#its just another small doodle but it exists so here it is for u all to look at if you would like to maybe

[leenfiend]

more scribbles for u

[goji-pilled]

here's your regularly scheduled installment of Homura's No Good Very Bad Day

There was only one thought in mind when Homura booked it out of her seat and headed to roof at the break.

Find and Kill Mikuni Oriko.

In all honesty she should have seen this coming eventually. No matter the timeline it seemed that the Light Magical Girl would do her damnedest to try and eleminate any possible threats to the entire world. Perhaps in another time, one where the phenomenon of Witch Shifting did not exist, Homura would allow Mikuni to continue to live. But she can not, not when her most cherished person is now being threatened once more at the hands of an idiotic prophet.

This just proved to Homura that no matter the timeline, no matter the circumstances, Mikuni Oriko mudt be eliminated before she ever contracts with the Incubator. Even if the seer were to use her sight and try to save her skin from Homura's wrath, evem if the fear of death were a good enough deterent to prevent her involvement, Mikuni is far too great a threat to ever live.

Especially when now, in the one timeline where everything finally seems right.

Especially when she has brought harm upon Wal--u-gi--a--t!!!

...

...wait...

Wa--u-gi--a---. Wa--u--i------!

W@%×>÷^$*1×^(+!!!

This isn't right. This is wrong! What's happening?! Why can't she remember ◽️◽️◽️◽️◽️◽️?!!?

Stumbling to a halt in the middle of the glass walkway - the same one where she and Madoka became friends for the first time - Homura took a breath, the emotions within her soul threaten to explode amd let out the Demon within her. Halting the flow of time around her the dark magical girl transformed into her uniform in a quarter of a second. Her shield, cold amd ever present on her arm, showed the seconds continue to flow in this stasis within the hourglass. More and more sand flowing down into one side and yet never omce threatened to overflow.

She's had thoughts before, to continue past May and see if her shield could bring her back further than the sixteenth of March, the day she recovered enough to reattend middle scbool. She's been tempted to see if the collective sands of time could bring her further bavk.

But she won't, she can't. Not this time. Temptation wom't be a factor now.

Even if she did want to catch up with Tamura and see if she could offer some insight from her travels.

Shoving her other arm into the ever expansive space between forearm and shield, Homura pulled out a worn notebook from her early excursions in the time loop. With that out she dove her hand back into her hammerspace and pulled out a small box with another notebook and a pen.

Taking a seat on the floor the girl went to work, flipping page after page of frantic words and doodles of the St@&3 P1ay Witch.

...

Shaking herself out of her reverie, Homura opened the other notebook. It was a mostly blank notebook with only a few pages filled with notes and doodles from this current timeline. She went to work commiting herself to etvhing the memory of her friend onto physical form.

First came the Witch's form, that upside-down clockwork puppet. Then came the familiars, like the one she saw fade away in class. Finally the pages became filled with doodles of girls that slowly faded from her memory. When they started to fade ever so faster, Homura opened the box she put aside and took out its contents.

Photos. Postcards. Letters. All copies of their originals back home, tucked away in a small pocket dimension of the combined labyrinths of her friends.

Homura went back to the pages, etching each girl onto the blank and now damp canvases.

With every page sufficiently filled up, the dark magical girl safely tucked her supplies away and vlutched the new log dedicated to her loved one tightly to her chest, shifting out of her uniform and dropping the time stop.

Perhaps... perhaps she was being rash with regard to Mikuni. Something or someone is somehow erasing her memories of her friend, and last she checked she hasn't met or un into any magical girls who had such abilities.

...Maybe she should still hunt down Mikuni. Put the fear of god and a Demon in her. Strong arm her into helping if she refuses to aid her.

All else fails she can guilt trip her into helping by bringing up the crimes alternate timelines of herself has committed.

Plan ramshackled for now, Homura took one more deep breathe and turned to head back to Madoka, no doubt having followed her in when she rushed out of class.

She didn't even take a step before the glass wall completely shattered next to her and was toppled over to thw floor.

...probably Mikuni's fault, go extra threatening her.

sorry fer it bein late, like i said, had thoughts :3

*grabs you by the shoulder* I LOVE IT ALL.

[cosmohause]

hey could u tell us more about kripke? also a doodle of him too? maybe?? 🥺

*rubs hands* (long post btw)

a 6'0" researcher (sometimes a sr res, other times just a regular researcher), he's Australian and from a small country rural-town in new south wales. his parents, Mary and Jonathan, were not the best- especially his mother who was kind of whack and not good :[, Jonathan wasn't bad, but he wasn't the best either. but he tried and Kripke prefers his dad more. mom also said some bad things, etc. but i wont go into that here

he also has a sister named Claire! a wannabe biker who listens to AC/DC, draws things and has a girlfriend- honestly there's not much to her than that but i will make her real properly... eventually. in an au she is in AWCY though but mainline she just exists (another is where shes an SCP)

growing up overall was fun in a way despite a bad mom, he and his sister grew up in a sort of dual-religious household(?) of Christianity (moms side) and Judaism (dads side) neither of his parents were that religious? and both were more laxed on it but still celebrated respected traditions when it came and went- typically they went to Kripke's moms grandparents for any big lunches/dinners on Christmas day; and since its summer in December for Australia- fuck yeah spreading a tarp out, putting dish soap on it and water, and there ya go. fun!

--

Kripke's interests are very all over the place, as he has ADHD (and undiagnosed ASD bc i gotta imprint or else) and interests has fluxed a bit, but hes very interested in guitar playing (he plays it rlly well and typically practices nirvana songs on it), got into monster lore, he fell asleep to a few documentaries and remembers some of the information but he went into university for biological sciences- which comes to him getting nabbed/acquired by the foundation; - good grades, - found a biological anomaly that was a bit too anomalous for normal people, - foundation said "ours now".

kripke always believed in the supernatural, so finding out that anomalous beings existed (within his clearance) he was very ecstatic at first a very much "knew it" moment, but at the same time became very "wait.." in fear theres Worse things out there (and there are).

how he got the scars on his palms? well an scp did it of course? reality bender go brr, or some other scp did it. kripke's sense of danger is non-existant he will pick up a small enough scp or pspsps one.

overall his personality is; happy-go-lucky, there and loyal to friends, but can also be very petty, sometimes rude or even angry- but this bitch also has some trauma so :(,

hes just a little guy who sometimes exaggerates his accent to scare the americans because he thinks its funny. and his favorite color is blue. :3

[lovely-necromancy]

A Cure for Insomnia CH.6

You wake up sometime around one. Not too late in the day given your morning. With a decent amount of sleep under your belt you roll over and start striping your bed of its sheets. Then you make your way across your room, picking up stray clothes as you go to your hamper and dump your collection of dirty linens and clothes into it. You carry the hamper to the bathroom where you load half into the washer. There's no real point in separating the clothes from colored items and pastels or whites. You're only twenty-four and don't have your life totally figured out yet. You can be a little lazy with laundry.

Once your first load of laundry is being washed you go to do your weekly tidy of your home. The one good thing that came from the paranoia of your car's break in was you rearranged all the furniture of the home, thus cleaning as you went. So that means it's more of a quick wipe down of counters and sweeping today. Maybe you'd organize your art supplies while doing your laundry. It's an activity that wouldn't distract you too much and make you forget you had laundry in the wash.

You finish washing the dishes from this morning you begin wiping the counters and tabletop when you notice your fidget cube is still on the table where Toby left it earlier.

'Don't want to lose this. Back to the bookshelf where you belong.' When you get to the living room's bookshelf you notice one of your book's is missing. Ironically it's The Book Thief.

'Tobias probably picked it up and put it down somewhere.' you'd keep your eyes peeled for the book while you cleaned.

After wiping down bookshelves, tables, counters, even the mantel over the fire place you still hadn't found your missing book. You probably picked it right up and placed it right back down without even realizing. You'll just keep an eye out until you find it. You don't even reread books, you really just kept a copy to lend out to people when they ask what your favorite books are. It isn't a real big deal if you can't find it, plus there's bound to be a copy floating somewhere in a thrift shop or yard sale.

The washer chimes right as you grab the broom to sweep. Pausing this task to go retrieve your laundry and do the rest. You empty the dirty clothes left in the basket onto the floor and place the clean wet ones inside the basket. After starting the final load you carry the basket out back. As nice as this home is its still small and doesn't have a dryer, which early summer is fine but come fall and winter might be more cumbersome. Seeing as you have to hang the laundry out to dry outside. Maybe when it gets cold you'll just do smaller loads and hang them up in the bathroom or over the fire place. But that's a thought for future you. Right now current you is struggling yet again to get a fitted sheet to sit on the line. Fitted sheets are probably Satan himself in disguise.

When you finish stringing all the laundry up you take a moment to just enjoy the quiet and the peace that comes with the outside. It's nice out here, maybe after you finish the last few chores today you can come out and just draw, it'd be a good way to also keep an eye on this weather in case it turns. While it hasn't happened yet you're very aware of the risks you take by ignoring the existence of meteorologists. And by that you mean just not bothering to look up the weather for the day.

Heading back inside you restart your task of sweeping. Like you thought you've finished before the washer has even completed it's first cycle. The house isn't too big so it's easy to clean it from top to bottom within a day normally, but today you had even less to do thanks to this week's rearranging. So you move on to organizing your art supplies and separating all materials by medium.

Of course arranging materials is never easy, after all you end up staring at all your horded empty sketch books and note how your thumbnail notebooks are just covered in doodles and random scribbles but no real art or ideas. Maybe it's time to start kicking yourself into gear. You ran into a major period of burnout before moving and now with this fresh start you might be able to focus on progressing with art, even if you don't pursue it as a career. You've always loved the ability to draw and create images that make others happy. But right in this moment you just want to make yourself happy. Maybe you could start small just a few still lifes and see how you feel after that.

Hearing the chime of the washer you hurry to finish putting away the supplies in their newly assigned places. Just as before you transfer the wet and clean clothes into the awaiting basket and take them out to be hung to dry. You don't have another fitted sheet this go round so it goes by much faster than it previously had. Now with all of your washing for today hung you head back inside to grab a fresh sketchbook.

Having never been one for scenery, more of a portrait artist, you start off with small things. A few stills of a flower under the window, the old tire swing on the tree, and even the blue jay that dove for dinner right in front of you. Of course all of these were warm ups done in a few minutes, though you really wish you had more time on the blue jay one. You really need practice with things that aren't people.

The warm ups of course don't look very good, but you can still see what you'd been going for. The hatching and smudging you'd done, to increase depth and give the quick drawing more life, did help a little but it was clear this was an area where you weren't skilled. But that didn't deter you, after all you  needed more practice and wouldn't be getting better without it.

Deciding to draw the scene before you, a small open meadow surrounded by trees, in other words your backyard with your drying laundry. You start off slow and make sure to actually look and take in the yard in front of you, doing your best to not just make up the trees and their shapes as you go. Soon you are lost in the meditative muscle memory of drawing. The scratching of pencil scrapping across paper further lulling you into a trance like state as you etch out the scenery.

A harsh breeze blows through and the loud flapping of sheet hitting sheet knocks you loose from your trance. Checking to make sure none of your laundry was flying off, it hadn't the laundry was still secured to the line. Smiling you glance down to actually see what you've sketched out so far. It isn't too bad, though you aren't sure how long you've been working on it, the trees all have a distinct shape rather than your typical cartoon one size fits all attempts. Scanning the page your eyes catch onto something off, out in the tree line it looks like you'd drawn a figure hiding behind a tree.

Hearing the beating of your heart that's currently hammering against your chest you look around. Did your mind do that as a joke or had someone genuinely been watching you draw? Your mouth is dry as your eyes scan the tree line for any sign of what could've been mistaken for a person, but you saw nothing. No one was there. Had anyone ever really been there? Why would you draw that? Why wouldn't you remember doing it? You don't feel safe out here anymore. There are eyes watching you you can feel it. They may not physically be there but the phantom eyes that surround you and cause your skin to crawl make sure you know of their presence. You take that as a sign to head inside for the evening, one that doesn't need to be repeated.

You lock the door immediately behind you and check your phone. It's seven, and you have an email notification. Thanking whatever power for the distraction you slide down your back door and open the notification. It's from Hollis!

YN r u  coming to SND? It's that teen beach zombie movie u love. Y;know the awful D list one Blk and wht with the 50yos playing teenagers

Lemme know I'll save your seat.

Sent 6:47 P.M.

They're so sweet to remember you loved this awful D list zombie movie. Horrible subplots and main plot and all. But you're a little spooked right now and watching even that joke of a horror movie is probably too much for you. You doubt you'd feel better by the time ten rolls around to watch it. Not to mention your battery's still drained from Toby this morning. And knowing for a fact you'd probably stay late to talk till morning with Hollis, Jake, and Kirby you decide it's best to skip this week. Just not having the energy to handle Saturday Night Dead.

Nah, sorry man. Battery's dead from being social earlier. Thanks tho, I do appreciate you! ….....,.... lemme know what next week's movie is!

Sent 7:10 P.M.

It'd probably be a good time to make something for dinner, there's a box of mac n cheese in the pantry. Simple but always beloved. As you wait for Hollis to respond you start on boiling water. But you didn't have to wait too long since they'd answered near instantly.

Chill, don worry we'll catch ya next week

…..oooop

ot not...Kirb's said it's the start of watching the entire warren file collection

starting from the beginning

...well the first movie released, Insidious. LOL we probs won't ever see you again.

Sent 7:12 P.M.

How dare Kirby betray you like this. First off those movies are awful, and like not cheesy awful just awful awful. Not to mention he knows how you feel about the Warrens and their cases. You have a power point presentation ready for that dick the next time you see him. ...well not literally but you'd make one to prove a point!

Where's Kirby now? I just wanna talk, I just wanna talk is all.

Sent 7:18 P.M.

Already ran off toy vermont probably

will we get blessed with a ted talk nxt week?

Sent 7:20 P.M.

I can't tell if you're joking or not. If you aren't then yea I can make a power point and we'll play that instead of the movies. Every week until this town understands the severity of this.

Sent 7:21 P.M.

Ya just jkin.

Your passionate hate is funny tho, so could be good to do something mid warren marathon.

Sent 7:23 P.M.

Guess the dissertation on how horrendous the “exorcisms” were will have to wait. They'd just been joking. This is probably a good ending of the conversation anyway, it's hard to tell sometimes but you feel you'll just run in circles with the current topic or worse fall into a rant that they won't read all the way through because they'll have left with the rest of the stunt gang to get dinner before heading over to the Cryptonomica for Saturday Night Dead. Hollis is typically a real good sport about this kinda thing but you'd rather not bog down their night with your hate boner for the Warrens.

'I'll let them know later that I'll still come to Saturday Night Dead next week.' you think as you dump the pasta into the water that finally came to a boil. It's quiet as you cook your macaroni dinner. You'd normally not notice the lack of sound or life in your home before, but maybe having Connor and Toby over put things into perspective. Guests aren't really a thing you've ever had, you always feel rude if your social battery runs out before someone's stay is over. But maybe you're lonely, and it's put you on edge.

Though this week would've put anyone on edge, you have still been alone in this house for two months. That can't be healthy for your mental well being, humans are social creatures by nature after all. Maybe you could get a pet, something that'd make it's fair share of noise and give the home a bit more life than your normally hollow shell wondering the halls. Are you even sure you want a pet? Do you have time for one? You have the standard nine to five, but what about when you're off on a nightly trip because of your sleeplessness? What if you forgot about them? Hell your brain's been so foggy these last few months, it wouldn't be surprising.

Like a sign from the divine themselves, the pot of water boils over. Steam is rising as the sizzling is heard. Your head snaps twice to the right as you scramble to lower the heat and raise the pot off the eye. Putting it down on an unused eye you give it a quick stir and thankfully no pasta got burned to the bottom of the pan....this time. The pasta seems a little crunchy but a texture you'll eat so you kill the hot eye and start on the cheese portion of your mac n cheese.

As you eat you continue your original debate about getting a pet. Ultimately deciding that you just aren't ready for that kind of responsibility right now. Sure you'd had tons of pets in your parents' home but that was with a financial safety net and back when your mental health wasn't all over the place. Not to mention the pets were family pets and responsibility was split three ways.

There isn't much room in your home for you to have a roommate, and that presents a whole nother set of challenges. You could try to make friends through online forums again! It's hard to talk to people in general but you always get scared off before replying to a comment or post. Or overshare to the point people infantize you. Even better trying therapy out could help with your loneliness. Hah ok good one, even if you had money for it consistently you don't think you could trust someone knowing all your secrets but not knowing any of theirs. And while that in and of it self is an example of why you need it, you're rational enough to realize you aren't ready for that either.

After finishing your meal you put away the left overs and clean the dishes. You'll be happier tomorrow knowing they aren't your problem to deal with. You start to make your way to your bedroom but freeze just before the hall.

'You shouldn't stay here...you need to leave.'

A glance at the time tells you it's eight thirty-nine, if you left right now you could make it to Saturday Night Dead with time to spare. You don't need to fill the loneliness with new friends, just spend time with the ones you already have. Duh. Turning you grab your keys off the bookshelf and take one of the masks hanging from a hook by the door.

Checking your door was locked and locking your car once you were in, you're ready to drive. Knowing you're still overstimulated you forgo the music on this drive, hoping it will calm you down enough to enjoy the movie and some down time with friends. And that would help put a pin in your self isolating habits. It'd really be nice if you brought movie snacks over to surprise the gang. You're pretty sure the mini mart carries everything you need. Jake likes swedish fish, Hollis is addicted to those extreme sour airhead ropes, and Kirby's a weirdo with his love of red vines and surge. Hahaha that man will die before he's thirty-eight.

Still having the extra time you deiced to stop by the mini mart and grab the candy. What's the worse that can happen you have another panic attack in front of strangers. Plus you hadn't seen Magnolia the last few times and you'd hate for her to think you'd been ignoring her. Pulling into the empty mini mart parking lot you take a breath to steel your resolve before leaving your car.

Tim looks at the door when he hears the chime and stiffens when he sees you. Fuck you did have a panic attack in front of this guy last night, plus you really haven't formally met. But didn't Toby say his roommate was named Tim? And he and Brian were both here talking with Tim last night before you came in. That can't be coincidence.

“uh...hi?” you say awkwardly standing in the doorway, door closed behind you.

“um, hi?” perfect he's just as awkward in this situation as you are. You can work with this.

Moving through the first two isles you keep your eyes peeled for Magnolia, even though you can make this an in and out trip for candy, you do miss the little bodega cat.

“Wh- hey are you, are you even ok to be here?” Tim calls as he rounds the counter and makes his way to you.

“Huh? Oh...oh yea. I'm chill now.” you hear the bell before you see her. The little ting tin ting of her bell that comes with the grace only fluffy cats have.

“You literally collapsed on the floor last night after blacking out while driving.” his tone is very stern. He and Nate would probably get on like a house on fire. The grumpy old men who secretly care a lot duo.

“I don't remember collapsing...but I know I didn't drive.” well you don't know that but you do firmly believe that.

The man is just turning into the isle when you spot the floof sauntering just behind him. Magnolia didn't spare either of you a glance as she made her way to the counter. Probably going to her bed, an old shipping box for apples, you'd just meet her over there then. With no warning to the man you squeeze past him and and follow the cat. Agitated footsteps following after you in your quest to pet the cat.

Magnolia perks up upon seeing you, the flicking of her tail letting you know she's anticipating her pets. The huffing Tim hovering behind you isn't as pleased with your actions as the cat is. The man is radiating negativity, annoyance maybe or is it concern that breeds frustrated anger? The second he starts to clear his throat, as if to remind you of his hovering, you roll your eyes.

Looking back at him over your shoulder you see him in all his grumpy man glory.  His brow was furrowed so hard his thick eyebrows nearly covered his eyes. But with the way his lips emoted the man before you looked more like a pouting muppet. It would be funny if it weren't for the foreboding feeling of the moments before being reprimanded by a teacher.

When you straighten up you take note that your eyes meet perfectly. He's the same height as you that's surprising, you thought he'd be taller than 5'7. His eyes widen slightly at seeing your full height, it must've thrown him off since the first time he saw you, you'd actively been trying, and had succeeded at looking smaller.

“What are you doing here?” well he doesn't get thrown off for long.

Running a hand through Magnolia's fur a few more times as you respond, “Petting Magnolia.” you really are a little shit sometimes.

“No...no, why are you out? Toby had to take you home last night, you shouldn't just be waltzing around town after that.” maybe it was frustrated concern.

“Oh I'm fine now.”

Magnolia at this point has jumped up on the counter and is headbutting you for more attention. Chuckling you turn your attention back to her. Meanwhile Tim behind you is at a loss for words.

“Fine?? You don't just...bounce back from a panic attack.”there's personal experience behind those words.

“I just rationalize things fast.” Hearing the trill of the clock on the wall reminds you that you need to grab those snacks and head over to the Cryptonomica for movie night.

Going to the candy isle you grab one of each of the gang's favorites, you snag a bag of white cheddar popcorn on the way to the counter and place your items there. Tim doesn't get a word out before you rush off to the cooler near the back that is in all honesty pretty sketch. Like who even makes  Fruitopia anymore? That stuff got discontinued in the early 2000s. The cooler even has Hi-C Ecto Coolers...you might actually check if they're in date and grab a few.

Rummaging around the cooler you finally spot the weird tech green and black splattered can proudly stating SURGE. It has no date...questionable at best. But hey it's only Kirby drinking it, and it's been well established that man will die well before middle age.   Grabbing a can to check the Ecto Coolers, luck is on your side! These cans are from the re-release that happened as a promotion for the Ghostbusters revival a few years back, they'll be good for another two years! For now you'll just take one so you won't have to worry about lugging cans around for the movie.

Once your new items are placed on the counter the expression on Tim's face cannot even be described. The questions of the surge are probably the ones easiest to read...or they're just the most predictable.

“Kirby likes red vines and surge, sickening right?” Maybe a little joke will break the ice.

“...Like that little round pink...thing?”  What?

The laughter is coming out before you can stop it, the image of said pink Kirby consuming red vines and surge only to accessorize as your friend comes to mind. It's adorable and cursed at the same time. Adorably cursed. You'll have to draw that and print a few copies to hang around the Cryptonomica.

“No,” you're choking on giggles at this point, “Kirby, the owner of the Cryptonomica.” catching your breath and regaining your composure, “It's that tourist trap just across from the RV park.”

“Oh.” normally such a short cold reply would make you shut down the conversation. But This is Toby's roommate, and if you want to be friends with Toby, you'll probably run into him a lot more. Plus if he's a new night shift cashier it wouldn't hurt to be on good terms with him for when you're out on adventures.

“Yea, hey Toby mentioned you three just came to town, so you might not have known but the Cryptonomica does a weekly movie night on Saturdays. Saturday Night Dead. Normally it's awful old horror movies but next week they're starting a Warren Case files “arch”.” Tim doesn't take the conversation bait at the pause.

“It's a great way to meet other locals, you guys should check it out if you get the chance. It starts at ten and runs till one or so on most weeks.” Olive branch has been extended.

Tim relaxes for the first time since you got here tonight. The sheepish look on his face and twitchy pupils give the impression he's thinking it over. He sighs and nods before saying, “Yea, that sounds...nice.”

Olive branch skeptically taken! You'll count this one as a win in your book. With the mood lightened Tim breaks the ice a bit further.

“Surge and red vines can not be good for you.”

“Right! If living off mountain dew and pizza rolls doesn't kill him, this for sure will.” you both have a small laugh at that. It's nice to finally have cleared up the mix up from the beginning of the week. Which reminds you.

“Oh...um...I'm YN by the way. It's nice to meet you...sorry for the two,” your neck tics to the side, “previous nights.” you finish.

“Tim...and it,uh happens sometimes...'s fine.” Score awkward acknowledgment of previous meetings and you can now erase those from your nightly anxieties.

Tim finishes ringing and bagging your items and you pay. Giving another pet to the curled up kitty on the counter you nod farewell to Tim.

A trill rings out from the clock on the wall. It's ten.

Two heads snap to look at the wall. You take a second glance at your phone while Tim checks his watch. Both say the clock on the wall is correct. But it just turned nine not even ten minutes ago. Right? You can brush off yourself loosing track of time but when you involve another person that just doesn't make sense. Tim looks just as concerned as you. Only Magnolia lays unaffected by the lost fifty minutes.

“I should go.” Tim nods numbly to you as you exit the store.

You won't be able to make it to the movie, well you could but you'd disturb someone if you walked in mid movie. Choosing to go home instead you drive, once again without music. Entering your home you hang your mask back on the hook. Putting away the drinks and snacks for next weekend, you make your way to your bedroom. Once again freezing just before the hallway. Turning to your living room you can see a book in the middle of your coffee table. You definitely don't remember the book being there, and doubt you'd miss it out in the open. But as you got closer you could confirm, even in the dark, that it was The Book Thief.

[divine-motion]

traditional doodles photographed by my phone bc i don’t have a scanner, featuring... Captain Cross time :)) drawing Cross was surprisingly fun, especially the last one. making Alex a manlet was the best decision i’ve ever made. tiny gremlin virus.

tbh i never liked Cross that much bc he’s just another Military Guy to me, like i didn’t Dislike him but he didn’t catch my attention that much. however, if he had more of an arc, much like Pretty Much Every Other Character, he could’ve been a lot more interesting to me! as usual, More Thoughts under Keep Reading bc my rambling is incurable!! it’s a real long one this time.

to make Cross stand out more to me, there are some significant changes i’d make for him

instead of being a grown-ass old man who didn’t see Blackwatch’s whole Evilness until Randall decided to up and drop a nuke on a city, i think i’d go more to how Blackwatch seems to have a lot of... creepy indoctrination-y stuff going on with their creed and everything, so maybe have Blackwatch train children (perhaps ‘confiscated’ from infections like Hope) to become special soldiers for hunting Runners, and have Cross be one of them? that way i can excuse him being military and make him breaking away from Blackwatch more significant because he’d be overcoming a whole life of basically brainwashing. 

i’d also want to go into his past a bit more as someone who killed a Runner, considering how he treats Alex - not calling Alex an ‘it’, being willing to work with him... does he treat Runners the same? he tells Alex that he’s not human on their first call, so are Runners often confused on their existence as a living virus and bio-weapon? did the Runner he killed think it was human? sorry these things are just very interesting to me, this might be immediately disregarded as rubbish if it was ever stated to Cross that Alex thought he was human. anywho, to summarize, giving Cross trauma will make me like him

he’s japanese (Robert Cross was a name he was given in Child Soldier Training Camp), he’s gay, he’s old, and he’s tall as hell. what the fuck. how’d he get so tall. everyone has to crane their necks to look him in the eye. he’s a little embarrassed about his height though! accidentally hits his head on door frames all the time

for some reason or other he has to go with Alex to Ragland’s clinic bc they need everyone’s skills for the final missions or something, and the trio evolves to a squad!! though it has its hiccups.

Alex: so do you two remember Captain Cross Bradley: captain of Blackwatch, the people who’ve been watching my every move since i left GENTEK? Dana: and the guy who nearly killed you by putting an intelligent cancer on your back? Alex: yeah that’s him. so it turns out he’s the one who’s been telling me about the Bloodtox and about the infection going underground, so we’re friends now. is it ok if i bring him here so you can hear what he has to say? Bradley: Dana: Alex: Dana: ... it’s in times like this i actually wish you had inherited my older brother’s paranoia, Alex

obviously Bradley has a lot of reason to be mistrusting of Cross, but he can relate to realizing that the people you work for are fucked up and respects that Cross at least finally went against them. they have Old Traumatized Gays solidarity

Dana is the Most Suspicious of Cross, which is entirely fair on her part, especially with Alex being too trusting for his own good. she does eventually warm up to him slightly (kinda completely when they find out about his past). i have some thoughts that maybe he teaches her some stuff on how to fight and that sets up Dana as potentially being to fight in Re-Written Prototype 2? not committed to it though, just a small idea

i like having Alex be the opposite of Dr. Mercer and the best way to do that is to have him be overly trusting and pretty forgiving when it comes down to it. Cross is helping him now so that means they’re friends of sorts. it’s kind of a weird friendship where Cross has trouble seeing Alex as just Alex and not the Runners he’s known and/or killed, and he ends up being kind of unnerved by how altruistic, forgiving, and empathetic Alex can be. (yeah i called Alex forgiving despite that he starts out wanting revenge. i can write a post about that but not now)

i do imagine that Cross is just completely oblivious to the fact that he was indoctrinated until he becomes part of the Squad and talks to “normal” people for the first time in his life that it suddenly becomes clear

Cross: [describes his training and childhood] Dana: ... oh my god you were a child soldier?? Cross: what?? no, that’s not it at all, it’s just that us blackwatch soldiers of the special training program specifically for taking down runners requires extensive training starting at a young age, but it’s not like we first have to use a gun until we’re six and-- Cross: Cross: Cross: oh my god i was a child soldier

if he really has to die then it wouldn’t be off-screen and honestly i don’t think i’d have him die anyways. in Prototype 2 him and Bradley are just retired old gay men chilling in hawaiian shirts. also Cross discovers therapy

ok wow this post has been going on for too long. sorry!! i don’t know how to shut up, unfortunately u-u

[channydraws]

Fell!bro and Diamond 2~

Some time has gone by after the first encounter of the Boss Monster Prince and a human who fools other monsters into believing she herself is a monster. Walking around the underground for mainly on a whim or perhaps a purpose with the prince. Asriel stopped their movements in front of a ruined statue and turned to the human girl wearing a headband with fake red little horns on it. With his eyes narrow as he looks upon her and spoke up with his usual strict tone.

“We are resting here. Make yourself useful and get some rocks here and put them around in a circle.”

The human known as Diamond nods her head but couldn't help but softly ask him a question. “W-why? If we are making our campsite here shouldn't I get wood as well?”

He took a single step towards her as if bringing his authority. “Idiot! My fire is not weak like normal fire. It is magic!”

He stares at her as she looked a little nervous by the tone he was giving her. His eyes rolled as he let out a small sigh. “If you feel like you need something flammable. Then you may do so.”

He crosses his arms as he watches the human look around the area for the objects. Gathering a bunch of rocks and placing them in a circle. As for the flammable materials that was much less successful more so how the prince prevented her from leaving the area as he says it's too dangerous to go out there for such useless things. With the rocks set up perfectly as he instructed he throws a large fireball at the center. The fire filled the entire center as it kept lit without much support and the flame giving off great heat that the human couldn't feel much of a chill in the area they were in.

The two of them sit down on the floor while also being on the opposites sides of the flame. The moment between them was really quiet and Diamond felt a bit awkward with this kind of silence. For the most part, they were walking place to place having something to do along with going into her sketchbook to doodle. But right now it's all quiet save for the dripping of droplets falling onto the broken statue and the crackling of the magical fire. The prince looking at the fire intensely and keeping any hint of him making any noise at a minimum. Diamond looks to the ruined statue, it gave the impression of being very old with all of its cracks and dents. It even seems like some of the damage wasn't actually caused by natural reasoning. She couldn't help but wonder about it and decided to speak up.

“Asriel?”

“What?”

Diamond points at the statue perhaps to help the goat take notice of it. “Can you tell me anything about this statue we're in front of?”

The Boss monster looked up to the girl through the flames and took notice of her arm. Those intense red eyes following her arm to where her hand was pointing at and saw the statue. “...”

Asriel was silent for a time and this time it was a little worrying as Diamond saw his eyes widen slightly. “Asriel?”

Asriel shook his head and went back looking at her through the fire with his composure restored. “Why would you want to know about some stupid statue?”

The human scratched her cheek gently as she was a little nervous that she may have asked the wrong question or maybe she was nervous with him in general.”W-well, we are not doing anything and well... you are the prince of the underground. I thought maybe you would be... Y-you would be a little knowledgeable about many things here.”

“Everything...” He said softly but it was enough for the human to hear.

“...Everything?” She asked with a curious tone

“Everything!”

Diamond lean a little back from his sudden outburst.

“...I know everything. At least everything that can be learned down here. If you really want to know idiot. Then I'll speak my mind about it.” Asriel said as his tone went back to the norm while his eyes kept on her. He saw her nod her head as she held her sketchbook with her free arm.

“I-If you don't mind. I would love to listen to what you have to say.”

“...” He lets out a soft sigh. “From what I've heard was from rumors and legends. Nothing is set in stone beside one thing. The monsters down here used to like the statue as they are the ones who made it.”

“Used too?” She asked wondering what could have happened and surely the prince could tell her the answer.

“Yes, used too. It was before I was born and the first few years the monsters had reach waterfall. Something about an idiot Boss Monster showing kindness. Even if the humans were not so happy with them as they thought it had taken their child. The parents attack and beat the monster to help their child until the child finally got them to stop. The child thank the monster by giving it a music box that is inside the statue. Some have said that if the water stops pouring on it it will play. Guess it's not really resistant. Anyways, that's not important. This kind of thing shown that monsters and humans can co-exist. Heh, for a short time until the humans brutally attack us. Shown us no mercy and thrown us down here with their seven most powerful sorcerers creating the barrier. Something where the only way to pass it is having both a human and monster SOUL or using what equals to seven humans SOULs to destroy it.”

“Happy, I gave you a little more than what you asked for?”

Diamond places one of her fingers to her lips as she thought about it and then another question pop into her mind. “T-thank you... B-but... um... W-why did the monsters make the statue In the first place if humans attacked and put you all down here?”

It took a moment for the prince to answer this question but he came up with a short and simple answer.“...Because of hope.”

“...Hope...?”

“Yes, Hope. Monsters still believe at that time we can still co-exist. That humans wasn't really THAT bad or some nonsense like that. That is why they made the statue. To show and express that hope. Even if the parents of the child attack the boss monster. The humans did learn that the monster was peaceful, that they meant no harm but wanted to help the child as it was raining and alone. They bought the child home as it kept them both dried with an umbrella, he gets attacked, humans forgive him because of the child, the child gives him a stupid music box. The end.”

“Asriel... What happened then?”

“Hope started to fade. Time goes by. Hour after hour, Day after day, week after week, years AFTER years. Even after the monsters had made to new home. Being unable to see the Sun, the sky... all of the things they have seen with humans was gone. They started to think they won't ever make it out and the monsters began to suffer a strangeness to their SOULs. As their hope died so too the other traits of what made up their SOULs. Their flames for Love and compassion were dying out. That in order to survive you have to be strong like the humans and be as brutal as the humans that thrown them down here. Monsters started to think of this one question, that sometimes...”

“... Is kindness really enough? A question that was never answered. A question nobody could answer as their SOULs went through this strange change. It was then my parents ruled more with an iron fist and just like that. The underground changed from that day. The underground that I will be born in and believe for all of my life was how it was. In the end, the monsters lamented the statue and start beating it down. Course, it wasn't long for them to just simply abandon it and allow the water to drip on it.”

He gave a loud huff. “Like the idiots that they are. In the next room, they kept a bunch of umbrellas knowing the statue can still hold it to save it from the rain. Whatever, nobody cares about it anymore. You may now speak human.”

He stared at her as she looked speechless. Maybe he said too much to allow her to process or maybe she is running through a lot of emotions. He allowed her to give herself some time.

“....”

“....Hmm?”

“Asriel, I don't know what to say.”

“Don't say anything idiot.”

“Hmm...So, you mention about the tal-”

Asriel suddenly sharply interrupted her. “Do not ask about!”

She let out a yelp as if she was worried that she hit a rough spot. She was wondering why he spoke ill about the tale the monsters speak of about him and this first fallen child. Maybe she could cheer him up? He looked at the statue pretty intensely. Maybe if she had the music box play that would cheer him up! All she needs to do is grab an umbrella. But as she was getting up he questioned her.

“What are you doing?”

Diamond seemed a little nervous that her idea could be put to end right now. She couldn't let that happen. She had to come up with an excuse. “U-umm, I have to... Uh... I need to... um... do something really quickly!”

“...and how far will you be?”

“....J-just the other room! I just... it's personal...!”

The prince stared at her as he thinks about her words. “...Just make it quick.”

She blushed slightly as her eyes watch the prince looking back to the fire. Whatever he thought about was helpful enough to get him to believe her. Diamond didn't like telling a lie but if it's to help someone then it's okay right? Right!

Carefully the human goes to the next room and her eyes easily took notice of the umbrella that was inside a bucket waiting for someone to pick it up and use them. Strangely there was a blank sign next to it as if someone didn't really want to write it in the first place. With the umbrella in hand, she softly enters back in the statue room. Looking at the goat who did not hear her enter back. She quietly went to the statue and trying to think of where the umbrella goes until she noticed there was a way for it to hold onto the umbrella. As she tries to fiddle with it to get it to fit. The noises she was making got the goat's attention.

“You're back- HEY what are you doing?!” His red eyes widen as she sharply stood up.

The human girl let out a little yelp and as her hand slip downward the umbrella actually went into the hand making it seem like the statue was covering itself from the rain and then as no rain no longer pours upon it. There was a sound. It sounded like a music box was playing inside the statue. As she turned back towards the prince she could see the widen eyes staring it as his ears hears the tune.

“Asriel... I'm sorry, I just thought if I give the statue an umbrella and-”

“Stop.”

She blinks a bit. It was strange how he said it. It was an order and yet she didn't hear that authorization tone of his. It was like his voice was hinting he was getting a little softer on his approach as small as it could be. It was something different coming from him.

“...Fine, if you want to know so badly. Take your seat.”

Diamond stared at him as she was caught off by his word.

“...W-Wait, I...”

“Do you not want to hear what I have to say. If you want me to answer why I called that tale deceitful. You have this chance. I will tell you that and everything else. That is what one does in a campfire... Tell stories. That is what a friendly human told me when I was a flower.”

“...A flower?”

“Diamond. Just sit down.”

The fact he said her name properly and not even calling her an idiot was itself surprising to her. Maybe what she did really helped cheer him up. If he really wants to share she would be happy to listen. She nods her head and sits down where she was before. On the opposite side of him, able to look at him through the fire that was between them.

Asriel started speaking as she took notice of the Human sitting across from.

“It all started when I met the first fallen human, Chara. During this time I was more strict as to put it and the only reason I bought them back to me was because I felt bad for them. Seeing how weak and worthless they seemed, if I let anyone attack them it would make me look bad since I was the one that found them. To skip much ahead my parents decided to keep them after knowing I have bought them back. Seeing their son and a human child becoming friends. It... It did something to their hearts. I think it was that they saw hope again. Their SOULs warming back and that's when what I thought was life from how I was born began to change. Then they told the people and it was then everything I knew had changed... to what it was supposed to be with the monsters. I just... couldn't think that though. It was... It wasn't how I was raised with everyone being so nice, so happy and filled with hope. They were acting so strange but really... they were becoming themselves again at least. At least close to it.”

The prince took a pause as he contemplates his thoughts as he goes back into what he remembers what had happened in the several timelines he experienced. All of those timelines he remembers every single thing he has done. The good and the bad.

“My parents made this Chara out to be like a new family member. It was... I handle it not too well and yet I. Gotten close to them in a different way. I didn't think of them as my sibling but part of me as time went by. Thought of them... her... as something more. I just couldn't really show in the best of ways even when we- ignore that. Anyways, we came to the statue and I wanted to show her this place with her finding an umbrella and doing what you did. That is how I found out about the music box in the first place. It was a... strong memory. We each give each other a heart locket. I had my own way of giving her one. Then...”

“...I don't know. I guess she heard all the suffering my people were under and wanted to be free. That she wanted to help them and came up with a plan. I decline. But, yet she was so damn DETERMINED that behind my back she ate those damn buttercups! I suppose there was a sign after she 'mistakenly' made pie with that stuff which got my father deathly sick. So, I followed the plan as if I was obliged too. If she really wanted to help my people...and with her I just-...”

Asriel closed his eyes for a moment before continuing. “...Nevermind. Anyways, I absorbed her SOUL and felt a sudden rage overcome me as if I knew her pain. That the human above the surface had done awful things to her. With our form I went up to their surface, taking her body with me as she wanted me too. Upon going to the center of the village and placing her empty body on the field of golden flowers. I allow myself to gather our full power to wipe these foolish humans away to payback in kind for what cruel action they had taken upon her. But, she stopped me and I allow myself to be attacked by their weapons. She wanted to free the monsters and yet how I was about to do it wasn't how she wanted things to go. At least, that is what I assumed. I picked up her body and got mortally wounded. I got back home where I died in front of my parents in my father's garden.”

“Unfortunately, this set a trigger. My mother and father's hope had once again been crushed and each one taking it in a different way. Mother became heartbroken while father's rage consumed him. Spreading this crushed hope to the other monsters and enable them to kill any human that falls down here. The monsters didn't just revert back to the way I knew them, now they had a reason to be as cruel with their slightest hope being to where they need to kill humans to use their SOULs to escape. Now here's the part on why I call this tale you have heard is deceitful. Father made up parts that he couldn't fill in. Saying I absorb her SOUL because it was an act to fulfill her dreams of returning back home. That I was showing great kindness that I didn't kill them only to be betrayed by them. They attacked me and that I still wouldn't attack them even with the great power we had. When it was far from it. I'm not an ideal hero, some kind of compassionate creature during then. I just went up there aiming to kill and I was stopped. Saving my people from the barrier and all that was secondary.”

He lets out a soft sigh.

“It doesn't matter. Because after I died I came back because of the Royal scientist and her toying of DETERMINATION. As soon I realized what has happened, what I had become I was filled with only one thing. Rage. I killed her and everyone else. I did not care who. I wanted everyone to die. Then, after I killed them all I wanted to escape that mortal coil and I did. Strangely something primal took a hold of me. That inside me all I could think of was 'I didn't want to die' and then I woke up. I found out that I could come back as long I had the determination to live I could go back to my 'Savepoint'. Every time I killed everyone I would reset and kill them again, and again, and again, and again!”

With a small paused he continued.

“And then with each reset after I started to think. Why am I doing this? Why am I doing this to my people and family? Why am I making them suffer? Each reset I feel myself calming down and being more reasonable... Disliking the pain I was inflicting upon everyone. It wouldn't take many repeats left until I stopped with the thoughts about instead of suffering and killing I would try to... help. It prove more difficult and at times it would bring me that same pain or even dying. These monsters don't take kindness fully as they think it's a trick. It takes time or something to really convince them that it is genuine. I would then stop my resetting and decided to halt everything I was doing. Keeping myself where Chara's body has been laid to rest thanks to my mother. I changed my name to Flowey the Flower because I felt ashamed of my actions... Then, after some time a human fallen onto the pile of golden flowers. She... She looked quite alike Chara and yet they weren't. I greeted them and as I was making introductions and explain things. My mother threw a fireball at me and bought them away calming she was protecting them. She really meant good but... She was overprotective due to what happened. Anyways I would be able to reunite with the human and I told her I would help them by traveling with her.”

“We went on our adventure, meet some people, the human actually able to open up those monster's SOULs and at the end. I took it upon myself to end all of this suffering by absorbing all of the Human Souls and monsters that had gathered. But, I was going way too much and she knew that. She stood her ground even with everything I tried until she helped me open my eyes up. I use the SOULs to simply break the barrier and allowed Frisk to continue on their own with everyone. I felt a little guilty but I was glad that everyone was going to be happy again even if I'm stuck as a flower and I cannot face everyone. Yet the human... Frisk came back to the end of the ruins. Saw me before I was back as a flower. She approached me with a gentle and warm smile. She seemed a bit worried by the look of the expression I was making. We had a nice time together during our adventure. We knew each other more and more. I told her my story and explain who I was before the end. I... I felt I had held the same feeling for her as I did Chara. Then she places her gentle soft hand onto my cheek and-”

The prince stopped himself as he blushed deeply as he didn't want to keep speaking of what came after. Shaking his head to get the thought out of his head.

“Anyways to make the next part short. The timeline reset, the human was different, Chara revealed themselves and told me that everything that they were when we first met was all a lie. That they wanted everything to come to that moment so they can gain immense power to erase everything. I tried to stop them and... Stuff happened. Now, I am here with you.”

His eyes closed as he lets out a sigh. “There, I told you what you needed to know and more as I did not want you left with too many questions. You know more about me and how awful of a creature I am. So, if you want to leave me you can. I would not blame you.”

Diamond stared at him for a bit trying to gather everything he has said. Should she really just leave him because of what he has done or...

The prince did not open his eyes but he heard the sound of footsteps getting closer to him. He believed she was going to take this moment to leave him and then he will be alone. Which would be okay as he is prepared for it. Then his eyes open as he felt something unexpected as he felt a gentle hand onto his head. He looks up as he saw the smiling human-looking downwards towards him. Then the sound of her gentle caring voice can be heard.

“I know the actions you've done m-may never leave you and be forgiven. B-but, you been doing better as a person. I-I mean I saw it myself when you didn't kill those guards and planned not to. Y-you went out of your own way to help me even when you didn't know me so well. I think that deep down you are a really nice person. You are just.... a little complicated about it.” She said with a nervous giggle.

“....”

He seems a bit quiet and a slight blush came to his face. Suddenly he pushes her hand away. “Y-yeah, yeah! J-just don't get all weird on me.”

Diamond saw him give a little embarrassed pout and kept a small smile on her face and turn her head back to where she was sitting until Asriel stopped her. “If you want to sit next time me... I'll allow it this time. Got it, idiot!”

Her eyes blink as she looks to him while being a bit surprised about this development. She couldn't help but have her smile widen as she sits next to him. “O-okay, if you really don't mind.”

“Idiot! I said you can... Or do you want me to say I changed my mind!”

“N-no, no! It's fine...”

“...Hmm...” His eyes looked upon her sketchbook.

“...Y-yes, Asriel?”

“You said you draw right?”

She nods her head. “That's right.”

He reaches his paw towards it. “Let me see what you've made.”

“W-what! W-wait, no.. I-I cannot allow that!” She said with a soft blush coming to her face.

“Why not?! I just want to see what you've made. I made a few drawings when I was younger!”

“...I just cannot show you anything! I-I'm not good and it's embarrassing!”

“...I don't care how you did! I just want to see, you idiot!!”

“I'm not going to show you! Its r-really is embarrassing!”

“I will see what's inside!”

and thus another time with the Boss Monster and the human trying to disguise herself as a monster had passed. With this one ending with the fight overseeing what's in her sketchbook. The prince may just be a little bit too curious. In all, it was a good night as the two got a little more used to each other.

THE END.

[unfortunate-stranger-losers]

All Those Things They Couldn’t Say - A Runaway Baudelaires AU

{ao3} {tumblr} {masterlist}

Chapter Thirty-Nine - Laboheme

They sat in a near-empty room, with only a woman sleeping in the bed against the far wall for company whenever doctors came in and out. They did routine examinations while Violet spat out a fake story about a neighbor being angry that they were climbing in his tree, and how their parents would be along to pay the bill quite soon, don’t worry. Duncan was pretty nervous and uncomfortable most of the time, especially as they had him change into a hospital gown and kept having to touch and mess with his wound. So Isadora held one hand and Violet held another, while Klaus and Sunny sat beside him and rambled on about some book or another to distract him. If there weren’t doctors in, though, and Duncan did not need distracting, then Klaus would pull a book from his bag and read for them, while Sunny waddled around the room trying to get used to walking on her own, Isadora sketched out some poetry ideas, bouncing them off her brother, and Violet played with their last telegram, doodling on the edges or just staring at it.

At one point, the Volunteers Fighting Disease came in, singing to try to cheer them up, and the children were incredibly amused by the fact that they were not at all recognized as “those kids we shared a busride with.” They were so amused that when the Volunteers left, they all burst into laughter, almost doubling over, and not stopping until the next doctor came in. 

When the last doctor left and Duncan was settled in bed, flipping through the newspaper that was provided for him and using Klaus’s pencil to scratch out inconsistencies, Violet leaned over to Isadora and said, “We’ll be back in a few minutes. I saw arrows to the library, it’s a few floors up but not too far. Locks shouldn’t be hard to pick.” 

Isadora bit her lip and bounced her leg. “Are you sure?” 

“We’ll be fine. Just… if anyone comes in, you still have your weapons.” 

Isadora smiled slightly, and then whispered, “I took the dagger that stabbed Duncan and stuck it in my bag. I’m gonna wash it off and use it to cut someone’s hand off.” 

“Great idea.” Violet beamed. “We’ll see you in a few minutes.” 

They made their way to the library of records, and Violet knelt by the locks, narrowing her eyes. “Ugh.” 

“Ugh?” Klaus asked, gently placing Sunny onto the ground. “That’s not a good sound.” 

“Tis not, brother dear.” Violet rolled her eyes, shooting him a look. “These are way more complicated than our ordinary-enough pin-tumbler locks. We shoulda found someone with keys and swiped em.” 

“Do you think you can get in?” 

“It could take some time.” 

Sunny walked over, looked up at the lock, and then said, “Bite.” 

“No, you’re not biting the locks, Sunny-girl.” 

Sunny shook her head, and bit the edge of her finger. “Bite.” 

“I don’t follow.” 

“I think,” Klaus said, sitting by Sunny, his eyes wide, “She’s offering to bite something small to function as a key.” 

“That… may not be a bad idea.” Violet considered. She reached into her bag, muttering, and then pulled out her bag of hairpins. “So first you-” 

“Gotit.” Sunny shrugged, and started biting and twisting the pins, peering into the keyholes as she worked. 

“Cool.” Violet shrugged and stood up, smiling over at Klaus. “Our baby sister’s a free lockpick-maker.” 

“You don’t think she’ll hurt herself?” 

“She’ll be fine.” 

Sunny nodded as she handed Violet a lockpick, and Violet knelt down. Within a few minutes, the door was swinging open. 

“Fuck yeah.” Violet grinned. Klaus lifted Sunny as she shouldered her bag, and she walked inside, flicking on a lightswitch. Ahead of them were rows upon rows of filing cabinets, stretching out as far as the eye could see. 

“Hmm.” Sunny growled in displeasure, narrowing her eyes. “How are we gonna find the file in here?” 

Klaus moved to the first cabinet, and ran his hand over an AA-AC label. “It looks alphabetical. So we should check under ‘Baudelaire.’” 

Violet nodded, and after she tied her hair back and did a quick look-over of the cabinets, she directed them down the rows, until they reached AX-BA. She grabbed the right drawer, huffing to find it was locked, but thankfully this one was much easier to pick. When she got it open, Klaus used his free hand to flip through quickly, but he shook his head once he reached the end. 

“No Baudelaire.” 

“Maybe the next drawer?” 

“No. See, this is ‘Baz.’” Klaus shook his head. 

Violet paused. “Maybe it’s misspelled. B-U-Delaire.” 

“Budelaire.” Sunny giggled. 

“We can check.” Klaus shrugged. 

Violet moved down the cabinets, scanning the B labels, and when she found the BU-CA, she once again picked it open, and Klaus flipped through. 

“No.” he shook his head. 

“Are you sure?” 

“We go from ‘Buccaneer’ to ‘Byers.’ No room for ‘Budelaire.” 

Violet bit her lip. “Let’s check VFD.” 

As they headed down the rows, looking for the V files, Sunny whispered, “Vi? D’nouf?” “What if someone already took the files?” 

“Nobody saw that telegram but the guy at the counter, and you’d think he’d mention if he’d been able to give it to someone else.” Violet whispered, tugging on her ribbon. “Lemony never saw it, and the senders didn’t seem to be going anywhere.” 

“Cep?” “What if someone intercepted it?” 

“We’ll have to hope they didn’t.” Violet said. She glanced back at her sister and said, “This was important to Lemony, so it has to be important to us. I’ll open every filing cabinet in this room if I have to.” 

Sunny nodded, though Klaus bit his lip and glanced at the ground, unsure of how productive this was going to be. 

Violet found two entire drawers labelled VF, and she picked both, before tossing them open. Klaus put Sunny on the ground and flipped through the tops, reading out loud. “VFD- 1485 Columbia Road. VFD- 667 Dark Avenue. VFD- Anwhistle Aquatics. Bats in the Train Station. Building Committee. Curdled- we’ve gotten past ‘b.’” 

“Keep going.” Violet insisted. 

Klaus sighed. “Denouement, Hotel. Doyle, Vincent Francis. Dressing, Lois. Frogg-Drifter, Violetta. Hypnotists in the Office. Items, Museum of. Lachrymose, Ivan. Leeches in the Lake. Lions in the Mountains. Little Snicket Lad-” 

Violet pulled the file out and flipped it open, and then shook her head. “Just the sheet music with some notes. Not seeing anything good.” 

Klaus sighed and moved onto the next drawer. “Medusoid Mycelium. Orion Observatory. Prufrock Prep. SS Prospero. Schism, Discussions of - there’s like three files here.” 

“Hand em over. Might make for interesting reading.” Violet said. Klaus shrugged and handed her the files, and she shoved them into her bag, barely fitting it in. “What else?” 

“A bunch of investigative reports from an E Snicket- do we know one?” 

“Probably a relative of Lemony’s. Here, I’ll shove that in your bag. Keep going.” 

There’s not much else. I see Stain’d-by-the-Sea, Reports of; Sugar Bowl; Surgeons in the Theater; Valorous Farms; Volunteer Feline Detectives; Winnipeg, Duchy of; World is Quiet Here… another World is Quiet Here, and Zombies in the Snow. No Baudelaire.” 

“Or Budelaire?” Sunny giggled, for some reason thinking that was the funniest thing in the world. 

Violet groaned, finishing zipping up Klaus’s bag, and she tugged on her ribbon harder. “There’s gotta be a place. Maybe F for File.” 

“Seriously, Violet? Everything here is a file.” 

“Well, what do you suggest, oh wise one?” 

Sunny gave them incredulous looks. “Snicket.” 

Violet and Klaus gave her a look, and then Klaus slapped his forehead. “Duh.” 

“Come on.” Violet tossed him his bag, and Klaus threw it over his shoulder and then picked up Sunny as they raced back to the S cabinets. She ran her hands over the metal, watching the SW-SZ turn to SS-SV, then SO-SR… 

“Here!” Violet called. She raced to the SN drawer, and then again unlocked it quickly, tossed it open, and stepped back for Klaus to file through. He dropped Sunny, flipped a few files, and then beamed over at her as he found the SNI and triumphantly lifted a file, labelled: SNICKET BAUDELAIRE, ⅔.

“Fuck, yes!” Violet knelt on the ground, bouncing with excitement. Klaus knelt beside her, and Sunny peered over his arm as he flipped it open. 

He narrowed his eyes, a little confused as he started spreading papers. “What are these? I don’t see anything to do with our parents here.” 

Violet looked over, and then narrowed her eyes. Happy she still had her hair tied back, she pointed to a clipped newspaper article. “Read that for me, while I sort through these?” 

“Capture of the Remains of the Inhumane Society.” Klaus read. He skimmed, and then said, “Not much info. Some people who were in a terrorist organization went on the run and were finally caught.” 

“When?” 

“Uh… like thirty years ago.” 

“Date?” 

Klaus told her. 

Violet turned to him. “Open your commonplace book, make a note.” 

He shrugged and nodded, and as he started writing, Violet picked up an article. “Murder! Count and Countess found dead in mysterious circumstances at the Opera- well, alright, we can guess what this is.”

Sunny, not paying much attention, picked up a scrap and waved it in front of Klaus. “Whazzit?” 

“That’s some kind of poem, I think.” Klaus once again skimmed. “About making poison from bird bones.” 

“A profile on ‘Armstrong Feint.’” Violet said. “We have an underline here- base of operations in Clusterous Forest.” 

“Clusterous Forest?” Klaus echoed, and then lifted another paper. “What about this?” 

“What’s it say, dingus?” 

“It’s a transcript of an environmental society meeting about protecting some seaweed forest.” 

“What are you seeing?” 

Klaus scanned and recited interesting things that came to him. “Some are arguing that it’s a marvel of science as it’s landlocked, meaning the seaweed grows outside the ocean. But others are arguing that its existence is dangerous to the local wildlife, as birds will land on the seaweed and get stuck and die of starvation.” 

“Scout!” Sunny called. “Dead birds!” 

“Dead bird skeletons make poison.” Violet said, as Klaus started writing as many notes as he could. “This Armstrong Feint was in the Clusterous Forest, with a lotta dead birds…” she scanned the profile again. “Guess who was in charge of the Inhumane Society?” 

“So the Inhumane Society has poison? What does that have to do with us?” 

“Gimme the poem.” Violet took the paper and scanned it. “Klaus, it’s not about making poison. It’s about making poison darts.” 

Klaus’s eyes widened. “What?” 

“Whazzit?” Sunny asked, more confused than her brother. 

“Gimme the date of that arrest again, quick.” Violet said, shoving the papers back into the file and tying her ribbon around it to keep it closed. 

Klaus gave it to her, nodding; he was thinking the same thing. 

“That’d be when our parents were about sixteen.” Violet said. “And guess what.” She held up the paper she’d grabbed. “That capture was after the opera. Where our parents-” 

“You think-” 

“Lemony was trying to build a case. To frame this society.” Violet said, her eyes sparkling. She tossed the file at Klaus, who quickly flipped open his bag, shoving it inside as tight as he could. “They had poison darts. At least a couple were active during the Opera. If he can blame them-” 

“Then our parents are free.” Klaus breathed. 

They stared at each other a long time, and then Sunny asked, “Laboheme?” “What does this have to do with our parents?” 

Violet and Klaus froze. In their moment of euphoria, they’d forgotten that Sunny had not been told about their parents’ crime. Had not even guessed, as they had, what had probably happened. 

“Um…” Violet began. 

How would they explain that to her? What they’d just pieced together in their heads? How did one tell an infant that Lemony was trying to frame criminals for a murder that their parents committed? 

“Laboheme?” Sunny asked, more insistently. 

“The- the Opera…” Klaus bit his lip, glancing to Violet. “Um… it- it seems that- what happened at the Opera…” 

“Yes,” said a dark, sickeningly sweet voice behind them. “Tell her what happened at the Opera.” 

Violet’s head shot up, and then Klaus’s, his arm instinctively reaching out to grab Sunny and yank her closer to him. They stared up at Esme, who was smiling down at them in a cruel way. 

“Tell your baby sister,” she said, “What your parents have done.” 

Violet took a deep breath, then whipped a knife out of her pocket, and said, “Klaus, Sunny, run.” 

She didn’t have to ask twice. Violet jumped to her feet, throwing the knife at Esme’s chest, but unfortunately Violet giving her siblings forewarning also served to tell Esme something was going to happen, and she managed to leap out of the way. Violet quickly took off after her siblings, digging into her pocket for another knife. 

They raced down a few aisles, before ducking down behind a row of cabinets. “How did she-” Klaus began. 

“Firetruck. We left the firetruck-” 

“But that wouldn’t tell them-” 

“Unless they talked to the counter guy-” 

“Shit.” 

“Okay.” Violet took a breath. “We need to get to Duncan and Isadora and get out of- duck!” 

She pushed Klaus down, just as something flew over their heads. Violet turned to see one of Esme’s shoes, knives replacing the heels, landing against the side of a cabinet and sticking. 

“Oh, I see,” Violet nodded, as she pushed Klaus and Sunny ahead of her, turning to stick her tongue out at Esme as the woman started running after them. “More knives. Guess what, though?” she pushed Klaus and Sunny to the left, then ran to the heel, ripped it out of the cabinet, and said, “I got this now!” 

She pushed Klaus and Sunny down an aisle as Esme raced past, and then whispered, “Think she’s got the door blocked?” 

“I’d assume so.” 

“There’s gotta be a window. We can shimmy out and get Duncan and Isadora. Run to the left, side of the building should be that way.” 

Klaus nodded, and Sunny leaned against him, whimpering slightly. They started running, as Violet stayed behind her siblings, glancing back to see if Esme was behind them. 

After only a moment though, she let out a shout of surprise, as a row of filing cabinets, just beside them, came crashing down. Violet pushed Klaus aside, spotting Esme at the end of the toppled cabinets, and then said, “Alright, Klaus, officially? We’re on an A Flat.” 

He nodded, and took off running. They maneuvered through aisles, hearing more crashing behind them, and Violet waved the stiletto heel in her hands, trying to get used to the weight. “I dunno how accurately I can throw this.” 

“Vi, can we get out of here and then discuss that?” 

“Right, yeah.” 

Sunny shrieked, and Klaus quickly hauled Violet beside him as a filing cabinet fell right where she’d been standing. Violet then said, “Okay, F minor-” “Nobody talk!” -and they pushed on. 

“Come on, dears!” they heard Esme call, and Violet gripped the knife-shoe tighter. “We just want to have some fun!” 

At fun, another aisle started crashing. Klaus whimpered, the noise overstimulating him quite a bit, and Violet put her arm around him and kept pushing them forward. 

“Don’t you want to see Mummy and Daddy again?” 

Violet blinked away tears, and breathed a sigh of relief when she saw a wall up ahead. She raced them forwards and then ran them down until they found a window. Violet opened it, as Klaus threw the Sunnybag onto the ground and started strapping their sister into it. He slid it onto his back, whispered for his sister to hold on, and Violet helped him slide down onto the side of the outer wall. He slid slightly, and Violet turned, watching another row of cabinets start to topple. “She’s getting close.” 

“Then hurry out!” 

She glanced down. There wasn’t room for her to go beside him, and he wouldn’t get down far enough for her to start for quite some time. 

“New plan.” Violet said. 

“What?” 

Violet shrugged her bag off and tossed it out the window. 

“What?” 

“I’ll circle around so Esme doesn’t see where you got out.” 

“Violet-” 

“If I don’t meet you in the Quagmires’ room, run somewhere, get out. I’ll find you, I promise.” 

Before Klaus could argue more, Violet shut the window, and then called, “Klaus, go for the door! I’ll hold her off!” and took off running. 

She didn’t stick around to hear if Klaus yelled at her or if Sunny made a noise of protest, because another row of filing cabinets came tumbling down, and Violet ducked down an aisle, breathing deeply. 

“Well, well, well.” she heard Esme say, a little distantly, “Looks like our little Snicket is all alone.” 

Violet shut her eyes and gripped her jacket with one hand and the knife shoe with the other. 

“Come along, darling. Don’t you want to say goodbye to your mother?” 

Violet shook slightly as she edged her way down the aisle, trying to soften her footsteps. 

“Your Mother’s dying to see you, you know! All three of you!” 

Another row fell down, this one closer to the door. Violet breathed a sigh of relief, knowing that Esme had clearly taken her bait. She backed up a little, trying to keep her head low and her steps quiet. 

And then she felt an arm on her shoulder. 

She screamed and whipped around, swinging the knife heel. She jumped with surprise as she saw that Henchperson of Indeterminate Gender leap back, the heel cutting across their arm. They let out a gasp, and Violet took off running. Fuck, how many of them were there? Fuck, fuck, fuck… 

She kept moving, the files blurring around her, ignoring how close or far the cabinets were toppling, trying to still the beating panic in her heart and not look down at the blood on the knife heel… 

She turned a bend and saw Esme at the end of the aisle, knocking down another row. Violet stepped back, throwing back her arm in preparation to toss the shoe. Esme turned, a flicker of surprise in her eyes. 

Then Violet was grabbed from behind again, and this time the weapon was knocked from her hand. 

“Well, well, well,” Olaf whispered, as Violet screamed and tried to struggle away, “What have we here?” 

[quackspot]

ok i want to talk about my cookie run ocs so i will but below the cut because thats just how it be sdkljklsjklea (im going to TRY not blab out everything i think so then if you want you can send asks)

FROG!! 

ok so hes a liddol baby . he likes to hang out with sand ! theyre best friends and sometimes go to beaches and other places together. he’s very sweet and a little quiet. just a baby.

speaking of sand here they are!!! they dont talk much but when they do it sometimes freaks cookies out due to it being a drippy sand hole like

frog doesnt care about it too much . sometimes he tries to put sticks or something in their mouth just to see what’d happen. sand just eats the stick

rabbit’s foot is ! very lucky to say the least. hes also pretty gullible and easily fall for tricks but due to his luck they never seem to work out. very rarely does something harmful happen to him, though things like disappointing or saddening other cookies can happen. 

SPEAKING of disappointing or saddening cookies... fun dip! he’s often disappointed due to his tricks not working on rabbit’s foot but that only motivates him more. someone once said he looks like he’d be gumballs brother and honestly that’d be a chaotic pair of siblings (while im hesitant about canon relations with ocs..... who cares????). so yeah fun dip and gumball are brothers. 

rabbit’s foot is very much like a young child (though he is aware of a lot of things, he just has a personality alike to a young child. not a brain alike to a young child) and fun dip is a goofball prankster.

almond is very grumpy and they want to be a powerful wizard . honestly if they knew how to contact de or find her they would. also they are very emotional but tend to bottle it up (becuase in their tags on their ref its like “bad boy or crybaby” and i was like ‘’ok both’’). 

they dont hang around cookies often

and now for your local gamer boy. basically mlg jokes all the way around. mtn dew cookie references all that old stuff! theyre likely aware of other things too but theyre like “ah, nah, no thanks bro lolololol” and somehow they have that one robotic male voice? you know  the one in all of cowbelly’s videos that reads the memes? yeah that one. idk how to describe it

they also live off of doritos! besides their pet because it’s kind of obvious that’s a different dorito (plus g4m3r br0 has been existing for a while so it’d taste bad)

(mtn dew cookie is pangender)

garlic cooky! hes a dad and he’s married but that was on ponytown . i made him when me, kiley, and jamie decided to make a lil oc family . kiley made bread cookie his husband and jamie made butter, their daughter. garlic cookie had a very chaotic family when we all actualy messed around on there !

he also adopted some one’s herb pony on ponytown who acted very feral . we joked about dog with a blog because garlic called him the family dog . garlic cookie thinks toe toe (what he named the feral herb) is a dog unironically. like legit. also he’s a vampire ! he’s allergic to himself but isn’t dead yet somehow.

i could talk more about his family but yeah ! 

ravioli ravioli give me the formuoli (this oc was made on ponytown as well ! she acts like plankton) 

she is a gremlin. pretty small. why is there so much evil in you, little cookie? also i was playing with styles in that doodle so like  ? if you want me to draw in that style a bit more then just mention it

ngl i dont like how i doodled corn dog in that one but! corn dog is a baseball player and she’s very much ur classic jock. but nicer. she will want to play with you no matter what you want to play she loves ball games ! considering shipping her with orange cookie for some reason idk why but. if you want corn dog x orange then ig just ask for it sdkljdsljskl ;) i might doodle it too. corn dog x orange x lime? maybe but probably not since it seems like lime would get too jealous too easily

ASIDE from ships i really like how i first drew corn dog

what i struggled with with my doodle was her hair and i need to practice that a bit so i might look up things to practice with that ;-O

birthday cake ! he is chaotic party. very energetic. i completely imagine him whacking his face right into cake at a birthday party like if u gave him the 2nd anniversary cake his message would just be like. “*SPLAT* feels good on my face!” just to make it obvious he threw his face into the cake. also he has eyes he just likes to cover them up. maybe he’s blind but i based the blind fold thing off of terezifjseakljklw jklfjkldjkl jfkljwlkjioKLSJKLFJEKLRwer

gasoline cookie! i only made this character just recently on ponytown. he is very tired and lacking energy and is overall soggy in a sense. party pooper and very serious. i made this guy because i was joking like “if there were a gasoline they’d have a tension with fire spirit thats like ‘’DONT DRINK MY HAIR’’ or something” and then i made him

JAM!!!! they are my baby child and i love them a lot! i even made a blog for them but idk if its still up uhhh @cookiestuckinspace ! send asks there if you’d like i guess? the blog is very dead.  mtn dew is also there! there’s also unicorn cookie but i didn’t draw her.

they are a very sweet cookie who wishes to befriend many aliens! they’ve learned many languages and often mixes things up (as in, like, you know, accidentally saying an alien idiom in english or an english idiom in alien, forgetting words from either language then trying to describe it then BAM remembering. probably said an alien idiom in ANOTHER alien language while speaking in an english conversation). they know plenty of written languages and honestly? they try so hard to make sure every one is heard. theyre not very professional and theyre kinda bad at driving a ship 

whcih is why they let their space buddy drive the ship! yeah their dog, buddy, drives a spaceship. its funky but their dog is literally a spaceship itself.

phoenix!!! i only made him because.... on ponytown there was a mythical beast cult. he likes bugs and orange juice i think? capri suns? i dont know but i think he’s had a drink from a juice box before. theres not much about him but! yeah

RYE COOKIE! hes not really exactly a cookie. more like bread than gingerbread, if you catch what i’m throwing. jam tries really hard to be his friend but he doesnt speak any of hte languages jam knows and jam is trying really hard to figure out what he speaks so they can be friends.

thats all i guess ! please send asks about them or say “would ___ and ___ be friends?” i like to think about the relationships my ocs would have with each other ! 

heres the image i posted earlier with all my ocs with their names! if you read through this then i love you and have a good day <3

[asherranceoftheheart]

I Trust You - JSE Drabble

Summary: Marvin knew that his little brother had been overdoing it lately again. It didn't help that he was probably having nightmares because of his stress and their unique circumstances. Hopefully, Chase would trust him just enough to let him help him. Warnings: Fluff, Platonic Cuddling, Family Masterpost of my Stories AO3 edition of the Post

Tag List: @the-rampaige​ @iris-the-asparagus​ @sqxxddygremlin​ @awkward-bullshit​ @jaysflight​ @assbutt-of-the-readers  @egopocalypse Author’s Note: U want sum fluff fuckers

His little brother hasn’t been sleeping again.

Marvin, perched on the top of a bookshelf in the living room while in his cat form, watched Chase exit out of the kitchen with a cup of piping hot tea clutched tightly in his hands at three in the morning. He sat down on the couch and did nothing else but stare at the blank wall nearby with an empty gaze.

The cat studied Chase’s aged features, skin pale from the lack of sunlight, eyes red rimmed from crying and accented by the thick black bags underneath them, a seemingly permanent furrow on his forehead, the unkempt beard he had no energy to groom unless he was going to record a video for the channel, the hair that was growing longer with each passing day since he had no energy to go to the nearby barbers for a trim, and most importantly, the lack of light and emotion in his blue eyes making it look empty and dead. It all added up to aging the man decades beyond his true age which further increased the worry of the other egos as they watch Chase become more and more of a shadow of his old self.

When was the last time they had seen Chase smile and laugh so carefreely and sincerely rather than plastering a fake one on his face every day just to avoid worrying them? Marvin searched his mind for that memory and then remembered that the last time he had seen Chase laugh and smile from the bottom of his heart was when Stacy allowed the kids to visit him and she even mustered up enough strength to look him in the eyes for a few seconds without fear and hatred burning in her eyes.

That… had been a month ago?

‘You’re going to burn yourself out again, Chase…’ Marvin thought, his fluffy ears drooping down dejectedly.

He kept his bright blue cat eyes trained on Chase’s back intently. There was a few minutes of tense silence before Chase signed and placed the untouched cooling cup of tea on the table in front of him and twisted his neck just enough so that his eyes would meet Marvin’s unblinking ones.

“I can feel you nagging.” Chase scowled but there was no heat behind it. “Stop it.”

Marvin blinked and tilted his head to the side before murring and jumping down his throne, landing gracefully on the floor with barely a sound. He approached Chase and entwined his feline body around the man’s legs with small mews before jumping up on Chase’s lap and perching his forelegs against the man’s chest. He rubbed the top of his head under the bottom of Chase’s chin, purring up a storm that relaxed some of the tension from Chase’s body.

Chase gave out another sigh but this time it was tinged with fondness. He reached up to scratch the cat behind his ears just like the way he liked it. The man chuckled when Marvin practically turned into goo in his lap.

Marvin gave him a scolding yowl and then bapped his nose, Chase nearly turning cross-eyed as he stared at the paw that was still tapping his nose. The cat gave another attention catching growl and Chase gave him a wry smile.

“I know, I know…” Chase murmured, sliding the paw away from his face before pressing a kiss on the top of the feline’s marked forehead, quirking up the corners of his lips at the tiny mew his action warranted. “But someone has to hold the fort while you guys are trying to find a way to get rid of the glitch bitch and wake Jack up at the same time.”

Marvin gave him a tiny kitty kiss on the bottom of his chin before jumping off his lap and to the empty side of the couch. The cat started glowing so brightly Chase covered his eyes with his arms. When he removed them after a few seconds, he saw Marvin remove his cat mask and place it on the table beside the cup of tea and looked up to reveal his scarred face and his intense sapphire colored eyes.

“You haven’t been sleeping again.” Marvin narrowed his eyes accusingly especially when Chase avoided his gaze. “Has He been plaguing your dreams again?”

The magician clenched his hands which gave off a subtle green glow in response to his protective anger at the prospect that the glitch was tormenting Chase again. While the demon’s practically obsessive attention over Chase was a blessing since it turned his attentions away from them, allowing the other Septics to search for a solution to his existence, it horrified them seeing the results of the demon’s torment on their brother who always seemed to think that just because he didn’t have any notable powers like the others, he would be the perfect irreplaceable bait.

It didn’t help that the demon became increasingly eager in its attempts to capture him as Chase’s influence over the channel and his popularity with the community increased.

“No! No,” Chase grabbed his hands frantically. He didn’t want the magician to go on a hunting spree for Anti tonight or rather today. While Marvin was strong, he and Anti didn’t know the meaning of self-control and often ends up injuring each other gravely. Good riddance to Anti getting hurt but he didn’t like seeing his older brother in pain. “It’s just the regular stress and depression insomnia and nightmares. Sure he might play as a character in some of them but it’s not really Him.”

Nonetheless, the scowl remained in Marvin’s lips. The magician glared over the shoulder of his little brother, eyes giving off an eerie glow due to his anger before he forced himself to calm down since Chase was looking at him with concern and weariness in his face.

He suddenly pulled Chase into a big hug, burying his nose into Chase’s growing hair. He felt the younger ego clutch at him, slightly shaking as he finally allowed himself to break down. Marvin rocked the two of them as he allowed Chase to shatter in his arms.

The magician ran his fingers through Chase’s long hair, rubbing here and there to release some of the tension in the father’s head before dropping it to the back of his neck in a comforting grip. Chase laid his cheek against Marvin’s shoulder and relaxed.

The two of them spent some reasonable time in companionable silence before Marvin broke it with an idea that had been lurking in his mind.

“Chase… You still can’t sleep right?” Marvin whispered, he didn’t want to disturb the peace that they were in. Chase answered in a positive hum but said nothing else. “Would you mind if you let me hypnotize you into sleeping without any bad dreams?”

The question made the form in his arms go rigid. The concept of letting anyone into their heads was a rather sore subject for any of the Septics. It meant giving away control and the possibility of being manipulated. Anti being able to take anybody’s form and even act rather exactly like them did terrible things to their trust issues until the Septics finally had a few interventions to clear the air between them.

Their bonds with each other has grown tighter over the months since their creation especially when they all had to face the concept of Anti once or twice. Recently, the one hit the worst with these issues was Chase with how he was currently maintaining the battlefield with Anti.

That’s why Marvin didn’t push him. It was just a suggestion. In fact, he even doubted that the other would take it—

“I trust you.” Chase quietly murmured before pushing away from the hug and looking him in the eyes. Those earnest baby blues melting away some of the ice in Marvin’s heart. “I know you won’t hurt me so… Go ahead. Maybe I’ll get some nice rest this time, huh?”

Marvin placed both hands on Chase’s shoulders and gazed deep into his eyes, checking if there’s any doubt or reluctance to do this. But all he saw was the desperation to rest, the deep-seated weariness from life, and the absolute trust in him that warmed Marvin’s heart.

He knew that he wasn’t the most positive like Jackie or innocent like Jamie. His morality was a bit dubious and inches more on the gray-side of morality. To see the complete trust his younger brother held in him when even sometimes he could see the doubt in Jackie or Henrik’s eyes…

“Alright… Time to relax,” Marvin whispered, allowing his words to carry itself into Chase’s ears, his influence slithering into his mind and easing away the tension and unease in his heart.

Chase sighed, melting into his arms. His eyes drooped down and they gazed almost emptily into Marvin’s eyes. Marvin brushed Chase’s cheek and wrapped his arms around the younger ego’s waist.

“You’re safe, Chase.” Marvin murmured, allowing his magic to exert more influence over Chase’s trusting mind and untangling the ‘knots’ that was making it hard for the other to sleep. “We’re all safe. You can rest now.”

At the word rest, Chase’s eyes slipped close and he slumped against Marvin, completely dead to the world. Marvin caught his weight and then carefully maneuvered Chase into his arms in a bridal carry. He stood up and then started walking them up over to Chase’s room so that he can tuck the other in.

He walked upstairs and into the room at the end of the second floor. He hip bumped the door open and sighed in fond exasperation at the slightly messy state of his younger brother’s room.

He could see some papers with doodles and notes on possible future video scripts and the some community interaction ideas such as reddit, memes, and even green screen edits. At the desk, he saw their pictures and Chase’s kids’ hand-drawn pictures being proudly displayed on the wall while his laptop remained in sleeping mode. There was also an open can of Coca-cola near the computer which made Marvin’s lips quirk up in amusement as he remembered the constant jokes of Coke sponsoring the channel that Chase kept on beating to the ground.

Marvin carried Chase into the only bed in the room and used his magic to flip the covers back. He carefully placed the sleeping man on top of the bed and was about to straighten up when he realized that Chase’s hands were tightly clutching the front of his shirt. When he attempted to pry it away, his movements stopped when Chase let out a tiny whimper. The magician looked down at the youtuber with a wry smile.

“Well… I guess I’m sleeping in the bed with you.” Marvin sighed, but his heart fluttered at the show of trust.

He slipped into the bed with Chase and pulled up the covers over their bodies. He pressed his forehead on the crown of Chase’s head and then closed his eyes. He allowed the weariness in his body and Chase’s heartbeat to slowly lull him into a dreamless sleep.

[somewhere-in-the-dungeon]

2019, Aug 16

I love teaching people to fight :) Okay, it was like, an hourlong lesson at most, and it was on boxing which isn’t especially well suited for some things especially this person’s stature, but they had fun and I had fun and they beat up my punching bag a bit and I showed them how not to telegraph so heavily and how to use their leg and hips to punch.

Also I got to run Ars Magica, and I am loving this campaign. We spent the whole time wandering through the school (we’re basically doing AU Hogwarts, and the school is structured as a somewhat more structured geomorph but with weird magical wards and weirdness, and I had a blast. Pretty sure the players loved it too, from the room that gave half of them cat ears (+4 to Perception rolls involving sound!) to the room with no light and a bunch of buzzsaws randomly strewn around.

First-pass session writeup below the cut, because this is long but I didn’t want to leave out clues to how the place works and also because I was just really excited. I should probably boil this down somewhat, since the writeups are supposed to double as summaries for quick catching up and this one. . . is not quick.

(If you do read it and think it sounds fun, we run a session once or twice a month based on a poll I send out after each session, and it’s West Marches as well as Troupe Play, open table!)

Nemed, Alois, Barley, Luthor, Squawk, Glade of the Empty House, Blair and Caoimhe, Bole of Perdo and another Perdo scholar set forth under Eantro's order into the school, to find the lost book- the Perdo Perdo. With no further information, they set forth into the winding unmapped and perhaps unmappable corridors and passageways of Strawgoh. The first out of place room they come to contains a fountain of water spouting into a stone pool, only several inches deep but perhaps three paces across, with coins at the bottom and the words "Keep in mind your heart's desire" written around the base in Latin. Barley tosses a coin in for luck, but nothing appears to happen, so they continue out through the one door up the stairs.

From there they enter a room of stone with torches high on the walls, and the sparks from the torches quickly form out words on the ceiling, spelling out a popular rude drinking tune. Barley sings along with great gusto, and once finished the sparks simply say "Play something new?" Barley obliges with "The Party on the Back of the Wagon," a song that's just as jaunty and just as crude. From there they can take either a door to a marble bridge which goes outside the walls, clearly two stories up from the castle despite no such bridge existing from the outside, before making a U-turn back into the building. At the midpoint, they speak with a talking stone statue of an imp, swapping gossip. Alois tells it that the mayor of town was graverobbing, and it tells them that many people have been dreaming of the pastor naked or of a brilliant multicolored bird.

Beyond that they wind through a long corridor where strange tapping can be heard on the walls, and a frieze of a sprouting seed can be seen as well as numerous doodle like carvings. From here, they face two choices- one room which Alois recognizes, occupied by well crafted leather seats and which inexplicably fills the mouth of whoever enters with the taste of sweet pastries. The other room is like a small entrance hall, full of balls of yarn and clawed furniture and the sound of rats. Squawk determines that the rats are not actually speaking, but are a babble of rat noises. When the party enters to look around, about half of them wind up with cat ears. From the room with the yarn, they find two doors- one leads to a corridor with an infinitely tall pair of walls leading to open sky above, at the end of which they find a room filled to the brim with clear water which does not spill out, a stature of a mermaid embracing a sailor. The water proves deathly cold, and the party retreats back to the parlor. The other door there leads to a library with many books in dead languages. In the library, they find that one book is missing from its spot on the shelf- and also that the others when translated for a page or so are mostly lewd romances.

Beyond the library is a pitch black room which admits no light, but Barley's Lumos reveals its interior. It has many stone blocks rising from the floor to knee height, as well as a few ropes stretched across parts of it and one spot with a small pile of marbles. The party passes through, though one of the Empty House members collects some marbles for use elsewhere. Beyond this is a staircase, rising up and up at least two stories, the last stretch of which is covered in broken eggshells. Squawk determines many of the eggs to be chimeric, mixtures that flow from bird egg to snake egg to fish egg, and the magi in the party in unison groan that this is the work of the Gryphem, possibly the founder himself. This staircase ends with an odd set of double doors- they seem to have no divide, yet one door opens to a small parlor with a number of small items on its counter and shelves as well as a few coins and some empty leather purses, and the other opens to a wide stone auditorium with an onyx archway with a ragged curtain at its centre and the Perdo sigil scratched on the stone beside it.

Investigating the dividing line briefly, Glade of the Empty House rogues and Barley find putting a hand through the middle space to be disconcerting, an electric tingle that grows painful and buffets their hand in turbulence the further they reach into that divided space. After experimenting with this, they find their faces have swapped- Barley looks like the rogue, and the rogue looks like Barley. Investigating the arch, the party determines that it is a magical item with a powerful Perdo effect. Many of the party hear whispers from their departed parents, which urge some of them to come through and others to stay back. Glade produces a dove via magic, which Barley mistakes for a phoenix and Squawk convinces to fly through the archway. The dove falls, dead, and the party decides to move on despite Luthor's conviction that it holds a doorway to somewhere else beyond.

From the auditorium, they have two doors to choose from. One leads to an expansive wood walled and wood floored dance hall which is filled for a moment with phantasmal dancers. Entering the room, they feel an eerie sensation attempt to seize control of their limbs, compelling them to dance to the tune. Barley and Alois dance across together, she making up for much of his lack of polished dancing. Nemed frowns and manages a dispelling aura around himself, walking through, and Blair and Caoimhe dance together through though Caoimhe ends up taking a fall and lightly twisting her wrist. Blair dances back and forth, helping them each along. From there, there is at first a stairway with some carvings in the walls, many depicting circles of wizards and witches, one clearly depicting Luthor's great working on the town of Longwater where he walked their low outer wall. From there they find a stretch of corridor with heptagram tiled floor, which interlinks without a gap the way triangular or hexagonal tile can be laid, but the geometry of which hurts the eye and mind to look at for too long.

Beyond, they find another room of pitch darkness, carved with the Perdo sigil. Inside, they again try Lumos, but this time it does not overpower the darkness, and they cautiously enter. Glade rolls marbles forward and listens to the sound they make, while Nemed follows the wall. Both guide themselves carefully around the obstacles, which this time are whisper-silent rotating blades of jagged metal. They realize the danger only when Nemed finds one reaching out from the wall, and feels his way gingerly up to the edge. Now warned, they make their way through the darkness until they find a door, though they know not if it is the only one. Beyond is a short hallway, ending in a door with the Perdo sigil marked. Here, they find a treasure perhaps worth the journey, though it is not the book they seek- an beautifully designed and supplied lab for Perdo magics, with a black sphere an armspan across at its centre. Brief tests reveal the sphere destroys anything inserted into it, as well as leaving a black spot in the vision of anyone who stares directly at it for too long. (Alois does this, sustaining a large splotch in the centre of his vision.) Two doors are here, one opening to the dining hall which is just finishing dinner, and one carved with the words "The arts called dark really are not good for a person in the end" in Goídelc.

Eantro, being carried from the dining hall, spots them and desperately manages to warn them against going through the door so inscribed. It is left by him for a successor, someday, but will kill anyone unready to face it. He describes it as a place of Perdo, perfect in all forms, and Nemed determines that a piece of wood pushed into the blackness beyond is destroyed utterly. Much of the party returns, trusting from past experience that a laboratory door will stay fixed for some time.

Nemed, Squawk, Luthor and Bole continue on, backtracking a bit to the auditorium to take the other door from there. That door leads to a short passageway with an elaborate chandelier as well as one uncomfortable sigil of an eye with a warped sclera and pupil (C-12) carved into the stone. The passage slopes downward into a small room marked with the sigil of the spreading seed, with flickering torches set on the walls casting unnerving moving shadows on the ceiling, augmented by many cranelations and inserts. Flies buzz here, but they pass through unmolested. From there they enter a winding sandstone staircase that leads up at least two floors, opening on to a storeroom of sorts. It has many burlap bags and a number of flies buzzing above, and a thick coating of white goop. Squawk identifies this as bat guano just before Nemed taste-tests it with his poison detection spell. They climb further up the staircase, arriving at a belltower with a huge bell missing its tongue. They look about them, and suspect the tolling of the bell heard around the school originates from here, though no belltower has ever been spotted from the ground and no bellringer is employed. On the way down, they see a sigil of a bat etched into the steps, and as they cross the passageway they find the eye has disapeared, replaced by an odd inked drawing or painting. (C-7) They too retreat out of the maze of Strawgoh, back to stable, unwarped territory.

[a-simple-lee]

Artistic Inspiration - An SPN fic

Prompt (anonymous): Can u do a soulmate au destiel, were they both won’t stop bothering each other with tickles?! I know that theres not really a plot, but I love the soulmate au and I thought that you wrote for it before, sorry if you didn’t ( I have a horrible memory) thank u 😘

Author’s Note: Ok so although I do not in fact write for the Soulmate AU, I was so happy to receive this request bc it’s absolutely one of my favourite AU’s ever, and I’d been hoping to write it for a while! I wasn’t sure exactly which Soulmate AU was referred to in this prompt, since there are a bunch of different ones, but I went with the classic one where soulmates are linked through their skin, and whatever is drawn on their skin also appears on their soulmate’s skin, if that makes sense. I think there was a tickle fic I read a while back set in the same AU, I’ll go and find it and link it as soon as I can! 

Wordcount: 3,122

Description: Destiel. Cas probably shouldn’t have told his soulmate he was ticklish. Silly drawing antics ensue.

           It had first started when Dean was in secondary school. His teacher was attempting to somehow excite interest in a bunch of teens who couldn’t possibly care less about trying to find the solutions of simultaneous equations, and Dean was barely awake. Somehow the pen that was supposed to be taking notes had drifted to the inside of his wrist, where it was tracing the beginnings of a small doodle. Dean glanced down at the ink flooding onto his skin and squinted in concentration, joining the last two points. There. A tiny star. Some miniscule whisper in the back of his mind scolded him for drawing on his skin; from a young age it was strongly discouraged that children draw on their arms, lest their soulmate reply - that sort of bond wasn’t meant to be formed until later in life.

           But Dean had had enough. After all, it didn’t exactly feel like he was ruining fate’s plans; there was no sense of foreboding, no guilt burning in his blood. None of this seemed wrong. It just felt like the nib of a pen pressing on his skin.

           …Wait a minute.

He wasn’t drawing.

His breathing stilted for a moment, air seeming to catch in the space between his throat and chest. Eyes turned to the ceiling, he tried to find where the oxygen in the air had gone. There wasn’t any. Against his will, his gaze drifted to where he’d drawn the star.

A single planet orbited it. The ink was blue, written in fountain pen.

Hand fumbling over the maze of his desk, Dean grabbed his biro. His mouth found the end and chewed as his mind raced. What do you say to the person you’re supposed to spend eternity with?

Bored.

He could’ve rolled his eyes at the stupidity of it. But it was all he could think to write.

A wave of cobalt swept over his wrist, forming a letter. Rapt, Dean watched in unbridled curiosity as the reply took shape.

Same.

Dean grinned. Glancing at the teacher to check they were still occupied, his pen returned to his skin.

I’m Dean. You?

Castiel. But Cas is easier.

At the front of the classroom, the teacher’s whiteboard pen stopped squeaking as they turned to the students.

“And…that’s the solution. Everybody got that?”

           Six years later, and Cas was propping his head up over a med textbook. He couldn’t fathom why he’d wanted to choose one of the most tedious majors in existence, yet for some reason he felt himself driven to study. At one am. On a monday night. Technically tuesday morning, Cas reasoned to himself with a note of hysteria. The college library wasn’t completely empty; a few solitary students were hunched over their notes as if they held universal secrets, clearly cramming for tests. Cas winced out of sympathy - his phone buzzed, and his hand reached out to dismiss it in a frustrated swipe. He tugged on his sweater sleeves and rubbed his eyes, too exhausted to try to memorize any more diagrams of the human Endocrine system. Picking up his pen with a huff, he attempted to make some more notes.

           Yet when he found his hand drifted to his skin instead, Castiel didn’t mind. His eyes widened when he saw he’d already been left a message.

You awake?

He quickly scribbled out a response.

Sorry. I didn’t notice the writing. I am awake. Why are you?

I dunno. Couldn’t sleep, or something.

Dean, you make no sense.

Right back at ya. Why are YOU awake?

           A small huff of a laugh juddered out of Cas as he shook his head. A girl at the desk working over her calculator gave him an odd look.

Revision.

Need some help?

No. Too tired.

Why don’t we play a game, then? Keep you awake.

Dean, I don’t-

           His message was cut short when Dean scribbled over the ‘don’t’ he was writing.

Just say yes, I’m trying to help here.

Fine.

Ok. I’m gonna draw on you and you gotta write the scientific name of the body part on your wrist.

Dean, that sounds like it could-

No. I’m just trying to keep you awake, is all. Chill.

Ok.

           Cas planted his head firmly on the desk in a gesture of exasperation. There was a slight pause as he waited for something to happen. He flinched when the familiar pressure of Dean’s biro scraped over the inside of his upper arm, tracing a tiny line. Eyes scrunching as the pen suddenly changed course in an erratic jerk, his hand quickly scribbled the name out onto his wrist.

Bicep Brachii.

The writing halted for a moment as Dean seemed to consider Castiel’s answer. A few more seconds passed before his scrawled capitals appeared next to Cas’ cursive.

Sounds right. I just wanna finish the drawing, then I’ll do the next one.

Whatever you say, Da Vinci.

Shut up.

           The seconds between transitioning from Cas’ wrist to his inner arm seemed to carry an air of indignation. The med student felt his arm twitch against his will as the ink made touchdown on his skin again, continuing to make seemingly random lines. He tried to trace their paths in his mind, attempting a sort of mental join-the-dots; but it was becoming increasingly hard to concentrate on forming an image when the doodle seemed to be encroaching further and further up his arm. A slight quirk of his lips tried to pull itself into a reflexive smile as the trailing lines suddenly became quick pokes; Cas felt random ink dots being prodded and squiggled into his arm. He reached for his pen.

Ok, that’s enough. Can we move on?

Why?

It tickles.

You didn’t tell me you were ticklish.

           Castiel regretted the decision immediately - the feeling of a pen trailing up towards his armpit had him clamping his arms to his torso, trying to keep his composure in the middle of a library.

Stop!! I’m in the library!

           Much to his relief, the pen nib ceased its torture.

Alright, you dork.

Shut up.

Only if you go home and get some sleep.

           He rolled his eyes, reluctantly sliding his textbook into his satchel.

Fine. Good night.

Good night.

           A concerning groan sounded from the car as Dean made what felt like the thousandth tightening with his spanner. The impala juddered worryingly, and Dean groaned, wheeling his way out from underneath the car for a lunch break.

Hello, Dean.

           Cas’ writing was a welcome distraction from the frustration of car fixing, Dean decided. He grabbed his pen and began scrawling a response on his way to the kitchen.

Hey, Cas.

Sam was sat at the table, two sandwiches in front of him.

“How’s the break from college goin’, Sam?”

His brother groaned, sliding a sandwich to Dean, who took it and sat down, leaving it untouched for a minute.

“Uneventful. Jess and I have been writing to one another,” he paused, gesturing to his ink-covered arm. “but everybody else is just kind of taking a breather for the weekend.”

“Huh. Well, Baby’s not holding up too well. I’m gonna have to grab a couple new parts for her sometime-”

I didn’t appreciate your torture yesterday.

           Dean spluttered, shaking his head with a grin.

“Cas, you son of a b*tch.”

           Sam had since learned better than to question his brother’s conversations with his soulmate, and went back to eating his lunch.

It wasn’t torture, Cas.

You try being quiet in the library when someone is tickling you.

Nice try, but I ain’t ticklish.

Really?

Nope. Not at-  

A brief scribble under his arm caused him to recoil, words dying on his skin as his pen trailed into a jerky sort of flatline.

“Dude, you ok?” Sam was giving him a questioning look.

“U-uh yeah, Cas is just being a b*tch, is all” He remarked, before slamming his hands down on the table when something scrawled over his side.

“You sure?”

Cas, you’re so weird. Stop. His handwriting was stilted and shaky despite his efforts to remain unaffected by the pen scratching under his ribs.

“Dean, you are such a liar.” The older WInchester had failed to notice six foot four of brother behind him, reading the conversation on his arm. Before Dean could protest, Sam grabbed his arm and wrote a message to his soulmate.

Don’t listen to him. He’s lying about being ticklish.

Thank you, Sam (?)

           Dean snatched his hand back, rubbing at the ink in a vain attempt to erase it. A slight giggle escaped from his lips as Cas moved his focus to his tummy.

Dammit, Cas! Stop!

I need to finish my drawing.

           He sighed in annoyance, eyes pivoting to the ceiling in a plea to the Heavens before glancing back down and lifting his shirt slightly. A small galaxy was dotting its way over his torso, stars and planets floating in the gaps between his freckles. His head lowered to the table in resignation. It was going to be a while before Cas was finished.

           “Dude, where is your beer?” Gabriel’s head emerged from the kitchen doorway, and Cas looked up from his position in front of the TV to give a vague gesture.

“Second shelf, fridge door.” The loading screen of the WiiU didn’t seem to be moving much. It was one of the occasional times where Cas found himself visited by a brother, normally to play outdated video games and chat about college over beer. To call the experience enjoyable was far from the truth; people meant visits, and visits meant cleaning, which meant trying to convince others through the state of your living space that you were, in fact, mentally stable. Not to say that Cas didn’t appreciate Gabriel’s presence, per se; in fact he found the snarky blonde one of his more bearable relatives.

           Cas’s train of thought was interrupted when the familiar scratching of Dean’s handwriting appeared on the back of his hand.

Hey.

Hello, Dean.

“Talking with lover boy again, are we?” The couch cushions sank as Gabriel plonked himself next to Cas, placing a couple bottles of beer on the table. Cas grunted in acknowledgement, too busy reading Dean’s forming words to reply.

You know, Cas, I forgot to get you back for embarrassing me yesterday.

You wouldn’t. My brother’s here.

Great! He’ll probably help me figure out your ticklish spots.

Please don’t.

           The pillow resting under Dean’s chin shifted as he turned behind him to face Charlie, rucked up plaid shirt obscuring his vision as she stood beside his bare back.

“You know it’ll take a while to wash off, right? It’s some expensive ink.”

“Worth it,” He grinned. Charlie shrugged, grabbing her ink pot and a small paintbrush.

“He’s going to hate you for this,” The redhead’s smile was full of mischief as she sat down over the lower part of her friend’s back.

“Oh, I know. I know.” Dean grabbed the pen lying next to his hand to write a quick reply to Cas.

Sorry, no can do. Charlie needs to practise her body painting.

DEAN-

           Cas’ heart rate shot up, and he turned to Gabriel, eyes wide.

“U-uh, Gabriel, I know you just got here-”

“Something the matter, Cassie?”

“N-not really - yes - it’s complicated.”

“What’s he been saying to you?” Eyebrows furrowed, Gabriel seized his wrist, a wicked grin swiftly overtaking his features. Cas ducked his head, heat rushing to his face.

“Oh, I see~” Gabriel purred, eyes alight with mischief.

“No, Gabriel, it’s not what it looks like-” Suddenly he clamped both hands over his mouth, frame jolting in a reflexive twitch.

“Then, pray tell, ticklish baby bro, what is it?” But the person in question was curled up on the couch, streams of giggles flowing from his mouth as his body flailed in an attempt to stop an invisible tickler.

“Shehe’s pahahainting on my bahack! Mahahahake him stop!”

“Now why would I do that? His friend needs to practice!”

           A snort punctuated Cas’ hysterics, and Gabriel paused to laugh at his spectacle of a brother before whipping out a pen and leaving a message for Dean.

“Dammit-” Dean suppressed a grin as Charlie’s paintbrush swirled over the dip in his spine.

“Aww, whassa matter, Dean-o? Ticklish?”

“Shuhut up, this is worth it.”

“If you say so.” He could feel the smugness radiating from Charlie but didn’t have the resolve to snark at her without dissolving into giggles. With a note of hysteria, he wondered how Cas was holding up. Pressure on his right arm made him glance down.

Wow, Dean-o, going in for the kill already?

Dean frowned at the comic sans-esque writing.

Gabriel? How do you mean?

Dude, his back is a major tickle spot. He can’t stand it.

A smirk overtook his features.

Lucky guess, I suppose.

           Cas shrieked as the brushstrokes reached his shoulder blades, back contorting in the hopes of stopping the feeling of the ink being swished and dotted in playful swirls over his skin.

“Yikes, Cassie, you sound a little tense.”

“Gahahabe, no!”

“Lemme help you relax a bit.” With that, the elder sat over Cas’ hips, tippling his fingers over his brother’s sides as an experiment.

“Ahahaha, plehehehease!” Cas shook his head, dark hair beyond messy as he tried to escape the torment.

“Please what? Carry on? Sure.”

Cas had heard about Charlie before, and she’d sounded nice enough. Yet for some reason he couldn’t bring himself to think of her favourably any more, not with the downright sadistic painting technique. Each and every stroke took a detour, dragging out the tickling to its fullest before the brush lifted for only a few seconds before touching down on another area of his back to wreak havoc with a new style of brushwork, switching from broad sweeps to brief flicks and dabs. It was maddening.

“Nahahahaha!” His hysterics quickly became interspersed with more snorts, and Gabriel paused his torture to laugh at Cas.

“Are you kidding? Snorts? This is too adorable.”

“Shuhuhuhut uhuhup, Gahahabriel!”

“Telling me to shut up? In your position, Cassie? You’re gonna pay for that.”

           Gabriel swiftly returned to pinching up and down his brother’s sides, taking delight in the childish giggles that resulted.

“You okay there?” Charlie’s voice was tainted with mirth; she was enjoying herself way too much, Dean thought. He suppressed a flinch, and nodded, jaw tense.

“I-i’m good. How muhuch longer?”

“Almost done.” She replied, a wolfish grin taking shape as she flicked over a dimple at the bottom of Dean’s spine.

“I swear, you’re going down after this, Bradbury.”

“I’d watch your step, Winchester. You’re in no place to be making threats. And it’s Queen Bradbury to you.”

           Dean groaned into the couch cushion. The next few minutes would feel like forever.

“Aahahaha, Gabrihihiel, plehehehehease stahahahahap!”

“Bingo-bango! He speaks! For a moment there I thought you’d turned into a giggle machine, Cassanova!” Gabriel watched with amusement as Cas’ cheeks flushed a darker shade of red at the teasing.

“Ihihih’m nohohot a chihihihild! Plehehehease!”

“Hmmm,” He paused, feigning deliberation as he raised a hand to his chin. “Methinks it’s time for an attitude adjustment, no?”

“GABRIEL NO!” Cas marvelled at the fact the plea managed to make its way out in between laughs.

“More like, Gabriel, yes! Now where was that big bright red tickle button of yours? Yknow, the ones that have ‘do not push’ written on them in capitals?”

“PLEASE DON’T!” The younger Novak kicked his legs against the couch in desperation, dreading the oncoming assault.

“Ah, that’s right!” Gabriel halted, quickly snaking his hands up under Cas’ arms. “There they are!” His fingers wriggled in tandem, a smirk lighting up his features as his brother’s arms immediately clamped to their adjoining torso.

“NAHAHAHAHA!” Cas shut his eyes, the conflicting feelings too much to bear as his nervous system was overloaded with the signals from his heightened nerves. Unmitigated laughter bounced against the walls as he struggled to get free, words escaping his grasp as the tickling became too much. Within seconds, his laughter fell silent, and Cas was reduced to nothing more than a helpless, giggling puddle.

           His sibling quickly withdrew his hands, watching as Cas slowly regained some coherency. Eventually, the hysterics subsided into a more controlled flow of giggles, and Castiel curled up into a fetal position, riding out the remainder of the tickle attack by himself.

           At long last, Charlie’s work appeared to have come to a halt. Cas lay breathing heavily for a few seconds to regain precious oxygen before cautiously reaching for his pen, ignoring Gabriel’s snide remark about his ‘ridiculous ticklishness’.

I hate you.

No you don’t, Cas.

           Dean smiled at the ire seeping from Cas’ message before sitting up and turning to Charlie, careful not to let any wet ink on his skin touch the back of the couch.

“You think he’ll like it?” He huffed. Charlie nodded from beside him.

“It might get you out of any potential repercussions. Maybe.”

“I’ll take maybe over going through that again,” Dean grinned, elbowing Charlie when she reached up to ruffle his hair. His pen drifted to his wrist to elaborate.

No you don’t, Cas. Look in the mirror.

           The door to his bathroom swung open, and Cas stepped onto the tiled floor hesitantly, smooth stone feeling cold against his bare feet. Gabriel followed, and the pair stood in front of the mirror above the sink.

“Well, are you gonna see what it is?” He pushed, nudging Castiel in the shoulder. The latter rolled his eyes, and pulled off his ACDC shirt with a huff that was promptly cut off when the ink was revealed. Cas turned in front of the mirror, trying to get a better view of his own back.

“Wow, little bro. That’s a nice tattoo you got there.”

“I suppose Charlie’s practice may have payed off,” Cas admitted begrudgingly, staring awestruck at the masterpiece that had been traced onto his skin. A pair of black-tinged wings rested unfurled on his back, feathers branching out over his back and crossing onto the backs of his arms in places. He stretched, watching as the drawing shifted with his movements - the wings seemed have their own mind, branching out in synchronisation with his body. Cas fumbled for his pen.

…Thank you. I…suppose this warrants a truce?

           “Dean Winchester, you are a class A Dork.” Charlie muttered, unable to fight back a grin as she watched their conversation on his skin. They were stood in front of the mirror in the corner, admiring her artistry and waiting for the ink to dry.

“Shut up, nerd.” He teased, wings opening as he reached for his pen.

Sure, Cas. Truce.

[mcutrio]

Movie Date [10]

Movie Date [10]

Tags: @buckys-little-monster @imaginesofeverykind

That next day, Kat and Thor found themselves awkwardly attracted to one another. The situation that had taken part the day before left them feeling somewhat strange whilst talking to one another, especially given that their relationship was nothing more than mere strangers, or rather… coworkers. They got along well, their powers complemented one another, and though they may agree that one another was attractive, it wasn’t particularly a relationship that either of them had considered pursuing. Tabitha and Courtenay, in a whirlwind of both new found and old love, perhaps got a little too swept up and found themselves dragging Kat along in the drift.

However, she was willing to go along with it. For as long as she would last within the team, as much as she already seemed to be dwindling, she decided that she might as well have some fun with it.

She met Thor in the kitchen and dropped a Chinese menu pamphlet in front of him, spinning it so that he could read it.

“Now this right here is pure heaven in your mouth,” Kat announced, tapping the leaflet with her hand. “And as sad as it is, you have a much larger meal selection considering you eat dead animals. But… if we’re going to show you what food to eat, then this is where to start.”

“Right,” Thor said, looking at the pamphlet and flicking through it for a moment, “what, so you just summon them with this special code and they arrive at your residence with the food?”

“Something like that,” Kat nodded, grinning at his naivety towards earth and mobile phones. However, he wasn’t particularly that far off, which humoured her the most. “And once we’ve tried enough food to feed a small village, I’m sure I can throw in a couple lessons on cell phones and the like.”

“Cellphones?” Thor questioned. Kat lifted her mobile. “Ah, the devices you and your friends can’t seem to look away from. What’s so interesting about them?”

“Uh… it’s like an all-knowing book that also allows you to contact friends?” Kat shrugged, unsure as to how she should explain it to him.

Thor almost laughed. “I find that hard to believe.”

“You come from a world that we had no idea even existed, Thor. Why is it that a mobile phone has you stumped?” Kat shook her head, scrolling through her contacts. “We’ll catch up on this. For now, decide what you want to order later tonight.”

“A feast,” Thor mused, skimming over the words as Kat pulled up FaceTime and called Tony, who was nestled away somewhere in one of his science-tech rooms.

“What do you want, Buffy?” Tony questioned, flipping up his eye-guards.

“I have a proposal to make,” Kat began, reaching for the notepad that she had doodled on out of boredom only to spit out a couple of neat innovations.

Tony rolled his eyes. “Kat, we’ve already been through this. Bruce and I are together, and there’s nothing you can do to change that.”

“Whatever, laser-brain,” Kat rolled her eyes, lifting the notepad to show Tony her sketches and well-thought out tech. “I think we both know that Court’s glasses are in dire need of an upgrade. Her focus has been getting worse; she’s been complaining about hearing electronic white-noise, too. Stops her from sleeping at night.”

“Oh, for sure,” Tony nodded, “bring your doodles down to the lab and Bruce and I will give it the once over, though I’m sure I can concoct something to help her out.”

“Awesome,” Kat nodded, “speak later.”

“Ciao.”

Just as she pocketed her cell phone and notepad, Steve appeared from beyond the doorway with a somewhat calm, somewhat on-edge smile.

“If you’re here to lecture about me skipping out on training sessions, I--”

“No, that’s not why I’m here,” Steve smiled. “I’ve been thinking a lot recently, and you’re right. The training is fairly pointless for an individual like yourself, which is why I’ve found a sparring partner that might actually be able to keep up with you.”

“The only person who can even measure up to me is Thor-- oh, right, fantastic,” Kat nodded, sucking on her teeth and placing her hands on her hips. “You know, Steve, I never pinned you as the cupid type. Why’s everybody so obsessed with the idea of him and I, anyway?”

“You both deserve a win,” Steve teased, before becoming serious again. “But seriously, I think this could be good for you. You’re good with combat, though you could get even better. Think about it; what happens if Hulk decides to make an appearance, and this time not for the better? We can’t always rely on Thor, considering he has a Kingdom in outer space to run.”

“Alright, Steve, I get it,” Kat silenced him, though nodded with a smile. “You had me persuaded at Thor,” she joked, shooting finger-guns at him. “See you tomorrow morning.”

“I’m counting on it,” he shot back.

Meanwhile, Tabitha seemed persistent in teaching Bucky how her PlayStation worked, and though the assassin may be skilled and knowledgeable of many platforms of technology, he was completely dumbfounded when it came to gaming.

“I just don’t understand how I-- just how do I make it go,” he complained, turning the controller over in his hands incessantly. “And why is this man just walking-- oh, there he goes, off the cliff. Who the Hell is this guy?”

“His name is Sam Drake; and it’s not his fault, you controlled him to walk off!” Tabitha laughed, snatching the controller away from him before he caused the team to lose.

Courtenay’s character, Chloe, came bounding round the corner and a chortle of laughter could be heard from her room as she witnessed Bucky’s failure before Tabitha took control again.

“Let me show you how it’s done,” she said, cracking her neck. Bucky was completed phased out, unable to comprehend the game as Tabitha and Courtenay managed to pick up the win between themselves, even after the rest of the team had left the game considering how confused the Sam on their team appeared to be. “See? It’s not that hard.”

“I don’t understand how you ever had time to practice this stuff,” he grumbled.

“What do you mean?” Tabitha frowned, “we had plenty of free time, you know. When we weren’t on missions… this is what we were doing.”

“Living the life, huh?” Bucky grinned. “But, yeah, video games aren’t for me.”

“I’ll make a gamer out of you, just you wait,” Tabitha insisted.

“Alright. Let’s make a deal,” Bucky offered, to which Tabitha held her hands out, gesturing to appeal to her. “If I play through this whole Uncharted thing, I get something in return.”

“Oh, yeah, like what?” Tabitha mocked.

“I don’t know,” he shrugged, though a grin remained stretched on his lips. “I’m sure we can figure something out.”

Tabitha caught onto his tone and socked his shoulder. “Don’t be so dirty.”

“I actually didn’t say anything. These are your words, not mine,” he grinned, turning to face her.

“Oh, is that right? It didn’t cross your mind for just one second?” Tabitha irked.

Bucky made a noise, telling her that he had, in fact, had his mind stuffed somewhere in the gutter.

“I knew it!” she laughed, leaning back onto her elbows.

“To be fair, you were thinking it too,” Bucky negotiated, collapsing onto his back before turning to look up at her as she propped herself up beside him. “Right?”

“Shut up,” she laughed, hand upon his face, feeling the stubble beneath her palm and fingertips.

“So you were?” He teased, “look, I’m just trying to have my point proven here--”

Tabitha cut off him off with a firm kiss, one that had been well-earned after their days of tension after their first one. She retreated with a smile, smoothing her thumb over his cheekbone as the two lay, breathing quietly, staring at nothing but each other.

At that moment, Tabitha's phone buzzed with a notification. She pulled it out from her back pocket and inspected the screen, seeing a text message from Kat that she’d shot into the group chat of herself, Tabitha and Courtenay.

1 New Message From: Original Three

Kat: don’t want to alarm you guys or anything but thor and i are totally eating chinese food in his room rn !!

Tabitha: no way, really??

Courtenay: see this is why im the greatest friend, i swear. This is all because of me and you better name your first child after me

Tabitha: dibs being the godmother

Courtenay: that’s fine, i wear the pants anyway. Ill make a fuckin fantastic godfather

Kat: he’s currently gorging on prawn crackers so im sneaking a text any chance i get because HOLY SHIT IM SO NERVOUS

Tabitha: chill its just thor!

Kat: that’s the whole point! It's! Just! Thor!!!!!!!

Courtenay: just be yourself and all that jazz, i mean he thinks ur hot when ur fighting and you look pretty sweaty and gross then so. Can’t really mess up now can u

Kat: thanks, very comforting

Tabitha: seriously, though. Just be yourself. Maybe a little nicer because you’re a grumpy little shit but yeah, be yourself.

Courtenay: make a move before he does

Kat: HE JUST SAID HE’S NEVER EATEN IN THE BEDROOM AND I ALMOST LAUGHED BC THAT SOUNDS SEXUAL

Tabitha: that was your chance to make a move, kat. Please tell me you used it to your advantage

Kat tossed her phone aside to avoid detection as Thor, face-full, grinned over at her, seemingly in an even happier mood than he was before.

“I’m really glad that this is happening. You know, you really need to consider your life choices,” Kat laughed, “perhaps when you return to Asgard you should make Chinese food a thing?”

“No, no, I definitely agree,” Thor grinned through a forkful of chow mein noodles. “My friends would enjoy this thoroughly!”

Kat eyed him suspiciously, looking at the metal trays that he had managed to finish. “Is that your fourth tub?”

“Of much more to come,” he winked, taking another bite.

“Where does it all go?” Kat laughed sincerely, her face pink with her fullness and contentment.

Thor flexed his arms. “I cannot let my mortal form grow weak, for there is a lot to sustain.”

She laughed again, leaning her head on her hand. “If anybody from earth said that, I'd think they were insane.”

“Do you not think of me in that way?” Thor asked.

Kat, pressing her lips together to suppress her smile, shook her head. “No.”

“Then what do you think of me?” he asked, his voice noticeably softer this time.

Feeling a surge of confidence, she traced her hand over the pattern on his black shirt. “I think that you are…”

“Yes?” Thor encouraged, eyes sparkling as she lifted her head, dangerously close now.

“I-- I think that--”

Her voice stuttered with the proximity of the two before they suddenly jerked apart in surprise, the door slamming open with an excitable Courtenay bursting in.

“Hey, guys! Oh, am I interrupting something?”

Kat stared at Courtenay with a look of confusion, a surge of desperate annoyance on her face alongside it.

“Oh no… I am. I heard that there was Chinese food, you know, and I just couldn’t resist…” Courtenay edged forwards, taking a small bag of Chinese fries and backing out of the room again. “Again, so sorry…“

Finally, Courtenay left and shut the door behind her. Kat rubbed her forehead, feeling a mix of shame and agitation, though holding it all in and scooping up her laptop that she’d brought in earlier to play music whilst herself and Thor ate their food.

“How about a movie?” She offered.

Thor's expression deadpanned, telling Kat that he was unsure of what they were, too.

“Moving pictures? A bunch of actors and actresses portraying a scenario?” she offered, trying to see if that would lure any understanding out of him.

“Oh, like theatre?”

“Yeah, sort of,” she agreed, realising with relief that she was somewhat getting through to him.

Kat pulled her laptop between them, booting up a movie she thought that the two of them would be interested in. Their lives were exciting enough that plenty of action-movie plots were dull, so she settled with Jurassic Park as she was sure that Thor had never seen dinosaurs before. However, after the battle in new york, and even Sokovia, she wouldn't be surprised as to what hid away up in the galaxy.

Thor wasn’t particularly subtle now that two two had had some time together, and he threw his arm around her shoulder and held her close as they watched the movie intently. Although he was partially confused, he found himself enjoying the moving pictures so much so that he didn’t immediately realise that Kat, exhausted from her full belly, had fallen asleep on his side.

He almost didn’t know what to do, in fear that he would move too abruptly and wake her from her slumber. He shut the laptop and placed it on the floor, lying still on his back. He was hardly tired, though he daresn't move. Instead, he looked down at the practically unconscious figure next to him, wondering where their relationship now stood. It was apparent that the two of them were near kissing until Courtenay interrupted, and he was certainly leaning towards it. He felt a great deal for her; he respected her in battle and in normality, though the two were one in the same for her. It was… odd.

With a smile, he clicked the lamp off by his side and closed his eyes, holding her tighter against him as he, too, fell asleep.