#prompt 2

[prompts-and-plunnies]

| Prompt #2 | Character A: Oh no, you're injured! Character B: So are you, dumbass.

[aaaaawolfquarters]

@weekly-star-wars-prompts

Prompt 2: Tooka eyes

Crosshair's eyes glow like a tooka (cat)

[neo-kajatrash]

Here’s my entry for the second prompt of the STVBB art bash 2024: Storytelling! ✨ @stranglethorn-bonfire-bash

This is a completely new experience for Rusty, but he’s being so brave about it. It turns out he did actually have a story in mind—one that’s entirely inspired by the latest major events of his life and the things he’s still processing. You might be able to guess who the other animals are meant to be 🐭

Featuring the characters of: Mingles, Deezmo (who is not in the art bash), Chromadraco, @goblinbisaster, Gray_Beast1995, KatArt8809, @kottkrig, @queenofdeath666, @/snakekettle on bsky, and SilverSoo!

This took around 46.5 hours from start to finish for all the pages combined, and that sketchy section definitely helped me time-wise lol. I hope you guys like the piece and Rusty’s sad little fable! 💙

Also on twitter!

And here's the closeup ^-^

[thatgirlyourejected]

Yandere Opera x ex girlfriend reader. Prompt 2

You live like this? Clearly you need me to take care of you.

Trigger warning, smoking, depressing themes, yandere themes, abuse, homelessness, kissing, bondage, mentions of sex.

You lazily took a drag from your cigarette, inhaling the bitter tobacco; let it fill your lungs, infesting them, tainting them. With a puff a ring of rose, releasing the addictive substance into bitter morning air. You rest your upper body against your veranda, a small consolation attached to your otherwise decrepit apartment.

Things hadn’t been going smooth for you, your bloodline magic weaker compared to the rest of your siblings; not a good thing considering how traditional your family was, “only the strong survive.” You could hear your mothers voice echo with the taunts of your siblings. They were merciful enough to kick you out after graduation, rather than follow up on the promise of killing you. Things spiraled from there, with no friends or support so to speak, it was hard finding shelter, with little to no money there was a bit of time you were on the streets. Sneers of disgust at your grimy appearance we’re plentiful. Finding a job was equally as challenging, and you weren’t about to prostitute yourself, you still had your pride as a demon. So you scrounged, clawed, fought… and finally you found where you fit; a small time job working at an ice cream stand at an amusement park, newly hiring employees after it was demolished by a freak accident. It was small change but it was enough to live.

If you had to say anyone would’ve been on your side, it would be your ex Opera… well not really, you were just childhood sweethearts, things changed and you lost contact with him. What can you say that’s life, demons come and go.

You sigh heavily, flicking you cigarette. The past month had been odd, ever since you settled in to your apartment you couldn’t shake the feeling of eyes on you. Thing moved, or disappeared all together; you tried writing it off as being forgetful, or just because of how messy the apartment was, but it was hard with how frequent it’s becoming.

The apartment was one room, you had a small cot, at the center, the kitchen consisted of a small folding table, a microwave, and a mini fridge, the bathroom was hidden by a curtain, leaving little privacy. Most of your thing were strew about in no particular order, seeing as you had nowhere to store them, clothing was folded next to the cot, under the cot was your essentials, laundry was piled high next to the toilet, the kitchen was filled with boxes of dried food, cutlery and dished stacked under the sink counter. With how mall the room was it left barely a path to leave.

Too deep in your thoughts you were startled feeling arms wrapping around your waist, kisses were planted on you neck, with a familiar purr. “Opera?” You recognized his scent, his purr. “You live like this?” He murmured. I hummed, “not much of a choice.” His arms tightened, “clearly you need me to take care of you.” He growled. I shook him off, “what do you mean? I’m doing the best I can?” I whispered, avoiding his piercing gaze. “Marry me.” It wasn’t a question.

You wished things hadn’t been so rushed, you wished you never agreed, but a part of you loved him and hated him. He was never around, and your resentment grew. You tried to leave, but every time ended with punishment that left you delirious with pleasure, sometimes you were left chained to the bed for days. If only you hadn’t be so desperate for a happy ending.

[moonlight0934]

Trust Issues

Damian watches through half open eyes as his family eats breakfast around him. He keeps his guard up, a feeling of anxiety and immanent threat choking him. He hasn’t slept in days, the smallest noise snapping him back to full awareness. Bruce looks over at him, narrowing his eyes.

“Why aren’t you eating, Damian?”

“I am,” Damian immediately lies.

Bruce looks confused at that, because of how obviously not true it is. Damian puts a singular piece of strawberry from his fruit salad into his mouth. Then he stands up, slipping out of his chair.

“Come on, Damian. We’re doing so good this morning. Tim is even eating.”

“Father, Tim agreed because he’s still asleep. He was eating, then he fell asleep with his bite of eggs half out of his mouth.”

Bruce turns to Tim, who is in fact asleep with his spoon only half in his mouth.

“Tim, dear, you’re going to choke,” Bruce says, taking the spoon out of his mouth.

Tim startles, pulling back.

“What? I didn’t do anything.”

“I didn’t think you did.”

Damian slips out of the room while Bruce is reoccupied with Tim. He heads up to his room to get dressed for school, though that’s the last thing he wants to do right now. He sighs as he walks into his room to grab his uniform. It’s only a few minutes before he’s coming back down the stairs, and heading for the door. Damian can hear Bruce trying to get Tim to fully wake up so he doesn’t fall face first into his eggs.

Damian walks out without letting anyone know that he’s leaving since someone will insist on driving him to school. The walk is quiet, though that’s only because it’s so early that no one with good intentions is out right now. Most kids aren’t allowed to walk, that’s why Damian usually isn’t either. It’s not that they don’t know he can take care of himself, but they have appearances to keep up. They have to look like they’re prissy rich kids, though Damian hates how he has to act every time he leaves the house without being in costume.

A few of the small time muggers eye him as he’s walking past, but his glare is enough to put them off till he gets past them. It’s still quiet as the light manages to get past the clouds, lightening the sky. Damian keeps his hands in his pockets.

The school is empty too since he’s early. The teachers are the only ones there, and they all seem surprised to see him as they pass him in the halls. He heads straight to the cafeteria to wait on everyone else to show up. It’s quiet, so he pulls out his drawing pad and colored pencils.

A feeling of apprehension creeps up on him even though he’s alone, almost as if something is going to jump out of the shadows. After a few minutes, Damian jumps to his feet. He looks around wildly, but doesn’t see anything. He darts out of the exit attached to the cafeteria, leaving his bag, and not even sure where he’s going.

His vision starts going in and out, his hearing cutting out completely. He redirects himself to head back home, but doesn’t even get a few feet before passing out. When he wakes up, he can’t recognize where he is. It looks like a booth of some sort. People are talking right outside.

“Man, it sure took a long time for that toxin to kick in. We had to follow him for almost eight days,” one complains.

“He was in his house for a lot of that time, shut up,” another replies, sounding annoyed.

“Still, you’d think it wouldn’t be that useless. That’s a long time.”

Damian blinks, looking down. He’s zip tied to a chair, rope wrapped around his wrists and fingers on top of the zip ties.

Someone kidnapped me? They gassed me with some sort of toxin? That must be why I was feeling the way that I was.

He pulls one hand out of the ropes with a smug grin.

Now, time to get out of here discreetly so as not to ruin my secret identity. I need to call in backup.

He pulls the other one out, then begins taking the zip ties off of his wrists.

As long as I don’t get caught, I should have no issue with this. Even if they think I escaped somehow, I could still come back in costume with my family. However, there’s only one door.

Damian walks over to the door, feeling much heavier than he normally does. He cracks the door open soundlessly. It’s dark outside, but it’s not hard for him to tell that they’re in an abandoned amusement park. The Ferris Wheel is looming over the buildings, stalls, and shut down attractions.

The guards are less than a foot away from the door, still distracted with their conversation. Damian slips out of the doorway, making a beeline for the next attraction. He makes it there without incident, giving him time to look for his emergency beacon. Luckily it’s there, still tucked into the heel of his shoe.

He clicks it before straightening back up. Then someone grabs him by the collar. A large man shakes Damian. He almost punches the man in the throat, but remembers why he can’t in just enough time to pull back. The man punches him in the stomach, knocking the wind out of him. He feels the man throw him towards the two guards that were watching him originally.

One of them kicks him in the face immediately. This goes on for a while as they take turns hitting him while he just has to lie there and take it. Eventually he tastes blood coming up his throat, and at this point, he’s not even sure where it’s coming from. Though it doesn’t really matter if he’s throwing it up or coughing it up, either one is pretty bad.

I wonder what they wanted. They sure did do a lot to just kill me.

Someone stomps down on his fingers, breaking them. He doesn’t let out a single noise.

That’s probably why they’re still going. I haven’t screamed or cried like this is a big deal. I wonder if they’re going to figure out how badly I’m already hurt.

It’s only a minute later when exactly that happens.

“Hey, I think you’re going too far. He has to be alive to use him for ransom,” the second man calls, sounding worried. He also sounds far away, and Damian doesn’t feel like listening anymore.

A few more sounds bring him back from the edge, even if just a little bit. It sounds like a scuffle of some sort. Then someone grabs his head, startling him. He cracks his eyes open, seeing Dick above him. He’s in costume, his mask covering his eyes.

“Hey, Baby Bird. Just hold on, we’re going to get you to a hospital. You’ll be ok.”

“You came,” Damian whispers, blinking his heavy eyes.

“What do you mean? Of course we did. Don’t you trust us?”

Damian doesn’t respond, letting his eyes drop closed.

“No, Damian, open your eyes!”

Dick shakes his shoulders, but everything continues to fade. He doesn’t feel it as Dick keeps shaking him, and eventually stops hearing him too. Then nothing.

[lifethenegaverseandeverything]

[i-3at-s0ap]

I know it's a Glenn centric thing but I'm tired and baby Nicky is so cute 🥺

[image ID: A young nick close in snow gear holding a snowball and smiling]

[hetakinkmeme]

ruspru has consensual, non-hatesex (any era, historical hetalia preferred). (bonus for top prussia). they don't even have to be in love or anything

.

[dont-need-one-of-these-do-i]

Hellsing Anti-Whumptober Prompt 2

(what is this? look here!)

<< prev || next >>

In all of his nearly 5 centuries of existence, somehow Alucard had forgotten how incredibly moody teenagers can be. Well, that’s not entirely accurate—vampires, try as they might, can never really forget anything. It’s more like a fact that had drifted to the back of his mind a long time ago and had no real reason to come forward.

The fact is at the forefront of his mind right now alright, fifteen-year-old Integra is making sure of that. 

“Master, if you could just—”

“Don’t touch me, Alucard!”

“It’s really not that big of an issue, if you—”

“I said I don’t want your fucking help!”

It had seemed like a good idea, ten minutes ago when Alucard made the decision to coax his young master onto the Ferris wheel while passing by on the way back from a successful mission. Now, as they slowly rise over the pop-up carnival, Alucard is coming to rethink his choices. 

“Look, I’m going to shut my mouth, but know that even if something were to happen—which it will not—I won’t allow any harm to come to you.”

Integra doesn’t give him a reply, instead opting to stare resolutely at the complicated metal hinge above their heads. Her hands, which would usually be crossed across her chest, are white-knuckled in their grip on the safety bar lying on Alucard and her lap. 

The bench lurches slightly with the movement of the wheel, and Integra sucks in a sharp breath, her grip growing impossibly tighter on the safety bar. Alucard’s crimson eyes flick toward her, but, as promised, he doesn’t say a word. Instead, he leans back lazily, draping one arm behind his head, as though daring her to admit she’s nervous—her stubborn silence is a battle of wills he’s happy to watch unfold.

Cheery carnival music drifts upwards from the colorful tents below them, dissipating into the clear, starry night above them. The lights strung around the structure of the ride twinkle. A part of Alucard is constantly amazed at the dichotomy of humans. That they could build a creation like this—a mechanical marvel that takes people high into the air safely and brings them back to the earth just as gently—merely for trivial enjoyment is a marvel to the vampire. And then, at the same time, for those same humans to be afraid…it’s fascinating. 

Integra blows out a long, low breath through her gritted teeth, and slowly, ever so slowly, drags her eyes away from her bloodless knuckles. Alucard keeps his gaze trained on the horizon, not looking at her, and a second later Integra does too, watching the way that the few sparse clouds drift across the sky. 

It takes her a  few minutes, but eventually, Integra’s grip loosens and her posture relaxes. Alucard is content to wait, allowing her to digest her fear on her own, for as long as she needs. 

Once Integra seems to have lost the majority of the tension in her limbs, Alucard speaks. “Look there. What does that cloud look like to you?”

Integra scoffs, but follows the line of the vampire’s finger “I’m not four, Alucard.”

He ignores her. “To me it looks like a dragon.”

“That’s ridiculous. It’s obviously a swan.”

“Now you’re just making things up. See there, how the flames are coming out of the mouth?”

“That’s a swan’s ass, you fool.”

Alucard’s lips curl into a smirk, his gaze still fixed on the drifting cloud. “A swan’s ass, is it? How poetic, master. Perhaps you’ve missed your calling as a naturalist.”

Integra’s hands, no longer gripping the safety bar with such fervor, cross over her chest. “Better a naturalist than a delusional fool who sees dragons in clouds.”

“Delusional? I’ll have you know, master, I’ve met dragons. If they heard your comparison to a swan’s rear, they might just take offense.”

“I’m sure my comparison would be a delight, given that they had to spend any length of time in your company.”

The Ferris wheel turns on, the night air clear and perfect, and, for just a moment, Integra forgets her position, forgets her name and legacy, forgets the responsibilities of her world, and is a teenage girl, afraid of heights.

[lillitheyordle]

A continuation from THIS (check out @/our-tale they are amazing!) As well as my submission for the cupid mission of 2025 by your @/yourloveaton

Lux Sans is mine (first panel)

Light Sans is @crosssansisscaredofcows1 (second panel)

Soultale Sans and Frisk is owned by @lady-inkmare (third panel)

Sloth Sans is owned by @yourlocalenthusiast (fourth panel)

And Shape!Sans by @dizundertale (last panel)

[theoneeyedgoldenwolf]

Story for prompt # 2

“You call that a strike? Ha! Didn’t even feel it! How about you try again and this time you hit like you mean it.”

Summary: The moment the Chain of Heroes walk out of the portal, they’re in huge trouble. Time, being the leader and clearly the strongest of them, is chosen by the place’s leader into a battle. The aftermath of that fight is something the one eyed male is not happy of dealing with.

CW: Battle to death, getting roughly beaten, slicing the bad guy’s throat, faking as a leader for the bad guys, imprisonment, rough sparring

In AO3:

In Tumblr:

As the links work this time around, I'm just giving the links to the two places where one can find the stories. =)

All kinds of comments on one or both places would be TREMENDOUSLY loved! ^.^ Thank You! =D

[prompts-from-the-golden-wolf]

Story for prompt # 2

“You call that a strike? Ha! Didn’t even feel it! How about you try again and this time you hit like you mean it.”

Summary: The moment the Chain of Heroes walk out of the portal, they’re in huge trouble. Time, being the leader and clearly the strongest of them, is chosen by the place’s leader into a battle. The aftermath of that fight is something the one eyed male is not happy of dealing with.

CW: Battle to death, getting roughly beaten, slicing the bad guy’s throat, faking as a leader for the bad guys, imprisonment, rough sparring

-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-

Holding back

Time knew he could be very cruel if he so wished. He could easily beat the crap out of the monsters with or without weapons. It was what he did. It was what belonged into the Hero’s work. And yet, there was one part he was entirely unable of crossing even though it too belonged into the description of what Heroes did.

He could NOT strike hard or, worse yet, kill another person.

The Chain’s leader looked around at the crowd that had gathered around them. He could’ve dealt with this if it just had been him and his opponent but this… This he couldn’t take. He could fake it. He could show to be cruel. He could really sell it to the people around them… If only his opponent would keep his mouth shut.

“You call that a strike? HA! Didn’t even feel it!” The man barked out after having bit recoiled backwards after that latest punch the one eyed male had landed into him. “How about you try again and this time you hit like you mean it.”

Time grit his teeth while taking a step away from the guy. He couldn’t lose as the lives of his boys were in the line. And yet… He wasn’t able of taking this guy down. He didn’t have what it took to strike as needed. He couldn’t kill like what the other Heroes were capable of. And for first time since the war at the Captain’s era he started to wonder if there was something wrong with him. Wild and Warriors had no trouble in taking a life. And the others killed if they saw it as accepted or needed…. And he couldn’t. No matter what the situation was, he was unable of taking a life.

Yet, the one eyed male knew there was one way he could kill another person. He didn’t like it and he certainly wasn’t up for going down on that line. Still, sadly, it seemed like the only way possible of handling this situation. He glanced at the Chain whom was held captive by part of the crowd. He searched out Warriors and locked his gaze into him. “I’m sorry.” He mouthed out before taking a deep breath and accepting what was to come.

Time changed his offensive into defense. He didn’t fight back as the guy came at him with hard and rough punches and kicks. He blocked and avoided as much as he could while knowing it only prolonged the situation. And yet, he couldn’t just accept being beaten just like that. It just wasn’t possible for him.

When the Chain’s leader glanced once again at the eight other Heroes, he saw the worry and fear in his older brother’s gaze. The rest of the Chain was confused of his odd plan. Yet, they certainly got a hunch of his actions when he allowed the cruel punch land into the side of his head. He moved by the hit’s force but he didn’t bring up his defense by blocking or avoiding as the kick struck into his leg.

The oldest Link held back his scream as he crashed to his knees. He flinched and tried to be ready as the next kick found his head. He grimaced as he fell roughly into the fighting area’s floor. He kept his gaze closed while rather knowing than feeling the movement before the guy already was over him. He just took the cruel punches into his face while fighting against himself about defending his own life.

When the guy finally was ready to finish the fight by wrapping his hands around Time’s throat, the instincts finally kicked in. The one eyed male snapped his eye open in shock before already struggling against the hold. Yet, the bigger thing was that he started to strike his knee into the guy’s back as hard as he could.

The moment the hold loosened around the chosen fighter’s throat, he quickly struck a backward somersault to change the situation around. He desperately locked his mind into the fact of needing to survive instead of fighting for others. This was about self-preservation and that instinct was far stronger than anything else. The only instincts that would get over it would be love and rage. And yet, this time the love he had towards his boys hadn’t been enough. Sadly, the only reason for such probably was the fact that he had been chosen by the bad guy to face him. He whom was unable to kill. For any of the others this fight would’ve been easy and over in no time. For him, though…

Time’s gaze had hardened when the instinct for survival had been turned on. That one eye held no other emotion than the need to stay alive. Kill or be killed. There was no other choice at the moment. Nothing else mattered at then and there. Anyone whom would’ve attacked or approached him while underneath the given instinct would’ve been attacked roughly without second’s thought. Everything had become a threat to his health.

The Chain’s leader didn’t have any of his gear on. He didn’t have anything that enhanced his strength. And yet, he threw in punches that were far crueler and harder than what the guy had landed into him. He held back the flinches as his fist collided with the man’s face. He fought down the feeling of nausea as he knew what he was doing.

When the guy drew out hidden knife to strike his attacker, the one eyed male didn’t even feel the stab into his tight. He flinched slightly before already crushing the guy’s hand with a grip that could’ve rivaled the strength of the Gorons. The man beneath him screamed in agony and the knife fell into the floor. He didn’t allow himself to think even for a second as he snatched the blade and slashed.

Time stood up with the bloodied knife in death grip in his hand while the leader of the bad guys of the town was choking into his own blood from cut throat. He let his cruel gaze go around the crowd of all kinds of bad guys. When he finally spoke, his voice was colder than the ice with command that left no room for arguing back: “I have, as the rules were, taken down your leader. Set my team free now and no further casualties will be needed.”

Crowd had taken few steps away from the battle area when their leader’s defeater had looked around. Now they nearly pushed the eight away from them to be as far away from them as possible. Time didn’t nod or acknowledge the situation. He let his gaze still go around the people that had fallen eerily silent around him. “As the new leader, I have few very simple commands to give.” He started cruelly before keeping short moment of silence to make sure the crowd around him understood the situation very clearly.

“Gather all of your weapons and drop them into here, by this stage. Leave no weapon forgotten.” The one eyed male snarled and the men and women nodded in full understanding. They quickly drew out their weapons and gathered them into a huge heap in front of the arena where Time was still standing. He was bleeding with broken leg and a stab in his side. Yet, he couldn’t care even one bit of that at the moment while having work to do.

The oldest Link knew that the next few commands would be crucial ones. He simply hoped the people would still be shocked enough to actually follow his word without thinking. Yet, he was fully grateful at the moment of his boys staying silent and just letting him handle things the best way he saw fit.

Time did his best to stay calm and collected while maintaining his leadership. “Now, I’m certain each of you have rope with you.” He started while bringing out a smirk to his lips. “Tie each other up.” He commanded as firmly and roughly as he could.

The crowd was quite startled of the given words and they began to look around in slight shock and confusion. “Wasn’t I clear enough with the command?!” The one eyed male snarled out and held back his own flinch as the people around him jerked. Most began to draw out the said ropes and tie the closest one’s hands behind their backs.

Yet, some still hesitated. “Uh… W-why are we—“ One of the people began but the rest of the words died in the guy’s throat the second Time’s cruel and harsh glare found him.

“You DARE to challenge me?!” The Chain’s leader barked out as raged as he could while tightening his hold on the bloodied knife. The one whom had started to speak shrank on that second and shook his head viciously. After that, while trembling, he began to tie the closest person’s hands.

Once the people had been tied with the last one’s hands having been tied by Warriors, Time felt slightly bit calmer. “Check them.” He commanded while giving a slight nod towards the crowd in overall. The eight Heroes nodded without a word while growing more and more worried for their leader’s wellbeing. Still, they did as the one eyed male told and began to make sure the knots were secure and certain.

When The Chain returned to their earlier place and gave a firm nod of confirmation, Time tried not to show his relief over the situation. “Good.” He still kept his voice rough and commanding just to keep the people underneath his rule. “Now we leave this place to the closest town and you lot are given up to the place’s Knights and guards.” He stated out with a smirk while letting his gaze go around the shocked looks of his captives. “Pose a threat or try to escape…” He continued while giving a short dramatic pause. “We will NOT hesitate to kill you.” He forced his voice to stay cruel and commanding.

When the crowd nodded in understanding and slumped in defeat as their Town of Thieves and Other Bad Guys had fallen this fast and roughly. “Now… Move.” Time commanded before giving a swift nod to his boys. “Flank them.” He ordered quickly before taking the lead of the whole enormous group of his.

As Time had mentioned the closest town, Wild had straight off taken his Slate out. He was grateful of the device having been upgraded back when they last visited his era and now it was swift in finding a map of the area. It was odd but the Champion believed the Goddess Hylia was aiding him and giving the needed info to help him and his fellow Heroes on the given quest. Once he checked the map and got the needed info of where the road out of the current town was and how far and in which direction the closest town was, he straight off signed the given information to his oldest brother.

Earlier on, when the oldest youngster of the nine Heroes had been checking the tied ropes with his brothers, he took Time’s weapons and armor into his Slate. He wasn’t happy of the situation and even less of the certain knowledge he had. He had given a swift worried glance to his leader while knowing he wasn’t going to put the armor on nor was he going to allow any kind of healing. He even was quite sure the one eyed male was going to walk out of this town and into the next in the condition he was in. He was far from being happy with that but he, as well as his brothers, understood it.

Getting out of the town was swift and easy but the upcoming walk to the closest town wouldn’t be. Hyrule and Legend were up for healing the worst by magic, fairy and potion but Time sharply showed NO. He needed to uphold the given image he had picked up just to keep the crowd of bad guys in order. Healing and undoing what was part of his current way of going would get the people to riot. Or, at least, he worried for such. He seriously didn’t want more casualties than the crowd’s late leader.

As the huge group moved towards the town, the Chain’s leader let his mind go back to what had landed him into the given situation. With something else in his mind than his current condition, it was easier to keep walking and ignoring the pain and bleeding. He unconsciously fought the limp to stay off of his movement so he could give even bigger notion of a badass leader whom one didn’t want to cross for any of reason.

-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-

Things had gone to hell the moment they had come out of the portal. Luckily, this time around, they had stayed together. Yet, for once, Time would’ve LOVED to have his boys separated from him and, most of all, to be outside the town they had just walked right into.

The people turned around in shock and stared at them. Before Time had a chance to try and explain along with calming the situation down, everyone around him and his boys had drawn out all kinds of weapons. Yet, the nine Heroes didn’t have a chance to pull out their own weapons to defend themselves as the spears were already brought up and at them. The sharp tips of the deadly weapons were less than inch from their skin and certainly would pierce it before any of them could even move.

The Chain of Links wasn’t going to make a bad choice of trying to either defend or avoid the attacks. Some of them might’ve been swift enough to avoid death but definitely not all of them. And none of them wished to lose even one of their brothers due to foolish actions.

Soon enough the crowd parted for a wicked looking man. He smirked while tilting his head as he took in the situation. The Heroes of Hyrule stayed silent as the guy circled them once to see the captured group of theirs. Once back to his earlier place, the male nodded at Time with widening smirk. “Him.”

Suddenly the spears moved closer to the Chain’s leader’s throat and forced him to move away from his team. The Chain tried to scream out his name and throw in threats and whatnot but the spears swiftly were brought closer to their throats to cut the words into startled gasps. Time gasped in shock and growled a bit as few of the spears cut a shallow wound around his neck as he looked at his boys. “Don’t mo—“ He started before half gasping, half growling as the tips of the spears almost broke through his skin.

“Shut it!” The crowd’s leader growled out with rough glare. The one eyed male very carefully turned to face the guy again. “The rules are simple.” The man started before nodding towards Time. “No armor or weapons. Fight to death. You win, you and your team can leave this place alive. I win, you and your team are dead.”

The Chain’s leader gulped once and gave a slight and careful nod. “G-got it.” He nearly stammered while tad worrying over the fact of how easily the keepers of the spears could just kill them off. He held back his growl of displeasure as few persons came from the crowd and began to take his weapons and armor off. The only thing he was grateful of was the fact that those were left to right there instead of anyone stealing a thing from there. After that he was forced up into the arena after the leader of the place had gone to there first.

-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-

Time stopped everyone well before the town’s entrance. They were well in sight for anyone whom would glance towards the fields. “Captain!” He called without glancing behind him. Instead, he nodded towards the town. “Go and inform them of the situation.” He commanded and Warriors, whom had come next to him, gave a swift salute before dashing off into the town.

Once the Chain’s leader’s second-in-command had gone past him, he turned around to keep check on the crowd. He was grateful of his boys acting as herders for the captured bad guys. Yet, he really wished the situation could be dealt swiftly as he knew he wouldn’t stay to his feet for long anymore.

Time forced to keep his gaze in the crowd instead of glancing longingly at the close by forest. He knew he wouldn’t be staying at the Inn and on that way his boys wouldn’t stay at there either. It wasn’t because they wouldn’t have had enough of money for a night. It was simply for the fact that they didn’t have the needed money to fix the bathroom once he would’ve wrecked it either already at the evening or at least then at the next morning. He just hoped the forest would be enough to ease out his nausea of having killed the man.

The one eyed male tried not to let himself relax too visibly when he heard the Knights and guards arrive. He forced himself to breathe normally while giving one simple sharp and warning look to the crowd guarded by his boys. After that he turned around to face the group the war Hero brought to him. Even though he didn’t let it show on his face, he was inwardly entirely grateful of the huge group of well armed Knights and guards of the town.

“If this is not all of the people from the close by thug base, then it is at least most of them.” Time started as firmly as he could. “You can find their weapons from close of the podium at the center of the town they held as their own. Also, their late leader is on that podium too. Dead.” He continued and threw the knife into the ground right in front of the lead Knight of the group. “Killed by me. Did not have a choice in the matter.” He stated out before hesitating for a short moment until raising his hands a bit in surrender. “If you wish to arrest me for the death, I will not fight back. My team will not interfere into the situation either.”

The Knights and guards stared at him quite startled and the Chain’s leader started to bit fear what his older brother had already given out about the situation. He forced himself not to glance at Warriors while waiting for the given era’s people make the choice in the matter.

Eventually the group of Knights and guards relaxed and nodded firmly. “At ease. You are not at the fault of the situation. In fact, you and your team have done in less than a day something we’ve been working for months. Thank you.” The lead Knight of the group spoke firmly before actually bowing to Time. His comrades mimicked his action instantly.

The oldest Link was quite well taken off guard and he jerked slightly backwards. “Um… Y-you’re welcome…?” He partly stammered while feeling out of words and, more so, what to actually say.

“Fastest Runner, go and get the horse. Go and inform the Castle of the situation.” The lead Knight commanded as he glanced at his group. One of the guards saluted before he already turned around and dashed back to the town. “Rest of you… Arrest them.” He continued and his group swiftly nodded before already taking the job of guarding the tied bad guys from the Chain.

Once things were secured and the bad guys were being taken towards the town to be held in the prison, the lead Knight turned his notion back into Time. “You should get those fixed. In fact, you look pretty exhausted.”

Time finally relaxed and calmed down. He gave a weak grin and waved his hand dismissively. “I’ll be fine. We got what we need.” He replied before nodding sharply towards the forest. “We’ll camp somewhere in there.” He told vaguely while being more than ready to just vanish into the forest’s safety.

“The Inn—“ The lead Knight began but the Chain’s leader shook his head.

“Thanks but no thanks. Wouldn’t feel right to stay in there for free and we’re not having the money for the stay.” The Hero of Time told while tad fearing his boys to claim different. Yet, the Chain stayed silent and he felt entirely grateful of that. The lead Knight simply nodded and Time returned the gesture before already heading off into the forest.

The one eyed male bit felt like just pulling off his disappearance trick by Kokiri Magic but he chose against it. His boys were worried sick and they were waiting for him to let them heal him. It wouldn’t have been right to deny them the relief of getting him fixed. And yet, they followed him silently as he closed his eye and just let the forest lead him. He held back his scowl as he understood the given info of the area being free of monsters. He really would’ve needed those beasts at the moment so he could’ve put his feelings into usage by taking down the creatures.

Eventually, with the adrenaline finally vanishing, things crashed. Time just slowed down into a stop while having wrapped his arms around himself. Then, with a gasp, he fell to his knees before already starting to gag and dry heave. The last meal had been too long ago to get anything to come out of him. He held his eye tightly shut while feeling the tears fall.

The Chain swiftly surrounded their leader in fear and worry. “Time!”, “Are you all right?!”, “What’s wrong?” were shouted around him but he barely could concentrate into them. He bit fought against the hold when Warriors pulled him into his arms.

“Sshh, it’s okay, Sprite.” The Captain whispered while holding as tightly as he could. Slowly his younger brother calmed down and stopped trying to get freed.

“I feel sick…” Time mumbled while bit trembling. He wanted to break down. He wanted to scream. He desperately wanted to destroy something.

“I know, little brother, I know.” The war Hero spoke softly before nodding to Hyrule. “Let’s fix those wounds first. After that you can take a spar with us. That’ll help, I’m sure.”

The Traveler moved bit closer while carefully following his oldest brother’s actions and expressions in case his help wasn’t wanted. Slowly and coaxingly he initiated his magic before already carefully tapping into the one eyed male’s Fairy Magic. He relaxed a bit when the older male didn’t fight back. Instead, he seemed to calm down a bit at the familiar and comforting feeling of fairy’s magic.

While the half-fairy healed the damage the Chain’s leader had gained, Wild carefully came over. He was as careful and slow with his work as he began to clean the blood off of Time’s face. The oldest Link flinched slightly and grimaced but he calmed down soon and allowed the action.

Once the duo pulled away after having done as much as they could, Warriors gently got the older male to look at him. “So, how about it? Bit of practice to let you deal with your feelings.” He suggested with a slight reassuring smile.

Time sighed heavily and shook his head. “No.” He stated out while fisting his hands. “I’m not… It wouldn’t help…” He mumbled as he grit his teeth. “I either go too hard or hold back. Neither would help me.”

“I’m sure we can take you on, Sprite.” Warriors grinned while getting up and dragging the one eyed male along with him. “Champion, give Time his Gilded Sword and the Mirror Shield.” He half commanded with a firm nod.

“Wars, no.” Time nearly snapped before already grimacing as his weapons were brought out. Yet, the master archer had gotten few new features in his Slate and hence the blade was struck sharp point first into the ground for easy snatching with the shield carefully leaning against the blade. The one eyed male blinked once in bit of surprise before tentatively picking his weapons up.

The moment the sword and shield were in Time’s hold, Warriors, whom had moved bit backwards to get some room between them, gave out his battle cry and attacked. The Chain’s leader gasped in full shock while just barely managing to back away and bring the Mirror Shield up to block the fast horizontal slash. He flinched at the screech on the protective item while backing off even more.

The war Hero didn’t give the oldest Link a chance to reconsider the situation before he already turned back towards him and attacked with diagonal strike. Time stared at him while still being tad rattled of the situation and just brought the shield up again. He flinched once again as the weapon struck into the mirror. Yet, this time he didn’t back off.

When the third attack, opposite going diagonal strike, came, the Chain’s leader struck his shield against the sword as hard as he could. As Warriors stumbled backwards, Time moved swiftly forward and tackled the war Hero into the ground with a growl. Right after that he already knelt down and brought his sword to his brother’s throat. “I told you this won’t help.” He snarled while glaring at the startled younger male.

Suddenly the one eyed male gasped as another fighter joined into the battle. The horizontal slash forced Time up to his feet and away from Warriors. “This is really bad idea, guys!” He barked out while blocking the next two diagonal strikes while backing away once again. He scowled as the war Hero moved to his other side.

The oldest Link hated the situation more than he dared to ever tell. He did his best to keep notion on both of his brothers while dreading the situation thoroughly. When the duo attacked, he simply blocked the strikes. Shield against the horizontal attack and sword up to meet the vertical strike. He leaned against the blades to get the Captain off balance as he suddenly moved off the attack and let his older brother stumble forward. Yet, he didn’t attack. Instead, he struck a new Shield Bash but this time against Twilight to get him off of his case.

Warriors was just getting back his balance and ready to attack again when his little brother suddenly was already there. Time tackled him once again into the ground before moving off of Twilight’s way as the vertical slash came. Yet, that was exactly what he had been waiting as he snatched a hold of the pelt and pulled his boy backwards. The Rancher yelped as his mentor forced him right down onto the war Hero’s chest.

“At the moment I’m still coherent enough to know what I’m doing to avoid actual damage.” Time growled while glaring at his two boys. He gave a swift rough glance to the others in hopes of that keeping them from taking part into the situation. “If you push me further, I will hate myself for the outcome of what you forced me into.”

“W-what do you mean…?” Sky queried while having been ready to be a third fighter. He had fully hoped his speed could be enough to keep Time occupied long enough with the battle that they could actually help him.

“He means the fact of hurting you eight.” The ethereal voice snapped everyone’s gazes into a new figure in the area. The Fierce Deity walked into the smallish clearing of sorts and kept his gaze in the Hero of Time. “My friend, I know you do not want to endanger your boys so how about you face me instead?” He half challenged while raising his hands up and suddenly the Double Helix materialized out of nowhere right into his hold.

“Fierce, I’m not sure that’s—“ Time started but the God of Protection shushed him swiftly with a sharp movement of his hand.

“Right now, with your feelings raging within you, you can easily match me. And you know you cannot harm me. This will be the safest way when there are no monsters to face.” The Deity stated out and bit grinned when his mask’s keeper chuckled bit nervously.

“Right…” Time mumbled while scratching the back of his head. Soon he shrugged. “I would’ve rather taken down some monsters. I doubt a group of Iron Knuckles, Dark Nuts, different eras’ Moblins and Dark Hammers would’ve been much of trouble at the moment.” He told with a grin.

“Add a Lynel or two into there and I am sure you would have had a blast with it.” Fierce smirked knowingly while the eight Heroes stared utterly shocked about the amount of hardcore beasts to deal with.

Time shrugged casually. “That would’ve made it interesting for certain.” He commented before grinning. “Alright. You got yourself a deal.” He told before turning his notion into Wild. “Give me my Biggoron Sword.” He requested before striking his current blade into the ground and putting the shield to lean against it. “Gotta have it somewhat equal, right?”

The Fierce Deity chuckled a bit and nodded. When the oldest Link drew the Biggoron Sword off of the ground, the God of Protection moved closer. Time raised his sword up by one hand and Fierce mimicked him while letting the blades touch. “Keep your distance, boys. This is going to be rough.” The Chain’s leader half commanded while keeping his gaze in his Deity friend as the two of them took bit of distance before they’d start the spar.

Fierce slowly took a stance and better hold of his sword. Time closed his eye as he unconsciously mimicked the Deity’s actions. He fully hoped his boys would keep the distance and wouldn’t interfere into the situation. He took a deep breath to both calm down and to let his feelings overtake him. As he exhaled slowly, he opened his eye and when he inhaled again, he gave out his battle scream and dashed at the God of Protection.

Fierce grinned and took a better stance before already countering the diagonal strike his mask’s keeper let loose. The blades clanged together loudly and powerfully. Neither backed off as they simply leaned against into the push. Eventually Time growled and swiftly moved aside while lowering his blade. He swung it in horizontal way as he tried to round the Deity. Fierce countered the strike with blade held vertically. He moved to opposite way to uphold their distance.

Slash by slash the God of Protection countered the strikes. He stayed in defense to allow his opponent to hit with all he got. Yet, he knew he needed to go for offence eventually or he’d only get his friend off their practice as things wouldn’t be what he was really in need of. That was when the one eyed male suddenly dove over the Deity’s horizontal slash.

Fierce was bit startled as Time’s attack had been more of a ruse than anything else. Luckily, though, he knew his companion’s moves like his own and quickly moved forward. The Chain’s leader had somersaulted behind him and jumped now to strike at the Deity’s back but his slash struck empty air.

Twilight gasped as he recognized the slightly bit differently created attack. “Back Slice…” He half whispered as he named the move. It was then his worry started to turn into awe and eagerness of seeing his mentor show off his skills.

The moment Time was back to his feet from the jump, he already dashed at Fierce while striking diagonally. The Deity countered the attack but this time around he was the first one to move off of the push and strike horizontally. The one eyed male backflipped off of the way to gain bit of distance. He grinned as the somehow solid ethereal being came at him again.

Time stayed crouched and waited for Fierce to reach the striking distance. The Deity almost jerked when he caught the mouthed words of “Your left.”. It was simple instinct and how well the two of them were connected that got him to move just in time off of the fast and rough strike’s way.

The oldest Link had swiftly stood up and struck a upwards going stab. The blade missed Fierce’s side of the neck by less than an inch. He heard his Cub whisper two words: “Mortal Draw.” Soon after the youngster was already shrugging a bit. “Time did a Shield Attack already against you and me. It’s basically the Shield Bash thing.”

Fierce backed away while blocking the attacks one after the other. Time was striking hard and fast while starting to charge his sword for something else. Suddenly he jumped high into the air and unleashed the rougher attack. The Deity didn’t even think about blocking the strike as he quickly moved off of the way.

The oldest Link struck vertically with slightly scowling at the fact the powerful God of Protection didn’t dare to see if he and his sword were unbreakable enough against his attack. As the weapon slammed into the ground, it send off shockwaves all around him. Fierce as well as the Chain gasped and stumbled at the unexpected earthquake of sorts.

“T-that was a Jump Strike…”

While the Deity was still off balance, Time dashed at him again. “Duck.” He simply mouthed before already jumping into the air. The God of Protection didn’t think twice as he crouched down as fast as possible while moving out of the way. Time somersaulted in the air while slashing at the place where Fierce had been only seconds ago.

“Helm Splitter…”

“How do you know all of these?” Warriors inquired while watching wide-eyed at the battle between his little brother and all-powerful Deity. He was worried sick of how things would go but he trusted that the God of Protection was up to his name and wouldn’t cause harm to the one eyed male. Yet, he also bit worried of how far his Sprite would go with this.

“You could say Time himself taught me…” Twilight replied sheepishly. His brothers frowned and looked at him in confusion. The Rancher simply shrugged without giving any more of explanation.

As the battle between the Chain’s leader and the God of Protection went forward, the one eyed male charged his sword for another devastating strike. At the same time he called forth Nayru’s Love and created a protective see-through wall in front of his boys. “Jump high.” He mouthed to the Deity before he sent the much stronger Spin Attack off with a scream.

The magical shield screeched and cracked by the strength of the strike which Twilight dubbed as Great Spin. Yet, luckily, the blockage held and kept the eight Heroes of Hyrule safe and sound. Besides that freak-out of the unexpected attack, they gasped at the fact of how high Fierce jumped to stay out of the strike’s way.

Time was bit panting by now and even Fierce was starting to have bit of hard time to hold his form solid. Yet, it was clear the battle wasn’t over as the Chain’s leader dashed once again at the God of Protection. He jumped high into the air and Fierce quickly moved aside from the attack’s way. The one eyed male struck the sword roughly into the ground tip first. The blade went deep into the ground but it didn’t seem to be a trouble as the oldest Link slashed his weapon free while leaving a deep cut into the ground by it.

“Oh freaking… T-that… T-that was Ending Blow…” Twilight stammered while feeling utterly mesmerized by how Time had gone through each of the moves Hero’s Shade had taught to the Rancher. And back then the skeletal warrior had used a normal sword. Time was using much heavier and longer blade but the way he wielded it was astonishing.

Fierce glanced at the Chain while knowing the battle needed to end soon. He didn’t want to put the group of Heroes’ leader to lose the fight. And yet, in the condition they both were, it wasn’t long before the strength would fully leave the one eyed male. So, he made a swift decision as he attacked and struck with horizontal slash.

As the God of Protection had guessed, his mask’s keeper countered the attack with a vertical one. He was certain his friend was up for slashing first down, getting his blade beneath the Deities and slash back up to, hopefully, get the taller male off balance. Yet, as the blocking strike was in move, Fierce changed his blade’s angle.

Time was startled when his Biggoron Sword’s blade went through the loop at the close of the tip. Fierce gasped as his attack was abruptly ended when the one eyed male’s weapon struck into the ground. The Chain’s leader grinned and slashed roughly backwards while creating another, but much shallower, cut into the ground.

The Deity gasped in shock as the Double Helix was roughly pulled out of his hold. The weapon swung a bit on the ground but Time didn’t send it flying away. As Fierce backed away a bit to get some distance between them, his friend took a step backwards to get the ethereal being’s weapon in front of him.

The God of Protection was still ready to continue the fight if needed but he hoped the oldest Link understood the situation. He watched carefully as Time took hold of the Double Helix’s hilt and picked it up. They both knew his strength had diminished quite a bit so this little trick of his started to be the last things he could get done.

The Chain’s leader threw the double colored sword into air by one hand and let it flip a half circle. He took hold of the loop at the tip of the blade and offered the weapon towards the God of Protection. Fierce calmly moved closer and took a hold of the hilt. Once the hold was secure enough, Time let go of the sharp blade of the Double Helix with a simple nod.

“How are you, my dear friend?” The Deity inquired while letting the sword vanish.

Time shrugged before striking the Biggoron Sword into the ground. “Exhausted, I think.” He gave a weak smile. “Thanks. I really needed that fight.”

“Get some rest. You need it.” Fierce simply said with a small nod. After that his gaze went into Warriors. He gave only one sharp nod towards the one eyed male before already returning his gaze into his friend.

The war Hero glanced once at the others before going over to the duo. Time turned bit towards his older brother with a weak grin. Warriors simply smiled and gently wrapped his arms around the taller male before already pulling his scarf around him. Once in the hold, the one eyed male began to shake as he slowly broke down. He didn’t say a word but he wrapped one arm tightly around the younger Hero. The Captain carefully sat them both down while starting to whisper quiet reassurances.

Fierce watched the situation for a while before he turned his notion into the rest of the Chain. He knew he could’ve said everything out loud but he knew his friend needed the silence at the moment. That was the reason he began to sign instead. “Link has never killed another person. Not until he ended into the war Hero of Warriors was dealing with.”

“How do you know?” Sky signed with a confused frown.

“I and Link share information. Not by our own choice but it happens when he uses my mask.” Fierce explained bit sorrowfully. “The traitors and Yiga… It does not matter that they are bad guys. He just does not take it well if he is forced to kill.”

“And Ganondorf?” Twilight inquired rougher than he had meant to.

“Ganon. The transformation into a beast scratched the idea of him being a person and turned him into a monster for him.” The Deity explained calmly. “The Dark Link he faced in the Water Temple was put down as “Conquer yourself” which in other words meant that he was not a person to begin with but an illusion of his own dark side.”

The Chain nodded in silence as they thought through the explanations. “Taking a life… For Link it means that he is no better than the murderers and such. He feels sick and hellish for having taken a life. He feels guilty and sad for being at the fault of the lost life. And he feels angry while hating himself for the earlier feelings. He know he did not have a choice but it does not change the fact of what he was forced to do.”

“How can we help him?” Hyrule inquired while wanting to go over to their leader and comfort him somehow. Yet, as he watched the top lead of their Chain it was clear that their oldest brother had fallen asleep.

Fierce glanced at Time with a sorrowful smile before returning his notion into the seven boys of his friend’s. “Be by him. Keep telling him that it was not his fault. Make sure he sees the situation as it was. Do not let him convince himself of things having been different than what it had been. He is prone to do such. He gathers guilt way too easily. Keep this off from his conscience.”

The Chain of Heroes nodded firmly into the simple requests of sorts. “We will. It’s a promise.” Wind replied firmly.

“Good.” Fierce signed while relaxing and knowing his mask’s keeper was in very good hands. “There is a Fairy Pond at that direction.” He told and pointed to right way. “Not far. Make a camp at there. I am certain the place will aid Link when he wakes up.” He moved over to Warriors and Time before kneeling down to get low enough. After that he gently kissed the top of the one eyed male’s head. Once he had stood back up and taken bit of distance, he resumed to signing. “I must go now but let Link know that I will always be close by whenever he needs me.” He promised firmly before taking a deep breath and backing away by few steps until vanishing from sight.

Wild took his Slate out and stored the Chain’s leader’s weapon before he followed his brothers to the duo. “Fairy Pond. A place to camp safely.” Hyrule simply said and nodded towards the correct road. He could’ve led his brothers to there even without the Deity having given the information out. Yet, it had been nice to see the overly powerful being caring for their leader like this.

Warriors nodded and carefully cradled his brother into his arms before getting up to his feet. He let the Traveler lead the way with the others surrounding him and Time for protection even though they knew there were no monsters in the woods. Yet, that didn’t mean there wouldn’t have been some other dangers lurking around.

It was the scent of breakfast that woke Time up at the next morning. He sighed bit heavily while slowly opening his eye. “Hey there, Sprite. How you doing?” The query got him to shift a bit and turn his gaze from the forest into Warriors. Yet, instead of words, he just shrugged as an answer.

“You did what you had to, little brother. There’s no doubt in that.” The Captain stated out firmly. The one eyed male just nodded before turning his gaze off. “Sprite?” The war Hero called bit worriedly.

“I know, Wars.” Time half mumbled before taking a deep breath and sitting up as he exhaled. “I know I didn’t have a choice. I know I had to do it. I just…” He started before trailing off while gritting his teeth. There was only one question that came out of him as he turned his almost anguished gaze into the younger male. “Why me? I… I can’t kill. Why it had to be me?”

Warriors wished he could’ve said that he didn’t know but he just sighed heavily and slumped. “Because you’re the leader. The guy took in your age, armor and weapons. He checked us as he rounded us.”

Time slumped at the given answer and he dropped his gaze down. “He should’ve…” He started before shutting his mouth. He knew but he didn’t want to admit it.

“He wasn’t searching for easy fight.” The Captain half whispered and hated how his brother closed his eye and let his ears droop. “And we both know you wouldn’t have let any of us take that fight even though you know any one of us could’ve handled that battle.”

The one eyed male hang his head before simply nodding. He slowly wrapped his arms around himself while fighting to stay intact. “I know…” He mumbled quietly before already raising his hand to wipe away the tears.

The war Hero gently pulled the older male into a gentle hug. “It’s all right, Sprite. Things went as they did.” He whispered and glanced towards the fireplace as the younger Heroes had realized their leader having woke up. Time fell rigid for a moment in his hold as he heard the boys starting to make their way to them. Yet, the closer the seven Links got, the more he slumped while fully hating of letting the others see him like this.

The one eyed male gasped and fell rigid again as the Chain leaned against him and carefully embraced him. He fought against the tears and trembling but eventually the simple comfort the boys were giving him was too much and he broke down. That was when the seven Heroes began to whisper reassurances of him having done things right and of having had no other choice in the matter. Yet, what mattered the most to their oldest brother was the very fact that none of them was blaming or hating him.

It took a while before Time had calmed down enough to turn around in his big brother’s hold. He carefully gave a hug and a kiss to either top of head or to forehead to each of his boys. Only after that they finally got up and all nine of them went over to the fireplace for bit late being breakfast.

As the Chain’s leader looked around the eight others, he kept that one simple line in his mind: “You die, they die.” If he had lost, the others wouldn’t have been given a chance to fight. They would have been murdered just like that. He forced to keep it in his mind while telling he had no other choice than to kill. It still wasn’t easy thing to accept and forgive but, in the end, as he looked around… It was more than worth it. These eight were his boys, his brothers, and he would do whatever it took to keep the safe and sound.

The Chain of Heroes calmed down a bit when they noticed Time smiling a bit. That fond look on his face was all they needed to know that their beloved older brother was forgiving himself for the kill he had had to make. Family came always first and each of them were ready and willing to do whatever it took to keep each other safe and sound. That was all that really mattered and they were grateful that their oldest member fully understood it too.

Yet, they all were more than willing to aid him through the similar situations if such were to come during their quest. Though, more than that, they were going to do whatever it took to keep the one eyed male from this kind of happenings in the future. And still, they were certain Time wouldn’t allow such no matter what. So, as they believed, they would be left with the task of clearing the aftermath of the cruel moments. Nonetheless, with the knowledge they now had, they were quite certain they knew how to aid at then and there. Right now, though? This calm moment and seeing Time having relaxed and accepted things was all that mattered.

[alphieshplife]

Anthurium - @moonchaser-microfic - wc: 461

Anthuriums represent love and passion

“Before I begin, I want to thank everyone for coming out tonight,” Harry’s voice boomed across the banquet hall with the aid of a sonorous charm. “These two stubborn gits—I mean, esteemed gentlemen—kept denying they even wanted an anniversary party, but I, as is my talent, ignored them.” This drew a laugh from the crowd, if for no other reason than everyone knowing how true it was. Even as he was nearing his thirties, Harry was well known to be somewhat of a troublemaker. “After all, it’s not every day that a couple celebrates twenty-five years married, and what kind of son would I be if I didn’t pull out all the stops to celebrate them?”

James’s eyes were watering, and Harry hadn’t even gotten to the emotional bit yet. Although it wasn’t the first time tonight that he’d cried—it certainly wasn’t the first time since Harry had started planning this party two months ago. He dragged his eyes away from his son long enough to get a good, long look at his husband. Even now, after a quarter of a century, Remus was just as handsome as he was when they were as young as Harry is now. He had the same green eyes—not the jewel green Harry had inherited from Lily, but something softer, like the leaves on a tree—and charming curls, now nearly entirely grey, but gorgeous, nonetheless.

Perhaps James’s favorite of his husband’s features—the smile lines around his eyes. They were so deeply engraved now that they were noticeable even when he wasn’t smiling. That was the result, he supposed, of twenty-five years of happiness. And, as Wizards, they could live for another seventy-five years still, at least. James tried to picture it—being seated in this very spot, celebrating their hundredth anniversary. They already had one granddaughter—by then, they’d have great-grandchildren, hell, maybe even great-great-grandchildren. Yes, James could imagine a hundred years with ease.

“Sure, they’ve had their ups and downs—every couple does,” Harry was saying when James and Remus finally broke their long eye contact to refocus on their son. “They’ve fought and made up, and, as the story goes—thanks for this one, Mum—” Harry pointed to Lily at a table a few meters away, “they even almost broke up once. Which is honestly baffling to me because they’re really, truly perfect together. I guess that’s why they found their way back to each other. And all the rest of it—the fights, the disagreements, the moments of tension—none of that matters. What matters is, every day for twenty-five years—Dad, Papa—you’ve chosen each other. And you will every day for the rest of your lives. I love you both so much. Congratulations.”

[moonlight0934]

Countdown

Bruce wasn’t quite sure what happened, but one minute Damian was beside him, and the next he wasn’t. His presence was immediately missed since he was just telling Bruce about his latest experience with the GCPD, complaining about how one of them called him short, and he couldn’t even kill them. Bruce had been waiting for him to finish before chiming in, but he dropped off mid-sentence.

After glancing behind him, and realizing that no one was there, he immediately started frantically looking for his child. After searching the immediate area, and not getting any answer on comms, he reconnects to Oracle.

“Hey, B, what’s up?” she asks as someone moves around behind her, creating a lot of background noise.

Bruce pushes that thought out of his mind since she wouldn’t have someone that doesn’t know already in her apartment while she was working.

“Can you pull up Robin’s tracker?”

“Why? Did he run off by himself during a fight again?”

“No, we were about half way through our patrol route, and then he was just gone. We were actively talking, and I’m not getting anything from his comm.”

“Shit, that’s serious,” Barbara says, and he can hear her start typing right away.

Though some part of him does wish that he didn’t have to explain why for her to take it seriously, Damian does have a bad habit of trying to handle everything himself. It wouldn’t be the first time that he ran off without a word to chase down a bad guy, or deal with a witness without Bruce.

“It’s offline. Where did you say you were, and how long ago was it?” Barbara asks, her tone pressed and tight.

“What’s going on?” a voice asks, and it takes Bruce an embarrassingly long time to realize that it’s Tim who was speaking.

“We lost Robin.”

“Like someone took him, or he ran off?” Tim asks, also sounding concerned now.

“We’re thinking that someone took him unless he took running off to a whole new level.”

“I’ll get suited up now so I can help once we get some kind of lead. Unless you’re wanting to go canvas the area that he went missing in for clues,” Tim says, obviously talking to Bruce now.

It takes Bruce a second to get his thoughts in order, but he tells Tim to come to his location once he does. Tim meets him less than ten minutes later, but Barbara still has nothing by the time he does.

“He can’t have just disappeared,” Tim reasons.

“Someone grabbed him while he was right next to me. With that kind of talent, they could be anywhere.”

“True, but none of this makes sense. Even if they managed not to alert you, he’s a little ninja assassin baby, how did they get him with no resistance?” Tim asks, twirling his staff between his fingers as he speaks.

“I don’t know, but that makes them all the more dangerous.”

“You thinking what I’m thinking?” Tim asks after a quiet minute.

“Definitely not since the only thing I can think of is that my child is gone, and Joker isn’t in Arkham right now.”

Tim hums.

“That’s definitely a possibility. Though if that is what happened, then he had to have hired someone to grab him. Joker isn’t the quiet type, and also, I think Robin scares him after he almost ripped the bones out of Joker’s arm last time. I was thinking that a third party might be involved.”

Bruce freezes, wondering how he could have not thought of that. It would also potentially explain the lack of resistance and noise from Damian if it was someone really talented in extractions, or kidnapping.

“You could be right, but I do think that we should start looking as fast as possible,” Barbara chimes in, though she still sounds anxious and on edge.

“Ok, well, we should keep looking for any clues as to who might have taken him. So, now that we’re back to where you were when he went missing, we can start looking around.”

It’s another fruitless half hour before Barbara interrupts them. “I got a message. It just says for Batman to go to the pier. That he had half an hour, or he was going to lose another child.”

Tim and Bruce go quiet before Bruce sighs.

“Ok, we’ll head there now,” he says, his voice already sounding defeated and scared.

“How did they get our comm channel?” Tim asks as they race towards the pier.

“I don’t know, but I honestly don’t care.” 

Damian wakes up feeling hot. It takes him a minute to realize that he should have been on patrol with Bruce. He looks around to find himself tied up on the floor of a dingy little room. Jason is also tied up to a chair on Damian’s right, unless someone else decided to start running around in a red helmet, and is built like a dump truck. Damian hisses as he realizes that his fingers are broken. After doing a body scan, he can tell that a few of his ribs are broken, and his knee is dislocated.

Damn, I can’t really move my right leg at all. Where are we? I was with Batman, wasn’t I?

His mask is still in place so there’s at least one solace. Jason also looks mostly unharmed. The room itself looks odd. There are chains in the corner, and even something to hook them into on the opposite side of the room as Jason. Who is waking up right now.

Damian manages to pull himself into a sitting position by the time Jason actually opens his eyes. He immediately growls, and tries to pull his arms free. Of course that does nothing other than make him more mad.

“Hood, stop that. You’re going to hurt yourself,” Damian says as he tries to get his hands free from the rope despite his burning fingers.

“D-Robin. Are you alright?”

“I’m just dandy,” Damian replies sarcastically, using one of the phrases that he’s heard his siblings use with each other before.

Then Joker opens the door on the other side of the room and strides in.

“Ah, Robin, Hood, I see that you’re both awake. Ah ah ah, you can’t remove those yet. We haven’t even gotten to the best part yet.”

Joker walks over, and grabs Damian. Damian bites down on his lip to stop himself from cursing Joker out while he still has Jason immoble and stuck in a chair only a few feet away.

“Let’s see how you little birds do with a new challenge.”

Joker drags Damian to the corner, then locks the chains around his ankles before attaching them to the floor. Joker kicks him one last time before exiting the room. Damian coughs, feeling blood start to invade his airway. He coughs as much of it out as he can while Jason watches.

“Are you ok?” Jason asks, his voice wavering now.

“Hood, you need to calm down.”

A screen that Damian didn’t even notice lights up on the back wall. There’s a countdown that says thirty minutes on it. It immediately starts ticking. At the same time that the screen lights up, water starts to seep in through the bottom of the door, and through a few cracks in the walls. Damian looks around quickly before pulling himself back into a sitting position.

“Can you get yourself out?” Jason asks.

“No, I can’t. My fingers are broken, and I can’t get the chains off with that. What about you?”

“No, I can’t. I can’t move my fingers at all, but I can’t tell why. It feels like something is restricting them.” Jason’s voice is surprisingly steady as he talks even though he’s visibly shaking.

“I just have to-” Damian mutters as he tries to get the ropes off of his hands first.

The water is rising slowly, but steadily.

“You don’t think that countdown is till we drown in here, do you?” Jason asks, sounding slightly panicked now.

“No, he has no way of knowing exactly when we’re going to drown. However, I do think that is how long it has until the room fills up. That means we have between and a third and a half before I drown, and between half and three quarters of that until you drown.”

Jason shudders before continuing his attempts to get out of his restraints. Damian takes a deep breath, trying to stop his hands from shaking, because it is making life a lot harder. He only manages a little bit since it’s more pain and shock that he’s shaking from than anything else. Jason is starting to hyperventilate, and it takes every bit of patience that Damian has not to yell at him.

Instead he gently says, “Hood, you need to calm down. Breathe, because if you freak out right now, I’m not sure what we’re going to do. I understand how scary this is, but we have to get out of here. We can’t wait around for someone to save us. I need you to cooperate with me, ok?”

It takes a minute, but Jason nods.

“I can do that. I’m calm, and breathing is something everyone can do.”

“That’s right. Anyone can do it, now you just need to try, because you’re still hyperventilating.”

Jason nods, then puts his head back. Damian lets out a breath that he didn’t realize he was holding when the ropes drop off of his wrists.

“Hood, any luck?”

“No, I still can’t move. How did you get your hands free?” Jason asks as he picks his head up and sees Damian’s swollen and purple fingers.

“Practice.”

Damian doesn’t make a sound as he starts probing around the chains with his burning fingers, though Jason groans and looks away. The clock just keeps ticking away as Damian tries to get himself free.

Eventually the water has reached Damian’s shoulders, and Jason finally speaks again, “Robin.”

“I know, I understand the situation, Hood. The water is also salt water, so that’s amazing,” Damian says bitterly. “There’s no way I’m going to get these off.”

“Don’t say that. I’m close to getting my restraints off, so I’ll be there in a minute, ok?”

Damian hums, though his body is starting to feel really heavy.

“Ok, I’m going to put my knee back in place, so don’t freak out if I make a noise.”

Once Jason gives affirmation, Damian sets his knee. He doesn’t manage anything other than a choked groan. Jason moves his newly freed hands to free his legs.

“Robin, I need you to try to stand. I can’t get over there for another few minutes, so I need you to stand up until I can get there.”

“I don’t know if that’s a good idea.”

The water is already creeping high enough that Damian has to tilt his chin up so he doesn’t inhale water.

“Robin.”

“Fine.”

Damian gently puts weight on his good knee, then levers himself up. As soon as he does that, his vision immediately goes black. 

Jason is working on getting his legs free when he hears Damian hit the water.

“Damn it.”

He works faster, getting his legs free in thirty seconds. He crosses the room and has Damian out of the water in a few seconds. Damian is limp, so Jason leans him against his chest while he tries to unlock the chains around Damian’s legs. Damian is quiet and limp, and Jason’s heart is beating loud enough that he can hear the blood roaring in his ears.

Jason picks Damian up bridal style once he gets the chains off. He splashes through the water as Damian stays still and quiet in his arms. It takes a few tries for him to kick down the door, and something in front of them explodes as soon as he does. He goes flying backwards, then blacks out. He can hear mechanical laughing from a speaker when he wakes up. Panic immediately floods his chest, crawling up his throat. Green tints his vision for just a second, then a heavy hand lands on his shoulder. He looks up to see Bruce with Damian cradled in his arms.

“We have to get you two out of here.” He’s speaking softly, and it sends Jason back to his Robin days.

He always wants to cry, but Bruce’s hand on his shoulder is grounding. Seeing Damian limp in their Father’s arms is enough to spur him into action. His other shoulder and hand ache as he pulls himself up. His clothes are soaked, weighing him down as he follows Bruce out of the room. Bruce takes them to the Batmobile.

“I have it set to automatically take you home. Leslie and Alfred should be waiting for you there.”

“Wait, what’s happening? Did you get Joker?”

“Not yet. Just get home, and wait for me there.”

Jason doesn’t have a chance to argue before Bruce shuts the door. The car immediately shoots off on its own. Jason crawls into the back seat with Damian, putting two fingers against the inside of Damian’s wrist. He stays just like that until the doors open and Alfred comes into view. He’s kind of numb at that point, disassociating as Alfred takes Damian away. He stays there, trying to process everything that happened until Alfred comes back.

“I got Damian to Leslie, so I’m going to check you out now if that’s alright.”

Jason nods, then follows Alfred back to the medbay. Once Alfred finishes his checkup, he tells Jason that he just has a few bruises, and should get some rest.

“Though I understand that you won’t do that until Master Bruce and Tim get back.”

“Tim was there?!” Jason practically shrieks.

Alfred raises one eyebrow.

“Does that mean that Tim was fighting the Joker while Bruce was getting us!?!”

“Calm down. I’m not sure exactly what has transpired since I am not psychic, and I haven’t been updated. However, I’m sure that Master Tim is in the least danger that he can be.”

Jason forces himself to breathe, because he suddenly feels like he’s going to pass out.

“News on Damian?” he asks breathlessly after a minute.

“He’ll be alright. Leslie is setting his fingers and wrist, and we’re going to watch him closely since he did inhale some water earlier.”

“He’ll be alright. That’s good.”

Jason sits with his head in his knees for what feels like a very long time. Eventually Bruce comes back in, looking worn out with blood on his suit.

“Bruce, is everyone ok? Where’s Tim?” Jason asks, practically flying over to Bruce.

He can’t stop himself before he slams into Bruce’s chest. Bruce looks surprised, but wraps his arms around Jason before he can fall.

“Everyone is fine. Calm down. Joker is back in police custody.”

“Where is Tim?” Jason demands, still scared and shaking.

“Tim was the one that was helping the police get Joker back to maximum security. I had to come back to check on you and Damian. How is he?”

“Alfred said that he was going to alright. Why is there blood on you? Were there civilian casualties?”

“No, I got shot. It’s not bad though I will have to get Alfred to take it out.”

“Oh, shit.”

Jason backs up, taking his own weight again.

“Sorry.”

“It’s no problem. Let’s go check on Damian and I can get this taken care of.”

Damian is sitting up when they walk into the medbay. He’s grumbling about something, and Alfred is checking the cast on his right hand.

“Hey, kid, how ya feeling?” Jason asks, kneeling down by Damian’s bed.

“I’m fine, Todd. Where is Drake? Are you alright, Father?”

“Yes, I’m fine, and Tim is helping Gordon.”

Jason sits down on the edge of Damian’s bed. He looks over Damian, taking everything in. He has casts on both hands, and one of them goes up his arm. He looks a little pale too though otherwise he looks fine. He even manages to look angry while doped up and in pain. Jason smiles.

“I’m glad you’re ok.”

Damian nods.

“You too.”

It’s at least an hour after that when Tim walks in. Damian is asleep against Jason’s side by then while Jason is fighting sleep. Bruce already left to type of the report of what happened, and send it to Gordon.

“Hey, you good, Timmy?”

Tim nods, dropping into a chair.

“I just wanted to make sure that you guys were ok. I have a minor concussion, so I can’t sleep. Thought I’d see how you guys were doing.”

Jason nods, then puts his cheek against the top of Damian’s head. Tim smiles.

“Get some sleep Jason.”

Jason nods, then closes his eyes. He’s lulled to sleep by his brothers’ presence. 

[ffxivaltaholic]

Prompt #2: Horizon

#FFxivWrite2024

They are always so beautiful, the sunrise of a new day cresting over the water's horizon, a chilly breeze as the last remnant of the cold night's passing storm. If not for the slight bristling of a chill across one's nape, you would think it a pleasant spring morning. Some storms were simply like that, volatile and frightening but dissolved by the first golden beams of sunrise as if a mere sprinkle had occurred. They are my favorite. Even with the risks. Dark clouds of blue and purple mingle with the warm cascade of pinks and oranges that announce the new day, and then the work begins. Damage assessment, clean up and securing cargo take priority, with the crew moving to their designated placements and following tasks they had completed for years without much thought. They had handled many like this storm with nary a splinter. Everything was running smoothly, and so the Captain once again would admire the dawn's arrival, a looming mass beginning to take clearer shape where sea and sky met. Tural, a great continent home to the enchanting city of Tuliyollal. They were nearing arrival, another day or so on the water before they could make the port, but this was a new adventure, something the Viera constantly craved and desired. New people, new lands and of course, a Pirate's favorite. New Treasure.

"Morning Captain." The greeting was always met with a smile, her pale green eyes sharp and energized upon looking at the face of her first mate, well... More so the warm beverage he was extending in his hand. "This is why I keep you." Zhira hummed and offered the man a cheeky little grin, taking the time to sip from the mug, that last bit of chill now completely melted away. The First mate offered a slightly scoffing laugh, accompanied with a small shake of his head long ears flicked back for a brief moment, and he joined her in leaning on the railing, looking out over the bustling ship. "So Xiu... You ready to go home? No turning back now." Canting her head to the side, Zhira focused on him, trying to read any expression or shift in demeanor he might display, down to a twitch of the ear or a slight eyebrow wrinkle. No answer came as the man stared out over the water, seemingly lost in thought, his expression neutral and gaze distant. Her own brows furrowed with concern and gently Zhira reached out a hand to place it on his shoulder. "I promise I wont embarrass you to much. Just a little, Captain's law." Adding a little sing-song tone at the end. Despite all the pestering and harassment of the morning, Zhira had no intention of truly causing him distress and she was eager to learn about the Viera here, to see how different they may be to the life she had left behind in Dalmasca.

A little smile from Xiu was enough and her expression softened. "Well, lets get started then, it's the last stretch of the trip and I am sure our passengers are ready to be on land for a little while, especially after that storm." The Captain uttered a bemused sound before she finished her drink and handed him the cup back. "Thank you!" Chiming with that same sweet voice as before, knowing he would deal with the cup on her behalf, as she waltzed off towards her perch by the wheel. A new adventure was beginning...

[second-best-sibling]

Hatchetfield OC week Day 2

Apotheosis

@hatchetfieldocweek

Taylor and Daniel (stopwatch) I wrote a little story for this

Corey in his apocalypse arc. Not as polished but I copied a part of a roleplay that's canon to this

This one was fun cause TGWDLM is my favorite. Hope you like 💙