#tw canon typical violence

[hekxate]

first blood

(how i choose to believe loki presented, for the first time)

[newtabfics]

soft astarion getting sentimental during sex after a rough battle and ends up being extremely touchy and loving but he's totally "i don't like you. you're crazy. that's silly" still

"Not Like I Did Yesterday." Summary: Tav gets badly hurt which makes Astarion realize a few things suddenly. He can't quite explain it but in that moment, he knows it's her he needs. Takes place after Tiefling Party before Act 2 because I love the Underdark and is lightly inspired by the lyrics from "I Don't Love You" by MCR. Triggers for Canon Typical Violence. Some Angst. Frantic/Needy Smut. Spoilers for Astarion's story quest.

"Shit!" He hissed as his arrows ran out. "I'm empty!" He announced to the others as the monster closed in on him.

He tensed as he gripped his blade. He was ready to fight to his last breath if he had to.

Then a stone struck the beast in the face, cutting its vulture-like face before hissing in her direction.

Astarion felt a coldness wash over him as the beast charged and swung.

The Hook Horror tossed Tav aside like a ragdoll. Her body was beaten and broken as she tried pushing herself up, squinting at the monster as it charged at her.

There was a roar that she couldn't quite make out.

She barely saw the flash of white before Astarion was on the creature.

"Oh shit," Shadowheart said, seeing Astarion losing it as he attacked the monster. "Tav!" She called out. "Get away from him!"

Tav shuddered as she pushed herself up slowly as the rest of the group eliminated the rest of the monsters. Astarion kept stabbing at the dead beast beneath him.

"Astarion," She called out to him, staggering.

"What the hell are you doing?!" Shadowheart barked out.

"Stop," Karlach said firmly. "She's got this."

The two watched as their leader staggered towards Astarion. She hobbled as her eyes focused on him.

He was plunging the blade down again. His back heaved as his soft growls could be heard.

He was losing himself.

Gotta help him, She thought to herself as her legs buckled. She collapsed into him as she hugged him tight from behind.

His arm froze in the air.

His breath came in broken shudders.

Her scent flooded him.

She's here…She's alive, He repeated as he lost its grip on the knife.

The metal clattered to the ground as he slumped in her hold, hands gripping her arms tight. Alive, he told himself again as he let out a shaky breath.

"You're okay," She whispered into his shoulder before her body went limp.

Astarion's eyes widened when Tav suddenly dropped to the ground beside him. "D-Darling?" He asked as he turned to her.

Shadowheart hurried over in that moment, focused on healing their leader. 

Tav was blinking hard, looking a bit dizzy. She was alive. "I'm okay," She mumbled.

"The hell you are!" Shadowheart snapped. "That was reckless! I don't care that he's an ally. When a vampire goes feral like that, don't fucking touch them!"

Tav grimaced and gave her a look. "I wasn't gonna let him lose his mind!" She defended.

Astarion could only watch as the two bickered while the cleric healed her. His heart thudded wildly as she looked annoyed by the woman's scolding. When her eyes met his, she smiled softly and crossed her eyes in mock irritation.

He couldn't help the soft laugh that escaped him as the action earned her another scolding.

Tav carefully got up with Shadowheart's help, stumbling forward. His arms were there to catch her, holding her upright as she sighed.

"You should carry her!" Karlach beamed. "Like a princess!"

Tav blushed as the vampire almost immediately complied and lifted her. She looked up at him and hummed. "Not gonna lie; this is new."

He studied her as his hands tightened on her. 

"Let's get back to camp," Shadowheart sighed. "You need rest."

She nodded in response as Astarion carried her the whole way.

The silence wasn't deafening but it was worrying for her. She watched him practically stare off into space as he carried her to safety.

As soon as they'd arrived at camp, Tav was hounded with questions of her well-being to the point she asked Astarion to set her down. He was hesitant to do so but when Halsin brought her his cushion to sit on, he amended.

He waited patiently, studying her.

She's alive.

It was like he needed to keep reminding himself of this.

His heart ached as he watched her be healed. Why did it irritate him to see Halsin healing her? That's what he's good for. For healing!

She was smiling at Wyll as he playfully messed with her hair. When did they get all friendly?

He knew she was good friends with him but what about him?

Tav blinked when Astarion suddenly stormed towards his tent. 

The sun had set when Astarion heard the tent flap move. His eyes, trained at the ceiling of his tent, slid over to Tav as she sat beside him, looking down at him. Her hair fell from the ponytail, messily framing her face as she looked down at him.

She gave him a gentle smile. "Hey."

"...hey." he raised himself to his elbows. "You alright? Everything still…fully functioning?"

Tav smiled at his awkward question. Nodding, she said, "Yeah. I'm okay."

A beat of silence passed between them before she slowly asked, "Are…you alright?"

"Yeah, yeah. Good. Great."

She watched his jaw clench as his fingers drummed on his knee nervously. The vampire was avoiding her eyes. Heart thudding in his chest as he tried to think of how to begin.

Should he apologize? Explain himself? Did he need to do something? 

He had to say something, for certain. 

He inhaled sharply as he tried to speak quickly.

"Astarion–"

"Darling, I–"

They stopped as their voices overlapped. Tav giggled softly as he looked away with a smile. Another pause settled before he finally took a deep breath.

"I don't know what happened. I saw you and…and I lost it," he sighed. "I've never blacked out like that. And…when you collapsed…"

Tav watched him for a moment before cupping his face. "Hey," she said gently. She turned his eyes to her.

His heart lurched up into his throat as he studied her features. She was alive, his mind whispered again.

"Darling," he finally breathed as he leaned in and kissed her.

It felt…different somehow, he realized as he laid her back into his bedding. Her fingers tangled into his hair like that first night. She was kissing him sweetly, just as greedy as him.

That's all this is, he tried to tell himself. It's only physical. She gives blood. He gives orgasms—a fair trade.

Except this wasn't an exchange.

Tav's hands cupped his face, pulling him closer and protecting him almost as he frantically shed her clothing.

His ruby eyes scanned over her body. He bent, licking and kissing at every bruise on her body from the fight. Every scratch or scar he could find was vulnerable to his mouth.

She gasped out breathless moans as she gripped his hair, scrambling helplessly to reach his belt.

"Not yet," he whispered against her stomach as he kissed down, pulling her trousers with him. "Need this."

Her cheeks went hot as she watched his kiss along her inner thigh. His teeth lightly nipped, fangs pressed gently near the artery.

Tav gulped and nodded her consent and he was diving in.

His tongue lavished desperately over her clit. His soft moan made her gasp as he suckled on the bud eagerly. 

"Still so fucking delicious," he groaned, tongue flicking gently.

"Fuck, Star," she gasped out, gripping the blanket beneath her. His hand was splaying over her stomach as fingers prodded at her entrance.

His body shuddered as he pressed himself against her leg. He bit his lip as he pumped and curled his fingers before adjusting to sit up. His eyes were trained on her face as he watched her writhing from his touch.

"That's it, Darling," He whispered encouragingly. His eyes darted to her hands gripping the blankets. "What do you think you're doing?" He asked.

Tav felt her body heat as his eyes flicked up to hers. They were full of challenge and desire. "I…"

She blushed when he pulled her hand into his hair, nuzzling her thigh gently. "You're supposed to be gripping it," He murmured before licking lazily at her folds. "Supposed to be clinging to me like before. Darling."

He sounded breathless and needy as he kissed up her body. He watched her melting under him as her hand slid from his hair and to his face. Then, she sat up and kissed him gently.

His hands trembled as he gripped her waist as she held his face to hers. "Star," She whispered against his lips before her hands scrambled to tug at his shirt as her cheeks went hotter. "Don't make me beg for you."

"Why not?" He asked. It had meant to be a taunt, but it sounded little more than a desperate whine. "You sound so pretty when you do."

Clothes were shed and tossed aside in the tent. She gasped as he pressed in. His hand threaded with hers, pinning it by her head. 

His ruby eyes kept watching her, taking her in.

Tav lay there, flushed and clutching his hand and bicep. She was whimpering for him. "S-Star, please."

"Fucking beautiful."

Every movement felt too intense, too desperate. Their breaths mingled as he kissed her. His free hand, once gripping her thigh greedily with every thrust, tangled into her hair.

His tongue slid along hers. His cock pressed into her, rubbing everywhere she needed it to. His hips refused to move away from her, keeping him deep inside.

Her eyes watered as he bent and kissed her neck. His face was pressed against her skin as his hand tugged lightly at her hair.

"Tav," He whispered, shaking now.

Too intense. Too much. 

Everything inside him screamed with confusion as he let himself get lost in her. Her sweet gasps in an attempt to keep quiet. Her scent. The sound of her heart pumping wildly.

She bit her lip when his tongue licked up along the vein and teeth pressed gently in the bruised bite marks from his last feeding. She braced…but nothing.

His teeth simply gripped at her as he whimpered softly into her ear, making her shiver. It was so unlike that first night. He was gasping softly now and then but his moans were like a symphony.

A practiced one.

"Shit, ah," He whispered against her skin. "Darli…Tav."

That did her in. Her back arched up and he held her tight to him, topping into the orgasm with her. His lips crushed against hers as he shuddered and clung to her.

Alive, His mind whispered before fading entirely in the fog of pleasure.

A long moment passed as the kiss grew gentler, bodies trembling still. Tav's eyes blinked up at him as she smiled affectionately to him.

"Did I scare you that bad?" She teased lightly.

His cheeks flushed a slight as he cleared his throat. "No?" His eyes darted from hers as she giggled, still high on the euphoria.

Her hand slid up to cup his face, pulling him close. "Admit you like me," She whispered to him.

Anxiety flickered through him as he smirked. "I'll never admit a damned thing to you," He said playfully as he watched her eyes flutter. "You need your rest. You took quite the beating today."

"Worth it," She hummed, smiling.

"How?" He asked as he pulled away carefully. He frowned as she curled into him. "Tav, my bedding isn't quite comfortable for you–"

"You are," she hummed, resting her head on his shoulder.

He blinked, watching her. "I'm comfortable?" He asked slowly.

His frown made her smile as she cuddled herself closer to him. She hummed softly in confirmation. "And worth it."

His heart stuttered again.

He's worth it. He's worth…her injuries.

Before he could respond, she was sound asleep against his shoulder.

He held her, idly drawing circles on her back and petting her hair to ensure she slept soundly. He could slip into his trance, reflect a bit but…

Looking down at her, he realized that would mean a bit of time from her. Time alone. The thought of slipping away in that moment filled him with a strange dread.

Instead, he lingered on his thoughts, holding her sleeping body to him as a comfort for himself.

It took a long while for him, cycling through his memories, his feelings, everything this woman made him feel.

Her japes.

Her taunts.

The way she rolled her eyes affectionately at his wise cracks about their companions.

The way she laughed at his jokes.

The way she listened to him.

The way she was.

She was alive.

And he wanted her.

Panic began to rise in his chest as he glanced down at her. She looked so peaceful. So blissfully unaware of his thoughts.

With a shaky breath, he decided to push this down. This was just a fluke. It had to be. It couldn't be anything else.

It was just a fluke.

[estelian-01]

I ended up adding some lighting and shading! Oh and the crucial details, of course! This is based on the scene from “Weary Traveler” by @glittercat34/@across-violet-skies!

(Note, I added tags for tw, but let me know if there’s any I missed!)

[tightjeansjavi]

Slow Hands | Chapter 10

“the lone moose”

A/N: disclaimer before we get into this chapter, this is a very emotionally/mentally heavy chapter that might not be suitable for everyone. The main topic of this chapter and the next is focused around Joel’s attempted suicide and Tommy’s C-PTSD. This content maybe triggering for some, and if that is the case, please do not read if you feel triggered. Warnings will be marked appropriately. Take care of yourselves first. And as always, a huge thanks to my beta @angelofsmalldeath-codeine 🤍

~word count: 6.9k~

Summary: the wolves of Jackson are lurking

Pairing | Joel Miller x f!reader

Warnings: !DEAD DOVE DO NOT EAT! thoughts of suicide, semi-graphic depictions of attempted suicide, brief moment of stigmatizing suicide (Tommy’s reaction) canon-typical violence, graphic depiction of an injury, semi-graphic depictions of childloss (and the trauma that comes with it) angst, grief, guilt, anxiety, heavy topics, anger, overwhelming emotions, C-PTSD responses, fear responses, no age gap, readers nicknames is Beanie (coffee beans) +18 minors DNI! PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF I MISSED ANYTHING!!

Slow Hands Masterlist

Two days had passed since Joel and Ellie took the steps together to make up. Joel already had a visible pep in his step, and a lightness in his eyes that Tommy hadn’t seen in his brother for over 20 years. Joel’s back still ached, but the pain was subdued.

Patrol was long and uneventful. The two brothers only had a handful of evidence gathered to present to Maria, but neither would give up hope. After untacking Tex and Timber, Joel and Tommy turned both horses out in one of pastures just outside the stables. Tess was grazing alongside the fence when Timber and Tex went to greet her.

A wave of melancholy washed over his features as he watched Tex and Tess nuzzle one another affectionately. He thought of you, of course.

“Hey, Joel?” Tommy asked alongside him with his arms resting along the wooden fence. “Y’wanna have a drink with me real quick at the Tipsy Bison before y’head home?” He rasped softly.

“I’d love to, but I promised Ellie we’d have a movie night tonight. Can’t go and let her down, y’know? How about tomorrow?” Joel suggested with a grin.

“Ah, movie night with the kiddo. Hey, I think that’s great that y’all are movin’ forward. Tomorrow sounds good.” Tommy responded with a genuine smile. It was a relief that he and Joel were growing close again. He missed his brother terribly.

“Yeah, and Beanie as well. I let Ellie pick out the movie. Think she said we were gonna watch Curtis and Viper 2.” Joel stifled a chuckle as he glanced down at the toe of his boots.

“Aw shit, that’s a good one! Well, you enjoy yourself, okay? Adios, big brother. See ya in the mornin.’” Tommy reached over and gave Joel a side hug before he pushed himself off the fence.

“See ya in the mornin, Tommy.” Joel mumbled to himself with a smile slowly creeping over his lips. Truthfully, he was rather excited for this movie night with you and Ellie. He couldn’t picture a better way to spend his evening than with his two favorite girls.

“Hey, Tex? Y’keep a good eye on your gal tonight. Y’hear? I’ll see ya in the mornin’, pal.” He spoke softly as his horse lifted his head from where he was grazing. He let out a snort in response as his tail swished away at the pesky flies.

The weight of Tommy’s letter in Joel’s pocket felt ten times heavier than when Joel first had written it. He thought about making a quick pit stop at the Tipsy Bison to give it to him, but tomorrow was a new day. He’d give the letter to Tommy first thing in the morning.

Ellie’s carved wooden fawn was tucked away in the inside pocket of his flannel. He brought it on patrol to show Tommy, and because he liked having a piece of his baby girl with him. Tonight he’d give her the gift, and to you, his precious star, something that twinkled like the night sky; matching charm bracelets. Two golden hearts dangling from the chains. Appearing brand new, untouched. The names Peggy carved into one, and Steve into the other. Lovers from the past, and now lovers in the present.

He couldn’t wait to see the look on your pretty face when he would present the bracelet to you. He said one last goodbye to the horses. He’d pass by your home en route to his own as he usually did every evening after patrol. Nothing seemed out of the ordinary until he noticed a figure looming in the distance. He squinted his eyes through the harsh rays of the setting sun. He approached the figure with cautious steps.

As far as he was concerned, no one ever hung around your home like this. It raised suspicions immediately. His boots crunched under loose dirt as the figure stopped their pacing and seemed to pause in thought.

“Cody?” Joel’s tone ran cold, edged with a sharp suspicion as his footsteps stopped a foot away. A balmy breeze sifted through his salt and pepper streaked tendrils.

The younger man looked around for a moment as the gears in Joel’s brain began to work on overdrive. He knew Cody, or so he thought. He believed Cody was a good man. They shared many meals, conversations—

“Have y’seen Beanie around by chance?” Cody asked casually as he ignored the obvious suspicion that Joel was facing.

Joel’s hackles raised on instinct as he watched Cody lean up against your fence with his arms crossed over his chest.

“Haven’t seen her since this mornin.’” Joel responded flatly. He knew right then and there that he had to play this cool for the time being. He didn’t need Cody knowing that he was onto him.

“Right. Well, thanks anyway, old man.” Cody muttered the last bit as he turned on his heel to walk away.

“What’re you doin’ hangin’ around her place anyway? Y’know I could have you—”

“Reported? Yeah, sure you can. What would you even report me for, Miller? Cody scoffed. “All you had to do was not get yourself involved. Coulda just kept your nose out of things, but that’s not how you play your game, right?” He turned to face the older man once more just as a distinctive crash was heard from inside of your home.

Joel moved quickly, but Cody was quicker. Stronger, and trigger happy.

Cody was pouncing on the older man like a predator does to their prey. They tousled in the dusty dirt before Cody had him pinned down. His fists rained down on Joel’s face and the pained groans only seemed to spur Cody on further.

“Just had to go and get yourself involved with that fuckin’ cunt, huh?!”

Joel tried to fold his arms over his head to block out the swift punches to his face. Cody was ruthless, and Joel wasn’t as strong as he once was. Years ago he would have snapped Cody like a toothpick, but his age was beginning to catch up with him and this was the result.

Through gritted teeth Joel attempted to use his weight to throw Cody off of him, but it was no use. “I’ll fuckin’ kill every last one of you. I’ll rip you limb from fuckin’ limb and scatter your remains to the wolves—”He growled.

“Yeah? And how do you propose you’re gonna do that, Joel? Y’ain’t the one with the upper hand here, old man! You’re not takin’ this from me! Imagine how proud he’ll be when I not only bring in the moose, but your precious Beanie too.” He sneered conceitedly.

That’s all Joel needed to get a second wind of adrenaline coursing through his veins. He growled between his teeth as he used what little remaining strength he had left to force Cody off of him. He was reaching for his concealed pistol tucked in his belt loop under his shirt, when Cody kicked it from his grasp just as the two men inside of your home came rushing out.

“Jesus! fuck, Cody! What the hell are you doin?’ This wasn’t part of the plan!” The one man, a burly fellow with scarred tissue from third degree burns that covered nearly half of the left side of his face yelled urgently. Through the rushing of blood, and pain stabbing every inch of Joel’s face, he recognized this man too. He recognized the man next to him as well, smaller in stature, but stocky. Alex and Oliver.

“Fuck the plan! I’m not gonna waste this opportunity!” He sent the heel of his boot right into Joel’s gut causing him to double over into the crimson speckled dirt with a pain ridden grunt. “Well?!” He threw his hands up in the air. “Was she in there or not?!”

Alex and Oliver slowly looked over at one another before their shoulders simultaneously slumped inward. “No, but—”

“FUCK!” Cody snarled out of sheer frustration. He couldn’t let him down. He was told he couldn’t show up empty handed. It wasn’t an option.

Just as Joel’s fingers weakly grasped the handle of his pistol, that lay only a short arms distance away, Cody sent his boot right into his face. There was a sickening crunching sound of bone matter and cartilage being crushed as Joel’s body stilled. He was knocked out cold from the impact as blood leaked down his face and soaked into the dusty earth beneath him.

Neither men moved as Cody began to pace in contemplation. He paid no mind to the consequences he would face for his actions.

“Cody, we need to get the fuck outta town right fuckin’ now! If anyone sees—”

“And show up empty handed?! Fuck no.”

“Cody, she wasn’t there. We have no fuckin’ clue where she could be. C’mon, let’s just go back and regroup before someone shows up and finds Joel layin’ in a pool of his own blood.”

Cody ignored his counterparts as he continued to pace in a tight circle. He suddenly stopped when the lightbulb went off in his sick mind. He turned towards the two men, with a smirk that could only be described as sinister, “Angie.”

Ellie was curled up against your body with her cheek pressed gently into your shoulder. Her eyes flickered towards the windows in the family room. She watched the last bit of sunlight dip behind the horizon as a warm summer breeze blew through the beige curtains.

Joel should have been home by now.

She waited with alert ears for the sound of the front door to squeak open any minute now. It never came.

She shifted against you before your gazes met. “Beanie, he should have been home by now.”

You understood full heartedly that this movie night was important to Ellie. This was the first time that she and Joel were going to be spending some quality time together after everything they had gone through. This was a big deal.

“Kiddo, I’m sure he’s on his way now. Maybe he and Tommy just got caught up in something?” You wanted to reassure her and yourself that Joel was in fact on his way, and maybe he was just running late.

“Beanie..he—promised. What if he’s ditchin’ me? God, this was so stupid.” She went to bury her hands in her face, but you stopped her.

“Ellie, he’s not ditching you. He would never do that to you. He loves you. I’m sure he’s just running late is all.” Your own fears began to crawl up into your subconscious. What if something was wrong? What if something had happened?

Ellie wanted to believe you, she really did, but her own fears were making an appearance as well. It didn’t help the fact that her last conversation with Joel had been about his suspicions of Lucas..

“I’m gonna go check the stables, okay? You stay here. Lock the doors.” Ellie was up from her spot on the couch before you could even attempt to stop her.

“Ellie,” you started, voice wavering from the building nerves, “be careful, okay?”

The teen looked over at you with a small, yet confident grin, “Always am.” Her face twisted back to a serious one as she tucked her gun in her hoodie pocket. Joel surely would have scolded her if he had seen it.

You listened to the soft click of the door opening and closing. Your eyes drifted over to the unoccupied spot on the couch where one of the pillows was smashed down. Joel’s spot. .

Please. Please just be running late.

Please be okay, Joel.

Tommy found himself reminiscing on the good ole days as he nursed his glass of beer. Condensation dripped down the outside of the glass like tear drops on cheeks. The noisy chatter that encircled him was drowned out by his thoughts. Joel had always been the protector, the planner, the guardian. And as a young boy, Tommy viewed Joel as his hero. His own beacon of light through the darkness. And when Sarah died? It all changed. He was angry. At the world. At himself. And now, here in this peaceful community, he was getting to see those small glimpses of the old Joel that had laid dormant for so many years.

The Joel that he knew and loved so deeply.

He left his glass half empty as he said his goodbyes to some of the patrol guys, and the barkeep before he walking towards the door.

He was heading in the direction of the home he shared with Maria when he noticed a mass laying just outside your home. He thought that his brain was playing a cruel trick on him, and the approaching dusk might have also played a role in what he was seeing.

Gravel and dirt particles crunched beneath his heavy boots as he started his approach. As he drew nearer, he was able to make out the outline of a body. And, oh—god

Tommy remembers the moment he heard the shot ring through Joel’s house as if it had happened just yesterday. While he gathered supplies in the garage, his big brother was upstairs with the barrel of a revolver pressed against his temple.

How could Tommy not have known? How could he have missed the signs? The indications that Joel was thinking of taking a drastic measure to end his life. How could he have missed it?

“Joel!” A younger Tommy Miller yelled in fear. He threw down the tool box in a haste. Tools of all shapes and sizes clattered to the concrete in a harsh crescendo.

“Joel! Please, no. Please.” He chanted weakly under his breath as his feet carried him up the staircase. He stumbled on the top step as a wave of nausea made its presence known.

“Joel!” He yelled again, more desperately than the last. He couldn’t bear the thought of losing his brother so soon. He couldn’t. Not when just days ago they laid Sarah to rest. He couldn’t do this without Joel.

Sweat pooled at the back of his neck the closer he drew to the ajar opening of Sarah’s bedroom. He held onto the wall for support as his knees began to inevitably buckle from the dread crawling up his throat.

“Joel.” He croaked, “please. Please be alive in there.”

With a shaky breath, and through a mess of tears, Tommy pushed open Sarah’s bedroom door.

“I missed.” Joel murmured in disbelief. Disappointed that he couldn’t just do one thing fucking right. He couldn’t just follow through with his promise. His final wish to be with his daughter. His baby girl.

His palms trembled as his dull brown eyes flitted down to the revolver still in his grasp. He paid no mind to the blood slowly trickling from the right side of his head. Just a graze. Missed completely.

“Joel, what the fuck did you do that for?” Tommy wasn’t sure if he should laugh, cry, yell, all of the above? “You’re bleedin’, brother.”

“Oh.” Joel responded flatly. He brought his fingers up towards the right side of his head. He hardly flinched when his fingertips dragged through the flowing blood. He brought his hand back down to his eye level, fingers soaked in crimson. Then, the ringing started. Tommy’s voice started to sound fuzzy from the right side. “I flinched, Tommy. Thought I could do it. I was so sure—”

“Joel. Stop it, please.” Tommy nearly begged his brother as he cautiously moved in closer.

“I wanted to die, Tommy. I ain’t have anythin’ left to live for.” He refused to make eye contact with his brother purely out of shame.

“Killin’ yourself ain’t gonna bring Sarah back, Joel. Its fuckin’ selfish that you—” His words were bitter, jaded, sharpened with intent to harm. “I fuckin’ need you, Joel. I need my big brother to keep us alive. Is he still in there?” He pointed to Joel’s chest, symbolizing his heart.

When Joel finally brought his chin upwards to face his brother, the look on his sunken features shattered Tommy right down to the core. A broken man, father, brother. The same man that helped Tommy with his homework. The same man that taught him how to ride a bike. The same man that Tommy viewed as his hero. Where was he now?

“He died along with her.”

“Joel!” Tommy felt his voice get lodged in his throat at the sight of his older brother laying motionless in the crimson stained dirt. Panic began to swell and fester like an untreated wound the second his eyes landed on Joel’s handgun just an arms length away.

“No. No. Please— what happened, Joel!” He sank to his knees alongside him. “We were just—talkin’ about how much you were lookin’ forward to the movie night with Ellie and Beanie, remember? You said that you would see me in the mornin’, dammit!” He yelled, slamming one of his fists in the dirt before he took a shaky inhale. “Remember?”

He wouldn’t hurt himself, would he? The thought flashed through his mind briefly. He remembered finding Joel in a pool of his own blood after Sarah died. Tommy brushed away strands of Joel’s hair that were congealed together with blood. His brows furrowed intently when he found there was no bullet hole in Joel’s skull before he pressed his middle and pointer finger right against Joel’s pulse point.

Please. Please. Please still be in there, Joel.

When the faintest pulse was detected, Tommy let out a visible sound of relief. His big brother was alive, but Tommy knew he had to act fast.

“S’alright, big brother. You’re alright. Gonna get you fixed up.” He murmured to himself just as he heard approaching footsteps.

“Tommy?..” It was Ellie. Her voice wavered at the sight of her uncle and father on the ground. “J—Joel?!” Her eyes were wide with oncoming tears brimming when she locked in on Joel’s unmoving body.

“Tommy, wh—what the fuck happened?!” She blinked away her tears just as Tommy stood up from the ground. “Is he fuckin’ dead, Tommy?!”

“Ellie, I don’t know what happened. I was on my way home and—found him like this. He’s alive, kiddo. He’s alive, but we gotta get him to doc right away.” Tommy never felt like he was all that great at taking on the protective role, but his niece needed his comfort and reassurance that everything was going to be okay.

Ellie wasn’t listening to a word Tommy was saying. All she could focus on was Joel’s bloodied face and still body. Her emotions were consuming her entirely before she felt Tommy’s warm embrace wrapping her up. She let her tears soak into his shirt as she clung to him for dear life.

“Ellie, I know you’re scared, kiddo. But I need ya to be strong for me, and for Joel. We gotta get him to doc right now. I need you to help me carry him okay?” He spoke in a soft tone, pressing a kiss to the top of her head. “He’s gonna be just fine. Your old man has always been a fighter.”

She squeezed her uncle tightly before pulling away from his embrace. She wiped what remained of her tears away on the sleeve of her shirt. “I’ll—I’ll take his legs?” She questioned rather than suggested. Seeing Joel like this, bloodied, weak, on the verge of—

“Ellie, he’ll be okay.” Tommy firmly reassured her again. He bent down over his brother and gently hoisted him up under his armpits while Ellie lifted him up by his legs.

Joel felt like dead weight, but his brother and daughter’s determination helped them power through the dull ache and strain in their muscles.

Tommy hated hospitals just as much, if not more than his brother did. The pungent stench of bleach, the droning hum from the overhead fluorescent lights. It was unappealing, cold, and overall a dreadful experience. But out of all of the late night visits to the ER after another bar fight, this by far was the worst of all to see his brother unconscious, dried blood crusted on his skin. Yet appearing peaceful while Doc checked his vitals and any signs of internal injuries

Ellie was seated next to her uncle nervously fidgeting with her fingers. Her leg was bouncing up and down frantically, until Tommy gently placed his palm over her knee in an attempt to soothe her.

“Well, he might have a bit of bruisin’ to his ribs, and his nose is definitely broken, but it’ll heal. There’s a chance he might be concussed, but I won’t know that for certain until he wakes up.” Doc said while tucking his clipboard under his armpit.

“I’ll stay here till he wakes up. Don’t want him wakin’ up alone.” Tommy said with a slight nod in Doc’s direction.

“I’m staying, too.” Ellie was defiant, of course. It was in her nature, and she couldn’t fathom not being by her dads side—

“Ellie, I’m gonna go and find someone to walk you home, okay? One of the guys on patrol..maybe a couple, given the circumstances.” He needed to make sure his niece got home in one piece, first and foremost.

Ellie clenched her fists, lips pressed tightly together as her eyes met Tommy’s in an intense stare. He could see residue of dried tears on her cheeks, and fresh ones beginning to brew like an oncoming storm. “Tommy,” she started, voice low, yet stern. “I’m not fuckin’ leaving him. I’m not. You can’t—”

“Ellie, I know you want to stay here with him too, but somethin’ about this ain’t right. You and I both know that there’s been some suspicious activity happenin’ as of late. Joel is goin’ to be okay, kiddo. He’s as stubborn as a mule.”

Her lower lip wobbled under the bright fluorescent light. She wanted to be angry at her uncle for telling her what she needed to do, but he was right, and there really wasn’t another second to waste. “Don’t you dare even think of leavin’ his side, Tommy. Don’t you dare.” She wiped her eyes along the back of her hand before making the final decision to get up from where she was sitting.

“I won’t, kiddo. I promise.” Tommy reassured her.

She walked over to the right side of the bed where Joel was lying and gently ran her fingers through a few stray curls that were stuck to his forehead. Dried sweat, dirt, and blood littered his hair and face. She leaned down, whispering something while she pressed her lips to his temple, squeezing her eyes shut.

Please don’t die.

Tommy left the room to give Ellie a bit of privacy. He flagged down a nurse in the hallway and quickly explained that he needed someone to ensure Ellie safely got home. It was decided that two patrol members would escort her home.

When Tommy returned, he was with Jesse and Liam waiting outside the open doorway.

“Ellie?”

Her head snapped in the direction of Tommy’s voice as she quickly wiped away the remnants of her tears.

“Jesse and Liam are gonna make sure you get home safe. Okay, kiddo?”

“Sure.” She muttered. Agreeing with her uncle didn’t mean that she had to act happy about it. Despite her feelings, she made a point to hug her uncle before she left the room.

Don’t leave him. She reminded him.

Sunlight warms his skin, birds chirping in the high treetops, a soft breeze rustles through his hair, kissing his temple. He knows this place, where he stands. It’s—

“baby girl?” He chokes out, stumbling forward in an uncoordinated motion.

She’s there. She’s alive. She’s got daisies in her curls.

“Dad?”

He nearly drops to his knees right at the spot where he and Tommy dug her grave all those years ago. He stops in his tracks as she turns around to face him. She’s wearing the same clothes that she died in, except there’s no blood. No bullet wounds. She’s untouched. Bright, glowing under the rays of sunlight.

“Are you really here? C-can I hold you? Are those daisies in your hair? Baby girl, I’m so sorry.” The words tumble past his lips like an avalanche of word vomit. His heart lurches in his chest, leaping from the confines of his ribcage.

Sarah’s feet carry her swiftly to her father before she’s wrapping her arms around his middle, hugging him tightly with her cheek pressed firmly against his chest. “I’m really here, dad.” She squeezes her eyes shut.

Joel’s arms wrap around her immediately, hugging her to his chest as tightly as he can, he’s trembling, tears blurring his vision, dripping down his cheeks and landing softly on her head of curls. He pulls away only to gently cradle her face in his strong, calloused, gentle hands.

She’s here. She’s alive. His baby girl.

“Dad..you—you remembered our favorite spot?” Her smile is beautiful, radiant, full of life.

“Of course I did. Our hikes, the fresh air. We—we loved it out here. I—I never forgot. Baby girl, I haven’t forgotten you. I—I think about you everyday. I’m so sorry. I miss you..I miss you so much.”

Her hands come to rest against the patches of his now graying beard. “Dad, you don’t have to apologize. I’m okay, I’m happy. I miss you too, dad. I miss you so much, but Ellie, she needs you. I’ll always wait for you, I promise. I’m always going to be right here.” She drops one of her hands from his face to then point to his heart. “I’m always with you.”

His face falls as his thumbs gently stroke her cheekbones. He’s not ready to leave, not yet. Not so soon. Too soon. He needs more time. Time. Time. Time.

Ellie.

“You—you would have loved her, baby girl. She reminds me so much of you. Her smile, her laugh. I see you in her. She’s—she’s my blessing. My second chance..my light in the darkness.” He sniffles, leaning down so he can press his lips to her forehead.

“And she needs you more than ever now, dad. She needs you. You have to forgive yourself, okay? Please promise me that one day, you will forgive yourself, dad. Promise me.”

“I promise you, baby girl. I promise. Daddy loves you, okay? He loves you so much.” There’s so much more he wants to say, so much more he wants to tell her, but there’s not enough time. He knows it.

“Dad, I love you so much. Tell Tommy I miss him too, okay? I’ll see you again one day, when the time is right.” She hugs him one last time as he buries his face into her mess of curls, holding in his sobs as more tears begin to fall.

“When the time is right, baby girl.” He murmurs.

—

“Well, brother. Guess it’s jus’ you and me now, huh?” Tommy wants to laugh, but he can’t. His emotions are all fucked. Everything is so fucked.

“That kid of yours really loves the hell outta ya. You’re like two feral cats.” He continues, forcing himself to stand and walk over to his brother's bedside. “And I know how much you love her.” He murmurs as he glances down at the nightstand where the contents of Joel’s pockets are laid out.

The two charm bracelets, the wood carving of a fawn for Ellie, and a folded piece of paper now tarnished with blood and debris.

“One of these for Beanie?” He asks while gently picking up one of the charm bracelets. “I’m so happy you listened to my advice and went to her coffee shop. I jus’ had this feelin’ that you two would hit it off.”

“You love her, huh? Like..really love her? I’m glad, Joel. I’m glad that you’re finally allowin’ yourself to love, and be loved. If anyone in this fucked up world deserves that, it’s you.”

He sets down the charm bracelet alongside the other before he picks up the wood carved fawn. One of the delicate ears had broken off during the fight, but it was fixable. “Ellie is going to love this when she sees it. You’ve always been..a giver, Joel.. Always thinkin’ of others before yourself. Puttin’ your heart out on the line. I know it hasn’t been easy for you, but I’m so grateful that you met Ellie when you did. You saved her, but she saved you just as much. Turned that cold heart of yours into somethin’ good again.”

He placed the fawn down gently before he eyed the folded piece of paper. “Y’still writin’ those letters? Have they been helpin?’ Y’know, I thought about writin’ a couple myself.”

Something in his gut tells him that this letter..is meant for him.

He swallowed the lump rising in his throat as he reached for the piece of paper and picked it up with trembling fingers. He sees his name written on the outside, and his vision goes blurry with tears. “You..were gonna give this to me tomorrow when we said we were gonna meet at the Tipsy Bison?”

He slowly sinks down along the side of the bed, unfolds the letter and begins to read it silently.

Tommy, this is the third letter I have written thus far, so hopefully this comes across the way I have intended it to. Ever since we were just two little boys scraping our knees up on the playground, telling each other secrets, and holding each other tight when mom and dad would argue into the odd hours of the night, I always found myself being protective over you. I ain’t even sure if it had anything to do with age, and more to do with the fact that it’s been instilled in me since birth that I'm a natural protector. I’d do anything to keep you safe.

I’ve never told anyone this, but the day you told me that you wanted to join the army, and make a difference in the world, I wept. I soaked my pillow with my tears that very same evening cus’ I realized I couldn’t protect you anymore. You were eighteen, and ready to take on the world. Selfishly, I didn’t want you to go, and I know that war changed you. I know what it did to you, and you were no longer the little boy hiding under the covers from the thunder and lightning. You were molded into a man right before my eyes, but you’ve always been my little brother, and ain’t nothin’ gonna change that.

I know you blame yourself for the night that we lost Sarah. I still remember the grief in your eyes. You tried so hard. So fuckin’ hard, and I’m so sorry for what I became after she died.

A stray teardrop fell along the thin paper as the word ‘died’ began to blur from the sudden moisture.

You literally had to pry her cold body from my arms because I refused to let go. Even when we dug her a shallow grave near the woods she loved to hike in, you had to stop me from crawling into that goddamn hole with her.

24 hours. 1 day since the outbreak. 1 day without his baby girl

“She’ll be happy here, Joel. She gets to rest in her favorite place.” Tommy murmured as he set the shovels down next to the grass covered earth that would soon be dug up to create a shallow grave for Sarah to finally be laid to rest. The younger Miller brother hid his grieving behind a stoic face. He didn’t want Joel to see how much pain he was in. He wanted to be the strong one for once in his life, especially since he blamed himself for Sarah's death. If only he had been there sooner. If only he had acted quicker, maybe she would still be alive.

Joel was unmoving as he held his deceased daughter, who had long since grown cold and stiff in his arms. She was wrapped in a sheet, as Joel couldn’t bear to see her unmoving eyes any longer. He had shed his last tears, as he watched his brother begin to dig a shallow grave. As the minutes ticked by, Joel was realizing that after Sarah was to be buried, he no longer would be a father, and the thought made him feel queasy. What did he have to live for if he was no longer a parent? What was the point?

“Tommy..” Joel croaked, “I–can’t let her go.” He choked up as the weight of the world was beginning to press down on his shoulders. He held Sarah close to his heart where his chin came to rest upon her covered head. “Tommy, we–”

“Joel, we have to let her go. Brother, please. She’s gone, and there’s nothing we can do to bring her back. I’m sorry.” He was. If he could go back in time and take Sarah’s place, he’d do it in a heartbeat.

Joel’s eyes began to glaze over with fresh tears as he began to frantically whisper to Sarah as if she could hear him from the other side. “S’okay baby girl. You’re okay. Daddy has you, and he’ll see you soon. I promise. I’m coming for you, baby girl.” He pressed a firm, promising kiss to her covered head before he slowly lowered himself onto his knees along the edge of the hole in the dirt. He could feel stomach acid rise up his throat at the thought of the earth, and mother nature consuming his baby girl. He wanted to go with her.

Tommy watched with a heavy heart as he watched his older brother gently place his baby girl into the shallow grave. His own tears began to silently fall as images of a newborn Sarah flashed in his mind. He remembered the pure joy and love that radiated from Joel the moment he got to hold his daughter for the first time. No parent should ever have to bury their child.

As Tommy willed himself to begin shoveling the dirt he dug up into the grave, he watched in horror as his grief-stricken brother nearly had crawled into the hole. He dropped the shovel in a haste as he grabbed ahold of the underside of Joel’s shoulders and yanked him back.

The soul-shaking, torturous, anguished sound that cascaded from Joel’s mouth, was one that chilled Tommy’s blood. It could only be described as a grieving parent refusing to let their only child go.

Tommy still has nightmares of it.

I’m sorry I put you through that. I’m so sorry that I couldn’t just fuckin’ pull myself together for both of us. I know how scared you were, Tommy. I was scared too. I was terrified. I was supposed to be the big brother then. The one who had all the answers. Who could come up with a plan at the drop of a hat to keep his little brother alive. Instead, you had to fill that position. You stepped into that role because I gave you no other choice. If you didn’t force me to leave that spot where she died, I would have rotted there with her. I never thought for a moment about the pain that you were feeling. I lost a daughter that night, but you lost a niece, and a brother all in one night.

48 hours. 2 days since the outbreak. 2 days without his baby girl.

It was Tommy’s idea for him and Joel to return home to gather up as much food and supplies they could get their hands on. Joel was apprehensive, but Tommy reassured him that they wouldn’t have to stay long. So, Joel reluctantly agreed. Their neighborhood was dead silent with no signs of life to be found. The bombs that the government had dropped only impacted the major cities, and left the small neighborhoods untouched from their destruction. It would have just been another day if it weren’t for the familiar bodies scattered in the street. Both Tommy and Joel avoided looking at the deceased body of Nana Adler as they crossed their front yard.

“I’m gonna grab what I can from the garage, and then I'll meet you inside? Grab a couple of backpacks and stuff it with clothes, and anything else you think we might need. Okay, Joel?”

The older Miller brother could only meekly nod as a non-verbal response. He was too focused on remembering that he had stashed a revolver in his office drawer for safe keeping. At least it would be quick.

Tommy was unaware, clueless to Joel’s plan to end his life. He knew his brother was mourning, but he never had thought about the drastic measures he would take to be reunited with Sarah.

As Joel ascended up the stairs, memories of his life before the outbreak leaked into his mind. A five year old Sarah running down the stairs to avoid bath time after playing outside all day. Sticky with sugary sweet syrup from a popsicle, and dirt and twigs stuck in her head of curls. Joel patiently demanded that she needed a bath. Well, Sarah had other plans of course and Joel would have to catch her first.

He could hear her gleeful giggles now; almost sweet music.

Soon, baby girl. I promise.

His footsteps were soft, and undetected as he padded down the hall to his office area. His hand grasped the handle as he slowly turned it and pushed the door open with ease. Everything was right as he left it. Blueprints for a new project he and Tommy were working on. A school paper from Sarah that she had left for him to proof read. A stale cup of coffee. Tommy’s note tacked to the corkboard that Joel kept from when they were kids. A life preserved in time. He reached for the note as he gingerly plucked it from where it was pinned. He folded it carefully before slipping it into his pocket. He wanted to have a piece of his brother with him, always.

Joel didn’t feel nervous as he opened the file cabinet drawer that contained his concealed revolver. He greeted it like an old friend as he grasped it firmly in his palm. The coolness of the metal diffused his clammy skin. He could do it here, he thought silently. No, he wanted to be closer to Sarah. To be comforted by her familiarity. So, he left his office and went straight to her room.

As he brought the barrel of the gun to his temple, he felt calm. He felt ready. More ready than he had ever felt in his entire life. He felt sorry for leaving Tommy to fend for himself, but he knew that his brother would survive, and he’d be better off without him anyway.

As his finger hovered over the trigger, he observed Sarah's untouched room. From the crumpled sheets along her bed where he had tucked her in for the very last time, her discarded backpack, her posters, trophies from soccer, and all of her photographs. Photos of her and Joel. Her and Tommy. She was the happiest kid ever, and that’s how Joel wanted to remember her.

As his finger gradually applied pressure to the trigger, he flinched. The bullet missed, and grazed the right side of his temple. His right ear was profusely ringing as he dropped to the carpet like a bag of bricks. He could faintly hear Tommy’s shouts and footsteps racing up the stairs as blood slowly trickled down his face.

Tommy, I was selfish. I was selfish for wanting to take my life and leave you to fend for yourself. My baby brother. The same brother I swore to protect till my last dying breath. I was a coward, Tommy. A weak, selfish, pathetic coward. I wanted to take the easy way out. The cheap way. I just hope you still don’t hate me for it. I hope you don’t hate me for putting you through the trauma and pain of almost losing me too. Sometimes I wonder if my attempted suicide triggered your thirst for blood. As if I am the direct cause for the carnage you partook in when we joined Tess and her raider group. Sometimes I wonder if all those times that we murdered people, that you pictured me on the other end of the gun. I’m sorry that I couldn’t be the brave big brother that you always believed me to be. I’m sorry that even over twenty years later, I’m not me. I’m not the Joel that you looked up to. I’m not sure if I'll ever be that version of myself again, but I am ever-so grateful that I am still your brother. Your flesh and blood.

I hope that one day you’ll be proud to be my brother again. Till then, I'll always have your back.

-Your big brother, Joel. The one that held you when things went bump in the night.

Tommy isn’t even aware of how much time has passed while he reads Joel’s words over till they're practically burned into his brain. He doesn’t feel the shifting of the coarse sheets, or see Joel’s fingers twitch at his side.

“Tommy..” Joel croaks, voice hoarse and barely audible.

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[elsweetheart]

i see a lot of ppl on ur blog saying how they want ellie to comfort them but i think ellie needs someone who will comfort her the way they all want to be 😅 i mean i would need comforting if i watched my adoptive dad get brutally murdered in front of me.. and comfort especially after killing half a population and ending up alone. Ellie needs someone who will be next to her and that she can depend on instead of her having to deal w their problems bcuz hers are 🥲 just my thoughts!!

no i think about this all the time i absolutely wanna comfort her and let her be vulnerable and unsure and know she’s safe with me :(

ellie after going on some kind of crazy killing spree, maybe following canon events in seattle — and you walk into a random room in the theatre to just find her pacing back and fourth, feet heavy and urgent and loud on the creaky wooden floor. her hands are constantly moving, trembling, wiping themselves down her jeans trying to rid them of the blood that she’d already washed off twice. she’s panicking.

“ellie, babe…” you speak gently, as to not startle her. she doesn’t look at you. “come and sit down with me, yeah? i’ll get the rest of the blood off your face.”

you didn’t wanna mention the blood, and it was enough to stop her from pacing for a moment — looking up at you with disturbed eyes, blinking like she’s trying to wipe the thoughts away. after a moment she wipes her face on the back of her hand, looking at it trying to check if your word was true.

“c’mere.” you repeat, patting the worn couch and she finally edges over before sitting, her full weight sinking into it. you take the water bottle and rag in your hand that you brought with you and wipe her off, incredibly gentle. her brows crease at how gentle you’re being, eyes constantly jumping all around your face like she was urgently trying to memorise you. just in case. “hey. you’re okay.” you coo, using the same kind voice — afraid any sudden change will frighten her. she looks like a wounded animal, shaky and wide eyed beside you. “its all okay now ellie. we’re gonna go home now okay? get you better. you understand, yes?” you stop wiping to push her hair out her face on both sides, warm hands holding her cold cheeks.

“but… there’s…” she tries, but even her hearts not in it.

“i know, els. but you’re not okay, and that’s okay. just let me look after you, yes? then we can discuss what you wanna do.” you whisper, and you’re honestly surprised when she doesn’t fight back. just nodding, and nodding, and then sniffling, and then letting out a sob.

you don’t hesitate, just pulling her face into your shoulder and cradling her as she shakes and cries into you.

“s’okay, els. s’all okay now.”

[writingsofestella]

vespera - ch. 1

Apostate!Din Djarin x Ex!Jedi!OC -(no use of Y/N ) Canon Divergent - some plot changed for sake of story, the razor crest lives )

tws // general canon violence, usage of blasters and weapons, mentions of death, minors DNI 18+ only, angst, mature content, cursing, name calling, more tags to be added later on

a/n: thank you all so much for the love and support on the last chapter. it means the absolute world to me that you guys would read my silly little story. hope you guys enjoy this next chapter. it's setting up more of the plot this time.

wc: 2716

previous chapter: [here]

She was running. With quick weaves and bobbing, she was swerving through the marketplace. People were angrily yelling, but she paid them no mind as she pushed through. The more distance she put between herself and the bounty hunter after her, the better. Adrenaline filled her, as natural and seconded nature to her now as the Force that ran through her veins.

Another sharp turn, and she was darting down an abandoned alleyway, out of the crowd, out of the sharp sunlight. She could hear, feel the angry footsteps barreling after her, unrelenting and honed in on her.

With a quick glance, she was pushing herself up, climbing up the wall, feet digging into foot holes and hands grasping at barely there indents to pull herself up. Using the Force, she used it to push herself up faster, give her more strength than she felt she truly had.

A blaster shot fired right next to her ear.

It sent debris flying, hitting her in the arm she used to try and protect herself, as she slid down half the wall. Ringing exploded in her ear, feeling how her flesh burned in response to the close proximity. Digging in her nails, she dug in her footing, pushing herself up more frantically now, quicker.

She only got a few more feet up the wall before another blaster shot was firing toward her, this time trying to catch her. She narrowly avoided it, pulling herself up and over the wall, rolling away from the ledge.

"Stupid bitch!" The bounty hunter, a sleazy, worthless example of a man, shouted up at her. "When I get my hands on you, you're going to wish you were dead!"

She simply laid there, trying to catch her breath, chest heaving as she laid on top of the roof, sun and heat bearing down on her. But she was out of his sight. She was safe, for the moment. He wasn't a very good bounty hunter, but to sink so low to calling her names atop of that? She liked having a challenge, sometimes.

Suddenly, the heat from the sun, the light, was blocked from her vision. Her eyes jerked open, and above her stood him.

The Mandalorian.

He stood above her, broad-shouldered, blocking out any light with his beskar armor, head tilted down at her menacingly. Her own personal ghost.

Before she could move, could scream, his hand was darting out to grab her.

She jerked awake.

It was with a choked gasp she took in air, hand coming over to clutch at her chest. Over her racing heart. Her wide eyes took in the woven, sealed roof of her one-roomed home, the familiar texture of the stone and wood of the walls.

Her few belongings scattered about, medical supplies on the table, herbs and other plants on the counter by the sink. Her staff by the door, waiting to be used. She swallowed thickly, letting these familiar things ease her back down from the panic of that dream. Let the adrenaline leave her.

The Force, always present to her, always around, ghosted around her, a warm fluttering feeling, reassuring in its silent way. She let it wash over her, calming herself and grounding herself in what she knew, what was real.

That dream had not been a memory. Nor did she know if it was a vision. It was probably just a nightmare, that worry and fear ever present of having to run again, of having to look over her shoulder.

She pushed herself out of bed, not letting herself spiral down those thoughts. She changed into her day clothes that were hung over the frame of her bed. Simple, loose pants, dark green tunic that hung down past her legs, her worn down boots she laced up and the belt and hat she slung onto herself. Her eyes traveled to that box she kept under the bed, feeling that familiar longing emanating from it.

The weapon inside called to her, another sense of security, another thing connecting her to that which she had left behind, long ago. Her old life she had to abandon in order to survive in this cruel galaxy.

The nightmare had put her on edge, but it was not the first time she had had a nightmare, let alone one with the Mandalorian bounty hunter in it. After her escape from Utov, she had seen him a handful of other times.

He'd almost gotten her once, so close to cuffing her, but she had managed to trick him, slinking away before he could grab her. His angry steps and curses following suit had told her that he didn't have bounties are tricky as her.

That had been almost two years ago.

She couldn't say she was lucky, considering all of the other bounty hunters that had picked up her bounty in that time, but she knew he was still around. She could hear whispers of his travels on the planets she had been on, of other bounties he had captured. It seemed that he just was focusing on the bounties he could catch.

She let herself feel a little bit of pride with that.

Leaving the weapon under her bed, she walked to the staff next to the door, slinging it over her shoulder along with her bag of medicinal supplies and other things she might need. Putting the large sunhat over her head, she stepped out of her little home into the early morning daylight.

She'd been on the planet of Amia for at least a few months now, enough to see the seasons change from their planting season to their growing season, rich in natural vegetation and wildlife. A forested planet on the outer rim that had only one or two major ports, ones which she was far from now.

There was still a mist on the ground, the little village she was set on the outskirts of still sleepy, still waking up. It had become one of her favorite times to walk, to gather her thoughts and herself before the day started. The sun was just coming up over the horizon, the little village set by the edge of the forests that surrounded this planet. There was a river that ran next to it, which led out to the sea.

She followed the worn trails into more of the heart of the village, her feet naturally following the path. It had become routine, almost, and while she knew routines were dangerous with her type of life, with what hung over her head, she found herself in a false sense of security. Not having to run, not having to fight every second for her life. The villagers here didn't exactly trust her, she was an outsider, after all, but they were friendly enough and made sure she was housed, had food, was able to survive on her own.

It was more kindness than she had received in a long time, the last being the older bartender Danthi on Utov, who she hoped was doing alright, even still.

She made her way through the village as it slowly woke up, greeting the other villagers as they woke up and came out of their own homes, some waving and smiling and others simply nodding at her.

Well. Some villagers were friendlier than others, she supposed.

She made her way to the large home in the middle of the village, surrounded by other smaller homes, a sort of meeting house for the village. Everything was made with the local stone, white, and the dark colored wood of the forests nearby. The planet provided everything they needed, really.

It only was this peaceful because of how far it was from anything else in the galaxy, all of the other conflicts and wars.

Pushing herself through the door of the meeting house, she found she was the first inside. Which wasn't unusual, she just liked being early. she went about her routine, setting up her medical station, setting out what she might possibly need to further treat injuries from yesterday and treat the wounds of today.

The planet might have been far from any conflict from others, but there were wild animals in the woods, and accidents happened.

It was her way of contributing to the village, to help make up for the kindness and what they had given her. It helped play into her story she had clung onto. A refugee from the war, a healer who had lost her family, seeking some sort of safety.

It wasn't entirely a lie, at least.

As she settled into her spot, the first of many for the day came in, asking for help with a wound. And her day flew by in a blur of helping people. She said a quick hello to the other young woman who helped with medicinal things, Ghinia, before she was soothing a young girl who'd twisted her ankle.

Telia, she believed her name was.

She soothed the young girl, along with the mother and Ghinia, wrapping it in bandages and making sure it wasn't broken. She was crying, but she wasn't screaming in pain, which was a relief in of itself.

Ghinia and Telia's mother conversed as she finished wrapping up the ankle, talking about fixing the hole near the edge of the village where Telia had fallen into. It hadn't been the first time this hole had opened up, and they couldn't figure out why it kept coming back.

It was this moment, while the two were distracted, that Fyra let her hand hover over Telia's ankle. "Now, I'm gonna tell you a little secret." She spoke softly, a reassuring smile on her face.

The little girl, with tear stained cheeks and big, red-rimmed, teary eyes, sniffled and looked up at her. There was a look of curiosity in her big brown eyes, wanting to know, as all children did at that age. "What is it?" She asked, momentarily forgetting about her ankle.

"Well, did you know that you're my only patient to come in with a sprained ankle not screaming?" She said, smiling, her hand still hovering over Telia's ankle.

The little girl's eyes widened. "Really?" She whispered out. "Even Big Henry screamed?"

Ah. Big Henry. The head of the outlook team here. A man her own age, large and broad and with an ego large enough to fill the entire village.

She simply grinned at Telia. "Yes. But you have to keep this secret between us, okay? You're my strongest patient."

It wasn't really a secret that Big Henry, as the children called him, was awful at managing any sort of pain. For being as large as he was and how he boasted about how strong he was, a simple shoulder dislocation made her scream, the whole village hearing it.

Telia nodded, eyes wide and filled with a new sense of respect for herself, believing she was strong. And that was all it took for Fyra's hand to subtly swipe across the girl's swollen ankle, relieving and healing it with the Force, at least partially.

Instead of being down for two weeks, she'd be off her feet for a few days, most. Which she knew Telia's mother would appreciate, having two other little ones to wrangle up and take care of.

It was hardly the sort of grand scheme or plan she was sure her old Masters had for her when she was a padawan in training, but she was using her natural gifts to heal people, even as little and simple as this.

"Mama, did you hear Miss Fyra?" Telia said, eyes wide and full of wonder as she looked up at her mother.

The mother simply smiled as she finished her conversation with Ghinia, tired, and shook her head. "I did not. What did she say?" She asked, a hint of apprehension in her voice, eyes darting to the healer in question, as if partially worried what the outsider had said.

"She said I'm her strongest patient!" Telia whisper-shouted, as if it was truly something secretive. "Because I didn't scream. At all!"

The mother chuckled, and then bent down, scooping her up off of the chair she'd been on. She settled the young girl over her hip, her daughter becoming almost too big to pick up. "Well, Miss Fyra is right. You are strong. And very brave too." She said, voice full of amusement and fondness.

The mother then looked to Fyra and gave a thankful nod before turning back to Telia. "Let's get you home and cleaned up. Your father and brothers are probably worried sick about you."

"We can tell them I'm the strongest so they don't need to worry!" Telia exclaimed happily, the pain in her ankle almost all gone, almost completely forgotten about. Telia waved from over her mom's shoulder, squirming almost. "Thank you, Miss Fyra! You're the best!"

Fyra felt a smile on her face, a warm feeling in her chest at the little girl's antics. She watched as they left and then she leaned back on her heels from where she'd been sitting in front of the chair Telia had been on.

A hand was offered to her, and she took it, Ghinia helping pull her up. "That's all she'll be talking about for weeks. Now all of the kids are gonna have a competition to see who can scream less." She snorted in amusement. "Clever thinking, girl."

Fyra shrugged, a sheepish but amused look on her face. "If it helps save our eardrums from early deafness, I'll take it." She commented, and brushed her knees of the dirt and dust from the ground.

"So will I." Ghinia chuckled, smiling. She stretched her back out and then glanced outside of the building they were in. "It's getting late. Probably about time to close up for the night and get some dinner."

Fyra nodded, and moved to start cleaning up her station, putting her supplies back away where they belonged, a comfortable quiet between the two women. It was hard to let herself fall into these routines, when her past had been filled with only running and surviving. But this was as familiar to her as the back of her own hands, healing people.

As they finished wrapping up, they closed up the building for the night and left, walking toward the mess hall, where many of the other villagers were walking toward. Torchlights were lit as the sun was setting past the trees, and within the confines of the small village, it felt safe.

Even still, she couldn't help the feeling of the hairs on the back of her neck standing straight up. Like she was being watched. Her eyes moved toward the edge of the tree lines, where the torchlight didn't hit.

It was probably just a wild animal. There were many creatures out in the woods they did not mess with after dark. They kept their distance, and the animals kept their own. They roamed the deep woods and only ventured during the night, but they did not leave the woods.

It was why the feeling of being watched made her steps slow, her gaze on the treeline. Her eyes tried to focus, look through the dark, shifting trees, as if she could see… something. Something reflecting the torchlight as it shifted and moved.

Ghinia took notice of this.

"Fyra?" She asked, tilting her head, placing a gentle hand on her arm. "What's wrong?"

Fyra shook her head, trying to break herself out of the trance she'd found herself in. She blinked and whatever was reflecting the light was gone, disappeared as if it was never there. "Nothing." She brushed off the concern of the other woman. "Just lost in thought."

Ghinia patted her arm and led her toward the mess hall. "Well, food for thought isn't very filling." She retorted with a smile. "Time to get some real food in you."

With that, the two walked toward the mess hall, the glint of metal slinking away further and further into the trees, camouflaged and hidden.

Following and watching the runaway jedi.

all writing is my own. please do not redistribute, repost, or share on other platforms. thank you

[star-trek-shallot]

[during some occasion of canon-typical violence]

Spock: I am a pacifist.

Kirk: I'm not! *throws a punch*

[needfantasticstories]

Riding Lessons

(DAY 13: “you weren’t supposed to get hurt”)

Trigger Warnings: canon typical violence, injury, anxiety

Just outside Highland Stable’s fence, Wild held the reins for Hyrule’s borrowed horse. Stalwart nickered as Wild fed her an apple while Hyrule shifted around in the saddle. Just ahead of them, Time held Peony still for Sky to climb on. The pink and white horse nibbled the grass. Wild admired the way he settled into the role so easily.

“She’s a sweet ol’ gal,” Time murmured to Wild as they watched the Skyknight mount the pink mare with ease. “You’ve never ridden before?” Time inquired of Sky, skeptically.

“I’ve never ridden a horse before. I didn’t expect them to be so…dense, I suppose.” 

Wild smiled. Malon’s warm accent was woven into the way Time shaped any words about horses and farm work, while Sky’s crisp accent reminded him of the way people used to talk in his era, before the Calamity; lofty and light. He wondered if Zelda might one day sit on her grand throne before dignitaries and let slip “shrooms” the way people in Hateno did these days. Would Riju or Sidon hear that and laugh? 

He shook the thought away and focused as Hyrule suddenly clutched the saddle. “Woah, easy Traveler. She’s not going anywhere.” Wild reassured him.

“I thought the blanket was slipping. Sorry.” He nervously patted Stalwart’s neck. She huffed and shifted her weight, and Hyrule clutched the saddlehorn again. “They’re so tall.” 

“You’ve fought monsters bigger than this. Didn’t you jump on a hinox last week?”

“Sure, but it’s different. You always know what to expect from a hinox. They will try to catch or kill you, no matter what or when. But these… what if they decide they want to kill you after you get cozy on their back? What if they get bored or hungry and just…” Hyrue tossed his hands up, and with his eyes he tracked the invisible, hypothetical rider being bucked into the stratosphere. 

“Hyrule, I think you’re overthinking it.” Wild laughed. It was strange to see the fearless Traveler so nervous. Hyrule usually jumped into action first and asked questions later. The teen took to shield surfing like a natural, and had jumped off Hyrule Tower with Wild’s glider without even asking how to use it. The fear shining in his eyes now as he looked down at the horse was downright unsettling. Wild soothed the horse, who was indeed growing a little bored. “Look, I’ll keep the lead and walk her around the stable a few times, just so you can get used to each other, okay?”

“No, I can do this. Just give me a moment. Are you sure the straps are tight enough?”

“Tight as she can take. You won’t slip off. I promise.” Wild stroked Stalwart’s bluish-gray and white neck, and hummed the tune his horses all seemed to like, the tune Twilight and Time knew as well.

Time had given Peony’s reins to Sky, and walked close enough to intervene as horse and rider began a slow lap around the stable’s fence. Time offered only a few pointers as Sky nodded.   

“Are you ready?” Wild looked up at the Traveler’s freckled face.

Hyrule nodded, lost in thought, but did not reach for the reins. Wild shrugged, kept them, and waited for the Traveler to start.

The horse shivered, but otherwise didn’t move.

Wild looked up. “Uh, Hyrule?” 

“Hm?” Hyrule hummed, and his eyes seemed to clear from some fog.

“Are you going to, uh…”

“Oh, I did! I don’t think she wants to go.”

“Hyrule,” Wild wanted to laugh, it was so ridiculous how rigidly the young man sat in the saddle. “Can you show me how you told her to go?”

“Like you said.' Hyrule tapped the horse with his heel so lightly that a fly would have been more noticeable. 

Chuckling came from the entrance of the stable, but was quickly hushed.

“I don’t see you out there, Wind. And shut up, Wars!” Legend’s whisper wasn’t quiet enough to escape Hyrule’s notice, and the teen shrunk into himself a little, growing even more tense.  

“Right. Something to know about horses is they have really thick skin, just like lynels. If you give a small kick, it’s not going to hurt them like it would for softer creatures, like Twi’s cats. It’s more like…poking at Vet! If it’s not hard enough, he might not even feel it with all the scarring.” He looked to the gap between overlapping canvases where the other heroes clearly had gathered, and winked. Muffled laughs and ripples along the fabric told him they’d heard. “Horses need to feel your push through all the muscle and fat. Obviously, don’t slam into them, but you can push a lot harder.”

Hyrule gave a quick kick, and when Stalwart took her first step forward, he smiled. Still, he grabbed the saddle as the motion jerked him left, then right, bouncing a little at each step. 

“Okay, okay, it’s working. So what now?” He nervously patted Stalwart’s neck, his wide eyes staring at Wild. 

The Champion couldn’t hold his laughter at the sight. “Rulie, just let her walk! You’re fine.” 

“Okay. Okay. Okay,” Hyrule muttered, and slowly the horse’s rocking gait eased the tension in Hyrule’s shoulders. “Not monsters. Okay.”

“Not… Hyrule, did you think horses were monsters?”

Four’s snort was apparently too fast to muffle. 

Hyrule flushed a little, and answered quickly. “I’ve only ever seen them in dungeons! And usually only half of a horse, like lynels and horseheads. And the way their skin moves is creepy. And their eyes are…” Hyrule looked away from the horse when it turned back to look at him with one large, glimmering black eye. “Why is it so twitchy?”

Wild tried very, very hard to keep a neutral face. “Same reason you are, probably. Look, maybe they got corrupted or something in your time, but in most eras, they’re friendly if you treat them right.”

Sky finished his lap and was already approaching from behind. “You did it, Rule!” he called happily as he accepted the reins from Time. Sky’s steed turned smoothly away from the fence at the knight’s urging, and went around Hyrule to start a second lap on his own.  

Hyrule sighed, then stared at Stalwart’s neck as it twitched to shoo a pair of flies away.  

Time joined Wild’s side, seeing the young knight was clearly settled with Peony. “Now, how is our brave Traveler doing?”

Wild could see the concern bloom on Time’s face at Hyrule’s white knuckled grip and furrowed brow. 

“Here, Rulie. Take the reins.” Wild pried one clawed hand away from the saddle horn and put the smooth leather straps in it and stepped back, giving the boy some space to figure things out. 

Hyrule took the reins with such a grim frown that Time reached up and gave him a reassuring pat on the back before he hit the horse’s rump. With a wicker and swish of her ears, Stalwart began to walk along the fence. 

Time and Wild followed slowly, the elder giving Wild a questioning stare.  

“He’s doing his best, but apparently he used to think horses were monsters,” Wild laughed as quietly as he could, but Hyrule still turned to stare at them. “No wonder he was so nervous to meet Epona at your ranch.” Wild turned to Time with a smirk. “Wait, that means that before coming here, Hyrule has only ever seen your Epona, and Twilight’s Epona?”

“Oh, that’s…I suppose that might be true, yes.” 

“So outside of a dungeon, he’s seen one horse, ever, basically.” 

“They’re not the same horse, Wild.” But Time chuckled deeply, undeniably proud at the similarities between Epona and her descendent. “Good thing you’ve got a whole herd for him to meet.”

“I can’t claim all of them. Half are Zelda’s, like these two. She keeps them for the village kids.”

They had just reached the front of the stable when a woman’s high scream for help echoed over the plains.

“Totsuna!” Wild shouted, spotting the young woman on the road running for her life from a pair of blue bokos mounted on horseback. He sprinted toward Hyrule so he could take Stalwart to reach her, still quite far down the road. But Wild never got the chance. 

Hyrule kicked hard, and the horse was off, galloping away toward the commotion. Traveler leaned so far forward he was almost flat on the horse’s back, holding the front edges of the saddle desperately. 

Sky rounded the stable with Peony, a younger and faster mare than Hyrule’s, and he thundered after them. 

Wild watched, relieved that Sky had taken so well to riding. Between the two heroes, Totsuna would be okay. Time caught up quickly.

“What do we do?”

“It’s only two boko riders. Sky alone can handle it, but Traveler is… being Traveler.”

Hyrule urged Stalwart on. She was steady and slow, in Wild’s view, but the teen looked panicked, his head bouncing on his arm and, Wild feared, barely able to see.

The other heroes had disentangled themselves from the canvas and came running out, most of them stopping at the fence as they saw Sky nearly there and Traveler keeping the blue bokos as bay. Only Legend and Four continued running, their pegasus boots rushing them to the scene in a way that made Wild’s heart twinge. Someday, he’d find boots like theirs. Speedy elixirs were not pleasant beverages. 

Stalwart had passed Totsuna and reached the bokos, but didn’t stop in time. She skidded to a stop just in front of the blue riders, who raised their spears. Trapped between monsters and a screaming woman, Stalwart found some of the strength of her youth and bucked. Hyrule had drawn his legs up to crouch on the saddle just in time as she bucked him off. The teen leapt high back toward Totsuna and, to Wild’s surprise, Hyrule landed on his feet and drew his blade against the monsters in a smooth motion. 

Totsuna crouched behind Hyrule as Stalwart pranced nervously between the two mounted bokos. Hyrule held his ground, sword and shield glittering in the bright sun as he stood ready to defend the young woman. The bokos tried to close in, but Stalwart reared in terror, her front legs striking the air like weapons, and kept the other two horses back. 

“Well, that’s an odd sort of teamwork,” Warrior quipped to Twilight, both leaning on the fence casually as if watching a show. Wild wished he could feel so casual about it. But Sky was almost there. 

A spear jabbed down at Hyrule’s right, and he shoved it aside with his shield. The boko lost hold of the spear, and the butt end grazed Stalwart’s leg. The mare’s white eyes rolled and she kicked her legs straight back, directly into Hyrule’s exposed chest with an audible thump. 

Hyrule dropped like a popped octorok balloon as Totsuna screamed and ducked. 

Gathering her wits at last, the mare galloped away from the bokos and across the field. 

Sky finally arrived, having relinquished the reins in favor of the mare’s hare, and he guided Peony toward the spear-bereft boko. He removed its head in one clean, efficient swipe. The monster’s body disappeared before hitting the ground. It’s bewildered horse galloped off after Stalwart.

The Chosen hero turned his steed around to engage the second boko. As Sky charged, the blue monster yanked its red-speckled stallion back so viciously it reared up, a living shield to fend off  Sky’s wrath. 

Sky let his mare run loosely around the rearing steed. Once it dropped, he turned sharply again to attack. But the boko spurred his red stallion away from the place.  Young and quick, too soon the boko had a wide lead, and disappeared in the tall grass of the plains. Instead, Sky led her back to the two figures on the road and dismounted. 

Wild felt useless, waiting and watching it all unfold. But Time had stayed calm as it all played out, and he mimicked the man’s demeanor, trying to stop the bounce in his knee and grabbed his hands to keep them from fidgeting. But Legend and Four finally reached Totsuna and Hyrule. The young woman handed a bottle to Legend, then rose and ran for the stable with Four at her side. 

Legend knelt by Sky at Hyrule’s side. Wild wished he could see what Totsuna gave the Veteran, and what they gave to Hyrule. To Wild’d relief, Hyrule sat up a few moments later and shook his head, as if that would take away the pain and dizziness he must be feeling. 

When the group finally returned—to the dramatic applause of Wind, Twilight and Four—Wild could see the Traveler would be okay, especially after a bit of food and rest. A knott that has built in his chest was released, and he made his way to Hyrule’s side as they entered the shade of the stable. They led him to a bed and Wild sat by his side. 

“Well, you were right.” And Wild mimicked the signs Hyrule had made earlier, eyes tracking the soaring figure rising into the sky. 

Hyrule laughed, though he winced a bit. 

“So, was it worth it?” Wild searched the Traveler’s face, but found no signs of the fear that plagued him earlier. They waved to Totsuna as Four tended to her scrapes, and she waved back.

Hyrule chuckled. “It was exactly as bad as I imagined.” The traveler let himself fall backward onto the stable bed with a sigh. “But, knowing what the worst of it feels like? Yeah, it was worth it. We should try it again. Tomorrow.”  

[sam-loves-seb]

quiet all the noise ringing in my head

“We got invited to an after-hours at the loft of one of my regulars.” That’s how it always starts. “Again?” Mickey asks. That’s the third time this week.

s4: ian and mickey go to a party with regulars from the club and things go sideways

whumptober 2023 -- day 19

prompt: "I'm not as stupid as you think I am."

[ ao3 | ko-fi | etc ]

[shieldofiron]

In celebration of the most gorgeous moodboard made by @a-redharlequin (who has commissions open I believe and is a joy to work with) Have a chapter 1 of Serrated.

Serrated (Chapters 1-9 on AO3 Here) 

Chapter 1: The Knife

Rated M, Heavy Angst, TW CSA mention, Post S2.

“Oh,” Lucas stops dead by the door to the Byers house, and Steve nearly bowls him over.

“Is it the demodog?” Steve looks inside.

It’s not. It’s Billy Hargrove, lying face down on the floor next to a puddle of vomit.

Max is frozen too, looking down at him.

“Is he… dead?” Mike asks quietly.

Max jerks a little, her shoulders trembling, and finally goes up to Billy, nudging him in his side with her foot.

He doesn’t move.

“Billy,” She kneels down and feels at his neck.

Billy groans, lifting one hand and flopping it down to the ground, “I’m up, Dad. Tell her to get in the car.”

Mike exhales a little.“What do we do with him?”

Dustin looks back at Steve.

“We can’t leave him here,” Mike shuffles by Billy, looking at him warily.

“I said, I’m up,” Billy grunts, flipping himself over onto his back, his hands twitching.

He looks up at Max dazedly, and presses a hand over his face, “Maxine. Where’d you go? I was looking and looking.”

“Billy,” She stands over him.

Billy’s eyes search the ceiling, and he seems to reorient himself in space.

“Do I have to watch it?” He looks up at her with a furrowed brow, “Maxine.”

“What?” She scowls at him.

Billy looks around the room, “Where is he?”

“Who Billy?” She asks.

“Harrington,” Billy calls out, his voice hoarse, “Harrington, if you touch my sister, I’ll finish what I started.”

Steve shuffles into his view, and pinches the bridge of his nose, hissing when he pinches his injured face.

“I’m not… it’s not like that,” Steve shakes his head, “I’m a babysitter.”

Billy grins drunkenly, “My first was m’babysitter too. You don’t fool me, Harrington.”

Steve’s blood runs cold in his veins.

“You lure my sister out here with other kids? Is that it? What’m I supposed to watch?” Billy’s lids are heavy, like he’s about to go to sleep but the words are sharp, “Max, come here. Get away from him.”

“What is he talking about?” Mike asks loudly.

No one wants to answer, except Billy, “Oh you know. I was ten and the babysitter, his name was Ryan, said he’s gonna help me with my homework. And then he’s taking off my clothes and-“

Steve leaps down and slaps a hand over Billy’s mouth. Billy slides his tongue along his palm, then bites hard when that doesn’t work. So hard Steve yanks his hand back to his chest, wiping it on his shirt.

“Billy,” Max shakes her head, “It wasn’t like that.”

“‘S not like that until it is like that,” Billy’s head flops to the side and he’s trying to rise weakly, “And I can’t even stop it. Fuck.”

“I’m not,” Steve puts his hand on his chest, “I’m not raping kids. Jesus, I swear on my life I didn’t touch her, Hargrove.”

Billy just laughs, low and heavy, almost grunts, “Max, come here.” His hand waves in the air weakly.

She kneels down next to him, her face uncertain and lost.

He puts his hand on hers, “Did he touch you?”She shakes her head rapidly, “No, Billy I swear.”

“What about them? The boys? Did he touch the boys? Make them touch you?” Billy’s slurring, but his eyes are on hers, looking for something hard, “Did they bring you here? What did he tell you to say?”

“No,” she shakes her head, “It wasn’t like that. Nothing like that, Billy.”

“Max,” He extends the a on her name, almost taunting, “Max, don’t lie to me.”

Max looks up at Steve, “Help me get him up on the couch or something.”

Steve grabs for Billy’s underarms and pulls as hard as he can. He smells like sweat and vomit and stale cologne, not that Steve smells a whole lot better.

“Can someone get him some water or something?” Steve yanks hard, but Billy’s dead weight and heavy as hell. Lucas heads to the kitchen, with Dustin behind him.

“Or is it me you’re interested in, Amigo?” Billy looks up at Steve with fluttering lashes, “Y’didn’t have to go to all this trouble. I woulda gone for you real easy.”

Steve’s neck feels hot, “I’m not raping anyone, okay?”

Billy laughs, a slow drunken sound, “Yeah, yeah, yeah. I was askin’ for it. Is that how you wanna play this?”

“Billy,” Steve props him up against the edge of the couch, “Just… listen. I swear, nothing like that happened.”

Lucas comes back in from the kitchen, “He threw up in there too.”

Billy frowns, “Yeah, there was a monster in the fridge.”

“Oh shit,” Dustin is pulling at the ends of his hair, “Shit, shit.”

“Shit, shit,” Billy echoes, giggling.

“How much is he going to remember in the morning?” Dustin asks Steve.

“I don’t know! I don’t even know what you guys gave him!” Steve throws a hand towards Max, “She gave it to him.”

“Max,” Billy’s got that taunting tone again, “You’re in trouble.”

“Shut up,” Max puts a hand to her forehead, “What if he dies?”

“Max,” Billy calls again.

“Shut up, Billy,” Her eyes are a little red, “Shit.”

Lucas covers his face with his hands and leans against the wall to the kitchen.

“Were you tryna kill me, Max?” Billy smiles, his eyes going unfocused.

“No,” She cries, swiping her face.

“Leave me for the monster in the fridge?” Billy smirks.

“This is not good,” Dustin groans.

“Bet I taste bad,” Billy says, hiccuping in a laugh, “Real bad. Too sad.”

“Okay, maybe we wait and see what he remembers when he works it out of his system,” Lucas looks to Dustin, “Maybe it’ll be fine.”

The thumping from the kitchen makes everyone go still, except for Billy, still hiccuping and laughing. Lucas and Mike all edge closer to Steve, and he steps a little closer to the kitchen, hoping the fridge holds.

Steve’s mind races. The bat is in the car. He eyes the room, though the drawings are disorienting him. He can’t see a good weapon.

Steve grabs for the heavy glass ashtray on the coffee table, raising it high, he’s still got the goggles on, weighed down with all the gear from the tunnel, but he feels better with it in his hands.

“Billy, what are you doing?” Max yells behind him, and Steve glances over his shoulder. Billy’s rising, swaying on his feet but standing nonetheless. A curl sways lazily on his forehead and he reaches out as it to steady himself in thin air. He spreads his legs wide. Planting his feet, Steve supposes.

“Hargrove, stay down, I got this,” Steve creeps towards the kitchen.

“Stay down,” Billy says in a snide voice, lurching toward Steve.

“Hargrove, I swear no one is hurting these kids while I’m here,” Steve yells, “Now stay down.”

Billy just looks at Max, “It was monsters. Not…”

“Y-yeah, it was the monsters, they’re trying to kill our friend,” she says in a shaky voice, “But-“

Billy reaches in his pocket, fumbling with something.

“I have your keys, Hargrove, I got this,” Steve says inanely, still moving towards the kitchen.

“Get down, Billy,” Max says, and then she gasps, almost choking, “You had this the whole time?”

There’s a metallic sound, and Steve glances over his shoulder. She’s holding a knife, not long, but wickedly serrated.

Billy puts a limp hand on her shoulder, swaying, “Always carry a knife.”

Max stares up at him, “What were you gonna do with this?”

He just cocks his head, “What?”

“Were you… my friends…”

“Max,” Billy’s lids are heavy, “No. It’s for monsters. And other shit.”

Steve turns back to the kitchen, heart pounding in his chest. He reaches back with one hand, almost sighing with relief when Max hands it over, handle first. He flips it handily, shoulders relaxing. Instantly, his mind feels clear.

“Dustin,” Steve cocks his head towards the trash can lid, “Protect yourself, then open it up.”

“Are you fucking serious?” Dustin’s brows are knit low over his eyes, “No, we should just barricade the fridge.”

“Dustin,” Steve nods at him, “I’ve got this.”

He glances back over his shoulder one last time. Billy’s still standing somehow, reaching for Max and shoving her behind him, and then gesturing for Lucas.

Lucas just stares back at him.

“I’m fucking sorry, alright, I thought you were stalking her, get back here. You too… you… whatever your name is,” Billy waves his hand in the air towards Mike.

“Dustin,” Steve turns back, “You open the door, and you duck behind that thing. If anything goes wrong, go to Billy, alright?”

Dustin’s eyes dart between the two older boys.

“Just… do it,” Steve grits his teeth.

Dustin frowns, but then he nods, “Fine. But you better not die.”

“Okay, sure, I can promise that I guess,” Steve flips the knife, throwing Dustin an incredulous look, and catching it by it’s tip, “Do it.”

Dustin stuffs an oven mitt on his hand and reaches out, pulling the door open swiftly and ducking behind it.

The light must have surprised the demodog, or it was leaning on the door or something. It slides out, landing with a splat on the linoleum, its claws flailing in the air. Steve crouches low, almost closes his eyes before he does it, but he’s pretty sure he only has one shot.

He doesn’t go for any spins or anything fancy, just throws it once, overhand. He flings his arm out, pointing down at the demodog as it rolls onto it’s feet and howls, it’s horrible head peeling open like a rotten orange.

Lucas probably could have aimed better. But the thing still wails when the knife sticks in its throat. Steve jumps forward, grabs the handle, and yanks it down, monster goo covering his rubber gloves in an instant.

The demodog wails, a horrible ear splitting sound, and Steve can hear the kids scream behind him. The lights flicker briefly, and then go out, and the body goes limp.

When he turns back, the kids are huddled around Billy, who’s flopped back onto the couch, snoring loudly.

Lucas frowns down at him, “Don’t take it to heart, Steve, that was really cool.”

Chapter 9 out today on AO3 but Chapter 1 is pretty good on it’s own.

[rainycat2]

Though I Could Not Stop For Death / Death Kindly Stopped For Me

A Danny Phantom x DC Comics Crossover fic!

Chapter One: Beginnings

Perfection, for most people, was an unattainable dream. “Practice makes perfect”, they would say, knowing that perfection was something that would always slip out of their grasp, a wisp of smoke on a cool Autumn evening. An ideal to live up to, to work towards. Similar to how the world viewed Superman-- the “Big Blue Boy Scout” indeed. He was a paragon of humanity, a person to look up to, to strive to be like. Compassionate, strong, better than man.

Perhaps it was strange that from birth, he knew he would have to be perfect. Grandfather and Mother would accept nothing less from the elder son, after all. Twins had been unexpected, but a delight nonetheless-- an age old saying of “the heir and the spare” had worked in their favor. On the off chance the elder twin of the two boys was not up to par, the “spare” would be trained to take over for him. He would have his own role, otherwise, when they grew up to be adults.

One, the Demon Head. The ruler of the League of Assassins. The other, the Batman of Gotham City. Both ruthless and merciless in their own ways, inheriting their birthrights.

Life, or perhaps Death, had other plans.

----

Silent as a ghost, he had been called. Trained since he could walk to not make a sound, to keep your breath quiet so as to not be discovered. Stealth and secrecy ran in his blood, and he would be damned if he were to fail the mission. At home, for now, watching his brother train, snow fluttering across the sky in drifts. It was cold, but not so much as to be irritating; besides, he had trained in colder conditions than this. His eyes tracked his brother’s movements, his steadiness with his katana. The slight hesitation in his movements that ultimately led to his feet swept out from underneath him, a foot planted on his chest and a blade at his throat. From here, he could see the blood well up on his brother’s jaw. An unfortunate cut, but a shallow one. It shouldn’t scar.

Though that could hardly be said the same for himself. On his last mission, the target had gotten feisty. A graze of a knife to his cheek, leaving a faint raised line on his jaw. Well, another way to tell them apart, he supposed.

Warmth on his shoulder, a faint pressure. “Watching Damian again, habibi?” Amusement in her tone, a relaxing of his shoulders. “You have your own training to watch.”

“He still hesitates,” Danyal murmurs, blue eyes fixed on his brother as he went through his stances. Tracing his movements, cataloging the weak points. “Favors his left.”

“I know, my son, but he will learn, whether of his own determination or through his tutors,” she hummed, squeezing his shoulder slightly. “How was your last mission?”

“Successful. I will admit to a slight miscalculation, but the target was neutralized with none the wiser. I retrieved our information and have given it to Grandfather as of this morning,” he reports, shifting his weight slightly.

“Good.”

They fell silent, watching the younger of the twins silently before Danyal turned, a murmured apology as he left for his own training session. His blade, an extension of his own body, singing through the air in time with his soul. Hesitation brutally snuffed out, nothing but the rigorous, merciless clash of metal as he fought. A kick to the side, breath wheezing out in the frozen morning air.

Danyal stood tall over his opponent, sword at their chest until they yielded. Only then did he sheath his blade at his hip, then offer a hand up.

Clapping. He turned, bowing when Grandfather came into view. “You have done us proud yet again, Danyal.”

Pride raced through his veins, straightening his spine. “Thank you, sir.”

“Walk with me.” A quick jog to catch up to his Grandfather’s side, straightening and standing tall in the man’s all-knowing gaze. “What do you think of Damian’s progression?”

Confusion, eyes blinking at the question. Caught off guard, can’t let it happen again. He’s better than that. “I’m… sorry, sir?”

“Don’t apologize,” the Demon Head instructed. “You observe your brother’s training when you can, especially after returning home to us from a mission. You are both still at an age where imperfections can be smoothed out. I would like to know your opinion on how Damian’s training is progressing.”

“Of course.” Danyal took a moment to think, recalling trends and patterns he had witnessed over the years. “Damian… is still too compassionate. He hesitates, unable to commit to the possible action of injuring his tutors, of causing their deaths. In his role, it will serve him well, I suppose, but as an assassin… it could very well mean his own demise,” he mused. “His hesitation will get him killed.”

Ra’s was silent for a few moments. “Thank you, Danyal. You are dismissed.”

“Yes, sir.”

----

Snow crunched under their boots, blades crashing and ringing in the evening light, the courtyard illuminated by torches. Bystanders observing, watching intently to see who would give first.

A test, Grandfather had called it. Of Damian’s willingness to wound, of how deep his hesitation went.

But it was Danyal’s hesitation that caused it all.

He would not hurt his twin, he realized as their blades locked again, looking into Damian’s eyes. Seeing the fear, the desperation to please reflected back.

A moment’s pause, not moving when he should have, when he knew he could--

A gasp. The courtyard fell silent.

Red. Red on his hands, on the blade, seeping out of his clothes-- good thing they were black, it would wash out-- red staining the snow.

Panic above him, Damian frantically trying to keep his attention, eyes welling up with tears.

Danyal smiled.

----

“Not quite yet.”

Hands, cold cold hands, yet somehow warm, welcoming. Comforting. He could see green in his fading vision, swirling, neon otherworldly green. It reached out to him, curled him close.

Welcomed him home.

“Time out.”

---

The silence of the early morning, children awake, yet not leaving for school. Birds twittering in the trees, singing their songs to those who would listen. The haze of dawn slowly lifting, the cold of concrete and brick at his back. The creak of a door, something heavy hitting the ground in shock.

“....Mom! Dad! There’s-- come quick!!”

Taglist: @mynameisnotlaura, @fisticuffsatapplebees (love that), @screamingtofillthevoid (in a sense i'm workin on the "dude you got fuckin rabies" bit)

NEXT CHAPTER: ==>

[chubbyreaderchan]

Jason Voorhees meeting Y/n because they were out foraging in the woods by Crystal Lake and accidentally gets snapped in a trap...

[newtabfics]

I'm hooked on redeemed ganondorf and the researcher. when do they confess? How did they confess really? What happened!

okay so...i'll admit, this is absolutely my own headcanon for their "confession". I say it like that cuz it's not exactly a confession. Read on to understand but before you do:

Trigger warnings for hostage situation and combat violence.

Ganondorf frowned when he knocked on her door. It was nearly the end of the day and no one had seen Y/N. Given her adept ability to get in trouble at any moment if left unsupervised, he began to worry.

When no answer came, he called out her name, listening carefully before opening the door.

"If I ever don't answer, just come on in. I might just be too engrossed in my study," She'd told him once ages ago.

His eyes scanned over the room before widening as he caught sight of her desk. The chair was thrown aside and papers were scattered everywhere, a knife embedded in the book. The knife pinned a single parchment to her book.

Ripping it out, he read over the note and felt his blood boil before storming out, letter in one hand, knife in the other.

This seemed to grab the attention of a lot of Sheikah, however, as everyone was immediately on guard. Even the dragons that loomed over Kakariko growled softly at his fury.

"Stop right there!" An aged voice barked, making him freeze. He looked over to see Impa walking to him with Link and Zelda in tow. "What happened?" She asked simply.

"Lady Impa," A Sheikah said. "He came out of Y/N's house with the knife. No one has seen her all day and–"

"Was I talking to you?" She asked him before looking at him. "Something's happened. What was it?"

Ganondorf said nothing before giving her the letter. His body language told of unchecked anger that had burned hotter than Death Mountain.

She took it and read it over, paling. "The Yiga," She hissed. "So they managed to sneak past our guards." Looking up at him, she said, "It seems they've found you again. What will you do?"

"I'm bringing her home," He said simply as Link and Zelda hurried up. "Link, the Yiga have kidnapped Y/N. They believe they can use her as a bargaining chip to free me from the Sheikah."

Link clenched his jaw as he nodded. "We should move quickly then."

Y/N kept still as she watched the Yiga around her. She was being held in a small room within their Depths Base. It was one of the many Link had confessed to infiltrating. The only thing is, this one in particular sat atop a series of huge stalagmites.

She peeked through the opening to see gliders fixed with fans patrolling the hut. Outside, a Zonai device she recognized as a Construct Head was fixated to the door, a Beam Emitter practically glued onto the top.

No chance of escaping by herself, she realized, sighing softly as she looked to the ropes on her wrist and feet.

Taking a slow breath, she bit into the rope at her wrists, testing and tugging at the knot to find some give for it as she listened carefully to the emptiness of the Depths.

With the Gloom gone, it was somewhat peaceful. Though there were the Frox and the Stal monsters, it was still quiet.

She gulped as she finally undid her wrists, rubbing them before working at her feet.

"Just keep quiet and we won't have to kill you," One of the yiga said as he tightened the ropes on her when she was brought to the others.

She'd been ripped from her home, her face aching from the beating as she focused on what she could do. But what could she do when she'd been surrounded by Yiga as they took the balloon from their base in the Gerudo Highlands and into the Depths? She wasn't sure how long had passed since she'd been taken late at night, just that she was exhausted and needed to escape.

Y/N adjusted in the room, peeking again. She blinked as she noticed the seal on the doors and sighed. There was absolutely no way of getting out unless she took out the Yiga that'd sealed the door.

A sudden alarm sounding, a horn, made her jump and duck down as she heard an explosion down below. A shadow loomed over the window as the Beam Emitter had gone off before it was ultimately destroyed and the doors ripped open.

Ganondorf came in and locked onto her quickly, his usual stoic expression replaced with unfiltered joy as he hurried to her, taking her in her arms and holding her tight. "You're alright," He whispered.

Y/n clung to him, shaking. "You know how to make an entrance," She giggled softly. "Please. I want to leave."

"Hold onto me," he commanded. She did so, blushing as he lifted her and walked to the edge of the cliff, jumping down. He dropped to one knee as the impact of their combined weight echoed around them.

"Master Ganondorf!" one of the Yiga members gasped before being knocked out by Link.

"She alright?!" He called over the sounds of the battle.

"Yes. Let's go!" Ganondorf barked as he hurried her to a strange Zonai Vehicle. "Hold on."

"Oh goddess, did Link  build this monster?" She whispered as he set her down, taking hold of the cannon attached. She ducked, covering her ears as it charged and fired into the clump of Yiga that aimed for Link.

He hurried to the vehicle and took hold of the steering stick as Ganondorf manned the canon, hurrying across the rugged terrain.

Y/N gulped as she saw the Yiga pursuing quickly and scanned the skies, paling as she locked onto the glider.

"Incoming!" She yelled, pointing to the glider with a canon of its own attached.

They didn't have enough time as the Yiga attacked, blasting the vehicle apart and knocking them in different directions.

Y/N groaned as she tried to sit up before being ripped to her feet. The knife against her throat made her whimper as Ganondorf stood, glaring furiously at the Yiga.

"Let her go," Link snarled, on his feet as he pulled out his sword.

"Not a chance! Return our master to us and we might spare her!" The Yiga member snapped. "We have you surrounded, Link. It's over."

Link clenched his jaw as he eyed his surroundings, noting the multiple Yiga members all twirling the blades menacingly.

"You will spare her," Ganondorf said simply. "She is mine. You won't hurt her." 

Y/N's heart skipped as the Yiga shifted, looking at Ganondorf as his eyes locked onto hers. "Y/N, I swear to you, I'll get you home."

"Ganny," She whispered, surprising her with the determined look he gave her before nodding, the blade nipping at her skin. "I know you will. I trust you."

"Wait what?" The Yiga asked, staring at Ganondorf in almost horror as his arms loosened.

Ganondorf moved too fast for even Link to react as he suddenly ripped away the Yiga's blade from Y/N and snapped his arm. The man yelled in agony as Y/N grimaced at the sickening crunch before being pulled against the massive figure that hurried back to Link's side.

Link moved in front of them, guarding them as Ganondorf quickly checked her for injury, examining her throat.

"I-I'm okay," She assured him as his eyes locked onto her cheek. The bruise, she realized. "You know how I am. I wouldn't let them take me without a fight," She joked softly. She gulped as his eyes darkened and his breath picked up. "Ganny?" She whispered.

"They hurt you," He rumbled before straightening and glaring down at the remaining Yiga members that staggered. "Which one of you was it?" He asked simply, even making Link shiver in fear.

Link glanced back to see Ganondorf glaring squarely at the shifting Yiga members before reaffirming his grip on his weapon. "Better answer him," He said simply. "He doesn't fuck around when it comes to her."

Ganondorf stepped forward, looming over the Yiga members. "I will reduce you to ash and resurrect you in the flames of Death Mountain until I have decided you've had enough. For three days, she was missing. For three days, I will destroy your body and rebuild it and repeat this until you are just as broken as the clan you claim loyalty to. Now, which one of you was it?"

Rather than answering, the Yiga fled, leaving the three in the underworld only lit by the nearby Lightroot.

Escaping the Depths was much easier, given the balloons now stationed at every Chasm. Ganondorf lit the flame as Link rubbed a soothing balm into her raw wrists. Slowly, the balloon began to climb up into the air.

"I'm okay. Really," She offered, smiling. "Thank you."

Link sighed, shaking his head. "You're learning how to fight. No questions about it. You'll have to put away your books to learn it though."

"What? No!" She whined, making him smirk as he elbowed her before nodding to Ganondorf. The man was still glaring into the darkness as if challenging anyone to come near them again.

Link's elbow bumped against her side as he smiled at her. Y/N blinked when he winked and stood, dramatically crying out in false fear. "Oh no! I'm going to fall! Ah!"

Y/N blinked as Link jumped from the hot air balloon, leaving both her and Ganondorf to peer over the edge to see his paraglider open up as he glided down into the Depths.

"How has he lived into adulthood?" Ganondorf muttered.

"No clue. Zelda says he's too wild for his own good," She responded before glancing at him. His amber eyes kept fixated on Link even after he'd vanished into the darkness. "Ganondorf…are you alright?"

"I should ask you that," he sighed as he finally looked at her as they sat. He reached forward, fingers grazing over her cheek. "Does it hurt?"

"Aches, but it's nothing that a bit of rest won't help." She gulped when his thumb rubbed over where the blade had gently nicked her, smearing the small drop of blood that seeped out. Her heart began to hammer as he moved closer.

He pulled her close, resting his chin on her head as he cradled her to him. Slowly, she relaxed into his hold and hugged him. "I'm glad to have you back alive," he sighed finally.

She smiled. "Wouldn't have done it without you." She adjusted and kissed his cheek. "Stop saving me so much. I'm starting to feel like a damsel," She joked.

Ganondorf only smiled, ignoring the way his heart hammered as he hugged her to him again as the balloon sailed over the Chasm edge and into the orange Hyrule sky.

[remytheartist]

Wait, so like, what is the black eye with the star pupil and Did someone break your old one?

WoAH YA BITCH IS BACCCKK

——————

Sun: Another question like this?

Vanessa: What’s your excuse this time?

Sun: I….got pushed? :D?

(A wild Cassie appears!/ref)

Cassie: Didn’t you get stabbed?

Cassie: Btw have you seen Gregory?

Vanessa: He’s in Freddy’s room right now-

Sun: How…did you know that? 🤨

(Flashback time yippie!)

Part 1-> You’re here :D!

Part 2 ->

[averyhh]

The Night Haunter devouring Night Lords gene-seed, or: Dad grabbing a snack™️

gore and cannibalism //

Full versions under the cut

Bonus: trans Konrad Curzussy

[blue-nardo]

"The Attack."

OOC: OKAY MORE PLOT BECAUSE I'M ADDICTED AND IT'S THE ONLY THING I CAN WRITE RN!! In this thrilling installment, we see a fight, Leo and Yuichi, and we sprinkle the seeds for future problems.

Trigger warnings are mentions of injuries, canon typical violence, and mention of character death. Enjoy!

"LEO HELP!"

That's the plea Leo hears from his communicator mere moments after he's been attacked by sentient goop. It had tried to attach itself to his face like some kind of parasite, and maybe he was still having a hard time breathing because of it, but he didn't care as he opened a portal, dragging himself, Donnie, Casey and Venus into the side of the ship where Cass and her team had been looking. 

They see a large beast, with wires connected to it from somewhere high in the room, towering over Mikey, Cass and April while Raph holds it off in his astral form. Leo's first thought is that he has to get Raph out, that he can't let him be taken again, that it hasn't been ten years yet - please don't take his brother from him again - when the beast stops, directing its attention directly on him. 

"Host…"

The wind is knocked from Leo's chest as he's yanked back from his brothers and into the wall. He hears Donnie and Venus shout for him, but can't really focus on anything outside of the ringing in his ears as his vision starts to swim. The stitches in his arms ache something fierce as he tries to weakly pull away the slimy grossness keeping him cocooned. There's the sound of fighting somewhere in front of him, but there's only one word in his head that seems to matter. 

"Prime. Prime. Prime. Prime."

Leo's gasping for air now as his vision goes dark, and he weakly kicks at the air in front of him. There's a roar in the distance, and a bright flash of light, and he's starting to think that maybe he's not getting out of this one either. 

It's creeping in his skin, under his bandages and going straight for the cuts he got from Sister Kraang. He's going limp now, and his finals thoughts are going to be that of how he hopes his family won't hold back, that they'll put him out of his misery if he turns. 

"IKUZO!"

The familiar sound of a sword slicing through air greets his ears, and suddenly gravity has its hold on him again as he's suddenly freed. He hits the ground hard, choking for air as two pairs of arms grab him and pull him up. He tries to blink, tries to listen for the voices calling his name, before finally Leo sees the faces that have been haunting his mind for days. 

"Yuichi? Miyamoto?" he rasps weakly, and he thinks about how that means his larynx is probably bruised. "What… you both have to go, now."

"Not without taking out this thing first," Yuichi growls, and it would be so much more attractive if Leo could actually think right now. 

"What is it?" Miyamoto asks. His grip on Leo is firm and tight, protective, and despite the circumstances, Leo actually feels safe. "Is it a Yokai?"

"Alien," Leo coughs as he tries to stand, using Miyamoto for support. "Kraang monster… Must have been hiding out here… Gotta get the… The herbicide!"

"APRIIIIIL O'NEIL!" He looks up to see April mashing a vial of the stuff onto the giant Mutt, and he watches with relief as it reels back from his family. Thankfully, they all seem to be okay, with Donnie, Casey and Mikey in the air while Raph and the others catch April from her fall. Already he wants back in the fight, to portal and teleport his team to where they need to be. Unfortunately for him, his sense of balance doesn't agree right now, and Miyamoto has to catch him again when he tries to stand. 

"Oh gross," he hears Yuichi cringe. "What is all this stuff?"

"DON'T - " Leo's eyes go wide when he feels Yuichi's hands go to the Kraang slime on his arm. He smacks Yuichi's hand away, pure adrenaline keeping him up as he pulls back from Miyamoto. "Don't let this stuff get on or in you! Trust me, it's not gonna end pretty if it does!"

"Leo, are you okay?!" He hears Mikey call for him, and he turns to see his baby brother jumping down towards him, with way too much fear in his eyes. "Are you hurt??"

He shakes his head, keeping Miyamoto and Yuichi and Mikey at a distance. He can't touch them while this is on them. His eyes dart to the stains on Miyamoto's shirt - he's pretty sure it's offensive to call it that, but he doesn't know the actual name for it… 

"Miyamoto, take off your shirt."

Both Yuichi and Miyamoto turn to him with wide eyes, a clear blush on both of their faces. Mikey seems to follow his line of thinking though when his eyes land on the purple stains of the bright blue fabric. It isn't long before he's gasping and trying to pull the shirt off as well. 

"You can't get this stuff on you!" Mikey insists as Miyamoto lets him pull it off. "Trust us, it always ends ugly!"

"But what about Leo?" Yuichi sounds worried, almost, but Leo's eyes are back on the fight. 

"Use more of the herbicide," he directs Mikey, ignoring the question. "Tell Donnie to go semi-lethal too. Don't let that thing get into the city."

Mikey nods, and his chains begin to glow as he quite literally flings himself back into the fight. Leo rolls his shoulders back, and leans down to grab his swords. He stops though, when Yuichi steps closer, and glances back up at the Usagi brothers. 

They're worried, they both are. He gets it - there's a fight going on, and they've got questions. So he has to make it quick. 

He picks up his swords, giving them a testing twirl before gesturing to the Mutt. "Don't let it cut you, don't get this junk on you. Worry about me after the fight."

"Leonardo-San, are you - "

"Hey, listen we'll have plenty of time to debate if I'm okay or not when we take this thing down, now let's go!"

They win the fight, of course they do. Between all of their mystic powers and Yuichi and Miyamoto joining in, it's all too easy. April's herbicide does most of the work in taking the thing down, and Leo brings them all home once he's sure it's dead. Casey is quick to shove him into a hot shower as he gives himself a full body physical. There aren't any new injuries that he can see, so nothing that the Kraang ooze can infect him with, and he has no way of knowing if the stitches on his arm kept him safe from anything getting in there. 

Removing his bandages, he glares at the bruising spreading out from his cuts and tries not to overthink. It's just purple, it's not pink, he reasons. It could just be bruises from the attack, nothing else. 

He decides that Casey can't know, and neither can his brothers. Not in the event that this is nothing. Right now they need to focus on the mission and keeping the Foot Clan from bringing the Kraang back into this fight. That's the priority, and he can worry about his arm in the meantime.

"So what was all that about?"

He lets out the most undignified shout when he hears Yuichi's voice, whirling around to see him standing in the doorway. He looks smug, like usual, probably pleased with himself that he managed to sneak up on Leo again. 

"What happened to, 'sneaky ninjas are the most dishonorable creatures known to man?'" He rolls his eyes before sitting back down on the toilet seat, rewrapping his arm. "And obviously it was a giant Kraang monster, or did you miss that part?"

Yuichi lets out an annoyed sound, and Leo feels just the tiniest bit of pride in that. As attractive as Yuichi may be, he still likes to piss him off.

"You got covered in that purple ooze and acted like it was a zombie virus thing when you got it off my brother. Who, by the way, you totally embarrassed asking him to take his Yukata off like that. You know he's the biggest prude ever, right?"

Leo rolls his eyes, but doesn't look up, instead focusing on getting his arm wrapped up. "Is that what that's called? Noted. Next time I'll ask him to take off his Yukata, not his shirt."

"Okay, I get it, not the point," Yuichi groans, before deciding that he's suddenly welcome in the bathroom, stepping closer to look at Leo's arm. "You haven't answered my question."

Leo gives him a scrutinizing look, before extending his arm out for Yuichi to finish wrapping. "The reason I did that is because it kind of is a zombie virus thing. Just an alien zombie virus."

"Haha, very funny." There's silence, before Yuichi's ears go straight up. "Wait, you're being serious?"

"Yup," Leo hums, popping the P. 

"Jeez…" Yuichi's hands pause in their movements as he seems to deflate. Leo wants to comment on it, but Yuichi beats him to saying something. "What about you…?"

Leo pauses, tipping his head to the side in confusion. "What about me?"

Yuichi gestures silently to him with his free hand, indicating the lack of purple ooze all over Leo's body. "You were soaked with the stuff, and you were attacked before. How do we know you don't have the zombie alien virus thing?"

It's… A surprisingly good question. Leo had thought Yuichi wouldn't notice, or if he had, wouldn't think to bring it up. The rabbit had already established his own total lack of a brain cell, Leo figured that it would have applied here. 

"Short answer… We don't," he sighs. "But until I know for certain one way or the other… That information stays quiet, okay?"

Yuichi narrows his eyes. "A leader doesn't lie to his team."

"Compartmentalizing. Need to know."

"And your family isn't need to know?"

Leo inhales sharply at that, glaring back at Yuichi. Normally he doesn't really mind their banter, only really reacting because he thinks it's funny. That being said, family was off limits. 

"You don't know the whole story," he huffs at Yuichi. "I want us to focus on stopping the Foot Clan first. If this," he points to his arm, trying not to think about the future that it implies, "gets worse? They're the first to know, and we deal with it then."

"Deal with it, how, exactly?" Yuichi crosses his arms as he glares down at him, and Leo isn't sure if he likes that expression or if it makes him nervous. 

Leo lets out a slow breath, keeping his voice even. "... Casey will know that he can't hold back. If chopping it off doesn't work… I know he'll get them to do what it takes to stop me."

The silence is unnerving, but Leo won't be the one to break it. Yuichi needs to understand that this isn't a game, or a lighthearted mission, not like he wants it to be. In a past life, he might have made a joke to ease the tension, but that was before the Kraang took his brother from him. Before he'd learned how long he'd really had his brothers for in Casey's time. 

Before his heart had stopped beating to stop them. 

Yuichi's eyes go wide as the realization hits him, and for once Leo thinks he can't see the usual judgment or anger that shines in his bright red eyes. The thought of what could be, or what could have been, when it came to his own brother? Leo knew from personal experience that it was a lot to take in. 

"So… What now?"

Leo sighs, closing his eyes and leaning his head back against the wall. He doesn't have the answer for that yet, but he can think of one on the fly. His mind has always been good at that, but he never learned to recognize that until recently. 

"Now… We make sure that we clean that wreck of anything Kraang related before someone in the city gets into it," he answers. "We can't let the Foot open a portal, and we cannot let anyone get infected. Capiche?"

"Uhhh, what does that mean?"

Leo can't help the smile on his face, even if he wants to. He needs it, he knows he does, because he's got this nagging feeling that pretty soon smiling isn't going to be easy. 

"It means… You're standing over me while I'm stark naked and tenderly bandaging my wounds," he teases, enjoying the blush on Yuichi's face. "I'm flattered, really, but I thought we were done with fake-out make-outs?"

Yuichi throws the bandages in his face, and Leo laughs as the rabbit storms out of the room. "Still waiting for you to make up for that by the way," he calls after him, grinning when he hears what is definitely not a nice string of words in Japanese shouted back at him. 

He inspects the bandages, nodding his approval before closing his eyes again. Rest, that's what he needs to plan their next mission… They've got this, he tries to reason with himself. They'll be okay. 

… First things first though, he thinks as he pulls out his phone. He needs to know more about Prime… and what the Mutt meant by, "Host."