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sartle-blog · 3 years

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Reimaging a Renaissance Man: Leonardo da Vinci in Fate Grand/Order

(Source: Aniplex)

In Delightworks's mobile game Fate Grand/Order, you’re challenged to save the world with the help of historical figures and legends. In most cases, those historical figures turn out to be far different than you’d expect. Sometimes a person like the famous shogunate swordsman Okita Souji is changed to a female without explanation, but more often than you’d expect, the game is surprisingly clever in how it incorporates historical facts about the characters into their design. If you go into a history class and start to argue that King Louis XIV was secretly female, you might get kicked out. Looking past the anime images on the surface though, there is some art history to be learned from Fate.

(Source: Aniplex)

Leonardo da Vinci in particular is a great example of this. Leonardo is genderbent to be female, with the explanation that his search of perfection and beauty led him to redesign his body into the Mona Lisa. Also, she’s a little obsessed with the painting.

Left: Mona Lisa by Shimokoshi (image: Aniplex) Right: Mona Lisa by Leonardo da Vinci in the Louvre

Fate also features a lot of art, called “craft essences” that come with effects to assist you while equipped in battle. Most of which have no historical basis except for, obviously, the Mona Lisa.

(Source: Aniplex)

As a mobile game, Fate rotates time-limited events and one called “Da Vinci and the Seven Counterfeit Servants” featured three craft essences inspired by famous masterpieces. They were earned by collecting Leonardo’s famous manuscripts and counterfeits of all his masterpieces and writings.

Left: Maiden Leading Chaldea by pako (image: Aniplex) Right: Liberty Leading the People by Eugène Delacroix in the Louvre

Collecting Leonardo’s manuscripts rewarded you with Maiden Leading Chaldea inspired by Delacroix's Liberty Leading the People. In it, Liberty has been swapped out with Joan of Arc, referred to as Jeanne D’Arc in Fate, whose flag is as inspiring to your in-game army as Liberty’s was to France. In the bottom left, you can spot Gilles De Rais, who was a close ally of Jeanne, but this is the Bluebeard version of Gilles, not the noble warrior he was prior to Jeanne’s death. In history, Gilles de Rais was a companion-in-arms who fought alongside Joan of Arc. But after retiring from the military he became known for an interest in the occult and was convicted as a child serial killer. The story of his horrible murder spree was the inspiration for the Bluebeard fairytale.

On Jeanne’s right is Hans Christian Anderson who’s holding up papers in place of guns because words are his weapons and the pen is mightier - well you get the picture. In the back are other in-game characters, but neither have a historical counterpart, so moving on.

Left: The Merciless One by Aoi Tsukimoto (image: Aniplex) Right: Pietà by Michelangelo, in the Apostolic Palace

The counterfeit manuscripts give you The Merciless One, based on the Pietà by Michelangelo who was a close friend of Leonardo (in Fate lore not so much in real life). This features Jeanne D’Arc Alter who is a dark version of Joan of Arc. In the image she’s cradling the pre-Bluebeard version of Gilles de Rais, the noble warrior who fought bravely by her side. The art mirrors Jesus being held by Mary after his crucifixion with Gilles de Rais’s fall into evil.

Left: The Scholars of Chaldea by Cherokee (image: Aniplex) Right: The School of Athens by Raphael in the Apostolic Palace

The last famous art inspired craft essence of the event was The Scholars of Chaldea. You received this one by collecting fake copies of Mona Lisa, Self Portrait, and Vitruvian Man. This piece was inspired by the painting The School of Athens, but specifically just Plato and Aristotle in the back center. In it, Dr. Roman (your in-game boss essentially) and Leonardo are featured as the two great minds whose partnership will help save the world.

Leonardo Da Vinci also has two side quests focused on her, both of which, while fictional narratives, feature a few winks and nods to lesser-known facts and paintings from the artist’s life.

Tobias and the Angel by Andrea del Verrocchio in the National Gallery London

In the first, she’s traveling with you to London and casually mentions she was the model for the archangel Raphael in Verrocchio’s painting in the National Gallery. Based on that brief description it's most likely Tobias and the Angel to which she is referring. There’s no historical evidence to back her claim as a model but it's possible (the real-life) Leonardo did assist in the painting of the piece and if so it's his earliest work as a painter.

(Source: Aniplex)

You don’t get to visit the National Gallery to see the piece, instead you make your way to the British Museum to see Leonardo’s old friend “Mikey”. It’s the only appearance that Michelangelo makes in Fate so far, and Leonardo makes a point of saying that he’ll be unable to return in the future. She speaks of him fondly as a dear friend, calling him the other “uomo universale” but since he’s a lingering ghost and the game is mainly combat-based you do have to kill him. Rest in peace Mikey.

In real life, Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo were known rivals. Their best known interaction was a pair of commissions that put them in direct competition with each other. They were hired to paint battle scenes on the same wall of a Council Hall in Florence. Long story short, neither finished their work and they parted on unfriendly terms. But, it is thought that despite their rivalry they both had a private respect and appreciation for the other’s work.

Drawing of Michelangelo’s David by Leonardo Da Vinci in the Windsor Castle, The Royal Collection

At least on Leonardo’s side, we know Leonardo did a sketch of Michelangelo’s David for example. In Fate, Leonardo mentions more than once how much she admires David, but in real life Leonardo likened Michelangelo’s depiction of human musculature to a “sack of walnuts.” Maybe he meant that, maybe he was just bitter.

If Michelangelo ever drew any of Leonardo’s works we’ll never know since he torched most of his sketches right before he died. At the core of their interaction in Fate, Leonardo is basically saying that Michelangelo was the closest she ever had to a true equal to her level of genius, at least in the field of arts. That aspect might have held true for real-life Leonardo.

Virgin of the Rocks by Leonardo da Vinci in the Louvre

Leonardo’s second side quest focuses a lot on her mother and the painting Virgin of the Rocks. It’s not known if she’s talking about the one housed in the Louvre or the one in the National Gallery. She’s referring to both but mentions she can’t remember if one was painted by her apprentice. Based on the museums’ descriptions of the two versions, they were both done by Leonardo himself. She says that while painting the Madonna she found herself longing for her mother and that’s what prompted her to bring her mother to come stay with her in Milan.

Leonardo says this with a twinge of regret, remarking that by moving her mother to Milan she may have unknowingly shortened her life and caused her to fall ill. In actual history, there isn’t much known about Leonardo’s mother. He writes in his journal of a Caterina, who is strongly believed to be his mother, that visited him in Milan but died within a year. Her cause of death is also up for debate so the tragic narrative suggested by Fate’s Leonardo does seem to be a fictional invention. It’s been theorized by some that Mona Lisa is based off of Leonardo’s mother. When asked about this in Fate, she says no but adds she’s sure her mother had a wonderful smile.

In the side quest, Leonardo also mentions going way past the deadline for the commission of Virgin of the Rocks and getting really annoyed when she found out how much the patron wanted to pay for the piece. This has some historical basis, the description of the version in the National Gallery says it was possibly made to replace the original since Leonardo wasn’t paid adequately for the first and sold it elsewhere.

(Source: Aniplex)

Next in the side quest, you encounter Leonardo’s assistant Gian Giacomo Caprotti who she refers to as Salaì. How she describes him in the above image seems to be historically accurate. Salaì is a nickname that means “little devil” and he stole from Leonardo often. Leonardo da Vinci wrote of him frequently in his journal, mostly documenting what he broke and how much Salaì’s father would have to repay him.

Despite all of his antics, Salaì lived with Leonardo for thirty years and was even left half a vineyard in his mentor’s will. So when you run into his ghost in Fate, it's pretty clear Leonardo was hoping for a real reunion but since he’s an evil ghost who can’t talk you have to put him out of his misery just like with Mikey. Rest in peace little devil.

(Source: Aniplex)

Lastly, Fate introduced a second Leonardo Da Vinci, called Da Vinci Lily, and she is a reference to a unfinished masterpiece of Leonardo’s. This version is also known as Gran Cavallo, the name of a horse sculpture the real-life Leonardo was unable to ever complete.

(video source: Aniplex)

She’s also supposedly modeled off her childhood appearance... if Leonardo looked like the Mona Lisa as a child.

Design for a fighting vehicle by Leonardo da Vinci in the British Museum

Da Vinci Lily is in command of an armored vehicle called the Shadow Border. The Shadow Border, which was built/designed in part by Da Vinci, bears some similarity to an armored tank Leonardo designed in his journals.

Studies of Horses by Leonardo da Vinci in the Collection of the Royal Library, Windsor Castle

In real history, Gran Cavallo was to be the largest equine statue ever created, but at the time Leonardo’s attention was divided between The Last Supper and countless other projects. He created a clay model of the piece meant to be later cast in bronze, but French bowmen used it for target practice when they invaded Milan. He was never able to recreate it and the story goes he never stopped mourning the project.

Left: Bella Lisa by Simosi Right: Mona Lisa by Leonardo da Vinci in the Louvre

Da Vinci Lily also got her own version of the Mona Lisa, called Bella Lisa.

On the other end of the spectrum of historical accuracy in Fate, Thomas Edison is a lion, for reasons having nothing to do with his life or career. So while the same can’t be said for every Fate character, the design and writing around Leonardo da Vinci feels like a loving homage to the life and work of the universal genius.

By: Danielle DeVeaux

#leonardo da vinci #fate grand order #mobile games #art references #art in video games #art history #fun stuff #history of art #renaissance painters #mona lisa #michelangelo

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hellomynameisbisexual · 3 years

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Dr. Lauren Beach was 14 years old when she/they first came out as bisexual. Beach revealed the truth to friends and curious classmates at her/their suburban Michigan high school. The reactions varied, but not many were affirming.

"I experienced a lot of people who eroticized my attraction to femme people. It's like, 'oh, you're bi. That's so hot,'" says Beach, who has a Ph.D. in molecular, cellular, developmental biology and genetics.

Other friends asked Beach if she/they were doing it for attention. Beach says only three people, including Beach, at her/their school were openly out as queer. Instead of being embraced by them, Beach received flak for her/their sexuality.

"One of the other people there who was queer was like, 'You're a fence sitter! You're a switcher. You can't be trusted, you might date men after dating me," recalls Beach.

This kind of biphobia, which perpetuates stereotypes, hatred, and prejudices about bisexual people, is not uncommon — even (or sometimes especially) within the queer community. Stigma against bisexual people stems from a larger culture of homophobia, Rory Gory, digital marketing manager of the Trevor Project, an LGBTQ youth suicide prevention and crisis intervention organization, wrote in an email to Mashable.

"Since bisexuals often move between straight and queer spaces, they are subjected to both homophobia and biphobia," Gory explains.

Bisexual people make up a sizable population within the LGBTQ community, given more than 50 percent of queer people in America identify as bisexual, according to the Williams Institute. The think tank does research on sexual orientation and gender identity to ensure stereotypes don't influence laws, policies, and judicial decisions. To be clear, bisexuality means a person is attracted to more than one gender. It doesn't mean bisexual people are more sexually active than others or going through a phase (two common myths).

As a teenager, Beach bought into stereotypes about bi people. But now 22 years later, she/they are a professor at Northwestern University where she/they focus on the health of bisexual people and works to dispel myths about them. Additionally, Beach co-founded the Chicago Bisexual Health Task Force, a coalition that advances the heath equity of bisexual people.

Mashable spoke with Beach, and representatives from advocacy organizations such as the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), GLAAD, and the Trevor Project to learn about the unique challenges bisexual people face and how to be an ally.

1. View bisexual people as individuals

It's easy to lump a single group together but resist that trap. Like anyone else, bisexual people are individuals and their personalities and preferences vary. As Beach says, "there's not one single experience of bisexuality."

For example, Beach is asexual or ace. This means Beach doesn't experience sexual attraction, but she/they are romantically attracted to people across the gender spectrum. One can be both asexual and bi, with some asexual people preferring to identify as biromantic. Although many asexual people are not interested in having sex, some may choose to engage in sexual activity; asexual people can have varied preferences and experiences. Beach's experience doesn't mean all bisexual people feel the same way.

Getting to know more bisexual people can help scrub away your pre-conceived notions. You could already have friends who are bisexual and not know it. Be open about your intentions to learn so you can tear down your misconceptions about bisexual people, Beach recommends.

"You'd be surprised by how many people are like 'Oh, I'm actually bi. Let's talk," says Beach. "From understanding the breadth of experience, you personalize people."

2. Challenge negative stereotypes

As you expand your knowledge about bisexual people, speak up when you hear people perpetuating harmful misperceptions. Sometimes we don't even know we've absorbed negative stereotypes if we're not informed, says Mackenzie Hart, coordinator of GLAAD's Media Institute, which advises media, television, and film professionals on accurate LGBTQ representation.

An easy way to interject when you hear a myth about bisexual people is to say, "Actually, that's not true, my friend who is bisexual does not fit that stereotype," suggests Hart. It can also help to arm yourself with accurate statistics to further back up what you're saying, says Madeleine Roberts, HRC's assistant press secretary. HRC is a helpful resource for these stats.

"Barsexual" is a hurtful label often used to demean bisexual people. It refers to the incorrect belief that bisexual people will only interact with certain genders when they are intoxicated, explains Hart. It upholds the myth that bisexual women are actually straight as it implies they only flirt or make out with women when drunk. It also contributes to bi erasure, which GLAAD says happens when "the existence or legitimacy of bisexuality (either in general or in regard to an individual) is questioned or denied outright."

You should also push back against the harmful stereotypes that bisexuals can't be trusted to commit to a relationship, says Gory. "Embrace bisexuals as valid members of the [LGBTQ] community, rather than referring to them as 'allies' of the community."

Additionally, you can be an ally by understanding certain words and promoting proper usage. For example, you can clarify the difference between bisexual and bi+. Bi+ is an umbrella term inclusive of people who are pan, queer, fluid, and those who don't prefer labels. Use the full acronym of LGBTQ rather than gay as an umbrella term for queer people, explains Roberts. By taking these steps, you can "create spaces where people are hearing these words," says Hart.

3. Healthcare providers need to educate themselves

One time, a clinician asked Beach how many sex partners she/they had.

"I was like, OK, what do you mean by sex?" says Beach. The practitioner questioned why Beach would ask this. Beach told the clinician she/they are bisexual and, therefore, needed clarification about what sexual behavior she was referring to.

"She got really uncomfortable and said 'deep vaginal penetration,'" says Beach. "She started off guessing. She said, "you seem like a nice girl. So what is it, like one or two people?"" says Beach. The provider then said, “So, what you’re saying is more than 30 or 40 people.”

"It shows how someone [in a healthcare setting] can make this jump based on biphobic stereotypes of what my sexual behavior would be,” explains Beach.

After that encounter, Beach never went back to that doctor. To this day, Beach doesn’t have a designated primary care provider.

“I have to work up the emotional energy to want to go put myself through that potential experience," Beach says about seeking out healthcare.

Beach's experience isn't uncommon. Biphobia may discourage bisexual people from going to the doctor, with 39 percent of bisexual men and 33 percent of bisexual women reporting that they didn't disclose their sexual orientation to any medical provider, according to a 2012 study by the Williams Institute. Comparably, 13 percent of gay men and 10 percent of lesbians did not share their sexual orientation with a doctor.

Providers shouldn't presume anyone's sexual behavior because they know their sexual identity, says Beach. Hart echoes this advice. A doctor once asked Hart, "Are you seeing anyone?" Hart said no. She then asked, "If you were seeing anyone, would you be seeing a woman, a man, either, or other?" It wasn't perfect, Hart says, but asking open-ended questions that are inclusive of gender nonconforming people made Hart comfortable enough to see her again.

"Even if you aren't sure of certain words... you can make it clear you aren't going to be judgmental and you understand there's a wide array of experiences," says Hart.

4. Uplift bisexual people of color

Roberts recommends following prominent bi+ people of color on social media such as singer and actor Janelle Monáe, NFL player Ryan Russell, writer and transgender rights activist Raquel Willis, and politician Andrea Jenkins to become familiar with their lives. The next step is to share their stories with your friends and family.

At last year's Academy Awards, actor Rami Malek won Best Actor for his portrayal of British singer Freddie Mercury. Malek described Mercury as gay during his acceptance speech but Mercury was actually bisexual. Willis called out the bi erasure in a tweet.

Of the four people Roberts listed, two (Willis and Jenkins) are transgender. Just like one can be asexual and bi, one can also be transgender and bi. In 2015, the National Center for Transgender Equality surveyed 27,715 transgender people from every state and D.C., U.S. territories, and U.S. military bases abroad and 14 percent of respondents described their sexual orientation as bisexual.

To ensure you're not erasing transgender bi+ people's identities, always use inclusive language like "siblings" instead of "brothers and sisters," says Roberts, when addressing people as if they're family. This guarantees you're not assuming every bi+ person (or anyone generally) identifies as either male or female.

Taking into account the role intersectionality plays in the lives of bi+ people is important — especially when you're looking to amplify their voices.

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chinamarketingblog · 1 month

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Pizza statt Pisa – Uber Eats beweist Sprachwitz in Werbekampagne

Bereit für ein Sprachquiz? Uber Eats Taiwan hat eine kreative Werbekampagne entworfen, bei der mit Homophonen gespielt wurde … Welche Bestellung kann geliefert werden und welche nicht? 點得到 oder 點不到 – das ist hier die Frage! Die ersten beiden funktionieren auch im Deutschen: Keine Bären, sondern Gummibären (熊, xiong); kein Turm von „Pisa“, sondern „Pizza“ (比薩, bisa). Statt „hongdeng“ (紅燈, rotes…

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#Außenwerbung #China #China Competence #China Marketing #China Marketing Blog #China Think Tank #Dr. Dr. Andreas Tank #Homophone #Kaufhaus #Marketing #Shin Kong Mitsukoshi #Sprachquiz #Sprachwitz #Taipei #Taiwan #Uber Eats #Werbekampagne

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fallenhero-rebirth · 4 years

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Hi! :-) I'm pretty bad at reading between the lines and understanding subtext, especially since English isn't my first language, so I thought it'd be easier to ask: when did The Big One happen? Was the world previous to that 'normal' (similar to ours)? What exactly did they do to MC at the farm? What, exactly, is a regene? Sorry for so many Q's, lol. I really love Fallen Hero but I feel like I'm missing a lot of information, or maybe not all of it has been published yet. Gr8 work! 🖤

The world before that was not entirely like ours, it diverged around 1900 or so. If our world focused a lot on the space race, atomic power, atomic bombs, getting to the moon, flight, satellites and things like that, the FH world focused a lot more on medical tech and what we would call cyborg tech. It’s behind on things like cellphones and the internet (think mid nineties for that) and we never went to the moon. Putting the new and updated timeline below.

A ReGene is a vat-grown body implanted with an artificial intelligence mind. They tend to be boosted in various ways, and subject to intense modifications since they have no rights, they tend to be used for experimental new technologies. If they die, they just grow more.

What the MC did at the Farm is spoilers.

History of the Fallen Hero world.

1945: World War II ends, but the technological arms race continues. The United States and the Soviet Union both 'recruit' available German and Japanese scientists, taking full advantage of what they learned from the more unconscionable experiments during the war.

1951: The Korean War very nearly turns nuclear when the first Chinese Type 52 bipedal tanks help push the UN forces out of the mountains and nearly out of the country. Though clumsy and slow, they prove to be useful in the mountainous terrain, leading to an upswing in the power armor industry.

1955: The Soviet Union announces that it has successfully created the first functional, cybernetic limb replacement. This is widely considered the start of the Cyber Race.

1957: The Soviet Union manages to successfully interface man and machine, leading to a quantum leap in power armor technology as bipedal movement patterns become a lot more organic.

1960's: The US repeatedly releases new versions of its power armor suits as the Vietnam war rages, the lighter, more maneuverable armors being more suitable for the terrain. Various upgrades for soldiers are becoming more and more common, and the nickname 'Mods' is coined for those changed by the cybernetic implants.

1968: The first so-called 'Masked Heroes' appear in public, Modded veterans from the Vietnam war angered by their treatment at the hands of the government and the public. Very soon afterwards, new villains also take to the stage, and the police find it increasingly difficult to deal with disturbed people who have military training and equipment.

1971: A metabolic diet pill launched without proper product testing turns out to have uncommon and dangerous side effects. Though most users die or are crippled, a certain lucky few develop powers hitherto unseen in humans. The pill is quickly nicknamed the 'Hero Drug' and though it is pulled off the market, use and research continues. People who have gained powers are nicknamed 'Boosts' in the media.

1976: The Hero Drug is declared an illegal narcotic, banned after causing the deaths of untold thousands of people. Still, the lure is too strong, and research moves underground and behind securely-locked corporate doors.

1979: Wei Chen, who will later be known to the public as Marshal Steel, is born.

1980: The Year of Hell. The Big One hits the West Coast, and the San Andreas fault causes a massive earthquake to strike Los Angeles, which triggers the Cascadia subduction zone a few days later. The massive earthquake and resulting tsunami throws the whole West Coast into disarray with more than 150,000 estimated dead and missing. As if this was not enough, three months later the Mammoth Lake volcanic system reawakens, and the resulting eruption destroys any hope of quickly salvaging the west.

1980-1990: Aftershocks ravage the West Coast, halting any rebuilding effort. Little by little rebuilding turns to evacuation, all efforts being put into getting the Midwest back on its feet to regain a stable food supply. Food riots are common and several armed uprisings against the increasingly-authoritarian government are struck down by the military.

1981: The US government is nearly paralyzed by refugees as well as the rain of ash covering most of the Midwest. President Clark declares martial law.

1982: ${ortega_name} Ortega, also known as Charge, is born.

1984: Los Angeles is renamed 'Los Diablos' in 'The Angels of Los Diablos,' a famous documentary about the rescue efforts.

1986: The GeniTech corporation patents the creation of lab-grown stem cell organs, revolutionizing the transplant industry.

Late 80s: Estimated birth of ${name} ${surname}, later known as Sidestep.

Early 90s: Fed up with the suffocating yoke of the federal government and martial law, more and more people start moving back into the ruins of the west, starting the recolonization. A disproportionate amount of these people are Enhanced heroes and villains, both Mods and Boosts fleeing government control.

1992: In an effort to increase private industry investments, the West Coast is declared a free economic zone, where there will only be the bare minimum of federal government oversight. No taxes. No regulations.

1992: The GeniTech corporation patents whole-body stem cell clones, allowing for large-scale harvesting of replacement organs. Following a tumultuous debate about the ethics involved, GeniTech is one of the first companies to move their corporate headquarters to Los Diablos to escape regulation.

1993: The Re-Gene project is first revealed in a New York Times article, claiming it dates back to the seventies with the goal of making androids for use in war. The author, Tim Mazetti, was killed in a traffic accident soon afterwards. The future Ranger, Lady Argent, is born.

1996: Los Diablos is up and running: the first Mayor is elected, and it is starting to look more and more like a functional city. With the huge changes to the coastline, large tracts of the South Bay are abandoned and the city shuffles inland. The future Ranger, Herald, is born. Chen drops out of high school.

1997: Appalled at the lack of law and order in the free economic zone, or the FEZ as people call it, the newly-elected President Ross creates the Marshal system. Recruiting some of the most famous masked heroes of the region, he funds the 'Rangers' initiative in order to stem the worst excesses of the Enhanced populace. Chen joins the army, gets a boyfriend. Mount Hood is one of the founding members of the Los Diablos Rangers, as is Sentinel.

1998: Chen is deployed overseas, SE Asia. Sentinel joins the Rangers.

1999: A breakthrough in energy technology leads to the first plasma reactors, leading to ever more compact cybernetics. Hollow Ground self-declares as the kingpin of Los Diablos. Chen's boyfriend is killed. Chen has an accident with an IED and loses his hands. His body proves to handle mods well, so apart from his hands the army invests in an access port for armor interface as well. Ortega has their accident and is used as a test subject for their cutting edge electrical mods and spinal column. Chen and Ortega meet in the hospital during rehab. Mount Hood becomes Marshal Hood of the Rangers.

2000: Intent on regaining lost influence, the US flexes its muscles in the Middle East. This leads to a series of proxy wars with the ailing Soviet Union. Chen gets deployed there, now piloting an armored suit instead of a helicopter. The first known sighting of a Re-Gene on the battlefield. Chen sees Re-Genes on the battlefield. Ortega debuts as Charge, sponsored by a military subcontractor because they want to see how the mods perform.

2001: Steel is sick of the army and what they are doing abroad. He has racked up enough commendations that he's considered a suitable candidate for the Rangers, equipped with a new, shiny armor. Meets up with Ortega again when they are both in for surgery upgrades, and Chen talks him into signing up for the Rangers. Ortega's father dies.

2002: Ortega joins the Rangers. Sentinel officially starts to transition, there's a lot of controversy that Hood shuts down. Sentinel is not fired.

2004: A huge scandal rocks the Re-Gene project after its operatives are suspected of human rights abuses in another proxy war in Panama. It is never brought to court as the Re-Genes themselves are androids with artificial minds, but the scandal moves the project back underground where it has remained ever since.

2005: The Special Directive is formed, rumored to be a black-ops strike team of Re-Genes, deployed against anyone deemed dangerous enough by the government.

2006: Anathema joins the Rangers. The Rangers team up with the Special Directive for a mission. It does not go frictionless.

2007: Ortega is promoted to Marshal after the death of Marshal Hood at the hands of Hollow Ground. Sunstream joins the Rangers.

2008: Sidestep debuts as a vigilante. Charge and Sidestep meet for the first time.

2009: Psychopathor is the villain headliner of that year until finally put to a stop by the Rangers and Sidestep. Dr. Mortum and the Vitruvian are active as villains, but not high key threats enough to be a target for the Rangers.

2010: The Catastrofiend goes on a year long rampage, tearing through the Marshal before disappearing again, a pattern that will be repeated over the years. Ashfall works closely with the Rangers, becoming another associate.

2011: Los Diablos is hit by the Nanosurge, a runaway nano-weapon devouring all flesh before it is contained by an alliance of heroes led by the Rangers. Sidestep plays a vital part in its defeat. Herald takes the hero drug and survives the boosting process. Psychopathor escapes. Sunstream quits the Rangers and disappears soon afterwards.

2012: The Void is looking to expand their Santa Ana territory into Los Diablos, and the Rangers strike back, leading to a final showdown in the southeast deserts. Herald moves to Los Diablos. Dr. Mortum retires from active villain life, focusing on research.

2013: The Heartbreak incident occurs. Sidestep and Anathema are believed to be killed in action. Ortega retires as Marshal and hero, replaced by Steel. Sentinel and Herald meet.

2014: Ortega returns from retirement, joining the Rangers once more as Charge. Steel loses both his legs when he's nearly crushed under a building in the battle against the Catastrofiend that has resurfaced. The Catastrofiend gets securely locked up. Herald gets his first sponsorship (and name) as a corporate hero. Herald debits as a vigilante under a different name.

2015: Lady Argent debuts as a vigilante in San Francisco. Herald gets hired as a corporate hero, and gets his hero name.

2016: Lady Argent joins the Rangers. Steel nearly gets assassinated, losing an arm in the process. Sentinel retires. The Catastrofiend escapes, but disappears after a mercifully short rampage.

2017: The MC returns to Los Diablos under an assumed identity.

2018: Herald joins the Rangers.

2020: The events of Rebirth.

2021: The events of Retribution (the next book)

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lia-jones · 4 years

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Growing Pains - Chapter Eight - Dry Cleaning and Peanut Butter Cookies

I arrived home from the airport by midnight, a dull ache invading my bones. I did not know how Victor endured this pretty much every week, I felt like dropping dead on my bed and come to life in the next century.

I was unlocking my door when I heard footsteps on the stairs. My neighbor Levi was going home too.

“Andrea… You arrived just now?” He asked, watching me with his piercing green eyes.

Levi was, for the lack of a better expression, hot as sin. He was a Krav Maga instructor and a personal trainer, so he was naturally well built. To top it all, he had these green eyes and strawberry blonde hair that framed a masculine square jaw and perky lips.

After I mentioned I practiced Krav Maga back at home, Levi invited me to attend his lessons, and we became good friends after that. He was the only person in Loveland to know about my past abuse, and had taken somewhat of a protective stance towards me.

“Yes… Long business trip. What’s your excuse?” I said, playfully.

“Football and beer. And burgers. Did you come alone from the airport?” He changed the subject, expressing his concern.

“No, my boss drove me. Can I talk to you tomorrow? I’m in dire need of a shower and a coma.” I said, opening my door and putting my bags in. Levi interrupted.

“Actually, I was about to ask you if you can walk Boris in the morning. I have an early class.” Levi asked, making a face.

“Ok, no worries, I’ll walk him. I have your key, don’t worry.” I said, coming into my house and closing the door.

After unpacking, I went to my shower. I let the warm water slide down my body and rinse all the tension away. I thought about these last few days. It was incredible to see that relaxed side of Victor. He seemed to open up a bit, and I couldn’t help but wonder what made him let his guard down for me. But more importantly, I felt like I was slowly letting my guard down too. I was somewhat infatuated, the way I seemed to begin to stir with his gaze or when I heard his purring voice grazed the ridiculous. I shook the thoughts away and just resumed taking my shower.

I went for my purse to get my phone and set the alarm. But no matter how hard I looked, I couldn’t find the damn thing.

My heart raced as I remembered the last time I opened my purse. It was at the airport, as I was looking for my passport. I had taken it from my wallet on a previous occasion and was too lazy to put it back in its place, so I kept it loose in my purse. This time, it was mixed with all the other stuff inside, so I had to take every single item out and put in on the seat next to me before I could find it. Did I forget to put my phone in my purse while I was putting all the other stuff back in? Was it still in Sunset Valley, hundreds of miles away, sitting on the seat? I got dressed and sped to a phone booth to call my own number. The phone was off. Probably still on flight mode, or maybe somebody already had taken it, and removed the sim card.

I also had to call my mother, she should be worried, I didn’t call her while traveling. I looked at the clock, it was midnight in Loveland, which meant it was 7 am in Portugal, way too early to call anyone. I decided to call it a night and go to bed. I would be able to think more clearly in the morning.

It was already 10 am when I woke up, and although my body begged for a few more hours of sleep, the thought of my lost phone made me bolt to the shower. I had a quick breakfast, put on my jeans, my black tank top and a grey cotton drape jacket, with my black sneakers.

I took Boris to the park, where he played in several puddles, getting himself full of mud in the process. I then stopped by the phone booth to call my mother. Boris was beyond agitated, probably wanting to go play again. I held him by his leash, trying to make him still the best I could while I listened to my mom.

“I have been calling since yesterday, where is your phone? What number is this? Did you get in trouble?” My mom almost yelled at me, obviously alarmed.

“No, mom, I lost my phone. I’m taking care of it today, don’t worry. I’m using a phone booth in the meantime.”

“Did you return yesterday? How was the business trip? Did your boss behave?”

“Yes, good and yes.” I said, trying not to get into a lot of detail. I already knew that every word out of my mouth would be scrutinized by Dr. Mariana.

“Hmmm, avoidance. Meaningful.”

Boris was getting more restless by the minute, pulling and tugging on the leash, as I held him tightly in place. But Boris was a silly Saint Bernard, which meant he had the strength to drag me out of the booth if he so desired.

“I have to go, Mom. I’ll call you later.”

At that moment, Boris pulled the leash a last time, finally breaking the metal ring that tied it to the collar. Feeling free, he ran through the sidewalk, happy as a flea in a doghouse, completely ignoring me when I called him. I let go of the phone and ran after him, but I still heard my mom chuckling on the phone, amused by my hardship.

After a minute or two, I found him on the sidewalk, tail wagging, standing on top of some poor passerby laid on the ground, licking his face eagerly. I bolted in their direction, already mentally making up a felt apology, when I heard this distinctive baritone voice.

“Ok, dog, you had your fun. Now get off.”

Seeing Victor like that made me slow down my pace, amused to watch such a scene. Boris sensed me, though, and immediately left Victor’s unwilling lap, running to me instead.

Victor got up and started wiping his clothes with his hands, which made me notice the muddy paw prints on his white shirt and grey pants.

“Is the dog yours?” He asked, minding the stains on his clothes.

“It’s my neighbor’s. And he has been a bad dog, haven’t you Boris? Bad dog.” Boris laid down and hid his head under his paws, ashamed of being reprimanded. I turned to Victor. “Come on, I can help you with those stains.”

Victor seemed uneasy.

“Not necessary. Here, I came to give you this.” He put his hand in his pocket and took out my phone, which made me jump with joy.

“Thank you! I thought I left it in the airport or something. Where did you find it?”

“In my car. It’s a wonder you didn’t lose it sooner, judging by your lack of ability to organize your purse.”

I shrugged and started walking towards the house, Victor by my right side, and Boris on my left, following us. I decided not to dwell on this particular subject, predicting Victor was about to lecture me for being so messy.

“So you made a new friend today.” I said smiling.

Victor scoffed.

“He’s a silly dog, aren’t you, Boris?” I stopped by a red door, the entrance to my building. “Come on in.”

“I just came here to return the phone. Have a good weekend.” Victor said, turning away to leave.

“At least let me get you some coffee for the trouble I caused you. I insist.”

He nodded and came in, climbing the stairs with me. The building where I lived was old, it still had its original wooden floors and very narrow stairs, but I thought it had character. And although I lived in a tiny one-bedroom apartment, the apartment was sunny and had large windows, and a small balcony with stairs leading to the terrace, where I used to go at night to watch the stars. We got in, and it took like ten seconds for Victor to view my entire living room and eating kitchen, so small it was.

“Nothing like what you’re used to, I suppose.” I said while I put some coffee to brew, suspecting he was wondering how could anyone live in such a small place.

“Do you get this light all year?” He asked.

“Yes, it is very sunny all year. Except when, well, it’s cloudy.” I said, rolling my eyes at myself, so stupid. “Let me get you that coffee. Have a seat. I think I may have some cookies.” I turned my coffee pot on and quickly filled it with ground coffee.

“Just coffee is fine. Where should I sit?”

“Go crazy. I’ll follow.” I said, while rummaging my cabinet for mugs and placing two on the counter. “Are you sure about the cookies? They’re homemade. Peanut butter.” I said, fetching the cookies to serve on a plate.

Victor sad on a stool on my kitchen island, eyeing suspiciously the plate of cookies I placed on the wooden countertop. He took one, smelling it.

“You bake?”

“Occasionally. Go ahead, take a bite and then wash it down… With this.” I said, handing him a mug of freshly brewed coffee.

He looked at the cookie in his hand, and finally decided to bite on it. After some chewing and a raised eyebrow at me, he took a sip of the coffee. He nodded in approval.

“Hmmm, good. You bake, who knew.”

“I do not understand your surprise.” I said, pretending to be offended.

He suppressed a smile, looking around the place again.

“I like your place. It’s rare to see something affordable and in such a great condition in this neighborhood.”

“Yes, I was very lucky to find this place.” I said, taking a look at his muddied shirt. “The mud in your clothes is dry, you should be able to brush it off without leaving much of a stain.”

I went to my bathroom and returned with a small brush, handing it to him.

“Now you brush it off. It won’t be perfect, but it will look better.”

Victor took the brush from my hand and started removing the dried-up mud. In the meantime, Boris pulled my sleeve and dragged me towards the balcony, asking me to open the door so he could go lie in the sun. I left momentarily, arriving to find Victor still brushing himself, knitting his eyebrows.

“Is it coming off?”

“Somewhat. It’s still visible, though. It doesn’t matter, I can change when I get home.”

I looked at his clothes, the stains lighter but still clearly there.

“Do you mind if I try?”

He gave me a dirty look.

“Do you find me incapable of performing the simple act of brushing?”

“It takes some skill, you know.” I said, teasing him a bit. His expression didn’t change.

“I highly doubt it, but here. Enjoy.” He said, handing me the brush.

I started brushing the stains off his shirt, and although the stains were indeed hard to brush clean, I managed to get a better result. One would need to be very close to notice them.

As I went on with my task, I started noticing how his body felt warm under his shirt and how good he smelled, his cologne intoxicating me into a daze. Involuntarily, I moved closer to him and reached his shoulder to support myself as I looked for a better angle of the fabric on his chest. When I really noticed, my body was mere inches away from his, his face really close to mine. I noticed his Adam’s apple going up and down and his jugular pulsing fast. And his eyes set on me, his dark grey orbs watching me carefully.

The smart thing would be to step away, of course, but I didn’t. I took in his gentle expression, his scent, his warmth, and I basked in it all for as long as I could. For some reason I felt he was doing the same, and even though my mind screamed for me to run, all my other senses were stubbornly keeping me in place.

I suddenly forgot that I was brushing, as my other hand moved from his shoulder to his chest. I could feel his defined yet soft and warm pectoral, and the fast drumming of his heart under my fingertips. He moved his hand to my waist and pulled me slightly towards him, as to encourage me, and my heart beat even faster, making me light-headed.

And then his phone rang. We both jumped at the sound, my mind taking the chance to sound the alarm, urging for me to step away. He grabbed his phone and answered, his voice faltering slightly.

“Yes, Goldman.” He paused and looked at me. I was already distant from him, trying to steady my heartbeat and not look all flustered. “Okay, you can proceed. I’ll be there in half an hour.”

He spoke to me, already in his usual poised attitude, his expression unreadable.

“I need to go, we are experiencing issues with the servers at the office. Thank you for the coffee and the cleaning service. Get some rest.”

He turned to the door.

“Wait.” I stopped him and went to the kitchen to prepare a bag with some of my cookies. “For the road. I hope you solve those issues in time, so you can rest too. Have a good weekend.”

He reached for the bag, his hand lingering in mine.

“You too. Thanks.”

The door closed behind him and I was left alone, his scent still in my apartment. The rush of adrenaline I felt before gave way to a swelling on my chest.

I smiled like a fool, all by myself, while my instincts warned me about the dangers of falling in love.

#Growing Pains - Series #growingpains #mlqc victor #mlqc fanfic #victor x oc #mlqc li zeyan #mister love queens choice #love and producer

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dreatine · 4 years

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17 People,17 Questions

I was tagged by the wonderful @illegalcerebral Thank you!

Answer 17 questions and tag 17 people! (please make a new post rather than just reblogging!)

* Name: Andrea

* Zodiac: Virgo

* Height: 5’4 1/2 '

* Hogwarts house: Gryffindor...based on some Pottermore quiz I think

* Last thing I googled: menu for Taco Bell

* Song stuck in my head: “Want You Back" by HAIM

* Number of Followers: 500+

* Amount of sleep: 5 hrs if lucky...I'm an insomniac

* Lucky number: 9

* Wearing: lounge shorts and tank top

* Favorite song: 'Life is A Highway' by Tom Cochrane

* Favorite instrument: Don't play

* Favorite Author: Don't have one. Have favorite books but not 1 single fave author

* Aesthetic: Library, California casual with cowboy and boho...I'm all over

* Favorite animal sounds: Cat meow

* Random: I like to eat liver and onions. ( not many people like it, but I do!)

Tagged: @andiebeaword @pastanest @okimargarvez @ironwoman18 @moonlit-martyr @blxck-cxffee13 @spencer-reid-in-a-pool @laceybellerain @bevans87 @imagining-in-the-margins @wishingwellwriting @gretaamyk @cupcake525 @spence-imagines @tjmystic @dr-spencer-reids-queen @erin-bo-berin

#personal

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transportbranche · 8 months

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UTA Edenred nimmt alle Repsol-Tankstellen in Spanien in sein Akzeptanznetz auf

- Kunden von UTA Edenred können nun an über 3.300 Repsol-Tankstellen in Spanien tanken und haben Zugang zu insgesamt 5.000 Tankstellen im ganzen Land - Tankstellennetz von UTA Edenred wächst damit auf mehr als 62.000 Stationen in ganz Europa Kleinostheim - UTA Edenred, einer der führenden Mobilitätsdienstleister in Europa und Teil der Edenred-Gruppe, hat seine Zusammenarbeit mit Repsol, dem führenden spanischen Multi-Energie-Anbieter, ausgebaut und jetzt sämtliche Repsol-Tankstellen in Spanien in sein Akzeptanznetz eingebunden. Damit stehen den Kunden von UTA Edenred jetzt mehr als 3.300 Repsol-Stationen in ganz Spanien zur Verfügung. Die Zusammenarbeit von UTA Edenred und Repsol begann im Jahr 2020 mit der Aufnahme von 90 Akzeptanzstellen ins UTA Netz. Durch den Ausbau der Kooperation bietet UTA Edenred seinen Kunden nun insgesamt Zugang zu mehr als 5.000 Tankstellen in Spanien und zu mehr als 62.000 Tankstellen in ganz Europa. Mit ihrer UTA Card können UTA Edenred Kunden an Repsol-Stationen neben Diesel und Benzin auch alternative Kraftstoffe wie CNG und LNG sowie AdBlue beziehen und zudem weitere Services wie sicheres Parken und Fahrzeugreinigung nutzen. "Unser Partnernetz ist das Herzstück des Serviceangebots für unsere Kunden, und das Partner Management-Team von UTA Edenred arbeitet stets daran, unsere Akzeptanz weiter auszubauen", sagt Lukas Schneider, Commercial Director EMEA bei UTA Edenred. "Die Ausweitung der UTA Akzeptanz auf das gesamte spanische Repsol-Stationsnetz ist ein Meilenstein in der Erfolgsgeschichte des UTA Akzeptanznetzes und bringt einen echten Mehrwert für unsere spanischen und internationalen Kunden." "Durch die neue Vereinbarung mit Repsol erweitern wir unser Mobilitätsangebot in Spanien erheblich. Unseren Kunden stehen jetzt alle Repsol-Tankstellen im Land zur Verfügung und Repsol wird dadurch zu einem unserer größten Akzeptanzpartner in Europa", sagt Alfonso Díaz, UTA Edenreds Country Manager für Spanien und Portugal. Carlos Suárez, B2B Director Mobility bei Repsol, ergänzt: "Durch den Ausbau unserer Partnerschaft mit UTA Edenred, einem der wichtigsten Mobilitätsdienstleister in Europa, unterstreichen wir unser Engagement für nationale und internationale Unternehmen, die im spanischen Straßenverkehrssektor tätig sind. Sie können nun an mehr als 3.300 Repsol-Tankstellen auf ein umfassendes Multi-Energie-Angebot und hochwertige Markenprodukte zugreifen." UNION TANK Eckstein GmbH & Co. KG (UTA Edenred) zählt zu den führenden Mobilitätsdienstleistern in Europa. Mit den UTA-Akzeptanzmedien erhalten gewerbliche Kunden mit Fahrzeugflotten aller Größen Zugang zu mehr als 81.000 Akzeptanzstellen in 40 Ländern. UTA Edenred-Kunden beziehen markenunabhängig und bargeldlos konventionelle und alternative Kraftstoffe, nutzen ein kontinuierlich wachsendes Ladenetz für Elektro- und Hybridfahrzeuge, Mautlösungen für 27 Länder Europas und können Werkstattleistungen, Fahrzeugreinigung, Pannen- und Abschleppdienste sowie die Servicevermittlung eines Dienstleisters zur Erstattung von Mehrwert- und Mineralölsteuer in Anspruch nehmen. Mit Softwarelösungen für Tankplanung, Flottenmanagement, Telematik und einer Smartphone-App für die mobile Tankabwicklung bietet UTA Edenred seinen Kunden eine digitale Plattform mit einem komfortablen, transparenten und sicheren 360°-Mobilitätsangebot. UTA Edenred wurde 2023 zum dritten Mal in Folge zum "Besten Tankkarten-Dienstleister für den Mittelstand" gewählt (Ranking von WirtschaftsWoche/ServiceValue) und mit dem Deutschen B2B Award der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Verbraucherstudien ausgezeichnet. Das Unternehmen, das 1963 von Heinrich Eckstein gegründet wurde, ist heute Teil der Edenred SE. Kontakt UNION TANK Eckstein GmbH & Co. KG Dr. Andreas Runkel Heinrich-Eckstein-Straße 1 63801 Kleinostheim/Mai +49 6027 509-258 http://www.uta.com Bildquelle: © Repsol Lesen Sie den ganzen Artikel

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janelevy · 5 years

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dr. bekker & the infection

requested by @thena0315 - feel free to send me an ask/message me with any ava bekker related prompts! i’ll take anything non-nsfw, platonic or romantic, with or without any other med characters.

summary: my take on what ava’s role might have been if she was around for the “infection” crossover. this definitely got longer than i intended, but i got to write ava punching a man so... i’m pleased! enjoy <3

warnings: just some icky description, and swearing.

Ava held her hand out. “Scalpel.”

The assistant pressed the tool into her hand, and Ava carefully made a cut down the center of the infected tissue. “Ugh, this is a mess,” she muttered. And it was; the patient’s skin was completely eaten away, the flesh grayish and curled in on itself. She had never seen anything quite like it, and now suddenly this bacteria seemed to be all over Chicago.

“Tell me about it,” Crockett replied. He was at work on the patient’s other arm, which also had a rotting patch on it, though not quite as deteriorated. Ava spared him a fleeting glance. Despite the nastiness of the situation, Dr. Marcel didn’t appear to be disgusted at all; if anything, he was deeply fascinated. His face was mostly concealed by his surgical mask, but she could detect the slant of his brows, the concentrated glint in his eyes.

She had just emerged from a surgery with Connor on a different infected patient when she was called into this one. In actuality, both of their pagers had gone off at the same time announcing two different emergencies that needed either one of them. Normally Ava didn’t stray from her specialty, but the hospital had started the day short on surgeons and they were grabbing anyone who knew how to use a scalpel. Ava barely had time to drop a quick kiss on Connor’s cheek before they were back in heavy-duty scrubs and off to separate operating rooms.

Ava continued slicing deeper into the patient’s arm, but it wasn’t looking good. She had been told in passing while washing up it was a young girl, only fourteen or fifteen. Secretly Ava was relieved she hadn’t been told the patient’s name; that always made things too personal when it came to dire emergency operations like this. That meant if Ava failed, she would recognize the name in the obituary in the paper, and she wasn’t about to let that happen today.

“Blood pressure’s getting a little low,” the anesthesiologist said. Instinctively, Ava stiffened but she tried to keep her movements fluid as she proceeded cutting and removing, cutting and removing. Soon she would be seeing bone.

“Well, that’s not good, now is it,” Crockett said. Ava rolled her eyes. When he switched over from the night shift to the day shift last month, she hadn’t been sure what to make of Crockett at first. Her initial impression of him was that he was quite flippant about his patients, even irresponsibly so. By now, however, she knew better; below the surface, he was just as caring and competent a surgeon as any good surgeon was. He just liked to hide it behind a spicy southern accent and overly casual demeanor.

Right when Ava thought she saw something promising - actual living tissue - she heard “Blood pressure is tanking!” right as the machines began to angrily sound their alarm.

“Pulse?” Ava demanded.

“There’s still a pulse, but it’s weak.”

“She might be septic,” Crockett pointed out.

Ava closed her eyes; her head was pounding. This shift seemed to be endless. The machines kept beeping, and she kept slicing away at this girl’s arm, and nothing seemed to be improving. She faintly heard Crockett order a dose of ephedrine, then the next second she opened her eyes and it was over.

It had been an hour since she got out from the surgery and the image of that decimated arm was still floating through Ava’s head. She had let Crockett be the one to determine if amputation was necessary, and she hadn’t stayed behind to hear what he thought. It was just too much. Now, she sat in the doctor’s lounge with her forehead pressed into her palm while she nursed a coffee mug full of lukewarm water.

This whole ordeal was viciously reminding her of when she was a second-year medical student at Chris Hani Hospital in Johannesburg. There had been an outbreak that was relatively tiny compared to what Chicago was potentially facing now. Even so, it forever scarred her mind in the same way the people she helped treat were permanently physically scarred all over their bodies. It was utterly terrifying how quickly bacteria could be transmitted, could start off nibbling away at one person then end up on a completely different arm, leg, chest, scalp.

The door to the lounge was cracked open, welcoming in the noise and chaos from the E.D. Ava was on her way out when she overheard Will walking past with an unfamiliar doctor.

“We’re going to need more samples if we want even a slim chance of cracking down on this,” the woman said.

Will nodded, a grim expression on his face. “I know... this is spiraling out of control. I think we also need more help trying to find this treatment. Three people can only do so much research. I could ask--”

Ava slid in front of them, stopping them in their tracks. “Dr. Halstead,” she greeted him formally. She turned to the woman and shook her hand. “I’m Dr. Ava Bekker, nice to meet you.”

“Hi. Dr. Andrea Danover,” the stranger said, returning the handshake.

“I couldn’t help but overhear what you were both talking about... and I think I may be able to offer some background knowledge.”

Though the situation certainly wasn’t any less stressful, Ava privately felt relieved getting to shelter behind the closed doors of the quiet lab. Will and Andrea took her to meet Dr. David Seldon, and the four of them resumed shuffling through countless slides and petri dishes under the microscope.

After testing yet another possible treatment, Will and Andrea announced they were going to collect more samples. Ava was enthused; this treatment looked promising, more promising than literally everything else they had looked at so far. It had been hours, though, and she needed a breather from the sterile air of the lab. She told Seldon she’d be right back before stepping out.

Ava took a minute to page Connor real quick, since she figured he would long be out of that surgery by now. It was a little thing they had come up with: one of them would page a short but sweet “love u,” then wait for a response. It reminded her that he was still out there, in the same building as her, healthy and breathing and okay.

Two minutes after her “love u,” she received his identical response. Trying to suppress a smile, Ava reentered the lab but right away froze in her tracks. She couldn’t believe her eyes.

Seldon was contaminating their samples, and he even wore a self-satisfied little smirk while doing it too.

“Hey!” she shouted, marching up to him. “What do you think you’re doing?”

“What? Oh, I’m just preparing these.” He maintained his composure, but she saw right through it.

“Preparing them for what? The trash?” Ava scoffed.

At that, he dropped his casual facade. “Listen, Dr. Bekker, you don’t want to get in my way. Why don’t you step aside and--”

She wasn’t in the mood for any bullshit, especially not from this man. She already had her sleeve rolled up, and in a few seconds Ava drove her fist into the side of his face and had him on his ass on the ground. “The lives of millions are at stake,” she spat, leaning over him. “And you’re willing to gamble them away? Fuck you.” Ava moved away from him, and he crawled back on all fours like the little rat he was. She massaged her aching temples. “Ugh, I’m too tired for this.”

#chicago med #ava bekker #crockett marcel #will halstead #fanfic #sorry if there are any medical inaccuracies #i'm not a doctor obviously lmao

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twdeadfanfic · 6 years

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Life at the end of the world: Pt.4

Summary: Your life as a zombie apocalypse survivor. It starts with the Reader settling into the camp at the quarry, before s1 and then follows the show events and storyline, more or less, but with the Reader in it.

Pairing: Daryl Dixon x Reader

Warnings: Slow burn, violence, language.

Author’s note: Fourth part of my first twd fanfic, I’ve been itching to write something like this for a long while and I write it for fun, I don’t claim to be a writer so if you find you dislike this fic, please be kind and just stop reading. English’s not my first language so maybe there’re some mistakes, I apologize in advance. For the same reason, I can’t write character’s accents and things like that. At any rate, I hope you enjoy it. There’d be several parts to this.

"There you go.”

You smiled to Sophia, trying to hide how worried you were, as you passed her a half-empty box of cereal bars you had taken from the CDC. It brought you memories from the first time you met the girl and shared your chocolate bars with her.

“Thank you, Y/N.” She took one of the bars and gave the other one to Carl.

Carol smiled to you gratefully and passed you a can of beans she was dining in. Food was scarce and you all were sharing a couple of cans with each other.

“We should have taken all the food that asshole had,” Daryl said grumpily. “Now it’s ashes.”

“It’s not like we had much time...” You had taken the box of cereal bars, the closer food item you saw when Rick had told you to grab your things before Dr. Jenner closed the doors. Wherever you went, you were sure to be short of food.

You were hiding in a rather small warehouse at the outside of Atlanta. It had been almost clean of walkers and seemed the only more or less safe hiding place you had seen since driving out the CDC earlier that day. You had chained the door but still, you were taking turns keeping watch. In this world, you couldn’t be too careful.

There had been some talk about what to do, although most of you were feeling so down and hopeless you didn’t care much. Shane’s idea of going to Fort Benning seemed the only chance you still might have, although after the CDC you didn’t feel very hopeful about it.

“We must have hope...” Rick had tried to lift the group spirits and you had to admire him for it.

It had been decided that you’d go to Fort Benning at first light. You didn’t have much gas so you’d take the fewer vehicles possible, splitting the remaining fuel. You were almost sure that you’d have to say goodbye to your tiny, old, second-handed car. Not the most practical for traveling, even back before the world ended.

After securing the warehouse, Glenn, Rick, and Daryl had gone on a run, trying to find supplies for your travel. You all worried sick watching them go but it had to be done. You couldn’t go to Fort Benning or wherever you ended without any food. They had come back with some cans of food and bottles of water but they hadn’t managed to find any fuel as they had hoped, hence they had taken the decision of splitting the fuel you already had.

After dinning on the canned beans you went to the door to keep watch, letting T-Dog who was currently there have some rest. You saw the others starting to spread their sleeping bags here and there, standing close to each other.

“Y/N.” You looked up when you heard your name and saw Daryl standing next to you. “I’d forgotten I found this but Sophia said they are your favorite.” He passed you some chocolate bars of your favorite brand.

“Thank you!” You were taken aback, having thought you’d never eat one of those anymore. Sure, canned beans were more useful and nutritious, but your mouth was watering at the chocolate. Still, you bit your lip thinking about the kids and how much they loved them too. “You know what, give them to Sophia and Carl, but tell them not to eat them all in one go.”

Daryl took them back but threw one of the bars to you anyway. You smiled at him, opened the bar and split it in half, giving one part to Daryl. He frowned as if confused but took it. You took a bite of chocolate and closed your eyes, smiling in delight.

“It’s not that I don’t appreciate how lucky we are to have cans of food, but this...,” you said, mouth full. “This is another level.”

Daryl snorted quietly with laughter but nodded, eating the other half of the bar and leaving you to keep watch.

You huddled in the blanket Carol had given you more for comfort than for cold, the evening was warm, and got ready for the long, lonely hours until your turn finished.

Halfway through the night, Shane got up to take your post so you could have some sleep before the sun went up. You got up and turned your back without a word but he stopped you.

“Ey, Y/N, wait.” Shane went to grab your arm but stopped when he saw you were turning to face him. “I...um...I’m sorry I was like that at the CDC. I was too drunk.”

You nodded, accepting his apologies but said nothing, heading towards your sleeping bag. You weren’t upset anymore about how he had been with you but you felt uneasy thinking what might have happened between him and Lori. Still, Shane’d been one of your first friends in the group and you felt strange being strained with him, but you couldn’t help it. You hoped things would get better eventually, though.

Next morning you weren’t the only one saying goodbye to their car in order to save gasoline. Actually, the only car your group took was Carol’s Cherokee, Rick, Lori, Carol and the kids all going on it. Daryl left his pickup in favor of his brother’s bike, which needed less gas.

“You don’t think it’s dangerous to go like that?” You asked him, genuinely worried at the lack of helmet or anything between his body and the walkers you might find on your way. You weren’t even that safe inside cars.

Daryl scoffed at you. “I’ve been riding since forever, it’s fine.”

“At least you’ll be less cramped than the rest of us.” You pointed at Carol’s car, already full and then made your way into the RV.

There was no discussion about taking Dale’s old RV, no matter the risk of it breaking down. You needed the space and it had room for all your things, not to mention a bathroom and a real, big bed. Dale, Glenn, T-Dog, Shane, Andrea and you were all in it and it felt a bit too cramped but you weren’t going to complain.

_______________________________________________________

You weren’t sure of how long you’d been travelling, you thought you weren’t even halfway but it was feeling eternal. The mood wasn’t the best, all mourning Jacquie, worried about what you’d discovered in the CDC and afraid of what you might find next.

You were bored out of your mind listening to Andrea and Shane’s talk about guns, you knew the basics already. You borrowed a book Glenn was reading but you weren’t even five pages into it when your group ran into trouble.

The road seemed to be blocked by cars and cars, but you didn’t have enough fuel to find a detour so Daryl zigzagged through the cars trying to find a way through. You watched him worriedly, hoping that there weren’t any walker inside a car that could grab him but as the RV followed him you only saw people really dead, seeming to have been like that for a long while, and you looked away quickly.

On top of everything, the RV decided to break down in such a moment, groaning as it halted into a stop, smoke rising from his hood.

“I said it, didn’t I say it...” Dale complained before starting to work on it.

The group decided to take advantage of such an eventful situation and you all went from car to car trying to scavenge something useful. Food, water, supplies, anything that you may need. You were short of everything.

The corpses inside the cars turned your stomach but you forced yourself to keep going, to be brave. By now you knew you needed it if you wanted to survive this world. You followed Carol and Lori, hand on the holster of your gun, scooping from car through car.

“Ed didn’t let me wear anything like this...” Carol said as she took a cute tank top from one of the cars. “We’re going to need clothes.” She excused herself when she saw the look Lori was giving her.

You felt a bit annoyed by Lori since you started your search she had been complaining about it. None of you wanted to do this but you had to, did she wanted you to go without food? And Carol was right, you barely had any spare clothes.

“It’ll look perfect on you, Carol, take it.” You gave her the brightest smile you could muster.

You all kept scavenging silently, finding some food items. Boxes of cereal bars and biscuits, cans and all the usual things like that, and you collected them next to the RV.

The gloomy mood of your group lifted a little when Shane found a truck full of big water containers.

“Were we short on water?” He announced before opening one and letting the water fall over his head.

You ran to the truck, laughing, and did the same, letting the fresh water pour over your hair and shaking your head, sending droplets everywhere.

“You look like a dog,” Shane told you, laughing.

You were smiling at him brightly before you knew what you were doing. You smiled faltered for a second but then returned to your face. You were glad the tension between you two was slowly ebbing away.

Of course, whenever something good happened to your group, something bad seemed to always have to happen too and Rick jumped off the RV roof to tell you walkers were getting close. You had barely any time to hide and you tried not to panic, not knowing what to do. You followed Rick and hid under a car, barely making it on time before walkers started to walk around.

You saw Carol and Lori under another and also Carl and Sophia, but you couldn’t see anyone else. You saw the legs of the walkers as they passed, more than you had ever seen together, like a true herd. Your heart was pounding so hard you were afraid the monsters were going to hear it, they were so close and you felt so exposed you felt you could just start crying, you were so scared...

Rick seemed to notice your panic because he gave you an encouraging look, nodding his head as if trying to say you everything was going to be alright. You nodded and closed your eyes, trying to breathe deep.

After what felt like an eternity the growls of the walkers seemed to go away, his footsteps walking away. You opened your eyes and looked around, you couldn’t see any rotten leg, it seemed all they had gone away but Rick held up his hand, telling you to wait.

Suddenly a walker appeared out of nowhere and you watched, terrified and helpless, as it fell down to the floor next to the car under which Sophia was hiding. The little girl cried out and tried to move away but the monsters crept under the car too.

Sophia got up and ran away from the car before any of you could do anything to help her, the monster being too close. You rolled out of under the car along with Rick in time to see her running towards the woods chased by two walkers, Rick jumping out off the road and running behind her, trying to get the walkers before they get her, all disappearing into the woods.

Carol tried to follow them, panicking but Lori held her in place exhorting her to wait for Rick to come back with Sophia.

“Ey, some help here!”

You heard Daryl’s voice and you turned around to see him making his way towards the RV, holding T-Dog’s forearm, which seemed to be bleeding.

“What happened?” You asked, walking to them and watching as Andrea and Glenn began cleaning T-Dog’s arm.

“Cut my forearm while trying to hide...” T-Dog grumbled weakly, grimacing.

“Ey, what’s going on?” Daryl frowned taking in your panicked face and seeing Carol crying at the side of the road, staring at the woods.

“Some walkers found Sophia and she ran to the woods.” You explained, following him as he quickly made his way towards where Carol and Lori were standing. “Rick had gone after them.”

“Shit...” He murmured.

“Rick’ll bring her back, we have to wait.” You said when he didn’t stop walking, afraid he was going to disappear into the woods too.

Daryl looked from the woods to you, then back to the woods, then to Carol and nodded, stopping, but soon he was anxiously pacing around. You were in anguish too but focused on comforting Carol.

When Rick came back Sophia wasn’t with him.

Carol began sobbing again, panic rushing through her but Rick began talking fast, trying to ease her fears. He had led the walkers away from Sophia and had let her hidden, telling her to ran back to the camp if he wasn’t back. If Sophia wasn’t there, then she must be still hidden.

This time, when Rick went back to look for Sophia, Daryl, Shane, and Glenn went with him, leaving you all there waiting anxiously. Shane and Glenn came back not much later, without Sophia.

“It’s fine, it’s fine people,” Shane told you before you started panicking. “Daryl and Rick can find Sophia without us so Glenn and I decided it was better to come back and start getting everything ready so we can leave as soon as they are back. Right, Glenn?”

Glenn nodded quickly but he seemed out of sorts and rushed towards the RV.

You knew Shane, knew he was trying to keep you busy so you wouldn’t panic about Sophia, so things wouldn’t get out of hand. Still, you welcomed the distraction and were eager to feel useful.

“Alright people, I want you to put together all the supplies we have found and try to see if you can find anything else,” Shane commanded. “Andrea, Y/N, I want you with me, we’re going to push those cars that have blocked the road.”

After you managed to unblock the road you went to check on Carol but heard Dale and Andrea having a heated argument. Apparently, Dale was refusing to give Andrea her gun back and when Andrea complained about it to Shane he agreed with Dale, taking you aback.

“I’m going to have to take yours too, Y/N.”

You gaped at him. You understood he didn’t want anyone without training to carry a gun, they could shoot in a bad moment and bring walkers to you when they heard the sound or they could even hurt one of your own, but you’d already proven you knew how to shoot. Maybe you couldn’t run and shoot at the same time, alright, but you’d shot down walkers back when they attacked the quarry!

Shane was begging you with his eyes not to cause a scene though, so you took the gun he had lent you, already feeling vulnerable and helpless and gave it to him harshly.

“Okay, it’s your anyway.” You grumbled, walking away, ignoring Shane when he called after you.

The sun was getting down when Rick and Daryl came back, once again without Sophia. Your heart was in your throat and you couldn’t imagine how Carol must be feeling, sobbing as she saw them approach without her daughter.

Rick explained that Sophia wasn’t where he left her but that they’d keep looking for her at first light, all you, trying to calm you all down without much success. Carol began panicking at the idea of Sophia staying the night alone in the woods. She was finding hard to breath and you held her, trying to help her stand up.

“There was no blood, lots of people get lost and they get back,” Daryl said, looking at Carol worriedly and trying to comfort her but Carol just began panicking more when she noticed the blood on his trousers.

None of you felt better when Rick and Daryl explained the blood was from a walker they cut open, making sure he hadn’t eaten Sophia. Your stomach turned but you tried your best to stay strong for Carol.

“How could just leave her out there to began with, how could you leave her.” Carol sobbed, blaming Rick. “She’s just a child...”

She ignored all Rick’s explanations and you couldn’t blame her. She was in shock, scared to death for her little girl who was alone in the woods at night, maybe with walkers out there. But still, you felt bad for Rick. He had done his best, had tried, was still trying, and you pat his shoulder when you walked past him as you all made your way back into the cars for the night.

There wasn’t much space to sleep inside the vehicles, so you were lucky you got to share the RV bed with Carol and Andrea.

Before getting into the RV you saw Daryl perched up on top of it, having taken the first turn of watch duty, and you made your way up.

“Ey...you really think Sophia is okay?” You asked as quietly as possible so the others wouldn’t hear you. “Please, be honest.” You begged, even though you were afraid of what he might say.

“Course she’s okay.” Daryl looked at you in disbelieve, seeming a bit annoyed. “Told Carol already, lots of people get lost and they get back.”

“Yeah...but the walkers...” You bit your lip hard, feeling dangerously close to tears.

“I saw no walkers but the one I cut open. The little girl is fine, we’ll find her.” Daryl insisted and he almost made you have hope. Maybe Sophia was alright, hidden somewhere. Maybe you’d find her tomorrow.

“Okay...okay, thanks.” You gave him a weak smile. “I’m gonna check on Carol.”

“Take care of her,” Dary whispered quietly, a worried frown on his face. You could see how much he actually cared about her and her little girl, more than you could have thought. It made you feel a bit better, somehow. Daryl would found Sophia.

“Yeah, she’s strong though, you told me right?” You replied, thinking he might be in need of some comfort too, even though for now he seemed to be the only one keeping the spirits high about the situation.

Once in bed, Carol kept crying and crying, unable to sleep and when Andrea got up, saying she needed some air, you saw she was crying too.

You stayed there though, you couldn’t get yourself to leave Carol like that, no matter how much her tears hurt you, how much it made you think about all the horrible things that could happen to Sophia, no matter Daryl’s words. You cuddled with Carol, letting her sob into your shoulder until she passed out, exhausted, a couple of hours before dawn, you falling asleep too almost immediately after her.

Next morning, while Daryl explained to the group the plan and route to follow in your search for Sophia, Shane gave you all weapons. No guns though. You got a decent sized knife, it wasn’t bad but you much preferred your gun. Still, it seemed Shane wasn’t going to give it to you back and if he did it’d probably just upset Andrea more.

She was still complaining about them having taken her gun and you could understand her but you didn’t want to start an argument about it, not now when you had a way more important task to focus on, so you took the knife without complaining.

All you were going to look for Sophia, besides Dale who stayed to repair the RV and T-Dog, whose wounded arm was being hard to heal and had left him weak.

Daryl guided you into the woods, at the head of your line and you all looked around anxiously, waiting for any trace of Sophia or any danger to show up.

For a while you found nothing but then you saw a tent standing a bit further ahead of the path. Getting closer, Carol called quietly for Sophia, but nothing happened. You all watched anxiously while Daryl got into the tent, but he exited it after less than a minute to announce there wasn’t any threat inside, neither any trace of Sophia. Only the corpse of someone who had ‘opted out’.

Suddenly the sound of bells filled the air and you all ran towards it until you reached a church. Shane pointed out the church didn’t have any steeple so the sound couldn’t come from it but Rick ignored him, running towards it, and you all followed him.

When you reached it, Rick opened the door of the building and you carefully stepped inside, discovering three walkers which were sitting down on the benches. They turned their evil faces towards you and got up, stumbling towards you, but Rick, Shane, and Daryl made quick work of them.

“Sophia! Sophia!” Rick called for her, refusing to accept she wasn’t there, but the little girl didn’t come.

“Ey, J.C” You heard Daryl murmur to the statue on the cross. “You taking requests?

You patted his arm in what you hoped was a reassuring gesture, trying not to show how disappointed you were at Sophia not been there, trying not to lose hope, and Daryl looked at you as if startled before relaxing and giving you a nod.

Shane was trying to explain to Rick again that the sound of the bells couldn’t come from there when suddenly the bells started ringing again. You all rushed outside, finding out that the sound came from some speakers and Glenn stopped it ripping off the wires.

It had been just a recording...

Carol went back inside the church, tears falling down her cheeks, the hope of Sophia having found refuge in the church gone.

“There can’t be many walkers out here, they’d have come following the sound,” Daryl told you before getting inside the church.

“That’s good...” You said weakly, following him inside.

No walkers had shown up so maybe there weren’t many around, maybe Sophia was safe and sound, hiding somewhere. You had to keep hoping.

You couldn’t help your tears hearing Carol talking quietly, blaming herself and begging god to get Sophia back to her safe.

“We have to find her...” You whispered to Daryl and he nodded quietly, chewing on his thumb.

Once outside the church, Shane and Rick seemed to be discussing something and Shane announced they had decided it was best to split, him and Rick, and also Carl who insisted on going with them, would keep searching for Sophia while you retreated, looking for her in the woods and then Daryl would lead you back to the road.

Rick felt uneasy about leaving Lori without a gun so he tried to give her his but she refused, not wanting to leave him defenseless, and you blinked in surprise when Daryl offered his own gun to Lori immediately.

Andrea scoffed and sure, it was not fair Lori had a gun and you couldn’t have yours but still, you were moved by Daryl gesture, it was something you hadn’t expected from the redneck you’d met at the quarry.

He seemed to be changing somehow since leaving that camp or maybe he was just starting to show his true self. You’d already caught glimpses of it in your talks, in his insistence on the search for Sophia, in how he cared for Carol and her little girl. Now you saw another as he selflessly lent his gun so Rick would stop worrying that much.

You followed Daryl as he guided you through the woods, looking for Sophia but finding nothing.

“So this is it, this is the whole thing...” Carol complained and you didn’t know what to say, how to comfort her. You understood he was frustrated and worried sick, but you were doing everything you could.

You let out a frustrated sigh when Andrea and Lori started to argue, you couldn’t lose time in things like that. Lori called Andrea out, offering the gun, saying she was tired of her dirty looks and then confronted Carol too, exhorting her to stop blaming Rick for everything when he was doing his best to find Sophia.

You understood both parts so you stepped away, not wanting to be caught in the middle of the argument. To your relief, they seemed to sort everything out quickly.

“Come on people,” Daryl rolled his eyes. “We still have a lot of ground to cover.”

You hadn’t gone far when you heard a gunshot and you all looked around startled, but it came from far away, from where Rick, Shane, and Carl had gone. Worry was clear in Loris’ eyes, it had been a single shot and they wouldn’t shot at a walker unless they had problems, but Daryl insisted you had to keep moving.

You walked behind Daryl but he stopped when he heard Andrea trying to comfort Carol.

“We’re all hoping with you, for all it’s worth.” The blonde was saying kindly to Carol.

“I tell you what’s worth, not a damn thing. It’s just a waste of time to be hoping and praying” Daryl interfered harshly. “We’re gonna locate that girl and she’s gonna be just fine. I’m the only one zen around here? Good lord.” He ended his rant, making you snort a laugh.

You all kept following him, trying to not lose hope as you kept finding no trace of the little girl.

“Let’s head back,” Lori said when the sun started to get down.

“We’ll pick it up again tomorrow?” Carol asked, eyes begging sadly.

“We’ll find her tomorrow.” Lori tried to reassure her.

You were so tired and so focused trying not to trip over any root or bump in the path that you didn’t notice Andrea had gone out of the path until you heard her screams. You all ran towards the screams, horrified when you find her struggling against a walker.

Daryl aimed his crossbow but before any of you could do anything a young woman in a horse appeared out of nowhere, knocking down the monster with a bat.

“Lori, Lori Grimes?” The woman asked, eyeing your group.

“I’m Lori.” Lori walked to her, looking as confused as all of you. Who was that girl, where did she come from, how did she knew Lori’s name?

“Rick sent me, you gotta come with me now!” The girl explained quickly.“There’s been an accident, Carl’s been shot. He’s still alive but you gotta come now!”

You gasped in horror and Lori went pale, rushing to the horse.

“Whoa, whoa, we don’t know this girl you can’t get on that horse!” Daryl exclaimed, trying to stop her but Lori ignored him and the two women rushed away on the horse before the young woman told you where to find her family farm.

You all stood there, too shocked to do anything for a moment but then Daryl rushed to help Andrea onto her feet.

“Shut up.” He growled at the walker, who was getting up again, shooting an arrow into his head.

As soon as you reached the road Dale rushed to you, bombarding you with questions and looking more and more shocked as Glenn told him about the girl who took Lori on her horse, saying Carl had been shot.

“And you let her?” Dale asked Daryl and you rolled your eyes. Daryl was your tracker and your leader on the search, nor your babysitter, Lori had taken her own decisions and besides, Daryl had tried to stop her.

“Get off my ass, old man.” He answered annoyed. “Rick sent her, she knew Lori’s name and Carl’s.”

You saw there was still palpable tension between Andrea and Dale as she ignored him while he asked her if it was her who he had heard screaming in the woods and getting flustered when Glenn explained she took down a walker.

“Andrea? You alright?” Dale insisted but she kept ignoring him, getting into the RV.

You sat down next to Carol and she rested her head on your shoulders, tears falling down her cheeks silently. Daryl looked at you both, frowning and biting his lip but said nothing. You were at loss of words too, not knowing how to comfort Carol, so you just rested your head against hers, trying to offer some silent comfort for a moment until you were forced to get up and make plans.

There was much to talk about and decisions to make.

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I never thought anyone’d like to be tag in any of my stories so thank you! It means the world! <3

I hope you like this new chapter.

#daryl dixon x reader #daryl dixon fanfiction #daryl dixon #twd fanfiction #the walking dead fanfiction #daryl x reader #daryl dixon imagine #twd imagine #the walking dead imagine #daryl imagine #life at the end of the world #lew

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