#i'm adopting everyone on the heist team

[sakebytheriver]

I just love that the spectrum of main character introductions in Stargate goes from Jonas Quinn to Vala Mal Doran, really going from cinnamon roll to sinnamon roll.

SG1 adopted a golden retriever puppy from a reputable genius wizkid breeder and then picked up a feral cat in a back alleyway that tried to kill them multiple times, it is a crime the two of them never met, Vala would have adored Jonas mostly because he would be so much fun to mess with and the fact that there is no way in hell Jonas wouldn't hang on that woman's every word, like she'd launch into a longwinded story about a heist or a con she pulled off and everyone else in the room would roll their eyes and sigh meanwhile Jonas has big bright puppy dog eyes listening to her wax poetic about stealing some powerful ancient artifact even asking her questions about the heist and taking notes, breaking out one of her pickpocketing moves in the middle of a mission and then revealing what he stole from the enemy to be met with great pride from Vala and much chagrin from the rest of the team as she corrupts their ingénue even if it was exactly what they needed to get out of the jam they found themselves in and anyways what I'm saying is Jonas would appreciate Vala's skills on the same level as he appreciated everyone else's because he recognized the amount of years she put into becoming an expert in conartistry the same way Sam became an expert in astrophysics and Daniel became an expert in archeology and also the dynamic between Vala and Jonas would be "someone will die" "of fun!" and I don't honestly know who would be who in that scenario, but I know it would be the two of them and the rest of the team beleagueredly dealing with their overgrown genius child and the corrupting vodka aunt energy of their resident conartist

[aresontherun]

ocs freeform doodles

I dont really have anything to post these days, but I wanna introduce my ocs to yall heehee

Balloon and Sizzle, my main characters in Playground! They've known each other since childhood, but lost contact when Sizzle (Pan) decided to isolate herself and then moved away without telling anyone, all thanks to the death of all her adoptive family members.

I've made too much Blackrock and Lost Temple ocs before them so I'm glad I came up with this two lol

Keep reading for backstory/ lore :3

Balloon

Despite Balloon's bubbly surface, they've got vengeance burning deep in their heart. They were Sizzle's younger sibling's lover and even as 8 years passed, Balloon never get over her tragic death. Unlike Sizzle who spent all those 8 years isolating herself, Balloon pretends like they're fine, but continously try to find someone to blame and look for any information that might change everything that has happenned. Their efforts also caught them tangled in the atrocities of the shadow, bloodier side of the world.

One day, they received an information from one of their connection about this potion being developed in Blackrock, and soon they start to plan a heist to steal that potion....

but they need a team to do that right? Beside the random skilled people he invited, he searched half of Playground just to find Sizzle.

Sizzle

Ran away from home when she was young, she was found by a young popular aroace single mother, EB, and soon became her second adopted child after WB. Soon after, EB also adopted another kid, CP.

Compared to the other members of her adoptive family Sizzle has always been the most gloomy and depressive, but none of them ever mind, they love her as she is! Sizzle also had a bf in her teen years.

After some crisis yada yada, her adoptive mom disappeared without a trace, leaving her alone with her siblings. They've tried to search for her but everything went in vain. Not long after, WB was hospitalized after he was found bleeding and half dead on an alley in Blackrock side of The Crossroads.

Due to lack of money he was kicked out of the hospital and passed away.

CP's death came 1-2 years later when they caught some kind of deadly virus.

Sizzle can't handle it, all the memories. She thought she's bad luck, an omen, and vaguely said goodbye to her bf before disappearing from the town. The only reason she's keeping herself alive is CP's last word to her.

Everyone looked for Sizzle at first, EB's pretty famous around the district and it made them respect her family too, but time makes us forget, so.

but not Balloon.

Sizzle: ISTJ 6w7

Balloon: ENTJ (might be mistyped as ENFP) 7w8

Sizzle was approved to have photographic memory, Balloon's only discovered later since they never really care about the past and stuff.

also aughhh I messed up Balloon's skin hue :(((

[realfinemood]

Patch 5 Epilogue spoilers!

LAE'ZEL MY BELOVED!! Becoming the Comet in Orpheus' absence! Somehow being inspired by me of all people into doing diplomacy! Teaming up with the Githzerai!!!! Still planning on murdering the fuck out of Vlaakith! Planning on seeing her BFF again once said murder is finished! I'm so proud of her!!!

And in a massive amount of whiplash, I guess Gale is also here. As the god of ambition. And being fucking insufferable. At least I wasn't stuck with him AND ascended Astarion I suppose. They'd be a match made in hell. Thanks for deigning to grace us with your presence.

I did finally get to meet Tara though! Who is also right with me on not being able to fucking stand god Gale. Though ma'am it is not my fault that only the girls know how to make correct decisions when left to their own devices. She did agree with me on that though, and I will be meeting Gale's mom apparently! Brecca canonically has experience apologizing to mothers about their children's poor life choices so she's probably got this. (It was her own mother about herself and not "becoming an all powerful shithead" but still.)

Fading out of the Astarion romance epilogue (which works again yay!) and fading into Brecca wearing the exact clothes Astarion had been wearing. Cute.

Astarion is so ridiculously happy. And happy for everyone else too!! And also refusing to talk to anyone else besides complain loudly, but that's fine, not everyone likes parties babe. But please go talk to Boo though because apparently he has a bunch of ideas on how to solve the whole "curing vampirism" thing and Minsc is just stuck on the power of love solving everything.

Also yay a hug where he kneels instead of Brecca randomly become a tall person!!!

Sebastian sent a letter thanking me for seeing him as a person and excuse me as I go cry.

Love you too Barcus.

Shadowheart called me fat (okay sure "healthy") and then complained about the random food choices we made while camping. Ma'am how dare you, I am a halfling, I went out of my way to make sure I picked things that made some kind of sense as an actual meal. Except for that time we just drank 40 supplies worth of alcohol but, again, I am a halfling. But anyways I'm glad she's off fighting Sharrans with her girlfriend spying for her. And yay I got to belatedly give her a hug!

Yay Karlach actually going to get her engine fixed!!! I'm sad I couldn't say we would absolutely join the heist but also Withers did seem to be super hinting at some sort of DLC type thing so maybe??? But ma'am. Ma'am. My tiny self was the one carrying everyone's loot, let's not go rewriting history. Save that for my poor druid who has no strength and is constantly shoving her loot at Shadowheart to carry.

New Clyde for Karlach!

Wyll I sent you off to hell with much better clothes, what on earth are you wearing? Also, I multiclassed you with bard, how on earth did you become a ranger when you lost your warlock powers? (Also damn do you have a rosy view of how the Flaming Fist without Gortash are. I played a Flaming Fist character once. Gortash was absolutely not the only problem.)

The most on brand thing, Brecca failed the religion check to know who the fuck the musician was. Or clue into all the obvious hints. Weird that Withers apparently dragged some random dude to play music for us, oh well.

Also I googled "dnd god dark sun in white sky" and Cyric is the first result and if that's what this is supposed to be about that is honestly fucking hysterical for Brecca specifically. Can't escape that fucker in any universe apparently.

In conclusion, I can't believe they stole both my pets on top of not letting me adopt any tiefling children 0/10 worst game ever.

[rockislandadultreads]

November NoveList Challenge

For this month's challenge, give thanks and read a book about chosen family or family gatherings! For more recommendations, be sure to check out NoveList - all you need is your library card!

Everyone in My Family Has Killed Someone by Benjamin Stevenson

Everyone in my family has killed someone. Some of us, the high achievers, have killed more than once. I'm not trying to be dramatic, but it is the truth. Some of us are good, others are bad, and some just unfortunate.

I'm Ernest Cunningham. Call me Ern or Ernie. I wish I'd killed whoever decided our family reunion should be at a ski resort, but it's a little more complicated than that.

Have I killed someone? Yes. I have.

Who was it?

Let's get started.

This is the first volume of the "Ernest Cunningham" series.

Adult Assembly Required by Abbi Waxman

When Laura Costello moves to Los Angeles, trying to escape an overprotective family and the haunting memories of a terrible accident, she doesn’t expect to be homeless after a week. (She’s pretty sure she didn’t start that fire - right?) She also doesn't expect to find herself adopted by a rogue bookseller, installed in a lovely but completely illegal boardinghouse, or challenged to save a losing trivia team from ignominy… but that’s what happens. Add a regretful landlady, a gorgeous housemate, and an ex-boyfriend determined to put himself back in the running and you’ll see why Laura isn’t really sure she’s cut out for this adulting thing. Luckily for her, her new friends Nina, Polly, and Impossibly Handsome Bob aren't sure either, but maybe if they put their heads (and hearts) together they’ll be able to make it work for them.

This is the second volume of "The Bookish Life of Nina Hill" series.

The Monsters We Defy by Leslye Penelope

In the summer of 1925, along Washington, DC’s “Black Broadway”, a malevolent entity has begun preying on Negro residents. Twenty-three-year-old Clara Johnson is determined to discover what’s going on in her community. Using her natural ability to talk with spirits, she begins to investigate, but a powerful spirit tasks her with a difficult quest: steal an ancient, magical ring from the finger of a wealthy socialite.

When Clara meets Israel Lee, a supernaturally enhanced jazz musician also vying for the ring, the two decide to work together. They put together an unlikely team including a former circus freak, a pickpocketing Pullman Porter, and an aging vaudeville actor to pull off an impossible heist.

But a dangerous spirit interferes at every turn and conflict in the spirit world is leaking out into the human world. With different agendas, even if Clara and Israel pull off the heist, only one of them can truly win.

Our Missing Hearts by Celeste Ng

Twelve-year-old Bird Gardner lives a quiet existence with his loving but broken father, a former linguist who now shelves books in a university library. Bird knows to not ask too many questions, stand out too much, or stray too far. For a decade, their lives have been governed by laws written to preserve “American culture” in the wake of years of economic instability and violence. To keep the peace and restore prosperity, the authorities are now allowed to relocate children of dissidents, especially those of Asian origin, and libraries have been forced to remove books seen as unpatriotic - including the work of Bird’s mother, Margaret, a Chinese American poet who left the family when he was nine years old.

Bird has grown up disavowing his mother and her poems; he doesn’t know her work or what happened to her, and he knows he shouldn’t wonder. But when he receives a mysterious letter containing only a cryptic drawing, he is pulled into a quest to find her. His journey will take him back to the many folktales she poured into his head as a child, through the ranks of an underground network of librarians, into the lives of the children who have been taken, and finally to New York City, where a new act of defiance may be the beginning of much-needed change.

[shannonisawitch]

Yacht Club

Mc buys a yacht and takes her future wifey for a cruise 💋

Sonia x MC

Sonia stood at the end of a dock and scoffed at the scrap of paper she held in her hand. The coordinates scribbled on the paper led to a spot off the coast of the Bahamas, a spot in the middle of the fucking ocean. She hadn’t believed it at first, thought that maybe there was a mistake, but the bartender at the tiny bar at the head of the dock had assured her that yes, the coordinates were indeed the middle of the ocean.

“Excuse me, miss?”

Sonia turned to face an older man, a captain’s hat covering his graying hair. “Yes?”

“What coordinates do you have?”

Slightly baffled, Sonia raised an eyebrow. “Why do you ask?”

“I was sent to receive a visitor for my boss, Fiera. A chase is in effect, and the finish line is near.”

Sonia smiled at the code and handed the man the slip of paper. “Mind telling me why these coordinates are going to take us to the middle of the ocean?”

“Afraid I’m on strict orders to tell you nothing and bring you to the coordinates at your earliest convenience.”

“Alright,” Sonia shrugged. “Off we go then, captain.”

“Please, call me Simon. Boat’s this way.”

 ------------

After almost drowning in a small boat several months ago, it was safe to say that Sonia was not currently a big fan of the small motor boat moving farther out to sea. They passed islands and other boats, the sun beginning to sink below the horizon, casting the ocean in a pink sun-kissed haze.

“Not too much longer now,” Simon called from his position at the motor.

The water was calm around them, a crystalline blue, and Sonia took a deep breath. She never thought that she’d find herself in the Bahamas, let alone chasing down a very special someone for what was probably the sixth time. Or was it the seventh? The things she did for this woman. Between her trying to throw every major protection agency off Gwen’s tail and Gwen lying low and seemingly disappearing every couple of weeks, they had to get creative with where and when they got to see one another. Sonia wasn’t complaining, she loved the constant exchange of clues that they’d leave for one another, hinting at locations and encrypted phone numbers so that they could at least speak to one another when a face-to-face meeting was too risky. Safe to say it was the most exciting relationship Sonia had ever been in, but also the most challenging. She’d give almost anything to have Gwen in her life every day, but that was a dream for another time, another day.

A large shape on the horizon drew her attention, and realization finally dawned on her; the coordinates were in the middle of the ocean, yes, but they led directly to a yacht. A very large, very expensive looking yacht.

“Welcome to the Ippolita! Named after the first crown princess of Monaco, you know.” Simon announced, pulling up to the rear of the vessel and tying off the small boat. Sonia smirked at the name of the boat and grabbed her bag, Simon helping her onto the loading dock. “Fiera will most likely be on the second deck, she’s expecting you. Please enjoy your stay.”

Simon gave her a salute as he turned and walked away. Sonia moved to the staircase on her left, marveling at the sheer size of the ship as she ascended to the second deck. Lounge chairs faced out to the ocean, a pair of sliding glass doors behind them, soft music coming from within. Sonia eased the door open, cool air brushing against her face as she walked into the room. A king-sized bed faced the floor to ceiling windows, giving a stunning view of the ocean. Sonia set her bag on the bed and walked down the hall, following the music. She came into a sitting area and there, sitting at a table with blueprints, papers, and devices scattered across it, was Gwen. She chatted animatedly to someone on the phone, shifting through the mess before her.

“Rye, don’t worry, I’ve got it covered.”

Sonia leaned against the door frame, watching the other woman silently. Gold light flooded the room, bathing Gwen in a warm glow, her long hair swept over one shoulder. Sonia was admiring the curve of her neck when Gwen turned around, a smile spreading across her lips at the sight of Sonia.

“Hey Rye, I’m going to have to call you back.” Gwen hung up the phone without waiting for an answer and set it on the table, rising from her chair and crossing the room.

“So, you’re Fiera now, huh?”

“The name kind of found me, and I needed a new cover, so I’m not complaining.”

“Sounds like there’s a story behind that.”

“There is.” Gwen stepped in front of her, letting her arms wrap around Sonia’s waist. “But a story for another time. I’ve missed you.”

“Kiss me like you miss me.”

Gwen laughed against her lips and pulled her to the bedroom.

 ------------

“So… did you steal this yacht too?” They were lying in bed, the ocean calm and dark before them, the windows open to let in the cool sea air.

“Hmm, I can’t remember.”

Sonia rolled her eyes and swatted away Gwen’s wandering hand. “Don’t avoid the question, darling.”

“No, I didn’t steal the yacht, darling.” Gwen chuckled, rolling so she was lying over Sonia, her hair falling around them like a curtain. “I’ve recently come into a lot of money.”

“Lucky you.” Sonia drew lazy circles along Gwen’s back. “Brown hair suits you.”

“Figured I needed to change some things up after my run-in with Ansel’s team in Dubai a few weeks ago. You know, just normal life on the run.”

Sonia leaned up and captured her lips, the kiss slow and lazy. Gwen leaned into her, a heat flushing through her body.

“I could lay here and kiss you all night, but I do have a dinner planned for us on the upper deck,” she whispered against her lips.

The two got dressed and made their way to the upper deck, where a table was waiting under the light of the moon. Candles were lit around the deck, and Sonia smiled as she sat down, a single red rose sitting atop her plate.

“A rose in bloom waits for you in the sea, follow these coordinates and you’ll get to me,” Sage said, reciting the clue and watching Sonia pick up the rose.

“The final clue to finding you. You know how to put up a good chase.” Sonia’s eyes shined with mirth as she looked at Gwen across the table. “It killed me not to see you for a whole seven weeks, you know. But at least the chase kept me sane.”

“Actually, that’s what I want to talk to you about. But first, let’s eat.”

A few crew members walked up the stairs and placed dishes of lobster, shrimp, and caviar on the table, next to baskets of bread and fruit. Champagne was poured into two glasses, and Gwen raised hers in a toast as the crew walked back down the stairs.

“A toast. To evading Ansel, bathing in riches, and most importantly, to us.”

“I’ll drink to that,” Sonia replied, clinking her glass to Gwen’s. “To us.”

“Now, back on topic. As much as I love configuring elaborate chases to get you to find me, I know they can’t go on forever. Seven weeks is much too long without you. You’ve done a phenomenal job keeping them off my trail for the last six months-”

“You’re welcome, by the way.”

“… and while I’ve had a few close calls, I’d say I’m mostly out of hot water. Especially now that my… assets have been divvied up. I have the funds to escape Ansel and watch him combust into flames from afar, metaphorically of course.”

Sonia laughed, plucking a strawberry into her mouth. “And?”

“And I think we should stop running. At least, stop running in opposite directions. Sonia, I love the short time we get to spend together, but I hate when you leave, and I hate having to put distance between ourselves. I know that I can keep Ansel off my tail and keep anyone from suspecting that you were ever involved. You could come with me, and we could go wherever we wanted.”

“Gwen, I can’t just run away with you. What about my job, and my family?”

“Babe, I’ve got enough money that you’ll never have to work a day in your life, but I know you’re passionate about your career, so I’ve found a couple opportunities that might fit your liking.”

Simon walked up the deck at that moment, a pile of folders in his hands. He handed them off to Gwen and refilled their champagne before giving a salute and striding from the deck.

“Thank you, Simon! Now, in this folder you’ll find security details, agency consulting, course teaching, and positions open in law enforcement from pretty much all around the world. You can have your pick, and before you say anything about being handed a job, know that you deserve this, especially after everything Ansel put you through. You’re qualified for every job in this folder.” Gwen handed the folder across the table to Sonia, her expression serious. “I know it’s a lot to think about, so I don’t expect an answer right away. Actually, you don’t owe me an answer, just know that I support you no matter what you do.”

“Gwen, I… I don’t know… what…” Sonia flipped through the folder, her eyes wide. Positions at MI6, the CIA, private security teams. She skimmed through the packets, speechless.

“Hold on, I’m not done yet.” She opened a second folder, flipping through papers and photos. “When we were trapped on that tiny boat and you told me about your sister and how she lost everything, you were so anguished…” Gwen reached across the table and took Sonia’s hand. “I decided right there and then that I never wanted to see you sad again. So, I got to work.”

Sonia took the new folder Gwen handed her, not letting go of her other hand.

“Your sister should be receiving a job offer that she can’t pass up. A great yearly salary, benefits, all that jazz. She’ll also be contacted on Monday with news that a long-lost relative has passed and has left her a small fortune. She and her daughter will live comfortably, and safely, for the rest of their lives.” Sonia was squeezing her hand so hard, she was sure it was going to snap in two. “Oh, and the dickwad that caused all her problems is now sitting cozy in a cell at Trask Island, conveniently linked to the theft of some priceless Monaco jewels…”

Sonia sat speechless, tears in her eyes as she stared across at Gwen. Gwen smirked, trying to gauge her reaction.

“Is this a good reaction, or did I fuck up?”

Sonia jumped from her chair and was in front of Gwen in the blink of an eye, her hands cupping her face. “Gwendolyn Hargraves, you are the greatest person I know. What did I do to deserve you?”

Gwen didn’t get a chance to answer as Sonia sealed their lips together in a searing kiss.

“I have so many questions,” Sonia said breathlessly, breaking the kiss. “But first, why? Why go through all the trouble?”

“Babe.” Gwen pulled Sonia down so she was sitting on her lap, legs dangling off the side of the chair. “I’d honestly do anything for you. This was the least I could do. You’ve already done so much for me.”

Sonia kissed her again, slow and tantalizing, her teeth nipping at Gwen’s lower lip. Gwen squeaked in surprise but kissed her back with such fever and passion that Sonia felt her world spin.

“Our dinner is getting cold,” Gwen mumbled against her lips.

“I’m suddenly not that hungry,” Sonia smirked. “Only want you.”

A shiver ran through Gwen as Sonia’s nimble fingers reached for the hem of her shirt, breaking the kiss to quickly pull it over Gwen’s head and discard it on the floor. Gwen’s skin was hot to her touch, her heart pulsing as she let her hands wander to skim the soft skin of her stomach.

“This chair is getting in my way,” Gwen said against her neck, kissing the olive skin. “Perhaps we can move to the lounge chair.”

Sonia chuckled in her ear, untangling herself and rising from the chair, pulling Gwen so they were flush against one another. Gwen smiled against her lips as she walked backwards towards the lounge chair, keeping her arms tight around Sonia. The back of her calf caught the edge of the chair and she fell back, Sonia following her down with a laugh.

“I’m really glad I went with the plush lounge chairs,” Gwen smirked, pulling Sonia’s shirt over her head. “I’m also really glad you wore your lacey bra.”

Sonia rolled her eyes but laughed again, raking her nails down Gwen’s back as she rolled her hips.

“Fuck, that was hot,” Gwen groaned, leaning back on her elbows to watch Sonia move above her. “But something needs to be done before we go any further or I’m going to go crazy.”

“Pants. Off.”

“My thoughts exactly.”

Sonia stood quickly to pull off her pants while Gwen shimmied out of hers. Sonia was back on top of her in a moment, grinding into her while Gwen let her fingers wander to the clasp of her bra.

“Do you know what Fiera means, my love?” Gwen whispered, kissing the shell of her ear.

“Enlighten me,” Sonia mumbled against her jaw.

“Wild animal.”

“I hope you live up to your name then, Fiera.”

Intense heat ran through Gwen’s body as Sonia started kissing down her chest, her hands lost in Sonia’s hair as she moved lower.

“I thought you weren’t hungry,” Gwen said with a smirk, gasping when Sonia nipped at the inside of her thigh.

“Shut it, Fiera.”

 ------------

Sonia woke the next morning to the soft sound of the yacht moving through the waves, the sheets cool underneath her, the sun warm on her sore limbs as it seeped through the massive windows. She felt completely at ease, and completely sated. Remembering last night, she smiled and opened her eyes, but the bed was empty beside her.

She sat up in the bed and yawned, stretching her arms above her head, looking out at the crystal blue waters moving swiftly past. Gwen stood at the railing, her hair loose around her shoulders, a robe tide loosely around her. Sonia gathered the top sheet off the bed and wrapped it around her, moving out of the cabin to stand on the deck. Gwen turned at the sound of footsteps, a smile gracing her lips.

“Good morning, mi amor.” The term of endearment rolled off her tongue, and Sonia smiled brighter.

“Good morning, lover.” Sonia stepped behind her, wrapping her arms around her waist and resting her chin on Gwen’s shoulder. The yacht was moving swiftly past scattered islands, the sun bright on the horizon. “Where are we off to?”

“It’s a surprise.” Gwen covered Sonia’s hands with her own, leaning into her. “Did you sleep well?”

“Exceptionally. Best sleep I’ve had in months.”

“Good.” Gwen turned her head and gave her a chaste kiss as the boat slowed beneath them. 

“I thought about your offer. It only took me a few moments to decide, but I think I’d like to run away with you, Gwen Hargraves.”

Gwen turned in her arms, looking into her eyes. “Are you sure?”

“I haven’t been more sure of anything else in my life,” Sonia says with a laugh. “It will be a new adventure.”

Gwen kisses her again, emotion heavy on her lips. They stand there for a moment, leaning against one another. 

“Thank goodness, because honestly I was running out of clever clues to leave you.”

Light laughter dances on the breeze as Sonia buries her nose in Gwen’s neck, drinking in the scent of her sunkissed skin. “I decided last night, as soon as you handed me that second folder. I don’t want to live without you.”

“And now you’ll never have to.”

They stand in the sun, basking in the moment of just being together.

“I think we’re just about there, shall we go get dressed?” Gwen asks after several minutes, running her hands up and down Sonia’s arms.

“If we must.”

“Bikinis are mandatory.”

“Did you book an island?” Sonia asked, turning to look over the side of the boat, an island not too far away.

“Babe, I bought an island.” Gwen turned out of Sonia’s arms, sauntering back into the cabin, shooting Sonia a smirk over her shoulder.

“Son of a bitch. I could get used to having a sugar momma.”

Gwen’s laughter filled the cabin.

 ------------

The beach was pristine, the white sand near blinding in the afternoon sun. A breeze ruffled Sonia’s hair as she flipped through one of the job packets, the folder on her lap and a highlighter in hand, Gwen’s head cradled on her thighs as they lounged in the sand under the shade of an umbrella.

“You’re such a nerd with your highlighter.”

“I want to go through and check every specification. I don’t want to deal with another Ansel.”

“Don’t worry, I only picked jobs that would put you under excellent management. The CIA liaison is probably my favorite, besides the last option, of course.”

Sonia flipped through the folder, pulling out the last packet, a smile tugging at her lips. “Really? Security detail for your heist team?”

“We could use your expertise. And I hear the leader is fantastic.”

Sonia swatted Gwen with the folder and they both laughed.

“Ok. I’ll keep it in mind with my top contenders.” Sonia said it in all seriousness.

Gwen sat up, regarding her. “Really?”

“Why not? It’s still for the greater good, is it not?”

“It most definitely is.”

Sonia spun around at the voice, Gwen grinning cheekily as she stood.

“Glad you could finally make it, Rye.”

Rye wrapped her in a hug. “I missed you. And, well, hanging out on your private island was an invitation I couldn’t pass up.”

Gwen laughed, sitting down next to Sonia. “Sonia, allow me to formerly introduce you to Ryland York. Strategist, smooth talker, and my very best pal.”

“Pleasure to officially meet you, you know, without trying to arrest you and all that.”

Rye chuckled, reaching down to shake Sonia’s hand. “The pleasure is all mine. I’m just glad Gwen found someone that will put up with her head strong attitude and her horrible jokes.”

Gwen nudged him playfully. “Did Eris come to?”

“Yeah, she’s still asleep on the yacht. Graves and Jones are with us too. Samira will talk via video chat, Fabian said he’d meet us here, and Sibil said something about a cruise ship?”

“Wow, I buy a yacht and suddenly everyone follows suit.”

“Guess we’re officially a yacht club.”

“Good thing we have this island to hold our… yacht club meetings.”

“Should I be present during these ‘yacht club’ meetings?” Sonia asked, raising a perfect eyebrow.

“Of course. You’re a member by association now.” Gwen kissed her shoulder, leaning against her.

Rye smiled at the two of them, leaning back into the sand. “Welcome to the yacht club, Sonia.”

[uc-fakeadoption-au]

herói do futuro: chapter 4 is out!

(sorry I'm late!!!)

read on ao3:

chapter count: 4/?

rating: teen and up audiences

category: gen

warnings: no (archive) warnings apply

relationships: Nathan Drake & Victor Sullivan, Nathan Drake & Samuel Drake, Samuel Drake & Victor Sullivan

additional tags: fake adoption au, Alternate Universe - Canon Divergence, also titled just a dad and his two sons, Young Nate, Young Sam, aka hes not balding yet lmaoo, “young” sully, Team as Family, Fluff and Angst, pretty good amounts of fluff tbh, Family Bonding, accidental family acquisition, There will be headcanons, content warning for sully bc he’s young and hot, dare i say…dilf sully?, yes beta we DON’T die (like sam!!!), place-filler ocs (they don’t mean shit to the story I just needed someone for certain roles)

chapter summary: we get to see how our little "heist" is going from a... different point of view

alternative to ao3 under the cut:

Nathan was bored. While he knew the importance of his part in the plan — Sam had drilled it onto him, he had to stay put, and alert — he still was an energetic 8-year-old kid. This felt like hell, hell worse, even!

He surely would be putting his talents to better use if he got to go rooftop- hopping around like he had wanted since they even started discussing the plan. Of course, there was the distraction thing. He sure had an advantage on that one, but if everything went well, he wouldn't even need to do anything.

Maybe Sam had lied about everything and was actually just messing with him, getting back at him 'cause of that thing a few days ago, when he had gotten caught in Nathan's place and got yelled at. That had to be it! By now, both he and Sully must be having the time of their lives making fun of him.

Scratch that. Sam would probably murder anyone who tried to make fun of his 'little brother', anyway. So, at least they weren't both doing it at the same time. Sam could be doing that by himself, though. Probably was, actually.

He wondered about Sully's reaction. The man was still a big question mark in his brain. Sure, he had lied to everyone and was pretty shady. And definitely a crook. But he was kinda curious about the man, anyway. Guiding him through the rooftops was a prime opportunity to find out more and meet his needs about the curiosity thing for once, but noo, he had to stay put and die of boredom while his brother got all the best opportunities.

…

He wondered how they were doing right now.

~

Most of the path was easy enough for anyone to pass through, even an old man like Sullivan.

Sam underestimated how annoying he could get. Victor could keep up just fine, but he kept trying to make conversation, sprinkled with — a pretty healthy, yet unnecessary — amount of snark in every other phrase. He hadn't agreed on an impromptu comedy show. Much less a personal clown, thank you very much.

He surely tried to avoid engaging, maybe that would get the man to shut up. Not even scrambling as fast as possible through everything could stop Sam's own snarky streak, though, and he ended up retorting at random stuff anyway.

It was a way to make all the climbing and jumping around a little bit less awkward, no weird silences or anything, but at what cost? He had walked right into the old man's trap. And even that had only worked long enough for them to get to the halfway point, which was the makeshift loose board 'bridge' he had placed in there sometime before.

Which was not lying broken at the bottom of the gap.

That was not ideal. At all.

The other day, he had been completely sure that neither of them could make the jump. Now, actually seeing Sullivan side by side with the hole, he could clearly see that it would be an easy one for him. And the orphanage was just around the corner, the way in practically highlighted in the middle of all the other dark windows. Victor could easily just… go on without him, So. He had to stall.

"You got a hook? Rope? Anything?"

"Not really". Ah fuck, not even an easy way over, then. This was starting to look bad for him. Keep stalling!

"What?? Aren't you supposed to be the experienced one here? How come you don't even got basic equipment?", fake it 'till you make it, amirite?

"Well, it was you who said this was an easy, straightforward path. If anything, you brought this on yourself"

"I do have an idea to get you across, though". Oh? That's… not where he thought this was going at all… of course, that was the plan all along. Yeah, keep telling yourself that, Sam, you moron.

"Yeah?"

"Watch and learn, kid".

Sam nodded dumbly and stood on the edge of the roof, looking out to the other side with a hand above his eyes. He couldn't see anything to hold onto anywhere near, but surely… He felt hands grabbing him from under his armpits. At that moment, two very distinct thoughts crossed his mind. The first:

Guess the old man's straight up going to murder me, then. Wonder what he will tell to convince Nathan that it was an accident or something like that?

The other one was some mix of unholy screeching and a very emphatic 'OH FUCK'. This was the one he ended up letting out, doing his best to not make too much noise.

~

Nathan was pretty sure he was about to explode if he had to keep still for one single second more. At least Sam and Sully were getting close. He was certain he heard something outside and that could only be them. Wait.

Was he hearing things or was that Sam yelling in the distance?

…

Crap, what if he fell? He bet it was in that little bridge thing they put up some time ago — it was supposed to be a temporary thing since neither of them could jump so far, but what if it broke when Sam was crossing through?? He wasn't even there to help!! But!

But.

If his brother did fall, that would be kinda his own fault. He was the one who didn't check if the bridge thingy was holding up. And that insisted that Nate get left behind. So, if anything, he got what was coming for him — unless he managed to die in the fall , but he refused to even consider that possibility.

Also, Sully wouldn't let his (stupid, overconfident) big brother fall, he was pretty sure. The man wouldn't risk messing up the job because of that and he was mostly sure that he got some kind of soft spot for him and his brother. Everyone loves an underdog, anyway.

Yeah, Sam was fine, the plan was still good. No worries.

~

Everything was most definitely not good. That absolute bastard just threw him across and expected him to go down agreeably??? Old man, you got a big storm coming.

Just as Victor touched down on the other side, he started whisper yelling with all his might, "What the actual shit, why would you think that was a good idea???".

He had the gall to look down at him, arms crossed like he was some kind of scolding… oh no.

"Well? What's it to ya, old man? Wanna kill me? Better make it count, better kill me in one shot ", he took a big gulp of air. Sullivan sure was starting to look actually mad.

"You do realize each moment you waste throwing that tantrum of yours is one we could be using to get to the chapel, right? And one less moment exposing your brother to any risk, even if it is just standing guard".

At that, he stopped ranting. He knew Victor was right about this, but God, he just plain out refused to agree with him, that would be admitting defeat. The only way he could possibly salvage this was by just flat-out maintaining silence.

"Great. Will you resume your guide duties now, Morgan?".

Or he could not do that and actually make good on his threat. Hopefully, Nathan wouldn't be too disappointed when he told him he had to kill the old man? Sullivan was still staring at him challengingly, so he reluctantly waved at the man to follow him.

He just wanted this whole thing to end soon, so he could just… grab his brother and never look into the old man's face again.

~

Nathan kinda didn't want this whole thing to end. Sure, it was reckless and a bit stupid — and at the moment, boring as hell — but it was a bit fun as well? Don't get him wrong, he absolutely wanted to be done and get out of the stifling orphanage and the strict nuns and mainly get far, far away from all the things he had grown to hate in there.

On the other hand, more time there meant doing their 'mission' and messing around just in the way he liked it.

Hmm, tough one. In a way, both options have them more freedom, but both had strong points–

Something sounded in the hallway a few ways over. He held his breath, waiting.

Okay, nothing wrong. Just overreacting,  since it's dark and silent and anyone nearby could actually be a threat in this case. But it's nothing, everything is just–

"Nathan, is that you? What are you doing up so late?", said a feminine voice from the hallway.

Crap.

~

Sullivan sure was looking a little guilty back there. Good. Maybe he'd stop being such a prick.

"We're coming up to a window in a bit. We'll get in using it", he explained.

Sam didn't really bother to wait for his answer, marching ahead for the window taking a tumble jumping through the windowsill fluidly , coming up to a small, empty dorm room that went straight to the hallway. He and Nathan had discovered this one a long time ago, not too long after they had first gotten here. They used those as an escape route several times , so he was certain it was okay to use this time.

Victor landed right by his side in the small space, startling him out of his thoughts. It was a good thing, 'cause he got to stop the man and warn him about a small detail.

"We'll have to sneak past the administration office. It shouldn't be a problem, since everyone is most likely already out. But," he raised a finger, "sometimes Father Duffy falls asleep at his desk when trying to solve all the messes that keep piling up. So, we have to watch out in case he's there this time".

The man grunted something he couldn't make up what exactly it was. It sounded affirmative enough, so he went ahead anyway. Turns out father Duffy was still in his office, dead asleep. He genuinely felt bad for him, this was the one person here that actually deserved better… Thank God he was asleep. Great for them, terrible for the priest, for he would be the one who'd have to deal with the fallout of their little plan in the near future. Again, poor dude.

After getting to the stairs to the first floor, both of them went ahead very casually. If everything went well up to this point, there shouldn't be a lot less to worry too much over by now, right?

~

The woman got closer, coming to a stop right in front of him, by the chapel's door. Even worse, it was Sister Catherine

~

He and Victor heard the voices in the distance. He managed to find out that the one who was talking was Catherine. Which was tough luck, but he was sure Nathan could handle it. Probably.

Okay, in all honesty, he had no clue how it'd go, but he had to hope, yeah?

Now all they could do was wait.

~

Okay, so Sister Catherine was here. And that was bad? Good? He couldn't tell, really.

On one side, she suspected absolutely everything he or Sam did and standing still on an unlit corridor on god-knows-when in the morning? Was not really something even a 'normal' person would just blow off as nothing. So, a bit of a messy situation.

On the other hand, he did have a great strategy for distracting her — namely, going all out with the 'kicked puppy's eyes. He always got her with that one. We're it a few years earlier, even Sam could have pulled that off, but now he was actually starting to grow, so he got kinda strange and graceless. Not that he would tell his brother that, true as it was.

Anyways, back to the actual problem. Sister Catherine.

Pulling his best 'scared-but-still-adorable' face, he turned to the nun. She smelled vaguely like cigarette smoke. Huh.

"Oh Sister Catherine! It's you! Thank God", he exaggerated, "Just the one I wanted to see!"

She crossed her arms. Uh oh, bad move.

"Care to explain what exactly is that you're doing, Nathan?"

"Actually, I was sleeping right now, but then I heard something downstairs, it sounded like footsteps. So I had to come look, you know".

She was looking pretty stern at the moment. Sheesh.

"But then I got scared, standing here all alone. That was when you found me! So, thanks!"

"So you're telling me you heard all of that all the way from your bed. The one on the second floor, that's on one of the furthest rooms from the actual stairs?"

"Uh…"

"And you came here all by yourself, without your brother. The one that's always hanging around you and that's suspiciously absent right now?"

"Well, you see–"

She started walking towards the direction from which Sam and Sully would be coming in. Okay, scratch everything he thought before, he was actually SHIT at distractions. Only one way to salvage this.

"Wait, wait, wait!'' he grabbed her sleeve somewhat desperately. "If you let us get back to the dorms by ourselves and don't mention anything, I won't tell you've been smoking when no one's looking".

At that, she stopped.

"Come on, you know Father Duffy would believe me. That sounds fair?", come on, come on.

She sighed and rubbed the bridge of her nose, looking absolutely done with it all. If she ever decided to abandon this lifestyle, Nathan was pretty sure the fault would most likely be his and his brother's.

"Okay, sure", she conceded. "But no more messing around. Get your brother and get straight back to bed. If I find you in here later, I don't care what you say, you're getting punished. Understood?"

"Yes, ma'am!" he mock saluted.

The nun didn't bother replying, turning tail and walking away as fast as possible, mumbling something along the lines of "God forgive me, but I'm gonna need another cigarette after this".

Right as her footsteps faded away, both Sam and Sully emerged from around the corner, looking like they were stuck somewhere between relief and exasperation.

"Took you long enough, little brother", Sam mocked, ruffling his hair almost aggressively.

"I'd like to see you try, Samuel", he batted at his brother's hand uselessly. Stoop you big nerd.

Sully finally interjected in their little play fight, bodily getting between the two of them. "Okay, children, let's go. You heard what she said, we don't have too much time".

Sully made quick work of the lock, and just like that, they were in.

"Come on, let's find something shiny".