#like right before we move onto the next arc. lol.

[orcelito]

Oh I just remembered where I left off for discacc. Oh Huh

[dixons-sunshine]

I'm not even gonna put this as anon like I usually do with requests because I just can't be bothered to- Could you do Daryl making a stressed out reader slow down because she's running herself ragged and needs some downtime? Fluffy all the way.

Reader really is me right now lol

Spa Day | Daryl Dixon x Fem!Reader

*GIF isn't mine.*

Summary: With the walls needing to be rebuilt, runs needing to be made and crops needing to be planted, it was safe to say that you were at your wit's end. However, things needed to get done, causing you to get overstressed. Luckily Daryl was there to help you slow down and relax.

Genre: Fluff.

Era: Alexandria, pre Saviour arc.

Warnings: Mentions of exhaustion.

Word count: 1.6k.

A/n: My migraine finally subsided enough for me to focus on finishing this. This was a really cute idea and I hope I did it justice. I hope you like this! (Forgot to tag you in this 😅 I was so tired when I posted this. @celtic-crossbow)

➳༻❀✿❀༺➳

The scorching afternoon sun was relentlessly beating down on the people of Alexandria. The inhabitants of the safe zone were restlessly working to fortify the fallen walls to ensure that the community remained impenetrable from the the dead wanting to find their next meals.

However, none of them were working themselves to the bone quite like you were. And Daryl was starting to get fed up with your antics.

Daryl grumbled to himself in frustration as he leaned on the car he was busy fixing up, watching as you walked past him in a hurry for the hundredth time that day, occupied with yet another task that somebody else probably could've handled on their own. However, with you being you, he knew that you offered to take someone's job for them so that they could relax and get out of the blazing summer sun, all at your own expense. Everyone else was enjoying their day while you ran around like a headless chicken.

Your caring, helpful and selfless nature was something that the archer loved about you. Despite the horrors in the world, of everything you've seen and experienced, you managed to clutch on to your humanity and keep it locked safely in your being, like a vault. However, on that particular day, he wished so badly that you'd just be selfish and take the day to slow down and unwind, maybe get some much deserved sleep. You were awake even earlier than he was lately, and went to bed way later than almost everyone, so he knew there was no way you were going to last if you kept this up. It seemed to him like it would be his duty to pull you away and force you into your home to relax.

He's officially had enough of your stubbornness. You were going to relax, whether he had to drag you home or not.

He hurried after you, calling your name. You stopped when you heard his voice, turning around to look at your partner. You sent him a smile and called back to him. “Can't talk right now! I have to go help Denise restock the infirmary!”

You turned around and started to stalk off towards the infirmary, but you were stopped in your tracks when Daryl grabbed your wrist and spun you around. You looked up at him in surprise, observing the determined look the archer had in his eyes.

“Daryl, what—”

“Nah, ya ain't goin' nowhere,” he told you matter-of-factly, moving his hand from your arm to hold your hand in his. He looked to the side and saw Aaron walking somewhere with Eric. “Hey, Aaron, Eric! Would ya mind helpin' Denise with restockin' the infirmary? She can't do it alone.”

Aaron smiled and nodded. “Sure! We were just heading that way anyways.”

Before you could start to protest, Daryl started pulling you with him, leading you towards the house. That didn't stop you from trying to resist, however. The need to help everyone, even if they didn't need it, ran deep in you, and you hated that your responsibility was now pushed onto someone else.

“Daryl, what are you doing?” you questioned, sending your partner an incredulous look. “I should be helping Denise. Aaron and Eric were relaxing today. They shouldn't have to tire themselves out.”

“And neither should ya,” Daryl stated, pushing inside your small home and closing the door behind you. “Dun' think I haven't noticed ya overworkin' yerself. Takin' on extra guard duty, workin' day and nigh' to fortify the walls and helpin' Maggie with the crops when she has 'nough people helpin' her already. Yer outta here earlier and earlier each day and gettin' home later each nigh'. Ya deserve to relax, too. And I dun' wanna hear any complaints.”

You couldn't help the smile that spread over your face. Your heart swelled with love for the man before you. Never before in your life had you been with a man quite as amazing as Daryl. None of your previous partners would even have realized that you were working yourself down to the bone. You were extremely lucky to have the archer in your life.

“Okay, Mr Dixon,” you started playfully, sending him a teasing smile. “What do you want me to do first on this relaxation journey you seem to have planned for me?”

Daryl breathed a sigh of relief. “Go take a shower and get changed into somethin' more comfortable. I'll get started on makin' us somethin' to eat.”

Following his instructions, you headed up the stairs. A few minutes later, Daryl could hear the shower turn on and he inwardly celebrated his victory. You were actually listening to him. You were actually going to relax for the first time in weeks. If he had known that him voicing his concern would get you to start slowing down, he would've done it a while ago.

Working like a man on a mission, he quickly grabbed some pillows and blankets from one of the cupboards and made a comfortable place for you to relax on the couch before moving to the kitchen. Grabbing a few things he needed from the cupboards, he made good on his promise and started preparing a simple snack for the both of you—some omelettes.

In no time at all, you were done in the shower. You got dressed in a pair of freshly washed flannel pants and one of Daryl's shirts and made your way down to the kitchen. However, the sight that met you had you stilling in your tracks—Daryl was busy dishing up the omelettes, a glass of wine for each of you next to the plates.

“Well, this is a sight I could get used to,” you voiced, making the archer turn to face you, pan still in his hand.

He shot you a small smile before handing you a glass of wine, ushering you out of the kitchen. “Go on and get settled on the couch. I'll be right there.”

Accepting the glass of wine, you nodded and headed to the living room, pleasantly surprised to see the blankets and pillows set up on the couch. You did as you were instructed and sat down on the couch, covering your legs and lap with one of the blankets. You were slowly sipping on your wine, waiting for Daryl to join you.

As if being summoned by your mere thoughts, Daryl appeared in the living room, balancing two plates in his hands. He placed one of the plates in your lap before placing his own on the coffee table, moving to grab something from his bag that was resting near the fire place. When he turned around, you audibly gasped in surprise at the object in his hand, placing your glass of wine and plate on the table.

“Where'd you get nail polish?” you questioned excitedly, sitting up straighter to allow Daryl to sit next to you.

“Rosita found some on a run a few days ago,” he explained, sitting down on the couch and gently taking one of your hands. “She didn't like this colour and asked me to give it to ya. I forgot 'bout it until now. Figured I'd paint yer nails and turn this day into a spa day of sorts.”

You smiled fondly at the archer, watching as he placed your hand flat on his leg and opened up the bottle. “You know you don't have to do this, right?”

“I want to,” he replied easily, carefully applying the nail polish to your nails. “Ya've been overworkin' yerself lately. Jus' let me take care of ya, alrigh'?”

“Okay,” you whispered.

The next few minutes was spent in a comfortable silence. Daryl was surprisingly good at applying the nail polish, making little to no mistakes whatsoever. In no time at all, your nails were done, and Daryl motioned for you to turn around. You did so, and practically moaned in relief when Daryl's hands started gently massaging your shoulders. His hands were expertly working at the knots that had formed on your shoulders, transferring you to a state of bliss.

“That feels really good,” you mumbled, closing your eyes at the heavenly feeling.

“Yeah?” Daryl smiled, leaning forward to press a gentle kiss to your shoulder blade before resuming his actions. “Told ya tha' ya were overworkin' yerself. Ya deserve this.”

You let out a groan of satisfaction, enjoying the feeling of Daryl's big, callused hands working at the painful knots. You were in heaven at that moment. Not only did Daryl make you food, he poured you a glass of wine, made you a comfortable spot on the couch, painted your nails and now he was giving you a massage. You truly believed that no man could ever compare to the man you had the lucky privilege of calling yours.

“I love you,” you whispered almost inaudibly, but loud enough for Daryl to catch.

Daryl smiled softly. “I love ya too,” he replied, pressing another gentle kiss to your shoulder blade before withdrawing. “Now lay flat on yer stomach. S'time to get workin' on yer back now.”

“Yes, sir,” you replied playfully, slowly flipping over to lay on your stomach.

“Good girl.”

[oldmemoria]

i thought about this last night but um

SPOILERS for True Lives of the Fabulous Killjoys: National Anthem

i love the kind of symbolism we see with mike milligram of all the older more "childish" items he holds onto, hear me out.

So we see Mike holding this cheesy little vampire ring during the gathering scene where we first meet the rest of the killjoys, particularly when we learn that he's in a relationship with Code Blue and want's to take it a step further with marriage. They're all teenagers in this scene, assumedly maybe at least 16 at most 19 (because thats when you arent a teen anymore lol- after 20 you arent a teen duh). He's hiding it behind his back and seems to be just about to pop the question.

then, Blue dies in a standoff, just because he didn't want to move on and comply to the brainwashing tv. Blue literally jumps in front of him and takes the bullet (laser? whatever) for him. When she dies, he lashes out.

later on in the timeskip we see that Mike is basically hooked to the TV. hes fallen asleep to it and is only waken up by a rat chewing on the chords. this isn't entirely important to my point but I still feel like mentioning it because it tells us one thing: Because of Mike's grieving, he basically had no choice but to run back and give everything up. His grief, in turn, is what led him to actually start going back to how he was before, going against an authoritarian government run by a monopoly.

This leads Mike to realize that everything around him isn't what it seems, not only is he withdrawing from The TV, but he's also withdrawing from the effects of the pills he (and the rest of society) is on. He's hallucinating, but not fully. We know as readers that things aren't right in his life -- in anyone's life -- because of this.

once we reach the scene where he learns about his Ramones records being sanitized and the technician here to fix his tv is actually some kind of plant (overall, everyone trying to uphold the brainwashing system is doing so maliciously). Mike kills this plant, and we get to the next sighting of the vampire ring that we saw in that first scene I mention before. He finds it, remembers Blue (also to note theres a paper that says "SO REAL IT HURTS" on it right next to the ring, like thats so obvious that I looked over it), and holds onto it.

lets skip to the climax, where we're revealed to see "Blue" (this time either her reanimated corpse or some kind of clone, it isn't really specified) again, Mike shuts down. almost instantly. He's so close to giving in and going back to being brainwashed, but he stops for a moment. this is the kind of breaking point where we see his arc hit its breaking point and reach its conclusion.

Mike's individual character arc is about letting go. Letting go of grief. Letting go of the past. Progressing forward, no matter how much it hurts.

When he gets his gun back and shoots the clone of Blue HIMSELF, that is him signifying that he has to move on. for the sake of not only himself but for his son, his friends, everyone.

And in this last moment.

He puts her body in the car. and prepares to light it on fire.

and that is the last time we see the ring. He slips it onto her finger right before the car is set ablaze.

UGH ITS BEAUTIFUL. the ending is BEAUTIFUL.

a perfect illustration of how Mike had to get past his grief for the betterment of himself.

and even in the end, he isn't completely forgetting her. He isn't just tossing her aside, he's just saying "It's time I moved on. I won't let my anger and grief drag me down, but I will remember you."

and it's all made clear with that little ring. THE FUCKING RING DUDE.

It's a little plastic ring, usually associated with youth because it's usually found in gift bags or cereal boxes. something synthetic and cheap. Easy to break, usually thrown away right away. Mike is seen not only getting better from his grief but also maturing. Which is great for him. It's something in his past that he had to move on from, but could still hold the memory of.

also like a little side note but vampirism is sometimes depicted as being a kind of toxic, dependent force. A leech. the ring having a vampire on it is like... really good symbolism for that, MAYBE IM GOING TOO FAR IDK IDK-

[escapismartist]

organizing my thoughts on ships because it’s late and i can’t sleep and the dragons are eating at my brain like RFK’s worm

i’m gonna go by books and canon ships and whatnot. it’ll make sense as it unfolds (lie)

i like cleril. i think the characters complement each other really well for various reasons. however i also like aroace clay and aroace peril, or peril x glory. some would call me a multishipper. i can and do imagine peril and clay in a QPR

ripnami is boring to me sorry. tsunami needs someone to match her freak. alas we do not see any suitable characters in the series

glorybringer is weird. age gap makes it weird inherently even though it’s a mistake. even without it it’s kind of weird to me. i don’t think i ship it i think they’re gonna end up amicably broken up and glory will move onto women

fateflight? starspeaker? i don’t like it i don’t like that starflight was given sunny lite as like an apology from the author that he couldn’t get sunny 😭 ironically i like sunnyspeaker a lot more

aroace sunny or sunnyspeaker and honestly i accept nothing else

arc 2 and it just took me like 5 minutes to figure out how to turn off the bullet points 😭 i’ve been on tumblr for 7 years.

okay i’m sorry im about to be a hater. i don’t really like any of the love triangle ships to be completely honest. if one of them has to happen the only right answer is qinterwatcher but only after qibli and moon apologize extensively to winter and even then i think he deserves someone better 🤷 i like moonjou though

the above applies for winter lol

i’ve also already spoken on peril

turtle is like idk. can’t figure him out. don’t really ship him with any current characters but i also feel like he’s the type to find someone eventually. someone to match his freak but in the opposite way of tsunami

qibli has been spoken for already lol. umber x qibli is cute in theory but the age makes it kind of weird? aging in wof is fucked 😭

arc 3 good god

okay sorry blicket weirds me out. the fact that cricket didn’t really think of silkwings as dragons until she met blue and was like awww he’s so pretty is so weird to me 😭 i don’t ship it and also hivewings are kind of just a mess

above

sunlow 🫶🫶🫶🫶 nothing else to say

snowfall x lynx. i never claimed to be original

i like luna and swordtail :) they are sweet to me and i think him sitting on those candies before asking her out is adorable lol. idk i like them

i should make gender sexuality headcanons next im rambling tn lol

i also just want fodder to draw for pride

are any of these hot takes? this all feel incredibly room temp tbh

[aihoshiino]

chapter 127 thoughts!

after what feels forever, we're finally moving onto the filming of 15 year lie! it's only been about 17 chapters really but with so many breaks and bonkers occurrences, it really feels like it's been longer lol. I'm excited to see it! Delicious Ai content!!!

That said... man, I'm just gonna repeat what I said last time about being really frustrated that an arc that started with the promise of digging into Ruby's trauma has completely swung around to instead be like AQUA IS REALLY FUCKED UP, DID YOU KNOW??? I obviously love my very mentally ill son but if we don't get some meaningful followup to Ruby's maternal trauma sometime soon I may become the Oshi no Joker.

I was really curious all this time exactly how Ai's childhood was going to be handled vis-a-vis the movie, though - there was only ever one actress mentioned for her so I was curious as to how they'd handle her younger years. Seeing that acknowledged here made me feel a wee bit smug for having already picked up on that as a problem spot before hand. Nyehehehe.

This chapter also had a ton of surprising micro-reveals about Crow Girl, even if the exact nature of her existence is still a little unclear. More than anything else, what made me really sit up and start DiCaprio pointing was this:

Like, am I bonkers or does this more or less confirm that Crow Girl was the one responsible for Ruby and Aqua's reincarnation? I guess the story has been leaning that way for a while (especially with the anime going out of its way to add a ton of screaming crows to Gorou's death scene) and this does leave the door open for it to not be her but still. Very shrimpresting.

shout out to aqua for weaponizing the power of being an annoying fucking brother btw.

peak sibling behaviour.

in general, the comedic energy of this chapter was a nice breath of fresh air and it reminded me a lot of the way the story would blend comedy, drama and sincerity back during the sweet today & reality dating arcs in a way I feel like we haven't gotten for a while, so it was nice to see. Seeing Crow Girl get pulled into the comedy and be the butt of the joke was really good and unexpected.

I guess we'll see if she really does have acting chops next week...

All in all, this was a fun chapter but I don't think it's necessarily one the manga needed right now, especially with - again - all the Ruby stuff still left hanging and her being shuffled to the sidelines once again. I'm really really hoping the movie starting to shoot means we'll be shifting focus back to her and seeing how she engages with the material will get that ball rolling again.

[jyndor]

It was just me or Cassian breaking Bix out and helping her was incredibly romantic?

of course so, it speaks to cassian that he never wants to leave people he cares about behind. and no one else was gonna try but he does.

undoubtedly it was really moving amd beautiful how they juxtaposed shots of them looking out at the funeral and how she dreamed of him saving her, and them holding onto each other 💔💔💔

but then i remember that I'm A) irked by bix having nothing to do but suffer this whole show and B) not interested in them getting back together - unless we had five seasons and enough time to do it right, but they'd still have to separate before rogue one and lol we do not have that time soooo again, I'm gonna air on the side of just they should just move on.

anyway yes anon but also it's not what i had hoped for them.

just makes me sad that when cassian came back to save jyn from krennic, jyn had been fighting and being active in her story. bix was written about as passively as it gets after ep 7, and it does feel like it's intended to be a parallel but ??? ummm idk it's more like cassian saving jyn on jedha than on scarif, actually I need to watch it again but it's pretty similarly staged now that I think of it (except saw).

prayer circle for bix to have a better arc next season.

[19-bellwether]

Pre-Finale V8 Survey Results

Thank you to everyone who submitted a response! I ended up with 598 total! Here are the results question by question. Shout out to the twenty-eight people who think Yang is dead.

Is Yang dead?

95.3% No, she's in turbohell for gay crimes.

4.7% Yeah, the show's renamed to Red Wersus Blue.

Where does the void spit you out?

41.8% Wonderland. Oscar's fairytale had to be foreshadowing, right?

20.1% A world made of memories. Ruby's not running from her trauma this time.

8.7% The Underworld where they encounter the spirits of the dead.

6.8% They're sent back in time. STRQ lore, here we come.

5.6% An alternate version of Remnant. Your AU fanfic might become canon.

5.3% The Old World full of gods, magic, and humanity 1.0.

11.7% Other

Some notable submissions to this question: The real world. RWBY Chibi. A Lovecraftian Nightmare. The home of the gods or relic spirits. Wonderland meets Dante's Inferno. All of the above at once. Nowhere, you just fall. Nowhere, because superhell spits Yang back out since she's straight.

Can Spicecream defeat Newspaper?

41.1% They defeat Team RWB... except Neo then betrays Cinder.

20.1% Neo bites it but Cinder survives to claim victory. She forgets to thank Neo for her sacrifice.

19.8% Cinder's losing streak continues and she falls into a bottomless pit for the second time.

10.5% Total victory. Cinder gets the relics and Neo gets her revenge.

8.6% They both die or fall lmao

How does team green conquer the sandstorm?

68% Surprise backup! It's time to see Team SSSN's and CFVY's new models.

19.1% ...or maybe a surprise appearance from the summer maiden?

9.6% Jaune, Nora, Winter, and/or Penny arrive to turn the tide.

3.4% Lots of effort and more than a few casualties.

Does Winter lose two shitty fathers today?

67.7% She cuts down Ironwood. Good for her. She deserves it.

15.9% Inexplicably, they both make it out of Volume 8 alive.

13% Winter sacrifices herself to kill him and we're robbed of a family Schneeunion.

3.4% Ironwood kills her and sheds a single regretful tear before moving onto his next genocide plan.

Does Atlas fall? How about that bomb?

45.9% Gravity always wins in the end. Hopefully Mantle finished evacuating.

43.5% It falls and gets caught in the bomb's explosion. Kingdom of Atlas more like Kingdom of Ashes.

2.5% The staff is used to keep Atlas afloat once more. So much for the evacuation plan.

8.1% Same as above except the bomb doesn't go off. Atlas and Mantle are left mostly empty.

Anyone dying in the finale? (Falling into the void doesn't count)

Nearly everyone answered Ironwood. There were many variations on his name including Irondaddy and Irondick. The next most popular choices were Watts, Winter, Harriet, and Neo.

Is Cinder on the path to redemption?

39.5% She'll leave Salem and fly solo, but idk if she'll ever be a good person.

33.1% Fuck no lol

18.2% No opinion. I'm not touching this discourse with a ten foot pole.

9.1% Redemption or bust. I'm all in on Cindemption and ready to gloat when it happens.

What's up with Penny's new body?

54.3% She's pure aura. Hopefully Cinder doesn't break it.

39.3% She's an ordinary human with squishy guts now.

6.4% I don't care, I just want robot Penny back.

Is Bumbleby canon?

47.9% Yes.

52.1% Yes, but I really wish they'd kiss or confess already.

R8 Volume 8 Average of 8.4/10:

*The next two questions were checkboxes, meaning people could select more than one answer.

Most enjoyed parts of Volume 8?

72.2% Character Development

61.4% Story and Overarching Narrative

41.2% Fights and Action Scenes

Other

Common answers: Animation improvements. Memes. Thirst for Salem. Everything involving The Happy Huntresses. Plot twists. Thirst for Ambrosius. Redemption arcs. Topical themes. Thirst for The Hound.

Least enjoyed parts of Volume 8?

38.2% Rushed character arcs due to cast bloat

26.2% Inconsistent pacing/tone

21.5% Characters make dumb or illogical decisions

18.1% My OTP still isn't canon

4.6% I'm a bootlicker and hate how they've treated Ironwood

Other

Common answers: Ironwood is a douchebag. Some characters not getting enough to do, especially Weiss. Lack of fight scenes. No Pyrrha. Not enough Team RWBY content. One person doesn't like Nuts and Dolts.

Ideal post-credit scene(s)?

Common answers: Yang waking up in Wonderland. Salem reforming. Taiyang and Raven. Side characters arriving in Atlas from Ruby's broadcast. Summer Rose lore. "Hello again!" And one person wants a full graphic Bumbleby sex scene.

Any final predictions or comments?

This was my favorite response so I'm sharing it: "i would die of laughter if atlas fell and just as Salem regenerated she got exploded by the bomb"

Thanks again for participating! Any results catch your eye?

[makeste]

BnHA Chapter 294: A Half-Assed Escape

Previously on BnHA: Mirio was all “SURPRISE I’M BACK THANKS TO OUR RESIDENT SEVEN-YEAR-OLD WHO RECENTLY EARNED HER BACHELOR’S OF BEING A TOTAL BADASS.” Kacchan was all, “you know what, Dabi’s been trending long enough, time to remind the fandom what a real G looks like,” and he blasted his little bleeding body back into the fray and was all “FROM HERE ON OUT CALL ME DYNAMIGHT!!” Mirio was all, “AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA... oh, you’re serious,” and Kacchan was all “!!”, and so that’s the story of how my son got murdered twice in one day. Meanwhile in the Todoroki Drama Zone, Deku was all “STOP MURDERING MY FRIEND” and Dabi was all “THAT’S NONE OF YOUR BUSINESS” and fandom had a whole big debate about Whether Or Not Dabi Trying To Murder Deku’s Friends And Mentors Is Any Of Deku’s Business, which went exactly how you think it went. Anyway, so then Deku yelled at Dabi, and Endeavor was all moved by his manly words and randomly went to go uppercut Machia in the chin. And, seeing as how the Momoserum finally chose that exact moment to kick in, Machia is now down for the count.

Today on BnHA: The Miriosquad handles the Nearly High End Noumus, freeing up Jeanist to jasphyxiate (okay that one doesn’t really work so well) the rest of the League. Compress is all “TIME FOR THIS MILD-MANNERED SIDE CHARACTER VILLAIN TO SHINE”, except that by “shine” what he actually means is “use his quirk to punch a literal hole right through his own ass to free himself.” The rest of the chapter is basically just a back and forth between him and Jeanist, with Jeanist trying to recapture him, and Compress repeatedly thwarting him by chopping more holes out of himself because HE’S FRESH OUT OF FUCKS, AND THE ONES AT THE STORE ARE ALL SOLD OUT, MOTHERFUCKERS. Anyway, so with Compress basically dying and all, Horikoshi is all “you know what that means”, and delivers a freshly-baked villain flashback revealing that Compress is a descendant of Harima Ouji, a.k.a. the Peerless Thief, a.k.a. some famous guy whom Gentle mentioned this one time for like two seconds back in the day. The chapter ends with Compress finally demasking himself and dumping Tomura back onto the ground, a.k.a. The Worst Possible Place For Tomura To Be. ( •﹏•)

WHY IS CRUST HERE YOU’RE SUPPOSED TO BE DEAD

-- OH WAIT, SHIT. OH

AIZAWAAAA you’re alive and receiving medical help thank GOD. HOW MANY EYES DO YOU HAVE. AND MIRKO!! HOW MANY LIMBS DO YOU HAVE, OMG

so is this Aizawa dreaming about Crust’s final moments, then?? jesus. with All Due Respect to Crust’s memory, does Aizawa not already have enough misplaced guilt on his conscience as it is?? “nope, we’re gonna keep piling it on. that’s all he is now. three limbs, an indeterminate number of eyes, sexy hair, and Guilt” well shit

motherfucker y’all really out here placing an oxygen mask on Gran Torino’s corpse. fucking shounen characters. each one comes with a lifetime warranty

DAMN YOU HORIKOSHI WHY DO YOU KEEP SHOWING THESE CLOSE-UPS OF HAWKS’S UNCONSCIOUS FACE ALL WHUMPED OUT AND EXHAUSTED. HOW MUCH MORE OF THIS ARE WE GOING TO GET. ARE YOU PLANNING ON KILLING ME WITH THE UPCOMING CONVALESCENCE ARC, BECAUSE IF SO, AT LEAST HAVE THE DECENCY TO TELL ME AHEAD OF TIME SO I CAN MAKE A WILL

for a moment I considered going back and checking my previous recaps to count how many times I’ve already made a joke about Dabi’s fire incinerating Hawks’s wings but not touching so much as a hair on his five o’clock shadow, so that I could calculate whether or not I could possibly get away with making that same joke one more time. but then I realized I could just do it in this kind of roundabout way I’m doing right now instead. so there you have it

FFFFFFFMT LADY AND MIDNIGHT NOOOOO

PLEASE BE ALIVE. PLEASE RESPECT THE SIGN ON THE FRONT OF THE BUILDING. THE ONE THAT SAYS “NO LADY CHARACTERS ALLOWED TO DIE”, WITH THE FINE PRINT AT THE BOTTOM “AT LEAST NOT UNTIL HORIKOSHI GIVES US LIKE TWENTY-SIX MORE OF THEM FIRST IF THAT’S THE WAY HE WANTS TO PLAY IT.” IT’S A GOOD SIGN, PLEASE RESPECT ITS WISHES!!

so anyway though, Jeanist is giving a speech about how god knows how many people all worked together to bring Machia down. and now RHA is getting in on those fabric puns too, I see. “A SINGLE STRAND MAY BE THIN BUT TOGETHER THEY FORM A STRONG ROPE” oh so you think you guys are funny eh? I’m a frayed knot

MEANWHILE EXCUSE ME BUT WHY ARE YOU FUCKING CRYING BLOOD, HOLY SHIT

fffffff. so much for him taking over as the Number One once all this is over. so let’s just recap real quick, because Horikoshi has long since made it clear that one of his plot goals for this arc is to wipe out every single member of the Billboard Top Ten. so how we doin?

Endeavor - was just figuratively eviscerated in front of the entire nation by his homicidal zombiepunk son. also burnt half to death and possibly down a lung. will almost certainly be forced to retire after this one way or the other

Hawks - lying prettily in a medical tent. wings status: gone. hair status: still perfect

Jeanist - WELL I THOUGHT HE WAS FINE BUT APPARENTLY HE’S OUT HERE DYING, JESUS CHRIST

Edgeshot - MIA, last seen fighting Re-Destro. I really want him to have kicked RD’s ass because fuck that guy, but realistically they probably fought to a draw at best

Mirko - alive but in critical condition and missing something like 1.5 limbs

Crust - dead, currently haunting Aizawa’s traumatized dreams. now he’s gonna be triggered the rest of his life by people giving him the thumbs up, THANKS A LOT

Kamui Woods - was set on fire which is His Weakness. thoughts and prayers

Wash - last seen floating hospital patients to safety as Tomura’s wave of decay descended towards him. probably dead ffff

Old Man Samurai - haven’t seen this fucker in a hot minute, who even knows where he’s wandered off to

Ryuukyuu - currently being treated for her wounds, looked pretty bad off. but it’s hard to tell how hurt she is since most of the injuries were acquired in her transformed state. SHE BETTER GET WELL SOON

anyways, so yeah. so much for the top ten. guess that’s another reason Horikoshi brought Mirio back now, huh

so there’s a big panel of everyone fighting the Noumu while Machia lies there all “blurgh.” good riddance my dude. it took like twenty chapters and a hundred people to stop this guy so I really fucking hope he stays down. you’ve had your fun

anyway so Jeanist is sending another steel thread towards Dabi! and he’s all “just a bit more!!” fklklj this is gonna go real well isn’t it

meanwhile Mirio’s fighting a Nearly High End with all of these weird rock formations jutting out of its skin. go on and kick his ass then, Mirio

“each of these guys is probably just as strong as the Noumu from Kyuushuu” hold on I thought Ujiko or Tomura or someone said that wasn’t the case? not that Mirio would know I suppose. anyways let’s just hope he’s wrong cuz if not these kids are probably screwed

kLSDKFHLSKHGLKLK OH MY GODDDD

IIDA FUCKING TENYA YOU’RE A PEACH. THINKS THE NAME IS OUTRAGEOUS, CHECK. USES IT ANYWAY, CHECK. “JUST BECAUSE I DON’T UNDERSTAND DOESN’T MEAN I CAN’T BE SUPPORTIVE.” WHAT A CLASS ACT

AND KACCHAN IS RESPONDING WITH AS MUCH DIGNITY AS HE CAN MUSTER

WOW, SON. IT’S ALMOST AS THOUGH YOU HAVE A HOLE IN YOUR TORSO, OR SOMETHING!! although listen up, real talk, the fact that Kacchan of all people can’t muster the energy to yell at someone questioning his ability to kick ass is HIGHKEY troubling and we may be in need of an intervention here soon :/

now Jeanist is finally turning his attention to the League! was... was it not already on the League. omg

ACTUAL SCREAMING AHHHHHH FUCK FUCKLK LK AHHLKHKFFFF

hey so um. what the actual fucked up hell. my soul left my body. imagine if you saw the reflection of this panel on your bedroom window. you would never sleep again

OKAY RHA TRANSLATORS ARE YOU HAVING YOURSELF A LAUGH AGAIN

THIS CANNOT BE WHAT HE’S ACTUALLY SAYING RIGHT. BUT IT’S RIGHT IN THAT UNCANNY VALLEY OF NOT BEING QUITE SURE, THOUGH... (　ﾟдﾟ)

(ETA: just a next-day clarification here, apparently my sleep-deprived ADHD word-skipping brain completely skipped right over the “a” in that last panel, so what I read was, “and Shigaraki’s limp noodle.” so yeah, the moral of this story is always read the speech bubble carefully before you start making running jokes throughout the rest of your post, folks.)

oh wow he’s really freaking out lmao

to be fair though, I’d argue that Dabi has gotten pre-tty close at this point :’) thrilled for him, really I am

but anyway, well then figure something out you big dramatic robot-armed fiend. didn’t you just say you could touch your own ass? can you not just Compress yourself to break free?? does it not work on you? or would you be stuck afterwards lol

(ETA: I was picturing him compressing his entire body at once, not just chunks of it. ghhhlkh.)

um

holy shit Jeanist. are you stupidly trying to cut off their air, or are you going for more of a sleeper hold (jleeper hold??) thing instead. the latter would be way smarter and faster and probably safer as well just saying

but unless Spinner is just being super dramatic, it sure looks like he’s fucking strangling them djslkjlk. this will certainly cement his popularity among the villain stans. good thing you’re not running for office any time soon bud

anyway so I have no idea what these guys are trying to do now. what is this

do you even have till the count of 5 at this rate. I mean

OH MY GOODNESS

HE’S REALLY FUCKING DOING IT!! HE’S COMPRESSING HIS BUTT!! OMFG. TOMURA HIDE YOUR NOODLE!!!

WHAT THE FUCK

DID YOU COMPRESS A PIECE OF YOUR OWN ASS. FUCKING WHAT. PUT THIS MAN’S PICTURE IN THE DICTIONARY NEXT TO THE WORD “LOYALTY”, HOLY CRAP

HOLY SHIT COMPRESS

“HOLY SHIT DID THAT GUY JUST PUNCH A HOLE THROUGH HIS OWN ASS IN ORDER TO SAVE HIS VILLAIN PALS. FUCK IT, HE DESERVES TO ESCAPE”

jeez, talk about... A HALF-ASSED ESCAPE ATTEMPT :D :D :D hahaha. but real talk though, Horikoshi has clearly never tried to leap twelve feet straight up in the air multiple times in succession with only half his glutes though. everyone, I regret to inform you that this panel right here on the left may be slightly unrealistic

also where the hell is he going to go?? did you pack a jetpack away in one of those little marbles sir. and what about Dabi?? and Skeptic too, I guess, but we don’t really care about Skeptic

(ETA: at this point I had to stop reading for about two hours because I had to go out and take care of something; that’s also why this is being posted later than usual lol. anyways so where were we.)

oh my lord

the existence of a translator’s note here implies that the earlier line about Compress being able to reach Tomura’s junk was not, in fact, ad-libbed. hmm. hmmmmmmmm

anyway so now he’s grabbing Compress again because OF COURSE HE IS, so now we’re right back to square one! except now Tomura and Spinner are secured inside of little marbles, and presumably Compress is the only one who can release them

oh nevermind he’s just maiming himself again instead, SHEESH

Skeptic a man is dying please have some goddamn respect

so, uh. is he gonna die, though??

I really can’t tell wtf is going on here, this is the most confusing the art has been in a while. Horikoshi put all of his spoons into that creepyass close-up panel earlier, that bastard

OMG WHAT ARE YOU SERIOUS

DON’T FUCKING TELL ME THE “COMPRESS IS RELATED TO THIS THIEF GUY FROM OLDEN TIMES” THEORY IS ACTUALLY TRUE WHAAAAAAT. OH SHIT

so apparently Harima was a Robin Hood type guy who stole from... heroes?? wtf. are heroes the 1% in this scenario. y’all didn’t have any Fortune 500 CEOs to steal from?

THAT’S THE BLOOD THAT FLOWS THROUGH YOU, OH SHIT. and in a related oh shit, the fact that we are getting a Compress flashback now of all times doesn’t bode super well for him. ffff

MEANWHILE THE TODOROKIS ARE STILL TODOROKI-ING

listen here boy if you touch one freaking hair on Shouto’s candy cane head I swear to god --

WHAT DID I FUCKING SAY!!!

SHOUTO NOOOOOO. WTF YOU’RE LITERALLY THE ONE GUY WHOSE WEAKNESS IS ABSOLUTELY NOT SUPPOSED TO BE FIRE. DABI YOU SHIT, YOU BETTER WATCH YOURSELF!! I’M PRINTING OUT A COPY OF THAT COMPRESS PANEL!!! KEEP AN EYE OUT ON THAT BEDROOM WINDOW YOU PUNK!!!

SO NOW POOR SHOUTO IS UNCONSCIOUS AND FALLING!! SOMEONE SAVE HIM!! WHO CATCHES THE CATCHER

COMPRESS LITERALLY HOW ARE YOU STILL ALIVE RIGHT NOW, WHAT IS HAPPENING

PLEASE DON’T CALL TOMURA LEADER OF THE “PLF” YOU KNOW I CAN’T TAKE IT SERIOUSLY WHEN YOU DO THAT. ARE YOU DYING. ARE YOU JUST A FUCKING HEAD NOW WTF

(ETA: “masks are removable, makeste” you know what it’s been a long day okay lmao. or I suppose Compress is really the one who is lmao.)

GASPPPPPP

okay. okay. looooool okay then

WHY WERE YOU COVERING THIS SEXY MOP OF HAIR UNDER THAT HOOD YOU TOOL. IT WOULD HAVE LOOKED SO GOOD WITH THE TOP HAT. I’M SO MAD AT YOU RIGHT NOW

as if it wasn’t enough for him to demask himself, he also had to get all shirtless and then do this weird attempt at a sexypose too huh

hard to say exactly how much of his torso is currently missing, but safe to say that’s proooooooobably not good. :///// fuck

on the other hand, Kacchan also has a torso hole and he’s still flying around like he just drank a dozen red bulls, so

this man lost his ass and he’s still out here monologuing like it’s the last two minutes of The Prestige. one might say he is monologuing his ass off

so he let Spinner and Tomura free, but is Dabi still trapped in his marble?? wasn’t he all on fire and stuff?? hopefully he can still turn off his quirk in there because if not that’s a pretty fucked up way to die. somewhere out there Snatch’s ghost is all “YEAH I’LL SAY.” oh how the turntables

last but not least, sooooooo. Tomura. back on the ground. that’s. um. ...shiiiiiiiit

[sortasirius]

what makes you think the writers want deancas? not trying to be an asshole, i'm just genuinely curious as to why you think that. i know berens' episodes are pretty heavy with subtext so i can see why you'd say that he wants it, but i'm not so sure about the rest of the writers/dabb. it seems like meghan isn't a huge fan either, given her "they twisted it so fast" tweet :/ of course she's a very new writer (think she's only writing one ep this season?) but still

OKAY this is a great question, welcome to my dissertation.

I’m going to address the end of your question first. Meghan is actually DeanCas positive, she has been for quite a long time. She actually, a few years back, posted a picture of her reading a literal book about Destiel and captioned it “writing reading” or something like that.

This whole thing just comes out of a boiling over of tensions because of how nasty fandom twitter can be. Like I said here, I think this has just gotten blown out of proportion, they shouldn’t have posted all this randomly disparaging stuff, but also like...can you blame them? The fandom is a lot, we always have been, and they’re probably also under a gag order not to talk about the finale, and are annoyed that people keep asking.

So nah, Meg is not anti Destiel.

To the first part!! So let’s take a look at the show runners since Cas has been around.

Seasons 4 and 5: Kripke

Seasons 6 and 7: Gamble

Seasons 8-11ish: Carver

Seasons 11ish-15: Dabb

So starting with Kripke. Okay, yes, I will be the first to admit that we have some pretty incredible Destiel moments in these seasons, but it’s less directly written into the plot and much more from Misha and Jensen’s uhhhh ~chemistry~. The only times it was directly written into the script was when the episode was handled by someone like Edlund (“On The Head Of A Pin,” “The End,” “My Bloody Valentine”). And you have to remember, if in season 5, there are moments here and there where you’re like huh that’s suspiciously romantic dialogue, remember that Cas took Anna’s place. Anna was supposed to be endgame for Dean, but due to a myriad of issues and Misha’s general greatness, Anna was replaced with Cas.

Onto 6 and 7. Hmmm. Gamble. 6 and 7 are my two least favorite seasons and that’s no secret, and that’s not only due to the plain old weird shit in the overall storyline, but also that homegirl killed off Cas in s7 and then Bobby like four episodes later. (Also it ALWAYS rubbed me the wrong way they couldn’t have Baby in that season lol). We still had some great DeanCas moments, but again, it wasn’t really written into the overall arc (until they had to change the end of season 7 because of tanking ratings and bring Misha back lol, anyone remember the fact that Dean kept Cas’ jacket and would randomly dream of him? Yeah.). But we still had those moments, those distinctly romantic moments, probably the best example in these two seasons is from Edlund again, specifically “The Man Who Would be King,” I wrote a little about that here.

We move onto Carver, who gave us, at this point, the most overt DeanCas season with season 8 (season gr8 is a better name imo), and this is the first time Dean and Cas’ relationship is directly written as an arc of the season.  I mean, you have everything in Purgatory, Dean “seeing” Cas everywhere, the fact that he felt so guilty that Cas stayed in Purgatory that he manipulated his own memories to think that he was the one that failed Cas, because he couldn’t comprehend that Cas would want to leave him, and let’s not forget Dean snapping Cas out of Naomi’s hold on him in “Goodbye Stranger.”  It was a very obvious shift, not enough to alert the general audience, but more than enough for most of us in fandom.

It’s also important to note that this is when Andrew stopped co writing with Loflin and started writing his own episodes (”Hunter Heroici” anyone?)  I like Loflin fine, but Dabb was able to stretch his legs a little bit more once he stopped co-writing, and we also began to see some DeanCas themes in his solo episodes.

In any case, them and their issues being a big part of the seasons continued with Carver, and Berens entered the scene, his first episode (”Heaven Can’t Wait”) is one of my favorites, with human Cas and the fanfiction gap and Dean and Cas just generally being awkward and funny and sweet.  This is Bobo’s FIRST episode, remember that.  He comes right out of the gate with it.

Also in Season 9, this is when Dean takes the Mark of Cain, and the Cas/Colette mirror is born, so obviously, Dean and Cas are the fabric of the season once again.  This is also the season where Metatron says Cas is “in love with humanity,” and then immediately refers to Dean as Humanity so uhhhh yeah.

Onto season 10, Dabb and Berens continue with their greatness (I could write pages on the DeanCas date in “The Things We Left Behind” alone).  And then we have one of the best scenes in the entire show in “The Prisoner” where the Cas/Colette mirror continues and Dean, driven by grief and pain and rage and the Mark, still doesn’t kill Cas.  He still can’t kill Cas.

Season 11 is important because it takes choice away from both Cas and Dean, and shows us, as the audience, how much losing each other takes out of them. We saw in season 10 how much losing Dean takes from Cas, but what about Cas losing Dean?  Dean loses his choice with his connection to Amara this season, and loses even more when Lucifer reveals he’s been possessing Cas, and plays on Dean’s connection to Cas like a mockery.  It’s also worth noting that, similarly to season 8, Dean breaks out of the connection with Amara when he’s worried about Cas, and that’s something that even SHE is surprised by.

But then season 12, the beginning to the Renaissance.  This is when we get the writer’s that become important for what Dean and Cas are today, and, truly, why I believe they want canon Destiel as much as we do.

This is the first season with Dabb’s writers: Davy Perez, Meredith Glynn, Steve Yockey, and of course Bobo all come in with their incredible talents and gave us episode after episode of good content.  “Lily Sunder Has Some Regrets” is probably my favorite, probably the best example of what I’m saying.  An episode where Dean is called out by an enemy directly, told to “roll the dice” on Cas’ life.  And Dean won’t, it’s not even really a hesitation.  And this comes from a character that has known Dean for ten seconds.  I also wrote more in depth about this episode here.  There are also some.....distinctly domestic details we get this season, specifically in “The Future” (written by Berens and Glynn) with the mixtape.  The most tropey of tropes mixtape.  Yeah, I’ll just leave that one here.

And then season 12 ends with Cas’ death, but also with the parallel between Sam and Dean with Jess and Cas.  Sam literally has to drag Dean away from Cas, just like Dean had to drag Sam out of his burning apartment in the pilot.  The episode drives it home in every way that it can: Dean is the one left kneeling by Cas’ body, while Sam goes to find out what is upstairs.  Dean is the one who stares at the sky, finally broken.  This isn’t a random thing, this is Dean’s whole arc, it’s the entirety of the beginning of 13.  Dean’s pain, his anguish, his anger.

Season 13 starts with them burning Cas, with Dean, who has begged God to bring him back, who has split his knuckles punching a door, standing, staring at Cas’ pyre with brokenness on his face.

I mean.....

Anyway, season 13 is where it gets interesting (well, I think all of this is interesting but I’m a writer nerd so).  So Cas comes back from the Empty in “Advanced Thanatology” written by Steve Yockey, and then a wombo combo of “Tombstone” by Davy Perez next (”Brokebacknatural” as the PR said at the time).  Listen.  This is the part that SPN crossed a line that they couldn’t come back from.  With Cas being Dean’s “big win,” the fact that Dean and Cas watch movies together, “I told you, he’s an angry sleeper.  Like a bear.” Talked about it here.

This is where, in my opinion, the network stepped in, but the damage was already done.  They had already established that Cas was Dean’s big win, that Dean’s poor coping was not due to Mary’s disappearance, but solely due to Cas, and that Dean and Cas have more married energy than anyone else.  The network had nixed blatant canon at this point, and they writing room had been pushing the boundaries of what the network would allow. 

After these episodes, we see a marked drop off of DeanCas heavy scenes.  They’re still there, still a part of the fabric of the season, but not as...obvious as it had been in early season 13.

And this continued through season 14, we’re back to scraps of Destiel scenes here and there, but to me it always felt like there was something bubbling under the surface, something distinctly unsaid in the themes of the season, even after the walk back of obvious “Dean and Cas are in love” scenes.

And then we get to season 15, which, y’all know I talk about all the time.  What’s important here is that Bobo and Glynn are both executive producers, calling more of the shots than ever before.  Additionally, it’s important to note that, though they only co write occasionally, Glynn and Berens refer to each other as “work husband” and “work wife.”  Each episode has just turned up the volume, and, not for the first time, but certainly the most obvious, Dean and Cas ARE the season.  Sure, they’re trying to beat God, they’re trying to finally find peace, defeat the final big bad, but really?  This season has been about Dean, and Dean’s relationship to Cas.

And not only do we have obvious and clear Destiel in nearly every episode, but we have episodes like “Last Call” which canonize bi!Dean (wrote about that here).

And, maybe most importantly so far, we have “The Rupture,” the breakup, and “The Trap,” Dean’s confession (both written by Berens).  And here’s the thing.  These episodes feel connected, but also feel like they’re missing something.  Beren’s last episode is 15x18, “The Truth.”  We’ve all spec’ed about what could happen in this episode, and I think *I* know what it’s leading to.  But for it to be leading to that, it means that the network has to have approved what we’ve all been waiting for years for.

Who got this change to happen?  Who got the network to change their minds?  It wasn’t us.  It was them.  I am fully convinced that Dabb and Berens quite literally put their careers on the line for Dean and Cas.  They believe in them, they’ve shown that from the beginning, but the only thing standing in the way was the network, never allowing them to take the final step. 

So, to answer your question: I think the writers want canon DeanCas because they’ve already shown us that they do.  Take a look at their episodes, at Dabb’s, at Beren’s, at Glynn’s, at Perez’s, at Yockey’s.  They’ve been telling us what’s going on with Dean and Cas for years.

Sure, I’m not in their heads, I guess I don’t know for *sure* that this has been their thought process, but if we put it all together, from the marked shift when Dabb fully took over in s12, to the change right after “Tombstone,” to the new shift, the blatantly romantic shift in season 15, what else is there?

I’ve said for a long time that we, the SPN fandom, are beyond lucky to have the writer’s that we do.  They’re all going to go on to have prolific careers and we were lucky to get them at the end of our little show.  I give them a lot of credit for what we have in the show today.

Just remember, they’ve been telling us in all of s15 who Chuck is.  He says he’s the writer, right?  But a writer who doesn’t have control of his characters?  A writer who wants to do the same ending over and over because it “works”?  That doesn’t sound like a writer, it sounds like a network exec.

They’ve been showing us what they want for years, and the way s15 is going?  I think they may have convinced the network to let us have it.

[theredsuzuran]

Hello! Could I request Douma with a s/o who enjoys art? For instance, painting or drawing then placing their artworks around the paradise cult? They could be demon / human but preferably aware about the whole eating cult members thing? Me being me I would be fine knowing that lol. Sorry if this is too specific but thank you in advance!

Thank you so much for this request, I hope its upto your liking and I apologize if I have messed up🥺

Douma x Reader ~

The warm rays of the sun glistened your skin with a golden hue as you stood there on the long wide corridors holding the remaining pieces of arts that you were pasting on the walls of the busy temple, gazing at the distant sky with full concentration succumbing deep into the abyss of its aesthetics. So much so that you failed to notice your fellow cult members reaching out until someone pat your shoulder startling you suddenly.

"Oh" a soft sigh escape from your mouth as you to snapped out of your thoughts, looking directly at them with eyes still dreaming.

"We have been calling you for so long (y/n) san~ aren't you gonna tell your friends about him?"

"Do you think its going to rain anytime soon?"

"Are you even listening to what am saying?"

Averting your gaze from them you lifted your head upward at the direction of the tremendous vast expanse paying no attention to them while drifting away in your own world.

"If it rains will I see that again?" spacing out yet again but this time evoking vivid memories of a man finding your desolated body covered with blood and mud, drenched under the heavy downpour.

"What?" One or them inquired both curious and annoyed at the same time.

"I told you! (y/n) is weird just leave them alone its fruitless to strike any conversation at all, Lord douma probably shows his pity being a man of virtue" one of them whispered so that you don't hear them badmouthing you.

"Right who cares about those stupid paintings" the other giggled at your face then turned away leaving you behind in the now empty hallway.

All of them associate with you because of the favour you get from Douma, the supreme head of the eternal paradise cult. You have merely smiled knowing that they have always belittle your precious artworks crushing your fragile confidence into pieces although let's say you would never encounter them again and that's a different story, still they were unable to break your devotion. Every painting you made were nurtured and cared with great affection as you put your heart and soul into it. Most importantly there was the charming leader himself who encouraged you rather than making fun of it. That's the exact reason why douma was your savior.

Even though you knew the heinous crimes he have committed, the cannibalistic practices that occurs during midnight inside the temple complex, yes it terrifies you but still you cannot find in your heart to hate him, you wish demons could co exist together alongside mortals although it sounds absurd as predators can never befriend their natural prey but you were an artist who saw the world with a different perspective instead of blaming demons you felt sympathy. Since they were humans too once and due to unavoidable circumstances they are now suffering this fate. Making you wonder what was his story?

However you are quite mad lately since It has been days you last saw your beloved cult leader, afterall he has things to do and you seem to grow lonelier each day due to the lack of his presence. The way he caressed your cheeks and smiled ever so lovingly at you made your heart flutter with ecstacy. Art therefore have always been your escape as your days passes drawing sketches of him. You sat on the wooden engawa, with papers and colours scattered all over the floor holding your brush in hopes of completing his perfect image but your mind wandered to the eromous clouds engulfing the sky above. When suddenly you caught glimpse of a familiar sitting right next you.

"I thought I would wait since you were busy admiring the beautiful nature"

"Douma" a sudden rush of emotions came pouring down, the storm seem to have calm down by the heavy rain. However it was hard for poor (y/n) to decide whether to jump with pure happiness or to just sit and cry for leaving them astray.

"There there my little dove, am here" he replied smiling charmingly engulfing you in a tight embrace.

The two sat on top of the wooden floor. Once again letting the silence to develop, this time droplets of water accompanied the tranquil atmosphere with its drizzling sound.

"Are you hanging your paintings on the walls?" Douma asked enthusiastically breaking the previous calm.

"Yes" you replied politely

"good good" reaching his arms to pat you gently, he praised.

"Douma, where have you been?" You questioned Finally letting those words escape from your quivering lips which you were desperately trying to swallow inside this entire time and regretting because you are afraid of what might happen next for asking such an outrageous question ruining the blissful aura.

"Aww did (y/n) miss me?" Douma answered still maintaining his lively composure. Although there was sudden shift in the atmosphere as it grew a bit tense.

"What if I say I did?" You murmured under your breath blushing slightly to which his eyes widened for he have awaited long for something like this to happen.

"I have some orders to fulfill for that man" the douma chuckled slightly as he began speaking again "and probably he did not like it a bit that I failed to accomplish my mission" when you notice one of his beautiful multicolored orb a little swallowen as if someone have pierced his eyeballs out. You were aware of his supernatural existence and strength because he was not some ordinary demon but witnessing such injury made your heart drop.

"Now (y/n)~ show me what you are drawing" his face gleaming with excitement as he clapped his hands.

"It's not yet completed"

"Don't be like that show me" he made a puppy face.

"Noooo" you cried in protest trying your best to restrain him but failed miserably, since he was faster than you and upon seeing the drawing the sheet of paper he stopped responding. Been living for a century having money, status and almost a perfect immortal body, he still felt hollow. People stand in line for hours to worship him in order to achieve their own desires, to gift him valuable fortunes, antiques, exclusive garments and all sorts of expensive merchandise and sometimes in hope of wooing him but never in his life he felt so content by a simple piece of art made with such adoration. Overwhelming a ruthless uppermoon like him with strong emotions.

"I know it's not that good" you bit your lips in embarrassment but you were taken aback when you felt a pair of muscular arms wrapping your waist resting his head on your lean shoulders. Returning his gesture you smiled and closed your eyes running your hands in his platinum blonde hair in an attempt to soothe him.

"Douma do you remember the time we met?" douma hummed in response.

"Its because of you that am still alive and I can't show my gratitude enough, I have sworn to the art I love I will never break my loyalty towards you", douma looked at you this time when you suddenly reached your arms to cup his face amusing a bit in the process.

"Back when I was a child, I saw a beautiful arc covering the blue sky displaying a wide range of bright colours taking my breath away for I was mesmerized, and I hope I could see that again as I was laying down on the ground reminding the jovial moments of life before my demise, admist the rain I saw a shilloute of a man approaching me- that's when I saw that again in your eyes instilling hope within me, its a monochromatic world when you are not around"

That's when he took your hands into his large ones gently, giving the most lovable expression he could ever make, something so genuine for someone like him. He did not know why he was so attracted to a human like you. Moving his fingers on your lips caressing it softly smudging the colour you have applied before as he leaned closer and closer making your eyes shut tight too flustered to even look. Your face heating up on his cold touch, as you felt a his lips pressed softly onto your nose.

Opening your eyes slightly you found him grinning at your beet red face.

"Let's put that painting on my wall then!"

[mettywiththenotes]

320 bits I wanna talk about

Iieda looks like he’s doing the *inhale* before the BOI IF YOU DON’T- meme. Something along the lines of “BOI IF YOU DON’T GET YOUR ASS BACK TO UA-” kind of thing lol.

He holding something in definitely. Maybe charging up for an attack? Idk but he sure seems concentrated

Actually, Iieda seems kinda considering. Maybe he’s weighing up if he should join in the fight, as if he’s asking “Will I have to fight Midoriya, if it comes down to it? Or can the others handle this?” Something tells me he doesn’t want to have to weigh in on the fight. Maybe tear into Izuku verbally, but fight? No I don’t think he wants to do that

But also, I find it interesting that that black panel of text is under him and then it cuts to Bakugou yelling at Izuku. I mean, it could very well be Bakugou thinking that, but if that’s so, then why is Iieda the first person we see?

So, I think it’s Iieda thinking that. Tensions are rising, it seems. I’m expecting his turn to be full of a lot of emotion, or at least trying to get across to Izuku that he feels betrayed but mostly just wants Izuku to come back home.

I don’t really know what’ll happen with Iieda exactly, but I’m totally interested to see what happens

I know Bakugou has problems with his emotions and words and stuff, but I also think here he’s trying to anger Izuku in order to get him to fight back, maybe so he’s more angry than flexible in a fight, so the end result would be Izuku getting too angry to predict anything and eventually tripping up, and that’s when 1A could capture him.

The one thing to remember about Izuku is that allowing him to think is going to be the opponent’s downfall. We saw in the Kacchan VS Deku 2 fight that Bakugou knew this and so kept attacking as much as possible so Izuku wouldn’t have time to think. Which worked, because Izuku is great at analysis, so making his “Win” attitude [getting competitive therefore putting more energy into attacking than strategy] come out over his “Save” attitude [you’re my friend and I want to help you] is kind of a weakness of his. That’s kind of one of the reasons he lost that fight.

Then again, maybe Izuku has improved since then? I don’t really know but I think enough time has passed for him to have maybe improved more on that so idk we’ll see

I really love Bakugou’s expression in that bottom screencap lol

His wound!! All bandaged up!! I wonder if there’s a scar there or smthg :O

LET’S GET READY TO RUMBLEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE

I know Enji or Bakugou probably gave them details about the multiple quirks but I still find it wild that everyone just knows now

KOUDA! MY SWEETHEART! I’m glad he’s getting a part in this too, along with Sero. Two of them who didn’t really hang around Izuku but still want him to come back :’)

Sero and Black Whip! Finally! I mean it’s not much but it’s still better than nothing

Also, seems like Sero is trying to taunt Izuku to get him to attack him maybe [same as Bakugou feeding into Izuku’s competitive side] soooo idk Sero following Bakugou’s lead? Maybe :)

Look at how,,,, innocent Izuku looks,,,,, *head in hands* AND SERO TEACHING HIM!!

I knew this lil moment would come bite me in the ass at some point, I knew and yet I’m still tearing up goddamn

That “I thought she was going to tell me its a useless hobby” bit really drives home how Izuku’s friends are 1A, that he loves them and they were the only friends he’s ever had [except Bakugou but he was a bully at the time so I’m not really gonna count him for back then]. HOW many people before UA had gone around and told Izuku his taking notes hobby was useless? SHOW me the people!

I, mettywiththenotes, will NOT allow anybody to slander one of my own!

I know it’s like the only moment Izuku and Ojiro shared, with the sports festival thing, but it’s still really sweet that Ojiro sees that Izuku stood up for him

*head in hands*

Shouldn’t this kid be more worried that he’s likely going to get kidnapped?

“Yeah this super evil villain guy has decided he wants to kidnap me and take me away, but like nbd guys really, that’s why I left in the first place! So I wouldn’t be a burden!” Somebody get this kid a fucking therapist or some shit

This is kind of a chilling and pretty scene though. The rain falling above Izuku and him looking down with these piercing green eyes likely being the only light between them. Good stuff.

Satou! Aha I like how he’s pulling all the stops, such as “I WON’T LET YOU BORROW MY INGREDIENTS FOR ERI!”

Also let’s appreciate that Satou caught Ojiro and Jirou and managed to land on a freaking traffic light. The balance on this kid! Very well done

Kaminari putting Izuku in a headlock! How cute :)

Be cuter if they weren’t trying to subdue a martyr-complex cryptid from killing himself, but still

Does Shouji have some kind of support-item?? Or could he always do the stretchy thing?? Or I guess maybe he’s just stretching his arms out like branches [like he usually does] and using them as more like a capture weapon rather than his usual stuff. I don’t think we’ve ever seen him use his heteromorph body and quirk for anything other than the 5 senses, though I could be wrong

Also Shouji remembering what Izuku said at the training camp, I’m so glad! Shouji always seems like the kind to be so protective over his friends, so I’m glad he remembered that. Then again, Izuku did compare them to freaking ALL MIGHT, but if the nice analytical kid in your class who knows your limits and strengths says you could basically beat A GOD, then that’s definitely one for the memory scrapbook lmao

“It’s nice and dark here, Dark Shadow.” Who said that?? Kami or Izuku?? I just have this mental image of Izuku being shrouded in darkness and trying to keep his eyes open from falling asleep haha

Tokoyami remembering that from all the way back then!! It makes me think that not only have Bakugou and Izuku been watching each other, but that Izuku has always had everybody’s eyes on him! Which is true, he’s inspired everyone! It goes both ways; Izuku loving his friends, and them loving him back :’)

Kami telling him to take a bath lmao I love it. Finally somebody said it

*ugly sobbing noises*

This kind of segment, with a mask falling, a space in-between and a reveal, reminds me of Compress’ reveal :) In that, the person is hiding their identity and then when the mask comes off, they reveal who they truly are underneath

While Izuku is of course determined to go after AFO and is quite the fearsome powerhouse, I really think when he takes off that mask, he’s showing who he really is underneath - a scared little boy who just wants everyone to be happy

JESUS, SHOUTO REALLY IMPROVED HIS QUIRK HUH!! LOOK AT IT, IT’S EVEN HIGHER THAN THE SKYSCRAPERS!!

“The burden placed on you... it doesn’t allow for tears, right?” He sounds so sassy here.

Kind of like saying “Oh you look upset. But that’s weird, I thought Heroes weren’t supposed to cry.” Lol it really shows here how pissed Shouto is at Izuku

But then he relents from that snark and is like “Hey, come on, we’ll share this burden. I’m not letting you go it alone, remember that we’re all here.” :’)

I love when Shouto is sassy and passive aggressive but I also love it when he shows that soft side of him

Okay, this is something I really love.

Tsuyu didn’t join the Bakugou Rescue Squad because “they would be just like Villains breaking the rules”

But here she is, learning from that regret of hers and coming right back to make sure Izuku isn’t the one struggling. She wants to be a part of this rescue squad and pick up where she left off :)

Tsuyu has always struggled with her regrets. It was shown after Kamino when she cried, but for me, I only realised this fully during the Joint Arc when she had her regrets about not making better decisions and not being quick enough [I think that was it].

“I won’t cry in such a flurry” reminds me of “I want to live a life without regret” and so that’s what she’s saying here. This won’t be another regret of hers. She wants to do her best to save her friend

“When scared, you’re allowed to tremble when it’s tough, you’re allowed to shed tears. That’s how you become a Hero like in the comics.”

I feel like that quote piggybacks off of Shouto’s “Heroes cry too”, in that, this is now 1A comforting Izuku. This is them fully coming up to him and telling him that they can help, and that he’s allowed to feel sad about his situation. Shouto’s quote was the teaser, while this entire chapter [and the rest that come to follow] is the main course.

And this is exactly who Tsuyu is. Reassuring, comforting, someone dependable. It says a lot that she’s come from not going to help in Kamino, confessing her feelings and crying about it, then coming back in a similar situation and offering her help - that she’s not willing to just let an opportunity go to better herself. I think I remember reading a few posts on her crying after Kamino and saying it was “performative” or that she just “wanted attention” or smthg like that, but I think she’s really just quite an honest person, and here she is making a great show of how she won’t let something like her guilt slow her down from being the hero she wants to be.

[A part of me feels like this is also a little more evidence with the whole People Not Caring About Bakugou’s Feelings Of Helplessness but like. I digress. It kinda counts but at the same time, it’s not what is going on at the moment.]

Seeing everyone try to reassure Izuku was lovely, and I can’t wait for the rest. I’ve seen a lot of people waiting more for Bakugou’s portion of the battle [AND YEAH DUDE ME TOO] but I really feel like Bakugou’s won’t come until like 2 chapters later or something.

Cause, if this chapter is anything to go by, we’ll probably get through Mina, Mineta, Kirishima, Hagakure and Aoyama next chapter, and then we’ll move onto the “more important” conflicts which will be Iieda and Uraraka, and if their segments are chocked with tension drama and tears, then Bakugou will have a whole chapter to himself hopefully.

Which means we’ll probably have to wait 2 more chapters until we get that sweet, sweet Bakugou chapter :( I hope I’m wrong and it comes sooner than predicted but whatever

I know for some people, that’s all they want, but personally I love these little bits that reflect on the background characters. As someone who isn’t really obsessed with the background characters but also likes them enough to appreciate their development/the little moments they have, I gotta say I really liked this :)

[wizardofrozz]

Bound by Binary Suns

Obi-Wan Kenobi, Anakin Skywalker, Ahsoka Tano, Padme Amidala, Qui-Gon Jinn, Plo Koon

Word Count: ~6.2k

Warnings: physical abuse, mention of child abuse, slavery

A/N: This is not the end of this AU, I promise lol I have so many more ideas that I plan on writing ❤️

*The collars mentioned in this chapter are based on the ones Obi-Wan and Rex wear in the Zygerrian Arc of the Clone Wars show*

Chapter 4

The usually peaceful hovel was utter chaos as Obi-Wan, Anakin, and Ahsoka moved through the small space as the binary suns crept closer to the horizon. Obi-Wan could hear Anakin muttering under his breath from his bedroom, ignoring the few Huttese curses he caught, while the boy dismantled C3PO enough to hide him in a crate. Ahsoka was silently perched on the end of Obi-Wan’s bed, moving items he’d rounded up into their respective crates while he went through the kitchen. The little family didn’t have much, mainly clothes and a few personal items but Obi-Wan couldn’t sit still. Fear of the unknown hung like a veil around him, waiting for him to take a break so it could sink its claws in. 

Obi-Wan wandered to Anakin’s door, watching the boy arrange 3PO’s dismantled body into one of the crates, layering some of his clothes to stop the metal from knocking together. Anakin’s hands stilled when he sensed Obi-Wan’s presence but only for a moment before continuing his task. 

         “Ani?” Obi-Wan mumbled, loosely crossing his arms over his stomach. The boy hummed in acknowledgment but didn’t turn around and Obi-Wan huffed under his breath, moving to squat next to Anakin, clenching his jaw at the throbbing over his ribs. “Hey.” Anakin went still again but kept his head down, his long hair hanging like a curtain around his face. Obi-Wan brushed his fingers through the dark blonde locks, cupping the side of Anakin’s head, and forcing the boy to look at him.

         “I’m scared,” Anakin whispered, leaning into Obi-Wan’s touch. 

         “I know, my dear,” he breathed, tilting his head down to press their forehead together. “I’m scared too.” Anakin sniffled quietly, quickly wiping away his tears, and sitting back on his haunches again. “I’m sorry about your podracer. I know how hard you worked on it.”

         “It’s okay,” Anakin whispered brokenly, wiping at his nose. “I’m almost r-ready.”

         “Okay,” Obi-Wan sighed, carding through Anakin’s hair again. “I’m gonna go check on ‘Soka.” He found Ahsoka right where he left her, and stood behind her, rubbing one of her arms. “All done?”

         “Yeah,” she whispered, leaning into his side.

         “Good job,” Obi-Wan sighed, staring at the two standard crates taking up the majority of his bed. “Now we just have to get them outside.” Ahsoka nodded against his side, shifting slightly to pull her short legs up, wrapping her arms around them. Neither one made any indication of moving and eventually, Obi-Wan felt Anakin’s shoulder brush against his arm. 

         “It’s almost first sunset,” Anakin murmured, lazily wrapping his arms around Obi-Wan’s waist. They stayed huddled together for a few more minutes before breaking apart to drag their things into the steadily darkening evening.

Anakin and Ahsoka clung to each other in front of their stacked belongings, their blue eyes trained on the horizon. Obi-Wan pulled the hovel’s door shut, pausing with his hand on the handle, swallowing down the sadness lodging in his throat. Anakin had caught sight of the transport speeder a few minutes earlier, estimating it would be there exactly at first sunset and that’s when things started to set in. Obi-Wan stepped into their line of sight and dropped onto one knee so he was at eye level, nervously running his fingers through his freshly cut hair. 

         “I know you’re both scared,” he started, dropping his head forward. “I understand it but I need you to listen to me.”

         “Okay,” the pair sniffled together, keeping their eyes glued to Obi-Wan’s face.

         “You keep your heads down, don’t speak unless spoken to, and do everything you’re told,” Obi-Wan ordered, wiping a hand over his face. “I-I can’t protect you on the transport, no matter how badly I want to.”

         “We’ll be good,” Anakin promised and Ahsoka nodded against his chest, her bottom lip wobbling. Obi-Wan looked over his shoulder, his pulse jumping when he realized how close the speeder was, and quickly turned to face to children again.

         “I love you both so much,” he stammered, pressing a lingering kiss to Anakin’s head and then another to Ahsoka’s montrals. Fresh tears pooled in their eyes as they both mumbled something resembling ‘love you too’ and separated enough to kiss each of Obi-Wan’s cheeks. He dropped his head forward, a sob hitching in his throat but he pulled himself together as the drone of the speeder got closer. 

Boarding the speeder was uneventful, the reptilian guards saying nothing as they ushered the trio aboard, pointing them to the empty seats. All three watched the familiar buildings of Mos Espa fly by and to his surprise, Obi-Wan mourned the loss of the planet he’d called his home for so many years. He hated the heat, the sand, and most of the people but Tatooine still held a special place in his heart. Obi-Wan closed his eyes when the speeder officially left Mos Espa only for them to snap open again when they started to slow. 

Obi-Wan’s lips parted as he looked up at the transporter waiting outside the city limits and he faintly heard Anakin gasp at his side. The ship cast a long shadow over the sands, blocking out any remaining light as the speeder inched closer. Obi-Wan moved in a daze as they were ushered off the speeder and up the gangplank of the transporter, wincing at the bright lights just inside the ship. Anakin and Ahsoka walked in front of him, their heads bowed and hands clasped in front of them and the guilt that simmering just below the surface reared its ugly head, leaving an acidic taste on Obi-Wan’s tongue. 

They were brought to a stop in a large open room surrounded by numerous hallways extending to every corner of the ship. He could hear the guard’s feet scuffing against the floor and tried to keep his curiosity in check as they moved closer. The sound of the metal collar closing around his neck seemed to vibrate into the marrows of his bones. The cold plates pressed against his skin hummed to life, his hair standing on end for a beat before the static tapered off. Obi-Wan tried to ignore it but the collar felt like a ton of bricks resting on his shoulders and he thanked the Maker he couldn’t see Anakin and Ahsoka. A scale-covered hand closed around his arm, pulling him towards one of the hallways and he chanced a look over his shoulder. He watched realization cross their faces as they were lifted off their feet.

         “Obi-Wan!” Anakin screamed, thrashing against the guard. Ahsoka’s incoherent scream drowned out the rest of his sentence, her legs kicking wildly as she was carried away.

Obi-Wan stopped in his tracks, unable to do anything but stare in horror. “No,” he breathed. He spun on the guard trying to pull him away, tears blurring his vision as he scrambled to get the reptilian’s attention. “Please, please don’t separate us,” he begged, pulling the guard to a stop, yellow-slitted eyes focusing on him.

         “Keep moving,” the creature growled, dragging him forward. Ahsoka’s hysterical screams echoed off the corridors around them, mixing with Anakin’s enraged shouting. 

         “Please, I-I can keep them quiet,” Obi-Wan tried instead, digging his feet in. “We’re going to the same place just - just let them stay with me, please.” 

         “I said,” the guard enunciated, pulling him so close that he could make out each individual scale. “Keep. Moving.” Obi-Wan opened his mouth to try again but searing pain exploded across his skin, the electricity coursing through his body cutting off his words with a ragged scream. The ground greeted him, the pain of hitting the floor not even registering as his skin burned under the collar. It took a few seconds for Obi-Wan to realize the electricity had stopped and he gagged on the taste of blood, dragging himself to his knees. “Get up.” 

         “Please,” he whispered hoarsely, looking up at the guard. 

         “Shut up,” they snapped, hauling him to his feet by the metal collar, the edge digging into his throat. Obi-Wan stumbled when the guard shoved him forward, catching himself on a nearby wall only to trip over his feet when he was pushed again. He stopped caring about staying quiet, letting the sobs rack his body as the Force echoed with the screams of the children he couldn’t protect.

Obi-Wan sat huddled in the corner of his cell, the freezing durasteel bench biting into his cheek, and empty sapphire eyes stared at the heavy door opposite him. It hadn’t been long since the guard tossed him into the dark cell, silent tears falling consistently as Anakin and Ahsoka’s terrified wailing played on a loop in his head. Obi-Wan pulled away from the Force, unable to bear the waves of agony that were undeniably seeping into it from the pair. He curled himself into a tight ball, feeling like a lost little boy again, and it took him back to the day he was smuggled off Coruscant. 

Obi-Wan was so wrapped up in his crippling demons that he didn’t hear the footsteps approaching his cell or the gears in the door moving. He flinched away from the sudden light flooding the room, lifting an arm to shield his eyes, trying to blink away the dark spots clouding his vision.

         “Keep ‘em quiet,” a faceless voice snapped, followed by the slam of the cell door. Obi-Wan reeled as he was plunged into darkness again until he heard the faint sound of sniffling.

         “A-Ani,” a soft voice panted a few feet away.

         “I’m here, ‘Soka,” the other voice answered, coming out high and thready. Obi-Wan’s heart beat erratically, a relieved sob tearing from his throat at the sound of their voices.

         “Anakin? Ahsoka?” Obi-Wan exclaimed, blinding feeling his way out of the corner.

         “Obi!” Anakin cried, his shoes shuffling against the floor. The air was punched from Obi-Wan’s lungs with an oof when two small bodies slammed into him, sending him falling back into the wall. He immediately hugged them as close as the bulky collars would allow, fumbling to cup the back of their heads. 

         “You’re okay, we’re okay,” Obi-Wan reassured weakly, straining to make out their features in the dark cell. His eyes slowly adjusted letting him make out the shape of Ahsoka’s montrals a few inches from his face and Anakin’s silhouette. “Did they hurt you?”

         “No,” Anakin replied a little too quickly, pressing his forehead against Obi-Wan’s pec.

         “T-they shocked Ani,” Ahsoka whispered, crawling into his lap to curl up against his chest.

         “Stars,” Obi-Wan croaked, squeezing his eyes shut. He gently felt around to find Anakin’s chin, lifting his face to try and meet his eyes, swiping his thumb over his cheek. “Are you okay?”

         “It hurt,” Anakin hiccuped, lifting one hand to the dreaded collar. 

         “I know, dear one, they got me too,” Obi-Wan whispered, pulling him forward to rest their foreheads together. 

         “They were gonna hurt ‘Soka,” Anakin confessed, Ahsoka shuddering against Obi-Wan’s side at the mention of the incident. 

         “I’m so proud of you for protecting her,” Obi-Wan whispered, tilting his head enough so he could press a kiss to Anakin’s forehead. Ahsoka whimpered against his side, grabbing a fistful of his tunic and Obi-Wan rubbed her back, attempting to soothe the tremors running her tiny body. Anakin wiggled around, folding himself around Ahsoka’s legs, resting his head against the other side of Obi-Wan’s chest. The three of them stayed huddled together, slowly calming down until they drifted off into a restless sleep. 

Obi-Wan, Anakin, and Ahsoka were herded off the transporter with a handful of other slaves into a dimly lit hangar. Obi-Wan heard a few of the guards talking amongst themselves, the name Sanrafsix catching his attention, meaning they were on the edge of the Outer Rim, a few sectors over from Tatooine. He subtly glanced around the hangar but quickly ducked his head when a guard approached, flinching when the scaled hand grabbed his collar. Obi-Wan blinked when the metal hissed, the device popping open and falling into the guard’s hand. 

         “Let’s go,” the reptilian guard grunted, shoving Obi-Wan towards the idling ships across the hangar. He caught a glimpse of Anakin and Ahsoka being led in the same direction, quickly shifting his gaze to get a better look at the nearby ships. They were pushed past a few beat-up ships, eventually coming upon an enormous silver ship, the metal twinkling in the dingy lights of the hangar. Obi-Wan let out a soft gasp when he was pulled to a stop a few feet from the large ship’s ramp, a dark-skinned man with an eyepatch waiting for them. 

         “Thank you, gentlemen,” the man mumbled, nodding his head. 

         “You’re clear for takeoff when you’re ready, Captain,” one of the guards informed before turning on their heels. 

         “Follow me,” the Captain called over his shoulder, disappearing into the starship. Obi-Wan shared a look with Anakin and Ahsoka before anxiously waving them towards the ship, hurrying in behind them. The Captain stood at the top of the pristine white ramp, his hands folded behind his back with a neutral expression. Once the three of them approached him he turned on his heels, walking into a huge sitting room, glancing over his shoulder to make sure they were following. Obi-Wan and Anakin stumbled to a stop, scanning the bright sitting area with unbridled astonishment, Ahsoka muttering a quiet ‘woah’ between them. 

         “Where are we going?” Anakin gasped, turning wide eyes on Obi-Wan.

         “This way,” the Captain called lightly from a doorway across the large room. All the amazement disappeared and Obi-Wan grabbed the children’s hands a little too tight, pulling them across the room. 

         “Sorry, sir,” Obi-Wan muttered, bowing his head. 

         “I’ll come for you when we land,” the Captain mumbled, gesturing into the blinding white room. Obi-Wan ushered Anakin and Ahsoka into the small cabin, letting out a long stream of air when the door swooshed closed behind them. He finally lifted his head to study their surrounding, his previous amazement returning as his eyes roamed over the crisp white bunks. Ahsoka made the first move, hesitantly climbing onto one of the unmarked bunks, her eyes growing wide and her lips parting.

         “It’s so soft,” she breathed, blinking up at Obi-Wan. Anakin shuffled closer, crawling into the spot next to Ahsoka, his expression mirroring hers. 

         “Woah,” he giggled, pressing his palm into the cushiony mattress. Ahsoka’s face brightened, a smile slowly spreading across her face as she bounced on the mattress, a surprised giggle bursting from her lips. Obi-Wan stood in the middle of the room watching the pair giggle as they crawled around on the bunk and he didn’t have the heart to ruin the moment by reminding them of their situation. Instead of saying anything, Obi-Wan took a few steps back until his knees hit the side of the other bunk and lowered himself to the mattress. He barely stopped himself from groaning at the soft embrace, quickly toppling over to press his face into the cool pillow. 

Obi-Wan cracked his eyes open when the laughter opposite him grew a bit louder, a small smile tugging at his lips. Ahsoka hugged one of the pillows to her chest, snuggling into the fluffy material as Anakin flopped onto his stomach, sighing into the sheets. Obi-Wan took a deep breath, pushing back the anxiety and fear buzzing under his skin, and let them enjoy a sliver of comfort while they could.

 Anakin stood between Obi-Wan’s knees, huffing and grumbling as Obi-Wan gently probed the electrical burns on the boy’s neck. Ahsoka was curled up on the bunk opposite them, watching them as she lazily ran her fingers over the taut sheets. It hadn’t been long since the ship jumped from hyperspace, the tension in the small cabin building, none of them sure what will be waiting for them. The ship settling onto its landing gears jostled the trio making Anakin stumble into Obi-Wan’s knee and Obi-Wan’s pulse jumped, his stomach somersaulting. Ahsoka sat up, turning wide ocean eyes on Obi-Wan and the constant pressure on his chest suddenly felt suffocating.

         “C’mere,” Obi-Wan whispered, beckoning her closer. Ahsoka scrambled off the bunk, slamming into Anakin’s back, wrapping her arms around his waist, nearly sending him toppling into Obi-Wan’s lap. “We’re okay. Just stay quiet and follow orders.” Anakin wrapped his arm around Ahsoka’s neck, shifting so she was pressed against his side, and a sad smile lifted one side of Obi-Wan’s face. “I love you both.”

         “Love you too,” the pair mumbled, forcing his legs open wider so they could shuffle closer. The door hissed as it opened, stopping Obi-Wan from pulling the pair into a hug; they immediately separated, scrambling to stand as a figure appeared in the doorway. Obi-Wan recognized the captain but his brows pinches together when he caught the pained express flash across the man’s face.

         “Come with me, please,” the Captain stated, stepping out of the doorway. Obi-Wan stepped out first, Anakin and Ahsoka staying right on his heels as they made their way across the ship’s unbelievable lounge. The ramp was already down when they approached and the cold grip of fear closed around Obi-Wan’s throat, his steps faltering. The ramp turned into dark glassy stone as they stepped into the hangar and a gasp from behind him piqued Obi-Wan’s curiosity. 

He lifted his head enough to subtly scan the room, his throat clicking as he swallowed. The mouth of the hangar seemed to reach the sky, dwarfing the beings standing inside, and blanketing the room in warm golden sunlight. Smooth stone columns stretched to the ceiling, lining the walls from the entrance to the monstrous door they stopped in front of. Obi-Wan wished that the flashy display of royalty eased some of his anxiety but he’d heard enough horror stories from other slaves to not get his hopes up. He glanced over at Anakin and Ahsoka, the corner of his mouth barely twitching up as he watched them gaping at the extravagant hangar. 

Obi-Wan’s head whipped around when the towering door groaned, the sound bouncing off the walls. The Captain moved forward, blocking Obi-Wan’s view of the monarch that stepped into the room and his heart felt like it was going to beat through his ribs. Obi-Wan’s world tilted off-kilter, air whistling through his parted lips as his breathing picked up when the Captain mindlessly stepped to the side as he finished talking. The Queen was petite, layers of lavish cream-colored material rippled around her, a rose tint accenting the edges of the fabric. She folded her hands, waiting patiently as Obi-Wan’s eyes tentatively traveled over her frame and he nearly swallowed his tongue when his eyes landed on the familiar smile he was convinced he’d never see again.

         “Hello, Obi-Wan,” she beamed. It was unbecoming the way his mouth fell open, his shock rocking him back on his heels as his mind reeled. “Thank you, Captain Typho.” The man, Typho, smiled softly before bowing and slipping through the ajar door. 

         “Padme,” Obi-Wan choked out. His physical body felt too small for the staggering emotions battling inside him; relief and betrayal clashed behind his ribs making him feel like he might keel over. 

         “I told you I’d see you again,” Padme chuckled, her eyes shifting to the figures behind him. Obi-Wan glanced over his shoulder, finding Anakin and Ahsoka looking just as dumbfounded as he felt. The shock started to wear off, sending Obi-Wan’s mind into a tailspin as he tried to understand what was happening.

         “But - but I-I thought…you - you disagree with slavery. Why…? I-I don’t…” Obi-Wan stumbled over his words, a migraine growing behind his eyes as he tried to put the puzzle pieces together. He jumped when Anakin made a sound somewhere between a gasp and a laugh, drawing the other’s attention to him.

         “You freed us,” Anakin whispered, his eyes shining with tears as a blinding smile spread across his face. 

         “No, no. That…You don’t have the power to do that!” Obi-Wan argued, snapping his eyes back to Padme.

         “Don’t I?” she counter with a smirk, tilting her head slightly. “I am a Queen after all.” There was a beat of silence, time seeming to slow as realization dawned on the trio. 

         “We’re free!” Anakin shouted, his voice echoing through the hangar. Anakin and Ahsoka nearly burst at the seams with the force of their excitement; Ahsoka jumped at Anakin who immediately held her close, spinning her around once as laughter filled the hangar. Obi-Wan stood rooted in place, his mouth hanging open comically as he stared at the young girl he had formed a tentative friendship with on the sandy plains of Tatooine. Padme’s smile grew, showing all her pristine white teeth and she walked closer until she was in Obi-Wan’s personal space. 

         “You’re going to catch a bug, Obi-Wan,” Padme chuckled, pressing her knuckles into his chin, gently forcing his mouth closed. He helplessly flickered his stinging eyes around her face, waiting to wake up on the ship. “It’s not a dream.”

         “Why?” he managed to croak, his Adam’s apple bobbing as he swallowed around the lump forming in his throat. Mischief danced in Padme’s eyes, her smile taking on a teasing edge as she crossed her arms.

         “Well, if I recall correctly, you insisted that I couldn’t change your situation. That this was the ‘hard truth of the galaxy we live in’.” Padme raised a perfectly manicured brow at him and Obi-Wan’s cheeks warmed, and he dropped his eyes away from her face. “So I decided to prove you wrong. Although, I am sorry that it had to be this way but we couldn’t talk the Hutts out of their protocols.”

         “I-I…” Obi-Wan hiccuped, his eyes filling with tears, one slipping free to roll down his face. “We’re forever in your debt.” He lifted his eyes again, his bottom lip wobbling dangerously; Padme’s face softened again, her eyes darting over his shoulder towards where Anakin and Ahsoka were clinging to each other, crying softly.

         “No, you’re not,” Padme whispered, her eyes shining in the beautiful Naboo sun as she focused on Obi-Wan again. 

         “How can I repay you?” Padme opened her mouth to insist she wanted nothing but stopped short, knowing he wouldn’t accept her answer. 

         “Give those wonderful souls the life they deserve,” Padme decided, jerking her chin towards the pair in question. “Live a happy life for them and yourself, Obi-Wan.” A sob racked his body, the strength of it pitching him forward, and he covered his mouth with shaky hands. The Force around him sang, brushing against his life force to reassure him it was real. Obi-Wan felt flayed open by the intensity of the information, Naboo’s sun warming the scarred wounds he buried deep down for so long. Something came over Obi-Wan and he surged forward, punching the air from Padme’s lungs as he grabbed her in a bone-crushing hug. She floundered for a moment before relaxing into the embrace, wrapping her arms around his torso. 

         “I can never express how grateful I am,” Obi-Wan cried, squeezing the Queen tighter. He managed to collect himself enough to pull away, wiping the tears from his face as he pulled away. Padme only smiled at him, folding her hands and letting them hang in front of her, shifting her gaze over Obi-Wan’s shoulder. 

Anakin’s chin rested on the slope between Ahsoka’s montrals, the sunlight glistening off the tears staining his cheeks. Ahsoka had fistfuls of his tunic in a death grip, hiding her face in the boy’s chest, a few lingering tremors running through them. Obi-Wan’s shoes scuffing against the stone floor drew their attention and he dropped to his knees when they broke apart, running towards him. He barely stopped himself from toppling over as the pair slammed into him, burying their faces in his shoulders. Obi-Wan squeezed his eyes shut, cupping the backs of their heads, and pressing shaky kisses to their temples.

They stayed huddled together for a long time, the light from the mouth of the hangar slowly fading as they tried to come back from the heights at which they were soaring. Obi-Wan eventually lifted his head and a soft gasp passed his lips, making Anakin and Ahsoka lift their heads curiously. They shifted their gaze to follow Obi-Wan’s line of sight, similar sounds of astonishment falling from their lips. The sun was cut in half by the horizon, throwing golden light across the sky and the endless rolling hills. It was one of the most beautiful things Obi-Wan had ever seen. 

         “We’re free,” he breathed, a single tear slowly gliding over his cheek. The little family watched the sunset, staying frozen in time until the first moon started its ascent; someone clearing their throat behind them made the three jump. 

         “I hate to interrupt but there’s someone else who would like to see you,” Padme chuckled, strolling closer. As if Anakin and Ahsoka completely forgot about Padme’s presence, they both started to cry again, scrambling away from Obi-Wan. Padme let out a soft surprised sound when the pair crashed into her, muttering their thanks over each other. She wrapped an arm around Anakin’s shoulders to hug him closer and a smile lifted one side of Obi-Wan’s face, knowing the poor boy’s crush was only going to get worse. Padme held Ahsoka against her side, smiling down at the little Togruta whose chin was propped up on her side. 

Obi-Wan slowly got to his feet, wincing slightly at the ache in his ribs when he heard the door creaking again. His eyebrows shot up when a tall figure slipped through the door, a gentle smile on the man’s face, long brown hair shifting in the evening breeze. Obi-Wan blinked a few times, pieces shifting into place as the man strolled into the hangar, stopping within arm’s reach of him. 

         “Qui-Gon,” Obi-Wan muttered, staring wide-eyed at the Jedi.

         “Hello, Obi-Wan,” he chuckled, folding his hands under the sleeves of his robes. “I think you may owe me an apology for your mistrust in me.” 

         “I-I’m so-”

Qui-Gon cut him off with a laugh, holding up a hand to stop him. “No, no! I was only teasing,” the Jedi chuckled and Obi-Wan relaxed. “I’m glad to see you again.”

         “You knew,” Obi-Wan mumbled, looking through his lashes at the Jedi.

         “No,” Qui-Gon replied easily, lowering his hand. “Well, not when I insisted I’d see you again. The Force warned me of something to come but what it was, I didn’t know at the time.” Obi-Wan nodded, sighing through his nose when another thought hit him and he lifted his head to meet Qui-Gon’s eyes.

         “What are you doing here?” 

         “The Jedi Council sent me to insure you were transported safely,” he explained, the corner of his mouth tilting up. Obi-Wan’s heart sank and his eyes immediately found Anakin and Ahsoka standing off to the side, talking quietly with Padme. “I’m not here to take them from you Obi-Wan.”

         “But you will be, one day,” he whispered, wrapping his arms around himself. He jumped on instinct when a hand landed on his shoulder, catching a flash of the pained expression on Qui-Gon’s face. 

         “Maybe,” the Jedi hummed, squeezing Obi-Wan’s narrow shoulder. “Although, the Council has requested your presence as well.”

         “Why?” Obi-Wan shot back immediately, his brows pinching together.

         “I’m not entirely sure, my young friend,” Qui-Gon sighed, letting his hand fall away. They shifted their eyes to the three young beings a few feet away and Obi-Wan noticed the Jedi’s eyes lingering on Ahsoka. “Master Plo Koon was beside himself when he found out Ahsoka was okay. He had been devastated when she was taken under his watch.”

         “He cared for her,” Obi-Wan stated needlessly, rubbing his arms despite the warm evening. 

         “Very much. It appears she leaves a mark on everyone she touches.” Obi-Wan laughed under his breath, understanding exactly how true that statement was. “If you would allow it, he would like to see her again,” Qui-Gon confessed quietly, looking at Obi-Wan from the corner of his eye. Obi-Wan’s heart twinged at the thought of Ahsoka being taken from him and Anakin, knowing it would break both of their hearts. But, at the same time, if Ahsoka had the chance to be a Jedi, shouldn’t she take it?

         “Of course,” Obi-Wan finally answered, his voice wavering. 

         “He joined me on the trip from Coruscant,” Qui-Gon added, his features tightening in anticipation of Obi-Wan’s reaction. To his surprise, the young man smiled softly, turning his head to look up at the tall Jedi.

         “I figured as much,” Obi-Wan said with a huff of laughter. “Would he mind waiting until morning?”

         “Not at all,” Qui-Gon chuckled, meeting the young man’s bright blue eyes. The Force surrounding him was steeped in tranquility for the first time since he’d met Obi-Wan. 

         “Thank you,” Obi-Wan sighed, dropping his arms. Qui-Gon watched the young man close the space between them and his younglings, murmuring something to Padme. The Jedi Master watched Obi-Wan as the four of them move for the door, finding himself wishing that the Jedi Order hadn’t lost who could’ve been one of the best of them all those years ago.

The rising sun blanketed Obi-Wan in golden light as he stood on the balcony of their borrowed room, a warm cup of black tea cradled in his hands. He closed his eyes, focusing on the muffled roar of waterfalls surrounding the palace, shivering at the cool breeze that brushed over his bare chest. A hushed grumble pulled his attention over his shoulder to the large bed behind him; Anakin grunted and rolled over, snuggling closer to Ahsoka, pressing his forehead between her shoulders. Obi-Wan smiled at the Force humming around the three of them, their serenity reflected in the presence so regularly tainted with pain. 

Obi-Wan took a sip of his tea, his eyes flickering to the door when he heard a feather-light knock. He checked that Anakin and Ahsoka were still asleep before pulling the door open the slightest bit, raising a brow at the Jedi on the other side. He glanced over his shoulder again before slipping into the hallway, pulling the door shut with a soft click before turning back to the early morning visitor.

         “Goodmorning, Qui-Gon,” Obi-Wan hummed, holding his cup of tea closer to his chest. The steam curled over his skin and he silently berated himself for his idiotic habit of wandering around shirtless. 

         “Goodmorning,” Qui-Gon replied with a warm smile. Obi-Wan stiffened when he noticed another figure standing behind Qui-Gon, blinking a few times at the unfamiliar species. The first thing Obi-Wan noticed was the black mask covering the lower half of his face, his eyes following the sharp attachments that curved down towards the man’s chest. Orange leathery skin covered him and Obi-Wan’s eyes lingered on what he assumed were some kind of sensory structures on the sides of his head. When he tried to meet the man’s eyes he found small black goggles shielding them from view and Obi-Wan shifted his attention back to Qui-Gon. Then it hit him.

         “M-Master Plo Koon,” Obi-Wan stuttered, gripping his mug tighter. A rumbling, staticky sound filled the air, drawing his eyes back to the second Jedi. The skin around Master Koon’s eyes wrinkled and Obi-Wan quickly realized he was laughing.

         “It’s a pleasure to meet you Obi-Wan Kenobi,” Master Koon replied warmly. Obi-Wan’s eyes widened at the sound of his voice, slightly taken back by the deep timbre of it; Master Koon’s eyes wrinkled again, showing what appeared to be the closest thing to a smile he could manage.

         “The pleasure is mine, Master Koon,” Obi-Wan countered, clearing his throat, unconsciously making himself smaller.

         “Please, call me Plo.” Obi-Wan agreed with a hesitant nod, one side of his face lifting in a slight smile. Qui-Gon’s hand suddenly resting on his tense shoulder made him jump but he immediately relaxed, trying to stuff down the nerves buzzing under his skin.

         “We assumed Anakin and Ahsoka are still sleeping,” Qui-Gon started and Obi-Wan noticed the slight turn of Plo’s head towards the bedroom door. “But we were hoping you would consider meeting us this afternoon in the atrium.”   

         “Uh, sure,” Obi-Wan mumbled, nodding along with his answer.

         “Wonderful,” Plo hummed, bowing his head. Obi-Wan fidgeted at the gesture, years of slavery making him uncomfortable with it even if it was meant as an act of thanks in this situation. 

         “We look forward to seeing you then,” Qui-Gon added, offering him another warm smile before turning to leave. Obi-Wan watched the Jedi until they disappeared around the corner, the breath he’d been holding passing his lips with a huff as he leaned back against the door. He couldn’t quite place why he was suddenly so nervous; he hadn’t been like this when he Qui-Gon for the first time so what changed? Before he could dissect the uneasy feeling, he felt a nudge through the Force bond he shared with Anakin, a sleepy question of ‘where are you?’ floating into his mind. Obi-Wan smiled to himself before slipping back into their room to crawl back in bed for a little longer. 

The Theed Royal Palace was enormous, reminding Obi-Wan just how tiny he was in the grand scheme of things. Soft, expensive fabric brushed against his skin as he walked through the endless halls, watching Anakin and Ahsoka having an animated conversation a few feet ahead of him. Anakin was dressed similarly to Obi-Wan, sporting plain dark pants and boots that were paired with a loose, brightly colored tunic. Ahsoka on the other hand was captivated by the flowing cobalt dress that matched the stripes on her montrals, spinning periodically to admire the way it twisted around her. 

Palace personnel greeted them with warm smiles as they moved through the halls and Obi-Wan couldn’t help the uneasy feeling it caused in his gut. He was so used to the brutal ruthlessness of Tatooine, the constant need to be cognizant of where your eyes strayed that Naboo’s mood was jarring. Obi-Wan returned the greetings with a tight smile, avoiding eye contact as they went, growing more uncomfortable the farther into the palace they went. 

         “Look, Obi!” Ahsoka exclaimed, running into his leg, smiling so sweetly at him it felt like his heart might burst. “Look at all the plants!” Ahsoka tugged on his pant leg, pointing frantically at the glass enclosure a few feet away.

         “It’s so green!” Anakin laughed, looking over his shoulder, his light blue eyes sparkling. Obi-Wan felt delirious for a moment, tears burning in his eyes as he let the pair’s barely contained joy bleed into every corner of his being. 

         “Come on, let’s go in,” Obi-Wan urged, reaching for Ahsoka’s hand. Anakin ran ahead, vibrating in place as he impatiently waited for the other two, throwing the door open as soon as they were close enough. All three stopped in their tracks just inside the atrium, eyes shooting open as they were bombarded with sensations.

The room was muggy, the moisture hanging in the air clinging to their exposed skin the longer they were inside. The unmistakable smell of vegetation filled the chamber, mingling with the earthy soil and sweet aroma of flowers. Everything about the air around them felt fresh, crisp, and alive, making Obi-Wan’s knees weak. He took a deep breath and it felt like he was truly breathing for the first time in his life. 

         “I hear water,” Anakin whispered, turning tears-filled eyes on Obi-Wan, the boy clearly just as overwhelmed. 

         “This way,” Ahsoka cut in, pulling Obi-Wan along. They roamed through the endless vegetation, trying to take in every detail as Ahsoka’s fine-tuned hearing lead them towards flowing water. Obi-Wan felt the Jedi in the Force before he saw them, a small smile forming on his lips as they moved closer. The path opened into a small patio, the trickling of water growing louder as they found the towering waterfall. Crystal clear water cascaded down a wall of rocks, filling an impressive pool that was lined with flowers and plants. Two tall figures lingered by the edge of the water, their presence in the Force was calm and peaceful. 

         “Mr. Plo?” Ahsoka gasped, her lips forming a tiny ‘o’ as she gaped at the Jedi. The Kel Dor Master turned his head, his leathery face lifting in his version of a smile.

         “Hello, little Ahsoka,” he laughed, turning to face the trio and Ahsoka took off. Plo dropped to one knee in time to catch her in a tight hug, turning his head away so the projections from his mask didn’t poke her. 

         “Qui-Gon!” Anakin shouted, hurrying to the other Jedi with a wide smile. Obi-Wan strolled after them with a lazy grin on his face, feeling a little light-headed but content. He stood a few feet away, watching Ahsoka’s expressive gestures as she excitedly caught Plo Koon up on the last two years while Anakin sat on the edge of the pool, awestruck by the feel of the water flowing under his fingers. Their story was only just beginning and many difficult decisions lingered in the distance but Obi-Wan couldn’t think about the future yet. He’d spent so many years dreaming of this moment that he refused to waste it. 

Obi-Wan wanted to find a way to save this moment, this feeling so he could savor it for the rest of his days. The Force curled around him, lighter than he’d ever felt it, the two small Force-sensitive children pumping it full of joy and he relished in it. Finally, he opened himself completely to the presence that had been begging to soothe his battered soul for so long. The few wisps of darkness lingering around him seemed to disappear as he let all of the anger and fear bleed away. 

We’re free.

Masterlist

[wisehq]

Mission Debrief: Chapter 43

...IT’S HAPPENING! IT’S HAPPENING! IT’S HAPPENING-!

Alright, before we get into it- full disclosure; the hivemind is in full swing at the Operation Strix discord server, so pretty much anything I write here is going to be an amalgamation of all the conspiracy theories and reactions we vomited out as soon as the chapter dropped. On that same note, I think writing these the day after will start to be the norm. Just so I have the chance to calm myself before going on a twenty-page tangent about everything Endo may or may not be planning.

Okay [deep breath] let’s get into it.

First, let’s start off with Franky, before we get into the juicy stuff.

When the chapter first started, I thought we were going to get backstory on Franky. Endo seemed to be alluding to this on his twitter page, and I was actually interested in possibly seeing more about his and Twilight’s relationship. Of course that didn’t end up happening; instead we got another side story about Franky trying to get some action by finding a lady’s lost cat, but seeing as how it’s Franky we’re talking about it seemed appropriate. Also, how can I be upset when-

The princess herself arrives! I gotta say, I loved the lightheartedness of most of this chapter. Yor’s always a delight, and pairing her together with Franky was a smart move on Endo’s part. They built off each other’s wackiness and I love this moment with the two of them. Just like with Twilight, we see that Franky genuinely wants to make the world a better place (and also get rich along the way) and Yor’s so impressed with him. I also liked that moment where Franky is surprised to find Yor still playing Loid’s wife even when he isn’t there- much like how he was with Anya while he was babysitting her. Just another little nod to the fact that he sees the Forger girls as being more than players in a game of elaborate house.

Then- just a quick thing before we get into what I know we all want to talk about- it’s interesting to me that Franky isn’t a one-man operation. He has a whole network of informants that he works with, and it makes sense that someone in his line of work has a many ears on the wall as possible. It’s a surefire way to stay plugged into the goings-on of the Ostanian underworld, unless of course...

...They get taken out by Garden.

AGHGHGHGHGH ALRIGHT, OK LET’S GO-

Garden. We finally have a name for Yor’s group now; we thought it was The Shop for the longest time, but apparently that’s only part of it. Yor alluded to this briefly back in ch. 29 when she described The Shop was being in charge of information gathering, and once their job was done it was Yor’s turn to come in and do the actual assassination. In this sense we see The Shop was being more of a support role in the same way that Franky is, though it’s still safe to assume the Shopkeeper is still in charge of both The Shop and Garden. At least for now- until we get more information to say otherwise, anyway.

Of course, the interesting thing is our silhouetted figures standing in this panel- not to mention the fact that Franky states that all the members are capable of taking on a whole troop of soldiers (for reference, a troop ranges between 9 and 100 men, though it usually hovers around 50). We know Yor is capable of doing this, but now that we also know the other assassins of Garden are as well, it begs the question; is Yor’s strength truly a unique thing in this world? And if it isn’t, what could be the source of it?

OSO-R, the drug used during the Tennis arc, was described as being in its trial stages. I originally chalked up it’s fast development time as just being part of manga logic, although I’m now starting to question that theory. It’s possible the roadmap for OSO-R has been around for much longer than first thought, and may find its traces back to when the war had just ended. Loid describes Garden as having been around for some time. We also know that Yor was just a child when she started up her assassination gig, so it’s possible that she and others like her may be have been exposed to a serum similar to OSO-R a decade or so before. Given Ostania’s track record of human experimentation, the scenario is possible.

Also going back to what Franky describes as “the shadow government”; it’s interesting that we’re hearing rumblings of a government operating outside the public’s view literally one chapter after we were just introduced to the concept of a royal class at some point in Ostania’s past. There’s a lot of things that cab be construed from this (such as Garden serving an authority that doesn’t necessarily align with Donovan and the government) but listing everything would just turn this review into one long-winded mess. So instead, we’re gonna entertain a fun theory- one that may or may not be true, but if it *does* end up being confirmed later on down that road, you heard it here first.

*ahem*

Mr. Green is a part of Garden.

Allow me to state my case.

When ch. 39 came out, I found it very unusual that a brand new character we haven’t seen before got a majority of the panel-time alongside Damian and the boys. It wasn’t very suspicious at the time, given that we’d just been introduced to Becky’s maid Martha, so we all just assumed Endo was building up his side characters a bit. For all intents and purposes, that may very well be the case.

However.

I know one person in particular who latched onto this panel right here, and for good reason; why would a security guard stationed at a school nowhere close to the border know about code words being used by people trying to cross over illegally? Yes, he was supposedly in the navy, but the way he phrases it here heavily implies that these code words are a recent affair, or at the very least are still being used currently. Why would he know that? Even if he was in the military, it’s information that has absolutely nothing to do with being in the navy.

Mr. Green is also very strong; strong enough to make the boys think they were going down rapids when in actuality it was just him rowing so fast. Now, I don’t know if you’ve ever paddled a boat before, but it’s hard work- and it’s certainly difficult to the get that boat going at cruising speed, let alone fast enough to cause rapids. Yor’s the only one we’ve seen with strength like that and- yes, Green was supposedly in the navy, but at this point in time we don’t know anything else about him. We don’t know what he did after the war, nor do we know how he wound up in Eden Academy in the first place.

This is where we start going deep down the rabbit hole. Hang on.

This gentleman who we’ve never seen before is clearly aware that Garden exists, or at the very least is privy to Yor’s actual job. Much like how WISE has plants within Loid’s hospital, this man likely works to support Yor in some way. If such is the case, we can likely assume that- because the shadow government is supporting Garden- they would have their assassins posted in key areas for various reasons, likely to keep an eye out for traitors or to keep them spread out to cover a wide area should the need ever arise to deploy them.

We’ve only ever see Yor target traitorous politicians and outright terrorists (I realize this one is just a daydream, but you get my point). It would make sense, seeing as how she works at city hall and it would likely put her in an advantageous position when hunting them down. Of course, politicians aren’t the only people who might catch Garden’s attention. Given the amount of political and economic unrest that is currently going on in the country, there likely would be some people who would be fed up with the state of things. Such people may not be like Franklin Perkin- someone who would take direct action against the government- but instead would rather try to steer others towards a mindset that stands in opposition to Ostania. Such a person may try to target more impressionable people- people who are likely to listen and learn from an authority figure in their lives. People like...small children.

Eden students.

Garden. Eden. I see what you’re doing there, Endo.

Traitorous professors? Renegade academics? It would make sense to have a Garden assassin stationed at the most prestigious school in the country; the amount of information and contacts that are positioned around there are second to none, and what better way to suppress insurrection than at the source, at the very foundations of knowledge itself? Also, for kicks and giggles, let’s not forget that the name Mr. Green certainly fits with the plant motif Endo is going for with his assassin group (Garden. Thorn Princess. Briar. You catch my drift?)

Am I grasping at straws? Probably lol. I’d also like to reiterate that this is in no way all my thinking- a lot of crazy people put their brains together for this one, good or bad. But hey, it’s about all we can do until the next chapter! And at the very least, it’s a lot of fun to wonder what-if!

Also, BONUS

...She’s coming.

[iamanartichoke]

Natalie Holt implying that Loki slept with Sif before cutting off her hair honestly makes my blood boil. The first Thor movie showed us a sympathetic character that was an outcast in Asgard, and a scapegoat in his family. Everything now just seems like Marvel trying to take all of that away. So many people are saying, "Well, now I know why Sif doesn't like him, lol!" And that is exactly as intended. We are supposed to see Loki as an ass and everyone else as a saint for putting up with him. :(

I'm just really baffled at how it's either a) supposed to make sense, or b) explain anything about their dynamic?

Like, okay, let's assume that they do hate each other bc they slept together. Why would that be? Even if you catch feelings and get rejected, that's not really justification to hate someone. Ideally you'd just go your own separate ways but since Loki and Sif shared a social circle, that probably wasn't an option, in which case the next best thing is to just be civil while you move on/get over the feelings. No hatred necessary, and certainly not for centuries.

I don't believe that either of them is stubborn enough to harbor a grudge over being rejected. Sif bc I wouldn't believe that she caught feelings for Loki anyway, and Loki bc while he would certainly be hurt, and his pride would be wounded, I just don't see him holding onto that for longer than it would take for him to move past it.

And where is the hair-cutting supposed to come in? Are we implying here that Loki is so childish and petty that he cut off Sif's hair in retaliation for her not returning his feelings? (Seeing it written down like that, I am guessing this is exactly the implication, bc of course it is, smh.) Was he 12 when they fucked, or ??

So here's the thing, though. You pointed out that the first Thor movie showed us a sympathetic character who was an outcast and a scapegoat but no, actually, it didn't. Thor 1 showed us a jealous, vindictive loner turned villain. That's the problem - the MCU isn't taking anything away as much as they're trying to re-establish the characterization they intended for him to have all along.

Thor 1 left things out that would provide more context to Loki's motivations. Thor 1 actively deleted scenes that showed Loki as sympathetic. Thor 1 set up a "good brother vs evil brother" black-and-white dichotomy between Thor and Loki, in which the narrative and the supporting characters all behaved as though Loki was innately the evil brother and there wasn't even a question about that. Thor 1 was Thor's movie, and while I obviously have no problem with that, it being Thor's movie means that to a lot of the audience, Loki was never going to be perceived as sympathetic. In order to make Thor the hero of his story, Loki has to be the villain and most people just accept that at face-value.

Is Loki sympathetic? Yes. Was he an outcast in his society and a scapegoat in his family? Yes. Was he evil at heart? No. Did he do bad things? Yes. Did he intend for them to turn out as terribly as they did? No. Etc.

These are all things that a lot of us know because we've taken the time to know them. One needs to be interested/invested enough in Loki to make the effort of interpreting his motivations and his characterization but, that said, having a vested enough interest in Loki to be an active fan doesn't necessarily mean interpreting him sympathetically. There's this weird divide and things that seem obvious in hindsight, such as Loki's sympathy as a character or the nuances of what he was really trying to achieve in Thor 1, are things that a lot of the audience + his fandom either don't pick up on or don't care to see.

There's a reason 2011-13 Loki isn't as popular as Ragnarok Loki. There's a reason there are so. many. posts. in this fandom that start off with "I love Loki, but -" and then proceed to drag him. There's a reason why a lot of his fans are like "lol I mean he did murder all those people though?" or why the "you just like Loki/apologize for Loki bc you want to fuck Tom" argument is so prevalent. There's a reason why headcanons like "Loki just fucked his way into the GM's inner circle" are treated as canon, or why nobody questions whether or not it actually made sense for Loki to randomly betray Thor right before the obedience disk scene.

The reason is that Thor 1 didn't show us who Loki really was, and because of his portrayal in that movie and in Avengers (subtext and word-of-god confirmation is clearly insufficient for the wider audience to realize that Loki wasn't acting of his own accord - no, he's just evil), there are very many fans who are just never going to see him as anything besides villainous at worst or "a fun but greasy little shit" at best, who causes trouble and does shitty things for the lulz.

"Loki cut Sif's hair for no other reason than to be a dick after they fucked" falls perfectly in line with that characterization, and the result is that you get tons of fans who are like "LOL that's SO Loki!" or "No wonder Sif hates him!" etc. And if, in 2021, ten years after Loki was introduced into the MCU, people are still coming away from his narrative arc + his own series believing that he is, or ever was, just a rotten little shit who caused trouble for the lulz? Then that is clearly the Loki that they see, that they stan, and that means whatever he means to them, and regardless of how our portion of the fandom may object and cry foul, there's honestly just nothing we can do about it.

So, I mean, there we are. People can feel however they want about Loki. It is what it is. And I think I'm just tired of getting upset about it. Re Loki/Sif, I will share my opinion that it's a trash headcanon and laugh at it, but I'm tired of allowing myself to get genuinely upset about how other people perceive this character, especially when there's nothing I can do about it and the only person who ends up suffering is me when my mental health spirals downward (bc I care way too much about fiction and I have no problem admitting it).

I didn't intend for this to be so long, and obviously this is not any kind of rebuttal against you or your ask personally, anon. It just gave me an opportunity to put into words what I've been feeling for quite awhile. It is what it is.

I also feel it's worth mentioning, again, that I think Natalie's soundtrack is absolute fire and I have nothing but respect for her as the composer in this series, but I do not think that earns her any merit in how she perceives these characters. Loki/Sif is her headcanon, and she also said that Loki looks at Sylvie the way he looks at his mother, which is like, and how do you think he's looking at his mother, Nat? Cause uh. I don't think they are the same. I know most people won't agree, but I feel like her words need to be taken with a grain of salt and not accepted as canon based on nothing more than her position of being someone who worked on the show.

I should put this behind a cut, but meh. Also, I know a lot of people reblogged/added onto my Loki/Sif post from last night and I was going to engage but I just don't have time, so please accept this as my general response + stance on the entire clusterfuck.

[what-do-1000-swords-look-like]

Just saw a buddie gifset with the 3 scenes with them and beers and ahem... first time we see them with beers in THE kitchen scene buck just sets beers on the kitchen island and eddie picks it up himself. The second time also in s3 when they're at buck's again and buck is wearing that pink sweater and talking about Chris ("aren't you still in that phase") buck slides the beer over to eddie. And now in 5x04 in the balcony scene, eddie hands buck the beer. Like I don't know if it has to do with anything but just caught my eye: you pick up your beer, I slide you over the beer, I hand you the beer.. whats next? I tilt your head back and hold the bottle for you while you drink? Like I'm probably reaching but for me that beer seems like a prop now to show their development, how much closer they got 😄 never really thought of this till I saw the gifs of the scenes next to each other..

Hi, Nonnie! I don't think you're reaching at all. I think you're onto something actually (and hopefully the very scenario you mentioned LOL). Beer is definitely a prop that they like to use for Buddie. No doubt about it. So I think what you picked up on makes it even more incredible than beer just showing up in the scene, you know?

Buck putting the beer on the kitchen island so Eddie can pick it up in 3x09 - I think this is interesting because Eddie was clearly struggling in that season after Shannon's death, the tsunami, etc. And it's after Eddie picks up this beer, immediately right after, that Buck gives him the heartfelt apology Eddie had been subconsciously hoping to get but wasn't expecting to. Almost as if Buck was gauging in a way to see if Eddie would be open to hearing him out.

Buck sliding the beer over to Eddie in 3x12 - immediately after he does this, Buck is helping Eddie by presenting to him an option that Eddie hadn't seen or even thought of before. This ends up being who he listens to in the end with Christopher and the skateboarding issue.

Eddie handing the beer to Buck in 5x04 - not only is Buck hurting, but it almost seems as if Eddie is now open to everything Buck so to speak. Buck accepts the beer and immediately after Eddie is reassuring him while also giving him advice.

Which brings me back to my original read that Eddie would be the one to help Buck this time around, especially with that line of "Maybe that's not who she is anymore, maybe this time she's the one who needs to taking care of" followed by this look:

And the slow zoom ins for Eddie and then Buck as the latter processes the words. So I think that's what surprises me a bit about the show choosing to continue Eddie's struggling in the episodes after 5x04 (especially 5x08). Like I get they are mirroring his season 3 arc where he was struggling but at the same time, now it kind of feels like we're going in a big circle? Eddie went through all of this growth to the point where he could hand Buck the beer, and now it feels like another layer is being peeled back for his character but underneath it is a return to 3x01 in a way. So, I guess we'll just have to wait and see. I'm trying to keep the faith but I truly have no idea where they're going with this. I do know only one thing for sure: they're definitely working their way towards Buddie, one scene at a time.

That was a phenomenal catch, Nonnie, and thank you for sharing it with me!!! I hope as we move towards the mid-season finale, things will become a bit clearer for this season. ;-) I hope you have a wonderful rest of your night!!! <3

[greenygreenland]

The Floor Is Lava: (Platonic) 501st x Jedi Reader

-saw something about the floor is lava and imagined this in my head at like 3am

-note, you are a jedi padawan of shaak ti’s with your own squad (who are actually my ocs lol). They are called the Nebula Squad (the squad is actually from Wannabe, another one of my Star Wars fanfics)

-basically, you are someone who acts alone (without your master) and goes on special ops missions. you team up with anakin a lot

-CAN BE READ WITHOUT HAVING TO READ WANNABE

Summary: The floor is lava.

Spring came early. Too early. Maybe it was the fact that this planet had short winters, or the fact that you just weren't used to the warm breezes and scorching heat. After being stationed on Hoth for a good two weeks, you adjusted to the climate. With that came the curse of low heat tolerance.

"I'm going to die." you grumbled.

Your mission was in the more civilised (that was how one of your boys put it) regions of the planet. For some strange reason only the Force knew, your ship broke down in the worst place: a deserted village. Why was this the worst place? Because there was no way you could repair a broken ship without spare parts.

And where were spare parts located? In the city you were supposed to land in. Great, just great.

“(Y/n), can’t we contact General Skywalker for assistance?” inquired Nova. “We are supposed to RV with them anyway.”

Nova was your friend and assigned clone Commander. He, like you, had a knack for getting into sticky situations. Usually he was the one with the plan B, not you. “I can ask Grav and Nimbus if they can get a signal out over there.” He pointed to the mountain on your right. It was tall with a jagged top, where thick forests of luscious greenery sprouted out all over.

Yeah, good luck getting through that.

“You mean to tell me there’s no signal here?” you inquired. “Just how remote is this place?” Even with that bucket over Nova’s face, you knew he was frowning and holding back a long sigh. “Intel said--”

“Intel’s always wrong.” cut in a voice. You peered over Nova’s broad shoulders and met gazes with another member of your squad, Icee. He was just as tall as Nova, sporting the Squad’s signature purple stripes and it’s logo--a nebula. Over his shoulder, he held tight to a sniper rifle. The thing was a beauty, as well as his baby.

“The three things you can never trust are the weather forecast, the canteen menu, and intel. Plain and simple, vode.” Icee added. You shook your head, swatting a few mosquitoes away with a wave of your hand. “If that big ‘ol mountain is the only place we can get a signal from, then I say we go. All of us.”

Nova nodded in agreement. He shouldered his pack, adjusted a few straps on his kama and weapons, and motioned for the rest of the squad to move out. “Is there anything we should know about the wildlife here?” he inquired. “My HUD’s picking up the usual birds and rascals. I’d rather not risk it though. Remember Felucia?”

A shiver ran down your spine at the mention of that jungle-hell. Everywhere you walked lay a deadly plant in need of its next meal. They snuck up on you too, striking out of nowhere like the silence of night. Your number one rule there was not to touch anything.

“There are a few carnivorous plants south of here,” answered Nimbus. “Besides that, all we have to worry about are the birds.” You admired the way he was able to brief everyone so quickly. The only other clone you’ve met with such a well of info was Tech, a member of Clone Force 99.

“What do the birds look like?” you inquired. Nimbus scrunched up his face under that bucket of his. “I don’t think you wanna know.” Grav squinted at the screen and pushed his brother’s head with the back of his hand. It wasn’t enough to hurt him, but you sensed a lingering annoyance in the air after. 

“What, you scared of some little bird Nimbus?“ he teased. Nimbus wordlessly flipped over his datapad for everyone to see. The screen displayed a large bird-like creature with long fangs covered in drool. Its eyes were beady and bloodthirsty, as if it wanted you to be its next meal.

Nimbus scanned over the heading. “This is a...uh...Kah-rah...Kahl-ram-dah-lahm-dahl...?”

“Kara’dalamb’da.” corrected Storm. He pulled off his helmet, the low ponytail of his fanning out in the warm breezes. “I’ve read about them once. They’re not the type of creatures I’d want to run into. They drag you to their caves, pull you apart limb, and then chew you alive. The worst part is that they don’t eat you.”

Nimbus knitted his brows together. “So we’re like chewing gum to them?”

“Exactly.” Storm affirmed. “They come out at night time, then stay around till dawn before hiding in their caves.” Icee blanched and you couldn’t blame him. You were all heading towards the mountains, where plenty of caves and labyrinths lay. There were probably tons of those Kara-whatevers waiting for their dinner.

You folded your hands together with a tight frown. “Is there another way of getting a signal to Anakin?” George shook his head sadly. You sensed an overwhelming amount of resignation rolling off his shoulders. “No. Even if I tried use long-range comms, it wouldn’t work. There’s too much interfering with the signal.”

There was a chance you could telepathically contact Anakin. He’d answer in an instant and personally come to find you. But that would drain your energy. Your boys needed you more than you needed to contact Ani. If you became dead-weight then it would compromise the mission.

“Alright,” you decided. “We have twelve hours to scale that mountain and hurry our shebs to the ship. If we don’t make it back in time, consider ourselves toast.”

You wished you’d consider yourself toast from the start. If that were the case, then you wouldn’t be running for your life. The mission up was a success. You managed to reach the highest point on the mountain in less than eight hours by ways of a local trail (Nimbus noted that this was a popular tourist spot in autumn). Then you contacted Rex, who promised to RV at the foot of the mountain.

The way down was a different story.

It was dusk when you made your descend. The moon rose into the sky while the sun shied away, and if it weren’t for the boys and their helmet lamps, you wouldn’t have been able to see a thing. At first, the walk back was completely fine. The boys were in good spirits and you weren’t hungry for (favourite food).

But then it didn’t go well.

It wasn’t your fault that you didn’t see the giant jaws of death looming over you, or Nimbus, who started arguing with Grav. Again. It also wasn’t you fault that George so happened to trip over a rock and slam into Sapnap, who tried breaking his fall by grabbing onto Halo’s arm. The three went down together, and with the heavy clanking of katarn-class armour, you were sure the whole animal kingdom heard the show.

And that was how the Nebula Squad found themselves in this mess, fleeing from the horrifying Kara’dalamb’da.

“This is your fault Grav!” cried Nimbus. They bumped heads and it took all your willpower not to join the screaming match. “Shut up,” replied Grav. “You were the one who started it!” Nimbus gritted his teeth. “You who else started this?” he seethed. “Them!” He pointed over his shoulder at Halo, George, and Sapnap. They were the ones who had fallen, after all. Why else did the beast wake up?

“It wasn’t my fault!” cried George. Sapnap scoffed and it was lost to the screech of the oversized bird above. “No one said it was your fault anyway! You just have a guilty conscious!”

You eyed the bird with a sharp scowl. It flew higher, into the haunting light of the moon and across the stars. It gave a great screech again. You covered your ears as a shiver ran down your spine. “Is there any place we can hide from that thing? I’m pretty sure it can smell us from klicks away!”

“That’s correct Commander!” Nimbus congratulated. By the light aura around his shoulders, you guessed him and Grav already made up. They always had petty arguments anyway. “The Kara’dalamb’da has an incredible sense of smell and a wingspan of about ten meters! That’s pretty cool.”

Storm stared at his brother in bewilderment. “How is that cool?” he demanded. “You want to be chop suey for that thing? Be my guest.” Halo laughed a little. You knew he was doing it to shake off his nerves. “Why’d you have to go on and say that? Now I’m going to start singing.”

You scanned the forest. For miles, it seemed to be only forest, wildlife, and bare nature. A flicker of...something cut through your senses. Calculating, at the ready, and deadly. You paused in your step, Storm mimicking you. He met your gaze. “You sense it too?”

“Maybe it’s them.”

You heard them before you saw them.

“Blast that bird out of the sky!”

A squad of 501st troops rustled through the trees. They were silent as the night, save for one trooper who decided to whisper-shout a ‘hi’ to your squad. Their formation, lame as it was, worked in their favour. They raised their blaster, lighting up the sky with bright bolts of blue.

“Can we get a rocket launcher over here?”

“Yes, sir!”

The bird dropped out of the sky with a cry, razor-sharp teeth bared and claws at the ready. It was coming closer, diving faster. You pulled out your lightsaber and thumbed it on.

I am one with the Force and the Force is with me.

You heaved in a deep breath and leapt into the moonlight. Your robes fluttered in the wind, and your hair whipped in arc of (hair colour). It was like you had wings. Time slowed and you raised your lightsaber. It came down in a neat slash across the beast’s neck.

You tumbled through the air and met the ground in a roll. The beast fell behind with a loud THUMP!. You turned off your glowing blade and stashed it away on your belt. The adrenaline keeping your nerves hidden away was slowing, and the realisation that you just murdered a beast settled into your mind.

Part of you wished things could have been different. But what choice did you have?

“Commander!” called Nova, stopping by your side. “Are you okay?” You smiled and he heaved out a sigh of relief. “That was some jump, but now look.” He pointed to your dirt-covered robes. It wasn’t a big deal, but to someone like Nova, it was an issue.

“Here.” Nova helped you dust off the robe with a few pats. “That’s better.”

“Oh, it didn’t look bad.” you stated. He folded his arms across his chest. “That’s what you always say (Y/n).” You grinned and bumped shoulders with him. He replied by playfully shaking his head with a sigh.

A familiar boy made his way towards you. Even through the moonlight struggling through the thick canopies, you saw the chipped blue paint. “Rex,” you greeted. “Thanks for the assistance. Although, I wish you toned it down a bit. You made my squad look like a bunch of young fools.” A loud ‘hey’ sounded from your boys, but you elected to ignore it with a grin.

“Your squad did a phenomenal job in staying alive that long.” Rex said with a chuckle. “And besides, you stole the show in the end. The boys had fun watching your display.” You three shared a warm laugh that reminded you of the sun.

Speaking of sun, was it just you or did it get brighter outside? You looked up to gaze at the moon. It still stood high in the sky, just as before. The stars were out too, bright and clear as ever. So why had the temperature risen so quickly? It was at least another eight hours till dawn. That was more than enough time for the moon to stay out.

A scattered cluster of birds flew from out of the trees. Was it just you or was the forest getting really silent? Owls refused to hoot, those kara-whatevers weren’t screeching from their caves, and crickets stopped chirping their calming songs.

“WOAH, WOAH, WOAH!”

“I TOLD YOU IT WAS HERE!”

“I THOUGHT IT WAS IN THE SOUTH!”

You spun around so fast that you could have gotten whiplash. Sapnap, George, and Halo sprinted from out of the thick trees with their helmet lights on the highest setting. You squinted behind them. Something had to be chasing them, otherwise they wouldn’t be sprinting like track stars.

But you didn’t see any deadly animals, nor did you sense them. All that was left was an...

...an eerie silence.

You thought back to the briefing. Back to the meeting you nearly fell asleep in. If it weren’t for Icee kicking your feet every now and then, then you would have passed out completely.

“On this outer rim planet, I suggest you be careful,” Obi-wan had said. “The locals reported the activity of volcanoes erupting unexpectedly. They believe it has to do with an angry spirit plaguing their land, but we’ve found out the Separatists have a hand behind this.”

“Do you know where these volcanoes are, General Kenobi?” inquired Grav. He shook his head. “No, but I’m sure you won’t have to know. The city under siege is our main objective. You will rendezvous with Anakin there.”

Sapnap, George, and Halo motioned for everyone to move. There was a flicker of movement behind them. Fives emerged from the bushes in a frantic sort of panic. “LAVA!” he cried. “THE FLOOR IS LITERALLY LAVA!”

That was all it took for everyone to run. As uncoordinated as the retreat was, having lava behind you wasn’t exactly something anyone could stay calm about. The glowing magma was faster than it was supposed to be, and you had a feeling it was because it had a nice flow coming out of the planet’s core.

“Talk about an intense game of ‘the floor is lava’!” Hardcase shouted with a laugh. Jesse ‘pffted’. “I thought being chased by lava would be worse! This isn’t nearly as bad as last mission!”

Last mission? Oh, what was Ani doing to these poor souls? Your shoulders slumped in defeat. They were so nonchalant. How? Burning to death in lava was said to be the most painful death, and you’d rather not be Gollum in his last moments on Mount Doom.

“Why don’t you turn that frown upside down?” inquired Fives. You hadn’t even realised he’d caught up with you. “What are you talking about?”

“It’s just a bit of lava!”

You threw a hand over your shoulder and pointed to the glowing, hot mass. It burned through everything it touched. A fire was beginning to catch too, and all the smoke and ash from it wasn’t doing you any good. “Just a bit of lava? Well how would you feel running into that?”

“I don’t know!” he retorted. “Never tried it!”

“If you did, then you’d be dead!” Kix shouted. You face-palmed. “That’s a bit of a no-brainer!” Fives pulled off his helmet. The grin smacked upon his lips didn’t leave. “Who’s up for a round of ‘the floor is lava’?”

“Me!” said Jesse.

“And me!” added Hardcase.

“You guys need to cool it.” Kix said. “But don’t leave me out, I want to play too.”

You let out a long sigh. The 501st may have saved your skin today, but tomorrow? They’d probably get you killed.

TIP JAR <--- (if you’re feeling nice)