#from. and the doctor. who heard what it's echoing once and knows what it means.

[quietwingsinthesky]

i think about even taking things from the people around them they love and making them a part of themself, and i am filled with joy. and then i think about them picking up the master's habit of tapping out a drumbeat rhythm and replicating it as their own nervous stim, and i feel ill.

[ashhh-14]

Tropes? Tropes but make it good

Characters- Diluc, Kaeya, Bennett, Albedo, Razor, Venti, Zhongli, Xiao, Baizhu, Xingqui, Chongyun, Tartaglia, Heizou, Ayato, Gorou, Thoma, Itto, Scaramouce, Alhaitham, Kaveh, Cyno, Tighnari, Neuvillette, Lyney, Wriothesley, Freminet,

Warning- suggestive in chongyun's (dw he's aged up here bubs)

Note- All characters are aged, a dot '.' Meaning scene change , font meaning past memory.

A/n- hope you enjoy!

Baizhu

Doctor patient dynamic

Gentle hands rubbing your back constantly as your coughing fit seemed endless once again. "I-I don't think I'll be able to watch the next lantern right with you like I promised doctor Baizhu." You smiled through the pain, the said man sighing, "Stop doubting my abilities as a Doctor (Y/n). You'll get better." Running his hand through your hair as you layed down, exhaustion making your eyes droop close. "I'll make sure of it, my Little Violet."

Kaveh

Childhood friends to lovers

"Look what I made!" He looked up as you placed something on his head, one hand coming up to touch it, " A flower crown?" "Mhm. Just for you!" He blushed.

.

"I got you something Kaveh~" He turned to you from where he was writing his thesis, "(Y/n) how many times do I have to say you don't have to buy me art supplies. Um let me buy you lunch as repayment." He looked into your eyes with a gentle gaze as you hopped on the desk beside his papers, placing a box. "Too bad. I already made some for the both of us." "(Y/-" his words got cut short as you gently placed your finger on his lips, "shush Kaveh."

Al haitham

Academic rivals to lovers

"Ugh not again." You muttered under your breath as you looked at the list of top scorers. "Try harder. Maybe you'll be able to get a little better if you work on your gold fish attention span." A voice came as someone passed by, knowing very well who this person was as you sighed in irritation.

.

Soft clicks of shoes were the only echos in the house of daena as Al haitham made his way towards a bookshelf, his eyes falling onto a figure. He placed his book on the table gently, rounding the table, he placed the pen down from your hand as he placed his cloak on your shoulders, covering you to keep you warm as he pushed the hair away from your face. "Stop pushing yourself so hard."

Wanderer

Grumpy x Sunshine

"Oh c'mon would it kill you to come with me?" You pleaded as your partner kept ignoring your request, "There's no point in me going with you-" "I think you should go with them. It'll broaden your spectrum and give you a new way of looking at things." A gentle voice came as your eyes sparkled at the person. "See?! Even Lesser Lord Kusunali agrees with me!" "NOT YOU TOO " He yelled, grumbling. You pout, crossing your arms over your chest as you stood up, "I'll be leaving Lord Kusunali, since he doesn't want to go, I'll go and ask Cyno. I heard there's a new card back released there too, he'll be happy to come with me." Nahida blinked up at you as you started walking, observing how your frown turned into a sly smirk as soon as a hand gripped your wrist. "Not happening. I'm coming with you."

Cyno

Co workers to lovers

"Hmm how long do you think this water will last us here Cyno?" You eyed the big bag of water in your hand as you kept walking on the flaming sand in the middle of the desert, "It should last us till tonight. Don't worry, there's a village nearby, we can restock our supplies and get some well desserved rest." You looked at Cyno, unamused "Get it? It's because we're in a dese-" For the first time he cut himself from his explanation, you sighing as if the heavens saved you as he told you to stay put, going to converse with a group of eremites that were closeby. You took a seat in the shade of a giant rock. 'Wait, why is he coming back with a-' "Get on it. Your feet aren't used to the hot sand of the desert, they're already red from the external temperature, it'd be bad if they get blisters. I borrowed us this Sumpter Beast, we'll return this on our way back." Your face started getting warmer, whether it was because of the temperature of desert or your general Mahamatra, you didn't know.

Tighnari

Student teacher dynamic

"Ow!" A book came in contact with your head as you sat on the chair listening to your master's unending lecture. "So the next time I see you head into a withering zone all on your own, I'll be cutting down your sweets that you love so much." Your eyes widened at that, not your sweets! "What did my sweets ever do to you! Plus, I had it covered in the whithering zone!" Smack "Ouch! Stop hitting me-!" Your breath got caught in your throat as Tighnari placed his book under your chin, tilting it upwards as he brought his face close to yours, looking into your eyes, "Next time you won't be doing something so reckless. Okay my Lotus?"

Heizou

Undercover agent(you) to lovers

[ (C/n) -> cover name]

"I'm so sorry I wasn't looking where I was going!" You apologised to the young looking male. "Oh it's totally fine. Don't worry about it" He smiled, asking what your name was. "(C/n)" You replied, your smile widening when he asked if you'd like to go get a cup of coffee with him.

.

"Can you actually be serious for once Heizou?" You rolled your eyes as you kept walking through Chinju forest, sighing at your companion's carefree nature. He chuckled, " You want me to be serious huh?" You nodded," yes! It'd be- wa-!" Your sentence was cut off as your back hit a tree bark, your eyes leveling with none other than Heizou's himself. You shifted as he gazed at you in silence, noticing how he got much closer as each moment passed. His lips barely apart from your ear, he whispered, "Is this serious enough for you?.....(Y/n)."

Xiao

Eternal acquaintances to lovers

"You guys just loveee drawing on his face while he's sleeping don't you" you chuckled, feeling the cool breeze as other 4 yakshas drew little shapes on the face of the one sleeping. "Oh you know his expression is priceless whenever he finds out what we did!" Bosacius laughed.

.

"Do you ever know when to take a break?!" You were used to scolding him, and he was used to hearing it. A little too used to it. "Don't you smile when I'm here telling you to take care of yourself!"

.

Your eyes opened slowly, sounds of fireworks and a hand stroking your hair waking you up. You rubbed the haze out of your eyes, "Did they already start?" You pushed yourself up from what you thought to be ground, but lifting your head up you realised it was, "I'm so sorry! I didn't mean to-" He shushed you, gazing down at you gently as his thumb stroked your cheek. Your face grew warm as you sat up to avoid his stare, only to be turned around, feeling his head on your shoulder, his breath on your neck sending shivers down your spine. "S-Shouldn't you watch the fireworks as well?" You stuttered out, not able to focus on the display yourself. He just sighed, tightening his grip around you.

Zhongli

Newly shifted neighbours to lovers

He was in the middle of pouring himself some freshly brewed tea when a knock landed on his door. Your head tilted upwards to look at the tall male. You didn't know what you expected your neighbour to look like but you certainly didn't think of this. He looked... ethereal. "Umm I just shifted here and please take this." You handed him a paper bag. He looked at it and then at you, smiling, "Grace me with your company over some tea?"

.

"You really don't have to stay up this late for me." You said apologetically to the man sitting beside you, helping you with your thesis you had to write last minute. "It's totally okay. So as I was saying, this part of Liyue------" this went on for hours until he saw you rubbing your eyes. He chuckled," Is Liyue's history that boring?" "Wha- no of course not! It's interesting. I've never thought Liyue had so much to it." You smiled. A large hand came up to cup your cheek, making you look at him, and suddenly you realised how close you two were sitting for all this time. "Sleep's evident in your eyes" he noted as your eyes became hazy with sleep, "I'll take you to bed. My little dove."

Albedo

Klee's babysitter to lovers

"Klee no bombing the fishes again!!" You said to the little girl, so done with her shenanigans for this week. The little girl pouted, looking down until an idea popped into her head, "Lets go see Albedo then!" She smiled.

.

The little ball of sunshine was sleeping peacefully in the corner of Albedo's lab wrapped in two blankets while you laid beside her, trying to fall asleep as well because you had nothing to do and there was nothing Albedo needed help with, but the cold was making it too difficult. Were you actually jealous of a little girl's pyro vision? Absolutely not. You don't know when you fell asleep, or rather, passed out.

'Oh. They're both sleeping peacefully.' He walked up to the two of you, quickly noting how your face looked a little pale. His fingertips touched your skin 'Cold' he thought.

The little girl was the first one awake," Albedo! I had this dre-" she cut herself short when she noticed her brother sleeping too...while holding you close to his chest. "Maybe Klee should sleep some more~!"

Razor

Pack members to lovers

The chase of two little pups continued in wolvendom until they reached Andreas, where they started their chase back to their destination, their minds on the piece of juicy meat the winner will get.

.

Some things never really change, like you and Razor having a game of chase. The difference is, however, he's chasing you this time and you two's size differences now that you've all grown up. You landed on the ground with a soft thud, your back hitting the soft grass as you saw Razor on top of you, his skin glistening in sweat as he gave you a cheery smile, "I won again (n/n)!" You playfully rolled your eyes, "Yeah yeah I get you're faster than m- eep-! Razor-!" You giggled, trying to move away as he started licking your face and neck. His hands tightened around your wrists," No running far anymore" He whined.

Chongyun

Strangers to lovers

"But I asked for that popsicle first!"

"And I saw it first!"

"I'm their regular customer!"

"Not like I have them once a year!"

.

You bit off a little chunk of Chongun's icy popsicle," Hey what did I say about no having my popsicle!" You laughed, getting closer to him all of a sudden," Well if you don't want to share this popsicle, I can always make do with the other one you have~" thump

Yes he fainted.

Diluc

[Childhood known] Bartender-owner relationship to lovers

"If you'd like, you can work at my tavern. I can use the help and you can use the money." A kind offer he made to his childhood neighbour when you came back from sumeru and needed a job, not wanting to stay away from your homeland.

.

A soft cry left your lips when a broken glass shard pricked your hand, you continued picking up the glass pieces the customer accidentally broke, ignoring the bleeding hand 'I'd have to mop the floor anyway.' A strong yet gentle grip pulled you up and towards the sink to wash and dress your wound, "Why'd you ignore it?" You bit your lip, not knowing how to answer. "Be careful next time." He sighed.

.

The number of people were relatively less today, maybe because of the windbloom festival, giving you an opportunity to relax and unwind with a drink yourself. The door opened as you turned your head to see who it was. "Ah master Diluc! Let me go get you some grape juice-" You were about to stand up when two arms caged you against the counter, leaning towards you," Stop calling me that. It's Diluc for you. Just Diluc."

Ajax

Contract marriage

'To stay with party A's family and take care of party A's siblings, treat A like a husband in front of A's family. The contract shall last for three years.'

Signed, (Y/n)

.

It's been 2 years since you signed that contract, staying with Childe's family wasn't bad, they all treated you very nicely and that a corner of your heart knew that your family was now out of bankruptcy because of this, you were content....for the most part anyway.

"Look who's home~!" A very excited Childe emerged through the main door, his servants taking away the bags he was carrying as he picked up Teucer. "I brought you Mr. Cyclopes figurine Teucer!" You smiled to yourself as you watched each of his sibling hug their older brother, used to watching the scene from afar at this point. What you didn't expect was him making his way up to you, his height towering over yours as you looked up at him confused, your face flushing as he pulled you closer to him by your waist, kissing your forehead, "How have you been my love?"

"G-Good." You stuttered out. All his siblings left the living room to give you two some privacy, happy to see the sight. He brushed the strands away from your face, looking into your eyes," Sorry about that. But I missed you. I don't know why, maybe because I look forward to seeing you now." Your eyes widened, "And... I want to take you with me the next time I leave. If you'll join me."

'Because It's not just a contract to me anymore (Y/n).' He thought.

Xingqui

Library crushes to lovers

Your eyes peeked over the book to look at the blue haired male, quickly hiding behind it again as his eyes fell on you. "Oh god please tell me he didn't see me." You muttered to yourself.

.

"The realm of humans was known as the Zhongzhou, while the gods reside in Shenxiao. At the end of-------" he kept explaining the plot of his favourite book, not like you weren't listening, but half your focus was on looking at him.

.

"Umm (Y/n). There's this new book shop that opened in north Liyue. Will you join me tomorrow?" Both your faces were warm when he said the words as you nodded shyly.

Itto

Oni dynamic

"Haha I won again! Take that (Y/n)!" The little oni jumped up as he came out victorious again. "Alright alright no need to rub it in the face Mr. Onikabuto."

.

"Do you really have to leave (Y/n)?" You nodded as tears pricked your eyes, hearing the sad tone from your oni friend who you've always heard cheery no matter the situation.

.

"As my great partner (Y/n) came back after years of staying in Natlan, they'll be joining the one and oni Arataki gang! Isn't that great!?" The said oni swung an arm around your shoulder as you ducked, "Your arm's heavy Itto!" "Of course it is I'm an Oni you know! You don't expect me to weigh like a twing do you?" He wiggled his eyebrows. "But boss should we trust them? I mean-" "Well of course! I know (Y/n) for agesss do you think I'll take just anyone into the great Arataki gang huh!?" He pointed smugly to himself as you sighed. Yup, he'll never change, and you won't have him any other way.

Kamisato ayato

Arrange marriage

Your eyes faced the floor of komore teahouse during the whole conversation of your father and the head of Kamisato Clan, accompanied with his sister and their most trusted servant. You saw the two Clan heads shaking hands from the corner of your eyes, knowing everything is sealed. You never even saw what your to-be husband looked like.

.

"Wouldn't you look at me even now (Y/n)?" Gentle voice of your soon to-be husband spoke as he held both your hands in his significantly bigger ones as the priest made preparations to start the wedding rituals. You swallowed nervously as you slowly looked up, your eyes falling on the mesmerizing lilac ones.

.

An arm wrapped around your waist from behind while the other one took away the hairbrush in your hand, placing it on the dresser as kisses were placed on your neck," My gorgeous wife." You closed your eyes, leaning your head back against his shoulder," Says the man who gave that word a meaning."

Bennett

Adventurer-medic to lovers

"Yup, bad luck again." You sighed as you bandaged his knee again. "I'm sorry (Y/n), for troubling you so much. I try to be careful but..." he rubbed the back of his head. "I know Benny, not your fault, just your luck." He nodded, giving you a thumbs up and a cheery smile as you finished bandaging his wound. "Butttt" you intergected when he was about to say something, "Nothing some tasty Chicken-Mushroom Skewers can't solve!" His eyes started sparkling the moment you said those words, making you giggle. "Yay let's go!"

Kazuha

Crew mates to lovers

"Wait up please!" You yelled to the ship that was about to leave the docks of Inazuma. You ran as fast as you could against the wooden planks 'Bad day to be wearing a Kimono damn it.' Apparently your voice wasn't loud enough for the Captain of The Crux to hear and your heart already started grimacing the loss of boarding the ship just a foot away as it started leaving. A sudden gust of wind lifted you up as your eyes closed shut in terror, the next time you opened them, you were on the ship, with nothing but a maple leaf in your hand.

.

You were leaning against the railing of the ship, looking at the vast ocean in fasination until a strong gust of wind passed, swaying your footing, almost tumbling you over but a hand to your wrist pulled you back just in time before it could happen. Your breath was caught in the throat due to the event, and because of the stranger with platinum hair and ruby eyes that saved your life. He was.... breathtaking. "Careful, the wind can be flickering unexpectedly once in a while. It's a vast ocean after all." He smiled.

Venti

Troublemaker and muse

You raised an eyebrow as your beer fell off the table, a person climbing on it instead. You looked up to see who it was, silently grimacing over your spilled beer. "Are you gonna pay for my beer or not" you said looking up at him while he ran his fingers along the lyre, "I'll pay you back with my wonderful performance~!" You sighed in irritation.

.

Your form busted through the tavern's door in the middle of the night, scanning over your surroundings before your eyes landed on the mop of green you were looking for. You swiftly made your way over, carrying the windy bard over your shoulder like a potato sack as you slid a pouch of mora in master Diluc's direction with an apologetic smile. "Put me downnnn I wanna kiss you!!" He whined on your shoulder as your face matched Master Diluc's hair.

Thoma

Ayaka's best friend

"Here let me help you with that." He took the heavy looking bags from your hand just as you entered the Kamisato estate. "Ah thank you Thoma." You smiled at him.

.

"I'm also inviting (Y/n)." Ayaka spoke to her brother over supper and Thoma couldn't help but chime in," If they're coming, It'd be great if I can make their favourite dish." Ayaka and Ayato gave each other knowing looks as Thoma looked between them, confused, "Did I say something wrong?"

.

"I'm sure (Y/n) could use some help for this event. I hand this task to you Thoma." Said Ayaka as she gently pushed him into a room and slid the door closed so he couldn't escape. "Thoma it's you-!" You squeaked, surprised by the sudden entrance. "Y-Yes Lady (Y/n). Lady Ayaka said I should help you if you were to face any difficulties. So do you need any assistance?" He scratched the back of his head. Your eyes fell onto the kimono belt in your head and then at him, your cheeks warming, "N-No it's fine." He wordlessly came towards you, taking the fabric from your hand, silently waiting for you to turn around as permission. You did, your breath getting caught in your throat as you felt his hands do their work, his hot breath hitting the back of your neck. A few moments passed, your head becoming lightheaded with each second until he did the final knot, whispering in your ear, "It's done, my princess."

Gorou

Subordinates to lovers

"Bear with it" you said as you poured the disinfectant over your commander's bleeding gash. He suppressed a hiss as you blowed on the wound in hopes to make it feel less burning. "Can you be more careful Gorou? There was no reason for you to come in front of me to stop that arrow!" You glared at him. "Your mother entrusted you to me (Y/n)" he tried reasoning. "As if Lady Kokomi didn't tell me to bring you back safe and sound!" He just chuckled at that.

.

You were laying down on the make shift infirmary's bed when a very happy Gorou emerged through the door, out of breath as if he ran all this way (yes he did) "(Y/n)! We did it! The war's over!" He ran over to you and hugged you tightly, you noticing how his tail was swaying back and forth. You chuckled. "I'm so happy (Y/n)! I can finally ask your mother for your hand in marri-" Your eyes widened.

"Oh god i shouldn't have said it like that- (Y/n)? (Y/n)?! Oh god don't faint-!"

Mhm, franatic Gorou is pretty cutee~

Kaeya

Fake dating

"Oh~, who is this pretty person beside you Kaeya?" Lisa ask, intrigued. "My partner." Kaeya smiled.

That was five months ago.

.

You two sawyed from side to side to the silent beat of the music as you looked at him, "So when is your 'target' arriving Kaeya? It's been 4 hours." "Oh don't worry. He'll be here soon enough. My brother can be a little late. He is returning to Mondstadt after months after all." He replied, looking into your eyes just as the venue's door opened to reveal the said man. In the blink of an eye, Kaeya's face was buried in the crook of your neck, " The hell are you doing?!" You whisper yelled at the man, not knowing what he was up to now. If you knew something about Kaeya, it was his unpredictable mind. "Just making sure my brother believes this of course. He has very keen eyes for lies you see. I want to prove to him that I can infact find an adequate partner for myself." "You sure it's not because of that 5 dozen wine bottles he put at stake." "That's just an added bonus!" He smirked as he rose up to his full height, taking your chin in between his finger and thumb, bringing your face closer to his, " Plus, Who knows? I might actually persue it to make it real."

Neuvillette

Second chance [mates][immortal reader- non specified species]

"I'll wait for you" said the man you loved so dearly with a solemn look in his eyes. "Don't" was all you said before you departed to the underworld, having not done anything wrong yet having no choice.

.

A hundred years passed since your own lover sealed your verdict, your heart wrenching with pain each time you think of it. 'He had his reasons. It's for the sake of fontaine.' Your heart longed for the hydro dragon, but you've made your heart think that 'He must have wanted this.'

.

The day finally came when you reached the surface again, and what you didn't expect was to see him waiting at the entrance. "Neuvillette...." You whispered, your eyes trying to drink back the tears they started producing on their own. The said man walked towards you in slow strides, his mind detached from his surroundings except you. Strong arms engulfed you in a delicate embrace, cradling you against his chest as if you were made of porcelain. And as much as your mind told you to pull away, your hands only gripped him tighter, crying against him. A few moments passed when you looked up at him, " Where's your partner?" Your heart broke as you asked that question, but you needed to know. "Right in front of me." He whispered. It was hard for you to believe him, you expected him to move on. "Did you forget.." he started, his lips placing a delicate kiss on the corner of your lips," That dragons mate for life?"

Wriothesley

Classic Husband x Wife

As soon as you stepped foot into your husband's office, the door being shut behind you, you heard fumbling noise. You made your way up the rounded stairs, crossing your arms over your chest as you made your way over to him, "Don't tell me you're drinking tea again Wriothesley." You narrowed your eyes at him. "No of course not. Why would I drink more when you set a boundary of 7 per day" he chuckled. "Oh?" You raised an eyebrow, leaning against his desk as you wiped the corner of his lips," What's this then?" You showed him the sugar powder on your fingertip. He chuckled nervously, "You see-"

.

Gentle kisses across your face is what woke you up, your hand tightening against the fabric....wait. You looked up and around you, realising you're in Wriothesley's office and in his lap, clutching onto his shirt. He softly kissed your forehead," Morning sunshine. Ready to go to the surface today?"

Lyney

Opposites attract

"Well someone looks a little out of it on a fine day like this." Your footsteps came to a halt as a guy stopped in front of you. His hand came up and passed by the side of your hair," Let me make it a little better" he chuckled as he pulled a rose 'out of your hair.' It was pretty, you thought taking it from him and giving him a small smile,"Thank you."

.

You pulled him along with you by his ear gently while he tried keeping up with your pace," I was just entertaining them!" He reasoned as you continued walking," You were clearly still there when they told you they didn't wanna see your tricks." "But it looked like they could use some help!" He whined. "Not everyone deserves you lifting up their spirits Lyney." You sighed. "Well, I can always lift your spirits up. If you know what I mean." Bonk

Freminet

Fated divers

Your hands splashed the water around you as oxygen depleted at a fast rate from your body, you tried tugging on the vines tightly wrapped around your foot in hopes to break them but they won't let up. You extended your arms up in an attempt to swim back to the surface but it was becoming harder by the second. It wasn't long before black dots started covering your vision and you started sinking further down.

Your eyes open with a start, the endless water still surrounding you but there was a stranger, with his lips on yours.

.

"Hey there Freminet~!"

"Oh hi (Y/n)" he gave you a small smile, looking up from where he was tinkering with clockwork. "I got you Seabird Sojourn!" You smiled as you sat beside him, looking closely at the details of his doing. You took his hand into yours, making his freckled cheeks blush a pink hue," Let's eat first before it gets cold."

Written by Yours truly

Masterlist

[0vergrowngraveyard]

The day had started pretty average all things considered.

Eggman had decided to attack yet another poor, defenseless village but at this point, that was pretty common (as depressing as it was to admit).

It was a peaceful little spot. The village was pretty small and had its own little beach a few miles away. Why the doctor had decided to attack this place out of any village on Mobius was beyond Sonic but hey, why question the bad doctor’s plans when he can just wreck them?

Which is exactly what he and his team, Tails, Knuckles, and Amy, were doing. Knuckles had decided to get off his island and pay everyone a visit for once in his life so when word got out about Eggman’s attack, Sonic had to bring him along.

Y’know, just for some fun.

The gang had managed to drive Eggman’s attention away from the village and solely onto them. Sonic, Knuckles, and Amy took care of the badniks on the ground while Tails handled a few of the larger flying ones in the Tornado.

At this point, they were just fighting on the beach. It wasn’t ideal for the hedgehog, but it was away from the village at least, and that’s all that mattered. He could begrudgingly sacrifice a bit of comfort in order to keep the people safe.

Didn’t mean he wouldn’t audibly complain about it though.

“Why’d you have to choose a beach to fight at, Eggy? D’you know how hard it is to get good traction on sand?” He charge up a homing attack and shot through three buzzbombers, “Actually, now that I think about it, you probably wouldn’t!”

“Aren’t you the one who led us over here?” Knuckles asked, punching a hole straight through a badnik and tossing it into another one which exploded on impact.

“Maybe, but Eggman’s the one who attacked the village so it’s ultimately his fault!” Sonic responded. Knuckles couldn’t argue with that.

Amy slammed her hammer into the ground, a shockwave taking out at least six of the robots. “Is it just me, or are there a lot more badniks?”

Sonic paused and looked around.

Yeah, there were definitely more than usual, but it was nothing they couldn’t handle!

He pulled up his communicator, “Yo Tails! How’s it going up there?” He asked his brother. The Tornado was flying over the ocean, keeping a lot of the flying badniks away from the ground fight.

“Not too bad!” He pulled on the yoke, driving the plane upwards as two bots crashed into each other. “What about down there?”

“Easy peasy!” He pulled his hand away to spindash through a bot before continuing, “Though it doesn’t exactly reach lemon squeezy criteria.” He held back a snort as he heard the kit groan.

“You sound stupid, I hope you know that.” the fox said.

“I second that,” Knuckles added, “though I’m not entirely sure what this fight being simple has to do with peas or lemons.”

This time, Sonic did laugh, to which Amy spoke up about, “Leave him alone, Sonic. It’s just a saying, Knuckles!”

“Once again, your figures of speech make little sense. Why do they all involve food items?”

Sonic opened his mouth to quip back at the echidna when an explosion rang out, echoed in the communicator.

“As much as I’d love to participate in explaining Mobian phrases to Knuckles, things are getting a little dicey up here! I’ll talk later!” Tails said, performing some tricky maneuvering around a few bots as they exploded.

The Tornado had been getting further and further away from the shore.

“Alright bud! Be careful!” Sonic said, taking notice of how far the biplane had suddenly gotten.

“You too, guys!”

“Don’t know the meaning of the word, lil’ bro!” The hedgehog responded as he lowered his communicator, bringing his attention back to the fight at hand. He could almost hear the kit lecturing him about his hypocrisy from the biplane.

The fight on the ground went on for about 10 more minutes. The three had started making a game out of it. Who could throw/smack Sonic into the most badniks in a row? Amy ended up winning when she sent him flying through five badniks in a row croquette style. Her reward was bragging rights, of course.

As Sonic was recovering from being tossed around like a ball for the past few minutes, he decided to have a chat with the old doctor.

“Ayo, doc! You’ve been a little quiet!” He yelled out, “Is this a defeat silence or a disappointed silence or-“

“Quiet rodent. I’m waiting for the finale.” The doctor said, pressing a few buttons on his control panel and muttering something under his breath.

Sonic laughed as Knuckles and Amy walked up behind him, the former keeping his eyes on the Tornado as it was still fighting off a few of the bots.

Were they getting more aggressive?

“Finale? You mean when I knock you on your butt and—!”

(It all happened so fast.)

There was an explosion, a big explosion. It was loud enough to echo through the entire area (or had it just been amplified in his mind?).

He didn’t register Knuckles cry out and bolt towards the shoreline. He didn’t register Amy pulling up her communicator and screaming at the person on the other end to respond. He didn’t even register Eggman’s triumphant laugh as he said words the hedgehog couldn’t hear.

The world moved in slow motion as he turned his head towards the water just in time to see the flaming body of the Tornado crash into the ocean, sinking to its depths.

Time froze. The world around him muted. He stared at the spot the biplane had crashed.

(It happened too fast. Everything just needed to slow down.)

He couldn’t breathe. A suffocating sense of dread blindsided him, smothering him alive and he didn't have the strength to fight back. His heartbeat pounded in his ear and his legs itched to run.

To run away from the entire scene. To run and not look back because maybe, just maybe, if he didn’t look back, that would mean it never happened. That everything was fine. They would go back to the workshop later and bicker and have movie nights and play fights. They’d complain about one another’s habits and laugh together.

He’d lecture the kit about his sleep schedule (or lack thereof) and drag him to his bed. He’d tuck him in and the kit would later wander into his room after having a nightmare and the two brothers would snuggle up together, fighting off the bad dreams that tormented the little fox in his sleep.

That would all happen. It would. It had to.

It had to because if it didn’t, that would mean Tails was really…

Tails was…

(He just needed the world to slow down. Just this once. He wasn’t ready to catch up yet.)

He didn’t realize he had walked waist deep into the ocean with Amy having to hold him back. Knuckles had tried to swim to the wreckage but soon realized it was a fruitless endeavor.

The crash had been too far out.

There was no way to get to Tails.

All Sonic could do was stare out across the body of water he feared so intensely. It was a fear that was ingrained in him.

The ocean didn’t care about who or what was in its depths. If it wanted to keep you there, it would, and there wasn’t much you could do about it. Especially someone like him who sank instead of floated.

The dark depths were always out for him, wrapping its hands around him and tugging him further and further down whenever the opportunity made itself known. It was like the ocean was determined to make itself his final resting place. It joyfully filled his lungs with water and never allowed him up for air.

There was one person he could rely on to get to him before the water did. One person he knew that could fight off the thing keeping him down.

But that one person had just had his small body grabbed and dragged under by whatever malevolent force lived in those waters. Never to resurface.

It was as if the ocean was laughing at him. Annoyingly tapping at his waist with waves as if to say, “Hey, look what I just did. Did you see that?”

Of course he saw, how could he have missed it?

How could he miss the sight of the biplane he took with him from Christmas Island, the plane that allowed him to meet the kit in the first place, crashing in a flaming wreck and sinking to the bottom of the ocean, taking his little brother along with it?

The waters laughed at him.

They bragged about how they were the ones holding the kit instead of him. That their hands were running throughout the fox’s soft, golden fur, surrounding him in his final moments.

They teased him about how he’d never be able to hold him again. His hands itched with the feeling of his kit’s fur beneath them. He wanted to find him, to rescue him from his captor. Even if he was taking his final breaths, he wanted them to be in the arms of someone the fox trusted more than life itself. To tell his kid how much he loves him and how much he meant to all of them. That he would be missed.

But the kit was alone.

And that’s exactly how the ocean wanted it.

…

Knuckles didn’t know how much time had passed and frankly, he didn’t care.

He didn’t want to think about it because if the kit hadn’t gone quickly in the initial explosion, then the alternative would’ve taken time. Minutes he could’ve spent swimming to get to him. He should’ve been able to get to him. He was an incredibly fast swimmer, he should’ve been able to get out there.

As the seconds went by, the already cavernous pit in his stomach grew tenfold. He tried not to think about the fox kit who was alone in the cockpit of his beloved biplane, possibly conscious and just waiting for his time to come.

He didn’t want to think about the youngest — one of his first friends, someone he had grown to consider to be a younger brother just as the hedgehog had — in that scenario. It wasn’t right, not after all the kit had done for them.

He had managed to pull Sonic a little closer to the shore. The blue hedgehog had fallen to his knees, no longer being able to carry the weight of what just happened. It was haunting, the way he just stared at the horizon. Never in his life did he think he’d see the hedgehog in such a state of despair and defeat.

Then again, he never even began to imagine something like this happening. Not to Tails.

He pried his eyes off of the grief stricken big brother and looked beside him.

Amy wasn’t doing much better, her head was in her knees, fist clenched and body tense as she cried. She was sobbing her heart out. He could only imagine the thoughts going through her mind.

He looked at the sand in front of him and closed his eyes out of respect for the kit, a few tears he didn’t even know had formed slipped down his cheek. His mind flashed with memories of the fox kit, from the one of him first arriving to Angel Island with his hyperactive yet silent blue brother all the way to the call just a few moments ago.

It wasn’t right, they (Sonic) had just been teasing the echidna about his lack of knowledge for common Mobians phrases. How could this have happened? Why did this happen? Why was there no heads up or warning? It was all so sudden and they didn’t even have time to process anything.

Knuckles knew it was foolish to question why people died, he was the last of his kind for crying out loud, he should be used to this.

Except he wasn’t. The kid may not have been an echidna, but he was still part of his tribe. His family. They all were.

And their tribe had just lost their youngest. Their little golden ball of sunshine. The kid who could brighten an entire area with his laughter and knock someone’s ego down several pegs at the same time. The kid he for the longest time just assumed was magical because of how skillful he was with machines, creating their communicators out of seemingly nothing just so they could stay in contact with each other. He created incredible defensive mechanisms and weapons just to keep people safe. He was only 8 years old.

He had done so much for them, and this was how they repaid him? How the world repaid him?

How dishonorable.

[patrollingboston]

*turns on the megaphone*

Simon and his wifey have disaster twins!

Thank you for coming to my TED talk

Double Trouble // Simon x Reader fluff

Thank you for your request! I wanted to include their reactions to finding out as well as a glimpse into daily life for them. Hope you enjoy!

Simon and you had been married for 4 years. It wasn’t a normal marriage by any means, he was often deployed leaving you to amble through life without him by your side for most months of the year. You didn’t mind your own company, you met up with friends and family regularly, caring for yours and Simon’s cat counting down the days until he was home again. It was a quiet and lonely life at times but you understood how much his career meant to him, this was all until one specific night you and Simon shared together landing you in a hospital room at your 12-week pregnancy scan.

“You, okay?”

Simon asked, his deep voice echoing through the eerily clinicals walls as he placed a gentle hand on your shoulder reassuringly. You laid on the bed, the paper scrunching up underneath your back as you waited anxiously for the Doctor to return.

“I’m alright, just a bit jittery.”

You replied giving an uncertain smile towards him, he had managed to get a few days off of work so he could accompany you to the scan. Today was the day you found out the gender of your baby, you and Simon agreed it was best to know now so you could both prepare.

“Right! We all ready in here?”

The doctor came charging back in the room pushing the thick wooden door closed behind her, she sat herself on a stool and wheeled over to you laying on the bed.

“Think so.”

You said with a smile, looking up and making eye contact with Simon. The doctor rolled up your t shirt exposing your stomach to the cold hospital air.

“Are we wanting to know if it’s a boy or girl today?”

She said, squeezing the gel onto your stomach the temperature startling you.

“Uh yes we would like to know.”

Simon spoke up his eyes fixed on the little tv screen the Doctor had wheeled over towards the two of you.

“Can you hear the heartbeat?”

The two of you nodded in sync as you heard the familiar rumble erupt from the machine before a second sounding noise adjoined it.

“What’s the other noise?”

You asked curiously, peeking your head up to get a closer look at the monitor.

“That is uh.. a second heartbeat. You are having healthy twins how wonderful! Can you see baby number 2 hidden in the back there?”

“Wait what?”

Simon said, his demeanour going from relaxed to suddenly tensing up, his grip on your shoulder becoming tighter.

“Twins, see?”

“You’re serious?”

You said now sitting up fully to inspect the monitor, half of you believed this Doctor was speaking nonsense until your eyes saw a second shadow on the tv. Feeling overwhelmed your eyes began to well up, you reached your hand up to grab Simon’s arm for support.

“Fully, would you like to know the genders?”

You both nodded once again.

“In my opinion it looks like two baby girls.”

You slapped a hand to your chest making an ‘awh’ sound, you had always wanted a daughter, now you were going to have two at once. Simon, who was not saying a word, continued to stare at the monitor in amazement.

“We are having twin girls?”

He finally spoke up, clearing his throat and turning to face you. In that moment you both felt such gratitude and shock for the news of two healthy baby girls that you both forgot about the logistics of the entire situation for a few moments.

One year later

“Si, can you bring me a tea towel she’s chucked tomato sauce in my eye.”

You yelled through the kitchen as you dabbed your face, sauce dripping down onto your t shirt as your baby Emily giggled sat in her highchair in the background.

“I can’t love, Chloe’s got a hold of my phone and won’t give it up.”

Simon yelled back from the living room sounding out of breath followed by a few crashing sounds as you assumed he was chasing Chloe round for his phone back. The twins had just learned to walk, and throw apparently causing a nightmare for the both of you.

Simon had returned from deployment a few weeks ago, he was descended straight into the chaos of raising your two twins. You stumbled blindly round the kitchen trying to find something to wipe your face on as you heard the pitter patter of feet coming towards you.

“Mama look.”

Chloe gurgled handing you what you assumed was Simon’s phone.

“What have we said about taking people’s things hey?”

You said in a sterner tone, Simon following into the kitchen behind. You handed him his phone back and he slid it back into his pocket before grabbing a square of kitchen roll and wiping your face for you.

“And you, what have we said about throwing stuff?”

He asked in a soft tone towards your daughter Emily, who was still finding the situation hilarious. He stepped over Chloe who was now playing sat on the kitchen tiles with the cat before reaching his arms out and scooping Emily up in them.

“I’m so glad to have you back Si.”

You said, exhaustion creeping throughout your brain as you rubbed your temples.

“I’ve missed my girls too.”

He said a wide smile spreading across his cheeks as he looked at his daughter placed upon his hip and then towards Chloe sat on the floor. It was a chaotic life for you two currently, but it was yours and no one else’s and you wouldn’t change it for the world.

[tim-shii]

an aunt, a grandpa and a minecraft kid

a/n: finals are done and school is almost finished i can finally krill myself! *break shackles* anyways this is pure word vomit over a poor attempt at found family w the stellaron hunters :hides: AND HELLO :DD

[ work hours ] 

“stop sulking. time is ticking.” kafka’s voice echoes throughout the empty corridor once she felt your presence. her heels clack along the metal floor of the ship, only to stop when a projection appeared in front of her. you groaned at her words. “easy for you to say. i got held up by two trailblazers after leaving wolfie to go here. seriously, what am i? a stellaron hunter or an overpaid teensitter?” kafka lets out an amused sigh at your antics. 

“23:47:15 system time. very punctual, kafka.” a glitchy, robotic voice spoke, in which you rolled your eyes out. “can’t say the same for you, y/n.”

“i don’t answer to a child.” 

“you–”

“enough.” kafka’s voice was stern with a hint of mirth. “y/n, why don’t you.. entertain our guests from the astral express for a little while silverwolf and i look for the stellaron.” 

“i’m only gonna agree because the guy in green is cute.” you turned away with a wave. grinning ear to ear, already anticipating the little dance with the infamous cloud-piercer.

[ babysitting hours ] 

“kill me now.”

“i can’t do that. if i kill you, that means i’ll be left alone with them.” blade shrugs off your complaint, focusing completely on his phone as he answers a message from kafka. you look at him with judgment in your eyes. internally berating him for looking like a very suspicious criminal wearing a black beanie with black tinted glasses that he probably stole from one of the blind mice. 

it's one of the days where you guys don't have any work to do. you planned to just stay in bed and sleep the whole day but a certain gamer brat decided to drag you out of the comforts of your bed and instead make you stand watch over her while she plays a rigged game in an old arcade. seems like your plans are ruined now. clearly.

"but we've been here for nine hours! who even spends nine hours on a claw machine?!" you bang your head in the arcade machine beside him.

"kafka's right. you do sulk a lot." blade hums. 

"shut up, old man."

[ the doc is in ]

"greetings, patients. your beloved doctor has arrived." the trio collectively sigh as you enter the infirmary. 

they just got back from a mission. from what you heard, the mission was a success. however, with what you're seeing now, you'd conclude that the mission was a.. partial success. silverwolf has gashes all over her legs and arms. kafka is laying down, completely fatigued. and blade is bleeding, cuts all over his arms, probably from his own sword. 

"are you guys.. feeling better?" you mused with a light grin. you stifled a laugh when you heard blade groan from the left side of the room. you walked towards silverwolf first and started to patch her up. 

soft sighs and the whirs of the air conditioner were the only thing audible in the room. it was clear that all of them were tired. so as the greatest doctor ever, it is your duty to make sure they'll be able to rest easily and without any pain. 

[ the rich aunt and her favorite child ]

"how does this look?"

"... it looks the same as the last one."

if you think spending nine hours in an arcade with silverwolf is bad, clearly past you hasn't been informed of almost a twelve hour shopping spree with kafka. in general, it doesn't sound bad. i mean, a shopping spree with a very fashionable stellaron hunter? sounds like a dream. yeah, that was what you thought too. until twelve hours has passed and you're still in the coats section. 

"you have bad eyes, we should get that checked." kafka tuts, frowning at you with the coat still on her hold. you gape at her accusation. "it's the same black one. all coats you try on are black. how am i supposed to know the difference?"

"through the material of the coat." she walks away to the cashier, silently urging you to push the cart of coats on her wake.

"i'm not really a fabric person!"

likes and reblogs are appreciated! masterlist

[lastsubstance]

How the TS gang feels about Ais

(The Alchemist.) When everyone disperses and you have to choose who to follow.

Asking about Ais.

You follow Kuras.

MC: Have you been out to see Ais at the Seaspring?

Kuras: Once.

MC: Only once? Seems like a spring with miraculous powers would interest a doctor.

A long silence follows, so long that I’m not sure Kuras heard me. I’m about to repeat myself when he finally speaks in a near-whisper.

Kuras: Ais is the rare newcomer who has proven himself immediately worthy of respect.

               The Seaspring is…another matter. Hidden depths often contain unwelcome secrets.

MC: You could say that about anything around here.

Kuras: A fair point. Nonetheless, I have seen many purported wonders, and the Seapsring is unlike any other. Only time will tell what that means.

You follow Leander.

MC: So, you’re friends with Ais?

Leander: Have been for a while, but he’s rarely in town. Where’d you run into him?

MC: The Seaspring.

Leander chokes on his drink. He coughs violently into his fist before giving me a surprised look.

Leander: You went all the way out there. How’d he treat you?

—OPTION SELECT—(Select "He was honest")—

MC: He was honest. He told me about how the Seaspring’s power comes with a heavy price.

Leander: Losing your mind, becoming one of his funny brainless pets.

He sighs, pausing before he speaks again.

Leander: Does that sound worth it to you?

MC: The only pets he has are Soulless.

Leander: Yeah, I know. I didn’t mean it like that. Ais has my respect and takes care of his own.

For a moment, Leander stares deep into the bottom of his glass. When he looks up again, the circles of his eyes seem even deeper than usual.

Leander: All those red-eyed minions creep me out. Can we talk about something else?

—OPTION SELECT—(Select "He was intimidating")—

MC: Intimidating, to be honest.

Leander: Don’t let it get to you. Ais does well in Eridia because he knows how to scare people.

MC: He’s a Monster. You really don’t think he’s a threat?

Leander: Not in the slightest.

               I like to think of us as rivals. We like to keep each other on our toes, you know?

MC: Don’t you think being rivals with a Monster is a bad idea? If he wanted to disembowel you, it’d be easy.

Leander: No, no, it’s not that serious. Sure, Ais likes to toe lines on purpose.

               But he’s not such a bad guy once you get to know him…

Leander sighs and takes a swig from his glass.

You follow Mhin.

MC: You don’t seem to like Ais…

Mhin: I don’t like anyone, but especially not that bloodthirsty gangster.

The words tumble from their mouth before I can even finish my sentence.

MC: Did he do something to you?

Mhin: Beyond existing? No, but I’m not waiting around to get hurt first.

               The Seaspring he runs, with all those smiling red-eyed people? I suppose his one saving grace is that he hasn’t forced anyone to drink from it. Yet.

               Monsters like him don’t know or care about what they have. It makes me sick.

Their voice echoes down the empty street, startling me.

I blink, staring at them.

MC: You really don’t like Monsters, do you?

Mhin fixes me with a flat gaze, their pale eyes like chips of ice.

Mhin: Every Monster forced their way out of the Shroud and into the world for some reason.

               I may not know Ais’s reason, but to the vast majority of Monsters, humans are food, playthings, or beneath notice.

               That may simply be their nature, but I don’t have to like it.

               And I’m not going to risk my life in the hopes that any one of them is different.

A lot of humans fear or hate Monsters, but there’s something different about how Mhin talks about them. It sounds personal.

You follow Vere.

MC: I’d like to know more about Ais. You two seem close.

Vere: He made an impression, hm? Not surprising. He’s strong, ruthless, easy on the eyes.

               Gives it almost as well as he takes it, even if he’s awfully greedy.

               Big…everywhere really.

               Bit simple, but you know what they say about still waters.

I don’t. But I’m too distracted by the change that’s come over Vere to ask.

A coy smile plays at his lips as he winds a finger around the chain dangling from his collar.

MC: I thought you didn’t like many people

Vere: Ais isn’t most people. He’s better. He –

Our eyes meet, and Vere’s expression curdles.

He makes a tiny sound of distaste in the back of his throat.

Vere: He’s more trouble than he’s worth.

               Dangerous, too. Stay far away from him and those red-eyed freaks if you value your safety or your sanity.

MC: Is that why you scolded me for going to the Seaspring? I really don’t think Ais is as bad as you’re saying.

Vere: You don’t know him. Not like I do.

The corner of his lip twitches.

[undf-stuff]

AM I NOT WORTH IT ? - Miguel O'Hara

0. Who are you ? Part 2

For a time, you collaborated with Miguel, and despite your lack of powers, you made yourself invaluable to the Spider Society. Although you weren't a Spider-Woman, over the years spent stitching up your brother's wounds and listening attentively to his tales of adventure and experience, you gradually acquired a deep understanding of the Spider-Man universe. You were as helpful as possible in his adventures as his "Girl in the Chair". After his disappearance, when your world collapsed, you had no one to turn to but him.

Mentions of : nightmare, panic attack, lost (tell me if I miss something important ヽ(･ω･｡ヽ) )

The taglist is open feel free to join ヽ(*´∀`)ﾉ

Part 0.1

Darkness surrounded you and you couldn't make out your surroundings, you walked endlessly, not knowing where you were going, feeling as if you were standing still.

It doesn't feel right, there is something wrong. Something is missing. Someone? Miles? Miles! Where is he!?

“Miles ? MILES ?! WHERE ARE YOU ?” You shouted in this place. All you got was an echo.

As you continued on your way, it was then that you saw his back, far away from you. You tried to call out to him, but you couldn't speak.

“You...left...me.”

No, no what do you mean I didn’t let you.

“It’s...your...fault.”

Is it? I tried to save you. I… I was there. I ran to you.

“You...killed...me” he said facing you.

But it wasn’t your brother as you knew him. He had been eaten away by the acid, holes were visible and some even went through the skin, his leg was twisted at a strange angle, and he was limping as he walked towards you. With each of his accusations, the ground shook, making you lose a little more balance.

You tried to scream, but nothing came out of your mouth. You tried again, screaming as hard as you could, but no sound came out. You held your throat tightly as you felt your vocal chords vibrate, but you couldn't make a sound.

No, no, no, this can't be real, this isn't happening. I've never left you! You're wrong!

"YOU LEFT ME" "He said, rushing toward you with arms twisted by rot."

You found yourself gasping for air ,as you open your eyes, desperately trying to regain control as panic tightened its grip. The once steady rhythm of a beeping sound became erratic and accelerated, causing convulsions throughout your body and intensifying your sense of panic.

Feeling the urge to get up and leave whatever had triggered your euphoric state, you felt several hands quickly mobilize to restrain you. In a burst of energy, you tried to stand up, letting out a stream of incomprehensible words, only to be met by another individual redoubling his efforts to restrain you. In the midst of the chaos, a sharp sensation pierced you, as if you were sinking into unconsciousness.

"Miles…" you whispered faintly before slipping under once again.

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

Waking up once again, you heard voices talking close to you, but were unable to perceive any discussion. Trying to rub your eye, you felt ties on your arms and legs, which frightened you and you quickly started to panic again. The incessant noise of the cardiogram interrupted the discussion of the two people who ran to you to calm you down.

"Take it easy, honey, it'll be all right. Can you tell me your name?

A man in a bathrobe moved to your right, but held back, not wanting to panic you any further, while a woman you recognized as the one who had calmed you down the night of the accident, moved to your left touching your arm. You flinched at her touch, afraid of what might happen, but her gentle voice calmed you.

…

I'm Jessica, and he's Peter" the man on your left raised his hand to greet you from a distance with a smile at the mention of his name.

"Hum….Y/N, can you…can you… uncuff me?

Yes of course I'll take care of it!" said Peter hurriyng to untie your arms and legs as Jessica left the room.

"Keep an eye on her, I'll get a doctor.

Don't worry, I'll take care of her like my Mayday".

You watched Peter for a moment and noticed the baby carrier behind him, it must be Mayday's , looking around the room you saw a tablet on your bedside table similar to the one you used at home and tried to come up with a plan to get out of here.

There's no way I'm staying here, I've got to find Miles no matter what.

"I'll do better than that, would you like a SpideyBurger? You must be starving it's our specialty!

You turned to Peter and asked for a glass of water, which he gladly accepted.

Yes, why not!" you replied, smiling and hiding your true intention.

"The cafeteria's a bit far from here, but I'll be as quick as I can", he said, as he sped off, glad to be able to help you.

You waited 10 seconds after he'd left before getting up and taking the tablet to familiarize yourself with it. All you had to do was perform a few manipulations and you'd find yourself in the servers of a so-called "SpideySociety".

Looks like Miles' skepticism about the legality of hacker training is about to be proven wrong. Funny how he wasn't opposed to using those skills to snag the latest trendy pair by hacking the site. Miles, wherever you are, I hope you're safe and sound.

Wandering around the tablet, you found the maps of the area and located yourself on this 3D map, finding the way out, without wasting any more time getting out of the place.

You left the room relieved not to be wearing a hospital gown, but the same clothes you'd had on when leaving home. The corridors looked the same, and didn't end so much in length as in height.

What kind of person could walk down such corridors upside down? Could it be Spi-

Suddenly, you heard voices coming from behind you, and cutting your thoughts short, you began to run, still examining your position on the 3D map. Bumping into someone with a cart full of medical supplies, the voices heard your excuses and, realizing your presence, ran after you, not recognizing you as one of their own. with your attire.

You arrived in a hall even more crowded than these hospital corridors and ran even faster, desperately seeking a way out of this strange building. Corridors perched several meters above the ground towered over you, and only now did you notice that you weren't on the ground, but on one of these high corridors. You couldn't contemplate the surroundings any longer as the same voices from earlier drew even closer, attracting the attention of the people around you.

"Hey you stop here !"

Tapping again on the tablet, you were able to change the space around you, and the corridor began to rise even higher, catching whoever was on top of it off guard and sending them flying several metres, while others clung as best they could to their supports and advanced towards you, wary of your next move to stop you assuming you were an enemy.

Gee, I hope they're okay…but I really need to find Miles.

You fumbled with the tablet again, and obstacles came between you and the people in front of you, giving you an advantage to get away as quickly as possible. You ran without stopping, wanting only to find your brother, when a red thread caught you and drew you into yet another corridor hidden in the shadows. You wanted to scream, but a hand was placed over your mouth, preventing you from making a sound to attract more people. You heard several footsteps and air currents passing in the corridor where you were before silence fell.

The man who had grabbed you removed his hand, but neither of you spoke, taking benefit from the silence all you could do was stare at him: he was masked, like most of the other people chasing you, but you hadn't taken the time to observe them, in the panic of this new place and the anxiety of finding your brother. His mask was blue with red details forming the expressions on his face, and you could tell he was angry or worried by the frown on his face. You also noticed that he was tall, very tall, much taller than anyone you'd ever met and much more muscular? But you realized something else too. Those details on that mask, those people from earlier on the ceiling, his costume similar to your brother's.

Could it be a Spiderman? …but how could it be? Would there be others? Where am I?

Lost in your thoughts, you dropped the tablet from your hands, which surprised both of you. He picked it up, and before you could ask any questions, he gently took your arm and asked you to follow him. You were a little reluctant, but being alone in an unfamiliar place, you needed answers to your questions to better save your brother, who must be out there somewhere. You walked for a short while before he stopped and grabbed you by the waist. You didn't have time to protest as he jumped without much effort to a high corridor you'd never have noticed or reached without him.

Arriving at a door, he typed in a code before letting you in and closing it behind him. You could admire the large room and see several pieces of information about several people you didn't recognize at first like The Rhino, The Pwroler, Kingpin, Dr Octavius and many more but so different from your memories, only one of them stand out of the pack : the Scorpion.

Wanting to ask for more information, you turned towards the mysterious man but didn't see him. You spun around, thinking you'd missed him, but then you heard a noise coming from higher up… Raising your head, you saw a platform lowered to your level, with this mysterious man on it in front of a computer, typing away without understanding what he was doing.

"Who are you and what am I doing here? Where's Miles? I've got to find him! Do you have any information about the Scorpions? How did he escape? How did I get here? How did YOU get there that night? Who the hell are you? And where's my brother?" you asked as you approached him, desperate to find your brother without knowing what had happened to him.

The man, whose back was previously to you, interrupts your questions by turning towards you. Leaning back against his desk, arms crossed, you realize his mask was absent, revealing the face of this previously unknown individual. He was undeniably handsome, his caramel complexion matched his midnight-blue suit perfectly, his unruly hair seemed irresistibly soft, but it was his eyes that captivated you most: a striking, gorgeous blood-red, you'd never seen anything like it before, but in the peculiarity of his eyes, you detected a weariness in his gaze, despite the determination that lurked there.

"My name is Miguel O'Hara. You've entered my dimension, and I regret to inform you, there's no path back to your world." He says in a serious tone, but with the most beautiful voice you could have imagined for his face.

It took you a moment to realize the seriousness of his words.

"What the...?"

What does he mean by "my dimension"?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Part 0.3

Yayy part 0.2

Okk so first I would like to apologize cuz I feel like I took way to much time to write this anyways I'll start right away the next chapter

Let me know what you all think about it and I'll see you soon

Your faithfully

(◍•ᴗ•◍)♡ ✧*。

Undf-stuff ✧

Taglist : @v-justchilling / @razertail18 /

[gothic-thoughts]

High Baby Fever

Part 3! Dio Brando x Black Fem Reader Angst

DomesticAU

TW: Miscarriage, mentions of child endangerment, mentions of murder(Just Dio tings really), NOT PROOFREAD(im sick😷🤒)

CW: Dio comforting, kidnapping, she/her pronouns

Word Count: 1742 (give or take)

Hearing soft sniffles and whimpers from across my mansion, I zoom to (Y/n)’s personal chambers and gently knock against the wood, the light thuds echoing throughout the empty corridor.

"(Y/n), what's wrong?” I rest my head against the door, “I heard you crying, my angel.”

I hear her voice curse softly so I look through the slight crack, my eyes tracking her form slowly jogging to the door and pressing against it in an attempt to keep me out.

"(Y/n), you know you can tell me anything.”

“It’s nothing, Dio. I just...I just need some space.”

“Have I upset you?"

“No! I mean, no.”

“Do not lie to me,” my forehead presses upon the door, “I could hear those sobs a mile away"

 I tried to push the door open, only for it to barely budge from the frame as the soft sniffles and gasps began again. My chest begins to tighten.

“Angel, please, this stress is not good for the baby. Tell me what’s wrong.”

“You...you’re gonna hate me....”

"Never, my sweet.” I jiggle the handle harder, trying to pry it free, just to be with her, “I could never hate you. Tell me anything, anything at all."

She doesn’t respond, only leaving me with soft whimpers from behind the door. I open my mouth to speak but stop, taking in the idea that I hadn’t considered. I peek through the slit in the door to see my beloved walk to the other side of the bedroom before kicking through the door, old wood splintering and falling all over the stone floor as I burst inside.

I dusted myself off before I laid eyes on her—my sweet (Y/n)’s eyes were slightly bloodshot with a face streaked with tears. Before she could blink another tear from her lashes, she was in my arms and pressed close to my chest. I hold her tight and place a delicate kiss atop her skull then press my chin on the area as I breathe with her.

“Did you just break my door down?”

I take her chin and force her to look at me, “Now, what has upset you so much?"

Her eyes brim with water once again as she opens her mouth. She weeps again, pressing her wet, chubby face into my bare chest.

“The...the baby...”

My brow knit together. "What about the baby?" I run my fingers through the thick coils of her hair as delicate as possible, “What’s happened? Is Rose no longer healthy?”

Her muffled, broken sob was all I needed to hear as my heart tightened, a shiver running through every nerve, bone, and fiber in my body. (Y/n) shakily grabbed my hand and place it over her stomach—it had lost it's weight.

I shook my head to deny this, refusing to believe it as my eyes started stinging. I could not believe what I was hearing.

"No, no, darling. It's just some mistake; perhaps she was asleep."

“That's what I said! B-but he said...” 

 She paused to choke on more sobs so I wiped them away with my thumbs, hands trembling as I tried to keep up my strong façade for her.

"Who said that?" I tightened my grip on her, eyes wide with worry, "Tell me, who you got this....‘information’ from, because it cannot be true, you’ve only been with child for a month. You cannot just believe any--"

“The doctor told me, Dio!”

My breath hitches again. I shook my head angrily.

"Then he is a fool!" I continued wiping her tears away, mine starting to slip free, "He was wrong, dear. He was....”

“...I told you you’d hate me.”

I snap free of my denial, returning to my natural calm, collected demeanor as I guide her head up so I can see those pools of coffee glistening beautifully in the moonlight from the abundance of tears.

"Hate you...? (Y/n), my sweet...how can you say such a thing?"

Tears fell freely down her face. I took her trembling hands in mine, sickened at the thought of our loss being her fault.

"It’s never your fault, you’re smart enough to know that. How could I possibly hate you? I have never loved anyone before or after you, you’re aware of that. Darling, I need you—more than I need the next breath I take."

I held my hands to hers, pressing them to my lips and giving them a gentle kiss, all while looking at her longingly and leaning down to kiss back as passionately as ever before placing my forehead against yours, closed my eyes, savoring our togetherness.

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It had been a grueling 6 months of healing since then and for the most part, I had come to terms with the loss, yet, (Y/n) could not help but beat herself up about the whole ordeal every time she so much as breathed. It infuriated me to see her in such disarray the worst being that she wouldn’t speak to me about it. My heart shattered day in and out at the thought that I was growing to accept the death while my sweet seemed to be carrying all the weight of our shared grief. So tonight, I thought I’d set out to find her something she’d love from the streets of Egypt.

Once I return, I put it in a box and wrap it up nicely with a red bow before finding (Y/n) in our room, sitting on our bed with the same frown she had for months. I carried a large box inside with a loving smile in her direction in contrast with the confusion written all over her face as I gently set her present near the edge of the bed. I walk around the bed and take her smaller hands in mine and I just couldn’t help but smile.

"(Y/n), my darling...my love...my--”

“Dio, what is it?" She forces a chuckle, "And what is that?”

“Am I not allowed to be spontaneous? It is simply a gift for my partner.”

She raises an eyebrow. “Really?”

“Yes, I know you are still lamenting from that fateful day, and I cannot bear to see you like this anymore. And so, I got you something I thought would force that beautiful smile out again.” 

“Aww, that’s so sweet, baby; what is it?”

I pull her to her feet, guiding her over to the end of the bed where the box was. "Go on, open it.”

“Tell me what it is!”

“I'll tell you that it is fragile, so be delicate."

Giving her a soft smile, I watch in anticipation as she carefully opens the box, my heart skipping beats, just waiting to see her face and when the box is finally wide open. She gasps loudly upon seeing the slumbering, infant wrapped in its little purple blanket, even taking a couple of steps back as I smile—the brightest smile I had in ages. I gently lifted the sweet, frail thing from the cardboard, cradling him closely to my bare chest, and listening as faint, somnolent sighs exit the child’s mouth.

“Isn’t he the most precious thing you’ve ever seen?” My thumb caresses back and forth on the infant’s forehead, “My minions couldn’t find an available baby girl so I hope the sex won’t be a problem.”

(Y/n) stammers a bit, “You stole a baby?!”

I kissed the child’s cheek, “Steal is quite the term; I rescued the poor thing.”

“Where did you get him?”

“What does that matter? He’s safe now.”

“Who's baby is this?”

"I don't know, I didn't make conversation before I butchered them."

"You killed them?!"

"That's what you're surprised at?"

"Yes, wha--no! Look, I just want to know what possessed you to kidnap a fucking newborn.”

I sigh, placing the boy on the bed, smirking as he readjusts his tiny feet inside the blanket encasing him. I look at her, reaching to stroke her plump, brown cheek.

"You did."

"What? Uh, excuse me, how is any of thi—!"

"I could no longer bear to see you so unhappy about the miscarriage so I sent my minions to seek out any newborns who seemed to be improperly taken care of."

She was silent for a moment, jaw agape as she struggled to find her words. She looked past me to the baby sleeping on the bed, but her face was still unreadable as her eyes moved to concentrate on me with a very evident side-eye.

"The minions found him tonight, I went to his residence to find him underfed in a house full of cigarette smoke."

"Underfed? Oh god...did you feed him?" 

"Yes, of course. After his parents were nothing stains, I fed him anything I could find in their home and on the way here."

She strode around me and picked up the child delicately, cradling him in her arms while his little hands clenched into fists as he slept. I step close to her, glancing over her shoulder at the baby.

"Look at him, (Y/n); he's our miracle. How was I supposed to abandon such an innocent thing in the home with such a terrible couple? We can raise him to be a better man than his biological father ever was...”

She sighed, swiping her thumb back and forth across the infant's forehead as her heart swelled with more and more affection for it.

"Do you not like him? If you really can’t bring yourself to love him, I am not attached as of yet so I could discard--”

“What, no!"

"Excellent, then from here on out, I will bring myself to be the best father possible."

"That means a lot coming from you." She giggles, the sweet sound lightening the air, "You gonna teach him to be evil?"

I laughed. "That's your first thought? No, dear. I could never make him evil like me! However... I could make him my successor. A villain must have an heir, after all."

"Well does your heir have a name?"

I gently take the baby from her hands, accidentally making its eyelids flutter open to reveal bright green irises as it awakes. I smiled in amusement, unable to take my eyes off our son. He was so...sweet and innocent, especially with the slight confusion on his features.

"Whatever name was bestowed onto him by that terrible family is a waste, therefore he does not yet." I slip my thumb into the baby's fist, shaking it slowly, "Although, I do like the sound of Giorno....it's perfect."

[kairiscorner]

KAMUSTA POO I LOVE UR MARRIED SPIDERNOIR X READER FICS SMM??? 🫶🫶 I hope you dont mind if i request for something angsty, hurt/comfort 👀 like the reader finds out she’s infertile- had a miscarriage and is upset because she knew how much her and spidernoir husband rlly wanted to have children so he goes out his way to comfort her and stuff huhu 😭😭 and she’s also worried that this issue might cause a strain in their relationship but noir’s like “NOOO, i love u no matter what’

talking abt this prompt reminds me from the movie ‘UP’ by disney hehe (P.S i was also the one who req for that criminal prt 2 of x spidernoir!! I LOVED IT SMMM THANK UUU FOR FEEDING MY DELULUNESS, HAVE A GOOD DAYYY)

HIII POOOOO omg thank you too, so glad you loved it <:DD AND RGHHHH THANK YOU FOR PUTTING ME IN THE MOOD TO WRITE PAIN <33 I HOPE YOU LIKE THISSSS

(reblogs are greatly appreciated, it helps get my content out there! if you guys like what you see, please reblog it too <:D)

even if we can't have that, i'll always have you — spider noir x reader (angst)

summary: you felt so inadequate, like such a disappointment when the doctor informed you that you could not bear fruit, you would never be a mother. though what made you feel even worse was the fact that your husband, peter, yearned for a family--and you couldn't even give him that. but does that mean he'll stop loving you? word count: 527

you mindlessly cut away at the vegetables, looking at them but not paying attention. your mind was empty except for the doctor's words that rang in your ears endlessly, echoing into the abyss that once was filled with dreams and love for little ones that will never be anymore: "ma'am, you cannot bear children. you are... infertile." the only sensation that brought you back to reality was the stinging pain of a cut you inflicted upon yourself by accident, with small drops of blood pooling on the cutting board and staining the vegetables.

you breathed in through your teeth as you washed off the blood, though you kind of wish the pain remained, so you wouldn't be reminded of how inadequate of a wife you felt when you heard the doctor's news for you. peter came home and was greeted to the sight of you bandaging your fingers. "oh, welcome home..." you muttered as peter rushed over to you and whispered a "what happened, love?" to you.

you couldn't bring yourself to face him, how could you? you were betraying him and going back on your promise with him to have a beautiful family together, which can never happen anymore because you can't provide him with that luxury. "peter... i'm sorry." you uttered as peter put your hands in his and gazed up at your eyes, which were filling with tears. "i'm not enough... it's... it's my fault we can't be happy..." you murmured as the tears fell and peter shushed you, wrapping his arms around you, kissing and wiping your tears away.

"beloved... what do you mean? that's just not true..." he said as he brushed your hair out of your face. you wiped away at your tears and sobbed out the news to peter. "i can't get pregnant... we can't have... children... i'm sorry, peter..." you choked out through your sobs as peter's face fell as he took in the news. he breathed in deeply, unsure of what to say to assure you, because this hurt him badly, too. though... peter wasn't going to leave you all because he couldn't have a family with you.

he held you closer and kissed your cheek. "my love, it's not your fault. i know we've both dreamed of having our own little ones, but even if we can't have that dream come true... i'd want nothing more than to at least have you in my life. you are the sweetest dream i've ever dreamt of, my perfect woman, and you... you made all my dreams come true already by letting me be yours." he said as he kissed the crown of your head and caressed your arms. you cried even more at his confession, asking him in broken cries if he means it, to which he nodded and kissed your lips that were being stained with your tears. "i promise." he said as he leaned his forehead against yours.

even if you couldn't fulfil his dream of fatherhood, you've already fulfilled all his other dreams, dreams he believed were impossible to attain before you married him and settled in with him, making all his dreams come true already.

tags !! @thecoolerdor @miguelswifey04 @sabcandoit @binibinileonara @luvstarrstruck @k4tsu3 @thee-fantastic-mrfox @fiannee @arachnoia @ophanimgold

[hauntedaugust]

Gojo x reader

WC: 795

Summary: medieval au, soldier Gojo is just following orders, it's not his fault you get caught up in them.

A/N: I genuinely don't know why I started writing this, but I'm not mad that I was convinced to finish it. I'm considering a part two as it was originally supposed to be a reincarnation au, but if I did that it probably wouldn't be for a while. Also unintentionally implied fem reader

Part 2

_________________________

His eyes seem less intense when they are bathed in the warm light of sunset,

His laugh carries further when taken away by the gentle breeze,

And the expanse of the field makes me almost believe that if I can run fast enough, I may escape his loving arms, although every other time I thought that has ended in my being tackled into the soft grass.

Far from our homes, I can believe his stories, the words he weaves into fantastical tales, all of which feature characters comparable to us, although he denies that there's any correlation between our love and the love of those in his stories.

In a perfect world, his narrative would be true.

In a perfect world, he would not have to sneak away from his guard duty and I would not feign sickness to have even a few seconds of his time.

In a perfect world, we would not have been born into enemy kingdoms. He would call me his and I would do the same. He would gift me his surname as a pledge of devout loyalty and as a promise of protection.

But the best he can give me is fairytales. As vibrant and colourful as the centuries of spilled blood that keep us apart.

I dare not fall asleep in his arms, although his steady heartbeat lulls me. I dare not dream that his stories come true. I dare not hope that in another life, he could be mine.

“One day,” he spoke, his voice a mere murmur in the ambiance of the forest, “one day I will be strong enough to love you the way you deserve to be loved. I will protect you with everything that I am, you will be warmed by the fire in our hearth that I built myself and I will never let you sleep alone.”

And just once, I dare to dream.

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

I am ripped from my dreams by screaming, by men shouting and alarm bells echoing through the night. My town is fully ablaze, the light of the fire illuminating the destruction that's been done, it highlights the haphazardly donned armor on our severely underprepared soldiers,

if you can even call them that.

Farmers, doctors, and boys, who speak about the honor of protecting your home, barely old enough to comprehend what honor means.

And now their blood waters the daisies on the side of the road.

I tried so hard to move, to do something, to help in some way, but between the heat of the fire, the screaming toddler, and the shock in my body, I thought only of how much the daises needed watering in this drought.

In my daze, I barely noticed the pain in my side as a soldier's blade caught me.

I pulled my hand away from my side as the soldier who stabbed me ran. and as I rip my eyes away from my own blood, I find myself staring into the eyes of the only man I have loved.

His eyes seem more intense when they are bathed in the warm light of blazing inferno,

His voice is weak when compared to the cacophony around us.

And the expanse between us makes me almost believe that if I can run fast enough, I may escape his arms, although this time I may end up being tackled into the solid cobblestone.

The more he spoke, the less I heard. His panicked voice faded fast along with my vision.

I soon found myself plummeting to the ground, I would have hit it had his arms not surrounded me as they had done so many times before.

As I looked at him he stilled like a deer caught unaware. His eyes wide and hands shaking as he kneeled next to me. His usual tenacity and unbridled confidence seemed to evaporate under the heat of my gaze.

And for once this loquacious storyteller was at a loss for words.

It was only when my breaths started coming in short, frequent, gasps did he seem to realize the severity of this situation. He only regained his voice when I lost mine.

Over and over again he repeated the same things, apologies and regrets pouring out of his lips faster than the blood poured from my wound.

And through the chaos and clamor, I heard his voice clear as the night sky we had met under all those years ago, “In some lifetime, I will be strong enough to love you the way you deserve to be loved. I will protect you with everything that I am, you will be warmed by a fire made not for destruction but protection and I will never let you sleep alone.”

And for a second time, I dared to dream.

[abbygrabska]

Treason for @artistically-unique-girl

Requested: yes

Request: The Reader and the Doctor have known each other since his 9th face, but he's still getting used to her little quirks (at least this face is). So during an adventure to a new planet the two end up in a bind because the ruler/leader of the planet wants to kill the Reader because of something she did (like she normally does) that was offensive to the people of the planet (maybe reject some food or avoid a hug) and as the Doctor is coming up with a plan to save her he realizes why he can't afford to lose her. Once he rescues the Reader he lets it slip how much he loves her while promising not to let that happen again. And then they kiss(/j though if you want to end it on a kiss that's fine, just do whatever feels and flows best)

The Doctor looks distraught.

You are crying out in fear as the aliens drag you away.

“What do you mean she’s going to be executed?” He yells at the three-headed leader.

“The female rejected physical contact from a senator. That is treason.” They explain.

“That’s not her fault, she didn’t know! She has a condition that causes her distress with physical contact!”

“It matters not, the senator is furious, he demanded it. It is out of our hands.” They apologize, “The most we can do is give her a trial by combat against the beast.”

Tears well up in his eyes, he doesn’t let them fall as he is escorted to the dungeon.

You are curled up in the corner of your cell, sobbing loudly, crying out for him.

His hearts break at the sound, he looks at the guards, “Can you give us a moment?”

They look at each other before stepping into the stairway.

He steps closer to the bars separating you from him.

You look up, expecting the worst, but it’s him.

“Doctor!” You crawl towards him, “Please tell me you can get me out of here!” You reach for the bars, only to be shocked back.

He swallows, “They can’t let you out. They said the most they can offer you is a trial by combat with the beast.”

“A beast?” You whimper.

“Don’t worry, I’ll think of something so you don’t have to fight.” He promises.

You nod, worry ebbing away a little.

A few hours later, you are let out of the dungeon, and shoved into an arena of some sort, then the gate slams shut behind you

There is a gate on the other side where growling and barking can be heard from the other side.

You tremble a little at the sounds.

The gate behind you opens once more, you turn around.

It’s the Doctor, he is thrown in.

“What did you do?” You groan.

“Something stupid.” He grins before becoming serious, “I didn’t want you to face this alone.”

You smile at him, gratefully.

The leader speaks into a megaphone, “People of Sutervit, these two have committed treason against the Senator of Scillium by rejecting physical contact and eating acerant like a blaxutato.” The leftmost head of the leader faux gags at the last statement.

You look at him confused, “What the hell are those things he just said?”

He leans in to whisper, “It’s like if you were to eat a tomato like an apple.”

You faux retch, “Of course that’s treason, it’s disturbing.” He simply grins.

The leader speaks again, “For their freedom, they must defeat the beast.”

There are excited cheers from the crowd.

“They will use only what is on them, and left in the arena from the dead.”

The gate starts to lift, “And now, the felons will face the beast!”

It opens and everyone goes silent. A bark echoes through the space as a three-headed dog runs out into the arena toward you.

You gasp, kneeling on the ground and opening your arms wide.

The dog jumps into your arms, knocking you over and slobbering all over your face.

You squeal, “Oh, who’s a good puppy?!” The dog licks your face.

The crowd murmurs in wonder.

The Doctor looks on in confusion, turning to the leader, “It’s a dog?”

“That beast has torn thousands of our worst criminals to shreds!” They shout, “The slobber is deadly to our kind.”

You sit up in the dirt, petting the two outer heads and giving kisses to the middle head.

The Doctor crouches down to your left, joining in with petting the dog, “Hello there!”

The middle head barks.

“You like y/n? I do too.”

The left head sniffs the Doctor, barking again.

“You can smell it on me?”

The left head barks.

“Oh, I’d love to, just have to ask.” The Doctor turns to you, “He asked if we could take him with us. What’d you think?”

You nod vigorously, “Of course, he can.”

He stands, addressing the crowd, “We have tamed the beast!” He faces the leader, “If it’s alright with you, could we actually take him with us?”

“You want to take the beast?” They ask incredulously, “Whatever for?”

“Well, he never gets to play like that because everyone is scared of him, he wants to come with us.”

“Well, this has never happened before.” The three heads talk to each other quietly, “You may go free, and you are allowed to take the beast with you. I suppose we shall have to come up with a better crime for future criminals.”

The Doctor offers a hand to you, you take it and he pulls you up.

You turn to the dog, “Hear that boy? You’re coming with us!”

He wags his tail barking happily.

The three of you make your way back to the Tardis, the Doctor trailing behind you slightly.

He watches you converse with the dog, now named Cerberus.

You open the door to the Tardis, motioning for Cerberus to step inside, “It’s okay Cerby, the Tardis is super friendly. She’s gonna love you!”

Cerberus takes a step inside and starts sniffing everything.

The Tardis hmms and lights up.

You follow Cerberus inside and talk excitedly, “Oh, Cerby she likes you! I knew she would. You can sleep in my bed every night! We can cuddle all the time, play fetch, and go to the park whenever you want!”

He watches you adoringly from the doorway.

You turn to look at him, before noticing the way he’s staring at you.

“What?” You ask, “Is there something on my face?”

He seemingly snaps out of a daze, “No, nothing on your face. I was just admiring you.”

You look at him funny, “Okay.”

He walks toward you, closing the doors behind him, “Can I hold you?”

You nod slowly.

He wraps his arms around you, burying his face in your neck, whispering something you can’t hear.

The Tardis makes a noise and Cerberus barks at him.

He lifts his head and glares at them both, pulling away from you, “Okay, fine!”

He looks at you, straight into your eyes, “I love you.”

Your heart races, “What?”

“I love you.” He says, “That’s why I told you I didn’t want you to face the beast alone. I can’t lose you, because it would be as bad as losing the Tardis. I wouldn’t be who I am without you.”

You step closer to him, and wrap your arms around him, resting your forehead against his, “I love you too.”

He smiles widely, bringing his hands to your waist, “Can I kiss you?”

You nod, leaning in.

His lips press against yours, holding you gently.

[sl-newsie]

Behind Masks (Dr. Jonathon Crane x OC) Ch. 1: Introductions

“You can’t keep me here! I demand a lawyer! I am an associate of the Hell’s Gate Psychiatric Institution and will not tolerate this denial of justice!”

The security guard bangs his baton against the bars again. “Quiet, Prentiss! You’re lucky you get your own cell. Or would you rather have to share?”

My gaze throws daggers. “I’ll have you know that I am perfectly sane and do not belong in this asylum. I will not cooperate until I speak to a lawyer.”

“That’s too bad,” the guard taunts. “‘Cause I got strict orders not to allow you any visitors.”

I gawk at his idiotic face. “On whose authority?”

“You’ll meet him once his current session is over,” he says as he walks down the hall away from my cell. "I think it’s with Croc if I’m not mistaken.”

Croc? As in Killer Croc? God, why didn’t I just play the game? Why did I have to go beyond my jurisdiction? I already knew Gotham was a rigged and twisted system the second I got here. I’ve gone from a respected psychiatrist to the very type of person I’m supposed to be above. Now all I have to my name is an orange jumpsuit, a pair of cheap sneakers, a toothbrush, and a small copy of the Bible. 

How long have I been waiting? There’s no clock, no windows. No clue to anything happening outside. All I see are beige hallways spanned into a webbed labyrinth that’s meant to keep patients from escaping. Keep me from escaping.

Thud-thud. Thud-thud.

Muffled footsteps echo down through the hall, potentially signaling my approaching contact. At first my heart soars at the hope of finally talking to someone in authority who can get me out; yet as the footsteps grow louder there’s something about them that sends a chill down my spine. It can’t be him. God, I hope it’s not him-

It’s him.

I’ve heard rumors of the dark secrets that go on at Arkham. Crackheads slicing open arteries, schizophrenics keeping doctors up for days on end. One that always highlights itself above the rest is the Scarecrow. And he just opened my cell door.

What I notice first is the eyes. Cold, icy-blue eyes so full of curiosity yet still impassive. Those cold and calculating eyes stare straight through and scan me. It’s a silent battle of how hard his stare can press until I break. I also see how he’s managed to keep his job. One might say he’s handsome but I know better. Just because you were a clean suit does not mean your soul is spotless. He may be able to charm his way into Arkham but I’ll never give in.

“Good afternoon, Ms…?”

The voice doesn’t help either. He does it well. Calm, soft, and smooth. Typical therapist nonsense I see in my line of work every day. Let’s see if I can win this game.

“You should have access to my file, sir. Introductions should not be necessary.”

The man’s eyebrows raise in response to my equally calm tone. Keep the voice calm, keep the eyes alert. I need to discreetly establish dominance in this conversation in order to gain leverage.

“I do have your file. But I prefer personal introductions with my patients.” The man sets a briefcase on the nearby table and takes a seat, then gestures for me to join him. “No need to hide. I’m here to help.”

Straight to the point I see. No use trying to beat around the bush. I step away from the corner I’m leaning against but refuse to sit down.

“There was a mistake.”

The man frowns and pulls out a pad to start taking notes. “What do you mean?”

He wants me to talk, so I will. “I mean I’m not supposed to be here. Someone paid off the judge to have me locked up, and the judge has had it out for me ever since I dug up his affair with the mayor’s wife.”

This intrigues the therapist as he jots down more notes, still looking up to keep his eyes piercing into me. “Are you a reporter?”

“Far from it. I am- was a psychiatrist in Metropolis. I was called to Gotham to help the mayor’s son. No one else was willing to work here.”

“And you are?” He asks with slight surprise though he tries to hide it.

“Metropolis can only take my curiosity so far,” I mutter. “Gotham is unique.”

More scribbling. I must say he’s much more organized than other professionals I’ve worked with. All the more reason to be concerned with the outcome of this conversation.

“I’m going to ask you some questions to start forming your profile.” Crane turns over an hourglass and clicks his pen open.

Basic protocol. There’s no way I’m giving him everything. Thankfully I’ve learned to avoid the telltale signs of lying.

“Full name?”

“Calico Marie Prentiss.”

“Pretty. Family name, I presume?”

Trying to soften me up and dig into my family history. “My father likes unique names, my mother prefers traditional ones. So they compromised.” Use present tense.

“How is your relationship with your family?” the man asks softly.

He has my family history. My job required me to keep an updated profile on personal matters to validate my own mental health. In other words just an excuse for the bored guys at the top to snoop.

“Currently undecided.” They’re dead. What else am I supposed to say?

“Ms. Prentiss, your parents-”

“With all due respect, sir, can we move things along and save that topic for later?” Just get to the part when I can get out of here!

My stern request doesn’t seem to faze the man. “Do you have supportive people in your life?”

Trying to bring me down by addressing empathy links. “People, no. I have other methods of support. And before you ask, I have never done drugs.”

He nods. “Current relationship status?”

This trips my mind a bit. Must be a new questionnaire protocol? 

“Single,” I enunciate in a cold voice.

“Interesting…” More scribbling. Jesus, is he writing a book about me? “Normally people like you are either engaged, married, or divorced. Very rarely do I see any single psychiatrists. Attractive, smart, rich. Very appealing characteristics for a relationship, don’t you think?”

Hm. He asked a question that isn’t based on my profile. Is this for genuine curiosity or a topic of interest for him? After a few seconds of silence go by he continues.

“Your toxicology screening came back clean, as you mentioned before. How many partners have you encountered?”

The question rings in my ear and for an instant my mask slips, but I’m quick to recover.

“None.”

Once again the therapist is surprised. “Catholic, are we?”

“I have my morals. I’m too busy to be worrying about sex, sir. My job comes first.”

More scribbling. God, how much longer?

“Are you having suicidal thoughts right now, or have you had suicidal thoughts within the past month?”

If this questioning goes any longer I may consider it.

“No.”

“Are you having homicidal thoughts, or have you had homicidal thoughts in the past month?”

“Never.”

“How do you cope with stress?”

“Exercise and hard rock. You should try it sometime.” I’m starting to lose my patience and I have to take a slow breath. This is just what he wants. Calm down.

The man hums. “What are some of your strengths?”

“I’m punctual and have a traditional mindset. This tends to drive away disagreeing parties, which is why I’m here.” I step closer and place my hands on the table to face him directly. “You are a head staff member here whether it’s morally correct or not. All I ask is to please allow me to speak to a lawyer, or at least a transfer to Gotham Penitentiary. I am not insane.”

“Morally correct…” he lingers on the thought and tilts his head. “Why would you say that, Ms. Prentiss?”

Just as I thought before, no use beating around the bush.

“I know who you are. Jonathan Crane, a former professor of psychology who’s obsessed with fear. Now you work here experimenting on patients behind the warden’s back.”

Crane’s eyes spark at the mention of fear. Must be a trigger word, perhaps for old memories. “Are you sure you’re not a reporter?” he asks, still in the same soft tone.

I shake my head. “Just a woman who’s not afraid to step on any toes.”

“Ah.” Crane stands up slowly and rummages through his briefcase. After tucking away his notes he looks up with a look that makes my blood run cold. 

“Would you like to see my mask?”

[dontgiveadonald]

Enough is Enough — a self para

featuring @dontgiveadonald & @deweydewdrop

"Dewey?"

Upon answering the phone, Donald could hardly hear from the other end as there were so many different noises in the background. He didn’t know where the triplet was, but he swore he heard sirens. Huey had been home, but the other two were gone, along with Webby. Well, they were adults; Donald didn’t have to keep constant tabs on them anymore, even if deep down he was more at ease when he knew they were all safe. Standing in the hallway of the manor, phone against his ear, he repeated Dewey’s name again until he finally made out his voice amongst the other noise.

“Uncle Donald.. We need you to meet us at the hospital..”

Eyes widening, Donald could only think of the worst with so little context. The sound of the sirens seemed to echo in his head now, already scrambling for his keys and still holding his phone to his ear. “Dewey, what happened? What is it?”

Dewey knew he couldn’t lie his way out of it anymore, and he knew he was toast as soon as Uncle Donald got the whole story. This was beyond any sort of mistake the middle triplet has ever made before, but he didn’t want Donald to flip out before he even got there. He let out a shaky breath, “It’s Louie .. He’s really hurt.”

That was enough for Donald to immediately hang up and rush to the hospital. He forgot to even let anyone else at home know, only thinking about how his worst fear had finally come true: one of his boys was hurt. He was frantic, passing through stop signs and going well over the speed limit along the way. He’d managed to get ahold of Daisy, despite that they weren’t together currently and she was busy at the ridiculous wedding that Donald felt Daisy had no place at to begin with. That fight had been the last they had, though he needed to brush that to the side to make sure that Daisy came for Louie. Together or not, Daisy was the boys’ aunt and needed to be there.

His parking was awfully crooked as he pulled into a space carelessly, almost leaving his keys in the ignition as he rushed inside. The first thing he noticed in the waiting room was Dewey and Webby sitting far apart from each other, both avoiding each other’s gazes and obviously upset. Before he went to either of them, he needed to hear confirmation from the doctors themselves what was going on, but boy was that difficult.. Donald was in such a panic that the staff was struggling to understand him, growing more and more frustrated as he demanded answers about his nephew. 

Once he was able to coherently communicate with the doctors and other hospital staff, Donald was left in a state of shock. They had no choice but to amputate Louie’s leg .. A majority of the other information Donald could hardly keep up with. His ears were ringing, unable to listen as he could only try to understand how this happened.

“Excuse me,” Donald stopped the doctor mid sentence, feeling himself growing more upset and not wanting to cause a scene, at least not toward the person who just saved his nephew’s life. Whatever happened from here, all that mattered was that Louie was alive. But that didn’t mean Donald wouldn’t be getting to the bottom of this.

As he stepped away, turning back toward the waiting room, he noticed that Huey was there now, pacing back and forth. What stood out to Donald the most was how much closer Huey was to Webby; it was Dewey that was singled-out, sitting completely alone with his head in his hands. Dewey had even been the one to call Donald first.. The uncle went straight toward him, putting a hand on his shoulder to get his attention from where he sat.

Eyes red from tears, Dewey looked up at Donald, feeling sick to his stomach as he knew what was about to come. He was going to have to fess up to his uncle for all that he did wrong .. and he wasn’t sure he’d come out of the conversation alive.

“Let’s talk outside,” Donald said, nodding toward the exit of the hospital. It came off as a suggestion, keeping his cool as he saw the tears in Dewey’s eyes, along with a few cuts and scrapes on his face, but he wouldn’t take no for an answer from him. He had to stay calm and sympathetic considering the circumstances, but he was also moments away from completely losing it. Even without knowing the details, Donald already knew it wouldn’t be good. Not when whatever details he was missing resulted in this.

Holding out his hand after Dewey stayed silent, Donald helped his nephew up to lead him outside the hospital. There were gloomy clouds above their heads in the sky, an icy evening chill welcoming them as they no longer stood inside the warmth of the waiting room. Dewey crossed his arms over his chest as he was met with the cold, sniffling as he mentally prepared for Donald’s wrath.

“I’m not going to get mad unless I have to,” Donald began without hesitation, the anticipation driving him more and more insane with every passing moment. He let out a shaky breath. “Tell me what happened, because from my understanding, somehow you three ended up at a hotel that was bombed.. I’m trying to wrap my head around how and why. Can you fill me in?”

Dewey nodded his head, though he didn’t meet his uncle’s gaze, taking a deep breath in and out. “Well …. Webby and I, we’ve been …. Doing some research and we might’ve been …. We’ve been looking for Mom.”

Donald’s stomach immediately turned to knots as he heard this, and suddenly little details clicked into place. The hotel, the portal, Della’s note. The kids were at the hotel .. Donald blinked in disbelief. “What?” He had so many other questions, but that was all he could manage for now, because he was trying to make sense of it. He knew from the very beginning that Dewey was the most like Della, and was the one most interested in her after all these years, but he had never said anything to make Donald think … and what about the other two? Did they have any part of this ridiculous secret research?

“We found the note, and we wanted to see the portal for ourselves, but Louie ended up tagging along, he had no idea,” Dewey began to spill everything, like word vomit. “I made Webby keep it a secret, I didn’t want anyone to make us stop looking for her, and I know it was stupid. I'm sorry..” Tears fell down Dewey’s cheeks, uncrossing his arms to use his hands and attempting to dry his cheeks. There was no point when he had no plans to stop crying anytime soon though. He’d done all of this. He ruined his brother’s life, and probably the rest of his family’s lives with it.

Donald’s silence was deafening, inhaling and exhaling in order to suppress his anger the best he could. He couldn’t believe this was actually happening. Donald had worked so hard their entire lives to protect the boys, to make sure they didn’t get hurt or lost like his twin sister had, and yet somehow, Dewey was following in the exact same path as Della. Even without knowing her at all, they were exactly like each other, in the worst way possible. 

Donald wanted to scream. He wanted to find Della right then and curse at her for putting him through this. For putting all of them through this. Scrooge, the triplets, but especially him. He could never escape the emptiness of losing his twin sister, because he had to see her sons every single day after raising them, and now he was facing the worst of her through Dewey’s actions. Because of her. 

If he couldn’t scream at Della, it unfortunately had to be Dewey that heard his wrath.

“I’m glad you already know it was stupid, but do I need to emphasize how fucking stupid this was?” Donald began, staring daggers into the younger boy. He never thought he’d have to get onto his boys like this as grown adults. He thought they would know better than this. Donald couldn’t help but wonder if he did something wrong, if he didn’t raise them right and this was the result. Suddenly, he was questioning everything. 

After Dewey shook his head silently, Donald continued, his voice rising in anger. “I would’ve thought that you understood how painful it is that your mom is gone, that she disappeared because she couldn’t resist an adventure, and what did you do? Followed her blindly to the portal? Did you even think of what would happen after that?”

Despite that Dewey knew he was right, there was still something so bothersome about the whole thing. Why was Dewey the only one who wanted to find Della? Not even her own twin brother cared? He crossed his arms again, cheeks red from his tears and the icy breeze. “Doesn’t anyone else want to find her? Doesn’t anyone else care? I know I shouldn’t have done it, but she’s my mom.. I wanted to bring her back home.”

Goddammit. Donald’s guilt had always lingered about this, from sheltering the boys so much when it came to their mom. Donald and Scrooge didn’t want to put them through the heartache of the truth, didn’t want to have to retell it themselves and hurt all over again, so they never talked about it. Della became an unspoken entity in their family, and now Donald was facing the consequences to that. If they had been honest from the beginning, would they have ended up here?

“Of course I care, that’s my sister. I want her back too,” he answered, tone still angry despite the sadness in his words. “The problem isn’t that you want to find her, Dewey, it’s that you lied, and you put your family in danger while doing it. Put yourself in danger. And now your brother lost a leg—”

A sob escaped Dewey’s lips, but Donald kept going, “ —You should see the mistakes Della has made and learn from them, not follow in her footsteps and do the same, unless you intentionally want to hurt your family. If that was your goal, then congrats, you really did that,” Donald scoffed, shaking his head in disbelief again. “Whatever plans you had of looking for her? Are done. You crossed a line and now I have no choice, I’m shutting it all down.”

Dewey was still sobbing. Donald wanted to break down too, but his anger kept him from doing so. But boy was he hurt. Neither of them had even noticed that Daisy was standing nearby in the parking lot, having arrived in the middle of Donald’s rant and witnessing some of it from a distance. Donald turned around and cursed loudly in frustration.

[kilannad]

As the Stars Burn On Chapter 17

Ao3. Masterlist.

Wake up?

Her mother’s body was cold. She clutched a Golden Key in her hands, the blue symbol glowing and glowing, but no one came. She was alone.

Father hadn’t come in for hours. The doctor left yesterday. She was alone.

She kept pushing the magic into the Key. She could open the Gate, she knew she could. Mother had shown her how. No one came. She was alone.

Her mother’s body was cold. Father was gone. 

She pushed more magic into the Key. It glowed, lighting up like the thousand stars in the sky. No one came.

Lucy’s mother was dead. Her father had left. Her friend wouldn’t come. 

She

was

a

  l 

    o 

      n 

          e 

☉

The wind howled outside, the morning dark and heavy, sky bulbous with clouds. The Merry shook with every cresting wave, bobbing at her mooring as her crew took no notice of the weather, too busy inside. Some of them were, at least.

“They won't wake up.”

“Chopper, are they okay?”

“I-I don't know-”

“What do you mean you don't know?! This is your job-”

“Enough.” Zoro's voice echoed in the tight space of the women's quarters, and everyone fell silent. His jaw was clenched tight, teeth audibly grinding. Small and curled around Gajeel's head, Pantherlily spoke up.

“Zoro is right. We need to all calm down.” Chopper took big gulps of air, eyes glistening as he darted from sleeping form to sleeping form. Usopp and Nami pressed themselves against the wall, clutching each other tightly. The five of them were the only ones awake; the other six had been brought in and laid out in the women's room—Lucy and Robin on the bed, Sanji on the couch, Gajeel and Laxus on the ground—so that Chopper could examine them all at once. Lily kept his tail wrapped over Gajeel's throat, the heavy beating of his heart the only thing keeping the panic at bay. They would be fine, he knew. They were all strong; the crew just needed to figure out what caused this and they'd be okay. “Take your time Chopper. We trust you to know what to do.”

“R-right.” Chopper nodded, eyes focusing as he began taking blood pressure and a myriad of other things Lily didn't understand.

“Who was on watch last night?” Zoro asked.

“I took third,” Usopp announced. He gulped, legs openly shaking. “There was no one, just some wind.”

“Lucy had second,” Nami added. “She came in and went to bed a few hours ago.”

“And I had first,” Lily finished. “Same as Usopp, I saw and heard nothing strange.”

“So what, a sickness?” Nami asked. “A distance-based Devil Fruit? What could cause those six to stay out but not us five?”

“Can't be strength-based,” Lily guessed. “Zoro and I were unaffected.”

“Can't be because they were asleep,” Nami added. “Sanji was already in the kitchen when I found him; he must have been awake when it happened. And we're fine.”

“I'd say metabolism-based,” Chopper muttered distractedly. “But Robin and Sanji don't fit the pattern.”

Lily swallowed, ears pressing down. They could form a hundred and one ven-diagrams comparing aspects of their friends, but Luffy, Lucy, Robin, Sanji, Laxus, and Gajeel shared nothing among all six.

“Besides the sleeping, what's wrong?” Zoro asked. Lily was grateful for his even temper; if he hadn't been around to take control and get them all moving, chaos likely would've reigned after Sanji was first found and the crew realized half their numbers weren't waking up.

For a long moment, they all stared at Chopper where he was looking at his notepad. “It...It doesn't make sense.”

“What doesn't?” Nami demanded.

“They're okay,” Chopper started, which immediately loosened some of the tension. “Physically, at least.”

“What does that mean?” Usopp asked.

“Their heart rates are high and they're deeper in REM than anyone I've ever seen, but they're not hurt. It's their cortisol and adrenaline I'm worried about.”

Lily frowns, considering the information. “Are they...dreaming?”

Chopper bit his lip, staring helplessly down at their sleeping friends. “I think...” He sniffled, looking up at them all with huge watering eyes. “I think they're having nightmares. And they can't wake up.”

☉

There were flames all around her, the entire island echoing with canon fire and screams. Robin sobbed, reaching out, desperate to get to her mother. Olvia lay bleeding on the ground, panting up and scowling with burning hatred towards Aokiji. He didn't seem to care, the cold, giant corpse of Saul towering above them all. The ice kept Robin still, her feet numb with cold where she was stuck to the ground. Eight years old and she couldn't do anything; eight years old and everyone was already dead.

The Tree of Knowledge was a pile of cinders, the books lost in the inferno. Clover was dead, body already cold. He was just one of many; Luffy was bloody and burned, chest gaping open; Laxus had been barbequed by his own magic overload, nothing but a crisp corpse. Each one of her friends, dead and gone all around her. And all Robin could do was watch as her mother joined them.

Again.

And again.

☉

“Nightmares?” Lily asked. “You think sleep magic is involved?”

“Not sure about the magic part,” Nami muttered. “But we've heard of weirder. There has to be a Devil Fruit user right? We find them, kick their ass, then the crew wakes up.”

“In theory,” Chopper agreed. “Devil Fruit is the only explanation that I have.”

“What happens if we don't wake them up?” Usopp whispered. “There's no telling if the user is on the island—even then the place is huge and we don't know it well. What happens if...”

“Doesn't matter,” Zoro countered. “If we need to find whoever did this to wake the others up, then that's what we'll do.”

“Zoro's right,” Lily agreed. He'd done a few jobs with Gajeel where sleep magic had been used and it often had consequences. “But how long do we have before...before.”

“It's just a little sleep,” Zoro muttered. “The damn cook is probably in some brothel.”

“No,” Chopper cut in. “No, with these levels of cortisol, their heartbeats are starting to get faster. Too much adrenaline is bad for the body.”

“What happens if they have too much for too long?” Nami asked. “Muscle spasms?”

“To start. But after that...” Chopper swallowed hard. “If we can't get them awake in four or so hours, I don't think they'll make it.”

☉

Sanji curled into a ball, pressing his back against the wall. The metal of his mask was digging into his face, the cold seeping deeply into his bones. He tugged at his roots, desperate to make it stop, to make everything stop. Somewhere, he could hear his brothers laughing as someone else wept. Reiju's footsteps echoed in the dungeons as she left him there, alone and forgotten. All he wanted was to disappear, to never be seen again.

“What a waste,” Judge spat. Sanji didn't see the kick coming, the pain in his ribs was sudden and burning. He cried out, stone digging into his bruises, old and new, as he landed hard on his side. “You're weak. Useless. You killed your mother with your failures.”

“No,” Sanji croaked. No, never that. Sora was beautiful and lively and brave. She was everything a son could ever want in a mother; Sanji would never hurt her. Never.

“Yes,” Judge repeated. He stomped forward and no matter how hard he tried, Sanji couldn't move away. He was too hurt, too weak for it. “Yes. You killed her. You're nothing but a defective soldier, too stupid to follow orders, too weak to kill.”

Sanji wanted to deny it. It was a lie, it had to be a lie. Mother was alive and strong and she'd turn the corner any second and take Sanji far away from here, like her whispered promises. They'd disappear and never see Judge again.

It was a lie.

With every spat word, with every harsh hit, with every weakness spelled out and laid bare in that cold, dark cell, Sanji doubted it a little more.

☉

“Hours?” Usopp whispered, then, louder; “Hours? No way. Luffy and the others are stronger than that.”

“T-there's some wiggle room,” Chopper stuttered, huffing big breaths. “Luffy's Devil Fruit might buy him some time and I still don't understand the full limits of a slayer's body, but the longer they're in there, the more stress they're put through.”

“I heard once,” Nami breathed, “That you could die of fear. I thought it was a myth.”

Outside, thunder boomed and Lily jumped with the sound. The sky opened up into a torrent, the rain creating a cacophony against the deck. He curled himself closer around Gajeel, drawing strength from the warmth of his body. Back home, whenever Magnolia had a thunderstorm, Gajeel would play his guitar to drown it out. While his singing certainly left some things to be desired, Lily had discovered that in his calmer moments, Gajeel was actually decent with instruments. It was an old habit now, and one that Lily looked on fondly. The abrupt lack of it made his fur stand on end, heart in his throat.

Underneath his tail, Gajeel's heartbeat sped up into a heavy, drumming beat.

“So we start searching,” Lily said. “Chopper stays here to watch over them and do what he can. The rest of us will split up and start moving through the area. There's no forest on the island, just the town and some rocklands.”

“And the mountain,” Nami pointed out. She frowned, pulling out raincoats where they were kept in a sturdy chest. “Lily, can you fly in rain?”

Thunder echoed with a crack, the ship starting to teeter in the pushing waves. He swallowed down the fear, nodding shakily. For Gajeel, he could do it.

“Okay,” Nami decided. “Lily will check the mountain from the air. I'll take the city. Zoro and Usopp, you two split up and start searching the rocks.”

Usopp gulped, legs shaking, but didn't complain. As they all started heading for the deck, Lily could just make out him murmuring under his breath, “I do what I can, and that's enough. I am the Sniper of the Straw Hat Pirates.”

The group split up quickly, a silent countdown echoing through the ship. Half the members were down, the weather was a thick tempest, and somewhere there might be a Devil Fruit user. Summoning his wings, already soaked and shaking from cold and fear, Lily worried that the enemy might have been someone in G-8, or even at sea. He dared not say it—if they couldn't find the ones responsible, then they had no hope.

☉

Luffy ran through the trash heaps of Gray Terminal. He couldn't breathe, lungs tight and rough, throat scratchy from all the smoke. The sky, distant and smog-filled, was lit an ugly orange from all the flames. He'd gotten separated from his crew and he couldn't find his brothers. There was something important happening, he knew, but he couldn't remember what.

He had to find Sabo. Luffy knew it, but he couldn't remember why.

The fire climbed higher, as tall as Gramps and Dadan, and then even taller.

☉

Usopp skittered over slick rocks, the craggy landscape having turned death trap. He knew, mentally, that it was midmorning and the sun was likely high in the sky; it meant nothing to him now. The storm clouds were thick enough to support Skypiea, blocking all but the grayest, weakest light. The ocean was a furious black maelstrom far to his right. With his goggles useless in the rain, Usopp was left squinting his way forward, scanning the horizon for any suspicious figures.

The black-sand beach had faded into a mess of overlapping stones, sharp drop-offs, and petrified air bubbles. Everything was tilted sideways, like a landslide waiting to happen, and Usopp had to scramble on all fours sometimes to keep himself going.

As dark and cold as it was, he didn't slow down. The strange, frozen visage of his crewmates kept flashing in his mind each time he blinked, Chopper's prognosis haunting each step. Luffy was never meant to lay still; quiet and tightly wound. And if Laxus was taken down, then Usopp didn't know what he could do to help. He didn't understand what had made those six fall victim and not the rest of the crew. He was the weakest, so why was it left up to him to help the others?

Usopp crested over a teetering stack of stones, scanning the shadowed landscape. Something moved to his left, and he whipped around. It sent the stones beneath him skittering, leaving him to fall to the next layer of hard rocks. He landed poorly, his ribs groaning with the hit; it likely saved his life.

A bang echoed in the air, to most likely lost in the storm; for Usopp, he'd always know the sound of a sniper firing. Above his head, where he'd been standing only moments before, he saw the sharp trail of wind that followed a well-made bullet.

Slowly, careful to keep his body hidden, he peaked his head around the corner.

He yanked back quickly, a bullet bouncing off the sharp stone, leaving a deep groove. Usopp pressed himself down, staying very still as he scanned his surroundings. He was on a slight cropping of rocks that floated over a dip in the island; he could probably slide down and disappear into the maze of stones. Zoro was somewhere around here, so Usopp could get him to help. Better to finish this quickly and help the others.

A small pebble falls down as he shifts, bouncing twice before coming to a stop. It wasn't any bigger than the beans he used to use as ammo back on Syrup. For some reason, it reminded him of all the times he'd announced himself as the Great Captain Usopp; he wasn't though. He wasn't a captain, not really—he wouldn't even call himself great. He was a sniper.

“Not just a sniper,” he whispered to himself. He pulled out his old slingshot, the upgrade not yet complete. It was a familiar rough wood beneath his finger, melded over long years to his hands. He was low on ammo, having been experimenting over the last two days, but he had enough. “I am the sniper of the Straw Hat Pirates,” he told himself. “And we don't lose.”

He fumbled around in his bag, pulling out an older bandana and placing it on the handle of his fake hammer. He held it up over his cover, and near instantly a bullet shot through it. Usopp flinched, then grinned. No way to hide the direction a bullet came from.

Slowly, to minimize movement and sound, Usopp slid down and skittered to another large stack of rocks. He poked his head out, breathing a sigh when he didn't immediately die. Pulling down his goggles, he kept a hand over them to guard against the raging storm. It didn't take him long to find his enemy.

About seventy yards away, wearing grays and blacks that made him nearly invisible, a thin man was tucked between several jagged stones slightly up an incline. It was the greatest sniper nest you could hope for given the territory; only a sliver of his forehead was visible, the rest of his face hidden behind the large scope and long barrel of his rifle. From Usopp's position, none of his simple pellets would work and he had no explosives on him. It left him with only one option.

Usopp pulled out an oblong ball, made of Gajeel's black iron. They'd been using it to test weight stressors, but it'd work for his purposes. He loaded it, holding a second, different star in his hand.

One breath, two, slowing his heart down the way he always did. He ran through the steps he had to take in his head, and plotted out the trajectory. The wind was blowing strong to the west, the water would slow down the shot.

In one movement, swifter than the lightning that cracked the sky, Usopp sat up, pulled back his slingshot, and fired the first star. He didn't wait to see it land, trusting that his aim was true; the next moment he was firing again.

The first, heavier iron star slammed into the side of the gun, jerking it to the right. The sniper tried to correct immediately, impressively so, but it was already too late. The second shot—a piercing star—slipped through the extra space and buried itself firmly in the enemy's forehead. For a long, drawn-out moment, Usopp just sat there, wet and cold, hands perfectly still even as his knees quaked. Then the sky rumbled and he remembered that he had friends waiting for him.

☉

Chopper finished setting up the last saline line, fretting over the drip as Lucy stayed perfectly still. Her eyes were moving beneath her lids, her breathing deep. Perfectly asleep.

Her heart rate was 145.

Too high, Chopper thought. All of them were too high.

He went to turn away, wondering if there was something in one of his books, but a light caught his eye. Something was glowing underneath Lucy's pillow.

He leaned forward, avoiding stepping on Gajeel's hair, and peeked under. Her Key ring was gently tucked away, one of the Keys—the one that opened the mermaid, he thought—was glowing brightly. Figuring it couldn't hurt, Chopper pulled it out and tucked it under Lucy's hand. She curled her fingers, and for a long second, he thought that maybe she might be waking up. He held his breath, but she continued to sleep, the Key still glowing but no one coming through. Chopper didn't know if it was possible for one of her Spirits to come through on their own, but he'd ask after she woke up.

Because she would. She had to.

☉

Nami paused at a street corner, panting desperately through the rain. The locals apparently thought weather like this was a sign from their god or some such and stayed inside whenever a storm broke. It meant despite being early afternoon, the streets were empty of all life. She hadn't found anything suspicious and no one would open their doors to her. She was at a thorough dead end.

Above her, Lily came spiraling down. She knew instantly that he was at as much of a loss as her; his ears were pressed against his head, his fur sticky against his skin, his nose wrinkled up. Nami knew he was actually an incredibly capable fighter and adult, but she couldn't help holding out her arms for him. He looked so pitiful and it was as much for her comfort as his. He gently landed in her arms and let her press him against her chest; the storm was so loud they had to talk into each other's ears, and it would let up for another few hours.

“I saw nothing up in the mountain,” Lily reported. “What about you?”

“Locals are all stuck inside and won't talk. No one is on the street. I think we should head back to the ship; maybe Zoro or Usopp found something.”

☉

Zoro pressed deeper around the island, scanning rocks and little caverns. A few moles go skittering away from him, but no humans. Not at first, at least. He doesn't stop though; not with his crewmates depending on him. He didn't know who decided to target them, or how this Devil Fruit worked, but he'd be damned if he let them go unpunished.

Eventually, pushing through the rain and wind, Zoro could make out the faintest flicker of light. He drew Wado, stepping lightly closer until he could just make out the form of a stout man sitting with his back to Zoro, poking a fire into blazing. The stranger was tucked between a larger, thinly formed rock outcropping that pierced upward, creating a delicate lean-to that guarded him against the worst of the rain. Zoro didn't bother hiding his steps, a small stone going clacking down the path. The man didn't turn.

“Finally, Jurou. What took you so long? Can't be that hard to check if they're asleep.”

“Pretty hard,” Zoro drawled, “When we're not all asleep.”

The man spun, falling off his seat and scrambling for a short sword laid against a pack a few feet away. Zoro stepped on his hand before it could touch the hilt, leveling Wado at his neck. He wasn't an attractive man by any means, shaking with wide eyes and sweat beading down his fat neck. He was paled skin, with black hair and limpid blue eyes.

“Jurou, you said?” Zoro considered. The bounty hunters of East Blue weren't always well connected—usually not, honestly—but rumors spread even between seas. “I suppose that makes you Shiro. The Obi brothers.”

“Y-you're Roronoa. The Oni. You used to be one of us, so you should understand what it's like to go for a bounty.”

“Oh, I get it,” Zoro agreed blandly. He flipped Wado in his hand, coming down with a pommel strike against Shiro's temple. He fell unconscious easily. “I get that you came after the wrong bounties.”

Zoro left the packs, though he made sure the sword was away from the rain. Hiking Shiro on his shoulders like a sack of potatoes, he began heading for the Merry again. From rumors, Zoro knew Jurou was a sniper, which meant Shiro must be the Devil Fruit user. If knocking him out didn't wake up the crew, then they'd need Shiro alive.

☉

Usopp was glad he stumbled onto Zoro while he was returning. Who knew how long the swordsman might have wandered without Usopp to guide him back to Merry. Nami and Lily had just returned, and they all piled back down into the women's room. Chopper was still hovering over the rest of the crew, and his heart fell when Usopp realized they were all still asleep.

So much for knocking out the fruit user solving their problem.

“Who's this?” Chopper demanded.

“Obi Shiro. He and his brother are a bounty-hunting duo.”

“The brother?” Lily asked.

“Dead,” Usopp announced. Lily and Zoro both raised their brows but nodded in understanding. Usopp was glad they didn't ask for details. He knew, vaguely, that it was possible some of the people he shot wouldn't get back up. But this time it had been very apparent and he was still riding the adrenaline. It wasn't a story he wanted to tell anytime soon.

“I thought if you knocked out a Devil Fruit user their abilities stopped?” Nami asked.

“Not always,” Chopper explained. He trotted over to where Zoro had abruptly dropped the bounty hunter, holding a small vial in his hands. “It depends on the fruit and the user.” He removed the lid from the vial, causing Lily to rear away and cover his nose. Even Usopp could smell the salts from his position across the room.

Shiro sputtered awake, groggy and disoriented. He'd barely realized he was flanked—Zoro on one side, a grown Lily on the other—eyes going wide, before Lily had drawn his sword, the black blade growing and leveling itself at Shiro's neck. He began sweating significantly more.

“I suggest,” Lily growled, “You tell us how to wake up our friends.”

Shiro's eyes darted to behind them, a small grin flitting across his face when he saw the six unconscious bodies. It fell when Wado poked him sharply in the side.

“O-okay! Put the blades away.”

“Talk first,” Zoro ordered. Lily dragged his sword across Shiro's body lightly, causing him to flinch away.

“I don't know how to wake them up!”

“What?!” Chopper shifted into his human point, grabbing Shiro and slamming him against the wall. “Do you know how much stress their bodies are put under?! Are you saying you do this to people and don't know how to reverse it?”

“I-I ate the dream-dream fruit,” Shiro hurried to explain. “Anyone in a specific zone gets sucked into their worse memory turned nightmare. If they can face it, they wake up. Most never do.”

“You're joking,” Nami hissed. “How do you turn in their bounties if they're comatose?”

“The marines don't care,” Shiro spat. “As long as they're peaceful.”

“If it's about fear,” Lily considered, “Why weren't we affected?”

“I don't know,” Shiro admitted. “Maybe you guys don't get afraid?”

The crew turned to face Usopp, who glared at them all but admitted with a groan, “Well, that can't be it.”

“So they have to face their fears to wake up,” Nami summarized. “Is there a way to help them?”

Shiro hesitated, pressing his lips together. Lily drew a thin line of blood, growling low in his chest.

“Okay okay! Keep the sword away! Look, there...might be a way. But I've never done it and it could just as easily kill all of you.”

“What?” Zoro demanded.

“In theory, I can transfer someone else into their dreams—you might be able to interact and help them wake up that way. But if they don't...”

“Then we're dead,” Zoro finished. “Fine. Chopper and Lily; you two stay awake and watch him; he does anything, kill him.”

“Understood,” Lily agreed. “Bring them back, Zoro.”

Usopp gulped heavily, considering. “So, uh, we each go after two of them? Or is it all of us in one.”

“No idea,” Shiro said. He eyed Lily's blade, held up above him in such a way that if Lily fell unconscious, it would go through Shiro's heart. “You guys are seriously nuts if you're wanting to try this.”

“If we weren't nuts we wouldn't be Straw Hats,” Nami pointed out, sitting down while dragging Usopp along. Zoro likewise settled next to Luffy. “Now do it.”

[local-crying-boy]

Success!

Viktor X GN Doctor Reader

GIF by inlovewithquestionablecharacters

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Pairing: Viktor X Gender Neutral Doctor!Reader

Genre: One-Shot, hidden feelings type beat

Warnings: talk of surgery, feeling of suffocation due to stress

Summary: When you and your partner, a Biologist called Noah, finally have a successful lung transplant on a pig in need of a lung, the two of you start screaming of joy. This makes Jayce and Viktor run into your lab, worried that one of you got injured.

Word Count: 904

Both myself and my friend @raccoonville have made our own version of this, since we both really liked the idea. Go check out theirs! Raccoonville's version

——————————————————————————————————

The room had been silent for over ten hours, the silence only breaking ever so often when you asked for equipment. Tension filled the room, it was so much you were sure it was suffocating you. This hadn't been the first attempt at a lung transplant, taking a lung from a pig that died in good health and transporting it to another pig that needed it. Every other one had failed.

However, this one was different, you and Noah had felt it. You both had been so confident in this attempt that you named the pig Ivan. When you agreed on the name you had momentarily wondered if it was a good idea, but you two had quickly discarded the doubt and went on with the name.

In all honesty, you were shocked that Jayce and Viktor hadn't yet came into you and Noah's lab yet. Typically, the time you spent researching always included hours of laughing and joking so loud that Jayce and Viktor could hear you in the other room.

Once you had finished stitching up Ivan, you motioned for Noah to take him off assisted breathing. Then you waited for a few seconds, then a few more, and it felt like an eternity before the pig had taken a breath.

When he took one, then two, then three and continued to take breathes. You turn to your partner and start laughing, then so does he.

"He breathed!" You say, breathlessly laughing, "He's breathing!"

The two of you turn into screaming and laughing messes, words overlapping each other. You hug each other, jumping around in circles.

"Holy shit! We did it!" Noah shouts, one of the sentences that has been repeated who knows how much, "We did it!"

Then, quite loudly - louder than you and Noah -, Jayce flings open the door with a worried look on his face, Viktor behind him with an equally concerned face - mostly for you.

"What happened?" Jayce asks.

You proudly smile and motion to the pig, "We gave this little fellow guy a second chance at life."

Viktor takes a few steps into your lab, "It worked?"

"It worked." You echo.

"With the animal testing a success," Noah starts, "We can move on to trying to help people, the amount of people we can save so many people in the Undercity."

You nod, "We just need to monitor Ivan here and see how long recovery takes, this means that we can truly start improving people from the Undercity lives, not just saying we will - but actually doing it."

Your gaze lingers on Viktor, you want so desperately for him to be impressed with you. You had been working on this for a long time, so long you'd forgotten when you and Noah actually started this project.

—||—|| —||—|| —||—|| —||—||—

The professor was incredibly impressed with the two of you, he had quickly left you to monitor the pig and do further research. Though, you had allowed Noah to get something to eat for the two of you and drinks.

You laid on the floor, hoping that it would get rid of the ache in your back from the hours of standing. You were certain that you could fall asleep on the floor, your eyes were heavy and you could feel your body slowly going numb.

You gained alertness suddenly when you heard someone clearing their throat and a small, confused 'huh'. When you turn your head, you see Viktor, awkwardly standing by the door of your lab, which closes with a soft 'click'.

"Need something?" You ask.

He shakes his head, "Why are you on the floor?"

You shrug and rub your eyes with a hand, "It's comfortable."

You get up and walk to your desk, where you motion towards an untouched cup of coffee.

"I thought I saw Noah go and get drinks for the both of you." Viktor says.

You laugh slightly, "Yeah, they didn't realise that I had a cup. Don't worry I haven't drunk from it and it's still hot."

As he goes to pick up the mug, you turn away and walk to one of the chalk boards in your lab.

"It's fascinating." Viktor says, "Your work."

You smile and turn to him, "Thanks, Viktor. It's all possible because of Noah, he is the one who helped me out, they're the reason this all worked out as it did."

Viktor walks over to you, "Ah, see, you came up with it, then were able to get a lab. Without your efforts, there would be no project."

Your smile gets brighter, whenever Viktor complimented you it always matters more than if Jayce or Noah or even Heimerdinger did.

Though you simply laugh and shake your head, "You're too kind. I don't deserve your compliments."

"You doubt yourself too much."

"You compliment me too much."

He really didn't compliment you on your work too much, in fact, he was too busy with his own work to notice you as you did him. Though, you never knew how to react to getting complements apart from dismissing them and moving on. Viktor, however, didn't move on like the rest.

"But it is fascinating, you've successfully completed a transplant surgery, the first to even attempt to." Viktor says, "Even if you hadn't succeeded, in the future, people would continue your work because you thought of it - you tried."

He continues, "Since you didn't fail and it worked, you can improve the world - just like you said you wanted to."

You feel your face burn up, perhaps you were wrong about him not noticing you.

Masterlist

[carrion-carry-on]

Whumptober No. 8

Alternative No. 7 - Protective

More whump for The Bad Batch! This is going to be the last prompt fic where these events are concerned - I may pick it up and elaborate on things a bit further once this month’s spree is over.

AO3 Link

“Kriff...” came a muttered expletive from behind.

“Tech!” Wrecker shouted.

Hunter pulled his gaze up away from the floor, ignoring the slight sense of vertigo the sudden movement brought. He fixed his eyes with their recently-out-of-commission brother and sighed easily after noting the vibrancy in him. Assuring the others he was now fine, Hunter watched as Echo and Wrecker now swarmed Tech. A tentative tap to both of his shoulders, and Hunter glanced back at Rexyl, standing to help him up. He accepted the offered help, with Omega, bless her, grabbing onto his left hand to also try and help.

His footsteps were a bit shaky, but they got better as Hunter made his way to where Tech lay. Well, currently he was trying to sit up, with Echo pushing him back down, but close enough.

Hunter watched Wrecker gently press a hand to Tech’s back to get him up in spite of Echo’s efforts and huffed fondly. Then he said, “Welcome back, vod’ika. Gave us quite the scare.”

“My apologies,” Tech replied as he was finally allowed into a sitting position. Already, their brother was reaching for his datapad (which Hunter had made certain to secure in its designated pocket) and typing who-knew-what.

Tech had woken up expecting to be... actually, he wasn’t sure what his expectations had held. Certainly wasn’t the sound of panicked, heaving breath and his brothers shouting. But the shouts had died down, he’d gotten his bearings, and now they were hoping to leave. Tech wanted to ask what had happened, but then he’d spotted discarded, bloodied equipment on a countertop and stopped wondering.

It bothered him slightly, knowing his brothers had gone to some black-market, likely-unlicensed “doctor” to seek treatment. But given their lack of medical expertise and barring from usual methods (returning to Kamino for repairs), he supposes they’d had little choice. What he really wanted to know was why the kark someone had stuck Hunter - and why any of his brothers had allowed it.

Following an explanation by Hunter (an inadequate one, one that failed to ease his concerns), the doctor that had apparently cared for Tech clarified that his preferred payment was no longer required. Instead, they would owe him one, which Tech took to mean they’d accrued yet more debt. At least he had the courtesy to apologize to Hunter and the others - though Tech suspected this was because of Hunter’s likely panic attack, and not for the fact that he’d asked literal blood money from them.

When they boarded the Marauder, Tech still didn’t feel much better about what had happened in his absence from consciousness. He had wanted to fly, to get his mind off of things, but unfortunately had been declared unviable to do so thanks to the :you’re recovering from gruesome injury and invasive surgery” argument. Now he was sitting on his rack in the back of the ship, hands mindlessly twisting, thinking himself in circles. Hunter must have sensed this, his growing displeasure combined, as he soon asked to join Tech on his cot.

Tech did not give verbal reply, only moving minutely to one side in silent invitation. He remained with his gaze locked on his datapad, typing in updates and observations of his physical state and that of his squadmates. This was his comfort, his security, just as Hunter relied on sensing them, Wrecker on touching them, Echo on speaking with them, Crosshair on watching them. His mind jerked away from thoughts of his lost brother. He can’t bear to think right now. He’s doing this to not think.

“Tech,” Hunter tried, his voice reaching, pulling him from his thoughts.

The younger clone paused for two seconds, showing that he’d heard, and was still listening. After another moment of silence passing between them, Tech spoke first.

“Did you know that Feeorin grow stronger as they age, and not weaker?”

“Feeorin?” Hunter is humoring him, he knows, getting him to talk more about his interest, before they talk about... everything else.

“The doctor is Feeorin. What did you say his name was?”

“Rexyl.”

“Right. For their supposed strength through aging, I’m not certain as to why - and I can’t seem to find anything other than speculation. It has to do something with metabolism, apparently. I find it rather hard to believe.

“They’re similar to Nautolans, in that they are amphibious, with a purely aquatic heritage, a similarly wide range of skin pigmentation, and, most notably, possess head tendrils. Nautolans are sensitive to pheromonal changes, even amongst other species, giving them better emotional understanding and communication. On the other hand, Feeorin have not been noted to share similar chemoreception.”

As Tech spoke, Hunter was settling down on the bed next to him and stripping off his cuirass. He took up a familiar position behind Tech. Then he wound an arm over Tech’s shoulders and gently maneuvered them until Tech’s back rested softly against Hunter’s belly.

“It’s possible that similarities are resultant of convergent evolution, however, it’s interesting to note that the original homeworld of the Feeorin remains, as of yet, unidentified, or at least unspecified. There are some that theorize the two species may be distantly related. I do not believe this to be the case, given their current planets of inhabitance are relatively removed from one another. And the idea that the species gained space-travel capabilities, separated onto two different planets, and then have no record of such a migration in their recorded histories is ridiculous.”

“What is the scientific community of the galaxy coming to?” Hunter asked, tone joking.

“Nothing good,” Tech responded, equally facetious. He could afford to put aside his grievances for a while. At least where the alarming increase in failings of the afore-mentioned community were concerned. Grievances that could not be ignored had more to do with immediate company.

As though knowing Tech’s change in thought, Hunter’s easy smile faded somewhat. He probably had somehow sense it - Tech had never been good at hiding his emotions (he didn’t even know what he felt half the time, and the other half was spent barely feeling much at all). Hunter could tell that Tech was upset. That was (presumably) why he came back here in the first place. Now was as good a time as any to have this conversation.

“You would have let a stranger bleed you,” Tech said.

“I didn’t exactly have a choice, vod. You were hurt, he fixed you - before talking about payment. We showed up, asked for help, and he did,” Hunter reasoned.

“You thought he was trustworthy.”

Hunter was silent for a bit, absently running his fingers through Tech’s short hair. It wasn’t often they had time to relax together, not anymore. Not when it felt the whole galaxy was against them. Not the whole, but a good part of it, given that the main form of government was currently gunning for their small squad.

“I thought he could help. And I knew I would give anything to help you. All of you. I don’t want to lose you,” Hunter whispered.

“You took a risk,” Tech shot back. A risk without me went unsaid. Hunter knew that’s what he meant.

“Couldn’t ask you for input, Tech, you were bleeding out.”

Tech’s face burned. He knows that. Of course he knows that. But the fact that he hadn’t been there, the fact that he’d been incapacitated, and that Hunter and his squad - his family - had to trust someone like that... it made him feel... less.

“I’m sorry,” Tech squeaked out behind a tightening throat. He knew this pain to be a pretense to tears, that odd, uncomfortable, emotional display.

“Sorry? Tech, there’s nothing-”

“My apology stands!” Tech snapped.

He’s the rational one. He’s the smart one. He’s the technological and engineering genius meant to get them through locked doors and malfunctioning equipment. He’s the field medic that’s meant to lead them through trauma with procedural preciseness. And he’d been the one to fall. What could have happened? What might have happened if something else went wrong, and he hadn’t been there to try and fix it? Who could they have lost? Who might have gone missing next?

“Tech!” Hunter’s firm hands, one on either side of his face, brought him out of his spiraling thoughts. “Sushir, ner vod.

“There was nothing you could do. I know that bothers you. But that’s the way it is. I am fine, we are fine. We are all safe, including you. I don’t know if I would have lost you. I could have. You trust me, yes?”

Tech nods his head readily - of course he trusts Hunter. He trusts all of his squad.

“Then you can trust me with this... You are safe. I am safe. We are safe. I chose to trust Rexyl, you’re right. But I didn’t feel I had much choice. And Omega trusted him. She was the one who thought to call Cid. And Cid told us where to find Rexyl. Omega looked at that doctor, and said we could trust him. We did. And you’re still here because of it.

“I know it can hurt to trust sometimes. I know you - we are all hurt from... trusting...”

Trusting Crosshair. Losing Crosshair.

“But trust can be a lifeline. Trust in other people. In strangers. In brothers. You can’t get through life by trying to do everything yourself. You shouldn’t try to shoulder everything yourself. We’re a family, we have to trust each other like a family should.”

Tech wanted to allow himself comfort at Hunter’s words. But his assurances felt... they felt wrong. He did trust Hunter, and his brothers, still does and always would. There’s still one he doesn’t trust - himself. And he doesn’t know how Hunter and the others could.

Hunter was waiting for something, a reply, physical or verbal, and Tech gave it to him. He nodded at his brother. Hunter could likely tell Tech still wasn’t convinced, but they dropped the subject for now. There was nothing more that could be said.