#sleepin with the reaper

[aw-shizz-here-we-go-again]

•|| Seally Cute ||• (Mermay 2024)

Prompt 3: Seally Cute

Featuring: Geno, Goth, and Reaper!

Ship(s): Afterdeath.

Summary: Playtime with the kiddo! <3

Warnings: Blood from a hunt

Credits: Leviathantale and the Mermay Bingo I'm using are both by @skumhuu!

Read tags for notes.

"Dad? Dad??? Daddy!"

Geno woke up to a small, high-pitched voice yelling in his ear. He let out a tired grunt, then rolled over on his side as his tail gently swatted the other person away.

He smiled as he heard them let out a playful squeak, and he was almost immediately bombarded by a small body barreling into him. He yawned, then blinked blearily at the mischievous attacker as he rubbed his eyesockets. "Oh? What's up, my little clamshell?"

The young selkie in front of Geno puffed out their cheeks, flipping their black-and-white seal tail back and forth as they responded. "Mama's out huntin', and 'm boreddd! I wanna do sumthin'! Sumthin' else then jus' sleepin'!"

"You could practice walking, you know." Geno suggested, raising a bonebrow up at the child. He sat up and stretched, slight popping his bones as he did so. "You still haven't even tried taking your seal skin off yet, Goth."

Goth grumbled something under his breath, glowering down at the iceberg they were both on. ". . ."

Geno tilted his head to the side, wrapping his arms around his kid and hugging him close. "What was that? Is there something wrong?"

"...'s scary." Goth muttered quietly, burying his face into his father's chest. "A-an' I did try. Couldn't do it though..."

"Oh, Gothy," Geno squeezed Goth a little tighter in his embrace, wrapping Goth's tail around his own as he kissed the top of Goth's head. "It's alright, we'll figure something else out then."

"Swimmin'?" Goth asked hopefully, gazing up at Geno with big shiny eyelights. There was no mistaking it, the kid really knew what he was doing when he chose to pull the puppy eyes on his dad.

Geno sighed, giving Goth a defeated look. He didn't even attempt to resist, knowing that he would cave quickly anyways. "Okay okay, let's go swimming."

"Yay!" Goth wiggled his way out of Geno's grip, then proceeded to nudge and tug Geno towards the edge of the iceberg where the water was. "C'mon, c'mon, c'mon!"

Geno chuckled, relenting as he playfully shoved Goth into the icy sea before hopping in to join his kid. "Rather eager, aren't we?"

"You never lemme go swimmin' without ya, so duh!" Goth pouted, swishing his tail as he drifted around Geno in a lazy circle. He then sped up, swimming around Geno in faster loops. "C'monnn! Let's play tag or something!"

"Oho, you want to challenge me?" Geno asked in amusement, raising a bonebrow as Goth nodded in response. "Well then, let the games begin..."

.

.

.

Reaper was returning back home from... doing whatever he was doing while he was out, most likely hunting due to the blood on his teeth, and he surfaced to get a breath of air just in time to see a certain small selkie fling themselves out of the water to do a flip.

What the heck?

Diving back under the water, Reaper sped up towards the main iceberg that he and his family called home. As he approached, he could see the love of his life- ahem, Geno, ahem -and their child swimming around in circles, seemingly sportively goading each other on.

As Reaper watched, Geno suddenly thrashed his tail as he shot up towards the surface of the water, erupting from the sea and doing a double flip before he came crashing back down.

The leviathan let out a small, quiet laugh at the smug look that Geno shot at Goth, and at the pouty look that Goth had returned back at Geno.

Then Reaper had an idea. A smirk crossed his face as he dove down, deeper and deeper below his family. Once he was down deep enough to not be noticed if he shifted, he activated his leviathan form as he circled around in the icy cold depths, staring up at the two selkies above him.

He then silently and slowly swam up behind Geno, his now massive size absolutely dwarfing his mate. He watched as Goth noticed him, and he saw how the child's eyelights grew as big as saucers as his presence registered in Goth's mind.

Reaper held a finger up to his mouth, gesturing for Goth to stay quiet. He drifted ever so slightly closer to Geno, who seemed mildly confused by Goth's reaction since he hadn't realized that Reaper was behind him yet.

"Hello, darling~"

Reaper purred out an amused giggle as Geno yelped in shock, and he backed up a little bit as the selkie whirled around to face him.

"You-! Seriously, Reaper?! Ugh..." Geno groaned and rubbed the bridge of his nosebone in annoyance, glaring at Reaper in half-hearted anger. "I swear, you are so immature."

"Oh, my dearly sweet beloved, I'm so wounded by your insults!" Reaper whined pitifully, shrinking down into his normal form before dramatically leaning against Geno while holding his hand up to his forehead.

Geno grumbled something under his breath and pushed Reaper off, then narrowed his eyesocket at Goth, who had started giggling. He then sighed in exasperation and threw up his hands. "Both of you! Both of you are so immature! But at least Goth has the excuse of actually being a child."

He swam back up to Reaper and poked the leviathan in the chest, swishing his tail in mild irritation. "But you don't have any excuse!"

"B-but... Geno-senpai, it's just my personality!" Reaper blinked innocently at Geno, intertwining his orca tail with Geno's seal tail.

Geno rolled his eyelight and groaned again, pulling his tail away from Reaper and gently swatting Reaper over the head. "Don't even get started with that! Enough is enough."

Reaper sighed in mock defeat, backing away from Geno to give his love some space. "Alright, alright, if you insist."

Geno hesitated, then swam back over to Reaper to give him a soft, brief kiss before letting go again. "Love you, starfish~"

Before Reaper could sputter out a flustered reply, they both suddenly heard snoring coming from behind them. A quick glance revealed that Goth had fallen asleep, and Geno let out an amused snort. "I suppose playing around tuckered him out. We should be getting back to our iceberg anyways."

"I- uh- uhm, yeah! Mhm!" Reaper replied quickly, still blushing from the kiss. He rapidly flicked his tail and scooped Goth up in his arms, carrying the child as he started swimming to the homeberg. "Let's go!"

Geno followed suit, letting himself be half dragged in the current that Reaper's tail made since he was tired.

.

.

.

"You know, you should really wash up. You still have blood all over your teeth." Geno said with a small yawn, tilting Reaper's head with his hands on Reaper's chin so that he could see the orca's face better.

"Aw, what? Too shy to clean it off for me~?" Reaper purred teasingly, then hesitated and averted his gaze in shame almost immediately afterwards. "...Oh, yeah, right-- nevermind. Uh, forget I said that. Sorry."

Geno winced slightly, shivering not from the cold of the iceberg but rather from the reminder. ". . ."

Reaper shrank in on himself a bit, tears suddenly pricking his eyesockets "I'm sorry, okay? I- I really just can't help it... I'm sorry..."

Geno was quiet for a long moment, then he pulled Reaper into a hug. "It'll... it'll be okay. Just... let's not tell Goth, okay? I'd rather not scare him..."

"Okay..." Reaper muttered back, nuzzling into Geno's embrace. By the True Leviathans, he felt awful, but it wouldn't be an easy fix.

After all, it was his nature.

______________________________________________________________

Start

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Masterlist

[daryl-dixon-daydreams]

Words: 4,690 Pairing: Daryl Dixon x Female!Reader Reader pronouns: she/her Era: S10, The Reapers Warnings: language, violence, gore, angst A/N: This is Part 3 of a commissioned miniseries! Thank you to @ankhmutes​ for their generous support! Summary: Daryl and Y/N have more time to talk and the group heads back home.

Your name: submit What is this?

Part 2

The sun wasn’t yet breaking over the horizon when Daryl awoke, though a pink glow was beginning in the distance. He was a little stiff from laying on his thin bedroll, but surprised to find he had managed to get a good amount of sleep. He felt far more at peace than he could remember in a very long time even though his mind was still whirring with unanswered questions. He glanced back and could barely make out the prone shapes of you and DJ in the darkness of the shipping container. He got up as silently as he could and stepped out into the twilight. Kelly was on watch and Daryl climbed up to stand beside her on another steel container.

“Hey,” he greeted her, speaking it and signing with his right hand. “Did you get some sleep?”

“A little,” she said, nodding, turning her eyes back out to the night. “I took over watch so Elijah could get some.”

Daryl nodded and gazed out over the stillness, chewing on his bottom lip for a moment. Kelly tapped his arm lightly with hers.

“Soooo… Y/N?” she asked, spelling your name.

Daryl ducked his head, but his lips curved in a small smile.

“How long has it been?” she asked.

Daryl looked back up at her and rubbed a hand over the back of his neck. “Ten years,” he said.

A struck look of understanding hit Kelly’s face. “You were… together?” she signed.

Daryl avoided her eyes a little bashfully but nodded. “Yeah. We were.”

She tapped his arm so he’d look at her again. “The little boy?” she signed. “Yours?”

Daryl nodded again.

“Holy shit,” Kelly said out loud, smiling at him. She happily grabbed his shoulder and gave him a reassuring look. “I’ve seen you with Judith and RJ. He’s lucky to have you as family. And Y/N? Now?”

Daryl looked anxious and shrugged. “I dunno,” he drawled, his heart speeding up even as he thought of you. “Ten years is a long time.”

She gave him another reassuring smile and then some movement below caught both their eyes. “I think she’s looking for you,” Kelly signed. You’d stepped out of the shipping container, your arms wrapped around yourself, and were glancing around.

Daryl gave Kelly a tight smile and climbed down, heading your way. “Hey,” he greeted you, shoving his hands into his back pockets. You smiled at him and he felt another jolt of electricity. How was it possible that you were even more beautiful now than he remembered?

“I was wondering where you went,” you said, tucking a strand of your hair back behind your ear. “Everything okay?”

“Just checking in with Kelly on watch,” he said. “All good. Still quiet out there.”

There was a silence that felt a little tense before both of you said “Did you get some sleep?” at the exact same time. Daryl ducked his head and let out a small laugh and your smile widened.

“Um—you first,” you said.

“Yeah. Ya know, I actually did. Wasn’t sure it was gonna happen but I managed a few hours,” he drawled.

You nodded. “Good. Same. First good night of sleep I’ve had in—I don’t even know how long,” you said. A shiver from the chill morning air suddenly zipped up your back. You should have pulled your jacket back on before stepping out.

Daryl’s brow furrowed immediately and he quickly moved around you to grab a blanket off his bedroll just inside the door of the shipping container. He held it out for you and you gratefully accepted it, wrapping it over your shoulders.

“Thanks,” you said softly. You gave him a long look, studying the scars you could see on his face that he didn’t have before and the years he carried now. Your heart still rushed at the sight of him.

“DJ’s still sleepin’?” Daryl asked.

You nodded. “Yeah. He somehow always seems to sleep just fine. At least much better than I do,” you said.

Daryl nodded. “Nah, it makes sense. He was born into this. S’all he knows. As long as he’s got ya by his side, everything is probably alright in his world. Means yer doin’ yer job right.”

Daryl watched a shadow pass over your face. “He’s had to deal with plenty of me being away, especially lately.”

Daryl gave you a questioning look but you shrugged it off. “Ah... never mind,” you said, giving him a tight smile. “Plenty of time for that later.” You adjusted the blanket around your shoulders and glanced back up at him and caught his blue eyes. They were fixed on you steadily. There was a stack of railroad ties nearby and you tilted your head toward it. “Want to sit down?”

Daryl nodded and followed you over, taking a seat beside you but being sure to leave a buffer of space. His eyes were searching your face when next you looked at him. “Go ahead and ask me,” you said suddenly, your eyes soft and perceptive.

Daryl gulped and looked down at his boots. They were scuffed with dark earth still from all the mad running in the forest the day before. He felt like his heart was in his throat. “Ask ya what?”

You shrugged and turned slightly more toward him. “Whatever it is on your mind. We might as well get started catching up, right?”

Daryl nervously licked his lips. He wasn’t going to ask you whatever was on his mind… because a lot of it he was still navigating himself and some of it was—well, it was too soon. But you were right, he had a lot of questions and he was sure you did too. “I guess—might as well start at the beginnin’. Atlanta. What happened after—after the walkers?” Just the thought of it dropped his heart from his throat down into the pit of his stomach.

You pulled in a deep breath. You could still see it all so clearly in your mind’s eye, as if it had just happened moments before. It was like it had been crystallized into glass. It was almost tangible. You could smell the moist rotting flesh. You could see the vaguely yellow or pink tinge to the whites of their eyes. You could hear the gnashing and mawing and growling. “I—I ran.” Daryl watched your brow furrow and cast a shadow over your eyes again. “I just ran, until I couldn’t anymore. And then I got into this building but the dead—they were all around it like a flood…” You ducked your eyes. “I was trapped in there for a day and a half before something must have led them away or they just lost interest. I got out. I tried to get back to where I had lost you…” Your fingers fiddled with a worn spot on the edge of Daryl’s blanket. “But I’d just run wildly to escape and I didn’t know where I was. I’d run so far and I just—I didn’t know.” You paused and pulled in another deep breath and let it out slowly. “I was in pretty bad shape by then. I hadn’t been able to find any water so I went back into this high rise and just started looking for supplies, thinking I’d find something to eat and get some water and then get back to where we’d left the car somehow… I knew you’d go back there to look—”

“I did.”

You nodded. “Yeah… well, I never made it back. I’m sure you knew that. I don’t know if it was just having spent so much energy and being dehydrated or if it was the pregnancy but—I must have passed out.” The shadow that veiled your face seemed to deepen. “That could have been it right there… Some walker could have wandered into me and that would have been it. But instead, when I woke up, I was in this little dingy apartment. This young woman had found me and somehow brought me back to her place. She wasn’t that much younger than I was at the time and it was just her and her mom in this little one-bedroom place, holed up since the fall. They were surviving by scavenging supplies from the rest of the building and hadn’t even really gone down to the street. Of course, I wanted to leave as soon as I had any strength back but then I was getting sick all the time from the pregnancy. Baby DJ didn’t like most canned food at the time and unfortunately that was mainly what we had,” you said with a dry laugh, shaking your head. “And the longer I was sick, the more I knew that I wasn’t going to be able to find you. When I finally was able to keep some food down, I started heading out into the city but it was useless—I was just wandering aimlessly, running the risk of meeting some serious trouble.” Your hand went to your stomach as if you were remembering what it was like to be alone and pregnant with DJ...

Daryl’s expression was soft and sad as you met his eyes again. “‘M so sorry,” he said.

You gave him a sad smile. “It’s not your fault,” you replied gently. “But I knew eventually that I couldn’t stay in the city any longer. Maria and her mother were kind to me… but I worried about what was going to happen to them in the long run. Supplies were getting more and more scarce and—I was amazed they’d managed to last two years the way they had but—” you paused and shook your head, a look of distress tightening your features briefly. “I tried to convince them to leave with me, but they wouldn’t. So, finally I just left. I found a working car and packed it with as many supplies as I could find and I headed out.” Your gaze fell down toward your hands again on the edge of the blanket over your shoulders. A canyon appeared between your brows as you remembered having to make that horrible decision. “That was where I felt like a line had been drawn… until then I could tell myself that maybe you were still in the city, still looking for me, or maybe you’d come back with everyone and you’d gotten Beth and you were just waiting for me to show up at the car or—I don’t know. Then I kept having this dream.” The look in your eyes grew far away. You seemed to shrink back into some other deep pool. “I could see you and hear you. You kept calling my name, but there was this glass between us and you couldn’t see me. I’d yell and pound on it but you couldn’t hear me… It was horrible. I’d wake up crying. When I left Atlanta, I knew that I could go out and try and look for you, but there was little chance of us ever finding each other again.” You blinked away the moisture in your eyes and finally lifted your gaze back to Daryl. There was pain so explicitly written across your face that Daryl’s chest ached and all he wanted was to wrap his arms around you.

“Mighta been only a little chance,” Daryl drawled. “But it was big enough.”

You gave him another sad smile. “Wish it hadn’t taken so long.” You sighed heavily again. “God, I really missed you… I can’t even tell you how much. And DJ has missed having his dad around for almost a decade. I’m so sorry you’ve missed out on so many milestones with him.”

Daryl nodded and felt a lump of emotion tighten in his throat. “S’like ya said though. Ain’t yer fault. And we found each other now.”

“Yeah… still is real shitty though that we had to go through that,” you said with a wry laugh. Daryl nodded his agreement.

“What happened after ya got outta the city?” he pressed you. He felt the need to know everything that had happened since you’d been parted. Nothing, no little hurt, no little joy, was too small, but it was a lot of ground to cover and for now he’d settle for a summary. The details would have to come over time, building up a complete timeline of your two lives, split apart.

“I was alone for a while. Getting more and more pregnant and absolutely terrified about that,” you said with another dry smile. “I was moving around a lot, always looking for some sign of you. Every arrow or bolt I found I studied, hoping that it was one of yours. But it never was and I was still alone. And then all of a sudden, I just started finding people, you know? Or they were finding me. Some bad and some good… but eventually I had this—this found family, just like you have. The membership changed over time as we lost some and gained others, but there was a core group of us who stayed together for a long time, even if we did have to keep moving. We’d find somewhere and try to put down roots and something would happen—it would fall, sometimes to people and sometimes to the dead. Sometimes to completely stupid shit that used to be more benign but now is a catastrophe—severe weather or fires or whatever. We’d move again… Eventually, we stumbled onto this gated community near the coast and I just knew it was where we were meant to be. It was somewhere we could make safe and actually turn into a home. It had strong walls. It’d be safe for DJ to grow up and learn. I was so tired from all the running by that point… From what Maggie has told me, it wasn’t that different from what you found, from Alexandria. Of course, the pressing problem was that it was filled with the dead when we got there.”

It wasn’t lost on Daryl that you were speaking of this home in the past tense and he understood from the little Maggie had said that it fell to the living, not the dead, this time.

“But we managed it,” you said with a smile. “We drew them out and led them away and killed the rest. We set up homes and grew our own food. We had a governing council and school for the kids. It was still hard but it was good. It worked, for a long time. And then—” Here, your voice failed and face fell again and Daryl thought he caught a glimpse of tears in your eyes.

“Hey—” He was brave enough to touch you lightly on the shoulder. “We ain’t gotta talk about that yet,” Daryl said. “If ya ain’t ready—it can wait. Really, if it’s too much, all this can wait.”

You nodded. “Yeah. Maybe once I’ve had more time to process everything that’s just happened in the last couple days and have a little more distance from it.” Daryl shifted and nervously scratched at a non-existent itch on his head.

“What are—I mean…” Fuck, he didn’t know how to ask this. “Uhh—what ‘bout now?”

You gave him a questioning look and he seemed to be struggling to find the right words. You waited patiently.

Daryl rubbed a hand over the back of his neck anxiously. “I just mean—what are yer plans… I guess, is what ‘m tryin’ to ask…” he trailed off and you could see that he was nervous.

You realized he was trying to ask you where you were going next. “Daryl—” Your angled your body more to face his and the blanket he’d given you slipped from your left shoulder. Your knee almost bumped his. “My plan is to take DJ and go wherever you’re going. If you’ll have us?”

A wash of relief spread from the top of Daryl’s head all the way down through his toes. The sensation was like a subtly electric tingling, a cooling wave, and he felt his muscles relinquish their tight grip on his bones.

You were looking at him now with one brow quirked up. “Did you really think, having just found you, that I’d take DJ and go somewhere you aren’t?”

Daryl let out a gruff laugh and shook his head. “I dunno what to think… I still ain’t sure yer sittin’ right in front of me, or that any of this is fuckin’ real…”

He started briefly as your hand found his and rested over the top of it. You gave it a gentle squeeze. He gulped and met your eyes again. “It’s real. I promise,” you said softly.

Daryl nudged his nose up at you in a nod and tried to suppress the tears that were starting to blur his vision. He blinked them away. “To answer yer question… course that’s what I want. Come to Alexandria. Please,” he said. “It’s still home, though it’s a bit worse for wear righ’ now, but—we always bring it back.” Daryl noticed then that the blanket had slipped down and he reached over and pulled it back up around you. His hands rested lightly on your shoulders after he replaced it and there was some thickness in the atmosphere that materialized between you. You were looking right back at him with bright eyes and he felt as if he was on the brink of something… something much bigger than himself.

“Mom?”

Both of you startled a little and you shot to your feet. DJ was standing in the doorway of the shipping container, rubbing sleep from his eyes.

“Yeah, honey. Right here,” you said, smiling at him. You could still feel where Daryl’s hands had been on your shoulders almost as if they were still there. The blanket he’d just pulled back around you was now pooled on the railroad tie where you’d been sitting. You grabbed it and handed it back to Daryl. “Thanks,” you said, quite sure your cheeks were flushing a little pink. The dimness of the morning light may have saved you from him seeing that blush. You rested your hand lightly on his shoulder as you moved around him and went to DJ in the doorway. Daryl watched you disappear back inside with a sigh.

He nestled the edge of his thumbnail between his teeth and bit down hard, chewing it anxiously as his mind again whirred. He realized that it had quieted while you were here.

“Hey.” Maggie’s voice. She had a knowing smile on her face.

Daryl straightened up. “Hey.”

“Everythin’ alright?” she asked, pacing closer.

A dry laugh escaped Daryl and he paused for a moment thoughtfully. “Yeah… Fuck yeah.” Maggie laughed despite all the loss she’d suffered in the last few days. He stood and Maggie thought it looked like some flame had been kindled in him that she hadn’t seen since he’d lost you so long ago. _ _ _ _ _ _

The journey back to Alexandria on foot was long but blessedly uneventful. Daryl stuck closely beside you and DJ and before long the two of them were talking. DJ had started it. Daryl felt him looking up in his direction earnestly and glanced over. Daryl gave him a tight smile as his heart started to race with nerves.

“How heavy is your crossbow?” DJ asked him.

Daryl slung it off his shoulder. “Ain’t heavy at all. S’built to be light. S’only five and a half pounds. Wanna see?”

DJ considered him for a moment and then nodded. Daryl held it out to him and DJ held out his own little recurve bow, which Daryl took in return. Although it was light, the crossbow was a little unwieldy in DJ’s small arms, but he looked up at Daryl and grinned. Daryl felt a wash of some unexplainable feeling. You were watching the whole interaction with a blossoming bloom of warmth in your chest.

Daryl inspected DJ’s bow closely, testing the draw length and smoothing his hands over the wood. “This is a good bow,” he said, admiring the glossy red wood that made up the limbs and the riser.

“Mom made it for me,” DJ said.

Daryl smiled and glanced over at you briefly before looking back at him and holding it out. “I thought she might’a.” He held DJ’s bow out to him again and took his crossbow, slinging it over his shoulder in a well-practiced motion that was mainly muscle memory. “Ya know, yer mom is pretty good at just about everythin’ she does.”

“I know that,” DJ said in response.

“Well, did ya know there’s only one thing I’ve ever seen her completely fail at?”

“Excuse me?” you interrupted, laughing.

DJ looked between you and Daryl. “What’s that?”

“Snipe huntin’,” he drawled, shooting you an amused glance. You laughed heartily and then shot him a look.

“Daryl, you better just be quiet over there,” you said through your laughter. DJ was looking between you and him.

“Snipe?” he asked.

“Yep,” Daryl said with a nod. “They’re real rare. Only way to hunt ‘em is to go out in the woods when there’s a full moon. And then ya gotta call ‘em out.”

“How do you do that?” DJ asked eagerly. You couldn’t stop smiling to yourself and Daryl stole another glance at you, just to see your lips curved happily.

“Ya gotta be real quiet. Find someplace to hide. And then ya use the one essential thing for snipe huntin’… a spoon,” he said seriously.

“A spoon?!” DJ repeated shooting a confused look at you that drew a full laugh from your chest.

“Yep, a spoon!” Daryl said again. “I thought ya taught him how to hunt?” Daryl asked you, smirking, his blue eyes filled with so much light it almost brought tears to yours.

You laughed again. “I guess I forgot a few things.”

“What’s the spoon for?” DJ asked.

“Ya use it to catch the light of the moon. They’re attracted to shiny stuff, snipe. It’ll bring ‘em right in, every time.”

DJ looked back at you again, perplexed. “I’ve never even heard of snipe,” he said.

You brushed your fingers through his hair. “They’re very rare. You’re better off spending your time in the woods hunting something else.” You shot another look at Daryl and shook your head, a subtle smile still on your face. DJ ran ahead to catch up to Hershel and Maggie and you laughed again before catching Daryl’s blue eyes. “If he goes missing from his bed during the next full moon, I know who to blame,” you said.

“He might be too smart to fall for it,” he said.

“Hey!” You playfully hit him on the arm. “Are you calling me gullible? First off, that was a really long time ago. Second, there is an actual bird that people hunt called a snipe! I thought you were really teaching me something!” Daryl let out a gruff laugh.

“Yeah, but ya shoulda known when I gave ya the spoon…”

“Whatever… you ass,” you said. “We both know that whole thing was just a ploy to get me alone.” You shot him sideways glance and Daryl felt a bolt of electricity jump up his back.

He shook his hair from out of his eyes and ducked his head. “It might’a been…” he admitted. “S’good to see ya smile,” he said suddenly. “I mean, it’s just good to see ya at all… but even better to see ya smile.” His heart was racing again.

You nodded. “It feels good to. Haven’t had much occasion to lately. Though DJ manages to pull them out of me most days.” Daryl hummed a noise of acknowledgment and glanced up ahead to where DJ and Hershel were talking animatedly.

“We’re almost there. We’ll be behind some safer walls soon,” he said.

It wasn’t long before the group came within sight of Alexandria. DJ returned to your side as you stopped and took it in for a moment. Daryl immediately noticed the busy activity of people around one side where a section of the wall was down. You shot an anxious look over at Daryl.

“C’mon,” he murmured. “S’alrigh’.”

Maggie paused and waited for you to catch up. She gave you a tight smile which you returned.

“You ready for this?” she asked you. “There’ll be a few familiar faces and a lot of questions. And a lot of new faces too.”

You pulled in a deep breath and nodded, glancing over at Daryl again. “Yeah. Ready.” You grabbed DJ’s hand.

As you all walked up, the first person you recognized was Carol. She was helping near the wall and her eyes went to Daryl first and then to you beside him. The support she’d been holding slipped from her hands and clattered on the ground. “Oh my God…” She was grinning as she ran over to meet you and Maggie. There were tears brimming in her pale blue eyes. “Oh my God!”

You laughed as she grabbed you into a tight hug and then pulled back to look at your face, clasping it between her hands. “I—I can’t believe this!” she said.

“Me either,” you replied. “It’s so good to see you.” Now Carol’s eyes went to DJ beside you and she gave you a stunned and questioning look, her eyes going wide. All you managed was a nod. Carol dropped down to one knee so she was at his eye level.

“And who might you be?” Carol asked him.

“DJ,” he said, sticking out a hand to her. She smiled warmly at it and grabbed it in her, giving it a hearty shake.

“Nice to meet you, DJ. I’m Carol,” she said. “You can call me Aunt Carol if you want.” He grinned at her.

“He’s heard some stories about you,” you said.

“Well, I should hope so!” she said, standing up. Next, she pulled Maggie into a hug and looked tearily at Hershel, then finally she met Daryl’s eyes, shooting him a look of disbelief.

“The hell happened to the wall?” Daryl drawled.

Carol’s face fell. “Parting gift from the Whisperers,” Carol explained. He nodded and chewed on his bottom lip, glancing back again at the gaping hole.

“Alrigh’… I’mma get everybody settled,” Daryl drawled. “S’been a long couple of days.”

“Okay,” Carol nodded. She gave your arm a friendly squeeze as you moved past her with DJ. “Daryl, hold on one second—” You and DJ waited a short distance away. “Please tell me you aren’t going to stick them in some random empty apartment or house,” she said, her brow furrowed.

He stared back at her and then shifted anxiously. “Uhh—I hadn’t even gotten that far… I was just tryin’ to get us here.” Just then, there was a familiar bark and Daryl looked up to see Dog tearing toward him. Judith and RJ were running behind. “I’ll—I’ll figure it out,” he said hurriedly. He turned his attention back to the newcomers. “Hey! Dog!” Daryl bent down and the Malinois stopped just short of bowling him over, licking his face and wagging his tail furiously.

“Friend of yours?” you asked, smiling down at him.

Daryl scratched behind Dog’s ears and just then had an upsetting realization—shit. Leah.

[reds-skull]

Not Alive, Nor Dead

[PREV PART] [AO3]

Okay I realized a scene I love comes up in the fic on this chapter, so I was like "well, I'm not doing anything right now, why not write it?"

So I wrote it. Enjoy.

(This one has description of some gore and aftermath of torture, very short segments, not worse than was already in the fic)

Ghost woke up slowly, the slick residue of his nightmares fading away as he lifted his head and groaned. Soap had already woken up, and by the chipper way he moved around the room, a while ago.

The Sergeant is getting better at telling when he’s being stared at, and he turns around to raise an eyebrow at Ghost.

“Sleepin’ beauty is finally awake!” he says with a smile.

Ghost drags a hand under his mask, sighing, “time’s it?”

“500 sharp, sir” Soap provides happily.

The fuck’s kinda person is this cheerful at this hour? Ghost exhales loudly and finally gets out of bed. The Sergeant opens his mouth, to probably comment on his old man habits, but Ghost shoots him a stare that would’ve killed a lesser man.

Soap just gives him a shit eating grin in return, “not a morning person?”

Ghost walks towards the bathroom, “I’m a normal person, you’re the fuckin’ anomaly.”

The Scot barks a loud laugh that makes him feel a little less groggy.

At mess, the taskforce finds a table of their own, and the Sergeants busy themselves with an argument about one daft thing or another. 

Price caught his attention and started speaking to him in his mind, “your nightmares are bloody loud sometimes, y’know that?”

Ghost bites on his toast, “don’t fuckin’ listen then.”

The Captain laughs a little before his features turn serious, “you wanna tell me how much of what the Reaper said in your dream actually happened?”

That’s what he dreamt about that last night? Fucking hell. Can’t keep secrets from Price.

“Won’t have to if you just told me, Simon.”

Ghost puts down his meal to stare intently at the Captain, “what did you see? In my dream.”

Price’s moustache twitched in thought, and he replied, “it said something about Soap bringing your demise?”

“It said ‘bringer of demise’, didn’t fuckin’ specify whose.” Ghost spat back.

“What else?”

Before he could stop him, he felt Price pull the memory to the forefront of his mind to watch for himself what unfolded on the plane that day.

“It told you to stay away from Soap if you wanna live?!”

Ghost banged his fist on the table, startling the Sergeants out of their idiotic bickering. He paid no mind to them, focus fully on Price, “I’m not going to stop working with the Sergeant just because my Reaper decided to be a little shit.” he snarls in the Captain’s head.

Price huffs, “I’m not going to let you die Ghost.”

“Did it say I’m going to die?!”

“Simon…”

Gaz cuts their exchange, “what’s going on? Are you two talking in your brains?”

Soap crosses his arms, “well, yer welcome to use your outside voice.”

Ghost gets up, “no need, we’re done.”

Before he can get out of range, Price tells him “keep yourself safe on this mission, Simon. We’ll figure it out later.”

He supposes that’s manageable. 

Ghost and Soap bid their farewells to Gaz and Price, as they go on their own part of the mission, and walk back to the armory to get ready for theirs.

The two of them get dressed up, Ghost armed to the teeth with various throwing knives. He’s not going to use Limbo, not with Soap being right next to him.

And he won’t need to - Ghost is perfectly capable as a fighter with no abilities. There’s a reason the rumors about him as so varied.

Near inhuman in every aspect.

Soap is done before him (less knives, amateur), and now sits to watch Ghost finish up.

A low whistle makes him twist around, “haven’t seen this get-up since the last time we worked together, lookin’ good LT”.

…huh?

“Keep it tactical, Sergeant.” Ghost voices almost mechanically.

“Aye sir, yessir.” Soap gives him an overexaggerated salute.

He rolls his eyes and ignores the warm feeling spreading through his body for the billionth time.

The cartel member’s house appears in the distance after a few minutes of making their way through the wilder parts of Las Almas. Ghost and Soap take out the guards at the front gate and make their way in.

The house is a two storey, drab building, with no real defining features. It’s surrounded by a tall fence, and a smaller shed is stuck by the far left corner of the large yard. 

The suspected location of the kidnapped people is by the far end of the house. They’re tasked with making it inside without alerting any alarms, lest they start killing the people trapped inside.

With the front door clear, the two soldiers open the door and instantly check corners, covering each other’s blind spots.

“Clear.”, Ghost announces.

“Clear.” Soap lowers his silenced pistol a bit, “seems awfully empty, LT. Sure we got the right house?”

“Affirm, stay sharp Sergeant.” Ghost starts forwards, Soap not far behind him.

He feels unnerved. The Sergeant is right, the house is quiet, as though it’s been deserted weeks ago. But a quick look at the amount of dust settled on the floors tells him it couldn’t be more than a few days.

They continue forward, clearing rooms methodically. Ghost has a sense of satisfaction from the act, an enjoyment in working together with Soap besides him for the first time.

They complete each other’s blind spots like puzzle pieces.

Soap declares the first floor clear, barring one last room at the very end of the hallway. Up until then they found several evidences that there were narcos residing here in the past, including a hefty amount of white powder, but they’re not here on a drug bust.

“On me Sergeant”, Ghost orders Soap before pushing the door open.

The scene inside is gruesome. Ghost is intimately familiar with narco torturing techniques, so the bloodied items strewn across the room were an unfriendly sight.

4 bodies lay in the room, and Ghost walks over to check for cartel tattoos on them. One of the bodies has dog tags, and he frowns while pulling it out of the dead man’s shirt.

They read “Thomas Anderson”. Why is that name familiar-

“Sergeant Thomas Anderson, 28. Revenant powers… ‘Breathing underwater?’”

Soap examines the torturing devices with wary eyes, muttering “steamin’ Jesus…” under his breath.

Ghost spots a large tub, filled with reddish water.

Anderson’s body is dry, besides the blood oozing out of his cold body.

The three other men in the room however… Their body is coated with an even amount of thinned blood, from their head down to their chests. They died from drowning.

What is the meaning of this…?

Ghost takes Anderson’s dog tags and stands up, “4 confirmed deaths, no survivors”, he radios in. 

“Copy, exfil inbound in 30, get yourself there.”

They both exit the room, “copy, out here.”

Ghost turns to stand in front of the Sergeant, “one of them was a revenant”, he dangles the tags in front of Soap’s eyes. The date of Reaping is listed right under date of birth, like in their own tags.

Soap frowns, a certain anger washing over him, “what do you think they’re playin’ at?”

“We can chew on that back at base, for now let get to exfil-”

Ghost barely finishes his sentence when he sees Soap’s eyes widen, locked on something behind his shoulder. Half a second later, he’s being spun around, and the piercing sound of bullets fills the air.

Ghost’s heart hammers, and he finally focuses on the view in front of him. Soap’s wide, blue eyes.

And several blotches of red peppered across his torso, spreading quicker than Ghost can process.

“...Soap?” his mind can’t, refuses to make sense of the sight in front of him. Soap isn’t… he can’t be…

The Sergeant’s breaths are erratic, chest rising and falling in big swells. The shock in his eyes transforms, burns away.

Until all that’s left, is rage.

“I’m so sick of this…” Soap murmurs. Shouts in Spanish echo behind them, but Ghost have eyes and ears only for his Sergeant.

Soap lets go of his shoulders, and Ghost scrambles to take him in his arms.

But Soap turns around and walks away, legs shaking and hands burning brighter and brighter by the second. 

One brave narco shoots at his shoulder, making the Scot stagger for a moment.

Ghost lifts an arm, to drag Soap back to him, to cover him from anyone who ever harmed him, to do something, anything.

But Soap unleashes a terrifying snarl and launches forward, grabbing at the narcos.

The explosions blind Ghost, screams and horrible sounds of metal creaking to the breaking point and bones snapping deafening him.

Soap whirls in the middle of this firestorm, exploding guns, heads, walls, anything in his path.

Ghost’s eyes water from the amount of dust and smoke that fills the air.

His Sergeant is radiant.

“Soap…” Ghost tries to stop the unstoppable. He just wants Soap to rest.

“Johnny…..” 

Soap finally stills, carnage creating a halo around him, and all Ghost sees is the red on his clothes, the wheezing of his breath.  

Ghost takes a step forward, and Soap collapses on his knees.

He rushes to grab him by the shoulders before he can fall further, “you’re fine Johnny, you’re going to be fine.” he sputters, pushing his Sergeant up to look at the wounds.

So many wounds.

He knows no one can survive this. Not even revenants. 

“LT…” Soap whispers, voice weak and wobbly.

“You’re going to be alright, you…” air leaves his lungs without a sound. He can’t breathe. How can he?

How can he breathe when Soap lifts a trembling hand, the gentle warmth of flames licking at Ghost’s nape, and looks at him like that?

“LT… I’m not gonna-”

They both jump at the sound of car tires getting closer. The narcos called for backup…

Ghost can’t breathe. He watches Soap shivers in front of him.

He doesn’t have a choice. 

Ghost takes Soap in his arms, hand on his nape mirroring his Sergeant, and presses his head to his own shoulder.

“Close your eyes, Johnny. It will all be over soon.”

He can hear Soap gasp, can feel his chest stuttering.

Ghost closes his eyes the moment footsteps enter the house.

Limbo courses out of him, darkness and emptiness and void filling the house, the residents of it screaming, snarling to take a bite at the intruders.

He holds Soap tight, pressing himself as close as he can. The protective wisps of light barely cover them both, but he will not let Soap be taken by Limbo.

Not Soap. Not Johnny.

In the next blink, Limbo is gone. The victims of the void quiet, as if they also mourn along Ghost.

Johnny pushes lightly at his chest, and Ghost separates them to look him in the eyes.

He seemed to try to form a sentence before a series of coughs wrecked his body, so Ghost laid him down on the blood-covered floor.

“G-Ghost”, he utters through clenched teeth, “d’ye… d’ye know how guns work?”

Ghost’s heart crushes at the sound of his Sergeants voice. He’s… not making sense anymore. Blood delirium isn’t unheard of… especially… especially with how much he-

“Yes”, Ghost softly whispers, more gentle than he ever learned to be.

“T-tell me”, Soap winces when more pain makes its way through his system.

Ghost wants to wither away with him. “The bullet goes into the chamber… and the primer is ignited to cause a small exp-”

His world stops completely.

“T-Teh cause a small ex-explosion.” Soap finishes slowly.

Johnny is…

“I’m not gonna d-die, LT”

Ghost’s eyes slide away from Soap’s, to the rest of his body. He slowly lifts his Sergeant’s shirt, to reveal multiple bullet holes where the tac vest didn’t cover him.

Bullet holes that are already closing.

Ghost wanted to scream out of joy, wail in premature unwarranted grief, shout at Soap for not telling him earlier.

But the radio informs them exfil is 10 minutes out, and they need to get a move on if they want to arrive in time.

Ghost slides his hands under Soap’s body, blood soaking his gloves in a way that takes him back 8 months ago. Back when it was different.

Soap grasps him like he’ll fall if he doesn’t.

Different, yet also the same.

The walk to exfil is quiet, save for Soap’s harsh breathing. Healing or not, he still feels pain.

The driver of their exfil car looks horrified at their shared state, but neither give an explanation and take a sit at the back of the car. It’s only after a few moments of nothing that Ghost mutters, “drive” to the Vaquero.

He feels numb, his arms and legs limp, gaze forward, but nothing truly passes through his brain.

Soap shifts beside him, letting out grunts of pain every once in a while. Making it obvious, despite what his heart tells him, that he’s very much alive.

The blood seeping under his fingernails feels freezing.

The Vaquero was at a loss of what to do with them once the car reaches the base. Ghost shuts the door loudly, and with it the connection to his heart.

Lieutenant first, human last.

“Where is medical?” He asks the man.

Ghost carries Soap all the way to the nurse’s hands, where he was stopped and told he had to clean up if he wanted to stay any longer. He wanted to scream infection doesn’t matter when the wounds will close in the matter of minutes, but the look on the nurse told him she wasn’t impressed.

He left medical to drag himself to the showers, energy left behind him with every step. 

Showers are usually a short ordeal for him, as efficient as they come. But Johnny’s blood going down the drain made him linger.

30 or so minutes later he comes out, and for the first time in what feels like hours there's  something in his brain, besides numbness.

It’s Price. Him and Gaz returned.

The voice in his mind sounds concerned, imploring him to explain why everything looks so dull there.

Ghost ignores it and goes to find his teammates.

“Ghost” Price greets, Gaz perks up from his previous position, head held in his hands. “Where’s the Sergeant?”

Ghost nods back at the hallway, “medical.” is all he provides.

Garrick startles, “Was he injured? What happened?”

“Flanked.” Ghost says, voice matching the emptiness in his head, “got shot.”

“Shot?! Fuck, where-”

“He’s immune.” Ghost cuts him off.

Gaz becomes confused, “immune?”

“To bullets. Primer ignition counts as explosion.” 

The Sergeant sits back down, body slackening, “thank fuck…”

Price catches ghost’s eye contact, “but you didn’t know that.”

Ghost just… shrugs.

“Fucking hell…” the Captain looks away, “it was one of the redacted details in his file…”

Gaz frowns, “why would they redact that?”

“Reapers know.”

The next couple of hours zoom past Ghost. His teammates try to coax him out of his unfeeling self, but Ghost isn’t truly in base.

His mind is stuck in a cartel house, in the Las Almas wilderness. On bloody and soot covered floor, with a dying man in his arms.

On eyes, shining with burning rage.

Pain! Pain! Pain! All I'm making Ghost feel is pain!

[morggy-12]

Incorrect quote ♣

Nightmare, exhausted: Ah finally I get some rest..

*He passes out as soon as his head hits the pillow*

**Literal 30 seconds later**

Killer: HEY YOU SLEEPING IN HERE?

*Killer proceeds to kick down the bedroom door*

Killer: EYO I THINK HE'S SLEEPIN' IN HERE

Dust: SHHHHHH !!! I'M WATCHIN' TV !!!

Horror: I'M HUNGRYYYYYYYYY !!!!

Killer & Dust in union: YOU ARE ALWAYS HUNGRY

*Dream rushes into Nightmares room and pushes Killer aside*

Dream: BROTHER I NEED HELP ERROR HAS CRASHED AND INK HAS GONE INSANE

Blue, cooking: I wonder what happens if I put this in-

*The whole fricking kitchen blows up*

Lust: Hello everyone!

Horror, screaming, hidding behind: DUST KEEP THEM AWAY FROM MEEE

Dust: Yeah, nah. I'm watchin' TV

* Reaper appears from nowhere *

Reaper: Has anyone seen Geno?

Geno: I'M NOT HERE !

Red: FUCK YOU, FUCK YOU AND ESPECIALLY FUCK YOU

Error: Good news I have now reboted

Fresh: Sup broski!

Error: *glitched screaming*

Ink: AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH

Stretch, walking in with a whole fucking cow in a seal: Hey guys look what I found!

Cross, jumping on Epic: AAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHH !

Epic: EYO A COW !!

Classic, waking up: Did I miss somethin'?

Nightmare: Oh my fucking stars. EVERYONE SHUT UP

*Everyone stops and gets quiet*

Nightmare, pointing at the door: You either be so quiet that I can sleep or GET. OUT. GOT IT ?!

*Everyone noods silently*

Nightmare, going back to bed: Finally some peace...!

**Five minutes later**

*Dream wakes Nightmare up*

Nightmare: WHAT ?!

Dream: uhhh.. We might have a problem-

*the whole castle is burned to the ground*

Nightmare: That's it. I quit

[going-to-ikea-for-the-fries]

Bonded Pair (Pt.2) - OCxGhost Backstory.

|| [<- Part One] || [Part Three ->] ||

pairing: COD OC!Victoria "Whiskey" Callahan x Simon "Ghost" Riley words: 0.9K~ cw: canon Ghost backstory (torture, injuries), OC backstory (injury)

Soap got airlifted out in the middle of the night, after having walked a few miles in pitch darkness until the exfil location.

And although Ghost didn't hear it, he knows Laswell reamed out Whiskey for sending Soap packing.

Without Soap around, however, it meant they could get better sleeping shifts working.

As she woke up at 0200 on Day 5, she turned on her PTT. “I'm up…” She announced while rubbing her eyes.

Ghost had had nothing but time to think while she slept. 

When she wasn't dealing with Soap, Whiskey seemed like a good soldier. Smart, observant, professional, her head was always cool, her words calm and collected.

She was a strange one. He got some type of feeling of deja vu as they worked. Like looking in a mirror.

He had even called out to Laswell and asked for a bit more info on her, when, normally, he never would for anyone else.

“Morning, Sleepin’ Beauty.” He greeted.

“It's not morning yet. And don't call me Sleeping Beauty, or else I'll call you Grim Reaper.” She replied. Her voice was a bit raspy now that she had just woken up.

“It's morning enough…” Ghost retorted. He moved his binoculars in the direction of her camp, noticing her moving about in the dark through the night vision settings.

“Any movement?”

“Neg. Been peaceful.”

“Okay… Well, let me know when you want to sleep.”

“Rog.” There was a pause. Then, Ghost spoke again. “You seem much more relaxed without Soap here.” 

“I'm not a talker.”

“I've noticed.”

“You aren't either.”

“No, I'm not.”

“Then, this will make this mission easier. We can just stay quiet for the next two and a half weeks.”

“That we can.”

-

Day 5: 1800

Other than what they had to, to do their jobs, they stayed true to their word. They didn't speak again… 

.

.

.

For a total of 12 hours.

But then there was some type of… itch in Simon. He wanted to talk. He wanted to hear her.

“So what are you eating?” Ghost found himself asking while his plastic fork stirred his MRE.

“It's a… Mexican-style MRE. Has beans and cheddar cheese or something.” Whiskey replied. “It's the only one I actually don't mind eating. The others are disgusting.”

Through his binoculars, he could see her. And she could see him, if she peeked through hers He wondered if she was looking at him too or still focused on the job.

“You don't eat them for the taste-”

“I know you don't. I'm just saying.”

“Sounds better than mine, though.”

“What’s yours?”

“Some type of pasta thing.”

“Not bad.”

-

Day 5: 2000

“So, you and Johnny's girl…”

“Yep.”

“How long have you been friends?”

“Five years now.”

“Not bad.”

“That feels like a dig at my social skills.”

“It was. But I'm the same way. No offence.”

“None taken.”

“So, you didn't meet Johnny until now?”

“Nope. But heard plenty about him.”

“So what did he do?”

“Can't tell you.”

-

Day 6: 1300

“How long have you served?”

“9 years now. You?”

“15.”

“15? How fucking old are you?”

“31.”

“You joined at………. 16?”

“Affirm.”

“Interesting. Didn't know the UK let kids do that.”

“With parental permission.”

“I figured as much.”

“How old are you?”

“28, 29 this year.”

-

Day 8: 0200

“How was your sleep?”

“Decent.”

“As in… bad?”

“Yup.”

“Good to know.”

“Any changes?”

“None so far.”

“I don't like how quiet it is.”

“Neither do I.”

-

Day 11: 1200

“How'd you meet Laswell?”

“Being the only female Navy SEAL brings a lot of attention to me. You?”

“My Captain.”

“Right. Price?”

“You met him?”

“Worked with him last year.”

“What’d you think of him?”

“Eh… He was efficient. All in all have worked with less capable officers.”

“Don't trust him?”

“Don't distrust him. But that means nothing to me.”

“Same here.”

“He's your Captain, though.”

“And? People you know can hurt you the most.”

-

Day 14: 1630

“Where are you from?”

“North of England.”

“More specific?”

“Manchester. You?”

“Tennessee.”

“Explains the accent.”

-

Day 15: 0930

“Why the Navy?”

“It was either that or the Marines… and didn't get accepted into the Marines.”

“Why not?”

“My father was one. Pulled strings.”

“Trying to protect you?”

“Probably. Either way, I've been swimming since I was a girl. Navy made sense too.”

“I see.”

“Why the Army?”

“It was either that or construction.”

“Ah… not a lot of prospects.”

-

Day 17: 0045

“Why the mask?”

“Same as you. Bad job, bad people. Don't want to bare it out.”

“Yeah, but a skull? A real one at that?”

“You know it's real?”

“Of course I do.”

“Memory of a past life.”

“I see. Well, it looks terrifying.”

“Thank you. ‘s what I was going for.”

-

Day 19: 0350

“What's the worse scar I've got? I don't know. Have ‘em all over.”

“Gotta have a particularly nasty one, c'mon.”

“On my ribs, then. Big ugly fucker.”

“That's what I'm talking about. I’ve got a bad scar across the face. But my legs are worse.”

“Your legs?”

“Took a napalm bath.”

“Fuckin’ hell. And I thought mine were bad.”

“Yours?”

“Hung from a meat hook by the ribs.”

“Ouch. Are your organs okay?”

“They are now. Are your legs okay?”

“They are now.”

-

It was on Day 23, that stuff picked up the pace. The target was suddenly on the move and Ghost's voice rang out through the PTT to wake Whiskey up.

They contacted Watcher, packed up their nests and took off on foot to the helo to trail the HVT and intercept him.

Then, they split ways. Ghost reconvened with TF141 for the next part of the mission, and Whiskey took off to Algeria for her next assignment.

They parted ways with a look, the first of many to come, and a light fist bump.

[blondeaxolotl]

I too always love imagining Sebastian with kitty traits (even while still believe he's more a crow/raven demon), and I'm so glad we all agree he loves nuzzling and purring and it's like a universal Sebastian Headcanon. I could see he especially does this for Othello and/or Grelle when these poor reapers with obvious traumatic backstories have a hard night of sleepin and need the comfort a therapy cat demon bf can provide 👍🖤💚❤️

I like to think Sebastian adopted these traits from cats because he loves them so much he starts acting like that, he just manifests to cat Also the hard night of sleeping (you're going to love my next post btw) It's funny cause I headcanon Othello to experience constant sleep paralysis whenever they sleep alone, hence why they avoid sleeping but what makes it better is that the sleep paralysis doesn't happen when they're sleeping with someone. While Grell on the other hand can sleep alone majority of the time, but prefers sleeping with someone cause it's more comforting. Usually Grell and Othello would sleep together cause of this as well. Meaning Sebastian would actually count as a therapy cat/demon cause he'd genuinely help Othello and Grell sleep better

[x-heesy]

I hope that guyz cum 2 Vienna ASAP

In doubt grunt it out

With the shootout between alleged bank robbers and sheriff's deputies

Suspects opening fire in a suburban neighborhood after a wild chase

Here's ABC's Trevor Ault

Tonight the terrifying dash-cam footage of a dangerous shoot out

A trio of suspected bank robbers

In the midst of a half hour police chase

Hitting a dead end and starting a gun battle

Two suspects firing more than a dozen rounds

Before the deputy calls for backup

(Shots fired, shots fired)

I've been outta body

Ingest a couple toxins, got me feelin' kinda sloppy

Anything to keep my demons constantly from talkin'

I been smoking hella, hope the Reaper got me watchin'

Imma reap my liver, gonna do the body damage

Had a couple habits like a manic

Fuckin' way too little time 'til left upon to panic

Ready to bag the man that got me feelin' like a phantom

I do not fuck with these demons

They drainin' my energy

You just wan' eat off my plate

Poppin' mushrooms while I skate

I took like 200 gram

You was just sleepin', a heavy sedate

I been castin' magic

Made you catch the plague and put the body in the casket

Feelin' like the master, put the hex up on the bastard

Runnin' around, I'm dancin' on the ashes 'til it's blastin'

I've been outta body

Ingest a couple toxins got me feelin' kinda sloppy

Anything to keep my demons constantly from talkin'

I've been outta body

Ingest a couple toxins got me feelin kinda sloppy

Anythin to keep my demons constantly from talkin'

I've been outta body

Ingest a couple toxins got me feelin' kinda sloppy

Anything to keep my demons constantly from talkin

I been smoking hella, hope the reaper got me watchin'

I've been outta body

Ingest a couple toxins got me feelin kinda sloppy

Anything to keep my demons constantly from talkin'

I been smoking hella, hope the reaper got me watchin'

A second deputy returning fire

Hitting that suspect in the thigh and calf as he leaves

Rampage

Shooting, robbing, just doin' whatever

Mania Likely by Warlord Colossus

[tmuse-ac]

Drawtober, Day 2, Bones

wow, skeletons on bone days. woah, how creative. I don't care, they childhood. classic is just sleepin, he doesn't wanna see them

blue- the undertale community

red- the undertale community

outer- 2mi127 (i think)

error, fresh, geno- @/loverofpiggies

ink- @/comyet

nightmare and dream- @/jokublog

killer- rahafwabas (i believe)

cross- @/jakei95

reaper- ren (do they have a blog anymore?)

[swaps55]

I feel like I know the gang so well, they're family. I found myself chuckling and answering most of those questions for myself. But surprise surprise, I'd love to hear your music picks (number 9 on the OC meme) for Aslany and Pendergrass.

Also, um, number 1 if you're feeling generous.

Thank you!!!!

Edgy OC Ask Meme

9. Do you have a specific lyric or quote which you associate with your OC

Kara Pendergrass: Ha, this actually isn’t an easy answer because her vibe is so different from the other characters that I don’t often listen to music that evokes her specifically. She is a determined ray of sunshine, not out of any driving act to put kindness in the world, but as a defense mechanism. If you don’t take anything too seriously or hold it too close, no one can hurt you with it. Because she serves as my earthborn “Shepard,” so-to-speak, she’s also someone who learned very young that you might not get a tomorrow, so get your kicks today. And that’s why I like this one: 

Hey child, hey child We were born wild Let your neon lights Keep shinin' bright

(Though I thought really hard about “Boom,” by the same artist, for obvious reasons XD)

Muriel Aslany: I have a similar problem with Aslany, because she just doesn’t quite lend herself to my usual writing aesthetic of “sad dude playing a guitar,” but I heard BURNS' cover of ‘Ho Hey’ while I was working on the latter part of Fugue, and then promptly went off and wrote the scene where Aslany will finally see Sam again after the reaper war. I love this song for her, because the cover is infused with so much wistfulness and longing, and as hard as she is on the outside, that’s the inner Aslany. Someone who desperately wants to belong, but doesn't know how.

I been tryin' to do it right I been livin' a lonely life I been sleepin' here instead I been sleepin' in my bed, sleepin' in my bed So show me family All the blood that I will bleed I don't know where I belong I don't know where I went wrong But I can write a song

The Lumineers version of the song has always felt like a ‘Yang song in general to me because of the lines, “So show me family, all the blood that I will bleed.” That whole bunch is a group of misfits who needed family. They found it in one another, and it’s worth bleeding for.  

1. What memory would your OC rather just forget?

This is a tough question for both of them, because I’ve almost purposefully let their past histories stay a little murky. Both of them have childhoods they try not to think about. I have a lot of daydreams about Sam, Kaidan, Aslany, and Pendergrass hanging out at the orchard doing dumb shit like climbing trees and having chicken fights in the lake after the war, because they all had interrupted childhoods and I like the idea of them having the chance to reclaim them – together.  

[green-x-reaper]

she is sleepin in the next, claw extended out, just shy of the sweet treats...you win this round dead.

She knew she would. Now for showing that she can be calm around her, the creature herself has earned three jolly ranchers. She could earn five more if she was calm enough to let the reaper give her a few head pats.

[catie-does-things]

Today’s “Spooky as Folk” song is “Sleepin’ With The Reaper” by The Grascals.

[enigmasong]

Zoro seeing the grim reaper in today's chapter just makes me think of that one quote said in response to the death of Teddy Roosevelt:

"Death had to take him in his sleep because, if he was awake, there would've been a fight.'

Because Zoro is absolutely that type and he sure as heck ain't sleepin' right now.

---

I think the other likelihood is that his death will set up for Brook to awaken his devil fruit power. It seems reasonable to assume his awakened power would be bringing others back to life.

[undyingembers]

OC TAG: SONG CHALLENGE

Got tagged by @dragonologist-phd. Thanks!

step 1 -> create your oc (or ocs) in this picrew

step 2 -> list 5 songs that inspired (or captured the feel of) your OC. if you choose multiple, feel free to pick your favorite or do songs for all of them! (and feel free to list fewer or more songs if you want)

Katala

Sunshine - Matisyahu

Keep on moving to the first rays of dawn Keeping it on 'til the day stays strong Runnin 'til the night time blazes on All along I keep singing my song I said, this phase is always Sometimes I get so crazed But just know that I'll always stay 'Cause you're my light through the haze It's time for a champion Soothe the soul of the land Mend the heart from the sea and the sand 'Til the sun comes up again

I Am The Fire - Halestorm

I am the fire I am burning brighter Roaring like a storm And I am the one I've been waiting for Screaming like a siren Alive and burning brighter I am the fire 

I’m Still Here - Treasure Planet

They can’t tell me who to be, ‘Cause I’m not what they see. Yeah, the world is still sleepin’, While I keep on dreamin’ for me. And their words are just whispers And lies that I’ll never believe.

Amali

Swanheart - Nightwish

All those beautiful people I want to have them all All those porcelain models If only I could make them fall

The Bitter Suite IV And V: The Congregation And The Sermon In The Silt - Dear Hunter

They come in crowds to hear him speak And he will greet them in a Smile that sticks like Vaseline So do your best to keep your distance, in this instance You're a stranger in the weeds Some things are better left unseen

Don’t Fear the Reaper - HIM cover

Seasons don't fear the Reaper Nor do the wind, the sun or the rain And we can be like they are Come on, baby Don't fear the Reaper Baby, take my hand Don't fear the Reaper We'll be able to fly Don't fear the Reaper Baby, I'm your man

[forevertruetattoo]

Reapin not sleepin! 💀 Reaper for Leah today tattooed by Richie Clarke. Thanks Leah! (at Forever True Tattoo) https://www.instagram.com/p/CVyCzjyrxKi/?utm_medium=tumblr

[sapphicomenn]

WELCOME TO MY THOUGHTS WHILE REWATCHING THE MCU IN TIMELINE ORDER: THE AVENGERS

“the tesseract has awakened” oh you mean the glowy cube from captain america AND captain marvel? THAT glowly cube?? cool looking stairs- ew who tf are you? the grim reaper??

what the fuck is a chitauri and why does it sound like sea food. “a world will be his. the universe, yours.” STOP BLAMING THE PRONOUN GAME AND GIVE ME NAMES FFS

ooo shield base. “not a drill.” oh shits going down- COULSON. FUURRRYYY FUCK YEAH. the best marvel characters are here the movie has peaked- oldman from thor is here?? intoresting. and who the hell is this woman tryna question fury??

the glowy cube is a shE???????? HUH??????? oh hey its hawkeye the badass archer guy. oh shit things are going down. the cube is sparking and swirling??- IT OPENED A PORTAL

LOKKIII YOU BEAUTIFUL BASTARD WELCOME BACK. HE HAS A SHOOTY MAGIC SPEAR LIKE A BADASS. he just took out a bunch or shield with a shooty spe- OHMYGODS HE CAN CONTROL MINDS WITH IT.

“loki. brother of thor.” OLDMAN STFU

GUNS GO PEW PEW ALONG SIDE A GOOD OLD CAR CHASE SKSHSKKSHS. RUN FURY RUNNN. the portal imploded on itself like a moron hA

WHO TF NAMES THEIR CHILD “HILL” WTF. “we are at war.” NO SHIT SHERLOCK A NORSE GOD STOLE THE CUBE YOU WERE SUPPOST TO PROTECT

tis a train and a old building- NATASHA. how tf were you taken hostage? im so glad i have subtitles on otherwise i wouldnt understand a thing these ppl are saying. HOW TF IS SHE KICKING ASS WHILE TIED TO A CHAIR WHAT IN THE HELL-

oh his leg deff broke once he fell off the ledge tied to a chain. cut to a lil gorl running to find a doctor- who tf this is of course. THIS GUY IS BANNER??? i mean im glad they changed the actor but wtf. “theres no one that knows gamma radiation like you do.” YA DONT SAY, ROMANOFF. “STOP LYING TO ME” JESUS FUCK THAT MADE ME JUMP

oh damn shield has their own O5 council? cool. EXPLAIN WHAT PHASE2 IS ALREADY. also dont say thor is bad he is a giant puppy dog with a war-boner.

oh hi steve, working off that PTSD by beating the shit out of a punching bag ay? oh right steve knows the glowy cube. “at this point i doubt anything would surprise me.” “ten bucks says you’re wrong” welp ya owe him ten bucks steve

“is there anything you can tell us about the tesseract to help us now?” “you should’ve left it in the ocean.” WELL THAT HELPS ALOT DOESNT IT. hello there iron man, at the bottom of the ocean.? sure why the hell not

aye stark tower’s about to have clean energy, yay stark! “stark tower, is your baby.” how do you give birth to a tower.???????? KSHSJSHSKSJS COULSON BROKE INTO THE TOWER “is first name is agent.” TONY SKSHKSSHKSVSKSHSKS

*whisper whisper whisper* yeah she bribed tony with sex so he’d work on the avengers and stuff. “the guys like a stephen hawking.” “. . .” “hes like a smart person”

awh coulson is fangirling over steve- watched you while you were sleepin- man you’re awkward. you adorable dumbass. ohshit underground musky lab- OLDMAN AND LOKI

the world is breaking around loki. sea food army is restless- shut the fuck up you stupid looking eye wrapped bastard. WHO THE HELL IS THIS HE?????? welcome back to earth you smexy man

FLOATING WATER BASE

back to avenger tingz. man coulson is the biggest cap fan- oh its a giant sub- NO ITS A GIANT FLYING BASE HOLYSHIT SHIELD THATS AMAZING.

now we go into the meetings and talking related stuff :I yey. “lets vanish” wdym- IT HAD A CLOAKING DEVICE. HA STEVE JUST GAVE THE TEN HE OWED SKSHSKHSKSJS

i dont understand a word of all the science stuff they just said but yay. “i need a distraction. and an eyeball” barton what the fuck why do you need an eye.?

oh lokis in germany, at a very fancy party might i add. loki is best boy ever. even if he just bonked a the head/ OHMYGOD AND STOLE HIS FUCKING EYE JESUS CHRIST INFRONT OF ALL THOSE PEOPLE.??????

“i said. KNEEEEL” dont need to tell me twice-

blagh villain speeches are the worst. why tf did this old guy stand up “not to men like you.” shut up. SHOOT HIM- wtf. steve what the hell are you wearing? what the fuck is that- aye tonnnyyy!!!! he hacked into the jet thingy and started playing music from the speaker thats the best.

CAPSICLE SKSHSKSHKSHSKSJ- ohfuck thunder. THOR WELCOME TO THE PARTY. “im not overly fond of what follows” WKVSKSBSKSHSJS

HE JUST BROKE INTO THE JET AND STOLE LOKI FROM EM. “theres only one god ma’am. and im sure he doesnt dress like that.” cap stfu

“i thought you were dead.” “did you mourn.” damn loki thats harsh. thor is angy at his brother. “you listen well brot-ARGH” “..im listening?” STARK YOU CHOSE THAT MOMENT TO BODY SLAM THOR OFF THAT CLIFF AND LEAVE LOKI BEHIND? REALLY?

“.. tourist.” FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT KICK HIS ASS, THOR. DONT KILL HIM WITH LIGHTNING THO

if someone throwed me against a tree i wouldnt be walking. im just saying

“THATS ENOUGH.” cap did you think that would work?? and how the hell did your dinner plate stop the power of thor

loki do be in jail tho. how’s this gonna go wrong- oh he smiled at banner. THATS how it goes wrong

tell him off fury! “you have made me very disapoin-“ OH NVM HE SAYS DESPERATE IGNORE THIS

“uNlimiteD pOoWeRRRRR”

“let me know if real power wants a magazine or something.” good comeback fury. i think

“loki is beyond reason, but he is of asgard. and he is my brother” “he killed 80 people in two days.” “he’s adopted.” KSBSKSJSJSJSK

“that man is playing galaga. he thought we wouldnt notice, but we did.” TONYKANSKSHKSJSKSJ tony is a fucking legend. “finally someone who speaks english!” “is that what just happened?” steve stfu you’re a fighty man not a smart man

“i do! . . . i understood that reference.” steve nvm keep talking please. PLEASE THE MAN IS STILL PLAYING GALAGA SOSJSKSJSJKS

why is tony eating blueberrys- where the hell did he get blueberrys. “we have orders. we should start following them.” steve you tried to get into the army under fake locations for months AND broke into a german base when you were a showpony. stfu about following rules

“so you’re saying the hulk.. the other guy? saved me” yes. yes we are saying that, banner. aye steve go break into shit like you’re suppost to :D

oh hi again oldman, welcome back. yay shield saved padme, and awh oldman talked about thor alot. thor i love you alot. loki just tell nat where tf you left barton :/ oh barton was sent to KILL nat?? not hire her?? well that went downhill. whomst the hell is dreykov- sao paulo- the hospital fire???? hawkeye wtf why’d you spill it all to loki.

mewley quim wtf kind of insult is that- oh damn nat figured out the hulk is lokis next plan of attack. PHASE TWO IS TO USE THE GLOWY CUBE TO MAKE FUCKING WEAPONS? SHIELD WHAT THE HELL

HA FURY TRIED TO LIE IS WAY OUTTA IT BUT BC STARK HACKED INTO IT ALL HE JUST EXPOSED HIMSKHSKSJSKS

WAIT THEY WERE MADE FOR THOR AND ASGARDIANS? WHAT THE FUCK SHIELD- oh damn lokis staff is the reason they’re all at eachother. probably

“yeah. big man in a suit of armor. take that off what are you?.” “genius, billionaire, playboy, philanthropist.” well you’re not wrong

guys stop fighting, HAWKEYE IS BREAKING IN. “in case you needed to kill me. but you cant. i know, i tried.” awh thats sad, i wanna hug banner so bad :(

OHSHIT AN ENTIRE WING GOT BLOWN UP THE FLYING BASE IS GOING DOWN- HULKS COMING OUT THATS NOT GOOD. the transforming is scary- RUN NAT

loki stop smiling because the plan is going your way. “it seems to run on some form of electricity.” “well you’re not wrong” tony stop being funny this isnt fair

HULK JUMPSCARE JESUS CHRIST- NAT GOT BITCHSLAPPED THROUGH A WALL- YAY THOR TO SAVE THE DAY. HAMMER TIME BABYY

*B O N K*

hulk trying to pick the hammer up is funny. BRIDGE IS UNDER ATTACK. DO YOU THINK SHOOTING HULK IS A GOOD IDEA??? HE JUST TOOK OUT FIGHTER JET AND ALMOST KILLED THE GUY FLYING IT

CAP IS KICKING ASS- OH GOD NO THE ENGINES ARE FAILING. OHGOD LOKI IS OUT- THOR YOU DUMBFUCK DID YOU FORGET LOKI CAN DO MAGIC SHIT? NOW YOU’RE STUCK IN THE GLASS CONTAINER

COULSON SAVE THOR! SHOOT LOKI DAMNIT- COULSON NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

glass cage go brrrrr

HA LOKI GOT FUCKIN SHOT BY COULSON BEFORE HE DIES( :( ) tony almost got minced by the engine thingys

im gonna cry coulson how dare your death make me sad :(( stupid heart breaking aftermath moments.

thor is stuck in a field, banner fell through the roof of a building. awh the security guard is so nice :) barton is a fucking mess right now “how’d you get him out?” “i hit you on the head really hard.” KSJSKKSSK

tony figured out lokis plan- ITS TAKING PLACE AT HIS TOWER? THE AVENGERS IS TAKING ACTION BABY LETS GOOOO

wait a fucking moment, the cards coulson has are covered in blood. so you’d think they were on him when he was stabbed- yet hill just said they were in his locker “they needed the push.” FURY YOU RUINED NEAR MINT VINTAGE COLLECTABLE CARDS TO MOTIVATE SUPER FREAKS???

o hi loki welcome to stark tower

“stalling wont change-“ “no no, threatening. no drink? ya sure? im having one.”

“i have an army.” “we have a hulk.” HE SAID IT, HE SAID THE LINE

HA LOKI CANT TAKE STARKS MIND BC HIS HEART IS SOME TECHY METAL CRAPKSJSKSJSKS- i guess choking and tossing him around works. so does throwing hik out a window

oh no the glowy cube just opened a portal for the army of seafood. they look like creatures from halo.

BROTHER FIGHT

CHAOS EVERYWHERE

PLANE DOWN PLANE DOWN

what the fuck just growled- HOLYSHIT THEY HAVE A SPACE LEVIATHAN. it looks badass ngl. loki redemption arc? nope he just stabbed thor.

SPACE BIKE GO BRRRRR

yes because arrows and guns will stop the, alien monsters with lazer arms. some how its working. “just like budapest all over again.” “you and i remember budapest very differently.” WTF HAPPENED AT BUDAPEST BARTON AND NAt, HUH?

cap just scared the shit outta some police men HAHA

“i have unfinished business with loki.” “yeah? get in line” barton is snarky right now. banner just rides up on a motercycle like “hi what i’d miss”

“im bringing the party to you.” stark says while being chased by a giant metal space whale who’s crashing and crushing everything in its path along a street

“thats my secret cap. im always angry.” FUCK YEAH BANNER MESS THAT SPACE WHALE UP. HE JUST PUNCHED A GIANT FUCKING WHALE THING.

the music, the avengers circling around. its amazing. well things are gonna get worse bc more space whales showed up

“and hulk. . . smash.”

LIGHT THEM FUCKERS UP, THOR. shield maybe instead of watching, maybe, oh i dont know. HELP THEM???

i dont know what else to say other then its alot of fighting and smashing alien faces into the ground

hulk and thor kicking ass on the back of a space whale is awesome. HULK WHY DID YOU PUNCH HIMSJSOSHSKJSKSJSKSKSKSK

i fuxking love when steve turtle shells behind his shield.

“director fury. the council has made a decision.” “i recognize the council has made a decision. but given its a stupid-ass decision, i have elected to ignore it.” fury never stop being awesome

loki thought he was so smug when he caught bartons arrow, then it blew up in his face. literally IKSKSKSKSKS

HULK FUCK LOKI UP! JSHSKSGKSHSJSHSJSJ HE JUST TOSSED LOKI AROUND LIKE A RAGDOLL “puny god.” “*pained wheezing from a smooshed loki*”

oh damn- OH DAMN, STARK. he just jonahed the fucking whale thing and blew it up from the inside. well now the city has a nuke coming for it :/

yall have a chance to shut the portal down, and tony, you want to go INTO that portal and throw the nuke in? wtf stark.

TONY GO BACK TO EARTH DAMNIT FUCKING BASTARD PASSED OUT. yay hulk saved his stupid ass. do cpr.? mayb.? or a hulk roar will wake him up KEJSKJSKSSKJS

tony. you just blew up a alien command center with a nuke, passed out and fell to earth through a portal. and you want, shawarma?

and now back to loki. “if its all the same to you, i’d like that drink now.” ISHSKSJSJSJSKSJSJ

STAN LEEE

the people love em. yey

council lady stfu about the avengers being a threat. they just said the earth and you’re worried about them going rouge??

“if we get into a situation like this again, what happens then?” “they’ll come back.” i mean theres three more avenger movies so i assume so. remodaling stark towers so its the avenger tower? neat!

NEXT MOVIE: IRON MAN 3

*MID CREDIT SCENE* oh hi again mr no eyes. do we get to see this HE? OH WE DO. o hi mr 10 chins

once again ignore the misspells it was three AM when i finally finished this and im just now rereading it

[hellsfanatic]

TW: talks of fights, blood, non-graphic fighting, alcohol

—

“Hey Dal!” Johnny called for me as I walked out of Buck’s. I turned back. His face was bloody and bruised and he had a real bad limp to his walk. My heart dropped, I hadn’t ever seen Johnny this hurt, not even from his old man.

I walked to Johnny so he didn’t have to struggle anymore. “Hey, kid, what happened to ya, man?” I asked, looking at the blood dripping from the cut on his cheek. Gosh, whoever did this was in for a h*ll of a ride when I found them. Maybe they’d end up dead, but I wanted them to suffer more than they made Johnny.

“I don’t know, man,” he murmured. He brought his arm to his cheek, wiping the blood off. I swear I thought he’d faint any second after that. He really did have a nasty cut, real deep into his face, too. “I just,” he paused for a moment, “some d*mned Socs saw me, I think they were dr*nk. They sure acted it if they were. I tried yellin’ for y’all but I guess they shut me up pretty quick huh,” he spoke, almost like he could feel each hit he was remembering again. Maybe he could, because he winced in pain every now and again.

Slinging my arm around his shoulders to keep him up, I said, “C’mon John, let’s get you to my room, we can use one of Tim’s old shirts to clean up that cut. Got any others?” He didn’t say anything, just nodded. Of course there were more, of course. Boy, those Socs sure were building a reputation for themselves, they’d be dead before they knew it. Man, they might as well be dead now, it’d be better for them.

We got to my room, and honestly it was pretty hard. Johnny’s limp didn’t get any better, and gosh, those stairs were anything but fun to help him up. “Kay John, where’s the rest of ‘em?” I asked, pressing a cloth with some alc*hol on it to the cut of his cheek. He flinched, but let me keep going. I know that stuff burns, but I had to do it. Keeping his silence, he pulled off his jacket. His shirt was covered in crimson red blood around a slice in it. It reached from his lower rib to his waist, but it wasn’t too deep.

“The other’s on my leg,” Johnny mumbled.

“I’ll get that one in a second, man. I gotta fix this one up first. Stay right here, ya hear?” I cocked an eyebrow. He nodded. “Good. I’m gonna go ask Buck somethin’. Hold that cloth right there, got it?” I moved my hand from the cloth I was pressing on his cut so he could get a grip on it. “Don’t you go takin’ that thing off. I don’t wanna clean up more blood than I gotta. Keep pushin’ down too.”

Johnny was holding it to the cut like I said, so I left. Everyone downstairs was real loud, especially compared to Johnny. Buck wasn’t dealing with anyone just then, so I pulled him to another room. It was still loud, but this was the best we were going to get. Closets aren’t usually used for partying anyways.

“Whatcha need Dally?” he almost had to shout. At a party this wild, he knew something had to be wrong since I wasn’t out talking to one of the pretty girls at the bar or drinking. Well, I probably wouldn’t have pulled him into a closet if I didn’t need something either.

I looked around the closet, trying to see what he had. “You got any of those bandages, man? I was gonna use a cut up shirt, but I don’t know if that’ll work for this one. It’s uh, it’s a pretty gnarly cut. Right down the side, man. Like that one kid the town over. Rusty? Rusty-James, I think. His was deeper, though. No bones showin’ on this kid, thank God.”

“Bad cut huh? That why you was bringin’ that kid up there? Yeah, man, he looked pretty beat up,” he said, starting to walk out. “Might got some upstairs. I don’t know how much yesterday’s brawl took. They were both pretty messed up. Man, you shoulda seen it. ‘Betcha could’ve won if you were there. They were pretty big guys, though,” he continued, heading up the stairs with me.

We looked over what he had and grabbed the bandages. “I’ll put ‘em back when I get what I need,” I told him, already making my way out the door. I had left Johnny alone longer than I wanted to already, I couldn’t keep using my time like this.

I got back to my room, seeing Johnny resting his head on the wall. Man, he looked like he could see the d*mn Grim Reaper standing in the corner, waiting for the exact moment he was gone. “Hey, John, take that rag off the cut will ya? I got some bandages so you don’t gotta hold that thing there the whole night,” I told him, unraveling the roll. He listened real well, not like it was much to do, but he sure did it. Getting him wrapped up was pretty easy, probably because he didn’t make a huge fuss like a little kid. There were a few hisses of pain when I pulled them too tight, but he tried to keep them back.

“Man, you almost done?” he asked, sounding tired.

“Yeah, Johnny, almost.” I wrapped the bandages around him a couple more times, then backed away. “There. Now don’t go messin’ that up, ya hear?” He just nodded. Not like Johnny would purposely mess it up. I cleaned up the rest of his cuts, which wasn’t that hard. It was pretty bloody, though. That one on his cheek would scar, I knew it. Kind of made him look like a pal I had back in New York, that guy would get in fights even if he knew he’d lose. He just wanted the thrill. Man, he was fun.

Johnny seemed just about ready to fall asleep. If he had the chance I’m sure he would. His eyelids were tugging themselves down and he was leaning his whole body on the wall. I’ll bet limping all the way to Buck’s didn’t exactly boost his energy. I tried to get his attention after a minute or two, but he didn’t even look at me. He must’ve fallen asleep. He was already on the bed, I just laid him down. I wasn’t too thrilled about the blood from his shirt getting on the mattress, but what was I going to do? Put him on the floor? No way.

There wasn’t much to do, so I left. Johnny could stay put until I came back, anyways. He told me a couple things about those Socs, like the car they were in and that one of them had some rings. D*mn, he wouldn’t shut up about those rings. They were the things that cut his cheek. The guy punched him across the face. For rings, they went deep.

The air was cold, it matched the silence of town. There were a couple people, but they weren’t being loud. It was late, too, so most things were closed. That’s probably why it was like that. The corner store’s light was on, brightening up the sidewalk and street. I went in, just to look around. I couldn’t afford jail time when I had to find those guys who got Johnny. I’d go to jail for k*lling them, sure, but not some stupid shoplifting now.

The car.

That was their car. Johnny said it was a blue Mustang. This was a blue Mustang. Those aren’t just everywhere around here. I pushed past the couple looking at magazines together and went straight out the door. I was following that car. I wasn’t stopping until they did and I’d get them. I’d get them real good.

It slowed down after not too long in some alleyway. They must’ve seen me or heard my shouting. Three guys got out. The guy from the driver’s side, some preppy guy, had big rings on his left hand. Rings that could definitely cut up someone’s cheek. He took a drink from his flask, tossing it in the car and slamming the door. A dopey grin grew on his lips. Man, I’d knock that right off. It’d be the first thing I’d do.

“Lookie here, boys, we got that kid’s guard dog. Someone’s mad his little friend got beat up,” the first Soc sneered. The other two snickered. “I think Winston here’s lookin’ to match his pal, ain’t he boys?” he said as the three of them took a few steps forward.

That’s all I remember from them. I could maybe recall a couple blurred moments of fighting and them driving off, but I could never give details about it. I guess I had a busted lip and some bloody knuckles to show for it, though. I got away better than the Socs did, they could barely get themselves back in the car. That could’ve been the alc*hol too, though.

I was making my way to Buck’s, which definitely felt longer than normal, probably since I was pretty hurt. I can’t imagine what it was like for Johnny, he was banged up even worse than me. I wonder how long it took him to get to Buck’s. I doubt he’d know the answer if I asked him. He was probably just focused on finding one of us and trying to stop his bleeding.

The noise only got louder as I opened the door, leaving a pounding sensation in my head. It eased as I made my way upstairs, opening the door to the room I was staying in. Johnny was still out, good. He seemed like he could sleep for a good while if I let him. I closed the door, making sure not to let it slam. Doors slamming always scared Johnny.

His bleeding had stopped, but I had a couple cuts I wanted to take care of. For a three on one fight, I’m surprised I only got a few. These might not even scar too bad. Grabbing a new cloth and wiping off the blood that ran from my forehead to my cheek, I looked in the mirror. Man, I did not look too great. My face was pale, my eyes seemed tired, and my hair was in a jumbled mess of blond. One look at me and you’d think I either just got out of a fight or rose from the grave. I mean, I had enough blood on me to match one of those over-exaggerated zombies from a movie.

I heard the sheets move, so I looked back. Johnny was up. “Hey kid, you oughta go back to sleep, I bet you need it,” I told him. He yawned quietly, stopping halfway through and holding his stomach. His eyes squeezed shut for a moment, opening slowly as he pushed himself to sit up straight.

“Nah man, I ain’t gonna be able to sleep much anyways. Dal, you try sleepin’ with a split down the middle of ya,” Johnny groaned. Now that I think of that, it probably hurt real bad even just laying down. He looked at me, freezing up almost immediately. “Gee Dally, what happened to you? I don’t remember hearing a bar brawl downstairs.”

I let out a small laugh. “C’mon John, don’t worry about it. Don’t go worryin’ ‘bout them Socs neither. They ain’t gonna hurt you,” I said, running my fingers through my hair. Strands of hair wrapped around my fingers, some darkened by blood, that were getting pulled out of my scalp.

“Well why wou-” he cut himself off, realization settling on his face. “Dallas tell me you didn’t. Tell me you didn’t go after him man, please,” he said, seeming at least a little worried. “Man they’ll kill you I swear it. Dal they ain’t gonna give up, tell me you didn’t do it.”

I tugged my shirt down at the collar, showing some of the cuts they tried to land on my neck. “Johnny I ain’t gonna lie to ya, I did it.” His expression fell.

“Dally,” he sounded a little annoyed as he tried to get up. He let out a groan of pain, but pushed through and stood. “Dally, that’s probably the dumbest thing you’ve ever done. You do a lot of stupid things Dallas. Think about this. Just for a second, man. Think about it. They’ll– They’ll get a bunch of guys and they’ll hunt you down Dal! They’ll get away with it too! I don’t want ‘em cuttin’ you up like they did me, you savvy?”

I tried to get him to sit back down. “I’ll be fine, kid,” I mumbled, putting my hand on his arm and gently pulling him down. He tried to keep himself up, but gave in after only a few seconds.

“Yeah I know,” he murmured, leaning his back against the wall. “I just, you go gettin’ roughed up like this so much, one of these times you’re gonna get killed Dally. You are.” He seemed genuinely worried, like he actually thought I’d get myself killed. No way, no day. He probably just wasn’t thinking about all the fights I had won. I had a reputation for winning, so if I lost, it wouldn’t be to the extent of death. I guess I couldn’t prove it to him until I died for real, and I still had a good twenty or thirty years before that happened. Yeah, twenty or thirty years.