#haven decided yet :D

[yellow-rose-lady]

Lucky belongs to @general-yasur and hellspawn belongs @namelysane (btw I hope you don’t mind me giving your oc a general name ;-; it just felt empty without it!)

Under the cut is the version with no info or drawing #1:

Im so sorry if I got anything wrong about them (such as age or coloring and or powers.) I tried to find as many descriptions or drawings you all had of them but I did take a couple liberties in the end-

Either way, I just wanted to draw my oc with her inspirations as if they were siblings.

[kix-mm]

Whatever happens... A, B, and C

"Hey C? Buddy? How're you doing in there? Are you ready to come out yet?"

Their question was met with a cold silence, but B could do nothing about the unpleasant response. It was meant to still be a secret between B and A, with the idea being that once they had reached their third month's anniversary of their relationship that they would tell C. But the surprise came a little too early.

A bent down. "Have they still not come out yet? It's been an hour..." They spoke in a soft and hopeless tone, which was conflicting with their usual upbeat personality.

"No..." B replies while eying the bathroom door. "I just hope they'll be okay... what if they don't like us anymore after this? I don't want to lose them. This is exactly what we were trying to prevent..." he says while silently acknowledging the irony of this whole situation.

B knocks on the little door again. "C? Please come out...". "N-no!..." came a soft squeak, which very briefly settled B and A's worry that their partner had somehow managed to escape through the window. They knew it would actually be impossible for C, but the fear was still there, C had a tendency to accomplish the impossible, such as dating two people who were secretly giants.

The two shared a look of grief, and A could see how B's mind was tumbling: "What if they break up with us? W-what if they leave us?" B asked with a choked voice. "Then we let them... it's not right to hold someone hostage. That would definitely make us monsters. C is already so overwhelmed..." A spoke with pain in their heart. At first, A wanted to pry the door open and get ahold of C, but now that they've thought things through it would most likely never go well.

"I miss them..." B hugged themselves tighter. "I miss them so much, and they're right here. They're so close, and we're losing them A... what do we do..?" A sighs "I don't know..."

Hours continued to fly by till the early morning, around 4. C finally decided to have a peek outside the bathroom to investigate the silence. They almost yelped when he saw how close the two were to the door, A was snuggled up to B, they both looked exhausted. To C, this was a relief. This was their chance to get the hell out of here... C grabbed their keys and bag off the counter and quietly made their way to the door. They took their time to observe their home for a final time and made some connections, such as why the ceiling was so high and why the two always had a glimmer in their eyes whenever they saw each other... C always thought it was because they were in love, which may have been the case, but also because the two shared a deep secret with one another... one that they never deemed necessary to tell C despite being their partner. Maybe C's insecure thoughts were right about them being nothing more than a third wheel.

Suddenly, he noticed B's eyes flicker open. In a panic, C rushes to the door, his steps waking the both of them. He pulled on the door and... nothing. It didn't budge, he tried again, then he tried pushing, nothing. Finally, he looked up from the handle and saw A's hand pressed against the top. Fear struck his already broken heart as he felt it sink to his stomach. He spun back towards the bathroom to see that his safe haven had been blocked off by B.

C looked up at the two with frantic eyes, unable to get his legs to move. He had no real other pace to hide as their layout was rather open. B gently reached to make contact with C, but C jolted away as if B's fingers were knives. "D-Don't touch me!" C hated how the fear rang in his voice, how he stammered in front of them. C never was one to speak up for himself. He was the timid and soft-spoken one of the three.

B and A kept their distance, looking down at C with pleading eyes, please C please don't go. Let us explain, let us hold you, show you that we would never hurt you.

But their silent pleading fell on deaf ears. C stared at the two with blurry eyes, tears obscuring his vision. "Let me go." he rests his hand on the handle, looking at A. Please let me get out of here.

A & B share a look before returning their eyes to C. "Let us first explain ourselves... please Cc?" B pleaded with an all too familiar nickname that made C feel uneasy hearing at the moment.

C's legs were ready to make a run for it as soon as either one made an attempt to grab him again, he was particularly eying B for that distinct twitch they'd show when they lost their patience. This would be C's only chance to speak their mind before something were to happen to them. "I... no, I've heard enough, I've... I've seen enough. I don't know why you'd keep such a big secret from me for so long! I'm not a stranger. We've known each other for years! And not once was I ever considered your equal! I-I'm just that easy to get forget about, aren't I? The small third party! Quick and easy to get rid of!" C's breathing quickened, and his blood boiled, yet he still kept his voice lowered. Regret began to almost instantly set in after he was done talking back at the two in such a tone, he swore that the two were now staring right through him. How dare he speak to them that way, how dare he try to question their decisions when he was so disposable to them?

Instead, A let out a very pitiful sniffle, a gate of tears rolled down their cheeks. "We're sorry, we're so, so sorry... we really messed up this whole plan." they say while trying to wipe all those messy tears off. Wanting nothing more than to be given a second chance to try and be better at how they handled the situation. They wanted to explain how scared they were of C's reaction and how they knew he would be scared if they had revealed this secret any sooner.

B held A's hand before looking at C. "C... no, no C, you're not! Don't say that! Please get that out of your head it was never meant to get so out of hand. We swear we would have told you a-and it was supposed to be a whole setup and everything!" Slowly B moved their hand closer to C. C hadn't even noticed B's hand. they were too occupied by their heart ringing in their ears and the sight of A sobbing in B's arms. Even B looked completely heartbroken.

When C suddenly felt B's hand wrap around his waist and legs, he began to frantically squirm, watching and attempting to push away any enclosing fingers that hugged his body. "n-no stop! Stop!!" C yelped. "I-it's okay! It's okay, I won't drop you, I promise you C..." B spoke with a gentle yet strained voice, trying to hide the pump in his throat as he felt his panicked lover squirm and scratch. Wincing a little as he felt warm tears drip down his fingers.

A quickly wiped his tears and let B open their hand. The two had talked for hours about what it would be like to hold C in their hands, how they wanted C to take naps, demand being held, how soft he would feel... this would probably not be the case anymore... "Cc..." A spoke softly. B looked at C. "I'm sorry I... I just wanted to be near you. Please don't be scared, A and I... we were trying to prevent this reaction, but it just happened. A-and now everything seems forced and-and the timing is terrible and we're scared we're going to lose you! We don't want to lose you C. Please, please believe us, we promise there's nothing else to hide from you, we will tell you everything... let us prove it to you... we will do anything to make up for this mess."

C was a shivering mess. They looked at both lovers like they were predators despite the duo's best attempts to calm him, giving gentle rubs and holding him against their chest. Talking to him with a soft and sweet voice that tried to reassure him that he was safe and that they would never hurt him while also repeatedly apologizing. This continued till the sun rose, and C finally passed out on B's chest.

The two laid him in bed, their poor C was exhausted, their cheeks stained with tear marks and their eyes were puffy, their body never stopped shivering and every now and then they'd jolt and mumble incoherently. The two looked at each other with equally stained cheeks and puffy eyes. They decided it would be best for them to shrink down to the size C was familiar with. B held C's hand and gently kissed their forehead while A kissed C's cheek and snuggled up to spoon him. The 3 got cuddled up together and fell into a deep sleep... hopefully, when C woke up, they'd be more willing to talk. But they couldn't be certain. All they could really focus on was that C was in their arms, and hopefully, after some time, they'd be able to sleep together without fear.

[felicjana050896]

A few words about Charlastor

Today I saw this post:

(Sorry, I can't post the link, Twitter doesn't want to work on my computer today :\ )

I will quote it here because it made me think again:

Currently, the closest person to Charlie is Vaggie, while Alastor invades her space, Vaggie and Alastor are opposed to each other, Vaggie wants to run a hotel for Charlie (her whole life is based on Charlie...), while Alastor has his own reasons (more on which later we don't fully know) and the two are portrayed as opposing forces pulling Charlie, Vaggie in one direction and Alastor in the other. Charlie's relationship with Alastor will deepen in future seasons (which the author wrote about, that Alastor and Charlie are the main characters of HH and what we see after the pilot), thus distancing it from Vaggie, which we see already in the first season (and what I wrote posts about ), that Charlie's relationship with Vaggie will surely deteriorate as it goes on, their quarrel over Vaggie's lie was, in my opinion, just the first glitch in their relationship (although not very well written in my opinion anyway), at some point in the story Charlie will had to choose between Vaggie and Alastor (and Niffty):

And considering the other screenshots, they are either forshadowings only to the fact that in future seasons Charlie will be getting closer to Alastor and away from Vaggie, or they may generally herald Alastor's victory over Vaggie, it depends, they are definitely confirmation that the further the seasons, the more Charlostor's content we will have than Chaggie's, the only question is which one will be the endgame?

Alastor stealing Charlie:

Significant bed scene, Vaggie wakes up without Charlie, alone, and Charlie is later in bed with Alastor on a heart-shaped pillow:

Besides, I read about Zoophobia and old sketches of Alastor and Autumn, and in my opinion Autumn reminds me a bit of Charlie... but in order.... First, let's go to Roo or Eve (if you prefer), well, I saw one Tik Tok and I definitely agree with it:

Charlie actually resembles Eve much more than Lilith, it always surprised me that Charlie has more father-like features both in appearance and character, and has none of Lilith's (especially when it comes to her ahem... physical qualities...), but I thought they just made her a typical "daddy's girl" and that's it... but if Eve is Charlie's mother and not Lilith..., we still had Lucifer's comment that he stole from Adam both wives, both Lilith and Eve, and although he married Lilith, he probably slept with Eve..., then the only question arises: why did Lilith decide to raise a child that was not her own?

Roo (Eve):

Charlie:

Lilith:

Lucifer:

Charlie and Eve (Roo) have exactly the same nose, the same lines under their eyes (Charlie in his demonic form has them) and the body sharp is the same, Lucifer by the way does not have a nose (:D), Lilith has a completely different nose, only Eve's nose matches Charlie's....

Moving on, we know that Alastor made a deal with someone, many people speculate that he made it with Lilith, but there are also people who believe that with Roo and I, although I also considered Lilith at the beginning, it was thrown in our faces this 7-year break (that Lilith has not been in Hell for 7 years and Alastor disappeared for 7 years), seems too obvious..., moreover, we know that Lilith had a contract with Adam (end of episode 8), and Adam did not know Alastor, so how could Alastor have an agreement with Lilith and be with her for these 7 years in heaven, if Adam didn't know him at all..., while Roo..., and this is where the issue of Zoophobia begins, i.e. Viv's first idea, where most of the HH characters came from:

In Zoophobia we had the so-called KayCee, i.e. chaos itself and the main antagonist, interestingly KayCee liked apples (a reference to Eve and her picking an apple from the Garden of Eden, the first sin?):

KayCee had white hair, horns, and the original Alastor was in love with her:

So KayCee is nothing other than the prototype of Eve.

Moving on, the original Alastor was also obsessed with Autumn, the character of Zoophobia, a blonde deer:

Autumn is a very helpful and good-hearted character and: ,,Although outwardly he appears mature and rational, in reality he is extremely insecure, suffering from low self-esteem. Autumn continues to seek recognition and thanks from others for a little help from him, showing that he needs the appreciation of others. Autumn is also very sensitive and short-tempered: in the webcomic, when Rusty teases him about the little antlers, Autumn explodes in anger and violently scolds him."

Doesn't this in some way resemble the description of Charlie..., a girl with a good heart, wanting to help everyone, and also sometimes quick-tempered (when, for example, heaven rejects her or when Susan pisses her off :D )

So we have Eve, who used to be KayCee, and Charlie, who has a lot of Autumn in her, and if it turns out that Charlie is actually Eve's daughter, Charlie will be a combination of KayCee and Autumn, considering her appearance and character traits are taken from both, two characters that the original Alastor was crazy about ;)

And finally, some shots of Charlie and Alastor:

And remember about Niffty and KeeKee, they are very important, after all they are in the HH logo :)

KeeKee, a pet belonging to Charlie and Niffty, Alastor's ,,pet" ;)

Sorry for the long post again, but I just can't keep it short :D

Thank you for reading and have a nice day, evening or night :)

[lets-try-some-writing]

Oooh, okay. How about Halley’s Comet (or some other comet out there) is a baby Titan floating around. And when Earth sees them: Earth: Can we keep them!? Moon: Yes darling! Unicron: No! Why would you- Moon: Earth. Gets. What. She. Wants. Comet Titan: Hello! I like to explore!

Hello yes time for more lore.

Titans ceased to be forged shortly after the fall of the Predacons. No one knows why, but some suspect that the reason is simply because Primus decided there were enough of them. Long lived as they are, Titans are not exactly prolific. But they don't need to be. They serve their purpose until they no longer have the ability. They are, in a sense, a temporary thing to give the rest of Primus's children a safe haven until they can stand on their own pedes.

Halley's Comet broke the long agreed upon understanding that Titans were no longer being forged. She was forged with the last generation of sparklings to emerge from the Well. At the time, she was about the size of a warframe. She grew up alone in the remnants of abandoned cities and starports and saw the ravages of war as she grew larger. The lack of energon made her small. Her systems couldn't support more than a few dozen citizens at most. This upset her a degree, but it instilled in her a desire to seek out somewhere she could serve. She was the size of the Arc, and while not a shabby size at all, she did not match up to even little Pluto. She vaguely sensed that she was too small, but to her young mind, that was alright.

When the Exodus occurred, Halley fled with the rest. There was no use hiding any longer, not when those who would make her a tool were no longer present. She did not know what she was, but she was fine with that. She took to the stars eager to understand herself and explore. What base coding she had told her that there were others like her scattered in the void beyond. As such, she was excited to begin her hunt for her as of yet unknown siblings.

She travelled the stars, pausing only to rest and recover in the orbit of passing stars. She passed by worlds where Titans gave their lives to establish Cybertronian colonies. Some were active and greeted Halley with reverence. Others were long dead. Those ones Halley took time to traverse until she found the shell of her deceased brethren. From the dead she took pieces of their plating to graft into her own. She soon became a living memorial to the glories of times long past. She took pride in her work.

Eventually. she found a Cybertronian starship headed in the direction of Earth. She did not know that at the time, but having explored the surrounding sectors, she decided to tail the ship. She followed from a safe distance and only broke away when she spotted Pluto doing his usual patrol. Their interaction went about as well as expected.

Pluto: YOU! STOP RIGHT THERE!

Halley: Oh! Hello brother!

Pluto: Brother? Wait, are you one of us?

Halley: I am not too sure! But you feel like a brother of mine!

Pluto: *Pluto exe is not working* I need to get Mars. Don't go anywhere little Titan.

Mars: *literally just woke up from a nap* WHAT IS IT-!

Halley: Hello! :D

Mars: ...

Mars: I suppose we have a little sister now.

Halley doesn't stay too long. She still likes to travel. But she stops by when she can. She adores Earth, and Earth loves her in turn. Earth may or may not have quietly adopted her, much to Moon's agitation since he doesn't like sharing more attention than necessary. Halley has continually praised Moon for his choice in partners because of her adoration for the green covered world. Moon is warming up to her slowly.

Quietly, he calls her Daughter of my Beloved and Sister of my Spark.

Halley does not know this, but when she needs a place to rest, Moon will gladly offer the dark side of his frame for her to get some much needed recharge.

[calcifiedunderland]

It’s no use,” you grumble, slamming your entire body weight against the library door. The snow’s really piling up outside of the wooden door, and unfortunately for you and him, most of it was outside the door. You and he should’ve gone home when the blizzard started, but you decided to shelter in the library instead. The power was out too, and the library was dimly lit with many candles. “We’re snowed in.”

“I suppose we’re spending the night here then.” Vil approaches the fireplace and proceeds to light it. He gestures for you to come sit next to him. But you couldn’t bring yourself to. No, not after all this. You’re the one who decided to shelter in the library. You're the reason he’s going to miss his audition in the morning. “My sweet potato, what’s wrong?”

“Your audition.” You say your voice is just barely loud enough for him to hear. He gets up from his spot near the fire and places a kiss on your cheek. A kiss that sends shivers down your body yet warms you up from the outside in.

“They’ll understand. Now, please come by the fire. You’re going to freeze to death otherwise.” Vil moves his arm to be comfortably placed around your waist and guides you to the crimson carpet in front of the fire, sitting down in front of it and guiding you down with him.

From the table nearby, he pulls a book. Pride and prejudice, you think? You watch his hands softly open the book. He leans his head onto your shoulder and begins to read the book aloud for the two of you. For tonight, at least the library was a safe haven. happy holidays :D

-your secret Santa

THANK YOU SECRET SANTA!! This was so cute, reading together is so domestic and sweet 💕

[fantomette22]

Ok, let’s hear about your favorite Gehrman and Maria happy AU!!

With pleasure!!!! :D

Ok so for context yesterday I refound this post :

And I was like "hey guys in my happy AU Gehrman could totally get or make something like this for Maria!" And then it spiralled into "oh I completely forgot to explain my bloodborne "happy ending AU" so there it is finally I guess. I think I only share to a couple of persons so far XD (I have a few others many different AU and darker but it isn't for today).

I already did a few drawings in link with it : here, here, here and there. Yeah with the gehrmaria ship involve so pass your way if that isn't your thing.

I did end up making the cottage house of the AU in Minecraft since a few months ago by the way XD I even have a tanner, hunter and a freaking cleric villager who now took possession of the house 😂😭 even Laurence decided to live here now I can't. I would need to redo it I kinda screw up proportions I think. Sadly Minecraft bedrock doesn't offer to put many details. I guess it would be better in the sims? If someone knows a good game to built house (and 19th century one) I'm taking it!

So now about the AU it's kinda an AU of my fic verse who can be consider like an AU as well I suppose (even if I tried to stay as canon complaint as possible in this one). Like you can guess from the name Yharnam doesn't became hell on earth and most people don't end up dying horribly. I will copy paste below the summary so you I can explain it better.

Bloodborne happy/good ending AU Summary :

Basically after bloodborne game event (in my fic verse interpretation) our dear baby squid good hunter decided it was rewind time and give everyone a 2nd chance. Don't ask me how

Then it's not clear but either the souls of everyone were taken and yet back in their old self, decades earlier of if people from the past dreamed of the future or a weird mixt of both. But it's what happened. Decades before the game invent (Byrgenwerth era) people started wake up and remember events that haven't happen yet + message from the new great one that they were giving a 2nd chance to make things right etc. It feels like a very strange dream but they knew it was real. Some people remember more than other and they especially remember their own future and they lived/are gonna live+ a couple of other things in game event for exemple.

Now it's up to them to not make the same mistakes and make things right.

So imagine it’s like 2-3am at Byrgenwerth, everyone wake up from well this dream/ nightmare and they basically remember everything that happened to them. So you haven hundreds of people outside in their pyjama. Crying, hugging, and some almost throwing hands with others 💀 quite emotional. I know it’s pretty crazy (i don’t have everything settle yet)

*Yeah you have people who were basically bestie at the time almost punching each other because one betrayed the other years later lol and people who didn’t like each other at Byrgen but become friends way later are hugging and crying. Some people were really confused xD like the one who die earlier on the timeline or weren't very important or just leave this mess early.

So of course you have Laurence & Gehrman crying and holding each other in pyjama in the middle of the dark campus. Then Maria show up in the distance 👁️👁️  it’s even more of an emotional reunion.

So you have this 2 idiots then Maria show up in the distance, they’re stunned and then Laurence tells him « what the hell you’re waiting for just go!!!» so he runs extremely fast (maria too) and they stop a few meters away from each other just staring. Then he tried to apologize says he’s sorry for everything. « YOU’RE SORRY?! » she’s kinda mad and sad about everything that happened she kinda hit him but he is surprise it’s not that hard then she hugs him and they hug each other and cry. (Yeah the Doll is discuss a bit later it's all good)

At some point Laurence try to eclipse himself and Maria’s like « you fucking stay here! » because she have things to say to this dumbass too.

So everyone reunite and all. With Caryll/ Rom/ Ludwig etc.They are hugging and all and then you have like Damian trying to kick Mico’s ass and nobody stopping him XD

Also Charles and Laurence threw hands 💀it’s a mess.

*People who’re not suppose to be very friends at this era are in each other arms and some bff are like throwing hands.

Then Willem show up and tell everyone to shut up and calm down 😂

Charles and Maria later go to Cainhurst to hug all their family who slightly remember all the shit too. And so it don’t cause a war again as well 😂 because they're kinda salty about their nightmares were the church + executioners killed them.

Anyway they all kinda calm down and some times later they’re all reuniting by Willem & Laurence because we need to talk about what the hell happened. « Yep that was real » now time to change it. 

After this mess and discussing what the hell happened and « we need to changed things! » they need to make a big plan how to avoid the fishing hamlet pb and save the orphan. they also can't just not use blood because it does save lives so it's quite complex.

So years later (because the beginning of it during like Maria, Ludwig, Caryll & Rom's hm 3rd of 4th years of university) they manage to make sure the hamlet don't became fishmen, and help Kos give birth (she isn't dead yet but her physical body do die afterwards). And baby orphan is fine and taking care off 👍

Then it's party time 😎 Well they still have things to take care of but I didn't thought of all the details yet. So Maria & Gehrman officially get together 🎉 (never really happened in my main interpret, it's complicated) and some times later travel between Yharnam and other places to help people around (to put it shortly).

THEN they buy a house next to a forest and a small village and live there for some time, maybe start a family etc (see the drawing with the baby!! I won't get into all the family detail today through). So they got the cottage/country house ✨

How they found it? Well funny story one day old hunters were on the mission (not the happy au but fic verse) and the mayor leave the house to them so they could sleep for a few nights and Gehrman really liked the house and even made a deposit for it for a few years if one day he wanted to buy it XD

Then after some time they accidentally adopt a lil dog too (before the huge white wolfhound years later) XD

Something like this. Need to find a name for this lil guy.

And recently I've been thinking a cat could be cool too. A really fluffy one

I made those 2 other sketches last year in link with the AU as well. I never share those so there it is.

And I have a fic planned (1-2 chap max for now), an entire summary, a chapter plan and even a few sentences written for this AU in particular. But idk when I could write it. And I could even have 2 versions depending the rating @_@ so maybe one day...

So yeah it's a bit messy but it's all the fluff & some other things I need. And that's it for now!

[nnnyxie]

BOO! 👻 heheh I've got somethin' for ya <3

a la the dumpster child and their Rise (see what i did there ᕙ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)ᕗ) into the Hamato Clan , but it's mama april for appetizers :D !! 🤲🏼 i have to share them or i think i'll actually implode.



april 🌼

April, who has no idea just why she had the strongest urge to deviate from her usual path on her way back home that fateful day.

April, who will never forget the way her heart dropped (and peculiarly, remarkably, soared) when she came into direct eye contact with a small, shaking child - nestled between a compost bin and a haphazard pile of deconstructed wood.

April, who feels something shift inside her that sends a shiver down her spine. A shiver that is not from the autumn-winter chill of the day- no. The only time she feels this shift is when her ninpo is flowing to the surface. Something deep, nonmaterial, mystic. Whatever triggered it, it has her moving out of her own accord- forward and towards you. You?

—you.

April, who still has a small scar on the cleft of her right shoulder because wow could you swing. She’s a professionally trained formidable warrior, and yet, couldn’t react fast enough to block the 4x4 slab of wood that came flying right at her face. With an iron strength and swiftness that no elementary-age kid would normally have, nonetheless! —Well . . . without the proper training, at least.

It briefly reminded her of a small Cassandra Jones she never met. 

April, who will never forget that coaxing you out of your makeshift rotting-wood-and-soggy-cardboard prison haven with gentle words and careful yet encouraging gestures was a lot like reassuring a small, frightened animal.

April, who showed you a warm smile and provided you with an even warmer embrace in the form of her own jacket. She was beside herself as she took you in– it dwarfed your tiny, trembling figure. April wasn't big by any means. It wasn't snowing yet, but winter was always brutal in New York. She felt her heart shatter as she pondered just how long were you out here?

April, who went at your own pace— never rushing nor tempting beyond what was already true, but she didn’t stop convincing you further: she had a place. a place with warmth, safety, food, very kind and good people [mutant turtles jsjsjsjs], and comfort. She tries to word it as non-sketchy as she possibly can; whether you were as innocent as a kid like you should be or if you were the exact opposite but decided that going with this stranger couldn't be worse than the crappy conditions you were already in, well.

—if April teared up at it, that's between her and the sky she had to gaze up at to keep them from falling.

April, who helped patch you up in the Med Bay and, with finality, placed Jupiter Jim themed plaster on your soft chubby cheek, gingerly stroking just beneath your eyelid as she did (with all the gentleness unmistakably that of a mother), but pulling away just in time so as to not make you uncomfortable.

April, who has no hesitation when the idea of adopting you was brought to the table, and treks through hell and back (what's new?) to make it happen.

April, sweet April, who becomes the irreplaceable maternal figure you could ever hope and dream to have in your life. You meet people, of course. You live your life, go through experiences and the motions and venture out and explore and break and blossom. But, you'll always have April. The woman who not only saved your life, but nurtured it and helped you grow. Never will you ever forget it.

April. Indestructible, irreplaceable, incomparable, unstoppable April. How we love her. And by Pizza Supreme, so do you.

pats your head, gives you a cookie and a flower. 🍪🪻

Vuelvo enseguida, kid! That's all for now. But I've got more comin' wink wink nudge nudge. Like I said! They're in harvest~ (｡•̀ᴗ-)✧ 🌱

Cheers! Departs with a nose smooch and two finger salute. ✨

i just had to reply to this fast bc oh my god.

i am crying!!! /pos

you were honestly very wary when she approached you. the fear and standoff nature dissipated when she handed you her jacket. no one had ever done that for you before. it made you feel like an actual kid, being engulfed in such a large jacket by a woman who seems so motherly.

‘why is she being so kind?’ you’d ask yourself and start to become guarded once more.

“i have a good place for you. i can get you all patched up and fed.” she tells you with glazed eyes, obviously trying not to cry in front of you. it makes you a bit sad to see such a kind person almost cry over you.

“…okay” you say and take her hand to go to her home.

when she brings you into the lair she calls for leo and donnie to come help patch you up. she’s by their side, handing them ointments, gauze, sports tape, etc. and while they tend to the deeper injuries, she’s taking care of bruises and light cuts, placing themed bandaids on every little cut.

she offers you shelter, she can’t see you out there alone again. you’re just a kid. when you agree to stay, she takes you under her wing and treats you as if you’re her child.

she comforts you during rough times. like when you remembers your struggles before meeting her.

she raises you to be strong in all ways. she teaches you the clan’s ways off fighting and how to use nimpo.

she becomes your inspiration and role model. she is the person you look up to and adore the most.

and when you accidentally called her mom? she cried because yes, you’re her kid. she’s your mom. she tells you not to apologize for it and let’s you know that it’s okay and that she sees you as her own kid.

[hopelesshawks]

Safe Haven

Hawks x Reader

The coffee shop au that I thought would be quick and then got so out of hand so fast omg. But hopefully it's in a good way

While this fic is sfw, the blog posting it is 18+ only, minors dni

Content Warnings: hurt/comfort, egregious use of italics, unreliable narrator (almost entirely on Hawks' end), Keigo being touch starved and desperate for affection bc he deserves more of it

General Masterlist Kofi

You flip the sign at the front door of your shop from open to closed. It’s late and you’ve cut off the main lights to discourage anyone from trying to come in. The only thing lighting up the interior of the dining area is the neon sign of your logo and the spillover from the fluorescent light of the stock room in back. It’s a friday night which means it’s time to go back over your inventory in detail and make note of what needs to be restocked. Your apartment is right upstairs so you don’t mind staying even later. There’s something peaceful about the area when the moon is high in the sky and every other business has closed for the night. There’s not much foot traffic at 1am, understandably so, which makes you feel like your shop is its own little lofi haven. 

You’ve got a special playlist just for wrapping up for the night and it plays softly over the speakers as you wipe tables and counters and put away chairs. It’s easy to get lost in the familiar routine and the fall of rain outside only contributes to the easy atmosphere. As you finish up cleaning you know the stock room is waiting for you but you decide to take a second to just enjoy the moment. You lean against the front counter and let your eyes flutter shut, focusing instead on your other senses. 

The smell of roasted coffee lingers in the air, cut by the smell of the disinfectant you’ve just used to wipe everything down. Life Goes On by Agust D plays over the speakers and it pairs perfectly with the heavy patter of the rain on the windows as the storm grows a bit stronger. It hasn’t started thundering but you wonder if it isn’t far behind. If it continues into the morning the foot traffic on the road will be less which means a slower day for the shop. You can comfortably afford to have some slow days so you’re not too worried by that, if anything it may be nice to have a peaceful day considering the approaching summer will likely mean workers, students, and tourists alike flooding in to escape the heat with fresh pastries and iced drinks. 

You may have stayed wrapped up in your musings for a while yet if not for a sudden thud at the front door that interrupts your thoughts. You jump slightly as your eyes fly open. You’re not 100% sure what you expected to find. You don’t usually get entitled customers demanding entrance after closing considering you’re open until midnight and crime is rare in the area considering how frequently Hawks stops by. 

Speak of the devil…

Hawks’ silhouette is impossible to mistake. His prosthetic wings aren’t quite as grand as his original ones were but they are just as recognizable. Especially considering it’s his back that’s pressed against your door, his head thunking against it with a quieter thud than the initial one that had caught your attention. As you slowly approach the door you can already tell he must be exhausted. You can hardly believe he’s flown in this weather considering how much it’s coming down and on closer inspection he looks absolutely drenched. He’s a regular at your store, likely because it’s the only coffee shop that stays open late in the area, but that still doesn’t explain why he’s here now. Alarm bells are going off in your head that something may be wrong, which is perhaps why you find yourself unlocking the doors and pushing open the one he’s not leaning against. 

“Hawks?” you ask hesitantly as you lean out to look down on the weary pro hero. 

He blinks up at you, his eyes slightly widened in surprise. It’s clear he didn’t think anyone was still in, which only makes you all the more curious why he’d come in the first place. 

“You’re still here,” he notes and it’s not really a question but you find yourself nodding all the same. 

“Sorry didn’t mean to bother you,” he mumbles and he seems millions of miles away. It’s a bit off putting considering the version of him you’re used to seeing. Sure he’s been a bit more subdued ever since the great war against All For One and the League of Villains, but he’s still made most of his public appearances with a reassuring if not cocky grin and a quick witted tongue. None of that seems present in the man at your feet now. 

He stands again and it’s concerning how much effort it seems to take as he moves to leave so you’re quick to intercept him. You quickly surge forward to help support his weight, wrapping a hand around his arm as the other goes to his back to help support him. 

“Why don’t you come in?” you find yourself offering.

“But you’re closed,” he protests, eyebrows furrowing as he starts to shrug out of your grasp.

You tighten your grip to prevent him from going anywhere. He’s plenty strong enough that he could easily have still escaped if he wanted to but the movement still gives him pause as he brings his gaze to meet yours, confusion and something else that looks suspiciously like smothered hope marring his golden irises. 

“Doesn’t matter. You shouldn’t stay out in this weather anyway you’re soaked,” you insist. 

That seems to be enough to convince him to follow you as you bring him into the warm safety of the cafe, closing the door behind you both and locking it again. When you look back to Hawks he’s frowning down at his feet where a puddle is slowly forming as rainwater dips off every inch of him and onto the floor. 

“Don’t worry about it, I’ll clean it up in a moment,” you assure him as you pull him with you behind the counter.

The store room light reminds you of what you still need to get done but you ignore it for now. You’ll get Hawks set up and then come back for it. You’re not entirely sure what he needs but you have a guess of what could at least start to help him feel better, so you guide him deeper back into the store where no other customer has ventured before. He’s tracking water with each step but you don’t really care as you guide him up a tight stairwell and into your apartment. It’s small and cozy, the lighting soft to make the transition to bed easier after the brightness of the stock room lights. You pull him past all your various succulents, stuffed bookshelves, and worn leather couch, into your bedroom and then the en suite bathroom attached to it. 

“Get out of those wet clothes and take a warm shower. I’ll leave some clothes for you to change into on the bed and then you can come down and find me in the stock room if you’d like,” you explain gently.

You wait until he’s given you a nod of understanding, clearly still trying to process the generosity you’re showing him, and only then do you give him a soft smile and leave to give him privacy. You raid your drawers to find a hoodie and drawstring sweats that are oversized on you to leave for him. You leave them on the bed as promised and then head back downstairs. 

The first order of business is to clean the floor back up but it doesn’t take long. You can’t help but think of the look on Hawks’ face when he’d realized he was making a puddle. It was far from a catastrophic mess and it took you almost no time at all to clean, yet he’d looked as if he’d committed some criminal offense; as if his presence was nuisance enough and dripping water on the floor was only adding insult to injury. Part of you wonders what could possibly make such a beloved pro hero, someone who must be used to being met with praise and adoration wherever he goes, look like that. 

Then you remember the broadcast years prior that had revealed who his father is and you wince. With a father like that… Well it’s not your place to speculate, especially considering the basis for your speculation is information Hawks hadn’t willingly given. 

To distract you from wandering thoughts and the memory of weary golden eyes you begin taking inventory as you’d originally intended before Hawks showed up at your door. It’s an easy enough process, comforting in its monotony, and you almost forget entirely about Hawks’ sudden appearance at your doorstep until the man himself makes his reappearance. You’re about halfway done with inventory at this point but you pause to briefly appraise your guest. He looks more present than when you first found him outside and soft in the borrowed clothes. He’s left his prosthetics upstairs, probably to dry off with the rest of his things, so you can fully take in the much smaller remnants of his natural wings. You can tell he feels a little wrong footed so you decide to offer him a lifeline. 

“Want to help me with taking inventory?” you offer, figuring it will ease some of his discomfort if he feels like he’s helping instead of burdening you. Your instinct seems to be correct because he straightens a little at the offer and gives a somewhat eager nod. He doesn’t respond at all verbally, which throws you a little considering you’ve never seen him so quiet. Still you decide it’s best not to point this out, instead carefully explaining your process and handing him a notepad to take note of what you tell him to. 

The process moves a little faster with you able to just call out what you will need to Hawks instead of pausing to take notes yourself. Your music is still playing and it fills the silence between each note you tell him to write down. It should feel odd considering this has always been a solo process for you. You’ve got a few employees who help out but you always take the closing shift yourself since it’s never too packed for one person to handle and that way no one has to make their way home so late at night. It feels natural working with Hawks though and he seems to appreciate having a task to do. 

“That’s the last of it, how about you head up and put the kettle on while I finish closing stuff up down here?” you offer once you’ve finished. It’s ticking past 2am by now but you still can’t imagine sending Hawks home yet. Especially considering the rain is still coming down pretty hard. Again having a task to do seems to help him relax into the space and he gives you a short nod before disappearing back upstairs to do as told. You finally turn off your music and the neon sign in front, leaving the stock room light for last before going back into your apartment. 

You’re not sure how much losing so many of his feathers has dulled his heightened senses so you make sure to make a decent amount of noise as you enter your apartment, intentionally stepping on the creakier floorboards so he has plenty of warning that you’re coming. You notice that he cleaned up the puddles he made earlier and when you enter the kitchen he’s already gotten two mugs out and set them by the stove. Your gaze lingers on them as you realize he’s inadvertently grabbed down one of your favorites. He seems to misinterpret why you’re looking at them because he suddenly gets a bit sheepish. A slightly self-deprecating grin that looks closer to the Hawks you’ve seen on tv spreads across his face as he reaches one hand up to scratch at the base of his neck where he still wears his hair shorter than he once did. 

“Sorry, didn’t mean to rifle through your cabinets too much but I figured I should at least get mugs for us,” he offers with a chuckle that may have been convincing if you hadn’t seen the state he was in when he first arrived. You wave off his concern with a flippant gesture of your hand, moving to the drawer where you keep all of your tea. 

“No apology necessary, thanks for getting them for us,” you reassure as you select out a chamomile tea for yourself and an even more soothing blend of lavender and butterfly pea for Hawks. The latter is one you crafted yourself, still a bit of a prototype before you’ll roll it out into the shop. It’s worked for you on especially stressful days, so you hope it can similarly help him shake off whatever it is that sent him to your doorstep. 

When the kettle goes off you quickly move to fill both mugs, pressing your favorite into Hawks’ hands even if there’s no way for him to know the significance of the gesture. Tea now in hand, you guide him over to your couch, allowing you both to settle in comfortably with your hands wrapped around your mugs and your backs pressed against opposite arms of the couch. Your knees are pulled towards your chest, he’s got one knee bent and resting on the cushion so that foot hangs off the edge and the other foot is firmly planted on the floor. He looks torn between settling in more comfortably and bolting, but a deep inhale of the steam wafting off his cup seems to help ground him. 

For a moment silence dominates as you’re unsure whether to pry or not and Hawks seems to have no intentions on being the first to say anything. It’s not a particularly comfortable silence but it’s not quite awkward either, just laden with tension at all of the things being left unsaid. It’s not like the two of you have ever done this before, although the ease of the whole process to get to where you are now may suggest otherwise. This is uncharted territory and as curious as you are to explore it, you don’t want him to spook him either. 

Just as you’ve resigned yourself to the silence, Hawks finally clears his throat to catch your attention. His gaze doesn’t leave his tea and he still looks vaguely uncomfortable, but after another moment you watch a mask slip into place as he finally forces himself to address the elephant in the room and meet your eyes. 

“So I’m guessing you’re wondering why I just showed up like this,” he chuckles and it’s more convincing this time. 

“You don’t have to tell me if you don’t want to,” you shrug and for a moment his mouth twitches into a more authentic smile before he carefully schools his expression once more. It’s almost a jarring contradiction to see such a curated look on his face while he’s wrapped up in your comfiest clothes. 

“I owe you an explanation,” he starts but you quickly correct him. 

“You don’t owe me anything.”

The words seem to catch him off guard in how absolute they are. From someone else it would probably sound like a platitude but you say it with such conviction that he can’t help but believe you. A part of him that sounds suspiciously like his HPSC handler warns him against opening up, but your insistence that he need not explain himself has ironically made him want to explain himself to you even more. Whatever pretty excuse had been on his tongue melts away and instead he finds himself formulating something more sincere. 

“Thank you for that. Thank you for all of the hospitality actually. I wasn’t expecting anyone to be here when I showed up,” he replies and the only word he can use to describe the way you tilt your head in apparent confusion is adorable. 

“But you came anyway?” you ask. 

“But I came anyway.”

“Do you mind if I ask why?”

He feels his smile go a bit sad. He doesn’t mind the question, actually he was sort of hoping you’d ask it. As deep down as he buries him, Keigo’s never quite managed to completely cut out that inner child that craves love and understanding while only getting contempt or indifference. 

“I was just… exhausted. This was on the way and I just needed a safe place to catch my breath. It’s–”

Keigo’s eyes shut as he leans more heavily into the arm of the couch and blows out a breath. 

“It’s been a long day. Too long. I needed to land and wait things out for a bit before I could make it the rest of the way home.” 

When he opens his eyes again he expects to find something akin to pity on your face but instead only finds understanding. It makes his stomach do an odd flip and he quickly takes a sip of his still too hot tea to hide any reaction that may have shown on his face. He burns his tongue in the process but at least it gives him a physical sensation to focus on and ground himself in before he does something stupid like pour his whole heart out to you. His heart’s beating just a little too fast for comfort and he needs to slow it down if he wants to avoid embarrassing himself.

“I’m really glad this is a safe space for you. If you ever need a place to crash land, I’ll always welcome you here,” you reply so innocently, so genuinely, and just like that his heart is racing all over again. Do you know what your words are doing to him? Do you realize how rare and precious a gift you’re offering up so casually?

“What if you’re not here or I show up even later next time?” he asks because part of him needs to find the catch. Every salvation he’s ever received has had a catch, why should this one be any different?

“I’ll let the employees know you’re allowed in back if you come during opening hours and I’m not here. I’ll also give you my number in case you come after hours. Just call me and I’ll come let you in, even if I’m still half asleep when I do it,” you shrug. You shrug. As if you aren’t offering him the world. He could almost cry with it so instead he just nods and drowns himself in his tea, now a safely drinkable temperature. 

Silence dominates the room again as you both drink your tea but it’s definitely comfortable this time. It’s almost unnerving how much he feels his guard lowering and the lower it goes the more he longs to reach out to you. You’re right there. If he stretched out his legs they’d likely brush yours where you’re curled up at the opposite end. It could be so easy to just close the distance, just a little bit, just enough to soothe the growing itchiness beneath his skin that creeps in when he’s at his most vulnerable. But years of abuse and strict HPSC approved training aren’t so easily overcome. 

He doesn’t move, doesn’t reach out to touch the way he so desperately wants to, doesn’t do anything even though his inner child screams and begs for it in a way young Keigo was never actually allowed to. He just sits there, drinking the tea you picked out for him and hating himself and his parents and the HPSC for turning him into someone so incredibly starved for affection and yet absolutely terrified to receive it. 

He mourns when he finishes the last of his tea. A quick look out the window reveals that the rain has stopped, which means he’s all out of excuses to stay in the warmth of your apartment. He’s got his own little safe space hidden away in his apartment that he’ll likely sleep in tonight but it feels so far away and lonely right now. Maybe you’ll hug him goodbye. You seem friendly enough to be the type to hug people goodbye and even the HPSC couldn’t begrudge him accepting it since not doing so would be rude. It would be all too brief but it would be something at least. Maybe just that much will be enough to soothe the ache inside him for a while, calm the longing until the next time he cracks and brings himself to your doorstep. It could be enough. He wants more, so much more he feels it viscerally, but it could be enough. 

“Come here,” you suddenly say, setting your now empty mug on the floor next to the couch since the coffee table is just out of reach before stretching your legs out across the couch and reaching your arms out to him. 

He blinks at you confused for a moment. Do you have a mind reading quirk or is he just that obvious? Do you really mean what you’re offering or do you just feel bad for him? Thousands of doubts fill his head and threaten to pull him into a downward spiral but when you just continue to extend the offer with a soft and genuine smile on your face, they suddenly don’t seem so loud. He still moves hesitantly, like one false or too quick move may break the trance of the room and cause you to withdraw from him. Hawks is famous for his speed, but right now Keigo’s pace is almost glacial as he sets down his own mug just as you had and then shifts forward in your space. He expects you to meet him in the middle and give him a quick hug but instead you take hold of his wrist and tug him into you with surprising strength. Before he knows it you’ve settled his head against your chest, your heartbeat right beneath his ear, like it’s nothing. Like it’s the easiest thing in the world. Like this is a normal thing the two of you do together even though prior to tonight the most the two of you have done is talk and banter while you prepare his coffee. 

At first he’s stiff in your arms and it must make you worried you’ve overstepped some boundary because your arms around him start to loosen but he won’t have that. Can’t have that. Not now that what he’s craved for so long is finally right here. So he hurries to reciprocate the embrace, bringing his arms up to wrap around your torso and squeezing, perhaps a bit too tightly. 

“Don’t,” he pleads, and the word comes out so soft, so sad, so pathetic that he can hardly stand it. But you don’t judge him. Of course you don’t. You just lean down to press a kiss to the top of his head before bringing a hand up to card through his hair. 

“I won’t. You’re safe here Keigo. You’re safe,” you assure him. 

It should feel like a violation when you say his real name. It’s certainly felt that way any time someone else has said it since it became public knowledge. But somehow he just knows you’re only doing so because this moment feels too intimate for his hero name. If he told you not to use it he has total faith that you’d listen and maybe that’s naive of him. Everything from his training and upbringing tells him that it’s beyond foolish to put so much trust in anyone, let alone someone he knows as little as he knows you. 

But you’ve also been a constant in his life ever since he first wandered into your coffee shop maybe a year or so ago. At first he was just coming in because you make a mean cup of coffee and the shop is conveniently located, but at some point he knows he started coming in just for the sake of speaking with you however briefly. After all, now that he thinks about it there were definitely times he stopped by only to see one of your employees at the counter instead of you and make some flimsy excuse for why his daily caffeine fix could wait. Maybe everything has been building to this without him even realizing. Somehow you’d carved a space inside him without his notice and it should terrify him but it’s hard to see it as a bad thing when he’s here now, your heartbeat steady beneath his head and your fingers gentle against his scalp. 

“Why’re you doing this?” he asks, his voice rasping softly. 

“Because heroes deserve to be taken care of,” you say but he can tell there’s more to the sentence you’re not saying. 

He pulls back just enough to look up at you, searching your face for some sign of discomfort or regret, but he’s only met with the same hesitance he had already picked up on from your tone of voice as your hand stills in his hair. 

“But?” he prompts but you shake your head and resume running your fingers through the blonde strands. 

“Not ‘but’, ‘and’,” you clarify as you gently bring his head back to your chest. He goes easily enough and braces himself for whatever else you’re about to say. 

“And since you’ve been coming in, I don’t know. It feels presumptuous to say but I feel like the more I see you the more I can see just how much is on your shoulders all the time. I can’t even imagine how difficult that must be. How lonely. I just… I want to give you some place to lay all of it down for a little while. It’s not like I can go out and do what you do but–” 

“Thank you,” he interrupts, cutting off any attempt you might make to diminish what you’ve done for him tonight. He feels more than he hears the start of your protests, so by the time you’ve actually started to say them he’s already had enough time to sit up and force your eyes to meet his. 

“Don’t. You have… you have no idea how much this means. So don’t say ‘it’s nothing’ or ‘anyone would have done it’ or something really stupid like an apology. Just accept my appreciation. Thank you,” he insists.

He watches you nod your head with wide, stunned eyes, clearly not expecting him to be so insistent with his gratitude. It would be so easy to lean down and press his lips to yours. He can feel it in the air, that subtle tension that makes the space between the two of you feel electric. But he’s been selfish enough for one night and he doesn’t want you to think he’s only doing it because you’re here and he’s feeling vulnerable. So he uses the grip he still has on your torso to shift you both until you’re laying on your sides, legs slotting together as if your bodies were made for each other as he settles you both comfortably into place. 

“Let’s just stay like this a little longer, then I promise I’ll get out of your hair,” he whispers, his heart pounding in his chest. 

“Stay the night. Only if you want to, obviously, but… I’d like it if you stayed,” you confess, smiling so warm and sweet.

“Okay, then I’ll stay.”

“Good.”

“Good.”

The two of you end up falling asleep there on the couch, and wrapped up in you and the smell of old leather and roasted coffee, Keigo thinks it’s the first time he’s known what a home could feel like.

A/N: This was so shamelessly self indulgent and self-inserty oops. Low key worried Keigo’s dialogue came out ooc but I’ve literally been working on this all day and it’s 1:30am now so we’re sending it lmao hopefully y’all have enjoyed

Taglist: @ahtsuwu @karamfilmare @larkspyrr @hutaoscoffinn @black-rose-29 @touyasdollmain @izukiss @moonstormmyuna @kingdomkeigo @dnarez @mandalorian-baby-bird @reinersbrat @simpsfortodoroki @unlogical-ella @crowned-peony

[cosmicmagicgirl]

A NEW DAWN.

Summary: After the traumatic events of Marineford, the world is facing a new generation of pirates and the quest for One Piece continues. The Straw Hat Pirates finally enter the mysterious New World, only to be met with an urgent call to the island of Punk Hazard. A desperate plea for help reveals an imminent attack by a samurai, plunging them into a race against time to face the impending danger. Amidst the chaos, an unexpected alliance arises with the Surgeon of Death, Law. United in a common purpose, Luffy and his crew face unimaginable challenges, including a confrontation with the cruel scientist Caesar Clown and Joker's henchmen.

With bravery and determination, they manage to save the children and inhabitants of the island, preparing to move forward with new friends aboard the Thousand Sunny. However, as they prepare to depart, an emotional reunion awaits them on the shores of Punk Hazard, unearthing memories. Pain and loss will be brought to the surface, and it will be painful to have to talk about guilt and mourning. Our journey is one of self-discovery and redemption, facing not only physical battles, but also the complexities of the heart. This is a story permeated by bittersweet loves and bonds that transcend blood.

Contents: Fluff and Angst / Eventual Romance / Blood and Violence / One Piece Spoilers / My First One Piece Fic / Drama & Romance / Childhood Memories / References to Depression / Psychological Torture /  Implied/Referenced Torture / Lost Love / Roronoa Zoro is Bad At Feelings / Roronoa Zoro in Love / Monkey D. Luffy is a Ray of Sunshine / Doctor Trafalgar D. Water Law / Protective Portgas D. Ace  / Brother-Sister Relationships / Wano Arc (One Piece) / Dressrosa Arc / Punk Hazard Arc / Whole Cake Island Arc Spoilers / Roronoa Zoro Being an Idiot / Nami & Vinsmoke Sanji Friendship / Marine Corps / Espionage / Female Friendship / Strong Original Female Character / NSFW.

Author’s notes:

Dear readers,

In another burst of writing, I embarked on a new journey by starting another fanfic, even though I'm already involved in several others. One Piece has been a safe haven for me over the years, an endless source of inspiration and comfort. Now, the time has come to finally express all my affection for the characters who have made this journey so special.

Sharing this story with you is a way for me to connect even more with this incredible work and with all those who, like me, have found in One Piece a refuge and a source of inspiration. I haven't decided yet if I'll make this fanfic a "y/n" fic, but even if I give a name to the protagonist, I hope you'll continue to follow and enjoy every chapter of this adventure.

Thank you for all the support and affection along the way. Without you, none of this would be possible.

With love,

L.

[dykeferatu]

hi... i hope you dont mind this but u should talk about taeho and parker.... deathly curious. what're both of their general deals? ik taeho is a tzimisce but not much else otherwise :^)

OF COURSE I DON'T MIND!! i dont think anyones ever just asked me to explain my ocs i usually just babble about them and i assume everyone just goes "who the hell are they talking about" and moves on. unless they are my fwiends who i'm insane abt ocs with on the reg. anyway, thank u so so much for asking!! infodump commences

i'll start with parker because she hasn't had any session yet so her lore is not deep, and since at least one other player will likely read this i can't quite reveal all the fun bits yet! here's the only drawing i have atm. subject to change but this is the vibe

parker (she/her) is a 21 year old skater chick (and lesbian) in the year 2007. she recently had an experience that turned her onto the path of a hunter. one of her friends was attacked by Something a few nights ago. she hit the thing with a bat (she used to play softball :D) but it didn't seem to phase it. at one point when she was checking out the crime scene, she ran into... her old high school english teacher. the victim was 18 and a current student of his, and he was curious about the incident too.

the two teamed up on their investigation and met an occult bookstore owner who took interest and told them she might know a guy who can help. all 4 of them will meet up for the first time in the first session on saturday :>

----

now, taeho..... taeho taeho. shim taeho (he/she) is a south korean cybernetics expert in the year 2077 (so many sevens in these years. that's a coincidence). she was a cybernetic designer/engineer i guess? i don't really know cyberpunk i'll be honest with u. she was also a back-alley ripperdoc. you can only understand so much about cybernetics without installing them yourself :)

(art courtesy of @cradlingsongs)

she made some great achievements in her field, which attracted the attention of a tzimisce, jaeyoon (they/them). jaeyoon was interested in figuring out the mechanics of cybernetics on kindred, so they embraced taeho to be both a lab partner and a guinea pig. they also didn't let taeho leave the haven often because the camarilla was not welcoming to them. he'd only ever fed on their vitae until recently. no hard feelings, though! taeho loves her sire (why yes, he is Mega Blood Bonded, why do you ask?).

their main project together has been developing some sick doc ock tentacles by combining vicissitude and cybernetics. taeho has 2 currently installed. she's a beast with them in combat and it's a delight (when the dice don't hate me...)

anyway, after about 8 years of being holed up with his sire, the city they reside in was attacked by the SI. jaeyoon didn't come home, and taeho was left all alone. she waited, but eventually he knew he had to leave. she fled to the nearby city of seoul.

since it was his understanding that a tzimisce weren't really allowed in the camarilla, taeho decided to masquerade as another clan. and what other clan should she choose but the fucking tremere? look. he knows he has very nerdy energy so she figured she could blend in. plus, he was very curious about blood sorcery. could never quite figure out all that koldunic stuff.

since then she's been eating shit as a cammie scrub in a coterie of other scrubs (or, originally other scrubs. some players have rotated out and now half the coterie is much better off than taeho and the other refugee in the coterie). shenanigans have ensued, most notably for him when he got trapped into a marriage with a changeling that ended in a very messy divorce. uh. taeho may have been marked by the changeling relative that escaped the blood bath. it's fine.

i also have to include that this particular chronicle is, honestly, very horny. which is a lot of taeho's fault (but not entirely... *side-eyes lavender and her regnant*). for some reason his autistic swag is so strong that she has gotten laid THRICE since we started playing. none of the other pcs have done that even once... you'd probably expect the mafia girlboss or the sexy lasombra who takes every opportunity to take his shirt off to be pulling more, but you'd be wrong.

in recent events: a couple sessions ago taeho reunited with her sire! he cried like a baby, finally got to do some fleshcrafting (she had been feeling very trapped in this form... had a bit of a gender crisis. he's still figuring out exactly what's going on in that regard but hey the egg has definitely cracked, hence the new set of pronouns), and then had some. fun times. with her beloved sire. unfortunately, due to reasons, he can't stay with them. also they've been cursed somehow so taeho has to figure that out now. it's fine.

more recent events: taeho's regent/mentor seems to be reaching his limit on tolerating taeho's secretiveness. he's known that taeho has been lying about her clan since, like, almost the start. this regent is a very unusual tremere, and didn't immediately reveal taeho. in fact, he didn't even force taeho to tell him anything. he had already decided to take him under his wing, so that was that.

last session though he got a little fed up with the lack of trust. taeho tried to counter with some rumors he'd heard about the regent, expecting to weasel out, but instead the regent just laid out his whole tragic backstory to her. taeho didn't know how to respond to this, and also still couldn't tell the tremere regent that he was a tzimisce while they were in the middle of a chantry. she felt really bad about not telling the truth, which is weird and fucked up. why does he feel so bad about hurting this tremere??

i think i've said all the important stuff and then some, so i'll wrap it up. ahh.. taeho.... i love her. he's so fun to play. her game has already been going for over a year i think but only recently did he really click in my head. and boy. boy oh boy did he click. dug her cybernetic claws into the folds of my brain. i'm in pain. anyway i have some more art and posts in her tag if u want to check that out wehehehe

[peanut-tyrug]

[9 Fanfic] Have a Little Faith

Taking on a challenge requires a great leap. A great leap of faith, that is.

—

This story/situation is very hypothetical. I just wanted to write smth where 5 gains more courage and bravery.

—

TRIGGER WARNING: This fic contains loss of body parts, death, violence, gun use, war, arguing, and decapitation. If you’re not comfortable with these things, please don’t read this.

When they awoke, it was chaos.

Man and machine attacked each other with fire and metal.

Chancellor Ferdinand’s beautiful state was tied in the bounds of war. A war not against people, not anymore, but rather machines once made for peace that turned on the state.

Along with humanity as a whole.

Humanity fought hard to keep itself afloat as the murderous machines of war took them down bit by bit. But the robots kept charging. Kept firing. Kept killing. Killing everything and everyone with their bombs, bullets, and toxic gas.

By this point, humanity was on it’s last legs. The last few brave souls surviving through the horror starting a rebellion against the armed beasts. With the chancellor now dead, they set out to destroy the iron fist of the Fabrication Machine, the metallic monster making these beasts and killing their people and home, and avenge those who have fallen before them.

Among the war and killing however, new and unheard of life walked amongst the humans.

Three ragdolls cautiously walk through the war-ridden land, looking for a safe haven. A place to hide from the destruction. One, the doll with a number five written in ink on his back, leads two other smaller and hooded dolls, one doll with a number three written on the left side of their chest and other with a four written on the right side of their chest. They appear to be twins.

As the three dolls slowly tread; a loud, thundering boom is heard. They all flinch. The twins quickly skid over to 5 and hide behind him. 5 looks on into the dull land, looking for the source of the sound. 5 eventually relaxes.

5 turns to the twins. “Stay close.” He says, trembling a bit.

5 continues to lead the twins while they continue to follow him. Each of them tremble a bit, yet still try to ignore the sounds of war in the distance.

Suddenly, 5 feels he’s being watched.

5 stops, so do the twins. 5 glances around, looking for who could be glaring at them.

As he glances, he spots something on top of a rock.

Someone.

5 freezes. The twins huddle up to 5 and hide behind him, staring the figure.

They see another ragdoll, a doll bearing a physique similar to their own, although slightly slimmer. The figure is silhouetted due to the sunlight beaming down on it. It’s hard to see.

The figure turns it’s head to the three dolls. The three move back a bit, startled by the figure glancing down upon them.

The figure then slowly slides down rock, trying to make itself look less intimidating and scary to the strangers, discovering that their of it’s kind. It walks over to the trio slowly. The three are able to see it better.

The stranger’s skin is a white, sleek fabric. It’s optics look to the three sternly. It’s intimidating. The trio stares, slightly frightened.

“I’m not going to hurt you.” Says the slimmer doll in a strong, feminine tone. “I’ll help you. I know others. Follow me.” She gestures the trio to follow her.

As the woman’s back faces the trio, 5 sees the number written on her back.

7.

5 decides to trust to 7. She didn’t seem to be a threat. She was also one of 5 and the twin’s kin. 5 follows behind 7, and the twins stay close to 5.

—

7 jogs forward while 5 and the twins follow behind. They’ve been going for what feels like forever. 5 wonders when their run will end.

After a bit, 7 appears to slow. As she jumps over a small pile of rubble, 5 and the twins huddle behind said pile.

Past the pile, 7 halts in front of a soldier hat sitting on the ground. She taps the hat with her knuckle. It’s not long before a large, burly ragdoll lifts the hat up. In front of the burly doll is a more older doll, wearing a bullet shell for a hat. He faces 7, 7 faces back.

“I found others.” Says 7. She turns back to the pile of rubble and gestures for 5 and the twins to come up. 5 peeks over the pile, so do the twins, and they each enter the soldier hat and huddle with the other ragdolls within it.

Suddenly, a large boom is heard. The dolls cover their heads as rubble falls. 7 turns to face the older, front and center doll.

“There’s a path ahead.” Says 7. She dashes forward.

As 7 runs, the old doll looks to his brethren. “Follow me.” He says, gesturing for the others to follow.

The burly doll then lowers the hat. 5 glances around, afraid. As fear swells up within him; a calming, reassuring hand grasps his wrist. He looks to the source of the hand. It’s an older doll. He smiles at 5 reassuringly. The man then looks forward as the dolls begin following their leader.

As 5 walks, he takes notice of the other dolls around him. A striped doll, a six written on his back. He looks foward, the older doll has a one on his back. The burly figure has an eight on his arm.

5 then looks to the man who comforted him. The number two is written on his back.

Suddenly, an explosion is heard. It knocks the dolls of balance. 5 then falls out from the safety of the hat and stumbles onto a small wood plank. As he struggles to get up, large war machines march through a now broken wall behind him.

5 turns to his back to face the large metal beasts. As he begins to back away fearfully, a human races toward the bots, flaming bottle in hand. The man throws it at the beast with all his might.

Despite the machine’s head now catching ablaze, it aims and fires the machine gun in it’s head. The man is swiftly killed. 5 then gets to his feet and scurries away from the falling bullets.

The machines aren’t done however.

Bombs fire from the three machines heads. The fall to the ground. 5 is able to dodge most of them.

The force of the last bomb’s impact however causes 5 to flip forward. His face hits the ground hardly. Sparks fly from his face as he slams onto the ground.

The bomb lands near a small garden. It’s sides open and a toxic gas is flooded into the air. The plants around the bomb quickly die.

Amongst the dying plants and poisoned air, 2 emerges, looking for the missing 5. As he glances, he gasps. He’s spotted him.

2 quickly approaches 5, who laid motionless on the ground. The older man then picks 5 up a bit and wraps an arm around his shoulder.

5 slowly lifts his head, grunting a bit.

It quickly becomes apparent to 2 that 5 had been badly injured.

One of 5’s eyes is missing.

The wires within the socket of where the eye once was spark a bit.

2 looks at 5, guilt glossing over his face. The older man is suddenly snapped out of his guilt when he hears an approaching war machine.

2 and 5 walk forward, 2 helping 5 walk. The war machine quickly approaches the two dolls from behind.

As 2 drags 5 along, 7 peeks over a pile of rubble. She spots the quickly approaching war machine.

7 stares in horror as the war machine slowly lifts it’s large foot.

2 and 5 are going to get crushed.

7 quickly leaps from the rubble and pushes the two dolls out of the machine’s wake, just as the large foot lands to the ground. Dust quickly fills the air.

~~~

7 and 2 drag the barely conscious 5 back to the soldier hat, 8 lifting the hat so the other three can enter.

As they renter the hat, 7 shoots 1 an angry look.

8 sets the hat back down the right dolls head toward a still intact cathedral up ahead.

Their sanctuary.

—

…

…It’s quiet.

It’s cold.

5 slowly comes to, unaware and uncertain of where he is. He looks up.

…It’s dark. He can barely see… only a small light seems to be lighting the space he’s in.

He glances around, panicking slightly.

Suddenly, a figure stands over him, a pair of scissors in it’s tiny hands.

5 quickly moves away from the figure and yelps. “Stop! Stop!” He yells.

“It’s alright!” The figure exclaims, voice sounding quiet and old. “I’m not going to hurt you. Let me help.”

5’s breathing slowly regulates and he begins to relax. He looks up to the figure and starts to recognize him.

It’s 2. He stands next to 5, who is laying against an angled wall.

“Stay still.” Says 2. He inches the pair of scissors toward 5’s face. 5 can’t help but move back as the blades approach.

A snip is heard.

A black strand of black thread falls in front of 5.

2 chuckles a bit. “Good as new.” He says.

“…W-what happened?” 5 asks. “Where’s 3 and 4? Are they okay?”

“Those twins?” 2 asks. “Oh, they’re with the others. Don’t worry, they’re alright.”

…Others.

5 remembers.

Being huddled inside a soldier hat with others like him. Walking forward… getting separated… flipping. Shock. Seeing 2’s face before he started slipping…

…5 feels his face… his eye is no longer there. What remains is a leather patch over where his eye was.

…2 had fixed it.

5 looks to 2. Although he’s grateful for him, panic begins to swell within him.

He can’t believe what just happened to him.

2 slowly approaches 5 and pats his shoulder. “You’ll be alright.” He says. “Breathe.”

5 tries to calm himself. He struggles a bit before his breathing slowly begins to regulate again.

“He’s in here.” Says a familiar feminine voice from nearby. 5 and 2 look to find the source of the voice.

7 approaches, 3 and 4 by her side. The twins see that 5 has awoken. They smile brightly and rush over to 5. They wrap their arms around him, hugging him tightly.

“3! 4!” 5 says gleefully. He chuckles. He wraps his arms around the twins and rubs their backs.

The twins then let go of 5, letting him lean back against the wall. 7 approaches the man and kneels next to him.

7 pats 5’s shoulder. “Welcome, 5.” She says.

5 smiles happily. “Thank you.” He says. He turns to 2. “Especially to you.”

2 smiles. “You’re very welcome, 5.” He says. “I’m very glad I was able to assist you.”

5 smiles.

“We need to get you introduced to the others.” Says 7. “Whenever you’re ready.”

“Yeah.” Says 5. He rises to his feet. “We can do that.”

“Let me help you see.” Says 2. “You need to adjust to that one eye.”

“Sure.” Says 5. 2 stays by 5’s side as he leads him out into the cathedral where the other Stitchpunks resided. 1 and 8 stood together while 6 was in the corner, drawing on some blank paper he’d found.

1 looks to 5 with an authoritative glare.

…it intimidates 5.

Little did he know that feeling of intimidation would last a long time after their first talk.

—

It’s been ages since the Stitchpunks had last been outside.

They’d been waiting for the war to end. The destruction to slowly fall. For either the humans or machines to win their bout of life.

After awhile, all remained completely silent. Barely any noise filled the air when 7 or 8 went out to scout. Nothing but the wind blowing slightly or the occasional collapse of old, toppling buildings in the distance.

The war had ended.

And it appears the war had reached a stalemate.

Neither man nor machine roamed the Earth. Not one that the Stitchpunks knew, at least.

They didn’t exactly mind. 1 especially. He was glad they were all gone. All the reckless, blind killing they did had finally ceased. A stressed little king would want peace and quiet anyway.

It’s late in the morning within the cathedral. It’s quiet, peaceful. Just as 1 would want it.

Everyone is off doing their own thing. 6 and the twins are in their own corner, the twins watching 6 draw. 7 was off improving her fighting skills. 2 and 5 were somewhere up in the nearly broken tower above. All while 1 sat on his throne. 8 was keeping an eye on his ruler as he sharpened his blade.

1 was practically falling asleep on his throne. He wasn’t doing much at all. The Stitchpunks weren’t in danger. Why stay awake when you can sleep like the leisurely free king you are?

Suddenly; the sound of small, clacking footsteps is heard.

1 groans slightly. Who could be approaching him now?

1 opens his eyes a tad to see 6 and twins approaching his throne. 6 is holding a sheet of paper in his pen nib fingers, one he had drawn on.

“What is that?” 1 hisses as he moves forward to gander at 6’s art.

“T-the Beast.” Says 6. “The Beast.”

8 then sets down his blade and struts over to 6. He gazes at the drawing.

The drawing is a depiction of a cat-like beast with long, sharp claws and piercing eyes.

“Hm.” 1 hums. “Warn the others. We shall stay hidden until this beast dies.”

8 looks up to 1, slightly confused, as 6 smiles slightly and nods. As he turns, he looks to the twins. “Stay here.” He says softly. The twins scurry back over to their corner while 6 heads off to find the others.

—

2 and 5 stand in a rickety tower at the top of the cathedral. It looks as if it was broken apart by a plane shooting at it. That wouldn’t be much of a surprise, considering that a plane was actually lodged into the side of the cathedral.

2 glances around, looking at what could be remade to assist the others, while 5 looks to 2. He’s not exactly certain of what he can do to help.

2 and 5 had begun to bond a bit since the elder had patched 5 up. 5 admired 2 and his knowledge on things. Not only medical wise, but also his knowledge in tinkering. He usually appeared to be working on some contraption of his since he and the others had arrived at their sanctuary. His most recent being an elevator 7 helped him with that leads up to the broken tower.

5 wants to be like 2.

Knowing and caring towards others. A kind, nurturing soul.

The question though is where he should start.

…Maybe he could ask 2? Ask him to help him?

“Hmm…” 2 hums in thought. “…We could use this.”

5 stands behind, trying to gain some courage to stand up and ask. He eventually perks his head up to 2.

“…H-hey, 2?” 5 asks. “Can I ask you something?”

2 turns back to face 5. “Yes, 5?” 2 asks. “What is it?”

Just before 5 can speak, they hear something from down below.

“Hey!” Shouts a quiet and soft, yet still audible voice from below. They look down from beyond the elevator.

They see 6, looking up to the tower. He wants to come up.

“Hold on! We’re coming!” Says 5. He and 2 begin lowering the basket elevator. 6 watches as the lift slowly descends toward him. Once it reaches his level, 6 climbs in and the lift is pulled back up.

Once 6 reaches the tower, 2 and 5 face him. “What do you need?” 2 asks politely.

“The Beast.” 6 holds his drawing up for the two to see.

5 is immediately terrified. 2 however, appears a bit intrigued, although slightly afraid.

“Is there anything you know?” 2 asks while 5 stares at the drawing.

“Dangerous.” Says 6. “1 s-said to warn you. To stay here.”

“Ah, I see.” Says 2. “Thank you, 6.”

6 smiles. “Y-you’re welcome.” He says softly.

2 and 5 let 6 back down. Once he reaches the floor the two men look back at each other.

“What did you want to ask?” 2 asks 5.

5 hesitates a bit. The worst he could say is no.

Although, 2 likely wouldn't refuse to help a friend.

“I-I, uh...” 5 stammers. “I-I wanted to ask if you'd like to teach me how to do what you do? Fix and make things? ...Sorry, if that sounds like a waste of time. I'd understand if you'd—“

“5, my boy!” Says 2, astonished by the request. “It wouldn't be a waste of time at all! I'd be very glad to mentor you.”

5 smiles a bit. “Really?”

2 chuckles a bit. “Of course, 5.” Says 2. “No one within our group has ever been interested in such things. I am very glad you asked.”

5 almost can't believe what he heard. “…Thanks, 2.”

“No need for thanks.” Says 2. “I'm certain I can find something to start you off on the right foot....”

2 glances around. He spots some metal scraps and glass sitting off the side. He scoops the materials in his hands. The gears in his head begin to turn, trying to come up with something to make from what he’s found.

“Hm…” 2 hums. “…A telescope, maybe.”

~~~

It wasn’t long before the tower became more ornate.

Most of the mess was cleared out. Various things being piled up into what 2 and 5 would or wouldn’t need.

2 and 5 worked at the area. Making a small telescope for the center of what they had made the Watchtower. 2 assisted 5 with most of it, wanting him to learn head on. 5 was a fast learner, quickly catching on with what 2 was teaching him.

The two eventually made a small platform to hoist the telescope onto, along with extra lenses for it, using whatever left over scraps they could find within hidden parts of the cathedral. They even used a flag they found as a roof for the tower.

The telescope slowly but surely came together. 5 and 2 couldn’t help but be proud of themselves.

2 was especially proud of 5 however.

The one-eyed man quickly learned and assisted in the telescope’s making. He couldn’t be more proud of the young man.

The two Stitchpunks look to each other. “You did very well.” Says 2 to 5. “I’m very proud of you.”

5 rubs the back of his head. “Oh, thank you.” He says. “I did better than I thought.”

“No, don’t word it that way.” Says 2. “Don’t underestimate yourself. You did great.”

5 smiles at 2’s kind words. Never did he expect to hear them from him.

2 looks out from beyond the Watchtower. The sun is setting.

“We should head back down.” Says 2. “Night is upon us.”

5 looks over his shoulder. The sun is quickly approaching the horizon. “Oh, yeah, we should.” He says.

The two dolls approach the lift and head back down from the Watchtower. The lift stops and 5 steps out. 2, however, stays in. The lift lowers further after 5 steps out.

5 turns back to 2. “2!?” He exclaims.

“There’s somewhere I want to be.” Says 2, looking to 5 from below.

“Oh.” 5 exclaims. “Will you be okay? It’s late.”

“I’ll be fine.” 2 exclaims from below. “Good night.”

“G-good night.” Exclaims 5 as 2 descends.

5 looks on as 2 leaves his view.

—

2 stops the lift at the lowest point it can reach. He exits the lift and walks forward toward a small hole in the wall, leading to a barren and messy storage room. He steps inside and looks around, although he can barely see a thing.

“…Oh, dear.” Says 2. “I should’ve brought a light… I should get to work on this room…”

2 steps out of the room and back to lift to find a match or candle he can use. As he walks back, he sees the lift being taken back up. However, no one appears to be in it.

2 gasps and scurries over to the lift as best as he can, almost tripping. He watches as the lift escapes his view.

2 sighs, disappointed. He sits down against a wall and waits for the lift to return. He begins to daydream, think about what he could do with that room. Or what he called his soon-to-be workshop.

It’s not for awhile until he hears the creaking of the lift coming back down. He looks up. As the lift slowly comes into view, he sees 6 within it, holding one of his drawings. 5 is next to him, holding a match.

“Oh!” Says 2. “5 and 6! What brings you here?”

“6 wanted to show you something.” Says 5.

“What do you need to show me, 6?” 2 asks.

6 skids over to 2 and shows him the drawing he had made.

2 stares at the drawing, curious and confused.

The drawing depicts that of three symbols. Symbols completely unknown to 2.

“…What are these symbols?” 2 asks.

“The Source.” Says 6 calmly.

“The Source?” 2 questions, confused.

“The Source.” 6 repeats.

“Is there anything about this we should know?” 2 asks.

“…Go back. To the First Room…” Says 6. “H-he will show us…”

2 nods. “…Do you mind if I take the drawing, 6?” He asks politely.

6 hands 2 the drawing. He studies it, even though he can’t really decipher it.

2’s curiosity takes over his mind.

His workshop can wait.

—

It’s the next morning. Everything is going how it usually does. Everyone’s doing their own thing, while 7 stands outside the cathedral, scouting.

2 peers at 1’s throne, holding 6’s drawing that’s rolled up in his hands, as the lift approaches the throne room’s entrance. He steps out of the lift and towards 1, who glares down at the other man distastefully.

“1?” 2 asks. “May I have a word with you?”

“…What?” 1 questions angrily.

2 hesitates slightly. He was a brave soul, regardless of that though, 1 still intimated 2. The elder eventually opens his mouth. “I have a request for us.”

“…Us?” 1 questions. “What do you mean 'us'?”

“I mean our group.” Says 2. “…6 showed me a drawing of his. Symbols. Symbols he’s referred as 'The Source'— He says we should find it.” He unrolls the drawing and holds it up for 1 to see.

1 glares, anger boiling in him.

Dark science.

1 groans. “…You are always pushing and probing around, aren’t you?”

“…What?” 2 questions.

“You are always scouring around for useless things.” Says 1. “What good has that ever done any of us? Nothing! Their ancient evils are of no use to us!”

“What are you on about?” 2 questions, irritated. “How do you know any of that?”

“Simple symbols serve no purpose in our survival. We can’t go out there and risk our lives for pointless things such as what you speak of.” Says 1. “And how can we trust what they’ve made, when what they create only brings destruction?”

“I doubt your claims to be true!” 2 retorts. “We may have seen war, but we never got to see what humanity really was. How can we make assumptions off of that? And I am certain these symbols can lead us somewhere important. If we find the First Room, we can learn more about ourselves! Where we came from, what our purpose is!”

1 groans again. “You fail to see through my eyes. Unfortunate.” He says.

“That’s because you’re wrong, 1.” Says 2. “What 6 has provided us is important. You fail to see what this could entail for us!”

“I am your leader! How can a leader be wrong?” 1 retorts. “I know what it is right for us!”

“No one, not even a leader, is perfect.” Says 2.

1 grumbles. His authority is being challenged.

“How dare you question my authority?” 1 asks. “You are beneath me!”

“No one is beneath or above anybody!” 2 retorts. “I’m tired of you always saying things like that! Why are we not equal? I’d like to know.” Sarcasm echos in his words.

“8!” 1 suddenly shouts. “Take care of him. It appears 2 here needs to be a taught a lesson.”

8 smirks. He approaches the older man, blade in hand. 2 quickly steps back. Before he can flee, 8 tackles him. The bulky man scurries to a wall and slams 2 against it. 8 puts his blade directly up to his neck.

“Y-you wouldn’t dare.” 2 stammers, petrified yet still trying to stand tall.

8 moves in closer, his blade barely touching the thread on 2’s neck. The elder tries not to move, trying to keep himself from getting hurt.

The bulky man continues to hold his blade in that one spot. 2 stays still, slowly losing his bravery, anticipating the worst. His voice trembles with fear.

1 looks on to the scene, smirking. “You can let him go now.” He says. “I believe that is enough.”

8 then moves back, allowing 2 to smack onto the floor. He barely lands on his feet and he slips to his side. He breathes hastily.

“Consider this a lesson worth remembering, my dear friend.” Says 1.

2 slowly rises to his feet and glances to 1. He scoffs.

He was feeling something he normally never did.

Anger.

2 storms over to the lift. As he walks however…

“Go get someone to find 7.” Says 1. “She has yet to return.”

“I will.” Says 2, his voice seething with irritation.

2 heads to the lift and enters it, slamming the small little door to it. He lifts himself up. Up to the Watchtower.

On his throne, 1 sits, full of pride.

He had won.

—

5 stands within the Watchtower, fiddling with the telescope he and 2 made, trying to figure out how it works.

Suddenly, 5 hears the lift coming up. He turns back to see the lift slowly come into view. 2 is in it.

Although, he doesn’t look too happy.

5 winces a bit. He’s never seen 2 like this.

“Hey.” Says 5. “A-are you alright?”

2 exits the lift and shuts the lift’s door. He walks to a wall and sits against it.

2 sighs. “No, I’m not.” He says.

“…What happened?” 5 asks.

2 glances down a bit before speaking. “It’s 1.” He says.

“What about him?” 5 asks.

“He said some things I’m not very fond of.” Says 2.

“What did he say?” 5 asks.

“He thinks that searching for the reason for our existence is pointless.” Says 2. “He says that what humans make only brings destruction. We’ve both been around long enough to know the items we find here were made by them. They had culture, their own lives. He just can’t see things the way I do.”

“…M-maybe he’s just trying to protect us?” 5 suggests.

“I understand he wants to keep us safe, but when we could learn why we exist, I’m willing to take that chance.” Says 2. “He’s just a coward. He’s never willing to take chances like this.”

5 wants to speak up, but he can’t help but think to himself…

Was 1 really that cowardly?

He was the one who lead them to safety. Gave them a home.

Although…

This was their history. Why avoid it?

“By the way,” 2 begins. 5 is snapped out of his head.

“Yeah?” 5 asks.

“Do you mind going out to find 7? 1 says she hasn’t returned yet.” 2 asks. “…And I’m tired after all of what I went through with 1. I didn’t sleep either.”

“Sure, I don’t mind.” Says 5. “A-and get some sleep. Please.”

“I will.” Says 2.

5 smiles and nods to the older man as he steps into the lift and heads down.

2 looks on from beyond the Watchtower into the wide Emptiness. His brows furrow.

He needs to find the First Room.

—

5 slowly and hesitantly steps out of the cathedral. He expects to see 7 nearby, however, she’s nowhere to be found.

“7?” 5 calls out. “Where’d you go?”

5 steps just outside the safe haven and the others called home. He glances around, fear covering him like a chilled blanket.

“7?” 5 calls out again. “7? 7!?”

5’s mind then begins to wander.

…What if the Beast attacks?

What if…

“5?” A voice asks.

“AHH!!” 5 yelps. He quickly moves back. He begins to calm down once he sees who crept up on him.

“7!” Says 5. “You startled me!”

“Sorry.” Says 7. “What were you calling me for?”

“2 asked if I could go out to find you. 1 initially asked him, but he’s too tired to come out here.” Says 5. “He said 1 told him you hadn’t returned from scouting.”

7 quickly appears irritated. “Oh.” She says bitterly.

“…Are you alright?” 5 asks.

“Oh no, I’m fine.” 7 says sarcastically. “Of course he of all people wants me back.”

“Who?” 5 asks. “1?”

7 nods a bit. “…He just wants to keep me trapped. Keeps us trapped.” She says. “I see it now.”

“Huh?” 5 questions.

“Instead of fighting the Beast, he’d rather us all stay hidden.” Says 7. “I’m tired of his cowardice… I want to be free. Free to end this Beast and save us from it.”

“What if you get hurt?” 5 asks. “1’s just trying to protect us, isn’t he?”

“He may be keeping us out of danger, but that doesn’t mean I stand with him. He keeps us away when we could be doing something about the Beast.” Says 7.

“He’s just trying to protect us. Protect you.” Says 5.

“No!” Says 7. “I can’t stay trapped here any longer. I need to kill this monster… I need to leave.”

7 quickly scurries off past 5, heading for the outskirts of the cathedral.

“7? 7!?” 5 desperately calls out as 7 heads off.

5 hurries over to her path, but quickly stops himself.

The Emptiness is taunting. Terrifying.

5 moves back, afraid of what could be out there.

The one-eyed man reluctantly heads back into the cathedral.

—

Once again, 5 has caught himself questioning 1.

One hand he wanted to protect them. On the other, he was keeping them away from doing something about the danger looming over their heads.

…Maybe it’s just for the better of the group.

5 doesn’t want to think of 1 as cowardly or arrogant.

…But he trusts 2 and 7 with his life.

Just like 1.

And yet…

5 and 2 were very close.

Why doubt him? He knows what he’s talking about.

5 steps into 1’s throne room, preparing to tell him that 7’s gone on her own.

“…1?” 5 calls out.

“Yes?” Says 1, looking down upon the one-eyed man from his throne.

“Um…” 5 stammers. “I-I have something to tell you, uh…”

“Spit it out!” 8 shouts, voicing echoing through the room and slightly shaking the walls.

5 yelps at the sudden shout. He shuts his eye and trembles. “7 left us!” He says, panicked.

1 looks on at 5 in disbelief. How could she have just left their safe haven? Her home? Her family?

…A traitor, she is.

“So be it.” Says 1. “It is her choice. If she doesn’t want to follow our rules, that’s the end of it.”

5 almost wants to retort… but he doesn’t.

They had rules. They couldn’t leave. If they decide to, then it’s their choice. They get captured, that’s it. They die, that’s it.

Although…

She’s still family.

…Never mind it.

It’s her choice.

“You are dismissed.” Says 1.

“Yes, sir.” Says 5. He turns and heads off to the lift, head down.

Regardless of how much he wants to see her. Find her…

He just can’t.

It’s her choice anyway.

5’s thoughts constantly contradict each other as he rises to Watchtower.

—

5 reaches the Watchtower. He looks around and spots 2 still sitting against the wall, now peacefully asleep. 5 smiles, he’s happy 2 is sleeping now. He needs it.

5 steps out from the lift and heads to the telescope. He stands there, fiddling with it slightly as his mind begins to trail off.

He wants to find 7. At the very least check on her.

…And yet…

1’s words ringed in his head. The ones he always heard from him.

We have rules.

We must protect ourselves.

We must keep out of danger.

He fears breaking these rules. Facing the consequences for his reckless actions, if 1 were ever to find out. Maybe a pummeling from 8, or worse…

Exile.

Sent out into the world alone. No where to go. No where to hide. Not knowing how to fight. Nothing to fight with. Completely left for the Beast to take apart viscously. Tear his skin and break his bones. Break his very soul until he had no more strength to keep going.

It terrifies him.

Horrifies him beyond belief.

5 trembles as he fiddles with the telescope. He wants to see if he can at least spot 7, make sure she’s okay, but his leaders words still ring in his head. If he does anything just slightly against 1…

“5?” Asks a groggy sounding voice.

5 looks over. 2 is awake.

“Are you alright?” 2 asks.

5 struggles to speak. “…I-I…” He stammers. He eventually gives up on trying. “…N-never mind.”

“5, I know something is wrong.” Says 2, slowly getting up to his feet. “Did something happen?”

“N-no…” 5 responds.

It hurts 5’s soul every time he lies.

He’s only trying to protect himself.

“…You can talk to me.” Says 2. “I can help you.”

5 stays silent, not wanting to speak again.

“…Is it about 1?” 2 asks.

5 glances over to the older man, then he looks back down. He hesitates before nodding slightly.

He can’t lie anymore.

2 nods. “What happened?” He asks.

“…H-he…” 5 stammers. “…7 left us…”

2 appears to be taken aback. “…Oh, dear…” He says. “That poor girl… I thought she’d leave sooner or later…”

5 lifts his head up a bit. He looks to 2. “How come?” He asks.

“1 and I have known 7 for a bit. Long enough to know that she was very much a free spirit. A free bird.” Says 2. “I anticipated she’d get tired of 1’s ways. So much so, she’d take her leave.”

“…O-oh.” Says 5. “…She isn’t coming back, is she?”

2 hesitates. “…I would assume she’s not returning.” He says. “No matter how much we beg… such is the way of a trapped bird wanting to be free from its cage.”

5 looks down, hopelessness covering his body. Despite that, he tries to continue his story.

“…About 1… I-I went to tell him about 7 and he just let it go.” Says 5. “I want to find her, but… I’m scared. Scared of disobeying 1…”

“I see.” Says 2.

“…I-I don’t know what to do…” Says 5. “I’m conflicted out of my mind… I want to help her… but 1…”

“I don’t think you need to worry. She’ll be alright, 5. I’m certain of it.” Says 2. “I’m upset that she left too. I truly wish her well. It is sad, but we learn to move on.”

“Really?” 5 asks. “A-about her being alright, I mean.”

“She’s a fighter.” Says 2. “She can defend herself. I know so. I don’t believe any of us need to worry.”

5 chuckles a bit. “Good.”

He still can’t help but miss her though.

Maybe what she’s doing is good for them.

…Good for her…

As 5 remains in his mind, 2 steps away and heads to the lift. 5 looks back as his mentor leaves.

“Where are you going?” 5 asks.

“Remember how earlier I mentioned searching for why we exist?” 2 asks as he enters the lift.

“…Yes?”. Says 5, slightly worried.

…What was he planning?

“I want to find it.” Says 2. “Find the First Room.”

“F-First Room?” 5 questions, anxiety showing in his voice as he stammered.

“Where I woke, I would imagine.” Says 2. “6 says it can show us… something… maybe why we exist. And I am willing to take that chance.”

5’s eye widens.

He wants to leave the cathedral. Go out to find the First Room.

“B-but what about 1?” 5 questions. “What if he finds out? What if you get exiled or—“

“We won’t need to play the 'what if' game, 5. Not if 1 doesn’t find out.” Says 2.

“But what if he does?” 5 asks.

“…Then that’s that.” Says 2. “But I’m willing to risk myself to discover why we exist.”

5 wants to retort… and yet…

2 had a point.

5 hadn’t wondered it much at all, but the question remains. Why do they exist? What were they all created to do? Whatever lied in the First Room may contain the answer they’re looking for.

And yet… their rules…

“…But… our rules…” Says 5.

“I understand.” Says 2. “You’re just trying to protect me. But I’m doing this for us. For me.”

The thought then really, truly, hits 5.

2 was going alone.

“…You’re going alone.” Says 5, worry ringing in his voice.

“Yes.” Says 2. “I don’t care about his rules anymore. I’m going to take this chance.”

…5 didn’t want 2 to go alone.

…Do what 2 would do…

Be like 2…

“Wait.” Says 5, looking up to 2. “I’m not letting you go alone. I can’t do that to you. I want to assist you.”

2 smiles. “I’d imagine I would be fine on my own,” He begins. “But it wouldn’t hurt to have a helping hand.”

5 smiles.

“Before we head out though, you need something to defend yourself with. You need to learn some things.” Says 2.

5 shivers slightly as his smile falls a bit. “Like training?”

“Exactly.” Says 2.

—

2 sits by a small trash pile within the lowest hall of the cathedral, tinkering. 5 sits nearby, twiddling his fingers.

He’s nervous.

And yet…

His thoughts eat at each other.

He wants to help 2. Be like 2… but his thoughts overwhelm him…

On one end, 1 is a coward. He’s keeping them from learning something integral to their lives. On the other hand, he’s trying to keep them safe…

But at what cost?

5 looks up to 2 to distract himself a bit. He’s making some kind of… crossbow? It’s hard to see. It’s an interesting design though. 5’s never seen anything like it.

“…I-is that a crossbow?” 5 asks.

“Yes, it is.” Says 2.

5 smiles. “…I appreciate you doing this for me.” He says.

“I am always glad to help you, 5.” Says 2. He continues to work at the crossbow.

5 glances at 2’s work. He smiles. 2’s very crafty, as he usually is.

The inventor eventually completes the crossbow. He looks at it proudly. “There we are.” He says. “…It needs ammunition…”

5 ganders around the room, looking for anything that can be used. He begins to scour the room.

“What about these?” 5 asks. He pulls out a few sewing needles from a small pile, being careful not to hurt himself.

2 turns over to 5. He smiles. “Yes!” He says. “Those could work. Hand me one.”

“Sure.” 5 hands 2 a needle. 2 inserts the needle into the crossbow.

“Here.” Says 2. “Try it out.”

“H-huh?” 5 stammers.

“I’m certain you’ll be able to figure it out.” Says 2. He takes a step back while looking into 5, smiling.

“Uh…” 5 stammers, panicking a little.

…It’s a crossbow. Pull yourself together.

5 puts the sight up to his eye and aims for a wall. He pulls the trigger. The needle flies with a whistle and slams into the slightly cracked wall.

“See?” Says 2. “I knew you’d get it.”

5 smiles, proud of himself.

“Be sure to reload quickly.” Says 2. “When you’re out and about, and some dastardly beast is out to hunt you, stay alert. Have your weapon at the ready.”

“Stay alert, have my weapon at the ready… got it.” Says 5, repeating 2’s words.

“Be mindful of your surroundings too.” Says 2. “It’s dangerous out there. That’s why we stay alert.”

“I understand.” Says 5. “How long have you known that?”

“I learned what I know with time.” Says 2. “It takes time and practice to properly understand this war torn world. It’s worth it, as it’s helped me a lot. And it’ll likely help you out too.”

5 smiles softly. “Thanks.” He says.

“You’re very welcome.” Says 2. “And I believe it’s best we send you out. Test you on what I’ve taught you.”

—

5 and 2 quietly exit the cathedral and head out into the Emptiness, weapons in hand. 5 also carries a few straw sewing needles in a small pack 2 had made. 2 appears unfazed by the world around him, 5 however…

Even after his talk with 2, it all overwhelms him. He simply can’t shake his horrible thoughts away.

5 stares at his feet as he walks, worry blanketing his face.

“5?” 2 asks. “Are you alright?”

5 hesitates before shooting his face to 2. “W-we should go back.” He says.

“5.” 2 says sternly. “You’ll be alright. We’ll be alright. Don’t worry. Everything will be okay. Have a little faith.”

5 wants to speak again, but he stops himself.

2’s words repeat in his mind…

Have a little faith.

5 takes in a deep breath, trying to calm himself. “…I’ll be okay. He won’t find out… have a little faith…”

2 nods proudly. “Follow me.” He says.

5 stays close as 2 treads forward, his dual-bladed spear clenched in his hand.

It’s almost intimidating, seeing 2 with a weapon in hand. 5 had never seen him fight.

“…Have you fought before?” 5 asks.

“I have tried to.” Says 2. “I felt it would be useful to know.”

“Did you learn from 7?” 5 asks.

“A little bit.” Says 2. “After 1 and I met 6, 7 and 8 joined us. I would watch 7 practice. She was always quick and agile. A tough spirit, she was. And still is today.” He chuckles a bit.

“Yeah.” Says 5, smiling. She’s an inspiration.

Someone to show them how a leader should be.

…Maybe.

As 5 and 2 tread, a crack is heard.

“Ah!” 5 yelps. He shoots forward, almost bumping into 2.

2 moves forward slightly, almost losing his balance and falling forward. He looks back. “What happened?” He asks.

“I-I heard something…” Says 5. He glances around.

He then looks down.

5 stepped on a small, partly broken twig.

“…O-oh…” Says 5. He calms down. “…Sorry.”

“It’s alright.” Says 2, stepping to 5 and patting his shoulder. “But be quiet. It could be anywhere.”

A shiver runs up 5’s spine. “Y-yeah.” He says.

Have a little faith. You’ll be okay.

The two dolls tread forward, keeping an eye on their surroundings.

As they tread, a piercing crimson eye stares at them…

—

It’s been who knows how long. It’s late in the afternoon. Both dolls continue to tread.

“Be careful.” 2 whispers. “Keep your eyes out for it.”

“I will.” Says 5, nodding.

As the two walk, fear bubbles within 5 again.

The one-eyed doll glances around anxiously. A chilling breeze blows against his face. The terrain is terrifyingly quiet. The only audible sounds being the dolls breathing and slight wind. The dull colors of the world aren’t helping either, providing a sense of dread to the poor apprentice.

…5 can’t help but think they’re being watched…

Suddenly, a metal creaking is heard.

5 and 2 freeze.

5 trembles in fear. 2 keeps his guard up.

“…We are not alone…” 2 whispers.

…Then, the sound of metal creaking and clanging against each other…

The dolls look back.

A large, sprawled claw sits above the elder and apprentice.

It suddenly slams down. The two dolls quickly dodge.

“The Beast!” 5 shouts, horror glossing his voice and face.

A loud, deafening roar comes from the Beast’s torn voice box. 2 and 5 quickly flee, trying to find their standing point.

2 and 5 then stand together in the same spot. 2 holds his spear up, his face scrunched up while he takes a fighting stance.

5 is horrified. He trembles, not even readying his crossbow. His thoughts are jumbled in his head. He can’t think clearly. Fear takes over his body like a spirit possessing a piece of furniture. He stands completely still.

Suddenly, with a war cry, 2 charges forward. 5 is quickly snapped out of his head.

“2! Wait!” 5 shouts, putting a desperate hand out.

2 attempts to hit the Beast’s leg with his spear to bring it down, but a claw quickly slams him away. The elder goes flying into a nearby pile of debris.

“2!” 5 shouts. He looks into the Beast, tensing up again.

“…Dear, God…” Says 5. “…I-I can’t— I just can’t…”

5 trembles. He almost falls to his knees as he moves back. His lip begins to quiver as he backs away. The Beast creeps to him, growling slightly.

“…No, no, no, no, no…” 5 repeats desperately.

5’s thoughts continue to pile and swirl in his head.

Then, one particular thought appears within the fog of his horror.

Have a little faith.

2’s words echo in his head.

5 begins to toughen up a bit.

Suddenly, the Beast lunges forward. 5 jumps to the side, barely avoiding it. The Beast snarls and attempts to lunge at 5 again. 5 leaps away, and begins to run. The Beast follows.

As 5 runs, he loads his crossbow. He turns back and aims at the Beast’s lightbulb eye as it follows behind him. He aims, then fires.

Right in the eye.

The Beast recoils, trying to recover. 5 bolts back, scurrying to the pile 2 had slammed into.

5 approaches the pile. He quickly spots 2 laying on his side, not moving. 5’s heart sinks as he rushes toward the older man.

“2!?” 5 shouts. “Wake up! Please!” He begins to shake the elder, trying to wake him.

2 suddenly awakens with a gasp. He quickly rises up and heaves, trying to catch his breath. He begins to cough hoarsely. He’s been injured.

“2!” 5 shouts, horrified. “You’re hurt!”

2 struggles to regain his breath as he reaches for his spear.

Suddenly, another roar is heard. 5 quickly gets 2 to his feet, picks up his spear, and bolts away, holding onto the older man as he runs. His crossbow and 2’s spear remain wrapped in his other arm.

5 runs with all his might, trying to lose the monster. “Oh, please! Please let me lose it!” He screams into the air.

The clanking of the monster begins to quiet down. They’re losing it.

5 continues to run, even though he’s out of breath and tired. He eventually finds a run down building with a small hole in the bottom of the wall, just big enough for 5 and 2 to hide. 5 bolts to the building and pushes himself through the hole. It’s dark, but the windows around light the building up a bit. 5 stops by a wall and sits 2 down, along with their weapons.

5 looks to the injured 2. His breathing his hoarse. He doesn’t sound good at all.

5 begins to panic, not really certain of what to do. “W-what do I do?” He asks himself. “…Where does it hurt?”

2 doesn’t answer for a bit. He eventually points to his chest. “H-here.” He stammers. He then coughs. His coughs sound awful, like those you get when you’re sick with the flu. 5 can’t help but recoil.

“…Dear, God…” Says 5. He puts a hand to his face, terrified. “What am I going to do?”

Suddenly, another roar is heard outside.

5 gasps lightly and carries 2 and their weapons further into the building. He sits the elder and the weapons against a pillar. 5 huddles up to 2 as the Beast reaches its face into the room, looking into the darkness, but being unable to see the dolls. It then places a claw in, reaching for it’s prey, but can’t find anything. It moves its claw back and steps away.

5 waits for the Beast to pass. Once it can no longer be heard, he looks over to 2. His head is hunched over, but he’s still breathing, even if he doesn’t sound good.

5 then huddles into a ball. He lightly sobs.

He feels it’s his fault.

If he had attacked it first, maybe 2 wouldn’t have gotten hurt. If they had went back, he wouldn’t have gotten hurt.

He should’ve never left.

“5.” Says 2, whispering, his voice still raspy and broken. “You need to kill it.”

“But I can’t leave you here!” 5 whispers harshly. “I need to help you!”

“I’m aware.” Says 2. “But I can handle my pain. I need you to get rid of it.”

“How?” 5 questions.

“You can use my spear. Use whatever you can. Be resourceful.” Says 2 as he begins to hoarsely cough. His head faces down as he takes in a few breaths.

5, again, wants to retort…

But he wants to fight for 2.

He could very much return to the cathedral… and yet…

2 has done too much to help and assist 5 to just leave the Beast be.

He helped him learn how to build a telescope. They made a Watchtower together. He consoled him after 7’s departure and his talk with 1. He taught him how to defend himself in the Emptiness. They’ve done so much.

And 2 helped him when he needed him most.

After they had entered the cathedral.

2 was there.

He fixed him up.

He could’ve left him there. Left him there without assistance, only to get crushed by a war machine’s foot.

But he didn’t.

He was there for him.

And 5 wants to be there for 2.

Just as he was.

Just like 2.

He doesn’t want to consider 1’s rules anymore. This is important.

He’s family.

…Jump out of your comfort zone.

Take a leap of faith.

Have a little faith.

5’s expression goes stern. His brow furrows and he looks to 2. He grasps the elder’s hand firmly. 2 looks up to him.

“I’ll do it. For you.” Says 5. “You’ve done a lot for me… and I want to do the same for you.”

2 smiles weakly. “That’s my boy.” He says. He coughs again.

“Stay strong for me. Please.” 5 says desperately, tightening his grip on 2’s hand.

“I will, my boy.” Says 2.

5 pulls away from 2 and grabs his spear. He dashes toward the hole in the wall and passes through it. 2 smiles as he watches 5 leave.

—

5 wanders through the Emptiness, trying to stay strong and keep his guard up.

He pushes away the negativity, trying to be strong.

Be strong for 2.

Just as 2 did for him.

5 can finally be the courageous protector he had been wanting to be for years. A small smile crosses his face.

A sudden bang then snaps 5 out of his contentment. He glances around, slightly panicked. He straightens his face and begins taking deep breaths.

“…Stay strong. You can do it…” 5 whispers to himself. “Have a little faith…”

Another bang is heard. 5 glances around again, keeping his guard up. He turns back, checking if the Beast could be sneaking up on him from behind.

Another bang. From in front of him.

5 looks forward.

A large shadow looms just nearby a pile of rubble.

5 is quick to react. He jumps behind a pile of trash and looks over it.

The Beast is approaching.

5 quickly turns back and readies his crossbow. He waits for the Beast to strike…

It’s large and loud steps slowly approach the pile 5 is hiding behind.

He waits…

And waits…

…Waits…

There.

Then he fires.

But he misses.

5 gasps.

The Beast roars, and before he can even react, 5 gets flung by a claw into the nearby pile of rubble. His back slams against it. He falls with a grunt, his crossbow falling out of his hands. He struggles to get back up.

The Beast’s quick steps approach.

5 quickly grabs his crossbow and moves out of the way. He begins to scoot back and recover. He quickly gets to his feet and runs. The Beast follows suit. 5 turns and grabs onto 2’s spear and stuffs his crossbow in his pack as he runs.

5 dashes as far as he can go, until he’s too out of breath to continue. He stops and begins to take a breather. The Beast sees this as a point of weakness for the doll. It slowly creeps forward as 5 recovers.

5 looks up and holds up 2’s spear. He stands in a fighting stance, ready to attack.

Just as the Beast lunges, 5 charges with a battle cry. He stabs the spear into the side of it’s neck. The Beast recoils as 5 attempts to climb on it’s back.

5 gets onto the creature’s back. The Beast attempts to yank the doll off by ferociously swinging it’s back around, but fails. 5 keeps himself as steady as he can.

Until the Beast flips backwards onto it’s back.

5 screams as the Beast pushes itself against the ground, trying to stab his legs with it’s spikes. 5 then stabs the creature in the back, causing it to move upward, allowing 5 to escape.

5 quickly notices the holes in his burlap skin. They all sting terribly. Despite that, 5 gets back up.

“Come here!” 5 shouts. “You wanna torture me some more? Have at me!”

The Beast roars at the doll. 5 roars back, as best as he can. It almost sounds pathetic.

5 charges forward just as the Beast does. He stabs the spear directly into the Beast’s mouth, breaking its voice box even further than it already had been.

5 then uses the spear to climb up on the Beast’s head. The creature attempts to shake him off, but fails, as 5 slips a bit and clings to the side of it’s head and desperately hoists himself there, keeping himself attached to the Beast. He attempts to climb back up on it’s back as it starts to run forward, still trying to get 5 off of it.

5 flops around as the Beast sprints forward. He can barely hold on, but he keeps going.

He has to keep going.

For 2.

He can’t let go now.

5 then climbs onto the Beast’s head, trying his hardest not fall off of it. He slowly moves back to the Beast’s back and holds onto a back spike. Spear in hand, he lifts the spear up to the neck of the Beast and and slams the spear into it.

The Beast screeches in pain and begins to slow. 5 continues to pierce it’s neck, practically suffocating it. He attempts to turn the Beast in a different direction by dragging his body, almost as if he’s riding it.

To 5’s dismay, the Beast doesn’t move in the direction 5 wants. It attempts to move in the opposite direction of the doll to slide him off its back.

This plan backfires however, as the Beast slams it’s head into a pile of rubble. It quickly becomes disoriented. 5 stays in place.

Once the Beast recovers, the Beast gets on it’s hind legs and attempts to grab at 5, but another pierce in the neck causes it to fall.

5 attempts to dig deeper into the Beast’s neck, trying to decapitate it. Although it’s difficult. The Beast continues to writhe.

With each push, more wires break. More electricity sparks from it’s neck.

Until the Beast suddenly ceases movement.

The Beast’s head falls off. The body collapses and 5 falls from it, landing on his side.

5 lays on the ground for a moment, taking a breather, before slowly rising to his feet. He picks up 2’s spear and backs away from the Beast, staring upon it.

…A large smile grows on his face.

5 begins to chuckle, which then goes into a laugh. He jumps in the air excitedly. “I did it! I did it!” He exclaims. “I killed it! I killed the Beast!” He begins to excitedly jog around the foggy wasteland, his voice falling on nobody’s ears. He could care less however.

He had actually killed the thing.

He was the Stitchpunks’ savior.

As 5 celebrates himself, his skin suddenly stings again. He falls to his bottom and seethes a bit.

The holes.

He had forgotten.

He needs to get those fixed.

Then, another person crosses his mind.

2.

He still needed his help.

5 gets to his legs and rushes to where he and 2 had been hiding.

As he rushes back however, another of his kin appears… she looks to the Beast, then to the rushing 5.

…She couldn’t believe what had likely transpired here.

—

5 scurries through the wasteland, looking for the building he and 2 had taken refuge in. As he passes down the barren road, he spots a familiar building, just as he passes it.

That was it.

He quickly scurries inside and spots 2 in the dim light, head hunched over and seemingly lifeless. He rushes over to 2’s body and kneels before him. He touches his shoulder and shakes him a bit.

“…2?” 5 asks. “Are you okay?”

2 doesn’t wake up for a moment. 5 looks on at his mentor with desperation, still holding onto his shoulder.

…2 then begins to blink awake. He slowly lifts his head and looks to 5, appearing weak, yet he still smiles. 5 smiles back. The apprentice gently wraps his arms around his mentor, the mentor does the same back.

“You’re okay!” Says 5.

“…I’m alright, yet worse for wear.” Says 2.

The two dolls then separate from each other.

“Did you kill it?” 2 asks.

A bright smile grows on 5’s face. He rubs his head. “…I almost can’t even believe that I did.” He says.

2 then beams, smiling brightly. “Oh, I knew you could do it!” He says, sounding slightly hoarse. He then wraps his arms around 5 again, hugging him tightly and patting his back. “I knew you could do it.” 5 hugs his mentor back, trying to be gentle with him.

They then separate again.

“…I am so, so, so proud of you, 5.” Says 2. “I simply cannot stress that enough.”

5 smiles and glances downward before looking back up at the elder. “…I’m proud of me too.” He says.

“You should be.” Says 2. “You’ve done something wonderful. Not just for yourself, but for all of us. You’ve slain the Beast!”

“…I did do something wonderful.” Says 5, still smiling. “I overcame my fears. And I helped all of us… stayed by your side, just like you did with me.”

“Exactly, my boy.” Says 2. He suddenly begins to hoarsely cough again.

“…Oh, I need to fix that…” Says 5, worry quickly covering his face.

“Yes.” 2 says hoarsely. He then looks at 5 and notices the holes in his skin. “We need to take care of those holes too.”

5 looks down at himself. He remembers the holes again. “Yeah.” He says. “But I think I should help you first. Your injuries are more severe.”

“Yes.” Says 2. “And I will help you along the way.”

“…Thanks. I appreciate it.” Says 5, smiling.

“No problem at all.” Says 2. “Help me up please, if you don’t mind.”

“I don’t mind at all.” Says 5.

5 then gets to his feet and helps 2 up. 5 takes his spear and heads to the hole in the wall, helping 2 keep himself up.

The two dolls walk through the barren Emptiness, full of joy and pride, as they now know they can rest easy with the Beast now slain.

From a small nearby pile of rubble, 7 peaks over, watching the two dolls as they walk. She smiles.

Never did she ever think one of the most loyal Stirchpunks to 1 would be willing to go against him and fight for what was right.

He took that leap of faith, and she’s especially proud of him for that.

- END -

[bepp-ers]

Hello! Could I get a nsfw D, K, L for levi?❤️❤️

hi! of course you can my lovely!! the alphabet can be found HERE and on it you can request some letters (sfw and nsfw) for any yandere! obey me character <3 thanks darlings!!

d- delicious- what is their favourite part of darling's body?

He is pretty obsessed with all of you, seeing as he practically worships the ground you walk on, but he's a little more in love with a few parts.

Firstly, obviously, thighs.

Yeah, he's a thigh man. What can he say? Just seeing you in a short skirt, thigh-highs, hell anything that reveals your thighs makes him weak in the knees!

And when he's draped over your thighs, he just feels so comfortable. It's a safe haven for a shut-in like himself.

Also, when he has the courage, he adores seeing your surprise when he places a hand on one, cupping the supple flesh and maybe even giving it a loving squeeze.

Secondly, hands.

He can't explain it, but seeing your hands do anything deftly leaves him flushed and flustered.

Holding a controller? Fiddling with the buttons, your fingers curling around the warm plastic, tapping away at buttons, oh god.

What are you doing to him?

He can already feel the familiar tightness as he stares, unconsciously licking his lips at the sight.

He'd love to have them work one of his cocks whilst your mouth works the other one, but for now he's content to just watch and imagine.

k- kinks- what kinks do they have?

Once again, no surprise, but degrading treatment really riles him up.

Maybe that's why he stole borrowed your underwear, or spends hours tapping into your phone to see what you're up to.

You thought that he walked in on you changing accidentally, didn't you?

Oh MC, if only you'd realised that he did that deliberately.

He wanted- no, needed you to call him disgusting, a perverted demon, worthy of nothing!

It's only a matter of time before he caves in to his desires, deciding to take you for his own.

And whilst you scream at him afterwards, calling him a monster and fucking awful, you'll only be adding fuel to the fire.

It's the very thing he craves, after all.

l- little- how do they feel about size?

Honestly, he's one of these 'it's not about size, it's about what you do' type of guys.

But he is a demon. And demons tend to dwarf humans a tad. So whilst he isn't a giant like Beel or Diavolo, he is certainly a handful.

And uh, he does have two dicks. Which is more than most people can handle.

Combine that with his tail, gleaming and dripping with something that you suspect isn't water, and that's quantity right there.

Maybe he isn't the tallest, or the most muscular, but keeping in theme with his military position, he has many weapons in his arsenal, and he will use them if he can.

There's just so many ways to make you feel above him! And something's about being a mighty demon, yet below a regular Human, well, let's just say it does things for him.

[the-night-that-feeds-if]

Hi Vayle! It was nice to get to know more about you! ✨ You've got a lot of creative pursuits going, I felt humbled and awed at the same time! I need to up my game, clearly! 😂 Speaking of creativity and struggles, mental or physical health, it really makes me think of the stereotype "suffering for one's art". I can relate since I first got into IFs when my health was declining and they kept me afloat. Did the idea of this IF already exist in your mind or did you piece it together when you decided you wanted to write your own IF? Also, very important, as a fellow lover of RPGs and D&D: what's your go to race and class, and what other RPGs/TTRPGS are you a fan of? 👀✨

Hiya Lorelai! Nice to see an ask from you ^^

Lol, I have to do a million things all the time, before I moved I was also painting minis for DnD and Warhammer, which is super fun.

And some of the ideas already existed, mostly about the gods, and a world separated in some way. Those are some ideas I've held on to since highschool when I was making my own homebrew DnD world, the rest I came up with as I was writing.

I'm sorry to hear you also experience health issues, but I definitely relate. 💜

My go to race and class for tabletop 5th edition dnd has been gnome (love them to death) and then my fav character is a multi class Bard, Warlock, Artificer!

In baldurs gate 3 my fav character is a Seldarine Drow, Circle of spores.

Another ttrpg I haven't been able to play yet but really want to is Wanderhome.

And games I love: the elder scrolls, dragon age, mass effect, starfield, baldurs gate 3, sun haven, stardew valley, fallout 3, fallout nv, fallout 4, small land survive the wild, etc etc.

Thank you so much for this great ask!🌞🌞

[nobodysdaydreams]

Hello! I hope you have an amazing morning/day/afternoon/night. I´ve read the latest chapter of your S.O.S fanfic and I wanted to say I am a big fan! I really like how every chapter is following each episode of the show with your own take/elaboration on certain scenes, for example when you added the conversation between Sticky and his aunt, which wasn´t in the show. And many many other scenes. Oh, and the whole backstory for Curtain and his former friends/colleagues, it is just ingenious. Truly a brilliant masterpiece. You are a very talented writer. :) I am very much looking forward to the next update. Oh and I can not express enough how I love the Oldest Siblings fanfic! You wrote each of the siblings perspectives so well! And alI the Benedict siblings angst and feels. I am thriving on that content. It is such a serotonin boost. :D

Also, speaking about Benedict siblings, I have a few headcanons about them, that have been floating around my mind for quite some time. These are absolutely not thorougly thought-out, just what my brain proposed to me one fine early morning at 3 am instead of letting me sleep *deep sigh*

This one is based on a dialogue between the children in a first chapter of the S.O.S when I think either Reynie or Sticky mentioned, that they have seen Nathaniel in his brother´s library organizing books, trying to put some kind of order to the chaos. Nathaniel would defininitely do that. It is in his nature. I think he would totally opt for Dewey decimal system. Nice, practical, efficient. But, I also like to think, he would make some changes to it quite frequently. Like one week the library would be organized by author A-Z, next week the other way around. Then weeks after that by genre, color, book height, subject etc. Poor Nicholas would kindly ask his twin to stop, but to no avail.

We know that each twin adopted a child. Nathaniel adopted SQ and Nicholas adopted Constance (although she declined, but it was legally approved as we have seen Nicholas holding the documents at the end of the first season) Their sister on the other hand would have a biological child, a daughter named Felicity about 13-14 years old. Sister´s spouse sadly doesn´t live with them anymore, (he either left them or passed away, I haven´t decided on that quite yet), Felicity doesn´t remerber her dad very much because it happened, when she was very young.

I think it goes without saying that both the sister and her daughter would be brilliant and would possess a great intellect like the brothers do. It just runs in the family.

Their sister would also suffer from narcoleptic episodes, her trigger would probably be intense sadness (as opposed to Nicholas´ trigger being joy). Felicity does not suffer from it though.

Sister introduces her daughter to her brothers. I can imagine that Nicholas would collapse from the rush of joy and happiness, eyes filled with tears all that, at the perspective of being an uncle, Nathaniel would immediately catch his brother on instinct. Only for him to collapse a few seconds after Nicholas, because of his vulnerability trigger and basically going through the same emotional experience. Their niece would tried to hold back a sob as she would take comfort in knowing that she had just met two father figures in her life (Both brothers would be an amazing uncles ). Meanwhile her mother falls asleep because if her own trigger. Felicity immediately takes action and puts a pillow under everyone´s heads to ensure comfort as she waits for them to wake up, It is a very emotional event for each party involved to say the least.

And that´s the end of mine take on the matter. I previously had more headcanons which were much more detailed, but I forgot to put them on paper or type them in my computer. Oh, well. Maybe they will come to me. Anyway, thank you for reading all that and I hope it wasn´t too long. I do apologize for my grammar and weird wording at times. English is not my native language.

Okay, first of all, I'm so sorry for the late reply to this message, but I hope it's a good one, because this ask means the world to me. 🥹💕

I came home exhausted from a long day of work and classes and logged into tumblr to this and it absolutely made my entire evening. I'm serious. I gotta hand to y'all. Just when I think that the comments I've gotten on my SOS fic can't get anymore heartwarming and incredible, you leave me this comment, which...I mean, first of all, do not apologize for your grammar and wording, your message was perfect. I'm sorry if I forget words or if this sounds weird, I'm pretty tired and kind of rambling, but please know that I am flattered by this. I have had people draw fan art based on my fic, make a personality quiz based on my fic, do chapter by chapter tumblr reviews of my fic, leave fabulously unhinged comments on fic, and message me just to tell me how much my fic means to them, and every time I am absolutely flattered and at a loss for words and say to myself that this is the highest honor I could ever receive and nothing will ever top this and yet you wonderful wonderful readers prove me wrong every single time. I mean...the account you sent this ask from is only following staff and looks like a new account, and if you wanted this to be anonymous, you presumably would have just sent your ask from a main and hit the anon button instead of making a throw away, so...

Did...did you get??? A tumblr??? Just to message me this??? I- I-just- 🥹💓💓💓

Luna, (I hope you don't mind if I call you that based on your username), thank you so much. I wish I had better words to describe how much your message and the messages of everyone else in this amazing fandom mean to me, but I just don't have the words to do it justice. Please know that I love your comment. I'm glad you enjoyed SOS and The Oldest Siblings (the lesser known SOS prequel that inspired my unhinged masterpiece, thank you for giving it some love🥰). I'm also glad you liked the backstory and added scenes. They wormed their way into my head and I figured "as long as their here, why not share them?" and I'm very glad I did. I'm also glad I decided to type out some scenes from the show. It's not all of it (that would be too much), but I was originally only going to include the content that I added to seasons 1 and 2 (because other wise I was just repeating stuff and the fic is crazy long anyway), but I eventually decided to include my own takes on most relevant (adult or SOS character focused) canon scenes from the show as well, because I realized that doing so helped the reader follow the timeline of events and kept up with and explained each character's motivation, which is important to do when you have this many characters. I'm also glad because now that the show is off Disney+, you have a place you can read the dialogue from some of the scenes (not all, but it's something. And all the dialogue and body movements are from the canon show for those scenes. All I add are extra lines at the beginning or end of scenes before or after "cuts" and internal character thoughts that explain their actions).

I love your head canons btw. The one about Nathaniel is very true. At least in my fic. He's a nervous organizer, and there's no way he could live in the chaos of the Benedict house without cleaning up a bit.

As for your head canons about the sister's child...I love it. I love the twist of her being her biological daughter and having narcolepsy. Also, depending on how old you head canon SQ (in my fic he's a bit older, but he's around 14-19), they're pretty close in age, and I know SQ and Constance would be great cousins to her!

Slight possible spoilers for future works, but I have toyed with the idea of the sister having a child as well. I can't give anymore away without spoiling stuff, but I think you might like what I decide to do with it. (If I can ever get to that point). I do want to apologize, I just went back to school, and that has been taking up a lot of my time. But I promise I'm still writing, and although I can't say when, the updates will come. And, while you are on tumblr, I have some mutuals who write some really great stuff you can read in the meantime. I won't annoy everyone by tagging them, but if you scroll through the blog @floorboardchompingfridays, you should be able to find some good ones.

Thank you again for this message. It made my entire day, and I hope you have a wonderful morning/afternoon/evening and remember take care of yourself. 🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰

^This gif is me hugging all of you, btw.

[dennydraws]

Mid week!

Good Morning!! \o/ It's mid of the week! I hope it's going smooth and it's full of inspirations!! :D Work is starting to skyrocket at my end. The end of the year is always a huge high speed crunch time of gazillion holidays to prepare for. I come back home feeling so exhausted and yet so hungry to draw for myself! The struggle is real xD;; I know it's barely September but we usually start preparing for the Halloween and onwards rush as soon as August rolls. So while it is my fave time of the year with all it's cozy and colorful vibes... it's also the most exhausting one and I have to be very careful how I use my energy in the next months... ;.;

I really want to try inktober again this year but not sure what theme to pick. I don't like the official prompt list this year. For some reason, it sparked zero ideas. I'm leaning towards OCs from different story settings/worlds of mine and I think I can do 8 settings with 4 character from each one...? It should be enough :D;; but also do I want this on my plate too? 8D;; Just food for thought for me... I've prepared a tiny toned sketchbook and picked some sepia inks so I feel prepared when it comes to materials, just need to sketch the ideas before October rolls. Friends also suggest I do 31 days of Claude and Aryllin given how that's all I've been drawing lately ... but can I muster 31 ideas? 8D;; also more food for thought for me! And I need to decide quick before October sneaks on me lol

Speaking of... from recent notes/comments I take that everyone likes ... claws! hehe xD Thank you for liking these so much! I'm always smiling a ton reading the tags!

Thank you for stopping by! I hope you have great rest of the week! I hope your rolls in BG3 pass the checks, your seasonal pests in Sun Haven don't bother you much, your FF14 roulettes are smooth and you get every item you grind for! \o/

[hermitcrossovers]

(HTTYD x MCYT crossover. No knowledge of the series is needed I just like the dragons :D )

There have always been hybrids as long as players have existed. Nobody truly knows where they first came from, but the common theory is that mob code and player code got mixed up, and the gods decided to keep hybrids alive. People seemed to like them after all.

But there is one species of hybrids that nobody knows the origin of. They appear to be dragons (and that is certainly what they call themselves), but there are no mobs that match with them.

And as with any rare species, there are safe places, and places that will enslave them. Hermitcraft is once such server made to keep these hybrids safe.

---A brief (and not complete) list of dragon hybrids on hermitcraft:

Whispering Death!Etho

Sentinel!Grian

Boneknapper!Cleo

Scuttleclaw!Ren

Monstrous Nightmare!Tango

Flightmare!Scar

Hermitcraft is built like it is for a reason, the fabric of the server woven into a safe haven by those who are othered, the structures and people, adaptable and kind, even in it's most dangerous times, they're there to create. The dragons are no different from the rest, and the universe has given them a soft place to land.

-.-.-.-.-

The gods were young once, too weak to care for the universe they were born to protect. Thus, the dragons came to be, made of nothing but milk and love like the players after them.

Their sole purpose was to raise the gods, and once they were grown, and they no longer had a purpose, they went into hiding, until the world needed them again.

There were dragons when the gods were young, and now that they're back, different, yet the same, it's the gods turn to protect them.

-Mod Jer