#have an excellent day!!!!! beams you with the powers of awesomeness that lets you do anything and everything you want woo!!!

[crescentfool]

hello to the new influx of people who followed me from my silly little ryomina comic 👋 i hope everyone enjoys their stay!!! 🥳 i am very p3 piled with sprinkles of splatoon. please feel free to browse my blog tags and archives like it's your feed, i always like seeing posts circulate :3

and to everyone on this fine saturday. or sunday! have an excellent week :) you are so cool

[theemissuniverse]

“MY INSIDES ARE RED AND YOURS ARE TOO” MILEENA X FEM READER PART 1

REQUEST BY : @zhivaxo

May I request an MK1 Mileena x Fem Reader?

The reader is an earthrelmer, and when Mileena meets the reader , she falls in love and through the story. You see them get closer and closer until the reader almost dies and Mileena saves her?

Mileena and Tanya are not together?

I hope this is okay with you if not it's cool :] have a good day

ADDITIONAL : I made the reader Raiden’s twin sister. In the original timeline the reader was a thunder god and in MK 11 Raiden and reader gave Liu Kang all their power to save them so in this timeline she is the new earthrealm’s champion. Also in the original timeline, Mileena had an obsessive crush on you but nothing came of it. This is more so a story because the idea came to me and I couldn’t get it out of my head. Also plot will change from mk 11 becaussse I said so

A lot of people would say you’re a little cocky. You weren’t that cocky. You were just that good. Liu Kang had found you and your brother Raiden and best friend Kung Lao. You would have a chance to compete at the Mortal Kombat tournament.

Months had passed and it was you, your best friends, and two new additions that happened to be Johnny Cage and Kenshi Takahashi.

It was just now known that only one of you would compete at the tournament. You would all have to face each other.

First it was you and Johnny Cage.

You beat him easily. Yes, Johnny was a skilled fighter but his technique was no match for yours.

Then it was Kenshi. Kenshi was slightly tougher but you still beat him with ease. Next came Kung Lao who was harder. The match took more time but you had beat him.

Finally there was Raiden. Raiden was by far the hardest. His technique was perfect. It was close but with one final strike - you had beaten Raiden.

“Did I actually do it?” You said more so to yourself.

Raiden got up from the ground. He wasn’t upset with you. He was proud that his sister had beaten him. “You did. Congratulations, (Y/N).”

“You owe me fifty bucks.” Johnny loudly whispered to Kung Lao.

Liu Kang stood up from his seat and proceeded to walk over to you. “Although you have all trained well - (Y/N) has excelled. This outcome does not surprise me.” He opens what’s in his hand. “For the tournament you will need this.”

You look to see what is in his hands. The amulet beamed with lightning. “Whoa. What is this?”

“Forged by the Elder Gods. It gives the wearer the power of lightning and thunder.” He motioned for her to use. “Go ahead. Try it.”

You look at the device in your hands. Then towards the statue. This was all too weird and exciting. You raised your hand high and shocked the statue with the power.

Everybody gasped. Johnny of course was recording. “Holy Ark of the Covenant.”

You stop using the power and couldn’t help but laugh. “This is awesome! But do I really need it?”

“In addition of possessing great might, the Outworlders you will face also wield great magic.” Liu Kang stated. “The amulet levels the playing field.”

Kung Lao walked over to you. He places his hand on your shoulders. “You must be careful, (Y/N). You could get hurt. Even killed.”

“No tournament participant has ever been grievously injured or killed. I would never send my champions unwittingly into mortal kombat.” Liu Kang said.

You just nodded. You were a little nervous. Who the hell wouldn’t be but you decided to be here so you had to push past the feeling.

“I must warn you (Y/N), you are the first woman in mortal kombat history to become Earthrealm’s champion. There will be doubters and there will be those who do not take you seriously. Do not let them disrupt your goal.” Liu Kang explained.

You already felt the pressure. You were Earthrealm’s champion but now you were the first woman to be Earthrealm’s champion.

Everyone could see the nervous look on your face. Johnny decided to walk over to you and place a hand on shoulder. “Hey! You got this! You already kicked all of our asses.”

It was sweet of him to comfort you since it was Johnny Cage we were talking about. Not only that but the first time you two met, he called you “eye candy” and you had to punch him where the sun doesn’t shine.

“Johnny is right. You’re going to do great.” Raiden encouraged you.

You just didn’t believe so.

Mileena wanted to taste victory. Finally, they were getting another tournament and she couldn’t wait to participate in it. One thing she wasn’t hoping for was her disease and if people were to find out about it, she would be banished.

She patiently waited for the Earthrealmers to appear, along with her sister. When she saw Liu Kang arrive, she also saw his people stroll along.

What she did not expect was to see you. A woman. It took her aback. Surely you weren’t the warrior that was going to be fighting. Your role had to be different.

When Mileena saw you, she believed you to be the most beautiful woman she had ever seen. She seethed at the thought of this. How could she think like that with an Earthrealmer?

She tried not to make it obvious she was staring at you and focused her attention on Liu Kang. “Lord Liu Kang, welcome.”

“Thank you, Princess Mileena.”

“You remember my sister?”

“Of course. Princess Kitana.” Liu Kang motioned to his warriors behind him. “May I introduce to you Johnny Cage, Kung Lao, Kenshi Takahashi, Raiden, and Earthrealm’s champion: (Y/N).”

Now, Mileena was shocked. A woman as Earthrealm’s champion? In Outworld women were the strongest warriors. That was not the same with Earthrealm. In Earthrealm men were the strongest and she had never seen a woman ever being a champion.

She was intrigued. “Well I am surprised.” Mileena stated.

“Pleasantly, I hope.” You tell her.

“Very.” Mileena looked you up and down trying to figure you out. You were definitely going to be a puzzle.

Kitana noticed the longing looks her sister gave and decided to speak. “I hope you’re prepared (Y/N). Our champions are determined to win.”

“None more so than me. It has been too long since we’ve known victory.”

You yourself weren’t expecting a princess to be as beautiful as Mileena. You could be a flirt but you were no Johnny Cage. You would not downright flirt with anyone and you definitely weren’t going to try it with a princess as you deemed it to be disrespectful.

You noticed the looks she gave you but you figured it was the shock of being Earthrealm’s first woman champion.

“Princess Mileena.” Tanya spoke. “We should be on our way. Empress Sindel awaits.”

Mileena’s gaze broke from you and she looked over at Tanya. “Thank you, Tanya.” She motioned for you all to follow her. “Follow me, please.”

At the palace, you were having doubts. You didn’t believe that you could actually beat any of them. Defeating your friends was one thing but these guys? They were the real deal.

Liu Kang watched your face scrunch up in worry. He did not want you worrying so much as that would just lead to failure. “Worry expends energy for no purpose, (Y/N).”

You sighed. “But the tournament. If I lose-“

“Focus on your actions, not the outcome. It is all you can control.”

You bit her lip but nodded. You shouldn’t be worrying about the outcome. He was right. It would get you no where.

Big stomps were heard. Everyone turned toward the noise. It was a big monster you did not recognize. Liu Kang did not seem to be a fan of him. “Red alert. Incoming stock villain.” Johnny Cage said.

You couldn’t help but chuckle at what he said. “General Shao. Do not let him goad you.” Liu Kang said.

“What does goad mean?” You asked confused which makes your brother Raiden shake his head.

General Shao looked you up and down. He tried to hide the fact he was impressed by a female champion. “An Earthrealm woman that is a champion? Are you asking to lose?”

So, this is what Liu Kang was talking about. Kung Lao did not appreciate the disrespect that was aimed at you. “Would you care to test her strength? (Y/N) will-“

When you had seen Kung Lao step towards him, you made him take a step back so he would not start anything. “I will prove myself soon enough.” You spoke for yourself.

General Shao let out a low chuckle finding your confidence amusing. “I am afraid of no Earthrealm woman.”

His breath hit your face. You immediately coughed like you were choking. “Apparently you’re afraid of toothpaste.”

Your brother had to suppress his chuckle but Johnny Cage bursted out laughing. General Shao directed his attention towards Liu Kang. “We will destroy your champion, Liu Kang. She will taste no victory.”

He walked away. You couldn’t help but roll your eyes. If only you remembered the previous timeline. How you defeated Shao Kahn when he decided to merge the realms.

Sindel, Mileena, and Kitana had arrived. Everyone was in awe at their appearance. You mainly were with Mileena. The way she walked with confidence excited you. Johnny noticed your staring and snickered a little but he did not say anything.

When they reached their seats, Mileena had made it a point to search for you. When she did, she smiled. You noticed this a smiled back. She had mouthed something. Lucky for you, you were good at reading lips. ‘You will fail, Earthrealmer.’ Is what she mouthed out.

Was she teasing you? You tilted your head and mouthed back, ‘bring it’ causing her to chuckle.

After Sindel made her announcement, she looks at Liu Kang. “Let us meet your champion.”

Liu Kang motioned to you. “Earthrealm’s champion is (Y/N), Your Majesty. She has earned her place by embodying the very best qualities of Earthrealm’s people.”

Sindel looked you up and down. “I am shocked. It is the very first time an Earthrealm champion is a woman. You must be the best of the best.”

“I’m better than the best.” You said cockily.

Sindel examined you and all your body language. “Do you usually hide your nervousness with ego?”

You bit your lip at her finding out. “Is it that obvious?”

She chuckled slightly. “You have a difficult path ahead young woman.” She stands up from her seat. “It has begun.” Li Mei, the woman you found out earlier had started walking to the front. “As tradition requires Outworld’s initial competitor will be Sun Do’s First Constable…Li Mei. May she defend our realm’s glory as well as she preserves our capital’s order.”

The nerves didn’t get you bad until now. Liu Kang noticed and placed his hand on your shoulder. “All you need do is your best. The rest will take care of itself.”

You nodded. “I got it, Lord Liu Kang.”

Liu Kang smiled before walking away from you. Li Mei was shocked she was going to be fighting you but tried not to make it so obvious. “Shall we see what you can do?”

You cracked your neck slightly before replying. “Hopefully I don’t embarrass you too much.”

That seemed to piss Li Mei off. “I will prevail, Earthrealmer. This fight is more important to me than you can ever know.”

Mileena was actually relieved by your attitude. Of course you would be nervous. You were in a world you were not familiar in but you were not so humble. She didn’t exactly like complete show offs but she liked people that had at least some cockiness to them.

She watched you fight like it was the easiest thing in the world to you. She was stunned. She would have guessed you would at least struggle a little. You were beating Li Mei like you were beating something so easy.

It made her like you even more.

The fight had ended quickly. Li Mei was on the floor. “What was that about you prevailing?” You questioned her.

Mileena smirked. She should be rooting for her side but it didn’t hurt seeing Li Mei get defeated. Badly may she add.

It was complete silence. Li Mei walked out ashamed. Sindel turned to look at you. “My compliments, (Y/N) on a well fought match. We’ll see how you fair in the next.” She looked to her left. “General Shao. Whom have you chosen as our next competitor?”

“Your Majesty. I have chosen Reiko, my second in command.” He said.

You turn your attention to Reiko. He looked mean. Not scary but mean. General Shao made a big speech how he was the best. Then Reiko decided to do…what you could only describe as air punching and flips.

You broke out in laughter. Reiko glared at you. “What is so funny, Earthrealmer?”

“You.” You flat out said.

“A female Earthrealm champion? Is this a joke?” Reiko asked.

“No, but if you want I’ll get to the punchline.” You said, taking your fighting stance.

Reiko scoffed. “Ha! You are no match for me. I will spare no mercy when I am finished with you.”

Again, Mileena watched you fight. You were fighting like it was so simple. It worried her slightly. How would you do when you came face to face with her?

It was nice seeing Reiko get beat in the fight as she did not like him but she would have never thought Reiko would get beaten so easily.

When you had Reiko on the ground, you stopped fighting. “Be lucky I spared mercy on you.”

“I am impressed, (Y/N). Very. We are adjourned until first light. I hope to see you all at this evenings banquet.” Sindel said.

At the dinner, you couldn’t eat. Despite your attitude you were actually a nervous individual. Your anxiety caused you not to eat. Sure, you did good but soon you were going to face Princess Mileena and General Shao. How would you beat them?

Your friends and brother congratulated you and you appreciated their support. You decided to just sit by yourself so you could have a moment to yourself.

Mileena noticed you sitting alone and decided to sit next to you. “Don’t tell me Earthrealm’s champion is too good for our food.”

You looked over to your left and there sat Mileena. You were actually shocked. I mean, a princess was willingly having a conversation with you of all people.

“It’s not that. I just don’t eat when I am anxious.”

Mileena could understand that but something in her told her to help you. She couldn’t understand why either. “Anxious? You’ve won two in a row. It is I that should be anxious.”

You chuckled a little. “I don’t think I can beat you, princess.”

“Neither do I but you should always have that attitude you have with everyone.” She told you. She took the fork from your plate and grabbed the turkey with it. She then raised the food to your lips. “It won’t be a fair fight if you’re drained from starvation. Plus, I helped make this and I will be highly offended if you don’t try it.”

Something about Mileena made your eyes sparkle. Maybe it was the fact she was so direct. Maybe it was because despite even her own cocky nature, she still wanted to make you feel welcomed. All you knew was that a beautiful princess was feeding you.

You didn’t want to be anymore rude than you had been so you opened your mouth and allowed her to feed you. Something about the action made the scene more intimate then it needed to be.

You ate the food. It was better than the food in Earthrealm but you didn’t want to feed Mileena’s ego. “Ehh. 6/10.”

Mileena gasped at your words but she knew you were only joking. She playfully swatted your arm. “It is not!”

“Hmm. Maybe I need another bite.”

Mileena grabbed another piece with the fork and fed it to you. You pretended to be in deep thought. “You’re right. 3/10.”

She playfully rolled her eyes. “You are unbearable, Earthrealmer.” She said, causing you to laugh.

From another table, your friends watched this and Johnny couldn’t help but be wide eyed. “How the hell does (Y/N) have a princess feeding her?”

“You wish that was you, huh?” Kenshi asked him.

“Uhhh duh!”

Kung Lao snickered a little. “She has stolen all my girlfriends so I am not surprised.”

“You have had girlfriends?” Raiden slightly teased causing Kung Lao to throw a piece of bread at him.

Liu Kang watched you two from the table and he couldn’t help but smile. He remembered in the original timeline, Mileena was highly obsessive of you. Though this time it was normal and it seemed to be a mutual liking. He had only hoped that things would be different this time.

Back at your table, you took your turn at feeding Mileena. She smiled but remembered that she could not be close to you. She scooted some, away from you. “I should not be so close.”

You frowned slightly. You didn’t mean to make her uncomfortable. “I’m sorry, princess. I did not mean to -“

“You are fine. It is me. I have…a slight cold.”

“You look good for someone that has a cold.”

Mileena did not expect that response. She smirked a little. “Are you flirting with me, Earthrealmer?”

You didn’t want that to come out but it was a simple observation. Mileena was beautiful. Highly beautiful. You of course did not want to disrespect her though. “Do you want me to, princess?”

Mileena had liked you. You were a powerful Earthrealm fighter that was a woman. How could she not? She admired power and you, despite your doubts, were powerful.

Princess Mileena had a tendency to get bored easily but she had a feeling she would never grow bored of you.

Sindel stood up from her seat and raised her glass. She was making a toast, causing everyone to do the same. “My husband Jerrod believed that the future of our realms lay together. Let us move forward in open dialogue. Letting no secrets tear our bonds asunder.”

Being Earthrealm’s champion, you felt obligated to speak. “Your Majesty. It is an honor to be here and to meet your people. I can already see there’s more that joins us then divides us.”

Mileena had liked your toast and she placed a hand on your shoulder, offering you a smile.

General Shao however did not like your toast. “Our peoples could not be more different, champion.”

You turned your attention towards him. “Excuse me?”

“You heard me. You people and your frail minds cannot handle that a world like ours exists.”

One thing about you is that you had a temper. A very bad one. Training with Liu Kang for the months prior to this however, he taught you how to maintain your anger.

General Shao went some steps towards you so the two of you were face to face. “What is the matter? No comment? Nothing? Hit me. I know you want to.”

You looked over to Liu Kang. He shook his head, knowing you wanted to sock General Shao right in the face. Liu Kang did not want you to do it like that however. He wanted you to fight him at the tournament with pride.

You sighed some before facing to General Shao. “Nope. Nothing. Though I still would recommend in the toothpaste.”

General Shao grabbed you by the hem of your shirt and glared straight into your eyes. “That will be the last time you mock me, Earthrealmer.” Raiden was about to go to your defense but Mileena beat him to it.

Mileena gripped harshly on General Shao’s arm and twisted it. “No. That will be the last time you embarrass yourself and the palace. Now, leave.”

General Shao looked over at Sindel. Sindel motioned for him to leave. General Shao had let out a big huff and left with Reiko.

Mileena immediately turned to you. “Are you alright, (Y/N)?”

You nodded, not really caring. “I’ll be fine.”

“I apologize, (Y/N).” Sindel spoke to you. “I can assure you that will not happen again.”

You had walked away from Mileena and over towards Liu Kang. “I’m sorry, Lord Liu Kang.”

Liu Kang was confused. “For what? You did not give in and hit him. For that, I am proud of you.”

“You’ll beat him in the tournament.” Raiden told you.

You hoped you would.

At night, you couldn’t sleep. You were prepping yourself to fight for tomorrow as tomorrow you would face more warriors, including Mileena and General Shao.

Nervous was an understatement. After being challenged by General Shao you had to win. If you did the whole time here would mean nothing.

You did your push-ups when you heard a knock on the door. You checked the time. It was 11 at night. You wondered who it could’ve been.

You stand up from the ground and walked over to the door before opening it. There stood Mileena in a pink robe. You could see some of her chest as the robe didn’t cover much but you made it a point not to stare. “Princess Mileena. Not that I don’t appreciate the arrival but it’s late. Shouldn’t you be sleeping?”

Mileena motioned to you. “I could say the same to you.��� She said. “I just wanted to talk. Is it okay if I come in?”

“Yeah. Of course.” You opened the door for her to enter. She walked in and you closed the door.

Mileena had let out a sigh. “I’m sorry for General Shao. He has been angrier than usual.”

“Do not apologize for another man’s actions. Or horse. Or whatever he is…”

Mileena laughs a little. She then looks down sadly. “Have you ever felt hideous? Like you were a monster?”

“No. I’m like the hottest girl in the universe.” You joked. When you saw her sad expression, you made it a point to walk closer to her and change your tone. “Princess, I know you yourself don’t think you are.”

“Something inside of me screams at me. They tell me that I am bad. Horrible.”

“You know that is not true. Princess, you are the most beautiful woman I have ever known. Surely you don’t actually believe you are hideous.”

It warmed Mileena’s heart that you thought she was beautiful but if you only knew that she was actually a beast. “You are too sweet, (Y/N).” She sat on your bed. “Have you ever had a secret that you wished you could share but you could not?”

You were surprised that Mileena was opening up to you. You figured maybe she would need comfort from her mother or her sister but maybe she didn’t need them right now. She needed you.

You sat down with her and decided to share your story. “Back where I live…people do not like same sex couples. It is frowned upon.”

Mileena was shocked by this statement. “That is absurd.”

“I know. My parents didn’t seem to mind themselves but when it came to other people I had to be different. I had to present myself a certain way. For years, I had to hide myself. The only one to truly accept me was my brother, Raiden. I had to hide the fact that I loved women and…it was tough.”

“How did you cope?”

You clicked your tongue to the roof of your mouth. “I made jokes. That’s what happens most of the time. I hide behind my humor.” That’s when you, yourself looked down to the ground. “Sometimes I think the world, even my brother, sees me as some big joke.”

Mileena would have not guessed you struggled as well but she should of. She gently took your hand in hers. “You are no joke, (Y/N). You are the most lovely person I have ever met. I wish you did not have to go through such struggles.”

Your heart skipped a beat at her holding your hand. You placed your other hand over hers. “My point in saying that is…I felt ugly and unloved but I found my way. And you will too.”

Mileena wasn’t exactly an optimist so it was hard for her to think up but if you could do it then she could do it. When she realized how close you two were, she pulled away. “We cannot be this close.”

You smiled a little at her. “I’m afraid of no cold, princess.”

Mileena chuckled. She was glad you weren’t but that of course wasn’t why she was so stand-off-ish. “You’ll be afraid of this one.”

When Mileena stood up, you admired her like she was the only woman in the world to have your heart. The beautiful woman made that robe look extremely good. Mileena caught on to your staring. “Do you see something you like, Earthrealmer?”

Damn. She caught you. You licked your lips slightly before looking her up and down. “Maybe.”

Mileena liked the fact you were eyeing her but she didn’t give in easily. “Please. You could not handle an Outworld woman.”

You took that as a challenge. You stood up from the bed to stand in front of her. “Try me.”

Mileena wanted to accept you. She did but she did not want to infect you with her disease. “Maybe some other time, Earthrealmer. You’re going to need the rest. Tomorrow I will not go easy on you.”

“I expect nothing less.”

Mileena walked out of the room. You sighed deeply and fell on the bed. Tomorrow was going to be interesting.

Bright and early, you had already defeated Kotal, Montaro, and Sheeva. Now, you had to face Mileena.

You were nervous beyond belief. A part of you didn’t want to fight her. Not after the conversation the two of you had last night but you had to. For Lord Liu Kang and for Earthrealm.

“You continue to surprise, (Y/N). Only two fights remain. Are you ready, Earthrealmer?”

“I am your majesty.”

“The next you face my daughter, Mileena.”

Mileena started to walk out to the court. This time Mileena had her mask on. You wondered why but did not question it. “Try not to get distracted.” Johnny whispered teased to you. You stepped on his foot, causing him to groan in pain and the others snickered.

Mileena made it to you. “This is your last chance to back out, Earthrealmer.”

You stepped closer to her. “Now why would I do that?”

“You won’t be good to look at with a bruised eye and a bloody lip.”

“Aww. I’m pleased you think I’m good to look at, princess.”

Sindel eyed the banter you two spoke but did not say anything. Raiden had also picked up on it as well.

The two of you start to fight. She threw the first punch but you easily blocked it. You went to punch her but she had blocked it. This continues until you give her a good kick in the stomach. She almost is knocked to the ground but stands on her feet.

You smirk at her and motioned for her to come at you. Mileena tries to go at your face with her sai but you easily grabbed her arm. You twisted her arm and kicked her leg, making her fall to the ground. Then you kicked her in the face using your lightning.

Mileena grunts a little. She feels her lip become bloody. “Round one goes to (Y/N).” Sindel says.

Something inside of you started to worry. You break your aggression when you see Mileena bleeding. “Are you okay?”

She does a frontward flip to get back up. Mileena does a spin kick and kicks you in the face. You almost get knocked down but you stand your ground.

Mileena punches you again and again in the stomach before sweeping your feet. She tries to stomp on your face but you quickly move and kick the back of her leg.

You got on top of Mileena. You choked her with your left hand and raised your right hand with lightning. “Beg and I’ll get up.”

Mileena choked out a laugh. “You would love that wouldn’t you?” Mileena took her sai and stabbed you in the thigh and pushed you on your back.

You groaned out in pain, covering the wound. Liu Kang looked a little worried as that had been the first time you had been seriously injured.

“Gonna be tough getting up from that.” Kenshi told his friends.

“My sister is strong.” Raiden said. “She will prevail.”

“Round two goes to Mileena.” Sindel spoke.

Mileena looked at you. She was a bit concerned since you didn’t get up as quickly as she did. “Come on, Earthrealmer. I know you got more fight in you.”

You couldn’t lose. Now when you were so far. You stood up from the ground and conjured lightning with your hands. Then you rose her into the air before throwing her all the way into a brick wall, breaking the wall.

“Yeesh.” Johnny made out a sound of pain. “That’s gonna leave a mark.”

It had been a couple of seconds and Mileena was nowhere to be seen. “I guess the round goes to…” Sindel started to say.

Mileena rushed at you with an unnatural speed. She tried to kick you but you caught her leg and threw her in the air. Mileena did a flip and landed on her feet.

Mileena threw one of her sai’s at you and you had easily caught it with your lightning. You then threw it back to her and the sai stabbed her in the shoulder.

The princess took out the sai and went to charge at you. You blocked every single hit. You grabbed both of Mileena’s sais and kicked her to the ground. You then raised the sais to her throat, lightning glowing through your eyes. “Say it.”

Mileena couldn’t think of how to outsmart you. You had did it. You had beaten her. She sighed. “I concede.”

You smirked and put the weapons down. You held out your hand for Mileena to take. Mileena let’s you help her out. You give her the sais back. “You fight well, princess.”

Mileena was shocked. She was expecting you to say something cocky like you did with the rest but you didn’t. You gave her props. “As do you, Earthrealmer.” She goes up to your ear so only you can hear her. “You impress me. If you are good at kombat, I wonder what else you’re good at.”

You smiled slightly at her suggestive comment. She backs away from you and winks at you before sitting in her throne.

“It’s time for the final match.” Sindel spoke. “It’s a testament to your abilities that you’ve made it thus far. But now you must face General Shao.”

General Shao started to walk to the court. God, you couldn’t stand the sight of him. Sindel goes on about all the accomplishments Shao had made. When she is done, you speak.

“Am I suppose to be impressed, General?”

“No. But you should be scared.”

“Ha. Not even in your dreams.”

The fight between you and General Shao was intense. Very much. Mileena was hard to fight but she was not this hard.

It didn’t help with the fact Shao hated you. He wanted to see you lose so he was using all his strength to beat you.

Liu Kang only had hopes you could win but it was a tough match. Either way, he would be proud of you.

You give General Shao one final kick with lightning, knocking him down. You’re eyes widen, surprised. “Did I just seriously do that?”

Sindel stood up from her throne. “Congratulations, (Y/N). Earthrealm wins.” Her and Kitana walk off.

Mileena watched them walk and decided to walk over to you. “After you had beaten me, I knew you could do it.”

“Aww. We’re you rooting for me to win?” You teased.

Mileena simply shrugged. “Of course I was. I hate that man.”

You chuckled. The thought dawns on you. You would be leaving Outworld and wouldn’t see Mileena again most likely. “Does this mean goodbye?”

Mileena looked upset. This would mean goodbye and she actually liked you. She had a connection with you. She was already going through a lot. She didn’t want to go through it alone anymore. “Unfortunately, yes.”

The Princess decided to take some steps forward. She kissed you on the cheek through her mask. “Goodbye, (Y/N).”

Mileena caught up to her mother and sister. You turned your attention towards General Shao who was still on the ground. You gave him the middle finger before walking towards your Earthrealm comrades.

“No way Princess Mileena kissed you.” Kung Lao said.

Johnny rolled his eyes. “On the cheek through a mask. Don’t get too excited.”

Kenshi scoffed slightly. “You’re only saying that because Kitana waved you off.”

You and Liu Kang ignored the bickering that conspired. He smiled at you. “Well done. You have exceeded my greatest expectations.”

You smiled back at him. “Thank you, Lord Liu Kang.”

“Because of you the Outworlders who would disturb the peace will once again be held at bay.”

Liu Kang had became a mentor to you. Someone whom you admired. Someone that you cherished. You gave in to your instincts and hugged Liu Kang.

Liu Kang was at first shocked at your action. It reminded him that in a different timeline when Liu Kang had won the tournament, he was filled with excitement and hugged you, as you were his mentor. He couldn’t help but hug you back.

The two of you pulled away. “So…do I have to hear about Princess Mileena when we leave?” Raiden questioned. You made it a habit to talk about all the women you were interested in nonstop.

This made you roll your eyes and you put Raiden in a headlock. “How bout I beat you up instead?”

“Okay! Okay! Let me go!”

Hopefully you would meet Mileena again under different circumstances.

TO BE CONTINUED…

PART 2

[sungbeam]

xnonie present to wish YOU 🫵😳 a happy birthday! even tho it's only been a few days, i really enjoyed talking marvel with u 🫶🫶

THOSE ARE AWESOME POWERS! i almost completely forgot about pym tech (sad, i admit) but yeah the entire concept of it is so cool. i'm so in love with paul rudd & scott lang in general its not funny </3 I AM A WANDA DEFENDER UNTIL THE END!! so what if she was scary in multiverse?? she was pretty while doing it 😍 if they could just make her happy for once that would be nice 😭😭

RED DAGGER BEST MS. MARVEL LOVE INTEREST!!! yeah ur right the other guys can leave SLDHDJS kareem radiates so much love interest energy & the tension between him & kamala?? exquisite 💗💗💗 i also ended up finding fics for him on tumblr (there are a handful, btw)

I DID WATCH MOON KNIGHT!! oscar isaac was phenomenal for giving us steven grant, marc spector, AND jake lockley all in one mini series. IT NEEDS A S2. during the airing of the show, i may or may not have stumbled upon khonshu thirst edits on tiktok?? THAT WAS SOMETHING. IDK IF I WANNA RELIVE THAT. IT WAS FUNNY BUT ALSO... COME ON GUYS, ITS A BIRD SKELETON 😭😭

OMG BEAM. U GAVE ME THE GREATEST GIFT OF ALL TIME ?!?!? IT SHOULD BE THE OTHER WAY AROUND, ESPECIALLY ON YOUR SPECIAL DAY ☹️ u shouldn't have!! i'm SO excited. DINO AS QUICKSILVER?!?! SIGN ME UP. I LOVE OUR TIGER KING HOSHI AS WOLVERINE IT FITS SM SHDKSJD (why can i imagine yelling "HORANGHAEEE" while pouncing on someone w/ his claws out? LMAO) and wow... HAO AS MAGIK?? AND GYU AS COLOSSUS?? idk if i can take it anymore 🙏

i made something for wol-ranghae when i saw that hoshi = wolverine but then realized that anon asks can't send pictures 😭😭 maybe when the fic is up, i'll reveal myself just to send u what i made 🫣

AHHH THANK U XNONIE !!! lmaoo why does that finger point emoji look so accusatory 😭😭😭 BUT YES ME TOO I'VE LOVED TALKING ALL THINGS MARVEL W YOU 🥺🥺

pym tech is so cool and so is paul rudd too TRUE (ﾉ´∀｀*) he's so underrated i just sighs,,, give him an oscar guys and call it a day ._. bUT YEAH SAME !! WANDA DEFENDER FOREVER like yeah u bring in an EXCELLENT POINT XNONIE !! just let the woman be happy?? Õ_Ó is that too much to ask ?? all she does is suffer.

BAHHAHAHA I can already imagine the amount of updated masterlists to mcu fanfic accts after the mcu Disney+ shows (ﾉ´∀｀*) that's so slay tbh like we got red dagger, moon knight, druig, and NOW DAREDEVIL !! okay he's deffo not NEW but the thirst has reawakened for most, but in my case, it has been discovered 😳😳 WAIT FR JAKE LOCKLEY EXCUSE ME BUT IF I DONT GET A SZN 2 I WILL RIOT !!!! WAIT THERE R W H A T EDITS ??!? y'all,,, khonshu huh 💀💀 i mean, i really am not allowed to judge, but ... okay. u do u ig :/ HE IS A BIRD SKELETON PLS YALL 😭😭😭

NAUUUR SEEING UR REACTION IS A GIFT ENOUGH FOR ME :(( U BEING EXCITED MAKES ME EXCITED BFF !!! YESSS OMG THATS KINDA WHY I THOUGHT IT WAS FUNNY HOW I PAIRED TJE MAKNAES BAHAHAH like i gave verkwan arguably some of the most powerful mutants in the verse, and now we can clown chan as a mutant as well (^_-)-☆ /j dkdndkjf im kidding lol i have a severe attachment to quicksilver, but chan just fits the mold whoops and TOO MANY PEOPLE SLEEP ON QUICKSILVER !!! YES OMG YELLING HORANGHAE IN ATTACK MODE HAHAHAH that's so hoshi plss 💀💀💀 i was like,,, who's the most furry-esque mutant? wolverine 😃😃 and i figured we could easily fit hosh w that since he too wishes to be a furry w claws called a tiger or something 🤡🤡 YEP HAO AS MAGIK AND MINGYU AS COLOSSUS!! i thought that fit pretty well :0 tbh one of the hardest people to pair was hao!! i knew i had to find someone who could be as slayfully cool as him

OMG U MADE SOMETHING FOR WOLRANGHAE AHAHAHAH I WISH I COULD SEE IT 👀👀👀 but yuhh when i finally get round to writing and posting this thing do send it in (^_-)-☆

[backtobackbakubabe]

Speak Easy Part 12

Dabi x Reader , Bakugo x Reader

Words : 4221

Masterlist

Reader has a siren quirk and has spent the past several years of her life as a captive being experimented on by “heroes” Now that she’s out she needs protection and safe place to heal. Who will be the one to put her pieces back together.

Words with ‘this’ is dialogue written in her journal rather than said out loud and and words with ~this~ is dialogue said in sign language rather than out loud.

***********************************************************************

It had been a little over a week since the incident in the parking lot. You were more than eager to start your training with Dabi, but he kept insisting you needed to fully heal your ribs first.

Today you weren’t taking no for an answer. You had used your new fancy collar to call Katsuki and ask him to bring you some things. He made a few comments about not being your personal errand bitch, but he agreed none the less.

You were flipping through channels as you lounged on the couch when the doorbell rang.

Dabi immediately went on the offensive, hands lighting up as walked over to the security monitor to check the cameras. You made a mad dash for the front door. You knew it was Katsuki and you wanted to get to him before Dabi did.

“What the fuck do you think you’re doing?” Dabi’s hand that wasn’t currently on fire reached out to try and grab you as you ran by, but you easily avoided it.

“Relax it’s for me! It’s just Katsuki.”

“And that’s supposed to make me feel better?” You could hear how annoyed he was, but this is what he gets for refusing to start your training.

You opened the door to an equally annoyed looking Katsuki. “Hey! Did you bring the stuff I asked for?”

He rolled his eyes, “Do you think I’d come all the way out here if I didn’t” He handed you a gym bag that was way heavier than he made it look. You took it from him and almost toppled over with how heavy it was.

He smirked as he grabbed your elbow to steady you. “So… you’re getting back into shape? You know I wouldn’t mind training with you like we used to. You were always a good work out.”

You beamed at him, “Seriously? That would be awesome! Dabi said he doesn’t want to.”

Dabi growled in displeasure, “Oh fuck off. I never said that. I’m going to train with you AFTER your ribs are done healing.” He pointed to the bag that was now slung over your shoulder. “What’s in the bag?”

You started backing up towards your room. “Just some work out stuff. You know so Katsuki and I can start training.” You sprinted towards the room before Dabi could argue with you.

“FUCKING BRAT!” Dabi rolled his eyes before looking at an amused Bakugo. “I swear to god If you show up here unannounced one more fucking time, I’ll move us somewhere far away where you can’t find us.”

Bakugo crossed his arms over his chest and huffed, “Yeah good luck with that. Besides I was invited.” He gave Dabi a shit eating grin. “I know she only called me to get under your skin. She wanted something, you said no, and now here I am giving her what she wanted.” He shrugged, “And I’ll keep giving her what she wants. Again and Again. As long as I have to.”

Dabi’s nostrils flared as he attempted to keep his temper in check. “Sounds pretty pathetic if you ask me.”

Dabi expected that to light Bakugo’s infamous short fuse, but instead the man just chuckled. “No pathetic is what you’re going to be after she’s done with you.” Bakugo took a step closer and lowered his voice. “Take it from someone who trained with her almost every day for years… She will chew you up and spit you out.” He gave Dabi a cocky grin, “I wasn’t kidding when I said she was a good workout. I almost wish I had time to stick around and watch her kick your ass.” He checked his watch, “If she hurries I might have time to watch for a little while.”

“First you listen to us have sex, now you want to watch us work out. You are such a little perv.”

Bakugo opened his mouth but before he could make a retort you were skipping back into the living room doing a little twirl to show off your new workout clothes. You wore a matching burgundy sports bra and biker shorts, brand new black sneakers, and to Dabi’s surprise your collar. “Thank you so much Katsuki! They fit perfectly, even the sports bra!”

Dabi’s eyes cut to Bakugo’s, “Like I said… Perv.”

“My parents work in fashion idiot.” He rolled his eyes before turning back to you and giving you a genuine smile. “You look good. Remember to stretch, drink lots of water, and do a proper cool down. It’s been a long time since you worked out. Don’t try and go all plus ultra your first time.”

You returned his smile, “No promises. But I will try to go easy.” You leaned over and started to stretch giving Dabi and excellent view of your ass in your compression shorts. He was mesmerized by the way your muscles stretched and flexed under your skin. He knew you were strong, but he was about to find out how strong.

His eyes were glued to your ass until an annoying blonde boy cleared his throat. “What was that about me being a perv?” Bakugo quirked an eyebrow at Dabi. “If you can’t even watch her stretch… then you won’t stand a chance fighting her.”

Dabi scoffed, “No offense to you doll, but I think I have a little more composure then your pervy little friend here.”

You finished up your stretching and made your way to the backyard. “I don’t know… Katsuki may have struggled at first. But by the time we graduated he got really good at thwarting my attacks.” You gave Dabi a cocky smirk as the boys joined you in the yard. “I hope you’re ready because I can honestly say I’ve been looking forward to this for a while.”

Bakugo took a seat in one of the pool chairs and kicked his feet up like he was about to watch a movie, “And so have I.” He chuckled as he leaned back putting his hands behind his head, “It’s a shame Icy Hot’s not here to see this.”

You loved that Katsuki was so confident in you, but it was also making you really nervous. If the parking lot fight was any indictor, your fighting skills weren’t as sharp as they used to be. You slowly made your way to stand across from Dabi who was doing everything in his power to look unaffected and bored. His only give away was the subtle way his fingers twitched with your every movement.

You cracked your knuckles and took a fighting stance, “I’m not going easy on you.”

The look in your eyes was enough to make Dabi want to kneel at your feet. You looked dangerous and determined. You looked like a queen ready to hand out a death sentence. He closed his eyes for a brief second to collect his thoughts and in those few seconds you dove at him sweeping his feet out from under him.

You could hear Bakugo laughing loudly from his chair, “She hasn’t even activated her quirk yet and you’re already jelly!”

You quickly rolled on top of him using your knee to pin his shoulder down. You activated your quirk, “See isn’t it just easier to submit to me? You could just let me tie you up and-“

Your words swam around in his head, it was the only thing he could concentrate on. He could think of nothing else other pleasing you. Doing what you said. You were right after all. It would be so much easier to just lay here with you. He didn’t even want to fight you to begin with. NO! This wasn’t right. You wouldn’t get any better if he didn’t try. He couldn’t give up so easily.

His hand came up and covered your mouth rolling over and pining you down. “Damnit that’s freaky.” He was still trying to clear his head when your tongue darted out from between your lips and started licking his palm.”

Bakugo was practically hollering over in his chair, “Oh you fucked up now!”

Dabi’s hand started to go numb. “Wait what? What the HELL! I thought it was only if I like drank your blood or some weird shit like that! How- How are you-”

Your eyes locked with his and you began a mental battle of trying to push into his head. You hand pressed into his side and started to overwhelm him with feelings of regret. You found it was the easiest way to break someone. Lots of people could push through pain. Lots of people push through lust. But regret was an emotion that ate away at a person over time. It only grew and festered until it drove people crazy. You saw a flash of fear in his eyes and you could only imagine what memories it was bringing up. This was supposed to be fun. You didn’t want to traumatize him, so you changed tactics.

Things were about to get really uncomfortable for Katsuki.

You switched up the emotion you were flooding him with to desire, and almost immediately regretted it. His hips snapped forward of their own accord as a growl left his lips. “Fuck! You really want to do this in front of blondie?”

You saw his composure start to slip and you used it to push past that last mental barrier. “Sumbit DABI!” You clouded his head with memories of the two of you making love and pushed harder, “Submit to me. Come on baby I know you want to.”

Dabi’s hold started to loosen, but once again he was hyper aware that this was you underneath him. His goal was to protect you. Giving in now wouldn’t help. He needed to help. So he started repeating that like a life-saving mantra in his head, “I can’t give up, I can’t give up, I can’t give up.”

You snapped out of his head so quickly that is startled you. “What the-?”

Dabi jumped away from you and scurried backwards. “Come on baby girl. You got to do better than that? You thought making me horny would cloud my judgement? I’m basically horny all the time around you.” He got to his feet, dismayed that not only was his hand still numb but he couldn’t seem to get his quirk to work in that hand either. “Your quirk won’t always be able to save you. Fight me one on one. No quirks.”

You jumped to your feet as well. “Oh, but I thought we were trying to not hurt my ribs?” He could hear the sass in your voice, and it made him want to spank you. He used the hand that wasn’t currently paralyzed to create a ring of blue fire around the two of you. He focused on the sound of flames, the way it smelled as it burned the ground below. He looked at you but not in the eye.

You dove out of the way as he swung at you. It was like a dance between the two of you. His attacks came at you full force and it was all you could do just to avoid him. You were permanently on the defense. You could seem to catch your breath long enough to switch to offensive. You were getting tired and your sore ribs were screaming at you to stop. But you couldn’t. You needed to push through it. He must have seen the way you were wincing because his eyes darted to your ribs.

You screeched as he started to shrink the circle, dragging you closer to him. “You weren’t complaining about your ribs when I bent you over the kitchen counter last night.” He shrank the circle even more. You reached out desperately to touch him, but he moved out of the way. Swatting your hands away at every move. The fire was getting closer and you were starting to panic. He could see it on your face. He reached out and grabbed the back of your head and pulled you to him. Intentionally locking eyes with you. “There is nothing you could show me, say to me, or make me feel, that would break me.” Your hands darted out and cupped his cheeks. You tried to fill him with fear, but in your panicked state his emotions overwhelmed yours instead.

All you could feel was determination, defensiveness, fondness, and a deep-rooted need to protect. You locked eyes with him again this time you knew his weakness. You stared him in the eyes with yours full of fear. The blue fire inched closer and closer until it singed your back and you screamed out in pain.

There was horror in Dabi’s eyes as he looked at his hands. “I’m not doing this. Y/n! Y/n I promise I’m not doing this. He attempted to extinguish his flames, but they only got hotter and closer.

You were sobbing into his chest now. “Please put them out… please!” Your screams echoed in his ears and the only thing he could do was panic. He was hurting you. It was his quirk and yet he couldn’t stop it. “DABI IT HURTS!”

The pain in your voice was like a cold water in his veins. It pushed him into action as he managed to finally retract his quirk. He felt the flames smother out, he heard your soft sniffles. But something didn’t make sense… There’s no way Bakugo would have let this happen.

All of the sudden his eyes snapped open and you were sitting on top of him. Perfectly fine. It took him a minute to register what had just happened. “I didn’t mean to play dirty, but you’re one hard dude to crack.”

He gripped the back of your neck and pulled you down to him and smothered you with a kiss. When he pulled back your face was red, and your expression was flustered. “I’m just happy you’re okay.” He pulled you to him as he rocked you back and forth. “I thought I hurt you. Shit….” He pulled you away from him and gave you a stern look, “You’re a fucking asshole for that. What is your problem?! I already have fucking nightmares about this shit and you want to make it worse?!”

You didn’t know if you should feel ashamed or laugh. “Look I said I’m sorry! I knew that was the quickest way to get you to submit! Psychological warfare is my specialty.” His eyes remained cold, but his hands were reassuring as they traveled up and down your back. You pushed some of his sweaty hair away from his face. “I can admit I went a little too far.”

“I’m leaving before this gets too fucking sappy!” Bakugo patted your head. “Good job. You’re definitely a little rusty, but better than I thought you’d be.” He gave Dabi a sly smile, “As much as I enjoyed watching you toy with staples, I want to spar with you next time I’m here. For old times sake.”

You wiped some sweat off of your forehead as you nodded at him, “Okay! I’d love that. Maybe you could teach Dabi some of our old combo attack. Your quirks are a little similar, so some of them might work.”

Bakugo shrugged, “I doubt he could pull them off like I can, but we can try if that’s what you want.”

You nodded enthusiastically looking from Bakugo to Dabi. You were still sitting in his lap and he was suddenly feeling very territorial. His arms reached out and caged you to him, “If it’s going to end up in a pissing contest, I don’t want any part of it.”

You rolled your eyes, “Don’t be so broody. Gosh it’s times like this that you remind me of your brother.”

Dabi shoved you off his lap and started to make his way back to the house. “I’m not fucking broody. You literally just made me think I was burning you alive. So, forgive me if I need some time to get my shit together.”

He brushed past a smug looking Bakugo, “I tried to warn you. She’s ruthless man. I am impressed you figured out her loophole so quickly. Once you focus on a concrete goal it’s easier to tune her quirk out. I wonder what your goal was?”

Dabi glared at him, “Don’t you have someplace you need to be?”

Bakugo sighed, “Yeah, I’m actually going out of town. So, I won’t be back for a little while. I think Icy Hot wants to come visit soon though.” He nudged you with his foot. “So, you behave until I get back.”

You waved as he made his way back into the house, “No promises! Be safe on your trip!”

A few minutes of silence passes while Dabi still stood with his arms crossed refusing to look at you. “How long are you going to pout?”

“I’m not pouting. I’m resisting the urge to bend you over my knee, spank you, and edge you until you cry.” He finally looked at you, eyes not looking nearly as angry as his voice sounded. “But as a rational adult, I think I just might go drink until I forget what you made me see.”

You wrapped your arms around his middle and pressed your face into his back. “I’m sorry. I took it too far.” Your hands snaked under his shirt and pressed to his abs. You released a calm and content feeling. He immediately sank into your touch.

His breath hitched, “While I appreciate what you’re trying to do. I’d rather you not use your quirk on me right now.”

You reached up on your tippy toes and kissed the back of his neck. “Wanna go cuddle and watch TV?”

He took your hand from under his shirt and pulled you with him back into the house. “None of that romance shit.”

That’s how you ended up on the couch with Dabi laying on top of you with his head nuzzled into your breasts. His arms were tight around your middle and your fingers slowly trailed through his hair. You knew how exhausting it was for people when you messed around with their heads. It’s exhausting and disorienting, and while you weren’t at full capacity yet, you still had gone a little rough on Dabi today. You traced patterns on his shirtless back, and you listened to his steady breathing. He had passed out halfway into the first episode of whatever show he had insisted you watch.

You still had a lot of work to do to get back into shape. Not just with your quirk but physically as well. Dabi was right when he said you couldn’t rely on your quirk for everything. You’d have to start building your strength and stamina. You had a feeling Dabi might be hesitant to train with you again any time soon, but maybe you could convince him to do some cardio or something.

You softly chuckled as you imagined what kind of cardio he would have in mind. You felt him stir on your chest, his eyes remaining shut as he burrowed further into your chest. “What’s so funny?”

Your fingers kept playing with the ends of his hair. “What would you say if I asked you to do some cardio with me?”

He rolled over a little bit and bit your nipple through your shirt. “I’d say why are you still dressed.”

He was honestly adorable when he was this sleepy. It was the only time he seemed vulnerable. “I meant like going for a run.” His face scrunched up and your hand froze in his hair. “Oh, does that not sound like fun?”

His hand grabbed yours that had stopped, and forced it to keep running through his hair. “Not at all. Especially when there’s way better ways to get your cardio in…” He started kissing your chest, and then your neck. His hands moved to your ass picking it up off the couch to slot himself deeper between your legs. “We should test how far we can push you until your collar alerts me that you might need help.”

His fingers found the waistband of your shorts and started to pull them down. You hummed as his lips continued to mouth kisses at your neck. He was very affectionate and its not that you didn’t like it, you just felt like something was still bothering him. “Hey Dabi? What did you mean earlier when you said you had nightmares?”

He growled as he picked his head up to look at you, “You really know how to ruin the mood don’t you?”

You quirked an eyebrow at him, “We said we were going to open up more remember?” He shoved his head back to its spot on your chest, using you breasts as pillows.

“Ever since the pool incident… I get nightmares. I’m sure it fucked you with you too. I basically killed you. I honestly don’t know how you even come near me.” His voice was muffled and his grip on you tightened. “Today… what you did outside… please don’t ever do that again. I’m already a monster. I have enough nightmare fuel as it is. I’ve done really fucked up things and I can handle facing most of my demons. But whether I like it or not, you are definitely a soft spot for me.”

He kissed your neck as he made his way down lifting your shirt as he went. “You have gotten under my skin.” He kissed right above your still slightly sore ribs. “You have knocked down my walls.” His fingers found the waistband of your shorts again and yanked them down. “You drive me fucking crazy.”

In a burst of speed, he had your knees over his shoulders and your ass lifted in his hands. He kissed the inside of you left knee followed by the right. His kisses trailed down to the inside of your thigh giving it quick bite that had your hips bucking.

“I know that blonde idiot has confessed his feeling to you.” His thumb started rubbing circles into your clit. “So, I need you to know. That you are more than just a way to pass the time.” You felt a finger press at your entrance. “You are more than just some girl I’m supposed to protect.” His fingers plunged into you and started pumping. “You are more than some infatuation.” His fingers curled, hitting that spot inside you making you cry out. “You are more than I ever thought I deserved.” He gave your clit a hard lick. “But I have you now and I don’t fucking intend on losing you.”

Your fingers knotted in his hair as he began sucking your clit while he fucked you with his fingers. You instinctively knew how he felt. Of course you did, you’ve felt his emotions before. But to hear him say it made your heart skip, it made your head spin. He ate you out like he hadn’t eaten in days. One hand reached up and started pulling on your nipple and you lost it. Your hipped bucked up harshly and your legs shook. You came hard and he continued to lap up every last drop, riding you through it until you finally collapsed back onto the couch.

He grinned up at you, his chin still slick, “Good giiiiirl.” He sucked his fingers into his mouth cleaning them off before reaching for his belt. “Now let’s do some of that cardio you were begging for.”

Dabi was pressing his dick at your entrance when the doorbell rang.

You both froze.

Your shorts were yanked back up as Dabi grabbed his phone to check the security system. You watched his eyes narrow at his screen before his nostrils flared. “What the fuck!” Before you could even ask who it was the front door opened and in walked Shoto who apparently had his own key.

“Oh… Am I… Interrupting something?” He closed the door behind him, “Bakugo said he told you I was coming.”

“HE SAID SOON! NOT TODAY!” Dabi threw a pillow at his younger brother, obviously pissed off about the interruption.

Shoto ignored him and made himself comfortable on the recliner next to you. “Oh, well I wasn’t planning on coming today, but there’s been some developments you need to be aware of.”

You reluctantly sat up and separated from Dabi so he could face his brother. Dabi sighed as he gestured for Shoto to continue.

“There’s several people who are avidly looking for you. And some of them have gotten too close for comfort. That’s actually what Bakugo is doing right now. He’s hunting down a lead. He’s hoping to catch some of these so-called heroes in the act so we can start dismantling their accusations against you.”

The smell of smoke filled your nostrils as Dabi’s temper started showing. “What do you mean they’ve gotten close? How close? How many of them are looking?”

Shoto gave you a sad look. “They’ve made it a top priority. Your agency released a bounty to the underground. It seems every villain and crooked hero is currently looking for you. Shigaraki is one of them… and he somehow has a list of all of your safehouses.”

************

Tags: tags: @falling4fandoms @wifunozomi @here-in-never-land @whore-for-anime @klecksstorys @aurorahoneybuns @theunknownrandom @insane-without-delirium @frenchsfryys @officiallydarkgeek @neofixcs @music-is-all-i-need @katsuki-bakubabe @unadulteratedtastemakerpoetry @dabislittlemouse @aimee1602@pinkhatlizzy @kunaigirlx44 @nii-sanfucker@bestgirlb @silver-stardrop@bakubby99 @squichymochi

[cg29fics]

Pick and Mix Collection

A selection of Little Tracy fics for @gordonthegreatesttracy and @psychoseal

All can be found with other short stories in my Pick & Mix Collection on AO3 & FFNet: CreativeGirl29

School Reports. Aged 8.

Scott Tracy:

Scott is a bright young boy, who is extremely popular with all his classmates. He is always first to put himself forward for team challenges and is a natural team leader. However, Scott tends to be impulsive and rush into an activity or challenge, which on occasions as cost him a higher mark. Scott excels in English, Geography and Physical Education but tends to struggle in maths.

John Tracy:

John is a quiet, introspective and intelligent young man, who excels in Science, Maths, English and Information Technology. John as the potential to go far in life and could be moved up a grade if he was to apply himself to what he once referred to as the ‘boring subjects’ and stop correcting myself and my other colleagues when we are trying to teach.

Virgil Tracy:

Virgil is a lovely, thoughtful boy, who always listens in class, speaks when he is spoken to, and on occasions has gone out of his way to support other classmates when they are struggling. Virgil has a gift for art, music and history. He also recently earned top marks when we taught first-aid in his class. However, I would like to bring to your attention Virgil’s tendency to day dream when he is not taking part in one of his favourite subjects.

Gordon Tracy:

Gordon is a conundrum and seems to have two sides to him. On the one side, you have the sweet boy who will always be there for his friends, excels in physical education, especially swimming and did surprisingly well when we did our big baking day. However, the other side of Gordon has a habit of constantly chatting in class, despite being asked to be quiet and as unfortunately become known as the school clown. If Gordon were to apply himself in all his work instead of drawing pictures of himself as a fish, he could gain good marks in all his classes.

Alan Tracy:

Alan is a smart boy who as always got a smile on his face. When he is interested in a subject, or as been caught by an idea he is an absolute pleasure to teach. However, like his brother before him, he tends to chat in class, and on many occasions, has had his portable computer console confiscated when he has been found playing on it, instead of learning. Alan struggles in History but excels in science and maths. I would also like to bring to your attention Alan’s report on ‘Our Heroes.’ All the children in his class decided to write about a celebrity, sports personality or historical figure. Instead, Alan wrote a fantastic and touching report where he named his older brother John as his hero and who he would most like to be like when he grows up.

5 more fics beneath the cut

**

STAR BOY:

"John you've been told not to run in the house." His father complained, catching his 4-year-old son in his arms.

"I'm not John." John answered with a serious face.

"Oh, you're not?" Jeff remarked, observing the cape John had attempted to make out of his comfort blanket. "Well, I must say, you certainly look like my John!"

"Shush! Daddy." John whispered. No one can know my secret ident…" John paused, thinking about the word he was struggling to say. "Ident…"

Jeff smiled. "Identity."

John grinned. "Yeah, my secret identity."

"So, who are you then?" Jeff inquired curiously.

"I'm Star Boy." John shouted, as he managed to struggle free and started running around in circles.

Jeff let out a chuckle at his son's exuberance. "So, Star Boy. What powers do you have?"

"Fly in space." John cried with joy.

"And what's your current mission Jo… I mean Star Boy?"

John ground himself to a sudden halt. "Find baby Virgie!" He stated with a thoughtful look.

"Virgil." Jeff corrected. "And he's not missing, he's nice and safe in your mummy's tummy."

John stared at his dad in confusion. "But I heard you and mummy say that he was late, and then mummy said if he didn't turn up soon she would…"

"Okay, John." Jeff said cutting John off. He would have to have a word to Lucille about what John had overheard. He knew she would be mortified but John seemed to have exceptional hearing and they both knew that their boy was very bright for his age. Jeff held his arms out for his current youngest son. John happily ran into them, and let himself be pulled up onto his father's lap. "Now, Virgil is still safe in your mummy's tummy, the reason he's late is because your mum has made it so comfortable in there that he doesn't want to leave yet."

"But I want to find him, cause then I'll get to be big brother like Scotty." John frowned.

Jeff pulled John into a warm hug. "And you will be a brilliant big brother just like Scott." He assured him.

As Jeff held John tightly in his arms, a shout from his mother came from in the kitchen, followed by his oldest son running into the room.

"Daddy, Grandma said to tell you mummy's waters broken!" Scott panted.

Jeff pulled himself to his feet, keeping John firmly in one arm, and taking Scott's hand with the other. "Well, my Star Boy." Jeff said, looking at John with pride. "It looks like your mission was successful!"

"It was?" John asked with a puzzled expression.

Jeff beamed as he stood John next to Scott, who automatically took his little brother's hand in his. "Yes, you did!" He added, with a concerned look towards the kitchen as he heard his mother and Lucille call for him once more. "Looks like baby Virgil is on his way!"

Several hours later:

John grinned with joy, as with his mother's help, he held his new baby brother in his arms. "Hey, Virgie." He said softly. "I'm John, your big brother… And my secret is I'm also Star Boy." He whispered. "I helped find you today!" John looked at Virgil who gazed at him with his big eyes. "And my next mission is to be your big brother." He said with a contented sigh.

**

4 little brothers.

12 year old Scott Tracy stretched out in his bed, enjoying the warmth from is duvet on a cold winters night. Yes, this was his time. His time to relax after a full on day spent with 4 hyper younger brothers. His time to bask in the peace and quiet his room provided…

… THUNDERCLAP … the pouring rain began hammering at his window …

Scott sighed, threw back his blanket and began counting "5, 4, 3, 2, 1…"

… THUNDERCLAP … 4 scared little brothers rushed into his room …

"Come on then, jump in."

… THUNDERCLAP… 4 scared little brothers scurried noisily into the bed.

Pulling the blanket over them all Scott smiled when he felt each of them snuggle up to him. 'Forget the peace and quiet,' he thought to himself. He would prefer to have his 4 brothers any day!

**

First Day.

“Don’t want too…” Alan whined, clinging desperately onto his father’s trousers.

“But you have to,” Jeff returned, trying to loosen his son’s grip.

“Why?”

“Because…” Jeff paused, then exhaled, he had no answer for his baby. Honestly, he was out of his depth, normally this was Lucille’s job, but she wasn’t here like she had been for his other boys… He glanced at his four sons standing close by, none of them had wanted to miss this moment, none of them wanted Alan to feel like he was missing out on something, even though they knew that he was. After all, it shouldn’t be them doing this, it should be their mother. They’d all had her here for their first day, but Alan wouldn’t… And even though he hadn’t said anything they could see it in his eyes that he knew he was different from all of the other kids who were being dropped off by their moms.

“Because,” Scott said, stepping forwards, “you will get to make some cool new friends.”

“I will?”

“Yes,” John replied, “and you can play with some neat toys.”

“And when I was here,” Gordon added, “they had some awesome toy dolphins, and a submarine…”

Alan scrunched up his tiny nose.

Gordon grinned. “They also had some cars and toy rockets!”

“Wow!” Alan exclaimed.

“You can also draw and paint,” Virgil informed him.

“Without getting told off for using your paints?”

“As long as you share with your classmates,” Virgil said with a big smile, “then you can use whatever you want… And maybe you could bring me a picture back of your favourite toy?”

Alan nodded enthusiastically, then looked up to his dad. “I’m ready to go now daddy!”

Jeff knelt down so his eyes were level with Alan’s. “Have a brilliant day son.”

Alan beamed, loosened his grip, then immediately ran towards his teacher.

Standing, Jeff reached out and brought his four other boys into a warm hold. Knowing that whenever he was out of his depth then his amazing sons would always have his back.

**

The Beast

It was dark. Only a few rays of sunlight managing to penetrate the lair he had entered. He had been warned on numerous occasions about the beast that inhabited this area and was known to attack when woken, but he had not believed. Yes, he had seen it on many occasions, but all of those times it had been funny, friendly and caring. Surely, just because it was woken early it wouldn't attack. Especially since it was him.

He creeped closer. Currently it was lying on its stomach, eyes were tightly shut, and bizarre noises were emitting from it. Finally, reaching his destination he leant towards it, his hand reaching out, but then a sudden snort from the thing in front of him was released causing him to jump back. Maybe it wasn't best to disturb it? Maybe Gordon was right, and the beast did attack if provoked this early? Although his brother was known to make things up. This probably was just one of his jokes and the usual encounter would be received. He had to be brave and find out the truth. Straightening himself up, he stepped forwards, and placed his hand confidently on the shoulder in front of him…

"Virg…"

No movement, no signs of him waking, so he tried again…

"Virgie?"

This time a groan emitted from his brother, then once again he grew quiet…

"Virgie," he pushed harder on his shoulder, "please wake up."

A yawn, and a pair of bleary eyes opened, grumpy and nothing like the kind-hearted peaceful ones he was used to… He moved backwards… Maybe this was a mistake… But then there eyes met, and a soft gentle smile illuminated the features of his brother.

"Hey Alligator, what's up?"

"Nothing," Alan replied with a little snigger at the nickname.

Virgil regarded the three-year-old in front of him. "Nothing, really?"

"Well, Gordy said you were a beast in the morning, but I didn't believe him, so he said I should come and see for myself."

"Did he indeed?"

Alan nodded his head.

"Well, I'm not a beast."

"Knew it!" Alan cheered happily.

"But," Virgil looked at his clock, "when I am woken this early, I am known to turn into a bear."

Alan gasped in shock.

"And you know what bears do, right?"

Alan scrunched up his little nose and shuck his head…

"Well, they are known to attack."

"Really?"

"Yes, with…" Virgil paused for dramatic effect… "tickles!"

A fit of giggles erupted from Alan when Virgil pounced, flung him over his shoulder, then onto the bed where he began tickling him madly.

**

Baby Talk

"Hi, I'm Scott, I'm four years old, I love aeroplanes and jumping off the couch. Although mummy and daddy tell me off for that one. My best friend became a big brother to a little sister last year, he's really good at it, and I want to be the same. So, I will always cuddle you, care for you, and when you get bigger I will help you to learn all of the things I found hard. I promise that I will be the best big brother you could ask for…" He leaned in and kissed his mother's tummy, feeling a kick back in response… "Love you too!"

[joshstambourine]

Greta Van Fleet and Their Kid’s First Day of School

Y’all seemed to love my GVF as Dad’s head canon so I thought I’d continue on the same line with something else cute~ I’ve had this idea since I mentioned it in a fic I recently wrote (A Girl Named Ivy) so I thought I might as well throw a head canon together for it as well... SO I STOP THINKING ABOUT IT LMAO.

Taglist: @anditsmywholeheart @babydxll​

Josh

He strikes me one of those dads who is actually really excited for his kid to start school. Not that he doesn't want them around, or that he doesn't realize its the mark of the beginning of the end... but because he knows this is a part of growing up.

Josh can tell while they are out shopping for new school clothes that his kid is excited. They are beginning to feel grown up, even if its just in a small way --- and Josh is proud of them for that.

I just can't imagine him being the kind of parent that struggles with letting them go, instead I see him being the kind of parent that just wants to nurture their growth in everyway.

"What about this shirt for your first day? You know what we should get you?? A set of wheelies!"

"Josh they don't allow those in schools anymore..."

*Whispers* "We'll get you some wheelies, just don't tell mom."

He'd make sure he goes through the checklist the school had sent out multiple times, trying to make sure they have everything they could possibly need.

When the big day finally comes, he would be talking with his little one all morning making sure they know they are going to have a great time and make lots of friends.

He would want to help make their lunch but instead just spends all his time drawing a picture of a rabbit with a cowboy hat riding on a goats back to put in instead.

Josh wouldn't be able to stop himself from looking in the rearview every few minutes to look over the little ones face. Trying to make sure they didn't look nervous at any point. If they do he'd find a way to reassure them.

"You remember that nice lady that gave you that cool cat sticker a few weeks ago? She's going to be there all day today! She's actually your teacher, isn't that cool?" Josh would just want to do everything in his power to keep them feeling relaxed.

"You give 'em hell today, okay?" Josh would say when they stood outside of the classroom, watching the little one nod. "Before you know it I'll be here to pick you up."

"You promise?"

"Of course I promise... I need someone to go get ice cream with!" He would say as he'd move to give them a tight hug.

"I love you."

"I love you too Dad."

As soon as the classroom door shuts, Josh won't be able to stop smiling the rest of the walk back to the car. He would be just so proud that he raised such a fearless kid.

The first thing Josh would ask when he picks them up at the end of the day,

"So? Did you learn how to move things with your mind yet?"

"No but did you know squares have four sides...?!"

Jake

Oh god.

Jake is going to be having such a tough time.

He wants to be a big strong man about this. "It's so silly... why would I be sad about them going to school?! That's ridiculous."

He would pretend like he didn't care.

Anytime his little one asks about what school is going to be like, he gives very quick pointed answers so he doesn't have to think about them being grown up enough to go.

"Is it too late to home school them...?"

"Yes Jake it's too late to home school them."

Jake just wants to hold hands the whole time they are school shopping. He doesn’t want to let them go.

"Jake, you have to let them go so they can pick out what they want."

"They can bring me where ever they want to be. I can help them reach what they need.”

The moment his kid puts their backpack on their shoulders, even just to test it out, he’s going to need to take a moment. When did his baby get so grown up?!

He thought that was bad but then the school assessment kills him.

Jake wants to be the one to make their lunch for their first day, its a special day, this little one deserves something special. He'd hide candies and other treats at the bottom so Mom won't see.

There is no way Jake isn’t driving his kid on their first day of school. He’s going to talk with them all the way to class with their hand clasped in his.

I think despite how well he covers it over, his kid can probably tell that he’s having a hard time letting them go.

“Dad?”

“Yeah...?” 

“I’ll be okay.”

Hearing them say that would make him smile, trying so hard not to cry. Jake would lean down and immediately give them a huge hug. “I know.” He’d tell them.

“I’m just going to miss you lots.”

“I’ll miss you too.” They’d say, “But. Mom says that I’ll have time to draw pictures probably. Would you like a picture Dad?”

“I’d love a picture.”

As soon as Jake gets back to the car he’s a sobbing mess. He’s so proud but its so hard to see your baby grow up.

Sam

Sort of like Josh I think that Sam is excited for his little one to start school. He has so much confidence in his kids abilities.

Sam would just assume that whatever task is sent his little ones way will be accomplished with all of their effort.

He feels like the kind of parent to hype up school any chance he gets for his kid. He wouldn’t want his kid to be nervous, so he’d say just about anything to keep them from being scared.

When Sam brings his kid in for the assessment he is just going to be absolutely beaming with joy.

He’s just such a proud dad. Getting to see his kid answer questions and have so much fun is going to have him over the moon.

“Buddy you did so good with those shapes! When did you learn those??”

Sam would be on the ball for school shopping. Everything that’s on the school given list and then some.

“Sam... they don’t need a dictionary --- they can’t even read yet.”

“Just incase! You never know!”

*Insert Sam looking for dirty words and snickering to himself*

He’d also want to practice so much with his kid before the big day comes. Going over their numbers and ABC’s so they feel nice and prepared.

When the big day does come around he is immediately going to have his camera out, ready to take some nice first day at school pictures. Whether they are waiting for the bus or he’s driving them to the school.

There are going to be like a million pictures. 

So many.

“You’ve got your crayons?”

“Yes.”

“Are you sure?! I just want to make sure. Oh and you’ve got your lunch box?? Mom made you such a good lunch.”

“Yup! I’ve got everything!”

“Excellent work~” He’d hum, “You're going to have an awesome first day!”

Danny

Danny I could imagine feeling a little nervous for his little one to start school

He would never tell his kid this of course; I feel like he would understand how well attuned kids can be to feelings, especially nervous feelings.

So he tries to bury his worried feelings.

They’d come out a little every time his baby shows any concerns about school. But he will stuff them down and try to be as reassuring as he can.

“You’re going to make so many friends, buddy! You aren’t even going to notice Mom and Dad aren’t there, y’know? They also have lots of cool toys.”

Danny seems like the kind of Dad that would want them to feel confident. So if that meant lots of new clothes, or cool school supplies. He’d get it for them. Above everything he just doesn’t want them at any point to have a hard time in this process.

In all honesty though he’s the one having the hard time.

His kid is probably hella excited.

Danny sort of strikes me as a parent who would pack a really nice lunch for his kid. Like. This kid isn’t just going to have a ham sandwich like the rest of the loser kids in their class.

#AestheticLunch

The scene I sort of keep running in my head is with Danny standing at the end of the driveway holding his kids hand, they're both just leaning out waiting for the school bus to come around the corner.

“Hey dad?”

“Yeah?”

“...I’m sorta scared.”

“Buddy, it’s okay to be scared. This is a new thing for you. It’s totally okay to be worried about it.”

“I know...”

“Is there something that’s scaring you a lot though?”

The kid would nod, “...I’m going to miss you.”

Danny’s heart would just melt, and he’d pull them up into his arms for a huge hug. “I’m going to miss you lots too! But. As soon as you get home we can play as much as you want, okay?”

Watching his kid get onto the bus is going to be such a scary thing, but he knows it’ll all work out.

I feel like he would plan something fun for afterwards. Whether it be like going to get ice cream, or taking them out to a movie. Just something to celebrate!

Well that’s all of those! Sorry they’re a little bit more briskly written I sort of wanted to get those out of my head so I can focus on the next part of What Friends Do. As always if you guys want an actual full fic written for one of these, let me know~ 

Fun note! My first day of school was proceeded by going to an amusement park on the Friday. Going to a friends house and dislocating my elbow on the Saturday. Having major surgery on the Sunday. And then sobbing my whole first day, the Tuesday.

[rosemaidenvixen]

Ugly Sweaters and Hot Cocoa

Happy Secret Santa, Merry Christmas, and Blessed Yule to @tigereyes45. You wanted something with adult asexual Krel enjoying his best life, so I wrote this little one shot with him and his fellow ace friends calling Aja to update her about his life on earth. Hope you enjoy!

@toa-secret-santa

Ao3

Krel carefully placed the laptop down on the coffee table and looked around “Everyone ready?”

Eli plopped down on the couch right next to him “Ready,”

Zoe hopped over the back and landed on Krel’s other side “All set, now we just need to wait for Douxie to get her with the--”

“Ask and you shall receive,” Douxie stepped around the side of the couch and slid the pile of DVDs onto the table before flopping back next to Zoe “Ready when you are Krel,”

“Awesome,” Krel turned and opened up the laptop, typing in the commands to establish the connection “Let’s get started,”

A few seconds later Aja’s blue face popped up on the screen.

“Hello little brother!”

“Hello Aja,” Krel greeted her with a small smile.

“Hi Aja!”

“Nice to see you,”

“How’s it going, did you get the video games I sent you?”

She held up a thin plastic box in front of the screen “Yes, thank you Zoe, but we’ll have to be quick today, I can’t talk for long, there is a meeting with dignitaries from the far territories,” 

Abruptly Aja’s figure on the screen froze, before slowly lowering the box and leaning in to squint at them “What are you all wearing?”

“Ah, well you see, today we participated in a Earth winter solstice ritual known as the ‘Ugly Sweater Party’,”

“Check it out!” Eli flipped a switch on the underside of his collar causing the Christmas tree on the front of his sweater to become illuminated with multicolored lights.

“You call that an ugly sweater?” Douxie said with a smirk “This is an ugly sweater,”

He pressed the red nose of the reindeer on his chest, causing tinny instrumental music to play. Krel and Zoe looked at each other and rolled their eyes. Douxie and Eli could be such dorks, although to be fair the snowman on Krel’s sweater shed glitter on every surface it touched, and Zoe’s sweater had so much tinsel it was hard to look directly at her. 

“Oh, excellent work, your sweaters are most hideous,”

“I know,” Krel leaned back “I don’t really understand it either,”

Aja giggled before she started, zooming closer until her face took up the entire screen “Seklos and Gaylen Krel! Is this your new house?”

Krel perked up “Oh yes, sorry I thought I already told you we moved in. We’re on the loft right now but I can show you the rest,” he stood and picked up the laptop, walking over to the landing so Aja could see down stairs “There’s the kitchen, and the living room, there’s a patio outside but it might be hard to see through the sliding doors,”

“Very lively! I will have to come over to see it the next time I am on earth,”

“Yep,” Eli said with no small amount of pride “The four Ace-cateers finally have a home base,”

Krel turned and made a face so that only Aja would see; her eyes sparkled, cheeks puffed with barely restrained giggles. He hadn’t been the one to pick out that name, Eli had, and to Krel’s eternal torment it stuck.

Asexual was the english word to describe what the four of them were. There existed no such translation in the Akiridion dialect, the closest thing would be ‘preferences’.

Some Akiridions preferred those similar to themselves, some preferred those who were more different. Some enjoyed the company of others regardless of how similar or different they were. And some, like Krel, preferred to abstain altogether.

Krel had never really needed a word to describe what he was; Aja, Varvatos, and his parents had always known his preferences and accepted them without question.

So yes, Krel had never needed the word, but being able to use it to find others that were similar to him was incredible. 

Other people that would roll their eyes with him when Steve did one of his musical calls to Aja, to complain with about how nearly everything in human society was geared towards couples.

Eli, Douxie, and Zoe were some of the best friends he could ask for during his years on earth. Even if ‘The four Ace-cateers’ was an embarrassing name.

“We just moved in last week,” Zoe said loud enough for Aja to hear even though Krel was standing across the room with the laptop “There’s still a lot of unpacking to do, but that can wait until after finals,”

“Congratulations! Are your classes going well little brother?”

“Oh yes they are challenging to be sure but I having a blast,” Krel returned the laptop to the table while sitting back down on the couch “Humans have such a complex history, and the way the carbon based life on this planet evolved is truly fascinating,”

Douxie leaned over and grinned at the computer screen “You have no idea how disappointed the engineering school was to miss out on him, there was even talk about some of them throwing him into a sack and dragging him to the engineering campus so they could force him to join,”

“Kleb that,” Krel folded his arms and leaned back “If I wanted to learn utterly basic engineering from some larvox that doesn’t even know what a Daxial array is, I would go back to high school,”

Aja giggled before turning towards Eli “How are your studies going, Ambassador Pepperjack?”

“I’m hanging in there, Mr. Strickler’s been helping with my political science classes, but learning all the different languages is hard,”

Krel grinned and nudged him with an elbow “Eli, tell her what happened your debate,”

Aja’s eyeridges rose “Debate?”

Eli blushed scarlet while the three of them started smirking “There’s nothing to tell!”

“If it is nothing why are you turning red?”

“Let’s just say Ash Dispersal Pattern, featuring DJ Kleb, made a guest appearance,” Douxie said with a sly grin.

“Is that what you call it?! There was a dragon in the auditorium!” 

Zoe held up a finger “Hey, Charlemange is a cool guy,”

“The quad was on fire.”

“I assure you, we had everything under control,”

“And the gnomes!?” Eli said indignantly, face still crimson.

Krel opened his mouth to retort, paused, shut his jaw with a click, and then opened it again “....yeah ok that was our bad, we took that one a little too far,” 

Eli covered his face and moaned

Aja’s expression was both confused and intrigued “Ok, we don’t have enough time right now, but you will definitely have to tell me the full story later,” 

Zoe nodded at her “I’ll send you the pictures,”

“Oh, that reminds me, how is your deejaying Krel?”

“Klebtastic, I’ve been doing pretty regular work at the recreation center’s party nights, and I’m going to be doing the music in town square for Arcadia’s New Years eve celebration,” 

“That’s Amazing!” she beamed at him “You know when I told the council of elders what your DJ name is they were so horrified, a few of them actually fainted,”

Krel let out a short laugh “Oh man, I wish I could have been there,”

Aja chuckled along with him for a moment when someone suddenly called to her from offscreen. She leaned over and disappeared from view for a while responding to them before quickly popping back “I have to go soon, but it was good talking to you,”

“Yes,” Krel sighed, the other three sitting back to let him and his sister say goodbye “I miss seeing you,”

“Krel I--” Aja hesitated before speaking up again “Krel...I am glad that you are happy on earth with your friends and your deejaying and your studies...but there will always be a place for you on Akiridion-5,”

Krel froze, caught off guard by the sudden heaviness in his chest and stinging in his eyes. 

His life on earth wasn’t perfect, there were pieces missing; Aja was the biggest one. But he had his friends, his town. A life outside being a prince that he’d never imagined.

Maybe one day he would want something different, but for now this was enough.

“Thank you Aja,”

Aja gave him a soft smile “You can always come back whenever you want, but I know earth is your home to,”

Someone called to her from beyond the computer again, Aja frowned sharply, standing abruptly and shouting offscreen “I will be finished soon, now would you please give me a mekron to speak with my brother in peace!”

She sat back down into view and sighed “I have to go now, but it was good talking to you, and Krel--”

“Yes, I know, I will give hugs and kisses to the oaf for you,”

“I was going to say don’t take so long to call again, but if you really want to, I can ask Steve to--”

“Flishgag no!”

“Aja! Ew!” Eli’s face was a picture of disgust.

She laughed at them through the screen, Douxie and Zoe going right along with her. 

“Take care of yourself little brother,”

“I will, and you do the same,”

She gave him a melancholy smile “Goodbye,”

Bittersweet feelings stirred in his stomach “Bye, see you soon,”

With that he pressed a button on the keyboard causing the screen to go dark.

Krel pressed the power button and shut the laptop, but not before he could see the glum look on his face reflected in the blaack screen. 

It was good to catch up with Aja, he should definitely arrange another call soon. But immediately after their calls ended was always when he felt the literal lightyears of distance between them most acutely.

He played off the swell of emotion as a shudder “Why your race chooses to express romantic affection by mushing your mouths together I will never understand,”

“Agreed,” Eli punctuated the word with a nod.

“I don’t know guys,” Douxie said “Kissing isn’t all that bad,”

“Yeah,” Zoe slid closer to him “I think I might like to do some right now,”

“Please no,”

“Gross,”

Douxie flashed them a malicious grin while pulling a smirking Zoe in closer “We’re going to do it,” he said in a sing-song voice.

“Guys, eeww!”

“If you two kiss I am throwing myself out the window,”

“Pucker up honeypie,” Zoe leaned in close, Douxie bending his head down to meet her.

Eli made gagging noises.

“The window is open and I am ready to jump!”

Zoe and Douxie were less than an inch away when Lucy suddenly popped up from behind the couch, causing Zoe to fall and Douxie to jump with a yelp.

“Nuh uh uh kiddos, no PDA in the living room. Got to be on your tip top best behavior now, Santy Claus is watching,”

Zoe got back up with a grumble “We’re grown adults in our own house,”

Lucy didn’t so much as bat an eye “How about you sports have some hot cocoa, extra whipped cream and extra marshmallows,” she held out a tray with four steaming mugs.

“...if this is a bribe I will totally take it,” Zoe reached up and grabbed one of the mugs, Eli and Douxie following suit.

Krel shut the window with a sigh of relief and walked over to accept his own mug. Zoe and Douxie would pick chocolate over making out any day; besides, if past experience was anything to go by Krel wasn’t very good at hiding his gloom at being separated from his sister, and they had only been trying to distract him.

He picked up one of the DVDs from the stack on the coffee table “Should I start the movie now?”

“Yes,”

“Definitely,”

“Fire it up,”

Krel popped the disk into the player before going back over to plop down on the couch between Eli and Douxie. Zoe picked up the box from where he set it on the table “When a big city lawyer heads home for the holidays it’s love at first sight when-- wow, they aren’t even trying anymore are they?”

“They’re the Hallmark channel,” Eli said between sips of his hot chocolate “What do you think?”

“You know, when I first arrived on Earth I thought that these movies were an accurate representation of human courtship, you have know idea how relieved I was when I learned they weren’t,”

“Yeah they are inaccurate drivel,” Douxie said as the opening credits started rolling “But they are a ton of fun to watch with my fellow Ace-cateers,”

Krel grinned and held up his mug “I’ll drink to that,”

[ramblingguy54]

The Phantom & The Sorceress: Lena Shines Once Again

Let me first start off by saying. DuckTales it’s so freaking good to have ya back!

Okay with that said, Phantom & The Sorceress episode is another damn great Lena episode that continues to showcase why she’s such an endearing character, much like Della Duck. DuckTales has continually knocked it outta the park with each episode focusing on Lena’s inner demons trying not to define herself exactly as Magica’s heartless nature. Which we get to see once again on full display here when Lena has to reluctantly ask for her help, once the Phantom Blot rears his ugly head trying to take away all magic with an “Infinity Gauntlet” of his own making trying to become a second coming of Thanos. Lena has been such an amazing new addition to this reboot’s iteration. You can tell, as clear as the blue freaking sky, that so much heart and effort has gone into exploring the heavy details of what makes Lena, well, such a deeply relatable individual. You want to see Lena become a stronger person, who won’t repeat the same awful mistakes as her heartless parent and what better way to do that, than with them teaming up to confront an old foe from Magica’s wrong doings?

I was ecstatic to hear about Lena teaming up with Magica because it’s always an interesting treat to see a protagonist make some temporary truce with their extreme moral opposite when done right, of course. I’ve seen it in Teen Titans when Robin teamed up with Slade to stop Raven’s demonic father from destroying all life in the universe, which was a lot of cool character introspective for both what makes their characters so similar, yet so alienating as well. This situation is no different, as Lena has to grit her teeth against every snide abusive remark her so called aunt throws her away to try deterring the kid to no avail, since Lena isn’t having any of that freaking garbage after Nightmare On Killmotor Hill’s story in Season 2. Although, Lena does have a new challenge to face that stirs up those old feelings of self resentment showcased in this season’s theme of legacy and how that ties into one’s own self-worth when looking at their respective lineage and oh boy there’s a lot to unpack.

One day I grew tired of the many gifts villagers’ offered to keep me from destroying their village, so I destroyed their village.

Okay, that line of narration for this origin exposition is befitting of Magica’s deliciously evil nature. Fucking love that stuff. Can I just say I adored Phantom Blot’s backstory being a by product of Magica’s reign of terror in this iteration of his characterization? It not only adds weight to the Phantom Blot’s personality, but contributes a serious fuel to Lena’s emotional turmoil of her inescapable connection to magic that she has to better cope with. Lena may have more confidence in herself after Season 2′s dramatic shenanigans, but it still doesn’t take away from that painful reality that she feels like a prisoner to the very essence of magic quite literally & figuratively, too. Seeing Magica spell out how her actions of destroying the Blot’s village and loved ones years ago had a long term consequences in the creation of Phantom’s hatred for magic ties in perfectly to Lena’s disgust, where it no doubt drudged up the good ole self esteem issues. Like Lena stated in the episode, “Our magic isn’t a legacy! It’s a curse!”, that has caused a lot of unending pain and misery. Phantom Blot is just one of many victims Magica scarred for life, where that seriously bugs Lena to still be connected to that as a legacy she’s saddled with, but the very thing keeping her alive in the grand scheme of things, too. That provides a layer of serious tension because all Phantom Blot has to do is suck away that magic from the amulet and Lena will disappear along with that. There’s a lot riding on the line that can’t be ignored. 

Being angry might work for Magica, but you’re not her. You’re good!

If Lena fails, she dies. If they don’t defeat the Phantom Blot, Scrooge and the kids are trapped in another dimension, leaving FOWL to steal Duckburg on a silver platter with few to defend their home. Thankfully, there’s always Webby to help keep Lena’s insecurities in check with a nice dose of emotional support. They really wanna build up how important of a character Webby is as the extreme optimist for this season, by further reinforcing how much Lena has succeeded thanks to Webby lending her a helping hand in opening up to have that courage in facing down her dark past that continues to bother her at every turn. Real talk, I seriously hope Lena will be the one to help lift Webby up outta her low breaking point when whatever stuff Beakly is hiding from her tests the kid’s trust in others. Having Lena give Webby the emotional pep talk would be quite poetic when that time comes in the distant future of this season. Lena has come such a very long way from who she used to be in Season 1. She was out for herself at first trying to get away from Magica’s cold blooded nature. However, once she met Webby the rest was history that made Lena determined to gain her freedom not outta a selfish reason anymore, but one to feel truly alive and happy. To feel the loving warmth of affection she never received before.

Lena’s smile says it all about how unashamed she is to allow Webby to be this sentimental toward her about a touchy topic for herself. Sure, she playfully shrugs off Webby when she’s throwing out suggestion after suggestion about stuff regarding positive uses for magic and all that, but it’s not outta some form of negativity taking hold of her again, like in the JAW$ episode, aka calling her a sentimental fool. Lena is laughing it off agreeing with her friend as naturally any form of motivational socializing should be handled when she says, “Okay, Webby. I got it. Thanks!”, that’s heartwarming and adorable in showcasing Lena’s growth. All of it comes to a head in Lena’s magical beam struggle against Phantom Blot’s absorbing gauntlet, where we get a culmination of every pivotal moment that’s made Lena into who she is now, whether you’re looking at Magica’s abuse or how Webby helped her to realize that stuff didn’t define her, but how she chose to act on all those bottled up feelings. This episode pulled another Friendship Hates Magic when Lena was starting to disappear all over again from Blot’s gauntlet and I could feel that adrenaline kicking in at that point seeing Phantom Blot almost succeed. Lena came close to letting Magica manipulate her all over again at that lowest point, but those emotional callback’s from Webby & Violet’s bonding spell reminded her all too well immediately that she isn’t a slave to the name, De Spell, anymore. It’s clear that Lena is getting ever closer to reaching that apex of character development, given the awesome looking design change that now fully reflects her more happier outlook on life ever since meeting Webby and her sister from a couple of misters’, Violet.

Love how her eyes are now blue and not dark anymore, which can arguably be seen as symbolism for overcoming depression with those dark eyes she once had. Pessimism can transform into the most powerful form of compassion for others, as seen with Lena’s blue magical signature now that isn’t dark purple anymore, like her aunt’s. Also on a side note, while I would’ve loved to have seen Magica be without her full powers a little longer to provide for more interesting scenarios in showing her cunning and calculating nature, this gives us more intense scenarios in their own right for Lena clashing with Magica again in Season 3′s future because there’s no way we’ve seen the last of these two going at it. Now that they’re both at their fully realized power, you can bet shit’s going to be hitting the fan when it does happen between these magical beings of opposing sides. The possibilities are endless with that notion in mind.

The Phantom & The Sorceress continues to enforce why Lena is easily one of the most complex characters in DuckTales (2017). Each emotional hurdle she’s overcome is completely earned in her growth to be a better and protective friend to her real family. Whatever the future holds in store for Lena’s character, you can know that I’ll be there rooting for her development every step of the way. 

This was an excellent return to form. 

I’ve missed you DuckTales. Welcome back.

[merryfortune]

Flower Power

Fandom: She-Ra and the Princesses of Power

Ship: Huntara/Perfuma

Word Count:  3,272

Tags: Post Canon, Slight Canon Divergence, Fluff and Angst, Pansexual Perfuma

   Something strange was beginning to happen around Huntara.

   Flowers were beginning to bloom where she stood and lingered too long, she could swear that if she thoughtlessly used her hands to talk, the plants around her would bob and move with the way she moved.

   But, surely not right?

   Magic was not her forte at all but she supposed that if stars could return to the night sky, along side the moons and clouds, then maybe it was possible that she was, quite literally, a late bloomer when it came to magic. It helped that this new found affinity she had with plants seemed to coincide with when her dominion, the Crimson Waste transformed from a hinterland to a beautiful and burgeoning metropolis. And yes, that was correct, it was still her dominion even though the peoples of it, scarred and roguish, were beginning to reconnect with the outside society they had shunned and they had crowned Huntara their regent.

   She was their leader, not their queen and certainly not their princess. She was Huntara of the Crimson Waste - and yes, it was still called the Crimson Waste even though it was no longer how it had been for a millenia. Scorched red sand and a hopeless place. All sandy valleys of death and the lost with a harsh sun and foreboding conditions which made it impossible to thrive. Now that magic, all magic, had returned to Etheria from its core, the Crimson Waste had been renewed as an ecosystem. There were oases, real and genuine, in the sands which now teemed with all sorts of insectoid life and the like.

   Plants, too, apparently. Not just cacti but there were a few other, desert hardy things which had begun to spring up and bloom in the Crimson Waste and these strange things, with huge mottled petals, had a definite preference for popping up wherever Huntara was and she was in a lot of places. As leader, her people - her subjects, if she could be so bold and it felt awful, for once, to be that bold - had a lot of need and want for her opinions and she was a woman of the people. She wanted to be there. On the ground, helping. A strange difference from fighting but it felt good to do good.

   But she couldn’t ignore herself. She needed a little bit of help as well. And she knew exactly who to ask to get it. 

   Perfuma had received her with open arms - and then closed ones. She was a hugger after all. Huntara stiffened at the reception of such affection but she didn’t revile it. That would be rude and she was a leader now. Huntara had to be this new thing called “polite” and Perfuma made it easy. She was such a goody two shoes sweetie after all and despite it all, Huntara was a softie so she indulged but patting the top of Perfuma’s head as her skinny little arms tried their darned best to squeeze the life out of Huntara. 

   When she finally let go, Perfuma had to take a very deep breath. Only for her arms to fling back again and she beamed, so big and wide and proud. 

   “Welcome to Plumeria, Huntara, Princess of the Crimson Waste!” Perfuma bellowed so cheerfully.

   “Hold on, hold on, I ain’t no princess, princess.” Huntara scowled as she corrected Perfuma.

   Perfuma looked up at her, all innocently confounded. “Oh, my apologies,” she said, her hands shrinking in on herself, her dress crinkling, “I had received word that the Crimson Waste had made you their leader and since your efforts have been to reconnect the Crimson Waste to the rest of Etheria, I assumed that a new kingdom had been… reborn.”

   “Your right on those counts, I can’t blame you fer gettin’ your wires crossed… but I ain’t no princess.” Huntara said only to turn uncharacteristically ginger. “But I guess that’s why I’m here. Strange things are happenin’ and I figured you might know a thing or two. You’re the one with the green thumb. Not me, mine’re, uh, purple.”

   Perfuma giggled but she nodded. “Here, allow me to show you to my inner sanctum, we can talk there in private.”

   “Much obliged, flower girl.” Huntara smiled weakly.

   Plumeria was a very beautiful place. That was an objective fact. It was verdant and lush, easygoing and relaxed. 

   Huntara found it weirdly fitting that she would come here again. She had been part of an invasion which had hassled Plumeria a long, long time ago, when she was in the Horde. Returning from that outpost in Plumeria had been the catalyst that Huntara needed to desert the Horde. Seeing its wealth and bounty had made her yearn for more than what she got at the Horde. She didn’t deserve to eat grey ration bars when there were real fruits and vegetables out there. She didn’t deserve to only know hatred and misery if there was genuine love out there; of course, she came to convince herself that a coward like her, on the run from the biggest and most terrifying force in Etheria would never be truly deserving of such things so she ended up in the Crimson Waste. 

   But now, she was back and that felt oddly right.

   Perfuma had them settled down by the shade of some overhanging linen strewn about in the trees and on pillows with a small, wooden table by their side. A servant appeared and offered them tea and other light refreshments, some of which were tiny in size. Perfuma pecked at a few and then drank from her cup of tea.

   “Rose petal,” she said, a fanciful sigh escaping her lips, “my absolute favourite blend, it’s divine.”

   Huntara awkwardly accepted. The social customs outside the Crimson Waste were egregious to her but to be courteous, she drank some. It was hot, but not too hot for her mouth, and okay. Not her favourite.

   “So, what does bring you to Plumeria? You mentioned that you wanted my counsel for an important matter but were evasive over the communications… I’ve been shivering in anticipation for your arrival.” Perfuma rambled.

   “I feel like I’m going crazy but… but I think I have magic now, the same as yours.” Huntara stiltedly replied.

   Her eyes were far off into the distance, she sat, cross legged, and away from Perfuma. Anything to avoid her gaze. It was too intense and not in the way that Huntara could usually bear the brunt of because Perfuma’s intensity was very, very sparkly for lack of a better word and right now, she was incredibly sparkly even by her measures.

   She gasped, eyes widening, “No… way!” she exclaimed.

   “I-I’m not certain. I just think its possible, when She-Ra rejuvenated Etheria with a thousand years’ worth of stored magic that I absorbed some of it since I am, er, the leader of the Crimson Waste and, for whatever reason, leaders on this planet generally tend to be, uh, gifted. So to speak. With magic.”

   Hunata stared at her hands. They were not the hands of someone who ought to excel at magic or even have the rare privilege of practising it in any way, shape, or form. All the sorcerers that Huntara had the pleasure of meeting had these tiny, soft hands which were dainty and squishy. Perfuma’s hands were a fantastic example of Huntara’s observation, for instance. The only exception she could think of to such delicacy was Scorpia, but her heart and mind were plenty soft and squishy to make up for the fact that she had pincers.

   “O-M-G!” Perfuma squealed. “We could be flower power buddies! Doesn’t that sound awesome?”

   Huntara growled. “I told you.” she all but snapped. “I don’t know for certain. Maybe I’m just seeing things.” She huffed through her nose, a hot exhale. “It could be coincidence or whatever.”

   “I think we should at least try.” Perfuma gushed. “I believe in you.”

   Huntara stiffened. Perfuma’s words were so saccharine but so sincere as well. She huffed again, more defeated this time. 

   “Yes,” she supposed, “I guess we could try.”

   That word had become the bane of an entire inter-galactic empire. Maybe it could become the boon between a princess with confirmed flower powers and a totally not princess with unconfirmed flower powers. 

   “Here, let me come closer to help.” Perfuma said and she rocketed to her feet.

   She pranced about only to plop down next to Huntara. They were knee to knee, nudging up against each other. Perfuma held onto her ankles and leaned back, her hair falling back behind her and she looked at the sky. Huntara wondered if she ought to do the same so, she did. She tilted her head back and through the foliage of the trees above, she saw scant traces of the big blue sky.

   “Huntara, dearest, I want you to think about your happy place.” Perfuma said. “We are going to do a spot of meditating. Doesn’t that sound wonderful?”

   “Uh, I guess. Told you, flower girl, not really my thing.” Huntara said, gruffly reminding her.

   “But plant based magic is my thing and I want you to unlock your inner Plumerian so we can get to the bottom of this whole thing you're experiencing. It's scary and exciting, don’t you think?”

   “Uh, yea-” Huntara interrupted herself with a cough. She was Huntara of the Crimson Waste. The strongest being in the Crimson Waste. She wasn’t wishy-washy or the like, she was of the toughest resolve. Or so she would damn well remind herself. “Yes. It is.” She was still staring at what could be glimpsed of the sky through the dense forest. They both were.

   “I was taken to the Heart-Blossom all the time as a baby, by my parents, so I could receive its blessing but the earliest I actually remember being taken to the Heart-Blossom was the day I activated my connection with it and I used my powers, my magic, for the first time.” There was a nostalgic sound to Perfuma’s voice but it was tinged with something else. Something more bittersweet. “I was so excited but it was so scary. My mouth opened, my eyes glazed over - or so I’m told - and I just became an unstable conduit for the Runestone’s powers… I hurt a lot of people that day. Friends, family, both…”

   Huntara looked away from the sky and unthinkingly, she reached out. Her fingers grazed Perfuma’s upper arm in some scant attempt to comfort her. She looked down from the sky as well and met Huntara’s gaze. It was saturated with concern for her.

   “No one died that day but my parents still had some of the injuries I accidentally inflicted that day on them. My Mother and my Guardian… but they never blamed me. They helped me understand my powers and control them. I want to help you do the same since… since I think you're the same. You're scared by these new things but they are so, so rewarding when reined in correctly. That’s what makes it exciting. I have the utmost faith in you, Huntara, so believe in yourself. Let’s do it. We can do it.” Perfuma rambled. There were tears in her eyes.

   “Yeah, we can.” Huntara grunted.

   She closed her eyes and steadied her breathing. Perfuma guided them both through the meditation. Huntara tried to focus on Perfuma’s voice and Perfuma’s voice alone but it was so difficult. Incredibly difficult as Plumeria was so alive. The wind sang in the branches of the trees; birds flew and flapped about; people came and went merrily as they pleased. There was so much to listen to but Huntara endured even though something as simple as sitting down and clearing her mind was strangely difficult for her.

   But Perfuma was soon more than satisfied with how Huntara did, ending the guided meditation after a minute or two, Huntara didn’t count and she had to control herself not to, she spoke again: “How do you feel?” Her voice was light and airy.

   “Focused.” Huntara elected to reply. She could think of dozens of disparaging or self deprecating replies but at the very least, she owed Perfuma something constructive, even downright positive.

   “Excellent. Open your eyes.” Perfuma ordered her, her words beginning to tumble with her excitable nature. She wanted to confirm Huntara’s magic powers more than she did.

   Swallowing, Huntara obeyed. She opened her left eye and then the right, only to be immediately dazzled by how bright the sunlight here was. It was a gentle sunlight, though but she still had to squint ahead.

   “I think you can do it. No, I know you can do it. Try and use your powers, Huntara. Please.” Perfuma told her next. It felt inciting but not like an order. Strange.

   Huntara took a breath and she stared at the ground, drilling a hole between the plush blades of grass around her. 

   “You can do it. Visualise a flower. Any flower you like and make it grow.” Perfuma encouraged her. 

   Huntara growled as she tried to follow through on Perfuma’s encouragement of her but it was very difficult. Her muscles visibly strained, her cheeks flushed, as she put all her might and power into trying to make one, teeny-tiny flower. Her efforts in vain, elicited something like sympathy from Perfuma.

   She reached out to her and her fingers caressed Huntara’s thick forearms. Her touch was surprisingly cool. Or maybe Huntara burned too hot but either way, she was soothed by how Perfuma’s fingertips ghosted over her leathery skin and Huntara breathed a bit more easily. And when she stopped trying so hard, lulled by Perfuma’s quiet encouragement, it happened.

   Magic happened.

   Before their very eyes, a flower managed to raise itself up and out of the grass, nigh out of nowhere. It was feeble and quite battered looking but as its petals, pink with white trims and golden middles, unfurled, it had an air of grace and resilience. It seemed to respond to how Huntara held her hand out to it, as though it wanted to be pet by her hands.

   Huntara’s jaw slackened and when it popped back into place, it turned into a grin. Gawky and toothy but an ecstatic grin all the same. Beside her, Perfuma squealed with joy - a helluva lot more than what Huntara had. She hugged Huntara from side on, snuggling into her rock-hard side and beaming as well.

   “You did it.” Perfuma cheered.

   “Y-Yeah, I did. I’m not goin’ crazy. I’m magic.” Huntara sounded breathless.

   “Yes, you are. You are very magical, my beautiful desert rose.” Perfuma told her, her voice husky.

   “You are very bold, flower girl.” Huntara half-warned her, she caressed Perfuma’s narrow face and tilted it upwards towards. Her arms slackened but Perfuma was very handsy, they remained nestled on Huntara’s hulking legs now.

   Perfuma giggled. “I’m about to get much bolder.”

   “Oh?” Huntara was intrigued; her brow quirked.

   “In my eyes, you are Princess Huntara of the Crimson Waste and I propose that the Crimson Waste becomes a vassal territory of Plumeria. I believe we have a lot in common.” Perfuma said and she seemed all too cocky, fluttering her long, blonde eyelashes and Huntara couldn’t be mad. She wanted to be but she was charmed by the strength that Perfuma was exhibiting instead.

   “That is bold.” Huntara agreed.

   “So, what do you think?” Perfuma asked.

   “I think I would prefer to be Huntara, Strongest of the Crimson Waste, brilliant and dashing leader, partner state to Plumeria and that’s it.” Huntara bargained, voice dropping low and even flirtatious.

   Perfuma giggled, she reached up and toyed with the jagged fluff of the collar on Huntara’s jacket.

   “How about… partner to the Princess and acting Queen of Plumeria?” Perfuma asked.

   “That’s a bit more up my alley, flower girl.” Huntara said and she caressed Perfuma’s chin gently and leaned in.

   Completely oblivious to such a signal, Perfuma squealed: “Ooh, it’s so exciting! We’re going to be in cahoots! I’ve never been in cahoots with someone before- and oh my gosh, you are trying to kiss me now aren’t you?”

   Huntara laughed as she poked Perfuma’s cheek with her thumb, stroking it backwards.

   “Ayup.” she grunted.

   “Please do that, thank you.” Perfuma smiled.

   “Sounds good, flower girl.” Huntara said.

   She leaned in and their lips connected. Perfuma giggled through the kiss, it reverberated on Huntara’s lips and she didn’t dislike it at all, as annoying as it was, and in fact liked it quite a bit. Still, it was more a kiss of lip to teeth but Huntara didn’t mind much as she there was so much joy in how Perfuma reacted to being kissed. So, Huntara kept at it, more than happily. Perfuma’s mouth was sweet with the taste of tea and the other confections which she had been snacking on. It was nice. Best of all, she didn’t mind one bit that Huntara had such big teeth jutting out her mouth, it seemed she even relished how they nudged up against her face as Huntara kissed her.

   Perfuma sighed when Huntara, regrettably, pulled back. They both had to breathe, after all. Perfuma giggled an awkward and overjoyed giggle. It was painfully shrill on Huntara’s ears but luckily for Perfuma, Huntara was endeared to such a raucous noise for one reason or another.

   “To a long and prosperous union between Plumeria and the Crimson Waste.” Perfuma said.

   “Sure thing, short-stack.” Huntara replied, bearing a cocky smile of her own.

   Perfuma smiled back, eyes closed, lashes fluttering and when she opened them, they were brimming so happy. Her hand swept aside and she plucked the flower from the ground, the one which Huntara had managed to make rise up from nothingness. 

   “Ooh, a plumeria.” Perfuma gasped as she half-heartedly examined the flower, twirling it between her slender fingers.

   “Heh, yeah, whaddya know, it is.” Huntara replied, pretending that she was any good at identifying flowers outside of what was edible and what would poison you.

   “A good omen, I think. Most fortuitous.” Perfuma nodded sagely. “Hey, may I press this flower for you? I want you to keep it, a memento of the first time using your powers on purpose.”

   “I’d like that, kiddo.” Huntara said and she petted the top of Perfuma’s head. Her hair was so tightly bound back over the crown of it and fed into that big, fluffy ponytail of hers. It was nice.

   Perfuma laughed and playfully swatted Huntara’s large hand away from her. She got up, her petalled skirt shaking and shimmying about as she dusted herself down.

   “I’ll be right back,” Perfuma said, “and when I do come back, I’d like it a lot if you let me help you practice your magic some more.”

   “I’d like that a lot too, flower girl.” Huntara replied, something of a contented sigh escaping her mouth as she leaned back, one arm planted to the ground to prop her up.

   Perfuma squealed excitedly again and Huntara cringed but if Perfuma was happy, she was happy. Simple as that. Perfuma hurried off and Huntara very much decided she liked to see that girl go; that halter drop on her back was very nice. But what was nicer, was how she treated Huntara. Felt weirdly good to be worthy of commemorative knickknacks and kisses. She couldn’t help but look forward to future lessons, speaking strictly as a liaison from the Crimson Waste, not their princess, merely their leader and liaison, both romantic and official to the Princess and acting Queen of Plumeria, of course.

[olivenight17]

HI! I see you write for One Punch Man. Could I please request an anniversary date with Tatsumaki? If you don't write for her, maybe Fubuki? Thank you!

Anon, let me say, I’m so sorry I made you wait for as long as I did. I had the plot all decked out, I knew how I wanted to do this aNd YeT, it took me like three months anyways. Because I felt bad, you also now get to flat out have Tatsumaki propose to you too. I hope this was to your liking, I did my best to keep it gender neutral just in case. Enjoy!

——————————————————————————————-

Tatsumaki x Reader “A Perfect Night”

Tap, tap, tap

“Tatsu! Right on time,” You giggled as you opened the door. Your mint green girlfriend merely huffed and looked the other way.

“Of course I am, I’m not about to be late to our anniversary.” She stated cooly, but you could see the hint of a blush on her face. “And I thought I told you to stop calling me that!”

You couldn’t help but giggle at her flustered state. “It’s not my fault that it’s a cute nickname,” You sung and grabbed her hand. The action caused her to look back at you and her face softened.

Tatsumaki was never sure how you were able to do it, but even if she was in the most foul mood, as long as you grabbed her hand or kissed her cheek all of her anger would melt away. A small smile broke out on her face as she slipped a stray hair out of your face. “It’s only cute when it comes out of your mouth. Now come on, can’t be late for our dinner reservation.” The woman led you over to a limousine and you felt your jaw drop to the floor.

“Wait a second, we’re going in that? How much did that cost,” You exclaimed. The car was sleek and black, there wasn’t even a speck of dust on it.

A smug expression settled on your girlfriend’s face as she helped the both of you into the backseat. “(Y/N), I am the number two hero, that comes with a very pretty salary.” She stated before instructing the chauffeur to start driving, a pleased smile on her face.

However, her pleased mood didn’t last long.

The car started rolling before stopping abruptly, the engine coughing and spluttering. Quirking an eyebrow, she got out of the limo with the chauffeur to check it but it billowed out smoke. She was astonished. “What? No, this has to be perfect, dumb car!” She growled, summoning a rock and tossing it at one of the tires. “It’s fine, I can make this work… Call a tow truck, have them take it to the shop,” Tatsumaki ordered.

Once satisfied with her workers agreement she opened the door on your side. You let out a concerned chuckle. “Everything alright up at the front?” You asked to which your girlfriend shook her head.

“Well, no. The stupid engine broke down. But I’ve got a better idea anyway. Take my hand.” She tells you, waiting expectantly.

You take it with an excited grin and just like that you see a familiar green outlining your bodies and lifting you both in the air. Tatsumaki let out a small chuckle seeing the stars in your eyes. “I told you I had a better idea,” She smirks.

“Way better! This is awesome,” You laughed, watching the people on the ground grow smaller. “You know I wouldn’t mind one bit if this was our regular mode of transportation.”

The green haired woman rolls her eyes. “Keep dreaming, dummy. I’m not always going to abuse my powers like this for you.” You merely shrugged at her words, looking all around as you flew through the city.

It wasn’t long before you reached the restaurant and got yourselves settled. After ordering food, you went on a ramble about your day while Tatsumaki listened. Though she’d never fully admit it, she liked hearing you ramble like this. It was endearing that you felt comfortable sharing so much about your day with her. It was also relaxing, your voice always sounded so pleasant, and your sometimes ridiculous phrasing always had her snorting with laughter.

Just as you were getting to the middle of your story, the waiter came back with your food. Just as she was about to dig in, she noticed the faded smile on your face and she paused. “What’s wrong?” She asked and you shrugged.

“It’s nothing, they just put tomatoes on my food when I asked for none cause of my allergy…” You trailed off. Tatsumaki frowned and stood up in response, lifting up your plate of food.

“Then, I’ll be right back.” Before you could stop her, she had already disappeared into the kitchen. Damn it, this night was supposed to be perfect and yet here were these moronic chefs trying to kill her date! She smacked the plate on an empty spot on the counter and cast her stormy gaze out to the workers. “I don’t know which one of you idiots thought this was a good idea but you’re going to remake it immediately without a single tomato on it, do you hear me?” She shouted, bowls and ingredients whirling around the kitchen in her anger.

They all nodded, terrified of what she would do otherwise, and she huffed before slamming her way out of the kitchen and back to her seat.

Your embarrassed expression was waiting for her when she got back. You tugged on her sleeve, feeling the tips of your ears burn. “You didn’t have to make a scene! I could have just had the waiter take it back…” You whispered, ducking your head from any stares.

Tatsumaki scoffed in response. “No, that was completely unacceptable. You told them no tomatoes because of your allergy and they were idiotic enough to do it anyway. That cannot and will not be tolerated.” You merely whined and tried to swallow down your embarrassment.

The waiter came back, your dish with no tomatoes and the green haired woman smiled. Good, everything could go back to being perfect.

The dinner continued, with excellent food, before you both split the check as you wouldn’t let Tatsumaki pay for so much. Then you left, getting your dessert at a nearby sweets shop where you both got candy apples and took a stroll around a nearby park. Tatsumaki couldn’t help but smile. There were some bumps in the road but they still got to where she wanted to be. You caught her smile and took her hand. “What are you smiling about?” You inquired with a grin of your own.

Your girlfriend looked back up at you. “Not much, this was just a good night. But, I was hoping to make it better if I could ask you something?” She now avoided your gaze, feeling her face start to redden.

Curious, you nodded. But just as she was about to speak, her phone rang.

Tatsumaki growled as she fished out her phone. “Give me a second, it’s work.” She sighed, stepping away from you before answering the phone. “What do you want? I requested this night off for a reason!” She practically snarled.

“I’m aware, but there’s a villain in your area, and it needs to be-”

“Get someone else on it, there are loads of other heroes out that are, you know, on the job!”

“Tatsumaki, please this is very important.”

“I don’t care. Respect that this is the one time I’ve requested to be off duty,” She seethed. However, before she could hear another response, she was cut off by a scream.

Specifically, your scream.

Her eyes darted to where you were, on the ground having barely missed a boulder being thrown your way by a monstrous sized rat. She hung up the phone and stood in front of you protectively. “Get going, you rodent!” Tatsumaki antagonized, but the rat monster laughed, deep and mocking.

“I will not allow some little girl to tell me what to do.” He bellowed. The hero’s eye twitched.

She was only 90% pissed before, but that comment drove her all the way to 100.

She used her ESP to launch the boulder he had previously tossed at you straight into his stomach, sending him flying. She followed quickly after, pelting him with whatever she could find. When there was nothing round, she picked up a street sign and rooted it through his leg back into the ground. “First things first, I am not a little girl.” She bashed his head with another rock. “Second of all, you are ruining the night I had planned. I have been waiting to ask (Y/N) to marry me for a year, and yet you turn up and destroyed it all! You absolute bastard, die!” She screamed, unearthing anything she could to break the monster apart.

By the time her rage fell apart, the rat was nothing more than mangled muscle and blood. She huffed before floating her way back to you, checking you over for any injuries. When you turned up with nothing, she sighed and laid her head on you. Confused, you looked down. “Tatsu, are you okay?” You asked, even more concerned when you felt a wetness on your clothes.

“No, I’m not. This night was supposed to be perfect, but it all got ruined. Was it too much to ask for one even nice night? This was horrible…” Her arms wrapped around you tighter and you felt sadness stab at your heart as you returned the hug.

“Hon, I know you wanted tonight to be perfect. But it really wasn’t that bad. So what, the limo broke down, or food troubles, or a villain appearing. Either way, I got to spend time with you, I got to see you smile and that’s all that really matters. This was still a great anniversary to me.” You reply, gently rubbing her back.

She didn’t say anything for a moment before she pulled back and wiped at her eyes. “I don’t know how, but you always know what to say to make me feel better. Ugh, I don’t even deserve to ask you to marry me,” She breathed out. Then she took a pause, realizing what she said and proceeded to hide her face in her hands. “No, this wasn’t even supposed to come out like this! Damn it!” The green haired woman continued cursing herself before you grabbed her hands and pulled them from her face.

“You, you were going to ask me to marry you?” You stammered, trying to process it, a grin stretched out across your face when you saw her nod.

“Look I get it, I’m not ideal-”

“Yes.”

“What?”

“I said yes, Tatsu. I will absolutely marry you!” You beamed, getting even more excited when she slipped the ring she had bought you onto your finger. The rest of the night was spent with you being as gushy as could be and Tatsumaki waving you off with a blush on her cheeks.

Maybe the night was perfect after all.

[starkerforlife6969]

@diamondheart31 said

“Another idea is where Thor decides to try courting Omega Peter, much to Tony's horror. Thor thinks Peter will be a good mother of his children. Peter is strong, smart and beautiful. Not to mention he's an unclaimed virgin Omega. He's perfect and Thor is going to have him. Of course Tony keeps cock blocking him and away from Peter.”

Thor is a relatively simple man. God. He’s a relatively simple God. He doesn’t want for anything, really. Life is pretty good. He’s the rightful King of Asgard but hopefully if Loki continues down the path of relative non-evilness, Thor would be happy to let him have the throne. Odin only knows that the people sure do love the green leathered God of Mischief now and that makes Thor happy. He’s happy when the people he loves are happy, and that makes life pretty good.

Okay, maybe saying he doesn’t want for anything is a little misleading. He does want something. One thing.

The spider is a welcome surprise. He doesn’t look like the other Omegas Thor has ever seen. He’s definitely prettier, and he smells sweet as the tulips that only bloom in the Asgardian winters outside the palace walls. Other Omegas are fragile, weak little things, but not Peter. Peter is small and dainty, but he’s strong, and even though Thor towers over him, he has one of those inklings that Peter could definitely pick up his hammer if he tried and that is…

A little worrying, if he’s honest.

He tries to keep it hidden away. It’s not like he really needs it now anyway.

When he’d first met Peter, in the days after the uproar, when all was settled and life was back to normal, in the bright afternoon light of the compound, he wasn’t sure what to expect. Being Stark’s protege, the little that Thor had seen was that the little spider was going to become another Stark. They were often tinkering away together in the labs, and Peter made enough quips and jokes and had a wry little smirk just like Tony. He’d expected sarcasm and a great many confusing science references to go over his head, but walking into the kitchen Peter had lit up and nearly dropped his mug.

“You’re Thor!” He’d exclaimed, bouncing on the heels of his feet excitedly, “oh man, this is- I’m Peter! You’re- you’re awesome! I mean-“ he makes a weird breathy sound through his teeth that Thor comes to realise is meant to be an attempt at thunder and he laughs boomingly.

“I know you, young Spider,” Thor had beamed. It’s nice to finally meet someone as friendly as he is, and Peter’s bright eyes and endless happiness was something that made Thor happy.

Their friendship hadn’t much progressed, though Thor had wanted it to.

The spider still goes to school, but he spends his weekends at the compound and he’s meant to be finishing school soon and he and Thor have even sparred together once.

Thor only uses hand to hand combat in such situations, and the Spider had been impossible to pin down. Wriggly and nimble (and incredibly flexible, the Alpha part of his brain had noted) and always with some unusual reference to a movie.

The one time Thor had managed a good hit, Peter had merely winced and reluctantly given him a point.

He’s probably the only Omega in the entire galaxy that wouldn’t perish from Thor’s touch. He tries to be gentle, really he does, but he has the strength of a thousand Asgardians and his hands are weapons and gentle touch is difficult and in his exuberance he can forget. Taking human lovers, let alone omega human lovers, has been impossible.

Peter, though, Peter could…Peter would make an excellent mother to their children.

His inner-Alpha purrs excitedly. Yes. That is his next goal. He wants to be a father, and he wants an Omega like Peter. No, he wants Peter. Peter is perfect. He’s strong and beautiful and graceful and clever. He’d be a perfect mother and then there would be heirs to the throne and Loki would be an Uncle and Thor would be a father and-

It’s all decided.

He goes to the person who knows the boy best.

“Stark!” He greets, ambling into the lab and cringing as he accidentally knocks a lot of glass off one of the tables.

Tony, after wincing at the sound of his voice, lifts his visor and sets down his tools with an exasperated, but fond look on his face. “What is it, Thor?”

Thor smiles and slides onto one of the stools. It creaks ominously under his weight and he waits to see if it will crumple, but it doesn’t. “Your spider,” he begins, voice excited and notices Tony’s expression change from soft and open to something a little tighter. He’s probably imagining it. “He is untouched, yes?”

Tony’s face does more complicated things, before the man repeats incredulously: “Untouched?”

Oh right, humans. “A virgin. He is a virgin Omega?”

Tony looks him up and down almost angrily. “Yeah, Thor, I think so. Why?”

“Perfect,” Thor beams, “not that it would matter of course, he’s wonderful, but it’s just better- especially when it comes to the future mother of the king, you know? I’m sure you earthlings have similar protocols.”

“Maybe in England,” Tony murmurs dubiously, before shaking his head, “Wait- are you telling me you’re planning on mating Peter?”

“Yes! Do you think he’ll say yes? I imagine he will.” Thor puffs out his chest. He doesn’t want to brag or anything, but he is a mighty defender of earth and nine other realms. He is a King, and he is of royal blood. He is richer and more powerful than human comprehension and on top of all that, he’s pretty attractive if he does say so himself.

One of the screw drivers in Tony’s hand bends ever so slightly and Thor blinks: impressed. He hadn’t realised the man of iron was so strong outside of his suit. “You are not mating Peter Parker,” he growls and Thor recoils a little from the venom in his voice.

“Oh? Is he spoken for..?” He asks curiously.

Tony bares his teeth then, all Alpha and angry, and Thor scrambles to his feet even though he could take him in a fight. He does not want to fight Tony. “Get out of my lab!”

Thor leaves and shakes his head. Humans are very complicated. Perhaps Tony, as a fellow Alpha, had felt threatened by the thought of his protege being taken away from him? That’s absurd, Peter could visit as often as he wanted. It would be better if he lived on Asgard, but if the pretty little thing was desperate to live on Earth, Thor wouldn’t object. He won’t steal the boy away from Tony, he rolls his eyes. Humans can be so possessive over their friends.

In the morning, he goes out bright and early and picks a fresh bouquet of flowers. Steve and Bucky pause from their morning run and wave at him. Well, Steve waves, Bucky looks him up and down dubiously. “Good morning, fellow avengers!” Thor greets merrily.

Steve half smiles, “hey, Thor. Are you picking flowers?”

“I am going to woo Peter. I would like to take him as my mate.”

Steve looks suddenly very carefully blank. “Oh uh…have you talked to Tony about that?”

“I have. I’m sure he’ll understand in due course that Peter will still be his friend.”

Bucky snickers into his palm the way that Loki does whenever he thinks Thor has missed something obvious.

It’s not a good sign.

Still, though, Thor tries to put it from his mind as he heads back inside with the tumbling bouquet of dandelions, foxgloves and hyacinths. He finds Peter in the kitchen, eating a bowl of crunchy chocolate things that float in milk and looking all soft and sleep ruffled in a shirt too big for him.

Thor would very much like to see him in some Asgardian robes. All the finest silks. Maybe he could even pull a few strings and find Peter a lovely gold helmet-

“Young Peter!” He smiles, bounding up to the counter and presenting the bouquet. He’s crushed the stems a little hard in his grip, but they still look pretty good, he thinks. Vibrant pinks and yellows. “I want to give you these flowers, though they pale in comparison to the sweetness of you.”

Bucky and Steve are watching from the doorway. Steve looks horrified and Bucky looks as though he might laugh himself sick.

Peter stares at the bouquet, before going pink all over, and reaching for them with his dainty little fingers. “For me?” He whispers, voice all pleased, “Thor, that’s-“

The flowers are yanked from Peter’s grip and immediately tossed into the sink, and doused in hot water.

Thor stares in disbelief and Peter lets out a little gasp.

“Mr Stark!” He exclaims, “those were-“

“I’m allergic to honeysuckle,” Tony says, voice apologetic. “I’m sorry, Pete. I’ll buy you some more flowers, if you like. You know I’d get you anything,”

Peter’s face goes pinker, and he ducks his head towards his cereal as Tony reaches out to squeeze the nape of his neck. Peter seems to lean into the touch and Thor frowns at the contact. He wants to reach out and touch. He’s about to, when Tony’s voice interrupts again-

“You should go shower, kid. We can go patrolling.”

Peter’s face lights up in amazement. “Can I hang from your suit?” He asks eagerly, with his big puppy-dog eyes and Tony smiles gently.

“Sure thing,”

Peter goes bounding off and Thor frowns.

“There were no honeysuckles in my gift,” he says, and Tony’s fond expression disappears into a much harder one. His brown eyes look over at Thor with irritation and Steve takes a sharp intake of breath from the doorway.

“My mistake,” Tony shrugs and Thor feels anger well up inside him. Electricity crackles around his fingers and Bucky takes a worrying step forward. Tony gives Thor a look. “Listen, pal, you don’t get to buy Peter flowers.”

Thor pouts. “But why? You said he was unclaimed-“

“I know I-“ Tony takes a deep breath, eyes closing as he pinches the bridge of his nose and Thor watches balefully. His flowers are all ruined in the sink, and he only got to receive Peter’s beautiful gratitude for about two seconds before Stark came in and ruined everything. “It’s complicated, Thor,” Tony whispers, tone meaningful. “Do you understand that? Can you just…back off?”

“But why?”

“Because I said so, that’s why!��

Thor’s eyebrows draw together, and he shakes his head. “Now Stark, I am a fair man. I like you and I like this place, but you are not the God of me. I am a King. You are not my leader.” His voice echoes in a low boom around the room, and everything falls silent. Peter is a perfect, wonderful Omega and Thor will not be bullied into dropping his courtship.

Tony doesn’t say anything back, and Thor nods, glad he got his point across.

So, flowers are a no-go.

But you can’t go wrong with a stunning set of daggers.

Or at least, that’s what Loki says when Thor asks him for help.

Thor looks down at his shiny set of purple blades as they sit against the black velvet, and thanks Odin that he has such a helpful little brother.

He’s about to go to Peter’s room and bequeath him, when he spots movement outside in the darkness. He frowns, peering out of the glass and into the starry field beyond, and he spots a lone figure.

There is only one figure that small.

He sets down his daggers and heads outside. His boots crunch against the gravel, and Peter looks up; eyes shiny with tears. It punches into Thor, a deep pain to see the boy like this, and he comes forward and stands beside him, and they look up into the stars together. “Young spider,” he whispers, not wanting to disturb the gentle breeze and the cricket-creatures.

“Thor,” Peter sniffles, and he nuzzles into Thor’s chest and Thor wraps his arms around him, as gently as he can, and it feels good to have Peter here like this, in his arms.

“What’s the matter?”

“Oh, nothing, it’s just-“ he pulls back, wiping his pretty face and half smiling, “it’s just the day my Uncle…it’s the anniversary of…”

His heart pangs again. “Peter,” he murmurs, stroking his fingers through Peter’s satin hair. “Loss is hard, believe me, I know. But you have lost at such a young age, and you are still here and you are so strong. It’s one of the things I admire most about you. Trust me, young spider,” he continues, wrapping his arm around Peter’s shoulder and gesturing up at the stars. “Your Uncle and my father are up there, somewhere, probably looking down on us now and laughing. Hello father,” he waves his hand up at the sky.

Peter looks at him in amusement, before ducking his head and laughing. He lifts his hand too, and waves shyly at the stars. “Hey, Uncle Ben,” he whispers, voice hitching a little, “I miss you so much.” Tears spill over onto his plump red cheeks again, and Thor pulls him in for another hug.

They both pull back a little, diamonds reflected in Peter’s eyes and Thor thinks this could be it. His moment. Without the blades or anything. He cups Peter’s face in his hand, and leans down slowly and-

“Peter,” comes a voice, and Thor bites back his frustration as they pull away to see Tony on the edge of the grass. He’s in his nightclothes and even from here, Thor can feel something radiating off him. It’s odd. It’s a familiar emotion. Like something he used to get from Loki- something like-

He stiffens.

Jealousy.

Oh. Oh. Tony is- but he can’t be. He would have said. Why hadn’t he said anything?

“Let me make you some pancakes, sweetheart,” Tony offers, and Thor feels Peter draw out of his arms and towards the other man. “I know today’s a hard one,”

Thor watches as Peter cuddles into Tony’s arms instead, and Tony guides him inside, but not before turning to shoot one more, scathing look at Thor who blinks in confusion.

He turns to the stars and frowns. “Father, if you are watching, you better not be laughing.” He warns.

He has a feeling that somewhere, Odin is.

“Wow,” Bucky and his metal arm say in the morning, “you’re still alive. I didn’t expect that.”

Thor’s eyebrows furrow together. “What does that mean?”

“It means you tried to kiss Peter and I’m surprised Tony didn’t kill you.”

Thor bristles. “He could not kill me. I’m thousands of years old.”

Bucky cocks his head and shrugs. “Wouldn’t that make it easier?”

Peter pads in next, eyes still a little red, but he smells like himself. Sweet, and omega, and like the tulips in winter. Thor pats the seat next to him despite Bucky’s warning glance, and Peter smiles, perching beside him and reaching for some berries. He eats them like a little bird, one at a time, and waves at Bucky who nods at him warmly.

“If you like these mortal berries,” Thor begins, “you would love the berries on the fringes of the Asgardian forest.”

Peter’s big brown eyes look up at him in amazement. “Really?” He whispers, in awe.

Thor nods, pleased. “But of course. I shall take you to Asgard. It is beautiful, more beautiful than you can even imagine. We have a city of gold and all the people are wonderful and you will never want to leave.”

“Another planet,” Peter whispers excitedly, just as Tony walks in. “Mr Stark! Can I go to Asgard with Thor? Please? Please?”

Thor doesn’t know why Peter needs permission, but perhaps it is like Strange said. Perhaps Peter is his ward. Tony can’t be courting him. He would have said something, stated his intention, and then Thor would have backed off. He’s a polite Alpha, and he abides by some gentlemen’s code. But Tony hadn’t. He’s just…weirdly possessive. Maybe he has something against Thor personally. Maybe it’s because of Loki.

It wouldn’t be the first time Loki had ruined his chances with a love interest.

Tony’s face instantly goes angry, and Bucky busies himself with buttering some toast and Thor watches curiously to see what Stark will do. “I dunno, bud,” he says eventually, voice purposely light, “it’s not exactly visiting a friend in another state, this is another planet.”

“But I’d be with Thor!” Peter insists, one of his hands resting on Thor’s bulging bicep. Tony and Thor immediately hone in on the touch. Thor beams, and Tony scowls. “He’d keep me safe! He’s the God of Thunder, Mr Stark!”

“This is true,” Thor chuckles, “your young protege will have nothing to fear with me around.”

“Loki tried to take over the Earth, and he lives freely on Asgard. It’s too dangerous.”

“Loki helped save the world, Mr Stark!” Peter pleads, his eyes big and round. “Pleeasse? I promise I won’t do anything dangerous, or wander off, I’ll even take the suit, and- it’s another planet!”

Tony’s body is tight with barely contained anger, but at Peter’s hopeful gaze, he seems to crumble. “I’ll think about it,” he concedes, and Peter cheers, nudging Thor happily and nibbling away at his berries.

Bucky is looking at Tony like he thinks he might combust.

The rest of breakfast is tense. Bucky and Peter make conversation, but Tony keeps glaring at Thor and it’s hurting his feelings, if the god is honest. 

Only after Peter leaves to get changed, and Bucky hastily makes his own excuses, does Stark move to stand opposite Thor across the counter and look like he’s steeling himself. Thor briefly wonders whether he’s going to attack him. He hopes not. He doesn’t really like being attacked.

“I am courting Peter, Thor,” Tony whispers, like a confession.

Thor blinks. “Oh! Well, Stark! You didn’t say!” That does change things-

“He doesn’t know,” Tony admits gruffly, shoving his hands through his hair in frustration.

Thor frowns, wondering if Tony knows that- “It doesn’t count as courtship if the Omega hasn’t been made aware-“

“I know!” Tony snaps, angry at himself more than Thor, and Thor waits, hoping the man will elaborate. “Thor, on earth- you can’t start courting an Omega until they turn eighteen. Peter’s still seventeen. I can’t do anything yet.”

How strange these earthly rules are. “Really?” Thor shakes his head in amazement, “well then, of course, Tony, I will be happy to withdraw.”

Tony looks immensely relieved. “Really?” He asks, a little skeptical. “You’re not gonna…put up more of a fight than that?”

Thor chuckles. “You are my friend, man of iron. Though it’s true,” he sighs longingly, “Peter would have made a fine omega, and a wonderful bearer of future Asgardian Kings, you must be allowed your suit. If he rejects you, I shall continue my courtship.”

Tony looks affronted. “He won’t- he’s not going to reject me.”

Thor shrugs. “Look at you, look at me. He would be an actual queen.”

“Shut up, you big oaf,” Tony snaps, but there’s something soft in his voice. Soft and happy that Thor hasn’t heard in a long while.

It’s probably for the best that he has to pause in his pursuit of Peter, because Loki goes and tries to start another war against Sikaar, and Thor has to put out that fire.

By the time he comes back, there’s a dark blue mating bite on the spider’s neck, and Tony has never looked more pleased.

Thor smiles, nodding in acceptance and quietly retreating. It’s for the best then, perhaps. But- who knows? After Tony and Peter have been bonded for a while, Tony may feel less possessive.

He may even be willing to share.

[rinusagitora]

The love, lead, and the undead.

Fandom: Monster Prom

Characters: Vicky Schmidt, Damien LaVey, Brian Yu, Oz, Zoe, Vera Oberlin, Liam de Lioncourt, Blobert, Scott Howl, Stan LaVey, Lucien LaVey, OC: Mungandr, 

Pairings: Brian/Damien/Vicky, Oz/Zoe, Lucien/Stan

Words: 4.1k

Summary: Canon divergent. Chapter 6/?. WARNINGS— violence, gore, drug use, major character death; Their worst nightmare comes to fruition.

Vicky had a headache the size of Manhattan and not even dope eased the rumble of her head.

“I’m dying,” she announced as she pushed a pair of heavily tinted sunglasses up the bridge of her stupidly tiny nose. “Why the fuck did you guys let me drink so much? I mean, that whiskey was expensive so I wanted to make sure we finished that, but I had six other drinks on top of it.”

“Because we were less than sober ourselves, and I, for one, wanted to see how much you could drink before you absolutely couldn’t walk.”

“Fuck you, Brian.”

“You did that at least twice. I was there,” Damien said.

“Damien. Unless the next words out of your mouth magically make my headache go away, I will carve out my colon and floss your teeth with it.”

Vicky tossed her joint out of the window when the school came into view. Brian parked and she tumbled out of the car. He was sweet enough to massage her neck at least.

Immediately, the trio was bombarded by Scott. Vicky wasn’t made with cat reflexes, so while her boyfriends deftly stepped out of reach, she was squashed in his huge arms and chest. Her arms laid by her side. At least if she suffocated, her head wouldn’t hurt so much.

“Vicky! Vera told me all about how awesome you were yesterday. You’re so awesome!” Scott cheered.

“Scott, I think you’re hurting her.”

Scott dropped her. Vicky involuntarily gasped for air. Nonetheless, she peered around Scott and beamed when she laid eyes on Blobert.

“Hey there, buddy!” Brian chirped. He strode over with uncharacteristic charm and hugged Blobert. Vicky was kind of jealous he got to hug Blobert first. “How’s it going? We missed you at the game.”

“I’m sorry. Stocking’s water broke at the shelter, so I stayed to help deliver her kitties.”

“Oh my god, do you have pictures of them?”

“I do! I’ll text them to you later today. I have something for Vicky, however.”

Vicky blinked. “For me? Why?”

“Forgive me for prying, Vicky, but I saw you running away from school the other day. Valerie told me what happened… the business concerning your uncle. I know there isn’t anything I can do to heal what he has done to you, but I hope you understand that you are loved, and I know for a fact you have many friends who will protect you.” Blobert pressed a card into her hand. “I know this isn’t much, but I hope it will remind you that you have many people who love you and will never hurt you.”

Vicky leaped onto Blobert and squeezed him. “Thank you, Blobert, you’re an amazing friend. My uncle was… an awful man, but you’re right. I have a family here with all of you. There’s nothing more I want.” Aside from more painkillers for her head.

“Anyways, I should get going. I have a quiz today. I’ll catch you guys around.”

“Bye, Blobert.”

Scott resumed squeezing Vicky. “I’m sorry I took your arm off the other day. I was so scared! You were running and screaming and I got scared, so I grabbed you. I guess I don’t know my strength.”

Vicky felt awful. She hurt Scott in her tizzy to escape, and that was the last thing she wanted to do. “It wasn’t your fault. My arm fell off because I ripped open my stitches to get away,” she explained. “I’m sorry I scared you.”

Her head felt like it imploded. The Christmas she kissed Liam flashed before her eyes.

---

Oz exuded goo. Fear wheezed and whined. His head was lolled against Zoe’s shoulder as he breathed raspily, and his hair had seeped down into her lap like candle wax. It was so hard for him to keep his shape when the spear sucked out his power like soft marrow.

“Baby?” Zoe said hoarsely. Her tentacles were dry. “Are you still with me?”

“Barely,” he mumbled.

“I have an idea how to get out,” she said. Oz hummed quizzically. “You probably won’t like it.”

“Can it be any worse than this?”

“Is the spearhead on your side?” Zoe asked.

Oz lifted his head. The tip of the spear was shaped like a spade from a deck of cards. He gave a resigned sigh. There were worse fates than having that ripped through his chest, like Vicky's death. “It is. It’s pretty wide, though, so we’ll need to pull hard.”

“What? No, Oz, I need it to pick our cuffs. You’re going to have to break it off.

He was relieved. “Can you pull it closer? Slowly, I’ll tell you when to stop.”

Zoe grunted. He heard her tentacles and teeth grip it. Slowly, with enormous strain, she pulled it closer. He hissed between his teeth. Every inch it was dragged through him burned from his collar to the bottom of his ribcage.

“Are you okay?” Zoe asked tearfully.

“Keep going, just a couple more inches,” he whined. "One more pull, baby.”

Zoe gave one last heave and the spade was close enough to touch his chest. “You’re good. Lean as far forward as you can.”

Oz’s goo shuddered. He tensed it around the rod inside of his chest to cut it off, free himself, and then pick them free without the cumbersome spear in the way. He was too weak to shear it off, however.

“I can’t. I’m sorry,” he wept. “I’m so sorry.”

“I said you won’t like this. Forgive me, Oz.”

The mouth at the top of Zoe’s head opened and it siphoned the sanity from the denizens outside. Terror flooded the dungeon.

Oz's vision blurred as it seeped into his skin like poison. It rattled his bones like glass in a hurricane. A scream ripped from the mouths of Oz's phobias. They writhed and bucked and howled. Individual phobias ballooned with teeth, their eyes glowed with menace. It was worse than the spear, how his body grew and thrashed of its own accord.

The spear snapped in two with a crack like thunder when clubbed by one of his incarnations. Zoe closed her mouth, Oz fell to the floor and coughed up spongy bits of Fear.

"Oz!" Zoe screamed with fright. Freed of the spear, she unlocked their chains. “Are you okay?” she bawled. “I’m so sorry, Oz, I didn’t know what else to do.”

He grunted, “I’m fine, but Vicky needs our help. Let’s get the hell out of here before the guards find out! I don't think I can fend them off if we're discovered!”

Zoe opened a portal into the overworld.

---

Brian heard gunfire for the very first time when he was fifteen. It kind of sounded like it did in Hollywood, but at the same time, it didn't. Gunfire wasn’t like a bomb or firecrackers. It sounded more like an engine backfired next to a bullhorn. It was so indistinct, Brian's entire body tensed for a split second whenever he heard something similar.

However, over the last six years, it became a knee jerk reaction since those pops never turned out to be gunshots again, and he calmed down as quickly as he freaked out.

It wasn't until Scott and Vicky dropped like stones and their blood pooled around them like macabre halos that Brian's fears were confirmed. The screaming of his classmates hit his ear like a bat to the side of his face and he hit the deck and shook uncontrollably. His friends and lover bled out only two feet away, and yet he couldn't even move to stem the bleeding or call emergency services.

"Vicky? Scott? Oh my god," Brian croaked. Scott gurgled on the other side of Vicky. Terror had frozen him in place. Brian loathed himself for his weakness, but even as he scolded himself with the most scathing remarks, his body refused to budge. "Somebody help us! Please!"

Above Brian, a cyclonic portal opened, and Oz and Zoe, albeit bedraggled, hopped onto the sidewalk next to Brian's head.

"Oh my god!" Oz screamed in horror. He and Zoe crouched next to Scott and Vicky.

"Go! Damien is gone, he could be hurt. I'll take care of Scott," Zoe said.

"Brian, where's Damien?" Oz asked.

"I don't know," Brian said, "I think he ran after the shooters, but I don't know where they went."

Nonetheless, Oz took off.

"Brian, I need your help," Zoe said.

"I-I can't."

"They're gone. Scott needs help, or he's going to bleed to death."

Brian shook his head. "I can't. I can't look at her."

Zoe threw her jacket over Vicky's head. "There. I know you're in pain, Brian, but Scott is dying. I need your help. Please, come here."

Shakily, Brian pushed himself onto all fours and crawled over to Zoe and Scott. He gagged and swallowed bile. Bits of Vicky's brain and hair were splattered onto Scott's face, and he gurgled as he feebly pressed his paw against his torn carotid.

"Focus on me," Zoe said. "What's your blood type?"

"O-positive," he replied.

"Excellent. This is going to hurt, but this is the only thing that's going to save Scott."

Brian nodded. Zoe plunged her tentacles into Brian's neck.

---

Vicky's head sprayed over Scott. Damien had fired enough guns to have instantly understood what had happened.

He took after the black car behind them that squealed away from campus. Damien wasn't anything extraordinary, but the second of Vicky's murder, his unbridled rage pushed him harder than ever before.

Damien gained on the car even as it accelerated upwards of sixty miles an hour. Damien threw himself onto the trunk, and to throw him off, the driver spun the car and they careened into power lines. Damien howled when he collided with solid wood. The splintered pole creaked and he realized it tipped over like a tree.

He managed to push himself free right as the cables ripped. Electricity crackled, the live cables writhed like beheaded snakes, sparks flew in every direction.

Damien stormed to the driver’s seat. Every inch of him burned with unbridled homicidal rage palpable enough that the air around him shuddered with heatwaves. He grabbed the driver, a yellow manticore, by their collar and threw them onto the live powerlines. They combusted without a sound.

Finally, he pulled the passenger, a young vampire, into the street. They were unconscious and bled from their forehead. “Wake the fuck up!” Damien bellowed. He slapped them and they awoke with a yelp. “What’s your name?”

“What?” they asked.

“I asked for your fucking name!” Damien screamed.

“Fuck off!”

Damien pulled a knife from his waistband and held it against their throat. “Fine, did you shoot my girlfriend then?”

“I did!” the vampire spat with a vicious tone. “She killed my dad!”

“She had come so far! We were going to be happy together!”

“And I’ll never be happy without my dad!”

“This is your fault. Now I'm going to string you up by your fucking guts!"

Damien kicked the gun out of their hand as they reached for it. He sank his knife into their abdomen and pushed it down until it nicked their pubic bone. Damien pushed them back with a fistful of their intestines. They fell back with eyes as wide as dinner plates. Fruitlessly, they weakly stuffed their innards inside, before they fell limp.

He crouched over them as they breathed raspily. “This is the end. You messed with the wrong bitches.”

“Damien!” Oz screamed. Oz tackled Damien and they rolled across the asphalt.

“Fuck!” Damien screamed as he pushed Oz off. “Get off! I’m going to kill them all!”

“She is gone and mutilating him,” Oz flung his hand to point at the dying vampire, “isn’t going to do jackshit. But Scott barely clinging to life. He needs his friends. Please, put this behind you for your friends.”

It was like Oz kicked the wind out of Damien. Rage subsided, and he began to cry.

Vicky was gone for the rest of his life: fodder for blowflies and worms.

---

Zoe parked Brian's truck. They tumbled out and ran full speed into the Emergency Room. Vera stormed to the front desk. “We’re here for Scott Howl. I’m his Power of Attorney, Vera Oberlin.”

“Miss Oberlin, we need you to fill out some paperwork for Mister Howl,” said the receptionist.

As Vera filled out paperwork, Oz had to help Damien and Brian into chairs next to each other. The pair looked miserable. Brian’s head was in his hands, Damien rubbed his mouth with a disconnected gaze. Yet as much as it pained Oz to see his friends like that, there were more imminent threats. He needed to warn the LaVey family of the Aquino’s plan for their demise.

He couldn’t tell Damien about their plan, though. He was already put through the wringer. He needed to get Damien’s parents into the equation. A manipulative tactic, but Oz reasoned that Damien needed their support anyway, so really, it helped everyone.

Oz kneeled in front of Brian and Damien and held their hands. "Damien, you need to call your dads. You need them now."

Damien nodded with glassy eyes. “Right,” he murmured before he dug through his pockets.

Zoe pulled Oz aside. “Please, for the love of whatever you hold sacred, tell me we’re not keeping the Aquino’s plan a secret. More people are going to be killed if we keep this on the DL, maybe Vicky will be hurt worse.”

“That’s why I reminded Damien to call his parents.

"Excellent."

Before Oz could reply, Blobert and Liam ran into the emergency room. Blobert sobbed inconsolably. Oz ran over to them.

"We came as soon as we heard about Scott," Liam said.

Oz hugged them. "Thank you."

"Is he going to be okay?" Blobert asked. He sounded so desperate, and somehow, despite Blobert's gelatinous nature, he gripped Oz's hands so hard he thought they might break.

"I don't know. He's in surgery now and we haven't heard any updates," Oz replied.

"What about Vicky?"

A hush fell over their group. Damien resumed crying, Brian escaped into the nearby bathroom. Oz couldn't look Blobert in the eye.

"I'm sorry, but she's dead," he told Blobert.

"We believe Vicky was targeted by a gang she robbed the other day. Damien took care of the perps, but they got in a good shot. She's not coming back," Zoe said.

Valerie hopped the back of a chair squeezed Blobert as he sobbed. Oz waited by the doors where his cries were someone muffled.

He felt awful. He was too late. He was always too late.

Lucien and Stan ran inside as Oz internally berated himself. If only Vicky could see how many people loved her.

Oz stood. "Go comfort your son, but as soon as possible, I have an issue of utmost importance about your kingdom's security."

The two demon Kings looked between themselves. "I'll talk to him."

Oz took Lucien into an adjacent waiting room.

"Oz, correct?" Lucien asked.

"Yes."

"What is this supposed security threat?"

"The Aquino family is behind Vicky's murder. I've been having premonitions about her death, so my girlfriend and I have been looking into it in hopes we save her. However, the Aquino caught on and kidnapped us. Dahlia explained to us that she and her family plan to use Vicky as a weapon against you, and more worrisome, Damien, to overthrow your rule," Oz explained.

Lucien rubbed his face with concern. "This is a dire accusation. This is something we go to war over."

"The Aquino already plan to do that. It seems you don't have a lot of options here," Oz countered.

"What proof do you have? How do I know I can trust you?"

"Vera and Vicky have robbed three dozen banks with CCTV, guards, and alarm systems, and never once have they been even suspected, and yet a lab, where they executed the same precautions, somehow figured out their identities and location, and then killed Vicky. Do you think that's coincidental?"

"... I see your point," Lucien replied. "This is… this is awful."

"Lucien, I understand it's a lot to take in, but we need to begin preparations as soon as possible. Do you have someone who can begin something, anything, while you're here to comfort your son?"

"I do. Thank you, Oz. I need to make a quick phone call, and then I'll come back."

"Of course. Thank you."

Oz returned to his friends and paced in the waiting room as they waited for news on Scott's condition. Some hours later, they were approached by the surgeon.

"I'm glad to announce Mister Howl survived the operation without any complications. He will need to stay overnight in case there are any hiccups with his blood transfusion, but we are optimistic about his prognosis. If you like, you may visit him."

They were guided into Scott's room. He was intubated and pale, but his vitals were stable and lively.

Oz breathed a sigh of relief. At least something had gone right that day.

---

The morning of Vicky's funeral, Damien was stiff.

He rolled off of Brian and grunted as he made way to the bathroom to brush his teeth and then eat something.

"Damien, why are you up already?"

Damien looked up to see Stan and Lucien in the doorway. Stan was still in pajamas, but Lucien was fully dressed. It was unusual for either of them to be even remotely dressed at that hour.

"What're you doing?" he asked.

Stan nervously glanced to Lucien.

"Unfortunately, there's an emergency on the outskirts I have to attend to," Lucien explained.

"You're the only one going?"

"Yes. But I should be back before the ceremony."

Damien grimly nodded. Border disputes weren't handled by either king. Perhaps the Minister of Border Land was out.

Stan sat at the island. "How do you feel?" he asked. Damien shrugged. He missed Vicky, but he said that every day since her death. "I wish I could do more. I do, Damien. I cared very much about Vicky as well."

Damien's lip wobbled and he wiped his eyes. He didn’t feel any different since the first day she died, but all that meant was he hurt like an open wound.

“It feels wrong without her. The more I think about it, the more it hurts.”

“Yes, but she left pieces of her with you and Brian. I’m sure you remember how much she loved you,” Stan said. Damien nodded. “I know it’s not a lot, but she loved you so much, and that is something that will never die.”

Damien smiled at his dad. He appreciated the effort, but Stan’s reassurance didn’t change how badly he ached. Damien could only hope the funeral would soothe him.

---

Brian woke up alone and it felt like the air was thin. He stumbled into the hallway, gasped for air, he tried to find Damien, but the LaVey’s basement suite was built like a surreal, inescapable nightmare where Brian was doomed to circle the hallway until his death. He braced himself against the wall and tried to convince himself to calm down so he could find a way out.

Voices came from beyond the door Brian was beside. He turned his gaze to watch it.

“Mugandr,” Lucien’s muffled snarl came, “exactly how is Vicky alive? Her head was blown to pieces.”

“Her body was, but her condemned soul remained intact.”

“Then we would have been notified of her entrance into Hell!”

“Your Majesty, please quiet down. I understand why this upsets you but our conversation may not be private.”

Lucien sighed. “Nonetheless, why weren’t we notified of her death and damnation?”

“It’s likely her soul was intercepted. I’ve looked into it and… Your Majesty, I’m sorry to tell you this, but Oz and Zoe were right, it is the Aquino family. I found correspondence with the drug manufacturers detailing who attacked them and where to find Vicky, and ingredients to summon the dead.”

Wood snapped inside of Lucien’s room. Brian slapped his hands over his mouth to stifle his yelp. “Unbelievable!” he bellowed. “Mugandr, summon Oz and Zoe to the Divinator’s Room immediately and keep this between the two of us.”

“Of course, Your Majesty.”

Brian made a run for it before he was discovered. It felt like he swallowed molasses. Vicky was alive? What did Dahlia’s family want with her? Why did it have to be a secret? Why wouldn’t Oz and Zoe tell him if Vicky was alive?

He ran straight into Damien in his maelstrom of confusion. He was grabbed before he fell.

“Brian,” Damien said, “what’s wrong? You look like shit.”

Brian panted wordlessly before he threw his arms around Damien. He wished he was dreaming. He wanted to wake up with Damien and Vicky, safe and sound, where he didn’t feel like the world was crashing around him.

“Babe, what’s wrong? You’re freaking me out.”

Reluctantly, Brian whispered, “I think your dads are keeping secrets,” he said. “I think… I think Vicky’s death is bigger than we think it is.”

Damien pushed Brian out of the crook of his neck and scowled perplexedly. “What the fuck do you mean they’re keeping secrets?”

“I-I couldn’t find you, and then I overheard Lucien talking with this Mugandr guy about Vicky. They were saying stuff like they didn’t have any record about her entering Hell, and that Oz and Zoe knew about this, a-and the Aquino summoned her soul. He wanted to keep it a secret.”

“I’m sure it was just a bad dream.”

“Damien, listen to me!” Brian snapped. “Something’s wrong! This is bigger than we realize.”

Damien’s lip curled. “Get your head out of your ass, Brian! Vicky’s gone. She’s not coming back. And don’t you ever fucking say my dads are lying to me! They wouldn’t ever do that!”

“Listen, Damien,” Brian grabbed Damien’s shoulders. Damien knocked his hands away.

“Fuck off! You’re being a huge asshole right now, dude! Don’t fucking talk to me until you get your shit together.”

Damien stormed away. Brian was left breathless yet again.

---

Damien stared into the mirror. His tuxedo felt ill-fit.

It was the tux he went to prom and homecoming in. He went to one of his aunt’s weddings in it too. All three occasions, Vicky was with him in that pretty polka-dot dress and a big smile. The mere memory was enough to make Damien tear up.

The only other time he got to wear it with Vicky was at her funeral.

Stan entered his room. “Damien…” he said, “are you ready?”

“Dad, I don’t think I can do this.”

Damien’s father hugged him. “I know it’s hard. But Brian needs you, and you need this too. This ceremony will give you closure.”

He couldn’t meet Stan’s gaze. He couldn’t even return his father’s hug. What Brian mentioned about Vicky haunted him, even as he mourned. He tried to tell himself Brian only had a bad dream. His parents would never hide something as enormous as that from him.

“Let’s go,” Stan said. “You’ll be okay. I’ll be there for both of you.”

Damien’s heart fell into his gut. “What about Dad?”

“Lucien’s attending to a land dispute.”

“Still? That’s odd. I thought those were handled by the Minister of Borders.”

“Ordinarily. However, this involves the Aquino Family. Lucien’s there to make sure it’s addressed delicately.”

Damien felt sick as he followed Stan. His father was a terrible liar. Was Brian right about Vicky and his fathers? It had to be impossible, yet the events of the last couple of hours begged to differ.

---

Oz held Zoe’s hand as they ran. Her dress was hiked up to her crotch as they ran up and up the tower. “I cannot believe he’s doing this now of all times!” Oz screamed. “The funeral is in two hours.”

“We’ll be fine, Oz. Lucien won’t miss his son’s girlfriend’s fucking funeral,” said Zoe as they stormed up the weathered stone steps.

When they reached the top, Zoe knocked upon the heavy door. It opened and they were heaved inside and surrounded by the smoke of Biggleworts to ward off the prying eyes of magic. Oz took a deep breath.

“I’m glad you two have come,” Lucien said. He gestured to the bony creature with the skull of a snake. “That is Mungandr, my most trusted associate.”

“I don’t care. Just make this quick, I would like to comfort my friends,” Oz said.

“I’m sure you’d like Vicky back more.”

“You found her?” Oz gasped.

“Yes and no. We know she is in the care of the Aquino,” Lucien explained. Oz wanted to break something. “We need you to find her and bring her back. You’ll have Mungandr to help. His magic will prove useful.”

Oz looked to Zoe.

“You need to go,” she said to him. “I will stay for Brian and Damien, but you need to go save Vicky.”

He nodded. “Apologize to our friends for me.”

“I will. Promise me you’ll be safe.”

Oz cupped Zoe’s face. “I’ll come back to you with Vicky. I promise you.”

[neverwatchedonepiece]

476-478: “Luffy at the End of his Tether! An All-Out Battle at the Oris Plaza”, “The Power That Will Shorten One's Life! Energy Hormone, Redux!” and “To Live up to a Promise! Luffy and Coby Collide!”

You know, Whitebeard, with your massive ham hands, you could stretch Luffy, aim for the scaffold and ping him onto it like a rubber band. Just a thought.

Had time today, so burned through three episodes in a row. Glad I did because 478 was worth the watch with Luffy unconsciously using Conqueror’s Haki (Shanks will be so proud).

Can’t lie, I’m getting fed up with the “charge/knocked back”, “oh the blades are coming down, no... wait” repetition. I joked about the obstacle course a while back but come on...This is getting ridiculous.

It’s hard to split everything that happened into themes, so I’ll have to go through this write-up by episode. That way, I won’t lose my mind keeping track of everything.

476

This episode finally addressed the elephant in the room: Garp. Prior to 476, he had been hanging out with Ace and Sengoku on the scaffold, biting his nails, agonising, torn between duty and familial affection for Ace.

White Whitebeard ordered his crew to clear the way forward for him and briefly turned Aokiji into an Admiral Kebab (ha), Luffy charged the scaffold. Closer than ever, Garp watched his grandson’s advance, watched Vice Admiral Momonga slash up a tired Luffy who had reached his limit, then witnessed Kizaru take advantage and strike. Sengoku watched Garp’s reaction closely, noticed the tell-tale sweatdropping and sensed the conflict in Garp. Being a clever general, he knew he had to nip that in the bud. Having a powerhouse and famous Marine hero like Garp turn against you would be the worst for his meticulous image management strategy. “Garp, remember that you are one of us.”

Funny how Sengoku actually considered Garp might turn against the Marines. (I have a secret hope he might one day. Maybe one atrocity will push him too far and he’ll finally rebel).

Further to my shock-horror discovery that Kizaru is actually cold as ice and an accomplished shit-talker (Aokiji at least expresses regret, you know), he went Full Justice and approached a weakened Luffy through a dust cloud. I liked the shot where he looked down at Luffy and said...

“But, Strawhat, if you’re not strong enough, you can’t save him, no matter how hard you try. Now why don’t you just get lost.”

Luffy, unable to dodge because his vision was blurring and his legs wouldn’t hold him up, took Kizaru’s kick straight to the face. Ouch.

See, though, Kizaru... Luffy having courage is important. Even if he’s not strong enough to take you on now, courage is the starting point. Strength can be built. One day, Luffy will turn around and be fast enough to smack you right back. Rules of shounen, Kizaru. I don’t make them. Unless Oda breaks them, then everything’s out the window.

Luffy’s luck was with him, though. Whitebeard caught him in one massive hand and told his crew to treat him because he’d done enough. Luckier still, Ivankov and Jimbei scaled the wall (via Ivan’s giant face, ha) so Luffy could be treated properly.

I like that Whitebeard defended Luffy and reassured Ace at the same time (@meaheartonepiece has good point about everyone being able to hear everything on the battlefield. Dat manga physics). “He’s nothing but a bundle of energy who bluffs. Young and clumsy. But I like fools like him,” he said, while looking at Ace. Aw, Whitebeard.

But the Sea Dad feels were not to last. For he then stood up, called out the Marines, “Any of you who want to die, come forward!” Only Akainu stepped up to the challenge. Banter was exchanged. They clashed.

Oda (or Toei) love those contrasting colours. Reminds me of DBZ with Frieza vs Goku (and Goku vs anyone, really). The last time they used it to good effect like that was Ace vs Blackbeard (which still wins but this was great too).

It all went off for a while. Kizaru was firing out lasers like he was handing out candy (”one for you, one for you”), Jimbei swore to lay down his life (please don’t, Jimbei. I’d like you to survive this one) and the Shichibukai were still going at it outside the walls.

Marco realised this and saw an opportunity to sweep in and take Ace. Unfortunately, Garp chose that moment to make his Decision. He falcon punched Marco, sat on a vacant Admiral throne and roared, “If you wanna go any further, you’ll have to kill me first.” (Don’t say that, Garp. All these death flags are making me paranoid).

477

The Fodder hacking at each other with swords were quivering that the Legendary Garp had finally entered the battle. They gave us a handy-dandy rundown of Garp’s C.V. Twenty years ago, he fought Gol D. Roger, which we knew about, but he also fought some guy called Shinki the Golden Lion. (Is this filler? I vaguely remember someone mentioning this name a while back).

Gotta say, even if it is, I loved that shot of 70s cop duo Sengoku and Garp. Look at those Pulp Fiction-esque suits. Splendid.

Whitebeard was annoyed. “Don’t get tripped up by Garp’s name” He’s just an old soldier.” You know, I call out Kizaru for his sass but Whitebeard is up there with the best of them. He has top banter with Akainu too, who complained, “I told you not to destroy the city!” to which Whitebeard countered, “I told you to protect it.” 

Ha. Check and mate. Your move, Akainu! 

While this chaos was unfolding, Sengoku ordered the execution. Now, I’ve just had a thought, but could he just... do it himself if it’s that important? I know he probably won’t want to be personally responsible for Ace’s death because of Garp but really he is the one ordering it, so he is already pretty damn responsible.

Cue a close up of Ace’s sad, tired face which faded into a flashback. This was interesting because it revealed that Ace didn’t always hate Roger. At his adopted island, he’d wander around town, asking groups of unfortunate randoms what they knew about Roger. Most people hated him and gave Ace viciously negative responses, which earned them an ass-whooping and Ace a reputation for being out of control. 

I wonder when Ace started to hate Roger? Maybe he’s never really hated Roger. Or maybe it’s complicated.

There was a nice moment with Garp, though, which is a damn good quote for lie, really, now that I think about it. Ace, racked with guilt even at his young age, said to Garp, “Did I deserve to be born?” What a question for a kid to ask. Garp thought about it, then said, “That’s something you’ll see as you live.”

Excellent answer, Garp. It made me tear a bit, to be honest. That’s a quote I’d take away from One Piece and use in real life, no question.

The memory of that conversation triggered something in Ace. He looked out over the battlefield, over the carnage and chaos and wept because, even though that guilt was still chasing him, he was so happy because his family and friends had come to rescue him.

The boy wants to live, damn it. ;_;

I am certain those words hurt Garp more than any physical blow.

Now, this is where I have to disclose something. I have been avoiding talking about Ace and where I think this execution is going to go because way back when I first started this thing, a random, weapons-grade walnut sent me a PM with three “spoilers” in it. I say “spoilers” because one of the three turned out to be fake. Some of you might know this because I think I mentioned it in the early posts. One was that Roger was Luffy’s father, the other was that “Ace dies” and the third was “they have another brother.” The first is fake, so I’m holding out hope that the random was just trolling because now that Ace wants to live and has come to terms with his guilt, it would be cruel to take Luffy’s only brother from him.

Maybe Whitebeard will sacrifice himself for Ace because THOSE WOUNDS.

While fighting Magma Brat, Whitebeard had an attack of Old Age. Akainu struck and blew a goddamned hole in Whitebeard’s chest. (Oda likes that angle, doesn’t he? It reminds me of Luffy vs Magellan). At the same time, Marco was sniped by Kizaru, Diamond Jozu was Diamond Frozu by Aokiji, and Luffy was down.

But not for long. He has traded a portion of his life for a boost of Ivankov’s Regenerating Hormones. I like how Ivankov refused him at first, saying he could never face Dragon if he let his son die. But Luffy, as always, has that hellish charisma. “If I knew I'd done everything I could, I'd be happy to die. If I can't rescue Ace, I'd rather take my own life afterwards. Let me have the strength to fight now!"

That is some iron conviction you have there, Luffy. Ivankov, even though he was conflicted, said, “UGH, FINE STRAW BOY, HERE. DO WAT U WANT, SMH.” And it was business as usual. Another charge!

478

Meanwhile, Coby spent most of 476-477 feeling terrified, inspired and conflicted by Luffy’s strength and conviction.

It’s nice that he found his courage to fight and stand up to Luffy, but the encounter was laughably short. He saw Luffy through the dust cloud, built up an attack (does Coby have a fruit?) aaaaaaaaaaand... he got his face caved in.

At least he’s not dead, eh?  Coby, son, you need to level up! Go join Kizaru’s crew. He’ll teach you how to be a cold, hardass MF WHO IS ALSO CUNNING.

Realising his beams wouldn’t work on Marco because Marco regenerates, like the phoenix rising from the ashes, Kizaru cuffed him with seastone, negating his powers, and then sniped him.

What a magnificent bastard he is. I hate that I like Kizaru. I am as conflicted as Coby, haha.

At this point, things were not looking good for the Whitebeard Pirates and Allies. Sengoku gave the order to kill Whitebeard and a bunch of fodder leapt at him with swords to the point he looked like an angry, roided porcupine. He even took a bazooka to the face. But that didn’t matter. "They think they can beat me so easily? I don't need any help. BECAUSE I’M WHITEBEARD.”

That was awesome.

“Did he call me wounded? Ridiculous. I won't die from such a small wound.” (He said with a fucking hole in his chest). “I know.. what will happen.. if i die. Then, you know, I can't allow myself to die until... I see a bright future ahead for my sons. Right, Ace?”

I wasn’t crying. Nope. Not at all.

Sengoku did not like this. He ordered the swords to be brought down. Whitebeard tried to stop it from happening, but his vision blurred. Luffy was too far away. He fought and fought, got punched in the face, knocked back... there were too many Marines. Ace was going to die. And he couldn’t reach him. It all became too much...

And then this happened.

Conqeror’s Haki. Absolutely golden. Shanks would be proud, Luffy. You are now worthy of wearing that hat.

[blightarts]

POKÉMON SUMMER VERSION CHAPTER 7: IT’S BEEN A WHILE

Previous Chapter: Our First Step

Next Chapter: Our Second Badge

Disclaimer:  Pokémon is a property of Game Freak and Nintendo, while Endless  Summer is a property of Pixelberry. I do not claim any rights here.

Author’s Note: If the “Keep reading” doesn’t work, go here for the full post.

@princesstopgun, @mechaspirit, @queenaryn, @kaitloyalist, @choicesmarvel, @sceptilemasterr, @hey-its-vy, @skyila, @choicesyouplayandmore, @choicesaholic, @caroonfire, @roseblake, @choices-herald, @jakemckenzietrash, @xo-endlessmayhem-xo, @abhirio, @diego-vii, @izzycheeese

On the path to Orderve City, the three kids, Taari, Kaitlyn and Reginald, trek through Metropeal Forest while also training their Pokémon. During their travels, their respective Pokémon manage to evolve; Taari’s Turtwig evolved in to a Grotle; Kaitlyn’s Piplup evolved into a Prinplup; and Reginald’s Chimchar evolved into a Monferno.

As they near the clearing of the forest, they are greeted by a familiar voice.

Voice: It’s been a while, Taari. I am proud of your accomplishments in Metropeal City.

Taari recognizes the voice and immediately turns to direction where it came from. Kaitlyn and Reginald followed his gaze. Their eyes widen as they see the elyyshar of Elyys’tel, Varyyn, seated on a tree branch. The king drops down to properly greet the kids.

Taari rushes towards him and gives him a tight embrace.

Taari: Varyyn!

Varyyn: I’ve heard of your success over my dear, Diego. Excellent work, all of you.

Kaitlyn: Thank you, Mister Varyyn.

Reginald: It was a difficult struggle, but we managed to succeed.

Varyyn turns to Kaitlyn and Reginald.

Varyyn: Ah, Kaitlyn, Reginald, you two have grown quite well.

Taari tilts his head in confusion and drops the embrace.

Taari: You know Kaitlyn?

Varyyn: Of course. After all, she’s—

Before Varyyn could finish, Kaitlyn motions him to keep quiet. He stays silent for a moment and smiles.

Varyyn: Ah, yes. Your parents told me that they will be meeting you in Orderve City.

Kaitlyn: Yes!

Taari: Her parents?

Taari turns towards Kaitlyn.

Taari: Should I know your parents?

Varyyn: You have nothing to worry about for now, Taari.

Varyyn calls out his partner Pokémon, Sceptile

Varyyn: How about we should have a Pokémon battle to see how much you’ve learn after your fight against Diego?

Taari jumps for joy and calls out T’kal.

Taari: Yes, please!

Varyyn smirks.

Varyyn: Why not make this a little more interesting? If you beat my Sceptile right now, I could give you your second badge.

Taari: Deal!

Taari and Varyyn soon create some distance between each other. Afterwards, Reginald and Kaitlyn stand between them.

Reginald: Let the battle… BEGIN!

Taari: Alright, T’kal, use Fi—

Before Taari could finish, Varyyn swings his head, revealing a specially-designed hair tie. Attached to the hair tie is a Mega Stone. Taari is thrown by surprise.

Taari: A MEGA STONE?!

Reginald: Idiot! Did you forget that all La Huerta Gym Leaders have Mega Stones?!

Varyyn taps on his Mega Stone and begins chanting.

Varyyn: Deep within the trees of Elyys’tel, I call upon the great beast… Sceptile, MEGA EVOLVE!

Sceptile glows and begins to undergo Mega Evolution.

Varyyn: Now, we shall begin the battle, Taari.

Taari steps back for a moment after witnessing Sceptile’s Mega Evolution. But he then steps up.

Taari: Let’s do this!

Music: Kanto Gym Battle (HGSS)

Taari immediately goes for the offense.

Taari: We’re not going to let Mega Evolution intimidate use. If Reginald can beat Mister Diego’s Mega Lopunny without Mega Evolution, then we can too, right, T’kal?!

T’kal: Rar!!

Taari: That’s the spirit! Now, use Flare Blitz!

T’kal begins to surround himself with flames of very high temperature. Afterwards, he charges towards Mega Sceptile. Varyyn doesn’t say anything to let his Pokémon avoid T’kal’s attack. Eventually, T’kal tackles Mega Sceptile and the latter staggers backwards, but quickly stands back up as if nothing happened. Meanwhile, T’kal staggers due to recoil damage. Taari is surprised by the outcome.

Taari: Wha… WHAT?! I thought Grass-types are supposed to be weak to Fire-types.

Varyyn: You are correct, Taari. But you may not know that Mega Sceptile is part-Dragon-type. It negates the super-effective Fire-type attacks are used against Grass-types.

Taari: EH?!?!

Varyyn: Now, it’s our turn. Sceptile, use Focus Punch!

Mega Sceptile clenches his fist and starts to focus. As his fist starts to glow, he charges towards T’kal. Meanwhile, T’kal stands up and is about to avoid the attack but he was too late. Mega Sceptile was too fast and his Focus Punch connects. The attack delivers massive amounts of damage to T’kal and sends him flying towards a tree. T’kal crashes at the tree and faints. Taari is left astonished.

Reginald: T’kal is unable to battle. Varyyn and his Mega Sceptile wins!

After a few minutes, T’kal is healed and is returned to his pokéball. Sceptile reverts to its original form and is returned to his pokéball as well. The four regroups.

Varyyn: You understand now, Taari? The true power of Mega Evolution and the bonds between a Pokémon and its trainer?

Taari: I managed to get a scope of it, but I understand it a little more now.

Varyyn: Good. There’s still more for you to learn. If you’re ready, then feel free to come back to Elyys’tel city and challenge me again.

Taari: Will do!

Varyyn departs and says his goodbye to the children. Afterwards, the children reach the clearing of Metropeal Forest and finally arrive at Orderve City. Orderve City is a city known for its annual Pokélympics event and also great food. Its most prized restaurant is the Orderve Gym, led by the legendary Raj Bhandarkar. As the children are making they’re way to the Orderve Gym, Reginald accidently bumps into a girl.

Reginald: Oh, I apologize. I didn’t mean to. I was… occupied with a thought.

Girl: That’s fine.

For a moment, Reginald becomes intimidated by the girl’s glance and he breaks eye contact. His vision lands on the girl’s bag, which has the initials, “LHP” written on it.

Girl: Well, I’ll be going now.

Reginald: …Yeah.

Kaitlyn: Reginald, you’re lagging behind!

Reginald: Oh, sorry!

Reginald rejoins the group and they make their way to the Orderve Gym. As they arrive, they marvel at the sight of it.

Taari: Wow! It’s so awesome! You can even smell the food from here!

Reginald: The idea of mixing a Gym and a restaurant is brilliant. Customers can experience great food and entertaining gym battles all in one reasonable price.

Kaitlyn: Come on! We should go in. It’s time for you guys to meet them.

Taari: Meet who?

Kaitlyn: My parents.

As if on cue, the doors of the gym slide open and three people walk outside. Kaitlyn turns around and beams in delight. On the other hand, Taari and Reginald are stunned. The three people…

…just so happens to be Jake McKenzie, his wife, Taylor McKenzie (F!MC), and their close friend, Quinn Kelly.

Kaitlyn rushes towards Jake and Taylor. The two take notice of her and immediately smile.

Kaitlyn: Mom! Dad!

Jake: Well, if it isn’t my li’l Marshmallow!

Taylor: Oh, Kaitlyn! You’re here!

The three embraced after not seeing each other for a few days. Reginald approaches the three.

Reginald: It’s good finally meeting you Mister and Missus McKenzie.

Jake: Don’t call us that, Malfoy Jr. And is that you, li’l Blueberry?

Jake, Taylor and Quinn turn towards Taari, who is still stunned.

Taari: Wait! Kaitlyn… your parents…

Kaitlyn: Mhm!

Taari: But that doesn’t make sense! Miss Taylor got back here five years ago. How are so old by now if you’re her child?!

Kaitlyn: It’s because I was adopted when I was seven.

Taari: …Yeah. That makes more sense.

After regaining his composure, Taari joins the group.

Quinn: So, I heard you guys finally got your first badge. That’s great! I’m so proud of you!

Taari: Hehe. Thanks.

Reginald: Thank you.

Kaitlyn: I appreciate it.

Jake: So, my li’l Marshmallow told me that you guys will be battling Pineapple Express?

Reginald: We will. Afterwards, we’ll head on over to the Pokélympics Stadium and sign up for the event. Then, after that, Kaitlyn will be joining her second contest.

Taylor: Sounds like a great plan. We’ll be staying around Orderve City until Kaitlyn’s second contest is over.

Kaitlyn: Yay!

Quinn: Besides, the La Huerta League will be managing this year’s Pokélympics event. It’s going to be a big reunion for all of us.

Reginald: So, that means my father is coming, huh?

While everyone smiles at the exciting new, Reginald clenches his fist, but quickly loosens it. He pretends to smile so that others won’t notice his pain. Taari looks around to look for someone missing within the group, Quinn’s husband, Tyler Kelly (M!MC)

Taari: Hey… Where’s Mister Tyler?

At the mention of his twin brother’s name, Taylor goes on a tantrum.

Taylor: DON’T YOU DARE SAY THAT NAME!!

The children flinch at Taylor’s tantrum. Jake tries to calm her down, while Quinn covers her mouth and breaks into tears. Curious, scared and worried, Taari steps up.

Taari: Wh… Why? What happened to him? What did he do?

Jake manages to calm Taylor and proceeds to comfort Quinn. After regaining her calm, Taylor answers Taari’s questions.

Taylor: Tyler… has been missing for six months now. Ever since after… that incident… he hasn’t been the same. One day, he left us a note, telling us to not look for him or contact him. He said that he’s going to find out exactly what’s going on; why Pokémon are becoming corrupted; how the both of us ended up back in La Huerta; where exactly did Dialga and Palkia go off to.

Reginald: Incident? What incident?

Jake: I think that’s enough questions for now, you two.

Taari looks at Jake comforting Quinn, who is still heartbroken over the loss of her husband.

Taari: I… I’m sorry…

Reginald: Me too…

Quinn: Don’t be.

Quinn wipes of her tears and looks at Taari.

Quinn: You didn’t know. I’m sorry that we did not tell you. It was only between me, Taylor, Jake and Kaitlyn. I didn’t want the others to worry about my dear Tyler.

Taylor approaches Quinn to comfort her too.

Taylor: Come on, Quinn. Let’s head back to your room.

Taylor and Quinn start to head back to Centaurus Resort. Jake turns to the children.

Jake: Sorry you kids have to see that. Once you’re done scoping the Gym, head to the Centaurus Resort just beside the it. We’ve already reserved a room for you three.

Kaitlyn: Thanks, Dad. Take care of auntie Quinn.

Jake: We will, li’l Marshmallow.

As the three adults leave, the three kids enter the gym. They are soon greeted by the receptionist.

Receptionist: Welcome to the Orderve Gym. You must be trainers. I’m sorry but Chef Bhandarkar just finished his last battle for today.

Reginald: That’s fine. We’re just here to scope the gym.

Receptionist: Ah, I see. In that case, come with me. We will meet with Chef Bhandarkar now.

The receptionist escorts the three kids to the kitchen. As they arrive, they are immediately greeted by the head chef, Raj.

Raj: Hello, my little dudes and dudette!

Taari: Hey, Mister Raj!

Kaitlyn: Mmm! Those are some good-smelling food!

Reginald: Sorry if we’re barging in.

Raj: No problem, li’l Reggie. I was expecting you three anyway. Here…

Raj grabs a bag filled with take-out food and hands it to Kaitlyn.

Raj: Taylor said that you guys will be visiting so I made those for your dinner, free of charge.

Kaitlyn: Wow!

Taari: For free? Really?

Raj nods.

Reginald: Thank you, Chef Raj.

The three children said their goodbyes to Raj and they head to their room in the Centaurus Resort. Meanwhile, on the mountains of La Huerta, Tyler walks on a snowy path, looking for cabins to spend the night.

After spending the night, Taari, Kaitlyn and Reginald stand in front of the Orderve Gym to obtain their second badge and their second step towards the La Huerta League.

Will Raj be just as challenging as Diego? Or will he be more? FIND OUT ON CHAPTER 8 OF POKÉMON SUMMER VERSION!

[roggling]

Sorry to ask but you already did one of kallura can you please do another one But Atla au

ANOTHER AWESOME AU! So… there was an earlier ask about Zutara and… yeah, I wrote that scene.

Keith took a deep breath as he faced his older sister Acxa. 

His usual stoic expression on his face as he took in his sister’s off look. She wasn’t the same girl who had gone after them so fiercely before. She took off her Fire Nation Royalty robes and threw them to the side, her deep blue eyes glaring at her little brother. 

“I can’t wait to give you what you deserve, brother,” she spat.

Keith got into position while Allura stood at the sidelines, her hands fumbling around as the tension between the warring siblings grew.

“It’s your fault!” she screamed, “Lotor’s dead because of you!”

“He chose his own path,” Keith stated calmly, “I didn’t kill him. He didn’t take my help-”

“I loved him! Did you know that? He was the only one who stuck by me! Mom, Dad, you, Ezor, Narti, and Zethrid! You all left me!” she screamed even louder, her voice turning raw.

Keith sighed, his mind flashing the memory of the day that both Acxa and Lotor attacked the Eastern Air Temple, where they were hiding with Avatar Shiro after the failed raid on the Fire Nation and Fire Lord Zarkon on the day of Black Sun. 

Keith felt weightless as he fell faster and faster. He heard screams beside him and he turned his head to see Lotor falling as well. 

“Lotor!” he called out, successfully getting his attention.

“Take my hand!” 

Lotor looked at his hand in disgust and yelled, “No!”

Keith roared, “Lotor, don’t be ridiculous! Take my hand now!”

Lotor crossed his hand towards himself, “Never!”

Keith’s eyes widened when he saw the mountain in front of them and his eyes widened, “Lotor, now! I can’t reach you, we’re gonna hit the mountain! Let me help you!”

Lotor glared at him and snarled, “I’d rather die than let the banished prince help me!”

Keith then tucked his hands by his side and shifted his feet to face the ground. Red, hot flames burst from his shoes and the power of his fire thrust him up into the air and he reached out, grabbing Allura’s extended hand and she lifted him onto Voltron.

Keith looked over Voltron’s saddle and he yelled, “Lotor!”

He saw Lotor’s armor disappear into the clouds and he later heard a sickening splat.

Voltron flew away from the mess, but Keith could hear Acxa’s loud wails and cries over her lost lover.

“It was your fault!” She pointed at Keith, her panting becoming erratic and dangerous, and she laughed deranged, “And you’re gonna pay for it!”

Acxa jumped and punched the air, her signature blue flame roaring towards Keith.

Keith extended his hands and jumped in the air, his hands joining together and releasing their own beam of red fire once his feet hit the floor.

Their Agni Kai began there.

The two adopted children of Fire Lord Zarkon, both fighting to the death for his throne. Keith swiped away every flame aimed at him, his red fire contrasting greatly against his sister’s blue fire.

In their fight, Keith couldn’t help but think of the two of them as children. Despite their shared quiet personality, both were close after years of comforting each other from their abusive adopted father. They were both excellent children, prodigy firebenders, and kind-hearted kids. The difference between them? Lotor.

Acxa had become close with Lotor once he moved in from Daibazaal. Keith, however, was wary of the strange boy. Now, they’re here: fighting each other.

Sane vs Insane. Blue vs Red. Evil vs good.

It was a fight neither was ready to face. Physically nor emotionally.

Keith created a fire dome to protect himself from his sister’s hot fire, the blue flames lapping around him and dying after contact with his red fire. 

Keith stood firm, his palm open in defense as he saw his sister kneeling down on the ground in front of the burning palace, panting heavily. Keith then jumped in the air, landed on his right knee, his left half-bent, and thrust both fists out. Out came two pillars of fire, both circling around each other as they head for Acxa.

Acxa jumped out of the way and twirled, her blue flames lifting her up off the floor and carrying her to Keith at fast speeds.

She circled around him, trapping him in a circle of blue, as she attacked him from all angles.

Keith, however, bent down and created a ring of fire around him, stomping hard enough to project the ring out. The red fire knocked Acxa to the floor and she rolled on the ground before standing.

Her eyes were crazed, her fear of defeat becoming evident in her wide eyes. Her hair was no longer in her usual ponytail, it was now falling by her shoulders in clumps. 

Keith stood tall on his side of the field, Allura approaching the two with concern.

Keith let go of his defensive stance and he mocked, “Where’s the lightning? Scared I’ll redirect it?”

Acxa panted and screamed, “I’ll show you lightning!”

Keith breathed in and tried to calm his breathing as he watched Acxa summon lighting around her.

Keith held out his hand and anticipated the strike only for Acxa to move her hand and release the bolt a little more to his right.

Allura stood stock still, her eyes widening as the bolt came closer and closer and she could have sworn she heard Keith’s voice scream her name as he jumped in front of the bolt in a desperate attempt to redirect it.

Her mouth hung open in horror as Keith was caught in the bolt. She watched speechlessly as he weakly extended his hand and released the bolt into the sky.

She gasped as she watched his body fall to the floor in a heap, lightning flashing around his body and his hands grasping his heart.

She sprinted for him and yelled, “Keith!”

She screamed as a bolt struck the ground at her feet and she threw a wave at the direction of the bolt before running back to his aid. 

Keith shook with each shock and he turned to his back gasping for air and his hand on his burnt skin above his heart. His robe was burnt and his torso was exposed to the air, allowing the hot air to hit his burnt skin.

He yelled in pain and Allura ran faster, her hand enveloped in healing water as she tried to reach him, but Acxa threw a wave of fire at her.

Allura jumped out of the way and hid behind a pillar of the palace as blue flames lapped around her.

Keith turned on his stomach again and he tried to strike Acxa, but to no avail, he was too weak.

“Allura!” He screamed heartbroken as the fires burned down the wooden pillar she was hiding behind and as Acxa sent another lightning bolt at her.

Acxa heard this and she laughed maniacally, “Oh, so she’s the love of your life?”

Keith growled at her and groaned in pain, “Acxa, stop!”

Acxa merely laughed again, “An eye for an eye!”

“No!”

Acxa flew up in the air before Allura could hit her with another blast of water and scared her from behind.

Allura sprinted and created a path of ice, carrying her faster and farther away from Acxa, almost falling as Acxa sent her fireball after fireball, the last one tripping her.

“Acxa, please stop! I love her!” Acxa turned around to face her little brother, shocked to see that he actually had tears pouring down his cheeks, an angry scowl suggesting they weren’t just because he was sad.

“You brought this on yourself!”

Keith tried to scream, but he only groaned in pain as another shock to the heart left him with an aching pain in his chest and left him unconscious.

Acxa then sneaked up on Allura and did the hand signal to summon lighting right when Allura enveloped both of them in water and froze it. Allura watched as Acxa’s crazed eyes darted from side to side.

Allura then started to move and tied Acxa’s hands in chains, bringing down Acxa to the floor and tying her to the sewer’s metal floor.

Then, Allura released the water trap and secured Acxa’s hands to the floor and tightened the chains, Acxa growling the whole time.

Then, without hesitation, she sprinted for Keith, almost tripping on her Water Tribe dress in her haste to get to her lover.

She fell to her knees and she yelled, “Keith!”

He, however, was unresponsive save for his grimace and his heavy pants.

She turned him on his side and brushed the burnt edges of his robe aside, enveloping her hands in her healing water immediately.

Allura closed her eyes and focused, a tear escaping and landing on the floor by his hand. Then, she heard a breath of relief and she opened her eyes, gasping when Keith smiled up at her, “Thank you, Allura.”

Allura’s tears poured down faster and she helped him stand up, “I think I’m the one who should be thanking you.”

Keith smiled down at her and Allura stood on her tippy toes to hug him.

The two, however, separated when they heard a furious roar. They turned around and watched sadly as Acxa flailed around desperately, her sobs racking her entire body.

Keith was now preparing himself for the celebration after the end of the war. Shiro had successfully defeated Zarkon without having to go against his morals and they were now having a party in honor of the Avatar.

But, he had one small problem: he couldn’t tie his belt without hurting himself.

Then he heard a knock at the door and, thinking it was his birth mother, he answered, “Come in.”

Allura smiled as she walked in and Keith’s jaw dropped, “Allura, what are you-”

“-I thought you were going to need a little help.”

Keith smiled and nodded, letting her close his robe, hiding his bandages, and securing it by tying his belt, “Also, I wanted to tell you something.”

“What?”

Allura smiled before cupping his cheek and kissing him soundly, Keith immediately closing his eyes and kissing her back. 

The two of them stayed there for a while, their lips shifting around each other soundly and fluidly and they popped as they separated.

Allura smiled as the two panted to calm their breathing and she whispered, “I love you, too.”

Keith smiled and the two hugged tightly, pressing soft kisses to the other’s neck.

MY KALLURA AND ZUTARA HEART! Now I’ve made a while universe in my mind and I can’t take it out. :(((

[parf-fan]

Halloween 2018

I had hoped to have this finished and posted last week, but it took longer to write than I'd planned (and also I got sick, which slows everything down).  As it is, it only went through two-and-a-half drafts, so it is not the most well-written thing I've ever posted, for which I apologize.

This full-on essay is a critique of the 2018 Halloween scenario.  As such, it contains spoilers – major freaking spoilers – below the cut. I beg of you: if you've not yet attended the Halloween event, DO NOT READ THIS UNTIL YOU HAVE.  Even if you can't go, but plan on watching videos of it, wait to read this until you've watched the videos.  Not simply because of spoilers, but also because I do not want my opinions to affect your initial viewing.  You have been warned, and I entreat you to heed it.

Any critique worth its salt begins with the strong points, of which there are many, and I should like to talk about them anyway.

Half the new plot is awesome.  Midsummer-Night's Dream is my shit, and I am beyond stoked about the inclusion of its characters.  Even on the second day, when I knew it was coming, I could not stop myself from physically bouncing up and down in my seat from excitement at the introduction of Titania and Oberon.

The manner in which the ridiculous weather we've had all season (plus rehearsal month) was worked into the plot – not merely lampshaded or joked about, but as an actual plot-point – may be the biggest stroke of genius I've experienced at the Faire to date.  It is clever as heck, and adds an extra level of immersion.

SIX MONARCHS!  Oh, poor poor Kensington.  He didn't even freak out, he skipped directly to dead-inside acceptance.

The moment at King's Court in which the faerie monarchs are magic-tugging the goblet – and by extension, Triboulet – back and forth stuck out at me because of the excellent physical acting of Joshua Kachnycz.  He left absolutely no doubt that he was truly being magically pulled.

Likewise, Joshua's quick-change into the guise of Puck seemed exemplary to me (at least when both fog machines were working).  True, he did not change his whole attire, but in proportion to the parts he did change or add – in the middle of the stage, too! - I think he did it quickly and well.

Triboulet being Robin Goodfellow is not only totally in keeping with his character, but also bears out something he told me in Gauntlet once, something I meant to make a post about but never got the chance while I was thinking about it.  I had asked whether he had any genuine loyalty to Spain, or whether he was merely in it for the pay.  He responded with something along the lines of “Who said anything about pay?”.  Upon asking him to elaborate, he indicated that he was never hired by Spain, but rather was bent on causing chaos for the sake of chaos, stirring up shit for the pure fun of it.  That was when I knew that he'd be revealed as a faerie trickster come Halloween, but I didn't suspect Puck specifically until about two minutes before the reveal.  tl;dr, Triboulet as Puck matches perfectly with how I've been interpreting him all season.

Furthermore, the fact that it's Puck causing the primary mischief enables me to utter such phrases as “everything's Pucked up”, “Puck this”, “you motherpucker”, and “Puck you”.  It is the stupidest play on words possible, and I love it, and will likely not stop using it until everyone in the shire hates me or the season ends, whichever happens first.

Everything involved in deciding the fate / punishment of Puck is just beautiful. From seeking asylum in England, to being reduced to prose (which, mood), to throwing himself on Titania's mercy after learning about Jane's past, just all of it.  Side-splitting, well done.

THE NEW WORDS TO THE ROGUES' TREATY-SIGNING SINGING!  Oh my gosh.  When I realized what was being sung, I laughed very loudly and fairly long, probably confusing a few patrons who didn't notice the difference, possibly irritating some, definitely killing the moment for a few.  I love it.  I love it immensely and will never be over it.  For any who didn't notice or couldn't make them out, the new words are “Nosferatu, some spooky dudes,” over and over.  It is comedy gold, for the scene is so solemn and gratifying, and the new words sung in total seriousness, and with no specific attention called to them.  Comedy freaking gold, I tell you.

The mid Parting-Glass speech.  Holy shit.  Just.  Fuck me up, I have Emotions.  A lot of emotions.  I already almost cry upon hearing it, I'm gonna fuckin' bawl my eyes out on the last day.  Fuck.

The entire plot with Titania and Oberon and the conflict over the seasons and said conflict spilling over to harm the humans is spectacular, and I love it.  But the other new plot?  Not so much at all.  Why? Distilling down every issue to its core, the thing in common with them all is this: it's just bad writing.

What the wine plot tells me is that the writers' first impulse upon being presented with multiple lead romantic relationships is to do some sort of love-triangle-square bullshit.  Yet love-triangles/squares are boring and overdone, and present no challenge in terms of devising conflict.  They are uncreative.  And basing full half your plot around them is simply poor storytelling.

Similarly, one of the things I most admired about the main season was the presence of conflict without a joust to the death.  Setting up the Joust and conflict  without the promise of fatality is more of a challenge, and therefore the successful result is more engaging.  I take no issue with the fact that the Ultimate Joust is generally to! the! death!, but greatly admired the achievement of pulling off the plot without it just this once.  So when the Halloween Joust was revealed to have returned to its deadly state, I was let down.  If nonlethal Ultimate Jousts were a more common thing, perhaps I'd not be so upset about this.  But I believe this is the first one I've seen, and we all know it'll be to! the! death! once more next season.  Which I will have no problem with.  But returning the promise of fatality this season is a step backwards in quality.

During main-season Joust, I frequently found myself just beaming at the field, happy to watch six knights, all honorable in-universe (or so it seemed) and out, doing what they loved without filtering their enthusiasm through masks of hate or greed.  It was so wholesome a thing to be able to Favor any knight in wholly good conscience both in-universe and out.  Sure, Henry and Francis were being prideful idiots, but not so seriously that it compromised their morality overmuch, and thus I gladly Favored them.  I would not expect this of Joust every year, but I loved that it was so this season.  I loved that pure moment of contentedly smiling over the field, filled with love for all those riding upon it.  And I hate that I've been robbed of that moment three weeks too early.

The pre-joust dialogue was not between Francis and Henry.  I mean obviously, it wouldn't be, since they were both enchanted.  But it didn't even sound like enchanted versions of them talking.  It was straight-up Don Alonso and Sir Robert.  Literally.  Every word they said was the exact same stuff we hear from the Bad Knights, complete with the promise of drinking wine from hollowed skulls.  Perhaps it was just because I was already in a disappointed state of mind, but it just didn't seem effective.

The point that may gall me the most as a storyteller: the solution to saving the day came out of fuck-all nowhere. It was not hinted at, foreshadowed, or set up in any way.  Because I'm extra salty, let's look at some recent previous plots for a moment.  In Halloween 2016, the thing mentioned several times throughout the day was that Excalibur could only be pulled from the stone by one worthy to rule England.  Catherine drawing it forth thus fulfills a narrative promise.  In Halloween 2017, the point stated several times throughout the day was that Rumple could not be harmed by mortal man.  Thus, when Catherine successfully breaks his power, we understand why she is able to.  Main season 2018, the recurring thing throughout the day was the back-and-forth between the jesters. Thus, we can track the point to which Jane arrives at in shooting Triboulet.

But Halloween 2018, what is the point mentioned repeatedly?  What do the antagonists / new characters emphasize?  That the mortals cannot throw off the magic of the wine before sunrise.  What, then, does that indicate?  What is the logical storytelling resolution of that? That a faerie will be the one to undo it, or at least enable the humans to.  That is the narrative promise.  The fact that the mortals are able to break it on their own doesn't make sense, and cannot in any way be predicted or deduced or traced through after the fact from anything elsewhere in the plot.  That's poor storytelling, mate.

The Halloween plot is meant to up the antie.  To take things to the next level.  To be grander, more sweeping, more epic.  That's a simple fact of its existance.  And this year, the writers' idea of grander and more epic was to go from friendship-love saving the day to romantic-love saving the day?  NO! FUCK YOU!  You know better, I know you do!  Romantic-love is not inherently stronger or more important or more valid or more valuable than friendship-love, and I've always treasured the Faire as one of the few settings in which I can count on that truth being understood.  This is a betrayal.

Besides, the power of true romantic-love saving the day is amatonormative and just so. fucking. overdone.

My next point involves a different point, one I'd been meaning to write about since week one but never had time to.  I had truly hoped that the Chessmatch would be between the queens.  That's one of the things that made 2017 work so well.  The king got to win his glory at Joust, and the queen got to win her glory at Chess.  It balanced them out, and ensured that one ruler did not appear more plot-important than the other.  And so it should have been this year.  When I saw that it was not so, I took some consolation in the knowledge that the queens would at least have their moment in saving the day in Halloween.  But they didn't.  I mean, Catherine was the first to throw off the effects of the wine, if you count that, but it's not really the same. The queens were both wholly robbed of any opportunity to display their prowess and win their own triumph, and I am very much not okay with that.

Which brings me to the subject of the queens.  It may be most effective for this next point to quote directly from my stream-of-consciousness bullet-point brainstorming of all the issues I found with this scenario.

YOU MADE THE QUEENS FIGHT i will never forgive yo[u]

WHY DID YOU MAKE THE QUEENS FIGHT

LIKE REALLY

I DON’T GIVE A SHIT THAT THEY WERE ENCHANTED, I’M NOT TALKING ABOUT IN-UNIVERSE RIGHT NOW

HOW DARE YOU BREAK THAT BEAUTEOUS, WONDERFUL FRIENDSHIP AND SOLIDARITY WE’VE BEEN TREASURING ALL SEASON AND LONGING FOR FOR SO LONG

AN[D] OVER FUCKING ÉROS????? ARE YOU SHITTING ME

As the Halloween Chess initially unfolded before me, as the kings' tempers rose and they became more and more volatile toward one another, I was already thinking about the post I would write about the new scenario, and I noted that I would include something about how I was glad that at the least they didn't have the queens turn on one another.  I made specific plans to mention that as a silver lining, a partial saving grace.  And then they fell to the quarrel/fight scene between Hermia and Helena, and all I wanted to do was scream and throw things and, in hindsight, cry.

Let me take a moment to reiterate.  I fucking love Midsummer-Night's Dream.  It is my absolute favorite of Shakespeare's plays, it's the first play of any kind I ever saw, it was a facet of my childhood, and I was in two separate productions of it.  And in that play, the quarrel/fight between Hermia and Helena is one of my favorite scenes.  It's so much fun to perform, and gave rise to my tagline: though she be but little, she is fierce.  But that scene has no place here with these characters.

This then brings me to my next point.  In-universe, none of the fighting makes sense.  Since the looks matched up, everybody's wine!love was requited, and nobody felt a claim on someone another now wanted. I've watched Chess all four days, and the three most recent days, I've made active effort to track the development of the conflict, having not understood it before.  But I still cannot see what they are fighting about.  Yes, it was stated that the wine would fill the drinker with rage, but what we saw between the kings in the main season, that was rage.  This is rage combined with a massive fuckin dose of irrationality.  The reasoning gone through to arrive at both the brawl and the joust comes down to insane troll logic.  This is the second thing that bothers me the most as a storyteller.  If Oberon's line about the wine had simply included a mention of irrationality along with the rage, the whole conflict would seem a lot less bullshit.

And now, the third thing that bothers me the most as a storyteller: you guessed it, the cup.  Listen, Dumbshow-lampshading the utter lack of mention or explanation of the cup following King's Court does not make it good storytelling.  Last year's lampshade about the treaty worked because we'd already had a whole main season about that.  But the cup was just. abandoned, and not long after being introduced.  Of course I see the need for something to call the faeries to the shire, but you can't take the entire inciting macguffin of so primary a plot and so thoroughly ignore it for the rest of the story.

This is even less excusable when considered with the fact that there was ample opportunity to keep the chalice involved.  Simply have it present at Chess, mention in the preamble that the match is partially for possession of  the cup (albeit maybe temporarily), and add a line to Triboulet's toast-proposing, something about the toast also being in anticipation of the victor toasting his opponent's health from the goblet.  Once the wine takes effect and everything starts going to shit, the kings no longer care about the cup.  The cup should then also be present at Joust, since the faerie monarchs are wagering possession of it on said game.  It doesn't have to be made a fuss of, it just has to be there, and probably spared a few words in the part of the recap given by Titania and Oberon.  This would at least settle the plot point, if not resolving it, and actually turns it into something of a successful red herring.  At the start of the Chessmatch, the audience is expecting a continuation of the plot from King's Court, not a sudden love-square.  Reprising the chalice at the beginning of the match would bear that out, lulling the audience in to a false sense of plot-security, if that makes any sense.  The wine plot is then eased in rather than sudden; not because it begins any subtler, but because the fakeout plot lasts a little longer, and overlaps.

And a final, less significant note: the fae don't look like fae.  They pretty much look human.  Oberon looks his part a little better, 'cause he's got slightly odd eyes and an unusual crown, but that's it.  And Titania simply looks like a human in an orange dress and flower crown.  True, the style of her dress is not of the English Renaissance era, and that makes her stand out a bit, but it isn't disquieting.  At least the two previous years, the faeries have been visually off-putting, disturbing, unsettling, bordering on creepy. This post says it better than I can, so allow me to quote from it:

also i think that for me personally you are not doing midsummer night correctly AT ALL if you haven’t put a lot of work in on the part of the actors and costumers and makeup and other elements to make sure that the fairies are as unsettling and otherworldly and uh FAE as possible. the fairies aren’t supposed to be cute. titania should strike fear into the audiences’ hearts just by being onstage.

All in all, I have never been so disappointed in something from the Faire.  I am heartbroken, in a way.  This universe, the Megan-Zach universe, has been so very good from the start, and has just built exponentially the entire time.  There was the 2016 main season, and that was friggin' fantastic.  Then the 2016 Halloween plot, and that was even better.  Then there was 2017 main season, and that was better still.  The main season plot gave way to the 2017 Halloween plot, and bloody hell that was even better! Then there was the main season 2018, and holy fucking shit on a stick, that was freaking incredible!  And then there's the Halloween 2018 plot – which, nope.  They'd been building and building these three seasons and now, in this final moment, they partially blew it.  I've been informed that this is the last year of Megan and Zach as our monarchs, that this is it for this universe.  And this is not the note anybody – actor or patron – deserved to end on.

There are some silver linings though, and I should be remiss to not mention them. (Though most of them are not significant enough to be true silver linings, but rather what I refer to as pewter linings.)

First, I am pleased that they retained the bout of flyting.  As the day is no longer saved by Jane, the back-and-forth between the jesters is no longer necessary for the plot, and as such, neither is the flyting. It has been one of my favorite moments all season, and I am grateful that they left it there.  Particularly when considering that they had to remove the sample performance of an out-of-house performer in order to make time for the new segment.  I think that a good decision.

At the end of the chessmatch, Puck announces  the upcoming joust through an entertaining impression of Kensington.  Even if I weren't staying through the wine-affected monarchs' end-of-game bullshit in order to experience the faerie/weather plot, I'd stay just for that impression, because it's hilarious.

Getting to see Catherine wielding a sword at Joust almost makes up for a third of the wine plot.  Despite the awfulness of what enabled that moment, the moment itself is hecking fantastic.

After the faerie wine has been dispelled, Henry has a line saying that the enchantment could not have made him behave like that unless he already had the potential to do so.  This bears out an crucial point in the series of fic I'm (still) working on about the Bavarians.  I had already decided that faeries cannot manipulate anyone – physically, mentally, or emotionally – into doing something that the person in question did not already posses the capacity to do, and though it's not exactly a plot point, or even stated directly in the fic, it's very important to me, and is sure as heck gonna be mentioned in the author's notes.  So it was rather nice for that to be confirmed as canon.

At Finale, the human queens sometimes acknowledge that there was potential for them to have looked at each other after the wine. Moreover, they also acknowledge that that course of events would have been at least slightly less awful, and do not seem averse to the notion that this hypothetical version of events would've led them to become enamored of another woman.  This acknowledgment does not make up for too much, but it does help a little.

The real silver lining, though, the closest thing the wine plot has to a saving grace, is Sir Walter.  It wasn't just a matter of his reactions to everything being entertaining, as they always are, but genuinely interesting.  This line of plot takes his role as only sane man to the next level.  He went beyond “how can I salvage this festival day” to “how can I save these four people and both their realms from war and ruin”.  It was no longer a matter of stress for him, but of the wellbeing of two nations and all those therein.  This conflict threatens more people and more peace more than any conflict he's experienced here before (that we've seen), and that change altered his actions and reactions in a very tangible way.  It was quite enjoyable to see him go from just stressing over the day to stepping up and actively trying to change the course of events, even in conflict with the orders of his rulers.  He flat-out refused to announce the joust, for one.  And even during the final battle of Joust, he kept putting himself between the queens, knowing that it would result in his ass getting kicked.  If they're teamed up hurting him, they can't hurt each other.

There's also the extremely interesting fact that half the time the faeries did any sort of magic that physically manipulated the mortals (freezing everyone, making everyone fight each other in aid of the kings), it didn't seem to have any effect on Kensington.  Now, granted, I may just be looking at the wrong places at the wrong times on this one, but if absolutely nothing else, I know he is definitely unaffected by the everybody-fight-each-other enchantment.  This is both fascinating and really cool to me, and has the potential to open up some compelling character details.  I think I may sometime compile and run through a list of the different potential explanations I've thought of for this. (I'm sure it won't be too difficult to guess my favorite possibility even without seeing what all I've come up with, but it should still be a nifty post.)

Overall though, despite these pros that would've been impossible without the wine plot, the wine plot is, to my mind, terrible.  It is not badly executed, of course.  Far from it.  It is executed brilliantly and beautifully, and truly the actors and stagecrew and sound and effects teams have my admiration no end.   But being well-executed doesn't make the writing any better.  It is poorly-written, overdone, borderline cliché in places, and did not add to or enhance my experience.  I know the writers are capable of better, and cannot for the life of me determine why they settled for something so frustratingly mediocre.

How do I know it's bad writing and not just a plot I don't like?  Because when shit started going down, I became angry at the writers, not the characters.   That is the ultimate test of quality.  If something you don't like is happening in a story and you become angered at the people within the story, then what is happening makes sense, and does not jar you from the world of the story, although you disapprove.  If something you don't like is happening in a story and you become angered at the writer(s), then what is happening does not make sense, and you are jolted out of the world of the story, remembering it to be fiction.

I hate the wine plot, and what's more, I hate that I hate it.  I wanted to love the Halloween plot in its entirety, and hating so much of it just breaks my heart.  And in total honesty, I know that certain people were eager to see my reaction to the new plot, and I expect that they're at least somewhat crestfallen that I detest a good bit of it, and that knowledge just makes me even sadder about the whole thing, and I'm angry that it fell out this way, and I'm let down, and I'm disappointed in the writers, for – not to sound like a broken record – I know them to be capable of far better than this.