#in good company fic

[mystiquill]

in good company - weialala

[scene redraw from ch8 - apology!]

sharingan rising series is genuinely one of my favourite pieces of writing ever and i always really wanted to try drawing scenes from it. so here we are!

link to the fic (i need everyone to read it pls)

[mrghostrat]

Though he’d promised Aziraphale his attention, his head was turned towards a screen on his right, and the angle of his camera suggested the phone was tucked at the base of his keyboard and monitor. Aziraphale was actually grateful for it; Crowley’s momentary distractedness gave him the time to recover from the sight of him dressed up so professionally. “I, er— yes. I need your help though.” Crowley turned to him suddenly, leaning in close and grinning like a shared secret. Big Name Feelings • 3. Speeding Up

i am so at peace. 5 hrs totally zenned out on these colours. i'm gonna see his face in my dreams 🥰

[ultravioletbrit]

“salt” - Jegulus microfic - @into-the-jeggyverse - 318 words

James walks in the door and hears soft sniffles coming from the living room. He rushes in to find Regulus sitting on the couch, knees pulled up to his chest and a blanket wrapped around his shoulders. James immediately rushes to his side and takes Regulus in his arms. Regulus melts into him instantly, crying on his shoulder.

“Love, what’s wrong?” James asks, worry clear in his voice.

Regulus doesn’t answer, just starts crying harder.

“Regulus, you’re scaring me, you have to tell me what happened.”

“He… he… he died.” Regulus sobs and all the blood rushes from James’ face as worst case scenarios run through his head.

“Who died?” James asks cautiously and terrified.

Again, Regulus doesn’t answer, he just picks up a book from beside him and drops it in James’ lap.

“Regulus?” James is still panicked but also confused.

“My… my fa… my favorite character… he… he died!” Regulus says through hiccupping sobs.

“Regulus…” James says softly while breathing a sigh of relief.

“James, he died! He just… he just… out of nowhere… he just died.” Regulus leans into James even further and James wraps him in his arms.

“Regulus, I love you, but you just scared the shit out of me, love.” James tells him. “You do know these characters aren’t real, right?” James doesn’t mean to be insensitive, he knows Regulus loves these characters. But James genuinely thought someone they know just died.

Regulus pulls away from James with a look of utter betrayal on his face.

“Way to rub salt in the wound, James!” He lets out another sob.

James pulls him back into his arms.

“I’m sorry, love.” James rubs Regulus’ back in a soothing motion. “Do you want to tell me about the character?” James asks softly.

James listens to Regulus tell him all about his favorite character as he tries to regulate his breathing and get his heart rate back to a normal pace.

[souenkun]

Larry's random conversarion lines 🍙

Pokémon Masters EX spoilers ahead!

Random conversation 1:

Ever since I met a certain individual, I now find myself gazing up at the sky every once in a while. There's scenery you'll never even notice if you stick to flat, well-trodden paths. Just something I've observed. I don't dislike the vast, clear sky... But I don't think I can reach it. It's nice to know that there's something like that out there, though.

Random conversation 2:

Pasio seems to have many good restaurants. Ah, I'm not asking for specific recommendations, though... I actually enjoy walking around and looking for a place I might like. That's part of the experience. I seek the exceptional only when it comes to food. Pasio has a variety of cuisines to choose from, so it's hard to stick to just one.

Random conversation 3:

(Player), which do you tend to favor: the exceptional or the average? I was thinking of inviting you to have a meal sometime. Casually figuring out your client's preferences is a special skill that you learn as a salaried employee.

Random conversation 4:

Lunchtime is one of the few things that a salaried employee like me can look forward to at work... We can decide whether to spend that precious time eating something familiar or trying out a new restaurant. It's not just about the meal. The decision-making process leading up to it is also something to look forward to.

Random conversation 5:

People, Pokémon... There's no need to overcomplicate things. Nowadays people only seem to want a shock factor. Something weird, something bizarre. When all's said and done, simplicity is strongest.

Random conversation 6:

You don't necessarily have to follow every instruction from your boss. But I pretend to follow them, at least, so I can avoid hassles later on. That's a technique you can use to get by in the workplace. Keep it in mind.

Random conversation 7:

I'm here in this famous tourist spot, but I can't really spread my wings while my boss has her eye on me. I guess I'll do what I usually do on my lunch break and find a spot to Roost...

[greenorangevioletgrass]

writing an art x popstar!reader fic while watching mike's brokeback mountain bootleg 😜😜😜

edited for the link. you're welcome. 🤭

[cerise-on-top]

more team up tickles for shadow company and kortac but it’s just Reader getting attacked?

I wrote a Shadow Company fic on accident. Sorry. I'll post something for KorTac tomorrow, if I remember to do it. But even then, it'll only be Horangi and König. König because I love him, and Horangi because I've written team up tickles with him and König before.

Shadow Company Team Up Tickles

It’s not that unlikely that some of them would take a little bit after Graves. Some of them would be confident and cocky. Some of them would become rather touchy. Some of them would become playful. It’s not that uncommon for the Shadows to goof around a little bit. They’ll playfight plenty, and tickle fights are not unheard of either. Sometimes the Shadows make plans regarding who’s going to be their next victim. Usually it’s Graves, but sometimes their goofy boss joins in on the fun. However, today you seemed a little more on edge than usual. Although nothing in particular may have happened, you were still a little pissy. A few Shadows have approached you already, trying to soothe your anger with hugs, cuddles and kisses. Angry as you were, you turned them down. So naturally, more drastic measures needed to be used against you.

You were in the training room, silently seething as you stared at the punching bag. Could you really let out your anger like that? Or would it only be a gateway into something worse? You weren’t sure. With earphones in your ears, you opted for finding the right song instead. Something aggressive. Some form of death metal would do. Distracted by the device in your hand, you ignored the majority of the world, as you had been all day now. With a sigh, you could feel the anger rising yet again as you were unable to find the correct song to set the ideal mood. Had it been up to you, you would have thrown your phone on the floor and smashed it into a thousand bits and pieces. The music you were currently listening to wasn’t nearly aggressive enough. You needed something to rip heads off to.

A tap on your shoulder and you turned around. Met with a cocky smile, you were not quite in the mood to return it, you found yourself face to face with Phil, a few Shadows entering the training room behind him. Although you would have loved nothing more than to ignore him, you took out your earbuds.

“Looking a bit stressed there, sugar.”

“Phil, I am this close to killing someone. What is it?” Holding back a sigh, you counted the Shadows behind him. There were three. 8-4, 7-2 and 2-3. The three that tried to cheer you up today. You were fairly certain they were up to no good, even if you weren’t quite sure what they were going to do. Regardless, you wanted nothing to do with it.

Phillip slung an arm around you, pulling you closer to him. “Just needed to cheer you up a little. Can’t have you sulking around all day, after all. Give us a smile and we’ll leave you alone.” There was quite a bit of strength to him, you likely couldn’t pull away from him if you tried.

“Nothing to smile about in my life. I’ll be fine, just leave me alone. I’m just gonna blow off some steam tonight and by tomorrow I’ll be back to my usual self, I’m sure of it.” On the one hand, you wanted to lean into him. On the other hand, you wished you could have just weaseled your way out of his grasp. In the end, you opted for staying completely still, letting Phil do as he pleased.

8-4 walked up to you, gently taking your hand in theirs and placing a kiss on top of it. “We’re gonna leave you alone once we’re certain you’re not gonna blow the place to smithereens. For now, just relax, we’ll take care of everything.”

7-2 was wearing her usual, cocky grin. Oh, she thought she was so much better than you. She had something planned. They all did. If you spent any more time with them, that’s when you were going to blow up the company and everyone in it. 2-3 seemed shy, as per usual. Had you not been so angry at nothing, you would have assured him that everything was going to be alright. Not that you understood how someone as anxious as him was such a capable soldier anyway. Sweet as he was, you couldn’t believe he was such a good leader.

Now it was 7-2’s turn to speak up as she made her way towards you. Standing still right in front of you, she put her hands on your hips. “Sweetie, you’ll be leaving this room with a big smile on your face, I’ll personally make sure of it.”

“And how are you going to do that, bastard? I woke up ready to murder someone.”

Slowly, she ran her fingers up your sides, tenderly holding onto your ribs. “I have my ways.” That twinkle of mischief in her eyes did not go unnoticed by you. And all of a sudden, it hit you.

“Don’t you fucking dare, asshole,” you snarled, baring your teeth. As much as you loved her, as much as you loved all of them, you couldn’t believe just how stupid all of them were.

“Oh, I think I will.” Her eyes showed nothing short of madness as she held onto your wrist. She was considerably taller than you, considerably stronger as well as a result. No matter how much you fought, no matter how much you struggled to break free, she slowly brought your arms above your head. “You’ve insulted me for the last time today. You’re gonna apologize to us all, won’t you?” Even as you tried to kick her, she did not budge.

Phil released you. “2-3, your turn. You’ll be starting off nice and slow. Maybe you can get our beloved little Shadow down onto the ground. You have two minutes. Make them count, soldier.”

“Fuck you! All four of you! I’m going to get my revenge on all of you once I get out of her fucking grasp. You dumb brute, I’m going to make sure to give you nightmares!”

You could merely watch as 2-3 placed himself behind you. He put his hands under your shirt, waiting another few seconds. “I’m sorry, but you kind of deserve this today.” And with that, he skittered his fingers over your sides. You jerked away from his touch, closer to 7-2. 2-3 was gentle, you wanted to punch him for it. Although you squeezed your eyes shut, you did not giggle. No, you were much stronger than that. What kind of soldier would break after the first few gentle touches? As he drew circles on your tummy, it quivered a little bit. No matter how close you pressed yourself to 7-2, he always found a way to get you there. When he ran his fingers across your back, you hid your face in 7-2’s shoulder.

“Damn, if you wanted a hug so bad, you could have just said so.”

“Shut- Shut up! I’m concentrating here!” That cunt honestly had the gall to hold both of your wrists in one hand, snaking her arm around your waist and squeezing your side rapidly. Unfortunately, that was enough for you to push her away, falling right into 2-3’s arms. As you stepped back, he placed a leg behind yours, making you trip. Although he may have caught you, he still lowered you onto the ground, making you even more vulnerable. Naturally, 7-2 took this as an invitation to straddle you. However, other than that, she did nothing. None of them did.

“Good job. 8-4, would you like to have a go solo? We’re all going to to wreck our little grump together afterwards.”

“Don’t you fucking dare humiliate me like that,” you growled, spewing poison at those snakes. They had the antidote to it, however, as they didn’t even flinch.”

“I’m gonna hold our little sugar cookie down, you do as you please, alright?” No matter how much you thrashed, no matter how much you tried to buck her off, 7-2 stayed right on top of you.

8-4, that bitch damned to an eternity in hell, kneeled down next to your feet, taking off your shoes. “You know, all of that could have been prevented easily. Just be nicer towards us next time and we’re gonna be nice to you too! Even though I think we’re being merciful towards you right now, we’re just making you smile, love!” And with that, they started scribbling away at full speed, never even once considering your feelings.

You tried to kick, you tried to thrash, but it was no use. Biting your lip so hard, you drew blood, you started to smile.

“Aw, darl, you’re looking mighty adorable with a smile on your face. It suits you!” You didn’t even notice as Phil knelt down beside you. “Just let the damn break, we’’ll all be happier if you do.” And with that, he dug his fingers into your armpits. You almost screamed when he did that. Clamping down your arms, curling your toes, it was soon too much for you and you actually started laughing. Grabbing Phil’s hands, you almost always missed. And when you did grab one? Bastard held your hand for a few seconds, giving it a few reassuring squeezes before going back to tickling you. “Look at you, you’re so cute. We should get you good like this more often.” He cooed. As much as you despised that fact, he sounded as though he was being honest. But then again, he wouldn’t be torturing you like this if he didn’t enjoy it.

Another two pairs of hands joined in, one tickling your ribs and your stomach, alternating between those two spots, and the other going for your other foot. One pair of hands was gentle, drawing small circles on your soles, gently caressing it, the other pair was rough, drilling into your ribs, vibrating there and being rather unrelenting.

“Will you apologize now?”

“You should laugh more often. We should do this more often!”

“I’m not being too rough here, am I?”

“No, if anything, you should be rougher. Hold the toes back like this and scratch like that.”

You screeched, tears welling up in your eyes. The sensation was overwhelming.

“PLEASE STOP!! I’M SORRY!! IT WON’T HAPPEN AGAIN!!”

And with that, all eight hands ceased their onslaught at once. Panting, you just lied there, eyes closed.

“You better not have pissed yourself.”

As much as you would have loved to retort with a “shut up”, you stayed quiet. If you had been rude, you might have had to go through this again.

“You cheered up now?”

“Yes, I’m… I’m sorry.”

You were being sat up and held against someone’s chest. Judging by their scent, it was likely Phil. Wrapping your arms around him, you hid your face in his shoulder. Although he may have been an idiot at times, your commander still stood for safety. He could always make the others go away, should he feel more merciful now. Another hand rubbed your back.

“We didn’t go overboard, did we?” You didn’t respond.

“Oi, fuckface, you do realize that just about the entire base would help you get back at us, right? You better keep that revenge close to your heart, I wanna get a good fight out of you next time.” Cunt. And yet you loved her for being so stupid. And yet you loved all of them, despite being the greatest morons on the planet. They were your morons, and you were theirs.

“Do you want me to bring you a snack? Maybe some water? Wouldn’t want you to be too exhausted, after all.”

“No, it’s fine. I’m fine. But thank you.” Snuggling more closely into Phil, you slowly calmed down.

“Let’s get you to bed, shall we? Do you want me to carry you?” His voice was teasing, but you knew Phil would have carried you to bed if you said yes. It was tempting. Being in the arms of your strong commander sounded nice. But then again, a small snuggle pile with all four of them sounded ideal right about now as well.

You ended up heading to bed either way, surrounded by all four of them. Although they may not have joined you with sleeping immediately, making sure you were alright for the majority of the evening, they did eventually. You loved your boyfriends, your girlfriends and your partners. Although they were bastards, each and every single one of them, you could always count on them. On the battlefield as well as on base.

[jtl-fics]

Fluent Freshman - Part 03

PREVIOUS

In the Fluent Freshman AU I could see a moment where Andrew kind of misses having Renee around. She was a nice quiet support for him during her time at Palmetto and now she’s graduated. Bee suggests that Andrew try and make a new friend, he can try with someone on the team even.

Andrew, initially, thinks it’s a stupid idea. He real hates pretty much every sophomore (Jack’s group) and pretty much all of the new freshmen irritate him since they’re always trying to steal Neil’s attention with all their fucking problems. The only freshman that he has no opinion on (and therefore is miles and miles ahead of everyone else) is the quiet one that he glowered at pretty early on for staring at Neil’s scars.

Except now, with the knowledge that the kid is a foreign language major, he was probably just trying to figure out what language him and Neil were talking in since the kid isn’t phased at all when Neil absentmindedly used his shirt to wipe away sweat on his face. Everyone else had LOOKED but the kid had just continued on as if it were nothing.

Nicky likes him a fair bit and has assured both Andrew and Neil, after the fourth time the kid power walked away from them, that he’s not homophobic just due to circumstances public displays of affection make him deeply uncomfortable. The Foxes have pasts and if the kid isn’t going to make it their problem then Andrew isn’t about to get irritated over it.

(Nicky doesn’t elaborate that those circumstances being that he understands that Andrew is telling Neil all the places (geographical locations) that he wants to kiss Neil and where he’d do it. He’s really not a prude but how did watching Cars 2 result in this level of dirty talk?! He’s just trying to actually get to see these movies everyone keeps referencing so that he can join in on the conversation)

The kid’s quiet company the few times Andrew’s been in it and Neil has been making some slow progress on getting the kid to open up. Andrew knows that the kid has his own weekly meetings with Betsy and he’s not about to pry.

(It’s social anxiety and stress related. No he has not told Betsy about the whole Russian situation because she’d be mad at him right? Everyone keeps telling him that Betsy and Andrew Minyard are close and that Andrew is her favorite even if she can’t admit to having something like that. She’s nice but what if she gets mad about it and tells Wymack that he’s not fit mentally to be on the team? Then what? He can’t afford college without a sports scholarship. Oh god- Betsy spends a lot of time walking him through stress relief and not worst case scenario-ing every interaction)

Andrew figures that if nothing else this kid is fine with sitting in stony silence. If it doesn’t work then w/e he tried.

So, to Fluent Freshman’s absolute horror and dismay, Andrew Minyard starts to hang around him even when Captain Neil ISN’T AROUND. He becomes unbeatable at Poker and fluent in Japanese if not fully literate.

Once it’s just Andrew and Fluent Freshman sitting in absolute silence for an hour. This might be the nicest time Andrew’s had with someone not part of his family since Renee left. “You ever consider learning Russian?” Andrew asks.

Fluent Freshman’s award winning performance starts here.

“No, I have never considered taking Russian classes here.” He responds turning a page in his book on Esperanto (he thinks it’d be fun) because why take a class for a language he’s already fluent in. He’s bad at lying but he’s GREAT at just not saying the truth.

Andrew doesn’t say anything in response and they continue to sit in silence until Fluent Freshman has to get up and go quietly have a panic attack.

Everyone, except Nicky, all think that Fluent Freshman’s the second coming of Andrew’s general apathy. Bee is proud of Andrew for willingly sitting next to someone in almost complete silence. Andrew says it helps that there’s someone else like him (Bee is confused because Fluent Freshman is known to bring his own brown paper bag to hyper-ventilate into but she says nothing.)

Only Nicky knows the full extent. Fluent Freshman is doing breathing exercises, taking pepto bismol to help his stress related stomach ulcer, and considering using his art gen-ed for theater so that he can commit to this bit better.

Fluent Freshman kind of gets used to Andrew’s quiet company until one day they’re an hour and a half into their usual absolute silence when Fluent Freshman gets up to grab something Andrew looks at him and goes “Hey wanna learn how to use a knife?” And Fluent Freshman stiffens up and straight up faints.

NEXT

[6sleft]

hiiiii tumblr im not dead i promise! 🥹🥹 i've been making art for TSitD by @unethicalmorals !! please go give it a read! and if anyone wants to uhhh see the rest as well as the actual majority of my art for it (Very nsfw) then you can go here if you want! 👉👈

[alphashley14]

Fanfiction rec!

A Shot in the Dark by Silver_Pup

A time travel fix-it fic! Bilbo lives out his life only to be pulled back in time. And this time around, he is determined that not only will all of his companions survive their adventure, but his dear nephew Frodo will never ever set eyes on a certain ring.

Everybody lives, nobody dies, Bilbo is a badass, and his dwarves love him more than life itself. Especially their King!

I started and finished reading this fic on the same day. I literally couldn’t stop reading it. I was awake until 4am because my brain wouldn’t shut up and let me sleep until I finished it. It was that good.

The dwarves and Bilbo were just one big happy family it was so cuuuute!!! 😭 Seriously Silver_pup put SO much love into every single character. It was so well done. This right here is a fic for the bookmarks!!!

[fated-saint]

okay so kind of an unpopular opinion but as much as i want limbus outis to have her lovely wife penelope, i want them to be divorced as fuck.

i want the way they speak to each other to be filled with as much snarkiness, tension and unresolved feelings as possible. yet with a little bit of yearning and at least one of them reminiscing about better times. i want them to act like they have each other contact names set as "ABSOLUTELY FUCKING NOT" hope at least one person gets it.

[boysbeloving]

CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR EXECUTIVE MILE

[feralwritings]

three's company

part four

masterpost

words: 2.7k

Huddled underneath the expanse of Skull Rock, listening to the distant screeches of bats, shoulder to shoulder with Steve and Eddie, she thought that things couldn’t possibly get worse. 

They do, of course, because her dire reality is accompanied by flashbacks of Starcourt, the bitter taste of adrenaline and blood sticking to her tongue all that time later. With each blink, she saw Vecna staring at her through Billy’s eyes, watched herself break and bend and bleed, watched the bloodlust bloom in her own eyes. 

It’s scary. How hungry she was for Billy’s death. How hungry she was to exact some modicum of revenge against the creature, against Vecna, who had robbed her of so much of her innocence with each swipe of a taloned hand, with each drop of blood split, hers or otherwise, with each flood of acrid terror spiking through her bloodstream as she helplessly watched those she loved get hurt. 

That was the worst part, she thought. The helplessness. That no matter how hard they tried, how many plans they came up with, vestiges of brilliance hidden away in the recesses of their minds, Vecna was always one step ahead. It sometimes felt like they were his little marionettes, plastered smiles, rusted parts playing into his game. 

In ‘83, when it was just the demogorgon, it seemed…easier, in a sense. They didn’t fully understand the magnitude of what they were facing, and the idea that this creature was killing out of necessity, of hunger or prey drive was comforting in a way. That despite not being of this earth, of this dimension, it still stayed in between the lines of biology that they knew: killing out of need. 

Now, not with a full understanding but certainly a broader one, they had been thoroughly disavowed of this notion. That Vecna simply enjoyed killing. There was a purpose, there had to be, but she found it difficult to believe that it would make sense to anyone but him.

By showing her what had happened last year, he’d done two things. 

One, showed her what she was truly capable of. 

Two, and most devastatingly, had shown her that he understood her completely. 

Being known in any sense is precarious and terrifying. Being known by the personification of evil is infinitely worse, because no amount of unpredictability, no amount of trying to outsmart him, to not play into his hands isn’t going to work. 

He knew who and what she loved. He knew what she’ll do to protect them. He was plucking her strings almost lovingly as he deprived her of what she wanted, of what she’s always wanted, even before the gate had opened.

To be understood for who she was. And to be loved anyway. 

Just because he wanted to. Because it brought him pleasure. 

She toyed with the idea of breaking off from the group, taking herself out of the equation entirely, finding her own way Topside. She knew that they would never let her, even if they had to drag her along with them by force. It’s a fight that she won’t win, and the exhaustion of the last few days, of her encounter with the tendrils had rendered her a little vacant, the biological processes that kept her alive running on autopilot while she existed with one foot here, in the Upside Down, and one foot in the past, straddling the precipice between who she used to be and who she’s failing to become. 

She stood on shaky legs once Nancy deemed it safe, leaning heavily against the rock as she listened to the distant rolling thunder. Her leg hurt worse than her body and she didn’t know why. Bending, she rolled up the cuff of her jeans and found a huge bruise blooming around a nasty little gash, right in the center of her shin. When she put pressure on that leg, more blood seeped out, which wasn’t a good sign. Nancy was tending to Steve somewhere to her right, she heard fabric tearing and a quick glance tells her that Steve was slowly losing blood, too, but far more severe. In an attempt to staunch her own blood flow, she pulled up her sock around the wound, hoping that it would do in the meantime before she can care for it properly.

So wrapped up in her own wound, she doesn’t notice that Eddie has kneeled in front of her before he’s leaning, tugging the bandana out of his back pocket. Without instruction or preamble, he pulled her foot to rest on his thigh, tugging the hem of her pants up to reveal the wound. He left the sock where it was, but wrapped his bandana around her shin securely, double knotting it.

When he looked up, all onyx eyes and wavy hair, her breath caught in her throat. There was something familiar in his gaze, a burgeoning sense of need that she saw in another pair of dark eyes not even a year ago. 

It occurred to her, somewhere in the back of her mind and for the first time, that she might have been caught in the middle of something that she could scarcely imagine.

“Thanks,” She managed to choke out, taking her foot off of Eddie’s thigh, and she looked toward the others, who were discussing where they should go from here.

Robin suggested Hawkins PD, which was all the way downtown, and Nancy vetoed that.

“We don’t need to go all the way downtown for guns,” She said, and there was an unsettling little smile on her lips, “I have guns. In my bedroom.”

Next to her* Eddie stiffened, “You, Nancy Wheeler, have guns, plural, in your bedroom?”

To an outsider, Nancy Wheeler packing heat may seem strange, but to the three of them who know Nancy know that if she could have more, she absolutely would. She* specifically remembered a couple years ago, watching Nancy rest the stock of a rifle against her shoulder, stance widening like Hopper’s, gaze hard and focused on the Byer’s front door.

With a destination in mind, they set off. Robin and Nancy were heading up the front, *she’s in the middle, with Steve and Eddie trailing behind.

Steve watches from afar as she* stepped over logs and various undulating tendrils. He could feel Eddie next to him, and he knew that they were looking at the same thing.

“What’s the deal with you two, man?” Eddie asked, out of the blue. Steve had somewhat expected it, noticing Eddie’s dark eyes watching the both of them, curious and a little apprehensive.

Steve needed to buy some time, even if it was only seconds.

“Who? Me and Robin?” He said, trying to make it sound as genuine as possible.

It didn’t land, as Eddie gave him a playful shove on the shoulder and snorted out a laugh, “You know that’s not who I was referring to.”

“Right,” Steve amended, taking a deep breath, “I mean, her* and I have known each other since we were babies. Fell out around the beginning of middle school, didn’t talk for a few years. Then, in ‘83, when this shit started, she found me wandering about town after Jonathan and I had got into it. Patched me up. Ever since then, we just kinda came in and out of each other’s lives. Usually when the world was about to end.”

He kicked through the decaying leaves on the ground, turning them into a sort of dust in his wake that stuck in the air like the rest of the particles that floated around.

“Why’d you two fall out? She seems to care about you. Like, a lot.” Eddie inquired, and Steve could feel Eddie watching him intently.

“It was my fault,” Steve admitted softly, “The way we were both raised, on that side of town and with the money and the parents we had… she always found a way to reject it. Always questioning everything around her. For a long time I loved that about her, the defiance. Until we got to middle school, and the way she was started getting me shit from people, and I just…I wanted to fit in, at any cost, ya know? Back when that type of shit mattered to me.”

He glanced at Eddie, whose eyes had never left him even as they were walking.

“So I blew it up. Started cutting her out. Started ignoring her. She noticed, of course, called me out, we got into this big fight. And that was it.”

It’s painful, even now, recounting it. Those few years when they weren’t talking, there was always this persistent ache in his chest that crescendoed into a hot spike of pain whenever he saw her; whether it be in the halls at school, at some stupid company party their parents had dragged them to. 

“Jesus,” Eddie sighed, “That’s… a lot. And she forgave you?”

Steve shrugged, “I don’t know if she did. We never really talked about it.”

Eddie seemed to know that Steve wasn’t telling him the full truth. He’s a perceptive guy, so he knew that something else occurred between them, he just didn’t know what. 

Steve’s shoulders were tight. He was sad, there’s no other way about it. He was sad about her, about this, about everything. Here he was, again, traipsing through another dimension, not knowing what is going to come next or if he’s even going to survive it. 

Eddie reached out and gives Steve’s shoulder a squeeze. The gentle, steady pressure unwound the knot in Steve’s stomach a little, and he spared him a shy smile. 

They trudged on, not talking much. Eddie tripped over a vine and Steve caught him before he could fall. 

It’s strange how easily they fall into step next to each other. Two sides of the same coin, something within Steve reckons quietly, two boys on opposite sides of town, different yet similar. 

And Steve, usually jealous and territorial over what’s his, even if it isn’t, even if he wants it to be, doesn’t feel that way about Eddie. It’s not that he’s not a credible threat - he most certainly is, judging by the way she* looks at him, all soft smiles and curious eyes, but there’s just not anything in Steve, at this point in time, that holds any ill will towards Eddie. 

He’s curious too, if he’s honest with himself. Eddie has an aura that’s hard to look away from, even harder to define. There’s more that lies beneath the frenetic surface, beneath the wild hair and the even wilder eyes. 

He’s cool, in a different way than Steve was, and maybe that’s the kicker. That he’s genuinely cool, not just a weird sort of facade that Steve had carefully built, only for it to come crashing down with a broken heart and a few otherworldly visitors. 

He didn’t even feel superior to Eddie over the fact that he’s had sex with her - not even a little bit. Sure, that night came to him a lot, in his dreams or in the middle of a shift at Family Video, but the way it ended, the way he ended it usurps most other emotions about it. Sticky hot shame replaced satisfaction over the fact that he felt her, kissed her, fucked her. 

He didn’t know what she and Eddie got up to in the hours upon hours they were alone. He doubted anything happened other than just trying to survive, but there was a casual intimacy to their interactions that gave Steve pause and would set the wondering off all over again. What did they talk about? Did they talk about him? Is there a world in which Eddie knows what happened between them? 

Steve knew it was conceited to think about whether they talked about him. He knew, deep down, that they didn’t. They probably talked about that Mordor shit they’re both into, about music. Shit like that. 

Regardless of how he feels or how it’s going to turn out, there’s a change happening. Changing of the guard, so to speak, not a replacement but a retirement. 

She’d hate that, though, the idea of having a guard or a keeper. Steve kinda hated it too, but she’s the type of person who needed other people around to make sure she doesn’t do anything stupid. Well, anything stupider than what she’s already done. 

Always playing the hero, always with something to prove. A steadfast defiance that had been part of her since she was little, transforming into something else in the face of a war.

Steve wondered if there’s any winning here. He doubted it, somehow. Going around in circles with this Upside Down shit has become an annual occurrence, and when/if it ends, he wondered what will be left.

Nothing, a voice said, and it didn’t feel internal at all, but he knew that he’s the only one who heard it.

Nothing, and no one. 

Magic is real.

That’s the conclusion that she* draws, watching with her arms braced on Nancy’s footboard, watching the shimmering particles grow brighter with every letter Nancy traced into them.

She scanned each look of wonder on her friend’s faces, feeling indelible softness for each of them in turn, watching the light dance in the crystal and cobalt of Robin and Nancy’s eyes, the hazel and onyx of Steve and Eddie’s.

She could hear Dustin’s voice echoing from far away, traversing dimensions and the soundwaves therein, and there was hope in her chest that they actually might make it home. What was waiting for them, she didn’t know, but the Upside Down was cold and populated with a murderous wizard and his thousands, if not millions bloodthirsty pets. She was ready to be back Topside, at any rate.

“Jesus Christ,” Steve sighed, knuckles tightening almost imperceptibly around the flashlight he was holding, “This kids gotta get his ego in check.”

“It’s his tone, right?” Eddie offered, leaning past Nancy to look at Steve, brows drawing together in agreement.

“I know,” Steve agreed.

“How far is your trailer?” Nancy asked Eddie, and he didn’t even take a beat to think.

“Seven miles,” He supplied, and that seemed to solidify the plan in Nancy’s mind.

They thundered back down the stairs, making entirely too much noise. Nancy led them to her driveway, where four bikes sat, all piled up on top of each other.

“There’s five of us,” Robin sighed, looking at the bikes and then at the group.

“One of us will just have to ride on the back of one,” Nancy said, already selecting hers from the pile.

She* grabbed the one with the pegs on the back tire, dragging it back and forth to make sure the tires haven’t gone flat. When she mounted up, she felt a hand on her shoulder and turned.

“I don’t think so, you’ve got a bum leg,” Eddie said in her ear, and she rolled his hand off her shoulder playfully.

“I’ll be fine, get on.”

“Bum leg?” Steve’s head whipped around from where he was sitting on his own bike, “What happened to your leg?”

She shrugged, “Could’ve been anything. I think it happened when we got dragged through the gate - I felt something right before we went in but I can’t be sure.”

Eddie was poking her in the side, “Off.”

“Fine,” She rolled her eyes, dismounting and letting the bike fall towards Eddie, “But if you crash with me on the back-”

“You’ll be fine,” Eddie assured her, tugging her by the arm towards the bike, “C’mere, get on.”

She stepped up on the pegs, securing herself by grabbing fistfuls of Eddie’s jacket, face riddled with anxiety as they set off. 

The journey wasn’t as treacherous as they had anticipated, the roads remarkably intact, smooth save for a few bundles of tendrils that they had to swerve to avoid. 

Her calves were burning from keeping balance, and when they finally, finally arrived at Eddie’s trailer, she stepped down on shaky legs, huffing out a breath as she regained feeling in the soles of her feet. 

Together, the piled into the trailer.

Eddie’s hand slipped into hers. She looked up at him, watching the color drain from his face as he stares at the ceiling, watching the gate pulse, the membrane moving like waves in the ocean. 

She squeezed his hand, pressing into his side. Steve was approaching the gate slowly, as something was pressing into it, distending the membrane. 

Suddenly, there’ was a snap and the membrane tore. They all approached, looking up. 

“Hi!” Dustin waved, smiling so wide that it made her* heart soar. Erica, Max, and Lucas were there too, and they all smiled and waved, pleased beyond belief that Dustin’s theory worked. 

“Bada bada boom!” Dustin exclaimed.

[whollyjoly]

for some reason i can't explain i know saint peter won't call my name

nothing that lives, lives forever - an immortal soldier!alton more au

(1.1k of snippets from my old guard(ish) au where alton more is old, too old, and has been living and fighting far longer than anyone should. full description/other thoughts at the bottom. tw: blood, violence, mentions of death)

Alton clicked the lighter closed, running a thumb over the silver case. The night was warm, sticky in a way that he never could get used to. He sucked in a breath from the cheap cigarette, letting his head fall back against the rough side of the barracks.

It was quiet. Typically, there would be no end to the commotion coming from the small building, one of many that littered Camp Toccoa. The wall of sound was ever-present, no matter if it was shouting or laughing or snoring. But whatever the cause, there was always noise. 

No matter if it was a blanket of noise he knew well, unchanging except for the language and the scenery. Soldiers are soldiers, and some things are a constant. It could almost be comforting, if it didn’t also mean that the need for soldiers was a constant as well.

However, tonight was a Saturday, and it was one of the few weekends that Sobel had allowed Easy the use of their weekend passes. Almost every man in the company had jumped at the chance to get off base, to travel home if they could and spend time with loved ones. The ones with farther-flung hometowns had spirited off to Atlanta, happy to spend their time drinking and dancing and fucking instead of slogging through another run, three miles up, three miles down.

Normally, Alton would have joined them in their carousing - it was easier to pass the time with the effortless camaraderie built during a training camp than bored and alone. 

But today had been a bad day. The sound of swords and the shift of sand beneath his feet followed him out of his nightmares, the humid summer of Georgia morphing itself into the baking, dry heat of the desert. 

His shouts must have been real, because when a hand came to shake him out of his dream, the first face he saw was not that of a grouchy NCO, but of a blood-caked Saracen, eyes alight with righteous fury. 

Alton didn’t think. He had grabbed the knife from under his pillow, an old thing that had been sharpened more times than he could begin to count, and was on the man in less than a breath, pressing the blade into the side of his neck. The familiar thrum of blood beat against his fingertips, the grit of sand scratched his gums. He knew what he had to do, had done it a thousand times, a thousand thousand times, what was a little more bloodshed spilled across his feet-

Alton had blinked, and came to himself in a rush.

Instead of an unnamed Saracen, the ashen face of Johnny Martin stared up at him, eyes wide behind the knife.

Alton drew back his hand, retreating almost as quick as he had lunged earlier. He mumbled a quick curse and apology as he stepped out of arm’s reach from the man. It wasn’t until Martin’s eyes widened even farther that Alton realized his tongue was slipping out Arabic of all things.

Usually, Alton was better about remembering himself, who he was almost as important as where he was. But for whatever reason, his demons had decided to catch up with him that night.

After a quick smile and some quip about the Krauts in his dreams, he managed to wave an only-slightly-mollified Martin off. The shorter man apparently hadn’t forgotten it though, if his watchful eyes during chow that morning were anything to go by.

Alton was just glad that no one else was awake to see it, at least. That was the last thing he needed.

And so, instead of joining in on a weekend of broads and booze, Alton found himself waving away the invitation by an eager Smokey and bemused Alley. When the horde made their way out of the barracks, fantasizing in bawdy terms about their planned misadventures, he felt like he could breathe easy.

Fucking finally.

~~

Alton took another drag from the cigarette. He watched the smoke curl, up and up until it faded into nothing amongst the darkening sky.

The lighter was a welcome weight in his hand, grounding him to this time, this life.

The design was worn by now, details barely visible after a half century of worrying. It still managed to amaze him, sometimes, what people could do with the smallest of canvases. Alton didn’t feel the same wonder however, wasn’t as mesmerized by the beauty man could create as he once was.

But in the quiet moments, he could still appreciate the time some French craftsman took to transform a hunk of metal into a small token carried around by a dead man.

Luz had spied the lighter one weekend, and laughed at him for using something so old-fashioned. Alton just shrugged, not caring to admit that he was still getting used to having a light at his fingertips. It wasn’t all that long ago when he was still lighting a pipe with a flintlock pistol, and not so long before that when he would carry around a flint and steel.

Time was passing all the more quickly these days, technologies changing and advancing, and everyone was obsessed with needing things to be quicker, cheaper, simpler. Alton scoffed. He could hardly find it in him to care.

He glanced down at the lighter in his hand, shifting it back and forth in a practiced motion and watched as the light skittered across the sides. 

It had shown flowers, once. A veritable garden of carnations, daffodils, and lilies of the valley, with leaves spilling across the front panel onto the back. They represent good fortune, he was told. Good fortune, luck, and hope. 

When the merchant described it to him, eyes ablaze with a passion known only to those with wares to sell, Alton didn’t try to hide the snort that escaped his throat. 

Fortune and Luck had abandoned him long ago, and hadn’t returned since waking up in a battlefield abandoned by all but the dead, sword in his chest and blood in his mouth. 

And what the fuck was Alton supposed to do with hope?

It was the quote on the back that had caught his eye, all those years ago in a street market in Reims. The beveled edges had faded with time, the familiar letters Alton traced were more memory by now than any physical mark. Une vie honorable est une vie éternelle.

An honorable life is an eternal life.

Alton couldn’t help but stare at the message, both then and now. He hated that goddamn word. Immortal. Unending. Eternal. 

They were such flowery words, used by people who craved what they couldn’t have, what they shouldn’t. The romanticized idea of the everlasting, the fountain of youth, the gift of life! Alton was sick of it.

This wasn’t life. He was a fucking dead man walking. And he sure as hell didn’t do anything honorable to deserve it.

months ago, while thinking about the absolute insanity of the almost...cavalier? attitude we see alton more have over the course of the series, an idea hit my brain: what if there was a reason nothing seemed to phase him - not panzers, not being a breath away from a car wreck, not bastogne, not speirs? what if this wasn't his first war? that thought spiraled me into a minor insanity that is this: my immortal soldier!alton more au, loosely inspired by the movie the old guard (2020). the idea is that, once upon a time, there was a soldier in a land many centuries ago. one day, he died in battle. and then, he woke up. and then he died. and then he woke up. over, and over. drawn to countless battles, conflicts, and wars, each one etching itself into the core of his soul. a never-ending cycle...until one sweltering summer, where he found himself at a training camp at the foot of a mountain. anyways. at some point, i plan on writing this as a full story, but that is admittedly a long ways away. however, in celebration of alton more's birthday today, i wanted to post my favorite scene that i've written for this au! it's set sometime at the beginning of the story, in the early days of camp toccoa. mostly, it's just a character study of this version of alton more. hope you enjoyed! and of course - happy birthday alton more!

(song insp.)

taglist: @sweetxvanixlla @coco-bean-1218 @bucky32557038ww2 @georgieluz @samwinchesterslostshoe @xxluckystrike @next-autopsy @ronald-speirs @land-sh @ronsparky @panzershrike-pretz @theredrenard @kyellin

[malarkgirlypop]

MEDIC! Part 36 (Donald Malarkey x Fem!OC)

Sorry for the delay!

Based on the HBO show and the actors who portray the characters, not hate to anyone involved.

Tag list: @imusicaddict, @b00ks1ut , @mstiemountainhop, @awaterfalls anyone else please let me know.

Although it would’ve been lovely to lie in bed all day, Don had to be up early that morning for training and then we all had to meet for the lottery to be drawn.

The men had not stopped talking about their points. If the soldiers earned enough points, they were able to cash them in and leave for home. However they needed at least 85 points to be granted leave. Unfortunately for Easy most of them did not have enough for this incentive.  

So, the Army had offered that one man could be randomly drawn from the lottery, and if his name was pulled he was able to go home. The men were most excited. 

I stretched my tired limbs as the sun streamed through the curtains. I needed to get up and seize the day but the thought of staying in bed for a little while longer was so enticing. I snuggled back down into my soft duvet smiling to myself about the memories of last night. 

Never had I been so vulnerable and so loved in my life. I didn’t feel like it was real. I was nobody important but Don made me feel like the luckiest person in the world. I wondered what my mother would think of him, if she got to meet him. Would she like him? I’m sure she would, she loved anyone who made me happy and he made me the happiest girl in the universe. 

I soon heaved myself out of bed, feeling guilty lying around all day doing nothing. Wandering down to the main building to see if there were any jobs for me to do, I stumbled across Speirs. He brushed past me, busy with the paperwork he read over as he walked, he missed me altogether. I turned, my eyes following the man as my steps faltered. Unsure if I should carry on with my day or chase after him. I stepped from one foot to the other trying to make a split decision, but the longer I took the further away the man strode.   

“Captain Speirs.” I called after a lengthy debate, I scurried after the tall raven haired man. Too engrossed in his own world he didn’t hear my yells for him. 

“Speirs!” I tried again as I gained on the Captain. 

“Ron!” My fingers latched onto the sleeve on his jacket pulling him to a stop. He cast a glance over his shoulder, glaring down at me. 

“What do you want, Lane?” His pointed tone cut through me. Tightness wrapped around my throat as I fought the emotions that tried to pull to the surface. 

“Can I talk to you?” I asked, thankfully the shake in my voice was subtle enough not for him to notice. I took a deep breath, trying to regain my composure, so that I could have a proper conversation with Speirs. 

“I’m busy, Lane, talk to someone else.” Speirs turned away, but my grasp didn’t falter, I still clung on dearly to his sleeve. 

“I would like to apologise.” I breathed, my hopes were high that he would listen to me. 

“What for? You have nothing to apologise to me about.” 

His words stung. I bit my lip, my pesky emotions still fighting for air time. 

“Like you said, we are not family, I have no loyalties to you, nor you me.” Speirs’ words were curt and cold, like his expression as he frowned down his nose at me. 

“I lied, I wanted to hurt you, like I was hurting. I let my feelings, my anger get the better of me. I am so sorry for what I said. I didn’t mean it. You are a very special person to me, Ron. You have looked after me when I had no one to turn to. You set aside your treasures just for me, so that I could have a chance at a decent life if I went back home. I have never thanked you for all that you have done. I took your kindness for granted. I took you for granted. Then I threw it all back in your face, when all you were trying to do was care for me, like you always have.” I panted, breathless from my long spiel. 

Speirs’ brows crinkled in the centre, as he took me in. “So, who am I to you?” He asked hesitantly. 

“You’re the older brother I wished I had, the father I never met. But most importantly you’re you. Unapologetically you. Kind, caring, stubborn, brave. You got me through things I don’t think I could’ve done by myself. But for circumstances I can’t explain, I’m not in a position where I can come home with you. As much as I would love to, there are just some things that are out of my hands.” 

A whirlwind of emotions stormed behind Ron’s dark eyes. He was always one I couldn’t read, his face always stoney, giving little away. But from the shimmer of light from his pupils, I felt as if I could read every thought in his head. But I wanted him to confirm my suspicions. 

“Well?” I asked impatiently as he looked at me unspeaking. 

“I forgive you, Em.” 

I didn’t think my nickname falling from his mouth would give me such relief, but it did. My heart beat faster again, a flush rose to my cheeks, as if that one sentence breathed life back into me again. I sighed in relief, letting my smile shine. 

“Oh, thank god.” I laughed, feeling more at ease. I tugged his sleeve closer, pulling him into my tight embrace. 

“I never want to fight with you again. That was horrible!” 

Speirs chuckled into the side of my neck as he hugged me back tighter. 

“So I’m assuming you and Don worked out your little tiff?” Speirs’ voice was muffled as he spoke into my hair. I nodded into his shoulder. 

“We always work it out. But you know I’m all about the drama.” I joked, feeling bad that one argument with Don sent me spiralling. 

“I know it’s not an excuse, but I’m getting used to being loved again.” I admitted quietly. 

Funny, I never knew that being without love for so long would have such an impact on my mental wellbeing. I got used to being alone, being the only person who would look out for me. 

“We have loved you for a long time Em, you just didn’t realise it.” Speirs stepped back from our hug, running his hand across my cheek gently. 

“I have to apologise to Nix and Winters’. I didn’t treat them very nicely either.” I chewed the inside of my mouth anxiously.      

Speirs’ hand found my shoulder giving me a squeeze of reassurance. “Just go and be honest and they will forgive you.” 

I smiled back at the tall man as he gazed warmly at me.     

So I did just that, I had found Nix and Winters sitting out on the patio of the office soaking in the sun like two cats. Even though I was rude to them previously they greeted me with warm smiles and open arms. I apologised to them, but they shook their heads only grinning. 

Nix had laughed, uttering, “marital issues.” Before we all burst into fits of giggles. 

I felt much more at ease now that I had finally righted all my wrongs. I rushed back to my room to get ready for the lottery, we needed to be dressed in our best attire. George had kindly given me his spare, his pants and top came up a little short but not by much. 

Unfortunately the tops weren’t really fitted for breasts, the buttons gaped around my chest. I tried my best to squish them down, but it was no use. 

“Em, you ready?” Don knocked at my door. 

“Coming!” I hopped to the door pulling on my boot, I swung it open to find a grinning Malarkey. 

“You forgot the hat!” 

I reached up, patting my bare head, groaning in annoyance. I was already running behind. 

Don strode into the room while I continued to try and put on my shoes. I sat on the edge of my bed tying up the laces as Don made a triumphant noise. 

“Look up.” Malarkey said tilting my chin up, he fixed the points and fitted the cap to my head. 

He stood back scrutinising his work before his face cracked into a smile, “Perfect.” 

—----------------------------------------------

We stood in lines as Speirs spoke to the men. A man in each company would get the chance to go home. All of Easy was present for this announcement, you could feel the tension in the air. Harry drew from a helmet his fingers finding a small piece of paper with one lucky man’s name on it. Or so it would seem, I glanced over Tab’s shoulder as he carried the helmet back from the front. It was empty. No other pieces of paper remained in the container. I glanced around to see if anyone had seen what I saw. But everyone just held sly smiles on their lips.  

“For Easy company, the winner is.” Speirs announced as Harry handed him the unopened parchment. 

“Serial number, 1-3-0-6-6-2-6-6. Sergeant Darrell C. Powers.” 

My eyes flitted to Shifty, a look of shock and surprise graced his features. A cheer rose from the crowd. The brightest smile broke across his face as he looked around to his fellow comrades. Shifty was the most deserving of this award, never in my time with Easy had I ever heard him complain or bitch. He always had a kind word for everyone, a sweet smile and worked so hard. 

I couldn't help but share his excitement as tears pricked the corners of my eyes and emotion welled in my throat. The rest of Easy seemed to share my pride as they all smiled widely cheering him on. 

Shifty shook his head in disbelief as Grant whispered congratulations in his ear. 

“Sergeant Grant will see to it that 2nd platoon takes over at the Crossroads checkpoint, beginning at 2200 hours.” Speirs announced. 

Neither Grant nor Christenson looked very pleased. Today was the anniversary of D-Day. The men were looking forward to celebrating tonight, but the early start of the watch would cut into their celebrations. 

“General Taylor has also announced that the 101st Airborne Division will definitely be redeployed to the Pacific.” Speirs’ speech caught my attention again. I knew there was a possibility of us going to the Pacific and that’s why the men had been training, but the confirmation that it was definitely going to happen made my heart sink. 

I was hoping that it would be over soon, I couldn't remember the exact dates the wars had finished but I was sure it was near. 

Glancing around the rest of Easy seemed to hold the same sentiment, sober looks plagued the group. Don looked stoic, his face blank. I reached out curling my pinky finger around his, he glanced down at our entwined fingers, a small smile tugged at the corner of his mouth. 

Don’s hand squeezed mine back as Ron continued with his announcement. At least we would have each other when we went. 

—------------------------------------------------

“You’re such a sore loser, Tab!” Luz teased his friend as Floyd slammed his cards down on the table. 

“I swear you’re cheating, Luz.” He scowled as the rest of the men around the table chuckled. They were all losing to Luz but Tab was losing the most. 

“Em how about you play a round?” Tab egged me on, the only person who sucked more at poker than him was me. 

“No, she’s not playing. Em’s still banned from last time.” Don shook his head adamantly, he was still salty about how many packs of smokes he had to cough up. I told him it was for the better and that smoking was terrible for his health, he didn’t believe me. 

“I'm helping Don, we’re a team.” I leant back against Don batting my eyelashes up at him. I had crawled into his lap during the last round and he refused to let me go. 

“Is that why Tab’s almost beating you?” Grant queried, he still had a couple hours before him and his platoon had to be out at the checkpoint. 

“I’m not losing, just playing safe.” Don muttered glaring down at his new hand that had been dealt by Bull while we were all talking. 

Easy men sat around the circular table looking like that one famous painting of the dogs playing poker. They all wore serious looks as they eyed each other and their hands. The room was dim as the fire roared in the corner making the space cosy. I snuggled down into Don’s side, his arms wrapped around me so he could hold his cards in front of us. 

“Mind your face.” Don whispered in my ear as I scrutinised the cards. I relaxed my features and glanced around at the men hoping no one saw. Luz grinned at me as he shoved some of his chips to the centre of the table. 

“Think I might have to be all in with that face you made Em. Are you sure you’re helping?” Luz puffed on his smoke as I stuck my tongue at him. 

“Why don’t you help us all and sit on Luz’s knee for a turn.” Perco joked as Luz shoved him in the arm. 

“Look at Don’s face.” Lieb laughed. I glanced behind me to find a glowering Malarkey, his hand left his cards and instinctively pulled me closer.   

“No one’s gonna steal her from you Malarkey, relax.” Babe patted Don’s shoulder but his grip never lessened. 

“You’re so cute.” I pinched his cheeks and peppered his face with light kisses, earring a groan from the whole room. 

“Stop it! I’m trying to focus!” Webster moaned. 

Popcorn and other snacks were hurled at us as we laughed.

My lids drooped from the heat of the fire, it was like being wrapped in a warm blanket. The men had been playing for hours, their chatter faded into the background like white noise. I shifted my position in Don’s lap, my head rested against his chest as my legs were draped over the side of his legs. 

Each time Don spoke his voice rumbled in his chest, his heartbeat and breathing remained even. With each breath it lulled me further to sleep. I wanted to leave ages ago but Don refused to come back to the room with me but he also didn’t want me to leave alone. 

“Alright fellas, I have to head.” Grant's voice peaked my interest over my sleep. I cracked open my eyes to see him scooting his chair back from the table and gathering his winnings. 

I shot up from my position startling Don, his cards falling to the floor. “Em!” 

“I’m going back to my room.” I yawned, stretching my arms over my head. “Grant will walk me.” I gestured over to the man who was now looking over at us at the mention of his name. 

“Says who?” Grant replied annoyed but his eyes held a glint of amusement. 

“I’ll see you later.” I kissed Don on the cheek leaping out of his lap. “Bye guys!” I waved to the rest of the men as I caught up to Grant who held the door open for me, the men all waved me off wishing me a goodnight. 

The chill of the night woke me up as we left the warm building. Grant walked beside me. 

“You don’t have to walk me to my room.” I bumped his shoulder. “Don wouldn’t let me go by myself, said there were scary men out here. I don’t see any scary men.” 

“I’ll walk you, Don would have my head on a stick if you got hurt under my care.” Grant’s arm swung around my shoulder squeezing me into his side. 

“You’ll be late for checkpoint duties.” I looked up at him. 

“How about you come to the checkpoint and then I’ll drop you home?” Grant suggested. 

“Sounds like a plan.” I grinned following Grant to the jeep that was parked down the way.

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

Chapter 37

[vv-ispy]

anyway my other venti's history shaping how he is headcanon is that as a wisp he was rarely taken seriously — people are kind to him and will put faith in him due to his being an elemental being, but between a little wind wisp vs a storm god, the wisp isn't doing much they're in the middle of the archon war, great strong gods are getting struck down all the time. (Even later as a god he's seen as the weakest god, possibly the god with the unlikiest of origins out of a group who were gods and powerful being before reaching archonhood)

But the bard treats him not as a contender, not as a god candidate, not even as their hope to take down Decarabian but as a friend.

So he doesn't take himself seriously either, he knows he has the power now yes but habits remain and he doesn't want to be a tyrannt, and in the end the most impactful relationship in his life will always be the bard who treated him not for his role or his potential but as a friend to love and cherish and understand

[sunbloomdew]

the hobbit is the perfect base for a found family story. A long journey with a bunch of strangers? As you travel you get to know each other, your weaknesses and strenghts and how to overcome them? Each one of the 14 members (f u gandalf) can be an interesting individual and have unique dynamics with other characters? brotherhood? families of choice?? friendships, family and love??? a dramatic ass wizard???? all that on a journey which goal is to reclaim the dwarves' home? bless

ao3 writers who write thorin's company as family and give them cool dynamics I LOVE YOU!!! KEEP DOING WHAT YOU DO!!!