#five calls rick 'dad' and it messes with everyone else

[in-tua-deep]

Ok I totally want to hear more about this survivors au/Delores is real! How do the siblings handle having this different version of Five? Five may be better adjusted but he still has to heard his family around like a bunch of stray cats. What happens when Hazel and Cha Cha show up? How do they find out that Vanya causes the apocalypse and how does Five handle that revelation?!

here is the thing, i think the survivors au has the potential to be HILARIOUS

no one knows how to handle a well-adjusted five, and this absolutely includes the commission

So you mentioned Hazel and Cha-Cha?? Five in this au was not nearly as absolutely feral as he is in the show bc he knows how to interact with people - he was raised by a competent adult and a weird best friend and they occasionally saw other survivors as well

please picture old Five hanging around the water cooler and chatting with Hazel

the other funny thing is that Five is competent passing - he is well adjusted emotionally but functionally?? Hazel is out there complaining about dental being cut and office parties and budgets and Five is there sipping his drink having never filed taxes in his life. Five doesn't know what the fuck a dental plan is, he was a child soldier and then lived in an apocalypse.

So please picture for me Hazel being like "okay I know corporate wants us to keep what we're being paid to ourselves but fuck that, workers unite, what do you get paid as a legend old timer?"

and five is like "you're getting paid? i get to not get tossed back into the apocalypse, I think"

"but what about expense forms? what about medical care?"

"I'm like 80% sure i'm being experimented on, actually." Five says nonchalantly, "Don't get me wrong, my idea of medical care is fucked by being a child soldier but I'm pretty sure regular people don't have electrodes attached to their heads every time they get a checkup. Could be wrong though! My ex-dad used to monitor my brainwaves while I slept so like, my idea of appropriate shit is fucked, you know?"

This is a Five who was raised by Rick, he is polite to his coworkers. If Dot asked him if he wanted to grab lunch, Five would have gone and grabbed lunch with her or politely said that he couldn't.

Cha Cha only ever talks to Five when she wants to talk shop, so they've had a couple of conversations about weapons but not much else tbh, Hazel just tends to be more personable

So when they're sent after Five, Hazel is much more hesitant to kill who he perceives as a "work friend" and also is definitely thinking about all the times Five casually revealed a way the commission was being highkey shady about him, such as the potential experimentation, no pay, working under duress etc. He's much more easily turned against the commission because he's even more primed to say "fuck the commission" than he is in canon

Hazel out here like "how did Five break his contract when Five wasn't even being paid? I kind of want to read it."

Hazel out here like "I would unionize if I didn't think the commission was anti-union enough to send literal assassins after me if I suggested it :/"

meanwhile with the siblings

Five just. talks over them a lot and makes so much sense that it's actually really hard to argue with him, and he's weirdly considerate of his family's obligations

Like Diego is like "i have to go see Patch" then Five is like "that's great I'm proud of you buddy, it would actually be really handy to have some law enforcement read into the situation if you think she's up to the task. that goes for everyone by the way! If y'all have people you trust, more bodies would be super helpful I think"

the entire family, collectively, who have like zero trusted social links: uhhhhhhhh

Diego, with this weird permission, probably?? Does? Awkwardly attempt to read Patch into the situation? Patch is, obviously, like "what the fuck, Diego" but probably goes with him to the mansion (????????) because she's concerned and then meets his fucking whacko family with their superpowers and suddenly everything is 100% more realistic

Five is just like "yes hello I'm aware I look like a child, i'm actually in my late 50s or early 60s (apocalypse time amiright) because of time travel stuff. Yes I am Five Hargreeves who went missing in like 2002 or whatever. anyway it's lovely to meet you, i'm so glad diego has someone he trusts, and considering my sibling's shifty looks when i told them to invite anyone they trusted this genuinely makes me concerned that Diego is the most socially well-adjusted of them."

"That cannot be possible." Patch says, like someone who has met Diego Hargreeves.

"You haven't met the rest." Five says sympathetically, "In our defense we were raised in isolation as child soldiers."

"That... explains so much." Is all Patch can say to that, "But you seem..."

"I'm adopted." Five waves away.

"We're ALL adopted." Diego grits out, very aggrieved by this and also not sure if he likes the fact that Patch seems friendly with Five, or at least is listening to him?

"I'm double adopted."

However! With the recruitment of Patch, herding Diego becomes like 90% easier.

Honestly the worst to herd are probably Luther and Allison? Luther because he's Number One and resents Five taking charge and also resents Five's casual dismissal of Reginald and also suspects that Five (or at least the commission) has something to do with Reginald's death?

Allison because she is torn between following Luther and helping him and helping Five but also calling Patrick and Claire at every possible moment while ALSO trying to repair her relationship with Vanya. She's flighty - she'd bail on a Five-apocalypse-assignment if Vanya mentioned being hungry or if Luther called or anything like that

Vanya likes to be included and, if asked, would probably drop as many current obligations as she can. Like she would probably cancel her teaching if Five genuinely and sincerely asked her for her help, which he does because he's 100% sure Dolores would manifest in front of him and smack him if he dared even imply someone without powers wouldn't be helpful

Vanya is like "I'm not sure if i'll be helpful - I don't have powers ):" and Patch is like "wtf are you talking about - my superpowers are Gun, Backup, and Reading Comprehension and i am like the most useful member of this team right now"

Vanya gets a confidence boost just from hanging out with Patch honestly, I think they should be friends

Klaus is thrilled to be included are you kidding?? He says he does it for money but he's just happy to be there and also as one of the most emotionally intelligent siblings he is mildly concerned about the fact that Five looks like he's about to cry and also emotes

Five also gives Klaus positive reinforcement, hugs, and Five absolutely weaponizes the I'm not mad, but I believe that you can do better and I'm going to give you more chances because I love you and fully believe that next time you'll be amazing way that Rick used on him.

I feel like Five ends up saying something along the lines of "I understand that x is really important, and we're definitely going to look into it. Is it something that needs to be addressed right now, or is it something that can wait until after April 1st? If it can wait, I can write it down here on this list so we don't forget. If it can't wait then we can figure out a time to address it and help you" a lot

Like Grace malfunctioning and potentially killing Reginald?

"We don't have to make this decision right now." Five says patiently, "Because Grace is a robot, we have some options. Living with a robot who is potentially malfunctioning and homicidal is dangerous, but Luther saying that means admitting that Reginald might have made a mistake or error with Grace's programming or upkeep. I haven't been here for a long time, but I remember Reginald being very precise. Regardless, this isn't a choice between permanently shutting her off or not. We can shut her down temporarily until we can fully address the issue. We can ask and see if there is a 'system reboot' option or some sort of system check that Grace can undergo. We can try find and hire an expert to take a look at her programming to find the issue."

Five gives this speech while like, organizing the weaponry in the house on a table very nonchalantly

Five out here making buzzer noises at his siblings arguments like "yeah no that's a false dichotomy and a strawman's argument, want to try again?"

(Look apocalypse nights were long and they had games that were literally about arguing pointless shit like ranking types of chairs or the best way to break out of a prison without powers and things could get heated)

"Who died and made you boss?" Luther demands.

"Uh, the world? Were you not listening?" Five asks, looking very purposefully confused.

It gets even MORE delightful when Five reads Rick into the situation because a) he promised and b) his siblings really have like, no connections jeeze

Rick fully believes that this is his son from the future, like Five introduced himself, but Five skipped out on a few key details. Such as being adopted.

So Rick spends a solid chunk of time just staring at Five, who looks basically nothing like him, trying to think like, who is his mother ???? if we save the world will Five stop existing? why would I name my child 'Five'? Does everyone have powers in the future? was there like... a radioactive apocalypse? would radiation give future humans superpowers? when did my life turn into a comic book? am i even allowed to ask these questions? will knowledge of the future fuck things up?

and then when Five comes back and is like "what is up everyone this is my dad Rick who will be joining us, he doesn't have any memories of me thanks to time travel but if anyone is mean to him i WILL kneecap them"

"Your DAD?"

Five does kidney punch Klaus for saying that Rick is a DILF but otherwise everyone just is like, warily looking at this Normal Dad Man in confusion because?? This is the dude who raised Five, who they watched take out like an entire commission team by himself yesterday? He looks so. Normal.

Rick is very confused and like, wonders if he's supposed to be the team mascot? But Five keeps involving him and asking his opinion and in return Rick enforces snack breaks and makes everyone sandwiches and has gentle talks with everyone

Every time Five notices someone about to blow he just lovingly makes sure that that person is alone in a room with Rick

Luther ends up crying on the sofa with Rick gently patting his back as Rick calmly states that Luther seems like he's put a lot of time and effort into his family and making his father proud and that since Reginald isn't here to say it, Rick will have to be the one to say that he's proud and that they've been dropped into a difficult and stressful situation - so soon after Reginald's death when they're still grieving! - and he's doing so well

Luther, experiencing unconditional positive paternal regard for the first time in his life: i don't know why i'm crying so much

honestly this is just a comedy of juggling the gang, having impromptu therapy sessions and discussions, investigating the apocalypse and the eye, leonard trying to meet vanya continuously and failing because she's constantly surrounding by family or rick/patch, the commission trying their best to bust up the dream team/isolate Vanya/kill or remove Five, while Hazel lives out his romcom dreams with Agnes and also says "fuck the commission"

[chiliiscereal]

Here’s your GIF for the writing challenge!

Prompt: “I thought I’d find you out here.”

Good luck and thanks for participating!💛

Thanks for responding @crossbowking !!

I’ll do my best :D

Setting: right after The bridge is exploded by Rick

Pairing: Daryl x Grimes! reader because... fun lol idk he’s supposed to be helping Ricks kid by stepping up as a sort of parental guardian figure cause I’m a sucker for it. I just love family bonding haha. Also adding in when Henry and Carol visit Daryl for funsies

Summary: reader notices Daryl trying to close himself off and ends up following him into the woods before he takes off on his own.

Type: angst but also fluff

—————————

Your dad was gone.

Just like that.

He was gone, Carl was gone, and so was the bridge that he thought would bring the Alexandrians and Saviors together.

That day was the first time you’d seen your dads best friend cry. Unfortunately, Daryl was gone before you could even talk to him. He’d walked into the woods. Alone.

You thought you’d give him some time. Everyone needed to grieve after all, and you knew Daryl did that best by himself. That’s what he did when Merle died.

But you weren’t that kind of person. You needed to be with people. You needed to feel less alone or else you’d crumble. Michonne was nowhere to be found. She’d been a good mother figure, but right now you had no idea which direction she even went in.

So you went out into the woods after Daryl when he didn’t come back two days later.

If Michonne were there she’d have stopped you and said you were too young to go out alone.

But your dad was dead and his brother was missing. So you went ahead anyway.

You walked quietly along the crunchy forest floor to where your dad had that work site set up. Maybe he’d be there. Wasn’t that where he last saw your father before things went south?

You were answered when you saw the light of a small fire illuminating the small bit of forest.

There sat the man himself, smoking a cigarette.

He scared you when you first met him. He’d been sitting at the fire with his brother much like how he was doing it now. Being only seven at the time, you thought he would be terrifying.

But he was the one who brought you home to your dad when you and Sophia got lost in the woods. He was there when you and Beth had lost the prison. He always made sure you returned safely to your family, taking on the role of almost an uncle.

He’d seemed so strong then.

Now he just looked... broken.

Lost.

“I knew I’d find you here.” You said quietly, catching his attention.

He drifted his gaze back to the fire quietly. “Ya ‘sposed ta be our here alone?”

You shrugged and sat down next to him. “Beats being alone back home. I can’t find Michonne, and Rosita’s taking care of Judith.”

You had no idea what else you should say. Should you just bring up your dad right away? Ease into the tough conversation? Ignore it completely?

Daryl said nothing.

“I guess Judith and I are the last of the Grimes family.” You pulled your knees to your chest, waiting to see if the man would respond.

Nothing.

“What do we do now?” You tried again. Maybe he’d react to a question.

Absolutely nothing again.

You turned to watch him, noticing the tears he was trying to hide by swiping them away quickly.

“It’s okay to miss him.” You told him softly. “He was your brother. You don’t need to hide your sadness.”

He glanced at you but still stayed quiet.

“Are you gonna close yourself off again?” You couldn’t help but blurt it out. “Because we can’t lose anymore family, okay? You have to be here with us or I don’t know how we’re gonna survive.”

He nodded softly. “I know.” He said, voice coming out raspy.

“Then why won’t you say anything? Or look at me?” Tears rolled down your face.

Finally, he managed to tear his eyes away from the fire. “Cause ya look so damn much like your father. Every time I see ya I see him blowin’ up that damn bridge.” He looked up at the sky, trying to blink away his tears.

“So you’re just gonna pretend I’m not even here?” You crossed your arms. “Everyone in Alexandria needs you. Judith needs you! Michonne needs you! I need you! I lost almost all of my family already! Don’t make me lose you as well!” Tears fell faster and faster down your face.

He pulled you into a hug quickly. “m’sorry, kid.”

You wrapped your arms around him as well. “Please don’t leave us! I don’t think I can take losing any more people!”

“Shit, kid, I ain’t even made sure yer alright. Even after yer old man...” he tightened his grip. “And yer brother... and mom...”

“We’re a broken family. I know. Just... don’t break it anymore than it already is?” You pleaded.

“I don’t know if I’ll be able to go back, kid.”

“Then let me come with you!” You released him. “I know you’re trying to find my dad and see if he’s not actually dead! Or at least to find his body!”

“I can’t-.”

“Please. I need this just as much as you do.”

“Michonne would kill me.”

“Michonne left me alone in Alexandria. I think this would be fine by her.”

He glanced back at the fire, stuck in thought. “Fine.” He leaned back and draped his arm over your small shoulders, bringing you in for a side hug. “As long as ya do as I say, and listen ta me... you can come help me look for ya old man.”

You gave him a small grin. “Okay, deal.”

——-

One day turned into a week.

One week turned into a month.

One month turned into a year.

One year turned into five.

In that time neither of you found your dads body. You travelled all over, occasionally returning to keep in touch with the rest of your family.

You found a dog while you’d been out, and Daryl had taken to just calling it ‘dog’. You tried giving it a proper name but the older man even caught YOU calling it ‘dog’.

Michonne had been fine when you returned to gather more supplies. She thought it’d be good that Daryl would take care of someone else. After all, making sure you ate well and were safe meant that he had to eat well and stay safe.

Your little sister got bigger and bigger every day. Every time you saw her she knew more and more words.

You and Daryl has both fallen into a rhythm.

Wake up.

Eat.

Look for Rick.

Set new camp.

Hunt.

Visit Alexandria when given the chance.

Soon enough someone came along and messed up that rhythm.

Carol and some blonde boy.

A cute blonde boy.

Although, from what you could tell, he was a bit of an idiot.

“Would you mind if we stayed here before heading out to Woodbury again?” Carol asked, hand on the boys shoulder.

“‘Course.” Daryl nodded, wrapping the woman up in a hug. “Ain’t ever gonna tell you ya can’t stay.”

You watched the younger boys face carefully. He seemed... confused. Did Carol not tell him who Daryl was? Or who you were?

You walked over to Carol and pushed Daryl out of the way. “Stop hogging Carol! It’s my turn.” The man scoffed as you pulled the grey haired woman into your arms. “It’s good to see you again.”

She chuckled. “It’s good to see you again as well!” She pulled away and examined you. “You’ve gotten so big!”

“And your hairs gotten so long!” You laughed, holding it in your fingers. “I like it. It’s better than when you had buzzed hair.”

“Mom, you had buzzed hair?” The blond boy asked, eyes wide.

Your eyes went wide to. “‘Mom’? Did he just call you ‘mom’?”

She nodded. “This is Henry.” She waved him closer. “He’s going to Woodbury to train in becoming a blacksmith!”

Your heart panged a bit, almost feeling as if Carol had forgotten Sophia. “That’s... that’s great for you.” You nodded and tried to convince yourself it WAS great for her. “I’m glad.”

Needless to say, that night was incredibly awkward.

Carol was cutting Daryl’s hair so you were stuck with the new kid.

Did he even have any experience living outside the walls of the Kingdom?

Did he even know who Sophia was?

Who was he to come Into their camp and disrupt their new normal?

“So... how long you been staying in this camp?” He asked nervously.

You shrugged and tried not to look at him. “A while.” Maybe he’d go away if you didn’t talk to him.

“Very cool.” He nodded, hands fidgeting. “So why is it you and your dad aren’t staying in Alexandria? Or the Kingdom?”

Your heart felt as if it stopped. “My dad is DEAD, Henry.” You practically growled. “The reason I’m out here is to find his body.”

He held up his hands as if he were surrendering. “No need to bite my head off! How was I supposed to know you lost someone? I’m not a mind reader and you’re acting like a psychopath.”

Something inside you snapped. “I didn’t just lose SomeONE. I watched my mother die giving birth to my little sister! I watched my best friend walk out into the world as a walker after we spent DAYS looking for her! I lost my brother and had to watch him die after he was BITTEN!” By now you were standing, spitting at him your full fury. “I watched my dad get BLOWN TO PIECES when he exploded a bridge trying to keep walkers from attack out settlement! Everyone’s lost something! The only reason you didn’t know is cause you’ve spent your whole life sheltered in the kingdom playing the false role of a PRINCE!”

With that you stood up and walked off.

You knew you shouldn’t have snapped like that. You should have given him a chance. Maybe he was nice.

But he brought up her dad and called her crazy. He was so incredibly sheltered that he just expected to walk out into the world and NOT find it shattered!

You hadn’t ’t thought about your dad in a while.

Not really, anyway.

Sure, you looked for your dad every day, but you never really pictured him in your head while you did it.

Eventually, after a while of walking, you plopped down against a tree.

You stayed there as long as you dared.

Daryl has traps out in the woods that would catch walkers. You’d be fine.

After about fifteen minutes your racing thoughts were interrupted by the barking of a dog.

The brown haired animal walked up to you, tail wagging and tongue hanging from his mouth.

“Hey, dog.” You scratched behind his ear and buried your face in his fur.

Right now, you just needed some source of comfort.

“I knew I’d find ya here.” Daryl’s voice startled you. “Dog lead me right to ya.”

You didn’t even bother looking away from Dog. “Yeah, he’s a snitch.”

Daryl plopped down beside you in the grass. “Gonna tell me why ya yelled at Henry?”

You shook your head. “I don’t feel like it.”

“Well yer gonna tell me anyway.”

“He’s just... so incredibly sheltered! He was acting like nobody in this world has lost anybody! And when I got mad he called my a psychopath!” You held Dog closer. “I didn’t mean to snap at him. I couldn’t help it.”

Dog licked your cheek quietly.

“Kid, is this really about yer dad?” He placed a hand on your shoulder softly.

You nodded, still unable to break away from the furry animal cuddled against you.

“I know ya miss him an’ the rest ‘a yer family like hell.” He consoled. “I miss ‘em to. But ya can’t just snap at people like that. Ya still got family left.”

“That’s what you thought when you tried to leave me alone.” You grumbled.

“I thought I said no more snappin’ at people.”

“What are you, my dad?”

“Might as well be.” He stated. “Like it or not, yer my family now.” He squeezes your shoulder gently. “So ya gonna get yer face outta Dogs fur or ya just gonna stay there forever?”

You sniffed and reluctantly released Dog. “Ideally, is like to stay there forever.”

He chuckled dryly. “Ya can’t though. Ya got a life to live.”

“I know.”

“Come on then,” he stood up and helped you to your feet. “Let’s go get dinner then.”

You nodded and let him pull you into a hug. “Okay.”

You just wanted to stay like that forever.

But Daryl was right.

You had a life to live.

——

Requests are open! Just send me an ask :)

[fandom-junkie2020]

You Weren’t Suppose to Know That

Carl Grimes x Reader

Summary- From the moment Carl showed up in Alexandria you’ve taken an interest in him. It took a mishap for you to express your feelings. 

I rode down on the streets of Alexandria on my skateboard looking for my best friend Ron. He was having trouble at home lately and he would  always tell me about what was happening. My mom knew about what was happening yet she didn't do anything. That pissed me off. She's always talking about making Alexandria a better place and making it a safe place for everyone yet she won't intervene in Ron's situation because 'they'll work it out'. I found Ron looking at the gates. They were opening them so Aaron must be back.

"Hey, Ron." I said as I hoped of my skateboard and looked towards a group that they where letting in. "Any idea who these people are?" I asked.

"No idea. Aaron must have brought them back but I don't see him yet." Ron replied. Before I could think about anything more Spencer, my oldest brother, waved me over.

"This should be fun." I laughed and got back on my skateboard and rode over. I stopped in front of Spencer. "What's up."

"You know mom's gonna be pissed if she figures out you're still riding that thing." He laughed and I pointed at him.

"Mom doesn't need to find out."

"Oh really? What are you gonna do to stop me from telling her?" He asked.

"I'm gonna prank you for the rest of your life. Aiden will help me too. He's on my side of this battle."

"Yeah yeah sure." He turned to the new group "Well everyone this is my little sister, Y/N, she will be taking you to see our mom, Deanna. Once you get there she's going to ask you a few questions." I looked at Spencer.

"I didn't volunteer. It's my day off." I said.

"Well to bad." He shoved my shoulder and I shoved him back.

"Asshole." I laughed and turned to the group "Hope you guys can keep up." I said happily then got back on my skateboard and started towards our house where we hold the interviews.

"How long has this place been here." A deep voice asked. I turned my head to see an older man with a beard then turned back.

"Since the beginning. Most of the people here haven't seen what's outside the walls. I've seen it but my mom doesn't need to know that either." I laughed.

"You shouldn't sneak outside these walls. You're safe here." Someone else said.

"Okay listen up. I know you all just got here and you think you know everything but you don't. I go out just in case. If anyone or anything get's inside these walls then we're all screwed. No one in here can fight and most of them can't shoot guns. I go out there and practice killing those things because no one in here knows anything." It was silent for a while after that until a younger voice spoke up.

"What's your name?" I turned to see two people that where around my age so I'm not sure which one said it.

"Y/N." We where getting close to my house so I hopped off my skate board and hid it in front of Ron's house. He always lets me hide it there and he only lives a couple of houses down from me. I turned to the group and motioned for them to fallow me towards my house. Once we got there I stopped on the first couple of steps and turned around.

"Before we go in what are you're guy's names?" I asked.

"I'm Rick. Over there is Glenn, Maggie, Carol, Daryl, Eugene, Tara, Noah, Carl, who's holding Judith, Rosita, and Abraham." The man, Rick, said. I nodded and walked up the steps then walked inside.

"Mom we have a new group!" I yelled. My mom entered from the kitchen with my dad close behind.

"Oh well you all can make your way to the living room where you'll wait with my husband, Redge, and I'll call you all up one at a time." My mom said sweetly. "Y/N why don't you stay with your father. There seems to be some kids your age." She paused and looked around. "Who is the leader of your group?" She asked and Rick spoke up.

"That'd be me." My mother nodded.

"Well then, fallow me." He did as asked and they both walked upstairs while my father led everyone to the living room.

"Hey, dad?" I called and he walked over to me. "Do I really have to stay. I had some plans to hang out with Ron and Mickey." He sighed.

"Your mother just wants you to make more friends." I scoffed.

"What does she expect? The worlds gone to shit and she's worried about how many friends I have." I said with anger wrapping around my words.

"Watch your language. Why don't you wait for- what are their names again?" I rolled my eyes.

"Carl and Noah."

"Oh yes. Well why don't you wait for their interviews to be over with. Then you can go visit Ron and Mickey." He suggested.

"Or I could just leave them alone and let them adjust to this place." He sighed again.

"Fine but if your mother gets mad at you I have nothing to do with it." Then he walked towards the other group. I looked over and saw Carl looking at me. I blushed and ran out as fast as I could without attracting to much attention.

Once I reached Ron's house I knocked on the door and Jessie opened it.

"Hey, Y/N, come right in." She smiled and let me in.

"Thanks, Jessie. Ron and Mickey are upstairs right?" I asked. She nodded and I almost walked away but then she said,

"Enid's up there too." I turned around and looked at Jessie. She looked at me sadly. "You okay hun?" She asked and I nodded.

"It's just," I paused "today was one of those friends only things. I want to be supportive of him but I don't remember the last time we really hung out without Enid around." I sighed "Don't know why I thought today would be different." Then I walked upstairs and into Ron's room. Ron and Enid were on the bed with him laying in between her legs while facing the TV and playing video games, she was reading a comic that she rested on his head. Mickey was sitting on the floor at the end of the bed. Ron looked over at me then back to the TV.

"Hey, Y/N." He said then Enid snapped her head up and glared at me but I ignored her.

"Hey." I said quietly and then quickly ran past the TV so I didn't mess up there game. Then I sat in the beanbag chair that Ron kept in the corner. I leaned back and listened to their video games. Sooner or later I fell asleep.

I was woken up my something soft hitting me. I didn't pay attention to it at first but then it hit me again and I groaned but didn't open my eyes.

"Come on Y/N wake up. Carl came over." I heard Ron say.

"Ron, if you hit me with that pillow one more time I swear to God I'll kill you myself." I said and I heard him laugh. "Plus we've already met. Spencer had me take em' to my mom."

"Well can you be like a human for once and become functional?" Ron said. I opened my eyes and saw Carl standing in the door awkwardly. Ron was standing in front of me, pillow in hand. Enid was sitting on the bed reading a comic like she had been when I first fell asleep. Mickey probably left because of his mom, he never allowed him to stay for long.

"Happy? I'm functional. I'm awake." I said sarcastically. Ron nodded.

"Why don't we go show Carl around?" Ron asked. I got up from the bean bag chair and smiled.

"Sure, beats staying inside all day." I said.

"I don't feel like it." Enid said and we all looked at her.

"Well, Miss Bitchey, if you don't want to come you don't have to." I glared at her and she looked up from her comic and glared back.

"Maybe you'd stop calling me a bitch then I'd actually want to go." She stood up and walking in front of Ron so that she was between us.

"Maybe if you weren't a bitch then I wouldn't have to call you one." I snapped back. Then Ron put a hand on Enid's shoulder and pushed her back.

"Can you guys not fight for five minuets. It gets old. I don't get why you both hate each other." Ron said calmly and my face softened.

"We don't fight that much." I said.

"More then you realize." Ron said sadly and then everyone was quiet for a few minuets.

"Alright lets just show Carl around." Then I walked out not even paying attention to weather or not they were fallowing me. It killed me that I had made Ron sad. He's been my best friend ever since the world went to shit. I've helped him through a lot and he as helped me just as much. I always tried to except Enid but she made it difficult. She never left Ron alone and if she did it was never for long. I just missed spending time with my best friend.

I walked down the steps and into the kitchen but didn't hear any footsteps fallowing me. I'm not sure if I want them to fallow me or not. It would be nice to have them fallow me and have some people to talk to but on the other hand I also want to be alone. I continued walking towards the door but Jessie stopped me.

"Y/N? Hey are you alright?" She asked. I looked at her, she was sitting on the couch with Sam. I just nodded and walked out and down the street not even paying attention to where I was going.

I walked downstairs when people started to really show up. A lot of the town was already inside. I hoped that Ron wouldn't show up. I hadn't talked to him since the whole incident with Enid. I was still upset that I hadn't realized Enid and me fought that much. Ron was already dealing with enough fighting in his house with him family, he didn't need to see it with him friends too.

I walked over to the couch that didn't have anybody on it. People normally stood up and talked to one another. I just sat there and twiddled my thumbs. People from the new group started to show up and some of them looked uncomfortable. I wouldn't blame them for a town that takes place in the apocalypse these people sure are preppy. I felt someone sit beside me and I looked up to see Maggie holding Judith.

"Are you okay?" She asked and I sighed.

"Honestly no. I've been ignoring my best friend." I looked back down.

"Why?" She asked.

"Well I don't exactly get along with his girlfriend and I guess I just didn't realize how much we fought. He's just upset and I don't really know what to do."

"Maybe you should just go talk to him. Figure it all out together." She suggested. I laughed.

"His girlfriend just hates it when I talk to him. How am I suppose to make everything between us okay if she hates me for just speaking to him?" I asked.

"Well, sounds to me like she isn't a very good girlfriend if she's pushing her boyfriends best friend away from him." She said and I nodded.

"I'm gonna go get some fresh air. Thanks, Maggie." I said, she nodded and I walked outside and sat on the front steps. I sat there for a while trying to figure out what I would say to Ron when I saw movement beside me. I looked up and saw Carl sitting down next to me.

"Hey, Carl." I said and looked down at my feet.

"Have you talked to Ron lately?" He asked. I shook my head no. "You should." He said.

"Why? It's not like I'll really be able to change anything." I sighed.

"You know it kills him to not talk to you right. He's always going on and on about what he should do to fix everything."

"He doesn't need to do anything. It's just between Enid and me." I said.

"Why do you guys hate each other so much?" He asked.

"She doesn't like me because she thinks that I'll take Ron from her. Which is ironic because she ended up taking him away from me." I said sadly.

"He's still there you know that right?" He asked and I looked up at him.

"You don't get it do you?" I asked. "Ron is and has always been my best friend ever since the world ended. Then all of a sudden this girl comes and he starts to like her and she starts to like him. One day you hang out with your best friend all day everyday. Then sooner or later you just start hanging out with him and his girlfriend who hates you. I never talked to him about Enid because I care about him. If she makes him happy then I'm happy for him. I didn't think that we fought that much but apparently we fight a lot more then I had hoped." Tears started to slowly fall down my face.

"You don't like Ron do you?" He asked softly and I laughed.

"No." I paused "He's just- he's always been there. There are just some things that I can't talk to my family about and he is just always there."

"Can you promise me something?" He asked and I nodded. "If you go and try to clear things up with Ron then I'll be there for you weather you clear them up or not. Then you'll have someone no matter what." I laughed and pulled him in for a hug that I don't think he was expecting but he hugged back.

"Thank you." I whispered in his ear.

One Month Later

I had cleared things up with Ron finally. We were both happy again and I had also became close friends with Carl which I was happy about. He also kept him promise. When Ron couldn't be there Carl was. He made me happy and I think I've developed a crush on him.

I was on my way to Ron’s house so that we could hang out. He had been really good at making time just for us. I reached the door and knocked just like I always did except no one answered. I knocked again but still no one answered. Then I heard glass brake from inside the house. I didn't waste any time on opening the door and rushing inside. Pete and Jessie where in the kitchen and there was broken glass on the kitchen floor. Ron came running downstairs and when he saw me his eyes widened. We both turned our attention back onto Pete and Jessie. Pete started punching Jessie so I ran over and tried to get her away from him but he pushed me back and I hit my head off the kitchen counter and when I landed my hands got cut on the glass that was scattered across the floor.

"Y/N!" I heard Ron yell. He rushed over to my side but it was difficult to focus on anything. I felt my forehead but instantly pulled my hand back because of the pain from touching it.

"Ron take Y/N upstairs!" Jessie yelled. I felt myself being picked up. I looked up and saw Ron looking at me, concern covered his face. He ran up the stairs but I wasn't sure which room he ran into until he said,

"Sam open the door." I heard Sam’s closet door open then Ron got into the closet, sat down so that I was in his lap, and had Sam close and lock the door. Ron held my head and upper body with one arm and the other rested on my side.

"Is she okay?" Sam asked, he sounded scared.

"I don't know." Ron cried. "Hey. Hey, Y/N, can you talk to me?" He asked.

"E-everything is s-spinning." I said weakly. Ron let out a breath of relief.

"O-okay. What else?" He asked.

"My h-head hurts like a-a bitch." He laughed.

"Okay, it's okay. We can leave soon." He said.

"R-on?" I asked.

"Yeah?"

"I'm tired." I breathed out and started to close and eyes.

"No, no you have to stay awake. Can you do that. Let my see your eyes." He pleaded. I nodded weakly. "How about you tell me about something you love? Yeah, tell me about something you love." He said. I tired thinking but it was getting more and more difficult.

"I-I don't k-know." I said.

"Oh come on. What about a person?" He asked. I nodded. "Can you tell me about them?" I nodded again.

"Y-you won't get ups-set?" I asked.

"I promise. I won't get mad just tell me about them." I didn't talk for a couple minuets so Ron spoke up again "Can I guess and you nod?" He asked and I nodded in response. "Okay, is it Mickey?" I smiled weakly and shook my head no. "Is it someone our age?" I nodded. He didn't talk for another couple minuets. "I-Is it Carl?" I shook my head yes and smiled a lot wider. "Okay, that's good. You're gonna stay awake so you can see him again. He seems like a great guy." I nodded again.

"Ron, she's gonna be okay right?" Sam asked.

"I hope so buddy. We just have to keep her thinking and communicating." Ron said. Then we all heard a lot of glass breaking from downstairs then Sam’s door swung open.

"Sam, Ron are you guys okay?" It was Jessie.

"Yeah mom we're okay but I don't think Y/N is." Ron said.

"Okay open the door." She said softly and Sam unlocked the door and opened it. Jessie was kneeling in front of the door and it looked like there where bruises all over her arms.

"Oh god. Okay bring her over to the bed." Jessie said with a worried tone then she rushed out of the room. Ron ran over to Sams bed and carefully placed me down. Before long we heard yelling from outside. Sam rushed to the window to look outside.

"It's Dad!" He yelled and then Ron rushed over to see as well.

"Oh god, Ricks beating the shit out of him." Ron said.

"Rick stop!" Multiple people yelled. "Put the gun down!" We heard someone yell then it all just stopped. People stopped screaming at Rick. Ron turned to me and sat beside me on the bed. I looked at him.

"We need to do something." Ron said. "We can't have Dad help you and I don't know who else could." Then Jessie ran back in with bandages. "Mom we need to do something about her head." Ron said.

"I know, I know." Jessie said. Then they started to clean up my hands and wrap them.

"What if we ask Deanna?" Sam suggested. Jessie looked up at him.

"Sam you're a genius. Ron you look after her and keep her awake. I'll go get Deanna and see if she knows anything about anyone." It seemed like forever until Mom walked in with someone behind her.

"Oh my god." She whispered and rushed over next to Ron. "Denise what should we do?" She asked.

"Umm we should get her to the infirmary but Pete never lets me in." The lady, Denise, said.

"I'll let you in. I have to get Redge." She whispered the last part.

"Okay umm what's your name?" Denise asked Ron.

"Ron. I'm her friend." He said.

"Okay, Ron, you need to help us get her the infirmary." He nodded.

"I'm tired." I whispered. Mom looked at me and held my hand gently.

"I know baby but you gotta stay awake." I noticed that she had tears streaming down her face.

"Okay we have to go now." Denise said. Ron picked me up just like he had done before and fallowed Denise down the street. All of us where running, well obviously not me.

"Y/N?" I heard someone yell. "What happened?" They yelled again.

"We'll tell you when we get there!" Ron yelled. We reached the infirmary and Denise started to order people around. I couldn't pay attention to anything. I was still in Ron’s arms but I passed out.

Carl’s P.O.V.

I was walking down the street shortly after my dad had beaten up Pete. Michonne had knocked him out so he didn't continue to do anything stupid. I looked up at the sky and watched the clouds pass the sun but then my attention was brought to the street when I heard multiple people running down the street. I saw Denise, Deanne, Jessie, Sam, and Ron running towards the infirmary. Ron was holding someone. Y/N? Oh god what happened?

"Y/N?" I yelled and they looked over at me but kept running. "What happened?" I yelled as I ran towards them.

"We'll tell you when we get there!" Ron yelled.

We reached the infirmary and luckily Pete wasn't there. Denise started to give orders out to people to get IV's and bandages. Y/N had passed out while Ron was still holding her.

"Don't just stand there get her on the bed!" Denise yelled. Ron rushed over and put her on the bed.

"Okay I need you kids to stay out on the porch. If we need help I'll come get you." Jessie assured and Sam, Ron, and I walked out on the porch and sat down on the steps.

"What happened?" I choked out. I looked over at Ron who was looking at his hands that had a small amount of blood on them. "What happened?" I asked again.

"My dad happened. She was early. She wasn't suppose to come over for another half hour. If I thought this was gonna happen I would have canceled. This is all my fault." He put his head in his hands.

"No, man, it's not your fault. Can you just- can you tell me what happened?" I asked again. He took his head out of his hands and nodded.

"My dad was fighting with my mom again. I had gotten Sam in the closet like I'm suppose to but then I heard glass break from downstairs. I went down to see what happened and there was glass all over the kitchen. Y/N was in the living room and we looked at each other but we didn't do anything. Then my dad started to punch my mom and Y/N tried to get in between. I didn't have time to stop her. I know what happens when you try and get in between. Agh if I had just been faster then this wouldn't be happening, but ahh anyways, my dad he pushed Y/N out of the way and she hit her head on the countertop. Hard too. When she landed she cut her hands on the glass. My mom yelled for me to take her upstairs with Sam. We all hid in the closet until it stopped. Sam and me kept her talking," he paused "nodding at least." We didn't talk for the next couple of minuets until I said,

"It's not your fault. If anything I think you helped her." He looked over at me.

"You know she likes you Carl. She doesn't talk about you a lot but that's probably because she thought I'd be upset." He said and I blushed.

"H-how— did she tell you that?" I asked and he laughed.

"I was trying to get her to talk about something she loved. She couldn't really strike up a conversation because of her head but ahh," he laughed "I asked her if we could talk about someone she loved. I started thinking about people besides her family because it would probably get her to think more. Then I asked if it was Mickey. She laughed and shook her head. Then I asked if it was someone our age you know just to see." We both laughed at that. "She nodded and it took me a couple minuets but then I guessed you. You should have seen her smile, man. Then I told her that she needed to stay awake so that she could see you again." I looked down at the ground and smiled so wide. She liked me. I couldn't believe it.

"I can't believe it." I whispered. Ron laughed.

"I'm guessing you like her back?" He asked.

"You could say that" I smiled.

"Just remember if you hurt her I'll kick your ass." He laughed and I laughed along.

"Yeah you'll have to deal with me too." Sam said. I had almost forgotten he was here.

"I don't think you guys have anything to worry about." I said and they both smiled at me. We all sat there for a while before Jessie walked back outside. We all stood up. Jessie laughed.

"She's gonna be fine. She's up now but really groggy." She moved away from the door and we all ran in. Ron and I were on either side of her and Sam was next to Ron.

"Hey, guys." Y/N whispered. She sounded like she was on drugs. I laughed and looked over to Denise.

"Is she on drugs?" I asked and Denise laughed.

"She's on strong painkillers. Really strong painkillers." I looked back at Y/N who was looking up at the ceiling in confusion.

"What are you even looking at?" Ron asked. She furrowed her eyebrows.

"I don't know." She said. We all started laughing.

"Oh yeah strong painkillers." I laughed. She looked over at me.

"Where am I?" She asked then looked over at Ron and Sam.

"You're in the infirmary." Ron said sadly then he scratched the back of his neck.

"Do you remember how you got here?" Denise asked from across the room. Y/N furrowed her eyebrows and looked as if she was thinking.

"I remember going over to Ron's house and then I went to get in between Pete and Jessie. Then I remember sitting in a closet with Ron and Sam." Y/N said.

"Do you remember anything else?" Ron asked. He looked over at me and smirked.

"Well- uh- you were trying to get me to keep talking." She replied. Ron nodded.

"Do you remember what we talked about?" He asked and smirked at both Y/N and me, his eyes shifting between us.

"Why are you asking me so many questions?" Y/N sighed out of frustration. Ron held his hands up and laughed.

"H-hey can I talk to Y/N alone?" I felt my cheeks heat up.

"Sure thing." Ron said "See you later Y/N. I'm sure Sam and I'll visit tomorrow."

"See ya Y/N!" Sam exclaimed and waved to her as him and Ron walked out the door.

"Make sure you don't keep her up to long okay, Carl?" Denise said. I laughed and nodded. She smiled then walked outside. Once she left Y/N started laughing and I looked at her confused.

"What?" I laughed. She continued to laugh before she said,

"Your face is red." Then she continued laughing. This only made my face heat up more.

"Y/N, can I tell you something?" I asked as she was still laughing. It took a while to get her to stop laughing but once I did I asked her again and she nodded. I noticed that she looked really tired.

"Ron told me about what you said while he was trying to keep you awake." She looked at me weird. I had forgotten that she couldn't remember what she had said. "Y-you basically- well sort of told him that you were in love with me." I looked at her, she seemed sad, and she looked down.

"No one was suppose to know about that." She whispered but I could hear here due to the quietness though out the room. Then I saw tears drip down her face and onto her lap. I quickly sat on the side of the bed and rested my hand on her knee.

"What's wrong?" I asked.

"You weren't suppose to find out and on top of that I'm all drugged up and tired and I just- I just-" she cut herself off with sobs. I quickly wrapped my arms around her surprisingly enough she didn't pull back, instead she wrapped her arms around me as well.

"It's fine. It's fine. I'm glad that I found out." I said. She pulled away and looked at me but she was still crying.

"Why?" She asked. I raised my hands and wiped the tears off her face even though more appeared anyways.

"B-because I uh- well" I paused and took a deep breath. "I love you too." She shook her head and I looked at her confused.

"You're just saying that to make me feel better." She cried.

"If I was just saying that to make you feel better then would I do this?" Then I connected our lips. Thousands of fireworks went off the moment we touched. In the middle of the kiss she started to smile then eventually started to laugh causing me to do so as well. "What?" I asked laughing as we pulled apart.

"I'm just really happy. Also my mind is everywhere. I'm not sure what Denise gave me but it sure does work." She laughed. I looked at the clock that hung on the wall. It was about 8:00PM and I should probably get Y/N to sleep.

"You should probably get some sleep before Denise cuts my head off." I smiled. She nodded and laid down on the hospital bed. I leaned down and kissed her forehead before starting towards the door.

"Wait." Y/N said softly. I turned back around.

"Can you stay here?" She sounded a little embarrassed and her cheeks turned bright red. I laughed but nodded and walked over to her. She moved over so that I had room to lie down. I wrapped my arms around her shoulders while she snuggled into my side.

"I love you, Carl." She whispered.

"I love you too, Y/N." I whispered back then we both peacefully fell asleep.

[anotherarchivesblog]

hi who are most of the people in the relationship charts you posted on insta a while ago?

Like I know you’ve posted some stuff about Nate and Zoe and even Venus but I’m really curious about everyone else!

I wanna preface this by thanking you for your patience since it took me forever to reply to this. I really appreciate it! <3

Anyways, those charts are divided into two parts — the first is Nate’s friend group (which I call the Zodiacs) and the second is the Celestial Council. The Zodiacs are central-focus characters while the Council’s role is more on the back burner.

I’ll talk about the characters individually under the cut, but if you’re not into summaries I’ll include a song that reminds me of each character since I think music is a fantastic personality descriptor:

ZODIACS

NATE SAGITTARIUS:  Nate is an overly ambitious teenage boy who becomes a Regulator at the Venus Villas after discovering that he’s half elf. I’m sure you know the rest of this rant by now.

“Genius Next Door” — Regina Spektor

ZOE SAGITTARIUS:  Nate’s punk-rock older sister, who is much cooler than he’ll ever be. Zoe is a dryad that was adopted by Jupiter Sagittarius shortly after she had woken up in a Bronx alleyway with a bad case of amnesia. Nowadays, she works as a Regulator at the Venus Villas and wields a talking snake shaped dagger named Sabik.

“OHFR?” — Rico Nasty

DANIEL ATKINS: As Head Regulator, Daniel Atkins is known to keep things in line. Daniel is an aloof ghost from the 1910s who hasn't matured much since his death. He’s notoriously bad with social cues and always says whatever he’s thinking, which Nate doesn’t seem to mind. The two of them quickly become best friends, much to Zoe’s dismay.

“Nobody” — Mitski

BRENDA ANTARES: With her competitive nature and innate sparing abilities, Brenda was the obvious choice for Mars’ Lieutenant. When she’s not assisting Mars, Brenda volunteers as a part-time cook at the Venus Villas. Brenda is a sweetheart who befriends anyone she can, which is ironic considering the fact that she shares a body with a temperamental demon named Aries.

“What’s Up Danger” — Blackway & Black Caviar

ANASTASIA CHERNOV: Not much is known about Anastasia’s past and she’d like to keep it that way, thank you very much. Anastasia Chernov is head general of Via’s Army and a recurring antagonist throughout the series. She is a blind vampire who, despite her overall brooding nature, loves cutesy magical girl animes and Vocaloids.

“Oh Ana” — Mother Mother

MAYBELLE SAVURI: Real hot girl shhh! Maybelle Savuri is a top-charting singer and model from the monster world who just so happens to be Venus’ daughter too. She’s a super rich vampire with shapeshifting powers, the cutest outfits, and confidence for days — what else could you possibly want?

“Girls in the Hood” — Megan Thee Stallion

LEO JEMBER: Resident golden boy and honorary funnyman, Leo Jember is one of the first friends Nate makes at the Villas. Leo is a (literal) angel who works the front desk at the Venus Villas, and spends his free time messing with his best friend Scorpius Singh. Leo is extremely popular with the workers at the Villas but he also has the tendency to push Venus’ buttons for fun.

“C7osure.” — Lil Nas X

SCORPIUS SINGH: The only Zodiac more secretive than Anastasia is Scorpius. Scorpius Singh is a witch cursed to kill everything he touches. Nowadays, his hands are constantly bandaged and he tends to keep his distance from other people. Around the Villas, Scorpius is known for his intellect and snippy attitude.

“Goodbye Mr A” — The Hoosiers

POLLY DE DIOS: Just like her father, Polly de Dios is a skilled inventor who helps with repairs around the Villas. Polly and her twin brother, Cas, are a pair of hyper-intelligent androids built by Mercury de Dios. Unlike her lax brother, Polly is a rule-abiding teenager with a love for list making and hard work.

“B.I.T.C.H” — Megan Thee Stallion

ALEX MILTON: Come through, daddy issues! Alex Milton is a blunt satyr who spends his free time committing petty crime. His tendency to use his powers in the mortal world often winds Alex in trouble with the Venus Villas. Despite his unpleasant nature, Alex is both humorous and intelligent… maybe that’s the reason Nate had a slight crush on him when they first met.

“Rich & Sad” — Post Malone

DAX LEE: Dax is good friends with Leo and Scorpius which, by default, makes him Nate’s friend as well. Dax Lee is a deaf merman who has the power to mind control other people whenever he sings. And while Dax may not be the smartest member of the Zodiacs, he certainly is the friendliest!

“This December” — Rick Montgomery

JEONG NA-RI: As a powerful psychic, Jeong Na-Ri is a force to be reckoned with. But after Nate accidentally frees her from a hundred-year imprisonment, Na-Ri quickly learns that the world she came back to is extremely different from the one that she left behind. Not only that but, with her immortal dad still around, Na-Ri now has a new step-mom and an older brother named Dax.

“Cartoons” — Louie Zong

CELESTIALS

**SOL JEMAL: As head of the Celestial Council, Sol plays a particularly important role in the monster world. Sol Jemal is an angel that has been around since the beginning of time so she’s pretty much seen it all by now. Her distant nature has caused an aura of mystery to form around her, but her sons Deneb and Leo reason that she’s not as omnipotent as she seems and, if anything, she’s just a bit uptight.

“YAH.” — Kendrick Lamar

MOON ATKINS: It doesn’t matter that they’re twins, Moon would like to make it perfectly clear that he is Sol’ older brother. (By five whole minutes!) While Sol is known for being the bringer of life, Moon Atkins was assigned the role of ruling over the dead. Because of this, Moon’s presence is seen as a bad omen in the monster world. However, Moon is quite the gentleman with an extreme interest in birds, particularly ravens.

“Lethargy″ — Bastille

MERCURY DE DIOS: The rest of the Council has the tendency to look over Mercury’s existence. Mercury de Dios is a gnome with a knack for inventing. He’s a genius when it comes to innovation, but has trouble when it comes to socializing with other people, so he avoids it completely by shutting himself in his workshop all day. When he’s not inventing, Mercury is either spending time with his children or trailing behind Venus and Mars around the Villas.

“Touch-Tone Telephone” — Lemon Demon

VENUS GALILEI: As both his boss and godmother, Venus spends a lot of time with Nate. Which is unfortunate for him, because while many other adults in the monster world think Nate is old enough to fight against Via’s Army, Venus adamantly believes that he is too young to get involved. Still, despite their many disagreements, the two care very deeply for each other.

“Glamorous”  — Fergie

TERRA GALILEI: Nate’s not the only one with an adopted dryad sister. Terra Galilei is Venus’ younger sister who is head of human relations — meaning that she keeps in touch with the very few humans who know of the monster world. Unlike her sister, Terra is a loud party animal with a love for sports.

“Lightning” — Rico Nasty

MARS HUYGENS:  Oh boy. Where to begin with Mars? Mars Huygens is a cyclops widely known in the monster world for his loudmouth and love of violence. He is one of the three Celestials who work at the Venus Villas — the other two being his spouses Venus and Mercury — much to the Regulators’ dismay. Despite his reputation, Mars gets along swimmingly with Brenda and, despite how often he teases the kid, has a bit of a soft spot for Nate as well.

“PRIDE.” — Kendrick Lamar

JUPITER SAGITTARIUS: Everyone in the monster world knows Jupiter as the elf who had a child with a human. Jupiter Sagittarius is Nate and Zoe’s music loving father who never really grew up. Jupiter supports his children in their endeavors, however he’s not quite qualified for his own responsibilities. Despite his scatter-mindedness, Jupiter puts a genuine effort into everything he does which, at the very least, is why his peers tend to like him so much.

“8TEEN” — Khalid

SATURN HAMILTON: With the exception of Mercury and Moon, no one in the Celestial Council really likes Saturn all that much. Saturn Hamilton is a workaholic satyr who is obsessed with the human world and its history. More often than not, Saturn finds himself butting heads with his eldest son, Alex, despite Saturn’s attempts to salvage their relationship as of late.

“Cemetery” — COIN

URI HERSCHEL: Uri is a man of few words… mostly because he’s a selective mute. Uri Herschel is an ice giant known for his eccentric nature — whether it be his odd choice of clothes or his peculiar love of taxidermy.

“Anklebiters” — Paramore

LEE NEPTUNE: Guess it’s time to release the kraken. Lee Neptune is a picture perfect beach dweller — a handsome surfer dude who plays the ukulele and has the ability to shapeshift into the legendary kraken. He may not be the smartest member of the Celestial Council, but he certainly is charming.

“Drunk Walk Home” — Mitski

PLUTO TOMBAUGH:  While he’s technically no longer a part of the Council, Pluto will always have an honorary spot in these lists. Pluto Tombaugh is a laid-back and likeable dwarf who is obsessed with the animals that reside in the monster world — which he collects and studies in his downtime.

“Jawbreaker” — Injury Reserve ft. Rico Nasty & Pro Teens

**The surname Jemal is just a placeholder and will most likely change down the line.

[nev3rfound]

the swan - chp.6 torment and manipulation

nurse, friend, lover, assassin. these are the titles you were known under in his head, something he never wished to share until rumours spread of the swan being out of retirement. 

overview / chapter one / chapter two / chapter three / chapter four / chapter five / chapter six / chapter seven / chapter eight / chapter nine / chapter ten / chapter eleven /  chapter twelve (final chapter)

writing in italics is past tense 

* masterlist of sorts *

Before Steve could find Bucky you were gone. You could hear them all coming and jumped out of the window before Bucky had the chance to stop you. 

Breathing heavily, Bucky kept his hand around his neck which you just held as you stared straight at him, having no idea who he was to you beside your next target. “Bucky!” Steve yells as he turns the corner, collapsing down beside his friend as he coughs harshly, clearing his throat. 

“It, it was Y/n Steve,” Bucky stammers as he slowly sits upright, looking out of the broken window, still unable to comprehend it all. “I wasn’t dreaming this time, it was her.” 

Placing his hand on Bucky’s shoulder, Steve leads him away and toward the room where everyone else awaits. “We know, Bucky. I, I don’t know how to tell you this but,” Letting out a heavy sigh Steve lowers his head whilst Bucky looks at him with wide eyes as his hand shakes uncontrollably. “Y/n is the Swan.” 

Lifting your head up you gasp for air, coughing loudly as you stretch your arms out. 

Your eyes dart around the space, seeing nothing around you, just damp walls. Slowly, you rise to your feet as your mind remains clouded regarding the events that led you to this current place. All you remember was being by Bucky, listening to Rick taunting you both. Bucky was promising something, but then it all becomes too blurry to focus on what. 

“Glad to see you awake,” A voice calls out and you back into the wall, groaning at the pain in your head. “I wouldn’t touch that, dear. Nasty thing to mess around with, trust me.” A twisted laugh echoes in the space as you look around, trying to find the source of the noise.

“I’m going mad,” You mutter to yourself as you look down, seeing your hands are covered in dried blood. “what, what?” Mumbling incoherently to yourself you fall to the ground as you pull at the complete black attire you’re in. You can’t see any sign of injury on yourself, so whose blood marks your skin?

“You’re not going mad, dear. You don’t remember anything, do you?” The voice softens and you slowly shake your head. “Well, good to know this works. What is the last thing you do recall?” 

Hesitantly you close your eyes, allowing your mind to wander back. “I was in my cell with, with the soldat.” You can feel fear rising through you. “What happened to him? Where is he?” Your voice becomes louder, but your body is too weak to support the aggression in your tone. 

“He’ll be perfectly fine. But, that is all you remember?” The voice quizzes you, but you shake your head in response hearing a loud tut. “What a shame that is, you won’t ever hear his last words to you.” 

Closing your eyes you bury your head into your lap. “Please, don’t hurt him, don’t hurt Bucky.” You plead but the voice sighs heavily.

“We don’t hurt him.” They state and you lift your head up. “But you will, Swan.”

Before you can answer, the wall in front of you opens up revealing two men walking toward you. They grab you from the floor, dragging your body as you kick and scream. “DON’T HURT HIM. PLEASE!” You scream with all your might, but slowly you’re slipping out of consciousness as a series of words are muttered to you by both guards, one after the other. 

“Swan?” One asks and you snap your head up, releasing yourself from their grasp. 

You weren’t Y/n in that moment, you were their greatest weapon, you were their Swan. 

“So, you’re telling me she’s here to kill me?” Bucky asks as he looks around the room before focusing on Steve who lowers his arms, nodding in response to him. “How long have you known?” 

Steve looks to Tony who zooms in on the footage he showed everyone else hours prior. “Since this was shown on the news.” Tony states as Bucky lifts his head to see a close up of your face, hidden under a hood. “Can you tell us anything that might help, Barnes?” 

Lifting his head up to face Tony, Bucky hesitantly nods. “Y/n was a, a friend.” Bucky starts, uneasy sharing something so personal to all of these people, some he barely knows. “I saw her die after they brainwashed her but, but she’s not dead.” He trails off, picturing you on the floor in a pool of blood, your eyes wide open with fear. 

“Why would she be trying to hunt down HYDRA?” Natasha asks as she focuses on Bucky who trembles in his seat. 

Natasha glances over to Steve, motioning for him to focus on Bucky who is beginning to sweat as his mind is stuck in the past. All Bucky can see is your dead body on the floor as Rick laughed. He never got to say goodbye, he never saw your body being taken away. 

“Bucky?” Steve calls to him, but it’s a faint noise in the background. Bucky reaches forward, stretching his arm through the metal bars that no one else can see as a tear falls down his cheek. “Bucky.” Steve yells and with a blink, Bucky returns to the room and lowers his arm. 

“To punish them.” Bucky states as he focuses on the screen, the girl in the pixels isn’t you. She is an assassin with no remorse, no sense of control besides how to use a weapon and not get killed. “I know that is what I wanted to do.” 

Steve rises to his feet. “Then I guess all we can do is keep track of her, and if she comes back, make sure she doesn’t leave.” 

Bucky rolls his eyes. “As if it’s that easy, Steve.” Bluntly Bucky states, “Don’t you remember when I was captured?” His mind wanders back to the cage, the locks that kept him secure for a short while but ultimately were useless. “HYDRA make sure their soldiers aren’t captured, that they can always find a way out.” 

“Then help us, Buck.” Steve leans forward over the table. “You know HYDRA better than any of us. You know what it takes to take down one of their soldiers.” 

Shaking his head, Bucky sighs. “She isn’t like the others, Steve.” Lifting his eyes up to meet his friends, he focuses on the blue as it washes over him. “She’s more powerful than I ever could be. They, they would make sure that she is.” 

Opening your eyes you looked down, your body felt weak as you were bound to heavy chains holding you still. You struggle to keep your head up as footsteps approach you. “Welcome back, Miss Y/n,” Your master speaks up as you mentally roll your eyes. “now, I’ve done your mission report so you will return to your cell.” 

Without another word you’re lifted from the chains and dragged along, taken back to your cell as you slump to the ground, completely numb. 

“Rough night, huh?” Rick calls out and you lift your head up, blankly staring at him. “Oh come on, sweetheart. At least you still have company,” He laughs to you as you turn your head to the empty cell, thinking back to Bucky sitting alongside you. “well, I guess any company is better than none in here.” 

“Piss off.” You mutter as you lean on the bars to rise to your feet, weakly limping over as you grip onto the bars tightly. “What do you know anyway, you’re just a lab rat who never got out of his cage.” You spit at him, but Rick merely holds his hands up in defence. 

“Alright, hit a nerve there, kid.” Running his fingers through his short black hair, Rick turns to the side, revealing a large scar running from his neck down toward his shoulder. “It’s true, I am a lab rat but at least I have my memories.” Tapping his head your leg begins to tremble. 

“What do you know behind that door, huh?” You tilt your head, ignoring the pounding in your skull. 

“I know where they put your memories, and how we can get the hell out.” 

Long nights turned into days as there still wasn’t any sign of you making another appearance. Bucky hadn’t slept, he couldn’t bring himself to dream of a version of you that no longer existed. You were back, but you weren’t Y/n, you were their newest soldat, their precious Swan. 

Walking into the bar, Steve could see Bucky perched by the window, looking out on the city below. Steve knew you were out there somewhere, hiding in plain sight until you had the chance to attack. But seeing Bucky like this, it was difficult to describe. 

To Steve, Bucky had always been the strong one. The friend who’ll stick up for him through anything. But now the roles have been reversed, Steve has to remain strong as Bucky relives his worst hours in hope of getting some information about you. 

“She’s out there, Steve,” Bucky speaks up into the dark night as Steve hovers by the bar, spotting the empty bottle of whiskey discarded on the shelf. “it’s killin’ me knowing she’s been alive this whole damn time.” Shaking his head, Bucky lifts his hands up, grabbing his hair in frustration. “And it’s all my fucking fault.” He mutters under his breath.

“Bucky,” Steve speaks softly, but Bucky rises to his feet, flipping the glass table over as it smashes into thousands of pieces. 

“It’s my fault she didn’t get the life she deserved, that her fucking father threw her into the ground and that I never got to love her!” Bucky screams as Steve runs over, holding his arms down. 

It wouldn’t take any effort for Bucky to overpower Steve, but he’s just too weak, too tired to try anymore. “She’ll come back, Buck.” Steve mutters as he turns, seeing a few of the Avengers watching with wide eyes. “We’ll get her back.” 

*

“What does her Dad have to do with all of it?” Tony asks as he throws his apple into the air, playing around as Bucky sits back in the same chair for another day of questions and unsolved answers. 

Sighing, Bucky shifts in the seat that’s moulded perfectly to him by now. “From what I learnt when I escaped, her Dad was a double agent. Workin’ for the government and HYDRA.” Bucky explains as he recalls the files he read associated with you. 

All Bucky could find on you was that you were deceased, and your family links. Tutting to himself he wishes he knew it was a setup, that they had files on everyone with their date of decease. But as he read into it, learning about your family background it made sense why you were chosen, why you were the girl they took hostage over.

“When the government learned he was a double agent they kept him on board, paid him a lot to reveal secrets on HYDRA. But when HYDRA discovered this they wanted to punish him, but death would be too kind.” A shiver runs through Steve as he pictures the situation as Bucky continues to describe it to everyone. “They knew he had a daughter, a training Nurse. A loving wife who would do anything for her husband. So, they broke into their house, killed his wife in front of him and took the girl.” 

Steve sighs lightly as Bucky keeps his eyes locked on his metal arm, the permanent reminder of what they made him, but what brought you two together. “And that was Y/n?” Tony asks, and Bucky nods.

“She was my Nurse from then on until things developed,” Bucky trails off, knowing no more needs to be stated about what happened behind those closed doors when he felt truly at peace with you by his side, even if it were for a short while. 

“And then she was a prisoner?” Natasha speaks up, knowing the routine all too well. 

“She was their newest project,” Bucky half laughs, thinking back to how oblivious he was to it all, too blind sighted by his feelings for you. “I should’ve known, but I let my emotions get in the way for the first time, and then I never saw her again.” 

Lifting his head up to see the room filled with blank expressions, Bucky rises to his feet. “I’m sorry, Bucky.” Natasha states, giving a small smile. 

“Not your fault, Nat.” Bucky mutters. “It’s mine.” 

You sit still as you await the signal, whatever happens, you can at least say you died fighting. “Ready, kid?” Rick calls out as you slowly rise to your feet. 

Letting out a shaky breath, you brush your hair out of your face. “As ready as I’ll ever be.” You mutter as you walk toward the bars, closing your eyes as you listen for the words that Rick learned during his experimental trials. 

“Sapphire, nineteen, autumn, fifty six, shade, leather, peaches, Bucky.” 

Opening your eyes you stare coldly to Rick who smiles maliciously. “Mission, soldier?” He asks you and you take a step back as you crack your joints, smiling over to him as you realise where you are. 

“Kill every member of HYDRA, take control and take back what belongs to us.” You tell him bluntly, and Rick nods. 

“Good, now await further instruction.” He states and you step back, leaning against the wall of your cell until someone comes along. “Remember, no one else makes it out alive except us. You keep me alive, and I will give you what you want.” 

The words ring in the back of your mind, but you’re shut off from yourself. All you can think about is snapping every neck of every soldier in the building. Crushing their skulls with your feet. Breaking them apart limb by limb as they have done to you. 

Faintly, you listen out as footsteps echo through the corridor. Rick nods as he steps back, disappearing from his window as an officer waltzes toward you. “Standing today? Clearly not getting enough punishment.” The officer laughs to you, but you keep your eyes focused on the ground, hearing the sound of the locks sliding out of place. “Come on, Master is waiting.” 

Looking down you see his dirty hand outstretched toward you. “Big mistake.” You mutter as you step toward and take his hand in your arm, snapping it like a toothpick as he screams in agony. 

The sound is like music to your ears as you wrap your arm around his neck, watching as he flails around, slowly losing consciousness. You drop his body to the ground and turn to see several soldiers holding guns up to you. 

“Stop!” One yells and you lift your hands up. “Fire at will.” They yell and you run toward each of them, dodging bullets and watch as they fire their guns like school boys. They lack aim and control, making it easier to play them against one another. 

Letting out a short sigh, you step over their bodies until you smash the glass to Rick’s cell. Slowly, the door opens and the small man stands before you. “Good work, Soldier.” Rick states as he looks down at the bodies, thinking of all the damage you can cause without batting an eyelid. “Let’s get to work.” 

“Yes,” You glance back, hearing the sound of alarms blaring through the base. “I’ve got someone to visit.” 

taglist (thank you for the endless support on this series)

@callie-bear15 @vgirl10123 @markusstraya @krystallynx @toxic-pineapple @not-jarred-padaleki @tearsforhan@worldofchoices  @hungrymango @puppetofyourdreams @alisa-m-a @musingsofafangirlblog @alecswcrlock @mywinterwolf @galacticstxrdust @jamesvaldezzzz @letmereid @i-lost-my-shoe-down-a-drain

[the-zodiacs-written-in-the-stars]

Chapter 24: The Zodiac Alliance

Mike woke up sleepy. Not really motivated to get up, feeling like he should just pull the blanket over his head and go back to sleep. He pulled the blanket higher and buried his nose in Matt's neck. Today was Sunday, so that meant that Matt was going to be home all day. Smiling contently, Mike wrapped his arms around Matt's midsection and pulled him closer.

“Cuore, it's time to wake up, come on”, whispered Matt softly. “No more hogging me.”

Mike grumbled and buried his face in Matt's shoulder-blades. “Please, just... five more hours?”

“...Hours”, echoed Matt amused, shaking his head. “No, babe. Come on, time to see if the house still stands. We're not living alone anymore. Don't you wanna go see Jamie?”

Damn it. Matt knew exactly what to say to get to him. Mike perked up at that. Quickly, he crawled out of the bed and made his way out of their room. Jamie's room was right next to theirs. It was very tempting to check in on Jamie. The brunette probably slept like a kitten – all curled together. That was how he watched TV too. It was really cute. But no. Privacy. Boundaries. All that stuff.

Instead, Mike skipped down the stairs and right into the kitchen. Maybe he could surprise Jamie with breakfast today? It was hard, because Jamie was a notorious early riser. Most of the time, Matt and Mike woke up to Jamie already showered and cooking an elaborate breakfast.

“Morning, Mike! We're making breakfast for dad!”

Mike paused, eyebrows raised. Ally and Andy were in the kitchen, doing something alright. But Mike would definitely not go so far to call that 'breakfast'. Putting on his nicest smile, he quickly took the pan from the nine year old boy before the bacon would be total coal.

“That's... very... nice of you”, drawled Mike amused. “But... uhm...”

“Dios mio, he didn't actually teach you how to cook, did he?”, sighed Matt as he entered the kitchen. “The effort is appreciated, but we had your home just torn down, maybe let's not burn down ours too, I don't know anyone with enough room to take us all in.”

Ally smiled sheepishly, tucking her long braids behind her ear. Andy pouted a bit as he sat down.

“It's very sweet that you guys want to do this for your dad”, assured Matt, patting Andy's shoulder. “It really is, but Jamie would be very sad if you would burn yourself cooking for him.”

“Yeah. Why don't you two go and wake your dad up?”, suggested Mike.

“It's real weird that he isn't up already”, noted Ally. “C'mon, Andy.”

“It really is”, whispered Matt with furrowed brows. “Did he sneak out for patrol?”

“No, last night was Angel Fish's turn. We made a schedule for a reason”, grunted Mike. “So we can all get rest. And Babs says that while reckless, he is at least reasonable enough to not go all alone. You know Babara, she would definitely not let him go all alone.”

Matt grunted at that, though didn't say anything else. Mike didn't really feel right about it either. It wasn't like Jamie to go all alone, that much was true. They had made team schedules, so one set of four heroes would be patrolling the streets at night. During the day, it was a bit of a who was available kind of situation. They couldn't well go by teams, considering their own work and private life, however they did try to put two heroes on each attack.

“Dia duit ar maidin...”

Mike adapted a dopey smile at that. He loved the way Gaelic Irish rolled off Jamie's tongue. He didn't speak it often, but sometimes a phrase, curse, or nickname slipped out.

“Buongiorno”, countered Matt amused. “Slept well?”

The question answered itself when Mike and Matt turned to look at Jamie. He had dark bags beneath his eyes. He looked exhausted. Ready to keen over. That at least explained why he hadn't been awake before them. Concerned, Mike went to take Jamie by the arm, guiding him toward a chair to sit down on. What was currently happening was weighting everyone down, the more often they encountered the... bad guys (who really needed a cool name to be referred to. This bothered Mike a lot), the more people got hurt, the more often they failed to end this mess...?

“You got any plans today, kids?”, asked Jamie, trying to ignore his exhaustion.

“I'm hanging out with Julio and Cleo”, stated Ally with a shrug.

Mike grinned a little bit. Julio and Cleo were the younger cousins of Mike's partner and best friend Rick. They were about Ally's age and with the whole chaos going on, Mike had suggested for Rick to bring the teens along one time when they had still been building Ally and Andy's rooms. Apparently, she had really hit it off with the two siblings. Which was good, because according to Jamie, she didn't make a lot of friends. Andy, he just shrugged.

“Dunno. Video games?”, offered Andy after a moment. “What about you guys?”

“I'm spending all day at the bar. We're so short of it being ready to open again”, stated Jamie.

“You're gonna work yourself to death”, noted Mike with a pointed glare. “Take a day off.”

“And do... what exactly?”, asked Jamie with a glower.

“Relax. Sleep. Watch TV. Read a book. Play video games with your son”, suggested Mike.

“Oh, I second that last one!”, exclaimed Andy with a broad grin.

And with that, they got Jamie. He really couldn't say no to his kids. Mike grinned victoriously. He just... he worried so much about Jamie. Because he had feelings for Jamie. Real feelings. Not just a crush on a pretty bartender. But even in a ratty shirt, hair messy, bags beneath his eyes, Jamie was absolutely beautiful and Mike wanted to make sure he slept better. Turning a bit, he exchanged a look with Matt, knowing his fiance felt the exact same way. Ever since Jamie and the kids had moved in with Matt and Mike, things had become far more real.

~*~

Tanya smiled softly as she chanced a glance at Melanie. The oldest Maguire looked so gorgeous when she was deep in thought, her nose scrunched up, glasses perched on the scrunched up nose framing her brilliant blue-green eyes, her long black hair in a perfect bun today. Usually Melanie wore it loose, no hair out of place. But with how much they were running around the library, she had let Tanya put it up in a bun. Tanya was good at research, she often times did it for Matt, so she had offered her services with their little research department. Melanie Maguire, Sebastian Weinberg, Sander Hancock and Joss Parker. They were working well together – all of them, in general. They had formed their three teams to go out at night, they teamed up even outside their teams to take care of attacks, they tried to spend much time together outside of official missions to get to know each other. Training together, sparring together, talking. Because if they knew each other well, they would fight better together. They could trust each other.

“You know, I liked our book-club better when it was not about this”, sighed Sebastian.

“Shush, Sebastian”, chided Melanie without looking up. “This is important.”

They were going through history, trying to figure out the past of the Zodiac Alliance. How they had operated before, when they had operated before. Gods. They had been gods before. Their supernatural power and strength, things no one could explain. It figured that in ancient times, they would have the status of gods. They were supposed to be the forces of good though, the thirteen of them. Including Serpentarius. Yes, he had a bit of a shady past – Loki, Seth; not always fully good. There were always monsters to be fought; the constellations being used to possess people. A lot of fairy tales proved to be true too – talking animals, right here next to them. Guardians, fairy godmother like figures. Regular humans who were bestowed with magic.

Robin Hood, the legend based on a carrier of Sagittarius the archer. Supposedly, his entire crew had been carriers who had fought back then. Figures and forces of good, turned into myths just like the gods of ancient times. Tanya had to admit, she was fascinated by it all.

“What do we gain from this though?”, questioned Joss with furrowed brows. “I now know that Gemini had been handled by Odin when she had been the leader of this team. So what?”

“Odin was the god of knowledge, war and death”, offered Sander, smiling charmingly at Joss. “If nothing else, this is... going to show you what your power-set is capable of.”

The way Sander smiled at Joss made Joss blush a soft pink. Whatever kind of love-triangle nonsense was going on over there, Tanya was definitely going to keep her nose out of it. Drama had always been one thing Tanya didn't want in her life. She liked things easy and orderly. Again did her eyes find Melanie. She was, well, certainly not easy, but definitely orderly. Well, her apartment – the first day Tanya had met her – had been a mess, however that had been due to stress and thinking she was going crazy. If given sleep and a support system, she was actually very tidy, which pleased Tanya; she needed things orderly, everything had its place.

“Mikey is worried about James”, noted Melanie softly, turning toward Tanya.

“Mh...?”, grunted Tanya confused, leaning in a little so they could talk quietly.

Melanie flushed as the two stood so close. “I... It seems he's not been sleeping a lot. I figured, I mean you were... dating him... so I guess you do know him better. Is he... alright?”

“The best to ask about that would be Varya, but...”, drawled Tanya, eyebrows drawn together. “He's a complicated man, Lanya. He's had... There are things he doesn't talk about, with no one. It's why our relationship didn't last for every long and wasn't very deep.”

“Wh... What are you saying?”, asked Melanie, cheeks even darker at the nickname.

“That there are things in his past that he doesn't talk about and the fact that our best bet right now is that these attacks are linked to him and his sister... it brings back memories of whatever he keeps buried. I don't know what it is, but I assume not good”, offered Tanya gently.

“Wouldn't it be best if someone confronted him upfront then?”, injected Sebastian as he looked up at the two women. “I mean, this is about more than him. It's about... the fate of Los Angeles at least, if not the world – and I'm not trying to sound dramatic here, however there is an alien attack.”

“I don't know him well yet, however from everything I've seen, I gather that he is the kind to run when cornered so maybe cornering him is not the best plan”, offered Joss seriously.

“So what? We wait and hope he'll talk to us on his own?”, snorted Sebastian.

“Better than having him run off”, argued Tanya softly. “Maybe... Maybe we should just... send Varya to go and try talk to him? Far as I can tell, she may just be the only one able to get through to him. Just the two. The question is if Varya will do it.”

“Oh, she will”, sighed Sebastian. “She's worried about him too. Babs and Jamie are best friends and when my cousin cares about someone, she does so rather fiercely.”

“So we sic Babara on him. Good attack-plan”, nodded Melanie bemused.

~*~

“There you go, gorgeous. And an additional doughnut for you.”

Babara flushed and blinked a couple of times as she accepted the order from their barista. A pretty redhead wearing green. Her name-tag said Kit. Thanking her, Babara carried their order over to the table. Jamie sat there, glaring. He looked worse for wear these days. She knew he was having nightmares of his past these days. Ever since it had been suggested that someone may be after them, his fantasy was running wild with worst case scenarios.

“Talk to me, James”, ordered Babara softly as she sat down.

She tucked her neon-green hair behind her ear, leaning forward some as she placed his coffee in front of him. He glowered and nearly emptied the whole mug in one go. Sighing, Babara started picking on that free doughnut she had scored. Purple icing. Her eyes went to the redhead once more.

“Nothing to talk about”, grunted Jamie gruffly, not looking at her.

“Jay, come on. It's me. If not anyone else, at least talk to me”, pleaded Babara.

“What... if he comes back? What if it's him?”, muttered Jamie, looking at her desperately. “I can't-”

So that was it. That was where his mind had gone. If someone was targeting him, and his sister, then his biggest fear was that it was him. Sighing softly, she reached out, squeezed his hand.

“Jay. Maybe you should tell the others, to prepare the whole team for the possibility? So they know who to look out for?”, suggested Babara gently.

“No. Absolutely not. Jessie can't, shouldn't know any of this”, whispered James, shaking his head.

Babara heaved a sigh and shook her head. What was she supposed to say to that...? How could she help him? Part of her thought she should tell the rest of the team, but the majority of them were still kind of strangers and they shouldn't be entitled to something so personal from Jamie. Besides, they didn't have any actual lead just yet. This was all wild speculation.

~*~

Savitri was sipping her wine slowly as she sat on the couch in her own apartment. Considering that Matt, Mike and James had the two children living with them and Elizabeth had her fiance, this was the largest apartment apartment available to the team to meet up and operate from. Sonia Gold had offered, however... that seemed to draw too much attention – she was famous, her villa was off to the beach so the distance also made a difference. Savitri lived relatively central, everyone having definitely less distance to travel to get there. Savitri liked this, liked being their home-base of sorts. Her apartment was definitely large enough to hold meetings for twelve people.

Right now, it was a smaller circle. Angel, Jessie and Lizzy were over, Angel having brought the research their 'book-worms' had done (as Jessie liked to refer to their research group). Together, they had rearranged Savitri's living room, put a large white-board onto a wall and the couches facing it. A conspiracy-theory wall. The compilation of Joss' and Tanya's original gathered evidence, to be edited along the way. It was terrifying and fascinating at the same time.

They did have themselves on it. Well, pictures of their gems, with a list of powers, element infliction and prior carriers below, so they could keep track of them. They were still getting used to them, still learning about themselves and to be quite honest, Savitri couldn't be asked to remember all twelve Zodiacs' powers just yet; she still struggled with names sometimes. It was a lot!

On the other side, they had their enemies though. Nicely named the Snake Nest Villains, by Tanya and the rest of the team had just adapted it; it was as good as anything, really.

“So we had Serpentarius at the top so far”, started Lizzy, moving the purple magnet with a cute snake drawing (they had not met Serpentarius yet and had no good picture). “Below, he have Serpens on the second rank, Hydra and Hydrus.”

“Now, we're suspecting someone else is even higher. That makes me wonder if Serpentarius is... equal to Serpens then? Or still higher because we have had contact with Serpens already”, offered Jessie thoughtfully, head tilted. “I mean, maybe Serpentarius isn't even active and maybe more of like a... messenger between the Biggest Bad and the... uh... underlings? Minons?”

“Not minions”, requested Lizzy and made a face.

“At the top of the food-chain... on... on either side are the Crowns”, stated Angel as she hopped up and put two cute crown-images up. “Corona Australis, the Black Crown, and Corona Borealis, the White Crown. The ancient rulers, behind the screen. Very exciting.”

“Question: Why don't we just... get help... from that White Crown?”, asked Jessie.

“Oh, you know how it is. Superiors never do the work themselves”, huffed Lizzy dismissively. “This White Crown is like some higher up deity who just supervises.”

Savitri furrowed her brows. Highest priority would be to take out the Black Crown – they are the one who gives the power to those beneath them. If the Black Crown was taken out, those under their control would lose the influence. As it was, they didn't even know who Serpentarius was and barely had seen Serpens; the bad guys were playing things close to their chest.

“We're at a disadvantage”, mused Savitri, gaining the others' attention. “We can barely name the five higher ups but haven't even seen the two most dangerous ones. Meanwhile, the bad guys know... all about us. I mean, not our secret identities, but... but they know exactly what Zodiacs they have to face and they know exactly what powers we have.”

“You're right”, agreed Angel with a sigh. “Oh well, we're going to... do this. Somehow.”

“The optimism is overwhelming”, huffed Lizzy amused. “I need more wine for this.”

“I'm coming with you”, agreed Jessie, gathering glasses and following to the kitchen.

“How are you and Joss doing?”, asked Angel curiously, turning toward Savitri.

“Right to the point”, laughed Savitri. “I mean, we were busy enough with work already, but now with all this superhero business? They took a mission with Babara and Tanya two days ago and was too exhausted for our date, I was out late with you and Sebastian yesterday and had to postpone.”

“It really is straining”, agreed Angel solemnly. “Bastien is spending a lot of time complaining too. But that wasn't what I meant. Uh... I meant to very subtly ask how you are doing with... Sander.”

“Truly subtle”, agreed Savitri amused, her legs pulled up.

Daisy barked as she hopped up onto the couch, first sniffing her human and then turning toward the new, more interesting human, her tiny tail wagging. Angel cooed and picked the tiny dog up to hold her above her head and then kiss her little head just below the pink bow.

“Oh, you are a precious tiny thing”, whispered Angel, placing the puppy on her lap.

“Okay so, I admit I was very nervous about meeting Sander for the first time. Joss had been upfront about their feelings from the get-go, told me about their crush on Sander, so I would know what I was signing up for. I... knew that, at one point, I would get to meet the guy they had a crush on, however... I didn't expect these circumstances”, sighed Savitri. “So that changes things, because we didn't just meet about Joss, as friends. We... We're working together now.”

“That changes the dynamic from 'romantic rival' to 'working as a team'...”, agreed Angel.

“Yes, exactly”, groaned Savitri. “We're working together rather well. He is a very brilliant and... very handsome man. I understand where Joss is coming from. And it is evident that Joss has a type... I mean, I am only four years older than Joss, but Sander is about five years older than me.”

“Ye—eah”, giggled Angel delighted. “I mean, Joss is thirty-four, they can make their own decisions. But yes, definitely a type. Intellectual, older, gorgeous.”

Angel winked playfully at Savitri, making her laugh. Angel may be heterosexual, but she was definitely a flirt regardless. Angel called it 'being French', which had only made Savitri laugh even more. She really liked Joss' best friend a lot, the tiny blonde was delightful.

“I do think that saving Los Angeles has higher priority than sorting our... relationship out”, sighed Savitri softly. “And in the end, it's up to Joss anyway. If they... enjoy our relationship enough to stay with me, or if the feelings they have for Sander are... too strong.”

“It's okay”, smiled Angel, reaching out to pat Savitri.

“And it will be even more okay now that we have more wine!”, exclaimed Lizzy. “What are we talking about? You two look so serious. We were out for like five minutes.”

“Nothing, just... hand me that wine”, demanded Angel with a smile.

~*~

“The place is looking good”, praised Matt as he looked around.

Jamie couldn't help but smile pleased at that. He knew it was by far not all him. Honestly, if not for the whole team – and the more than generous 'donations' Matt had done (Jamie knew it came from him, even after Jamie had said that he wasn't going to just accept the billionaire's money). Thanks to everyone actually working together, they had been able to rebuild it like this.

“I'm gonna reopen tomorrow”, declared Jamie. “But... it'll be a while longer before the apartment is... livable again. I prioritized the pub, because it's... my place of business. Income.”

“Of course. You and the kids are welcomed to stay as long as you please”, assured Matt.

It really did mean the world to Jamie. He startled a little when Babs clasped a hand on his shoulder. Babs was smiling broadly. Jessie and even Chess and Ryuu stood on his other side. His cook and barkeeper both smiled encouragingly. They too relied on the income from the pub, after all.

“It really looks good. Let's hope there won't be any more attacks on it”, chuckled Chess.

“Well, at least insurance covers monster-attacks”, offered Ryuu dryly.

“Séamas! Hah. There you are. I knew it. Séamas!”

James froze, eyes widening. He slowly turned toward the source of the voice, while Ryuu reached out for the man who had spoken. The blonde man laughed startled as he was being stopped.

“Excuse you, sir. We are not yet opened. Grand reopening is tomorrow”, informed Ryuu.

“Ye—eah. Saw that in the newspaper. It's why I'm here”, laughed the blonde.

James swallowed hard, feeling like he was swallowing a whole rock as he stared at the man. He was aware of Babs and Matt looking curiously at the stranger, who was trying to get past Ryuu.

“Then you can come back tomorrow”, grunted Chess pointedly.

“Not here to drink. Just here to see Séamas.”

“Well, tough luck then because there is no... whoever here”, countered Chess.

“Nonsense. He's literally standing right there.” The blonde grunted and pointed at James.

“You're mistaking me for someone else”, hissed James as he walked briskly past him.

~*~

“Your brother's been avoiding me since yesterday”, sighed Matt with a frown.

“Mhmh”, grunted Jessie, kicking the possessed giant lizard in front of her. “Can we like maybe talk about my brother after we took out the constellation at hand?”

“That would be much appreciated”, agreed Melanie loudly, irritated.

Matt bit his lips. He just couldn't shake it. Yesterday had been weird. That stranger, that weird blonde with the Irish accent. The way Jamie had frozen up, how much seeing the man had upset him. Matt really didn't like the way Jamie had reacted to this guy. Still, Jessie had a point. Concentrate on the fight for now. Squaring his shoulders, he notched another arrow.

With the right amount of pressure – Melanie was using her vines to hold their enemy down and Jessie and Matt were quite literally bringing the heat – they managed to separate the person from the constellation that had possessed them. Melanie pocketed the gem.

“Okay. Now, what was that?”, sighed Jessie, wiping her face. “Taurus?”

“Yeah, my place to regroup and... clean up”, muttered Melanie, wiping goo off her face.

The trio headed to Melanie's place together and, once inside, Matt had to note that it looked surprisingly clean. She was a bit of a chaotic scatterbrained professor, really. Matt wondered a little if it had anything to do with Tanya and her obsessive orderliness. Melanie and Tanya had been spending a whole lot of time with each other lately, after all. And Melanie was not exactly the subtle kind of lesbian, she was more the heart-eyed, pining with a loud sigh kind.

“Okay. I bite. What about my brother?”, asked Jessie with furrowed brows.

“There was a guy at the pub yesterday”, offered Matt as they started cleaning themselves with some towels, all three crowding into Melanie's bathroom. “Blonde white boy, about our age.”

“Blonde white millennials in LA. Shockingly rare sight”, nodded Melanie sarcastically.

“He had an Irish accent”, continued Matt, glaring at his future sister-in-law before he turned toward Jessie again. “He... called James by a weird name. Called him... Sean? Or something, I think.”

“Séamas?”, offered Jessie, eyebrows raised.

“Yeah. Yeah, that was it”, nodded Matt.

“That's the same name”, stated Melanie casually, waving a hand at Matt's confused look. “Séamas and James, it's the same name. Like... Matteo and Matthew. Just... regional difference.”

“Ye—ep”, confirmed Jessie with a shrug. “Séamas is Jamie's name. Actual name. Birth... name.”

“...Oh”, whispered Matt, feeling even more confused now. “Wh... Why? I mean, why...”

Jessie gave him a thoughtful look and then shrugged once more. “When we came to the US, Jamie said we should change our names. Ain't nobody got time to hear Americans try and stumble over it. You heard yourself there? Remembering Sean like Séamas is too hard. The thought of any ignorant American trying and failing to spell my name feels like pulling teeth.”

“...What is your name?”, asked Melanie curiously at that.

“Seasidh. S-e-a-s-id-h. Didn't see that spelling coming, huh?”, snorted Jessie playfully before shrugging. “So yeah, James and Jessica seemed easier.”

Matt nodded slowly, warily. “So... that means... this man, he was... from your... past?”

“Must be someone my brother knows from Dublin, yeah”, shrugged Jessie.

Matt sat down heavily, eyebrows drawn together.

~*~

“Babe, you are working too hard.”

Lizzy startled a little, but then she smiled softly and tilted her head back to look at Rick. Rick returned her smile as he wrapped his arms around her shoulders after putting down a cup right in front of her, the scent filling her senses. He was so sweet.

“You made me chocolate”, sighed Lizzy pleased. “You're amazing.”

“I am going to call Miss Gold personally one of these days though”, grunted Rick seriously. “You... You have been working so hard, even at home. And all of the after-hours. We barely get to see each other in the morning anymore... and in the evening, we just fall asleep. It's... I miss you.”

Lizzy took a very slow, long sip from the hot chocolate. “It... It's just this one... project. It's... very important, not just to the firm, but to me, personally. This is huge for me, babe. I'm not just a designer on it, I'm head on this project.”

It was only partially a lie. The project was something that kept her busy, but mostly, it was the mission. Lying to Rick was awful, but she was also confident that this would be resolved soon. If not, she would be telling him the truth, she couldn't endure lying to him for forever.

“He—ello, roommates”, called Jessie out as she walked in. “How are you?”

Lizzy was partially relieved to hear her best friend and how awful was that? She was relieved to have her alone time with her handsome boyfriend interrupted like this? Horrible.

“Well... I am tired and what about you?”, sighed Rick.

“Full of energy”, offered Jessie with a broad grin. “Wanna watch a movie?”

“Yes!”, exclaimed Lizzy eagerly, scooting over.

Rick heaved a sigh, but he followed after all. Even if it was just a movie, at the very least it was spending time with his fiance. Looking at him, Lizzy leaned in to kiss his cheek.

“I promise, once the project's done, I'll have all the time in the world for you, babe”, whispered Lizzy gently before snuggling up to him. “Be patient.”

“Of course”, huffed Rick, nearly offended. “I mean, you were all patient for me when I trained to become a detective. I'll always have your back and support your career. You know how proud I am of you, Lizabella. I'm just... concerned about you, my love.”

Lizzy smiled faintly before snuggling up right between her boyfriend and her best friend. Closing her eyes, she leaned back to relax after a long day of work and fighting evil.

Read here on AO3!

Previous Chapter <- || Masterpost || -> Next Chapter

[hearteyes-for-killmonger]

Bully

Second installation of The Hearteyes Zone.

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

Antoine Elizabeth, 13. Student of the urban Ralph Bunch Middle School.

Ralph Bunch Middle School. Collective tormenter of one Antoine Elizabeth.

Young Antoine has in-school suspension for the third time this month. His crime? Self-defense. Intervention is the responsibility of the school and the home, but what happens when both systems fail? Can a hero be found? Or will hope forever be lost in... The Hearteyes Zone.

-----

Antoine was far from unintelligent, although it was difficult for him to focus on what the teacher said. His mind kept going to his little brother, Amir. The schools provided lunch free lunch, but what would they eat for dinner? How could he get home without getting jumped? These were the pressing issues. Identifying the countries in Asia, conjunctions, and jumping jacks in P.E. just didn't seem that important in comparison. This was exactly why kids sold drugs. His stomach growled and he put his head down on his desk.

"Uh uh, Mr. Elizabeth," Ms. Park snapped. The other kids snickered, not even upset to be punished. Content to witness Antoine in a miserable state. After having his head slammed into a locker, Antoine swung at the closest person to him. He'd connected with the shoulder of Anthony Harris, 13 and was quickly knocked down by Roger Williams, 13. Stomped on by Jeremy White, 12. They'd all been whisked to in-school suspension and the incident was dismissed as rough-housing.. yet again.

"You know better than that. This ain't your bedroom, you in here for a reason! You don't know how to keep your hands to yourself! Sit up, NOW!"

Antoine sat up silently, his stomach gurgling audibly.

"Hungry hungry hippo," Roger mumbled bringing laughs from the other boys. Ms. Park hid her laughter, but again, Antoine was no fool. He was deeply hurt.

---

Riding the school bus wasn't much better. These three boys were relentless day in and day out.

"He smell like open booty cheeks," Roger cracked, gaining boldness from the cacophony of howls, claps, and snorts.

"His momma a crackhead.. She suck dick for a dolla, my dad saw her.. He can't afford soap.. He smell like garbage juice.. His breath smell hot eggs.. He look like Rick Ross nephew.. He look like a bowl of cooked hotdogs.. Why his shirt so dingy?.. His momma ain't got no quarters?.. Why he breathe so hard?.. What are thoooose.." Roger went on and on everyday. Antoine had long given up on looking to the bus driver. The driver would never intervene.

The three boys along with two girls got off the bus at Antoine's stop as usual. The two girls went their own way while the boys followed Antoine. He immediately prepared for the fight he knew was coming. Blood and pain had become an expected norm. Everyday he faced this. He ran as fast as his heavy legs could take him, but Jeremy caught up, yanking his collar back with all his strength. Antoine fell backward, his head colliding hard with the pavement as he tried unsuccessfully to grab hold of Jeremy. The boys ran, leaving him to lay there.. bleeding and fading out.

Darkness.

"You good lil nigga?" A voice came and Antoine opened his eyes slowly letting his vision adjust. He was indoors. Using the strength he could muster, he pulled himself upright with a harsh wince. He was in an unknown living room on a wide couch. He blew a small bronze feather off of his shirt wondering where it came from and followed the voice spotting a man to his left, lounging in a large matching chair. The man was muscular and scary looking. He looked as though he could be a navy seal or mercenary. Maybe a drug dealer. Someone tough. Antoine grabbed the spot on his head that ached and pulled his hand away to spot the remnants of drying blood and another feather.

"Looks like you got fucked up. You almost died. What's your mama number I'll call and have her come get you." The man pulled out an iPhone like some of Antoine's classmates in school had. Antoine didn't even have a phone.

"She won't come. She's... out. I gotta get home and feed my brother."

The man's eyebrows knit together before relaxing in understanding.

"I'll drive you. Come on."

Antoine's apartment was one building over and they walked up four short flights of stairs to get to it. Amir was already home from the elementary school, working on his homework. Antoine was insistent on Amir doing it. He'd check it himself. Checking the cabinets, Antoine pulled a cereal box. It didn't even have enough for half a bowl. No ramen or rice either. The fridge was empty. No milk, peanut butter, or jelly. No more sandwich meat. Amir had eaten that yesterday. The man took a glance around the small and cluttered room, eyes falling back to Antoine.

"Your mama coming back anytime soon?"

"Yeah, she'll be back soon," Antoine lied, and not well at that. Antoine wasn't great at lying to begin with. It wasn't something he practiced.

"Uh huh. Come on, y'all coming with me."

Amir looked to Antoine for guidance on what to do before following him into the strange man's expensive looking car, a black NSX. The man took them to McDonald's and bought the both of them full sized meals with large drinks. It was like a birthday. They hardly ever got to eat McDonald's.

"What's your name, mister," Amir asked with stars of admiration for his new hero in his eyes. Antoine's expression wasn't far off.

"Name's Erik. I stay a building over in 3C... But now that we're sitting down and you got some food in you," he gestured to Antoine. "I need to ask.. Who fucked you up like that? Some kids?"

"Bullies," Amir nodded before Antoine could lie about it.

---

The two boys spent the night at Erik's and he ensured that they ate breakfast before school.

"Those the niggas who jumped you?" Erik had insisted on driving Antoine to school himself. They watched the morning school bus as the kids boarded. Erik's eyes were trained on the three boys. Antoine nodded in confirmation.

"Use your words, nigga! Don't ever be scared to speak up. What you got to say is important even if people don't acknowledge it. Speak!"

"Yeah, those are the guys... But the teachers and everyone else always take their side or ignore it and if I do something I get in trouble for just defending myself.. It's not fair! I ain't ask to be here. I'm tired and I hate everyone! I wish I could just die or kill them all..." Tears flowed until he realized that the car was rolling in the opposite direction of the school and the bus. "W-Where we going?"

"To change your life, lil man."

---

A trip to the store brought Antoine five new uniform shirts and five new pairs of pants along with some new socks. The next stop was the barbershop. Antoine looked like a brand new child with his curly tapered fade.

The barber even gifted him a sponge and showed him how to use it to bring out his curl pattern. Swayed by Antoine's story, the barber also volunteered to cut Antoine and his little brother up for free from that point on. The third stop was Foot Locker and Antoine left with two pairs of Nikes and one pair of Jordans.

"What if I get jumped for the Jordan's," he'd asked scared to even pick them up.

"You won't, trust me. But I'm a teach you how to really defend yourself so the next time a nigga test you, you can knock they damn teeth in... Don't be scared to hurt these niggas who try you, they weren't scared to hurt you."

The final stop was the nearby supermarket where they bought pasta, rice, meat, sauce, boxed mac and cheese, detergent, personal grooming products, and other things. After speaking with the manager about Antoine's situation, the manager agreed to let Antoine come by to pick up a groceries weekly for free. He just had to get there.

"I'm gonna teach you a few easy meals you can make for your brother," Erik said when they'd reached the boy's apartment. They'd already cleaned the mess that was the living room and kitchen.

How to make spaghetti. How to make a salad. Grilled cheese. Tacos. Erik wrote it all down for Antoine in easy to follow format and then they moved to hygiene. Washing clothes. How to shower properly. The importance of lotion and deoderant. Brushing your tongue. Moisturizing your hair. Asking the school nurse for items at school.

Antoine soaked up the lessons eagerly, ready to learn things useful to his life. No one had ever bothered to show him these things, choosing instead to make fun of him. Things many kids take for granted, he was finally learning. By the time Amir came home, Antoine was learning the correct way to throw a punch and how to use the opponent's strength against them. Antoine wasn't fast, but he had power. He'd have to rely on that as his strength.

By the end of the night when Erik left to go home, Antoine's attitude had visibly done a 180. He was smiling confidently. Finding another bronze feather on his shirt, he blew it away.

---

An interesting thing happened at school the next day when he caught the morning bus. The three boys weren't on it. They missed the morning class. They didn't show until halfway through the second class and they didn't say one word to or about Antoine. In the halls, they didn't push him or kick him. They avoided him completely. Rumors said there was a break in to all three houses and all the parents were assaulted, choked out completely in front of the kids. They weren't pressing charges or looking for the culprit however, which was strange. The in-school teacher, Ms. Park, had come to school with a mysterious bruise around her neck that looked like a handprint. Her eyes widened fearfully when she caught Antoine's eye and she quickly looked away.

Antoine quickly began to gain attention from his schoolmates, particularly the girls. They were intrigued by his new look, complimenting his hair and his Jordan's. Where he'd usually sit alone due to the fact that no one wanted to sit near him. All in one day, there were now people in his personal space.. touching him. One girl picked a bronze feather from his back and blew it away.

---

"Erik," Antoine called knocking on apartment 3C like Erik had told them. He had made it home without incident and planned to share every amazing detail of his great day with his cherished hero. However, the black NSX was gone, a blue car in its place. Antoine knocked and the door opened, but an older black guy answered wearing confusion on his face. His grey brows furrowed.

"Yeah? Hello. What," he snapped, annoyed to have to answer the door.

"Ex-excuse me sir, I'm looking for Erik. He lives here?"

A brief look inside showed that the furniture and decor was totally different than before. It even smelled different.

"I've lived here longer than you been alive you got the wrong gotdamn door."

But that was impossible. He remembered this door and this building. This was definitely the right door. It didn't add up. Just then he noticed something small, a bronze feather on the ground. It blew into the sky with no breeze.. into the clouds. There was a murmur that seemed to be coming from the sky.

Ndilibale

Glancing around the space around him one last time, he descended the stairs.

"How did I get over here," he pondered aloud making his way to his apartment. He cooked spaghetti and made a salad before taking a brief shower and moisturizing his hair. His mom was cooped up in her room, her second favorite place other than being gone. When Amir came home, they both did their homework together and Antoine began teaching Amir some of everything he knew. Amir was shook.

"Is Erik coming back," Amir gleamed.

"Who?"

"You know.. Erik? Cool big guy?"

"What did I tell you about imaginary friends, Amir? You're too old for that. "

"He wasn't imaginary! He was real.. wasn't he?" Amir wasn't quite so sure anymore. There was a huge question mark on his face.

"Well I haven't seen him.."

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

Ndilibale = Forget me

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[getreadytosmash]

The Past that Smashed

Chapter 14

Ennui’s POV

I’m in my room at the middle of the night getting ready. I have prepared my bag that I was going to take to the Hulk’s base. I know it’s going to be a long trip, but I have to be there. I was about to leave until I heard the door open from behind me.

“So what time are you leaving?”

My heart stopped.

I looked back and saw one of the major agents, my mentor to Sir Unknown who wears a silver mask with a fancy black suit. I never told no one about this so I can’t get caught now, even if I will get in trouble. Usually I would never do anything like this but….Sams is over there. Well time to create some bullshit.

“I was called to go to the Hulk’s base, however they prefer to keep it quite. I cannot inform you anything about this situation, sir.”

He walked slowly into my room. Please for the love of God, get out. He then turned to me.

“You know….you are my favorite student. I trust you more than anyone else, with the exception for one person,” Unknown said.

Where the hell is this going?

‘You were like a son for me. I know almost anything about you, your family, your hometown, your likes, and etcetera. However you never told me some of the reason for a few things like your goggle’s color, your private jet named Uel, your password is maS, and that picture of that boy in your phone.”

….Fuck. Nope. Not tell him. I’m not saying anything.

“Not everything is actually linked into each other. What if they are private information about my life that I have the right to remain silent about?”

“I know who was your hero when you were younger.”

I rolled my eyes. They were friends when they were younger, my ex hero and Sir Unknown. “I know,” I replied.

“Well, what if I told you that Natty actually told me some of the truth about your boyfriend.”

Wait! No! What!? GOD, I WANTED THE GROUND TO EAT ME ALIVE!….I still don’t know about the ‘boyfriend’ part though. It’s rather complicated. *cough*

I was about to say something until he put his hand up.

“We actually know why Hulk is going to the past.”

What!? How did they know? There were only five of us who knew about that.

He went on. “We cannot tell you yet why until Hulk is done protecting that boy. I will only tell you this because I trust you. Doctor Strange is the one sending him back. He is watching both the Hulk and the boy but that is how I knew you sent that secret message at She Hulk with the help of the Albizu cousins. The reason why I knew is because of Natty telling me about how Hulk going back in time, then I asked Director Fury about this and he told me how and other information. There are still parts that I don’t understand but it’s not my business.”

They knew? They fucking knew? And here I am trying to keep this a goddamn secret.

“Sir? Are you stopping me from going?” I asked. I mean why is he here in the first place.

“No. We need you to be over there for more information about the boy because even we don’t know nothing about him. Even Doctor Strange is not telling us. I rather you tell me about this before so I could have lied about you going on a secret honeymoon maybe.”

I respect my mentor, but I hate him sometimes.

“Thank you, Sir. I will go as quickly as possible, but I’m only there personally. I don’t want S.H.I.E.L.D. knowing when I’m going.”

“Well then. Take the jet named Tiana, it’s the slowest jet but it’s the only her that doesn’t have a tracker. S.H.I.E.L.D would not worry about that one much so you can take it. By the way I took it off. But I’m making you take the slowest as a punishment for not telling me about your mission. It even need to be prepared so you are going to have to land a couple of times to fix it. AND it’s gas tank will run out quickly so you either find different ways to fill it up or leave the jet so S.H.I.E.L.D will have to take you back.”

He threw me the keys of the jet. Jesus. I’m being delayed for not saying anything about MY life which I don’t like to talk about. I grabbed my bag and head out the door. I bowed to him, since he likes that for some weird unknown reason.

“Hold up.”

Oh for the love of-

“Take these.”

“What?”

He handed me some concert tickets. Why would I need this?

“Look at the name, my boy.”

I looked at it and it said that a concert at Vista Verde. Its in three day and it’s a DJ that was performing. I looked at the name….I hate him…..sometimes. DJ JD was going to perform. Of course he knew. Why wouldn’t he come. I couldn’t help but smirk.

“Now make sure to be there on time so those tickets would be such a waste if you didn’t go,” said Sir Unknown.

“Yes, Sir. Thank you, Sir.”

I looked at the tickets and thought of some fond memories of my teenage years until-

“Well, what are you waiting for? Go so you won’t be late.”

Shit! I need to go. I thanked him, again and left.

I ran out the door and towards where the jets are. I found old Tiana at the end and quickly got on. I took off remembering the problems of Tiana.

-Few Hours Later-

Remember what my wonderful mentor, Sir I’m so mysterious I have tentacles under my mask maybe? Hint the sarcasm in my mind please. Well it turns out that Tiana is slow as HELL and after fixing it, 10 minutes later it needs to be fixed again.

Fan-fucking-tastic.

How am I going to make it over there? Is supposed to be like a day or less to travel over there on a jet. If I went on foot and hitchhike on trains or large trucks I can make it in about 4 days, since I don’t sleep a lot. But with this piece of crap I don’t even know. Hang on guys. I’m coming.

A-Bomb’s POV

So Hulk just told us that a tree house almost killed Sammy for fuck sake. Jeez. I really don’t like those aunts that he has. Especially Karen.

I did laugh on the part where Dawn came in and threw those bugs at the boys.

“You know what’s really great about Dawn?” asked Carla as she was drinking her tea. “Dawn was the reason why Robert and the other boys are afraid of bugs ever since she put cockroaches in their soup one time after not letting Sam or Dawn sit on the table with them. They’re all dicks, those cousins. Sometimes I want to give them a piece of my mind when I was younger.”

After that everyone went off doing separate things but I stayed with Carla. We are actually good friend since she said that she didn’t have a lot of people to talk to, like me, and usually boss people around.

She was petting Icarus, that giant rat that I kinda don’t want to get to close to.

“Jones, I’m bored. Do you have a radio to annoy the others? I feel like jamming out right now,” said Carla.

*squeak*

“Hell yeah, we do!”

I turned on the radio and put the volume really loud so the others can hear it. Carla has a thing to mess with people while not being in the same room with them.

Carla is basically everyone’s friend here, besides Red who sees her as a troublemaker so he keeps an eye on her. But I think the real reason is that he wants to know what’s going on with the time travel. I know for a fact that she HATES spoilers so of course she would not tell. She’s cool with Skaar and Jen, even if she does have a crush on her but they are actually okay. We think that she’s sees Hulk as an uncle figure for her since he was the only one she listens to.

Man, she’s been here for a while now. It’s been almost a month actually. I think she came at the 5th of August. It’s funny because the only reason she remembers the date is because her five pairs of shoes she brought with her.

‘In the name of love’ came on and we both sang our hearts out.

“IN THE NAME OF LOVE!” we both screamed.

“Goddamnit, kids! Turn that music down, I can’t train with that on!”

I noticed that Hulk was coming towards me, covering his ears. He gave me an envelope and left. I looked at it and I gasp. I got tickets to see DJ JD on 4th of September, and it’s only in three days! WOO! Man, I’m so excited!

Leader’s POV

She’s doing this on purpose. I just know it. And she’s secretly doing it to me. Jokes on her since we both like the same type of music.

“In the name of love!”

“Oh come on! Not you too!” groaned Red as he gave Leader his lunch.

/WOO! Got this one done. Get ready for more visitors coming. Sir Unknown was a last minute character, but I already made him part of it. Now let’s see what can you find here. Hmm those numbers look familiar for some reason, but I’ll let you guess. Hope you enjoy./

(Omg I love how annoyed Rick is "God damn it Sam, why must you almost get killed by a tree?" Lol! I'm surprised that you have time moving in this so the months are actually changing, soon it'll be Leader's birthday in this...Ennui is so in love with him omg it's so cute. His get is named after Sami, his password is after Sami, his goggles are orange...he even has a picture! I'm wondering when they first met, it makes me laugh to imagine Hulk being a protective dad, not wanting anyone to date his boy XD it'd be one hell of a shovel talk. The DJ event is going to be huge and I wonder why Ennui hates him...I'm looking forward to seeing him reunited with Leader. Ennui will get to him....IN THE NAME OF LOVE!)

[fyrapartnersearch]

Roleplay ad!!

Hey, guys! Name's Rhys, twenty one years old, and living in the CT. Currently, I am looking for both fandom and original roleplays-- I do want to mention beforehand, I don't want to be the one upholding the creation of story development. For the past few years, I've been forced into this, and I am especially burned out with having to deal with it all by myself. I need teamwork, cooperation, or a partnership won't work out, sorry. I do third person, past/present tense, and paragraph form. Semi-lit, please be prepared to do more than just a few sentences. Four-five paragraphs preferred, but I totally understand if the situation just calls for shorter responses, but not all of the time. The link right below this is a doc to some of my writing samples. Feel free to check them out! https://docs.google.com/document/d/18n3iuj4m9X1hBo9P2IezrKdTfkTrSKt0H34ZP6v3hHs I do m/m, f/f, m/f, f/m, any relationships; trans/nb, trans/cis, nb/cis, etc. I welcome all the LGBT, as I am of the queer community myself! Email or google docs only, please. LIMITS ------ -No unrealistic stereotypes of queer relationships, please. Yaoi, yuri, seme/uke, etc. Can't do that. Characters need to both have versatile roles; switching, so it's fair for everyone. Though, my characters do tend to be a lot more dominating! {{Very welcoming of BDSM, dom/sub, but this does not mean someone needs to be penetrated every single time in order for the dom to dominate. Get it? This can also apply to heterosexual relationships. I would literally love to see female characters who top, if you know what I mean. It's a pretty common thing, but not many people here seem down with it lol}} -Furries; blegh, no thanks. Beastiality, nekos, anything of sexual animal-related nature is a no-go, fam. -Vore, scat, bathroom stuff, pedophilia. You know the drill! ((I am not opposed to consensual, legal age and non-reproducing incestuous relationships in FICTION! Sex is fine, just no children resulting from it. Reminder; this is fictional.)) Okay, so despite those few limits, I am actually pretty welcoming of anything else. Smut, of course. Some kink a little out there that you want to suggest? Let's do it, dude. I am open to polyamorous relationships, any queer shit you're willing to throw at me lmao I am super OOC friendly and I am pretty much a garbled mess when I get to know you! I am open to crooked relationships, ones that don't function right, fluff and all cuteness, unconditional love-- my interests fluctuate! I am down, 24/7, guys! Here's a list of fandoms and pairings below. ------ ***=Craving Borderlands -Handsome Jack/Rhys*** -Handsome Jack/Rhys/Nisha*** -Rhys/Axton -Handsome Jack/Nisha*** -Fiona/Athena -Fiona/Vaughn -Rhys/Vaughn Until Dawn -Josh Washington/Chris -Chris/Mike -Jess/Mike -Sam/Beth -Matt/Jess -Emily/Matt/Jess Life is Strange -Max Caulfield/Chloe Price -Max Caulfield/Kate Marsh/Victoria Chase -Nathan Prescott/Warren Graham*** -Rachel Amber/Chloe Price*** -Rachel Amber/Frank Bowers DC -Dick Grayson/Jason Todd*** -Bruce Wayne/Dick Grayson -Dick Grayson/Koriand'er -Dick Grayson/Wally West*** -Oliver Queen/Dinah Lance -Harley Quinn/Pamela Isley -Bruce Wayne/Clark Kent -Diana Prince/Clark Kent/Bruce Wayne Marvel -Steve Rogers/Tony Stark -Tony Stark/Bruce Banner -Steve Rogers/Bucky Barnes -Bucky Barnes/Sam Wilson -Clint Barton/Pietro Maximoff -Peter Parker/Harry Osborn*** -Peter Parker/Wade Wilson -Gwen Stacy/Peter Parker/Harry Osborn Uncharted -Nathan Drake/Samuel Drake -Nathan Drake/Harry Flynn*** -Chloe Frazer/Nadine Ross -Samuel Drake/Rafe Adler*** Game of Thrones -Arya Stark/Gendry Waters -Sansa Stark/Margaery Tyrell -Daenerys Targaryen/Jon Snow TTGOT -Asher Forrester/Gwyn Whitehill -Rodrik Forrester/Arthur Glenmore*** -Mira Forrester/Margaery Tyrell -Gared Tuttle/Finn -Gared Tuttle/Josera Snow The Walking Dead -Rick Grimes/Shane Walsh -Rick Grimes/Negan*** -Daryl Dixon/Paul “Jesus” Rovia -Luke/Nick -Javier Garcia/David Garcia*** -Clementine/Gabriel Garcia*** The Mortal Instruments -Simon Lewis/Raphael Santiago -Simon Lewis/Jace Lightwood*** -Isabelle Lightwood/Lydia Branwell -Alec Lightwood/Magnus Bane Be More Chill -Jeremy Heere/Michael Mell*** -Chloe Valentine/Brooke Lohst -Jake Dillinger/Rich Goranski Dear Evan Hansen -Evan Hansen/Connor Murphy*** Infamous: Second Son -Delsin Rowe/Reggie Rowe -Delsin Rowe/Eugene Sims -Delsin Rowe/Hank Daughtry Steven Universe -OC/OC verse welcome! Dream Daddy: A Dad Dating Simulator -Anyone/your dadsona (for the love of god someone give me a good, not cliche john doe dadsona and you will win my heart!! I just want to play a dad lol bring me some great ass ocs) Heathers -Kurt Kelly/Ram Sweeney -Heather Chandler/Veronica Sawyer -Veronica Sawyer/Jason “JD” Dean - Some basic ideas that I do have pretty big doc ideas for; -The Last of Us inspired, using the general plot of the game. -Literally anything zombie-apocalypse inspired -Sugar daddy or mommy/Sugar baby*** -Big shot CEO/Rookie -Gladiator/Royal heir -Criminal/Law enforcer -Hero/Villain, Hero/Anti-hero, etc. -Jock/Nerd (this trope is my shit omg) -Medieval families, arranged marriages -Extrovert/Introvert*** -One night stands turned into something more -Childhood sweethearts -Supernatural; demon/spirit, demon/hunter, demon/human, angel/human, angel/demon -Best friends turned lovers -A few marine biologists go to an island off the coast to study the marine life there, which in turn, turns out to be something much bigger. ((Loosely based mermaid plot, can go into much bigger detail!))*** -Super expansive GOT-like fantasy plot with backgrounds, continents, etc. -Rivaling supernatural gangs (say, werewolf packs or vampire clans) -Soul mates; it can be like some of those AU’s where you don’t see color until you meet them, your tattooed timer counts down until then, or maybe even soul mates continuously reincarnating and one of the two has killed them for centuries in order to be “immortal”. For the first time, the victimized partner gets close enough that the other begins to fall and they start aging, together. -Young person (A) inherits an old mansion in a rural town from an unknown relative. A finds that the town is off-- people are starting to disappear, and no bodies are being found. A discovers their relative was hunting the “beast” by all of the information piled up in the attic and salt smeared in the cracks of the floors. B is a disguised demon in the small population-- they initially intended to get rid of A’s relative in fear of being exposed.. but it turns out, there is a much bigger threat than B or any of the other inconspicuous supernaturals among the town--- a monster is coming, and with it, a potential end to the world as they know it. Will B and A team up together? Can A look past B’s true evils, and can B learn to help a descendant of the infamous ‘monster’ hunters? -A doesn’t have any memories of their life, only being conscious and staring down at a mutilated body in a ditch. When they meet B, they learn why; welcome to limbo, they say. You just died. A has unfinished business; finding out who murdered them, why, and what else is holding them here. B is a reaper intent on helping lost souls pass over-- they were never born, and A shows them the delights of life before it’s taken. B learns to love A, and A doesn’t want to leave limbo. While A’s soul is clinging between realities, B must make a pivotal decision; squeezing tight on the concept of love, and letting A go. (BONUS!! REINCARNATION; A & B ARE GIVEN THE GIFT OF LIVING AGAIN, TOGETHER.) -Coming of age story between two childhood friends who are separated by circumstance, and after ten years, reunite and learn that your first love doesn’t have to be the one that got away. -Two friends drop their whole lives to go on a road trip once they turn thirty-- they elope together, leaving their unhappy lives behind them and in this grand scheme of mental breakdowns and tearful smiles, they find that love may be the only cure to a broken existence. ..and many more!! Thanks so much! If you've read through, please contact me at dotiscat@gmail.com and mention kiwi somewhere in your email. n_n Rhys xoxo

[bamby0304]

Victoria Grimes VI: Chaos

Chapter Six: Surrounded

Masterlist

Warnings: Hmm... nada

Bamby

VPOV

Michonne, Heath and another man had come back. Out of everyone I'd been running with, everyone out there, they were the only ones back. The other group were all fine. Tobin and his team. They were absolutely fine. But I'd started to wonder about the others. Dad, Glenn, Nicholas. Daryl, Abraham, Sasha. They were still out there, and we had no way of knowing if they'd make it back or not...

Michonne stood in front of Maggie, Rosita and myself, filling us in with what had happened with the Glenn. "The town was overrun. He split off with Nicholas. He had this idea that if he lit a fire, it would stop the walkers from coming here. I tried to go instead. I wanted to go... The fire never got lit." her voice shook. "We had to keep going. I'm sorry."

Maggie looked to the ground, her hand moving to run over her face. I stepped closer to her, placing my own hand on her back as she leaned against me for support, needing the comfort I offered.

"He said that if he got stuck, he would find a way to send us a signal." Michonne finished.

Maggie perked up a little. "A signal?"

"Open the gate!"

We all froze and turned to the walls. Someone had yelled out, we all heard it. Everyone had heard it.

"Open the gate!"

Someone yelled again.

Grabbing my gun from my belt, I held it in my hands as I ran to the gate, the others right behind me.

"Open the gate now!"

Michonne pulled the gate open, with the help of Maggie as Rosita and I stood, our guns ready, aimed straight ahead. But I froze at the sight before me. My dad, covered in sweat, and dirt, bleeding from his hand, running as fast as he could, with a herd of walkers right behind him. Dozens of them mere steps away from grabbing him.

"Move!" I yelled pulling everyone out of the way as more people gathered.

A walker got close to dad, and without thinking I aimed and pulled the trigger of my gun, shooting the walker right in the head, killing it. Dad just kept running, moving as fast as he could. The moment he was in I helped Michonne and Maggie close the gate as the walkers got closer and closer. Right as the gate closed they pressed against it, reaching in, snarling and groaning at us. The sound was deafening.

...

I stood in front of dad, bandaging up his hand. Aly knew I was home now and had planted herself on the ground, right by my feet as she played with her dolls. We were all silent. Each of us. Even Carl, who was sitting on the table, watching me fix dad's hand up.

"What happened?" I finally spoke.

"I was in the RV, talking to Daryl on the walkie, when this guy." dad shook his head. "This guy with a 'W' on his head came in and shot at me. I killed him, a few others too. But somehow the motor got hit and the RV wouldn't start. The herd came, and I had to run."

I'd stopped my actions as he spoke. "Did they all have 'W's' on their foreheads?"

He nodded. "Yeah. There were five of them." he looked up at me, frowning with curiosity. "Why?"

"People got over the walls." Carl answered before I could. "They started killing everyone, taking things. They had 'W's' on their heads, too."

Dad had turned to Carl but as my brother stopped talking his eyes landed on me. "Did any of them get away? Did you see any-"

Cutting him off I shook my head. "I killed every one I saw." I told him flatly.

Aly looked up at me for a moment, just a single moment, before going back to her toys. I wasn't sure if she'd liked hearing what I'd said, but either way it was done. I couldn't change it now even if I wanted to. But I didn't. I knew what I did was right, and that's what mattered.

"They drove a truck into the wall. Spencer stopped them from getting in, but some damage was made." I shrugged. "I can show you if you want?" I asked as I finished with his hand.

"Alright." he nodded, getting to his feet. "I need to talk to the others. Tell them everything."

"Okay." I sighed, putting everything back in the med-kit. "Aly, you stay home, okay sweetie. Keep Houdini inside, too. Can't have him barking with all the walkers around the walls."

Aly nodded. "Yes, mum."

"Good girl." gesturing to dad I started for the door. "Let's go.

RPOV

Vickie and I walked towards the broken wall. It was still up though which was good. People had already started to build up some reinforcements as well, which was even better. But the gathering crowd of clearly panicked and worried people was not so good. It was clear each and every one of them had no clue as to what they should do now. As far as they were concerned, we were all dead. But that was not the case. I was going to make sure of it.

"You can hear it." I started. "Some of you saw it. They got back here, half of them. Still enough to surround us twenty deep. Look, I know you're scared. You haven't seen anything like this. You haven't been through anything like this. But we're safe for now. The pane the truck it seems intact. We reinforced it just in case. Either way, the wall's gonna hold together. Can you?" I asked, looking to each face. "The others, they're gonna be back."

Rosita nodded. "They're gonna be back."

I went on. "Daryl, Abraham, Sasha, they have vehicles. They're gonna lead 'em away, just like the others. And Glenn and Nicholas are gonna walk back through the front gate after. They know what they're doing, and we know what we need to do. We keep noise to a minimum. Pull our blinds at night. Even better, keep the lights out. We'll try to make this place as quiet as a graveyard, see if they move on."

"This place is a graveyard." Francine spoke up.

We all turned to her as we fell silent, nothing but the sound of the walkers on the other side of the walls could be heard.

Aaron stepped forward. "The quarry broke open and those walkers were heading this way. All of them. The plan that Rick put into place stopped that from happening. We got half of them away." he looked to everyone. "I was out there recruiting with Daryl. I wanted to try to get into a cannery and scavenge. And Daryl wanted to keep looking for people. We did what I wanted. And we wound up in a trap set by those people. And I lost my pack. They must have followed our tracks." he paused, guilt written all over his face. "Those people who attacked us, they found their way back here because of me."

Nodding, I turned to everyone else. "There'll be more to talk about."

"Deanna?" Tobin spoke from behind me. "Deanna?"

I looked over, seeing Deanna walking away, ignoring him. Everyone watched as she just kept walking.

...

Carrying a body of one of the intruders, I'd watched as Jessie dragged a body towards the graves. I'd known it wasn't one of our people in an instant and so I'd followed her, wondering what she was going to do. When I walked around the bushes I found her digging a hole, the body laying beside where she dug the shovel into the ground. The other bodies of the people who had come were off to the side, where they were going to stay until we could get rid of them. They didn't deserve to be buried.

Dumping the body, I carried onto the pile of others, I shook my head. "Don't." she stopped and waited before I went on. "We don't bury killers inside the walls."

She sighed and looked to the bodies. "We aren't going out there. So, what do we do?"

"We wait." I answered simply before walking off.

MPOV

I was getting ready. I didn't care if there were walkers surrounding the walls. I would find a way out. I had to. Glenn needed me, and I needed to know he was still alive.

"You're going out?" Aaron asked as he stepped into the armory. "The flashlights, the rebar, the rope." he sighed. "You lower them off the wall, a good distance apart, maybe spin them. That way the walkers are drawn to each one, and you open up a path."

Ignoring him I continued to gather things I may need for what I was planning on doing.

He moved to lean on the bench near me. "Now you're gearing up. Just waiting for dark, right? What happens when you twist an ankle jumping down? Hmm? Or you just get slowed down by one of them and then you have to deal with all of them?" he shook his head. "I can't let you do this."

Pulling the strap of my bag over my shoulder I turned to him. "You can't stop me." I told him before moving to walk out.

He grabbed my arm, turning me to him. "I'm going to help you. And I know a safer way out."

CPOV

I found Ron sitting on the grass behind his house, messing around with a knife. As much as I didn't want to talk to him, I knew he was the only one that could help me right now. Getting adults involved would only make things worse.

"Hey." I called to him. "You okay?"

"Why wouldn't I be?" he asked, clearly not okay. He was pissed.

Continuing to walk up to him, I went on. "Have you seen Enid?"

"Not since I saw her with you."

"I think she went over the wall just before the herd came and now she's trapped out there." I told him.

"What makes you think she isn't dead?"

"Come on, man." I shook my head. He just got to his feet with a scoff before walking off. Speaking up again, I stopped him. "Look, I'll go find her. I just need your help. If you maybe climb up-"

He cut me off. "I'm not helping you, Carl."

"This isn't for me." I sighed. "It's for Enid. Your friend."

"My girlfriend. Or, I mean, 'cause she was anyway, right?"

"So, you want to just leave her out there?" I couldn't believe what he was saying.

"I told her to stop going over the wall. I told her there's bad people out there and that it's stupid and dangerous."

"Not if you know what you're doing." I told him.

"Well, I'm not gonna let you go."

Shaking my head, I turned, not caring what he was going to do or not do. I'd figure it out myself, I didn't need his help.

"Carl." he warned, following me. "Carl, you're not going out there." he grabbed my arm.

I spun around and shoved him. "Back off."

He shoved me back.

"Alright." that's all it took.

I stepped forward and grabbed him, struggling to get a good grip as he shoved and pushed me away. But still, I managed to get him to the ground. Once he was down, I turned and started to walk off.

"I'll tell your dad. I'll tell your sister. They'll go out there to find you, then other people will, too." he called, still laying on the ground. "And then somebody's gonna die."

I stopped in my tracks.

He was right. If he told dad and Vickie, they'd come after me without hesitation. Both of them would risk everything for me. It's what you do for family. So as much as I wanted to help Enid, I couldn't risk everyone else...

"You saved my life and now I'm saving yours."

Shaking my head, I moved on, leaving him lying on the ground.

VPOV

I stood in the shower. I needed to scrub off the feeling of dirt and grime off me. Killing people and walkers always had me feeling gross. I guess that's kind of natural really. Standing in the shower I'd washed myself so much my skin had gone red as I cleaned away a layer of skin, needing to feel fresh again.

While the water ran over my body I'd found myself tear up as thoughts of Daryl, Glenn, Sasha, Abraham and Nicholas entered my mind. Everyone was sure Daryl, Sasha and Abraham would be back... But not Glenn and Nicholas. Names of people who had died were being painted on to one of the walls panels outside. Already they'd put Glenn and Nicholas on the list. It had made me feel sick to think one of my best friends was gone.

Even losing Nicholas hurt. He'd killed Aiden and Noah indirectly, and hurt me, but he was still one of our own. Having people was a necessity these days. Losing people was a hurt we all knew well. But it was Glenn that really hurt me. I couldn't stop thinking about him laying somewhere dead. As much as I hoped he was okay, I knew better. In a world like this chances of getting home safe were very slim.

If I lost Glenn, it would crush me. He was my best friend. He saved my life on that highway. I owed him so much. That wasn't all though, he'd also been the first stranger I'd bonded with after the world turned. There was an instant connection between us, one that I cherished. Maggie may be my best friend, but Glenn was practically a brother.

"Mum?" a knock on the door and Aly's voice had me turning the water off.

"Hold on." I called back as I stepped out of the shower and wrapped a towel around me, before opening the door for her. "Hey, what's up?" I smiled lightly at her.

She shrugged. "Can I go look for Tara?"

Leaning against the door frame I thought about it, wondering if letting her leave the house was a good idea at the moment. But I knew and trusted Tara. She'd take care of Aly like she'd done many times before.

"Okay." I gave a sharp nod. "Let me get dressed and then we'll go find her, yeah?"

Her face lit up. "Okay." she nodded before rushing off.

MPOV

"I thought you said we weren't going over the fence?"

"We're not." Aaron told me as I followed him through some long grass that was close to the walls. "We're going under." he knelt by a large drain in the ground. "This lead to a sewer that was part of the old neighbourhood that was here before they built this up. It'll take us under the wall." he unlocked the grate. "And hopefully past the walkers."

"Thanks." I looked down at him as he moved to go into the hole Grabbing his shoulder, I stopped him. "But I'm going on my own from here."

"Maggie."

"No." I wouldn't hear it.

"Please. I can't watch more names go up on that wall."

...

Walking ahead of Aaron by only a step or two, I kept my focus on moving forward. We were moving through the old sewer, the smell still pretty bad as water went up to my ankles. Though if it meant I could get to Glenn I didn't care.

Shinning the torch in front of me, I spoke up. "If he's alive-"

Aaron cut me off. "If?"

I went on as if he hadn't said anything. "He told Michonne he would've found some way to signal us if he got out. If he's alive, he's hurt or trapped, maybe taken. If he's alive, he needs my help. That's why I'm doing this. And if he's dead, I don't want to be waitin' on him." I turned to look at him. "None of this is your fault. You don't need to do this."

Stopping to stand next to me, he just looked me in the eyes. "People are dead. I was a part of that. And I have to live with that." he told me before moving forward.

We walked a little more, turning a corner as we neared what looked to be a crawl space. Though in front of that I could tell that there had once been a ladder that went up to an exit.

Only problem was, that ladder had rusted and fallen. That meant two things. One, we couldn't climb up. Two, it had acted as a barrier and had helped with the built-up junk that sat before us.

"I haven't been down here since the beginning." Aaron shone his light of the mess that was blocking our path. "This ladder must've fallen a long time ago."

"Let's try and get it out of here." grabbing a hold of the ladder, I nodded. "On there, ready?" once he had a hold I began to count. "One, two, three." we pulled, but it didn't budge. "One, two, three." using all our mite we pulled as hard as we could.

The ladder came flying back, causing Aaron to stumble and fall to the ground, hitting his head in the process.

"Aaron!"

"Ah. I'm okay. The ladder caught me."

Before I could move to help him the sound of gargled groans caught my attention. Turning back to where we'd pulled the ladder from I watched as a walker lifted its head from the muck. It had clearly been laying in the water for some time as it's skin was slimy and gross.

Pulling my knife out I moved forward to kill it.

Suddenly another walker appeared, this one just as gross as the other, as if it had been stuck down here and the sewers muck had grown onto the walker's body. This one moved faster, reaching out for me. I back up, trying to hold it back, but its skin was too slimy and simply peeled.

While I struggled against it the other walker had crawled out and moved to Aaron, who was still on the ground. But as much as I wanted to help him, I had my own problems to deal with. Putting all my concentration on the walker in front of me I tried to pull it back and grab a hold of my knife so I could kill it. It's slippery and wet skin didn't help as I continued to struggle to keep its teeth from my skin.

Out of nowhere a blade went through the skull of the walker before the walker fell to the ground, revealing Vickie. Aaron was standing now, leaning against the wall, his walker dead as well. It was pretty obvious that Vickie had killed it for him, just like she'd killed mine.

She just grinned. "Did you really think I'd let you go without me?"

RPOV

"Daryl, Sasha, Abraham, you copy?" I called into the walkie as I stood on the guard tower by the community gate.

From up here I could see a better view of what we were dealing with, and it wasn't good. Walkers stretched along the wall for as far as I could see.

"Rick?" Ron called form down below. "Can I come up?"

"Yeah." I nodded.

He made his way up the ladder before coming to stand next to me, looking down at all the walkers.

"You haven't seen it." I noted.

"No." he responded before going on. "Enid, she, uh...She used to sneak over the walls, spend time out there. You know, I don't know why, she just wanted to. But, um, I think she went out there after the attack."

"What, she's still out there?"

"Yeah." he gave a short nod. "We don't know where she is." he quickly added, "You know, but she knows how to take care of herself."

I highly doubted that.

"And we can't go out there." he added. "Carl wanted to try. I stopped him. I told him I'd tell you if he did. And then, um... I don't know. I just thought I should tell you-"

I cut him off. "Do you know where he is now?"

"Yeah, he's back at the house. I saw him on the porch with Judith."

I looked towards our house before looking down at the walkers, thinking over what I should do. I wanted to make sure Carl- and the rest of my family- were safe. But I needed to keep an eye out for the others.

"I can keep guard if you want." he offered.

I gestured to the walkers. "Down there, they're guarding the place now. This is just about keeping an eye out for the others that aren't back, looking for a sign from Glenn."

"All right." he shrugged.

Turning to him I could see he was serious, and I trusted he'd stay and do what was needed. So, I turned to the ladder, ready to leave.

"Um..." he stopped me. "So, I was thinking about what you said back at the quarry. And, uh, I mean, you're right. I need to know how to protect myself and my mum and brother. This place." he hesitated before going on. "So, can you teach me how to shoot?"

Thinking it over for a moment I then nodded, pulling my gun out, taking out all the bullets, and aiming it at the walkers. "There's your target."

He took the gun and held it in front of him, aiming it at the walkers.

"Just relax." I told him, watching as he listened.

VPOV

After finding Tara and letting Aly hang out with her, I'd decided to take a walk. What I hadn't expected was to see Aaron and Maggie head down into some old sewer. So, me being me, I'd followed. Which is how I'd found them struggling against walkers.

I'd saved them both easily enough, but things didn't run too smoothly afterwards. Aaron had been hurt and his head was bleeding. Both Maggie and I wanted him to go to the infirmary seeing as it looked like he'd need stitches. He- of course- hadn't listened. Now here we were, the three of us walking through the sewers, looking for a way out so we could find the others.

Finally, we came to a gate that lead outside. But as we neared it I felt my heart sink... we were still too close to the walkers.

"We're still too close." Maggie noted, seeing what I saw.

"We just have to get through a few of them, then we're gone." Aaron wasn't giving up.

"No." Maggie grabbed his arm to stop him.

He ignored her, grabbing the gate. "You ready?"

Maggie sighed. "No, we can't."

"She's right." I shook my head. "There's too many, and we're too close."

Aaron looked from me and hen to Maggie. "You both can stay, I'll go."

"No." but when Aaron ignored her, Maggie yelled. "No!"

Aaron turned to her, eyes wide. "Maggie."

"It's over!" she shouted.

Some walkers had heard her and were now pushing up against the gate, blocking our exit as they reached in to try and grab us, snarling and moaning loudly.

"I burned his last picture of me, because I said he wasn't gonna need it any more. Because I was never gonna be away from him again." Maggie was on the verge of tears. I could see it as she went on. "I'm pregnant."

Everything inside me fell deeper as I looked to my best friend. "What?"

Maggie shook her head. "He didn't want me to go out there and I said, 'Yes'. And if I would've gone, if I was with him, maybe I could've helped him." she looked to Aaron and myself. "I don't know if he's alive." she began to cry. "He would've shown me by now. That's what Michonne said." she took a deep breath. "I just want to see his face. I can't."

My arms wrapped around her as I pulled her to me in a tight hug as I felt myself begin to cry. All the fears and anxieties I'd been trying to bottle up inside me seemed to explode at that moment as I felt my own worry for Glenn grow, and my wonder of Daryl begin to turn to heartache. Had we lost Glenn? Had I lost Daryl?

Maggie pulled away, looking at Aaron as her hand slipped into mine. "I don't get to know what will happen. I don't get to know why it happened, what I did right or wrong." she continued to cry. "Not now. I have to live with that. You do, too."

Looking at her, seeing her crying and breaking down like this, it affected Aaron as well. He threw his arms around her, the two embracing as I stood there, watching the walkers, feeling my own heart crumble away.

RPOV

I was walking the streets at night, heading for Jessie's place, when I found Deanna fighting with a walker nearly twice her size. It was on the ground while she stood over it, stabbing its chest with something I couldn't quite make out. Running, I pulled my knife out and crouched down, stabbing the walker in the head without hesitation.

Once the thing fell limp, Deanna stopped. Breathing heavily, covered in blood, she looked down at the walker's head, where a 'W' was carved into the skin.

"Carol said she got one of them. But she couldn't find the body. He must've been under there." I gestured to some lattice that sat by an opening under a house.

Deanna began to get back on to her feet. I reached for her hand, moving slowly and carefully as I helped her up. When she was standing, she looked up at me.

"I want to live." she told me simply. "I want this place to stay standing."

"You need to lead them."

She gave an unamused chuckle. "They don't need me, Rick. What they need is you." looking away she moved to a basket and some food that she must have dropped. As she began to pick it all up I moved to help, crouching down next to her. "What I wanted for this place, was it really just pie in the sky?" she asked, looking to me again.

"No." I reassured her, telling the truth.

With the food, back in the basket, she stood and picked it up. Giving me one last look she then walked off, heading back towards her house.

MPOV

I'd left Aaron at the guard tower by the community gate, telling him I'd be back. I would be, I just had to do something first.

Walking up to the wall where the names of the people we'd lost had been written up I opened my water bottle and poured some water on to my sleeve as I reached the wall. Lifting my sleeve, I began to rub at Glenn's name, washing it away.

He was not gone. I was not going to give up on him so easily. I couldn't.

Aaron came to stand next to me, doing the same to Nicholas' name. "When he gets back, it's worth mentioning that Aaron, Erin, works for a boy or a girl, depending on the spelling." he smiled at me. "Just saying."

I'd stopped rubbing and stood there, looking at the wall as I listened to him. A smile crept on to my face and then, I simply went back to rubbing Glenn's name off the wall.

RPOV

Jessie looked up at me as I walked into her garage. "Those bodies by the graveyard, the reason I wanted to wait was..." I sighed, shifting on the spot. "Was Glenn. We don't know if he's still out there. And Daryl, Sasha, Abraham. I wanted them back by now. I wanted these things gone." gestured to the wall. "I just wanted to wait."

She nodded. "You said it could go on a while."

"I did and it could."

"Rick, it already has. They could still be alive. We're not moving past that. You know, it's just... Right here, in this moment..." she shook her head." This is it, this is what it is."

"'This is what life looks like now.'" I quoted something I'd heard she'd said earlier today.

"You heard about that?" she asked. I nodded and she went on. "I wasn't saying there wasn't a future. There's gotta be. Tell me there's more."

Stepping forward, knowing exactly what I was doing and watching her reaction, I reached forward, brushing some of her hair behind her ear before cupping the side of her head as I leaned forward, pressing my lips to hers.

VPOV

I sat on the front porch step, looking up at the stars as tears filled my eyes. Fingers fiddling with the ring around my finger I found my mind unable to stop thinking about Daryl.

When I was younger I'd always been grossed out by couples. I'd never understood how a girl could like a guy so much that she'd hurt if he hurt. Family was different of course, but the idea of having a boyfriend of my own had grossed me out.

"One day, you'll find a guy and you'll fall head over heels for him." mum grinned as we baked some cookies.

I'd told her how my friend's sister had been kissing a boy while I'd been visiting. It had freaked and grossed me out. Just the idea of my lips touching a guy's had me cringing.

I shook my head. "Boys, are gross."

"Yes, they are." she laughed, nodding. "But you'll still find someone. You'll fall in love and nothing else will make sense."

I'd looked up at her, watching as she looking down at the mixing bowl, deep in thought. "Just like you and dad? You love each other, right?"

I didn't know it at the time, but mum was pregnant with Carl then. It was still early so she wasn't telling anyone just in case.

Nodding, she smiled down at me. "Just like me and dad." resting her hand on my head, she stroked my hair. "You wait and see. I'll be right one day. You'll find someone handsome, and caring-"

"And smart?" I asked.

"And smart." she nodded. "And you'll love him more than you've loved anyone else before."

"Will he love me?" I asked, suddenly wishing more than anything that he would.

I didn't know who this mystery man was, but I knew I wanted him to love me. I felt like it was something I needed.

"Oh, he'll love you. He'll love you so much, and you won't understand why. But he'll protect and care for you. You'll come first, always. Nothing will matter more than your safety." she sighed. "He'll do stupid things, and he'll mess up. He'll get hurt, and sometimes you won't know if he'll come back home some days. But you'll still love him, and he'll love you."

Smiling, I turned back to the mixing bowl, waiting for her to keep cooking. "Well, he better not be too gross." I shrugged, and mum just laughed.

The memory hurt...

They should have been back by now. All of them. Sasha, Abraham, Nicholas, Glenn... Daryl. I should have gone with them. I should have left once the intruders were gone. I should have waited for Daryl by the tractor place and gone with him then. I should have...

It was too late now. I was stuck in here, surrounded by walkers, with no real way out. I mean, I could get out. I could climb the wall, get a distraction for the walkers and then jump down and run. I could climb up and onto the truck Spencer had stopped, and jump off the end of that. I could follow the sewers a little more than Maggie, Aaron and myself had, and find a way out. I could...

But I knew I shouldn't, that I couldn't. The risk was too high and if anything happened to me, it would kill the people I love. If dad found out, or Maggie, or Carl, or anyone... They'd all come after me, and if they got hurt it would kill me. So here I was, stuck.

"Mum?" Aly's little voice called from inside the house.

I turned to look at the front door as I wiped tears from my eyes. "Out here, sweetie."

The pitter patter of her feet got louder until she stopped in the door way, holding Daryl the Deer to her chest. "I can't sleep."

Sighing I nodded and got to my feet before moving towards her. "Okay, come on." grabbing her hand I lead her back towards and up the stairs as I moved us to my room.

Houdini was laying in Aly's door way, his head poking out. At the sight of us he rushed over and into my room, right behind Aly and myself.

"Up you get." I patted the bed.

Houdini jumped up and curled himself into a ball at the end of the bed, while Aly pulled herself up and crawled over to lay on my side. I climbed under the blankets on Daryl's side, letting the smell of him surround me.

"I'm scared." Aly whispered.

"Why?"

"There's walkers, and Daryl and Glenn aren't back. Sasha and Abraham are gone, too." she looked up at me. "Are they dead?"

Sighing, I shook my head. "No."

"How do you know?"

"I didn't see it happen." I answered simply.

"Are we gonna die?" her voice shook as she asked that question.

"Oh, sweetie." I pulled her closer to me. "I will do everything I can to keep you safe. You know that."

Nodding against me, I felt her body shake lightly as she began to cry. "I wish I was as brave as you." she held on to my shirt tightly. "I love you, mummy."

I kissed the top of her head. "I love you, too." stroking her hair I watched her as she slowly fell asleep, curled up against me, holding my shirt with a grip so tight her knuckles were white.

Bamby

[sueboohscorner]

#Supergirl 219 Episode Recap & Review "Alex"

Episode grade: 4

So, I hate to say this, but I think Martian Manhunter may have to leave the show. I love the character, and I love David Harewood, but the writers don't know how to handle his overpowered nature. This week's bizarrely bad episode makes it clear that they feel hamstrung by his skill set. In the first season, his powers were tempered by the revelation that he hadn't learned to wield them properly; he was unable to utilize his psychic abilities, because doing so would essentially lobotomize his target. This week was far too frustrating, watching the writers ignore his abilities in some scenes, because they had to extend the story, and he could have resolved it at multiple points.

The main plot this week was Alex's kidnapping by a dude she and Kara had grown up with. Turns out he'd seen Kara use her abilities long ago, and he'd spent the last couple of years stalking them both, learning everything about everyone they know, and apparently becoming a massively wealthy mechanical engineer, because he seems to own several warehouses and be capable of building lead boxes with computer networking relays too tough for Winn to crack...this episode is so dumb. As I write it all out, I am bewildered by how freaking dumb it all is.

Anyway, this dude, Rick Malvern, is trying to force Supergirl to break his dad, Peter Thompson, out of prison. The whole episode is about trying to rescue Alex from a death trap straight out of the movie, Cell. 

But back to my problems with the Martian Manhunter's part in this story... Early in the episode, J'onn pointed out that he was using his psychic power to tell whether Peter Thompson was lying, so the writers clearly wanted to remind the audience of his skill set. Then, for some reason, they later fail to mention the mere possibility of reading Rick Malvern's mind to find Alex.

Here's a way they could have worked around this: J'onn could have been in Washington, recalled by the president to defend his recent decisions regarding the Daxamites. If he simply weren't there, they wouldn't have had that incredible tool in their arsenal, so we wouldn't have had to watch them fail to wield it properly.

Or, as my husband suggested, they could have had J'onn walk into the cell and tell Rick Malvern, "Hi. You clearly know who I am and what I can do. What you may not know is that when I have to dig around in someone's mind to find information they really don't want to reveal, it results in permanent damage to their brain. You're threatening the life of someone who is very important to me, so here's the deal. Within the next five minutes, I'm going to walk out of this room with the information I need to save her. Whether you are a healthy man on his way to prison, or a lobotomized shell on his way to a long-term care facility, is up to you."

But then, at the end, J'onn mentions his plan to selectively edit Malvern's memory to protect Kara's secret identity. He's clearly no longer dangerous to people when he messes with their minds, which means there is just zero reason for not reading Malvern's mind in the first place. (This episode was painfully dumb.)

If he can do a surgical mindwipe (it was revealed that Malvern had been aware of Kara's special abilities since his teenage years, so it's a very significant amount of information and history that J'onn would have to selectively edit!) and leave a functioning brain behind, then why the hell couldn't he have read Rick's mind to determine Alex's location? There is no explanation offered, which tells me the writers knew they had a plothole and couldn't figure out how to plug it, so they hoped we wouldn't notice.

Anyway, what else happened this week besides Alex's kidnapping? Maggie threw a tantrum about Supergirl saving people, which was also really dumb. And again, it's the writers' fault that it was quite this dumb. Maggie says she'd been on the phone working things out with the bank robbers for 17 hours when Supergirl came along.

17 hours. After 17 hours, she thinks she was really close to making a deal? After 17 hours, she begrudges a little help from Supergirl? I would actually love to hear her say this in front of one of the hostages. You know, the average citizens who spent 17 damn hours in fear for their lives. I imagine they'd be calling for her to lose her job over comments like this.

Hey writers, how about you just have an example wherein the cops were actually making real progress before Supergirl came along? Just so your characters don't sound delusional and whiny.

So, Maggie's criticism of Supergirl is dumb, and the inconsistent application of Martian Manhunter's ability is dumb. I guess that just leaves the C-plot, in which Lena Luthor got to know Queen Rhea of Daxam. And yeah, that was pretty cool. Lena came off as smart, reasonable, and open-minded. She doubted Rhea's intentions and reached out to Kara for a sounding board, but when her friend demurred, she made up her own damn mind, with the information she had available. Lena had a good week, though the show as a whole definitely did not.

[such-a-common-girl]

“Family” Part One, Norman Reedus x Reader

Words: 1,749

Norman Reedus x Daughter Reader

Request from Anon: Hi can you write an imagine where the reader is normans daughter & he shows up at her house one day after being absent all her life, & shes all pissed off but he convinces her to visit him for a while & people go wild following her around and stuff

Warnings: Swearing

a/n: Yay my first request! Hope you like it and it’s what you were hoping for! The request was too much to put into one so I’ll post part two soon!

I was walking home from school with my friend, Anna. We had gotten out of soccer practice late, which meant her mom couldn’t pick us up before her night shift at the hospital.

“That was one hell of a practice, I am beat. I’m probably going to pass out once I get home.” I say, looking around and seeing the amount of traffic in New York.

“You promised me you would start watching The Walking Dead tonight!” She whined.

“Maybe tomorrow.” I lied. Anna has been obsessed with that TV show since the minute it aired on television, and now that it was on Netflix, she was begging me to start it. I told her I would just to shut her up, with no real intentions of ever actually watching it. All I know about it is that there’s some attractive man named Rick who’s the main character and they kill zombies.

Zombies were so not my thing.

“Promise me, Y/N.”

“I will, now leave me alone about that stupid show.” I roll my eyes, walking up to my apartment building. “I’ll see you on Monday, alright?”

“See you! Can’t wait to hear what you think about it!”

She walked away, leaving me to walk up to your apartment by myself. I grab my keys from my bag and walk inside, immediately dumping my soccer bag and backpack on the door. I take off my shoes at the door as well, since my mom has a “no shoes in the house rule”, which is stupid. Our place isn’t even clean- it’s never clean. Our apartment is a mess. My mom works two jobs which means she’s never at the house, and I’m always either at school or soccer. We don’t have time for much else, and on that off chance, we’d rather spend it relaxing.

I see my mom’s room light off, meaning she is still at work. I sigh, knowing how hard she works for us to make it here. She’s raising me, a teenage girl, all by herself since my dad bailed on us when I was a baby. Well, I call it bailing. She still defends him to this day, saying that he is “just a busy man.” A busy man who never happens to drop by and meet me, or even introduce himself. I don’t even know his name. My mother refuses to talk about it, but I know she’s still in love with him. He must have been a hell of a guy to leave my mother in a trance like that.

I walk to my room, grabbing a towel before rinsing off in the shower. The only thing I hate about sports is that it makes you stink and sweat.

As I’m washing my hair, I hear the front door open. My mother is talking to someone, but I don’t think much of it. She’s probably on the phone with someone. I finish up and dry off, wrapping a towel around my body.

I open the bathroom door, noticing she is standing there with a man. He looks at me odd, almost a look of sadness. I wrap my towel around me tighter, blushing, and I run quickly to my room. I got dressed in pajamas, but didn’t dare leave my room. God no, not after I just walked out in a towel in front of who I presume to be her hookup of the night.

I turn on my TV and sink underneath the covers, embarrassed and tired. I hear my mom and the mystery man talking in the living room. It sounded like they were trying to whisper to each other, but it came out more as a quiet shout. I was about to turn the TV to a louder volume before I heard a knock on my door.

“Come in.”

My mom appears in the doorway, giving me a slight smile.

“Do you mind coming out here for a minute?” She asked. “I have someone I want you to meet.” I look at her confused, why would she want me to meet one of her one night stands? Maybe it’s more serious than I thought.

I get up out of bed, following her into the living area where the man is sitting on the couch. He’s dressed like a biker, wearing black jeans and a leather jacket along with a black hat. His hair is dark and long. Something about him looks familiar, like I’ve seen him before, but I can’t quite figure it out.

“Um, hi.” He looks nervous. I don’t know what for- I’m wearing pajamas with pugs on them for god’s sake. I’m not a scary girl.

“Hi.” I say back calmly, still trying to figure out what I’m doing meeting this man.

“Y/N, this is Norman. He’s, um… He’s your father.” My mom takes a seat next to him.

“Cool, can I go back to my room now?” I say blankly. ‘Don’t act like you care. Don’t act like you care.’ I think to myself. I’m not quite sure why this is my first thought and action to learning this man, Norman, was my father. A form of self-preservation, I suppose.

“Y/N…” She looks shocked. Norman, or as I guess I should now refer to him as Dad, looks like the most vulnerable man on earth in that moment.

“I mean, it’s cool and all that you’re showing up my life now, but you’re a bit too late. Should’ve showed up when I was five, then maybe I’d have welcomed you with open arms.” I say, shrugging. “I’ve gone seventeen years without you, and so has my mom. We’ve done fine without you. We don’t really need you now. But, again, thanks for the visit. Cool to finally see what you look like.”

Neither of them say anything as I shut myself back into my room. Tears fall down my face the moment I’m alone, leaving me to cry into my pillow to cancel out the sounds.

“God, you just stood there saying nothing, Norman! What the hell!” I hear my mom yell.

“What did she mean when she said ‘cool to finally see what you look like?’ ” Norman asked in a questioning tone. This caught my attention. My mom stayed silent. “Why did she act like she had never even heard of me?”

“I didn’t tell her. It was for her own good, Norman.”

“You’ve got to be fucking kidding me! I’ve been telling you for YEARS that I wanted to meet her, that I wanted to take her do cool things, and you always said she was busy or didn’t want to. You never mentioned the fact that she didn’t know I fucking existed! It takes me showing up randomly!”

My stomach feels like it’s going to fall out of me. I feel like I’m going to throw up- no, pass out, even. I’ve gone this entire time thinking that he wanted nothing to do with me. I have spent so much time hating this man, who I thought hated me, for what? To find out that everything that I thought about him wasn’t true?

I open the door slowly, really feeling like I might pass out. He’s pacing around the floor, and my mom is still on the couch.

“I changed my mind about wanting to talk.” I say quietly.

“We have so much to discuss.” My mom begins.

“Actually, mom, do you mind if him and I talk? Privately?” I look over at him, and he nods.

“Oh.” She frowns, but doesn’t say anything more.

“Let’s go get coffee or somethin’, kiddo.” Norman asks.

“It’s six in the evening and I’m in my pajamas.” I frown. “But, I can change if you really want to.”

“Yeah.”

I change quickly, and take a deep breath as I look at myself in the mirror. This was not how I imagined my night going in the slightest.

“Okay, I’m ready.” He opened the door for me as I walked out.

“So, Y/N, I know this is weird for you.” Norman says. “But honestly, I didn’t know you didn’t know about me. That was a real fucking wake up call for me today.”

“It’s fine.” I lied.

“Not really.” He sighed. The warm breeze of summer air hits me in the face, instantly relaxing me.

“If you’re willing to try, I am, too. Just don’t expect for me to start calling you dad.”

“What? Why not?”

“Because I call my boyfriend that.” I tried to make a joke, but his face fell flat. “Sorry, I make really bad jokes when I’m nervous.” I quickly explained myself.

“That’s definitely something you got from me.” He laughs.

-

“Norman!” A girl screams from the street.

The coffee was good, we chatted about ourselves. Well, mostly he asking me questions about myself. I didn’t get to ask him much, he seemed so interested in my life. I could see people staring at him, and even saw someone snap a photo of him. I thought that was weird but my dad didn’t seem to notice or care, so I didn’t bring it up.

“Norman!” The girl yells again, running towards us.

Suddenly, a group of people were surrounding us. I squeezed through the crowd, trying to get away. When I looked back, my dad was in the center of the people, everyone reaching out for him. He noticed me staring at him with wide eyes, and he excused himself as he pushed past the crowd.

“Grab a taxi!” He mouthed. I signaled down a taxi, one almost immediately pulling over. I opened the car door, getting inside as my dad followed.

“What the hell was that?” I looked at him frantically.

“Yeah, about that…”

“What are you, famous or something?” I ask, laughing but being entirely serious.

“You could say that.” He shrugged.

“Who are you?”

“You ever seen The Walking Dead, kid?”

PART TWO HERE

[askdarus]

Ducklings || Flashforward Oneshot (Cutscene)

Daryl looked down at the kids in front of him. He was resisting the urge to just yell why up at the sky, hoping whoever was up there would hear him cursing them.

He was used to Richie following him around, it wasn’t anything knew. Their son did that to both him and Paul. Judith had a habit of doing it too, despite being four now, always wanting to see her “Uncle Dawel.” Daryl was always ninety nine percent sure that was Rick or Michonne’s doing. Then there was of course baby Hershel, who was there because Maggie was at a meeting with Rick. Then there was some kid named Gordon, who had appeared when the Saviors arrived for the meeting. Daryl had no idea who the kid was and he didn’t care. He looked to be about Richie and Hershel’s ages of three years-old.

“Whadaya want?” Daryl grunted, looking down at them.

“Daddy told us ta go play,” Richie shrugged, looking up at him.

“M’workin’,” Daryl mumbled, looking down at the four kids, “Go play somewhere else.”

“You ain’t workin’,” Gordon snorted, “You’re just standin’ up there!”

“S’called gate duty,” Daryl said and turned back to watching, “Rich, don’t try to climb up here,” he said without looking back at him.

“Aw, dad!” Richie whined, “C’mon.”

“Gotta watch the place,” Daryl grunted.

He could put up with Richie following him around and Judith…and Hershel…

Okay.

“Daryl, shifts over!” Eric called, looking up at him.

Daryl groaned and started to climb down.

“Hi, Uncle Eric!” Richie chirped, holding up his arms.

Eric picked him up and smiled, “Hey, aren’t you getting too big to be picked up?”

“Nah,” Richie giggled.

“Make a new friend?” Eric asked, looking down at Gordon.

“Yeah,” Richie nodded quickly, “That’s Gordo.”

“Gordon!” the small boy snapped, looking up at him.

Richie stuck his tongue out at him in response and immediately reached out for Daryl when he jumped down.

“Givin’ me back problems, kid,” Daryl grunted, taking him from Eric, “Thanks, man.”

“No problem,” Eric said, smiling at him before climbing up the ladder to the top.

Daryl sighed, looking at Richie and then down at the other kids, “Where’s your daddy?” he asked, looking at Richie

“Talkin’ with Aunt Maggie an’ Uncle Zeke, an’ Uncle Rick,” Richie shrugged, “An’ some dude.”

“My daddy,” Gordon snapped.

“Watch the attitude, kid,” Daryl muttered to the kid with the messy blond hair. He sat Richie on the ground, “Go play.”

“You gotta play too,” Richie said, clinging to his leg, “C’mon, please.”

“Please, Uncle Daryl?!” Judith asked loudly, grabbing onto his other leg.

Hershel followed her lead, toddling over and grabbing onto the leg Judith was holding onto.

Gordon apparently had no interest and just stood there, his arms crossed.

Daryl sighed, looking up at the sky. It was starting to cloud up. And his shoulder was starting to hurt.

Probably going to rain.

“‘Kay, let’s go play inside,” Daryl sighed, putting Richie on his feel and walking in the direction of their house. The others let go the moment he started to walk.

He wasn’t about to deal with four drenched kids.

He looked behind him and rolled his eyes when he saw the kids following him in a little line.

Damn kids.

He didn’t even sign up for one, let alone four.

Richie was an exception though…he loved the kid…well, and Judith, since he’d been with her since the day she was born…and Hershel too.

Okay, he just didn’t like the grouchy one.

“M’hungry,” Richie whined, pulling on Daryl’s sleeve, “Daddy, s’lunch time.”

Daryl tried not to groan. Paul cooked. It wasn’t that he didn’t do any work…but Daryl didn’t usually cook food that Richie would like

Kid was like his dad and refused to eat the damn squirrel.

“I want food too,” Gordon whined.

Fuck.

“Alright,” Daryl said, leading them into the house, “Rich, go show ‘em where ta wash their hands…m’gonna find some stuff.”

Daryl watched down the hallway and made sure they went into the bathroom and sighed, running his hand through his hair. Before he met Paul, he’d never dream of telling some damn kids to wash their hands like he was…

Well, a dad.

He was a dad.

Daryl looked through their cabinets quickly and found two jars of applesauce. They always had extras because Eric would give them the ones they got with their share.

Aaron hated applesauce so much that he didn’t want it in the house.

Daryl searched through their cabinets and found plastic bowls, throwing them onto the counter and pouring it in the bowls quickly. He winced when he heard giggling in the bathroom, “Don’t sound like hand washin’!” he yelled and the giggling stopped.

Daryl looked out the window, in the direction of Rick’s house. He just wanted them to hurry up and get back over here, damnit.

Gordon walked out first and pulled himself up to the stool on the counter by himself, glaring at Daryl.

“What the hell ya want, kid?” Daryl snorted.

“My daddy called you a little bitch,” Gordon snickered.

Daryl glared at him, “Who the hell’s your parents?” he demanded, “What’s their names?”

“Dwight and Laura,” Gordon pronounced their names slowly.

Daryl looked up at the ceiling and took a deep breath.

Fucking perfect.

“Eat your damn applesauce,” Daryl grumbled, shoving the bowl at him.

Paul owed him big time.

“I don’t like applesauce,” Gordon said, looking down at the bowl in disgust.

“Don’t care,” Daryl grunted before walking around and helping the other three up onto their stools as well.

“Thanks, daddy,” Richie chirped, starting to eat with the others.

Daryl sighed in relief, running his hand through his hair as he looked out the window again.

“My daddy says you’re really far up Jesus’ ass,” Gordon said.

“DADDY, HE SAID THE A WORD!” Richie yelled.

Daryl sighed, trying not to just bash his head off of the counter, “Ya’ll done eatin’?”

“Yeah,” Judith said, her mouth full of applesauce.

Daryl looked at Hershel and saw he’d just made a mess on the counter and all over his face. He grabbed a rag and wiped the kid’s mouth, ignoring when he whined and squirmed away.

“I wanna play hide and seek,” Hershel said after Daryl stopped wiping his mouth.

“…’Kay, fine,” Daryl said cautiously. He and Paul had played with Richie and Judith before. He didn’t see the harm in it. It was just a kids game.

“Now, if I can’t find ya and I start yellin’ your name, ya gotta come,” Daryl said, trying not to sound nervous in front of a group of toddlers, “No playin’ if ya’ll don’t agree.”

“Okay,” Judith, Richie, and Hershel chirped.

Daryl looked at Gordon and raised an eyebrow.

“Fine,” Gordon huffed, crossing his arms.

“Hide in twos,” Daryl told them, “Buddy system.”

Judith instantly grabbed Hershel’s arm and Daryl got it…kind of. The two never got to really see each other with Hershel living at Hilltop. Judith saw Richie everyday…and probably didn’t want to be partnered up with a kid she didn’t know.

“M’only countin’ ta ten, so get goin’,” Daryl said.

The kids instantly took off running.

Daryl sighed and started counting.

He found Judith and Hershel almost instantly. They were hiding in the bushes outside of the house.

He couldn’t find Richie and Gordon though…and it was starting to scare him. He didn’t want to give in so easily and he wanted to find them…but he didn’t like that Richie didn’t stay close by.

“We saw ‘em run that way,” Judith pointed into the direction of the steps going towards the basement across the street.

Daryl felt his heart drop into his stomach.

“Judy, go get your dad,” Daryl said, “Go with ‘er, Hershel.”

The kids took off running in the direction of the house and Daryl took a shaky breath, running as fast as he could to the basement.

“Daryl?” he heard Paul asked, coming out of the house with the others. He didn’t say anything, he knew he’d follow.

Daryl ran down the steps to the makeshift prison quickly and grabbed Richie away from the cell, surprising his son. He’d apologize for it later.

“Gordon, shit!” Dwight yelled, running down the steps. Daryl looked over and saw Maggie, Michonne, Rick, Ezekiel, Carl, and Paul all following as well.

“Damn, what did I miss?” Negan laughed from the cell.

Paul ran over and took Richie from Daryl quickly, “Sweetie, we don’t come down here, okay?”

“How’d you manage that one, Dwighty boy?” Negan asked, “Doubt Sherry’d go back to you.”

Dwight ignored him and took Gordon upstairs quickly.

“Aren’t you guys just the cutest?” Negan chuckled, looking at Paul, Daryl, and Richie.

“Enough,” Rick said, “C’mon.”

“Come back and visit soon, kid,” Negan called.

“Okay!” Richie chirped, obviously not knowing what was going on.

Carl threw a glare at Negan before following everyone up.

“Thought you were watching them, Dixon!” Dwight hissed the moment he walked up the steps and closed the door.

“I was!” Daryl yelled, “I was lettin’ ‘em play hide and seek-”

“It was my idea,” Gordon mumbled against Dwight’s shoulder, “Sorry, daddy,” he said, resting his head on his shoulder, “Didn’t know.”

Dwight swallowed down his anger and looked down at his kid, “Nice meeting…see ya,” he said before walking away quickly.

Daryl glared over at where Paul was holding Richie, “We’re goin’ home,” he said, walking in the direction of their house. He glanced back and saw Paul giving Maggie a hug goodbye and then hugging Hershel.

He was in the house a good five minutes before Paul came in with Richie. His husband took one look at him before sighing, “Richie, you want to go play with your toys for a while?”

“‘Kay,” Richie said, toddling back in the direction of the other room.

Paul waited until Richie was in the room before he crossed his arms and raised an eyebrow.

“Had no right ta send them kids ta me,” Daryl gritted his teeth, “I-I didn’t know what ta do. I can handle Richie and maybe Judy but…I didn’t know what ta do without ya.”

Paul pursed his lips, “That’s okay,” he said softly, putting his hand on his shoulder, “I shouldn’t have sent them over without asking.”

“M’a bad dad,” Daryl choked out.

“Oh, sweetie, no,” Paul said quickly, wrapping his arms around him and pulling him into a hug.

“Can’t even keep track of ‘em,” Daryl took a shaky breath, “Now he knows-”

“That doesn’t matter,” Paul told him, “He’s never getting out. The prison is secured. Don’t worry, okay?”

Daryl put his forehead on his shoulder, gripping him tightly.

“We’re safe,” Paul whispered, kissing the side of his head, “All of us, okay? We’re safe.”