#second of all what's the man supposed to do kick the eggs out

[lionheartedmusings]

"qsmpblr isn't better than qsmptwt" honestly every community is deserving of criticism and no one's perfect but actually at least around here i see oceans of people with braincells that function. also very few people are total cunts. so, i actually am going on the record to say that qsmpblr is a breath of fresh air bc every time i open twitter i take psychic damage of the highest order.

[luketaluketa]

i was organizing some files and found all the wip stuff from the previous secret samol for @/seamonsterart (go check out their work!), and these are two of my favorite illustrations ever, so here's some insight into how i made these!

for starters i already had a pretty much finished design for pickman that i had first drawn back in 2021

she has a completely wrong gun in this version because i did not remember how it was supposed to look like and couldn't find a description of it anywhere. she's wearing a hat because i forgot it was supposed to be a helm and so i ended up giving her the large hat just because the long horns coming through it are a fun image, though today i cannot imagine her wearing anything else. she already has the sword she takes from the lake skeletons, also. her armor is based on the armor the torumekian soldiers and kushana wear in nausicaa of the valley of the wind, with the incredible neck guard and long cape covering their entire body

i've always loved these designs and how the plates are evocative of insects, but also how mysterious they look with covered faces and bodies. matter of fact, at this point i had no fucking idea what pickman looked like below the cape.

the second inspiration is the young man from angel's egg.

OK, STAY WITH ME. i cannot explain this other that in my head pickman and him are VERY similar characters. the image of the half pulled cape while he holds his sword-cross-thing over his shoulder and the quiet demeanor are pretty fundamental to how i try to make pickman FEEL. i actually wanted her armor to have more piping, pulling from the biomechanical appearance of his sword-cross, but it didn't feel quite right

and the third inspiration is less inspiration and more reference work, the book "arms & armor, a pictorial archive" by carol grafton

it's a compilation of illustration works sourced from several books from the 19th century. VERY cool book to take a look at historical armor. it's on the internet archive for free!

there was also a fair ammount of looking at goats and sheep, but eventually i reached this after learning i suck at drawing furry designs. big shoutout to the furry community for making so many tutorials available btw. in highlight a very important study of the character.

now that i kinda knew what pickman looked like i entered the wonderful phase of "i don't know what the fuck i'm doing" which resulted in a bunch of bad doodles now sitting in a folder dubbed "dev hell". at this point i kinda had an idea for a relaxed scene based on one of the prompts, which i developed for a while on blender but eventually gave up on.

i then moved on to the second prompt, of pickman being badass. i decided on a low angle to make pickman look incredibly tall but the low angle of a goat's head legitimately kicked my ass so i eventually made a goat head on blender and used it to generate references with the help of designdoll. here i made her design a lot more muscular and fat, also, eventually coming to her final design.

the valve on her chestplate looks WRONG to me now, but at the time i was so tired i just rolled with it. the first pass of her armor was in a completely wrong color, which i corrected later on photoshop. i added the little metal forks pulling from her 2021 design, and the idea of little musical forks for atunning to the shape was cool to me. i also corrected her gun after actually learning what the fuck it was supposed to look like. i already knew i wanted her to be standing on the field of canola flowers, and the sky in the background was the last thing i added, also the time when i decided to really make the picture tall.

i liked the final result so much i went back and started working on the first prompt again. had a horrible time drawing the horns in the second image which led to this hell cage for building the perspective. im still not confident on the horns on the side of the head. i wanted to bring the atmosphere of a cold winter or fall morning in the second one, and to make pickman seem tired but relaxed. i overall like the second picture a lot more than the first and was very happy with how it came out.

AND THAT'S HOW THE SAUSAGE IS MADE I GUESS. if you read this whole thing then thank you for your time!

[sl-newsie]

American Woman (Thomas Shelby x American OC) Ch. 14: Gussied Up

“Men and their cocks never cease to amaze me.”

Polly’s blunt statement almost makes me drop my teacup. It’s late and Thomas is late as usual. At this point I don’t even bother waiting up, though I still feel anxious about his safe return.

“Will Tommy be back?” Finn asks from the table, almost slumped over the book he’s reading.

“Yes, Finn. Now go to sleep.” I bookmark the page and pat his head. “That’s enough thinking for today.”

The young Shelby shuffles down the hall to his room and retires for the night. I’m almost to the point of wanting to retire to bed myself. But the door creaks open and my thoughts are interrupted by Thomas.

“Shh,” Polly hushes him as he closes the door.

Thomas throws down a wad of cash onto the table. “Freddie didn’t want your money. Now the coppers are saying that if we don’t turn him in, they’ll arrest Ada. That’s what compassion gets you, Pol.” He gives her a stern glare. “From now on we do it my way.”

Polly doesn’t back down. “Or what?”

He doesn’t answer. Thomas just keeps his head lowered and exits through the side door. Polly’s fierce gaze doesn't waver from where Thomas was just standing. I calmly set down my cup and follow him to the back alley, where he’s already lit up another cigarette.

“You’ve got siblings,” Thomas says. “Is life with them as crazy as this?”

“Hard to say. Most of the time I don’t even know what city my brothers are in.” They’re old enough to work for Uncle Colon.

“He said he loves her,” Thomas sighs heavily and takes a deep puff.

“Maybe he’s telling the truth. There is such a thing as love, Thomas.”

The gangster stiffens and turns his head sharply. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

This proves my point. I hold up steady hands to show no hostility. “You’re not exactly the emotional type.”

He grunts and kicks the dirt. “There’s more to life than love.”

I slowly shake my head and dare to step closer. “It makes me sad to see you so closed-minded. I do not pity you, Thomas. I only wish you knew how good of a man you could become.”

Thomas’ brow creases. “I’m already a great man.”

“No. Good.”

“There’s a difference?”

“Very much so.”

His eyebrows rise expectantly. “What is it?”

This isn’t something one can learn in a split second. Thomas is too stubborn and angry right now to understand.

“You’ll find out one day.”

With that I pat him lightly on the shoulder and pivot to walk back inside to my room.

The next morning is racing day. How do I know? Because that’s all everyone’s talking about. There’s been too much foot traffic in the kitchen for me not to notice. Thomas is the last one to rise and takes a seat in the corner.

“Morning,” I greet lightly.

He gives a low grunt. “Morning.”

“Didn’t sleep too well?” I ask as I wipe down the ever-dusty counter.

“How did you know?”

“Heard you fighting in your sleep again. Do you want any breakfast?”

Thomas shakes his head and pours himself a drink. “‘M fine.”

“Half a glass of whiskey is hardly a supplemental breakfast, Thomas. Here, have some eggs.”

The gangster gives my offering a bored stare but eventually complies. I get the feeling he wants to be alone to process today’s events.

Once I grab my clutch and stuff my pistol inside I gesture to Finn. “Come on, Finn. Let’s go for a walk.”

Outside there’s even more energy buzzing around as more Peaky Blinders chatter about today. Some of them watch me with slight suspicion but drop it when they see I’m with Finn. 

“Shelby, who’s your girlfriend?” One man asks with a smirk.

Poor Finn’s cheeks go red. Before someone else can taunt him I decide to step in.

“I, his tutor, am taking a walk and Finn offered to join me. Is there a problem?”

Another Blinder snickers suggestively. “Sure. Tutor. Nice one, Finn- Ow!”

I make quick work to step on his toe with my heel and continue down the dusty road with Finn following close by. Once we’ve turned the corner he lets out a constricted groan.

“Sorry, Verena. ‘S not that you’re, y’know, pretty ‘nd all, but-”

“I’m well over ten years older than you,” I finish smoothly. “No offense taken, Finn. My brothers tease me about things like this all the time.”

“Are they all married?”

“Close to it. Conor, Liam, and Eoin all were married three years ago. Nicolaas tied the knot last fall, and Abel got engaged last May. Since I’m the youngest I suppose I get a few more years ‘til father will start pressuring me to wed as well. Mother’s given up on trying to get me to settle.”

We keep walking until we circle back to the house. Hopefully Thomas has calmed down a bit- And in the process seems to have cleaned himself up rather handsomely. His suit is freshly pressed and he’s clean shaven.

“You look spiffy,” I compliment as I set my clutch down. “I’m sure Grace will love it!”

“Looking good, Tommy,” John agrees.

He nods at our approval. “I’m picking Grace up at 9, the race is at 10. Don’t be late.”

I frown. “We’re not all riding together?”

Arthur shakes his head. “Tommy’s going ahead while we have a last-minute rally with the boys by the factory. Don’t worry, they won’t bite.” He gets a wide grin. “You can ride up front with us.”

“Why are you coming?” John asks.

“Never been to a race before. Thought I might see what all the fuss is about.”

I myself am wearing a borrowed dress from Polly. She said she hasn’t worn it for years and that I mine as well take it. The dress is chic black intricate patterns and a fringe skirt. John and Arthur are sporting fine suits too. Aw, the Shelbys are all dressed up! It’s delightful. In ten minutes everyone’s ready and we hop into a truck. The only slight disappointment is seeing Thomas drive off alone. I truly am glad he’s happy to go with her. She seems like a lovely girl. But why do I feel so… empty?

“You alright?” John nudges me.

“Yes, just over-thinking.”

“You’re upset that Tommy doesn’t like you, eh?”

I roll my eyes. “You know perfectly well how he sees me. Just ‘the help.’ He likes Grace, not me, which he has shown by asking her to the races. I know I shouldn’t be upset, but I am. I will deal with it and let go.” I shoot a warning glare at the three Shelby brothers. “And, if any of you even think of uttering any word of this, I’ll gut you before you can blink.”

Arthur backs off with almost comical alarm. “Wow. Alright, then. Don’t piss off the American.”

I smirk. “Keep on my good side and I’ll spread word back home about your new pub. Maybe my father can partner with you.”

Arthur’s face lights up. “Ah, you’ve heard! Yes, my new pride and joy! You’re welcome any time, Steenstra.”

The truck pulls up to the factory where the rest of the Peaky Blinders calvary awaits. They jump in the back and we drive the rest of the way with little spoken words. The racetrack itself is much more crowded than I imagined. All this attention for a horse race? It must be good entertainment… or good money. 

“Attention!” Arthur calls after everyone piles out. “Now this is called your briefing before going over the top. Steenstra, this is no place for a woman. Please step out.”

I gawk in resistance. “What about Finn?”

“He’s a Shelby. He stays.”

“He’s 11.”

“He still stays. Now run off. Go wait outside the entrance ‘till we’ve finished.”

Wait outside? Why did I even come if I’m supposed to be a lookout? I’m not even doing anything! I don’t even get to see a single race-

“Going in, miss?”

It’s a stranger. A young man in his early twenties I’d say, along with his date. 

“Um, I’m afraid I have no money for entry.”

His date gets a wide smile and she grabs my arm. “No problem! You can join us! Right, Harry?”

‘Harry’ doesn’t seem to mind and the woman all but drags me inside the building. We go up multiple stairs and now I can finally see what all the fuss is about. Inside there’s a giant racetrack set up with a row of gates on one end. That must be where the horses take off.

“Here! This is the best spot!” the bubbly girl says and leads us to the front of a box. “I’m Roxie! What’s your name?”

“Verena,” I answer politely.

“What brings you to the races?” Harry asks.

How to phrase this? “I was supposed to be here with some friends but they lost me.”

“Aw, hon. That’s too bad. You can still enjoy the race up here.”

I give them both a sincere smile of gratitude. “Thank you, I appreciate it. Birmingham can be a tricky place to find kindness.”

Roxie scoffs. “No need to tell me twice! You’re American, huh? Are there lots of cowboys there?”

I stifle a laugh. “Is that the talk about us? No, no. The cowboys are primarily in the west and southern states. I’m from the east coast.”

“I heard there’s a new law banning alcohol?” 

Ah, yes. For the past few months there’s been an increasing pressure on breweries to halt production. What a laugh.

“Yes, the proposed Eighteenth Amendment will initiate prohibition.”

Harry chuckles. “I’m sure you Americans love that idea, hm?”

I roll my eyes. “Don’t get me started. My father runs a brewery company. This whole-”

“Steenstra! There you are!”

John rushes up and grabs my arm to tugs me away just as I make out a quick goodbye to my new friends. 

“Go go! We got to find Tommy!”

“You got the money?” I pant as we weave through the crowd.

“We got the money!”

He leads me to a room downstairs where there’s live jazz music and wealthy people dressed in rich clothes. Then there’s Grace, wearing a gorgeous red dress with a matching hat and patterned shawl. Her appearance highlights how much older she is than me. It’s no wonder Thomas would fall for her.

“That dress is stunning!” I comment when John and Arthur go to talk with Thomas.

Her blush almost matches her dress. “Thank you. At first I thought it was a bit much, but I liked the color.”

Thomas likes it too because his eyes can hardly stray from her. I’m surprised his attention to the operation is faltering so easily.

“We chased the Lees across the track and down to Devon Road,” Arthur explains. “We got every penny back.” He takes his own moment to get a look at Grace. “Nice dress. You can wear it in my pub.”

“Buy the boys a drink,” Thomas orders with a proud smile. “Anyone hurt?”

“Only a few cuts and bruises.”

He nods and gives Grace a smirk. “Off we go, Lady Sarah.”

And off they do go, to waltz across the dancefloor with such ease you’d think it was a romance flicker. Although this is one flicker that seems to tear into me little by little.

John picks up on this and starts to lead me away. “Come on, Steenstra. Best not hurt yourself any more by watching. Let’s go.”

He’s right. This is just making things worse.

“You’re right. Let’s go.” I put on a smile and walk confidently beside them back to the truck. “In America our dances are much more, shall we say, rambunctious. Besides, this place seems to stuffy anyway.”

[1rsoldiersince2012]

Bound by Law (Matt Murdock x Reader)

Words: 4613 (chapter 33)

Summary:

You and Matt met in the courtroom. Now, you may think that Matt was a knight in shining armour and defended you in the name of all United States laws, but that was not the case. Matt was totally destroying your client, and you wanted to tear him into pieces right then and right there, because with Murdock as your rival, your head is on the firm's plate with each case. Did Matt care? No, he only cared about bringing justice, he was a human-machine, driven by the need to bring righteousness no matter the cost. Or was he just that? What happens when you get involved in Fisk's business and Daredevil's lies against your will?

33. Lawyers, Guns and Money, pt. 1

Just as Karen sneaks out of the hospital through the back entrance, a man emerges from the shadows of the containers and Karen stops in her tracks, quickly deciding to take another route, yet strong, dirty arms grab her from the darkness and push her into the wall with so much force that it knocks her breath out for a second.

"So, why are you bothering the old woman?" The man asks, bad breath hits Karen's face, snapping her out of the momentary trance.

"Get off of me!" Karen tries to push the man away from her and somehow manages to grab her mace, but the man turns out to be quicker and slams her hand by the wrist.

"She gonna spray you." The first guy returns, the low lights of the street shine as bright as the moon on his bald head, but the emotion that he carries on his face makes him look as if his face was glued to an egg.

"Maybe I take that away from you, empty the whole thing in your face. Burn your eyes out, so you don't go snooping where you're not supposed to." The second guy says, voice filled with hatred.

Karen wriggles out of his hands and slightly kicks him in the balls with her knee, but the bald guy pushes her to the ground. "Stupid bitch!" He shouts before something painfully collides with his head and he falls like a leaf to the ground.

Karen watches a softball roll on the ground right next to her and abruptly raises her head from the ground, only to notice Foggy standing in a fighting position with a baseball bat in his hands and his briefcase swinging around in a very funny way. "Foggy? Oh my God, what are you doing here?"

Foggy matches her wild expression and shouts back, "What are you doing here?"

"What are you doing here?" Karen shouts again, quickly spraying the guy with her mace. "Are you following me?"

"Yeah." Foggy exhales with relief, watching the two men roll on the ground. He was indeed following her, but halfway through his journey, he almost went to Marci's apartment. Now he was glad he didn't quit.

"Why?"

"Because you were acting weird. I was worried about you."

"I can take care of myself."

"Let's discuss that away from the maniacs, okay? Come on!" Foggy gently grabs Karen's wrist and pulls her away from the scene.

*** 

"Good morning, Mrs Cardenas." You enter her ward confidently carrying yourself with Matt almost lazily following behind. The two of you today looked as different as day and night.

"Buenos días, Mrs Cardenas." He greets with a fake cheerfulness, because after yesterday he was anything but cheerful, which you noticed in the car.

"Buenos días," Mrs Cardenas answers, a big smile resting on her face.

"Oh, I see that you're feeling better today, right?" You occupy the window pane and put your briefcase, pulling out some papers.

"Sí, sí, a lot better." She confirms and sits up in the bed. You take a seat next to her on the armchair, crossing your legs. Your skirt rides up a little, exposing your bare legs and you receive a disapproving look from the elderly woman. Matt takes in a breath of changed air, but doesn't put energy into bothering about it.

"So, have you thought more about our offer?" You ignore her judgy eyes and continue with business. It wasn't your problem that these pencil skirts were too short for your rather thick thighs.

"Sí, I will do it."

"That's great news," you smile and immediately turn to look at Matt, but don't receive the same emotion from him. Something inside you feels betrayed, like a tennis ball hitting the wall and bouncing away from it. "We should start with the paper work, first let's sign the attorney-client confidentiality agreement, in which everything you say is only between you, me and my partner, and I would like to note that you should only talk to us about the matter, when other parties get involved, sometimes things don't go the way you wanted." You say while going back to your briefcase to pull out more papers and stop next to Matt who was standing there. "Could you translate, please?"

It seems that it took a long moment for Matt to finally acknowledge what words were coming out of your mouth, and you glance back at Elena nervously. "Yeah, sure." He finally says and starts speaking in Spanish. There was no denying that Spanish brought out his New York accent and it almost made you forget where you were and what you were doing. 

You bring the documents to Elena and she quickly signs them, "Great, now we're going to do the same, and everything will be officially sealed." You write your signature, a rather long and complicated one, because your father told you that longer signatures are more difficult to forge.

"Could you..." Matt takes the pen from you and freezes in place, suddenly very awkward and shy. "Maybe guide my hand?" 

"Uh, sure." You stand closer to him, gently touching Matt's hand. Both of you inhale sharply, yet silently, and you slowly push his fingers to the right place, then slide your fingers along his hand, eventually dropping them on the window pane again. Elena curiously observes the scene in front of her, watching you remain close to Matt's shoulder until he scribbles his signature. Simple, but complex. Just like him.

"You've got any more papers for me to sign?" He asks, slightly turning his head in your direction, and for a moment you almost feel mesmerized by the way early rays of sunshine were playing on his face, when Elena's subtle clearing of throat distracts you from the sight.

"We can do it back in the office." You leave his side and return to Elena. "Now that you're positive about the lawsuit against Mr Tully, I would like to hear everything from the beginning, maybe start since you rented the place, bien?"

Elena smiles knowingly at your flustered self and gets comfortable and starts her tale, excluding last night's Karen's visit on purpose, because she asked her so nicely to not tell anyone about it.

*** 

"I knew I should've just recorded it on my phone, that woman talks as if she's on a podcast and someone is paying her to talk." You exhale tiredly, almost dragging your feet towards the elevator. 

"Yeah." Matt chuckles lowly, or at least makes himself to do that so he wouldn't offend you with the silence.

"Hey, thanks for the translation, I think I owe you a lot." You slightly nudge his arm when the elevator door closes.

"No problem, really. But you know, I thought you had Spanish classes in university." 

"No, I chose German, but I really suck at it, so mission failed." You make a sound with your tongue and step out of the elevator, slowing your step, so it would match Matt's.

"Won't believe until I hear it." He smiles, whole face lighting up. Here was that smile, that cheeky smile that you've missed this whole morning. 

"Come on, you don't want someone to die after hearing my German, do you?" You chuckle, feeling Matt's hand on your back when he lets you through the exit of the hospital first.

"Come on, I've been translating for like 3 hours, I think I deserve something." He teases, snaking his hand on your elbow for guidance.

"I was gonna buy you lunch, but now I don't know..."

"Okay, okay, lunch it is." Matt laughs slightly, feeling his ribs shaking with pain in his chest.

"I knew that you wouldn't refuse it." You smile to yourself, savouring the feeling of his touch.

*** 

You walk toe to toe with Matt back into the office; he's swinging his walking stick beside him in a careless manner, right hand resting on your elbow rather tightly, but you don't mind that, it keeps you close to reality, and reality was making Elena's lawsuit actually work in the court.

Matt finds himself lost in the smell of your perfume and cigarettes that you smoked just before coming inside, he gives himself to the pleasant odour that he doesn't even bother listening to Foggy and Karen's talk upstairs.

"Matt wouldn't understand. You know what he would say." Karen says, hanging her coat as they both return from their lunch break.

"That we're awesome?" Foggy smiles proudly.

"No, that we're being stupid."

"I prefer the term foolheartedly provocative." Foggy puffs up his chest, fixing the sleeves of his suit afterwards.

"Yeah, that's lawyer talk for stupid. You want coffee?" Karen disappears in the kitchen, rummaging through the drawers. 

"If we're gonna be Nancy Drew-ing together, I think a certain level of honesty is required."

"What? You don't like my coffee?" Karen's head appears in the middle of the doorway, and she looks at Foggy perplexed.

"No, I hate it. I appreciate the effort, but the technique, or lack thereof..." He stops in the middle of the sentence, silenced by Karen's look.

"My God, you are such a dick." She scoffs to herself and disappears in the kitchen again.

"On occasion some dickery may leak out, but doesn't mean I'm wrong."

"Well, it means somethin'."

"Okay, let's say we keep Matt in the dark. How long do you think..." The door opens and Foggy falls silent upon noticing your coat flowing inside first, followed by your high-heeled boots and Matt following very closely behind you. "...I should grow my hair? Matt, what's your take on that? Mullet? Full pony?" Foggy stammers, almost slapping himself for his stupidity.

You and Matt both give Foggy scrunched eyebrows and confused looks, standing still in the doorway. "If I may express my humble opinion," you begin, slowly shaking your coat off your shoulders, "you'd look terrible."

"Gee, thanks for the honesty, y/n."

"You guys want coffee?" Karen asks loudly from the kitchen, busy with getting the coffee maker to start working.

"No, we just had it." Matt hangs his coat, slowly dragging his feet forward.

"Oh, really?" Foggy looks at you and Matt with mild panic, hoping that you didn't hear anything he practically yelled to Karen.

"Yeah, she bought me lunch." Matt cheekily points his thumb at you, and you roll your eyes at him.

"Is today 'y/n buys lunch for everyone day' or did we just miss that?" Foggy crosses his hands and leans on Karen's table.

"Yeah, you wish." You spin on your heel and disappear in the office, eager to start collecting information.

"So, you'd it go with Elena?" Karen asks, returning from the kitchen and solely focuses on Matt.

"Good." He answers briefly, not wanting to hang out in front of his friends more than necessary, in case they see him grimacing uncomfortably, he's busted.

"She's filling the lawsuit then?" Foggy asks, eyes jumping from Karen to Matt.

"Uh, yeah." Matt raises his eyebrows briefly, fixing his glasses with his left hand.

"That's great news!" Karen exclaims but only receives a shy smile from Matt.

"Yeah, I'd love to chat more but we should get to work."

"Absolutely, yeah, we're just gonna go drink our coffee and..." Foggy falls silent, not knowing how to finish this sentence.

"Yeah, okay." Matt awkwardly goes into your office and closes the door behind him.

"That was close." Foggy mouths to Karen without a sound and she nods in agreement.

***

Foggy kept worrying in his office, because a couple of hours passed without you and Matt leaving your office, which meant two things that Foggy quickly types to Karen, 'they're either very lucky or very unlucky.'

Karen quickly sends a message back, 'from the looks of it, they're not doing well.'

'What do you mean?' Foggy types, leaning back in his chair.

'Y/n has been shaking her head everytime I take a look at them.' 

'And Matt? He usually starts rubbing his chin.' 

'I'm surprised he hasn't rubbed his stubble off yet.' Karen sends and sighs audibly.

Foggy emerges from his office and looks determined to make some bad decisions. "I'm telling."

"What? No." Karen tries to protest, but Foggy quickly spins on his heel and barges into your office, causing you to slightly jump. Matt pulls his legs away from under the table, sitting up straight as if he was caught misbehaving. Frowns on both of your faces indicated that this interruption wasn't welcome, and Matt felt especially unhappy, because for the last hour, your boot was slightly touching his shoe, and he enjoyed this subtle interaction, because you' been only grasping straws with the case and it was to put it nicely, infuriating.

"We've got something to tell you." Foggy says, hands resting on his hips.

You look up at him and try not to rub your eyes or yawn. 

"Me and Karen have been doing something." Foggy states and waits for Karen to come into the office. Her walk of shame inside made you raise an eyebrow, and the next words have confirmed your disappointment. "We're... investigating Union Allied."

"Again?" You ask before words slip out of your mouth without too much thinking, "well my guess would been that you two are sleeping together." Your eyes slightly widen when the last word leaves your mouth and everyone looks at you with raised eyebrows, and Matt is the first one to break into a grin. "What? Your sentence phrasing set you up for this." You finally say after a long uncomfortable silence.

"Okay, remind me to keep you off the witness stand, Karen." Matt returns to the thing that caused this whole conversation.

"You can't be doing that." Karen protests immediately, eyes wide with confusion.

"Why not? For starters, you signed legal papers and took money to leave it alone." Matt taps his pen on the table impatiently.

"No, I signed papers saying that I wouldn't go public and I won't. We have someone lined up for that part." 

You look at them confused, because Union Allied and Karen's case was unknown for you, except for the things that went public after the murder.

"What part?" Matt's tapping stops, the pen frozen mid-air.

"Breaking the story that, uh... Look, whoever is behind Union Allied, or whatever they call themselves now, they are trying to strong-arm people like Elena so that they can sweep their homes away from them and build condos no one can afford."

"And what do you think's gonna happen when these "whoevers" find out what it is you're up to?"

"We already took care of it." Foggy chirps as happy as the kid with ice cream.

"Took care of what?" You ask still confused about Union Allied's connection to the case.

"The, uh, guys who busted up Elena's apartment. They, uh, came after me when I was leaving...the hospital last night."

"What? What were you doing there?" You ask, while Matt, out of courtesy asks if she's okay.

"Yes. Foggy was following me." She answers, receiving even more worried looks as the result.

"Why? Why were you following her?" Matt asks, while your question gets ignored on purpose.

"She was acting funny." Foggy defends himself.

"No, there was no funny."

"There was a little funny." Foggy looks away from the whole table, because it finally dawned on him how stupid he was acting yesterday.

"This is what I'm talking about. There are things out there. You can't be doing this. You're gonna get yourselves hurt." Matt continues his ramble, not even realizing something more important hanging in the air.

"No, I have already been hurt by those bastards. You know, I don't care what I signed or how much money they paid me to forget. I don't. And I'm not just going to stick my head in the sand and let it happen to somebody else because I am scared. Which I am, a lot."

"And if you could see her face, you'd know she means it." Foggy sides with Karen, noticing the expression on your face turn more sour with each word that gets released into this small space.

"Wait wait wait." You finally interrupt them, "put the whole Christianity thing you've got going on here on hold," gesturing with your hands in the air, "You two were attacked by someone last night?" 

"Yes, as I was telling, Karen was kickin-" Foggy starts, when one hand movement from you shuts him up.

"Yes or no?" You ask, eyes burning holes through Karen's skull make her understand that you want her to answer.

"Yes, but-"

"What the hell were doing in the hospital?" Karen opens her mouth to answer, while you add, bitterly, "after visiting hours, am I correct?"

"Well, yes. I... went to visit Elena."

"For what?" You continue your interrogation, Matt and Foggy not even daring to take a louder breath.

"I wanted to ask her about these men who visited her apartment before the explosion."

"Why for fuck's sake?" You voice gets an octave higher, sending shivers down everyone's spines.

"Because..." Karen doesn't finish, before you erupt into a monologue.

"Because you wanted to fuck up this case for us? Why are you putting your nose in other people's business? I mean yeah, go talk to her all you want during the day, I don't give a shit, but sneaking," you put emphasis onto the last word, "I presume, into a hospital after hours and talking about a case that legally doesn't involve you anymore, it's..." You wave your hands around again, looking for next words, and they don't take long to come, "you're not a goddamn lawyer, stop acting like one for God's sake. And stop interfering with my fucking case!" You stand up abruptly, dropping the pen on your table with so much force that it bounces off of it and rolls onto the ground. You look around at your coworkers and seeing their quite shocked faces, leave the office, closing the main door with a loud bang.

"What was THAT about?" Foggy dares to break the silence, looking at the pen on the ground.

"I'm sure she didn't mean it, Karen, don't overthink it." Matt says apologetically, trying to come up with a reasonable explanation for this kind of behavior. "Right, who else is involved? Who's helping you break whatever it is you think you're gonna find out?" 

"Ben Urich, from the Bulletin." Karen answers, voice quieter than before.

"The one who wrote the Union Allied piece?" Matt asks.

"Karen's been working with him. He seems like a good guy." Foggy adds, voice also quieter, as if afraid that you might return and curse him with every curse word in existence.

"Yeah, everybody does, until they aren't." Matt answers, subtly listening to you trying to light up your cigarette on the rooftop of the office building.

"No, I trust Ben as much as I do you or Foggy, Matt." Karen answers, leaving your name out of here for obvious reasons. "I know what I am doing. I am not some kid..."

"Then don't act like one. Both of you. I know you're just trying to do the right thing here, but we have to be smart about this." Matt says in a fatherly tone.

"We?"

"First rule, no more skulking around, asking to get hurt. We do this, it's gonna be on our turf. The legal system." Matt explains, somewhat agreeing with your burst, because deep down, you were right.

Karen scoffs, "That's not nearly as heroic as you might think."

"I don't want anyone to be a hero, Karen. I want you to be safe. And I want to protect this firm and everything we're trying to build here.We know the law. We'll use it to our advantage. Agreed?"

"I guess."

*** 

Matt doesn't dare going out to hunt you, since it would be suspicious as to how a blind man can find his way onto the rooftop. Instead, he listens to Foggy, slightly out of breath from climbing all these stairs to the top, opening the heavy metal door.

You hear the movement behind you, but don't even bother turning to check who it is.

"Hey." Foggy says, leaning on the ledge wall and looking at you. 

You glance at him, then at your watch, noticing that only thirty minutes have passed since your departure, and continue looking straight ahead at the city, a cigarette burning brighter in the mild wind. Your hair flows around your face and you don't even bother tucking them behind your ears anymore.

"You're not gonna burn your hair?" Foggy tries to break the silence, spotting three cigarette butts lined up next to your elbow.

"Don't worry about that."

"Wanna talk?" 

You look at him briefly before answering. "No."

"What happened there? I mean, I've never seen you like this, not even when we were opponents in courtroom."

You furrow your eyebrows, the look in your eyes scaring Foggy as much as it did back during your outburst. "I just.." You sigh, "don't like others in my business."

"Karen was trying to help and so was I."

"I know but it just pisses me off when people do shit behind my back. I mean sneaking into the hospital and getting attacked? How would I get you out of jail if you were caught by someone? You ever thought about that?" You say and riled up, continue your rant, "Risking all this for what? Why did Elena not say anything about this whole thing today, huh? She asked her?" Your voice gets higher again, and Foggy fears that you might truly curse him in every language any minute now.

"I think so, but don't take this to heart, y/n."

"I promised to myself that I will get on Tully's ass and get justice myself, well now with Matt, but I'm working on this fucking case with him, that's different." I don't like you and especially Karen snooping around where you're not supposed to, and especially in my case."

"Y/n, we're a team here, please listen to yourself." Foggy tries to calm you down, but you look him dead in the eye.

"She's not a real lawyer for fuck's sake, maybe she should stop acting like one and just because she has that innocent pretty blond girl thing literally printed on her face, it doesn't give her a right to do whatever the fuck she wants!" You start pacing around, pulling out another cigarette and trying to light it up with the wind still blowing in your face.

"Hey, maybe you should go easy on the nicotine." 

You pinch the bridge of your nose to collect yourself. "It was a mistake letting you go to Elena's house."

"Why?"

"Because you two almost got killed. TWICE."

"Y/n-"

"Just forget about this. All of this." You try to light up the cigarette again, but end up throwing the lighter on the ground with less force than you threw the pen. "Fucking cheap lighters."

"I guess you wouldn't like to hear what we've managed to find." Foggy says mysteriously as you near the metal door to the stairway.

*** 

"Confed Global? You're sure?" Your voice gets louder towards the office and you barge inside without sparing Karen a look and head straight to your table.

"Karen, could you bring the list of the subsidiaries you were able to track down through their check?" Foggy asks, watching your wide eyes quickly roam through all the new papers.

"Westmeyer-Holt Contracting is on the list." Matt says, "There are half a dozen complaints against them for doing the same thing they did at Elena's tenement."

"Confed Global's trying to force renters out of tenements?" You ask.

"What about Elena's landlord? That Tully guy? I mean, he's gotta know something about this."

"See if I can track him down." Foggy says, waiting for some kind of reaction from you, yet receiving none.

"Oh, my God. The New York Bulletin online just reported that that cop that got shot, he just regained consciousness." Karen reads loudly from the hallway.

"Detective Blake?" Matt asks, suddenly very interested in this new information.

"Yeah."

"Guy's a real dick. Still, he didn't deserve a bullet from that masked douchebag."

"Okay. Nobody knows what really happened out there." Karen protests, while you grab your phone and disappear in Foggy's empty office. 

"Hello, gorgeous." Wesley answers, putting a stack of papers on the dashboard of the black SUV.

"I need you to be honest with your next words." You say immediately without even greeting him.

"What happened, y/n? Is everything okay?"

"Was Confed Global involved with those explosions?" 

"What? What are you talking about?"

"Westmeyer-Holt Contracting. The repair company? It's linked to Confed Global. And everything is naturally linked with my client's landlord. Don't try to lie because I will personally go to your workplace and demand for all the legal documents." 

Wesley's eyes widen at the change of events, he looks around the parking lot helplessly. "I don't really know what to say, really, I'm just a simple worker, I don't get access to a lot of documents, I'm sorry, y/n."

"Westmeyer-Holt Contracting. Have you seen anything like that?" You repeat slowly, feeling overwhelmed by the amount of new information.

"I guess. Y/n, I'm not sure, seriously. Sorry, but I have to go now." He hangs up before you can stop him and you grunt loudly, refraining yourself from breaking another thing today. Matt clears his throat to himself, feeling his mouth suddenly become dry after hearing your conversation with Wesley.

***

Karen left the office first, saying she needed to do some grocery shopping for Mrs Cardenas as they're letting her go home today. To what was left of her home. You managed to mutter 'sorry for today' to her on her way out and received a small nod in return. You weren't expecting to continue on good terms after that, yet you didn't want the tension to keep hanging in the air just for the sake of the whole company.

Foggy left too, hurrying to talk about this crazy afternoon with Marci and only you and Matt were left in the office after work hours, not sure of what exactly you were still trying to find.

"I just can't take this anymore." You finally drop your papers and your reading glasses and go into the kitchen to  pour yourself a glass of water.

Matt silently follows you inside, standing in the doorway. "You're alright?" He asks softly, hearing the glass slightly shake in your hand.

"You know it's a stupid question."

"Doesn't mean that it's not an important one."

You scoff to yourself loudly. "If you decide to fire me, I'll understand." You simply say, feeling a lump forming in the middle of your throat.

"What? I won't do that." Matt takes a step forward and stands almost next to you.

"Then you're seriously f-ed in here." You put a finger to his head but he quickly catches your wrist in the air, holding it softly.

"Maybe we all are." He says, hand sliding up to your shoulder and burning your skin even through the thick material of your jacket, and a second later you find your chin resting on Matt's right shoulder, his arms finding their way on your back and tightly holding you in place. You needed that. Matt needed that.

His hands loosen up a bit but he doesn't hurry to step away just yet and you don't spare him another look before your lips find his and your hands quickly land on his cheeks, squeezing them firmly.

[nataliedanovelist]

GF - It’s Over, Isn’t It?

Ford is still struggling to wrap his mind around the fact that the battle is over, meanwhile Mabel is struggling on how to help her uncle.

Beautiful art was done by THE @stephreynaart ! THANK YOU so much!!!

~~~~~~~~~~

“I’ll make you talk, it’s only a matter of time.”

Ford screamed in horror.

At least he had the memory of screaming, but his mouth was shut while he slept.

To the extremely observant, he wasn’t sleeping soundly, but with the only clue being the absence of snoring and a small smile for proof of a happy dream, to the naked eye he was simply sleeping on the couch in his old bedroom, dressed in his red sweater and dark pants, trenchcoat thrown into a chair and boots left on the floor. Ford’s glasses were folded and sitting on the window seal. His charcoal-gray hair was everywhere, his strong arms wrapped around his pillow, and his blanket falling off his body.

A soft, small hand touched his shoulder.

Instincts kicked in, adrenaline from the nightmare alive and well, and Ford flailed an arm, smacking something on the way to putting a hand at his hip, where his gun normally laid, but it was absent.

It only took a second for the aged scientist to focus and he was mortified to blink his malfunctioning eyes and swear he saw the blurry figure of his niece.

“Oh my gosh, Grunkle Ford! Are you okay?!” She asked, concerned for him, when Ford’s attention was on her.

He quickly reached for his glasses and slipped them on. Ford sat up and pressed himself against the back of the couch, as far away from Mabel as possible, as he stared wide-eyed at the young teenager.

She was still in her father’s floppy-disc purple shirt and her hair hadn’t been greeted by a brush yet, but the sun was rising; This all gave Ford the hypothesis that she had come to him for morning cuddles - no, she had a plate of eggs and toast in one hand; she had made him breakfast in bed - and had been greeted by a monster.

His heart was still racing, and it showed no sign of slowing down. The nightmare and the shame of what he had done horrified him. His brown eyes were glued to the reddening mark on Mabel’s cheek.

Mabel’s concern for her great-uncle mounted when she saw the frightful look on his face, like he was scared of her. She bit her lip, sat the plate down on the floor, and slowly reached out for him. “Grunkle Ford, it’s okay. It’s me.”

Ford sighed tiredly and shook his head, making Mabel cease her arms’ movement and be still. “I… I know. I know. But please… don’t come near me.”

Everything clicked in her imaginative mind. She lightly touched the spot on her cheek where her Grunkle Ford had accidentally hit her, but it wasn’t even that bad; Honestly he had barely grazed her, just enough for her skin to redden in irritation. Ford wasn’t scared of her; He was scared of what he could do to her. Mabel had most definitely accidentally interrupted a nightmare.

In hindsight, Mabel knew she had to be gentle with waking Ford up; usually snuggles did the trick, but she had hoped a gentle touch on his shoulder would be enough to wake him up peacefully so he could eat the special eggs and toast she had made for him. Like always, her excitement clouded her judgment, and she felt guilty for worsening a problem (all of this was entirely untrue and only in her mind, of course). Well, now she knows how to fix things, how to make someone she cared deeply about feel better.

Mabel smiled sadly and opened her arms to him. “Not even for a hug?”

In all his years of travel, throughout all the planets and cultures he had encountered, Ford had found nothing quite as strong as the power of Mabel. The tired old man bit his lip and chuckled weakly through shut eyes. He opened his arms in return and Mabel grinned and calmly climbed into his lap, squeezing a tight hug around his torso and putting everything she had into making him feel better.

~~~~~~~~~~

It was supposed to be over. It was over. So why didn’t it feel like it was?

Everything was too perfect.

He had his brother back, and was even fulfilling their lifelong dream of sailing around the world together.

He had a family - a beautiful one at that - containing a surrogate nephew, a pair of niblings who fondly reminded the old scientist of better versions of himself and his own twin, and many more friends who were just as good as family.

He had a home, not just four walls he had paid for and slept in, but a real home. Nothing like the dimensions he visited, nothing like that pawn shop in Glass Shard Beach, a real home where he could be himself, be at comfort, and be surrounded by laughter and love.

So why did he always feel on edge? Like the quiet wouldn’t last forever? Like the peace wouldn’t last long? Because it never did. Not for him.

But maybe things were different. Bill was gone. His brother made sure of that.

Ford continued to pace his room. He had enough of this overwhelming feeling and wanted to put an end to it, but he didn’t know how. His trenchcoat flapping by his boots, his polydactyl hands went from his opposite arms, to his pockets, to his hair, all in the span of five seconds, his body unsure of what to do, his nerves unhinged, and his mind too far gone to notice or care.

In his frustration, he growled in his throat like a cornered animal, saw a desk chair, and kicked it hard enough to make it fall over with a bang as he continued to march around the room, his breathing picking up the pace, his temper rising, and pressure building behind his stinging eyes. The dam was about to break.

Ford swore under his breath as he came to his senses, realizing he had worked himself into a panic attack, so he vexed some anger by punching the wall opposite of his couch, then collapsed against it, his knees by his chest and his hands in his hair, concentrating on his breathing and trying to get it under control.

A shaking, terrified girl watched through the crack of his bedroom.

Mabel had come down from the attic, alone in the house with Grunkle Ford, to see if he wanted to hang out - watch a movie, read a book, make some cupcakes, go on a walk, do an experiment, whatever he wanted to do - but had accidentally stumbled upon a scary scene. Seeing someone she loved panicked, in pain, so angry…

Mabel silently pulled herself away from the cracked door and hurried to the couch on the porch to give Grunkle Ford some space. Normally she would go to him and try to help, but he looked so scary - NO! Grunkle Ford wasn’t scary. He just looked mad, and Mabel didn’t want to make him more mad, so she would check on him later. Yeah, that was a better idea.

Mabel sat on the couch and her mind was plagued on how to make Grunkle Ford feel better; her brain wouldn’t let her concentrate on anything else. What if she brought him a snack? Cupcakes? Cookies? He did like her Mabel Juice.

A bird flew over the Shack, landed on the porch to pick at its wing, then flew out into the woods. Wait, what was the one thing Ford loved more than anything?

Mabel grinned and hopped off the couch and began to skip out into the woods, determined to find an odd flower or small creature to take home to Grunkle Ford to make him feel better. She was so excited about her new idea, so thrilled to go on a short adventure, so happy to make Ford happy, that she was oblivious to the dark clouds rolling in.

~~~~~~~~~~

It took about half an hour for Ford to calm down and recover from the overwhelming stress. Feeling better and taking steady breaths, he looked at his beautiful stain-glass window and could see the raindrops hitting the glass and rolling downward; he heard the calming melody of rain, and his mind was hit with the idea of having his niece in his lap and watching a movie. Smiling, he stood and left the room.

“Mabel?” No sound. He stood at the bottom of the stairs and called calmly, “Mabel. Would you like to watch a movie?”

Expecting a thump, then running feet until the door flew open and she yelled in response that she would love to, Ford was a little surprised not to have any of that meet his question. He decided to climb up the stairs and check in the attic. Maybe she was listening to music or fell asleep snuggling Waddles.

Ford politely tapped the door with his knuckles before opening it. “Mabel? I’m sorry to bother you, I w-…” But Waddles was the sole occupant, asleep on Mabel’s bed. Ford was a bit puzzled. Okay, the kitchen then, for a snack? Or already watching TV in the living room, though Ford didn’t think he heard the sound of television while on the ground floor.

He journeyed back down the flight of stairs and checked every single room of the house, even the gift shop, but Mabel was nowhere to be found. Ford’s anxieties grew more powerful with every failed room, until he stood at the porch, rain pouring heavily on the woods, and he had to admit that Mabel wasn’t in the Mystery Shack.

“MABEL!” He called over the rain. “MABEL? Can you hear me?”

No response. He racked his brain, trying to remember if she had plans with friends today, or if there was any reason she would leave home, but he couldn’t think of a reason. Ford sprang off the porch like a panther and started running through the rain, into the forest, desperate to find his little girl.

“MABEL! ANSWER ME!”

Lightning flashed through the sky, then a soft rumble of thunder rolled through the air. His mud-decorated boots splashed through the uneven terrain. His glasses were beaded and it was hard to see. Blinded, Ford leaned against a tree and tried to wipe his glasses dry to see better, but already his trenchcoat and sweater was wet from the rain. He groaned and put his glasses back on, trying to see, praying he would see his niece, but all he saw were rows and rows of trees and brush.

“MABEL! WHERE ARE YOU?!”

She was gone. That had to be it. Something had gotten to her before Ford could. She was dead, hurt far beyond repair, gone. His little shooting star had fallen.

“I think I’m gonna kill one of them, just for the heck of it!”

“No!” Ford growled under his breath, his twelve fingers in his soaked, charcoal hair. “No! G-G-Get out of my head! It’s not true!”

His knees were trembling. He wanted to sit against the tree and collect himself (for the second time in an hour, he shamefully reminded himself), but he had already wasted so much precious time. He groaned and tried to keep running, keep searching, but his chest was tight, he was shaking, he was blinded by his rain-stained glasses, and all he could do was beg to the sky, “Mabel! Please! Come home!”

“Grunkle Ford?”

Ford turned around to see his little niece, her hair flattened by the rain, her cheeks and nose pink from the cold, a bundle of color-changing lilies in her hand. She looked perfectly fine and otherwise happy, unscuffed and unhurt, but her face was painted with worry.

“Grunkle Ford, what are you doing out here? Are you okay? Why were you screaming?” Mabel asked, stepping over tree roots to calmly walk to him.

“MABEL!” Ford darted to her and scooped her up, hugging her close and rubbing her back, ignoring the soaked sweater over her body. “Mabel, my darling!” He breathed.

“Grunkle Ford, are you okay?” Mabel asked steadily. “What’s wrong?”

“What’s wrong?” He repeated and looked at her, still quite scared and panicked. “I’ve been worried SICK about you! I couldn’t find you! You were gone! You were wet and cold and lost… why on Earth did you leave, WHY?!” Ford demanded.

Mabel was filled with horror. She had done it again. She had made him feel worse. She had become distracted by her stupid idea, too excited, and stupidly made Ford’s anxiety worse. She lowered her head in shame and muttered, “M’sorry. I… I thought you’d like these. Want to experiment on them or something.” And she held up the special flowers.

Still breathing heavily, still scared, still cold and wet, started to calm down, and with shame and exhaustion flooding his body…

“A-Are you crying?” Mabel asked quietly. No, it must be the rain.

Ford wheezed his eyes shut and hugged his niece.

Mabel hugged him back, a hand in his hair, and once again she poured her entire soul into making him feel better, hoping she could somehow make this better. But she was really starting to doubt the power of Mabel.

“M’sorry.” She mumbled. “M’sorry I made you feel worse.”

“No,” Ford breathed, combing his soaked hair with his fingers. “No, never…”

“I just thought you needed some space… I… I wanna help you, but I always make it worse…”

“Mabel, pumpkin, listen to me.” Ford held her, ignoring the rain, her beautiful, youthful face seeming to glow, a beacon in the darkness. “You’ve always helped me. It’s not even your responsibility to. My problems… erm, well, they’re mine, not yours.”

“But I love you.” Mabel interrupted. “I wanna help you. I just want you to be happy.”

Ford smiled, cupping her cold cheek and wiping some raindrops away with his thumb. “You make me happy. You, and Dipper, and Stanley, make me far happier than I thought I could be. And I know how you feel. Nothing is worse than seeing someone you love suffering. But I promise, the power of Mabel never fails to make me feel better.”

Mabel grinned. “Good. Cuz the power of Grunkle Ford always makes me happy, too.”

Ford laughed, feeling a bit of blush rising in his pale cheeks.

“Let’s go home.” Mabel said, squirming a bit, like she wanted to walk, but Ford was not quite ready to let her go, so he carried her to the shack through the rain, thunder occasionally disturbing the haunting silence.

When they arrived home, Ford put her down at the foot of the stairs, and said calmly, “Why don’t you go upstairs and change into some dry clothes, then come find me in my room. I-If you want, we can watch a movie or make a snack.”

Mabel smiled and nodded. “Okay! How about popcorn and some Mabel Juice?”

“Sounds perfect.” Ford said with a smile, and ruffled her soaked brown hair. “Now, go change before you get a cold. I’ll put these beautiful lilies in some water.”

Mabel nodded with a grin, gave him the flowers, and ran upstairs, knowing a good movie with a great uncle, and possibly a nap, awaited her.

[iviarellereads]

Wheel of Time full series spoiler thoughts on EOTW 14-18

A probably semi-regular weekly bonus to my reread blog, since sometimes you realize things on reread that just make you need to yell in a full spoiler space.

Mo's nicknames are abandoned so quickly, along with everything else about this book. I suppose it justifies the Wondergirls, in particular, using false names later, but it feels so tacked on to me after this many reads of EOTW.

Ishy tries way too hard.

"Rand, if we get out of this alive, if we ever get back home, and you hear me say anything about leaving Emond’s Field, even to go as far as Watch Hill, you kick me." Oh, Perrin, hon, you really have no idea how far you'll go.

Min's predictions. All the way to the eye on the balance scale. A few are slightly less clear, sure, but on the whole, top notch. Just vague enough to make you wonder, just clear enough to be recognizable when they happen. The beggar's staff for when he's wandering just before Veins of Gold is a nice touch.

The Pattern guiding Rand through his encounter with the Whitecloaks is fascinating. At least, that's what I'm guessing it is. Part the Pattern, part an early instance of LTT bleeding through, since Rand has now started channeling and RJ intended for the madness to progress pretty quickly until he realized this was no longer going to be only 6 books long…

When Thom glares at Rand and Min while Min tells Rand what she saw about Nyn, I'm pretty sure this is the only time Thom and Min ever meet? Ever even have the chance to meet, really.

Nynaeve's arrival kicks off so so many events and poses so many more questions. Of course she tracked them, but she also still has the healing connection to Egg, at this point.

Cheeky working in of the Heroes of the Horn. I know I probably don't need to point out every little thing that I see as setup for later, but it's part of what makes the reread so much fun, so I'm gonna keep doing it anyway.

Sneaky to use the scar-faced man to cast suspicion about who called the Fade, when Rand was all eagerness to tell Fain last chapter.

I like the idea that it was just some trick of air that let Moiraine appear to do… whatever that was in leaving Baerlon, but I don't think that RJ had his whole magic system worked out yet at this point, or the limits he would soon put on it. So, I have trouble really believing that that's the case.

OK, so, one of my biggest issues with how the fandom treats Mat is that there's so much misinformation about his memories. For one thing, assuming that his war cry was a reincarnation-memory. Not only is this directly contradicted by what Moiraine says, it would be silly. You wouldn't statistically end up in the same place you lived and died before on any kind of short time scale, and even then, Egg wouldn't have felt the same memory tug at her if it was just that Mat was, like, Aemon reincarnated. Second, of course, is the 'Finn memories, which Mat himself says later are from people who went to see the 'Finn in their lives, they're the memories the 'Finn had available to patch his holes with, they are not something buried in his soul's psyche or whatever. Now, the way the show is changing this, I don't have a problem with as long as they're internally consistent about it. But, a lot of people took some really weird ideas away from the books' explanations, perhaps because they can seem so vague and the pieces of the whole picture are so far scattered apart that by the time you find the next puzzle piece, the whole puzzle in your head's been disturbed so you have to start all over with the pieces you can still find in there. Okay, that metaphor got away from me, but I stand by my point, and I might as well get it out there this early.

[angsty-violet]

Restraints and Dreams

He twisted and turned, fighting every inch of the way. It was no use. The restraints didn’t have any give in them. The Magog definitely knew what they were doing. No matter how hard he fought, he couldn’t seem to get anywhere.

For a brief second, his mind caught onto the fact that there was supposed to be someone with him. Someone who should’ve been captured. Another man, someone he knew well. But before it could really set in, the thought was fluttering away in the wind.

He moaned, quietly wanting to get away from his horrible place and having no choice but to endure. He thrashed sharply and then went limp with exhaustion. There was no way that he could possibly keep up that level of energy for very long. All he wanted to do was lay there and wait for the end. However, there was something inside of him that insisted that he keep trying. That he couldn’t give up now, of all times. He had already come so far, beaten so much, he couldn’t just give up.

Still, there was a sense of overwhelming wrongness with him. There was something inside of him that wasn’t supposed to be there.

Perhaps, if he escaped his restraints, he’d be able to rid himself of the feeling of wrongness. Maybe all he needed to do was get out of there, and he would be able to move on from that terrible feeling. That spurred on another set of thrashing and movements. This time, he actually felt something give slightly. This was more than enough to spur him on and start the movements in earnest.

He fought, and inch by inch, the restraints finally gave out. He landed with a heavy thud on the ground and barely managed to climb to his feet. As soon as he was aware of the fact that he had escaped, he was off and running. He needed to find a way out before they discovered where he was.

Another thought about the person who was supposed to be with him, but before it could solidify, he was distracted by the sounds of approaching feet.

They were coming for him in all directions, and he was overwhelmed with panic. Despite that, he could see a way out. He wasn’t sure how he knew it was a way out, but he knew it was. All he needed to do was keep going. Get through that opening. He was home free. What would be waiting on the other side, he didn’t know. All he knew was that it had to be better than here.

However, before he could reach there, clawed hands were reaching out to try and catch him. They were ripping and tearing at his clothes and hair. He was pulled away from the opening, and he cried out as he was dragged away. He continued to cry out and fight, but it seemed to be no use. There was nothing he could do.

Harper woke up with a scream. It seemed to echo through his quarters. He patted himself down quickly, and a hand rested on his stomach. His intruders were still inside him. He hadn’t found a way to get rid of them yet.

That dream, it had been him inside the Magog World Ship. But that wasn’t how it had happened. He had been with Tyr for one thing. And after they had escaped their restraints, they had managed to make it off. Harper was disoriented for a minute. Which was the truth? Had he and Tyr escaped together? Had it just been him alone on that ship, fighting for his life?

The doors to his quarters opened, and Tyr was in the doorway looking down at him. “I heard you scream. Are you alright?”

Harper looked around and then down at himself. His thrashing had kicked off the blanket, and he was shivering from the cool air. However, he wasn’t bound. The feeling wasn’t even recreated in real life. He had kicked off the covers, and there was nothing impeding his movements. He wasn’t trapped on a ship filled with a Magog, just waiting for the eggs to hatch. He was safe and sound on the Andromeda. But he didn’t feel safe. He still had the Magog larvae inside of him, and he still might die. Not to mention that the Magog World Ship was still out there.

“Will you…,” Harper trailed off for a moment. How could he ask this?

“I will stay if you wish me to.”

Harper nodded, relieved that he didn’t have to ask for it. Tyr moved closer to the bed, and Harper set it to rights. Putting the pillows back where they belonged and getting the blanket off the floor. Tyr sat next to Harper, sitting up, ready to begin his vigil.

This wasn’t the first time they had done something like this. Several times since surviving the World Ship, Tyr and Harper had watched over each other. Like it or not, a bond had been forged between them. They had survived something that should’ve killed them. Now, they were stuck with the results. Harper with a belly full of Magog and Tyr with the guilt that Harper couldn’t be saved the way he was.

“Sleep, little professor. I’ll watch over you and your dreams.”

Harper nodded and slid back under the covers. Even though he was just as safe as he had been before, it was easier to close his eyes.

Something about knowing the Tyr was right there beside him made it so the world was a lot less scary. Maybe just having a Nietzschean with him made him feel indestructible. Or perhaps it was Tyr specifically. They had fought their way out together twice. If there was anyone who could help get him through this fight, it was Tyr.

Harper finally closed his eyes, and sleep was on him. He had been working overtime to get the ship up to fighting shape, and he was truly exhausted.

[infinitelystrangemachinex]

the melting point of precious metals (Mel/Viktor, 1/20)

[Read on Ao3]

Mel steps into the Council chamber and out of the tower, all at the same time, like a magic trick.

Like stones skipping a perfect seven times across still water, her wavering toddler's steps steadied on the arches of Father's feet. Or bronze turned to silver and silver to gold with a wave of her hand and the silken words: A pleasure doing business with you. Like doubtful scowls turned to smiles, greed and trust and adoration in the palm of her hand, all dusted to ash in an instant with a bored shrug of her shoulder. Or air clenching like a fist in an instant's hot vengeance, unleashing light, and a blazing world of fire.

She's pretty damn good, isn't she.

Too good to be jumping the gun, when the fog of ruin still shrouds both her starting line and the finishing, when she can't see her opponents on either her right or the left. A sprint, a marathon, or something tricky in between - she'll know which race she's running before the day is through.

And too good to be getting a big head. Hard to hold up, and so much easier to cut off.

Still, because she damn well deserves it, Mel leans back against a notch in the gear of what remains of the Council table like a child nestling into the cradle of her mother's lap, and she sucks in a cool, bracing breath like she's drinking the simmering orange evening down in a sweet spiced slide, the sea glittering like electricity far below, birds wheeling beyond the great ragged hole torn in Piltover's world.

The falling debris almost adds a majestic touch.

It slams into the floor not two steps to her left with a sharp crack, stone and twisted iron striking stone. A piece of the shattered tower's mortar skitters into her foot and, unflinching, she kicks it away.

Enough magic, she supposes. Time for whatever remains, when it's not around.

"Oh, Councilor Medarda!" squeaks a voice, and Mel turns, brow raised, in time for the page in a vest shining with gold to scuttle past her, his bob of gold hair gleaming twice as brightly, broom and dustpan in hand. Odd - she'd reveled in the echoing vastness of the Council chamber, the drama of every footstep, and here now that it's been cracked open like an egg, innards exposed to the harsh outside air, she hadn't heard the man approaching at all. "I am so, so very sorry - we were certain it had all come down already, of what was apt to come down, I suppose - we would never compromise the safety of our beloved Council members - but to insist that you meet here, of all places, after everything that's happened -"

"It's a terrible idea, isn't it?" she says, smiling when he turns in shock to look at her. Though the terribleness is, of course, surely the entire point. "Which is how you know it was not my idea. Between you and me, that may be a bit meager for the job at hand."

She nods with her chin, and the page blinks down at his dustpan. "Oh - yes. I was told -"

"Don't trouble yourself. We're already well accustomed to being compromised. Especially to foreign objects falling from the heavens, I think."

The page, pale to begin with, goes white as a sheet. "You're quite right, Councilor. Forgive me. I - I will only be a moment."

Damn him. But instead of gritting her teeth, she favors him with a laugh. The deep one that men like to hear when there's no one else around. It's rusty from days of disuse. Best to limber it up in advance.

"You're forgiven, but I wouldn't have you scuffing your shoes on this mess. They look new. I think we'll survive a few fallen pebbles, after everything." If that falling bit of ceiling had waited only a few seconds longer, it would've cracked this page's head open like a summer melon. But optimism is all the rage these days, and Mel intends to be fashionable indeed. "It's still early, but if you see any of the Councilors below, tell them I'm eager to see their faces. To know they're with me, safe." She lowers her voice in conspiracy. "I think they'll need the nudge. Don't you agree?"

She's looking the page directly in the eyes when his face changes, and she knows she's won. His gaze drops to where her hem meets her sandal, and the victory is so sweet that she doesn't even notice him leaving.

Perhaps, proving the odds after all, she is still -

No. What could be missing, here in the afterglow of her triumph? The metal cupping her skin may have gone cold, but the sun overhead is warm on her neck. Every step snatches pain through some part of her, but what of it? Her smile had come so easily, and she had stood perfectly straight. The way she'd been born to it. As if her spine had never known the compassionless press of a hospital mattress. 

Her movements are slow, painful, and flowing with the sure stubbornness of the tide. She finds her seat. The same seat she has always taken, no matter if the Council table is a whole gear or a jagged, destroyed half of one. Alone, she faces the worst part of all. The waiting.

Or not.

She stiffens. Loud, thumping footsteps from below, winding up and up the curl of stairs to the landing like the final awaited ticking of a great clock. And then in no time at all, a chair seized by the back, and dragged squealing on two legs over to hers.

...

Read the rest on Ao3

[pbandjesse]

It was a beautiful day. I had a really nice time. It was not what we expected but it was still very nice.

I didn't work. James had to go further background before they went to their meeting up with museum and I miss very happy because they made me biscuits so I got dressed and packed my lunch and headed to the car. It was a nice drive out to camp and I got there around 9:00. And as I was driving Elizabeth texted us because camp did not have any power. Which if you remember from the summer is not good because not only do we not have lights we also don't have water. So that was going to be interesting today and we were supposed to have 50 kids and a bunch of adults.

But it did not work out that way. Instead we got there at 9:00 and the power guy came by and asked me how many buildings we had when I told him 20 he was very upset and was like oh man that's going to take forever. But he found the down the wire pretty quickly. And then Heather and Sarah and Max were there and we kind of figured out who was going to do what and went to set up.

Me and Heather want to set up the hacienda because we figured it would be the best place to put them for bathrooms and we would get water so you could do a gravity flush but that ended up not working out because those two toilets don't have reserve tanks so we had to use one of the Alaskan cabins but at least they could have their lunch at those tables that we set up. So we worked on that and me and Heather talked and it was a good time.

Soon the bus was coming and we expected all the kids but then only 15 kids got off the bus and five adults. So instead of us each leading one program four times we just stayed together as one group and we each led one program. So we had a very easy day.

I went first with ground elements and I think it was really good though the adults they had did the same thing that there's adults did the other week and just wouldn't stop talking and giving instructions. When the kids while they were yelling at each other we're doing a good job doing teamwork. And eventually one of the teachers jumped in for a program later in the day and said they couldn't lead anymore because they couldn't handle it. Which I felt defeated a lot of the purpose of the trip but fine. It's your kids.

Two of the boys that were older, 5th graders, really stepped up to be leaders and that was really great but they would get very frustrated when the little kids weren't listening to them. Which I totally understand but it was a little hard when they were like on the verge of screaming. At one point the boy goes to his adult, now I understand why you get so upset with us. And that was very funny.

Max took the second program and his games went okay. I don't think we had like a really good program breakdown but I think they still had fun at least. Though they were cheating in the blindfold game. Me and Sarah helped with that a little bit but mostly we just sat in the grass and enjoyed the nice day.

I walked them to the hacienda for lunch. They had ordered pizza. And they shared it with us which was so nice of them. And I enjoyed my egg salad sandwich a lot but it was also nice having a pizza snack after.

They took a long lunch because they were just taking a while and then we did our last two programs. Sarah led the other ground elements and then me and Max and Sarah all work together for our low ropes program at the end of the day. And while they struggled to spot each other they did a pretty good job and nobody got hurt. I did feel bad I had to have a couple of the boys sit out because they would not stop touching the lines and the one little boy started freaking out because I made him sit down and start kicking a tree. And I'm just looking at the other teachers and being like hey you stepped in every other time why did you not step in this time? But it's fine. We handled it and honestly it was a good guy they were good kids.

On the walk back to their bus I was talking to two of the girls and one of them asks me what the length is of my wingspan And so I reach my arms out and she went in for a hug. And I'm like you could have just asked! I love hugs! And then I got a couple more hugs and it was very nice.

The kids stayed for a couple extra minutes to have a snack and we cleaned up. They helped us pack all the chairs away which was very kind of them and Elizabeth said I could leave whenever I wanted. I stayed for an extra couple minutes to help finish up getting the kids out and then it was time for me to go.

I was going to go straight home but I decided to go to Goodwill instead. I meant to go to a different Goodwill but it took me to the one in Towson and while I don't normally like that one because it's pretty slim pickings. They almost always have one or two excellent things. And that's exactly what happened this time.

Almost immediately I walk in I look at the bags and I find an LL Bean backpack suitcase that is basically brand new and is in great condition and is $15. And while James was going to use my old suitcase for our trip this might be a better option and it is so nice. And then I walk around the corner and I find a pair of Teva slippers. Something me and Jess have both been looking for that are like $80 normally for 10 bucks and while they're too big for me I'm going to bring them to just this weekend and maybe she can have them and it was a very exciting find. So I enjoyed walking around and looking at more stuff but I didn't buy anything else. I was just having a good time it was a good day.

I did go home after that and I felt a little weird. A little overtired. But I got back in one piece and James was here and I was very happy to see them. I got all of my stuff from the car and showed James the backpack and they seemed really excited about it. And then I got my knitting and we got in bed to sit for a few minutes. James was going to go to the grocery store and then they told me that tomorrow we should go walk at fort McHenry so we can see the cherry blossoms that are down there before they all blow away in the wind. But then I would have to backtrack to get my materials for with heart and I got really upset for a few minutes but I asked James if we could just sit for a little while and then I would go to the grocery store with them and we could get dinner and we could stop and get my materials today since Anna said that they were ready.

And honestly that was another thing that upset me today because I apparently was not supposed to do the portrait painting on Sunday that was supposed to be for the next class but we're not having class this weekend because of Easter so I'm a little confused about that so I'm not sure which one of us was wrong and honestly I don't even remember if I was the one that grabbed those bags or Naomi did or where they were there was a lot happening. And nothing was missing from the bags so I don't know what happened. Either way it was fine. It's just hard for me to feel like I keep doing stuff wrong at this job and I haven't figured out a great groove yet because there are so many moving parts but so many people with different opinions about how things are done. Whatever.

While we and James were just chilling for a few minutes while I did one row for my blanket to follow up with Amtrak about our crew stuff and we got someone on the phone almost right away which was pretty cool and they said we should be getting the tickets and stuff in the mail this week and we don't have to really worry about anything so I feel good about that. They said it's usually between 45 and 30 days out from the cruise and we're right in that window so hopefully soon but he said if we don't get something in the next week to call again. And I just feel very excited about our trip because it's really coming up very soon and that's exciting but also scary.

We went to art with a heart first And James came inside with me so I could show them how I pick up all the materials just in case they ever have to do it for me. Which shouldn't happen very often but just in case. And then we went to Hamden to have an early dinner at goldenwest.

It was a good dinner. The thing that James was originally came to order they were all out of and I got a spicy vegan chicken sandwich that was a little too spicy for me but was good. I only eat some of the actual spicy part I really enjoyed my fries and the bun and the avocado a little. And I saved the rest tomorrow probably make a sandwich with that tomorrow. Really was just nice to sit with James and we talked about stuff and it was a good time.

James was being fake bullying towards me because on the walk from the car to the restaurant we found a set of TV trays that were wood and a little messed up but I'm pretty good condition and I insisted on James taking them back to the car. And then after we ate I found a IKEA bookshelf that I insisted that we take. And James is like all of this is not going to fit in the car and I was like yes it will. And did and I am very happy. Even if James was bullying me and I told them this was literally in your vowels that you liked this about me so you cannot complain about it now.

Then we went to the grocery store. And while they didn't have everything we needed but still a good time and it wasn't as depressing that was last week. It was still bad but it wasn't as bad I feel like. And then we went home.

I brought everything inside and James brought the front of her upstairs. I would clean out all of our kitchen storage stuff so that I could reorganize that use the new shows to spread out everything and I think it looks great. So much cleaner. And I organized all of our drawers that we have suggested given us because I felt like they weren't being utilized well and then I reorganized the counter. And doing that I went to wipe everything down and got sapped because there was exposed copper wire in the plug for the French. And I noticed that there was a little bit of scorching on the fridge itself so that made me very nervous so I called James because they had gone down to do laundry and then take a little walk around the block and I was very upset about this. So when James came back upstairs we unplugged the fridge and they held the cord while I put electrical tape on it but that's very much not good I'm not sure why it would happen. Maybe it was rubbing against the counter? I'm not really sure but it did upset me and that was not cool. I called my dad and asked if the electrical tape would be okay and he said yes. And he kept telling me how proud he was of me. I love my parents.

After I got off that call I finished cleaning up the kitchen and putting everything away. I did the dishes and then I went to go work on another small project I had. Which was a pocket pharmacy.

I saw a TikTok recently, I think maybe Jess had sent it to me, about these pill containers that people are using as pocket pharmacies. Instead of using it as just a boxed old pills they put a little picture of what the pills are and it just looks very cute. And I thought it would be good for our trip. So I worked on that for a while and I think it looks really good. I left one open so that we have somewhere to put seasickness medication later. And then I went to go take a shower and get ready for bed.

And that's what I am doing now. Let's get on my hands hearts really bad right now so I'm going to go put some medication on it and hopefully it feels a little better tomorrow. Thankfully for most of the today it wasn't too bad. I found a new salve that seems to be working very well the daytime. So let's hope that it continues to do so.

Tomorrow. And I have a pretty good schedule. Miss on the line of tour and then I'm watching a cannery. And then me and James are hoping to go walk around the fort. They do have a meeting later in the day but hopefully it will end earlier than they think it will. Either way it will be a nice day. And it's supposed to be very warm. So fingers crossed that everything is great and the kids I have work with are wonderful. I hope you will have a great night. Sleep well. Stay safe.

[troglobite]

random thoughts abt the shows i'm watching don't judge me for what shows i'm watching

i am impatient to see how That Plotline in t/d l/sso is gonna work out.

but it is interesting. so 8 episodes left, 8 weeks left.

and everything is up in the air. kind of unsettling but also compelling. it's nice that i can't actually predict what they're going to do with most of the characters. there are some things i'm sure of (trent is not going to out colin) some things i'm like "it would make sense, but not putting all my eggs in that basket yet..." (trent coming out, himself, and being like ??? y'all didn't know?) and everything else i'm like goddamn i literally have no clue (sam? rebecca? bex? keeley? zava? ted's Entire Situation?)

i didn't like at all michelle's face at the end of the episode & how we're just supposed to be like "good for ted voicing his feelings abt how what she did was scummy as fuck, but in his frustratingly calm way"

like. she's just. what, happy that he's now starting to be honest abt when he's upset? like i get that. but my Hetero Nonsense Instincts kicked in and i'm IMMEDIATELY worried he's gonna get back together with her. normally i'd say that's unlikely to happen w this show, but christ, the straights are fucking unpredictable. so much so that i'm also a little bit worried that rebecca's gonna end up with ted. both would Fucking Terrible Outcomes, story-wise and character-wise, and this is the final season, so i hope they don't fuck it up.

i also think the team getting so many red cards in the second half was kind of. pushing it. like yeah yeah, "lesson learned", fighting from a place of only hatred and anger--especially when it's FRESH--isn't great. but that was. laying it on a little thick. i don't think ted is the kind of person who ever really needs to be in the 'i told you so' position, and i didn't particularly like it. felt like a weird plot for that episode.

but i'm also just in a weird mood and having the colin, michael, and trent situation has me like 👀👀👀 so y'know lol

anyway also season two of sh/dow and b/ne is SO MUCH BETTER THAN FIRST SEASON.

we just made it to episode 7 and quite frankly i am So Tired of alina.

if i understand correctly, the first books were JUST abt her & her entire story?

how did anyone stand that. or did the show just make her so much worse?

i'm just frustrated by the cluelessness and...like... aughaughadgjalsdkfj

for a minute there i was much more compelled by her and her story. she didn't drive me up the wall.

and episode 7 sort of sent her careening again. they end on a cliffhanger--objectively useless given they released all 8 episodes at once--and i'm like "yeah right as fucking if, i know how this is gonna go down, it's v silly"

i mean it's NOT, but also.

you're telling me the wraith, inej, is just STANDING THERE WITH THE SWORD OF LEGEND DOING NOTHING?

yeah okay. c'mon, inej. as if. esp w nina and zoya there, too, like what the fuck.

Everybody Is Fucking Stupid

also it's always a little //shrug when you can see character deaths coming from a mile away.

it's why i LOVED a couple of the middle season episodes--

spoilers, i guess, if you care

but i did NOT see baghra's death coming! that was a shock, but it made so much sense! it was narratively compelling, it created an interesting timer and plot element, etc. very cool.

episode 7, though?

yeah no i knew nikolai's bestie was gonna eat it. i knew david would fucking sacrifice himself like a dipshit, bc narrative balance or whatever, bc he thinks he owe genya or some shit.

it does seem though like maybe this main plot about the fold will be over in the final episode, so if they continue making this show i'd LOVE to keep watching

bc i'm tired of kirigan (ben b/rnes does an incredible job making his silly little lines sound almost actually foreboding--but he basically sells it, bc he comes off as a powerhungry childish man who buys his own bullshit, so job well done) and i'm REALLY tired of alina.

i LOVE nikolai, i think he's very cool. i think they fucking clipped his wings when they made him love alina--SHE'S SO BORING AND ANNOYING, WHAT DO YOU ALL EVEN SEE IN HER?!

i'm literally a lesbian and every other woman character on this show is more interesting and compelling and has more personality than her.

poor girl. her personality boils down to selfish, clueless, obstinate, changeable. that is. about it.

it's just sort of wild.

for a minute there in season two it was like "oh okay. i'm beginning to understand her, now. she's been through a lot, and it's finally showing."

and then we swung right back around to "right, yeah. selfish and emotionally immature shortsighted dipshit. alas."

imagine if literally any other character in the show was the sun summoner. my god. kaz? inej? that would be fucking wild. i love it.

obviously that's not the case bc the books and there's a lot more going on--i'm just saying, narratively and character-wise, they're WAY more interesting and compelling than alina. which is a fucking shame. lol

but i am interested to see how this season ends.

i'd LOVE to keep watching a show abt the crows.

and for the most part i'd just love it if everybody stopped being like. carelessly stupid.

you really didn't think kirigan was going to create a diversion and instead seek to ambush you where you are? you really didn't think that they'd try and get amplifiers, too, or at least be tactically trained? you REALLY think they didn't know about your fucking GIANT NOISY AIRSHIP?

and then also did you REALLY think he wasn't going to immediately go for mal in any circumstance?

you really thought your fort, not far from the fold, was going to be safe from the fold when it's been moving and expanding further for months?

and you REALLY thought, alina, that going to the place where it all began in the heart of the fold WOULDN'T MEAN RUNNING INTO KIRIGAN?!

also why the fuck wasn't inej just swirling around with this sword of legend?! christ.

ANYWAY.

other than that great world and story and just overall very cool.

[nightowlfandom]

Noctis Lucis Caelum- Anything For You

CHECK OUT MY MASTERLIST HERE!

More Final Fantasy content....YYYYYYAAAAYY

Leggo

...

“Good girl.” you smiled as the yellow feathered Chocobo ate from your hand. “Eat up, you need your energy.” you scratched the top of her head as she squawked gratefully.

“Y/N are you still here?” the farmhand, Faye emerged from the stables to find you. “Do you not have any other plans?”

“Trust me.” you began to laugh. “I’d much rather scoop up giant bird poops than deal with my personal life right now...or lack thereof.”

“Well isn’t that somethin- Is that the crown prince I see?” she looked past you which made you follow her eyes. “It is?! Prince Noctis on my Chocobo farm. Quick! How do I look?” 

“Like a farmer.” you laughed in reply. “Perhaps get the shit off your boots.”

“Damnit! I should have worn my new ones.” She began wiping the bottoms of her shoes against the grass. 

“Faye, he’s just a prince. I don’t know what’s so great about him anyways.” you rolled your eyes. “He seems like an asshole from what I’ve seen of him.”

“You’ve never even met him.” she put her hands on her hips. “Maybe you’ll like him!”

“Sure, whatever you say, Faye.”  you laughed. “That’ll happen.”

...

“Ugh why are we here anyways?” Noctis rolled his eyes as Ignis pulled up to the famous Chocobo farm.

“Because!” Prompto snapped in reply. The blond male didn’t even wait for the car to fully stop before he jumped out. “The eggs are supposed to be hatching today and I want to be the first to capture a picture of those featherless faces!”

“Of course.” he scoffed. Noctis liked Chocobos, sure. He just didn’t think an idea of a good Saturday morning was to spend the day at a bunch of dirty, smelly, stables, for a bunch of unhatched eggs no less. “Great.”

“I suggest you fix your face, the farmhand is here.” Gladio grunted, hopping out of the car. “Wouldn’t want to hurt her feelings.”

“Whateve-” Noctis turned his head towards the loud squawking when his eyes landed on you. You were feeding a random Chocobo while talking to that farmgirl who ran the stables. “Woah.” he felt his heart flutter. Who were you?! He heard you laugh from where he was and felt his heart stop. Your laugh, it was beautiful.

“Yo? Who is that girl?” Noctis scrambled out of the car, nearly falling on his face. He tried desperately to fix himself up. “Specs?”

“I believe she frequents the shops not too far from here.” Ignis replied in his usually cool manner. “I believe she is also a friend of that Dino character we run into from time to time.”

“No way. Her?! Friends with that-” Noctis shook his head in disbelief. He found it impossible to walk forward. Gravity was stopping him. He didn’t even notice everyone else walking ahead of him. He had never seen you around before but he wished he had. “Woah....”

...

You were still chatting with Faye when a group of guys ran up. One of them held a camera and looked as if he were about to explode. You had no time to register the camera flash. Good think he captured your good side.

“I AM HERE FOR THE EGGS!” he declared. His abrasiveness surprised you. Was he talking about the new hatchlings? 

“Ummm-” Faye looked scared. “You here to volunteer?”

“Heck yeah I am!” he explosive blonde looked as if he was about to piss himself from excitement. “I WANT TO HOLD YOUR CHOCOBOS!”

“Alright! Keep your pants on. Follow me. Y/N, you’ll be good here right?” Faye asked, seemingly frightened by the giddy young man. 

“Yeah.” you stifled a laugh. “I’ll be just fine here.” you shook your head as the man ran full force for the stables. You were about to go about your business when a black haired boy stumbled up to you. “For a royal, you’re pretty clumsy.” you stifled laughter.

“Huh?!” he looked taken aback. “You know who I am?”

“...I mean aren’t I supposed to?” you turned back towards the Chocobo. “Prince Noctis?” you tried to hold in your distaste, but he caught up on it instantly.

“Is there an issue with me-”

“As a matter of fact there is. Don’t think I didn’t notice that face you were making when you pulled up with your friends.” you cut him off. “Big and bad prince man can’t be seen around a few Chocobos?”

“Oh, no that’s not it at all.” Noctis tried to explain himself in the best way he could. 

“Then what exactly is it?” you turned towards him again. “I mean really?”

“Okay so I admit my attitude isn’t the best-”:

“So you admit it?” you held back harsh laugh. “Hm, It’s a start.” you shrugged.

“I mean, you aren’t really giving me a fair chance. You only know me from the papers.” he explained. “You don’t really know me as a person. For all I know you could be a stalker.”

“I am no a stalker!” you looked him up and down. 

“I wouldn’t know that.” he winked. “So maybe we both have it all wrong.”

“And what do you wanna do to fix that, go on a date or something?” you scoffed.

“Yes!” he replied honestly. “Let me prove I’m not some asshole!”

“Is it that imperative that you go out of your way to prove to me that you aren’t an asshole?” you raised a brow.

“Yes!” he nodded quickly.

...

You boredly sat at the restaurant table. He was late. 15 minutes to be exact. 

“I knew this was a load of-” you prepared yourself to stand up when a man frantically rushed in.

“I’M HERE!” Noctis yelled, grabbing the attention of the other patrons. He practically fell into the chair right across from you. 

“Nice of you to show.” you sat back down. You decided to humor this guy. “Care to explain?”

“Sorry! Stupid Prompto gave me the wrong address and...woah...” he nearly drooled all over the place seeing you in your tight black dress. “You look...amazing.”

“Sure I do.” you scoffed. “I’m sure I still have dried up chocobo shit in my hair,” you turned away from him, feeling your insecurity creep up on you, tons more than usual. “But thank you.” you relaxed in your chair.

“No I mean it! Even when I saw you...I thought you were beautiful.” he expressed.

“Really?” you paused to look him in the eye. 

“Really.” he smiled. “You’re the best looking girl here.” 

“I definitely don’t believe that...but thank you.” you said shyly. Maybe this wouldn’t be so bad. 

....

“What about that one?” you pointed to a random star.

“That one, there’s a legend that it’s a parallel version of this world.” 

You both sat at the edge of the lake, staring into the moonlit sky. After dinner, Noctis had taken you to the docks on Galdin Quay. 

“No way. “You stared at the star in wonder. “How many worlds do you think there are?”

“Infinite, my dad says so.” Noctis replied. “All different versions of us doing different things.” he smiled to himself. “Maybe there’s a version of me that...is actually proud to be a prince.” he glowered. 

“Maybe there’s a version of me whose the royal instead.” you nudged him. That made him chuckle a bit. 

“If that’s the case...I’d be happy to bow down to you.” he flirted. He looked back at the sky. “Try that one.” he pointed.

“I know that one.” you beamed a little. “There’s a legend called the Lover’s Star, if a couple sees it on their first date...they’ll be together forever.” you mused romantically. It was only then you had realized your fingers had laced into Noctis’s. 

“Maybe today was our lucky day.” he winked. After a second of silence, you decided to confess.

“I was wrong about you.” you said honestly a while. “I think you’re pretty amazing, Noct.” you chuckled. 

“So...” he smiled deviously. “Are ya gonna say I’m sorry?” he mocked.

“You wish. You’re still a stuck up prince to me...you’re just not an asshole prince.” you stuck your tongue out at him. “You’re not like most guys around here.” you shyly looked away from him you dug your toes into the sand. 

“Well I’m not from around here.” he replied. “You’re different from everyone around here. You’re not all into me because I’m The Prince Noctis- that’s all I want. I want someone to see me for who I am...not what I am.”

You shyly kicked your legs in the water, looking at the ripples in the water.. “I’m glad I could be that person for you Noctis.” you smiled.

“Guess this means you’re gonna be part of my team now?” he bit his lip. “You’ll be my...ummm...I’ll think of something.”

“I look forward to it.” you giggled. 

“Hm for now...come here.” he winked, gently holding the side of your face. Noctis kissed you. You felt your senses go off. You instantly grabbed his face, kissing him back.

...

You fell back on the hotel bed, refusing to disconnect from a feverish prince throwing himself at you. He kissed you with urgency, as if you would disappear before his eyes. He tore a rip up your dress hastily. 

Your tongues clashed together as you kissed, the air was getting heavy. You helped Noctis out of his jacket. Your dress had turned to ribbons and your panties weren’t too far behind. 

“N-noctis..” you hissed, feeling his hands explore every inch of your body.

“You feel even better than I imagined you would.” he kissed your bare stomach. “You’re so beautiful.” he moaned. It was like you were the goddess, the royal, and he was the peasant.

You felt shy under his gaze. He stared up at you, biting his lip. “I don’t think I can wait...” he groaned. “A-are you okay with this?”

“God, yes.” you mewled as he kissed your thighs. 

“I wanna worship you.” he moaned, ghosting his lips over your center. You shyly stared down at Noctis who looked up at you with a shit eating grin. 

He sunk his tongue into you, lashing against your pussy. You instantly grabbed a fist full of his hair. You and him both were a mess. Hisses and prolonged moans escaped your lungs along with his name. You were sure the people in the next room could hear you. 

Noctis crawled over you again, a predatory glare in his eyes. He bit his lip, staring down at you. “You’re so fucking cute...”

...

“I’d do anything for you.” he moaned against your lips. “I’ll take care of you for the rest of my life.” he whimpered, his thrusts growing sloppily. He bucked his hips rhythmically, your bodies moving and grinding in sweet friction. His cock twitched inside of you as he grew near his release, but he wanted to wait. He wanted to cum to the sounds of your cries and screams. ”Gonna make you my queen and w-we’ll rule together until our hearts give out baby. F-FUUUCCKK.”

“Noctis.” you croaked. Hearing his words in your ear made you hiss in delight. This alone caused him to dig his nails into your sides and thrust even deeper into your heat. You didn’t know what else do you but let a stream of cries escape your lungs. 

“I love it when you say my name.” he grunted. “Say it again.”

“N-noctis.” your insides lurched as you tightened around his length. “I wanna- I’m gonna-”

“Again.” he barked. “Never stop saying my name. Never say another man’s name!” he sank his teeth into the crook of your neck. “You’re mine, baby. You’re all mine.” he growled.

“Noctisss.” you arched your back. “F-fu-” you whimpered, at the impact. “S-shit!”

Noctis yanked himself from you, spraying his cum all over your stomach. Shortly before, you came too, feeling your water run down your leg. He fell forward, burying his head into your neck. “Baby, I’d fucking do everything for you.”

You shook under his body, whimpering at his gentle touches. You felt him kiss your need lovingly as you both drifted off to sleep.

...

[venomous--fics]

Anon asked: maybe a continuation of the peter b parker kid thing where they finally confront the mom and get the readers things back 😩💞💞

a/n: ask and thou shall receive! this spent so long in the drafts bc i felt so insecure about it tbh, so any feedback is appreciated! I love seeing messages about what you guys think! really keeps me motivated! also, requests are open

Warnings: mentions of past abuse

Peter was sitting at the kitchen table, constantly looking at the clock. It was almost 5pm, you were supposed to be home an hour and a half ago. Yes, he keeps track of everyone's schedules, yes he knows the exact second you should be walking through the door. He's already texted you, but maybe you had detention. Nah, you were a good student, he highly doubted you'd have to stay after school.

His phone finally rang, and he was way too quick answering it.

"You okay?"

"I need some help."

"What is it?" he was already out the door.

You sighed, knowing he was probably going to give you an earful later.

"Well, it's a really long story, right.. But my mom showed up after school-"

"Are you okay?"

"I'm fine, I think. Anyways, we got into it on the way home, which is no- Not normal." you adjusted how you were sitting, "And since she was dragging me back to the house, I figured I'd just get my crap and come home, right? Makes sense, saves us the tri-"

"She took you without permission?"

"Technically she is my m-...Parent. I guess, y'know, legally she can do whatever- But..Okay." you began to feel bubbles of anxiety and pain and even resentment form deep in your core, "She locked me out." You rubbed your neck.

"Are you," he paused, looking around at all the faces passing by him, "Still there?"

"Yeah. Unfortunately. I'm sorry."

"What are you sorry for? Don't apologize, you didn't do anything."

"I keep causing problems for everyone."

"Not for me. Or Mj."

It was quiet on your end.

"You still there?"

"Yeah."

"I'll be there in like ten minutes."

"You probably shouldn't."

"Nah, nah." He said, having a sudden wave of anger rush over him, "Let me take care of this."

And true to his word, Peter was there in ten minutes. You hopped up from your spot on the porch as he made his way up to the door and knocked on it as hard as he could. He gave you a reassuring pat on the back.

The door swung open, and your mother seemed awfully surprised and confused to see some random man just standing there. Peter held no emotion has he looked her dead in the eye, "Can we come in."

She opened the door wider so that way you two could step in.

"Go get your stuff." is all Peter said to you.

Wasting no time, and not wanting to be in the middle of a potential argument between the two, you skedaddled to your room. It almost felt like too much to be in there. It looked so empty and barren compared to your room at Peter and Mjs place. Seems really dull. Lifeless, almost. Dust covered every surface, which meant that nobody had ever even bothered to see if you were even still in there.

You heard their voices from the living room, but they seemed so distant, seeing as all you could focus on was every shitty thing that woman put you through.

You remember the day that you got bit. It made you deathly ill, and you just thought you were dying from some sort of allergic reaction to the spider bite. You tried to get her to take you to any doctor or anywhere that could help because all you could seem to see were stars.

Everything then was so loud. Everything was so bright. It was all too much, and you were certain that the reaper was waiting for you. What did she say?

"Suck it up and stop pretending. Everything has to be so dramatic with you."

Or that time you forgot a single item on the shopping list. You got this whole speech about how stupid you had to have been. To forget one item. It was the world's most useless item.

Everything else seemed to play all over again, all at once. Like a waterfall. It should've made you sad. It should've made you cry, or scream.

You recounted all the times you wanted to fight back, or just run away. Leave everything behind and just run until your legs gave out. But you never did. You always found some reason to linger.

The conversation was growing louder where Peter was.

"You aren't going to do this to them ever again. Sign the papers."

You nearly dropped your last belonging on the floor as you scrambled to your door. Papers? He wasn't serious. Well, obviously he was. He just said it.

"Fine. It's not like the-"

"Zip it. Sign the papers."

"Who are you anyways? The law? If so, whatever they've told you is a b-"

"Listen, lady. I didn't ask for any attitude. I told you to sign the papers." he seemed to huff in annoyance, "That doesn't require talking."

"I'm a good mother."

"And I'm the king of France."

"Really. I gave them a good home. I have fed them and kept them warm-"

"Really? You think you did all that? Or are you convincing yourself that you did all that?"

"I am-"

"Can I be honest with you?"

"Ye-"

"I've never said this about anyone, ever. I don't like speaking to or about anyone like this.. Ever, but, you? I think you're a piece of shit."

"Excuse me?"

"Oh, look. You finished signing the papers. I'll take those. Thank you."

Realizing that it was your time to go, you stuffed your blanket into your duffel bag and rushed out the door and down the hall. Peter looked at you, expecting to see at least three bags. But he only saw the one.

"Where's the rest of your stuff."

"Uhm," you shuffled around, pretending as thought you dropped some, "This...This is all my stuff."

"That can't be ri-" He laughed a little, and noting the expression on his face, you saw that he was NOT happy. "That? That single duffle bag is all you have? That's it?"

"Yes..." you took a step back, "This is all.."

"I can't believe it." he said, "You're joking! One bag worth of stuff?"

He turned his attention back to your mother, who, for the first time in your life, actually looked like she got caught red handed, "You're pathetic. Absolutely pathetic."

"But they're so u-"

"No! No, you don't get to talk anymore. You've done enough."

You awkwardly shuffled behind him, in the event that you two had to make a mad dash out the door. That and you needed to not be seen as you tried to hide your almost evil grin.

"The hell is wrong with you? You have this amazing kid, and THAT'S all you've ever gotten for them? And you sit there and call yourself a mother? Absolutely, without a doubt, bullshit. I'd be ashamed of myself to call myself a father if that's all I've provided for my kid. Don't even get me started on you as a person, we made that clear."

It almost felt cursed to hear him swear, seeing as he made it a point to tell you to not swear. Every time you did, you have to give a quarter to the swear jar. Mj was always on your side, though. She'd say a swear that was much worse and have to pay a dollar. Each word had a value.

"Maybe we should just go." you suggested, tugging on the sleeve of his arm, "She's not worth it anymore."

"She was never worth it, it seems."

You finally made eye contact with her, and the look in her eye. It's like she understood, but was choosing to not do anything about the situation. She could look sorry all she wanted, but you knew she wasn't.

"I'm sorry, Y/n. You know that right."

"That means nothing to me."

"I can change."

"If you can change now, that means you could've changed then. You just chose not to."

"But I'm your mother, you should realize how I feel. You should want-"

"You're not my mom. You stopped being my mom the first time you-" You turned towards the door and started walking towards it, "Whatever. You mean nothing to me."

You practically kicked open teh door just to leave, and Peter was right behind you, shouting about how he'd make sure to egg her house everyday, just to piss her off.

"Do you really think I'm amazing?" you asked, the walk home feeling rather quiet.

"I think you're more than that. Just can't put it into words."

"Did you really mean it...That we could egg her house?"

"You want to? There's a store right on the way home."

"How about tomorrow."

"I'll have to clear up my busy schedule. See if I can work in a drive by egging. Well, swing by egging."

"You promise?"

"You kidding? I haven't egged anyone's house since college."

You had so much more you wanted to get off you chest, but you opted to just talk about it at home, with everyone present. You wanted to talk about how you felt about everything, and the papers. Whatever those were. But you were, for the moment, busy laughing about Peter's story about how he used to Egg this one reporters house. Someone named Jonah.

You wonder if Jonah ever put two and two together.

[one-sad-human]

•Worth It• Duff Mckagan

Pairing: Velvet Revolver era! Duff Mckagan x Younger! Reader

Requested? Nope!

Theme: Little bit of everything/???

Warnings: Language, panic attacks, anxiety references, drug references

Word Count: 3k

A/N: Fic 2 of 2! This is the longest fic yet! Took a different approach to writing this one, hopefully it payed off. Let me know if you guys liked it or if I wasted my time with this one lol.

     You had met Duff in a coffee shop in LA. It was crowded and you were lucky enough to snag a chair before the lunch rush. Duff wasn't, and asked you if he could sit at your table.

     You grew up with Guns n Roses, bought his solo album the day it came out when you were just 15, and now listened to Velvet Revolver faithfully. To see your idol, your celebrity crush stand right in front of you holding a cup of coffee and a scone sent you for a loop.

     "Of course," you had said, starry eyed. You were only hoping he was as kind as the interviews made him out to be. Maybe have a conversation with you and be polite for a while before leaving and never seeing each you again. That would be good enough.

     It didn't end with a coffee, it had just begun. He asked for your number, and you stared at him for a moment thinking you had imagined it. That was until he tilted his head a little and looked at you with a nervous expression. He backtracked and you immediately stopped him.

     "No! I mean— yes! Yes, you can absolutely have my number." You scrambled for a pen and paper and ended up scratching your number on a receipt from the record store. You shook so hard you could barely get the numbers down.

     Out of all the record store receipts you've stuffed into your bag, the one you gave Duff Mckagan had to be the one for when you bought Velvet Revolver's 'Contraband.' He didn't say anything, just smiled and promised to call.

     You honestly didn't think he would've. You played it off as just him trying to be nice. It didn't stop you from answering every call you got for the next three days, however, even if you recognized the number as the tax collector you'd normally never answer.

     But then he called.

     "I tried calling sooner, but I kept calling the wrong number. You don't have the most eligible handwriting," he had told you. You laughed but really, you were in shock.

     You set up a date at the fancy restaurant downtown that always intimidated you. You didn't say anything though, even though you knew you wouldn't want any of the overpriced food and you'd end up eating something you couldn't pronounce and was two portions too small. Maybe even hit up a fast food joint afterwards.

     When the day finally came, you couldn't even figure out what to wear. You couldn't tell if you looked underdressed or like you were trying too hard. Did the clothes even fit the right way? What would Duff think? Would he even care?

     All questions were answered when you left your house. Duff was leaning against his slick car parked in your driveway, a button up that was barely buttoned and dress pants with boots. He stared at you and you wanted a hole in the ground to shallow you up until he smiles.

     "You look gorgeous," he said. You blushed and grinned, thanking him before saying that he looked great too. He drove you to the restaurant and on the way, you talked about music.

     You shared some of your favorites, he adored how well rounded you were. You liked pretty much everything from punk rock to the mellowest of mellow. Duff mentioned some of his favorites, some you made sure to remember the names of so you can check them out.

     When the ride was over and you finally got to the restaurant, your previous fears came back. Duff reassured you looked better than 90% of the people there and you knew it wasn't true but it made you feel better anyway.

     Your eyes widened to the size of saucers when you saw the prices of the food. You knew it'd be pricey but you thought there'd be more options that stayed within two digit numbers.

     Duff saw your panicked expression and said not to worry, he'd pay. It didn't settle your nerves enough and when the waiter came, you ordered the cheapest and simplest thing you could find.

     "Chicken noodle soup?" He teased. You shyly looked down and shrugged. "This isn't your scene, is it?"

     "Not exactly, no."

     "Want me to be completely honest with you?" You nodded. "It's not mine either."

     That's all it took for you and Duff to scramble sheepishly out of the restaurant. You both shared a laugh in the car and went to Burger King. It was much more your speed and, as you'd find out that night, Duff's too. You suppose all the money he's had since such a young age didn't completely change his ways. He was like a kid trapped in a 40 year old man's body.

     You'd thought at first the age gap would feel strange, after all, you were 15 years younger than him. But after that night, it was barely noticeable. Funny looks from strangers every once in a while was nothing.

     By the second date, Duff was already aware fancy spots weren't your forte. He told you it was a surprise and to wear something cozy, as LA nights got chilly.

     He packed a picnic basket and drove you out to the most beautiful flower field you had ever seen at sunset. It was secluded and high up, giving a perfect view of the city skyline. After gawking and taking in the sights for a few moments, you regained your ability to speak.

     "It's gorgeous. Pretty far from the city, did you take me here to kill me?" You joked. He laughed and rolled his eyes. His lighthearted laugh sent sparks straight to your heart, and you decided that it was your favorite sound.

     You unfolded the blanket Duff brought and you both sat down. You ate the sandwiches and sliced fruit Duff packed and talked. You talked about everything, from your family to fears and insecurities.

You told him how you suffer from nightmares. Flashbacks from your broken childhood coming back to bite you in your sleep. Duff shared how he's suffered from panic attacks since he was a teenager. You felt you knew each other for years.

Neither of you felt weird for sharing and neither made the other insecure. You were completely open and honest with each other. It was strange, you've never connected to quickly and effortlessly with someone before. Sure, you've had men in your life, but never had you clicked with someone so fast, never had you fit with someone so perfectly.

Hours passed and it felt like minutes. Only did you realize how late and how exhausted you were when you saw most of the city buildings light have gone off for the night. The city that didn't sleep was dark.

"I should get you home," Duff said to you.

"Will you stay the night?" You felt a little silly for asking. Were things going too fast? Would he even want to stay over?

He agreed, and that's how your first night together went. You both stayed up even later and had more lighthearted conversations, unlike the ones that partook at the field. Like how one of Duff's first jobs was at a bakery and could bake a mean cake and how you can't cook to save your life.

You ended up waking up without remembering falling asleep. You're head was placed comfortably on Duff's lap while his head was lolled back against the couch cushion. He looked so serene and peaceful you couldn't help but smile at the sight.

You made toast and somewhat successfully cooked some eggs and bacon. It might have been the first breakfast in years that didn't end with the smoke alarm going off.

Duff eventually wandered into the kitchen and you both ate. By the time he left, another date was already set up. He was like a drug an you were already hooked.

Months later and the addiction still wasn't kicked. You didn't want to, and Duff didn't seem to want you to quit either. You both soaked each other up like the sun on a warm day.

You had almost weekly dates and you stayed over each other's houses almost every other day. Duff did have his kids some days, though, so some days dates were cut short or Grace and Mae slept over his house and you wouldn't see each other.

You were always understanding, his kids came first and you'd never blame or get upset about it. It's something Duff admires about you, your never ending understanding and empathy for him.

One of those days where Duff stayed over at your house started normal. He cooked dinner and you washed the dishes, and then you put on an old Ramones concert you had on DVD.

You were laying on his chest, his fingers running through your hair when all of a sudden, he tensed up. He quickly stood and excused himself to the bathroom. You frowned but before you could think much of it, you heard a loud bang and something clatter to the ground.

You jumped up and rushed to the bathroom. You swung open the door because you were perfectly aware the lock hasn't worked since you moved in.

Duff was sitting on the floor, a pill bottle laying on its side not far from him. You quickly spot the name of the medication and identified it as your anti-anxiety pills. You shoved them aside and sat next to Duff.

He was sweating bullets and his skin felt cold and clammy, his breaths were labored and heartbeat was loud and pounding erratically. You coax him gently to take deep breaths, holding onto his hand tightly and talking quietly.

"I'm sorry, they come on randomly sometimes," he apologized after he'd called down, but you quickly shushed him. You reminded him of just how many nightmares he'd comforted you for and he stops feeling so bad about it.

     It was always a true partnership with Duff. Never had you felt you gave or took too much, it was always equal. Always a two way street, with everything.

That wasn't the last panic attack you had to help him come down from. Later down the line you've gotten better at calming him down and learning his triggers, even though sometimes they really do come on suddenly without reason.

A year into the relationship was when you met Grace and Mae. They were young and didn't completely understand why their parents weren't together anymore, so it took them a while to warm up to you. Luckily, they eventually came around.

Duff and Susan met up regularly to discuss their kids and co-parent properly. And while you had all the reason to be jealous of your boyfriend with his ex wife, you never did. You had complete confidence in him, he was honest and loyal and you doubted he'd ever hurt you purposely.

That's why it destroyed you when he left you. Tears were shed from both parties as he gave his reasons for breaking up with you. His insecurities he tried his best to bury had come to light and nothing could change his mind.

You thought you were completely honest with each other, but you suppose his doubt in his relationship with you was the one thing he kept secret. He had somehow convinced himself you'd be better without him, between the constant touring and the baggage that came with him and his kids, he finally buckled under the weight and stress.

You had tried to convince him that he was worth it, but if Duff is one thing it's stubborn. The best relationship you'd ever have and the best year of your life went down the drain within the matter of one conversation.

You were down in the dumps for days. You barely left your bed and didn't ever leave your house. You were in a depression and couldn't get out. A few of your friends eventually found out what had happened and broke into your house and shoved you into the shower before taking you to your favorite Chinese restaurant.

You felt like a disaster. Your hair was ratted despite the shower and you refused to put real clothes on, instead wearing sweatpants and a shirt Duff had left behind. You were a mess.

The hole in the wall restaurant was never busy but always had the best food. You were almost happy your friends dragged you out of your home until you saw Duff sitting at a table, eating egg rolls and lo mein.

You've came here together all the time. The high sodium in the food always made him sick to his stomach and you'd always end up giving him nausea remedies and tea. He never changed his order though.

You locked eyes with him for a while. Dark bags were under his eyes and he looked more pale than usual. He looked as terrible as you felt. You weren't sure if you were spitefully glad he felt awful or if the despair on his face just made your heart break further.

When you couldn't take his intense jade stare anymore, you looked up at the menu. The next time you looked back he was gone, you weren't sure if he was really there at all or if you were finally losing your mind for good.

     Another week crawled by. You got better enough to continue working. You had to pick up extra time for calling out for a few days after the breakup. You wouldn't say things were going well, but you weren't crying in bed every day all day anymore.

     You had constant dreams about him. Some were nice, ones where he didn't leave and you were together, holding each other tightly. Most were nightmares, flashbacks of when he left. You didn't have him to comfort you anymore when you woke up soaked in sweat and tears, and that might've been the worst.

     Another week went by, and you were starting to get back into the swing of things. You still thought about him, even silly little things reminded you of him. Like when you would catch a sniff of freshly baked sweets like he'd bake you or certain songs playing on the radio. It also didn't help that you ran into people wearing Guns n Roses shirts on the daily.

     You also refused to get rid of anything he'd left behind. Tee shirts, guitar picks he left from when he'd play for you, or CDs from bands he introduced you to. Reminders of what you lost were scattered around your home but you couldn't bring yourself to do anything about it.

     Suddenly, it's been a month. You weren't over him, but you had a feeling you'd never be completely. He was something special, you can't forget things as special as your relationship with Duff.

     His items still weren't thrown out or returned, instead all packed in a box sitting in your closet. But you'd be lying if you said you would never reach into the box to grab a shirt to sleep in or a CD to listen to when you needed a reminder of the good times. You were making progress though.

     You decided to leave your house one evening. You were feeling especially terrible and wanted to take a walk to clear your head. You went to the coffee shop you had first met Duff in. Maybe it was a mistake to go and get a flood of memories but you couldn't stop yourself.

     You sat in a seat near the window and people watched, taking occasional sips of your drink. It was quiet except from the talk of the workers and the hum of the overhead speakers.

     There was a sudden squeak of a chair of hardwood floors and it broke you out of your daze. You snapped your gaze up to meet the very familiar green eyes you've been trying to forget.

     "Can we talk?" He asked, and you couldn't say 'no.' Duff sat across from you and started off by apologizing.

     He said he wanted to talk to you sooner, but was too afraid you wouldn't want anything to do with him. You rolled your eyes at that, if only he knew just how much you missed him.

     He then started from the beginning and explained why he made the decision to leave you. As it turns out, it was mostly because of stress. His bandmate Scott was having problems with drugs and the flashbacks from his GnR days frightened him. He was worried he would end up relapsing and he didn't want to drag you down with him.

     Combine that with all the troubles that came with dating a single father, and he couldn't take it anymore. He felt too guilty.

     It all seemed like ridiculous reasons to you. Even if he had made the mistake of falling off the wagon, you still would've stuck with him. And you didn't mind his kids at all, after nearly a year of knowing them and you were very close to them.

     "I love you, Duff. I wouldn't have left you over that, I'd help you through anything. And I love Grace and Mae, too," you told him.

     "I know, but I didn't want you to have to deal with all that baggage." You frowned at that. You reached your hand across the table and grasped his, squeezing it tenderly.

     "You're worth it."

     After that day, you and Duff started seeing each other again. It wasn't the same as before, but maybe even better.

     You were more transparent with each other. If one had a worry or problem, you'd go to the other. You talked everything through with him and he did the same. Even if it seemed insignificant, talking everything through never failed to make it better.

    You were happier and healthier than ever before. Sure, there were a roadblock or two, but they only made the relationship even stronger, and you wouldn't have changed a thing about it.

[redorich]

I absolutely adore the hermit canyon au both because you have such a fun writing style and because it just makes it so blatantly clear how much of a different level the hermits are on compared to the dsmp folks. Power mad admin who's effectively a god on the server? Just vore him, it's fine! Spooky egg that brings madness and suffering to everyone who interacts with it? Grian can handle it, give him 30 seconds. It's such a good portrayal of their differences and I'm absolutely delighted by it

thank you!! i try very hard to cultivate a writing style that's fun, rather than a slog. and yes, the difference in power level is absolutely one of my favorite tropes, so i'm glad so many people enjoyed it! speaking of the hermits' casual wielding of insane levels of power.....

"So, how are you going to fix the Era Three life system anyway?" Cleo asks. She and Xisuma are casually walking down the main hall of the canyon.

Xisuma never goes anywhere alone anymore. Even though a survivable amount of magic has been returned to the Dream SMP server and Xisuma is no longer infirm, all those months of staying by his side have left a lasting impression.

"Hm, it basically comes down to a charisma check-- have you ever played Dungeons and Dragons, Cleo?"

"Not really," Cleo admits, "but Joe does and he's talked about it before. Charisma check?"

Xisuma stops walking, opening the door to the small meeting room in the heart of the canyon and holding the door open for Cleo. As she passes through, he explains.

"We have a source of magic, and we have a plan to implement it. The only obstacle is convincing Mojang that they should; hence, charisma check."

"Hey, Xisuma," Joe greets as the admin follows behind Cleo.

"Hello, Joe," Xisuma returns, surveying the room. The chair at the far end of the table has been left open for the admin, and unlike the meeting with the Dream SMP representatives, the Hermits don't give a fuck about who sits where and what that says about their status.

Doc is sitting in the place two seats from Xisuma's spot, leaning back in his chair so that only two of its legs are on the ground and his croc-clad creeper toes are kicked up on the edge of the table. A few spaces down is Joe, minding his business and reading a book (upside down-- it's more of a challenge that way) and across from Joe is Etho, sitting patiently.

With a shrug, Cleo snags the nearest chair and turns it around so she can sit in it backwards and still face the table. No one planned on her being here, and she has no idea what's going on, but no one has really told her to leave, so that's pretty much implicit permission.

After making his way to his seat, Xisuma addresses the table. "Are we all ready? Etho, do you think you can convince whoever shows up?"

Etho hums in thought for a moment. "Yeah, I can do that. Still need to actually get one of the gods here, though."

"I'm on it," Doc says, already on his communicator.

Cleo squints at Doc. "You have the gods on speed dial?"

Doc shrugs. "We text sometimes."

"About what?!" Cleo says.

"Basketball."

Cleo squints at Doc. "Don't you, like, hold a grudge or something against Dinnerbone? I mean, he did literally rip off your arm."

"Got a cool robot arm out of it, though," Doc says placidly. "It's got a screwdriver in it."

"Like a Swiss army knife?" Joe chimes in, putting down his book.

"Yeah," Doc says proudly, "bottle opener too-- for beer."

"As fascinating as Doc's Sonic Screwdriver arm is, we do have something to be doing," Xisuma reminds the group wryly.

"Oh yeah," Doc says. "Agnes is coming."

Cleo drums her fingers on the table. "When will she be here-- oh!"

A radiant figure emitting soft yellow light appears on top of the table; although the figure is bright, it doesn't hurt to look at. The glow dims and the light coalesces into a small woman with pale yellow hair. The woman-- presumably Agnes of the Mojang pantheon-- opts to sit side-saddle on the table instead of in a chair.

"Hello! It's nice to see you again, Doc," she says, "oh, and Etho as well-- and Herobrine?"

"I go by Joe now," the man says simply.

Agnes smiles. "My bad, Joe. Now, what did you need me for, Doc?"

"Er, it's actually about the three-life system," Xisuma cuts in.

"Yes? What about it?" Agnes tilts her head.

"It was... a good system, doing what you could with the lack of magic," Xisuma says diplomatically, "but we think we've found a way to fix things. Joe?"

Joe takes over, setting his book down on the table after carefully bookmarking his place. "So the issue is the lack of magic, right? You couldn't support updates and player respawns after Notch took what he did."

"This is correct," Agnes says with a service industry smile, likely not appreciating the reminder of her pantheon's failure.

"So, use the In Between," Joe says. "It's got so much extra magic that it keeps sending people back in time; I was stumped on a way to fix it, but if you can give the magic to the players it's a win-win."

Eyebrows raising to her hairline, Agnes's face falls into a considering moue. "I'd much rather use it to push the next update," she says. "The Caves and Cliffs update is one of the biggest yet."

Cleo's unbeating heart sinks in her chest. Is this it? Is their only way to help these people going to be appropriated by well-meaning yet selfish gods?

"People are dying!" Cleo shouts. "Isn't that more important than your stupid update?!"

Agnes turns to look at her for the first time, and Cleo refuses to be afraid.

"I know it must sound callous of me, but... well, people die," Agnes says gently. "They always do. Even Era One players aren't immune. The better thing to do would be to improve their quality of life while they can still live it."

Shoulders rising in anger as she suppresses the urge to bite and kill and devour, Cleo takes a breath to rage when Etho of all people cuts in.

"Remember that IOU you gave me?" he says. There's a twinkle in his eye that only intensifies when Agnes groans.

"Don't tell me," she says. "You're seriously going to use that now? On this? I gave it to you centuries ago, I thought you'd forgotten!"

"Nope," Etho crows, "just saving it for a special occasion."

Agnes sighs, bringing a hand to her temple. "And what am I supposed to do about the Caves and Cliffs update?" she says tiredly.

"Cut it in half?" Etho shrugs.

"...Fine." Agnes disappears, dimming the room from the lack of her godly presence. Within a few seconds (relatively speaking, as time is more of a suggestion than a rule when you're powerful enough), a wave of magic washes over the group. It explodes outward from the table like ripples from a cannon ball, washing over the entire server. The change is palpable.

"Etho, I could kiss you right now," Cleo says, relieved beyond measure.

"Please don't," he says with a smile. "After all, I don't know where your mouth's been."

Cleo raises an unimpressed eyebrow, pretending to mull the situation over.

"Yeah, you make a good point," she says, and the group bursts into laughter.

[ninnosaurus]

Lullaby || Dad!Turts, part 2

AN: OKAY I WROTE THE SECOND PART ALREADY. But like, I already have all of the scenes played out in my head and know exactly what’s going to happen so all I have to do is write them down.

I also kinda picture Raph as a Disney fan. This man loves his Disney and has many of the songs memorized.

Again: Not beta read! Please excuse any errors! The kind of chair he’s sitting in can be seen right here!

I hope you like Dad!Raph 🥰

----

Raphael

It had been a long day that had also been filled with idiot people getting on your nerves. And right now, it was late, and dark. All you wanted to do was get home to your family. You knew Raph was crashing at your place during your workdays, and you couldn't wait to get home to him. 

Arriving at home, you toed your shoes off and kicked them out of the way, heading straight to the shower. Sighing as the warm water hit your skin, this was just what you needed.

After putting your hair in a towel and drying off, you walked into the kitchen to spoon some of the leftovers you saw waiting for you on the stove into your mouth. Raph's cooking had gotten better, you especially loved his lasagna, which you were currently eagerly enjoying in silence.

Wait… silence. 

"Isn't Raph supposed to be here?" You thought to yourself. A small hint of irritation pricking in you as you drank some soda straight from the bottle, you’ve told him before that he needs to let you know if he decides to take her down to the Lair. 

"Hm.", closing the fridge you first look into the livingroom. Finding the TV turned off and void of any turtle.

Out into the hallway you saw a soft light coming from the room furthest down, your bedroom. 

"Ah…", you quietly let out. Someone had probably woken up, signaling for her Shining Knight in Green Armor. 

Tiptoeing down towards the room, you heard him. His voice is dark, somewhat gravely yet soft, and warm. 

He was singing, something that wasn't that odd for him, even though he was more into… the heavier kind, this time is was smooth, and low, almost a whispering tone to it. You figured he was using his churr to lull her back to sleep as he sang lowly.

Arriving at the bedroom door, you lean into the doorframe, looking at them.

"Come stop your crying,  it will be alright.”

Raphael was sitting in the egg shaped chair propped close to the window, wearing a pair of tattered basketball shorts. One leg propped up on the chair using the toe of his other to make the the chair swing in a soothing rhythm.

“Just take my hand, hold it tight" 

His heart swells when the little bundle of sleepiness grips his green finger.

"I will protect you, from all around you.

I will be here, don't you cry." 

He glance up and looks at you, a warm smile dancing on his face before looking down to continue is song when he feels the smallest hand in the world tightens its grip.

"For one so small, you seem so strong.

My arms will hold you, keep you safe and warm.”

He hadn’t really thought much about ever having children, except during his mating season, neither with a human nor - God willing - another mutant, yet here she was. His daughter. To think something so small had captured his heart.

“This bond between us, can't be broken.

I will be here, don't you cry."

The bright green eyes she had from from him locks with his as he brings his beak down to nuzzle her human nose.

'Cause you'll be in my heart. Yes, you'll be in my heart.

From this day on, now and forever more."

All you can do is watch and enjoy the concert. One day when you were flicking through the channels at the Lair, you jerked as Raph told you to stop when he saw the Disney version of “Tarzan” was on. Promptly planting himself on the couch. He later admitted to you that he’d always liked that movie, so hearing him sing this song wasn't a shocker to you.

He might look like the most intimidating of his brothers, but his body inhabitied so much love. 

The chair creaked as he got up. Putting the now sleeping baby down in her crib, he leaned against it, chin resting on his large arms. Just looking at her.

"Oh, You'll be in my heart, no matter what they say.

You'll be here in my heart, Always."

[jaybird-redhood]

propinquity

wc: 2.2k

pairing: jason todd // gn reader

The first thing you think when you see him for the first time is that he has the cutest smile.

That’s a lie, the first thing you think it that he is so incredibly in shape, and it looks great on him, but the smile thing sounds better in your head.

He's moving into the apartment across from yours a month after you moved into yours. Weird, because the two people in your building closest to your age are 2 and 63, respectively.

You suppose that some wicked twist of fate must’ve brought this upon you for missing your cousin’s birthday party last week, because the guy standing across from you is crazy hot. And looking right at you. And you are in the huge neon Wonder Woman t-shirt that your best friend got for your birthday last year.

Yeah. Karma.

“Nice shirt,” the guy offers, holding in a grin. “You’re really making it work.”

“I-”

“See you around, neighbor.”

And with a shut of a door and an awfully charismatic smirk he’s gone.

The next time you see him is a week later, and this time- luckily, you think- you’re dressed somewhat put together. You run into him while unlocking your door.

"What's got you in a twist?" he asks.

"Um," you start, "I just. Ugh I have so much to do. Like 3 hours of homework, a lecture tomorrow that I cannot skip, and I'm completely out of bread and eggs and can't even you to the store until, like, Thursday at best."

Once you start rambling you can't seem to stop. You slouch against your door. You're not entirely sure why you're telling a stranger all this, but he seems to be listening, so you suppose that’s a good sign

"I get the feeling," he offers, and you look up at him. "I'm majoring in English Lit and my classes are kind of kicking my ass."

You give him a small smile, "Glad to know someone in this building is struggling as much as I am."

"Jason," he says, and he reaches his hand out to you. "My name."

You shake it and tell him yours.

As you both turn back into your respective apartments you think that he maybe isn't as intimidating as you thought.

~

The next day goes by with a really boring lecture and another 3 hours of work you need to do.

The ride home from uni isn't that long, but it's long enough for you to contemplate all the ways that your life went wrong after moving to Gotham. And, maybe as payback for thinking mean things about the city, rain that you think should belong to a category 3 hurricane starts to whip around your car 10 minutes into your drive.

Your clothes are dripping water in literal puddles by the time you get back to your apartment.

Groaning, you start fishing for your keys in your purse while walking up the last flight of stairs.

When you get to your door you stop. Right in front of it there’s a grocery bag. Picking it up and looking inside you see a loaf of bread and a small carton of milk.

You pick it up smiling.

“Jason?” you ask, knocking on his door.

No response.

You shrug and turn around. Remember to thank him the next time you run into each other; you think.

~

That next time doesn’t happen to be that long and thank goodness for you.

“You know, we really need to stop meeting like this,” he says to you.

You’re sitting on the floor outside of your door looking rather pathetic, and he’s giving you the most awful smirk you’ve ever seen. (Not that it looks bad on him though. You seem to think that nothing could really look that bad on him)

“I swear I’m usually more put together than this,” you sigh to him. “You moving here jinxed me!”

“Yeah yeah. You’re locked out, aren’t you?”

You give him your best withering I’m going to kill you stare, but it must not be working because he just laughs even harder at you.

“This is completely not my fault it’s just I lost my second set of keys like right when I moved in and then today when I got home, I accidentally left them in my car, but my second set of car keys is in my apartment so now I can’t get them out, stop laughing at me!”

“God you’re a mess,” Jason says- finally finished laughing at you and maybe taking a bit of pity on how disheveled you look. “You couldn’t call anyone to get you in?”

You shake your head.

“My friend is the only other person with a set, but they’re out of town, and our landlord is being a dick and telling me it’s my fault in the first place, so I need to deal with it. I’ve been sitting out here for like an hour.”

“All I’m hearing is that it is your fault and now you’re just moping about it feeling bad about yourself.”

You tilt your head against the door so hard that it makes you wince a bit.

“Ok fine,” he says crossing his arms.

“What?”

“Wait right here.”

He goes into his apartment and comes back out with a skinny metal thing you don’t recognize.

You look at him in confusion and he just motions for you to scoot out of the way as he sticks it in your locks and starts to pick it.

You sigh in relief.

“Thank you thank you thank you. For everything. I swear I will get my life together, so you don’t feel like you have to keep cleaning up my messes.

“I don’t mind,” he says with a small smile, “Take your time.”

And with that he opens the door to your apartment and turns back to his.

“By the way, you should really get better locks. That was way too easy.”

You make a note in your head to get that done sometime. As you’re lying on your couch that night, you’re AirDropped a photo on your phone. Saving it up you see it’s a piece of paper with neat handwriting on it: a phone number and a smiley face, Jason’s name at the bottom.

You smile too and add the number to your contacts.

~

Over the next few weeks, you and Jason start talking more, both over text and through the various times when you run into each other outside your doors.

Each interaction is better than the next, and you soon start to realize that Jason isn’t just some hot guy with no brains. He’s sweet and charismatic, has a whole wall full of bookshelves, could probably quote any classical novel by heart, has incredibly good taste in music, and best (or worst) of all, would make incredible friend material.

It’s just that as you become closer friends, you start to realize that that might not be all you want.

It’s a stupidly cold Friday morning when he texts you, and you’re covered in blankets and wrapped in sweatshirts in your bed. Movie at my place tonight?

You text back your approval and a quick be there at 6 before getting ready for classes.

The day goes by slower than you hoped.

It might be the anticipation of seeing Jason again, or more likely the hours of lectures you have to sit through, but you’re elated when your final class for the day gets let out.

The hours in between are a blur.

A blur which leads to the two of you sitting on his couch watching Romeo and Juliet together, a blanket thrown over your bodies.

You have the obligatory bowl of popcorn resting on your legs, and every few minutes Jason reaches across your lap to take a handful.

The way you’re laying half on top on him is completely deliberate, as to take as much of his body heat as possible. Your landlord had turned off heating 3 weeks prior to ‘save money’ or some other bullshit.

Jason’s not complaining though.

Once your popcorn bowl is finished and your head is in his lap, he runs his fingers through your hair absentmindedly. It might be the nicest feeling you’ve ever felt.

Throughout the movie you exchange snide comments about the plot back and forth. You start trying to say funny things whenever you can just to hear how sweet his laugh sounds to your ears.

By the end of the movie, you’re only slightly in tears, or so you tell yourself.

“Are you crying right now?” Jason asks incredulously, wearing a teasing smile.

“It’s not my fault,” you half say half moan, “Leonardo DiCaprio just has that effect on me.”

He just laughs and pulls you upright until you’re sitting on his lap.

His eyes are a shade of blue green that you’ve never seen before, although you could swear their getting greener by the second.

You watch his gaze drop down to your lips before staring you right in the eyes again.

“Can I kiss you?”

“God yes,” you tell him, and kiss him right back.

~

The next week is somewhat uneventful, even though you and Jason had been meeting each other almost every night, rotating apartments based on whose house was warmer each particular night.

Tonight is your night, and you’ve been waiting the whole day to show him the film you had rented to watch together.

The walk up to your door is easier than usual, and you have a bounce in your step that’s making you feel even more elated than normal taking out your keys to unlock your apartment.

You open your door and your bag drops. The keys clatter when they hit the hardwood, and the silence that follows is deafening.

“You’re bleeding on my carpet,” is the first thing that comes out of your mouth.

There Jason is, bleeding quite profusely, and using your kitchen counter to keep himself vertical. He’s wearing what looks to be a torn half of a domino mask and an extremely hot leather jacket.

(Not that this was the time for noticing his fashion choices, but you filed that thought away for later.)

What really catches your eye though is the huge red bat symbol on his chest, and the red helmet next to it sitting on your counter.

He shifts a little to the side before stumbling through saying, “Um, so, I know this isn’t ideal and I’m really sorry to put you in this situation, but I seriously do not feel like bleeding out tonight and-”

“Oh my god this is great,” you cut him off with. “I thought you were a hit-man!”

“Wait what.”

“Shit no that’s not what I meant- kind of, hang on we should probably stop you from dying before having this conversation.”

You walk over to him to get a better look at his wounds.

“God Jace, you look like death warmed over.”

He just stares at you.

“You have a bunch of stuff in your bathroom, right?”

At least this elicits a reaction. He grimaces in pain but gives you a nod of his head in conformation.

“Ok I’ll be right back, don’t move.”

He gives you a look that says seriously, where would I go.

3 minutes later you’re back with a needle and thread, and some sterilizing spray.

“This should be fine,” you tell him, “I took a first aid class last year with my friends and passed with flying colors according to the nurse.”

“Just try to keep them tight and neat. I trust you,” he says, and your heart pounds just a little harder.

You respond with a nervous laugh but take a deep breath and start working.

~

An hour and a half later you’re done.

The combination of pain meds, bandages, and a whole lot of stitches eventually led to you and Jason laying in your bed together, both completely exhausted.

He turns his head to face you.

“Could we maybe go back to the hit-man thing?”

“Oh uh. Well I saw a bunch of shirts covered in blood in your laundry in the bathroom, not to mention all the weirdly specific first-aid you had,” you tell him.

“And also the assorted guns and knives you have hidden all over. I guess I just assumed? But the whole Red Hood thing is so much better,” you reassure him.

“You found all my knives?”

You smile up at him.

“I love that that’s thing you chose to focus on.”

“And you’re really not mad that I didn’t tell you about the whole vigilante thing before?” he asks.

“Jay, I had already resigned myself to life forever with some shady hit-man that also happened to be incredibly good looking. Red Hood is ten times better than that. I’m not going to run away from you just because you’re incredibly intimidating and probably could kill me. I see that as an added bonus,” you say, with as much charm as you can muster without yawning.

“Just. Be careful, ok? I’d hate to make this a routine.”

He responds by pulling you closer to his body.

“I promise,” he whispers into your head. “You really to remember to get better locks by the way, breaking in was still way too easy.”

You let out a small laugh and finally you let yourself give into sleep.