#imagine thinking the guy who put up the second most points on that team is bad

[vidavalor]

This is the face of an angel who just realized that his oppressors are afraid of him and his friends because, together, they are a force that threatens the regime.

This is the face of an angel that just realized all of this Metatron nonsense is to separate them and keep him-- the best strategist-- from starting a revolution. If they are split up, The Second Coming goes off without a hitch... but if Aziraphale unites them, then Heaven will fall. Crowley & Aziraphale alone are enough trouble together to stop Armageddon. Crowley & Aziraphale with the eons-long leaders and commanders of Heaven and Hell in Gabriel and Beezelbub, though? That is a coup.

How little would it take to overthrow it all at this point? How long until it's Crowley & Aziraphale & Gabriel & Beez... & Muriel & Eric & Furfur? How til they get Michael and Dagon on their side? How long until it's actually most of the demons and a sizable portion of the angels teaming up against what's left of Heaven?

Give Me Coffee or Give Me Death. Aziraphale took the coffee. The Metatron thinks it means subservience. He thinks it means he's tricked Aziraphale and that he's won and he was almost right, so is the level of trauma these beings have suffered. He didn't know, though, that coffee is already coded as liberty. He handed Aziraphale a cup of symbolic freedom and didn't realize how so very true that was going to be. Just like a certain empire once did when they gave some of their people the option to form some colonies, thinking that the empire would always remain in control, and now we call those colonies not part of Great Britain but The United States of America.

"Out of his mouth go burning lamps, and sparks leap out"-- the Job quote on the matchbox. The matchbox containing the fly, containing Gabriel via Beez. Out of Gabriel's mouth goes burning lamps-- Gabriel lights the way. He's the path forward. He is first shots fired in the rebellion...

...and sparks leap out.

Some Boston Tea Party stuff afoot, you guys.

That is the face of an angel that just realized that he and Crowley were both wrong: the solution isn't running away but it's also not taking over a broken system that doesn't want to be fixed... it's fanning the spark that Gabriel lit into a flame and then into an inferno and burning this entire mother to the ground.

Aziraphale is no longer headed to Heaven to run it.

He's headed to Heaven to *overthrow* it.

He's headed to Heaven to *liberate* it.

No idea how much of a chance he will get to succeed alone but this is Aziraphale. He will give them hell if it's the last thing he ever does-- for Muriel and all the angels like them. For all the persecuted demons. For the humans Heaven wants to destroy. For Gabriel.

Most of all, for what they did to Crowley and the 6,000 years of fear and pain they've put them through.

That is the face of an angel who just realized that he had almost been drawn back into Heaven's web of darkness again, only to hear that Heaven wants him to oversee the destruction of 8 billion people and the Earth he calls home and the stars the love of his life built and he has reached his absolute last remaining straw.

They've taken his home and hurt his friends and they took *Crowley* and at this point, Aziraphale no longer gives one flying fuck what it might be that God wants because God can go fuck herself if this it is. The elevator scene is Aziraphale saying Crowley was right:

That angel is *untethered* with barely controlled rage. They nearly played him for a sucker. He might die doing this and they fooled him and he broke Crowley's heart and they've taken too. Fucking. Much. It's just utter destruction. There will be no system of Heaven and Hell done when Aziraphale is through with it.

Aziraphale is about to go from not sure if he should stop Armageddon in S1 to being the angel that destroys the system of Heaven and Hell in S3.

Yes, you can save everyone, Aziraphale, but not alone. You need Crowley's imagination and Gabriel's leadership and Beez's intelligence. That's what they're afraid of. You finally got it in that elevator, so get up there now, get your gang back together, and make some trouble.

[loquaciousferret]

Partners

Summary: After a difficult 6-month partnership with Agent Peña, the tension unravels itself in an unexpected way.

Pairing: Javier Peña x F!Reader

Content Warnings: 18+ ONLY, smut, degradation, sexism, physical violence, rough unprotected sex, powerplay/ light dom/sub dynamics, male-receiving oral sex - rough. sir!kink, semi-public sex (private but in an office/public place), maybe more PLEASE read at own risk.

Word Count: 2.4k

A/N: You guys ATE up my mean!Javi last time and made it my most popular fic so far! (nearly 900 notes is absolutely crazy and also over 100 followers thank you so much). He is so much worse in this LOL

@silkiers @tightjeansjavi

“You don’t outrank me!” You yelled at Agent Peña, and the way his eyes darkened when you pointed this out honestly terrified you.

“Maybe not.” He says through gritted teeth. “But this is my fight.” 

You rolled your eyes at him. “It’s everybody’s fight. We are partners, Javier. Equal partners. Stop acting like you are the only person with a stake here!” You respond, exasperated. Since you joined the team in Colombia as Javier Peña’s partner 6 months ago, this must be an argument you have had over a dozen times. 

“If you had just obeyed orders they never would have gotten away!” He yelled, closing the distance between you in the already narrow corridor and stabbing a finger towards you accusatorially. “It’s your fault.” 

“Get it through your head! There is no “obeying your orders” Javi.” You say through gritted teeth, before your voice raises to a yell, “You are not my superior. Get used to it!” You are enraged by his constant disrespect. 

“Well I should be, though.” He seethes.

“What?” You snap.

“How many arrests do you have since you got here?” He challenged.

You scoffed and put a hand on his shoulder to push him out the way and rejoin your team, but he stood firm, not letting you past. 

“How many times have I saved your ass in the field? Have you ever done it in return?” He continues.

You exhale with exertion as you continue to try and pass him, but he is steadfast. 

“Answer me, hm? You really think you’re my equal in this job?” 

“I’m not doing this, Javi. I’m not in competition with you.”

“Right. Because you know yourself that you can’t be.” He sneered.

“Stop it.” You urge him, your frustration growing by the second. “I earned my right to be on this team the same way you did.” 

“Oh now that’s funny.” He scoffed, “I know who your father is. You don’t think him being head of internal affairs has anything to do with your appointment here?”

“How dare you.” You say, seething with anger at his insinuation. It's not like it isn't one you've heard behind your back, but it's the first time someone has thrown it in your face. “I didn’t even tell my father I was applying for this transfer. He has nothing to do with it.” 

“Ok.” He stares at you with a dark look in his eyes. “Then who did you fuck to get the job, then?” The way the word rolls of his tongue makes it sound more vulgar than you could imagine, and before you can take a moment to stop yourself, Javi gasps in shock as your right hand connects with his cheekbone with an amazing amount of power. You just slapped your partner.

“You fucking bitch.” He spits. 

For a second you honestly thought he was approaching you to hit you back, but even more strangely, he is connecting his lips to yours. To your own surprise, you are kissing him back. Roughly, and desperately, and it's as if all of your anger and disdain towards him has transformed into lust with the snap of a finger.

He was ripping at the buttons on your blouse as you fumbled with the straps and buckles on his tactical vest on instinct. Had this been it all along, and you had been totally blind to it? Was all the tension between the pair of you just sexual frustration this whole time, and once it was out your system your partnership could be amicable? 

Who knows. But at this point it was worth a shot. It couldn’t make your working relationship any worse, as there was no way further down from where it already was. 

He pushed you back against the wall where you hit your head roughly but neither of you acknowledged that. 

“You’re gonna forget I’m not your superior when you’re on your knees, calling me sir, and begging me to fuck you.” He hissed into your ear and you froze up under his touch. He noticed, and you felt his lips tug into his signature devilish smirk as he continued to kiss you harshly, dominating with his tongue, controlling the pace of it all.

With your shirt fully unbuttoned he began to make his way down your body, leaving your lips to attach his lips to your neck, collarbones, lower to the curve of cleavage peaking out over your bra. You cursed yourself for wearing a sensible one, not planning on having it on show, but Javi clearly didn’t seem to care, groping you harshly through the fabric cups before slipping a hand inside one and freeing your breast from the top. As your breast sprung out of the fabric, your nipple hardened in the cold air and he flicked his tongue across it, sucking lightly. You gasped and bit your lip to stop yourself from moaning at the sensation. You figured that adrenaline and sexual frustration were adding to why you felt so sensitive under Javi’s touch, or at least that’s what you would tell yourself to explain why he was having such a dramatic effect on you.

As you got his tactical vest unfastened, you pushed it off his shoulders and it fell to the floor with a loud clatter.

He hissed at you to be quiet and it snapped you back to the reality of the situation. What were you doing? Were you really about to hate-fuck your partner just a few yards away from your entire team and a considerably large section of the Colombian police force and army?

You must have pulled away from him subconsciously as these thoughts ran through your head because the kiss broke and Javier was looking at you, his eyes questioning you. You considered him for a moment, and noticed how his expression had softened from before. Somehow this made you give in to your desires once again and you were reaching out for him, clutching his broad shoulders and pulling him back towards you.

He smiled. This was all the permission he needed to have his way with you now. He had backed off and you had re-initiated.

Javier had known all along that his attraction to you would be a thorn in his side whilst working together. It made him question his own judgment, it made him hesitate. It numbed his instincts in the field.

This was the tension relief he had needed for the whole 6 months you had been here, tormenting him with your mere presence. Your shiny hair. Your delicious scent. The way sweat would bead in the valley between your collarbones, inviting him to lick and suck and taste every inch of you. Now he was finally getting his chance. And you wanted it too.

You, of course, were oblivious to his thoughts and distracted from your own by his lips which were attached to your neck, sucking and nibbling lightly, making you gasp, whilst you worked at the buckle on his belt and then unzipped his jeans. He had a stiff erection that somehow both thrilled and alarmed you due to its size.

At this point he made good on his earlier promise and shoved you roughly to your knees. You gratified his silent command, wrapping your lips around the head of his hard cock. You took him further into your mouth, ever so slowly, retaining eye contact with him as he slid along your tongue and into your throat at a torturous pace for him. When you pulled away just as slowly, slipping him back out your mouth and teasing the underside of his shaft with your tongue as he glided across it, his patience snapped. In a moment he was grabbing both your arms, hauling them up and pressing them against the wall, pushing you back into it until there was not an inch of space between you. You kept watching him, expectantly, and then you opened your mouth widely and let your tongue drop out just slightly. He groaned at the sight and slammed nearly his entire length into your mouth. His pace was aggressive and you felt tears welling in your eyes after just a few of this thrusts as he fucked your throat.

"We're done doing things your way, you understand?" He grunted.

You watch his expressions, unable to respond. A vein bulges in his neck and a few of his curls are beginning to plaster themselves to his forehead with sweat.

"I asked you a question, agent. Do you understand me?" He repeated, partly through gritted teeth as he concentrated on not completely losing himself in the sensation of you letting him fuck your throat so well.

With great difficulty, you nodded your head slightly and hummed a response. The vibration of the movement and the sound had him grunting again, faltering inside you for a moment.

You could feel spit dribbling down your chin, your neck. You knew you must look absolutely wrecked and once again you considered being caught in this compromising position with Javi. Only this time, the thought didn't fill you with anxiety. It sent a pulse straight to your dripping core. The fear was turning you on.

He pulled out with no warning and you felt yourself reaching out to take him in your mouth again almost involuntarily. He removed one of his hands from their grip on your wrists and held your hair, tugging you back away from him and holding your head firmly against the wall.

"What a greedy slut." He taunted, his eyes watching you practically penetratingly.

You whined and he smirked. "Tell me what you want."

"I want you to fuck me." You say breathlessly.

"Oh I will, pretty girl." His thumb is tracing your lower lip and gathers some saliva still dripping from his rough treatment of your mouth. He spreads it around more down your chin.

"But you'll have to ask me nicely." His tone is menacing.

You shake your head at what he is asking for and he laughs, dropping your hands quickly and pulling back from you, beginning to tuck himself away and reaching for the zip on his jeans.

"No!" You protest. "No, I'm sorry. No, please."

He pauses, waiting for you to give him exactly what he wanted.

"Please, Javi, I want you to-" But this wasn't enough and he resumes his actions, slower this time but still continuing to adjust himself in his jeans and tidy himself up. You whine again in frustration. You are already begging more than you want to. But you understand that he isn't going to indulge you until you submit even further.

"Please, Sir."

He finally stops preparing to leave you there and you can see satisfaction written all over his expression. You had given in to what he wanted and you knew you would never live it down, but your desire overruled this logical thinking part of your brain.

"Please, what?" He says, already with his cock out again, stroking it slowly in front of your face.

"Please, Sir, I want you to fuck me. I want you to use me."

"Yeah, that's right." He growls, gripping your shoulders and dragging you back to your feet.

He rips your pants and underwear down your legs hastily, throwing them aside and lifting you up, wide palms spread under your thighs, strong arms hoisting you up to be in line with his hips.

He plunges his erection inside you with absolutely no preparation. It would have been more painful if you weren't so wet and turned on, ready for him to take from you what he wanted. A strangled sound escapes you, something desperate and shameless, between a moan and a cry.

"Be fucking quiet." He hisses.

He is bouncing you on his cock, your body dragging up and down the cold wall. Your hair is becoming more untamed by the second. He doesn't take his eyes off of you, never checking out and focussing on his own pleasure, rather constantly observing yours. The way you bit your lip and screwed up your face in pleasure and pain was driving him crazy.

"This why you've had such an attitude all along, needed me to put you in your place, huh?" He growls in your ear.

You have never liked this kind of talk. But now, with Javi, it is turning you on more than you have ever imagined.

You nod and he tuts at you.

"What do you say when I ask you something?"

"Y-yes, sir." You gasp.

His pace is punishing and the angle is allowing him to reach the deepest part of you, every single thrust was overwhelmingly powerful in its effect.

You braced yourself with your hands on his shoulders and found the confidence to roll your hips against him in the rhythm of his strokes, finding just the right way to stimulate your clit. Whimpers escaped your lips rapidly and he was no less vocal, grunting and panting into your ear.

You felt your orgasm approaching you quickly and began to clench around him as the knot built inside you.

"Oh, god, that's it." He praised. "That's my girl."

Whether it was his words or the sensation of his lips and moustache tickling your ear, you weren't sure, but suddenly you were coming undone around him. You lost your grip on his shoulders and slumped slightly but he tightened his hold on you and picked up his pace, desperate to earn his release whilst your walls were still clenching around him following your orgasm.

Barely a couple of strokes later and he was releasing inside you, guttural sounds escaping him. He stayed still for a couple of moments afterwards, panting while he caught his breath. Unexpectedly, he plants a gentle kiss on your forehead.

He helps you down slowly onto your feet and laughs quietly when you stumble a little the first time he tries to let go of you. That's what snaps you out of your post-orgasm haze and you shoot him a glare as you hurriedly get dressed again.

With your back to him, you finish buttoning your shirt. "This changes nothing."

"We'll see." He challenges, taking his cigarettes from his jacket pocket and balancing one between his lips. You shake your head, one more icy look sent his way for good measure, and then you return to your department, trying not to think about all the ways in which this event could come back to bite you.

[shigayokagayama]

incomplete list of weird/interesting manga-anime discrepancies

-you know the bit where they break into the girls highschool in episode 2? yea thats chapter 56. spliced into the middle of chapter 4. its supposed to go before the bit with the ghost family as a lead up to the mogami arc with mob starting to consider evil spirits as just as much “people” as living humans are. all things considered its kind of weird how well it fits its anime placement

-ritsu in the manga gets introduced in the same chapter as teru. you dont see mobs family at all for the first few chapters. infact i dont think his parents appear until like. chapter 25????? every interaction you see between mob and any of his family is completely made up for the anime

-in the manga during the claw arc instead of reigen sending them away all the lackeys just stood there awkwardly during the fight w the scars fdnjksndkjgnd

-mogami arc got GUTTED my god. the part where the fake psychics tried to murder minori got removed, shinras role in the arc got reduced to basically nothing, they move mogamiland ritsu to a bridge like 50 feet away instead of having him walk right over mob, mob only gets beat up like twice, the cat lives, the boxcutter bit is totally removed, the fight with the spirits is made a lot more abstract and less graphic. like im glad this one took the hit instead of the separation arc bc i cant imagine that arc ever being effective as one episode but wow.

-putting the “mob finding his family dead” thing at the end of the episode instead of in the middle of a chapter where it originally was was an objectively hilarious move

-rip the scene of teru outsmarting all three claw guys and saying “say old man have you ever been tortured before” unfortunately all scenes of teru being competent are not plot relevant and must die. also teru can make shadow clones

-hey remember those weird satellite people in claw keeping the viewer updated on where all the characters were in that infinite arc?

-mob with a gun.

-mob getting briefly knocked out while fighting toichiro and dimple possessing him then getting kicked out was replaced w toichiro just throwing him out the window or somethhing???

-toichiro saying that he only kept the super five around as spare batteries and draining serizawas power getting cut was a personal affront to me

-every single emotion mob cycled through in the anime got a 100% meter. the kid was super emotionally unstable in that fight

-that old man whos house they went to whos wraith made everyone asleep that they exorcised? yea they anime team made that up. they never went to his house in the manga, he just went to spirits and such for a shoulder massage

-manga reigen got 0 money for helping the yokai dude. it wasnt on the table. also most of the stuff he was saying was lifted from a video game serizawa played which he pointed out. also serizawa thought getting arrested was a type of spell

-takenakas general meanness was significantly toned down manga takenaka was a huge bitch

-in general the alien arc was a lot funnier in the manga? like the scene where reigen crashes they had reached a dead end on an extremely narrow path and were driving in reverse while tome and takenaka were screaming at each other in the back and inukawa was 5 seconds from snapping and killing everyone in the car. these might be my favorite pages in the entire manga they as so fucking funny

-originally when tome said she wouldnt keep climbing reigen suggested mob carry her with telekinesis (which horrified her) and mob said he was too motion sick to use his powers (obvious lie) but could carry her instead which got her to get up

-mezato asking mob to sign a t shirt for the psycho helmet cult in exchange for relationship advice got cut

-i cry every day that the sequence of ???% waking up didnt get animated it set a very different tone than the anime did. the anime was like. slow build up of dread. the manga was immediately bone deep horror i was literally sitting in my room yelling “WHAT???” over and over again at my computer as i clicked through it

-shigeo and mob conversation cut down significantly, all the references to the body improvement club being mob making a new self rather than embracing who he really is and being scared that all the friends hes made wouldnt like the real him removed </3

-the scene where reigen takes his shoes off is made a lot less somber and depressing. it feels less like “oh he knows hes going to die” and more like. triumphant? in the anime

-100% shigeo kageyama is an anime addition they added specifically to ruin my “the first time we see mob 100% is to fight dimple and the last time is to stop himself from fighting dimple” observation

-anime teru generally seems like hes in a better place than manga teru? manga teru seems very melancholy and like he doesn’t really know what to do with his life or his place in the world (which seems to put shigeo off) but anime teru is like wanna go shopping ^_^ *sips tea happily*

-manga shigeo deliberately threw the cake directly in reigens face and my fury over them making this ambiguous will last until i am dead

[cometrose]

Are you still looking for reasons to yap about Zhongli? Because I would love to hear your thoughts on his relationship with Hu Tao ;w;

I think my favorite thing about Hu Tao and Zhongli is that they're both literally insane. Psychological terrors.

Hu Tao will put a whoopee cushion on your chair and laugh when you sit on it. Zhongli will gaslight you into believing the whoopee cushion never existed and that you just sat and jumped up all on your own.

Hu Tao is deliberate and overt with her pranks while Zhongli is a subtle and mischievous trickster. They both just terrorize the general populace. You talk to them for longer than 10 minutes and you start hearing voices. Zhongli just gets away with it because he has the elegance and aura of a god.

Like Hu Tao will tease Furina by telling scary stories or tales of ghosts while Zhongli would probably tease her by calling her as 'lovely as goddess' or 'a lady blessed by gods'.

People always say Zhongli is cold but he's just a silly little liar like 50% of the time. Lying about being in the chasm, tricked some guy out of two hand-painted fans, led these two fake archeologists on a quest just to deny them of their dreams at the last moment, acting like he's never met the adepti, ignoring venti at the restaurant, hiding from neuvillette, lying to xiao about sesame oil and teasing him at the restaurant like the list goes on, faking his fucking death like he is just a fucking terror. No wonder he and Hu Tao get along well.

Speaking of their dynamic I think they play off each other very nicely. Before Hu Tao was released it was suggested that Hu Tao teases Zhongli endlessly to the point of exasperation but it seems like their teasing is mutual and Zhongli is just being an overdramatic tsundere (like always). Hu Tao makes fun of him at Lantern Rite but he just teases her right back. I imagine Hu Tao is constantly trying to get him to admit or confess to being an adeptus and he always manages to one up her at the last second to avoid saying anything.

I believe the two of them would make perfect partners in any business. Imagine Hu Tao and Zhongli as detectives lol, Hu Tao would chase down the suspect having figured out the case within 5 minutes while Zhongli would already be there waiting for Hu Tao to chase the suspect down cause he figured it out after 30 seconds. They would barely listen to the authorities and do whatever they wanted as long as it wasn't against the law.

But then again they have this really good balance. Hu Tao is a fire force of nature, energetic, playful and proud. But she has a very thoughtful side to her, she's a sharp thinker, with a love for poetry, music, and appreciation for life. Zhongli is much the same. He is thoughtful and caring, kind with a love for the arts, but he is rather mischievous, and a little manipulative with a taste for having fun in his own way. They are tricksters with a love for life and the arts just two very different auras. In many ways I would say they are more alike than different

They even work in gameplay! Double hydro Hu Tao aka Hu Tao, Xingqiu, Yelan and Zhongli is probably my strongest and most optimized team for the Spiral Abyss. I use them like every round and it works.

Unpopular opinion I guess but I have never really cared for the headcanon of Hu Tao as Zhongli's daughter. Not so much as I dislike it but I greatly prefer the crazy boss and even crazier secretary/employee dynamic. No but really the weirdo leader and their insane but incredibly loyal underling is like one of my favorite tropes. I just wouldn't alter anything about their relationship. 

Besides if I were to assign Hu Tao and Zhongli a familial bond it would be siblings with a large age gap. Like siblings that are 10+ years apart so the eldest practically helps raise the younger one but it’s not like they are the parent (they have parents) but rather the eldest is a weird person who takes care of the youngest but also makes fun of them within the same minute.

Part of the reason I love Zhongli and Hu Tao is how much trust is in their relationship. Hu Tao states in her story lines that she trusts Zhongli more than anything and considering Zhongli’s influence in the parlor and how he works with Baizhu, trains the other workers and is in charge of all adepti related matters it is safe to say he has a lot of input even though he is just an employee. Xianyun states it is odd for Rex Lapis to work under her but she won’t go against his wishes and that she must be respectable. So even though Zhongl may suggest he is tired of her, for a 6000 year old deity to pick a job and stick with it it must be a damn good job. 

And their interactions are the best, in the 2022 Lantern Rite when Hu Tao told Zhongli to pick her up after she hung out with Zhongli or the fact it seems they always spend Lantern Rite together which is just the best. Or the poetry event where she kept bugging him to be a better judge but Zhongli was too busy praising everybody.

They may not ever say how much they care about each other but the way Hu Tao checks on Zhongli after meeting Furina because she was worried about him just awww. Zhongli is a dusty old encyclopedia man but he is still her beloved consultant who she cares about. Hu Tao may be a child he cannot deal with but he always looks out for her.

Hu Tao and Zhongli are always competing for the top spot in my favorite Zhongli dynamics they are both two characters I really like and I like whenever they are together even more.

[lizaluvsthis]

Do you also have any tips on writing if you dont mind?

Hmm... I wouldnt mind...

Liza's writing tips!

HEAD NOTICE: This is just a writing tip and it is not meant to criticize anyone! I'm also doing this for myself to learn more between my skills of writing. (And to make it look authentic and fluent as it goes-)

(As an author I do have experiences so please, I do keep my reminder silent for anyone who might get a bit offended or think their writing isnt good enough.)

(Always remember that it's what you write and you can only improve if it your choice!)

(Don't push yourself too hard!)

Make sure the sentence is complete with proper grammar. (it depends on how or what the story should go)

Examples of incorrect grammar:

"This They house ma"

"Your be star!"

Correction-

"This is their house, Ma"

"You're going to be a star!"

Understand "Your" and "You're" are two different words.

You use "Your" for pointing out to someone you talk to, while for "You're" you use it to the person you talk to but added with 'are'

Example:

"Wheres your money? Just so you know, you're dead when it comes to a hot person"

Putting a coma / "," for extra reading, when the reader wants to take a breath while doing so. (That way they could take a pause or break and then read for the second one)

Analyze on how long the spaces should be. (Either be optional in any authors to put but it mostly matters to the readers who view while reading)

EXAMPLE:

Please make sure to always- ALWAYS... use punctuation marks.

Make the words you say in the fic have a descriptive sentence [with what/how it describes]

If you want to make it as fluent as possible you're gonna have to bring up more tabs or dive deeper within words that can interest/eyecatch someone's attention to.

Example:

Instead of "he crawled into the hole and passed through it"

You make it "the man crouched down as he started to crawl slowly from his thin skinny legs. Within the dark area of the hole, a gap of light passes through the other side. He had now found his way out."

Metaphorically DIABOLICAL- Describing. When it comes to describing, you'll be needing to add up what can ryhme or come close enough with the words that comes out of your mind when you THINK about it. But yeah most preferably you need to search those words to put a better view amongst the reader's imagination.

Do not use the phrase/word over and over again. ("As" / "If" / "But" / "For")

"As she moved her eyes from the sky, but as she was supposed to go. The team snuck in for a group party for her."

I think thats all :>

- ☆ I'd like to credit myself for getting negatively criticized by one of my works. Cough- anyway- hope ya guys do good at your own fics!

[wyattjohnston]

need a little company - nick blankenburg

summary: morgan hasn't seen nick in years and her strongest memories of him are the crush he had on her in college. when he gets signed to columbus after years apart, morgan realises that maybe she should have given him a chance.

chapter word count: 3.8k

last < table of contents > next

Morgan made her way to the arena directly from work. She was definitely going to be overdressed but couldn’t imagine she’d be the only one showing up to the game directly from the office. She collected her tickets at will call and was horrified when it came accompanied with a neatly folded jersey. She knew what the number on the back would be without needing to turn it over. Instead of putting it on, she cradled the jersey to her chest as she made her way to her seat.

The person checking her ticket to make sure she was heading to the right seat looked her up and down before pointing her in the right direction, and Morgan only realised why when she walked down the stairs towards a group of impossibly attractive women and some very cute kids.

Nobody seemed to be expecting her, but there were plenty of greetings and waves as she found her seat and sat down with the jersey in her lap still folded.

The woman she was sitting next to shifted to face Morgan, a genuine smile across her face.

“I’m Maggie, Boone’s fiancée.”

Morgan inhaled, trying not to make it obvious that she was intimidated. She hadn’t been prepared to be sitting next to anybody with a connection to the team, much less to have the first introduction be arguably the most important person in the immediate area.

“I’m Morgan; Nick invited me.”

There was a brief pause, a slight head tilt, and then Maggie said, “Oh, I didn’t know Nick had a girlfriend.”

Morgan’s heart kicked against her ribcage, and her grip on the jersey tightened. She said, trying to remain steady, “He doesn’t. That I know of, anyway.”

“Oh.”

“Oh?”

“No, it’s nothing,” Maggie said, shaking her head and smiling again. “Welcome.”

She turned away from Morgan, who was still gripping the jersey tightly. She looked at Maggie’s profile and touched her arm to get her attention again.

“Please tell me what that ‘oh’ was for, or I’m never going to stop thinking about it.”

“The guys aren’t really supposed to invite their…” Maggie’s hesitation was noticeable and yet, when she kept speaking it wasn’t anything that showed she’d thought about her choice of words, “fuck buddies to this section.”

“Well. Nick didn’t. So. He hasn’t done anything wrong.” She knew she sounded petulant and annoyed; she just didn’t want to get Nick in trouble for something that wasn’t true. “We’re just friends.”

Maggie conceded silently with a brief nod and stood before Morgan could speak again—not that she had any intention of continuing the conversation.

She did manage to put the jersey on before the game started, acting normal as she slid it over her head even though her heart rate had definitely skyrocketed as she was doing so. Her heart was largely unimpacted by the game, though, a gruelling 4 goal loss to Carolina for Nick’s return which didn’t leave much room for excitement.

During the intermissions, the section cleared out, leaving Morgan sitting alone. It wasn’t until after the game that one of the other WAGs caught up to her and asked her if she needed help finding the Wives Room—the family room, she clarified when Morgan’s face unintentionally screwed up. She only considered the idea for a few seconds before declining. She had assumed that she would catch up with Nick after the game, but heading to the Wives Room felt very presumptuous. There weren’t even many people left in the section by the end of the game, which would only make her stand out more.

And yet, when she posed the question to Aleksandra—the woman who had stopped her, the wife of Elvis the Goalie—about where she should head to meet Nick, the only answer was the Wives Room.

As they made their way down, the last two stragglers amongst what had been the media and families rushing towards elevators, Aleksandra said quietly and discretely, “Don’t worry about Maggie, okay? And Nick won’t be in any trouble, I’ll make sure of it.”

Still wearing the 77 jersey and not intent on taking it off, Morgan waited to the side of the room and buried her head in her phone. The battery wouldn’t last much longer, and she had no idea how long it would take for Nick to emerge, but her phone dying was a better prospect than trying to have a conversation with a group of people who hadn’t given her the time of day.

Players came and went, though it was nobody Morgan knew, gathering their overtired kids and their equally exhausted wives. Nobody who had wandered over to Nick’s house since their reunion had any reason to collect anybody else.

Morgan wasn’t even sure she should be collected, but Nick told her to wait for him. He had managed to send her a text confirming that the family room was the best place for her to wait, which she was grateful for because she was already there when she’d sought the clarification.

She felt like she was going to be one of the last people remaining with how long Nick was taking, her phone on a very precarious six-percent battery, when he rushed into the room. Flustered, he walked straight towards her, not sparing a glance at anyone else.

“Sorry, sorry,” he said, breathing heavily. “I tried to get out quick and then the trainers wanted to make sure I was feeling alright.”

Morgan stood, dropping her phone into her bag, and let Nick’s hand move to her lower back as he guided her out of the room. She knew Maggie was still somewhere and didn’t want to know what her expression was at the sight.

“Are you?” Morgan asked as they walked through the concrete depths of the arena. “Feeling alright?”

He smiled, big and broad, “I feel great. Wish your first game was a better result, though.”

Morgan couldn’t help but agree out loud—the long-suffering fan in her wasn’t surprised by the loss, but that hadn’t stopped the small well of hope she’d had all day.

Nick’s hand didn’t leave her back until they were nearing his car in the parking garage. She missed it immediately.

Morgan had taken some time to consider what she would say when she spoke to Nick. The tweets had popped up on her timeline unexpectedly because she didn’t get a huge amount of Blue Jackets content, just the occasional post about Nick—it just so happened that the tweets she got that day about Nick were not as happy as they usually were.

She was feeling pretty level-headed when she called him after confirming he was free to talk, having reconciled that she was calling him as a concerned friend and nothing more.

“How was PT?” Nick asked instead of greeting Morgan when he answered. It was expected.

Her words fell out of her mouth before she could stop them, abandoning her attempts at being cool. “Should I be asking you that?”

“It’s nothing, Mo.” His bristling was easily conjured in her mind.

“So, the cast is a fashion statement?”

“Do you have a Google alert for me? How do you even know about that?”

“It was on Twitter,” she snapped defensively. “I know I don’t, like, have any right to know or whatever, but would you have told me? Before you got home?”

“I was going to tell you tonight. Say that we’re injury buddies again.”

“But I’m trying to get better. You’re apparently actively falling apart.”

“It’s just a sprain. It doesn’t look like I’ll play tomorrow, but maybe against Washington on Tuesday. Definitely after the break.”

After the break was two weeks away, Morgan knew that much. Enough time to make sure he didn’t aggravate whatever he’d done to it, at least, even if it made it sound a lot worse than he was making out.

Morgan stretched out on her couch, her phone on speaker beside her head, and answered questions Nick had about her PT appointment. There weren’t a lot of answers, not so soon, but she answered what she could and tried not to resent the PT for the digging he’d done around her knee. He’d tried to be gentle, but that didn’t stop it from aching.

“You can know whatever you want to know.”

Morgan’s brow pulled together as she tried to link Nick’s words together.

“What?”

“You said you don’t have the right but—I really was going to tell you. You can always ask. I know all about your knee.”

“Your family’s paying for that.”

“You wouldn’t tell me about it if they weren’t?”

And she would, was the thing. Her chest lightened, still, at Nick’s assurance.

Despite having just taken time off to rehab a broken ankle, the ten-day All-Star Break seemed to be impossible for Nick to manage.

He had, somehow, called Morgan even more often than normal, including one memorable day where he was grocery shopping and wanted to discuss the merits of broccoli versus broccolini. When Morgan told him she didn’t have any strong opinions on either, he invited her for dinner for the express purpose of a taste test.

The scattering of his teammates was the obvious reason he was losing his mind—even during the ankle rehab he’d been in and out of the arena to see the medical staff. All Star break meant no training, no practice and a very lonely Nick.

“You could have gone somewhere,” Morgan reminded him when he lamented about all the fun, warm weather activities he was seeing on Instagram and in the group chat.

He knew that, though, and had expressed regret that he hadn’t. Morgan ignored the half-teasing comments that followed–he wasn’t so sad about not leaving Ohio because it meant he got to spend even more time with her.

It was those sorts of things that had her heart beating wildly, thundering against her chest in an otherwise quiet room.

“I have an idea,” he said, unprompted, towards the end of the break.

“Okay?”

“In a couple weeks the team has a charity thing—the CannonBall—and I think you should come with me.”

Morgan froze where she was sitting on the couch, her body half turned.

“That’s, like, a gala?”

“Yeah. I mean, there’s a lot of denim being talked about, so it’s not black tie or anything but yeah.”

“And you want me to go?” she clarified. “With you?”

In the month since Morgan went to Nationwide to watch Nick play, no word had been uttered about her conversation with Maggie. Morgan hadn’t brought it up for fear that Nick would realise their relationship had verged out of platonic just enough for other people to ask questions. Nick didn’t mention it, presumably because Aleksandra had made sure he’d not find out.

“I can’t guarantee it’ll be fun, but you can hang out with the guys, maybe meet some of their girls. Taylah’s all the way out in Washington, and you don’t seem to do a lot that’ll help you make friends.”

Morgan’s eyebrow twitched at the accusation that she had no friends. At least not outside of Nick. And Kent. She would count Kent. It may have been true; she just didn’t need it laid out so plainly.

“Do I have to dress up?”

Nick perked up after having sunk a little at her eyebrow twitch. He pulled out his phone, saying he would find the email with the dress code. He’d been telling the truth when he said it wasn’t black tie, but she’d still have to find a dress and probably something denim to go with it if she couldn’t just find a navy-blue dress to wear.

Sadly, as a thought crossed her mind, Morgan said, “I won’t be able to wear my favourite heels.”

“You can be taller than me,” Nick said without pause. “I don’t mind. Think it’s kind of hot, to be honest.”

Morgan froze again, not a single breath leaving or entering her body as she met Nick’s eyes. He wasn’t embarrassed—he never was—and he didn’t appear to be second guessing what he’d said, just held eye contact without flinching.

“I—” Morgan inhaled. “I meant because of my knee but, um, that’s good to know.”

Nick broke their eye contact, just to look a little to the left of her head. His cheeks turned an impossible shade of red and, flustered, he cleared his throat.

“Right, yeah. No. Course.”

The Uber dropped them off at Morgan’s door, Nick adamant that he could walk back to his place, so only the one was necessary. Just like when he’d walked to hers so they could arrive together. The whole evening to that point had already felt like it was meant to be a date, Morgan hesitated at her front door while Nick waited at the bottom of the small staircase for her to get inside safely. He was watching her curiously, clearly moments away from asking if she was alright, probably to ask if she’d locked herself out, and Morgan let an intrusive thought win the battle in her head.

“Is there a reason you haven’t kissed me yet?”

Nick froze, Morgan was sure she could see the exact moment his brain short-circuited. She held back from saying anything, even if the slight shake in her hands would have been fixed by some nervous talking.

“What?” he asked, his voice thick, when his brain came back online. Partially, anyway.

“I don’t know… Sometimes it really feels like you will, but you never do, and I want to know if there’s a reason you haven’t.”

“Last time I told you I liked you didn’t go so well for me.”

“A lot has changed since then.” Morgan inhaled, shaky and nervous. “It’ll go better this time.”

Neither of them moved for a moment and Morgan was sure that was the end, that Nick wasn’t going to do anything with what she’d told him, and he would leave her on her doorstep, rejected and worried for the future of their friendship.

She was bringing herself to turn around, to walk inside and leave him standing on her doorstep when everything changed.

Nick cleared her small, three step staircase in one step, and Morgan held her breath as the space between them disappeared. The hand on her jaw was devastating enough; his mouth against hers was everything she’d wished it would be.

Her back was pressed up against the front door, her hands fisted tightly in the lapels of his coat as if he’d pull away the second she let go, and there were breathy moans coming from one of them. Both of them.

Her moans became a gasp when Nick managed to push his knee between her thighs—her dress was too long and in the way for it to feel as good as she wanted, and yet it was so close that she pulled him closer in a desperate attempt for more friction.

“Nick,” she gasped, reaching behind her with one hand so she could open her front door. The other hand didn’t leave his coat as she tried to pull him inside.

He didn’t move. His feet were firmly planted on the ground, and only his fingertips were brushing her jaw Morgan had moved so far away. She stepped back towards him, trying to pull him in for another kiss only to be stopped with a gentle hand on the side of her neck.

“Mo, I—Fuck. I have to go. I want to do this right and—”

“Don’t leave,” Morgan practically begged, her fist tightening even more, and she took another step closer. “You don’t have to.”

“Morgan, please,” Nick begged back, listing forward ever so slightly with his eyes drawn to her lips.

There was no mistaking that he would stay if she closed the gap. If she asked him again his resolve would crumble. She couldn’t bring herself to.

She relaxed her hand, flattening the new wrinkles and creases as best she could before she took a step back and inhaled a few steadying breaths.

“Call me in the morning? So, we can do this right?”

“Yeah. I’m sorry—I—”

“You’re making it a lot harder to let you leave. Go.”

Nick followed Morgan’s order swiftly, one nod, another small lilt forward before he was spinning around and slamming the door shut behind him.

Cold air had filled the doorway, and Morgan rushed to get inside to the proper warmth of her house. She kicked her flats off just inside the door as she simultaneously removed and hung up her coat. The skirt of her dress was still getting in the way, even without Nick around, and she knew she had to be rid of it as soon as possible.

Before she’d even reached her bedroom, the zipper was undone, and the straps were falling down her shoulders. She was already thinking about the comfiest t-shirt she owned, and any underwear that wasn’t the thong she was wearing.

It was why her entire body deflated when the doorbell rang. Entirely uncaring about her state, she trudged back to the front door to peek through the window with no intention of opening it for anyone.

Only.

Nick was standing on the other side, visibly bouncing and vibrating. Morgan had only just opened the door when he was inside, pressing her up against the wall and finishing what he’d started.

Whilst Morgan hadn’t woken up smiling, she certainly hadn’t stopped since Nick kissed the back of her shoulder and rolled out of bed, promising he wouldn’t be long. Morgan couldn’t contain her smile, and all she could think to do was bury her head under the covers and shake her head to release some of her excited energy.

“Hiding from me?” Nick asked, only a split second before he raised the covers. He was also smiling, and it got impossibly bigger when he saw her smiling up at him.

He was back in bed beside her, facing each other just as they had done many times before except there was nothing stopping her from brushing her fingertips across his cheekbones and feeling the shudder through his body that was pressed against hers.

“I’m so happy,” she admitted, breathless and carefree. “Maybe we should talk about it first, but I’m—you make me so happy.”

“I really wanted to do this right,” he told her dejectedly. “I don’t—I didn’t want it to be sex first.”

“Was it, though? I—it kind of feels like we’ve been dating since the first time I showed up at your house. Doesn’t it?”

His eyes moved rapidly, three months of memories seemingly flashing through his mind immediately. Morgan was thinking about them, too.

Nick’s hand gently reached out to touch hers, linking their fingers and resting them on his chest directly above his rapidly beating heart.

“This is what my chest feels like every time I think about you.”

She moved their hands over her own heart to show him that hers did, too.

Upon hearing that Nick’s family would fly out to California for the Blue Jacket’s road trip, Morgan had briefly toyed with the idea of joining them. Nick had asked if she wanted to join them, and then offered to pay for her costs, but Morgan couldn’t justify asking for the time off work. Nor could she justify crashing a family event so soon after she and Nick got together.

She ignored Nick’s comments about how she had been fine crashing Christmas.

Despite speaking with Nick every day, Morgan had yet to speak to him when he was with his family. It wasn’t intentional, just time zones making things incredibly difficult.

Which is why it took her by surprise when Nick FaceTimed her and asked if she wanted to meet Thomas Bordeleau before she was able to say anything at all.

“It’s nice to finally meet Nick’s stalker,” Thom said with the cockiest grin Morgan had ever seen on a human being. “Didn’t think he’d be the first one to get one. Thought for sure it’d be OP.”

“I didn’t realise that what I was doing was weird,” Morgan said defensively, inadvertently looking around the phone to see if she could get Nick’s attention. “I know now, but it’s way past the point of being relevant.”

Nick was the only one she felt the need to justify herself to; she hoped he hadn’t let Thom run away with the phone.

“Some fangirl out there is real fucking jealous of you for stalking your way into a relationship.”

“Yeah, alright,” Nick cut in before the line of conversation continued. “I asked if you wanted to meet her, not harass her.”

“Nice to meet you,” Thom continued, still with his cocky grin. “Heard a lot about you at UMich. Too much probably given you were long gone when I started. He’s been in love with you for years. Maybe he was the stalker all along.”

“You think you’re revealing secrets,” Morgan laughed, “but I know all about it.”

The ensuing conversation about Nick at college was enough for Morgan to drop her guard. Nick remained in the shot instead of letting Thom take up the entire frame, so Morgan felt comfortable enough to get swept up in it.

When it was clear the conversation was running out, Nick left Thom’s side and asked for a minute alone with Morgan. She waited patiently for him to be far enough away from Thom to say what he couldn’t in front of his friend, curious the entire time.

“Can I tell my family that we’re together?”

“You told Thom before you told your family?” Morgan asked, amused.

“We were talking about you, and it just kind of came out,” he told her, embarrassed. “I can’t believe I haven’t spilled it to my mom, yet. All she wants to talk about is you.”

Morgan’s heart swelled. “Nick, you can tell whoever you want. I’d love for your family to know.”

“Whole world?”

“If you want to tell the whole world, then I do, too.”

Nick called her later that night to tell her that he hadn’t told the whole world but had told his family. He had quoted his mom’s comments, and Morgan was in absolute disbelief.

“Your mom did not tell you that I can do better than you. There’s no way.”

“She told me that you could have any man you wanted, and they’d be lucky to have you and that I should be very happy you chose me.”

“Don’t tell your mom I said this,” Morgan whispered conspiratorially, “but she’s delusional.”

Nick’s laughter filled her ears, and his smile filled her screen.

It was unbearably cheesy to think, let alone say, but she truly did not believe it was Nick who was the lucky one.

[novelmonger]

I'm continuing on to the next LotR audio commentary. This one is with the design team, and there's a lot more people talking in this one! Including:

Grant Major (production designer), Ngila Dickson (costume designer), Richard Taylor (Weta Workshop creative supervisor), Alan Lee (conceptual designer), John Howe (conceptual designer), Dan Hennah (supervising art director/set decorator), Chris Hennah (art department manager), and Tania Rodger (Weta Workshop manager)

So here are some highlights of things that are new to me (after avidly watching all the BTS documentaries multiple times over the years) from FotR:

The guy who made the One Ring originally didn't want to do it because he didn't like fantasy, but then his sons badgered him until he agreed to do it - kind of a similar story to Viggo Mortensen, I think. He ended up contracting cancer and dying during the production of the first movie.

Alan Lee storyboarded a potential sequence for showing how Bilbo got the Ring. They would show Gollum grabbing a fish, taking off the Ring while he ate, and then it would roll away until Bilbo found it.

Some of Ngila Dickson's phrases and diction are pinging really loudly in my sense of deja vu - like, I remember hearing those exact phrases before. But I even went and watched the costume design portion of the Appendices, and none of it was a repeat. Have I actually heard this commentary before and then forgot all about it? @_@

The guy (the primary guy? I can't imagine it was only one person) they put writing on all the scrolls and things worked in a bank and had a hobby doing calligraphy. They hired him to do just a few things at first, putting writing on some props, but then it got to the point where he actually had to quit his job at the bank and start working full-time for LotR, and then continued to do stuff for merchandise for New Line. I do wonder what he did once the movies were all made and over with....

I always forget how they had to have two scales of everything. Not just stuff like Gandalf's staff or the sets, but they had to have two scales of all the props like cups and books and things. They even had to have two different sizes of horses, depending on the scene!

Lawrence Makoare, who played Lurtz, would have to start getting into makeup at 10 p.m. the night before he had a scene, so that he would be ready at 8 a.m. the next day @_@

Most of the horses used in the movies were Andalusian horses imported from Australia.

When they would film outside in nature, like in the forest where they shot on-location scenes for Rivendell, they would have to remove the native plants that were there, keep them in a greenhouse, plant whatever plants and other things they needed for the movie, then take them out again and put the original plants back. This would actually leave the area better than the way they found it, because they would remove weeds and things like that.

John Howe commented on how difficult it is to do hair in something like this that's meant to be kind of "historical," even though it's fantasy. Hairstyle is one of the things that is quickly outdated, so if you do it wrong, it can be jarring to watch the movie in later decades. He said, "I wonder how it will look 20 years from now." It's twenty years later, John. It looks every bit as good as it did in 2001 :')

Okay, I feel like this had to have been in the BTS documentary, but I don't remember it. For the moment where Bilbo goes Gollum-esque for a second when Frodo puts the Ring away, they morphed between his face and a puppet they made of Ian Holm looking deranged. Ian Holm was thrilled with the puppet and had several photos taken of himself with it, and then when it was time for him to leave New Zealand, they made a bronze version of the puppet and gave it to him as a memento! XD

For the shots of the Fellowship bursting out of the snow after the avalanche, they went to the Mt. Hart ski field, which was closed because of a blizzard. They were allowed to go out on the ski field, make snow caves, and film the actors bursting out into the open. The Hobbits wore Ugg boots over their hobbit feet in the snow when their feet wouldn't be in the shot XD Apparently, Richard Taylor actually asked Peter Jackson if there could be a scene of the Hobbits wrapping their feet in bandages or something, just so the actors could protect their feet a bit more in harsh terrain like that, but PJ said no, because the Hobbits' feet would be tough enough to be able to withstand all of that. Poor guys! x.x

Huh. I always assumed that they made the effect of ithildin by putting little glowing lights on the doors of Moria, or else maybe added it in post. But actually, they put some kind of reflective material on the design, and then shone a light from behind the camera, so it would reflect on the design and make it look like it was glowing! I feel like, if this movie were made today, they would totally have just done it with CG, but this makes it so much more realistic. Also, they had to paint the doors, but obviously couldn't paint over the reflective material, so they put plasticine over the design, then painted it, then took the doors to the site. They were still taking the plasticine off the doors when the whole crew and the actors turned up and started rehearsing the scene! So apparently, if you look hard enough, you can actually see a few small parts of the design on the door that are missing, because they accidentally left some of the plasticine on!

Okay, we all know about the crazy amount of attention to detail in these movies, but this story just takes the cake. In the room with Balin's tomb, there's all this Khuzdul writing on the walls. Someone wrote out all the text and had their in-house translator translate it into Dwarvish runes that they then carved into the walls. During one of the days they were shooting the cave troll battle, they had invited a Tolkien language scholar to visit the set, and he stormed out in an outrage, saying that someone had written something like "Joe was here" on the walls, which was disrespectful to Tolkien's legacy, etc. etc. Horrified to hear this, the art department got their translator to go over the set with a fine-tooth comb, trying to find the "graffiti" this guy had seen, because they'd already filmed a lot of shots of this scene, and they knew that there would be fans who would freeze-frame the scene and translate what's written on the walls. But they couldn't find it anywhere! So eventually they cornered the Tolkien scholar and asked him where he'd seen it, and it turned out that it was just some guy on the crew who'd told him that. Apparently, the Tolkien scholar was so uptight and serious about everything, this guy was just poking fun at him, and it snowballed from there. So they ended up wasting a lot of time looking for a mistake that wasn't even there, because that's how dedicated everyone was to getting every detail of this movie right.

The Moria orcs were originally designed to have pale, almost translucent skin (inspired by an axolotl! O.O), but when they saw footage of it on the first day, they realized the contrast with all the darkness in Moria was too much, and it made the orcs look like they were glowing, so they had to make them darker.

The eyes of the Moria orcs were enlarged after the fact, so when they made the prosthetics, they had to make the eyeholes extra big so the eyes would look like they fit after they were enlarged.

Originally, there was an idea that the Balrog would burst out from a wall somewhere while they're trying to jump across the gap in the stairs, and just generally make that scene even more tense and exciting, but then they realized that to do so would basically eat up half their budget, so they decided to do it the way it is in the final version XD

The boats' design was based on a leaf of a lemon tree. If you drop a lemon leaf in the water, it will look like a tiny version of the Elven boats! 8D

Ohhhh, so the scene where the Fellowship gets attacked by Orcs along the way down the Anduin was going to be a sequence at Sarn Gebir, where there are dangerous rapids, so the Fellowship has to land on the shore and carry their boats past. But then Orcs attack, there's a whole action scene, and they have to hurry back onto the water and navigate the rapids. But they never shot it, because right after they'd built the set and got all ready, they were hit with a lot of rain and flooding, and the water level in the lake where they were filming rose five meters and completely washed away the set. So that whole sequence got permanently canceled.

While working on Amon Hen, Alan Lee fell off the stone seat (kind of like Frodo!) and broke his wrist. Thankfully, it was his left wrist, so he could keep drawing.

The Uruk-Hai's hair was horsehair that they had to import because they needed it in such large quantities. In the location where they shot the battle at Amon Hen, the ground was covered with prickly bracken of some kind, so every time an Uruk fell on the ground and then got up for the next take, they would have to carefully pluck all the bits of bracken out of their hair @_@

The fletching on the Uruk arrows is supposed to be, not feathers, but Warg hair O.O

Okay, I knew they made a silicone dummy of Boromir for when his body goes over the falls, but they only had four days to make it?! :O

In the final scene, where Frodo and Sam are looking out over Mordor, what Sean and Elijah were actually looking at was a ski resort with cabins and a ski lift. "The one place in all Middle-Earth we don't want to see," indeed! XD

[sincerely-sofie]

First off I’m really honored by all the people enjoying this comic draft I posted! I wasn’t confident at all about posting it when I’ve only posted goofy joke comics prior, and the kind reception has been so heartening. 😭 I’m thinking that I’ll eventually post some more comics of a similar tone. Y’all resonating with it so much has been the stalwart, unfailing source of confidence PMD2 Hero equivalent to my anxiety-riddled, soggy-bread-given-life PMD2 Partner brain.

Second, I got the vibe people were surprised Twig would confide in Dusknoir of all people, and I thought I’d elaborate 👀

Twig isn’t on the best of terms with Dusknoir even before the Darkrai situation happens and she throws all his past misdeeds back in his face (albeit unintentionally). They don’t get along well for a number of reasons, but mainly because Twig doesn’t like Dusknoir taking a stern-yet-kind, compassionate, vaguely fatherly role in her group. She doesn’t remember her past, but she gets the feeling that a parental figure like this is something she’s never dealt with before. It’s Unfamiliar and Unsettling and she Does Not Like It.

Dusknoir the Explorer was a character she was vaguely weirded out by but was content with observing from a distance, and Dusknoir the Executioner was absolutely terrifying, to put it simply— but Dusknoir the Team Dad is something she could never imagine. She avoided him where possible and was curt and snippy whenever she got stuck with the guy. Across the years following the end of the post-game, she became closer with Grovyle and Celebi to the point of almost recreating their friendship prior to her amnesia, but ultimately remained at the level of only-kinda-sort-of acquaintances with Dusknoir.

However, once Darkrai is shoved into her daily routines, she finds herself in desperate need of someone to talk to, and she hates the thought of confessing her doubts and insecurities to Kip, Celebi, or Grovyle. Their opinions matter to her too much, and she can’t stomach the risk of negatively affecting their opinions of her with her baggage. But very few people grasp the situation that she’s in. This leaves one option— Dusknoir— whom she can unload on and not worry about the consequences. She doesn’t like him. His opinion doesn’t matter to her. So they have a talk where he, most shockingly of all, really relates to her situation. It’s not a direct equivalent to her and Darkrai, but Dusknoir gets the constant terror of being in close quarters with someone who could snap at any moment and kill you on a whim. Serving Primal Dialga is a burden he bears even now, even if just in memory. He has a surprising stockpile of words of wisdom to provide Twig and she (being herself) refuses to hear any of it that says she’s not a bad person and she doesn’t need to martyr herself in order to earn a place in people’s lives.

He gets through to her eventually. But until then, most of their heart-to-hearts end up like this:

Whenever she’s within a six mile radius of the Future Trio, Twig turns into a teenager.

Whenever she’s within six feet of Dusknoir specifically, she turns into an Angry teenager that he has to hold by the scruff until she stops biting him whenever he says she’s not inherently irredeemable.

[lakesbian]

what do you think a second trigger from alec would look like? both in how it would happen and in how his power would change.

would he be like kephri?

OOH this is an interesting one thank you. you guys gotta stop giving me alec questions (do not stop giving me alec questions) i will never read pact efficiently at this rate.

alright so second triggers need to mimic the circumstances of the original trigger event, like how both times brian triggers from not feeling/being strong enough to protect a loved one. i haven't quite figured out how to structure my essay explaining what i think the general premise of alec's trigger event was yet so you're just going to have to Trust My Autistic Expertise when i say that he triggered because he either very desperately wanted or outright asked for help/protection from heartbreaker from someone (possibly a sibling) and was ignored. so what that translates to in abstract is "lifelong isolation & terror w/ no one ever stepping in to help despite many people watching the abuse happen culminating in betrayal and abandonment at his weakest point, leaving him with the devastating realization that he truly is entirely alone in the world and no one will ever care enough to help him if they're not forced." w/ the added details that the source of fear and the source of betrayal are both extremely personal and well-known to alec. subsequently a second trigger would be very unlikely, because it would necessitate 1. alec being scared of and unable to defend himself from a specific known threat (tall order, he's bad at being scared of things now) 2. that known threat persistently attempting to hurt him specifically (tall order, no one gives a shit about regent) and 3. the undersiders being his last line of defense and then callously leaving him when he needs them (they would not fucking do that i joke about them leaving him in a bassinet outside PRT headquarters but they would not fucking do that).

the other thing to note about second triggers is that, in terms of worm's ongoing power/trauma metaphor, they're what happen when your coping mechanisms aren't enough. brian's initial power is him putting up a big scary front to hide the vulnerability and fear that's keeping him from doing what he thinks is his job and protecting aisha--and then when it's not enough to keep bonesaw from seeing how weak he is and hurting him even worse, when it's not enough to help him protect taylor, it shifts. he's already prone to imitating his abuser--the scariest, strongest thing he knows--when he doesn't know how else to keep in control. it's why he's physically violent to rachel to keep her in line, why he tells her that he hates that she's making him acting like what he hates the most. his second trigger takes that and turns it into a superpower: just being scary wasn't enough, so now he can become what he fears and hates, take the powers of the people menacing him & his loved ones and fight back with that power.

so if alec being able to force the people he spends time around to help him doesn't work, if the closest thing to a family he has abandons him anyway, just like when he was a kid, then his power will shift to compensate. it wouldn't be a khepri circumstance--whereas taylor's trauma (& subsequently her power) are focused on isolation and betrayal from society as a whole, the locus of alec's trauma is the family, a much smaller and more personal source of pain. hence why his power is limited to 3-4 people at a time, and why it's capable of such exacting and intimate control. (compare to khepri, who has endless multitasking capability, but poor fine motor skills w/ people she masters--she's focused on frustrations w/ society as a whole and thus moves people in broad sweeps that are most powerful as a crowd, whereas alec is focused on more interpersonal betrayal and thus has more exact control over fewer people.) imagine how he would respond to the team, the only people he has, abandoning him? to aisha, the person he cares about more than his own life, abandoning him? he would have no interest in reaching out to different people in this circumstance, so his power's range wouldn't widen--rather, he would want to be better at holding onto the people he already wants to care about him.

i could see something along the lines of his multitasking abilities degrading even further--maybe down to 1-2 people at once instead of 3-4--and in exchange, he gets the ability to actually start changing people he's controlling. slowly supplanting their desires with what he wants (e.g, for them to want to help him), his power being able to seed auto-piloted future actions or pavlovian responses, people he's controlling slowly feeling more and more positive to him heartbreaker-style, etc. i dunno i'm just throwing out ideas here. don't quite think any of these are perfect but they're in the ballpark.

[cloudofbutterflies92]

Days in Verdansk (Part I)

Ghost x f!oc (banner by @saradika-graphics)

Before starting reading I leave you the song that the soprano sings

09:30, the clock inside the taxi showed the worst time, thirty fucking minutes late. She hated London traffic, she didn't understand why John had decided he wanted to take a civilian plane rather than land directly with one directly served by SAS.

“How long is it?” Nervously Eden began to tap her fingers on her knee, endless curses began to invade her head. At this point it was better to walk the road.

“Stupid fucking city.” From her jacket pocket she took a pack of cigarettes.

“Madam, you don't smoke in my taxi” the taxi driver, with a clear French accent, scolded the young woman. Nice, even the no smoking policy.

“Listen to me we're stuck in traffic and I'm about to miss my flight so” Eden took some banknotes from her bag “I'll pay you and walk away”

The man turned, looking at her from head to toe with a frown. If that guy thought she would just stand there and wait, oh he just didn't understand anything.

“I can't let you go madam ...”

“Miss, I'm not that old” she, disheartened by the situation, threw her head on the seat cushion, huffing, it was absolutely stressful knowing that due to traffic she would have to take the next plane.

“Do you have a name? Maybe it's less annoying"

“Johanna” she lied using her middle name, as MI6 agent Eden was required to conceal her identity, that driver could very well have been someone sent by some enemy spy agency. Never let your guard down, it was a motto that Eden always repeated to herself.

“Oh, German name. I've been to Germany. Frankfurt, it's a nice place”

“In a certain sense they make excellent Grüne Soße” Eden felt lighter, that taxi driver had great patience in putting up with her. Meanwhile, she began to juggle between the messages: 5 messages, and almost all from Simon

“I'm alive, I'm stuck in traffic”

“I was worried, you know there's Price here going back and forth. I think he's going to feel bad because he got scolded as soon as he tried to light up a light."

Eden imagined the captain's situation, barely holding back a laugh.

“I can't wait for you to be here, between him and that Sergeant Mactavish who keeps talking about Scotch and Whiskey. Seeing something beautiful can help ease my nerves”

Something beautiful, how did she return to reality? Had she really said that she was something beautiful to him?

The taxi driver poked around, nothing annoying that could affect that moment "it took little to calm your hot spirits miss"

"It could be" the woman continued to stare at that message like the most precious thing in the world, was she really under a thousand trains for a person who had crossed her path for just over a month? Everything seemed to be moving too fast.

"I think they heard your request," the older man indicated to Eden how the traffic was clearing, almost like ants scattering at the end of their meal.

Checking his watch Eden tried not to panic, 15 minutes and the 'plane would be ready to go.

It was a miracle that in a few minutes she was able to arrive at the airport, running as if she were in the New York City Marathon.

"Wait!" Yelled the brunette, seeing the four soldiers there.

The first to turn was Simon, who immediately caught up with Eden amidst the mild laughter of the dark-skinned soldier and the one with the monhawk:The first was Sergeant Kyle "Gaz" Garrick, Price's trusted man who observed the two laughing at her with a scowl. The second was a recent addition to Price's team, John "Soap" Mactavish.

"Look there was traffic and..." Simon stopped her by bringing his hand forward, picking up her suitcase. Soap and Gaz looked on in confusion.

"Is he okay?" Mactavish turned to Gaz, who shrugged.

There was not much time for introductions, Price would make them as soon as they landed in Verdansk, "Because the formalities are not important at the moment," he explained as he headed for the gate. After the necessary procedures, the group was already on the plane, much to Price's general relief. The dear old captain was famous for his punctuality, and Eden understood him well in the end. She, too, hated to have her plans ruined by last-minute obstacles.

But there was something else on her mind: Simon's extreme gallantry towards her. She honestly had not expected to be treated like a princess; by now she was used to not trusting beings of the male gender.

"Everything should be in its proper place" he sat down beside her and adjusted the mask that covered half of his face.

Eden placed her hand on Simon's, "You've been very kind, I guess you missed me so much."

A shiver ran through Simon's body, he was not used to receiving such a carnal gesture.

"You know, I've been thinking about what happened, you're the first person I've ever reacted to like this" he turned his back on Gaz and Soap, all ears to the conversation between the lieutenant and the MI6 agent.

Eden completely ignored them"And did you like what you did?" she then whispered to him, she had noticed how he was, a bit closed off.

"I think so, in the end I'll still say I like you," he turned to John and Gaz, glaring at the two young sergeants, they were still young and had to learn, the classic slightly immature boys, "If you don't finish it I'll make you fly out the window."

Simon's sentence silenced the two sergeants who calmed down to avoid making a mess. "Okay LT" Soap raised his hands, Simon didn't like to be teased, especially in front of the girl he liked, so as not to embarrass her, Eden found it very tender of him, for her it was already so much when he opened up to her like that.

"They'll understand when they meet a girl too" Eden let out a light laugh, wishing she had the same strength to fall asleep as Price, who had immediately fallen into a deep sleep. The captain had so many responsibilities after all and a nap would have done him good.

"I wish I had his strength to fall asleep" Simon sighed; he had the same thought as Eden.

"He's going to read my mind," she thought to herself as the announcer reminded everyone that the plane would be taking off in a few seconds, just in time for a couple consisting of a woman and an older man to sit down in the empty seats in front of Eden and Simon. They appeared to be in distress, so the Mancunian did his best to help place the lady's bag on the overhead compartment.

"You are very kind, sir" the woman then looked at Eden, who showed a small and kind smile, basically she was very confused, but this lady reminded her of her grandmother.Or most likely Simon's gesture had been a catalyst for this calm, where in fact thinking about their mission was not there.

As the couple sat down, Simon and Eden looked at each other spontaneously, as if they had had the same thought for the umpteenth time: would they get old enough to share their lives together?or would their lives be separated? There was a third option, but they didn't want to think about it.

"You are such a nice couple, you remind me so much of Alfred and me when we were young, how long have you been together? "Irina, the lady old lady says, looked at them almost nostalgically. Were they a couple? Was it that obvious? They were flattered and embarrassed, "Thank you ma'am, but we," the brunette looked at Simon who didn't know what to say, "We're more friends here than a couple.

Friends? If that was a definition for getting to know each other, Eden imagined it was the right thing to say, Simon held back a laugh, not because he found the whole thing ironic, but because Eden had turned scarlet when she said it. The young woman bit her tongue, uh, damn Riley.

“Boy I suggest you take this girl and marry her, you can tell from a mile that you have a crush on her "Alfred added, making the lieutenant cough. How he wished he could have been such a dreamy person and let go right away.But it was in his ethics to take things slowly, simmer and then at the right time serve the course that is to let go.

"Alfred and I met in '45, he was a journalist who was writing an article of the effects of the war" Irina began to narrate, with Gaz who on the opposite side of the seat where Simon and Eden were listening interested, the story had also affected the young sergeant.

"I was a young girl escaped from the German occupation, he saw me in the street and recognized the peculiar accent" Irina turned to her husband, in love more than ever "The most beautiful woman in the world, it was the right choice of my life" Alfred declared.

"You are a great example, I hope" the MI6 agent's gaze was mainly turned to Simon "I hope to be happy someday too."

There it was, the statement that left Simon with bated breath, never one like him would have thought of love. With his job it was something he could not afford, and still thought so. But he liked Eden and he had made the first move, he wanted to find out everything about her. Her personality, what she liked, what she hated. Finally something made sense in his life and he didn't want to lose her.

"Really? This asshole seems to have friends everywhere" Soap, file in hand read the information MI6 had gathered on Vladimir Makarov. He had always been a subject under watch, ever since he had decided to join the Inner Circle, known military PMC the alert danger was high. Makarov had always been a great strategist, and his help in the Inner Circle was a danger to nations such as Kostavia but especially Urzikistan, two nations Makarov had targeted.Betrayal of the principles of the motherland Russia in his view were grounds for hatred

"Having a father in politics helps" Eden came out of the bathroom, she had been the last one to make a shower and definitely needed it after the tiring trip she had made.

"Seeing him hang also helped "Price sneered, sipping his beer as he watched Gaz display a map. The mission would be the next day, the goal was to infiltrate a theater during a opera concert.

"According to the information Makarov will be here" Gaz tried to red the windowsill of the east wing of the theater "Eden and Ghost will try to infiltrate those places.Soap and I will follow Baranov here" Gaz looked for the opposite balcony.

Leonid Baranov, was known to be one of the richest oligarchs in Verdansk, his father had financed the reconstruction of the city after the end of World War II, basically he was an important figure in the capital.And Makarov by asking for Baranov's alliance might be able to finance his men.

"I'd say that's a very good plan, I'll contact Shepherd to debrief him," Price turned on his laptop computer. That Shepherd, Eden did not trust him at all. It gave him a rotten feeling, as if he was hiding something shady.

"Is something wrong Park? "Gaz pulled out a lighter, lighting her a cigarette, Eden merely said "I'm going outside," and Simon, until then silent about the situation followed her out the balcony.

"Is it for Shepherd? I don't trust either "he took a deep breath, turning to Eden "but do we have a choice? Laswell and he work for the CIA."

"I don't trust her either if that's what it is, anyone."

Working in MI6 Eden had seen it all, people who were described as reliable turn their backs anyway.In her environment it was the practice to betray human principles and values.

"I understand you, I mean working in a field like ours, you find shit upon shit" the man took a cigarette from his pockets, maybe just that night could fit.

"I thought you didn't smoke."

"And I do, I quit a long time ago "he lit the tip of the cigarette "but for tonight I make an exception "he then smiled toward Eden, who shook her head amused.

"What a dickhead."

"You can't imagine how happy I am to be here with you, even though we have given ourselves time" the lieutenant with his thumb stroked the woman's jaw and chin, a gust of wind caused Eden to encircle his hips with her arms.

She wasn't very keen on such gestures of affection, in fact she disgusted them. Or at least before she met him.

"I want to kiss you so bad but I see they are coming" he whispered lowering himself toward her, before as expected Soap and Gaz did not make their appearance.

"Jesus you are such a garden dwarf compared to LT "Soap exclaimed making Eden roll her eyes, she knew she was short but wore her 5.3ft with honor.

"You use less gel Mactavish, the monhawk doesn't hold with so much gel" the brunette patted the Scotsman's shoulder who mimicked a laugh, Gaz was there laughing "that one hurt Soap"

"Shh Garrick" the sergeant brought his finger to his lips, it was late, midnight and it was better for Eden if she went to sleep.Tomorrow a tiring day would await them, with a wave of his hand he greeted those present "I need a restful rest" he then left the three men alone re-entering the living room where Price was still busy at the PC.

"Night Park" he quickly greeted her, receiving a gesture of greeting with her head. She had not imagined at all that Simon was behind her and as soon as she reached the door to her own bedroom he turned her around.

"Christ Simon you scared me" she burst out laughing, she imagined that he wanted to be greeted in a better way anyway.

"Because I don't like certain greetings, I prefer others," the blond brought his lips close to the brunette's, a very chaste kiss despite the growing desire between the two. God how he was looking at her at that moment, if she had not promised herself not to run with him and for the fact that they were not alone she would have let him into the room immediately.

"Need to go" Eden murmured still that with her lips she caressed Simon's lower lip, who pulling away grinned winking.

"Good night Spectra, dream of me tonight."

"Count on it Ghost”

"Stupid bead" Eden was attempting to put on the earring "what made me think to get these and not the dangling earrings" she tried again, this time succeeding. She took a deep breath, the others were already ready and she was slightly late, which was unusual for the young spy since she was always on time.Fortunately, she had finished, reaching the door to her own bedroom.

"I will never understand why you girls are late "Soap was the first to see her, sketching a smile "Your knight is already outside, he is very anxious to see you."

"You took your time about your hair too" Vivi followed Soap "I was expecting a kilt instead of the classic pants" she added jokingly, rolling the Scot's eyes. They had known each other for two days and the brunette wanted to slap him already, but at the same time they got along well. Same sense of humor. With Gaz, on the other hand, Eden felt he could talk for hours on end, the classic guy friend to women.With Price he had yet to frame the situation but surely there was mutual respect between them.

"I'd be too recognizable, think I even practiced my Russian accent "Soap cleared his throat "to sound more believable "he then tried to use a bit of a harsher tone to his voice.

"You failed little boy" Gaz caught up with the two, also late apparently "when the O is not accented you should use the A" he too then got into a contest of who was better at it.

"ни один из вас не может использовать русский акцент"(neither of you can use a Russian accent) Eden left the two speechless, putting on her coat. Stepping outside she saw Price leaning against the limousine they had taken, and Simon. When he saw her he thought he almost saw a mystical creature, it was an exaggeration but that was his thought. He had never felt this way before; he had had relationships in the past, all of which had failed because of his crappy past. But Eden, she was the woman who literally kept him on his knees and he did not like that. He had always had everything under control, but evidently she had messed everything up.

"Nice wig" he adjusted the collar of his shirt, giving a dirty look to Soap who was teasing him, Mactavish would soon be flying into the banks of the Gora River "and nice dress" then lowered his gaze to the blue dress, which was vaguely reminiscent of the one worn in the animated film "Anastasia" by the main character.

"I thought you told me you were beautiful in general" Eden approaching left a kiss on the lieutenant's cheek, causing Price to frown "but I have to make do with a nice wig and nice dress" she then climbed into the limousine, causing Simon to break into a cold sweat. A hard, cold man like him losing his head over a woman?Never would he have imagined such a thing.

"We have to keep a low profile but I can see that someone already here has stepped into the role" driving to the destination Price adjusted the rearview mirror, noticing how Simon and Eden's hand intertwined perfectly with each other, it was obvious that the two of them were smitten with each other. But that mattered little to Eden; she was always looking for any moment to let Simon know she liked him.

"These are needed to get in, play your cards right," the brunette handed him, Soap and Gaz the necessary documents to pretend to be all other people, Gaz smiled broadly.

"Luckily in Kenya they also speak English otherwise "the sergeant put down his document "it would have been a big trouble"

"You are lucky, why Bulgarian me?" Soap pouted, the Scotsman knew not a syllable of the language

"Well the accent is more or less like Russian, you'll be fine Mactavish" she then passed the document also to Simon, husband and wife. He a well-known banker and she a model.Very predictable.

The area in front of the theater as soon as they arrived was swarming with high society people, interviewed by local and non-local journalists. Price parked not far away and in a strategic spot in case of some last-second problem.

"Jesus Christ I can't wait to get this stupid bow off" Soap adjusted his shirt collar, followed by Gaz.Simon and Eden were the last ones down and he was really treating. God why did she have to smile at them like that?

"I'm counting on you, get the task done.Baranov must come out unharmed" Price glanced at all four, who with an affirmative nod then split up.

"Looks like we're left alone, those two are insufferable" Simon holding Eden under his arm showed a smile to her who responded likewise, the flash of photographers was annoying. Eden was quite used to it, I mean she had also performed missions pretending to be a VIP but the annoyance the paparazzi present gave her was equal to a flea invading your ear.

"The hip Riley, hold my hip " the young woman suggested, he completely embarrassed gently placed his hand on one of her hips, the midnight blue fabric perfectly encircled her body. Certain thoughts made by both of them seemed normal.

"We're doing fine" as they entered the theater he placed his lips lightly on Eden's shoulder, she looked at him frowning. And sneering.

"We're on a mission Riley"

"We have to pretend Park remembers" the Mancunian in his deep accent whispered in the brunette's ear, this was not the time to have thoughts where he would pick her up and slam her against the first useful surface.

She reluctantly preferred to focus on the area where they would see the opera, almost all the places had been taken.The only thing missing was...

"Makarov, he's not here" Eden whispered through clenched teeth.The files and information he had had spoke of the former Spetsnaz as very punctual. Almost manic in some ways. It was strange "too strange" Simon later added in not seeing Makarov still present.Good thing was that Soap and Gaz were behind the other target, ready to follow his every move.

"At least I'll be able to enjoy some classical music" Ghost admitted, it had been like forever since he had gone to a concert. The last one he had gone to had left trauma in him, something he had been carrying around since childhood.

"I used to make you metal music" Eden, binoculars in hand pointed toward the stage where the soprano appeared and began singing Bortnjansky's "D’una misera famiglia" from the opera Creonte.

"Too loud, I prefer softer music," with his binoculars Simon checked the perimeter of the theater's interior. Baranov was extremely pleased with the guests present, Gaz and Soap included that they had cast themselves well in the role.Eden and Simon hoped Makarov would also show up, but it almost seemed as if he had tracked down their plans.

"Love I'm going to go to the bathroom for a second, I'll be right back "playing the part of the perfect wife Eden got up from her seat, reaching the bathrooms. She hated playing that part, but she had to be convincing.

"Price"

"I know, he changed plans at the 'last second," the SAS captain anticipated her, and the woman looked around before reaching one of the stalls present. Reggie had arranged things perfectly.

"I'm going to try to put Baranov to sleep, warn Soap and Gaz" secured the silenced pistol, holstered under her dress Eden stepped out. Arms folded was Simon waiting for her.

"Price told me "Eden interrupted him by laying a finger on his lips.

"That's all we can do, Makarov will never come "she looked around, making sure no one was there to spy on them was always good.

"Hoping those two will convince him, it seems very-"

"Protected?" She added as she exited that hallway, taking the side exit. And not with little difficulty considering how important Baranov was, the only thing that discomfited her a little was that they had not been able to finish listening to the concert. Almost as if reading her mind Simon, after hiding behind a pillar, took her chin.

"When it's all over I'll take you to a classical music concert mh?" in succession he gave her a sweet kiss: Baranov was there, accompanied by Soap and Gaz who pretending to want to smoke a cigar had asked if the tycoon wanted to join in. They had apparently succeeded in convincing him even though he had brought two of his bodyguards along, and Eden and Simon were playing their part well and pretending a moment of passion between husband and wife.

Faking it? That was a big word for the two of them, he had to thank who knows what deity if they hadn't moved on to the next stage, feeling a certain warmth between her legs.

"It's here" resuming oxygen the man whispered over her swollen lips, slightly glistening from the passionate exchange.Eden wanted to laugh, more because she had left lipstick marks at the corners of his mouth, however, it was not the time.

"You know gentlemen" Baranov began, directing his attention to Soap and Gaz "you seem to me to be two people reliable enough to talk to you about my project."

"Tell us about it, maybe we can help you out with our funding" Gaz tried to be as convincing as possible, Soap merely nodded positively and on the one hand better that way. The Bulgarian accent was not really his forte.

"That's why I like you, anyway" the oligarch took a puff of his cigar and chucked "I plan to pick up the Verdansk stadium and run for mayor of the city, unfortunately, however, those who are currently in office are hard to die."

"I guess you need funding" what Gaz said made the man sneer.

Eden and Simon looked at each other understanding everything: Baranov, Makarov, mayoral candidacy= create a 'bombing to make Baranov come out victorious, maybe just by hitting the stadium.

"Price?"

"Get him" the captain ordered the four; Eden launched her attack by hitting the tycoon with her silenced pistol, hitting him with the sleeping pill. Gaz and Soap dealt with the two bodyguards, choking them one each.

"I'll get him, let's hurry" Simon lifted Baranov as if nothing had happened, following the three to the car parked in front of the steps.

"Come on move!" Price invited everyone to get in, leaving as soon as everyone was able to get in.The mission had been a success.

[sarahsartedits]

Riding on a dream with you

“Looks like I finally win, Red”-Roxas

Firstly I’d like to thank my mom for helping me pay for my art commission so that this exists visually! 🥰

Big thanks to @ultyso for this amazing beautiful artwork🌳🍃of one of the scenes in the story below❤️‍🔥 ⬇️

Also thanks to the roxiri server for listening to my ideas for this god knows this was all I talked about lol thanks to supportive roxiri friends & others who have inspired me @starrattlerofprydain @skytsunrose @roxaskairi @alphascorpiixx @whatsupfluff @dogoncabrera @eradicatetehnormal @twfated @twilight-blaze @paopubell @rxcketrvcer @yume127 @incorrectroxiriquotes2

Roxiri motocross au reimagined one shot set in the year 2000

Written for Roxiri from an idea I had earlier last summer mostly constructed from my imagination & decided to expand by a lot lol I’m not a writer & is only my second time writing anything similar to fanfics so forgive mistakes & grammatically errors. also this softly implies namixi & soriku going on in the background but doesn’t take center stage. Sora & Riku is briefly necessary adversaries for Kairi’s motivations it’s not meant to be bashing we like them over here. also don’t know shit about motocross I made shit up to fit my narrative

Warning smoking & language heavy angst & on with the story

Todays the day she thinks as she prepares for her challenge, Kairi is an inspiring motor biker determined to join the destiny islands motocross team, to put her skills to the test in competition & hopefully build back friendships with childhood friends Sora & Riku. she goes through tough impossible obstacles each time to join the team on purpose to vote no on her joining. Sora cheerfully laughs afterwards saying “oh hey that’s too bad, Kairi I’ll make it up to ya I’ll take you to the movies, my treat!” Kairi huffs “when i crawl up & die, I knew you’d do this, jerk” after walking over to blow smoke into Sora’s face as she stocks off as Sora gasps for air “fine be ungrateful! Man, what a hag!’’ Kairi rolls her eyes & balled up her fists what did she expect Sora & his team is full of guys who seem to have a negative attitude towards her in general with joining up. “Oh it’s too dangerous, you’d just get hurt.” As he continually keeps her off the team & from competing. She hears Riku comfort Sora telling him “don’t worry he did the right thing’’ & that she’s “baggage” to the team. It’s was his usual prep talk to Sora & the team that she was too delicate to be even riding a motor bike much less allow her on the team, use the trails & gear? Kairi frowned she couldn’t believe these were the same boys she’d hung out with most of her life?

Kairi lost in thought arrives home & finds boxes all over the house because kairi’s single & crazy indecisive mom Kayla decides to move them to twilight town in with her new boyfriend Nathan & his daughter Namine. At this point Kairi is up for anything to get away from obnoxious sexist boys & being blackballed by the other girls. She had met Namine a few times before moving to their apartment. To her surprise the blonde girl was very friendly & at the same time withdrawn & quite, mentioned by her father for her love for art & painting. Kairi was super intrigued by the girl & was hopeful that they’d be like sisters. Meanwhile Kayla brags on Namines art & mannerisms wishing kairi was more like her instead of having nasty habits like smoking & “dirt biking”. Such a nasty sport for young girls it was bad enough for your father look where it got him. Kairi rolls her eyes sure mom whatever as she puts out a cigarette. Namine looks like she wants to say something to Kayla but doesn’t just bows her head & looks away. Kairi doesn’t notice she can just tell her moms gonna ruin this relationship too of course.

When they finally get moved in, Namine enters Kairi’s room with a welcome home gift art piece as she was hesitant to, from Kairi defensive attitude towards Kayla for the most part. As they had a disagreement on taking her bike as Kayla wasn’t wanting it brought since she wanted Kairi to start over in a new town with new hobbies kairi was livid at the thought that bike was hers. It’s was gift from her dad a fellow rider who died in a biking accident. Kairi looks up with a small smile as she removes her headphones, ‘hello Namine. Sorry about earlier. Mother just doesn’t get me.” Namine hands kairi the rolled up artwork returning a smile, “you know, you could try out for twilight town’s motocross team you mentioned earlier of the hard time they gave you over on Destiny islands?” Kairi examines it as she puts in on the wall & ponders “i… just don’t know Namine… I mean what would be the difference?” Namine, “ well you said you think they don’t let girls on the team? Well that’s definitely not the case here, my girlfriend Xion is on the team & our friend Olette, it’s based on your talent not gender.” Kairi does a double take, what!? Why didn’t you tell me!? Namine looks down shhh I’m not out to father yet. Kairi whispers I’m sorry but that’s great you know you have my support. Namine nodded ‘promise me you’ll think about it?’ Kairi “I will”

Later that night as she’s having her nightly cigarette on her windowsill she spots a blond boy across the street in a neighboring building out on the deck porch noticing her as he paused from playing his guitar she puts out the cigarette & says to herself “sorry blondie no distractions this time.”

In The next few days kairi heard voices outside her bedroom door then a knock & in walks a raven haired girl with a bob hair cut & Namine trailing behind her. So you’re Kairi. Yes & you must be Xion? Namine’s Girl who also doesnt wait for permission to enter rooms? What? I so knocked & im impatient. Xion winked Nami says you’re interested in joining motocross? I saw your bike on the way in. You any good? Kairi sighed the answer your first question yeah sure second question it’s my life why wouldn’t I be any good? Xion smirked yeah? But are you motocross good? Kairi returns xion’s wink from earlier we shall see won’t we? Xion sure meet me at the ‘pit’ tomorrow for tryouts & meeting the team”.

The next day kairi & her bike walks with Namine to meet Xion at the ‘’pit’’ in the twilight town forest. The sort of twilight town’s motor bikers hang out for the team to practice. Kairi was nervous to say the least. Firstly noticing Xion & another girl fitted up in gear she assumed was Olette. This was a good sign she thought “there’s other girls on the team, if I don’t make it it’s my own fault” soon Kairi was startled out of her thoughts when xion led them over closer to the rest of the team. Kairi noticed that a blond boy who everyone seemed to be talking with, couldn’t take his eyes off her as soon as she enter the “pit” it seemed. Oh god it’s the boy across the street that was staring at me from his deck porch. Soon Xion yelled at him “yo Rox come here” “Rox” walked over with a smirk hey Xi so who’s your friend? Xion rolled her eyes ; this is Kairi, Kairi this is Roxas team captain leader blah blah totally hammy thinks he’s all that with fancy bike & skateboard tricks & his damn hair, for the love of God let me trim it it’s in your eyes, Roxas sighs shakes his head hell no, give me a break “MOM” let me do my own damn introduction, Kairi laughed Roxas’s eyes brightened & smile widened. Hey Kairi. Girl across the street who lives with Namine it’s a pleasure meeting you even if you’re friends with this one before Xi went nuts I was gonna say the only thing true about that is that I’m an amazing team captain who happens to be a skilled rider that’s it. Kairi chuckled softly ok I believe you you don’t seem like a ham to me as she played rolled her eyes Roxas oh ho ho ho this one got jokes? Haha well miss Kairi I wanna wish you good luck out there tryouts here can be as brutal as motocross is. Kairi nodded she could do this. As she walked his bike over to the starting line. Roxas called for everyone’s attention “okay my dudes & dudettes tryouts are about to start roll on over to the starting line & please let’s try to keep it clean & not to have a smash up out there….

Kairi couldn’t believe the competition as she smoked them all as she turned corners & made all her jumps which the pit made much better jumps & more room to freestyle than Sora & Riku’s trails around the island. (It seemed like she’d would be at a disadvantage since she had snuck out to ride the trails every chance she got when Sora & Riku would take trips away from the island to stay in top shape since Sora or riku would try to police her from riding their trails.) as she finished her run with a long drift into the finish line & remove her helmet she noticed all the stunned faces of Namine & Xion but Roxas had a different expression, resembling resentment. Kairi walked her bike out of the way of the others.

Roxas couldn’t believe this girl & her princess style bike not only beat the competition but she had sick freestyle moves thrown in to the mix. He just couldn’t let her join his team, not while showing out like that using freestyle supercross wasn’t allowed & was separate from motocross itself. Roxas quickly got everyone’s attention “okay okay chill out guys listen up that’s a wrap better luck next time.” Kairi Xion & Namine gasped as kairi turned away mortified & angry. “What the fuck happened?’’ she wondered. She started to walk away when she heard Xion blasting at Roxas. Kairi decided to walk back she felt she needed an explanation. Roxas “Xion I don’t have to explain how I run this team.” Xion “what the hell is wrong with you?” Kairi interrupts “no I have the right to an explanation I fucking demand it” she yelled hoarsely Roxas rolled his eyes, ok red here’s the deal I have no room for big shots or princesses that demands shit handed to them. That rely on freestyle to win motocross not only that, this is a simple tryout for a local team all you had to do way beat those guys in the race”!!! kairi I DID THAT! Roxas yeah but you still relied on freestyle. I can’t have that. I’m sorry. Kairi gritted her teeth “ fine blondie you should’ve made that in the rules beforehand! Roxas folded his arms my team my tryouts my rules rookies who don’t understand that don’t get to be on my team. Kairi exploded EXCUSE YOU IM NOT A ROOKIE! Shoving Roxas to the ground as she stormed off. Roxas chuckled to himself as he got up. “Reds got fire” as he smirked.

The next day Xion shows up to tell Kairi with much team discussion Roxas has had a change of heart that he will in fact let her on his team on the grounds she trains under him for the coming weeks before the local motocross against several of the local towns Destiny Islands included. Kairi sighing as she’d been annoyed as hell the whole night. Ok but why cause all that shit with me yesterday? xion sucked in air wellll I think he’s just being a jealous little bitch but you didnt hear that from me. Kairi ‘’he’s a what now?!’’ Jealous of me? Why he’s captain leader guy he doesn’t have to constantly prove himself that’s he’s good you can tell he is without him jumping on a bike & he’s seemed laid back & chill & people give him respect so freely. Xion dumbfounded Namine who walked into the room giggled “Kairi if I didn’t know better I’d say you like Roxas!” Kairi & Xion ‘what?’ Kairi well I might of if he hadn’t treated me like shit for riding good??? Kairi questions Xion again whys is he jealous? xion “right well he’s not use to anyone besting him is all. Kairi gawks what!? You think I bested him? Xion “again you didn’t hear it from me I think he thinks that. But he doesn’t have the right to act that way. Kairi nodded Namine so what are you going to do? Still join the team anyways? Kairi rubbed her chin thoughtfully hmm I think I’ll give him a taste of his own medicine I’ll make it my life’s mission to test his skills to the point he’s made to feel as insecure about his as he’s made me feel about mine yesterday. Ending with Xion & Namine give each other a nervous look.. this could end badly.

Fast forward a few weeks, Kairi had been meeting Roxas several times a week & once on weekends to train which was more like Kairi & Roxas racing & betting each other would beat the other. Roxas had to teach this girl who was the best on this team if it kills him he thought miserably he’d win & she’d win back to back. Roxas “you’ve had enough,Red?” “Not on your life blondie” “fine, just don’t cry when you lose” Roxas snapped Kairi exhausted don’t you get it I don’t lose, hold on a minute I need a smoke as she lights up a cigarette. ‘’I don’t suppose you would like to join me?’’Roxas looks mildly disgusted & curious “maybe if you answer a question you smoke often?” Kairi hands Roxas a smoke & lights it, Roxas coughs a bit but overall he’s fine. Kairi giggles “about a few years now & only when I’m anxious & angry.” & more often since my father passed,Roxas bowed his head shit I’m sorry, Red hate to hear that. Kairi waved him off softly ‘’thanks but it happened a few years ago from a biking accident, everything I know about motor bikes I learned from him.” Roxas nodded solemnly “so who are you outside of riding & competitions with me?” Roxas & Kairi chuckled she sighed im not much really I use to be cheerleader & wrote poetry typically girly shit” Roxas howled with laughter you’re joshing me! I can’t see it! Kairi mmmhhhmm I really did I tried to please mom, sora & riku, to try to fit in with other girls. Roxas interrupts “wait one minute you don’t mean trying to please Destiny Island’s motocross team’s own Sora & Riku? I mean are you even sure they even pay attention to anything of than each other. They seem, I don’t know, self absorbed in each other at meets are they a couple?” kairi oh them? I wouldn’t know they wouldn’t let me join their dumb ol team to notice, I guess they had fun together policing me from riding their tracks on the play island. Making it their life’s mission to keep me from riding my own bike, a gift from my father by the way much less keep me off the team. Roxas ducked his head blushed, well I guess I fucked up as well, I’m sorry my ego gets the better of me sometimes. Kairi pats Roxas thigh, no problem Xion explained. Roxas ‘’what’d she… ‘’

Kairi kept talking so what’s your sad story who is Roxas Strife? Roxas sighed “motocross rider, motorcycle rider, when his older brother cloud allows him to ride his. Roxas frowns solemnly is raised by his big brother Cloud since his parents both died of overdoses. Kairi gasps reaches out to hug Roxas I’m so sorry. Roxas so stunned & surprised at the sudden need to touch her back. She smelled of coconut & some scent he couldn’t place. Kairi released him, he suddenly missed her warmth but continued no problem red its been years my brother is keeping out of a home upstate so I could grow up here. I had a twin brother Ventus who didn’t make it to be a teenager. He died when he was ten hit by a car case of negligence of parents who couldn’t careless.” Kairi holds his hand & doesn’t let go. “Sorry death seems to be my life story.” Kairi “hey it’s ok if anything my father’s death taught me not to let anyone tell you no, chase all your dream or in our case riding on a dream.” Kairi laughed Roxas smirked “what’s else do you wanna know Red?” Kairi blows smoke “ oh your hobbies, ambitions likes dislikes Roxas well you’re looking at my hobby when I’m not playing struggle in the sandlot as a plan b to my ambitions to go pro at both likes sunsets sea salt ice cream hanging out on the clock tower dislikes drama authority figures big shots….Kairi interrupted “let me guess princesses” Roxas smiled shyly no princesses can stay he whispered. Kairi asked softly, still holding his hand from earlier ok blondie I noticed you playing guitar on your deck that night I first seen you, I like seeing that side of you, will you play for me sometime? Roxas blushed fiercely chuckled as he noticed she was at his lips, as he bend over to her sitting on her bike, he whispered back sure red whatever you’re into. Their lips met as they kept their footing on each side of their bikes tongues collided competing over dominance. Kairi fell powerless over this kiss letting Roxas take control as she hopes she’ll win if they do this again. Roxas feels his legs shake & letting his bike roll closer to hers. They lifted their lips apart slowly with Roxas smirking as he whispers “looks like I finally win”

In coming days, Kairi & Roxas were still just as competitive & bantering with each other as ever but with more kissy faces, which bewildered Namine & disgusted Xion as Roxas was her brother figure & wasn’t sure what to make of Roxas & Kairi’s new found relationship? Or if it was the best thing for the team? What if they break up? She worried. She decided to must confront kairi first she knew Roxas was vulnerable after the life he had she had to protect him.

Kairi meets up with Roxas on twilight town’s clock tower which seems to be another hangout for wayward teens on the edge. She met Roxas holding two blue ice creams which must of been the sea salt ice cream he mentioned. She sat next to him on the edge she also noticed his guitar, she heart warmed he’d remembered. He handed her an ice cream, ‘’I thought we’d have some ice cream then Ill play for you?” Kairi smiled “is this a date blondie?’’ She teased. Roxas blushed “it’s whatever you want it to be Red.” Kairi giggled “im teasing you of course it’s a date a first date in fact. I think it’s sweet like this ice cream oh boy it’s salty.” Roxas ‘’but you like it though right?’’ Kairi “it’s delicious thank you!’’ It’s beautiful up here you come up here often don’t you?” Roxas “yup since I was eight years old thanks to deadbeat parents I & Ven both came up here sometimes & I met some of guys from the team up here Hayner pence olette & Xion, an older cool guy Axel he use to be on the team when Cloud was captain, who decided to move away,” Kairi listened with great interest what a history of people she wondered a lot about his brother where was everyone at when he died? Roxas place his hand on her thigh what is it you’re a million miles away what’s up? Kairi looked uneasy “about ventus? Where were you when it happened?’’ Roxas balled up his fist on kairi’s thigh she quickly covered his hand with hers. Roxas continued not around I was here laughing in up with the guys & Xion. He was on his way here to tell me mom was “sick” again. What else was new? I guess she was worst than usual because she died a few days after him, double funeral. I found him you know? The car musta been flying he was unrecognizable for years I kept thinking how it could’ve been me we played out in traffic all the time…” Kairi said nothing just squeezed his hand. Roxas looked curious ‘’this must be a bad 1st date so far I’ll start playing if you want?’’ Kairi laughed out some tears sure Roxas smiled oh look you got a winner stick red kairi oh! What does it mean? Roxas smirked “it means you’re the winner of my affections haha” Kairi rolled her eyes “seriously that’s it” she winked . Roxas chuckled “I should’ve gotten the winner stick. I feel like a winner every day with you Red.” Kairi pulled him in for a side kiss. “ shut up Just play for me, beautiful” Roxas starts playing as Kairi starts humming with the tune before she starts singing surprising Roxas

🎶The dawn is breaking a light shining through you barely wake

and tangled up in you yeah.

I’m open you’re close where I follow you’ll go

I worry I won’t see your face light up again

Even the best fall sometimes, even the wrong words seem to rhyme

and out of the doubt that fills your mind

I somehow find that you and I collide

I quite you know you make a first impression

I found Im scared to know I’m always on your mind.

Even the stars refuse to shine & out of the doubt that fills your mind

you finally find you & I collide🎶

-collide by Howie Day

“Woah” Roxas exclaimed ‘’where did that come from?” You didn’t say you could sing! Kairi blushed tucking her hair behind her ear. “Oh I did short stint in the school choir but it boring & tedious so I quit I prefer being active.” Roxas laughs “maybe we should do a duet next year in the talent show or something? Kairi giggles ‘’now you’re joshing me because you’re not serious?’’ Roxas kinda as I’m not into school functions but with you? Anything can happen.” Kairi playfully rolled her eyes “ok mister too cool for school functions” Ill hold you to that Blondie..

Kairi did well keeping Xion & Namine’s relationship a secret with their folks. when Xion came over to spend time with Namine, they’d just tell them Kairi wasn’t up for hanging out so Xion could hang out Namine in her room alone. Kairi spent the time to revive her poetry. She’d been inspired since meeting Roxas & everything Roxas is Roxas Roxas Roxas she thought dreamily as she overheard Namine & Xion’s giggling in the next room, it must have been nice to get to have your significant other in your room even in secret, Kayla toke one look at Roxas & decided they were never to be alone in the house even with Nathan swearing Roxas was a good kid known him for years he’s the boy next door hell if it wasn’t for Nathan & Namine she would’ve not be allowed to see him, Kayla was a social snob & thought Roxas was a hood & was surely doing drugs like his parents had after being raised by his wayward older brother. Kairi was so distant in her thoughts she didn’t hear a knock at her bedroom door & it opening revealing Xion, “oh I knocked I need to talk with you about something that been just on my mind” “please don’t take this the wrong way but what is your intentions with Roxas?” Kairi eyes widened & frowned “what do you mean?” Xion “I mean what’s the deal with you & my brother?” Do you love him, care him? Or are you just having fun what!?’’ Kairi was heated & confused “I don’t think that’s any of your business Xion!” Xion sighed “look, you don’t really know him Kai.” His past comes with a lot of baggage & needs better treatment around here than by your ice queen of a mom who barely lets him in the door… Kairi defensively “no you look, I don’t know what your problem with me is? He explained to me his past I know about Ven ok? Xion looked down whispering what he doesn’t talk about what happened to Ven why you why open up to you an outsider?” Kairi shrugged im pretty easy to talk to Id like to think. Xion huffed “ sure is having that nice figure & gorgeous red hair in his face now.” Kairi was just so confused with Xion. “Why are you complimenting me? You don’t think I’m good enough for Roxas?” Xion looked off out the window I don’t know maybe he’s actually not good enough for the princess & I don’t want him hurt? Xion’s eyes looked wet with tears Kairi sighed feeling her eyes with tears as well. “Look if things south with us I’ll let him break up with me, he has my heart anyways might as well break it if he wants to” Xion gasped Kai! I’m sure he’d never do that! Kairi smiled & walked towards to Xion “then do we have your blessing” hugging her from behind “do I have another sister like I have in Namine? Kairi winked as she saw Namine standing at her door which could’ve been a huge misunderstanding if she hadn’t listened to the whole conversation at the door & knew of the Roxas & Kairi drama with Kayla around the house. Xion laughed as tears were still flowing “oh my god Yessss as long as people don’t think Nami is also my sister blah!” Namine walked over to hug them as all three had a group hug until Kairi removed herself for Namine & xion to hug alone as so heard Namine whispering “im sorry Xi I didn’t realize it was so hard on you I’ll come out to father” Xion slowly slipped her lips over the other girl’s “im proud of you baby” as kairi closes her door leaving the girls in her room. As she ran out of the house to jump on her bike to meet Roxas.

Today was the day the final motocross meet up against Destiny island was finally upon them as the team sat up on Destiny Islands turf. It had been around six months since Kairi had lived here she hung close to Roxas Xion & Namine who’d come as a supportive girlfriend who had new found freedom with Xion after telling her father. Kairi was a proud sister for them both. As they readied their bikes, Kairi couldn’t help but feel nervous here the last time she was here she fumbled her chance with this same team that was now her competition. Since being back she had noticed a certain brunette & sliver head had become more touchy- feely than she remembered or maybe she spent so much time resenting them of her joining their team to notice. Sora kissed Riku on the cheek as it was Riku’s match against Xion who smirked knowingly at the fellow gays who seemed out & proud as ever as Namine come over to hug & kiss Xion’s forehead. Riku was like a speeding bullet thought Kairi as he beat Xion. Next kairi beat tidus. Now all the cards lay with Roxas & Sora’s match as the teams were tied. As they readied their bikes kairi walked up to Roxas with a hug from behind with a kiss to his neck Roxas smirked hello red what will you do when I beat him? “Congratulate you & kiss your beautiful face again?” She said nonchalantly “well that’ll work but maybe a tour of the whole island both of these islands?’’ He gave her a winning smile Kairi “you got it blondie” while the happy couple was canoodling they didn’t notice the happy curious look Sora was giving them as Kairi walked away when the race was ready to start. Roxas in all his glory made a spectacular show for a show off ham that he was & beating Sora leading the team to victory.

kairi had promised Roxas to show him the main & the play islands respectfully she was learning Roxas had such a fascination for the beach as did Namine & xion with shells as the two girls stayed on the beach looking at the shells they found. she & Roxas walked around the treehouse bridge around the paopu fruit tree. “What’s the deal with the star shaped fruit, red?” Roxas pointed out as Kairi started to explain the legend to Roxas. he became intrigued & exclaimed they must share one immediately. “How about we share one so that our destinies can be intertwined forever” kairi said softly “you already have my heart.” Roxas reached out to take her hand “you have mine too so we should partake in this famous island custom cement our love & devotion.” Kairi laughed “it’s just a legend relax blondie didn’t know you were superstitious?’’ as she reached up for one & handed it to him holding it to his lips, Roxas whispered “I just want you forever with me Red” “Ride or die” they counted one. two. three. & they bit down in in sync. They laughed as it squirted juice out both ends.

Kairi noticed spiked brunette & sliver headed boys approaching them she tensed the hand she was hold Roxas with. Sora was the first to speak, “heya! Nice match Roxas & they shook hands. I knew you were a good rider but wow you’re amazing.” Roxas hey Thanks dude it’s good someone takes the time to compliment me on my skills instead of calling me a show off ham. Kairi rolls her eyes “Xion started that remember.” Roxas laughed playfully im joshing you. They looked over at sora who just looked happy to be there in all they banter-y fun Riku who looked bored. Roxas to Riku ‘’hey you, you wanna show me this neat thing I seen way over there? Riku puzzled huh you mean the raft we built when we were 12? Sora suddenly caught on to Roxas ‘’yeah Riku walk over there with Roxas I need to talk with Kairi.” Riku “sure” as Roxas & him departs to the raft area. Sora looks puzzled over Kairi so how long have you & Riku been out? Sora blushed “not long & his parents were not happy but he lives with me & my family now. So how long have you been with twilight town’s own motocross team captain Roxas Strife.” Kairi’s turn to blush, “a few months I guess you have noticed him he was sure you & Riku never noticed anyone else at meets” kairi teased Sora frowned ‘’of course I noticed all that blonde hair & smirking. I just notice Riku more. You’ve got a great looking guy there Kairi. Sora winked Kairi giggled thank you Sora, anyways Sora continued im sorry if riku & I made your life miserable here after your dad’s passing we wanted to keep you off bikes. Kairi frowned looking down “you all had no right. My dad wanted me to bike” it’s in my blood despite everything I deserve it I might of been a shithead to you for demanding that I be on a team that doesn’t want me.” I’m sorry… Sora interrupted “no Kairi we’re still wrong for that we didn’t let you on the team because we didn’t want girls on the team…..”and his voice got quiet, “Riku thought it would be a good idea to push you away into doing something girly with your time instead.” ‘Wow you know how to pick boyfriends, Sora.’Kairi rolled her eyes annoyed sora “no kairi I agreed with him” kairi huffed and said ‘’you know what sora? you two deserve each other.’’ Sora “no please don’t go away angry” Kairi sighed “im not mad, sora I just don’t care I don’t live here anymore remember.” Sora pouted “you could still visit” Kairi ‘’of course & you & Riku can visit us in twilight town & triple date with Namine Xion Roxas & I. Sora smiled it’s a date.

Kairi walked with Sora to found Roxas & Riku hanging out around the raft. Laughing. Sora & Kairi gave each other a look. Roxas & Riku was in a good natured competitive talk about a match for them since they didn’t get to race. Kairi told them that Sora agreed to have a triple date with the girls in twilight town. And with that the couples departed Kairi grabbed Roxas’s hand, as they walked along the beach back to where Namine & Xion were last seen. Roxas questioned Kairi ‘’what’s up Red you’ve been quiet since talking to Sora anything wrong?’’ Kairi said softly “ I realized while talking to Sora that I don’t really care about this island anymore’’ when I was little I never wanted to leave Sora & Riku or this island it was home they were comfortable friends & I didn’t want to grow up but in a way they pushed me to grow up. We can’t stay the same & my mom as much as a ice queen she is she had a hand in getting me away from here.” Roxas said thoughtfully “ yeah I should thank her for bringing you to me” as he laughed kairi punched Roxas in the arm’’you do that she’ll make sure I’ll never see you again” Roxas “ouch Red geez” but I don’t think that’s true, that you don’t care, you wanted to make up & be friends again sometimes people just aren’t cool enough, but I think Sora & Riku have potential though.” Kairi ‘’ yeah I always thought so too, blondie.” “So what about us?” “Are we forever?’’ Roxas looked out into the ocean. “Until the end, Red” he looked over to Kairi with a quick kiss & a mischievous smirk & pick her up bridal style & carried her out to the ocean as she shrieked with laughter as dropped her in the water as she pulled him under with her for an underwater kiss.

fin~

[white-weasel]

Okay Saw thoughts after just watching the first two movies:

I didn’t realize that Jigsaw’s whole thing was people “not appreciating their life” instead of “punishing those who evaded justice” like I thought. It was cool to actually find out the motivation as I watched the movie

Speaking of, I get the motivation for putting almost everyone else in the traps so far except for Adam? Like I get that his life wasn’t necessarily the greatest but damn. Bold assumption by John that he didn’t actually care about and cherish his life

The part where Adam beats that orderly from the hospital to death with the toilet cover? Unfortunately a little bit hot. I cannot deny it

Didn’t understand the Lawrence/Adam pairing at first, but was 100% on board by the end

Since John leaves the bathroom not long after Lawrence, I have to imagine they ran into each other. Trying to figure out wtf THAT conversation would be like

(Imagining John telling Lawrence that Adam is already dead and he should be glad because if he wasn’t, then that would mean Lawrence had failed and would be dead in his place instead and it’s making me a little emo ngl)

Any time that puppet Jigsaw uses shows up I do laugh a little because he just sorta appears. It’s funny to me idk

I knew going into Saw 2 that Amanda became John’s apprentice at some point but I didn’t know if it was after her first trap or her second trap. Cue me saying to my friend “God I hope she’s his apprentice by this point because if I was her and I got put into TWO SEPARATE TRAPS I think I would just kms. I would simply not team up with the guy”

Most of the gore I was okay with but the needle pit thing? Had to half look away from that one because I hate needles

Amanda and that one other blonde woman were kinda giving me some shipping vibes. Unfortunate we did not get to see that more fleshed out though

The plot twist that everything was prerecorded? Knocked my socks off that was awesome

I don’t think this will ACTUALLY be the case, but with Eric ALSO dying in that bathroom and his corpse being left to rot, I think it’d be really funny if every Saw movie going forward ended with someone dying/someone’s corpse being in that bathroom. By the 8th or so movie there’s just a pile of bodies that, while absolutely horrifying in universe, would be very funny to see as an audience

Prediction for down the line: this is not the last we see of Daniel Matthews. He’s gonna come back in some later installment

[puckish-rogue]

I've been thinking a lot as of late about Django's skill set, and the almost nightmarish reality of the type of violence and destruction he's capable of committing all on his very own. I'll probably make this into a more structured and proper HC post in the future. But for now, I just kinda want to ramble about this for a second because I don't think I've really had the opportunity to fully display just what kind of a one-man wrecking crew/army he is.

Talk to anyone who's a fan of SR and takes pride in their own version of The Boss, and they will tell you what sort of aspects they really lean into when depicting them in writing, art, or anything remotely creative. For me, aside from wanting to really explore the whole idea of a customizable character and that disconnect from most people, I really leaned into the more violent aspects that make up the character. And that's because when you stop and think about it, the sort of things that The Boss is able to accomplish throughout the original series—at least on their own—is really fucking astounding. And even more so terrifying.

You can make the argument that the original iteration of the Saints wouldn't have gotten to the point they did if The Boss hadn't come in and just carried the load, and got their hands as dirty as they did. Which isn't to say that everyone else wasn't pulling their weight. But it's clear to me that anything that was remotely significant was handed off to this random kid who got swept into the gang life. And when I apply that to my portrayal, Django starts to come across as almost relentless whenever there's work for him to do.

Said relentlessness can also be applied to how he handles the work he receives, or really, any sort of task at hand. He is goal-oriented. He is focused, despite what he may lead you to believe. A plan may fall apart and make it seem as if you need to go back and reconsider your approach. Not for Django. He will finish the task at hand by any means necessary. Even if wanton destruction is left in his wake. He is the human equivalent of the nastiest hurricane you could ever imagine. And he's got the body count and property damage to back that title up.

Let's talk about violence for a second. The guy loves it. Fighting in general gets his blood pumping, and his adrenaline spiking higher and higher. He is a sick freak that enjoys hurting his enemies and fighting tougher opponents just to better his own skills. Whenever he REALLY starts to get into a fight, I would equate it to a dog being let off a leash and getting zoomies. He's basically frenzied, and more than ready to put someone down if it comes to that.

And when I think about that kind of attitude, plus the way he can seemingly go through wave after wave of enemies, it really begins to paint a picture of what that may look like to an outside observer. Or hell, anyone for that matter, regardless of what side they're on. Like, it wouldn't surprise me if, as the years go on, people just made up ghost stories about the guy. Sure, he's prolific as hell. But you can't imagine what kinds of things he gets up to whenever there isn't a news camera on him. Plus, I would think that with everything he and the gang have accomplished, that anyone in the big leagues—whether it be in the criminal underworld, or from law enforcement—would take heavy consideration as to how to approach the guy given what he's able to do.

We're talking about someone here who has not only toppled several different gangs with varying degrees of influence and power, but gone up against cops, SWAT teams, the FBI, and even people who are as close to the honest-to-god military as possible.

I really don't have a proper way to end this because it was meant to be a long ramble in the first place. But man, I don't know. There's just a lot to consider about what Django's reputation would be throughout the world in his own canon. And this also goes for crossovers, AU's, all sorts of things. His penchant for violence is something that will be on full display no matter what the playing field may be when writing the guy. And I just hope people keep that in mind whenever we plot stuff out, or just have discussions in general.

[marinerainbow]

Hello!

My question is what do you think is the deal with Slimy Weasel? We know Wheezy is surrounded by smoke because, well, he smokes. But Slimy? What do you think?

Hello!!

Hm... Hard to say, really. I'm not sure what the team was going for with Slimy's slime? I heard a theory that it was DIP and he found a way to weaponize it, but I don't think so... Because Slimy is still alive XD

I can't remember where I got this, but I know that I didn't think this one up myself, I just adopted the headcannon; Slimy is studying medicine to try to cure his slimy problem. I took that though and, with my headcannon that all the weasels play specific roles in the gang (Smartass, the leader. Wheezy, the gunman. Psycho, the assasin. Etc), made Slimy the medic. Before Doom hired them as a police force, they couldn't exactly go to a hospital and risk getting recognized and arrested. So Slimy is the guy they call whenever anybody gets hurt badly. It's pretty difficult to work while he's coughing slime, but Slimy is their best man. So those are my thoughts on him.

I'll be honest, I'm not too big a fan of Slimy's concept. I love the greaser aesthetic! And it's interesting to see a toon that can use slime/DIP if that theory is correct. But since all the weasels' names are meant to show a key point about their character, I don't think 'Slimy' or the slime itself really fit the greaser that it looked like he was supposed to be. Idk, to me it feels like it belongs to another character. If I designed them, I think I would have thought to switch his and Greasy's names, honestly; Slimy could be named Greasy to accentuate his greaser design, and Slimy is another term used for Greasy's... Erm... Approach with women. Not to mention all the hair oil the fandom has collectively agreed he uses (I wouldn't change their names now, of course. Greasy will always be Greasy and Slimy is Slimy in our hearts 💚💚💚)

On that note, Flasher is in a somewhat similar position. Again, I love his design, and I wish he was in the movie! I think his name matches, too. My problem, though, is that it looks like he was going to be a ravenous character. It's not 100% confirmed as far as I know, but since all the weasels are all made to be their own unique characters that stand out on their own, it doesn't make sense to me to have a second pervy when we already have Greasy.

In my head, I imagine him being more like the little rebel of the group. The youngest by far (23) who is most likely to be found causing trouble on the streets, next to Psycho. But the difference between their troubles is that while Flasher is mainly pranks and your usual delinquent mischief, Psycho is the psycho who would bite your face off 😅 his role in the gang I'm debating, but I'm leaning towards distribution. Smartass is too busy to take care of everything by himself, especially after becoming sergeant, and Flasher can easily connect/engage with people, so Smarty put him in charge of that. It also goes well with his trench coat!!

Flasher keeps all the things he sells in there and opens it up like the sun dial guy in Hercules (can you imagine this guy whispering to you from an alley, asking if you want to buy weed?? Which is tame now, but back then was hella illegal 🤣)

I feel bad since I don't want to ruin their characters... But at the same time, they are just concept art. We can do whatever we want with them! These are just my thoughts, of course. And I love what other people have done with them!!! ^^

[punkslovepoints]

Steve is visiting Eddie in LA where he works as a record producer. They play basketball. They're not dating.

-

Steve didn't think he'd ever seen Eddie look so at home. When he'd imagined Eddie in LA, it felt like a total antithesis to everything he remembered about him. But to see him so relaxed, so well suited to his surroundings, he wondered if he remembered him right at all.

Eddie showed him to his room, a second bedroom that was obviously usually used as a recording or rehearsal studio. There were a series of instruments propped up on the walls from guitars to a violin. A set of drums sat in the corner gathering dust. The bed was a camp bed, but a high quality one. He noticed the mattress was still covered in plastic, a sales tag still hanging off the metal frame.

No sooner had Steve put down his bag and sat on the bed was Eddie bounding back into his room, a carryall in his hand, wearing a Metallica tank top and a pair of long basketball shorts, hanging just below the knee. His hair was tied up out of his face.

Steve stared in shock.

"C'mon, Harrington, gonna take you to meet the guys."

He stood up and followed Eddie out of the apartment, muttering "The guys?" to himself as he followed Eddie down the stairs.

The guys turned out to be a group of men and women who Eddie met up with once a week on a basketball court round the corner from his apartment to shoot hoops. Steve felt pretty glad of the fact that he’d felt out of his depth since he’d stepped off the plane because this latest information may have blown his mind if not.

The courts were owned by the community center, where one of the women, a girl called Mina, worked. She explained that she ran a group for gay youth and they let her use the courts for personal use when the center wasn't using them.

Eddie introduced him to everyone as the high school star basketball player. They responded in jest, nudging Eddie with various in-jokes that Steve didn’t understand. He shook everyone’s hands, they obviously weren't professional sports people, looked like the kind of kids Eddie hung around with in school but adults now, girls with short hair and guys with earrings.

Eddie reached into his carryall, took out a basketball and threw it to Steve, who despite his shock, still caught it with ease. The rest of the group made mock impressed noises in Eddie’s direction again. He shut them up with a glare and suggested they play a game of H-O-R-S-E, splitting into two teams. A guy who’d introduced himself as Marshall stepped up and called dibs on Steve being on his team. Eddie grinned at Steve, smacking the arch of his back to push him in the direction of the other side of the court.

Eddie wasn’t good at basketball, Steve found with some relief that he hadn’t been that wrong about him. He dropped the ball a lot, missed most of his shots and cheated so flagrantly that it was nothing but funny. In fact, most of them did. After the game of H-O-R-S-E, it developed into a pickup game. None of them seemed that familiar with the rules, or they just didn’t care. Steve found himself frustrated at first when several of his completely legal plays were stolen from him by somebody blatantly breaking every rule. At one point, he could have sworn that one of the girls just ran past him holding the ball.

After a couple of hours of play, he was sweating like a pig, having had to lose his shirt part way into the game due to being dressed for cross-country travel and not intensive sports. Neither side had really been keeping score, but it was clear that Steve’s team had won by a mile. Eddie reached into his bag, taking out two bottles of water and holding one out to Steve. Steve settled down next to him on the community center steps and took a swig. Eddie’s tank was much darker in the front from exertion. Steve tried not to stare at his arms, which were glistening with sweat. He thought back to that night in New York, how much he wanted to touch him back then. How much he wanted to touch him now.

Eddie turned to him as if he could read his mind, a devious smile spreading across his face.

Keeping eye contact, he took a huge gulp of his water before holding the bottle over his head and pouring the rest over himself. Steve got caught in range as he shook his hair out like a dog, water and sweat going everywhere.

Steve jumped to his feet and threw Eddie a look. He knew why Eddie had done it, knew from his smirk that he had given him the reaction he'd wanted too, one that Steve was trying hard to hide with a cover of disdain.

Laura, one of the girls, started laughing, “This is why you stay away from Eddie post-game,” she warned him from a safe distance away. Steve responded to her with a shrug before looking down at Eddie and making a decision.

He took his own water bottle and poured the remainder over his head, feeling the water make its way down his back, pooling in his collarbones and soaking his hair through. He saw Eddie's throat bob as he leaned forward, water dripping from every strand and with a smile, shook it out directly in Eddie's face.

Eddie didn’t move as he’d expected, just locked eyes with him. Then, his eyes sparkling with intent, he very deliberately gathered the water from his cheek, drawing his thumb over his lips and darting out his tongue to catch the remainder of the droplets.

The water still felt cool on Steve’s bare chest and back but he felt his skin heat up, still inches from Eddie's face. Eddie stared back, a wicked grin on his face, a challenge in his eyes.

"If you girls are done flirting, we're gonna grab some food. You in?" Mina's voice broke through their game of chicken.

Eddie raised an eyebrow in question and Steve shrugged, "I'm yours this week, Munson. You ask, I do."

"Don't tempt me," Eddie muttered as he grabbed the ball from his side and put it away in his carryall, joining the rest of the group as they left the court.

>> Read the rest of the fic on AO3 <<

[gaybae1021]

This isn't meant as hate but genuinely wondering.

Why did you make Katelyn, the one with huge anger issues and who almost never wears skirts and stuff, the by far darkest skinned one of the main cast?

Doesn't that fall under some black stereotypes like the hyper-masculinization of black women by society and the angry black woman trope?

My main reasoning is that this is a proper rewrite, not some headcanon. Anything I didn’t like in the original I’m free to change, and that included Katelyn’s personality. If I had kept her exactly as she is in the series yeah my choice would be kinda yikes. But she’s quite different in my version.

First off, my Katelyn isn’t all that masculine, though honestly I never saw her as masculine in the og series either, more so athletic. True, Katelyn isn’t much for dresses in daily life in my version, but that’s because she’s a fighter, and she feels most comfortable in her armor or anything that will let her spring into action quickly. But when she needs to dress up, shes happy to put on a dress and makeup, and her face design is my go-to “draw pretty girl” face.

The reference I posted of Katelyn isn’t the best and is quite old, but the more recent parkour pic i think highlights the difference between Katelyn and someone like Nicole, who I intentionally characterize as butch.

Second point, Katelyn aggression has been a…topic of controversy to say the least, and I think it’s important to separate mystreet and mcd because her characterization is just so different. So I’ll stick with mcd.

Yep, my Katelyn still has a lot of emotional issues, issues that are explicitly linked to her trauma of being trapped in the jury. She’s got some serious PTSD and she struggles to admit when she’s not doing well. She’s constantly on edge and has trouble trusting new people (just to note she’s not the only one with a dark backstory). But this never manifests as aggression towards her friends. After realizing what the jury did to the Golden Heart she’s 100% devoted to protecting Aph and her people in hopes of redeeming her actions on the jury. This is a self-imposed goal, Aph forgave her the moment she learned Katelyn was doing it to protect her family.

Katelyn vents her emotions by training and fighting, which while maybe not the healthiest coping mechanisms are at least useful in a world where the characters are fighting bad guys regularly. Outside of combat, Katelyn is usually a quite soft character, especially around Aph and Travis. Not to say she doesn’t have some sass, I imagine she has some great dry wit, but I literally have no scenes of her being legitimately angry with her allies.

There’s really only two scenarios I have where Katelyn’s aggression is a problem. Her fight with Ivy, where Ivy is able to use her anger at the jury to goad her into the fight, and the aftermath of that fight, where Katelyn is physically unable to fight and thus has to learn other coping mechanisms. The lesson is not “wow you have anger issues maybe chill” it’s “wow you’ve been basing your self worth on how well you can take hits in a fight, maybe we should talk about that”

Instead of Katelyn being the token “angry black woman” she’s a strong and capable character who nonetheless still struggles with her trauma and expressing emotional vulnerability. She sometimes feels she’s not worthy of her friends sympathies, so bottles up her problems. She is acutely aware of her new team and would never take her feelings out on them, and overall the story is Katelyn learning to trust her teammates the same way they rely on her. Whoops I accidentally made Katelyn a Raph Kin

To summarize, in my rewrite Katelyn’s not the only character to reject traditional gender roles, and she’s not the only one with emotional struggles. Hell, Laurance is right there next to her for all of season 2. They aren’t the only key components of her character, she’s not the most extreme manifestation of those traits, and several other characters have related traits, so she’s not alone in her characterization, which is why I think her redesign works. Granted y’all don’t know any of that yet, so I see why her stand-alone redesign can come across that way.