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linkemon · 6 months

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Logos, ethos and pathos (Kaveh x Reader x Alhaitham)

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ʟᴏɢᴏs, ᴇᴛʜᴏs ᴀɴᴅ ᴘᴀᴛʜᴏs ᴀʀᴇ ᴘᴀʀᴛ ᴏғ ᴛʜᴇ ʀʜᴇᴛᴏʀɪᴄᴀʟ ᴛʀɪᴀɴɢʟᴇ ᴛʜᴀᴛ ɪʟʟᴜsᴛʀᴀᴛᴇs ᴛʜᴇ ᴄʜᴀʀᴀᴄᴛᴇʀɪsᴛɪᴄs ᴏғ ᴀ ɢᴏᴏᴅ sᴘᴇᴀᴋᴇʀ. ᴀʟʜᴀɪᴛʜᴀᴍ ᴡᴀs ɴᴇᴠᴇʀ ᴠᴇʀʏ ɢᴏᴏᴅ ᴀᴛ ᴇxᴘʀᴇssɪɴɢ ʜɪs ғᴇᴇʟɪɴɢs. ʜᴇ ᴅɪᴅɴ'ᴛ ᴛʜɪɴᴋ ᴛʜɪs ᴋɴᴏᴡʟᴇᴅɢᴇ ᴡᴏᴜʟᴅ ʜᴇʟᴘ ʜɪᴍ ɪɴ ᴀɴʏ ᴡᴀʏ. ᴀɴᴅ, ᴀʟᴛʜᴏᴜɢʜ ɪᴛ ᴡᴀs ʜᴀʀᴅ ғᴏʀ ʜɪᴍ ᴛᴏ ᴀᴅᴍɪᴛ ɪᴛ ɪɴ ʜɪɴᴅsɪɢʜᴛ, ᴋᴀᴠᴇʜ ᴡᴀs ᴅᴇғɪɴɪᴛᴇʟʏ ʙᴇᴛᴛᴇʀ ᴀᴛ ɪᴛ…

ᴀᴅᴅɪᴛɪᴏɴᴀʟ ɪɴғᴏʀᴍᴀᴛɪᴏɴ: 1. ᴏɴᴇsʜᴏᴛ ᴡᴀs ᴄʀᴇᴀᴛᴇᴅ ᴡʜᴇɴ ᴋᴀᴠᴇʜ ʜᴀᴅ ɴᴏᴛ ʏᴇᴛ ᴍᴀᴅᴇ ɪᴛ ᴛᴏ ɢᴇɴsʜɪɴ ᴀs ᴀ ᴘʟᴀʏᴀʙʟᴇ ᴄʜᴀʀᴀᴄᴛᴇʀ. ɪ ʀᴇʟɪᴇᴅ ᴏɴ ᴡʜᴀᴛ ᴡᴀs ᴋɴᴏᴡɴ ᴀɴᴅ ᴀʟsᴏ ᴏɴ ʟᴇᴀᴋs. ʜɪs ᴠᴇʀsɪᴏɴ ᴍᴀʏ ʙᴇ ᴅɪғғᴇʀᴇɴᴛ ғʀᴏᴍ ᴏɴᴇ ᴛʜᴀᴛ ᴡᴀs ʀᴇʟᴇᴀsᴇᴅ ɪɴ ᴛʜᴇ ɢᴀᴍᴇ.

Alhaitham read the same paragraph again. He didn't know why he needed a rhetorical triangle. Logos, ethos and pathos. Logos, ethos and pathos. Logos, ethos and pathos… He shook his head. His eyes scanned the text over and over, trying to make sense of it. What did he really need the ability to speak for? After all, he rarely spoke. It was tiring. And when he did say something, he was usually not understood anyway. Was it too late to fix it?

The man's attention was also constantly distracted by [Reader]. Underneath her bangs, he saw her smiling happily as she sipped her morning coffee. She fit the picture. Togehter with the chair placed in front of the house, the singing birds and the rays of sun illuminating her silhouette. The ring on her finger announced to everyone that she was in a relationship. Such view made him feel nostalgic.

***

Alhaitham looked around. The sun was slowly setting over the horizon. From one of the highest points, under the shade of Great Tree, he could watch people finishing their day's work. Many people in Sumeru were rushing out of the bazaar to rejoin with their families. Where he sat, padisarahs grew thickly. Enough to hide him from the prying eyes of others, along with the slightly swaying grass. And he had had enough of these looks. Especially after his parents left, becoming the subject of gossip and leaving him with unwanted feeling of pity from strangers.

The boy pricked up his ears for a few seconds. In the distance, however, he could only hear the clattering and singing of several small birds held by a neighbour belonging to Amurta. The Dusk Birds didn't seem happy about living in cages, pecking furiously at the metal bars.

It seemed that no one would come to his quiet corner today after all. Not that he was waiting for it. No way...

Alhaitham stroked the cover of the book in his hands. Gold letters embossed in a floral pattern immediately told him what he would be dealing with. He didn't even need to use Akasha to know that this was going to be the clichiest romance novel you could find in the library. Besides, even if he hadn't guessed, [Reader] would have told him about it a few seconds later. In a very loud and very annoying way, while forcing him to read another book when he left, like every week. So far she came every day. But now she hasn't appeared for a long time.

And good. He finally had the peace he had wanted from the very beginning...

But did he really like it?

When he told his grandmother about [Reader], she was happy. Even though she put knowledge on a pedestal and disregarded many other aspects of life, she still worried that her grandson lacked friends. After she took him away from the Academy when he announced that he was bored there all day, she was concerned about his lack of contact with his peers. She made several attempts to force him to integrate but most were unsuccessful. The children of neighbours and even friends from Kshahrewar, whom she invited, most often felt intimidated by young Alhaitham's knowledge or bored with his reluctance to participate in popular games. That's why she was very interested in the girl with whom he exchanged more than a few words. She really wanted to meet her but the boy refused to do so digging in his heels. All she could do was ask him to give her the baked goods, which she hoped would help make him a new friend. Which she wasn't wrong about because [Reader] stuffed almost everything ifrom the basket into herself, scattering crumbs around and repeating that Alhaitham's grandmother was a great cook.

At first, the boy told himself that he tolerated [Reader's] presence because he didn't want to disappoint his grandmother. However, when she stopped peeking into his corner, he began to impatiently await her presence.

— You're not coming today either, aren't you? — Alhaitham turned to his recently started reading of the translation of ancient manuscripts. For some reason it didn't seem particularly engaging today.

— Are you waiting for someone? — A familiar voice said a few steps away from him. There was an offensive note in it. No doubt in response to his thought aloud.

Alhaitham didn't take his eyes off the symbols on the page but he felt a kind of relief.

— Certainly not on you.

— Hmmm... If it's not on me, I guess I'll leave — saying this, she turned around.

The boy knew it was just a game. He was aware of her looking out of the corner of her eye, waiting for his reaction. That's why he didn't speak, still reading.

— I was joking! — [Reader] crossed her legs and sat down right in front of him.

She looked none too pleased that he hadn't fallen for it but her thoughts quickly vanished when she saw the cover of the book she had lent him sticking out of her bag.

— How did you like it? — She brought out the romance.

She lay down unceremoniously on the grass, holding it over her face and turning random pages.

— Why do you assume I like it? — Alhaitham still didn't take his eyes off the runes. — It was quite the opposite.

The book fell onto [Reader's] face with a dramatic splat. There was no indication that she was going to pick it up.

— Oh, come on! I can't believe you weren't hooked. There's literally everything here! Fantastic plot, great characters and emotions! — Came an emotional voice from behind the cover.

— I don't like fantasy or romance. Moreover, the plot had at least a dozen holes and the characters made a lot of illogical decisions. None of their feelings matched mine — said Alhaitham.

That's how it was. He assumed that was probably not what the girl wanted to hear but telling the truth seemed like the right thing to do.

— It wasn't THAT bad! — [Reader] suddenly stood upright. — People do different things and behave different when they are in love. Maybe you didn't like it because you haven't experienced a real romance yet? — she suggested.

— I don't think that will ever happen — said the boy.

There was a moment of silence, broken only by the sounds of birds tapping on a nearby cage. The girl was eating another round of baked goods, wiping the jam from the zaytun peaches with her sleeve. Alhaitham gave her a quick glance every now and then. She looked like she was deep in thought about something.

— You really didn't like anything about it? — she asked again after a long pause.

He shook his head, reaching for one of the last rolls. He wasn't in the habit of lying but the look on [Reader's] face in the setting sun for some reason let him know he'd messed up. Her eyes lacked the previous enthusiasm. Usually the same thing happened to other people who tried to befriend him but it didn't bother him that much at the time.

— I really liked it. — The girl clutched the book to her chest. — I thought you'd find something you liked and we could talk about it — she admitted, disappointed.

Alhaitham wanted to add that they could talk about it even if the book didn't make a good impression on him. However, [Reader] changed the topic of conversation before he could put into words what he wanted to say. The conversation had taken a different turn and he no longer felt it appropriate to return to it.

***

This wasn't the first time [Reader] had looked into Alhaitham's house. However, she had to admit that this time she felt like a thief. The host was not inside. She knocked tactfully but was aware that the only person who could answer was currently far away.

Despite the sun shining overhead, the rain was pouring down mercilessly. The drops were getting thicker by the second. Everyone ran away from the street as fast as they could. Women tried to cover themselves with muslin scarves but it didn't help much. [Reader] got wetter and wetter, desperately searching for a spare key hidden in one of the flowerpots. At first she was amazed how someone with such a brilliant mind as her friend could calmly hide it there on a regular basis. As he himself said: "The darkest place is under the candle." And with this slogan on his lips, full of peace, he hid it where he always did.

A pleasant warmth spread over the woman's body as she crossed the threshold of the house. Her wet hair, no longer ruffled by the gusty wind, fell on her forehead.

— Stop!

[Reader] braked mid-step, brushing away the strands blocking her vision. Her eyes saw a blond man with a blue feather braided in his hair. From a distance, he reminded her of a bird. Whenever he moved, the materials surrounding his body danced. She could say the same about the jewelry decorating him. There was a frying pan in his hand. She didn't know if he was preparing dinner or if he had pulled it out especially to welcome the intruder.

— Who are you? — the young man asked, pointing the frying pan at her accusingly.

— I could ask you the same thing — [Reader] said, crossing her arms over her chest. — You must be Kaveh — she added after a moment.

Judging by the fact that there were still streaks of coal on his cheek and that he had a pencil tucked behind his ear, it was easy to guess.

The blonde followed the girl, clearly wanting to protest as she made herself comfortable in the living room.

— For the love of Seven! Alhaitham will kill me — he muttered dissatisfied.

— You'll be fine. I'm [Reader], Alhaitham's friend. I think Alhaitham would rather kill you for telling me to get out. — Saying this, she made herself comfortable on the green pillows.

— Did he mention me to you?

She nodded.

— Only the worst things. — She laughed heartily.

Her friend didn't tend to colour unless it was necessary. From the very beginning, however, she felt that the stories told about the eccentric architect were suspiciously negative. Alhaitham really didn't like him and it showed.

— Then you're telling the truth — Kaveh said, setting the pan aside.

He disappeared deeper into the apartment for a moment and returned with a towel and a cup of coffee. Maybe it wasn't a mixture like from Puspa Café but the smell spread throughout the entire room.

— Thanks. — [Reader] gratefully accepted the hot brew.

Kaveh stared at her intensely.

— I will not disturb you. I'll run away as soon as it clears up — she promised, seeing him looking at her.

— Ah... Stay as long as you want. That's not what I meant — he added when he realized that the girl had noticed that he was watching her.

— So what's it about?

— Be my muse!

[Reader] almost spit out her coffee.

— Excu... excuse me? — she asked, trying to clear her throat.

— I'm working on a new sculpture and I need some inspiration — Kaveh explained, digging through a drawer and taking out some paper. — Unless... as Alhaitham's friend, you have art sticked up your...

Oh well. Kaveh expected this from the very beginning. Apart from his darshan, it was difficult to find people in Sumeru who had a special passion for artistic forms. Especially after the restrictions on public performances were tightened. People were leaning more towards applied art.

[Reader] was the first person he openly asked for this form of help. Of course, he also drew inspiration from various people at the Academy but usually none of them knew about it. Moreover, his main education was in architecture. In his case, knowledge of plant and animal motifs was much more useful. And they didn't have much to say about whether they wanted to be someone's source of inspiration.

— Not true! I'm ready! — [Reader] shook him violently by the shoulders. — Just tell me what to do!

The architect's ruby eyes seemed to glow. His mind seemed to shift rapidly to another track.

— So listen carefully. For the final exam, everyone has to prepare a sculpture inspired by any book. There is a scene I want to recreate when the main character runs in the rain to meet her lover. This is perfect because your hair is wet and…

— You read cheap romance novels — [Reader] said, as if in disbelief.

— I beg your pardon! - Kaveh huffed indignantly. — A book is a book...

— No, you don't understand! — [Reader] interrupted him. — I also read them and many others like it. It's just that a lot of people around say that they are not worth much.

— You mean Alhaitham? — The blond raised an eyebrow with theatrical contempt.

— Not only him — she admitted, slightly embarrassed. — Sumeru is the city of wisdom. This is not everyone's definition of something worth devoting time to.

In fact, that's exactly what happened. People in her darshan often told her that she should focus on something more useful. After all, as a woman of science she should be the example and read only serious literature. It is best to create equally serious publications and research on its basis so that the whole process can be repeated from the beginning with people who will come after her.

With recent improvements in Akasha base libraries, the need for physical copies of books has decreased significantly. Not many new items were printed anymore. They tended to focus on small expenditures. Fortunately, the situation was saved by novels imported from Inazuma. Yae Publishing House was doing quite well and, to [Reader's] delight, it was quite accurate in her reading preferences.

— Hmpf! I see such reading as satisfying human needs. Some people just need to read about magnificent events and feel emotions. There's nothing shameful about it. Now that we've established that, let's try sketching...

***

[Reader] felt that this was how it would all end. That's why she waited in the now closed library under the cover of darkness. The only company she had was the pale moonlight streaming through the windows and a small candle placed on the table.

The section with physical copies of books, access to which was restricted in the Akasha, was quite well guarded. Fortunately, the chief librarian also studied at Vahumana. She knew the girl very well. So, though apprehensively, she lent her the keys for the night, at the same time pointing out that if anything happened, she would blame [Reader] without hesitation.

— Good evening — the student greeted Alhaitham wryly.

Silver hair reflected streams of moonlight. He seemed to be an apparition in the night. Silent and elusive. At least so far.

— [Reader], what are you doing here? — The boy glanced at her.

— The more important question is, what are you doing in here? — She received no response. But she knew it well.

— You can not do it. — [Reader] tried to keep up with her friend.

She really hoped something had dawned on him when they talked that afternoon. Writing an interdisciplinary thesis was required in both Vahumana and Haravatat. As fate would have it, the instructors selected them together. She was pretty sure they just figured not many people could stand Alhaitham. She understood why. He could be aloof if he didn't like someone. She herself really liked the idea of cooperation. Until something else came into play beyond the project itself.

— It's not theft, [Reader]. — The boy quickly jumped down to the floor below.

Sometimes she wondered how he was so fit after spending half his life with his nose buried in books. The muscles probably didn't come from turning the pages but she had never seen him practice.

— You know it's not about stealing! The thing is, they might throw them out… — She took a roundabout route downstairs.

A few days ago, when a couple who also had to write a thesis came to them with a request, the girl couldn't believe what she heard. The professors specifically selected them with a topic that contrasted with their own. They expected that Alhaitham's work would, as usual, receive the highest scores and that they would be able to deliberately fail two students who were inconvenient to them.

So, out of desperation, the poor people came to ask for [Reader] and her friend to put in just a little less effort than usual. All this so that they could still study at Akdemiya. They encountered extremely different attitudes. While the girl empathized with their situation and decided to help them somehow, Alhaitham said that if they are not able to impress the teacher with their work, then maybe studying is not for them.

When Alhaitham proposed using information from the library's hard-to-access collections for her work, [Reader] protested. Any other time she probably wouldn't have had any problem with it. Now, however, it would be an additional advantage that would drastically reduce the chances of their rivals. She had no doubt that few people went so far as to sneak into the library illegally. If anything, it was usually done through acquaintance or with the help of bribery to obtain the keys. The two students probably did not have such opportunities. Meanwhile, her friend was doing it like a real thief, entering the library through who knows which entrance.

— It's not their fault they're being picked on by professor — Alhaitham admitted, looking for a suitable shelf. — But that doesn't change the fact that if they were able to write a perfect paper, professors wouldn't be able to throw them out.

— Why can't you cooperate with me? — asked the frustrated girl.

— After all, we divided the research areas together. Each of us does our part. We work together, [Reader].

In an academic sense, that's what it was like. But that wasn't what she meant.

— But... - she wanted to protest but gave up.

What sense did that actually make? Alhaitham has been doing what he wanted since he was a child. If he had a vision in his head, he did everything he could to make it come true. His logical arguments were difficult to refute. She didn't stand a chance.

— Wait a minute… — [Reader] snatched three thick volumes out of six out of his hand. — We don't need this at all. Sounds like something that... — In a split second, everything took on a new meaning. — You came here for them too? — she asked as her friend took the books back and headed for the exit.

Alhaitham handled the armful of books with ease. There was a faint smile on his face. As if he was proud that she had finally deigned to understand his plan.

He didn't have to write a worse paper. It didn't make logical sense to suddenly pretend to be stupider than he was. He would also not rub the noses of mean professors whom he himself did not like. Instead, he was able to help two students to set their work to a higher standard. He won't do all the work for them but it should make their job a lot easier. If they put some effort into it, they should be able to do it. Besides, he read the first chapter and dared to claim that they really knew what it was about.

He didn't expect [Reader] to grab his arm as he was about to leave the library.

— I'm glad you're helping them. I'm really happy but why couldn't you tell me that right away? I know you like working alone but we're a team now. Your plans, Alhaitham, are not so obscure that others cannot know them. — With that she walked back towards the moonlit table.

***

— Remind me why you drag me out of bed at six in the morning. — [Reader] yawned loudly.

She waddled half-consciously after Kaveh, who was bursting with too much energy in the morning for her liking. His blond hair reflected the glow of the sun just rising over Sumeru. He bounced with almost every step, showing his excitement. In his hand he held Mehrak that made robotic sounds from time to time.

— You must see this!

— Can't it wait a few hours?" — The girl moaned.

— It can't — the architect said.

So they walked the city streets together. The cobblestones soon turned to packed earth. They went out to the outskirts of Sumer, at the roots of the GreatTree.

— Ladies and gentlemen, maybe you would like to look at the key rings? — A child ran up to them.

— We're not interested in… — [Reader] began.

— Sure — Kaveh interjected.

The girl gave him an accusing look. She didn't get up early in the morning so they could waste time shopping. They were just in a real hurry. She wanted to protest again but her words fell out of his companion's other ear.

The architect began to look at the individual decorations with the air of an expert. They were carved from wood. Each depicted a different animal. The quality left a lot to be desired but the idea itself was charming. Meanwhile, the boy praised his goods, saying that the proceeds would be used to provide meals for hungry children. One piece for one dinner.

— I'll take them all — Kaveh said, holding out his supply of mora.

The girl just rolled her eyes and took Mehrak with her. She knew she couldn't reason with its owner. The suitcase made a welcome sound. The expression on the robotic face changed to happy. [Reader] saw a visualization of recent projects. One of them was a series of houses. It looked like it was quite an early stage of work. She usually saw already finished objects.

— The one with the lion suits you — the girl said as Kaveh finished the transaction and began to put all the key rings into his suitcase.

— I always knew I was the king — the boy said proudly.

— I would say it's because of your uncombed mane but...

— Ha! Just so you know, I got up and did my hair first thing in the morning!

— Awww, Kaveh made himself more beautiful just for me — [Reader] said to Mehrak, who changed his reaction to the smiling face.

In fact, that's exactly what happened. But she didn't need to know about it. He hasn't been sleeping very well lately. He was absorbed both in the work that Kshahrewar required of him and in his side projects. He found satisfaction in it but he had the impression that as soon as he closed his eyes, it was already another day.

When the idea of sharing the project with [Reader] occurred to him at night, he promised himself to wake up earlier to look at least a little better than the sleep-deprived version of himself after a few cups of his favourite coffee. He felt that a little longer and Enteka would really stop selling him the brewing mixture for fear of his health.

— Kaveh... you know you've been cheated on? — [Reader]'s voice was gentle. As if she didn't quite know whether it was worth starting the topic.

They set off along the beaten path again. The blonde nodded. That was the truth. In Sumeru, even health care was financed from above. The number of really hungry children was a tiny percentage. Unlike the other great nations of Teyvat where this was a bigger problem. On the other hand, he preferred to look like a fool. Even if the kid was lying, Kaveh doubted he would spend the money for a completely wrong purpose. He had seen him several times before. He always shared his toys with his neighbours' children. Marbles were often played on the streets and he was most often seen with them. He himself used to spend his days like this. Before the house was completely engulfed in flames and a series of misfortunes began to follow his family.

— Your heart is too good for this world — said [Reader].

— I'd rather have a too good heart than no heart at all — Kaveh replied.

With these words, he took a keychain from his pocket. A tiny swan swayed on the end of a metal ring. [Reader] accepted it, looking at her feet. She felt stupid. Not only did he specially choose an art-related animal for her, which reminded her of their first meeting but he also did not hide it in Mehrak. He knew exactly from the beginning that he would give it to her.

— [Reader]?

— Hmmm?

— It was a compliment to me. I am not angry at you. — Kaveh took the suitcase from her.

— I know — she said.

But the truth was that she didn't know. She felt a tiny stone fall from her heart the moment he said that. Mainly because although to some (including Alhaitham) this constant faith in people seemed childishly naive, it impressed her. She really didn't want him to lose it. It was so embedded in him that it was contagious. And among so many people in the Academy, where competition pushed scientists to do various not-so-pleasant things, it was nice to have someone who spread exactly different, positive ideas.

— We're here — Kaveh announced proudly.

The girl looked around the area but there was nothing here but grass. And also a place that looked as if someone had previously demolished the area.

— Is this your new construction?

— So you were already looking at the preliminary designs? A new center for children is to be built here. They were looking for people in Kshahrewar and I volunteered. Unfortunately, I was the only one. — The frustrated architect slowly exhaled through his nose.

[Reader] looked back at the grass. Immediately afterwards, she remembered the swan keychain still in her hand.

— Well... I don't know if I'll be able to lift all these timbers but the two of us can definitely do it — she said.

— I'm an architect, not a builder — Kaveh replied.

— Are you saying that I have to build this house myself?! — [Reader] panicked.

In her darshan, no one taught about putting buildings together. Much less was any physical work done, apart from trips to the ruins in search of new sensations.

— Of course not. Akademiya will send workers. I just have to do the project — Kaveh reassured her. — I thought that as someone from Vahumana, you probably already had some work with children. You'll have a better idea of what else I should add.

— Yeah,this I can handle for sure.

That day, [Reader] was late for class. Just like the next one and for the next weeks. She knew that the professors in her darshan were not happy. Like Alhaitham, who scolded her that since she had decided to attend the Academy, she should at least show up there. But here she really learned by living example. She was doing something useful with her knowledge. It wasn't just monotonous typing of formulas and reading old books. She was doing something good. Together with Kaveh.

And when the finished house was finally officially opened and she saw the architect's smile among the children, she felt that it was worth it.

***

— What do you want? — [Reader]'s unfriendly voice echoed throughout the vast room.

The Grand Sage's office was well known to Alhaitham. The blue and yellow stained glass windows allowed a dull light to filter into the room. The rays fell most densely on the table covered with papers. This was probably the intention of the architects from Kshahrewar when they designed this room several hundred years ago. Show that work was its destiny and most important function.

— I came to congratulate you.

It was true. At least in part. Since the woman took up her new position, she rarely appeared at home. And if they did, it's usually very late and she just went to sleep.

— There's nothing worth congratulating — she said.

She seemed small next to the huge wooden chair. Tired eyes and a pile of documents indicated a lot of work. Both the one already done and the one that still awaited her.

The furrow on the woman's forehead seemed to grow larger by the second. Her eyes avoided him like the plague.

— You're mad — Alhaitham said.

— I have the right to do so. — [Reader] got up from the desk.

— You're mad at me — he corrected himself.

This wasn't the first time he'd seen her like this. But her anger was rarely directed at him. He was usually just an observer of these rare outbursts. Being the center of one of them was something completely different than usual.

— Why? — he asked.

— You are an intelligent man. You should know it. — [Reader] finally looked him in the eye.

Alhaitham tried to remember the last time they had spoken normally. It seemed like it was recently. However, as he replayed the conversations they had had with each other in his head, he realized that most of them had taken place in the process of handing over her new responsibilities to the woman. The rest were mundane conversations related to living in the same house. And before all this, he himself was busy executing a plan to save the Archon of Sumeru. So the reason must have happened sometime during this period…

— Is this about Nahida?

[Reader] seemed surprised that he called the goddess by name. She was not yet used to her being called this way, even though the Archon asked her to do so personally.

— It wasn't right, Alhaitham.

— I don't understand.

The man knew his capabilities. He knew perfectly well that he had fulfilled one of the riskiest plans that many people would never dare to do. He thought everything through and executed it with precision.

But when it came to [Reader], he seemed to lose most of his skills. It was as if part of what he could normally read in people was hidden from his eyes. This wasn't usually a problem because she expressed most of her feelings right away. But now he had the impression that, although many considered him a wise person, he was a complete fool.

— Oh, by the Seven! That's the problem! You never understand. And no matter how many times I wait for something to change, it's always the same! — The voice echoed, bouncing off the white marble. — Why didn't you tell me all this?

— You weren't required for the plan to succeed.

"You weren't required for the plan to succeed" sounded better than "I didn't want you to be a part of it." Because he didn't want to. Not in such a risky venture. Everything could have fallen apart at any stage. It didn't matter how many times he calculated the probabilities and the possible paths he could take. Neither version satisfied him enough to want to involve her in all this.

— You say it but you don't mean it. The Alhaitham I know always says what he thinks. Because he's honest — she added, poking her finger into the center of his chest.

He knew she was waiting for him to confess. The truth. But for some reason the words couldn't leave his mouth. Because if he really said it, it would be as if his earlier words were a mistake. And he wasn't wrong.

— It's not that I had to be there. I probably wouldn't even be very useful. But it hurt me that you didn't want to share this whole secret with me. I trust you with so many things but you couldn't tell me that you were taking on the most dangerous task of your life? Anything would do. Even one sentence. No details. — She pursed her lips. — What if you have failed? Would I only hear about it if they put you in jail? When Azar would announce that you were dead because you had lost your mind?

Alhaitham stood in the very center of the hall. He couldn't remember many times in his life when he truly felt guilty. Probably in his childhood, when he rarely did something to upset his grandmother. But now this unpleasant feeling had sprouted inside him. Biting somewhere around his heart.

— And then you came up with this nomination for Grand Sage as if nothing had happened... — [Reader] continued.

— You could have refused... — he began.

— Who says no to the goddess of Sumeru? Be serious. Besides, you asked me. And I could never say no to you. — The woman's eyes ran towards the open window, where she could hear the singing of the Dusk Birds. Night was falling over the city.

There was silence. Terribly long.

— I apologize.

Alhaitham wished his silver bangs were covering both of his pupils at the moment. Perhaps then he wouldn't have to see the disappointment in [Reader's] eyes.

— Don't you have anything else to tell me?

The man looked at the pocket where the gift he had chosen throughout the afternoon was hidden. The ring, shimmering green, twinkled warningly in the darkness. This wasn't how it was supposed to turn out. He wanted to congratulate [Reader], leave it here andgo out. And then maybe he would be a step closer. To say the words that had been ringing in his head for some time. But now it seemed to him that the distance between them had increased dramatically. As if instead of a small gap, there was an abyss separating them that had not been there until recently.

— I apologize. — With that words on his lips he left.

***

— I'll end up in poverty on the streets — Kaveh said.

His imagination was already working at full speed. In his head, he created scenes in which he would walk out the door with only Mehrak at hand and a few things he could take with him.

He saw the contemptuous looks of the people from the Academy. The same ones for whom he was their biggest rival in Kshahrewar. And also disappointed, those who were captivated by his magnum opus. After all, the famous Alcazarzaray palace was talked about throughout Sumeru and beyond.

— It won't be like that at all. I know you're behind on your rent but Alhaitham won't throw you out.

[Reader] knew well that these two lived together like a dog and a cat. They were complete opposites. However, despite their frequent quarrels, in the end they always somehow managed to find a common ground. And although this thread was often thin and frail, at least it existed.

Her childhood friend would never do something like that. Or at least she wanted to believe so.

— If necessary, I'll lend you money or find an apartment, — the woman continued.

The position of the Grand Sage should not be used for such purposes but she felt that the goddess of Sumeru would not be angry about it. Especially since she sometimes mentioned how much she appreciated the architect. If she found out that he might become homeless, she would definitely help him.

— I do not agree! Kaveh put his head on the desk as if to shut out the conversation.

— Why not? — [Reader] asked, surprised.

— No particular reason — he finished sluggishly.

The truth was that there was pride in Kaveh. Pride, an old friend he found difficult to silence. Whether it was when he announced in his year that he would become the best student, or when he announced that he would build a palace that would amaze Teyvat. The same friend was biting him now. Because the mere thought of [Reader] knowing about his problems made him feel bad. However, what hurt him more was the thought that she would be the one to give him a loan to get out of this trouble. This is not how it should be. He didn't want it to be like this.

— How can I help you if you don't want me to? — The woman rubbed her temples.

— I do not need help…

[Reader] looked at the sketches scattered across the desk. Cups with half-drunk coffee rested on some of them, forming brown circles like stamps marking nights of work spent creating. She already knew this condition. Busyness was nothing new for the brilliant architect. But now it was worse than usual.

The room was stuffy. Some dust had already collected on the shelves, the particles of which were now dancing in the glow of the rising sun. The bedding looked almost untouched. It probably hasn't been used much in recent days.

— You don't need it at all. It's best to continue ruining your health. You're doing it again, Kaveh! — [Reader] shook her head in disbelief.

— Ah yes! It's best to pick on me. You and Alhaitham are both the best at this! — The blonde jumped up abruptly from the chair.

Maybe he was a little turned on. Lack of sleep and coffee were taking their toll. However, it was true that the two of them were always right there to reprimand him. Though, as he later said, maybe it was because no one else had stayed with him that long.

— If you don't need help, that means you're overdramatic...

These words set him like a rag to a bull. He knew they weren't said with any particular intention. But it was Alhaitham's favorite quip and it reminded him of how long he and [Reader] had known each other.

— That's who I am. If you don't like it, we don't have to talk!

The uttered sentence hung in the silence in the room for a second. Kaveh knew he could be short-tempered. He rarely regretted it. However, this was the moment when he really wanted to turn back time. For that tiny moment that seemed to make a difference in [Reader's] patience.

— You're right. We don't have to — she said, grabbing the door handle. — I wish you would just trust me when I say everything will be fine. — She slammed the door.

Kaveh ran a hand through his hair. As if it would help him in any way. He closed his eyes for a moment but only [Reader's] features appeared in his mind. Her accusatory but sad look. She meant well. She was worried about his health. And it was far from ideal. At least in recent days. Why was it so hard for him to admit she was right?

The man put his hand to his chest. He felt his heart beating rapidly and laughed heartily. He was a poor art lover if he couldn't recognize the most common motifs in his life.

He shook his head and grabbed the first sheet of paper full of sketches. He had spent the last few days working on it but it didn't really matter at the moment. He reached the door, praying to the Goddess of Wisdom for his success.

— [Reader]! [Reader], wait! — he cried, breathing heavily.

He was never in good shape. Fortunately, the street wasn't crowded yet. Most merchants were just arriving with their goods to be able to arrange them later.

The woman turned around with a surprised look on her face.

— I thought we weren't talking anymore — she said sarcastically as Kaveh caught his breath.

— Sorry. I didn't want to accept your help because... — There was a moment of silence. — Because... Oh, Seven! Why does it have to be so hard when I have to say it myself?!

This was definitely unusual behavior. Because since [Reader] first met the blonde, she had never seen him speechless.

— Because I was ashamed to accept help from someone I was madly in love with! — With these words he fell to his knees and reached into his pocket.

Several people on the street looked around curiously and two merchants even whistled, cheering the man on.

— Kaveh... what are you... don't be silly. — The panicked woman tried to pull him upright. — You're not going to propose to me here, aren't you?

Everything happened at breakneck speed. A few minutes ago they were still arguing. She definitely didn't expect this when she got out of bed this morning.

— This isn't a proposal. For now. Because I'm not saying I will never... Just not now... — he added, regaining his former self-confidence. — This is my gift to you. With a vow to improve and a request for you to become my beloved muse.

The ring he pulled out of his pants' pocket was made of paper. The same one that, as [Reader] recognized, was lying on the desk not long ago. How on earth did he come up with this? She had no idea. She had to admit it was cute though.

— All right, all right. I'm just begging you, get up. People around us probably think that we have just become fiancées... — while saying this, she discreetly pointed to two clapping men, who were joined by a group of dancers and a random passer-by.

— It doesn't bother me... OUCH! Okay, I'm not saying anything! — He raised his hands to surrender.

***

— I'll walk you to work in a minute — Kaveh said as he left the house.

[Reader] closed the romance novel she was reading and placed it on the table. She drank the rest of her coffee as she got ready to leave for work. She said goodbye to the scribe as she headed down the street.

Alhaitham watched the couple leave, still trying to convince himself that he had to finish reading the book. After a while, however, he put his reading aside. Right next to the one [Reader] was reading earlier.

Sometimes thoughts came to him. What if he were the architect now? But then he always thought that it would never work. Even though he wouldn't admit it out loud, Kaveh was better at something than him. In being a speaker. He was able to put into words what was in his head. No matter how many titles on rhetoric books Alhaitham read, he was unable to implement their concepts in his life. Logos, ethos and pathos were not on his side...

#alhaitham x reader #kaveh x reader #genshin impact x reader #oneshot #genshin impact #alhaitham #kaveh #sumeru

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xandertheundead · 8 months

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OMG propmt time! Uuuuuuuuh…. Well I uh…I KNOW where panchito abandons Jose in the middle of the night, but then months later he comes back but finds Jose in a new house about to get engaged to this other guy, and panchito is like, “ oh pleaseee forgive me! Be with me !” But Jose wan nona dat so it’s like going back and forward with panchito trying to screw up the relationship but Jose actually want to be happy for once in his life and actually loves the guy he is engaged to so idk how to end it tbh.

This is so long 😭😭😭 I’m sorry

Oh my goodness! I am so sorry this took so long. I really went crazy with it so it's pretty long! I tried to keep it as close to what you wanted as I could! I hope you enjoy it and thank you for sending me the prompt!

Having a gay crisis about one of your best friends was one thing.

Having a gay crisis after you spend a long passion-filled night with one of your best friends was something entirely different.

Running from problems was not something Panchito usually did, preferring to face them head-on so he could solve them and get on with his life. Running was something cowards did, especially when it was not only you but also involved a dear one’s thoughts and feelings as well, and this time Panchito could call himself nothing other than that.

The panic had set in as soon as José’s eyes had closed, his breathing even and soft as the cold sickening feeling of dread started to fill Panchito’s stomach. He only waited until he was sure that José was truly asleep before moving quickly, grabbing his clothes and shoving them into his bag as quietly as he could before bolting out into the dark night.

Traveling back to Mexico with memories of that night had been torture. Remembering the way José’s face had grown red as he whispered things in Portuguese that Panchito hadn’t fully understood but caught enough of the meaning. How their kisses had felt electric, the feeling of his body pressed against Panchito’s, and how tightly he had held Panchito’s hand as they both finished with groans.

It was strange how badly it hurt when he only received one text from José asking if he was okay and then received nothing else even when Panchito tried to text or call.

He didn’t blame José.

If anyone had treated any of his sisters, or brothers to be fair, like that he would have hogtied them and dragged them through the town behind Señor Martinez for everyone to shame them for doing such a thing. He had thought about doing it to himself, but Señor Martinez would have never done anything to hurt him so Panchito had settled for going to his hometown Parish and asking if he could stay there for the time being. He did not dare try to go to his parent's home with his head filled with such confusion and turmoil, they would never leave him be.

Though alone, Panchito’s thoughts were only filled with José.

How he smelled. Castile soap, Malbec cologne, and the faint hint of cigar smoke since José had started smoking outside because it bothered both Donald and Panchito.

The way the feathers around his neck and cheeks would fluff up when he started to lose his temper.

How well he could hold his liquor until suddenly he couldn’t and he became the most clingy thing anyone had ever come across.

His favorite foods. His favorite music. His favorite places.

Panchito even missed how deceiving José could be.

Father Quintero had been very kind, letting Panchito stay with him and help around the parish wherever it was needed. The man did not ask Panchito what was bothering him or why he was back, only told him that he was there to listen if Panchito needed to talk. It wasn’t until he had been there for a month that Panchito finally broke down and confessed everything that he had been thinking, feeling, and had done to the priest after Father Quintero asked why Panchito never seemed to play his guitar or sing anymore.

The reason was because it made him ache for the bird he had left behind.

Father Quintero had listened calmly, handing him tissues when Panchito had been unable to hold back tears and a soft hand on his back when he would get choked on words he had been too afraid to say before.

“I love him.” It was whimpered, words raw and cracking as they came out of his mouth. “I love him more than a friend and not like a brother.”

It had taken weeks of talking, Panchito questioning Father Quintero on every single possible thing that he could think of now that he could admit his heart truly belonged to another man. He had been surprised when the priest never seemed to judge him or tell him that his feelings were vile and sinful. Only would take his hand and make sure Panchito was looking him in the eyes before he said, “You are a good soul, Francsico. It is my opinion that it is your actions that God looks at when our time comes and not those we love. I do not believe love can be a sin because it is one of the fruits of the Holy Spirit.”

It was another two weeks of thinking before he packed up his guitar, thanked Father Quintero for all of his help and set off with determination in his heart.

He would go back to José, not to beg for another chance, but to apologize fully and wholeheartedly for what he had done to someone so dear.

Talking to Donald before traveling to Brazil had been one of the scariest and most hurtful moments in Panchito’s life. Donald was angry. Livid. Things were thrown at him, and truly nasty, ugly words yelled at him right on Donald’s front door.

He had told Panchito to go away, that he wanted nothing to do with someone who would treat a friend the way Panchito had, and slammed the door in his face. Panchito had gone back to his hotel room, surprised when at three in the morning a text from Donald woke him up.

Donald: You are an absolute bastard who doesn’t deserve any kind of kindness after what you did…

Donald: But you are still my friend and I love you…

Donald: Bring lunch over tomorrow. Nothing cheap. I’m pissed as hell and I will be even more angry if you bring fast food.

The lunch had lasted well into the night, from glasses filled with soda to being refilled with whiskey. The first few hours Panchito got another verbal lashing, and he sat and took it because it was what he deserved, but after that real conversations started.

“Did you know he’s engaged?”

Panchito’s shock must have shown on his face because Donald gave him a look with a raised eyebrow and Panchito had to clamp down on the feeling of hurt. It had only been two and a half months since he had held José in his arms and the other had whispered words of affection into his ear, had he been that easy to move on from? Anger sparked for just a moment before Panchito told himself he wasn’t allowed to feel that way.

He had left first.

“No,” Panchito whispered, putting his head in his hands, feeling more defeated and sad than he had his entire life. “I didn’t. Rosinha?”

Donald snorted and Panchito knew it was a dumb question to ask.

He loved José, but the parrot truly made a lot of bad decisions, especially when it came to the women in his life and how he treated them. Rosinha had been one of the most frequent victims of José’s fickle and flighty interests, putting up with so much that both Donald and Panchito were relieved when she finally had enough. She and José had stayed friends which was a miracle and some ugly part of Panchito hoped that because he hadn’t done anything as bad as José had to Rosinha maybe they could at least stay as friends.

A thought that had come up numerous times while he had been away floated up and he looked up at Donald. “Do…do you think I was just a fling?”

Donald sent him a glare. “Would that make you feel better? That running away wasn’t so bad as long as it didn’t mean anything to him?”

Panchito hunched his shoulders, feeling ashamed because it was true, but at the same time the idea of José seeing him as nothing but a friend to have a fun night with made him feel sick.

Donald sighed after a moment and shook his head. “No, Panchito. José can be awful, but you are his friend first and foremost. He wouldn’t have risked that for sex unless he felt that way towards you.”

By the time one in the morning came, Panchito found himself on Donald’s couch a bit drunk with Donald’s arms wrapped around him in an embrace that made Panchito’s already red-rimmed eyes water again. Donald let him stay at his house while Panchito sorted everything out and for the first time in two and a half months, Panchito picked up his guitar and started to work on a new song.

Finding José had not been hard, his new fiancée was an actress from a wealthy and respectable family in Brazil and they frequently went to and threw several events. While finding José had not been hard, getting into the soonest party he would be at was. He’d had to use his charm and disguise techniques he’d learned as a Caballero just to get in the band that was playing for the event.

He hadn’t even taken off his fake beard when he heard José speak.

“Ah. Hello, meu amigo.” José’s voice carried a friendly tone, but it sounded flat and off to Panchito’s ears. “To what do I owe the pleasure of you sneaking into my fiancée’s gala?”

Panchito felt a lump in his throat as he slowly stood and turned, terrified now that he was face to face with José. He had been thinking about this moment for so long and now that he was here nerves threatened to take over but moved past it and took a deep breath. “I came to apologize.”

There was no look of shock or anger, just a mild look of curiosity and an easy smile that did not reach the parrot's eyes. “Oh? For what, Paco?”

Panchito frowned, frustrated at the nonchalant act, before he took a step forward toward the Parrot, instinctively reaching out. He froze when José gave the smallest of flinches at the movement and Panchito immediately dropped his arms and pulled back. He let out a soft sad sigh before shaking his head and looking back up at the man who owned his heart.

“For that night. I had-“ Panchito stopped when José clicked his tongue and waved his hand in Panchito’s direction in a dismissive way.

“Oh, dear Panchito,” Jose shook his head. “You do not have to apologize. It was a moment of crazy passion, nothing else.”

Panchito’s heart hammered in his chest, courage rapidly fading as those light brown eyes stared at him as if Panchito was just another random person in the room.

“But I do,” Panchito replied, pushing past any of his feelings of fear and hurt. “I did something someone should never do to a friend. Especially to a friend that they love. Love more than anything.”

The sudden look of fear in José’s eyes made Panchito’s heart clench and he took a step back when José took a threatening step towards him. Green feathers around his neck and cheeks ruffled in anger even as his expression smoothed out into a distorted look of forced friendliness that honestly scared Panchito.

José laid a hand on his shoulder, grip tight enough to cause Panchito to wince and sway when José gave him a ‘playful’ shake.

“I said,” Jose replied. “There is nothing to apologize for, meu amigo. So let us leave it at that.”

Panchito was not given a choice, José letting go of his shoulder and walking away without even a single look back. Crying right now in front of a large group of people was not ideal and Panchito took a deep steadying breath to compose himself as José’s figure disappeared amongst the crowd.

Give up.

He clearly does not want to think about that night.

Or about you for that matter.

Give up. Go home. You failed.

He should give up. He should go home. But he wouldn’t. He was done being a coward.

Panchito went back to the band, asking them for one very large favor before he set up to play their setlist. Pure stubbornness allowed him to play through their music with no issue, his anxiety quieted as his fingers strummed the strings of his guitar. It was only when they had finished their sixth song and the leader of the band announced they had something new for the audience that Panchito felt the unsettling creep of fear.

Panchito attached the strap to his guitar with shaking fingers, slipping it over his neck as he stood and moved over toward the microphone. He swallowed thickly and nodded when the other singer clapped him on the back and muttered words of good luck before leaving him alone at the front of the stage. Panchito made sure the microphone was in the right place to pick up both his voice and guitar before taking in a settling breath and pulling up the courage he used to know so well.

He laid his calloused fingers against the frets, his other hand moving to very gently brush against the strings and he looked out into the crowd to see if he could find José. There was no sign of the parrot and Panchito refused to let the hurt and fear take over that José wouldn’t even hear what he had made.

As a last-minute thought, he decided to switch the words he had written for the man from English to Spanish. José knew English fluently but Spanish was a little harder, especially since Portuguese was so close to it that there were often misunderstandings. That way, José would hear his song but could decide for himself if he wanted to hear Panchito’s apology. It was all José’s choice and Panchito let everything go as he poured all that he felt into the first gentle cords of the song.

Hola mi amigo, mi querido, mi amor. (Hello My friend, My dear, My love.)

¿Me estás escuchando? (Are you listening?) Hay tantas cosas que quiero decir. (There are so many things I want to say.) Tantas palabras que me han llevado a llenar la página. (So many words that have filled the page.)

¿Puedes hablar? (Can you speak?) Necesito tu voz como en las canciones que solíamos cantar. (I need your voice like in our songs we used to sing.) Una hermosa armonía entrelazada como un sencillo anillo de oro. (A beautiful harmony like a simple gold ring.)

Hay muchas cosas que desearía no haber hecho. (There’s many things I wish I didn’t do.) Como no quedarme hasta que saliera el sol contigo. (Not staying till the sun rose with you.) O huir porque tenía miedo de lo que significaba. (Running because I was scared of what it meant.) No pensar en lo que eso significaría para ti. (Not thinking what it would do to you.)

Hola mi amigo, mi querido, mi amor. (Hello My friend, My dear, My love.) Lo siento por haberte herido. (I’m sorry that I hurt you.) Hola mi amigo, mi querido, mi amor. (Hello My Friend, My dear, My Love.) Lo siento por haberte dejado. (I’m sorry that I left you.)

No sé si este llamado te llegará. (I don’t know if this call will reach you.) Sé que esto no es ni remotamente suficiente. (I know it’s not nearly enough) Mi amor es cristalino, claro como mi mente. (My love is crystal, clear just like my head.) Me tomó tiempo y ahora, lamentablemente, es tarde. (It took time and now it is unfortunately late.)

Si no es así, mi corazón y mi alma te daré. (If it is not, my heart and soul to you I’ll give) Estaré contigo y cuidaré de ti mientras viva. (Be with you and take care of you as long as I live) Si es así, por favor, no te preocupes, no te molestaré. (If it is, please do not worry, I will not bother you.) En mis sueños te abrazaré fuerte y rápido. (In dreams I’ll hold you close and hold you fast.)

Hola mi amigo, mi querido, mi amor. (Hello My friend, My dear, My love.) Lo siento por haberte herido. (I’m sorry that I hurt you.) Hola mi amigo, mi querido, mi amor. (Hello My friend, My dear, My love.) Lo siento por haberte dejado. (I’m sorry that I left you.)

Te deseo solo cosas buenas. (I wish you only good things.) Una vida plena y libre. (A life full and free.)

Buenas noches mi amigo, mi querido, mi amor. (Goodnight My friend, My dear, My love.) Lo siento por haberte herido. (I’m sorry that I hurt you.) Adiós mi amigo, mi querido, mi amor. (Goodbye My Friend, My dear, My Love.) Lo siento por haberte dejado. (I’m sorry that I left you.)

The applause startled Panchito, so lost in pouring his heart out that he had forgotten where he was for a moment. He once again tried to look through the crowd, but when there was no sign of José Panchito could only bow and step back as the band continued with their songs.

He heard nothing from José for the rest of the time he spent in Brazil.

Nothing from José as he flew back to his home where he sat his parents down to tell them of his love for another man.

Nothing as he stayed home for a few months to help around the house as well as going to visit Father Quintero, doing a few odd jobs for the priest when he needed help.

Nothing as he planned his yearly trip north to visit Donald and the family, making sure that he would not be coming around the time José did. It used to be something José and he did together, but Panchito knew that wasn’t something he could have anymore.

“Did you know your song is crazy popular in Brazil?” Donald questioned as they sat at his dinner table one morning, Panchito sipping his second cup of coffee because he had already been up with the sun while Donald stirred his first with a sleepy stare.

Panchito nodded. “Si, I know. Someone called a while back to see if I would be willing to record it.”

Donald glanced up from his coffee to look at him. “Are you going to?”

“No,” Panchito said with a small smile, time had given him a quiet sense of melancholy peace. “The song is not for everyone. It is only for him.”

Donald didn’t say any more about it and they moved on with his visit.

It was on the day that he was leaving Duckburg, bags packed and a plane ticket bought for Italy, that Panchito finally heard something.

The soft knock on his motel room door made him frown as he shoved his toothbrush and toothpaste into a plastic bag. He had said his goodbyes to Donald and the family yesterday after they had all gone ice skating so he could not figure out who would be at his door. Maybe housekeeping? But he had put the little sign on the door to refuse that, hadn’t he?

“Sorry!” He called. “I don’t need that today, but thank you!”

It was quiet on the other side and Panchito was about to go back to packing when he heard a familiar sigh through the door. His heart leaped into his throat when he heard the soft smooth voice he loved so dearly speak. “Do not leave me out here, Paco. People will start to suspect I am up to no good.”

Panchito had never moved as fast as he did to fling open that door, breath leaving him at the sight of José being there, right on the doorstep of his motel. José smiled, but it was unsure and his expression was guarded as he looked up at Panchito before looking past him into the room.

“May I come in?” José asked easily and Panchito wondered how the other bird could lock away any emotions so easily. “I would rather talk in privacy and not in earshot of the man who is filling a large trash bin with complimentary ice for a reason I don’t want to think about.”

“Ay!” Panchito cried, quickly moving to the side so that José could come inside. “Of course, of course! Can I get you something to drink? I have…water from the faucet.”

José shook his head, watching as Panchito shut the door before moving to stand next to the plain desk in the room. “Não. Thank you but I will not be staying long.”

“Oh.” Panchito hated how sad and disappointed his voice sounded, trying not to let his feelings get the better of him. José had finally reached out and he would let himself ruin it by doing something foolish. “What did you want to talk about?”

“Donald said you wouldn’t be recording your song.”

“Ah.” Panchito suddenly felt tired. “No.”

José stared down at the desk as if it had something interesting on it. “Why not? So many people would buy it. It truly is a hit in South America, especially in Brazil.”

“You know why.”

That answer seemed to irritate José, a frown suddenly on his face and an annoyed huff slipping out as he turned to look at Panchito fully. “Then why play it in front of such a large crowd?”

Panchito gave a weak shrug. “It was the only way I knew that you might listen.”

José snorted and crossed his arms over his chest, eyes moving to look down at the floor. “Do you know how frustrating it is? To hear that song everywhere? A song that I didn’t want to hear? You could not leave it alone could you?”

Panchito shrank back a bit when José looked up at him with such anger that Panchito wondered if this was it. This was when José would finally tell him that he wanted nothing more to do with him. “I’m sorry, Zé.”

“Oh. I am well aware, Panchito.” José growled. “You keep saying sorry, telling the world you are sorry and your feelings for me. Yet you keep running.”

“Que?!” Panchito cried, suddenly so confused. “How? How did I run again?”

“You came back into my life and sang one of the most beautiful songs about how much you loved me and then just left again!” José yelled, green feathers fluffing up in a way that even though Panchito knew it meant he was angry the sight made his heart beat hard with love. “Not one word from you after! For almost a year!”

Panchito stared at him in shock. “You wanted me to? You made it clear you did not want to listen to me so after I left you alone!”

“Of course, I didn’t want to listen to you!!” José cried, moving closer to Panchito with his finger raised. “Because I knew if I did I would fall again because I’m weak to you! I know I lie and people distrust me, but I have never lied to you when it was important. All those words I said that night were true, Panchito, every single one.”

The room was quiet except for José’s heavy breathing, but Panchito could swear the sound of his heartbeat was loud enough that José could hear it. It was like stepping on thin ice, the choice he was about to make was very likely to break whatever this was and have him sinking into a cold world where José was gone for good.

“Were?” Panchito questioned softly and he watched as José’s face changed to confusion, anger, and then fear.

“Ah, Escroto.” José choked out, his voice cracking as Panchito could see the parrot’s eyes grow wet with tears. “Were…and are. Of course, it is all still true.”

“Zé…” Panchito reached out and this time José did not try to move away, letting Panchito take his hands in his and stand close. “Whatever you want from me, I’ll give it. Even if it is only as a bandmate or less, I don’t care as long as I can still have you in my life.”

“You are truly such a depressing romantic,” José muttered, the humor there amongst the raw ugly feelings.

“I try,” Panchito replied and sighed in relief when José wrapped his arms around him and hugged him and he held the parrot back tightly. “But only for you.”

“Please stop,” José grumbled. “I can only take so much of your selfless declarations of love before I feel sick.”

“Alright,” Panchito whispered, the feeling of having José around him again making him feel lightheaded and he dared to rest his cheek on top of José’s head softly. “What do we do now?”

He felt José’s shoulders sag, any tension in the parrot’s body leaving as he leaned his weight against Panchito. José was quiet for a bit before he moved his head out from under Panchito’s cheek and looked up at the rooster with a determined look.

“Well, first I believe you need to treat me to lunch.” José started and Panchito was nodding before he could even think. “Then I want to hear that song again, without hundreds of other people in the room, and you will play it over and over again until I’m even more sick of it than I already am.”

Panchito let out a weak laugh, willing to sing for José until his voice could go no longer. “Of course.”

“And lastly,” José continued, suddenly seeming unsure and nervous. “I want you to buy me a ticket for the same flight you are taking tonight and if you can’t, you have to find a new one that we can both take…together.”

“Ay, Mi alma.” Panchito whispered, voice cracking as his eyes stung with tears. “Of course. Anything for you.”

Send me a tip and a prompt and I'll give you a story! ❤️

#Prompts #panjosé #Panchito is having a gay awakening and panics #Did I really write a song just for this prompt?#Yeah I did #panchito x josé #panchito pistoles #josé carioca #donald duck #the three caballeros #three caballeros #three gay caballeros #zé carioca #ducktales 2017 #dt17

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feralrabidcrow · 1 year

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What do you think the mercs hobbies were, past and present?

Scout loves drawing, as inspired by Expiration Date. He's really good at it, like crazy good, but he usually uses his talents for chaos, such as drawing Spy having sexual congress with the Eiffel tower. He also collects baseball cards, and sings Tom Jones to himself when he's alone in his room, but everyone knows because of how loud he sings. He sings into his baseball bat like it's a microphone, most passionate ballad of 'Sex Bom' you will ever hear.

Soldier is devoted to creating an army of raccoons, no matter how much the raccoons bite and scratch him. If you can consider that a hobby. Can you count snapping Scout's puny neck as a hobby? Is violence in general a hobby? He takes great joy in trying to 'shape up' the other mercenaries, through wake up calls, making them eat nasty MREs, yelling at them to train harder, and running the base like it's boot camp. I don't think this man has picked up a relaxing pastime in his entire life.

Pyro loves collecting things, anything really. Stickers, candy, rubber ducks, if it fits in their pocket, they'll hoard it somewhere only to bestow it to someone randomly (at least it can seem random) as a gift. Obviously they have a hobby for starting fires, but their less destructive hobbies include tea parties, scrapbooking, cake decorating, and hanging out with Engie in the workshop just to pass time.

Demo loves gathering the mercs around and telling them ghost stories. If there's a thunderstorm, and the lights go out, he's grabbing the candles and the spookiest voice he can muster. While the man loves his scrumpy, in the past before he just stuck to the good ol reliable stuff, Demo dabbled in the art of mixology, crafting up the most bizarre yet delicious drinks you could think of, but they certainly could pack a punch! He hasn't entirely lost the skill, but most of the time he's too drunk to work a bar with the finesse he once could. There would be a lot of glass shattering.

Heavy is a big time reader. Whenever he has the time to spare, he's pulling out a thick book that no one can identify and digging in. However, he has a remarkable ability that I lack; the ability to remain aware of his surroundings while buried in a book. No matter how invested he is in the literature he's currently consuming, if you call for him he'll drop it and come help. He enjoys spending time with Medic's doves; after their beloved doctor, he's their second favourite person. He also enjoys cooking, something he learned from his mother a great many years ago.

Engineer obviously spends a lot of his free time in the workshop tinkering about, but he also loves to spend time just hanging out with the mercs, who he all considers friends, that Friendly Engie! Whether it's a barbecue, a game of poker, karaoke night, whatever shenanigans the mercs are doing to pass the time between matches, Engie is right there in the center of it, enjoying all the bonding time with his teammates that they can get. He's a major extrovert, and can get on well with just about anyone he meets!

Medic takes his job as a hobby, delighting in reaching into someone's chest cavity and playing God for a bit. He's very passionate about bird care, treating his flock of doves as if they were his children. He also loves music, and has a radio playing in the medbay whenever he can. Medic has a wonderful singing voice, but he rarely sings nowadays, though he used to in his younger years. He also is a surprisingly good dancer, but only Heavy knows about that one.

Sniper loves abandoning the base and going out into the middle of nowhere to just be one with nature and get some peace and quiet. He goes hunting, catches himself some game, cooks it over a fire, spends the night stargazing and listening to nocturnal animal calls. He's the most introverted of the group, and while he does sometimes sit in for poker and other team activities, he's happiest in the great outdoors by his lonesome.

Spy is a connoisseur in fine wines and other elegant alcoholic drinks, taking the time when he can to attend fine dining and wine tasting events. He plays piano, rather impressively well, among his wide set of talents, but unlike many talents that he picked up just for a job, he takes great joy in his musical skills. He also has a fondness for seducing your mother.

#team fortress #tf2 #team fortress 2 #team fortress scout #tf2 headcanons #tf2 fanfiction #tf2 writing #scout tf2 #soldier tf2 #pyro tf2 #demoman tf2 #heavy tf2 #engineer tf2 #medic tf2 #sniper tf2 #spy tf2

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epicfranb · 1 year

Text

Fuck it I'm not even rereading this. Here you go

Doc hired Etho, a skilled (probably) assassin to kill two of his most hated hermits: Keralis and Bdubs. And, after a long and fierce battle with Keralis that no one ended up winning, Etho wiped the layer of sweat from his forehead and said "Next one's gonna have to wait."

Does he even need to fight Keralis again? Hopefully, the fact that the fight took place is enough. After all, Doc's main goal is to scare them, isn't it? Etho and Doc go way back, so the guess probably has some truth to it.

Fixing up the gear after a long fight like this is a pain though. His sword needs sharping, the bow probably needs replacing, and his armor is... Well, everything could be in a better shape had Etho thought of a plan beyond "spam crossbows, then do whatever". His anvil aim could use some training, and his crossbow machine gun design could be improved. But it's better off in the hands of a more skilled player anyway.

Etho thinks he is quite a skilled player. But not in terms of fighting, no-no. Someone else could take the lead, someone more experienced – Etho's happy enough devising a plan and preparing the gear. Fighting isn't his forte.

Assassinating Bdubs is gonna need a better plan than this. If he succeeds in at least one of the hits, Doc will be happy enough (to pay him). But, unlike Keralis, Bdubs is... Too easy to kill. Pathetically so. It's just going to be boring. He needs a better plan than this.

Fixing armor was a job so usual and monotone to Etho, that it was easy to space out and lose himself in thoughts, and then wake up to a set of fully repaired gear. Normally, he would get some music on, but he kind of forgot about it before he spaced out, thinking about...

Yes, him again. Bdubs.

That man had an annoying habit of occupying all of the space within Etho's head. And, Bdubs himself doesn't do it directly, but Etho blames him anyway, because he knows it'd make him mad.

Bdubs has a funny voice. Every time he speaks, he voices his thoughts in such a strange manner, using some of the strangest vocabulary, interspersed with his "patented" "Bdubs noises". His speech patterns make no sense, the words never quite come out right, he's loud, he's boisterous, he's hilarious, and he's very, very talkative. Man has so many ideas and thoughts running through his head at all times, and he needs to get ALL of them out, to the point where he's been talking for hours, jumping from topic to topic, from idea to idea, and if he isn't stopped, he gets his throat killed. And a lot of the times, his throat does get killed after talking to Etho, because the other spaces out or falls asleep, as if Bdubs's voice is a lullaby to him.

Even now, one swing forth, one swing back, Etho's hands move on their own, the only sound in his head is a replay of Bdubs's voice, saying gibberish. It's like a catchy song that's been stuck in your head, you may not remember the lyrics, but you're enjoying the general sound of it. And Etho enjoyed his imaginary Bdubs singing to him. He has such a beautiful voice.

Helmet done, now onto the wings.

Honestly, it's appalling how different Etho and Bdubs are, even in the small things. Like, taste in food as an example. Etho's first impression of Bdubs was that he's the same sweet tooth that he is; turns out, it's quite the opposite. Bdubs doesn't put any sugar in his morning drinks, and he's a fan of green tea, which Etho only tolerates. He also likes bitter chocolate, and Etho thought those kinds of people only exist in myths... Oh, and he likes raisins. What a weird guy.

Their sleep schedules are so different, that at the rare occasions they've lived together, they barely ever saw each other. Bdubs goes to sleep early, and, despite taking his sweet time getting out of bed, he gets up early, too. A real morning bird with a solid schedule, in contrast to Etho, who stays up all night, working when no one and nothing is around to bother him – and gets up whenever. Sometimes he woke up first, and took his chance to prank Bdubs; other times he wasn't so lucky, and got pranked back. It was a fun back-and-forth while it lasted, but now Etho has the advantage of knowing Bdubs's exact sleep schedule, which Bdubs can't brag about – Etho's schedule is too chaotic. Those games are always fun.

With all the holes in the wings patched up, leggings are next.

Etho recalled his surprise when Bdubs came to him, all those years ago, and with eyes beaming of excitement, exclaimed: "Teach me how to fight!" Etho was never more than decent at fighting, but Bdubs seemed to be so caught up in his idealized version of Etho, that he thought it'd be better to ask him, and not someone who had actual skill. At least, that's what Etho thought at the time.

It was never about the fighting, no. It was never about swords, nor was it about bows or armor – it was about admiration. Bdubs admired Etho, and wanted to be closer to him. No, not in his skill – although, Bdubs admitted, that too – it was just about spending time together. The warmth of the other's skin on his hands, guiding him, on his torso, teaching him, his voice so close like it's reverberating in his heart, and his breath tickling his neck from behind... At least that's what Etho imagined Bdubs felt. Back then, he couldn't put his finger on why Bdubs shivered and blushed so often during their trainings, but, thinking about it now, it made some sense.

Swords clashing against one another, bodies in perfect sync, moving one after the other, shifting their feet in the same rhythm they got adjusted to – it was more like a dance than it was fencing. Sometimes, all of the competitiveness between the two would fade, and they were moments away from throwing their swords on the ground and taking each other's hands, wrap their arms around the other, to guide him somewhere else, in the same dance, same rhythm, but with much different implications. They regretted only a little bit that they never ended up getting into dance.

It was a nice memory, but Etho was somewhat bothered by his cheeks getting hotter. His entire body got hotter, in fact. Sweat dripped from his forehead, and his hands shook slightly.

It seems that it's time for a rest, Etho thought. He still had his boots to repair, but they could wait. He'll be gone only a little while.

For now, maybe he can think about a plan to kill Bdubs... Kill Bdubs, huh. Normally that'd sound quite tempting, but he wasn't really in the mood for any killing now. Getting soft, Etho chuckled to himself. But being soft felt kind of nice once in a while.

If I don't want to kill him, Etho thought as he got into the kitchen – if you could call it that, – maybe I'll find a way to make him die, and me not have to see it. That meant a trap, and, thankfully, Etho had an extensive catalogue of traps permanently in his head. Some of them more obvious, others – devilishly hidden, and whichever one he chose depended on what would get a funnier reaction. In chat, at least. Or in a later conversation.

But nothing really felt right. Etho cracked an egg – fill his base with chickens? no, that won't kill him. Entity cramming maybe? Etho whisked some dough – drowning is a good idea. But it's long, he can get out. And it's painful. Since when was Etho hesitant about a trap being painful? Etho put the cake in the oven –– Wait, cake?

Etho crouched in front of the oven, taking a curious look inside – sure enough, that is a cake. When did he make a cake? Why did he make a cake?

Etho has a pretty strong grasp on his own mind, but even that becomes a mystery when Bdubs is involved.

If the cake was meant to be a trap, it was a bad one. He didn't even put any poison in it! The frosting is now finished too, and that doesn't have any poison either... Unless Etho adds it. Which he doesn't. Whether he forgot, or just didn't want to, he didn't really know. Looking for the right poison, or making it from scratch, was a hassle, and Etho was too lazy to deal with that.

Besides, his mouth watered at his own cake. It was his sugary masterpiece, and he was itching to take a nice big bite off of it... But he held back. This cake is for Bdubs. Once he figures out how to make it into a trap.

Will Bdubs even want to eat such a sweet cake? Etho's mind wandered somewhere else while baking it, so he had no idea how much sugar he actually put into it. Knowing himself and his taste buds, it was probably... Way too much for Bdubs to handle. Maybe the excess sugar can kill him. Yeah, that'll do.

Etho rummaged around his storage system to find a nice big box and some wrapping paper with heart patterns to wrap the cake into. Maybe the heart patterns were excessive – Etho swore he had other types of patterns somewhere – but he couldn't find anything else, and wasn't bothered to. The cake neatly packaged, Etho grabbed his freshly restocked redstone box and flew off in the direction of Bdubs's base.

Etho usually thinks. He thinks about what he's gonna do next, even when he does something on a whim, he thinks first. How am I gonna do it? What are the steps? What am I going to need? His mind was in a haze as he flew, as if locked out of his own head, only able to peek through the bars, and the only thing left of his brain was an enormous screen with just images of Bdubs on it. This was getting ridiculous, but he couldn't stop. He didn't want to stop. The thoughts felt nice.

Bdubs wasn't online, thankfully, so setting up a trap didn't require any stealth ninja moves. Etho didn't even try to hide that it was a trap: the gift box was sitting right on top of an observer, ready to trigger it. There was nothing under it but a dispenser – what was in it? a damage potion? lava? exactly 24 boats to entity cram him (forget that you can't fit 24 boats in one dispenser)? Well, Bdubs is going to have to find out himself. The joy of discovery, and all. Etho's heart raced, despite knowing Bdubs isn't here to catch him in the act; he felt hot all over, despite Bdubs's biome being cooler than his; and his cheeks hurt from smiling, even though nothing happened yet. There was no rational reason for any of those body reactions to occur; and yet, they did. A human's body is hardly ever rational, but Etho found comfort in knowing what causes which reactions, and he was clueless about his current state. He guessed that he was just really looking forward to the prank working... I mean, what prank? It's a death trap! Totally!...

***

Etho had completely forgotten about the trap, when his communicator buzzed in his pocket. All of the gear repaired, and all the hitman matters taken care of, he has managed to distract himself from thinking about his... Friend, and get to work. However, the friend demanded attention, and who was Etho to decline him that attention? In his mind, a picture of an excited dog replaced Bdubs for a second, prompting a sudden outburst of laughter from Etho, which, he was pretty sure, could be heard even from Xisuma's base.

Etho took the familiar route through the Nether to Bdubs's base. He circled above it for a second, looking for the town's proud owner – he spotted him right next to his starter house (made of diorite, of course), and landed right behind him, scaring him to death.

"What are ya doin' sneakin' up behind me like that, huh?!" He fumed, stamping his feet all over the place. "What are you, role-playin' a ninja?!"

"Some people do call me a little bit of a ninja." Etho shrugged, prompting a scowl from Bdubs. "Anyway, whatcha got there? A cake?"

Behind him, the cake was sitting on the observer like on a table, unwrapped, with a small piece cut out of it. Bdubs probably checked it for poison; or maybe he couldn't eat the rest because it was too sweet. Either way, same thing, really.

"Aww, dontcha pretend like you don't know what it is!" Bdubs sang proudly like he just solved the world's hardest riddle; Etho couldn't help but smile, giving himself away. "Yeah, I knew it! It's yours! I know how you bake your cakes, you won't fool me!"

"Did I poison you with sweetness?" Etho asked through laughter.

"I'd rather not say what I did with the piece that I put in my mouth." Bdubs nodded behind him, in the direction of the river. Ah, so it was that sweet.

"Awwww, you spat out my cake? That I baked for you, with such love and care?"

"Yes, but I don't want to do it with the rest, so you're here to get rid of it." Bdubs walked up to the cake and shifted it around, sending a short pulse down. The dispenser didn't fire, meaning Bdubs saw the message.

"You mean you aren't going to eat it." Etho sobbed, hugging his arms. "Welp, more left for me!" He smiled.

"Great! Cuz I physically can't eat it!" Bdubs laughed.

He brought Etho a chair, a plate and a spoon, some tea (three spoons of sugar, as usual) and even a tablecloth to turn the observer into a real table (that ticks sometimes). Etho dug in immediately – he'd completely forgotten he hasn't eaten anything since that battle with Keralis. And oh was the cake sweet. Too sweet even for Etho, but he enjoyed it. Bdubs watched him enjoy the dessert, sipping his own tea, with a wide smile on his face.

"Didn't know you enjoyed watching people eat." Etho commented.

"Nope, just you."

"That's weird."

"You're weird, consuming that amount of sugar and not dying." Bdubs chuckled, but kept smiling. He was rather calm – calmer than Etho expected right after a prank.

The warm smile would get imprinted in his mind forever, Etho felt. There was just too much fondness, too much affection in it, that his skin started burning again.

Bdubs took the cherry from the top of the cake, closed one eye and put a cherry in front of the other: "You're as red as this cherry right now." He didn't even let Etho react, before putting the berry into his mouth. Etho tried not to think about the implications of that. "Come on now, what happened? What are you getting flustered for?" He teased.

Etho looked away – tried to, Bdubs followed his gaze – and put on his mask, even though he still had cake left on his plate. That didn't help hiding his rosy cheeks, and now ears too. Etho gave up trying to guess why his body was doing it at that point. He just didn't want Bdubs seeing him like this.

"Ay, you didn't finish your slice!" Bdubs laughed. "Sorry I took your cherry, but it the only edible thing on it."

"It's fine, I'm just gonna take the rest home," Etho said, attempting to appear collected, but regretted it immediately: his voice cracked in the most pathetic way possible.

Bdubs burst out, leaning on the observer for support, sending a few ticks again. The corners of his eyes teared up, but at least his face was now all red too, so Etho wasn't the only one. It was hardly comforting.

"Sorry, sorry, I shouldn't laugh! I shouldn't...!" He wheezed. Etho was ready to just take the cake and fly away in embarrassment, but the cake needed to be put in a box first – doing it now would only make the situation more awkward. Etho believed he could endure it. "Sorry–" Bdubs kept apologizing, "Know what? Next time, c'mere, and let's bake an actually edible cake together. Sound good?"

Etho sat still for a second, eyes wandering in the forest afar. They could bake a cake together, a cake that both of them could enjoy.

"That... Sounds good." Etho uttered from under his breath. It did sound good. Sweet, even.

"Then it's a deal!" Bdubs clapped his hands together. They arranged a time, he helped Etho pack the cake back up, and then it was time to say goodbyes.

Just as Etho was about to take off, Bdubs pulled his sleeve – and then pulled him closer, wrapped his arms around his torso in a sudden embrace. Etho instinctively put his arms on Bdubs's back, resting his head on his messy hair that tickled his nose. Etho could stay like this forever – or if not forever, then for a long time. But Bdubs let him go, and then they needed to go. Etho hastily took out his rockets and boosted off into the sky, to not let Bdubs see his face again.

Bdubs yelled after him:

"You have a good day as well!..."

Etho felt warm.

#I'm probably being too critical of myself again but i see so many things wrong with this. I'm sorry #ethubs #hermitshipping #my fic #hermitfic

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peachyloveswriting · 1 year

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Hello, since the orders are open I want to take advantage and place an order:

Headcanons of Vash x femreader

Where she had a beautiful singing voice but because of some criminals or an accident. She loses her voice forever and now she can't speak, let alone sing. The group sees how she is depressed and usually has a broken look.

How would Vash feel about this situation? How would he try to cheer up his crush?

I hope I have not exceeded myself and if not you can discard the request. Otherwise take your time and without pressure :D 🌌✍️💐🌠

LAYING A SONG BIRD TO REST --- Vash the Stampede

SUMMARY: After an unfortunate situation has left you speechless, Vash finds himself at fault for your troubles.

Sad sullen silence engulfs the four who sit in the room, Vash, Millie, Meryl, and Nick. Each one's gaze falls to the floor not able to find the right words to say after an incident as such what happened not too long ago. Even the shining light in most situations has fallen silent, Vash, particularly feels at fault for what's happened. He knows it's not right.

Nick finally speaks up. "What now?" Everyone except Vash looks up. Soon enough all eyes are on him. He doesn't seem to notice, too engrossed in his own world to feel everyone looking at him. The guilt is killing him inside. Just when would he have enough time to acknowledge anyone else right now. It's all you filling up that head of his and soon enough you'll be alone and awake to realize that what you prized most is gone.

"I'm going to check on her." Vash suddenly stands and walks into the hallway. As he goes out of view, Millie and Meryl make eye contact. Millie can see the intent in Meryl's eyes and she shakes her head. Now's not the time for Meryl to go bothering the poor man, just leave him to himself.

Stepping up to the door, Vash knocks softly. Even though he knows you're not awake, he still feels the need to respect your privacy. Turning the knob and pushing the door open he steps in and softly shuts the door being him, There, underneath the covers, lays you. You're on your back, closed eyes gazing up at the ceiling. wrapped around your neck is the bloody bandages the nearest doctor managed to gather when you got stitched up.

Seeing you only reminds him of what he failed to do.

The knife shone against your throat, threatening to draw blood at any moment. Fear swam in your eyes and tears dribbled down your face.

"Vash, please help." You croaked against your captor.

Eye wide, Vash stared at you in fear. "C'mon, do something man!" Nick called from behind him. Yet no matter what he was frozen in place. Annoyed, Nick made the first move. If only it had been Vash instead he might have dismantled the situation without any issues but before he knew it you were screaming in pain. Blood sprayed from your throat and you dropped to the floor limp.

With a sigh. Vash sits down on the chair beside your bed. Though in sleep, as peaceful as you're supposed to look there's an unrest in your face. Resting his hand on you, he leans over on the bed with tears collecting in his eyes.

"I'm so sorry. If only I was faster."

Time had been moving so fast before this happened, now, just waiting for you to wake up feels like an eternity. Vash feels like you shouldn't wake up, if you do your life might be ruined. He doesn't want to have that guilty pain in his mind. You might never sing again, that beautiful voice of yours. The one that consoled him when Vash had his doubts. He remembers late night where he'd seek you out. The cold from outside would seep in while he creeped his way to your room. He softly wakes you from sleep asking for you to sing him a song.

"Just one more." He'd say with a shy smile. You'd welcome him with open arms as he crawled in beside you and your voice carried him away into dreams

A knock at the door raises his head. "We're going to bed needle noggin. If she wakes up come and get us." Nick poked his head in to see Vash looking at him from beside the bed. Vash nods. With a sigh the door clucks shut again and Vash returns his head to the edge of the bed. Down the hall, footsteps faded into nothing, leaving Vash in complete silence.

The silence cropped up his spine and exploded with pain in his heart. The silence would forever replace what he once filled with your voice.

Minutes stretched into hours and the night goes on long. When the moon hits its highest peak in the sky a shift from the bed lifted his head. His heart beats sparradically in his chest and Vash doesn't dare look away from your body. Your fingers under his hand twitch before you lift it to rub at your neck. The pain blossoming there is excruciating. Instinctively, you try to groan. At first when nothing comes out you brush it off as needing water.

Vash's hand grabs your wrist and pulls it away from your neck. Cracking your eyes open you look down at him. "Don't touch it, it'll hurt worse." He shakes his head.

Opening your mouth, you attempt to speak his name but nothing comes out. Your throat feels rough, like it's been removed or grated away. Seeing you open your mouth without a sound break Vash completely. He breaks out into a sob, his face falling into your stomach.

"Oh god. You'll never sing again." His body shakes and trembles against the bed as sobs wrack his body. Confused, you open your mouth to ask him what he means but again nothing comes out. Reaching out, you push his shoulder and pull his attention to you. Again you open your mouth, but it's futile. Not a single noise comes out. Vash can only shake his head.

"Don't." He begs. "There's no point. When he cut your throat he did something to your voice. It's gone." He croaks. The pain in his voice carried over to you and your chest burns. Your voice? It's gone?

Your eyes widened and you raised a hand to your neck again. There's no way that it's gone. How could you have lost it in such a silly situation like that? You should have died. The damage you know was caused should have been enough to kill you, surely. Yet here you were, at a cost. Out of habit you open your mouth to speak and quickly shut it when you realize.

"I'm so sorry." Vash frowns deeply. His hand moves to take your hand away from your neck. "I should have been faster."

After you woke up, everyone took turns caring for you, Vash tried the hardest to stick around the most but everyone had their hand in helping you. Very quickly a new way of communicating was established and you adapted the best you could. It still hurt.

Restless, Vash would still come into your room hoping to hear you sing him to sleep again but to no avail he failed. Nonetheless he would still sleep by your bed side, either in your bed or posted up in that small chair beside the bed.

Almost a month later, you were allowed to leave the bed but only in the company of another. Again, it was sad not being able to participate in day to day conversation or even laugh but you stuck it through as best you could. When the time came to move to the next city Vash stuck with the group for once. He didn't dare leave.

He and everyone else could tell you weren't quite right about the whole situation still. And while it was expected for you to hold it against Vash, what happened, but instead you blamed Nick. Nick could tell by the way you avoided him. Even more so than you avoided the others. At any chance you got, you wandered off alone for hours at a time. Watching you sneak off, every time, was Vash. He was always paying attention to what you were doing. Seeing the pain in your eyes every time you walked away hurt and he could only blame himself for that.

Even now, laying in bed as restless as he is Vash doesn't dare go and pry at your private space. His silence is interrupted by a knock at his door. Of which of his friends would knock at his door this late was unknown to him but he invites them in regardless. He lifts his head to observe his visitor. As the door slides open you slip into the room and shut the door behind you. Vash's heart pounds in his ears at the sight of you. Before you turn around, he speaks.

"What are you doing here?" They had bought separate rooms for privacy there was no reason for you to be here yet here you are. Stumbling towards his bed with tears rolling down your face while you fiddle with your fingers.

"Oh." His face softens. "Come here." He opens his arms as an invitation for you.

You waste no time falling into his arms as you shake and tremble against him. Tightly, Vash's arms cradle you. His hand rubs your back soothing your fraying nerves. "It's my fault." He says. "I'm so sorry I made you cry."

#vash x reader #vash the stampede x reader #trigun x reader #trigun stampede x reader #vash x you

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otome-obsessions · 2 months

Text

Fairytale Keeper Archives - Madam Beryl

Part 1

3. What is the most distinct memory you've made with Beryl?

William: Do you remember when the three of us went to the opera house? There was a brief moment where she closed her eyes and began to silently mouth the lyrics of the mezzo-soprano performance. Her expression was intensely wistful. Like a bird singing inside of a cramped cage… She seems to know a great deal of opera by heart, and yet she doesn’t even hum when I play her favorite melodies. I can’t help but anticipate the day she lets her voice be heard again. Harrison: We were having breakfast one morning when Beryl and Jude started arguing as always. When they finished she slapped him on the back and stuck a little note that said “Beware of Dog” on his jacket. She kept giggling about it behind her fan, and whenever Jude would ask what was funny we’d all pass it off as something else. She's got a surprisingly childish sense of humor. Liam: One night, Beryl invited me to dinner at one of her taverns. After we ate, she admitted that she only asked me out because she wanted to get more publicity for her business. That honestly didn’t bother me, but she said she wanted to make it up to me since she really liked our conversation. So we left and got some snacks around the city, just the two of us. It’s not an exciting story, but… The way she looked at me when she said sorry really stuck with me, you know? Elbert: We were on a mission together, and she personally condemned a man guilty of enslaving children. She flew into a rage and beat him to death herself. I was surprised by her strength. It was like something possessed her… I couldn’t look away. Alfons: There are very specific rules of engagement at Beryl’s common houses. I happened to be enjoying the company of a new friend one night when a different client broke said rules. Beryl happened to be overseeing operations at the time, and she personally – and publicly – corrected the man’s behavior. By the end of her lesson, the rabble rouser was attached to a leash in her hand and kissing the tip of her shoe. Though, I imagine he enjoyed that much more than his protests let on. Roger: Like I said before, we don’t see each other much… Ah, I’ve got it. I saw her out in the city once. It was only in passing, and I wouldn’t have recognized her if it wasn’t for her heartbeat. She’s usually dressed up in those fancy dresses, but she was wearing a shirt and trousers at the time. Seemed like she was out drinking with her assistants and bodyguard. By the sound of things, they were having a good time. Jude: And why the hell do ya need to know that? (Keeper's note: The purpose of this report as well as the previously agreed upon compensation were reiterated toMr. Jazza.) Tch, fine... I've got a good one. There was one case where a group of 'merchants' were moving in on the East End and selling drugs behind my back. The product made its way into the bird's whorehouses, so with Queenie's blessing we buddied up to weed 'em out. Managed to snatch one of their grunts off the street, and we got to work on 'im. Started off playin' good cop, bad cop, but the bell end was dumb enough to admit to offin’ one of Beryl's girls. Little Miss Prim started peelin' the skin off the poor sod and echoin' his screams back at him. Oh? That make you feel queasy, princess? Well, we both know Queenie likes her fairytales graphic, so don't leave out the good bits, yeah? Ellis: Jude and I met Beryl when she first came to London and started her business, and at the time it seemed like we would end up condemning her for her crimes. I really thought she was a bad person back then, but when I was shadowing her one day I saw her buy some food for the homeless children hanging around her tavern. No one else saw her do it, and I don’t think she knew I was there that day. I can’t really call her a good person, but I started to look at her differently after that.

Victor: Oh, our first lunch together was absolutely wonderful! We’d both finished our investigations into each other without bloodshed, so we finally started learning more about each other as people. Did you know she speaks Italian, Spanish, German, and French? Our Beryl is just so talented, isn’t she? Anyway, while we were speaking about language studies she demonstrated her ability for me by mimicking the voices of the Crown members. Have you ever heard Harry reciting a poem in German? Because I have!

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#ikevil oc #ikevil fanfiction #ikemen villains #ikevil #madam beryl

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haveyouseenthisskeleton · 1 year

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I'd love to hear about what type of pets that each skeleton would own, what the skeletons would name their pets, and if they chose between adopting from a humane society or buying from a pet breeder.

Undertale Sans - A parrot or a cockatiel! He loves birds and will teach them to ruin the life of everyone in the house. If he ever adopts one, it will be from a humane society. He would probably give it a pun name.

Undertale Papyrus - He kinda adopted the annoying dog on the Surface, now walking him in the street and all. Sure, he is embarrassed when the dog simply absorbs a public bench in public, but he is kinda attached now??? His name is just Dog. Not very inventive, but it seems it's the only name the dog answers???

Underswap Sans - He's not a big fan of classic pets. He would much rather have a snake or a spider. He's more a breeder type, as he wants very specific animals. He gives them sweet ridiculous names like Cookie or Cupcake.

Underswap Papyrus - He adopted three labrador dogs on the surface and he is always with them. In the house, there's more chance falling on him hugging his dogs than his S/O lol, and he's one of the most cuddly skeleton. He found them in the streets, it was a litter, and he never gave them back. Their names are Ramon, Dapper and Pomme.

Underfell Sans - He's not the animal type, but if he ever finds a stray cat or dog, he will end up keeping it because he is way more soft than he thinks he is. Like Sans, the poor baby would end with a pun name.

Underfell Papyrus - He has two cats. Doomfanger, who he adopted Underground as a baby, after she fell from the Surface and Stormbringer, a kitten he adopted in a humane society he was working for. Edge is also a foster parent for orphan kitten and very old cats.

Horrortale Sans and Papyrus - They have a farm, so quite a lot of animals, added to random stray cats or dogs Oak brings home and decides they're his. They all have a name, but it's usually common names, like Carrot for a rabbit or Nugget for a chicken...

Horrorswap Sans - He has a service dog, Harper, who helps him in the everyday life with his missing leg.

Horrorswap Papyrus - He has a service and emotionnal service dog as well, he named her Antoinette, that helps him to prevent panic attacks and calm him down when something triggers him so much he loses sense of reality.

Horrorfell Sans - Nah, not the type to have animals. He's fine on his own, he doesn't want anyone to ever depend on him ever again.

Horrorfell Papyrus - He still has his Doomfanger, who is an old lady now. He is fostering feral cats in his garden as well, feeding and neutering them, and assuring their protection.

Swapfell Sans - He is kinda the second family of the neighbour's cat, he named Karen bis. Nox is not supposed to feed it, but man, those eyes... He can't refrain himself, and yes, maybe, he let the cat spend the night in his house one or twice... Or more.

Swapfell Papyrus - He has a goat, Spencer. He won her as a price in a contest, as a baby, and he raised her. He made her a little shed in the garden and he's walking her like a dog.

Fellswap Gold Sans - NOPE. No pets allowed at home.

Fellswap Gold Papyrus - He tried to sneak different animals in, but Wine always find them and asks him to give them back :(

Outertale Sans - He has a parrot, King, who sings crude songs and says bad words. His old owner taught him to do that and no one wanted him to the humane society because of that. Moon thinks it's funny.

Outertale Papyrus - He has stick bugs to entertain the kiddos he's keeping at home. It's not moving much, it's silent, best choice possible. They don't really have names though. There are so many and they all look similar.

Dancetale Sans - Nah, he's too busy to take care of an animal properly. Maybe in his old days when he retreats.

Dancetale Papyrus - Same than his brother. He loves to pet the neighbours dogs and sneak them in his garden when they're not here though.

Dancefell Sans - He has a german sheperd, Cerise. That's her baby, he dresses her like a princess all the time. He finds her in the streets.

Dancefell Papyrus - He has a border collie, Socrate, who is part of his dance show. The dog is very receptive to all sorts of tricks so Tango taught him how to dance. They're entering contests every year as well. He bought the dog to a breeder.

Farmtale Sans and Papyrus - Well obviously, they have a lot of farm animals, and three barn dogs who are living with the sheeps. Their names are Stitch, Lilo and Simba. They're mostly Ben's dogs.

Mafiatale Sans - He has coi karps in a huge tank in his basement. He loves to watch them instead of working. They don't have names though.

Mafiatale Papyrus - He has a fox, Bleach, which he found in the forest one day and raised by hands. No one knows he has one and he's not supposed too, but who's going to tell a member of the mafia it's wrong?

Mafiafell Sans - Fang has lots of dogs, staffs and pit bulls who are working dogs mainly, but he's living with them at home and loves them all. They are all girls, and they all have a little name: Princess, Love, Sweetie, Mary, Snow, ... He is a breeder.

Mafiafell Papyrus - He has a persan cat, Hellbringer (which he also nicknames "My sweet little baby princess"), he adopts to a breeder. She is her sweet baby and he would die for her if she asks it. It can be surprising to see the boss of the mafia talking with a stupid voice to the cat.

Ink - Nah, his memory is too bad anyway, he would forget it somewhere.

Error - He has two goldfishes, they don't have names. He found them in an empty universe and kept them for some reason. They're entertaining. Their name are Blank and Space.

Disbelief Papyrus - He has a small pug named Aurora. He saved her from a neighbour who was abusing her. He was not supposed to keep her, but he got too attached.

Dustale Sans - A pack of wolves adopted him in the forest thinking he's a kind of weird looking dog.

Killer Sans - He has two rats, Baghera and Baloo, and he's walking them in his pockets all the time.

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moonshinemusings · 2 years

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General Alejandro Vargas headcanons (Pt.1)

Warnings: slight mentions of canon typical violence

A/N: The brainrot is strong my friends

• Loves trying new dishes, be it from a totally different culture or something he already knows about, but never had the chance to taste before (or only a handful of times)

• Loves fruits and vegetables, although most of his meals contain more meat than plants. He needs it for his physique so he doesn't mind too much though

• He can cook really well. He's learned it when was pretty young from his mother, and he's proud of his skills

• He's a family oriented man and there is nothing more important to him

• Used to the warm weather, so if he needs to go to places with colder temperatures for some reason, he suffers the whole time, trying to hide his shivering and numbness in his bones

• Isn't an early bird, nor a night owl; sometimes he has trouble sleeping, but he has a daily routine when it comes to waking up, so he sticks to that

• Prefers comfortable clothes, but never minds dressing up fancy either; suits, button downs, elegant shirts and trousers, you name it and he's probably worn it before

• His job doesn't give him much opportunities for that though, so he doesn't own a lot of those items, only a few in case he needs them (has to blend in somewhere, has an official meeting or gets some kind of medal, or God forbid a free day)

• His favourite season is autumn, not because the weather changes that much in Mexico (it does, just not where he usually is), but because of the holidays

• He's not religious, nor does he celebrate that many holidays, but he appreciates their beauty all the same and tries to understand everyone's beliefs and faith

• His favorite holidays are Christmas and Día de Muertos; family is the most important for him as mentioned before

• He's very understanding and has a comforting presence to most. All of his men look up to him, many as a father, idol or brother figure and he deeply appreciates that, because it means just as much for him as for them

• Likes to read occasionally, but doesn't often have the time. When he does, he reads classics or poetry

• He finds the ocean really fascinating, he could talk for hours about the topic (sea creatures, how the oceans move, how they affect the world etc.)

• Always says he can't sing, but Los Vaqueros had the chance to hear him when he was drunk a few times and honestly? He was good

• He can dance too, in his culture it's a thing you learn young and possibly cherish for the rest of your life

• Not a big drinker, but loves alcohol all the same; a tequila man (unsurprisingly), but he also likes red wine. Will drink anything though if the situation requires (as in the team is drinking or he has a toast with higher ups)

• Takes good care of his appearance and knows people turn their heads when they see him. He prides himself on looking good even at his age (although he knows he's not old) and being able to sweep people off their feet

• Comfortable with his affections. He hugs and kisses the cheeks of his brothers without shame and doesn't care if someone calls him gay or anything similar to it. If someone just utters a slur though, his fist is flying faster than the person has finished speaking

• Tries to keep up with everyone in Los Vaqueros; they are his family and he won't forget birthdays or asking about their relatives, hobbies or such

• Won't say it out loud because he doesn't want to hurt anyone else, but Rodolfo is the most important person in his life next to his blood related family. He'd rather get killed himself than watch Rudy suffer (the Hassan mission really messed him up, but Rudy reassured him through the whole procedure until they caught the guy)

• Doesn't mind accessories, but he doesn't really wear them because he doesn't want injuries or to lose them during his job. He has a liking for bracelets and watches specifically

• A romantic by heart, so if he ever has a date or a lady for a night, he will make it worth it. Fancy dinner, long walk under the moonlight, passionate night in bed (all in safe locations of course, he wouldn't risk a civilian, nor anyone else)

• He likes animals, be it the wildlife or pets, so if his life ever allowed him, he'd have a dog or maybe two

• Naturally his job comes with certain skills/abilities; he has a good awareness of people and situations, reading people is easy for him and thinking logically and strategically isn't something you lack in his line of work either

• Doesn't have a sweet tooth, he is used to spicy food not the sweet stuff. Although he loves chocolate, he doesn't often indulge himself

• Wouldn't call himself a coffee person, but likes to have a cup every day before work, or maybe when he feels a rough night setting in and needs a little boost

• Of course his job gifted him with sights in life no person should ever see, and he lost a lot of people in this fight, but he still has kindness in him that he isn't afraid to show

• Sometimes he lets his emotions get the better of him. He's an emotional man by nature, and his anger rises quickly when faced with situations he doesn't like. Rodolfo is always there to keep him down to earth though, and he never fails to appreciate his brother's help

• His favourite colors are blue and orange, but if you ask him about clothes he prefers dark tones (black, browns)

• He's always wanted a family of his own and his dream (to call it that foolishly) is to have a daughter, or maybe a big brother and daughter, so the little guy could protect her when he himself couldn't be there

• Loves nature, he always had; going on hikes, spending a day on a beach, scanning through forests, sitting on the skirts of the town, he loves it all

• He also likes flowers and in his younger years he wouldn't have minded learning the language of flowers. Unfortunately that never happened, but he doesn't feel like missing much

• Monday or Sunday, all the same to him. His work doesn't allow the usual week days and breaks, so he gets through every day almost in the same fashion. He likes to give his men the weekends off though, and always encourages them to ask for a leave if they feel sick or have something serious going on at home

• His favourite ice cream flavors are peach, lemon and caramel

• Can play the guitar, although he doesn't really have the time for things like that anymore

• He smells like whatever gear he has on at the moment and something woody probably. His natural scent is something manly and definitely earthy, but it can't really be named. Also, he only uses perfumes and stuff when he's not out in the field for work, or maybe he just sprays himself in the morning and lets it linger for however long it lasts

• He doesn't watch TV, rather spends his little free time doing more productive things like reading or cooking

#cod #call of duty #cod mw2 #mw2 #modern warfare2 #alejandro vargas #headcanons #alejandro vargas headcanons

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purefandomonium · 8 months

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Connection: Part 16-Shapes

Leann sat on the back swing, rocking gently, as she held the GameBoy in her lap and enjoyed the calm breeze. The fresh air did wonders for the weight in her chest. Red was silent, neither text boxes or sounds coming from the device. The only sounds at all were those of cars, birds, bugs, and the faint creak of the metal swing. The warmth of the setting sun was fading as the sky turned from pinkish-orange to blue.

The peace was lulling her to sleep, yet she didn’t want to drum up a conversation with Red to stay awake. For one thing, it wasn’t like she was behind closed doors where no one would hear her, and for another, Red seemed absolutely serene. She noted the way he sat in the white void, eyes closed and form appearing calmer than a still lake.

Deciding it couldn’t cause any harm, she propped the GameBoy open in the usual manner and closed her eyes for a little nap. She knew it would make falling asleep some hours later more difficult, but she was tired now so…

Despite the many new sounds surrounding him, Red could still hear Leann’s faint breaths. It seemed she’d finally relaxed after their prior fight, if it could even be called that. He was just happy to know she was finally at ease, however temporary. He refocused on the rest of the environment.

He could hear so many things! And they were all so clear! Most of the noises were unfamiliar to him; there was metallic clanking from somewhere nearby. Perhaps… inside a house? It sounded irregular, like something was being hit different ways. The clanking and scraping suddenly shifted into stuff being… He couldn’t tell because the sound was suddenly drowned out by multiple footsteps as people entered the space it was taking place in. Someone—a man, as the voice was much deeper than Leann’s or her mother’s—made a comment about how ‘you two are always so quick for dinner’ followed by a pair of giggles.

In another direction, somewhere in the distance, there was a constant drone. Leann had told him about cars and engines, and the sound seemed similar but also very different. It never got any closer or farther and he didn’t hear a rush of air accompanying it. It occasionally let out a sort of sputter, like something was giving it a hard time.

In another house, he could hear a young child playing with a toy. The thing was singing songs about the alphabet and numbers. He heard laughing and the harsh clicking of buttons being pounded. He only recognized it because it was similar to an advertisement he’d heard once when Leann was flipping though channels for something to watch. Apparently, it was normal for entire scripts to be written and acted out in an effort to get people to buy things.

Then there were the bugs. Crickets, he believed. No, wait. Crickets made the chirping sounds. June bugs made the high pitched and annoying buzzing sounds. Leann told him about the two after he’d freaked out upon hearing them the first time when she’d left her window open.

He couldn’t stand to focus on any one thing for too long. There were just so many sounds! He felt like he had the day Leann first hooked up the mic and he could hear her voice. It was both enthralling and a lot to take in. If only he could see. If he had a face to the sounds, he’d have an easier time processing them. Of that he was certain. Leann went into such detail on describing things whenever he asked, but stories weren’t good enough. If he could just see them. If only he could know what they looked like.

He sighed. All he’d ever see was this white void or the broken world he lived in. He opened his eyes to glare at it, as though it were alive and could understand how much he despised it.

Instead of blinding white, he saw blurry, undefined colors he couldn’t hope to describe. He recognized some form of green at the bottom, although it was much darker than what he was used to. The rest were visual overload. All thoughts ground to a halt.

Red screamed.

Leann jolted and nearly fell out of the swing at the high pitched shriek emitting from the GameBoy. Without hesitation, she swiftly scooped it up and smothered the speakers with her shirt. She brought it back out once the noise stopped.

Peeking around the yard before noticing how dark it was getting, she stood up and wordlessly went back inside. She shut the GameBoy and stuffed it in her back pocket before passing by her parents, letting out an acknowledgment as she went up to her room.

After noting the time and briefly wondering why she was still so tired after an hour long nap, she removed the game from her pocket. “Alright. What was that? Are you okay?”

Red was unable to respond as he was too busy trying to keep his emotions in check. He couldn’t just hear the worry in her voice—he could nearly see it on her face! He assumed that was her face. She seemed to be holding him pretty close, and the vague blur of undefined color had a similar semblance to a head. At least, he guessed that’s what real people’s heads looked like. No one would make a game with a world similar to theirs but use unnatural people designs… Right?

“Red?” Leann watched as he shook from visible panic, the edges of his form distorting and glitching. He appeared to be hyperventilating, breathing erratically with his hands gripping the side of his head as he stared at her, eyes wide as plates.

It was then she heard the faint static that synced frighteningly well with his heavy breaths. Her own eyes widened.

A text box appeared, though the font was blurry and pixelated, and smaller than usual.

I can… see you. I think that’s you. I don’t know. But I can see something. Colors but I can’t tell what they are. So many colors… Why are there so many?!?! What’s happening? Leann?! That’s you right?! This isn’t a glitch? I’m not imagining this am I?!?!

The text box lacked its usual attributes and went on and on and on with no end in sight. Red’s mouth was still moving but the screen had long run out of room for the distorted words.

Sentient game character or not, Leann knew a nervous breakdown when she saw one. “Take it easy, Red. Breathe, or whatever it is you do that looks like breathing. Just… close your eyes and focus on your breaths.” She kept her voice steady, hoping to coax him out of it. She felt her heart rate lower when he followed her instruction. “That’s it, just try to calm down. I know it’s a lot but it’s ok.” Now would be a very bad time for one of her parents to barge in. She hoped her voice was too quiet to pass through the door.

Red kept his eyes held shut as he reigned his breathing in. Eventually, the panic faded and he no longer needed Leann’s comfort. However, he refused to open his eyes until he got some answers.

“Do you wanna tell me what all that was about?” she asked his scrunched face.

I… I think I saw… outside earlier. I was just sitting with my eyes closed while you were napping, taking in all the sounds. Then I opened them and saw… well… everything.

The lack of the character tag attached to Red’s words was the least of her worries. “You saw what? The yard?” She thought back to the way she’d positioned the game before drifting off and noted that the yard leading up to the privacy fence would’ve been the only thing he’d have seen.

As well as the flowers, and the little decorative garden fountain, and the cutesy little bird spinner she’d picked out. The sky. All of that would be overwhelming for someone both unfamiliar with color and detail.

The sound she’d heard must’ve been the game portraying him screaming. She held back a shiver.

I guess that’s what it was.

He said nothing for several moments as he carefully opened his eyes. Leann must’ve moved to a different spot in the room, as the space behind her appeared a bit different. She even looked a bit different. He could make out more of her face now. Or could he before and he was too panicked to notice?

Leann tried to keep her expression neutral as bright red eyes stared at her through the tiny screen. She could feel him analyzing her, no doubt trying to make sense of what he was seeing. She pondered what the world must look from his perspective; how he saw his own glitched realm. She knew the game had very limited colors compared to real life, yet it had never really dawned on her what that would mean.

Seeing a cacophony of familiar yet different tones would freak her out too.

Your eyes have color.

She blinked at the random statement. “Um, yeah? Yours do too.”

It was his turn to be taken aback.

They do?

“What? You… didn’t know you had eye color?” She watched the way his head tilted, lips pursed as he thought.

I’ve never seen my own face. I can see myself when I look down. I know what I’m wearing, but I’ve never seen my face.

His hand absently went to his cap to adjust it. Now that he thought, he wasn’t really sure what it looked like but was too stressed to even think about removing it to see.

“You don’t have mirrors? Do you know what a mirror and a reflection are?” This was too much for her fatigued mind to handle. Still, she couldn’t go to sleep until she gave him some sort of closure on this. Otherwise he’d dwell on it all night and all day tomorrow.

Red contemplated. He knew the basic idea of a mirror was to show a reflection, somehow. If it was something he’d known about before gaining a mind of his own, he had no recollection of it. He hadn’t properly interacted much with his broken world upon gaining sentience, so if he’d encountered a mirror before, he only understood it because the game told him what it was. Just like with dreams, he understood the gist of it, but the rest was a mystery. Just like his own face.

He shrugged.

“I… I have no idea how I’m gonna explain that to you,” she said, struggling more and more to grasp the right words. She fought back a yawn. “Maybe we can go over this tomorrow, when I’m less tired and when you’ve… gathered your thoughts or something.” The yawn returned with a vengeance.

…Right…

He seemed to deflate and she managed to fumble together a better response. “Hey, cheer up. I know it’s overwhelming now, but so was the hearing thing and look at how that turned out. This is a good thing, right?”

He gave a soft smile and nodded.

“Who knows? By tomorrow you may be able to see even clearer and then that’ll make everything much easier. As long as you know the basic colors, we can totally figure this out.” She’d be damned if she had to explain the very concept of color to him in addition to the reflection thing.

Okay. You look tired anyway.

Leann was too exhausted to be perturbed by that comment. Instead, she let out a small chuckle. “See? You’re already talkin’ shit and everything. You’ll be just fine.”

Go to bed, Leann. Goodnight.

“Goodnight.” She set the GameBoy on its usual spot on the nightstand and went about her nightly routine. After dodging some questioning from her parents about why she was hitting the sack so early, she cozied up under the covers and fell asleep immediately.

Part 15: here

Part 17: TBD

#connection #glitchy red #pokepasta #fanfic #my writing #writers on tumblr

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blue-bluee · 2 years

Text

-ˋˏ S H Y ˎˊ

Characters: Quorch, Lyle, Z-Dog, Mansk, Sir Jameson (hes a cat), little bit of General Ardmore.

Warnings: Fluff! Lots! Cute recoms with a kitty! General A is a bitch as per usual. Angst if you squint.

Chapter 1 (you’re here!), Chapter 2

◇─◇──◇─────◇──◇─◇

It was cold.

There was wet and cold everywhere. The little black cat opened its eyes to the familiar cardboard box that it had fallen asleep in, the rain pestering down, leaking through the already molded box.

There was hardly any lights anywhere, so when the cat needed to leave his little moldy box for food, he had to use nearly every other sense other than sight.

Most nights the little cat returned empty handed with a rumbling tummy and droopy ears. He didn’t remember much of when he had an inside home, but it’s been weeks since he was cast outside by tall humans in green. He didn’t even know where he was.

But there was a lot of rain, no green, and there were big sounds in the distance. He wanted to go to the sounds but he was afraid the people in green were gonna be mean to him and throw him outside again.

During days when it was sunny, he would wander the streets that he was left in. He didn’t remember much of how he got here, just one day he was put inside a really small box and then he started to get sleepy and cold. He remembered waking up to a man in green holding his scruff and loud voices.

And it had been weeks since then, of just him sitting in the moldy box, searching for food. He had plenty of water, rain was common here.

But his little furry tummy rumbled. He hadn’t been able to find much food. One time he had found an abandoned sandwich. He saved it for as long as he could.

But food was now really rare. He was sad.

When he felt lonely or sad, he sang. To others it just sounded like tiny meows, but to him, well, It was music.

He wondered if he was going to be all alone like this for the rest of his life.

He missed his mama.

◇─◇──◇─────◇──◇─◇

Days went on and on and on and each day he woke up to the moldy box.

When he was bored sometimes he would play with the box, even though it was crusty and sometimes damp. He had nothing else to play with.

He made sure to explore as much as he could. Everywhere he had been he made sure to leave little marks. He hoped one day someone nice and warm would come find him.

He really missed feeling warm. The man in green had a warm hand before he threw him out.

The little cat didn’t know how long it had been since he was thrown away. The sunrise was sunset was always the same, and it didn’t seem to change much. The box was still the same, maybe it had a bit more mold on it then it had a week ago.

The little cat liked the daytime. There weren’t that many lights on during the night. Sometimes it would be stormy. He hated storms. They were loud and bright and dark and so so scary.

He liked to go out during the day, to look around and to play with things that looked like birds but had no feathers. They were weird creatures but they played with him too.

He liked them. Sometimes he would sing to them and they would hop closer to him, heads tilting and squawking.

They were just different looking birds, he decided. Like a hairless cat.

His black fur was matted with mud and dirt, left in tangles. He tried to brush it out and clean it, but there was only so much a starved cat could do.

Sometimes his almost-bird friends brought him food. He made sure to purr at them and snuggle close to show them he was happy with it whenever they brought him food.

Each night he fell asleep in his box, all alone, with only one wish.

That someone would find him.

◇─◇──◇─────◇──◇─◇

His little ears twitched as he awoke to strange noises. They were loud thumping noises. He crawled out of his little box and saw a big metal machine that had things going fast in a circle. He smelt food on it and saw some blue men in green, which was weird.

He decided to follow it.

He couldn’t see exactly where it was that he was going, but he was certainly very surprised to see lots of green men and blue men.

He made sure he stayed hidden so they wouldn’t throw him.

He saw a really big group of Blue people with a little human boy walk out of the big metal machine.

He smelled them, and they smelled like trees. And fruit and food and clean water.

When he smelt them, his little ears perked up immediately. He wanted to run to them immediately.

But he was still scared of being thrown.

So the little kitty decided to watch.

◇─◇──◇─────◇──◇─◇

While the kitten was small, it was awfully hard to sneak around such a robotic environment.

He spent many days sleeping inside a basket full of what felt like towels, and he was overjoyed.

He did miss his box though. He missed the feeling of it, the cover, the smell.

It was when he was in a deep sleep when he was found.

The basket was lifted up, while he was burrowed under the layers of fabric that he lay in, warmth keeping him in a wondrous sleep, filled with dreams of warm bellies and lovely food.

Even the sound of footsteps and radio chatter didn’t wake the little kitten. But the sound of a door sliding open certainly did. The telltale beeping he grew so accustomed to for a unit unlocking. His eyes opened, he dared not move.

He heard voices. Many many voices.

“Took you long enough, I need a fuckin’ shower.”

“A thank you would have been nice, shut up, take this one.” Said a female voice, and the kitties heart stopped in fear. She was grabbing the towel that he lay under.

All he could do was hope he didn’t get thrown. He squeezed his eyes shut and flattened his little ears, trembling.

He heard a small gasp of surprise when the towel was lifted.

“Oh! What the hell-?” Said the female voice.

“Are you gonna pass the towel or what?” He heard the sound of a throw and a catch, and a silent “thanks”

“No problem, hey Mansk! Colonel! Lyle! Come take a look at this.”

“Girl you just gave the this damn towel what now? I been waiting for this shower for a while- oh my god.” Said a male voice.

The kitty dared not open his eyes nor move. He desperately didn’t wanna be thrown.

“Hey there little guy,” said the female voice, “whatcha doin’ in there, hm?”

“Zdinarsk. Why is there a cat in the laundry.” Asked a different male voice.

“Just found him in here. Must have been sleeping here for a while, the towels are a lil dirty from his teeny tiny paws.” She said the last bit with a baby voice, her fingers tickling behind his ears.

He peeked at her, and was surprised to see it was the big blue lady he saw before, the one he remembered with the other blue people. The ones he wanted to live with.

He opened his eyes and smiled in that little way that cats do at the blue lady with markings and a Mohawk.

“Awh, look at the lil guy!” She smiled at him, and his tail fluffed up a bit. She liked him!

“He can’t stay, yknow. We have a mission to do, we have jobs.” Said the biggest blue man. His hair was short, and he had a marking on his arm. Both him and the blue lady’s ears went down in disappointment.

“Quaritch please? It would be so nice to have a friend that doesn’t steal your food.” She directed that last part to a blue man that didn’t have any hair except for his braid. The bigger blue man’s eyes widened when he saw their ears go down.

He sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose, eyes squeezed shut.

“Would it really make you all happy to keep it?” He said, waving his hand to them all.

The blue ladies ears perked up and she smiled at the bigger blue man, her tail wagging.

“It would, just look at that little baby face, he’s such a lil man, so brave for staying out for so long. He probably didn’t have anywhere to live.”

The bigger blue man sighed and smirked a little. “Alright, y’all can keep him. Just make sure he don’t get in my way or he’s out.” He said, pointing his finger to the door.

“Now get that lil man a better bed. He ain’t gonna be livin’ in no basket.” He said, sniffing and putting his hands in his belt, walking away shaking his head. “I don’t wanna have him dirtyin up our towels.”

“Yes sir.” Said both the bald blue man and one with a hat.

“Cmere little man.” Said the blue lady, picking him up gently, her smile never fading. “My names Zdinarsk, or Z-Dog. What should we call you, hey lil man?”

“Hey now, don’t keep him all to yourself, lemme talk to the lil guy.” Said the bald one.

Z-Dog gently passed him over to the bald man’s large hands, all three blue people’s tails wagging.

“Hey there lil guy. My names Lyle. Aren’t you just the cutest- HEY!” He was cut off after the big man with a hat grabbed him out of Lyles hands, a smile on his face.

“My turn” he said, “Hello there little kitty. I’m Mansk. What’s your name huh?”

Z-Dog got up from where she kneeled on the floor and gently took him out of Mansks hands, a soft smile on her face. “Let’s go meet the big boss, hey lil man? Yeah, let’s go.”

She walked down a small hallway with doors in both sides, until she reached the one at the end, with a little sticky note drawing of the bigger blue man he saw before.

On each door there was sticky notes of all the blue people. He liked them. Z-Dog noticed and smiled down at him, stopping for him to take a look.

“You like them, don’t you, lil man? The boss drew them. He draws for fun. He left them on the table once so we decided to put them up on the doors. He draws these cute lil drawing that look like a four year old did em but we love em. I’ll show you some more later. Let’s go see him.”

She cradled him against her chest, knocking at the door with a small drawing of the big man.

“What?” They heard from inside.

“Hey big boss, c’mere, you need to meet lil man.” Said Z-Dog, smiling.

The door opened to a tired looking blue man. “I’m doing paperwork. I can’t-“ but then the little kitten jumped onto him, catching both blue people by surprise.

Luckily, the big man caught him with his big hands, and smiled a lil, his tail wagging.

“Well hi there big guy. What you think you’re doin’? “He smiled down at him, then to Z-Dog.

“You two have fun, I’m gonna make him some food then a lil bath to clean up his teeny tiny paws.”

“My names Miles Quaritch. Nice to meet you.” He said to the teeny kitty, walking back into his room, kitty cradled against his chest. “You look like a sweet lil guy, what should we name you, hm? You need a cute name to match that cute lil furry face of yours, don’t we?”

He gently put him down on a soft pillow, sitting down, looking at him. He gently pet his head, only using one finger. “You’re a tiny lil guy alright. What if we name you…whiskers.” The little kitten didn’t like the name so he lightly bit Quaritch’s finger.

“Alright, alright, guess we’ll have to think of something else, hey there?” The played with the kitten, laughing at his little meows. The kitty liked playing. He hadn’t really played with another person in a long time, so having his big hand roll him over and play fight him was a lot of fun for the small cat.

There was a knock at the door, and they both looked over to see Z-Dog.

“I see you two had fun while I was gone.” She smiled at them.

“We were tryin to think of some names for lil man but we got busy to playin.” Quaritch laughed as the kitty tried jumping to reach his hand, but ultimately missing and falling onto the pillow.

Z-Dog leaned against the door. “I’ve been thinking about that too. I haven’t been able to come up with anything that seems to fit.” Suddenly Mansk was behind Z-Dog.

“I think we should call him Sir Jameson.” Him and Lyle were both excitedly wagging their tails and smiling. “We thought of names and he looks like a little gentleman with how he sits. It seems like a good name for him.”

Quaritch felt the kitty lick his hand. “Yknow, I think lil man likes it.”

And that’s how the kitty got a name.

◇─◇──◇─────◇──◇─◇

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prying-pandora666 · 8 months

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I Just Need To Vent

So I’m a writer and storyteller who also sings and sews. I know this is a strange place for this but I NEED to vent about the most insane choir practice I’ve EVER experienced!

Let me introduce you to the choir members in this story because it is WILD.

First we have the actual choir director. Let’s call him… Boss.

Secondly, the students. This isn’t all of them, but at least the ones I can remember. The names have been changed etc etc.

Manuel - Top of the class. Total teacher’s pet. The kinda guy who follows all the rules to the letter, even when it’s annoying. He really loved his pet birds and was all around a fair and likeable guy though, despite being kinda naive and easily fooled.

Good thing he had his gf.

Valencia - Manuel’s gf. Super smart, both book-wise and street-wise. You couldn’t fool her. She was also really athletic and SUPER GORGEOUS. Anytime she entered a room, she lit it up. She was that radiant. This one guy Micheal was down bad for her, but we’ll get to him later.

Aaron - You know that guy that’s really good with his hands? That was Aaron. He could fix things, make things, build things. I’d later see these incredible figurines he made and painted. Guy was an artisan. But he was also the kinda guy to bend the rules when he got too excited.

Ulrich - Besties with Manuel. I didn’t know him well. He was kind of a loner, unlike Manuel who was so outgoing. But he seemed chill! He was super into the ocean and marine life. He usually was pretty nice but if you got on his bad side? He had a hella temper.

Yasmin - Aaron’s gf. She was the hippy girl that is super into nature and the environment. She was always planting things. That kind of lady. Surprisingly, she wasn’t too overbearing about it? I only really ever saw her argue about it with Aaron and—ugh—Michael. Friggin Michael.

Tyler - An MMA fighter. Total meathead. He wasn’t a bully exactly? But he was always ready to throw down at a moment’s notice. That kind of energy.

Owen - Had a podcast about surviving in the wild and was super into camping and hunting and horseback riding. Made his own leather.

Vanessa - I think she might’ve dated Owen? I don’t remember. But I know she was Yasmin’s little sister and also kind of an animal loving hippy.

Ester - She was a nurse. Really caring and looked after everyone.

Then there were these three siblings, Manfred, Natalie, and Lanz.

Manfred - A lawyer. Really serious. No nonsense. Kind of a killjoy but fair minded.

Natalie - Grief counselor. She took on so much emotional labor for EVERYONE.

Lanz - Suffered from epilepsy which made him have some wild hallucinations sometimes. He needed a lot of care.

Oh wait! I almost forgot one before we get to MICHAEL.

Noelle - I think she was dating Owen? NGL I remember her the least. She was also a dancer and had incredible body control. But outside of her admittedly very impressive dancing, I can’t recall anything more about her.

And finally MICHAEL.

Friggin MICHAEL.

Look I don’t even know how to describe Michael. But fair to say he is both the protagonist and the antagonist of this story. Here is my best attempt to capture that magnificent jerk-off as best as I possibly can in my own words.

Michael - The most beautiful man you will ever see. Talented at everything. Anything anyone else in this choir group he could do? He could at least replicate at a passable level if not outright master. Give him an evening to learn a subject and he’d be proficient if not an expert

Michael HATED Manuel. A feeling Manuel didn’t return, and often tried to be friendly with Michael only for Michael to pull a fast one on Manuel.

Did I mention these two were BROTHERS!?

Yeah. Imagine what that family home must’ve been like. Yikes.

Okay so on to the story.

So one day, BOSS calls us all in to record this song he’s been working on.

Now you have to understand, this was a musically gifted group. To say they were beyond average skill level is an understatement.

We all knew this was going to be LIT.

So everyone already knows the song. I don’t know if they’d gotten the sheet music earlier or what, but basically everyone was already 100% familiar with how it goes.

But Boss was the kind of music teacher who really wanted his adult students to express themselves creatively.

As such, he basically gave everyone free rein to rehearse the song however they wanted.

Yasmin wants folk rock? Done.

Ulrich is feeling more metal? Sure.

Valencia wants rhythm and Tyler takes that an excuse to SMASH DRUMS while he sings his part? As long as it’s on beat.

You’d think this would create a horrible cacophony! But surprisingly, no. Boss had everyone so well trained that it was like they all locked in and even as they added their own flair and unique flavors, it all sorta… came together?

It was incredible. A mash-up of genres and styles performed by a team of some of the most talented singers in the entire world, as I knew it! I’d never heard anything like it. I was speechless. I couldn’t look away for a moment. Boss was a genius.

There was just one problem.

Michael.

Friggin Michael.

So here’s the thing. Michael was the best singer.

I won’t pretend that’s not true. Even in a group of god-tier choir singers, Michael was on another level. The guy was a stand-out among stand-outs and Boss knew it.

But so did Michael.

And he NEEDED to prove it.

Anyone who has ever been involved in the arts has probably encountered a Michael. That person who is ungodly talented but a so insecure and narcissistic that they just have to constantly PROVE IT? Even at the cost of whatever you’re trying to perform?

Yeah. That’s exactly it.

So Michael chimes in and starts singing OBNOXIOUSLY LOUD. Trying to drown out literally EVERYONE ELSE.

Boss notices but like a patient teacher trying to sculpt Michael’s talents, he just signals to some of the others to pipe up their harmonies more to support Michael.

But a well supported solo isn’t enough for Michael. Oh no. Not content to simply be the star for a section of the song, Michael starts singing IN THE WRONG KEY.

Look, I’m no expert in music, but even I could hear what he was doing. His gorgeous, powerful voice, singing so well. BUT IN THE COMPLETELY WRONG KEY!

I looked at Boss and he seemed to sigh. But instead of stopping, he tweaked a few things, signaled to the others to change their parts they were signing (it all went above my head so sorry if I’m not being very detailed), to work in Michael.

Soon Michael’s discordance actually worked! The song was a little more crunchy rather than perfectly harmonious, but the slight dissonance actually made it all the more haunting and beautiful. In a way it was even better than before.

Like I said, Boss was a genius.

Which only pissed Michael off more.

And so, clearly desperate for attention and pushed to his limit, Michael jumped so far out of line that the line was left in the dust.

He went CRAZY. If Boss’ song went high? Michael sung bass. If the song went low? Michael sung soprano.

It was like a musical battle except Michael was the only one fighting.

If someone else tried to contribute a neat little flourish or solo? Michael RAN UP TO THEM and drowned them out with his bullshit! I’m serious!

I thought for sure Boss was going to stop the song, but no.

Boss was starting to lose his patience. That much I could tell. But still he persevered, trying to just get to the end of the piece at the very least!

Soon some of the other choir members started dropping out. Michael was ruining it for everyone.

As I remember:

Valencia stopped, rolled her eyes, and refused to engage any further. She sat down and waited for the piece to end.

Vanessa broke into tears which got Yasmin to stop and glare at Michael.

Several of the others either lowered their voices or stopped altogether.

But not Manuel.

Goodie two-shoes Manuel had just tuned out the class and was only looking at Boss for instruction. Singing the song exactly as he was supposed to.

Nothing made Manuel miss a single note or beat. He was in the zone. No matter how chaotic or awful Michael’s disruptions got.

This only served to piss off Michael more, who started singing at the top of his lungs RIGHT at Manuel.

But Manuel didn’t even flinch. It was like he had Michael on IRL server mute.

So Ulrich, who had sat out with Valencia, sees this go down. He realizes this is getting to Michael.

Remember how I said Ulrich was usually chill but had a temper if you got on his bad side? And how he was besties with Manuel?

Yeah, Ulrich also couldn’t stand Michael.

So Ulrich gets up and decides he’s gonna be Manuel’s ride or die. Ulrich starts singing again. Louder.

The more mad and crazy Michael gets, the more Ulrich backs up Manuel on the part they’re SUPPOSED to be singing.

Michael notices he’s been challenged and just goes HARDER. But Ulrich is in it to win it and won’t back down.

This gets Aaron’s attention. Never one to say no to a chance to try something new, especially if he gets to bend the rules a little bit, Aaron gets hyped and stands by Ulrich, joining him in his crusade. Now it’s Aaron and Ulrich backing up Manuel while Michael rages and sings furiously at all three of them.

This whole time? Manuel obliviously just keeps singing.

So Tyler, who at this point is only half-assedly doing a note here and there, realizes this has turned into a fight.

So HE squares up and starts copying Ulrich and Aaron. He just wants to be a part of the conflict. Classic Tyler. 🙄

Natalie thinks Tyler might lose control so she gets up to chime in and temper him a bit.

Manfred won’t leave his sister to herself so he tells Lanz to rest with Ester and joins in to back up his sister in the good fight. Manfred always liked order.

Owen at this point decides, yeah okay whatever, let’s do this. Noelle hasn’t stopped dancing so she just starts singing again.

Soon most of them are back in it now, all of them backing up Manuel who has just been oblivious to the resistance movement he has accidentally started. He just wanted to sing the song real good and make Boss proud.

But everyone else knows what’s up, especially Valencia, who rallies the stragglers.

Michael is LOSING HIS MIND at this point. I’m not even sure he’s singing. He’s practically just screaming. Even Boss can’t work with this anymore.

Still, Boss expertly conducts so that Michael’s strongest and most triumphant notes still fit into the wider song. It’s a war zone.

FINALLY, with great frustration and a giant crescendo, Boss at last ends the song.

Everyone stops, winded, catching their breaths and surveying the room in confusion. No one says a word.

Michael stares right at Boss. Unblinking. Daring him to say something.

Boss reveals he’s been recording this entire time.

He pulls out his computer and plays it all back for us to see what we have created.

And with great authority, he looks right at Michael and says that he chose every single one of them for a reason.

That their talents he has fostered in them for so long are exactly the ingredients he needed to complete his magnum opus.

And that INCLUDES Michael’s shenanigans.

Every sour note.

Every crunchy bit of dissonance.

Boss wanted it all in there. It’s his masterpiece. And it’s just the way he wanted it.

Michael, predictably, throws a tantrum and storms off to the corner like a child. But everyone else is awed with the result. For a first draft, it’s phenomenal. Unlike anything anyone’s ever made before. They can’t wait to start workshopping it to get the finished product.

Anyway that’s all. Thanks for listening, you guys.

This is Vera, storyteller and weaver, signing off.

——————————————————————

If you’ve followed the story thus far, I am ready to reveal to you that this isn’t a real life event.

This is the Lord of the Rings creation myth. I just tricked you into reading the beginning of The Silmarillion.

And if you’re dying to know what happened next?

The book is widely available and written with language so beautiful it will make you cry.

So check it out and find out what happens to that asshole Michael aka Melkor.

Because Sauron ain’t got a THING on him!

#Lord of the rings #lotr #the silmarillion #silmarillion memes #ainulindale

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fanfic-inator795 · 8 months

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Ranking my favorite animated dad characters because I can’t sleep

I realized that a lot of my favorite animated characters are dads, so fuck it. Let’s rank them both on their dad-ness and on their character overall.

7. Ansel Beauregard (Arlo the Alligator Boy/I heart Arlo): okay so, as much as I’m kinda hyperfocusing on this guy rn, he kinda HAS to get the lowest rank ‘cause like… he literally abandoned his gator baby in the sewer. Honestly the fact that he’s able to be likable at all is a damn miracle, but the movie and show pull it off surprisingly well.

Basically from the moment he finally accepts Arlo into his life, he’s trying his best to make amends - though admittedly he still doesn’t always go about it the best way, lol. Growing up bullied then isolated and then becoming crazy rich at a young age has definitely made him more than a little oblivious, out of touch and self-centered (though these parts of his personality are still funny/endearing instead of being annoying imo) but he still genuinely cares (even when he was unwilling to face his truth, he still gave Arlo advice that he at least thought was in Arlo’s best interest based on what worked for him) and I really do love the interactions he has with Arlo. I also love the whole bird-man aspect of him both as a character design and fun quirk, and his VA work and singing is also phenomenal. (Seriously, I’ve been listening to “Better Life” multiple times per day, someone pls I need help asdfghjkl)

6. Dr. Heinz Doofenshmirtz (Phineas & Ferb): So, back when I was a kid, Doof was definitely my favorite character, and while I’ve kiiiiiinda grown out of him in some aspects (his over-exposure in things like MML didn’t exactly help), I can still enjoy him for being a really funny and really enjoyable character.

Can he sometimes be annoying, slightly obnoxious and take up too much screentime in the latter seasons? Sure, totally. But like- I’m never gonna NOT love the ‘evil villain who has a huge soft spot for their child’ trope, it’s a classic for a reason. Doof is a dork and can be overbearing, but he’s also really sweet and will do anything for his daughter, including get himself stung by dozens of bees. It also can’t be denied just how many of his lines and moments can still get laughs out of me even after all these years. We Stan a petty ADHD-king and (not-so-)evil scientist dad.

5. Hamato Yoshi/Lou Jitsu/Splinter (ROTTMNT): oh hey, another dad with trauma - only instead of being bullied and forced to hide himself or having a nonsensical tragic backstory, he had to deal with generational trauma, being forced into fighting/killing for sport, and finally getting mutated which led to years of on/off depression. …yeahhhhh.

This is another character I really admire for just how well they’re written, even if he wasn’t always the best dad (though for the record, he wasn’t nearly as neglectful as some fans want to claim…) I think most Rise fans would agree that Splinter absolutely has the best arc in the series, going from a strictly comedy relief couch potato to a loving father/tragic figure who manages to rise above everything for the sake of his kids. He’s willing to let the world burn for the sake of his sons and I respect the hell out of him for it regardless of whether or not it’s the ‘moral’ choice. But he’s also still really funny and really cool when he wants to be, and for as much as I’ve drifted away from Rise, Splinter and his story is still one of the few aspects I adore and appreciate about this show.

4. Pete McGee (The Ghost and Molly McGee): Pete is just a super endearing character to me even if he arguably has the least going on of all the TGAMM characters. He’s a very typical goofy sitcom dad both in terms of design (which, ngl… Pete is kinda really cute? Am I the only one who sees it?) and attitude, usually only being used for comedy while Sharon is the one who gets to be the slightly more serious one and have the heart-to-hearts with/give advice to Molly.

But that’s fine because even if he’s not the deepest dad on this list, he’s still incredibly endearing imo. He’s a 100% Wife Guy, he struggles to stand up for himself but still always tries to stand up for his family, he inspired Molly to be heavily interested in community service, and he’s a dancer! Which is just a really fun quirk, hence why I really love both the Ice Princess episode and the Dance Dad episode (asdfghjkl I remember when Tess and I were watching the latter, she was cringing at all the TikTok dances while I was sitting next to her enjoying the song and just being like yeahhhhh get it Pete! Lol). While I do wish we could have gotten a bit of deeper character stuff with Pete, he’s still pretty solid and very enjoyable to watch.

3. Bob Belcher (Bob’s Burgers): we love our autistic Burger King babeyyyyy! Seriously though, while I’ve grown to love all the Belchers, there’s definitely a reason why I gravitated towards Bob first. He’s a mess of a guy who’s just trying his best to deal with all the chaos that life and his family throw at him, and we love him for it.

I love that even while being the most grounded character in the show, he’s not afraid of being a little unhinged and just fucking going off on someone or something. He’s also often the one who’s always trying to help others, even when it’s usually by accident given how much of an introvert he is. He loves his wife, his kids and his burgers with all his heart, and even when he’s at his worst (which is a rarity), you still are rooting for the best for him and want everything to work out. His heart-to-hearts with his kids (and with other characters) really are some of my favorite moments from the show. Furthermore, much like literally all the other characters on this list, his VA’s delivery just adds SO much to his character as well. I really do just love H. Jon Benjamin, he’s so hilarious and needs to voice more characters.

2. Rodolfo Rivera/White Pantera (El Tigre): Ah yes, my first favorite animated dad character, even before Doof. As such, I’m always gonna have a soft spot for this guy. Like I’ve said before, I love how he’s able to be both a goofy and super soft-hearted character but can also be a total badass at times, sometimes without even trying.

He just wants to protect his city and help his son grow up right, and I love him for it! He’s easily one of the funniest characters in the show, but I appreciate that he’s allowed to still be cool and still have a win occasionally. He also manages to be stern without ever becoming unlikable or unreasonable, given that he’ll still always be there for his son and father even when they’re doing things he doesn’t approve of, and I think it’s that overall balance that really endeared me to him, plus his great design+voice (if I had a nickel for every time I gravitated to an Eric Bauza-voiced dad, I’d have two-). His little catchphrase quirks like “okay be good!” and saying Manny’s full name live in my head rent-free, ngl.

1. Bill Green (Big City Greens) let me make this clear… I! LOVE! BILL! GREEN! He’s just… SO great. He’s wholesome, he’s funny and goofy, he’s sweet, he’s a loving father, he’s stern but still reasonable, he’s a hard worker, he’s super relatable, he’s a secret badass, he’s a huge dork, he sings about his truck and is super attached to his wood carvings - he really is just everything and I mean that in the best possible way.

While Cricket and Tilly are obviously the stars of the show, I really do love how much energy the show puts into making Bill this incredibly well-rounded and likable character who you just can’t help but sympathize with and root for when it comes to his farm stuff. I can’t say that he’s perfect, he’s definitely made a couple pretty poor decisions here and there, but overall I think he’s everything I want out of a great animated dad character (probably because he honestly reminds me a lot of my own dad - or at least, the positive parts of my dad). He’s not the only thing I love about BCG, far from it, but he’s definitely one of my biggest favorite things about it.

BONUS HONORABLE MENTION DADS:

- Vasquez (BCG): bodyguards/surrogate dads absolutely count. So happy that Vasquez has become much more prominent and fleshed-out as the show’s gone on, he’s just so great. Thank you Danny Trejo for voicing him, can’t wait for that s4 ep where Vasquez apparently goes to therapy

- Lego Batman (Lego Batman Movie): ah yes, the kick-starter to the Batman/Bat-fam phase I had in college. Fits right alongside characters like Ansel and Splinter for being obviously flawed dads (bro literally called his new son ‘expendable’ wtf Bruce) who still care a lot/grow to become better people over time through the influence of their kid. Will Arnett is still absolutely hilarious as this character, I love how he immediately goes into dad-mode when Robin gets slammed into the windshield, and that bit at the end where he finally tells Robin the truth about his ‘dads’ still gets me a bit teary-eyed

- Wild Knuckles (The Rise of Gru): technically a grand-dad but whatever. Like I said, I love my villains with a soft-side for their kid, and it makes me sad that the Rise of Gru fandom essentially ignored this guy in favor of hot young Dr. Nefario. Like- I don’t care if the arc between him and baby Gru was somewhat rushed, dude literally got himself burned alive by a huge dragon for his surrogate grandkid, he deserves better

If you’ve made it this far, let me know if you like any of these dad characters + what your favorites are ^v^

#arlo the alligator boy #I heart Arlo #big city greens #the ghost and molly mcgee #rise of the teenage mutant ninja turtles #rise of the tmnt #Phineas and ferb #bob’s burgers #el tigre #el tigre the adventures of manny rivera #personal crap #random thoughts

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