#he shouldn't even count!!! they're twins!!!

[lunafool]

this is fine.

[queers-gambit]

The Blood of the Covenant

prompt: ( requested ) being raised alongside the Twins, you naturally fell on path to become a contract killer - much to Tangerine's chagrin. when you're recruited onto the Bullet Train, too, emotions cum into play - get it?

pairing: Tangerine x female!assassin!reader

fandom masterlist: Bullet Train

word count: 9.4k+

note: this isn't very good, i'm very sorry.

warnings: codename Olive 'cause it's cute, cursing, Lord's name in vain, mild spoilers, AU timeline (obviously), Tan is still Aaron, Lem is still Brian, emotional confessions, mild depiction of violence, very short and poorly written smut, canon-typical violence, mentions of blood, needles / weaponized venom [The Hornet], and dead bodies.

"So, you get on the train, you find the Twins, and you get off - it's easy," Constance, your handler, scolded through the phone. "Seriously, why are you so nervous? It's like the most lowkey job you've ever been assigned."

"Yeah, you're just forgetting the part where I have to locate some generic looking briefcase on this God forsaken train, make sure they have the White Death's son, then get them all off - "

"Okay, see, now you're making it all complicated," Constance laughed again. "C'mon, Olive, tell me the truth."

"What truth?"

"You're nervous," she sang in your ear.

"No shit, I'm nervous!" You snapped, connecting the bluetooth device and shoving your phone in your pocket as the train jetted into the station. "Do you have a good reason I shouldn't be?"

"Um, how about the fact that you guys grew up in the orphanage together, making you practically family, and that they're gonna be overjoyed to see you?"

"Yeah, right!" You laughed, "You don't know the guys, and it's been, like, 4 years since I've seen them. They're scary overprotective and if they know what I'm doing professionally, they'll probably handcuff me to one of them and deliver me to some nunnery."

"Are those even a thing anymore?"

"Fuck if I know," you snorted.

"You're overthinking, Olive, just breathe," she advised. "Look, the intel is good. The White Death is up to something and if you wanna see the Twins alive, you need to get them off the train."

"Cool, so fuck the case and the son?"

"Nope, you wanna get paid, you gotta grab them, too."

You sighed, the train doors opening. "Well, here goes fucking nothing..."

"I've literally never heard you this nervous, it's kinda cute."

"Constance, is there a reason we're still on the phone?" You asked, nodding at the people you passed and excusing yourself as you searched the train cars slowly.

"I wanna hear how this goes!"

"Call you when I have the payloads, 'mmkay?"

"No," she whined, "c'mon, lemme hear the reunion!"

"Goodbye, Constance, as always, you're a giant pain in my ass."

"Oh, like you're a basket of roses. Fine, go, deprive me of this. Fucking killjoy!"

"Talk soon - and if not, I'm probably shot."

"Well, just... Don't get shot?"

"Spot-on advice, love."

"You'd be lost without me."

"Bye, you idiot."

"Seriously, don't get shot!"

Disconnecting the call, you chuckled to yourself and dodged around a family. However, right behind them was a man in a bucket hat and thick black framed glasses carrying a silver briefcase, who bumped your shoulder. "Oh, I'm so sorry, ma'am," he instantly apologized in English.

"No worries," you smiled, nodding at him. "Have a nice ride."

"You, too," he nodded back, and you turned to continue on your way, missing the way the man eyed you - and gulped when he caught sight of the gun in your waistband. He scurried on his way.

You entered another train car, pausing to take a long breath as you surveyed the patrons. You moved onto the next section, the train rocketing into motion. However, as you approached the next set of doors, you gasped and skirted to a halt when two men lingered in the connection.

"Oh - what the bloody fuck are you doing here!?" Aaron snapped instantly.

"Well, hello to you, too, love," you grumbled with a curled lip.

"Hi, doll!"

You grinned at Brian, greeting him with enthusiasm; offering a giant hug, him kissing your cheek noisily. "So good to see you," you told him when you pulled back.

"Tan," Brian snapped, glaring at him as he gestured at you. "C'mon, mate, don't be like this - 's been years!"

"Yeah, Tan," you pouted dramatically.

"You even know what Tan stands for?" Brian snickered.

"Nope."

"Tangerine," then he pointed at himself, "Lemon."

Aaron's blue eyes rolled, sighing deeply before nodding. "Right, right, c'mere, then, you," he opened his arms, and when you stepped into his embrace, you swear, it was like returning home. After a beat, you felt his arms tighten and his nose press into your neck, subtly inhaling; making you give him a tighter squeeze.

"Oh, Jesus, all right, c'mon, I'm standing right here," Lemon groaned, you and Tan parting, but only saddling beside him with his arm around your neck and yours anchored around his waist.

"So," you chirped, shifting your body weight, "you two have the case, I assume? And the Son - "

"Oh, you've gotta be fuckin' joking," Tangerine snapped, glaring at you as you grinned mischievously. "How's it you know about any of that?"

"She's on assignment, felt the gun when I hugged her," Lemon snickered as if it were common knowledge. "How long you've been working, love? Why didn't you ring us? Talk to us 'bout this?"

"I needed to?"

"No, but just for a bit of a catch-up?" Lemon shrugged. "You know, tell us you're doin' some dangerous job instead of teaching? Aren't you supposed to be a teacher now?"

"This pays better."

"Not gonna get paid a single dime, the fuck's wrong with you?" Tan snapped, dropping the arm from your neck to round on you in anger. "You're seriously on a job?"

"Mhm," you hummed with a smile. "And why won't I see a dime, exactly?"

"'Cause you're not doin' this fuckin' job, love, for fuck's sake!"

"Tan, just calm down," Lemon sighed, holding a hand to him as the man with a pornstache paced in a small circle; wiping a hand around his mouth. "Love? What's the job you're on?"

"Mh," you nodded, "well, 's a bit unprofessional to tell you, but fuck it. I'm to collect the case, grab the White Death's son, and get you two off this fucking train."

"Oh - for fuck's - "

"Tan!" Lemon laughed. "Mate, take a breath! She's obviously qualified if she's made it this far, got this assignment."

You grinned, "You ever hear rumors about that shit that went down in Medellín?"

"Don't tell me," Lemon gasped. "That was you?"

"Most of it wasn't intentional, but I'm pretty good at improvising," you teased. "Anyways, I heard about Bolivia, you two are certainly making names for yourselves, aren't yah?"

"Well," Lemon smiled bashfully, waving you off.

"Right, so, we're approaching the next station," you pointed out, clasping your hands in front of you and smiling, "so, where's the Son?"

"Oh, uh, up there," Lem pointed to the next train car.

"Mhm, good, good, good, and the case?" There was an awkward silence as Lemon and Tangerine exchanged long looks. "Hey? Where's the case, Brian - I mean, Lemon?"

"Well, uh... Funny thing, yeah?" He awkwardly rubbed the back of his neck.

"Tan? Sweetheart?" You smiled prettily, reaching for his hand to halt his pacing, "Where's the case?"

"It's..." Tan trailed, seeing Lemon shaking his head vigorously from behind you. He sighed when he met your sweet eyes and admitted, "It got lifted, love."

"Oh, you fuckin' simp," Lemon groaned.

"What? Wanted me t'lie? She's got that sixth sense for that shit, mate!" Tangerine defended.

"No, you're just whipped!"

"She's looking for the same bloody case, she'd know eventually!"

You let go of Tan's hand to answer your ringing phone, holding a finger to them both, "Hey, Constance, now's not a great time."

"What's wrong?" She asked.

"Nothing, just reuniting with the lads," you eased. "I'll call you when we have the case and kid, and are off the train, all right? And if I don't - "

"Yeah, yeah, you're shot. Fine, just..." She sighed. "Listen, you three aren't the only ones on assignment."

"Hmm?" You perked your brows.

"Yeah, so, Maria's got an agent in the field. Also, I just got intel that the Wolf's there, no idea why. The Hornet, too."

"You're fuckin' joking, right?"

"Nope. They popped up on our travel itineraries. They used pseudonyms naturally, but we have their records."

"Fuck me, all right... All right, yeah, we'll handle it."

"No, don't handle anything! Remember Rome!?"

"Rome wasn't my fault!" You snapped, taking a deep breath. "But it did piss the Hornet off, we'll be careful."

"Get off the fucking train, Olive!"

"When the packages are secured, love, yeah, all right, gotta go, bye-bye now!"

"Olive - "

You hung up and put your phone in your back pocket, sighing at the Twins. "Well, this just got more interesting. We aren't the only ones on this job," you frowned.

"What?" Lem's face dropped.

"Wait, what happened in Rome?" Tangerine asked, offering you his signature look of annoyance: a frown and pinched brows.

"Oh, nothing that was my doing," you waved off. "So, to recap, the case is missing, but the Son is secured?"

"Zip tied to his seat," Lemon nodded.

"Mhm, and where was the case?"

"I had it stashed, but..." He eyed the luggage tossed around the compartment.

"Now, it's gone. Okay, okay," you nodded, "so, just for future reference, don't stash the goods, all right? Terribly unprofessional, darling."

"Yeah," he nodded sadly.

"Oh, so when she says it - "

"She doesn't get all smart with me!" Lemon cut Tangerine off with a warning finger as he paced in the compartment. "The fuck do we do? We just passed the station - the fucker could've gotten off - I mean!"

"Easy," you spoke softly, but the panic was set between the two. You sighed when Lemon turned frantic, leaning back on the wall as Tangerine stood beside you.

"No, no, look, we got his son," Lemon reminded. "That was our job."

Tangerine shared a look with you, making you chide, "Stay calm. You get nowhere bein' so up-tight." His expression melted into something close to reprimanding, but he sighed and faced Lemon.

"Our job was to come back with his son and his $10 million. Three words to describe our situation right now, do you know what they are?"

Lemon glared, "Sure do." Then held up three fingers, dropping one for each word, "Saved - his - son. Hmm? Family's more important than money, right?"

"Do you honestly not know who the White Death is?"

"Yeah, I know who the White Death is. You just told me five minutes ago," Lemon snipped, making you sigh as he rambled an explanation.

"Why do I even bothering forwarding you the briefings?" Tan interrupted, exasperated by the entire ordeal.

There was a pause and Lemon replied softly, almost sheepishly, "I do not know. You get briefings, love?"

"Mhm, but my handler likes giving me the CliffNotes," you eased with a small shrug.

When Tangerine turned from you two to face the train's door, staring out the window, you and Lemon shared a look - his hand raising as if to wave off Tan's theatrics. In return, you just held a placating hand to him, letting Tangerine start his story about the White Death. When he got through his tale, he took a long breath, sighing deeply, musing as he turned back to you both, "So, let me put this bluntly. There's this soulless, psychotic leader with the largest criminal organization on the planet," then his hands dramatically gestured, "shoved right inside our fucking arse cheeks."

Lemon stared at his partner and then, too, mused, "That motherfucker's definitely a Diesel, then, isn't he?"

"You mention Thomas the Tank Engine one more time, I'm gonna shoot you in the fucking face," Tangerine snapped.

"No, no, he won't, Brian," you stepped in, standing between the two, glancing between them.

"'S Lemon when on the job, love."

"All right, sure, my apologies, Lemon," you agreed, "but he's not gonna shoot you." Lemon hummed and pointed at you in triumph, mocking Tangerine, making you scold, "No, don't do that, either. Your attitude gets us nowhere, right, lads?"

Lemon nodded at you before looking to Tan, asking, "Okay, okay, if-if-if-if he's such a badarse, how come he hired three random operators instead of getting his son back himself?"

"I wasn't hired by the White Death," you smiled, reaching a hand to Tangerine's to hold tightly when you saw his fuse about to blow. "And, you see, he had a wife, Lem."

"What? He had a wife?"

"Yeah," you nodded, ignoring Tan's impending meltdown, "and she was the most important thing in his life, and she died in a car crash. Some reports say it was an accident, some drunk driver... And others say it was an assignation attempt." You missed the look Tangerine sent you, looking you up and down, relating to the 'most important thing' comment. "But since then, he's not left the compound," you finished.

"An unnamed locomotive might say there's a lesson to be learned," Lemon quipped, irritating Tangerine.

"And you know what? He didn't hire three - or two," Tan amended, nodding at you, "random operators, Lemon. No, he asked for the best. He asked for the two responsible for the Bolivia job. He asked for pros, who wouldn't fuck up... Three words, Lemon, and now, you, too, sweetheart," he sneered at you. "We - are - "

"Fucked," Lemon finished.

"Oi, listen here, you two Debbie Downers, Christ, all right? Every situation can be remedied," you assured. "Yeah, this is - this isn't ideal, but between us three, we can figure something out. Yeah? Talkin' about you two bein' the best," you squeezed Tan's hand, "surely we can figure something out. C'mon, when do we give up?"

Lemon cocked his head, asking, "All right. Yeah, sure, but what's your codename? Can't go 'round callin' you your government. Would blow our covers."

"Olive," you smiled brightly, Tangerine scoffing. "Fuck off," you snapped instantly.

"Right, well, Olive's right," Lemon deflected, not giving Tan time to retort. He reached out to adjust Tan's suit lapel and tie, "We rescued his fucking son. Huh? We find the fucker who took the briefcase, make things right, be like it never happened," he laid out for you two, and when you tired to release his hand, Tangerine held on tighter - not letting you go.

Tangerine took a deep breath in, letting it out as he pulled out his gun with his free hand, flipping it open, checking the full round of bullets present, and snapping it closed before storing it again. He glanced at you before asking Lemon, "Still got that vest on yah?"

"No, vests give you a false sense of security," Lemon answered. "You might, like, get shot in the neck."

"Yeah, it also stops you from getting shot in the chest, but I guess you missed that episode of Thomas, did'yah?" Tan quipped, not letting Lemon time to answer because he looked at you again. "Bein' said, you are gonna stay put, doll face."

"Excuse the fuck outta me?"

"Heard me," he snapped. "You're sitting this one out."

"I don't remember being hired by you," you dropped his hand to cross your arms. "You don't get a say in what I do - this isn't like back in the group home where you two bossed me 'around, playin' big brother."

"It's exactly like that, 'cause we've been doin' this a helluva lot longer - "

"And I was still hired to do this job, so, I suggest you shut the fuck up and watch yourself."

"I'm tryna keep you safe!"

"We're not children anymore, Aaron!" You snapped. "You don't get to dictate what I do anymore! Christ, all right? I was hired for this job, just like you two, so you can either get with the program and we work together, or just shut the fuck up - 'cause I'm not sitting a Goddamn thing out!"

"Jesus fuck, could cut the sexual tension between you two with a fucking plastic spoon." Lemon scoffed, rolling his eyes; earning two identical glares for either of you. "Fine, whatever, keep denying whatever this is - but look, you two done?" Lemon sighed, and when you nodded, he nodded back. "Right - nut up or shut up, bruv."

You went to follow Lemon out, but Tan snagged your arm before you got a step too far. He kept you at his side, laying your arm in the crook of his, and in-sync, he and Lemon fluffed their outerwear as you three stalked up the train aisle. You licked the pad of your thumb and wiped a bit of grime from the corner of Tan's mouth, his smirk directed at you as you approached the Son secured in his seat.

"Well, so, slight change of plans," Tan announced when you reached the seating. Lemon reached out to alert the seemingly sleeping Son, but the movement of his shoulder caused the lad's head to lull towards you three - making each of you recoil instantly.

"Oh!" You three groaned in union, seeing the rivers of blood streaming down the Son's eyes. He was dead as a doornail, some would say.

You stood watch as Tan and Lem leaned in closer to observe the dead body, Lemon commenting, "First his wife, now his son? That's a lot of white deaths."

Tangerine took a deep breath in, you reaching out to squeeze his elbow. "Sit down," you hissed quietly, "before you draw attention to us standing around a fucking corpse!"

"You're on watch!" Tan shot back.

"Can't do shit if you two are just staring at him! Fuck's sake, sit! You're so suspicious, aren'y you meant to be an agent?"

You pushed Lemon into the seat next to the Son and then Tan into the seating beside the window so you could claim the outside seat beside him. "We gotta disguise the body," Tan whispered, whipping out his handkerchief. You watched him dab the material to his tongue, reaching across to start cleaning the blood while Lemon looked around for anything to help.

"Hang on, hang on," he rushed, Tan pausing when a souvenir cart was approaching and pushing the lad's head towards the window. "Could we get a pair of them glasses, please?" He asked the kind attendant. "They look real fun."

The pretty lady nodded and handed over the oversized toy glasses, Lemon forking over a simple note and insisting the change be kept. You thanked the attendant in her native language as she passed, and after doing a look up and down again, nodded, "All right, go."

"Any fuckin' idea what happened?" Lemon muttered.

"No," Tan snapped.

"Looks like The Hornet's work," you whispered. "Yeah, see, her specialty are poisons and venom, most notably, that of the Boomslang snake." You smirked, "Anyone see the news recently? A Boomslang went missing earlier..."

Tan pulled the lad's head back and continued cleaning the blood off, needing to raise outta his seat to finish the job. Lemon offered, "Here, mate, try these. They're them Momonga glasses."

"The fuck is a Momonga?" Tan sneered through a small panicked pant, taking the toy and settling them on the Son's face.

"Japanese anime kid's show," you offered softly.

"Comes on after Thomas every Thursday," Lemon rushed, gasping, "oh, shi - " when the Son's head dropped. Tan and Lem fixed him to look as if he was only sleeping by leaning his head on the window.

"Thought you two were masters of disguise?" You teased.

"Shut it, darling, please," Tan snipped with a sigh. "All right, we need to split up - there's a lot of train to cover."

"What're we doing?" You asked, standing when Tan gestured you out of the way.

"Gonna find whoever has the case - probably the same nut job who killed the kid," he seethed. "The Hornet, you said?" He asked, watching you nod. Standing as a trio in the middle of the train aisle, you three agreed to split up and search for the case, but Tan insisted you come with him, "as back-up."

"You seriously need it?" You chuckled.

"No, but I wanna keep an eye on yah," he rolled his eyes.

"Shouldn't someone stay with the body?" You wondered.

"He's not gonna get any deader."

"Is that even a word?" You asked Lemon, giggling when Tangerine rolled his eyes and snatched your hand to follow after him.

You and Tan had scoured the entire train, but had zero luck. The only direction the two of you had was from a young girl with a crisp bob haircut in first class, who told Tan she saw a man with black frame glasses with their desired case. Your mind flashed back to earlier, remembering the blonde man and how he had a briefcase. It must've been their briefcase.

He must've just lifted it when you boarded and accidentally ran into him. You hated how foolish you felt, but there was no way you could've known that was the case you were after. Still, you felt a pang of disappointment in yourself - some sick desire to impress your brothers with your skill, to prove to them you're capable of being in this line of work. That you weren't that little girl in the orphanage anymore, but a woman grown who was capable of making her own decisions and having greater purpose.

"Hey," you paused Tan in another connection that lead to the next train car, "you go ahead and update Lemon, I'm gonna pop into the loo."

"I'll wait," he nodded, his phone ringing. "Sorry, love, just a minute. 'S fucking business."

You only nodded and slipped into the bathroom, doing your business, washing your hands, and when you emerged, you jumped back slightly in shock when the Momonga mascot was standing right there in the doorway. You peaked to your right, and in the next train car, through the window, spied Tangerine on his phone, the car mostly empty to your left.

"You need in here?" You asked the mascot, but it just stared at you. "I mean, d-do you need help outta that God awful costume?" More silence. "Riiiight, well, this is weird as fuck. Soooo... I'm just gonna... Go..." You mumbled, slipping out of the bathroom, but was instantly blocked from Tan's view. "The fuck? Oi, c'mon, mate, my friend technically gave you the plushie back." More silence. "Look, you creepy motherfucker - "

But you gasped when the plush mascot shoved you backwards, forcing you to stumble into the automatic door leading to the empty train car - yelping when it opened and you fell backwards.

"Fuck! Goddamnit, that hurt," You snapped, rolling to your feet as the human-sized plushie waddled towards you; the back of your head throbbing from impact and the automatic doors closing to trap the pair of you. "What the fuck, mate? What'd I do? The fuck you want?"

When the oversized head was removed, your mouth went dry. "Remember me, bitch?" The Hornet seethed.

"Ah, fuckin' Christ."

The Hornet smirked, "You've seen my face, you know what that means? I gotta take you out. You've evaded me too long."

"Rome wasn't my fault!" You barked instantly, watching her begin to maneuver out of her costume.

"You got my partner killed, bitch!"

"It was an accident!"

"Bullshit, bitch!" She raged, shedding her mascot costume to reveal a train attendant's uniform - wondering how long she'd been waiting for this opportunity if she was prepared to this level. "You had a hit list, we were on it - "

"Oh, fuck off, as if you've never been given orders!"

Her neck cracked as she tossed the costume to an empty seat. "Time to get my revenge," she grit, "bitch."

"Learn some new insults, my God, you're so fuckin' boring. Throw in some 'cunts' or even call me a 'arsehole', just lay off the 'bitches'," your eyes rolled, dodging the Hornet's first flying fist and nearly stumbling off your feet. You exchanged blows, dancing around one another, grunting, growling, heaving for breath, trying to incapacitate the other. On a particularly hard push, the Hornet managed to dislodge your gun and send it under a set of seats.

"Not so tough now, are yah, bitch?" She laughed sarcastically.

You wiped a small dribble of blood from your lip, panting to heave your shoulders up and down. "All right, you asked for this. Bring it on - bitch!" You laughed right back, the Hornet lunging forward. However, you missed the way she pulled out a prefilled syringe and tried to stab you with it; luckily evading the injection.

"Know what's in here?" She taunted. "Boomslang venom! Yeah, that's right. Highly potent, hits your system in 30 seconds, making you bleed from every orifice - "

"I know, you stupid fucking wanker! I watch the bloody news! I went to college! I'm educated enough to know!"

The doors opened again, revealing Tangerine. "Fuckin' hell!" He snapped, "You all right, Olive!? Hey?"

"Stay back, Tan, this bitch is mine!"

The Hornet wailed as she launched at you again. You were battered and beaten, the other woman lobbing you into furniture, tables, and train walls - causing small cuts to form on your unblemished skin. Yet still, you barked at Tangerine to stay back, that you had this.

You and the Hornet ended up on the floor, trying to one up each other. However, luck was not on your side because the Hornet had you pinned and she simply dropped the syringe into the flesh of your hand. You didn't need to think too deeply, you just rolled over, snatched up the syringe, and stabbed her, too - exposing her to the venom by pushing the syringe's plunger. You both stared at one another with wide eyes, panting.

"30 seconds before the venom does its thing," you taunted, knowing that any good assassin kept the antidote on their person - just in case. Her eyes narrowed and tongue swept over her front teeth, weighing her options; eyes locked in a stalemate, daring the other to make the first move. Do nothing, you both die... Reveal the antidote, only one will die.

She reached into her breast pocket and pulled out a new syringe, you lunging for it with impressive lithe to stab into your neck and push the plunger. She seethed, "You bitch."

You stumbled back a step, colliding with Tan's chest as neither of you could look away as the Hornet's eyes went red with blood filling every cavern and crevice. "Oh, shit, that doesn't look good," you winced in fake sympathy. "You've got another syringe, right? A back-up?"

She warbled and wheezed, "What do you think, bitch?"

"What's with the whole bitch thing?" Tan asked in your ear. "She know any other words?"

You only shrugged as blood poured from the Hornet's eyes, filling her lungs to drown her from the inside. "No second antidote? Ah, that's just poor planning on your end, love," you taunted when the Hornet dropped to the ground, choking, blood leaking from her mouth. "I mean, you only carry one antidote? I thought you were supposed to be a professional? With your choice of weapon being venom, I mean," you laughed a little, "seems pretty stupid."

The Hornet continued to choke, trying to crawl up the aisle, but only getting a few feet before the effects of the venom took hold fully. She flopped onto her back, the blood congealing in a thick and tacky substance; staining the stolen uniform and floors of the train.

"What the fuck was that?" Tan snapped, turning you to face him. "Are you hurt!?" He worried, checking you over for visible sign of injury; finding two puncture wounds - one in your neck and one in your hand. You were decorated in soon-to-form bruises, but no bones were broken and you seemed relatively okay besides the small cuts.

"Tan," you soothed, placing your hand over his on your cheek. "I'm all right, I'm fine. She just caught me a little off guard."

"What the hell was that, huh? You got some kinda death wish, is it?"

"It's all part of the job!"

"Like hell, it is! This is why I didn't want you involved - "

"'Cause I could get hurt? Fuck's sake - "

"Yes, all right!" He exploded. "Yes, because you could get hurt! I couldn't forgive myself if something happened to you, and look at yah now! I was on the fuckin' phone and you were fighting this... Wait, who the fuck is that?" Tan pointed at the dead body.

"Mh. The Hornet," you answered with a shrug. "She's been after me since Rome 'bout two years ago. I might be one of the very few who knows what she actually looks like - so, no wonder she wanted me dead. Plus... I might've allegedly, possibly, kinda-sorta got her partner killed. Turns out, he was also her lover and she's been after me since."

His head shook, "So now you have international enemies?"

"I mean, I guess it means I'm good at what I do - else they wouldn't bother to come after me."

"You shouldn't say that with pride! That's not how this works!"

"Tell me how you think it should work, then!"

Tangerine glared, "You shouldn't be involved. You worked too hard to become a teacher, to have a real career, and you threw it all away, for what? For this life?"

"What do you care, Aaron!? Honestly!? 'S been years, you just disappeared from my life! I don't think you have the right to boss me around anymore! We're not fuckin' kids anymore!"

He huffed a sharp exhale, "You seriously don't know? Really that fuckin' oblivious?"

"I can't read minds! Why don't you use your words like a big boy?"

Aaron, one of your longest standing friends and practically your family without blood, just nodded sadly. "I thought it would've been obvious by now," he sighed.

"What're you - "

"I love you," Tan interrupted. "Yeah? I fucking love you."

"Yeah, I know, and I love you, too, Aaron, but that doesn't - "

"No," he interrupted in a snap, face falling, "no, I meant that I'm in love with you. Jesus Christ," his hand wiped down his face, "been in love with you for years now. Maybe it started when you punched Tommy Jenkins in the nose when we were 16, maybe it started when we aged outta the orphanage and got our first apartment together. I don't know when I fell in love with you, but I know I am."

You paused, "A-Are you serious?"

"Deadly. But luckily you've already had a dose of antidote, eh?"

The chuckle you emitted was involuntary. But then, your irritation bubbled, asking, "Why hold it in all this time? And if you were in love with me, why not call? Why abandon me in the first place? I went four years - four, Tan! - without you and Lem, the two people I treasured the most, felt safe with, found a family in. Not a single one of my letters were returned; you deprived me of any phone call, not even a single text! You just disappeared from my life."

He bowed his head, "I had to leave, sweetheart. I couldn't keep yah around."

"Why? Tell me why right now, or we'll go another four years - "

"This job is dangerous, love, bit too dangerous in honesty. You know that, but to have emotional attachments only leads to error and a lot of hurt. I was trying to play it safe, thinking I was protecting you, because if any of our enemies knew how precious you are to me, they'd use you against me - they'd hurt you and I couldn't risk that."

"You can't protect me from everything," you whispered. "Aaron, you and Brian are my family, you always have been. Your whole life, you've protected me from the brutality of life, but you can't protect me from reality any longer. I'm sorry if me working upsets you, but I know what I'm doing, Aaron. I'm not fragile, I won't shatter."

"I know," he sighed, shaking his head. "I know it's irrational, love, but I can't go another day without you. I know it's been four years too long, I thought of you everyday, and never have I had such regret. Walking away from you, doll, it hurt worse than getting shot."

You sighed and avoided his eyes, admitting, "I like to think that in some twisted way, I entered this life in the hope that I'd run into you. Felt like the only way we could see each other since this line of work is so bloody unorthodox."

Tangerine sniffled, "I always wanted to come back, find yah again, but I couldn't risk it. I can't risk you. And listen, if you don't feel the same, that's all right, love, I know I just sprang this one you, but I just needed you to know - "

"Aaron, you need to stop shutting yourself down when you feel vulnerable," you sighed patiently, waiting for him to nod his head silently to indicate for you to continue. "Take a breath and listen to me." Another nod and you revealed, "I've been in love with you, too, since we were teens. I didn't want to disrupt what we have, so I stayed quiet. You and Brian - you're the only ones I care about, the only ones I want in my crazy, chaotic, unpredictable life. Too much time as already passed, we've missed so much, I don't want to miss another minute."

He crowded closer to you, both hands lifting to hold your cheeks and stare into your eyes. "Been waiting ages t'hear that," he whispered.

You smiled softly, "I love you, Aaron. Absolutely, maddeningly, unequivocally in love with you."

He chuckled and returned the sentiment, foreheads brought together before his breath fanned across your lips. He paused to give you time to reject him, but you boldly pushed yourself to meet his lips in a long-awaited kiss that set your heart and soul on fire. Mouths moved in sync, cheeky tongues mingled, teeth gently clanked together as you kissed passionately and without restraint. His hands dropped to hold your waist, your own curling around his neck to gently thread your fingers into the hair at the nape of his neck; his curls feeling soft, moisturized, and bouncy.

You were rudely interrupted by your phone, Tan pulling back with a small smirk, "Gonna get that? Might be important."

"Promise 's just Constance," you grumbled, fishing for your phone and stepping away from Tan's embrace. "Hey, love," you greeted.

"Ah! Thank God! You're not shot yet!"

"No, not shot, just stabbed, earned a few bruises but I'm good," you snorted, looking under the seats to locate you gun. "What's up, why're you calling again, I told you I'd call you when I'm good."

"We have new intelligence."

"Lay it on me," you sent Tangerine a look; his face stoic, indicating he was listening intently.

"Your next stop is the last stop that the White Death's men aren't stationed at. If you wanna make a clean getaway, you gotta get off at the next stop. It's your last chance."

You winced, "Uh... About that, so, funny thing..."

"What did you do?"

"You always think the worst of me, I don't always do shit."

"Did you?"

You paused and glanced at the squashed Hornet, shrugging, "Not really, it's just not the cleanest job I've done."

"What happened?"

"You always assume the worst in me."

"You only prove me right."

You chuckled, "Yeah, all right, fair enough. Listen," you sniffled, turning to face Tan, "we don't have the case or the Son..."

"You better fucking find them. After this stop, all others are gonna be too hard to get off at. The White Death has men in position."

"Well... Funny thing, right," you winced, rubbing the back of your neck, "uh, so, it wasn't our fault, but the Son is dead. The Hornet got to him, used Boomslang venom, I got her after so you can register her as deceased."

"Oh, fucking Christ! You fuckin' serious? Please tell me this is just a bad joke."

"Why would I lie?"

You heard Constance take a deep long breath, knowing she was counting to ten in her head to keep her composure. "Okay, Olive, sweetheart," she spoke slowly, "tell me you know where the case is. Please. I need to hear the words."

"Pretty sure Maria's guy lifted it, but no confirmation yet."

"Oh, Jesus fucking Christ! Go fucking find him, get that case, and if you don't make the next stop, call me - there's always a backup plan."

"Let's just do Plan B, it'd save a helluva lotta time."

"Olive," Constance growled, "get the Twins, get the fucking case, and get off the fucking train before you all get fucking shot."

You nodded, "Yeah, all right, love, we're on it."

After hanging up, Tan mused, "So, how's Constance?"

"Uh, yeah, no, she's stressed," you cleared your throat. "Wait, how do you know her?"

"Our handler's collaborated with her before."

"Mhm... Okay, just listen, Aaron, I told you the White Death didn't hire me."

"Right."

"Meaning I need that case and I need you and Lem to get off this train with me. We're gonna get to a safe house - "

"No, no, love, we've our own agenda."

"The Son is dead, the case is missing, your job is literally fucked," you reminded sharply. "However, I can still make it worthwhile if we find the case and get off this train. C'mon, love," you pleaded, "you have to trust me. Please, just - don't go through with the last of this job, it's not gonna end well for anyone. But my way means we all get a chance at safety and keeping our lives."

His head shook, "We won't make it in time."

"We can try."

"We need to find Glasses first - and fucking Lemon."

You agreed.

"Looks like your luck's turned around, Joburg," Lemon sneered, the four of you coming to an agreement to take the case, leave the Son's body for the White Death to find, and get to your safe house.

"If it was up to me, we would've left him," Tangerine growled. "Seriously, love, why the fuck did we save him, too?"

"It was the right thing to do, we were all being set up," you explained, surveying the train station. "All right, c'mon, this way."

"So," Ladybug was heard, "you guys are, like, siblings?"

"Who? Us and Olive?" Lemon snickered, watching the blonde man nod. "Sure, mate, something like that."

"Seem real close, the way she risked her life for you two..."

"Well, they say the blood of the covenant is thicker than water of the womb. 'Course we're gonna look after one another."

The three men followed you, Tangerine keeping a tight hold of the silver briefcase with a train sticker on the handle. When you made it outside the station without incident or interruption, there was a sleek Range Rover waiting at the curb - an old acquaintance of yours leaning on the grill.

"Olive!" The other agent greeted with a grin.

"Gouda," you returned with enthusiasm, hugging the man. "So nice to see you, thanks for doing this."

"Constance calls, I answer," he nodded, eyeing the three other agents behind you. "Huh... See you made some friends, did yah?"

"Something like that," you mused.

"How's it goin', Gouda?" Lemon asked, making your brows pinch.

"You know each other?" Your eyes shifted between the group.

"Unfortunately," Tangerine nodded with a sigh. "Mate..."

"Yeah, fuck you, too, Tangerine," Gouda sneered. "You know, Olive, your friend fuckin' shot me."

"Did you deserve it?"

Gouda paused, "Doesn't matter. All right, whatever, let's get goin', I'm supposed to get you to the safe house."

Everyone piled into the car, you in the passenger seat to give Gouda a rundown on the train's events. Why you needed the safe house. Why you got off before Kyoto, like was agreed upon. He agreed it was all a mess, telling you the team was still gathering information on the White Death's plan - something in motion that would've ended all your lives. Upon arriving at the safe house, you thanked Gouda, him telling you Constance would arrive in a few days to ensure you lot were smuggled out of the country - not trusting other methods as the White Death had associates planted everywhere.

The house was stalked fully with fresh food in the kitchen, a wall of racked weapons, money in a safe, and reinforced panic rooms in the event of an attack.

"Nice, very nice," Ladybug complimented, looking around the place. "Better than what we've got..."

"Pick your rooms, we'll be here a couple days. My handler's gonna work on getting us outta here without the White Death knowing. Maria negotiated terms for you, Mr. Bug, so you're staying with us."

Everyone spread out, finding the bedrooms fully equipped with new clothes and other necessities, like toiletries. Everyone was able to get long, hot showers, and eventually, when you exited the bathroom in a robe with a towel used to dry your hair, you found Lemon sitting on the living room couch - listening intently to the news report.

"Might wanna see this, love," Brian frowned, making room on the couch for you to sit.

"What's up?"

He nodded at the screen, you watching as a Japanese news station reported on a runaway bullet train that obliterated a local town. Your eyes widened, mindlessly translating the segment; Tangerine eventually joining you two. "What're you two watchin'?" He asked softly, standing behind the couch with his hands on your shoulders. From the opposite door that housed a few other bedrooms, Ladybug entered; the news catching his attention, too.

There was a tension in the air that couldn't be described.

"The White Death sent a fucking bullet train off the rails. All those innocent people..." You whispered, camera crews capturing the devastation and destruction caused. You realized, "He set us all up, he was gonna kill us all."

"Thank God for Constance. What the hell did we do to him, though?" Lemon wondered. "I mean, have any of us actually done a job for or against the White Death before?"

"No clue," Ladybug answered nervously, "but whatever we did, really pissed him off if that's his retaliation. What was the motive, though? Why put us all on the same mission? Same train?"

"Sounds like a vendetta," you answered, the room going silent as everyone contemplated your words. "C'mon, lads, 's been a day. Should get some shut eye."

"Yeah, yeah," Lemon sighed, "good idea. You'll let us know when Constance makes contact?"

You nodded in agreement, bidding them all a goodnight before heading for your designated room. It wasn't more than ten minutes later, you sat on the bathroom floor with an array of medical supplies spread around you in an effort to clean your wounds, when a knock sounded at your door. "Come in," you permitted, tending to a decent sized gash in your hairline.

"You all right?" Tangerine asked softly, leaning in the doorframe of your bathroom. He was dressed down in a pair of joggers and a black wife beater.

"Peachy keen, love."

"You know, this image, right here," he gestured to you, the blood drops on the pristine floor, and all the supplies you required, "is why I didn't want you involved."

You nodded slowly, "Yeah, but it's just the name of the game, you know?"

"Need help?"

"No, I'm about done," you sighed, tightening the gauze around your thigh, "but you can help me up, though."

He smirked and offered his hand, helping hoist you to your feet and sigh as he looked you over. You breezed past him, patting his chest under a blood-stained button up; entering your bedroom and dropping onto the bed to rub your tired feet. You watched Tan follow you, a question on the tip of his tongue that couldn't quite take form.

But Tangerine was a man of action, so he abandoned his words and knelt in front of you; caressing your jaw and cheek to sweep his thumb over the apple of your cheek. You were ready to question his unusually soft demeanor when he leaned in and pressed a sultry kiss to your lips - sucking the breath from your lungs.

You hummed in contentment when he pulled back with a small smirk, whispering, "Been wanting t'do that for ages."

"Took you long enough," you breathed, surging forward to wrap your arms securely around his neck and meet in a messy, passionate kiss that made both your heads spin.

Slowly, you felt Tan rise from his position and moved back on the bed to give him room to crawl over you; kiss never ceasing, only a tangled mess of lips, tongue, and teeth. You moaned with greed when his tongue swept against the seam of your lips, being granted access, letting your mouth mingle and dance together in unbridled passion you weren't even aware Aaron could harness.

"Fuck," you whimpered when he detached from your mouth and started down your neck; licking, scraping his teeth, creating a legion of markings as he went. After years of loving him at a distance, this entire ordeal felt surreal; as if in a dream or alternate universe. His hands squeezed your waist before drifting downward, caressing your hips, hoisting your uninjured leg up his hips before grinding his swelling cock into your pantie-covered cunt.

Your hands daintily fumbled with the material of his shirt, quickly shucking the material from his sculpted torso. You knew he was fit, but seeing him bare like this was something else entirely - mouth salivating, but being unable to truly appreciate him in his glory. You were both littered in bruises and cuts, evidence from fighting the entire night; careful with the injuries, happy with the soft, gentle way you caressed one another.

His hands moved to the tie of your robe, pulling the knot to release; able to slowly push the material aside and look down at your exposed flesh. No bra, no shirt, only a pair of panties under that robe. He licked his lips, meeting your eyes again. "C'mere," he whispered, sitting back, "waited too long, fuckin' hell."

You smirked and sat up, the both of you locking eyes and stripping from your cloth barriers as fast as you could. Reaching for him again, you crashed back into the mound of soft pillows, keeping him close; legs spread to accommodate his slender hips, holding his neck and shoulders to keep him where you wanted.

Tangerine grunted when you reached for his cock, stroking him slowly to full mast. Your lips were sticky, wet tongues wagging against one another to create webs of saliva when he pulled back. Gently knocking your hand away, Tangerine shimmied down your body, lips pressing quick pecks anywhere he could reach; pausing at your nipples and biting harshly.

You yelped with pleasure, back arching, Tangerine smirking at the reaction - mouth covering one breast as his hand pawed at the other to let his fingers pinch and tweak your nipple. His tongue flattened against your sternum, looking up to meet your eyes as he continued down your battered body until his face was nestled between your thighs. "Oh, Jesus fuck!" You moaned when he took his first taste.

He hummed, "Exactly my thoughts. Fuckin' hell, tastes bloody delightful - fuck me." He grunted and dove back in, latching his lips around your clit and using the fingers of his dominant hand to plunge knuckle-deep in your sloppy warmth. "That's a good girl," he praised, using two fingers to pump in and out, in and out, in and out - your body twitching as pleasure mounted to make you unable to lay still. "Mhm, look so fuckin' pretty like this - spread out, all f'me. Can't get tired of this sight," he moaned, lapping at your wetness.

"Aaron," you begged, gripping the curls at the crown of his head, grinding your hips up to his mouth. "Oh, God, yes, yes," you encouraged, breathing turning sharp and shrill. For a moment, you completely forgot where you were and why you were in a safe house; reality melting away when fully enraptured in Tangerine. "There, right there, holy shit," you whimpered when he prodded that one special place of your inner walls.

"Gotcha, love, I gotcha," he mumbled, sucking and flicking his tongue against your pearl as he focused fully on that spongey spot; causing a wave of slick to generate on his tongue. He grunted, bicep flexing as he pumped his digits faster and faster; his other hand laid across your lower belly to hold you in place.

"Shit!" You met a long-awaited crescendo, a little embarrassed by how quick you met your end - having been a few months since you were intimate with anyone.

But my God, none of them compared to Aaron. His body was slick with a light sheen of sweat, his mustache scraping your sensitive bud with his fingers still working against you. You tried to wriggle away, but Tan held you in place, his other hand now holding one of your thighs wide for his benefit. You forgot there were other occupants in the house, moaning and whimpering the longer Aaron lapped at your essence and messily fingered you.

You could've cried from the pleasure, pulling on his curls as a second orgasm washed over you. You, too, were now sweating, stomach knotted and legs beginning to shake slightly; thighs closing around his ears as your muscles contracted.

Tangerine chuckled when he pulled back, taking one more nip at your swollen and sensitive clit; sighing in satisfaction as he looked up at you, evidence of your pleasure smeared around his mouth, chin, and mustache. Cheekily, he wiped around his mouth, sucking his fingers clean while you tried to catch your breath.

"Jesus Christ," you chuckled.

"Yeah?"

"Oh, yeah," you grinned, tugging on his curls again to indicate you wanted him back up with you. He didn't waste time to crawl over you, and when in place, you reached for his warm cock to place at your entrance.

"Oi, hang on, gotta rubber - "

"I'm on birth control, we're okay," you rushed. "Unless you're dirty?"

"Nah, love, I don't fuck nobody raw," he smirked, "but there's a first time for everything, huh?" Aaron laughed almost cruelly when he pushed his hips forward and notched his cock's head inside you, pausing a single moment to watch your reaction as he sunk deeper to stretch you out.

Maybe you had been depriving yourself all these years, Tan's cock being a size, length, and girth you've not handled before. Nobody compared, your cunt weeping with joy at finally having a challenge worthwhile; his balls swinging before being trapped between your bodies. He made a noise, a mix of a moan and whimper, readjusting his hold on you so he held one thigh and the other was supporting his weight by your head.

Your hand laid on his waist, the other around his neck; eyes locked in a passionate connection when he began moving. Your mouth opened in shock, huffing for air, unable to look away - blue eyes pinning you in place. His mouth descending onto yours, rolling his hips to create friction; cock head prodding your gummy walls as the muscles in his back and shoulders flexed with each movement. You lifted a hand to hold his cheek, tongues swirling around one another, Aaron increasing his pace a fraction.

Your nails dug into his flesh, leaving trails of raised, red scratches in their wake - yet it was as if he didn't even notice. "Know I love you, yeah?" Aaron whispered, veins in his neck protruding; heart hammering.

"Yeah," you nodded, wanting him impossibly closer, "yeah, Aaron, I love you, too, holy shit."

Maybe emotional intimacy turned you on more than you ever realized. He clenched his teeth, both hands pressed onto the mattress to support himself as he started to thrust faster. "Not gonna last, love, not with the way you're squeezin' me," he warned, a few stray curls falling over his forehead, his golden medallion swinging and knocking gently against your chin. "Jesus, fuck, you feel so fucking good," he rambled, "like you were fuckin' made for me - Goddamnit."

"We're idiots for waiting so long," you moaned.

"Won't ever be that stupid again," he laughed gently, looking down between you to watch himself disappear and reappear in and out of you; coated in your slick, veins of his cock now throbbing as he felt the familiar coil begin to tighten.

His thumb pressed to your clit and rubbed, your moans getting louder and longer; own hands groping your breasts and tweaking your nipples to add to the sensations Tangerine provided. "Baby," you whined, "'M close - "

"Get there, love, c'mon," he begged, "can't hold back - wanted this f'so long, fuck!" One hand slapped his away to let you control your clit, Tangerine grinning, "Naughty girl. Shit, that's a sight, innit?"

"Don't stop!"

Aaron growled, pinching his brows in concentration as he snapped his hips, the sounds of his balls slapping against you clapping around the room; mingling with your moans, groans, whimpers, and the thick smell of sex that hung in the air. "Feels so fuckin' good," he mumbled, straining himself to resist. "Tight and warm, Jesus fuck, my love, you're perfect - so fucking perfect - Goddamnit."

"There, there, there," you chanted, rubbing your clit vigorously while Aaron dissolved his restrain to hammer into your core with sloppy movements. "Yes, oh, fuck, yes, yes, yes! Please, Aaron, yes, right there, baby, please - don't stop!"

"Fuckin' cum for me, c'mon, love, let it go," he growled, teeth scraping over your collarbone before latching in a gentle bite on your shoulder. "That's it, there it is," Aaron moaned, feeling the restrictive flutter of your cunt, "good girl, good fuckin' girl, that's it."

Your mind went blank, unable to process anything other than Aaron's cock still hammering into you at a brutal pace; the entire bed creaking and rattling against the wall. You whimpered, lips parting when he didn't stop, encouraging, "Need you t'cum, baby, please. Wanna feel you in me - want your cum, fucking need it. C'mon, Aaron, c'mon, love, finish in me - fucking fill me, please, I need it."

"Yeah? Need it?" He grunted, cheeks flushing.

"So bad, need your cum so bad!"

He grit his teeth, humping all the faster before the warmth of your cavern became too much. "Shit!" Tangerine shouted, taking two more rolling thrusts before fully sheathing himself in you as rope of sticky, thick cum painted your inner walls. "Oh, holy hell," he panted, keeping himself still but his arms trembling to support himself as he pulled back only slightly. "All right?" He checked, glancing to where you two were conjoined. "You good?"

"Perfect," you nodded, petting up and down his sides as if entranced and in disbelief this happened. He felt so soft all of a sudden, a stark contrast to his stoic and aggressive personality. "You all right?"

He grunted and retracted his hips, cock springing free to let him crash on the bed beside you; both your lungs working in tandem to attempt to even out. "Absolutely, so fuckin' good," he told you, both staring at the ceiling for a moment before his head turned to look at you. He grinned slyly, chuckling, "That really happened?"

"Think so."

"Fan-fuckin'-tastic," he mused. "Stay put a second, love," he whispered, standing from the bed to venture into the bathroom. After a moment, he returned with a warm and damp washcloth, helping you clean up the cum leaking from your cunt; wiping away the messiness. He cleaned himself as well, you crawling under the covers of the bed - not bothering to redress.

When Tan joined you again, he snuggled into the sheets and opened his arm to welcome you into his side. It was weird, you usually hated sleeping with anyone, finding it too hot and restrictive, but laying there with Tangerine, you felt incredibly at peace.

"You know Constance isn't gonna be here for a couple days," you mentioned casually.

"Uh-huh."

"Think I just found our past time."

"Oh, darlin'," Tangerine chuckled, "we're not leavin' this bed."

"We'll have to eat."

"Least that Ladybug twat can do is bring us our food, eh?"

But you paused to consider something, laid on his chest and idly tracing the scars on his beefy chest. "Hey, Aaron?" You whispered.

"Hmm? What is it, love?"

"What's gonna happen when we leave here?"

"What do you mean?"

"I mean, here, in Japan, we're together... But when we go home t'London, back to reality, what's gonna happen?"

"What? You mean, with us?"

"Yeah."

He snickered, "Why would anything change, love? I'm not just in love with you, here, in Japan, but everywhere - wholeheartedly. So, when we go back, we make this work. No matter what it takes."

"Really?"

Aaron grinned, "'Course, love. Went four long years without even seein' yah, I have no plans t'let you go again - not so soon, not ever." He stretched and tucked his free arm behind his head, "You're stuck with me, doll. That all right with you?"

You grinned up at him, "Perfect by me."

His lips found yours again, starting a very noisy night that made both Lemon and Ladybug clamp pillows over their ears.

requesting rules and masterlist

Bullet Train masterlist

[greenerteacups]

I wonder often why Deathly Hallows as a book is so fascinated with wandcraft and wandlore, especially after the series has spent six volumes being more or less disinterested in it (with the exception of the Twin Cores plot in Book 4). A weirdly high % of the plot depends on who owns whose wand and why: the wand mixup with the Snatchers, Harry's wand being broken, Draco's wand, Bellatrix's wand, and of course, the final rigmarole over who's the "rightful master" of the Elder Wand, which ends up being a weird combination of killing/disarming/fist-fight to disarm someone who... wasn't even wielding the Elder Wand at the time he was disarmed, which begs the question of what it counts to "disarm" someone of a weapon they're not technically wielding? Also, are we to assume that Dumbledore was not disarmed once in the N years since his fight with Grindlewald? Or — here's a harder one — that Draco wasn't disarmed once between Dumbledore's death and his fight with Harry? That's plausible, but it's kind of weird that I need to believe it for the rest of the plot to make sense.

And like, I can think of a few Doylist reasons for this to be the case. The first is that JKR wants Voldemort to kill Snape in the boathouse, which allows Harry to get Snape's memories and retroactively justify why Snape's acted this way since PoA (and explain where the sword comes from in the lake in DH, too). I can think of better, more character-driven reasons for him to kill Snape (just... blow Snape's cover? reveal him as a double agent? have him try to kill Nagini? idk), but let's suppose, for subtextual reasons, she wants Voldemort to think Snape was loyal to the end. Having him die by Nagini's hand muddies the already-opaque water of what constitutes "disarming," because Nagini is a living creature. What if I drop someone into a pool of piranhas? Do I get their wand? Yeah, Voldemort commands her, but then — okay, what if I Imperius someone and make them disarm someone else? I get that it's not like DH has time for Harry to sit down with Ollivander and go through all of the tiny procedural rules for wand usage, but also, are these not relevant questions? Is this not the central mechanic of the final battle, this one piece of magic? Am I not supposed to wonder how it works?

The other reason I can imagine is that Harry wins a duel against Voldemort 1v1, which is not terribly believable unless there's some kind of magical advantage working in his favor. We know the Elder Wand's failure to execute the Cruciatus means Harry can't be harmed by spells the Elder casts, because it's his "true master." This is a really weird quirk in wandlore — why does it work this way? Is it the only wand that works this way? By that logic, shouldn't everyone Harry disarms be incapable of casting spells on him? — that emerges in Book 7, apparently for the purpose of giving Harry a buff in the final duel. Functionally, that's weird, because on a technical level it works the same way as Lily's protection — it's a reason that Voldemort can't hurt him. So why get rid of Lily's protection at all? It's not like he duels Voldemort between Book 4 and Book 7. The graveyard scene artificially hikes the stakes for Harry by making him physically vulnerable, pretty much only so he can die at the end of DH... except again, not for real, because Voldemort only ends up killing the piece of Harry that's a horcrux, so it doesn't even count!

And then Harry replaces the wand in Dumbledore's tomb. Which would be a nice moment if the lore hadn't established that anyone who disarms Harry, ever, will become the master of the Elder Wand by default. Harry knows this. He also knows that this knowledge is out there in the world; sure, Grindlewald's dead now, but do we think that Grindlewald never told anyone else about the Elder Wand? And he learned about it from somewhere, didn't he? So Harry might naturally assume that someone else would eventually come looking, in which case Dumbledore's tomb is far from the safest place to put this equivalent of a wizarding nuke. (Not that it seems to be all that powerful anyway; the coolest thing it does is fix Harry's other wand, and we're left wondering why the Elder Wand is considered "unbeatable" when people who own it seem to be getting disarmed all over the fucking place.)

Also, in retrospect, this makes it incredibly odd that Dumbledore allows Draco to disarm him, because he's giving the Wizarding Nuke to a 16-year-old servant of Lord Voldemort. Suppose that he's trying to prevent Snape from getting the wand, because he doesn't want Snape to be a target: okay, fine, but does he know Draco's going to give Snape credit for the kill? What if Draco lies? What if LV just... accepts the fact that the wand recognizes Expelliarmus as a point of transfer, and either disarms or kills Draco? And in any case, no matter what the answers to these questions are, why didn't he just ask Harry to disarm him before he went to the lake?

I'm usually not one to be an asshole about plot holes — mostly because, taken by themselves, I don't find them that interesting — but they become interesting to me when I see several of them in the same vein, because they tell me that the author's trying to do something. And they want to do it so badly they're willing to strain other parts of the story to make it happen.

[targaryenmarvel]

Fallin' All In You - Wanda Maximoff x Reader

Summary: An eventful evening in the park changes your life for the better after meeting the Maximoff twins.

Warnings: None

Word count: 1,262

Hey guys! I've been too busy with work to finish the next part, but I didn't want to leave you without anything. Hopefully, now that things have slowed down, I can finish writing and post soon. Anyways, enjoy!

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The breeze blew past your face, tousling your hair as you purposefully moved back and forth on the swings. Besides you, the other kids did the same, swinging ferociously to reach the highest peak, a competition among you all. Though the rest of the kids were older, you were never one to back away from a challenge.

From a bench not too far sat your teenage babysitter, Leah, flirting with a boy while occasionally looking in your direction. You didn't mind; it gave you the liberty to do as you wished.

A grin adorned your face, exhilarated with adrenaline as you went higher, and you felt invincible being on top. From there, you could see a couple of kids racing, others climbing the dome, a mother tending to her crying child, and a lone girl in the sandbox clad in a pink Lilo & Stitch shirt with matching shorts. 

The girl skillfully pressed on the dry sand, molding it into a tower shape, and then added water from a bucket to set the structure. You noticed the top of the tower. She proceeded to make another tower before working on creating a wall. You saw one of the towers become lopsided and internally screamed, waiting for it to topple over, but before it could fall, the girl expertly used her hands to stabilize the structure. 

Suddenly, the swings seemed less fun. The excitement redirected at the prospect of joining the girl in her project. 

A boy on the seesaw thought the same as he slid down with a devilish smirk, suddenly interested in the sandbox. That's when you noticed him, striding with a wicked intent toward the lone girl. You immediately recognized him as John Walker, a red-faced blonde boy who terrorized the other kids. Occasionally, he even stole your toys and went scot-free, his coddling mother dismissively saying, "Oh, they're just kids." 

You were tired of him pushing everyone around; you wouldn't allow it this time. With resolve, you break your steady swing to slow down enough to jump off. When you did, you landed on all fours, and from a distance, you could hear Leah telling you to be careful. You ignored her as you ran to the sandbox, where the boy was already lifting his foot to knock the castle down. You could see the girl staring at him, startled, like she had just seen a ghost. You saw the tears welling in her eyes as his foot made contact with the castle. Red covered your vision as you lifted your hands and pushed his chest with all your force, and he tumbled down.

"Leave her alone." You kicked at the sand, sending it flying atop the boy. "I'm tired of you picking on us. Someone has to teach you a lesson."

You raised your fist, ready to pummel the boy, recalling the karate lessons you'd begged your mother to let you take. Before your fist could connect with his face, a cold hand held your wrist, stopping your attack. "Y/N, what are you doing?" asked Leah.

You smiled at her coyly, "Nothing. We were playing, right?" You excused, using the same line he used when adults caught him. He mirrored his victim's assertions, nodding, dazzled, and dumbfounded by your confrontation. "See, I was just teachin' him a few karate moves. We weren't actually fighting."

Leah looked at you two suspiciously before releasing your hand. "You shouldn't be playing like that. You could get hurt. No more, okay?" 

"Okay, I promise," you said innocently, crossing your fingers behind your back. The teenage girl, eager to return to the boy, left without another word. 

You watched her leave, only addressing the boy when she was out of earshot. "Go," you command, and he scampered away. Only then did you turn to face the round cheek, freckled, brunette girl. She looked at you, her eyes sparkling in awe.

"Are you okay?"

The girl remained quiet, mouth agape and gaze unwavering. You considered calling Leah over, concerned for the girl. Maybe she was in shock; you remember hearing the term in your favorite cartoon. Before you could, another figure stopped before you, bending towards the girl.

"Wanda, what happened? Are you okay?" asked the boy, winded from running.

"Pietro," she whined lowly, embarrassed by the boy. "I'm fine."

You stood there observing the interaction, intrigued by the bickering. When he finally acknowledged your presence, you were met with a blue-eyed boy with similar features to the girl.

The boy looked you up and down, flashing your crooked smile.

"Hi, I'm Pietro," he motioned to the girl, "This is my sister Wanda. You are?"

You glanced between the two, settling on the beaming boy, as the girl shied away from the conversation by busying herself with the sand. Odd girl, you thought.

"Y/N. Nice to meet you." You returned the smile, taking in the charismatic boy. 

The boy-Pietro took your hand, bringing it to his lips, smirking goofily, and said, "Thank you for protecting my sister."

You suppressed the giggle, begging to erupt from your lips at his ridiculousness. Something told you the two of you would get along perfectly. Still, you fixed Pietro with a scowl, retrieving your hand to your side. You couldn't make it easy for him.

"Do you need help?" you asked Wanda, ignoring the boy as you focused on the girl rebuilding her castle. Wanda abruptly stopped, caught off guard by your interest. Most kids usually overlooked her presence the second they met Pietro, the more social twin.

Wanda flushed at the sudden attention, eyes bouncing between you two. Her mind screamed, "Yes," she would love to spend time with you, the girl who had bravely defended her. Her hero, you could say. But alas, she could not voice her thoughts, petrified with shyness.

Pietro's twin intuition flared, sensing his sister's distress at the offer. However, he wrongly assumed the reason for her state to be his sister's antisocial persona and not her newly found admiration for you.

The boy took it upon himself to relieve the forming awkwardness at Wanda's speechlessness. He searched until his eyes landed on a tall tree with a red ball stuck on the branches, and an idea formed.

"Let's leave Wanda to her sand castle. You can come and watch me climb that tree?"

"Huh?" You frowned at the boy, bewildered by the suggestion.

Pietro grinned, pointing to the upper branches. "Yeah, to get that ball. Then, we can play kickball with the other kids."

You craned your neck and glanced upwards, feeling your eyes bulge in surprise at the great height. "That's very high," you mused, and Pietro snorted.

"No, you're just a scaredy cat."

You jerked your head towards him, pride wounded by his implication of your character. You weren't a scaredy cat, and you would prove it. You glanced at Leah, still in her world. Oh, she was so getting fired, you thought. You returned your gaze to Pietro, fixing him with a glare.

"I am not, and I can climb farther than you!" You challenged, sprinting to the tree, and Pietro trailed behind. Wanda watched wary, glancing at their father, who was engaged in an intense phone conversation from afar.

Evidently, it wasn't the brightest idea for two kids to race up a tree without care. While an incredible runner, Pietro lacked agility and tripped on a branch, bringing you down with him. His foot landed at an awkward angle as he tumbled down, and you landed face-first on his elbow. Your mother, of course, fired Leah afterward. 

[nb-octopus-writes]

once you’re in the hive, the other bees assume you’re supposed to be there

[Masterpost]

Chapter 3: A Series of Unintended Events

Wordcount: 1.3K

~~~~

The pancakes are delicious, light and fluffy. Virgil only has two, because he did already have cereal and unlike Remus his stomach is not a bottomless pit into which he can pour an unending stream of nutrients. But they're delicious, and he's glad Calico convinced him to try a bit.

After breakfast, Virgil helps with the dishes because Remus still isn't up yet, and neither is Janus—probably still curled around him like a hot water bottle—and he has nothing better to do.

Princey meanders in after him, and despite having just demolished an entire stack of pancakes and a decent amount of scrambled eggs, starts rooting around in the fridge. He emerges with a plastic-wrapped plate of tiny pumpkin pies and leans against the counter to eat them directly off the platter, clearly pleased that the party having ended means he can have the leftovers.

“So you're the reason the chinese buffet has a twenty plate limit,” Virgil teases after Princey eats several in a row without pausing. Virgil had a few of those tiny pies last night, so he knows they're good, but Princey is absolutely chowing down on them.

“Hey, that was not my fault!” Princey protests. “Besides, a place that calls itself ‘all you can eat’ shouldn't even have a limit.”

“It shouldn’t,” Virgil agrees. “But I've never hit the limit myself, so I thought it was reasonably high. I suppose that a buffet operating in the same town as twin black holes would need to be cautious to protect their profit margins though. How much did you two pack away before they asked you to stop?”

“Wouldn't you like to know, weather boy,” Princey says. “Anyway, it really wasn't us.”

“No?”

Princey sighs. “No, Count Woe-laf,” he says. He is just too much fun to tease. “If my father is to be believed, it was actually him and a couple of his college buddies.”

Virgil laughs. “Oh, so it's definitely genetic, then!”

Princey chuckles, popping the last tiny pie into his mouth and setting the plate on the counter. Virgil takes it and rinses it off so he can put it in the dishwasher with the others. “Yeah. Dad says they absolutely cleared out the seafood section, and most of the mac and cheese, and ate a sizable portion of pretty much everything else. If you get him going, he'll give you a very long and probably quite embellished retelling of the many courses they had. They never got kicked out, but the next time they went, they were told that there was now a limit to just how much they could eat.”

“Ah, alas,” Virgil says. “I bet it was a fabulous feast, though.” He finishes loading the dishwasher and checks under the sink for soap. They have pods, which is very convenient for measuring, or rather for not having to do that. He pops one in and turns the machine on.

“So, if I'm Count Olaf antagonizing you, which Baudelaire does that make you?” he asks. “Not bookish Klaus, surely. Maybe Sunny? I think she could demolish a plate as quickly as you, though her small stomach wouldn't have the same capacity.”

Princey's eyes light up and he leans forward. Instead of answering the banter, he says meaningfully, “I have the full series on dvd.”

“I'm not doing anything right now,” Virgil says. Princey beams.

“Great! I'll make popcorn!”

~

They have a dedicated home theater. The tv is large, the seats are comfortable, and the speakers are crisp and clear without being too loud. Princey made a bucket of popcorn for each of them, and Virgil isn't very hungry right now considering he very recently had breakfast, but he munches idly on it as they watch, and comment, and theorize. Princey is fun to watch tv with, and doesn't mind Virgil talking while they watch.

They're in the middle of an episode when Remus appears in the doorway.

“Hey Emo,” says Remus. “I gotta get home and feed my cat before she figures out how to unlock the front door and hunts me down. I was gonna take you home on the way, but it looks like you're in the middle of something.”

Virgil considers. He looks at the screen, where Lemony Snicket is explaining that if you're allergic to something, it's generally best not to put that thing in your mouth, especially if the thing you are allergic to is a cat. He looks back at Remus. “You swear you'll come back for me?”

“On my favorite dildo and Janus's two cocks,” Remus says with feeling, and Virgil can't help the chuckle that escapes him.

“I'll be okay,” he says. “Go get Diesel Fuel her lunch.”

Remus salutes him and disappears.

They finish the episode and Remus hasn't come back yet, so they go on to the next one. During the theme song though, Nerdbot appears to inform them that they too need to eat lunch.

Virgil thought Princey might protest, given how invested he's been, but he pauses the show and gets up. “C’mon, Tall Dark and Stormy,” he says to Virgil. “If we skip lunch to watch tv all day we get a lecture about why proper nutrition is important.”

“You do,” Nerdbot confirms. “Points of note include the necessity of proteins and vegetables in addition to carbohydrates.”

“Is popcorn a vegetable?” Virgil asks.

Nerdbot raises an eyebrow. “It is a carbohydrate, actually. It is also primarily air.”

It seems that all the other guests have gone home, so it's just the four of them now. The table is back to its smaller size, and Princey has Virgil sit at the corner beside him, so they can keep talking. Nerdbot sits on Virgil’s other side, and Calico sits at the head, across from Princey.

Lunch is baked chicken and a vegetable dish that Virgil doesn't really expect to like, but he takes a polite spoonful anyway because he's sure Nerdbot is capable of a very powerful ‘eat your vegetables’ lecture, and he doesn't feel like hearing it right now.

The vegetables do not taste bad. Virgil’s not sure why he's surprised anymore considering everything he's eaten in this house so far—with the possible exception of the cereal, which doesn't count—but the vegetables are the opposite of bad.

“Why are you such a good cook,” Virgil says to Calico, who brightens. “I need to come eat your food more often.”

“He has a magical tongue,” Princey says, making heart eyes across the table at him.

Calico blushes slightly (not nearly as deeply as he had last night) and clarifies, “I'm very good at tasting, and I have a lot of practice combining flavors. I'm also not afraid of fats and salt, and that helps.”

Virgil has two servings.

Remus still isn't back yet when they finish lunch, and Virgil is starting to get concerned.

Don't forget me, he texts, and goes into the room with the couches to wait.

This couch really is comfortable. And Virgil got barely any sleep last night, between staying up late and waking up so fucking early, and also probably never actually falling into a deep sleep at all since there were other people in the room. And his stomach is full and warm. And the couch is so comfortable. 

He barely has time to notice how heavy his eyelids are becoming.

~

Virgil wakes, briefly. The room is dark. Someone has covered him with a blanket. He finds his phone and checks it. There's a message from Remus, about half an hour after Virgil’s last text.

came to get you but you were very asleep, it says. text me when youre awake and wanna go home

Attached is a selfie, with Virgil in the background passed out on the couch.

Virgil groans. fucker, he texts back, and falls back asleep.

~~~~

Chapter 4: The Second Morning

[falling-star-cygnus]

Alrighty then another Billy angst idea what if someone hacked into Billy's systems and made him fight the other hares and there isn't anything he can really do except wait to be defeated, man I'm just cranking these out and I haven't even played the game

another excellent idea!! i love fics like this

especially if the puppeteered one is like- aware they're being controlled [even if they shouldn't be] and actively fighting against it -> mentally OR physically

so sorry for the delay, school started back up again and i've been stress reorganizing my entire room :)

The lights flicker above Nicole's desk.

...she paid the electric bill. In full- this time. And there was no storm going on. There was no reason for them to be futzing like that. Nictating darkness swallows the room again, and then stops.

"Stop acting expensive," the boss mutters scathingly, as she glowers at the innocuously sitting desk lamp. It, of course, doesn't verbally respond. The lights flicker again.

"You-!"

Her retort is interrupted by a loud thump in the next room and she sets down the papers she had been working on to stand up.

So help her god, if Anby and Nekomata were wrestling again... the boss throws the door open with a slam.

"Knock it off with the rough housing, you two! You're messing with the... power.. huh?"

The living room was empty.

Anby and Nekomata were fast, but they weren't that fast. Nicole would, at the very least, be able to catch a glimpse of the two fleeing if they had been throwing each other around.

What could've possibly... the boss saunters forward. She wasn't going to creep in her own home, thank you very much. She wasn't Anby.

"It wasn't us this time."

Speak of the devil. Nicole nearly leaps out of her skin as the smaller Demara materializes next to her.

"Anby! A warning."

"Warning," she says, like the cheeky thing she is.

"Does anybody know what that crash was?" Nekomata asks, appearing right under the boss's elbow, "It sounded like it came from Billy's room.."

The cat thiren should count herself lucky that she can move so fast; Nicole's elbow rockets down as she feels the brush of fuzzy ears, but the smaller girl dodges to Anby's side before it makes contact.

"Nekomata."

Anby whispers something into Nekomata's ear.

"Oh- uh.. warning!"

Nicole restrains the sudden urge to strangle both of them.

Ugh, where was Billy when she needed him? Anby blatantly corrupting Nekomata was something the boss did not need happening. His loud, clamorous energy would make her feel a lot better about these light-footed sleuths...

...wait a second.

"Nekomata, where did you say you heard that crash?"

The lights shut off before the thiren girl can answer.

Nicole comes face to face with a gun when they power back on.

"Warning."

"Billy-!?" she rears back as the safety clicks off, barely avoiding the twin bullets that pierce her fluttering bangs, "Hey, hey! Whatever you're mad about, we can talk about it-!"

The android adjusts his grip, far too still to even remotely resemble Billy's usual flair, and fires again at Nicole's foot. It misses, but just barely.

Anby knocks his gun off course with a quick flick of her sword. Or- she tries to, Billy hooks the gear shaped chamber on one of the serrated edges and yanks it out of the smaller girl's grip.

It goes flying past Nekomata to pierce the couch cushions.

The android lines up two more shots and fires them simultaneously; one at Anby and one at Nekomata. They both dodge- thankfully- but all too late do they all remember that he was built for accuracy.

The bullet glances off the sword in the cushions to graze the Thiren's thigh, and she falters down with yelp. It looks like a shallow cut- clean in the way it only hits her skin. Meanwhile, the other bullet angles off the door frame to ricochet into the base of Anby's backpack.

The smaller Hare is flung forward in the resulting mini explosion, but catches her bearings in time to avoid being pistol whipped.

This wasn't right- The Billy she knew would never attack one of them like this. And even if he was trying to seriously harm them- which Nicole suspects isn't the case by the way he had aimed for Anby's protected sleeves- he was a fast shot.

There was a barely noticeable delay when Billy fired his guns at them now, though, like his fingers were actively fighting against pulling the trigger.

Puzzle pieces begin to click into place.

Nicole heaves her briefcase up to slam into the android's stomach, feeling a wave of guilt at the way the metal crunches. He was so quiet. No silly noises, no Starlight Knight's quotes, no- infectiously bright charisma.

She didn't realize how much she'd miss it.

Billy's eyes aren't the same soft yellow that greet the Hares' each day.

They're green. Poison green, and compounded like a bugs. Like corruption. Which shouldn't even be possible outside a Hollow, so it must mean that someone's taken control of Billy via some other method.

Nicole really hopes so, at least, as she lets the android- her friend- aim his gun at her face. Just as she suspected, he doesn't fire.

The gun shakes in his hand.

"Ƀøss-" Billy forces out, his voice glitched into something nigh unintelligible, "ﭐ ꒞aո'†-"

Time to shine.

"Billy Kid," Nicole crosses her arms, forcing every ounce of her 'scolding boss' voice to take control of her tone, "You put that gun down this instant."

His arm jerks as if to follow through, but otherwise stays in position.

"Are you disobeying a direct order?" she pushes, hoping it coaxes at least some form of response. Hoping that this worked.

The gun in Billy's left hand- held resolutely at his side- clatters to the ground, and Nekomata silently snatches it out of reach. Almost there.

"Last time I checked, I was your boss. Not whatever parasite is in that empty tin can you call a head. Who are you going to listen to?"

The gun goes off. ......................................

Billy wakes up to a spiking pain behind his video sensors.

The last few hours on his memory logs are blurred, rushed things. They're all tinted in green too, for some reason, but he can remember feeling vaguely helpless. Stuck. PAIN

It catches up with him slowly, but surely, and all too fast he's rocketing into a sitting position. Someone had put a blanket over the android's unconscious form, and it flutters to the ground as he all but throws himself off the couch- couch?

The couch that was still ripped from Anby's sword.

And spattered with Nekomata's blood.

He had to find Nicole.

Billy scrabbles for the handle leading into his boss's office, weirdly uncoordinated, and throws it open.

"BOSS-"

He doesn't get a chance to finish his sentence as his legs falter. Nicole is there- she's alive- and she's catching him as they both stumble to the floor. Both in relief, both for different reasons.

Billy returns the hug fiercely, be sure to keep his metal limbs loose enough not to crush her, and she pushes his head down into her shoulder.

"Boss- are you okay? Is Nekomata okay-? Anby-"

"Shut up, you big idiot!" Nicole sniffs, suspicously watery as she attempts to squeeze the life outta him, "everybody's fine."

"But-"

There's a sort of relieving familiarity in the way his boss shoves him back to whack his head, "Shut up! You're the one who shot yourself in the forehead. Why did you think that was a good idea!? Huh!?"

He did what. Billy's hands pat at his forehead, feeling for any sort of dent or hole or- something. But it's smooth under his fingertips.

"I hired that weird mechanic girl from Belobog Industries to fix it while you were out," Nicole huffs, "Grace, or- whatever her name was. You should be good as new."

Although said scathingly, his boss still falters as she stands up. She looks at the android with a slight pinch to her brow.

"Well? Are you?"

Billy's core thrums, and he lowers his hand from his forehead to offer a bright thumbs up and signature hand heart.

"Better than ever and ready to go, Boss!"

[hannahhook7744]

Isle Kids being off putting or just plain off;

Based on a dc bat family post I can't find.

Jay, Jade, Hermie Bing, and Yzla bending in ways that shouldn't be possible.

Carlos having a way with machines and animals that goes beyond what even his similar minded relatives can understand even from a young age.

Diego, despite being perceived as the 'normal' de Vil cousin, giving off a sense of danger when he smiles at Auradon adults who haven't earned his trust. His song and personality drawing people in like a siren call.

Reza knowing things no human should and having no light behind his eyes.

Evie and Uma having strangely enchanting personalities that draw almost everybody in.

Claudine Frollo, Eddie Balthazar, and Hunter de Vil being so quiet that people often forget they're there.

Harry coming off as unhinged in one minute and a completely normal dude the next.

Cj Hook and Ivy de Vil setting things like water on fire.

Lefou Deux creating toys after just looking at them. Having no idea what goes into them and just making them work somehow.

Hadie talking to what other people can't see even at eight years old.

Red screaming 'off with your head' when angry and seeing nothing wrong with it.

The LeGume brothers being inhumanely strong.

Ginny looking somewhat younger than she is as she ages.

Harry Badun never looking in the mirror.

Zevon being able to make potions out of nothing.

The Stabbington cousins being weirdly in sync to a point where it can't be a gag.

The Smee Twins knowing where the other is and if they're in pain when it should be impossible.

Celia and Freddie being able to convince people of things without much effort.

Dizzy being unnaturally cheerful.

Mad Maddy being strangely attached to dolls and talking to them.

Sammy Smee, Harriet Hook, Anthony Tremaine, and Jace Badun seeing something absolutely wild happen and not even batting an eye at it.

Rick Ratcliffe casually saving someone from drowning before continuing what he was doing without reacting to it.

Clay Clayton not staying down for the count when hurt and finding it fun.

The number of Tremaines and Madam Mim's grandchildren being untrackable because people just keep popping up.

The total number of isle kids being unknown as more and more keep popping up and keep disappearing.

Uma's crew (Jonas, Bonny, Desiree, Gonzo, etc) knowing where she is and believing in her without question when off the isle.

Just. Every single isle kid being strange in some way that anyone from off the isle (and even the isle parents in the early years) find off putting.

And no one knowing why or how.

The isle kids not even knowing they're off putting over half the time.

[bereft-of-frogs]

ugh I think I have another #Theory, this time to the solve to the 'how to kill a Jedi without a weapon' riddle, I truly must be stopped --

I think people are off-base assuming it's with the Force, because I feel like Mae would have already figured out choking/lightning or whatever, I believe the Force counts as a 'weapon', and clearly the poison was a weapon (see: Qimir after 'so you did it, you killed the Jedi without the poison) so I do think it's metaphorical rather than semantic. I believe the theories that it's about corrupting a Jedi to the dark side and 'destroying the dream' are closer than any 'it's because she's meant to do it with the Force/her bare hands' or 'it's about killing an unarmed Jedi' (though that second one has potential, why else is she grabbing for the lightsabers but leaving them after they're dead?). But another solution could be destroying the Jedi's legacy.

I think they're going to frame Sol as the rogue Jedi who trained Mae.

I have like, so little textual evidence for this. This is probably as out of thin air as the 'Vernestra/Indara is the Sith' theories so maybe I who live in a glass house shouldn't be throwing stones about how much I dislike those theories after proposing this one. But I'm really thinking that only Sol is going to make it out of the forest battle alive next episode, aside from Osha and the Sith crew, and there's going to be some kind of chase that leads them away. So Vernestra shows up on Khofar (the lightwhip scene in the trailer is almost certainly Khofar) to find the bodies killed with a lightsaber and everyone else gone.

I think they go off and unpack whatever happened the night of the fire on Brendok, there's all kinds of confrontations/fights/reveals/etc in episodes 6 & 8 (episode 7 is definitely the Jedi POV of the flashback) and the season's going to end with at least Sol dead (maybe Mae too) and Osha turning to the dark side to become the true acolyte. It was already set up last episode that the Order doesn't suspect the Sith, they're pretty convinced it's a 'rogue Jedi' who trained Mae, and Sol did some kind of shady stuff during that meeting. (Not including himself on the list of targets, keeping Mae and her survival a secret.) Even I sort of started to suspect him, but I think that's a red herring, just to set up why Vernestra might end up distrusting him. So Vern's feeling kind of weird about the secrets Sol's kept about Mae (because it's more than just 'he thought she died', Yord said even the existence of Mae didn't end up in Osha's file), but she still trusts him and there are innocent explanations for all this she writes off, so she sends him off with a bunch of other Jedi to go get Kelnacca. But now the whole crew she sent out is dead, clearly killed with a lightsaber (they know Osha doesn't have a lightsaber, and reasonably suspect Mae doesn't either considering Indara was killed with a knife, Torbin poison, and she left their lightsabers behind), and Sol's gone...I think it's fairly reasonable suspicion especially if later Osha turns up as the acolyte.

(There were a couple early things that seemed to deliberately set her physically apart from Mae, the marking on Mae's forehead and her tattoo. Why would they do that if the Jedi believed the identical twin thing right away? Why would they need some proof of their identities unless there's a second role reversal and they need some other way of telling it's Osha and not Mae?)

So yeah in this Sol -- ray of literal sunshine, good Jedi, kind person -- gets his legacy destroyed (one apprentice dead, because I'm pretty convinced Jecki doesn't live out the season, though I'll be happy to be wrong -- the other turned to the dark side) and his reputation tarnished by accusations of being a rogue Jedi training dark side assassins. There you go, you've killed a Jedi without a weapon.

And I feel like this would fit the kind of meta narrative they've got going on, as sort of a mirror of what happened to the Order as a whole at the end of the PT, heroes transformed into traitors.

I have no additional evidence for this. My theories are not spiraling at all. I love weekly releases and am being very very normal about having to wait between episodes. :) so normal *vibrates intensely*

[noahmullariii]

I've been thinking about how much I adore Tonks and Remus' dynamic but physically cannot ship them because my brain is being weird about their fucking age gap. this is so frustrating. they would have been so lovely for me if Tonks was like at least 27 in 5th book. Ronks (yeah I'm not calling it Remadora, Tonks hates her birth name ffs) would have been my ride-or-die alongside Jily and Wolfstar for sure.

because literally nothing else that Ronks antis consider deal breakers for them matters to me - not the fumbled way they get together in canon, not them getting married so quickly, not Tonks getting pregnant, not the assumed queer-coding of both characters (which I personally see, don't get me wrong. but it's assumed and who the fuck says they can't be queer4queer anyway?). sure, the nuclear family narrative being pushed so quickly and thoroughly onto them is peculiar but who says they didn't want to make the most of their time during a war? I love wartime drama and they would have been my shit if it weren't for... well. Tonks being 22 and Remus 35 when they meet.

I just can't ship big age gaps unless the youngest character is closer to 30 than 20. which is infuriating, because Ronks is objectively more fascinating because of their gap. my fucking loss, don't you think?

anyway, after thinking of ways I can make Tonks older without hurting the story, I began wondering whether her age is narratively important, and yes, turns out it very much is - for Harry.

Tonks being 22 in order of phoenix makes her the closest of Order members to Harry's age (Weasley twins don't count because they're Ron's brothers first, order members second for Harry) and the one Order member Harry can relate to the most in his youth and desire to fight. She almost perfectly parallels marauders and Lily in first war and represents the fun of the fight, the fire of youth, the confidence of a new recruit, the safety of relatability for Harry. She's one of the biggest inspirations for his newfound dream of becoming an auror. Harry needs Tonks among those older, battle-worn, cautious, secretive adults who don't take him seriously and never look him in the eye, because he wants to be what she is even before realising it and only reflects on it after spending time with her.

all in all, Tonks being 22 matters quite a lot for Harry's story.

now, we have no way of knowing whether Joanne came up with Ronks storyline prior to Tonks' introduction, but it shouldn't matter for their relationship, not in Joanne's opinion - Tonks' youth already fulfilled its narrative role in order of phoenix and stopped being an important asset of her character in half-blood prince.

oh, but unfortunately it still matters in the grand scheme of things, Joanne. you don't just introduce a young adult character (I'm 21 myself and gods, 22/23 is barely more mature), chuck their established age out the window and pair them up with a character in their mid-to-late thirties. and of fucking course it makes sense for a 23 year old to be down bad for some scruffy 36 year old man, it's incredibly realistic! this 36 year old man acting upon such crush is a little questionable, but still realistic (and we know Remus is very flawed, so I'm not surprised). but you know what isn't realistic at all?

Molly - a 46 year old woman, married to her high school sweetheart, mother to 7 children, 3 of which are close to Tonks' age - being extremely supportive of actually engaging in that sort of relationship, going as far as reprimanding Remus for not committing to it. I'm sorry, what? Molly might have some flaws as a mother, but she is nothing if not protective of her kids and those in their age range. She genuinely becomes somewhat of a mother figure for Tonks during their time in the Order, and I just cannot for the life of me understand how Molly could encourage her to pursue Remus and vice-versa, instead of consoling Tonks in her tragic crush and making sure Remus doesn't even look at her like that.

Minerva - an even older woman who taught both Remus and Tonks at Hogwarts, witnessed Remus becoming an adult from his graduation in 1978 up until 1981, then saw an 11 year old Tonks start Hogwarts 3 years later in 1984 - chiding Remus for not being "brave" enough to commit to such relationship. first of all, why the fuck is she involved in that narrative at all? it's none of her business??? she's not in any pseudo parenting role for either of them, unlike Molly, so I never understood why she even has a place to voice her opinion about their romance. second of all, even if it was her business, Minerva - a professor who witnessed both Remus and Tonks grow up so many years apart - would realistically feel pretty weird about such relationship.

those aren't problems with the ship itself, but rather the way Joanne implemented their romance in the story. I think it would be more realistic if Ronks was some kind of fucked up forbidden romance from other characters' perspectives. the way everybody is so instantly supportive of them is quite jarring to me.

interestingly, when I read hp for the first time at 11 I was quite adamant in my belief that Tonks was in love with Molly up until that scene in half-blood prince. a very weird belief for a kid, I know. I just only liked girls at the time and was relating to Tonks quite a bit since her introduction, so I guess I unconsciously decided she was a lesbian even without knowing that term yet. I also had a crush on my teacher in 4th grade and she was quite similar to Molly... yeah, this girl was projecting too much. I didn't pick up on Remus' queer-coding until I fell down the rabbit hole of lgbt discourse at 14, but was pretty shocked to read about Tonks falling for a man at 11. she was so like me until she wasn't :) it's pretty funny to think about now.

in conclusion, I'm hella jealous of those of you who don't have weird brains and can enjoy Ronks to their fullest potential. their canon writing has its issues but they're more interesting for it, truly. I'll stay in my no fun corner, headcanoning them as lavender married, queer-platonic, bisexual besties co-parenting Teddy Alastor Tonks.

[phantom-of-the-501st]

We've Taken Different Paths and Travelled Different Roads

New fic? New Fic. 😙 A series of snapshots throughout the lives of the Domino Twins

@saturn-sends-hugs @inkstainedhandswithrings

SPOILERS FOR TBB INCLUDED

"KRIFF! Not again."

"Echo, are you okay?"

"I'm fine."

"Doesn't seem like you are, vod. Is it getting too much?"

"No."

"Are you sure?"

"YES!"

"You know, it's okay to admit that you're not doing too good. Therapeutic even. It's nothing to be embarrassed about, we all have our weaknesses. I just didn't realise yours would be a paintbrush."

"Fives, if you don't shut your mouth I will push you out of the top bunk while you're sleeping. Again."

Fives let out a dramatic gasp and clutched at his chest. "Rude! I'm just trying to help you out. If you're struggling that much-"

"I am not struggling. I just can't get this kriffing line straight..."

"Sounds like you're struggling to me."

"FIVES!"

"Hey, no need to get grouchy, vod. You're just jealous that my armour came out so flawless." Fives leant back on his hands, a smug expression on his face. Echo glanced at Fives' armour, which was laid out to dry, and his eyes fell on the tribute to Hevy.

"You made a spelling mistake."

"No I didn't."

"Yes you did."

"No I did not." Fives picked up the piece in question. "You're just mad that you can't get your lines stra- KRIFF!"

Echo laughed.

_._._._._._._

"I won that one!"

"No you didn't."

"Yes I did!"

"Fives, that was an illegal move. If anything, that should get you disqualified."

"No illegal moves on the battlefield, Echo. I mean, what you gonna do in a fight? Stare a separatist down and tell them that they're disqualified from the war?"

"We're not on the battlefield, Fives. We're having a sparring match in a training room. And that was an illegal move." Echo went to the bench for a drink and to rewrap his hands. Fives was bouncing from one foot to the other on the training mat.

"You're just mad that you lost."

Echo rolled his eyes. "Illegal move, Fives. Illegal move."

"Sore loser, Echo. Sore loser."

Echo turned to stare his brother down, unimpressed. Fives just grinned back, still hopping about.

"Come on, vod. One more round. I might even let you win this time."

Stars, Echo wanted to punch his brother in the face sometimes. "Fine, one more round. But no cheating!" He pointed an accusatory finger at Fives and made his way towards the mat. Bracing his feet against the floor, and bringing his fists up, Echo tilted his head. "Shall you count down or shall I?"

"I will! Okay, five, four, three, two-" Both of their comms beeped from the bench.

Bringing themselves back to a normal stand, the two made their way back to their armour, Echo picking up his comm as soon as he reached the pile. "It's a message from Rex. He wants a meeting with us. Something about a rescue mission."

"Well," Fives said cheerfully, gathering his things "better not keep the boss waiting!"

_._._._._._._

"I'm sorry for shouting at you."

"It's okay."

"No, it's not. I shouldn't have been so harsh. It's just..."

"Fives, it's okay. I promise you."

Fives sighed and curled up on himself even more. "I just miss him, ya know?"

Rex came to sit next to his brother on the floor. It was cold and definitely not comfortable, but Fives didn't look like he was going anywhere any time soon. "I know, vod'ika. I know." He put his arm around his shoulders. "I miss him too. And I get why you're angry. It's not fair. Nobody deserved this, let alone Echo."

"I'm just so mad at him." Fives clenched his fists and let out a shaky breath. "I shouldn't be, but I am. After everything we went through, after losing our squad, we promised each other we'd always be there. Always.

"And maybe it was stupid. No... it was stupid. We're in a kriffing war. It was a stupid promise to make." Fives tilted his head more towards the floor. "But I'm still angry at him for breaking it. Why did he have to run, Rex? Why?"

A sigh. "Because it's Echo. He'll always put others before himself, even if it means risking his own life. He'll always be there for the people that need him."

"But I need him." Fives said. The expression on his face was enough to break Rex's already shattered heart a billion times over. The look in his eyes was pleading, desperate, so painfully childlike. "I need him, Rex. And he's not here."

_._._._._._._

"Do you think there's anything after death?"

"Stars, Fives! Bit of a heavy question isn't it?"

Jesse took a swig of his drink and stared at his brother, who was sat on the other side of the table, looking nowhere in particular.

"I'm just asking. We're all gonna die at some point and it'd be nice to know what comes next."

"This is about Echo isn't it?"

Fives looked at Jesse, expression unusually blank. "I didn't say it was about Echo."

"But it is, isn't it?" It had been months at this point, but no-one could blame Fives for still dwelling on it every now and again. Echo and him were inseparable, you never found one without the other unless something went seriously wrong. The only time they'd be apart would be if it was forced (or if one finally got so sick of the other's antics they had be away for a few hours, even if for the sake of everyone in their vicinity). So for Fives to be left without Echo...

Fives looked down at his own bottle, swirling it gently. "Sometimes..." His hand stopped. "Sometimes I wonder if he's still there somewhere, watching."

Jesse understood. Every clone had felt that way at one point; once you lost that many brothers, part of you always hoped they never truly left, that you would find them again someday.

Fives went back to swirling his drink. "What do you think he'd say?"

"What do I think Echo would say?"

"Right now. What do you think he would say?"

"I'd think he'd say 'Fives, you shouldn't be drinking this much the day before a major training session, you idiot.' And then drag you home."

"I meant about the death thing."

"Okay, well I'd think he'd say "Fives, stop thinking about kriff like this. This is why you shouldn't be drinking this much the day before a major training session, you idiot.' And then still drag you home."

Fives let out a half-hearted chuckle. "Yeah, that sounds about right." He took a swig from the bottle. "I just really need to see him again."

Jesse softened slightly. He knew Fives needed someone to joke with him every now and again, especially when he was down, and he would always be that person, but he also knew that his brother was hurting. He would always be haunted by what happened at the Citadel. "I'm sure you will, vod."

"Really?" Fives stared at him.

"Yes." Jesse knocked back the last of his drink and stood up. "But not right now. I'm gonna take you back to the barracks before you give yourself alcohol poisoning. Kix is still mad at you for the last time you got too drunk."

"I didn't mean to throw up on his helmet!" Fives pushed himself up. "It was his own fault for leaving it on the floor."

_._._._._._._

"I just hope they're back together again."

"I know, Rex. I know. And I'm sure they are, causing as much havoc as they did when they were here." A small smile crossed Cody's face at the thought of those poor souls who finally thought they had found peace being made to deal with a couple of rascals in blue and white paint. "If anything, they're probably causing even more trouble. The entirety of Domino Squad, including two ARCs? It doesn't bear thinking about."

That got a laugh from the Captain. "Can you imagine Wolffe having to deal with that?"

"He'd defy all odds and come back from the dead if he was confronted with that lot."

The two sat there laughing. They'd decided not to go back to their camp, instead choosing to sit and watch the sun set on the horizon. It was calm, quiet, the most peaceful it had been in a long time. And they knew it wouldn't be for long. They had another mission to set out for tomorrow, but right now, in this moment, everything was still.

"How long do you think it would've taken Fives to try and climb that?" Rex pointed at a large, sprawling tree not too far from where they were sat. "I reckon he'd run at it the second he saw it."

"Yeah, he would. And then Echo would go storming off after him, muttering every curse word in the book, and threaten to drag his hide back to camp."

"You say that, but I can guarantee someone would've gone looking for them later and found both of them hanging out on a branch, ignoring all of their responsibilities."

An idea struck Cody.

"Race you up the tree."

Rex stared at him, wide-eyed. "Ya what?"

"Race you up that tree."

"What?! Why?! We're supposed to be the mature ones here, vod! We can't just go careening off into the forest to climb a tree!"

"Who says we can't? Our generals are currently elsewhere." Cody's eyes glinted with a mischievousness Rex hadn't seen since they were kids. "And you know Echo and Fives would've loved this."

"Which is exactly why it's a terrible idea!" Rex said frantically. "All plans that those two loved should never be touched with a hundred foot pole, let alone attempted!"

"Come on, vod. I thought you of all people would be a little more lenient than that. It'll be fun." Cody got up and brushed the dust off his legs. "Unless you're scared of getting caught."

Rex was silent, thinking. Cody knew he was winning. Just a little more pushing...

"Never thought I'd see the day that Captain Rex would give up and-"

"Oh you are on!" Cody watched Rex launch himself towards the tree, before sprinting after him, cackling.

With the wind in his face, and the dirt kicking up beneath thundering feet, he hoped that, wherever they were, the Domino Twins were laughing, revelling in the chaos of their two superiors barrelling through shrubs for a race up a tree. They deserved that extra laugh at least.

_._._._._._._

Rex couldn't believe it. After all this time. After all the mourning and the grief and the rage... Echo was alive.

Echo had been taken to be looked over as soon as they got back to Kamino, but Rex could still see him, clear as day. Pale, cold. Metal ports all over, pulling at the skin. Limbs fused to composite and wires and things no human should be bound to. So very different from the Echo that Rex remembered. But so very alive.

Everything hurt. Yes, they'd found one of their brothers, Echo, and had managed to bring him back home. But it hurt. It hurt to know that they had left him behind. It hurt to know that he had spent endless rotations in a constant state of torture. It hurt to know that Echo would never be able to go back to the man he once was.

And it hurt to know that Fives never knew.

Fives was gone. He died thinking he was the last Domino standing, died thinking that he would be reunited with all of his brothers, with Echo... but Echo was right here. Fives never knew that his brother lived. And he would never know.

They should've been reunited. The pain and grief Rex had seen in Fives was too much to think about. The way he had collapsed, screaming, and fallen asleep simply out of pure exhaustion after returning from the Citadel. They should never have been separated. And despite bringing Echo back, Rex had to fight the ever-looming shadow that was the knowledge that he would never be able to bring the two back together. A forever-fractured whole held in pieces by the gaping chasm of death. There was no way to bridge that gap, not without Echo being lost again.

And it hurt. In a situation that should have brought so much joy, it hurt. Because Echo knew.

Rex didn't have to say anything. Echo just knew. When he saw that Fives wasn't there to get him, it fell into place. There was no way his brother wouldn't have been there for him. Not unless he was gone. And in some ways it was worse. There was no screaming, or crying, or shouting as there had been with Fives. Simply silence. A silence so deafening that Rex had almost wished, almost begged, for Echo to break down. Because he could see the wound inside Echo grow wider and there was nothing he could do to close it.

It hurt. It hurt to know that Echo knew. To know that after coming back from all of that, all he went through, his home was gone, destroyed, brought to rubble by the simple fact that his other half wasn't there. Echo would never be the same after Skako Minor.

And he certainly wouldn't be the same without Fives.

_._._._._._._

"He should be here. After everything he did, he deserved to be here, fighting alongside us."

It was dark and Rex and Echo had hunkered down inside to escape the biting wind and lashing rain outside. Echo was due to go back to the Batch the following day and help them rescue Omega and the other clones from Tantiss, so the two had taken some time to just sit down and rest.

Rex knew it was going to be a rough night. There was too much going on to get any decent level of sleep, and Echo had hit the point where he was once again thinking about his lost brother. Rex couldn't blame him. It was hard not to think about Fives at a time like this.

"I mean, he was the one who found out about the chips in the first place. None of us would be here if it wasn't for him. He deserves to bring the whole system down." Echo was wound up, like a tightly coiled spring, and Rex was just waiting for something to snap. Whether it was now, or tomorrow, in a few rotations time, he didn't know. But he knew that Echo would snap eventually, and whoever was on the receiving end of that blind rage would not have a good time. That was something Rex was certain about.

"You're right." Rex responded. "He should be here. And I'm forever angry that he never got the chance to see this. But you know who is here?" Echo glanced at him. "Us. And if anyone can carry on his legacy, it's us, especially you."

His brother didn't say anything, simply turning to stare ahead of him.

The Captain continued. "I see him in you sometimes. Now more than ever." He chuckled. "You used to be the rule follower, the one who would try and keep Fives somewhat in check. Now I see you running around causing just as much mayhem as he used to. I've seen Jawas with weaker thieving skills than I've seen from you over the last few weeks!" He could see a smile tugging at the edge of Echo's lips.

"Just keeping you on your toes, old man."

"Hey now! I try telling you how proud I am and you give me even more grey hairs." Rex rolled his eyes. "What am I going to do with you?"

"You were trying to tell me you were proud?"

"Yes!" Rex said with exasperation.

"You called me a thief." Echo's expression was blank but the Captain could see the twinkle in his eye. He was messing with him.

"Yes. And I was about to tell you how proud I was of your thievery but I'm not going to anymore."

"Are you mad that I called you old?"

"No."

"You're mad aren't you?" Rex should've been annoyed but when he saw the cheeky grin across his younger brother's face he couldn't help but melt.

Yep. Definitely like Fives.

"You'll be the death of me some day."

"I better not be," Echo said, slightly more serious. "People here need you."

"And they need you as well. I may outrank you Echo, and I may have more experience, but you are more than capable and you have proved yourself more than enough. We need you in this fight. We can't do it without you. I can't do it without you."

Echo had started to drift again. Rex could see it. "I just feel like I'm taking his place. That he should be here instead of me."

"You both deserve to be here." Rex put a hand on his shoulder and gave it a squeeze. "You deserve to be here just as much as he does. You aren't taking his space vod'ika. Never forget that."

Echo gave him a small smile.

"I'm proud of you."

"I thought you said weren't going to tell me-"

"Fives would be proud of you."

Echo froze. Rex held his gaze firm, grip on his shoulder tightening.

"Go out there tomorrow and do what you do, vod'ika. We'll be with you every step of the way. Both of us."

Teary eyed, Echo glanced away and swallowed. They sat in silence for a few minutes, processing. Tomorrow was going to be difficult. It was going to be a push. But Rex knew his brother was more than capable. He just hoped and prayed he didn't lose him again.

Rex wasn't sure how he'd ended up in the position where he could lose one of the twins for a third time, but here he was. There was only so much time you could keep those two apart, and Rex knew that time was ticking down. For now he just hoped that it wouldn't be tomorrow.

Echo had started picking at the paint on his pauldron. The colour had started to chip away, but the orange still held some of its vibrancy. "You know..." Echo said, not looking up from the armour "Fives would be laughing at me right now."

Rex raised an eyebrow, confused. "And why would that be?"

Echo pointed at the wobble between the orange and white "Because I still can't paint the kriffing lines straight."

[maryonmega]

Twin Stars - Chapter 12

Hold on, let go (how much?)

You don't e even feel like a teenager. You feel like a child. And even that can be a understatement, because Bonnie doesn't act like that. This is stupid. You know it is. You're way too old for that shit. 

 

It's rather frustrating to be self aware but have no idea of what to do about the problem in question. 

 

Just don't look again. Why do you keep doing this to yourself? It won't change anything. 

 

...

 

You...

 

You can't even use the card that he's not your Isabeau, can you?

 

...

 

Of course you can't.

 

Mirabelle broke the spell. 

 

Haha, how fitting. 

 

You take a deep breath and try to just pay attention to anything else around you. Anything to distract you from the stupid blinding torch that shouldn't even exist for you to hold. 

 

"... you have to let them breath, or they're not gettin' tall. That's why the best ones are wild."

 

Oh! Yes! Nille and Madame are having their little thing about the plants. 

 

You look at them instead. That odd defiance is still on Nille's glance. Madame looks more done than anything else. The kid is close to them, and you don't think they're liking it. Being between the botinal tennis. You can't help but smile. 

 

"Why are you even so bothered? It's not like you can grow things now." 

 

The two ladies can't argue with the logic, it seens. They back off from the debate. 

 

"Well I will when I can..." You hear Pétronille say under her breath. You don't even know how you noticed, but, who are you to waste a chance handed to you on a silver plate?

 

"You like growing plants?" You ask, and pace to get closer. It doesn't feel good. Using the woman like that. But, she's the reason you're clear headed right now, so...

 

... Gross. 

 

"Kind of? I can't have big plants, but a couple of pots is undemanding enough."

 

You tilt your head. You let some of your hair cover some of Madame's vision.

 

"Really? You talk like you've done that a lot."

 

She moves her whole body to look at you. It doesn't take a lot to figure she's also avoiding Madame. 

 

"I don't live isolated, Freckles. My home isn't good for plant growing."

 

"Nille used to help the old lady with her garden." The kid says to you, like you know who the old lady is. They look proud. Of course they do. Not so much when they turn to her "Pity the new person didn't want to keep it. You liked that garden a lot."

 

You blink at them. Are they, doing this on porpuse?... Hang on, back in the loops, were those comments on porpuse, too? If so, well, it makes sense looking back. Not that you can comment that you know about that. You can't count the egg inside the chicken. 

 

"I did, yes, but what to do, Bug?"

 

"Still a bummer."

 

You nod. You're not sure if they saw it, you're just glad to be here while Stardust is... is... not. 

 

"Oh! A skill is a skill!" Mirabelle's eyes are shining. You know why "I would like to have a chat about it, if you don't mind? I mean, we already are, but,one that I can... take notes?"

 

Her voice becomes bashful by the end. You know the flower chat didn't happen on the last loop. You're already kind of Sad that you won't hear this. 

 

Nille gives you a look. You shrug, and she looks almost disappointed. Is this a attempt of another alliance? The Late Arrival Alliance? That doesn't sound so bad. 

 

In, out, in, out. You should talk about this, shouldn't you? Stardust is putting on the effort to talk to their party. The least you can do is talk to Stardust. The one who admited that preventing something like that from happening again, wasn't that you?

 

It was, it was. 

 

Doesn't mean you get the courage to do so later on the day. Or the following day. Or the day before you were meant to leave. Yes, in this case, that makes the choice you made even worse, but, can't be worse than to destroy yourself then trying to literally kill to have what you couldn't. 

 

The bed you picked is as comfy as ever, yet you lie awake. The time you spent in this town, this pretty, cosy town, you wasted it. You wasted it acting like you're still following a script. Acting like a sleepwalker despite being awake. 

 

This is a fresh new body. The old role is already casted for. Why are you acting like the old you again? Is that what you have to continue to be? Just an echo?

 

It's not fair. It really is not fair. You were her first. It was yours first. But...

 

But it doesn't feel like it anymore. You look in the mirrors and see him. You wash and see reminders of when your humanity was ripped away. Sure, you change your hair and clothes, but that's barely something. You still feel like you're trying to take a role that has already been fulfilled.

 

If your reward is a life, than it's yours to do what you want. And what you want is to not be a second Siffrin anymore. Wasn't that what you had decided under a cloud of steam? That you want to be Sisyphus?

 

Sisyphus deserves to be a person. Not a distorted mirror of another.

 

Your hand is shaking when you dig into your roommate's bag searching for pen and paper. You find a pen and decide to use the back of one of the bonding papers. It's not like she'll actually need it.

 

Now, this really is childish. Sneaking out like you'll do something wrong. Oh well, you're no stranger to do things under people's noses. You don't want to answer questions and falter. As much as it pains you to admit to it, you don't want to sadden Stardust by telling him, either.

 

You leave the note by the foot of Mira's bed, get out of the room, then pass the key under the door.

 

...

 

You should have expected Houses of Change to be different from one another. They worship Change. It would be peak irony if their buildings followed a model. Still, you're thankful when you walk through the gate and see the layout, the clothes you bought earlier pressed to your chest under the cloak. 

 

You have no idea of how this is gonna go. You'll have to beg some housemaidens for help, that's for sure, which is gonna be embarrassing but you'll survive. You don't know how long it'll take, but that's fine, better to get it over with already than waste time and energy brooding instead of present with... with your friends.

 

You do care if it hurts. You do care if it gives scars. That's the one thing you can't compromise on.

 

Again, better to get it over with.

 

...

 

You ignore the attempts to call you. 

 

...

 

...

 

...

 

Irony might not peak but it's still high. You ended up staying for two days.

 

But it's enough. It's enough. You didn't go there thinking about becoming unregornizable, just different enough.

 

You want to say you like it, but, that's not quite what happened here, is it?

 

After all, when you looked at the mirror, you didn't think anything particularly happy or flattering.

 

Just "it's you".

 

{{{I'm no pro in drawing but I try. I hope it's good enough,}}}

[sarnai4]

The Dagala Dilemma

Dagur and Mala are two of my favorite characters. They're also my favorite couple in Dragons. That said, I don't like how RTTE handled the relationship.

These characters have one episode of interacting before they decided to get married (two if you include "Saving Shattermaster" where cloaked Dagur stopped the Hunters from attacking Mala and Throk. Too bad that was never mentioned. What a cute way to meet your future S.O!). Then one more, ONE more episode really which was when they announced the engagement. I don't think the very last episode counts for much because they didn't exchange lines. Just one line, then a kiss on the cheek. Somehow, we didn't even see these two kiss on the lips since Hiccup and Astrid decided to make out at the wedding instead.

It's a shame because I've seen a lot of people dislike this ship and I think that's a reason why. The show never tries to demonstrate how they work. Just argue, bond over the twins' mediation methods, then get engaged and married. Life is short, but...rushing that a little, you two. If Viking unions are forever, that's all the more reason you want to make sure you know someone. Even in the engagement episode, we didn't see them interact much. They announced it, then they pulled Dagur away to drop off metal. What's worse is that I really think they could go the distance (cue Hercules) with their relationship. I can genuinely see them growing old together, having happiness and some grandkids by then. You'd just never know from the show. Here's why I think it could work:

For starters, I love that it gives Dagur an opportunity to be around someone who doesn't know him as his bad self. He will always have to prove himself to the others. There's nothing he can do to make them forget who he was and they shouldn't. He killed an entire island of people. Dagur really was a villain. He's also really a better person who has put his life on the line for them several times, with or without them hating him. Mala gives him a clean slate. She doesn't peek think back on the time he almost killed her because he never did. In their entire time of knowing each other, he's been Dagur the Deranged, but he's also been a good guy. He doesn't have to try to stay on his best behavior to make her know he's better, he can just be himself.

Along with that, I think they'd be good influences on each other. Mala seems like the type who doesn't like to show much emotion. She is the unfazed, calm, and strong queen of the Defenders. She tries to contain what she's feeling. One of the examples of this that I loved was when the Riders first met her and she thought they stole the Great Protector. Mala is in such a state of rage that she breaks the arrow in one hand as she processes what happened. Hmm, rage. Wonder who understands that...

Dagur's a lot of things, but shy about his emotions isn't one of then. Even in the first gif with them together, we see Mala really happy and laughing. I don't think there's another time in the show where she's laughed at anything. I could see Dagur helping her realize that being strong and stone-like aren't the same. She can be furious, overjoyed, sad, or whatever else she's feeling and still an amazing leader worthy of respect. He'll just be there to help her through it.

Mala is also calm and strong enough to match Dagur. She's not going to cave to his idea of having the kids of the island start juggling swords. I could see her being patient and considerate by explaining which actions are potentially dangerous/harmful for someone. She wouldn't make him feel crazy or foolish either. She'd just help him as she learned to understand his mind. With her being less easy to anger, Mala could be the voice of reason while Dagur is trying to calm down. I could even see them doing meditating together.

They're also both violent. Mala was ready to KILL Hiccup and the others. She made that very clear. It's something they have in common that they both planned to kill the poor trainer who's on everyone's hit list. I think it's overlooked how ruthless she can be. This is perfect for Dagur. He can get some of his violence out as they do couple battling and Mala won't look at him like he's some monster. They'll be right at each other's side, killing whoever dared to get close.

So, I really think this is a couple that could work. I wish they got more screentime, but at least fanfics and headcanons can fill in the rest. And I still mad we didn't see them do the dance of blades, but I'll get over it...maybe.

[nicoline1998enilocin]

Flufftober Day 22 | Apple picking

Pairing | Boyfriend!Dad!Young!Tony Stark x Girlfriend!Mom!Female!Reader

Word count | 2.1K

Summary | You've grown up with the tradition of going apple picking each fall, and now that you and Tony have your own little family, you want to keep this tradition going. As you, Tony, Orion, and Hudson go to a local apple farm during an apple-picking event, you can't help but soak up every last second and special memory.

Prompt(s) | 22. Picking | @flufftober

Warning(s) | This is your official trigger warning. Do not proceed if any of these topics upset you. Reference to ruined childhood memories, use of pet names (Sunshine, Love/My Love, Baby Boy, Baby Girl), no mention of Y/N.

A/n | This one shot is written for day 22 of my Flufftober 2023 Challenge. I absolutely love Tony, Sunshine, and their little family, so they shouldn't miss out on one of my favorite activities during the summer and fall! I hope you will enjoy this as much as I did when writing it 🖤

Likes, comments and reblogs will be very much appreciated 🧡

Divider is made by @cafekitsune | GIF credit to the owner

Main Masterlist | Tony Stark Masterlist | AU Masterlist | Flufftober Masterlist

You were driving home after a long and tiring workday when you suddenly saw a giant advertisement for apple picking at a local apple farm. It brought up many fond memories, and you can't wait to tell Tony about your idea; it would be amazing to take the twins there.

When you think back to your childhood, you have a lot of good, fun memories, but ever since you've been pregnant with your Munchkins, those memories have a bit of a dark edge.

You can't think about that too long because an incoming phone call immediately brings you back to reality, and you see it's your loving boyfriend, Tony, to see what time you will be home.

''Hi Love,'' you sigh softly before continuing to drive home, still about a half-hour drive away from home.

''Hey Sunshine, how long will it be until you're home? We miss- hold on,'' he interrupts himself. ''Hudson and Orion Stark, get off of there right this second!'' he says before putting his phone on the table with a loud thud.

You can't help but chuckle as you listen to what's happening at home, though you're looking forward to seeing all three of them again. They always bring a smile to your face, even on your most challenging days.

''Right, I'm back! Sorry for that, Sunshine. I was asking-'' and that's when he sighs. ''For the love of... I'll call you in a bit, Sunshine.''

He hangs up the phone and takes care of the kids, putting them in front of the TV with a cartoon to ensure they'll stay quiet long enough before he calls you back.

When their favorite cartoon is playing, and they're sitting hand in hand, their pacifiers in their little mouths, he finally dares to call you again, but not without taking a picture of them first.

It doesn't take long before he's back on the phone, finally able to talk to you for a few minutes while still keeping a watchful eye on his troublemakers on the couch.

''Welcome back, My Love, long time no talk,'' you joke, and you can't help but let out a boisterous laugh at your joke, making Tony smile in response.

''Right?! I was starting to think you'd leave me forever...'' he says with a fake sniffle.

''I could never leave your ass, it'd cost me too much to move out!''

''Please always remember that, Sunshine! But that's not what I'm calling for. I wanted to know when you'd be home because I want to go for dinner with the twins tonight. No specific reason but I just felt like taking my beautiful girlfriend and amazing twins out to dinner,'' he tells you, and your heart melts at his words.

''I'd love nothing more; how about that Italian place we love so much?'' you say, and Tony agrees.

''I'll be home in around 20 minutes, but I'd like to change quickly before we go, so how about 18:30? They might want to take a short nap before, and they can go to bed right after we're home.''

''Consider it done, Sunshine, we can't wait to see you,'' after a few goodbyes and I love you's, you hung up, and Tony managed to get the twins down for a quick nap.

Tony can hear your keys in the lock, and he rushes over to the front door, meeting you there with a big hug. Usually, he would be accompanied by one or both twins, but it's nice to have him all to yourself for a little while.

''Hi Sunshine,'' he says as he wraps his arms around your waist, and you find their home on his neck, and you pull him in for a tender kiss that deepens gradually.

When you pull apart, you're both breathless, and you chuckle softly before giving him one more peck on the lips and heading to your bedroom so you can get changed.

When you're going through your dresses, your eye suddenly falls on a new dark green dress, and you decide to wear it combined with a pair of white Converse and your glasses, too, so you can let your eyes rest a little instead of wearing contacts the entire time.

''I'm going to get the twins ready, okay? You can also get changed because I'm not taking you to the restaurant in those clothes,'' you say as you reference his old shirt and slightly tighter grey sweatpants.

''Might not even make it there if you don't change now,'' you whisper in his ear, simultaneously cupping his bulge in his sweatpants. Tony groans at the sudden feeling of your hand, and his hips buck forward at your touch.

''Fuck, Sunshine, don't tease me like that unless you want to be bent over this fucking counter right now,'' he growls in response, and you can feel your panties dampen at the words.

You decide to let him go for now, a wicked grin spreading across your face as you see him adjust before walking to the bedroom and changing.

Tony opts for a dark outfit today combined with his glasses and gets changed while you get the twins woken up and dressed in cute outfits.

It only takes a little while for all of you to be ready and off to the restaurant, and Tony is driving. When you drive past a bakery, you suddenly remember the ad for the apple picking again.

''Love?'' you say, and Tony squeezes your hand softly before responding.

''Yeah, Sunshine?'' ''Can we go apple picking with the twins soon? There's an event at a nearby apple farm, and I thought it might be cute to take them for the apple picking and some treats as well,''

Tony thinks about it for a short moment and then agrees happily. ''We do need to bring your camera in that case because Mom, Dad, and Virginia are going to want lots of photos!'' he says with a big smile.

The twins are happily babbling away in the backseat as you let yourself sink into your seat, thinking about the new tradition you'll start with your family now.

''Are you excited to pick some apples today, Baby Boy?'' you say as you pick up your sleepy son, and he immediately holds onto your neck as soon as you hold him.

''Someone's still sleepy, huh?'' you coo at him, and you rub your hand over his back, the other one supporting him under his butt as you walk over to Tony, who's changing Orion into her fall outfit.

''Look at you, Baby Girl! You look adorable in your little outfit! But it's time to get your brother into his before we can give you your breakfast together,'' you tell her with a few tickles, and her limbs go wild, earning you a glare from Tony.

''Love you,'' you say with a peck on his cheek.

''Right, let's get you off of here to make room for your brother; I need some more cuddles with my Baby Girl after all,'' Tony says as he picks her up, and she immediately grabs onto his neck, just like Hudson did with you.

When Hudson is changed into his fall outfit, you take him to the kitchen, where Tony is already preparing warm milk for them. It has been quite a change only to breastfeed once daily, but they are used to having their bottle in the morning now.

''Let's get settled on the couch, and Daddy will bring you your milk soon, okay?'' you tell Hudson, and he looks up at you excitedly, warming your heart.

''Here you go!'' Tony says, and Hudson takes it with both hands and brings it to his mouth without a problem, happily drinking the milk while Tony settles next to you and gives the bottle to Orion.

''I can't wait to go apple picking with all of you today, make some amazing memories together, and just spend quality time with you,'' you sigh softly, and you let your head fall onto Tony's shoulder, after which he kisses it.

''I can't wait either, Sunshine,'' he tells you softly, and you close your eyes to take in the moment. Your son on your lap, your daughter on your boyfriend's lap, drinking their milk before going out the door and going apple picking together.

''I love you so much, and I'm eternally grateful for giving me a chance to live the life I've always dreamt of,'' you tell Tony, a single tear escaping that you quickly wipe away.

''I love you too, Sunshine. There's nowhere else I'd rather be than with you and our Munchkins. I should be thanking you, though, for being the perfect woman, girlfriend, and Mom in this world,'' he whispers against your hair, and you two stay like this for a little bit.

When Hudson and Orion are done with their milk, you put the bottles on the table, and your daughter crawls into your lap, wanting to be close to you and her brother.

''Hi Baby Girl, are you coming to cuddle with us for a little bit so Daddy can change?'' you ask her, and she gets settled in your lap after Hudson gracefully makes some room for her.

''Be right back, Sunshine,'' Tony says, and you melt into the back of the couch as your kids cuddle with you, surrounding you with warmth and love.

Tony is wearing a black, white, and red outfit today, his glasses on his nose and hair styled perfectly, and he looks as handsome as ever in his fall outfit. It also helps that you laid it out for him beforehand so he would wear something you'd love.

Now, all that's left is you changing into your outfit for the day, and you're ready to go. Your camera, snacks, drinks, and toys for the kids are packed and ready, too.

''Right, time to pick some apples!'' Tony says before he takes both twins by the hand and lets them walk to the car instead of carrying them this time.

There's a stroller in the car for emergencies, but you don't need it as much anymore, which you're happy about.

The drive is uneventful; the twins are happily babbling away in the backseat, and you and Tony are enjoying the sights and seeing how everything is slowly turning from greens to reds, oranges, and yellows.

His hand is lying on your thigh, and your hand covers it as you talk about everything and nothing, never seeming to run out of things to talk about.

''We're here!'' Tony exclaims with happiness laced in his voice, and before you know it, you're standing at the apple trees; Orion and Hudson are both trying to pluck an apple while you're filming them.

Tony is constantly crouched behind them and encouraging until Orion has her apple picked off the tree, stamping her feet excitedly while letting out some content sounds. These happy noises almost sound like words.

''Good job, Baby Girl! Look at you go!'' Tony says that Hudson also picks his apple off the tree shortly after.

''Wow, great job, Baby Boy! You're doing amazing!'' you say as you keep filming his reactions to pulling off the apple. And you're glad you kept the camera on him because you suddenly hear something unmistakable.

''Apple!'' he exclaims while holding it high in the air, and you and Tony immediately look at one another, checking if the other also heard it. You did. He just said his very first word.

''Did you-'' ''Yeah!'' you say as you try and fight back the tears. You're thrilled you kept filming and caught his first word on camera. This is a great moment; you're nothing short of happy that he's grown up so fast.

The video was quickly shared with his parents and your Mom, and the reactions were nothing short of amazing, as they were all just as happy as the two of you.

The rest of the afternoon was spent playing some games, and sharing a big slice of apple pie with Tony while the kids ate a cup of apple sauce until they fell asleep in your arms, and it was time to go home.

You're glad you took lots of photos with your camera, including a few family photos for your collection, and now you're on your way home again. The twins are in a deep sleep in their seats, and you're smiling like a lovesick idiot.

''I can't believe he said his first word today; he's growing up so fast,'' Tony says, and all you can do is nod in response because if you say anything, you will release a dam of tears you don't know you can stop.

They're growing up so quickly, but you're glad they're a part of your lives like this because it wouldn't be the same without them by your sides.

[blackkatmagic]

If you’re still doing the ask meme, 2-3-12-18 for Luke and/or Leia?

2. Favorite canon thing about this character?

Luke - I think I love his sense of duty. Like, at the beginning of ANH he has all these goals and big dreams, but he stays because Beru and Owen need him and he knows that. It's a thread that carries all the way through to his confrontation with Vader, too, and it's just such a good character beat, I love it.

Leia - I really love how Leia is 110% heart only just barely covered by her temper. She's driven and passionate and she cares so much, to her very core. Given how much she feels about everything, I can imagine Bail didn't have much of a choice but to wind her up and let her go, even in the Imperial Senate. She's only a teenager when the OT starts, and she's still one of the main figures of the Rebellion. She's just amazing.

3. Least favorite canon thing about this character?

Luke - Hm. Maybe the fact that he's kind of mopey and a little whiny at the beginning of the movie? But also it's understandable, given that the people who raised him just died and he does get better once everything starts happening.

Leia - Kissing Luke to make Han jealous. It's not even that she and Luke are twins, since neither of them knows at that point, but I just tend to find that kind of...playing people's emotions against each other to be kind of aggravating.

12. What’s a headcanon you have for this character?

Luke - I like to think that a few years after the Emperor kicking it Quinlan shows up to finish training Luke, and Luke ends up getting as much of the history of the Jedi Order as Quinlan has access to (a lot, given that he knows where T'ra is) shoved into his head, so he can rebuild the Order the way Obi-Wan would have wanted to see it.

Leia - I love the headcanon that she ends up becoming known pretty widely in the Outer Rim as the Huttslayer, and it ends up making people trust her far more than most politicians, especially after the fall of the Empire. Every time she gets sent on a diplomatic mission somewhere important, the fact that she killed Jabba invariably gets spread around the planet just as much as her status as a hero of the Rebellion.

18. How about a relationship they have in canon with another character that you admire?

Luke - Ngl I adore Luke and Yoda's relationship. They're both gremlins and they're both so wholesome underneath it and I just think they work perfectly as mentor and student. Yoda deserved to get to train another swamp gremlin, and Luke deserved a mentor who would unleash his gremlin tendencies.

Leia - The only nice things the ST gave us besides Finn in the first movie is the relationship between Amilyn Holdo and Leia. But if we're not counting the ST and we shouldn't, the Bail-Leia relationship is just so beautiful and makes my heart feel three sizes too big. They have so much love for each other!! So much faith in each other!!!! How can you not be touched by that??

[misc-obeyme]

😭 okay attempt number two writing this because i accidentally closed the Tumblr app while in the middle of writing and lost my progress- I'M SO SAD

Mammon is desperately trying to convince them to not visit the record shop, even contradicting himself. Says they shouldn't be the first customers right at opening, that's rude. Or saying it's probably really busy and they should just hang out here. Goes as far as offering free stuff but only if they stay. None of this works.

I bet Belphie has the biggest grin on his face as they leave, with Mammon halfway through following them out the door to hold them back himself. But he can't leave his cafe unattended. He's so worried they'll embarrass him somehow.

Cue them arriving to the shop and I look up to say hi/welcome but I'm currently very occupied trying to make bracelets. And of course I don't recognize them from the cafe because eye contact? Who's she? I don't know her. I'm mostly better about it with people I know, but if I get embarrassed about something I can't hold it 😭 (No doubt Mammon and Solomon would totally do something like a chin grab.)

Anyway Belphie is having the time of his life looking through everything. Finds two CD's he swears he couldn't find anywhere online for anything less than $80. And some records he hasn't had time to order. This has become his new favorite place. Beel is happily carrying everything, very glad he researched beforehand.

They come up to pay and I very awkwardly make space on the counter, apologizing for the mess. Up close, Belphie confirms that he recognizes the bracelets. Even recognizes some lyrics/songs.

"You're going to the concert too?"

That one question gets me very excited and feel instantly less awkward. I start rambling about how it's gonna be my first concert, I'm so excited, it's my favorite band. Until I remember myself and cut myself off because wow I should not be talking two strangers ears off.

"It's okay. Our older brother is the same way with anime. We're used to it."

Beel saying that makes me feel even more embarrassed, but it's the thought that counts. I squint at him for a second because he looks familiar but I shrug it off. I ask if they're brothers too and Beel nods and confirms they're twins.

After checking them out, I offer them one of the bracelets I've already made. Belphie was already eyeing an infinity on high themed bracelet. Beel chooses Death Valley because it's one of the few songs he recognizes because it makes for good workout music. I end up giving them a pair of "Half-doomed/Semi-Sweet" bracelets because they said they were twins. They can have matching bracelets. (Belphie immediately hands the semi-sweet one to Beel).

Before they leave, Belphie catches sight of my "cursed" records display. He rolls his eyes and asks who would buy something like that. I shrug and say "You'd be surprised. I have someone who buys one every time he comes in."

It's only after they leave that I realize I didn't get their names, a contact, or anything. I may or may not yell into my hands because "I COULD'VE HAD KINDA FRIENDS TO GO WITH IF I'D ASKED THEM !! WHY DIDN'T I ASK?!" Now I'm still stuck going alone </3 (or so I think.)

I feel like Belphie would definitely show off his purchase to the family group chat. Beel shows off a photo of their hands next to each other with the new bracelets and says they made a new friend. Mammon is sending angry emojis.

"OI! Y'ALL BETTER NOT HAVE BOTHERED HER !! 🤬 I'LL KICK YOUR ASSES IF I HEAR ANYTHING!!"

Belphie will NOT be letting him live down his interest in this girl he was so desperate to keep them away from. Sending that message in the group chat was the worst idea actually because now EVERYONE is asking who he's talking about. Rip Mammon they're all questioning him.

GAH OKAY MY BUS STOP IS NEXT, I WAS WRITING THIS ON THE WAY TO WORK, AJWJDJF UM UM UM NEXT PART PRE CONCERT SHENANIGANS? OUTFIT PICKING? IDK WE'LL SEE AAA HAVE A GOOD DAY OKAY BYEE THIS WAS SO RUSHED

OH YEAH NEXT INSTALLMENT.

Belphie is such a little punk I love him. And BEEL trying to make you feel better, but only making you feel worse what a guy~

They're talking about Levi, you're talking about Lucifer, Mammon's freaking out in the group chat lkasdjfk.

I love everything about it!

Ohhh I'm so excited about the reaction when you realize you'll be with Mammon and Solomon for the concert!!!

Ahh this is so cute, I love it. I'm excited for whatever comes next!

[blackfangedreaper]

HABITUALLY

Summary: part two

Pairing: Bodyguard!Benimaru shinmon x Drug addict!Femreader.

Warning: fluff💞, smut🍋, cursing and grammatical errors😀 mdni.

Part one

(⁎⁍̴̛ᴗ⁍̴̛⁎)

He managed to sneak you into the house and into your room with no one noticing, you wouldn't hear the end of it if they ever found out, they would probably send you back.

They're always searched for ways to get rid you, trying to lure you in with drugs or alcohol, trying to spike up your addiction again, you fell right back of course, but you'd never let them find out, not again, not when you and beni just got back together.

Walking out of your bathroom you changed into your night gown, drying your hair you peeked out the door of your room looking for a certain dark haired male only to see him right outside taking a call. His suit jacket absent leaving him in his white collared shirt and black slacks.

And boy did he look delectable.

"Yes, she's asleep... No she hasn't left her room since then. Yes... my pleasure, Goodbye." He answered ending the call before turning to you.

"My mom?" He nodded, you opened your door motioning him to come in. "What did she want?"

"She wanted to know where you were." He mumbled out wrapping his arms around you and kissing the top of your head.

"Since when did she start to care." You sneered burying your face into his chest, your words coming out muffled.

Hah... Boobies.

"I don't know, she seemed anxious, almost." He peered down at you.

"Yeah right." You scoffed leaving his hold and pulling him to your bed, sitting him down and climbing onto his lap like old times.

"You should be sleeping." He mumbled out, hands massaging your hips.

"And you should be patrolling." You hummed enjoying the feeling of his fingers roaming your body. "But here we are."

He chuckled trailing kisses up your neck to your jaw, drawing sighs and moans from you, he missed this, the feeling of you in his arms, the feeling of your body being pushed up against him, you.

Lifting his face up his ruby eyes drifted off to your lips before clashing with your (e/c) eyes that just seems to draw him in. "Can I?"

You nodded not taking your eyes off of his as he captured your lips in a slow and passionate kiss, his hands roaming your body before deciding to take refuge on your waist.

The string of saliva connecting you both broke as you separated from each other, you panted circling your arms around his neck, leaving open mouth kisses up his jaw before biting and sucking on his bottom lip.

"Hmm...Beni." You whined feeling his hands go underneath your silky nightgown, then digging into the soft and plump flesh of your ass.

"Eek!" You squeaked feeling a harsh slap on your bum. Bringing you forward he sucked on your neck leaving marks and eliciting sinful sounds from you.

"We s-shouldn't be doing this- ah!" You mumbled grinding down on him.

"Your all over me darling." He spoke against your neck, you could feel the vibrations on your throat. "I couldn't leave even if i wanted to."

True to that he couldn't move, you had your legs wrapped tightly around his waist and your fingers tangled in his hair while your other hand was groping at his chest through his shirt.

Releasing your butt from his grasps he began to knead your breasts, rolling your nipples between his thumb and pointer finger. "Agh- that f-feels good."

Finally unbuttoning his shirt you run your hands up and down the bumps of his abdomen.

"Hmm have you been working out?" You raised your eyebrows at him, feeling him flex his pecs beneath your palm.

"If you count beating thugs up then, yes." He said raising your arms up to throw your gown over your head and unto the ground.

"Fuck... I've missed you." He whispered focusing on your breasts. You felt him push them together, apart then squeezing. This had you throwing your head back in pleasure, liking the attention he gave the soft mounds of flesh. "Hm? Me or the twins?"

"Hmm..." He hummed pretending to think, squeezing your boobs with his eyes shut then opening them back to look at you in false conclusion before he nodded "...Both."

Your heart skipped a beat at the look he gave you, the desire present in his eyes sent shivers down your spine and all the way down to your cunt.

"O-Oh!" You exclaimed feeling his warm and rough tongue swirling around your bud before jolting at the flick your other nipple received.

You mewled pulling on his soft strands. You arched your back and taking it as a sign he rolled you over setting your back on the bed and climbing ontop of you.

He settled between your legs sitting up to take his shirt off, pulling your panties off after.. "Lavender always looked good on you."

He came down on you peppering kisses down your neck, between your breasts to your belly button before arriving at your pubic bone, sucking on the skin to form a bruise.

You squirmed feeling him leave kisses and hickies on your thighs, you whimpered as you felt his fingers brush against your sobbing cunt. "Let me take care of you this time."

"Nooo... W-What of y-you?!" You slurred as his fingers slowly ran up and down your slit, thumb circling slowly around your pearl drawing moans from you before dipping them in your twitching hole.

"No baby, today is all you." He said watching his fingers get soaked with each thrust. Diving between your legs he lapped up your essence, moaning at your taste. "Still so sweet, Just as i remembered"

You threw your head back as you bucked your hips grinding in rhythm with his fingers and tongue, his free hand coming up to rub at the sides of your thighs as they tightened around his head.

"Hmmm..." He groaned flicking your clit with his tongue before entering you and tracing your gummy insides, getting a silent scream from you in return as he hit a particular spongy spot.

"Ahh- b-beni right t-there!" You reached over to stoke his head guiding him softly to the same spot. "Hm here?!"

"Y-Yeah!" You whined, a sudden tightening feeling present in your abdominal region.

"That's it baby come for me." He hummed hitting your sweet spot over and over again with his long and thick fingers.

You choked as a response to his current abuse on your g-spot. Exhaling you felt your eyes roll to the back of your head as the pressure building in your tummy finally snapped drawing out a silent scream from you as you came undone.

"Atta girl." He praised, your eyes locking unto his before zeroing in on his plump red lips which seemed to glisten as a result of your juices.

As if he knew what you were thinking he licked his lips, rose up from his position gripped onto your ankles to pull you in then he dipped his head down to seal your lips with his in a sloppy kiss.

He ran his tongue on your bottom lip asking for entrance and with no hesitation you let him in, first tasting yourself on his tongue as he ran over your soft curves with his hands, gripping the soft (s/c) flesh of your thighs, they have always been one of his favourite parts of you.

The sound of his belt unbuckling snapped him out of his thoughts as his felt your dainty little fingers sneakly try to remove his belt.

"What are you doing?" He caught your hands removing them as he rose an eyebrow at you, you turned away pouting at the fact you had be caught. This is the part were you say 'drats if it wasn't for him and his meddling belt' you would have been dicked down by now.

"Do me." You begged jutting out your lips and batting your eyelashes at him, he could never resist you when you got so pouty and demanding. "I- we shouldn't."

"Why not?" You asked emotionally downcast. "I want you and you want me! So why shouldn't we."

"Your mother will be home anytime soon, and as far as she knows, your asleep." He stated.

"Well she isn't here yet." You declared raising an eyebrow at. "Plus it's not like she'll find out."

"So..." You added spreading your legs to show your already dripping pussy, your (e/c) eyes half lidded, filled with desire and lust, your (h/l) (h/c) sprawled out on the pillows giving you a messy and alluring look, and the dimmed lighting of your room giving your skin a nice glow, you looked like a goddess.

"What are you waiting for? Fuck me Shinmon." You demanded dragging your tongue against your plump lips.

"Yes ma'am." Chuckling he slid off the bed unbuckling his belt letting his briefs and trousers slide off of his waist down to the floor, sighing in relief as his length had now been freed from its confinements.

"Oh fuck..." You moaned clenching at the sight of his manhood standing tall and proud, a bead of precum sliding from his tip all the way down to the base of his cock.

"It's been so long huh?" He smirked loving your reaction, damn right it's been long, he walked to the edge of your bed pulling you by your calves till his lenght settled just above your belly button, between your thighs.

Throwing your legs over his shoulders he enclosed his cock between your thighs as he began to thrust slowly, groaning when he brushed against your aching slit.

"P-Please beni, i need you in me." You pleaded keeping your arms by your head as you panted through your mouth.

"Patience baby." He hissed, rubbing his head against your entrance, using your arousal to lube up his length, finally pushing in inch by inch he felt you around him. "Fuck..."

"Umph- y-yes!" You drawled out feeling your walls expand to accommodate him, you always found it hard to fit all of him in, he was just so big but he felt so good.

"Haaa..." He moaned managing to fit in you, he stretched over you to grab a pillow, placing it under your hips, elevating you a little and letting him bottom out in you.

"Ah!" You threw your head back, jaw dropped at the feeling of his head pushing against your cervix, you swore you saw a tummy bulge but maybe your just seeing things, like the stars circling around your head.

"Fuck darling, e-ease up a little!" Benimaru wheezed out, barely being able to breathe with the way you clenched around him.

He rubbed circles around your clit hoping to relax you a little bit, feeling you relax your walls he began you move in and out of you slowly. After a while he began to thrust deep into you.

"Agh- b-beni! w-wait- hnng!" You could barely get a word out of your mouth, only moans and wails and a little bit of drool.

"S-Shit you feel so good." He groaned out, fucking you into the mattress, gosh and it felt so good.

"J-Just- ah! J-Just like t-that beni! D-Don't st-awp!" You sobbed feeling his tip bruise the entrance to your womb over and over again, fuck you haven't felt like this in a long time, you wish it would never end.

"B-Beni! Please please p-please!" You slurred out too drunk on the pleasure he was providing to think of any other thing.

"I-I know baby, i know." He assured holding unto your knees and spreading them apart to give him better access to your honeypot.

Drilling into you, he felt your gummy walls spasm around him tightly unwilling to let go, taking this as a sigh of your coming orgasm he went faster, pistoning in and out of you inhumanely. " Come for me Y/n."

"I-Im c-oming beni, i-im com- ngh!" Feeling the tight coil in your abdomen snap, your eyes rolled back, white hot pleasure crashing down on your body as you felt your toes curl, the bedsheet bunched up in your hands from digging into them, you inhaled feeling your orgasm be prolonged by a still thrusting benimaru.

White noise filled his ears as he finally came, his fingers dug into the flesh of your thighs due to the intensity of his orgasm, seeing white only as the whites of his eyes were visible, bucking into you in order to ride out both your orgasms.

"Ha...ha." You panted turning your head side to side while mumbling nonsensical and incoherent words.

Shit, he fucked you dumb.

"Baby, you ok?" He chuckled out coming down from his high, he gently slapped your face trying to get a response, only to get a whimper and a whine, seems you were still coming down from the aftershock of your orgasm.

"B-Beni?!" You said startled as he began to move out from inside of you, you whined at the sudden feeling of warmth on your abdomen and then emptiness.

"Would you look at that!" The darked hair man who was now sporting his briefs chortled, watching as his cum dripped out of you in globs when he pushed down on your abdomen.

Looking up he met your eyes already locked on his.

"I see you've come around."

"Fuck you!" You huffed at his taunt attemping to sit up, only to find out you couldn't move at all, noticing this he laughed at you which earned him a glare.

"I'm sorry, i'm sorry, here let's get you cleaned up." He said taking you into his arms and walking into the bathroom to freshen up.

After that he carried you back to the bed laying you down and turning to pick his clothing up from the floor to leave.

"No, stay." You pleaded, he sighed turning to you.

"You know i can't." He ran his hand through his hair conflicted, he wanted to stay, he really did.

"Please, no one's home and i don't want to be alone, not after what happened tonight." You swallowed hoping he would yield luckily he did, he could never say no to you.

"Fine, just for tonight." He sighed feeling warmth as he wrapped his arms around you pulling you into a loving embrace.

"You'll always be here right?" You asked

"Right by your side." He promised, leaving a chaste kiss on your forehead before you both drifted off to sleep.

(⁎⁍̴̛ᴗ⁍̴̛⁎)

Here again with pt.2 ((٩(´͈ᗨ`͈)۶)), i have so much in store for you guys, i think I've transferred some of my pre-written ideas from my notes to my drafts and I really like them! I'm sure you will too.

Edit: umm...i forgot there was a part two of this... Uh here it is....yeah.

Bye! (❀ฺ´∀`❀ฺ)ﾉ💚