#fragmented queue

[fragmcntdstars]

@araneorum ( shelly gravano ) sent " i need to rest . "

if  he's  being  completely  honest  with  himself  ,  aurelio  should  have  expected  the  afternoon  would  have  turned  out  exactly  this  way  .   he'd  led  shelly  to  the  still  -  empty  diner  ,  taking  advantage  of  the  tunnels  that  had  existed  since  prohibition  had  its  iron  grasp  on  the  new  jersey  city  .   his  efforts  to  help  her  establish  her  own  footing  had  almost  gone  perfectly  [  ...  ]  right  up  until  the  point  that  everything  came  crashing  down  .   he  had  almost  braced  himself  for  an  explosion  ,  but  he  hadn't  expected  the  the  blast  to  come  from  underground  .   he  had  traced  the  tunnels  &&  something  sank  into  the  pit  of  his  stomach  as  he  realized  they  weren't  getting  out  the  same  way  they'd  come  in  .   different  thoughts  ran  their  way  through  his  mind  as  he  debated  moving  closer  to  one  of  the  boarded  -  up  windows  .   all  his  questions  left  him  without  any  answers  ,  but  they  helped  him  focus  .

was  another  family  trying  to  stake  their  claim  on  the  area  ?   there  hadn't  been  a  lot  of  chatter  lately  ,  but  that  wasn't  enough  to  confirm  a  new  family  .   the  diner  wasn't  a  bad  place  to  strike  ,  especially  if  there  was  an  opportunity  to  stake  new  claim  .   still  ,  aurelio's  main  focus  was  making  sure  that  shelly  was  safe  .

they're  sitting  against  the  wall  that  separated  the  main  dining  area  from  the  kitchen  .   aurelio  was  able  to  see  enough  to  realize  that  no  one  was  bothering  them  right  now  ,  but  it  didn't  mean  they  were  out  of  the  woods  .   gotham's  organized  crime  didn't  take  any  time  off  ,  nor  did  members  of  that  community  give  up  too  easily  .   aurelio  didn't  give  up  ,  either .   he  reaches  to  the  thermos  he'd  thought  to  bring  ,  opening  it  to  take  a  sip  of  coffee  before  he  turns  his  attention  to  shelly  .   his  lips  had  parted  to  tell  her  that  she  should  rest  ,  but  she'd  beaten  him  to  it  &&  a  smile  settled  at  the  corners  of  his  mouth  .   her  head  rested  against  his  lap  ,  so  his  fingers  carded  through  her  hair  as  he  tried  organizing  his  thoughts  .   he  didn't  know  how  long  they'd  be  in  there  ,  but  he  just  wanted  to  make  sure  they  were  safe  .

he  wanted  to  make  sure shelly  was  safe.

[saetiate]

you work for reo and he’s just so sweet to you. he hugs you after galas to tell you how well you did, pats your head, thanks you every time you’ve done your job with a gentle smile. it’s only when you talk to his other employees that you find their shell-shocked faces of disbelief at how you describe him. sure, reo is charismatic, but he’s always held a level of professionalism with them, has expectations for them to do their job well. you walk into his office when his back is turned and you’re surprised to hear how low and cold his voice is when giving orders. it’s only then you start to realize how he’s always cooing at you, bringing you in close in a way he doesn’t with anyone else here.

[fragmcntdstars]

quite  .   just  with  rey  .   spending  any  amount  of  time  with  rey  had  absolutely  helped  him  in  the  past  ,  &&  the  fact  that  he  had  the  chance  to  be  with  her  again  just  made  the  galaxy  feel  a  little  less  full  of  enemies  .   well  ,  it  wasn't  even  really  full  of  enemies  –  the  first  order  had  all  but  dissolved  &&  ben  had  been  making  some  progress  toward  the  light  .   some  resistance  members  didn't  still  trust  him  ,  but  there  were  a  handful  who  did  .   if  he  contacted  grogu  ,  he  knew  that  he'd  be  able  to  prove  the  point  that  he  was  heading  back  toward  the  light  .   was  that  the  right  option  ?   no  ,  but  ben  thought  it  could  be  funny.

"  honestly  ,  any  reason  to  spend  time  with  you  is  always  a  good  thing  ,  "  he  admits  ,  trying  super  hard  to  distract  himself  from  rey's  question  .   he  couldn't  quite  think  of  how  to  describe  what  he'd  been  working  on  without  choking  up .   a  lump  had  already  formed  in  his  throat  &&  he  tried  swallowing  past  it  .   lying  wouldn't  do  anything  except  making  him  feel  bad  ,  or  even  damaging  the  memory  of  his  mother  . 

"  i  ...  uh  ,  i'm  trying  to  rebuild  the mirrorbright ,  "  ben  admits  ,  a  certain  vulnerability  in  his  voice  .   "  uncle  luke  managed  to  find  it  somewhere  after  the  starkiller  attack  .   mom's  ship  was  so  ...  "  he  trails  off  &&  shakes  his  head ,  a  small  smile  working  up  at  the  corners  of  his  mouth  .   "  i  just  want  to  have  some  part  of  my  mom  again  .  "   he  couldn't  really  explain  himself  better ,  but  he  couldn't  quite  find  anything  else  to  explain  what  he  wanted  to  do  .  "  its  better  than  flying  an  x  -  wing  for  the  rest  of  my  life  .  "

     "i know what you mean," she confirms softly, the light flush on her face deepening beneath the weight of ben's grin. after so much time ALONE, the bustle of being with the resistance still feels unnatural, sometimes. there's so much activity -- everywhere she turns, someone is waiting to talk to her or seeking her opinion. she's made FRIENDS with so many people on the base, but still seeks the solitude of time to herself at the end of the day. all of this has been an adjustment; she has to enjoy her moments of normalcy when she can get them.

and if she has an opportunity to let ben know he's not alone in the way he feels, she'll take it. "if you ever need a moment of quiet, and can't find somewhere to go, just find me. we can sit QUIETLY together." an encouraging smile spreads out across her face. something inside her calls to ben; just as he enjoys spending time alone with her, she feels the same -- when they are together, it's as if the galaxy is completely at PEACE.

so hearing him say what she feels is mutual is warming. rey's thrilled she's been able to help him, that he feels the sense of belonging she'd always WANTED ben to have. there aren't words for how excited it makes her, so she settles for reaching for ben's hand and squeezing it in hers. the look that passes between them seems to say ENOUGH, anyway. they just understand each other -- they don't have to say a word.

after a moment, she clears her throat, taking a step closer shyly. "will you... show me what you were working on?" there is more she could say, probably, about what he means to her and how lovely all of this is -- having a community, finally -- a place where she BELONGS, and where she's safe to explore all the future holds for her... but they have nothing but time to talk about those things. for now, she simply seeks to enjoy some normal time with ben.

[plead-au]

YOU KNOW WHAT. I'M POSTING RAIN WORLD ART ON HERE. I'M TIRED OF BEING SHADOWBANNED ON MAIN. FREE ME FROM THIS TORMENT anyways RAIN WORLD BLAST !!!! FUCK YOU

#mamaposting

some of my OC arts. the slugcat is titled the Pawn, or preferably named Echo, and the iterator is named Phasing Nature :o)

also rhis one short animation of a slugcat

[kiisuuumii]

Maggie Smith, "Love Poem," Good Bones

[fragmcntdstars]

@araneorum

as often as william liked having work to do, he'd faced some days where there wasn't anything that seemed to stick. designs wouldn't work right, or there'd be some bit of the coding that he couldn't fix. it frustrated him. he grumbled under his breath as he made his way over to the coffee maker he'd kept in his office of the pizzeria. working there helped him think better, although he wasn't quite sure it was something he wanted to dive into at that specific moment. no. he just wanted to work. he put enough coffee into the filter for a few cups, a small growl of his stomach distracting him a little more than he'd like. right. he hadn't gotten a lot to eat the night before, && now his body was making him regret it a little. it wasn't anything too serious, but it wasn't going to be easy to ignore if it continued a little further. "joss, would you want some coffee?" he asks, a small smirk quirking up at the corners of his mouth. she wouldn't quite refuse the coffee, but it definitely helped him think when she was near to him. she's his good luck charm, && one that he'd never quite be without.

[fragmcntdstars]

He's not quite sure how to approach the situation, knowing how he and Michael had ended up. They butted heads on so many different occasions, and there was the smallest part of William that wanted it to be different. No, he wouldn't give up his quest. He was so damn close to the breakthrough that he needed, and he'd be damned if he let anything stop his quest.

Neglecting his living son while trying to bring his youngest back to life.

Not exactly Father of the Year.

William gives a nonchalant hum. "That's the thing about intentions, you know? You never intend for anything bad to happen. Sometimes ... the bad times just happen."

—   𝙸𝚃   𝙸𝚂   𝙴𝙽𝙾𝚄𝙶𝙷   𝚃𝙾   𝙼𝙰𝙺𝙴   𝙼𝙸𝙲𝙷𝙰𝙴𝙻   𝙵𝙴𝙴𝙻     …     well,     more   things   than   just   one.     Guilty,     of   course,     for   not   being   totally   up   front   with   his   father.     Shocked   at   the   sudden   kind   words,     &&     …         honestly   a   little   overwhelmed   at   the   same   time.     They   feel   genuine,     but   he's   not   used   to   genuine.     Maybe   his   father   just   doesn't   like   the   way   he's   staying   out   late     &&     getting   into   things,     &&     this   is   how   he's   choosing   to   approach   it.

(     Well     …     perhaps   that's   just   a   given,     what   with   the   raise   of   that   eyebrow.     Father   knows   things.     Like   always.     Wise   to   Michael's   ways.     )

Whatever   the   case,     the   son   forces   a   smile,     lowering   his   chin   slightly   in   the   deference   expected   before   his   father.

❝   Thank   you,     Father.     It's     …     certainly   not   my   intention   to   let   anything   bad   happen.   ❞

[saetiate]

“what are you doing here, all by your lonesome?”

sae has his elbows on the bar, nursing whiskey glass in hand that looks entirely for show. even the ice ball within seems to click with disapproval.

“they’re loud.” the glass tilts in his hands, elegant fingers wrapped around, gesturing mildly to his teammates.

“and you’ve decided to, what? sit here all by yourself with those critical eyes, not saying anything at all? go girl, give us nothing.” sarcasm drips like the condensation down your own champagne glass, but when he glances at you, everything is lightened like effervescence with your playful smile.

”they’d be better players if they didn’t waste their time with this sort of thing.”

“would you say that to your brother?”

“i have.”

“wow, no wonder he turned out the way he did.”

sae almost frowns at that. what’s that supposed to mean?

he doesn’t get to ponder on it as you casually press your shoulder against his. he can feel your body warmth pressed against him so acutely. you act like it’s nothing. maybe it is nothing, to you. but it makes his heart do something he can’t explain.

you sigh, and even that feels soft to him. “just go talk to some people, even just for a bit. it’s an event.”

“you don’t like men who talk.”

you huff, lips upturning with your confusion. “what?”

“that’s what you said to oliver. you said — ‘i hate men who talk all the time on dates. it makes me want to ask them if they want my lipgloss too whilst they’re at it.’” he repeats your words in his own monotone voice, so flat that it would’ve made you laugh if it wasn’t for how you almost choke on your drink.

“you heard that?” the way you’re looking at him borders on incredulous.

he quirks an eyebrow. “you and oliver don’t talk quietly.”

“no, i mean — you remember?”

“i wouldn’t do that.”

“wha- what do you mean?”

he turns to you, his entire body language and attention on you for what feels like the first time throughout this whole conversation. it’s in this moment that you realize how close he really is to you. you can smell his cologne, feel his breath against your skin as he leans down towards you.

“if we were on a date. i wouldn’t do that to you.”

it’s now that he finally chooses to walk to his circle of teammates, who welcome him with a shout and raised drinks.

when he glances back, you’re so wide-eyed that he almost smiles behind his glass.

[fragmcntdstars]

@araneorum ( hydra lestrange ) sent " i need to rest "

rest  .   really  ,  he's  not  going  to  blame  her  for  that  .   lucius  isn't  complaining  about  their  closeness  .   he'd  never  really  complain  about  being  that  close  to  her  ,  but  there  was  something  different  about  their  current  situation  .   in  the  past  two  days  ,  not  only  had  they  killed  bellatrix  –  he'd  given  hydra  that  honor  .   they  also  killed  voldemort  as  well  .   there  were  no  other  death  eaters  around  .   lucius  would  never  really  know  how  they  managed  such  a  situation  .   maybe  it  was  fate  .   it  wasn't  really  something  he'd  put  stock  in  before  ,  but  now  there  was  just  something  that  he  couldn't  quite  deny  about  their  situation .   lucius  can't  imagine  what  headlines  the  prophet  was  going  to  spin  the  next  day  .  

"  you  haven't  relaxed  in  a  long  time  ,  darling  ,  "  lucius  says  ,  gently  running  his  fingers  through  hydra's  hair  as  she  rested  her  head  on  his  lap  .   everything  could  move  around  them  ,  but  as  long  as  they  didn't  have  to  get  up  to  do  anything  he's  fine  with  that  .   lucius  ends  up  directing  his  thoughts  to  a  different  area  ,  sighing  a  little  as  he  leans  his  head  back  .   they'll  probably  have  to  go  back  to  normal  within  a  few  days  .   he  ,  somehow  ,  would  have  to  tell  narcissa  .   if  she's  smart  ,  which  he  knows  she  is  ,  narcissa  would  have  discovered  what  was  going  on  between  them  .   lucius  isn't  ashamed  .   he's  more  concerned  about  keeping  his  family  together  ,  trying  to  provide  some  stability  during  the  still  -  shifting  tides  in  society  .

he  gently  leans  over  her  to  kiss  the  side  of  her  head  ,  leaving  his  lips  there  for  another  few  moments  .   "  what  would  you  like  to  do  now  ?   there's  now  a  power  vacuum  that  needs  to  be  filled  ,  after  all  ,  "  he  says  ,  plans  already  forming  in  his  mind  as  he  gave  a  soft  hum  .   there's  a  hunger  for  power  that  he'd  never  really  been  able  to  foster  ,  &&  there  was  an  opportunity  that  he'd  never  expect  .   they  created  the  opening –  it  was  only  fitting  that  they  be  the  ones  to  fill  it  .

[saetiate]

ness is such a nice polite boy. it almost surprises you with the way he compliments you to make you flustered on purpose because he likes to see you get shy around him. he observes you enough to say something that you’d think no one would notice. but what surprises you is how he uses what he knows about you to get you where he wants you to be — with him, his hands moving up your waist, pressed against the counter as you bashfully avoid his gaze.

[fragmcntdstars]

@araneorum ( jocelyn janson ) sent " I need to rest "

william  hadn't  gotten  out  of  the  kitchen  ,  but  he's  gotten  to  the  large  freezer  &&  he's  gotten  the  first  look  at  himself  since  he'd  freed  himself  from  the  suit  head  .   he  added  a  few  more  scars  to  his  collection  ,  but  there  wasn't  any  real  damage  done  .   the  metal  had  dug  into  his  neck  a  little  –  he  wasn't  at  any  risk  of  dying  .   if  he'd  been  close  to  dying  ,  he  wouldn't  be  able  to  get  up  or  even  walk  around  .   it  hurt  ,  but  the  level  of  pain  had  dulled  into  something  that  was  just  present  .   he  goes  back  to  the  spot  where  the  children  had  dragged  him  to  sit  ,  but  joss  is  also  there  .   he  hadn't  seen  her  at  first  ,  although  he  wasn't  quite  complaining  .   he  doesn't  say  anything  at  first  ,  just  settles  down  to  a  seated  position  .   he  couldn't  even  really  cross  his  legs  ,  but  he  manages  something  close  to  it  .   he  almost  expected  she'd  lay  her  head  against  his  leg  ,  but  she  climbs  into  his  lap  &&  settled  there  .   his  heart  thuds  a  little  harder  in  his  chest  ,  although  he  wasn't  really  sure  how  long  she'd  stay  there  like  that  .   "  i  thought  you  weren't  ever  going  to  see  me  again  ,  "  he  says  ,  voice  a  little  rough  from  not  using  it  for  a  while  .   he  liked  poking  fun  at  her  .   he  liked  the  connection  that  they  had  –  he  tries  playing  like  he  doesn't  ,  but  its  not  something  that  was  going  to  last  .   he  hadn't  seen  joss  in  a  while  ,  though  .   he's  not  sure  why  she  stayed  away  ,  but  he  missed  her  presence  in  other  ways  that  he  couldn't  quite  explain  .   she  had  provided  some  kind  of  a  balm  against  the  spirits  that  sought  to  torment  him  ,  even  if  she  was  able  to  torment  him  in  other  ways  that  even  he  couldn't  realize  .   "  i  don't  know  how  comfortable  this  is  going  to  be  for  you  .  "   there's  a  certain  husk  to  his  tone .   he  wasn't  quite  sure  what  he  expected  ,  but  he  didn't  expect  to  watch  her  hands  drift  up  to  adjust  his  flopping  bow - tie .   he  swallows  past  a  growing  &&  quite  traitorous  lump  in  his  throat  before  he  tries  shaking  his  head  .   he  manages  a  small  shake  ,  but  then  he  feels  something  digging  into  his  neck  before  he  decides  against  that  as  an  option  .

[saetiate]

sae never asks you to stay. not because he doesn't love you, but because he does.

he knows, better than anyone else, what he lacks. how the words get caught in his throat before he can say them, how you make him feel something he can't truly comprehend to you. he knows what he can and can't provide.

so if you're truly, genuinely, able to find that somewhere else, with someone else… who is he to ask you to stay?

(you know. you know and you stay. because to be loved is to be known and you see him.

the way he holds you a little tighter before he has to leave the house, the way all you have to do is ask for something to receive it.

sae is rarely ever where he doesn't want to be. and he always chooses to be with you. that's what this love is — a choice, made actively, everyday.

i'm home. he says. i'm here. a stable pillar in this everchanging life.

it sounds exactly like: i love you.)

[kiisuuumii]

Robert Harris, Conclave

[fragmcntdstars]

@araneorum ( andromeda vitali ) sent " I need to rest "

lucifer  gives  a  small  chuckle  as  he  sets  a  pillow  on  his  lap  ,  gently  carding  his  fingers  through  dro's  hair  once  she  settles  .   had  he  expected  their  relationship  would  end  up  like  this  ?   no  ,  but  he  couldn't  bring  himself  to  complain  .   "  i'd  imagine  carrying  the  antichrist  would  take  a  lot  of  out  anyone  ,  even  you  ,  "  he  says  ,  a  soft  chuckle  highlighting  his  words  .   they'd  only  found  out  she  was  pregnant  a  month  before  ,  but  this  was  uncharted  territory  .   he'd  almost  considered  asking  linda  how  long  she  had  carried  charlie  ,  but  that  wasn't  something  he'd  thought  about  beforehand  .   a  nephilim  hadn't  existed  until  charlie  ,  &&  his  nephew  was  welcomed  with  open  arms  .   if  he's  honest  with  himself  ,  he  doesn't  want  a  lot  of  people  to  know  .   he'd  tell  his  father  ,  although  he's  certain  his  father  would  know  the  moment  dro  gave  birth  .   " so ,  when  you  throw  your  shower  ,  is  there  a  chance  i  could  make  one  invitation  request  ?  "   he  asks  ,  a  slight  hesitation  in  his  voice  .   he  moves  his  hand  to  her  shoulder  &&  he  gently  rubs  it  .   he  tries  organizing  his  thoughts  again  before  he  sighs  ,  using  his  other  hand  to  rub  the  back  of  his  neck  .   "  invite  joshua  ,  please  .   he  didn't  come  to  linda's  baby  shower  –  granted  ,  it  wasn't  like  he  was  invited  .  "   lucifer  knew  that  baby  showers  were  generally  for  expecting  mothers  &&  other  women  ,  but  his  half  -  brother  had  asked  several  times  to  meet  dro  .   "  he  mainly  just  wants  to  meet  you  ,  but  he's  really  good  for  party  games  .  "   he  thinks  it'd  be  funny  ,  too  ,  inviting  the  ( mostly  human  )  son  of  god  to  the  city  of  angels  for  a  shower  celebrating  the  impending  birth  of  the  antichrist  .   he's  not  sure  about  inviting  any  of  his  other  siblings  .   he  could  ,  just  to  foster  some  peace  ,  but  he's  not  too  concerned  about  that  .   as  silence  settles  around  them  again  ,  he  hears  a  soft  rumble  from  dro's  stomach  .   "  d'you  want  something  to  eat  ,  darling  ?  "   the  devil  isn't  starting  to  nest  ,  but  he  just  wants  to  make  sure  that  she's  okay  .

[saetiate]

he is not disillusioned by love. he knows, more than anyone, how love invites vulnerability. but he looks at you and thinks: i want to know everything there is to know about you. i want to discover everything hidden within you.

is that what love is? an undying curiosity, a you that he never stops unpacking even as he starts to think he knows you inside out. there’s always more of you to learn, and he can’t get enough.

[fragmcntdstars]

@araneorum ( desaevio ren ) sent " I need to rest "

ben  gives  an  eye  roll  ,  but  chuckles  under  his  breath  .   he  almost  manages  to  be  angry  ,  although  his  heart  wasn't  completely  in  it  .   "  nuh  -  uh  ,  "  he  counters  ,  making  a  show  of  trying  to  push  her  to  a  seated  position  .   "  i've  been  your  bed  for  the  past  three  naps  –  you  agreed  that  it  was  my  turn  .  "   there's  a  joking  petulance  to  his  tone  ,  the  smile  that  started  working  its  way  to  the  corners  of  his  mouth  almost  hurting  as  he  tried  hiding  it  .   they're  currently  on  their  way  to  naboo  ,  officially  on  the  run  from  whatever  shambles  remained  of  the  first  order  .   killing  snoke  had  freed  them  both  ,  even  though  it  had  the  related  outcome  of  splintering  the  knights  of  ren  as  the  remaining  knights  would  fight  amongst  themselves  for  power  .   there  were  still  parts  of  the  galaxy  that  had  remained  out  of  the  first  order's  reach  ,  although  ben  knew  that  his  face  would  be  plastered  on  several  places  throughout  the  known  worlds  –  either  asking  for  help  in  finding  him  for  the  resistance or seeking  him  for  the  murder  of  snoke  .   he  shuffles  his  thoughts  around  as  he  feels  des  laying  her  head  in  his  lap  .   she's  using  his  cape  as  a  pillow  &&  he  can't  quite  bring  himself  to  be  mad  about  that  .   "  you  know  we  don't  have  to  go  to  naboo  ,  right  ?   i  can  set  the  course  to  tattooine  –  the  boonta  eve  classic  would  be  approaching  by  the  time  we  get  there  .  "   was  proposing  tattooine  as  a  hideout  the  best  option  ?   ben  wasn't  completely  sure ,  but  it  would  be  the  last  place  they'd  look  .   he's  also  certain  it'd  be  the  last  place  he  wanted  to  go  .   maybe  he'd  find  the  skywalker  homestead  .   maybe  .