#they’re like lil opossums

[kismetmoon]

been having fun with looser drawings and making up concepts for how they would use prehensile tails

[ID: three digital drawings of two original, stylised Flatland characters named Atlas and Stella on a grey background.

Atlas is a light grey isosceles triangle with dark grey limbs, a tail with a V-shaped tip, a black eyebrow, one eye with a grey star-shaped pupil, scars on his side and across his eye, and chips in his top and bottom right corner.

Stella is a small humanoid creature who has an eye for a head with four top eyelashes and a blunt point on top, black limbs, a black tail with a fluffy tip and grey skin.

In the leftmost drawing, Atlas is standing and looking to the left with a neutral expression. He is holding Stella using his tail and she is smiling at him and laughing.

In the top drawing, Atlas and Stella are dangling upside-down by their tails from a horizontal pole. Atlas is asleep and Stella is looking at him while her limbs hang down. There is writing by Atlas that says “other limbs tucked in” and by Stella that says “not sure how to do it yet” with an arrow pointing to her.

In the rightmost drawing, Stella is wearing a nightgown and posed as though creeping sneakily. She is shown from the side, facing forward, and smiling mischievously while looking behind. There is writing above her that says “creature…”.

End ID].

[angelwings-crossbowstrings]

But Put Together, the Cracks We’ll Close In

Pairing: Daryl Dixon x Fem!Reader

Setting: Early Alexandria

Warnings: Typical TWD violence and gore; mentions of past child abuse; mentions of suggested abortion; blood and injury

Summary: Fresh into Alexandria, Daryl meets his match in a two year little girl and slowly loses his heart to her mother. You.

A/N: Based on the request/headcanon from @louifaith Just a couple of things. The child is described as in hair and eye color. Nothing is mentioned of reader so these traits could come from her father. There is also the mention of an “Eskimo kiss.” I grew up hearing and using that term but I’m not sure if it is offensive or PC nowadays. please feel free to send me a message if I need to change it. It is not my intention to be offensive to anyone! Also, sorry if anyone likes Spencer. He's always my go to asshole. I received my answer on the above questioned term. I will definitely not be using it again! It has been edited out. *gif is not mine

“S’that?”

Daryl felt the opossum sway in his grip, looking down with a scowl firmly plastered at the bright eyes returning his gaze, brimming with curiosity. She was a toddler, maybe two years old? Christ, someone had a toddler in this mess. “Dinner.” He grunted, pulling the dead animal out of her reach. He found out quickly that the curious little creature would not be deterred so easily. Standing on her tip-toes, she made a grab for the marsupial. “Knock it off.” He huffed and took a step back, bumping into Carol.

“Daryl, she’s a child. Don’t be such a grump.”

“Ain’t you got a mama—family to get back to?” He snapped, ignoring his best friend. The little girl’s eyes brightened.

“Mama! Mama!” She clapped. Daryl rolled his eyes at her enthusiasm.

“Yeah, go get ‘er.” There was an intense sigh of relief when the little human went running (waddling?) out of sight. “They got kids here.” 

“Yes, Daryl. That’s what that was.” Carol nudged him playfully. “The people seem to think they’re safe here. It gives me the creeps.” He nodded but didn’t comment. “They obviously don’t know what’s going on out there, not like we do. I think we need to be cautious here. Find a way to fit in but keep our guard up, you know?”

Daryl snorted. “Yeah, good luck with that. Ain’t got no intention of tryin’ to fit in with these folks. Livin’ in a fuckin’ fairytale here. Ain’t gonna last.”

“You’re such a ray of sunshine.” Sasha clapped him on the shoulder as she passed, earning yet another grunt. 

“Mama, here!”

Oh dear god, no. “S’back.” The hunter stated flatly.

“Oh, and she brought a friend.” Sure enough, the little girl was dragging you along, tugging incessantly at your hand as if the child had found the world’s most priceless treasure. “You did tell her to ‘go get her.’”

“Nadia, slow down!”

And slow down, she did. Right in front of a scowl-wearing redneck with a bleeding opossum in his grasp.

“Mama, dinner! Dorl dinner.”

Dorl?!? Daryl looked helplessly over to where Carl was carrying Judith, the little light of his life. Would this be what she was like as she grew up? She already knew him, loved him despite how broken and hopeless he was. She would laugh at him if he was ranting about something and hold out those chubby little hands and he was done for, whatever had irritated him was forgotten.

But this child? This wasn’t his lil’ asskicker. 

Daryl liked kids but he liked them from a distance. He had no business being around them, save for Carl and Judith. I wish I could have known Sophia. He wouldn’t bother getting to know anyone in this place. It’d burn like every other home they had anyway. 

“Dorl, huh?” You smiled.

“Daryl.” He replied flatly, his lip curling.

“I’m Y/N. I assume Aaron found your group?” 

He didn’t answer, too occupied with trying to continuously move away from the small child clumsily reaching for his knife sheath. “Stop that.” He barked, expecting the kid to balk. She did quite the opposite and wrapped her tiny arms around his leg, just below his knee. What the fuck was he supposed to do now? Shake her off? Of course not. She might get hurt. While he really didn’t want to be touched, he couldn’t help but feel like it was somehow his job to make sure this kid wasn’t hurt. “Can ya—would ya—?” Shoulders slumped, he didn’t even gesture. You know what he was asking.

Chuckling, you reached down and gently pried the little girl loose. “Nadia, you’re supposed to ask before hugs, remember?”

“Hug Dorl.” The dark-headed child pouted.

That was his cue to step away, as quickly as possible, without running. He absolutely did not run. 

When you looked up, he was already gone, lost in the middle of his group as they headed in to surrender weapons and be interviewed by Deanna.

Daryl sat on the now red-stained porch, prepping his kill for cooking later. Carol had scolded him and made him promise to use the backyard going forward, but he doubted they would be there long enough for him to need the area. It was just the way the world was. Nice places like this could never last.

“Dorl dinner!” 

Jesus take the wheel. “Ya need a bell.” He grunted, looking around for you. “An’ apparently a leash.” Maybe if he ignored her, she would go find you. But what if she wandered off alone and somehow made it out of the gates? Shit. “Sit down, gremlin.”

She giggled and patted her chunky hands against her chest. “Nada.”

Daryl stopped moving and stared for a moment. Wasn’t that Spanish? Maybe? Wait. You had called her Nadia. Maybe that’s what she was trying to say. “Nadia?” Blue eyes squinted in wait.

Nadia bounced and nodded and then pointed at him. “Dorl! Dorl, Nada!”

He released his knife and leaned his elbow against his knee, the heel of his hand pressing into his forehead. “Dare-ul.” He tried.

“Dooorl.”

“Oh, for fucksake.” The archer gave up, picking up his knife and continuing with his task. Nadia didn’t even seem to notice what he was doing but leaned in closely with the most serious look he’d ever seen. He needed to lean back once she made it much too far into his personal space.

“Fucksy.” She said, maintaining eye contact as if she were challenging him. 

“No! Don’t say that. Can’t be teachin’ ya sh—stuff like that!” He panicked, opossum forgotten. Daryl threw back his head with a groan. “Can’tcha please just go to your mama?”

Nadia’s little face lit up and off she went with a chorus of mama mama mama. Watching her go, Daryl wondered where the little one’s father was, but soon banished the thought. It was none of his business. What was his business was to make sure the annoying curtain-climber made it home safely. Abandoning his dinner—no time to cover it if he was going to catch up—he walked briskly until he caught sight of her. Little legs can fuckin’ move. We’re fucked when Jude learns to walk. 

He stayed close, but far back enough to not catch her attention. She seemed to know exactly where she was going. Rounding the curb to the end of the street, he caught sight of the small house. Quaint compared to the other homes. The front door was open but he dared not go closer. Boots firmly planted on the sidewalk, he observed the struggle of a tiny human tackling front porch steps. Nadia was determined though. Had he chosen to help, he was certain she would give him that serious look again and yell at him in baby-speak.

“Nadia Avery, how do you keep getting out the door!” 

Maybe cause you leave it open? He suppressed the urge to roll his eyes. 

Regardless, there you were, swooping down to gather the bundle into your arms with a couple of sobs and more than a few sniffles. “Baby, you have to stop doing that! You scare mommy.” Nadia was nuzzling your jaw but then suddenly pointed right at him. 

“Dorl got Nada.”

When your eyes found his own, Daryl froze. His arms were out to his sides, his eyes wide. He looked nothing short of a deer caught in the sights of his crossbow when it realized it’s about to be shot. “I—uh, kid found me.” Forcing himself to relax a fraction, he rubbed at the back of his neck. “Didn’t want ‘er wand’rin’ ‘round by herself.” 

Your face softened into a grateful smile. “Thank you for making sure she got home.” He nodded curtly and you turned away, only to turn back in the same motion. “Would you like to come inside? I have some stew that I’m heating. Plenty for the three of us.”

A part of him that he didn’t know existed wanted to immediately accept the offer but the part of him that had kept him alive this long spoke louder. “Nah, got my own dinner I need to take care’a. Thanks, though.”

You nodded, the smile never faltering. “Think of it as a standing invitation. Nadia seems to like you. She’s a good judge of character.”

He snorted. “Alright.”

“Goodnight, Daryl.”

“Night.” He took two steps.

“Nigh’ nigh’, Dorl!” 

He heard the sound of a kiss being blown his way, but didn’t turn around. Maybe if he ignored her, she’d go away.

It had been three days since he had last seen you or Nadia. He found that it unsettled him but not enough to go looking. Aaron had gifted him a work area and parts to build himself a bike. It was the best thing anyone could have offered him at that point. He felt like he still wasn’t fitting in, and while that was the idea at first, now it just felt…lonely. 

Carol was always gone when he got up and not home yet when we retired to bed. Rick and Michonne couldn’t stay out of the bedroom for more than five minutes unless something ‘coppy’ needed to be handled. Carl was always outside with Jude in the nice weather. 

Daryl was alone. Though he usually preferred it that way, he couldn’t seem to shake the negativity it seemed to bring to the surface. 

Spending time around something familiar from the old world came to be a comfort. When the posh little community with its “good morning” while walking the dog and laughter over coffee at the gazebo became too much for Daryl, he disappeared into Aaron’s garage. Aaron and his husband seemed okay in the archer’s book. They never once stared at him like he was going to rob them blind or beat them to a pulp. They showed him kindness even if his only attempts at conversation consisted of nods and grunts. 

“You going to this party tonight?” Aaron asked from the doorway the led into the house from the garage. 

“Nah.” Daryl picked up a wrench and continued his work, not giving the question a proper thought. 

“You really should make an effort to get to know more people here.” 

“They don’t like me. Shouldn’t, really.” The archer shrugged. 

“They just don’t know you. Maybe you should give them a chance.” Aaron kept his persuasion in the doorway. He had gifted Daryl that space and was unwilling to step into it without an invitation he was unlikely to receive without asking. 

“Better they don’t know me.”

There was a sigh that made Daryl curl his lip. “Just think about it, okay?” The shuffle of feet and the door opening signaled the other man’s exit. 

Why should Daryl go? He had little interest in fitting in, even when his own group was making such an effort. Carol and Rick were wary and had whatever it was they had but Carol would tell him if she felt it necessary. Daryl was just plain wary, utterly uninterested. Most of them would likely be dead soon and he didn’t need anyone else to mourn. 

So why he found himself showered and in a fresh set of clothing that was his own form of presentable was absolutely beyond him. It had nothing to do with the fact that on his walk home, he thought maybe you’d be at the party. Nope, nothing like that. 

He had made it at least to the yard outside, watching the festivities through the window. Everyone he knew seemed so at ease in there. Dressed up, laughing and drinking. Mingling like they belonged there. He didn’t belong there. 

“Nah.” He said softly before turning away. He was passing by Aaron’s house when a call of his name from that familiar voice had him stopping with a sigh. “Yeah?”

“You went. Good for you. Did you have a good time?” Aaron asked from the porch. Daryl shrugged. The man’s eyes narrowed and suddenly the archer was nervous, feeling judged. “You didn’t go in, did you?”

Daryl shook his head. “Just ain’t my thing.”

“Hey, you tried.”

“Why didn’t you go?” That wasn’t supposed to sound so accusatory but Daryl was tired and had simply had his fill of the day and that place. 

“Eric’s ankle is still giving him trouble. We just thought it best to skip out on this one.”

This one? Christ. That insinuated there would be more. With an inward groan, he answered outwardly with a grunt. 

“We’ve got dinner ready. More than can feed us. Can we tempt you?” The offer was sincere and Daryl was hungry, but his battery was running on fumes. He glanced toward his own home and then back at Aaron. “Eric makes a mean spaghetti, man. Come on, you’re already out.”

Daryl sighed. “Fine.” He was grateful for the invitation, he just sucked at showing it, as with almost every other emotion. Aaron held open the door and with a nod, the archer entered, still ill at ease being inside someone else’s home when his own still felt less than comfortable. 

“Dorl.”

Before he could prepare himself, Nadia was latching onto his lower legs. Arms out awkwardly, he glared at Aaron. “Didn’t say she was here.”

The man just shrugged a shoulder. “Didn’t say she wasn’t either.”

“Hi, Daryl!” You came around the corner from the dining room, no doubt to gather your spawn but he couldn’t seem to form a thought around the smile you were giving him. 

“Mama! Dorl!”

“I can see that, baby. You think you can let go so that he can walk?” Nadia shook her head with a vicious pout. 

“Dorl up?”

“What?” He looked down at the toddler and back up at you, silently hoping you’d act as translator for the little gremlin. 

“She wants you to pick her up. You don’t—”

For reasons unbeknownst to even him, he bent down and placed his hands beneath Nadia’s arms, lifting her onto his hip. It felt no different than holding Judith. Nadia was heavier of course. 

“Dorl!” Chubby arms wrapped around his neck, her little cheek rubbing against his stubbled one. “Tickle.” She giggled like it was the funniest thing in the world and repeated the action. 

You were still smiling but much more softly. “She really likes you.” Daryl grunted. “You don’t say much, do you?”

“Ain’t gotta lot to say.” He shrugged the shoulder Nadia’s chin was resting on, sending her into another fit of giggles. She pulled back suddenly, very in his space and then pressed her face against his cheek. He flinched but otherwise didn’t move. There was the smallest flutter that tickled his skin before she reared back again, smiling proudly. “What—”

“Butterfly kisses.” You informed, arms crossed but your smile hidden behind your hand. 

“What the fu—heck’s that?” 

“Oh come on, you never gave your mom butterfly kisses?” You chuckled. 

Daryl felt nauseous at the mention of his mother. The only thing he’d shared with her were bruises and a few after-beating hugs. But you didn’t know him. He took the anger and locked it down, but it must have spilled into his expression. 

“I’m sorry.” Your smile was gone, but to his surprise (and relief), there was no pity in your eyes. Only understanding. Still, it wasn’t a subject he cared to let linger. 

He turned his attention to the child, who had developed a sudden interest in the hair over his ears. “Ya ever gave a nose kiss?” He almost laughed out loud when Nadia’s eyes flew wide with wonder. She didn’t confirm or deny but the fact that she hadn’t moved was answer enough. “S’simple.” Daryl brought a hand up to the back of her head and gently urged her forward, rubbing the tip of his nose over hers. “There. Nose kiss.”

She kept those wide eyes as her little mouth began to spread open into one of the biggest smiles he’d ever seen on a kid, granted he hadn’t spent much time around any. 

“Again!” She squealed, grabbing his cheeks and pulling him forward. He expected to have a bloody nose from the force with which she came at him, but her movements became deliberate and gentle, as if getting it right was the most important thing in the world. 

Nadia was incredibly pleased with herself, her little hands patting against Daryl’s chest before she wiggled out her request for freedom and sprinted toward the dining room with this newfound information to share with Eric and Aaron. 

“Careful.” You said, though there was no hint of anything unkind in your tone. When he looked away from the other room, he found your expression to be one he couldn’t seem to identify. It was soft yet guarded. He didn’t move away when you reached a single hand out to adjust his vest. “You’re smiling.” And you walked away, leaving him there to realize that he was indeed wearing a small, lopsided grin. 

He shook it off with a groan, absolutely regretting his decision to come in for dinner. 

“Dorl!” Came the loud shout from the table. “Dorl, sketti!”

This was not going to end well. 

It had been two weeks since the spaghetti dinner, which in fact had ended rather pleasantly. Aside from your giggles when he realized he was eating his meal with the same gusto and manners as the toddler next to him, Aaron had offered him a job that let him go outside the walls. He’d accepted almost immediately. 

Little Nadia had been determined to take him home with them, so he walked you there with her tiny hand in his. Halfway, she had begun to tire and fuss, instinct had kicked in and he scooped her up in the same manner he would Judith. The child was asleep on his shoulder almost instantly. 

He had zero intention of entering your home and was thankful the kid was out cold so that she couldn’t initiate the suggestion. He had passed her off to you and started to leave. 

“Daryl.” You had called quietly. He still wasn’t sure why he had turned back to you so quickly. “That invitation is still open.” You smiled, he grunted. “Thanks for being so sweet with her. Goodnight.”

There had been a heavy feeling in his chest but he had nodded. “G’night.”

Now, you and little Nadia were almost a constant presence when he wasn’t beyond the wall. A presence that he found no longer really irritated him. 

He would sit on the porch with the kid, working on his crossbow while Nadia colored or played with toys. He had to find her some of her own to have there because it seemed she and Judith were at odds about Daryl’s attention. He had made the mistake of lifting lil’ asskicker out of her playpen while Nadia was on his heels and the latter had begun to wail. 

He had quickly passed Jude off to an equally concerned Michonne and scooped up the kid. “S’wrong? Hey.” Little arms wrapped around his neck and, though he didn’t see the angry pout directed at the other baby, Michonne did. He turned at her chuckle, eyes wide and confused. 

Before she could explain, those little arms squeezed harder. “My Dorl.”

From that moment on, he saved time with Judith for emergencies (there were none) and for after Nadia had gone home with you. 

“Don’t touch that, Dia.” Daryl huffed, catching her little hand reaching for the knife he had on the porch table. He had spent the morning skinning a few squirrels for Carol to use in a stew but was at that point, working on the tension on his bow. 

And babysitting. 

You had some inventory to do at the infirmary with Pete. The doctor gave him bad vibes so when you had asked, he’d accepted all too quickly. Even offered to tag along and keep an eye on the kid there. In the end, after you had politely declined, he had reasoned that you were a grown woman and could handle yourself. 

“Babysitting, again, hmm?” 

Daryl glanced up from his crossbow toward Carol on the top step, Nadia already beaming up at her from the hug around her waist. It lasted all of three seconds before the kid was back to her toys beside Daryl’s boot. 

“Mhm.” Was the only answer he offered, one that was mimicked from the little person below him. He didn’t smile but Carol didn’t miss the way his eyes left the weapon to regard Nadia for a moment before returning to the task.

“Where’s Y/N?” She asked, plopping down onto the other chair. She grabbed a toy that had rolled away and handed it back to the child.

“Some inventory shit at the infirmary.” Daryl shrugged, rotating the bow to check his work. Carol made a noise that gave him pause, one he didn’t like. “What?”

“No one’s at the infirmary. I was just there for Mr. Henderson’s blood pressure medication.” 

He could feel his heartrate picking up, a sense of foreboding so strong that he could barely think straight. “Pete weren’t there?”

Carol shook her head. “No one.” She sat up straight when Daryl stood, sheathing his knife and placing his crossbow on the railing. “Daryl?”

“Dia, I’m gonna be right back. You’re gonna stay with Carol for a few minutes. Tell me the rules.” 

Nadia’s wide eyes narrowed into seriousness. “No bow. No move. Be good. No shit.” It took her a moment to babble through the small list but Daryl ruffled her hair with the smallest of half smiles.

“No shit, Daryl?”

He was already stepping off the porch. “Her mama hears ‘er sayin’ that an’ m’a dead man.”

Carol laughed and shook her head, turning her attention to the little human that was already working up to a cry as Daryl walked out of sight. “Do you like cookies, Nadia?”

He checked the infirmary first. He didn’t doubt Carol, but maybe she had missed a room or something. It was, as Carol had said, empty. “Fuck.” The next most logical place would be your home. He ran the entire way. He’d feel like an absolute fool if you were fine, but he’d cross that bridge later. The door was open, he could see that from the moment he rounded the curb. You had a habit of doing that and he hated it, but who was he to tell you what to do?

“Y/N?” He took your steps two at a time and stopped on the threshold. “Y/N? Are ya here?” No answer. He felt like shit the moment his boot touched the floor inside. He’d never taken you up on an invitation for the dinner you continuously offered him, much less any offer to simply come inside. Now here he was tearing room to room, in your safe space. There were covered pots on the stove and the oven was on, but where were you? “Y/N!” He placed a booted foot on the bottom stair before your voice stunned him frozen.

“Daryl?”

He nearly collapsed in relief.

“What’s wrong? Where’s Nadia? Daryl?”

“She’s fine. She’s with Carol.” He rasped, sheathing his knife when he saw you staring at it. Your hair was wet, your clothes damp. You must have been in the shower. “M’sorry. Carol said ya weren’t at the—just got worried. M’sorry.” His eyes had lowered to the stairs below you but then your bare feet were padding down them to stop directly in front of him. “I’ll, uh—lemme go get ‘er.” He had barely moved before your hand was on his shoulder. To his shock, he didn’t flinch; didn’t even have the urge.

“Are you okay?” You asked, ducking your head to seek out his gaze. He continued to expertly dodge.

“M’fine. Just—I’ll go get Dia.” He stepped away and out of the loose grip you had on him, immediately missing the warmth of your hand. What the hell was wrong with him?

“I was making us dinner.” The words rushed out of you, like you were trying to get them out before he could leave. Daryl looked over his shoulder from the doorway, an eyebrow arched. “Us. Me, Nadia, and—well, you.”

“Me? Why?” He hadn’t meant to sound so unkind, ungrateful, but that was just who he was down deep, wasn’t it? Still, you seemed unbothered, your nervousness born of something else entirely.

“Because Nadia likes you. I like you. We’d like to spend time with you that doesn’t involve me asking for favors or the entire community leering and making assumptions.”

He still hadn’t fully turned, but narrowed his eyes. “Think they ain’t gonna make assumptions when ya have me in your house?”

“Fair point.” You nodded, chuckling. “Honestly, I don’t give a fuck what they think but I worry that you do.” Head tilted, Daryl turned but remained in the doorway. “You seem so private, quiet. I don’t want to do anything that makes you uncomfortable.” Your bottom lip disappeared between your teeth for a moment. “So, will you come? Please?”

As much as he tried, he couldn’t sense a single ounce of dishonesty or ill intent in you. It was certainly there, wasn’t it? No one outside of the group that had grown to like him over months of death and sorrow wanted anything to do with him. So, why you? Why Nadia? “Alright, I’ll go get ‘er an’ be back.” He turned and took a step before you called out again.

“Don’t worry about changing or anything. Just bring you, okay?”

He nodded around the very foreign flutter in his chest, clearing his throat and leaving the house before he could overthink things right there in front of you. He’d be able to do that in abundance on the way to grab the kid. 

To say he was confused was the largest of understatements. You were a beautiful woman. Where was Nadia’s father? In that world, the absence usually meant he was either dead or had willingly left, which he couldn’t fathom either. Was the kid the reason all the single men weren’t knocking down your door? That couldn’t be it. Nadia was amazing, all bright smiles and such an innocence that was refreshing in a world as dark it was. 

Even if you did have suitors, why were you taking the time to get to know him? He was damn sure nothing special and had nothing to offer you. Daryl growled at himself. He was jumping the gun. You hadn’t expressed any real interest in him. You wanted to have dinner. Aaron and Eric had him over for dinner all the time. It was what friends did. He was your friend after all. He had to be for you to trust him with Nadia. He snorted. Maybe that was all the brat’s doing and you were just along for the ride. 

His shoulders were slumped, feet dragging by the time he made it back to his house, already opening his arms in expectation of the bundle of Nadia that would be leaping into them any moment. “Dorl!” 

“She was about to strap on your crossbow and come find you herself.” Carol teased from the doorway. 

“I was barely gone twenty minutes, kid.” He nodded to Carol and turned back to take Nadia home. “Your mama’s at home makin’ something for supper. Ya hungry?”

“Mmmmhmmmm!” Little legs were swinging while bright eyes watched the street in front of them, her arms loosely around his neck, trusting him to not let her fall. And he would never. Daryl craned his head to look at her, all dark hair and big blue eyes. She could pass as his own kid to anyone who didn’t know better. 

Whoa. That train of that was roughly derailed. 

Easily done when the top of her head leaned against his temple and she began to hum some tune he didn’t know. It calmed his anxiety enough to not eat him from the inside out before he made it back to your house. Nadia was wiggling to be lowered before he could even get her to the steps. Much to her annoyance (if her little growl and pout were anything to go by), he didn’t place her on her feet until they were on the porch.

The door was still open and, man, he really wanted you to stop doing that.

“Mama!” Nadia squealed, running right into your arms.

“Hi, baby! Did you have fun with Daryl today?” You hefted her onto your hip, your face turned toward hers even though your smile was aimed at the archer.

“We always have fun.” He was close enough to ruffle the kid’s hair without invading your space.

“No shit!” Nadia proclaimed with her arms in the air. You were smiling but your eyebrows shot up toward your hairline. Daryl cleared his throat.

“M’a tell Carol to watch ‘er mouth.”

“Carol. Right.” You chuckled. You started to reach for his arm but must have thought better of it and motioned toward the dining room instead. He found he was disappointed. “Go ahead and sit down wherever. There’s some wine and water already there.”

Daryl liked wine. He’d partake when at Aaron and Eric’s for dinner but here? He wasn’t sure that was such a good idea. The table could seat six but there were three places set, the middle chair holding a booster seat. He didn’t sit, wouldn’t until you did. Instead he noticed how close the glasses of wine were sitting to Nadia’s place and took the liberty of moving each of them to the other side. Not that the kid would bother them but it just felt—right?

“Alright, kiddo. You get to eat first.” You weren’t carrying Nadia anymore but she was right behind you, looking up at the bowl of pasta like a pup that was about to get its kibble. Daryl was already lifting the kid into her seat when you turned from placing the bowl on the table. “Thank you.” You did touch his arm then. “Go ahead and sit. I’ll be right back.”

Nadia had apparently chosen his spot for him, patting the back of the chair to her left. Chewing on the side of his thumb, he glanced toward the kitchen. Wasn’t he supposed to pull your chair out for you or something? Aaron had. 

“No, no, Dorl.” Nadia pulled at his elbow, earning a halfhearted scowl before he realized she was trying to get him to stop the anxious habit.

“Sorry.” He mumbled, not sure why he was apologizing when she just went back to dancing and eating once he had dropped his hand. He watched her for a moment, just being a kid, innocent and oblivious to the dangers and heartache that lay in wait just outside of Alexandria’s protective walls. She and you—just two more people for him to mourn in the end. What was he doing there? He had no business being in your lives. If he didn’t lose the two of you, then you would lose him. It was inevitable. It was fate. It was the way the world worked now, tirelessly snuffing out any semblance of light that could give someone like him hope.

And goddamnit, he’d be devastated. He adored your kid and though he couldn’t quite decipher what it was that he felt for you, he knew that if anything happened to you, he’d shatter. 

“Daryl?”

“What?” He snapped out of reflex, not fully out of his head before he had realized you were speaking. You flinched, the pasta in the two bowls you were holding bounced but didn’t spill. “M’sorry.”

“Don’t worry about it. Are you okay?” The bowls were placed on the table and a basket of fresh bread that he hadn’t noticed you had already brought out. How long had he been standing there?

“Yeah, uh—yeah, m’fine.” He shifted his weight from foot to foot, suddenly feeling very trapped in the small room. It wasn’t really that small, was it? “M’just—” He didn’t finish before he all but ran to the door, closing it behind him like he really wished you would start doing. He had a cigarette lit within seconds, trembling fingers bringing it to his lips for a long drag. 

Pale light from inside cascaded around him as the door opened. You didn’t move any closer, obviously staying near Nadia while the little girl ate. “You okay?”

“Mhm.” Lie. 

“Come back inside?” You requested after glancing toward Nadia, finding her eating her pasta elegantly with her fingers. Daryl said nothing, wasn’t even sure he could, but he flicked his cigarette toward the sidewalk and stood, walking past you with but a beat of hesitance. 

Despite Nadia’s excitement at his return, he remained quiet, but offered the kid a ghost of a smile when she offered a bite of her own food. Disgruntled at his refusal, she wore her own version of a scowl and continued to eat. You had taken your seat, giving the bread basket a tiny shove toward the archer.

“Thanks.” He mumbled. He wasn’t sure how to act around you anymore. Staring at his food, he questioned whether the way he usually ate might disgust you. It was never something he actively thought about. He grew up in a home where he snatched what he could get and ate it quickly before someone could take it or reprimand him for it. It was nearly the same now that the world had ended. Thankful for any scrap of food, but quick to make sure it was gone before someone came ready to fight for it.

“If you think any louder, I might be able to hear it.” 

Daryl glanced up, unable to meet your eyes. You were swirling the wine around in the glass with your gaze settled on him. “Sorry.”

“Don’t be. It’s just dinner, Daryl.” 

With a barely there nod, he picked up his fork and began to eat, slowly and carefully, not noticing the way you watched him with a quizzical expression.

Nadia was having a hard time keeping her head up by the time dinner was finished, her little eyes closing before snapping open with a jerk of her head. 

“Time for bed.” You announced, attempting to wipe her face around languid movements of annoyance. “Come on, baby.” Lifting her from the chair, you tilted your head when she leaned her upper body back toward Daryl, reaching out with lazy, grabby hands.

“Dorl night night.”

Halfway out of his seat, he froze. “Think ya should, uh—your mama should handle this’un, Dia.” She didn’t seem to have it in her to argue, flopping onto your shoulder. You managed to hold up a finger, asking him to wait while you put Nadia to bed. He did, but busied himself gathering the dishes, taking them to the sink, and rinsing them out as Carol had trained him to do. “Wow, my very own human dishwasher. Can I keep you?”

Daryl felt the heat rise in his face, traveling down to his chest and up to the tips of his ears. “Stop.” God, you were just as bad as Carol.

“Daryl.” 

Oh, boy. Your tone had gone from playful to serious in two seconds flat. His stomach was in knots but he dared not turn around and rinsed the same bowl at least three times. “Hmm?”

“I’d like to see, uh—I’d like it if you'd come around more often. Tonight was—it was nice.”

And there it was. The one thing that had caused him so much inner turmoil now confirmed. You were interested and, for the life of him, he couldn’t understand why. When he finally managed to get his tongue to work, the words that spilled out were nothing like the ones running through his head and he regretted them immediately. “Where’s Dia’s daddy?” Christ, Dixon. “M’sorry.” He tried to backpedal, finally turning toward you and leaning back against the sink with a white-knuckled grip against the edge of the countertop. “Ain’t my business.”

“Gone. I don’t really give a fuck where.” You shrugged, so nonchalantly that he had to look at you. “He didn’t want her. Nearly got himself killed finding pills for me to take. I refused, he left. But I have her and I hope he’s a walker.” Your gaze was fond but serious, and he found not a single trace of annoyance or anger. “She’s never really liked men. Even Aaron and Eric had to coax her inside for dinner with a stale candybar.” You laughed at the memory, and Daryl realized he could listen to that sound for the rest of his life. “But then you. She wasn’t afraid, not for a single second.”

“It was the ‘possum.” He shrugged, shyly ducking his head for only a moment but looking back up through his fringe when you laughed again.

“Okay, we can go with that.” You lifted yourself up onto the island, kicking your legs, reminding him of Nadia. “Doesn’t really explain why she stuck to you like glue every moment since then, though. Dorl this and Dorl that. I’m not complaining. You’re good for her.” Daryl scoffed, ducking his head once more. “You are, Daryl. And I think she might be good for you too.”

“She’s a kid. Don’t know no better.” He shrugged, the urge to run becoming more and more prevalent. He didn’t belong there. It wasn’t his family. Nadia wasn’t his kid and you weren’t his. God, he wished you were.

You hummed, holding back something. “I had fun tonight, but when you come back, don't worry so much about what I think, okay?” The way he tried to eat more slowly?

“Yeah, okay. Was nice. Thanks, uh—thanks for havin’ me.” The archer made the choice to pass you and head for the door. Your bare feet hit the floor just behind him. “I’ll see ya ‘round. Lemme know if ya need someone to watch Dia.” Why the hell did he offer that?

“I will. Thank you.” The smile you gave him was almost sad. Maybe disappointed? “Goodnight, Daryl.”

“Yeah. Night.” He crossed the threshold but turned back, keeping his head low. “Keep your door shut.” There was no time for you to answer before he was jogging down your steps, barely slowing his stride all the way home. All the lights were off when he arrived and he couldn’t be more grateful to slip in and down to his room to berate himself properly until he was finally able to fall asleep.

Logically, he should have avoided you since that night, but Daryl never claimed to be the brightest crayon in the box. He absolutely did not look for reasons to go to your house, satisfied to find the door closed each and every time. If he saw you carrying something, he’d jog over to take it from you, no matter how big or small. He responded by meeting Nadia in the middle each time she called for him, even if he was covered in dark blood and brain matter.

“Dorl smell ick.” She would say.

He was down bad and though he would deny it until his last breath with the age old line of we’re just friends, Carol was smarter than that.

“Daryl, you and I are friends. You’re sweet on that girl and you can fight me if you try to claim any different.” She stirred at the brownie batter, intermittently swatting away his hand when he tried to sneak a taste. “You should just tell her how you feel.”

“Stop actin’ like ya know ev’rythin’.” He snapped with no real heat.

“Okay, fine. I know nothing.” She stated coolly, spreading the mixture into a baking pan. “Except that Spencer has been spending an awful lot of time around her and Nadia.”

Well, that had his attention. “What? When?” He hopped off the countertop and was quickly standing just beside Carol, moving accordingly so that she could continue her baking.

“Usually when you’re out. I think you intimidate him.”

“Damn well better intimidate him.”

“Why? You’re ‘just friends,’ remember?” Daryl curled his lip at her air quotes, turning on a heel to head toward the door. 

“Shuddup.”

He hadn’t been focused, lingering on what Carol had told him that morning. Worrying that Spencer was putting the moves on you that very moment he wasn’t there to do anything about it. What if he’d missed his chance? He growled, trying to take more of his own weight off of Aaron but his leg burned and ached.

“Ain’t that bad.” He tried to brush it off, but it was, in fact, that bad. He hadn’t seen the damn trap, the walker backing him right onto it. He was lucky the dead bastard didn’t take a chunk of him when he went down, but Aaron was quick. Had Daryl been alone, he’d likely be snarling and growling on the ground with his calf still locked within that metal.

“Keep telling yourself that and maybe your stubbornness will keep you on your feet until we can make it back.” The other man huffed. “First Eric, now you. I swear, I’m cursed.” Daryl groaned but couldn’t disagree. 

Christ. The archer’s head was fucked. He couldn’t focus with images of you running rampant at the forefront of his mind. The way you would smile when you saw him; how you’d laugh when he’d huff at Dia for calling him Dorl; you’d have him for dinner a few times a week and it was less and less awkward.

He was so fucked.

“Open the gate!” Aaron called urgently. Daryl hadn’t even been paying attention but maybe zoning out was what brought him that far with such an injury. The toe of his boot was dragging, his leg both numb and throbbing in a way he couldn’t seem to understand was even possible. Sasha was yelling, but he couldn’t understand what she was saying. He was too busy trying to look over his shoulder at the steady crimson trail that followed them. Would walkers follow it right to the gates? “Jesus, okay. I’m going to get help to carry you to the infirmary.”

“Fuck Pete. Gimme Y/N or just take me home.” Daryl slurred, his head falling back against the metal just inside the gates. He was fading, tired and smothered by a dark cloud that was creeping into the edges of his vision and mind. He knew he wouldn’t die from this, but damn, did it still suck.

“Dorl! Mama, Dorl boo-boo!”

Tiny, warm hands were on his face. He was cold, didn’t even realize it. Big blue eyes were hovering right in front of his face, a little mouth between chubby cheeks speaking with an urgency that made him want to scoop her up and soothe the worry. “Dia.” He breathed, his mind finally catching up, though he wasn’t sure for how long.

“Nada kiss boo-boo.”

Daryl chuckled breathlessly but pulled the little girl against his chest. “Nah, baby girl, don’t kiss that boo-boo. S’gross.” Big crocodile tears were forming and falling, and his heart ached. His little girl was never supposed to cry, never supposed to even be sad. “M’okay. Your mama’s gonna make it all better, you’ll see.”

“Mama, Dorl got big boo-boo.”

“I see that, baby. Can you move so mommy can take a look?” You were there, your voice a balm to the pain that was slowly fading. 

“She’s alright.” Daryl shifted Nadia to his side, letting her hold on with her head on his filthy chest. You’d have to give her a bath later and somehow, he had the energy to feel bad about that.

“Jesus, Daryl, what did you do?” You were cutting the lower part of his pant leg, right there on the street, but he didn’t have it in him to see who might be watching. He muttered bear trap but didn’t really recall it being his voice. Was it even him?

The child holding to him made a noise when the wound was revealed, jagged punctures that still steadily bled and she shouldn’t be seeing that. Why wasn’t someone taking her away? “Ssh. S’okay, Dia. Just look at me—can ya hum that song ya always do when we take ya home?” A tiny sniffle but then a little tune in his ear.

“What happened? He okay?” Rick.

“Daryl!” Ah, Carol. Good.

“Hey, take her, would ya? Don’t need to be here.” He was gentle if not weak when he tried to hand off Nadia, kissing one of her little hands when he finally peeled them away from his neck. “M’a be okay, Dia.” She cried. Even as Carol promised her cookies and brownies, she cried and his heart ached more than his leg. He barely caught the word disinfect before the hellfire in his leg struck him like a hammer to the head and he knew no more.

“S’not that big’a deal. I can take care’a myself at home.” Daryl grimaced and watched you moving things around in your living room. You disappeared and returned several moments later with pillows and blankets. 

“I know you can, but I also know you’re stubborn as a mule and you’ll try to go out of those gates behind Aaron within a day.” He barely opened his mouth before you held up an authoritative finger. “Don’t lie to me, Daryl Dixon. And don’t pretend I don’t know at least a little by now.”

“Dorl!” 

Before he could process her voice, the archer had a lapful of toddler. It was hazy but he could remember how he felt at the gate, the protective instinct, the absolute knowledge that Nadia was his no matter how untrue it was. He couldn’t seem to shake it.

“Hey, Dia.”

“Be careful of his boo-boo, sweetie.” You admonished in the most gentle tone while propping Daryl’s leg up on a pillow. “He’s going to stay with us for a few days so I can keep an eye on him.”

“Why?” Came the innocent reply. 

“Because Daryl is naughty and doesn’t like to listen when he’s told he can’t do something. Like you with Miss Carol’s cookies.” 

Nadia gasped dramatically and turned those big blues to Daryl. “Dorl takes cookies.”

Glancing at you, expression bland, he nodded. “Yeah, I take the cookies.”

“So he has to stay right here on this couch unless mommy is helping him, okay? Can you be my junior nurse and make sure he stays put?”

“That ain’t fair.” Daryl objected with an indignant pout. 

“Why? Because you know it’ll work?” 

Daryl grunted and crossed his arms. He was in for a long few days. 

A week later, the stitches were out but there was residual swelling that was hindering healing. Nothing to worry about, you had told him. 

“Why ain’t Ken wearin’ no clothes?” Daryl was concerned to be ‘playing Barbies’ when Barbie wore a bathing suit and Ken was naked as the day he was—assembled? So far he’d been able to avoid dialogue and just bounce the doll around with facial expressions that kept the toddler occupied. “Seems a lil’ fucked up.”

“You try finding doll clothes nowadays.” There was laughter in your voice and tenderness in your touch while you cleaned the wound and changed the dressings. Only a couple more days of that. 

“Maybe I will.” The archer mused, standing the doll on top of Nadia’s head, keeping it there with his finger on the top. Her little arms could only reach the legs, facing reddening and scrunching with giggles. 

“Time to pick up your toys. Daryl needs to rest and you, missy, need to get to bed.” 

“Noooooo.”

“Don’t sass your mama.” Daryl dropped the doll in favor of patting the kid on the head. “G’on now.” The archer dropped an arm outward, fully expecting the hug that was incoming. “Night, kid.”

“Nigh’ night’, dada.”

It was at that moment Daryl Dixon completely forgot how to breathe. His eyes were already on yours before the kid decided to drop that bomb and skip away to brush her teeth like she hadn’t just turned his world upside down. 

“M’sorry. M’so sorry. I don’t—she didn’t—”

“I’m just—” you interrupted, backing toward the doorway, “I need to put her to bed.” You stumbled out of the room as if he were chasing you. 

He wasn’t sure he could move if he tried. His heart was in his nose, his stomach in his ass, and his lungs were plaited around his spine. Why would the kid call him dada? It made no sense. A couple of months wasn’t long enough for anything like that. Right? Fuck, he needed to talk to Carol. His brain was malfunctioning. He couldn’t process this. 

Throwing off the blankets, Daryl sat up, levering to his feet. He still had a limp but it was easier now. Shuffling to the exit, he stopped, staring at the handle of the closed door. You’d been doing that now, hadn’t you? He said something once and you had listened. 

“So you’re just gonna run away after that, is that it?”

The archer spun so fast that he lost his balance, righting himself with a hand on the wall. “It ain’t—I was—just needed to talk to Carol.” He admitted. His shirt was damp and he was certain he would vomit. 

“She didn’t mean anything by it, Daryl. I’ll talk to her.” You were wringing your hands, your chin wobbling. 

Don’t cry. Please don’t cry. He had the sudden desire to hug you but didn’t dare move. Aside from casual touches, bumping shoulders in jest, and of course the occasional wound treatment, the two of you had never physically interacted. Not that he hadn’t thought about it. Wow, had he thought about it. “I know she didn’t mean nothin’.” Ouch. Somehow that revelation was worse. 

“She loves you, Daryl. I’ll talk to her, I promise. Please don’t walk out on her. On—on me.”

He likely looked like an idiot hobbling half the distance to where you stood. “Ain’t goin’ nowhere.” When you nodded and dropped your head, he dared another unsteady step. “M’a stay as long as ya want me here. You an’ Dia.” With one hand, he touched your shoulder and left the decision up to you. You needed no further prompting to step into his arms. For a moment, nothing else mattered. But then you were stepping back.  

“Okay.” You nodded, turning your head to wipe away a tear you thought he didn’t already notice. “I like having you here.” He returned the nod silently. 

Nothing else was said. Daryl went back to the couch, you went to get ready for bed. The night went on with both you and Daryl feeling more alone than ever. 

“She really called you dada?” Carol asked in an excited whisper, the wide grin on her face in direct contrast to Daryl’s frown. “That’s a good thing, right?”

“No!” He shot back immediately, looking over his shoulder at the little girl playing on the living room floor. They had somehow even managed to get her to sit next to Judith’s playpen, so long as Daryl didn’t touch Lil’ Asskicker, peace remained. “I mean, yeah. Fuck, I dunno what I mean, Carol.”

“Daryl.” The seriousness in her tone brought his gaze to hers, flinching when he found her leaning on her elbows much closer than she had been just a moment ago. “I’m gonna ask you a question and I want you to answer me honestly.”

“Ain’t never lied to ya.”

“Okay.” Her eyes, just as blue as his own, narrowed. “Do you love that little girl?”

“Yeah. Yeah, I do.” It was true. It was so different from how he loved Judith but yet completely the same. He would give anything for her to have been his, to have been there while you carried her. He wanted to spit on the man that tried to force you to end it. He couldn’t imagine a world without you and little Nadia anymore. It was as if the two of you were the missing pieces that could give him a chance to be whole. 

“And Y/N?”

“What?”

“Do you love Y/N?” Carol leaned back a little, her gaze no less intense. 

“S’a lil’ more—I, uh—”

“I said STOP!” 

Daryl was on his feet instantly at the sound of your voice, running outside. His limp was less profound and didn’t hinder him from descending the steps to see you across the street with your arm in Spencer’s grasp. You were likely on your way to collect Nadia.

“Come on, Y/N. You’re beautiful, and I’ve seen the way you look at me.” Spencer pulled you toward him. 

“You’re delusional!” 

“Stop being such a prude. You’ve got a kid. You think you got any other options out there?”

“Yeah! She does!” Daryl’s fist had already connected before the other man had even realized he was approaching. The archer stepped in front of you and stayed there, coiled to attack but holding steady until he was given a reason. 

“You?” Spencer spat, literally, a glob of blood and saliva landing next to Daryl’s boot. “The dirty redneck everyone’s afraid of? That’s laughable.”

Daryl started to move until he felt the smallest tug on his jeans. Nadia was looking up at him, equal parts curious and afraid.

“Dada mad?”

Your arms encircled his stomach with whispers of he’s not worth it repeated over his shoulder. “Get the fuck outta here an’ don’t come near my girls again.” The archer waited, arching a brow when Spencer hesitated. 

“You heard him.” Rick stepped up to Daryl’s left, Michonne and Carol on this right. “Best be going now.” Spitting again, the man curled his lip and scrambled to his feet, stomping off toward his mother’s home. “Well, that’s gonna be a problem.”

“I’ll go talk to Deanna.” Maggie offered, nodding at Rick but stopping to squeeze Daryl’s arm on her way by. What the fuck? Had everyone noticed?

“We should make ourselves scarce.” Michonne suggested with a knowing grin. 

Once they were all out of sight, Daryl deflated, one hand falling to the top of Nadia’s head. “Ain’t angry, Dia.” She sniffled and seemed to only hug his leg tighter. When it was clear he couldn’t turn with the added weight to his injured leg, you stepped around in front of him.

“Your girls?” You asked, expression so terrifyingly unreadable. 

“I just—he needed to leave an’ I didn’t want him to think he could come back ‘round.” His bottom lip was instantly being gnawed between his teeth. “Needed to make sure ya were okay.”

“So, we’re not your girls?” There was definitely disappointment there. You were wringing your hands again before reaching toward Nadia.

“I mean, if ya—yeah.” Daryl swallowed hard. “Yeah, you’re my girls. Have been for a while. M’just a idiot an’ I was—I’m scared. Don’t wanna be like my old man.”

You hummed, stepping into him to brush back the fringe across his eyes. “You haven’t told me anything about your parents, but I’m willing to listen. I wanna know everything about you.”

“Me too—’bout you, I mean. ‘Bout Dia.” He was reaching for your face, leaning in just as you did. His lips barely brushed yours before there came another tug at his jeans again. 

“Home, dada.”

You laughed while Daryl just looked stricken and confused. “You heard her, Daryl. Let’s go home and figure this out.” 

One Year Later 

“Daddy! Lookit picture!!” 

Daryl looked up from the mess of rabbits he was skinning on the porch, blowing upward to move some of the hair from his eyes. The almost four year old was sprinting down the street from the Grimes’ house, a piece of paper waving in her grip above her head. He waved to Michonne who had been watching Nadia make it back safely. “Whatcha got there, Dia?” She was grinning from ear to ear when she presented it to him, holding it out in front of her because ew no when he reached for it with bloody fingers.

There were three stick figures. One was obviously him if the crazy hair and scribbled attempt at a crossbow were anything to go by. A small figure was at his side, dark hair and a big smile: Nadia. And then there was you. Daryl snorted. You were a stick figure with a circle drawn around the middle. 

“Your mama’s gonna ‘preciate that, kid.”

“Appreciate what?” You stepped out with two glasses of water, placing them on the table and resting your hand on your swollen belly. Nadia proudly displayed the drawing and received a big smile and mhm, so pretty from you while Daryl snickered into his shoulder. “Go put it on the fridge, baby, and wash your hands. Supper’s nearly ready.”

“Okay, mama!” And off she went in a blur.

“Not funny, Dixon.” You dug your bare toes into his lower back until he yelped.

“S’a little funny.” He wiped his knife across his jeans.

“About as funny as you cleaning these rabbits on my front porch.” He ducked his head sheepishly when he turned to watch you lower into your chair. 

“I’ll clean it up, Sunshine. Don’t get all uppity ‘bout it.” Rising from his perch, he gathered the meat onto a parchment you had given him and wrapped it, leaving the bones and fur to handle later. “Dia! C’mere!” Moving at inhuman speed, she was looking up at him from the doorway the next second. Daryl jerked his chin toward a bag on the table beside his water glass. “Broughtcha somethin’ back.”

You leaned forward with curiosity and watched your daughter pull out the contents of the bag, barely catching a glimpse of the different colors before Nadia hugged Daryl’s leg and disappeared back inside with squeals of delight echoing in her wake.

“What did you bring her?”

Daryl smirked. “Told ya I’d find clothes for them dolls.”

[crazyfandomluver]

*clears throat and leans into the mic* oc update. *disappears*

Hey!

So. I figured out a bit more about my shadow company oc, and I need to share it so here’s what it is:

I decided I didn’t want him to be a soldier, we already have plenty of those, and I know we already have a medic. I was originally thinking about making him a cook, because someone has to cook for all this hungry babies, right??? WRONG. They can make their own food for themselves and for others. What these lil fellas really need, is some gosh dang THERAPY. So he’s gonna be a therapist and help his precious buddies😌

As another thing relating to therapy, he’s pretty adamant about them not bottling up their feelings, and finding some way to unleash their feelings. If they don’t want to talk about it, he’s turned an empty office room into a rage room where they can safely destroy things (The walls do not count PIXEL. You will break your fist, PIXEL.) My oc has made sure to provide safety gear, and has had soldiers bring back items from the war zone so that the soldiers can take care of pent up energy.

However, if they DO want to talk about it, he would love to sit down and talk with them! Nothing will be shared outside of his office, and he makes sure that they can feel as comfortable as they can.

He’s also REALLY good with his hands. In a crafty way, of course. He’ll often spend most of his free time making plushies, pillows, bean bags, and other things for soldiers. He’s very skilled, and very sneaky about finding out what soldiers would like, in ways ranging from having others ask about it, to sneaking the question into the end of a session. He’ll often make something for someone while they’re on a mission, and then when they come back, he’ll either give it to them personally, or they’ll find it on their bunk with a little note :) Unfortunately due to the danger that’s normally present on missions, there has been a few times where he’ll be waiting outside of the transport vehicle with the thing he made for them, watching for the soldier to exit, only to find out that they died on the mission. He knows how to handle his own grief of course, but that doesn’t make it hurt any less.

I had started thinking about what I wanted his first name to be, (because he’s not a soldier so he doesn’t have a callsign or a number) and the first name that came to mind was Adam, and I couldn’t think of anything else so… he finally has a name now! 🥳 I also decided that his last name will be Takker, which is pronounced ‘Tah-care’

Also, here’s a plushie I decided that he would make based off this dog toy that I found!

Plushie Grandpa Russell the Opossum!! Of course, the head wouldn’t be made of rubber, but I’m sure you get the idea 😅 This is just one of the things that Adam would make, including bean bags and other things. He’s also good at painting and stuff and has even drawn on his knife that he has for self defense so it’s a neat little custom decal knife ^^

I feel like he would definitely enjoy having a family, he in fact has a sweet wife who works part time on weekends and bakes him things to take to work and to his friends, and one adorable little girl who he brings to work on ‘bring your kid to work’ day. Her name is Asher, and she carries around this little unicorn plushie that Adam made for her 🥰

I will eventually draw him. (Eventually could be anywhere from today to 5 years later)

@pampanope @mrsphillipgraves @whitewolfmystery @theseareregularthoughts

[adelaidedrubman]

one clown fifteen lines

Rules: Share 15 or fewer lines of dialogue from an OC, ideally lines that capture the character/personality/vibe of the OC. Bonus points for just using the dialogue without other details about the scene, but you're free to include those as well!

i was tagged by dears @simplegenius042 @direwombat @gwynbleidd @sofrosine @nightbloodbix @corvosattano @voidika @quickhacked to post a lil bit of oc dialogue samples! outgoing tags below cut + like here to opt in:3

1. “Yeah, ya know, they’re actually teachin’ all kindsa folk how to read an’ write these days,” she answered his second question with a sarcastic exaggeration of the natural twangs of her accent, ignoring his first entirely. “They ain’t even makin’ you go all the way to law school for it no more.”

2. “Piss off, Earl,” she spat, elbowing him out of the way. “I mean, honest to god fuckin’ piss off, alright?”

3. “Opossums are fuckin’ marsupials, Mary May!”

4. “I would fuckin’ carve out your eyes and throw them in the lake first, so that the only thing you’d ever see of me again is my fishing hook when I came back here to catch whatever trout had the bad luck of eating you.” 

5. “Familiar enough to know that if you’re calling me a ‘Delilah’ or something that’s some misogynistic bull —”

6. “Probably do a little publicity tour, once it all makes news. A few TV specials, tell-all nightly news interviews, a true crime podcast here and there. I bet I could make a good buck writing some kinda fucking memoir or something about this shit. Everyone would eat it up, you know, out of guilt, ‘cause —” she paused, raising her pitch a bit in nasally mocking, “‘cause we should really be focusing on the victims, not making the perpetrators famous,” she chimed, followed by a dismissive wave of her hand at the thought. “But you know, they’d still all be reading it to see what I said about you of course. But no skin off my ass, as long as they buy it. Figure I could spend… two, maybe three months as America’s sweetheart, then slip back into anonymity. Live off the royalties. The occasional consulting fee, anytime someone decides to make a movie about you and your fuckin’ cult.” 

7. “Head wasn’t that good,” she replied flatly. 

8. “Yeah, pretty sure they make a pill these days for when a gal realizes she’s made that kinda mistake,” she retorted with an exaggerated batting of her eyelashes as she pulled the flask from his hand. “And if you’re the baby daddy, she really would be wising up to take it.” 

9. “Oh, I’m back, baby.” She forced the smile to fall from her face, lips and brow tensing with sudden gravity. “And I’ve rigged this whole fucking mountain with explosives set to go off any second now. This thing is gonna blow sky fuckin’ high, and you and I are going to blow up with it. ’Cause I —” she feigned a gasp, brought her wrist to her brow as she threw her head back in a pantomime of being on the verge of fainting. “I can’t deny it any longer — I’m in love with you, and I want us to fucking be together forever in the fiery abyss of death.” 

10. “Tell your big bwother to make his stump speeches even scawrier next time — I’m sure it’ll make the canon fodder he sends out harder to kill, if he gravels his voice a bit more.”

11. She snorted. “You worried I’m not playing with a full set or something?”

12. “I jest,” she hissed, knocking his hand away. “You haven’t fuckin’ gotten that by now? It was a fucking joke.” 

13. “C’mon, that the fucking best miss church camp coachella can do to scare me?”

14. “For the fuckin’ record, I’m prolonging the void of nothingness when my organs stop functioning and I cease to exist in conscious form, not eternal damnation,” she finally spat. 

15. “It’s gonna be hilarious, actually,” she replied, pushing herself off from the door frame with a parting wave. “Tell your friends!” 

tagging: @cassietrn @shallow-gravy @derelictheretic @socially-awkward-skeleton @lordundying @florbelles @henbased @belorage @8bitpizzacoupons @firstaidspray @theresaruggedroad @afarcryfrommymain @clicheantagonist @v0idbuggy @orionlancasterr @strafethesesinners @deputyash @confidentandgood @strangefable @stacispratt @miyabilicious @omen-speaker @nowandthane @hctknives @wrathfulrook @fourlittleseedlings @galaxycunt @josephslittledeputy @just-another-wasteland-merc @voidika @captastra @blissfulalchemist @shellibisshe @thedeadthree and anyone who would like to share!

[pumpkinstrawbrew]

Hey! I'm sooooo happy to finally find another person that ships Scarecrow and Batman! This is ship is so underrated and it deserves MUCH more recognition 👏☺️ Also, I love your art and analysis of these characters!

I don't know if you've answered this before, but what do you think about the Arkhamverse version of them? I would prefer Arkham Knight, but if you feel uncomfortable with it, Arkham Asylum is fine (I love both). I don't know what to think of it at the moment and I'm trying to form an opinion!

I hope you have an amazing day!! ❤️❤️

Can I be 🐓 anon if you allow anons?

hello there!! i’m also happy to meet another fellow-minded scarebat believer out there! scarebat is just such a fascinating ship. i’m honestly go uwu when i see other people enjoying it too! this pair indeed deserve more recognition an’ love! an’ aw, heck, thank you! it makes me blush knowing that someone can have fun with those lil, whimsical things i do! 

an’ oh, nope. i didn’t answer this one! arkhamverse’s content is smth that i see circulating around a lot, but i didn’t see much content for that version of scarebat. i guess, the constant choking, an’ ‘get on your knees now, crane’ wasn’t enough to awaken smth in anyone *besides me an’ 2-3 other fine wine enjoyers*. which is once again too bad, bc even design wise, they’re kinda a banger in their own right. whichever version we take, it’s just a good contrast between batman’s heavy armour an’ jon’s typical rags *with some cyber-punk touch later on*. like, while i’m a simple gal who tends to simp for ‘classic’ outlooks, i do appreciate what the game did. gotta love crane’s freddy krueger syringe glove, an’ how he got it embedded into bruce’s neck an’ chest, an’ then got stabbed with it himself lol. there is a lot of homoerotic stuff, which can be done with it! esp bc it’s such a close range weapon, an’ each version of akrham’s crane used it differently. in arkham asylum, he injected the poison into bruce’s arm. the desperate, angry action kinda reminded me of a pissy, bristling animal, that would bite your hand, when if you try to grab it. in the next game, jon was way more vicious, less of a thrashing opossum that you find in your garage an’ more of a snake, that you accidentally step on, while you climbing down your porch. the vast difference between his mental states then an’ later on is an interesting theme for speculations. esp bc bruce is also worse to wear in the next game. in fact, i’d say that arkham knight sorta depicts them at their subjective ‘worst’ almost. an’ it says smth, bc i don’t think that either of them are ever in good mental place. 

i kinda find it interesting how some people would assume, that if person acts cold an’ detached, it means that they’re ‘in control’, when sometimes, it’s the opposite. in bruce’s case for sure. but i’d like this for some versions of crane as well, bc it suits his psychotype as well. not to mention, that jon’s hygiene in arkham knight is at its lowest too, which says a few things about his mental state right off the bat. or how he didn’t seem to properly treat his own wounds, just instantly throwing himself into his biggest scheme. a man truly possessed by revenge. 

but welp, if we go into specifics of each separate version of arkhamverse, i guess, i will start with arkham asylum! my memories about those games are a bit rusty, but i’ll go with what i remember. providing more emphasis on arkham knight, since they do have more going on an’ you seem more interested in that specific version too! 

still, first things first, i love how jonathan was half-naked during the first game lol. it’s just so funny to me, bc he is usually covered from head to toe, but in there, he was shirtless, wearing pants that held for dear life on those skinny hips an’ i’ll bet dude had nothing underneath them either. he’s never was the most proper person, admittingly, but idk, running around the dirty asylum an’ hunting your enemy while showing off your nips an’ stomach is…smth else. esp for a prude like crane. but i guess, at that point of time, he seemed to be so deranged, that his usual body issues no longer worried him. besides, poison ivy walked around in her underwear an’ blouse that was held together by one durable button, why can’t he do the same? it’s not like batman would comment on it, even if he wanted to. but like, honestly, all the hints of possible spooky + sexy times were there, so it’s a shocker, that no one has done anything about it yet. i mean, you literally have jonathan, who was flashing the bat for 20 minutes straight, an’ it’s not smth that the majority of cranes would ever have the guts to do in any other set-up. btas an’ comicverse ones would downright combust, before they’d be walking around batman shirtless. but not that gremlin. he was all about it. even if i do think, that he wasn't fully aware about what it means, an’ that it’s kinda embarrassing to do smth like that, while you are trying to be intimidating. he’s not bane. it’s not like he has some crazy muscular mass to show off. but it is very stimulating to think about the ways it all can be used in. the cold bat’s armour to exposed skin of a spooky toothpick. batman grips scarecrow’s clothes, when they fight. in there, it’ll be almost all naked skin. that’s a sexy imagery to have! 

as for the substance of the arkham asylum on itself, i don’t think that scarecrow was in there a lot. but then again, maybe i just remember it this way. it is however curious how fast crane goes from campy looney to more serious, jarred person, we see in the next game. an’ his whole motivation shifts from ‘you’re just like us and have fears’ to ‘there is no saviour. no hope’. almost like he was very, very let down, when batman failed to save him that one time lol. but considering that arkhamverse kept jonathan’s comic origin, it’s safe to assume that yeah, he took that very-very personally. he isn’t the joker, who kinda never brings up how many times, batman casually let him ‘die’. the btas alone has like 3 occasions like that lmao. meanwhile, jon went into a scornful cold rage, after just one epic fail, which, at the end of the day, is very him lol. the drugged up bat didn’t save him, that’s it. no one’s supremacy, fuck gotham. an’ i’m only partly jeering here. 

which leads us straight to to arkham knight version, an’ to bruce instantly going up there an’ choking the living hell out of jon, the second he sees him. what a reunion! esp with that whole head hitting an’ throwing crane onto floor, like a ragdoll. batman just had to assert his dominance, even when jonathan barely opened his mouth. *bc yeah, you stay down, bottom*. i like how crane tried his hardest to be serious an’ imposing during that whole deal, but the bat just wasn't super amused. yet, like usual, he did give the scarecrow room to speak later on. allowing him to walk around him. an’ boy, gotta appreciate that ‘bad guy's sly hips play’ as scarecrow circled the bat. it was quite a vision. even with fucked up leg, he managed to pull that off. i wish there were more moments like this. they had a lot of potential for more brutal scarebat interactions, than some other versions of them. all the cues for it were there. batman was hallucinating a ghost of a dead clown, who wouldn’t shut up about whatever, an’ jonathan was all about his ‘end goal’, not caring what he had to do to get to it. what an explosive combo. i was low-key surprised, that bruce didn’t wipe the floor with crane just out of pure frustration, an’ then some. an’ considering how fucked up they both are in that version, it wouldn’t put it past the ghost!joker to suggest they’d do smth else with crane, if batman is unwilling to kill him. there is actually a lot of leeway, with bruce blaming some stuff on his personal brain damage, while joker just keeps on pouring gasoline into the fire. i even had this one idea about the joker playing a horrible matchmaker just to make everyone even more miserable, but mostly just bruce. all while not expecting crane to be able to return the sentiment in his own messed up manner. 

an’ speaking of sentiment, i do think that it can be here as well. it’ll be buried under layers an’ layers of pseudo-resentment, but that’s like typical scarebat. no one ever talk about their real emotions in that ship lol. well, not in a normal way. in arkham knight, i suppose the joker can be a narrator of bruce an’ crane’s relationships. not missing a beat to tell them *well, bruce* how much they suck. an’ he won’t even be wrong, batman abandoning some of his duties, bc well, this. an’ crane as per usual getting confused by feelings, that isn’t hatred or fear. they can enter those intense relationships with the worst kind of miscommunication. bc they awful at it, when they’re not super unstable *or at least one of them isn’t*, an’ now they can be godawful at it, bc batman is close to breaking point, an’ jonathan is at his bitterests an’ pettiest. crane also can assume, that he can ‘unmade’ the bat this way, all while messing up his own scheme in the process. with god’s help, they might even survive this. idk about gotham tho lol. the joker being a third wheel an’ technically a cuck in that situation just adds how messed up it all is. but maybe with jon’s ‘help’, they can deal with that problem too. i don’t think, crane would like to share in any way. i mean, he would have been pissed off, if he learned that batman had a mini-devil on his shoulder the whole time. in a way, it kinda defeats the purpose of it all. it would almost like taking all the credit from him, an’ he won’t stand for it. crane combating bruce’s personal ghosts for his own selfish, possessive needs is smth, i would have liked to see for them. jonathan accidently being a good psychiatrist to bruce is my peak scarebat dark comedy. similar to how in ‘kings of fear’, it was basically ‘i can fix him, but bitch, you’re worse’ kind of deal too. in return, bruce can try an’ help crane actually put some proper garnet for his leg on, an’ look a bit less like a sickly *even if scary-spooky-cool* animal. they can find some middle ground, even if for questionable reasons, or they can have that slow-burn from enemies to lovers thing too. heck, i mean, it’s a wonder how come that scarecrow didn’t kidnap bruce first to try an’ break him a tad more, before making gotham see ‘that they had no hope’ an’ all that. 

on less game plot related notes, i do like to play around with what can be done about jon’s state in arkham knight. like his face being all messed up, half of his body moving way more stiffly, there are a lot of things that can be done with it. an’ the parallel of batman being crippled on the inside an’ crane being pretty much this an’ then also damaged outside of it….mmm, that’s just good. also we all know that nolanverse crane moaned ‘batman’ like a whore while his hair were pulled, but what about arkham knight’s scarecrow lil gay gasps an’ whimpers, when bruce held him by the throat an’ injected him with his own toxin? if gordon an’ jason weren’t there, i wonder what might have happened lol. love scarecrow’s scared expressions in that game btw, somehow they still manage to make him look cute. 

an’ now for a bit of nitpicky bit. when i look back at arkham knight, like some other folks, i do wish there was less…joker in it. he did add some fun elements there or here, but he should have been a background segment tbh. i really wanted to see more of mindbending stuff similar to level in arkham asylum. batman ‘given into’ hallucination joker’s cheers to kill crane, even if it was all a mindfuck bit was tasteless for me. if they wanna make bruce kinda walk that route, i’d rather see him doing it by his own misgivings an’ rage. tho, i do give credit where it’s duo, crane saying ‘you’ve changed’ an’ not sounding esp thrilled about it was curious smth. 

but omg, that’s got long, haha. hope, it’s not too troublesome. i’m kinda chatty an’ rambly kind of person, esp when i talk about things i love. can’t talk short in most cases. 

thank you for the ask btw! i do enjoy talking about scarebat a lot, no matter what version. an’ i hope, that your day is going great as well! i do apologise for how late some of my responses are coming through. i tend to pick at questions for a couple of days or so, just to make sure that i kinda give it my utmost thoughts, haha. hopefully, my answer helped you to form your own vision on the matter better or gave you an idea how different / similar you see smth, when it comes to those two. 

an’ sure thing! that’s a cute symbole btw!

[dilffrank]

OMG POSSUMS R THE BEST WTF pls rant about possums i love those lil dudes -kobra

ahhhhhhh okay okay! so they’re basically immune to rabies and eat lil bugs. they’ve been proven to reduce the chance of lime disease because any opossum will eat roughly 5000 ticks in a season! they give birth after two weeks to litters of lil babies the size of honeybees and keep them in a vertical pouch! they have thirteen nipples and when the babies are older they carry them on their backs! the opossum form of cuddling is called slubbing and it involved licking an area and rubbing their heads against it to mark territory and bond! when an opossum plays dead it is a fear coping mechanism and is not a controllable response, they remain in a coma like state. when they play dead they secrete a smell similar to a rotting corpse to deter predators. they live for about three years and in some cases you can keep them as a pet! they’re so cute and i love their lil tails and cute lil faces and ahhhhhhh

look at em go!

[showrunnerihardlyknowher]

Submitted by: @opossum-with-cat-ears​

I have a ton of projects at the moment so I couldn’t do a piece, have some math class doodles instead I hate them but you said you’d settle for a stick figure- featuring a blanked out part because it was ugly, me realizing that crazy art pencils dont work as well as prisma color halfway through, my inability to draw men, miboa in a cat ear headband, and my inability to decide on 1 hairstyle. <3

–

HOLY SHIT OKAY SO IVE LITERALLY BEEN WAITING ALL DAY TO POST THIS UNTIL I WAS HOME SO I COULD RAVE ABOUT IT ON MY COMPUTER BECAUSE AAAAAAHHHHH!!!!!!

First of all, the Mibao’s!!!! Look at her!!!! Look at the multiples of my daughter!!! You gave her so many cute hairstyles that Ylva would probably need tweezers to be able to do (and she absolutely would because she is a devoted catmom) but Mibao with pigtail braids?? Iconic. Mibao with a god damn CAT EAR HEADBAND??? Pure perfection.

Speaking of catmom OOF do I not simp enough for Ylva as it is??? Now you got her looking cute af in her work uniform??? I love how you designed their uniforms too because honestly they’re so spot on!! I know I’ve drawn the top half a few times but that fullbody rendition is 👌

Oh my god skinny legend Jacob, tho. Imagine having like 2% body fat on those chicken legs. Don’t care still love my bony son (:

Ah. There he is. That motherfucker. What a tool. I love just how much of a bastard Edix looks but I am also going absolutely feral over that pose with him holding Jacob because it’s just so fucking casual and dainty while Jacob is probably losing his mind. 1000000000000/10

And holy shit. Holy shit. You not only drew me, but you drew me as a Venandi!?!?!? You turned me into a catgirl!?!?! AND IM DOING A LIL BLEP!?!?!?! Someone tell my wife to hire a divorce lawyer because I think I’m officially in love with you instead.

These are all beautiful and I love them and I will continue to look at them and I will hang them on my tumblr fridge like a proud mother

[surveys-at-your-service]

Survey #387

“today i woke up, & i hate myself”

What common problem have you never experienced? The loss of a close family member (that doesn't include pets). Alternatively, what's an uncommon problem you have experienced? Homelessness. Do you know anyone who opposes marriage equality? I sure do. What was the last thing you got really emotional about? Meerkat Manor: Rise of the Dynasty premiering. What's the longest amount of time you've been ill for? I don't really know. I don't get sick a lot at all. Who is your closest male friend? Girt. Do you know anyone who hunts for meat? Sadly. I say "sadly" because it's not like they need it. Have you ever lived with a boyfriend/girlfriend? Yes, although I wasn't a technical resident. I was there all the time, though. What do you wash dishes with? Sponge, scrub brush, rag, something else? A sponge. Is there anything you prefer to do the old-fashioned way? There's probably something, but I can't think of anything. Do you put your glasses and mugs right side up or upside down on the cabinet shelf? Upside-down. What was the worst part of your childhood? My parents fighting. Have you ever seen a high school relationship last long-term? (like 10+yrs) Yeah. Do you know any cancer survivors? Quite a few. Leftover pizza for breakfast... yay or nay? Good shit, man. Do you personally know anyone who's a psychopath or sociopath? I don't think so. What is your most used kitchen appliance? Lately, it's been the apple slicer. I've been on a real apple slices + peanut butter kick lately. What is something that you would personally like to be remembered for? For being a caring person towards all living things. Have you ever been diagnosed as clinically depressed before? Yes. Do you like bowling? Yeah, it's fun. Do you own binoculars or nonoculars? What do you use them for? No. Do you ever wish you had a telescope on the roof or attic to stargaze? Yeah, that'd be cool. Have you ever had to deal with someone close to you going off to war? No, thankfully. Who do you feel you have the most in common with? Sara, easily. Who in your life causes you the most stress or negative feelings? My damn self lmao. Have you ever had a teacher that also taught your parents? No. My parents didn't grow up in NC. What’s one thing that people definitely CAN’T count on you for? To remember like... anything. What about something they definitely can count on you for? Someone to listen to encourage them. What’s one food that you want to try but haven’t yet? I've always thought macaroons look good. Do you have anything planned for the summer? No. Do you walk fast or slow? Slow. Would you consider yourself an adrenaline junkie? No. What is a common slang word from where you live? Plural "you" does not exist. It's "y'all," lol. What’s the scariest thing you’ve accidentally found on the internet? *shrug* Probably something as a kid, going on those sketchy websites with loads of games and stuff. Thinking of every Halloween costume you’ve had, which one was the most creative? I don't think I've had any creative costumes for Halloween. What’s one random city you want to visit? It's not exactly "random" as it's a popular location, but anyway, I would love to visit Venice. What subjects do you or did you get the worst grades in? Math. When was the last time you ate cake and what type of cake was it? That's a good question, actually. Maybe my niece's birthday in February? I don't remember what kind of cake it was. Do you have photos to go with all of the contacts in your phone? No; I don't have any. Do you like snowy winter days or do you prefer rainy days? SNOWY! Name 3 things you find most beautiful in nature: Mountains, large waterfalls, and desert dunes in the wind. If you could ask one person one questions and get a completely honest answer who would it be and what would you ask? Jason. I'd ask if he thought I was emotionally abusive. What is your favorite winter activity? Building snowmen. Who is the greatest singer who is no longer living? Freddie Mercury. What is your idea of heaven? I don't know, really... I have to ask myself IS there a heaven in eternity? Living forever just... doesn't appeal to me. "Living" is an odd word to use there, but hopefully you get it. Existing on and on and on and on seems like it'd just be a drag, but at the same time I do like the thought of feeling relentlessly happy and peaceful with my loved ones. I guess that would be my definition of it, if it does exist. What’s one of the scariest things you’ve ever done? ODed. Have you ever watched the Superbowl all the way through? Just once, on my 16th birthday because I was at Jason's place and all of his family was watching it. I had absolutely zero interest, but we wanted to hang with the family. If you had to move to another country, where would you move? Canada. Do you watch American Horror Story? I haven't in years. It was Jason's and my first "show," and the first season was excellent. I lost interest in the second one, honestly. I'd be up for watching other seasons, though. How many relationships have you been in this year? None. What's your favorite cereal? Probably Cinnamon Toast Crunch. That's also the only cereal where I can happily drink the milk afterwards. Twitter or Facebook? Facebook. Do you like to paint your nails? No. What's the coolest place you've ever been to? Disney World, probably. Have you ever punched anyone? No. What's something you wish you knew how to do? Cook. :/ I really need to make an effort to learn. It'd be great to not rely on a microwave for the rest of my life. What's a celebrity that everyone likes but you don't? *shrug* What food do you eat the most? Probably bread in some form or another. That really needs to stop. Green or purple grapes? Either one, but they have to be firm. I cannooooooot with soft grapes. Have you ever cried over a text? Yeah. What's the background of your phone of? My lock screen is this pretty, simplistic periwinkle color with "work on you for you" written on it. It's one I plan on keeping for probably a long time because I connect to it so deeply with my stupid damn head frequently demanding I have to improve "for Jason" to prove him wrong. Which is a very unhealthy mindset to have, I know. My home screen is a cute lil Mark edit someone made with a very similar pale blue background, so my phone is just currently an #aesthetic. Do you have a Snapchat? No. What's your favorite sports team? (if you like sports)? I don't like sports, but I'm biased towards the Carolina Hurricanes hockey team because of my dad. Last thing you ate? I had Honey Nut Cheerios for breakfast. Do you take a lot of selfies? Definitely not. I just hate how I look so much; it takes way too much effort for me to get an "acceptable" one. Do you prefer strawberries or cherries? Strawberries. I hate cherries. How many hours of sleep did you get last night? Maybe like, three. -_- Our A/C is still out, and it was like, 87 in the house last night. It was impossible to sleep. Do you listen to music daily? Not EVERY day, but usually. Biggest insecurity? My weight. Do you play video games? Not as much as I used to. I'd probably play way more if I actually had a PS4 + the games I'm DYING to have. Do you consider yourself lazy? "Yes, but a lot of it is also health related for my lack of energy and motivation." <<<< This for me as well. What recently made you laugh? I was watching a bit of The Nanny with Mom yesterday. We love that show. Do you like gummy bears? Yep. What was the last song you listened to? I'm randomly hooked on "My Nocturnal Serenade" by YOHIO. Like, I've known the song for a long time, but NOW I'm bingeing it???? Describe your mom with one word. Selfless. What's the biggest turn-off? Probably being misogynistic. But being a cocky ass is definitely high up there, too. What fish scares you the most? Mfkng whale sharks terrify me. How do you feel about snails? They're cuties!!! What's your favorite app? Pokemon GO. Would you rather time travel into the past or future? The future, to see what's coming. I feel like you could come back with some pretty valuable information. What is the saddest song you've ever heard? I think "Terrible Things" by Mayday Parade has to come on top. What insect do you hate the most? I was reminded that stag beetles exist last night, and omfg those. Well, "hate" is the wrong word, really, I'm just terrified of them. Would you ever have a wild animal as a pet if possible? I 110% want to rescue an opossum, emphasis on "rescue." I'm not plucking one from the wild or anything like that. I would be in HEAVEN raising one of those angels. Are there any decorations that makes you happy? (lights, candles, plants..) I love those beds decorated with fairy lights, and just Christmas lights in general. Halloween and Christmas decor tend to give me sparks of happiness when I see 'em. Does race matter to you when it comes to dating? Not at all for me. When was the last time you painted something? Not since I was still in school and took a Painting course. When was the last time you really felt alive, and what were you doing? I have NO idea. What is one question you would like an answer to? Why the worst things tend to happen to good people. Name one favorite thing to do with kids while babysitting. I don't babysit, but if I was to be in charge of a kid, I'd love to teach them to play video games from my childhood. Playing Pokemon with my niece and nephew is always a blast, ahhhh. Name one flavor you like. Strawberry is pretty consistent. Name one thing you are hoping for. Venus' new terrarium soon... big sigh. I can't for the life of me find one that's a reasonable price and also adequately sized. I'm willing to put the rest of my cash into it, but Mom is helping, so I can't just buy the first one I see. Then I'd need more substrate, I seriously want a temperature gun and hygrometer, a cool hide, sticks and stuff for cover... It's going to be expensive, but I want Venus to have a truly proper environment she can thrive in. Write the name of one of your imaginary friends from when you were younger. Oddly enough, I can't remember the imaginary wolf that was my "friend." I say "oddly" because his whole idea was important to me as a weird-ass kid. Name one girl's name that starts with a "J" that you like. "Justine." Name one boy's name that starts with a "J" that you like. Maybe "Jaxson." Have you ever been kissed? Yeah. Have you ever feared that you would be killed? It's never been like, a fear I actively worry about. I just acknowledge it's always a possibility for anyone. What is the last great opportunity you missed? This was quite a while ago by now, but I'd say by dropping out of school, I really let photography opportunities slip since I became the newspaper photographer...

[badatusernames]

CHOJI, SHIKAMARU, LEE, GAARA & HINATA!! ITS A LOT IM SORRY

THANK U FOR THIS...admittedly some answers may be a lil short just so i can like. Get to them all.

EDIT: IDK WHY IT LOOKS LIKE THIS. IM SO TIRED. IM SORRY ITS JUST A LONGASS NARUTO POST ON YOUR DASH I TRIED MY FUCKIN BEST YALL

SEND ME A CHARACTER AND I’LL DO THIS;

Chouji (man i’ve seen it spelled both ways and i’m just used to typing Chouji at this point sorry)

Sexuality Headcanon: Pansexual!!  Gender Headcanon: Cis male A ship I have with said character: SHIKAMARU. SHIKAMARU. SHIKAMARU. SHIKAMARUUUU, my god...just, everything about their dynamic makes my heart melt, the way they’re both people who are easily dismissed by others and how they have such UNFALTERING FAITH in each other. chouji knows how much of a genius shikamaru is, knows very well the fact that despite his laziness, once he commits to something he’s in it for the LONG HAUL, the way shikamaru just believes so steadfastly in chouji, considering him stronger than NEJI FOR FUCKS SAKE...they like. get one another, the kind of relationship where you can be yakking away one minute and then just sitting in contented silence the next. they can just laze around. maybe play video games and snack. and sometimes...kiss. and it’s so chill even with that latent tenderness their later relationship develops and they both just feel so safe and KNOWN and familiar like. love your best friend. anyway everyone slept on shikacho and y’all should be ashamed the naruto fandom is enormous and finding pretty much ANY content for it is almost impossible aside from the small (if lovely and amazing) tag and i’m pretty hyperfixated on it if you couldn’t tell holy SHIT.  A BROTP I have with said character: i’m really not a fan of ino taking potshots at him for his weight and outright shaming him, but once she grows out of that i absolutely love their friendship. listen, you know that post thats like--hold on

thats just them, thanks. A NOTP I have with said character: i have nothing against karui but canon is fucking dead to me and my opinions on p much all the “endgame” ships range from utterly neutral to absolute loathing. their relationship is on neither end of the spectrum, but. eh. definitely not into it. A random headcanon: he keeps nursing injured animals back to health because he’s just that fucking sweet and bringing them back to his house to keep them warm and safe while they recover and his team knows vaguely about this and ino and shikamaru like to poke fun at him for it but since they don’t tend to encounter said animals, it’s not really a huge deal.

of course they stop by his house one day bc he hadn’t shown up for training which is annoying and frankly a little concerning and finding the house mostly empty ino just bursts on into chouji’s room only to immediately have the opossum he’s been caring for latch its little paws on her face and cling.

it’s a bad morning. General Opinion over said character: literally one of my absolute favorites of all time and it really breaks my heart how overlooked he is in the fandom (seriously y’all...). i think kishimoto is kind of a stupid hack and the Fat Jokes are really grating and it sucks to see that so intrinsically tied to his character (like. just let him be fat. jesus christ) but his kindness and overall relaxed, loyal and lovable nature has me just melting. i adore him. 

Shikamaru

Sexuality Headcanon: He’s gay, scoob. (I could also talk a lot about how his earlier misogyny is both a product of being a whiny tween and also some internalized frustration of like WHATS SO GREAT ABOUT GIRLS. UGH. I DONT. STOP TELLING ME IM GONNA FALL IN LOVE WITH ONE ONE DAY DAD JESUS. and let’s be real, thats frustrating, even if it aint an excuse)  Gender Headcanon: he uses he/him pronouns because it’s just what he’s used to and comfortable with but man gender is such a drag... A ship I have with said character: SEE ABOVE SHIKACHO RANT A BROTP I have with said character: naruto! he and naruto have a really adorable friendship and i love love LOVE that he and chouji were shown to be kind and accepting of him even when most people were shunning him. also he’s so fucking dumb i love seeing shikamaru meticulously plan out something only to have naruto shriek into battle and ruin all of it. love those guys. stupid bros.  A NOTP I have with said character: ok. im sorry i just. loathe sh*katema i really do. i haaaate the way kishimoto writes this whole “ew a GIRL” “ew a MAN” vibe with the like OOOH BUT THEYRE GONNA LIKE EACH OTHER vibe like. 

don’t get me wrong i adore them as friends, i think they’re fantastic scathing and witty pals who bitch about anything and everything including each other

but they’re also both gay and kishimoto can suck my nuts byeeee A random headcanon: sometimes pakkun just fucking Shows up and chills with him. shikamaru wants absolutely no part of this but is way too lazy to like. do anything about it so it’s just this guy and a dog sitting in a field chillin and occasionally him piping up like ‘hey kid. remember when i bit your hand? yeah? haha, man time sure does fly.” while shikamaru is just. go aWAY.   General Opinion over said character: if you told 9 year old me watching naruto for the first time my favs were gonna be a three way tie of lee, shikamaru and chouji i never would have fucking believed you but here we are. i love him. i absolutely love him. he’s such a whiny bastard and a really good depiction of burnout genius who doesnt want to do ANYTHING, but his intellect is an absolute DELIGHT to watch. i love him very much. 

Lee

Sexuality Headcanon: he’s pan!! this is a boy that crushes easily and crushes hard on just about anyone!!!! Gender Headcanon: cis male A ship I have with said character: ok i ship him a lot with neji actually? what with how neji grows during the course of the series to regard lee with the respect he deserves is really sweet and there’s just something so infinitely adorable about him going around being the hammiest, most ridiculously earnest, kind and enthusiastic person and neji, now that he isn’t constantly bitter and angry at the world can finally really see that? lee is always happily dropkicking his way into his life, like he wouldn’t have it any other way, and i think that’s just...so sweet A BROTP I have with said character: SAKURAAAAA. oh my GOD do i adore their relationship. ever since lee saved her and basically just gave her a glimpse of his...lee-ness, the fact her negative opinion of him IMMEDIATELY flipped and gave her such a strong admiration and fondness for him kills me DEAD. she always treats him with so much respect and the fact she’s quick to rag on anyone making fun of him melts my HEART!! and on lee’s side, his little crush on her is adorable of course, but the sheer strength of the friendship that comes from it is more than infatuation could ever offer him. i want them to hang out together and talk about their troubles...i want them to make each other laugh and be so very kind to each other...i want sakura to storm over and throw him over her shoulder to TAKE A BREAK ALREADY when he’s been training too hard for too long. god. A NOTP I have with said character: honestly i’m pretty happy with a lot of lee ships! the only ones i view with obvious disdain are the ones with creepy age gaps honestly. A random headcanon: out of everyone in the leaf genin, he’s probably the closest anyone’s ever come to someone who EVERYONE is at least distantly friendly towards. like god have you SEEN how warm and inviting and concerned he is the SECOND he sees that naruto is feeling down? i get the sense he’s immediately inclined to provide that kind of support to any of his comrades, even the ones that Resist it.

you think sasuke is the most popular among the leaf genin? puh-LEASE. everyone looks on rock lee with at least a LITTLE bit of warmth. thats just fact. General Opinion over said character: since my first viewing of naruto he has been my Absolute fav, and while chouji and shikamaru are veeery close to stealing that spot, one look at him and i feel he’s gonna be on top forever. probably the best written character kishimoto’s ever produced that’s remained in  the main cast (tho i dont speak for shipudden onwards who fucking knows, but the truth of it is is i adore rock lee)

Gaara

Sexuality Headcanon: Panromantic Asexual Gender Headcanon: kind of like shikamaru, i feel like he uses he/him pronouns but also doesn’t particularly....Care? A ship I have with said character: ok so it wasnt until my naruto rewatch that i really started falling into this but i think him and naruto are super cute? while i loathe kishimoto for ruining so much abt this show he really is good at creating good foils to naruto, and gaara is no exception--and the way naruto changes his life by just kicking his ass (and proving he’s not just a Simp or smth) and then just, extending genuine empathy and a REAL sense of truly relating to where he’s coming from re:his upbringing? the EFFECT it has on him, bro!!!! my god!!! i feel like they’re that opposites attract ship that don’t clash constantly but instead fall into this adorable synergy and understanding? and i think thats so sweet A BROTP I have with said character: ...is it cheating to just put temari and kankuro here? bc they are literally his siblings but my GOD do i love their relationship. there’s something so deeply sad about their initial situation??? like having siblings that either are deeply fucking afraid of you or clearly don’t care for your well being whatsoever, it’s such a tragic scenario, and the times where they really do show legitimate care for gaara just breaks my heart...but the GROWTH. THE DEVELOPMENT. THE HEALING. i love the sand siblings so much, i am a STRONG advocate of seeing the development from estranged family to loving, occasionally bickering siblings who absolutely Love Each Other A NOTP I have with said character: uhhhh same with lee in that i don’t really mind most of the ships i’ve seen him in? while i don’t particularly ship gaalee i think its also Very Cute, and really it all just seems pretty valid as long as people aren’t being creepy? A random headcanon: i’ve been wracking my brain for one for a good 20 minutes and i just don’t have one he’s such a mystery to me/????? i love him but he is an enigma?? General Opinion over said character: oh my god he’s such an edgelord in the beginning. i’ve been doing a lot of this naruto rewatch with my friend @drashseed (a simply phenomenal fella 10/10 follow him) and every single time he talked the only valid response just became “ok gaara”

but his backstory? utterly HEARTWRENCHING. and his growth is just. absolutely divine, i adore him. thank you mister sandman for doing so much for us all.

Hinata

Sexuality Headcanon: Bisexual Gender Headcanon: cis woman A ship I have with said character: listen. i think kibahina is........Really Really cute. he cares about her so MUCH??? and there’s a certain tenderness to his interactions with her that’s just really evident whenever you see em together? i really love that you get the sense hinata is COMFORTABLE around him!!! like! i feel like hinata really deserves to have a partner who sees her when she ISN’T blushing and stammering? when she’s like? legitimately comfortable and being HERSELF? (dgmw the blushing is adorable i fucking love her but its one of the gripes i have with naruhina that so much of it is just naruto being oblivious and her having a small panic attack) the comfort she and kiba have make for a chill, adorable relationship i just cry over constantly A BROTP I have with said character: so i was GONNA put naruto here, but technically i already put him there for shikamaru’s so i’m gonna say neji!!! uhhh OBVIOUSLY they got off to a. very rough start but the way their dynamic changed (or perhaps in a way reverted back to the times they interacted before neji’s father died and temporarily killed his Human Decency) into this respect and fondness that’s just...such a delight to watch? i’m a SUCKER for slow and mutual reconciliation and there are just so many sweet moments between them. they are FAMILY, BRO!!! THEY CARE FOR EACH OTHER, BRO!!!!!!!!!! A NOTP I have with said character: ...at the risk of sounding like a broken record, i think a lot of hinata ships are quite cute? i guess i’m gonna have to say sasuke. because like.

has. he ever even looked at her. please. jesus christ. she deserves so much better. A random headcanon: she is a LOT physically stronger than she looks!! a lot of her combat techniques rely on taijustu after all so it’d make sense that she puts a lot of effort into physical training alongside chakra control.

i’m trying to say she’s strong. not as strong as sakura but. she can lift her bf up over her head (he’s dying hes dying he’s dYING he lOVES HER SO MUCH). it’s pretty fuckign badass

General Opinion over said character: i LOVE her??? honest to god i really really do--honestly while i dislike the direction they went in canon with her, i really loved seeing her be motivated to grow and change the parts of herself she hated to become a stronger person.

that and she’s so fucking cute and sweet and i just??????? bless her honestly.

[xxx-mundiemudsnapper-xxx]

i made a joke yesterday about the medic playing webkinz so here’s how i’d imagine all the mercs with their virtual pets

Demoman: Has done literally every single job you can get at the Employment Center. Tabby Von Meow haunts his dreams. All his pets have eyepatches. He has a parrot, a dragon, and a basset hound. Misses the log-out carnival. Refuses to even touch the Magical Forest, but loves Zumwhere.

Engineer: Has a turtle, a bullfrog, and an opossum. They are best friends. He has all kinds of neat tech stuff, and he knows all the different cooking and crafting recipes. Spends way too much time at Quizzy’s Question Corner flexing his 11 PhDs. Has at least 1 million in KinzCash.

Heavy: Has a few of the classic pets like the golden retriever, pug, and polar bear. He’s more of a casual player and likes most of the arcade games. His favorite is Jumbleberry Fields. His pets are well cared for, and he decorates his pet’s rooms to look like real places he’s been. He named some of his pets after his siblings. 

Medic: Has one (1) Lil’ Kinz Googles. That’s his only pet. She’s named Archimedes. However, he has absolute Kinzcash STACKS and the house is decorated really nicely. Has at least 2 rooms full of mad scientist themed items. Their pet is level 10 in all the Academy classes. Salty that Dr. Quack retired.

Pyro: Has so many pets they have to put them on like 5 different accounts. All of their care points are always maxed out, they have a Crown of Wonder for every single pet, and is practically a god at the game. Favorite Arcade game is Hatch the Dragon. Has read every single book and knows every piece of Webkinz lore ever.

Scout: Acts like the game is dumb, but then ended up getting really into the competitive tournament scene. Like, REALLY into it. He has a signature jackrabbit who’s maxed out in all the Academy sports and is almost always running himself ragged at the Stadium. Scout literally only feeds him hamburgers. He doesn’t really care about decorating his house or bathing his pet.

Sniper: Is always hunting for gems, trades with Doug, et cetera. Has 2-3 pets, they’re pretty typical. A kangaroo, a crocodile, and a sheep Webkinz. He doesn’t play as often as the other mercs, but he always checks in and makes sure his pets are all fed and in bed before logging out. Really likes Home Before Dark.

Soldier: Has raccoons. Every raccoon ever released. No other animals except a bald eagle. Owns every single Fourth of July themed item in the game. LOVES doing the Adventure Park quests. Sometimes Merasmus goes on his account just to yell at the Magic Forest fairies.

Spy: Treats his pets like royalty. Has a really fancily decorated house in-game, and is usually in the Clubhouse trading for rare items. He really likes doing all the little daily tasks like wheels. Has an extensive wardrobe and has all the Deluxe themes. Refuses to admit how much he’s spent on eStore points.

(BONUS)

Ms. Pauling: Plays every now and then because Pyro made her. Has a Charming Rat she just named “Lil’ Pauling.” Made a really cool garage themed room and a really cute rainbow room. Listens to Podkinz every now and then and uses the codes to gift Pyro extras of the items.

[lunarapocolypse]

Shigaraki Week: Day 4

*chanting* Big brother Jin big brother Jin big brother Jin big brother Jin-

This is extremely late, but I’m determined to finish this week no matter how late!  Sorry though xD

Balloon/Gloves?/AU

@shigarakiweek

“Shut up…” The boy mumbled, to no one in particular. Jin sighed as he slumped through the streets, no one bothering to give him a second glance. Why would they? Aside from the scar on his forehead,  which was currently hidden by a maroon hoodie, he didn’t stand out amongst the crowd. Just another lost soul, just another highschool dropout slumping through the crowd.

“Shut up!” He said, a bit louder this time. He got a few stares, but no one said anything. They all walked away. Why did they always walk away? No one ever asked if he was okay. No one cared about the boy who had lost it all.

“I really need to get a mask.” He said, sighing. “Would that even help? It might just make it worse!” the other voice spoke. Jin gulped, rushing into an alley. He didn’t want to break out, not in the middle of a crowd. The hoodie on his head was helping him keep it in, but it wasn’t enough.

“Shut up.”

“But I don’t wanna! You shut up!”

“It hurts..make it stop…”

“No, it’s fine! Completely fine, what are you talking about?”

“No!”

“Yes!” 

Jin pulled the hoodie down tighter, screaming as he managed to calm himself down. Okay, the hoodie clearly wasn’t helping as much as it did before. Was this getting worse? That wasn’t good. None of this was good. But then. What was good? Did good even exist? He groaned, knowing that he made no sense. 

“Um…”

Jin turned around immediately, eyes widening at the sight of a small child. He looked around 5, with dull red eyes and dirty gray  hair. The boy shivered.

“I didn’t know you were here lil guy.” He said, bending down a little. “Sorry ‘bout that, I talk to myself ofte-” He cut himself off seeing blood on the boy’s face.

“Kid? What happened to you?” 

The boy only blinked. His face was pale, like a ghost. It was dry and covered in scratches, not to mention both dried and fresh blood.He looked like one of those creepy children from a horror movie, but Jin didn’t care at the moment. He’d seen enough horror in his life not to be scared of this. Plus, he was too concerned about the boy.

“Kid?”

“...know…”

“Know? Sorry, I can’t hear what you’re saying.”

“...I dunno.” The boy mumbled, most likely answering Jin’s question of what happened to him. Did he not remember? 

“Okay...do you know where your family is?”

“...no.”

“So you’re alone?”

“...yes.” The quiet, raspy voice whispered. Jin was concerned about how a child’s voice could be so raspy. It was unusual. Then again, finding  a creepy looking little boy with an unknown background might be unusual as well.

“How old are you?” The boy held up five fingers. Five, okay he was right. 

What was he supposed to do now? He couldn’t just leave him, of course not. If Jin were to walk away, who else would help? A hero? Would a hero even find him? He didn’t want to take any chances. He could go to the police, but then they’d want to know about him  too. Jin wasn’t exactly the most...legal person. Let’s put it at that. Would it be possible to drop the kid off and go? The heroes...they’d take care of him, right? Make sure he was okay and all?

“The heroes are bullshit, they’ll fail him like they failed us.”  He thought aloud. For once, his other side seemed to agree, The heroes didn’t do anything before, what would make this one kid so special to them? 

“Bullshit.” The kid said. Jin’s eyes widened in a panic.

“Fuck, did I say that out loud?” Not helping Jin, not helping.

“Fuck?” The kid spoke, tilting his head confused. Jin made an x with his arms, rapidly shaking his head no.

“Wait no! Those are bad words, you shouldn’t say them!” Great, he had only a few minutes with this kid and already taught him two curse words. Nice going. 

“Bad words?” The kid tilted his head.

“Yes, very bad words! I shouldn’t have said them, that’s my fault. I’m a bad example, please don’t take after me.” He exclaimed.  The boy giggled.

“You’re funny.” He said, through soft laughter. Jin smiled at him, heart warming up at the little giggles. It looked almost scary, coming from the mouth of what looked like an enlarged haunted doll, but he found it endearing.

 “I’ll take that as a compliment. How dare you? I’m not funny at all!” Jin groaned, as the boy tilted his head. 

“Sorry kiddo, that happens a lot. What’s your name? ” The kid furrowed his eyebrows as if he was thinking really hard. Like he couldn’t remember his own name.

“...Tenko.” He finally said. “It’s Tenko.” Tenko, huh? That was an unusual name. 

“Tenko? Okay, I’m Jin. Nice to meet you, lil buddy.” He held out a hand towards him. Tenko tilted his head, tapping the middle of Jin’s palm with his pinky. Jin laughed. 

“It’s supposed to be a handshake, but I’ll take that.” The boy giggled as Jin reached down to ruffle his hair. It was greasy, as to be expected.

“How long have you been out here?” Tenko shook his head slightly. 

“Don’t know. More than a day.” Jin suspected that, seeing how he looked. 

“Well, let’s get you cleaned up, okay?” He could figure out what to do about this later. Right now he needed a bath. He picked Tenko up, noticing how the boy clenched his fist and pressed them against his chest. Jin sighed, walking to the shitty apartment he called home. 

-----------------------------

“You really like bubbles, huh?” Jin chuckled, as he washed the other’s hair. Tenko nodded, making a bubble beard.

“They’re pretty and they feel nice. They smell nice too.” He murmured, splashing in the bath. Jin nodded with a soft smile. That was the longest he’d heard him speak, consecutively.

“Yeah, I think so too! No, bubbles are the worst!” 

“Don’t listen to the deeper voice, kay? He’s wrong. No, I’m not, take that back! Shut up!” Tenko giggled at the little exchange.

Jin wondered how long he had actually been out there, his hair was so dirty. It looked dark gray before, but after rinsing it out Jin could see it was white, with a light bluish tint. And he had multiple wounds that he treated earlier. Poor child. Something about the kid reminded Jin of himself, he was so alone. No one reached out to help him.

He eventually finished washing his hair, drying it with a towel and helping Tenko into clean clothes. He was lucky he kept all of his old stuff from when he was younger. It was still big on the boy, since he was so small. Now, to think about what to do.

 He couldn’t possibly raise a kid on his own, what was he thinking? Hell yeah, he could! Tenko was free to stay as long as he liked. But would he be able to take good care of him? He was only 16, and a dropout at that.  Of course he would, he was good with kids. No he wasn’t! He barely had any interactions with them. And he was already broke, how could he afford for a tiny human? Not to mention he wasn’t the best example with his not so legal activity. What? He never did anything illegal in his life! Yes he did! Jin took on a lot of odd jobs. Jobs he didn’t want Tenko to know of. But what else could he do? Take him to the police? Yeah, actually. No way, they’d treat him like garbage! An unidentified kid with what seemed like amnesia, what could they do for him? Put him in foster care? The foster care system is trash! Did he really want Tenko going from home to home like that? He’s a sweet kid, there’s no way he wouldn’t get adopted at some point. He was adorable. He looks like a horror movie character. I mean, he couldn’t deny that entirely, but the kid was still cute! Like an opossum. Opossums are cute. They’re nasty. No they aren’t! How dare-

His thoughts were interrupted by a tap on the back of his hand. Tenko was giving him a concerned look.

“...ling…kay?”

“What was that, kiddo? Sorry, I couldn’t hear ya.”

“...You were mumbling, are you okay?” He asked, quietly. Jin blinked.

“Ah sorry, I didn’t realize. M’ alright, don’t worry about me.” He replied, ruffling the other’s hair. Tenko let out a small giggle. Maybe this would be okay. He still wasn’t sure what to do, maybe he’d take him to the police tomorrow? Yeah, that sounded good. He could at least get the kid a proper meal and some rest before taking him there. This would be okay.

It’s strange how the second you think that, the situation flips.

Jin didn’t take the kid’s quirk into account, he was too worried about the kid himself. He realized that was a big mistake as Tenko grabbed the towel to dry his hair more. Within seconds, it decayed.  Decayed. Just crumbled into gray dust, laying beside his feet. Jin watched, too shocked to say anything, as Tenko’s smile morphed into a horrified expression. He only snapped back to reality when the other let out a bloodcurdling  shriek. 

“Tenko-” He cut himself off, seeing cracks begin to form in the ground. What? Destruction...it had to do with his quirk for sure.

Tears started to fall down Tenko’s face as his breathing increased. The poor kid was shaking so much it looked like he would fall over.

“I-I’m sorry, I didn’t mean...Hana…Mon…” He murmured in between sobs. Tenko scratched his neck. It itched. It itched so much.  The cracks spread, as Jin snapped back to his sentences. 

“Tenko, hey, it’s okay.” He muttered, trying to get closer to the boy without getting hurt himself. He winced, seeing the bleeding scars forming on the kid’s neck.

“Mom…” The boy mumbled, tearing at the skin on his neck. 

“Hey, Tenko! It’s okay, just breathe. It’ll be okay.” Jin said, gently taking his wrists away from his neck. He crouched down, to be at level with him. The boy continued to sob.

“Hey, it’s gonna be alright. Breathe, okay? In and out. Deep breaths.” Jin took deep breaths as well, to demonstrate. Tenko nodded lighty, copying him as he calmed down. The cracks in the ground seemed to slowly come to a stop.

How did that happen? Was it touch based, since he touched the towel? He touched Jin’s hand earlier, even if it was one finger...was a certain amount of fingers needed? And if that was the case, why did the floor start to crack? Maybe it gets worse depending on his emotional state? Did that even make sense? Of course it did! Jin decided to go with that then. So a certain number of fingers? Hm…

He looked down to see Tenko sniffling. The violent sobbing had ended, but he looked so scared it pained Jin’s heart.

“Gone…”

“What was that, buddy?” Tenko shook a little.

“Grandma, Grandpa...Father...Gone.” His arms struggled a little against Jin’s hands, as if he was trying to break free to scratch his neck again.

“Turned to dust.”

Dust? Dust, just like the towel?

Wait that means he…

Jin gulped, trying not to think of it. It couldn’t have been the kid’s fault, after all. It was probably an accident, poor thing. It definitely explained why he was in an alley alone. He was glad he at least knew the other’s quirk, he had to be careful. 

Wait, what would happen if he took him to the police now? Sure, he was five, but he killed his entire family...they wouldn’t hurt him, right? Of course they wouldn't! He's five for god’s sake, they have to have at least a lil bit of decency! The system is messed up. True, but to do anything to such a small child… It was inhumane. Of course it is! So maybe they wouldn’t. They aren’t going to do anything big obviously, but they might hold him somewhat responsible. They can’t! They don’t care. They should! But they don’t. Maybe they will? Don’t try to justify those jerks! 

“I’m not justifying them!” He yelled. He blinked, seeing Tenko flinch from the sudden noise.

“Wait, Tenko, I didn’t mean to...I’m sorry.” He said, sighing. He looked at the kid who only nodded. 

“Here, let me bandage your neck. It’s bleeding, those could get infected.” Tenko nodded slightly, watching the other take out the bandages and medicine again.

As he treated his wounds, Jin had an idea. “Hey hold your hand out for a second.” Tenko tilted his head but did as he said. Jin wrapped his pinky and index finger with bandages, smiling as he tied it. 

“Ta da! You can now touch things without your quirk being effective.” Tenko blinked, reaching slowly to touch a bar of soap on the counter. Nothing happened. Jin chuckled at the sudden sparkle in his eyes.

“Gimme your other hand, I need to do it on both.” Tenko happily obliged, humming a tune he could barely recall as Jin finished with his hands. It was weird how his mood changed so quickly, but Jin chose to ignore it. At least he was feeling better.

“Okay buddy, look, I...I’m going to have to take you to the police station. They’ll...they’ll help you okay?” Jin didn't mind getting a few years in juvie if he had to, the kid needed to be okay. He was  attached already dammit.

Tenko’s eyes widened. “Y-you’re leaving?” His voice quivered in a way that made Jin just want to hug him.

“No no no, I mean technically yes, but I’m taking you where they’ll help you-” He cut himself off seeing Tenko’s eyes start to water again. How dare he make him cry! How dare anyone make him cry!  Well what was he supposed to do? Comfort him, duh! Fucking dipshit. Jin gulped, slowly putting an arm around him.

“Don’t leave…stay...please...” He whimpered. Jin never knew how weak he was to puppy dog eyes until that moment.

Goshdarnit.

“Okay, okay, I won’t leave. I’ll stay.” He said, smoothing his fluffy hair. “I’m here.” Tenko pouted a little.

“You won’t leave me?”

“Of course I won’t!” Jin said, hugging him. That caused the little one to smile.

“Thank you…”

“You’re welcome kiddo.” Jin picked him up, sighing as he took him out of the bathroom.

“Everyone watched.” The boy began. Jin raised an eyebrow at him. “No one...no one helped me. They all said a hero would come help. You helped. Thank you. Thank you for not leaving.” He mumbled, wrapping his arms around Jin’s neck. Jin felt anger creep up his neck, how could anyone just ignore a small child covered in blood? 

“...I wanted to be a hero.” He spoke, in such a quiet voice Jin might’ve not heard it.

“Hm?”

“I wanted to be a hero. But I can’t. I’m too weak, and I look like a villain.”

“Who said that?” Jin asked.

“Kids at school. They picked on me all the time. Said my scars made me look like a villain.” He huffed, pouting. Jin thought it was adorable, although he was mad at the kids for picking on him. How could anyone be mean to this little angel?

“No one just looks like a villain. Look here.” Jin pointed to his own scar, running down the middle of his forehead.

“See? I have scars too! It’s okay to have scars, it doesn’t make you any less heroic. And for the record, I don’t think you’re weak. You’re actually super strong to be able to handle so much!” Tenko’s eyes went wide, sparkling like rubies.

“Really?” There was so much excitement in his voice. So much hope.

“Of course! I think you’ll make an awesome hero, Tenko.” Jin replied. Suddenly, he got an idea.

“Hey, want to go to the store with me? I want to show you something.” Tenko’s eyes burned with curiosity but he nodded. 

------------------------------------------------------------

“Tenko, it’s winter. If you get ice cream, you’ll be even colder.” The small boy pouted.

“It looks so good...”

“No.”

Jin winced as Tenko gave him those goshdarn puppy eyes. 

“Tenko...okay, maybe not ice cream, but I’ll get you a cinnamon roll.”  That’s cannibalism! Shut up. “That’s good, right?” 

Tenko’s eyes lit up as he nodded.

“Alright, alright, I’ll get you one on the way back. We’re going somewhere after all.” He said, chuckling as he pulled the boy along, past the ice cream shop. Tenko was wary of holding his hand at first, but the bandages were taking effect. Jin hadn’t decayed yet.

He walked into the store, as Tenko gaped at everything in it. The scarlet eyes boy looked up, everything was so big around him. He tried to peek over the counter as Jin talked to the clerk. She was filling a balloon. A balloon? Was that why they were here? Tenko looked at Jin, pouting slightly. Why were they getting a balloon?

The store clerk giggled. “Aw, is that your little brother? He’s so cute!” Jin blinked, before smiling sheepishly.

“Y-yeah. He is.” Jin wasn’t sure if he agreed that Tenko was his brother, or that he was cute. He decided on both.

They walked out of the store, Jin holding a plain white balloon and a sharpie. They walked until they reached a small area of flat land, not too far from the store.

“When I was little, m’ mum said if you wrote your wish on a balloon and sent it into the sky it’d come true.” he whispered. 

“You want to be a hero right? Let’s write it on this balloon, and you can send it into the sky. That way it’ll come true for sure!” Tenko nodded eagerly, magma eyes glowing.

Jin steadied the other’s hand, helping him trace out the letters. Tenko didn’t know how to write entirely, but that was okay. Jin could help him.

He put the string in Tenko’s grasp, after the words “I want to be a hero” were written. 

“Now, just say it mentally and let go. It’ll fly to the heavens, and the angels will grant your wish.” Tenko nodded, bowing his head as if he were praying. Then, he gently let go of the balloon, letting it fly into the vast blue sky. They stared after it, until it was out of sight.

“Don't worry, you’ll get your wish, I’m sure of it.” Jin said, picking Tenko up.

“Are you a hero?” That question snapped him out of his thoughts.

“...what?”

“Are you a hero?” Tenko repeated, eyes lighting up a little. “They said a hero would help. You helped.” Jin sighed.

“No, I’m not a hero. Not even close to it. Sorry to disappoint you, kid.” He said.

“You’re a hero to me.” Jin raised an eyebrow.

“What do you mean?”

“Heroes...heroes help people. You helped me. That makes you a hero!” Tenko said, eyes shining with childish innocence. It made Jin laugh.

“You think so?”

“Mhm! You’re  a hero, like All Might! You’re the best hero!” Jin laughed again, ruffling his hair.

“I’ll take that as a compliment. Thanks, kiddo.” Jin smiled softly, holding the boy as he looked out the window.

“Hey, Tenko?”

“Mm?”

“By that logic, you’re a hero too.” Ruby eyes sparked in confusion.

“Huh???”

“You are!”

“How???”

“You helped me.”

“How???”

“Hm, you just did.” Jin laughed again. How long had it been since he’d laughed this much?

“C’mon let’s go get your cinnamon roll. There’s a bakery nearby.”

They weren’t so different, were they? Two boys, abandoned by society. Two boys everyone ignored. Two boys that everyone said the heroes would help. 

Two boys that were going to help each other, despite their scars. Despite it all.

Bonus because I want more fluff:

“Nii-chan! Nii-chan, nii-chan!” A scratchy voice squeaked. Jin looked up from the floor, only to be tackled by a ball of pure energy.

“Tenko, that was dangerous! I could’ve dropped my coffee! Tenko, there’s my little boy!” he reprimanded, yet cheered. But he couldn't stay mad as the teen let out a lighthearted laugh.

“I only do it because I know you’ll always catch me. Anyways, guess what?” Jin could tell exactly what it was from the smug look on his brother’s face, but he chose to play along.

“Hm, what is it?” Tenko broke out into a large grin.

“I got into UA!”

“Really? Congrats, I’m so proud of you! Hell yeah! What place did you get? If it’s in the top five then Giran owes me 5k yen!” He exclaimed, putting his coffee down as he lifted the boy up and spun him around. Tenko was extremely light, despite his age. 

“Hey hey, put me down!” He squawked, flailing like a magikarp as Jin spun him a few times. He finally put the boy down, chuckling at the grumpy expression on his face.

“Alright, alright. Still, I’m proud of you Ten. Good job.” He let a face splitting grin cross his face, one that many people saw as creepy. But to Jin, it was just the smile of his amazing lil bro.

“Hah, just wait until I show Touya, Shu, and Himi! And Touya’s dad. He said, I couldn’t do it, huh? Think again, bitch!” He shouted, giggling.

“Now, what did I say about swearing?” Tenko rolled his eyes.

“But you do it all the time!”

“That’s my other personality, so technically it doesn’t count. Yeah, what he fucking said!” 

Tenko sighed, laughing a little. “Whatever. Anyways, wanna celebrate? We can invite the others too!”

“Of course! I don’t know, did you finish your chores? Don’t mind me, I’m letting you take a day off today. What!?! Shut up, he deserves it. I hate that you’re right, or rather that I’m right…”

“Good, because I completely forgot to do them.” He laughed. “Looks like the balloon wish did come true though! I’m going to be the best hero someday, and when I do, I’ll help people just like you helped me. I’ll also make a lot of money, so you can take it easy!” Jin took several part time jobs in order to make enough money for both of them. But Tenko was determined to do his best, so his big brother could sit back and relax. 

“Alright, alright. C’mon, I made ohagi. We can figure out how we’re going to celebrate after we eat.” Tenko nodded, pausing before running to the table.

“Last one there is a rotten egg!”

“Hey that’s not fair, you got a head start! Get back here you little shit!”

Yeah, they would be okay.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                    In loving memory of Jin Bubaigawara

[dolcevitals]

      💀  * [ sofia carson + cis woman + she/her ] —— have you met amelie torres? they are a twenty-four year old sophomore currently studying ballet arts. they live on farrow house, and word around campus is that this aquarius is creative + indepenent, as well as stubborn + assertive. i wonder if they’ll make it out alive. flowers pressed in a journal, riding the city bus alone, and giving out little origami animals to strangers .  [ ooc: opossum. 18. she/they & est. ]

      — hey !! i am so so unbelievably excited to get started in this rp, you have absolutely no idea !! i’m opossum, i’m eighteen, and i’m sure u don’t wanna hear about me, so let’s get directly into amelie !!

𝐵  𝐴  𝑆  𝐼  𝐶   ╱  𝐹  𝐴  𝐶  𝑇  𝑆    

    𝗙𝗨𝗟𝗟  𝗡𝗔𝗠𝗘  :  amelie haley torres         𝗡𝗜𝗖𝗞𝗡𝗔𝗠𝗘𝗦  :  ames, emmie, ballerina           𝗚𝗘𝗡𝗗𝗘𝗥  :  cis woman        𝗣𝗥𝗢𝗡𝗢𝗨𝗡𝗦  :  she / her                   𝗗𝗔𝗧𝗘  𝗢𝗙  𝗕𝗜𝗥𝗧𝗛  :  january 29, 1996              𝗛𝗘𝗜𝗚𝗛𝗧  :  five foot and four inches              𝗦𝗘𝗫𝗨𝗔𝗟𝗜𝗧𝗬  :  homosexual / homoromantic               𝗛𝗢𝗠𝗘  𝗧𝗢𝗪𝗡  :  salento, colombia

born and raised in the small and colourful town of salenta, colombia

ever since she was young, amelie had always shown an interest in dance. mainly in ballet. watching the girls in their leotards and flowy tutus, she knew that’s what she wanted for herself. 

and so ballet was started, small classes of about six girls and an instructor because it was all the small town needed. her parents were happy to enroll her 

her parents on the other hand, were alright. she didn’t have some sort of traumatic backstory that has shaped her into the person she is now, there just wasn’t... much warmth. it’s not that they didn’t love her, neither of them were just not very good at showing it. they had her very young and were never taught exactly how to be parents. but she loves them, dearly so. they’re her everything. 

amelie excelled greatly at ballet. a gift her parents, nor even herself, knew about. it wasn’t hard to be the top of her class out of just six girls, but boy did she ever. ever since that, her and her family had decided that ‘hey. maybe there was something in this’ and so her practices became more and more intense. it began to take over her entire life. everything she did and breathed was ballet

aside from ballet, amelie picked up a few hobbies. the main one being origami. she loved it, and loved creating little creatures. she’d make them for her friends, for strangers, or she’d leave them around in public places so that somebody would find them and hopefully get a smile

it’s something she still does, leaving origami critters in the library and the courtyard. dropping a little origami owl down by somebody who’s studying with a kind smile

she’s also a total hopeless romantic. falling in love with every one that opened a door for her, or helped her pick her books up off the floor. 

because of her excel in ballet, she actually ended up coming to holloway on a scholarship. she’s worked incredibly hard to be here, and while the m*rders are scaring the shit out of her, it’s not scaring her enough to flee the school. this was an opportunity she couldn’t bare to miss out on.

you can usually find her by the lake, working in her journal w pressed flowers or another little origami friend. 

she also works as a lil waitress !

she’s got a little sister named lillian, and she’s amelie’s everything. she always checks up on her, and wishes her well. carries a photo of her in her wallet

can’t drive. is a stupid gay. takes the bus everywhere and feels like she’s in a coming of age teen movie

she’s very guarded, and a bit stubborn. she means well, honestly. would make a 10/10 friend. be her friend

because of the pressure of ballet that her parents pushed her, she’s become very domineering and everything usually has to be her way or the highway. not in a negative way, just that she needs to be Large and In Charge

anyway,,, uh. she’s still very much a new muse and this is all bare bones. i can’t want to flesh her out a bit more and get some more plots going !!! if u like this, i’ll come bombard your ims 

[nikkoleon]

 Lil about my HTTYD THW posts:

So I know I make posts about HTTYD THW every now and then and I’ve gotten a few people replying to these posts about why it is the movie ended the way it did and how it made sense/was a good way for it to end/ect. That’s fine. Now, I apologize if these posts I made ever came off this way, but what I say about THW is really just my opinion and perspective on it and not me trying to preach my word on the movie as gospel. Now, I actually enjoyed the movie. I’m not one of the people who just flat out hates it and everything to do with it, but I also just didn’t care for a lot of aspects of the movie.

I didn’t like the fact that Toothless seemed to push Hiccup almost completely out of his life for a good chunk of the movie over a dragon he knew nothing about other than the fact she was a pretty girl. I didn’t like the fact that basically the whole thing across the entire series of HTTYD being that dragons and humans can indeed get along and broaden the world for each other was tossed to the side in the end proving Hiccup wrong about living with dragons after almost a decade of the franchise trying to show that humans and dragons can be happy together instead of enemies. I didn’t like the long-bonds that were built between humans and very intelligent creatures (I know humans were “treating them as pets even though they’re wild animals” but a lot of these dragons can think almost on a human level so we ain’t talking about going in the woods and snatching up your local feral opossum) were also just sent away in a fairly unremarkable fashion, especially the dragons who probably didn’t actually want to leave (sorry, but I’ll never think that it was ok for Valk and the Cloud-man to separate when he obviously didn’t wanna go). I didn’t like the fact that all dragons across the entire world had to go live in an ocean hole whether or not this biome can actually suit them (or if they can even get to it). I also really didn’t like that the movie had to have the whole “you have to have a spouse and kids and be settled, ect to be happy” gig. “Traveling, exploring, and learning is irresponsible and unrealistic for long term” Hiccup wanted to travel and never wanted to even be chief. It was a role pretty much forced onto him suddenly in HTTYD 2 and he really couldn’t say no at that point.

Once again, these statements and my HTTYD posts are merely opinion and my own viewings of the movie. I’m simply just throwing out opinions on a blog and not arguing with anyone on why the movie/parts of the movie were and weren’t good. So for all of ya’ll not agreeing on my views of the movie, totes fine! No problem. I’ve read and I understand the views and reasonings that are added to my posts, but I don’t necessarily agree with them. I’ll forever think that the movie could have handled certain parts better and could have frankly ended better, but it ended as it ended and I can simply play with my own headcanons if I see fit for my own enjoyment~

[binniesthighs]

YEAH WIDDLE OL YOU WHO IS AMAZING AND NEEDS TO MURDER AND LOVE ME YOU CAN DO BOTH

The world should be nicer to fanfics in general like we get given that shit for free and most of them are so much better than a lot of books that have been released. Like honestly a good example of this YOU AND YOUR WORK, YOUR WORK IS SO MUCH BETTER THAN MOST OF THE BOOKS I OWN

IM GLAD THAT IM ABLE TO MAKE YOU SMILE BY BEING FUCKING WEIRD 🥴

The skzoo are so fucking cute I don’t blame you if you were to get leebit I literally had to do a name generator to pick which one I should get and yeah they’re really small it’s like the same size as this sort of cup thing I own and I was shoketh when I saw their size (especially with how much they cost)

HONESTLY THE CLIO PICS THE CHAN ONE I DIDNT EVEN REALISE THE ABS UNTIL I READ THE CAPTION OF SOMEONES POST AND LITERALLY WENT OHMY 😦😳 I DIDNT RELEASE BUT NOW WE MIGHT AS WELL GET CHECKED TOGETHER

I love little facts that authors have and like the reasons behind little characteristics or back stories and just anything it’s so interesting finding out little things like that 🥺

It’s okie 🥺 I’m just glad that you are able to share your (fantastic, phenomenal, spectacular) work and that you’ve gotten love and support. Mwah mwah 💋

((Sorry I’ve been gone for a while I haven’t been that good with responding recently))

~gahhhh melts into a puddle of love~ 🥺🥺

🌹you’ve got me feeling so loooooved ever since we started about me writing books n stuff and publishing ahhhhhh I think I wanna make it a goal of like to get published in some capacity by the end of the year hehe I’m in a couple writing classes rn and I’m trying to hone me skills so hopefully it’ll happen hehe it’ll probs a short story or something I’ll let you know if I do ☺️

(WAIT quick anecdote but technically I am a “published” author I work at a zoo and they had me write a lil thing about opossums and that lives on the internet with my real name 😂💀does that count?)

You always make me smile darlin’ 😉

Clio, SKZOO and now their fanmeet merch how the heck are we gonna keep up??? 😩and with this comeback I smell helppppp maybe I should respond to some of those random ass sugar daddy dms I get on Instagram 💀(lmaooooo I’m totally kidding...unless??....no really I am kidding 😂(wait while I’m on this, does anyone else get those??? I’m so confused))

Mwah mwah to you too!! 🥰

[mrbingley]

Dnd Circus Campaign session six through nine(?) recap:

wow! it’s been a hot minute since an update on the circus campaign here! my bad!

this may be a long one!!! buckle in!

after trying to charm suggestion thorne into getting a clown nose put on him, tallulah the trophy wife regroups with theren the runaway and sinclair the anarchist. tallulah is followed by the children wearing clown noses who are hiding/surveilling in the forest. the oldest tails her. tallulah looks finds an opossum and puts the infant clown nose on it so the clown nose won’t die. she puts a juicy couture bracelet around the opossum’s neck and takes the opossum with her (the opossum has a stat sheet and is now her pet).

the clown nose kid keeps following tallulah. she says she knows he’s there so he comes out from sneaking and is just with her. theren and sinclair see tallulah coming up to them in starbucks with a opossum wearing a juicy couture necklace and a clown nose and a young teenage kid wearing a clown nose. they’re like “?????”.

the starbucks manager comes over to ask them to leave b/c opossums aren’t allowed in the starbucks. they get in a lil verbal scuffle. they leave.

the teenage kid pokes the opossum and the opossum bites him. he won’t go to the hospital b/c his command has been to watch/follow tallulah (a command he got from thorne through the clown nose he’s wearing). tallulah wants to go fight thorne but theren and sinclair are insistent on taking this kid to the hospital b/c he might have rabies now.

they all begrudgingly take this kid to a minute clinic.

on the way, theren and the teenage kid (now given the name chase b/c this minor npc has been dragged into their group) hit it off. they’re both teenagers and feed into each other’s teenage chaos and that results in chase trying to poke the opossum again. tallulah is flabbergasted and scolds him and tell theren to stop talking to chase b/c he’s being a bad influence. they keep talking. it’s cute.

at the clinic, they don’t know what name to write down as the guardian for the medical sheet so sinclair writes down tallulah’s name. tallulah rolls a good perception check and notices and grabs the sheet and crosses her name out and writes sinclair’s. sinclair notices and crosses that out and rewrites tallulah’s and gives it back to the receptionist before tallulah can snatch it in time.

they all sit in the waiting area.

the opossum tears out the stuffing of a chair and burrows inside of it.

they brainstorm what to name the opossum while waiting.

tallulah knows sinclair’s real first name (sinclair goes by her last name). tallulah suggests naming it tiffany to mess with sinclair (b/c that’s sinclair’s first name that she doesn’t like going by).

sinclair is furious and says no. tallulah says fine i’ll name her holly (a breakfast at tiffany’s reference that sinclair doesn’t get). sinclair says she’s calling her josslyn. so the opossum has two names depending on who is taking care of her.

tallulah has to go back with the teenage kid b/c her name is written down as the guardian. the doctor isn’t great. he’d have to kill the opossum to see if it has rabies. tallulah says no. so he can’t do much for the kid. he says he can give him a series of rabies shots to be safe but they’re expensive. tallulah is rich b/c she’s the mayor’s wife so she says fine put it on my card and they leave.

they decide to go find cedbar the fire giant to try to get him to fight on their side against thorne. cedbar is at the coal factory that is being built. tallulah rolls a nat 20 persuasion on cedbar. she explains that thorne tried to control the mayor--the man you support and have deals with--and that thorne is cedbar’s enemy and also you’ll get to see me throw more fire. cedbar agrees. he puts down the coal he was hauling says “i... will kill the thorne” and full on sprints making a beeline for the circus tent. the gang starts chasing after him. cedbar gets their first and starts yelling inside the main circus tent for thorne to come out so he can kill him. thorne comes out with his group of clown nose wearing circus performers behind him.

initiative begins!

cedbar gets a hit on thorne and gets him to 0hp in one (he is... very strong and i did not anticipate them asking him to help them and them rolling a nat 20 to persuade him!!!).

tallulah catapults up onto the tightrope platform with the help of cedbar. the teenage kid follows her (b/c they’ve helped him he gets to roll a wisdom saving throw each time it’s his turn to see if he can overcome the command he’s been given: he’ll either try to help them or keep chasing tallulah).

the tightrope platform has the same symbol as tallulah’s magic camera and the magic wand looking thing she found. she takes her camera out and takes a picture of the tightrope platform. the platform rumbles, shoots down to the floor, then into the floor, then deep deep down into what looks like an old abandoned coal mining tunnel. she sees a vision of mindel the old ringmaster in a mansion with big dark figures around her and some coal dust on her. mindel tells her she’s been captured but she’s okay and she she’s that tallulah has found both of her artifacts and that that is good. tallulah asks her what seesaw’s fortune means (the tapping the nose three times and the right cheek once). mindel rolls well and tells her it is likely directions. go straight three times then turn right. big black figures come into view and take mindel away. the platform tallulah is on rockets back up into the tent where it previously was.

theren and his rainbow dalmation blink dog flank the left (he sends spotty under the bleachers to get to the other side with full protection (a good strategic move that i was v impressed with, this player plays video games and knows how to be smart in combat so that was v cool). theren has no difficult terrain b/c he’s an acrobat so i let him climb ladders and walk tightropes with his normal movement. he gets up a ladder onto a catwalk over the bleachers. gives tallulah bardic inspiration. theren tries to see if any of the performers recognize him, specifically pogo, the tightrope walker who taught him how to tightrope walk and was his mentor. pogo doesn’t seem to have any recognition of him.

sinclair is responsible for josslyn (aka holly). she send josslyn under the right bleachers b/c her full health is 1hp and she’s not good in combat. sinclair makes a beeline for thorne and hides behind cedbar b/c she’s a halfing and he’s a giant.

thorne calls in the clown nose kids in the forest and the mother clown nose (she’s big and has give tentacles her reach is 40ft but the second story stuff (cat walk, tightrope stuff, trapeze swings) is 50 ft and out of range).

a lot of stuff happens some of it very cool some of it very silly some of it tragic but i’m gonna skip over it b/c this would be so terribly long if i didn’t.

the clown nose mother telepathically messages theren b/c she recognizes him and says “help me” (in the borrowed voices of all the ppl she’s controlling; like clipped together cuts of any/every time a person has said those words).

therens pulls the most CLUTCH and beautiful move. he casts silence on the clown nose. the clown nose can’t hear anything in this area and can’t make any noise. this cuts thorne off from being able to communicate with and therefore command the clown nose mother. so he has no control over anyone now.

pogo looks like he has fallen out of a long fog and sees theren up on the catwalk and casts jump on himself to use his entire turn to launch himself right in front of theren. pogo picks him up in a big hug and asks him why he still chooses to have a silly mullet after all this time, it wasn’t in style ten years ago and it still isn’t now. pogo asks if he’s okay and theren says yes are you and pogo says he is now thanks to theren and thanks him for saving him. the player gets emotional and says he’s actually getting a lil misty eyed. it’s all very touching!!! theren gives pogo bardic inspiration.

thorne is knocked to 0hp again (he gets healed and knocked down a couple times throughout this).

tallulah takes the gem necklace from thorne (the gem that allows him to control the mother clown nose). theren sends spotty to take the necklace from her b/c he has a plan but he doesn’t tell her what it is so tallulah doesn’t trust him and she hellish rebukes spotty the dog to stop spotty from leaving. this creates genuine character tension and player tension (i personally loved it but both the actualy players were frustrated with each other over this).

theren reveals his plan is to destroy the gem in hopes it’ll free the clown nose mother of being controlled.

the clown nose leaves the area of silence and messages sinclair “into the tunnels” and sinclair and cedbar leave to go to try to free the copper dragon (who belongs to mindel the original ringmaster) locked in a train carriage. theren follows after.

tallulah tells pogo she’s going to try to destroy the gem (theyre the only ppl left in the tent near the entrance so she just wants to tell someone). pogo nods (he’s mostly mute; only talks to the other circus performers and even then he doesn’t speak much; he talks the most with theren).

tallulah rolls a decent animal handling check and realizes if she breaks the control gem it’ll likely psychically hurt the clown nose mother or her infants or the people wearing clown noses. it doesn’t seem like it’ll be a harmless solution.

now you’re all caught up!!! they’re somewhat out of initiative and combat and want to help save the clown nose mother and get her back to her world that sinclair relays thinks is in the old train tunnel.

[lacefuneral]

Pass the happy!🌻🌿 When you receive this, list 5 things that make you happy and send this to 10 of the last people in your notifications!

aww thanks maddy!! 😊

1. Opossums! They're really cute and I'd like to see one irl someday. :V

2. Cooking/baking! I don't really get to do it that much and I don't know a lot of recipies but it's fun and rewarding! I like to cook for other ppl more than myself. 🍳

3. Iridescent things - like shells or beetles or gasoline on pavement. I have a holographic backpack (altho it's BLINDING in sunlight) and I like to wear multichrome nailpolishes or ones that have at least a slight shimmer. My faves are "What A Royal Slick" by POP Polish (purple to orange) and "Rock Candy" by ORLY (white with blue tint). Weirdly enough I'm not much of a fan of holographic polishes, but I think it's because they're glitter-based so they're visually noisy, like static. 💿

4. When it rains outside but only a lil bit so the weather is nice and cool and u get the lil tip-tap sounds. 🌧

5. Painting with acryllics! Which I haven't done in Forever but I brought my paints with me so I'm gonna do that sometime this week. 🎨