#~4500 words

[skimmingmilk]

"If it helps, one of the many scenarios my brain likes to twist around is imagining Sonic's perspective of No Cracks In A Closed Loop (and I adore Tails getting to be a badass and pulling off the impossible, too- my brain just likes to spin on the angst sometimes)" - @manynerdthings

A/N: So I was inspired...

I think it's safe to say this helped a lot xD Thank you, manynerdthings!

This is a continuation of my fic "No Cracks in a Closed Loop"

No Cracks in a Closed Loop — Sonic's Side

"Sonic."

That single word—no, just the voice alone—was enough to cut through the adrenaline rush as pure chaos energy sang through his veins and ignited every nerve with its spark. In a flash of light and sound, Super Sonic punched a hole through the Starfall-titan-wanna-be by using his own body as a projectile. A cocky grin cut across his muzzle as it wobbled in place, setting its sights on him instead of the city it had been about to level; its laser cannons aimed directly at the fault line.

This fight wouldn't last twenty seconds. They'd already won.

"What's up, partner?" Sonic said into the comm as he shot skyward.

The streak of gold drew the mech's cannon higher, until it cleared the tips of skyscrapers and nearby mountaintops by the time it shot at him. The laser's heat didn't even singe his fur, firing at full power into the stratosphere instead of drilling deep into the crust of the planet. It zinged past the satellite Tails was communicating from, but Super Sonic's gaze didn't linger on it for more than half a second—already more than certain it was out of the laser's range. Speeding through the air, he whirled around towards the mech for his next move. He was going to cyloop Eggman's newest addition to his junk pile right off its feet. 

Swerving down in a sharp arc, Super Sonic avoided the next blast while he swung around to try and circle it. It's clawed hand swiped at him before he could complete his first circuit. He shot straight up before it could catch him, homing attacking it in the face instead.

The comm was still quiet. Tails must've swapped to their own channel. Super Sonic flew backwards, putting both the titan and the distant satellite in his line of sight. Whatever he had to say, he didn't want anyone else to hear it.

Super Sonic's brow furrowed as a barrage of bullets opened up on him. He weaved between the hundreds of projectiles glinting dangerously in the sunlight, but his chaos energy and speed worked in tandem, as fluidly as a dance, while he searched for another opening to try the cyloop again.

He could beat this thing without it, sure, but it was the fastest way to take it down.

"Tails? Still with me, bud?" Super or not, Sonic still spared a second to check in, static ringing in his ears as he burst through the center of the mech's chest plate for a shortcut.

"I'm here," Tails answered, but his voice sounded faint, like the feedback was drowning him out. "Sorry, I…" Super Sonic started his cyloop. "I just wanted to—" He was halfway around. "I'm sorry—"

Sonic closed the loop. A burst of chaos energy swelled up with a deafening boom. The air rippled with the force of it in great gusts of wind that rocked the trees and the grass of the nearby hills. Waves rose up in the bay, their white caps scraping the bottom of the golden bridge that marked the edge of the sea. The fake titan lifted into the air, sparks crackling off its metal casing as its system overloaded. Super Sonic didn't give it a second to recalibrate itself.

Faster than anyone could see, he smashed into it on all sides. A tiny mote of golden light against the towering behemoth, but it struck every weak point, fried every circuit, as the chaos energy pressed in on it from the outside. Metal crunched and caved it on itself, contorting into a twisted configuration until it no longer resembled a machine.

A cheap imitation of the ancients' attempts to defend themselves, designed only to destroy instead of protect.

Super Sonic grabbed onto mech's arm—or maybe its leg, it was hard to tell at this point—as the cyloop's effect faded, catching it before it crushed Westopolis. He swung it around and around, gritting his teeth as he built up momentum and set his sights on the ocean out ahead of them. Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh—

Super Sonic let go.

The mech's remains were flung through the air, over the coastline and beyond the bridge that cut off the bay from the sea. It crashed into the water, the ocean spray shooting up into the air in a tower of mist once it hit the surface. The waves rolled aggressively towards the coastline, but ultimately broke apart in the bay before they could do too much damage. Some millionaires might have to replace a yacht or two, but that wasn't Sonic's problem.

As he dusted his hands off, he could finally acknowledge the warning bells Tails's last words to him had set off. "Hey, what was that, bud? I didn't catch—"

Super Sonic turned towards the satellite, addressing it like he would Tails, but it was gone. Instead a cloud of smoke filled the space where the satellite had been not ten seconds ago. Metal shards and fire rained upon the bay. Everything in pieces. Everything gone.

His comm was in chaos. Unintelligible voices shouted over one another in a cacophony of white noise that was already fighting a losing battle to the ringing in his ears. But he still noticed one voice was missing. He couldn't hear it.

He hadn't heard any of it.

Over the sonic boom of his cyloop and the screeching of metal as he demolished the titan, Sonic hadn't heard the satellite explode.

The satellite his little brother was on.

He'd been trying to tell him something.

He'd been trying to tell him something before a satellite exploded with him on it.

"I'm sorry."

Tails. 

Super Sonic shot off like a bullet, speeding towards the black cloud of smoke and smoldering debris like there was even a chance—

No. There had to be a chance—

"I just wanted to—I'm sorry—"

Why? What happened? What did you do, Tails?

He hadn't even properly seen him off before he left. Tails had been trying to hack into Eggman's satellite remotely while Sonic was out chasing after the faux titans. He told them all about his plan to board the satellite and everyone agreed it sounded like the right call, so long as he could do it quickly. They needed to disrupt the signal, after all, and Tails was their best shot.

That was what he'd said, wasn't it? "You're our best shot, Tails. I believe in you, partner."

Their best shot, but not the only one. Not if it meant this.

Nothing was worth this.

Sonic didn't need to breathe while super, but his lungs still burned twin holes in his chest as his own nervous system caught fire. Golden sparks flicked off his quills as he raced through the air. Fiery eyes frantically scanned each scrap of metal that fell, but they must've already been irritated from the smoke because they burned and blurred with the rest of the world around him—

"—onic, wait! Come back! Sonic!"

One voice.

Super Sonic stopped. He stopped so fast and so suddenly, it felt like his own soul completely missed the memo. Like everything inside him continued to hightails it towards where Tails had been without him, leaving him empty. Hollow. Cold.

A vacuous space in the center of himself where there'd once been something. 

The chaos energy inside him didn't know what to do with that.

With so much… nothing.

Stunned, he could only float in place for a stupid second until he remembered he'd stopped for a reason. With a sharp turn, his stare locked onto a splash of orange amidst the blotchy colors of the rest of the world bleeding into one another. Like he was still moving too fast to see clearly. Like he couldn't catch up to himself.

"Sonic…" Tails's voice broke like it had on the comm, but it wasn't with pain guilt fear regret static.

Vision clearing, Sonic could see him now. At the edge of one of the hills overlooking Westopolis and the bay. Tails just rubbed at his nose with a sheepish sort of grin, like the explosion was a minor miscalculation. A hiccup. My bad, he could hear him saying, like he was standing in the middle of his workshop, covered in soot and singed fur, one hand on his hip and a fire extinguisher at his feet.

Like he was fine.

Like he hadn't been incinerated in the fiery inferno smoldering above them.

Tails lowered his hand, eyes shining as they looked up at him, reflecting the very sky Super Sonic was caught in as the satellite's remains fell all around him. He'd been on that satellite. Just seconds ago, Sonic had been so sure of it.

He'd been so sure he'd lost him…

Then Tails opened his arms to him and laughed.

All at once Sonic crashed back into himself, chest heaving with a sharp inhale as his heart lurched forward. 

Faster than a blink, Super Sonic barrelled into Tails and sent them toppling down the hillside. They smacked hard against the ground, but Sonic took the brunt of the fall even with the world spinning around them. His arms encircled Tails tightly, one hand protecting the back of his head while the other braced the small of his back as they tumbled and whooped like a pair of idiots. Pure joy radiated through him, burning brighter than the chaos energy coursing through his quills. It knocked the emeralds right out of him. The seven gems fell into the grass around them as the two mobians eventually rolled to a stop.

Sonic clutched Tails to him, shaking with breathless laughter as he felt his little brother hug him back just as tightly. "I'm here," Tails was saying, and it took a minute to realize he'd been repeating the words while Sonic's hands were trembling. "I'm here. It's okay, big bro. I'm here. I’m here."

"And you say I'm the one that's gonna give you a heart attack," Sonic wheezed, not bothering to give himself room to breathe if it meant letting go for even a second.

"Can't let you have all the fun." Tails smoothed his hands over Sonic's spines to try and settle him, his touch purposeful and grounding. "Deep breaths, big bro. You're gonna pass out."

"Nuh-uh," he argued, but filled his lungs with his next inhale anyway, then let all the air ease out of him.

"That's it. There ya go," Tails encouraged, but Sonic couldn't help his snort of indignation at being coddled and pushed away from him. 

Except Tails just tightened his grip; fingers curling in his fur like they'd be forced apart if he didn't. He hid his face in the crook of Sonic's neck, his breaths coming only a little too fast. But his hands were shaking, too, and his twin tails wound around them both as if they were enough to protect them from the next threat. 

Sonic didn't pull away. He just sat back, the eleven-year-old practically in his lap, and rested his hand atop Tails's head.

"Gave me a real scare there, pal," he said, voice low and gentle as he smoothed out his fur, picking at the grass and brambles they were both covered in.

"…Scared me, too."

Sonic's heart clenched, the open admission like a bludgeon to his protective instincts, even if his pride assured him Tails could handle it. After all, the proof had all but climbed into his lap. But now that he was looking at him—really looking at him—he could see his fur was mussed up from more than just a tumble at supersonic speed. A streak of blood stained his fur on his shoulder and there was a lump near the center of his back that filled Sonic with an angry fire hot enough to burn through the atmosphere when he so much as brushed against it with his fingers. 

Tails didn't flinch when he grazed it, but his muscles gave an involuntary spasm that rippled beneath his fur and his hold on Sonic tightened. It was enough to quell the roiling rage to a simmer. Something he could stick a lid on without worrying it would boil over if left unchecked. It wasn't what Tails needed from him right now.

But Sonic still wanted some answers.

"What happened up there?" he asked. 

Tails shook his head. "Just a bit of a closer call than I thought it'd be. But I'll be okay. I am okay."

Sonic instinctively bristled, prepared to be shut out of whatever it was he'd gone through. "Tails—"

"I'll tell you someday," he promised, pressing his paw over Sonic's heart. "I mean it. But right now we've got a lot of Eggman's mess to clean up. There's still six other titans out there and I'm sure everyone else is worried."

Sonic sighed, as exasperated as he could manage when he was still just glad this kid was alive. "Gonna hold you to that," he threatened, ruffling his fur to muss it up on purpose. "You owe me. Nearly shocked the Chaos Emeralds right outta my system."

"Says Mr. Guy-Who-Loves-Adventure," Tails teased as he pushed himself up to stand. "You should be used to it by now."

Sonic snorted when he was offered a hand up, but he took it nonetheless. "When I go gray early, I'll know exactly who to blame."

"Don't worry. I'll help you dye your quills, old man," Tails snickered, but it broke off with a wince as a sharp twinge ran through his back.

Sonic was quick to lay a supportive hand at his hip to steady him. "Look who's talking. At this rate, you're gonna be right there with me setting the record for the world's youngest old timers."

Tails sent him a look, but accepted the help nonetheless as he leaned his weight against him. "Did you really have to knock us all the way down the hill like that?"

"Heh. Well, in my defense, wasn't exactly thinking straight." Sonic scratched at his nose, giving him a not-so-subtle onceover. "Didn't bang ya up too bad, did I?"

"Nah. I'll bounce back," Tails assured him, giving him a pat on the back.

"You always do," Sonic agreed warmly as they took a few steps in tandem so they could start collecting the Chaos Emeralds on their way back up the hill while Tails alerted everyone to their status on his comm and checked in on everyone else as well.

Sonic just listened, taking in the rise and fall of his voice, his steady assurances and sighs of relief to hear that the world hadn't fallen apart in his absence. Even if it very nearly did. As far as Sonic was concerned, anyway.

But he was okay now. That was what mattered. And whatever it was that happened on that satellite—whatever reason Tails had for calling him seconds before disaster—he would trust that his little brother would come to him when he was ready. Because he'd be there for him. No matter what.

Keeping his arm looped around Tails’s waist even after they made it back up the hill, Sonic looked up at the smoke still fading from the sky. He tightened his hold on him. It felt like another lifetime, like another him had first seen the explosion and feared the worst. Tails followed his gaze, quiet again with all the calls taken care of and winded from the uphill climb. Through his labored breaths, there was the slightest tremor that traveled from his chest to where he stood pressed against his brother.

"…Scared me, too."

 "Hey, whatever happened up there," Sonic broke the silence, his voice drawing Tails back down beside him. "Whatever you did, I'll bet it was seriously way past cool." He glanced over at him, waiting to catch his eye before giving him a wink.

All too easily, Tails grinned up at him, the shape of his smile the spitting image of his brother's. "Way past is definitely one way to put it."

———

Five years later…

———

"You've been quiet all day, partner. Something going on in that big brain of yours?"

Everyone else had split off for the night. Team Dark vanished sometime after lunch, after Rouge once again tricked Shadow into accompanying her, and Team Chaotix had an appointment for their next case. Amy took Cream back home to Vanilla while Tangle and Whisper left to help Jewel out with some Restoration business.

Which left just Sonic and Tails lounging on the couch; the former picking up where Vector had left off in the game he'd been playing, tapping away at the controller while the latter watched.

Tails hummed in acknowledgement, so Sonic let him have a minute of quiet to collect his thoughts. He picked at one of Whisper's cinnamon muffins, crumbs scattering across the coffee table, but he didn't eat any of it. He hadn't had much of an appetite since slinking out of his lab earlier that afternoon.

It probably had something to do with the quiet and the way he'd been kinda clingy. Sonic had planned on going for a run as soon as Tails retreated back to his lab to tinker with whatever gadgets he had tucked away back there, but he seemed pretty content to stay curled up on the couch beside him. Still, Sonic could adapt. He kicked his feet up onto the coffee table and slumped back into the cushions as he wandered aimlessly around in a game he couldn't remember owning.

"Do you remember that time you went up against Eggman's seven fake titans?"

Sonic let out a low whistle. "Boy, is that a blast from the past. What about it?" 

When Tails didn't immediately continue, Sonic pressed the pause button, then shifted against the cushion to sit up and face his not-so-little-anymore bro. The sixteen-year-old fox tore his gaze from the screen to watch him instead, eyes bright from television's glow. Looking at him like that, for a split second, Sonic could still see the insecure, little fox kit he used to be in the way his shoulders hunched up as if to make himself smaller. To take up less space in the world.

Sonic draped one arm along the back of the couch, leaving space for him to lean into if he wanted it. No matter how big he got, there'd always be space for him.

Tails scooted closer and rested his head against Sonic's arm. "I needed to disrupt the satellite signal powering the Chaos Emerald vaults, but Eggman locked me out of the remote connection so I had to access it directly—"

"On the actual satellite," Sonic interjected, fingers drumming against the back of the couch. "I remember."

Tails released a long exhale. "Well, he set a trap. A way to slow me down so I wouldn't be able to unlock the emeralds for you in time. The same code that would disrupt the satellite's signal would also cause it to self-destruct. Eggman banked on me having enough self-preservation that I wouldn't engage it without trying to disable that function first."

"But you set it off anyway."

"I set it off anyway," Tails confirmed with a decisive nod. "It was the outcome with the highest percentage of saving people. The fastest way to help you guys. I thought I could get out in time. I should've gotten out in time," his voice lowered, eyes distant as if he was reliving the moment right there on their couch. "But I couldn't. Not on my own. I needed… help."

Sonic tried to follow him there, even if he didn't much like to relive that day in his waking hours. "So you called me."

"Not… exactly." Tails sat up straighter so he could look him in the eye. "I knew you'd come get me if I asked, but then countless lives would've been lost if the titans had gone on unchecked, even if just for a couple of seconds. Sometimes that's all it takes…" Tails's fist clenched as he dropped his hardened gaze to his lap. "I made the call to initiate the self-destruct in order to save people. I couldn't take that back. I couldn't take you away from them. Not again."

A younger Sonic would've snapped at him—would've argued over the value of his life with him until he wasn't the only one blue in the face. But at twenty-three, Sonic had fought more of these battles than he cared to count and never once walked away a winner. So he sat back, held his tongue, and let Tails explain himself.

"I called you to say goodbye," his voice lowered to a whisper, "I wanted to give you that, at least.”

He'd had a feeling. It wasn't one he dwelled on freely, but sometimes the thought wandered in uninvited. Moreso during the first couple of months after the incident, when everything was still fresh and closer to their present.

Before Sonic could respond, Tails pressed forward. "But then an older version of myself traveled through time with two Chaos Emeralds to save me. He said it was the only way. Because at the time, only the two of us knew what transpired on the satellite. We created a temporal paradox, a loop without a proper origin, but as long as it was contained between the two versions of me, nothing could disrupt it. That's why I couldn't tell you before. I wasn't sure… I didn't know if the future version of myself had told you what happened and if that would open up possibilities in the time stream that would botch the encounter entirely." Tails lifted his gaze to seek out Sonic's again, and he could see the eleven-year-old sitting in front of him like it was that very same day. "I'm sorry. I wanted to tell you."

"Nothing to apologize for, bud. I get it. I wouldn't want to mess up the time stream for that particular moment either." Sonic shifted the arm draped along the couch so he could cup the back of Tails's head, idly ruffling the fur there. "But if you're telling me all this now…" he drawled, moving to scritch behind Tails's ear. "Charmy wasn't the one who swiped Shadow's Chaos Emerald earlier, was he?"

Tails shrugged, muzzle quirking up on one side. "When he showed up with it today, I just had this feeling that it was time to make my move…" Tails explained. "I've been feeling it for a couple weeks now, to be honest. I had all the equipment I'd had on me that day and I looked close enough to how I remembered. I knew I probably had to go back soon. Just needed everything to align so no one would interfere. Today seemed good…"

Sonic tilted his head as Tails trailed off, his eyes still a little distant. "Well, you made it back in one piece, didn't you? Mission accomplished."

"Yeah. Mission accomplished," he echoed, but whatever was on his mind continued to fester. "I thought I made a mistake."

"Hm?"

"There were only three seconds left," Tails whispered. "I thought I messed it all up. I thought I killed us both—"

"You—"

"I was so sure it would work because it already had, but there was still the possibility I could've gotten it wrong. I could've caused a split in our realities. Created two timelines where I ceased to exist, except in this one no one would've known what happened to me and two of the Chaos Emeralds would be lost to time. How would any of you have known where to look?" Tails rambled, pressing his hands over his face. "I estimated the time of day with a standard deviation of a couple of seconds, but those seconds could've been what killed us—"

"Hey, hey, hey," Sonic hushed, shifting to wrap both arms around his little brother as he slumped against him. "You didn't. You're here. You're right here with me, see?" He gave him a firm squeeze, smile tugging at his muzzle as Tails hugged him back tightly. "Atta boy."

"Stupid…" he mumbled into Sonic's shoulder. "Why does this still work so well?"

"Heh. What're big brothers for?" Sonic huffed out a chuckle. "Listen, you can't live a life of what-ifs, bud. It'll drive you outta your mind. I should know. And I know you know that, too." He felt Tails's nod against his cheek. "You did exactly what you set out to do. And heck, you used the Chaos Emeralds to travel through time! When did you learn how to do that, huh? Holding out on your big bro?"

Tails snorted, but it got him to relax enough to pull back. "Figured if I could use Chaos Control, time travel was just an added boost. Like adding a supercharger to the Tornado's engine."

"Tch. You figured." Sonic rolled his eyes, but the warmth in them was nothing but fond. "Give yourself a little more credit. You did something incredible today, Tails. You defied time and space to save yourself. And not only that, you gave yourself a future to look forward to. Because who wouldn't want to turn out to be like you?"

It was Tails's turn to roll his eyes, though it was his own chuckle that betrayed him. "That's what I told me."

"And wiser words were never spoken," Sonic assured him as he gave his knee a firm pat.

"I dunno. Could make a case for the consequences of rewriting timelines and creating unsustainable permutations of past and future events." Tails grinned.

"Now you’re just being smart," Sonic snorted.

"Well, I am a genius." Tails bumped his shoulder to Sonics. "But I also learned from the best. Even eleven-year-old me picked up on that."

"Well, he's a genius, too. He knows what's up." Sonic slung his arm around Tails’s shoulder, this time his turn to watch as his brother picked up the video game controller to continue where Sonic left off. 

He let him, taking his turn to be content as he watched Tails figure out the game faster than he did and go farther than Sonic could. They said nothing for a few minutes, Tails working out the rest of his pent up feelings through the game while Sonic quietly processed what he'd just been told. He wasn't a stranger to time travel, not by a long shot, but even so, it wasn't what he thought the answer to that day had been. As much faith he had in his best friend, his self-sacrificial tendencies were something he couldn't help but take notice of. After all, he'd learned from the best, hadn't he?

But it wasn't with bitterness or disdain when he set his gaze on the teen beside him. That wasn't possible; not when he saw every age at once. Not when he was in absolute awe of how far his kid had come. 

"Tails."

"Sonic," Tails answered instinctively, matching his tone with the hint of a crooked smile.

"Thanks for saving him."

Tails blinked and paused the game so he could look at Sonic. In the light from the television screen, green eyes glimmered with a depth that took him back to a younger version of his big bro, who was trying to do everything in his power to be there for him. Because he wanted to be. Because he needed to be.

One tail curled around Sonic's back and draped over his lap, giving back the same reassurance he always gave so freely.

"Anytime, big bro."

[arkaniske]

Say it like you Mean It.

AO3 Link \\\ Chapter Four: Gardenias.

4500 words \ SFW \ Jayvik

Beta read by @kitcatkim

Summary: Five times Jayce brought flowers for Viktor and one time Viktor brought Flowers for Jayce.

“You know…” Jayce began, his voice a touch more nervous than he intended. He reached a hand out, hoping Viktor wouldn’t see the slight tremble, and plucked one of the blooms from the nearest bush, careful to not disrupt the rest of the display. He twirled the flower in his fingers, its petals soft and pristine, before holding it out toward Viktor. “These… I had them ordered for tonight. I thought… you’d might like them.”

Chapter One: Daffodils \\\ Chapter Two: Sunflowers Chapter Three: Bluebells \\\ Chapter Four: Gardenias Chapter Five: Camellia \\\ Chapter Six: Red Camellias Chapter Seven: Language of Flowers

The grand hall was alive with the murmur of conversation, the occasional sound of laughter weaving through the soft music drifting from the corner of the room. Jayce adjusted the cuffs of his jacket for the third time since arriving, the intricate gold embroidery tracing along the edges of his suit gleaming under the light of the chandelier. Beneath his jacket, a crimson shirt stood out boldly, paired with a fitted white vest that cinched his frame. Delicate patterns of gold stitched into the vest mirrored the accents on his jacket, tying the ensemble together with a quiet elegance. A burgundy tie completed the look, its golden tie clip shaped like a gear, a quiet nod to his work.

The air smelled faintly of champagne and polished marble, a refined kind of luxury he should have been used to by now, but never quite felt at home with. He made his rounds, offering firm handshakes and easy smiles to donors, inventors and ambassadors. It was second nature to him at this point, a charming face to smooth over concerns and build bridges where others might falter. The perfect face of ‘a golden boy’.

He was tired. He hadn’t even been there for a full hour and he wanted to leave. Even worse, Viktor hadn’t even shown up yet and at this point Jayce was concerned he would have to do this alone. His eyes scanned the halls for the hundredth time, searching for the familiar silhouette of his partner. Part of him hoped Viktor had decided to skip the event and avoid the fuss, but another, more selfish part of Jayce wanted him here. To share the evening, to make it feel less overwhelming, even if it meant hiding away together in a corner of the room.

Just as he accepted a glass of champagne from a passing server, the low murmur of the crowd shifted, the energy in the room tilting. Heads turned towards the entrance, conversation fading as eyes followed the new arrival.

And then Jayce saw him.

Viktor stood at the edge of the room, his cane tapping against the marble floor as he surveyed the space. His attire was unlike anything Jayce had ever seen him in. A deep crimson suit trimmed with golden embroidery tracing delicate patterns along the lapels and cuffs, catching the light with every subtle movement. Beneath the tailored jacket, a black waistcoat fastened with ornate brass buttons, completed a high-collared black shirt. A corset hugged around his waist, crimson threading laced in subtle hexagonal patterns that almost mirrored the designs of their hextech.

His hair, usually a little tousled from hours of work, was combed neatly back, though a single strand curled rebelliously near his temple. And his face, his fucking face — Khol lined his sharp eyes, making their golden hue all the more striking, and a faint dusting of gold at the corners of his eyes caught the light like sunlit embers.

Jayce forgot how to breathe.

Viktor moved with the same deliberate grace he always did, unhurried yet commanding attention with every step. His golden eyes scanned the room briefly before landing on Jayce. For a fleeting moment, Viktor’s lips curved into a faint smirk, the kind that Jayce rarely saw but always left him reeling.

Oh fuck.

Jayce swallowed hard, his hand tightening around the stem of his champagne glass. This isn’t fucking fair, he thought. How can he look like that and be so nonchalant. Does he not understand— can’t he see what it’s doing— I’m not going to survive this. It was unfair how just with one look Jayce’s carefully constructed composure turned into rubble. How his knees felt useless, how his breath stopped, mouth dry, head empty. He came to the horrifying realization that fairness held no place here — not when Jayce was perfectly content to surrender.

Viktor approached slowly, weaving through the crowd with practiced ease, greeting a few donors here and there with polite nods but never lingering. Jayce barely registered the words of the person next to him, his entire focus drawn to the way Viktor’s golden embroidery gleamed under the light.

When Viktor finally stopped in front of him, Jayce’s brain short-circuited. It took him a moment before he found his words, and even then he only managed a “Oh. Uh- I-… Hi… Hello.”

“Good evening, Jayce.” Viktor replied, seemingly unphased by the state he had left his partner in. His gaze swept over Jayce before pausing at the gear holding his tie in place. Once more Jayce found himself incapable of breathing as Viktor reached out for the pin. His fingers lightly tracing the outer cogs as a curious hum came from him. “How fitting. And complimenting of your golds.”

Jayce stared shamelessly, caught off guard by the simple touch— which wasn’t even touching him, just his pin. Which was more than enough it seemed like. The sound of someone clinking glasses together in the distance brought him out of his spell. Blinking a couple of times before returning back to his body.

“Oh, yeah, uh… Thanks. You’re, um, making quite the impression yourself.” Jayce gestured vaguely at Viktor’s attire, hoping he didn’t sound as flustered as he felt.

“An impression was the goal, yes.” Viktor answered as he pulled his hand back. Seemingly unaware of, or entirely amused by, Jayce’s inability to form a coherent thought. He adjusted the cuff of his sleeve with deliberate precision, drawing attention to the shimmering gold woven into the crimson fabric. The motion was casual, almost dismissive, but the faint tilt of Viktor’s head suggested he was waiting for something.

Jayce’s gaze followed the subtle flicker of gold as if drawn by a magnet. It was a pretty pattern and he had to stop himself from reaching out to trace his fingers along the familiar— oh fuck. The realization hit him like a freight train. The embroidery was familiar. The motif, intricate and delicate, mirrored the very design Jayce himself wore. He blinked, unsure if his mind was playing tricks on him. His gaze trailed from Viktor’s golden cuffs up to the embroidered lapels of his jacket, where the same elegant patterns glinted under the candlelight. It was subtle enough to blend seamlessly into Viktor’s attire, but unmistakable once noticed.

Jayce noticed.

His eyes darted back to Viktor’s face, searching for some sign, some hint, that he wasn’t imagining it. But Viktor, ever composed, simply finished adjusting his cuffs, tilting his wrist ever so slightly as if to give Jayce a better view. It was so subtle, so deliberate.

“Is something wrong, Jayce?” Viktor asked, his tone calm, though the faintest hint of amusement found its way in to his question.

Jayce opened his mouth, then closed it, struggling to string together his words. “You’re… You’re wearing gold.”

Viktor raised an eyebrow, his gaze trailing back to Jayce. “A keen observation, well done.” His tone dripping with sarcasm but holding no bite.

“No, I mean—“ Jayce fumbled, his ears burning hot as his eyes flicked between the golden embroidery and golden eyes. “It’s… It matches. Like— you match, uh… You match me.” He felt his voice almost give out by the end of his sentence. Once again he found himself dizzy in Viktor’s presence.

Viktor’s eyes flicked to Jayce’s jacket, his expression betraying nothing. “Perhaps,” he said evenly, though Jayce did not miss the slight upward quirk of Viktor’s lip. A warmth settled in Jayce’s chest as he realized he was being teased. Viktor was simply playing with him, and Jayce did not know the rules. “A coincidence, surely.”

Surely, right? Surely it wasn’t a complete coincidence— For a moment Jayce allowed himself to hope. To hope that it was more than a coincidence, that Viktor had showed up to a public event purposely donned in patterns belonging to Jayce. To purposely show how the two were bonded, even if just by golden thread woven into cuffs and lapels.

“That’s… Subtle.” Jayce managed to say, words escaping before he could stop them. He wanted to say more, to ask if Viktor had done this for him, because of him, but the thought alone made his pulse roar in his ears.

“Subtlety,” Viktor said lightly, his attention now scanning the room although leaning closer to his partner as his voice lowered for just the two of them to hear, “is an art, Jayce. Perhaps you will pick it up one day.”

The tone of Viktor’s words wasn’t enough to mask the flicker of warmth that crossed his face when his gaze returned briefly to Jayce. And just like that, Viktor stepped forward, his cane tapping against the marble once more as he joined the crowd, leaving Jayce rooted in place.

Jayce counted 8 seconds before he could move again. He quickly finished off his glass of champagne, reaching for another glass to empty just as quickly. His eyes never leaving Viktor’s back as the man walked away, easily finding himself in a new conversation.

This truly was not fair at all.

\\\

The room had grown even more alive as the evening stretched on. Jayce found himself right back in his element. Seamlessly moving between groups of people with a beaming smile. A firm handshake here, a healthy laugh there and the occasional clink of champagne glasses. Yet, no matter how engaging the discussion, his eyes kept flickering back to Viktor.

Viktor had situated himself near a quieter corner of the hall, surrounded by a small circle of eager patrons. He spoke with measured words, his dry humour weaving through the conversation sparking a few laughs along the way. A practiced smile formed over his lips whenever someone attempted to amuse him — or said something particularly ignorant. Jayce couldn’t help but admire how Viktor handled the crowd with calm authority.

For his part, Viktor didn’t seem entirely unaware of Jayce’s gaze. Once, their eyes met across the room, Viktor’s eyebrow arching as though to silently say, Focus, Talis. Jayce chuckled under his breath, shaking his head as he returned back to his conversation.

Jayce was nursing his fourth glass of champagne in the 3rd hour of the gala when he spotted it: Viktor standing by one of the towering windows, the soft glow of the moonlight catching the gold accents of his suit. At first glance, it seemed like another conversation, the kind that Viktor excelled at. Calm, controlled and efficient. But as Jayce’s attention rested on the encounter he caught the way the man Viktor was speaking to leaned in a little too close. Jayce felt a twitch in his upper lip as he watched the man place his hand on Viktor’s upper arm while laughing. The stranger’s body language screaming entitlement as his touch became a little too casual to be respectful. Jayce’s eye twitched when the man all but caressed Viktor’s shoulder.

Jayce’s chest tightened, the hum of the party fading into the background. He placed his glass down and took a slow step forward, his brows furrowing as he watched the exchange. Viktor’s usual poise was intact, but there was something in the tight set of his jaw, the faint flicker of annoyance in his gaze. It told Jayce everything he needed to know. Viktor was not enjoying this.

The donor, an older gentleman in an expensive suit that screamed wealthy and self important, leaned even closer. His voice carrying just enough for Jayce to catch fragments of his words: “… Incredible mind… So much brilliance to waste in a dark and boring lab… Perhaps a private meeting would better suit our… Discussion…”

Viktor’s grip on his cane tightened, his polite smile turning razor-sharp. “I appreciate your enthusiasm,” he said, his tone dripping with venom, “but I assure you, my work is not confined to private interest. Now if you could be so kind-“ Viktor lifted his cane to the hand resting on his shoulder, using the handle to push it away, “if you touch me again without my explicit consent, I will-“

“Viktor! There you are!” Jayce was quick to cross the room once he realized that it was not Viktor that was in danger, but rather the donor. His voice carried just enough warmth to feel natural, his smile polite but eyes sharp. “I hope you don’t mind me stealing Viktor away. We have a rather pressing matter to discuss.”

The donor, who by now looked flustered with his hand resting on his jaw, blinked. Clearly startled by the threat and the sudden presence of Jayce. “A-ah… Well, I-“

“Thank you for your support.” Viktor interjected, his tone cool and final. He allowed Jayce to guide him away, movement fluid as if they’d done this a hundred times before. The man sputtered behind them, but neither of them had the care to look back.

Once they were safe from prying eyes and ears, Viktor turned his gaze to Jayce, eyes narrowing slightly. “A pressing matter, hm?”

Jayce let out a breath he hadn’t realized he was holding. “Ah… It seemed like you were uncomfortable. More so, it seemed like he was about to have his teeth sold to the black market of Zaun.”

“I was handling it.” Viktor’s lips twitched with a hint of satisfaction. Jayce was no stranger to his partners threats, with or without the promise to carry them through. He’d once been threatened with rat poison in his coffee for leaving out one too many half eaten sandwiches. He still found himself smelling cups of coffee whenever Viktor brought one to him.

“I know you were.” Jayce replied, his voice low. “You always do. But he was being pushy. Touchy. And…” Jayce trailed off for a moment, eyes flickering away from Viktor. “It, uh… made me mad. Upset.”

“You are upset… For my sake?” Viktor asked. His question asked with a curious tone that almost bordered on surprise.

Jayce didn’t hesitate. “Of course I am. You don’t deserve- I-“ His eyes found Viktor’s again. “He was out of line, he shouldn’t have put a hand on you or talked to you in the manner he did! No one has the right to talk to you like that, you deserve- Y’know what, he was a bitc-“ Jayce cut himself off as a nearby patron shot him a glance as the volume of his tone increased more than anticipated. He cleared his throat, giving them a polite smile before looking to his partner apologetically.

Viktor, however, looked absolutely delighted at Jayce’s outburst. A light chuckle followed the smile before Viktor shook his head in amusement. “It seems your concern may be rivaled only by your jealousy.” There was still a light laugh to Viktor’s words as he spoke.

Jayce opened his mouth to protest, but the words seemed useless now. He glanced away, rubbing the back of his neck. “Maybe…” He muttered.

For a moment, Viktor simply regarded him with a fondness. With a quiet hum, he gestured to the balcony doors nearby. “Come. I believe we deserve a break.”

Jayce nodded, following Viktor out into the cool night air. The sound of the gala faded behind them, replaced by the rustle of a breeze. For the first time that night, Jayce felt like he could breathe.

The cool air swept over them, a pleasant change compared to the heavy air inside. For a moment, neither spoke, the quiet of the night settling between them like a welcomed companion. Jayce almost felt his ear buzz with the sudden silence and lifted his gaze to the garden. It stretched out below them, illuminated by soft lanterns, their glow mirrored by the stars above. His eyes flickered to the small bushes of flowers decorating the balcony.

“I had almost forgotten how suffocating these events can be.” Viktor was the first one to break the silence, his gaze fixed on the horizon.

Jayce leaned against the balcony railing, stealing a glance at Viktor’s profile. The moonlight softened the sharp angles of his face, casting his features in silver and shadow. There was a serene calm to Viktor now, one that was so rarely present. It tugged at his heart.

“Yeah…” Jayce finally replied, his voice quieter than he intended. “It’s all… A lot, sometimes. The people, the noise, the… Expectations.”

Viktor hummed in agreement, the sound low and thoughtful. “And yet… You navigate it so seamlessly.” He said, turning his gaze to Jayce.

Jayce’s lip twitched into a faint smile, though he couldn’t quite meet Viktor’s eyes. “You give me too much credit.” He muttered, his fingers trailing along the cool marble of the railing. “And it’s not like I’m doing it alone. You are here. You— It helps. It’s… grounding.”

The admission hung in the air between them, and for a moment, Jayce saw something flicker across Viktor’s face. He had seen it before, when kneeling in front of his partner and tending to his hand. He recognized the vulnerable softness. Viktor shifted slightly, leaning his cane against the railing as he turned to face Jayce fully.

“Perhaps we balance each other out.” Viktor said, his tone quieter now. “I keep you here on the ground, and you bring us both to new heights. And then, together, we make it through these evenings.”

Jayce laughed softly, filling the air between them. “Guess that makes us a pretty good team, huh?”

“Indeed it does.” Viktor replied, his lips curving into a gentle smile just for his partner. Jayce’s chest ached with longing although he was standing so close to Viktor. His fingers brushed the cold marble, a faint tremor betraying the urge to reach out.

Jayce was the first to let his gaze fall, drifting back to the bushes of white flowers arranged meticulously in the space around them. Their soft, fragment blooms illuminated by the lantern light.

“You know…” Jayce began, his voice a touch more nervous than he intended. He reached a hand out, hoping Viktor wouldn’t see the slight tremble, and plucked one of the blooms from the nearest bush, careful to not disrupt the rest of the display. He twirled the flower in his fingers, its petals soft and pristine, before holding it out toward Viktor. “These… I had them ordered for tonight. I thought… you might like them.”

Viktor blinked, clearly caught off guard. His gaze shifted from the flower to Jayce, then back again. Slowly, he reached out and accepted the bloom, his fingers brushing against Jayce’s in the exchange. “Gardenias, yes?” Viktor murmured, studying the flower as if it were some intricate puzzle. His tone was controlled and yet Jayce didn’t miss the faint note of surprise beneath it.

“Ah, yes, they are gardenias. Julianna brought them for the event.” Jayce explained quickly, suddenly feeling the need to fill the silence. “You, uh… probably remember her. She’s the florist I-“

“- procured the sunflowers from.” Viktor finished, his lips quirking slightly. “Yes, I recall her.”

Jayce chuckled more nervously than what he’d like, running a hand through his hair. “Yeah, well… I thought they would be nice. For you. I guess, another flower for you to collect...”

“It is… a beautiful gesture, Jayce.” Viktor’s attention lingered on the flower for a moment longer before he shifted his gaze back to Jayce. His voice blooming with warmth. “Thank you.”

For a moment, Jayce couldn’t find the words to respond. Before he could even think it through his hand moved, gently covering Viktor’s where it cradled the flower. “It’s… you deserve it.” Jayce said, his voice barely above a whisper. “You deserve everything, Viktor.”

The words came out raw, unfiltered and heavier than what he’d had intended. He hadn’t even planned to speak them, he hadn’t planned to say anything at all, but now that they were out, it burned in his chest. Leaving him exposed and vulnerable in a way he hadn’t expected.

Once again they found themselves in the heavy silence Jayce had thought of so often in their shared moment when he had tented to Viktor’s hand. The subtle shift in their partnership filled Jayce with a warmth that reached his very core, embers he once had smothered in fear of disappointment he now found himself stoking into a pyre. He no longer cared if he burned; he would gladly let it consume him if it meant keeping Viktor warm.

Viktor’s eyes widened slightly, his honeyed gaze locking on to Jayce’s. His lips parted as though he was about to speak, but nothing came. Instead, he simply stared, expression softening into something unguarded.

Jayce felt the silence as a quiet permission to continue speaking. His heart racing as he searched for the right words, as if they hadn’t been sitting at the tip of his tongue for months— maybe even years.

“I don’t mean just tonight, or… or the work you do.” Jayce continued, his voice trembling with the effort to keep it steady. “It’s you, Viktor. Everything you are. You- you deserve more than I can probably ever give, but still… I still want to try.”

The words tumbled out of him, one after another, each one heavier than the last. Each one an ember to burn warmer. His grip on Viktor’s hand tightened ever so slightly, reassuring him that his partner was still there. Thumb brushing against Viktor’s knuckles as he stared at their joined touch. I need to be closer.

He found himself all but stumbling a step forward. Closer. “I don’t know if you—“ Jayce felt his voice give out, his question too big to ask. The words simply hovered on the edge of his tongue, too heavy and vulnerable to release. He swallowed, hesitation thick in his throat as he tried regardless. “I don’t know if you see— if you…”

He didn’t finish, couldn’t finish, because Viktor’s gaze flicked to his lips.

It was so quick, so quick that Jayce almost doubted he’d seen it, but the heat that rushed through him told a different story. He could hear Viktor’s breath hitch, the light flush in his partner’s cheeks— Jayce had not imagined it. The world narrowed to the faint space between them, to Viktor’s eyes, now wider, softer and more open than Jayce had ever seen.

“Viktor—“ Jayce found himself calling his partner’s name with the same low voice Viktor once had spoken to him with in the quiet of their lab. A raw whisper pleading for more. He could see the faint rise and fall of Viktor’s chest, to feel the heat radiating between them.

Kiss him.

The creak of the balcony door shattered the fragile silence between them like a hammer to glass. Jayce’s words died on his tongue as the sound of footsteps followed. He flinched as the spell broke, hand reluctantly pulling away as if he’d been caught doing something forbidden.

“Mr. Talis, Viktor.” A voice called out from the doorway, polite but firm. “The hosts are requesting you both inside.”

Jayce’s heart sank as he turned towards the intruder, his shoulders stiff with frustration. He forced himself to remain composed, offering a tight-lipped smile to the stranger, although his thoughts were… turbulent. If looks could kill. Viktor shifted beside him, his expression sliding back to its practiced composure.

“Of course. We will be right there.” Viktor said smoothly, his tone devoid of the vulnerability Jayce had just witnessed. It was like a mask slipping back into place, and Jayce’s chest ached at the sudden distance.

As the doors closed, leaving them in their solitude again, Jayce let out a shaky breath before turning to Viktor. “I’m sorry.” He said quickly, the words tumbling out before he could stop them. Anxiety had quickly choked out the embers at his core and with Viktor standing so far from him he felt cold and hollow. “I- I didn’t mean to—“

Viktor raised a hand, palm outward to stop him from continuing what he could only assume to be another ramble. His injured hand remained steady on the railing, the flower still nestled between his fingers. “Jayce.” His tone was calm as he gave a light shake of his head, as if to dismiss any thoughts of doubt Jayce was harbouring.

“I… I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable.” Jayce tried again, his voice soft and sincere. “I—“

“You did not.” Viktor’s interruption was quiet but firm, a final warning to the anxieties of his partner. “It has not been unwelcome. You have not offended me, Jayce.”

The weight of Viktor’s words settled over him like a blanket he hadn’t realized he needed. He nodded, but it wasn’t enough to ease the pressure building in his chest. His hand twitched at his side, caught between the urge to reach out again or stay anchored where it was. The reassurance only heightened the ache gnawing at him, a yearning to let out everything still trapped in his chest.

His gaze fell on the gardenia still cradled in Viktor’s hand. It felt so small, so fragile in contrast to everything else— yet Viktor held it with the same care and attention he gave his work. As if it mattered. As if the petals were embroidered with golden thread spelling out their hidden words.

Devotion. Commitment. Affection. I adore you. My soul is with yours. Please see me as I see you. It wasn’t just a flower, it was an admission, a hope, a quiet plea. It had all been so close to the surface but never close enough. He wanted to speak, but instead he just stood there. Trying to commit every detail of this moment to his memory.

“We should go inside.” Viktor said after a moment, straightening himself and brushing his hand lightly against the railing as though grounding himself. “They are waiting.”

“Yeah.” Jayce agreed, his voice quieter than he meant it to be. “Right. Let’s not keep them.”

They turned towards the door in unison, but Viktor hesitated before stepping through. Jayce paused behind him, watching as Viktor’s fingers flexed briefly around the flower. Then, in a motion so subtle Jayce almost missed it, Viktor let the gardenia rest against his lapel before tucking it into the small pocket above his heart.

For a brief, reckless moment Jayce considered scooping Viktor up and running away. Unfortunately, that was not socially acceptable. So he had to do the next best thing; stepping beside his partner and gently resting a hand at the small of his back. He felt Viktor lean into the touch ever so slightly.

Jayce considered kidnapping again.

Viktor looked over to him, eyes flickering with gratitude, hesitation and warmth. “Shall we?” He asked with a gesture into the room.

Jayce nodded. As they stepped back into the ballroom the noise and light swallowed them once more but even here, that small shared moment clung to him like a spark waiting to ignite.

[mixermixey]

Hans' heart plummeted as he saw the red dripping in waterfalls from where an arrow was buried in Henry’s shoulder, the blacksmith’s boy’s body shaking as he tried to prop himself up. He clawed in confusion at the ground to find grip, but Henry’s arms wouldn’t hold him. He didn't have long left, Hans had to save him. There was simply no choice. His best friend. His only friend. If Henry would die… Then…

//

What might Hans have been thinking as he dragged a nearly dead and feverish Henry through the woods?

[amtrak12]

By the gods, this can't be happening. This fic I want to post on May 18th is already on pace to be another 10k+ fic. How can I be a missionary for the joys and wonders of a sub 5k fic if I keep writing one-shots that are over 10k words long??? 😭

[phantom-thieves-official]

> decide I want to do another take on the pegoryu valentines fic.

> wuh-oh.jpg

i'm. not even to the confession part lmaoo

[supervisormeero]

Why do all of my crack fics become serious fics

[rakkikuroba]

If hypothetically, i wrote about GLaDOS raising a human baby, would you hypothetically read that?

[words-with-wren]

oh we cookin' tonight. Gonna give you all a tiny little sneak peak.

Bill laughed, a crackling, gravely laugh that sounded just enough like Stan’s laugh to be utterly horrifying. Ford blinked back tears and forced himself to look up.  “How are you here?” he demanded. He needed information. Information and then he could think and he could fix this.  He could fix this, right?  How could he fix this that was Bill Cipher!  “Oh, it was easy,” Bill said, and he stumbled forward to retrieve the knife, all but slamming into the wall, looming over Ford. Ford pushed himself back a base, but Bill still towered over him, grinning, bleeding. “Just had to make a few deals.”  “Stan would never,” Ford managed. He needed to do something. Stan needed his help!  Bill just laughed. 

[not-poignant]

Daily excerpt from today's writing, chapter 9 of Constellations:

'It's... I've been struggling with trying to understand why you chose Crielle over me. I know that sounds- I know you were very upset and you'd just been badly hurt by my partner, so I can see a lot of really logical reasons why, but you've also been badly hurt by Crielle, and I'm just trying to understand... I suppose I want to know if that was all me. Just you hating me.'  Efnisien was silent for a long time, so long that Gwyn thought he had an answer. Finally Efnisien inhaled sharply.  'I don't remember all the details about that night very well,' Efnisien said, looking down at his legs. 'But I remember at some point you said something like...I'd changed. Or like it was obvious I'd changed from who I used to be. But that night, I hated myself for everything that happened so much. To me, everything was my fault. Me being punched in the face was my fault. Me being attacked and hurt by Kitson was my fault. Me being at a kink club I never should have been at in the first place was my fault. All I saw was this cascading thing of how bad I was for everyone around me, and so you said I'd changed, and I knew I hadn't changed at all. It was like... I knew I'd ruined everything. My relationship with Arden. My friendship with Kadek. I knew I deserved that. And there you were telling me you could see that I'd changed, and I couldn't stand the idea of you believing that. So I couldn't... So I shut you out.'  Efnisien looked up towards a bookcase, and he smiled to himself.  'You know it wasn't a choice, in a way. I didn't choose her over you. I knew I couldn't risk you believing I'd changed when I knew I was the worst person I'd ever met. And then I just wanted someone who could tell me what to do, maybe. Someone who also believed I was the worst person, and who could fix everything. To me it didn't feel like I picked her over you. It felt like I was...removing you from getting hurt more. Even you being at the door, I just felt like I kept hurting everyone around me. You sounded so upset, and that was also because of me, something I'd done, some reaction I'd had.'  Gwyn couldn't think of what to say for a long time. 

[solarsong-writes]

Sneak peek of Chapter 5 of Lives Etched onto Our Palms, a reincarnation AU for Kanamafu using the 2024 Kanamafu prompts!

---

Face smudged with grime, dirt buried underneath fingernails, and dust coating her lungs with every breath; Mafuyu trudges along a jagged broken path, the withered plants crumbling beneath her boots. It’s unfortunately reached the time of year where the heat becomes sweltering, and the only relief from the unforgiving sun are the dust storms that blot out the pale grainy sky. 

Sometimes when she closes her eyes she dreams of a blue world, a forgiving world. A world where each breath was not labored, where every step was not pained.

But Mafuyu only knows the dust filled yellows and browns, the harsh oranges, and the charcoal gray of dark clouds. 

Rumbles sound in the distance, and Mafuyu quickly searches for shelter, spying the ruins of a giant statue. She can make out another figure hunched beneath it, however. There’s not enough time to be picky though – she’ll have to take the risk. 

Mafuyu slows her fast paced steps down to a cautious walk. Raising both hands in surrender, she ducks under the overhang. “May I share this space with you?”

[a-thousand-breadcrumbs]

somehow switched from making the plot of my vampire au to working on my “other” ghirazant fic

[cosmicanamnesis]

i have officially surpassed 60k words in the book!

[fierce-little-miana]

“Yeah, my next fic is a one shot!” I say, as my next fic is 23 pages long.

[carrotsofthepirabbean]

The last 2 days has actually been the most productive writing days of my last 10 years I swear

[grayintogreen]

Woof. I dont have a day off until Christmas Eve and then I have three days off in a row (if I’m lucky), but I am staring down the barrel of so much holiday retail BS between now and then. Save me little hits of dopamine! Save me!

[fanfic-inator795]

Of all the things to finally break my writer’s block, I both can and can’t believe that it was fucking Perryshmirtz that did it.

(Okay well technically Perryshmirtz and Slay the Princess - which is an AMAZING game and I’m begging y’all to either play it yourselves or watch a playthrough of it - but still, it just goes to show you never truly forget your childhood OTP)