter said. "You seemed torn."

"Thanks for helping out with this, man," Steve said.

"We all live in this world," Walter replied and shook his hand.

Nancy and Steve looked over their shoulder at Eddie once last time before grasping each other's hands as they walked off with the other two.

"I know this was my plan, but I think maybe I should turn around and protect Eddie," Nancy said. "I keep thinking about his dream."

"He's just the distraction," Steve said. "They're going to play, trap the bats and then slid back into the gate to the other side. They've got this. We've got this."

"So, you're not worried?" Nancy asked.

"Oh, I'm completely terrified," Steve said. "I'm trying to reassure the both of us."

Nancy sighed and pressed her cheek up against his arm. She was glad that she wasn't the only one who was scared. She tried not to think about her parents and tried to focus on the fact that they had a plan if they had gotten separated. They would either meet up back at the house or at the apartment or at Hopper's old cabin. She hoped they made it back to one of those locations and that they're all in one piece.

"So, Robin just told me that you're living with Nancy and Eddie," Tommy said as they walked toward the Creel House.

"Honestly, it was a complete accident. I didn't even ask them. They just started spending more and more time with me at the apartment that they eventually stopped living at their houses," Steve said and grinned. "But I'm glad it happened that way. We didn't overthink anything."

"I'm happy for you, man. I'm glad that you got away from your asshole parents," Tommy said.

"I'm glad that you got away from your asshole father," Steve said.

"I'm glad we're here now," Tommy said. "I mean emotionally, that we're friends again."

"Yeah, I got what you meant. I'm glad we're friends again too," Steve grinned. "I think Lucas is looking forward to you playing basketball with us this summer."

"You've got great kids. You've always wanted a big family. I'm glad you got your wish, man," Tommy said and paused. "You know, Walter doesn't like basketball. He likes watching me play but he doesn't actually like playing."

"Seriously, he's so tall," Steve said.

"I know, he thinks it's hilarious when the coaches at the university try to approach him and he rejects them," he said. "He says it's the look on their faces that make him laugh."

"You love him," he grinned.

"Yeah," Tommy said blushing. "I'm glad nothing happened with us because then I never would have met him."

"Yeah, me too," Steve said looking over at Nancy.

"I'm just glad you no longer hate me and that I no longer hate you," Nancy said and Tommy laughed in agreement.

"I think we're close," Robin said. "I'm going to go scout ahead."

"I'm going to keep an eye on her," Tommy said. "Watch her back."

"Thanks," Steve said softly.

They watched them run off and Nancy sighed. Steve laced his fingers through hers and raised their hands to kiss hers.

"I'm glad I overheard that conversation in Scoops Ahoy," Nancy said. "It led me to the greatest decision that I've ever made. You were always my choice, and then it led me to Eddie being my choice too which I never thought would ever be possible. Thank you for forgiving me."

"Thank you for coming back into my life," Steve said.

"Thank you for loving me," Nancy said. "Even when I was at my worst, you still loved me."

Steve leaned down and kissed her deeply. He pulled back with a smile.

"It is just me, or does the word 'glad' sound weird now?" Steve asked.

"We said it too many times," Nancy giggled.

Suddenly, Tommy and Robin came running back.

"It's just up ahead," Robin said. "We saw it."

The group headed towards the Creel House. They made sure to wait for their signal first before they entered and made sure to signal back to them using the lights. They were soon making their way up the stairs to the attic, and it was filled with trepidation. Nancy could feel the fear radiating off of all of them. Of course, she knew it wouldn't be that simple. The ground shook, and then a vine wrapped itself around Robin's foot. Soon, they were all slammed against the wall with vines wrapped around them, gasping for breath. No, no, this wasn't how they were going to go. They needed to win. Tears filled Nancy's eyes as she watched her partner and the woman she so clearly thought of like sister choke before her very eyes. Tommy was beside her, struggling to breathe as well. Who knew they would ever be dying side by side as friends? Just like that, the vines let them go. . .for whatever reason. She wasn't sure why but she felt like she needed to thank someone.

"Holy shit, I'm never asking Walter to choke me in bed ever again," Tommy said.

"Okay, that's more than I needed to know about your sex life, Thomas," Robin said.

"Don't be homophobic, Buckley," Tommy smirked.

"Don't be lesbophobic then," Robin said and slugged him in the arm before hugging him tightly.

"Happy you guys get along," Steve said as he hugged Nancy. "Let's go."

They walked into the attic to find Vecna in his trance, which meant that Max was also in her own trance. Nancy tried not to think about that. When they were ready, they started swinging. Nancy stood at the front, firing her shotgun while the others started throwing the Molotovs. His entire body lit up with flames, and suddenly, he was screaming. He unattached himself from the vines and slowly got up, walking towards them. Shot after shot, Molotov, after Molotov, but he still continued to move towards them. They all backed away except for Nancy, who reloaded her weapon. She continued to pump rounds into him until they were blasting him back. . . Until his back was towards the window. They were still throwing Molotovs at him, but it was Nancy's shotgun who blasted him out the window. They all froze and stared at each other.

"Is he - is he dead?" Tommy asked.

The four of them rushed to the window, but when they looked down below, they found nothing.

"He's dead. He's got to be dead," Robin said.

"Yeah," Steve said.

Nancy wasn't sure that Steve even believed himself. No, Vecna wasn't dead. There would have been a body. Right? Dead bodies don't get up and walk away. They hurried downstairs and burst out of the house, pausing on the porch when they heard. Four chimes.

"Max," Nancy sobbed, and then it felt like her heart plummeted to her stomach. "We have to get back to the others. We have to get out of here now!"

They didn't waste any time when the ground shook. They all started running back towards the Hendersons. They were getting close when they heard it. Dustin's grief stricken scream.

"Eddie," Steve and Nancy said.

When they got to the house, Dustin was laying by the gate and cradling Eddie's body in his arms. Walter was leaning heavily against Dustin, his arm wrapped around him as he held the crying boy. Walter was covered in blood, and they were both surrounded by dead bats. Eddie was completely still.

"No, no, no, no!" Nancy sobbed and dropped down next to Dustin.

Eddie was covered in blood, his eyes blank and lifeless. Nancy let out a scream as she pressed a hand to his chest. There was no heartbeat. Eddie was gone. This wasn't real. This was a dream. She shut her eyes. When she opened them again, they're going to wake up in their apartment to find Eddie sleeping soundly between them. However, when Nancy reopened her eyes, Eddie's eyes were still blank, and he was still covered in blood. He wasn't sleeping. Suddenly, the ground started to shake.

"Baby," Steve’s broken voice spoke up. "We have to go."

"I'm not leaving him," Nancy sobbed.

"We can drag him through the gate. It's right there," Steve sobbed. "We're not leaving him behind."

Nancy looked up to find that Steve looked as devastated as she felt. She nodded and helped them pull Eddie through the gate. His guitar was lying on the ground when they got there. Eddie must have sent it through with Dustin, and Dustin came back for Eddie.

"I'm sorry, I tried to help him, but there were so many bats, and by the time they dropped, it was too late," Walter said as they helped load his body into Nancy's car.

"You did - you did good. Thank you," Nancy said weakly.

She handed the keys off to Tommy as she crawled into the back with Eddie's body.

"Do you think you could drive back to the Wheelers?" Steve asked.

"Yeah, man," Tommy said softly. "Sorry about Eddie."

Steve didn't say anything, just crawled into the back with Nancy and cradled Eddie between the both of them. Robin and Dustin climbed into the middle seat, turning around to hold Nancy and Steve's hands. Once the car started to move, Steve and Nancy broke down, clutching Eddie tightly. Nancy couldn't tell who was shaking more, and she couldn't help but think back to their time in the freezer when they were both holding onto Eddie.

"I don't want to die. I don't want to leave Wayne all alone," Eddie whispered softly. "I'm sorry."

Stop this son of a bitch!

Do as your mother says.

I love you.

Make him pay.

This isn't you, Nance.

Nancy let out a furious scream.

Chapter Thirty

[theoverseerau]

Uber's Hard Mode Part 5

for the sake of moving the plot along, we have skipped the first breaking floor puzzle and the first rock puzzle. leaving FRISK and CHARA in a large open room of the RUINS. a silver slot nearby them just large enough to crawl through. The majority of the floor before them is covered in cracked stone that the two are more then aware is unstable enough that they would fall through it if they don't step on the exact right spots. Of course, they don't care about this right now, because they are currently in the process of being jumped by a small armored figure with wings.

CHARA: *Whimsalot rushed in!

FRISK: Frisk sighs, the reality of how difficult things are going to continuing be is proven with this new encounter, it's not just funny changes anymore, it's actually much more deadly then before. looking at the CHECK options before them, they know there's two ways to approach this. but their mental state makes them feel compelled to press 'Pray' and go on one knee CHARA: *You kneel and pray for safety. FRISK: "Please... everything here is so scary now... I don't... know if I can make it though... please... stand down... CHARA: *Whimsalot remembers its conscience.

WHIMSALOT: "There's still hope." A ring of butterflies starts to circle around Frisk, two of them appear to be green in color. FRISK: Frisk smiles with relief and grabs one of the green butterflies, nodding with appreciation at the armored being before them.

CHARA: Whimsalot doesn't want to fight anymore.

FRISK: They happily press the SPARE option and watch as the color returns to the room around them "Ahh... with that done... I guess it's on to the big cracked floor puzzle." CHARA: "Yup... but you already know how this one goes." FRISK: "Indeed." They begin to walk confidently onto the cracked tiles.

CHARA: "Unless this puzzle is-" Frisk falls through the floor. "-Different then normal..." Because Chara is tied to Frisk, Chara ends up yanked into the bottom room after them

FRISK: "Ow... oh, the leaves are really different... probably should have seen that one coming.

CHARA: "Yeah, you should have. but hey, lets just try again."

FRISK: They turn to a silver colored shoot nearby and climb up, exiting out of the slot that they passed by earlier. they are caught off guard by seeing a Froggit nearby them

FROGGIT: "Ribbit Ribbit"

CHARA: "Give me a moment to translate... 'Watch your step next time, I don't want to fix another hole'"

FRISK: "Wait..." Frisk looks out at the cracked floor, and as it turns out, the hole they fell through is fixed. "Well... this is going to take a while..." They step onto the floor again, trying to remember where the leaves were located... but naturally, this takes more then just two attempts.

(attempt three) FROGGIT: "ribbit, ribbit." CHARA: "ehem... 'Puzzle maintenance isn't a joke you know.'"

(Attempt four) FROGGIT: "Ribbit."

CHARA: "err... 'the puzzle is doing its job just fine, but this thing is an antique, can you please solve it soon so I can take a break?'"

(Attempt five) FROGGIT: "Rib...bit."

CHARA: "dum-dee-dum... 'clearly, you have no respect for history.'"

FRISK: "do you have to translate the Froggit every time?"

CHARA: "yes. yes I do."

Luckily for Frisk, Chara never has to put that statement to the test more then they already have, as the next attempt at this puzzle goes swimmingly. The two enter the next room, which has a spike wall blocking the far exit and three rocks nearby buttons on the floor.

FRISK: "so, how do you think this one has changed?"

CHARA: "all three rocks will be sarcastic and resistant?"

FRISK: "yeah, that's what I think too." Frisk pushes the first rock, and it seems to act normally, then they push the second one and it does the same. while somewhat confused, they go to the third rock, touch it, and... instantly, the color drains, the buttons appear, and a fight starts.

CHARA: *Rock refuses to budge!

FRISK: Frisk is understandably caught off guard by this, but goes to ACT, followed by Check.

CHARA: *Rock: ATK 0 DEF 30. In soviet hard mode, rock pushes YOU!

ROCK: "Thought I'd just let you push me around, ehh?" No attack comes after this, oddly enough.

CHARA: *Smells like stones.

FRISK: Going back into the ACT menu, Frisk sees two options other then Check; Reason and Push. Frisk hovers over the Reason option, before instead deciding to see what happens if they just try to shove the rock.

CHARA: *You push the rock. it moves partway to the button.

ROCK: "Alright, you got me to budge, I'll give you that. But lets see how you like it!" The Rock uses magic to make smaller rocks that slide forward at Frisk.

FRISK: Frisk sidesteps for a few seconds, but one of the rocks catches the human off guard, this does no damage, but the attack ends right after the hit.

CHARA: *Rock has pushed you back where you started.

FRISK: Frisk understands how this fight works now, and pushes the rock again. Chara and the rock say the same things as before, but this time, Frisk is able to dodge the attack.

CHARA: *Rock keeps a stone face.

FRISK: With the rhythm now established, Frisk shoves the rock again.

CHARA: *You push the Rock. it is most of the way to the button.

ROCK: "Alright, more impressive. but you still got to prove yourself before I get shoved around without a fight!" The attack is the same as before, albeit with more rocks in a denser spread, unfortunately for the Rock, Frisk is prepared, and dodges this barrage just like the one before.

CHARA: *All rock, and no roll.

FRISK: You know the drill, Frisk shoves the Rock again.

CHARA: *You push the Rock, it is on the button now.

ROCK: "Alright, alright, you got me here, but can you keep me here?" Final round of stone attacks, denser then ever before, one close call... two close calls... and Frisk makes it through just barely!

CHARA: *Rock has accepted its fate.

FRISK: After breathing the second sigh of relief in the past few minutes, Frisk goes to MERCY followed by Spare, and backs away as the color returns to their surroundings.

CHARA: *You Won! you got 0 xp and 0 gold FRISK: They look at the Rock, which is now silent and on the button. "My goodness... that was something... and Napstablook is coming up too, not looking forward to that." Frisk walks past the place where the spikes used to be and enters the next room, staying on guard. the room is small and only contains a table with cheese on it, and a save point. which Frisk gladly places their hand on.

CHARA: *Knowing the mouse might one day leave its hole and get the cheese... It fills you with determination.

FRISK: "who knows, things are different this time, they might actually get it."

first: Here!

next: Here!

prev: Here!

the comic this blog is actually about: Here!

[arctrooper69]

Come Here Often? - Part 3

Third and final part. Hope you've enjoyed! Part 1 Part 2

Warnings: Brief descriptions of blood and injury, general canon violence, Commander Wolffe sass

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

The months after Umbara were hard for everyone. You learned that the blast from the fighter hadn’t hit you full force because you’d been able to deflect some of it with your saber. But it did shatter four of your ribs on the left side, puncturing your lung. You’d also taken quite a few pieces of shrapnel on your way down.

“You nearly died,” Master Plo had told you before on one of the nights he had sat by your beside in the Healing Halls of the Temple, “The clone medic saved your life. Thank the Force for him.”

You’d reconciled with Fives, cried with Rex, and hung around with the rest of the 501st when the Wolfpack was sent on missions that you weren’t ready to go on yet. It was true that in the weeks after you healed, you’d grown closer to the clone medic who saved your life. You’d taken to bringing him caf when you knew he was working late and he’d likewise bring you food when you got too caught up in your work to remember to eat. He was easy to talk to and you’d given him your personal coms if he ever wanted to talk with you about anything. He gladly reciprocated the offer and the two of you occasionally messaged back and forth. You wondered if Master Plo suspected how you felt about Kix. It was hard to hide your growing feelings but you thought that you were doing a good job. You used an encrypted coms channel to communicate and were always careful to guard your thoughts.

So far the interactions between the two of you had simply been those of friendship but you secretly wanted more and wondered if Kix felt the same. But now it felt like you might never know.

Kix’s company had joined the 104th in a mission on Felucia to rescue a kidnapped senator. The light of your saber glowed brightly in contrast with the quickly darkening sky as you spun and cut down Separatist battle droids beside Master Plo and Commander Wolffe. You should have known that Count Dooku was behind it all, but you hadn’t and now everything had gone to shit. Now, after rescuing the senator, you were forced to fight through enemy lines in order to reach the gunships waiting to pick you up. You glanced behind you at Kix who had stopped to help a fallen brother. He glanced up at you and nodded, an action that you took as saying “I’m ok, keep going.” Looking back, you wished you had stayed.

Finally, just when you thought you couldn’t go on much longer, you saw the gunships appear in the distance. “Oh thank the Force!” cried the senator. You silently agreed.

“Y/n stay with Commander Wolffe and take care of the rest of those droids!” commanded, Master Plo.

“Yes Master!” you replied. You ducked as a stray blaster bolt nearly took off your head. “Wolffe on your left!” you shouted as another two B2 droids tried to flank him. He shot them down with ease, nodding in thanks. The two of you made quick work of the rest of the droids before stepping onto the gunship. You breathed a sigh of relief as you looked around but the feeling was short lived. Something was wrong.

“Wait!” you froze, “Where’s Kix?”

“He was right behind me,” Sinker replied sadly, “there was an explosion.” You felt your chest tighten. Master Plo regarded you with sympathy. He put a hand on your shoulder, “I’m sorry, little one.”

You shook your head. “No! We have to go back!”

Commander Wolffe looked to General Plo for orders. Plo shook his head.

“I am sorry, y/n. If we stay any longer, the Separatist reinforcements will be here and I can’t risk the senator being recaptured.” You felt like your whole world was about to come crashing down. You didn’t care about hiding your emotions right now. “No. He saved my life, and I’m going to save his!”

“Y/n,” Master Plo said in a warning tone, but you had already made up your mind.

“Send another ship back for me after you leave!” you yelled behind you as you jumped from the gunship, lightsaber in hand, determined to save your friend.

“Y/n, no!” your master called. You didn’t listen. He turned to Commander Wolffe and sighed. “Follow her,” he commanded, “I will send a ship for you when we return. Make sure you both are on it.”

Wolffe nodded curtly, “Yes, General.”

You heard footsteps fast approaching behind you and you glanced back.

“What the kriff were you thinking!?” Wolffe growled, running up beside you. “You disobeyed a direct order!” His words didn’t have the usual bite to them but he was still angry. “Why would you go back for him? Why risk everything for a clone?” You didn’t answer him as you ran, scanning the battlefield frantically looking for Kix. You hoped to the Force that you’d find him kneeling by of his brothers. “Commander, look!” Wolffe shouted, “There!” He pointed towards a patch of brush a few hundred yards away and a cold dread filled your chest. You ran fast and slid to your knees beside the motionless clone. It was Kix.

“No no no,” you whispered to yourself, “please don’t be dead.” Wolffe knelt beside his fallen brother, “He’s alive. Unconscious but alive.”

“Thank you,” you told Wolffe softly. He clapped a hand on your shoulder.

“You’re welcome, kid.” He sighed and shook his head, pinching the bridge of his nose, “Just don’t ever kriffing do that again.”

Wolffe carefully slung his unconscious brother’s arm around his shoulders and grabbed onto his waist, lifting him from the ground with ease. “We’d better make good time, Commander,” he warned you, “those clanker reinforcements will be here any minute.” You nodded and lit up your lightsaber. The Commander shook his head and out of the corner of your eye you could have sworn you saw him smirk. He definitely suspected there was something going on but you had a feeling your secret would stay safe with him.

You got to the rendezvous point without any issues, only catching a few stray clankers which you and Commander Wolffe took care of with no problem at all. Wolffe lay Kix down on the floor of the gunship and sat back, giving you space to examine him. You weren’t a medic by any means but both you and the commander had a fair knowledge of battlefield first aid. Kix looked like he had hit his head hard in the explosion. With a small light you checked his pupils for reaction and pulled a few small bacta patches from his medical bag to treat the scrapes on his head. Kix groaned as you affixed the patch and grabbed at your arm. His eyes fluttered open looking up at you. “Kix!” you breathed in relief, “Maker, I thought you were kriffing dead!” He squeezed your hand and weakly grinned up at you, “You come here often?” You laughed, shaking your head at the running joke between you. Wolffe got up rolling his eyes, “I’ll be in the cockpit.” He paused before disappearing and smirked at Kix. “You’re a lucky man, Vod.”

You looked down at Kix, not able to help the tears of relief sliding down your face. He reached up and brushed them away, “I sure am.” You leaned down, placing a kiss on his forehead and looked over towards the cockpit Wolffe had disappeared to. “You know,” you said with a chuckle, “I think that’s the first time I’ve ever seen him smile.”

[kikokus]

Sanji Since the Time-Skip, Part Eight (Chapters 810-813)

…So it’s been almost nine years. I’ve recently gotten back into One Piece and am caught up with the manga again, and since I’ve had some requests to continue this series (and there’s obviously been a lot of Sanji content in that time!) I thought I might as well go and do that!

This covers the few chapters of Zou but there’s actually a lot of great Sanji character moments within those four chapters so it seemed to make sense to keep it as its own section. As before, standard disclaimers apply.

[Part One] // [Part Two] // [Part Three] // [Part Four] // [Part Five] // [Part Six] // [Part Seven]

Let’s see if I still remember how to do this...

So not only does everyone seemingly accept that Sanji’s the obvious choice to fill the position of captain in Luffy’s absence, there’s actually an entire chapter named after ‘his’ crew which really emphasizes the point that we’re supposed to look at him as taking that leadership role for the time being.

And, because of that, most of the examples in this part have something to do with Sanji stepping into said leadership role, and that starts here once they can clearly see the city’s been destroyed and Sanji’s first reaction is to leave the others behind where it’s at least relatively safe and go off by himself to make sure he doesn’t put them in any danger.

Chopper threatens Caesar a lot during this part as well but with Sanji here you can tell how much emotion there is behind his words and how angry he is because at this point it’s not even a request anymore, it’s just an order. I really do like how this is set up because the reveal with Sanji’s new wanted poster being ‘only alive’ is before this, but there’s really no other indication as to what that means and once you find out more about his birth family it makes sense why he’s able to take charge as easily as he does. 

But for as emotional as he’d been with Caesar, he recovers very quickly here and is the only one to point out that they shouldn’t let their guards down just because it seems like the enemy's gone. Caesar also tries to deter him from deciding to help the Minks by painting them as hostile towards humans and really, all Sanji has to go on right now is Law’s word that his crew is there so he has to make a decision on the spot as to whether trying to save them is a good idea.

Sanji being observant is nothing new but at least in this case we really don’t see what Wanda’s holding until he warns Nami so it’s revealing it to us as readers, too.

I like that this is stated so plainly because the last time we saw Sanji he was very adamant about escaping with Caesar and not letting Big Mom get her hands on him since that was the promise he made to Law, but now that Doflamingo’s been taken care of he sees that as going along with the fulfillment of said promise. He’s also obviously weighing the option of whether or not Caesar’s worth all of the potential trouble both to his crew and to the Minks (and being snarky while doing it, which I always appreciate.)

Though I think he quickly realizes that it’s not quite that simple as just handing Caesar over and being left in peace, and I feel like by this point it’s probably hard to keep track of all the people Luffy’s picked a fight with but Big Mom’s obviously a significant one and Sanji’s not ignoring that.

This is about the most authoritative we see him when it comes to giving orders and it’s very brusque while also keeping Nami and Chopper safe and shutting down any sort of wild ideas Caesar might have. The focus on the panel of him looking down at Bege and giving that little cocky nod is also some pretty great foreshadowing but has another purpose in showing us how easily he can slip into that sort of role when it’s needed.

Sanji doesn’t really have to say this because conceivably this negotiation doesn’t involve the Minks outside of Pekoms being there but once again it speaks to his inherent kindness that he doesn’t want to cause them any more trouble after what they’ve already been through.

This is more just about how well Sanji knows Luffy and knows that he would never agree to becoming a subordinate of one of the Yonko, but at this point I think he’s still trying to find a way for all of them (except Caesar) to get out of there safely. It’s also interesting that earlier we get Brook talking about vaguely about the Vinsmoke family and Nami remembering that Sanji had told them before he was born in the North Blue so it wasn’t as if he was afraid to share that part of his past, but that was as much as he was willing to divulge.

Sanji’s expressions in this chapter are so telling, and I think it’s very effective considering that we don’t know exactly what’s happening but we can tell from his reactions how serious it is and because he’s not saying anything one way or the other that’s all we have to go on. But this is where it turns from him wanting to escape with everyone to him realizing that, now that he’s been told Zeff’s in danger, that’s no longer an option and it’s more about getting the others out instead. There’s a panel directly after where he lights a cigarette which is a very classic ‘I need some time to think’ move from him as well.

That little sad smile says so much…he’s accepted his fate and is saying goodbye in the only way he knows how, and I think he’s being honest here: he never intended to hide anything because, for him, he’s left that part of his past behind and cut all ties with his family so he didn’t consider it a factor or something to dwell on but now circumstances have made it impossible to ignore.

His dialogue goes with what I was saying earlier but I really put this here because it shows him using Observation Haki again and while he can’t say for sure that it’s the Minks, he knows they’re likely the most powerful beings left on the island and he’s willing to take that chance if it means getting the others to safety. I’ll also point out that through this entire section he never even tries to frame it as just ‘getting Nami out’; he wants all of them out of there and goes so far as to hug them (even if it’s with the excuse of making it easier to toss them all out at once).

Sanji’s definitely taking a chance here but even with the little he’s been told about the current situation it’s one he can afford to take because it’s not as if he doesn’t know what Judge is like and he can already infer that Big Mom has some sort of use for Caesar so threatening him is about the easiest way to make his point and gain the upper hand for just long enough to do what he needs to.

And I think Sanji’s also banking on Bege being smart enough to realize that, too (which he does) so while there was a lot that could have gone wrong he’s managed to accomplish his goal of making sure the rest of the crew is safe. If you look closely at some of the panels in this section there’s these little double curved lines around Sanji which are usually an indication of trembling/shivering but even though he’s obviously emotional he’s still holding it together enough to at least make it seem like he’s in control.

I’ve seen some comments that after so long Sanji should know the crew would back him up regardless of what trouble he’s in but Sanji’s nothing if not consistently self-sacrificial and this time, because it’s dealing with a part of his life that’s existed since long before he met any of them, I think he truly does see it as something he needs to do on his own. His smile still hurts me, though.

…And that’s the end of this section! That…probably went on longer than it needed to but I guess it proves that almost a decade later I still have a lot to say about Sanji so please feel free to like/reblog if you found this interesting at all and we’ll…see about working on the next part…

[clubwnderland]

⤷⋆⋆ 𝑮𝒐𝒏𝒆 𝑴𝒊𝒔𝒔𝒊𝒏𝒈 ♡

[pt one][pt two][pt three][pt four][pt five]

[This plot contains abuse, death, gaslighting, violence, kidnapping, and mentions of SA, injuries and blood. Read at your own risk]

TWELVE DAYS MISSING

Irene and Chris wait for what feels like an eternity, Doom taking its time to think about what it's going to do. It flips the pages of Jangmi's book, silent as it reads and Irene has to keep Chris from saying something to get it moving. She would really like for her boyfriend to come home with her and not end up squashed by a giant God.

They wait with bated breath as Doom snaps the book shut and brings its attention back to them. "You're willing to give me anything I want just so I would save this unremarkable hybrid's life?" It notices the way Chris tenses next to Irene and rephrases what it had said, "other than your life or the life of another. You, the Queen of Hell, are willing to owe a debt to a God for this creature?"

"Yes," Irene nods, "she's loved and missed. She shouldn't be in this position."

"You failed her." It's not an accusatory comment, more so an observation based on Jangmi's story. Irene nods again, her head bowed slightly as she looks at the floor. "You may head back to Earth." It places Jangmi's book back where it belongs and doesn't turn to look at them, "remember, you are obligated to fulfil any request I make."

Bowing, Irene is quick to thank the God while Chris looks both worried about Irene and extremely annoyed it took so long to come to a decision. Though, he doesn't get to say anything as a rift opens nearby and Doom silently dismisses them. "So what now?" He asks once they've stepped through the rift, clutching Irene's hand tightly, and exiting it in Irene's office.

She's silent, looking at the closed door where everyone is waiting on the other side, waiting for answers that she's not sure she can provide. Giving Chris' hand a gentle squeeze, she looks at him and he can see the exhaustion settling in, the weight of the last two weeks sitting heavy on her shoulders. "I don't know..." She whispers, knowing the others will hear that they are back. "I really don't."

JEON JANGMI: FOUND

'Please. Save me...' This is the only thought that runs through her mind as another set of hands glide down her sides and grip her waist. Jangmi wants to throw up, wants to scream and bite and kick and fight her way out of this situation but she knows what will happen if she does that.

Discipline.

More bruises that take days to heal, more meals missed as they starve her and keep her barely conscious until she learns her lesson, and more training sessions in private with her Master. Things she can't bear to go through again so she swallows down the bile and pushes through, chanting her mantra over and over again as if wishes came true.

They do. Maybe not in the way we expect them or want them to but eventually, wishes do come true and they can take you by surprise when they do.

Shouting sounds from outside of the room followed by gunshots which causes the music to stop and has Jangmi backing away from the man who was trying to pull her closer. "What's going on?" Her Master yells, indicating for the security guards standing at the doors to check but before they can, the doors burst open and fire erupts from the hallway.

A man... no, he can't be a man, he's far too tall for that, a creature nearly as tall as the ceiling walks through the doors, covered in dark metallic armour. The flames follow behind him, as if controlled, as he stops to stand just in front of the doorway and looks around the room. Everyone is too shocked to move except for Jangmi, who is trying to put as much distance between herself and whatever has interrupted the party.

She can feel his eyes fall on her as a deep voice erupts around the room, nearly shaking the walls. "Jeon Jangmi."

The hybrid covers her ears, trying to make herself as small as possible while her Master calls for the guards to do something, determined to make sure his prized possession isn't taken from him once more. Loud screams and the extremely potent smell of burning flesh begin to fill the room as the security guards burst into flames before they manage to pull their guns out.

It happens in slow motion, the way everyone moves, tries to run away before their bodies begin to ignite with the giant walking through them without a care. He doesn't pay any attention to the billionaires and businessmen dying around him, calling for help as they fall to the ground and roll around to try and put themselves out but soon, one by one, they all succumb to their doom. Jangmi remains in her spot, feeling the heat all around her, the smell burning her nose as she coughs and gags due to the intensity and the screams, even with her ears covered, the screams will remain imprinted in her nightmares.

She feels a hand grip her wrist, her Master trying one last attempt at escaping with her but the fox doesn't budge, determined to die here like this rather than try and outrun whatever Hell is coming for her.

That's what she's accepted, that this is Hell coming to finally claim her.

"Little... bitch..." Her Master chokes out, the smoke causing his lungs to scream for air as he gives up his tugging and tries to run away. "I'll find you again, I'll always-" His words are cut short by his coughing, his hands reach for his throat to clutch at the flesh as if that'll relieve his suffering. Choking sounds echo throughout the room, mixed with the broken sobs coming from Jangmi as she takes a look at what is happening.

The old man is on his knees, clutching at his throat as his skin bubbles, boils bursting from the wrinkled skin causing bleeding, hideous wounds to cover him. Deep marks show up on his body, blood and pus ruining his suit as she notices every single injury he ever caused her is taken out on his brittle body repeatedly. She may not see them, may not ever know they are there but the marks around his neck and wrists from when he would tie her up too tight to punish her, leaving her with scars that still mar her body today are clear on his decaying flesh.

He's dying. Rapidly. With every injury inflicted, his body slowly decays until he is nothing more than bare bones on the ground.

Fire envelopes the room, the unrelenting flames wanting to overtake all evidence inside as her vision turns black. The events before her were too much for her to handle and her mind shut down, accepting she was next.

The last thing Jangmi sees before her head hit the ground is the large figure walking slowly towards her, crushing the bones beneath his large feet.

JEON JANGMI: HOME

There is commotion as soon as Doom enters the room, everyone is talking, arguing and fighting amongst themselves because how could they leave her life in the hands of a God who doesn't care whether she lives or dies. Irene argues that it was going to do it - even though the words were never explicitly said, it still implied it.

However, the moment the God entered the room, holding a limp Jangmi in his arms, the room went silent.

"The hybrid has been returned." Doom speaks and even though it spoke as quietly as it could - the depth of his voice still rumbled the small fox in his arms, causing her brow to furrow. Placing her down on a leather couch that is probably more comfortable than where she has been sleeping for nearly two weeks, Doom moves away, allowing the others to crowd her, before looking at Irene. "I will collect, Irene, Queen of Hell."

Nothing more is said before the God leaves the room and Irene stumbles back slightly, caught in Chris' arms as she allows herself to finally relax.

"Bringing her to the place across the hall from where she was kidnapped? Smart move." A low growl comes from the older wolf which only has Chris chuckling. "I'm just saying."

Her head is throbbing, she can hear muffled voices as her stiff body begins to move and then, as her mind recalls everything that happened, a scene begins to play that causes her to bolt upright and move as quickly as she can away from those around her. Jangmi doesn't register anything, she doesn't register where she is, or who it is who surrounds her, all she knows is that the last thing she remembers is everything on fire.

"Jangmi-" She bites the hand that reaches for her, trying to calm her down, before rushing away and growling at those closest to her. "Ah, fuck!" Jongin shakes his hand, the wound healing quickly since it was her only giving a warning. She has nowhere to run, trapped in the corner of the living room, and the men around her are moving closer so she shifts, turning into a small white fox. Jangmi sees an opening and rushes for the small gap under the couch where nothing can touch her.

There's a deep chuckle coming from one of her captors but she doesn't recognise it. Even if she's safe inside Jongin's place surrounded by wolves, Jangmi isn't able to process that after what had happened before she passed out. She's still living in fight or flight mode and all she can think is - did someone else take her? Did her old owner come back for her when she passed out? No... she saw him... she saw him die... but then...

"Pretty little fox," a voice calls for her, something familiar, a dream trying to trick her mind to feel safe because she's terrified, backed into a corner and relying on her instincts to keep her alive. Chan is there, calling for her but she can't trust anything. How can she know she's safe? "Come here, hm?" She growls and barks at the man, showing her fangs to keep him away.

This place is danger. There's conflict in her mind, the voices, the scents, the scenery are all familiar but she's still on high alert because how can she be here, there's no way she's home. That's what her brain is telling her, that wherever she is, she's not safe here, that it's not what it seems which means 'whoever' they are - they aren't safe either.

"See, I told you so." Someone else says, laughing when met with a low groan. "Move aside, I'll get her out."

"How are you meant to get her out? She doesn't even know you." Jongin is ignored as Chris heads over to the fridge and comes back, crouching down like Chan had done before.

Another face eventually comes into her view as Jangmi barks, backing away as far as she can go. "Come on, foxie." He extends his hand out, a couple slices of ham in between his fingers as he makes soft clicking noises with his tongue. She still growls, nose twitching at the smell of food and her stomach tightens with hunger. "It's okay, you can have it. I got some more if you're a good girl for me and eat it."

She inches closer, just enough to get the meat and pulls away as soon as it's in her mouth, devouring it hungrily. It takes a while, Chris coming back with more ham, enticing with the food, before eventually Jangmi warms up enough to nuzzle his hand and allow him to help her out of her hiding place and into his arms.

There's a small clap coming from Channie while Jongin stands next to him, shocked and pissed at seeing Chris' smug expression. "How?"

Chris shrugs, looking at the three Alphas as he coos softly and scratches the now purring fox's belly. "She must like me better." He says simply before laughing. His laugh slightly startles her, causing Jangmi to wriggle in his hold, hiding her face into the crook of his arm before he immediately settles her down once more. She doesn't know why, even when danger is ringing in the back of her mind, she doesn't know why she feels relaxed. Chris feels... safe. Comforting. His scent isn't scary like all the other scents around her so in her fox brain, Chris isn't going to hurt her.

While in Chris' arms, Jangmi slowly starts to realise that the others around her are the same, that they aren't figments of her imagination and that she really is safe. Home... maybe a little to close to it than she likes but she's with those who make her feel at home.

That's close enough for her.

"I thought you'd feel okay here." Jongin says as he rubs his hand over his face. He feels pretty shit for bringing her here, not wanting to look at Chris when Jangmi says that she thought she had been kidnapped again due to Jongin's apartment being a mirror to her own.

She doesn't want him to feel bad, she knows that Jongin thought this place would be good because it's his place so she tries to smile at him reassuringly, "I'm sorry, I know you were only thinking of me... I just... I can't... can we please go... I don't want to be here." She gives his hand a slight tug, pleading for them to leave.

A hand lands on the small of her back, causing her to jump before she looks at Chan, noticing the look of concern and hurt on his face from his reaction as he removes his touch. "Do you want to come stay at mine, little fox?" Chan suggests, looking at her before Jongin and Channie. "You can all come stay for a bit while she gets better, I have the space and that way she'll always feel safe."

Jongin looks at her, nodding his head before going to pull her into a hug but Jangmi instinctively steps away, moving towards Chris as she hugs herself. "I- I'm sorry... it's just..." Tears slide down her cheeks as everyone looks at her. She can feel all their eyes on her and it makes her feel so small. Helpless. She wants to feel okay with them again, to be as physically receptive as she usually is but right now... "I'm dirty..." Jangmi says this so softly that she isn't sure if they heard her.

They did and they all know that she's not speaking about needing a shower.

It breaks Jongin's heart seeing her like this and not being able to do anything to help her right now. His boyfriend takes his hand, allowing his closeness help the older settle. "We'll be right there with her, Nini. Chan said so. We'll help her, okay?"

Jangmi knows they all understand, as Chris leads her to Chan's car with Chan following behind, she knows they don't hold it against her. Every time she tenses from the closeness she used to so readily accept, they tell her it's okay, it's not her fault and she tries to believe it. "You'll get there, little fox." Chan whispers softly as they wait for Jongin and Channie to come back with some of her clothes and favourite plushies, "we're here to help you through this, okay?"

She nods her head because she knows it's true, that she'll be okay and that they are right there beside her. Now, she just needs to believe it.

[holyhappyhour]

A Beautiful Monstrosity part 1

It's just around dawn when Nico Martin gets home. But that's not exactly unusual.

It's been, what? Not even two years since their last full moon patrol, a mere blink of an eye in the grand scheme of their extended life. But they give an exhausted sigh, their legs heavy as lead as they climb the four or five steps to their brownstone town house.

They aren't just out of practice, though. Even their busiest nights on the beat couldnt have prepared them for this weekend.

At least it's almost over. One more night, and they can resume their quiet desk job, writing their reports, filing their expenses documents, scripting explanations to the public for the week's spike in violence.

The moment the heavy, enchanted door closes behind them, their sturdy shoulders slump, their guard dropping along with their polite, signature smile.

A fluffy white cat greets them as they peel off their shoes to relax their aching feet. "Hello Bijou, yes, I know, I know. It's past dinner time, isn't it?" they coo affectionately.

In the security of their own home, Nico falls into familiar patterns. They feed Bijou, but find little appetite themself. Instead, they drag themself up the stairs to draw a hot bath in an attempt to wash the evening off them.

Four frenzies would have been a busy weekend, back when they worked the field. They'd responded to no fewer just that night. But at least they hadn't had to face some awful Monstrosity, like the night before....

They stay in the bath until it's cold. But they still don't quite feel clean as they crawl into bed behind the thick, black curtains of their room.

----

It's well into the afternoon when Nico wakes again, naked and groggy still. But they drag themself from bed and stretch, before wrapping themself in a long, satin robe. A fine luxury justified by the way that every muscle in their body aches as they move.

Finally, they have to eat. But a liquid breakfast is more than enough for today. And most days, really. Other nutrients are unnecessary for them, after all.

They drop a LifeBlood tablet into a glass of cabernet sauvingnon and give the glass a swirl, idly watching fizzy bubbles rise to the top as the tablet dissolves.

As they sip, Nico leans against the kitchen counter, watching their tiny back garden from the tinted window. A sunny day. An inside day. For the better, they still have another night of patrol to rest up for after all. They should get started on their reports, their version of each of the previous night's events for their higher-ups' satisfaction. Maybe they can find some time for needlepoint, or to read a bit--

Mm. That's weird.

They rub their stomach, frowning slightly at the glass in their hand. Yet they take another sip, even as they take the bottle to check the expiration date on their Life Blood supply. Satisfied with that, they pass the indigestion off as a symptom of a long and exhausting shift. Take their glass with them as they move to their living room to relax.

But the floral wallpaper swims and squirms in Nico's vision. Their head pulses. Their heart is racing now. The glass shakes though they hold it now in both hands. Their mouth feels dry, and they can't help but take another long, greedy sip of their wine and Life Blood.

Their head pulses again.

Their red eyes go wide

The glass shatters against the floor.

They know this feeling.

But the realization comes far too late, unfortunately. Their pulse is deafening in their ears as they brace themself against a doorframe. Trying to think through the panic.

They swear they see their skin begin to blister and boil and bubble, turning black before their eyes. Maybe they're just delusional from the oncoming frenzy.

Their phone.

Racing to the kitchen, they fight against all their hunger, all the wild instincts telling them to scream and tear and bite and feed. Their legs give out the moment they scoop their phone from the counter where they'd left it, and the device skids across the tile floor. Their fingers split open as they frantically reach for it, talons bursting from their nailbeds as a scream tears itself from the wide, toothy mouth of Charybdis that Nico's own twists into.

Somehow, they manage to touch the screen. Talons scrape the glass as they press their most recent contact. But as black tentacles burst from their spine, they can do nothing but scream, giving in to Monstrosity.

[myfavouritelunatic]

The Blacksmith

Strap in folks, this one is full on. And I do hope you enjoy it! 😊

Pairing: Halbrand/Sauron x Female Reader

Word Count: 3.7k

Warnings: Lots of VIOLENCE. Minor character death.

Links to Chapter One, Two, Three, Four, Five, Six, Seven, Eight, Nine, Ten, Eleven, Twelve, Thirteen, Fourteen, Fifteen, Sixteen, Seventeen, Eighteen, Nineteen, Twenty, Twenty-One, Twenty-Two, Twenty-Three, Twenty-Four, Twenty-Five, Twenty-Six, Twenty-Seven, Twenty-Eight, Twenty-Nine, and Thirty!

Chapter Thirty-One

The three of you scrambled quickly into the jail, hurrying along the torchlit pathways to the king and the she-elf. Six feet sprinting on the stone drowned out whatever conversation the two had been having, as Halbrand turned to face the commotion headed his way. "What is it, my love?" "Orcs have breached the city!" you revealed, trying not to panic. "They are advancing… towards the city centre, my lord." announced Theo, panting.

"And we will stop them before they get there." declared the king, beginning to storm down the hallway and in to battle. Though he stopped when he noticed you didn't follow. You watched as he swiftly turned back, and you were unable to prevent yourself from admiring the way the light danced off his crown. "We cannot leave Galadriel like this. We have to set her free." you pointed out, much to his chagrin. Clearly things had not transpired in a way Halbrand would have liked. "The elf can fend for herself. She's more than capable."

"Halbrand." Your tone was serious, and laced with frustration. "There is no time to argue. Release her." "If it's what the queen wishes." he conceded, calling loudly for the guards. The jailers rushed in, acting upon your request to uncage Galadriel. Your eyes connected with the she-elf, the tiniest of smiles creeping into her visage as she stepped out from behind the iron bars. "How do you know I won't kill him?" "I don't. But I have faith." Your words caused Galadriel's smile to widen a moment, sending a surge of hope through you.

"I shall require the return of my sword." she demanded, glaring at Halbrand again. The king nodded at the guards who ran off ahead of you as you all began to make your way out of the jail. By the time you reached the exit, they were standing there, holding Galadriel's sword aloft for her to claim. She bowed her head at them respectfully as she grasped the hilt, returning it to its rightful sheathed place at her hip. The king and the commander shared knowing glances before you all sprinted out into the night air in the direction of the carnage.

"Mother and Arondir have secured those who cannot fight in the hall where you were married. It's the largest building in the city, and the most fortified." Theo informed you as you inched closer to the fighting, the sounds of orcs growling now clear to your ears. Halbrand called out your name, "Take Olwenna to the hall! Help keep our people safe!"

"No! I'm not leaving you to go into another battle. Not again." Your mind was made up and he was not going to change it. He smirked at you as he watched you pull out your dagger from between the soft fabrics of your dress. You looked at Olwenna, searching for an understanding of what you were all about to walk in to. "I can fight, if I have to. Besides, it is where Garion will be."

The words barely passed her lips as a small group of orcs rounded the corner, their weapons at the ready. Halbrand and Galadriel lead the attack, and you watched with stunned awe and admiration as the two of them made quick work of the filthy creatures, gutting them with ease, black blood spilling onto the dirt. You could have watched them fight for hours you were so transfixed, Galadriel moving with such effortless agility, her sword striking every blow she intended, and Halbrand's brute force a mixture of slashing and kicking, using his body as an extension of the weapon he wielded. Though an enemy entering your proximity snapped you out of your trance. Olwenna gasped from behind you as she watched you drive your dagger into the orcs chest before pulling it out to slit it's throat.

Moving further into the city, past the hall that had been a place of joy only hours before, you saw now it was barricaded by wood and bodies, men ready to defend their people. Just up ahead you could hear the whistle of Arondir's arrows as he launched them into every orc in his eyeline. His elven vision a remarkable asset in keeping back the enemy, though few orcs were penetrating closer within his gaze. Bronwyn was not too far ahead, standing her ground against all who tried to best her, slicing the creatures limb from limb with her swift motions. Halbrand and Galadriel charged crying out into the fray, with the she-elf defending a hefty blow before it could land on Bronwyn's legs.

You noticed how the lady of the Southlands responded to being saved by the one she had caged. Displeased but grateful all the same, as she accepted the arm Galadriel had offered out to her. The two women nodded silently at each other, coming to terms with their circumstances. Theo joined his mother's side then, an embrace quickly shared, before they began to fight together, Galadriel's sword gleaming impressively in the young boy's hands. Striking down another orc, you spotted Halbrand and Arondir working together to bring a pack of them down. Any orc that still charged upon being struck by an arrow, your love would remove its head. Arondir could not help but eye the king with suspicion, appearing to remain convinced by Galadriel. You wondered then if the outcome of this battle would affect the tensions between those that held onto them.

The crowd of men and women who chose to fight surged through then, rising to meet the orcs who were swarming like locusts ever closer to the hall. Olwenna had picked up a long piece of blunt metal one of the enemy had discarded, and began to use it to defend herself. You and she fought side by side for a time, finding yourself impressed by her novice abilities. Though you yourself were not much better, and a stray blow managed to land on your leg, slicing through your dress and into your skin, a pained cry escaping you as you stumbled to the ground. It wasn't life threatening, but it still stung, and you gazed down as the pearl white silk began to mix lightly with the red liquid from within you.

Halbrand came rushing over upon hearing your suffering, and you looked up from your place in the dirt as he carried out his wrath upon the creature that would dare injure his queen, it's black blood dripping, mixing with your own blood on the fabric. Your king removed his sword from the orc by lifting it upward, splitting it open all the way from gut to skull. He then offered you his blood stained hand, which you took, feeling the warm liquid oozing over your skin. As you rose to your feet once more, your mind flashed with the image from the dream your mother had given you. Your hands, covered in blood. Shaking yourself free of the sight, you launched with your love back into battle, yourself now picking up an orc weapon from the ground, desiring to inflict more damage on your enemies than your dagger was capable of.

Though not all blood that ran upon Middle-earth this day was black. The bodies of the less skilled citizens of Pelargir were beginning to pile up. Even Galadriel herself could not prevent this, you saw as she avenged a man and woman who had just been struck dead by an orcs twisted blade. Casualties on both sides, just like any war ever fought. "Garion!" It was then Olwenna spotted her husband, and you followed her gaze to find him along with Padrig, chasing after some orcs in the distance. Your friend took off without warning, and you exchanged a look with Halbrand, letting him know you were going after her. He nodded and returned to the pack of orcs at his feet, the last thing you saw his sword slaying their rotten flesh.

Running after Olwenna, you kept your sword high in case of any surprise advances. "Garion! Padrig!" she called out to them again, succeeding this time in catching their attention. Though unfortunately, this success could not have been more ill timed. For it was at that moment an orc jumped Padrig, slicing him across the back. You and Olwenna shrieked at the sight, watching then as Garion acted quickly to prevent the creature from killing his nephew. After a few blows, he had him on the ground, with you reaching the scene in time to land the final strike. "Where did the rest of them go?" you asked the man who was shaking with adrenaline.

"Not sure, they were too quick for us. Possibly rounded back to the main group near the hall." supposed Garion, not in control of his composure. "Padrig, are you alright boy?" "I'll be okay, uncle." declared the young man, returning to his feet. "Can you walk?" "Yes, I think so." "Then take your aunt and make for the hall." Garion commanded. "But uncle-" "Now!" "I can still fight!" pleaded Padrig. "Now is not the time to question me, boy! Go!"

Padrig clutched onto Olwenna, who glanced at her husband and then at you, holding your gaze a moment longer. "I'll see you again, remember? Go." you assured her with a comforting smile. She then turned and ran back towards the hall with her nephew. The moment they were out of sight everything changed. Your skull suddenly ached fiercely, your vision blurring. Falling to your knees you acknowledged the blunt hit to your head. "Garion?" you called out in a haze. "Are you alright?" Losing the ability to remain upright, you slumped to the ground fully, body sprawled across the paved road. Your eyelids heavy, concussion setting in, you forced yourself to locate Garion. It wasn't long before he came into view, his tall rugged form standing over you. In his hand he held his sword, though it was hilt not blade that faced you. A hilt that was dripping with blood.

Raising your hand to where the pain emanated, diadem slipping off, a dampness found your fingers. Your brow furrowed in confusion as you moved it to the front of your vision, confirming what you could not believe. Garion had struck you. "What…" The fogginess of your mind was causing you to struggle to form full sentences, your brain felt as if it was pulsating against your skull. Garion let his sword fall to the ground, its loud clang on the stone a second blow, causing you to wince loudly.

"You destroyed my home. Killed my sister. Forced me from my homeland." Garion's accusations made no sense, concussion or not. "You brought the mountain down upon us. You brought my world to ruin! You and that… evil beast!" His loud and booming voice pained your ears greatly, and once that pain began to subside… you heard the truth in his words. "Please… Galadriel does not know all… of which she speaks…" you attempted to reach him and rise from the earth. You failed at both. The blood from your wound was slowly dripping onto the road. Using all the strength you could, you forced yourself upright onto your knees, compromising with your injury. "Garion… we did not wish... what happened to you… to come to pass. I swear it."

"Silence!" he screamed at you, his anger unable to prevent tears from pooling in his eyes. "We took you in! Shared our food with you… I let that thing near our children… how could you lie to us?" "Because we were afraid of this! How you are reacting now. We saved your lives, we did not ask for your charity. You gave it freely. And we accepted because… we wanted to prove… that we are capable of more than destroying lives." Garion's fist met your cheek, and you were on the ground again, blood now spurting from your mouth. "That's for the village you and Hal wiped out." He stood over you, panting, his rage truly overcoming him. "How selfish are the two of you… to kill that many people… then risk our lives on the mere chance you wouldn't do it again! Every second that you were around us… could have been our last."

So here it was. The retribution had finally come for you. You should have known your happiness was not to last. No being commits the vile things you and Halbrand did without consequence. Was this to be the end? Is this what the vision your mother had supplied you truly meant? Heading southward meant death, and at the hands of Galadriel. For it was she who told Garion, Olwenna, all of your friends who you and Halbrand truly were. What you had done. Garion would strike the final blow, but it would be the she-elf holding the blade. Just like in your vision.

"And to make matters worse… now you are both crowned king and queen of the Southlands?" Garion laughed, almost maniacally. "Have you seen what is left of your precious Southlands? The air is almost unbreathable. The plants, animals are dying or dead. The smoke is so thick that night is ever eternal. Those lands were once thriving and fruitful, we were beginning to make right the misdeeds of our forefathers… My lands… which you have no claim to… Númenórean." he spat the name of your home, your race as if it were a slur, a curse so foul upon his tongue.

Garion was bringing out your own anger now. "You should return to your filthy island and stay there. The both of you. Leave Middle-earth be!" Filthy. He called Númenor filthy. Insulting your home land as if it were a place filled with scum, putrid and rancid. You could feel the darkness stirring within you, that fire that eternally burned within your spirit, never extinguished, only embers, but embers enough for flames to rage once more. Your breathing sped up, body shaking, and pushing through the throbbing pain in your head, you rose rinally from the ground to stand against Garion, face to face. Your sword, still a weapon of orc forging, gripped so tightly in your right hand that your palm sweated and knuckles whitened.

Suddenly you heard your name shouted from behind you. Spinning around, feeling your body burning with intensity, Halbrand entered your sight, a stern expression on his face. He strode swiftly towards where you and Garion stood, a man of battle, his tunic stained in orc blood, specks of which were splattered across his crown. "What is going on?" he inquired, confused. Garion picked up his sword in response, raising it as soon as Halbrand was within range. "Stop right there. Hal."

"He knows." You practically growled the words, not recognising your own voice. "They all know." "That she-elf is more trouble than she is worth sometimes." Halbrand stated, only half joking. "She had every right to tell us the truth, which is more than you did! The way you both reacted that night you raced away from the inn… then when the elf introduced herself to us the next day… the two events were not hard to connect." "Garion… we mean no harm." spoke Halbrand, attempting to calm the man, his right arm raising in the air as if to steady him. "Then why did you flee?"

"Enough talking!" you screamed. "You insult my home land and mean to take my life! I shall best you and take yours first!" You lunged your weapon to strike Garion, but Halbrand effortlessly stopped your blade before it landed. He did not let go of it, despite the force you were applying, despite the blood that began to emerge from his hand. Your eyes darted to his, and you smiled malevolently. "Come on… what's one more?" "No." Halbrand's tone was soft but firm. "Come back to the light, my love. Garion is our friend, Olwenna's husband. We will not harm him." "'Friend'?" the man practically burst out laughing. "You are monsters. You are not my friends."

"See? He is a lost cause, Halbrand. He cannot be allowed to live." Your darkness was winning again, and you didn't care. It needed to be sated, and that required Garion's blood. "Did you not see what he did to me?" Sword still aimed at your new enemy, you turned to reveal your face to Halbrand fully, exposing the bloody wound that covered the left side of your skull. It seems the shadow of the night had concealed it from even his sight. You watched as the black pupils of his eyes instantly shifted from circles to slits, and without even glancing in his direction, he clasped Garion by the throat.

The shadow around the three of you seemed to expand beyond its natural borders, with no rays of nearby fire or torchlight penetrating it. The air fell eerily silent, though the cries of man and orc alike could still be heard in the distance, but now it sounded a distance worlds away. Halbrand's eyes became rimmed with red, and veins that were usually hidden surfaced around them, his fair face giving way to the sinister creature beneath his skin. You couldn't help but smile, relishing the knowledge of the darkness taking hold of you both. It was very freeing.

Halbrand slowly turned his head to finally stare at Garion, who made a shocked sound amongst the noises of his struggling against the grip of your dark lord. "You would harm my queen?" Halbrand bellowed, and suddenly the air was filled with wind cascading past you both, blowing your hair behind you. "If you wanted to kill her, perhaps you should have struck in success the first time. Pathetic." Without warning or hesitation, Halbrand squeezed Garion's neck until you heard the unnerving sound of bones cracking. You saw the light leave his eyes in an instant. Halbrand tossed the man's body on the stone road, his once friendly eyes now gazing up at the stars his spirit was surely now headed for. But you were not satisfied. Stepping over Garion's corpse, you drove the sword into his torso repeatedly, blood splashing. Gutting him like an orc might.

"None of these orcs have your strength, my love. One must take precautions." you explained. Halbrand smirked at you. "Clever girl." The two of you let your weapons drop, the shadow around you retreating to its normal state, and your bodies collided in a fit of passion, tasting each others tongues. Halbrand moaned into your mouth, his hunger for you clear. Then upon hearing the still screaming battle that was raging nearby, you released yourself from his lips. "We should rejoin the fight. Let the people see their king and queen victorious over these orcs who would dare threaten us." You spotted your diadem on the ground, gleaming in the torch light that had now returned. Picking it up, Halbrand took it gently from you, placing it back where it belonged. "Shall we, your majesty?"

"With pleasure." you grinned as he passed you back your sword. You both ran quickly back to the front of the hall, noticing the number of orcs had declined, yet they were not retreating. Fighting until the bitter end it seemed, lest they disappoint their master. It was curious that Adar was nowhere to be found, given what you knew about his hatred for elves, men, and Sauron himself. Perhaps he had not yet discovered Halbrand's true identity. Or perhaps he was back at the mountain, scheming something greater with which to strike.

Though, as much as it appeared your side was winning, the battle was not over yet. As soon as you both re-entered the skirmish, you noticed Galadriel was seconds away from meeting her end. She had all of her elven attention on two orcs in front of her, swords clashing, dodging blows with ease. But what she had not foreseen, was a lone orc stood about twenty feet away with a crossbow. In that moment, you and Halbrand raced to intervene. He made for the she-elf, and you for the orc, hoping his lightning fast reflexes would block any arrow from penetrating Galadriel's body.

When you reached the orc, his bow had fired just before your sword impaled his side, the momentum from your charge knocking you both to the ground. Looking up quickly, praying for Halbrand's success, you saw him standing face to face with Galadriel, the two endless beings gazing into each others eyes, communicating in silence. He was clutching the arrow in his right hand. You smiled, letting out a deep breath in relief, and rose to your feet, driving your sword back into the orc one more time for good measure.

The blood lust in you was strong, for your darkness was still very much present. Instead of making for Halbrand and Galadriel, you launched yourself across the conflict, slashing any and all orcs in your path, saving the lives of more of your people in the process. People who had been losing their combat against the menacing creatures. People who needed saving. Your adrenaline pumping, you did not stop, savouring the thrill of each kill as you moved from orc to orc. The wicked grin on your face could not be hidden, and you could taste the foul flavour of the black blood as it splashed across your face, but you did not care, you kept going. You wanted Galadriel to see you saving your people.

Looking over at her and Halbrand, you saw the two of them fighting side by side once more, working as a team to defeat the last of the orcs. Arondir's arrows had no more enemies to strike, and you wandered over to assist him, Bronwyn, and Theo with getting the wounded to safety. You draped the arm of an injured man across your shoulders, aiding him as he limped along towards the hall.

Sadly it was at this moment something tragic occurred. The unmistakeable cry of Theo's voice rang out in the night air. Turning around quickly, you saw him fall to his knees in agony, a sword in his back pointed towards the sky as he fell flat on the road, the young girl he was carrying now switching to aid him. Bronwyn let out a mournful cry like you had never heard, as she and Arondir sprinted towards him. Halbrand appeared then, killing Theo's attacker with little effort. This was the final orc, and with that, the battle was over.

Tagging: @denzit @restless-tides @heronamedhawks @pursuitseternal @coraleethroughthelookingglass @hikarielizabethbloom @vaguelyvibin @imjustsuperweird @gil-galadhwen @michon-ne

[sezja]

Febuwhump Day 22: Can't Scream Fandom: Final Fantasy XIV Characters/Ship: Sanson Smyth/Guydelot Thildonnet Triggers/Content warnings: Broken bones

Part One, Part Two, Part Three, Part Four, Part Five, Part Six, Part Seven, Part Eight

The third day, Guydelot finally decides to escape.

I expected more fight from you, Astarnaix had said, the day before - well, piss on that; Guydelot expected more fight from himself. Sure, he'd been a little thrown for a loop when they'd lashed this godsdamned muzzle on him, but... but, hells, he can't just sit here and wait for them to cut his throat. Can't be sure Sanson even knows he's been taken against his will yet, so he can't rely on rescue from that quarter.

So. He's left mostly alone, in what appears to be a disused hunters' shack. He's willing to be there's a guard on the door, but they seem to be inclined to trust in keeping him muzzled and bound to ensure he doesn't escape; Guydelot'd wager if he can get past that guard, he's just about home free. Sure, there's probably a dozen men - give or take - somewhere nearby, but that's a problem he'll deal with when he gets there.

He starts straining against the ropes that bind his hands. If only he had something sharp! But they'd searched him for anything that might be a weapon, leaving him not so much as a particularly-sharp buckle to chafe this rope against. Uncharitable bastards.

Since his own abduction, Sanson's been working at teaching himself how to get free of bonds like these. Guydelot swears internally as he fights with the rope, wishing he'd paid more attention to Sanson's more successful efforts...

But he'd never been able to stomach the sight of his lover tied up for long, not after seeing Sanson held hostage.

Sanson must be worried sick, he thinks, for what must be the thousandth time. It gives him the strength to redouble his efforts, imagining what Sanson must think - that Guydelot's hiding from his responsibilities, mayhap, or worse. What'll Sanson do if he realizes something's amiss? Get the Twin Adder involved, like as not, and then all hells'll break loose.

Or worse, Sanson'll come looking for him alone.

The idea of what Astarnaix might do to Sanson-

He wrenches, and his wrist pulls free of the rope. Stinging with rope burn, aye, but free nonetheless! Guydelot flexes his hands, carefully rotates his arms to get the feeling back in them. Gods, but that feels good! He'll never take freedom for granted again, after this.

He reaches for the leather straps of the muzzle. That bloody thing needs to go right now.

"Well, well. We have been busy."

Ice floods his veins. Damn it all, he'd forgotten how silently Astarnaix could move! He grasps at the muzzle without even looking up at his captor - if he can just get this damn thing off, he'll just go after the bastard with his bare hands and his voice!

But before he can get far with the straps, a booted kick lands on his chest, leaving Guydelot winded. He sprawls back against the rotted wooden floor, just in time for another kick to connect with his head, setting his vision to spinning and his ears to ringing. Astarnaix steps slowly onto one of the bard's hands.

"You're a tenacious fellow, I will allow," the man says, applying more pressure. The bones creak. Guydelot, strangled behind the muzzle, mewls a noise of protest. Astarnaix shakes his head. "But your fate has already been decided, boy. I cannot permit you to ruin my plans; not when I've waited so long for the ideal opportunity."

He plants his full weight on Guydelot's hand, and bones snap beneath the pressure, slow and agonizing. Guydelot cannot scream, not muzzled, but he tries.

He tries, until the pain at last allows him to fade into unconsciousness.

[fiixer]

It's truly amazing how quickly a safe-house can become anything but.  To one like himself, that looming threat was anything but new, when a single word to the wrong person could place a target over any point on a map and lead to a breach.  What had changed was the invaders and the danger they carried.  Once upon a time, the biggest concern was other humans.  Dangerous animals, the lot of them.  Now it seemed that, despite all that had changed, that part remained the same.  What was left of people were deadly, when even their mere presence could potentially mean death in the worst possible way.  Once the barrier of any chose safe-house was breached, one may fight the assailants to their end, and yet still remained the worry of what else came with them; would the virus that made them pass on further?  How far would it spread between those inside?  Even after the immediate danger had passed, there was no clearing, no end, no moment to catch breath in the aftermath.  That part was different.  

That part, he was still getting used to, or so would be the claim meant to explain a lapse in guard; for failing to throw a second lock, and shove a makeshift barricade over to further block the door prior to stepping out the balcony for what remnants of fresh air remained in city limits, masked by the lingering smell of infection and rot, gifting himself that moment of calm before it was off to work once again.  Five minutes - it could not have been more, and the moment of peace shattered to the tune of splintering wood and the deafening crack of a door giving way, followed so closely by the triumphant wail of a voice once considered human.  Some would argue it still was.  He, on the other hand, has evidence to the contrary, when returning inside for naught but a minute caught the attention of two "people" whose short-term goal apparently included mauling his face.  Regardless, he'd made it down four flights of stairs and out the building's entrance before more could show up, so one might take a guess how close the pair came to said goal.

When Jordi guns someone down, they stay down.

Two more bodies added to the unending list he'd stepped over in his lifetime, though these two fell without their names in mind.  That helps.  Removing something human as a name only makes pulling the trigger ten times easier.  That is not to say there is any hesitation on his part, regardless of who or what stands on the business end of his .45.  In the way is in the way, and some folks still had a job to do.  Oh, and isn't that a wonderful feeling, knowing one is still needed when everything else goes to shit.  People - normal humans, he understands as much as one can, and as long as there are two still living, one of them will eventually want the other dead.  And, sooner or later, both of them will need something.  In either scenario, that's where he steps in.

It's where he should be stepping now, were it not for delays.  Preparing for a simple retrieval and delivery of basic necessities should not have taken long, but what can he do?  The two earlier were a surprise, and now here he stands, hovering over the battered, bleeding body of a third; a third who clearly drew the short stick when it came to infection.  Marred skin on his face, multiple…were they eyes?  They sure as hell looked like eyes, but that couldn't be, right?  Right, they had to be pustules of pus and sick forming in a rather unfortunate area:  all over the infected man's face.  That he now lay in a bloody heap surely counts as the most merciful point of his existence, so it qualifies as the Good Deed for the day.

Another adversary down - with a line of bullet holes to show for the trouble - it was time to leave before more came searching for the source of the noise.  A gunshot rarely goes unnoticed, and now it's capable of attracting a swarm, thus he spares only a moment to reload; stepping over a spreading puddle of gore with sights set on the alley's mouth, leading to the main road out of this particular area of the city.  On supply runs, the next neighborhood over had a tendency to yield better results, and he was running low on a few things as well, so for the sake of himself and the promised paycheck, it's in his better interests to make the trek.  The sooner he moved, the better, as now there was even more distance to cover once he got the job done, as his prior hideout had been breached and ruined, thus it was on to the next, and he'd prefer to be there and locked away well before dark -

Barely out of his exit's reach, he comes to pause.  In this part of the city, the days were often quieter, more serene, easier to pick out wandering infected or even passing survivors by the sounds that echoed around them, so when a sharp crack  vibrates the air around him, he stops in his tracks, breath caught in his throat; waiting, listening.  Another crackle drawn out and laced with a sickening, wet noise distinct of flesh moving, tearing, stretching, like ripping raw meat off a bone.  After a moment, with it comes a howl of agony that has Jordi whipping around to face it, arm outstretched with his gun at the ready, finger on the trigger to drop whatever sons of bitches happened across his little party; to stop their little feast on fresh corpse laying about.  

The problem was, the sound wasn't from a new mob.  Oh, no, it came from one; one who sports bleeding holes in its chest, knee and arms, and lacked a lower jaw, where a few bullets destroyed the hinge entirely and left it hanging.  One who now stood as steady as a sapling in a windstorm, its wounds sprouting solid tendrils of squirming flesh.  On its arm, an arm too long for the body from which it hangs, was a sharp point, a spike formed from whatever wicked mutation brought a dead man to his feet again.  More snaked between tattered clothing, flailed about in warning, and suddenly those eyes - and eyes they were, all seven of them - fixated on Jordi once again.

When Jordi guns someone down, they stay down.

At least, until they don't.

[choshifics]

(Another) First Kiss: Chapter 4

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Manipulation

“And you can feel her madness See right through her smile Don’t you turn your back and You’ll soon figure out”

—“Manipulation” from Passover by The Black Angels

Every inch of Max was bloody, bruised, or both. This definitely wasn’t the Expedition Society she’d left behind. She doubted she’d ever forget that gauntlet if she wanted to. Somehow, this fledgling new group had multiple members of every typing in prime fighting condition, and they expected new members to fight one of each.

Consecutively.

Max didn’t know if she’d done well enough. She didn’t really have a good concept of pacing herself, and she still didn’t know typings well enough to take advantage of them. Like monsters, they saved the pokémon with a type advantage against her until the end. She didn’t know shocking the dragonite was a waste of effort until they called that match a tie, and he had a laugh about it.

She’d almost completely spent her electricity right before her last match. It’s not like she’d use it against a ground, but it left her way too exhausted to put up a good fight. The quagsire at least made it quick for her.

She’d ended it with ten wins, three ties, and four losses, and all they’d told her on scoring before or after was, “Winning every fight isn’t required, but it’s encouraged.” They let her rest a whole five minutes before sending her off to the oral examination. She got to wonder what the hell that was on her painful walk over.

Even on all fours, she grunted out an, “Ow,” with every step. She hadn’t walked on all fours out of exhaustion since coming here (easier access to Ithos when upright helped, of course). Ash had tried to get them to train at least this hard leading up, but even Max hadn’t quite seen the point.

In hindsight, Ash had underestimated the hell this organization could put you through.

All the halls had an eerie similarity to them. Even however far in the past this place was, she recognized the general layout and style from when she’d gone to see Goon. Every offshoot she hadn’t gone through then felt frustratingly familiar. She’d never known that building was so ancient. At least it was smaller.

It was so empty, though. The Expedition Society had people in it basically twenty-four-seven, but this one was closer to a ghost town. Brand new walls with fresh-dried paint sat pristine and abandoned. Whoever started this either had high hopes, high ambition, or both. It seemed like a lot of effort to put into a redundant organization to her, but she was too exhausted to think about it.

“Well, looks like somebody finally knows how to follow directions,” an aegislash remarked as she rounded a corner. He sounded familiar, and sure enough, he was the one she’d fought early on (her win, but barely). Her tail covered the bruised cut he’d sliced into her on instinct.

Aegislash held his shield in front of him to do some kind of bow for her, paying no mind to her reaction. “Our fight was a pleasure, Lady…?” he looked up in wait.

Max was too busy remembering Eleos for a second to realize he was asking her name. “Oh, Max,” she said. If he wanted a bow in return, she would have to disappoint. She barely managed a strained smile for him. Luckily, he didn’t seem to mind.

“And mine is Peregrine,” Peregrine said. As he straightened out of his bow, he had an impish look in his eye. “Most call me Parry, though.” He gave a gleeful glance to the slice he’d given her that made her chuckle.

“No wonder,” Max said. He was nice, at least, if a bit eccentric. Others might not like being referred to as lady, but Max was a bit partial to the practice, personally. She started to get a bit more comfortable and let her tail stop guarding the wound. “I was surprised I could keep going. I thought I was gonna need stitches after that hit.”

“Hm, similar to your fight with Kair?” Parry asked. Max raised a brow, so he clarified. “The dragonite.”

“Oh,” Max said with another wince. She pulled a paw up to massage her cheek. “Yeah, I guess.” She gave him a curious look after. It hadn’t been word traveling, she hadn’t seen anyone else on her way there. “Did you stay to watch?”

“But of course,” Parry said, that gleam in his eye returning. “That stance of yours, it’s as if watching a kindred spirit.” For extra emphasis, he shook his shield a bit. Max felt her ears start to burn, for some reason worrying if she’d been insensitive until he chuckled. “Suffice to say, you’ve interested me.” Again, her ears started to burn, but for a different reason.

“Well, thanks,” Max said, looking away. “But isn’t there an oral-” she felt a bit of panic rising up, “—shit, did it already start?” She wasn’t expecting an interview to be so casual.

Luckily, Parry waved the notion away. “No, fret not,” he said. “Merely making conversation while we wait for your friend.” Max let out a breath of relief. Even on all fours, her paws started feeling sore. She went over to sit against the wall. “It seems someone’s taken an interest in your friend, as well.” He looked up to the clock. “I’ve not seen Fara take so long with a recruit before.”

“Is that good?” Max asked. Ithos’ extra time in interview didn’t spark the most confidence in her. He was kind, but he didn’t necessarily know when to shut up. She at least trusted him not to slip that she was human, but she was worried he might let his own excitement get the best of him.

With another breath, she tried to let go of the worry. Ithos deserved a bit more faith than that. He was still remarkably capable, despite also being an idiot. Most of his worst decisions came from naivety rather than mental insufficiency. It was a bit ironic, considering he had more life to remember, that Max felt like the more world weary one.

A knob turned before the loud creak of an ancient hinge accompanied the sight of a gargantuan door coming to block half the hallway. “Thanks!” Ithos said. The little lizard looked absolutely puny next to the door, yet his sheer joy filled the space. Once he caught sight of Max, she could clearly see his eyes pop open from all the way down the hall, and he sprinted over.

“Save your energy!” Max shouted in vain. He wouldn’t stop to question his excitement for the world. It made her heart throb, against her better judgment.

“Max!” Ithos said with a grin. With no regard for her obvious injuries, he snatched up both of her paws to yank her up. “How’d you do?” Once her hindpaws hit the ground, her stance faltered. She stared at him while she leaned against the wall, waiting for the sight to register. “Oh, wow.” He finally looked her over, cheeks flushing. “Sorry.” Max could see his tail’s erratic flame in the reflection of Parry’s edge.

“Well, I had to get up, anyway,” Max said. She managed a smile while she looked into his eyes. He hadn’t let go of her paws yet. “I don’t know if I did well enough.” She worried how he’d take the news, but his exuberance didn’t falter. “Apparently I earned an admirer, though.” She nodded behind Ithos to Parry.

“Ad-what?” Ithos asked with sudden panic that made Max giddy. He let her paws fall while jumping around to see Parry behind him for the first time (and also putting his tail mere inches away from Max). “Oh, hey!” Max sidled out of range of the flame and watched it flicker.

“Ithos, hello,” Parry said with a bow. “I’m sure our fight will be just as exhilarating.” He waved Ithos to follow. “Come! And Max,” he turned to her one last time, “best of luck.”

“Y-yeah!” Ithos said, quickly hopping around. Max could see his tail growing in defensive frustration behind him. “Good luck!” He tossed her a thumbs up and a wink before patting her on the shoulder. “You’ll do great. Don’t worry! She’s really nice.”

“Thanks,” Max said with genuine relief. At least the interviewer wouldn’t be a hard-ass. “Do your best.” She pat him on the shoulder, struggling to let her paw fall from there. “See ya.”

“See ya!” Ithos said. The grin he gave her made up for the required distance in an instant. She didn’t mind seeing him go when she got to see that excitement on his face again. Of course, it helped that watching him leave was always fun, too. She just had to be a bit more subtle about that one.

Before they turned their first corner, Max dropped down to all fours and started over to the head office. Her pawsteps echoed throughout the place with every step, and she could hear Ithos’ claws clacking against the tiles fading off in the distance. She couldn’t get the strange hugeness of this place out of her mind. It was supposed to be new, but the building felt ancient, even more ancient then the last time she saw it.

Max found her first obstacle in the interview earlier than she’d hoped: the doorknobs on either side of the door were too high. She got up to her hindpaws and remained a good half-foot short. She grumbled out a swear and hopped up to grab hold of it and turned, kicking off the other door.

The door was deceptively light. Her little kick sent it swinging open, and she went right along with it. The momentum of the arc pulled her hindpaws out from under her until it suddenly stopped at the hinge’s limit. She lost her grip and flew a few feet before miraculously landing on all fours. It bounced off its own hinge and closed halfway before she started scampering in.

It creaked shut with a clunk, missing her tail by less than an inch only because she yanked it forward at the last second. Her brief instant of relief ended when she saw an ampharos on the opposite side of the room holding back laughter with a paw. Max was glad she was too exhausted for her cheeks to spark much.

“You must be Max. I’m Fara,” Fara chuckled. “Please, come take a seat.” She waved a paw to the two chairs on the opposite side of her desk. Max headed over with a barely kept smile that only got harder to maintain when she saw the office. “Sorry about the door. I should’ve given it a little bit more thought.” Fara held her paws together to leer over them at her. “I’ll have that fixed soon.”

Intricate tapestries lined walls that led gut churningly high. Max couldn’t turn her head high enough to see the ceiling without standing upright. A vibrant violet carpet with swirls of gold sat in the middle of a dark oak floor. As it approached the desk, it tapered partially before growing into a dark circle that consumed the desk and its chairs.

“It’s all right,” Max squeaked. Fara’s casual stare bore into her soul. Max could feel judgment looming over her every slightest movement as she walked across the carpet. The relaxed smile made Max feel like she had to hurry despite her injuries. She picked up the pace and hopped up on the left chair.

“Impressive,” Fara mused as Max sank into the massive seat. “Most recruits don’t have so much energy after combat testing.” She let one paw down and reached under her desk without taking her eyes off Max. She pulled up a cup and slid it over to Max. “That should help with the pain.” It slid so fast in its approach that Max hopped up to stop it from sliding off, but it stopped just short of the edge.

“Thanks,” Max said, eyeing the cup as she grabbed it. Once she saw that shade of amber, she struggled to hide her excitement. She hadn’t had apple juice in a while, though she had no idea how it was meant to help with pain. Once she sucked in a mouthful, though, the ripe burn of an aged whiskey made everything clear.

Again, Fara hid a chuckle behind her paw with the sudden surprise in Max’s eyes. After that, though, she watched with intrigue. Max barely flinched at the taste despite having an entire mouthful. She set the cup down without spitting any out and swallowed the spirit.

“Sorry,” Max mumbled, wiping her mouth. A shiver wriggled up her spine as the spirit went down her throat. “Wasn’t expecting whiskey.” She forced a smile. “At least it was smooth.”

“Incredible,” Fara said. “Should I be impressed or worried?” She stared down with open amusement, resting her chin on her paws again. Up close, her modest smile looked even more incisive. It looked exact, pristine. Each side of her lips met the same part of her cheeks with the slightest bit upturned more on her left than her right. It looked perfectly off in a way that made Max squirm.

“What?” Max asked. She tried to shake off the odd sensation and force a chuckle. “Did I do something?”

“Not exactly,” Fara said. “Just awfully well versed in liquor for your age.” Max flinched at that and instantly regretted the involuntary motion. Fara quickly swiped at the air as if dismissing the worry. “Please, relax. I just have a few simple questions I ask any prospective initiates.”

“All right,” Max said with a forced sigh. Hopefully the whiskey would help her calm down soon. “So, uh.” She glanced around and sat back. “Questions?” The plush chair threatened to consume her under her own weight, but she was more concerned with how the hell Ithos thought this woman was friendly. This ampharos was the first prey animal Max was worried might eat her.

Fara smiled down with some unreadable shadow behind her eyes as she lowered her paws to the desk. “Well, I believe it’s best to start with your combat performance,” she said. “Ten wins is nothing to be ashamed of.”

“You already know?” Max asked. She didn’t see anyone else leave with her. When she left, the judges were still writing. Had someone teleported the results to the office after Ithos left? Max couldn’t see any papers on Fara’s desk, either.

“Of course,” Fara said with a grin. “I want this organization to succeed, so I keep my eyes everywhere.” The answer felt like a challenge; Max could feel Fara watching her reaction closely. Within the second, the scrutiny lightened, and Fara went on. “In most auditions I’ve seen, the initiates either fight careful and reserved the whole way through, or put their all into the fights they know they’ll win and give up on the last.”

“You were an interesting case.” Her eyes stayed on Max, but it didn’t feel like she saw her. “You just refused to stop trying. I’d expected you to collapse from your own efforts after the sixth.” She spoke as if she’d been there to see the fights.

“Well, thanks?” Max said. Despite her need to force a smile, she couldn’t help squirming in her seat. “I couldn’t really give up, could I?”

“That hasn’t stopped people before,” Fara said. Her grin grew wider, and Max squirmed more. “Your will truly was something else.” She spat ‘will’ like it was a dirty word. “Though, to my eyes, it seemed more like you were afraid to lose.”

“Oh?” Max asked. Fara had seen the matches, and she expected Max to simply accept that as fact. The impossibility wouldn’t fade from Max’s head, though. She couldn’t help looking curiously at Fara, and Fara’s grin turned as she did. “Well, a lot was riding on it, I guess.” Max grabbed hold of her tail to rip her eyes away from Fara’s.

“This was no mere spirit of competition,” Fara said. “It was in your eyes.” Max flinched before she could stop herself, and she expected the chair to swallow her whole for the sin. “Each time the fight began to turn against you, you looked at your opponent with the desperate terror of prey.” She gave odd reverence to the sight of prey. “Then, you fought with that desperation. It was an extravagant sight to behold.”

“Th-thanks,” Max stuttered. Her ears twitched at the slip, and her heart leapt in terror. Before she could correct herself, Fara’s eyes gleamed like she’d just smelled blood.

“Ah, so you do it outside of fights, too?” Fara almost sang. She looked deep into Max’s eyes, and Max desperately wished she could hide them behind her tail. Ithos had never heard of Dungeon Sickness, but Fara seemed infatuated with it. “Oh, that beautiful black in your eyes. You’re terrified.”

“Stop!” Max shouted, squeezing her eyes shut. She clenched her paws tight to force in a breath. Her fur felt damp with sweat. She shook as she let herself look up again.

“So sorry,” Fara said. She put a paw to her chest and pulled herself back. “I didn’t realize it was a sensitive subject for you.” Her posture fell back ever so slightly, and Max felt some of the fear and anger fade. Had the whiskey started hitting her already? “What is this condition of yours? Have you always been this way?”

“Sort of,” Max said. She couldn’t even explain how it happened. The Dungeons were completely different from the ones she knew. “I just have more instincts than most pokémon. I don’t know.” She crumpled down further until she realized she’d started holding her tail in her arms.

“What about when you were younger?” Fara asked. Her eyes still had that predatory stare, but it wasn’t filling Max with dread anymore. She felt the same impact, but none of the fear lingered. “How old were you when this started?”

“I don’t know,” Max said. She shrugged and forced herself to let go of her tail while the worries weren’t quite so oppressive. It must have been some effective whiskey.

“Where did you say you grew up?” Fara asked. Max’s ear flicked a bit. “It was here, wasn’t it? Lively Town?” Max nodded. She and Ithos had agreed on that story ever since Ithos improvised it to his dad. “Odd that I’ve never heard of you. That condition seems like it would attract attention.”

“I don’t really go around telling people about it,” Max said. Her tail started to flick, but the frustration had gone before it finished. “It’s embarrassing.”

“When did you leave for Serene Village?” Fara asked.

“I don’t know,” Max grumbled. She snapped her mouth shut, but the words were already out. Sitting still, Fara looked ready to pounce. “Or, not exactly, anyway.”

“This condition,” Fara said. “Is it anything to do with your lapses in memory?” She watched Max with intrigue of a shark watching a fish. “If it’s serious, I’d like to know. Background is an important consideration to me. I want to know of any problems that might grow from it ahead of time.”

Max could feel the opportunity slipping out of her nubbins. She didn’t have a background to discuss. She’d been around for a bit over a month. With Fara so intent on every detail, she wouldn’t let Max get away with the little half-answers she gave everyone else. Fara already seemed doubtful Max had ever lived in Lively Town. No doubt, she had connections in this place to build an organization like the Expedition Society.

“Sort of,” Max mumbled. The easiest route would be admitting she used to be a human, but she’d rather face ten vicious garchomps hungry for her flesh than tell Fara that. She grabbed her tail to hold against her chest again, keeping her eyes on the chair. “I… don’t really remember much.”

Half truths were always better than full lies. “Anything earlier than a few weeks ago is really hazy for me,” she said, letting her ears fall. “I just woke up with a headache and these weird instincts.”

She shrank away further with a tighter squeeze to her tail. Keeping her eyes down, she started probing her awareness out to gauge Fara’s reaction. Fara had a sympathetic frown and a paw holding a heart that beat in precise thumps. Her chest rose for three beats, held for one, then fell for four. Again and again, it beat in perfect time with her breath.

“I’m so sorry,” Fara said. “That must be so hard for you.” She shook her head and leaned against her desk. “Yet here you are, trying so hard to help others. You poor soul.” For some reason, the way she spoke reminded Max of Ash hitting on her.

“Is that why you do this?” Fara asked. “It must help you find purpose, doesn’t it?”

“Kinda,” Max said. She could barely listen to a word she said, stuck listening to the exact beat of Fara’s heart. “Plus, y’know.” She looked up with a forced chuckle. “I’m good at it, so that helps.”

“Do you enjoy this work?” Fara asked. The way she tilted her head made Max feel like she’d said something wrong.

“Well, yeah?” Max said. “I’m good at it.”

Fara raised a brow, but let the wording slide. She pushed her chair back from her desk and got up. “Do you know why I’ve started this Society?” she asked. As she spoke, she walked to the tapestry on Max’s left. The top had a ball of fire plummeting to the Earth above Rayquaza. At the very bottom stood an odd, blue zangoose with a hoodied pikachu on his shoulder.

“We have become sick,” Fara said. Max craned her neck and saw Fara leering at the zangoose in disgust. “So pathetic that we needed a human to save us.” Max quickly turned back to the tapestry as Fara turned to glance at her. “Sorry, your memory. Do you remember the tale?”

“Well,” Max said. “I think I can get the gist.” She might’ve obsessed about the games, but she didn’t have the attention span to finish them.

Regardless, Fara nodded and turned back to the tapestry. Her disgust only grew as she saw it. “Humans,” she spat. It was a good call to lie to her about that, then. “Despicable. We hold them up as legends when they are monuments to our weakness.” She pulled a paw forward to deignfully flick it to the image of the zangoose. “Look at the mockery he made of us.”

Max took another look, and she sort of understood what Fara meant. That zangoose looked visibly more like a human, even from behind. Seeing Goon on all fours had surprised her, but this guy would just look goofy. She assumed it was artistic choice or incompetence, not an accurate portrayal. Max was glad she was just a normal pikachu.

“They fall to a world they don’t understand, don’t respect, then call themselves saviors,” Fara went on. The more she glared at the tapestry, the more she sneered. Considering how she felt, it was an odd decoration for her office.

“They?” Max asked. She’d confirmed with Ithos soon after landing that only one human had ever come before. That was the reason he’d been more willing to believe she was an alien. Fara turned halfway around to raise a brow. “How many times has this happened?”

“Once,” Fara said. She twisted back around and walked over with one last sneer at the tapestry. Max almost thought she heard a snarl. “But there will be more soon.” She stood on the opposite side of the desk without taking her seat, staring off in the distance. “I can feel it in the air. Darkness is coming. We cannot rely on another fool for salvation, but look at everyone.”

She looked down to consider Max a moment before going on. “I’m sure you can see it as well,” Fara said. “We are a different breed. I can see it in your eyes. I saw it in the way you fight. Ambition.” Even as she complimented Max, disdain hung off her face, and she looked back to the far off distance.

“That condition of yours,” Fara went on. “It sounds terrible. To lose all that you know, to have your very mind fight against your judgment. It would drive others to madness, yet here you are.” Max’s mouth began to twist into a snarl. This wasn’t empathy, and she didn’t want to hear how Fara would twist it. She forced herself to suffer through it, though, for Ithos’ sake.

“This is why I’ve seen fit to form the Expedition Society,” Fara said. “The Rescue Society has bent over backwards to allow anyone who wants to join. How will a force like that stand any chance against what’s to come?” She shook her head in disgust and turned to Max. “No. We must find something more to put our faith in.”

Max dug her teeth into her cheek to keep herself from yelling. Fara’s open disdain for the people she wanted to save made Max’s skin crawl. She’d only survived as long as she had thanks to the kindness of Neb, Cori, Eleos, everyone. She could keep herself quiet, but she couldn’t stop her rage creeping onto her expression. The sight made Fara smile.

“You disagree,” Fara said. “Don’t hold your tongue. I expect competency, not fealty.”

Max forced herself to take a breath, if only to avoid a response purely in words of the four letter variety. “I’ve needed help before,” she said. Every word needed careful consideration both so they’d come out in English, and to keep herself from yelling. “I don’t do this because I’m better than others. I do it to help people.”

“And you said that you enjoy it because you’re good at it,” Fara said. The sudden flash of anger on Max’s face made Fara’s grin light up. “But perhaps you have a point.” She crossed her arms and sat back in her chair. “After all, even the weak have their place.”

“People aren’t strong or weak,” Max growled. “There’s more to living than fighting for power.” She couldn’t hold herself back, but Fara just chuckled.

“Oh, I like you,” Fara cooed. Suddenly, Max felt her rage dissipate. It hadn’t faded, but left. “You know, I wasn’t sure about your little team talking to Ithos, but you’re an interesting one.” Even the dig at Ithos couldn’t stoke her anger. “I’d be a fool to let you go.” Max felt like she was being offered cheese on a spring-loaded metal platter. “After all, a leader needs someone at her throat to keep her at her best.”

“Wait, we’re in?” Max asked. She’d been seconds away from fighting despite her injuries. Now, she couldn’t feel so much as minor annoyance.

“Don’t tell anyone I’ve told you,” Fara said with a wave of her paw. “Can’t have people accusing me of favoritism.” Max let herself calm down with her fading rage. Fara was up to something, but Max would happily play the fool. “I trust you’ll be able to act flattered and surprised.” Fara hid a chuckle behind her paw, but Max tilted her head.

“You do?” Max asked, raising a brow.

“Well, yes,” Fara said, raising her own brow in turn. She glanced behind Max as a hint, but it clearly didn’t help. “It’s a skill any girl needs to master for her safety.”

“Oh, right,” Max said, shaking her head. For as much as she loved this new body, being a girl usually escaped her mind until it came up explicitly. “Forgot about that.”

“Being a girl?” Fara said, brow raising higher. She quickly relaxed it and chuckled, shaking her head. “Oh, it must be all that time you’ve spent with your teammates.” Even her perfectly casual tone felt calculated. “You need a break from boys, I’ll bet.” Max shrank a bit, electricity finally rejuvenated to bounce sparks down her cheeks. “Girls need time to be themselves, after all.”

“Right,” Max said. She scratched at the back of her neck while her tail nervously flicked behind her. Smiling took effort, but she managed a small one. “Thanks.”

“Of course,” Fara said, savoring each word. She put her paw out over the desk for Max to take with subtle menace that made Max’s skin crawl. Max had to hop around the drink she’d neglected and stand on the desk to have a chance at taking it. When she did, though, it felt like a normal shake. Grip, up, down, release, and it was done.

“Welcome, Team Plasma,” Fara said. Max let her paw fall to the side, resisting the urge to examine it post-shake. “Tomorrow, at least.” She waved Max off and sat back in her chair.

“Thank you,” Max said. She hopped off the desk and headed out. Walking across the carpet again, she desperately wanted to sprint out. Despite her best efforts, she still picked up the pace towards the end. She didn’t trust Fara for a second; she wouldn’t let Fara out of her sight.

“Pale blue was the color of her eyes, Manipulation Yellow yellow was her hair, Orange sunburst red hot glare, manipulation, Manipulation”

Max scanned the Dungeon around them. She’d spent months exploring them at this point, but the deeper floors still never ceased to amaze her. Every inch had burgeoning life with rich backdrops of foliage and flora. They’d made it to the fifth floor of Peewee Meadow, and it was lush with bushes and saplings heavy with bright berries that smelled so sweet they burned her nose.

“Don’t,” Ithos said, gently pulling her back. It snapped Max halfway out of herself, and she realized she’d been walking over to them. “Here, are you hungry?” He pulled out an apple and held it in front of her. It smelled delicious, but her eyes still lingered on the bountiful harvest in front of her.

“Glad we kept an eye on you now?” Ash asked. He walked up to her other side with a glint in his eye. Max tried to shake her mind free of the fruit and took a bite of the apple.

“Thanks,” Max said between bites. As she ate more of it, the spell started to break. Ash and Ithos started gently tugging her away, and her mind cleared up the further she was from the crop. Even without the spell, though, it was a beautiful sight to behold. Flowers stuck up with rich bouquets of petals all around, exposing their bright yellow prizes to the air. Each petal started faded on one end before blossoming into deep blues, purples, and pinks on their furthest edges.

“You’ve gotta work on that Lotus Addiction, Max,” Ash said. Ithos hissed at him with a glare, but that didn’t deter him. “What?” Max pulled herself back out of their grips, chomping through the rest of the apple.

“I’ve already told you,” Max said. She put a disarming paw to Ithos’ shoulder while she explained. It was frustrating to rehash this for her, but Ithos looked about ready to kill in her honor. “I’ve never had the fruit of the Lotus, all right? It’s not that.” Ash’s glare didn’t let up, and he crossed his arms. “It’s complicated.”

“How do you know that, though?” Ash asked. “You keep saying that, but what about your memory? How do you know you didn’t just forget?”

“It’s complicated,” Max repeated. She must have said exactly that to Ash already a hundred times. She didn’t blame him for being annoyed about it, but she couldn’t let anyone else know about her humanity. Not after that encounter with Fara.

“Max,” Ithos said. He took hold of her paw, and she could feel him giving her that same look he always did when this came up. He respected that it wasn’t his secret to tell, but even he’d stopped seeing the utility of hiding it from Ash at this point. The only reason Max could trust him not to tell was good will.

Forcing a smile, Max turned to Ash to say, “Can you give us a minute?”

“Again?” Ash asked in faux-frustration. “All right, I’ll scout out the next room.” He gave a dorky little salute and ducked into the nearest path.

“Come on, Max,” Ithos said. He reached for her other paw to force her to face him, but she tugged both away. “He’s been in the team for, like four months? Five?” He held his paw out, open and ready for an explanation. “Why can’t you trust him yet?”

“I do!” Max shouted. Ithos threw his paw up to wave her down, so she came in closer to whisper. “It’s not about trust!” She rubbed her paw along the bridge of her snout. Every time they had this conversation, she remembered that conversation with Fara, but she didn’t have it in her heart to tell Ithos. He’d been so excited they made it in, and it was far too late now.

“Max,” Ithos whispered. He brought a paw up to knead tension out of her shoulder. She almost pulled away, but his touch was more tempting than the Lotus of a Dungeon. The warmth of his firm presses softened her tight muscles, and his claws followed up by creeping up her neck to scritch along the path.

He’d gotten very good at relaxing her with his touch.

“Doesn’t he deserve to know?” he asked. His paw snuck around to her back, stopping her before she could interrupt. “If Fara’s right, whatever you’re here for is coming soon. Ash signed up for an Expedition Team, not saving the world.”

He was already plying her with pets; it wasn’t fair for him to have a good point, too. He might not think Fara was connected to the doomsday she preached about like Max did, but Max was here for a reason. The prospect had terrified Ithos when he first found out. Even after so many months, Max still caught him looking at her with terror behind his eyes.

Well, a few among the many the times she’d caught him looking at her, at least.

“What aren’t you telling me?” Ithos asked. He stopped his scratching and yanked her back into his eyes. In an instant, she lost herself in that pristine, piercing blue. Without thinking, she pulled a half a step closer. “If it’s not about trust, why are you worried? You always look like you’re holding something back.”

Max opened her mouth to speak, but lost her nerve. His worry stuck an oppressive darkness over the gorgeous blue. She wanted to protect him from her own paranoia, wanted to eventually find that she had completely misjudged Fara, but it only put a rift between them. It cut off a part of her soul while forcing her to suffer sleepless nights of worry alone.

She’d had to hide everything from him for so long, she didn’t know if she could still let him in. She couldn’t tell him where she came from, couldn’t tell him why she trusted him so much more than anyone else, why she knew his favorite food before he’d eaten it, his favorite drink before he’d had it, or any of the long, long list of impossibilities she’d accrued. She couldn’t tell him the truth.

She couldn’t tell him that, all this time, she’d known exactly what she needed to do. She’d known exactly how to make him happy, and she’d used that knowledge all this time. She couldn’t tell him the truth, because he’d hate her for it.

“Max, please,” Ithos said. He rested both paws on her shoulders to pull her in closer. His warmth emanated from his chest and soaked into her fur. “You don’t have to do this alone. We’re a team.” She stared into the piercing blue that she’d lost herself in so many times before. “I care about you. I want to help you. Whatever it is, I promise. I’m here for you.”

Max felt her breath hitch. Despite not knowing her for as long as she’d known him, Ithos could play to the pleading of her soul better than she ever could. He always seemed to know what she needed before she did. Already bursting at the seams, she didn’t have a choice in the matter anymore. She needed him.

“Fara,” Max whimpered. Ithos brought his left up to scratch right beneath her right ear. “I don’t trust her.”

“Why not?” Ithos asked. He tilted his head slightly, but stayed attentive.

“Do you remember those interviews?” Max asked. Without a word, Ithos nodded. “During mine, she talked about people with disgust. She hates humans. I know you said she was nice, but during that whole conversation.” Max shivered thinking back to it. Sitting in that chair, Fara staring down at her like dinner. Ithos squeezed her tight to pull her back. “She doesn’t want to help people. She wants to control them.”

“Really?” Ithos asked. Max started to shrink away, but he held her tight. He was surprised, but he didn’t doubt her. “Why?” One of his eyes shut halfway, and he looked away with a confused shake of his head. “What did that have to do with recruitment?”

“I don’t know,” Max said. She brought one paw up to feel his arm. Thanks to the training Ash put them through, it was noticeably more defined. It just so happened that it made Ithos look that little bit more irresistible. A happy coincidence. “What did she talk about with you?”

“Nothing, really,” Ithos said. He tilted his head back with his eyes screwed half shut in concentration. “Asked me why I wanted to join, what skills I could bring to the table, I don’t know.” He shook his head, starting to give up before his eyes lit up. “Well, a lot of it was about you, actually.”

“What?” Max asked.

“Not too much,” Ithos said. He nodded along as the memory came back to him. “Just about how long we’d known each other, when we met, why we formed a Rescue Team together.” A chill started to crawl up Max’s spine, but Ithos didn’t let it go far. Right before a shiver manifested, he pulled her into a quick hug that ended too soon.

“I told her the same story I told Dad,” he said; Max felt the empty air between them. “Bandits, that you didn’t have anyone else, but,” he looked up to her again, “w-what if she figured it out?” The slightest doubt started to creep into his expression before he steeled himself against it. “It doesn’t matter, hey.”

Kneeling down, he guided her gaze into his with a paw to her chin. “We’ve got this.” Max was terrified. She had no idea who she could even trust, if they even had a chance. Yet, looking at Ithos’ fate defying confidence, she felt her terror fade. “I’ve got you.”

Max jerked out of Ithos’ hold to wrap her arms around him, whispering, “Thank you.” She heard her slip, but she didn’t care.

Ithos didn’t hesitate to reciprocate. He wrapped his arms around her, holding a bit of her weight for her as he ran his paws down her back. “Of course,” he said. Max’s ear flicked up, and she turned her head to look at him a bit more. She’d slipped, but he responded like he knew what she said. Could he understand—

“Are you two done kissing yet?” Ash called from the corridor he’d left into.

“Ash!” Ithos shouted—directly into Max’s ear. Max jerked away to cover her ear with a paw, and he instantly turned to whisper a panicked, “Sorry!” before turning back to Ash. “Would you stop saying stuff like that?”

“Bro,” Ash chuckled. He spun around the corner to reveal himself and came over. Ithos looked ready to deck him, yet Ash walked right past. “You gotta know how obvious you are, right?” He tilted his head in playful confusion while the grass under Ithos’ paws charred. “If you don’t want her, at least let me have another shot. I mean,” he turned to smirk at Max, “we’ve known each other for a while, now.”

“Ash!” Ithos hissed. “Can you believe him?” He turned to Max for support and found her failing to conceal giggles behind her paw. His eyes shot open and his mouth fell open in betrayal. “Max, really?”

“I don’t know, Ithos,” Max chuckled. With a shrug, she sauntered over to Ash. “He has a point, doesn’t he?” Ash grinned as she put one arm on his back while a paw went for his chest. “You wouldn’t mind, would you?” She winked in thanks with the eye Ithos couldn’t see before leaning in to nuzzle her cheek against his.

“N-no!” Ithos stammered, curiously, not in the tone of one who didn’t mind. Max and Ash both immediately collapsed into giggles, and Ithos’ tail flashed blue for an instant behind him. It quickly smoldered with the grass it lit into a flickering yellow, and then a deep red when he crossed his arms. He snapped his head to the side with rage, and Max laughed so hard she fell over, bag flopping off.

“Really?” Ithos whined. “We have a mission to do.” In deference to their mission, Max brought a paw up to wipe a tear away. She sat up with an arm to her belly and tugged her bag back over her shoulder. “Okay, I get it.”

“Sorry, sorry,” Ash chuckled. He shook his head and went over to pull Max up. “Just team bonding. You understand.”

“Ash, c’mon,” Max said, bringing up a paw to stifle her giggles again. “That’s enough.” She gave him a stern glare and a pat to his shoulder, and he stood down. She felt a bit bad baiting Ithos like that, but how could she possibly help herself? Unfortunately, Ithos still looked mad. He refused to look at either of them, arms still firmly crossed. That little nugget of guilt stabbed a touch sharper.

Max went over to yank Ithos into a hug he couldn’t resist. Literally: she had spent much more time strength training than he had (she liked how the definition looked against her otherwise soft form). After recovering his balance, though, he didn’t try to pull away. Reluctantly, he brought his arms up to pat her back.

“Sorry,” Max said as they pulled away. A few sparks bounced down her cheeks as she looked away. “Was that too far?”

Ithos took a breath, then turned away to scratch the back of his head. “No,” he eventually sighed. He still didn’t look happy, but he looked less furious. At the very least, Max no longer had to worry about him burning down a Mystery Dungeon. Max yanked him into another quick hug, this time hopping off before he could reciprocate.

“Well?” Ash asked. He had his paws relaxed and sat back on his haunches. “What’s my sentence?”

“Death,” Ithos grumbled.

“No,” Max chuckled, bapping his arm. They hadn’t actually come to a conclusion about Ash. With another quick look at Ithos, though, she felt a little bit safer. She let the rest of her laughs leave as she went over to rest a paw on Ashton’s shoulder. “I’m sorry.” She looked up with a nervous smile, then quickly looked away. “I’ve been nervous about a lot, but I trust you.”

Ash opened his mouth to quip out a retort, but Max dug her nubbins into a pressure point on his neck before he could. After a squeak of pain, he chuckled and smacked her paw off to rub the spot. “Fair,” he grumbled.

“I’ll tell you, I promise,” Max said. “Just,” she looked away while nervous sparks bounced down her cheeks, “later, all right?” Ash needled her with a glare that stoked a chuckle out of her. It had been a long time, though, so he’d earned a bit of impatience. “Today, all right? Later today.”

“Woo!” Ash cheered. He hopped up with a wide grin. “Later today, I’ll officially be trustworthy!” Max rolled her eyes and caught Ithos stifling a chuckle. How the tables had turned.

“All right, buddy,” Max said. She shot a quick glare at Ithos, and he put his arms up while looking up in a play of innocence, so she looked back over to Ash. “What’s out there? Anything good?” Back to the task at hand.

“Eh,” Ash said with a shrug. “There’s a few, but they’re all preoccupied.” He nodded his head towards the patch of flowers and fruit that tempted Max earlier. She barely glanced at it, and Ithos took hold of her paw to gently coax her eyes away.

“Come on,” Max growled, yanking her paw away. Ithos shrank back, holding his paw, and Max felt her anger smolder somewhere deeper. “Sorry.” She rubbed at her right arm with her left paw and took a breath. “Look, I appreciate y’all looking out for me, but I’m fine.” The scent tickled her nose, but she didn’t let herself think about it. “I can handle glancing at it.”

“All right, sorry,” Ithos said. Max risked a glance up, relieved to see him smiling again. “I just want to keep you safe.” Max squeaked in appreciation with a nervous smile, then a sound off to the side distracted both of them.

Turning around, Ash had wrapped his arms around himself and rubbed them up and down while making obnoxious kissing noises. He’d ruined the moment. Max rolled her eyes and caught Ithos doing the same. She raised an ear up at him, and he nodded in assent. Max went up behind Ash, tugged a nascent charge into her paw, and jammed her nubbins into the same pressure points she’d hit earlier.

“Fuck!” Ash yelped. He hopped up and away with a new jitter stirring in him even when he stood still. “Come on, I thought you were cool with it.”

“Time and place,” Max said, digging through her bag. She very neatly organized her bag by having things she might need inside it, and things she might not need outside it. Beyond that, though, she had some trouble with specifics. She grabbed a cheri in time, though, and held it up to Ash’s maw.

“All right,” Ithos said, forcing a serious tone. Max caught sight of the chuckle on the edge of his lips, but she let him off easy. “Let’s go.”

“Gotcha,” Max said. She pat Ash on the back and scurried around to Ithos’ left. Ash took a slight lead on his right and lead them through the passage he’d scouted. “What’s the mission, again?”

Ithos tilted his head back in exasperation and looked over his shoulder to chuckle down at her. “The same mission we had the last four times you asked,” he said. Max tried to smile back while Ash giggled, and sparks bounced down her cheeks. Ithos eventually showed mercy, rolling his eyes and facing forward. “We need to get some crop from the sixth and seventh floors.”

Max nodded, almost managing to remember the last four times he’d said that. As it turned out, her memory was bad even without blacking out for months. She had a feeling it always had been.

“Right,” she mumbled. Tentatively glancing around, she wondered who would need that and why, but she didn’t know if she’d already asked that. Ithos caught sight of her nervous glances up at him and smirked down. She quickly looked away again while her cheeks sparked. “D-did I already ask why?”

“Nope,” Ithos said. A claw scratched at her neck while she wasn’t looking, and Ithos started tugging her closer for a proper pat to her back. His paw fell, but she wished it wouldn’t. “I think it was something about growing them outside Dungeons?”

“What?” Max asked. Her eyes shot to him, but he was watching Ash. They’d made it to the mouth of the next room already. Trying to grow this stuff outside of a Dungeon sounded like a recipe for disaster, but she swallowed her objections and ducked in line behind.

Like Ash said, several pokémon were in the room, but most lounged in patches of Lotus, eating or sleeping. Each looked content in the face, and soft everywhere else. A deino lay on its back under its own weight with a foreleg at its belly while a pair of swablu napped in each other’s wings. The weight on all the pokémon was subtle, but they were illusions. It was strange to see any fat on them at all.

Not all of them were happy and content, though. Two scraggy bumbled around looking drunk or nauseous while clutching their stomachs as well as their shorts. They looked dazed enough to miss the team passing entirely, but there was a palpitoad prowling the premises with visible frustration. If the scraggy were looking for more, the palpitoad was looking for any.

“Shit,” Ash grumbled, waving them both back. They ducked back into cover while Ash shook his head. “The toad wasn’t there earlier.”

“Well, it’s a water, right?” Max asked. “I shouldn’t have any trouble with it.” She felt a bit insulted Ash would just forget her like that. Then, he shared a look with Ithos, a look they’d shared so many times before that Max’s ears fell at the sight. “What’s the other type?” As long as it wasn’t ground, she’d at least be neutral.

“Ground,” Ithos said. “And it doesn’t look like it’s had any Lotus.” He shared a worried glance with Ash, and Max nodded along. She’d more or less gotten the hang of these new Dungeons. All she knew in this case was ferals are usually less irritable when engrossed in their Dungeon’s activity. This Dungeon was all about eating, so hungry meant grouchy. “Is there a route around this one?”

“No,” Ash sighed. “And it’s not leaving until it gets what it’s looking for, I’ll bet.” A dense realization fell over the three of them. Another worst case scenario to face. “It doesn’t look fast.”

“Is running really the best idea?” Ithos asked. He brought a paw to his chin and eyed Max’s bag. The bags the Expedition Society had were better, but still not perfect. They accommodated quadrupedal stances, but barely. Mostly, they were just easier for Max to balance on her back.

“There is one way to get it to leave,” Ash said. Max already didn’t love his tone, and she liked the way he was eyeing her even less. “It wouldn’t be hard to get on your tail.”

Max expected Ithos to tell him exactly where to stuff it, but he was strangely silent. Usually, she could trust him to protect her against the worst of Ash’s schemes. The fur on the back of her neck started to rise for every second he remained silent. When she finally let herself look up, she groaned at his reticent consideration.

“I hate you two,” she grumbled. She brought her paws to knead under her eyes, tail flagging behind her. Just thinking about this, her instincts roused. Before he had a chance to see them, she looked down to hide her eyes from Ithos.

“Hey, it’s all right,” Ithos whispered. He knelt and put a paw to her shoulder, but Max couldn’t bring herself to meet his eyes. “You’ll still have your badge.” She pulled her right paw into her left and started feeling its pads. Another perk of the Expedition Society: one badge each member instead of each team. “Look, we can find another way if it’s too much.”

There went her last chance to say no. Ithos meant what he said, she knew that every single time he said it. Unfortunately, she also knew she had no chance of actually saying no when he said it. Any time she knew he was relying on her, or even considering as much, she couldn’t help herself.

With a deep sigh of regret, Max pulled her bag’s strap over her head and said, “I’ll do it.” She pushed the bag into his paws before Ithos had a chance to ask if she was sure. His face served as a convenient spot to hold the flap while she pulled the clasps loose and tossed it up. Her paw found the badge with practiced ease before gravity brought the flap back down.

Ithos still looked worried when it fell. Her plan hadn’t exactly worked; she’d hoped he’d be too exasperated about the flap in his face to worry, but he never ceased to amaze her. He seemed to know she’d made up her mind, though, because he slowly nodded and pulled the bag over his shoulder.

“We’ll meet up in the first room on the other side, all right?” Ash said. Ithos nodded, but they looked at Max for an answer.

“Why does the mouse share the house with Ith-ouse,” Max hummed as she tugged the strap out and up her left arm (had it gotten tighter?). “They won’t say, but they feel their feelings.” She barely knew she was singing at all until she saw Ithos and Ash staring down at her. “Yep. Sounds good.” What she wouldn’t give to have that record player back. Her life was empty without music. Well, almost empty.

“Hey,” Ithos whispered. He ran his paw down the back of her head, scratching his claws into the crook of her neck. “You’ll be all right. You’ve got this.” She looked up at his smile, and her worries melted away. For a brief second, he was right. She knew for a fact that she’d be all right.

“All right,” Max said before Ash could kill the moment. She rolled her shoulders and dropped to all fours. “Here comes the fun.” Her instincts were already complaining, so she dashed out before they had a chance to stop her.

She immediately identified the palpitoad on the left of the clearing, and after only five leaps, it had seen her. The two scraggy had collapsed in the middle of it all, so she darted around them. Two exits sat on the same side of the palpitoad, and she started to go for them to make sure it would come after her. That, it turned out, was redundant, because she had to jump off course to dodge a high pressure stream.

Her paws hit the ground running to the wall opposite her entrance, and she listened for it to follow. Since its every booming step shook the ground beneath it, she didn’t have to listen hard. The real challenge came from not immediately running full speed. Her heart was already racing, and it wasn’t from exertion.

A massive tremor ripped through the ground beneath her, knocking her off balance. After a few stumbling steps, she had it back, but even a miss had instincts racing through her mind. The scent of earth she barely picked up from the palpitoad turned into a stench that flooded the air around her. One attack made it feel like she was stuck in a ground’s territory instead of running away from one.

Her legs launched her to the left, and she didn’t know why until she heard mud splat where she’d been. She hadn’t noticed, but her instincts were already worming their way into her movements. She had to fight them to keep her pace down already, and she realized she barely needed to focus on her legs at all.

Instincts were already running for her.

She shook her head and tried to put her mind back into running. It was easier to coax control back than just yank it over. She put more thought into the movement in her legs, but she couldn’t tell if she had any more control. It would have to do, though, because another jet of water came, this time clipping her tail. It stung, but the damage was minor.

Frustratingly, it had her thoughts flooded with a desperate need to run faster. The minuscule damage didn’t matter. It hit her, and it was a ground. As she hopped off the trees to round a corner, she basically had to acquiesce some. She already had it out of there, anyway. Ithos and Ash would be fine, even if it lost interest in her and went back, and she was almost certain that wouldn’t happen.

Already, she could feel past the next corner; her awareness was coming out on its own, too. She hadn’t had this much trouble before. Then again, she hadn’t had to deal with playing bait for a ground type before, either.

There was no point fighting it while she ran, though. She let her senses build a bit without growing out much further. As the corner approached, though, she didn’t get any good information. She only got about an extra second of terror until she turned the corner to confirm. This path didn’t lead anywhere, at least not for her. A few yards after the turn, the path dipped into a stream.

She skid to a stop as quick as she could; ground types scared her, but water terrified her. However deep it was, she knew it was too deep. She couldn’t get another inch closer, but the palpitoad wasn’t slowing down.

She jerked up to glance behind her, then right back ahead of her again. The stream didn’t take over the path completely, just the next ten yards—way farther than she could jump—the palpitoad was rounding the first corner. It was one turn away.

Terror started to tug her out of her surroundings, the fear growing distant with the environment. She flicked her tail against the ground and tried to claw a grip before it got worse. The palpitoad was almost to the next turn, and her instincts wouldn’t even consider letting her turn around. With a whimper, she dropped back to all fours and darted for the water.

She couldn’t make it ten yards in one jump, but maybe she didn’t have to. She’d gotten good enough at leaping off the walls to round out corners that she didn’t even think about it anymore. If she could keep enough momentum with each leap, she might be able to make it.

With every step that brought the water closer, it got harder and harder to keep her grip strong. The fear made every bit of control of her limbs slippery. She could go along with the motion, but the slightest attempt at deviation slid right off, and she felt her cognition following suit. Instead of coaxing control from her instincts, they were coaxing it away from her.

Palpitoad slammed into a tree on the corner and ripped a tremor through the ground. Her paws barely managed to keep pace, keep balance, but the shake scared her into jumping too early. She hadn’t built to her full speed, but her paws already kicked off the first tree. No second chances.

At least she could feel the trees without looking. Her legs pushed off the bark for her while her own influence barely felt like a suggestion. Each jump happened by itself, each one bringing her a little closer to the water. She didn’t have to glance down to feel its approach. Every inch closer she felt as the sound of the stream got louder in her ears. Her paw slipped once, and a shock of mud smacked into her back.

She tried to reach for the other side, but she wasn’t even close. The sight distorted against instincts in her mind too much for her to even know how far away she was, just that she’d fallen short. She knew she had an emergency out, but with the panic pulling her mind into an abyss, she couldn’t remember it.

Some massive beast smashed into her back, launching her forward. For a brief instant, she felt grass, then nothing. She only knew she had to run. It felt familiar, so terrifyingly familiar, yet she couldn’t remember when. Its memory served only as a looming shadow of terror, more fodder to run from. Some relief came as she put some distance between herself and whatever attacked her.

It was gone; two more appeared. She didn’t give them a second glance before darting away. They shrieked at her; she ran faster until a scent stole her attention. Peace, however brief, forced her to lunge for whatever it was. It brought relief, relief so sweet, and she felt fine.

But she felt so, so hungry. Her stomach wrenched itself into knots, desperate for anything to fill it. Paws forced whatever they could down her throat before she could even notice they were her own. Each bite only made it worse. Each delicious fruit or flower she shoved down her throat forced her into bliss while only feeding her hunger. Already, the food strained her stomach tighter, but she couldn’t stop.

Only once her paws had no more food to reach for could she stop. They rested against the taut mound of her belly while it creaked in pain. She clutched it tight, not sure if it hurt from hunger or fullness.

A warm paw took hold of her, yanking her into its hold. She felt a spike of fear, but she hurt too much to resist. Its sharp claws dug into her legs as it dragged her away. She’d fed herself fat like a good prey, and now she had to finish her role in the life cycle with only a whimper of regret.

She didn’t get quite the warm embrace she’d expected. Instead of suffocating, humid tightness kneading her into a digested lump of bones and ooze, the scales cradled her. She groaned in a mix of pain and fear and felt it hold her tighter.

In that hold, she started to hear him speaking, cooing something. Whatever it was, the soft tone comforted her. She felt secure, safe, and the world slowly came back into focus. Water dripped through her fur everywhere the scales didn’t touch, bringing a slight chill that he guarded her against.

“Max?” Ithos asked. “I think she’s coming to.”

Max leaned into his hold a little bit more. She wanted to figure out where she was, but a painful pulse of ache pulled all of her attention. It felt so full that even her esophagus was a bit stuffed. “What the hell did I eat?” she groaned.

“A lot,” Ithos said. He ran his paw down her head, and she leaned into his touch. “What happened?” His other paw went to her belly to scratch it, and that seemed to make it worse. She winced with a whimper, eyes screwed shut. At least her period finished up a week ago. This was already hell. The worst part, though, was she couldn’t tell if she still felt hungry. Ithos rocked her to remind her he’d asked a question.

“Ka?” Max mumbled. The pain had stabilized enough that she could peek one eye open. “I don’t know. Where are we?”

“That’s okay,” Ithos said. He gave her a light squeeze while Ash shot a confused look at him. “We’re in a Dungeon, remember?” He looked away, cheeks flushing a touch red. “Last time you saw me, you were about to lead a palpitoad away so we could get through. I think your condition got to you, though.”

“I figured that part,” Max grumbled. She already knew she’d blacked out. This didn’t happen to her randomly. All the dread that came from that sat comfortably with the rest of the torment in her stomach, but Ithos’ soft smile made it not seem so bad.

Ithos winced a bit, mumbling, “Sorry, yeah. That was probably obvious,” while Ash shot him another confused look.

“Ithos, are you talking to yourself?” Ash asked. He got two confused glares back, but his own confusion stood strong against skepticism. “Bro, she’s just babbling. Are you guessing?”

“Ka—piii,” Max growled. Of course, that usually came, too. Noticing always turned into the hardest part, too. Usually, she could figure it out when nobody understood what she was saying, or even knew she was talking. “Ka, Pika?” she asked, joining Ash in looking confused at Ithos. Sure enough, he turned like she’d said his name. As she watched, though, she saw a prideful smirk beaming out from under forced nonchalance.

“Yeah, Max?” Ithos said. When Max flinched in surprise, he couldn’t hold back his giggles anymore. “C’mon, don’t you remember?” He pulled her into a tighter hug. “I love decoding this kinda thing!”

“Decoding?” Ash asked. A paw came up to rub at his temple, and he shook his head.

Neither Max or Ithos acknowledged his question, though, too respectively baffled and excited to notice. Perhaps part of it came through, though, because Max shook her head while whispering the same thing, “Chupika?” This time, though, Ithos thought for a second before shaking his head.

“That one’s new,” Ithos sheepishly mumbled. Ash threw his paws up in defeat and plopped down since no one was acknowledging him for now. “I know how it works, but it’s not like I can memorize every word.”

“Chu pi ka ka chuu?” Max breathlessly asked. Neb had worked with Dungeon Sickness for years at this point, and she couldn’t understand a word. Ithos had to just be guessing really well. Even Max only understood it—it didn’t make sense to her.

“Mostly, yeah!” Ithos cheered. Every little victory had Max’s eyes open wider, and his grin grow larger. “Here, it’s actually really simple!” He was shaking so much at this point from excitement that he had to put her down for her own safety. Max worried he might explode if she didn’t let him go on, so she didn’t stop it. Of course, she was intensely curious herself.

“Okay! So,” Ithos started to say, when he froze in place. He scrunched up his brow in thought before looking up to scratch at the back of his neck. “How do I explain this?” After a second, the light flashed in his eyes again (and his tail made Max have to squint her own with a flash).

“Pikachu!” Ithos declared. Max raised one ear, starting to wonder if he really was just getting really lucky with guesses. “It’s those syllables, right?” Max gave him the courtesy of a nod while doubt started creeping in. “Right! Can you say, ‘me’?”

“You?” Max mumbled, but Ithos shook his head.

“No, I mean the word,” he said with a chuckle. “Say the word ‘me’ in pikaspeak.”

Max raised a brow, but obliged anyway. “Pi,” she said.

“Right!” Ithos cheered, eyes lighting up. “Okay!” He bounced in his seat while Ash started to snicker (Max didn’t blame him). “Now, same thing, but say, ‘you’!”

“Chu,” Max said. Ithos stared at her like he’d just revealed the puzzle’s solution, but she didn’t see it. He’d figured out two words that made different sounds. It wasn’t all that impressive a feat. Whatever he was trying to explain, she needed a bit more information; Ithos seemed to understand as much when he started bouncing some more.

“Okay, fine,” Ithos chuckled. Looking up with a paw to his chin, he said, “Now, say… near, now, here, close, yes, in, and… is?” He thought for a second before nodding. He looked expectantly with the suggestion of a challenge in his eyes.

Max had to stifle a chuckle. He was so cute like this, she just had to humor him. “Pi,” she started. “Piii, pii pi, pi. Pi. Pi.” It started to barely make sense, all of those words only varying in pitch.

“See?!” Ithos cheered, moving on before she could answer. “Okay, now say, ‘far, later, there, far, no, out, and not.” Max did exactly that, with every one coming out as a ‘chu’ of varying pitch. “Great! Now, what, where, that, the, why, and how.” Once again, Max did it, each of these being ‘ka’ with, of course, variations in pitch.

“See?! Pikachu!” Ithos whisper-shouted. They were still in a Dungeon, after all. “Each of the syllables has their own meaning, and it’s all relative.” Max started to smile along. He actually seemed like he’d figured some parts of it out, but he clearly couldn’t wait to explain the rest. “Okay, I bet you can figure the pitch out! Here this one will make it obvious. Say ‘high’ and ‘low’, okay?”

“Chu, chu,” Max said. She nearly slapped herself. ‘High’ was high in pitch, and ‘low’ was low. At this point, even Ash was starting to follow along with his own nods and bafflement.

“See what I mean about relativity?” Ithos asked. Max had forgotten he ever said that word, though, so she shook her head. “Right, okay.” He looked away to scratch the back of his head again. “Maybe I’m getting ahead of myself again.” The cute little chuckle of nerves probably would’ve made Max tackle him if she wasn’t still worried her stomach might explode.

“Hold on,” Ash said. Ithos had just about started explaining more, so he stopped in place with effort that looked like it could kill him. “We’re in the middle of a mission, dude. Can you, like, abridge the rest?”

“Oh,” Ithos whimpered. In an instant, he was back up. “Right, right! Okay.” He turned back to Max with that same fire in his eyes. “Long story short, somehow, it’s like an aural cipher. The syllables always match what you would say, and pitch is used to distinguish between them and convey degr-”

“Dork,” Max chuckled, shaking her head.

Ithos snapped out of his trance a bit, turning to tilt his head at Max. “Huh? I don’t think I’ve heard that one before,” he said.

Max chuckled, shaking her head without being able to take her eyes off him for a second. Talking to Eleos had always been a relief for her. She didn’t have to worry about it understanding her, which was a Godsend when, so often, she had to hide her slips entirely. It made it so much easier on her. That feeling of really being understood warmed her heart then, and it warmed her heart now.

This time, though, felt even more special. Eleos just knew as a natural extension of itself. Her vision started to blur a bit. Ithos spent so much time, so much effort, just for her. No one else they’d ever met had this.

“Max?” Ithos said. He laid a paw on her shoulder. “Sorry, I got too excited. Did I-”

“I love you,” Max sobbed, throwing herself around him. He toppled back while she squeezed his chest so hard his rib cage creaked. Giggles squeaked out between sobs that pressed tears out her eyes and down her cheeks, right into Ithos’ chest. Time and time again and again, she’d done this. The slight sulfur scent of her tears dripping and steaming off his scales had been familiar even before. She’d always known why, but now, she’d lived that knowledge.

“So run on She’s training you And she’s got you dancing”

[redemptioninchaos]

"You have our gratitude for assisting us. Thanks to you, we have met with minimal casualties." The knightess expressed this further by placing her gauntleted fist around the chest. Now the situation was under control, and the knights and soldiers were helping the wounded, Vanessa could be at ease again. "My name is Vanessa, Vanessa Oyen. May I ask for yours?"

(Vanessa to Ajax)

Ajax didn't know the land or its inhabitants, but a paladin of Lathander was required to act in defense of the innocent without hesitation. He could at least gather that a nearby city's guard had gathered together to engage in battle with a fearsome dragon attacking the local crops. There were dozens of guards deployed to combat the threat, but would it have been meaningful for one extra person to step into the fight?

Fortunately, Ajax had experience fighting dragons; when his mission was diverted to the Sword Coast, he and a group of other adventurers had come in contact with an evil dragoness intent on corrupting the local order of giants. It had taken a year and a half to resolve the conflict, but Ajax and his compatriots were victorious.

The tiefling had gotten the impression that while he wouldn't be any closer to defeating his demonic sire in the Sword Coast, he was needed there for that reason. Once the dragon was defeated, he used some of his spoils to take a ship elsewhere, putting faith in Lathander that he'd end up where he needed to be once more.

Though Ajax didn't land a single blow with either steel or mana on the dragon, his sheer presence was enough to keep nearby knights' hearts from failing as the dragon let out fearsome roars that shook the earth. Several soldiers approached the brink of death, but through Lathander's grace, Ajax was able to stabilize some and bring others right back into the fight. He wouldn't have been surprised at the odd looks people gave him, Ajax being a tiefling and all, but he was just glad they didn't consider him to be another enemy.

He could hear the clunking of sabatons getting louder as he applied the last of his healing magic for the day on a soldier about to bleed out. A radiant white light appeared over Ajax's hands as the soldier's wounds gradually closed up. He turned towards the source of the sound and stood up straight.

"A blessed day to you, milady," he said, giving a chivalrous bow towards her, "though I would that we met under better circumstances. I am Ajax, paladin for Morninglord Lathander."

Ajax stood at over five and a half feet tall and had ashen purple skin, slightly rough to the touch. He had red, luminescent eyes, sharp teeth, and a square jaw with a cleft chin. He wore steel armor with golden sun motifs on the chest, shoulder plates, gauntlets, and open-faced helmet. He donned a shield on his back and had a longsword sheathed on his right hip, a glowing yellow mace on his left. He had a tail that stretched four feet long behind him, and he had horns that bent outward and extended seven inches from his head.

The way he spoke was solemn, devoid of levity, but not soulless. Everything from his tone to his stance was dutiful, like a soldier awaiting future orders. He'd never met anyone in this continent before, but he looked as if he was awaiting future orders from a commanding officer. He didn't think he'd ever see the day where that commanding officer would be a woman, but he also knew that traveling to foreign countries would mean experiencing some culture differences.

[goat-and-a-pig]

Chapter 27

Stan had given up on himself.

But he was not yet done fighting for his brother.

“Please, it’s my brother! Just let me save him and I’ll never cause trouble again! I’ll put the gun to my head myself! You can send your whole guard with me! Please! Just let me save him!” Trigger sighed. “How many times must we go over this? No.” Powers and Blind Ivan had already left to prepare for Stan’s memory to be removed. Trigger was chosen as backup.

Looks like I’m going to have to do this the hard way, Stan thought determinedly. He quietly followed Trigger into a four-way intersection and calculated his best path of escape. While Trigger went up to the door and knocked on it to be let in, Stan grabbed a spear from a nearby suit of armor and dashed over to Trigger, which knocked him down from shock. “Aaaaahhh!” He screamed. “Hand me the keys!” Stan barked. Trigger refused. Stan pointed the spear at him, grazing the tip of his nose. Trigger gulped and shakily took out the keys. “Now unlock my handcuffs.” Trigger complied. As Stan rubbed his wrists, he wondered why no guards had come running because of Trigger’s squeal.

Footsteps pounded in the hallway. The door started to open.

Ah. There they are.

He readied himself to take them on, but when they rounded the corner, instead of charging he stopped dead in his tracks. “Dipper? Mabel?”

“Stan! They cried, relief showing on their faces. “What are you doing here?”

“We’re here to rescue you,” the redheaded girl from the tavern replied. Stan squinted. “Rainy?” He guessed.

“Wendy,” she corrected him, rolling her eyes. “Anyway, don’t you have somewhere to be? Me and my warriors will take down those prats behind you. CHARGE!” She shouted ferociously. Stan glanced behind him and saw Powers and Blind Ivan. He took off in the other direction, with the twins on his heels.

Eventually, they ran into the ballroom, up to the hallway, and picked their way into the basement. Stan began flipping switches and preparing procedures while talking to the kids. “Look, you’re gonna have to stay back. For one, it’s way too dangerous. And,” he continued before they could protest, “I’m gonna need you two to open the portal for me and Icarus after I go save him, but not for too long. Open it every thirty minutes for five minutes or something. And… there’s something you should know about Icarus… He’s my brother after all.”

“We know!” They shouted over the din of the machine. Stan chuckled softly, and suddenly wished that they all had more time to spend with each other. Mabel came up to him as the portal opened. “Go save him, Grunkle Stan. We love you.” Stan teared up a bit. “I guess you knuckleheads aren’t too much of a nuisance,” he said offhandedly. “See ya.”

He stepped into the portal and ran toward the spaceship. “Icarus, Icarus, let down your long hair!” He called out desperately. Much to his surprise, a few seconds later, a long, messy braid of hair came down, inviting Stan in. He climbed up to the tower, only to find Ford scream, “No, Stanley! It’s a trap! Run!” Bill snapped and Ford shut up.

Oh no.

“Stanley!” He cried. “I’m so glad you finally joined us! Too bad you have to leave so soon,” he said as he plunged a dagger into Stan’s gut. He let loose a guttural cry of pain. Ford wrestled loose of the mind control. “Please, he’s my brother!” He screamed. “Just let me save him and I’ll go quietly, I swear! Please! I promise! Please!” He strained against invisible commands. Stan felt lightheaded as he sunk to the floor. Ha ha, is anyone else getting deja vu? “Icarus, no,” Stan croaked out, but nobody paid him any attention. Bill squinted at Icarus, but clearly saw something and released him to tend to Stan. “Fine.”

Ford ran over to him. “I finally remembered,” he whispered. “Finally, been waiting forever,” Stan cough-laughed. “But you can’t just give up your life for me-”

���He’s gonna get me one way or another,” Ford said tiredly. “At least this way, you live. Now come on-” Stan sighed and held up a hand. “Fine. Do you want me to tell you about your life? I’m sure you have questions. It’s the least I can do to make up for forty years. Who is it? Our parents, your kingdom, Fiddleford McGucket-”

Ford’s eyes widened. Aha. “Yes please,” he whispered. Stan wondered what he remembered, and felt vaguely sorry for his next move. “Come closer then.” As Ford leaned in, Stan grabbed the dagger out of his gut and stabbed Ford’s eyeball. He could hear Ford’s anguish in the background as he slipped away from life.

He may have given up on his own life, but he’d never stop fighting for Ford’s. Ever.

Then he died.